GoldHeart Golden Retriever Rescue's Pets of the Week are Maggie (GH-599), left, and Mikia (GH-600), right. They are 10-year-old littermates (brother and sister) who suddenly found themselves homeless when their owner died.

Maggie and Mikia have been together all their life and only ever knew one home until they were taken from that home very scared and confused and put into a foster home.

Both are adjusting to their new surroundings. They get along well with their foster brother and sister, and even think the cats are pretty cool.

They like to lie in the sun on the deck, and will stay by your side like they are glued to you.

They have gotten a clean bill of health from the vet except for one thing -- they are both overweight. Maggie weighed in at 141 pounds and Mikia was 167 pounds. Yes, they are large, but that's more to love and they have a lot of love to give. They are on a very strict diet and should be exercised a couple times a day.

The rescue's main goal is to keep this brother and sister together, since they are very bonded and already faced the tragedy of losing their human mom a few weeks ago. If you have room in your heart for two very large -- but very loving -- four-legged friends, these two will fill the bill.

For details, e-mail babischaef@comcast.net. An adoption application is available at www.goldheart.org.

Animal Rescue's Pet of the Week is Colby, a Treeing Walker Coonhound approximately 1½ years old.

He is good with other dogs, friendly with people, and would be best in a home with a fenced yard.

For details, call 717-993-3232, e-mail info@animalrescueinc.org or visit www.animalrescueinc.org.

From No Kill Advocacy Center:

Recently, the ASPCA killed Oreo, an abused dog, despite the fact that a local no-kill shelter had offered to save her. (Editor's note: Oreo had been beaten and thrown off a sixth-floor roof in June, but survived; the ASPCA euthanized her last Friday because she was deemed "too aggressive.")

Read more about the case in an independently written opinion for the Examiner: The Meaning of Oreo.

In response to the killing of Oreo, two New York state legislators have introduced legislation to prevent this from ever happening again. Please join us in supporting "Oreo's Law," so that her needless death will not be in vain.

Read No Kill Advocacy Center's letter of support.

Learn more about the law and send an e-mail or letter of support.

The ASPCA has been selected once again as one of five charity beneficiaries for the Subaru "Share the Love" event.

For every new vehicle purchased or leased between Nov. 12 and Jan. 4, Subaru will donate $250 to the consumer's choice of five charity partners. Consumers have until Jan. 31 to make their selection.

ASPCA was the No. 1 charity chosen last year, and received close to $1.2 million.

Important note for shelters/rescues: Subaru dealers are looking for ways to bring the Share the Love campaign to life and promote animal adoptions. If you are a shelter professional, rescuer or volunteer and would like to work with your local Subaru dealer to conduct an adoption event, or would like to involve them in special events you have planned during the holidays, please call Allison Allen in the ASPCA's Corporate Partnerships department at 646-706-4689 or e-mail sharethelove@aspca.org. The ASPCA can notify your local dealer and encourage them to contact you.

Furry Friends Network's Pet of the Week is Todd, a 5-year-old coonhound who has lived with his family since he was a puppy.

He is up-to-date on vaccines and is very well behaved.

Todd loves to lie in the sun, sit on the deck and observe the backyard, and take lots of walks, and is a couch potato inside the house.

He is a big guy, weighing approximately 70 lbs.

Todd grew up with the family's three children and a cat, so he does have cat manners.

He rides well in a car, although it is probably not one of his favorite things to do. The family has an invisible fence which has worked for Todd.

He is laid back -- a typical hound -- and is very sweet and well behaved. However, he is a hunting breed, so he will spring into action if he picks up a scent.

Todd is very lovable and will make a great addition to a family that is willing to accept his hound qualities, go for lots of walks and love all 70 lbs. of this big guy.

For details and an adoption application, visit http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=15015870.

Officials of Dairyland Greyhound Park have announced that the track will host its last race on December 31, bringing an end to dog racing in the state of Wisconsin.

Even better, the majority of dogs will be made available for immediate adoption. Wisconsin was once home to five dog tracks. Read the history of dog racing in Wisconsin, and view Grey2K USA's latest injury report.

A tri-color female sheltie named Cassie has been missing since Friday, Nov. 13.

She was last seen on Jefferson Road, near Stoverstown Road in North Codorus Township.

Cassie is 10 years old and has some lumps on her belly. Her family misses her very much.

If seen, please call Cindy at 717-225-8982 or 717-873-3320.

From www.halopets.com:

Halo Spot's Stew, Thanksgiving-style
(for cats and dogs, makes about 8 cups)

2½ pounds whole chicken (can substitute turkey)
¼ cup chopped fresh garlic
1 cup green peas
1 cup coarsely chopped carrots
½ cup coarsely chopped sweet potato
½ cup coarsely chopped zucchini
½ cup coarsely chopped yellow squash
½ cup coarsely chopped green beans
½ cup coarsely chopped celery
1 tablespoon kelp powder
1 tablespoon dried rosemary
11 to 16 cups spring water

This part is for dogs only: Add 8 ounces whole barley and 6 ounces rolled oats, and adjust the water content to a total of 16 cups or enough to cover the ingredients (According to Halo Veterinarian Dr. Donna Spector cats require zero carbohydrate content in their diet, so this would be an unnecessary addition for cats).

Instructions: Combine all of the ingredients in a 10-quart stockpot (stainless steel, please) with enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, then turn down the heat as low as possible and simmer for 2 hours (the carrots should be quite soft at the end of the cooking time). Remove from the heat, let cool, and debone the chicken.

With an electric hand mixer, or using a food processor and working in batches, blend all the ingredients into a nice puree; the stew should be slightly thicker for dogs and more soupy for cats. Using ziplock bags or plastic yogurt containers, make up meal-sized portions. Refrigerate what you'll need for three days and freeze the rest.

Serving size: Amounts will vary depending on age, activity level, current health, weight, and season, but here are some guidelines: The average adult cat will eat roughly 1 cup a day. Because dogs vary so much in size, consult the table below. The amount shown should be split into at least two meals daily.

Get your pet's photo taken with Santa from 1 to 4 p.m. this Sunday, Nov. 15, in the conference room of the Cat Adoption Center at the Humane League of Lancaster County, 2195 Lincoln Hwy East, Lancaster, PA.

Cost is $15 for 5x7 prints; $25 for 8x10 prints; and $25 for 12 Holiday Cards featuring your pet's portrait.

No appointments necessary; first-come, first-served.

Portraits will be done by PhotOle Photography.

For details, call 717-393-6551.

Diamond Dog Rescue's Pet of the Week is Shiloh, a 3-year-old Doberman mix who is very smart and affectionate.

He loves going for walks and playing with people and other dogs.

Shiloh is house-trained, neutered and up-to-date with routine vaccinations.

For details, call 717-227-9674, e-mail diamonddogrescue@live.com or visit www.diamonddogrescue.org.

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My name is Candi; I am a yellow Labrador retriever. For the first seven years of my life, I lived in a puppy mill, where I was bred again and again for my puppies, who were taken from me.

Luckily, I had a chance to be rescued and came to live at Animal Rescue. Soon, I thought I had found my forever home, but I was brought back because I could not become social quickly enough because of the trauma I endured at the mill.

After a brief stay at a kennel, I found a foster home to take me in, but I cannot stay with them anymore.

I know what I need to be happy, though; I need a quiet home with understanding humans who are home a lot because I do much better with company. I also need another dog, as they help to comfort me, and a fenced yard to keep me safe.

I know that I need work with potty training and becoming less fearful of people, especially men; but with time and patience, I feel I can become a happy girl. I have already improved in these areas, so I know I can do it.

If you feel as though you have what I need to help me through this rough time, and can work with me through love and gentle guidance, please call my friends at Animal Rescue to arrange to meet me. I may be shy, but it does not take away from the love I could give to you in time.

For details, call 717-993-3232, e-mail info@animalrescueinc.org or visit www.animalrescueinc.org.

Patton Veterinary Hospital needs your help to make the holidays "pawsitively" special.

As a community service, Patton has initiated its fourth annual Pet Meals on Wheels Drive.

The veterinary hospital has joined forces with Red Lion Senior Center and the Meals On Wheels program to help collect pet food and other pet-related items for those in need who have animal companions.

Donations will be accepted at the hospital through Dec. 19, during office hours -- 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.

For details, call 717-246-3611.

Want to help animals while having a nice meal?

Eat at Isaac's Restaurant and Deli from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, and 25 percent of your total bill will benefit York County SPCA.

Carryout meals will also benefit the SPCA during the same hours.

The fundraiser will take place at three locations: 235 Pauline Drive, York Township; 2159 White St., West Manchester Township; and 2960 Whiteford Road, Springettsbury Township.

You'll need a coupon to participate. for coupons or details, visit www.ycspca.org or call 717-764-6109.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a health alert to warn consumers not to use pig ears and beef hooves pet treats manufactured by Pet Carousel because the products might be contaminated with salmonella.

The products were distributed nationwide in both bulk and retail packaging for sale in pet food and retail chain stores. Pet Carousel is based in Sanger, Calif.

The affected pig ear products were packaged under the brand names Doggie Delight and Pet Carousel.

The affected beef hooves were packaged under the brand names Choo Hooves, Dentley's, Doggie Delight, and Pet Carousel.

All sizes and all lots of these products made by Pet Carousel are included in this alert.

Find out more

"Twilight" actress Rachelle Lefevre has become a spokeswoman for Best Friends' Puppies Aren't Products campaign.

Find out more

Tonight's episode of the hit FOX television show "Bones" (airing at 8 p.m./7 Central), starring vegan actress and Farm Sanctuary supporter Emily Deschanel, will prominently feature factory farming footage secured by Farm Sanctuary, the nation's leading farm animal protection organization, as part of a plot-line surrounding a murder that takes place at a chicken farm.

The footage, which was requested by Deschanel, will educate thousands of mainstream viewers about the cruel conditions animals are forced to endure on factory farms. The episode also features a character who rescues a pig and asks her coworkers for donations so that she can sponsor her at a sanctuary.

To further raise awareness of the horrors of factory farming, FOX is featuring a special message from Deschanel on its website (fox.com/bones) urging people to support Farm Sanctuary by sponsoring an animal in need.

To learn more about "adopting" (sponsoring) one of Farm Sanctuary's rescued animals, visit farmsanctuary.org or call 607-583-2225.

When Maj. Brian Dennis of the United States Marine Corps met a wild stray dog with shorn ears while serving in Iraq, he had no idea of the bond they would form, leading to seismic changes in both their lives.

"The general theme of the story of Nubs is that if you're kind to someone, they'll never forget you -- whether it be person or animal," Dennis tells Paw Nation.

Read more at PawNation.com

November 1 to 7 is National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week. For details, visit www.animalsheltering.org or www.hsus.org.

Angel Acres Horse Haven Rescue is looking for a home or foster care for Belle and Cloud, an 8-year-old gorgeous dark bay TB mare and a 25-year-old flea-bitten gray Arabian gelding, respectively, as soon as possible.

Below is the e-mail info from owner:

"Belle is an 8-year- old thoroughbred mare. She stands 15.3H last time measured. Belle has been ridden English and has the smoothest gates I have ridden. I would consider her slightly green broke. She would excel in dressage and with little training would be a great show horse. She is a sweet horse...

"Cloud is a 25-year-old Arabian. He is 15.1H and flea-bitten gray. He loads, ties and clips. He will pretty much do anything you ask if he trusts you. He is a great trail horse and will go anywhere. Cloud is a big sweetheart. Almost anyone can ride him on trails."

The horses are currently located 30 minutes north of Harrisburg PA. The barn manager wants them out now, rather than in two months as Angel Acres was originally told.

E-mail angelacreshorsehaven@yahoo.com or call 717-965-7901 if you can help in any way.

Diamond Dog Rescue's Pet of the Week is Gideon, a young male Jack Russell terrier who likes to play and go for walks.

He is very smart and eager to learn new things, and likes to play with other dogs. Gideon is affectionate with familiar people, but wary of strangers.

For details, call 227-9674, e-mail diamonddogrescue@live.com or visit www.diamonddogrescue.org.