PetHobbyist.com Site Blog - News

We've moved!

nospam@example.com (PetHobbyist) — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 00:00:22 -0500

Hi, friends! PetHobbyist.com has a new name!

You'll find our team of bloggers -- along with great new features including the ability to create your OWN blog -- at our new location:

ConnectedByPets.com

You can log in with your PetHobbyist.com username and password.

See you there!

Iams prescription dry cat food for kidney disease recalled

nospam@example.com (PetHobbyist) — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 15:13:01 -0500

Procter & Gamble announced today that it's recalling its feline prescription dry food for cats with kidney disease due to the "potential" that it's contaminated with salmonella. From the release:

The Procter & Gamble Company is voluntarily recalling two specific lots of its prescription renal dry cat food as a precautionary measure, as it has the potential to be contaminated with salmonella.

The following products are included:

Iams Veterinary Formulas Feline Renal 5.5 lbs with lot code 01384174B4 and UPC code 0 19014 21405 1

Iams Veterinary Formulas Feline Renal 5.5 lbs with lot code 01384174B2 and UPC code 0 19014 21405 1

This product is available by prescription through veterinary clinics throughout the U.S.

No illnesses have been reported. A FDA analysis identified a positive result on the lot codes listed above. Lot codes can be found in the lower right corner on the back of the bag.

Consumers who have purchased dry cat food with these codes should discard it. People handling dry pet food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with surfaces exposed to this product. Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may have decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. If left untreated, pets may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

For further information or a product refund call P&G toll-free at 877-894-4458 (Monday Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM EST).

The full release is here.

Two new pet recalls to start holiday weekend

nospam@example.com (Cindy Steinle) — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 17:34:28 -0500

Seems as if the food companies have not learned much over the last few years. Two Friday night dump and run recalls were issued this week. Earlier in the week, we reported a food recall on Feline's Pride and now we have two more recalls to bring to you. Thanks to reporting from Gina over at Petconnection.com you can get a bit of background on the companies involved.

Recall One: Merrick Beef Fillets

MERRICK PET CARE RECALLS BEEF FILET SQUARES 10oz BAG (ITEM # 60016 LOT # 10084TL7 BEST BY MARCH 24,2012) BECAUSE OF POSSIBLE SALMONELLA HEALTH RISK

Therese from Petsitusa, who was on top of the original major pet food recall never sleeps and issued this blog post about it.

The original recall notice from the FDA can be found here

The new updated recall is thankfully published on Merrick's website and can be found here.

Recall Two: United Pet Group nutritional supplements

United Pet Group, Cincinnati, Ohio is voluntarily expanding its recent recall of its Pro-Pet Adult Daily Vitamin Supplement tablets for Dogs to include additional pet nutritional supplement products for dogs and cats due to possible Salmonella contamination. The list of recalled products is provided below. The Food and Drug Administration is aware of this recall.

The recalled products are sold nationally at various retailers. The products include various United Pet Group Pro-Pet and Excel branded products for dogs and cats, and certain other private label brands of the same products. All of the affected products are in tablet and powdered form. These products are being removed from retail stores and consumers should immediately stop feeding these supplements to their pets. The affected products are those with expiration dates that include and are between "01/2013" and "06/2013." Products with expiration dates earlier than 01/2013 or later than 06/2013 are not included in this recall. The expiration date can be found imprinted vertically on the right side of the product label.

The full list of recalled items and what to do if you have these items can be found on the FDA official notice here.

Thankfully we have industry watchdogs Gina and Therese keeping an eye out for our pets!

USDA grants full license to canine flu vaccine

nospam@example.com (PetHobbyist) — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 14:10:00 -0500

From Veterinary Practice News:

The United States Department of Agriculture has granted a full license to Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Healths Nobivac Canine Flu H3N8. This is the first vaccine against canine influenza virus (CIV), according to the company, which announced the approval June 9, 2010.

The full license means that the USDA confirms the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine. Nobivac Canine Flu has been shown to significantly decrease the signs, severity and spread of CIV infection. The vaccine has also been shown to reduce the incidence and severity of lung lesions, the company reported, adding that field experience data shows that the vaccine is well-tolerated.

Full story here.

Honoring Animals in War

nospam@example.com (Cheryl Cooper) — Sun, 30 May 2010 11:37:00 -0500

On this Memorial Day, all of us at PetHobbyist.com want to honor the men and women who have given their lives in service to our country.

We'd also like to honor those animals who fought alongside their human partners. This British monument was designed with that thought in mind:

On the lower level, two heavily laden bronze mules struggle through an arena, enclosed by the dominant wall symbolising the war experience. The mules approach a flight of steps that leads through the wall. Beyond the wall, on the upper level, a bronze horse and dog stand facing north into the gardens, bearing witness to the loss of their comrades and representing hope for the future.

You can read more about the "Animals in War" memorial here.

AKC: Don't give award to Michael Vick

nospam@example.com (Christie Keith) — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 13:54:15 -0600

Via DogHobbyist.com site coordinator Cheryl Cooper, this letter, signed by AKC chairman Ronald Menacker and president/CEO Dennis Sprung to Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeff Lurie and the Ed Block Courage Award Foundation:

On behalf of the American Kennel Club, our 5,000 clubs nationwide, and the millions of responsible dog owners we represent, we are writing to ask you to withdraw Michael Vick as the Philadelphia Eagles' recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award.

We understand that his teammates selected Mr. Vick for this honor, but in doing so they are demonstrating a lack of understanding about the nature of both animal and child abuse, and are trivializing Mr. Vick's heinous actions. Michael Vick horrified the world, and especially those of us who devote our lives to promoting the health and welfare of dogs, with his engagement in dog fighting. In addition to the bloody fighting contests, reports indicate that many dogs were electrocuted, drowned or hung for underperformance.

A man who has been convicted of these atrocities should not be held up as a role model of sportsmanship and courage. Further, Ed Block, the award's namesake, dedicated his life to ending the vicious cycle of pain and despair suffered by children at the hands of their abusers. It is unconscionable that a man who tortured and abused helpless animals be honored by an organization dedicated to ending abuse.

Please take a stand against ALL forms of abuse by selecting another player to represent the Philadelphia Eagles at the 32nd Annual Ed Block Courage Awards.

We at PetHobbyist.com can't help but agree.

Photo of Leo, one of the Vick dogs, courtesy of Our Pack. Leo is now a certified therapy dog.

L.A.'s dog-saving fire-fighter

nospam@example.com (Christie Keith) — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 11:45:18 -0600

Longtime PetHobbyist BFF and nationally syndicated columnist/best-selling pet author Gina Spadafori wrote this morning about a heroic Los Angeles firefighter and the people who object to the fact that he saved a dog's life:

I opened my e-mail, and found crap from haters who are demanding that "our tax dollars" not be "wasted" on animals. In particular, theyre referring to the dramatic rescue of the dog from the flood-swollen Los Angeles River. Firefighter Joe St. Georges was lowered from a helicopter, wrestled with and was bitten severely by the terrified animal -- but would not give up. Instead, he changed his grip to get the dog's mouth facing out, and then signaled for them to be lifted together out of the raging water.

Folks, that's a hero.

Gina took this a little personally, since she's from a firefighter family as well as a dog-loving one. So she started up a fan page on Facebook, "Thank L.A.'s dog-saving fire-fighter, Joe St. Georges!", which had over 100 fans within minutes.

Go over there, give it a click, and then send a card to St. Georges, letting him know you think he's a hero, too!

Joe St. Georges
LAFD Fire Station 114
16617 Arminta St.
Van Nuys, CA 91406.

Fish & Wildlife to add pythons to Lacey Act

nospam@example.com (Cindy Steinle) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 22:23:00 -0600

In yet another attack on the reptile community, today Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will look to list the "Big 9" from the USGS survey published in October on the Lacey Act as injurious species:

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar today announced the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will propose to list the Burmese python and eight other large constrictor snakes that threaten the Everglades and other sensitive ecosystems as "injurious wildlife" under the Lacey Act.

Salazar made the announcement at the Port of New York, which serves as the largest point of entry in the nation for imports of wildlife and wildlife products. Last year, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Inspectors at John F. Kennedy International Airport handled more than 27, 000 separate wildlife shipments valued at more than $1 billion, or 16 percent of all U.S. wildlife imports.

The proposal, which will be open to public comment before Salazar makes a final decision, would prohibit importation and interstate transportation of the animals.

"The Burmese python and these other alien snakes are destroying some of our nations most treasured and most fragile ecosystems," Salazar said. "The Interior Department and states such as Florida are taking swift and common sense action to control and eliminate the populations of these snakes, but it is an uphill battle in ecosystems where they have no natural predators. If we are going to succeed, we must shut down the importation of the snakes and end the interstate commerce and transportation of them."

This allows us yet another opportunity to refute the bad science involved with both HR2811 and S373. The FWS will publish the proposed rule change in the federal register in early February.

Once it's published, the public will have sixty days to offer comment, after which the waiting game begins again.

As soon as the comment period opens, we'll let you know what action to take, and where.

Even now, it's not too late -- or too early! -- to make calls, reach out to your senators and representatives. Let them know this proposal is based on bad science, that you're part of the reptile community and that you vote!

Fire, then flood: Southern California faces mandatory evacuation orders

nospam@example.com (Christie Keith) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 10:43:09 -0600

From PetConnection.com's Kim Campbell Thornton, news that people and their animals are facing evacuation orders in Southern California due to flooding and landslide danger in areas that previously burned:

(P)eople in some burn areas in Los Angeles County are facing mandatory evacuation this morning. People, take your pets with you. There are shelters where they can be cared for during the evacuation period, or you can find a pet-friendly hotel or impose on generous friends or relatives who dont have allergies. Some shelters for people also have pet-friendly areas, a result of the Katrina debacle. Whatever you do, take your dogs and cats with you. Youll be glad you did.

Read the full story, and more hints on dealing with and preparing for disasters, here.

Donate to help the people and animals of Haiti

nospam@example.com (PetHobbyist) — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 23:24:28 -0600

The news from Haiti is getting grimmer every moment. Many of our users have asked what they can do to help, and we've put links to the Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders in our splash.

For those of us in the animal loving community, two organizations could use your support.

One is the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, which is on the ground in Haiti now with teams of handlers and dogs specially trained to search for earthquake victims. They are giving updates on the teams deployed in Haiti, and what they're seeing there, on their Twitter feed and Facebook page.

From their media release:

National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, a non-profit, non-governmental organization dedicated to recruiting rescued dogs and partnering them with firefighters to find people buried alive in the wreckage of disasters, today announced six Canine Search Teams are en route to Haiti to assist with search and rescue efforts in response to the powerful 7.0 earthquake that struck the island on January 12. The State Department, the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance are working in conjunction with California Task Force 2 (CA-TF2), a FEMA urban search and rescue task force based in Los Angeles County.

Their most recent update:

As dawn broke over Port-Au-Prince today, a C-17 cargo plane landed with its life-saving cargo: six Canine Disaster Search Teams trained by the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation (SDF).

The teams were deployed as part of Los Angeles Countys California Task Force 2 (CA-TF2) to find victims of the earthquake buried under rubble. The teams are now staging on the grounds of the U.S. Embassy.

Ron Weckbacher, who has deployed with his Search Dog Dawson to many disasters including 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina, updated SDF via satellite phone on the challenges they face in finding survivors. Teammates Ron Horetski & Pearl, Jason Vasquez & Maverick and Bill Monahan & Hunter are out doing recon around the city to determine where to begin search and rescue efforts.

Other Task Force members are setting up the base of operations that will serve as the Command Post for the long, grueling work in the days ahead. Also recently arrived on the scene is SDF Search Team Julie Padelford-Jansen & Dakota with Florida Task Force 1 (FL-TF1).

As the L.A. Teams stepped off the plane in Haiti, fellow SDF handlers in Sacramento (CA-TF7) and Orange County (CA-TF5) were preparing for deployment. Each Task Force brings over 50,000 pounds of equipment, including vehicles, heavy machinery and supplies in addition to their most valuable tool: live-scent Search Dogs.

The dogs are able to climb and run across rubble, like the piles of concrete in the streets of Port-Au-Prince, and determine within minutes if there are survivors buried below. We will be providing you with daily updates on their progress. Please check www.SearchDogFoundation.org for stories about the teams, and follow us on Twitter.

You can donate to support their efforts here.

Additionally, the American Veterinary Medical Association maintains a disaster response arm, and they've indicated they're standing by to lend whatever assistance they can to the people and animals of Haiti as soon as immediate human needs have been met. From their update today:

The devastating earthquake that occurred in Haiti on Tuesday, Jan. 12, is tragic. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) is closely monitoring the early response in Haiti to determine if and how we and others involved in animal welfare and health may assist in the Haiti response and recovery efforts.

As always with disasters like this, the humanitarian rescue efforts will be the focus in Haiti for the first week or so. However, veterinarians are on standby to assist with the tragedy.

Once the immediate human needs have been met, the AVMA is ready to address the animal issues in any way we can.

For ongoing updates, please follow the AVMA and the AVMA Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams (VMAT) on Twitter:

@AVMAVMAT: AVMA VMAT's twitter feed
@AVMAvets: AVMA's general Twitter feed

The AVMA disaster response efforts led by the AVMA Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams (VMAT) are funded through the generous support of the American Veterinary Medical Foundation. Your donation to the AVMF will help the Foundation make emergency care available to all animals in times of crisis.

There's always someone who objects when anyone pays the slightest attention to animals during a disaster, saying we should only care about people. If you're one of those people you're probably not reading this site, but if you are, I'll let Good Morning America and Dr. Oz resident veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker answer you, with words he posted on Facebook this afternoon:

(F)or those who, despite AVMA's clear acknowledgment of the human priorities, think it's wrong to even mention the needs of animals, remember there are tremendous public health implications of starving, dead or dying domestic and farm animals as well as wildlife. Veterinary medicine is part of the public health system.

Thanks for wanting to help!

How rescue group and shelter networking save animal lives

nospam@example.com (Cindy Steinle) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 13:41:23 -0600

So you want to get involved in rescuing homeless pets in your community, or are even thinking of starting your own organization? What does it really take? Are the problems too large to overcome?

In the second in our ongoing series of chats on Ending Pet Homelessness in America, we're proud to bring you an evening with Holly Lewis, president of The Alliance of Wisconsin Animal Rehoming Efforts (AWARE), on Monday January 4, at 9 pm Eastern Time/6 PM Pacific Time in the Auditorium chat room.

Sign up to receive a free email reminder of the event:

About our guest

AWARE was established to foster cooperative relationships among animal welfare organizations and to improve the lives of companion animals in Wisconsin through adoption, wellness, advocacy, rescue and education. This unique organization is one of two statewide efforts to help network humane organizations with breed rescue groups to increase adoption and placement rates and decrease euthanasia rates statewide.

Networking allows shelters a quick reference for ethical rescues when they are in need of help and assistance. The AWARE board offers grant assistance when crisis arrives for shelter and rescue partners. It also puts on the Great Lakes Pet Expo, one of the largest rescue educational outreach events in the Midwest.

AWARE also mentors new rescue groups in Wisconsin to assist them in becoming the best they can be for animals.

Getting involved in rescue has many pitfalls, and Lewis will discuss how to overcome and avoid some of the worst. Creating a successful network, learning the ins and out of the shelter system, learning how to successfully temperment test, what local companies work with rescues to make things easier are all vital information for someone just starting out.

Along with being president of the AWARE board, Holly is also very active with American Water Spaniel Rescue, Inc, and serves on their board of directors.

The wrong kind of courage - Michael Vick and The Ed Block Award

nospam@example.com (Cindy Steinle) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 19:47:31 -0600

It was December 23, and the news hit Facebook like wildfire: Michael Vick has been awarded the "Ed Block Courage Award."

If you don't know what that is, here's something from The Ed Block Courage Award home page:

Each year, the Ed Block Courage Awards honors those National Football League players who exemplify commitments to the principles of sportsmanship and courage. Recipients are selected by their teammates for team effort, as well as individual performance.

The Ed Block Courage Award recipient symbolizes professionalism, great strength and dedication. He is also a community role model. With this honor, he enters into an association which contrasts his fierce profession by becoming a major component of the Courage House National Support Network for Kids. He becomes an Ambassador of Courage for victims of abuse, violence and neglect.

The Ed Block Courage Award recipient will be identified as a team player in helping abused children and families in crisis.

Michael Vick and that award? It makes me sick to my stomach. I am officially throwing in my hat as a fan of the NFL. I will remain a Bears fan, but I will be no longer watch football. I am officially disgusted.

On December 24 there was a high debate at a family party, which once again left me sick to my stomach. That night I once again had the whole "he served his time" discussion. When he sits in jail for time as a dog fighter, I will consider it time served. He will still be a worthless person in my eyes, but then at least he will have served his time.

What really got me was that the selection methods of this award were among the same terms dog fighters use to determine what dogs lived or died: courage, strength, sportsmanship (or, if you will, "gameness"). The power to overcome adversity. The same reason I love my American Pit Bull Terriers is being used to describe someone who is responsible for some insane abuses of the dog. For me, every time I hear his name I am reminded of the words of Donna Reynolds from BADRAP and the story of the swimming pool, where Vick's dogs were electrocuted and drowned when they didn't perform.

The next thing that really got to me was he was awarded this for all his charity work and outreach to the public. Vick's partnership with the HSUS is where he does his community outreach. Being pranced about as a representative for the very organization that wanted his dogs dead -- and they would have had it not been for the folks from BADRAP and Best Friends.

The successful rehabilitation of many fight dogs today have those to groups to thank. HSUS has since changed its policy on dogs from fight busts, but until the proof that these dogs can be rehabbed (Hector, Leo, Johnny Justice and even my non-Vick fight dog Cleo are examples), the policy was euthanasia for all dogs that came from dog fight situations. And yes, that included the puppies.

The charity work is part of image rebuilding. The same as a drunk driver going to rehab. It is a way to make it look like you care. Perhaps if he showed some actual remorse for the dogs (not the people he hurt or disappointed), other dog lovers like me would not be so cynical. He was even given the chance to "meet" with his dogs with in a legal setting (keeping with in the confines of his probation not allowing direct contact), and refused it.

This was not some random group of people who selected him, but his teammates. The people who he works with regularly. They felt he had lived through so much adversity this year that his courage stood out. Seriously? This isn't like a year where bad things happen to someone. The problems this year presented to Vick were SELF INDUCED. This is like rewarding a kid for doing something wrong. "Oh you broke the cookie jar? That was so traumatic for you, I think you still need a cookie!"

While not a human, I would like to nominate Chicagoland Bully Breed Rescue sanctuary dog Vinnie for the Ed Block Award (in photo, above). He has shown amazing courage and strength this past year. Being a former bait dog with multiple home amputations, filed down teeth and scarring around his muzzle from duct tape, he has show that he still has great love and trust in human kind, despite the damage they did to him. He has shown a lesson that even I cannot learn: Forgiveness.

S373 - Ain't over til it's over....

nospam@example.com (Cindy Steinle) — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 14:31:00 -0600

I can honestly say I am happy to be starting a new week. For reptile people, this week was hell. S373 passed the Environment and Public Works committee with some revisions and is moving ahead. Our next steps are going to be big in a make or break situation. The current amendment is to add the following species to the Lacey act of Injurious animals:

Burmese Python
African Rock Python (both northern and southern species)
Boa Constrictor (this means as written any snake with Latin name boa constrictor XXX)
Reticulated python
Yellow Anaconda
Deschauensees anaconda
Green anaconda
Beni anaconda

What would it mean if this bill passes as it stands now? These species will be prohibited to travel interstate for any reason. If you own them, you can still keep them, but they can only be sold within your state and cannot legally be shipped. If you need to move for any reason out of your state, they cannot go with you. Senator James Inhofe is the only senator who requested that his vote against be recorded. Although I didn't like some of his comments regarding that, he did want his vote to be against.

We need to act against this bill -- and that means each of us, including you. Schedule a face to face meeting with your Senators. If you don't already know who your senators are, please visit this link and find out. Jeff Barringer already has his scheduled, and I will have mine scheduled tomorrow.

You may not meet with your senator, but a staffer. Bring prepared notes so you hit the points you wish to address. Attack facts that are wrong and try to keep your emotions in check. Remember no matter what to be polite. A bad attitude in these meetings can leave a bad memory.

One thing I am doing is getting dressed a little bit snazzier. And I fully intend to wear a turtleneck. There is an image immediately associated with reptile keepers. Let's prove to them we are not miscreants. We are normal folks, and we have normal lives that include the keeping of reptiles. When you get your meeting, please let us know how it went on our Herp Law and CITES Forum.

USARK also has a a letter writing tool. It's quick and easy. You can edit or add text to the letter they provide, and I do suggest it! Adding the personal touch is always a good thing -- but again, remember to remain polite. Consider forwarding the form letter to your local news agencies as well.

President Obama stated he wants to be more accessible than any other president. Let's take him up on the offer. Time to put political beliefs aside and reach out. Remember he has children that are allergic to pet dander. How many folks who keep reptiles are in the same boat? There is a contact link on the White House website, but also consider taking the extra step and sending a fax or making a phone call to the comment line at 202-456-1111.

This weekend I handed out pre-typed letters for folks to use to mail in to their senators at my rescue's adoption events. Reaching out to folks who keep dogs and cats as well as reptiles will be a big key for us. Get out there, spend a day at a pet store. Talk with folks. Reach out to your local vet clinics. The biggest success we had with HR669 was the fact that it was all-encompassing and we got the ear of other segments of the pet industry. We need to do this again to be successful.

One thing I wanted to touch on is I am seeing a lot of folks saying "Ok, ball pythons are off, I don't need to worry anymore." Unfortunately, ball python keepers can't take that attitude. Once a law gets passed, it makes it that much easier to merely add a species to the amendment. Just because ball pythons are in the clear does not mean that they will remain so for long. Attack the scariest and the rest can easily fall.

Please be sure to keep us updated on what you are doing and if you are seeing. We are in the thick of things now, and we all need to take those extra steps to ensure our hobby remains for generations to come.

Study: Lead, other hazardous chemicals in high levels in pet toys

nospam@example.com (Christie Keith) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:31:13 -0600

From Dr. Eric Barchas at Dogster's VetBlog:

Healthystuff.org has been independently testing various consumer products for toxins over the last few years. Here is a bit of what the site had to say about pet toys.

HealthyStuff.org tested over 400 pet products, including beds, chew toys, stuffed toys, collars, leashes, and tennis balls. Since there are no government standards for hazardous chemicals in pet products, it is not surprising that toxic chemicals were found.

45% of pet products tested had detectable levels of one or more hazardous chemical, including:
# One-quarter of all pet products had detectable levels of lead.
# 7% of all pet products have lead levels greater than 300 ppm the current CPSC lead standard for lead in childrens products.
# Nearly half of pet collars had detectable levels of lead; with 27% exceeding 300 ppm the CPSC limit for lead in childrens products.
# One half (48%) of tennis balls tested had detectable levels of lead. Tennis balls intended for pets were much more likely to contain lead. Sports tennis balls contained no lead.

Read the whole article, and find out what specific products are affected, here.

Vick Day: The anti-climax

nospam@example.com (Cindy Steinle) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:13:12 -0600

The area around Soldier Field was locked down tighter than a frog's behind! But Cleo and I made several circuits in around the area. Looking at my truck, you can't help but notice where my loyalty lies. Along with my Kingsnake.com bumper stickers and my reptile magnets, there are several other magnets. Perhaps the stop signs stating "Stop Dogfighting, Punish the Deed Not the Breed" or "Dog Fighting is a Crime" made their point.

We spent a great deal of time driving in a circuit around Soldier Field simply because to exit and get close to the stadium required a ticket. Driving in the middle of thousands of Bears fans, we received several honks and thumbs up. Cleo sniffed the lake breeze as we cruised at a whooping 15 miles an hour greeting everyone with a smile. Until. We were sitting at the lights heading north just past Soldier Field. A big black Expedition passed us, with a 4-car police escort. A bark and a growl and total focus from the little passenger in my seat. In my angry little mind, I like to envision that was Vick himself being brought to the stadium. I do know Chicago PD was pretty apprehensive. In Chicago, dog fighting is excessively prevalent. And in Chicago, the fighters are not afraid to confront the rescuers. There was great concern regarding physical altercations.

After doing our circuits for an hour and receiving a good share of thumbs up from the folks around us, I knew Cleo was getting restless. We made a quick pit stop at the Chicago Yacht Club. The gate guard was kind enough to allow her to get out and stretch so to speak. After a potty break, we headed over to Navy Pier, to give Cleo a bit more time to move. There we met some more people and spoke with them about the American Pit Bull Terrier, dog fighting and why we still rant about Michael Vick. It was nice, it was mellow and it was quiet. Cleo and I spent a good share of time just sitting by the lake and relaxing. Water is a cleansing thing.

I wish I would have seen others like me there, but from how the security was, I can understand why I didn't. I do hope Chicago didn't forget. I hope people don't forget.

I didn't make a lot of a difference today. I didn't reach millions, thousands, or even hundreds of folks on my trip. I did however reach one. Cleo got something today that is very rare in a house that has a pack. Cleo and Mom had a day. She was the center of my attention, even if it was only for a few hours and that attention was filled with hugs, kisses, cuddles and Chicago Style Hot Dogs.