I’ve always thought Hilary Swank was an amazing actress, now I know she’s also a great person.  Swank is the owner of two rescues, Karoo and Rumi, and according to USA Today she is the new face of Iams “Home 4 the Holidays” pet adoption drive with the Helen Woodward Animal Center.

Their goal in the campaign, which runs until Jan. 4, is to find homes for 1.5 million pets. I posted about their adoption drive last year, they not only met their goal, they exceeded it. One Million Eighty-Eight Thousand, Five Hundred and Six Pets found forever homes last year thanks to Iams ‘Home 4 the Holidays.’

*Photos courtesy Timothy A. Clary, AFP/Getty Images

]]> http://dogblog.dogster.com/2009/10/22/rescues-get-swanky-new-diggs/feed/ 2 http://dogblog.dogster.com/2009/10/08/dalmatians-musical-stars-shelter-dogs/ http://dogblog.dogster.com/2009/10/08/dalmatians-musical-stars-shelter-dogs/#comments Thu, 08 Oct 2009 14:47:10 +0000 Horst Hoefinger http://dogblog.dogster.com/?p=23192

This is the perfect story to go along with American Humane’s Adopt-A-Dog Month.  There is a new ‘101 Dalmatians’ musical starring shelter dogs, rescued from various shelters and rescue groups.

Animal trainer Joel Slaven didn’t have an easy time finding the dogs because shelters didn’t want a replay of what happened 13 years ago. After the original live action movie in 1996 and the sequel in 2000 dalmatians became the ‘it’ dog. Everyone had to have one, unfortunately many who adopted knew nothing about the needs of this particular breed. The other unwanted outcome was overbreeding at puppy mills due to the high demand, causing additional health problems in a dog that is already known to have issues.

This time Slaven was determined to do things different, to use the dogs’ celebrity to teach people about them. To let potential adopters know that when you adopt a dog you aren’t just adopting a cute fuzzy face. You are adopting a family member who is going to require training, love, and patience. Along with the medical expenses that come with dog ownership.

Here are the details from the Associated Press.

Now that they are on the road, the dogs have two rehearsals, playtime in the afternoon, grooming sessions and, of course, media appearances.

Rascal, along with the 14 other dogs, will need to find permanent owners after the tour, which is slated to run through at least June. However, Slaven, who already has two yellow Labrador retrievers, has committed to bringing back to his ranch any dogs who don’t find a home.

Until then, “home” is the bus. Kennels line one side (with living quarters in the rear for two full-time trainers), with a pet-care area for bathing and grooming. An awning pops up alongside the vehicle for shade and there are attachable pens for outside time.

Thanks to Slaven it looks like these dogs will all have good homes. Let’s just hope this time around people who watch the musical and fall in love with those adorable faces on stage will know adopting a dog is a lifetime commitment filled with responsibility, and it doesn’t end when it is no longer convenient for you.

* Photos courtesy AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack

Although no official wedding date has been set it’s nice to know they want to include their furry friends.

Here’s the scoop from People.

Splash, my alpha, will be the ring bearer,” Moyer said at the L.A. Dogworks and Good Dog Animal Rescue fund raiser on Wednesday. “My son [Billy, born in 2000] might be unhappy about that.”

But Splash, a 10-year-old border collie Moyer calls “a grumpy little sod,” won’t have to worry about getting fitted for a tux quite yet. Moyer, 39, and Paquin, 27 – who spent nearly the entire event holding hands – haven’t set a date yet.

Even if you don’t watch the show you’ll like these two because both volunteer their time to help out the  Good Dog Animal Rescue.

The rescue  helps sick, injured, and abused dogs. They take the “unwanted” and find them loving forever homes. You can buy one of their  cool “I RESCUED MY BEST FRIEND” t-shirts to help support them.

Pictured is Anna Paquin with her best bud at a Good Dog Animal Rescue fundraiser, you can see she’s wearing one of their tees.

Ginger, her one-year-old Maltese, is now sporting a blue and orange hairstyle. O’Day claims her dog likes being different colors and that she doesn’t use anything without it being vet approved.

“She likes to have looks,” O’Day, 25, tells Usmagazine.com. “It actually seems like such a taboo weird thing nowadays, but if you research online, you will see a whole underworld of dogs who are dyed.”

She says she changes her dog’s appearance “for different occasions,” revealing that she recently dyed the pup green because, O’Day says, she “loves the [Boston] Celtics.”

O’Day dyes Ginger’s hair while she’s asleep, so that way it’s “hassle-free.”  Interesting, I thought the dog likes it. I suspect she dyes Ginger’s hair as a way to bring attention to herself and because she likes it.

What do you think, is it alright to dye your dog?  Would you ever do it?  Give me a bark.

* Photo courtesy Corrigan/Getty

I just received sad news about the Osbourne’s beloved dog Little Bit, he was attacked and killed by a coyote.

Here’s the story from Peoplepets.com.

It’s a gloomy day for the Prince of Darkness: the U.K.’s Telegraph is reporting that Ozzy Osbourne’s Pomeranian, Little Bit, was eaten by a coyote at his family’s Los Angeles home on Tuesday. The rocker and wife Sharon were apparently watching the Michael Jackson tribute on television and couldn’t hear their dog’s yelps as he was attacked in the backyard, said the report.

Daughter Kelly Osbourne took to Twitter on Wednesday and wrote that her father is “devastated…she was his other women![sic].” The attack reportedly prompted authorities in the Los Angeles area to issue a warning about coyote attacks, saying, “Wild animals are opportunistic, and coyotes fit this mold very well.”

Our condolences to the Osbourne family.

* Pic courtesy Chad Buchanan/Getty

Dean Koontz who is a well-known bestselling author isn’t the only writer in the family, meet Trixie, his beloved golden retriever.

The great thing about Trixie’s books are all the proceeds go to  Canine Companions for Independence,  they provide highly-trained assistance dogs for children and adults with disabilities, free of charge.

Trixie and Dean Koontz are proud to announce a  special line of products based on “Bliss to You, Trixie’s Guide to a Happy Life.”  The items are going to be available at PetSmart now through August and all the proceeds will once again go to Canine Companions for Independence.

NEWPORT BEACH, CA–(Marketwire – June 30, 2009) – Trixie, bestselling author Dean Koontz’s beloved golden retriever, was more than a dog — she was an inspiration. And like all good inspirations, they are best when shared. To celebrate Trixie’s life, legacy and magic, a new line of pet products has been created to inspire all that is loved by pets and their owners while doing good for service dogs. The line Good Dog: Trixie Koontz^TM will launch July 1, 2009 in PetSmart stores.

Dean commented, “Trixie was not only a wonderful dog and an endlessly amusing companion. She was also an inspiration who changed my life. I delight in watching her little empire grow, knowing that every dime she earns is going to pay the catastrophic veterinary bills of the canine companions of people with severe disabilities and to provide assistance dogs for those who need them. My little dog is throwing a long shadow.”

Available items celebrate Trixie’s wit and wisdom and include:

* Butterfly toys, plush bones, disks and rope tugs to play with dogs.

* “Bliss You” and “Laugh ’til Your Face Hurts” tanks for a carefree style.

* Stationery and specialty gifts such as coffee mugs, photo frames, key chains, journals and pens.

A big kudos to Dean and Trixie Koontz for their generosity, thanks to them CCI will be able to provide even more service dogs to help those with disabilities.

American Idol castoff Scott MacIntyre has a new idol, Paula Abdul. MacIntyre may not have made it into the final three but he’s about to receive something  even better than being named the next American Idol.

The singer who got booted from the show five weeks ago is visually challenged, although not completely blind.Thanks to the generosity of Abdul he is going to receive a guide dog.

Scott walked-or “test drove” as he joked-two of the organization’s Labrador retrievers on Friday, but he won’t get his dog until after the American Idol tour ends on Sept. 15. At that time, he’ll get matched up with the right pooch for him and go through a 28-day training process. “We have to find a dog that really likes loud music,” joked Paula.

Scott, who was lured to the event under the false pretense that he was there to sing, was quite surprised to learn the truth…

“Are you serious? Thank you so much,” Scott told Paula at the event, which was in honor of May being National Guide Dog Month and cosponsored by Natural Balance Pet Foods and Petco.

Watch the clip of Paula and Scott now–

What a great gesture on the part of Paula Abdul.

* Couldn’t you see yourself adopting Gus? He’s a gorgeous 2-year-old in need of a forever home.

As most of you know Bea Arthur passed away recently, but you may not have known was she was an animal rights advocate.

The animal protection community lost a wonderful advocate and generous philanthropist last week, when Bea Arthur passed away. Since the 80’s Arthur has lent her fame to a number of animal welfare causes. She advocated against wearing fur, gave her support to a campaign against KFC, became a spokesperson for the effort to end horse abuse in the production of premarin, and she raised significant amounts of funds for charity. To acknowledge her many contributions over her lifetime, PETA made her an honorary director.

Getting Involved:
Bea became involved in animal issues in 1987, after recording an anti-fur episode of Golden Girls. She soon became a member of PETA. She said, “at one time I used to wear fur. It never entered my mind how fur got to be fur. I just thought you go to the store and you get a fur coat. It wasn’t until later that I said, I can’t do this. This is obscene.”

Bea’s Advice:
Here’s what the sassy actress had to say to people who want to do something for animals: “get involved at ground level. Start by neutering and spaying animals. You begin by just being aware and just do what you can. Just pick up the goddamn newspaper everyday and read something and find out what’s happening. And do something about it. Or try to do something about it.”

I don’t think you’ll find better advice than Bea Arthur’s.  I have no doubt her death will leave a big void in the animal welfare community.

R.I.P.

Jennifer Hudson is well-known for being a talented singer and actress, now she has more thing to add to her resume, dog lover.

Hudson who recently got engaged has announced during an interview that she would like to have her dogs in the wedding.

Jennifer Hudson has revealed what will be the most important part of her wedding day – her beloved pet dogs.

Speaking to Access Hollywood, the Spotlight hitmaker said she wants her prized pooches to have an active role in the nuptials.

She dished, “I want my dogs to be in my wedding, I am so serious.

“Oscar might be the ring bearer. We’ll send them down the aisle with a little tux or something, a little dress.”

In one article I read Hudson told reporters that she was laughed at when she said she wanted her pups to be in the wedding. Are there any Dogsters that would include their dogs in the wedding?  Has anyone already done so?  Give me a bark.

* Pic courtesy Showbizspy.com