Did You Know? 'Less Adoptable' Pets Are Rarely Nasal Irritants

Hi, it's me, Maddox. Former less-adoptable and sometimes nasal irritant*.

Guess what? This is my happy face! :-)

So today I'll be giving a talk . . . about this business of less adoptable pets, because frankly, it takes one to know one.

Here's the thing:

~ Black is SMACK

~ Different is PRECIOUS

~ Blind is a GREAT LISTENER

~ Deaf GAZES INTO YOUR SOUL

~ Special needs LOVES YOU 10 TIMES OVER

~ Pit bull is as SOFT and SWEET as a MARSHMALLOW 

~ Old is PURE GOLD

~ and tomorrow, *Nasal Irritant (me, Maddox) is getting a complementary dental (can you say no more yuck-mouth?) by the wonderful folks at the Richmond SPCA's Clinic for Compassionate Care! Yippee!

And that's the end of my talk.
(I don't believe in beating around the bush.)

Oh, and know what else?

This is Petfinder's Adopt-A-Less-Adoptable-Pet Week.



So I'll just be using this as an excuse to introduce you to a couple of my "less-adoptable" homeys who still live at the Richmond (VA) SPCA.

(Note: Okay, maybe I don't know them personally; however, my mom human, who is typing this and who volunteers at the shelter, says they're way cool.)

Here's Ike.

Mom says she rudely woke kitten Ike up from a sound nap one day, but instead of being peeved (as I might have been), he purred, rubbed his shiny black furs all over her and followed her all over the room (which he shares with bunches of other fine cats, like himself).

Mom also says that he's been in the adoptable-cat-play-room WAY too long because his is just one in a small sea of black coats, plus he isn't boisterous keeps to himself, so he could be easily overlooked.

And this is Mona.

Mona and Ike live in the same play room and could be identical twins (even though Mona is a young adult and Ike is still a kitten), so mom sometimes gets them mixed up. Mona, however, is easy the type to plop on your lap before she even really know you, while Ike prefers to gaze at you from a polite distance.

Anyway, mom says Ike and Mona would make a great team, being that they kind of already are, and that since the RSPCA is adopting two kitties for the price of one ($95) through the end of September, will someone go on and bust them out, please?

And lastly, here we have the lovely Lala - a dog. Ahem.

Click here to see a cool RSPCA movie, starring ME, Lala!

Lala, here, is what they call part pit bull and part beagle. I think that makes her a peagle, or a bittie. hehe (Sorry, Lala, but what did you expect from a wise-cracking cat, like myself?) 

Kidding-among-friends aside, though, Lala, like her black-coated shelter-mates above, has been a resident at the RSPCA longer than some others, and mom (who knows her and has witnessed her wonderfullness) just wants to make it clear that (no matter her breed), she is one smooshy-cheeked precious girl . . . who would love to get busted out today!

And with that, I'll close with a question:

Less adoptable?

And an answer (pardon my "French"):

Hayle, no!

Thanks for listening. :)

What's Black and White and Sniffed All Over?

A. Lulabelle

Lulabelle

B. Our guest Sheltie, Devon Grey

Devon Grey (Okay, so maybe he's gray, black and white...and a cutie to boot.)

C. Both A. and B.

The answer is C. And neither A. nor B. appreciate it. :) Poor Jon Farleigh and Dewi.

***

Our doggie guest is here until the morning and I am a little behind (with the blog post today - or is it already tomorrow? oops).

Whatever time it is for you, I hope it's a good one!

Aluladdin and the Magic Pumpkin

Once upon a time in a land not far enough away, lived a raven-haired princess named Aluladdin (but who preferred to be called Lula).

Aluladdin is a boy's name. Don't ever call me that.

One day, Lula discovered a mysterious pumpkin on her futon, and out of curiosity, put her paws on it.

I must get this play thing off of here.

And poof!

This better be good. I could've slept another 100 years.

Out of the hollow of the orange gourd - in a pillar of smoke - a snake-eyed, magic Tabby appeared.

"So what's your wish?" barked the Tabby.

"What wish?" answered Lula, dazed and confused.

"Duh! Like you just released me from that slimy gourd, so now I'm gonna grant you one wish.
It's simple. If you could have just one thing in the whole wide world, what would it be?" 

This is my futon; who invited you?

Lula pondered.

"I already have everything I really want," she thought out loud. "Hmm....

Yes, that's it! I've got it!" she exclaimed, like someone who'd just had an epiphany. 

"Well, what is it?" inquired the Tabby.

"I want to be able to speak - with clarity and conviction - two words in English," answered Lula.

"Really? That's it? Of all the things in the whole wide world, you just want to speak two English words?" mused the Tabby.

"Yes, thanks," replied Lula, smugly.

"Okay, whenever you're ready..."

And with that, Lula turned around, walked to the edge of the futon and spoke two words...

And she lived happily ever after.

The End

Why I'm Head-Over-Heels for My Oft-Hateful, Once Borderline-Feral Cat

In case you're newer to this blog (and my cats), that would be Eva. (Hint: She's the "dark menace" from yesterday's loo post.)

***

We (I) rescued Eva a few years ago from a life on the lam. She showed up on my front porch out of the blue one day, covered in ticks and half starved. She was far from reciprocal of my attempts at friendship, but grateful for a meal.

For weeks after taking her in (because being the cat-person I am, I thought her crotchety 'tude would fade after she had a few meals in her) I agonized that I'd made a HUGE mistake in keeping her. She never came out of the basement except to eat, and she distrusted (and therefore, treated with disdain) every human in my house. It was awful.

But then slowly, after - I presume - she began to view us (especially me because I'm the one who was with her most of the day) as not threats so much, but colony members, she made more and more appearances and even allowed some limited handling (meaning one's hand had to approach her face from the front and was not allowed to touch anything but her head and neck).

It wasn't much, but it was enough to give me hope.

Weeks and months passed, and so did Eva's penchant for lonely basement living. And while she still preferred to see the human's hand before it made contact with her fur, once it did, she clearly enjoyed it, slitting her eyes and belting out choruses of idling lawn mower engines in the distance.

Then one day she followed me.

Not to her empty bowl. Not to the pantry where the cat treats are dispensed. Not to the couch, where the bowl of ice cream I'd just finished would be placed on the floor for her licking pleasure (yes, I do).

But simply to the place where I was going.

Because on that day, at that time, all she (this borderline domestic, emotionally scarred animal) wanted was to be with me.

***

On a typical morning around here, the cats curl up in their favorite out-of-the-dogs'-reach place and nap for a good two-to-three hours.

Eva's preferred napping place is in my bedroom, even though I have to shut the door behind her to keep the dogs from running in and wreaking havoc.

When I opened that door this morning, Eva lifted her groggy head in typical fashion, and emerged with a stretch, ready to participate in the day (which usually means getting a bite to eat, visiting the cat box and then taking a bath in a sunbeam in front of the kitchen window).

So today, just like most days, she made her way to the kitchen - where the dogs eagerly awaited their mid-day snack. However, unlike most days, she didn't keep to the rest of her routine.

You see, while the dogs were still frolicking together in the kitchen, I quickly made my way back down the hall to my bedroom. I almost got there, too, without an animal on my tail, shoving its way past me in a desperate attempt to keep me within eye-shot.

The first sound I heard was the jingle bell on the cat's collar, then the galloping feet, and just as I was about to cross the threshold of my bedroom door, she blew past me in a blur of black fur. Then she stopped, turned around and gave me a look of adoration that beckoned like a magnet to steel.

And it hit me like a ton of bricks.

Eva had just enthusiastically returned to the room that she'd so readily just left.

Not for food or water. Not for a bath. Not to satisfy a bodily need of any kind.

But simply because it was where I was going.

Because today, at that moment, all she (my borderline domestic, cherished family pet) wanted was to be with me.

So I shut the door behind us and relished the chorus of idling lawn mower engines in the distance.

***

For more about Eva, read her story at Richmond Pet Lovers (dot) com.

Does a Dog's Name Shape Your Perception of the Dog?

I saw the below tweet* in my Twitter feed this morning and had to stop and think.

What's in a name? Would Bruno the mastiff be less imposing if called Tinker? Changes in naming pets> huff.to/zNjr8k

— NCState Vet Medicine (@NCStateVetMed) March 5, 2012

I'm not sure a Mastiff named Tinker would be less imposing than a Mastiff named Bruno - to me. It would wholly depend on the dog's behavior (and this goes for any breed/mix of dog, not just those with a more imposing physique). In fact, I know a very sweet Mastiff named Romulus, whose name I find kind of endearing despite its gladiator-esque ring. :)

On the other hand, however, I most definitely think that hard-to-adopt breeds in shelters (i.e. pit bulls, boxers, big black dogs) should never be named something that could potentially turn an adopter off...even if the dog is a complete marshmallow.

Remember Batman, Buckwheat and Yukon Cornelius, three (among other) "less-adoptable" dogs who were featured on the blog several weeks ago? (They are all in forever homes, by the way.) Do you think adopters would have shied away from them had they been named, for example, Spike, Bruiser and Big Boy?

It's hard to say (but let's hope there are no shelters out there taking that chance). 

Okay, so now that you know where I stand on that issue (and I'm sure have opinions of your own), what do you think about the reverse scenario? 

Let's say, for example, that my two unimposing clowns were named something completely different...like decidedly more ridiculous tough-sounding? 

Well, like this?

Holy villain, Batman!

Or this?

????????? (Words escape me.)

Would you avoid them at the dog park?

(I think I would avoid *me* - the doofus who picked out these names - at the dog park. :)

P.S. My husband just passed by and told me that I should change "The Terminator" to "The Turd-inator." I think I'll just stick with Dewi.

P.P.S. I still have the head crud, and therefore, should not be held responsible for the absurd (and intended to be funny) portions of this post. ;)

*The link in the quoted tweet goes to an interesting article about popular trends in dog and cat names.

Bye.

My Bear Cub Went Meow

When I put my hand on her belly.

You'd have thought she was a cat.

Bears don't have feet like that. 

Or that.

Or even that.

I think I smell a rat.

Poor fella.

*****

So I sneaked in an all-cat "part" post! How liberating!

Eva is my fuzzy bear cub, by the way. Did you see that belly fur?

How about the orange eyebrows? Or the orange perma-smile on her left cheek?

LOVE <3

*****

In other news...

You might have noticed that several websites (and blogs) today, including Google, Wikipedia, WordPress and Mozilla, went black (or wore black) in protest of two Internet bills before the US Senate: Protect IP Act (PIPA) and Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA). Although I did not participate in the blackout, I do believe that if passed, these bills will essentially open the door to Internet censorship and detriment of free expression.

So what can we do as concerned citizens?

Educate ourselves on SOPA and PIPA and then tell our local representatives that we oppose this legislation.

Of Buckwheat Pancakes, Ham Skillets, Sugar Plums and Rudolph

At my house we have a tradition on Christmas morning of eating pancakes with some sort of terribly bad for you salty pork product - usually bacon - as long as I'm not the one doing the cooking. You might also be interested to know that although it's evidently more nutritious than the Hungry Jack(TM) buttermilk pancake mix that I usually buy, I've never been adventurous enough to pick up a buckwheat variety. I'm terribly wimpy when it comes to trying new foods.

There is a first time for everything though, right?
Anyone out there like buckwheat pancakes? Bacon? Ham?

So who else (other than me - thanks to me) has warm fluffy stacks of sweet and savory comfort on the brain?

Yes? Oh good! Now feast your eyes on these warm fluffy stacks of comfort!

First up: Buckwheat!

Oh, yeah, I'm good for you, alright. Move over Hungry Jack!

Buckwheat (and all the other warm stacks of comfort I'm about to show you) is available for immediate adoption through Richmond Animal Care and Control in Richmond, VA. He is a lab-blend baby just dying to "fill you up" over the upcoming holidays.

And what pancake breakfast would be complete without the savory goodness of a...

Ham Skillet?!
(yes, people, that's his name, and I think it's brilliant)

How can you possibly resist me and a side of biscuits?

Could you not just eat up this little hound-blend baby?

So, are you dreaming of food yet?  Maybe visions of...

Sugar Plum(s)?

Take me home and I'll not only dance on your head,
but I'll dance right into your heart!

Sugar Plum is a light orange tabby, twinkle-toed baby girl, who'd love to make your dreams come true!

Alright, let's see...I mentioned Rudolph in the title of this post, so I have to ask:
What human being doesn't like some of that "misfit" reindeer's story at this time of year?

Remember the classic stop-motion animated TV special? Got a favorite character? Can you relate to anyone in particular?

How about Hermie the Dentist?

Come get me off this island and I'll be your forever bestie!

This ambitious young lab-man might not be able to fill your teeth (thank goodness), but he sure will fill your home and heart with his beautiful smiles!

Okay, so if you know the Rudolph TV special, you know that during that particular year, due to a pesky abominable snowman (and some heavy snow), it was nearly the year without a Santa Claus. [shudder]

And of course circumstances like those called for heroic actions. Yes, friends, the one man in all the North Pole who could (and did) wrangle a Bumble:

Yukon Cornelius!

Bumbles bounce and so might I. But I want nothing more than to be your hero.
Will you let me?

Yukon is a brave young pit bull with a soft coat and a soft heart (behind that tough exterior). He sure could use a warm home and bed lap to take a load off upon. ;)

~~~~~

So I know it's nearly Christmas already, and we're all busy, and that to these furry babies, our human holiday is really and truly just another Sunday in the shelter. And although it would be wonderful if somebody somewhere sees this post and is moved to go spring one (or all) of these furry guys out of their temporary lodging before December 25, I'm not counting on it. And that's okay. I know they are all going to find their true forever homes soon (hellooooo?? have you seen them?? and did you see those names???).

I really just wanted to give you and your friends and family the gift of having the opportunity. I'm thoughtful like that. :)

P.S. I like my pancakes with mounds of butter and (light) maple syrup.  

If Hearts Could Glow Like Stars

My blog friend, dog lover and passionate animal advocate at the Talking Dogs Blog recently honored The Chronicles of Cardigan with the unique "award" pictured at left. In case you're like me and aren't fluent in Spanish, I'll translate: "Prize - bright flashes in the sky - black cats." I added the "black cats" part for today's post. :) 

This past Tuesday, in honor of Petfinder's Less-Adoptable Week, I dedicated "The Versatile BlDogger" award to black-furred dogs everywhere, and promised that the black kitties would receive equal treatment. :) So today, in their honor and to thank Talking Dogs for recognizing my blog, I'm dedicating this lovely "bright star award" to black (and mostly black) cats everywhere.

Note: All the beauties appearing in this post are available for immediate adoption (here and here) in Richmond, VA.

=^--^=

For Eva 

If hearts could glow like stars in a black sea...

Flora

Twinkles

...would you look up and see me?

Jenna

I wish I may, I wish I might...

Madison (I have food allergies, but I'm still easy.)

Help your heart glow like a star tonight.

Titan

I know hearts can glow like stars in a black sea.

Mady

Rascal

Isis (I have two black brothers: Set and Ramses.)

Tess (Please read what my foster mom says about my unique Tortoiseshell coat.)

Because you should see how my heart will glow when you pick me.

*****

Do you have a black (heart) cat story?

This just in: Black Fur Wins the Award for Versatality

A few weeks ago, Kim, the person at the lovely and passionate blog, CindyLu's Muse, graciously tapped my blog for one of these "awards" (pictured at left) - except not with the word "Dogger" on it. :) (I edited this one a bit. :) Anyway, to show my appreciation to Kim and to honor her wonderful little (black) dog CindyLu(Hoo), and all the other black pets who are waiting for their forever homes today, I hereby dedicate the "award" to black-furred dogs* everywhere.

 19+ Reasons to Love Black Fur

Created at wordle.net

Hint: See the "dog" in the "word cloud"? Yeah, I know, but it's a cloud, not fine art, okay? :)

According to the two online interior decorating and fashion articles I checked, BLACK IS COOL - plus the other 19 adjectives you can see in the image above. See the "versatile" tail? The "beautiful" and "anchoring" face? The "calming" ears? (And the "harmonizing" heart?)

But Don't Just Take My Word for It

Check out these fine examples (who happen to be available for immediate adoption in Richmond, VA):

Bella - Who puts the 'B' in "Beautiful"

Erick - Can you say "sexy"?

Kingston - Just oozes hunky sophistication

Rock - A "seasoned" fella at 7+ yrs. - Pure class!

And Smokey - Missing a front leg due to an injury makes him bold and interesting
(and apparently, a snuggler and couch accessory). :)

*****
Black is Good

Friends and readers, obviously I've tried to inject some lightheartedness into what could be an otherwise heart-wrenching reality here. I also know that few who read this are in a position to go out and save a black shelter animal this week. That's okay. But if you are looking to adopt a shelter animal, or you know someone who might be one day, will you remember (and share) this?

After my previous post about black pets being less-adoptable, some questions and speculation arose (in comments) as to why that might be. Since then I have found some compelling reasoning at the Lucky Dog Rescue Blog. It's worth a read - if you have a couple minutes. :)

*So, what about the black cats?

Don't worry; I've got another "stellar award" coming for them later...

A Less-Adoptable Carol (Because Even Scrooge Ought to Love Us)

(with apologies to Charles Dickens)

Starring:

Molly, as the "Spirit of Less-Adoptables Past"

Do I look like a bit of undigested beef to you?

Eva, as half of the "Spirits of Less-Adoptables Present"

Hey, you. Look at me, down here. I love you.

And Lulabelle, as the other half of the "Spirits of Less-Adoptables Present"

This "spirit" isn't supposed to look scary, you know. Mind if I curl up in your lap?

You know I can't show you the "Spirit of 'Less-Adoptables' Yet to Come." It would be disturbing. Haven't you seen the movies?

*****

Okay, seriously, did you know that many cats and dogs (like my three "spirits" up there) are passed over in shelters simply because they're black? It's true. And that's why I've pledged to help Petfinder with this:

Even if you're not looking to adopt a pet right now, after my next post on this subject (date next week TBD), you'll never look at black fur the same way again.

Stay tuned and have a great weekend!

P.S. If you must know how I came up with the Scrooge theme (read: in case you think I'm crazy), comment me. :)

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