NEWS
August 23, 2009
Lead certificate requirement The Anne Arundel County Department of Health reminds parents that all children newly enrolled in county pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and first grade are required to have a lead testing certificate. The certificate ensures that children living in high-risk areas are being tested for lead poisoning, which can cause young children to have difficulty learning, behavioral problems and developmental disabilities. High-risk ZIP codes in Anne Arundel are 20711, 20714, 20764, 20779, 21060, 21061, 21225, 21226, and 21402, because they have a greater proportion of older homes that may contain lead paint.
NEWS
By MICHELLE DEAL-ZIMMERMAN | July 19, 2009
A roundup of recent flight data and travel news: Pet-setters. Last week, Pet Airways took off from BWI Marshall Airport on its inaugural flight that caters to cats and dogs. My colleague Andrea Walker was at the airport and reported that the flight to Chicago (where some pets were making a connection) included a Bernese Mountain dog, a Labrador retriever, four cats, a Boston terrier and a variety of other pets. One-way fares start at $149, but the flights are already sold out for the first two months.
NEWS
By Susan Reimer | July 4, 2009
It isn't easy to avoid fireworks on the Fourth of July. After all, they fill the night sky in just about every neighborhood. But there are grown-ups, pets and kids who would, if they could. Patti Neumann's balcony overlooks the Inner Harbor and she and friends will be there watching Baltimore's fireworks display tonight. But Bogart, her 7-year-old Wheaten terrier, will wait downstairs, thank you very much. "He doesn't mind thunderstorms, but when fireworks start, he starts shaking uncontrollably," says Neumann, founder of CityPeek, a tourism Web site.
NEWS
By Meredith Cohn | June 28, 2009
If you asked Josh Smith where breakfast comes from, the Baltimore teen would likely say, "the girls." That would be Sugar and Spice, his family's pet chickens. Josh's mother, Liz, got the girls by mail order in April and set up a coop for them in the backyard of the family's Hamilton house, between a beehive and rows of planted vegetables. Josh, 13, and his brother, Hooper, 7, delight in feeding the ginger-colored birds treats of worms and melon and collecting the big, brown eggs that come two a day. "This is how it's supposed to be," Liz Smith said as she nestled and stroked a softly clucking Sugar.
NEWS
By Andrea K. Walker | May 30, 2009
Southwest Airlines has always promoted the fact that it doesn't charge passengers extra fees like its competitors, but that was before the economy went bust and people stopped traveling as much. The Texas-based airline and largest carrier at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport said yesterday that it was going to start allowing people to bring pets on board - but for a $75 "pet fare." It also will begin charging $25 for helping unaccompanied minors on flights, and $25 more for overweight bags and a third piece of luggage.
NEWS
March 16, 2009
Providing for pets after we're gone What a touching story about Kenneth Munzert, who made provisions in his will for his dog ("Bequest for man's best friend," March 11). Some people may think it is frivolous or silly to provide for animals in an estate. I think it is wise that the Maryland legislature is considering a bill allowing owners to establish trust funds for their pets so their wishes are met ("Trust-fund Fidos," editorial, March 3). Pets become like family to many people, and can be the most devoted companions.
NEWS
By JEAN MARBELLA | January 4, 2009
The dog scampered back and forth in the small room, true to its name. "I call her Frisky," said the man at the other end of the leash. Typing into a computer, the intake employee at the Baltimore Animal Rescue & Care Shelter went through the litany of questions, from age (2 1/2 ) to breed (Doberman) to spayed (no), before getting to the question of why he was giving up the dog. "I lost my job," he said. As the economy goes to the dogs, the dogs - and the cats and the guinea pigs and the ferrets and seemingly every kind of other pet - are going to the pound.
NEWS
December 26, 2008
Many feel left out by holiday feasting I was saddened to read Kevin Cowherd's column "This Christmas, don't give us food issues" (Dec. 21). Judging by the ever-increasing epidemic of obesity in our society, it appears that many people still celebrate the holidays, and every other day, "with full-throttle eating and drinking." But holiday dinners and parties can leave the unfortunate few who suffer from chronic illnesses that prevent them from enjoying the season's gastronomic bounty feeling deprived, embarrassed and depressed.
NEWS
By Los Angeles Times | November 23, 2008
My husband and I purchased tickets from Los Angeles to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in June. The trip was scheduled for Nov. 4. About a month ago, Bob, our 27-year-old cat, was diagnosed with chronic renal failure. The vet said he had two weeks. I was not about to lose him without a fight, and the next thing you know, he's at least 90 percent of what he used to be. But he requires intensive care. The airline tells me that I have only one year from the date of my ticket purchase to travel. Can anything be done?
NEWS
By Nicole Fuller | April 24, 2008
Rest assured, Anne Arundel County pet owners: A dog, cat, bird or even a reptile needing oxygen after being rescued from a burning building can be treated with the latest in life-saving equipment. Oxygen masks are now available for pets at 16 of the county's 30 fire stations, a move that fire officials and animal lovers hope will reduce the number of animals killed by smoke inhalation. Anne Arundel County fire officials respond to about two dozen to three dozen fires a year that require pet resuscitations, Battalion Chief Matthew Tobia, a department spokesman, said yesterday during a demonstration of the masks.