Wichita Eagle: Pets

Adopt a pet (June 15)

Sat, 15 Jun 2013 07:21 CDT

Chester the Goofball, an 8-year-old male Jack Russell Terrier mix, is available for adoption from Kansas Humane Society.

I’m the happiest little guy. My smile just goes from ear to ear, and I’m hoping I can bring a smile that big to your face every day. We will have so much fun together. We can go on walks or just cuddle up and watch a movie. You should visit me at KHS right away.

Also available:

Pet owners turn to non-traditional

JERI CLAUSING — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 13:48 CDT

It's the age old and seemingly answerless question: What in the world is my dog thinking? And one that has spawned a growing market not only of scientific research but of everything from decks of pet tarot cards to television and radio shows and books by pet psychics and animal trainers.

Whether any one of them can ever provide real answers to what dogs are thinking or what drives their good or bad behavior is a matter of opinion — or belief. But pet owners can spend a lot of time and money trying.

And even if they never find a real solution, people who love their dogs admit they can learn to better connect with their pets, or sometimes just have fun trying.

Pet briefs: Dog washes, garage sales

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 13:36 CDT

Dog wash to benefit RETAIN starts Saturday

Fans of the RETAIN summer dog wash will be glad to know that the service is back for the season, starting Saturday.

Every Saturday between 1 and 4 p.m. through Sept. 7, weather permitting, volunteers will shampoo, rinse and towel off dogs for a requested donation of $4 for a small or medium-sized dog and $5 for a large dog.

Fun for party animals

Debra Immergut — Sat, 08 Jun 2013 08:04 CDT

Mark the birthday or adoption day of your family’s favorite four-legged friend with a goofy game, pet-pleasing crafts and yummy chow for all.

Guest of honor

Serve the guest of honor a bit of her regular food in a cupcake holder (we added a rawhide chew “candle”). If your pet is game and can handle excitement, let the crew serenade her with “Happy Birthday” while she dines. To set the scene, transform inflated balloons into cats and pups, adhering paper features with glue dots. Tape the balloons on a length of yarn. To make a stamped table runner, see “Paw Printing,” below.

Adopt a pet (June 8)

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 13:36 CDT

Regal the Goofball, an 11-year-old male beagle mix, is available for adoption from Kansas Humane Society.

Hi, I’m Regal and I’m a big fan of spending time with people. My tail is wagging just thinking about all the fun we are going to have together. I would just love to go on lots of walks with you. Doesn’t that sound like fun? You should come to KHS and meet your new best friend.

Also available:

Garage sale to benefit LAPP, lost and found pets

Sat, 08 Jun 2013 08:02 CDT

Garage sale to benefit LAPP, lost and found pets

Wichita Area Lost and Found Pets and Lifeline Animal Placement and Protection will hold their inaugural garage sale Saturday and Sunday at 220 N. Vine.

The sale is from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days and includes furniture, housewares, textiles and clothing, plus baked goods and dog grooming services.

Quick primer: de-skunking your dog

William Hageman — Sat, 25 May 2013 07:45 CDT

One would think that over tens of thousands of years of evolution, dogs would have learned to avoid skunks. But they haven’t, and every year countless dogs get skunked.

Don’t snicker, you cat owners. It happens to felines, too.

A trip to the vet usually isn’t necessary. But quick action is; that smell settles in over time, and it won’t dissipate overnight. So here’s a quick primer on de-skunking your pet.

Adopt a pet (May 25)

Sat, 25 May 2013 07:48 CDT

Pinchon the Busy Bee, a 6-year-old male short-coated Chihuahua, is available for adoption from Kansas Humane Society.

Hi, I’m Pinchon. I’m a big fan of spending time with people, kids included, and other dogs. I have the best time with the whole family. My tail is wagging just thinking about all the fun we are going to have together. You should come to KHS and meet your new best friend.

Also available:

Animal chiropractors in tune with their patients

SUE MANNING — Sat, 25 May 2013 07:46 CDT

Thirty years ago, Gene Giggleman was a veterinarian who thought chiropractors were quacks. Since then, he says, he’s straightened out thousands of dogs and cats, not to mention the occasional snake, hamster and guinea pig.

“And I know people who have adjusted pigs, goats and rodeo bulls,” said Giggleman, a professor at Parker University in Dallas, which specializes in chiropractic care.

In Southern California, Rod Block has tended to an elephant, a paralyzed iguana, a turkey, pigs, llamas and countless dogs and horses.

‘Glee’s’ Lynch and dog go to bat for shelter mutts

Sue Manning — Sat, 18 May 2013 07:22 CDT

Jane Lynch doesn’t mind being upstaged by her latest co-star, Olivia – after all she “has no bad side, she is always ready to pose and she sits perfectly still when you put her in your lap.”

“I’m much more temperamental,” Lynch said.

Lynch’s dog Olivia is her co-host for “Shelter Me: Let’s Go Home,” the second installment in the PBS series “Shelter Me.” The “Glee” star also has a canine companion on Broadway, where she’s filling in as Miss Hannigan in “Annie.”

Adopt a pet (May 18)

Sat, 18 May 2013 07:23 CDT

Dove the Constant Companion, a 7 1/2-year-old female Newfoundland-Labrador mix, 82 pounds, is available for adoption from Kansas Humane Society.

Hi, I’m Dove. I’m a big fan of spending time with people. I think they’re fun. They love watching the coolest movies and going to the most awesome parks. My tail is wagging just thinking about all the fun we are going to have together. You should come to KHS and meet your new best friend.

Also available:

Bunny TNT to hold ‘Hop In’ social event

Sat, 18 May 2013 07:23 CDT

Bunny TNT, an organization for people who own and love bunnies, is having a “Hop In” social event at 2 p.m. Sunday. The event and club meeting will be at Avita Health and Rehab, 2114 N. 127th Court East, just south of 21st Street.

The event is a social time for bunnies and their people. Bunnies that participate must be spayed or neutered.

The club hopes to have the event outside in a fenced area, but an indoor room will be available if needed.

Gerbils strut their stuff at New England pageant

Rodrique Ngowi — Sat, 11 May 2013 07:12 CDT

The American Gerbil Society’s annual pageant brought dozens of rodents scurrying to New England earlier this month for a chance to win “top gerbil.”

The Bedford competition called for agility demonstrations in which the gerbils must overcome obstacles and race to the end of a course. Breeders of the small animals vie for coveted ribbons based on body type and agility.

“A male gerbil should be a good, strong, hefty-looking gerbil,” said Libby Hanna, president of the American Gerbil Society. “If you are going to think of it in human terms, you might think of a football player – somebody who’s big, thick neck, nice, strong-looking male gerbil.”

Adopt a pet (May 11)

Sat, 11 May 2013 07:13 CDT

Remington the Life of the Party, a 2-year-old male German shorthaired pointer mix, is available for adoption from Kansas Humane Society.

Are you looking for a fun, loving, active companion? Well, fun is my middle name. I'm housetrained and I have lived with another dog and children. Pretty awesome, huh? I love having a good time. You should come to KHS and meet your new best friend.

Also available:

Pet briefs (May 11)

Fri, 10 May 2013 07:28 CDT

Bunny TNT to hold ‘Hop In’ social event

Bunny TNT, an organization for people who own and love bunnies, is having a “Hop In” social event May 19 at 2 p.m. The event and club meeting will be at Avita Health and Rehab, 2114 N. 127th Court East, just south of 21st Street.

The event is a social time for bunnies and their people. Bunnies that participate must be spayed or neutered.

Household items can present risks to pets

Sue Manning — Sat, 04 May 2013 07:32 CDT

A toy poodle that was rushed to the vet after swallowing a tube sock. A Great Dane that had to be operated on three times for eating his owner’s shoulder pads.

These are just a couple of examples of the emergency cases Karen Halligan has seen involving household items that seem harmless until an animal decides to munch on them.

Hundreds of pets undergo surgery every year to remove small articles of clothing and other objects from their stomachs and intestines, said Halligan, author, TV consultant and director of veterinary services for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Los Angeles.

Adopt a pet (May 4)

Sat, 04 May 2013 07:33 CDT

Ladybug the Busy Bee, a 5-year-old female boxer mix, is available for adoption from Kansas Humane Society.

I’m pretty happy all time. In fact, there isn’t really a time when my tail isn’t wagging. I bet we can have some great times together. You should come to KHS and visit with your new best friend.

Also available:

Hairballs are no laughing matter

Kathy Antoniotti — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 07:22 CDT

Several years ago, one of my dearest friends and co-workers was about to mark the passage of another year. I wanted to make her birthday special and dispense with the usual office ho-hum birthday that offers wishes to the celebrant over a cake.

I searched the Web for ideas and realized that her birthday fell close to an obscure holiday that seemed to fit her to a T. For many years before she retired, my colleague kept her co-workers chuckling with daily reports of her current cat’s catastrophes and craziness.

So, in her honor, we celebrate National Hairball Awareness Day, April 27.

Adopt a pet (April 27)

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 07:24 CDT

Gypsy the Goofball, a 3-year-old female purebred German Shorthaired Pointer, is available for adoption from Kansas Humane Society.

Hi, how are you? Me? I’m just great. I’m pretty happy all the time. In fact, there isn’t really a time when my tail isn’t wagging. I bet we could have some great times together. You should come to KHS and visit with your new best friend.

Also available:

Learn pet first aid at free lecture

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 07:25 CDT

Skaer Veterinary Clinic will hold a Lunch-n-Learn lecture Wednesday on “The ABCs of First Aid.”

The free presentation, by veterinarian Janet Arnet, starts at noon at the clinic, 404 S. Edgemoor, Building 100. Feel free to bring a sack lunch; beverages and cookies will be provided.