Oscar

Oscar is kind of a funny name and it fit you. Other than a Dachshund, I had never seen a two-foot long dog with such short legs. You were built completely differently from any breed. Shaggy, with fur hanging over your eyes and a curly tail, I couldn't help but smile when I saw you. The adoption center said you were a Lhasa Apsa mix with a Bichon Friese. You weren't fully grown but we were familiar with both breeds and figured you wouldn't grow much. I should have paid more attention to your huge paws.

The Humane Society said that you had been returned by two former owners. Both had loved you. One had returned you because of your behavior. The second because they didn't want a custody battle for you in their divorce case. We fell in love with you at first sight because you looked so much like Heather, our Cockapoo for more than twelve years.

Our warm feelings cooled a bit when you chewed through a twenty- five dollar leash on the way home. We bought you another one and you did the same thing. The third lasted for five years even though it was chewed half-way through. The animal-control officer used it when she led you away for the last time.

I've never had a pet that I loved and hated as much as you, though now it seems it was mostly love. You chewed up a two-hundred dollar postcard someone had bought from eBay and I wanted to kill you. You barked when you were outside and made the neighbors mad. And you had an aggressive streak that came out when we tried to take a sock away from you. You even would go so far as to bite. That's what got you in trouble. That and your protective streak.

On the other hand your hangdog Eyesore personality would come out, too. And even though you weighed thirty-five pounds you were convinced you were a lap-dog and insisted on sitting in our laps when we read or watched TV. Like Heather, you even had to perch in my lap when I was driving. Not very safe, but endearing. There was no privacy when we went into the bathroom, you always went in with us or pushed the door open. That wasn't so great in winter when the rest of the house was cold. Even so, we enjoyed your company. But why on earth did you like to lick my bathwater? You were funny looking. Your ears were almost long enough that I could tie them together over your head. But you were glamorous, too. Your long eyelashes would have made Betty Davis jealous. Best of all, you never lacked for affection. I don't know how many times I woke up winter mornings cuddling against you.

I suppose that your protective streak had to lead to the final blow. The backyard gate never closed right and we had to tie it to keep Barrette, our daughter's dog, from pushing it open. We didn't always get it right and you sometimes escaped. Once too often, I'm afraid. You got out and a woman who was jogging came too close to the house. You bit her and that sealed your fate. Fortunately I was with the woman in the hospital when the Animal Control Officer came to the house to take you away.

I'll always remember our walks and how much your heeling had improved. I still get a smile when I remember when I told you to find Barrette, the dog, and you came back with the rubber cow we had just given you. There are so many other memories, painful now. I just want you to know how much I miss and love you. Thank you for the interesting years you spent with us. And have fun playing with Heather in Doggie Heaven.

John Anderson is a retired stamp and collectible dealer. He is also an unabashed animal lover and sentimentalist. His novel, The Cellini Masterpiece, is published under the pen name of Raymond John. Yes, there's an animal in it. A stray cat that the hero adopts. If you would like to read the first chapter of the book, or if you have a question or comment for John, please log on to http://www.cmasterpiece.com

MORE PETS INFORMATION RESOURCES updated Wed. February / 08 / 2012

February Marks Pet Dental Health Month KTUL (blog) According to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, an estimated 80 percent of people brush their teeth every day, but far fewer pet owners do the same for their pets. Pet Dental Health Month, celebrated every February, teaches pet owners proper ... February is National Pet Dental Health MonthMarketWatch (press release) all 5 news articles »

Fracking's Toll on Pets, Livestock Chills Farmers: Commentary San Francisco Chronicle A new study by veterinarian Michelle Bamberger and Robert Oswald, a professor of veterinary medicine at Cornell University, chronicles case studies of dozens of farmers and pet owners in six states over the Marcellus Shale. Their findings, published in ... and more »

Proposed Bill Protects Pets of Domestic Abuse Victims Patch.com Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, who's district also falls partly into Clearwater, extends legal protection to pets of an abuse victim and makes beating or abusing the victim's pet grounds for violating a court-ordered domestic violence injunction. and more »

MyFox Detroit

Michigan Humane Society Pets for Patriots Program MyFox Detroit The Michigan Humane Society (MHS), is teaming up with Pets for Patriots to give back to the men and women in uniform who inspire us all. The partnership will give active duty personnel and military veterans the opportunity to save even more lives by ... Pets eat the weirdest things; pet proof your homeDaily Camera Bad pet owners might be causing fee hikes for everyone elseKFOX El Paso Meridian Valley Humane Society joins forces with Pets for PatriotsKIVI-TV all 4 news articles »

Rats! Maligned rodent can make a great pet New Zealand Herald A pet rat named Odds and Ends. Photo / Supplied, AP "When my husband told his ex that we got rats, she said, 'On purpose?'" says Tami Kaplan, proud owner of three of the rodents. Look past your preconceptions and you might fall in love, ... and more »

VetPracticeNews.com

Pet Obesity Rate Rises VetPracticeNews.com The percentage of pet cats and dogs classified as overweight remained relatively constant over the past year, but the rate of obesity increased, especially among cats, according to the fifth annual veterinary survey conducted by the Association for Pet ... Pet Owners May Be In Denial But Study Says Rover Isn't Big-Boned, He's FatThe Consumerist Alison Sweeney Backs 'Million Pound Pledge' for PetsZootoo.com New Survey Shows US Dog and Cat Obesity Rates are climbingFirst Coast News KPHO Phoenix all 6 news articles »

Pet oxygen masks can save animals' lives in fires San Jose Mercury News 23, 2007 file photo, Nancee Schaffner of the Rutland Area Disaster Animal Response Team demonstrates an oxygen mask for pets on Maple, a sheperd mix dog, at the fire station in Clarendon, Vt. While pet oxygen masks have been used for decades by ... and more »

The Associated Press

Meet Your Match boosts puppy love (and kitty love) by matching people and pets ... Washington Post The color-coded program evaluates shelter pets and the people looking to adopt them in an effort to match personalities, energy levels and needs. Playing Cupid with Meet Your Match helped workers at the Richmond Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to ... Find puppy love (cats too) through Meet Your MatchWTOP all 170 news articles »

Shelter pets find forever homes Idaho Mountain Express and Guide Over the past three decades, the shelter has adopted out more than 11000 pets and has been named one of the top nonprofits in the valley by the readers of the Sun Valley Guide. In addition, a "shelter mutt" was named one of the best breeds to have. Adoption screening makes sure pets find 'forever home'Houma Courier PETS OF THE WEEKClarksville Leaf Chronicle Shelter Exchange and Adopt-a-Pet.com Partner to Help Homeless AnimalsEON: Enhanced Online News (press release) Patch.com all 25 news articles »

Monsters and Critics.com

Pet Photo Friday is almost here - submit your photos now! AnnArbor.com Knowing that there are many fun-loving pets that live in and around our area, we're anxious to see what you've been up to. Why not submit a favorite photo of your pet? What fun activities did your pets get to enjoy this week — a hike, perhaps, ... Animal Planet Favorite Pet Competition launchesMonsters and Critics.com Delta Society(R) Is Now Pet Partners(R)MarketWatch (press release) Fees change for Animal ServicesThe Augusta Chronicle all 6 news articles »

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