All A-Board! Pet Care

10/12/2026

S. Pineo ~
Over one million animals are killed each day in the US alone. Not by hunting - which accounts for less than half that number - but by vehicles. More than fifty percent of those do not die instantly, which means that many suffer slow, agonizing deaths.

A year ago, as I honored Animal Road Accident Awareness Day, I shared the story of the young fawn I saw regularly during my early morning bike commute, only to come across its lifeless body, not far from its usual grazing spot.

Something I will always remember with sadness but not as impactful on a personal level as the event some 20+ years ago when, driving late at night on I-26 in South Carolina, I ran over a family of possums. This episode strengthened my resolve to remain alert while driving. I am happy to report that not a single fatality has occurred since.

Sparing animals through careful and attentive driving is an easy way to become an animal advocate. If you sped down a rural road or were distracted on your phone and struck an animal, it wasn’t an accident.

Secondly, if you hurt an animal or see one injured, there are numbers you can call. Since time is of the essence, I created a single iPhone contact named “ANIMAL EMERGENCY” and added three numbers with custom labels (Howard County Animal Control business hours and after hours, and USDA Wildlife Services) and a Department of Natural Resources (DNR) URL to search for rehab facilities by county (seven came up where I live). In the “Notes” section, I included operation hours, the DNR URL, and other relevant information. I would call this level two in road accident animal advocacy.

The next level is carrying your own containment, safety/protection, and medical supplies in the back of your car (I am working on this one), so you are prepared to assist and/or transport a reasonably sized injured animal.

Level four is setting up your own rehab facility at home. Turns out that for this you don’t even need a veterinary degree, just an open house and open heart.

Photo: Groundhog at the Poplar Spring Animal Sanctuary, far from vehicular traffic (July 2025)

10/06/2026

Pollinator Friendly Yards
Happy World Habitat Day!

This autumn, maybe leave the leaves to help biodiversity in urban areas? It's a protective habitat layer insulating the soil, providing safe overwintering cover for animals, and feeding local food webs.
But habitats are more than that: From forests to wetlands, natural habitats are the foundation of biodiversity, climate resilience, and our health and well-being.

Habitat loss continues, driven by unsustainable land and sea-use, direct exploitation of organisms and climate change.
We all can help protecting habitats – starting in our gardens.

10/04/2026

09/25/2026

The Dodo
Scientists uncovered a massive hidden bee population beneath a cemetery in Ithaca, New York.

Researchers estimate about 5.6 million ground-nesting mining bees are living in the cemetery, making it the largest known aggregation of its kind ever recorded. The bees had gone largely unnoticed for years despite helping pollinate nearby apple orchards.

Experts say older cemeteries may provide surprisingly good habitats for native bees because they often have sandy soil, fewer pesticides, and less disturbance than other developed areas.

09/25/2026

when you're feelin' Fall. 🐾

09/18/2026

LeeAnn Tapscott
Got a call last night about a Baby Girl Squirrel picked up from Concordia seminary grounds

A group of students from Wydown Middle School cross country team surrounded the little squirrel- got their jollies harassing and taunting her

Another student witnessed this and picked up the terrified squirrel. This little squirrel was so scared she was unable to run or function due to the intense level of stress.

I decided to do something about my rage over this and politely called the school and spoke to a wonderful woman named Laurie who was concerned about the incident. She said she was going to address this with the coach.

Parents and teachers should be educating more about respecting our Wildlife.

Some people might say well these are just kids. That’s not true. This is everything to do with parental or educational guidance.

I was lucky and very grateful to speak with a woman from the middle school who was just as concerned as I was.

This little Squirrel is still in shock and she’s not doing well right now. It’s a possibility this level of stress could end up taking her life. It is called stress myopathy.

It’s a level of stress so intense that the physiology starts breaking down and they can’t control it

I’m asking all of you to speak up -to not walk away from these situations of Animal Abuse of any kind

Jump in and stop it immediately. Do not stand and watch. Get your ass in gear and stop it.

Changes do not happen if you walk away and do nothing. You’re just as guilty if you do nothing.

09/15/2026

weekends.

09/15/2026

"why are you awake 🫩 at 3:00 a.m., Pam?"

09/11/2026

"One of America’s most famous cookie lines is expanding to accommodate canine palates, as the Girl Scouts of the USA prepares to launch a brand-new variety made especially for dogs."

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/girl-scouts-of-america-announces-a-first-for-its-iconic-cookie-lineup-one-created-exclusively-for-dogs-180989479/

09/03/2026

MUTTS
We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Gloria Steinem, the trailblazing feminist icon, journalist, and activist. Her influence reached, and inspired, millions around the world. A recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, she helped to create numerous organizations committed to advancing equality.

She was also a self-proclaimed "cat lady," a vegetarian, and a staunch advocate for animal welfare. She understood the connection between the rights (and the oppression and exploitation) of humans and animals, and used her voice to stand up against injustice and cruelty in all forms. We remember her courage and compassion with great admiration.