Fine Forecast Ahead for Homeless Pets

The Weather Channel's 'Wake Up With Al' features pet gifts 

that give back to shelter animals

12.21.2010– NEW YORK, NY – (TSX:PTZ) Pethealth Inc. — Warm, sunny, and a good chance of finding a forever home.  That’s the forecast for homeless pets that benefit from people who shop at The Petango Store, where a portion of each sale on all product purchases helps to support adoptable pets in animal shelters.  The online pet meds and supply store was featured on The Weather Network’s ‘Wake Up With Al’ show this morning, as part of their “Gifts That Give Back” segment.   

With its Shelter Donation Program, The Petango Store will make a donation to the animal welfare organization of the customer’s choice every time they shop.  Shoppers can feel good knowing that they’re helping animal shelters, as their support goes a long way to helping homeless pets like Lilly, a pit bull-terrier mix.

One-year-old Lilly was left behind when her family decided to move on without her.  Now she spends her days at Lollypop Farm, Humane Society of Greater Rochesterin Fairport, New York, patiently waiting for the right family to give her a forever home.  Sweet and curious, Lilly loves chasing a ball, romping with other dogs, and walks well on a leash.  She is one of thousands of pets available on Petango.com, the popular online destination for people looking to adopt a pet.

“Giving a gift that gives back to homeless pets is a great way to shop for your pet or a pet lover in your family,” says Alice Calabrese, President and CEO of Lollypop Farm, Humane Society of Greater Rochester.  “The Petango Store’s Shelter Donation Program makes a real difference to animal welfare organizations like Lollypop Farm.  The funds we have received through this partnership are already changing the lives of homeless pets deserving of a second chance, like Lilly.

The Petango Pet Lover’s Gift Bundle for dogs was the specific gift featured on The Weather Channel’s ‘Wake Up With Al’ this morning.   The bundles are available for dogs of all sizes, as well as cats, and offer all the toys, treats, and chews a pet could want.  They are just some of many “Gifts that Give Back” available at The Petango Store.

“The Petango Store was launched to support our shelter partners, generating donations to help more cats and dogs find forever homes,” says Susan Arts, Vice President of Marketing at Pethealth Inc. “We are thrilled that ‘Wake Up With Al’ highlighted The Petango Store and our Shelter Donation Program.  Not only will shoppers save by purchasing pet meds and supplies at discounted prices, they’ll also be helping shelters and homeless pets in need.  That’s a fine forecast for shoppers, shelters, and pets in need!”  

To purchase a gift that gives back to homeless pets, please visitwww.thepetangostore.com

For more information on adopting Lilly, please click here or visit www.petango.comto search for adoptable pets in your area.

About ThePetangoStore.com and Petango.com

ThePetangoStore.com  is the place to shop for pets and help save homeless pets with a percentage of every purchase donated back to the animal shelter of the shopper's choice.  The Petango Store offers a full range of discounted pet medications and pet supplies, including brand names such as Frontline,  Advantage,  Heartgard and K9 Advantix.  Petango.com is the only adoptable search site that exclusively uses live animal data feeds from over 1,550 animal welfare organizationsnd offers a wide range of content-rich options for potential adopters, shelters and anyone who wants to learn more about pet adoption. It is the one-stop destination for anyone looking to adopt a pet from an animal welfare organization and participate in an interactive, social networking pet lovers' community in North America.

@PepiSmartDog 's Happy Holidays from OTRB!

Spooky - A New Friend!

This week at #Nipclub I made a new furriend.  His name is @Spookyshorty - Spooky for short.  I also met his human. I enjoyed talking with them so very much! We had quite a bit in common. I was told about Spookys lymphoma and that he's going to need chemotherapy.  well you know me, I want to help everyone, so I set up a chipin for him.  I can't wait to see how much we can raise to help him out.  He'll need #healingpaw and #pawcircle too, and when he goes for his chemo we'll have a #SpookyPorch.  Here's someone who needs anipal furriends, take the time to look him up and follow him.  He and his human are amazing beings...you'll be happy to know them!

-Angel (Hemmingwayscat)

Here is his story, and his chipin will follow AND be on the right sidebar of my bloggie.  Pull a dollar out and throw it in to show that you care for the health and happiness of anipals and their humans.  You'll feel wonderful when you hear that Spooky is all better!  You will have helped!

My name is Spooky I am 13 years old and I have lymphoma. I am trying to raise enough money to keep my chemotherapy treatments going, I have 19 more weeks of chemotherapy treatments. The estimated costs are $5000.00. I had a mass in my colon, my colon perforated when they attempted a bioposy. I, Spooky, was rushed into surgery, after 5 hours I was put in ICU. They had to drop my pelvis to get to the mass. The operation was a success, the entire mass was removed and the colon that was re-attached was FREE of cancer. I have been getting chemotherapy, I am doing exceptionally well. I amaze my doctors. Any amount will be gladly accepted, no matter how small. visit this story and see photos at  http://handipets.com/blog/?p=1288 www.spookyspiro.blogspot.com http://wishuponahero.com/wishes/?id=719623 www.cancerpets.org you make make donations to tazzy92796@aol.com pay pal account, check/money order to" NYC Veterinary specialists 410 west 55th Street NY NY 10019 please put Spooky [Shorty] #21045 on the bottom. Or by credit card to 212-767-0099 ask for Vivian of Frankies friends Thank you for your generosity.

Subjective Compassion: Why Do We Cheer for "Brave" Animals & Exploit the Rest?

From the "HUMANE CONNECTION" blog:

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Subjective Compassion: Why Do We Cheer for "Brave" Animals & Exploit the Rest?

I came across a great blog post recently by JoAnne McArthur on subjective compassion. She's the creator of the We Animals project, which "documents animals in the human environment" in order to break down the barriers humans have raised against nonhuman animals, allowing us to treat them as objects, rather than as beings deserving respect and equal consideration.

In the post, McArthur uses a fairly recent incident of the escape of one lone bull to illustrate the strange compassion disconnect many of us humans have with animals. Jay the bull escaped a horrific fate when the truck he and 34 other cows were in (on their way to the slaughterhouse) crashed and caught fire. Jay was horribly burned (many of the other cows were burned alive; the "survivors" were captured and sent on to the slaughterhouse), but he managed to elude authorities until he was caught and taken to an animal shelter. He was lucky. And he was saved in part because many people spoke out on his behalf (presumably impressed with his courage and tenacity). But what about the billions of other animals we in the U.S. eat for food each year? Or those whose skins we wear? Or those we use for experiments or entertainment or deem pests? Why was Jay, and others like him, so lucky?

Part of it has to do with our inability to empathize with large numbers of others. As I've written about before, we connect with the one, not the many. But McArthur poses other potential motivations for our skewed justifications of whom we value and whom we don't:

"We should question our compassion for these animals. Or rather, we should question why our empathy begins and ends with those who have executed a dramatic escape. Aren't the more meek and fearful as equally deserving of their own lives? Why aren't those who have no opportunity for escape equally deserving of our pardon? What is it that we prize in these animals, really? Do we show these animals compassion because it gives us an outlet for the deep grieving we harbour for the harm we cause others but are afraid to admit? Does it makes us feel kinder than our consumer choices show us to be? Is it that we simply love a good story of courage, adventure and escape in which we can play a part by speaking up for the individual involved? Or is it that we understand that animals are sentient beings who can feel fear ( something with which we empathize ) and when they show us this emotion, our compassionate selves can't help but cry out in response to their needs? It seems we are compassionate towards other non-human beings who exhibit characteristics such as bravery simply because it is a characteristic we value in ourselves. It's a narrow, and typically human way of looking at things; valuing something or someone because it resembles us for a moment."

Read the complete post.

~ Marsha

Blog from THE WE ANIMALS PROJECT

December 10th, 2010
Subjective Compassion

click to enlarge

192 - There's been a rash of accidents involving slaughterhouse-bound trucks this year. In my own city of Toronto, a speeding truck overturned, killing 81 pigs and later, 7 more were euthanized. The "survivors" were detained until they could be assessed to see if they were still fit for slaughter.

A few months ago on an Indiana interstate a truck carrying 34 cows crashed and was set ablaze. Of the 34, 18 cows were burned alive. Others escaped the wreckage but wandered the area in various states of injury, some of them still on fire. Despite serious injury, a 2-year old Holstein bull, later christened Jay, made a run for it. He was the only bull to survive. Those who were injured but not dead were corralled onto another truck and sent to slaughter.

Jay was on the run for 12 hours before he was caught and brought to an animal shelter. As is often the case in these situations of escape, people were deeply impressed by his courage and from that came an outcry for his death row pardon. He was not slaughtered but instead brought to Farm Sanctuary ( www.farmsanctuary.org )

Before he arrived at his new sanctuary home, though, he spent a month at the Cornell University animal hospital where he was kept on antibiotics and pain medication. As days turned into weeks, his burnt skin sloughed off to reveal deeper burns, some through the muscle. Three months after his arrival at the Farm, Jay continues to recover. As you can see in the photo ( taken Nov2010 ), his injuries still weep blood and his skin and fur continue the slow growth back to normal.

I hate to call Jay "one of the lucky few", considering his short life in a factory farm, his stressful transport to slaughter and then the crash and being severly burned. Though he was to be among the billions of animals killed for food every year, his fate was deviated that day and he felt the touch of human compassion. Because of this compassion, he has a life among other bovine friends with whom he spends time every day. He has soft straw to sleep on every night. He doesn't live under the threat of death so that we can eat him and wear him. He is given space. His life is recognized as valuable beyond human need.

We often read of or hear these stories of escape. Animals who flee the truck, the slaughterhouse, the factory farm or the live markets if given the chance. Humans love these stories; the animals are seen as courageous and deserving of the freedom they so bravely risked their life for. We are outraged at the idea that this individual would still be killed or put back into the food system for our use. We rejoice to hear that the animal will be given amnesty and sent to a sanctuary instead of their original destination: our plates.

We should question our compassion for these animals. Or rather, we should question why our empathy begins and ends with those who have executed a dramatic escape. Aren't the more meek and fearful as equally deserving of their own lives? Why aren't those who have no opportunity for escape equally deserving of our pardon? What is it that we prize in these animals, really? Do we show these animals compassion because it gives us an outlet for the deep grieving we harbour for the harm we cause others but are afraid to admit? Does it makes us feel kinder than our consumer choices show us to be? Is it that we simply love a good story of courage, adventure and escape in which we can play a part by speaking up for the individual involved? Or is it that we understand that animals are sentient beings who can feel fear ( something with which we empathize ) and when they show us this emotion, our compassionate selves can't help but cry out in response to their needs? It seems we are compassionate towards other non-human beings who exhibit characteristics such as bravery simply because it is a characteristic we value in ourselves. It's a narrow, and typically human way of looking at things; valuing something or someone because it resembles us for a moment.

Those who know Jay have learned that he is playful, kind, gentle, forgiving and loves to run and buck and kiss the other cows. What of the others, though, who don't have the opportunity to be known as an individual but who might share the same characteristics that other animals and humans value in a living being? Though their personalities are unknown to us, do they not also deserve a chance to live their lives?

No Kill Dubuque

Apparently Dubuque, IA is NOT a no-kill city. I want to change this and do good before I leave and move back to Chicago. My first step is going to be trying to do a 2011 Spay Day here. Not sure about the next step but I'm finishing the book, "Redemption" by Nathan Winograd. If you'd like to help, I've set up a chipin page for minor pamphlet, etc. expenses. Not going to ask for much, but I sure as heck want to get these veterinarians thinking of donating their time for spaying/neutering animals to help us keep down the overpopulation and help the people with money problems get their animals spayed/neutered. Next will be TNR for feral cats. Am I crazy to take on so much work? Let me just say...anyone who has experience setting up a Spay Day can contact me in the comment section. I NEED the help! Thanks all for listening to my rant. And last, but not least, Dubuque's Humane Society was actually mentioned in "Redemption" as not being good for a No-Kill Nation!

This is the story of animal sheltering in the United States, a movement that was born of compassion and then lost its way. It is the story of the No Kill movement, which says we can and must stop the killing. It is about heroes and villains, betrayal and redemption. And it is about a social movement as noble and just as those that have come before. But most of all, it is a story about believing in the community and trusting in the power of compassion.

It's Monday, What are you reading?

In the late 1930s, Zora Neale Hurston toured Jamaica and Haiti on a Guggenheim Fellowship collecting folklore and voodoo materials for this book, published in 1938. The book is in three sections, covering her views of and experiences in Jamaica, people and politics of Haiti, and finally her initiation and participation in the world of Haitian voodoo. Zora maintains her usual stance of the involved, inquisitive participant, and her initiation into the ways of voodoo was, and is, both remarkable and engaging. From sexism in Jamaica to threats about her voodoo investigations, from commentary on her role as ethnographer to criticism of previous white studies of voodoo, the book is wild, and collects a huge range of important black cultural practices. Zora left the field hurriedly in 1938, desperately ill, convinced she might die, and sure that she had been 'hexed' for delving too deep into the world of 'bad' (petro) voodoo...have a read of one of the most important pieces of black folklore research of the 1930s. Parlay cheval ou! Ah bo bo!

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Hollie and Sam Together Forever

@HollieCatRocks, @SamTheCatRocks & Pepi all crossing OTRB together....on their way to Hollie's Welcome Banquet......Gpd's Speed.....XXX

We all lit candles for you and Sam for your safe crossing and welcome homecoming.

I took this from @TheNascarKitty's post on the #Nipclub Blog.  He said it best...

"The very heart and soul of twitter has passed to Rainbow Bridge, but in her own words it's "Not Goodbye, but See you later".

Very few of us can say we haven't been touched by Hollie. She was always one of the first to congratulate, console, hug, support, and reach out to all the Anipals. It almost seemed she never slept, because when you needed her she was there.

Personally, Hollie helped my Darling @DCKitty and her Mum & Dad, and myself get through the grieving for Dominique and learn to cherish and embrace the memories and joys we shared. When I passed to #RainbowBridge Hollie was right there comforting and supporting, and giving kind words to my family.

This was something that happened every day. We all took it for granted that when we were in need Hollie would help us feel better.

She sat daily with @TheRustCat as he was in his last months before crossing to #RB, and was there non-stop for @PetieTheCat when he was sick, and on and on. Hollie was just there.

The love story between Hollie and @SamTheCatRocks helped anipals realize that RainbowBridge is not the end, but a new beginning. Their wedding, and recent reception were huge events. Hollie is larger than life, and there is no doubt she'll be a huge asset to #RainbowBridge.

This Thursday, DEC. 2nd, 2010 #NipClub is dedicated to HollieCatRocks. We'd like this to be the biggest, most over-the-top pawty ever on twitter for our beloved Hollie.

Events are still being planned, but let's pull out all the stops for Hollie, Sam, and the Wee ones."

- @TheNascarKitty

Sara's Memorial Service 11/16/2010

Following is the Memorial service held for Sara the 26 year old white dove that is/was @ShiloSiberian's sister:

@JessieJaney: @Pumpkinpuddy hello Pumpkin on #sarasporch

                           @StarskyCat please come join us Starsky on #sarasporch

@Pumpkinpuddy:  @JessieJaney Nice to meet you, even under such sad circumstances. I'm following you now. #sarasporch

@StarskyCat:  #sarasporch RT @StarskyCat: @MrTibbsatAP @MrTibbsatAP @hemmingwayscat @JessieJaney Can I help? My human says I'm great to cuddle

@GinaTheMinPin:  @Pumpkinpuddy @hemmingwayscat I'm here, too #sarasporch

@MrTibbsatAP:  @StarskyCat @hemmingwayscat @JessieJaney Hello Starsky - yes thankyou. I am sure you will be very welcome too. #sarasporch

@SeattleP:  @hemmingwayscat Oops wrong #sarasporch I'll just be here quietly during the ceremony.

HOST: @Hemmingwayscat:  #sarasporch Here too! Would anyone like to say something?

@JessieJaney:  @hemmingwayscat Me me me me #sarasporch ... waving my paw

@MrTibbsatAP:  @hemmingwayscat @JessieJaney @ShiloSiberian May Sara the beautiful bird of peace find true peace and contentment OTRB. RiP Sara #sarasporch

@JessieJaney:  Where is the good in goodbye? So I'll say farewell sweet Sara and may your journey be soft and gentle OTRB #sarasporch

@danapixie:  #sarasporch will be in every ray of sun,every breeze that blows, every drop of rain.She will not be forgotten, she is loved @hemmingwayscat

@JessieJaney:  @StarskyCat @Pumpkinpuddy ty both for following me it is good to make new friends when saying farewell to another #sarasporch

@GizmoGeodog:  RT @danapixie: #sarasporch will be in every ray of sun,every breeze that blows, every drop of rain.She will not be forgotten, she is loved @hemmingwayscat

HOST: @Hemmingwayscat:  @JessieJaney take a turn, everything is SO beautiful! #sarasporch

@Pumpkinpuddy:  #sarasporch I didn't know Sara, but I know how sad it is to lose a friend and wanted to be here to support Sara's family and friends.

@ShaynaCat:  RT @Pumpkinpuddy: #sarasporch I didn't know Sara, but I know how sad it is to lose a friend and wanted to be here to support Sara's family and friends.

@GinaTheMinPin:  The feeling of love is very strong here on #sarasporch this evening ♥

@JessieJaney:  @ShiloSiberian I didn't know Sara but I have this peaceful feeling as we say wish her well OTRB may she fly free #sarasporch @hemmingwayscat

HOST: @Hemmingwayscat:  #sarasporch Thank you all for making this so beautiful. I chose 2 things I found, 1 for us, and 1 for @ShiloSiberian and family.

@ShaynaCat:  RT @Mulder_Cat: @Muffycat1229 We got a special three-way wormhole just for this weekend! Plus free pretzels. #SarasPorch #RykersPorch #MuldersPorch

HOST: @Hemmingwayscat:  #sarasporch @ShiloSiberian "If the future seems overwhelming, remember that it comes one moment at a time." -Beth Mende Conne

            #sarasporch @ShiloSiberian They that love beyond the world cannot be seperated by it. Death       cannot kill what never dies. -William Blake

@GinaTheMinPin:  @hemmingwayscat @ShiloSiberian Those are truly beautiful quotes, furiend :) #sarasporch

@MrTibbsatAP:  @hemmingwayscat @ShiloSiberian Oh those are beautiful thoughts and words for Sara & her family #sarasporch

@Pumpkinpuddy:  RT @ginatheminpin: @hemmingwayscat @ShiloSiberian Those are truly beautiful quotes, furiend :) #sarasporch

@danapixie:  “@ChatteMuse: @hemmingwayscat #sarasporch @ShiloSiberian Set free the butterfly on wings of a white dove PEACE ♡☮♡ xx~*CM”

@ShaynaCat:  RT @danapixie: “@ChatteMuse: @hemmingwayscat #sarasporch @ShiloSiberian Set free the butterfly on wings of a white dove PEACE ♡☮♡ 

HOST:  @Hemmingwayscat:  #sarasporch I didn't know Sara either but I saw that someone was hurting for her and I wanted to reach out and help. So may joined me ...

          #sarasporch I am SO proud of my friends, anipals and human. Thank you for sending off and caing for a fellow animal that U didn't even know.

@GinaTheMinPin:  @hemmingwayscat We are all part of 1 big Anipal Family; doesn't matter if we knew Sara or not, we still feel her family's pain #sarasporch

HOST:  @Hemmingwayscat:  #sarasporch Would anyone else like to say anything?

@MrTibbsatAP:  @hemmingwayscat @ShiloSiberian All animals, humans and anipals are important. Love transcends species as does the pain of loss. #sarasporch

@ChrisGroove1:  I just wanted to drop by and leave sum purrrrs and blessings #sarasporch

HOST:  @Hemmingwayscat:  @GinaTheMinPin #sarasporch That is why I love you all so much!

@ShaynaCat:  RT @MrTibbsatAP: @hemmingwayscat @ShiloSiberian All animals, humans and anipals are important. Love transcends species as does the pain of loss. 

@JessieJaney:  @hemmingwayscat and why we love you back ... you make us all better anipals 

#sarasporch

HOST:  @Hemmingwayscat:  I will leave everyone with a final thought, though we can all stay as long as we like, I just need to get it out to feel better. #sarasporch

    #sarasporch @ShiloSiberian "Dawn is born at Midnight." -Carl Yung

@MrTibbsatAP:  @hemmingwayscat @ShiloSiberian Sara is now free of pain and flying high OTRB. Love & healing purrs to her family #sarasporch Goodnight. all.

@JessieJaney:  @MrTibbsatAP night night Mr Tibbs #sarasporch

@ShaynaCat:  RT @hemmingwayscat: #sarasporch @ShiloSiberian "Dawn is born at Midnight." -Carl Yung

@ShaynaCat:  @MrTibbsatAP 'Night :-) #sarasporch

@JessieJaney:  @hemmingwayscat thank you for having us on #sarasporch ... was beautiful ... am going now to find a sun puddle!

@GinaTheMinPin:  Lovely service for Sara. Good night to all on #sarasporch.

@Harley_Bird:  love is stronger than death RT @hemmingwayscat #sarasporch Would anyone else like to say anything?

@ChrisGroove1:  Thank you for letting me drop in and share in the lovely service #sarasporch Bless Sara.

HOST:  @Hemmingwayscat:  #sarasporch Thank you all for coming. Stay as long as you'd like or leave. We all understand each other's needs.

       #sarasporch I am still sitting here, at #rykersporch and at #muldersporch ~ Love you all dearly!

@ShaynaCat:  @hemmingwayscat Me too, but am going to have to get some sleep - purring 4 #SarasPorch , #RykersPorch & #Muldersporch. 'Night :-)

@athenaspazycat:  *sitting pretty on #sarasporch* What happened to poor Sara?

@StarskyCat:  #sarasporch #rykersporch #muldersporch Sleep now - anyone who'd like to cuddle, tuck into my fur - I'm not speciest. x

HOST:  @Hemmingwayscat:  @Harley_Bird #sarasporch Thank you! *hug*

@GizmoGeodog:  Ur a wonderful furriend RT @hemmingwayscat #sarasporch I am still sitting here, at #rykersporch and at #muldersporch ~ Love you all dearly!

@PepiSmartDog:  #sarasporch @ShiloSiberian 's 26 yr old Sarah & Pepi crossing OTRB together. http://twitpic.com/37hj2j Pls RT

     

@PepiSmartDog's advice to @ShiloSiberian or "Crossing Over the Rainbow Bridge"

@PepiSmartDog said beautifully:

     "@ShiloSiberian So very sorry about Sara. Please know she is here with us OTRB & we will take very good care of her.  She had a wonderful Welcome Banquet where we had all sorts of grains & greens imaginable! She even joined the Conga line!  She sleeps with us on our #ComfyCuddleCloud, with all us anipals here OTRB. We have shown her our Waving Cloud too, where we go everyday 2 wave 2 our families. Remember 2 look up = U'll KNOW it's Sarah by the flickering star, that's HER waving to U.
     Times when you wonder if Sara is really alright OTRB, please take time to sit down, turn volume on high, for the music and join us Over The Rainbow Bridge.  Beautiful.
     When the day arrives that you find yourself standing at the Rainbow Bridge, Sara will be there waiting for you and U & her will be together again...forever. But while she waits, she will be surrounded by friends, & laugh & fly free & eat anything & be able to do everything ! But she will never forget U. She loves U. Sara knows U love her too.  HUGS HUGS XXX"


Thank you @PepiSmartDog for comforting @ShiloSiberian and family, and all of us left on this side of The Rainbow Bridge.  Thank you SO much!

This is not Sara, but an image used to show her flying freely.

Nimbus and Diabetes

Nimbus

(a.k.a. Crown Prince Joseph A. Nimbus of Iowa)

Most of us know TSB and Nimbus and his fur-siblings on both Facebook and Twitter @UsThreeCoons ~
Well, TSB has been hit hard by the economy and lack of good jobs.  She is struggling to buy Nimbus his insulin because she has to use human insulin which is quite expensive.  I decided to try to give them a Christmas gift by raising money to help pay for his insulin for a couple of months.  I have a Chipin widget here on my blog (right at the top right) and I was hoping that everyone could throw in a dollar or more to help them out.  Christmas is coming soon! Nimbus will be a warm purring kitty knowing that we care! *hugs* to you all! I know you're such generous spirits!

L.A. Unleashed

ALL THINGS ANIMAL IN SOUTHERN
CALIFORNIA AND BEYOND

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Update: Nico, the deaf shelter dog whose photo inspired online rescue community, has a new home in Indiana

September 1, 2010 | 12:53 pm

Last year, guest blogger Janet Kinosian shared the story of Nico, a shelter dog who was rescued through the efforts of Southern California rescuers and a community of animal-loving Facebook users. Since then, Nico's story has gotten even better; here, Kinosian fills us in on what's been going on in the life of this hard-luck dog who became one of the luckiest couch potatoes in Indiana.

Remember Nico, the defeated deaf white Dogo Argentino at South Los Angeles animal shelter -- who moved so many people with the sad photo of him first posted on Facebook? Nico, the forlorn animal who evoked the agony and utter defeat so many discarded animals must experience? Well, it's a joy to update you on Nico's life.

Just look at these two photos side by side: Can this possibly be the same animal?

Photos like the one on the left aren't anything new on the Web: Tens of thousands flood Facebook alone on a daily basis. What was different about Nico's photo, though, was what it captured: the loneliness of an animal that lay against the shelter's wall full of sadness, seeming to have lost all hope. That only spurred on Southern California rescuers.

And that's where the photo on the right comes in.

Things have worked out well for Nico SwanGarris. That's his new name and he lives now with his two moms and new sister, Brisby, a pit bull mix who is also deaf and white, in Indiana. He still loves balls, baths and life as a major couch potato, says Bridget Swan, who, with her partner Melissa, adopted Nico in November 2009.

Last August, Southern California animal rescuer Nikki Audet first posted Nico's photo on Facebook, and Kelley Gibson, a rescuer and animal transporter based in a San Diego, helped get him to the Hamilton County Humane Society in Indianapolis. Nico likely didn't know how lucky a hand he'd been dealt.

He quickly went through training to help him with issues resulting from his deafness and teach him how to navigate in a world of sound. His bumps and nicks and battle scars were attended to. He was happy and safe when Bridget and Melissa decided they wanted to adopt a dog, and Bridget's friend said she should see this dog at the local humane society.

Swan remembers that, at first, the animal agency was a bit wary of her adopting Nico. She didn't understand why until she was clued in by shelter staff that Nico was a bit of a celebrity and they wanted to make sure she was adopting him for the right reasons.

These days Nico walks in parades with his new moms, “loves to sit up close on your feet so he knows when you are walking away,” says Swan, and “in general is 100% low-key. He'll get a wild hair in him once in a while, but he's a mellow guy, and he deserves it after all he went through back then. He just loves people -- despite whatever was done to him -- and gives lots of kisses. He's very generous and free with his kisses. He's just so dependent on us, and he likes to hang with you 24/7.”

Nico has had one setback: A cancerous tumor was discovered and removed shortly after his adoption. Recently, Swan and Garris learned that the cancer has returned, but they remain optimistic about his future. "We are attempting a holistic approach so that we can hopefully avoid an ear amputation," Swan says. "We know that he will beat this just like all the other terrible things he has put up with in the past. He is a loving fighter and is strong."

According to Swan, finding toys for Nico can be a bit of a problem, as he loves and chews up Kongs, bones and anything he can wrap his canines around. He also has hundreds of fans on Facebook who hear about his daily happenings and send him messages of love and support.

Asked what Nico might say now that he's safe and sound, Swan replies: “The main message is this: Just because it's a cute small dog or puppy doesn't mean it'll be your best companion. Go for the downtrodden, defeated dogs, look at the underdog, because they will give you all their love and gratitude and forever be grateful you literally saved their life.”

So this soulful, special dog, once full of sadness, now lives out the good life in the Midwest. It's the happy story ending all dog rescuers wish for but often don't always see -- though every animals deserve nothing less. We're wishing Nico a happy, healthy and cancer-free future!

-- Janet Kinosian

Janet Kinosian has written freelance for the Los Angeles Times, L.A. Times Magazine and L.A. Times Syndicate for 18 years.  In addition to reporting, she's a media consultant who can be reached atJanetKinosian.com.

Top left photo: Nikki Audet

Top right photo: Deena Crouch

Family photo of Nico with his adopters and "sister," Brisby: Akasha Thorpe

All other photos: Bridget Swan

Twitter: @latunleashed

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