Last week I told you about the new cat at 10 Downing Street. Today, much bigger news.
Along with a new/old governor, the Golden State has a new First Dog. Welcome to Sutter (you gotta love the name), a Pembroke Welsh corgi. Governor Jerry Brown and First Lady Anne Gust Brown are happy to have 7-year-old Sutter in Sacramento after losing their previous dog, Dharma, last year. The Los Angeles Times reports that Sutter is already on the job.
“He finds all the extra food lying on the floor in the office,” Gust Brown told the Sacramento Bee of Sutter’s job duties. “He barks at anyone, he gives snuggles, he warms up the Republicans.” Beyond Republican-warming, his hobbies include herding and accompanying the Browns on jogs.
Corgi fanciers know the breed, famous for their appetite and their herding talent, is a longtime favorite of Queen Elizabeth II. Her Majesty has owned and bred Corgis since she was a teenager. If you are active on Twitter, you can follow Sutter @SutterBrown.
A mess in Memphis: There is no other way to say it – the Memphis Animal Shelter is broken. Shirley at YesBiscuit will give you the latest. The shelter’s director is definitely a piece of work.
Tell eBay to do the right thing: Technically, live animals cannot be sold on eBay. Unfortunately, all bets are off when it comes to their classifieds. That means that puppy milling scum have an unfettered avenue to do, and sell, whatever they want. You can support Change.org‘s petition to shut down this blatant loophole.
A true hero: James Campbell leases a kennel housing greyhounds. The kennel sits adjacent to the Derby Lane track in St. Petersburg, Fla. Last week, in the middle of the night, he was alerted by security that the kennel was on fire. A total of 46 greyhounds were trapped inside. Mr. Campbell rushed to the kennel and rescued the dogs — all of them. Meanwhile, the place was quickly burning to the ground. From the Tampa Tribune:
“It didn’t matter to me how much flames, how much smoke,” said Campbell, a father of three. “I was going in. I was getting my dogs.”
“I put them right below my kids,” he said. “Without thinking, I went in.”
There were 46 greyhounds in 46 crates stacked two high, with names such as JR’s Boy and Backwood Omar. As the fire crackled to life in the back of the kennel, with flames he described as 20 feet high, Campbell started quickly, but methodically, rescuing the dogs.
He unlatched the crate on top, helped the dog out, unlatched the crate underneath it, let that dog out. Then he went to the next stack, working down a row. Some of the dogs appeared to be oblivious to the peril, wagging their tails and staying close to Campbell rather than escaping through a side door into a penned area outside, he said.
“They still wanted to play,” he said. “They didn’t act any different. I’m not sure they were even aware of what was going on.”
Others were more easily led – or went on their own – to the penned area outside.
The fire department’s preliminary investigation points to the kennel’s HVAC system as the fire’s probable cause. (Tip of the cap to Cathy A.)
ASPCA-PetSmart partnership: In an ongoing effort to expand services across the country, ASPCA is putting clinics in place to assist with supplying ID tags and collars in selected communities. The project is underwritten by a just-announced $115,000 grant from PetSmart Charities.
Annandale’s gone to the dogs: Annandale, Virginia, just inside the Beltway, is a lovely place to raise a family. Ms. Beatha Lee relocated to Annandale from her previous home in Maine, and was nominated for the presidency of Annandale’s Hillbrook-Tall Oaks Civic Association. Ms. Lee was elected easily. However, as the Washington Post tells the story, Ms. Lee will have some difficulty chairing meetings. It isn’t that she’s particularly old, it’s just that Beatha Lee is a Wheaten terrier. (Thanks, Susan)
Two unforgettable photo essays: In light of the Whistler massacre, how about a look at some sled dogs (thanks, Ericka). Next, as we wrap up coverage of Westminster, a final look at the doings in Manhattan, courtesy of the Boston Globe‘s Big Picture. Oh, and by the way, PawNation would like you to know positive reinforcement training is the norm at Westminster.
Remember the Ramones? They got the lyrics wrong. If this tune gets stuck in your head the rest of today, you’ll be in good company. Happened to me, too. Blame Animal Friends.
Turtle vs. kitteh: Ericka sent me this one, too. Tough little turtle, there. Liz, are you sure this one isn’t yours?
Engineer’s guide to cats: I neglected to ask Patti S. if she was an engineer when she forwarded this video, but now I feel much more enlightened.
I always like to hear from readers, especially if you have tips, and links for interesting stories. Give me a shout in the comments, or better yet, send me an e-mail.
Photo credit: Sutter, Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times. James Campbell, Chip Osowski/TBO.
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