Over 100 angry dog owners marched down Brea Blvd to City Hall in peaceful protest.

On October 24th at 10am, more than 100 outraged dog lovers (and maybe a few cat lovers) marched down Brea Blvd and Birch Street in protest of unfair breed discriminatory ordinances in a growing number of cities scattered all across the country.

With signs waving, tails wagging, and cars honking, activists walked more than two miles in a loop to Brea City Hall. More than 90 events were well attended in cities all across the United States and Canada, in a national campaign to create social awareness about the danger of allowing renegade cities and insurance companies to impose restrictions on dog ownership.

Dog owners — in policed cities with breed restrictions — have been forced to move from their homes or surrender the family dog. Others can stay in their homes but will lose their homeowners insurance if they admit to owning a targeted breed. Some say it’s an outrage! Some say it’s a violation of our Constitutional rights! I say something has gone terribly WRONG and I will remain at the forefront of this battle until our freedom to choose our canine companions is a protected right — not a crime. As a civilized society, we don’t accept racial discrimination — why on earth would we tolerate discrimination against dog breeds?

Winter issue 2009.

This year we spiced up our protest with a fundraising raffle and contest. All monies were donated to support the work of Mariah’s Promise in Divide, CO — giving shelter to hundreds of family dogs made homeless by Denver’s brutal breed ban. To further our fundraising efforts, the American Dog Magazine is making this special offer: Buy a subscription to The American Dog Magazine and proceeds will be donated to Mariah’s Promise. In the Winter 2009 issue, American Dog published an article I wrote: Vet Warns Dog Owners to Stay Out of Denver, CO. 

Each quarterly issue is loaded with information from respected dog experts from all over the world: veterinarians, professional dog trainers, lawyers, and animal welfare advocates. All for the bargain price of only $20. And the upcoming January issue will feature ROVERlution.org and photos from the October 24th Luv-a-Bully March hosted by Founders. You and your dog could be captured for the two-page feature! See all photos taken by Lisa Scarsi Photography here.

When you subscribe, please use animal charity code: BSL to ensure your donation goes to the homeless bullies (awaiting new homes in safe cities) at Mariah’s Promise. If you already get this outstanding magazine, please gift one to a friend this holiday season!

Nicholas Burr, winner of Best Kissed Kid contest. $100 gift certificate to Disneyland!

And the winner of Best Kissed Kid is … Nicholas Burr! Who could resist that smile? This happy kid is a natural dog lover and a budding animal activist! We are sure he will be smiling again soon as the winner of a $100 gift certificate to Disneyland.

My special thanks to all the wonderful souls (clients and concerned citizens) that joined hands and hearts again for our 5th annual Luv-a-Bully March. You did your civil duty to your dog and your community.

Excited raffle prize winner Nadine and her dog Junebug. Won signed copy of Cesar Millan’s book, Cesar's Way: The Natural, Everyday Guide to Understanding and Correcting Common Dog Problems.

“Never underestimate the power of a small group of committed people to change the world. In fact, it is the only thing that ever has.”

— Margaret Mead

Lolita

Hi! I’m Eric Christensen and this is my first time blogging with you. I sometimes man the front desk, taking calls and scheduling appointments — but my real job at Founders is that of Hospital Administrator. The staff likes to call me the ‘Computer Guy’ since I worked in the computer industry during my first three lives and now keep the computers up and running at Founders. I am also known as ‘Cat Guy’ here at work — being the only employee to have all feline housemates and no canines (see photos). I still love dogs, but cats just seem better suited to my laid back lifestyle.

Besides my feline passion, I also spend time keeping up in the political arena, so I have been designated to write about important pet legislation. But I never expected to uncover legislation that would be a great benefit to pet owners! Did you know that Congressman Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI) has submitted a bill to the US House of Representatives that will allow pet owners to reduce their taxable income by up to $3500 per year? Perhaps it is a stimulus package for the veterinary profession — also feeling the cutbacks in these difficult economic times. Thank you Congressman McCotter for your leadership on an issue relating to animal welfare!

This bill would help offset the rising cost of pet care in America, and help people that are increasingly finding it more difficult to make ends meet. You may wonder, in these times of budget deficits and high profile government programs getting all the attention, why do we need this act? If you’re a dedicated pet owner and feel as I do, your pets are family! We allow tax deductions for children, why not our four-legged fur-kid dependents?

Isaac and Hook

Furthermore, there are the psychological benefits that for some of us are like having a doctor’s prescription, which has qualified many patients to have therapy pets. Karin Winegar, whose book “Saved: Rescued Animals and the Lives They Transform” (Da Capo, 2008) chronicles human-animal interactions and reports:

“The human-animal bond bypasses the intellect and goes straight to the heart and emotions and nurtures us in ways that nothing else can. We’ve seen this from coast to coast, whether it’s disabled children at a riding center in California or a nursing home in Minnesota, where a woman with Alzheimer’s could not recognize her husband but she could recognize their beloved dog.”

We witness the incredible healing support and joy our pets — and your pets — unselfishly give to us each day. Karin Winegar’s research only supports what we know and the wisdom Congressman Thaddeus McCotter appreciates.

The Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years (HAPPY – HR 3501) act would amend the federal tax code to allow pet owners to reduce their taxable income (up to $3500) by allowing deductions for qualified pet care expenses, including veterinary care.

Our staff believes that passage of this amendment would ease the burden of pet care for many American families and also encourage better and more consistent medical care for beloved family pets that depend on us to provide for them.

Please write, email, or call your Congressman today and tell him/her why this bill is important to you and your pet companions.

The ASPCA supports this bill and offers you an easy way to voice your support, too. Use this link to send your message to Congress now:

https://secure2.convio.net/aspca/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2605

Thank you!