At the end of January, Jesse James, owner of the emblematic (we got tired of writing—and reading—iconic) West Coast Choppers, and his actress wife, Sandra Bullock, set up a multimedia search, powered by celebrity, to help find their missing pit bull, Cinnabun. As reported by our own Ryan ZumMallen, James “set the Internet on fire” looking for his dog. Truly, at this writing, there is a seemingly endless number (we gave up after seven of them) of pages about Cinnabun, including James and Bullock hiring a detective to find the dog.

Fans and followers posted possible sightings and various comments, but the one that first alerted us was from our favorite rodent lady, Judy Griffith, who wrote that when a pet is lost, it doesn’t matter whether the person is famous but that the pet is lost. One, shall we say, cynical poster with the moniker Arfy posted what he or she felt was an ironic sensibility: “What about all the dead and missing mutts from all us ordinary schlubs, can we get max exposure for our pets too?...Why don't you start a new column in the LB Post just for pet obits and missing notices, open to anybody in LB. What do y’all think?”

Actually, a couple of the other posters felt that it was a great idea, and so do we. Problem is, we write a column every week and a half or so, depending on how busy we otherwise are or how involved the article is, and we don’t have time for everyday postings. By the time that the article’s ready to go, the pet may have been recovered. Besides, it’s really up to the parent of the lost pet to alert the public. The Internet is a fine tool for this; here are two suggestions:

Visit Animal Care Services’ Lost Pet page and follow the instructions for posting as well as information on finding lost pets. Check the site daily.

Attach a photo of your pet to your social networking page and ask your contacts to pass it on to their contacts. If you are part of a group site, you might post a message with a photo attachment. Some of the ones we’ve noted include Justin Rudd’s I Love Belmont Shore, We Love Long Beach, Living Long Beach and, of course, LBPOST.com. Be sure to view the pages before you submit to make sure that you’re comfortable with it.

In the meantime, be you celebrity or schlub, a pet may have a way of slipping out when no one’s looking. You can prevent the heartbreak of not knowing where your pet is and at the same time save many trees, both when you use paper to post notices or stab them in the bark with staples or push pins. Keep these tips in mind:

• Ideally, keep dogs and cats inside when you’re not at home, and at night. Cats are subject to fate of all types. Don’t tell us that the cat wants to be outside. Of course, they do. You probably want to be in Bermuda right now, but circumstances prevent it. And Long Beach is full of dangers.
• If you have a yard, keep gates locked and tethers secure when your dog is outside. Humane tethering legislation requires a dog to be tethered using a pulley for mobility, with no choke chains. Of course, you should be able to see your dog from your house.
• Keep your dog on a leash when walking. If you must tie him or her outside a business, do so in an area clearly visible to you.
• Pets left in cars are also in danger of theft.
• Most of all, be sure that your pet wears ID and license tags with his or her name and phone number on it (no addresses, for your own security), and have him or her microchipped. That’s the best way to identify your pet. Contact your pet’s vet or ACS at (562) 570-7387 for details on how to get your pet microchipped and details for contacting the microchip company in case your pet is missing. Of course, licensing your pet is mandatory and is worth the small fee you pay.

Virtually Pets

Photo courtesy of Rob Bloch, Critters of the Cinema
Stella and Ruby: Lana Turner Moment
Last posting, we featured two adorable Rottie/some-kind-of-water-dog mixes who were actually discovered by a studio animal trainer who is a former animal trainer, after the pups’ adoption photos were circulated. The two of them and Jemma, another local rescue, were rushed to a pet actor ranch run by Critters of the Cinema, where they received star treatment. After training and grooming, the three of them starred in a photo shoot. Their pictures will grace the pet supply aisles of Target stores in a couple of months. Ruby has gone to a foster home, which we hope will be permanent. If you want to help create a real Hollywood ending for the other dogs, contact Lisamm999@yahoo.com.

And, again, why stop at celebrity? Here are more wonderful creatures (we stop at referring to our adoption candidates as “ordinary schlubs) who can be the stars of your household:


The Hamster Family
They’re scrabbly and they’re cunning, they jiggle when they’re running….Need hamsters? We got hamsters. Two male and one female 3-month-old hamsters were left at ACS and need a home with lots of nice things to chew and get into. If you’re interested, contact rodentlady44@yahoo.com.

Pets in Need

Deborah Turner, the companion of the late Wheely Willy, knows from experience that there’s no such thing as an “unadoptable pet.” Consider giving a home to one of these beautiful animals with disabilities—they need homes, too, and are just as loving.


Harley
Harley, a paraplegic dachshund, was picked up on the street as a stray by ACS. He has no idea that he’s disabled and loves to play. He’s discovered mobility in his newly donated K9 Cart made by Pet Mobility and Rehabilitation Center, thanks to the generosity of Med ID Services. All he needs is a home. To make inquiries or to visit Harley, visit Long Beach Animal Care Serices, 7700 E. Spring St. in Long Beach, (562) 570-7387 Ask for Deborah Brubaker


Mercy
This darling little white kitten with grey pinpoint markings was the victim of multiple attacks by dogs in the home of an irresponsible pet owner. Rescued by a caring person and renamed because she was finally shown mercy, the small cat now resides in an animal hospital and is in need of a wheelchair and a home. “There is just no way you can look into those deep blue eyes and not fall in love with her beautiful little face,” said the kind lady who made the rescue. The Pet Mobility and Rehabilitation Center will reduce the price of the K9 Cart to $200 to anyone wishing to step forward. You may contact Pet MRC directly to donate toward the purchase of the wheelchair at (800) 578-6960 or petmrc@gmail.com If you would be interested in adopting this special little cat, call (660) 635-2184. If you’ve got mercy, you can have and love Mercy.


Maggie
Self-assured and unstoppable, this tiny soul runs about 30 miles an hour—with a broken back and a separated pelvis. Probably the victim of an unfortunate encounter with a two thousand-pound car, Maggie has nothing but joy running rampant in her tiny veins. Weighing in at just under five pounds, the energy that she exudes negates her physical challenges. You can see her great progress in standing and walking, almost three months after the accident at this website. Thanks to Pet MRC and another generous donor, Margie Abrams Design Ltd., Maggie will receive her very own wheelchair and will be ready to roll. If you are the special person that can give this worthy dog a nurturing home, please contact Used Pets, usedpets@sbcglobal.net, or (310) 671-6969.

Pet Projects

To Feb. 12, Valentine’s Card Contest for Abused and Abandoned Shelter Pets
Haute Dogs and Justin Rudd! are sponsoring a Valentine’s contest that will benefit shelter pets in Long Beach. The contest seeks Long Beach-area students (K–12) to create lovable Valentine’s cards for the dogs and cats housed at ACS shelter. Cards from adults are encouraged, too, but will not be judged in the contest. Neat project idea for classrooms, scout groups, church youth groups and other organizations. Mail cards or hand-deliver to Long Beach Animal Care Services, 7700 E. Spring St, Long Beach, CA 90808, on or before Fri., Feb. 12. Students should place their name, grade level, teacher’s name and school name on the back of the card. Cards will not be returned. For details on prizes, judging criteria and other details of the event, visit this website.

Feb 10, Town Hall Meeting with ACS
The Neighborhood Resource Center (NRC) invites the public to an open discussion with the City of Long Beach's Animal Care Services (ACS) to make Long Beach California's safest large city for people and animals. The meeting will take place at the NRC, 425 Atlantic Ave. in Long Beach from 6–7:30 p.m. and will be presented by ACS’s chief of operations, Michelle Quigley, and the ACS bureau manager, John Keisler. The leadership team will discuss strategies for public safety and the humane treatment of animals, responsible pet ownership, community engagement and improvements to investigations and enforcement, and such topics as barking dogs, strays, defecation that isn’t cleaned up and living with wildlife. Residents are encouraged to donate pet food to benefit the Multiservice Center to help low-income pet owners in Long Beach. To reserve your space or for more information, call (562) 570-1010 or e-mail Sharron Hinkey at Sharron.Hinkey@longbeach.gov.


Feb. 13, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., “Rest in Show” Fund-Raiser (Rescheduled from last Saturday because of rain)
Photo by Linnea Lenkus
One of Long Beach’s most popular portrait photographers is hosting a fun way to create beautiful memories and help local spay/neuter and humane education organization Friends of Long Beach Animals (FOLBA) at the same time. Linnea Lenkus (http://www.linnealenkus.com) will host the “Rest in Show” dog portrait day and pet food fund-raiser at her local Long Beach Studio, 2699 E 28th Street, # 416, with sittings only $25 plus one 30-plus–pound bag of pet food. You will also receive a free 5-by-7-inch portrait of your precious pooch, and FOLBA will get the pet food and all funds raised from the sittings! Sittings are by reservation only and can be of your dog by itself or a charming portrait of the two of you together. Perfect for Valentine’s Day! There are still a few spaces left from last week; call (562) 981-8900 in advance to reserve your place.

Feb. 17, Coffee with the Commander
Animal Care Services (ACS) director John Keisler will be the featured speaker at this month’s Coffee with the Commander. Keisler will describe services that ACS provides as well as the responsibilities that Long Beach-area pet owners have to make ACS efforts succeed. Meet up Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 6 p.m. at Grounds Bakery Café, 6277 E. Spring St. Call the East Division at (562) 570-5880 for information.

Feb. 21, Help Save the Chi-Chis!
This fund-raiser to benefit small dogs in need of adoption includes a Chihuahua fashion show and features Long Beach comedian Lynda Montgomery. The fun event takes place from 5–8 p.m. at The Gaslamp Restaurant & Bar, 6251 E. Pacific Coast Hwy. in Long Beach, California 90803. Cost is $10.00. For information, call (562) 596-4718.

Feb. 28, Beautiful Bulldog Contest
Oh, you beautiful dog, you great big beautiful, slobbering snuffly sweetheart! More than 300 of these popular pets will wobble down the red carpet to compete at Haute Dogs’ main event and fund-raiser for the nonprofit Community Action Team. The contest, produced by beauty pageant and bulldog lover Justin Rudd, also includes a competition for pugs and all breeds of senior dogs (more than 10 years old). The event takes place at the Marketplace Long Beach at the corner of 2nd Street and the PCH. Visit this webpage for rules and information. Spectators are welcome, of course!

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