I know, I've really been bad at updating this site. But now I have good reason. After kicking around some ideas over the last few months, I've finally started research on a book I'm planning to write. As of now, there isn't much to tell, but I hope to post updates when I have something to post. In the meantime, love your pets and each other!

This is Miss Pigpen and her biggest fan, Muriel. Miss Piggy visits a memory care facility three times a week and brightens the day for many of the residents.

Butter, my corn snake, has been on the loose for a couple of weeks now. I figured she would come out when the opportunity presents itself. That's if Mulan doesn't eat her first. I've got to give Butter her props though, she is a damn smart snake. I guess you have to be, to survive with no arms or legs amidst seven dogs.

For ease of cleaning and refilling, I keep the dog's water bucket next to the bathtub. Each day I dump it, clean it and then refill it while waiting for the water to warm up for my shower. See? Also a way to conserve water! I'm green like that. Today, I did that and by the time I stepped out of the shower, Butter had come out, pooped on the mat by the bucket and disappeared again. All told, about 5 minutes. She must have surfaced for a drink.

It's nice to know she's is alive and well and resourceful, but I would prefer she settle back into her climate controlled tank. I'm not leaving mice-icles around the house in order to tempt her into the open. The standards around here may not be high, but we have them. So from Butter Escape News Network, that is all.

I've been a bit of a slacker about updates lately. In all likelihood I am probably writing this entry for an audience of zero. But, I'm giving it a shot!

A couple of weeks ago, Miss Piggy and I flew out to Kansas City, MO and visited my cousin, Kim, and her adorable little girl, Emily. For the sake of ease I just call Emily my niece. That whole "second cousin twice removed only during a leap year and a full moon," is way too complicated. Even kids that aren't related to me call me "Aunt Traci." I've got the "dotty old spinster aunt" market cornered.

I was able to get a non-stop flight to KC from San Francisco, which is a huge bonus when traveling with a dog. The fewer takeoffs and landings, the better. Miss Piggy didn't enjoy the last trip we took together, so this time, I booked a non-stop and drugged her.

When we arrived at the airport, AKA "Lowest Level of Hell," the security screening line was out the door. I was told by the booking autmaton to go to the gate first, since I was traveling with a service dog. After 30 minutes of close quarters contact with the masses during a flu epidemic I was ready to melt down. Once I got to the front of the line I was told I had to go to the desk and check in there. No boarding pass, no gate. Ugh.

Back to square one. At the desk, I was checked in by an employee with a major airline (AA). The airline I was flying contracted them to handle checkins at SFO. I'm pretty sure they are also contracted to handle interrogations at Guantanamo Bay. I travel with a service dog, but this guy needed to see a note from my doctor, a blood sample and an affidavit from Angelina Jolie. Apparently, dog show maniacs put service dog vests on Princess Fluffybutt von Thurston Howell III, to avoid putting their precious snowflake in the cargo hold. Thanks guys. Way to go.

After educating him on the finer points of the ADA and Federal Law, he reluctantly issued my boarding pass, charged me $20 to check a bag, and set me free to wait in a now even longer security line. Joy.

Fortunately, this time TSA didn't need to strip search Miss Piggy, and off we went to our gate. Miss Piggy was doing great, the medication didn't seem to be causing any issues and I looked forward to a relatively uneventful flight.

Spoke too soon.

As soon as the airplane engines started, Miss Piggy went into freak mode. I gave her another pill but, no real effect was achieved. I won't bore you with the details. Anyway, we landed, I got lost in the airport, Miss Piggy survived the flight and we made it back to my cousin's place in one piece.

Phew! Then 3 days later we did it all again in reverse.

And people wonder why I'm so crazy...

One thing I love about this time of year is fresh local produce. I grow my own tree fruit, but veggies tend to die the "Death Of A Thousand Leg Lifts" in my garden. Despite every attempt to secure the garden fence, they still get through. And the gophers? I give up.

Fortunately, many of my clients have home gardens. This is a time of year when people take longer than usual vacations, so I typically find a note saying, "Help yourself to the garden." NOM NOM NOM! Vine ripened tomatoes are so good I eat them like apples. Yesterday, I brought home tomatoes and basil. A touch of olive oil and balsamic vinegar and dinner is served.

While most people are sneaking out at night to dump zucchini on their neighbors lawns, I am gladly helping myself. Feel free to call if you have any in need of a good home. I'm also happy to take any lemon cucumbers, crookneck squash or other prolific produce. No soybeans or corn please. I can't afford to get sued by Monsanto.

Happy Harvest everyone!

It's up! Visit our website at StanSpay.org.

Probably wouldn't be known as "PigPen."

I rescue dogs. It's heartbreaking, heartwarming, frustrating and joyful. If you want to experience every emotion a human can feel, rescue is a good place to start. Rescue attracts a large number of highly emotional people. Its hard to say no, hard to keep yourself from blinding rage or crushing sadness. Personalities will clash and rescue groups are notorious for producing some spectacularly vicious breakups.

Most of my life I was an accidental rescuer. One time as a teenager, I took away a pet rat that another kid I knew was abusing. My first cat came from the pound and all of my dogs have been rescues. Plus, all the reptiles I have. I can't imagine buying a pet when so many are dying in shelters, on the streets or in the homes of their supposed "best friend." I also can't understand the violence and neglect I see. I'm not sure I want to understand.

Here in Stanislaus county, an hour and a half drive from San Francisco, overpopulation is out of control. When I was working at the local shelter, people from places like San Francisco and Marin would come and pull dozens of dogs to take back to their shelters for adoption. They were so successful, in their adoption and spay/neuter education, they kept running out of animals. I want that for Stanislaus County. Our euthanasia numbers are staggering.

Most of my energy has been, and will be, focused on spay/neuter and education. There are no formal low- or no-cost spay/neuter programs here for companion animals. There are some programs which offer less than market rate spay and neuter, but the prices are still out of reach for many of our economically disadvantaged population. The least expensive cat spay (for qualified persons) is $60. For female dogs it ranges between $90 and $150 (depending on weight.)

Feral cats have had much better access to spay/neuter services, through Alley Cat Guardians. They are a very well-organized and funded group, with a clear and consistent vision. I am really looking forward to the opening of their new clinic.

Someday I hope to lose my job as a rescuer. I would rather not deal with starved, beaten, abandoned and sick animals. But as long as they need someone like me I will keep showing up to work. Many times I am I asked, "How can you do that?"

How can I not?

I've been a slacker about updates lately. Part of that is due to Facebook and part due to the crazy last few months. I have a new organization I am focusing on and, as with anything new, it tends to occupy your full attention for a while.

A group of local musicians are holding a benefit for Stanislaus Spay/Neuter Project this weekend. The location is Guru Lounge (950 Oakdale Road, Modesto) and the cover charge is only $5. It should be a blast!

SSNP is on Facebook now and I invite you to join us online. There are discussion forums and you can upload pictures of your pets and keep up with the latest information.

More to report later. But in the meantime...Enjoy this:

My friends over at Fark.com came up with this!

I'm perpetually cruising the internet looking for silly pet pictures. I'm not sure why, but it may be because I'm easily amused. Here is today's find:



There seems to be an endless supply of these things, so I will take the bullet and do the looking. You just need to sit back and enjoy the roffle. Cheers~!

In an effort to really focus on the pet overpopulation issues in Stanislaus County, a new group has formed called Stanislaus Spay/Neuter Project. SSNP is a not-for-profit organization devoted exclusively to spay/neuter issues and services for companion animals in this county. SSNP's first project will be to raise funds for a mobile spay/neuter clinic, that can be taken directly to communities that need it most.

The website (when its ready) will be www.StanSpay.org. For more information, email me through this website or visit Stanislaus Spay/Neuter Project on Facebook.

Researchers at the University of Sussex have discovered that cats use a "soliciting purr" to overpower their owners and garner attention and food.

A while ago, I provided a guide to the poop antics of our canine companions. This article is to shed some light on the types of poop our friends leave behind. While it is written in a light-hearted manner, bear in mind that the type and appearance of a dog's droppings is a very important indicator of health. Enjoy!

1. The Tootsie-Roll: This looks exactly as the name implies. Solid, firm, brownish, with defined sections. Not overly large despite the size of the dog. Your dog is pretty healthy and eats quality food. These are easy to pick-up when out walking and don't smell very bad. This is the poop all dogs should be proud of (owners, too!)

2. The Hot Pocket: This poop is what you find after its had a chance to bake in the sun. Crispy on the outside, toxic, molten horror on the inside. Its hard to tell if its a healthy poop or not.

3. The Nickelodeon Poop: This name was bestowed by a teenage boy after cleaning up my backyard (producer of this horror was an elderly dog.) The NP is slimy, green and smells awful. Usually an indicator of some sort of intestinal issue, like gastroenteritis. Not easy to pick up, best to just hose it into oblivion.

4. The Cow Patty: That's exactly what it looks like. Not quite Montezuma's Revenge but just as difficult to clean up. See #3 for clean up tip.

5. The Party Favor: This one usually has bits of brightly colored plastic, paper or string in it. Some dogs will eat anything. Not bad to clean up unless it isn't fully released from the pooper. Be prepared for manual extraction.

6. The Ol' Roy: These are roughly the size of a Volkswagen...and that's from a Chihuahua. This food is cheap, full of fillers and has no identifiable meat ingredient. It should be considered cruelty to animals to serve this food.

If you have any additions to this list please send them. I'm always looking for humor in the strangest places!

Victoria AKA Pigpen and her friend Charlie had a playdate last week. They romped, they stomped and they were tired in a good way afterwards. Charlie's mom, Bobbie, sent me these pictures:



Nice job of trying to look innocent guys!