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Monday, July 30, 2012

Breed Surveys Tell Breeds What To Watch For

The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals offers free Breed Club Health Surveys of many dog breeds so that breed associations and breeders can be better informed about health issues of their breeds. The surveys can be completed online (although you may need the assistance of your veterinarian for a question or two) in about 20 minutes. They’re pretty thorough, too. The results are confidential and are used to identify health issues of various breeds. They also tell you as a pet owner which genetic health screens your dog should have.

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To take the survey, visit http://www.offa.org/surveys/index.html. You can even read the results of some of the surveys, which are fascinating.For example, did you know:

22% of Papillons have been diagnosed with dental disorders?1 in 10 Staffordshire Bull Terriers is used in obedience trials?The most common skin disorder in Parson Russell Terriers is seasonal allergies?

Some surveys may be closed, but check back every 6 months to see if your dog’s survey is open. If you have a purebred dog, even it you obtained him/her from a shelter, you should answer the survey to help breeders and breed clubs understand the health issues oftheir favorite dogs.


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Watch out for the blue-green algae, it's toxic and dangerous!

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Dog in Singapore Waits Patiently for Absent Owner, Recalling Hachiko

Nicknamed "Jurong's Hachiko" after the Akita who loyally awaited the return of his human at the train station he used to routinely arrive at before he died, a Labrador in Singapore has been returning to the same bus stop for days, garnering attention and an effort to capture him and give him a new home.

The dog has been appearing at the stop twice a day for the past few months. No one knows anything about the dog or what might have happened to his human. Locals don't know whether the dog has been abandoned or if the owner has passed away -- all they do know is that the dog comes to the bus stop in the afternoon and in the evening, and goes home with no one.

Though he is shy and wary of people, and somewhat dirty, the dog appears otherwise healthy, and is estimated to be about 7 or 8. A nearby newspaper vendor has been feeding him so he doesn't go hungry, and has noted that the dog will eat only from a bowl and is generally well-behaved, even waiting for the light to turn green before crossing the street.

UPDATE: Several people have attempted to lure the dog away, but the dog is steadfast and will not go to anyone. Recently, however, a group of people managed to capture the dog, with hopes of giving him a new home. The dog is currently in the hands of a veterinarian, and once looked over and given the okay, will go home to a new family.

Via Dog Heirs and Yahoo! News, photos of the captured Jurong Hachiko courtesy of Rajaa


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Sunday, July 29, 2012

How One Dog Inspired New York's Canine Camp Getaway

We've written a lot about traveling with your dog this summer -- 'tis the season, after all, and for some of us, it's not really a family vacation unless the family's devoted furry members can come along, too (and no, we're not talking about your Uncle Bob).

The Canine Camp Getaway is designed specifically for people and their dogs to go vacationing together. Set against the breathtaking Adirondack Mountains in Lake George, NY, the Roaring Brook Ranch hosts the weekend retreat twice a year. Featuring activities like Barks and Crafts, introductory obedience training, hiking, swimming, and Yappy Hour, there's plenty for you and your dog to do.

But there's more to the Canine Camp Getaway than just a rare chance to travel with your dog.

The Getaway was created by dog lover Janice Costa, whose journey started on a much different path. Growing up with animals, Janice developed a profound connection with them, especially since she was always a little shy. Writing and music were her chosen forms of creative expression, and she eventually found work as a magazine editor and sang in a band. While searching for a canine companion to adopt, she came across an unlikely match named Jessie.

Originally set on a Lab mix, Jessie, a Belgian Malinois, demonstrated how "life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans" (gotta love that John Lennon lyric!). Even though Janice didn't know it at first, Jessie had already picked her, expressing excitement only for Janice, and even remembering her face when she returned after fruitless searching. Janice recalls the way Jessie put her paw up upon seeing her, while ignoring everyone else who came to the shelter. They had found each other.

Shortly after bringing Jessie home, Janice noticed that the dog's temperament and personal history would require extra training. Bred to be protective, the Belgian Malinois made dating a little difficult, and as a working breed, Jessie needed to feel useful. Janice worked hard with Jessie to apply the dog's traits productively. And that's when Janice experienced another bump in the road.

Janice began experiencing inner-ear problems so severe she couldn't get out of bed without feeling dizzy, sometimes throwing up for hours. Jessie's service instincts kicked in, and the dog intuitively responded to Janice's illness by learning to retrieve items for her while Janice remained bedridden. Janice lost hearing in her right ear and was forced to give up singing -- a devastating loss. But life would happen again, revealing a new fork in the road.

Hanging out at dog parks, Janice noticed that Jessie flourished in the presence of other canines, and began looking for more opportunities for the dog to socialize. And that's when the idea for a doggie retreat struck her.

Three years later, Janice is still organizing her Canine Camp Getaway, which has proven to be a successful endeavor. At the Getaway, dogs and their guardians get to enjoy each other's company in an environment that supports and celebrates the profound connection between hounds and humans. Janice has Jessie to thank for her success -- the dog she never expected to take home, but who showed her that when life throws you a curveball, you play fetch! 

Via the Huffington Post


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An Update on Rosie, the Sweet but Sad Inbred Chihuahua

Remember Rosie, the terribly deformed Chihuahua who was rescued from an animal hoarder/backyard breeder in late June? Our story on her and the other 20 or so rescued dogs brought a great deal of reader empathy, and plenty of sadness and anger about Rosie's condition, which is the result of careless inbreeding.

Despite her needlenose snout, super-bowed legs, bony body, purply-pink skin, and bulging and eerily light eyes, many readers saw her beauty -- both inner and outer. So did her rescuer, Cinnamon Muhlbauer.

"She is an absolutely gorgeous girl who just needs a little TLC. Well, maybe a lot of TLC," she told us.

We checked back in with Muhlbauer a couple of weeks after the rescue to see how her little Rosie was faring. Rosie has been enjoying her time with Muhlbauer, her husband, and several rescued animals on a ranch in the Los Angeles mountains near Malibu. That TLC Rosie needed? She's getting it by the bucketful.

During Rosie's recent visit to her veterinarian at the Malibu Veterinary Clinic, the vet's wife, Evelien Van Netten Lupo, decided to take some "glamour" shots of Rosie to show her off to her fullest.

"She wanted to capture what I see, what her husband sees, and what she saw when she met Rosie, so that people would understand that she is bright, curious, loving, hopeful, and mischievous, and that we are giving her a chance to develop those traits to their full potential," says Muhlbauer. "I don't think anyone viewing those photos can question why we would work so hard to save a little one like her, or why people work to help dogs that some don't think are worth saving."

The good news is that some conditions, like Rosie's mange and malnutrition, are fixable. "But the genetic defects are things we will just have to deal with and work around," she says.

I asked about the specifics of the physical conditions Dr. John Lupo has diagnosed so far. "Her bloodwork came back with no sign of infections or any organ malfunctions. Her X-rays are another matter. Her chest is compressed partially from bearing most of her body weight day after day for two years and partially from her genetics. She has fairly severe scoliosis, which is visible without an X-ray -- that little spine curves almost in an arc. Both her front and hind legs have deformities. Her bones did not develop properly so they fused together in places."

"Going forward, we can't do much about her shortened front legs, but her hind legs can and will stretch out as they should," says Muhlbauer. "We are hoping that with physical therapy she can build enough strength to walk more than a few feet and have better balance, and perhaps she can even have a cart at some point, which would support her front legs and allow her to move her forward via her back legs.

"Her fur is coming back in little peach fuzz spots, which shows what some good nutrition can do. She is still bright red in places; however, her skin texture and color improves daily. The mange treatment is working! Her eyes are getting used to light and dark and are finally functioning normally, so she has expression to her face rather than the startled confused look she had before."

I asked how Rosie's demeanor has changed since their earliest time together. "When I first got her, she wasn't sure what to expect. She was nervous and tense -- I could feel it in her body. Now she is relaxed and curious about everything. She is demanding! She is confined to the bathroom until she is stronger, and she crabwalks out of her bed and drapes across my feet while I am putting on my make up in the morning. If there is an opportunity to be cuddled she is not going to miss it!"


"Rosie will need special care throughout her life, but she is worth the extra effort," Muhlbauer says.

We'll keep you posted on Rosie's recovery, and you can check for updates on Rosie's Facebook page. Even if she can't walk yet, with the loving care of Muhlbauer, her vet, and others in her life, she's already taken many steps in the right direction.

Photos by Evelien Van Netten Lupo.


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How to shop for a green, eco-friendly dog car.

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A Pet Store Puppy For Suri? Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, You Can Do Better Than That

Did you see the photos last week of Suri Cruise tearfully looking at puppies at a pet store? No? You didn't see them? What's wrong with you? That was a choice piece of center-cut pop culture. You got a job or something?  

Truthfully, it has us a bit worried. If Suri Cruise wants a puppy from a puppy store, then that means Suri's daddy is going to want a puppy from a puppy store, and there's not much that can stop Tom Cruise besides a well-executed escape plan and a crack legal team. 

We fear this might get more people thinking about buying puppies from pet stores instead of where they should be getting them: shelters (editor's note: or reputable breeders). Hell, we wouldn't be surprised if backyard breeders are working up a Suri breed right now (half Maltese, half Staffordshire Bull Terrier, one dab dragon's blood), or if Petland opens 15 more stores on the Eastern seaboard based on that photo alone. 

Many pet stores, of course, stock their shelves with dogs from puppy mills, and you don't want a dog from a puppy mill. You could start by reading this piece on puppy mills. For just the choice quotes, read on:

"Puppy mills are often dirty and unsanitary. You often see dogs in cages with their own filth, left out in the heat and cold, malnourished, and with skin problems.""Puppies are not hand-held from birth like most reputable breeders' are. This means they have little or no human interaction until they're sold. This can lead to aggression, anxiety, fear, indifference, and a whole host of behavioral problems. Also, living in a small cage crates a poorly adjusted dog.""Dogs are usually caged their entire breeding life.""Dogs are often bred every six months, with never a break. After their fertility ends, they are often sold or sometimes killed."Nice, huh? No, that's not nice. Tom, if you really want to go purebred, buy the Westminster Kennel Club and give it to Suri through her lawyers. Go big. 

But what we think Suri really needs is an intervention -- an indoctrination, if you will -- into the joys of getting a dog from the shelter, which costs far less money, much less than your life savings doled out piecemeal throughout the years until you're so brainwashed you think you've moved across the Bridge to Total Freedom and achieved Clear when you've really just gone utterly and completely insane thinking you're descended from aliens who died in a volcano. Ahem. 

So, Tom, Katie, legal teams on both sides, Gloria Aldridge, Martha Stewart, James Van Der Beek, or anyone else with a direct line to Tom: Consider this a public service announcement. Give Suri a shelter dog. Two if you can handle the extra food expense. You can do this. 

Just picture Suri and Katie traipsing down their Manhattan sidewalk with a shelter pup surrounded by 32 people carrying $350,000 of recording equipment and broadcasting the adorable dog's every move to TMZ and probably Tom's computer in his secret office in the closet -- um, basement. I bet Xenu himself might reveal himself in the foyer and tell the kid she did good. 

Remember: Thetans don't let thetans buy puppies from pet stores (bumper sticker?), and nor should the rest of you.


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How Some 500 Tweets Got a Lost Dog Home

A few years ago, if a dog hopped a train solo, it might take weeks or months before everyone sorted the mess out. Last week, it took 32 minutes.

Twitter again. 

The ordeal started when a Jack Russell Terrier named Patch, upon realizing he was without his owner, apparently decided that the best course of action would be to board a train bound for Dublin, Ireland, and pronto. Jack Russells -- always up for an adventure, you know? 

Things were going to plan (exactly what that plan was, you'd have to ask Patch) when other commuters realized their fellow commuter sitting next to them was a dog. Introductions were made, hands were proffered and sniffed, heads were patted, and all was well -- until somebody realized that Patch was alone. 

Authorities were alerted. And so was Twitter.

Irish Rail tweeted its 18,000 followers: "Lost dog! Boarded at Kilcock at 06.49 this morning, currently being looked after in Pearse Stn. Please ReTweet." Retweet those followers did, and did, and did -- more than 500 times in 32 minutes.

During that time, Patch got along famously with his temporary and rapidly moving family. 

"Rail workers on board dubbed the dog Checker," wrote the New York Daily News, "joking he might be trained to inspect people's tickets, as commuters took turns petting the friendly dog."

It took just over a half hour before Irish Rail staff received the response they had been hoping for. It came from Deirdre Anglin of Kilcock, County Kildare. She tweeted: "That's my dog! I'll call the station now."

Irish Rail's Twitter followers, no doubt breathless, got the good news first. 

"Looks like we've found the owner, we'll confirm shortly - 32 minutes it took, great work all, thanks for all the RTs!"

Another tweet soon followed, this one with a photo of Patch and Deirdre together again in the train station. 

"Reunited! @DeirdreCA and Patch after Patch's early morning commute from Kilcock to Pearse!"

"It was good she showed up so quickly, because the staff in the office were getting quite attached to him," said Irish Rail spokesman Barry Kenny, according to the Daily News.

The story of Patch shows the power of social media, especially in a place that has taken to it as much as this corner of Ireland. Even Patch himself, now famous after his jaunt to Dublin, joined the service after his great adventure, kicking off his feed with heartfelt thanks:

"Hi Everyone :D I learned how to use this Twitter thingy after it helped me find my way home. Thanks @IrishRail and @DeirdreCA woof woof"

The pup has since racked up more than 254 followers with 55 tweets. All that work has made Patch one tired dog, as evidenced by the photo to the right, which he tweeted out after his first long day on the service. On the Internet, everyone knows you're a dog ...

Read more at The New York Daily News.


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The Doghouses of the Rich and Famous

Typically we don't laugh at people who do crazy things with their dogs -- hey, we're Dogster. These are our people. 

But we went from smirking to giggling to outright scoffing at what transpired in America's paper of record last week (that's the New York Times).

Namely, $20,000 doghouses. Some outfitted with air conditioning, heating, carpeting, music systems, and manservants. Well, just kidding on the manservants. But all the other stuff is true, as detailed in "Luxury Doghouses and the Dogs That Couldn't Care Less."   

Michelle Pollak of La Petite Maison is one such lady who creates these mini-doghouse-mansions. Her most famous client, Rachel Hunter, spent "more than $16,000" on a Mediterranean-style house for her pet, according to the Times. Good for her. The last thing we spent "more than $16,000" on was college.

Hunter's doghouse, a replica of her own house, is adorned with "hand-painted wallcovering dotted with pawprints and bones" and "wrought-iron light fixtures and terra-cotta flooring." Sounds nice. “Alan had to hand-make every tile of the Mediterranean roof,” Ms. Pollak told the Times, we imagine hauntingly.  

Where else can you get such a high-priced doghaus? Rockstar Puppy will let you spend as much as $20,000, according to the Times. On the site, two are listed for $12,000 each, one made especially for JWoww. An "Add to Cart!" button helpfully prompts shoppers under the $12,000 doghouse. Hell, why not. 

Not to be outdone, Walmart is selling $4,000 doghouses from the Little Cottage Company. Thank you, Walmart. You win. We will never think of you as a bargain-store again. Good work, everyone.  But the rich and famous aren't the only people getting in on the mini-mansion-doghouses. There's also people who should know better: architects. Actually, we can't really fault this, because at least they're actually building houses. Most architects build elaborate blueprints for 20 years, renovate a bathroom and call it a career. A house that's only 8 square feet total allows them to flex their muscles a bit. 

As architect Brian Pickard told the Times: “If I build a doghouse and somebody is anticipating that it’s going to last 10 years in their backyard, it’s different from designing a house that somebody is expecting will last for 50 years. I can be more experimental.”

We admit, we love Pickard's doghouse -- or rather his modernist clarion call to small-animal existing (that's us talking like a big-shot critic). We imagine lying on the porch with our head in the living room and our feet in the grass, spending a few quiet hours enjoying cutting-edge "barkitecture" -- did we forget to mention it's called barkitecture? A bit of advice: Don't tell your parents you're a barkitect.

By now some of you might be wondering: Wait, doghouses? What dog uses a doghouse anymore? Answer: None. At least none who would admit to it in the story. 

Not Maggie, who has a Palladian-style mini-mansion to call her own, with Jeffersonian columns that match the columns of her owner's home.

“Maggie’s never been in it," her owner told the Times. "She’s a house dog.” Fair enough. 

And not Hugo, either, a French Bulldog who owns an eco-doghouse with a succulent roof (that's a roof made of succulents). “It’s hard to get a dog to love the doghouse,” Eric McFarland told the Times. “He’d rather be in our bed.”

Which, indeed, is where most dogs are nowadays, or thereabouts. Fifty years ago, dogs used doghouses because it was either that or under the porch or in the derelict car down the street. Dogs used to sleep outside at night -- at least if our '60s sitcoms are any guide. Today we allow our dogs to be where they want to be. And that's with us. 


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Saturday, July 28, 2012

Broadway's "Annie" Picks a Shelter Pup to Play Sandy

Thank God someone is paying attention: The dog in a revival of Annie, a musical about an orphan girl given a shot at the sweet life, is not going to a classically trained canine with a resume full of work but rather a 2-year-old shelter dog named Sunny, according to the New York Daily News

Not only that, the Terrier mix who landed the role of Sandy was a death-row dog down to her last 48 hours in a "kill shelter" in Houston.

"The dog was in rather rough shape with an abrasion on her leg," says animal trainer William Berloni.

It's possible that some heartless doyenne of the stage is braying right now, "Good heavens! A common mutt has no place in the thee-ah-ter." To which we say, go back to the 1940s, madame, and stay there until someone comes along to retrieve you. A shelter dog is the perfect mutt for Broadway, and besides, were you aware that every other dog who has played Sandy on Broadway, including the first one in 1977, was a shelter pup?

And did you know that all the Sandys were trained by 2011 Tony Award recipient William Berloni? And that Berloni has included shelter dogs in such hits as Gypsy, The Wizard of Oz, Anything Goes, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang?

Someone should give this guy Berloni some more Tonys. 

This Sandy will be slightly different, however. Berloni, who is also the director of animal behavior and training of the Humane Society of New York, plans to have her dance.

"I have to say, it's the first time I've ever put a dog in a dance number," he told the Detroit Free Press. "That's going to be new and interesting."

After he found Sunny in Houston, Berloni sent a photo of her to Annie producer Arielle Tepper Madover.

"Save her," she wrote back. 

Berloni did, just in time. "I adopted her sight-unseen," Berloni told the Free Press. "I didn't think she was a candidate for Sandy ... [then] I met her and went, 'Wow, she could really be a candidate.' She's going to be fantastic."

It's a story as good as Annie's. Maybe even better, because it's not based on a comic strip.

"Annie is about a girl and her dog desperately seeking a place to call home, and we're hoping Sunny's story inspires audiences to consider adopting their next pet," said Madover in a statement, according to Playbill.

To that end, Pedigree is partnering with the musical on the “See the Show, Help a Dog” initiative, in which Pedigree will donate $2 for every ticket sold (up to $1 million) to the Pedigree Foundation, through Dec. 31, 2013. Visit Pedigree Foundation for more information. 

The first Sandy in the '70s played almost all of the 2,377 performances during the original production. Sunny probably won't have as strong a run -- animal labor laws have come a long way. But the show is in very good hands when Sunny needs a break. 

Her understudy, Casey, was rescued from a shelter in Nashville. 

Photos via Annie the Musical's Facebook


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A New Brazilian Hotel Has Plans for a "Mating Floor" for Dogs

A "love hotel" is a place people go to have sex, as you probably know. A love hotel for dogs is a place people bring their dogs to have sex. As of now, these hotels don't exist -- thank Dog -- but one is scheduled to open in Brazil any day now. 

The eight-story Animalle Mundo Pet is the brainchild of Fabiano Lourdes and his sister, Daniela, who, according to NPR, have dropped $1 million of their own money into the project. It looks to be a regular pet-friendly hotel, with one notable exception: It has a "mating floor." According to NPR, people with dogs can book a $50 suite on the mating floor, filled with "amenities like mood lighting, a heart-shaped ceiling mirror, and red floor cushions," and let their dogs have sex. 

This is ridiculous on many levels -- heart-shaped mirrors? -- but mostly it's just terrible. Hoteliers looking to get rich should not be encouraging people to mate their dogs. Nobody should be encouraging anybody to randomly mate their dogs. 

With more than 32 million dogs, Brazil is second only to the U.S. in canine population, and a disturbing number of them are strays -- in Caxias do Sul there is even a favela for dogs, with more than 1,000 dogs living in tightly packed dog houses. That last thing the country needs is a luxurious hotel encouraging people to increase that number. 

The really sick part? Fabiano and Daniela are not only encouraging irresponsible dog mating, they're trying to make it fashionable. Along with the absurd mood lighting and mirrors, the hotel will have 60 employees, vets, biologists, and $1,000 Swarovski crystal dog collars for sale.  It's almost like they're trying to hand-hold the rich into irresponsible pet ownership. Nice business plan, Fabiano.

"For many people, the dog is a child who must be well treated," says the 26-year-old, according to News24. Fair enough. But then he goes off the deep end: "Our market studies showed that people work all day long and they do not know where to drop their pets for mating." 

Fortunately, we don't think his "market studies" are all that accurate; it's highly doubtful that the people of Brazil are clamoring for a solution to mating their pets.

Let's hope this idea crashes and burns, and more interest is given to groups like Arca Brasil, which organizes efforts for free spay-and-neuter services for low-income families. That's where people who really love dogs are spending their time.


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Product Review: Resolve High Traffic Foam

Even indoor dogs can be hard on carpets. Whenever dogs lie down for a long chew on a rawhide chew, run in and out of the yard, or gets dirty at the dog park, the carpets suffer. I have several areas of the carpet that get particularly dingy from dog activity. So I decided to try Resolve High Traffic Carpet Cleaner. 

This is a large area cleaner, so you can do a patch of carpet that’s three feet square, which is usually enough to cover a dirty area in front of a crate or around a bed. It’s designed to work with a gadget called Easy Clan Carpet Brush from Resolve, but you can use it even if you don’t have the brush (which I don’t). Simply shake and spray the foam over the dirty area, then work it into the carpet using a damp, clean mop or cloth. I used a microfiber towel (I use them for everything when I clean around the house). The instructions say you should rub the foam in two directions, wait for it to dry, then vacuum it up.

I have to say, it did a very good job. I feed my dog a raw diet, and occasionally, he’ll take a pork neck bone, chicken wing, or other messy treat to the middle of the floor and commence to gnawing it. This sometimes leaves a damp, yucky mess behind. I start with a damp towel to blot up most of it, then use the foam. This foam seems to attach itself to the dirt and mess, then dries so you can vacuum it up.

There are other high-traffic areas that I’ve tried this foam on. The carpet inside the back door leading to the yard always gets dark and dingy. But this foam cleans the dirt well between professional carpet cleanings (every 6 months). One caution, though. The more a carpet gets abraded, the more it “blooms,” which means the fibers unwind from the loops and give a “spread-out” and worn look. So I wouldn’t want to be rubbing this or any other product vigorously and frequently on the same spot of carpet. However, for occasional cleaning of high-traffic spots that get dirtier than most of the rest of the carpet, Resolve High Traffic Foam does a good job.

The fragrance is light and clean, not perfumy, so you get the added benefit of freshening up the room without overpowering your dog’s sensitive sniffer. You can even use it on upholstery, if your dog should have a mishap. It’s best to use as little foam as you can and avoid overwetting, to avoid rings. Also, you should clean the entire section — all the way to the seam — when cleaning upholstery. NOTE: Evidently, the manufacturer is testing different packaging designs, so your can may look slightly different than the one shown.

Although not a substitute for professional steam cleaning, this is a good product that will help keep dog households with carpeting cleaner between steam cleanings.


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Rocket Dog Rescue Saves Nine Chihuahuas from Hoarders

Volunteers from San Francisco nonprofit Rocket Dog Rescue are preparing for a second trip to Bakersfield after traveling there last weekend to rescue nine Chihuahuas from a dog-hoarding situation.

Rocket Dog founder Pali Boucher says that two of the dogs have already found new homes, two are in foster homes that might become permanent, and the others are being fostered.

About 50 dogs were in the home, which she described as “awful living conditions.”

“They are all around a year old, and extremely sweet and loving despite what they have been through,” Boucher wrote on Rocket Dog Rescue’s Facebook page.

She says she is not sure how many dogs she and other volunteers will bring back from Bakersfield when they return.

Despite the horrific environment the dogs were found in, Boucher says, the woman who was keeping the dogs is working with Rocket and other rescue groups. “That’s the way I like to help,” Boucher says, “before animal control steps in, as long as we have a system in place and the person is willing to work with us.”

Asked to describe the Bakersfield site, she says, “Whenever you have 50 animals in one given place, you’re going to have a very cluttered and very dirty environment -- it’s going to look pretty harsh.”

The woman holding the dogs called Rocket Dog Rescue directly; Boucher says she believes the woman was trying to help the dogs, but somehow the situation got out of hand. Unfortunately, this is all too common in dog-hoarding situations.

The health problems in this group of Chihuahuas include cases of demodectic mange and some pneumonia. “We’re pretty good at trouble-shooting some pretty serious illnesses,” Boucher says, adding that just getting a large group of rescue animals spayed and neutered can cost thousands of dollars.

The first group of dogs taken by Rocket Dog were mostly in good health -- and that was intentional. Boucher says when there are a lot of animals to be rescued, she’ll take the ones in better condition first because they can find foster and permanent homes more readily. Volunteers will return to get dogs with more serious medical needs and behavioral problems who could take longer to rehabilitate. Older dogs, which are also harder to place, are also included in the later rounds of rescue.

Late last week Rocket received the call and coordinated with other rescue groups in California, including Nuts’n Bolts Animal Advocates in the city of Madera. 

“We really believe in working together as a team,” Boucher says. “We’re not territorial.” The first phone call indicated that about 25 animals were at the site, whereas 50 were discovered.

Small dogs such as Chihuahuas used to be relatively rare in shelters, Boucher says, but now they are among the most common. A recent case involved 16 Chihuahuas in a small apartment in San Francisco’s Tenderloin District. The animals' owner moved to the Philippines, simply leaving the animals behind.

The situation in Bakersfield and surrounding Kern County is indeed dire, Boucher says. Statistics from the Kern County Animal Control website reflect this. In 2011, slightly more than 1,800 dogs were adopted from the shelter, whereas around 10,000 were euthanized. The numbers for cats are lower but the adoption-to-death ration is worse. About 500 cats were adopted from the shelter, while more than 7,800 were put to death.

Asked the reason for this, Boucher cites overpopulation. “There’s just no place to put these guys,” she says.

To adopt one of the rescued Chihuahuas, donate toward the cost of the dogs' care, or offer volunteer services, visit the Rocket Dog Rescue website.


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Saving the Dogs of Puerto Rico's Ghastly Dead Dog Beach

It is almost impossible to fathom the atrocities that take place every day at Puerto Rico's infamous "Dead Dog Beach." There, sweet mutts (Satos, as they're called) are left to starve and die -- vulnerable to heartless kids who stop by for the "fun" of beating and tormenting helpless animals. Thankfully, the SATO Project of Puerto Rico rescues as many of these castaway canines as possible, transporting them to animal shelters in the Northeast, where they are made available for adoption.

Last Tuesday, six Sato survivors arrived at Kent Animal Shelter in Calverton, New York. As is typical of this sweet species of mutt, no two are alike -- Satos come in every size and stripe, each one uniquely adorable. Their transport to safety was part of Kent's rescue program in partnership with other humane organizations saving lives -- not only in the Long Island-New York metro region, but as far away as St. Croix and the Turks & Caicos. 

Kent Animal Shelter is an award-winning nonprofit that was established in 1968 as a no-kill haven for abandoned, neglected, or abused animals. Saving the Sato Six was Kent's first partnership with the SATO Project. Executive director Pamela Green recalls her first contact with the rescue group. 

"When I heard about Dead Dog Beach and what happens to the animals there, when I saw the photos on the Internet and heard the stories of torture, I knew that we had to help," she says. "Like so many other islands of paradise, it's no paradise for strays. The whole scenario of Dead Dog Beach is extremely disturbing, where animals are abandoned to die. The fact that youths come to the beach at night and randomly torture dogs there is disgusting and hard to digest. We can find these animals loving homes, and they don't have to suffer like that."

Pamela also had a personal reason for reaching out to help: "I visited San Juan a number of years ago and saw large numbers of stray dogs infested with mange, pitifully thin and totally ignored. So it makes my day to be able to reach out and help dogs in this place where it is unfortunate to be born if you are a canine."

She promises that Kent will continue to help the SATO Project, adding it to its list of rescue partners, which includes municipal animal shelters in the South and Western United States, as well as Best Friends Animal Society, which rescues dogs from puppy mills in the Midwest.

"The Dead Dog Beach rescues are highly adoptable and are all relatively small," Pamela concludes. "Their personalities are great. Maybe they know they have been rescued and are just grateful!"


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Lennox the Dog Is Dead

Lennox the dog is dead, murdered by the Belfast City Council this morning.

Nobody could save him. Not the Save Lennox Campaign, not social media, not Twitter, not Facebook, not political pressure by Northern Ireland's First Minister Peter Robinson, not the efforts of celebrity dog lovers like Victoria Stilwell, not an online army, not physical protestors swarming Belfast and British and Irish Consulates in New York, not worldwide vigils, and not your thoughts and prayers.  

It all failed. Nothing worked. Lennox was at the mercy of the Belfast City Council, and the council showed none. With breathtaking stupidity, the council decided that the Bulldog/Lab mix, who had hurt no one, was a "Pit Bull-type" dog and needed to be put down. Why?  In a statement released before the murder, the council cited "experts" who concluded the Bulldog/Lab mix was dangerous. This morning it released another:

"Whilst there is an exemption scheme to which dogs of this type (Pit-Bull Terrier type) may be admitted as an alternative to destruction, there were no such measures that could be applied in this case that would address the concerns relating to public safety," said the statement. 

Pit-Bull Terrier-type? We're still talking about Lennox, right? The Bulldog/Lab mix?

It went on, shockingly: "The council's expert described the dog as one of the most unpredictable and dangerous dogs he had come across."

Really, Belfast City Council? You sound like someone trying to save his ass -- but careful, you might choke on that ridiculous hyperbole. And where's your expert? Half of the animal behaviorists and experts in the world (with Victoria Stilwell leading the charge) were clamoring to visit Lennox, but you went with your guy. Trot him out. Let him talk. 

And then, the statement falls off a cliff: "Over the past two years, Council officials have been subjected to a sustained campaign of abuse including threats of violence and death threats. The Council has been in ongoing contact with the PSNI in relation to that."

Explain to us, Belfast City Council, what a line about how you've been suffering is doing in your 150-word statement about how you've killed an innocent dog? Oh, right: Tit for tat. We get it. Carry on, killers. 

Are you confused? Outraged? Angry? You should be. What's to stop people like this from finding "experts" to say your dog is dangerous? Nothing. There is nothing to stop them. If you live in an area where Dangerous Dog legislation exists or is coming (now is when you start paying attention to that), there is nothing you can do, when people like the Belfast City Council have "experts" who think a non-violent Bulldog/Lab mix is not only a Pit Bull, but "one of the most unpredictable and dangerous dogs he had come across." It's a travesty.

We end with messages -- heartfelt, angry, sad -- from the Save Lennox Campaign on Facebook:

Stephanie Boyd: ?"A good dog never dies. He always stays. He walks besides you on crisp autumn days when frost is on the fields and winter's drawing near. His head is within our hand in his old way."

Maggie Craven: I am so sorry for your loss, my heart is truly broken for you and your family! RIP Lennox you are at the rainbow bridge catching up on some much needed fun. 

Audrey Quah: My heart breaks and weeps for the Barnes family especially lil Brooke. RIP Lennox, run free at rainbow bridge. You're one very loved dog.

Rachael Ferguson: This is only the beginning of this saga. THERE MUST be an investigation into what REALLY went on behind the scenes in this case, from the dog warden who took Lennox right through to the BCC staff who laughed and made animal noises down the phone to people who rang in to enquire this morning. ... RIP Lennox and love to him and his wonderful incredible family. it was an honour to briefly meet them and to support them throughout this battle. I will remain loyal to them in any future action they take.

Elaine Robins: BCC = Belfast Crooked Cowards!

Rowan Panda Davis: Poor fella. Belfast council have blood on their hands today. God bless Lennox.

Kathleen Burkett: Our prayers are with all who knew the love and beauty of Lennox, my heart breaks for you. Those who have ever loved a pit, pitmix or just a boxy headed dog know the struggles you have faced, I will take a pit who is loved over any other breed.

Marcello Morrone Liutaio: Boycott [Northern] Ireland. RIP Lennox

Tara Furmomforever Cohen: My heart to you in the loss of this beautiful boy. He has opened the eyes the eyes of the world and will not be forgotten. Run free as you were always meant to Lennox ... BB

Karen Lawver: RIP Lennox. You are free now. I am so sorry your death was the only way to your freedom. I hope you remember the LOVE your family gave you. I know you were not dangerous and so does the rest of the world.

Cheryl Gavreluk: My condolences to the family. I can't imagine the heartache you must be feeling at this time. He will look after you from above and always be with you in spirit.

Nancy Norwood Bowes: "Any society, any nation, is judged on the basis of how it treats its weakest members; the last, the least, the littlest." I am ashamed to be part of the human race this morning. RIP Lennox! May your death be the catalyst for change, compassion, and understanding.

Sue Barbeau: Where one door closes, another opens .... let's all believe that Lennox has opened the door to make this the beginning of the end of BSL.

Fiona Diggins: Rest In Peace sweet puppy, your death will not be in vain and we will keep fighting for an end to BSL. Your memory lives on. Sending love and hugs to the family, my thoughts are with you. 

Teresa Manzo: Only tears ... i love you little boy ... now you are free ... sorry dear ... sorry ...

You are also free to comment on the Belfast City Council Facebook. Caution: It's hot in there. 


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Friday, July 27, 2012

Rapper Young Calicoe Is Suspected of Dog Fighting After Viral Video

"Anyone want to fight some dogs?" Detroit rapper Young Calicoe says at the start of a video that went viral early this week, in which he shows off a number of Pit Bulls in cages at his house. "I hope we don't get indicted for that ... that Michael Vick type s***."

Well, good news: Yesterday his house was raided by Detroit police and Michigan Humane Society investigators, who took the dogs -- and some roosters, according to the Detroit Free Press.

(For some of our coverage of "that Michael Vick type s***," click here.)

In the homemade video, the rapper walks through his backyard and a shed full of cages, pointing out the Pit Bulls, some thin and whimpering, calling them "grand champions" and -- for the pups -- "champions in the making."  Don't forget the roosters.

"We fight them too! That's a grand champ right there," Young Calicoe says, gesturing to an anxious, caged rooster.  

Is Young Calicoe the dumbest rapper ever, posting this video? We don't know yet. The police investigation is ongoing. The video showed no clear evidence of dog fighting, just what looks like a terrible dog owner who keeps a lot of Pit Bulls in cages, doesn't feed or care for them enough (they looked thin and terribly sad), while boasting to America that they are grand champions -- and champions in the making, for the pups. 

Young Calicoe denies he fights dogs. We're not sure we believe him. 

Altered to the possible (probable) dog fighting by half the Internet after the video went viral, the police and Michigan Humane Society finally showed up at his door Wednesday. We're surprised Young Calicoe wasn't waiting on the porch for them. "We did seize a number of the animals from the property. They're being taken to the Michigan Humane Society," said Michigan Humane Society spokesman Kevin Hatman, as reported by the Free Press. "They're going to receive the best quality care that they can be given."

Young Calicoe responded as well. He tweeted: "Now that they have Healthy lovable dogs in custody, I just hope that they find nice homes for each and every one of them."

He also denied he was fighting dogs. Sort of. He wrote this on Twitter:

"If u find a video of me 'FIGHTING DOGS' PLEEEEZE LET ME KNO”

Twitter user @MissyB_06 then asked if the rapper had a video of him fighting dogs.

Young Calicoe shot back: "HELL NAAAW"

Although Michigan Humane Society spokesman Kevin Hatman said it's too early to tell whether Young Calicoe is fighting dogs, the Detroit Free Press hit the streets and started reporting. It found resident Robert Mackert, who said he runs an animal rescue operation nearby. 

"You hear dogs all through the night. We've made numerous police reports," Mackert told the Free Press. "It's an absolute nightmare around here." He said he also found dog carcases around the neighborhood, which he believes were victims of dog fighting. 

Fortunately, the police action on this has been pretty strong, because of the clamor over the viral video. It looks like a dog fighting operation, but appearances can be deceiving. If looking like a guy who fights dogs raises your stakes in certain dark corners of the rap world -- and don't think it doesn't -- then you can bet there's more than a few rappers are boasting about owning "grand champions" and "future grand champions."  If that was Young Calicoe's game, it worked. He's bigger than ever.

But be suspicious. We are. 

According to WXYZ-TV, Detroit Police Chief Ralph Godbee said, "I want to thank the media for the attention that you brought to this because the humane treatment of animals ... is very important to us, and some of the conditions that we saw, without going into detail, gave a lot of credence to support what, I think, is going to be a prosecutable case going forward."

Let's hope so. 

See the full video here. Caution: Crude language.  


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Dogs Make Babies Healthier, a Study Says

Want healthier kids? The trick just might be to get a dirty dog!

Researchers in Finland followed 397 children born between 2002 and 2005, asking parents to keep a diary of their children's health, illnesses, and prescribed treatments. What did they find? Babies in families that included a pet -- namely a dog or a cat -- were 44 percent less likely to contract ear infections and 29 percent less likely to end up prescribed antibiotics than their pet-free counterparts. Babies who lived alongside dogs were 31 percent more likely to experience a healthy first year than families without a dog, while babies who shared their home with cats were 6 percent healthier in their first years than babies with no exposure to cats.

According to Dr. Eija Bergroth, the pediatrician at Kuopio University Hospital who helmed the study, “We think the exposure to pets somehow matures the immune system so when the child meets the microbes, he might be better prepared for them."

In other words, some of that dirt and dust your dog brings in after a walk might help babies develop immunity to colds and infections. Even more interesting, researchers observed that babies living with pets who spent their time both indoors and outdoors were healthier than those who lived with indoor-only pets, further strengthening the argument that a little bit of dirtiness can still be next to godliness (or, at least, better heath!).

This coincides with other research that suggests that early exposure to pets may actually help babies resist developing allergies and asthma. Yours truly grew up with cats and dogs, and despite testing extremely allergic to both, I rarely experience symptoms in the presence of furry friends, and I manage to stave off colds and flu while everyone else around me gets sick. I'll have to remember to thank my parents for bringing a home a dog from the shelter shortly after bringing me home from the hospital!

Via TIME.comBaby kissing dog by Shutterstock.com


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Chilled Doggie Smoothies - a yummy, cool, healthy treat for your green dog!

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Hypoallergenic Dogs: Are They Really Hypoallergenic?

A new report came out last week that added fuel to the growing argument that there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. This is nothing to sneeze at, since some people are dropping thousands for the lure of dogs touted for their allergy-free properties.

In fact, not only did the study conclude that hypoallergenic dogs are pretty much mythical creatures, but it found that these dogs have more allergy-causing proteins in their fur than dogs who aren't thought to be anti-allergy. Poodles and Labradoodles had the highest amount of this allergy-causing protein of all the dogs studied. 

The Dutch study involved nearly 400 dogs, about half of whom were of the supposedly hypoallergenic persuasion. Utrecht University's Doris Vredegoor and her colleagues measured the Can f 1 allergen -- a protein that's one of the culprits in dog allergies -- in hair and coat samples, as well as in the air and floor dust of homes of the canine recruits.

The high levels on the hypoallergenic dogs were counterintuitive, until you consider the fact that most hypoallergenic dogs have hair, not fur, and that hair doesn't shed as fur does. That could mean that allergens just hang out on the dog and accumulate until banished by a good bath. That jibes with the finding that floor dust from the Labradoodle homes contained less of the allergen. (It could also mean that allergic owners vacuum more.) There was no difference of allergens in the air of the homes. 

You can read more about the study in this Reuters article, or you can read the abstract in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

I know several people who are allergic to dogs, and got Labradoodles, Portuguese Water Dogs, Poodles, or Airedales, only to be plagued by itchy eyes and runny noses. One family we know paid $3,500 for a Labradoodle, and within five minutes, Dad was reaching for his nebulizer. They still have the dog, but the poor man is on a high dose of anti-allergy meds in perpetuity.

We used to have an Airedale ourselves. I've had major allergies to cats, but not to dogs, so the allergy issue is not why we got him. But when Joe came into our lives, I figured that at least I wasn't going to have one of those homes that allergic people can't visit because of a dog.

That was before I lured my extremely dog-allergic friend to my house with promises of my hypoallergenic Airedale. Two Benadryls and 20 minutes later, she could breathe somewhat normally and had stopped sneezing. Oops. It was like learning there really is no Easter Bunny. Could there be no such thing as a dog that doesn't cause terrible allergies without frequent bathing and vacuuming of the premises? (I had vacuumed the day before she came, and bathed Joe then, too, so my normal lack of June Cleaver sensibilities was not the culprit.)

I think my friend would agree with the recent report's conclusion that "The term 'hypoallergenic' is a misnomer that is not evidence-based."

How about you? Do you live with a dog purported to be hypoallergenic? What's been your experience? Do you stock the pantry with Kleenex, or is your dog living up to his allergy-free reputation? Let's talk! Your comments could help others live better with both a dog allergy and a dog.


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Help your dog have a safer, healthier and calmer 4th of July!

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Could Baby Boomers Change the Face of Dog Ownership?

Not all that long ago in many parts of the country, dogs were just dogs. They slept outside or in the barn or a doghouse, and perhaps only occasionally came indoors. If they lived in the house, it was rare that they had their own bed, much less shared their owners'. Most were loved, but in a different way than they are now; not so much as kids, but as protectors, hunting companions, ratters, and pets who either had a job or could look like they did.

It wasn't a bad life, and you could argue that in some cases, it was a lot more natural than the way some of today's dogs live (stuck in apartments all day, maybe getting out to doggy day care or going to expensive dog hotels when their owners/parents go away). The dogs my daughter and I saw last year in our relatives' small village in Italy lived this life, staying outside their owners' house or in a little shed, eating fresh (and by virtue of the rural life, organic) leftovers from their owners or their neighbors. They weren't coddled, but they co-existed well enough, and generally seemed to enjoy their long days reposing in the grass in the spring sun.

There are still some parts of the U.S. where dogs live like this, but for the most part, there's been a tremendous shift in the way dogs are treated here. A recent survey shows 81 percent of Americans consider their dogs as family members -- a far cry from the backyard dogs of the not-so-distant past.

No one really knows the official dates when dogs started making the transition to being considered real family members, but from my experience in the dog-travel world, I can tell you that it was quickly picking up steam in the late 1980s. I'd gotten my first dog as an adult in 1989, when I was a reporter for USA Today. I was single and had to travel quite a bit. Back then, there were no pet hotels, no doggy daycares, and most of my friends weren't allowed to have dogs. I wouldn't leave Joe in a regular kennel, so I'd usually pack him along.

But as it turned out, there were so few places that allowed dogs that on a few occasions, I had to sneak him into motel rooms. There were no guides to dog-friendly lodgings, and certainly no Internet with dog-friendly sites, so it was a blind crapshoot. If you showed up and asked if dogs were allowed and they weren't, you couldn't very well stay. But if you didn't, you took your chances with being kicked out. That happened to me once, and it wasn't anything I cared to repeat.

Those were the Dark Ages of dog-friendly businesses. But little did I know that was all about to change.

Many Baby Boomers were delaying having children, so dogs often played important roles in their lives. On the other end of the generation, some older Boomers who'd started families young were done raising their kids, and longing for something to fill their empty nests. What better than a loyal, loving, non-college-tuition-needing dog?

As this generation grew up and out with their dogs at their sides, more businesses started allowing dogs. Lodgings found that people given the privilege of a nice room with their dog were among their best customers. Ditto for al fresco restaurants and other businesses. And so began the age of Canine Enlightenment.

While I was still grousing about how few places allowed dogs, I wrote a book on great places to take a dog in California. I really had to scrounge around, but it turns out I wasn't the only one who wanted to see a guide like this. It sold very well, and became the basis of the Dog Lover's Companion guidebook series. The book is in its seventh edition, and weighs in at more than 1,000 pages. There are so many dog-friendly venues that I have to be pretty choosy about what makes the grade.

Over the years, other businesses started catering to the people who treated their dogs as family members. Some Boomers will spare no expense for their dogs. Among the results: High-end dog food and treats; state-of-the-art medical diagnostics and treatments; super-swank boarding facilities; loads of boutique pet stores offering the choicest beds, collars, and fancy duds; and even canine massage therapists and doggy "psychologists."

As Boomers age, dogs are becoming more empty-nest fillers than "first kids." The fiscal result is a record $52 billion we'll be spending on our pets (mostly dogs) this year. 

"Boomers are different, for the most part," according to Bob Vetere, president of the American Pet Products Association (APPA). "What did they call us? Helicopter parents, because we were constantly hovering over the kids. The kids left home and now we're looking to hover over something else. And so we wind up doing it over pets."

But pet ownership tends to drop as people retire -- which includes the leading edge of Boomers. It's causing the pet industry to wonder what this means for its future as this massive generation ages, gets into fixed-income mode, and doesn't have the money to expend on its four-legged family members. Sure, Generation X-ers, behind it, are also mad about their pets (whew), but the Boomer generation is so huge that the effects of its aging could shake up the industry.

The pet industry is trying to prevent a downturn in pet ownership by promoting the benefits of pets for seniors. The APPA is a founding sponsor (with Petco and Pfizer Animal Health) of the Human Animal Bond Research Initiative, a nonprofit that promotes the positive role pets play in our health. And what older person doesn't want to do what it takes to keep their health up? Dogs help blood pressure? Bring on Fido!

Of course, even Boomers are not immortal. The pet association can do only so much, and as Boomers start to die off, there may not be the dollars to keep alive all the businesses that support our love of dogs.

The future of dogs-as-family could go many ways. My hope is that our love of dogs will be so engrained that there's no returning to the Doggy Dark Ages; that even though dog owners will be fewer in number, they'll be just as passionate about their dogs. Maybe there will be fewer businesses to support this relationship, but there will be more than enough of them to nurture it without any jarring changes.

And who knows? A whole new industry of pet services could come from this. Mobile vets are already on the increase, and dog-walkers continue to grow in number. As Boomers age, businesses that make it easier for older people to keep their pets with them could have a heyday.

It will be interesting to watch this unfold. As David Sprinkle, research director for Packaged Facts, notes, "Boomers have traditionally been rule-breakers, and pet product marketers are counting on this group to buck the historical trend of sharply lower pet ownership rates among seniors."

Do you think dogs will maintain their beloved status as we grow older? Are you a Baby Boomer? Do you plan to have dogs in your life as long as possible? We'd love to hear from you, so please let us know in the comments. We have something of a dog in this fight ourselves. 


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Thursday, July 26, 2012

Your Airline Pet Carrier Will Fit — Guaranteed

As in-cabin pet policy is not regulated by the FAA and is done so by each airline, it has been tricky for people traveling with their pets to get a clear answer as to whether or not an airline approved carrier would fit beneath the seat on a particular airline.

It seems more difficult than it needs to be. You have to find out what each airline’s size requirements and pet policies are, then you have to buy a pet carrier, only to be told AT THE GATE that you’re not in compliance. What do you do then? Most airport newsstands do not sell pet carriers, and airlines typically do not make them available for their passengers. So what happens next is that you miss your flight. How frustrating!

As a result, a new program called Guaranteed On Board® allows pet parents to get a guarantee that their carrier will be allowed on board when they get to the airport. Go to www.flygob.com, select the airline and complete flight, pet and carrier info.  If everything is in compliance, print the form and present it at check-in.

This program was created in part by Quaker Pet Group to assure that pet owners who purchase their Sherpa pet carriers are not turned away at boarding. In fact, if you’re refused entry due to their Sherpa® carrier, they will reimburse you for your ticket and your pet fee.


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Photographer Tou Chih-Kang Captures Dogs on Death Row

Taiwan, springtime. Outside, the world bursts into new life, but within the confines of a dark animal shelter, life pads quietly to its final destination.

En route to the euthanasia room, there's a visit with a man and a makeshift photo studio. With a classic portrait lighting setup, photographer Tou Chih-kang -- who works professionally as Tou Yun-fei -- works with a small dog. The dog has no home and will never have a home. The dog is just another statistic in a distressing pet overpopulation problem, and is scheduled to be destroyed. Though he has no name, he is allowed a final, immortalizing moment of dignity in front of Tou's camera.

Photographing the dog from various angles, Tou captures a hint of his soul -- a glance, a gaze, a certain tilt of the head -- and that's it. The dog is taken away for a final stroll around a grassy courtyard and is then put down, his last living moments caught like a ghost on the memory card in Tou's camera. Some of the dogs are young and clean -- obviously freshly abandoned -- while others are older and wilder, more accustomed to life on the streets than life in a home.

 

The photo is one of a series of thousands of images of death row dogs in Taiwan, which Tou hopes will bring awareness to the responsibility of pet ownership on the island. Every year thousands of pets are abandoned by naive pet owners who never realized the immense undertaking of bringing an animal home. With so many homeless dogs competing for resources, about 70 percent of all shelter strays are euthanized. Believing that the Taiwanese media does not give the issue enough attention, Tou set out to photograph the animals in their final, bleak moments. The results are images that are brutally honest and haunting, forcing us to contemplate our own mortality as we stare into the eyes of a creature who is one of very few species to form such a close and profound connection with us.

Beginning in August, a selection of Tou's work will be on display at the Fine Arts Museum in the southern Taiwanese city of Kaohsiung.

You know that feeling you've got rolling in your stomach right now? That eerie unease? That bit of anger? That sickness? These dogs' lives won't be in vain if you take that feeling and let it act as an impetus for change. Hug your dog extra tight, volunteer at a local shelter, and lead by example. Let the compassion flow toward your fellow humans, who are suffering as well. Make the world a better place for animals and people alike. That's how we all win.

Story via Yahoo! News, header image via Yun-Fei Tou's Facebook


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In France, Locals Abandon Their Dogs When They Go on Vacation

This could be the worst sentence you'll read all day: Before they head off on summer vacations, many French people dump their dogs at shelters before they leave. It's a despicable practice, but before you get outraged, think a moment: How many abandoned dogs do you think there are? Dozens? Hundreds? Thousands? Tens of thousands?

How about more than 100,000? Every summer. Now you can get outraged. 

An NPR article reports that the practice of abandoning pets before summer vacations is common across Europe, though France is among the worst offenders, with Italy and Spain close by. 

It seems to be part of the culture, despite campaigns by animal rights groups. Every year, the French SPCA runs a program to educate and inform the public through posters and social media. One poster features a dog and the line, "Animals can't cry, they just suffer in silence. Don't leave your pet this year."

It seems that some people in France -- many people in France, actually -- just don't care about dogs. According to Claire Brissard, who runs Society for the Prevention of Cruelty in Chamarande, many people don't even think they are doing anything wrong.

"So we make them come with us to put the dogs in the cages themselves," Brissard told NPR. "And when they see the stress of the animal they're leaving behind, at least they're not proud of what they're doing. And we hope that keeps them from doing it again."

Anne-Claire Chauvancy, of the Foundation for the Assistance of Animals, says that the education campaign has been so widespread that it has lost its impact.

"Everyone knows abandoning your dog is cruel, and he'll probably starve or get hit by a car," she told NPR. "This campaign has become almost banal and just seems to mark the beginning of summer."

Clearly, a new campaign is needed. The idea that more 100,000 dogs are handed off to shelters so their owners can relax is nearly impossible to for us to understand, especially because France is perceived as dog-friendly country (at least in the restaurants and cafes). France, with 61 million domestic animals, has the most pet ownership in Europe, and nearly half of all household have a pet, reports NPR.

David Chauvet of Animal Rights, a group that wants sales in retail pet stores halted until the shelters are empty, tries to explain: "The large majority of French are horrified by the thought of abandoning their pet," he told NPR. "But there are people with no scruples, much like child abusers."

More than 100,000 dogs, every year. That's a lot of people with no scruples.

Via NPR.


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Dog Ice Cream Recipe

What do dogs scream for when it’s this hot? Ice cream, of course! If you can’t find a local grocery store or pet retailer who sells Frosty Paws, you can make your own ice cream cubes at home. Here’s a free recipe from our friends at Modern Dog Magazine:

Pumpkin Ice Cream Cubes

INGREDIENTS

1 c water
2 chicken livers
1 c plain low-fat yogurt with active yogurt cultures
1 c solid-pack pumpkin puree (note: not pie filling)

DIRECTIONS

• Bring the water and the chicken livers to boil in a small sauce pan. Decrease the heat and simmer for 8 minutes.
• Drain the livers, reserving the stock for pouring over food or making dog cookies. Allow the livers to cool, then chop finely.
• Combine the livers, yogurt, and pumpkin in a medium bowl and stir until smooth.
• Spoon the mixture into an ice cube tray and freeze for 4 to 6 hours.

Yield: 12 ice-cream cubes, ¾ cup stock

This is a treat best served outdoors, as it can be kind of messy if your dog noses it across the floor while licking away. It’s also a great treat for stuffing in a Kong. For older dogs with sensitive mouths, allow the frozen cubes to thaw for a few minutes before feeding.

booksforever1blog BarkUpToday!

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Is your dog's stainless steel bowl radioactive?

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Recall Alert: Check Your Bags of Nature’s Variety Kibble

More recalls? Indeed. After a string of recalls involving Diamond Pet Foods and, most recently, Pedigree, Nature's Variety enters the fray with a voluntary recall on Prairie Beef Meal & Barley Medley Kibble for Dogs. 

But don't panic: The recall is for an "off-odor smell that may develop over time," according to a message on its website. The company states that the food "is not contaminated in any way, but some products are not remaining fresh for the shelf life of the product."

According to Reed Howlett, Nature’s Variety CEO, “We’ve found that some bags of Prairie Beef Meal & Barley Medley Kibble for Dogs have an off-odor smell. To be sure that our consumers only receive the freshest and highest quality product possible, we have decided to voluntarily recall all Prairie Beef Meal & Barley Medley Kibble for Dogs from the marketplace.”

The products affected are: 

UPC No. 7 69949 60420 4--Prairie Beef Meal and Barley Medley Kibble for Dogs, 5 lb. UPC No. 7 69949 60425 9--Prairie Beef Meal and Barley Medley Kibble for Dogs, 15 lb.UPC No. 7 69949 60430 3--Prairie Beef Meal and Barley Medley Kibble for Dogs, 30 lb.UPC No. 7 69949 60432 7--Prairie Beef Meal and Barley Medley Kibble for Dogs, 3 oz. sample

The company states that consumers can obtain a "full refund or exchange it for a different variety by either returning the product in its original packaging or bringing a proof of purchase back to their retailer." 

If you have any questions, contact the company at (888) 519-7387 or by email here.


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Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Michael Vick, Even If You're No Longer Banned from Having Dogs, You Don't Deserve Any

Oh, here we go. Michael Vick wants to get a dog. "Certainly wouldn't be a Pit Bull," he told Piers Morgan last week during an interview

Vick has said as much in the past, but in the past we were protected from him owning a dog because a judge had banned him from owning a dog. Now that the three-year ban is up, Michael Vick says he wants to get a dog -- for his kids. 

You see, his kids haven't been able to have a dog of their own after their father killed 13 of them by hanging, shooting, electrocuting, and slamming them repeatedly on the ground  -- not to mention engaging in horrific acts like throwing family pets into the ring for dogs to attack, along with the more garden-variety abuse of fighting dogs. 

Not being allowed to own a dog hasn't sat well with Michael Vick. 

"I still deal with my kids each and every day, and for the last three years, not being able to have a dog, because of my acts, I just don't think that's fair," he told Piers Morgan. 

In Michael Vick's world, it isn't fair that his kids can't own a dog after he killed and abused so many of them. 

"I can’t take that dream away from them," Vick goes on. "That’s selfish on my behalf."

You can't win, right? You kill and torture dogs for years, and then you're selfish if you don't get another dog. 

"Got to find a way to make it right and, you know, I put everything in God’s hands to make it right."

So, remember, when the story breaks that Michael Vick has stopped being selfish and has stopped trying to take away his kids' dream and has finally bought his dog -- certainly not a Pit Bull -- rest assured that the decision was made by the lord and what He deemed best. It was out of Michael Vick's hands. 

To us, it looks like Michael Vick is saying anything he can to temper the outrage that is likely to occur once he does buy his dog -- for his kids.

You know who doesn't want Michael Vick to buy a dog? The ASPCA. When the ASPCA doesn't want you to buy a dog, you probably should take a moment and listen. We know, it can be hard to sit down and tell your kids that the ASPCA really doesn't want to to get a dog, but maybe at least you can read the group's blog post together, at least to let your kids know what's waiting for them when you do get that dog:  

Despite spending 19 months in prison for running an illegal interstate dog fighting business, Vick hasn't expressed a shred of empathy toward the dogs he brutalized and killed. And rather than talk about the horrors of dog fighting, he has consistently chosen to focus on the consequences of getting caught. In a nutshell, his actions are self-serving. We've seen little remorse and even less compassion. And let's not forget, he caused unspeakable suffering to hundreds of innocent dogs. Frankly, the ASPCA has serious concerns about Vick's ability to be a responsible pet parent.

Michael Vick, of course, has owned a lot of dogs in his life -- 13 dead, 51 seized from Bad Newz Kennels in 2007, with 47 ultimately surviving after being rehabilitated at places like Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, who took in 22.

We should remember these dogs, who have names like Jasmine, Ellen, Sweet Pea, Hector, Uba, Lucas, Oscar, Zippy, Teddles, Handsome Dan, Ray, Gracie, Harriet, Ginger, and Jonny Justice. Some work as therapy dogs, visiting cancer patients and working with children and the elderly; some live on farms and in sanctuaries, running free; others compete in agility contests and work to achieve their Canine Good Citizen certifications; some travel to schools, educating kids about animal welfare; and many are in forever homes, curled safely on the couch.

And some of them are still wounded, trying to recover from what happened to them, when a group of men abused them and beat them and trained them to kill other dogs. One of these men now wants another dog -- for his kids.  

Are you okay with Michael Vick having another dog? Or does it feel like a knife in your gut? Let us know in the comments. 


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Lennox the Dog Seems Headed to His Death in Northern Ireland

Lennox, the nonviolent dog in Northern Ireland who committed the crime of looking like a Pit Bull, might be put to sleep in the coming hours, despite the efforts of an international campaign to spare the dog. Tonight (Tuesday) at midnight -- about 4 p.m. Pacific and 7 p.m. Eastern in the U.S. -- is the deadline for legal appeals.

Members of Lennox's family have made their peace. It's a ridiculous, heartbreaking situation, made all the more insane by the ineptitude of the Belfast City Council. In Northern Ireland, being a Pit Bull is death sentence, according to its Dangerous Dogs Act. But Lennox is actually an American Bulldog and Labrador cross, not a Pit Bull. The dog has even been DNA registered, and "DNA registry evinced no trace of Pit Bull in Lennox's ancestry," as Dogster reported last month. ("Will Lennox the Dog Be Just Another BSL Statistic?")

But don't tell that to the Belfast City Council Dog Wardens. They believe Lennox is a Pit Bull-type dog because they measured him with measuring tape, and the measurements of Lennox correspond with the measurement of a Pit Bull.  A measuring tape -- Belfast City Council Dog Wardens, on the cutting edge of Victorian-era dog research. 

The battle to save Lennox has become an international campaign since the dog was seized in 2010, picking up steam considerably in the past few weeks, with protests in New York and Ireland. On July 9, Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson joined the fray, as reported by the BBC. He called for the animal to be spared, via Twitter. 

"Spoke to Lord Mayor about Lennox," the first minister tweeted. "Suggested BCC should seriously look at re-homing option. Why exercise the Order if there's an alternative?"

Junior Minister Jonathan Bell jumped in after, tweeting, "Have to say I agree with First Minister re-homing Lennox outside the jurisdiction is best. Why would courts or BCC not be content?"

The Belfast City Council released a statement Tuesday, stating that it remains convinced the dog is dangerous, despite Lennox never having bitten or harmed anyone in any way. 

"The council acknowledges the goodwill on the part of a significant number of people who would wish to have the dog Lennox spared from being humanely put to sleep," says the statement, reported by the BBC. "The council has a duty which it performs reluctantly in order to ensure public safety. Re-homing will not deal with the issues in this case -- the dog has been found to be unpredictable and dangerous by experts. That view is shared by the courts and the dog is now the subject of an order by the courts." Yesterday, Lennox's human family posted this message on the Save Lennox Campaign on Facebook

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you all again for your messages of support. We are sorry to say at the present time Belfast City Council seem to be intent on killing our boy. Despite previous assurances otherwise, we have been denied the opportunity to say goodbye. We have also been told that we cannot collect his body and bring Len home. We have been informed however that we will receive "some" ashes in the mail.

We wish we could report that there's still something someone can do, but it appears that time has run out. We're bracing ourselves for the heartbreaking, terrible end to this story that the Belfast City Council seems intent on, and we send our thoughts out to Lennox in his final moments. Please take a moment to do the same. 


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Product Review: Bistro Bites

Any trainer will tell you that when you reward your dog with a treat, it should be a treat that can be eaten in one bite. Otherwise, you lose the momentum of training. A big snack will be dropped to the floor and eaten in several bites. The result is lots of crumbs, a delay in repeating/reinforcing the command, and also a dog who’s full after a few commands, and therefore not treat-motivated anymore. Plus, small and tiny dogs don’t need a big treat. With smaller treats, you can give them a little yummy without adding a lot to their caloric intake.

Enter Bistro Bites. These bite-sized (1/4?) treats are formulated and sized just for dogs 20 lbs and under. Using gluten-free recipes and fresh ingredients, these semi-soft treats are best when kept refrigerated. They come in a resealable zipper bag inside the A-frame box. There are enough treats inside to last about a month. It looks like a few treats compared to other treats on the shelf, but when I remembered they were sized for small dogs, it actually looked like a lot of treats. I microwaved a few treats for 5 seconds and they softened even more.

I like that they’re gluten-free. Because of the high-grain content of commercial dog food, many dogs have developed wheat allergies. It’s nice to see a treat that doesn’t add to the problem. (Solution: feed your dog meat instead of grains.) Some flavors (such as pumpkin) may be available only when the main ingredient is in season. The manufacturer uses only fresh ingredients, U.S. grown and made, and when possible, from local farms. My dog loved the taste. I always know when he really likes a treat because he wags his tail when he eats it. My other dogs have wagged their tails in anticipation of a treat, but then got down to business when the actual eating commenced. However, this one wags the whole time. Cute!


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Feedimal Automatic Dog Feeder

It’s pretty impressive when your dog’s kibble dispenser is more stylish than your own trendy single-cup coffee maker. But the good folks at Feedimal have done. They’ve engineered a beautiful, practical, high-tech automatic feeder for dogs and cats that lets you program a custom feeding schedule for your pet.

Feed up to five times per day, and set the quantity for each meal with a touch-screen interface. Record a special meal-time message up to 20 seconds to let you pet know it’s time to eat. Sealed to keep the food dry and fresh, with a low food sensor to let you know when it’s time to refill. In four beautiful colors with a scratch resistant finish. Bowl is removable and washable.

Still in production, but check out http://www.indiegogo.com/feedimal# for more details.

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