My Friendly Pets

Alaskan Huskies might be the heartiest dogs around!! These are the dogs that participate in the 1150 mile Iditarod race which goes from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska. It covers some of the most difficult terrain on earth in some of the most difficult weather conditions. Each team in the race has 12 -16 dogs and they race for anywhere from 10-17 days.

The dogs that are used in this race are Alaskan Huskies and they are considered superdogs because of their ability excell with this type of activity. A 10 year study out of Oklahoma State University of Iditorod dogs showed three unique aspects of these dogs that demonstrated their uncanny abilities.

First of all, these dogs rapidly adapt to exercise and instead of getting exhausted and depleted after a few days, their bodies adjust and their biochemical profile regains similarity to its pre-race standards. In humans, we show fatigue after continuous exercise and usually need a period of recovery.

Secondly, the volume of oxygen to body weight (the aerobic measurement) in sled dogs is very high. This provides the dogs with greater stamina and the energy to push on.

Finally, iditorod dogs are very efficient in using the food they eat to burn into energy. A sled dog can eat and burn the equivilant of 24 Big Macs in a day. That’s about 12,000 calories. This enormous ability to take the food and make it into such an efficient energy source is due to the physiology of the dogs, who experts believe possess very thin cell membranes in the muscle fibers, which allow the nutrients from the food to be absorbed more easily.

So are these huskies “SUPERDOGS”? I think they are, but if you have ever seen an Alaskan Husky you know that they are also one of the most beautiful dogs around.

It is with much trepidation that I bring this story to you. While this happened over 2 weeks ago near the area where I live, I found it so horrible, it was difficult for me to be able to write about it. But here it goes.

On September 15, a gentleman was depositing some clothes in a Salvation Army deposit box that was located in a local grocery store parking lot. When getting closer to the large metal box, the man heard noise coming from inside the box. What he discovered was almost too horrible to imagine. A severely dehydrated and malnourished mix breed dog was located in the box. It was obvious that someone had dumped the dog in there. What is worse, it that it had been unseasonably hot during the prior week with temperatures hovering in the 85-90 degree range. The dog was in that box without food or water and survived.

An immediate call was put through to local police agencies and our local ASPCA. Immediate medical attention was given to the dog that is now known as Sally (for her Salvation Army box rescue). The medical team caring for the dog says the dog was in the box for about a week and even though she was about two years old, she only weighed 16 pounds, about 20 pounds shy of what she should have weighed. Her initial blood work looks good according to the veterinary professionals who are caring for Sally and it is believed she can make a full recovery.

There are already many families who are interested in adopting Sally as she has captured the hearts of many in this upstate New York area. Currently, she is residing with a foster family who are caring for her. When she was rescued, even in the condition she was in, her eyes sparkled and tail wagged as she saw those who were there to save her.

Finally, the best end to this story is that someone has been arrested for this neglect and abuse. I don’t think that any punishment would bring justice to what was done to this dog. However, I would like to see the man who subjected Sally to this treatment suffer the same as he caused this innocent dog to suffer. I do believe in Karma and “what goes around, comes around”, so somehow, someway, Sally will have justice. Hopefully, I will have a happy update for you on Sally’s condition as time goes on and she continues to heal.

These are tough economic times…everyone is feeling the pinch. But there is a way to keep your spending in line and still take the best care of your pet!!! Most people will cut down on their own luxuries before they will cut back on things for their family dog. There are some things that can be done, however to make things a bit more affordable.

If your dog needs nonemergency medical or surgical care, it is o.k. to shop around. You will probably find it less expensive for those services outside a metropolitan area than you will find in the city itself. Large cities attract those with high incomes and the high incomes can often dictate the price for services. It may be worth your while economically to travel an hour or two for similar services for as much as 2/3 off the cost in the city. Also, if you live near a college or university that has a veterinary school, call them to see if they perform routine surgery there. The dedication of veterinary students is remarkable.

Taking your dog to a groomer definitely costs more than doing it yourself. If you really enjoy having the groomer, wash, dry, and fluff your dog, don’t eliminate the practice, but alternate. You will still save a considerable amount of money.

Don’t be afraid to buy in bulk, especially for dog food, unless it is perishable. You can save a considerable amount doing so, but if you know someone with whom you can share a large bag, even better!!

There are plenty of ways to save without sacrificing the care of your pet. Just think about and both you and your dog will be happier for it!!

Well, according to Kim Campbell Thorton, in a recent article she wrote, it is entirely possible for your dog to shift his/her affections to someone else when they come around or when you leave the dog with that person for a period of time. According to Audrey Pavia of Norco, California, that’s just what happens when her dog, Nigel is around Audrey’s friend Arden. In fact Audrey has to prepare herself emotionally when Arden is going to visit, because Nigel will basically ignore Audrey and focus all his time, love and attention on Arden.

Is this a bad thing? Not necessarily according to Terry Curtis, a veterinary behaviorist. Curtis says “I don’t mind. I think it’s actually healthy when our pets ‘cheat’ on us because it shows that they are very social and welcoming to other two-leggers,”. Curtis states that having our dogs able to relate to others really demostrates the independence we have developed in our dogs. They will most likely not suffer from separation anxiety which can be devastating to the dog and result in some really negative behaviors.

Sometimes its not even that the dog likes a new owner better, they just might be finding amenities that they enjoy that they don’t have in their own home. For example, better food, more comfy couch or a household where there aren’t other pets, so they don’t have to share their time and attention with anyone.

However there are ways to train your dog so that you secure more of his attention and he/she becomes more devoted to you through these training mechanisms. So if you see your dog begin to “stray”, so to speak, don’t fret!!! Check out Thorton’s article by clicking here to get some tricks for keeping the relationship with your dog fresh and exciting!!!

We have had one of the most active storm seasons since the worst of all seasons that occurred three years ago when Katrina devastated Louisiana and surrounding areas. We’ve learned many lessons and have even passed laws that now require that animal safety and evacuation be a priority. Long overdue, but welcome nonetheless.

We have heard about all of the heroics that helped save both people and the animals that many had to leave behind, but I don’t think I have ever seen it put in a better format than in the book titled, “Pawprints of Katrina; Pets Saved and Lessons Learned”. This book was written by Cathy Scott, a true crime author and journalist. She was down in Louisiana covering the animal rescue efforts after Hurricane Katrina. She found herself working very closely with the Best Friends Animal Society. They operate the largest sanctuary for homeless animals and were an integral part of the rescue of so many loved, but abandoned pets during the Hurricane and its aftermath.

Ms. Scott would help rescue animals during the day, try and reunite animals and their owners in the evenings and write about the experience as best as she could as well. Her stories are moving and will tug at heart strings of anyone who takes the time to read about her incredible experience. The photographs are poignant and a forward in the book was written by Ali McGraw, a longtime animal lover in her own right.

If you are starting to think about the holidays and want to get the dog owner you love a really special and touching book, consider “Pawprints of Katrina, Pets Saved and Lessons Learned” by Cathy Scott.
Click here to get more information on Cathy and the book.

For myself in the Northeast, fall has officially arrived. There is a definite chill in the air and the leaves are beginning to change colors to those harvest hues of the season. For me that means a couple of things. First, I need to have my furnaced serviced and I begin to nest and pull out really great stew and soup recipes. It also means that I begin to think about the holiday season and the gifts that I want to buy. With the economy the way it is, I encourage shopping early and shopping around and that includes some special thing for the dog or dog owner in your life.

I was recently looking at the Brookstone catalog and they have some very cool things for dogs. Let me tell you about some. A couple of the more interesting things were both leashes and collars that were lighted. There are Glowtronix LED fibers sewn into both the collar and the leash which provides for the maximum amount of visiblity. Just because we will be turning the clocks back and losing some day light, doesn’t mean that you need to curtail your daily walk with your dog. In fact, it probably is more beneficial in the cooler weather to keep everyone moving!!! So even if you have to go out early in the morning or just before it gets really dark, you don’t need to sacrifice the safety of your dog. You can be assured that you will be able to see his/her collar and leash with this great product put out by Brookstone.

If you are interested in the products above or more product offerings from Brookstone, click here and be prepared….the holidays will be here before we know it!!!

According to recent developments in divorce court, one of the most prevelant issues that judges are faced to deal with is custodial arrangements of pet. Unfortunately judges have tended to look at animals of the “union” the same way they do of other property to be divided based on the disolution of the marriage. However in many relationships the pets are as cherished as the children and heated conflicts can arise from trying to decide where that pet should be placed.

For one woman who broke up with her fiance’, the judge saw it just as I described above. He did not view the pug they shared together as being part of an emotional relationship that the woman had with the dog. He gave full ownership to the fiance’, especially when he found out that the fiance’ purchased the dog. He failed to recognize the bond that existed between the woman and the pet and as in many cases of a bad break up, the dog became a pawn in the relationship, something the gentleman could keep from his ex-fiance’ as revenge.

However, Mark Haskoor had a different outcome. When he and his wife broke up, his wife refused to let him see their dog, Bobesh. Haskoor too took the matter to court, but had a different outcome. The judge was much more sensitive to his needs and helped facilitate a visitation schedule that served both owners.

As in any custody issue, the dog (pet) should be taken into consideration as well. Dogs sense the hostility between household members and they will definitely miss the person who leaves the household. So why make it more traumatic for everyone involved when it need not be???!!!!

If you and the one you love get a dog together, make sure you discuss and agree what happens to the dog if and when your love doesn’t last.

Micky, as seen above is very tired!! Last Thursday she gave birth to 6 little pups and that is no easy feat as Micky is a little Yorkie!!! My coworker and friend Kim have kept us informed about Micky’s pregnancy. She is the dog of Kim’s boyfriend and his daughters were so excited about the arrival of these puppies.

These puppies are definitely going to grow into some interesting looking dogs. Their Mom is the Yorkie you see here, but their Dad is a Minature Pinscher!!! Three girls and three little boys!!! It will be fun to watch these pups grow up!!

When I heard about the Dad, I was curious about this breed. Of course we are all familiar with the Doberman Pinscher. Like many dogs, they have gotten a bad reputation for being vicious and mean. And like most who get that repuation, they are really much the opposite. Believe it or not, the MinPin (as it is known) was introduced as a breed before the Doberman. This dog was originally bred in Germany and is a cross between a smooth coat Dachshund and a minature Italian Greyhound. These dogs were bred to be outside hunting dogs of rats and small vermin, but they have warmed themselves into the hearts and homes of their happy owners.

The temperament of the MinPin is said to be curious, very intelligent, but also very strong willed. It is said that owners need to establish themselves as the Alpha dog very early in the dog’s training. Even thought they are small, they are known for their compact, yet strong bodies and have a smooth shiny coat that requires little care.

It sounds like the pups above are going to be an interesting combination. I am anxious to hear and see how this interesting genetic combination presents itself in these little pups…I’ll keep you informed!!

It is hard to imagine how lost, stray, abused or neglected dogs in a city as large and crazy as New York City would be able to be cared for in the ways we would expect them to be. However, Animal Care and Control of New York City tries to do just that. A C and C, as it is known, is the largest animal rescue organization in the North East. They estimate that they rescue and serve 44,000 animals per year. WOW!!! In a city of over 8,000,000 people, that is still a lot of animals!!! They have facilities in each of the five boroughs of NYC. For those out-of-towners, NYC is made up of the following five boroughs: Bronx, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island.

While A C and C does euthanize animals, they do so under extreme circumstances, such as animals that are sick, injured, been bitten by an unknown source or are trained for attacking people and or animals. Their overall goal is to provide a refuge for animals that need it and facilitate the adoption process for families looking for pets. They maintain a database of lost pets, so people can get the word out there about a beloved animal that hopefully will be found and reunited with their family.

Because of their non-profit status, they rely very heavily on donations and fund raisers. On Thursday of this week, (9/25) there will be a Party for the Paws Animal Care Gala where tickets range from $150 to $350. Some of New York City’s most famous dog owning residents attend this gala. With endorsements from celebrities NYC residents like Glenn Close, the A C and C gains both financial and moral support!!!

If you would like to know more about this organization and the good work they do, click here!

Since we are not in an election with a vice presidential candidate from Alaska, I decided to take a look at any information I could find about dogs from that area of the country and what I found was an interesting and heart warming tale.

A dog by the name of Patsy Ann was born in Oregon in 1929, and came to Juneau, Alaska as a mere pup. No one particular owner claimed Patsy Ann, but she lived along the shores of the Gastineau Channel, spending most of her time on the docks and in the Longshoremen’s Hall. She frequented many of the businesses in Juneau and came to be known as the official greeter of Juneau, Alaska. She received this title because when she would sense the arrival of an incoming ship, she would run to the dock to welcome any and all arrivals. The most amazing thing about Patsy Ann and her ability to know of the arrival of the the incoming ships is that she was profoundly deaf and had been from birth. But some how, some way, she was able to know when the ships were coming in and she was never wrong!!!

She became as well known as Rin Tin Tin and her image was one that visitors sought out on any Alaskan publications. She lived until 1942 and the day after her death, many residents of Juneau came down to the docks, where Patsy Ann was happiest, and bid her a final farewell as her coffin was lowered into the Gastineau Channel.

In 1992, a statue of Patsy Ann was erected on the wharf where she loved to be. Patsy Ann still sits and greets the guests of Juneau today as a long time rememberance of the devotion she showed to the town she loved ships and the ships that came to visit.

To read more about Patsy Ann, click here.

I guess I am going through withdrawl without any “Greatest American Dog” to watch this week, after the big finale last week. I did a search to see if I could find out more about the winners, Travis and Presley and low and behold, I was pleasantly surprised to see that they now have their own website complete with music and lots of info!!! I really thought the judges made the best choice for the winning team. They were really the pair that made the greatest strides in the competition and it was great to see the bond between them grow stronger by the week.

One of the reasons I think everyone fell in love with Presley is that the dog is adorably cute and just a great looking dog!!! Boxers are beautiful dogs and have a rich history. The boxer originated from 2 mastiff type dogs in Germany. They were bred with the powerful mastiffs and bulldogs to result in the boxers we know and love today. They were working dogs bred for hunting, bull baiting and pulling carts. As time went on, Boxers became great cattle dogs and were used a great deal on farms to round up the livestock.

They are muscular and compact with dark large eyes. The boxer is a happy playful dog with strong intelligence. They are eager to please and quick to learn. They are truly a family dog and enjoy being inside with their “pack”. These dogs are well known for how they get along with children.

Reading the above tells us what we already have come to know. Presely is a great looking dog with a wonderful disposition. Travis is extremely lucky to be able to call this dog his own and we thank him for sharing Presley with all of us. I’m sure there will be more about Travis and Presley in the future, because they have found a way into our lives.

Check out their site at www.travisandpresley.com

On October 3, 2008, Disney delivers to us its most recent animal masterpiece. With the release of Beverly Hills Chihauhaus, we see the same traditional use of talking animals in a live action film as we did in Babe and Garfield.

This is the storyline. There is a very pampered little pooch named Chloe who lives the Beverly Hills life with her owner. That life includes being carried in a designer purse and frequenting all of the trendy shops on Rodeo Drive. However, when Chloe’s owner takes her on a luxurious vaction in Mexico, things begin to go a bit crazy. Chloe gets separated from her owner and lost in a foreign country. However, Chloe has a guy(chihuahua) who is head over heels in love with her named Papi. When he learns of Chole’s plight, he heads south of the border with a couple of human buddies to help find Chloe and save her from the means streets and a guy who wants to use her to smuggle drugs. She is also assisted by a streetwise German Shepard, a nervous iguana and a sly rat.

The voice of Chloe is played by Drew Barrymore, a girl we all know and love. Much of the rest of the case are Hispanic and add some credibility and realism to their roles as well as their accents. For example, Papi is played by George Lopez. The Mexican German Shepard is played by Andy Garcia. In case some of you still yearn for the days of Cheech and Chong (o.k., I’m dating myself), the sly rat is played by Cheech Marin. And lets not forget the nervous iguana who is played by comedian Paul Rodriguez.

I’m sure this Disney flick will soon become a family favorite. And while it is about 6 weeks shy of the Thanksgiving and Christmas movie season, I’m sure we can expect to see a lot of Chloe and Papi merchandising that will fit right in the the happy holidays that are right around the corner!!!

It was announced today that there is another recall of dog food. Mars Petcare U.S. announced a voluntary recall of dog food manufactured at its Everson, Pennsylvania facility. This is a voluntary recall due to a possibility of Salmonella contamination. Salmonella is a bacteria that causes common intestinal infections. It is passed from the feces of humans or animals through the food chain and infects other humans or animals. If a person or animal is infected with Salmonella, the normal symptoms include diarrhea, stomach cramps and a fever within 8 to 72 hours after being infected. Otherwise healthy people and animals will see symptoms disappear in 4 to 7 days. However if a person or animal’s health is compromised due to infancy, old age or a weakened immune systems, Salmonella infection can be life threatening.

Mars Petcare issued a news release today which said the following:
“Even though no direct link between product produced at Everson and human or pet illness has been made, Mars Petcare US is taking precautionary action to protect pets and their owners by announcing a voluntary recall of all products produced at the Everson facility beginning February 18, 2008 until July 29, 2008 when we stopped production.”

The most well known pet food involved in this recall is PEDIGREE dog food. However, Mars Petcare said that only 2.7% of all PEDIGREE dog food is manufactured in this Pennsylvania plant. All together, there are over 12 brands of dog food that are actually affected. It is recommended that you check to see if any of the brands you use for your dog are ones considered in the voluntary recall.

To check on the dog brands involved in the recall, click on the site below:
http://www.petcare.mars.com/

As mentioned in yesterday’s entry, there are some great tips out there to help us help our dogs be in the best health and make their lives and our lives a bit more pleasant!!!

Suppose your dog is constipated? Not a pleasant thought is it? Well, hopefully, if your dog eats regularly and drinks plenty of water, this won’t be a problem that occurs often. However, in case your dog does have difficulty with his/her bowels, some of the shelter owners and humane society officials agree with this tried and true remedy. They say your dog will be “pooping in no time”. A few spoonfuls of pumpkin is recommended to help the dog with this problem. Since plain pumpkin isn’t the most pleasant tasting veggie, you might want to add just a bit of sugar to help it go down a bit smoother and sweeter.

Here is a twist on the tomato juice remedy for a dog who has gotten skunked!!!! Mix two pints of hydrogen peroxide, one quarter cup of baking soda, and two or more teaspoons of dishwashing liquid (not the automatic dishwashing liquid). Wash the dog with dog shampoo. Make sure you wear gloves! Then lather the dog with the peroxide solution, avoiding the dog’s eye area. Let it stay on the dog for a couple of minutes and then rinse if necessary. This conconction won’t turn the dog red like tomato juice!!!!

If noisy jingling tags on your dog’s collar bother you, sew the tags onto the fabric collars. Use the holes at the end of the tags make it fairly easy to do. When new tags, whether rabies or license are received, just snip the old ones off and sew the new ones on… I hope these tips have helped make life for you (and your dog) a bit easier!!!

While reading the paper, I was pleased to see an entire 3 page section in our local paper dedicated to some pet tips by local experts as well as descriptions and pictures of local pets up for adoption. The descriptions gave information about how the animal looked physically as well as the animal’s disposition and individual characteristics.

Here are some informative tips in helping to get pills down into your dog’s tummy. From the Blooming Grove Humane Society, it is suggested to put the pill in a bit of liverwurst and squish it around the medication. The dog won’t be able or want to get it out!!! Another woman from the Humane Society of Pike County (Pennsylvania) suggests putting a little margerine on the pill and she says it will slide right down the dog’s throat. I always had to disguise my dog’s medication a little better than that, because he would lick the margerine off and spit out the pill!!!

If you don’t have any tags that give your dog’s information, regarding owner name, address and phone number, you can use nail polish to paint your number on his collar. It will last a long time!!!

A woman who is the founder of a local animal rescue organization says that one reason many animals are dropped off at shelters or worse is due to food agression. People get afraid when their dog snaps or nips if someone comes near the dog’s food. However, this behavior can be altered from the very beginning. According to Maria LaRocca, when the dog is a puppy, the children in the household should sit with the dog when he is eating and even take some food and feed the dog out of their hands. This takes the threat away from the dog who thinks that people are going to steal his/her food. This specific behavior training should be done with puppies and not with adult dogs.

More tips to follow!!!! Enjoy your Sunday!!!