Remember this holiday season ... A DOG WILL EAT ANYTHING!!!

Just wanted to pass on a public service messages from CNN today about protecting your pets from the perils of holiday food and decorations. Be sure to read the article below and have a safe and happy holidays!

http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/12/22/mnn.holiday.pet.safety/index.html?hpt=C2

Michael Vick doesn't deserve a dog - CNN.com

And I couldn't agree more. Sure everybody is watching him electrify football games, but the FACT remains that he used to and probably will still electrify dogs.

The actions of his recent past are just too horrid to forget and forgive.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/12/17/velez.mitchell.vick.dogs/index.html?eref=rss_topstories&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_topstories+%28RSS%3A+Top+Stories%29

What your pet says about your career

The surely non-scientific report was written by Anthony Balderrama for CareerBuilder.com. I wouldn’t say that this is accurate by any means … more of a generalization (even though I am a dog owner, IT professional with senior management aspirations). I would like to see how their survey population was selected.

 

http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/12/08/cb.pets.say.about.career/index.html?hpt=Sbin

 

Hero Dog Saves Paralyzed Cyclist

Resident pets are upping hotels' friendliness factor ...

… but I’d rather have Presley at my side and have the hotels cater to him instead. Not that at this point I can actually “afford” these luxurious hotels mentioned in the article (a stay at the Fairmont in Sonoma for the weekend is $359/night for the cheapest).

 

http://www.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,2034634,00.html?hpt=T2

 

Anderson Cooper 360: How dogs see the world

http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2010/11/19/video-cesar-millan-on-how-dogs-see-the-world/

Pet holidays are available if you know how/where to look

Traveling with you loved one(s) of the four legged variety this holiday season? Here are some tips I came across. http://mlnurl.com/2wmy

Heartbreaking: Hero dog 'accidentally' euthanized

http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2010/11/15/afghanistan-dog-hero-accidentally-euthanized/?hpt=T2

It's a good thing that the Presbucket is a picky eater

He generally hates green veggies, but he's not too fond of nails either ...

Yiikes! I hope this doesn't ever happen

Missouri: Now REALLY a place I don't want to go

According to the Franklin County Humane Society of North Carolina, Missouri is the puppy mill capital of the United States.

"The puppy mill operations are well protected to keep them from the eyes of the Department of Agriculture inspectors who would invariably shut them down and seize the animals due to the conditions they are kept in. Puppy mills, like shelters and rescue groups, are required to undergo inspection and licensing under Missouri’s Animal Care Facilities Act, but they hide from the eyes of those protecting the animals’ welfare.


Their puppies are sold to pet stores across the country for resale upwards of $600 dollars apiece, and when you buy animals from these pet stores, it creates another opening for them to fill with another puppy mill puppy."

Source: "At what price are those Puppies in the window?" Franklin County Humane Society. Retrieved on October 18, 2010 from http://www.franklincountyhumanesociety.org/main.asp?id=27.

Doesn't this just beautify a yard?

To each their own. Always remember however to pick up after your buddies.

Volunteering @ the SPCA - a "new" adventure

So now that I have sold my townhouse I have been looking forward to volunteering at the local SPCA on weekends. It will be hard to not bring back an arm full of the puppies that my fiancee and I have seen at the adoption center, but the priority is to get those animals a home.

I've contacted the marketing director(s) to assist them in social media consulting and marketing (my MBA concentration) and will start consult next week. I'm very excited at this opportunity to give back to a cause that I feel passionate about.

What about you? If you're reading this blog I would assume you to be a dog/animal lover as well. Have you considered helping at your local shelter? It's a truly rewarding experience ... trust me.

A Happy Dog Hoarding His Toys

I just saw it on CNN.com: Katherine Heigl pledges $1 million to help animal shelters

Powered by    * Please note, the sender's email address has not been verified.       OK ... So I kinda like Kathering Heigl now, but I'm glad her character is not on Grey's and will still steer clear of her movies :-)             Click the following to access the sent link:       Katherine Heigl pledges $1 million to help animal shelters - CNN.com*                 Get your EMAIL THIS Browser Button and use it to email content from any Web site. Click here for more information.   *This article can also be accessed if you copy and paste the entire address below into your web browser. http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/celebrity.news.gossip/09/24/heigl.shelter.donation.ppl/index.html?hpt=T2

Happy birthday boy

The Presbucket celebrated the big 03 yesterday with a juicy steak (gourmet if I do say so myself) a Puppy Paws doggy ice cream and tons of love from his family.

Happy birthday buddy ... and many more.

Newsworthy: Corridor of Cruelty in Houston

Animal abandonment should be stopped everywhere, but it is especially bad on this stretch in Houston where animals are dumped close to a busy interstate.

Dog park buddies

Dog park buddies

Wolfy - owner was a NC State (Wolfpack) fan.

Dog park buddies

Mr. Happy

Hero dog saves boy from swarm of bees

I wonder what Presley would do in this situation?

Video of Girl Throwing Puppies in a River Causes Social Media Uproar

http://mashable.com/2010/08/31/video-girl-throwing-puppies/

Chanel, the world's oldest dog dies at 21

With Presley turning 21 (in dog years) next month I'm still holding out hope that he's going to break this record.

http://dogs.about.com/b/2009/09/01/oldest-dog-dies-at-21.htm?r=outbrain

File this under: "What in the world?"

Dyeing (not "dying") dogs takes off in China. I guess this is an attempt to create even more "exotic" pets? I really hope that this does not take off here in the States ... or anywhere else for that matter.

Let our furry friends retain some sense of dignity.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/08/27/china.dyeing.dogs.pandas/index.html?hpt=C2

This is the dog equivalent of assisted pushups

New Pet Rescuers iPhone app

http://m.gizmodo.com/5621209/petrescuers-iphone-app-helps-reunite-lost-pets-with-their-owners?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+gizmodo%2Ffull+%28Gizmodo%29

Speaking of Scooby

Scooby Doo didn't stand a chance with the Presbucket.

Presbuck-O-Meter

A.M. Ambulation for 08.22.2010 09:31
Distance: 2.11mi
Duration: 37min 37sec

Snoopy got home

We (Presley, my fiancee, and I) aided a lost Snoopy in getting back to his owner after said owner's grandma accidentally let him out of the house. Poor guy was scared but still sweet.
He approached two ladies walking their dog on the greenway this  morning who happened to run into us and we used the phone number on Snoopy's tag and my cell to call the frantic owner.
All is well now. Always tag and chip you buddies.

Is it bedtime yet?

Gizmodo, the Gadget Guide: Shooting challenge

Everyone loves pet pics. Now get paid for it!

http://m.gizmodo.com/5615841/shooting-challenge-pets?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+gizmodo%2Ffull+%28Gizmodo%29

Supercollar Dog Collar Review — The Gadgeteer

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2010/08/15/supercollar-dog-collar-review/

ATTN RDU AREA: LOST DOG!

HARLEY

Last Seen: Friday, August 6th

Location last seen: Oxford Green Drive, Apex

**Off of Ten Ten Road and Bells Lake**

Breed: Male Corgi Mix

Coloring: Brown with Black

*Harley was staying with a boarder while his owners were out of town. He is a bit shy with people. Please use the contact information below if you have seen him.

Contact: Julie Shackett (803) 315-7853 or Henry Okoth (919) 449-4034. Please help us bring him home!

Tips for flying with your pets

In the aftermath of the American Airlines story earlier this week that saw 7 puppies die as a result of flying in the cargo hold, here are some tips for flying "safely" with your pets. There is still no way that Presley could fly ... he would be too traumatized. Going for a ride in the car is already scary enough for him since he can't get a solid footing during the ride, but he seems to get excited at the opportunity to do so.

The #1 piece of advice: "Ask yourself if it is really necessary to take your pets at all."



http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/08/06/pet.flight.tips/index.html?hpt=Sbin

"It's not so much about the pets but the practice of assuming a false identity that 'hurts the quality of communication' on [Facebook]" - Justin Smith of 'Inside Facebook'

If you ask me, this is just weird for people to be posing as their pets online. Thank goodness I noticed that the examples used in the article were not dog owners.

Here are social networks devoted just to pets mentioned in the article:

Critterscorner.ning.com, Catster.com, Dogster.com and myDogspace.com. Please consider maintaining the integrity and quaility of communication on Facebook.

Thanks,
Presbucket

7 puppies die after American Airlines flight

There has got to be a better way for or pets to travel. I would never put Presley on a plane to travel this way.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100805/ap_on_bi_ge/us_airline_dead_puppies

Please adopt this little guy ...

Alfonse is waiting for you at the Wake County SPCA.

Presbucket shows off his book of tricks!

The dangers of leaving food out around Presbucket

Alfonse - the black lab

Adorable pups looking for a home. SPCAWAKE.ORG

Cesar Millan Wrong in his Alpha Male Dog Training Philosophy?

Although dogs are descended from wolves ... the myth of the alpha male pack mentality has recently been debunked by several studies and is implemented in the training methods of Millan's t.v. competitor and fellow dog trainer Victoria Stilwell (of Animal Planet's "It's Me or the Dog").

Read more about these new findings here.

Won't you consider ...

Helping homeless pets by attending these events or supporting their sponsors?

 

July 31, 2010:

• Auction for the Animals (sponsored by Second Chance Pet Adoptions) - http://www.auctionfortheanimals.com/
• Independent Animal Rescue presents: 8th Annual Painted Chair & More Auction - http://www.animalrescue.net/PCA2010

Sign this petition to make BP respond to the needs of the animals

Please see the special report from CNN in the previous post for more information, but the Gulf Coast animals, their owners and the local animal shelters need your help. This petition is small gesture, but please consider donating to those local shelters.

Thanks.

Paul

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/makebpsupportgulfpets/

Help out the unseen victims of the Gulf oil spill

Area shelters are seeing a large amount of pets "surrendered" by owners having to choose between providing for families or for their pets. Imagine having to do this yourself.

Donate to help these pets and their owners. The link below is for the Gulf Coast Companion Animal Relief Program to help those affected by the oil spill started by the Louisiana SPCA but there are many more out there. I'll let you know more about these programs as I learn more:

https://la-spca.org/SSLPage.aspx?pid=511

I really feel sorry for people who are capable of doing things like this ...

Fayetteville man arrested after puppy set ablaze

Cumberland County investigators arrested a Fayetteville man Monday afternoon after a 9-week-old pit bull was set on fire.

Read more: http://wral.m0bl.net/r/7c0lr

Finally a Khardashian deed that is newsworthy

Chloe Khardashian Odom helps find abandoned dog a new home. Putting her "celebrity" to good use ... I'm sorry, am I the only person in America that doesn't know why these Khardashians are famous?

Read about her online heroics here. http://sprint.eonline.mobi/top_story.ftl?id=b189715&last_page=2&paginate=0

Presbucket will be back soon ...

Apologies for the delay in new Presbucket cartoons. Currently life is busier than usual. Presbucket will be back soon with weekly updates.

Pick up after your pets folks

Men face assault charges after dog doo dispute

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100701/ap_on_fe_st/us_odd_dog_doo_dispute

Visit your local SPCA

This morning my fiancee and I did just that and had such a great time visiting with the dogs there. We were there to inquire about the adoption process (we're looking at getting a second in a few months) and volunteer opportunities there. It was apparent that all of the volunteers there really enjoyed their time there - often staying much longer than the 2hr blocks ... but we found it hard to tear ourselves away from the puppies and adoptable dogs there.

So please ... instead of purchasing a dog, consider adopting one of the adorable, lovable dogs available at your local branch.

Remember Sam from "I AM LEGEND" ...

... and how he came to Will Smith's rescue, risking his own life to save his master's when he was attacked by the mutated dogs? Well, Presley is not that kind of dog. I know in the face of danger he's running the other way, tail tucked between his legs.

This morning I took him for his morning walk and found a golf ball in the grass.  I tossed it into the woods in front of Presley and as soon as it hit a tree - POOF! My dog was running for the house. If it had not been for the leash around him he would've made it too.

If this were the land of Oz, he would definitely be asking for courage. Even an ounce will do.

C.S.I. ASPCA

Forensics now able to bust dog fighting rings through canine DNA. Cool stuff!

http://bit.ly/dpjKhk

NC Adopts Tougher Animal Cruelty Laws

NC Adopts "Susie's Law" in light of a (now) 1 yr old pit bull puppy that was beaten, set on fire, and left to die on the side of the road.

How people that can do that exist and live with themselves baffles me to no end.

Susie is alive and in a good home. It's a shame that it took her suffering to pass and adopt a much needed amendment to a law that lets inhumane individuals live quietly amongst us with only PROBATION.

The law now classifies such acts as a Class H felony as if it were an act against an individual and carries a sentence of 10 years or a fine or both.

http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/7835724/

Happy (doggy) Father's Day

Here's the first of our printable holiday cards! Make sure that your printer is printing two-sided and that it is flipping on the short side for landscape printing!

Happy father's day to all fathers out there ... doggy or otherwise.

WRAL.com - NY police dog finds parole violator 1st day on job

NY police dog finds parole violator 1st day on job.  What a way to start a career.
http://www.wral.com/news/strange/story/7792439/

A blind dog has her own seeing eye dog

From PawNation:

http://www.pawnation.com/2010/06/11/blind-dog-has-her-own-seeing-eye-dog/

Presbucket > Garfield in marketing ...

Article re-posted from: http://trendpost.blogspot.com/2010/05/why-are-dogs-effective-marketers.html

Why are dogs effective marketers?

Have you noticed that canines have been used in marketing of products and companies that are totally un-related to the species? Why is this? Why is it that cats are used to specifically market cat food (we're specifically referring to "real" cats and not cartoon versions such as Garfield, Tony the Tiger, or Chester Cheetah) and dogs are in commercials from Cottonelle toilet tissues to Target stores?

A recent University of Texas Austin [1] study of 4,565 survey respondents found that:

• 46% were dog people, 12% cat people
• 28% were impartial in preference, 15% were neither
• Dog people were 15% (more) extroverted, 13% agreeable and 11% more conscientious than those described as cat people
• Cat people were 12% neurotic and 11% more open than dog people

In addition, according to the 2009 - 2010 National Pet Owners survey, the breakdown of pet owners showed that while the number of dogs owned falls behind the number of cats, the number of dog households out numbers all other animals. [2]

Number of U.S. Households that Own a Pet (millions)
Cat                               38.2
Dog                              45.6


Total Number of Pets Owned in the U.S. (millions)

Cat                               93.6

Dog                              77.5

Looking at these facts and figures, it is not hard to see why Americans see more dogs than cats in marketing of products that are totally unrelated to the pet industry.  When was the last time you saw a dog use toilet tissue (Cottonelle), enjoying music (RCA), eating tacos (Taco Bell), enjoying a beer (Spuds McKenzie - Bud Light), or buying ANYTHING from Target?

Outside of the big cats (i.e. lions and tigers), can you name the last advertising campaign that utilized a cat that was not for a product, business, or service that was not "for" cats?

Dogs rule.  Thanks for reading.

[1] Research Shows Personality Differences Between Cat and Dog People. (2010, January 13). University of Texas at Austin. Retrived on May 29, 2010 from http://www.utexas.edu/news/2010/01/13./personality_dogs_cats/
[2] Pet Ownership Industry Statistics and Trends. (2010). American Pet Products Association (APPA). Retrieved on May 29, 2010 from http://www.americanpetproducts.org/press_industrytrends.asp

Alternate Realities

Presbucket PSA 05.28.2010

"Trick time."

"Dogs possess a 2-year-old child's capacity to understand human pointing gestures, with dogs requiring next to zero learning time to figure out the visual communication ..." [1]

"Dogs, unlike most animals, can be taught to reliably use the pointing gesture as an indication of the location of far away objects. This rare ability has been attributed to their long history of domestication – researchers think that humans might have selectively bred dogs to understand pointing." [2]

[1] "Dogs understand gestures as well as toddlers." Today.com. Retrieved on January 23, 2010 from http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/31897694/ns/health-pet_health/#ixzz0oo0rqX6P

[2] "Dolphins get the point." (June 4, 2007). Dolphin Communication Project. Retrieved on May 23, 2010 from http://www.dolphincommunicationproject.org/main/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1084:dolphins-get-the-point&catid=48:the-dolphin-pod&Itemid=285.

"Target Practice 2"

"Target Practice"

Perception v. Reality: What goes on when we're not home

Perception v. reality ... what our pets think when we're not there.

According to MyTopDogs.com, "Dogs' internal clocks are really magnificent. They know when it's time for you to arrive home, feed them, or go to bed if you are normally on a schedule." [1]

[1] MyTopDogs.com. (n.d.). Dog Facts. Retrieved May 16, 2010, from MyTopDogs.com: http://www.mytopdogs.com/dogfacts2.shtml

"Angel"

Presbucket Cartoons Coming Soon

I have always wanted to do cartoons and this is going to be my perfect vehicle for doing it ... finally. The plan is to feature a new cartoon each week entitled "Presbucket" that deals w/ many aspects of dog ownership such as perception v. reality and the many nuances of what goes through that little brain of his and mine.

It will be a light strip, sometimes featuring many panels and more often than not a single panel (a la "Far Side"). Stay tooned.

Portraits

This is one of my favorite pictures of Presbucket that I have made into a Powerpoint piece.

"Hello Presley"

This is my dog and one of his favorite toys.