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Monday
01Mar2010

Gimme Shelter: Eugene emergency warming center makes room for pets

If disaster strikes, you don’t leave a family member behind. When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, countless pet guardians stayed put and faced the floods rather than abandon beloved beasts who weren’t allowed in the hurricane shelters.

The Willamette Valley doesn’t get many natural disasters, but sometimes winter nights can be harsh. While many are a little unprepared, those hit hardest are the homeless, who have nowhere to escape the cold. Their pets suffer with them.

During a freeze December 8, 2008, 60-year-old Major Thomas Egan, a homeless veteran, froze to death on the streets of Eugene. People were horrified this could happen here. Citizens, veterans, activists, faith groups, local governments and others came together to ensure it wouldn’t happen to another soul. The result was the Egan Warming Center, whose mission is simple: ensuring that homeless people in Lane County have indoor refuge when temperatures hit 28 degrees or below between November 15th and March 31st.

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Monday
01Mar2010

Trae’s Anatomy - Featuring Dr. Janelle Walker, Best Friends Veterinary Medical Center

On the Chart: Healthy Older Cats

Common Causes

One year in a cat’s life is roughly equivalent to seven human years. When your cat reaches age 9, your vet should request a senior wellness exam. You can’t stop your dear cats from growing older, of course, but there are adjustments that can really help support your aging kitty.

Common Treatments

Certain foods, supplements or exercises may be prescribed to keep your cats healthy as they age. An older cat should be examined every 6 months, even if they are apparently healthy. Some diseases are entirely curable, so it’s best to know about a health issue before it becomes a problem. A senior wellness exam when cats are 9 provides baselines to evaluate their overall health.

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Monday
01Mar2010

Light up the runway — it’s time for Boutiques Unleashed

Each year in Portland the first blooms of daffodils and tulips bring a sense of promise, and a sigh of relief as the gray days of winter give way to the vivid hues and bright sunshine of spring. The stage is set for Portland’s burgeoning pet event season, now getting underway.

Northwest people are famous for keeping their pets in the middle of the mix of life, whether shopping in a favorite district, enjoying lunch at a street-side table or heading out for a hike at the park. Around here, if you look closely, you’ll usually find a pet in the picture. (Sometimes you have to look really closely — little ones are often found poking tiny noses out of fashionable shoulder bags.)

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Monday
01Mar2010

The story behind the scenes in Harney County

Nestled in the southeast corner of Oregon, the town of Burns is one of Oregon’s jewels. Here, on the sweeping vistas of the high desert, you can see a variety of breathtaking wildlife — bighorn sheep, Kiger Mustangs, waterfowl, and all manner of birds. The residents are nice folks, and the place is chock-full of fabulous outdoor activities such as stargazing, birdwatching, and hiking in many nature preserves.

One thing Burns DOESN’T have is an animal shelter. Like many other rural areas in Oregon, Burns has nowhere to take unwanted companion animals. All impounded or stray companion pets end up at the only vet in town where, after three to five, they are euthanized.

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Monday
01Mar2010

March Cover Model 411

Names:  Dad, Rey Franco, Pedro and Che

Breeds/Ages:  Pedro is a 3-year old Lab whose birthday is January. Che, a Doberman, will turn 3 in September.

Stomping Grounds:  Rey, Pedro and Che live in SE Portland and their fav play places include Normandale Park and Mt. Tabor.

Turn-ons:  Pedro loves treats, treats, treats. Oh yeah: and treats. Che loves squirrels . . . ground squirrels, flying squirrels!

Turn-offs:  Pedro hates thunder. Che hates the fact that squirrels are fast and can climb trees

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Monday
01Mar2010

From the bookshelf - Bo Obama like as never seen him

“Sasha and Malia, I love you both more than you can imagine, and you have earned that new puppy that is coming with us to the White House.” 

Since the president uttered those words on election night 2008, and with the subsequent expansion of the first family, people can’t get enough of First Pooch Bo Obama. 

In Bo Obama, White House Tails, the First Pet is star, narrator and tour guide in a creative and doggone cute comic format. 

An original 23-page comic book, Puppy Power: Bo Obama sold out, and the story was expanded for its second printing — as a 40-page special edition graphic novel aimed at tweens and young kids.

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Monday
01Mar2010

This just in . . . from the ASPCA . . .

There is a natural connection between pet parents and Subaru. In fact, almost half of Subaru owners have a dog, and 7 out of 10 owners have some kind of pet. Inspired by its customers, Subaru has built a strong partnership with the ASPCA to help bring pets and people together.

For the past two years, Subaru has partnered with the ASPCA as part of the “Share the Love” event, resulting in a $1.2 million donation in the first year alone. This past holiday season, the ASPCA helped connect Subaru dealerships with local animal welfare agencies around the country to promote Share the Love with fun-filled events and activities. Our matchmaking resulted in more than 350 adoptions and raised $28,000 for local agencies.

Now Subaru is celebrating its special connection with the ASPCA and pet lovers everywhere with a campaign featuring two adopted pooches, Olive and Zelda, at the wheel of a Subaru Forester. See all of their adventures (like parallel parking!) at Subaru.com.

 

Monday
01Mar2010

Best in the Northwest - Gear

We work hard. We play hard. And we have great gear!

When you live in the Pacific Northwest, you have to be ready for anything the weather can dish out.  And people in the NW love their pets.  Spot recently searched out pet stores in the area and their customers for what is top-selling and most popular, from apparel to beds, bowls to food and toys.  The good news is we found several companies providing extraordinary products are based right here at home.

 

Nylon Turnout Coat — Foggy Mountain Dog Coats

A nice parka/ski jacket-style coat originally designed for horses.  These coats will have your dog toasty warm in even the most severe weather. “This is our top-selling ‘go for broke’ coat,” says Suzanne Losch, owner of Urban Fauna pet supply and doggie daycare in NW Portland. The coats are made with tough water- and wind-repellent nylon, insulated with warm polyfil, and lined with plush fleece. Because of its unique design, it stays put on even the most rambunctious dogs.  Machine washable in sizes to fit all dogs in plaids and solid colors. Available at Urban Fauna or www.dogcoat.com.

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