September 2009 Blog Posts (22)

A Dog's Loyalty

Watch CBS News Videos… Continue

Added by Animal Ark on September 29, 2009 at 9:57am — No Comments

HOME: The Most Important Film Ever Made

Today was a bit of a blustery day outside, so I decided to surf YouTube from my television set (via Apple TV). I found a breath-taking documentary called, simply Home. Release on June 5 of this year, it could be the most important film ever made.

Told with stunning cinematography, a soundtrack that engages the spirit and writing that is… Continue

Added by Animal Ark on September 27, 2009 at 5:35pm — No Comments

Dog Whisperer Losing Fans Steadily

Last January, Dr. Linda Wolf raised some eyebrows when she devoted an entire segment of Animal Wise Radio to explain why she is no fan of… Continue

Added by Animal Ark on September 27, 2009 at 11:38am — 10 Comments

Memories.....

I am thinking that this kitty could the be the "ghost of dumpster kitty"! I had to share this photo of our newest "outdoor" resident. He/She has been hanging out under one of our pine trees and hiding under cars here at the shelter for the last week or so. We have been feeding her and hope that once she trusts us we will be able to catch her and find her a new indoor… Continue

Added by Karen B. on September 26, 2009 at 3:07pm — 2 Comments

And, Now For Something Completely Different...

Since life in the community has been a bit heavy, I decided to lighten things up just a little bit. I am re-posting a video created by Animal Wise Radio and uploaded to YouTube several years ago. It is on the subject of Animal Intelligence. Hope you all enjoy… Continue

Added by Animal Ark on September 26, 2009 at 9:57am — No Comments

What Companion Animals Bring to Our Lives

Many people are aware that Animal Ark recently lost 2 dogs in our care. The first was Randall, a Rottweiller with some special issues relating to aggression toward people. Staff and volunteers did wonderful work with him while he was with us, but eventually, needed to give up on the notion that he would ever be able to live safely in our society.

Last week, reluctantly and with a great deal of care we said goodbye to him.

Shortly after that, as blog readers know, our… Continue

Added by Animal Ark on September 25, 2009 at 11:02pm — 1 Comment

Dogs Helping the Sick

I have been thinking about the way that pets are used to help those having surgery. When my son had a procedure last year, they used a dog to help calm him down so they could start the IV. I think it is great how animals are used in this way. To see a child who is scared to death because he is having Heart surgery crack a smile is worth its weight in gold.
Use more animals in this way!

Added by Cindy Fallsen on September 24, 2009 at 8:01pm — No Comments

Taking a Pet to Europe

We are considering taking our cockapoo to Europe. She has a number of health problems and we were wondering what sort of medical care would be available there. We also received a Travel insurance quote in case something happened in transit. Do you know what a fair price might be for a two week trip?

Added by Cindy Fallsen on September 24, 2009 at 2:10pm — 1 Comment

KSTP Covers Fatal Dog Shooting

KSTP Eyewitness News coverage of fatal dog shooting in Columbia Heights.

Watch the story here:

http://kstp.com/news/stories/S1152895.shtml?cat=1

Added by Animal Ark on September 22, 2009 at 9:00pm — 2 Comments

My Constant Companion

I cannot say what it was that caused me to take Kiki home from the shelter one day nearly a year and a half ago. Maybe it was a dream I had had the night before. Maybe it was a hyper-sensitive state that I was in after having lost a dear canine family member to cancer. For all I know, it could have been the barometric pressure. Heck, for all I know, the stars may have been aligned in just the right way.

All I… Continue

Added by Animal Ark on September 20, 2009 at 10:30pm — 3 Comments

A Community Fails and a Dog Dies

Yesterday, I published a blog post about a fatal shooting of a dog by Columbia Heights Police Officers. I promised to follow up with additional information as it became available. I am posting this after having obtained a partial copy of the official Columbia Heights Police Department Report. The full report is 7 pages. I was only able to obtain 5 of those 7 pages. However, the report I do have… Continue

Added by Animal Ark on September 18, 2009 at 6:00pm — 6 Comments

Jack Visits

I'm sure a lot of you will remember Jack. He originally came to us as "Barrett", a very shy and shut down puppy. He was adopted out as a puppy. Recently, the man who adopted him became ill and could not longer take care of him. His daughter-in-law was afraid of him so she returned him to us.

While she was filling out his paperwork, he sat in one of our socialization rooms with the outside door open. I grabbed some hotdogs and went… Continue

Added by KB on September 17, 2009 at 5:49pm — 2 Comments

Fatal Shooting of Family Dog by Columbia Heights Police Prompts Concern and Investigation

On Monday, September 14 an upset owner of a dog arrived at the Diagnostic Laboratory at the University of Minnesota. He was there to claim the body of his pet, an American Staffordshire Terrier, which a Columbia Heights police officer had fatally shot the Friday before. In his hands, the dog's owner carried the veterinary records of his family pet, a young female dog that, according to him, was a wonderful companion and guardian to his toddler.

"She was a good dog," he told people… Continue

Added by Animal Ark on September 17, 2009 at 5:00pm — No Comments

Ark dogs to become Calendar Girls???

Some of you may remember two pitbull girls who spent time at Ark in the last couple of years - Cookie (for a very short time) and June (for a pretty long time). June now lives with Steve, my friend who often volunteers at Ark. When Cookie was at Ark, Steve did an evaluation foster with Cookie to learn more about her and make sure she was housetrained and good with other animals. She and June got along beautifully (although you have to use a lot of… Continue

Added by pitbull friend on September 17, 2009 at 2:18pm — 2 Comments

Willow Flowage Camping

It took a 30-45 minute boat ride to get us all to our, very secluded, camp site. Duncan has been on boats before (both a canoe and speed boat), but this was a first for Chica. She attacked the waves, ran around the boat, and just about fell over the side! It took some effort, but we reigned her in. Dunc, however, took a seat and stuck his nose into the wind. He is very good at riding on boats-- we're hoping he's teaching his sister how to ride on boats too!

The camp was beautiful, on… Continue

Added by Megan Bartos on September 17, 2009 at 11:01am — 2 Comments

Join the No Kill Movement - Wear Cool Stuff

The newest product design in the Animal Ark Online Store is now available. The design features a beautiful Animal Ark alum (Barney) running through water and includes the words, "Life is better when you're still alive."

Applied to shirts and a variety of other products, the design provides a fun way to promote the no kill… Continue

Added by Animal Ark on September 16, 2009 at 2:27pm — No Comments

Behavioral Health

Monday was a tragic day... we had to send a handsome, intelligent, physically healthy, large-breed, puppy across that rainbow bridge because his previous owners did not teach him that guarding things was not ok, nor did they teach him proper bite inhibition.

In honor of his life and in hopes that even 1 dog can be spared that same fate, everybody please look at the behavioral health of your dog, even your friends' and family's dogs, for that matter.

These are… Continue

Added by KB on September 16, 2009 at 10:00am — 1 Comment

Wilma Settles Into New Foster Home

I confess that I am a sucker for a sad story, especially if the subject of the story is a dog, cat, rabbit, horse or some other animal. A one-eyed Boston Terrier rescued from a puppy mill by Underdog Rescue was certainly going to tug at my heart. Wilma did even more than that.

Following her rescue, along with a couple of dozen other dogs, Animal Ark agreed to help Underdog Rescue by providing veterinary care,… Continue

Added by Animal Ark on September 15, 2009 at 8:14pm — 1 Comment

Seeing Double?

Mocha and my girl, Maizey, have quickly become good friends at the shelter. Mocha, the fluffier girl, is up for adoption, but has had a hard time adjusting to some of the ordeals of shelter life. In her foster home, she'd displayed some issues of fear aggression, after being surrendered for separation anxiety issues. We've tried to find good playmates and create solid routines for her to count on here, and Maizey has certainly been up to the challenge in helping her understand that a lot of… Continue

Added by harriet w on September 12, 2009 at 6:01pm — 4 Comments

Ivy and Family visit the shelter!

Ms. Ivy-kins, a well loved long timer at the shelter, who was adopted into her real forever home several months ago, came by with her mom and dad today. It was wonderful of them to think of us, and even called first to see if we had time to visit with them...of course we have time for our Ivy!!

She's looking sooooo good, happy and healthy, and very glad to see all of us today. It's always such a treat to see our alumni, especially those who took… Continue

Added by harriet w on September 12, 2009 at 5:32pm — 5 Comments