What Would You Do if a Facebook Friend Threatened to Kill His Dog Online?

Luckily for Mark Joiner's dog, people took action -- and the police showed up at his house.

Mark Joiner did a very dumb, very horrible thing on social media the other day, which outraged many and sent the police over to his house in Ceres, California, straightaway. 

Here's what he posted to Facebook.

Yeah, he's said he'd shoot his dog and put her in a hole. Yeah, he's terrible. When people began writing back, he kept up the horribleness: 

Fortunately, dozens of concerned people took these images and posted them to the right place -- the Ceres Police Department Facebook page, which is where we got them. Here's one of the messages someone posted with the images: 

He lives in Ceres, and my wife & I checked with a mutual friend and have discerned that he is not joking about harming this animal. please people, speak up and let him know this is not funny at all. In this age when people post things like this publicly we cannot sit by and do nothing. I am also posting this to all animal advocacy groups in his area. Those of you in the military please reach out to him as well he is clearly in need of assistance and he is a fellow service member.

The Ceres Police Department took all of this very seriously, to its credit, responding to posts that the matter was being investigated. And it was. According to a press release the department sent out later, officers went to Joiner's home to check on the animal, and he assured them that he was only venting. The dog appeared unharmed.

"Ceres Police Department takes animal cruelty very seriously," the release continued. "Maliciously torturing or killing animals is a felony and should be reported to Stanislaus County Animal Services at (209) 558-7387 or local police."

Then the department took to its Facebook page to reassure people that the dog was OK, posting messages like these to concerned citizens:

"Officers have checked on the dog, who is unharmed and the owner assured us he was only venting.""We are happy to see so many people take the time to contact us to ensure the safety of EVERYONE in our community, including our furry residents.""Thank you, the matter was investigated and the dog is okay."Officers even took a picture of the dog and encouraged people to click on it: 

All in all, the department said approximately 40 to 50 reports about the post came in from at least five different states. It's good to see that actions of a bonehead in Ceres aren't ignored by the public. 

All we can hope now is that someone steps forward and offers to take the dog to a better home.

View the original article here

Wizpert

If you are a long time reader you might have noticed a new icon box on the right side of my blog?  It looks like this:

About a month ago I was contacted by Wizpert, a new social media and information platform, to be a Wizpert for dog related topics.  Wizpert puts you in touch with knowledgeable people in a multitude of fields so you can have questions answered, get advice or be directed in the right direction to find the answer you are looking for.   While I know a lot about dogs, I don’t profess to be an expert.  However, I do know how to find the right answer and if cant answer your question I certainly can help you find a person who can answer.

Basically, my blog is connected via google talk  and skype to the network and if you click on the blue icon, and I am online, an online chat will be created.  If you have questions about multi-dog households, living with a Saint Bernard or Labrador, or you just want to bounce an idea off me feel free to contact me and we can chat.  All you need is a skype or google talk account and click the blue button to the right ?

Wizpert is not just pet specific, there are currently seven major categories with several subcategories; wellness, home and garden, learning, life, business, leisure (which is where Pets is located) and technology. Why not give it a try - https://wizpert.com/

My personal Wizpert addy is https://wizpert.com/saintlover

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Welcome to Life of Ryley, a new Raise A Green Dog Partner!

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Keeping your green dog happy, healthy and safe during the 4th of July weekend!

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Groby the Two-Legged Rescue Chihuahua Gets New Wheels

Groby Pedroni was among 40 dogs rescued from a hoarder in Southern California. You need to see these photos.

It was just another day in a quiet Los Angeles suburb when a horrifying discovery was made.

One of the neighbors had just lost her house. The interior was absolutely destroyed and smelled of filth and decay. Among the wreckage was 40 dogs. No one had even known the dogs were in the house. The neighbors had never seen any of the animals -- because the animals had never been allowed outside.

Nor had they ever received medical treatment, socialization, or any of the other things most dogs need to live happy, fulfilled lives. They were sick, unkempt, and fearful. Even worse, the dogs were not spayed or neutered, and there were not only puppies, but dogs pregnant with yet more litters. Because the dogs had lived unfixed in isolation, they had bred with one another, causing various birth defects among them.

One of those unfortunate puppies is Groby Pedroni. Groby was born without front legs.

I was surprised to get only a moderate response to my call for Monday Miracle nominations! But that's probably only because it needs to gain momentum. However, I did receive a couple nominations, and Groby was one of them. 

Groby is a pretty special dog -- he's even hung out with Rosie. Since being rescued, Groby has been outfitted with his own set of wheels. But he wasn't okay just yet. After finally receiving veterinary treatment, Groby still needed surgery for his remaining legs -- and the bill was not cheap. That's when the community stepped in, rallying around the little Chihuahua and raising money. He recently underwent surgery at UC Davis, so make sure to head over to his Facebook page and tell him Dogster sent you to wish him well.

We're asking for Monday Miracle nominations throughout the month of August, so if you know of dogs who have overcome incredible odds, go to our Facebook page or this page to nominate them.

Photos via Groby Pedroni's Facebook page

Check out our other Monday Miracles on Dogster:

About Liz Acosta: Dogster's former Cuteness Correspondent, Liz still manages the site's daily "Awws," only now she also wrangles Dogster's social media. That's why she wants you to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and -- her personal favorite -- Instagram. See ya there!

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The ultimate tick guide for the green dog!

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RAGD is proud to welcome Clear Conscious Pet as a new Partner!

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6 Big Mistakes Most Dog Owners Make

We all mean well (bless our hearts), but most of us make mistakes in the care, feeding and training of our dogs. Here are six common mistakes that we dog owners make. I know I was. Take a look and see if you are, too, and share your comments about these and other mistakes we fall into.

1. FEEDING TOO MANY CARBS

Left to their own devices, dogs would eat nothing but protein. Yet we modern dog owners give them acommercially produced diet of cereal kibble. It’s not natural, and dogs’ health statistics show it. Dogs are not omnivores; they’re carnivores. You can increase your dog’s protein intake by adding chicken, fish, pork or beef to his dinner. If you can’t stomach feeding raw meat to your dog (which is most like their natural diet), you can cook it. But either way, getting more protein into your dog will improve her health, increase digestibility and be more tasty. Your dog will love you for it!

2. LEAVING THE DOG ALONE WITH NOTHING TO DO

It’s irritating to come home to find the sofa torn open, or the cabinets chewed up, or a favorite pair of shoes shredded beyond recognition. But when we leave the dog home alone with no constructive outlet for his boredom and frustration, what do we expect? Dogs need something to keep them busy, especially when the house is quiet and empty. Tough chews, treat-dispensing toys and other “approved” toys and treats can help. Try freezing a rope bone, or filling a marrow bone with peanut butter. Or fill a treat-dispensing toy with carrots or small treats.

It doesn’t have to be your dog in the picture. The point of the picture is to help someone get your dog to safety.

3. USING A BAD PICTURE IN A “LOST DOG” POSTER

Heaven forbid you ever lose your dogs. Doesn’t it break your heart when you see those “Lost Dog” flyers stapled to telephone poles around your neighborhood? What breaks my heart even more are the bad snapshots shown on the posters.

That picture you took with your phone of your dog sitting at your feet, in the house, at night, is not going to help your neighbors to recognize your dog when he’s loose. The dog will probably be spotted running from yard to yard, or along a roadway. So use a picture that shows your dog’s entire body, preferably running or walking, as seen from the side. HINT: The best photo might be a stock photo of a dog of the same breed who’s walking or running. Only you will know it’s not the same dog. To everyone else, it might mean the difference between recognizing your dog or not.

4. USING HO-HUM TREATS (THAT ARE TOO BIG) FOR TRAINING

Training treats are different from cookies or biscuits. A training treat should be a great smelling treat that your dog will do ANYTHING for. Examples include small bits of red meat, cheese, cubed hot dogs or vienna sausages. Training treats should also be small, so that the dog can eat them in one gulp, and not fill up after 5 minutes of training. When a dog has to stop and chew up a treat — or clean up pieces of it off the floor — your timing is thrown off. Experiment with different treats. Some dogs love cubed carrots. Others will do anything for a mini marshmallow.

5. SHARING MEDS

Some human medicines can be used to help dogs, but some are toxic to dogs. The most common cause of pet poisoning is non-steroidal anit-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. Other medications can cause problems or be poisonous to dogs, too. Learn about them and keep a list in your medicine cabinet, or ask your veterinarian what to give.

6. NOT PROTECTING OUR DOGS

The dog park isn’t for everyone, or every dog. Some dogs are very sociable and LOVE the dog park. Others are fearful, anxious and completely miserable there. We make the mistake of thinking that because there are other dogs there, plus room to run, that our dog should and does love to go. But watch your dog’s reactions to other dogs. If he cowers, runs to you for protection, or spends most of the time hiding under the bench, it may be that he really doesn’t like it there. Another area where we should protect our dogs is when we’re on a walk and a person or dog approaches. We should definitely be confident and relaxed, but we should consider if an approaching dog is friendly before allowing it to get within contact range of ours.

If your dog is being harassed by other dogs – either on leash or at the dog park – remove your dog to a safer area. If your dog thinks that you will not protect her, it will impact the trust she feels for you. Not only that, she may assume a leadership role over you if the thinks that you are not a leader who cares for and protects the pack.

Fortunately, dogs are very forgiving, and there are few mistakes that we cannot make right. Give your dog a hug today and share your comments on the subject below.

View the original article here

Oops: Royal Canin Accidentally Sponsors Savage Bear Baiting Events in the Ukraine

In the contests, dogs fight bears -- and trophies were handed out by the dog food maker. The company says it didn't know the true nature of the events it sponsored.

Royal Canin makes food for cats and dogs. It promotes itself with the slogan "respecting the animal nature of dogs and cats." Judging by the bear-baiting contests it has sponsored in Ukraine, the company has a horrible awareness of the animal nature of dogs. 

Here's what a bear-baiting contest consists of, as seen in a video obtained by the animal welfare group Four Paws: A bear, with his claws removed, is chained to a tree, and dogs are set upon it, biting and attacking the bear. The bear became becomes exhausted and terrified, foaming at the mouth. Men restrict the movements of the bear by pulling on the chain. 

All this takes place in a space demarcated with Royal Canin tape. Trophies, emblazoned with the Royal Canin logo, are given to the dogs judged the bravest. 

It's a horrific, nearly inconceivable story. The animal welfare group Four Paws uncovered Royal Canin's involvement in these sick events last May, and released the footage showing the contest on July 23. Royal Canin has said it ceased its involvement in the contests when Four Paws approached them in May. 

The brown bear is protected by law in Ukraine, but Four Paws says that there are bear baiting contest four to six times a year, and estimates there are 15 to 20 "baiting bears" in Ukraine. Sourced from zoos, circuses and the wild, the bears are taken from their mothers when they are young.

"They live cruel lives in tiny cages with nothing but a concrete floor, and they are only released from these cages for training or to be attacked by hunting dogs," a spokesman for the charity said, according to the Daily Mail. "They are usually given insufficient food and water, to make them weaker opponents for the dogs."

Four Paws says it has evidence that Royal Canin sponsored "one than one event," according to the Observer.

In a statement to the Observer, the company said, "Royal Canin has been absolutely horrified to see these images linked with our brand. The sponsorship of this event is not consistent with Royal Canin's animal welfare policy, our philosophy of pet-first or our vision." 

Royal Canin also said that it knew of the bear-baiting event in the video -- after Four Paws altered the company about it in May. Royal Canin said it immediately stopped sponsoring the event, and it "reminded sales and marketing staff of its policy on animal welfare and sponsorship due diligence."

However, the company said it hadn't seen the video at that time, and didn't know the true nature of the event. Now, the company says it has "pledged to work to improve the welfare of Ukrainian bears and dogs involved in bear-baiting."

"This has been a humbling experience for Royal Canin," the statement said. 

It should be. It's inconceivable that a dog food company would be involved in fighting dogs and the torture of bears. Kudos to Four Paws. The group is still pressing on Royal Canin to do something to improve the life of bears affected by bear baiting in Ukraine, and is awaiting a meeting with the company.

 Via the Observer and the Daily Mail

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Natural Disasters: How to Help Our Dogs

Guest post by Pamela Schaub, Cape Cod (MA) Animal Disaster Response Team

When a disaster strikes we are usually unprepared. The good news is that it only takes a little forethought and preparation to preserve the safety or life of our beloved pets. In the past 10 years, an estimated 20 million Americans have been affected by natural disasters such as flooding, tornados, hurricanes, and severe lightning storms.

Order your free Rescue Alert Sticker from the ASPCA

Here are a few of the most basic ways to prepare, now, before a disaster strikes:

1) Take a clear photo of your dog so that he may be identified in the event he becomes separated from you.

2) Get a secure collar with appropriate I.D. tag containing at least one phone number. Better yet, microchip your dog. Most vets and shelters scan incoming lost pets for a chip.

3) Prepare an emergency “Go Kit” for you and your pet.  It’s an inexpensive way to have a piece of mind. Always know where it is. RedRover.org recommends the following items be packed for each animal in your home:

One-week supply of food. Store it in a water-tight container and rotate it every three months to keep it fresh. If you use canned food, include a spare can opener.One-week supply of fresh water. If officials declare your household water unfit to drink, it’s also unsafe for your pets. Follow American Red Cross guidelines for storing emergency water for your family and your pets.Medication. If your animal takes medication, a replacement supply may not be easily available following a disaster.Copies of vaccination recordsPhotographs of you with your pets to prove ownershipPhotographs of your pets in case you need to make “lost pet” fliersPet first aid kitTemporary ID tags. If you’ve evacuated, use this to record your temporary contact informationand/or the phone number of an unaffected friend or relative.Carrier or leash for each animal. Caregivers of multiple cats or other small animals can use an EvacSak, which is easy to store and use for transport.

4) Have a plan and share it with family. If a disaster should force you from your home, determine a safe place to stay, and do it ahead of time. Find out where a local emergency pet sheltering facility is located. During times of disaster, temporary shelters are often facilitated by the ASPCA, IFAW, HSUS, etc.

5) Be sure your smartphone directory has phone numbers for emergency contacts and 24 hour veterinarians.

Remember, your own safety comes first. Be wary before, during, and after a disaster strikes, and never leave your household pet alone, tied up, or encumbered to fend for themselves.

Resources

View the original article here

Help Us Find Our Next Monday Miracle Rescue Dog

For August, we ask you to help us by nominating dogs on Facebook who have special needs.

As Dogster's social media wrangler, I spend a lot of time thinking about social media's power to convey messages far and wide, and to connect people who would otherwise never have the opportunity to meet one another. You might be familiar with my weekly Monday Miracle column. I primarily use Facebook to find the subjects of my Monday Miracles, because I find it's the easiest way for people to connect with them -- because once folks are invested in a story, they want to keep following it.

Since the column's inception, I've been delighted to see it launch dogs with special needs into the spotlight, highlighting how even though these animals are not what most would consider "perfect," they're still beautiful and worthy of love. I think I see myself in them -- I'm really short, I'm not skinny, and my complexion is marred with acne scars, some might even call me "imperfect." But like the Monday Miracles, I've persevered and I know I'm worthy of affection. As a matter of fact, I think we all see ourselves in them.

For the month of August, I'd like to invite you to help me find my Monday Miracles. If you don't already follow us on Facebook, check us out, and look for a post with this image:

Nominate a dog with a Facebook page you think should be a Monday Miracle by leaving a comment. Try to pick dogs who haven't received any time in the Internet spotlight so we can give them the exposure they need. All dogs are amazing, but I'm looking for the ones who've had to overcome significant obstacles to get where they are.

What do you think? Is there a dog you think deserves to be a Monday Miracle?

The hero image is from an amazing story of chance and survival you can read here.

Check out our other Monday Miracles:

About Liz Acosta: Dogster's former Cuteness Correspondent, Liz still manages the site's daily "Awws," only now she also wrangles Dogster's social media. That's why she wants you to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and -- her personal favorite -- Instagram. See ya there!

View the original article here

WaterDog

Move over dirty, slobbery, algae ridden water bowls in the yard!  Your days are numbered!  I have found the most ingenious watering device of all time!  The WaterDog fountain!

 

A few weeks ago, I was perusing around on facebook and saw the most ADORABLE photo of my friend Cindy’s new 9wk old Saint Bernard puppy (Sonny Boy) learning to use the WaterDog.  At that very moment I knew I just had to have one.  How cute is that?!

I think several of us had the same idea because facebook has been abuzz with photos of Saint Bernards using a WaterDog too.  Here’s my friend Loretta’s dogs (puppy Clara and Dax) mastering the art of fresh water drinking.  I really like her set up.  She has the extension kit and set it up in a large flower pot.  I’m thinking I may need to create something like that too.  Its really aesthetically pleasing and would go with the theme I have in my yard.

The WaterDog is motion activated and provides fresh, clean drinking water for your dog at all times – genius!  It is easy to install and there is a “Y” junction included that allows you to use your garden hose at the same time.  If your faucet is not in a good location for the dogs to have access, you can purchase an extension kit that will allow you to place the WaterDog up-to 30 feet from the faucet as well as allow you to create a beautiful watering station or add it to a water fixture.

My set up isnt fancy, yet.  It doesnt need to be for it to work thats the beauty of it.  Clean water, all the time!  No messy bowls to fill and clean.  There is a bit of a learning curve for some dogs, so dont get discouraged if yours doesnt take to it right away.  I’ve had mine installed for a week and it took Brutus a day to figure it out and the rest of the pack is still working on it.  Rufus and Apollo have shown some interest but drinks around it in the bowl.  The next step, now that they are used to the sound and the water turning off and on automatically is to remove the bowl.  I’ll keep you on the progress.  So far, I am in love with the WaterDog.

I’ve even seen people install them in their kitchen sinks for cats to use them.

View the original article here

A Soldier Returns from Afghanistan to Find His Dog Sold on Craigslist

Brandon Harker is launching a campaign to find his dog, starting with his own ad on Craigslist.

Eight months ago, solider Brandon Harker was deployed to Afghanistan. Like many dog owners in the military who find themselves in this situation -- and there are many, as we learned when we talked to Dogs on Deployment a few months ago -- he had to find a place for his dog, a two-year-old yellow Lab named Oakley, to stay when he was gone. 

He asked his friend to take care of Oakley, according to Q13Fox.com. It was the wrong move.

This month, Harker returned home to find that his dog was gone. His friend told him he had given Oakley away. Harker wasn't about to give up; he turned to social media to try and locate his dog. 

What he discovered was shocking. A number of people contacted Harker, saying that they’d seen Oakley listed for sale in February on Craigslist.

It appears his "friend" did not simply give Oakley away, but sold him. 

Harker has reached out to vets and shelters -- his dog is microchipped and registered -- but thus far has no leads. 

So he too turned to Craigslist. Harker posted an ad, titled simply "Yellow Lab." It says, in part:

He is good with kids and other dogs. He has a unique coat, on his face he has spots of a darker yellow (champagne) he also has spots of the same color going down his sides and legs. If anyone has any information on this and can help me please do. I am just trying to get him back to me since he was wrongfully given away or sold with out my permission while I was deployed. I will also be able to verify the dog is mine because he is microchipped and registered to me. Once again thank you to everyone who sees this and tries to help. If you could spread the word about this issues that would be great as well.

So far, no leads, just a lot of sympathy and a few news stories. Hopefully, those will increase, and the person who has Oakley will find out that the person who really owns the dog is looking for him. No doubt Oakley is looking for Harker, too. 

"He never growled or anything at anybody, he always ran up with his whole body shaking, and then put his head down to sniff you," Harker told KCPQ. "He thought he was a lap dog and he'd crawl up on the couch and try to fit on your lap."

Via Q13Fox.com; photos via Harker's Craigslist ad

View the original article here

PuppyFlix: for the Dog Video Junkie

I just can’t resist a photo or video of a cute dog or puppy. I mean really, who can? Well, now there’s PuppyFlix, the great new website with nothing but great dog videos. This is so great, I may have to start packing a lunch so I can look at these during my lunch hour.

The site was developed after receiving a lot of positive feedback from fans on the company’s first website, KittyFlix. Soon after the dog-friendly team decided that they had to make PuppyFlix, the site became very popular. Here’s what some of the site’s visitors are saying:

“I have now looked through almost every slide show on the site and am in love! What could be better than looking through hilarious and cute pictures of dogs all day, while learning a little something about them?”

“This is a great page! It’s nice to see pictures of dogs with different animals makes me laugh and smile…THANK YOU”

“‘I love KittyFlix and am sooo glad you made PuppyFlix!”

“Our goal is to build a community by educating, entertaining, and connecting fans through articles, videos and pictures,” says PuppyFlix’s John Logue, who invites our blog readers to send in their dog videos (which you can do here.)  When your JOB is cute and funny dog videos, how do you pick a favorite? We asked John, and here’s the link he sent. Check it out: http://puppyflix.com/videos/beagle-pup-learns-to-howl/

After each video plays, the site serves up three more videos you might like (YouTube-style). They also put them into categories such as “Sleepy,” “Grumpy,” “Clumsy,” and others, so you can find more like the ones you love. Once you start watching and laughing and saying “Awwwww” and re-tweeting, it could be a while before you come up for air.

My favorite? This one.

Note: do not go to PuppyFlix while you’re browing ground beef. Just saying.

Visit http://www.PuppyFlix.com often, and get your daily dose of cute.

View the original article here

A Pet Columbarium Is Planned for a Church Named After St. Francis, Patron Saint of Animals

But not everyone in San Francisco likes the idea. Veteran politician Angela Alioto calls it "creepy."

In the Hollywood ending to a dog's life, he is buried in a quiet, peaceful spot on your spacious farm, in the oak grove out past the pond where the doves and thrushes sing throughout the day.

The reality is far less picturesque.

Fortunately, in San Francisco, that will change for more than 1,000 pet owners. That's the proposed vacancy on the city's first pet columbarium, which church leaders at the National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi in North Beach are planning to build, according to a story in SF Weekly.

The columbarium will hold urns containing the ashes of dead pets. It will be housed in an 850-square-foot space underneath a staircase in the historic church, which was unearthed during construction work.

The Rev. Harold Snider, rector at the National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi, says that your dog doesn't have to be Catholic to land a spot -- all animals will be welcome. He told SF Weekly that he grew up with animals himself (cats, dogs, and rabbits) and understands the need to place them to rest respectfully.

"A pet isn't just some animal, a pet becomes a valued member of the family," he said. "They give unconditional love, and they can touch human beings in the emotional areas that are often very difficult for other human beings to reach. As such, this Columbarium can be a final testament of that unconditional love."

Some don't see it that way. Talking to the SF Examiner, some well-connected parishioners balked at the proposed pet columbarium.

"Loving creatures is like St. Francis, burying them with humans is not," said Angela Alioto, a longtime local politician who has spent 17 years raising money for the famed Porziuncola shrine, which is in the church. "It's creepy."

"When you talk about burying pets, you talk about them having souls," said Elizabeth Dunn, a member of the Knights of St. Francis, a volunteer organization that guards the shrine. "I don't want to seem like I'm in conflict with [Snider], but this is wrong."

It bears mentioning that the National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi is named after St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.

In trying to tamp down the controversy of placing pet remains next to human remains, San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone tried a Hail Mary, saying that because the columbarium will be under the church, "it's not like sacred ground." 

Huh. We'll see how this story plays out.

Via the SF Weekly and the SF Examiner

View the original article here

Remains of 240 Dogs Owned by Hoarder Finally Put to Rest

For decades, Judy Cahill hoarded and euthanized hundreds of dogs. Finally, some are being buried in a quiet, serene place with dignity.

In November 2009, animal hoarder Judy Cahill of Rockville, Maryland, was convicted of animal neglect in a shocking and disturbing case. Prosecutors say that during a 30-year period, the woman kept thousands of dogs at her home. According to the Huffington Post, she would place ads in the paper with offers to "rehome" dogs who needed an owner, then euthanize them. 

When authorities finally caught her, her home was covered in feces and full of crates with bent bars and trashcans full of dog carcases. Shelley Janashek was one of the first people to witness the devastation, and she was a witness against Cahill in the 2009 Montgomery County civil case. As they inspected the home they found the ashes of more 240 dogs. 

Janashek believes these were Cahill's "special" dogs, the ones she cared about enough to have cremated. Finally, four years after the gruesome discovery, the remains of these dogs finally got laid to rest in a peaceful, serene location, at the memorial park at the Baltimore Humane Society.

“Knowing they are at rest. That they weren't just sent to a trash dump, demolished along with the house -- that means something," said Janashek. 

Janashek presided over a funeral for the dogs at the park, who were buried in a plot donated by the Baltimore Humane Society. The grave will become a memorial to all the dogs who have suffered at the hands of Cahill.

Anne Lyon, who attended the funeral, told ABC2News.com, "I feel like I am doing something to pay homage to the animals and all the people who are making this possible, so that this can be an example for the people to know this kind of thing happens."

Janashek said that the number of dogs laid to rest represents a fraction of the total amount of dogs who died under Cahill. After discovering the ashes that remained, she held onto them for four years until she was able to secure a plot. 

"They are not trash,” Janashek said “They should not have been trash and they are not trash now. They are going to be buried in a beautiful place."

As for Cahill, she pleaded guilty and is barred from owning a dog for 10 years, and her name has been added to an online animal abuse database.

Via Huffington Post and ABC2News.com; photo via the Baltimore Humane Society Facebook unless otherwise noted

View the original article here

So Your Dog Looks Happy? Not So Fast -- Check His Eyebrows

A study reveals that the eyebrows (and the left ear) convey important dog emotions. No kidding.

You come home from a long day at work -- or just from a trip to the mailbox -- and there's your dog, wiggling and waggling like you're the best thing in the world and that everything is joy. All that carrying on means dog is happy to see you, right? 

Don't be so sure. Have you checked her eyebrows?

Apparently, the eyebrows are a window to a dog's emotions, or something like that, according to a study from the department of animal science at Azabu University in Sagamihara, Japan. 

Using high-speed cameras, the teams studied the facial expressions of dogs during the moments they were reunited with their owners or when meeting strangers for the first time, according to the Telegraph. The study placed 12 dogs in a room, with black curtains that swept back to reveal different things. The dogs had stickers on their faces, to help track movements with the cameras. What they found is shocking (sort of): 

A half-second after being reunited with their owners, dogs tended to move their left eyebrow up. When they met someone new, dogs moved their left ear back. When presented with something lame (nail clippers, anyone?), they moved their right ear. Nobel, anyone? 

According to Dr. Miho Nagasawa, "eyebrow movement might indicate a visible response whereby dogs attempted to look at their owners more intently,” which is a good thing. Your dog just wants to eat you all up. 

The researchers also found that "the subtle changes on different sides of their face are a reflection of activity in key parts of the brain that control emotions," according to the Telegraph. 

Sometimes, the results puzzled the researchers, as when a dog who sees his owner displays positive as well as negative cues. They marked that down as the dog being so happy to see his owner but so sad he's in a damn room with a partition and stickers all over his head. 

“One explanation for this result is that presentation of the owner elicited both negative and positive emotions," said Nagasawa. “A negative response might appear … perhaps because the dogs could not approach and touch their owners despite seeing them through the partitions."

One of the most important findings, however, was how damn cute and silly all these dogs look with stickers all over their faces. 

Via the Telegraph

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Genius: Food Critic Has Her Dog Grade a Grill's Pup Menu

Dogs are not only welcome at Besa Grill in Florida, they're catered to. We've turned a corner!

Besa Grill, a Mexican-fusion bar and grill in Clearwater, Florida, has the sort of keen-eyed, big-hearted general manager we wished worked in all restaurants. According to a story in the Tampa Bay Times, Sam Haupt noticed an uptick in people in the pet friendly patio section ordering for their dogs. 

He was concerned, knowing that dogs shouldn't regularly imbibe in human good. High levels of salt, fat, and sugar ... the possibility of onions, grapes, raisins ... you know the drill.

So what did he do? Haupt created a "pup menu," and he did it full bore, testing recipes, tweaking dishes, even running them by veterinarians. Emboldened by the fact that dogs have only a fraction of the taste buds we do, he launched his puppy menu. 

And Laura Reiley, the food critic for the Tampa Bay Times, dropped by -- with her dog, Ollie. 

It was a big moment for everyone. Was this the first time a restaurant reviewer had her dog review a restaurant for her? We don't know. Perhaps. Who cares -- a dog is reviewing a restaurant! It's like a New Yorker cartoon come to life. 

Ollie tucked into Backyard Hash (diced steamed fresh vegetables, mashed sweet potatoes, and a savory drizzle), K-9 meatballs (ground beef, diced carrot, and rice with a natural pan gravy), the Brunch Bark Bowl (scrambled eggs, brown rice, and mashed sweet potato), Chicken "Mutt"loaf (chicken, carrots, peas, brown rice, and eggs), and Fido's Finest (diced filet mignon tips with gravy, brown rice, and a side of sauteed shredded carrot). 

After all that, did Ollie slam face-first into a food coma? Did he unbuckle his collar? Did he swear off food for days (or hours or minutes)?

No, he finished his feast off with an iced carrot-peanut butter muffin. Good boy. 

Wisely, Reiley refrained from shoving your typical food-reviewer adjectives into the dog's mouth -- like "bold," "delish," "yummy," and "disgusto" -- and merely informed us whether the dog ate the food happily or not. Which he did, except for some rice and sweet potatoes, which he turned his nose up at, probably because of all the incredible things the waiters were setting down in front of him, Ollie, the luckiest dog in the world.    

Kudos to Besa Grill for not only welcoming dogs, but serving them out of its kitchen. Are you listening, Bobby Flay?

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Saving the bees, one dog at a time!

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Top 5 Skills to Teach Your Dog

Article courtesy of Trips With Pets. When I began my dog training career in 1997, I started out by training service dogs. A service dog is an animal that has been trained to assist a disabled person with such specialized tasks such as picking up dropped items, finding lost keys or even reminding their person to take medications.  It takes many months and hundreds of hours’ worth of training to teach the skills that a dog will need to become a service dog.

While most pet dog owners don’t require that level of training for their dog, I do believe that the average dog owner would like his dog to have the same kind of self-restraint that a person with a disability expects from his working dog.

Here is my list of the five most critical skills I would want any dog to learn.

Default Sit:  I’ll be honest here – I’m not crazy about dogs that jump all over me.  Not many people are – even the most enthusiastic dog lover.  Bearing that in mind, I would start right away to teach my dog that it is more beneficial to sit rather than to jump. Sitting is incompatible with jumping.  A dog simply cannot sit and jump at the same time.To do this, first set the dog up so that he or she can’t make many (or preferably any) paws on people mistakes.  I would make sure my dog was either on a leash or on a tether whenever new people were around.  This takes the anxiety out of any human/dog interaction. It means that you no longer have to worry about whether your dog will jump on someone because she/he can’t.Next, get some high value rewards to help ensure that your dog will want to work with you even if there are exciting things happening all around him or her.  Since the goal is to teach the dog to automatically sit whenever new people appear, don’t give the command to sit (he/she might not choose to respond anyway and I wouldn’t want to inadvertently teach my dog to ignore my commands). When the dog takes the initiative to sit, give a tasty treat. Any behavior that is rewarded should happen more often. Be patient during this process.  It can take a bit of time before the dog figures out that it is the sitting that is getting him the tasty treats.  Once my dog became more reliable about responding to each new person that came along with a sit, I would begin to work on teaching my dog or pup to maintain his or her sit for longer and longer periods of time.Chill On a Mat:  This is one of my favorite skills to teach.  The idea is that you will be able to send your dog over to a portable mat (like a bath mat or towel) where he or she will lie down and remain until released.  The little Goldendoodle pup (pictured above) is 16 weeks old and he is lying on his mat in the middle of a soccer field with a team playing in the distance.  What the photo doesn’t show are the four other soccer teams on either side of him. He shows all of this skill at such a young age.  What a good dog and what good parents he has to spend so much time teaching him how to behave in public places!

Come:  We all want our dogs to come when called but a lot of dogs that I work with just don’t.  They are completely unreliable.  You need to teach your dog that it is totally worth giving up whatever he or she is engaged with to come running to you.  It is important to reinforce this behavior every time with a super tasty treat (if your dog is food motivated) or a game of tug (if your dog is play motivated).If your dog isn’t reliable, work on this skill with your dog on a long leash and then inside an enclosed area before ever trusting him off leash. If your dog does NOT come when she is called, whatever you do, don’t nag her.  Repeating commands is the quickest way to teach your dog to ignore you. Go and get her and go back to working with the dog on a line until he or she is more reliable.Eye Contact:  Eye contact is a great way to teach your dog to keep his or her focus on you.  I start this skill by rewarding my dog every time he or she chooses to look at me – on walks, at the dog park, when kids are around, in the house etc.  I call these “check-ins,” but you can use any signal word you like, such as “look” or “focus.”  Check-ins are a great way to start to teach your dog or pup that it pays to focus on you.Leave It:  The purpose of this skill is to teach your dog to back away and not to touch, sniff or eat the thing that he’s headed for. The “it” in question could be a cat, a hamburger bun, a sock.  Imagine how handy that would be. Imagine if you dropped a pill on the floor.

A qualified trainer can help you teach these 5 essential skills if you need help. Remember to dedicate time to training your dog or pup.  It’s not fair to get angry with your dog for misbehaving if you haven’t taken the time to teach your dog what is expected of him or her.

No matter which skills you find important for your dog to learn, understand that desirable behaviors need to be rewarded often and well and you will need to limit your dogs opportunity to make the wrong choices by using better management—head halters or no pull harnesses for a dog who pulls, leashes and tethers for jumpers and long lines for a dog who won’t come when he or she is called. If you feel like you some additional help, you can search for a professional trainer in your area at www.apdt.com.

About Elsa Larsen:
Elsa started her dog training career as a volunteer for an organization in Santa Rosa, California that trained dogs for people with disabilities.  In June 2000, Elsa moved to the east coast and created My Wonderful Dog, a non profit that that engaged at risk youth in the care and training of service dogs.  The non profit had to close its doors in 2008 due to lack of funding, but under the original banner of My Wonderful Dog, Elsa continues to bring her expertise and knowledge to bear in her quest to create harmony between pet dogs and their owners in and around Portland, Maine and the greater Boston area. With over 15 years experience, Elsa has had the pleasure of working with hundreds of dogs on issues as diverse as dog aggression to puppy management and care.

To follow Elsa and My Wonderful Dog on Facebook, click here.

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A Video Tribute to John Unger and His Beloved Dog, Schoep

The touching story of John Unger and his dog, Schoep, moved one woman to create a video tribute to them. See it here -- and make sure to have a tissue ready.

The photos of John Unger cradling his senior dog and best friend, Schoep, during a water therapy session struck a chord so deep and primal, they immediately went viral. If there was ever a photo that conveys true, unconditional love in a single sublime image, it's this one:

The photo touched millions of lives, and when Schoep passed away in July, we all mourned with John Unger. One person was so touched by the story of Unger and Schoep that she decided to make a video tribute. Written from the point of view of Schoep to his human friend, Jennifer Wallick compiled photos of the two together and set them to Elton John's "Your Song."

It's bittersweet, so grab a tissue.

H/T to Huffington Post, photos by Stonehouse Photography

Read more touching stories on Dogster:

About Liz Acosta: Dogster's former Cuteness Correspondent, Liz still manages the site's daily "Awws," only now she also wrangles Dogster's social media. That's why she wants you to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and -- her personal favorite -- Instagram. See ya there!

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Rinse That Dog Off!

At $50 billion, the pet industry is huge, and growing. One of the fun things about being a part of it is discovering cool entrepreneurs who are finding ingenious ways to help us care for and have fun with our dogs. One of these people is Chris Crawford from Carlsbad, CA. An avid outdoorsman, Chris has invented the RinseKit, a portable, high-pressure mini-shower for washing off your stuff, your dog, your feet … anything, before getting into your car, tent or home.

How many times have you come back to the car from the dog park, lake, or a walk through the woods with your dog, only to look down in dismay at those muddy feet, that drenched fur, that smelly coat? I know I have. And what I’ve done is just bite the bullet. That’s life with dogs, right? You wait for the mud to dry and then take the car to a car wash with a vacuum. But what if you could quickly shower off the dog (or his feet at least) before letting him into the car?  

The RinseKit stores not only water, but water pressure. So when you squeeze the hose attachment, you actually have water pressure to spray off mud, leaves, sand … even ants.

Yes, ants.

I live in the land of fire ants and my big dumb 50-pound puppy stood (not stepped, STOOD) in an ant hill a month or two back. Her front paws were COVERED in biting ants. My little water bottle was pathetic, and with her fur, there was no brushing them off with our hands. Fortunately, we were at the lake, so my quick-thinking 7 year old snapped the leash on her and ran her down to stand in the lake. What if we hadn’t been right on the shore? I would have loved having this thing to get those ants off her quickly.

This bad boy can clean off whatever your dog tracks in. It’s so much better than trying to clean up with a dinky water bottle. That is, if you have any water left in it. And the little paw towels that you can buy at the pet supply store? Those are great when the mess isn’t very … messy. But I have tried using towels for mud, and maybe it’s me, but they just don’t work.

Having grown up in New England, I could see using it to get rid of those awful ice balls that form on dogs’ fur when they’ve been playing in the snow. You know, those days when it’s above freezing, but still cold enough for snow, and your dog is dying to go play in it. My long-haired Dachshund used to come back to the car with dozens — nay, hundreds — of ice balls in his coat. For some reason, ice balls take forever to melt. And when they do, they leave tons of water in your car. Wouldn’t you love to just spray them off, then quick-dry your dog’s legs and paws before hoisting him up into the car? He’s dry in minutes, his feet are clean, and he doesn’t have to spend the entire drive home sitting on what feels like four dozen quail eggs (not to mention the big ice balls that form between his toes).

What about those times when your dog steps in … well, you know. I’ve spent my fair share of time trying to dig it out of my dogs’ toes with whatever probe I could find, wiping it off with wet wipes or towels (then where do you put THOSE?), and generally cussing out people who don’t clean up after their dog. If I had a pressurized spray shower, I could blast the offending bits off my dog’s feet (or my own) and be on my way.

The RinseKit is catching on with campers, surfers, fishing enthusiasts, parents, and dog owners. A strong rinse, when ever you need it, is a beautiful thing. Unfortunately, the orders are coming in faster than Chris can make them. So he’s gone to crowdfunding to ramp up the manufacture. The first 200 people to contribute $50 or more get a RinseKit later this year. The project ends July 15, so don’t delay.

Get more info at http://www.rinsekit.com or be a part of it by backing this project at http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/165845490/breakthrough-portable-shower-system

Disclosure: I have no connection with Chris Crawford or his company, have received no payment for this article, and only found out about the RinseKit a couple of weeks ago. I just think it’s neat, and I thought you would, too.

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This Is the Best Dressed Dog We've Ever Seen

Montjiro just doesn't wear clothes, he IS clothes! Look at the photos! Okay, he just wears clothes.

Time calls him the Best Dressed Dog on Instagram, and we're not going to argue with that. Montjiro is the best-dressed anything we've seen in months, maybe years. Look how he rocks a checkered cap:

Yes, that's a bold, fearless take on checkers, but it's just another sunny afternoon for Montjiro, busting down fashion walls on Instagram. He's also the official model for Mon’t, a Japanese company that sells original, handmade clothing for dogs. It's high-end stuff, featuring items of clothing we don't even know how to pronounce, with so many pictures of Montjiro wearing the luxurious goods it makes our bank account hurt (we can hear our own closet whimpering at home as we write this).

Here he is in a daring hat-and-scarf combo. This is his waiting-in-line-for-a-pastry-in-San-Francisco outfit:

Here he is watching his horse round the bend and head for the final stretch -- in the lead, of course. (Actually, Montjiro owns all the horses in the race.)

"Oh, nothing, just heading off to fly around the world. What are you doing today?"

Is there such a thing as an outfit that just does not work? No? Okay, just wondering. 

By night, Montjiro works as a bartender at Tavern on the Green. No, he does. He totally does. You'll have bourbon, neat?

Am I freaking you out yet? Should I put on a leather vest? It's not bizarre enough, is it? Man, I hate eating dinner with Johnny Depp. 

What happens at the shelter stays at the shelter. 

Via Time; photos via Instagram

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Product Review: Kyjen Invincibles Dog Toy

Kyjen is a major manufacturer in the pet industry, with cool, innovative products. I’ve been impressed with their products for the past nine years. We all love to love the little guy, but this operation is one “big guy” that I have always liked. It seems they’re always trying to come up with fresh new ideas, and ways to make the old toys better. It’s sometimes frustrating for a retailer to “lose” a popular toy, but I always tell my customers to wait until it’s re-release, and that they’ll love it. That’s exactly what’s happened with the Invincibles® toys.

How tough can a plush toy get? Some dogs can’t have plush toys. Ever. I’ve had those dogs. Others need a tough one, and those are the dogs that these toys are made for.

The newest versions of Invincibles® contain reinforced, double-layered seams and Dura Tuff lining material. On the inside, the toys are stuffing-less, filled only with their patented squeakers that continue to squeak even after being punctured. Sure, no toy is tough enough to endure the most aggressive chewer. Some dogs just can’t have plush toys. But some dogs can have Invincibles®, even if they can’t have regular plush toys. And that’s good news for enthusiastic or big dogs.

Even when dogs manage to tear through the double-layered seams and Dura-Tuff™ liner, the mess is minimal thanks to their stuffing-free design. Invincibles® squeakers are specially designed to continue to squeak even after being punctured—a feature that prolongs the fun for furry friends. They are available in a variety of snake and gecko characters, and range in size from two to six squeakers.

We tested the six squeaker snake on our adolescent Shiloh Shepherd pup. She’s hard on socks, shoes, and the kids’ stuffed animals, so I wasn’t sure. My sewing basket runneth over with beloved stuffed animals in need of a few stitches, thanks to Benelli. So it was with some skepticism that I gave her the Invincibles® snake. That was two months ago. She’s still playing with it — sometimes playing tug-of-war with our 75-pound Irish Setter — and it has not a single tear, rip or puncture. I have to say, I’m impressed. She likes the floppiness of it. When it smacks her face as she shakes it, she’s positively gleeful. She carries it around the house and even sleeps with it. All in all, a major hit.

Kyjen’s line of Invincibles® retails between $10 and $20. Not cheap for a dog toy. But not expensive, either, especially when you consider how long they last. Would I rather spend $6.99 for a series of toys that my dog shreds within a day or a week or spend $20 for a toy she’ll have for years? I’ll take door # 2, Monty.

I don’t sell the Invincibles because I specialize in funny dog toys, but you can order directly from Kyjen. Or you can check out one of their retailers. My favorite is Yipeeee!, a webstore that specializes in strong dog toys.

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Welcome to new RAGD Partner Green Dog Pet Accessories!

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Creature, An Award-Winning "Ugly" Dog Has Cancer -- and a Bucket List

Creature appeared on the ugly dog circuit but then was diagnosed with aggressive lymphoma.

Creature, a Mexican Hairless Dog, is a very ugly dog, according to people who vote on such things. According to her Facebook page, she is "Utah's Ugliest Mutt," and in 2012 she got second place in the World's Ugliest Dog contest. 

And, as everyone who's seen an ugly dog knows, part of being an ugly dog is being cute at the same time. It doesn't make sense, but there it is. Look:

Unfortunately, Creature's short spell in the limelight is drawing to a heartbreaking close. She has high-grade lymphoma, according to her owner, Taylor Stokes. In June, Stokes posted the news on Creature's Facebook page, after finding lumps on the dog's leg and stomach. 

"From what we understand, this is a very aggressive cancer with no good outcome. We are completely heartbroken," she wrote. "We realize that our time with Creature is now limited and we just want to make that time the best for her. Due to her age we are a little concerned with using aggressive drugs. We just want to give her the best quality of life possible for her remaining time. As of right now Creature is happy and comfortable and does not seem to be in any pain. We hope to keep her that way for as long as possible."

That was back in June. Shortly thereafter, Stokes changed course and pursued chemotherapy.

"No one knows how much time Creature has left, but we are doing everything we can to make sure that every day she is here, she will be happy, comfortable and well loved," she wrote. 

And since then, Stokes has been doing exactly that. Creature has a bucket list, and he's been cracking them off like a champ, with a little help from Stokes and well-meaning Creature lovers. 

One of them is Jamie Usry, development director for Humane Society of Utah, who's been helping Stokes complete some tasks. 

“She wanted to meet Betty White, that has not happened yet but you never know. We’re fulfilling her first class convertible ride today. She’ll be in a Mustang convertible," he told Fox13Now.com. "Her doggy-date night, doggy-themed movie night we’re fulfilling tonight, and she is going to get a pet massage session. She is going to get a pet psychic session, all sorts of things."

One thing Creature received was not on her list but very well could have been: a special plaque by the Humane Society of Utah, to express appreciation for the influence her life has had on others.

There's still plenty of stuff left on Creature's bucket list -- and if you can help, Stokes writes on the page, "we would like everyone’s help in sharing Creature’s page and spreading the word about these adventures we would like for her to have. If you are able to help her accomplish any of the things on her list, please contact us here on Creature's page or by e-mail at rsqdogs@yahoo.com."

Without further ado, here's Creature's bucket list, via her Facebook page:

Have a reading with an animal communicatorReceive an animal blessing -- DONE! (Crossed off 06-23-13, thank you Animal Chaplin Sandy Byland)Get her picture taken with Betty WhiteTake a ride in a convertible -- IN THE WORKS!Spend a day relaxing on a beach -- DONE! (Crossed off 06-20-13)Appear in an animal magazine -- IN THE WORKSAttend a doggie birthday partyHave a portrait painted of her -- DONE! (Crossed off! Thank you Bev Nicholson and Mugly! And also thank you to "Drawings for Pit Bulls and those who love 'em," and thank you to Fred Grower for the oil painting!!)Go to work with Dad -- DONE! (Crossed off 07-19-13)Get a doggy massage -- DONE!Have a dog-themed movie night with family -- DONE!Attend a Hairless Dog playgroupVia Fox13Now.com; photos via Creature's Facebook page

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Does Your Dog Need a Vet? 10 Signs

It’s late in the evening. Your dog has vomited twice. You’re starting to wonder if you should go to bed or get dressed and get him to a vet.

It’s sometimes a tough call because emergency vet bills are high. Between office visit fees, x-rays, tests and medications, most of us can’t easily absorb an unexpected hit of $1,000 or more.

Yet even more than that, we don’t want to endanger our dogs’ life or prolong their suffering. We want to help them when they’re in pain or distress.

So how do you make the right decision?

Here are 10 signs that you should get your dog to the vet, especially if your dog is exhibiting other signs of distress or discomfort.

Restlessness. Dogs who get enough exercise during the day usually lie down or nap in the evening. If your dog is pacing, or lying down and then getting up within a few minutes, it could be a sign of anxiety and pain. You know your dog’s routine. If she is restless and there’s no other cause that it could be attributed to (i.e., houseguests, fireworks, a new neighborhood dog barking outside), get to the vet.High temperature. It can be tricky to take a dog’s temperature, especially if he’s not feeling well. So when he’s feeling fine, take his temperature a couple of times to get him used to the procedure and to establish a baseline normal temp for him. For most dogs, it’s 101 to 102.5. When he’s exhibiting some of the other signs mentioned here, an accompanying high temperature — which can indicate a viral or bacterial infection — might clinch your decision to seek veterinary attention.Hesitation to jump or climb. If your dog, who normally jumps into the car or onto the bed readily, or climbs stairs with no problem, suddenly looks unsure or waits for help, he could have an internal or structural problem you can’t see.Changes in body posture. Bloat is a serious illness that can take the life of a dog within hours. Dogs experiencing bloat will have a distended stomach due to gas buildup (hence the name). They will also exhibit other signs of illness, such as restlessness and panting. Your dog might be reluctant to sit down, yet looks as if he wants to, or he’s lying or sleeping in an unusual posture. Maybe his mouth is open but he’s not panting, or he’s holding one or both ears at an awkward position. These are things that may indicate he needs a vet.Hiding. Dogs who are in pain often don’t want to be bothered. If your dog hides in an uncharacteristic way, see if a treat or toy that she would normally respond to can coax her out. If not, she may be in trouble.Unusual ways of getting your attention. Dog’s can’t tell us they’re in pain, so they just usually deal with it by withdrawing or trying to make themselves more comfortable. However, sometimes, they do seek us out, because they know we’re their source of safety and comfort. If your dog uncharacteristically pesters you for attention, and your attention doesn’t seem to satisfy her need, there may be something more serious she’s seeking help for.Disruption in elimination patterns. Frequency, volume and condition of urine and feces is a good indicator of health. Get to know your dog’s normal patterns so that if they change, you’ll see it early on. When changing your dog’s food, watch for new elimination patterns and don’t be surprised if there’s a little diarrhea the first day or two as his system adjusts to the new food. But after that, things should get back to normal. It’s harder for homeowners who let their dogs eliminate in the back yard, because we often don’t see the result of the dog’s visit to the yard. But daily cleanups will give you an indicator, and it’s important to know what’s normal for your dog.Vomiting or retching with other symptoms. It’s not unusual for dogs to vomit. Some individuals hardly ever vomit while others vomit more regularly. Sometimes it’s because they didn’t chew properly, but it can be his body rejecting a toxic substance or bacterial infection. If your dog vomits once or twice, but otherwise acts and eats normally, it’s probably not an emergency. But if she can’t seem to stop vomiting, becomes listless, has diarrhea, or refuses food, she needs a vet. Also, if she’s retching but not bringing up anything, she could be bloating or have an obstruction, which also require quick veterinary intervention.Unusual vocalizing. Dogs usually don’t cry when they’re in pain. They tend to isolate. But if your dog is whimpering, crying, or wheezing in a way that’s not normal, definitely get to a vet.Unusual panting. Dogs pant when they’re hot, but if your dog is panting when he’s inside and would normally be resting (i.e., evening), there may be a problem. Our collie seemed to pant all the time, even in the air conditioning. The groomer took his beautiful coat off for the summer to help him stay cool, but he still panted. After some tests by the vet, we learned he had leukemia. If your dog shows unusual panting, especially when combined with weakness or unusual thirst, get him to the vet.

Remember, any of these signs could mean your dog needs to see the vet, but if your dog shows more than one sign, it’s even more likely that veterinary attention is needed. When in doubt, see the vet. It’s better to spend some money needlessly than to endanger your dog’s life because you’re unsure.

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People Show Off Their Fake Therapy Dogs to the New York Post

"Fake service dogs are becoming pretty popular now," one numbskull proudly tells the newspaper.

Because the laws for therapy dogs are so easy to skirt, people do it, taking their dogs everywhere that dogs otherwise are not allowed. Sometimes these people have real problems and just don't want to go through the effort of getting an officially trained dog when they can simply buy a patch on eBay and get the same results. 

But this isn't about people with real problems and fake therapy dogs. This story is about a guy who doesn't want to leave his little dog outside when he goes shopping. This story is about Brett David, a 33-year-old restaurateur who seems to be just loving spilling all his secrets to the New York Post, even posing with his Maltese Yorkie, Napoleon, in a Whole Foods in New York, grinning through his ice cream.  

“I was sick of tying up my dog outside,” he told the Post. “Sometimes, they’ll give me a hassle and say bring the papers next time, but for five bucks, you order [a patch] off eBay, and it works 90 percent of the time."

Wonderful, David! We're so happy for you. What other dumb crap do you do with your dog? 

“He’s been to most movie theaters in the city, more nightclubs than most of my friends."

Super! I'm sure the people who work there are convinced Napoleon aids tremendously in your illness (you're without a brain, aren't you?), and will no way cast a suspicious light in the future on real service dogs who come in to their establishments. Certainly you're not carrying on and potentially ruining it for others out their who really need their service dogs, fake or not? 

“I don’t care who you are, a teacup Yorkie will trump a black [American Express] card when you’re trying to pick up a girl.”

Huh. Well, you have a point. Carry on, David.

Let's hear from Kate Vlasovskaya, a financier, who tells the Post she bought a a phony “service dog” ID card online from the United States Service Dog Registry for her Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Lila.

Why? Hell, I don't know how you get to the Hamptons with your dog, but Kate takes the Jitney. Her $50 laminated card clears the way no problem. It's real official looking -- it has a hologram and even an ID number for the dog. She is not worried about anyone finding out. 

“You’d have to go through all of these links or get someone on the line,” she said. “With all of that effort, they will probably just let you in.” 

Also, she said that fake service dogs are “becoming pretty popular now.” The subtext, of course, is that only losers tie up their dogs outside restaurants.

This is not looking good. 

Via the New York Post

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Will You Strut Your Mutt for Animal Welfare?

The nationwide fundraising dog-walk by Best Friends Animal Society needs you and your dog.

Best Friends Animal Society’s Strut Your Mutt is a nationwide event in which people take nice, leisurely strolls with their dogs to raise money for animal welfare groups. Last year, it took in $1.3 million, benefiting 180 groups. This year, it's aiming for $2 million, with different walks taking place in 11 cities in the next few months.  

This is a fun way to raise money for dogs. Register to walk, choose which group you want to benefit in your city, set up your fundraising page on the site, and hit up your friends and co-workers for donations (which is made easy through the website). On the big day, you get to take a nice walk with a bunch of other people walking dogs, and there are few things more enjoyable than that.  

We can't call out all the individual teams nationwide, but because Dogster is based in San Francisco, we can give some love to the home team. Our strut takes place on Treasure Island on Sept. 21, and the local animal welfare groups who are participating -- and who you can donate to! -- are are fine bunch: Milo Foundation, NorCal GSP Rescue, Oakdale Shelter Pet Alliance, Reunion Rescue,  and San Francisco Animal Care & Control.

But, alas, in perusing the donations pages of all the above groups (which you can get to by those links), we noticed something sad. As of press time, many of them had a healthy donations -- with NorCal GSP Rescue leading the pack at nearly $6,000 -- but one poor soul had not a single donation: San Francisco Animal Care & Control.

We feel you, San Francisco Animal Care & Control. 

So, readers -- and we're especially looking at you, local readers -- are we going let this fine organization strut around Treasure Island without a single dollar behind it? Are we going to let this San Franciscan dog, led by Capt. Susan Butler, raise zero dollars at a nationwide fundraising effort?

We think not. Let's help San Francisco Animal Care & Control get some money on the boards before strut-day. Here's part of Susan Butler's statement on the site to help you ease open your wallet: 

I am participating in Strut Your Mutt to raise money that will go directly back into my community to be used to fund adoption programs and spay/neuter services, ultimately impacting the number of pets entering and leaving the shelters.

What else do you need to know? Donate. And then get out there and Strut Your Mutt.

Photos via Strut Your Mutt's Facebook page

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The "Bass Dogs" Tumblr Brings Two of Our Favorite Things Together at Last

A guy on Tumblr is replacing musicians' bass guitars in pictures with dogs. And it's almost too good.

Over the course of my life, I've seen a lot of musicians fingerpicking bass in rock bands, and whenever I see someone fingerpicking bass there's this moment when I stop for a second and think: Oh, that person is not using a pick on his bass.

Followed by: Fingerpicking bass looks a little funny. 

And then: At least he's not thwacking it with his thumb!

And then I go on and continue watching the show.  

The guy who made Bass Dogs, @michaelmphysics, didn't just let the sleeping dogs lie when confronted with the unique image of people fingerpicking bass. He thought long and hard about it. He decided to replace the basses with dogs. 

The result is amazing. 

His site, Bass Dogs, is subtitled "People who play the bass with their fingers look like they're tickling a hairy dog," and we couldn't agree more. How did we ever not think this? 

As he explains on the site, "I noticed that bass players who use their fingers as opposed to a pick look like they’re tickling hairy dogs, so I used computer prowess, my brain and a shovel to badly Photoshop pictures of dogs on top of their basses."

Head to Bass Dogs to see all of them, and note that @michaelmphysics accepts submissions, so if you think you've got what it takes to Photoshop a dog into a picture of someone playing bass, send him a copy to dogsasbasses@gmail.com.

Visit Bass Dogs and the Bass Dogs Twitter page, and, you know, rock on. 

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