dogs

The Dog Poem That Made Johnny Carson Cry

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Back in 1981, legendary actor James “Jimmy” Stewart, the star of “It’s a Wonderful Life” and too many other classics to list here, went on “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” to share his hobby: poetry. The piece that Stewart read was titled “I’ll Never Forget a Dog Named Beau” about his golden retriever.

At first, the poem made Johnny and the audience laugh, but it had a very different effect in the end. Describing it can’t do it justice; it’s something you have to see — and feel — for yourself, so check out the video and read the text below.

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Florida: Urge Your Representative to Oppose the Misleading ‘Pet Protection Act’

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Adangerous Florida bill, misleadingly named the “Pet Protection Act” (S.B. 994 / H.B. 849), would nullify important reforms for animals. Far from “protecting” companion animals, this bill would preempt new local retail sales bans for cats and dogs and stop local governments from enacting additional safeguards against puppy and kitten mills. Commercial breeding mills prioritize profits over animals’ … Read more

All Dogs go to Heaven

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For anyone facing their first Christmas without a special friend! This passage was written by Jerry Wayne Baldwin. In addition to creating poems about our loveable furry friends that are enjoyed worldwide, Jerry also creates spirit filled devotional poems. A new book with devotional poems, called God’s Way in 60 Days, is in the works. … Read more

Ocoee allows Chews A Puppy to bypass county pet sale ban

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The city of Ocoee’s reworked pet-sale ordinance was widely panned Tuesday night by more than two dozen animal welfare advocates who tried but failed to persuade city commissioners to stick with a county ordinance that will outlaw the retail sale of puppies, kittens and bunnies beginning next summer.

The hotly debated Ocoee ordinance passed 3-2 with Mayor Rusty Johnson leading the way to benefit a city pet shop.

The new rule allows one store — Chews A Puppy on West Colonial — to keep selling puppies and kittens after the county ban kicks in June 22.

Unless the county rule is overturned in court, Chews A Puppy would be the only pet shop lawfully permitted to sell puppies not only in Ocoee but also in Orange County and throughout most of Central Florida as Lake, Osceola and Seminole counties have adopted similar bans on retail pet sales.

Frustrated animal-welfare advocates, who lobbied for Orange County’s ban, vowed to keep fighting.

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Ocoee delays decision on retail pet-sales ban during 3 hour meeting

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After three hours of debate, Ocoee opted Tuesday night to delay a decision on an ordinance regulating retail pet sales.

City commissioners were poised to override an Orange County rule forbidding pet stores throughout the county from selling puppies, kittens and bunnies — and essentially grant a monopoly without any local oversight to Chews A Puppy, the only pet shop in the city that sells puppies.

But the board fretted about how to police the family-owned store, which has been tagged with an F-rating by the Better Business Bureau.

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