Recently in animal rights Category

I spotted a reference on another pet blog -- Ohmidog! -- the other day to a post from Jennifer Ginsberg at momlogic titled "Your Dog Grosses Me Out."

It reminds us that not everyone is enamored by the four-footed ones in our midst. Some people find our dogs, well, downright annoying. Her post recounts her attendance at a birthday party of a family friend:

I knew that I would have to deal with Shlomo, their big, stinky dog. Before you burn me at the stake for admitting that dogs gross me out, let me make myself clear. I respect animals. I do not wish them any harm. I have been practically vegan for years because I cannot stand the thought of animals getting tortured.

But if I wanted to cohabit with them, I would live on a big farm out in the country -- not in a single family home in West Los Angeles. And I even hold the highly controversial belief that dogs are not equivalent to human beings and do not deserve the same rights and privileges that people do.

  There is nothing that disgusts me more than walking into someone's house and having Fido run up to me and hump my leg and slobber all over me. And dogs always seem to sense that I am not a "dog person," so they work extra hard to win me over with super-aggressive humping and double-wet and sticky licking.

....Even worse was the other couple who brought their dog Fifi to the party, who wouldn't stop yapping the entire time. The nonstop barking made it nearly impossible to have any adult conversation ... The owners of the yappy dog seemed to think their wretched little beast was cute and went so far as to rationalize her obnoxious behavior by telling the guests, "Forgive her barking -- she's blind. ... "Ohhh..." was the collective murmur heard around the room. Nothing can bring a crowd to near tears faster than talking about your dog's illness or disability.

She goes on. But you get the idea. And some of it, I have to say, is pretty funny.

Now as much as I love dogs, I also will say that I sympathize somewhat. I think she makes some valid points and criticisms. Dog owners should always be sensitive to those who may not love their dogs, especially when they are guests in their home. I agree with her that the value of a dog's life is not equal to a human's, despite the cultural trend that (I think) too often improperly blurs those lines. But I do take issue with her suggestion the dog lovers opt for a relationship with a pet rather than people to meet their "emotional requirements."

It's an unfair stereotype I've heard more and more in recent years and one that doesn't fit 99% of the animal lovers I know. OK, maybe 98%.

But that aside, check out the entire post and tell us what you think. How do you handle your animals when guests are coming over? Should dog owners be doing more to improve relationships with their anti-dog-owning friends and relatives?

 

But these bunnies are Playboy Bunnies. And the dogs are the kind you wrap in buns and over with relish. It seems the bunnies don't want you to eat the dogs. It's some sort of PETA trick.

Me, I don't know the difference between a mule and a donkey. Sure, I could look it up on Wikipedia, but I'd just forget again five minutes later.

Fortunately for mules, they don't have me watching out for their interests. Instead, they have a man named Vic Otten of Rancho Palos Verdes.

A lawyer by trade, Vic is the mastermind behind STOMP, an organization dedicated to stopping discrimination against mules.

STOMP, by the way, stand for Society to Obliterate Mule Prejudice. Their motto: No mule left behind.

Here's what he has to say about it in his manifesto:

In most cases, you know it when you see it- someone states: "what kind of a half ass job is that?" Or someone refers to a person as "stubborn as a mule" or uses the phrase "there's another mule kicking in your stall (an allegory that means your woman is messing around on you with another guy)". These are examples of associations with the mule that contain negative connotations.  And while they may seem harmless and even funny, these stereotypes, based on a negative and irrational attitude or opinion about mules formulated without a factual basis, can have profound impacts on mules, their owners and society.

I'm not sure how serious Vic is with all this. Clearly he's a fan of mules. But I also guess he's having a little bit of fun.

If you want to learn more about helping the cause of muledom, click here.

  Just when you thought it was safe .... Mars Petcare US announced a voluntary recall today of limited bags of PEDIGREE Complete Nutrition Small Crunchy Bites sold in Albertsons stores in Southern California and Las Vegas, Nev.

The pet food is being voluntarily recalled because of potential contamination with Salmonella, according to an AP story posted by Whole Dog News.

While there have been no complaints or reports of injury resulting from consumption or handling of the recalled product, the story goes on to say that it should not be sold or fed to pets.

Pet owners should dispose of the product in a safe manner (example, a securely covered trash receptacle) and return the empty bag to the store where purchased for a full refund.

Not only can Salmonella cause serious infections in dogs and cats, but there's the danger of cross contamination during handling -- in other words, people, and especially the elderly and children or those with compromised immune systems, can be affected.

Human symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or abdominal cramping with fever. In pets, symptoms include lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea and fever. Some pets will have a decreased appetite and fever only, however. When in doubt, call your veterinarian.

Here are the product details:

• 20-pound bags
• UPC Code is 23100 14719
• Lot Code is 830BFCAT02
• "Best By" purchase date is 7/2009
• Sold at Albertsons