My Friendly Pets

For all of you who enjoy the Halloween season, there is probably that single sound that evokes the feeling of fear and trepedation. The howl of the wolves in the dark of night is enough to send goosebumps down your spine. Many people people believe that wolves, a direct cousin of our friend the dog, howl at the full moon because of something mystical, devilish or evil. In reality, the statement that wolves howl only at the moon is a myth. What is more accurate is that wolf howls are associated with the moon, because the wolves tend to be more active when the light is brighter, so it seems that their howls are only heard at that time, when in actuality, wolves howl at many different times based on various circumstances.

Wolves make many other sounds such as whimpers, barks, yips and growls, just like a dog, but they are oh so famous for their howls. So why do they howl? For the wolf, this is merely a communication mechanism. Remember, like our dogs, wolves are pack animals. Howling helps to keep the pack together. It helps to establish the “pecking order” in the pack as well. A certain type of howl will islolate the location of the wolf, so the others in the pack can join him/her. Very often, the pack may get spread out over vast areas of land, and the howl is used to draw them together.

Wolves in a pack might howl after a successful hunt to indicate to the rest of the pack that food is available. This is usually a high pitched frequent howl; it sounds happy and celebratory. Social howls used to bring wolves together before a hunt and may also be used to warn neighboring packs that a pack is near and to stay out of their territory.

The wolf also has a howl that is known as the lonely howl and it is characterized by sounds with a rising and falling pitch. This is most prevelant during the mating season when a wolf is in search of a mate.

I can remember several instances during the middle of the night when my dogs were sleeping and they began to howl. Whether they were dreaming or using an inate primal instinct evolved from their cousins the wolves, I will never know. I do know it was an awesome sound and I enjoyed hearing the natural song of their ancestors and realized how truly close my family pets were to their wonderful wild relatives.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!!

Check out some other Halloween information and an entry on picking a puppy at http://www.parentingunderthestars.com/

Statistics are great!!! They give us more information than we ever wanted to know. But when trying to strike up a conversation with a stranger, think how cool it is to be able to give some truly startling statistics. Of course first I would determine that the person you are talking with is a dog lover, or at least interested in dogs…if not, oh well, it may be time to speak with someone else. But if you find someone who you want to dazzle with some numbers, check these out:

According to the AKC (American Kennel Club), the ten most popular dogs in the United States are:
Ten most popular breeds in the US

1.
Labrador Retriever
2.
Yorkshire Terrier
3.
German Shepherd Dog
4.
Golden Retriever
5.
Beagle
6.
Dachshund
7.
Boxer
8.
Poodle
9.
Shih Tzu
10.
Miniature Schnauzer

Now you know the most popular dogs from top to bottom. How about some other stats to sparkle that conversation?

According to www.dogfriendly.com, the following is true of dog ownership in this country:

There are approximately 68,000,000 owned dogs in the United States.
- Four in ten or 40,000 households own at least one dog.
- Most owners own one dog (63%)
- About 1/4 of dog owners (24%) own two dogs.
- 13% of dog owners own three or more dogs.
- On average, dog owners have almost two dogs (1.7)
- There are an equal number of male and female dogs owned in the U.S.
- 20% of owned dogs were adopted from an animal shelter.
- On average, dog owners spent $196 on veterinary related expenses in the past 12 months.
- Seven out of ten owned dogs are spayed or neutered.

These figures are about 5 years old, so I think you could inflate them slightly to get some 2007 statistics.

Now that I have your attention, I want to provide you with some statistics which you may not be aware of or want to hear. According to a variety of sources including the Humane Society of the United States, Cornell University and PetSmart Charities, approximately 3,000,000 - 4,000,000 dogs each year are euthanized because they are born, don’t have homes, are taken to shelters, and if not adopted some shelters have little choice, but to kill the animals. Horrible you say? Yes, it is, but it is the responsibility of pet owners to insure that they care for their dogs so that unwanted puppies are not brought into this world. This includes spaying or neutering your dog. When I say this, I mean that pet owners need to make responsible decisions regarding their pet and the breeding of that pet.

In California, a bill named AB 1634 was proposed that would mandate the spaying and neutering of all dogs and cats over 4 months old. Failure to do so could result in substantial fines for pet owners. The bill has been shelved since July 2007, but looks like it may come up again for examination in January 2008. This is totally wrong. No one wants to see the overpopulation of animals continue as too many suffer and die. However, to legislate limitations on breeding and reproduction to pet owners takes away basic ownership rights. This is an instance where government is much too involved in the rights of the people. To help this problem, education is needed to develop responsible pet ownership, but to take that decision away from pet owners and perhaps end a bloodline of a particular breed makes no sense and will lead certain animals on the path to extinction. It sounds like science fiction, but it can happen if we give too many people too much power to make decisions that should not be in the hands of legislators.

Get involved so bills like AB1634 doesn’t come to your state. Make sure you are aware of what’s happening in your town, your state and your country and keep ahead of current events by checking out www.currenteventswatch.com

Some of you might have seen the entry where I talked about the expression,”dog days of summer”. I discussed how it originated and what it truly meant. Well there are many other cliches and terms we use with the word “dog” in it and we use these sayings to describe a variety of life situations.

The term “top dog” usually means to us that the person is considered the highest person or leader of the group, whatever that group might be. But why do we use it? Well, dogs are basically pack animals and “top dog” infers that there is a particular dog that is regarded as the leader. So if a person is called the “top dog”, they are distinuished and recognized as the leader or one who possesses leadership characteristics.

We have all either heard or used the expression, “sick as a dog”. To us as humans, it means that are way past not feeling well and usually means that we were throwing up or laid up ill for a long period of time. The saying originates from times gone by when people were bitten by a dog that had contracted rabies. The dog was actually very sick by that time, so they were “sick as a dog.”

One of the expressions that I had heard only a few times was that it was a “three dog night” This saying came from the fact that years ago people used to sleep with their animals to keep warm and if it was an especially cold night, there would be a need for three dogs to share the sleeping quarters with the person just so they could keep warm. So it was a “three dog night”. Clever, right??!!

Finally, how about the saying, “barking up the wrong tree”? We usually say that to someone when they are looking for a clue or answer and they are totally off the topic. The saying oringinated from an old hunter’s phrase that meant that the dog had picked up the wrong scent while it was hunting for its prey. When the dog stopped to bark at something in the tree, it probably wasn’t the oringinal prey the hunter was tracking.

It is clear to see how easily these terms become part of our language. We have incorporated dogs in most all aspects of our human lives, so putting their behaviors into terms that discuss aspects of our lives seems perfectly natural. Next time you hear a phrase, saying or cliche that uses the word dogs, think of the literal meaning and then how that phrase has become commonplace in our venacular. It is an amazing thing!!!

I grew up in an age of great cartoons, where some
of the greatest animators of all time brought their loveable characters into our living rooms. Just the mention of some of those names today, brings great memories to mind.

Did anyone ever consider why there are so many great cartoon characters where the main characters are dogs? I think its because we love dogs so much and through cartoons we can create characters we love that have human characteristics we admire.

For example, Huckleberry Hound (one of my favorites) was a cartoon character created by Joe Barbera and William Hanna, two cartoon greats!!! Huckleberry Hound was a blue dog (that didn’t seem to bother anyone) who spoke with a slow southern drawl. (the actual voice of Huckleberry was Daws Butler, who was the sound and voice of many cartoon greats). The personality of Huckleberry Hound was that of a laid back, easy going, not too bright nice kind of guy, who worked a series of occupations. His voice and actions were those we could relate to in everyday people. That’s why he was so appealing. He never had it “all together” and that was o.k., because many people we know and love don’t have it together either, but we love them anyway, just like Huck.

In fact, the original Huckleberry Hound series ran from 1958-1962 and during that time, our loveable hound had many occupations including a police officer, firefighter, truant officer, lion tamer, mailman, veterinarian and even worked as a dog catcher. Huckleberry Hound was so successful and appealing to both young and old alike that the series won an Emmy award for Best Children’s Program in 1959. Due to the large adult audience that seemed to enjoy the cartoon series, Hanna and Barbera created another cartoon that attracted “grown ups” and was based in large part on the successful sitcom known as “The Honeymooners”, which starred Jackie Gleason and Art Carney.
Of course there was a “family dog” (dinosaur) character in this cartoon series, whom we all grew to love, named Dino. Which cartoon series is it? Of course, the Flintstones, which ran from 1960-1966 as the original series and there were many spin offs of the original as well.

Dogs play a great role in all aspects of our lives including cartoon entertainment. I feel it is a way to help us identify with the strengths and weaknesses of ourselves in an animal that is always loved.

For another great cartoon hero, check out one of my previous entries at:

http://www.myfriendlypets.com/theres-no-need-to-fear/

It’s about the one and only UNDERDOG, another great cartoon hero!!!

Maybe its because it is a rainy damp Saturday, or perhaps it is hearing of a co-worker’s dog’s recent brain tumor diagnosis, but I find myself thinking often of the dogs we have lost. The loss of our pit bull, Geo, who has been gone over two years, still brings me to tears if I think about him too hard and too long. Perhaps because his illness and death was so sudden and unexpected, it hurts the most. We only had him for 8 years which seems entirely too short a time for a dog who loved everyone so deeply and was loved by so many.

Our first dog, Ziggy, was a mixed German shepard and he shared our lives for 12 years until he succumbed to cancer. He was part of our nuclear family that we formed shortly after my husband and I married. In fact Ziggy was adopted the day after we returned from our honeymoon. Our daughter arrived four years later and even though Ziggy understood she was a new member of the pack, I think he was a bit jealous that he was no longer “the baby”. I don’t have any digital pictures of Ziggy, so when I’m thinking of him, I go to an album that we made after his death of all of our pictures with him.

As I mentioned, it has been over 2 years since we lost Geo and neither my husband, my daughter or myself are ready for another dog. The pain of that loss is still raw and the wound still open. Perhaps another dog would numb that pain, but right now we are not ready to love so completely for fear of hurting again so deeply.

There is no hard and fast rule about when you should get another dog after the loss on one. In fact we adopted Geo only a month after losing Ziggy. But now, it has been much longer.
I know when we are ready, the dog we bring into our lives will not be a replacement for either Ziggy or Geo; he/she will fill a whole new spot in our family and in our hearts.

I think Sir Walter Scott said it best about losing a dog:

“I have sometimes thought of the final cause of dogs having such short lives and I am quite satisfied it is in compassion to the human race; for if we suffer so much in losing a dog after an acquaintance of ten or twelve years, what would it be if they were to live double that time?”

Sir Walter Scott

For some really cute puppy pics..check out:

www.homezookeeper.com

Darwin’s theory of evolution has gained significant support as a result of a study and report that has come out of the University of Manchester where biologists have determined that changes in the shape of the dogs’ heads over time are as a result of human directed evolution through selective breeding. Selective breeding is when animals within a breed who possess the most dominant and positive traits are brought together(through the efforts of humans) to reproduce in order to spawn the “best of the breed”. This is a simplified explanation without getting into a detailed discussion of genetics.

It was found that the traits that significantly identified the St. Bernard became more pronounced over time as breeders selected the dogs that had the strongest evidence of these traits and ultimately bred them together. This resulted in those traits becoming more exaggerated in these dogs. You can see from the skulls above that the angle of the head to the nose of the St. Bernard has become much more defined in the younger dog (1976, the bottom skull) versus the one on the top. The older dog (1892, the top dog) had a much less defined angle and the head to the nose is less representative of what we commonly see of the St. Bernard of today. The dogs of today also have broader skulls and more distinct ridges above the eyes than those of their ancestors of the same breed. These evolutionary changes are the traits by which the breed standard is evaluated.

The findings of this study can be found in the Proceedings of the Royal Society of Biological Sciences and were based on studies that examined 47 skulls of St. Bernards that spanned over 120 years. The skulls that were used in the study were donated by Swiss breeders.

This isn’t the place where I wish to get into a discussion of evolution vs. creationism, but the evidence revealed in this study leads to the conclusion that evolution, whether natural or artificial, does occur and the results can be seen over significant periods of time when animals of the same breed are compared.

So the Beethoven that we have grown to love in all of his movies would have looked a bit different 100 or more years ago. Would we have loved him any less? I doubt it. But there is something really cool about that big head and and the large nose that seems to want to sniff everywhere it is not wanted!!!

If you truly are into the science stuff, make sure you check out http://www.dailysciencedose.com/

As promised, I located another awesome place to take your dog if you live anywhere near, around or are visiting the windy city - that’s Chicago, my friends!!

According to their website: www.mondog.org, the Montrose Dog Beach is the only one of its kind in Chicago. This is a legal, no-leash beach. It is on the northwest corner of Montrose Beach which looks out onto one of the nation’s grandest lakes - Lake Michigan.

As you can see from the photo, the Dog Beach is fenced in and gated. Only dogs that have DFA (Dog Friendly Area) tags and permits are allowed on the beach. DFA tags certify that the dogs allowed on the beach and other DFA areas in Chicago meet certain conditions. The dogs have to have a valid dog license, have been examined in the past year from a qualified vet and have been vaccinated according to the Cook County veterinary requirements. The DFA tag and permit can be obtained from participating Chicagoland veterinarians. The permits and tags are valid for a year…from January 1st through December 31st and cost $5.00 per year. (Now that’s a great deal!!!)

The success of this beach for dogs and their owners is based upon the cooperation of all involved. There is a volunteer organization that comes together periodically to discuss issues related to the dog beach and go over rules and regulations that govern the beach. Some of the rules include:

1.Dogs must be on a leash coming into and leaving the dog beach area.
2. Owners are legally responsible for their dogs and any injuries caused by their dogs.
3.If your dog is off-leash it must be in the fenced in area at all times.
4. Always pick up after your dog. Failure to do so can result in a $500.00 fine.
Its a shame they have to regulate that one, but sometimes people don’t have enough common courtesy to do the right thing.

There are several other rules that mainly pertain to the safety and well being of the dogs and their guardians. If you are going to venture to Montrose Dog Beach, make sure you check out those rules!!

The dog beach is open from sun up until about 9:00 pm with the most dog and people crowds occurring in the early morning hours. Another great thing about the beach is that it is open year round and as can be seen below, it is just as much fun for the dogs when the snow flies as it is when the sun is warm and hot.

For some more really great Chicago info, check out:
http://www.about-chicagoil.com/

Featured recently online were some places that are exceptionally dog friendly!!! That doesn’t mean that they tolerate dogs, that means the welcome them with open arms and cater to their needs.

The first place that I found and will talk about in this entry was very interesting and exceptionally cool!!! It is called “The DogBar” and its motto is, “everything you’d love if you were a dog”. They call themselves “the nation’s most unique full service luxury specialty pet store.” Their website can be viewed at www.dogbar.com

They have an extremely extensive website and there are two physical locations, if traditional shopping is your thing. One store is located in Miami Beach, Florida (where else?) and the other in Coral Gables, Florida.

Just check out the doggie couch and high chair below!!

From my search on the website, it seems like you are shopping at Macy’s or JC Penney’s because the goods and services are broken into very unique departments. There are departments such as beauty, lounging, toys, dinnerware, nutrition and treats. There are “Yappy hour cocktail treats” and “Nature’s Variety Turkey Jerky”.

Remember Halloween is just around the corner and The Dog Bar offiers an entire line of costumes just for your pooch. The prices are moderate. You can find things for very reasonable cost or you can go all the way and get your pup the “Fluff Dog Mimi Bed” for a mere $99.99.

For the stressed out pooch there is the Grooming Spa where you can treat your dog to a massage, aromatherapy or their beauty and skin products!!!

For more great info on the Miami area, be sure to check out:
http://www.about-miamifl.com/

On a beautiful Indian summer day, in Times Square, NYC, today the dogs were the stars of the show…. The Times Square Dog Day Masquerade is held to support the Animal Haven Adopt a Pet Program. Dogs of all shapes, sizes and colors are brought together in costumes of everything and everyone imaginable to parade together at the busiest crossroads in the world. With the lights, the shops, the restaurants, come the parade of pooches hosted by Trekkie Monster of the Broadway musical, Avenue Q.

Animal Haven is a no kill shelter, adoption center and sanctuary. The mission of their organization is :
“To carefully place cats and dogs in loving homes, as well as give lifetime care for those who cannot be placed.

We fulfill our no-kill mission through adoption programs at our shelter in Queens, our Mobile Adoption Program, and our upcoming Adoption Center and Boutique in SoHo. And Animal Haven Acres Sanctuary and Rehabilitation Center, located in Delaware County, NY is where hard to place dogs and cats can live out their lives in a homelike setting.”

Animal Haven came to the parade with their Mobile Adoption Center, which can carry 8-12 dogs and 10-15 cats. Usually at events like the one held today, several animals will be adopted. The organization also tries to bring awareness to the problem of animal overpopulation. Unknown to most, 4,000,000 dogs a year are euthanized because there aren’t enough homes or room in shelters for them to live.

Even though the center of Animal Haven is in SoHo (NYC) and Flushing, Queens, they run their sanctuary in upstate New York, near the Catskill mountains. Currently, there are 15 to 17 dogs at the sanctuary. Some are there for doggie manners review, others for physical therapy and rehabilitation and some are there to spend their final years in a place somewhat like a home environment, far from the city.

Of the many places I have read about and researched while doing this blog, Animal Haven Sanctuary has touched a special place in my heart. I’ll place the addy in my blog roll. There is a huge wish list for donations of items needed by this organization. The sanctuary isn’t far from my home. I hope to donate items and perhaps deliver them myself to this very special place.

Please enjoy more the doggie parade pics and remember: its all for the pups!!!!

For more information about “the Big Apple”, take a look at:
http://www.about-newyorkny.com/

My previous entry spoke about Rin Tin Tin, a beautiful German shepard who became an American legend. Probably more recognized and enduring in the hearts of so many is Lassie; the beautiful collie, who for most everyone, symbolizes a dog of love, courage, strength and devotion.

Lassie is a fictional character created by Eric Knight, who wrote the short-story “Lassie-Come Home” in 1938. A book was written from the short story that was published in 1940. The story was an instant best-seller and MGM made the movie of this classic tale in 1941 with a collie originally named “Pal”. Pal was given up by his original owners and acquired by Rudd Weatherway, a Hollywood dog trainer. Pal, with the help of the young movie stars, Roddy McDowell and Elizabeth Taylor made this film a hit and it was one of the ten best films of 1943. Many successful Lassie films followed.

In 1954, Lassie made her television debut and remained on the air for 17 seasons and won Emmy’s for “Best Children’s TV Show” This is truly where Lassie gained her most popularity and explains why Lassie and the show crossed the lines of many generations.

As mentioned, the very first Lassie was a dog named Pal. And currently the 9th generation of direct decendents of Pal have gone on to carry forward Lassie’s legacy. Even though the fictional character of Lassie is a female, all of the dogs who have played her have been male. The reason male dogs have been used is that females tend to lose a lot of their coats at various times and males tend to be bigger which allows a young child to play opposite this “Lassie” for a longer period of time.

I am currently verifying all Lassie information, regarding his training and decendants. For some great Lassie information, I recommend you take a look at www.weatherwaxtraineddogs.com. There is an entire section on Lassie!!!

Check out the star below that shows Jon Provost and the other stars of The Lassie Show that were favorites of mine. See more about Jon Provost on his official site: http://www.jonprovost.com…its on the blogroll.

To learn about how to check on your own decendants, take a look at:

http://www.genealogypointers.com/

Last Friday, I gave some good movie tips. Of course they were movies where dogs were the main characters. Dogs make great movie heros and the history of dogs in the movies begins with one of my favorites.

As seen above, is the famous German shepard known as Rin Tin Tin. Rin Tin Tin was a small 5 day old puppy when the kennel he was in with his siblings and mother was bombed in Lorraine, France during World War I. They were the only survivors. A U.S. Corporal, Lee Duncan, found the family of shepards and kept a male and female pup for himself. After the war, the return trip to the U.S. was too tough on the female pup. She acquired distemper and shortly after their arrival on U.S. shores, she died. A woman name Mrs. Wanner, who was a top breeder of German shepards in the U.S. offered to replace the female pup with one of her best female puppies. Rin Tin Tin, the male pup, as he was named was an amazing dog and his athletic abilities surpassed any that Duncan had ever seen. He knew the dog had special abilities and wanted Rin Tin Tin to star in his own movies. But a trip to Hollywood seemed useless as Duncan and his idea of a dog as a movie star was rejected time and time again.

However, one day Duncan spotted a movie in the making, where they were using a wolf. It wasn’t working out and Duncan offered the services of Rin Tin Tin. This studio making this film was one of the poorest in Hollywood and on the verge of bankruptcy. The movie with Rin Tin Tin became an instant hit and in 1922 this German shepard became the star of the studio that was then known as Warner Brothers; and as they say, “the rest is history”. The original Rin Tin Tin went on to star in films for the next ten years and in 1932 after his death, his direct decendents took over the role of their father in films and appearances. From 1954 to 1959, the grandsons and great grandsons of Rin Tin Tin continued his legacy through the filming of the television series, “The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin”. Through television, more and more people were able to develop a love for this dog who became a cultural icon and a classic American hero.

The other beloved dog that many of us grew up with in the movies and on television was Lassie. Few of us can look at a collie and not remember the heartfelt warmth that we had for this wonderful dog. For more history and information on Lassie, please (as they say in television) stay tuned!!!

For some great animal info, check out http://www.homezookeeper.com/

We all have heard about Leona Helmsley(owner of the Empire State building) who passed away in late August, left a trust fund of $12,000,000 (yup, that’s 12 million dollars) to her dog, “Trouble” for the dog’s care.

According to an article by Liz Moyer of Forbes.com, this behavior is not rare among the rich. For many of the super rich, the only true love that they experience is the love they get from their animals. Remember, dogs don’t understand dollars and cents. Many people who are extremely wealthy are estranged from their family, friends and business associates, not knowing if those close to them are sincere or just there for the bucks. But dogs are different. They are loyal loving companions and according to those who have the money, those dogs are worth every penny that is spent on them.

Russ Alan Prince of Prince and Associates keeps tabs on the habits of the rich and he says that on average the very wealthy spend an average of $304,000 annually on their dogs. He calls these pet owners “pet-focused” and says that the very rich spend money on their pets for “life enrichment” services, such as deep muscle massages and psychic readings….when was the last time you had either one of those?!

It may be hard to believe, but pet-focused dog owners spend about $25,000 a year on just the pet’s wardrobe alone. I don’t think I’ve spent $25,000 on my wardrobe in my entire life, but that’s another story.

Pet trusts are becoming more and more popular as dogs are becoming more and more of part of families, not just the family dog. There are now laws governing these trusts in over 39 states and there have been more than just a few custody battles over the family dog when there is a separation or divorce.

The irony of all of this money talk when it comes to the dog, is that these wonderful pups have no concept of money; they could live without the private jets, muscle massage or fancy wardrobe. All they want is a family they can love, greet at the door, and lay next to on the bed. Whether the bed is covered in Egyptian cotton sheets and cashmere is of no concern to them, as long as there is a warm buddy with whom they can share that bed.

For tips on world travelling with your pup, check this entry out:
http://www.worldtravelerjournal.com/tips-for-traveling-with-your-dog/

Above is a picture of Ellen Degeneres in a way that we rarely see her. She is sobbing and pleading with the directors of a local rescue organizaiton to place her dog in the loving family that she had found for the dog. Let me explain. Ellen adopted Iggy (see below). She had Iggy neutered, trained and worked specifically to socialize the dog into her household with her cats. Unfortunately, Iggy was not the fit in Ellen’s home that she had hoped the dog would be. That happens. But Ellen felt responsible for Iggy. When she learned that her hairdresser, whom she sees everyday, was looking for a puppy, she knew it could be the perfect fit. The hairdresser has two girls, ages 11 and 12. The dog was with this family for 2 weeks and it seemed to be the perfect placement. The bonding between the family members and Iggy was strong.

However, Ellen didn’t realize that when she adopted Iggy, she had signed an agreement that said if she couldn’t keep the dog, it would be returned to the rescue organization. The personnel of the rescue organization went to the home of the hairdresser and removed the dog immediately. The family is devastated and so is Ellen. I beleive her sobbed filled plea was sincere and she truly has the best interests of Iggy and her hairdresser’s family in mind.

Why couldn’t the rescue organization, investigate and interview the family as potential owners without disrupting the dog and the adjustment he had made to his new home? It seems to me to be cruel to the dog to have so many changes in its young life.

All we can hope is that common sense kicks in on this one. Ellen Degeneres accepts full responsibility for this error. Mistakes happen. She did nothing deliberately or malicioulsly to harm this dog. She was trying to give the dog the home it deserved. Please support Ellen by going to her official website and posting to her blog. Just click on the sentence above to get there!!!!

Check out www.tvbloggin.com for other info regarding your favorite shows…who knows…maybe there will be something on Ellen.

As with anything else, there are myths about our pets. No one knows how these myths get started. However, it can be dangerous for our dogs and our family members to react to situations based on myth rather than fact. So I thought I’d mention some of the myths out there and either confirm them or dispel them in the best interest of the pooches we love.

1. Myth - All dogs have bad breath.
Fact - Untrue!!! Bad breath or halatosis can be an indication that there are some underlying health issues with your pooch. Refer to a previous entry from this blog: http://www.myfriendlypets.com/doggie-breathoh-the-scent-stench/

2. Myth - Bones are good for dogs
Fact - Bones, depending on what type and the size can be very dangerous for dogs. Chicken bones easily splinter and could rupture and tear parts of the dog’s digestive track. It is much better to give the dog a safe treat or a “greenie” which will satisfy the dog’s desire to chew and also be good for their teeth and breath.

Check out all of their products
My dog loved chewing on these. He had a sensitive stomach, but the greenies never bothered him a bit.

3. Myth - Animals heal themselves by licking their wounds.
Fact - Animals can not only harm themselves by doing this as they could bring bacteria into the wound, but they can often lick the wound, so that it even becomes more serious, by opening it up more and causing further damage. Very often today vets recommend and utilize the cones seen below, so dogs cannot get at their injuries.

They do look funny, and it does take a bit of getting used to for the dog. They don’t like wearing it and more than likely they will be more sedate with it on, because it throws off their movements and their sense of physical space, but it could save a great deal of time in terms of the healing process and protect the dogs wounds from being further aggravated.

4. Myth - Dogs that scoot across the floor have worms
Fact - A dog that has tapeworms might scoot across the floor, but it is more likely that the dog is suffering from inflamed anal sacs. The ducts in the sacs get built up with material that cause itching and burning and that’s why you will see a dog scoot across the floor, in the hopes of relieving the discomfort. Speak to the vet if this is a consistent problem as the dog may have to have the sacs expressed.

And on that pleasant note, I hope we have dispelled some of the doggie myths that you believed to be true.

For any one who has had both of these pets in their home at one time, you know it can either be a battlefield or total harmony. A lot depends on the personalities of the each of the animals and how and when they were introduced into the home. In my home, both of our dogs lived harmoniously with our cats, but their relationships varied depending on whom was in the home first.

The feud between dogs and cats is famous and even a movie starring Jeff Goldblum with the title, “Cats and Dogs”, released in 2001 clearly illustrated the animosity that has gone on between these two species forever.

When my husband and I were first married, we adopted a german shepard mix named Ziggy. Shortly after that, we were given a stray tabby kitten and she was named Goldie by the people who found her. We weren’t nuts about the name and she became Kit. Because both Ziggy and Kit came to us when they were young, they grew up together and they rarely clashed. In fact, when they were both young and spry, they would play together and even share the same napping space.

About 11 years later, we brought a new kitten into the home. Her name was Shadow. We thought Kit would welcome Shadow into the house and they would grow to love one another. Well, Kit never tolerated Shadow very well and they were less than friends. Ziggy wasn’t too fond of Shadow either. He would chase her, but it seemed much more predatory than fun.

When Ziggy passed away a year or so later, the grief Kit felt was evident. She lost weight (about 1 1/2 pounds, but she was only 8 pounds to start) and truly just moped around the house for the longest time. She seemed very sad and when I took her to the vet, he agreed that Kit was grieving and suffering from the loss of her best buddy.

Shortly after Ziggy’s passing, we adopted Geo, who was 8 weeks old when we got him. Kit had little use for a puppy by this time. She had no energy for him and was not interested in his antics. By this time, she was 10 years old and her need for constant play had long ago diminished. Shadow was intimidated by this new addition to our home and she had learned to stay out of the way of the other big canine, and she did so with Geo as well.

As Geo got older, he respected both cats and even though he would try to play with them, he understood their lack of enthusiam and never went after either one in an angry or predatory manner. I never worried that he would hurt either cat.

Kit died over two years ago. We were fortunate to have her for over 18 years. Geo passed away 3 months after we lost Kit and it was a very sad time in our home. We had basically always had three animals in our home; cats and dogs. It seemed especially strange to have only Shadow with us.

But an amazing thing happened. Shadow, who grew into her name, was never in the center of things, and always seem to be hidden where we could never find her. But now, after both Geo and Kit were gone, Shadow emerged with a new personality. She became queen of the house and became the social cat that we had never witnessed before. She would now lay on the bed with us, run to the door when she heard us come home and nudge us and purr to let us know her true feelings.

While I think she missed both Geo and Kit, I think she loved having us all to herself. I’m glad we have had the time to enjoy her and realize what a truly special cat she is. However, I look forward to the time when we can share her or another cat with a new puppy. I know that if we can bring them all together at the right time, they will all make each other very happy.

For a lady who really knows and tells all about the cat world, check out my fellow blogger at:
http://www.weheartcats.com/