Old Hollywood Pets

Since it's award season, I thought I would share photos of the Hollywood greats with their pets. Enjoy!

Audrey Hepburn

                                                            

Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart

                                                

Bette Davis

                                                                

Betty Grable

                                                                    

Bridgette Bardot

                                                                

Cary Grant

                                                                      

Doris Day

                                                                    

Clark Gable

                                                                      

Elizabeth Taylor

                                                            

Jean Harlow

                                                                    

James Dean

Jimmy Stewart

Katharine Hepburn

Marilyn Monroe

Marlon Brando

Vivien Leigh

Black Dog Syndrome

Unfortunately “Black Dog Syndrome” is an actual phenomena that happens all over and especially in shelters. There are many great black and predominantly black dogs out there. It is a shame that they will go unnoticed due to this unfavorable predicament. Black dogs are the least likely to be adopted, if at all. Here are some reasons:

1) Harmful Superstitions: Black dogs are in folklore

2) Negative Labels

3) Fear: To some, black dogs look aggressive

4) Just too ordinary: To some, black dogs do not stand out enough

5) Health Concerns: Black dogs overheat easier than light-colored dogs

We need to put an end to this unfair phenomenon. If you are thinking about adopting a dog, please don’t overlook black dogs because they are just as loving & wonderful as lighter colored dogs! Black is beautiful!

Check out Blackdogrescueproject.com

What's Up With Westminster?

                                           (This year's champion Malachy the Pekingnese)

Every year I look forward to the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. It is a tradition in our family. My mother and I have watched this prestigious competition ever since I can remember. And if we can't watch it together, we text each other the entire time. I love watching all of the dog breeds in their most perfect form. The Westminster has taught me so much about dogs and I really enjoy learning about the newest breeds. I have to admit that I almost did not watch the show this year. Here's why:

Remember all of those bittersweet Pedigree dog food commercial that focused on shelter pets? Well the Westminster Kennel club decided that the ads would influence too many people to adopt their next pet instead of buy them from a breeder. They also said the ads were too sad for the viewers. Well guess what? Being in a shelter is sad! Westminster cut Pedigree as their sponsor and added Purina. The Purina commercials are sweet but they all feature purebred dogs.

                                                   (Pedigree shelter dog commercial)

The Westminster Kennel Club is all about breed standards and that is how the upscale community makes their money. I don't think there is anything wrong with responsible breeding or buying from a reputable breeder. I understand why people want a purebred pet. There are certain characteristics that are desirable in a variety of breeds. I do, however, have a problem with backyard breeders and pet stores (puppy mills).

The Westminster Dog Show is a huge platform and I feel that it is a shame that they have stopped spotlighting rescue pets. A dog is a dog, no matter the blood line. A pet that you adopt can offer just as much love as a pet that you pay thousands for.

I hope that next year, the Westminster will listen to the public and shine a light on all of the shelter pets that need homes. As for me, I will continue to watch it with my mother and my very own champion- my purebred shelter mutt Lily!

And remember, there are many breed specific rescues and purebred pets in shelters everywhere!

Here is the trailer from the movie Best In Show. Enjoy!

Sarah McLachlan has ruined my day...again.

Oh no! You can hear it, and worst of all you can see it. The music starts..."In the arms of the angels...Hi. I'm Sarah McLachlan." Quick! Grab the remote. Noooo! You can't find it. It's okay. Just cover your ears, run out of the room, and wait for the appropriate amount of time for the saddest commercial ever made to be over. Okay. It should be safe. You slowly walk back into the living room. Dang! You catch the last glimpse of the shih-tzu with one eye, pleading with you to help. Your night is completely ruined.

We've all been there. Those ASPCA commercials pull at your heart strings and most of all just make you sad to be a human being. I know what you are thinking. You don't want to see the horrendous things that people can do to defenseless animals. I also think we don't want to feel guilty for seeing these images and not helping or giving money.

Well, I say we owe it to these beautiful creatures to watch their hardships. We need to face the facts that animal cruelty is constantly happening. Don't look away. How would you feel if your image or video came on the screen and people were knocking each other over, just to get out of the room or change the channel.

I know it's hard, but force yourself to watch it and if you feel so compelled, make a difference in these innocent animal's lives.

Hoarding: Helping while Hurting

Animal hoarding is a complex and intricate public health and community issue. Its effects are far-reaching and encompass mental health, animal welfare and public safety concerns.

The following criteria are used to define animal hoarding:

• More than the typical number of companion animals
• Inability to provide even minimal standards of nutrition, sanitation, shelter and veterinary care, with this neglect often resulting in starvation, illness and death
• Denial of the inability to provide this minimum care and the impact of that failure on the animals, the household and human occupants of the dwelling  (ASPCA)

Many of you have seen animals that have come from hoarding situations and have even watched television shows based upon this rising epidemic. The majority of viewers are disgusted by the conditions and sickened by the hoarders. While most cases are entirely unacceptable, I can't help but feel sorry for some of these people and their plight. Having witnessed a hoarding rescue first hand, my attitude towards this animal welfare issue has changed.

It is easy to label someone mentally ill, especially if what they do goes against all of your sensibility. I do think it is important to treat each hoarding case differently and to really evaluate the individual. Don't lump them all together. Just because someone may have a hard time relating to others or communicating their feelings does not make them mentally ill. Living through a trauma or a tragedy and having a hard time dealing with it does not make  you mentally ill either. Sometimes people just need help. Don't set out to make every animal hoarder a villain. 

I met Judy when I went with the Atlanta Humane Society to film a hoarding rescue with Animal Planet. While Judy had WAY too many animals that were in need of medical attention, I could tell that she loved them all. She knew each pet by name and could tell you all of their back stories. I believe the loyalty and companionship that she felt, completely blinded her to the fact that she was actually hurting these animals instead of helping them. 


I learned that Judy had been through some very traumatic situations and tragedies throughout her life that most of us would not be able to overcome. Between her trust issues and lack of self worth, Judy retreated to the middle of nowhere in rural Alabama to start a new life. She sought comfort in her Chihuahua. The bond and unconditional love that she felt was refreshing to her. Needless to say, when Judy's beloved Chihuahua passed away, it was devastating. She then decided that she would own multiple pets so that the loss of one would not feel so lonely. Judy also started rescuing animals from puppy mills and abusive situations. Pretty soon, her home became the dumping ground for locals and their unwanted pets. Even when she put up signs warning people not to dump unwanted litters, the helpless animals kept coming. With no humane society or animal control nearby, Judy became severely overwhelmed. Nonetheless, she took them all in and loved them to the best of her ability. And despite Judy's health problems, she used almost all of her disability checks on dog food. 


After support from her family, a psychologist, and the Atlanta Humane Society, Judy finally decided to do what was best for her animals. She surrendered her babies to get necessary medical care and to be adopted out to homes that could properly take care of them. It was heart wrenching to watch her hand over each pet with heavy sobs. 


I would never say that Judy is mentally ill. I would say that she is a woman with a loving heart who has had a lifetime of heartache and just needed some perspective and help. 


Animal Hoarding hurts humans and animals alike. But please know that hoarders are not the issue. They are just a symptom of the overall problem. That problem is pet overpopulation. Period.

New Blog for my Sweet Dog!

My name is Cara Moody and I am dedicating my new blog to my sweet dog Lily.

I have owned and loved many pets throughout my years on this earth. They were each special to me. My rescue mutt Lily, has definitely made the biggest impact on my life. She has taught me so much about unconditional love and has opened my eyes to many animal welfare issues. Lily has also helped me through some of the darkest times in my life.

My hopes for this blog is that I can honor Lily by being an animal welfare advocate. I hope that all of you animal lovers will enjoy!