Portland, OR (PRWEB) February 23, 2012

A large portion of the proceeds from Falling In Danger, a newly released contemporary romantic suspense, will go to The Pixie Project animal rescue. Pixie’s motto is “Nothing is impossible”. With over 1000 successful adoptions and counting, they are committed to changing the lives of shelter animals with their unique approach of matching the right pets to prospective new families.

“I got the idea for this book after seeing a piece on the news about the adoptability of ex-fighting dogs,” says author, Kaylie Newell. “Something about the dogs touched me deeply. How, even after all they’d been through, they were able to forgive and love us anyway. I think that’s something we can all learn from.”

After submitting the book, Newell contacted her publisher, Beachwalk Press, who enthusiastically agreed to the donation. “What better way to celebrate a story about second chances,” says Newell, “than to give to such a wonderful cause. I’m very lucky to be working with such a forward thinking publisher. We all hope that the lives of some very special animals will be touched by this gift.”

Amy Sacks, Executive Director of The Pixie Project says, “We are thrilled to be the beneficiary of this very generous donation to our cause. We love creative donations and this is certainly a first for us! The idea that a publisher would donate such a generous percentage of the profits from a novel is just amazing to all of us at the Pixie Project. Our animals come to us at a difficult point in their lives, homeless and waiting to find comfort and love with a new forever home. Many of these animals need veterinary care, cozy beds and toys to keep their spirits up, and of course a proper shelter to rest in and wait for their new family. This kindness will help us care for and house these animals giving them a second chance at love and happiness.”

Falling In Danger will be available February 20th from Barnes and Noble.com, Amazon.com and Beachwalk Press.com.

About Falling In Danger:

A journalist stumbles onto the story of a lifetime. And finds herself falling in danger…

When young, naïve reporter Jessica Brady is kidnapped and held for ransom by the head of an illegal dog fighting organization, undercover police officer Ian Cole realizes he’s got his hands full. He’s on the verge of busting the ring when he’s assigned to babysit her, which isn’t an easy feat. She’s neurotic, feisty, and also happens to be scared to death of dogs. Now he has to figure out a way to get them both out alive.

Jessica has no idea the thug she’s becoming attracted to is actually a cop, but it’s clear he’s not like the rest of the men in the organization. Particularly Albert Mancini, the disturbed only son of the ring boss, who has an appetite for alcohol and women. Especially Jessica.

When Ian’s cover is blown, he’s forced to bust the ring early. Weeks later, Jessica can’t stop thinking about the experience that has changed her forever. She wonders about the tall, sexy detective who saved her life. And the mobster’s prize-winning pit bull, Bruta.

An idea for a story is born. What if these dogs were given a second chance at life?
As Jessica digs deeper into their troubled world, she ends up falling for the police officer who rescued them. And discovers layers of her heart she never knew existed.

But when Albert escapes from jail, her happiness turns to terror. He hasn’t forgotten about the detective who put him behind bars. Or the beautiful young woman whose every move has become his obsession.

About The Pixie Project
The Pixie Project is committed to changing the image of a “rescue” or shelter animal. While some animals come to the Pixie Project seeking medical or behavioral attention not accessible in a typical shelter, many Pixie Project “kids” are professionally trained, family friendly pets whose circumstances have left them in need of a new home. With over 1000 successful adoptions, an inexhaustible staff armed with expert animal knowledge, a whole lot of humor and an ever-changing cast of fantastic animals, The Pixie Project gives animal rescue a fresh and flirty facelife.To learn more about The Pixie Project, please visit their website at http://www.pixieproject.org

About the Author
Kaylie Newell was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. She lives at the base of the mountains in Southern Oregon with her husband, two little girls, an elderly Chihuahua mix and two indifferent cats. She loves to hear from readers. Learn more about Kaylie at http://www.kaylienewell.com

NEW YORK, Feb 23, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) — SPCA International, a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing animal suffering and abuse internationally, has posted a newly shot video showing SPCA International’s Animal Rescue Expert, Terri Crisp, at a facility in Thailand holding approximately 1,000 animals living in deplorable conditions caused by heavy flooding late last year. SPCA International dispatched staff to Thailand earlier this month to assess and respond to the crisis animals are now facing post-flood.

The floods killed hundreds of people and were the worst to hit central Thailand since 1942. Countless animals were killed by the floods, while thousands of others were rescued by animal organizations and good Samaritans. Now their plight continues as shelters work to rebuild. However, some cannot to due to lack of funding or will.

“After natural disasters there are several layers of rescue work that take months or longer,” said Stephanie Scott of SPCA International. “Pulling animals out of the flood water is the first critical step, but there are medical needs, vaccinations, supplies, clean-up and rebuilding efforts that are essential to ensure the animal population is safe and healthy. Many homeless animals were significantly displaced by the flooding, now miles away from what was originally their territory. Others were owned animals that could not be reunited with their caregivers and are now facing a very uncertain future. We hope the news from the video will help raise global awareness and allow us to send more aid to this region.”

SPCA International specializes in assisting animals in areas of conflict and disaster. During times of natural disaster, political turmoil, war and man-made disaster, SPCA International is ready to take action for the protection of animals. Along with partner organizations around the world, they focus on helping in crisis situations where animals are at risk or in danger. Video and news about SPCA International’s work is available on the group’s Web site, http://www.spcai.org .

SOURCE: SPCA International

Seattle, WA, February 22, 2012 –(PR.com)– “We’ve been collecting stories of rescued pets and their ‘fur-ever’ homes for many years,” said Tim Kunin, CEO of The Animal Rescue Site and GreaterGood Network. “These tales always have been one of the most popular features on the homepage, Facebook pages, and newsletters.”

One hundred stories out of several thousand were picked for the first volume from GreaterGood Network Publishing. Formatted into a .99 e-book available for both Kindle and Nook, the stories create a quick, fun, and positive read for animal lovers. A number of the pets profiled originally were considered “unadoptable” due to age, temperament, or breed.

“We hope that others will be encouraged by this e-book to consider adopting not just puppies and kittens, but also older pets, horses, rabbits, ferrets, and others,” said Greg Hesterberg, president of The Animal Rescue Site and a board member of the Petfinder.com Foundation.

Early reaction to 100 Heartwarming Stories has been positive, with more than 1,000 copies sold on Amazon.com alone in the first week of publication. Kunin and Hesterberg currently are considering additional volumes for the series and eventual publication of a print version.

The Animal Rescue Site celebrates its tenth anniversary in July. As a member of the “Click Here To Give” suite of GreaterGood Network websites, The Animal Rescue Site offers several quick and easy ways to support animal rescue work in the United States and around the world. Every free click on the homepage’s big purple button generates donations from the website’s sponsors (100% of the revenue earned from these ads goes to charity), all purchases from The Animal Rescue Site online store contribute to the website’s charitable partners, and visitors to the website can give to their favorite projects or specific nonprofits through the Gifts That Give More [tm] program.

Charitable grants funded by The Animal Rescue Site are distributed by GreaterGood.org, an independent 501c3 nonprofit. More information about The Animal Rescue Site and its charitable partners can be found at http://www.TheAnimalRescueSite.com.

Recent Donations to Animal Charities

GreaterGood.org announced that grants totaling more than $970,000 were given to 97 charities in January 2012, including more than $580,000 for the Petfinder.com Foundation grants for shelters and rescue groups throughout the United States. Funding for these grants came from “Click Here To Give,” Gifts That Give More™, and other programs found at The Animal Rescue Site as well as direct donations to GreaterGood.org.

The 2012 grant helps Petfinder.com Foundation sustain and expand such programs as Rescue U and the Shelter+ Challenge. Rescue U, which pairs college students with shelter building projects, started the year with the complete rebuild of the Guthrie, OK, shelter. That project included a $10,000 grant to the Guthrie shelter to help them feed and care for their animals. The Guthrie shelter lost their original building to a tornado in May and, while securing FEMA assistance for basic framing and foundation, needed the Rescue U assistance to finish the project.

The story of the Guthrie, OK, rebuild forms a bonus “one hundred and one” story at the end of 100 Heartwarming Stories From The Animal Rescue Site.

In 2011, GreaterGood.org donated over $1.6 million to animal rescue charities and $3.1 million to all causes.

The largest beneficiaries of grants to animal charities were the small shelters and volunteer rescue groups belonging to the Petfinder.com Network. GreaterGood.org grants to the Petfinder.com Foundation funded such programs as Shelter+ Challenge, Rescue U, disaster relief efforts, and more. Petfinder.com Network members of all sizes located in the United States, Canada, Grand Bahamas, and Costa Rica benefitted from Challenge grants.

New in 2011, a greater emphasis was placed on food banks distributing pet food to U.S. families hit hard by the recession. Providing them with food helped keep pets out of shelters. The programs made it possible for many seniors and those with disabilities to enjoy the comfort of a pet. The food banks were run by First Coast Pet Food Banks, Save Our Pets, Seattle Humane Society, and other groups serviced by Rescue Bank’s food distribution program.

Internationally, GreaterGood.org helped animal rescue groups respond to major natural disasters such as the tsunami and subsequent events in Japan, floods in India and Pakistan, and cyclones in Australia, among others.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Mayor A C Wharton says the embattled Memphis Animal Shelter has a new interim administrator.

Wharton said Wednesday that James Rogers has a strong management background and is experienced in operating a major facility with a large staff, The Commercial Appeal reports (http://bit.ly/wU0dCV ).

Rogers replaces Matthew Pepper, who resigned after a troubled 17-month stint that included conflicts with some volunteers and criticism from animal rights advocates.

Sheriff’s deputies raided the shelter in October 2009, finding starving, abused and neglected animals. Since then, three former employees have been indicted on animal cruelty charges.

Memphis police said this week that they’re investigating the treatment of animals after a report was filed by a shelter employee.

Rogers used to work for the U.S. Postal Service but has no animal shelter experience.

___

Information from: The Commercial Appeal

_________________________

Hand4Paws will not tolerate Mayor Wharton wanting to silence all animal activists by just placing another person on Memphis Animal Shelter that has no knowledge of working with animals. Please consider signing the petition!We need a responsible solution for animals in Memphis! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

Animals Petition: Memphis Animal Services, DO NOT euthanize ALL pit bulls w/out putting them up for adoption, Spay/Neuter & work w/rescues to SAVE them | Change.org http://chn.ge/z6uMw1 via @addthis

Lady used to be a stray dog. A dog that walked aimlessly the streets and each day tried to survive. One day she found her way to the loving home of Glen Marie Friend and settled in with a compassionate family. According to an article on www.lifewithdogs.tv Lady was unjustly seized from her loving home and has been kept at Nelson County Animal Control in the city of Lovingston in the state of Virginia. To Read more of the story of Lady continue reading on lifewithdogs.tv and click here for the link.

Hand4Paws is calling on all animal advocates to join the efforts of Larisa Scharikin Vice President at The Lexus Project. There has been a community on Facebook under the name of Save Lady Marie Bear. Please join in order to keep updated on the case.  Also there is an ONLINE PETITION , we urge you to consider giving your voice to Lady Marie Bear and add your name to it. The petition is targeting the Nelson County Animal Control.  If it is within your possibilities to donate money to the Chip In for Lady Marie Bear, please do so. According to the Facebook Admins of the community they explain that the attorney works pro bono but that there are still court costs that must be paid and that a trust fund is being set up for her.

To sign the petition please click here

To donate for Lady Marie please click here

To join the Facebook Community please click here

Bruno was found in an alley in Chicago with no use of his back legs at 4 weeks old!!!

Someone brought him into CACC and he was to be put to sleep. However Castaway Pet Rescue saw this little man fell in love with his on site and knew they had to save him!

Bruno is in a foster home and is getting all the love a attention he could ever want! He is going to a rehabilitation center for muscle strength and acupuncture treatments and he has begun using his back legs! We all have hope that maybe someday he will walk on his own. But if not, that’s OK, he will just be one of the cool dogs in wheels!

Bruno is the happiest puppy ever and has stole the hearts of people all across the US. His face can light up a room!

You know what they say, “one man’s trash is another mans treasure”, and Bruno is…he is our treasure!!!!

To donate via Chipin towards Bruno’s ongoing therapy and care Click Here.

Kissing Bruno from Karen Erbach on Vimeo.

“This has been the cumulation of a harassment campaign waged by Monroe town officials for over 12 years now. First of all, I’m surprised the taxpayers of Monroe are not upset that town officials are using their hard-earned tax dollars to pay for a high-priced law firm to harass us. In fact, we know as of today at least $20,000 of taxpayer dollars have been spent. Second, these pets have been housed at this location for many years now. I believe this is an ongoing harassment campaign by Monroe’s top town officials,” explained Fred Acker, director, SPCA of Connecticut, Inc. “It’s outrageous when officials play politics with homeless pets, and in the end, it’s the animals that will suffer. We cannot let this happen. Monroe officials want the animal population to be reduced. In fact, they are trying to outlaw practically all adoption activities, limit hours and make it almost impossible to offer adoption services. It’s especially disturbing since one of the main people responsible for this harassment campaign, the Monroe first selectman, adopted his dog from the SPCA of Connecticut.”

“Now that the Town of Monroe is forcing the SPCA to reduce the dog population, I worry about the many animals we cannot take and who are at the risk of being killed. They did not ask to be in cages. They did not ask to be killed,” said retired teacher and SPCA of Connecticut Volunteer Barb Groel, , CT.

“The SPCA of Connecticut strives to provide a safe haven for cats and dogs, including sick or injured animals, and we provide long term care for animals which are not adopted. These are the animals that will be affected the most by the mandate of the Town of Monroe to reduce our numbers. We are in urgent need to place as many of these pets in homes before the April 30, 2012 deadline. This mandate will also severely limit our ability to save more animals in need, and these potentially wonderful pets will be euthanized at kill-shelters and pounds both here in Connecticut as well as around the country. This court order totally ignores the fact that we have adequate staff and facilities to care for each and every dog that resides here. Sadly, I do not think this is the end of the town’s harassment campaign. Clearly, I believe they just want to put us out of business without regard for the lives of animals,” concluded Acker.

During my time with the SPCA of Connecticut, I have volunteered at many of the adoption events and I have been amazed by the number of dogs we have placed at these events that would otherwise have been euthanized. The mission of the SPCA of Connecticut is invaluable to so many animals in need. Two of my own dogs were adopted from the SPCA of Connecticut, both of which would almost certainly have been euthanized at another shelter, since they are considered special needs,” said Jen Sadlier, volunteer, SPCA of Connecticut, Colchester, CT.

The SPCA of Connecticut is presently located at 359 Spring Hill Road, Monroe, CT, 06468. For more information about the SPCA of Connecticut, visit http://www.spcact.org, email tsvsi@aol.com or call (203) 445-9978.

# #

The following is a courtesy listing in order to help find a good home for Wyatt. Please if you may know someone in Albuquerque NM that could help, please contact Joshua at the given number.

Albuquerque, NM- Hello, I am earnestly trying to find a good home for a cat.

Description: WYATT EARP (name he came with from AH), 6yo, neutered Male, housecat, (DMH?), 1 previous owner prior to Humane Society, very sociable, healthy, with claws & a raccoon type tail

Throughout the month of February, L.R. Williamson raises donation to 100% of proceeds (up from fifty-precent) of Prairie Springs to Blue Paws Animal Shelter.

Houston, TX, February 03, 2012 –(PR.com)– In order to assist Blue Paws Animal Shelter, primarily a trap-neuter-return (TNR) rescue, L.R. Williamson will donate all proceeds from the book, Prairie Springs, generated during the month of February.

The price of Prairie Springs has been lowered to $.99 for the month of February in the iTunes store, Amazon’s Kindle, and at Smashwords.com. The paperback versions sold through Amazon will also count towards the author’s goal of raising $1,000.

Prairie Springs has received glowing reviews. It is a comical story that begins with the arrival of a new resident to the small, seemingly conservative town of Prairie Springs. Her arrival creates a change in the town’s residents, and a closely guarded web of secrets begins to unravel. The shocking ending will leave readers craving for more of the drama and colorful characters.

You can explore the good that Blue Paws does for animals on their Facebook page. You can also learn more about the author at his webpage, LRWilliamson.com, or go to the Prairie Springs Facebook page.

• • Justice for Carmela, Dog So Neglected That She Chewed Her Own Leg Off http://www.change.org/petitions/justice-for-carmela-dog-so-neglected-that-she-chewed-her-own-leg-off?share_id=mgDQLylefu
  • Justice for 17 Neglected Pit Bulls in Orlando, Florida http://www.change.org/petitions/justice-for-17-neglected-pit-bulls-in-orlando-florida?share_id=rYnxvmwSeW
• Save Lug & Marley, German Shepherd Dogs That Were Protecting Their Home http://www.change.org/petitions/save-lug-marley-german-shepherd-dogs-that-were-protecting-their-home?share_id=hGlSPodSjb
• Justice for 17 Neglected Pit Bulls in Orlando, Florida http://chn.ge/xwyJ2G
• Kyle V. is charged with Maximum penalties & he is banned from owning pets http://chn.ge/x5HDEu
• Maximum sentence for Debe Bell Convicted on 35 Counts of Animal Cruelty http://chn.ge/wrLYxy
• Maximum charges for Dario Yachachin for his 10 counts of animal cruelty: http://chn.ge/wrBKTA
• Malachi deserves justice! Punish his abuser & protect KY animals from abuse. http://www.change.org/petitions/malachi-deserves-justice-punish-his-abuser-protect-ky-animals-from-abuse?share_id=GEkxhMfrKt
• #ABQ #NM If Found Guilty Maximum Charges of Animal Cruelty for Baslio Gavilan http://chn.ge/yDsnI6
• Justice for Taz, Puppy Stabbed and Dumped in Abilene, Texas http://chn.ge/x3gK5T
• Justice for Cookie! Adopted sick and starved dog http://chn.ge/zUWeN8
• If found guilty, give Matthew Ryan max penalties for beating innocent dog http://chn.ge/wLynaK
• Maximum penalties for Eril Rael  if found guilty for dragging his dog! http://chn.ge/yQCoQz
• Justice for Harper, Pit Bull Puppy Thrown Over 50-Foot Embankment in PA http://chn.ge/x4jrBk
• Liberate Brindi – The dog held hostage for more than 3 years at a Halifax Pound! http://chn.ge/AtdrY8
• Justice for Peanut Butter: Dog Hit and Killed by Car After Being Thrown into Traffic  http://chn.ge/yyPHaY
• Justice for Louie: Yorkie Thrown From 23-foot-high Balcony http://chn.ge/xLv8bW
• Justice for Sissy, If Found Guilty, Maximum Charges against Jazmin Kimberlin for Animal Cruelty   http://chn.ge/yWNUb6
• Tayon L. Alexander, if found guilty, be sentenced 2max penalties prescribed by Florida State Law http://chn.ge/zzftjl
• Justice for 3 Chihuahua Pups: If found guilty, Max Sentence for Tayon L. Alexander http://www.change.org/petitions/justice-for-3-chihuahua-pups-if-found-guilty-max-sentence-for-tayon-l-alexander?share_id=fUpXworuYd
• Say NO to Dog Fighting – Maximum Sentence for OH Man Accused of Fighting Dogs http://chn.ge/vEcc5z
• Stop Dog Shootings by Gulfport Police http://chn.ge/tbwOx8
• Demand Maximum Sentence for OH Man that Killed his Neighbors Sr Dog http://chn.ge/uSxvws
• In Memory of Basie, the Sr Dog Euthanized Within Hours of Being Lost: Change VA Law  http://chn.ge/vrNZY1
• Prosecutors: Justice for Francis, Dog starved to death by owner in Camden City, NJ. http://chn.ge/uxWaCE
• Demand Changes be Made at Shelter that Dumped Live Dog in Landfill http://chn.ge/qX6Cp7
• Charge Ivan Murray, Darrell Murray and Dannon Williams  with animal cruelty! http://www.change.org/petitions/charge-ivan-murray-darrell-murray-and-dannon-williams-with-animal-cruelty?share_id=wtMXhRAukj
• Governor: Make Bestiality Illegal in Connecticut http://chn.ge/oHTTr4
• Pro Athletes: Continue inspiring your fans to be Animal Advocates  http://t.co/TXdgnJl
• Protect Animals From Being Raped and Make Bestiality a Felony in Ohio! http://t.co/k2gTdDa

To sign the petition for Louie and learn more about the initial case click here

Pets Getting Dumped in Frigid Cold Weather

by Joyce F.

It’s no big surprise that winter weather in Fairbanks Alaska can be brutal.  The temperature there today is a frigid -49 F.  You read that right, it’s minus 49 degrees in Fairbanks.

With temperatures that dangerously low, people need to use extra caution when letting their pets go outside.  Yet some individuals have actually abandoned their pets at dump sites during Fairbank’s brutal winters.  In 2011, 28 animals were left at waste transfer sites. Three of the animals died by the time they were found.

From dogs and cats to goats and ferrets, animals have been left behind at waste transfer sites; tied to dumpsters or locked in cages with no protection from the elements.  Left to fend for themselves.  Left to freeze to death.

Frostbite literally means the destruction of skin and tissue by freezing.  As with humans, animals also suffer from frostbite.  Ice crystals form in their body tissue, killing it. Their ears, tail and paws may become discolored, blistered and painful. The dead skin peels off. Their internal organs may start to freeze.  If that starts to happen,  they will most likely need to be humanely euthanized once they are found.  Cats are especially affected by the cold.

Animals left out in the bitter cold can also be affected by hypothermia.  Hypothermia is an abnormal lowering of body temperature.  It can cause unconsciousness, shock and death.  Signs of hypothermia include shivering and weakness.

This is what the animals left at waste transfer sites in Fairbanks, AK had to endure.  For some, it was probably the last thing they remembered.

The Fairbanks animal shelter located at 2408 Davis Road offers heated drop-off cages, which are available 24 hours a day for surrendered pets.  Since they will be safe and warm there, there is no excuse for leaving an animal to die in the brutal cold.  Since this is a form of animal cruelty, people that abandon their animals can be arrested and charged.

In Alaska, animal cruelty is a class A misdemeanor.  Sentencing includes a fine of up to $5,000, imprisonment of up to 1 year, community service and restitution.  (Alaska Statute 11.61.140)

For those of us who don’t live in such an extreme climate, animals still need to be protected from the cold.  Exposure to temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit can still cause frostbite in pets.

Photo courtesy of Eric Engman, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner | AP

Why This Is Important

All too often, the suffering and torment animals endure in abuse cases is overlooked and not taken into consideration at the time of sentencing or sadly, it is not taken seriously enough to warrant even substantial jail time. Studies have proven that animal abusers are 5 times more likely to commit violent crimes and 4 times more likely to commit property crimes than those who do not have a history of animal abuse. In the 1970s the FBI recognized the link and found that the profile of serial killers most often includes a history of animal abuse often starting in childhood. For more information please visit Pet-Abuse.com: http://bit.ly/uH2qGq

We applaud the actions of the following Judges and would like to say “Thank You” to:

1) Honorable Judge Joseph K. Sheeran – Judge Sheeran sentenced Jeremy K. Haire to 8 years in prison for killing a 2 pound tiny Yorkshire Terrier puppy to death during a domestic violence attack. Judge Sheeran cited “This was a property crime, but (the report) doesn’t take into account that the property was a living thing — a puppy that was killed without reason,” This sentencing deviated from the recommended 19 -57 months for this charge. Haire was also sentenced to 66 months to 10 years for violating his probation for second-degree criminal sexual conduct.

http://bit.ly/v7L9cP and http://bit.ly/vi5wmr

2) Honorable Judge Charles Rogers - Judge Rogers sentenced Patrick Caleb Land to five years four months in prison for beating his girlfriend’s three companion dogs to death. The necropsies of the victims indicated the dogs had been beaten to death after attempts to restrain and suffocate them failed.

http://exm.nr/w55dw9

3) Honorable Judge Joseph A. Costello – Circuit Judge Joseph A. Costello overturned First District’s Judge Jack Vitale’s decision to euthanize the surviving dogs seized in a dog fighting operation. The four pit bull terriers seized are safe from the euthanization that was recommended by the prosecutors. The Buster Foundation Pit Bull Education and Rescue of Belleville and the Monroe Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals disagreed with the prosecutor’s findings and launched an appeal. The dogs; Dusty, Monroe, Reilly, and Razzle were evaluated and were not found to be aggressive and were awarded to The Buster Foundation. Razzle, one of the four dogs was turned over to the rescue in August. He is now in training as a therapy dog.

http://exm.nr/uFzkVp

4) Honorable Judge Michael Gary Judge Gary sentenced Angelo Monderoy to 2-to-6 years on the burglary, 1⅓-to-4 years on the arson and the maximum two years on the animal cruelty charge for the burning of a tabby cat known as “Tommy Two Times”.  Monderoy stated he set “Tommy” on fire out of boredom.

http://nyp.st/rZJiN2

Hand4Paws petition asking for Maximum Sentence for “Tommy Two Times” abuser:

http://bit.ly/gx7EbL

5) Honorable Judge Thadd Blizzard Judge Blizzard sentenced Robert Edward De Shields to the maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for strangling and sexually assaulting an 8-month-old Chihuahua.  De Shields is also required to register as a Sex Offender.  A veterinarian determined that the dog had severe injuries to the rectum and internal organs from being raped.  The Chihuahua named “Shadow” is in foster care and slowly recovering from her injuries.

http://exm.nr/uU4Yma

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• Liberate Brindi – The dog held hostage for more than 3 years at a Halifax Pound! http://chn.ge/AtdrY8
• Justice for Peanut Butter: Dog Hit and Killed by Car After Being Thrown into Traffic  http://chn.ge/yyPHaY
• Justice for Louie: Yorkie Thrown From 23-foot-high Balcony http://chn.ge/xLv8bW
• Justice for Sissy, If Found Guilty, Maximum Charges against Jazmin Kimberlin for Animal Cruelty   http://chn.ge/yWNUb6
• Tayon L. Alexander, if found guilty, be sentenced 2max penalties prescribed by Florida State Law http://chn.ge/zzftjl
• Say NO to Dog Fighting – Maximum Sentence for OH Man Accused of Fighting Dogs http://chn.ge/vEcc5z
• Stop Dog Shootings by Gulfport Police http://chn.ge/tbwOx8
• Maximum Sentence for Terry Jackson for shooting neighbor’s dog, Duke, in the face. http://chn.ge/t7EE7u
• Demand Maximum Sentence for OH Man that Killed his Neighbors Sr Dog http://chn.ge/uSxvws
• Request Maximum Sentence for Breon D. Woodard & his girlfriend for animal cruelty & neglect.  http://chn.ge/vyj24e
• In Memory of Basie, the Sr Dog Euthanized Within Hours of Being Lost: Change VA Law  http://chn.ge/vrNZY1
• Prosecutors: Justice for Francis, Dog starved to death by owner in Camden City, NJ. http://chn.ge/uxWaCE
• Demand Changes be Made at Shelter that Dumped Live Dog in Landfill http://chn.ge/qX6Cp7
• Governor: Make Bestiality Illegal in Connecticut http://chn.ge/oHTTr4
• Pro Athletes: Continue inspiring your fans to be Animal Advocates  http://t.co/TXdgnJl
• Protect Animals From Being Raped and Make Bestiality a Felony in Ohio! http://t.co/k2gTdDa

Since MLK is an official federal holiday, shouldn’t we participate in some level of activism? His now famous quote said two months before he was murdered in 1968, “Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice.”

Social activism is easy, it won’t cost you anything except your time. If you are into politics at the national level, check out WhiteHouse.gov and sign some petitions. If your passion is animal rights, human rights, visit change.org or care2.com, both sites have thousands of petitions you can sign. Here are two organizations that would love to have your social activism help: Hand4Paws and Social Media Rescuers for Animals. There are also campaigns to save wildlife and wetlands, such as http://www.savebiogems.org/ that offers one click activism allowing you to autofill your information.

Find out who your local representatives are and your senators, if a bill is before them you feel strongly about, let them know if you support or don’t support it. You can send them email or call their White House office on Tuesday.

Share this post with your family, friends, neighbors, football buddies, etc. Let’s keep in the spirit of a great activist.

• Say NO to Dog Fighting – Maximum Sentence for OH Man Accused of Fighting Dogs http://chn.ge/vEcc5z
• Stop Dog Shootings by Gulfport Police http://chn.ge/tbwOx8
• Maximum Sentence for Terry Jackson for shooting neighbor’s dog, Duke, in the face. http://chn.ge/t7EE7u
• Demand Maximum Sentence for OH Man that Killed his Neighbors Sr Dog http://chn.ge/uSxvws
• Please Say Thank You to These Extraordinary Judges Who Stood Up for Animals http://chn.ge/rBqzrn
• Request Maximum Sentence for Breon D. Woodard & his girlfriend for animal cruelty & neglect.  http://chn.ge/vyj24e
• In Memory of Basie, the Sr Dog Euthanized Within Hours of Being Lost: Change VA Law  http://chn.ge/vrNZY1
• Prosecutors: Justice for Francis, Dog starved to death by owner in Camden City, NJ. http://chn.ge/uxWaCE
• Demand Changes be Made at Shelter that Dumped Live Dog in Landfill http://chn.ge/qX6Cp7
• Governor: Make Bestiality Illegal in Connecticut http://chn.ge/oHTTr4
• Pro Athletes: Continue inspiring your fans to be Animal Advocates  http://t.co/TXdgnJl
• Protect Animals From Being Raped and Make Bestiality a Felony in Ohio! http://t.co/k2gTdDa

Buddy is a 1 year old dog who was attacked by another when he was only a puppy 6 months ago. He was left paralyzed. When the owner refused to treat him, animal control took him and shortly after, someone contacted our organization to see if we could help him.

Eleventh Hour Rescue brought Buddy up from Georgia to see what all could be done to give him a chance at living a normal life.

Please check out Buddy’s ChipIn page and consider donating if you are able to and share with others. Please remember, small donations add up in a tremendous way. Even if you can’t help financially, you can lend a hand by sharing  Thank you! Here is the link to Buddy’s ChipIn page

Visit Buddy’s FB page for more pictures and videos.

Here are my most memorable 2011 sentiments.

My daughter and I took motorcycle lessons starting in January. She passed her motorcycle test in March. I am really proud of her because our immediate area is filled with intense mountainous, windy roads and she handles them with ease. My husband is an exceptional rider and she keeps up. I have a few more weeks left before my permit runs out and surely hope to have my license as well (fingers and paws crossed).

On April 27th,  little, littlegoslings (not the Ryan Gosling type but just as damn cute) and two adult geese overshot some ponds and landed in my neighborhood. It turned out to be quite an adventure and whatever way you say it, words do not do justice to the overwhelming feeling of mutual respect from these adult geese and the five humans who were helping them save their babies. My daughter and I tried to show this video to our neighbors and there was much pooh-pooh·ing that the geese were going to die anyway and they didn’t want to waste their time. We are so happy that we did take the time out for our fellow fowl friends from Canada.

This summer, a social media friend visited me in California, which I thought was really cool. Bob Angell and I had been Twitter followers for several years and we both were early adopters of Google +. He mentioned he was taking a motorcycle ride to CA and I said well, my whole family rides, let’s get together. We rode with Bob to Alice’s Restaurant on Highway 84 and had lunch. Bob went on to San Francisco and we went back home. So much fun in a very short period of time. Online connections can became real ones as the summer of 2011 proved.

After 15 years, my husband and I returned to Yosemite National Park.

Yosemite National Park

We stayed at the Ahwahnee Hotel. The availability and the price make it difficult to book.  It is easy to forget what an absolutely breathtaking destination it is. A few weekends later, we stopped at a redwood state park on a day motorcycle trip. With the deep state budget cuts, only a skeleton crew is operating at many of our local parks. I hope privatizing the parks helps keep them around for future generations. If only these parks had the same amount of enthusiasm that the theme parks receive, we could keep them fully functioning.

As a child of the 60′s, protests and rebellions were part of the national landscape. It was refreshing that the occupy movement gained momentum and spread throughout the country. Though the occupiers received negative publicity, it opened conversations about real issues that needed to be addressed. The lack of employment for many of our citizens is overwhelming and I speak from first-hand experience. It is not business as usual.

After an elderly Golden Retriever pet was shot dead by a young female police officer, I authored a petition requesting that the St. Petersburg police department refrain from using lethal force when dealing with dogs at large received national attention. My involvement was with Hand4Paws (a grassroots organization of dedicated volunteers) and change.org, and included an interview with the Tampa/St. Pete’s Fox TV station. The St. Petersburg city council changed their standing operating procedure to have as their first line of defense non-lethal force. I was very proud to be called a “California animal activist” and that this successful campaign may save one pet from being murdered.

After a decade of not operating our muscle car (69 Charger and no not a General Lee),

Charger camping at Big Basin State Park

we put it back on the road. It was fun to ride around in it and my husband is very excited about getting it restored. I am glad to see him enjoy the fruits of his labor since he has been the one holding down the fort, which is very appreciated!

Personally, 2011 was a year of more Goldilocks’ adventures: Trying different things until I find the one that is just right.

• No Oil Drilling in Endangered Gorilla Habitat: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/5/no-oil-drilling-in-endangered-gorilla-habitat/
• Help Save the Spirit Bear Coast http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/328/645/367/
• Stop Bullying Pit Bulls!: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/12/stop-bullying-pit-bulls/
• Kiwi\’s Help Save Japan\’s Dolphins !: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/kiwi39s-help-save-japan39s-dolphins/
• Save the Six Surviving Exotic \’Pets\’ in Zanesville, Ohio: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/secure-fate-of-six-surviving-exotic-pets-in-ohio/
• Stop AlphaTex Puppy Mill: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/stop-alphatex-puppy-mill/
• Pledge to Help Make the World Safer, Kinder for Street Dogs: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/691/708/802/
• “The Greatest Show on Earth” Isn’t So Great for Elephants: Make Animal Welfare a Priority! http://bit.ly/ubaSGn
• Remove Harry Ward from the Detroit Animal Control: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/remove-harry-ward-from-the-detroit-animal-control/
• Every Homeless Pet Deserves a Chance: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/285/944/353/
• Millions of Seals killed since 1952 – Lets end this Cruelty forever: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/2/millions-of-seals-killed-since-1952—lets-end-this-mssacre-forever/
• Pledge to Help Make the World Safer, Kinder for Street Dogs: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/691/708/802/
• STOP KILLING FERAL CATS: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/150/stop-killing-feral-cats/
• Save Congo Mountain Gorillas: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/406/279/157/
• PLEASE Reunite Tarra the Elephant with her friend, Carol Buckley: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/Unite-Tarra-the-Elephant-with-Carol-Buckley/

• NO #BSL! Say NO to the #NM bill that will be the death of thousands upon thousands of innocent Pit Bulls!! http://chn.ge/sxPJlx
• Stop Christine Yurgel, “Animal Rescuer” Selling Parvo Infected Pups! http://chn.ge/uYSGhM
• China : Please Stop Animal Abuse! http://chn.ge/s6rztu
• Shame! Boycott S. Korea until they stop the torturing and eating companion animals http://chn.ge/uma5Ir
• NO #BSL! Say NO to the #NM bill that will be the death of thousands upon thousands of innocent Pit Bulls!! http://chn.ge/sxPJlx
• Disgusting murders pets-Take Action! Bring 2Justice Torch Gallery and Katinka Simonse  http://chn.ge/v3dZWD
• Stop Christine Yurgel, “Animal Rescuer” Selling Parvo Infected Pups! http://chn.ge/uYSGhM
• Pres Of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliev;Gov of Germany: Stop Killing Strays 4Eurovision2012 in Baku! http://chn.ge/sVhoz1
• The Governor of TX: Stop the inhumane use of Gas Chambers to kill animals! http://chn.ge/tl9Hbv
• NewYork Magazine: Stop Featuring Food Articles about Pets!!!!!!! http://t.co/3dJlqMl
• Make Puppy Mills illegal! http://t.co/mlXoFg3
• Executive Director, NC Wildlife Resources Commission: Put an end to North Carolina’s Cruel ‘Opposum Drop’ event http://chn.ge/tzEeKD
• FRENCH GOVERNMENT: STOP USING DOGS AS SHARK BAIT http://chn.ge/tcWIXa
• Prevent greyhound racing in Wichita, Kansas! http://chn.ge/vK2PDE
• Help free 10 orangutans from Malaysia’s Alcatraz prison for Orangutans? http://chn.ge/oalGzs
• Chilean President Sebastian Piñera: Crackdown on cruel killing of streetdogs by municipal author. http://chn.ge/tJEq8r
• US Fish and Wildlife: Release Mexican wolves into #NM before it’s too late http://chn.ge/uoUDey
• UK Government: Halt the proposed plans to cull badgers http://chn.ge/vkf9PC
• The City of Jacksonville: Say no to cruelty and protect public health by banning animal circuses. http://chn.ge/vwA5yf

• Stop Dog Shootings by Gulfport Police http://chn.ge/tbwOx8
• New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez: Do not add Sen Beffort’s draft BSL bill to Jan 2012 call list http://chn.ge/sHqOzr
• Maximum Sentence for Terry Jackson for shooting neighbor’s dog, Duke, in the face. http://chn.ge/t7EE7u
• NC Couple Skins and Guts Puppy, Then Feeds to Their Dogs – Demand Maximum Sentence! http://chn.ge/vTUKIn
• Demand Maximum Sentence for OH Man that Killed his Neighbors Sr Dog http://chn.ge/uSxvws
• Please Say Thank You to These Extraordinary Judges Who Stood Up for Animals http://chn.ge/rBqzrn
• Reconsider the Execution of the Dog Named Bones http://chn.ge/v2Tw4B
• Request Maximum Sentence for Breon D. Woodard & his girlfriend for animal cruelty & neglect.  http://chn.ge/vyj24e
• In Memory of Basie, the Sr Dog Euthanized Within Hours of Being Lost: Change VA Law  http://chn.ge/vrNZY1
• Plz allow Champ to go to no kill rescue & Gonzales to get maximum sentence allowable under the law! http://chn.ge/ukAJa5
• Prosecutors: Justice for Francis, Dog starved to death by owner in Camden City, NJ. http://chn.ge/uxWaCE
• Demand Changes be Made at Shelter that Dumped Live Dog in Landfill http://chn.ge/qX6Cp7
• Governor: Make Bestiality Illegal in Connecticut http://chn.ge/oHTTr4
• Pro Athletes: Continue inspiring your fans to be Animal Advocates  http://t.co/TXdgnJl
• Protect Animals From Being Raped and Make Bestiality a Felony in Ohio! http://t.co/k2gTdDa