The Willis Post

What?!

2012-01-10T12:50:00.000-08:00

NASDAQ

2012-01-02T10:37:00.000-08:00

NOTE: This photo is NOT photoshopped!
I was representing the Humane Society of New York with my many friends, closing the year out as the bell rang at NASDAQ on December 23, 2011. I have to admit I was touched that they put me up on the kiosk in Times Square!

Honey, I'm Home!

2011-10-06T12:33:00.000-07:00

Hellooooo friends! I am back from my summer vacation on Long Island and I'm ready to get back to blogging!

You would think it was my birthday (*cough* *December* *cough*) with all the lovely gifts I have received recently. Really makes me one little grateful dog.

Check this one out! My friend Mia brought her doggie Schnitzel (on the left) here to get neutered. As a thank you, Mia and Schnitzel baked me and my friends at the Humane Society of New York some amazing, delicious, ooey-gooey brownies! Since I can't have them (chocolate is toxic to dogs, grrrr) my human friends are devouring them as I type. I barely had time to take the photo before they dug in to the adorable package!

And this is how I have been spending my afternoons...

A special thanks to the Nate Berkus Show and his crew for making my belly rubs that much more enjoyable! They donated these super comfy dog bone floor mats from Bed, Bath & Beyond.

My friends were just recently on set filming a really fun segment that will be airing on October 20th, so watch for that!

Boy am I thanking my lucky stars today!

Summer Lovin'

2011-07-19T12:13:00.001-07:00

I am heading to Long Island for a little summer vacation! While I am gone, catch up on all my HSNY Alumni friends! http://hsnyalumni.blogspot.com/

Miss HSNY

2011-07-11T13:46:00.000-07:00

Occasionally my life gets sparkled with some glitz and glam. Today there were two special visitors that came by to learn all about HSNY and meet everyone here. I wanted to extend a thank you to Miss Earth New York, Lisa, and Miss Teen Earth Northeast, Brandi. They were so lovely and I wish them both luck in their national competition in this far away land that they were calling Daytona, Florida! Hope to see you both again soon! Smooches!

Bill Berloni Won A Tony!

2011-06-22T09:10:00.001-07:00

Have you heard about Bill Berloni, our Director of Animal Behavior, winning a Tony Award this year? That's right! Just this past week he received a very special honor and made history at the Tony's as the very first animal trainer to win an Award of Excellence. We are SO PROUD and happy for Bill, our dear friend.

For more information on what Bill does outside of the Humane Society of New York, please visit his website: www.theatricalanimals.com

Volunteers

2011-06-17T07:18:00.000-07:00

So much to do and so little time! ! Thankfully we have the best volunteers in the world. Groups, individuals, class projects, families…it is amazing how many people come spend time with me and my friends when they can. We are lucky to have so much extra help around here. Recently, I have been busy meeting tons of new volunteer friends and wanted to thank them for coming.

The Gotham Gators took all of our adoptable dogs for a walk to Central Park, helped us paint and fundraised. They ROCKED!

We also had a group from Goldman Sachs come by for some TLC.

I just love this picture of my friend Mr. Flops. He looks SO happy!

For more information on how YOU can come volunteer at the Humane Society of New York, please contact Anne-Marie Karash at amk.hsny@verizon.net

Please include your name address and phone number and what you would like to do as a volunteer.

Thank you!

Take Your Child To Work Day

2011-05-04T08:57:00.000-07:00

As you already know, we have groups come to visit us. I love meeting them and teaching them about HSNY! Tuesday’s Children were our visitors this week. Tuesday's Children is a non-profit family service organization that has made a long-term commitment to every individual who was directly impacted by the events of September 11, 2001.

The kids met some of our adoptive animals and learned about pet care, animal adoptions and our hospital. They met my sister Misty and gave her a good brush, which is her favorite thing in the world! I also helped them learn what the word “humane” means, and some of the ways a city dog can enjoy being outside by taking them up on our rooftop run. Luckily we just missed that terrible rain storm that was rolling in, as you can see from the clouds in the photo! They were like little sponges soaking up knowledge and it was a pleasure and honor to have them pick US as their destination for Take Your Child To Work Day!

Spring Break

2011-04-20T10:45:00.000-07:00

It's been a very busy day for me. You all know how much I love when my friends stop by! Today was a double dose of good company.

I have known this lovely lady for years now. We've watched each other grow up and whenever she can come over to help me with my duties as resident dog, she does. Just look at how much fun we are having!
Then in the afternoon, some out of town friends came over. Naturally, I assumed they just came to visit me (LOL!) but actually they came bearing gifts for all of the animals. It turns out that they are BFFs of Toby Tobias III, one of my HSNY pals in the adoption center. I insisted on giving them the grand tour which included two bunnies here for adoption (Ebony & Ivory) and introduced them to all my buddies. It was a super good time and I told them on their next visit we could have lunch at Serendipity's! (Allowance permitting!) ;-)

St. Pawtrick's Day

2011-03-21T10:45:00.000-07:00

Wow this past week was very lovely and although I enjoyed myself thoroughly, I am tired. On Wednesday night, our good friend Wendy hosted a St. Pawtrick’s Day pawty for me and my friends here at the Humane Society of New York. So many cute outfits and fun times and the best part was that all the proceeds raised are going to a number of the sick animals we have been treating. Wendy is always so caring and wonderful with all the things she does for our animals. We love her and speaking of luck, we are so lucky to have friends like these!

The next day was the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. Did you know that it was the 250^th anniversary? That’s 1750 in dog years!

Hope you had a great weekend and got some fresh spring air. Til next time, Willis.

Here's a photo of my friend Winky with his

dad Robert and our friend Wendy.

I Went To The Dentist!

2011-03-09T07:15:00.000-08:00

There are very few things I fear, but this phrase is one of them: "This is your friendly dental reminder." Saturday was not my favorite of days, as I had to get a dental. But boy am I relieved I saw my friend Denise! So fresh and clean feeling, and healthy too. Look how pretty I look.

The cleaning reminded me that I wanted to remind everyone that it is very important to get pets their dental exams. We can't gargle or do it ourselves so please help us out. Vets can do the major cleanings but owners can do small things too!

Happy brushing! You and your pet will appreciate it.

Bunny Hop

2011-03-08T13:05:00.000-08:00

Now that I started talking about rabbits, I was thinking about how rabbits are just like me. We need a lot of care and attention. If you are thinking of getting a rabbit, think hard and take your time to make sure it is the right decision. Rabbits can live up to 12 years and that's a long commitment! Fun fact: Did you know in the Chinese New Year, this is the year of the rabbit? A lot of people are talking about getting these little furry pets and I just wanted to make sure you get all the facts.

The Flying Bunny

2011-03-01T07:18:00.000-08:00

You never know what your day will bring and who you are going to meet. In my most recent adventure, we went to a taping of Nate Berkus (still awaiting air date!) so some of my adoptable friends could model. Before you go on the show, you wait in the green room. While we were waiting, this spunky little blonde girl spotted my friend Buttercup and came in to say hello.

Turns out her name is Annika Vrklan and she was a guest on the show as well. She is a Guinness World Record holder for her skateboarding and she is only six! When she skates, she wears these really cute helmets and one of them has pink bunny ears where she got her nickname "The Flying Bunny".

It just so happens I got a set just like em!

We can't wait until she comes back to New York City to visit us. Best of luck Annika!

You can find more information about Annika on her facebook page, HERE.

Welcome to the club, Mayor Koch

2011-01-06T08:05:00.001-08:00

New Year!

2011-01-03T09:16:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

On my way to the ball drop this year, I took the subway, just like most New Yorker's travel. Just wanted to take this time for some reminders on travel tips, especially on the subway.

Always, always, always keep your pet in their carrier. Unless it is a service dog, they should never be loose. You never know what could happen, plus it's against the law.

Also, carry a little water and food for them.

Don't forget to bring their leash and collar and tags.

Never leave their carrier unattended if they are inside.

Don't forget to bring bags and tissue to pick up after them. No one needs an extra little new years present laying around!

Holiday Volunteers

2010-12-22T08:06:00.001-08:00

Picture this. You work hard at school all season long and it's finally vacation time. You're friends all talk about going to this warm location and that cool ski resort. But you have other plans. Of all the things you could do with your precious time off, you want to volunteer at the Humane Society of New York. Over here, we are so fortunate to have many people who think like this and we could not be more grateful!

This past week we had some of the very cheerful and jolly friends come and visit us. We had

Toys For Dogs to go to later that night. Toys For Dogs is an annual event that Wendy Diamond and Animal Fair Magazine throws for us. It generates so many great gifts for the animals and we always have a good time. More about the actual event later!

The girls helped to create this stunning gift drop box for the event. They made it so pretty, don't you think? We LOVE them!

Me helping them hang the stocking and show off our artistic talent!

“Winning isn’t everything, but the will to win is everything.”

2010-12-21T08:48:00.000-08:00

I saw a fabulous show on Broadway last night and wanted to tell you all about it!

Lombardi is about Hall of Fame Football Coach Vince Lombardi. I don't know if you know this but back in the day, I was quite the football player myself so this topic in a play...well I just couldn't wait to see it! So many people are familiar with his name but don't really know the man. Lombardi takes you into the life and times that shaped the man we all saw. It touches on his life off the field, from his family to key players and friends that were molded by his inimitable leadership.

Anyone who likes a good family drama will enjoy this play. I give it two paws up!

For more info, please see http://www.lombardibroadway.com/index.php

Therapy Dog Reunited with Owner Thanks to Judge

2010-12-20T10:56:00.001-08:00

Recently I read an article of a heartwarming rescue story that I wanted to share with my readers. It is not every day that a dog can be rescued and reunited with its owner and this story is one of those occasions.

I am proud to report that The Honorable County Court Judge and Surrogate Frank J. LaBuda was travelling on Route 17 and spotted Lelia, a Border Collie. Upon picking up the dog, he brought her back to his chambers, seeing that she was non-threatening, trained animal. The dog spent the day in chambers with New York State Court Officers Scott Hamel and Richard McKay by her side until the Judge was able to contact authorities.

That is where the newspaper’s story ends, but not Lelia’s story. It turned out that Leila was a therapy dog and belonged to Ms. Panthere Portugay-Delany in Montecello, New York. They were brought back together after the story ran! Doesn’t this just warm your heart?

Winter Tips

2010-12-17T06:41:00.000-08:00

With many of my friends in the north east and beyond, I wanted to share some tips for the winter season.

1) Watch where you walk! The salt that is put down to melt the snow and ice can sting your dog's paws. It is also very corrosive to metal and can cause electrical wires to become exposed and combine that with snow and your pet and you can get an electrical shock.

2) Never leave your pet in a car unattended. Just like in the summer when the car heats up, it can act like a refrigerator and your pet could freeze.

3) When you walk in the snow or ice, make sure you dry your dogs paws carefully with a washcloth.

4) Don't tie up a dog and leave them outside. It's not only unsafe for them but dog's are prone to cold, just like people.

More tips to come...

Santacon 2010

2010-12-14T07:48:00.000-08:00

Can you spot me in this sea of Santas?

This past weekend was a citywide event called Santacon. Literally thousands of participants dressed up as Santa and gathered at various selected spots in Manhattan to celebrate the festive holiday season. Do you like my hat? Does it make my ears look big? I was happy I didn't have to wear an itchy mask since I have been growing my hair out and had the real thing.

(What should the caption for this photo be? Submit your ideas in our comments section. Best suggestion will win a prize!)

Lessons Learned

2010-12-09T11:59:00.000-08:00

Today was a fun day of learning with my friends from a local school. They learned all about how to treat pets and what happens when people want to adopt pets. Everyone was so nice! I was surprised that we could all fit in the same room. Before they left they gave us some very pretty home made cards and a gift that we will cherish forever. We also took this amazing picture of all of our beautiful new friends. What a day, now it's nap time!

At The Tree

2010-12-03T09:56:00.000-08:00

I am so glad the rain held out! It was wonderful seeing all the performances and holiday spirit. Here is me with that amazingly large tree behind me. It is truly a sight! Happy Holidays everyone!

Holiday Hustle at Humane Society of New York

2010-11-30T09:01:00.000-08:00

Today I am getting all dressed up for the famous tree lighting ceremony that will happen later tonight at Rockefeller Center. I am very excited to see my friends. I think the tree is one of the most beautiful sights to see in New York City. Don't you just love the holidays? How many days til Christmas?!

What I go through!!!

2010-10-13T08:49:00.000-07:00

I had to get all bathed and ready to meet some special volunteers that were coming to visit. The members of Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority spent the afternoon with us and they were awesome!! They socialized with our dogs and raised funds to help our clinic and adoption center.

Thanks Alpha Sigma Tau!!!

5, 4, 3, 2…..

2010-10-04T12:16:00.000-07:00

I am terribly proud to have presided over the NASDAQ closing bell on September 30, 2010. And I’m also extremely proud to say that the Humane Society of New York was the very first animal organization to have had the honor of ringing the opening bell over nine years ago. I hope that everyone’s investments did well, as I really had to push hard to make the bell light up. Thanks NASDAQ!!

LET'S GO METS!!!

2010-06-25T06:52:00.000-07:00

Today was one of my best days ever because two of my favorite players from the New York Mets, Jeff Francoeur and Mike Pelfrey came to visit us! I thought they came to recruit me to play shortstop, but they actually came to do volunteer work with our adoption animals. At first, I was a little disappointed about being passed over for shortstop, but I am thrilled that they came to help take care of our dogs and cats. (I’ll keep practicing and maybe one day I’ll make the farm team!) Even though they have to play a game tonight their energy was amazing (or should I say Amazin’?) and our dogs are all SO EXCITED that we made such wonderful new friends!!!

ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE!!

2010-05-28T15:05:00.001-07:00

A kitty friend of mine, Shugie, who was adopted by the Society a few years ago, e-mailed me to say that her parents, Janice & Victor, will be married 60 years on May 28th! Wow! In dog-years that’s like…..well, I’m not great at math but that’s a looooong time!! They live all the way down in Memphis, Tennessee, otherwise I would go to their party. I hope they’ll mail me a piece of cake! Please join me in a shout-out to a couple that’s still going strong – CONGRATULATIONS, YA’LL!!!

My Number One Fan!!!

2010-04-29T17:13:00.000-07:00

Willis with his Number One Fan!!

Ladies and gentlemen, it is my great pleasure to introduce you to the President…of my fan club in Israel! I bet you didn’t know that I’m beloved all around the world, did you? Well neither did I until Einav, the President, made a special trip to New York just to see me at the Humane Society of New York!! She and her brother, Tomer are so much fun to play with, and they’re teaching all of their friends to say Willis in Hebrew!!! How cool is that? I’m looking forward to seeing them again on their next trip. So until then, to the land of milk, honey, Einav and Tomer, a great big shout out with lots of love from me to you!!! Shalom!

ERIN GO WILLIS!!!

2010-03-18T09:30:00.000-07:00

What an exciting day I had!! I just got back from marching in the big St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Fifth Avenue! As I am from Irish descent (at least I am today when everyone’s Irish!), it was so much fun to meet so many friendly fellow Irishmen. From the bagpipers of County Clare, the marching bands (I always wanted to play the tuba but I never grew tall enough…) to New York’s finest, I want to thank everyone for welcoming me.

Getting ready!!

My very good, close, personal, Friends :-)

New York's Finest with New York's Cutest!!!

I LOVE a good Marching Band, don't you??!!?!!
Happy Saint Patrick's Day!!!

NEWS!!

2010-03-03T09:47:00.000-08:00

Those of you who follow my Post know that I like to share thoughts about being socially responsible. Please read on…

The Humane Society of New York would like to commend Whole Foods Market for the well-crafted design of the new animal welfare labeling system. When given the choice, many consumers prefer humanely raised meat, but they are rarely provided with accurate or sufficient labeling. By implementing a tiered system, Whole Foods Market has supplied consumers with valuable information about the products they buy and simultaneously created an incentive for meat producers to improve the conditions of their farms. We are hopeful other supermarkets will be moved to adopt your standards, and we would like to thank Whole Foods Market for helping consumers make informed decisions about animal welfare when purchasing their food.

EXHAUSTED!!! ;-)

2010-02-16T11:12:00.000-08:00

If a tired dog is a good dog, I’m Best in Show!

I know I should be answering my fan mail…

If I don’t get my 14 hours of sleep, I just can’t focus!

Watching the Winter Olympics just wears me out

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

2010-02-16T11:10:00.001-08:00

My friend + I are exhausted from making our wish list! Please help if you can :)

2009-12-03T09:04:00.000-08:00

ANIMAL SUPPLIES:
Dog/Cat food (wet/dry/treats)
Pillow cases, sheets, towels & small blankets
Paper plates/bowls (for feeding animals)
“PUR” brand water filters for pitchers
Grooming tools, esp. the Furminator
Dog toys (Kongs, Nyla bones, tennis balls, etc.)
Cat toys (catnip, cat dancers, balls, etc.)
Distilled water (unopened -- for use in surgery)
Jars of Baby food (chicken or beef for very ill animals)
Cat trees (in good condition)
Cat litter & Kitty Litter Pans
Newspapers
Dog crates
Pet carriers

GENERAL SUPPLIES:
Laundry detergent (liquid Tide, etc. – we do ten loads of laundry a day in our hospital alone!)
Envelopes (regular and padded)
Office supplies (pens, markers, post-its, staplers, scissors, rubber bands, paper clips, etc.)
Radios (to play classical music for the animals)
New flashlights (remember the blackout??)
Batteries (D’s, AA’s, AAA’s, etc.)
Energy efficient light bulbs
Xerox paper (multi-purpose)
Tape (Scotch & clear packing)
Folders (manila, clear plastic and assorted)
Paper towels (can’t get enough of them!)
Sponges
Can openers
Liquid hand soap/sanitizer
Garbage bags (large black heavy duty)
Powdered dishwasher detergent
(great for scrubbing floors!)

Staying Warm the Humane Way

2009-11-12T07:08:00.000-08:00

I understand why people used to wear fur coats. If you wanted to stay warm, there weren’t many alternatives to fur before the invention of Gore-Tex, polypropylene and all the other materials listed on the tag of your fancy new ski parka (which looks great, by the way). You humans aren’t very good at making your own fur, so you had to use ours. But now that you have your Gore-Tex and all the rest, do you really need any more of our fur? If we’re going to be fair about this, humans owe animals some high-tech jackets for all the years we’ve furnished you with your winter clothing. (I look good in earth tones, hint hint.)

Want another reason not to wear fur? Makers of fur clothing costing less than $150 do not need to specify what type of fur they are using. Frequently, that cheap fur comes from China, and we all know how China treats their dogs and cats. Gulp.

Foal me once…

2009-07-23T06:09:00.000-07:00

The birth of a happy, healthy baby is always good news, and if that baby belongs to a friend, it’s an occasion to break out the champagne, which I was ready to do recently for my pal, but then I heard the details. I had almost popped the cork when he off-handedly mentioned his new baby girl just happened to weigh SEVENTY-SEVEN POUNDS!
I’m not one to judge others; people come in all shapes and sizes. But a seventy-seven pound baby?

I didn’t want to be rude, and subjects don’t come any touchier than a man’s children, so I smiled politely at my friend, all the while trying to imagine what kind of monster had been hatched in his household. And what about his poor wife!

I was picturing double-reinforced strollers, triple-girded cribs and buckets of baby formula when my friend asked if I wanted to see a photograph. I tried to think of a courteous way to decline, to no avail. As he casually pulled the photo from his wallet, I braced myself for the ogre-like creature I was expecting.
What did I see? A horse! His horse had given birth. He tricked me! I’m not upset, though; it’s a beautiful, appropriately-sized horse, and he has promised me a ride once she’s trained.

Baby Abra with her friend Jenna

Free Willis!

2009-07-21T06:52:00.000-07:00

Whenever I go for a ride, I make sure that I’m never left alone in our van. Like most dogs, I enjoy the occasional car trip, but I refuse to be left to roast in the back seat. With the windows up and the air off, the inside of a car becomes unbearable within a few short minutes. There is no way I would ever let someone lock me in a car alone; it’s deadly!

Imagine yourself a prisoner in your own car, while the temperature rises with each passing second. Sitting there, forlorn, only a couple empty soda cans and some fast food wrappers for companionship, you wait in vain for someone to rescue you. Doesn’t sound like much fun does it?

Many dogs die every summer locked in parked cars. Just in the last couple of weeks, seven show dogs died when their handler left them in a van overnight, despite leaving six electric fans on and a door and windows open. Cracking a window is not enough and neither is a fan or a bowl of water. It is never safe to leave your dog alone in a car! If you don’t think you can take your dog with you when you arrive at your destination and you don’t have somebody who can wait with your dog while the car is parked, then don’t take your dog. I don’t mean to berate anybody, but I cannot overstate the misery a dog endures baking in the hot sun. Take me to the park, the beach or a friend’s house, but if you’re going to your accountant’s office, the mall or anywhere else dogs aren’t allowed, unless someone can stay with me at all times, I’ll stay home, thank you.

I'm Off to See "The Wiz"

2009-06-22T10:29:00.000-07:00

Being small, if there’s a show I want to see, I have to reserve a seat right in front of the stage or I won’t be able to see anything except for someone’s haircut. Forget about a tall guy or a lady with a big hat blocking my view; I can barely see over the back of the seat! I’m afraid it’s the front row or nothing for me.

“The Wiz” is in town with a talented cast, which includes my good friend, Nigel, in the role of Toto. I mentioned my predicament to Nigel, and he said he had the exact same problem! Instead of having me lug a booster seat to the theater, he kindly invited me to attend a dress rehearsal. So I had the theater all to myself with an unobstructed view of the action and no wags making comments or incessantly clearing their throats. And it was a fantastic show! Thank you, Nigel!

Summer Reading

2009-06-10T09:06:00.000-07:00

We all have a stack of books at home we’ve been meaning to read. It sits in a corner, or by the bed, taunting us, a totem pole of intellectual lethargy. We’d love to sit and read all day long, but who has the time?

My stack was getting too big to be ignored, so a few days ago, I decided to do something about it. I grabbed the first volume off the top of the pile and dug in. I’m glad I did because it happened to be “Pretty Pet-Friendly” by my good friend Julia Szabo! I attended Julia’s book-release party about a month ago, but my busy schedule kept me from actually reading the book!

If you have a pet and 'nice things,' then you need this book. I’ve already started redecorating my digs according to Julia’s advice. The place is looking better, already.

Thank You, Senator Gillibrand

2009-05-28T09:36:00.000-07:00

When I heard that my personal physician, Dr. Yaron Schmid, had to return to Israel, I was heartbroken. Not only is Dr. Schmid a great doctor, he’s also a good friend. Loyal mutt that I am, I knew I had to do something to keep him here in New York helping animals.

I racked my brain in search of the right person for the job: “I know an excellent portrait artist, but that won’t help Dr. Schmid much in this situation. Would flowers be of any use? I know a fantastic florist. No, probably not.” Then, all at once, I hit on the solution. I could ask my newest friend and senator, Kirsten Gillibrand! We had met a few weeks before at an open house, and if anybody knew how to help Dr. Schmid, it would be Senator Gillibrand.

I won’t go into all the (boring and confusing) legal details, but let it suffice to say that Senator Gillibrand and her assistant Kelly saved the day! Thanks to their generosity, ingenuity and brilliance, I get to keep my doctor, and New York gets to keep a top veterinarian. Now it’s time for a celebration, and luckily enough, I know a wonderful caterer…

Thank you, Senator Gillibrand and Kelly.

Go Gators!

2009-05-28T09:32:00.000-07:00

When I first found out that forty enthusiastic Gators were coming my way, the first thought that crossed my mind was, “Run!!!” Happily, I had nothing to be afraid of, and these Gators could not have been nicer. It turns out they were the Gotham Gators, the University of Florida’s New York City Alumni Association. And they sure were enthusiastic. They managed to paint our stairwell and promote a raffle that raised a lot of money for the Humane Society of New York. I had a great time hanging out with them, and they’re welcome back anytime! Go Gators!

After a loooooong day with the Gators on International Gator Day I am too exhausted to remove my outfit!

The Willis Tower

2009-03-17T07:43:00.000-07:00

Modesty prevents me from going on about this, but I feel the recent announcement that the prestigious Chicago Sears Tower building had been renamed the Willis Tower deserves some mention here.

To all my friends and readers, please know that I have taken this recognition in stride, and that it will in no way compromise my mission or interfere with the work at hand.

Merry Pop-ins

2009-03-04T10:18:00.000-08:00

I love it when friends visit, and I love the theater, so it was a double treat when Gavin Lee and Emily Harvey stopped by. They’re currently starring on Broadway in “Mary Poppins", but the production is about to go on the road. A few years ago, Gavin and Emily adopted two cats from us, Henry and Winnie, and lucky cats they are! The four of them are a very happy family. We wish them the best as they head out across the country.

We're Getting Ready for Spring!

2009-02-25T12:55:00.000-08:00

Playing “Mindgame(s)”

2008-12-12T12:26:00.001-08:00

It’s been a little while since I last made it to the theater, but there’s a new show in town that I’m definitely going to see. The play is a thriller called “Mindgame” and it stars the Oscar-winning Keith Carradine.

Here’s a quick synopsis: A reporter thinks he’s landed the interview of his career with an infamous, insane criminal, but after arriving at the asylum, his plans quickly go awry as he discovers things aren’t what they seem. I love a good mystery, and this play promises to keep the audience in suspense right through the final scene.

The performance on Tuesday, December 23 has a special significance to my friends at the Humane Society of New York. On that night, a portion of each ticket purchased will be donated to fund the care we provide to the animals in our shelter and hospital.

An animal lover himself, Mr. Carradine chose to drive 36 hours rather than fly from California because he wanted to make the journey as comfortable as possible for his two elderly cats. So if Mr. Carradine can handle the drive from California, it shouldn’t be too hard for the rest of us animal/thriller-lovers to get to the Soho Playhouse, 15 Vandam Street, at 8:00 pm on Tuesday, December 23.

To order tickets, visit the "Mindgame" website: http://www.mindgametheplay.com/tickets.html

See you there!

Visiting...

2008-08-21T10:00:00.000-07:00

I LOVE the summer when my friends come to help me with my paperwork. :-)

Always FUN when they visit. They are SO helpful!

What you need to know before you go to the groomer

2008-08-19T09:54:00.000-07:00

You wouldn’t think it, but a visit to the groomer can be a life or death experience for a dog. Recently, a wonderful yellow lab and good friend of ours at the Humane Society of New York died when he was left unattended in a cage dryer. Pleased watch this clip before you take your dog to be groomed. I’m very concerned about this. You need to protect your dog.

A Poolside Plea

2008-08-05T09:26:00.000-07:00

My friend Henry gets to use the pool more than I do. I’m wondering why?

*Just so you know, Henry is playing in the Humane Society of New York's rooftop dog pool. Nice, huh?

Dream Come True

2008-07-30T09:11:00.001-07:00

Unfit to be tied

2008-04-17T11:34:00.000-07:00

For a dog like me, leashes are a fact of life. But if I’m going to be on one end of that leash, there better be a human on the other end. Nothing is more demeaning than being tied up to a sign post or a street lamp, as if an inanimate object has better discretion than I do. At least I can tell the difference between my owner and a potential abductor. Tethered to a parking meter, I’m a sitting duck for any dognapper walking down the street. When a stranger tries to steal me, is the parking meter going to come to my defense? I don’t think so (when has a parking meter ever helped anybody?).

This is a real problem. You can’t go a month without reading a story in the paper about a dog that was stolen when his or her owner went into a store and left him or her outside. It would be nice to live in a world where we could trust others. Unfortunately, we don’t.

Here’s a little thought experiment: Ask yourself, “What would I be willing to leave out on a street unattended?” Your wallet or your purse? Your bicycle? A bag of groceries? I bet you answered “no” to all those questions. So if you don’t trust people not to take your bicycle, why would you trust them not to take your dog? It’s a lot harder to replace a dog than a bicycle. In fact, you can’t replace us; each dog is one of a kind!

Caution, a head!

2008-04-10T11:50:00.000-07:00

When it comes to interior decoration, I’m no expert. As long as I have a comfy bed and a clean water bowl, I’m content. Paint the room any color you like; I’m color blind. But even I have to object when I see an animal’s head mounted on the wall. While relaxing at home, I prefer not to be reminded of decapitation.

Boy was I confused the first time I saw a mounted head. I thought a moose was sticking his head through a big hole in the wall. I said hello to the moose, but got no answer. Intrigued, I went into the next room. Imagine my surprise when instead of finding the rest of the moose, I found a refrigerator! Once I realized there is no such thing as moose/refrigerator hybrid, I got out of that house as fast as I could. I’ve seen those scary movies, I know what goes on, and I did not want to be next. That’s the last time I have dinner at Norman Bates’s house.

I’ve been talking with my cat neighbors about this peculiar human habit, and we can’t understand it. We’re going to have to call an anthropologist or psychiatrist to explain this custom to us. Although, something tells me there is no good explanation. Would you want to hang my head on the wall? How about my friend Fiero’s head?

Y’know, you can buy a picture of the entire animal, not just the head. I guarantee the picture will look a lot better than a creepy moose head with glued-on glass eyes.

Prepare to be inspired!

2008-03-26T11:51:00.000-07:00

Let me tell you about my friend, Bear. Despite his name and some ursine features, Bear is a dog, and a very admirable dog, at that. His owner, a member of our board, adopted him last year in January from Gentle Giants Rescue of Norco California. Bear was fortunate to have found such a loving and committed owner because he needed lots of help. He had allergies, a worsening limp and his fur had all but disappeared. Thanks to some very talented veterinarians, Bear’s health problems are behind him, and, as you can see from his pictures, he now enjoys excellent health.

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Bear hasn’t forgotten his struggles along the road back to good health, so his owner and he have decided to help others who might need their spirits lifted by joining the Love on 4 Paws program. Through the program, Bear and his owner travel to hospitals, schools and nursing homes spreading the kind of good cheer only a big furry dog can provide. (Love on 4 Paws is located in Los Angeles and works exclusively within the greater Los Angeles area.) Bear doesn’t do many tricks, but he doesn’t need to. When you’re as fluffy and loveable as Bear, all you have to do is show up. Everybody loves him, and how could you not?

Bear says the toughest part of the job is slippery floors. His feet are great for traversing the rocky terrain of the Pyrenees Mountains where his ancestors lived; however, linoleum is a different story. He sits for lots of pictures with kids, but because his paws can’t get traction on the slick tiles his front paws slide out from under him and he flops on his belly. He gets embarrassed, but everyone else finds it’s hilarious. Personally, I think that qualifies as a trick.

Bear is a rescued dog who now helps others. I think we can all learn a lot from him. Thanks, Bear. Keep up the good work!

So many trees, so little time...

2008-03-19T13:41:00.000-07:00

I got an email today from my girlfriend Tilly. It was so nice to catch up with her. Talking to Tilly reminded me of the lovely event we held jointly last October with Old Westbury Gardens. It seems like such a long time ago. Well, in dog years it's already been over a year ago. We dubbed it "Dogs in the Gardens." The grounds of Old Westbury Gardens are just breathtaking. Tilly and I had a wonderful time running around the estate. As you can see from the photo, Tilly is quite an outdoor girl.

Willis takes a bath!

2008-03-18T20:46:00.000-07:00

For a dog, grooming isn't about vanity; it's a health issue (although I do like to look my best). So many dogs have skin problems, and because we're covered in fur people frequently miss the warning signs of skin problems. We can suffer from fleas, tick bites, rashes and on and on. The summer is especially hard on a dog's skin. When it's hot out we can develop hot spots, which are very painful.

Here at the Society, my dear friend gives the other pups around here and me our weekly bath. To be commercial for a second, my favorite shampoo is Les Poochs. It smells so nice, it's good for my skin and my fur looks great after using it.

Dogs need their nails to be kept trim, as well. When our nails grow too long, we are forced to walk flat footed, and walking flat footed causes us to have back problems. But cut our nails too short and you can hit the quick, so please, be careful! If you should ever have any trepidation about doing this, please consult your veterinarian.

Remember, a clean dog is a healthy dog!

Discussing the darker side of the Olympics

2008-03-13T11:29:00.000-07:00

After reading this article, I am so over the Beijing Olympics.

China is cleaning up Beijing to host the Olympics, but they have a very strange idea about what “cleaning” means. Apparently, they think it means getting rid of cats because that’s what they’re doing. I'm surrounded by cats twenty-four hours a day, and as far as I can tell, they spend most of there time cleaning themselves. They're the cleanest animals I have ever met.

I told my friend, Fiero (he’s the cat I’m talking to in the picture), that the Chinese government was taking cats away from their owners. He was furious. He started shouting, “Let me at ’em!” Fiero can be a hothead sometimes. I had to explain to him that China is pretty far away.

It wasn't too long ago that the Chinese government was trying to get rid of dogs. Who would want to live in a country with no dogs? But people all around the world made lots of noise and the Chinese government had no choice but to stop taking dogs away from their owners.
Looks like it's time to start making some noise again!

I’m definitely not buying any 2008 Olympics merchandise. I don’t think it’s clean.

Pills Away!

2008-03-12T12:29:00.000-07:00

My personal physician gives me my monthly heartworm pill. She’s so funny – she always tells me it’s a “cookie for being such a good boy”. They think I wouldn’t take it if I thought it was medicine. Aren’t they silly? They’re delicious! I overheard them say that if I didn’t take my heartworm pill and an infected mosquito bit me (ouch), I could get very sick. One day they’ll probably figure out a way to give the mosquito a “cookie” and I won’t get to have my chewable treat. But I hope not – they’re even tastier than the stack of post-its that I tried to eat earlier! They always take the fun stuff like that away before I can swallow it. A guy can’t get a break these days…

Willis reflecting..................

2008-03-06T11:22:00.000-08:00

Have you seen the March issue of National Geographic? National Geographic is one of my favorite magazines! The current issue’s cover story is titled “Animal Minds.” I found the article fascinating, and I encourage all my friends to check it out.

Before you take that bite, think about the journey the animal took to your table.

2008-03-05T12:53:00.001-08:00

I know the feeling. You’ve been hungry all day. It’s dinnertime, and all you can think about is taking that first bite. I’m the same way; nothing focuses my mind like the smell of free-range, organic chicken in the building. But wait! Before I eat, I try to think about how that meat got on my plate. We all know meat, like money, doesn’t grow on trees. Meat comes from animals, animals like you and me. But a lot of people don’t realize how poorly these animals are treated. Would I want to be stuck in a crate so small I couldn’t turn around? Would I want to be fed bland food that was full of strange chemicals? No way! But many of my cow, hog and chicken friends have to live like that every day. If an animal gives its life for our nourishment, I think it deserves our respect and care.

There are some things we can do to help our friends on the farm. I make sure that all the meat I eat is free-range and organic. Organic farmers let their animals behave like animals; they can walk around, chat with each other, the chickens can flap their wings, the hogs can role around in the mud. Also, it’s a good idea to pay attention to the news. New bills are always being proposed to improve living conditions on farms, and it is up to us to make sure that these bills get enough support to become laws. A good example of this is the Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act that is going to be voted on this year in California. Being a dog and a New Yorker, I can’t vote in this one, but maybe you can. If this bill passes, a lot of animals are going to be much happier.

OK, now that I’ve said my piece, it’s chicken time! I mean free-range, organic chicken time!

The Society Page

2008-02-28T10:32:00.000-08:00

Big news! I'm rubbing elbows with the stars. Chloe and Louis are visiting me today. For those of you who don't follow the theater, Chloe and Louis are currently starring in Broadway's "Legally Blonde." When I met them a few months ago, I was a bit star struck, but they are so easygoing. Now, we're old friends. (FYI! Like me, they were rescued dogs!)
They're playing bulldogs, which isn't too hard for them. They were a little concerned about being typecast. I told them not to worry; there are lots of good roles for jowly comedic actors. Rodney Dangerfield had a great career!

They have to leave soon as they have a show tonight, but let's all wish them the best of luck, or as they say in theater, BREAK A LEG!

GREETINGS!

2008-02-27T12:59:00.000-08:00

Hi my name is Willis and I'm an observer of life. In case you couldn't tell by my picture, I'm a dog, a small one. But don't let my size fool you; I have a lot to say. I'm a little eccentric, but who isn't? For instance, some of my best friends are cats. In fact, I care about all animals, from hamsters to blue whales and everything in between (yes, humans included). I'm starting this blog because I want to share some of my thoughts and opinions with you. I'm friends with many veterinarians, so I can give expert advice about pet care, and I'm always checking the news for stories about animal welfare. If you have a pet or care about animals, please stop by my blog and visit; I'm sure you will find plenty to interest you.