My Friendly Pets

Its a great time of year to curl up with a good book!! In fact, I am today, in the northeast, still watching the snow fall as I write this. I think there is about 8 inches out there now and it is still coming. Also, if you haven’t gotten that dog lover in your life a special gift, one of the following books might be a great gift idea!!!

Anna Quindlen is a Pulitzer prize-winning author who truly writes from her heart. This book is about her black Labrador retriever, Beau. She uses her gifts of wisdom and humor to look at her life in relation to Beau’s and revels in the lessons that she has learned from her dog. Anna Quindlen says many of the things about Beau in her life that we all feel about the pets that we cherish, yet we find it difficult to come up with the words.
“Good Dog, Stay” is a tribute to the dog who was so much a part of this author’s life. The reviews on this book are great and for those that have the need to shed some tears whether in memory of your own dog or your empathy for Anna, keep some tissues close by as you get to the end of this wonderful literary piece.

Mark Levin, a lawyer, writes about the relationship between the two dogs in his life and the relationships they have with each other and his family in this touching book titled, “Rescuing Sprite, A Dog Lover’s Story of Joy and Anguish”. Sprite and Pepsi, Levin’s two dogs have a loving bonding relationship with each other and that enriches each and every experience in their family. Through the family’s growth and changes, the dogs are there until Sprite’s health begins to fail. As the family prepares for the inevitable, new hope is realized. I won’t go into detail, just read the book and enjoy. Again, this is one where you will need that box of tissues close by.

So grab a book, a blanket, those tissues, a hot toddy and enjoy. ‘Tis the season!!!

For more great reads and information on books check http://www.thebookstacks.com/

The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes 169 various breeds of dog, however there are double that in the world. Recently the American Kennel Club added three new breeds that they are now recognizing. The Tibetan Mastiff looks similar in stature to the breed of Mastiff that was discussed in a prior entry. However this mastiff has gained popularity in this country and the AKC will not consider registering a breed unless there is an organized American breed club in place. The Tibetan mastiff ranges between 24 an 29 inches tall and can weigh between 80 and 140 lbs. They were originally bred to protect monestaries, nomads and homes in Tibet. The president of the American Tibetan Mastiff Association, Martha Feltenstein says these dogs are extremely loyal and protective. However, because they have been bred to protect, they require a lot of socialization training.

Another new breed recognized recently recognized by the AKC is the Beauceron. This dog is fairly large in height and weight. They can stand almost 28 inches tall and range between 70 and 110 lbs. They were originally used as herding dogs in France beginning in the 1500’s. However, since the country has gotten more industrialized, the breed has decreased in popularity. However, recent breeders are trying to make the dog more versatile by encouraging the use of this dog in fields such as law enforcement and military guard dogs. According to the past president of the American Beauceron Club, this dog has a strong personality and when forming a bond with an owner, the dog sees themself as more of a partner than one to just follow the master. It is advised that someone who is going to own this dog be experienced with the breed. You can check it out at
www.beauce.org
And a final breed that has been recognized by the AKC is the Swedish Vallhund. This is a smaller dog, as seen above, topping out at about 13 inches and only weighing between 25 and 30 pounds. They were bred to herd cattle in Sweden over 1000 years ago. They are dogs that are family friendly. If they are to be with other animals, they need to be well socialize. They are vocal dogs and if they don’t play with you, it is said that they will make up their own games and not let you forget it, according to Rose Martino of Maryland, who is the past president of the Sweedish Vallhund Club.

You can check out all of the registered breeds of the American Kennel Club at www.akc.org

Well, in case you haven’t heard enought about Michael Vick, I’ll bring you up to date on the latest. Yesterday, December 10, 2007, Michael Vick was sentenced to 23 months in federal prison after accepting a plea on federal dogfighting charges. the sentencing hearing took 90 minutes in federal court in Richmond, Virginia. The judge, Henry E. Johnson, a known dog lover, did not give Vick any slack. When Vick apologized for his actions and stated that he took full responsibility for his actions and would accept the consequences, the judge retorted by saying that Vick should apologize to the millions of young people who looked up to him and the judge also felt that Vick’s actions were not a result of a “momentary lack of judgment”, but rather, deliberate and planned actions that resulted in the abuse, neglect and death of those dogs.

Above is Bad Newz Kennels, where the the dog fighting operation took place in addition to Vick’s home is currently being auctioned. The assessed value stands at $750,000. In addition to this, Vick’s Atlanta home is on the market for $4.5 million dollars. Vick has agreed to pay $928,000 for the care of the 54 pitbulls that were found on his property. Also, according to court documents, Vick is in default on a loan for $1.3 million dollars for the purchase of a liquor store and still other banks and financial institutions have filed suit against Michael Vick for the repayment of $4.5 million in loans and lines of credit. Also, the Falcon’s are trying to recoup some of the $130 million of the 10 year contract salary and bonuses that Vick received.

Perhaps there are some who feel sorry for Vick. I’m not one of those people. I beleive people some how, some way, get what they deserve. There is no amount of money that can be placed on the suffering that those dogs endured at the hands of Vick and his co-conspirators. The dogs were not just killed, they were tortured and executed.

A poll taken last evening revealed that 56% of the people do not feel that Michael Vick received enough time as a result of his federal prison sentence. Maybe justice will be served at a later date when Vick goes to trial on Virginia state dog fighting charges. Currently Vick and his attorney are fighting these charges saying that he cannot be charged with the same crime twice. Time will tell, but in the mean time, there are a few dogs that are a bit luckier that Vick is currently behind bars.

To read some good things happening in Virginia, read fellow blogger, Michelle Schaefer talk about Virginia Beach.

I know you’re making those last minute holiday travel plans. If you can’t take your dog with you, you are feeling a touch of guilt. I have a great way to ease the guilt and pamper your pooch at the same time. Thanks to Discovery Travel, who has put together a list of the best places where your dog can enjoy all the comforts of home and more….lots more. Do you give your dog oatmeal baths and deep muscle massages? They can get them at some of these wonderful pet spas. From New York to California, there are some wonderful spots for your dog to get the rest and relaxation they deserve.

Let’s look at a couple of places. Of course, ball playing in the pool, like above is a common occurrence. The Holiday Barn Pet Resort in Glen Alan, Virginia truly treat your dog like a king/queen. Here the guests (pups) have temperature controlled rooms that are spacious and private. They come with a patio, lambs wool blankets and pads. Each is cleaned daily. There is a swimming pool stocked with tennis balls, and a fulltime lifeguard on duty. After a vigorous swim, your dog can enjoy a cocoa butter shampoo finished with a blow dry and brush. All of this can be our dog’s vacation from home for between $17 and $37 per night. Check it out at www.holidaybarn.com

If you are thinking of big city life, how about the New York Dog Spa and Hotel in New York City. This is a full service hotel that touts “doggie decadence”. Your dog may be treated to a deep tissue massage or a hot oil treatment and pedicure. Whatever the needs of your pooch, they will be met in style. Rates for this ultra chic dog spa range between $42 and $56 per night. Check them out at www.nydogspa.com

So don’t feel bad when you leave your dog. He/She will love the accomodations and be “begging” to go back.

Check out fellow blogger Andrea Crome as she takes us all around the world with her travels.

O.K., for anyone who just read the title of the entry and got a sense of panic…..good, then I’m not alone. It seems there is always so much to do before the holidays…making sure all the preparations are ready and everyone gets the “perfect gift”!!! If you are looking for something for your pet or the pet of dear friends or family, I have some great ideas for you and what’s most important is that they are eco-friendly too.

The information comes from an eco-friendly website that promotes green-living in a nonpreachy, non threatening way. A co-worker of mine subscribes to the site and sends dog and animal tips my way when she notices them. I have gone on and looked at the website a few times and am impressed with their professionalism and the neatness and simplicity of their website, but oh I digress. We were going to talk about eco-friendly gifts for a dog in your life.

First there is the Whiner and Diner website, that sells some awesome luxury dog bets and feeding stations.

This is an eco-friendly bed for smaller dogs. It comes with a nice soft pillow covered with 4 different types of faux fur. The interior of the pillow is made from non-allergenic material. The box can be personalized on your with your dog’s name for free. They can be a bit pricey, but we know they are definitely worth it now, aren’t they. Check out the food and water dishes also.!!! They look very nicely built.

But if you are would like to spend a lot less and still be able to spark the life of a dog while doing so in greenest way possible, there are some really great dog toys on another site. Its called West Paw Design and click here to get on their site. Check out the toy below

This toy is made from a product called IntelliTex, which is made of 85% recycled plastic bottles. The stuffing is non-toxic recycled fiber-fil. It is advertised as an extremely tough toy that will hold up to the toughest chewers, players and tuggers. There is a large variety to choose from with or without a holiday theme and prices are between, $12.00 and $15.00. This is an extremely reasonably priced gift.

Hopefully, this helped with a bit of panic and if you still need nips for shopping online at this time of year, check out fellow blogger, Bridget Wright as she talks about the trials and tribulations of online shopping, especially this time of year!!

Well, if you recall from an entry about 2 weeks back, that you can click on from here,, I spoke about the dangers of both seasonal inside and outside hazards for our dogs. One of the things I mentioned was how truly important it is to keep your dog on a short leash when you are around ponds, lakes or other bodies of water. Dogs are normally inquisitive and when a woman was taking her dog for a walk in DeWitt, New York, the dog had to find out the hard way that the ice under his feet was weak. Soon he was in extremely cold water desparately awaiting assistance. His owner, who said that the dog, who usually stays close to her, was not on a leash and saw some other dogs. The dog took off on the shortest root possible and that was over the ice. And here was the result: click here

According to the rescue crew, the dog was in the water for about 20 minutes. This is an extremely long time when the water is as frigid as it was, even if the dog was fur covered. The dog, Daisy, looked no worse for wear and Olga, the owner seemed very relieved to have her dog back safe and sound.

It is important to remember that just because we don’t necessarily dress our dogs, keeping them warm and dry in the winter is as important for them as it is for us. If your dog is short haired and doesn’t have the coat to keep them warm and dry, make sure that you get him/her some type of jacket or sweater to wear when you take them out for a walk or run. It is important for the dogs to maintain some activity level in the winter as well. We all tend to hibernate when the weather gets cold, but as long as its not stormy and dangerous, a brisk walk with your dog is healthy for both you and the dog.

Keeping your dogs paws free from snow and ice balls as well is important. So wiping your dogs feet with a warm cloth when you return from your walk, if their feet weren’t protected will help keep the pads on their paws safe. They can become brittle, irritated, crack and bleed if they get too cold and damaged. Its also extremely painful for the dog, similar to frostbite in human.

So enjoy the winter…allow your dog to enjoy the winter, but be safe!!!

Just because we are in “winter mode” which usually means we are inside more, it does not mean your dog will be free of fleas, ticks or worms that can carry disease. Maybe this isn’t the most pleasant topic, but it is necessary. Fleas are the most common and can cause itching, skin irritation and welts. Unfortunately, they can also lay eggs and multiply, so it is essential to eliminate or minimize any type of flea infestation. That can be difficult because there are over 200 different varieties of fleas in the United States alone and a female flea can lay up to 50 eggs a day. There are various methods of ridding your dog from fleas including flea collars, topical treatments, oral medications, flea baths and tips. The best thing to do is to contact your vet to get advice regarding flea elimination or prevention for your specific dog.

Ticks are more dangerous to dogs because they can carry canine and human diseases. A tick will attach itself to your dog’s skin and engorge itself with your dog’s blood and leave behind some of its own poison. One of the most debilitating diseases that dogs are subject to because of tick bites is Lyme disease. This can virtually cripple a dog, but it is preventable. There is a vaccine that can be given to dogs today to prevent or minimize the effects of Lyme disease. If you find a tick on your dog, rub the area with alcohol and then remove the tick with tweezers. If your dog has not been vaccinated, watch for potential symptoms of Lyme and then call the vet right away.

Worms…ugh….worms!!!! Worms and other parasites often infect puppies. However, older dogs can get worms also. The best way to detect for worms is to examine the fecal matter of your dog. Many times the worms will be visible to the naked eye. I know it sounds disgusting, and it is to look at as well. To have your dog treated, you would take the fecal matter to the vet to determine what type of worm or parasite it is, so that the dog can be treated with the correct medication.

For some other great pet information, check out fellow blogger Lynn Little and her Home Zookeeper blog.

I caught a glimpse of “The Ellen Degeneres Show” and of the few moments that I saw, they introduced a dog called a Spinone or Spinoni!! I don’t believe I had ever seen this breed of dog before and was interested in learning more about the breed. From what I read, it seems that this is truly a special breed of dog. It is now gaining more popularity in the United States, but has for most of its existence as a breed been located in Italy or other western European countries.

This breed is known for its strong muscular body and long face. In much of the research that I did, almost every description of this dog described their “human like” eyes. They are large dogs that can weigh between 61 and 85 lbs. and can be between 22 1/2 to 27 1/2 inches tall. They have long waterproof coats that keep them dry and warm and are supposedly as maticulous about their fur (coats) as cats. However, it is advised that these dogs be brushed at least once a week and clipped to minimize matting and knots.

Everything I read about this dog in terms of their temperament was positive. It appears that this a dog breed with a good nature and fun-loving disposition. They are very patient, enjoy children and the company of other dogs. It appears however, that due to their hunting nature they can be stubborn and methodical. They are excellent swimmers, again as part of their hunting heritage and value the relationships with their master and family (pack).

This dog is classified by the AKC as a sporting dog because they are primarily hunting dogs. While they might not be judged as the “best” hunting dog, because of their lack of pizzazz in terms of pointing or gathering of catch, they are still a dedicated hunter and will use their skills proficiently to hunt as expected.

This is a sensitive dog and will be timid if not socialized correctly. It is encouraged that this type of puppy be picked up by prospective owners and not “shipped” to a location, as fear and trauma for this breed is difficult to overcome. If a watch dog is what you are looking for in terms of security, the Italian Spinoni or Spinoni Italiano, is not the breed for you. They will rarely attack a stranger unless the health and well being of family members is at stake. All in all, I’m sorry to say that I have missed this breed and am glad to see that it is gaining popularity in this country. Its nice to know that we can introduce a dog that has a nice pleasant personality and accept him/her for what they are rather than what we want them to be.

If Italy and other far away places are of interest to you, check out a fellow blogger and world traveler!!

Since we are in the season of gift giving, one gift that I would strongly discourage until after the holidays is the gift of a puppy or a dog!!! The holiday season is a magical time and because of that, magical and miraculous things are supposed to happen. What would be more magical to a child on Christmas morning than finding a small pup under the tree with a red ribbon tied around its neck? Advertisers play upon these images to have you believe that this dog is no more than a toy that your child and other children will thoroughly enjoy playing with and when done playing, it can be put in the corner until they are ready to play again. WRONG!!! Dogs are living breathing creatures that need constant care and attention.

Here are some good reasons for keeping the gift of a puppy a passing thought. Christmas morning can be extremely frightening and stressful for a little pup. Puppies go through develpmental stages like children and they are usually in the fear/avoidance stage right around the time they would be adopted ( 7-12 weeks). Bringing them into an environment with noise, lights and chaos could be very traumatic for the pup and prevent some very important bonding time.

A good responsible breeder will not send a puppy home around Christmas time. Shelters are reluctant to do so either, because they know there is a good chance that puppy will be returned to the shelter. At this time of year, there is so much activity, schedules are not regular and there are possibly long periods of time when the new pup will be left at home alone. Again, this is cruel to do to the young pup who is looking for comfort and to become a part of the “pack”. Also, good habits such as house training and obedience training require time and patience. These are two commodities that are in short supply around holiday time.

So before you make that huge decision, think about it carefully and don’t just think of your family and your child; think of the puppy and how totally foreign your world will seem to him. Think of his fright, confusion and behavior. This alone should make you think twice about getting a dog as holiday gift.

For some good toy ideas though, try the toy blogging site of a fellow blogger. There are some truly cool things there.

This is the time of year where giving is especially special. Pet Smart Charities is a non-profit organization formed in 1994 to support the cause of saving the lives of homeless pets. To date, according to their website, PetSmart Charities, they have saved 3,177,388 lives of homeless, abandoned, abused or neglected pets.

This time of year we spend so much time trying to figure out the best gift for each and everyone of our loved ones. It would be so much more meaningful to have the gift better or save the lives of animals. For each pair of gloves, or wallet or crazy t-shirt that you buy as a gift, imaging that money being used for one of the Pet Smart Charities.

PetSmart sponsors memorial gifts which allows you to donate in the memory of a special person in either your life or someone close someone who passed away.. A card is sent to the individual, detailing the gift and who it is in memory of. PetSmart has another vehicle for fund raising that is used specifically at this time of year. It is the PetSmart Charities Luv-a-Pet charity ornaments and wrapping paper that is available at PetSmart stores from November 5th to December 26th in U.S. and Canandian stores only.

One of the other charity efforts of PetSmart Charities is the Ron Burns painting collection that goes to support efforts to end dogfighting. Currently the paintings that Ron creates are those of pets owned by celebrities. Those pets “designate” a charity they would like to support and an amount of the proceeds from the sale of those paintings will go directly to that cause. For example, there are pictures of dogs owned by Elizabeth Taylor, Doc Severinsen and Joan Rivers. Some of these paintings go for $1500.00 That’s a lot of money that would be well spent on the care and shelter of many animals.

The charity is based out of Phoneix, Arizona and much can be viewed about this organization from their website, mentioned above.

For more shopping online information, check out fellow blogger at:
http://www.shoppingtipsonline.net/

I have spoken often about the many jobs dogs do in our society. There are therapy dogs, herding dogs, search and rescue dogs. Unfortunately, but fortunately, there are dogs trained to detect the scent of decomposing flesh, for the often necessary detection of human remains.

These dogs are known as cadaver dogs. They are an important component of a crime investigation that leads to a homicide. It is difficult to prosecute a case without a body, but sometimes the bodies of victims are disposed of carefully, so as not to be found easily. Cadaver dogs serves as a means of solving the crime and thereby giving the victim a voice and the family some justice. Cadaver dogs do not just work in crime investigations, they are also prominent in the detection of human remains when there is a natural or man-made disaster. Cadaver dogs were used in both the World Trade Center disaster as well as the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina down in Louisiana.

Search and rescue dogs are trained to locate people who are living while cadaver dogs are specifically trained to trace a scent of decomposition in the soil. It is the same type of detection that a dog would use to find a bone he had buried. A big difference between search and rescue dogs and cadaver dogs are that search and rescue dogs are considered trailing dogs versus a cadaver dog which is an air scented dog. Trailing dogs follow a scent that has fallen onto the ground, while an air scenting dog is trained to pick up a scent out of the breeze and follow its source.

It truly is amazing that dogs can be trained to be such heros, because even a cadaver dog is a hero. They may lead law enforcement of rescue teams to remains of an individual that needs a proper burial. This serves the family in many ways; to provide closure as well as working through the grieving process. The training methods for cadaver dogs are extensive and complex. Chemicals and actual remains are used in the trainings. I think that’s about all that needs to be said, except that these dogs deserve our special thanks because they help those left to finally deal with their loss.

Check out my entry on the use of specially trained dogs for border patrol.