New issue coming soon!

We're wrapping up our next free e-newsletter issue. If you haven't signed up, please do by sending an email to faye@ourplacetopaws.com. The new issue features links to various sites where you can take action on animal issues, the announcement of our August Reader Photo Winner, our first Cats vs. Dogs essay submission, letters from readers, a new column by Daisy the Cat and a new Kids Corner project, and more!

I just had to post these pictures of red pandas. I've seen red pandas at the Bronx Zoo in New York City, and they are some of the cutest creatures I've ever seen, a sort of cross between a giant panda and a fox.

Nike drops Michael Vick

I just heard the news that Nike has suspended, I believe, its contract with Michael Vick and has stopped selling all products associated with the athlete. I feel relieved. Like many animal lovers, I wrote to Nike requesting such action, and I wrote to the NFL requesting Vick's suspension. I have read so much evidence that points to Vick's involvement in the horrific activity of dog fighting, and in cruel, inhumane acts that are almost unimaginable. I know that someone is considered innocent until proven guilty, but the evidence and charges are so horrendous that I'm glad that Nike has taken these steps.

It's also heartwarming to hear about so many Humane Society members and other animal lovers who have rallied around this cause. Go animal lovers! We speak for those who can't.

Hamilton's vet visit this weekend went very well! He has gained one pound, three ounces in just the 3-4 weeks since his last visit. The meds are clearly working (as you can see by the picture to the right). A few more tests and we'll learn if he's a candidate for the iodine shot. For now, at least it's nice to know that he can handle the medication and is responding well.

My only question is, will he STOP gaining weight at some point? For now, he's just over 8 pounds, so he has plenty of time before we have to worry about that.

Some exciting news: Our Place to Paws will soon be featured on Pharmacy bags in a number of states as we work to gain more of a following for Paws, thanks to a free donation from an avid reader and cat-lover.

Our next free newsletter comes out in early August (remember to subscribe by writing to faye@ourplacetopaws.com or filling out the quick form on our site) and we'll be listing some animal rescue efforts that readers have sent in to us.

We're also developing a T-shirt design and looking for organizations who would like to partner with us on getting the word out on animal rescue and welfare issues.

But, we STILL DON'T HAVE ENOUGH ENTRANTS IN OUR CATS vs. DOGS ESSAY CONTEST! Remember, the prize is a $20 gift certificate to PetCo, plus $10 donated to the animal welfare/rescue organization of your choice.

Join us! We're just a bunch of animal lovers sharing ideas, pictures and stories, and setting out to do what we can to help.

For much of the past week and a half I've been taking care of Covu, our neighbor's dog. Covu is an incredibly sweet, good dog, but the poor thing has a constant skin problem that causes him to be rather...odorous. I must admit, scooping after him is rather odorous also!

Has anyone invented the perfect pooper scooper that keeps you as far away from the poop as possible (and saves the environment from all of those plastic bags)? If so I'd love to hear about it!

Our cat Cali found a place to relax in the vanity that's sitting in our den, waiting to be installed in the bathroom.

Hamilton's been doing really well lately, and our fingers are crossed for his next veterinary appiontment, set for July 21. Almost a week back into full doses of his hyperthyroid meds, he hasn't gotten sick again. His coat is looking thick again and he seems to have put on weight.

At the next appointment he'll be getting blood tests to determine if his kidneys are handling the hyperthyroid meds well. If they are, he'll be a candidate for the radioactive iodine shot. We hate putting the little guy through a two-week treatment like that, but if it will cure him for good, it will be worth it. We'd rather he not be on meds for the rest of his life! We'll see, though. Whatever is best for him!

In the meantime, tonight we have an overnight guest arriving who is allergic to cats. We currently have five of them in the house. Should be interesting! Any suggestions?

Funny Cide wins again!

Did anyone hear that Funny Cide, the 2003 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner, won at Finger Lakes Gaming and Racetrack on July 4 in front of a capacity crowd that cheered on their beloved hero?

I haven't been able to watch horseracing since Barbaro's sad story, but I do love Funny Cide.

I'm so glad that he's happy and healthy.

Funny Cide

Thanks for your comments!

Thanks for your comments, readers! Hamilton is indeed doing better. This is a picture of him snoozing this morning on the shelf on the den window. Today was the first time he was back on the full dose of the medications, and it seems to make him tired for an hour or so. But we're keeping our fingers crossed that he can keep the medicine in. A., below, sent in a good comment about a technique for giving him the dropper, and that helped.

I'm glad we're starting to get some comments on the blog, and some more visitors to our site. We're still figuring out ways to begin to bring in some income, in the hopes that we can donate a portion to animal rescue organizations. You'll see some Google Adsense ads on the side of this blog and on the site, www.ourplacetopaws.com. If you're interested in any of the advertised sites or products, please click on them from our sites...it brings in a little income.

I want to mention again our featured organization this month, the Eleanor Sonsini Shelter in Pittsfield. They are an "underdog" shelter in the Berkshires with a lot of wonderful animals waiting to be adopted. I hope to post pictures of some of the animals on the blog. If you live in the Pittsfield, Massachusetts area, please check them out.

Day six on half-doses

Hamilton continues to do fairly well on his half-doses of hyperthyroid medication. He runs away from me now when he sees the dropper in my hand, but once I catch him, he takes his meds like a champ. Then he usually seems a tired or a little out of sorts for a short while. But within an hour, he's up and running around and acting like his old self. This morning he's back to one of his favorite activities: wrestling with Tribbs over the sun patch in the kitchen.


The trick will be to see if he can go back to the full doses starting on Wednesday, as we've been directed by the vet.

We're still hoping that ultimately he can have the iodine irradiation procedure and be fully cured. Right, Hamilton?

Our New Issue comes out tomorrow!

I am tempted to post it early but am holding on until the issue date, tomorrow, July 2! Apparently there's one little Scottish Fold who can hardly wait!