Is this your cat, Nashville?

Screencaps from PetHarbor.com

Charlotte Pound

Screengrabs from PetHarbor.com (click to enlarge).  The first 3 look drugged.  Which makes them the “lucky” ones?

So simple, even a child can do it.

In contrast to many photos on this blog which depict adult animal “professionals” at shelters mishandling dogs and cats, here are some kids showing how it’s done.  Interacting with pets using love and common sense seems to be a pretty basic idea.  Thank you to everyone who submitted pictures. Click to enlarge any of these photos.

Submitted by Natalie: “Third grade Jaden met Boo the border collie foster, bent down to let him sniff him, and Boo snuggled himself in for a hug. Jaden sat down and gave into it “

Submitted by Bobbie: “Walter, senior black and tan Coonhound, with children from Kids Club at Silverwalk Hounds, summer 2012.”

Submitted by Aubrie: “Robby volunteering with a kitten in Alabama”

Submitted by a reader: “This is Jack, 3yrs old, the puppy is 3weeks old and is a small mixed breed (yorkie x) foster puppy in Ontario, Canada.”

Submitted by Davyd: “This is Niklaus Opel with Tucker. Tucker was rescued from Colorado Saint
Bernard Rescue and was in our family as a foster, and then adopted.”

Submitted by Clara of Buffalo Humane: “This picture is of Samantha, 11 years old, who is one of our volunteers, that works as hard caring for the cats (cleaning condos, helping the vet assist do meds, wash dishes, do laundry, etc.) as our adult volunteers.”

Submitted by Jan: “Bodie and his girl, San Francisco”

Submitted by Melissa: “Lawrence, age 4, and our dog, Sugar, after an intense game of “fetch” in our backyard in Louisiana.”

Rutherford Co, NC

Puppy #A025070 at the Rutherford Co pound in NC, as posted on Facebook.

Puppy #A025019 at the Rutherford Co pound in NC, as posted on Facebook.

Puppy # A024979 at the Rutherford Co pound in NC, as posted on Facebook.

Unidentified puppy at the Rutherford Co pound in NC, as posted on Facebook.

Dog #A024465 at the Rutherford Co pound in NC, as posted on Facebook.

Unidentified cat in drain at the Rutherford Co pound in NC, as posted on Facebook.

Cat #A024969 laying in feces at the Rutherford Co pound in NC, as posted on Facebook.

Photo Call

Screengrab from Petfinder of a puppy being held by a child.

I would like to put together a post of children demonstrating proper animal handling techniques for the blog.  The idea being to contrast with the mishandling of shelter pets so often seen by animal shelter workers on this blog.  If you would like to submit a photo for inclusion, please keep the following guidelines in mind:

• Photo should feature at least one pet and one child in keeping with theme.  The child need not be entirely visible, e.g. just hands holding a pet is ok, but it should be obvious that the person is not an adult.
• Please include a brief caption identifying the pet, child, and what area you are from.  Your caption can be specific (e.g. “Sally, age 5, and shelter pet Fluffy in South Carolina”) or vague (“Neighborhood kid with our Pitbull in New England”).  If you prefer to remain anonymous, please indicate that.
• Photo should have no copyright issues – that is, the photo should be taken by you, a family member or someone who isn’t expecting payment for the use of the photo.
• Please e-mail photos to me no later than April 30, 2013.

I hope lots of readers will consider participating.

Charlotte Pound: This is your dog on a chokepole.

Screengrabs from PetHarbor, submitted by Lisa:

Protect us, brave Char-Meck ACO!

Gee, this one seems “well behaved”…

Demo’ing the Char-Meck Chokepole Down-Stay.

Gwinnett Co, GA

Screengrab from Facebook