Good Bloggie!

If you are headed to Las Vegas in early June, check out the Licensing International Expo at the Manadaly Bay hotel. Yuko Shimizu, creator of Rebecca Bonbon and Hello Kitty, will be at the Fremantle Enterprises Booth 704 between 4 pm and 5.30 pm on Tuesday June 2, 2009. She’s offering a chance to win an autographed drawing of Rebecca Bonbon.

Though going to Vegas probably means leaving your Frenchie at home, I’m sure he/she won’t mind too much as long as you promise to win some of that green stuff and spend part of it on some nice treats. Good luck!

Source: Licensing.biz

Tired of the same old walk? Is your gait not what it used to be? Feel like you are dragging a big ‘ole stone behind you through the neighborhood? Are your friends scoffing at you because you haven’t accessorized your human’s walking outfit properly? Well they won’t be snorting at you now when they see your human promenading down the sidewalk with this accessory! You and your human will be the most fashionable pair in town!

Elmwood Antiques: Outstanding Antique French Bulldog Walking Stick/Cane

Your human has a lady friend who needs a walking stick but who’s pocketbook isn’t quite as heavy? They have one for her, too!

Antique Ladies French Bulldog Walking Cane

Want to add some vintage to your look? Check out these badger fur type collars, but without the badger, the fur, or the price!
East Side Collection Pawsmopolitan Dog Muffler Collar

Might be available here, too:

www.smartpetsupply.com
www.petkaboodle.com

Yesterday I attended the 1st Annual Torchy’s Trailer Park Pet Prom to see the sights, check out the events, and to meetup with Pascal, his prom date Dory, and their owner for a little fun. (Long-time readers of our blog may know Pascal from his vacation-eating and allergy-reaction fame.) What’s with the Trailer Park theme? There is an entire Austin sub-culture of amazing food being prepared and served from AirStream type trailers, then eaten outdoors in an laid back setting under the trees complete with pink, plastic flamingos.

But back to Pascal. Little did I know I’d be escorting him on a promenade past an esteemed pair of judges, Bridget and Carey of MIX 94.7, to compete for the title King of the Pet Prom. And not just any pet prom, but the FIRST Austin Pet Prom hosted by Austin Pets Alive!

As we looked around at the competition, we noticed all the pretty girls in prom attire: the cute girl in the fuzzy, pink angora sweater, two girls in pink tulle, and one with a pink feather boa. After due deliberation, the judges zeroed in an adorable girl wearing a denim dress bedazzled with cherries and a lacy, red gingham checked skirt. They crowned her Queen of the Prom with a Red, White, and Blue top hat.

Now the tension built as the judges huddled to decide King of the Prom. Pascal and I checked out a very dapper boy in a very proper bow tie. Not too far away was another handsome boy wearing a neat and tidy brown vest to go with his date’s carefully chosen prom dress. But it was a latex, Lord of the Rings orc astraddle Pascal’s back, that caught the judges’ eyes. In a town that prides itself as being different – ahem… you might even say weird – this was just the thing to tip the judges’ decision to the little, beige boy with the big, hammy, famous Frenchie smile.

Pascal took his win graciously and proudly wore his Red, White, and Blue crown around the event. We met up later with the Prom Queen at the classic, blue convertible to have photos taken.

Unfortunately, I did not bring a camera, but the Austin American-Statesman was there covering the event and taking pictures. Included in their photo essay is one of Pascal, precoronation, along with other festive pets and people.

If you have a chance to attend the Pet Prom next year, by all means, do so. With the obvious success of this year’s event, expect they will host another one. Just plan ahead for parking and a short stroll. Parking is along nearby streets, but worth the walk. The event had live and silent auctions (didn’t win those, darnit!), a bottle toss, pet products, live band, pets available for adoption, and of course, delicious trailer park food.

For more about the prom, and to learn how you can help make Austin a no-kill city, visit the Austin Pets Alive! site and blog.

And to see TV coverage: Fox 7 News, News 8 Austin, KXAN

This clip isn’t very long, and does a good job explaining in simple terms what vaccinations the author feels should be given to, and when, to pets.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5s4s33Spdfw

And here’s the followup website:
www.dogs4dogs.com/shots

Posted with permission, and permission to cross-post from the Rabies Challenge Fund

There have been many developments in state rabies laws across the country in which The Rabies Challenge Fund has had a leading role — the most recent being Alabama passing a 3-year law this week with medical exemption clause and Rhode Island’s Rabies Control Board passing a 3-year protocol with medical exemption.  It is official, now all states have adopted the 3-year national standard!

Kris L. Christine
Founder, Co-Trustee
THE RABIES CHALLENGE FUND
www.RabiesChallengeFund.org

ALABAMA – Alabama Legislature OKs 3-year rabies vaccinations, Birmingham News, 5/15/09
http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/metro.ssf?/base/news/124237531679290.xml&coll=2

Dogs and cats around Alabama could be howling a sigh of relief soon.

The Alabama House of Representatives gave final approval Thursday to a proposed law that allows dog and cat rabies vaccinations once every three years. The bill goes to Gov. Bob Riley for his consideration to sign into law.

The bill passed both houses of the Alabama Legislature without a vote against it. “It’s something everybody understands,” Dixon said.

RHODE ISLAND – Board OKs Change in Rabies Policy, Providence Journal News Digest, May 1, 2009
http://www.projo.com/news/content/news_digest_01_05-01-09_5KE7P0O_v4.38640bf.html

PROVIDENCE –– The Rhode Island Rabies Control Board has approved a change in policy that could pave the way for regulations that will allow the vaccination of dogs and cats every three years, rather than every two years.

The board approved a proposal to work with lawyers on regulatory language that would allow vaccines to be administered in accordance with the “durations of immunity” listed on the manufacturers’ label, said the state’s veterinarian, Dr. Scott Marshall.