I just can't help it...

but I love this T-shirt, aptly named Satan's Little Helper, available at Threadless. It's the perfect mix of historical wit and nearly- over-the-edge humor. My favorite part of this design is that the artists depict Cerebrus as such an adorable breed: The LAB. So sinister.

This shirt isn't for everyone, but I bet there's a few LCD readers brave enough to walk around the Lowcountry sporting this design.

Threadless is an online T-shirt design contest. Winners are chosen each week. To learn more visit Treadless by clicking here.

Looking for clever eCards for any occasion including I Love My Pet Week? Try Hipster Cards, a new online ecard service with fresh designs that knock the pants off of tired ol' Hallmark.

Calling All Adorable Rescued Animals

Of course, your dog or cat is the cutest in the universe, but can you prove it? Send us the very best “glamour shot” of your adorable rescued animal friend, along with details of the rescue and a description of just what makes him or her so special, and you’ll be entered to win a basket full of vegan dog biscuits, cat toys, and other goodies. Plus, your gorgeous mutt’s mug may grace the pages of a future issue of PETA’s Animal Times magazine.

Voting begins August 31, so be sure to come back and vote for your favorite photo! Enter Here. The picture above is last year's winner. Let's help a DOG win this year!

Local Art Piece of the Month
Compliments of Dog Art Dealer

Marty Whaley Adam's painting of "Lucy Spector Thinking about all the wonderful stories about Charleston Dogs that were Submitted to Her" watercolor (PRINT 13 X 17 ½ $150)
Marty Whaley Adams Pet Portrait & Dog paintings If you want to see more of Marty Whaley Adams work you can visit http://www.dogartdealer.com/adams/index.shtml

Meet Eddie....an eclectic Edisto Island Pup

Dear Friends in Rescue, This darling boy is being fostered by an animal lover on Edisto who has four Golden Retrievers and a Senior Girl who has just been diagnosed with Cancer. We need a foster home,placement or a no kill Shelter who will take this boy in. Our local rescue group only has three persons and one member has 10 dogs and cats, Pat has 5 and I have 5. The age old problem of never enough fosters. IF you can help, Pat will donate $300 to your group and pay to have Eddie neutered. salleyw@bellsouth.net

Eddie is a medium-sized, retriever/lab boy and weighs 50 lbs. He has medium to long black hair (about the same length as that found on a Golden Retriever). He is a quick learner & has loves him am walks on a leash, He is energetic as someone his age should be. He is partially, if not completely, housebroken. He does not mess the area in which he is kept. He is crate trained. He loves to chase and retrieve tennis balls.
http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=6625284

Animal Welfare Ordinance City Council Meeting
PLEASE mark your calendars and try to attend this very important Chas. County Council meeting , Tuesday, August 22nd 6:55 pm at the Chas County Adm. Building. Voice your support for this animal welfare ordinance that would make it illegal to give or sell animals on public right of ways, parking lots, flea markets, etc. This was recently passed in Berkeley County - but it took a great many of us going to every meeting and letting our elected officials know how important this is for our animals.

Advice to Dog Owners Whose Pets Take NSAIDs
by Michele Sharkey, DVM, Office of New Animal Drug Evaluation; Margarita Brown, DVM, Office of Surveillance and Compliance; and Linda Wilmot, DVM, Office of New Animal Drug Evaluation

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) have provided pain control for many dogs and offer significant benefits. But it is important that you are aware of potential side effects when administering drugs to your dog. All NSAIDs should be used with caution, because they all have the potential for serious side effects, especially gastrointestinal bleeding, ulcers, perforations, even in rare cases kidney damage and liver problems.

The best way to avoid the possibility of your dog suffering serious side effects from NSAIDs is for you to be fully informed about the drug and its potential side effects.

NSAIDs approved for use in dogs contain the following information on their labels:
All dogs should undergo a thorough history and physical examination before initiation of NSAID therapy. Appropriate laboratory tests to establish baseline blood values prior to, and periodically during, the use of any NSAID are strongly recommended.
As an owner, you should receive a Client Information Sheet with every NSAID prescription. You should ask your veterinarian for this sheet if you do not receive one. One way to be better informed is to read this information carefully before administering the medication to your dog, so that you understand the side effects that your dog may experience.
When administering an NSAID, you should watch for these side effects:
* Decrease or increase in appetite
* Vomiting
* Change in bowel movements (such as diarrhea, or black, tarry, or bloody stools)
* Change in behavior (such as decreased or increased activity level, incoordination, seizure or aggression)-
* Yellowing of gums, skin, or whites of the eyes (jaundice)
* Change in drinking habits (frequency, amount consumed)
* Change in urination habits (frequency, color, or smell)
* Change in skin (redness, scabs, or scratching)
If you notice any of these possible side effects, stop the medication and contact your veterinarian.

The side effects listed on the label are the most common. All possible side effects are not included. Always contact your veterinarian if you have questions about your dog's medication.

What starts out as a minor problem can readily progress to an emergency. If you feel that your concerns are not taken seriously, you should get another opinion. You may even call the drug manufacturer (a toll free number appears on each Client Information Sheet). Pharmaceutical companies offer customer service and technical support for product information and quality control. When possible problems are experienced with a product, the manufacturer may have specific recommendations for your veterinarian regarding tests and treatments.

Reporting adverse drug experiences
If you or your veterinarian suspect a potential reaction associated with the use of an NSAID (or any drug), report it to the pharmaceutical company. All NSAIDs approved for use in dogs have a toll free number on their labels to which a suspected reaction can be reported. If unable to report problems directly to the pharmaceutical company, veterinarians and dog owners are encouraged to report veterinary Adverse Drug Experiences (ADE) and suspected product failures to the government agency that regulates the product in question. In the case of NSAIDs, the adverse experiences are to be reported to the Center for Veterinary Medicine.

Questions regarding ADE Reporting should be addressed to:
Center for Veterinary Medicine
Division of Surveillance, HFV-210
7519 Standish Place
Rockville, MD 20855
1-888-FDA-VETS

With this information in hand, you are now equipped to advocate for your dog in order to assure that he or she receives the best care possible. Take the time to be your "dog's best friend."