Chula was found on an extremely busy highway by one of our volunteers. The poor girl looked like she had never been cared for. She had long, dreadful toe nails, the longest we've ever seen, and was covered in fleas. Chula was taken to the vet right away for an exam. She received shots and an exam and fortunately tested negative for heartworms.

Chula - Can you help us help her?

I am much more of a dog person than I am a cat person. Cats just don't seem to need people, while dogs definitely do. So when the little wiggly black dog dubbed Sweet Pea came to stay at Thundering Paws, I was thrilled to make friends with her.

Xylitol, a commonly used sweetener found in sugar-free gum and other products, can be very dangerous for dogs.

Read the Reuters news story here: Dog owners warned over sugar-free items.

Sometimes dogs like to help themselves to a little people food, and the consequences can be unexpected. Keep a close eye on all your doggies to keep them safe and happy!

On June 14, 2005, Excellent Volunteer Annie Stuhr and I were cleaning the room at the end of the hall where the floor needed to be replaced. We had just begun this task which had been put off again and again in favor of more crucial items on the to-do list: trapping feral cats before they get pregnant; driving animals to and from veterinarians; buying cat litter; scooping litter boxes. A call came in from Annie's husband, Bill. A hysterical neighbor had come barreling down their driveway yelling that there was a hurt puppy a few streets over from their house.