Gemini Universal LLC

I love attending pet shows and events, and I often run out of time to write about everything that I’ve seen and experienced in the most timely manner. So it was with shock and sadness that when I finally sat down to write about John Lege, aka That Guy With The Birds whom I met at the New Jersey Family Pet Show, I discovered he had passed. This writing is about my memory of him.

February brings another special day to celebrate our pets. Love Your Pet Day is February 20, and I decided to pass along some information that Hankook Tire America Corp. learned about how drivers keep their dogs safe on the road in their latest Quarterly Gauge Index survey as announced in their recent press release.

I experienced something very significant to me at the recent Super Pet Expo in Edison, New Jersey. While visiting the booth display by A Helping Wing Parrot Rescue, I encountered what I was told was a rare red-tailed black cockatoo named Gotham. After holding him on my arm for a few minutes, I was in love. Who knew?

January is Adopt a Rescued Bird Month. The event was launched by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) back in 2002 after they noticed an increase in the number of birds in need of permanent homes across the country. The organization encourages “Make Pet Adoption Your First Option” and birds are no exception.

Alley Cat Allies is the only national advocacy organization dedicated to the protection and humane treatment of cats. Once again they have come to the rescue of feral cats, this time, Roger, Sassy May, Lilly, Frady Cat, Gizmo and Tinker.

After two successful events, Lori Genstein, owner of I've Got the 'Scoop', LLC pet sitting and symposium organizer, is not stopping there. She has recently announced the third annual South Jersey Pet Wellness Symposium will take place Saturday, April 16, 2016, at the Palmyra Community Center. The event is staged not only as an educational event for the public, but as a fundraising event to benefit the Boo Tiki Fund.

January is National Train Your Dog Month, and I caught up with my local veterinarian to get his view on dog training. The doctor had plenty of advice on where to start with that new puppy or newly adopted rescue dog.

Wishing all a happy, healthy and peaceful New Year. May 2016 be filled with a renewed sense of hope for a better world not only for humans but for our animal friends as well.

Celebrating Christmas morning with my kitties! New toys are always fun!  Here is how the morning transpired.