ohmidog!

Colleen Spalioni went to an animal shelter to find a dog.

She went home with 27.

The rescued pooches — including 10 Chihuahua mixes, one purebred Chihuahua, a Jack Russell, a poodle, two shepherd mixes, two miniature pinschers and an Australian cattle dog mix — were apparently facing euthanasia.

Spalioni, of Sparks, Nevada, was looking for a dog to replace the pointer she lost in November to a car accident, according to the Reno Gazette Journal.

She found one on the website DogsinDanger.com, which posts photos of dogs in shelters and the number of days until they are euthanized. It was nearly 400 miles away, but Spalioni made the trip to Delano, Calif., near Bakersfield, accompanied by a neighbor, in her pick-up.

There she learned how many more dogs were facing euthanasia — and adopted them all. Delano police animal control officers helped her load the 27 dogs into her pickup. Some fit in the cab, with the rest in the truck bed with a down blanket and a tarpaulin over the top.

Spalioni did all this while her husband was away on a business trip. He returns home today.

One dog died on the trip home, and two more since. The 24 others yelped enough to lead her neighbors to complain, and it has been pointed out to her that a local ordinance sets a limit of three dogs per household.

“I didn’t realize I was going to be in so much trouble or that so many  people would be so angry at what I did,” Spalioni said. “But after I lost my dog who gave me so much unconditional love, I couldn’t leave these dogs to die.”

She had found homes for all but three of the dogs as of Monday, and said she hoped to place the remaining dogs before her husband got home.

Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS) is lowering its adoption fees for the rest of December, and will waive it entirely for animals two years old and older.

The move comes amid a surplus of abandoned dogs and cats — many of them dropped off by families facing financial difficulties.

“We’re being inundated with healthy, adoptable animals,” said BARCS executive director Jennifer Mead-Brause told the Baltimore Sun. “We have people driving up in U-Hauls, dropping off their pets. It’s heartbreaking.”

On top of that, the economic downturn has resulted in fewer people showing up to adopt.

For pups and kittens six months and younger, the fee will continue to be the usual $65, which includes spay/neuter, vaccinations, and preventatives. For animals aged 7 months up to 2 years, the fee hs been dropped to $10, and for animals under two, there will be no fee at all.

The reduced fees are in effect from Dec. 13 through Dec. 31.

To see the animals now at BARCS, you can visit BARCS Petfinder page, or visit in person, at 301 Stockholm St. Shelter Hours are Monday to Friday, 12:30 to 6:30 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This poem has been making the email rounds of late — most often without the name of its author attached, and frequently labeled as anonymous.

It was written by Janine Allen, a professional dog trainer for 25 years who is on the staff of Rescue Me Dog, a California and Wyoming based organization that provides education and training for rescued pets and their owners.

Allen received a degree in exotic animal training and management from Moorpark College and spent several years as a wildlife researcher,  zookeeper and a birds-of-prey trainer/presenter. She has served as a humane educator in public schools, raised Guide Dog puppies and trained miniature horses for entertainment venues.

Here’s the poem:

Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her. I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn’t be afraid.

As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn’t want her to know that I hadn’t been walked today. Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn’t want her to think poorly of them.

As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn’t feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone’s life.

She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship.

A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well. Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms.

I would promise to keep her safe.

I would promise to always be by her side.

I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes.

I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven’t walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one.

I rescued a human today.

If you are among those wondering about the news media’s preoccupation with the Obama’s dog choice — amid all the other serious problems our country is facing — join the club.

Also count among its members one Julianne Hancock, a member of the Utah Air National Guard who has served a tour of duty in Iraq. When she got back, she got a dog from a shelter, a mutt named Izzy.  

A steady job, though, was not so easy to find. After losing her civilian job in the commercial lending industry earlier this year, she was having trouble finding new work. She couldn’t afford healthcare. With few other options, she signed up for another tour of duty. She leaves in January.

“I heard Mr. Obama tell Malia and Sasha that they earned their puppy on election night,” Hancock wrote in an open letter to Obama posted on The Daily Kos. “Izzy will be looking for a family. Any interest?”

Read more »

Despite reports that they won’t get a dog until spring, the Obamas continue to be inundated by solicitations — mostly from humane societies saying “take my dog, please.”

Those include an offer from Obama’s birthplace, Hawaii, where a board member of the Hawaii Island Humane Society suggests a “poi dog,” would be a most appropriate choice — especially in light of Obama recently characterizing himself as a “mutt.”

“A poi dog is considered a mix,” said the board member, Scott Dodd.

At least 200 dogs are available for adoption on the Big Island, and many more are waiting at other Hawaiian shelters. Most of them are mixed breeds, according to the Honolulu Star-Bulletin.

Poi dogs — though the term has come to be used to described mixed breeds — are actually an extinct breed that came to Hawaii with Polynesians when it was settled more than 1,000 years ago.

The dogs lived among the tribes, and were taken care of by female tribe members, some of whom nursed poi puppies believing it would give them more protective instincts.

Because of their vegetarian diet, poi dogs, became fat and lazy and it was not uncommon for them to live among domesticated hogs, according to dogbreedinfo.com. Like hogs, they were sometimes eaten.

In the 19th century, other dogs began to breed with the poi and purebred poi disappeared. The Honolulu Zoo attempted to reconstruct the breed, but failed.

President-elect Obama referred to himself as a “mutt” yesterday, but said that, when his family picks a dog, they won’t necessarily adopt a mixed breed.

Obama indicated that, while the family would prefer a shelter dog, his daughter’s allergies may require they get a hypoallergenic breed.

“This is a major issue,” Obama said a press conference. “I think it has generated more interest on our website than just about anything.

“We have two criteria that have to be reconciled,” he added. “One is that Malia is allergic, so it has to be hypoallergenic … There are a number of breeds that are hypoallergenic. On the other hand our preference would be to get a shelter dog. But obviously a lot of shelter dogs are mutts like me. Whether were going to be able to balance those two things is a maior issue in the Obama household.”

Barack Obama — on top of all the other history he made last night — may have been the first president-elect to mention a dog in his election speech.

“I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last 16 years, the rock of our family and the love of my life, our nation’s next First Lady, Michelle Obama. Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that’s coming with us to the White House.”

A Discovery Channel blog says the “brief puppy mention may represent the first time that an animal has been referenced in a presidential victory speech. If not, use of the word ‘puppy’ would certainly seem to be a rarity.”

Acknowledging his family’s contributions to his campaign, Obama brought up the promise he’d made earlier to his daughters — to get a dog once the campaign was over — and indicated he planned to make good on it.

The family has said they plan to adopt a shelter or rescue dog.

Joe Biden may be adding a dog to the family as well.

He told reporters traveling with his campaign earlier that his wife had promised him a “big dog” if he got elected, according to Reuters. That promise was made in connection with his presidential campaign, but Biden said his wife later said it would apply to a vice-presidential victory as well.

Jill Biden had taped pictures of different dogs on the back of the seat in front of him on his campaign plane to inspire the candidate as he criss-crossed the country in the final sprint to election day.

     You can strut your mutt, lug your pug or carry you Cairn. You can festoon your dachsund, decorate your doberman or gussy up your Great Dane. Maybe, for a fee, you can even kiss my Ace.

     When you think about it, there is no good reason not to show up for BARCStoberfest Saturday at Patterson Park.

    The big annual fundraising event for Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS) kicks off at 11 a.m. (Rain date is Sunday.)  From its always popular costume contest, to a one-mile “Strut your Mutt” fund-raising walk (new this year), this year’s BARCStoberfest promises to be loaded with fun, freebies, prizes, spectacles and useful information – and it’s all aimed at helping homeless pets in Baltimore.

     As an official sponsor of BARCStoberfest, ohmidog! will have a booth at the event, occupied by Ace and me. The ohmidog! booth will be handing out home-baked dog goodies, while supplies last, from three of our advertisers — Love of Dog Bakery, K-9 Kraving and Lucky Lucy’s Canine Cafe.

     If that weren’t enough, the ohmidog! booth will also be featuring at least two exciting, carnival-like game that tests your skills (one involves tennis balls and the “o” in ohmidog!), an opportunity to have your dog’s photo taken (also involving the “o” in ohmidog!), and — unless the health department poo-poos my idea — a chance to let my dog lay one on you at Ace’s Kissing Booth and Dogbreath Emporium.

     In addition to providing my booth with free treats, Love of Dog Bakery, which is celebrating its one-year anniversary this month, has designated BARCS as its official charity of the month, meaning 5 percent of all of the company’s online sales in October will go to the shelter.

     Lucky Lucy’s Canine Cafe also has a long relationship with BARCS. On the last Saturday of every month, one of BARCS’ adoptable dogs is a guest at the store on Light Street in Federal Hill.

     My dog Ace has a connection, too — BARCS is where he ended up three years ago after being found roaming the streets of Baltimore.

    He was one of about 11,000 pets that pass through BARCS each year.

     Supporting BARCStoberfest will lead to more happy endings, for more dogs (not to mention humans). BARCS is raising money to improve its facilities, hire additional staff and help more homeless animals.

    All money raised at the ohmidog! booth will go to BARCS’ “Franky Fund,” which provides medical attention for seriously sick or injured animals that come to the facility.

     Because BARCS lacks the funding for expensive, specialized treatment of homeless pets, they are the ones that most often are euthanized. The Franky Fund helps provide the medical treatment that can lead to the animal getting adopted instead.

     BARCStoberfest runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the “Strut Your Mutt” walk from noon to 3 p.m.

Michelle Obama pledged on Entertainment Tonight this week that, once the presidential campaign is over, the family — first or not — intends to adopt a dog from a shelter.

The Obamas’ promise to their children that they’d get a dog, once it became public, led to three animal welfare organizations and thousands of petitioners urging them to adopt a dog, rather than buy a purebred from a breeder or pet store.

PETA, Best Friends Animal Society and the Humane Society of the United States had all publicly urged the Obamas to adopt a dog.

“Senator, no one needs to tell you that this country is proud to be a melting pot and that there is something deeply wrong and elitist about wanting only a purebred dog. Millions of Great American Mutts — the dog that should be our national dog — are set to die in our nation’s extremely overcrowded pounds and shelters for lack of good homes. When you are ready, please adopt a homeless pound puppy,” PETA said in a letter to Obama.

Best Friends says more than 50,000 signed its online petitions urging the Obamas to adopt a rescue dog.

“The Obama family’s decision to adopt will be a great example, and will result in many dogs and cats being saved from euthanasia across the country. This is exactly what we hoped for when we launched obamafamilydog.com and we hope you feel as proud as we do about this development,” Best Friends said.

The butt-sniffing has begun in Dewey Beach.

About 4,000 greyhounds are converging on the Delaware beach this weekend, where — butt-sniffing aside — they generally behave far more civilly than the humans who normally converge there in summer.

The Greyhound Project Inc., a nonprofit organization that promotes and helps the adoption of retired racing greyhounds, is the main sponsor of the event, which began when three women got together on the internet to talk about their greyhounds, then decided to meet in person.

They were only able to find one motel that would allow their dogs — the Atlantic Oceanside on Route 1 in Dewey. “Greyhounds Reach the Beach,” which has grown to atrract thousands and is now in its fourteenth year, has been held there ever since, according to Delmarva Now.

The five-day event include seminars for greyhound owners, greyhound inspired art shows and a Mardi Greys Costume Ball. To learn more, visit the Greyhounds Reach the Beach website.