Iraqi Dog Rachet Needs Your Support

Here's another story of an American soldier befriending a lost dog from Iraq. The soldier Sgt. "Gwen Beberg" of Minneapolis became great friends with "Ratchet" an Iraqi street dog. Iraqis (right or wrong) see dogs as carriers of disease (which they may be there) and don't have any compassion for street dogs. In fact they're abused. Gwen is returning home next month and wants to adopt Ratchet and have him live with her.

* Here's the story page at Yahoo.

* Here's the Online Petition Page to save Ratchet from abuse and death in Iraq and have him brought home to be adopted by Sgt. Beberg:

* Petition to bring Ratchet the dog home to USA HERE

* This organization helps Iraqi dogs get home to America with their soldier owners:

www.baghdadpups.com

Woman Finds Lost Father Who Died Saving Dogs

Here's a bittersweet tale of a young woman who was estranged from her father but always wanted to get back in touch with him. Now, unfortunately for both father and daughter, it's too late.

Alaina Emery, 25, of Houston Texas received an email that asked is "is your father's name Robert Emery? The whole city of Houston is looking for any relatives." That email started an exchange that ended with Alaina finding out that her father had lost his life while rescuing 3 dogs who were stranded in the emergency lane during hurricane Ike.

Emery had been estranged from her father who was a drug addict but wanted to get back in touch with him and get to know him again. His addiction destroyed his marriages and separated himself from his family, also costing him his career as a construction worker. Her father had been going through a difficult time and was recently kicked out of a rundown trailer. His last act was to become an "Ike relief worker." His co-relief workers liked him but knew nothing about his past.

When the news got out that this man had traded his life to save the 3 dogs he became a hero. But, not having any evidence that he had a family, he was going to be buried in a pauper's grave. A woman who developed a skill to track people down is the one who contacted his daughter Alaina and things went from there.

Said Alaina, "I am very saddened that I could not find him in life, but somehow he found me in death," Emery told the Houston Chronicle by phone. "I wanted to hug him, to meet my son."

Animal lovers in the Houston area have vowed to give Emery a proper burial.

Read the full article here at The Houston Chronicle online.

DOG JOBS: UPPER EAST SIDE Dog Walkers + Pet Sitters NEEDED (Upper East Side) (Upper East Side)

Reply to: hr@petaholics.com ^[?]
Date: 2008-09-30, 11:18AM EDT

www.petaholics.com is looking for dog walkers/pet sitters who are living within the Upper East Side of Manhattan who have a passion for puppies and truly care for cats(among various other animals). This is meant for part-time work to supplement your existing income; please do not apply if you are looking for this as a full-time wage, it can be a great supplemental income for the right person (student,musician,dog lover, expect to earn $100-300/week. Animal lovers are a must and pet care experience (dog walker/pet sitting experience,volunteering in a shelter, working for the ASPCA, working in a doggy daycare/kennel or vet, etc.)

Being responsible for clients pets and their healthcare and well being. Management of clients needs and preferences. Must be available everyday Monday - Friday between 11am and 4pm. Please do NOT respond if you are not available every day between the hours of 11am & 4pm.

Requirements: Comfortable with dogs of all sizes & truly love animals! Cold/Snow/Humidty/Rain Resilient. Must live in Manhattan or Brooklyn near Manhattan.Clean Criminal Record US Citizenship Available immediately Excellent presentation and communication skills. Must have a cell phone. Must be able to work in U.S. Must have prior experience with animals in a professinal setting, please be as detailed as possible i.e volunteered at an animal shelter, vets office, doggy daycare, other dogwalking service, etc. Must be able to make a long-term commitment of 6 months.

If you meet all the above requirements and are interested in applying for this position please either send us an email to hr@petaholics.com or fill out the employment form at www.petaholics.com You must include a resume detailing you experience with animals (copy and PASTE into body of email), your PHONE number(s), desired location(s), WORKING email address, and home address, and and interesting information about yourself you think we should know. Selected applicants will be called back. NO PHONE CALLS EMAIL ONLY.




Compensation: $50-$300/a week

• This is a part-time job.
• This is a contract job.
• Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
• Please, no phone calls about this job!
• Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.

DOG JOBS: Kennel/Dog Trainer

Reply to: info@obedienceplease.com ^[?]
Date: 2008-09-30, 7:46AM PDT

Kennel tech position availible for south pasadena location. Oppurtunity to learn how to train dogs also availble. apply in person. 721 fair oaks ave. South pasadena.91030 (626)799-9615

Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.

• Phone calls about this job are ok.
• Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.

Get Your Next Dog Designed?

In Australia they are apparently getting serious about "Designing" their next dog. A certain favorite characteristic over there, a pretty color placed here, etc. I guarantee you it will be very expensive to do this and of course there's the question about ethics. Should scientists be "creating" animals and fooling around with genetics? What about all the poor pups in shelters without a home?

Article on people "designing" a new dog HERE.

Dog Crafts-Make a Poodle Flower!

Here's a site that shows a great tutorial on how to make a Poodle out of flowers! It's very cute as you can see in this photo. This flower Poodle would make a nice gift for Poodle owners or someone who is sick and needs cheering up!

Learn how to Make a Poodle Flower Here

Famous Dogs: Frank The Pug from Men in Black

Who can forget the funny scene in the film "Men In Black" in which "Frank" the Pug was shaken by the Tommy Lee Jones character in order to get information out of him. Frank is played in both movies by a trained pug named "Mushu" with a man named Tim Blaney providing his voice. Frank was actually an alien in disguise who acted as an informant for Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith.

Dog Planter for Garden Fun

Here's a cute gift for your garden or the garden of another dog lover. It's an 11" high cast resin dog planter. It's hand-painted and only $35. Plant your favorite flowers, succulents or cactus in one of these and feature it in your garden!

Dog Planter here at Garden Fun.com.

Pet "OLYMPETS" Are Happening Too!

Forget the "Olympics"-those are just humans! The "Olympets" are the games to follow. The Olympets or "National Pet Games" are organized competions and games designed to promote the health of pets and their owners.

Check their site for local games in your area:

Read more about "Olympets" HERE!

Dogs Do Empathetic Yawning!

A study published in the journal "Biology Letters" says that dogs indulge in "contagious yawning" after watching humans yawn! The study included dogs watching a researcher give a big yawn. Surprisingly, 72% of the dogs yawned when seeing the research yawn. Studies show humans and Chimpanzees are the only other life forms that practice empathetic yawning but at lower rate than dogs!

Read the rest of this interesting study HERE.