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The Pet Shop

A voice for the Triad's four-legged friends.

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October 26, 2009

Unknown age

I was brushing Apple this morning, and I noticed a gray hair. At least I think it's a gray hair. 

Apple is all black, except a small batch of white on her stomach, and about four white hairs on her neck. So when she rolled on her side, the one gray hair was very noticeable.

When I adopted her, she was aged at 3 years. That was a year ago. The staff at the SPCA of the Triad took an educated guess based on her teeth. But, like I said, it's a guess. So she could be much older than we think.

I've never known a cat to turn gray. Julian, my oldest, is a gray and white cat. So I'll never know with him. Libby is my second oldest at 8, but she's a gray tabby, so it may be just as hard to notice on her.

I know a number of dogs who have gone gray, mainly on their muzzle. It can come with age, or, from what I've heard, stress in their owner's life. Maybe that is where Apple got her gray hair.

I'm turning 30 in March. And the thought of me entering a new decade is turning me gray. Maybe she has sympathy graying.
Posted by Margaret Wimmer on Sunday, October 25, 2009 at 10:31 pm
Pet of the Week: BeBe
Image accompanying article

BeBe is a 1½-year-old beagle mix who weighs about 40 pounds. He gets along well with his kennel mate. BeBe is neutered, so he can go home with you today. Please ask for BeBe by ID 7306201 from noon to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the Guilford County Animal Shelter, 4525 W. Wendover Ave., Greensboro. Information: www.adoptshelterpets.org or 297-5020.

 

For more available pets, please see the Records in the Wednesday and Sunday News & Record.
Posted by Margaret Wimmer on Sunday, October 25, 2009 at 9:12 pm

October 23, 2009

I'm taking a personal day

I didn't walk the dogs this morning. And I'm OK with that.

Any other day, I wouldn't be OK with that. I'm a rain, snow, sleet or shine kind of girl. If it's raining, we'll all put on our raincoats and head out. If it's snowing, we'll bundle up and take time to snap some pictures while we're out. Sleet, well, honestly, I'm not sure that has ever happened, but I'd imagine we'd put on our raincoats and bundle up, too. The coldest it's ever been one morning was 19 degrees. And we walked.

But not today. For me, yesterday was one of those days. One of those days that carried into this morning. I needed some time to myself so that I could face today. And that meant no walk.

I fed them, gave them some hugs and kisses and even a special chew treat before I left for work.

Tonight, I expect two hyper dogs to greet me when I get home. We might take a walk, but we might not. We could just settle in and watch TV and start over in the morning. The good thing about dogs is, they don't have memories, so they won't remember tomorrow that I didn't walk them today.
Posted by Andrea Martin on Friday, October 23, 2009 at 1:33 pm

October 22, 2009

Adopted friend shows true companionship

My latest column in Go Triad is about Yoshi. You can read it here: http://tinyurl.com/ykyhp4k

 
Posted by Carla Kucinski Seward on Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 9:34 am

October 21, 2009

Catch and release

Our very talented photographer Jerry Wolford has a slideshow of photos of animal control officers catching the deer that crashed through the window at Little Gym at 3369 Battleground Ave., then later releasing it near the Lake Brandt dam. The photos are amazing. 

 
Posted by Andrea Martin on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 5:37 pm
AP Poll: Pet owners willing to go mouth-to-muzzle
Most pet owners would leap into action for an injured pet, even if it meant risking dog breath by going mouth-to-snout. Fifty-eight percent of pet owners — 63 percent of dog owners and 53 percent of cat owners — would be at least somewhat likely to perform CPR on their pet in the event of a medical emergency, according to an Associated Press-Petside.com poll. Read More
Posted by Andrea Martin on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 3:47 pm
My Pet: Bojangles

Name of pet: Bojangles

Age: 4 years

Resides in: Greensboro

Breed: Tabby

Male or Female: Male

Owner: Jennifer Bringle

How owner and pet came together: I got Bojangles from a former co-worker who rescued him after he was found alone, underneath a mobile home.

Best trick: Catching bugs

Favorite activity: Sleeping, eating, playing with my ponytail holders and headbands.

Is there anything else we should know about this pet? Bojangles loves to sneak into the refrigerator, and his best friend is a dog named Buster.

Credit for photograph? Jennifer Bringle

If you would like your pet(s) to be considered for the weekly My Pet feature, fill out this form.

Posted by Andrea Martin on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 10:48 am
Cat in the hat? Try a pasta pot, a ceramic basket and fancy fruit bowl

What did my parents expect when they named one of their cats Felix? I have no idea (I’ve been afraid to ask). But I can tell you what they got: a loveable nutcase as a constant source of entertainment. Felix is famous for crawling into kitchenware. And he has an array of looks and attitudes. Pehaps a candidate for American's Next Top Model? With a twist, of course.

PASTA POT HALLOWEEN HEAD SHOT

 
 
SWEETNESS IN CERAMIC: THE GLAMOUR SHOT
 
 
FRUIT BOWL REPOSE
 
 
But this isn't all Felix has to offer. He also has a number of impressive - if not absurd - tricks. Among them is leaping tall cabinets in a single bound. We’re talking 15-foot tall ones, the equivalent of Superman for this kitty’s size. On the way down, he arrives perfectly on his paws like an expert pilot softly landing a 10-ton plane. Speaking of which, Felix sometimes takes on the character of fighter pilot. He dive bombs into boxes as though he’s the lead in a World War II movie. As you might imagine, move-in day is the best. 
 
My favorite Felix pastime is watching him practice his "So You Think You Can Dance" routine. His style: shadow slam dancing. What’s that? Felix thrusting his lean little body against large and ominous forms moving on the wall (usually created by my folks when they’re bored).
 
Another in Felix’s dance repertoire is what I call “red light romp.” This move is inspired by dad’s deft use of a laser pointer. You see, dad takes pointer in hand – like a conductor with his wand - and rapidly shakes his wrist in a brilliant orchestration of strobe light shapes. Circles. Triangles. Zig-zags. Spirals. Felix interprets the compositions with feline grace and fortitude. In other words, there’s nothing like watching the mania of a cat chasing a red dot and lines. It’s the newest in live animation.
 
If you don’t have a Felix of your own, I am sorry for the dearth of laughter in your life. But take heart, you may be able to rent some old "Felix the Cat" cartoons.
 
In which case, you’ll discover - or rediscover - Felix’s fitting theme song.

Felix the Cat,
    The wonderful, wonderful cat!
    Whenever he gets in a fix,
    He reaches into his bag of tricks!
 
Felix the Cat,
    The wonderful, wonderful cat
    You'll laugh so much your sides will ache
    Your heart will go pitter pat
    Watching Felix, the wonderful cat!
 
Felix the Cat,
    The wonderful, wonderful cat
    You'll never know what he'll do next
    So don't even try to take a guess
 
Felix the Cat,
    The wonderful, wonderful cat
    He's so much fun for everyone
    No one can question that
    Cause he's Felix, the wonderful cat!

Photos courtesy of Harvey Tow

 
Posted by Faun Finley on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 10:28 am
Dress Your Pet: Halloween Pet Costume Contest

The Pet Shop, the News & Record’s pet blog, is hosting a Halloween pet costume contest. Dress your pet (dog, cat, lizard, ferret, etc.) in his or her favorite Halloween costume and on Oct. 30 we’ll publish the winning pet’s photo –– along with some of our favorite entries –– in the Life section of the News & Record and on The Pet Shop Blog.

To enter, e-mail a high resolution jpeg (300 dpi) of your costumed pet to petcostumecontest@news-record.com. Please include your name, your pet’s name, address, daytime phone number and the type of costume your pet is wearing. Photos must have been taken within the last year. One entry per household. Deadline for entries is 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23.
Posted by Carla Kucinski Seward on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 9:16 am

October 20, 2009

My cat Buckley

This is my cat Buckley. He also goes by Buckles, Colonel Bucklington and Mr. B.

I have spent a lot of time on this blog writing about my dog Yoshi, but I thought it was time I introduce you to Buckley.

Buckley and I have a strange relationship; you may even call it a borderline love-hate relationship, but mostly leaning toward love. Buckley is my husband's cat. I inherited Buckley when my husband and I bought a house a few months before we got married. Coincidentally, we are both allergic to cats, but lucky for us -- and for Buckley -- he is an outdoor cat. When it's time for him to eat or take a nap, he sleeps in our workshop attached to our basement. He loves his little hut, complete with an electric bed for him when the weather gets cold.

I have yet to really bond with Buckley. I've tried a few times to sit beside him and spend some time with him. He'll approach me, rub up against me, cover me in cat hair and then roll over like a dog who wants his belly rubbed. But I quickly learned that Buckley is a three pet minimum feline, meaning, you can pet him on the head three times before he hisses or bites you -- not hard, but just enough to tell you, "I'm so annoyed with you right now. You've reached your max."

It bothers me that we haven't been able to bond much. Growing up, we had tons of cats. They would sit on my lap, and I would pet them, and they would purr away. When I was in the second grade and diagnosed with cat allergies, I was heartbroken when my pediatrician told me I couldn't hold or pet my cats anymore. Once all of our cats passed away we got a dog instead. I found that I could relate to dogs better. Dogs are needy -- or at least mine are or have been -- and I like that about dogs, they're present and they reciprocate your love for them. Buckley is often aloof, making it tough to form a bond. And that's okay. I don't think he hates me exactly, I just think maybe he's not the kind of cat who likes to be held much.

So I've started to pet Buckley only once on the head and do more talking to him than stroking his head. I think he seems to like that better. He hasn't bitten me since!

 

 
Posted by Carla Kucinski Seward on Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at 4:46 pm
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About the Authors

Show us your pets

Once a week, we'll post a picture and profile of one of your pets. To participate, fill out this form.

Pet events

Tuesday, Nov. 24: RuffLove Rescue will be in the High Point Holiday Festival Parade. Come out to meet adoptable dogs and other fun activities. www.ruffloverescue.com

Thursday, Nov. 26: The Friedens Lutheran Church in Gibsonville begin their Angel Tree for Animals campaign to collect food and other items for donation to area animal shelters and rescue groups. Items can be brought to the church at 6001 NC 61 North in Gibsonville. The drive continues through Dec. 13. For more information and a list of the organizations, contact the church at 449-7421 or online at www.lutheransonline.com/friedens1745. 

Friday, Nov. 27: Visit the Green Bean at 341 S. Elm St. in downtown Greensboro, and 10% of your purchases will be donated to the Animal Rescue and Foster Program. www.arfpnc.com

Saturday, Nov. 28, noon-3 p.m.: The Guilford County Animal Shelter is holding an adoption fair at the PetSmart on Bridford Parkway in Greensboro.

Saturday, Nov. 28: The Humane Society of the Piedmont are offering holiday pet portraits at Pets Supplies Plus on High Point Road in Greensboro. Photo are by appointment only and will be ready in time for the holidays. Call (336) 323-3101 to set up a time. Portion of the proceeds will benefit the group. www.hspiedmont.org

Saturday, Nov. 28: 2-5 p.m. Caffe Prada Pet Photo Shoot. Jacqueline Gardiner-Veal from Constellation Artworks will take holiday photos of your pets. Portion of proceeds will be donated to Humane Society of Forsyth County. Caffee Prada, 390 N. Broad St., Winston-Salem. http://www.caffeprada.com/Caffe_Prada_dot_COM/Pet_Photo_Shoot.html

Sunday, Nov. 29, 1-4 p.m.: The Guilford County Animal Shelter is holding an adoption fair at the PetSmart on Lawndale Drive in Greensboro.

Tuesday, Dec. 1, 6-8 p.m.: Shop at Ten Thousand Villages, 1564-A Highwoods Boulevard, Greensboro, and 15 percent of the sales will be donated to the SPCA of the Triad. Find gifts for the holidays and meet adoptable animals. www.triadspca.org.

Saturday, Dec. 5, 1 pm - 3 pm: The Humane Society of Alamance County will hold a cat adoption fair at PetSmart, University Drive in Burlington. Visit the foster cats and kittens in the Luv-a-Pet center.

Saturday, Dec. 5, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.:  The Indigo Family of Salons is holding their third annual Santa Paws Pet Food Project to benefit the SPCA of the Triad and the Animal Rescue and Foster Program. The food drive is hoping to bring in 3,000 pounds of pet food this year. The event will feature an SPCA adoption fair, music by Patrick Rock, and demonstrations by animal service groups Green Collar Canine Development and Pet Partners. The event is open to the general public. www.santapawstriad.com

Saturday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.: Pug Rescue is sponsoring a rabies clinic at Pet Supplies Plus, 2924 High Point Road, Greensboro. Rabies vaccinations will be available for $5.

Saturday, Dec. 5, 1-4 p.m.: Happy Hills Animal Fourndation is holding an adoption fair at the PetSmart on Lawndale Drive in Greensboro. www.hhaf.org

Saturday, Dec. 5, noon.-2 p.m.:  The SPCA of the Triad, RuffLove Rescue, the Humane Society of the Piedmont and other animal rescue groups will be in the Greensboro Jaycees Holiday Parade in downtown Greensboro. Come out to meet adoptable dogs and other fun activities. www.triadspca.org

Saturday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Have your pet's picture taken with Santa at Pet Supplies Plus in Winston-Salem. Digital photos are printed the same day. All proceeds benefit Ruff Love Rescue.

Saturday, Dec. 5, 1-3 p.m.: The Humane Society of Alamance County is holding an adoption fair at the PetSmart on University Drive in Burlington. www.hsaconline.org

Sunday, Dec. 6, noon-4 p.m.: Have your pet's picture taken with Santa at Pet Supplies Plus in Winston-Salem. Digital photos are printed the same day. All proceeds benefit Ruff Love Rescue.

Sunday, Dec. 6, 2-6 p.m.: Red Dog Farm is holding an adoption fair at Bur-Mil Park in Greensboro. The fair will feature live entertainment, food, crafts and Santa. www.burmilpark.org

Sunday, Dec. 6, 7-9 p.m. Pet Photos with Santa,  Friendly Center Auditorium, 3110 Kathleen Ave., Friendly Center, Greensboro. 292-2789.

Friday, Dec. 11, 7-9 p.m.: The Humane Society of Alamance County is holding its 2009 Holiday Social at the Captain White House, 213 S. Main Street, Graham. The event is free, but they ask you bring pet food for the group's foster animals. www.hsaconline.org

Saturday, Dec. 12, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Have your pet's picture taken with Santa at Pet Supplies Plus in Winston-Salem. Digital photos are printed the same day. All proceeds benefit Doxie Acre Dachshund Rescue.

Saturday, Dec. 12, 1 p.m.: Join the Animal Protection Society of Rockingham County in the Madion Christmas Parade. www.asprc.org

Sunday, Dec. 13, noon.-4 p.m.: Have your pet's picture taken with Santa at Pet Supplies Plus in Winston-Salem. Digital photos are printed the same day. All proceeds benefit Doxie Acre Dachshund Rescue.

Saturday, Dec. 19, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.: Have your pet's picture taken with Santa at Pet Supplies Plus in Winston-Salem. Digital photos are printed the same day. All proceeds benefit Triad Bloodhounds.

Sunday, Dec. 20, noon-4 p.m.: Have your pet's picture taken with Santa at Pet Supplies Plus in Winston-Salem. Digital photos are printed the same day. All proceeds benefit Triad Bloodhounds.

 

 

WEEKLY ADOPTION FAIRS

SPCA of the Triad: Saturdays from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at PetSmart on Lawndale Drive and Brickford Parkway in Greensboro.

North Carolina Pet Adoption League: Saturdays from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at PetSmart on Lawndale Drive in Greensboro

Feral Cat Assistance Program: Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and on Sundays from 1-4 p.m. at PetSmart on Brickford Parkway in Greensboro

Animal Rescue and Foster Program: Thursdays from 6-8 p.m. (cats only) at PetSmart on Brickford Parkway in Greensboro

Humane Society of Alamance County: Third Saturday of each month from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Burlington Outlet Village (Exit 145 off I-85/40) in the Hanes Mill Outlet building, near IZOD.

 

If you would like to have something included on The Pet Shop calendar, please contact Margaret Wimmer at margaret.wimmer@news-record.com.

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