Dogs in the City

is a TV series that premiered this past Wednesday on CBS.

The one hour show features segments about dogs and their humans. In the first episode we met ...

Charlotte - she has an aggression issue and has bitten both dogs and people several times. Her human, a very stubborn and opinionated young woman, insists on continuing to bring Charlotte to work each day regardless of the risk.

My favorite scene is when the dog trainer sits on the floor in the corner to watch over the new behavior he has suggested to the human only to have her still screw up.

Then there's a newly married couple and their bulldog Beefy. Beefy belonged with the husband before the wife came into the picture and Beefy is not at all pleased with being part of a couple of humans. He will not walk on his leash for her and barks incessantly when the couple goes to bed.

The third segment is especially lovely. A retired NYPD detective and his young daughter have a giant dog named Rosie. They are concerned that Rosie is too fat and need help in feeding her better and giving her more exercise.

There are so many things to love about this show - the dogs, wonderful scenes of NYC and even the humans.

And Justin

Justin Silver is a stand up comedian who turned his love for dogs into a business and a charity. Justin has a company called The Language of Dogs and is founder of  Funny for Fido  where he brings comedians together to raise money for grants to animal rescue organizations.

Although he is official human to two dogs - Chiquita and Pacino, Justin fosters many homeless dogs and will often take in a dog he is working with until he feels sure that the situation is safe and happy for both the dog and the dog's people.

After watching the first episode of his show and seeing him interviewed many times I will admit to absolutely adoring this guy. He's a born NYer. He has an incredibly big warm smile, not to mention incredibly big shoulders and arms. While he definitely has a bit of NY swagger and attitude he is so patient and loving. Especially with the humans who are so often the cause of dog issues.

So take a look at Dogs in the City - Wednesday at 8 PM EST on CBS.

I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Hopeful Yet Realistic

Soon after I adopted Isadora I discovered that she was sick with an immune system disorder that caused her gums to swell and split open. Imagine the worst case of gingivitis times 10. After trying many treatments I decided that removing all her teeth was the best hope. That surgery was done just a year ago. The success rate for the surgery is at best 60% and gets lower the older the cat is. Isadora is 3, Siren is 10.

Isadora's issues are better but she still suffers relapses. They're not as severe and don't last as long.

About 6 months after Isadora joined us Siren began exhibiting similar symptoms. Little is known for sure about this disease. A very small group of vets and researches say it's a virus; more say it's environmental, poor nutrition in stray moms, or perhaps it's genetic. They thought a bacterial cause had been found but that was disproven.

The most effective treatment is a combination of long lasting, heavy duty steroid injections, antibiotics and pain killers. The steroids can cause diabetes as they did with Siren 6 months ago. I changed his diet and once the drug was out of his system his blood sugar was normal. Good news. Bad news is that none of the other treatments are working. Since Christmas Siren has lost 2 of his 10 pounds and is so miserable that it breaks my heart just to look at him.

So we come to yesterday. I took both Siren and Isadora to the vet and had them treated with everything that will make them feel better NOW. They need to eat. They need energy. They need to be happy NOW.

I will continue a high protein, low carb diet for them and the vet will monitor.

It was a difficult decision but using an ineffective treatment is absurd.

Cross your fingers for us

I have linked to Cats on Tuesday, I could use a hug from some fellow "cat people"

And on we go

Just A Cat

If I had a dollar for every time I heard "but it's just a cat" I could adopt more cats and give them good homes.

I'll never understand the notion of trivializing a life.

My good blogging friend known best as Lucy's Mama of  LUCY’S CAT LOUNGE   took in a cat whose people were moving and leaving her behind. The No Kill shelters were all full so I assume they were just going to dump her at any shelter or just leave her on the street.

Lucy's Mama took her in with the intention of finding her a home. She already has two cats and was concerned about the cost and work associated with caring for a third, plus the stress on the two cats already entrenched in their habitat.

While looking for a place for the newcomer, Lucy's Mama noticed that she seemed uncomfortable. Long story short - a visit to the vet confirms kidney issues and the need for surgery.

Lucy's Mama has decided to keep the cat and get her well and make her happy.
I can so relate to that. From Sheba to Jinxie and now Isadora I have always been found, been chosen by animals who need help.

An independent, non profit rescue group called Companion Critters (and they're from Jersey!) has started a fund to pay for the surgery.

If you go to  LUCY’S CAT LOUNGE   you will see the CHIP IN link right there on the sidebar. I hope you will consider helping.

I almost forgot! It's not just a cat. It's ANNIE ...

Our perfect companions never have fewer than four feet.

~Colette

Catching Up With Siren

Hi everyone, I've been letting Isadora do the pet blogging but she's getting a big head and is out of control so I'm back



She looks for me everywhere. After Mia moved on to the big kitty condo in the sky I thought the bed was mine.



I like to meditate there.

I tried hanging out in Isadora's headquarters but it is just too pink for me, actually I think it's too pink for Barbie (who I enjoy beheading) and I don't know what Mom was thinking when she bought it.



Menopause appears to be hitting her hard.

I try to share the bed with Isadora but she is demented.



She's all eyeballs and claws.



I direct your attention to the broken camera strap. Isadora got hold of it after the "infiltrator" broke it. I have not broken anything in at least 3 of my lives.

Yet they worship the infiltrator



I just don't get it - she's just sits there and can't even use a litter box.

I digress



Even when Isadora finally quiets down she ruins bed sharing. I mean really, look at the way she stretches out in front of me! - no one wants to see that.

This required drastic measures so I decided to go undercover



Even with my exceptional stealth-like skills she found me!



I tried moving camp



Ever feel like people are walking all over you?



Oy!

Pet Pride: Isadora On Being Constant

Hi everyone, it's me - Isadora. I'm blogging from my headquarters ...



Siren is letting me blog again because he's tired. Exhausted even. It seems I'm constant as Mom person puts it. Constantly running, jumping, climbing. Constantly talking, eating, pooping. I'm just plain constant.

Along the way I have accidents ...



This is the "thankfully" vase - thankfully it's strong glass, thankfully there was no water, thankfully the flowers are silk.

Siren immediately went into his "it wasn't me" pose ...



I don't know what he was worried about, Mom person never gets mad. She says Oy! a lot.

I am very happy here ...



There are more happy pets at GATTINA’S PLACE

There are lots of wonderful animals waiting for a home at PETFINDER.COM

Pet Pride: Isadora's First Post

Hi everyone on these here Internet tubes, it's me - Isadora.



I have never blogged before but I do know a little about the Internet. I was on Pet Finder before I was adopted. There are lots of cats and dogs there - and they are all waiting for a home.

I think I got lucky.

I have a big brother ...



He's always watching me. We fight, but no one really gets hurt so I think we're playing.

I'm very good at hiding from him. I used to hide all the time but now I feel comfortable here so I only hide when Siren is bugging me.





Mom person says that last hiding place has a flaw.

There are lots of toys here ...




I do my best to share with Siren.

I was using Mia's litter box when I first got here and sometimes I used Siren's just to test his patience. This weekend I got a new litter box all my own.

Siren checked it out for me ...




Mia's litter box was small and dainty and it had a low bottom. Apparently Mia was a lady with very delicate litter habits.

Mom says I poop like a truck driver who ate too many burritos.

And I make a mess on the pretty floor ...



She never gets mad though. She cleans up after me and hugs me a lot.

I'm home ...



Remember now that Pet Pride has moved to GATTINA’S PLACE - so stop by and check out all the other pets.

Pet Pride: Siren Makes An Announcement

Hey Everybody! It's me, Siren. It has been awhile since I did a Pet Pride post. Life has been changing and well, as a cat I'm not fond of change.

It makes me say Oy ...



I would like to thank all of you for being so kind and supportive after Mia died.

I was nervous after Mia was gone. I kept looking for her. I guess I didn't realize how important family is. Mom person calls this a life lesson. She's all serious and spiritual that way.

Last Saturday I was minding my own business when Mom person came home with ...



Now I know Mom person has already told you all about the introductions so I'll just pick up from there.

First of all, I was worried about my stuff. This newbie was touching everything so I had to touch everything back.

Even the 'infiltrator' doesn't touch all my stuff ...



Look how she digs her claws in.

Newbie thinks she's clever. She watches me through the foliage, acting like she's looking at the ceiling.



Two can play that game. I know you can't see me behind my scratching post but I am there - waiting and watching.



She is always looking at me ...



It freaks me out sometimes. She's like a shadow ...



I am trying though. I even asked her what she wanted ...



Something tells me this isn't a high five ...



But fine, I am older and wiser. I will let it go. I will be Zen ...



I know the Mom person appreciates this because I have been getting all sorts of extra attention.

Mom person is even letting me announce newbie's name! That's big.

Because Newbie likes to dance - she runs on her toes. And because she wraps herself around Mom person like a big ole furry scarf her name is ...

ISADORA



Something about Mom person liking this human who lived a wild life and created new dances and wrapped herself in scarves and was all dramatic and stuff.

The vet helped Mom person calculate that Isadora was born in August, 2008. Mom person decided Isadora's birthday will be August 4th. It's the same day as President Obama and well, he's black and white too. And Mom person likes him a lot.

Isadora has a gum inflammation and her nose is all stuffed up. She got a shot yesterday and the vet says she will be fine soon. She's hiding right now and I don't know for sure when she'll pop up.

Let me tell ya, I'm dealing with a lot here ...



I hope you will visit PET PRIDE - they are all good friends to me.