BUDDHA DOG

It has been a while since I have had a class open to the public, but in September, there will be THREE (One at Wagville, two at My Pet Naturally)!  Would love to see you there!  

Saturday, September 4th from 1:30 to 3:30 PM

2400 North San Fernando Road
Los Angeles (Glassell Park)

Wagville, in conjunction with YAS Fitness Center in Silverlake, is inviting YAS members and the public to an animal massage class where massage, acupressure and TTouch techniques will be demonstrated.  $10 suggested donation will go to Wagville Rescue, Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that rescues dogs near the end of their stay at kill shelters and gives them a fun place to stay while they find them good homes.  RSVP is optional at pam@buddhadog.com.  

 Sorry, space does not allow you to bring your dog. 

 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Animal Massage Workshop at My Pet... Naturally on

Sunday, September 26th from 8:30 to 10:30 AM OR 5:15 to 7:15 PM

BOTH WORKSHOPS HAVE BEEN FILLED- please email info@mypetnaturally.com if you'd like to be put on the waiting list.

I will show how you can participate in your animals' healing with effective massage, TTouch & acupressure techniques, which will provide endless benefits for your best friend while you reap health benefits as well.

$15 fee will go to a soon-TBD animal charity.

Please email info@MyPetNaturally.com to reserve your space and if you do it early enough, you can bring your furry friend!   The store requests that dogs be well-behaved and able to ignore other dogs due to the limited space.

Hope to see you there!

My Pet... Naturally

12001 W. Pico Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90064

It Happens Everywhere

by Lisa Vaughn of http://www.petinsurancecomparison.org

Homeless animals can be found in every city of every state. The numbers are shocking. An average of seven million dogs and cats enter America’s shelters and pounds every year. Half of these animals are euthanized because of the lack of available homes for them. The number of stray animals on the streets is just as alarming. Although, an accurate count is impossible to obtain, it is estimated to be way over a hundred million. We do know that the number of stray cats alone is around seventy million. No wonder the number is so high when you consider the fact that in five years time, a female dog and her offspring can produce sixty-five thousand puppies. In the same amount of time, a cat and her young can bring three-hundred thousand little ones into the world.

The statistics are astronomical and you may wonder, can this problem be solved? The answer is “YES”. America can get a handle on the growing number of strays and abandoned animals. We can support and implement widespread sterilization programs. Pet owners can help by spaying and neutering their animals. It is proven that when sterilization programs are placed in cities, the number of sheltered animals decrease dramatically. Education is the key component in helping the tragedy of animal overpopulation. Unless people know the heart-wrenching number of homeless animals, they are helpless to do anything about them.

Spaying and neutering will lesson the staggering number of unwanted little ones produced every year, but how do we save the ones already here? Adopt and Rescue! It is impossible for shelters to house the number of strays in America today. Consequently, homeless animals are turned away or in the case of “open-entry” shelters (no animal refused), the weaker are euthanized to make room for others. Adopting a pet will create space for another unlucky animal seeking shelter, food, and a chance to find a loving home. It will save a life and in return, you will get many years of friendship, enjoyment, and unconditional love.

Rescuing a homeless animal from the streets is just as important and rewarding as adopting. Two years ago, we found a Boston Terrier hiding under our shed. We tried to coax her out, but she was too scared. Every day, my daughters and I would go talk to her and give her food and water. It took a week for her to trust us enough where she would come to the house. After that, she was ours. The joy and love we receive from her is immeasurable to what we gave her. We have three long-haired Chihuahuas that were bought from a breeder and they are wonderful, but there’s just something different about Lucy. She looks in our eyes with so much appreciation; I can almost feel her thanking us. People say she was lucky to find us but we were the lucky ones.

Lisa's precious rescue, Lucy

THANK YOU, Lisa Vaughn of http://www.petinsurancecomparison.org for your blog contribution!

It was an historic night last night at the West Hollywood City Council meeting.  The room was jammed full of animal lovers that wanted to witness the beginning of the end of cruel puppy mills, where 99% of puppies in pet stores come from.  Many of us had spent many a Saturday protesting the pet stores that are supplied by the horrendous mills, like Elite Animals in West Hollywood.  I was so very impressed by the compassion of the mayor, Abbe Land, and the entire council, especially Jeffrey Prang, who brought the ordinance, drafted by the Animal Legal Defense Fund and the Companion Animal Protection Society, to the council. 

May ALL cities soon follow suit so the mills will be put out of business!  BLESS YOU to all that had a part in making this happen!  Score one for the voiceless!  We hear your cries!

Please see these reports for more info:

http://www.aldf.org/article.php?id=1217

http://www.cbs2.com/video/?id=126272@kcbs.dayport.com

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local-beat/Pet-Store-Ban-83273652.html

Massaging Sunny, official mascot for Buddha Bark

photo by Jesse Freidin

Last weekend I had the privilege of being a small part of a special event, The Buddha Bark Golden Globes Pampering Lounge, that benefited Best Friends Animal Society's "Puppies Aren't Products" campaign.  It was wonderful to see some old friends and to meet so many new ones.  I want to thank Madison Svensson of Buddha Bark and Susan Hartzler of Alpha Dog PR for the opportunity to participate.

The event got a lot of media coverage, and I was excited to talk to Maureen Harrington of (People Magazine's) People Pets, who was kind enough to give Buddha Dog a mention in her article:  http://www.peoplepets.com/style/treats-for-people/pet-psychics-glamour-shots-inside-a-hollywood-dog-fest/1

And a big "thank you" to Christine Ziemba of LAist (& her friend & dogs Sadie & Riley!) for mentioning Buddha Dog in her article: http://laist.com/2010/01/18/buddha_barks_celebrity_and_doggie_l.php?gallery0Pic=10#gallery

This was the debut event for Buddha Bark and its founder, Madison Svensson, but you would never know it by how flawless the event was!

Famous stylist Chaz Dean hosted the event at his beautiful zen-like studio grounds with bungalows and peaceful gardens.  Guests were lucky enough to have Chaz's stylists do their hair as well as receiving gift bags full of products from Chaz's awesome WEN Hair & Body Care line.  I cannot say enough good things about his products.  His lavendar products' aroma is to die for, and his cleansing conditioners are nothing short of amazing.  They don't have the normal lather that shampoos have, but they bind dirt and oil to be washed away from your hair.  I seriously love how my hair feels after using Wen's cleansing conditioner.  And how much time (and $$) I save only using one product, rather than both shampoo and conditioner.  Chaz's studio retreat has been featured on the Bravo show, "Flipping Out".

The wonderful animal communicators Janet Hicks and Andrea Yallop were there to talk to the animals and Wizard of Paws brought their mobile grooming van to help the pampered doggie guests look and smell their best. In additon to Buddha Dog massages, there were massages for people available, as well as facials and makeovers given.  The organic vegan food was so yummy!

The art gallery and silent auction to benefit Best Friends was incredible and featured the work of Jesse Freidin, Nancy Levine, Andy Stolarek, Sam Price, Shaun Alexander, and Shine Pet Photos.

There was a spectacular doggie fashion show presented by D.O.G. Pet Boutique, featuring fashions by Chien de Nimes, Kane and Couture, Maggie Bags and others.  There was even a doggie bride and groom!

The adorable bride, Sunny and her groom

Buddha Bark founder Madison Svensson with Bobby Gorgeous and her Sunny in the fashion show

Actor Camille Guaty

Two cuties in need of a home through Best Friends

Bobby Gorgeous and friends

Baldwin & Bliss waiting for the command (and treat) from their mom, Susan Hartzler of Alpha Dog PR (and Alpha Dog Shopper).

The amazing Preston Cassanova from "America's Greatest Dog" showing his skills with his mom, Laura Nativo

Holly Robinson Peete

Hal Sparks

Jason Biggs brought his dog

Chaz Dean and one of his 3 sweet doggies, Hunter

photo by Daniel Jung

Daisy Fuentes and her sweethearts. 

I was honored to massage her adorable bulldog, Alfie.

There were lots of animal-friendly celebrities with their dogs to enjoy the pampering.  Some of the well-known guests included Eric Roberts, Daisy Fuentes, Kristin Bauer, Jason Biggs, Hal Sparks, Holly Robinson-Peete, Camille Guaty, James Avery, Abby Wathen. Camille Mana, Yuval David, Brian Friedman, Alana Curry, Cecille Bull, Eric Stonestreet, Jenni Pulos, Yvette Nelson, Sally Richards, Vincent dePaul, Dondre Whitfield, Keri Lynn Pratt, Tami Erin, Keano LaVin, Milan Christopher, Hal Klein, Jason White, Elizabeth TenHouten, and celebrity dogs, Bobby Gorgeous, Preston Cassanova and Gigi.

Here are some great pictures from Wire Image:

http://www1.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=GLS====410837&qckv=y&nbc1=1  

Thank you to Karen Ostlund for mentioning Buddha Dog in her article about the event:  http://www.hollywoodtoday.net/2010/01/19/new-york-julie

Thank you to Lynn Hasty from Green Galactic for doing such a fabulous job with the publicity for the event:   http://www.greengalactic.com/2010/buddha-bark-golden-globes

Here are just a few more of the many media stories about the event:

Los Angeles Times -

- Golden Globes Fashion Diary - http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/alltherage/2010/01/fashion-diary-quarterbacking-the-red-carpet.html#more

Life photos -

http://www.life.com/image/95808794

Tami Erin's blog -

http://tamierin.wordpress.com/2010/01/17/red-carpet-celebrity-buddha-bark-canine-style-benefit-hosted-by-chaz-dean

http://www1.wireimage.com/GalleryListing.asp?navtyp=GLS====410837&qckv=y&nbc1=1

True Blood's blog -

http://www.trueblood-online.com/cast-crew/kristin-bauer-pam/kristin-bauer-attends-the-buddha-bark-celebrity-and-canine-style-lounge

[1-8-10] - http://truebloodnet.com/kristin-bauer-attend-friends-animal-society-event

BUDDHA BARK Event for Celebrity & Canine from 29FRAME on Vimeo.

Video by 29 Frame Videography

My hero: American Bulldog Gracie

I am heartbroken that I have recently lost my Gracie, but so very grateful for the time I had with her.  She would have been 19 years old this summer.  I first saw Grace in December 2005 when she was 14 years old at the West Valley Animal Shelter while I was volunteering there.  Known as "Little Girl" (at 80 pounds), she had been turned in by her former family after they had her for 14 and a half years.  She was severly arthritic and had a golf ball-sized mast cell tumor hanging from her rear leg that I suppose they couldn't or didn't want to deal with it.  She ended up on the euthanization list right away and I couldn't let her die like that.  She had so much life left in her and she asked me to take her home, so I did.  I thought I would allow her to live out her last year or two with the love, comfort and dignity that all creatures deserve.  Little did I know that we would have over four beautiful, inspiring years with her!   She became known as my miracle dog, battling a few more mast cell tumors, Cushing's Disease, and old injuries that worsened her arthritis.  Grace loved her massages and other pampering she received as a special senior girl.  I urge everyone to adopt a senior animal from a shelter or rescue.  They appreciate a comfy bed so much and will give you back so much more.  They are mellow, mind their manners, and provide you with so much love in exchange.  Gracie will live on forever in our hearts!

Well, Arnold vetoed AB 241, the anti-puppy mill bill that wouldn't allow someone to have more than 50 unaltered animals.  He is the only governor to veto such a bill that has passed in at least six other states.  California isn't as compassionate as these other states?  Arnold also thinks it's OK if animal abusers are allowed to possess more animals, and that people sell animals on the roadside or any other place for that matter.

The bright side is that he signed into law the bill that he originally mocked, SB 135, which bans docking the tails of dairy cows.  He also passed SB 318 that allows for forfeiture of property connected with dogfighting, and AB 242, which increases penalties for being a spectator at a dogfight.

So I guess I will just appreciate those for now, but it is heartbreaking after all the hard work put into getting these bills passed into law, and one person, for reasons unknown, decides to take the side of cruelty.

I'm thrilled to see how far we've come and then so disappointed when I realize how far we have to go.  But I am hopeful we will get there! 

Thanks for listening.  If you want to vent your frustrations out over the pro-puppy mill decision our governor has made, then please come join us tomorrow, Saturday, October 17th (& every Saturday as long as we have to) at The Aquarium & Pet Center at 826 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica, where investigations have proven they get their dogs from the Hunte Corporation, a  puppy mill broker.  We'll be there from 1 PM-3 PM.  We were met with hostility and BB bullets last week, as reported on in this KTLA piece by the wonderful Lu Parker:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46El_8jhOjo

Don't let that scare you though!  We are a tough bunch and we don't back down easy when it comes to animal suffering!

I am ashamed that I haven't kept up with the blog.  I have been saving all the news for my quarterly newsletters, so have not taken the time to keep up here.  The Fall Newsletter is just days away, so please check back soon for all the latest in the world of animals.  You can subscribe here.

I hoped I might be able to share a plea on behalf of the millions of healthy, life-loving animals that we kill every day, in every city in California.  Won't you please take a few seconds to call and support SB250?

http://www.yesonsb250.com/sb250-make-calls.php

THANK YOU!

After months of planning, I am pleased to announce that the PAWSTRONOMICAL Pet CPR Event to benefit the Burbank Animal Shelter was a big success with almost 200 attendants!

Can't wait for next year!

Denise Fleck of Sunny-dog Ink taught everyone about Pet CPR and First Aid.

Dr. Martin Small taught us some things about heat stroke and snakebites.

Animal Control Officer John McCullough shared many stories of animal rescue.

Molly Stretten of the Volunteers of the Burbank Animal Shelter presented a parade of adoptable dogs.

This is beautiful Ollie, who I completely fell in love with!

After Pawstronomical, Ollie was adopted!! 

 ANGEL (A025504)

Angel (A025504) is still at the Burbank Shelter and she needs a home!

 BETSY (A023896)

After Pawstronomical, Betsy was adopted!!

 COCO (A025506)

Coco (A025506) is still in the Burbank shelter and really needs a home!

SUZIE (A026144)

Suzie (A026144) is still in the shelter and in need of a loving home!

Location:

Burbank Animal Shelter

1150 N Victory Place

Burbank, CA 91502

(818) 238-3340

Hours:

Monday - Saturday: 10am - 6pm

Closed Sundays and major holidays

Adoption Fees:

Dogs- $84; Cats- $58; Bunnies- $30

(Includes spaying or neutering)

Pre-spay/neutered Dogs- $49; Cats- $23; Bunnies- $5

Thank you to Denise Fleck of Sunny-dog Ink, The Volunteers of The Burbank Animal Shelter, and all the sponsors, volunteers and attendees!

From Pam:  Most people have a hard-enough time keeping up with vet bills, and taxing vet services will make it much harder on vets, people and animals.  People shouldn't be discouraged to provide vet care!

From Marie Atake of Forte Animal Rescue:

PLEASE CROSS-POST

Say NO to taxes on veterinary services!

It will be directly harm the rescue community if it won’t be stopped. It, not only affects our own pocket, but will make more people to dump their animals on us.

This only takes literally 5 seconds because it reaches the automated survey line at the governor’s office — you can press the numbers one after the other without listening to the recording.

Dial: 916-445-2841 Then press: 1 5 1 2

What you are pressing for are:

1 for English.

5 for the veterinary tax proposal.

1 to choose that you're calling about the veterinary tax proposal.

2 to oppose the tax.

Please take a moment and take action NOW.

THANK YOU!

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