| YOUR WHOLE PET
In the next Your Whole Pet, I'll take a look at how to get a pet from ethical sources. In the meantime, when checking out a breeder, be sure that you can meet the puppy's mother and see where the puppies are being housed. And if the only test you have to pass to get the puppy is whether your check clears or your credit card charge goes through, that's a pretty good sign the breeder doesn't have the puppy's best interests at heart -- or yours. The following companies donated services, tests, medications, food and products to help the Oklahoma puppy-mill dogs: MWI Veterinary Supply, Fort Dodge, Purina, Bayer, Merial, IDEXX Laboratories, Antech Diagnostics and DVM Pharmaceuticals. Christie Keith is a contributing editor for Universal Press Syndicate's Pet Connection and past director of the Pet Care Forum on America Online.
Upgrades Are Planned For Columbus Drive Bridge
TAMPA - The Columbus Drive Bridge, built in 1926 and one of two bobtail swing bridges in Florida, could get a $9 million rehabilitation. The bridge's electrical, mechanical and structural systems would be upgraded, said project manager Thomas Capell, senior professional engineer for the Hillsborough County Public Works Department. The tender house, which is in poor condition, probably would be replaced. County officials will present a preliminary plan to the city's Architectural Review Commission at 5:30 p.m. Monday. The county maintains three bridges in the city and must get city approval because the Columbus Drive Bridge is a local historical landmark. It also needs approval from the state historic preservation officer and the Federal Highway Administration. Work would begin after the 2009 Super Bowl in Tampa and take 18 to 24 months.
Chihuahua diagnosis good, vet faces court
Today the Chihuahua went to another vet for a diagnosis. On her first birthday, this five pound pooch received some very good news. "He thinks that her eyesight will be totally back," owner Maryann Deluca said. The tiny Chihuahua made big news after it was injured during a visit for spay surgery on June 4th at the Sun City West animal clinic. According to investigators, technicians allegedly saw Dr. Joshua Winston strike Bella in the head causing her right eye to pop out. Bella's owner said Dr. Winston called her immediately after the incident. Dr. Joshua Winston was arrested, but he told us there's a lot more to the story and is confident his name will be cleared. "During the course of good, standard care things can happen that are hard for someone outside the field to understand," he said.
Inmates, dogs get new lease on life at prison
Two Mesa women are saving dogs and improving prisoners, bringing out the human side of murderers from Alaska and Hawaii with long sentences from bloody crimes committed decades ago. Shannon Holstein, of Kokopelli Dog and Puppy Training, and Kathy Swaney, of Valley of the Sun Dog Rescue, are on a mission to save dogs from euthanasia, making less popular breeds and mutts more adoptable through extensive training by inmates at the Red Rock Correctional Center in Eloy. "It gives them purpose," Holstein said about the inmates. "It gives the dogs a second chance. These dogs in eight weeks get far more training than they would at home." .
Century of puppy love
CENTENARIAN Irene Maland is a great great grandmother who has been a Guide Dogs SA and NT supporter for as long as she can remember. And counts dogs among her all-time favourite companions. So she was understandably delighted to have the organisation's mascot labrador, Bella, as guest of honour at her 100th birthday yesterday, saying: "I have had a soft spot for guide dogs and all dogs. "Dogs are faithful and they never turn on you." Mrs Maland, who celebrated the milestone at her Camden Park home, told family and friends to forget presents this year and instead make a donation to her number-one cause. She attributes her longevity to clean living, including a diet of seven vegetables a day and freshly-squeezed orange juice.
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