I usually describe what I do for a living as "blogging cat videos," but it turns out that I don't actually post all that many. To try to remedy that situation, here's a cat getting stuck in a hamster ball to a Stealer's Wheel soundtrack.

Enjoy.

Chloe · #709882: 5 Years Old · Hound Mix · Female

Chloe doesn’t understand why she still doesn’t have a forever family. This seasoned canine companion has been bounced around between different homes for the past year. Most recently, Chloe was given up for opening the pantry doors and getting into the trash and for helping herself to some shoes. A dog has to live a little! And with a face like that, Chloe can get away with occasional bouts of naughtiness. But Chloe is now a reformed mischief maker and is learning a variety of life skills in Canine College. With the help of her friends, Chloe has already mastered sit, heel and coming when called. This eager to please and smart girl just wants to make you happy and proud. Chloe adores children of all ages, gets along with cats and is 100% housetrained. By far, Chloe’s favorite activities are walking, walking and more walking. But she also knows how to relax at the end of the day in a furry ball at your feet. Chloe is just a magnificent, mature dog looking for a place to unwind and enjoy her golden years…and maybe even nibble an occasional shoe for cheap thrills. Could you be the one she’s been looking for all this time?

Come meet Chloe! She's currently living at the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, 3450 N. Kelvin Blvd. The Humane Society is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. The phone number is 327-6088.

See Chloe in video form below the cut:

No big deal. It's just the trailer for Quill: The Life of a Guide Dog, the story of a yellow Lab that brings joy to the life of a cranky Japanese man. I'm not crying. It's just really dusty in my office.

Rachael Ray and the ASPCA are giving away a hundred thousand dollars as part of some sort of populist voting thing, the rules of which are quite confusing to me (apparently there are stages and regions involved), but the Humane Society of Southern Arizona are involved and I'm sure they could use the money, so I'll be voting daily until they make me stop. It feels a little weird to say that one animal shelter should get funded instead of another, but on the other hand, go Tucson!

Baron - #708793 — 1 Year Old — Shar Pei Mix — Male
Poor Baron lived his entire life on the streets with no one to take care of him. But he’s no stranger to affection now! Brought to the Humane Society of Southern Arizona frightened and covered in cuts and scabs, Baron took a while to settle in and is still learning that people can be kind and gentle. Thanks to his friends in Canine College, Barron is slowly opening up and gaining some much-needed confidence. In just a few months, Baron has transformed from a cowering wallflower who would crawl behind you on walks to an eager achiever ready to seize the day. Luckily, Baron has excellent work ethic and is really learning how to let his guard down, perform tricks and enjoy simply being a valued companion. Won’t you please invite him to be yours?

Come meet Baron! He's currently living at the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, 3450 N. Kelvin Blvd. The Humane Society is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. The phone number is 327-6088.

Watch a video of Baron in action, below the cut.

• Photo Ryn Gargulinski
• Phoebe the random barker

My dog Phoebe was not nearly in the incessant barking category, but she did have a flair for belting out a series of random barks at random moments, usually serene random moments during which a loud bark would make your head explode. In addition to shattering your skull, her random bark-fests have resulted in dropped dishes, ruined phone calls and nearly gave one of my friends a heart attack as a raucous ruff pierced through the cool morning air.

Using a bark correction collar had always been in the back of my mind, yet it stayed in the back. It’s not like neighbors were complaining or calling the police. Nor did Phoebe have a high-pitched, yippy bark that always sounds like a Yorkie being skinned. I just didn’t really have the $100 to shell out for the dinky electronic contraption that typically comes in the most hideous colors.

My guy agreed to pay half. I no longer had an excuse. We ambled on over to Pet Smart.

Our choices were not that vast, especially since the store associate pointed out the citronella spray collar was one big joke. That left us with the shock collar. But just don’t call it a shock collar. This PC climate demands we refer to the battery-operated correction device stimulus collar or, better yet, a gentle electronic modification unit. One of the descriptions even went out of its way to tsk-tsk the folks who still call it a shock collar:

The training collar that stops annoying, excessive barking the humane way (often incorrectly referred to as a shock collar), this collar uses safe but effective static correction.

Hey, what happened to the “gentle” as part of the description?

Sam - #715709 — 10 Years Old — Chow Mix — Male

Waiting and wishing — that’s how Sam passes his time these days. But this extremely easygoing gentleman never complains about anything and continues taking every opportunity to share his love with strangers. Surrendered due to sad family circumstances, Sam is now homeless but hopeful. An absolute sweetheart, Sam gets along great with big dogs, little dogs, cats and anyone willing to offer him a back scratch. His many friends describe him as “the world’s gentlest teddy bear” and rave about how fantastic he is to take on walks. If you could give this low-key and ever-appreciative sweetheart the comfortable retirement he deserves, please meet him soon at the Humane Society of Southern Arizona.

Come meet Sam! He's currently living at the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, 3450 N. Kelvin Blvd. The Humane Society is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. The phone number is 327-6088.

Watch a video of Sam after the cut.

Great news! Toto has been adopted. Also great news: you can find a number of great animals ready for you to take home at the Humane Society.

Toto - #708133 — 1 Year Old — Pit Bull Mix — Male

This adorable drifter would be ecstatic to find a place to rest his paws. Toto traveled from Mexico in the back of a pickup in hopes that he could find a family right here in Tucson. Sadly, he’s been waiting for over four months at the Humane Society of Southern Arizona for somebody to notice him. But you can’t keep a good dog down! Toto stays positive and occupied in Canine College, where he is learning new tricks, and he enjoys some R & R in staff offices. If you could offer this friendly adventurer the life of love and comfort he needs, please visit Toto today at the HSSA.

Come meet Toto! He's currently living at the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, 3450 N. Kelvin Blvd. The Humane Society is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. The phone number is 327-6088.

If cats are more your thing, previous Critter of the Week Gage is still available for adoption.

Watch a video of Toto at play after the cut.

Sure, they're cute now, but at some point, they'll get together and team up against humanity. Enjoy their adorableness while it lasts.

[HT: The Awl]

Gage - #713252 — 8 Years Old — Domestic Long Hair — Male

“Is that a tuna sandwich in your hand? May I please have a bite?” Gage loves food… a little too much, actually. This hefty, handsome lap cat will need a diet and some tough love when it comes to declining his convincing requests to share your meals. Brought to the Humane Society of Southern Arizona with a very bad temper, Gage would hiss, growl and swat when you tried to pet him. But with terribly matted fur, Gage was only showing his discomfort at the tight clumps of hair pulling his skin. Now he’s sporting a new look — furry boots! And his cattitude? He’s made a complete transition into an affectionate, happy and comfortable companion. Won’t you give this big love muffin a hug?

Come meet Gage! He's currently living at the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, 3450 N. Kelvin Blvd. The Humane Society is open Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. The phone number is 327-6088.

Below the cut, see Gage in YouTube form.