Say Cheese!!

This is one of the cutest things I think I've ever seen.......

Cat Fact or Cat Fiction???

Humans have always found felines somewhat of a mystery. Therefore, it only goes to reason that cats have endured many (and oftentimes preposterous) myths about them for centuries. Many of these tales have been absolutely absurd, while many others are believed by a fairly large number of people.

Of course, since a myth is a type of story or legend, many other people wonder if these kitty chronicles are absolutely true, partially true or completely false. Below are just a few of the many myths – complete with the truths and/or falsehoods shadowing them – behind the mysterious creature known as the cat.

MYTH: Cats only purr when they are happy.
FACT: While it is a well-known fact that cats do indeed purr when they're happy, this isn’t always the case. Oftentimes, they will purr when they are in pain and, believe it or not, even when they are dying. Also, cats have been known to purr when they are giving birth – which is an extremely distressing, laborious and excruciating experience. Unbeknownst to most humans, a feline’s purr is more an expression of emotion than an expression only of happiness.

MYTH: All Tortoiseshell cats are females.
FACT: While the immense majority of Tortie cats are indeed female, an occasional male, although extremely rare, will show up in a litter of kittens. However, the vast majority of these multi-colored males are sterile and cannot reproduce.

MYTH: Cats will “suck the breath” out of a newborn if it gets in the infant’s crib.
FACT: This myth simply is not true and is an old wive’s tale. The reason people have believed this legend is much simpler than a cat “sucking the life” out of a baby. Although infants have been found deceased while a cat is in its crib, the truth of the matter is that kitty was only cuddling with its little pal and accidentally smothered the little one by stretching out and covering the infant’s mouth and nose. In no way is this an intentional act. To keep this from happening, however, parents should NEVER leave the family cat (or dog) unsupervised around their child.

MYTH: Black cats bring bad luck and have long been associated with witchcraft.
FACT: For a long time in Europe pagan religions – such as witchcraft – were the dominant belief and all cats, but especially black ones, were supposedly the witches’ comrades. During the rise of the Christian religion in Europe, the church decided that witchcraft was evil. And since the church attributed cats to witches, cats were thereby deemed evil by proxy. Also, since felines are primarily nocturnal and are unbelievable stalkers – allowing them to sneak around during the night – made humans extremely paranoid. So, being associated with the darkness of night, unfortunately didn't help their image since the color “black” has always been associated with evil – due to our ancestor's misinterpreted fear of the night.

MYTH: Red/orange cats are almost always male.
FACT: While the statistics are high that a red/orange tabby is usually male, the female gene sometimes sneaks in and creates a somewhat unusual red/orange female – although it seems most cat owners have had at least one of these supposedly “uncommon” cats in their lifetime. Perhaps their uncommonness is becoming more common.

MYTH: Cats always land on their feet – no matter how far they fall.
FACT: It is true that cats can twist their bodies around while in the air if falling from a great distance and, most times, will land on their feet (which probably doesn’t feel too good on their precious paws). However, broken bones are a concern from a fall from a balcony in someone’s apartment. Owners must NEVER allow their cats out on a balcony unless there is some kind of screening in place and there is no chance for kitty to escape. Because the worst accidents usually occur from city high-rise buildings, this phenomenon has been termed “High Rise Syndrome” by veterinarians. Cats who fall from shorter distances, however, may become seriously injured because they do not have enough time to twist their bodies around and “right” themselves, thus they may not land on their feet.

For Peete's Sake....

I know you've all been dying for an update on Peete. Yes. P-E-E-T-E. The spelling of his name has been changed. He's special and his name needs to have special spelling. Here's a picture of Peete chillin at the Coffee Bean. Peete went in for a little nip/tuck last week hence the bandages on his ears. He's being a very good boy and sitting still for his nanny Wanda to clean his ears every day. Every week he goes in to get checked and get new tape. Once he's done he will have perfect Doberman ears to go with his perfect Doberman tail. I wonder if his ears will be like Frank's and the tips will touch.......

Peete and Ginger are doing very well together. We had another trainer come to the house and everyone is following his advice. As long as we are all on the same page and the training is consistent it will help Peete and Ginger learn how to co-exist. Ginger is being very good with her new brother. She still has her snippy moments but we know how to correct the behavior now.

Little Edie has also met her new cousin Peete and they really love each other. Peete is so lucky. He has two little girls to play with and to watch over. He's the new leader of the pack. Here's a video of them all after a long bonding pack walk. Peete is all legs and big heavy paws. I'm trying to teach him to play gentle with the little girls.....

Does This Dress Make Me Look Fat????

Here's Agnes modeling one of her cousin Little Edie's summer dresses.

I Have Positive "Chi" huahua

Pet parents are practicing good Feng Shui—whether they know it or not!

“Pets themselves are Feng Shui,” according to expert, Yvonne Phillips, author of the book Feng Shui ABC. "Pets emit a strong, positive form of energy in your home because they are constantly in motion. There is no better Feng Shui for your home than having an animal run around spreading positive chi."

Feng Shui (pronounced fung shwey) is an ancient Chinese practice dating back some 3,000 to 5,000 years. The words translate literally to “wind-water” in English and the practice is based upon the belief that careful study and use of the laws of astronomy and geography will result in positive Qi, or “Chi,” improving one’s life. Chi (pronounced “chee”) literally means “air” but in feng shui, it means ‘flow of energy.’

Critics consider it a pseudoscience, but followers are convinced of its powerful effect on achieving Chi. In the United States, Feng Shui has gained popularity as a thoughtful practice of arranging objects in our homes (such as furniture) to achieve harmony with our environment.

“Pets already possess upbeat, positive energy,” she explains. “And best of all, they generally want to be in the same room you’re in, which generates ‘good energy’ around you whenever you’re at home.”

Feng Shui is often referred to as a form of therapy, because of it’s believed ability to enhance our spirit and wellbeing when practiced correctly. Phillips assures that feng Shui can be effective for pets too.

“Look at the area where your pet likes to hang out,” encourages Phillips. “Our animals are drawn to the best energy in a room or a home.”

She goes on to explain that if you generate positive energy in your home, you can enhance your pet’s overall health and happiness—without having to rearrange or redecorate your home.

Though the study and practice of Feng Shui can seem complex for beginners, Phillips suggests that pet parents simply arm themselves with careful observation and common sense to create good Chi for our pets.

Edamame is Next.....

A dog breeder in Alhambra, Calif., is mystified after his golden retriever gave birth to a green puppy. The green puppy, named Wasabi, was one of four puppies born five days ago. The dog is healthy and green, according to the report.

Skeptics said the dog had to be dyed green but the owner said the puppy was born green. Veterinarians said it is possible for a newborn puppy's fur to be green because the placenta, which is green, rubs off at birth.

In The Drivers Seat.....

A California lawmaker wants to ban motorists from holding pets on their laps while driving and getting caught can net a $35 fine. The bill passed the Assembly on a 44-11 vote last week, and heads to the Senate.

Assemblyman Bill Maze says his legislation has nothing to do with pet-loving celebrities who are photographed driving around Los Angeles with their small dogs.

Maze says he introduced the bill after seeing a woman driving with three dogs on her lap. He says pets are a distraction that put motorists and their passengers at risk.

Little Edie has her big plush dog seat which we use for long trips but I must admit, on short trips she LOVES to sit in my lap. Sorry, Little Edie, we're going to have to be a little more careful :)

Happy Mothers Day!!!!

To all the moms out there.......have a fabulous day :)

Chee-Wow-Whaaaaatttt????

The trailer is finally here for Beverly Hills Chihuahua. You know, the movie they made without Little Edie. Emphasis on the "wow" cause wow, did they really get ripped off. Edie can dance like that. She can sing. She can talk. She just learned how to swim on her vacation. She totally moves within the inner circles of the most powerful people on the planet and I'm sure she can beat a drum if you put one in front of her. She's like one of those triple threat celebrities. The ones that can sing, dance and act. She's the complete package. She'll get her big audition one day. You just wait.

Oh and get a load of the voice of Edward James Olmos in the beginning "My name is Papi"???? Gee......how original. Papi. Does he fall in love with Mami??

The plot of this movie still escapes me but I'm sure it will be up for an Oscar nom so I'm going to go online now and see if I can order my advance tickets.

You're Not Welcome Here Anymore......

Posh Puppy is a store in Beverly Hills that sells little teacup designer dogs. Ever since they opened recently I have noticed protests outside the store and today I saw a For Lease sign on the window which prompted me to wonder if they were finally run out of business. I found the following article online. Looks like all the attention on puppy mills has paid off with this one small victory.......

Posh Puppy in Beverly Hills Closes Following "Puppy Mill" Scandal
By Kelly Hartog Editor, BHCNP

It has taken almost five months of active campaigning by animal rights organizations, but on May 7, the doors of the Posh Puppy pet store in Beverly Hills were shuttered and a 'For Lease' sign was placed in the window.The brouhaha began back on December 22, 2007, when the Humane Society of the United States, The Best Friends for Animals and the Last Chance for Animals organizations, spearheaded by local actress, writer and animal activist Carole Raphaelle Davis, held a protest outside the Posh Puppy store at 9699 Wilshire Blvd., to make passersby aware that pet stores, including Posh Puppy are merely fronts for puppy mills, that keep their dogs caged in inhumane conditions and breed them until they die."

We chose Posh Puppy for its location and visibility," Davis, who has been a spokesperson for Last Chance for Animals for 19 years, told BHCNP. "This is the place where people buy teacup puppies and we chose December 22, because it was the Saturday before Christmas, which is the biggest puppy-buying day of the year."That protest turned into a weekly sustained movement, where locals, activists and celebrities turned out to make people aware of the shocking treatment dogs undergo in puppy mill kennels.

The protests were also designed to encourage people to adopt dogs from shelters. "At least 25% of dogs in shelters are purebred animals, and many of those---particularly the teacup dogs--- are those who were originally from puppy mills," said Davis. The boon in teacup puppies that can go for up to $4,500 each, has inadvertently been bolstered by the likes of celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Paris Hilton and Britney Spears."I think that [these three girls] alone have done more harm to dogs than anyone else in recent history," Davis said. "These dogs are not fashion accessories, but millions of little girls want to emulate these celebrities."

While the protests went on weekly outside Posh Puppy, Davis along with other animal activist organizations was deeply entrenched in an undercover investigation seeking out the puppy mills that supply stores such as Posh Puppy. That investigation uncovered that one of Posh Puppy's suppliers was World Kennels USA in Littlerock, CA. Authorities raided the kennels on May 2 and removed 302 breeding dogs being kept in severe inhumane conditions.

One of those dogs was Millie ---a 10-year-old Maltese, who is now being fostered by Davis at her home. Millie was so- named by Davis because she was a puppy 'mill' dog. This is the first time Millie has ever been outside of a cage in her entire life. She is scrawny, emaciated, has a urinary tract infection and eye infections. She curls up on Davis's lap and is constantly craving human comfort."It's taken five days for her to trust me," says Davis. "When we rescued her she was shaking, trembling and terrified. Her vocal chords were cut in the kennels so she couldn't bark." Millie's story is not uncommon. She's just one of the hundreds of female dogs who have been kept for eight to ten years in a cage, and have been bred twice a year. "

People should know, that the cute little puppies they buy in these pet stores have mothers who have been kept in horrific conditions for years," said Davis. "It costs only $67 to adopt a puppy from a shelter," she points out.BHCNP's interview with Davis took place on the morning of May 7. During our interview, Davis received an email that revealed Posh Puppy's doors were closed and the For Lease sign was posted outside. Davis let out a squeal and shouted 'We did it!' before high-fiving this reporter.

Altercations between the protesters and Posh Puppy's store owners John and Michelle Yoon have been common over the last few months. The Yoon's have protested throughout they were running a legitimate business and purchasing their puppies from reputable sources only. However, as of May 7, Posh Puppy's doors in Beverly Hills have been closed, mail is piling up outside the door (including a vet bill from Brent Air Veterinarians) and the store's phone remains unanswered).Posh Puppy has a second store in Tarzana.

Calls to that store by BHCNP also remained unanswered.Davis says while many pet store owners, managers and employees are fully aware of the conditions of the dogs that breed the puppies they purchase, there are also plenty who have no idea of the cruelty and horror the dogs go through. "They don't visit the kennels, they don't ask questions and they trust the organizations that have beautiful Web sites showing dogs being well taken care of. Nothing could be further from the truth," she scoffs. "Which is why," she adds, "it's so important for us to educate the public and make sure they adopt dogs from shelters."

In the meantime, Davis's enthusiasm at the closure of Posh Puppy and the raid on World Kennels USA is a little guarded. "This is bittersweet for us," she said. "We're overjoyed at the newfound freedom of these [302 rescued dogs], but that's just one kennel and one store. There are hundreds of thousands of dogs suffering in terrible breeding facilities, and our hearts bleed for them."BHCNP is continuing its investigation into the puppy mill phenomenon with a series of articles. Please check back shortly for more in-depth reporting on this issue.

Your Pet's Carbon Pawprint

I've been doing my best to reduce my carbon footprint. Recycling, using compact fluorescent bulbs, unplugging unused appliances. But what about Jake and Little Edie? What can they do to help?? Here's 11 tips on how to help your pet reduce their carbon pawprint:

1-If you have a choice (if your pet doesn’t require prescription foods), buy pet foods produced closer to home. Though manufacturer’s labels often tell only part of the story, foods packaged nearby tend to require less fuel.

2-Use clay or sand litters for your cats. It takes less petroleum to bring these products to market. Even better, use shredded newspaper to save on shipping. For exotics, buy the recycled, biodegradable shavings instead of the cedar or cypress chips (they weigh less, too, so shipping's cheaper).

3-Cook for your pets or supplement their commercial diets with locally grown meats and produce. (Easier said than done, I know.)

4-Feed dry over canned foods, if possible. Less packaging material is required and the shipping differences are dramatic. With today’s high quality kibble, you need not fear your pets are losing out, health-wise (as long as you select wisely).

5-Compost your pets’ leftover foods instead of trashing them—and don’t ignore the fertilizer potential of some of our less traditional pets’ droppings. My goats, for example, produce excellent plant power via poop.

6-Don’t excessively warm or chill your home for your pets while you’re out. They mostly don’t mind the difference and they’ll find the warm and cool spots in your home easily if you set the thermostat at a balmy 80-85 in the summer and a snug 60-65 in the winter (if it's cold where you live).

7-Use stainless steel forever-bowls for your pets. You’ll never need to replace them.

8-Brush your pets daily to reduce your vacuum energy needs (and make her coat shine, while you’re at it). Consider storing her fur to have it spun it into yarn for your next knitting project (you can find online sources for this service).

9-Turn off the lights and the TV while you’re away. They see better in the dim light than we do. If your pets require soothing sound therapy, use a simple CD player or radio.

10-Recycled cardboard scratching posts are excellent and re-recyclable. Give them a go instead of the standard carpet-coated kind.

11-Never buy exotics sourced from the wilds and get your pets locally; there are are enough throwaways and rescues around to last us all through 2020.

What If?

Little Edie's First Vacation

Little Edie and I were invited to spend a fun and relaxing weekend in the desert with Polly & Duane and Edie's pet cousins Percy and Agnes. We packed up the car and off we went! The weather was divine. Around 85 in the day and a warm 65-70 at night.

This was a real test for Little Edie. Would she behave in the car? Would she behave in the house? Would she not pee and poop inside? Would all the girls get along for 3 1/2 days? Would I be able to relax or would I be on constant Edie watch?

I'm happy to report that we had a BLAST! Little Edie was SO good! We lounged around by the pool, we laid around the house, we walked along the golf course and we ate. A lot. We had the BEST food! Edie had so much fun with her cousins. I think they had a lot of fun with her too. Percy is slowly warming up to her. Agnes secretly loves her she just doesn't want to share her treats.

Here's Little Edie lounging in the sun after our morning walk......

Wow....this is the life. Here's Percy, Agnes and Little Edie just chilling outside.......

Of all the cute and funny things the girls did, Little Edie being confused and intrigued by a totem pole on the golf course was one of my favorites moments. Funny enough, Agnes did the same thing I just didn't catch her on film. Lesson - BEWARE OF RANDOM TOTEM!!

Special thanks to our gracious hosts, Polly & Duane for a wonderful weekend!

Starving Dog Exhibit Reported As A Hoax

The story of a dog being starved to death as part of an art exhibition appears to have been falsely reported by Costa Rican newspaper The Nation, according to new sources. I reported the appalling story here last week among global outrage about the exhibit and a reported invitation to repeat the work elsewhere.

It has now emerged, however, that artist Guillermo Habacuc Vargas intended the work to be a stunt to show how a starving dog suddenly becomes the center of attention when it is in a gallery, but not when it is on the street. The work was intended to expose people for what they really are - "hyprocritical sheep". He said that in order for the work to be valid, he and the gallery had to give the impression that the dog was genuinely starving to death and that it died.

Juanita Bermúdez, director of the Codex Gallery, stated that she would not have allowed the dog to be mistreated, that it ate and drank regularly, and that it was allowed to escape back to the streets from where it was taken at the end of the exhibit. "It is conceptual art and a work that leaves a social message", she said.

The stunt provoked massive outrage on a global scale, and over a million people have signed an online petition to try and prevent another dog being starved to death in a repeat of the exhibit. Unconfirmed reports say that the artist even received death threats.

Bon Voyage....

Little Edie and I are headed out for our first weekend getaway together. We'll be back Tuesday morning with lots of fun pictures and videos.

Have a great weekend everybody!!