Gonna Bust a Move (and Throw Out My Back) for the Chicago Community Pet Coalition

I'm not a good dancer. Really, I can't dance at all.

When I was a kid in junior high, everyone but me went to dance classes. I wanted to learn how to play the guitar and be the reason everyone was dancing, so I took guitar lessons instead. Bad move. I failed at playing guitar. My teacher encouraged me to quit. Now, many years later, I stand at the edge of the dance floor, watching everyone else twirl, dip, move their feet to the music accordingly, and I think, "Doh! I sure wish I knew how to dance!"

Well, no more! This Saturday night, Aug. 30, is the Hideout Dance Party benefiting the Chicago Community Pet Coalition, made up of ALIVE Rescue, New Leash on Life and One Tail at a Time, and I plan on hitting the dance floor! Don't be alarmed. I'm not having a seizure. Those are my moves.

I've chosen to embarrass myself for a very good cause. The CCPC, http://communitypetcoalition.org/, formed in March 2014 with the aim of keeping pets off the streets and out of shelters by making it easier for low income families to keep their dogs. Food and health care for pets can get expensive, so the CCPC relieves some of the financial strain by offering vaccinations, microchipping, vouchers for spay/neuter procedures, collars, leashes, toys and food — all for free — at the coalition's Community Pet Days.

At its first Community Pet Day, on May 18, the CCPC helped 237 dogs in Humboldt Park in just about four hours! It was an amazing day. Dog owners were happy and grateful and volunteers were happy that more than 230 dogs would be living healthier lives with the families they love.

So, I will gladly pay $20 to attend the dance party at one of Chicago's coolest venues. While I'll receive kudos for my dance moves (which really translate as, "You're an idiot. Keep up the good work"), I'll leave more content that I helped some families and their dogs stay together than proud that I overcame my fear of dancing.

Please consider joining me (but watch your feet) at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 30, at the Hideout Inn, 1354 W. Wabansia, Chicago. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the door or at http://www.hideoutchicago.com/event/625605-chicago-community-pet-chicago/

Ride Alive is the Adventure of the Summer

Like a hound hot on the heels of a wayward squirrel, Courtney Prokopas will be chasing down clues in ALIVE Rescue’s 4^th annual Ride Alive scavenger hunt on bicycles in Chicago on Saturday, Aug. 23.

Prokopas said the event is always one of the greatest adventures she takes on every year. For example, two years ago, she found herself stuck high atop a climbing wall at Lincoln Park Athletic Club during a climbing challenge.

“I was so amped to climb the wall that I scurried up as quickly as possible,” she said. “Then, when I got to the top, I realized the instructor hadn't explained how to get down. There I was, frozen at the top of the three story climbing wall, with no clue how to get down. It was hard to hear the instructor that high up, so he pantomimed repelling. I made it down safely and had a good laugh about it all.  Good thing I'm not too afraid of heights.”

As in years past, teams of two cyclists will start from ALIVE Rescue’s Little Barn, 2227 W. Belmont, at 10 a.m., and race their way down to Canine Crews, 1616 N. Washtenaw. A party for participants will be held at 3 p.m. and includes drinks, vegetarian dishes, a raffle and prizes for teams that come in first, second and third place, as well as awards for the top fund raisers.

The money raised goes to support homeless animals.

Participants can never be sure what challenges await them, which is what excites Prokopas. Last year, teams took on dirt bike trails and paddled across the Chicago River in kayaks.

“I'm looking forward to seeing what adventures the Alive team has come up with this year,” Prokopas said. “It will undoubtedly be a great time. My partner and I are trying to defend our title of second place, and have a few awesome costume ideas brewing.”

However, Ride Alive isn’t the Iron Man. Prokopas, a recreational cyclist, said anybody can do it.

“That's the best part about this event!” she said. “You set your own course and your own pace.”

Of course, the ultimate reason Prokopas, a volunteer for ALIVE, does this is for the animals waiting for their forever home. Providing food, shelter, vaccinations, spaying or neutering, and various other medical costs requires capital. But, a close second reason is the thrill of the chase.

“I love ALIVE Rescue, scavenger hunts, and bicycling, so it was a no-brainer for me to participate,” Prokopas said. “It just keeps getting more and more exciting each year!”

Register before Aug. 10 to receive a Ride Alive T-shirt and gift bag filled with loot. Visit http://www.aliverescue.org/events/special-events/4th-annual-ride-alive/ to register.

  

Fourth of July can be terrifying for pets

While we get a kick out of high-pitched screaming bottle rockets and thundering colorful explosions overhead during Independence Day celebrations, our pets are scared.

I had one dog, Zoey, a 40 pound Lab/pit mix, who would wedge herself behind the toilet during thunderstorms and when fireworks exploded. Calming the poor girl down took a long time.

But, some pets become so frightened, they'll run, anywhere, to escape the screeching and booming. As this news report says, this time of year can be busy for shelters with dogs that have run from their owners or their owner's property because they were frightened by fireworks.

So, this Independence Day, leave the dogs at home, inside, where they might feel a little bit safer, and where you KNOW they're safe.

BBQ, some foods pose health risks to pets

Like Yogi Bear, I was drawn to the following information because I saw the word "picnic" in my Google Alerts.

However, the story by WKRC in Cincinnati reminds us that what we grill with is hazardous to our pets, and we should take care to keep charcoal, lighter fluid, matches and even ash away from our cats and dogs http://www.local12.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/medical-edge-pet-poison-12518.shtml

It's easy to be a bit remiss when this summer feels so good after the brutal winter we experienced, especially with a cold beer in hand. We might even be a little careless about where we've placed our cooking material once the grill is going, so it's important to keep this report in mind. I'm always reminded to check harmful materials are out of the way because my dog Trout sometimes attempts sticking his nose in the charcoal ash in the ash catch plate.

Also, keep in mind, not everything we eat, even that which is good for us, is good for our dogs. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals lists the following foods as poisonous to dogs:

Avocado
Bread dough
Chocolate
Alcohol
Grapes and raisins
Hops
Macadamia nuts
Onions
Garlic
Xylitol

You can find out why these foods are hazardous at http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/foods-are-hazardous-dogs

ALIVE and Barking shines light on ALIVE Rescue community

Welcome to the ALIVE Rescue community! ALIVE and Barking provides news and features about the ALIVE Rescue community, which — don’t let the name fool you — includes cats. Here, you’ll find more information about ALIVE Rescue events, our projects, our goals, our volunteers and, of course, our animals, which we hope will become your animals. At ALIVE and Barking, you’ll also read tips and reminders for caring for your cats and dogs, you’ll find information on new laws pertaining to pets and changes to existing laws, sometimes you may find a humorous or touching anecdote about our four-legged friends, and much more.

To learn more about ALIVE Rescue, please visit http://www.aliverescue.org/about-us/about-alive-rescue/