Photo by Adriana Herbut

The Woytek family’s Lab mix, Amber, a survivor of Hurricane Ike, was diagnosed with distemper in the months after her adoption from the Houston SPCA in September 2008. Amber survived distemper and lived with the Woytek family and canine “sis” Scout, a one-year-old Rhodesian ridgeback mix.

But things changed when Amber ate parts of a sago palm plant, which has dark green leaves and hairy trunk and is a popular houseplant. Unfortunately, it’s also highly toxic to cats and dogs. Sadly, Amber didn’t make it.

The ASPCA says that since 2003, they have seen an increase by more than 200 percent of sago palm and cycad poisonings, and 50 to 75 percent of those ingestions resulted in fatalities.

All parts of the plant are toxic, and common signs of ingestion include vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, depression, seizures and liver failure.

What’s more, in 2008 the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center handled more than 140,000 cases of pets exposed to toxins, many of which were everyday household items.

Watch this video of ASPCA top toxicologist, Dr. Steven Hansen, Senior Vice President, ASPCA Animal Health Services, discussing the dangers of 17 common plants that you may have in your homes right now, including lilies, chrysanthemum and sago palm. Dr. Hansen shows you examples of each plant, so you’ll know exactly what to look out for.

Click here for poison prevention tips online. If you suspect your pet has ingested something poisonous, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.

If you’re in St. Louis (or want to meet me there!) on February 15, don’t miss the 16th Annual Beggin’ Pet Parade. Registration opens at 10 a.m., and the parade kicks off at 1 p.m.

Join thousands of four-legged friends and their owners in the streets of Soulard to celebrate the 16th annual Beggin’ Strips Barkus Pet Parade. It’s one of the largest pet parades in the world, and 2009 marks its 16th anniversary of being the place to be seen for pet owners.

There will be plenty of tail-wagging good fun as dogs and other lovable pets parade in their colorful Mardi Gras-themed costumes. (Animal participants are subject to the approval of Mardi Gras, Inc. and the St. Louis Department of Animal Control based on appropriateness, temperament and health.

For more information, click here.

And for those of you who can’t make it, tune in to “The Nature” series on PBS on February 15, at 8 p.m. for the episode “Why We Love Cats and Dogs.”

The episode, which explores the close relationships people have with their four-legged friends, will include a segment about the ASPCA’s Meet Your Match® (MYM) adoption program and how it’s improving the way animal shelters match animals and adopters.

For more information about the show, click here.

This Logo Pawprint Heart Sterling Pendant was created by artist Merry Rosenfield (each piece is designed by Merry and cast in the USA). Merry has been creating her wonderful animal jewelry for over 25 years. She started her company, The Magic Zoo, in 1989, and has many animal jewelry fans worldwide. The 1/2″ H X 3/4″ W sterling silver pendant, chain not included, is $28. Buy it here.

I have my eye on this adorable “Love is a Treat” Dog T-shirt, made of heavyweight, 100% preshrunk cotton and machine washable in adult sizes S, M, L, XL, XXL, XXXL for $15.99 (add $3.00 for XXL and $4.00 for XXXL). Get yours here.

Get the coffee or tea lover in your life this “Let One Love You” 11 oz. white ceramic mug with the ASPCA logo on the reverse side for $9.99. Buy it here.

 
Chocolate is always a winner on Valentine’s Day, and this Grey2K USA one-of-a-kind Greyhound Chocolate is divine. Each hand-dipped, 4 oz. candy is made of sweet chocolate and measures 4 inches tall by 5 inches wide and costs $15. They are also Kosher and cruelty-free (vegan). Get one (or two!) here.

 If your sweetheart wants something to snuggle with (besides you or Fido, that is!) how about this greyhound toy doll in fawn or brindle? Each baby greyhound has been individually sewn, measures 5″ x 10″, and costs $25. Get yours here.

Looks like we have at least six more weeks of winter to go. For some of us, that means snow and freezing temperatures. For others, lots of rain (hopefully). Until the sun is a bit higher in the sky and the days are a little bit warmer/longer, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has some tips to ensure our furry friends stay safe and warm.

1. Wash and dry your pet’s feet after any time outside to remove ice, salt and chemicals from ice-melting agents—and check for cracks in paw pads or redness between the toes.
2. Take a towel with you on long walks to clean off stinging, irritated paws instead of waiting until you get home.
3. Dress your pet in a sweater or coat to help him/her retain body heat and prevent skin from getting dry. If your dog will tolerate it, booties will help minimize contact with salt crystals, poisonous anti-freeze and chemical de-icers.
4. Massage petroleum jelly into paw pads before going outside to form a barrier against salt and chemical agents. Repeat after toweling off to prevent chapped paw skin.
5. Trim long-haired dogs to minimize ice balls, salt crystals and de-icing chemicals becoming trapped in hair (don’t forget the hair between the toes!).
6. Keep your home humidified to prevetn dry skin, and towel dry your pet as soon as he comes inside, paying special attention to his feet and in between the toes.
7. Bathe your pooch as little as possible during the winter to avoid the removal of essential oils and increased chance of developing dry, flaky skin. If your pooch must be bathed, ask your vet to recommend a moisturizing shampoo and/or rinse.
8. Brushing your pet regularly not only gets rid of dead hair, but also stimulates blood circulation, improving the skin’s overall condition.
9. Pets burn extra energy by trying to stay warm in wintertime, sometimes causing dehydration. Feeding your pet a little bit more during the cold weather and making sure she has plenty of water to drink will help to keep her well-hydrated, and her skin less dry.
10. If it’s too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your pet. Animal companions should remain indoors as much as possible during the winter months and never be left alone in vehicles when the mercury drops.

In December 2008, a five-month-old pit bull, Gigi, was hit by a car. Gigi and her owner were crossing the street near their Staten Island home when a car struck the dog.

According to Gigi’s owner, the car was on the wrong side of the street. The driver left the scene of the accident. Gigi suffered fatal injures and died at a nearby animal hospital.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) was notified of the incident two days later and began investigating.

On December 27, ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement agents arrested the alleged hit-and-run driver, Rafael Lauda, on multiple charges stemming from the accident. Lauda, 22, was charged with leaving the scene of an accident with injury to an animal and driving with a suspended license. If convicted of all charges, he faces more than a year in jail.

According to Dr. Robert Reisman, ASPCA Medical Coordinator of Animal Cruelty Cases, any animal hit by a car needs immediate medical attention, whether or not they appear fine. The ASPCA recommends dog owners remain extra alert when crossing the street with dogs—keep them close, and never use extension leashes near high-traffic areas.

And if you have witnessed animal cruelty, report it (Report Cruelty FAQ).

In other news, on December 30, rapper DMX—known legally as Earl Simmons—pleaded guilty to one count of misdemeanor animal cruelty, among other charges for theft and drug possession.

The charges stem from a raid in August 2007, when Maricopa County sheriff’s deputies found 12 malnourished pit bulls and the remains of three dogs at his home.

To assist law enforcement officials in their efforts to prosecute Simmons, the ASPCA’s Mobile Animal Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Unit was called into action. Leading the forensic investigation, the ASPCA’s Dr. Melinda Merck examined the remains of the dead dogs recovered from his property.

Simmons is a repeat offender—in 2002, the rapper pleaded guilty to 13 counts of animal cruelty, charges resulting from the neglect of 13 pit bulls. As a result of this most recent prosecution, the rapper faces at least 90 days in jail, can never again own any animals and must attend an animal offender treatment program. A parole violation would send him to jail for more than 10 years. A sentence hearing has been scheduled for January 30.

Maybe Lauda and Simmons can share a jail cell…