by Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com

Earlier today an excited crowd of onlookers, dogs and press were at Mutts & Butts in Merrick, NY for the HALO pet food delivery truck there to deliver holiday cheer to two very deserving local animal rescue organizations.

The HALO and Freekibble.com Holiday Kibble Drop kicked off in Cincinnati this week and made its Long Island stop, after stopping at the ASPCA in NYC in the morning.  The program in which Ellen DeGeneres, Co-owner of HALO and 15-year‐old Mimi Ausland are spreading much needed free pet food, 400,000 meals to be exact, to shelter pets across the U.S.  Two local organizations Bobbi & The Strays and Shelter Partners were on hand to pick up their donation of healthy, nutritious Halo pet food. Bobbi of Bobbi and the Strays said, “I think I am going to cry, I am so touched by this donation from HALO and FreeKibble.com.”  Shelter Partners is a group of rescues and shelters that share and redistribute supplies and services between a number of their groups.

HALO and Freekibble are embarking on their first ever Freekibble.com ‘Koast‐to‐Koast Kibble Drop,’ where shelters and rescues up and down the east and west coasts will receive the donations of all natural Halo Spot’s Stew for the holidays.  There were at least 4 to 5 large palettes unloaded at the Long Island location, now that’s a lot of kibble.  Such a great thing to see, and knowing so many homeless pets will benefit from this, it’s very inspiring.

News 12 interviewing Bobbi of Bobbi & the Strays

Casey watching all the action!

by Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com

Were you at Meet the Breeds at the Javits Center in New York City recently?  No?? You missed out on a great event-but I have a ton of great pictures below.  I have been to many dog shows and we all know Westminster is the king of dog shows – but Meet the Breeds hosted by the AKC was a entirely different way to meet both dog and cat breeds up close and not feel squished by the large dog show crowds.  And not to mention there were many fabulous vendors selling and some even giving away products – it was a heavy tote bag trip back to Penn Station for me!

Portuguese Pointer

One of the really interesting breeds I came across, and I have been to rare breed dog shows, but have never seen the Portuguese Pointer before.  A very pretty dog and I hate to say it, but kind of a puggle face – but prettier – sorry puggle fans – the Portuguese Pointer was fawn in color with some white blazing on her chest and dates back to the 14th Century, long before a mix of beagle and puggle became so popular.  So if you’re looking for a bigger dog that is a purebred and who’s face kinda sorta resembles the puggle this dog could be for you.  BUT you should always research ANY breed before you decide to adopt from a rescue group or purchase from a reputable breeder.  That’s why Meet the Breeds is such a great event – there are experts in the breeds representing many types of dogs and cats – and these breeder, owner and dog handlers can tell you much about the breeds, their habits, traits, health and much more.  They can even help you in determining if a breed is right for your lifestyle, like if you are an active person, looking for a jogging companion, or just looking for a lap dog.

Barbet - there is a dog under all that fur!

Another breed I never saw in person was the Barbet – a French water dog – most similar to the Portuguese water dog.  The Barbet also dates back to the 14th century.  The there was the Cirneco dell’Etna – which is basically looks exactly like a Pharaoh Hound, just about ½ the size – very unique and pretty looking dog and in existence for 2,500 years having it’s first pictorial reference in Sicily.  The Cirneco, like the Pharaoh hound is both a sight and scent hound.

Bengal

In the cat section, there were so many beautiful cats, I was in cat heaven – and did not have one allergy problem.  The coolest cat I saw, not just because of his beautiful markings but he was so chilled out was the Bengal.  Gorgeous cat – and his owner had a ton of information for the crowd of people asking.  Another cat was the Munchkin, which has legs about ½ the size of a normal cat.  The owner say it doesn’t affect their movement or agility – but I did feel a little bad for the cat – but then thinking about it, I don’t feel bad for their short legged counterparts like a bassett hound!  Another cat you don’t see every day was the American Curls – who have ears that at the tip are curled back a bit – adorable cat – very playful and sweet.  For more information on cat breeds go to The International Cat Association.  Go to Meet the Breeds for more information on next year’s show and see below for more pictures I took from the event.

by Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com

If you are looking for Home and Garden items for yourself or your pet for the holidays, then you should have been at the Pet Socialite event in NYC last Tuesday hosted by Charlotte Reed!  You weren’t  there? That’s ok I have the run-down of very cool new pet products that your dog will drool over!

Ok, so the first items that I just loved for the color and design are the new Moda Pet bowls  – complete with non-slip bottom built into the design that is dishwasher safe – the bowls come in a high gloss color to go with every décor.  Right now they have one size for dogs, so if you have a big dog it may not be a fit for you – but they are working on coming up with a bigger bowl to accommodate a bigger snout!  Currently, ModaPet offers six unique pet food bowl designs in suggested retail prices ranging from $14.99-$24.99, including two new colors: Some Like it Hot in hot pink and Sunflower. Check out their website here and tell them I sent you!

Have a cat? Looking for a toy that will give them interactive play and not worry about getting bored with it?  You will love NekoFlies, by NekoChan, which kind of looks like a fly fishing fly hence the name.  There are 5 different individual attachments (sold separately or in one package) and you can change it up regularly to keep the cat interested and busy.  This toy requires a human to operate and give your cat lots of energy and interaction!

Need to give Max a bath before Turkey Day and your guests arrive, you will love the smell of M&J Dog Essentials Signature 3-Step Holistic Dog Grooming System.  These all natural and green approved bath products for your dog not only smell wonderful – they work wonderfully too.  The pre-treatment shampoo helps get that dirt loosened up and the smell of lavender will make you jealous you don’t have a pre-treatment shampoo.  After using the shampoo & conditioner be sure to use the Show Dog Shine Leave -in Conditioner – your dog will be strutting his stuff!  M&J is a small family run company so you know you are getting a quality product.  You can also put down Hartz’s Ultra Training Pads on the bathroom floor to absorb any water that drips off your pup instead of using your own bath mat. And then after he is dry be sure to groom him with Hartz’s brand new Fur Fetcher.  My own dog Max is getting a spa day this week before our guest s arrive so he will be super clean, so soft to pet and smelling beautiful.  Wonder if my dog owning guests will be jealous?  Oh and before you give Max a bath – you can now use much bigger and better reaching dog or cat tooth brush called Zututh – so get those choppers pearly before your guests arrive too-the Dogs teeth!  Clean teeth is not just prettier for your pet, but much healthier than them walking around with tartar – yuck!

Once Fido is primped, don’t forget to get him or her a beautiful done perfect for any fashionista dog coat, harness  or collar by Robin Meyer NYC.  Beautifully handcrafted quality products that you will not want to step out the door without (oh wait they are for your dog, but still!).

Have a super anxious pet during the holidays or year round?  Try the Comfort Zone products – Comfort Zone^® with D.A.P.^® (Dog Appeasing Pheromone) products mimic the “appeasing” pheromones secreted by nursing mother dogs, sending a signal of comfort and safety to her puppies. They plug right into your wall like a room freshener.   Or you can spray the Comfort Zone spray onto a bandana and put it onto your dog and help those fears or anxious feelings go away.

One really innovative products, among many other of this company’s products is there new BPA Free water bottle by OllyDog.    I know what you’re thinking, another BPA free water bottle big deal – well this might just make you stop in your paw prints – this bottle has a clip type of water tray for your dog which actually detaches so you can take the water from the bottle and pour it into the tray give it to your dog and you can drink from the bottle top.  This way you are not sharing the bottle with your dog – gross! I have seen many people do this in the dog park, I love dogs, but the thought of that could make me wretch.  You have to check this bottle out here.  They also have some other cool products too.

Premiere – one of their older but very successful products is the Keep Safe Breakaway collars for dogs.  Now if you have ever owned a cat – you know what this is, but I have never seen it for dogs.  Of course Premiere is always coming out with new interactive toys to keep your pets busy and a new one that I loved is the Rip ‘n Tug. Perfect to keep your pet busy, and it’s interactive – be sure to always monitor you pet while playing though!

Some of the other products that you and your pet will love were by Crypton Home – beautifully done dog beds in all kinds of designs –getting away from that oh so over done paw print pattern.  They are water proof and have many designs to choose from.

Some of the other new and innovative products there were: Pet Safe; TAGG; Zero Order‘s new pet line and a great pet food company Holistic Select!

And if you’re feeling like you missed out on these cool products, don’t worry, I will be giving many of the products I got away in upcoming ‘Where in the World is Max?’ contests!  Click here or sign up for our weekly Pet Events Newsletter at the top right of this article and you miss out!!

By Robyn Elman of In Home Pet Services, Inc.

As much as the U.S. population reveres their pet dogs as true members of their family, cats are equally beloved by their owners – and just as particular about their care.

Cats are generally believed to be a more low-maintenance pet than a dog. They don’t need to be regularly walked on a leash, and you can leave them for a day with a bowl of food and water. That low-maintenance perception leads people to “collect” these pets, rescuing them from the outdoors or from shelters. It’s estimated that greater than 20% of cats owned in the U.S. are acquired as strays. This may be why we rarely hear a person described as a “dog lady,” yet “cat lady” seems to be a commonplace term. Once you have owned a cat, you will know that they present their own set of challenges and behaviors, and to care for them may mean almost the same amount of dedication and work as that of a fellow dog owner.

I have come to find that pet sitters are more likely to be afraid of a cat than a dog. Cats have 5 ways they can hurt you. A mouth that can bite and 4 paws with claws that scratch! Their behaviors are also often more difficult to read. While it’s unlikely that a dog will turn around and attack you while it’s sitting on your lap being brushed, it is a more commonplace event with cats. Cats also have a more sensitive metabolic system and when ill, they can go downhill much more quickly than a dog.

If you are a pet sitter, or thinking about going into the business, you are bound to have cat only households as clients. It’s important you learn about cat specific behaviors and especially signs of illness. These include changes in behavior, eating, litter box habits, and the amount of water they are drinking. Take a Pet first Aid & CPR class so you will prepared in an emergency situation such as poisoning, choking, bleeding, etc. Most importantly, make sure your client tells you as much specific information about their cats as possible, including places he or she does or doesn’t like to be touched, favorite toys, specific feeding schedules, litter habits, and especially hiding places! It’s important to be able to see the cats in your care and knowing their favorite hideouts can save you a lot of time. I have cared for cats that hide on bookshelves, on top of refrigerators (and like to pounce on you from above!), behind washing machines, and in boxes in closets. Be extra careful when entering and leaving the home as some cats are sneaky and try to escape outside. As a person in the pet sitting business for almost 10 years, I have seen a lot – especially with cats. We have cat only clients that want everything from overnight stays with their cats, to twice a day visits, to a visit only every other day. It’s not uncommon for an owner to accidentally close a pet cat in a closet before leaving for a trip, and that’s why I recommend at least one visit every day for a pet cat.

If you are a cat owner and are thinking about hiring a sitter, find one that you can afford to come at least one time a day. Although cats are more self sufficient than dogs (in most cases), they still need to be looked in on once a day to make sure they haven’t gotten themselves into trouble, and to make sure they are eating, drinking, and using their litter box normally. It’s important you provide your sitter with plenty of food and extra litter while you are gone. If you run out and the sitter is forced to get a different kind of litter, for example, the cat may not want to use the box and go somewhere else – like your bed! As mentioned above, it’s important you tell your sitter details about your cats hiding places. This is especially vital should you need the sitter to administer any medications. Be realistic about this. Boarding at the vet might be your best option if medications are essential and you have a difficult cat.

The Holidays can be stressful for your cat, as their normal daily routine can easily be interrupted by our crazy schedules. When you have guests over you may want to consider confining your cat to a room or section of the house away from the noise and people. With the people coming in and out, a cat can easily run out the door unnoticed. Make it clear to guests not to feed your cat from the table. Turkey skin and other fatty foods can cause pancreas problems, onions can cause liver failure, and grapes and raisins can cause kidney failure. Of course we all know to keep chocolate away from our cats, but also keep any sugarless items away as well. Cats cannot process the chemicals such as xylitol, and their blood sugar can rapidly crash. The Christmas tree also poses another danger. It’s easy to climb on, which makes it easy to topple over, and the water at the base of the tree can be toxic. Consider use of a repellent or “Scat Mat” to keep your cat safely away from the tree. Alternatively you can set up a ‘cat room’ just for your cat during the holidays complete with bed, scratching post or tree, litter box, fresh water and food – and a latch at the top of the door so kids can’t get into the room while you’re celebrating over the holiday season. Cats will adapt to the room and you won’t have to worry about the cat getting out, or jumping on the Christmas tree!

by Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com

This Sunday, November, 13 from 11am to 3pm there will be a celebration in Wantagh of a much loved and much debated about breed – the American Pit Bull Terrier.  The first ever ‘Bully Breed Brigade’ will be taking place in Wantagh thanks to the efforts of Last Hope Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation in cooperation with The Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter.  Last Hope has taken the initiative in the past with a Pit Bull Expo a few years ago to try and solve the pit bull over-population problem in our local town and private shelters here on LI.

The Bully Breed Brigade starts at 11am on Sunday, on Beltagh Avenue in Wantagh between the Last Hope Shelter (formerly Bid-a-wee shelter) and the Town of Hempstead shelter.  (For a Map click here). The celebration will include an adoption fair with vendors, trainers, breed advocates, rescuers, speakers, holistic experts, T’touch demos and more! At  12:30pm the Brigade of adopted, rescued, owned and to be adopted American Pit Bull Terriers, Pit Bull Mixes, Amstaffs and other bully dog types will be on parade for all to see, learn about and of course get lots of kisses and wiggle butts from!  The parade of ‘Ambassdogs’, (breed ambassadors), from shelters and rescues across LI with many ready for adoption will be a first on LI!

At 1:30 pm a special pet celebrity Tia Torres from Animal Planet’s very own TV show, ‘Pit Bulls and Parolees.’  Tia has been tirelessly saving pit bulls and helping parolees get back on their feet at Viallobos Rescue Center in California.

Tia will be there because she and her team have driven across country to take 6 pit bulls ‘The Hempstead Hopefuls’ from the Town of Hempstead shelter back with her to California to help rehabilitate the dogs and find them forever homes. These 6 happened to be pulled from an Elmont dog fighting ring over the summer and Tia is generously taking the time out of her own life to not only drive across country but to help these 6 dogs.  My hat is off to you Tia for all you do for our beloved breed of choice.  Tia and her crew have never traveled this far to rescue any dog!

While the image of the Pit Bull may be getting better, meaning more and more people are realizing it’s not the breed but how a dog is raised, socialized, trained, etc. we still have a lot of pit and pit mixes in our local shelter.  As with ANY other breed –it’s how they are brought up – but with that said, there are some pit and pit mixes that were born in a shelter or lived their entire life in a shelter and are just the best dog you may ever encounter.  This loyal, super smart, athletic, adaptable, fun and goofy breed just love humans – and most of them just absolutely love dogs and other animals too!

To cap off this amazing day, what better than a movie premiere all about the breed?  At 7pm the Long Island debut of the movie, ‘Beyond the Myth’ a documentary about Pit Bulls and breed discrimination by Libby Sherrill will be shown at the Cradle of Aviation IMAX Theatre in Garden City. (1 Davis Avenue, Garden City, NY).  Tickets will be sold at the door for $10 per person and a portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will go to Last Hope is a 501 c 3 non-for-profit organization.  For more information on the Bully Breed Brigade or the movie premiere contact bbb@lasthopeanimalrescue.org or call 631-671-2588. If you’re bringing your own bully, be sure they are well behaved, socialized, up-to-date on their shots, NYS licensed and on a 6-foot sturdy leash.

Harley – one of Last Hope’s Alumni dogs!