Jackson Hole Dog Blog

Call to Action!

ChristieDVM — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 05:53:00 GMT

As you know, the Wyoming legislature is back in session this week. One of the bills that MAY be introduced is House Bill #46 that would strengthen the law concerning animal cruelty. Please consider emailing the Representatives and urge them to introduce the bill and then pass it into law.

The following is the body of the email I sent and after that is the list of Representatives' email addresses. It would be best to word this differently and make it your own. I have been told to keep it short and unemotional, not easy considering what is at stake!

And a huge THANK YOU to Rep. Keith Gingery for his guidance and support of this effort. Remember Schoolhouse Rock? That is what I remembered about getting a bill passed, sad, but true.....however, Keith was a big help in my learning the effective way to show support of bills.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Please vote yes to introduce House Bill #46, Abuse of Animals, then please follow up by voting yes to pass it.

-House Bill 46 provides that subsequent offenses of aggravated cruelty to animals, including dogfighting, is a felony. An initial offense of dogfighting remains a misdemeanor.
-A poll recently conducted by the Casper Star Tribune shows that 76 percent of Wyoming voters believe that severe cases of animal cruelty, including dogfighting, should be considered a felony.
-Wyoming remains one of only two states in the US in which dogfighting is still considered a misdemeanor. Idaho, the other state, is considering legislation this year to make even the first offense of dogfighting a felony.
-We urge you to help Wyoming take a stand against the cruel practice of dogfighting and vote in favor of House Bill 46.

dalden@wyoming.com, randerso@house.wyoming.com, rberger@wyoming.com,
sblake@wyoming.com, bbrechtel@house.wyoming.com, kermitbrown@wyoming.com,
ebuchanan@house.wyoming.com, childers@house.wyoming.com,
royc@alluretech.net, bcraft@wyoming.com, kdavison@wyoming.com,
diercks@wyoming.com, ddockstader@wyoming.com, aedmonds@wyoming.com,
warpaint@wyoming.com, fesquibel@house.wyoming.com, kesquibel@wyoming.com,
mgilmore2@house.wyoming.com, kgingery@wyoming.com, pgoggles@wyoming.com,
mary.hales@realestateincasper.com, tphallinan@bresnan.net,
dhammons@wyoming.com, sharshman@house.wyoming.com, harvey00@tctwest.net,
jiekel@house.wyoming.com, pete_chloeilloway3@msn.com, ajaggi@wyoming.com,
aljones@house.wyoming.com, pjorgensen@jorgensenassociates.com,
jlandon@house.wyoming.com, tlockh1617@aol.com, tlubnau@vcn.com,
madden@wyoming.com, mmartin@house.wyoming.com, dmcomie@house.wyoming.com,
emercer@house.wyoming.com, slmey@wyoming.com, davidmiller@house.wyoming.com,
lorimillin@bresnan.net, monteolsen@wyoming.com,
opetersen@house.wyoming.com, fphilp@house.wyoming.com,
lquarberg@wyoming.com, dswyo@house.wyoming.com, msemlek@house.wyoming.com,
lshepperson@wyoming.com, csimpson@skelaw.com, slater@wyoming.com,
jebsteward@union-tel.com, mteeters@wyoming.com,
billthompson@house.wyoming.com, mthrone@wyoming.com, sue.wallis@vcn.com,
twalsh@house.wyoming.com, jwbeardog@bresnan.net, elkuw@wyoming.com,
dzwonitzer@wyoming.com

Invitation to share your stories of Dr. Tim Gwilliam

ChristieDVM — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 06:11:00 GMT

I had only met Dr. Tim Gwilliam a few times, but feel that in a community like Jackson a loss like this impacts us all, whether you knew him or not.

A few years before I moved here my parents' dog collapsed and they thought at first she was dead. They rushed her to Tim and he determined that she was probably on too high of a dose of heart medication at this elevation-she had recently arrived from living at 98 feet above sea level. My grateful parents had her for a few more years after that and always felt he saved, and ultimately lengthened, her life that night.

I invite you to tell your stories about Tim and in this way I hope we can pay our respects.

'Home 4 the Holidays'

ChristieDVM — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 06:43:00 GMT

Are you considering adding a pet to your household? If so, PLEASE give the residents of our local shelters a chance to win you over. *Home 4 the Holidays* is Friday the 7th from 4-8pm at the Teton County Fair Building. PAWS and the local shelters participate in this effort each December;it is the largest animal adoption event in the world. Or come and shop!

What can you do?

ChristieDVM — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 01:24:00 GMT

Wyoming and Idaho are the only states left that have not made dog fighting a felony. Currently it is only a misdemeanor.

Dog fighting not only harms the dogs involved, who suffer terribly, but is dangerous to other animals who may be used as bait. It is also a real threat to the people and other animals in the communities where these dogs live.

In addition, dog fighting is linked to other crimes including money laundering and drug trafficking. And violence begets violence...research shows that those who abuse animals are more likely to abuse people. In fact, 100% of serial killers caught in the US started with torturing and killing animals. Finally, fighting enthusiasts often bring young children to the fights desensitizing them to violence and teaching them that violence is accepted by society.

A woman named Dawn Redhill has started a petition to encourage our state legislators to strengthen the current penalties and make it a felony to engage in dog fighting.

Dawn has placed petitions in many local businesses including Teton Tails on Pearl St, D.O.G., the Teton County Animal Shelter, the PAWS of Jackson Hole office now in the back of Teton Tails, as well as other spots.

PLEASE consider stopping in to one of these spots and signing and/or posting to the blog if you find a petition in other spots. PLEASE help put an end to this cruel practice!

THANK YOU

Fact or Fiction?

ChristieDVM — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 02:36:00 GMT

What myths or truths have you heard about pets? For example most people know that chocolate is toxic for dogs. But do you know that almost anything toxic for a dog is worse for a cat? And some things dogs can tolerate are highly toxic for cats.

So, what have you heard and/or wondered about?

Did you hear?

ChristieDVM — Thu, 17 May 2007 16:35:00 GMT

As you may know, Mulligan Stew Pet Food was tested for melamine and none was found. What you may or may not know is the company took the extra step of having the food tested for cyanuric acid, another potential toxin. The food was also free of this chemical.

FWIW, my dogs are thrilled as is my parrot who LOVES it as well.....

No Need To Panic.....

ChristieDVM — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 03:56:00 GMT

I have been happily surprised that I had not encountered anyone affected by the pet food recall. Like many pet owners I have checked the recall list a few times, but felt confidant that what I feed would not turn up on the list.... So, Murphy's Law being what it is I received a call yesterday that the canned food I have been adding to the dry for several months had turned up on the list. Ironically I have never been one to feed canned food to my dogs, but have been VERY impressed by the positive changes I have seen in other dogs eating this particular food.

While this whole recall issue is obviously very serious, it does not warrant panic.

My first reaction was to go online looking for the brand on the list. FYI, not all the lists are complete! But diligence pays off and you may also want to check the 'not on the recall list' lists available. Keep in mind that while 'surfing' I was watching my perfectly happy, healthy dogs bounding around gleefully in the back yard, COMPLETELY fine and oblivious to all the drama. Clueless to the fact that their treasured canned food was in jeopardy.....

Since the food in question was created locally, I next called a friend who works for the company. Interestingly, affected rice protein MAY have been added to the food by the manufacturer without the company's knowledge or consent. But since they can not be sure, my friend and her husband spent the day driving around and picking up the flavors affected and contacting everyone they could to be safe.

The food in question is Mulligan Stew Pet Food, specifically the chicken and turkey flavors. Of course, I feed the turkey.... The beef and salmon flavors are not on the list. I recommend going to mulliganstewpetfood.com and reading the letter from the President of the company. FYI, there is a band called Mulligan Stew...so if you go to mulliganstew.com you will not see any pet food info....

Bottomline, I would never suggest disregarding the recall list and, of course, I encourage vigilance for the safety of your pets. Certainly contact your veterinarian immediately if your pet seems ill. Just be sure to look at the whole picture and act instead of react. Get the information you need and proceed accordingly. FWIW, I guess my dogs will be trying the beef and salmon flavors while we wait for the turkey flavor to make it back to the shelves.....

Any questions or concerns?

Recall List

ChristieDVM — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 03:58:00 GMT

Has anyone been affected by the pet food recall?

I have been checking the American Veterinary Medical Associations' website for my own info. It was last updated today. It is avma.org if you are interested.

Not Pet Related

ChristieDVM — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 03:39:00 GMT

Although this is off-topic, I want to say that my thoughts and prayers are with anyone affected by the tragedy at Virginia Tech. I received my undergraduate degree from Randolph-Macon Woman's College in Lynchburg, VA, which is only a few hours away from Blacksburg and have visited that campus many times. Even as distanced as we are from the goings on in the East, it is a slap to the system when something like this happens anywhere. And with the large numbers of people in Jackson that have come here from the East coast I have no doubt some members of our community will be directly affected. Again, my thoughts and prayers go out to any and all.

You decide....

ChristieDVM — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 03:09:00 GMT

What should the next controversial subject be?? This blog seems to get a lot more response when discussing polarizing subjects than when I ask a benign question...so...what should it be?

Will you be there?

ChristieDVM — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 12:46:00 GMT

PAWS' second annual 'Fur Ball' is this Friday night at the Four Seasons from 7-10pm.

They have added a 'Furry Fashion Show' featuring some local folks and their pets walking the runway. It is also the kick-off for the 2008 Pets of Jackson calendar. The front and back covers as well as a fold out centerfold will be auctioned off. Or be among the first to sign up for your pet to be in next year's calendar!

Tickets are $75 and are available at Teton Tails, Scandia Down, Smith's Liquor Store and the PAWS office in the Powderhorn Mall. PAWS' phone number is 734-2441 if you would like to call and use a credit card to purchase your tickets. You may also purchase tickets at the door.

The 'Fur Ball' will help fund all PAWS' programs-INCLUDING MUTT MITT STATIONS-for more info go to www.pawsofjh.org

Gerbil Burble....

ChristieDVM — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 04:58:00 GMT

What is the most unusual pet you have ever had?

This week...'Cat Chat'

ChristieDVM — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 06:29:00 GMT

Did you go plan to get a cat or did your cat find you? I know a woman who ran a shelter in a large city and in that setting the theory is that a large percent of cat owners passively end up with a cat...or 4.... Rather than deciding to go get one, either a cat wandered up, a kid went off to school leaving the cat behind, etc. What is your story?

Wouldn't it be nice....

ChristieDVM — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 05:19:00 GMT

Maybe I'm a dreamer, but wouldn't a dog park be nice?

Anti-freeze

ChristieDVM — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 05:15:00 GMT

The PAWS office received a call yesterday from a concerned dog owner stating that he had been walking his dog at Cache Creek Sunday when the dog found some anti-freeze. Wisely, this owner called authorities who are investigating. The owner warned someone he encountered at the end of his walk. That person said he had seen some a few weeks before at Emily's Pond. The Deputy investigating found a closed container of anti-freeze at Cache Creek, but nothing has been found at Emily's Pond as far as I know.

When the Executive Director of PAWS spoke to the Deputy, he emphasized that they have not received any reports of dogs being exposed to anti-freeze.

I am happy to discuss this toxin and answer any questions you may have. In the meantime, please know that this matter is being thoroughly investigated.

It is always best to be watchful of what your dog is encountering when out and about. Unlike my dogs, the WORST behaved in Teton County, many can be monitored and controlled by voice command in off-leash areas. If not, keeping them on a leash is safest.

Please let me know what you are thinking......