It's almost Thanksgiving so that means Christmas is here. The beloved local winter attraction Winterhaven is going to make some ethical changes to its wagon rides this year. The official website says the winterhaven wagons will be "mechanized" and the mules have been forced in to retirement.

Simply put, it is time we decide whether the wagons rides should continue with mules at the front or is it time to convert to vehicles out of respect for the safety of those on our wagons, people walking around in winterhaven, and our mules. We love our mules. We love having them in winterhaven. We love promoting the beauty and work ethic of the mules. We love advocating for their amazing talents by driving them in winterhaven. However, as heartbreaking and disappointing as it is, we believe that change is inevitable.

Will you guys support this effort of change towards a safer Festival of Lights? We believe so! We have faith in you! The Food Bank has faith in you! Still, the biggest question of all is will we be making the right choice? Will we be able to sleep at night?

I know I will…

But I’ll cry a little for the winds of change…. Julie...

The Pima County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to allocate $401, 200 to the Pima Animal Care Center (PACC) on Tuesday, Nov. 5. The funds were allocated in order to expand the PACC’s shelter facilities and provide additional kennel capacity. The shelter has been facing rampant overcrowding due to the recent spike in the numbers of homeless pets in the Pima County area.

“Due to the overcrowding (PACC) is not a safe-haven right now,” said Cindy Kurland, a PACC volunteer. “The fights are constant, the stress is high, you have four or five dogs (to a kennel)... and you have dogs getting injured seriously because they’re trying to eat their breakfast.” Because of limited space and resources, and under conditions rife with stress and fear, many dogs are becoming violent and hostile during their time spent in the kennels and with other dogs. The reality of what is happening behind closed doors and cages at PACC comes as a stark contrast to the traditional state of the shelter, which has for many years served as a place of refuge for homeless pets, due to the shelter’s abhorrence of euthanasia.

“Keep in mind, this is not because PACC has bad dogs,” Kurland said. “These are good, happy, healthy dogs and cats that are coming in the door, that aren’t getting the proper care because of the limited staff and (being crammed) into kennels.”

The Humane Society of Southern Arizona presents Daisy, a 5-year-old Dachshund mix
Reference no. 766654

Daisy says, “Pick me!” This spunky sweetheart could sure use a good friend after her beloved owner passed away. Daisy was delivered to another shelter but wasn’t doing well, so she came to the Humane Society of Southern Arizona for a chance to shine. Daisy is feeling better day by day and lets her cares melt away whenever she’s racing around the yard. She’s always animated, adventurous and ready to play. Although Daisy absolutely adores her human friends, she is choosy about her dog pals and would prefer to be your only pet. Just you, a couch and some toys would be a dream come true for this darling Dachshund. If you could give Daisy the fresh start and unconditional love she deserves, please visit this peppy princess today at the Humane Society of Southern Arizona. As a Hidden Gem, Daisy spends her time in staff offices, so please ask an adoption counselor to meet her. Visit HSSA at 3450 N. Kelvin Blvd.

***Daisy has a waived adoption fee and will go home with goodies and free training classes!

Brace yourselves, Tucson: Giant George, the Guinness World Record-confirmed World's Largest Dog, has died.

His family announced his death last week, Oct. 18, via Facebook:

It is with a heavy heart that we announce Giant George died last night. George passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones; one month before his eighth birthday.

We appreciate the love and support you have given Giant George over the last several years. We look forward to honoring his spirit by continuing his charitable works.

Your thoughts and prayers are much appreciated.

-Team Giant George

But worry not, Weekly Rangers: George isn't taking this 'death' thing laying down. No, he's continuing to write to us insignificant humans from the Great Beyond,  riding that Rainbow Bridge in the sky (which we assume is the bridge between Earth and Dog Valhalla)...and now he has wings?

Greetings from the Rainbow Bridge...

'Tis Grand here...I did a lot of frolicking today...Whilst frolicking I was thinking of giving back in a Giant way.

Here's what I am thinking:

November 17 marks my 8th birthday, and although I cannot be there in body, I can be there in spirit. I would like to make November 17 Giant George Service Day...a day for GG Nation to honor my spirit by giving of their time and/or shekels to an animal cause that is important to each of you.

Your time and/or your money will make a big difference in an animals life...

Help me make November 17 Giant George Service Day by sharing with your fellow humanoids and making something Giant happen!

Miss you like Costco roasted chicken, GG

Ignoring how bizarre it is that such a huge dog/small moose has an Internet connection in whatever Dog Heaven (and uses it to hang out on Facebook, apparently), at least he's still attempting to do good things up there.

If you're interested in taking part in Giant George's Day of Service, you can hook up with the Facebook event here. And in keeping with George's desire to help out animals (and let's listen to what he says: there's nothing scarier than the idea of a huge, winged dog swooping down to exact vengeance), why not adopt a critter from the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, where adoption fees for all dogs, cats, puppies and kittens are $50 (and free for all dogs and cats more than six years old) 'til the end of the year.

The Humane Society of Southern Arizona presents Arnold, a male, 6-year-old, chow mix
Reference no: 764676

Absolutely stunning with personality plus! Arnold is a sweet, calm gentleman who appreciates petting, spending time with people and exploring new places. He’s also brilliant and would no doubt excel at obedience training. With some time to bond with an adopter and plenty of unconditional love to reassure him that he has a home for keeps, Arnold will be the perfect pal. Won’t you consider giving him something to really smile about? This boy would be so grateful to have a best friend to call his own. Please visit Arnold today at the Humane Society of Southern Arizona!

***The Humane Society of Southern Arizona is FULL of pets of all shapes, sizes and ages. This Friday, Oct. 18 through Sunday, Oct. 20 the Humane Society of Southern Arizona will be waiving adoption fees on ALL animals!

Here's a pick me up while you're taking recognizing this popular federal holiday. Check out this insanely talented bear play a fierce game of tetherball.





I'd like to know what that ball is made and how the hell he got so good. I was never that good at tetherball in high school. Please consider donating to Animal Ark and keep this bear happy if you have fallen in love with this bear like I have. Maybe Animal Ark will raise enough money to get the bear a partner to play with.

Now through the end of the year, all dog, cat, puppy and kitten adoptions are only $50 at the Humane Society of Southern Arizona. Animals six years or older are free, but there's a $16 county licensing for dogs. If you are thinking about picking up a free companion, please consider buy something or consider donating to the shelter. Spread the word to people you know can handle the responsibility.


Click here for the dog and puppy application or click here for the cat and kitten application.

Xander - #753718 — 3 Years Old — Pit Bull Mix — Male

You know how sometimes you come across that special dog who makes your heart skip a beat? That once-in-a-lifetime companion? Xander wants to be that for you! This sweet and sensitive guy has a baby face and an endless capacity to love. Delivered to the Humane Society of Southern Arizona in May, Xander has had a surprisingly difficult time finding a family. He’s a terrific gentleman, just low on self-confidence.

Got up this morning around 6 a.m., only to find that the gate to my front yard was open and my dog, who nudged me to go outside around 4:30 a.m., was missing. But this isn't an ordinary lost dog — well, hell, I know everyone who has a pet feels the same way — but my dog is old, has been showing that fact more and more as of late. She's partially blind, deaf and has some limited mobility in her back legs. There are mornings she's like the two-year-old pooch we adopted back in Washington who became one of my best friends — she's frisky and eager to run out to our front yard for a little chase. And there are a growing number of days when she sleeps almost the entire day, get's sick more easily and has problems getting up in the morning and out of bed.

More often lately, she's been going outside — in and out of our little house a lot. Getting a wake up from her at 2 a.m. and then another at 4:30 a.m. isn't unusual. But usually I remember to close the gate. This time, I'm certain I forgot. But this is the kind of dog, in the past, who would explore the orchards around our old house and head to the Wenatchee River or take soaks in the irrigation ditch that ran near our property. She'd come home every time, happy and in love with nature and the world around her.

In her youth, she especially liked hiking, camping and chasing skunks and birds. I remember the skunks regularly showered her with their own kind of love, too. It's hard to get rid of skunk stink when it's deep in your dog's nose. Really hard. I'm hoping a friend's words of comfort are true — that it was finally her time, she knew it and laid down some place. I worry right now that she is in our busy west side neighborhood scared, hungry, thirsty and alone.

I walked around the area and drove around — no sign. Word is spreading on social media. Today, as advised, I'll call the animal shelters to see if she's been found. I'll do Craigslist, too. But just in case — just maybe you might have seen her along Congress and Grande, or in that vicinity? Maybe she's thinking back to 15 years ago when they found her along the Entiat River. If you see her, please contact me at the Weekly. I sure would love to have her home. Her old orchard cat is gonna miss her soon. And my 12-year-old son, her charge all these years, is gonna miss her too.

Thank you.

Reid Park Zoo announced on their website that 24-year-old female African elephant “Semba” is eating for two:

Semba was observed breeding with the Zoo’s bull, “Mabu,” in October of last year, and Zoo staff have been anxious to find out whether the breeding was successful. It was!

I wonder what kind of weird cravings Semba will have this time:

Elephants have a long gestation period—23-24 months, and Semba is expected to give birth between late June and August of 2014. In the meantime Reid Park Zoo Staff will be working with fellow experts at San Diego Zoo Global and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Elephant Taxon Advisory Group to monitor Semba and provide the best pre-natal care possible.

I'd like to personally congratulate the Reid Park Zoo, Semba and family. The is great timing because the 2 1/2-year-old male “Sundzu” is losing his cute baby charm and we hardly see the 24-year old female “Lungile." Cue all the crazy comments asking why taxpayer dollars are going to cover Semba's pregnancy and how she's going to "elephant-hell" for having this baby out of wedlock, again.