About Time! Westminster Dog Show Allows Mixed-Breed Dogs

For the first time in the show's 138-year history, the club makes room for All American Dogs (that's what the club calls mutts, by the way).

The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show has been going on for more than a century, and in every one of the events the doors have been slammed shut on dogs whose only crime is a bloodline that is impure, that forked here and there along the way, that might have hit a brick wall decades back thanks to a frisky Pug who snuck in the back door one fine summer day. 

Mixed-breed dogs. Mutts. Puggles. Labradoodles. Shelter dogs. Happy dogs. After 138 years, all of them, down to the last unidentifiable fella, have finally been allowed entry into the most prestigious dog show in the world. 

The American Kennel Club calls them "All American Dogs." We kind of like that. 

But it's through the side door, to be sure. The mixed-breed dogs get to enter only one event -- the agility trials, which take place at Pier 94 in Manhattan next month. And only 16 out of the field of 228 are mixed breed, according to the New York Times. 

The agility event, which emphasizes speed and accuracy, precedes the dog show's "pageant of dogs," which prizes dogs conforming to breed standard. 

Think of it as the wild pre-party before the formal party.

Club President Sean McCarthy said that adding the agility competition was a way to “make sure we show all aspects of what dogs can do; they’re good-looking, skillful, and talented.”

"Westminster is a celebration of all the dogs in our lives, and that includes mixed-breed dogs," said Thomas Bradley, the show's chairman, according to the Chicago Tribune.

In agility, dogs race around poles, through tunnels and tires, up and down ramps and seesaws, and they jump like crazy. At the more formal dog show, in contrast, the purebred pooches barely get a lap in. 

"It's so exciting," Irene Palmerini told the Chicago Tribune.

She bought Alfie, a fluffy, black-and-white dog, for $99 from her local pet shop. He's entered into the event. 

“He likes to jump, he loves tunnels and he likes the teeter,” she said. “Agility’s been good for him and made a better bond between us.”

Nice work, Westminster. Next year we can expect to see them in the ring, right?

Fox Sports 1 broadcasts the agility trial live from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8, with commentary by former Olympic diver Greg Louganis.

Via New York Times; photos via WKC Dog Show's Facebook

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A Dog Meme Will Get Jamaica's Bobsled Team to the Olympics

It's crowdsourcing for a good cause -- Internet currency based on Doge called (duh!) Dogecoin.

For the most part, memes are not my favorite aspect of the Internet. As humor, they wear out for me very fast. It's somewhat like being at a party and having one person after another walk up and tell you the same joke, each one of them convinced that they are being clever and witty. Usually, the joke wasn't that funny to begin with, but after the 50th time or so, it's all you can do to make your mouth twitch in a token impression of a smile, rather than braining them with the nearest potted plant.

I should mention at this point that I don't get invited to many parties.

But here's a case in which a meme was made to serve good, rather than evil. Thanks to a fusion of Internet currency with a cute dog meme and crowdfunding, the Jamaican bobsled team will be able to go to the Winter Olympics in Sochi this year.

Dogecoin is an Internet currency that's kind of a rebranded, cuter version of Bitcoin. The logo of Dogecoin is based on the "Doge" meme, which is kind of like the canine equivalent of LOLCAT pictures, which is to say that it can be adorable or annoying, depending on your mood. The meme features broken English words written in Comic Sans font on a picture of Kabosu, a Shiba Inu dog. Some media figures declared it "dead" in December, when Republican legislators started tweeting Doge pictures to attack the Affordable Care Act and budget spending.

However, the success of Dogecoin's crowdfunding campaign for the Jamaican Bobsled Team shows that there may be some life in the old meme yet. On Saturday, Winston Watt and Marvin Dixon learned that they had qualified to compete in the Olympic Games. But the happy news came with some bitter: They didn't have the money to go. So naturally, they did what everyone does in the 21st century: They turned to the Internet.

One of the people who heard the plea was Liam Butler, head of the Dogecoin Foundation. Butler has been a fan since he saw the film Cool Runnings as a kid.

"As someone who grew up in the '90s, Cool Runnings was the ultimate feel-good movie about underdogs out of their element achieving their dreams," he told UPI. "When I was about seven years old, my best friend and I had a billy-cart that his dad built. When we would start our run down his driveway, we would shout out the catchphrase from the movie: 'Feel the rhythm, feel the rhyme, get on up, it's bobsled time!'"

With those memories in mind, Butler and the Dogecoin Foundation started up a campaign called Dogesled to send Watt and Dixon to the Olympics. It succeeded in a way that they couldn't have imagined. Not only did the Dogesled campaign raise more than $25,000 in real cash for the team, the value of Dogecoin shot up 50 percent within 12 hours.

"We started without a concrete plan in mind," Butler said. "I sent a few emails out … but that was the extent of it."

Plan or not, the result is that the Jamaican Bobsled Team will be going to Sochi to compete. Jamaican Olympic officials and the Sochi Organizing Committee have said that they will cover Watt and Dixon's transport expenses, but the donations will still be used for equipment and training. It looks like cute dog pictures and a little good will really can take you a long way.

Via Los Angeles Times

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It's #GivingTuesday: Ways you can help dogs in need this holiday season!

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A Poodle Named Dream Adopts an Aussie Puppy in Need

Dream already had one puppy of her own, but when another turned up at the rescue needing a mother, she brought her into her family.

A four-year-old Poodle named Dream turned up in an overcrowded shelter in the high desert near Lancaster, California -- dirty, matted, and skinny. Shelter workers labeled her a stray. They didn't even know she was pregnant, but she was, and she gave birth to two tiny puppies on Dec. 2. 

One died right away. The other fought to survive, as Dream, so sickly herself, did her best to nurse him. The pair needed to get out of that shelter and get some real help, and that's when a kind soul spotted Dream and her puppy and pegged them for transfer to the Helen Woodward Animal Center in Rancho Santa Fe, California. 

It was there her life would change. Not only did Dream and her puppy -- staff named her Cupcake -- get placed in a great foster home right away, but Dream gained a new reason to live: Candy, an Aussie mix puppy who was having a rough go at life. 

On Jan. 10, not long after Dream and Cupcake found their foster home, the Helen Woodward center brought in a mother Aussie mix named Karly and her seven puppies. One of them, Candy, was tiny compared with the rest. She had been getting trampled, struggling to get her mother's milk, and she was left stunted, weak, dehydrated, covered in bite wounds, and suffering from a nasal infection. 

The center's veterinarian, Stephanie Oba, took Candy in, fostering her separately and giving her round-the-clock care. She would get better, but she still needed one thing. She needed a mother. 

Someone on the staff had an idea: What about Dream? Her puppy Cupcake was Candy's age. And the pups looked nearly alike, despite one having a Poodle mom. What if Dream accepted Candy as her own?

Foster Pam Fleischman agreed. Dream met Candy, and immediately took her in. She treated Candy as "though she were the baby she had lost," reports the center.  

“Dream has been an amazingly good mother," said Fleischman. "She is content to spend most of her time lounging with Cupcake and Candy and attentively caring for them. We’re looking forward to seeing how the puppies’ personalities develop during the next month. They are both angels and immediately became the best of friends.” 

This story had a happy ending, but it's not over. Cupcake and Candy will soon need their own homes. The two dogs will be fixed in a few weeks and will be ready to be adopted after that, according to the center. If you're interested, please contact the Adoptions Department at 858-756-4117 (ext. 1) or visit the Helen Woodward Animal Center. 

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Big Fluffy Dog Rescue Tells a Harsh Tale of a Hit and Run

Revlon escaped from her Nashville foster home and was found on the interstate. Surgery is next.

Big Fluffy Dog Rescue, a nonprofit from Nashville, Tennessee, posted an extremely intense and emotional account of their work with a single dog on their Facebook last night. While it's perhaps not an unusual story -- or at least not as unusual as most of us would like -- it does say a lot about the challenges of providing humane support for dogs in a society that's less and less willing to take care of its own.

The post is about Revlon, a dog that Big Fluffy had rescued, and who then escaped from her foster home. The people at Big Fluffy hit the streets and the social networks trying to find Revlon. They were met by a lot of helpful and compassionate people, with one exception: "To the one useless jackass who called and said he hoped she was squashed out flat on the highway, you can suck it and I sincerely wish you pain and suffering."

Despite the willingness of most people to help, there was no sign of Revlon until yesterday morning, when the author reports that dozens of people called in, flooding her with the same piece of bad news: Revlon had been struck by a hit-and-run driver on Interstate 40.

She had part of steel radial tire fragment embedded in her foot and she has possibly the worst blunt force trauma injury to her left hip and femur I've ever seen. Her right hip is dislocated and will have to be pinned and she will be in a wheelchair for several weeks while she heals. We will fix her and she is slated for surgery as soon as the plates that can repair her damaged hips arrive.

Revlon is alive because a woman stopped immediately when she saw the dog get struck and go flying. Despite the intense trauma, the dog dragged herself across three lanes of traffic, with a little help from humans on the scene:

To the man who found an orange cone to help keep traffic away, I say thank you. To the policeman who helped, thank you as well. This dog is alive because of all of you. To Shannon who put this dog in your car and drove her to the vet, you are my hero and I thank you. While it grieves me that the person who hit this dog did not bother to stop or even slow down to look, it comforts me that people cared enough to help one poor dog get out of harm's way.

As I say, the story itself is not that remarkable. After all, many dogs get struck by cars every day, and many don't make it to safety or have a human nearby who can help them to a veterinarian. But the directness and emotion of the account is a good reminder of what dog rescue workers go through on a regular basis. Just like the author, they're in the work because they care about and love these animals, and it can be a wrenching job whether you're a volunteer or paid staff.

And in the case of Revlon, it's an expensive one, too. The Big Fluffy staffer writes that the dog will need at least two or three surgeries, as well as a dog wheelchair to help her with mobility during recovery. That's probably going to come to $5,000 to $10,000:

She will have to endure two and probably three surgeries to repair the damage. If you look closely, you can see the lines where she got nailed by a bumper and you will understand just how lucky this dog is. The left hip is broken in four places and will be plated to provide pain relief and stability. Then we'll deal with the femur and knee. The right hip will be pinned. She won't be able to stand on her own so we'll be investing in a wheelchair while the breaks heal up.

For anyone who wants to help Big Fluffy Dog Rescue with Revlon's expenses, or with their work in general, donations can be made online.

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Give the gift of green to dogs and dog lovers this holiday season!

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DIY: Make dog paw cleaning mitts from old wash cloths!

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Community Areas of Dogster and Catster to Close March 3

It is with a heavy heart that we announce that we will be closing the Community areas of Dogster and Catster in March.

Dear Dogsters,

Today we are announcing some changes at Dogster and Catster. While the Dogster and Catster sites will continue to exist as daily magazines that serve the worldwide community of dog and cat families, it is with a heavy heart that we announce that we will be closing the Community areas of the sites effective March 3. This means that members of the Dogster Community will no longer be able to see Pet Profiles, Forums, Groups, Answers, Local Listings, Photo Galleries, Games, Quizzes, Adoption, Dog of the Day, Diary Central, the Gift store, and the Community homepage past that date. 

I am no longer involved in the day-to-day operations of Dogster and Catster, but I am writing this to you as one of the founders, as one of the developers who built the features of the sites, as the first community manager, and as a member (Trouble, Porter). Ten years of my life have been about Dogster and Catster and I’ve invested a lot of time, money, sweat and tears. It’s been a great ride and I have no regrets. But all good things must come to an end.

We originally created Dogster because there was no place on the internet to share the joy of having a dog or a cat member of the family. There was no place to share tips on taking care of the furry ones. There was no place on the internet to support each other in times of turmoil, sickness and journeys to the rainbow bridge. We, and I truly mean “we” in the community sense, created this space. We’ve made great friends, told inspiring stories, helped many pets find their furever homes. It was a great success and something I will remember and take pride in for the rest of my life.

That said, 10 years on the Internet is forever. There have been massive changes in the industry -- Facebook and Twitter didn’t exist when we started Dogster and Catster. Finding advertisers and developing those relationships was simpler and revenues were easier to come by in the early days. The backend technologies that power websites have been revolutionized three times over since then. It’s amazing to me that the sites we developed in 2004 and 2005 have lasted this long. But, as every regular user knows, the community areas aren’t working like they used to. Features are broken. Spammers are relentlessly invading our forums. The dog house and cat tree are starting to crumble.

SAY Media is a great company. Their hearts are in the right spot. There was a lot of pressure from financial and strategic points of view to close down the community areas of the sites three years ago. But since the sites were holding up and people loved them, they continued to keep these areas up even though it was at a cost.

At the end of the day, our parent company is all about creating great editorial brands. As the community features on Dogster and Catster degrade, as users become unsatisfied, it amplifies the fact that the Dogster and Catster community sites are not aligned with Say’s mission. It seems unwise to continue to operate them at a loss while aggravating users. Please believe us when we say we’ve gone through every possible option. Could we invest more in revamping the sites? Could we spin them off into their own or another entity? Could we leave them as is and slowly see them degrade further? The answer was “no” to all of these. We just cannot find a way that is honorable to the community, true to the business, and in good conscience.

I know many of you will be upset. I know many of you will think this is the wrong call. We’re truly sorry for that. Sometimes putting something you love to rest, while difficult, is the right thing to do. That is what we must do now with the community areas of our sites. Thank you for being the best community ever.

John Vars

Co-founder, Dogster and Catster

VP of Product, Say Media

If you have purchased a Plus subscription or zealies in the past 60 days, please email refunds@dogster.com or refunds@catster.com to be refunded. We will do our best to refund you within a week of your request.Dogster and Catster HQ will be on hand at the All-Paws group. We invite you to join the conversation and come to us with any questions over there. We’re sad too, and we’re here to listen and help as best we can.We unfortunately don’t have export functionality to help you preserve your pet pages, but we encourage you to save your photos and diary entries before March 3, when they will be taken offline.As always, you can reach us with questions, comments and concerns at support@dogster.com and support@catster.com.

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Life Changes

Its been said that the only constant is change.  Change comes in all forms.  Some change is minor and barely detectable and other change is drastic, earth shattering and life altering.  Change is everything in between.  I have been faced with a series of monumental changes that has resulted in uprooting my life, leaving Ohio and moving to Arizona.  I packed up the new Subaru Dogmobile and the two saints and I made the long journey cross country to start a new life in Arizona.  My two remaining labradors stayed in Ohio with the other half of my family.  Life will never be the same here at Its the Dogs Life, but we are going to move onward and upward and start a new chapter of our story.

Its not easy to uproot senior dogs and change everything they know.  But Brutus and Rufus have been real champs and made the journey in true road warrior fashion.  The 2 ½ day drive was long and boring but they made the best of going for the ride and watching the scenery go by.  They took turns in the co-pilots spot and propped themselves up on their dog bed for a leisurely birds eye view of the road.

And sometimes they just slept to pass the time.  They slept alot.

We drove for what seemed an eternity and finally arrived at our new home.

The boys have a nice big backyard to roam around in and explore.  The dry heat has been so good for their old bones too.  They have been friskier than they have in quite some time and were actually wrestling.  Not bad for 2 almost 10 year old Saints.  We will have lots more adventures to come, so stay tuned as we adjust to our new lives.

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Dog Fighting Event in Georgia Is Raided -- By Police Helicopters

Thirty-four people were arrested at the highly organized dog fight, which even had a food truck.

It's time to raise a glass to multiple law enforcement agencies across Georgia, who not only broke up a dog-fighting ring, but did so at a moment's notice with helicopters and spotlights while a dog fight was in progress, saving the dogs and arresting spectators and participants. 

It sounds like something out of prime time TV. On Saturday, authorities investigating the ring learned that a fight was scheduled to go down that night, and they rallied the troops, according to the Times-Herald.com. 

“Our narcotics unit has worked tirelessly on gathering intelligence on the event, and at a moment’s notice, they ‘rallied up’ and met at the training center where a briefing was conducted,” according to Meriwether County Sheriff Chuck Smith in a press release.

The team included members of the Meriwether County Sheriff’s Office, Coweta County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Woodbury Police Department, Greenville Police Department, Spalding County Sheriff’s Office, and animal control.

Then they swept in. First, they set up a perimeter full of officers. Then they brought in the helicopters, shining spotlights on the participants and spectators -- who fled right into the arms of waiting authorities. Suspects who hid in the bushes were located with the helicopter's forward looking infrared, of FLIR, cameras.

In all, 34 people were taken into custody. Authorities also seized more than $28,000 in cash, 26 vehicles of those arrested, five guns, two generators, lighting equipment, the fighting pit, and a catering truck, according to the Times-Herald.com. 

Yes, a catering truck. Express Wings was serving fried chicken and fish to those gathered at the event. 

As for the dogs, authorities found two Pit Bulls, with one injured and bleeding inside a large fighting pit. Animal Control Officer Beth Miller took the dogs into protective custody, and a vet is treating the injured dog with antibiotics. According to Times-Herald.com, one dog is eating again and even gave the vet some kisses. 

Those arrested face a litany of charges: gambling, cruelty to animals, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, theft by receiving stolen property, conspiracy to commit or promote dog fighting, and other crimes associated with the dog fighting operation. 

Via Times-Herald.com and WTVM.com; photos via WTVM

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Part 4: How to make your own healthy, safe laundry stain remover for the health of your dog!

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One Blog, One Tree: Make a Green Gesture for the new year!

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Fun, stylish, unique homemade Halloween costumes for dogs!

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How Does a Puppy Burn Down a House? Chews on a Deodorant Can Near a Lamp, That's How

No one was hurt in the house fire, including the Greyhound who inadvertently set off the "bomb."

If you're sitting around today, listing all the things in modern life that could kill you, here's something to add once you've finished covering the obvious things like smoking, drinking, red meat, unfiltered tap water, too many carbs, swine flu, bizarre yoga accidents, malfunctioning electronics, industrial waste, the carbon monoxide pouring out of the cars in front of you during your commute, chemical toxins in sunscreen, skin cancer caused by not using sunscreen, some weird cancer that no one has identified yet, sex, and the stress from making this list: What if your dog chews through a can of cheap, spray-on deodorant and blows up your house?

Don't laugh. It could happen.

No one was killed in this case, but Kerry Leech of South Yorkshire, England, found out exactly what can happen when you leave a six-month-old Greyhound puppy alone for 10 minutes with a can of deodorant. Like a lot of puppies, Leech's dog Zeus is at the stage where, as Leech says, "he'll chew anything." While she was out of the apartment, Zeus punctured a can of Lynx deodorant with his teeth. As the deodorant sprayed out of the can, it was ignited by the heat of a nearby lamp.

The resulting explosion shattered the apartment windows, ripped through the floorboards, and set the couch on fire, for a total of £2,000 (about US$3,300) worth of damage. Zeus and five other pets in the apartment managed to escape relatively unharmed, but perhaps feeling a bit warier about deodorant cans.

Leech and her partner, Matthew Heckler, were on their way to the store when a neighbor texted them about the explosion in the apartment. The fire department initially thought that it was the result of a leaky gas main but soon pinned the blame on Zeus. Heckler said, "I didn't even know we had a can of Lynx in the living room. It was a Christmas present from Kerry's parents and was in a gift box right next to the fire and back boiler."

Lynx is the name that Axe body spray goes under in England, Ireland, Australia, and other formerly British nations. As in the United States, it's marketed using a series of variations, such as "Anti-Hangover" "Anarchy for Him," "Dark Temptation," and "Fever." Is there perhaps a "Pyro Puppy" variation in the mix now?

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Marijuana and Dogs Don't Mix, But It's Happening More Often

As marijuana becomes stronger and more legal, dog poisoning is also getting more common.

Thanks to a lifelong seizure disorder, I'm possibly the only longtime resident of the Bay Area with absolutely no experience doing pot. That makes me a real oddball in an area that prides itself on catering to peoples' eccentricities, nonconformities, and rebellions. Despite having had my share of roommates, friends, and employers who were devoted to the herb, I cheerfully admit that there is a lot of stuff that I don't know about marijuana.

Here's one thing I do know, despite my lack of practical experience: Keep your pot away from the dog.

I would think this is one of those pieces of wisdom that is so obvious that it would stick with you even if you've been living on nothing but pot brownies and Thai sticks for six weeks. It should be one of the last things to fade from your brain, just before you forget that sticking your tongue in the electrical socket is a bad thing.

Apparently I have once again been giving the human race far too much credit. The Animal Poison Control Center, a division of the SPCA, has reported that there's been a 30 percent increase in marijuana poisoning of dogs since 2009. That's 320 incidents reported in 2013, up from 213 in 2009.

It's hard to tell how many of these cases are accidents where the dog just comes across the pot by accident and how many are the result of some well-meaning but ignorant owner who wants to share the mellow with his canine companion. Most people really don't want to tell their vet that they deliberately fed pot to their dog, partly because it's still illegal in most places, partly because it might make them liable under local animal cruelty laws, and partly because there's no way that admitting that doesn't make you look like an idiot.

According to the director of the Animal Poison Control Center, Dr. Tina Wismer, dogs just don't respond the same as humans do to pot: "They may become sedated, act drunk and wobbly, but about 25 percent go the other way. They become agitated, have high heart rates, they're in distress. Most dogs become incontinent. They stagger around dribbling urine everywhere."

The result is that the dog might become comatose and die.

Some dogs get dosed with pot from drinking bong water, which is incomprehensible to me. Drinking from the toilet I can kinda, sorta understand, but bong water is one of the foulest things imaginable. An even greater threat, though, is when people use marijuana for cooking. If your dog noshes on your pot brownies, for instance, he'll get a double dose of chocolate and marijuana poisoning.

Then there's the problem of medical marijuana. As pot is becoming more acceptable and more legal, the strong stuff is becoming a lot more prevalent. Our own Dr. Eric Barchas wrote last April about a report showing that increased marijuana poisonings of dogs correlated with legalization, because of increased availability as well as increased potency.

"During the study period," Barchas wrote, "medical marijuana registrations increased 146-fold. During the same time, cases of canine marijuana toxicity increased fourfold."

Synthetic marijuana, known as spice, may be even more potent and more dangerous to dogs than the natural stuff.

Dr. Matt Booth, of Boulder, Colorado, says that as people become more aware that "natural" isn't the same as "harmless," the numbers should drop again.

"As it's become more commonplace in Boulder, and now with legalization, pet guardians have gotten pretty savvy," he told NBC News. "I see it less and less. If they haven't had experience with it, then a friend has, and word has gotten out. People are more conscientious and aware."

I certainly hope so. Legal or not, some treats should be shared only with your human friends.

Via NBCNews.com

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Five green, eco-friendly things you can do with your leaves!

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Volkswagen Up!

Over the years Saint Bernards have been used in a myriad of advertising campaigns.  Magazine print and television advertisements for alcohol, cleaning products, even Campbell’s soup used a Saint Bernard back in the day.

Very dear friends of mine living in Portugal recently had their lovely girl Bayero’s Genuine Benefit – “Bernarda” featured in a Volkswagen commercial in Portugal.  The advert is in Portuguese but the gist is that the tiny car is so roomy that everyone can fit (think clown car).

I’m so excited to see saints back in advertising.  I hope this trend continues.  Enjoy Portugal’s favorite!

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Super Bowl Ads: What the Hell Is Audi Up to with Sarah McLachlan and the Doberhuahua?

The automaker goes for "bizarre troubled fake plastic dog" in its Super Bowl commercial.

We understand that companies like to make an impact with their Super Bowl ads. Dogs, of course, are featured quite often. Cute dogs, mischievous dogs, silly dogs, loyal dogs, Budweiser dogs -- but above all real dogs. 

Audi doesn't play that. Audi is going with a fake, unsettling thing called a Doberhuahua. Odd, giant, and plasticky head and tiny, tiny body. It looks too much like Triumph the Wonder dog for my taste. Probably for everyone's taste. Take a look: 

Audi hasn't released the full ad, of course, because, well, SUPER BOWL, but it had better be pretty amazing to get past using a dog that doesn't exist. Audi makes cars. It shouldn't be making dogs. Couldn't the company have used a Puggle? Here is more:

How did we get all these images? From a YouTube video starring Sarah McLachlan (Grammy winner, queen of the anti-animal-cruelty videos, the one and only, yes, that Sarah McLachlan.) who recorded "a very special new song to raise awareness around a compromised creature -- the Doberhuahua."

Before she did that, Audi must have placed a suitcase full of cash on a table in front of her and slowly opened it. 

Here's the video:

Strange, huh? So: Audi invented a breed and made it look really plasticky or something, enlisted Sarah McLachlan to sing about it, and is planning on showing some ad based on it to the world during this year's Super Bowl, all to sell a car. Presumably. It might be selling snack chips now or something. That would make more sense. Does Audi make Slim Jims?

Also, don't think we haven't noticed this campaign is a parody of real troubled dogs and the videos people make of them to raise awareness. That is one of the least funny parts about this, primarily because the the other least funny part about this is the fact that it is not actually funny. Parody done well can be enlightening. This parody still has a ways to go. Maybe the final ad will elevate it, or maybe well just be left with this silly idea.

We love the song, though. Nobody can say Sarah McLachlan doesn't bring her A-game to goofy crap. 

Via Jalopnik

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In Long Island, a Dog Has a Narrow Escape from an Icy Lake

Firefighters rescue a dog who ran too far and had ice collapse -- it was the second rescue in a week.

Firefighters in Long Island, New York, pulled an overenthusiastic dog from a frozen lake Wednesday, narrowly saving him from an icy death.

Teddy, a three-year-old Labrador Retriever and Collie mix was walking with his owner, Mary Ann Nesdill, in a park when he heard the irresistible sound of geese. Nesdill says that Teddy immediately "took off" in hot pursuit and ran onto the surface of a frozen lake, which collapsed under him.

"I thought I was going to lose him," Nesdill said. "He was howling, and when I looked out, half of his body was in the water and the other half pawing at a piece of ice that was keeping him afloat."

The dog was about 250 feet from shore when the Rockville Centre Fire Department came. Teddy clung to the chunk of ice for almost 30 minutes while firefighter Danny Leboff crawled across the lake, tethered to the shore.

"The dog kept yowling, and I knew I had to get him," Leboff said.

Two other firefighters followed with an inflatable raft. If anything, Teddy's accident was well-timed; the department had practiced the same procedure on the same lake just last week.

"He was so far out, I could barely see him out there," Nesdill said. "He was struggling to get out of the hole in the ice. I thought we were going to lose him. I thought he was gone. He was howling, crying the whole time, breaking my heart."

When Teddy was pulled from the water, he was shivering, with ice caked around his midsection. According to John Foy, the veterinarian who treated Teddy afterward, the rescuers got to him just in the nick of time.

"Had he spent more than 30 minutes in there, I'm not sure he would have made it," Foy said.

He credits Teddy's survival not only to the fast action of the RCFD, but to Teddy's thick coat.

"He's a lucky boy," he said to Newsday. "That's all I can say. He's got a nice coat, and that's what saved this guy. He's lucky."

It may have been a terrifying 30 minutes for Teddy and Mary Ann Nesdill, but from the videos it looks like he's recovered quickly. Even in the vet's office, his tail is wagging, and he looks like he wants nothing more than to go chase more birds.

Via NBC New York, Newsday, and Gothamist

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New Jersey Toughens Its Law Against Harming Service Animals

Those who attack or let another animal attack a guide dog will face 18 months behind bars and a $10,000 fine, plus compensation.

You will not hear many good things being said about New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie these days. Between getting caught closing down bridges, holding up disaster relief funds, and his generally abrasive nature, he doesn't make for a very sympathetic figure. But I'm a forgiving sort (no, not really, but it sounds good), so when he does something right, I'm willing to throw the man a bone. So here we go: This week, Christie signed legislation known as Dusty's Law, which gives extra legal protections to guide dogs.

The law is named after a 9-month-old German Shepherd who was being trained as a guide dog in 2010 when he was attacked by another dog. Dusty wasn't killed in the attack, but he required 100 stitches, lost four teeth, and was so emotionally traumatized that he couldn't be kept in the training program. Dusty's trainer, Roger Woodhour, recently told a New Jersey news site that almost half of all guide dogs are attacked by other animals.

Before the new law, violence against a guide dog wouldn't be treated as a criminal offense; the police were required to refer the case to the animal control agencies. With the passage of Dusty's Law, someone who assaults or kills a guide animal, or allows an animal in their custody to do so, is guilty of a fourth-degree crime. That means that anyone found guilty is subject to a maximum of 18 months behind bars, a $10,000 fine, or both. It also requires the person convicted to pay compensation to the owner of the dog that's been injured or killed. That includes not only veterinary bills, but the cost of a new guide dog if necessary. Considering that a guide dog's training can cost almost $60,000, the compensation can easily exceed the amount of the fine.

Jim Kutsch, the president and CEO of training school The Seeing Eye, says that "Seeing eye dogs are especially vulnerable to injury during an attack because they've been bred and trained to be non-aggressive."

Also, thanks to their training, they're extremely hesitant to leave their owners' sides, even to escape a threat to themselves.

Ultimately, there is a lot of credit to go around for this law getting passed. A lot of organizations have put a lot of work into getting it through, and they have petitioned online and in the real world to get it into Christie's office. Congratulations to all of them. Service animals are an invaluable resource, and we're glad to see them protected by law.

Via Cliff View Pilot

Top Image Welcome to New Jersey Sign by Shutterstock..

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Recycling at it's best: Trashed art speaks dog!

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The 2013 Holiday Green Dog Gift Guide!

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What is fracking and how may it affect your dog's health!

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Start your dog's new year off right! Help them be more green and healthy.

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Quick fall organic lawn care tips for the health of your dog!

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St Bernard Club of America 2013 National Specialty Winners

News, Weather and Sports for Sioux City, IA: KCAU-TV.com

Judge – Ken Buxton

BOB – Best of Breed
Ch. Opdyke’s Your Place or Mine?
Breeder/Owner – Carolyn Cataldo/Glenn Radcliffe
Handler – Carolyn Cataldo

BOS – Best of Opposite Sex
Ch. Cache Retreat Power Drive
Breeder/Owner – Ivan Palmblad/Pam Hathaway
Handler – Pam Hathaway

BW – Best of Winners
Kings Mill Zurich
Breeder/Owner – Roy/Lacey Wilson
Handler – Lacey Wilson

Select Dog 
GCH Jamelle’s Aristocrat v Elba
Breeders – Michele/Jack Mulligan
Owners – Linda/Ed Baker
Handler – Melody Salmi

Select Bitch
GCH Jamelle’s Peyton Place
Breeders- Michele Mulligan/Tom Steffen
Owners – Michele/Jack Mulligan
Handler – Michele Mulligan

Awards of Merit
GCH Trademark’s Zephan
Breeder/Owner/Handler – Art Shook

GCH Cornerstones O Henry
Breeder – Marilyn Balikowski/Paul Boorsma
Owner/Handler – Marilyn Balikowski

Ch Windpt’s Issa Joy of Baronhorn
Breeder – Stephanie Thompkinson
Owner/Handler – Paula Keller

GCH Glidden’s Lady Isabella
Breeder – Kathey Glidden
Owner – Kathey Glidden/Liz Salewsky
Handler – Liz Salewsky

Best Puppy
Royal Treasures Achilles
Breeder – Erica/Shaun Parra
Owner – Erica Parra
Handler –

Breeder Acheivement Award
Ivan Palmblad

Judge: Vic Dingus

WB – Winners Bitch
Lasquite’s Ula of Valdez
Breeder – Mlynn Smith
Owner – Brandy Mead/Mlynn Smith
Handler – Billy Buell

RWB – Reserve Winners Bitch
Dillon’s Give Me a Double By Design
Breeder/Owner – Kim Dillon
Handler – Liz Salewsky

Best Veteran Bitch
Windpt’s Blossom
Breeder – Stephanie Thompkinson
Owner – Maureen Zwerk/Stephanie Thompkinson Severson
Handler – Maureen Zwerk

Best Working Class Bitch
Scandia’s Elmas Heezedorn
Breeder – Paul/Marina Boorsma
Owner – Tom/Micki Moore
Handler – Micki Moore

Stud Dog
Cornerstones O Henry
Breeder – Marilyn Balikowski/Paul Boorsma
Owner – Marilyn Ballikowski

Brood Bitch
Benbaron’s Tinker of Yondo
Breeders – Brian/Toni Beninger
Owner/Handler – Barry Roland

Amateur Adult Showmanship
Suzie Collier

Best Junior Handler
Sage Rush

Regular Class Dogs – Judge Ken Buxton

WD – Winners Dog
Kings Mill Zurich
Breeder/Owner – Roy/Lacey Wilson
Handler – Lacey Wilson

RWD – Reserve Winners Dog
Trademarks Apostle v Godsgift
Breeder – Art Shook/Sharon Gill/Krista Jones
Owner/Handler – Art Shook

Best Veteran Dog
Marianette’s Habitual Vialator
Breeder – Lucia Kenney & Sara Crepeau
Owner/Handler – Marian McShane

Best Working Class Dog
Mtn Home Linus Stoan v Lasquite
Breeder – Beth McCarthy/Mlynn Smith
Owner – Marlys/Lyle Larson
Handler – Tim Hiltz

Sweeps – Judge: Marty Glover

Best in Sweeps
Cache Retreat Miss Kitty
Breeder/Owner – Ivan Palmblad/Pam Hathaway
Handler – Pam Hathaway

Best of Opposite Sex
Cedar Lane’s Malachi O’Cornerstone
Breeder – Jacqueline Rudman/Sharon Gill
Owner – Jacqueline Rudman
Handler – Randy Lineman

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Welcome Turdlebag to the Raise A Green Dog pack!

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How to make a great dog jacket from one of your old winter coats!

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A Chihuahua's Face Magically Appears in a Blueberry Muffin

Is Kaelin Bell's pet dog the new Virgin Mary of baked goods? We wonder.

Usually, when I read about people who see a striking resemblance between their food and something else, the story tends towards the religious. There's a whole tradition of Jesus and his mother spontaneously making appearances on toast, muffins, Marmite lids, breakfast tacos, and the occasional cluster of shower mold. Some people find these not only inspirational, but financially profitable.

In 2005, Donna Lee of Point Place, Ohio, was cooking pierogis for Easter when she found one with the face of Jesus. The divine pierogi went for $1,775 on eBay. But as divinely decorated baked goods go, that was chicken feed. The year before, a grilled-cheese sandwich with Jesus' face sold for $28,000. (Last year, Michael Leaverton documented how Jesus appeared on a dog's "caboose," but we don't think the dog's owner resorted to selling the holy canine.)

In that context, my first thought on reading about Kaelin Bell was to wonder whether a religion might sprout up around Chico, her pet Chihuahua. The 14-year-old posted a picture on her Tumblr page comparing Chico to the blueberry muffin that she was about to eat.

"My blueberry muffin looks exactly like my dog," she wrote. "I'm gonna cry."

Whereas the pierogi, the grilled-cheese sandwich, and even the Shroud of Turin look like cases of desperately overactive imaginations to me, I have to admit: There is an uncanny resemblance in this photo between Chico and the muffin. They're both kind of adorable, actually.

Unlike the three things above, it doesn't look like Kaelin and her family will get much money from the muffin.

"I couldn't eat it," she told The Huffington Post. "So we froze it in a plastic bag. My dad is wondering if we'll be able to sell it, but, so far, no one has offered to buy it."

On the other hand, thanks to coverage of the funny photo by Buzzfeed, The Huffington Post, and now us, Chico might well be on the way to being the next Internet meme, which is kind of like becoming a religious figure. And, as we saw with the Jamaican bobsled team yesterday, sometimes the right meme can be worth money.

Kaelin is very excited about all the attention, but she says that Chico has remained blissfully unaware of all the fuss.

"Today, he just laid in bed," she told HuffPo. "He's now realizing he's an Internet sensation."

Via The Huffington Post and Kaelin's Tumblr

Check out these adorable stories on Dogster:

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Good News! Washington State Might Be Next to Prohibit Breed-Specific Legislation

A state representative introduces a bill to override dozens of local ordinances aimed at certain breeds.

Here's some good news in dog-related law: Washington state is considering banning breed-specific legislation.

Under HB 2117, introduced by Rep. Sherry Appleton, cities would no longer be allowed to use the breed of a dog to determine whether the animals should be declared "dangerous." Only the dog's behavior could be considered. Right now, about two to three dozen cities in Washington have ordinances that target specific breeds.

A lot of breeds have been targets by breed-specific legislation, or BSL, but Pit Bull owners probably feel the brunt of it most often. Thanks to the news media image of Pits as being violent, and their association with dog fighting, they're easy targets. In Dec., I even wrote about a city attorney in North Chicago who rationalized a policeman's fatal shooting of a dog because "Many drug dealers have a Pit Bull and this was a Pit Bull." That kind of fear makes it easy to target an entire breed based on the actions of a few.

Appleton made a pointed and evocative argument against this image of "dangerous" dogs: "I had a friend that was attacked and disfigured by a Beagle. That's Snoopy," she said. "It just depends on how a dog is treated."

That's a great point, although it does leave me with the image of Snoopy, my beloved childhood icon, as Cujo rattling around in my head.

Sometimes, breed-specific legislation can seem like an easy sell for politicians. It has the benefit of offering a simple, clear solution to a public problem, and it can make a politician seem unafraid to stand up and take clear and decisive action. But as H.L. Mencken once said, "There is always a well-known solution to every human problem -- neat, plausible, and wrong."

More states are coming to recognize this, with regard to breed-specific legislation. Last June, Nevada became the 14th state to outlaw BSL. Late last year, President Obama publicly opposed BSL in response to a petition submitted via the White House's website.

It would be great to see Washington join that list, and congratulations to Rep. Appleton for bringing the issue to the table.

But please -- can I have cute Snoopy back in my head now?

Read more on Breed-Specific Legislation:

Via Seattle Times and Examiner.com

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A Pink Chihuahua Puppy Grabs Hearts and Finds a New Home

You'd think that someone who lost a pink dog would look for her, but you'd be wrong.

When the Powers That Be sent out this story from their secret lair at Dogster HQ, I have to admit that my first thought was, "How do you lose a pink puppy?" Even in the Bay Area, where formal attire for an evening might consist of leather shorts, boots, and strategically placed electrical tape, a puppy that's been dyed hot pink will attract attention. There just aren't so many of them around here that one will blend in easily.

The dog in question is a two-month-old Chihuahua, which was found in East Palo Alto last week. She wasn't tagged or chipped, and an X-ray showed that her right back leg had a hairline fracture. The Peninsula Humane Society in San Mateo said that the fracture could easily have happened jumping down from a large couch or someone accidentally stepping on her, and that it wasn't necessarily a sign of abuse. The staff named her Candy, and, despite having her hair washed, she stayed pink.

"This is a little more unusual than your usual stray dog because the dog had an injury and the dog was dyed," Director Scott Delucchi said. "It shows some level of care and attachment that someone went to the trouble to do that. You would think that someone who would show that level of attachment would look for their dog."

But based on the story of Candy, more dogs might want to think pink in order to get rehomed. The press release about Candy went out yesterday morning, and by the evening, she had a new home. According to the society's website, the response was overwhelming. "We were overwhelmed by the outpouring of support for and interest in Candy, receiving more than 100 voicemail messages before her story aired on all stations or appeared in print media," they wrote. "We've selected a home for her, a fantastic home. We apologize that we may not be able to return all calls. We trust that people will understand and -- even though they weren't chosen -- take some comfort in knowing Candy will have a wonderful, permanent home."

But in the meantime, the Peninsula Humane Society has 30 more non-pink Chihuahuas still waiting for homes.

"They aren't two-month-old puppies dyed pink," the site says, "but we consider these regular adoptions to be every bit as special as Candy's adoption."

To back that up, for a limited time, the PHS is waiving all adoption fees for Chihuahuas and Chihuahua mixes. Thanks to a punked-out pup, if you're in the area and have been wanting a Chihuahua, this is the time to do it.

Via Patch, SFGate and Peninsula Humane Society

Check out these adorable stories on Dogster:

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Shiny New Award

You may have noticed this shiny new award in my side bar.  I was excited to receive an email while I was traveling that Its the Dogs’s Life was included in the top 95 Dog Websites list on Canine Inc.  You can see the whole list here: LINK  Im on the list around #20.  There are some real quality sites on that list so I feel very honored to be included.

Thanks Canine Inc!

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DIY: Pawsome homemade dog seat cover!

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Amazingly yummy organic apple treats for dogs!

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Part 2: How to make your own health, safe laundry detergent for the health of your dog!

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How much water should my dog drink?

How much water should my dog drink?

A good rule of thumb is .05 – 1 oz of water per pound each day to stay adequately hydrated. However this is not an absolute number.  Some dogs needs are significantly higher or lower based on breed, age, activity level, diet or season.  If your climate dry and warmer and he or she spends alot of time outdoors, he or she will need more. Dogs that eat a completely dry diet will need more water than dogs that eat food that is wet.  My Saints for example, weigh about 160 lbs.  They are senior dogs so not particularly active, but Saints pant and drool more than other dogs so their needs are higher.  Based on this they need 80-160 oz (or 1.25 GALLONS) of water every day.  Since we have moved out to the desert southwest, this number will be increased because it is much hotter and dryer than the average climate.

Senior dogs are pretty good at naturally regulating their water intake but be mindful if they seem to have unexplained increased thirst and water consumption.  Food and treats that are high in sodium will cause an increase in thirst.  On average puppies need to drink about 4 oz (1/2cup) every two hours.  For larger breed dogs its just a little more, tiny breeds, a little less.

Medications like predinisone (steroids) and heart failure medication will also increase thirst.

Drinking too much water can lead to bloat, electrolyte imbalances, and hyponatremia (water toxicity) and can signify a bladder infection, another type of infection, or diabetes.  Too little water can lead to dehydration in dogs, kidney stones, organ failure and even death.

Are you giving your dogs enough water each day?  Make sure your dog has access to clean, fresh drinking water at all times.  Their health and life depends on it.

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