Fighting Those Pet Odors

Everybody's had a good whiff of lingering wet dog. Or spent too much time around a cat bowl reeking of stale tuna.

Here's a potential neutralizer: Yankee Candle's Clean Scents Small Space Deodorizer ($3.99). Just remove the gel deodorizer from its bag and hang in the area that needs help -- a pet corner, a car, a mudroom, a kitchen feeding area. Replace every four weeks or as needed.

Clean Scents come in all of the great Yankee Candle scents -- we're trying Clean Cotton. (Sounds fresh.) Look for it near the checkout or order online. And the deodorizer includes a bittering agent to help prevent accidental swallowing by pets or kids.

Some Real Fast-Looking Fish

A while back I wrote about painted glass tetras -- small fish with what look like different colors of racing stripes the length of their tops and/or bottoms. They're injected with dye -- lime green, hot pink, dayglow orange -- to give them that effect. The dye isn't harmful and it eventually fades.

almo saw the post and offered photos of his/her fish. "The first one is not very clear.. but.. ya get the idea. :)"

Very cool, almo.

Even Animals Have Problems with the Work Week

Anybody at your workplace mirror these two?

A Local Rescue for Rabbits

Did you know that Delaware is home to the Southeastern Pennsylvania-Delaware Chapter of the House Rabbit Society? The Newport shelter has 80 rabbits now, including Gina (left), says Joyce Kuhns, the group's lead educator. (The group is protective about its address because it fears people will abandon bunnies literally on its doorstep.)

Kuhns says many families who get a rabbit for their kids aren't aware the animals usually live for 10-12 years, way past the time many young caretakers are enamored with a bunnie's twitchy nose. Other surrenders come from people who move and don't realize the new apartment complex won't allow rabbits or other animals.

If you are interested in adopting a rabbit -- and realize that you'll be taking care of it long after your son or daughter has lost interest -- call 683-9009 to schedule an adoption appointment. All rabbits are spayed or neutered before adoption. Cost is $75 for one, $125 for two, or $165 fo three.

Look for a story about the rabbit society in the October issue of Delaware Pets.

Post-'Descent' Thoughts

My immediate reaction to "The Descent," the British horror movie, was that the thrills weren't that fresh and the gore was overindulged. But the more I think about this movie, the more I appreciate it.

Six female adventure junkies meet at a cabin in Appalachia as a way to help one forget a terrible accident. They think they're going spelunking in a well-mapped cave until one of the thrill-seekers changes course on her own. And, oh, what they find when she does.

The problem with all of the gore -- and what was the couple behind us thinking who brought their young kids? -- is that it detracts from the psychological part of the thriller. If you've seen "The Descent" in theaters, go to YouTube to see the British ending. (The American distributor asked for and got a different ending.) It ties together the psychological threads and makes for a much richer ending.

The New 'Lassie' Movie Trailer

How can you not love Lassie after that?

'Lassie' Comes Home -- to the Movies

I loved watching "Lassie" as a kid. No matter what trouble befell someone on the show, Lassie was smart enough to get them out of it. We always thought Timmy was lucky to have her.

I'm sure my sister and brothers also liked "Lassie" because we had collies on our Wisconsin farm. There was Nosey, aptly named, especially after she had a run-in with a porcupine and ended up with a dozen quills in her nose. My mom cut off the tips, they dried out and the ends eventually fell out. Nosey was appropriately skittish around wild animals after that.

We also had Fuzzy, part of one of Nosey's litters. She had the softest coat, and I fell asleep many evenings snuggled up with her on the floor of the living room.

Those memories came flooding back because of a new movie, "Lassie," set for release Sept. 1. In this version, set in 1938, the loyal collie must travel more than 1,000 miles from northern Scotland to Yorkshire to return to a young boy after being sold to a wealthy duke. The boy's father sold Lassie because he was out of work. Lassie being Lassie runs away, risks starvation, braves dangers, just so she can get back to the family (and the boy) who really loves her.

The movie stars Samantha Morton, Peter Dinklage and Peter O'Toole, and is rated PG for some mild, violent content (dog in danger) and language.

Um, How to Handle Cricket Feeding Time

Remember this, it's all described as natural.

Many owners of reptiles like to feed them crickets "coated" with vitamins. (This I didn't know, and I imagine it's not easy to accomplish.) The folks at Rolf C Hagen Corp. have come up with an effective solution: the Exo Terra Termite Hill ($20.99).

First, pour ultra fine powder supplement into the deepest part of the two-part hill. Add 10-20 crickets (it doesn't say how to keep them all in there at the same time), place the two pieces together and insert the plug. Hold firmly together and shake (can you say Shake 'N' Bake for crickets?) until all of the insects are coated. Place the hill in the terrarium, remove the plug and watch the reptiles enjoy themselves.

The result, says Exo Terra, is a termite hill that blends in with any habitat, and stimulates natural feeding behaviors in your pet reptiles, while giving you a natural-looking terrarium accessory. (I think it looks like a baked potato covered in paprika.) Ask for the feeder at your favorite pet store, and for more info, visit Exo Terra's Web site.

Buddy, the Super Cool Surfing Dog

I've been looking all over for video I can post of Buddy, the surfing dog from California. The best I can do is this link to a CBS report.

Buddy is an 8-year-old Jack Russell terrier who's been surfing the beaches from Ventura to Santa Barbara -- with a life jacket on -- since he was 2. He rides a body board, short board and, with his owner, a long board. And, get this, he has an agent.

If you surf with your dog at the Delaware beaches -- or anywhere else -- let me know. You might end up in Delaware Pets.

My Pet Book Series: Harry Potter

Harry Potter doesn't have anything to do with pets -- unless you count Harry's owl, Ron's rat and Hagrid's unusual creatures -- but it has plenty to do with intrigue among its followers. First, when will the final book be released to its eager readers? Who are the two characters that J.K. Rowling says she'll kill in book No. 7? And, most importantly, will Harry be one of those who dies?

Some theories:

* A few Web sites say Rowling's publisher will announce early next year that the final book will be released July 7, 2007, a ka 7/7/07. It fits Rowling's general schedule, and a summer release gives her young followers plenty of extra time to dig in.

* Lots of possibilities on the two characters who will be killed. Voldemort seems like a no-brainer (evil has to be the big loser in the finale). But who is the other one? Ginny? Harry would live, but he would know another crushing loss in his life -- losing his girlfriend after his parents, Sirius and Dumbledore. Good triumphing over evil must come with a price. Hagrid? He's the only adult close to Harry -- save Mr. and Mrs. Weasley -- who is still alive. Ron or Hermione? Maybe one of them would sacrifice his or her life to save Harry.

* And what about Harry? Authors Stephen King and John Irving, taking part in a charity reading with Rowling at New York's Radio City Music Hall, urged her not to kill off Harry. "My fingers are crossed for Harry," Irving said at a press conference in a report from Reuters News Service. King said he was confident that Rowling would be "fair" with Harry. For her part, Rowling said: "I can resolve the story now and it's fun in a way it wasn't before because finally I've reached my resolution, and I think some people will loathe it and some people will love it, but that's how it should be." A prediction: Harry will live. Good must win -- and not die -- during the final battle.

Go to Sleep, Little Mercutio

No need for Ambien here. Just a squeeze from a friendly human hand. You cannot beat a cute, baby monkey video for awww factor.

Tragic News about Veterinarian

Sarah Dykstra sounded like a kind soul with a big heart. Sarah, who operated Eastern Shore Veterinary Hospital near Laurel, with her husband John Dykstra, a fellow veterinarian, died Monday morning from injuries she suffered Sunday afternoon after being hit by an SUV while jogging.

The Dykstras had operated their business for more than a decade, and the news of Sarah Dykstra's death was particularly difficult for office manager Kathy Robinson, who has worked for them for 13 years.

"I can't express how wonderful she was," Robinson told News Journal reporter Terri Sanginiti on Monday. Sarah was the mother of three children, ages 3, 5 and 10.

Her heart also was always open to animals of all kinds, Robinson said.

"We've got so many strays here that she couldn't put to sleep," she said. "If a stray was hurt, we'd keep it, no matter the expense. She just loved animals."

If you're inclined, a contribution to a local animal shelter would be a fitting way to remember someone who cared so much.

A Passion for Pugs

Saw this bumper sticker Sunday in the parking lot near Marshall's on Kirkwood Highway: "My pug is smarter than your honor roll student."

Can't add anything to that.

The photo at right shows you just how cute and intelligent-looking pugs are. This one was shot at a Pug Fest in Helena, Mont., and the two Mensa candidates are Moses (left) and Liam.

Poignant Moments in 'World Trade Center'

It seems a bit disrepectful to say I was disappointed by "World Trade Center." Oliver Stone is one of America's most talented living directors, and I expected him to have something to say about one of our country's worst days. But he plays it straightforward -- a story about survival, albeit a most miraculous one of two Port Authority police officers buried under 20 feet of rubble as the towers collapsed.

Stone's most emotional and most poignant moments come near the end of the two-hour film. The family of one of the surviving officers is moving from one part of Bellevue Hospital to another. They pass through a hallway and stop. The camera stays on their disbelieving faces, then moves to the wall -- filled with homemade fliers seeking missing loved ones. The enormity of their loved one surviving, while hundreds and thousands haven't, is like a punch to their stomachs.

The other comes in a hospital waiting room. A surviving officer's wife (the underrated and underappreciated Maria Bello) tries to buy a cup of coffee, but the vending machine isn't working. She tells another woman not to bother. They make small talk about who they're waiting for. The wife says her husband has been pulled from the rubble; the other woman says her son is an elevator operator at one of the towers. The mother recounts their last conversation. Her son was late for dinner because of work, and they argued. She regrets her last words with him being so angry. Maria Bello's character pats the woman's back, and the mother dissolves into tears, her body convulsing. One woman hugs the other and holds her up at the same time. The mother's grief is a nation's grief.

"World Trade Center" is a tribute to those who died Sept. 11, 2001, and to those who died and, especially to two men who survived, trying to help others. It is a good cry.

Maybe filmmakers won't be able to find anything new to reveal as the years continue to go by, because Americans watched all of those terrible hours unfold live on TV. We know the story. Stone's movie is well-meaning and respectful, but it is not powerful. It is good, just not great.

Pet Pedometer to Most Needy Case

Now, I have heard of anything. Deramaxx has come up with a pet pedometer, and we're offering our free copy to the pet owner who makes the best case that he or she needs it for their companion.

You just attach it your dog's or cat's or hamster's collar and track their steps each day. (Don't forget to check with your vet before you begin an exercise program.)

Post those stories about your overweight or under-exercised pet here (with a photo if you have one) or e-mail me at jfredel@delawareonline.com. I'll choose the best story and neediest pet, and mail you the pet ped. Or you can go to Deramaxx's Web site to get your own.

How Many Dogs Does It Take to Change a Light Bulb?

A friend of mine e-mailed me this, and I'm sure it's an e-mail pass-along. Edited for length. Enjoy and show a thick skin (or coat) for those whose breeds get a mild tweaking.

How many dogs does it take to change a light bulb?

1. Golden retriever: The sun is shining, the day is young, we've got our whole lives ahead of us, and you're inside worrying about a stupid burned out bulb?
2. Border collie: Just one. And then I'll replace any wiring that's not up to code.
3. Dachshund: You know I can't reach that stupid lamp!
4. Rottweiler: Make me.
5. Boxer: Who cares? I can still play with my squeaky toys in the dark.
6. Lab: Oh, me, me!!!!! Pleeeeeeeeeze let me change the light bulb! Can I? Can I? Huh? Huh? Huh? Can I? Pleeeeeeeeeze, please, please, please!
7. German shepherd: I'll change it as soon as I've led these people from the dark, check to make sure I haven't missed any, and make just one more perimeter patrol to see that no one has tried to take advantage of the situation.
8. Jack Russell terrier: I'll just pop it in while I'm bouncing off the walls and furniture.
9. Old English sheep dog: Light bulb? I'm sorry, but I don't see a light bulb!
10. Cocker spaniel: Why change it? I can still pee on the carpet in the dark.

How many cats does it take to change alight bulb? Cats do not change light bulbs. People change light bulbs. So, the real question is: "How long will it be before I can expect some light, some dinner, and a massage?"

All of which proves, once again, that while dogs have masters, cats have staff!

Phoebe Finds a Home; Petey Still Needs One

When Rep. Mike Castle toured the Delaware Humane Association last week, he -- and the reporters and photographers who trailed him -- met lots of animals available for adoption. Two of them stood out -- Phoebe, a tiny Italian pug, and great big Petey, a mastiff mix. (See Aug. 1 post for pictures.)

The humane association's Mary Ann D'Amato reports that Phoebe did, indeed, find a home. Good for her. But Petey's still waiting for the just right family. Check out the description of him in the latest issue of Delaware Pets:

"Strongman: AKA: Petey will be able to pull you out of any jam, no matter how big. This friendly easy-going guy will win your heart with his gentle ways. Petey is a 2-year-old mastiff mix."

Wash Your Dog on Saturday and Help Greyhounds

If your dog needs a refreshing bath -- and whose doesn't during this heat wave? -- stop by the Doggie Wash on Saturday at Concord Pet in Hockessin. The 11 a.m.-3 p.m. event will raise money for the Northeast Chapter of Greyhound Adoption of Florida, which finds homes for retired greyhound racers.

If you've never seen just how gentle a greyhound can be, this is your perfect chance. Lisa Foutalbert, an adoption coordinator, says volunteers will have greyhounds there that members are fostering and others that they've adopted.

"We're always trying to raise awareness for these dogs," says Foutalbert, who will be the brave one clipping nails Saturday.

Concord Pet is at 697 Yorklyn Road. All breeds are welcome, but Foutalbert says if you bring a Labradoodle, expect it to take a little longer. She says that breed is the toughest wash she and other volunteers have had.

"We squirted that dog for 10 minutes and went to shampoo it, and it still wasn't wet," she says.

Donation is $12 ($2 discount coupon available at www.adoptagrey.org/). Nails clipped for $5. All proceeds directly benefit Greyhound rescue and adoption. For more info: 234-8689.

A Kitten with Attitude

Don't let this kitten's size fool you. He or she means business when it comes to food.

Fast-Selling Fish Has a Racing Stripe

One of the hottest-selling fish at Fishman Aquarium Center on Concord Pike is the painted glass tetra. The fish is injected with dye that gives it a thin racing stripe the length of its top and a bit on the bottom. The cool colors -- lime green, hot pink, orange, yellow -- aren't harmful to the fish, a store manager told me, and they do fade.

The tetras are $3.99 each, or three for $9.99.