Suspended NFL star Michael Vick sentenced to 23 months in prison

RICHMOND, Va. - Michael Vick was sentenced to 23 months in prison Monday for running a "cruel and inhumane" dogfighting ring and lying about it.

The suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback could have been sentenced up to five years by U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson. Vick, who turned himself in Nov. 19 in anticipation of his sentence, was wearing a black-and-white striped prison suit.

After Vick apologized to the court and his family, Hudson told him: "You need to apologize to the millions of young people who looked up to you." Read the rest here.

Snug as a bug in a rug

Our December updates are now online

Enjoy at www.ourplacetopaws.com.

And here's a cute story:

Cuddly cats ease Tokyo's workday pressures

Budding Musician

Today's "Paws" for Cuteness

The "two talking cats video:"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3U0udLH974&NR=1

Wolf May Lose Endangered Species Listing

By MATTHEW BROWN –

PRAY, Mont. (AP) — For rancher Randy Petrich, the removal of gray wolves from the endangered species list — a move that would open up the animals to hunting in the Northern Rockies for the first time in decades — couldn't come soon enough. On the same land where it was once rare to see the animal, Petrich has seen fresh wolf tracks almost every morning this fall — close enough to threaten his cattle.

"I believe that any wolf on any given night, if there happens to be a calf there, they will kill it," Petrich said. "In reality, to help us now, we need to be trapping them, shooting them — as many as possible."

Just 12 years since the wolves were reintroduced into Yellowstone National Park after years of near-extinction, federal officials say the sharp rise in the wolf population in the region justifies removing them from the endangered species list.

Critics, however, say the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is moving too fast, and could be setting the stage for a slaughter that would push wolves back to the brink in the Rockies. Read the rest here.

Have a warm, safe, happy Thanksgiving!

I bought a new "throw" today, and sure enough, as soon as I draped it over a chair it became clear that I would not be the one sitting on it.

A special holiday offer for our readers, and a way to help raise money for the Humane Society of the United States

Peggy Dey of Dey by Dey Studio lives in North Carolina. For the past year she has been building a home business through offering commissioned pet portraits, cards and other artwork. Peggy donates 10% of her animal portrait income to non-profit animal rescue and welfare organizations. She is a life-long animal lover with a very big heart.

Peggy has recently come out with a line of very special hand-etched and/or painted eggs that she creates in her studio. I have ordered a number of these unique and special items for holiday gifts, and I'd like to respectfully encourage my readers to consider doing the same if they appeal to you or might appeal to your friends and loved ones. The eggs can be free standing or designed as holiday tree ornaments. Peggy describes them this way:

"Unique hand etched and/or painted eggs. From the large African ostrich and beautiful dark blue-green emu, to the small Bantam, these eggs are hand etched and/or painted to compliment the beauty of this natural "canvas." The larger eggs such as the ostrich, emu, and rhea come with hand crafted and polished cedar stands, the smaller are offered either with a stand or if preferred, can be designed as a hanging ornament.

Wide variety of designs are offered or can be customized with your own preferred artwork! Prices range from $12.95 for the smaller eggs to $225 for the most elaborate of the ostrich eggs. Beautiful and very unusual gifts for the holidays! Will ship for you as well! Call (919) 542-1099 or email DeybyDeyStudio@aol.com with questions or more specific pricing."

Peggy also mentioned to me that the earlier she gets in orders, the more likely she can craft the eggs in time for holiday shipping. And, if you just mention Our Place to Paws, you will get 5% off the cost of the gift. "Our Place to Paws" makes nothing from this transaction, but Peggy is a frequent contributor to our Web site, and her house is full of rescued cats and dogs (and that's not counting the occasional injured and rescued possums, squirrels, and raccoons she cares for). Therefore, Our Place to Paws will donate $1 to the Humane Society of the United States for every person who gives Peggy a holiday order and mentions Our Place to Paws when ordering.

Please feel free to pass this info. on to friends! Thanks for checking them out! And remember, mention Our Place to Paws if you make an order -- to receive your discount and prompt a donation to the Humane Society of the United States.