Dairy Farm Worker Guilty of Animal Cruelty Charges

What is wrong with people? I really try to avoid watching the news....I just can not understand how some people can be filled with so much hate and/or cruel intentions.

LAST WEEK, Billy Joe Gregg, Jr., a worker at Conklin Dairy Farms caught on hidden camera during a Mercy For Animals (Warning - this clip is disturbing!) investigation maliciously abusing cows and calves, pleaded guilty to six misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals.

Gregg was sentenced to eight months in jail, ordered to pay a $1,000 fine, and is barred from contact with animals for three years. Gregg must also receive counseling through a program that specializes in treating individuals involved in animal abuse cases.

During a four-week investigation in April and May, MFA's investigator documented farm workers:

-Violently punching young calves in the face, body slamming them to the ground, and pulling and throwing them by their ears
-Routinely using pitchforks to stab cows in the face, legs and stomach
-Kicking "downed" cows (those too injured to stand) in the face and neck - abuse carried out and encouraged by the farm's owner
-Maliciously beating restrained cows in the face with crowbars - some attacks involving over 40 blows to the head
-Twisting cows' tails until the bones snapped
-Punching cows' udders
-Bragging about stabbing, dragging, shooting, breaking bones, and beating cows and calves to death

After viewing the footage, Dr. Bernard Rollin, Distinguished Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University, stated: "This is probably the most gratuitous, sustained, sadistic animal abuse I have ever seen. The video depicts calculated, deliberate cruelty, based not on momentary rage but on taking pleasure through causing pain to cows and calves who are defenseless."

Sadly, cruelty to farmed animals in Ohio - no matter how egregious - is classified as a mere misdemeanor. Ohio has some of the weakest animal protection laws in the nation - ranking 43rd out of all 50 states. Further, no federal laws provide protection for farmed animals during their lives on the farm. Such inadequate state laws and the absence of federal laws lead to rampant abuse.

The deplorable conditions uncovered at Conklin Dairy Farms further highlight the reality that animal agriculture cannot be trusted to self-regulate and that meaningful federal and state law must be implemented and strengthened to prevent egregious cruelty to farmed animals.


Although many of the abuses documented at Conklin Dairy Farms are expressions of Gregg's sadistic pathology, numerous MFA undercover investigations at dairy farms, pig farms, egg farms, hatcheries and slaughterhouses have revealed that violence and abuse to farmed animals - whether malicious or institutionalized - run rampant nationwide.

Compassionate consumers can end their direct financial support of farmed animal abuse by rejecting dairy, and other animal products, and adopting a vegan diet .

Support MFAs work .

Free Yorkies???

Oldest Yorkie / Yorkshire Terrier

On average, a Yorkie lives between 12 and 15 years.

Meet BILLY!

He may be a venerable 154 years old in dog years, is blind in one eye and only has a few teeth left - but he's still energetic and active, going out for two walks a day and regularly playing with his loving owner, 71-year-old Betty Holdsworth.

He is still able to run around and even jump - despite the fact that he was in a bad state when he was taken in by the local RSPCA before being placed with his new owner.

'His coat was filthy and matted and his nails were so long he couldn't stand up. He was also very underweight and his teeth were rotten,' the RSPCA's Jule Cockroft told the Halifax Courier earlier this month.


And Billy could be in line to claim the record of the world's oldest dog if his age can be proved. The Guiness Book of World Records confirmed that the current holder of the title is a 21-year-old dog.

The world's previous oldest dog, a dachshund terrier cross called Otto, was put to sleep in January this year at the age of 20 years and 11 months after suffering from stomach cancer.

The Best Shampoo for Yorkies and Yorkshire Terriers

This has been a month of sampling great products!

Last month a reader sent me samples of her special Yorkie Splash and Shine - an exclusive, organic shampoo and conditioner designed just for Yorkies.

In Trixie's 3 short years, I haved tried about 8 different shampoos. And while there have been some very good ones, I have to honestly say, WE LOVE THESE PRODUCTS!

I was skeptical at first, because the shampoo appears very thin and watery. I thought, is this ever going to lather and clean? But it did! Wonderfully. And you know how some shampoo takes a while to rinse out of the hair thoroughly? This rinses out VERY QUICKLY. I was amazed. An 8 ounce bottle is just $9!


Because they are made from mainly organic ingredients, they are safe for the sensitive skin of Yorkies. Yorkie Splash and Yorkie Shine also help promote a healthy, luxurious coat for your Yorkie.

Besides the shampoo there is a great silky conditioner and detangler spray.

Check out YORKIE SHAMPOO - and tell them TRIXIE SENT YOU!

New Enzyme Powered Pet Stain Cleaner

Ooops!

Accidents are bound to happen!

ESPECIALLY with new dogs!

Even though Little Trixie is 3 now, I always keep a cleaning solution handy. Plus I have a cat. And sometimes she throws up or coughs up a hairball. ICK!

I had been buying WHATEVER from the big box pet shops. But now BISSELL has come out with

Bissell Pawsitively Clean Ewww Enzyme-Powered Pet Stain & Odor Remover .



They sent us a bottle to try and WE LOVED IT!

•Powerful enzyme-action tackles deep down stains and odors - urine and feces are TOTALLY REMOVED this product.

•Fast acting cleaning and deodorizing agents start working immediately

•Permanently removes organic stains from urine, feces and other accidents

•Safe for use on carpets, upholstery, pet beds, litter boxes or any water-safe surface


Best of all, it's economical. A nice sized 32oz bottle is about $12. And they offer bigger refill bottles for $18-$32, if you have lots of pets.


This is by far, the best of these types of products, I have tried!


It's Trixie approved!







PS - If you have dogs and cats that shed, Bissell makes a special little vacume cleaner, that is wonderful and under $30!

Bissell Pet Hair Eraser Handheld Vacuum, Corded, 33A1

Mercy For Animals - Farmed Animal Abuse

The other night we met the founder of Mercy For Animals , Nathan Runkle. Raised on a farm in rural Ohio, Nathan has long had a deep connection with farmed animals and agriculture. After a local farmed animal abuse case, involving a piglet slammed head first into a concrete floor during an agriculture project at a nearby high school, Nathan founded Mercy For Animals to give “food” animals a much needed advocate in his local community.

Since founding Mercy For Animals a decade ago, Nathan has overseen the organization's growth into a leading national force for the respectful and compassionate treatment of farmed animals. A grassroots organizer and coordinator for many years, Nathan has spearheaded hundreds of demonstrations and outreach events across the country – ranging from protests outside pork and egg producer conventions to parade marches, educational exhibits, and more.

A nationally recognized speaker on animal advocacy, grassroots activism, and factory farming, Nathan has spoken at colleges, forums, and conferences from coast-to-coast.

On the Mercy for Animals Blog this month, they interview author Melanie Joy and discuss her book Why We Love Dogs, Eat Pigs, and Wear Cows: An Introduction to Carnism .



In her book, the term "carnism" is used in the discussion of why our society thinks cows, pigs and chickens make for good eating, while rats, puppies and parrots make us queasy.



Melanie says, "I wrote Why We Love Dogs... for both carnists and veg*ns. I wrote the book for carnists to help them understand not simply why they shouldn't eat animals, but why they do eat animals, and to help them feel invited into the conversation, rather than preached at. I wrote the book for veg*ns to help them feel more grounded in, and better able to articulate, their choices; to understand the carnists in their lives so they could communicate more effectively; and to understand the system they're working to transform."



It's great reading and makes you stop and think. Check it out!

And also stop by Mercy For Animals on Facebook !

Dogs Saves Another Dog

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS?
A dog saves another dog!

One dog is hit by a truck, and another dog comes onto the freeway to help him, and drags him inch by inch to safety. Finally some workers see the dogs and jump into help!
Dogs are so smart! WATCH NOW

Tiny Yorkies With Big Hearts

A DOG CAN BE TOO LITTLE -

What he lacks in size, a 14-OUNCE Yorkshire terrier named Little Dude more than compensates in his ability to touch the hearts of those who come in contact with him.

For this reason his owner, Dan Armstrong, a groomer at Village Veterinarian in Lady Lake (Florida) , is working with one of the practice’s veterinarians to use the tiny pup to provide comfort to wounded veterans.



Armstrong, who lives in Rutland, said Little Dude was born May 5, 2009, and weighed a mere 1.5 ounces at birth. “He almost fit into a tablespoon,” Armstrong said.

Little Dude also faced a serious medical problem early on — he was born without an elbow joint on his right front leg. Despite his veterinarian’s reservations about operating on such a small puppy, she was able to fuse his bones together. He still can’t walk on his front legs.

Over the past year Armstrong has worked to prepare Little Dude to go and meet with veterans. Armstrong has teamed up with Rick Munsell, a veterinarian at Village Veterinarian, to bring that idea to fruition.

“He visits veterans, right now, in their homes,” Armstrong said of Little Dude. “We’re hoping to get him to a veteran’s hospital either in Tampa or Gainesville, so he can visit veterans there.”

Read more about their program at DAILY SUN.


This breeder in Florida showed this tiny dog in 2003. Tiny Pinocchio, a steel blue and tan 1-year-old Yorkshire terrier, tips the scales, if you could call it that, at an even 1 pound. He is 8 inches long, stands 4.5 inches tall at his shoulder, and fits comfortably in a baseball cap.


Dr. Michael Rumore, a veterinarian at Lake Seminole Animal Hospital, where Noki (Tiny Pinocchio's nickname) gets his regular checkups. "I honestly think it is the smallest dog in the world. He's highly abnormal, even for a toy breed."

There are several possible causes, Rumore explained, including hormonal deficiencies or some unknown form of canine dwarfism. "He just stopped growing at eight weeks," Rumore said, "although he has matured and he's healthy.

WOW!

My Yorkie Blog is Famous and so Is My Dad, Derrick Sorles

WHO KNEW?!

When we started this little blog about dogs,

it would become so popular?

This was the first blog my dad's launched

back in 2007, and it grew to be so popular.

We now attract over 10,000 readers a month

from around the world, who love dogs and Yorkies.

Last week, they interviewed my dad about this blog.

You can read it at Blog Interviewer.com

Yorkies Rule!

A Dog's Life...in Florida

My dear friend Jake, in Florida sent me his recent photos!

On his favorite chair and outside with his mom!

Thanks for the photos Jake - see you soon!

xoxoxox Trixie

PAWS Chicago Beach Party a Success

PAWS CHICAGO is the city's largest NO KILL Humane organization, focused on alleviating Pet Homelessness. Lasy night was their 8th Annual Beach Party and I was lucky enough to attend with my 2 dad's. Boy, there were dogs everywhere! Big dogs, little dogs, one lady even brought her turtle! They even had doggy treat tables for us! Thousands of dollars were raised last night and all that money goes to help needy animals.

If you're in the Chicago area, watch for the upcoming RUN FOR THEIR LIVES 4k walk in September and the fabulous FUR BALL in December, which is a very chic black tie event!

If you're looking for pet, think about adopting. SO MANY homeless animals need a caring home, and they have lots of love to give someone.

Since PAWS Chicago’s founding in 1997, the number of homeless dogs and cats killed annually has dropped more than 50 percent.

Maillardville Manor and Max

A fellow blogger from Canada, and fan of this site,

sent these adorable photos of her Max!
"We follow your blog and love to see what's new with you!!!
We lost a little yorkie a few years ago to Pancreatitis,

it was very sad! But then we got little Max and everything has been fantastic!
I wanted to share a couple of photo's of Max with you guys! "

Stop by and see her at Maillardville Manor.

Pancreatitis in Yorkshire Terriers

Middle-aged dogs appear to be at increased risk of developing pancreatitis; as a breed, Schnauzers and Yorkshire terriers appear to be more prone to it.

ASPEN THE YORKIE shares his story on his blog. CHICKEN LIVERS brought on the problem. BEWARE - PEOPLE FOOD CAN HARM YORKIES!!

Summer Time and Yorkies and HEAT STROKE

BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR DOG IN THE SUMMER!

It's common sense; these little guys don't take much to over-heat.

Watch them closely, if you are out walking in the summer heat.

Watch for excessive panting; watch for dizziness.

On a recent summer day, a couple played with Samantha near the lake, tossing a small ball back and forth.

Things went tragically wrong, and the dog collapsed of a heat stroke.

She was rushed to an emergency animal clinic, but it was too late and she died.
“People tend to think their animal can just keep going that they’re less sensitive to heat than we are, they’re really not,“ said Amber Rowland of Town Center Animal Center. “They’re not going to be like your toddler and be like it’s hot mommy! They just have to use their bodies and we have to pay attention to what their bodies are saying to us.“

Look for signs like dizziness, vomiting, trembling muscles, heavy panting with a dry tongue and lying down without trying to get up.

“Get them out of the heat, get them into a cool environment and provide them with plenty of fresh, cool water,“ said Rowland.

Dog That's Just Dyeing to be a Tiger

Leave it to China!

If you can't own an exotic pet, just dye your dog!

I have seen pink Poodles and blue Bichon Frise

But check these out!

The latest trend in China.

The Summer Haircut For HOT Yorkies

You really can't tell from my photos -

But the top one was shot last night, BEFORE the big Haircut...

And the bottom one was shot today, AFTER the BIG HAIRCUT!

I am pretty much SHAVED! But at least I'll be cool

for the summer months!

I love going to HAPPY TAILS in Chicago -

They feed me treats and pamper me!

The Pets 10 Commandments

We have ran this before, but CodiPup.com brought it to my attention again, I had forgotten about how special it is -

The Pets 10 Commandments -

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.


2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.


3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.

4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.


5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.


6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.

7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.



8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.


9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.


10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.







Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them.


Life would be a much duller, less joyful experience without God's critters.


We do not have to wait for Heaven, to be surrounded by hope, love, and joyfulness.
It is here on earth and has four legs!


©Stan Rawlinson (The Original Doglistener). A professional full time Dog Behaviourist and Obedience Trainer. More info at DOG LISTENER.

Yorkie and Other Dog Hair Can Help With the Oil Spill Clean Up

news from New Hampshire -

Sherri Goodreau, a groomer with The Merrimack Veterinary Hospital on Daniel Webster Highway in/near New Hampshire had a great idea; start collecting hair and fur to ship to an organization that uses the super-oil-absorbent strands to make products that will help contain oil spilled in the Gulf.

“The owners think it’s really neat,” said Goodreau, who’s worked at the hospital for 18 years. “They’re all really excited about it.”

The collected hair and fur will be sent to the nonprofit California-based organization, Matter of Trust, which aims to “link ideas, spark action and materialize sustainable systems,” according to its Web site.



Because they are natural oil absorbers, Matter of Trust is collecting trimmings from all over the country to weave “hair mats” – for placement on beaches – and “hair booms” – in which hair is stuffed into recycled nylon booms for placement on the water.

The organization made hair mats to help soak up oil on beaches in the San Francisco area following a cargo ship spill of 58,000 gallons of oil in 2007.

For this most recent spill, the organization has 15 warehouse locations for hair and fur collection, including spaces in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Florida, according to the organization’s Web site.

HOW COOL IS THAT?!

Missing Yorkie Yorkshire Terrier in CHICAGO

HELP!!!

$1000 REWARD FOR SAFE RETURN OF SADIE! Call: (312) 543-5000

We lost our baby (of 9 years) in Roscoe Village near Addison/Lincoln/Cornelia/Damen. (3550 North - 1800 West) Our Yorkshire "Yorkie" Terrier was last seen on the 1800 Block of West Eddy St. on 4/6/10 at 3.30 pm. If you have ANY leads or have seen our baby, PLEASE, PLEASE call me and help. No questions asked $1000 Reward for the information or safe return of our little girl! 'Sadie' is 5 lbs with a stocky build. Mostly Black with tan paws and head, and a white patch (star) on her chest. She was wearing a black nylon color with a gold 'bone' identity tag(faded) and current Vaccine tags. She is electronically chipped--9 years old--and needs important daily medication!! So please bring her home to us or she will have complications! We are devastated and we will not stop looking until we find her. PLEASE call us if you have seen this dog or even one that looks like her! We will follow up on all leads!

Her hair is a bit longer now (photos are from 2/7-Superbowl Sunday ) she has a shorter nose than most Yorkies, and stocky front shoulder build, erect ears, and a narrow behind... very small and short... maybe the smallest dog you have seen with the biggest heart!

Call: (312) 543-5000

Horny Yorkshire Terrier That Humps Our Cat!

In the last 6 months, our 2 year old Yorkie (who is fixed)

has started to enjoy

the effects of humping! She LOVES to

climb up on top of our 16 pound cat

and hump her! Sometimes she will

hump our feet and legs too!

I know they say it's a sign of showing domination - but I think she likes the way

it feels too! Sometimes her tongue hangs out and her eyes roll in head!

It is so funny to watch - and the cat is good sport about it!

Yorkies in Las Vegas and Dallas

I have had a crazy few weeks!

My dad's got to go Las Vegas earlier this month.

So I stayed with my dear friends Jeff and Andi.

They are so nice to me! And they have a dog blog too.

My dad's came home for 5 days, then left AGAIN.

This time for Dallas. So I got to spend a few more days

back with Jeff and Andi!

Now things are calmed down a bit and we are all back home.

But all this talk about Las Vegas, reminded me of my

Yorkie friend JILLI. Have you been to her site?

She plays poker! Stop by and see her.

xoxoxox

Trixie Lee

Summertime in Chicago! Dog Days at the Beach!

SPRING HAS SPRUNG in Chicago!

Yesterday was a glorious 75 and today was 83!

W O W!

Yesterday is slept in the window most of the day

and enjoyed the soft breeze and fresh spring smells.

Today, I got to the go the BEACH!

(Did you know, Chicago has over 30 beachs,
550 parks, and 40 miles of lakefront area? We go to
Hollywood/Osterman Beach mostly.)

It was our first day at the beach for year!
The Winter snow fences are not even down yet,
but about 50 people were out there enjoying the warm breeze
and rays of sunshine!

I got my feet a little wet - but of course, Lake Michigan
is chilly till July! But I met about 10 other dogs today
and we got to run around in the warm sand!

I am so glad Winter is over.

Summer in Chicago is glorious!

ARF ARF!