Archive for October, 2009
Wouldn’t a tax break for our pets be fantastic?!
Thursday, October 15th, 2009A Four-Figure Tax Break For A Four-Legged Friend?
P. Kevin Morley/Richmond Times-Dispatch/AP
Hope (front) and Striker were brought to the Animal League in Richmond, Va., because their owner faced a home foreclosure.
October 14, 2009
Republican Rep. Thaddeus McCotter of Michigan has thrown pet owners a bone by sponsoring a bill that would allow them to deduct animal care expenses from their taxes.
The bill, Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years, or “HAPPY Act,” would allow taxpayers to deduct up to $3,500 a year. McCotter declined to speak to NPR, saying he is focused on more pressing legislation, but he did explain his motivation for the tax break on DoggyTV, a YouTube channel.
“Well, we’ve had reports of people having to turn in pets because of the economic recession,” he said. “And when you think about the relationship between people and pets and the humane way that it helps people think, it seemed to me to be a good idea, and we dropped it in” to the congressional hopper.
To be sure, there are thousands of bills introduced every year, and most of them go nowhere. Then again, this bill has a pretty large target constituency: More than half of Americans own pets, by many estimations. That means there could be a lot of support for McCotter’s proposal.
Mixed Reaction
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Republican Rep. Thaddeus McCotter of Michigan is the primary sponsor of a bill in the House that would allow pet owners to deduct animal care expenses from their taxes. He calls it the HAPPY Act.
“Are you kidding?” said Beth Selby, a visitor to the National Mall from Georgia, when asked about the proposed tax break. “Pets are an option. You know, when you take on a pet, you take on their care.”
Tom James from Pennsylvania was uncertain. “I’m sort of on the fence with this one.” But Pablo Otera, also from Pennsylvania, said, “Hell, yeah.” He said he recently spent $4,000 on his dog, Petey.
“He fell off my truck, needed surgery, needed therapy, needed a whole bunch of stuff,” Otera said. “That’s $4,000 I could have deducted from my taxes … and food, too!”
You could almost see the adding machine in Otera’s head. And that’s part of the point, McCotter told DoggyTV: Anything that puts cash back in Americans’ hands during the economic crisis is a good thing. If the bill gathers enough support, he says, it could actually go somewhere.
“Obviously, health care is on the front burner,” McCotter said. “But when the time comes, if people are letting their members know they like it, they’d like to see them get behind it, I think that will be helpful in this instance.”
But until there is a public outcry of support, it’s unclear how doggedly the congressman will pursue the HAPPY Act.
Cherrydale Neighbor lost their cat ~ Pipi
Thursday, October 15th, 2009Please contact Tom Korns or TFAW if you have any information leading to the return of their beloved cat Pipi. Pipi has a magnetic collar that allows her to be an indoor/outdoor cat – magnet on a red breakaway collar–so she can go in and out of our cat door at will. Although she has been spending more time indoors lately her owners last saw her on Tuesday, October 13th.
Pipi ~ Calico, Female, 6.5 lbs, 15 years old, and being treated for poor appetite. Please contact Tom Korns 2032 N. Stafford Street, Arlington, VA 22207 - 703.243.1231 - or via e-mail at tomkorns@comcast.net
TO VIEW THE PHOTO OF PIPI AND THE FLYER PLEASE CLICK HERE: pipi-missing-cat
Dog Alerts Maryland Family
Wednesday, October 14th, 2009With heavy hearts…
Tuesday, October 6th, 2009TFAW is heartbroken to report that in the past three days 3 of our clients have lost their beloved pets to their battles with cancer. Sadi, Plato and Quigley have each become close members of our TFAW family and will be sincerely missed by the many employees who have had the pleasure of joining them for walks and belly rubs.
Sadi was a wonderful German Shepherd accustomed to her regular games of fetch in the backyard when she wasn’t found curled up with Rubio, the family cat. While every pet sitter who met and cared for Sadi knew that she was a wonderful dog, Liz, in particular had the chance to build a special bond with Sadi caring for her while her family was out of town.
Plato, a client with TFAW for over a year, also had the opportunity to become quite close with many of our employees while out on weekly walks and during vacation pet sitting when his mom was out of town. Upon meeting Plato, you would never guess that the energetic lab before you was suffering in the least. Plato’s love of life (and ear scratches!) was undeniable and he will certainly be missed by all of his past walkers, most recently his walking companion, Will.
Quigley has been the talk of Time for a Walk for almost two years having one of the most adorable names and a sweet demeanor to match. At a striking 9lbs Quigley, also known as Quigs, was often the center of attention while out on her regular walks. Quigley lived a long life well beyond the expectations set forth by veterinarians defying the odds and always bringing a smile to our faces. Quigley’s owners extended a special thank you to all of our TFAW employees who tended to her needs, especially Sergio in her final months.
TFAW has made donations in each of these extraordinary pets’ names to the Morris Animal Foundation in remembrance of their time spent here with us and in hopes of contributing to research initiatives in canine cancer prevention.
| Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. | |
| All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together….
Author unknown… |
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Rat on Cat on Dog
Monday, October 5th, 2009Rat on a Cat on a Dog from Heidi Petty on Vimeo.
