From Shelter Life to a Manhattan Apartment

Today's Guest Columnist Topic:
"From Shelter Life to a Manhattan Apartment: Movin' on Up"

By Lila M., New York, NY

Hi. My name is Lila and I'm a one-year-old white poodle mix.

I was adopted from a Long Island shelter last December. The first few days in my new home were really scary. I just wanted to be the best girl I could, so I didn't play fetch or tug of war or anything like that. I didn't even bark! I tried to just be a good puppy so my new family would keep me. The problem was that my new mommy didn't believe I was even a puppy. She thought I was an older doggie!

Baron really helped me to feel at home with my new family. He sent me a yellow Canine Genius as a “welcome to your new home” gift. It came with these delicious little treats that my humines put inside. The gift was a great choice because I could show my family how playful and how smart I really am. It helped to change my mom's mind really fast! I'm so happy, I love my family, and I think Baron's the coolest! He signed me up for their birthday club, and he even sells healthy food! What more could an adorable pooch want?



Lila M., New York, NY - Our friend Lila enjoying a day at the beach.

Thank you Lila, for sharing the story of your first few days with your new family. We all know how stressful the transition from shelter to home can be. We're glad everything is going so well.

Baron and I would like to take a moment to let everyone know about Whisker Cares, our program to help cats and dogs who, unlike Lila, have yet to find their forever homes.

“Everyone is being affected by the current economic crisis in some way, including animals,” said ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres. “Community animal shelters and rescue groups across the country could be seeing an increase in the number of homeless pets they must care for, or a decrease in the donations they rely on to care for those animals. There has never been a better time to support your local animal shelter if you are in a position to do so.”*

Baron and I started Whisker Cares to provide support to those organizations making a difference in their communities by helping animals in need. When you shop at WhiskerGifters.com for pet food, treats, supplies and gifts you can choose a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit animal welfare agency to which Baron and I will donate 5% of the order total (excluding tax and shipping). You have the option of choosing an organization you already support such as a local shelter or rescue group, a national agency like the ASPCA or one from the Whisker Cares list, a compilation of organizations with which we're familiar or to which we've previously donated.

To learn more about Whisker Cares or to request an agency be included on the Whisker Cares list, visit our website or send jester an email at jester@whiskergifters.com.

Sincerely,
Baron, Director of Dog Stuff
Jester, Director of Cat Stuff

Upcoming Guest Columnist Schedule

1. Wednesday, July 1: Minnie M., Tampa, FL regales us with her formerly feral wittiness.
2. Tuesday, July 7: Kumba W., Springfield, MA discusses the power of naming and renames everyone in her family

If you'd like to become a guest columnist, send your article to jester at jester@whiskergifters.com.


*ASPCA Press Release ASPCA Estimates Up to 1 Million Pets at Risk During Economic Crisis. Nation’s Oldest Humane Organization Stresses Importance of Supporting Local Animal Shelters. February 5, 2009.

A Day in the Life of a Squirrel

Today's Guest Columnist Topic:

"A Day in the Life of a Squirrel"

By Lucky E., St. Petersburg, FL

Hi Jester,

Lucky the squirrel here. I've been very fortunate to live in several trees at my current residence. My foster parents are loving people who leave nuts out for me. I also forage around the yard, but the pistachios are my favorite meal of the day.

I've had a brood of little ones and they enjoy the yard also. We pretty much ignore the lizards and birds. We definitely stay out of the way of the family of black snakes that reside beneath one of the trees. There is plenty of food all year long between the tangerine tree and vegetable garden my foster parents keep (woops, don't tell them I've been in there).

Unfortunately the gentleman who lives next door to my foster parents doesn't like squirrels and sets traps out weekly. I've only been caught once and I'm happy to say he's kind enough to let us squirrels loose at a nature preserve not far from my home. Please don't tell him how easy it is to get back home (that will be our little secret).

Life is good...

Lucky



Lucky E., St. Petersburg, FL - Fearing retribution from his foster parents for his escapades in the tangerine tree and vegetable garden, Lucky E. felt it best not to provide any personal details or a real photo. Many thanks to FreeDigitalPhotos.net for helping keep Lucky E.'s identity safe.

Jester and I want to thank Lucky E. for his column today. It's a brave squirrel who lives near snakes and a neighbor with a trap. Now that I know some of the trials and tribulations of a squirrel's life, I will be less inclined to chase them about the yard. (Less inclined doesn't mean I have to stop completely, does it?)

Upcoming Guest Columnist Schedule

1. Tuesday, June 30: Lila M., New York, NY tells us about her adjustment from shelter life on Long Island to apartment living in Manhattan.
2. Wednesday, July 1: Minnie M., Tampa, FL regales us with her formerly feral wittiness.

If you have an article you'd like published, don't hesitate to email it to jester@whiskergifters.com.

Next Week's Guest Columnist Schedule

Jester and I were scheduled to run Lucky E.'s guest column today but have spent the majority of the day listening to "Thriller" while watching "Charlie's Angels".

Next week's guest columnist schedule will be:

1. Monday, June 29: Lucky E., St. Petersburg, FL provides a fascinating look at a day in the life of a squirrel.
2. Tuesday, June 30: Lila M., New York, NY tells us about her adjustment from shelter life on Long Island to apartment living in Manhattan.
3. Wednesday, July 1: Minnie M., Tampa, FL regales us with her formerly feral wittiness.

Thanks for reading. Have a nice weekend.

Sincerely,
Baron, Director of Dog Stuff
Jester, Director of Cat Stuff

A Cat's Fourth Amendment Rights

Today’s Guest Columnist Topic:
“In Support of Animal Rights: If your human finds and removes the toys you’ve stashed under the refrigerator, has s/he violated your Fourth Amendment right to protection against unreasonable search and seizure?”

By Sheppy J. of Port Washington, NY

As it relates to the search for and seizure of your toys, you must first determine if your human had probable cause. He or she may claim probable cause if:

1. None of your toys were visible in any open area of the domicile for several days
2. You were not seen playing with any toys in any open area of the domicile for several days
3. You were seen lying on the kitchen floor with one or more paws under the refrigerator*
4. You were seen and heard sitting in front of the refrigerator crying

However, you may have a case if:

1. Your human searches for the toys, finds them, but does not play with them
2. Your human says, “These don’t belong under here” and then puts them somewhere else
3. Your human says, “ICK. THESE ARE DISGUSTING!!!” and throws the toys in the garbage

The bottom line in legal terms is this: Try not to let any toys get lost under objects too big for you to move.

*Be very, very careful not to allow hearsay.



Sheppy J., Port Washington, NY – “I’m known in my neighborhood as the “go to cat” when it comes to animal rights and the U.S. Constitution. I like reading, listening to Jane’s Addiction and watching George H.W. Bush skydive.”

Well. That certainly gives all of us a few things to think about, doesn't it? Many thanks to Sheppy J. for illuminating an issue that affects all us. If you have an article you'd like published, don't hesitate to email it to jester@whiskergifters.com.

Sincerely,
Baron, Director of Dog Stuff
Jester, Director of Cat Stuff

Upcoming Guest Columnist Schedule
Friday, June 26, 2009: Lucky E., St. Petersburg, FL
Lucky provides a fascinating look at a day in the life of a squirrel.