Petfinder Blog

As the holidays approach, you may remember the decorative, ornate holiday sweaters that were so popular in the '80s and '90s. Some of you might even pull yours out as Thanksgiving rolls around -- hey, what better way to get into the festive mood?

However, all of us in the pet-loving community know the only thing better than a not-so-fashionable holiday sweater is an ugly pet sweater. So send us yours!

Whether it belongs to you or your pet, post it here in the comments section (here's how) or e-mail it to us at blog (at) petfinder.com by Nov. 23 to share a couple of laughs.

And here's the best part: One ugly pet sweater will be made into a holiday e-card!

Check out this segment from Today featuring Emma Jackson, the remarkable 15-year-old author of A Home for Dixie: The True Story of a Rescued Puppy. The book tells the story of how Emma adopted a dog from Petfinder member Aunt Mary's Doghouse in Montclair, NJ. When Emma learned about the plight of homeless pets, she made it her mission to tell the world -- and especially kids -- about the benefits of adoption.

Best of all, part of the proceeds from this sweet children's book benefit Aunt Mary's Doghouse!

Kudos to Dr. Lila Miller of the ASPCA, who was awarded the 2008 AVMA Animal Welfare Award. The award was given to recognize Dr. Miller's many achievements in advancing the welfare of animals via her leadership, public service, education, research and advocacy -- and I couldn't agree more with the choice!

We all know how important our relationships with our best friends' doctors are. (I'm struggling personally right now because my own trusted veterinarian has moved too far away for us to visit regularly, leaving me too frozen with anxiety and indecision to select the right new doctor to partner with in my pets' health care.) 

I was looking for the fairy-tale ending for the nest of baby bunnies in my yard. I worked hard, walking the dogs on leashes so as to leave the yard a bunny-safe zone.

Momma Bunny was supposed to come back and care for the brood until they were old enough to hop away and live happily ever after. But as we all know, in real life, sometimes your prince doesn't come -- and as it turns out, sometimes neither does Momma Bunny.

When I last posted, I had checked in with the experts, wildlife rehabilitators, who are trained and experienced in dealing with many wildlife issues, including the inevitable bunny-nest in the yard. They explained that sometimes Mom slips in at dusk or dawn and you may not be able to tell she was there. Don't panic, they said! I strategically placed very light twigs in a crossed pattern over the nest the next evening, hopeful that Mom would show and my fairy-tale would be preserved. Sadly, the next morning, all was exactly how I'd left it.

Day #3 and the bunnies are still there. There may be four or there may be five. When I move the grass/hair to take a peak, they start to sort of "popcorn" around -- which is awfully cute, but makes me nervous!  And I'm certainly not moving them around to count.

Also making me nervous is the fact that I'm not sure that Mom came last night. Up until now, I could tell. I put two light twigs crossed over the grass to see if they were disturbed, but they were not. It is possible, although unlikely, that she could have gotten to them without moving the twigs. Sadly, I don't think so.

So now what???? I did wake up to POURING RAIN around 4:30 a.m. Could that have dissuaded her? And will the little ones be okay until tonight?? Finally, what if she doesn't come back? Arrrgggghhhhhhh.

Yesterday my pit bull Mojo alerted me to the bunny nest in the yard. I'm still questioning mother rabbit's wisdom. Yard next door = NO PETS.  My yard = three big dogs.

I think there are five bunnies in there. And they actually do look like bunnies -- those ears are so damn cute. I was worried about them in the rain, but the way the mom has the fur and then thick dead/live grass mat over them -- and then the tall grass bent over --- they were warm and dry in there. I took my pics and tucked them all safely back in until tomorrow.