A Boy's Best Friend

On Monday, I told you about Suki, my grandson's dog. After she collapsed on Sunday and a trip to the emergency vet, we learned that her heart was simply too big and that she was dying of congestive heart failure. We were given medicine to make it easier for her to breathe, and had an appointment to see the vet today. But she won't be there. She passed away yesterday afternoon.

Suki was a Jackapoo, the Captain Danger of designer dogs. She was the sweetest dog I ever saw. I got her for Dat 13 years ago, and she adored him. I loved watching them play. If it was baseball, she'd shag the balls, even though they barely fit into her mouth. She got so used to going after baseballs that she once ran out into the field during a Lehigh U game and stole a baseball.

When Dat played football, she had to get in on that action, too. Dat would announce "Down," and she would assume the linebacker position. Then Dat, who actually was a very fast running back would call out signals and snap the ball to himself. Once he did that, no matter how fast he ran, she'd get him. She was never content until she pulled his pants down.

Unfortunately, she was a terrible basketball player. Couldn't dunk.

She was very mischievous. She loved to quarrel with skunks, and once took off on an adventure that had us looking for her for three days.

She was good for me, too. I would dog sit at times over the summer, and she inspired me to start exercising at least twice. In the summer of 2018, when I was 128 pounds heavier than I am now, it is she who coaxed me into walking again. She'd also give me a look of complete disgust as I struggled to keep up with her.

This past summer, it is she who struggled to keep up with me. I thought her age might be catching up to her. Then, when I received word from Dat that she collapsed one hot July day, I thought it must be the heat or that she just tripped. Then came a second report, and once again, I assumed it was the heat. When she collapsed a third time on Sunday, it was time to see the vet.

Though the medicine made it easier for her to breathe, her energy and passion for life seemed to be gone.

We had kept Dat in the dark because he was taking exams. But his mom visited him on campus yesterday, after he had taken his last exam, and brought Suki to see her pal. Suki was thrilled and was her old self. After filling Dat in on the situation, Suki and his mom returned home. As soon as she got back, Suki let go and is now gone.

It seems that she had kept herself alive just to see her best friend one last time.

I said good-bye to her at the vet. She was finally at peace.

Thanks to those of you who emailed and messaged me.

Howling Dogs?

Complainers of Bethlehem is a disgusting Facebook group in which members moan about everything, from some dude who parks 3 centimeters over the striped line to people using the drive-thru lane at McDonalds. Naturally, I belong to it.

Yesterday, I saw this post.

Here's my response.

Ron Angle's Cows -1, Suki - 0

This dog can jump out of a Ranger, and fortunately,
can jump back in. 

From time to time, my grandson and his mother go away for a weekend at the beach or for some basketball camp. When that happens, I usually watch their dog Suki. She's what is called a Jack-a-Poo, half Jack Russell Terrier and half Toy Poodle. As someone once explained to me, they are the Captain Danger of Designer Dogs. Sweet, but highly energetic and mischievous. Last night, she finally met her match - a herd of angry cows.

Ron Angle invited me to his farm for a delicious Sunday night dinner of prime rib, baked potatoes and sweet corn. When I told him I was dog sitting, he told me to bring her, too. So that is how Suki paid her first visit ever to a farm.

Dat's mother treats Suki as though she is a foo foo dog. She ties bows in her fur and dresses her in sweaters. But she is all dog. She likes being with me, not just because I spoil her and feed her the same crap I eat, but because I take her on lots of walks and, in wooded areas, will let her chase rabbits, squirrels and groundhogs.

Suki thought she could chase these calves. 

Dat's mother always instructs me not to let her off the leash, especially after an incident with a skunk a few years ago. I always promise. I always break my promise.

A night on the farm was a real treat for her. She was in hunting mode the entire time, chasing down cats, squirrels and rabbits. But the real excitement started when Ron went to water his cows. Suki wanted to come, and jumped into the Ranger with us.

Ron's herd includes four calves. As we got closer to them, Suki got excited and jumped out to chase the calves.

Big mistake.

The cows decided to chase her, but they weren't playing. They are a lot faster than they look. And they were pissed. Suki was pretty much fenced in, so she was running the way Dat used to run when he played football - for her life. She was faster than them, and has so many juke moves she could return kicks for the Eagles. But the cows were faster than Ron's Ranger, which was bogged down by the mud. When she'd get close, they'd tear after her. Eventually, Suki spotted a gap between the cows and the Ranger and jumped. She missed the first time because I dropped her, and the cows continued to give chase. Ron was able to pull her when she tried a second time. Angry cows bounced against the Ranger as they continued to look for her. They actually were smelling the ground for signs of her for some time after we had already left.

Suki will start driving Ranger next time. 

After witnessing this, I think it's safe to say that a herd of cows can handle a coyote.

After this close call, Ron's Ranger passed by a creek. Suki jumped right in.

She needed to cool off.

Eventually, she was full of mud, the bow in her fur was gone and she chased all of Ron's cats into a barn. Then she went after a rabbit.

She was having a blast.

She usually likes women better than men, but after Ron scooped her up, she periodically would walk up and start licking him. Well, he is the Northampton County Bulldog.

As the evening ended, Suki did not want to get in my car. But she fell asleep the moment she got in

Oh, and she had prime rib.

My Weekend

Suki, doing what she does best.

This weekend, my grandson was in Baltimore for an AAU basketball tournament. While he and his mother were gone, I watched his dog, Suki. She loves staying with me and begins crying the second that Dat heads up Rte 191 with her to my estate. You might think she dreads being with a bottom-feeding blogger, if only because it damages her reputation, but she adores me. Why I don't know.

She has every reason to hate me. When she was a puppy, she nearly died after eating a penny that one of my servants left on the floor. Dr. John Yaswinski had to surgically remove it, and it was touch-and-go for several days. Fortunately, she recovered fully and became a holy terror. She is half Jack Rusell and half toy poodle. She is called a jackapoo, and they are the Captains Danger of designer dogs. As a puppy, she used to shag the balls when Dat was hitting. Once, in the middle of a Lehigh-Navy baseball game, she ran out into the field and stole the ball. I don't know which was funnier, the theft or watching everyone chase her.

When I was in good physical condition, watching Suki was no problem. But she killed me on Saturday and Sunday with innumerable walks at which she was always looking for squirrels and rabbits.

Late Sunday, I was no longer able to walk, so we became gang-bangers and did a few drive-bys. We'd get ourselves in squirrel country - an area I know is infested with those little critters - and start driving slowly, looking for an opportunity to strike. When she or I saw one, I'd pull over, lower the window, and she'd shoot off.

Incidentally, she has never nailed a squirrel. But she's been pissed on by skunks three times over the years.

Time to start walking again.

State Prison Going to the Dogs?

Pennsylvania's State Prison system is quite literally going to the dogs, but for a good reason. A dog training program is being introduced at Hautzdale SCI in December, and another program is under way at Pine Grove. The Labs, who sleep in a cell with their training partners, are trained at the prisons for about 18 months, are mostly used to assist people with mobility issues.

Updated: Rescuing Man's Best Friend on 22

I have my grandson's dog this weekend as he plays in a tournament in West Virginia. I picked Suki up about 5 pm, and began heading east on 22. It was hot and muggy, the kind of day when tempers flare up on the roads, especially when they are trying to get home after a long work week. But instead, I saw mankind at its best.

Near the Schoenersville Rd exit, traffic had slowed to a crawl. I soon saw why. A dog was running along the berm of the road, going full speed. It appeared to be terrified.

I would later learn that the poor dog, a cock-a-poo named Nestle, had jumped out of the window of someone's car as traffic had come to a crawl.

Instead of whizzing by, one fellow in a late model sports car got on to the berm, put his flashers on, and drove slowly behind the dog. Another fellow pulled over some distance ahead. And one man in the right lane next to the berm leaped out of his car while it was still moving and rescued the dog. I'll never know how or if he got back to his car, which was obviously a manual transmission.

At least three people risked their lives to save this god. The owner put out an alert on Facebook and was reunited with his dog early this morning.

Maybe there's hope for us after all.

(Updated from an earlier version of his story, which published last night at 10:55 pm. Because he and his dog have been reunited, I am not posting the name of the owner).

State Dog Warden May Be Knocking at Your Door

If you live in Palmer Township, you may have been visited by state dog warden Kathy Andrews this week. She's been canvassing neighborhoods to make sure that, if you have a dog, it is both licensed and up to date on its rabies vaccinations. I spoke with her today, as she made her rounds. She told me mst people aren't home, but in the places where people have answered the door, "We've had pretty good compliance."

It's something she'll be doing the rest of the year. Next week, she plans to visit Forks Township. She is also planning visits to Bethlehem and Bethlehem Township.

"It would be so much easier if Northampton County was computerized," she complained, indicating that most counties permit people to license their dogs online. She went on to explain that the state even offered to install online capabilities free of charge.

Andrews told me people who have no license for their pets are given cards to send back to her once their dogs are licensed. If they fail, they could be cited and face a fine of up to $300.

Every dog canine over the age of three months must be licensed. For a neutered male or spayed female dog, it's $6.50. For all others, it's $8.50. Disabled Pennsylvanians and seniors citizens get a $2 discount per dog registration. You casn also buy a lifetime license.

In Northampton County, you can get a license at the courthouse, centalized human services building,  Center For Animal Health and Welfare, Sandy King's Pet Supplies in Easton, Affordable Pet Center in Northampton, AVH Veterinary Group in Pen Argyl, Neighbors Home and Garden Center in Hellertown, Super Petz and Canine Grooming Shoppe in Bethlehem, and Mike's Bait and Sport Shop in Nazareth.

Because there is no online capability, the Revenue Division at the courthouse has been swamped with applications.

Fergus McCarthy Competing at Westminster!

Fergus McCarthy is one smart little Glen of Imaal Terrier. Not only does he provide security at Bethlehem's Donegal Square, but like most Irishmen, he's very good at smelling out a rat. So good that he's won several competitions and is one of very few terriers from this side of the Atlantic who has been selected to compete at Westminster.

Like most Irishmen, he likes to talk, too, and this is what he has to say about his upcoming trip.

So, I am in Westmnster!!!! My dad, a/k/a Neville Gardner, is my handler! I'm sure every chick interested in me will be trying to look up his kilt first! OMG! Can u imagine? They won't be paying attention to me in the ring but will be screaming "Whats worn under the kilt?" So my dad, instead of making sure my private parts are lined up on the table, will be doing the Queen's wave to the spectators! Lehighvalleylive didn't interview us yet, but I'm here, in Bethlehem, and here is my Public Relations pre-Westminster event."

Join me at Donegal Square, 534 Main Street, Bethlehem PA from 2-4 PM on Feb 14 and mention me and get 30% off any one knitwear item, blanket, wool accessory item or ask me and I'll fill u in on what's covered! I'll be there , and I'm hoping my sister AOIFE ( a champion going to Westminster too!) Will be there too!

We will do Paw Prints, but real autographs may be difficult! Poor CORMAC and FINN will be staying home this time! CORMAC is a bt ADHD and FINN really wanted to go, but The Woman Betsy can only handle one at a time!

See you Saturday 2-4 PM at Donegal Square, 534 Main, Bethlehem and again-on the USA Network Tuesday night! Check it out!

Suki the Devil Dog

Right now, I should be telling you about Hanover Township's meeting last night, but I'm dog tired. The reason I'm dog tired is because I'm watching one. My grandson is on vacation for a few days and I was asked to keep Suki. I think I'm her favorite person, next to Dat and his Mom.

He's had her for seven years, since she was a pup.

She's a Jack-a-Poo, called the Captain Danger of Designer Dogs. She's half toy poodle, which gives her the sweetest disposition you'll ever see. But she's also half Jack Russell Terrier, which makes her insane. When people see her, they fall in love at how cute and cuddly she is, but she is a devil dog. With a smile.

She doesn't think she's small,by the way. In a dog park, she's not happy unless she's with the pit bulls and Rottweilers.

For the past four weeks, I've been walking and even running every day, trying to get into shape for S-Day. I was up to 3 miles last week, and feeling pretty good. It was not enough time.

When Suki is with Dat, she becomes the great athlete. Dat is always playing ball. If he's playing baseball, she thinks nothing of running into the outfield to get a fly ball and run it in to home. Sometimes. Other times, she just keeps going.

When Dat is playing football, she becomes a linebacker. Dat shouts "Down" and she starts growling. Then when the ball is snapped to him and he starts running, she tackles him mercilessly. He's pretty elusive on a football field, but not with her. She jumps and starts nipping his ass until he falls down laughing. But it does not stop there. She then tries, and sometimes succeeds, in taking his pants off and running off.

Dat has become a basketball player by default because that's one ball too big for her mouth.

When she's with me, it's a hunting trip. She loses all interest in football and baseball and becomes the Great Hunter. The last thing she wants to do is actually catch something, but she loves to corner it and bark away. She's been nailed by a skunk three times over the last seven years.

Always with me.

On Saturday, her first day with me, she managed to go swimming twice in various creeks and walked four miles. On Sunday, it was six miles, during which she went after three ground hogs. On Monday, she managed to figure a way under the fence at Essroc and went right into the quarry. I could hear all kinds of racket going back and forth, but she eventually emerged, very pleased with herself. Yesterday, I couldn't get up I was so damn tired. She eventually got me up by sitting on my face. She went easy on me. Four and a half miles.

Every night, when I go to bed, she has to jump in there with me. Then she takes the covers. Also, she drops these deadly farts that should be bottled and sold to the Defense Department.

Tomorrow, when I walk her, all kinds of little kids will stop and pet her. And because she is sweet, she will give each one of them a kiss. She does it to the senior ladies who sit on Mauch Chunk Street in Nazareth, too. She basks as they tell her how cute she is. Last night, the ladies yelled at me for not feeding her enough, which she must have loved hearing.

Suki has been eating chicken, steak, hamburger, hot dog, Vienna sausages and spam. She refuses to eat dig food when with me.

Don't be fooled by her small body and little smile. She's a Devil Dog. It is 11 pm, and she's ready for another walk.

Should Dogs Be Allowed in Township Parks?

Jim Cieslak displays one of his empty poop bags

Should dogs be allowed in municipal parks? According to The American Humane Association, there are 70-78 million dogs in the United States. Fifty-six per cent of them are obese. But Bethlehem Township Commissioners are unwilling to relax their ban. In April, Karen Berry argued without success that dogs should be allowed at Housenick Park. At the Board's May 5 meeting, Jim Cieslak failed, too. He asked for some leeway on walking dogs through the community park.

"How can I walk my dog from Pheasant Court to the industrial park without going through the Township park?" he asked, noting that he walks along the treeline and away from athletic fields. He's received several warnings from police officers over the years, although he's never been cited.

"We can't tell police not to stop you," responded President Martin Zawarski. Commissioner Michael Hudak suggested that Cieslak walk his dog at St. Luke's Hospital, which is where he sometimes walks his.

"I'm a responsible dog owner," stated Cieslak, producing one of the blue poop bags he carries with him at all times for his pit bull mix Jaxson. "He's the most friendly dog you'd ever want to meet," Cieslak assured everyone.

Though Commissioners were unsympathetic, Cieslak pledged to continue.

"I'm going to walk my dog," he insisted, in an act of both civil and canine disobedience.

Police Chief Dan Pancoast, who also attended the meeting, said later that the last thing any officer wants to do is to cite a dog owner. Cieslak himself conceded that the same officer has given him a warning twice instead of citing him.

Commissioners are just getting used to the idea of people in parks, so I think they need more time. When these issues arise, I think back to my childhood. We used to spend our Summers at the Jersey shore. We had a big German Shepherd named Duke. My father, bastard that he was, used to walk the dog along the beach every morning in clear violation of numerous signs banning them from the beach. The Bishop had a gigantic house at he beach, too, right next to the beach, and early one morning, spotted my Dad breaking the law.

"Sir, sir, you're not allowed to walk your dog on the beach," he called out.

"Ahhh, go tend your flock!" my father replied.

To The Vet

Do we have to go?

A friend snapped these on her cell. I loved them, and she gave me permission to use them. The dark pup is just 10 weeks old.

Whitehall's Going to the Dogs!

Every morning and night, I see a group of ladies promenading up on down Main Street, Broad Street and just about every other street. Who are these streetwalkers?

They are professionals, but not that kind. They're professional dog walkers, and this is their busy time of the year, believe it or not. One of them explained it's always busier when school is out because mom and dad are busy kid walking their children to dance classes, swimming pools and baseball.

Whitehall's Christine Chiu is a professional pet sitter with No Worries Pet Sitting, whose territory covers the entire Lehigh Valley. Its services even includes pet jogging.

Maybe I should sign up.

As you can see above, Christine is organizing a pet parade in Whitehall on September 29. It even includes a Bow-Wow wedding.

I know, from previous posts, that many of you are dog lovers. So I thought I'd give you a early head's up on what promises to be a fun day.

My Running Partner

I ran 8 miles on the Nor-Bath Trail today. Think that's good? My running partner, a girl, went at least 80 miles to my 8 and wants to go out again.

Her name is Suki. She's a Jack-a-Poo, the Captain Danger of Designer Dogs. In today's foray, she nearly nailed 6 squirrels, 4 rabbits and 2 ground hogs. She also kissed at least 1,000 people.

I'm watching her this weekend.

She's the one who got me back into walking and running again, a little over a year ago.

Lehigh County Comm'rs Go to the Dogs

Deputy Sherry Hanley and Eli, partners who like each other.

On December 21, their final night of business of the year, Lehigh County Commissioners took a moment to recognize Deputy Sheriff Sherry Hanley and Eli, her 12 year old Belgian sheepdog.

Eli is one of the few surviving therapy dogs who helped first responders at Ground Zero after the 9/11 attacks. He and Deputy Hanley have since assisted in "Angel on a Leash," providing therapy at children's hospitals, and the "Wounded Warrior Project," helping wounded vets make the transition back to civilian life. Eli was named Therapy Dog Ambassador at the 2011 Purina National Dog Show and is the sole canine recipient of a lifetime achievement award from the American Kennel Club. He's even been on NBC's Today Show. But last night's resolution, recognizing Eli, is Eli's biggest honor to date, at least according to Lehigh County Commissioners.

Eli declined comment.

Eli comforts Dean Browning

George of the Sinkhole Back Home

On Monday afternoon and evening, rescue workers from all over the Lehigh Valley converged on a small Bethlehem Township property to save the life of a 16-year old Chocolate Lab named George. When he was finally pulled out at 10 PM, George was on a stretcher, but I could see his head looking around, as if to ask, "What the hell is going on?"

I finally caught up with George on Thursday afternoon. He's back home.

"He looked like a dirty, old furry bear when they pulled him out," laughed owner Dan Kerry.

Kenny noted that Dr. Cummings, who spent hours waiting for George beside the sinkhole, refused to charge for his house call. "For that I am very grateful, and so is George."

He also called George a "reluctant hero." You see, the Kerrys' grandchildren, ages 2-16, will be visiting next week, and it could have been one of them who slipped into a sinkhole.

"George unknowingly made everything safe for everyone."

But he will likely be treading lightly in the back yard for the next few days.

Regional Effort Rescues Chocolate Lab From Bethlehem Tp Sinkhole

We've all read countless stories about the selfless love dogs show for us, whether it is digging through a mound of snow to rescue a trapped child, swimming through perilous waters to rescue a drowning person, or even dialing a pre-programmed number when its owner suffers a seizure. But those roles were reversed on August 22 in Bethlehem Township, where fire departments and emergency squads converged from all over the Lehigh Valley. In an impressive display of regionalism, they worked together to save the life of George, a 16-year old Chocolate Lab who was trapped in a sinkhole. A dog may be man's greatest friend, but man is a dog's greatest friend, too.

This story started around 2 PM, when Caroline Kenny, of 4590 William Penn Highway, let George out into the back yard to take care of business. She turned her head away for a moment, and when she looked again, George was gone. He had been swallowed up by a sinkhole that suddenly opened up in her back yard. She could still hear him barking, but he was unable to get out.

When Kenny called 911, it soon became apparent that George was in serious trouble. Not only had he fallen into a sinkhole, but was actually wedged into a crevice, with his front paws dangling into an even deeper hole. He was stuck, head first, and was unable to use his front paws to dig his way out.

What made things very challenging to rescue officials was that there was an old cistern inside the sink hole, and the ground was unsteady. Anyone who went in there was exposing himself to the danger of a sudden collapse.

Despite this obvious danger, fire departments and emergency officials, from Catasauqua to Emmaus, arrived to help. John Kalynych, coordinator of Lehigh County Special Operations, assumed command. His group specializes in technical rescues, whether it is trenches, high angle, confined spaces, hazardous materials or animal rescue. His group is made up of volunteers who are paid a nominal fee when placed on call. "It ain't putting food on the table," he told a group of reporters after it was all over.

A backhoe, on loan from the sewer authority, dug a deep hole next to the sinkhole. After that, emergency responders were connected to lifelines and descended into the depths to dig and get closer to George, whose barks were growing fainter over the eight hours he spent trapped.

Lumber was needed to shore up the cavern, and a Bethlehem Township firefighter went to nearby Lowe's to pick up a supply. Although he told the store it was an emergency, he was forced to pay $220 for the wood, out of his own pocket.

Aside from that one negative display by a supposed corporate neighbor, firefighters and emergency personnel worked together with no parochialism. EMS officials from Allentown, who have special training in treating victims of cave-ins, were on hand in the event that the dirt caved in around rescuers. Palmer Township's ladder truck was used to run safety lines. All departments brought spotlights.

Dr. Clifford Cummings

Dr. Clifford Cummings, a veterinarian with an animal hospital on nearby Church Road, was there as well, and even tried entering the sinkhole himself until he was stopped by emergency officials.

Who was the man on point, the one taking the biggest risk? The smallest? "The craziest," responded a Palmer Township firefighter.

That man was Special Ops Team member Shawn Lubenetski, age 35, who is well over 6' tall. He finally got to George after six hours. A Lehigh Township resident, Lubenetski owns three dogs himself, and was able to lift George and pull his front paws from the ledge. After that, the lab did a lot of the digging himself, and things finished quickly.

Shawn Lubenetski

After it was all over, Special Ops coordinator dubbed Lubenetski "Dr. Doolittle." Over slices of cold pizza, he explained that Lubenetski once went 80' to rescue a cat, and has even rescued ducks.

Bethlehem Township Manager Howard Kutzler, who was on hand with emergency personnel, stated sinkholes are a common problem in Bethlehem Township, especially after a heavy rain, because it erodes the limestone under the surface.

As for George, he's resting comfortably at Dr. Cummings animal hospital, and is probably wondering what he did wrong.

George being carried away

Slideshow of George's Rescue:

Noon Update: George Doing Well, Says Vet! - Dr. Cliff Cummings reports that George is doing well, is eating, and went for a nice walk this morning. "He is one lucky dog!" remarked the vet, who marveled at the dedication shown by LV emergency responders from Bethlehem Township and beyond.   

Have You Seen Katie?

Not long ago, I went through a "missing dog" crisis with my grandson. Fortunately, it only lasted two days. But Vica Shparber, whose BlackForest Deli & Catering is among the Lehigh Valley's best, has a dog that ran away over two weeks ago. What's worse, it's her brother's dog.

Her name is Katie. She's an Alaskan Malamute who ran off on Dec 4th in the Kempton area. She's a large dog, about 125 lbs, with white and gray colors.

If you have any information, you can call Vica at 973-715-3899.

Pit Bulls No Longer Featured in Mafia Wars

It's been months since I've played Facebook's popular Mafia Wars. Apparently, they intended to introduce virtual pit bulls as a new class of weapon, but had second thoughts after the virtual Mafiosos objected, as noted in this recent blog from Change.

I was unaware "that pit bulls consistently pass standardized temperament tests with flying colors, several points above the average score for all breeds. Pit bulls across the country also work as therapy dogs, including many who had been abused or previously owned by dog fighters."

Apparently, the real bastards are those damn Dachshunds. My Dad had one, named Ursula, who hated everyone but him. Once, Judge Hogan dropped by and Ursula decided to be nice to him. He was petting her, and she was wagging her little tail. Little did he know she was just luring him in. The second he turned his back on her, she bit him right in the ass, tearing a nice hole in his trousers.

IronPigs Going to the Dogs, Too!

As a pup, my grandson's dog once disrupted a college baseball game between Lehigh and the Naval Academy. Fortunately, she never made it past the dug out. But things got worse that very same day during a lacrosse game. She broke off the leash, ran into the middle of the field, stole the ball and made her getaway by jumping across a small stream. I still have that ball.

Now she gets a chance to display her talents for the Porkers and is taking fly balls every night. Scouts will almost certainly sign her.

All proceeds from dog ticket sales will benefit the Center for Animal Health and Welfare.

Lehigh County Comm'r Bill Leiner is Going to the Dogs

Lehigh County Commissioner Bill Leiner is upset. Here's why. "The State of Pennsylvania holds a disgraceful circumstance that must end. It will only end with your support. We are one of the states with the largest number of 'puppy mills'. These are disgraceful business enterprises where dogs - mostly female - are grossly, inhumanely treated for profit. The principle purpose is to crank out as many puppies as possible for sale to Pet Stores. These female dogs are made to have successive litters without regard to their health. They are not allowed out of cages, not walked, receive no veterinary care, and are forced to live in the midst of their own waste. It is unspeakable cruelty."

PaCashCrop backs up Bill completely. Some of the practices mentioned, from denying food and water to puppies too old for sale, to killing mothers who can no longer bear litters, make Michael Vick look humane. Some of the mothers are "de-barked" with steel pipes, their back teeth cracked, their jaws broken. Other dogs have scars from undergoing more than a dozen Cesarean sections, all performed without anesthesia by commercial dog breeders, who are generally farmers unqualified to perform such surgeries.

Dead bodies are used as fertilizer. So is dog feces, even though it often contains parasitic worms and dangerous bacteria.

Mmm' mmm' good. At least it's organic.

When you promenade at the mall's pet stores after eating some nice corn on the cob, fertilized by dead dogs and their shit, you get to see those cute little puppies. There's a 99% chance that those pups come from one of those puppy mills.

Bill points to five bills currently pending in Harrisburg that will end all this inhumanity and make the world right as rain. Maybe one of them will even pass in the next thousand years or so. I have links to them at the end of this post. If you actually look at who is sponsoring these bills, they appear to enjoy bipartisan support from our local delegation. It's hard to believe anyone could oppose this.

But legislation is only part of the answer. This problem will persist unless we stop creating a demand. The best way to do that is to use local shelters and rescue organizations.

Pending Legislation:

HB 2525, amending The Dog Law, BEYER, DALLY, FREEMAN, GRUCELA, MANN, MANTZ, SAMUELSON, BRENNAN, REICHLEY - referred to Agriculture and Rural Affairs, 5/13/08.

HB 499, criminal penalties for animal cruelty, FREEMAN, REICHLEY, MANN, BRENNAN, DALLY, GRUCELA, BEYER - Referred to JUDICIARY, Feb. 26, 2007.

HB 2532, criminal animal cruelty, BEYER, BRENNAN, GRUCELA, SAMUELSON, DALLY, MANN - Referred to JUDICIARY, May 14, 2008.

HB 1065, defining criminal animal cruelty, BRENNAN, REICHLEY, FREEMAN, GRUCELA, HARHART, BEYER - Re-committed to APPROPRIATIONS, Oct. 15, 2007.

HB 1926, defining criminal animal cruelty, BEYER, BRENNAN, DALLY, FREEMAN, GRUCELA, MANN, REICHLEY - Re-referred to JUDICIARY, Jan. 14, 2008.