I want to be a mascot

Every year the Humane Society sponsors an event in St. Louis called Bark in the Park. It happens in Forest Park which is the main greenspace on the west side of the city. My human tells me that this park has a lot of history too. It was the location of the 1904 World's Fair - but that wasn't so good for us canines- the fact is, a lot of us dogs got eaten during that fair which is one of the explanations for how the neighborhood known as Dogtown got its name. The 1904 Olympics were at Forest Park too. The police horses live there and the zoo is there too so lots of animals call the place home today including the occasional homeless dog and cat. Anyway, there's a contest for the mascot of the 2007 Bark in the Park contest and I just entered. So, if I make the next cut, I'll be hoping you'll vote for MEEEEEE!! I'll keep you posted. By the way, I'm still looking for letters from or about classroom animals to feature them in the December edition of K9 Lives Monthly.
Respectfully Submitted,
Saxby

Vegan Lions?????

This puma lives in a Chilean zoo that feeds its carnivores meat. My human's friend, Napoleon's human, got to pet the puma before some other person took this picture. It is a good thing that this puma does not live in a certain zoo in China. Let me tell you why I feel so strongly about this. Every so often my human runs out of the food that I know and love and I get fed some other brand- but, at least it is dog food. What I would do if my human decided to eliminate meat from my diet because some animal nutritionist decided that vegetarian dogs would be healthier, I cannot say! Imagine attempting to make vegan dogs! Not this dog! Never! It isn't such a far-fetched fear, either. Today chinadaily.com reported that the lions, tigers, and other carnivorous animals at the Guangzhou Zoo are being switched over to a vegetarian diet on the advice of some animal nutritionists- for their health! Hmm. When the animals get listless and their fur starts to fall out, will the humans change their approach again? Or, will the animals just decide that zookeeper meat is better than no meat- I wouldn't want to be the one in those cages holding the bowl of lettuce.
Respectfully submitted,
Saxby

Olympic Search and Rescue Dogs

In 2008 the Olympic Games will be in Beijing, China. Many projects in that city are being done to get ready to host the whole world there. Even the Chinese dogs are being drafted to help with the event. A whole team of dogs has been recruited and now they are being trained to search for and rescue humans if they needed it. This morning, the BBC News showed pictures on television of dogs climbing huge steps like some high-rise staircase. Other dogs had to climb up a vertical chain link fence- my human had a dog who could do that about 20 years ago, I'm told. Other dogs had to jump through a ring of fire. I don't think I could do that! What if my tail dragged its fur through the flame. Ouch! It takes 60 days for the dogs to be trained well enough to partner with a human team of fire fighters according to the October 16 edition of newkerala.com. I'm impressed and it makes my canine heart go pit-pat with pride as I learn about the talent and the dedication of my species. Are you a pet with a special talent? Let's hear about it on this blog.
Respectfully Submitted,
Saxby

Of chipmunks and penguins

I spent the morning on guard at the den door while a large rusty colored chipmunk passed back and forth in front of the glass. On the trip east he scurried quickly, but on the return trip west he periodically paused to assure himself that no preditors were enroute. In his mouth he carried a large brown acorn. My curiosity was marginal, a protective, nurturing impulse quite unlike the wild arousal a larger more toothsome squirrel engenders in me. It made me think about the Maremma dog who has been assigned guard duty on the Warrnambool's Middle Island, which is located in Victoria, Australia. Not only is the Maremma's promotion a privilege and an honor, it should prevent strays and foxes from preying on the local penguins and shearwater birds during the mating season. As long as the Maremma feels towards the birds as I do towards the chipmunk, all will be well. Assuming that the Maremma acquits himself successfully, without a hint of feathers on his muzzle, a puppy will be specially trained to take over full time so that the penguin population can increase from its dwindling current density of 29 members. I wish him well and only hope that his duty does not cause him to fall into disrepute among the local canine leadership.
Respectfully Submitted,
Saxby