My Friendly Pets

No entry for the Thanksgiving weekend would be complete if I didn’t mention shopping!!! This season will be challenging for most of us due to the economy. I try and find some really good sites to shop for reasonably priced doggie items that you can purchase for the friends or family members in your life who are true dog lovers.

I will offer you a great site here today. Go to the website www.babarker.com and you will find a wonderful selection of unique gifts that can be generic or breed specific. This is not a high tech website, but it is complete, friendly and easy to navigate. They have some great items including bath time accesories. No dog’s bathing routine would be complete without some “Paw Rub”, “Soap on a Rope” (shaped like a bone) or perhaps some “Between Bath Spritz” that comes in Lavender or Peppermint. None of the items just mentioned exceed $12.00. In today’s market, that’s a real bargain.

How about something for the dog owner to remind them of their love for their dog? There are some really great caricatures that are breed specific. Order one of these and put it in a nice frame and what a hit you will be as the gift giver. There are also keychains, stationary, checkbook covers, clocks, flower pots, hand towels or loungewear, all specifically designed with your specific breed of dog in mind. As I mentioned, the site is very simple and not high tech. However, that doesn’t mean that the variety of gifts are limited. There is almost anything that you would want for your dog or the dog lover you know. If you are hesitant to run out to the mall, but really want to do some fun shopping, take a look at this site. I’m getting ready to order some things myself!!!! Happy shopping!!!

I have written about the many ways that dogs have been serving humans and help us when we need the extra help. This includes dogs that sense seizures, dogs that help those with mobility issues, dogs that help those with hearing difficulties and more. However, most of us became familiar with these “working dogs” in the context of what we used to call “seeing eye dogs”. These were the dogs who help the blind function in a seeing world.

One of the largest organizations that provides these dogs for those who need them the most is the Guide Dogs for the Blind organization. The mission of this organization is stated as, “Guide Dogs for the Blind provides enhanced mobility to qualified individuals through partnership with dogs whose unique skills are developed and nurtured by dedicated volunteers and a professional staff”. The values of this organization reflect a humane policy and uphold the beliefs of an Animal/Human bond that is recognized and endorsed by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Many volunteers work with this organization to enable those who are blind to have the most functionality and independence as possible with the use of a guide dog. These volunteers team up with dogs and trainers within the Guide Dogs for the Blind program to insure that the dogs received by those who need them most are given the best prepared dogs possible. This is a 60 year old program and they have provided thousands of people with the dogs that enrich their lives and assist them to function in a seeing world.

This is a phenomenal organization and I would encourage you to check out their website, by clicking here. If you are looking for an organization worthy of your holiday donation, (or anytime donation), this would be the perfect place!!!!

Along with the turkey, stuffing, football and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, there is the National Dog Show. That’s right, the dog show is now one of the traditions of Thanksgiving Day. For two hours following the great parade, families can continue the fun by watching over 2000 of the top show dogs from across the country compete for “Best in Show”. This year the show was hosted by the Philadelphia Kennel Club. The club will use the show to help raise money for the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. This show is sponsored by Purina and sanctioned by the AKC, the American Kennel Club!!

Evaluating these dogs is not always easy, because breeds are very different for different reasons. So to judge the dogs fairly, they are broken up into 7 groups. The groups include the Terrier group, the Toy Group, the Working Group, the Sporting Group, Hound Group, Non-Sporting Groupand the Herding Group. Included in these groups are about 200 various breeds that are judged. The competition can be extrememly tough.

So how are these dogs judged? As quoted by the National Dog Show itself, “The judges examine the dogs and place them according to how closely each dog compares with the judge’s mental image of the perfect dog as described in the breed’s official standard. The main consideration is the dog’s conformation or overall appearance, temperament and structure. The judges are looking for characteristics that allow the dog to perform the function for which his or her breed was bred.”

I bet you are just waiting to hear about the winners of this competition. Well, placing Best in Show is named MBIS & MBISS Ch. Cookieland Seasyde Hollyberry and she is a beautiful pointer. She is only three years old and probably has some good show years left. It will be interesting to follow her career and I plan on making the National Dog Show one of my yearly Thanksgiving Day traditions (since I don’t do the cooking for that holiday!!!)

There are few organizations for animals that deserves recognition as much as the ASPCA, which I have spoken about many times in this blog. ASPCA International, a segment of the organization that works to prevent cruelty and support the rights of animals worldwide deserves all of the accolades that they earn. One of their largest operations is called Operation Baghdad Pups. Again, I have spoke about them in this blog, but it is usually in reference to a specific rescue for a particular military person.

I thought it would be great to tell you about some of their other successful efforts and highlight the truly great work that they do. June 5, 2008 was a very big day at Newark Airport and for those who participate in Operation Baghdad Pups. It was on this day that 24 dogs and a cat arrived from wartorn Iraq to begin, what was hoped to be a wonderful new life in America.

In this arrival of new animals, came a family. Yes, a family. Beatrice, a mixed breed dog lived with a camp of soldiers in Baghdad. A mutual “unoffical” adoption took place when the soldiers made Beatrice part of their lives and Beatrice assumed the role without hesitation. On a particular day, they heard some noise in a living room, where many of the soldiers and Beatrice would hang out. They found the source of the noise. It was Beatrice behind some furniture giving birth to her 5 beautiful puppies. The soldiers were the doting “grandparents” of Beatrice and her pups and worked diligently to get the “family” home to the states. Thanks to the efforts of ASPCA International staff member, Terri Crisp and other volunteers, Beatrice, her five puppies and 19 other dogs and cats have begun their lives in a country that values them as animals and will give them the lives they deserve with families that truly love them.

Check out all of the success of ASPCA International and Operation Baghdad Pups by clicking here!!!

Now begins the crazyiness for the next 6 weeks or so there will be foods galore at most peoples’ homes due to the celebration of the holiday season. Tomorrow, Thanksgiving starts a ritualistic eating frenzy…the biggest turkey, best stuffing, thickest gravy and lets not forget about dessert. However, some of the things we love the most can make our dogs the sickest. With the hustle and bustle of people around and tables to set, very often dogs can get into food that is at best, upsetting to their stomachs and at worst, can be life threatening!!!

So lets talk about some of those foods that can be great for holiday cooking but very bad for your dog. We all might toast more than usual around the holdiays, but don’t leave beer or wine around where your dog could knock over a bottle and drink it up (they’ll like it if it is especially sweet like wine or a liqueur). Remember, most average dogs are between 50 and 80 lbs. and could become intoxicated very quickly. It’s not funny to see a dog drunk, it could be deadly.

Much of us bake with grapes or more specifically raisins. These also are very dangerous for dogs because they contain a toxin which can damage the kidneys. Again, a handful of raisins might not seem like a lot for a dog to eat up, but even that small amount can be damaging.

We have all heard about the dangers of chocolate, and caffeine products for dogs. That is because these contain theobromine or theophylline which can be toxic and affect the heart and nervous systems. The list goes on and includes, things like products with bones, for obvious reasons, macadamia nuts, mushrooms, pits from fruit, etc. The rule of thumb is “if in doubt, don’t give it to the dog”. We are their caretakers and they trust us to do that well. Lets not disappoint them!!!
Enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday!!!

Note the title of this entry, Marley and Me - the book!! This is a book, of course, about a dog and the dog’s name is Marley. John Grogan wrote his first book about the dog that brought he and his family, more joy, laughter, frustration and lessons on life than anyone thought possible. It is one of those books that makes you feel good just reading it, but at the same time brings tears to your eyes, because you can feel the pain that Grogan describes during the sad times with Marley. There are few cultures more devoted to their pets, especially to dogs than the American culture. We love dogs and the family members they become. However, with that joy, and the fact that the life of that dog is woven into the very fabric of our family life makes us vulnerable to all of the emotions that Grogan describes in this book.

I suggest this book as a great holiday gift. However, try and give it to a loved one before Christmas, because on Christmas Day, the film, Marley and Me will be released and I don’t know about you, but I always like to read the book before I see the movie. However, I just watched the trailer to this film and it looks incredibly adorable. Owen Wilson (yes the same actor who supposedly tried to take his own life several months ago, but this is not a gossip column and that is truly his business) and Jennifer Aniston play John and Jenny Grogan and the movie clearly shows how Marley, larger than life became so much a part of the Grogan’s home and more importantly, their lives. A hyper, neurotic and loveable pooch that does so much for the lives of the family he loves is what this film is about. Watch it with someone you love!!! And when it comes out on DVD, bring it home and watch it with that special someone again and with your dog too!!!

Greyhounds, famous for racing in areas where this type of gambling is legal are now experiencing the same fate as many other dogs in this dismal economy. Many tracks are closing down either seasonally or for good, because of the a weak economy and an increase of gamblers who are going to the casinos rather than going to the dog tracks. This has put the greyhounds (the primary dogs for racing) in positions where they need homes and more and more people who have adopted greyhounds in the last year or two are returning those dogs in record numbers, blamed significantly on a failing economy. This is common for all dogs, but fewer greyhounds are being adopted and more are available for adoption. According to Michael McCann, president of The Greyhound Project, Inc. “There have been a lot of stress-related returns with people losing their houses or their jobs and more adoption groups are reporting new adoptions are down.”

Unfortunately, this is not just a U.S. problem. Recently, greyhound rescue and adoption organizations in the states have been contacted by greyhound rescue organizations in Guam, where racetrack closures have left 150 dogs without homes. Even if there were homes for all of these dogs, it is difficult, in this economy to raise the funds needed to get these dogs ready for adoption. According to Joanne Wolfe, president of the Triangle Greyhound Society, “It can cost at least $300 just to get a dog ready for adoption, with the necessary shots and vet checks and having it spayed or neutered. And that doesn’t include housing and feeding the dogs and trying to find homes for them.”

If you are thinking about a greyhound as a pet, according to McCann, these dogs make excellent family pets because they are quiet, gentle, adapt well to their new surroundings and are used to being around people. But don’t get into the situation of bringing one of these dogs into your home and your life, if you won’t be able to care for the dog for the long term.

During Saddam Hussein’s rule of Iraq, along with his many other crimes, authorites killed stray dogs on a routine basis as a means of controlling the population. Obviously a tyrannical leader who had so little regard for human life would have even less for dogs. There was no Humane Society in Iraq as there is here in the states and I have a feeling that dogs were probably considered more of a nusance than a family member in this middle eastern country.

There have been many changes in post Saddam Iraq. Civil unrest, an unstable government, U.S. and coalition troops trying to help the country run itself have been the norm since the invasion. However, little attention has been given to the dog population and the situation that they face in this wartorn country without any animal shelters. In fact, Baghdad, the capital city of Iraq, also without shelters estimates that there are about 1000 stray dogs running the streets of that city.

This is presenting a very difficult situation and now the Iraqi policemen and veterinarians are using poison meat and rifles to kill these stray dogs. The situation has gotten dire. In August alone, 13 people were attacked and killed by packs of these dogs. Citizens are afraid to leave their homes. No one wants to see these dogs die and perhaps if the country was in a state of peace and could learn to appreciate dogs as the true companions they are, more would be done to spay or neuter the dog population and allow for the care and adoption of these animals. I know that sounds like an impossible task in the wake of what this country has experienced in the past five years. However, the attempt to care for the dog population could be a help to all citizens and assist in the domestication and preservation of the lives of so many of these dogs.

On Thursday, 11/20/08, a report was released by the Humane Society of the United States, after an 8 month investigation that puppies sold at the national pet store, Petland were obtained from puppy mills where the dogs were subject to horrific conditions. At a news conference held in Washington D.C., the HSUS stated that as a result of the work of large scale puppy mills, dozens of breeders and brokers, 21 Petland stores are selling puppies for as much as $3500 and telling customers that these dogs were obtained from only good breeders.

Mike Markarian, an executive vice president with the Humane Society said the following, “They are buying from puppy mills where these dogs are not treated like pets. They’re treated like a cash crop, where mother dogs live in wire cages, sometimes stacked on top of each other in filthy, dirty, cramped conditions, where they receive little socialization or human interaction or exercise.”

The actual findings of the Humane Society stated that dogs lived in filthy cages, some dogs piled on top of others reeking of urine and feces. Many of the puppies are fed from their mothers who receive poor nutrition, litte to no medical care and rarely any type of positive human contact.

And what do you believe is Petland’s answer to these charges. Well, you would at least hope that they would say that they would thoroughly investigate these charges. However, their response was that the Petland stores are independently operated and that each store is responsible for choosing healthy pets to sell out of their own establishments!!! Well, if that’s not passing the buck, I don’t know what is.

I would ask that any readers and those you tell of this entry to boycott all Petland stores. There should be much more rigorous standards regarding the sale of puppies out of these stores. The least any of us can do is to not support any of the products or services that are sold through Petland. If you are looking for a puppy, make sure you use a reptuable breeder or better yet, go to your local shelter and adopt a dog!!!

More and more people have dogs as members of their families and some research has shown that a dog’s breed tells a lot about their owners. A recent article in Forbes magazine highlights some of the breeds and the characteristics of their owners. According to this article, if you own a beagle, it is said that you are inquisitive and willing to learn new things. A beagle owner is said to be curious and loyal to their friends and tough on their enemies and they can be pretty stubborn.

It is said that people who own cocker spaniels are playful people. They are family oriented and nuturing. These are the perfect dogs for families with small children. It is said that these owners have the same affectionate personalities as those who own them!!! We all love those Golden Retrievers. Remember Old Yeller? Owners of these dogs, like their canine counterparts like to be in groups and tend to be in socially active. Poodles have owners who tend to be detail oriented and appreciate the cultural aspects of life.

The Chihuahuas are the types of dogs that people usually either really like or not. Those little dogs are like little companions to the people that own them and since they were bred to be like that, dogs like Chihuahuas, Pomeranians and Malteses don’t like to spend long periods of time alone. Their owners, similarly enjoy the company of others and don’t necessarily like being alone.

The most important thing about the breed of dog that you choose is that the dog has to suit you, your family and your lifestyle. It isn’t fair to your family or the dog to choose the dog for any other reason.

It seems like the holidays are upon us faster than we expected, as always. This year the economic crunch will make it a little more difficult for all of us. However, that’s not a bad thing. Maybe we’ll all take a step back and look at things in a different perspective and perhaps see what is truly important. Perhaps taking the time to truly give thanks for what we do have and helping those who have less is what it is about.

Many shelters across the country are getting especially nervous. Shelter personnel are fearful that since most people have less disposable cash, donations might significantly drop. However, there are many types of donations that can be given to shelters that cost relatively little. Or perhaps some of the needed supplies might be built into your grocery list and you would barely feel the purchase. At our local ASPCA, they publish a newsletter as well as have an excellent website. On both communication mechanisms, they post a “Wish List”. That wish list is divided into categories so readers can get an idea of the immediate needs of the shelter. For example, on their list in the most recent newsletter is kitty litter and litter boxes. These are immediate need items. They also have a category of items that they “can never get enough of”. These include clean, dry towels and blankets, long handled scrub brushes, paper towels, laundry detergent…etc. There is even a category to help out the office staff, many of whom are volunteers. They need things like copy paper and postage stamps.

So during this time, which will undoubtedly be busy bad economy or not, consider the dogs (and other animals) in your local shelter. Don’t forget the shelter personnel and help them help those who can’t help themselves.

Well, President-elect Obama may have to consider more than just the allergic potential of a dog when deciding upon one for the promise he made to his daughters. The country of Peru has made a truly diplomatic gesture by offering the Obama houselhold a Peruvian Hairless Dog. This is a popular breed in Peru. This breed dates back 3000 years to ancient times in Peru and it is often depicted in pre-Hispanic ceramic statues. According to the Peruvians, this is a perfect pet for those who have animal allergies. However, if we go back to a prior entry, renowned allergists have stated that it isn’t the hair that causes the allergies, but rather the protiens released by the dog that gets caught in their dander (dead skin cells). So if the hairless dogs are still releasing these protiens, then it may be that these dogs are not hypoallergenic either.

According to Claudia Galvez, the director of the Friends of the Peruvian Hairless Dog Association, “They do not cause any type of allergy and are very friendly and sweet.” She is anxious to give a four month old male puppy to the Obama family in the hopes that they will experience the joys of dog ownership without having to worry about the allergic reactions. According to Peruvian folklore, the dogs’ body temperatures are above average. This helps keep the dogs warm due to their lack of hair, and their lack of hair helps those afflicted with asthma or allergies. Galvez says that right now she is calling the dog Ears for obvious reasons, but would like the dog, if adopted by the President-elect and his family to called, Machu Picchu after one of Peru’ most famous destinations. Time will tell!!! More to come!!

I think we can have confidence that the next president, Barack Obama is a friend of dogs. The photo above is one taken by the Lincoln Memorial when Obama was on a campaign to stop the practice of establishments known as puppy mills. And lets not forget his promise to his two girls about bringing a puppy to the White House in January. While Obama is preparing to staff his cabinet and get a hold of the economic issues he will be facing when he becomes President in about two months, the internet is going crazy with the dog decision that must be made by this family. One of the primary considerations is the allergies that one of Obama’s daughters suffers from. Obama himself says the “soon to be” first family are looking for a hypoallergenic dog. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology issued a statement saying, “There is no truly ’hypoallergenic’ dog.”

Many people who believe either they or someone in their family has allergies to dogs will look towards particular breeds to avoid severe allergic reactions. However, according to Dr. Clifford Bassett, a New York City allergy specialist, the protiens produced by dogs that can be found in the dogs dander (which is dead skin cells) not their fur. Since all dogs produce these protiens, they are always present. There are some dogs that get bathed and groomed more often than others and this can help keep the protiens from building up and rid the dog of dander. This might actually help. The Allergy Academy offers other suggestions that might help to keep dog allergies at bay. They include the following and perhaps someone should start talking to the White House cleaning staff about a few of them!!!

*Clean the house often with vacuums equipped with special filters and double bags.
*Keep the dog out of the allergic child’s bedroom.
*Remove carpeting, where dander also can build up.
*Bathe the animal weekly.

Arrests were made yesterday in Houston, Texas for what might be the largest dog fighting ring discovered to date. 55 people were arrested on Friday and one included a special education teacher. We have yet to hear about the fate of the dogs used in this operation, but over 100 dogs were siezed. According to Belinda Smith of the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, the dogs were bred for this operation. She doubts their ability to be pets as fighting was the reason for their existence.

This arrests were a result of a year long investigation that was spurned by an anonymous tip. The Texas Department of Public Safety’s Criminal Intelligence Service headed up the investigation. “The spectators were there for the entertainment value,” said Lisa Block with DPS. “The people who were putting on the events are there to make money.” That is pretty horrific when people are actually entertained by the mauling and killing of animals. A horse and a snake were also siezed with the dogs. It is believed that these animals were used in some of the fight training. As many as 100 people would attend the fights that took place weekly or two times monthly. This was a very organized effort as there were eight different secluded sites where the fighting took place.

Forty one felony charges were filed and most were related to the dogfighting. However, I was disappointed to see that even with a conviction on the charge of engaging in dogfighting only provides for a maximum 2 year prison sentence. It doesn’t seem fair or justified for the pain, injury and perhaps death that has been inflicted upon these animals. Well, I am a firm believer in Karma and in the theory that what goes around comes around, so maybe it will just be a matter of time until those arrested for these crimes get more than their punishment!!!

Many of us have followed the lives of the dogs rescued from Michael Vick’s Bad Newz Kennels, where they were found being maimed and killed though the barberic “sport” of dog fighting. It brought Michael Vick’s football career to a drastic halt and has given the dogs he subjected to this horrible torture a second chance. Many of the dogs rescued from the kennel have been brought to live at the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary located in Utah. One of the founders of the sanctuary, Cyrus Mejia, an artist began painting portraits of the dogs after they had arrived at the sanctuary. His portrayal of the dogs are far from the image of mean and snarling dogs who’s primary goal was to fight to the death of either themselves or their canine opponent. Mejia’s paintings show the dogs as dogs, with floppy ears, energetic poses and plenty of personality.

Matt Hahn, co-owner of the Carivintas Winery located in southern California, uses the portraits by Mejia on a wine collection he has called the Vicktory Dogs Wine Collection. Each bottle in the collection features a portrait of the dog on the front of the bottle with a description of the dog and a short story about the dog on the back of the bottle. The entire set of the wine collection includes 22 bottles for the 22 dogs that came from Vick’s kennels and 2 additional bottles that celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Best Friends Sanctuary. The entrie set costs $672 and a set can be split in half for $380. A single bottle will cost $40

I think this is poetic justice. We will never see a picture of Michael Vick on a Wheaties box for his outstanding achievements or contributions to the world, yet the dogs that he tortured will have their lives forever remembered on wine products that bring taste and beauty to the lips of those who love both wine and dogs