Chihuahua-mix dogs and puppies need homes. (Anna Fade, Martinez)

Dogs … puppies … cats … kittens available to adopt.

Hey, everyone, looking for Chihuahua mix puppies and adults? Cats and kittens? A miniature poodle? A cairn terrier? They are all available, FREE. You can call or e-mail the people who are trying to find homes for them below. Thanks. /Gary

*** CHIHUAHUA-MIX DOGS & PUPPIES:
This past Sunday someone dropped off 6 dogs in front of our house in Martinez (1 female chihuahua/dachshund mix, male chihuahua and 4 puppies (8-12 weeks old).  (See photo above) We rounded them up and got them inside and they are doing fine.  They are weaned from their mother, mostly crate trained and absolutely adorable/loving.  I have contacted many different rescue organizations in the area and they have all said no as they are at max capacity.  I have been told my best bet is to take them to the animal shelter.  They believe the puppies will be adopted, but don’t hold much hope for the 2 adults.  My family cannot continue caring for these dogs forever; we simply don’t have the time/capacity to do so.  I am trying to find an alternative to the animal shelter as I feel if I turn them in I will be abandoning these puppies again.  If you’d like to adopt one of them (or more!) I can be reached at annamaude@earthlink.net or my cell 925-917-9136.
Anna Fade, Martinez, California
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First day out of the puppy mill, so scared but trusting. Photo by Flickr user lindyireland used under a Creative Commons License

The Humane Society of the United States is on an all-out campaign to put an end to the diabolical puppy mills that are major contributors to the HUGE pet overpopulation problems in this country. Below is their latest broadside as The HSUS attempts to get the American Kennel Club to become more involved in the battle. Come on, AKC! Join the “fun!” /Gary
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Don’t be fooled by adorable pictures and “Free to Good Homes” ads.

In response to recent reports regarding the growing trend of Internet scammers offering purebred puppies for “free to good homes,” the  American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals offers potential pet parents some valuable tips to avoid such scams.
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When press releases about president-elect Obama’s promise to give his two darling daughters a new puppy started pouring into my e-mail basket the day after the election, I decided I better take a closer look.

Here’s what I discovered:
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This is from a press release I found in my e-mail this morning from the ASPCA in New York:

The ASPCA condemns soldiers involved in animal cruelty video and urges swift action by U.S. Military.

“Thursday. the ASPCA urged the United States Marine Corps to release the findings of its investigation of a video clip recently seen on several social networking sites wherein a member of the U.S. Military — seemingly a Marine — can be seen apparently committing a heinous act of animal cruelty, flinging a live puppy off a cliff.”

This video caused a huge — make that HUGE — public outcry earlier this week after news reports circulated condemning the soldiers responsible for the act. Many have wondered whether the video is simulated or real.

You can decide for yourself. The video can be seen at http://www.snopes.com/photos/military/throwpuppy.asp

NOTE: This video is EXTREMELY upsetting and shocking, so think carefully before you look.

To add to the nastiness:
According to the Associated Press, Pro golfer Tripp Isenhour was charged Wednesday with cruelty to animals and killing a migratory bird, misdemeanors that carry a maximum penalty of 14 months in jail and $1,500 in fines.

An AP story says the 29-year-old player became angry on Dec. 12 at the Grand Cypress Golf Club in Florida when a squawking red-shouldered hawk a few hundred feet away was making noise while he tried to film a TV show. He drove closer to the bird in his golf cart and started hitting balls at it. After numerous attempts, witnesses said he hit the hawk. The bird, a protected migratory species, fell to the ground bleeding from both nostrils and died.

AP says Isenhour quickly apologized Thursday (yesterday) and said he was only trying to scare the hawk away and didn’t mean to kill it. “Quickly apologized,” eh? And only 85 days after he killed the hawk. The dude is fast. (The bird had been buried at the golf course and later dug up by Florida investigators.)

AP quotes Jethro Senger, a sound engineer at the filming, who said hitting the bird was “basically a joke to Isenhour.”

None of the 15-person crew at the filming with Isenhour tried to stop him from killing the hawk … which in my humble opinion makes them just as guilty of killing the bird as he was.

Doesn’t anyone want to take responsibility for anything these days?

Today marks the end of a rather sick work week. /Gary