Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Woof Wednesday: Dog bite data; Herbie
Posted by Tristan Schmid on Wed, May 16, 2012 at 11:00 AM
Indiana has landed on State Farm's list of states with the most dog-bite claims in 2011. According to a press release from State Farm's Angie Rinock, Indiana came in at number eight with 139 claims resulting in an estimated $3.5 million paid out in the state.
Responsible pet ownership (one element - spaying and neutering - is shown humorously in the Best Friends video below) goes a long way toward preventing bites; check out State Farm's and American Human Association's tips at the bottom of this post for more info.
Pit Bull Terriers and mixes often get a bad rap; State Farm is one insurance company that doesn't discriminate against the breed. (See below.) You can find a variety of great Pit mixes, like Herbie, at shelters in Indiana, including Indianapolis Animal Care and Control.
Herbie, available for adoption at Animal Control now, is fun, energetic and gets along well with other dogs. As with any dog, obedience training and exercise will go a long way in keeping him - and people around him - safe and happy.
From the State Farm press release: A dog's tendency to bite depends on such factors as heredity, obedience training, socialization, health, and the victim's behavior. There are good dogs and bad dogs within every breed, just as there can be responsible and irresponsible owners of each breed. State Farm does not refuse insurance based on the breed of dog a customer owns in any U.S. state.
Children and seniors are frequent victims of dog bites. In fact, more than half of all dog bite victims are children. In addition to stressing responsible pet ownership, State Farm and AHA encourage responsible behavior and caution around dogs, including family pets. Under the right circumstances, any dog might bite.
- NEVER leave a baby or small child alone with a dog.
- Be on the lookout for potentially dangerous situations.
- Start teaching young children -- including toddlers -- to be careful around pets.
- Children must be taught NOT to approach strange dogs.
- Always ask permission from a dog's owner before petting any dog.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Meow Monday: Mandy, the soft Siamese mix
Posted by Tristan Schmid on Mon, May 14, 2012 at 1:15 PM
This week's Meow Monday kitty is Mandy, who's up for adoption at Cats Haven. Volunteer Susan Hobbs fills us in:
"Mandy is a one-of-a-kind kitty! She is one of the prettiest cats that has ever graced us at Cats Haven. Part Siamese, she has very unusual markings and a coat as thick and soft as bunny fur. Mandy loves everyone, from other cats to her favorite canine pal, Midge. Mandy was a working girl for a few years, taking care of mice and customers in a downtown pet food store. When the shop closed, she retired and has been living a life of luxury since. Mandy is six years old, declawed, and ready to find a family to call her very own."
If you're interested in meeting Mandy, contact Cats Haven today.
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Woof Wednesday: Awaiting family for a year
Posted by Tristan Schmid on Wed, May 9, 2012 at 12:00 PM
Have you ever gone more than a year without a family? Lexie, Buddy and Donna have.
These friendly dogs are available through FACE Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic, and according to Janet Mellinger, Volunteer/Event Coordinator for FACE, each pup is highly adoptable. Check out FACE's website for full details on them and other animals.
Lexie loves to play with dogs and people. In fact, she spends her days at a doggy daycare, where she'd love to meet you. Lexie is best friends with Donna (see below.)
Buddy is another playful young pup and "a great dog in the making." He's one year old and highly trainable.
Donna is a "mini" Pit Bull mix, weighing in at just 30 lbs. She's best friends with Lexie and gets along well with cats, too. Can't adopt right now? Donna would benefit from time in a temporary foster home if you're able to care for her and expose her to family life and new situations.
Monday, May 7, 2012
Meow Monday: Tristen the Cat
Posted by Tristan Schmid on Mon, May 7, 2012 at 2:00 PM
If I were a cat, I'd play with stuff. But I'd only play with things that you'd never expect a cat to play with, just so people would watch me and say things like, "Hey, I've never seen a cat play with an empty vodka bottle before!" or "Whoah! I didn't know cats could be friends with boa constrictors!" or "Should that cat be walking through that wet cement?"
Alas, I'm not a cat. My name's Tristan, and I'm a human. Perhaps the closest I'll ever get to being a cat, besides licking my hands to clean them, is sharing (most of) my name with this guy. Tristen is up for adoption now at FACE Low-Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic. He loves to play with just about anything - strings, boxes, other cats - and, if he's anything like I would be if I were a cat, he might even enjoy playing with empty vodka bottles. But it's probably better if he sticks with stereotypical cat things. Like catnip. Don't you want to give Tristen some catnip? Adopt this cutie today!
Monday, April 30, 2012
Meow Monday: Mr. Whiskers M. the cat
Posted by Justin Cross on Mon, Apr 30, 2012 at 4:55 PM
One bitter cold February night in Broad Ripple, a cold and hungry feline took refuge on a porch to try and stay warm. Now in a foster home, Mr. Whiskers M. is a gentle, longhair mix who loves other critters, catnip, watching Mother Nature from a window and showing approval by belting lots of soothing purs. This kind and cuddly kitty is now available for adoption at The Alliance for Responsible Pet Ownership (ARPO).
Sports & Rec Off Base: Giant-thumb sucking; draft dupe
Posted by Justin Cross on Mon, Apr 30, 2012 at 4:00 PM
5. There's no crying in baseball
Going home with a ball from a baseball game is a happy moment. For this Rangers fan, seeing the adults next to him take pictures with the souvenir was tragic. Fortunately, the tyke was tossed a ball from the Rangers' dugout a few minutes later. All is good in the world.
4.Draft prank
Rutgers football player Mohamed Sanu's dream is to play in the NFL. During last weekend's NFL Draft, a prankster called Sanu and told the receiver his dream has come true. The Cincinnati Bengals were going to select him with the 27th overall pick. Sanu's agent tweeted the great news, everyone hugged it out and then the Bengals didn't select him. It was all a hoax. Fortunately, the Bengals (for real this time) drafted Sanu in the third round.
Sanu told ESPN, "My agent said it was some kid playing a prank. The kid said he was very sorry, he didn't mean anything by it."
3. A gentle dawg
Georgia Bulldog defensive tackle John Jenkins is surely sporting a wrinkled thumb at this point in his nap. Let lying dawgs sleep.
2. No World Peace
If you even slightly pay attention to Indiana sports, you certainly remember former Pacers' forward Ron Artest losing his mind, running into the stands and fighting whoever was willing. Now, Artest has changed his name to Metta World Peace and plays for the Lakers. James Harden's head doesn't feel the difference between the hot-headed Artest and the self-proclaimed improved Peace.
1. Call me Mr. Relevant
Mr. Irrelevant is the nickname given to the last player picked in the NFL draft. The Indianapolis Colts had this year's honor of selecting 253rd, and they chose Chandler Harnish, former Northern Illinois quarterback. Hope he's prepared for all the NFL and this lady have in store for him.
Author's note: I want to thank any and all of you (mom!) who read my weekly posts about odd happenings in the sports world during my internship. It's been fun to share some of sports' unique and goofy stories. In my opinion, sports are and will always be true reality television. Now that my internship with NUVO is over, I'm continuing Off Base here.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Woof Wednesday: German Shepherd mix, Tinka
Posted by Justin Cross on Wed, Apr 25, 2012 at 6:05 AM
Tinka is a tender 8-year-old German Shepherd mix up for adoption at reTails. She loves other dogs and cats and is a loyal, laid-back best friend.
Rescuing Tinka from the streets in 2006 revealed a rough life as a young pup: She has zero function in one eye, mild pancreatitis that requires a low-fat diet, and slight summer grass allergies that cause her to have an itchy belly. In spite of it all, Tinka is docile and a perfect companion for anyone looking to give a special dog like her some TLC.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Rock Five Year Mission's Happy Birthday song
Posted by Justin Cross on Mon, Apr 23, 2012 at 2:40 PM
4/20 was high time to celebrate in more ways than one. Indianapolis-based band Five Year Mission celebrated by serenading George Takei, aka Hikaru Sulu, helmsman of the USS Enterprise, on his birthday.
The boys of FYM have a simple mission, "to take every episode of the original Star Trek, write a song about it, record it, and play it." Resistance to the bands' originality is futile.
If that didn't make you smile, maybe this will. Beam us up, George, with your "happy dance."
Meow Monday: Ashley the kitty
Posted by Justin Cross on Mon, Apr 23, 2012 at 11:58 AM
Ashley the kitty will be available at reTails on April 27 when she celebrates her 9-week birthday. This tabby kitten is used to kids, other animals and really loves to play, as all kittens are prone to do. And at such a young age, Ashley is already litterbox trained.
Sports & Rec Off Base: Bathroom break & broken trophy
Posted by Justin Cross on Mon, Apr 23, 2012 at 10:20 AM
5. Shattered glass
The Waterford Crystal Coaches' Trophy is was valued at $30,000
and is customized for each college-football national champion. The coveted memento is now in thousands of tiny pieces after a parent of an Alabama football
player tripped and knocked the gorgeous relic to its shattered fate. The
process of replacing the trophy is in the works.
4. When nature calls, you listen
Even if it means delaying a televised Major League Baseball game. Atlanta Braves' center fielder, Michael Bourn, is seen in this video rushing to buckle his belt as his team, the broadcasters and thousands of fans in the stands wait for him to take the field.
3. Silent but deadly
A Miami Heat player is to blame. But, who?
2. Hurts just watching
This is unfortunate. Umpire Greg Gibson took a fastball directly where the sun don't shine. He called the remainder of the game in falsetto.
1. Young boy and a drag queen
No, it's not a "walk into the bar together" joke. A man in a blue dress, wearing a flowing blond wig, pranced around the rugby field during a recent match. Once it was obvious she is actually a he, one of the burly players lowered his shoulder and took the streaker down.
No dress or wig here; just a little boy running around the field at a White Sox game last Thursday.
