My Friendly Pets

Back in late September, I wrote an entry which spoke about a horrific crime against a poor dog that occured in my area. The dog had been placed in a large clothes donation bin in a parking lot of local shopping plaza. The dog had been starved before its placement in the bin and when found the dog had been without food and water for a week. Sally, as she became known (becasue she was found in a Salvation Army bin) was a mere 16 pounds when found. The dog, though starving gave her rescuers big kisses and tail wags when they found her. The dog was immediately cared for by our local SPCA and then given to a foster family to heal, both physically and emotionally.

Well, I have great news about Sally. She has gained over 20 pounds since that day and has been adopted by a local woman and her daughter. Paula Clausi-VanSteenburgh and her daughter are thrilled with Sally and have introduced the terrier mix to her other dog, Pluto, a pit bull mix and the dogs seem to be getting along quite well. Sally has been spayed and also has had the, very important microchip implanted before her final departure from the shelter. Clausi-VanSteenburgh has been working with Sally and people at the shelter to teach the dog some basic commands. However, she wants to continue Sally’s education with obedience and agility classes.

The man that has been charged with the crime has pleaded not guilty to animal cruelty charges. I know everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty, but for Sally, that proof was almost too late. We wish Sally and the Clausi-VanSteenburghs health and happiness together!!!

Yesterday, I gave you information about the top 3 cities for dogs and their owners as determined by Men’s Health magazine. Well, they actually came up with the top 50. I mentioned a couple of the criteria that were used yesterday to come up with the top 50 cities. In reality, the full criteria that were used included the following, ownership, pet stores, dog parks, shelters, day care, veterinarians, and a very important consideration….the incidents of heartworm.

The next two cities that round out the top five as best for dogs include Tucson, Arizona and Seattle, Washington. Tucson has the most veterinary practices than any of the other 49 cities. This is a city of perpetual sunshine and warmth. This is also evident through a local television program that hosts a show called “Pet Connection”. Their primary goal is to match animals to lifelong owners.

Seattle, Washington can boast about the lowest heartworm incidents of the 50 cities mentioned. This means that these are dog owners who are extremely proactive about caring for their pooches. They also value places where their dogs can have fun leashless!!! Almost 15 years ago, a group of concerned citizens formed a group called COLA (Citizens for Off-Leash Areas). This group has worked hard and today, there are about a dozen dog parks in Seattle and the surrounding suburbs!!

As for the other great cities for dogs, there are many. It appears they are pretty dispersed all over the country. But if you are looking for the three worst cities, I can let you know those as well. They are…..Jacksonville, Florida; Washington, D.C. and Detroit, Michigan. Well with all of the troubles that occur in both Washington and the car capital of the nation, I would expect those ratings. However, Jacksonville is a surprise. But who knows, maybe next year, they’ll climb in the ranks a bit!!!

If you are planning a move and your dog’s health and happiness is one of the most important decision makers of the move, there are a handful of cities that Men’s Health magazine identified as the best places to be with your dog. They give the top 50 U.S. cities, but I’ll mention the top few here. These cities were rated on things like the number or veterinary practices, dog parks, pet stores, etc.

City # 1 - Colorado Springs, Colorado was rated as the best city for pooches. It has abundant sunshine for 250 days a year which allows dogs and their families plenty of outdoor play time. There are also many quality boarding facilities as well as doggie daycare centers. This is also a city that values it pooches. Violations of animal cruelty can yield fines of up to $500,000. This says they care!!

City # 2 - Portland, Oregon. This city brags that it has the most dog parks per capita in the country. There are many great pet stores to purchase the new and trendy dog toys and supplies. Portland has been known for its up to date facilities and caters to the pooches as well.

City # 3 - Albuquerque, New Mexico. This city has the second highest dog ownership rates in the country. They lovvvve their dogs here. The local zoo doesn’t allow dogs as guests, but has excellent kennel facilities. As a recognition of the importance of dogs in the lives of Albuquerque citizens, the mayor hosts an event each year called the Mayor’s Dog Ball, which is a charitable event that supports efforts to educated children about the humane way to treat animals!!!

So check out some of these cities and I’ll highlight a couple others tomorrow!!!

Seattle is a city of great ideas, right? It is probably one of the most “green thinking” cities around. Well, now your dog can go for an eco-friendly walk with a dog walker who is all about having fun with your dog and keeping the world a cleaner place. Lori Campion owns and operates Seattle Green Dogs. This is an eco-friendly dog walking service and she makes the experience for your dog enjoyable and earth friendly!! After she has met your dog, she’ll pick him/her up in a vehicle that will soon be running on veggie oil. The collar that she puts on your dog for leash attachment is made from natural hemp. She’ll walk your dog for an hour and a bit both on and off leash. For the off leash, she’ll be taking your dog to some great local dog parks.

When she’s walking your dog and your dog does his/her business, Lori will pick it up in biodegradable dog poop bags. The plastic bags that most of us use to dispose of the poop will last a very long time, but the biodegradable poop bags will decompose in a mere 30 days and once again be part of the earth, just like your dog’s poop!!!

If your dog is good, he will probably be rewarded with some organic doggie treats and if his/her little paws get dirty out on those walks, Lori will be happy to clean those doggy toes with gentle organic biodegradable soap. So if you are up in Seattle and your dog needs a walk and you are a true “tree hugger” give Lori a call, or at least check out her website by clicking here!!!!

Do you know the historic origin of your breed of dog or the combination of breeds that might make up your dog? Well if not, why not a vacation spot where both you and your dog will be welcome and you can see the place where the first dog of that breed came to be.

For example, most people have heard of the Boston Terrier. However, most don’t know how the dog came to be. Well, obviously it was in Boston. During the 1800’s working men in that Massachusetts city cross bred terriers with the British Bulldog. What resulted was a small, bat-eared dog with a unique coat that was bred primarily for dog fighting. This was the first American purebred dog and we are very happy that dog shows have now replaced the horrible practice of dog fights. (at least legally)

Let’s say you didn’t want to stay in the U.S., but wanted to trace the heritage of your Golden Retriever. Well, you would be travelling to Tomich, Scotland. In 1865, an avid hunter came across a litter of retrievers in Brighton, England. In this litter of mostly black pups was a single golden puppy. Her brought the pup back to Scotland and bred the dog with a Tweed water spaniel. The result is the large, gentle and happy golden retriever; the breed that so many families welcome into their home for the dogs’ family like nature. If you want to take your dog on the trip to Scotland, it is much easier than going to other countries, as a dog entering the the U.K. from the U.S. is not required to be quarantined, but will need to be microchipped, vaccinated for rabies had have had his/her blood tested….!!!

So travel away and don’t leave home without Fido!!!

Wow, history is made!! The U.S. has its first African American President.
This was a defining moment in history. Now everything the Obama family does will be under the scrutiny of the world. One of the promises that President-elect Obama made to his two girls was that whatever the outcome of the election, they could get the puppy they so desired. Well, it looks like that puppy will be housebroken at the White House.

It has been said that the Obama family had been looking at the Labradoodle which is a cross between a Labrador Retriever and a poodle. This has become a very attractive type of dog because they are said to be the least “allergic” dog around. As mentioned in a recent article on msnbc.com, the Obamas will have to be very careful with their choice as it will send a particular message to the nation. If they choose a rescue dog, this will speak volumes for the advocates of rescue adoption. However, if they choose a dog from a breeder, a completely different message will be sent and that will be one of elitism and select breeding. Lets hope the Obamas make the right choice. It could be the beginning of yet another great historical movement.

Pets and the White House have significant history. In fact, the Bush family will be leaving the 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue with Barney and Mrs. Beazley, two Scottish terriers who are held deeply in the hearts of the current first family. Only 3 of the current 43 U.S. presidents have not had pets with them in the White House. In fact, I think Harry Truman summed up the importance of having a dog in Washington when he said “If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog.” Let’s hope the Obamas enjoy whatever dog they choose as much as other Presidential families have.

Jon Katz is a 61 year old man, who 9 years ago left the hustle and bustle of life as a big city journalist who lived in suburban New Jersey to move to a quiet, more sedate life in rural Washington County, New York. While his wife, Paula Span, a journalist herself and teacher at Columbia University, stays in New York City for the most part, Jon writes and enjoys time with his dogs and works as a very special volunteer for the Washington County Hospice. A social worker for the Hospice group came to one of Jon’s book readings and talked to him about the need for volunteers and the hope of bringing the dogs to the hospice facility to help the patients. Jon was intrigued by this and wanted to do something special with his dogs that went beyond a traditional “therapy dog”. Family and friends of Katz tried to discourage him from this effort, as he had been in the throngs of severe depression and they believed being around terminally ill patients would not be good for Katz. However, Katz found the experience rewarding, as he states, “So I went into training with Izzy, and later with my Lab Lenore, and was greatly rewarded by the experience” Katz says. “I found it to be very rich, intimate and loving.”

If the experience has meant so much to Katz, it has in many ways changed the lives of patients in the hospice facility. One gentleman, whose wife of 60 years recently passed away, said that Izzy brought sunshine to his wife in her ending days. In his newest book Katz shares his experiences. The book is titled “Izzy and Lenore: Two Dogs, an Unexpected Journey, and Me.” This sounds like it could be an inspirational read for friends and family and would make a great holiday gift.

It’s November, so we must be starting the holiday season of movies!!! The movies and the marketing of the movies present the perfect timing for holiday gift giving for the kids. The most recent movie to be released by Disney on Novermber 21st (the Friday before Thanksgiving) is the movie - Bolt. Bolt is the name of a dog - of course - a German Shepard to be exact who is a the star of a hit TV show about a dog with super powers. The voice of Bolt is none other than John Travolta!! Wow, he’s come a long way from Saturday Night Fever, but I guess I’m dating myself.

Well Bolt is accidently shipped from his Hollywood soundstage to New York City. Bolt then begins the journey of a lifetime. He is going to go cross-country (in the real world, not through a Hollywood script) to get back to his owner and co-star, Penny. Penny is played by Miley Cyrus. (Wow, she’s doing a lot for Disney!!!) Bolt truly believes the powers he uses on his show are real and plans on using them to get back home. Along the way, he picks up some travel companions, and unlikely friends. There is a jaded, abandoned housecat named mittens and a TV obsessed hamster named Rhino.

This movie is dubbed a comedy adventure. With Disney behind it, I believe, it will be funny and ther will be action and some life lessons along the way. From the few details I have learned about the plot, Bolt will learn that he doesn’t necessarily need superpowers to be a hero. It looks like a Disney flick at its best. So check the film out in a couple of weeks to see if you’ll be wrapping and putting Bolt under your tree a couple of weeks later.

The current economic crisis felt here in the states is not a unique situation. As we know, the rest of the world is reeling from the credit crisis and the economic slowdown that is plaguing us all. I have mentioned in the past how pets, especially dogs fall victim to a failing economy. In terms of the housing crisis, many dogs were left when their owners abandoned their homes. All of these dogs suffered and many died. Other dogs were taken to local shelters where the resources at those establishments are being stretched to the limit. For the dogs that remain in homes where the stress of shrinking funds and higher costs prevail, those animals feel the stress as well and it manifests itself with doggie behavioral issues.

However, many dog owners are simply dealing with the day to day problems of just feeding their dog. In Berlin, Germany, they are trying to help those who are homeless and unemployed, but are still trying to keep their dogs healthy and fed. A soup kitchen run by a woman named Claudia Hollm recently opened that serves dogs only. That’s right, the pets of the homeless and unemployed can bring their dog to this soup kitchen where the dog can get a free and “dog nourishing meal”. Hollm and her company named, Animal Board gets support and funding for this project from various companies, some who are pet food manufacturers. Hollm knows the importance of keeping these dogs fed and healthy for their owners. She states, “Nowadays people underestimate dogs. They are incredibly important for those who lack social contact with other humans.” Let’s hope that more efforts like Hollm’s pop up around the world for those that need our help the most.

It’s the 1st of November, which means the holidays are right around the corner, as mentioned in a previous entry. But this entry is not about buying things and shopping. This entry is about a wonderful effort sponsored by Iams Pet Foods and Helen Woodward Animal Shelter. Ten years ago, in 1999, the Helen Woodward Animal Shelter worked with 14 San Diego area animal shelters to find homes for sheltered pets. That initial year, 2563 orphaned pets found homes and each left the shelter with a holiday meal of Iams food to take to their new “home”. Last year, a new adoption record was set with 491,612 adoptions taking place. This year the goal is to reach 1,000,000 pet adoptions!!! Check out more about this effort by clicking here. The drive itself runs from October 1, 2008 until January 5, 2009.

Much advise has been given about avoiding pet adoption during the holidays. However, with the Iams Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption effort, the success of the program speaks for itself. What has been learned is that if the parents have promised a puppy to their children and local shelters turn the family down because of the time of the year, those people will run to the pet store or worse yet a backyard breeder or puppy mill. However, if care is taken in matching the family with the right anmial and people are given the best information to make good decisions, the final decision will be right for everyone including the adopted pet!!! Please read about this wonderful project and find whatever way you can to support it. The goal of facilitating 1,000,000 adoptions is too important to ignore. I’ll keep you up to date on the progress of this effort as the season moves on!!!

Since I spoke of the good, the bad and the ugly about Halloween for dogs yesterday, I probably shouldn’t harp on it today, so I’ll provide you with some other info that I have come across.
In case you are still wondering if you should have your dog microchipped, don’t hesitate. This weekend, a dog will be arriving home in Florida after being found in Chicago, some 1200 miles away. The dog, a Maltese named Max went missing from a woman’s yard in Brandon, Floriday several months ago. Richard Gonzalez, the woman’s father reported the dog as stolen as Gonzalez was the true owner and his daughter took the dog to spend some time with her dogs.. When the dog’s chip was scanned, Gonzalez was contacted and amazed that Max had gotten so far away from his home. He was then retrieved at the Chicago shelter by the Director of the Northcentral Maltese rescue organization, Mary Palmer in Racine, Wisconsin. The dog needed to be cleaned up quite a bit, as he had several layers of matted hair that needed to be trimmed. Max was then thoroughly checked out by a local vet and was given the o.k. to head home to Florida with a great health report. Palmer will be putting Max on a Saturday flight to Florida and other volunteers will meet Max upon his arrival. He will then be delivered to Mr. Gonzalez, who is anxiously awaiting Max’s arrival. No one quite knows how the dog got from Florida to Chicago, but I bet at this point, Richard Gonzalez will just be happy to have Max back at home with he and his family!!!! GET YOUR DOG MICROCHIPPED!!!!

O.k. Halloween is tomorrow night…I know, but there are a couple of things to remember if you are including your dog in the celebrations!!!

If you are so brave to dress your dog in a costume (which I personally wouldn’t do but a lot of people do), you should insure that the costume is safe for your dog. There shouldn’t be anything tight around the dogs neck that could lead to choking. There also shouldn’t be parts of the costume that are loose and can get caught on furniture, appliances or anything else that might hinder the dog’s movement. Beware of pieces on hats or other parts of the costume that might come off and cause the dog to want to put it in their mouth. They are famous for that, but this could lead to choking or poisoning of the animal.

We all know this rule, but we’ll repeat it for the sake of the season. Keep your dog away from chocolate. Dogs can be poisoned from chocolate and actually die due to the intake of chocolate. So if you are handing out the treats, keep the supply away and out of reach from the dog and if your dog is going with the kids trick or treating, make the tough rule that no one gives anything to the dog!!!!!

Finally, with all of the excitement of the evening and people coming and going, it can be easy to lose track of Fido. The dog could also get over excited by all of the chaos, so keep a watchful eye on the pooch. Try and keep him/her in sight at all times and watch for signs of frustration or agitation. If your dog is getting too excited and begins barking too much, take the dog to a quiet place in your home and spend some time just calming him down.

This can be a great holiday with your dog…just be careful and have others do the same!!!

Now many of us are not in a great position to be spending a lot over the holidays and maybe its time that we truly look at our spending habits and get more simplistic. That doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice on the thoughts that go into the gifts you buy, in fact you will probably think a little harder and more carefully about the gifts you purchase.

My friend (who gets tons of catalogs) recently sent me some information about pet items that would make wonderful gifts and not break the bank. They will show that you are thoughtful and fiscally conservative…both good things.

For instance the Pet Alert Vinyl Cling Signs let rescue personnel know how many of what type of pet you have in your home in case of an emergency. For a set of two (one for the front door and one for the back door) the cost is $3.99 and available from the Current Catalog. Check it out by clicking here!!!

Do you need a gift for a friend who is a baker and also loves dogs? How about a cookbook for dog biscuits that comes with 3 sizes of doggie bone cookie cutters? The book has 18 different biscuit recipes and for both the book and the cookie cutters, the cost is $10.99. A bargain for a unique and fun gift. This is also available through the Current Catalog and you can check it out by clicking here. As the season progresses, I will try and give you cost effective yet great gift ideas for the dog lover you know!!!! Happy holidays!!!!

O.K. I write about dog issues, dog news, dog food, but I had never heard of Flyball, which is a team sport for dogs. The sport itself was invented in California in the late 1970’s. The inventer of the sport, Herbert Wagner first demonstrated the sport to millions of Americans on the Johnny Carson Show. The rest, as they say, is history! In fact, the sport became so popular in the 1980’s that the NAFA (North American Flyball Association) was formed and they now are the premier authority on the sport worldwide.

So what is flyball actually? The relay is really interesting and works like this! Flyball is a relay race with 4 dogs on a team. “The course consists of a starting line, 4 hurdles spaced 10 feet apart and a box. The first hurdle is 6 feet from the start line and the box is 15 feet from the last hurdle for a 51 foot overall length. The dogs jump the hurdles and steps on a spring loaded box that shoots out a tennis ball. The dog catches the tennis ball and then runs back over the 4 hurdles. When the dog crosses the starting line the next dog goes. The first team to have all 4 dogs run without errors wins the heat.” I am not well versed in the “heat” and the and scoring of the sport. It doesn’t seem awfully complex, but there is more to it than just keeping score of the times. Dogs can earn titles based on the number of points they accumulate and Certificate awards start as low as 20 points and the highest award is known as the Hobbes Award, which requires 100,000 points.

According to the literature I have read, dogs love the sport and enjoy the team concept. It is great exercise and a challenge for them to get better and better time. The fastest time recorded for the race has been 15.43 seconds from a team in Michigan!!!

There is probably a local chapter of the NAFA in your neighborhood. Check out the web address by clicking here to read more about it!!!

Today in Melbourne, a southern Australian city, a mixed breed dog named Leo saved the lives of 4 newborn kittens. It appears that Leo was guarding the kittens in a house that caught fire overnight. Leo wouldn’t leave the kittens’ side and when firefighters found the dog and the kittens, all were close to losing their lives. Leo had to be revived with oxygen and a heart massage. Those at the firehouse who helped save Leo and the tiny cats have nicknamed the dog Smoky.

This isn’t the first instance of a dog saving the lives of others. There was the heroic rescue of a boy in a Indian village who was rescued by a family dog as the tsunami of the century hit this area. The boy’s mom thought the boy was lost forever as she saw him run into their family hut. She knew the hut wouldn’t protect the boy from the rage mother nature was about to bestow on them, but her arms were filled with the two younger children who couldn’t run as fast as their 7 year old brother.
As she heard about the destruction of her family hut, she was sure that her oldest son had perished in the disaster. However, Selvakumar (the dog) had other ideas. He went into the hut and retrieved the boy, nudging and pushing him to safety and out of the way of the horrific waves. The boy says the dog got him by the collar and did not let go until he was out of harm’s way.

Who ever says dogs don’t earn their keep have never been around these magnificent heros. They will often risk their own lives to save the ones of those they love.