General Updates and Events

Thank you all who attended our last general meeting. We will be in touch shortly to schedule our next one!

Always remember, if you have questions for us or would just like to learn more about what we do, then email us at BowieCLAW@gmail.org.

Pet Pantry Updates

Our bin runneth over! A wonderful Pet Food Pantry Day. Thanks to all the Chewy and Amazon donations plus direct drop-offs in our bins, all our “clients” were served. Amazon includes a donation card but it is impossible to see who donated through Chewy and thank them. We are so grateful for this generosity!
https://www.chewy.com/g/bowieclaw_b81753294#wish-list
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/V59E8WTGZT7U/…

The Bowie Marketplace Petco is still accepting donations, but only canned and unopened bags of pet food and kitty litter. This is a corporate decision. Ask an associate for help. It is now held in the back of the store.  Please.. no opened food bags or towels/sheets/blankets.  Thanks! You can still drop those things off at the Bowie gym, Senior Center, MOM’s, Crunchies, and Highway Vet.

Kitten Program Updates

This is Turbo. Only 7 weeks old and fighting a Partial Atresia Ani which is keeping him from defecating. The tricky part is surviving three procedures without being permanently incontinent. Please help Turbo if you can through our Facebook fundraiser or through PayPal  bowieclaw@gmail.com
 
Bowie CLAW is still taking in “Bottle Babies”. If you would like to support our kitten rescue efforts, we could always use the Miracle Nipple and Breeders Edge formula. https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/V59E8WTGZT7U/…

Community Cats

Bowie Claw was called on to help these 3 kittens on the worse day of their life. Earlier a stray dog went on their caretakers property and killed their Mother. They were facing euthanasia. Contacted by a rescuer we were able to get them from Animal Control and to a bottle ? feeder to get them ready to be put up for adoption. It was a sad day, but they have a chance to get a new family and be safer as indoor cats.  

CLAW TAWK

Bowie CLAW (September 2020)

General Updates

Please attend our September general meeting virtually! This will be a shorter than regular meeting and will take place Thursday, September 17^th at 7:30 PM.  Connect to the Zoom Meeting with this link:

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/75571357249?pwd=VExSLzBnaWFmMjZ6THRXNWJ4bC9qUT09

Grieving the Loss of a Loved Pet

Many of us share an intense love and bond with our animal companions. For us, a pet is not “just a dog” or “just a cat,” but rather a beloved member of our family, bringing companionship, fun, and joy to our lives. The pain of loss can often feel overwhelming and trigger all sorts of painful and difficult emotions. Sorrow and grief are normal and natural responses to death. Like grief for our friends and loved ones, grief for our animal companions can only be dealt with over time, but there are healthy ways to cope with the pain. Here are some suggestions:

Don’t let anyone tell you how to feel, and don’t tell yourself how to feel either. Your grief is your own, and no one else can tell you when it’s time to “move on” or “get over it.” Let yourself feel whatever you feel without embarrassment or judgment. It’s okay to be angry, to cry or not to cry. It’s also okay to laugh, to find moments of joy, and to let go when you’re ready.

One aspect that can make grieving for the loss of a pet so difficult is that pet loss is not appreciated by everyone. Some friends and family may say, “What’s the big deal? It’s just a pet!” Some people assume that pet loss shouldn’t hurt as much as human loss, or that it is somehow inappropriate to grieve for an animal. They may not understand because they don’t have a pet of their own or are unable to appreciate the companionship and love that a pet can provide.

• Don’t argue with others about whether your grief is appropriate or not.
• Accept the fact that the best support for your grief may come from outside your usual circle of friends and family members.
• Seek out others who have lost pets; those who can appreciate the magnitude of your loss, and may be able to suggest ways of getting through the grieving process.

Reach out to others who have lost pets. Check out online message boards, pet loss hotlines, and pet loss support group. If your own friends and family members are not sympathetic about pet loss, find someone who is. Often, another person who has also experienced the loss of a beloved pet may better understand what you’re going through.

Rituals can help healing. A funeral can help you and your family members openly express your feelings. Ignore people who think it’s inappropriate to hold a funeral for a pet, and do what feels right for you.

Create a legacy. Preparing a memorial, planting a tree in memory of your pet, compiling a photo album or scrapbook, or otherwise sharing the memories you enjoyed with your pet, can create a legacy to celebrate the life of your pet.

Look after yourself. The stress of losing a pet can quickly deplete your energy and emotional reserves. Looking after your physical and emotional needs will help you get through this difficult time. Spend time face to face with people who care about you, eat a healthy diet, get plenty of sleep, and exercise regularly to release endorphins and help boost your mood.

If you have other pets, try to maintain your normal routine. Surviving pets can also experience loss when a pet dies, or they may become distressed by your sorrow. Maintaining their daily routines, or even increasing exercise and play times, will not only benefit the surviving pets but can also help to elevate your mood and outlook, too.

Seek professional help if you need it. If your grief is persistent and interferes with your ability to function, your doctor or a mental health professional can evaluate you for depression.

This piece is adapted from Help Guide. For more helpful information please go to the “helpguide.org” website. A link specifically to “Coping with Losing a Pet” can be found here. https://www.helpguide.org/articles/grief/coping-with-losing-a-pet.htm#:~:text=The%20grieving%20process%20after%20the,and%20eventually%20acceptance%20and%20resolution

Program Updates!

Our Pet Assistance and Support program is also doing well thanks to our volunteers. We currently serve 25 families which include 25 dogs and 36 cats.  During these tough economic times, our local families need our support. Thank you for your generous contributions!

Our community cat trappers stay very busy, hours at a time, and our volunteers have saved dozens of kittens, preparing them for adoption and therefore reducing the community cat population.  Currently we have trapped, neutered/spayed, and vaccinated 316 cats and kittens! We are so very grateful for their generous gift of time and compassion.  More volunteers would be welcome! 

Bowie CLAW extends our greatest appreciation to everyone who supports our local animals!

Sign up for Smile.Amazon and iGive online—a percentage of your online purchases will be donated to Bowie CLAW at no cost to you.  Federal employees, please consider supporting Bowie CLAW in your Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) contributions this year.  Our Campaign Number is 15690.  Thank you!

Upcoming Events

Thank you all who joined us at the Kissing Booth last month. A lovely time was had by all thanks to Honey Bee Photography!

Spring is in the air (almost)! Join us April 18^thfrom 12 to 4 PM for the Green Bowie Expo brought to you by the Bowie Lions Club. This is a family-fun event open to the public. Activities include Kids Zone with make and take activities, puppet show, live entertainment, electric car display, over 50 vendors showcasing their environment-friendly products and services.

If you are interested in organizing events for Bowie CLAW, WE NEED YOUR HELP!Please reach out to us at Bowieclaw@gmail.comor come to our general meetings.  Even if you can only commit to one event, we could sure use you! We are very open to ideas, have members of the Board who can assist with organizing, and have a nice group of volunteers. We just need a motivated leader. The only way we can support programs like our Pet Assistance and Support (PAS) and Community Cats are through donations often brought in by the events we have. So, if you’ve been looking for a way to help, this is the chance! Please consider. 

Discriminatory Breed-Specific Ban

As many of you already know, Bowie CLAW has been advocating for several years the repeal of Animal Control Ordinance Section 3-185.01 that bans in Prince George’s County those dogs labeled as pit bull terriers.  We want to commend our pet loving colleagues in Denver, Colorado for their accomplishments. They have demonstrated there are cleaver and common senses approaches to addressing this issue!  “Denver City Council repeals ban on pit bulls after marathon vote” – The Denver City Council repealed the city’s 30-year-old ban on pit bulls Monday night by a razor-thin margin, replacing it with a type of “probation” meant to safely reintroduce the often-demonized breed. The measure replaces the breed-specific ban with what they call common-sense tactics to reintroduce and track pit bulls in Denver. Residents will apply for a pit bull license which will require name and contact information, emergency contacts, a description of the dog and proof that it’s microchipped and properly vaccinated. It also carries a fee. If there are no attacks, instances of animal cruelty, fighting or other issues with the dog for three years then the restricted license will be removed and the pit bull will be licensed just the same as any other breed. Owners are limited to two pit bulls per home. 

For more information go to https://www.denverpost.com/2020/02/10/denver-council-pit-bull-ban-repeal/

Facts About Pet HEART Health

Nothing warms our hearts like the love of our pets. That’s why taking care of their hearts is so important. With Valentine’s Day just passing, here are 14 facts about the health of your pets—and the impact having pets has on your heart, too.

1. Dogs have a larger heart to body mass ratio than all other mammals.

2. Cats have dogs and humans beat when it comes to heart rate. A typical cat heart beats at 140-220 beats per minutes, whereas dogs are at 60-140, and humans at 60-100.

3. The best screening test for heart disease is having your veterinarian listen to your pet’s heart with a stethoscope twice a year as part of a wellness exam.

4. People who love pets live longer, have less stress, and have fewer heart attacks.

5. Dogs are just as prone to getting heart disease as people are. In fact, dogs and people share over 400 ailments and illnesses.

6. Unlike people, dogs and cats don’t typically have heart attacks from clogged arteries, because both animal species are very efficient at digesting fats. They carry more of their cholesterol in HDL vs. LDL, so saturated fats aren’t a problem and are actually a very good source of energy.

7. Cats with heart disease are susceptible to dangerous blood clots that can break off and cause paralysis of the legs (aortic thromboembolism), an important reminder that heart health should always be checked by a vet.

8. Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil may help reduce inflammation in the body—and when it comes to heart health, they have been shown to help manage abnormal rhythms and to prevent muscle loss. 

9. Taurine, an amino acid that dogs (but not cats) can make, helps the heart pump effectively. Deficiency can cause the heart to weaken, so look for foods with high-quality protein to help dogs make taurine.

10. The heart’s a muscle, and muscle is made from protein. Make sure the food you choose includes large amounts of heart-healthy animal protein.

11. One of the easiest — and most enjoyable — ways to promote heart health in pets is regular exercise. Taking daily walks, playing with toys, and maintaining an active lifestyle can be mutually beneficial to you and your pet. 

12. Leaky valves are a common cause of heart disease in dogs. A group of veterinarians have been doing open heart surgery to replace damaged valves, a procedure which will soon be available soon in the US.

13. Overweight pets can be predisposed to cardiovascular disease. To prevent overfeeding, portion your pets food.

14. Believe it or not, human, dog, and cat hearts are nearly identical. There are only some slight differences in a few valves and the coronary vessels, or blood vessels, that supply the heart with blood and nutrients.

https://www.nomnomnow.com/blog/14-facts-about-pet-heart-health

See you at our general meeting Saturday, March 21^st

^{9:30 am Kenhill Center Hall (Old City Hall)}

Sign up for Smile.Amazon and iGive online—a percentage of your online purchases will be donated to Bowie CLAW at no cost to you.  Federal employees, please consider supporting Bowie CLAW in your Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) contributions this year.  Our Campaign Number is 15690.  Thank you!

Past and Upcoming Events

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Come celebrate how lucky you are to have your loving pet (and how lucky they are to have you!). Kiss the Blarney Bone and have your pet photographed – March 17th from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the Calvert Brewing Company, 15850 Commerce Ct. in Upper Marlboro. The Hunt School of Irish Dance with be featured at 2:00 PM –you don’t want to miss that!

10 Animals From Ireland You Should Celebrate on St. Patrick’s Day

As you don green get-ups and toast to St. Patrick, take a minute to think of all the wonderful gifts that the Emerald Isle has given us. Its native species includes the common lizard, the Irish hare, the good-natured Connemara pony and the Kerry Bog pony, the Irish moiled cow, and the easygoing Galway sheep. And don’t forget the gorgeous Irish dog breeds (like the Irish Water Spaniel, Irish Setter, Kerry Blue Terrier and the Glen of Immaal Terrier) we now love on this side of the world. Cheers!

Upcoming General CLAW Meeting, March 16, 9:30 am, Bowie City Hall

This is a very significant meeting for all members and our supporters who care about animal welfare. We have several important community events coming up, and we always welcome your participation as volunteers at these events. Additionally, there will be five opportunities (aka: vacancies) on the Board of Directors, and if you are an active member, we encourage you to volunteer to serve on our Board of Directors. To keep Bowie CLAW active and to continue the Pet Assistance and Support program, we need active members who are willing to serve on this Board. The Board meets six times a year to guide the mission of Bowie CLAW. Please consider this opportunity and submit your interest at BowieCLAW@gmail.com.

We are fortunate to have County Councilman Todd Turner join us on March 16. Mr. Turner will be speaking to the group regarding the outlook in our county for the 22 year old “pit bull ban”. This law is more correctly termed “breed-specific legislation” (or BSL). BSL legislation is a type of dangerous dog law. It is defined as any ordinance or policy that pertains to a specific dog breed or several breeds, but does not affect any others. Often this legislation targets pit bulls, Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, and a variety of wolf-dog hybrids (among others). Bowie CLAW has been working for several years to change this legislation; there is no evidence that breed-specific laws, which are costly and difficult to enforce, make communities safer for people or their pets.

Please note: this is not a public hearing. Mr. Turner has graciously agreed to meet with Bowie CLAW because he learned that we had not been included in the most recent meeting with interested parties, and wants to update us. Mr. Turner is our representative on County Council, and is honoring his obligation to his constituents in District 4 by meeting with us. Mr. Turner is well aware of and supportive of all the reasons that this ban should be reversed. We welcome you to come, show your support, and listen to his most current perspective about what he is doing, what he can do, what he cannot do, and what we can do.

Should you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at BowieCLAW@gmail.com.

See you at our general meeting Saturday March 16th!

Hey, federal employees! Please consider supporting Bowie CLAW in your Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) contributions this year! Our Campaign Number is 15690. And sign up at Smile.Amazon and iGive.com to have a percentage of your online purchases donated to Bowie Citizens for Local Animal Welfare. Thank you!

Past and Upcoming Events

Our Valentine Kissing Booth at the Calvert Brewing Company was a loving success!

Thanks to all who participated and volunteered their time. Special kisses to Tyler Cotton, Adriel Borromeo, Alina Benitez, Julie and Jaylin Rivas, Natasha Morgan, Alexus Kellerman, Leigha Cromartie, Phoenix, Lila Pavelec, Teri Stumpf, Paul Nadler, Kathleen Parke, Virginia Jones, Jasmin Manning, Keva Michelle, and Teresa Ruiz!

Our next event will be the St. PAWtrick’s day celebration at the Calvert Brewing Company Sunday, March 17th 2019 from 1:00 to 4:00. The event will feature the Hunt School of Irish Dance. Come in your greenest attire and join us for a beer and fun!

Please mark your calendars – our next General Bowie CLAW meeting is Saturday, March 16h, 2018 at the Bowie City Hall. April 28 is the date for our annual Meet and Greet at Bowie Town Center Food Court lawn, and May 4 features the Texas Roadhouse Dine to Donate FUNdraiser. We invite you to join us at all these events, and volunteer to help make them a success for animals. Just send an email to bowieclaw@gmail.com.

Did you know having a dog can be good for your heart?

If you have a dog, you already know how warmth and comfort they bring to your life. But did you know science has found evidence that having a dog may help improve heart health? According to the Harvard Medical School, having pets is associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease. Multiple studies have shown that people who live with dogs have lower blood pressure than those who do not. Scientist think this may be because their dogs have a calming effect on them, and because they tend to get more exercise (walk the dog!).

In addition to this, there is some evidence that living with a dog is associated with lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. One study focused on this area of work found that people with dogs had lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels than those without dogs. These differences weren’t explainable by diet, smoking, or body mass index (BMI). However, the reason for these differences is still not clear.

Dogs’ have a calming effect on us and appears to help us handle stress. For example, some research suggests that people with dogs experience less cardiovascular reactivity during times of stress. That means that their heart rate and blood pressure go up less and return to normal more quickly, reducing the effects of stress on the body. Petting your dog has an important role as studies have shown blood pressure goes down when a person pets a dog.

If you’re living with a dog (or two), or are thinking about it, the potential heart health benefits are big plus!

Pet Assistance and Support Program

We currently are supporting 63 animals: 43 cats, 18 dogs, a bird and a fish?! As many of you know, the PAS provides food, litter, toys, and necessary medical expenses to local residents who are struggling to afford their pets. Your participation in our fundraisers and your generous donations make this program possible! To learn more, or to volunteer to assist, please email bowieclaw@gmail.com.

See you at our general meeting Saturday March 16th!
Hey, federal employees! Please consider supporting Bowie CLAW in your Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) contributions this year! Our Campaign Number is 15690. And sign up online for Smile Amazon and iGive to support Bowie Citizens for Local Animal Welfare as you make online purchases. Thank you!