All Things Dog - Tuesday, December 23

Happy Hanukkah!

The Christian Science Monitor reported on Vice President Elect Joe Biden's recent purchase of a German Shepherd puppy. Animal rights activists are disappointed in Biden's neglect to focus his attention on the thousands of shelter dogs awaiting adoption when making his choice.

An Associated Press article about a Petside.com poll says 67% of pet owners claim they and their pets understand each other's vocabulary. Can we say "Duh?" I'll go one step further and say that Ella and Hobbit don't have to make a sound to communicate. They have expressions just like people, that are easily read.

The Trib reported that Elena Sheppa, wife of ex Lowry Park Zoo CEO, Lex Salisbury, was charged with animal cruelty for leaving her two dogs in a hot car for hours. While her husband was singing his swan song in front of the zoo board, Sheppa's dogs were spotted by concerned bystanders. When Sheppa noticed the concerned parties, she tried to sneak off; parking the vehicle in another place. The witnesses followed and called animal control.

Don't forget animal shelters this season. They're all in need of our help to make shelter animals' lives more comfortable. Hillsborough County Animal Services has an Angel Tree set up at their shelter. To learn about their wish list and how to donate, see Angel Tree. The Humane Society of Tampa Bay has their annual Tree of Love up where you can buy an ornament to put on the tree or place a gift for shelter animals under the tree. Check out your local shelters and rescue groups to ask what their needs are this holiday season.

Kristen Levine offers her favorite books as gift suggestions for animal lovers in her Petcetera column in the Trib.