Newspaper

The New York Times

An Insomniac’s Best Friend  By LILY BURANA

As far as late-night companions go, you could do worse than a dog.

Ever anxious in my sleeplessness, I cherished the uplift that came from the familiar circle, circle, plonk of my 100-pound, unusually tall yellow Lab throwing himself onto the checkerboard rug by my side. Devoted in the extreme, he was so determined to be near me that someone once exclaimed, “He’d crawl into the corner of your eye if he could.” I’d put aside my cares for a moment and pick up one of his great webbed paws, sniff the tough, street-blackened pads and exclaim, “Your feet smell like Fritos!” I’d tickle the divot of his belly button, or rub his velvety cutlet ears. He’d shift position, leaving behind an aureole of hair so thick it looked as if all his follicles had sneezed at once. . . .

The Virginian-Pilot

Peninsula man sues pet shop after slipping on dog feces
By Tim McGlone April 1, 2010

Robert Holloway really stepped in it when he went to PetSmart to pick up some bird seed and dog food. According to a lawsuit filed in federal court, Holloway slipped on a pile of dog feces a year ago at a Newport News PetSmart and badly hurt his back. He also struck his head, knocking out four of his false teeth, the suit says. He’s suing the chain for $1 million. . . . The suit says PetSmart and its employees “negligently allowed animals to enter the premises and deposit feces in such a manner as to create a dangerous and hazardous condition.” . . . However, speaking generally, White said employees are trained to clean up messes and customers are encouraged to clean up after their pets. Every store has “oops” stations, clearly marked, with clean-up supplies. “They’re animals. There’s always going to be accidents,” she said from Phoenix, where the company is based.

The Miami Herald

Family escapes burning home thanks to dog barking

CLEARWATER, Fla. — A family dog can be called a hero for saving a Clearwater family from their burning home. The family’s 1-year-old puppy-size Shih Tzu named Scooter woke up the family early Sunday morning with his constant barking. The family was able to escape a fire that started in a car parked in the driveway of their home. . . .

Seattle Post Intelligencer

Free Eye Exams for Service and other Qualified Working Dogs

She has been blind for 13 years. So, when Lisa Davidson, of Warminster, PA found out about the ACVO/Merial National Service Dog Eye Exam event, she was elated. She completely relies on her guide dog, Eagle for assistance. “I think it’s great these animals are being represented because they have a very special job to do,” says Ms. Davidson. “Eagle has opened many doors for me, to allow me to become independent. It’s so important that his eyes are working.”  And, that’s exactly the reason for the event. Guide dogs, handicapped assistance dogs, detection dogs, search and rescue dogs, and therapy dogs (such as Delta Society Pet Partners) selflessly serve the public. So, for the month of May 2010, the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) is launching the 3rd annual ACVO/Merial National Service Dog Eye Exam Event to help serve these dogs who dedicate their lives to serving us . . . .

Magazine

The Whole Dog Journal 

The April issue is out and here are some articles:

Walking An Excited Dog
You contemplate taking your dog for a walk with mixed emotions. You love the idea of going for a companionable stroll through the neighborhood together, but it’s a major hassle to get out the door. When you pick up his leash he becomes the Tasmanian Devil – body slamming you, racing around the foyer, and bouncing off the plate glass door with such intensity you’re afraid he’ll crash right through it. Here are five suggestions for turning this potential disaster into the enjoyable outing you dream of.

Canine News You Can Use: April 2010
On December 1, 2009, Merial published an open letter to veterinarians, announcing a shortage of Immiticide (melarsomine dihydrochloride), the only drug licensed for use in treating heartworm infestations in dogs. The shortage is due to a manufacturing site transfer. The company expressed hope that the shortage will not persist beyond the first quarter of this year. An apparently unrelated problem is responsible for Merial’s announced shortage of Heartgard (ivermectin) tablets, which may be unavailable until 2011. Heartgard prevents canine heartworm disease by eliminating the “tissue stage” of heartworm larvae for a month after infection. Fortunately, Heartgard chewables and other ivermectin products (including products made by other manufacturers) remain available, so a shortage of the tablets is not cause for concern. The Immiticide shortage, however, has alarmed veterinarians and shelters (who see a lot of heartworm-positive dogs) across the country.

Multi-Dog Household Aggression and Fighting
Knowledgeable dog people are quite aware that not all dogs get along with each other, despite the fact that canis lupus familiaris (domestic dog) is a social species. Hey, we humans are a social species, and we certainly don’t all get along! Dog-dog aggression is unhappily common in our world. As a professional behavior consultant who works with aggression cases, I probably see more than my fair share of it. By far the most difficult and most distressing presentations of dog-dog aggression are intra-pack aggression cases: dogs in the same family who aren’t getting along with each other. I’ve had a spate of these clients in recent weeks. Even our own Lucy and Missy, a Cardigan Corgi and Australian Shepherd who don’t always get along seamlessly, seem to have experienced an increase in relationship tensions this winter.

Canine Kidney Stone and Bladder Stone Prevention
Humans aren’t the only ones who get kidney and bladder stones. Our dogs develop these painful and dangerous conditions, too. But much of what is said and done about canine urinary tract stone disease (also known as bladder stones, urolithiasis, urinary stones, ureteral stones, urinary calculi, ureteral calculi, or urinary calculus disease), including its causes and treatment, is either incorrect, ineffective, or potentially harmful. Here’s the information you need in order to make informed decisions on behalf of your best friend. Veterinary studies conducted around the world on millions of urinary stones show similar demographics. Although kidney and bladder stones can afflict dogs of both sexes, all breeds, and all ages, those at greatest risk are small, female, between the ages of 4 and 8, and prone to bladder infections.

Canine Sports: Herding Competitions
Fetch. Drive. Flank. Come-bye. Go-bye. Way to me. Outruns. Flight zones. Pressure point. That’ll do! The sport of herding has a unique vocabulary that distinguishes it from all the other canine sports. In addition to basic obedience cues such as sit, down, stay, and come, dogs are trained to respond to cues that tell them when to start moving livestock, in which direction to move them, when to stop moving them, when and how to move them into pens, and how to use their physical presence to pressure the stock to move but not to scare them into running or stampeding. There is dirt, there is dust, there is livestock that can break bones and bruise a body, and there is livestock poop. And herding teams love it all.

Detecting Canine Anal Sac Problems
Anal sacs are located on either side of your dog’s anus, between the external and internal sphincter muscles. Depending on the dog, they range in size from that of pea to a lima bean. Sebaceous glands within the lining secrete a foul-smelling liquid. Under normal circumstances, the sacs empty on their own during bowel movements via a pair of ducts. This natural, routine emptying serves as a means of olfactory communication and establishing territory. Each dog possesses his own unique scent, which is why ritualized dog-to-dog greetings include copious rear-end sniffing. When a dog presents his rear for information gathering, the muscle movements involved in raising the tail apply pressure to the sac, prompting the release of additional scent.

The Bark Magazine

The April/May issue is out.  Here are some articles and stories.

Inspired by Dog  Majora Carter and her dog Xena, transforming the world.

Juliette of the Herbs Juliette de Baïracli Levy pioneered a natural approach to animal care. By Eleanor K. Sommer

Finding Farley Karsten Heuer’s family and their dog make a canoe excursion across Canada, retracing Farley Mowat’s literary adventures.

Wanted: Forever After Breed rescue—thousands step up to meet the challenge and save lives. By Julia Kamysz Lane

Tips on Unemployment By Lisa Levine

Village Dogs A woman, a man and a dog—three lives intersect. By Bim Angst

The Perfect Garden Dog By Nancy Taylor Robson

Love, Italian Style By Justine van der Leun