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Community Service Message We here at Exogeny Network believe in community service and supporting such endeavors. On June 3rd, 2008, during the Dawn of Shades, Gia talks about Rob, the Rottweiler wannabe in New Orleans. To help the rescue group that has been helping Rob on his journey to health and a forever home, we are encouraging everyone to take a look at their fundraising effort. This photo doesn't even begin to give this pendant its just dues. Its a very cute pendant, about 1 1/2" long, shaped like a bone with silver colored metal and either clear or pink crystals (your choice) on a black velvet cord. They are being sold at only $10 plus $3.25 shipping and handling, and must be paid for by either check or money order. To buy one of these pendants, please contact Metairie Humane.  Exogeny Network does not have any official connection wtih the rescue group, the sale of this necklace, etc. We are merely helping this group attempt to raise money to defray some of the expenses it normally faces. We also receive no compensation for our efforts, and all sales will be handled by the rescue group itself. Gia Pets is all about the pets, and in a whole new way. We cover the topic for the regular owner, avoiding the cutesy stuff and getting to the meat of the relationship between humans and their animal companions, whether its training, paranormal connections, alternative diets, health benefits, or just how to bake a new treat. These podcasts will soon be available FREE OF CHARGE , so check back. In the meantime, check out some of our text content. Red Dog aka Empress of the Universe This is the Red Dog that inhabits my world, and she is firmly convinced that she IS the empress of the universe, but I am not sure what that makes me? I rule the empress of the universe, except when I am asleep and there might be something yummy on the table, in the trash, or on the cupboard. Messages from Your Animal Companion
55 Card Oracle Deck
by Angelica del Mar
Thesecards were sent for me to review, and I have to confess, I thought "HoHum, one more deck of cards..." I opened the deck and the fun started,these cards are very sturdy and laminated, the cover illustration is nice, and the individual cards are illustrated nicely, with the"meaning" of the card printed on each one, simplifying the process oflearning to use them immensely. I'm not a tarot reader, don't use cards for readings, etc., and the next thing I did was take them to askilled tarot reader for HER assessment of them. We both had a LOT of fun with these cards, and I anticipate enjoying them for years to come. If you have pets of any kind, have any curiosity about what they are thinking and feeling, you will find these cards an excellent tool to enhance your relationship.
~~Gia Scott Submit your pet photos! Send us your pet photos showing you and your pet doing something fun. Here are some ideas: Picnicking with your dog Travelling with your dog Playing games with your dog Playing with toys with your cat Playing anything with your cat AND dog Your bird posing for the camera Your pet eating his or her favorite summer treat Rules: All photos need to be submitted by jpg format. All photos need to be the property of the submitting party. You are giving permission to Exogeny Network to use the photographs by submitting them. All photographs must contain a recognizable pet. Tommy Cat St. Bernard at Mardi Gras in New Orleans  Baby Rabbit, wearing an LSU Jersey Sissy the Feist
Little Bit--shih tzu (clipped) Thieving Monkey Mama in Singapore  Shadow, a lab/rottie, with favorite toy A pair of ducks in the garden   Red Dog modeling pink faux leopard Pet Travel Hints & Helpers #1. Take your vaccination records with you on every trip! A product like this one helps to make sure you have everything you need, but also make sure you have your rabies certificate of vaccination, a print out from your veterinarian for recent vaccinations, a recent health certificate, and record of your microchip. Vaccination records are required for many things while gone from home, and your veterinarian may be closed and unable to fax the records when you need them most. Microchips are a positive method of identification, but also remember to REGISTER your microchip with the appropriate company!!! As a hint, I recommend to everyone that there be a copy kept in their glovebox AT ALL TIMES, as well as another set fastened to your pet carrier. Pet Passport Pocket Reference Journal - Basic Pet Passport Do you like to travel with your pet - but find that airlines, customs, immigration, and other officials are requiring much more information from you about your animal? Or, are you just concerned, in case you have an emergency while away from home? Designed with the help of a veterinarian, this 33-page portable 3.5"W x 5"H journal fits in the palm of your hand - offering an easy way to keep your furry friend's information on hand as you roam the world together. It includes sections for recording medical history, dental history, identification, vaccinations - even information about your pet's personality, breeding, and travel adventures. Available in your choice of 2 styles - the basic version with a sewn stitched binding and sturdy passport-type cover, or the black leather journal for the true jet setting pet. Both come in a poly-vinyl sleeve to protect your journal from spills or damage. #2. Put a current ID tag with your cell phone number on your dog's collar. The ID tag is your first method of recovering your dog, it makes it easy for John or Jane Doe who happens to find your terrified pet cringing in a corner somewhere find you and get you reunited. They are inexpensive--you can color coordinate them to your collars, and even have multiple collar/tag combinations for different trips. They also make a number of kinds that you can personalize at home, so there is no reason to ever be without one. #3. Bring food and treats. Nothing will ruin a trip for you and your pet like an upset stomach and diarrhea. A brand that may be easy for you to find at home may turn out to be impossible to locate on a trip, so save the nightmare and bring it along. I happen to have a food I prefer for travel, even on short trips, and my dogs love the novelty. Red and Sissy happily eat "Whole Meals" when we are on road trips. For me, its a simple way to give them meals with minimal mess. They are also easy to have ready for our "Evacuation Kit". (I live in New Orleans, and hurricanes mean an unexpected road trip with little notice. I actually call Whole Meals "MRE's for Dogs".) ***Note: I have been informed that Whole Meals are being discontinued, and its a sad day for Red Dog and Sissy. Does anybody have any suggestions for a replacement product? It needs to be a compact packaged meal that is not inclined to give the average dog diarrhea (unlike adding canned food to their diets unexpectedly.) It has to be attractive enough that they will eat it relatively quickly, and in a form that is easy to pick up any uneaten portions (unlike kibble) as leaving food around places like campsites is inviting unwanted visitors to come calling. If you maintain "emergency packs" for your pet, make sure to rotate the supplies. Don't let them get beyond their "best by" date or stale. Also remember that food stored in a car will not keep as long in the heat of summer, and soon will lose its value as food. I use the rule of thumb that canned food should not be over 6 months old, and kibble should be rotated every 90 days. I cut that time dramatically if its being stored in the car. Its also a good idea to have water along. I normally will carry about a gallon per dog when I'm on a road trip, even if its a day trip. We have all seen or heard about unexpected delays on a trip, and water is critical, especially in summer. Bring dishes. They don't have to be the same ones you use at home, but they do need to be easy to clean! I actually prefer to directly recycle dishes with lids, like margarine, non-dairy wipped topping, and similiar products use. After a quick drink, I can just pop the lid on the container and prevent spills. ***I just saw the most amazing dishes, and I have to recommend them. Check out the travel dishes made by Dexan. They come in pretty colors, are silicone and collapsable, and appear to be quite sturdy and convenient! MaryMartha Miller is a regular contributor to Gia Pets with practical recipes she has tested herself on her own personal "zoo crew". She makes every effort to ensure that the recipes are safe, however, as always, we recommend that you double check with your own vet to ensure that these are safe for YOUR pet's personal profile. Data about food safety for animal species is continually being updated, and its possible that things have changed since the article(s) were written or that information was overlooked. Once upon a time, the dangers of foods such as onions, chocolate, and macadamia nuts were unknown in regards to dogs, and we would all hate for anything untoward to happen to anyone's beloved pet.
Bone Appetite by MaryMartha Miller 
Ok, we have covered some great recipes for the dogs. Hove you got the hang of it yet? Have you been able to create some dog-gone good meals? Don't worry with my chow hounds there will be plenty more recipes to come!
We are going to explore some recipes for our highly exalted, over ruling, kings and queens, in other words--our Cats! I have also got some great recipes for our informants--the Birds!
Now I don't know about your cats, but mine don't think it is a treat when I cook for them. After the first time, they expect it. After all, it is my job right? To cook and serve them? I think when they see us cooking it is because we are perfecting something for them in the future. Now, after I have served them their dinner, they sit back and say "Ah, they do have a use after all. I knew they were put here to do something greater for us"! Don't we just love our cats? Despite their superiority complex, I do love mine and greatly miss the ones that have passed.
Now my birds are a bit funny. I call them my informants because they are. The cats stay separated from the birds. The dogs are around the birds all the time. When we have been gone or if we are in another room, and the dogs are doing something they are not supposed to be doing, my Ring Neck (Bruce) screams. He does this until I come to see what is up. Now he does not realize that the dogs are allowed to get up and move! Bruce will scream non-stop, despite my presence, if a neighbors dog enters our yard. He will continue until someone goes outside to remove the intruder. My love bird (Sunny) sings all the time, until the Dogs are doing something interesting like shredding or chewing on something out of the ordinary. When they are doing something like that, then she is silent, not one peep!
Now, if you are wondering who all my kids are her are their names and species. Sky is a female chihuahua and will be six in August, Shadow is a male lab/Shepard mix and will be 3 in December, Lil' Bit is a female Shih Tzu and her age is unknown. The veterinarian estimates her at 5-8 years of age. Jade a male short hair cat and he just turned six in April, Ashley is a female short hair will be three in August. Bruce, I am not sure of the age or sex but I think it is a he, and he is a ring neck parrot. Sunny is a female love bird and will be 3 in October. Thai is a male red slider turtle and will be two in July. Thi does live with a school of guppies but they come and go I just call the the "gup-gup co," That is my crew right now..
Cats should have 50% of their diet meat and 50% carbohydrates. I also add vegetables in their food, about 25%. My cats love veggies. My male cat (Jade) is neutered and has had some medical problems. About two years ago Jade almost died. He had three kidney stones. I didn't know what the problem was until it was all most to late. A trip to the vet and $1,500.00 later we found out that neutered male cats tend to develop stones. The problem, according to our veterinarian, too much fish oil. I have to watch how much omega fats he consumes, and fish is a vary special treat for him. Consult your veterinarian about this topic if you have any concerns about your feline. With my birds I feed them seed and make treats for them. Sunny is a lot more picky then Bruce. Sunny prefers sweet treats with lots of millet and sunflower seeds. Bruce will try anything and likes most of it, even hot peppers! Some foods are on the do-not-feed list. These include foods that contain high amounts of sugar or fats (junk foods: potato chips, doughnuts, etc.), avocado (guacamole), chocolate, alcohol, or caffeine. Do not give fruit pits. Persimmons are also on the do-not-feed list. If you go to: www.fosterandsmith.com and click on the articles tab you can find information regarding foods to avoid.
Mackerel Dinner
Calories:159.8, Carbohydrates: 8.5, Protein: 11.4
1 tsp olive oil
2 small mackerel or 4 mackerel fillets
2 cups water
1 cup brown rice
2 cup sliced carrots
Directions: Bring 2cups water to a boil, add rice. Return to boil cover and reduce heat. cook 15-20 minutes or until water is gone. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Set aside.
Heat oil in frying pan. Add mackerel and cook until fish flakes. Set aside and allow to cool to room temperature. Don't drain off the pan juices.
Steam carrot slices until they are tender about 15 minutes. Allow to cool to room temperature.
If you used whole mackerel remove the bones.
Take one half fillet or 1/4 half of one fish mix with 1/4 cup rice and 1/4 cup carrots. Drizzle the a little of the pan juices over the top. Serve at room temperature. Makes approx. 8 servings
Budgie Brownies
Calories: 103.4, Carbohydrates: 10.8, Protein: 5.1
1 cup cornmeal
1 tsp. finely ground cuttlebone
1 cup hulled millet
2 tbsp. liquid honey
1/4 cup whole wheat flour
2 eggs
2 tbsp. raw wheat germ
4 egg yolks (for larger birds add 1/2 cup peanuts)
Directions: Preheat oven to 350* degrees .
Place all ingredients into a bowl and mix well. Pat into a greased and floured baking dish.
Bake for 30 minutes or until firm (if edges start to get too brown, cover with foil).
Cool and cut into small squares. Makes approx. 20 treats  Bone Appetite! | | S.O.S. Camp Wolfgang A German Shepherd rescue group called Camp Wolfgang , in Ennis, Texas is closing down because of family issues on 31 October. I don’t have any additional details, other than they are closing their doors.All the dogs are vetted, spayed/neutered, micr...o-chipped, well cared-for and many have had training. They have nearly 200 dogs that must find a foster or be adopted before 31 October or they will have no choice but to euthanize them all. I am shocked by this and I hope you are too.
If you cannot help by fostering or adopting...YOU CAN STILL HELP!!!
Just forward this information to everyone you know...if we all forward this to everyone we know, chances are good that many of these dogs can be saved!
They do not need or want donations, they simply MUST place all of the dogs. Adoption fees are $75.00, free to verifiable rescue groups.
Current dogs: (approximate)
120 German Shepherds
45 Other mixed breeds
4 Purebred Rottweiler
2 Akitas
1 Anatolian/Great Pyrenees
1 Great Dane/Lab
1 Boxer/Mastiff
1 St. Bernard/Akita
1 WolfDog
Time is of the essence!! If you know anyone who can adopt, accept a dog into their rescue, or help in any way, contact Neisha Livengood, Kennel Master at Camp Wolfgang .
Neisha Livengood windigo1966@ yahoo.com wally@campwolfgang. com campwolfgang@ yahoo.com phone: 214-755-1627
Camp Wolfgang
6234 FM 879
Ennis, Texas 75119
Stay tuned,
MuZz+afa
Adopting a "Second hand dog" Nothing is more life enhancing than the relationship we share with our pets, and dogs have a long tradition of sharing home & hearth. Even so, adopting a "second hand dog" is something that not everyone wants to try. Just what IS a "second hand dog"? Is it like a six toed cat? Not at all! A second hand dog is one, that for one reason or another, the previous owner is unable or unwilling to care for. Most people automatically assume that its a "pound puppy" with a history of abuse and neglect, but that is not always the case, especially in today's economy. All too often, a change in a family's fortune means that the dog is suddenly homeless, as their previous owner is forced to move after a job loss, divorce, or foreclosure, and then unable to find accomodations that will allow the dog. Other times, someone gets a puppy, and then realizes that their lifestyle doesn't leave time for the puppy, who is soon banished to a backyard until their owners reluctantly look to "re-home" the unfortunate puppy who has often grown to an awkward and untrained adolescent. Maybe they didn't realize that cute puppy was going to grow into a 90 lb. bundle of fur covered slobber moving at 30 mph in hopes of attention. I've been "foster mom" to some of these puppies that grew larger and faster and far more energetic than their previous owners anticipated. Lacking manners, its no wonder that they were banished to a backyard and forgotten. I distinctly remember bringing one into the house after he was delivered, and the first 30 seconds found him standing on the dining room table, which was thankfully empty. No manners, not housebroken, often not even knowing their name, these dogs are attention starved and craving boundaries. They often arrive with lovely attachments such as "excessive barking" and "digs yard continually." In reality, its a case of not knowing any better and bad habits filling a void. Dogs are social creatures, and the isolation of being forgotten in the backyard soon has them frantic to be with someone. Then someone comes out the back door, sometimes only to feed nad water them, and the dog is all over them, resulting in the people being more repulsed by the behavior. They don't want to neglect the dog, but they also don't know how to change the behavior patterns that are becoming established. These gawky adolescents would arrive, one at a time because that's plenty for me to handle, and my chief-trainer-in-charge was always Red Dog. She loved the companionship of another dog while I was working or doing boring human stuff, and the dogs would run and play in the yard. Now as the self-appointed Empress of the Universe, Red Dog did have some dignity to maintain, and after a good play session, she'd assume a sprawling position in a comfortable location in the general center of the yard where she could easily survey the immediate kingdom. The foster dog would usually continue running around frantically (after all, its still the first few days in the new foster home) until it would see fit to start the barking. Now being Empress means you do have some duties too. One of them was immediate response to all alerts to ensure the safety of the heart of her kingdom. A false alert (barking at absolutely nothing) caused her to waste precious surveying time, so she had to throw the foster dog down and rough him/her up a bit to show that she was not pleased. She would then stalk back to her position of readiness and resume her surveying of the kingdom (nap). Now IF that alert was something real, she'd immediately have to show her authority by barking loudly herself. Having the youngster barking alongside her simply presented a more threatening aura to the threat (it might just be a stray cat or wandering dog, but you never know) Within a week, the excessive barking would cease, without a single "shut up" ever being uttered by me. Now if she would only be so efficient at housebreaking, she'd be the first million dollar dog! Housebreaking and house rules were my department. Step one was usually just prevention. Often the dogs were being neutered or spayed days after their arrival or just prior to their arrival, and that can cause more frequent urination. When a puppy is being properly raised, the rules are learned gradually, and long before they are big enough to land on the table. Waiting until they are nearly full grown is the hard way to do it, but it can still be done. A crate was essential, or I would have had my house destroyed. I didn't have one for my first foster dog, and being left alone in the house for a half hour about a week after his arrival presented him with an opportunity to start "gutting" my sofa. This was not something I was thrilled with! Once upon a time, I opposed crates, but time and experience has taught me that crates can be used wisely and can preserve sanity for pet and owners alike. A crate for housebreaking is not the same sort that you would buy for a pet that has already been housebroken though. Spacious is not the term you want--you want the crate large enough for the dog to stand up and turn around, but not so large that it can soil a section and avoid it. The key is that most (there are a few exceptions) dogs will not soil an area that they have to lay in. Put the dog on a regular feeding schedule, and an adult dog in good health only needs fed once daily. Make sure that there is as much 'outside' time as possible, after all, that's where you want them to do their business anyhow. Take them out on a regular schedule, and an adult dog should be able to wait the 8 hrs that most of us work, even if that is not ideal. Reward the dog for taking care of business outside, and express disgust at any messes that are made. Rubbing the dog's nose in the mess is an old wive's tale and just creates more mess, it will never teach a dog to not soil their space. Neither will shrieking at the dog or beating it with anything, including the newspaper. Just make your disgusted noises (no acting needed here) as you clean up the dog and the mess. Take the dog out immediately, and be thrilled if it does its business, even if the crate has been soiled badly. If the crate is particularly soiled, this may be where the acting comes in! If soiling persists, have your veterinarian check the dog--there may be a physical problem prohibiting the dog from becoming house trained without immediate access to the outdoors.  Cali-cat Meet Cali, the brave cat who dared to want to reside with a convicted cat killer, refusing to listen to anyone who told her that she would fare much better in some other household. She evacuated for Katrina with me, in an old Nissan pickup with no air conditioning, along with Reddog (80 lbs at the time) and Sissy (25 lbs) and my adult daughter, who was visiting me from out of state at the time. She toughed out 4 weeks of being a vagabond with two dogs as her companions, the trip home, and the arrival home. Cali hates me, I'm sure of it. She only emerges from her alternate dimension when she has a demand for food or water. She will then consent to allowing me to pet her briefly, at least if food is imminent. Last fall, once again, my daughter was visiting, and a small gray feral kitten managed to allow itself to be caught and take up residence in my bathroom pending shots, neutering, and a quarantine period. After managing to pretty much turn it into shambles, it started to work on my resistance to his staying with me, and then upon his emergence into the household, he started to work on Cali and Reddog, figuring they had the keys to staying. Cali was soon grooming him, Red was ignoring him with snorts of disgust when he got too close, and roars of fury as he ignored her rule of "no cats in Mom's bedroom!" Cali has taken a more tolerant view of me since Smokey Robinson's arrival was made official and I took him off of the adoption list and claimed him as my own. She usually says hi at least twice a day, plus at feeding time! I also often actually SEE her in the house. She is happier, although she does get after Smokey Robinson for being a pest. Hopefully, the Ladies of Fate now see my little family as complete, or else will send along funds for vet care and food! 08/25/09 Metairie Humane is well on its way to their fundraiser on Halloween, its called Howl O Weenie Pet & Pal Parade and Costume Contest, and will be held at the Zephyr Stadium parking lot from 12-4 on Halloween, which is conveniently on a Saturday this year. It features a costume contest, in which costumed pets OR costumed pets and their costumed human pals can compete in various categories. Prizes will be given, (and they are really cool ones too!) There will also be some games to entertain the kids, and they will be selling Howling Weinies, chips and soft drinks. There's a bake sale with some sweet treats, and with so much going on...AND an event that welcomes pets whether they are competting in the costume contest or not, how can anyone lose? It's sure to be some fun, and Rod Coleman from the New Orleans Saints will be on hand in the afternoon too, to sign autographs and hang out with the crowd. Lots of great raffles will be held, using items donated by businesses, manufacturers, and local citizens. Check out the list of donors, its being updated a couple of times a week now! Just as important is to remember to thank the generous donors by purchasing from those companies or even just dropping them a note to thank them for their help in making Greater New Orleans a more pet-friendly and supportive city. I applaud Metairie Humane for their efforts and taking the stance to be 100% no kill right from the beginning. They do have some pensioned dogs that have been unadoptable who have worked their way deep into their caregivers' hearts. Take a look at Tippy, a shepherd mix that has been waiting for over two years for her forever family. Here she is modelling a pink leopard print coat, and is no more thrilled with it than Red Dog was! Tippy is a great dog, a bit suspicious of strangers, but she will make someone a very faithful companion. Obviously, she's a little smaller and more trim than Red Dog is as well. Tippy is still hoping for that forever family! If you live in the Greater New Orleans area, and are interested in Tippy (or any of the other dogs or cats up for adoption) please visit Metairie Humane and contact them. 07/15/09 Fantastic News! Metairie Humane has achieved their goal--and they are an official 501(c)3 non-profit charity. Now to get rolling, as they have plenty of dogs and cats to help, and not enough money! Their first fund raiser will be on Halloween. 4/11/09 More news--I have been helping Metairie Humane with some of the not-so-glamorous work of filing paperwork, building a database, figuring out how to fund programs, writing up program proposals, and the like. Animal rescue programs are all over the place, it seems, and I can't help but question why there are still so many homeless pets and so many cases of animal abuse, whether high profile ones like the football player with his pitbulls or unheard of ones like the local animal hoarder that has let the good deed thing get out of hand. Even so, the cause is one I believe in, and I believe Metairie Humane has the vision to do some great good in Greater New Orleans in terms of companion animal welfare. Its not JUST about saving their lives--its about a much bigger picture with ripples that play out through entire lives and affecting the entire community, not just the pet advocates and owners themselves. Its a fact of life, a child who learns to respect and care for an animal has learned skills that will affect him or her for their entire life. They will respect themselves, their entire life. They will respect themselves, their peers, their future children and spouses, their co-workers and everyone else they come into contact with. A child who never learns empathy for an animal will not think twice about hurting one, and then doesn't think twice about hurting another human being either. By creating good interfacing skills at the primary grade levels, we are establishing a foundation that will enable these same children to have better coping skills as adolescents and young adults, greatly reducing substance abuse and violence, along with the accompanying crime, long before remedial or corrective action is needed. Teaching pet care to children is like providing an innoculation for crime, and just like an innoculation that prevents a disease, its far less expensive than treating that disease would ever be. Cross your fingers, I'm hoping to get some youth programs going to introduce the children of New Orleans to the concept of caring for animals. I sincerely believe that those skills and activities will enable the program to demonstrate its success through increased academic performance and long term statistics indicating that the old fashioned "boy and his dog" bonding concept works just as well in the new millenia! (Now, all I need is the funding, I have the idea.) February 29, 2008
Some of you may realize that I have a day job, but few realize that I have a really fun & cool day job working with dogs. Today was a typical late winter day, very quiet, when a big man with an even bigger grin came through the front door. He was actually looking for the bird store that had been a block away before it moved a few years ago.
He turned out to be Phil Tripp, the publisher of an animal magazine in Australia called Urban Animal, modeled after the American magazine Urban Dog. He admired a Hawaiian print dog bed, sighing because it was "too big" to take with him. He also admired one of my creations, a "labbish-size" crazy patch coat.
We talked for a few minutes, traded a copy of Urban Dog for a copy of Urban Animal and the arrival of a tiny Maltese girl put me to work and let Phil escape.
By the way, the magazine is GREAT! Their website is www.urbananimal.net and according to the magazine, you can subscribe for $20 (Aus) or get it free at a number of locations.
I found the magazine very interesting in part because the advertisements were so different, and partly because the same issues are present in Australia as in North America.
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