The darker side of dog parks: abandoned pooches By LORI STAHL March 7, 2010 “. . . But a new breed has emerged. You can sometimes see them when the park closes at night. Their owners have removed the dog collars and walked away. Jim Christian, 76, a regular at the park with his three large dogs, estimates as many as 50 dogs have been abandoned at the park during the past 18 months. Once he tried to confront a man who was leaving his pet. When that didn’t get a response, he flagged down police officers patrolling the lake on bikes. “The policeman looked at me like I was crazy and said, ‘We don’t have any laws against dumping dogs,’ ” Christian said. . . (more)
When we lived in Seminole Heights, occasionally dogs would be dumped in the Giddens Park dog run. I don’t know if this has occurred in the Lutz Dog Park.
Daily Telegraph
Crufts on alert for dogs in make-up By Alastair Jamieson “Organisers of Crufts have warned dog owners not to break competition rules amid concerns some are resorting to using make-up and beauty treatments such as coat dye and hair removal creams on their animals. . . .One British company, HUB International, based near Reading, now offers nose paint, black and white dyes to change the colour of the dog’s coat, as well as hairspray and make-up. . . (more)”
San Fransisco Chronicle
Tails of the City blog
By Amelia Glynn The Pawscars: best animal performances “Before we get too caught up in Sunday’s much-anticipated Hollywood hoopla, I thought an animal-centric spin on the Oscars was in order. This year, several of the nominated films received the American Humane Association’s “No Animals Were Harmed” disclaimer, including Avatar, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, and Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Certified animal safety representatives monitor the use of animals on more than 1,000 productions each year to ensure these four-legged actors stat healthy and free from harm. . .Trainers speculate that Uno, the Neapolitan mastiff rookie animal actor had been abused by a previous owner because she would cower around loud noises and crouch to the floor when someone approached her too suddenly. But, while working on the set of “Harry Potter,” surrounded by a patient training crew and affectionate cast, she gained confidence and trust and adored the attention everyone gave her. Trainers believe Uno is destined for stardom. . . (more)”
Clarksville Leaf Chronicle
Dogs on chains draw complaints in Clarksville By Mark Hicks “. . .On Monday, county commissioners are expected to vote on a resolution that would change regulations for restraining dogs, effectively making it illegal to chain a dog to a fixed point for more than an hour. The proposed change does not mean outside dogs can’t be chained, but rather it means the restraint method will need to be different to allow more movement. . . There are variety of reasons to not restrain dogs 24/7. Among them are statistics showing that chained dogs are five times more likely to bite children and are three times more likely to bite adults. Because dogs are territorial animals and possess a fight-or-flight instinct, when they are chained and confronted, they are unable to flee so they respond aggressively. Chained dogs experience “social isolation,” which can result in excessive barking and howling. Additionally, restraining dogs with a chain or tether, or even confining them in a close space, is considered inhumane by many people. . . . (more)“
This is interesting. Perhaps we could get this law passed here.
Magazines
The Whole Dog Journal
We just received our latest Whole Dog Journal with great articles as usual. Of all the dog publications out there, this should be your first choice.
Unwanted Dog Food Guarding Behavior Canine resource guarding may be a natural, normal dog behavior, but it’s alarming when your own dog growls – or worse, snaps – at you over his resource. Resist your first impulse to snap back at your dog. Whatever you did that caused your dog to growl, stop doing it. Immediately. If you were walking toward him, stand still. If you were reaching toward him, stop reaching. If you were trying to take the toy or bone away from him, stop trying. Your next action depends on your lightning-fast analysis of the situation. If your dog is about to bite you, retreat. Quickly. If you’re confident he won’t escalate, stay still. If you aren’t sure, retreat.
Less Stressful Veterinary Visits “A training friend suggested that I read Low Stress Handling, Restraint, and Behavior Modification of Dogs and Cats, by applied animal behaviorist Sophia Yin, DVM, MS. As an owner whose dogs have taken their fair share of visits to vet clinics, I really liked what I read. Dr. Yin’s text takes a critical look at how our pets are often handled in veterinary clinics – and it’s not pretty, as you may have seen yourself. Fortunately, she also offers common sense advice on approaching veterinary care so as to make it as stress-free as possible for our pets. Popular myths abound that force is needed to get animals to behave. Instead, Dr. Yin focuses on how to modify behavior quickly in a veterinary setting using a systematic and positive approach. Her methods involve classical conditioning to change the pet’s emotional state; setting up the veterinary environment to ensure the pet’s comfort; teaching us how to handle animals with appropriate, rather than stronger, restraint; and how to behave around animals so as to avoid creating problems.”
This works. We had an an episode with Hobbit where he lost it and tried to bite our vet. We did a session with our trainer Jacque Munera of Courteous Canine and she taught me the positive training I needed to use. After some work Hobbit goes to the vet now without any issues.
Letting Your Dog Sleep on Your Bed With You Contrary to the strongly held opinion of some training and behavior professionals, I’m generally pretty comfortable with allowing canine family members on their humans’ beds. In our family, two of our five dogs sleep with my husband and me. Scooter, a Pomeranian, routinely sleeps with us; Dubhy, our Scottish Terrier, graces us with the privilege of his presence on our bed only from time to time. Trainers who adamantly oppose dogs on the bed mostly fall into the old-fashioned training camp, and often, they also buy into all the dominance stuff that’s been pretty much discredited by behavioral scientists. Chances are good I would differ with them on many dog training and philosophical issues, not just this one. The dog who wants to sleep on your bed isn’t trying to take over the world. He just wants to be close to his humans -and comfortable!
I nap on the couch with the dogs. I like it and they love it. However we like our sleeping space so our bed is for us.
Canine Hospice Care Options When we first adopt that pudgy puppy, or spring that delinquent adolescent canine out of a shelter, our new dog’s senior years and final days are far from our thoughts. But if we’re lucky enough to enjoy a long life together, eventually, we’ll spend a number of months or years caring for him as a senior dog – and sometimes, a challenging and emotionally difficult time seeing him through to a peaceful death. Fortunately, there are many resources available to help us support our beloved canine companions – even those who have been diagnosed with chronic or terminal illness – in maintaining the best possible quality of life before they die. Hospice care, or “pawspice,” the term coined by Alice Villalobos, DVM, former President of the American Association of Human Animal Bond Veterinarians (AAHABV) and founding member of the Veterinary Cancer Society, is supportive assistance in evaluating and managing our pets’ quality of life as they near the end of their days, a time period that can span from days to months.
When you or a loved one develops a medical issue, chances are you’ll be inclined to do some Internet research. While I say, “More power to you!” other medical professionals might roll their eyes at the thought of “wasting” valuable time discussing potentially whackadoodle notions gleaned from cyberspace. Whether veterinarians like it or not, the Internet is here to stay. What can you do to make your online research more productive and your discussions about it with your vet more palatable? Here’s how to find instructive, accurate, credible Internet information while avoiding “online junk food” -and how to comfortably discuss what you’ve learned online with your veterinarian in a way that promotes collaborative discussion. By the way, although I’m a veterinarian teaching people how to better care for their dogs, this information is also applicable to your own healthcare! So, let’s begin. How can you determine whether or not a website is dishing out information that is worthy of your time?
Canine News You Can Use: March 2010 Arkansas canines and their humans have very good reason to celebrate the start of the new decade. That state’s new rule allowing for a three-year rabies vaccine became effective January 1, 2010. This means dogs in Arkansas will need to be vaccinated only every three years (after their initial first-year booster) instead of annually, as was previously required. The majority of states in the U.S. now allow for the three-year vaccination schedule. Despite a slightly premature announcement from the Rabies Challenge Fund (rabieschallengefund.org) last August that all 50 states had accepted a three-year protocol, a few still do not. Rhode Island’s Rabies Control Board approved a change in April of 2009 accepting the three-year vaccination, but as of yet no effective date has been set. Until that happens, Rhode Island dog owners are still required to vaccinate their canine companions every two years. West Virginia also requires vaccination bi-annually. There may be a few others. Still, every state that approves a three-year schedule is one step closer to that 50-state goal.
King went a-runnin’ after deer
Wasn’t scared of jumpin’
off the truck in high gear
King went a-sniffin’
and he would go
Was the best old hound dog
I ever did know.
I had a dog and his name was King
I told the dog about everything
There in my truck the dog and I
Then one day the King up and died.
Then I thought about
the times we had
Once when I kicked him
when he was bad
Old King sure meant a lot to me
But that hound dog is history.
King went a-runnin’ after deer
Wasn’t scared of jumpin’
off the truck in high gear
King went a-sniffin’
and he would go
Was the best old hound dog
I ever did know.
That old King was a friend of mine
Never knew a dog
that was half as fine
I may find one, you never do know
‘Cause I still got a long way to go.
I had a dog and his name was King
I told the dog about everything
Old King sure meant a lot to me
But that hound dog is history.
King went a-howlin’ after deer
Wasn’t scared of jumpin’
off the truck in high gear
King went a-sniffin’
and he would go
Was the best old hound dog
I ever did know.
According to the St. Petersburg Times and the Tampa Tribune, a 10 pound Shih Tzu named Moby was killed on 2/18/10 by a 110 pound Mastiff or Rhodesian Ridgeback named Lucius at the new Curtis Hixon Dog Run in Tampa.
“Her husband, Michael Pack, took the dog there and was preparing to leave when a dog walker came in with the ridgeback, named Lucius, and another large dog. Tampa police reports say Lucius sniffed Moby as he entered the dog park, returned to sniff him once more, then seized the 10-pound dog by the neck.”
This is a small Dog Park, actually classified as a Dog Run, with no separation between large and small dogs. I think it best that there always have separation between large and small dogs. Some small dogs look and act like prey. Big dogs can step on or knock over small dogs.
Although details are hazy, it appears to me that the incident occurred near the entrance of the dog park. I feel that entrances to Dog Parks are the most dangerous places in the park. It is an area of tension. Dogs that are excited or anxious are coming in. It can be a tight area and often there are other dogs at the entrance, raising anxiety. Dogs are coming off or going on leashes. It is a place I am always more careful with my dogs. It is also a place people should not hang around with their fogs. Dogs need to come in and out of the entrance area without incident.
It also does not appear the person who brought Lucius to the dog park did anything to help. ”Pack tried to free his pet — grabbing Lucius by the mouth. He told police the big dog bit him on the hand and then bit 8-year-old Moby again. Pack jumped on Lucius who dragged him 5 feet before getting loose and biting Pack on the leg.” I often see two kinds of people at dogs parks. Those who pay close attention to their dog and their dogs behavior, who intervene when something happens; and those who just stand around like bump on the log unwilling or unable to do anything. This second group of people help make a dog park a dangerous place.
Other dog parks across the country had deaths due to dog on dog attacks.
November 2009 – Buffalo, New York - Dog’s Death At Dog Park Serves As Warning “Miles, an eight-month-old Yorkie . . . Hall made a decision she will always regret. She let her five-pound pooch make his first visit to a separate running area that generally accommodates larger dogs. Until Sunday, Miles had always frolicked in an adjacent area reserved for dogs that weigh less than 30 pounds. On this evening, the special area was empty, and she wanted Miles to have company. “Miles wasn’t afraid of big dogs,” said Hall, her voice shaking. “He loved to play with the bigger dogs.” The Yorkie was playing with several other dogs, none of them very large or aggressive, according to Hall. She said what happened next is a blur, but she recalls Miles being stepped on and instantly falling to the ground. At first, she thought he just had the wind knocked out of him or — in a worst-case scenario — was paralyzed. But after she and another Barkyard patron rushed the dog to an emergency clinic, reality set in. Miles’ tiny neck had likely been crushed as the dogs played, she said.
Problem: “People need to see my dumb mistake,” the distraught owner said. “They need to understand that when their dogs are playing, they have to consider the size of other dogs. I knew it, but I never recognized the importance of that until now.”
June 2008 – Stow, Ohio – Puppy dies from reported dog attack at Bow Wow Beach “A 4 1/2 month-old Maltese/poodle mix was killed June 7 after being attacked by a standard poodle . . . Gsellman claims a standard poodle charged her from behind while she was holding her dog, Sophie, knocking the puppy out of her hands. She claims the standard poodle bit Sophie on the neck . . . ”
Problem: “Gsellman said she was making her way to the small-dog area of the park during the incident, explaining that section of the facility cannot be accessed without first going through the large-dog section.”
Solution: Stow Parks and Recreation Director Nick Wren said the parks department plans to install a separate entrance into the small-dog area that “would be adjacent to the small-dog area.”
Also perhaps the victim dog was too young to be in the park. Tampa’s rules prohibit dogs younger than 6 months (Hillsborough County is 4 months.)
“Allie, a landscape contractor who lives in the West Union area outside Hillsboro, said she was at Hondo Dog Park about 1:30 p.m. Friday with her 6-pound Pomeranian, Clyde, and her 55-pound Samoyed puppy, Oona. The four-acre park has a separate fenced area for small and timid dogs, but Allie said she brought her dogs into the general-use area, where she’d never seen problems before. Allie said Clyde was yappy but friendly and didn’t have a history of fights. Clyde was standing alone, Allie said, when she saw him react nervously to a large black dog. Some bystanders described it as a Rottweiler, Allie said, although she doubts it was. Before Allie could pick up Clyde, the other dog clamped its jaws around Clyde’s body and shook him, Allie said. ”After I started screaming, everybody came and helped get my dog out of that dog’s jaws,” Allie said.
Problem and solution according to the Parks Dept. “She emphasized that owners are required to take responsibility for their dogs and leave if they become aggressive, as stated in rules posted at the park. ”We hope that people will be even more vigilant in watching over their dogs,” she said.”
I had resisted using this song before, because I considered it a kids song, until I came across this version by Freddy Fender. I like Freddy Fender and enjoyed this rendition.
According to Wikipedia How Much is That Doggie in the Window “is a popular novelty song written by Bob Merrill in 1952. It was adapted from a well-known Victorian music hall song. The best-known version of the song was recorded by Patti Page on December 18, 1952″
Robert Frost’s Banjo noted “Like much of the popular music of the 1950s and 1960s the song “How Much isThat Doggie in the Window” has its roots in the Victorian era of music hall songs. “Daddy Wouldn’t Buy Me a Bow-Wow,” the original inspiration for That Doggie, was performed for the first time on stage by Vesta Victoria in 1892—around the same time that Beatrix Potter was writing the Peter Rabbit stories.”
Patti Page version
Daddy Wouldn’t Buy Me a BowWow
Lyrics
How much is that doggie in the window? [Arf, arf]
The one with the waggly tail
How much is that doggie in the window? [Arf, arf]
I do hope that doggie’s for sale
I must take a trip to California
And leave my poor sweet heart alone
If he has a dog he won’t be lonesome
And the doggie will have a good home
How much is that doggie in the window? [Arf, arf]
The one with the waggly tail
How much is that doggie in the window? [Arf, arf]
I do hope that doggie’s for sale
I read in the paper there are robbers [Waf, waf]
With flash lights that shine in the dark
My love needs a doggie to protect him
And scare them away with one bark
I don’t want a bunny or a kitty
I don’t want a parrot that talks
I don’t want a bowl of little fishies
You can’t take a goldfish for a walk
How much is that doggie in the window? [Arf, arf]
The one with the waggly tail
How much is that doggie in the window? [Arf, arf]
I do hope that doggie’s for sale
Every Friday, Mutt Tunes showcases songs with or about dogs. Email your suggestions.
Dog food recipes for your four-legged friends? Why not?
By Laura Reiley, Times Food Critic In Print: Wednesday, February 17, 2010
“La Maison Gourmet in Dunedin has had many incarnations, as retail kitchen store, restaurant and cooking school. Last month, about 20 people convened for what may have been the bay area’s first “cooking for your dog” class. The four-legged were not invited to participate (a large photo of Lewis’ dog stood on the wide kitchen counter giving benediction), but the assembled dog owners were eager to talk about their absent companions.” (more)
Los Angeles Times
West Hollywood City Council votes to ban most puppy, kitten sales in pet stores
February 19, 2010 | 8:02 pm
“The West Hollywood City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to approve new legislation that prohibits most sales of puppies and kittens in pet stores within city limits. Under the ban, which takes effect later this year, pet stores will be permitted to offer animals from local shelters rather than those purchased from for-profit breeders. That business model has been mplemented in recent years by several L.A.-area pet stores, including Melrose Avenue shop Orange Bone.”(more)
“The shrill barking of nine Labrador retriever puppies Thursday gave way to blissful laughter from their new trainers:18 inmates at the Plainfield Correctional Facility. One by one, the 8-week-old pups were pulled out of their crates and introduced to the men who will care for them and help them learn to assist children with physical or mental disabilities.” (more)
Columbus Dispatch
Photographs whimsically juxtapose canines, humans
by Christopher A. Yates
“It reveals Erwitt’s love affair with the canine community. Sixty-five prints produced from 1946 to 2000 are included. Among the most remarkable themes in the exhibit is his ability to capture moments in which expression, stance or gaze link human and dog.
South Carolina 1962 captures a farmer in overalls leaning against a car. He shields his eyes from the bright sun with the brim of his ball cap. In the front seat of the car, a hound sits. Just like his human master, he also shields his eyes. But, instead of a ball cap, the dog uses the shadow from the open window.” (more)
Blogs
The Huffington Post
Must Love Dogs “This post is dedicated to Mr. Hershey Kaplan, born April 4, 1997. When I was six years old, what I wanted more than anything else in the world was a dog.” (more)
Chorus:
Here Yeller
Come back, Yeller
Best doggone dog in the west
Verse:
Old Yeller was a mongrel
An ugly, lop-eared mongrel
Fancy free without a family tree
But he could up and do it
And prove there’s nothing to it
And that’s how a good dog should be
Chorus:
Here Yeller
Come back, Yeller
Best doggone dog in the west
Verse:
Old Yeller was a hunter
A rearin’, tearin’ hunter
In any chase he knew just how to run
And when he hunted trouble
He always found it double
And that’s when Old Yeller had fun
Chorus:
Here Yeller
Come back, Yeller
Best doggone dog in the west
Verse:
Old Yeller was a fighter
A rootin’, tootin’ fighter
In any scrap he knew just what to do
A rough and ready fellow
Although his coat was yellow
His bold Texas heart was true blue
Chorus :
Here Yeller
Come back, Yeller
Best doggone dog in the west
Here Yeller
Come back, Yeller
Best doggone dog in the west
Best doggone dog in the west
Every Friday, Mutt Tunes showcases songs with or about dogs. Email your suggestions.
Updates from the two groups providing relief to the Animals In Haiti.
1. Humane Society International (HSI) / Humane Society United States (HSUS) /Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association
From the Humane Society International Site:
“The Haitian earthquake was not like Hurricane Katrina, with time ticking away against the minutes and hours of the lives of thousands of pets stranded in homes and buildings throughout the strike zone in Louisiana and Mississippi. And Haiti was not the United States, with an emergency response infrastructure ready to accommodate the efforts of those who wanted to help animals.Haiti was, instead, what it has been for a long time, an impoverished and underdeveloped nation, with different styles of pet keeping, traditional forms of subsistence agriculture incorporating animals, and a heavy reliance on horses and donkeys as beasts of burden. Before the earthquake, its animal welfare problems, grave as they were, did not greatly differ from those of dozens of nations around the world in which compassion and resources are not yet sufficient to reach the plight and the needs of suffering or neglected animals. Now, the earthquake has put a spotlight on these problems.”
“Over the last few weeks, the ARCH field team has been moving from neighbourhood to neighbourhood doing vaccinations, de-worming and providing treatments. Our other partners from IFAW, SODOPRECA and Best Friends have been part of this rotation, working together day and night. The collaboration between animal welfare groups has been vital to ensuring the immediate needs of Haiti’s animals are met. So far, that dedicated team has come to the aid of nearly 2,000 animals.”
Current members of Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH)
International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)
World Society for Protection of Animals
American Humane Association
Best Friends Animal Society
RSPCA (UK)
In Defence of Animals
American Veterinary Medical Association
American Veterinary Medical Foundation
Antigua and Barbuda Humane Society
ASPCA
United Animal Nations
The Kinship Circle
One Voice
Swiss Animal Protection
Palo Alto Humane Society (PAHS)
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)
Finnish Federation for Animal Welfare Associations
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