This stray yellow nape Amazon parrot has become an instant media star since arriving at the Humane Society. TV and radio stations have picked up the story to help find the bird's owner. Yellow nape parrots are hardy, intelligent, affectionate and are noted for speaking human words. Sex must be determined either by DNA testing or surgically. The yellow spot on the back of the head doesn't appear until the bird is a year old.

     January 16, 2007: This sweet photo was taken by Gary Feldtman's mother, Ruby, fifty-five years ago in Swafford Valley near Mossyrock. The little girl is four-year-old Sally, Gary's youngest sister, who is cuddling with the family dog, Princess. The two were waiting for the school bus to bring Gary and his other sister, Marilyn, home from school. 
     The photo was sent by Gary's wife, Linda. Gary and Linda were long-time, active residents of Eatonville before moving to Lacey many years ago. Linda and Gary were among the people who helped starte the first Art Festival over thirty-five years ago. Linda graduated from Eatonville High School as Linda Treadwell. She says this is her "favorite photo ever," and it "hangs over her desk." 

     Are you looking for puppy therapy? These irresistible puppies are looking for good homes. They are Labrador retriever and border collie mixed pups. Labradors are one of the best breeds for families and are also the dog of choice when training Guide Dogs for the Blind. Border collies consistently rank number one in canine intelligence, Labs are listed at number seven. These puppies will be smart, energetic and will give loving companionship for many years to come. 
      As Bern Williams said, "There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face." 

      Ann Rule and her daughter, Leslie Rule, are working to find good homes for these adorable puppies. The little ones are Labrador/ border collie mixes with the dad being purebred border collie. The puppies came from a "very large litter" in Leslie's neighborhood according to her mom.
      In an email Ann writes, "She [Leslie] and I will be showing them to prospective puppy parents on Sunday afternoon. We will each give one of our books autographed, [Leslie is a writer like her mom], a free Ann Rule mousepad, and promise to pay for their first shots and spaying or neutering (directly to the vet they choose) with every puppy given away.
     "If people are sincerely interested, they can write to me at this email address BlueZinnia9@aol.com  or call and leave a message for me at 206.248.0811 and I will call back when I've finished my writing day (I am so close to a deadline)."
      Ann also assures people the pups won't go to "...animal control or a no-kill shelter. We're finding more new owners every day now, and we'll keep trying!" Leslie, another animal person, lived in Ashford several years ago. 
      Yes, the Ann Rule who is helping find excellent homes for these puppies is the same Ann Rule who is internationally famous, and respected, for her enormous volume of work writing books mostly about true crime stories. The same Ann Rule who has written twenty-six books, all of which are still in print. The same Ann Rule who is currently working on her latest - Never Too Late to Say Goodbye - which is due out April 15, 2007. No Regrets and Other True Cases hit the New York Times Bestseller List at Number Five Sunday, November 26.
      Yes, this is the same Ann Rule who works extremely hard to bring true cases to the attention of the public via her writing, yet has time to help find homes for puppies. She and Leslie are helping these puppies, not to sell books (Ann has sold millions.), but as a pure act of kindness. 
      Humane shelters across the country try to dissuade people from buying pets, dogs or cats, for surprise Christmas presents. However, if people want to take a pup or kitten before the holiday and new one(s) get acclimated prior to, or after, the excitement of family gatherings, opening of gifts, etc., a cuddly puppy or kitten can be a wonderful early Christmas present. 
      For more information about Ann Rule please see www.annrules.com

     By Dixie A. Walter: Tony's advice above is exactly right. Tony's coyote was photographed in the Dow Hill area. Although coyotes hunt by night, they also hunt during the day. This handsome canid may be out around humans during the day because its hunting territory flooded.
    However, coyotes become bold even in good weather. Especially if people have left food outside. Although coyote usually prey on small rodents, reptiles, rabbits, fish, insects, carrion and will even fruits and berries, domestic cats are a popular prey species.
    The wise cat owner will keep their pets inside and out of harm's way. Raccoons will also prey on cats, and they, like the coyote, are drawn to homes because people leave food outside. Small dogs are also sometimes taken by coyotes. 
     Although usually avoiding humans, some coyotes have become aggressive and injured people. The best course of action is to avoid contact with these wild dogs. Keep your small pets inside or watch them very carefully when they are outside, coyotes can grab an animal in an instant. It's recommended that people walk their small pets on leashes to keep them safe. 
     It is also recommended that walking people should carry a sick in case a coyote goes after their pet, or them, but that is very rare. Coyotes can live 15 years in the wild and can weigh up to fifty pounds, run close to forty miles per hour and get over an eight foot fenced. One was even seen climbing a fifteen foot fence.
     Coyotes can breed with domestic dogs - their young are called "coydogs." These mixed coydogs can be very intelligent, but they do not make good pets. Even if the mother is a domestic dog, the pups will always be half-wild.  Some people think it's cool or macho to have a dog mixed with a coyote. It isn't. Coyotes can also breed with wolves. 
     We must remember the coyote was here before we were, and if left alone, will usually cause no harm. Indeed, instead of doing harm, coyotes are helpful varmint hunters.

                                                                                                                                        (courtesy photo)

     Calico sisters cuddle up at The Humane Society. If you are thinking about adopting a cat you might seriously consider adopting two. They keep each other company, wear off energy by playing together and love to snuggle together.

    TACOMA, WA. – Kittenkaboodle, to be held Saturday, October 14, is not only an  opportunity  to unite  people with homeless cats/kittens, but it also combats the needless deaths of thousands of pets that occur each year in Pierce County.
    Kittenkaboodle is more important this year as we move toward ‘fixing the problem’ of euthanizing healthy adoptable pets.  Promoting pet adoption is one way The Humane Society can reach its goal of making Pierce County a ‘no-kill community’ by the end of 2008.
    Hundreds of homeless pets will be available for adoption at reduced cost during Kittenkaboodle  at  the William Gazecki Animal Shelter, 2608 Center St. in Tacoma, starting at 9 a.m. Saturday.
    In 1998, there were a record breaking one-hundred-two kittens and cats adopted.  “This year the goal is to clean out the entire cattery and adopt every cat” according to Tom Sayre, event organizer.  “Every cat deserves a chance at life and we hope to place them all in permanent, loving homes."
   As part of the Kittenkaboodle event, there will be a $20 discount on all adoption  prices.  All  adoptions include: wellness exam, spay/neuter, microchip with national registration, initial vaccinations, pet care counseling and - for cats - feline leukemia test, collar and cat carrier.  Free pet toys will also be given with every adoption.            
   For more information call (253) 383-2733 or visit www.thehumanesociety.org.

        TACOMA. –  On Wednesday, October 11, one of the six pets entering the spay/neuter clinic at The Humane Society will make history as the 20,000^th animal to be spayed or neutered through the Society’s Cinderella Fund for pets of low-income residents. 
       The Cinderella Fund program began in 1992 as a way to ensure that pets were spayed or neutered even  if their owners could not afford the surgery.  More than 1,200 pets have been spayed or neutered every year since then.
       The significance of 20,000 spay/neuter surgeries can be demonstrated by the dramatic