Saturday, July 31, 2010

China: Foshan Dog Abused, Eyes Gouged Out, Genitals Cut Off

Foshan Dog Abused, Eyes Gouged Out, Genitals Cut Off

Xixi, an abused dog in Foshan, China.

From KDS, Sogou, and Tianya:

I don’t know if everyone knows or not, but [there is] a little dog in Foshan [Guangdong province] named Xixi. This is a poor doggy. I just saw its news, and my tears have never so easily come before, but seeing the photos of the abuse it had suffered, I cried, bawled… Xixi’s two eyes were gouged out, even its genitals were cut off, and its body was covered with holes…yet Xixi still tenaciously supported its own hurt body, roaming around the neighborhood. The surrounding people did not dare approach it, because Xixi’s appearance is very frightening. Only until a volunteer appeared was Xixi rescued. According to the rescue group, when Xixi was being taken to for medical treatment, it desperately bit at the rope that tied him, because Xixi was afraid of being hurt again. This alone is enough to prove how strong Xixi’s will to live is. However, according to several doctors’ diagnosis, Xixi first suffered external injuries all over its body from human abuse, and then because of not being immediately treated, its wounds were infected and developed leukemia, causing white blood tumors in its body, and today Xixi’s wounds are beginning to quickly fester, its situation serious and unable to be controlled.

After careful observation by volunteers over a day and a night, it is very exerting and painful for Xixi to urinate and defecate, leading to a part of its intestines to be expelled~~ Apart from that, Xixi keeps going to dark corners. Those who have raised pets and have some experience all know that this is what dogs (and other animals) do when they know they are about to die and want to find a peaceful place to leave the world, and eventually Xixi chose to leave…

Too many, too many people have cried for Xixi…Xixi was a very good dog. What kind of person would abuse a dog? Be so inhuman? I can’t imagine what this beast looks like. So I hope to kick start everyone’s strength/power to find this murderer. Why are the fates of stray animals all like this? To provide some clues/leads, the rescuer said the incident happened in Foshan and that he always saw Xixi in Yajule Huayuan [probably a neighborhood]…so I hope everyone can help find the murderer…and here I also hope everyone can pray for Xixi, that the Xixi in heaven will be happy and blessed, and also hope that everyone can pay attention to the stray animals around them and give them some more love/care…

Xixi, an abused dog in Foshan, China. Eyes were gouged/dug out.

Xixi, an abused dog in Foshan, China.

Xixi, an abused dog in Foshan, China.

Suspected Trapping of Cats by Pest Control

Suspected Trapping of Cats by Pest ControlJul 30, '10 6:55 PM
for everyone

Feeder F called me at around 2pm saying that the Blk *28 Feeder saw the cleaning supervisor and a Malay man with a metal-coloured trap which contained food.

I went down and saw the Supervisor and TC officer Joseph. The officer claimed that they only engaged the pest control to take photos and count the cat and to check them for tipped-ear.

Later received call from M that a resident of Blk *27 saw pest controllers catch 7 cats. Met the TC officer and supervisor again on my way to meet M. I told him and asked him to come up to the 4th floor with us to speak to the man. He said he had to rush off to catch someone who pasted up posters. The other man who was with them mentioned something about the trap being stolen.

M and myself went up to the resident's unit. The elderly Indian man says he saw it from his window and that the men were wearing white T-shirts and that the TC officer was with them. He described the van as being the same colour as the trap.

Later I met the Supervisor again and he also mentioned that their trap had been stolen....

My question is.... why would they bring a trap if they are just taking photos???

So far we cannot be sure that cats are missing... will check tonight!

A worker doing painting at *26 told me and Feeder F that he saw a black-and-white cat being trapped this morning.

Will update tonight on missing cats.

Feeder F also mentioned that a house visiting by MP is coming up.


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Cruel display of tortoises and turtles at museum

The Straits Times
ST Forum
Jul 31, 2010

MY MOTHER is visiting Singapore and has had a very enjoyable few weeks being out and about every day, taking in the wonderful sights and sounds that the city has to offer.

However, recently, she had, in her words, 'one of the worst experiences of her life' when she visited the Live Turtle and Tortoise Museum of Singapore.

Many of the tortoises were displayed alone in very confined spaces on bare concrete floors without access to food or water.

One of the museum's highlights is an 82-year-old tortoise that is sadly destined to spend the rest of its life - potentially another 118 years - confined to a concrete tank, without seeing another tortoise.

The turtles are treated no better, cruelly displayed in stark tanks without space to swim - an inexcusable confinement for these beautiful creatures.

In the words of the museum's website, 'it is a common Chinese belief that turtles and tortoises represent longevity and good fortune' - but that definitely isn't the case for any of the unfortunate animals kept at this facility.

There should be no place in modern, vibrant Singapore for this morally reprehensible, exploitative 'tourist attraction' that harms the international reputation of the city.

Isn't it time for the Government to intervene?

Russell Eley


You can write to the museum at sales@turtle-tortoise.com

Friday, July 30, 2010

Even in the rain, the community cat pee-d instinctively on the grass




Sunday, June 20, 2010

What a humans urinating in public?

























Human woman assisting a child to urinate in a public area when a public toilet is just few metres away...
What does HDB got to say about this "nuisance"?

























HDB says
"Flat owners are not allowed to keep cats in HDB flat.............Nuisance caused by cats such as urinating in public areas......

Lovely limping community cat

Thursday, July 29, 2010

【老人與狗】





感人網路短片【老人與狗】如果沒有遇到鍾先先她只是路邊的乾屍

Poster reflects an ignorant condominium management


Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Unusual Dog Walk

Animal Welfare Groups unite against Puppy Mill Misery

http://www.catwelfare.org/node/2907

Animal Welfare Groups unite against Puppy Mill Misery

Call for higher standards, stricter regulations,
licensing and effective enforcement

Singapore, 28 July 2010 – Representatives from key animal welfare groups in Singapore – Animal Concerns Research & Education Society (ACRES), Action for Singapore Dogs (ASD), Cat Welfare Society (CWS), House Rabbit Society of Singapore (HRSS) and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) met up recently
with officials from the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) to appeal for a strong stance against the unethical and unacceptable practices of puppy mills in Singapore.

During the meeting, the groups took the opportunity to present their recommendations to the AVA in a detailed proposal. Key points include setting higher industry standards and best practices, the urgent need to implement a robust licensing system and increase rigorous enforcement for the industry whilst sending a strong positive message to the public about what constitutes good practices in the pet trade.

Puppy mills have been around for decades. Puppy mills continue to thrive because the unwitting consumer is unaware of how these operations are run - with minimum care for the breeding animals involved.

Over the past two months, the animal welfare groups have met to discuss and draft the proposed recommendations with a focus to improve the standards and best practices of puppy mills in Singapore. It was identified that one of the major gaps is the lack of a criterion for entry into such a puppy mill business resulting in unqualified individuals setting up puppy mills with a lack of regard for the animals’ welfare and/or health. In the process, these animals are subjected to unnecessary suffering.

The meeting with AVA was also a good opportunity to follow-up on any action being taken by the authorities in the recent Pasir Ris puppy mill case where 85 sick and neglected breeding dogs were rescued and cared for by a group of volunteers. Many of the dogs suffered from various serious illnesses including tick fever, skin problems and
general neglect. Three of the animals had died. To date, investigations on the Pasir Ris puppy mill case are still ongoing. This is not an isolated case and not the first time that the poor standards of puppy mills here had been reported in Singapore.

In line with the prevention of animal cruelty laws in Singapore, where animals including breeding dogs are protected from cruelty and unnecessary suffering, we urge all parties involved to step up and undertake the necessary and critical proactive steps to close the gaps in the puppy mill industry to create a cruelty free and responsible industry. The
animal welfare groups have offered to assist the AVA and will support the agency in its endeavor towards improving the welfare of dogs in puppy mills. The groups will also engage in educating the public on the puppy mills and their operations.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

The Vagabond Cat That Came to Stay


The Vagabond Cat That Came to Stay

Lovely tabby community cat




- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Pet cruelty must be stopped

The Straits Times
ST Forum
Online
Jul 27, 2010
Pet cruelty must be stopped

I REFER to two reports last Friday related to animal abuse ("Dog breeder in jail after conviction for animal cruelty" and "'Dog abuse' duo let off with stern warning").

Apart from deterrent penalties, the Government should restrict licences issued to animal farms and shops. It also needs to beef up inspections and include animal rights activists as observers.

The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority should have meted out some form of punishment to the owners of the dog shown being beaten in a video clip.

Patience is important in teaching dogs to understand the rules of behaviour.

Suresh Kumar

5 tips to keep monkeys at bay

Greyee-Boy with a green collar!

Monday, July 26, 2010

A protector of the community cats














As I was snapping photos of this cat that has a limp and whose fur grew up to its luxuriant state now after an ampoule of Revolution was applied on the nape some time ago, a Chinese with dyed hair, in his 30s, approached and spoke in Mandarin. Very politely he asked if I was from the SPCA. He said he was concerned as cats in this neigbourhood have been abused physically and also died from poisoning. He said he has cats at home and that there were two aunties actively caring for the community cats.

A cross-eyed siamese-cross community cat



Step up regulation and monitoring of pet breeders

The Straits Times
ST Forum
Jul 26, 2010
Step up regulation and monitoring of pet breeders

I REFER to last Friday's report ('Dog breeder in jail after conviction for animal cruelty'). It is good that the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) is doing more than just to 'coax, warn or fine errant owners and breeders'.

However, this is still not good enough. The fact that there were two similar cases in 2006 and 2008 shows how common animal cruelty perpetrated by dog breeders is, and how a fine is ineffective as a deterrent.

The report ('5-digit sum spent to save 80 dogs'; April 21) said another dog breeder had also allegedly failed to care for his dogs, with three of the animals dying of illness and four out of five having conditions like anaemia, tick fever and heartworm infection.

It is likely that the dog breeding market is oversaturated, which is why these breeders are not doing well financially. The AVA should regulate the number of pet breeders who are given licences, as animals are living things and not goods that these breeders can just dump once they run into financial problems.

The AVA should also do proper background checks on those wanting to start a breeding farm. Finally, it needs to conduct frequent and proper checks on all pet breeders, as well as ensure that the breeder provides proper food and medical care for the animals.

Joel Chia

Sunday, July 25, 2010

HDB prides itself on its successful public housing programe but remains unashamedly ignorant of cats

This can't be cat fur!!!















































http://www.hdb.gov.sg/fi10/fi10326p.nsf/w/PetTypesOfPetsAllowed?OpenDocument
Cats:
Flat owners are not allowed to keep cats in HDB flats, as it is generally difficult to confine cats within the flat premises. Nuisance caused by cats such as shedding of their fur, defecating/urinating in public areas or even the caterwauling sounds that they make can cause a lot of disturbance, which affects the environment and disrupts neighbourliness in our housing estates.

Baxter, the Therapy Dog, Brings Love to People During Last Days of Life





MAUREEN CAVANAUGH (Host): We all know that our pet dogs and cats can cheer us up and make a bad day feel a little better but apparently pets can do a lot more than that. When it comes to a dog named Baxter and other therapy dogs used by hospitals and hospice facilities, these animals can bring joy and peace to patients suffering with life-threatening or terminal illnesses. Well find out how dogs are used to provide therapy and about the stories of patients who've been helped by these animals but first we'll meet Baxter and his human parents who are in the studio today. Melissa Joseph is the author of the new book, "Moments with Baxter: Comfort and Love from the World's Best Therapy Dog." Her husband Dennis, who took the pictures that are featured in the book is in the studio, as well as Baxter himself. So, first of all, Melissa, since our audience can't see Baxter, can you describe him for us and his little vehicle?

MELISSA JOSEPH (Author/Therapy Dog Owner): You know, I can do that. There is a story in the book of a blind man who asks his wife could he – could she please tell him what Baxter looks like. And she describes him in the story in the book, and the title is 'The Blind Can See.' But I will do it for you; I just wanted to say that. Baxter is a cross between a human and a teddy bear, and he has eyes that – he looks like he's just had tattoo eyeliner around his eyes, and he actually looks like he's had a little bit of plastic surgery as well because his face, though he's almost 19, looks like a puppy. And unfortunately, his body from the neck down looks like I forgot to put sunblock on him and he's lost most of his hair. And the biggest thrill of Baxter is that his heart starts at the tip of his head and goes all the way to his tail.

CAVANAUGH: Now right now, as we're sitting here, he is reclining in what I described as a red wagon but it's really more like a rolling day bed.

JOSEPH: Oh, I think it's more like a throne.

CAVANAUGH: Well, tell me, Melissa, how did all of this get started? First of all, where did Baxter come from?

JOSEPH: Baxter is a southerner. He has a twang to his bark. And he was born and partially reared in Jackson, Mississippi. And he was going to be euthanized because the people who had him couldn't afford to take care of his medical problems. And a woman who rescues dogs contacted me and said I think you might want to see this little dog. And so she brought him to me and six weeks later we were friends.

CAVANAUGH: What kind of a – what breed is he?

JOSEPH: I tell people when they ask me that, just because I'm a southerner, oh he's a luv breed. And we spell that l-u-v. But he's really part Golden Retriever, part Chow. And he has a mottled purple tongue and, again, that teddy bear face, but he has the spirit and the intelligence of a Golden Retriever.

CAVANAUGH: Now when Baxter was a puppy, was he immediately a friendly kind of dog? Or did it take him some time to get comfortable with people?

JOSEPH: Well, I rescued him and he was two years old, so I don't know about…

CAVANAUGH: Oh.

JOSEPH: …his puppyhood. But I know that when I did, you know, first have an interface with him, it took several weeks to make pals with him. So something had happened to him that wasn't appropriate.

CAVANAUGH: And you never found out what.

JOSEPH: No, I don't know specifically what happened, but I'm – because he was so afraid of objects like a broom and a vacuum cleaner and, you know, any loud noises—a book would drop off the table and he would cower and go in the corner—I knew something strange had happened to him.

CAVANAUGH: But you coaxed him out of that.

JOSEPH: Yeah, I loved him out of that.

CAVANAUGH: Now when did this idea start to come to both you and Dennis that you started volunteering with Baxter at San Diego Hospice?

JOSEPH: Well, when we started volunteering there, we were both, I think, completely almost shocked at the magic that Baxter brought to people's lives, not just the patients who were weeks away from their death but the family and friends of the patients, and the staff as well. And so we would come home and on the way home from our volunteering, and we would be there for many hours at a time, several days a week, we would kind of toss around these profound things that would happen to us. It would be maybe someone on their deathbed who said something very profound about life itself, or a family member who was so deeply touched by something that Baxter did, and so I started writing the stories in a journal, you know, day after day, week after week, month after month, and after about five years I got this collection of stories and so we took those stories and put them into a book format and, hence, "Moments with Baxter."

CAVANAUGH: And, I must say, the book is – not only is it filled with stories like that but the most beautiful photographs that is – that Dennis took of Baxter and the various friends that he's made in the hospice. Now even as wonderful a dog as Baxter is, he needed some training, didn't he, to become a therapy dog?

JOSEPH: Most dogs – There's a section in the book where you can learn how to get your dog trained and certified but most dogs are professionally trained by someone who is in that field. Baxter is a natural. He didn't have to be professionally trained. For some reason, after many, many years of our being together and my taking care of him and dragging him around in my crazy life, he learned how to be patient, reliable and courageous. And I think that that and a sense of – a sensitivity is really what has made him the world's greatest therapy dog.

CAVANAUGH: Now, in the book, you relate some stories about how when Baxter is first introduced into a room and there's a patient there, perhaps there isn't an immediate connection but how do you make that connection to get Baxter next to the patient so that that sort of therapy can begin?

JOSEPH: Well, you know, first it's really important to get to their level so maybe I'll pull up a chair or lean over and just say, you know, I have this little doggie here and he's very special, and he's a lot older than you. And that really helps. And he's got a lot of problems, he's got a lot of medical problems. And, you know, there was one patient, for instance, I said, I'll bet you're on blood pressure medication and he said, I am. And I said, what are you on? I'll bet you're on amlodipine. And he said, I am. I said, do you think you could spare a pill for Baxter, we're running low on medication. And right then and there we established some kind of connection and at that point, it was – that's when I transferred Baxter from his little bed, his throne, to the patient's bed. And I'll say something like, you know, could you possibly move over a little bit so we can – You know, I'll be funny and just very interesting how humor helps me move myself and Baxter into a person's sphere.

CAVANAUGH: You know, I had the privilege of actually having Baxter sit on my lap earlier this morning. And he is the most serene and joyous animal and he just – he just sort of communicates with you silently when he's sitting on you. And I must say, too, Melissa, I – I've never actually had – seen a dog quite this old.

JOSEPH: Yeah, Baxter will be 19 on March 23rd, and he really is a bit compromised. He can't walk very well anymore but he is swimming three days a week and he doesn't just do the dog paddle, he really does the freestyle. He doesn't do the individual medley but he can definitely do a nice job of swimming for 30 minutes, and I think that's truly a big piece of his health.

CAVANAUGH: And do you get the sense that Baxter enjoys doing this? Going to the hospice and meeting all these new people?

JOSEPH: I get the impression that all Baxter is here for is to give love. And every time he's with a patient, he's given an extra heartbeat.

CAVANAUGH: Okay. All right then. We have another guest on the line. Noreen Carrington, is Director of Volunteer Resources at San Diego Hospice, and she is here to tell us about – a little bit more about Baxter and therapy dogs in general. Noreen, hello.

NOREEN CARRINGTON (Director, Volunteer Resources, San Diego Hospice): Hello. How are you?

CAVANAUGH: I’m doing very well.

CARRINGTON: Good. Nice to be on with you today.

CAVANAUGH: Thank you. Can you tell us a bit about what the San Diego Hospice does and who it serves?

CARRINGTON: Yeah, absolutely. First of all, just in general, when you're talking about hospice, it's really a philosophy of care that uses a team approach when we care for patients who are living with that life limiting illness. And the care focuses on the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the patients and their family members and is usually provided in the patient's home or wherever the patient resides. So locally here, San Diego Hospice and the Institute for Palliative Medicine, we're proud to say that we've grown into one of the ten largest not-for-profit hospice programs in the nation and we're recognized as a leader in the relief of suffering. And it's important to note that San Diego Hospice provides our services throughout the entire county. It's a comprehensive care that is provided to adults and children who are living with a life limiting illness and, once again, that is where the patient lives, so whether that's in their home, a skilled nursing facility, or in our own in-patient centers.

CAVANAUGH: And, Noreen, what kind of impact does a visit from a therapy dog like Baxter have on patients who are in hospice care?

CARRINGTON: Well, as you might imagine, many, many patients who are at the end of their life have had lots of losses including independence, mobility, and so therefore can become sort of isolated. And so having a dog like Baxter, and especially Baxter, as you have seen how serene he is, having them visit can really open up some avenues that no other contact can. For instance, that patient can pet Baxter and have him – have Baxter lay with them and, therefore, be giving back. Rather than being nurtured and taken care of, they can nurture and take care of. It also, I think, opens up a lot of communication. Sometimes people can talk to a dog better than they can talk to their family members or hospice personnel. But once again, once they've talk to the dog, then they're more open to maybe talking with their family members once they've sort of put the idea out there. So it really can help in a lot of different ways.

CAVANAUGH: And, Noreen, besides Baxter there are other therapy dogs? Or are they all dogs? Or do you have other kind of animals there, too?

CARRINGTON: Right. Currently, we have 5 therapy dogs that visit our patients in our in-patient centers and in the patients' homes. And we also use, at our camp here in San Diego, our camp for bereaved children that we hold once a year, we also use horses. So we use therapy horses as a way for the children to get in touch with their own feelings and as they interact with the horses, the horses mimic what the child is feeling. So it's been a really interesting experience.

CAVANAUGH: You know, I'm just looking at Baxter and he is paying attention.

CARRINGTON: Yes.

CAVANAUGH: He's not saying too much but he is paying attention to what we're talking about.

CARRINGTON: Yeah.

CAVANAUGH: And Melissa, I wonder, do you have a – How do you know that you've actually made someone feel better? Is it because – what they say? Or how they look? Or both?

JOSEPH: I think it just depends. Recently Baxter was in bed with a woman and she told the nurse after we left that her pain level went from a 8 to a zero. So we didn't actually hear her say that; it was the nurse who asked her that question. A lot of times, you can see a patient will be – have a lot of anxiety and they will not be able to be still and we will put Baxter in bed with that patient and all of a sudden they have refocused what energy they have onto Baxter and for that moment, they have almost forgotten about their own current state of being and so they become calm without some kind of drug needed. So Baxter himself can have a palliative effect.

CAVANAUGH: And I must admit that Baxter just smells so wonderful. How do you do that?

JOSEPH: Well, we can share with you our array of aroma therapy spritzers if you'd like. We have quite a selection. We just, you know, he just – but he just – he uses a lot of lavender because the aroma therapist at hospice has suggested that lavender's a very calming scent for patients and it's not offense to a lot of patients because certain smells can really disturb certain patients.

CAVANAUGH: And you were describing to me that Baxter wears some jewelry.

JOSEPH: Oh, yeah, he really does. He has all kinds of little charms around his neck but my favorite is I have his little name with little cubes with, you know, B-a-x-t-e-r spelled out and then above that I have 'love.' And then he has, you know, 'good dog' and 'best friend' and there's one – and 'angel.' And there's one he doesn't have on today but I typically put it on and it's called 'stud.' I don't want Baxter to feel that he's lost anything in life. I want him to feel like he still has it going on, you know?

CAVANAUGH: Yeah, and he also has a really good vest. You say he earned that vest.

JOSEPH: Well, he passed the test and, as I told you, it's kind of like an iron man for dogs. And Therapy Dogs International certified Baxter and he's very proud to wear that vest because he had to remain neutral in some very difficult situations where he was – it's almost like they were accosting him, so to speak, and he never once reacted. And he's never once reacted with any patient or family member.

CAVANAUGH: Noreen, if somebody wants to volunteer their dog at the hospice, what do they need to do to get started?

CARRINGTON: Oh, we would love to have people to work with us with their dogs or volunteers in general. And to get started, they just need to make a phone call and they can call 619-688-1600 or they could visit us on the web and that's www.sdhospice.org. And it's a process whereby for the dogs go through the certification that Melissa's talked about that Baxter went through and then we have training and support for our volunteers.

CAVANAUGH: And you can find that number and that website link at KPBS.org/TheseDays. And what other opportunities are available to people who want to volunteer at the hospice?

CARRINGTON: Well, we have a great deal of opportunities. One, people can work with patients and without dogs, and go visit our patients and give them a break, bring the outside in. Give the caregivers a break, that kind of thing. They can also work in non-patient related ways, working in a fundraising situation, doing community outreach, office support, and, once again, if they just call that number or visit us on the web, it's a very easy process. And we do have a training for our patient care volunteers coming up next week and then again in March, so we would love to have everyone.

CAVANAUGH: Well, Melissa, I want to ask you this question. I think I have a pretty fair idea of what – how you're going to answer but what kind of impact has Baxter had on your lives? You and Dennis?

JOSEPH: Well, number one, I wouldn't be on the radio without Baxter. And I would not have learned how valuable, or maybe relearned, how valuable moments are and that that is all we have. And the little things in life, what time you get there, five minutes late, what you're dressed – not dressed, all those little things truly do not matter. It's how you treat other people and how other people treat you. And I think Baxter, because he's always gentle and kind and loving, keeps reminding me that that's all that matters.

CAVANAUGH: And did that inspire you to write this book?

JOSEPH: Oh, his magic with people is what inspired me to write this book.

CAVANAUGH: And I understand that all the proceeds will go to charity?

JOSEPH: All the…

CAVANAUGH: Can you tell us about that?

JOSEPH: Yeah. All the procee – having worked at the in-patient care center at San Diego Hospice and Institute for Palliative Medicine, when you walk in those doors, you see little angel wings on people's backs. There's no one I've met there who truly is not a gift, in and of themselves. And I decided that this project needed to be about that facility. It is such a beautiful, special place and people give and give and give, and I wanted to give back. And that was my way to give back, so I'm hoping to donate all the proceeds from the sale of the book back to the in-patient care center at San Diego Hospice for whatever their current needs are there at that facility.

CAVANAUGH: And speaking of the patients at the hospice, tell us the story of the woman who wanted to watch a movie with Baxter.

JOSEPH: Oh, there's a – one of the first stories is 'Fifteen – 'A Fifteen Minute Limit.' But Mo Thorn, her – she told us that her last dying wish was to go see the latest Harry Potter film. And she did not think that was going to be possible and we thought – at hospice, especially, San Diego Hospice, anything is possible. They will do anything to help the patient. And so with that, some arrangements were made. We went to the theater to make sure that Baxter could go into the theater with her. And he accompanied her to see the last Harry Potter film and she couldn't have been any more ecstatic at that moment with Baxter seeing that movie. And she subsequently died with Baxter in bed with her at San Diego Hospice and Institute for Palliative Medicine.

CAVANAUGH: Well, you know, I want to just end this with – I want to hear your plans for Baxter's 20th birthday.

JOSEPH: Well, here's the deal. I told Baxter that he couldn't have a birthday until he turned 20. And I thought when he turns 20, that the most appropriate place for him to have a birthday party—and we've been to several birthday parties at San Diego Hospice—would be there in the in-patient care center. And I'm not exactly sure, depending on where he is in his life, but I'd really like him to have a big, juicy bone because he's got pancreatitis and he's not supposed to have food like that. He's on a restricted diet. And I think when you turn 20, I think you deserve a big…

JOSEPH/CAVANAUGH: …juicy bone…

JOSEPH: …you know? And I'd really like to do that for him. But there is something that's very important that I need to say about "Moments with Baxter," the book. It will be nationally distributed in June across the country but right now it can only be purchased at Borders at Carmel Mountain Ranch.

CAVANAUGH: And you will be, Baxter, Melissa, Dennis, will be at Borders Books at Carmel Mountain Ranch this Sunday, January 18th, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. They'll discuss the book. They'll sign copies of the book. And the book's name is "Moments with Baxter." And, of course, Baxter looks as if he's looking forward to that bone just – just a year from now.

JOSEPH: And Baxter pawtographs his books. Each book has Baxter's original, authentic left paw print.

CAVANAUGH: There it is.

JOSEPH: Yep. It's a little smudged but it's a good one.

CAVANAUGH: I've got to thank you all so much for coming in today. Dennis Bussey, Melissa Joseph, Noreen Carrington and Baxter. Thank you for being here.

CARRINGTON: Thank you.

JOSEPH: Thank you for allowing us to come here. Thank you.

CAVANAUGH: It's fun speaking about Baxter earlier this year. Be sure to tune in to These Days again tomorrow for a special broadcast from the campus of the newly built Lincoln High School in southeast San Diego. That's tomorrow, starting at 9:00 here on These Days. Thanks for listening. I'm Maureen Cavanaugh. Tune in tomorrow.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Tuesday, July 20, 2010