My Friendly Pets

Rachael Ray is one of those people either really like or really don’t like. I myself, think she is pretty good. I love watching her 30 minute meals (mine never turn out as good as hers) and I wish I could visit some of the cities she does for $40 a day!!!

But today I was especially impressed. On her daily talk show, Rachael brought on a guest, Donna Reynolds, who is the co-founder of BadRap (Bay Area Doglovers Responsible about Pit-Bulls). Donna’s organization was one that got involved early on with the Michael Vick dogfighting tragedy. Read more about it here.

The BadRap organization became involved early on with the plight of these dogs and in December of 2007, BadRap was given permanent custody of 10 of the dogs siezed from BadNewz Kennels. Donna and her colleagues were there from the beginning to assist with the evaluation of the dogs as well as to try and coordinate training and placement for these animals that had been through so much. Many of the dogs were going to be euthanized, but through much legal work and devotion to this cause, so many of the dogs were saved.

The dogs have gone through intensive behavioral, obedience, and socialization training and according to Donna, these dogs are ready for loving homes. Donna spoke with Rachael at length and explained the efforts that have gone into rescuing so many of these dogs and how, for the first time, the dogs were evaluated and treated as victims of terrible crimes. Usually in the case of dogfighting, the dogs are kept only as evidence until the case against the accused is complete and then the dogs are destroyed. Thanks to a very experience animal rights attorney and true angels that would serve as guardians, many of these dogs were spared.

Both Donna and Racheal (a pit-bull lover, as she has one of her own) want people to get involved with this cause and understand the suffering and cruelty that these animals experienced. But they also want people to understand that these dogs need a second chance. They haven’t been scarred for life. They can love and be loved and need the home and families who will love and adore them for the wonderful pets that they can be. Thank you Donna Reynolds and thank you Rachael Ray for showcasing this cause and reminding people about Michael Vick and the atrocities that he committed.

Above is my pit, who we too love and miss as he left us way too soon!! Check out the article on Rachael’s show by clicking here.

What an exciting time? Your dog is pregnant!!! Whether your dog was intentionally bred(you should already know a lot of this information) or an accident that happened it is necessary for you to know what is happening to your dog and how to make this the best experience possible for your pet.

The normal gestation period for dogs is about 63 days, but the dogs can usually deliver the puppies anywhere between 58 and 68 days. Unfortunately, there are no urine stick tests or blood tests to detect if a dog is pregnant. The earliest diagnosis can usually be made by a veterinarian 26 to 35 days after breeding when the doctor can feel the pregnancy (puppies) in the dog’s abdomen. X-rays can also detect the pregnancy with various levels of accuracy depending on when in the gestation period the x-rays are taken.

So what will your dog look like when she is pregnant. Well, for the first five weeks or so, you might not even notice a difference in her appearance. After the 5th week, if the dog is pregnant with a large litter, you may notice a weight gain. The mammary glands may begin to grow around the 35th day, but will definitely be prominent after the 45th day, as the Mom is getting ready to be the main source of nourishment for her pups.

Pregnancy can be a trying time emotionally for humans and the same is true for dogs. You might notice that your pregnant pup seems a bit more restless; she may seek seclusion and withing the last couple of weeks prepare her “nest” by shredding papers, blankets or bedding. Some dogs become quite irritable the last couple of weeks of their pregnancy and it is best that they are not around children which can be disruptive and even more annoying to the dog at this delicate time.

It is very important that your dog eat well during her pregnancy. It is recommended that during the first 4 weeks of the dog’s pregnancy, their nutrition needs will be fairly close to what they were prior to the pregnancy. However giving the dog small amounts of high protien supplements, such as lean meat, eggs, or liver (no pork) can be very beneficial for the dog. There should always be fresh water available as the fluid needs of your dog will increase. And the recommendation for feeding after the birth of the puppies is puppy food for the Mom until after the pups are weaned. Puppy food is high in protien and the Mom needs that to keep her strong and lactating.

We’ll talk more about the birth of the pups in tomorrow’s entry.

For those of you like me, who miss some of the American Idol episodes, catch up with fellow blogger, Reed Dunn and his blog about the hit show.

In this blog, I have identified therapy dogs, police dogs, military dogs, seeing eye dogs and portrayed them as heroes, which they truly are. However, there are other dogs that are heroes as well. They are our everyday, run of the mill, neighborhood family pet. But they can be truly astounding with their acts of courage and bravery!! Here are a few that will tear at your heart strings just as they did mine!!!

I don’t know how many of you remember the Tsunami that hit in December of 2004. It was catastrophic. In fact a mother in India, thought she had lost her son forever when the huge waves of the ocean hit their home and he was taken away. However, the 7 year old boy was saved by his small yellow dog. When the dog saw the boy disappear into the waves, the dog ran into the water, grabbed the boy by the collar of his shirt and dragged him to safety. The dog had been their pet for many years and no one thought the dog was capable of such a feat!!!

In early December of last year, in a town in England, it was quite chilly. A 16 year old boy lay in an alley after neighborhood thugs beat him until he was unconscious. His dog, Tyson, found him and lay next to him for 5 hours refusing to move. The boy’s father began to look for the young man and when the dog heard the father’s familiar voice, he ran from the boy to lead the father back to the injured youth. Tyson, was abandoned as a puppy, so he knows what is like to be alone, so we hope that is why he never left the boy’s side. The doctors who treated the young man said he probably wouldn’t have survived if not for the dog’s warmth over the period of time before the boy was found.

In Jackson County, Missouri, on New Year’s Eve 2004, a 6 month old Mastiff named Ahbah aided his owner who’s home had become engulfed with smoke. The owner, Kathy White, was disoriented from the smoke when she awoke and was unsure of how to escape the smoldering house. Her dog, led her out of the home to safety and for that, she is eternally grateful. Similarly, in Cumberland, Maryland David DeWitt was awoken by his 110 pound Rotweiller as the dog jumped on the owner to make him aware of a fire that had started in the home. Mr. DeWitt said that if the dog did not wake him up, he would not have survived. These dogs are truly brave and courageous, putting the safety of their family before themselves. They are our family dogs - our pets and yes, they are our heroes.

Hey, today is Spay Day in the USA…read more about it from fellow blogger, Lynn Little!!!

Most of us grew up with the idea that a dog aged each year by about 7 years. Meaning that if the dog was 3 chronological years, he/she would be about 21 in dog years. However, that is not the accurate way to calculate a dog’s true age. According to veterinary sources, a dog ages as such: the first year is about equivilant to 15 of our years, the 2nd year the dog ages about 9 years, so he would be the equivilant of a 24 year old. From that point on, for each calendar year, the dog would age about 4 years, until the dog was over 14 years old, then their aging process would slow down to about 2 1/2 years for each one of our years. So a 15 year old dog, if it is aged correctly would be about 74.5 years old, rather than the 105 years we would get if using the 7 year rule. The true calculation is much more realistic and one can equate the dog’s theoretical age to what should be happening physically with the dog at that time.

For example, it is not rare to see a dog go grey around their muzzle once they start getting a bit older. This is a sign of a dog’sage, however, don’t automatically assume that the dog is old, because just like people, dogs can get prematurely grey.
However, one thing that physically does occur as dogs age is the cloudiness that dogs develop in their eyes. This is a hardening of the lens protien in the eye, but it is not the cataracts that we associate with old age in humans.

There is no exact lifespan for a dog. However, the rule of thumb seems to be that the larger the dog, the shorter the life span. Large dog breeds have an average life span of 7-12 years, while some of the very small dogs can live to 18-20 years. So much of a dog’s lifespan is also dependent on the dog’s quality of life at the home where they live as well as the preventative care they are given during their life.

Check out how the Japanese treat their elderly dogs in a previous entry.

Many people want to share their home with more than one dog. However if you the dogs are not brought home together initially, it can be (but doesn’t have to be) a challenge to introduce a new dog to the existing family dog.

When choosing the new dog, you do have to keep in mind the dog you already have at home. Try and stay away from breeds that tend to be aggressive or that are known to have difficulty with other dogs. Also, the size between the dogs should not be exceptionally great. Many vets recommend that the dogs in the home be of the same sex, and if the dog is an adult and isn’t going to be bred, then it should be fixed. This could also minimize any type of aggressive behavior. Many times it is just the personalities of the dogs that determine how well they will get along.

Remember, dogs are pack animals and they themselves will set their own pack order in the hierarchy, no matter how, we as humans, feel it should be. One of the dogs will become dominant whether we like it or not, because dogs do not live in a democratic world.

When the actual introduction is to take place, it is suggested that it happens in a neutral area and that there is one person for each dog. Both dogs should be on a leash and you should allow them plenty of time to size each other up. When you do have them on the leash, the collar and leash should be loose, because a tight reign often incites aggressive behavior. Again, let them take the lead in the introduction and don’t try to coax them into liking one another. It will take time and patience, but it should happen naturally.

Once you get the dogs home, make sure that they have separate feeding areas. Competition for food should never happen. You should also have separate bedding for both dogs. It is very common for dogs, once they have become acquatinted to share or interchange sleeping areas, but that shouldn’t be forced. They will do that on their own.

Probably one of the most important things to remember is that it is natural for the original dog to be a bit jealous of the newcomer. So don’t spend all your time with the new pup. Make sure you show your original dog the time and attention he/she deserves. It will make he/she much more willing to accept the new family member, if they don’t feel as if they are being replaced.

For those of you who are big Harry Potter fans. (I live with one!!! She is a true Muggle!), check out the beginning of a new blog and see what that blogger has in store for us!!!

I know we haven’t quite recovered from Super Bowl and Valentines Day and we have yet to make it to St. Patrick’s Day, but the year is moving on. Recently the American International Toy Show was held in the Javits Center in New York City revealed the toys that would be big for the Christmas 2008 season. You know when they are looking at toys for Christmas, they are also the planning the Christmas movie season.

One of the releases that will be out in November of 2008(just in time for the Christmas movie season and tons of merchandising) is a film called Bolt. This is a Disney animated feature movie about a German Shepard who is a television superstar hero. The television show is, of course, taped in Hollywood. Unfortunately, there is a shipping accident and Bolt ends up in New York City. He has to somehow make it back to California. But with this journey, comes the realization that he isn’t a superhero with super powers at all. However, there is much self-discovery for Bolt, who with his cross country journey realizes that he does possess many special abilities of which he wasn’t even aware. In his journey across the country, Bolt is accompanied by an abandoned housecat named Mittens and a TV obsessed hamster that lives in a plastic ball named Rhino.

The voices of the characters will add to the popularity of the film. Bolt will be played by the voice of John Travolta…my he has come a long way from Saturday Night Fever!!! Some other popular voices will be part of the film as well. They include Susie Essman, Thomas Haden Church, Woody Harrelson, Bernie Mac and Bruce Greenwood.

We have come to expect great things from Disney animated films. I would expect the buzz around this film to begin somewhere during the summer movie season and continue until the film’s release on November 26, 2008, Thanksgiving week, I beleive. I doubt that Disney will disappoint us. Hopefully, this as with the many other dog films (101 Dalmations, etc), will become a classic and one that we and the kids we love will enjoy for a long time to come.

Check out some old classic films with dog stars in this previous entry.

Only in New York would we expect to see a board game inventor design a game where dogs and their owners can settle down for a great afternoon of dice, timers, cards, tricks and of course, treats. The game is called “Funagle” and the word means fun for all species.

Denise Rothman recognizes that dogs are more and more part of people’s families. And one of the most popular ways to spend time as a family is to do so by playing board games. So it seemed natural for her to design and manufacture a game that promoted the relationships between people and their dogs.

“Funagle” works like this. Players have 1 minute, as measured by the timer, to funagle the dog to perform tricks and activities called out on tags(cards) that are placed on the game board. Funagle means that you use all types of communication methods including your voice, gestures and treats to get your dog to perform the particular task in that round. The tags are stored on bone shaped keyrings and the person/dog team with the most tags at the end of the game is the winner.

The items that come with the game include a game board, 50 activity tags, 4 bone shaped carabiners, one die, 1 - 1 minute sand timer and four doggie game tokens. There are some additional items needed as well. They are obviously at least one dog, dog treats and dog toys. This game can be played with 2 - 4 people and 1 - 4 dogs.

There is a similar game as well that is called, “Do You Mind?” This
game is similar to Funagle except that there are more cards, there fore more activities and there is actual scoring that takes place. Again the “team” with the highest score will win the game.

The invention of this game coupled with the involvement of our best pups is a clear societal indication of the place dogs hold in our lives and our hearts. They are not there just to work for us as they have been in the past, but rather to enjoy our lives with us as friends.

In New York this weekend, we’re supposed to getting some snow. It sounds like it could be a good “Funagle” weekend.

For those of you who are Survivor fans, check out Leesa’s blog

Yesterday I talked about boarding your pet. It is not an easy decision and it is always difficult to drop your dog off that first time. However, as I mentioned yesterday, there are things you can do to make the boarding experience, safe, fun and uneventful for your dog. Here are some more tips to help with the process.

Although your dog may love his bones and chews at home, you are usually able to watch him in a protected environment to insure he doesn’t choke (or you should be!) Because there are times when your dog will not be observed while he/she is being boarded, you should never send the dog with bones or chews. Also, if your dog decides to bury the bone or chew and it is dug up by another dog, that dog could choke on what should have been a special treat. Leave the treats home and you can share them with your dog as a celebration when you are all home together again.

If your dog requires grooming, such as a daily brushing,(as many long haired dogs do), you should send your dog’s brush to the kennel with the dog and be prepared to pay extra as grooming is not always included in the boarding fees.

As you would with a child, always leave contact information for yourself and someone you give authority to make decisions regarding your pet in case of emergency. Your contact information should include where you are staying, the number there and your cell phone number as well as the contact numbers of those additional persons the kennel can contact. Don’t make a practice of calling the kennel everyday. If everyone did that, the kennel staff would not have the time for the quality care you want your dog to have.

You will miss your dog and your dog will miss you, that is a given. However, if you send your dog with something that contains the scent from home as well as your scent, it will provide your dog with some comfort. Don’t send a piece of clothing of value or expensive bedding as it is not the kennel’s responsibility to maintain all of the items that the dog comes with. Sometimes out of boredom, frustration or anxiety, the dog will chew on their bedding or the clothing. This may happen, even if your dog doesn’t do this at home…so beware and be prepared.

If you missed the last entry with the beginning tips, click here!

For many people who have a dog, leaving the dog when you have to travel is extremely difficult. If someone can’t house and dog sit at your home and you can’t take your dog to a freind or relative while you are away, one of the best alternatives is to baord your dog at a REPUTABLE kennel!!! You want to have peace of mind and your dog needs the best care possible while you are away, so it is important to make the kennel experience as positive as possible for everyone involved. There are things you can do to insure that it happens just that way.

You should never board your dog at a kennel that you haven’t looked at. You can usually call the kennel and ask for a tour or visit appointment, so that you can get a feel for the place. This will give you an opportunity to ask questions while on site. For example, you may want to see where the dog will actually be sleeping or where the dog runs are so that you know your dog will get some fresh air.

You must insure that your dog is up to date on all vaccinations. Many kennels will not let you board your dog without a vaccination certificate to prove that your dog has received all of their shots. Just as you dont want another dog’s germs to infect your dog, other people don’t want your dog to infect theirs. And as I said, most reputable kennels will prohibit your dog from staying there, if their vaccinations are not current.

Don’t board your dog if it is sick. Dog’s like children want to be in their home environment when they are not feeling well. However, if your dog is not ill, but for some reason takes regular medication, make sure that you bring it to the kennel clearly marked with your dog’s name as well as instructions regarding how and when to administer the medication. Most kennels provide food for the dogs, however, if your dog requires special food, make sure you bring enough and again, it needs to be properly labled so that the dog gets the correct amount and it goes to your dog only.

There are some other tips I will share with you tomorrow. As many of us become tired of the winter, we think of places with sunshine and warmth. When you plan for yourself, don’t forget to plan for your pooch as well.

A fellow blogger has left an extremely poignant entry that I feel compelled to share. It is a shame that in this day and age tragedies such as the one in this entry can happen. But only when we read, and understand will we be able to become part of the solution to a horrible problem that faces everyone - discrimination!

We, as people often wonder if our dogs feel emotions. Can they feel the same things that we identify as happiness, sadness, lonliness, fear or aggression? According to veterinarians, dogs express their emotions through their body language.

For example, if your dog is happy, his/her ears are up and forward. The eyes are usually wide open and the mouth is relaxed and slightly open with the teeth covered, thereby indicating no threat. A happy dog will come to sniff you and if it is a dog you don’t well, let it sniff your wrist. If you know the dog well and identify the dog by his/her name, you will note a wag of the tail, for this shows the dogs excitement as well as happiness. C’mon, most of us have a dog or know one that smiles for us.

When a dog is sad, it is usually identified as submissive and does not take a dominant stance. Their body language will show a dog with ears back, tail hanging low, maybe one paw raised and the mouth relaxed with the tip of the tounge hanging out. However, if any of you have ever seen a sad dog, it is usually seen in the soulfulness of their eyes. They may look up at you and their eyes look deep as pools and it appears that the weight of the world is on their shoulders. Sad dogs don’t cry in the same way that we identify with tears and sadness, but a dog’s whine is a clear indication of their sadness. Often when a dog is left alone it will whine as a pack mechanism to indicate a necessary rescue. However, many of our family dogs get into a whining habit, when they want attention, food, water, play, etc.

If a dog is playful and in a fun loving mood, it will not be difficult to see. This is the dog with their front end lowered, like they are going to leap forward. Their mouth is usually open and relaxed with the tounge out front or hanging slightly to the side. There is usually a playfulness in the eyes of the dog, easy to see and even easier to love.

I think that dogs feel many emotions. Fear, joy, happiness and especially love for those in the dog’s pack who love that dog, no matter what!!!

We have integrated dogs in so much of our lives. Go back and take a look at some of the quotes that make dogs more real to us, each and every day!!!

Sometimes we look at rules and regulations as a hindrance rather than a help. We perceive it to be more of a violation of our civil rights rather than something that helps to preserve those rights.

In areas where there is concentrated population and even in most rural areas, dog owners are required to have their dogs licensed. Years ago, no one licensed their dogs, but health and safety concerns often yield regulations that help to avert problems that have occurred in the past. So is the case with licensing regulations.

I can’t speak nationally, as I am not familiar with the licensing requirements in states around the country. However, I am familiar with the regulations regarding dog licensing in New York State, as that where I reside. New York is a state highly run by rules and regulations, so if you are not familiar with the dog licensing requirements of your town, municipality or state, check on it, as financial penalities can be stiff for violations.

Why are there licensing requirements? They are in place for the safety and well being of the dog as well as the rest of the public. When dogs are licensed, animal control personnel can evaluate pet populations in the area. It is also easier to maintain control over vaccinations as dog licensing requires proof of shots and also spaying or neutering certificates for identification puposes and population control. The more dogs that can get licensed, the better for control over diseases such as distemper and rabies.

In New York State, your dog has to be licensed if it is to be within New York state for more than 30 days. There are some exceptions and they can be viewed at the website, by checking here.

The fees for licensing your dog in New York State are not expensive and according to the web page sited above, the fees are put to very good use. 53% of the monies are retained by the local municipality to help with dog control. 30% is sent to the county to reimburse local livestock owners against damages caused by dogs and 17% is used for the admistrative costs of the state agency that runs the licensing program.

So if you haven’t had your dog licensed, get it done. It’s to the benefit of yourself, your dog and those who live around you to take care of this for your dog. He/she can’t do it for themselves. Be a good dog owner and a good citizen!!!

Hey, don’t do what you’re supposed to do and worry about it?? See what can happen from this fellow blogger, Brick Oneil!!

I don’t know how far back some of my readers go, but a couple of months ago I was featuring cartoons, usually on a Sunday. Well the cartoon in the entry you can see by clicking here, led us to the breed of dachshunds, but I never got to share the information about this curious and interesting breed.

Dachshunds are a fascinating breed. When I was younger, we had neighbors who had two dachshunds. Both were short haired, but one was golden brown and the other was black with some brown features. Both were adorable and friendly and I always wanted to learn more about the breed, so here we go.

The dachshund originates from the breed group of hound. The dogs usually weigh between 11 - 32 pounds and stand 5 - 9 inches high. Historically, because of the breed of this dog, it is clearly understood that this hound dog was bred to be a hunter. The dog was developed in Germany several hundred years ago and bred to hunt badger. The short legs and long body were bred into this dog so that they could go into the burrows of the badgers and retrieve their prey. In addition to badgers, they were also known to hunt foxes and otters.

The dachshunds are known to be clowns and often enjoy getting into mischief. They tend to be friendly dogs who are most often now housepets rather than hunters. However, dachshunds are usually not the best breed for young children. The dachshund has a jealous streak that can make them irritable if they don’t receive the attention for which they feel entitled. They do well with older children and should not be in a family with large dogs unless they have been raised with these dogs and the pack order is stable.

The dachshunds come in three varieties of coat that include, smooth haired, wired haired and long haired. Each variety requires a different type of care. Also there are standard sized dachshunds and minidachshunds and their colors can range from dark black to tan and anything in between.

This is a breed that requires a bit of patience when it comes to training, because the dachshund is known for its stubborn streak. However, if you speak to any dachshund owner, you will hear what joy this breed of dog has brought to their lives, including basic companionship as well as entertainment. The dachshund loves to please and with its unique shape and personality characteristics, it usually does just that and more!!!

Well, they say a story like the one I’m going to tell could only happen in Texas, but I’m sure it could happen elsewhere, but where do I begin? Grace Saenz-Lopez was the mayor of Alice, Texas. In July, Saenz-Lopez’s neighbors, Shelly Cavazos and Rudy Gutierrez, asked Saenz-Lopez to watch their Shih Tzu, Puddles, while they went away for a couple of days. However, when Cavazos and Gutierrez gave the dog to Saenz, the dog was flea infested and very sick from the chemicals used to kill the fleas. According to Grace, she had little choice but to care for the dog and nurse it back to health. She believes the dog was neglected and would surely die if given back to the neighbors. So when Cavazos and Gutierrez called a few days into their trip to inquire about the dog, Saenz-Lopez informed her neighbors that the dog had died.

Saenz-Lopez cared for the dog when the neighbors couldn’t afford the $700.00 blood transfusion. (but they could afford to go on vacation; figure that out). At first Grace, hid the dog at her twin sister’s, however, soon the dog was discovered when it was seen at a groomers. Cavazos and Gutierrez were told that their dog was alive and began to try and retrieve the dog. Upon discovery, when she knew she was to be indicted for the theft of the dog, Saenz-Lopez resigned from mayor of this Texas town. Each party has their own set of attorneys and for now, Puddles, a.k.a. Panchito resides with Saenz-Lopez. Her motivation was to heal and care for the dog that she felt was neglected and would be left to die. Did Saenz-Lopez save this adorable dog or be convicted of taking Puddles/Panchito from his rightful owners? Only time and the Texas court system will tell!!!!

I recently returned from a trip to Washington DC. I love checking out the pics and info of fellow blogger, Kjersti Wasiak..click here!

The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show was held in Madison Square Garden Wednesday night and to everyone’s surprise and pleasure, he became the first beagle to win the hound group at the Westminster Kennel Club Show since 1939. Even though beagles have been one of the top 10 breeds for over 100 years, a beagle has never won “best in show”. So it was a doubly joyous occasion.

Let’s talk about this little dog with a wonderful personality who stole the show. For this title, Uno beat out two poodles, a Sealyham terrier, a very nice looking Weimeraner, an Australian shepard and a fiesty akita. There were 169 breeds and over 2600 entries into this very show. Uno came to this show with 32 “best in show” ribbons already under his “belt”.

Eddie Dziuk is one of Uno’s four owners. He clained he was so nervous, he couldn’t even watch the judge announce the final decision. Uno has that “love me ” personality, tied with those soulful brown beagle eyes and became a favorite of the fans at the show. Everytime he was paraded around the ring the cheers would get louder and louder. He seemed to revel in the attention and continued to hold his head high and paws even higheras he pranced around.

Uno is only three years old. As he was picked “best in show”, he jumped into his handler’s arms barking away, which confirmed his other title, “noisiest in show”. Beleive it or not, Uno’s official name is Champion K-Run Park Me in First. And he has truly lived up to both names. According to Kathy Weichert, Uno’s breeder and one of his other owners, Uno is the type of dog every breader yearns for. She said they knew from the very beginning that Uno was going to be a very special dog. Weichert has been breeding beagles for 12 years, but never produces more than two litters per year.

As was said by many, it ws so nice to see an “average” dog win such a prestigous title. Maybe we can look forward to many more dogs winning who we not only love for their breed, but love also for just being an adorable dog.

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!!!! For a wonderful Valentine’s Day dessert, check out this great site, by clicking here.

Susan Netboy is a 67 year old California resident who loves dogs, especially greyhounds, and thank heavens she does. As a result of her diligence, the practice of slaughtering dogs from this incredible breed has come to a screeching halt. Netboy has exposed many greyhound killing operations, the latest in 2006. She has been able to provide information that leads to undercover surveillance investigations, which ultimately catches those in the act. That’s what occurred in 2006 when Netboy demanded that the state of Arizona act upon her information. A subsequent investigation found that over 140 dogs had vanished from between racing retirement and placement in adoptive homes. THE DOGS WERE BEING DISPOSED OF AFTER THEY WERE SLAUGHTERED!!

To say that Susan Netboy has a passion for saving dogs would be an understatement. In her younger days when she heard about a dog without a home, she would try to place the dog with a loving family. She was part of a group that set up a dog rescue organizaion in the San Francisco Bay area. She founded, what is now known, as the Greyhound Protection League where she advocates and tries to save as many greyhounds as possible. According to her figures, about 10,000 are killed each year with many more being mistreated or abused.

Greyhound racing is a $3 billion dollar industry in this country. There are 38 greyhound race tracks located in 13 states in this country. Breeders are always trying to breed greyhounds that will be the fastest and produce the greatest purses. For the dogs that don’t run the fastest or have passed their prime (usually at 3 years old), they run the highest risk of being destroyed.

Utilizing greyhound dogs for racing purposes subjects these dogs to horrible living conditions where often they are not kept clean, may be starved and insect ridden. These are dogs noted for their gentle temperament and while it is cruel to treat any animal so harshly, it seems exceptionally mean that these kind and soulful dogs reap the worst treatment imaginable.

Thankfully, there is someone like Susan Netboy who takes the lives of these animals so seriously and works everyday to insure their safety and wellbeing. For more information on the Greyhound Protection League, click here.

Bad behavior abounds..from mistreatment of our lovely greyhounds to drunk driving. Check out a possible solution - DUI license plates.