Wichita Eagle: Pets

Cowley County offers Valentine adoption specials

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 14:51 CST

Cowley County offers Valentine adoption specials

The Cowley County Humane Society will offer “Be My Furry Valentine” adoption specials today through Feb. 18, when dogs can be adopted for $14, kittens for $10 and adult cats without charge.

The shelter, at 7648 222nd Road, south of Winfield, is open from noon to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and by appointment; call 620-221-1698 or 620-442-1698. To view adoptable pets, visit cowleycountyhumanesociety.org.

Hotels offer comforts for creatures

Kyle Wagner — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 07:08 CST

Roscoe listens to a recitation of the room-service menu at The Curtis Hotel and appears to consider each item carefully. The burger sounds good, but at his advanced age, it might be wise to go with something lighter. He perks up when he hears the words “chicken” and “fish.”

Who are we kidding? He’ll take one of each, please, because Roscoe is an Australian shepherd of indeterminate pedigree and typically indiscriminate palate.

When the knock comes at the door, he cheerfully greets the bearer of a paper-doily-lined tray that holds two ceramic bowls — one filled with water and one with scoops of locally crafted peanut-butter frozen yogurt for dogs — and a pile of artfully arranged biscuits.

Adopt a pet (Feb. 4)

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 07:10 CST

Pepe the Wallflower, a 3-year-old male Papillon mix, 8 pounds, is available for adoption from the Kansas Humane Society.

Instead of Pepe, maybe I should be named Gizmo. Don’t I look like the sweet, cuddly guy from "Gremlins"? And I’m just as cuddly, if not more so. I’m a bit of a wallflower at first, but spend some time getting to know me, and I know we’ll wind up being best friends for life.

Bella the Secret Admirer, 8-year-old female tabby cat, orange and brown.

Pet briefs (Feb. 4)

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 07:10 CST

Cat show this weekend at the Cotillion

Fancy purebred cats, everyday cats and rescue cats — all can be found this weekend at the Cotillion as Wichita Cat Fancy presents its annual winter cat show.

About 200 cats representing up to 30 breeds are expected at the Cat Fanciers’ Association show, which runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Cotillion, 11120 W. Kellogg.

Measure proposes Cairn terrier – Toto’s breed – as state dog of Kansas

Beccy Tanner — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 06:35 CST

We’ve got a state insect, bird, song, animal and tree.

Now comes a proposal for a state dog – the cairn terrier, the breed that played Toto in “The Wizard of Oz.”

“Kansas has a state reptile, for goodness’ sakes,” said Brenda Moore of Augusta, obedience chairwoman with the South Central Kansas Kennel Club.

Cat show to feature show cats, rescue cats

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:17 CST

Cat show to feature show cats, rescue cats

Fancy purebred cats, everyday cats and rescue cats — all can be found next weekend at the Cotillion as Wichita Cat Fancy presents its annual winter cat show.

About 200 cats representing up to 30 breeds are expected at the Cat Fanciers’ Association show, which runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 4 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 5 at the Cotillion, 11120 W. Kellogg.

Adopt a pet (Jan. 28)

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 07:13 CST

Shadow the Constant Companion, a 2-year-old female shepherd mix, is available for adoption from Kansas Humane Society. Looking for an emotionally secure, mutually satisfying, low-maintenance relationship? Then I’m your dog. I’d like to think they named me Shadow because I’ll stay right by your side. However, I’m a bit shy, so I’ll do best in a home with kids over 10 years old. Come on down; I’m looking forward to being your Shadow.

Also available:

• Boomer the Wallflower, 2-year-old male hound-Labrador retriever mix.

Adopt a pet (Jan. 21)

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 07:54 CST

Bunny TNT in Wichita has these and other bunnies available for adoption:

• Kate is a female white and brown English Spot mix. She is young and active, spayed and litter box trained. She is a delightful bunny and would work well in a family. She is a lover and likes being petted.

• Peter is a white male with dark gray satin accents. He is friendly and loves treats and being petted. He doesn’t like to be picked up and held. He has some trust issues and wouldn’t be a good pet for children. He is neutered and litter box trained.

Tips for wintertime care of your pets

SUE MANNING — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 07:50 CST

If you are too cold to be outside without a coat, your dog probably is, too. If your cat eats just one of your acetaminophen cold or flu pills, it could be fatal.

Those are just a few of the tips experts offer to keep pets safe this winter. Here are some other basic cold-weather precautions with pets from experts and animal welfare organizations.

From the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals:

Pet briefs

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:17 CST

Wichita cat show seeks entries of household pets

Cats need not be purebreds to compete in the Wichita Cat Fancy winter show Feb. 4 and 5 at the Cotillion.

People are urged to enter their nonregistered cats in the show’s household pet division, a category that celebrates the beauty of the everyday cat.

Study: Dogs and kids not all

Jill Rosen — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 07:15 CST

You know how when someone compares dealing with their dog to dealing with a baby and all the parents in the room give them the stink eye?

Well, the comparison might hold water.

According to a study by the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, published in the journal Current Biology, when people talk to their dogs, the reaction of the pup is similar to that of a baby.

Adopt a pet (Jan. 14)

Sat, 14 Jan 2012 07:17 CST

Heart Bandits American Eskimo Dog Rescue has some “new kids on the block” available for adoption:

• Lady Pearl, a 6-year-old female, 27 pounds, is a very affectionate, friendly dog who is looking for a vacant lap to inhabit. She loves walks and tolerates other dogs but can be a little jealous. She would do best as an only dog.

• Wendy, a 2-year-old female, 17 pounds, is very friendly to humans and other dogs. She has a lanky teenager build and “goofy girl-itis.” She comes with her own monkey baby toy.

The winners in The Eagle's Holiday Pet Photo Contest

Diane McCartney — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 13:58 CST

Like most dogs, Remington, a yellow Labrador retriever owned by Carol and Dale Cook, likes to know what’s going on around his home.

He likes to know who’s home and who isn’t, and he’ll alert his family when a delivery man comes to the door, or when there are “animals in the yard that aren’t supposed to be there,” like possums and skunks, Carol Cook said.

Carol’s photo of Remington poking his head through a peephole in the fence – framed by a Christmas wreath and red bow – won first prize in The Eagle’s 12th annual Holiday Pet Photo Contest. His photo was chosen out of 165 entries, winning Carol a $50 gift card to a pet store.

Celebs share New Year’s resolutions for their pets

SUE MANNING — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 08:11 CST

Tony La Russa would like his dog to spend more time in his lap. Bob Barker would like his rabbit to spend more time in its litter box. And Lea Michele would like her cat to spend less time in her cotton ball jar.

The Associated Press asked several celebrity pet owners about New Year’s resolutions for their animals – and resolutions their pets might have for them.

La Russa, the reigning World Series champion manager, would like it if his 12-year-old Chihuahua, Twiggy, would jump into his lap every time he sat down. “I’d like that affectionate reassurance every time, not just sometimes,” he said.

Animal shelter lends out pets for the holidays

Jill Rosen — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 07:17 CST

Mr. and Mrs. Paws were left in a box on a recent Wednesday night outside Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter. The black-and-white kittens, just 6 weeks old, aren’t ready to be adopted — but through a new program, someone can give the squirmy pair a home for the holidays.

For the first time, the city’s largest shelter has joined Foster a Lonely Pet for the Holidays, a national program through which people can open their homes to needy dogs and cats during a time of year when they’re often forgotten. Since the Silver Spring, Md.-based Petfinder.com launched the program three years ago, about 1,500 shelters across the country have participated.

“I’ve heard from people who did it that it was the nicest spirit of giving thing they did all year,” said Betsy Banks Saul, Petfinder’s co-founder, who was inspired to launch the open-ended program after seeing a 2009 TV movie called “A Dog for Christmas.” “It brings the holiday spirit in the house and can really help to make a pet more adoptable.”

Adopt a pet (Dec. 24)

Sat, 24 Dec 2011 07:26 CST

Noel, a 2-year-old female tabby cat, grey and black with white, is available for adoption from the Kansas Humane Society. Like all sidekicks, she’s just plain good company. She likes attention and also likes her solitude. She doesn’t go looking for trouble but is no scaredy-cat, either. If you are looking for a steady companion to travel with you on the road of life, look no further.

Also available:

• Damien the Couch Potato, a 5-year-old male Australian Cattle Dog mix. Like the easy life? Then he’s the perfect match for you. He’s a relaxed, laid-back kind of dog who enjoys car rides, long naps, watching movies, curling up on laps and walking short distances from the couch to the food bowl and back.

Books for pet lovers

Jackie Loohauis-Bennett — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 07:59 CST

It’s hard to pick up gifts when your dewclaws get in the way.

Luckily for pets, humans have a great crop of recent books to choose from for gift-giving this season. Here are several sure to make the pet lover on your list feel all warm and cuddly.

• “Betty & Friends: My Life at the Zoo,” by Betty White (G.P. Putnam’s Sons; $26.95). Everyone’s favorite sassy octogenarian became an animal activist long before she became a Hollywood fixture. Here she tells about the dolphins, elephants and gorillas that have won her heart during her life.

Behavior experts face life and death decisions for animals

John Owens — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 08:09 CST

Yokie’s life took a turn for the worse a few months ago when the owners of the 6-year-old American bull terrier moved and decided not to take their dog.

Yokie was dropped off at the Anti-Cruelty Society, one of Chicago’s largest shelters for animals. There, the dog’s future as a potential adoptee was determined in a series of personality evaluations done by Avril Brown, one of the shelter’s animal behavior specialists.

In one session, the dog was petted and handled, then distracted with a white plastic hand on a stick while she attempted to eat. In another, she was introduced to a series of dogs to address Yokie’s potential for aggressiveness.

Adopt a pet

Sat, 10 Dec 2011 08:10 CST

Kiku the Tween, a 5-month-old male, white and black cat, is available for adoption from the Kansas Humane Society. Will you guide him through this new phase in his life? With affection, play time and patience, you can help him become a loving feline who will give you lots of laughs as he grows.

Chocolate the Constant Companion, a 6-year-old male, 40-pound cocker spaniel, is very sweet. Looking for an emotionally secure, mutually satisfying, low-maintenance relationship? He is all you need. Let him sit at your feet and walk by your side, and he’ll be your devoted companion forever!

George the Wallflower, a 2 1/2-year-old male terrier mix, 38 pounds, has lived with kids. He’s a shy yet charming canine searching for a patient owner with a relaxed lifestyle. He’s looking for gentle guidance to help him come out of his shell. Treat him kind and he’ll blossom.

Pet briefs

Sat, 10 Dec 2011 08:10 CST

Enter The Eagle’s Holiday Pet Photo Contest

Pet owners, it’s time to dig out those Santa hats and reindeer ears and snap pictures of your pets for The Eagle’s 12th annual Holiday Pet Photo Contest.

Amateur photographers are invited to capture their dogs, cats, birds, horses or other pets in the holiday spirit and mail or submit a photo online to The Eagle by midnight Dec. 20.