PerPETually Speaking

New Steve Dale E-Books

2012-01-23T13:29:00.004-05:00

Yes, that's right, Steve Dale, America's Pet Writer. Okay I am, too, but I digress. My friend, Steve, has created 2 e-books sure to please every dog and cat owner.

"Good Dog," is for every dog owner who has ever had a question about their dog's behavior, health, etc. Steve has compiled reader questions and answers with responses from well-known experts in the field to help you take better care of your pet and have a wonderful relationship.

"Good Cat," is for cat owners who are in need of basic cat care, health and behavior information. They are the ones who write to Steve asking for help and he turns to experts (including yours truly) for additional information for his readers.

These books are useful, fun, easy-to-read and will get you and your pet on the road to the ideal relationship you have always wanted.

Go to the online bookstore of your choice and download either "Good Dogs" or "Good Cats" by Steve Dale. Or both! You won't regret it!

2012 is Coming

2011-12-26T21:00:00.003-05:00

Have you thought about what the New Year means? Normally, it means a new start. But for some people it's just another day in another week. I was starting to fall into that category mainly because I book so much so far ahead including speaking engagements. How to cheer it up? How to brighten it?

If you're an animal person like me, a nifty new calendar can make a difference and this year I have one like no other. Not one I'd find in stores but one that is pretty much guaranteed to make me smile every month if not laugh out loud!

The 2012 Calendar is illustrated and captioned by one of the Six Chicks of cartoon fame: Stephanie Piro. Stephanie is a true animal person with a special affinity for cats and their people. This year's calendar is a sure-fire hit for yourself or anyone else who might want a good laugh in the New Year. Actually 12 good laughs, one for each month. Surf on over and see for yourself:

http://www.cafepress.com/saturdaychick/8365558

Happy New Year - a tad early.

Holly Happydays!

2011-12-25T16:44:00.004-05:00

It's Christmas Day. You've given a picture of the pet you plan to add to your family and added a puppy, kitten or bird layette so you'll have all of the accoutrements ready once your newcomer arrives.

If there are currently pets in your household, they have received presents just like all of your other family members and friends. And you're keeping Tinsel, breakable ornaments and gifts as well as tiny things well out of reach of curious pets.

From my home to yours I wish you a Happy, Healthy Holiday Season and the Very Best of the New Year!

Angry Birds?!

2011-12-18T23:38:00.007-05:00

I have to be one of a handful of people who has never played Angry Birds. Really. It was offered to me as a freebie on my e-reader. I declined. Why? Well, the thought of angry birds was just sort of irritating to me. Birds are really nice. I have friends who have pet birds. Their birds are anything but angry. But when the Hartz Company came to me with an offer to test drive their new Angry Birds toys for cats and dogs, well, who could resist?

Let's face it, pet toys are created for the owners as much as the pets. We buy them so we want something appealing and for the pet owner who plays Angry Birds it's probably very amusing to have Angry Birds toys for their cats and/or dogs.

The box arrived, filled with cat and dog toys, angry birds that anyone but me would recognize. Cats are notorious for playing with toys only when the owner is out of sight so while putting one of the jingle ball toys on the floor for Aimee's perusal, out came the interactive cat wand. Toy attached to a string, for some rousing interactive play.

Not having a dog in residence, another Angry Bird, this time a dog toy, went off to my grandpuppy, Karma, an adorable Flatcoat Retriever who will be a year old in January. The holiday season is for children, the four-legged ones included, so what better way to celebrate than with a new toy? Karma was immediately enchanted, squeaking it, playing with it, and hardly getting it out of her mouth long enough to be photographed with it by her "mom" Veronique Schejtman.

Two very happy four-legged kids. Oh, and those other Angry Bird cat toys? When I came in from running errands they were not where they had been. She had been playing with them. No images are available - some things a kitty girl obviously likes to keep private.

Hartz products are easily accessible and according to Aimee and Karma, they make good gift choices for the holidays, birthdays or any day.

Are Your Pets Safe?

2011-12-06T01:26:00.004-05:00

Owning a pet is a responsibility. We are responsible to feed them, have fresh water available for them at all times, take them to the veterinarian, groom them, play with them and train them, keeping their minds and bodies healthily engaged. With Winter upon us, those of us who live in cold, snowy, icy climates have a responsibility to keep our pets safe during the winter months, just as we do at any other time of year. Winter comes with its own set of hazards.

Cats should be indoors only, no declawing, with lots of environmental enrichment. A cat whose mind and body are actively stimulated is a happy cat. Dogs need to be walked but in winter there are some hazards. If your dog is small, or has a short haircoat, he will need a warm coat or sweater to prevent him from losing body heat too quickly. If it's an extremely cold day, do not keep your dog out very long. And do not take him along with you when you run errands. Did you know that being in a cold car can be as fatal as sitting in a hot car?

Don't just toss your dog out in the backyard to eliminate. Take him for a walk. And be sure to bring along plastic bags so you can clean up after him.

At this time of year, roads tend to be treated. This is dangerous to cats and dogs who can ingest these poisonous substances while licking their paws. Train your pet to allow you to wash his feet after a walk. Better safe than sorry!

Your dog can slip and slide on ice and sometimes can't get traction on snow. There are snow boots made for dogs and he can learn to walk in them. This will also help protect him from treated roadways.

This year, December 22nd has been set aside for Keep Pets Safe in Winter Day. To this end, Morton, the salt company, is making a $20,000. donation to the ASPCA to help continue their work and help promote wellness. Additionally, from October 1. 2011 through January 31, 2012, for every unique "like" on Morton's Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/MortonSalt?ref=ts&sk=app_291464790880143), the company will donate $1. to the ASPCA, up to $55,000. which is impressive in this economy.

Be sure to use a pet safe ice melt on your own driveway and walkways. But remember that not everyone will be as conscientious as you so keep safety in mind on those walks.

Have a Happy and Safe Winter!

Pet Loss

2011-11-16T21:03:00.003-05:00

Pet loss is probably the most difficult topic to write about. The pain of losing a beloved companion is acute. It's also impossible to explain to people who don't love animals. Our companions are our family members so, it is exactly like losing a family member because we are losing a family member.

Fortunately, there are people who understand, not just friends but there is pet loss counseling for those grieving over the loss and even for those who are preparing for the loss due to a terminal illness.

For those who need to explain this to a child, I recommend "For Every Dog an Angel" and "For Every Cat an Angel," by Christine Davis. These books are so wonderful well done that adults appreciate them as much as children and so it has become the perfect choice for them as well.

I was delighted to learn that this year, in addition to those wonderful books, Davis has authored "Forever Paws," a book for those of us who forever carry paw prints in our heart. As with her other books it is beautifully illustrated.

If you find yourself without words, and truly it's hard to come up with the right words when it comes to loss, I highly recommend these wonderful books. You can find them on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and bookstores everywhere or order directly from the publisher www.lightheartedpress.com

These books, and others by Davis, will surely touch your heart and will provide comfort to friends and children who are mourning their loss.

Adopting Older Pets

2011-11-07T23:03:00.004-05:00

I've long been an advocate of adopting older pets. I brought my cat home when she was 3 1/2 years old and we never missed a beat. I also believe in older pets for older people. Not everyone needs a puppy or kitten or can really handle all of the work they entail. With an older pet, you pretty much know what you have from the start.

One of my personal pet peeves (any pun intended) is when an older person dies, leaving a beloved four-legged companion who may have been their only source of love and comfort. Family members come in, dispense with property and no one takes the cat or dog, preferring to dump it in a shelter or just abandon it as if it were a piece of garbage instead of a living breathing, loving sentient being. Frankly, this topic, for me, is like waving a red flag in front of a bull. I get furious, heartbroken and sick to my stomach. Yes, all at once.

You can imagine how surprised and delighted I was to receive an early copy of a new book, "Moo Kitty Finds A Home," by Valerie Lee Veltre, and illustrated by Liz Leonard. Moo's story will touch the hearts of children and adults. It is this very topic that Veltre covers so beautifully. Abandoned after his elderly owner dies Moo watches all of the kittens being adopted from the shelter. One by one. For Moo there is, thankfully, a happy ending but this story is more than a mere tale. It is a beautifully illustrated lesson. One that will teach children and adults alike the value of someone older and that adopting an older pet from a shelter is a wonderful option.

I cannot say enough good things about this book. It has truly touched my heart. I think it would make a wonderful gift for any child or library for that matter. It would be a perfect item for shelters to sell.

Even if you don't have a child, it's well worth reading. This book will touch your heart and make you think twice.

Published by Squidgy Press, an imprint of LifeReloaded. (www.lifereloaded.com)

I'm going to read "Moo Kitty Finds a Home" again. And again.

How Do You Rate Your Veterinarian?

2011-10-17T20:51:00.003-04:00

Veterinarians are a huge part of our lives as pet owners. We need to find someone we trust and someone with whom we can communicate since our pets cannot speak for themselves. By and large, these are wonderful people who are in the profession because they truly care about animals. But, as with anything, there is always a bad apple or two. What can you do about it? In the U.S., some of the States have something set up at the Veterinary Board so you can file a complaint. It really takes a lot for someone to be pushed that far but it's important that all animals get quality care, not just our own and if something is horrendously wrong in a practice then it makes sense to file a report. This can be pretty controversial. I'm lucky, I have wonderful veterinarians and a great rapport with them. But I have friends who have not been so lucky. They don't live in my State and I can't say, well, try this veterinarian...

I'm not the only one who has been thinking about this topic. In the U.K. The Bella Moss Foundation is doing something about it. They are asking pet owners, no matter where they live, to respond to a few questions and send their answers to: info@thebellamossfoundation.com

Here are the questions. Please cut and paste them into an e-mail form and send to the address above:

1 - Do most owners know their vet can be disciplined for misconduct? The RCVS response will be that complaints/disciplinary is easily accessible on its website (www.rcvs.org.uk/complaints/ - where, to be fair, things are explained clearly) - but is this enough?

2 - The college also puts hearing details and outcomes online - so there's plenty of information on the internet - but is there still a fundamental problem that owners just aren't aware of how vets are regulated? Even if they are aware vets can be struck off, do they understand the process?

3 - Does it go even deeper than that - simple lack of knowledge about the RCVS register?

4 - There have been articles and programmes touching on the self regulation of the profession (Panorama being a biggy) - should there be wider media coverage explaining how the profession works? Does the RCVS need to do this?

Again, copy and paste these questions into an e-mail form, answer the questions and then e-mail the message to:

info@thebellamossfoundation.com

Thank you for helping with such a worthy cause. Feel free to share this with friends.

National Feral Cat Day

2011-10-15T20:58:00.003-04:00

October 16, 2011 is National Feral Cat Day in the United States. It's important to bring attention to these animals. And there is a difference between Feral Cats and Unowned Cats. Unowned cats once lived in a home, had a family, usually trust people and were unceremoniously dumped by their owners to fend for themselves because they are inconvenient, no longer wanted for whatever reason. Sadly, we live in a disposable society and I've yet to figure out how anyone can throw away a family member.

Birders complain about ferals as do people who find feral colonies in their neighborhood. They do horrible things to these innocent cats whose only "crime" is having been born.

Feral cats deserve better. They deserve to live out their lives in peace and not reproduce more ferals. If the kittens can be socialized early enough, they can make wonderful pets. Other ferals will adapt to life indoors given enough time, love and space to become accustomed to living with people. Cats really are companion animals. They are solitary hunters but the reason you see them in colonies, called Clowders, is because they also crave companionship.

Alley Cat Allies (www.alleycat.org ) has been helping these cats for years, along with their group of dedicated volunteers. It is not the only group doing this but it is, perhaps, the largest in the U.S. They are dedicated to ending animal cruelty, killing in shelters and promoting humane treatment of animals. They have shown time and again that the best way to manage feral cats is TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return). Using a humane trap, their volunteers take the cats to spay/neuter clinics where they are neutered and their ear is notched to show that they have, indeed, been rendered sterile, and then they are returned to the place where they had been living to live out their lives in peace, without reproducing more. Eventually, the clowder dies out, unable to reproduce more kittens. It's a simple solution. Volunteers bring food for the cats and do their best to see that they have shelter where they need it.

This year there are about 325 events occurring on National Feral Cat Day to promote awareness. We have come so far yet there is more to be done. Each of us can help in our own way. Instead of killing these beautiful animals, which truly does not end reproduction, a saner more humane way of handling the feral cat issue is at hand. Check out this organization. Sign up for their free newsletter, help if you can. Feral cats need our help not our scorn. Not every cat is fortunate enough to have a loving home. Aren't we, as a people, good enough as human beings to work out a humane resolution to a problem? I think so. Progress has already been made. Let's help that continue.

I don't know about you, but right now, I'm going to kiss my cat.

Happy Cat Month & New Food

2011-09-12T13:31:00.006-04:00

It's officially Happy Cat Month. What a great idea. The CATalyst Council has been promoting the concept to raise awareness of what we can do to keep our cats happy and healthy including veterinary care, cleaning teeth, interaction and more. For all that our cats do for us, it's the least we can do is our best for them.

While I was thinking about Happy Cat Month a package arrived from Purina with a fully array of samples of their new Purina ONE® SMARTBLEND® Wet Cat Food with antioxidants, Omega 6, vitamins and minerals. In the package were eight different recipes made with real meat, poultry or fish. At my house, and probably at yours, the ultimate decision is made by your cat. They come in eight recipes with two different types - Premium Pate and Braised in Gravy.

Aimee, my Chartreux who has the ultimate vote on food, is no fan of classic foods. She much prefers something in gravy. I always give Aimee choices when it comes to wet food - a variety of wet foods for her to try. What would she think of these newest entries into the pet food market. Knowing her usual reaction, I opened a can of the pate first. There was interest. There was a taste, a lick or two, and then she tucked into the food. Hmmm. When that can was finished I opened a can of the chicken Braised in Gravy. It smelled a lot like chicken pot pie which was nice for me since opening a can of cat food is normally enough to knock me over. Aimee seemed more than normally interested. I set the dish down and she did a ladylike dive into the meal. Today came a real test. Aimee isn't a big fan of seafood, much preferring chicken or turkey. I opened a can of Flaked Tuna Recipe Braised in Gravy and she immediately showed interest and began to eat.

If you're on Facebook, you may have a chance to find out for yourself. Just follow the link:

http://www.facebook.com/PurinaOne?ref=ts&sk=app_257522817599738

You may be one of the lucky ones to get a free sample.

To learn more about this new Purina product go to:

http://www.purinaone.com/Public/Default.aspx

In the last year, Purina has donated more an 1 million pounds of food to pets in shelters. This fed more than 100,000 pets.

A lot of people like to point fingers at the major pet food companies but they're the ones who have the funds to hire boarded veterinary nutritionists. I've toured their plants in the past. I don't hesitate to open a can of their food. I'm not paid to say this. I'm here just to report.

And Aimee is here to enhance my life. I hope that I make hers better, too. Her new catnip toy certainly had her acting kittenish last night. Not bad for a 12-year-old!

World Cat Day!

2011-08-08T02:19:00.004-04:00

Today, Monday August 8, 2011, is World Cat Day. Personally, I think every day should be World Cat Day. Our feline friends often get short shrift. They sent out the door to fend for themselves against cars, birds of prey, other animals. Some reproduce at will when TNR (Trap, Neuter, Return) is the most humane and efficient way to resolve the feral cat problem so they can live out their lives and not produce more ferals.

We need to give more consideration to cats. Stop treating them as second class pets for those who don't want to be caregivers. Cats are solitary hunters but they are not the loners that people claim them to be. They crave attention, they want to be with us and they can be taught anything you can teach any other pet. Clicker training is easy and every family member can do it. In two or three short sessions a day you can capture your kitty's attention, avert behavior problems and build a stronger bond with your cat. You can't leave your cat alone and expect her to fend for herself with food and water. She needs companionship, her litterbox scooped and, worse, if your house caught fire, what would happen to kitty?

With a harness, you can take your cat for a walk. Some cats love to play fetch and every cat loves an interactive toy. I filled an entire book with everything you need to know about cats (http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Cats-Meow-Everything-Caring/dp/0470641673/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1312696562&sr=1-1), far more than I could put into a blog post.

If you love cats, spread the word about what they're really like. If you have room in your life, your home and your heart, consider adding a cat to your family. There are so many cats that would appreciate a loving home, who have lost their home due to death in the family or some other family crisis. Consider an older cat who would appreciate a chance to love and be loved.

What better time to start than today, World Cat Day?

Who Moved My Mouse?

2011-06-25T00:58:00.004-04:00

I didn't ask that question but my cat might have. "Who Moved My Mouse," is the title of a very clever book written by cat humor writer, Dena Harris. Well, by her cats with her. Subtitled: A Self-Help Book for Cats (Who Don't Need Any Help).

Everyone else seems to have a self-help book so why not cats? And Harris is the perfect writer to author this book. Her cats, Lucy and Olivia, give her plenty of material. Lucy even has her own Twitter account (Lucy_Cat). From Chapter One's A Cat's Conversations with God to a Bonus Chapter: The Secret, this book is packed with laugh-out-loud scenarios, quizzes, tips and exercises. There's enough in this book to not only have you laughing out loud but insisting upon reading out loud to anyone who happens to be sitting near you.

Published by Ten Speed Press, this book has been out for a few months but is not to be missed. It's available wherever books are sold or you can find it online. Here's one link for it:

http://tinyurl.com/66wueqf

"Who Moved My Mouse" is also a great gift for the cat lover in your life.

Everyone Loved Lucy

2011-06-13T05:32:00.005-04:00

For as long as I've loved my friend and colleague, Steve Dale, he has always waxed poetic about his pets. Not just a good writer but a trainer as well, he never kept his pets to himself. Steve and his wife, Robin, have always been good about "sharing" their four-legged companions.

When his cat, Ricky, was alive, entertained local children, and people wherever he went by doing everything from jumping through a hoops to playing a children's piano. When Ricky died fay r too young of a cardiac disease that kills far too many young cats, Steve and Robin started The Ricky Fund at the Winn Feline Foundation to raise money to fund research in an attempt to find a cure for the disease.

For about as long as I've known him, Steve has talked about his Miniature Australian Shepherd, Lucy. Lucy combined the breed that Steve wanted with the size that Robin desired. And so, they trained Lucy to be an animal assistance dog, regularly visiting the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago where she helped patients with their therapy, touching hearts while helping heal bodies.

Lucy, a little dog who could help people and make them laugh, was nearly 16 years old when she was euthanized on May 2nd. A glorious love came to an end but the memories linger as does the help she provided so many people. Th sat would be enough for most owners who had shared their dogs with others in such a generous and loving way but not for Steve and Robin. ]

In Lucy's honor and because of her dedication to animal assisted therapy, the American Humane Association has created a fund that will provide assistance and recognition for other animal assisted therapy dogs like Lucy. Contribute to Lucy's Fund and help create an animal assisted therapy Hero Dog Award in her honor. Through Lucy's award her legacy will be celebrated forever and other heroic dogs like Lucy will be celebrated in the future. Click here for more information:

http://tinyurl.com/63b6fab

Grab Life By The Tail

2011-05-05T20:32:00.003-04:00

Roberta Beach Jacobson has long been known as an animal lover. With all of the various types of writing she does: travel, humor, etc., it's her cat writing that comes most quickly to my mind when her name comes up. A columnist for a Seattle newspaper where she's proudly called The Cat Lady, Jacobson's work has been featured in books and magazines as well. Her latest venture is a humor booklet that serves as a "how to" for cats.

Grab Life by The Tail is Roberta Beach Jacobson's downloadable e-book directed at cats. Well, okay, the owner will have to read it to the cat. It's filled with bits of wisdom for every cat who wants to live life to the fullest. Every cat owner will find their kitty in Jacobson's humor. And where can you find a good laugh for only $2.99? Treat yourself. In today's economy that's less than the cost of a cup of coffee in some places.

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/56952

We should all grab life by the tail. This is a great reminder for us all.

An Android Application?!

2011-04-24T21:29:00.003-04:00

Just when you think you can't be surprised, something comes along and shocks you to your core. It happened to me just a couple of days ago. The news of this is working its way around the internet. What has so many of us so riled up? An android application called Dog Wars. Yes, dog fighting on your cell phone. The very same vile animal abuse for which Micheal Vick was jailed. Players of this "game," feed, water, train and fight their virtual dog for virtual money.

Why would anyone think that encouraging dog fighting on a cell phone was a good idea? How many people have downloaded this "game?" How many adults find it "fine" to abuse animals even in cyberspace? How many teenagers are playing with this application? And what is it teaching them? It teaches them that animal abuse means nothing, that it's just a game. That it's fun. It encourages brutal behavior. Well, when you think about it, Michael Vick got his football career back so why not? I'll tell you why not: to encourage violence is a breakdown of society. It translate to lack of empathy, of feeling, to condoning animal abuse. It encourages people to see one type of dog as brutal when it's the people who are brutal. Dogs have to be trained and abused to be pushed into such brutal fights. And I'm not even discussing the gambling aspect of the "game." What's next? Who else will be abused in a game? Babies? Women? Children? No, I'm not being dramatic, I'm being candid, following a thought process.

I can't tell you what to do. I can tell you what I did. I took a pro-active stance as the internet posts have suggested and contacted both the developer of Dog Wars, Kage Games, LLC and the owners, Google, to ask them to remove the application. If you want to write to them as well, here's the information:

Contact the Android market team here: http://tinyurl.com/3tqtrtr
and email here: press@google.com to demand this disgusting application be banned from the Android Market.

It's up to you to decide how you feel about this and if you want to take any action at all. Most people think that someone else will do it. Each of us is someone else and each of us is free to express an opinion.

Spring Holiday Hazards

2011-04-14T00:19:00.003-04:00

Yes, Spring is here, or soon to arrive, and with it are pet hazards. We usually think of things that are hazardous to pets around Thanksgiving, Christmas and the New Year. But we can't ignore Easter.

Just a quick reminder....

Chocolate is just as dangerous to your pets during Easter as it is at Christmastime. Those chocolate bunnies and other goodies can be poisonous to your four-legged family members.

Easter Lilies are lethal to pets. Frankly, nothing is really pretty when it can be deadly. Either keep them out of your pet's reach or buy imitations flowers. They'll last longer anyway.

Those Easter baskets may look pretty but the "grass" in them is dangerous to your pets if swallowed. And remember that once cats start swallowing, they can't stop. Keep those baskets and their contents, including discarded candy wrappers, away from your pets and supervise your children with them to be sure that your pets remain SAFE.

Don't forget to keep ribbon decorations from flowers and candy baskets away from your pets.

Remember that xylotol, the ingredient in chewing gum, can be found in other products. Read labels but just to be safe, keep those goodies for humans out of your pet's reach.

A little preparation and caution can save you and your pet a trip to the emergency hospital and a possibly fatal outcome.

Enjoy the Spring holidays!

The Complete Cat's Meow

2011-03-30T00:17:00.006-04:00

I'm excited. Really! You may wonder where I've been since I've been posting so erratically. The simple fact is that along with my usual workload, I've spent the past year writing another book. Not just any book. I'd never write a book unless I thought I had something worth saying. It's too much work and, frankly, I'm no hack. I don't just sit here churning out books. I do a lot of preparation, a lot of research.

For the past dozen years or more I've wanted to write a cat book. Again and again I heard from publishers that cat people don't buy books. I beg to differ. I'm nothing if not persistent, and finally heard "yes!" from Wiley, the same publisher who published Small Dogs, Big Hearts. I was so used to hearing "no" when pitching a cat book that it took a minute or two to sink in. Yes!

And so I set out to write a different sort of cat book. Yes, it would be slotted under general cat books but there would be things in this book that weren't in other cat books. For the first time in a general cat book, responsible cat breeders have shared how they raise their kittens so any new pet owner, shelter volunteer or foster can use these same techniques and give their little ones the same wonderful start towards becoming a wonderful, well-adjusted pet. As a Certified Animal Behavior Consultant, I included cat behavior and training. There's health, what you'll need for your kitty, I burst myths about cats along the way and so much more. There are also glorious cat pictures throughout the book and a special color section in the middle.

The Complete Cat's Meow is scheduled for an April 5th release but online bookstores received it early and have begun to ship it. It's possible it's also in the brick and mortar stores ahead of schedule. A book launch/signing is scheduled for April 6th at 7 p.m., Barnes and Noble in Shopper's World, Framingham, MA. The excitement is building.

I wrote this book to make a difference for cats and their people, to help build the human-animal bond, to deepen it. Whatever you think you know about cats I think you'll discover something new. Maybe many somethings new.

Fearful Dogs

2011-02-02T14:59:00.004-05:00

One of the saddest things is a fearful dog. Fear can be the result of many things. Usually one thinks of a fearful dog as one who has been abused and that's absolutely correct. But fearfulness can also be the result of no socialization before the age of 12 weeks. For every day past that 12 weeks window of opportunity that the puppy remains unsocialized it becomes more difficult to do it and the pup grows more and more fearful.

Dealing with a fearful puppy or adult dog can be frustrating and exhausting, especially if you have no help. While it's extremely helpful to work with a veterinary behaviorist, applied animal behaviorist or certified animal behavior consultant, someone who uses positive, gentle methods or your problems will only escalate. It's always helpful to have something you can read to learn more about the problem and and how to deal with it.

Recently, I caught up with a book published in 2008 that will prove very helpful to anyone dealing with a fearful dog. A Guide to Living With & Training a Fearful Dog by Debbie Jacobs, CPDT-KA, CAP is, according to Jacobs, the book she wished she'd had when she started working with her fearful dog, Sunny, the Border Collie mix she adopted from a Humane Society in Mississippi in November 2005. It's a guide for helping fearful, shy or anxious dogs.

Jacobs' book is filled with helpful hints, advice and personal experience. She helps the owner of a fearful dog change their outlook in order to help change the dog's outlook. It's a slow process but a journey well worth taking. It's also a useful resource for shelter and rescue people. She includes an incredible amount of useful advice and explanations including medication that can be prescribed while you're implementing a behavior modification program. At the end of the book Jacobs has also included a useful reading list.

You can find Debbie Jacobs' blog online at: http://fearfuldogs.wordpress.com and on Twitter: @fearfuldogs

Help is out there. You don't have to give up on your dog.

Dogs With Baggage?

2010-12-28T17:29:00.005-05:00

No, I don't mean a wardrobe full of clothes. I mean dogs who have lived elsewhere before coming into your life. They usually arrive with baggage. Sometimes new owners create that "baggage" all by themselves. That shouldn't mean giving up on the dog. On the contrary, it should mean giving him every opportunity to learn how to live compatibly in your household and have a new leash on life.

Recently, respected dog trainer and Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (IAABC), Pat Miller's newest book, Do Over Dogs was released by Dogwise. It's nearly 200 pages chock full of good advice for dog owners and potential owners.

This book should be read by everyone who plans to adopt a shelter dog and by every shelter volunteer. Shelters are scary places for dogs. They've been abandoned by their family and placed in a noisy, cold environment with precious little comfort. They don't know why they lost their home. The simple explanation is that their owners didn't properly prepare themselves to own a dog and the cute little puppy was never trained, thereby turning into a dog who overwhelmed them. In fact, this book would be a good addition to any dog owner's library.

So often people turn to friends or neighbors for advice when they really need to turn to someone who knows what they're doing and is using scientific methods to resolve problems. They may well need the in person assistance of a veterinary behaviorist, or another qualified professional such a a certified behavior consultant. Having a copy of this book handy is a good start and may help you before you have to "call in the troops," depending up the issue(s) and how deeply ingrained the problem has become.

Adopting a new family member is always an adventure and a wonderful undertaking. With help for any problems and the right (positive) training methods, the story of your newcomer will end in Happily Ever After....

'tis The Season

2010-12-14T22:58:00.005-05:00

Normally, this is when I'd be writing the usual holiday cautions so let's just run through some of those.

Keep tinsel away from reach of cats and dogs. They will swallow it, mylar can cause cuts on lips, tongue, cause an obstruction, cut intestines on the way through. If you must use breakable ornaments, keep them on the top of the tree and away from curious pets. Although many cats have no problem climbing a tree so no breakable ornaments at all is optimum in a home with cats and kittens. Keep the lid tightly on the trash so your pets won't raid the trash and get sick. Don't leave candles unattended. A curious pet can tip them over, get burned, or set fire to the house.

Keep party treats off from areas where pets can reach them. If you're having a lot of company, pets are safer closed off in another room with water, food, toys, etc. for the duration of the party. They won't get upset, stepped on, or accidentally escape from the house when guests come and go.

And whatever you do, don't bring home a new pet until after the hubbub of the season, when things are quiet and you can help the newcomer adjust. And don't give pets as gifts unless you know the person wants one and will take full responsiblity for the life of the pet.

While we're talking about the holidays and company, you'll want to do a little extra cleaning before your guests arrive. One of the issues for pet owners is removing pet hair from furniture. Little rollers are okay for clothing (although I call pet hair on my clothes "accessorizing") but what about chairs, sofas, pillows, etc., all of those large cloth areas that need to be de-furred. (Is that a word?!) I received a sample of a product that was designed for this job. StickySheets comes with three huge sheets in each package. You open a sheet, put it down on the surface, rip it off and the hair comes off with the sheet. If it sticks to itself, it pulls apart. There's a video demonstration and lots of tips at: www.stickysheets.com. Frankly, anything that makes cleaning easier and faster makes me smile. Those are extra minutes you can spend with your pets.

Please remember not to allow anyone to slip table food or treats to your pets. The pets can get sick. No liquor, either. Some people think it's funny if the pet gets intoxicated. It's not fun. Not for the pet and not for the owner.

Make sure the holidays are safe for your pets. And have fun!

Cat Amusement

2010-08-26T15:15:00.003-04:00

I sometimes wonder why so many people don't understand how much fun cats can be. They're so silly and funny when they're involved in a self-amusing game. How can you help but laugh out loud?

A friend, artist Judith Hamilton Jerome, shared this wonderfully funny video of Maru with me. Tell me you didn't laugh at some point while watching him!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_AbfPXTKms

Just click on the link, sit back, relax and enjoy!

"How To Train Your Dragon"

2010-04-29T00:02:00.002-04:00

This isn't exactly a movie review but I really do have to say something about "How To Train Your Dragon." I saw it this week in 3-D. I wanted the full effect. My best friend and I went to an evening screening. There wasn't one child in the theatre which tells you how far animated films have come.

Back to the movie. The story is about a Viking boy named Hiccup who is the one gentle soul. He seems incapable of hurting anyone and all of his attempts to kill a dragon go awry. This doesn't please his father who heads the clan. And then one day, while hunting for the rare Dragon that he things he wounded, young Hiccup finds the beast and, rather than killing him, befriends him. Making friends by cutting him loose and offering him food. Slowly, the relationship builds to one of mutual trust.

I don't know what the filmmakers intended but I can tell you that the result is a wonderful visual of positive reinforcement training. I'm not sure they're even aware of what they've done but Bravo! It's a message that needs to be heard and seen more often.

I highly recommend "How to Train Your Dragon." Take a child or go with a friend. It's a film you'll enjoy and one you'll want to share.

Kari Winters' Cats Are Safe!

2010-04-18T22:24:00.004-04:00

Kari Winters was an award winning pet writer and animal welfare activist who died mysteriously. At long last, her surviving cats are finally safe. They are in a loving foster home and will be placed with people Kari would want to have them.

When Kari died, her housekeeper took her dog and four cats. This person refused to give them to Kari’s family, despite being ordered to by the probate judge. One of the cats and the dog died, and Kari’s friends were upset and confused and not sure what to do. Finally, a reporter, Joline Gutierrez Krueger, for the Albuquerque Journal, took the story and investigated it. Three columns and a follow-up have moved officials to reopen the case. If you have any information that might shed light on how Kari Winters died, please contact Detective Medrano at (505) 768-2300.

Due to pressure from Kari’s friends across the country, in Canada, and in the United Kingdom, Kari’s four surviving cats were removed from the housekeeper’s home and placed in a safe home far away. Profound thanks go to American Airlines, with special thanks to Susan Baker, Manager, in New Mexico, who took charge of the four cats and flew them to safety, the Albuquerque Animal Services Department and their magnificent team of veterinarians and a wonderful foster in New Mexico who kept and loved Kari’s cats until they could be flown out of the State to another treasured Foster. From there, they will be placed in loving homes to peacefully live out the rest of their lives. We would also like to thank the Rio Rancho Animal Shelter who kept the cats overnight until they could be turned over to Albuquerque Animal Services. Individual names, as well as their current residence, have been deliberately left out for the safety of the cats and the people who have been, and are currently involved in this tremendous act of love, caring and generosity. We are extremely grateful.

Please cross post this, post it on your blog, and let your friends know about it. We have reason to rejoice: Kari’s cats are safe. We have reason to mourn: she, one dog, and one cat are dead. We must continue to press for a full investigation of what happened to her.

The Albuquerque Journal articles can be viewed here:

http://www.abqjournal.com/upfront/05231069334upfront03-05-10.htm Part 1

http://www.abqjournal.com/upfront/080711989upfront03-08-10.htm Part 2

http://www.abqjournal.com/upfront/122252523086upfront03-12-10.htm part 3

http://www.abqjournal.com/cgi-bin/print_it.pl?page=/upfront/162338276262upfront04-16-10.htm Part 4

More on Kari Winters

2010-03-06T02:38:00.004-05:00

Those of you who are regular readers will remember the untimely death of my friend, Kari Winters. You will recall that she was an amazing woman who rescued, rehabilitated and rehomed countless cats and dogs.

This past November she was honored, posthumously, by the Winn Feline Foundation with the Media Award, presented to the member of the press whose work has made a positive impact on cats and their health. It is a singular honor. Accepting the award for her from Dr. Susan Little was a bittersweet moment. It was so well-deserved but Kari should have been there to accept her own award.

There was more to her death than met the eye and so, with the help of our friend and colleague, Nancy Marano who publishes Petroglyphs in New Mexico, and Kari's oldest and best friend as well as business manager, Gary Rohde of Southern California, I was able to bring the story to a wonderful reporter, Joline Gutierrez Krueger at the Albuquerque Journal, the story has, in part, begun to emerge. It will appear in three parts. It is our hope that there will finally be justice for Kari.

Here is part one: http://www.abqjournal.com/upfront/05231069334upfront03-05-10.htm
You can scroll down the page and sign is as a guest. Part Two will run this Monday. There will be a third part later in the week.

Where, Oh, Where Did Those Little Dogs Come From?

2010-02-26T13:23:00.005-05:00

It's hard to believe but a new report indicates that scientists have pinpointed the origins of small dogs. The scientists believe that little dogs can trace their roots to the Middle East 12000 years ago!

Toy and small dogs are my particular interest even though I love all dogs (and cats, etc.) but I had believed conventional wisdom which indicated that most small dogs were bred down from large dogs. The irony in this that while Miniature Pinschers look like tiny Doberman Pinschers, the Miniature Pinscher is the older of the two breeds.

A new article in BMC Biology indicates that one gene is responsible for the size of dogs. Now, where I take exception to this is where the report indicates that they probably go back to the Middle Eastern grey wolf, which was smaller than other wolves, that those wolves were domesticated. However, dogs aren't wolves and wolves aren't dogs so that part of the equation would seem to be off.

It's a version of the gene 1GF1 that they believe determines the small size of dogs. Indeed, dogs did start out larger. Belgiam, Russia and and Germany would seem to be where the large dogs originated. It was thousands of years later that the smaller dogs appeared in the Middle East.

Confused yet? I'll be thinking about this for awhile...

Have You Heard About The Toby Project?

2010-02-17T22:11:00.004-05:00

Well, have you? Heard about The Toby Project? If not, perhaps you should. It's not unique but it is noteworthy. Founder Andrew J. Kaplan, D.V.M. is the person who is behind The Toby Project but it is a combined effort of people, including their advisory board.

The Toby Project is a mobile spay/neuter in New York City that is available in all of New York City's Five Boroughs. Not every dog needs to be intact. Only those owned by responsible breeders who show their cats or dogs, do proper health checks to rule out genetic diseases and show their cats and dogs to get objective opinions on whether or not they meet the standard for their breed should be intact. Those cats and dogs should also have the proper temperament before they are chosen for breeding.

Spaying before the first heat will eliminate mammary cancer; neutering prevents testicular cancer. There are other benefits to having a spayed or neutered pets including the lessening of roaming, a cleaner house since males won't mark indoors and females won't go through the messiness of heat and you won't have male dogs from miles away parked in front of your home, whining and carrying on.

The TobyProject offers free or low-cost spaying and neutering as well as rabies vaccinations. Free would be for Pitbulls as well as mixed breed cats and dogs. However, it's important to note that the fee for purebred dogs and pedigreed cats is more than reasonable, as is the fee for a Rabies vaccination.

Bringing the clinics to the owners means that there's really no excuse for not having a pet spayed or neutered, nor is there any excuse for not giving a pet the Rabies vaccination that is mandatory in every State. The Toby Project has expanded to include a feral cat spay/neuter program which will allow feral colonies to live out their lives in relative peace without creating more feral cats.

It costs $230,000. per year to operate a fully-equipped spay/neuter van. The Toby Project depends upon donations from caring individuals. No gift is too small because when put with other small donations, they can really add up.

For more information, including how you can help, visit http://www.tobyproject.org

Trap, Neuter, Return at Risk in California

2010-01-17T15:56:00.008-05:00

It's almost hard to believe that California is embroiled in a fight over Trap, Neuter, Release (TNR), the program in which volunteers trap feral and unowned cats, bring them to a free or low-cost spay/neuter clinic (often a mobile one), and then return them to their colony or clowder. The cats and kittens are marked by having a notch cut into one ear at the same time so the same cats aren't trapped again. This allows them to live out their lives in peace and not reproduce. It's simple, it works, and it's spearheaded by dedicated volunteers around the country. One good place to go for information is Alley Cat Allies (http://www.alleycat.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=285).

In California the complaints are coming from bird lovers who claim that too many birds are being killed by cats and TNR isn't working since more whole cats are dumped. People complain about cats being dirty, soiling on their lawns, etc.

Looking at this issue objectively, killing healthy cats isn't a solution. Killing birds isn't a solution. TNR works. There's no question about that. In my opinion, no one is looking at the real issue here: education. As fast as the volunteers can trap, neuter and return cats, that is practically as fast as irresponsible people are dumping unaltered cats in those same areas. Unaltered cats reproduce. That is the point. We need education in the homes, schools and communities. We need to stop the dumping of unwanted cats and kittens. We need to make them understand that dumping them in shelters will likely result in euthanasia although it might result in adoption. They need to take responsibility and have their pets spayed or neutered.

Only responsible, ethical breeders should be breeding animals and have done the health checks with proof of same, have shown them to have objective opinions about whether or not they're good specimens of their breed and should be bred. Responsible breeders screen potential homes and have a waiting list for owners. Responsible breeders don't place animals before at least 3 months of age, all the while socializing them properly.

How do we stop people from dumping unwanted cats and kittens, beyond educating them? In this time of economic downturn, perhaps hitting them in the wallet would make them think. If you see someone dumping cats or kittens, write down their license plate and report them. Have a fine put in place for those who dump unwanted animals of any species. Make the fine high enough to matter. Teach owners that they need to keep their cats indoors with proper environmental enrichment. There are bells on cat collars so the birds are warned but even better is providing a good home where the cats get proper attention, where they are safe from cars and other animals, where they can live longer and stay healthier.

For a look at one volunteer's experiences, I highly recommend the book, They Had Me At Meow by Rosie Sorenson, MFA MFT (http://www.theyhadmeatmeow.com).

Do what you can to help educate. Be pro-active. Don't just sit there bemoaning the fact that this is happening. Help change it before this attitude against cats spreads across the country. Educate, Educate, Educate! Find ways to make this work and keep both cats and birds safe.

Bomb Dogs & Terrorism

2009-12-30T23:31:00.005-05:00

I've spent a lot of time thinking about the state of airport safety since 9/11. My home airport is Logan International in Boston, where many of the hijacked flights originated. I flew into that airport less than 24 hours before the hijackings and that flight to Los Angeles was one that I often took. Yes, I was rattled. There but for the Grace of God....

Since then, we've supposedly had an increase in security. After the shoe bomber attempt, we all had to remove our shoes for screening. We still do. Travel with a dog or cat and you'll be treated to what amounts to Theatre of The Absurd. I've flown with both species but let's focus on one. It was after 9/11 and I was flying with my cat to visit friends. Clearing airport security is always a juggling act if you're carrying a laptop computer. Carry your laptop companion (who isn't allowed to sit on your lap) and you'll find yourself going through some interesting contortions. Beyond that, however, is the reaction of the TSA people who are supposed to be on the alert for terrorists.

You are required to remove your small companion from their carrier; the carrier is sent through the screening device and you and your cat (or dog) walk through the metal detector. My cat, a lovely Chartreux, is blue which is standard for the breed. Blue is the correct color name but most people refer to blue cats as gray. I tell you this for a reason which will become clear in a moment. As I took Aimee out of her carrier and held her close to me so if she panicked she wouldn't escape from a firm hold, TSA agents came rushing over to us. "Oh! A kitty!" "What's her name?" "Aimee." "It should be Smokey." "Or Stormy." "Or Shadow!" They were so busy gushing over my cat that they wouldn't have noticed if an assortment of Terrorists passed through the screening area. I was really upset but wasn't sure of my ground. What would they do to me if I pointed out that they should be doing their jobs instead of fussing over Aimee whose name was not about to be changed no matter what they thought. And, frankly, I didn't want to be held up, either. I wanted to pass through the metal detector as quickly as possible in order to get Aimee back into the safety of her carrier.

I stopped flying her because I didn't want to be the cause of a TSA Agent not paying attention to the task at hand.

This week we've heard much about airport screening since a Terrorist who had been someone of interest was allowed on a plane in Europe that was headed to the United States. He tried to set off a bomb on board and was stopped by some alert passengers who apparently tackled him. Had he succeeded, not only would every person on the plane have been killed but many people on the ground as well. The reactions, among others, was to have people stay in their seats for the last hour of the flight. Which makes me wonder if we're all supposed to wear adult diapers. And no one can hold anything inflight. My paperback book of choice is not going to get me through any more long trips if their knee-jerk reaction becomes a policy.

So the issue is once again raised: how to prevent it. When the shoe bomber tried to set off a bomb in his shoe, it was decided that all passengers have to remove their shoes for screening. This latest terrorist had the explosive material in his underwear so the reaction is to use invasive screening apparatus that may or may not be able to detect a bomb but will certainly be the visual equivalent of a full-body orifice check. The reaction is always just that: a reaction and nothing that seems to have had forethought. This latest is a particularly expensive option. And still those in high places insist that the TSA screeners are the best option. Well, if they're not admiring my cat, perhaps they are but I'm not convinced.

Here's what I am convinced of, as is just about any dog person: a bomb dog can easily alert to a bomb and far less expensively than any machine and probably more accurately than a TSA employee.

I've heard the objections: they can't work all the time; some people are allergic to dogs; some people don't want a dog sniffing their crotch. Well, for those who are allergic, they can take an antihistamine before leaving for the airport; for those who don't want a dog sniffing their crotch, well, it's less invasive than those machines, and Auburn University is working on a method to train dogs to sniff from a distance - the olfactory system of a dog is a wonderous thing. As for dogs working shorter hours, well, have several teams trained! It's a whole lot cheaper than one of those machines and the dog will not be suggesting names for your four-legged companion.

Today, someone sent me a link to a CNN story about the use of bomb dogs. They mentioned the objections as well as the benefits. My only objection was that the dogs were wearing choke or prong collars. An old and unnecessary way to train dogs that has been scientifically proven to be problematic.

Years ago, before the real terrorist threats, I wrote an article on Bomb Dogs for Dog World Magazine. It was pretty thorough and contained all the information anyone would need, sans the training technique which would have been releasing confidential information. It wasn't necessary to do that and I wouldn't jeopardize my Country's security. I was told a couple of years later that when the FBI had visited the Massachusetts bomb dog unit which was - and still is to my knowledge - based at Logan Airport, they took a copy of my article back to Washington with them. They had been thinking of ending the bomb dog program and I was told that my article helped to save it. I hope that's true.

So, here's the conclusion: please let me have my paperback book, an opportunity to use the rest room before the plane lands, and for heaven's sake, let me keep my shoes on in the airport and once again comfortably carry a four-legged companion with me. Just get the bomb dog program beefed up and we'll all be safer and happier.

"Help Us Help" ACIDIC's Young Musicians Make a Difference

2009-09-08T16:39:00.002-04:00

What happens when a young up and coming band in California decides to help animals? You have an interesting phenomenon that could serve as a lightening rod for others.

ACIDIC Lead Singer and Guitarist, Michael Goassard, started the band in early 2007 when he was a freshman in high school. About 15 months ago ACIDIC took its current form when drummer Matt Whitaker and bass player Ted Dubrawski joined the band.

What makes these young men stand out from others is that they started “Help Us Help,” before Christmas 2008.

“There was a really bad brush fire in Sylmar,” Michael recalls. “The fire burned a lot of people out of their homes. We heard from volunteers at the East Valley Animal Shelter that everything there was getting really stressed. Animals lost their homes too and people who were burned out couldn't keep their pets. Those pets wound up at the East Valley Animal Shelter. Lots of people donate dog toys and blankets and stuff but nobody thinks about how the volunteers need other supplies, and they run short of money for vaccinations and other things. They were dreading kitten season because they'd have to provide foster care themselves for the animals and cover all the expenses out of their own pockets. And then there was a foreclosure crisis at that time with lots of people losing their homes because of money trouble. That was bad for pets, too. We thought we might be able to help because we all have pets and they're rescues. So we thought if we split the money from CD sales with the volunteers with that shelter, our fans and friends could "Help Us Help." Seemed like a good idea,” he recalls.

Their charitable efforts started there but didn’t end there. These young musicians are serious about continuing “Help Us Help.” The charities they support usually are something meaningful to them on a personal level, starting with animal shelters.

“Ted's a surfer so he cares about the ocean and Heal the Bay. We're all into environmental protection and preservation. And Matt's a cancer survivor. He had childhood leukemia. He's been active in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society that helps sick kids and their families,” Gossard explains. “We've played at a lot of their events and we'll do more for them whenever they ask. There's this place in San Pedro called Beacon House - it's a rehab center that helps a lot of people conquer addictions and alcoholism. They invited us to play at their Summer Block Party two years ago - it was one of our first gigs ever. Then they kept inviting us back, like for Halloween and the next summer. We just played our third straight Summer Block Party a few weeks ago. We love those guys! They had faith in us even before we did! We'll go down there and play for them forever! They really make a difference,” he enthuses.

“And there's one more. We heard about the horrible car accident that Deftones bass player Chi Cheng was in last November. He's still in a coma and his family didn't have health insurance. There was a fundraiser on Ebay last spring and we raised the most money for him. They were able to get him some treatments they couldn't afford before. What we got in return was the chance to play Main Stage at Bamboozle Left at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater last April! That was THE BEST!!!!”

How many charities they will help will depend upon what their fan base and other compassionate people could support. “And how much strength and how many gigs and other opportunities we have and how little sleep we need,” Gossard adds. “We'll help whoever we can - however we can, and whenever we can. Life's been pretty good to us. We want to give back - kind of like saying a big thank you to the cosmos….”

They’re always open to new charities, “Whatever pulls at our hearts. There's an awful lot of need out there. It's a way we can say thank you for everything nice that's happened to us - by giving back. And hey, people need the help. I was in another band last year that put on a concert for my high school. We raised 5,000 dollars!” he adds. “But we won't forget our favorites!”

When asked what he wants people to know about ACIDIC, Gossard says, “I'd LOVthem to know that ACIDIC is a band definitely worth their knowing and their time. We work harder onstage than you can believe! We figured each of us probably loses two or three pounds after every show. Our drummer, Matt, had to go to First Aid right after we finished our set at Bamboozle, and have his hands all bandaged up. I'm told our tunes are good to drive to, also. And don't forget - if you support us, you're probably going to be supporting one of the charities we care about, too. Like I mentioned earlier - you'll be helping us help. And thank you for asking! Please check us out - www.acidicband.com - which will take you everywhere like Myspace and Facebook and YouTube. Check out our video - "Ironic Dreams," too, and also - there's a link on our home page where you can join our mailing list and find out what we're doing. We'd really appreciate that a lot!”

ACIDIC has been described as “the youthful exuberance of Green Day with Coldplay sensitivity” is currently touring in conjunction with the release of their debut CD, “Ironic Dreams.”

It’s nice to know that they understand that there’s more to life and they use their music to make a difference.

Michael Vick and The NFL

2009-08-15T21:40:00.002-04:00

I really didn't think I'd add my blog voice to the ongoing outcry on both sides of the issue, but here I am nonetheless.

Vick was convicted of animal abuse. He was running an illegal gambling ring and viciously abusing and killing dogs. He served time in prison and then came the decision to reinstate him in the NFL, to allow him to continue to earn his rather cushy living playing the same sport that afforded him so much, including the money to back his hideous operation.

In direct response to my tweet against abuse, someone I don't know and had never seen on Twitter, tweeted me to ask if I felt the same way about people as I do about animals. Did she ever miss the point! I informed her that I don't like any abuse, in any form, directed at anyone, not animals, not people. In that respect, I'm no different from other animal lovers. We tend to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.

Another missed point is that people who abuse animals, frequently abuse people. It's a short step from Point A to Point B. So why are people lauding this man? The sports press in general seems to think that abusing dogs isn't such a big deal. Would they feel the same if Vick had abused a person? The general sports fans seem to think that animal abuse is okay as long as Vick can play football again.

Should he work again? Sure. Football? No, I think not. I think that he can find something else to do, something that doesn't allow him to reap the rewards of his previous career. He needs a lot of time in counseling to understand what he has done. He's repeating pretty words in interviews but they are empty. It's pretty obvious that he's using a prepared statement from which he can crib on TV. Say the words people want to hear and it's all okay. Well, no, actually it's not okay.

Many have pointed to his background, that where he comes from, people fight dogs illegally and that kind of abuse is considered perfectly normal. As long as you don't get caught. Are we to believe that none of his previous teammates owns a dog? Is attached to a four-legged companion? Are we to believe that he has never been exposed to this sort of relationship? That rather stretches credulity, doesn't it?

So, what should he be doing if this were a perfect world? Well, if this were a perfect world, there would be no abuse at all. Ever. Of any species. If he were to do anything it would be a real job, not a fantasy career where he makes an inordinate amount of money for pushing people around. He would be in counseling to learn about abuse in all of its forms. And he would go back to his former neighborhood and those like it and teach others why abuse is wrong, why dog fighting is illegal, and rightly so.

And the NFL wouldn't have given him another chance to make a lot of money but would set a better example for others. But for them, obviously, the bottom line is the bottom line and to heck with the kids who look to their players as heroes. Some hero Vick is.... Not.

But this isn't a perfect world. And it is up to each of us to do the job of explaining why abuse is abuse, the proven link between people who abused animals when they were children and serial killers, to teach about a kinder, gentler world. To truly Do Unto Others...

Albuquerque Animal Services Revisited

2009-07-14T01:22:00.005-04:00

Thirteen months have passed since I visited Albuquerque, met with the Shelter people and toured. What I saw and heard impressed me. Why? Well, for one thing, Albuquerque is smart enough to put a Registered Nurse in charge of the shelters. This is someone who understands the need for sanitation. She upgraded the shelters, as I said last year, with the goal of keeping animals healthy and preventing disease. She brought in the shelter medicine specialist from U.C. Davis. After learning what had been implemented, here is what Dr Sandra Newbury wrote on Dec 30, 2007, following the Dec 23, 2007 ABQ Journal article entitled, City’s Toasting Animal Welfare Revamp This Year:

“Thanks for doing such a great job and setting such a great example for other shelters to follow. You all are clearly one of the best two day long investments I have ever made. Thanks for including me. You really are a great team. Congratulations!”

There is no doubt that this is one of the few shelter systems where the animals are less likely to break with illnesses after leaving the shelter.

I’ve done some investigation. This past fiscal year the city of Albuquerque’s Animal Welfare Department had the greatest number of Live Exits in the history of that city. Read that sentence again. It’s meaningful. Albuquerque is up 17% for the last two years under the direction of Jeanine Patterson, MS RN and they are up 24% overall for the past four years.

There are always euthanasias at shelters. That’s a fact of life. Every animal cannot be saved despite the best of intentions. In Albuquerque, they are at an all-time low in euthanasias with a 20% decrease over the last two years and 26% over the past 4 years. This is a wonderful record. Patterson’s determination and dedication will only serve to move this forward and improve the already impressive record.

Can more be done? More can always be done but this is a rousing start in only two short years. I expect an outreach project involving the dog and cat community as well as more of an outreach to volunteers whose work is very much appreciated by Patterson.

What would I wish for Albuquerque? I wish that someone would have sense enough to rid the City of the Draconian spay/neuter laws that were instituted before Patterson arrived on the scene. There are always well-meaning but horribly misinformed politicians who want to force this Animal Rights issue on citizens. (http://www.petconnection.com/blog/2009/06/15/case-study-in-failure-los-angeles-mandatory-spayneuter-program-under-fire/) Not only have these laws been proven not to work in other cities but all they serve to do is punish responsible breeders. Lawbreakers will simply continue to break the law. These spay/neuter laws are the result of the animal rights agenda that is determined to see that no one will ever own a dog or cat. (Ingrid Newkirk – PETA – quotes: http://www.activistcash.com/biography_quotes.cfm/bid/456) That means not only an end to responsible breeding but, ultimately, an end to service dogs, therapy dogs and cats, police dogs, drug and bomb sniffing dogs, therapeutic riding programs and more. This is no exaggeration. This is what has been stated but those who put forth these laws don’t do their homework. They simply have a knee-jerk reaction to overpopulation.
It’s important to note that despite budget cuts of $1.5 million, Patterson has achieved so much yet has received no attention for it. It’s about time someone stood up and applauded her work to date.
Patterson doesn’t work in a vacuum. The head of Shelter Medicine, Dr. John Romero is a wonderfully dedicated veterinarian with a background that includes time spent at Boston’s world-renowned Angell Memorial Animal Hospital. In-house surgeries and outstanding medical care are his purview.
Getting the word out and getting so much organized is more than capably handled by Rick DeReyes. This is a formidable team and Albuquerque Mayor Martin Chavez should be applauded for his ability to bring the best people into these positions. His trust in them is obviously paying off in solid numbers. The attention has been placed where it should be in animal welfare: on health and adoption while impressively decreasing the number of euthanasias.
I’m looking forward to more advances from this forward-thinking group of hard working people. The rest of the country should be taking a good look at what Albuquerque has accomplished in such a short span of time and what they will no doubt continue to do to improve the lives of animals in Albuquerque. Mayor Martin Chavez, Jeanine Patterson and Dr. John Romero can stand up and take a bow.
And, yes, I will continue to report on what they are doing.

The Incomprehensible Loss of Kari Winters

2009-05-29T17:28:00.015-04:00

How does anyone describe the loss of a much-loved friend? How does anyone describe someone who did so much for cats, dogs and people that her work can never be placed in truly solid numbers? My heart aches and the world is a sadder and lonelier place for dogs, cats and people with the news that Kari Winters was found dead in her home on Tuesday, May 19th. Kari was the most amazing person yet had no sense of her own accomplishments. Her modesty was another of her special qualities.
An award-winning writer and author she was amazed when she received her first Muse Medallion from the Cat Writers’ Association. She was even more astonished to receive a special award for her writing from the ASPCA. She was over the moon when she received one from Cornell University, presented by their esteemed feline specialist, Dr. Jim Richards who, himself, died too young, for an important piece on Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) that was published in “The Pet Press,” a small Southern California publication. (You can read that article, and more, at her website: www.shelterpetsink.com.)
Kari was responsible for Siamese Cat Rescue in Southern California and helped with Siamese Rescue throughout the U.S. She was an avid volunteer for The Amanda Foundation, helping rehabilitate and rehome countless cats and dogs; several found their way into Kari’s home as permanent family members. She always credited Teri Austin with teaching her the basics, but she took those basics and ran with them as only a truly gifted person can. She had a magical touch with them. A chosen few have a special gift for rehabilitating special needs animals. Kari was one of those people. Her ability to help dog after dog, cat after cat, was more than impressive yet very few knew about this because she was entirely too modest. Kari had the patience and the love to gain their trust and turn them around. Whatever problems they had developed from unknown situations before finding their way into rescue, Kari could change their lives, taking something broken and making it whole.
What Kari Winters did was remarkable. And she didn’t just help animals. An advanced practice psychiatric nurse, she was invariably assigned to difficult cases because she had a way of reaching those people.
Kari was diagnosed with thyroid cancer about 5 years ago. That was the beginning of a series of health problems. A fall led to a back injury and surgery led to sepsis from which she amazingly recovered, however it also left her with excruciating back pain that traveled down her leg making it impossible at times for her to function. She never quite knew when the pain would force her to cancel plans with friends. It certainly meant that she often couldn’t drive because she didn’t feel it was safe to be on the road and she didn't want anyone else to be at risk of injury. The impact of her illness forced her to retire from her nursing career, which had meant so much to her. She could no longer live in her beloved California home because of the State’s outrageous cost of living.
About three years ago, she moved with her assorted four-legged family to Albuquerque. She did not take to retirement. Even though she couldn’t work she threw herself into volunteering for Kennel Kompadres, and other local rescue organizations, doing what she could with her limited physical abilities, while still running Southern California Siamese Cat Rescue via e-mail and phone for nearly a year after her move. She was a major fund-raiser for the Mayor’s Dog Ball in Albuquerque. Once she saw what they were trying to do, she immediately phoned Albuquerque Animal Services the day after the Ball and asked how she could help Kennel Kompadres.
Kari took in rescues, usually one at a time. And then there was a mother and her litter of puppies that Kari helped to raise and rehome, each one carefully socialized. Helping her in this endeavor was her darling Kobi, one of her Oriental Shorhair cats. Kobi co-parented the litter and those puppies learned to purr before they learned to bark.
Six months ago a small elderly black dog needed a permanent foster home, it was Kari who took on the responsibility and expense of his veterinary care and she did an amazing job of rehabilitating the nearly shutdown little dog she named Bucky after a favorite comic strip dog. Every new accomplishment became a cause for celebration especially when, wonder of wonders he kissed her!
Kari helped her human friends as well. She was the first one to reach out, to lend an ear, a shoulder, to encourage. She was so supportive of her friends.
It’s probably fair to say that no one will ever be able to count how many cats, dogs and people Kari Winters helped. A thousand would probably be a conservative estimate. She didn't keep count. But was happy when, even years later, adopters would get in touch to tell her how much they loved their cat or dog and to let her know how they were doing.
Her sense of humor and her infectious laugh will also be sorely missed.
Kari was beautiful on the inside as well as the outside. Most people had no idea that she had been a model in Florida. And those who saw her courage when she received the Cornell award didn't realize what they were witnessing. Her body was outrageously bloated from the medication she had to take at the time. She had not only lost that bloating but additional weight in the past few months, wanting to appear at her best. Unfortunately, most of the pictures circulating now were taken at that CWA banquet. I'd prefer to show something else, something of the real Kari.
What most people didn’t see was how well she masked her almost constant pain. She bore it with grace and never resorted to painkillers except for a few days following a recent complex eye surgery to repair a detached and torn retina. That surgery was three weeks after a major back surgery. Confined to bed for weeks, unable to see because of the gas bubble that was put in her eye to help it heal, her sight was beginning to slowly return and she could put in a contact lens and go out for awhile. She could even drive. She was delighted to be able to do that again. Her last foray included buying a gift for the dog’s birthday party she planned to attend on Saturday. Early that day she told me that her leg felt wooden and she didn’t feel well. She told her long-time friend Gary, that she wasn’t feeling well, and left a voice mail message for the friend with whom she was going to lunch and the doggy birthday party, saying she didn’t feel well enough to attend.
We talked daily, usually multiple times, but on rare occasions we missed a day and then caught up. She would often phone me in the middle of the night. Often unable to sleep at night, she'd call me and, without preamble but with great humor she would say, "Is this the Open All Night Cafe?" Yes, I'd assure her that she had reached the right place and could I take her order? Sometimes sharing her pain, her frustration. I was one of the chosen few she’d tell how she was really feeling. I ached for her. But the best I could do was to be her friend, listen, offer whatever words I could to try to help.
When her cherished Kobi died of kidney failure at a year-and-a-half, perhaps a week after her eye surgery, she was utterly devastated. It was one more blow in a series of difficult events that would have been impossible to consider. She had a remarkable faith that never wavered but she felt pain and loss along with happiness. With each successful placement of a cat or dog in a new home, she rejoiced and had to share it. With each cat or dog she helped she found new happiness in each step forward.
She never gave herself much credit. Kari Winters did what she did out of love, never looking for compliments or verbal pats on the back. And so her accomplishments went largely unrecognized except by those who adopted one of the rescues who had been in her capable hands or those of us who knew her well and those who were involved in the rescue organizations for which she volunteered.
Kari Winters never really knew how many lives she touched, how much she was loved, how dearly she was treasured as a friend and how deeply she will be missed. She never wanted anyone to say that she lost her fight with cancer because she wasn't fighting. She didn't like it when people who never had anything nice to say when someone was alive would come out of the woodwork to talk about that person and praise them after they died. Kari was ethical, honest, compassionate and caring.
Heaven may have gained an angel but earth surely lost one.
It would be very much appreciated if you remembered Kari Winters with a donation specifically made in her memory, whatever its size, to Kennel Kompadres: Treasurer, Kennel Kompadres, 139 Palacio Road, Corrales, NM 87048.

The First Puppy

2009-04-12T17:52:00.003-04:00

Much interest has been devoted to the Obama's dog. What would they choose, especially with a child who has allergies. Malia, age 10, and Sasha, age 7 were promised a puppy. Much was made of "hypoallergenic" breeds. One television dog trainer enthused, on one of those syndicated celebrity TV programs, that they should get one. Well, here's a news flash: there's no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. There are breeds with hair, not fur, and those are often a better choice but I fervently hope the child was exposed to the dog before the breed was selected. Rescue people hoped for a shelter pet; others hoped for a purebred. They took sides as if they would have any impact on a personal decision being made by novice dog owners, let alone the President's family.

It was finally announced that the Obama family's dog, named Bo, would arrive 2 days after Easter, a 6-month-old Portuguese Water Dog, a gift from MA Senator Ted Kennedy who owns 3 Porties. Bo had been returned to the breeder. Kennedy is an experienced dog owner. I've often said that having a Portuguese Water Dog as your first dog is like having a Lamborghini as your first car. The breed is very active, intelligent and was bred to dive into the water and set the nets for the fishermen in Portugal. This means that they work independently. And they have a sense of humor, sometimes with the owner as the butt of the canine joke.

The dog is supposedly being trained. My question: by whom and in what manner?

Since everyone else seems to be throwing in their two cents' worth, here is what I would do. I'm at least as qualified as the next person and, perhaps, more so since I am a Certified Animal Behavior Consultant. I'd rather see the family start off right than have to deal with behavior problems in the future. I would tell this to any new dog owner.

First, the name is, in my opinion, a mistake. Bo sounds like No. No is not a word I like to use. I prefer an interrupter like "UH!" but first time dog owners aren't very likely to remember that and are more likely to tell the dog, "No!" and then call "Bo" later and wonder why he's not coming very happily after awhile. A dog should be called to you in a happy tone and never punished after you've called him. He needs to learn that coming to you is always a positive experience, that he is safe and loved. This can help to save his life if he gets loose and needs to be called back to you. He should be microchipped with the microchip registered so he can be correctly identified if he escapes and is found and scanned for a chip. With all of the Obamas' security details it doesn't seem as likely as for the average family.

I recommend that all members of the family get involved in training, each of them given a clicker and some very tiny tasty treats, like miniscule pieces of chicken or turkey or cheese. To "load" or "charge" the clicker, click and treat several times in a row. This teaches the dog that click means treat. Then, the first thing you train him to do is something you must decide in advance because it becomes the default behavior. There are many options but for the family pet, I personally prefer Sit. When you're walking your dog and stop to speak to someone, if he doesn't know what to do, your dog will sit. Click and treat for the Sit but don't use the word until the dog is doing it reliably half a dozen times and then add the word. For a dog who isn't food motivated, a favorite toy, or praise may be the right motivator for your dog.

Stay, Come, Down, Wait, Drop It, are all necessary for a dog to learn and each can be easily taught with operant conditioning (clicker training). It's easy, it's fast - only a few very short training sessions each day, each in a different place so the dog learns he doesn't think he only does each thing in one place.

Housetraining is best accomplished with crate training and he must be taken to his pre-chosen elimination spot each time and praised lavishly as soon as he begins to eliminate.

Is there more to be said? Of course! That's why my colleagues and I have written books.

Every dog is a special dog whether the dog belongs to the President of the United States or the homeless person who will leave anything but his pet. No choke collars, no prong collars. You don't need them! A flat buckle collar is all you really need. For a small dog, or any dog, a harness is great because it doesn't put any pressure on the trachea.

Building the human-animal bond is all-important and there are things to remember: aggression begets aggression; if you are using harsh training methods of the past you will be dealing with fallout later and that fallout is sometimes dangerous.

Having a dog is a wonderful way for the Obama girls to have someone special in their lives, out of the spotlight. They can learn a great deal from operant conditioning because positive reinforcement works with people as well as dogs. But in the end it is the parents who bear full responsibility for the care, feeding and training of their dog, for getting that complete and balanced high-quality food, veterinary care, etc., with the girls taking on age-appropriate, supervised responsibilities for their new family member. And the girls are at the right age for a dog.

I wish the First Family and their new dog well, just as I wish everyone well with their new canine family addition. I hope this works out because Bo has already been through one home. I hope the experience is a good one for Bo and his new family. As the AKC says, "A Dog is for Life." I wish them a long, happy life together.

Purebred Dogs and Yellow Journalism

2009-03-12T23:39:00.006-04:00

Last night, March 11, 2009, ABC-TV's Nightline proved that they are willing and able to stoop to biased reporting, totally slanted journalism. What they did has, traditionally, been called Yellow Journalism. What did they do, you're asking yourself, aren't you? They aired a completely biased and far from factual report on purebred dogs and the dog fancy. It was appalling in its bias.

Pretty much a rip-off of the equally unbalanced BBC program, "Pedigreed Dogs Exposed," whose producer had an obvious bias, not just visible in the resulting program but in the approach the producer took with a breeder on this side of the pond who didn't hesitate to let others know. The breeder in this country is also a journalist and wasn't about to participate in such predetermined "news" programming.

Let me say right up front that the responsible breeders I know, and there are many, the ones whose dogs are shown, are responsible for every puppy they produce. The breed standard of every breed points to moderation in all things, not extremes. Responsible breeders do all possible tests on dam and sire to screen for possible health problems before breeding. They remove from their breeding programs any dogs that might carry a health issue. Those are spayed or neutered and placed as pets or kept in their own homes as beloved pets. The pups that aren't pet quality in each litter receive the same stellar screening, early socialization, are kept in clean conditions where they're treated as family members and learn early on the basics of housetraining and often to sit, lie down and walk on a leash. They also stay long enough with their mother and littermates to learn the all-important bite inhibition.

Dog shows are not beauty contests as some might have you believe. The reason for dogs shows is to get an independent opinion of several knowledgeable judges as to how their potential breeding stock meets the Standard for the breed. They are judged against the Standard for their own breed. You will see the judges going over the dogs, feeling for structure. Underneath that beautifully groomed exterior is what the judge is looking for: a structurally sound dog. The dogs are gaited around the ring so the judge can see if the dog moves correctly. It's very easy to see a luxating patella or hip dysplasia when a dog moves. Bad structure is further determined by watching the dog move from the front, side and back. That's why the dog is moved up, down and around so the judge gets every possible view.

This reporting smacks of the animal rights agenda that would ensure that no one will own a pet. Not a dog, not a cat, not a horse, etc. Read the website of such organizations and you will see their agenda. They do tremendous fundraising and with their wealth they work to ensure that the human-animal bond will be forever broken, will entirely disappear.

They tried to paint the AKC as having something to hide by not appearing on camera but issuing a statement. The AKC educates pet owners, helps with fighting bad legislation (another Animal Rights move to deny us pets in the future) and through their Canine Health Foundation they fund important research. Most of what the AKC's Canine Health Foundation funds helps people as well as dogs. This is a real win/win. A visit to their website, www.akcchf.org, will show you how much this organization has helped people and dogs. Their work on cancer research, mapping the canine genome, and breakthroughs in various illness that also appear in people is exemplary. The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, the one Nightline tried to malign (an all-champions show, the best of the best competing each year), donated $50,000. this year alone to the AKC's Canine Health Foundation.

As a journalist, I do my research. When I wanted to do something in my mother's memory I started The Marcia Polimer Abrams Fund for Canine Behavior Studies at AKC's Canine Health Foundation because I know that they have an excellent charitable rating and that their funded research also benefits people.

I wish the people at Nightline had done their research. They should be ashamed of themselves for what they aired last night.There was nothing fair and balanced in their reporting; there was just an agenda that they were obviously determined to push. That kind of "journalism" makes me ashamed to call myself a journalist. They should be ashamed of themselves. It's my hope that those who viewed the program will do their own research. Knowing how this was reported I will no longer watch Nightline because I obviously no longer have confidence in their reporting. And that is very sad indeed.

Emergency Redux

2009-02-28T22:58:00.003-05:00

On December 13, 2008 I posted about the Emergency Clinic experiences of three different pet owners. Of the three, only the cat owner had what seemed like a really good outcome. At least her cat was still alive which was more than could be said of two dogs and one puppy belonging to the other two pet owners. Sadly, more has come to light about the cat owner's experience and I can't decide if I'm sickened or just furious. Here's what transpired. There will be no names mentioned, nor will I say where it occurred. It could happen anywhere, to any pet owner.

The pet owner in question is a medical professional so she's not an uninformed individual. She also adores her cats and dogs and has done a good deal of rescue work. Her health, of late, has not been what it should have been which has meant that she could only drive when she felt she could do so safely. (A recent surgery should have resolved that issue.) She had brought the cat to the Emergency Hospital as reported earlier, where it was discovered that he had ingested a piece of jewelry dropped by a neighbor's child, that had cut him up internally. You already know that he survived that episode but here's the short version of what I have discovered since then.

Complete bloodwork was done, hence, it should have been analyzed. He also had an upper respiratory problem. They would only look at one thing even though she had his care transferred to a specialist who specialized in respiratory issues. Not only did that specialist not check for that issue but the owner was told she'd have to make a separate appointment with the specialist at her practice for that. Nor did the specialist at any time talk with the owner on the phone. Further, they did not do a complete enough workup, despite having complete bloodwork, to tell her if there were something else going on besides the issue with the swallowed item.

Not being able to travel to the hospital each day, but calling many times around the clock, the hospital staff implied that she was a bad owner for not being at the hospital! Nothing could be further from the truth. She desperately wanted to be there but couldn't drive and there was no one to take her there. A friend who is an experienced cat owner and also has health problems, said she'd go visit the cat in the hospital. The owner made arrangements, calling to give permission. When the woman traveled all the way across town to the hospital, they refused her admittance to see the cat. The owner had never denied any tests or treatment, despite the cost. She was well aware of the fact that Emergency hospitals are expensive. She wanted the best care for her cat. And they would not allow a friend to visit in her stead to reassure her that she had seen the cat and spent some quality time with him.

You may be thinking that all of these things are trivial since the cat survived but there's more. The records were to be sent to her regular veterinarian so that he could follow up and would have the bloodwork. When the cat got sick again, becoming quite lethargic, she discovered that the records had never been sent to her veterinarian from the Emergency hospital. He had no opportunity to see the results of the lab work.

She took the cat to another specialty hospital to see a well-respected respiratory specialist along with another of her cats who was displaying respiratory symptoms. The older cat's problem is the result of something structural but she's essentially fine. She thought the younger cat's problem was his respiratory issue which seemed to be worse and wasn't responding to antibiotics

More bloodwork was done on the young cat at the referral hospital. The little guy had to stay to be rehydrated and he needed more tests to try to determine what was at the root of his problem. The resulting bloodwork showed that the young cat was in kidney failure! That should have been discovered at the Emergency hospital, had they properly interpreted the bloodwork. If they had sent the records to her regular veterinarian, he could have discovered the kidney problem and the little guy could have been started on subcutaneous fluids immediately at home to prevent exactly the dehydration and lethargy that resulted from lack of diagnosis.

Frankly, I call this bad medicine. I believe that it is important for veterinarians to look at the entire animal. Yes, treat the emergency for which he was admitted but if the bloodwork tells you that something else is going on, then tell the client that there's another problem as well. First Do No Harm. And why didn't they follow through by sending the records to the client's veterinarian? Why did they repeatedly infer that the owner is a bad owner? Why did they refuse to allow the owner's friend to see the cat when the owner had called specifically to give permission?

That hospital saved the cat from one problem but allowed his kidney problem to go undiagnosed when they had all of the information in their hands and added further to their mistake by not sending a copy of the records to the client's veterinarian. They allowed the cat to suffer because they missed the diagnosis or didn't care enough to properly interpret the bloodwork.

How many other Emergency Hospitals function this way? How many clients are mistreated? How many diagnoses are missed when the information is in the bloodwork results that are right in front of them? This could have happened anywhere. To anyone. This isn't a story. This is real. It happened.

My heart aches for this owner, this cat, and for all of those others who may have suffered from a similar experience.

By and large, veterinarians are excellent practitioners. Be sure you have fully investigated all Emergency options before you need emergency care. Ask questions. If the State Board keeps records of formal complaints, ask if there are any against that hospital or any specific veterinarians who practice there. Sadly, too few people report these issues. Caveat emptor: let the buyer beware.

Yes, the one "good" Emergency hospital in my previous blog post wasn't so "good" after all.

Having Faith

2009-02-24T21:05:00.004-05:00

So many people have seen Faith, the two-legged dog on various television programs, walking on her hind legs. It’s not unusual to wonder about her, about her life and the family that adopted her.

Faith was born in 2002, just before Christmas. She wasn’t the only deformed puppy in the litter but she was the only one of those deformed puppies to survive and is the one one of the litter who was adopted by Jude Stringfellow and her family in Oklahoma. Faith’s mother, Princess, is thought to be mostly Chow Chow. About three weeks after her birth Faith was rescued by Jude’s son, Reuben, who jumped over the fence into the flea market that Princess was raised to guard. Reuben was accompanied by his friend, Johnny, who owned Princess. Princess was trying to kill the deformed puppy but Reuben managed to snatch her out from under Princess and, tucking her into his football jersey, he brought the tiny pup home.

“We accepted her immediately because we don't believe in treating any animal or person differently just because of a handicap or disability,” says Jude. “I would call what Faith has done for us a concerted effort between herself and Jesus to change my hard ways of looking at life. I was in a bad place at the time we got Faith both financially and emotionally. She taught me, and my family that being complete doesn't mean looking complete, or having money. We all have a unique and genuine purpose that only we can fill. She may not have realized it, but she was the perfect fit to our dysfunctional family - - she was the thumb that crossed over our fingers to make us one fist of a family. Before she came along we were all connected, but in many ways we were not working together. She changed that,” she explains.

When Reuben brought Faith to us she had three legs, but the left front leg was badly deformed, placed backward, upside down, and it had more toes on it than is normal. The leg was removed when she was seven months old when it began to atrophy. People ask Jude if it was easy to teach Faith to walk upright. The answer is that it was neither easy nor natural. According to Jude it was “Super natural.” She states clearly that she gives the credit to a high power and to Faith in every sense of the word.

Faith was given an Honorary Commission as an E5 SGT in the U.S. Army in June 2006. She was commissioned out of Ft. Lewis near Seattle, WA. There were many many soldiers and civilians in attendance who cheered her on as she accepted her Commission. She even has her own custom-made ACU jacket with the American Flag and Department of Defense patch. No, she can’t be deployed and she has no official benefits. Faith makes therapy dog visits giving hope, love, and yes, faith.

Not surprisingly, Jude Stringfelllow wrote a book about her family’s wonderful dog, “With a Little Faith.” And there will be a movie of her life. It’s currently in pre-production.

“Not one thing is different about Faith really,” says Jude. “She makes just as many messes, and farts just as many times as the other dogs do! She was more difficult to train only because what we had to train her to do. She was actually quite easy to potty-train - it was the upright thing that set her apart from the other dogs in my life. She has been very well behaved and has had the best disposition of any dog I've known personally. She rarely gets upset and if she does it is rightfully so. She is a bit shy of men only because she cannot fight. She barks or walks away so that there isn't a problem. She has always been drawn to children who are around her height or bigger - she smells all the babies too, just to see if they'll play with her or not.”

There are lessons to be learned. Faith didn’t just change a family. She’s touched the hearts and lives of many people. There’s obviously a reason why she was saved. We could all use a little Faith in our lives.

Kathryn Hopper and Fritz the Brave

2009-02-11T13:15:00.004-05:00

Yesterday I lost a colleague. Kathryn Hopper, a member of the Cat Writers' Association, died far too young. Only in her 40s, she should have had many more years on earth yet she did more with the years she had than most.

Kathryn was in a shelter when she was captivated by a 6 year old Siamese. She brought Fritz home not knowing that he had feline asthma. She not only nursed this sick cat, she set about helping others. Ultimately, Fritz died but Kathryn was unceasing in her efforts to research this disease and to help other owners whose cats also had asthma.

She was in almost constant contact with Dr. Philip Padrid and made his resources available on the website she created: www.fritzthebrave.com. The site became the ultimate reference source for anyone interested in learning more about this disease and helping the cats with feline asthma.

My heart aches at the thought of a world that has been diminished by this loss, of grieving family and friends. But she leaves a wonderful legacy.

Winter Hazards

2009-01-16T17:43:00.006-05:00

Winter weather brings special hazards for our four-legged companions. So many, in fact, that it requires a good deal of thought on the part of the owner to keep their dog or cat safe and healthy.

All cats should be indoors with lots of environmental enrichment but you'll notice in Winter that cats (and dogs) will sleep more and exercise less. This means that you will have to find ways to keep your four-legged companion more active. If it's extremely cold you're dog can't go out for extended periods of time - it's just too dangerous - but you can find games to play indoors. You can hide treats around the house and let your dog "find" them. And remember that all treats should be figured in with the amount of food your dog or cat eats so there's no weight gain. You can practice canine musical freestyle steps - put on some music and dance with your dog! Even my cat enjoys dance steps. You can start clicker training if you haven't already begun and teach your dog some new tricks. Your cat, too! Cats are certainly capable of doing the behaviors a dog can do and your cat will likely surprise you when you discover how smart she is! You can toss a toy for games of fetch and you can set up a mini-agility course indoors for your dog or cat. Yes, cats do agility, too!

If you have a small dog, he's going to lose body heat more rapidly than his larger cousins. He'll need a warm coat or sweater and time outdoors should be limited. Your dog can get frostbite, too.

If you're walking your dog on roads that are salted, or past a neighbor's salted driveway, be sure to clean his feet thoroughly as soon as you come home. You don't want him ingesting the salt when he licks his feet and you certainly want to get out the "snowballs" that will form between his toes. If you can get your dog accustomed to wearing dog booties on your walks it will be helpful in protecting his feet. Be careful of ice. If you slip and fall it's only too easy for your dog to slip his lead or pull it out of your hand. You may want to buy those slips-on with studs attached to go over your boots and help keep you from slipping.

On cold days, do not take your dog or cat in the car with you when you run errands. Leaving your pet in the car on a very cold day is as dangerous - potentially lethal - as leaving him in the car on a very hot day.

And at the end of the day, there's nothing better than a snuggle with you four-legged companion. Love and companionship and that all-important human-animal bond is what it's all about.

Emergency!

2008-12-13T17:22:00.001-05:00

One of the most horrible things any pet owner can face is a sick dog or cat who requires emergency treatment when their veterinary hospital is closed and they have to rely on an emergency hospital. It can be the best, or worst, experience of your pet-owning life.

One of my friends had a horribly sick cat. He was bleeding and it was impossible to tell why. Off she raced to a nearby emergency hospital. The cat went into shock as soon as he was taken back to be examined. It was ultimately discovered, on x-ray, that he had swallowed something. No one knew what it could be since my friend is very careful to keep everything locked away and out of reach of a curious kitty. When he finally passed it, it turned out to be a necklace lost in my friend’s house by a neighbor child. It had cut the cat up so badly inside that the veterinary internal medicine specialist was amazed that he had healed so well. Fortunately, he is home and recovering although I doubt as much can be said for my friend’s bank balance. But that was not her consideration when trying to save her beloved cat’s life.

Others have not fared as well.

One of my friends is a delivery room nurse at a major hospital. She’s a dog breeder with a good deal of experience and her education helps her with veterinary emergencies. Her veterinarian had moved to a new house and didn’t have phones in her bedroom yet when my friend had a litter due imminently. My friend had spoken with her in the early evening and they planned a c-section but it appeared that the little mother-to-be had gone to sleep. She woke up in full blown labor and my friend couldn’t reach her veterinarian so she brought the little dog to the emergency hospital and told them she needed a c-section. They said they’d be the judge of that and took her back to examine her. They said she was quiet and put her in a quiet, dark room. My friend asked if they’d ever seen that breed before. They hadn’t. She told them that she’d been breeding them for a number of years and she c-sectioned her dogs because, as a man-made breed, she knew the pelvis of the mother is usually too small to accommodate the large heads that these dogs have. She didn’t want to lose a puppy. She also told them that the girl’s mother and sister both had needed c-sections because the puppies wouldn’t fit through the pelvis. Amazingly enough, they argued with her! She said she wanted to see the attending. Incredibly, they said there wasn’t one in house. They determined the puppy was in the birth canal but said they wouldn’t guarantee the safety of the pup. They wanted to give her pitocin (to increase labor). My friend told them the head was too big for the pelvis and pitocin would only serve to ram the head into unyielding bones and not do anything except to exhaust the mother and injure, if not kill, the other pups.

My friend told them that she was a Labor and Delivery Room Nurse and they said that the human model is not the same as the canine one to which my friend replied that the basics are still the same: the passage, the passenger, and the forces.

My friend was very frustrated because she knew what had to be done and all they had done was argue with her for 3 ½ precious hours! Time was quickly slipping by when they finally said they’d take blood and call the attending at home with the results. She asked if they could call him and have him come in while the bloodwork was done. They said it wasn’t the policy. They’d give him the results before he came in. When he finally arrived, after they made her sign papers that she had refused pitocin, they did the C-Section and the puppy was dead. She asked if the puppy was the biggest in the litter. The attending said it was the smallest. She explained that if he, being the smallest, couldn’t fit through, could he imagine what would have happened to the other four larger puppies if the dam had pitocin? He stared over her head. My friend was relieved to get out of there with the mother and surviving puppies. I keep thinking of that other puppy who was dead as a result of the unyielding intern who was obviously inept and uninformed and claimed to be following policy. They are clearly responsible for that puppy’s death.

And then, in another part of the country is an owner who had two dogs die, separately, in an emergency hospital. Her Toy dog was sprayed by a poisonous Colorado Bull Toad, and she had to rush him to the hospital in the middle of the night. They gave him a drug not tested for poisoning in dogs and he died as a direct result of improper treatment. The drug is meant to stop car sickness and she questioned that since you are supposed to make a dog vomit up poisonous material, not stop him from getting it out of his system. An incorrectly administered drug that hadn’t even been tested for that purpose.

Her other dog died because the hospital was in violation of a State code: they didn’t have proper staff on duty with proper credentials. The State in which she resides requires that a 24 hour emergency hospital have a board certified emergency veterinarian in the building. Twice she has been there when there has only been an Intern in the hospital, a direct violation of the regulations. They also said they couldn’t treat the dog, they hadn’t so much as x-rayed him, and they insisted he be moved which is something that shouldn’t be done with a critically ill patient of any species. By the time he got to the next hospital, where he was x-rayed, his lungs had filled with fluid. Nothing could save him at that point, no matter how much money she was willing to spend. He died at the second hospital.

What has happened to each of these owners and their dogs is unconscionable. We must demand better treatment and competent staffing. There must be more than the almighty dollar of importance to these emergency hospitals. There has to be accountability. If they cannot operate properly and with proper staffing then they should not be allowed to operate.

Then where will owners go? Well, I have to wonder whether there’s any difference between no emergency hospital and one that does such a disservice to animals and their owners that the end result is a dead dog or cat, a heartbroken owner, and an outrageous veterinary bill. Perhaps for those facilities the bottom line is really all that matters.

A Kinder, Gentler World...

2008-12-08T01:32:00.007-05:00

I have long been an advocate of positive training. Like so many people, I'm what is known as a "cross-over" trainer. We learned the old aversive methods and I disliked them intensely even then. I loathed the sight of a choke collar. And with good cause. The name itself explains it. And I have to wonder: what part of choke don't people understand? Oh, sure, aversive trainers use words like "pop," as if it were an insignificant movement by the human. It is not insignificant. They call it a "training collar." Another name doesn't change it. And alpha rolls are not a means of communication between dogs and owners; they are a good way to get bitten. It's rather like sitting up and begging to be bitten. Humans are not dogs and vice versa. Aversives might work in the short term but aggression begets aggression and sooner or later, those methods will backfire. They will surely damage the human-animal bond. What good is a relationship that's built on fear?

Old-fashioned trainers talk about "dominance." Are they so insecure that they feel they have to be "dominant" over an animal? If you watch that sort of "training" on videotape or television, turn off the sound and watch the dog. What do you see? The answer is fear. And fear is not a good foundation for a relationship with a living, breathing, sentient being. Practicing 30 year old training methodologies, or going to a trainer who does, is pretty much like taking your dog to a veterinarian who practices 30 year old medical methodologies. Why would you want to do that?

I'm very pleased to say that I'm not alone in believing that operant conditioning (clicker training), or lure and reward based methods, are far better and create a strong bond. There are many trainers, behaviorists, and behavior consultants who also strongly believe this, and seeing is believing. Dogs with positive training are competing in all canine sports and doing well at the highest levels. Even more importantly: they're living in homes as beloved family members with a very tightly shared bond and it certainly wasn't fear that led them there.

It is important to note that the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) recently released a position statement titled, "The Use of Dominance Theory in Behavior Modification of Animals." (http://www.avsabonline.org/avsabonline/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=80&Itemid=366) The paper can be downloaded in .pdf form from their website. I strongly urge you to read this position statement and point others in its direction as well.

"I sing for the animals..,." Teton Sioux. They did. We should, too. We must speak for those who cannot speak for themselves. When we bring them into our homes, when we see them with their owners, we must give them voice. We must not allow the misguided "training" that is tantamount to abuse.

There are those who insist the old methods are the only way. How sad that they will not acknowledge that it isn't true, will not even try another way, that they are so stuck in the past that they cannot see the present, let alone the future. Positive training is so simple that even a child can do it. It opens up a line of communication between the four-legged companion and his or her human family and helps create a loving, lasting bond. Isn't that what we want?

There are many places where you can find positive training as well as behavior consultants practicing positive training methodologies. A good place to start learning about positive training is Karen Pryor's website (www.clickertraining.com) where you will find resources including a listing of trainers who use operant conditioning.

If you have problems, you can find Board Certified Veterinary Behaviorists who can help you. The American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (www.dacvb.org) has an online presence. Your veterinarian can refer you to a Board Certified Veterinary Behaviorist if there's one in your area. There are Applied Animal Behaviorists (http://www.animalbehavior.org/ABSAppliedBehavior) and there are Certified Animal Behavior Consultants certified by the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (www.iaabc.org).

There is nothing better than building a bond of trust. And, yes, you can solve behavior problems using positive methods. I filled a book ("Rover, Get Off Her Leg!") with positive ways to solve problems. Emma Parsons wrote a wonderful book, "Click to Calm," on solving dog aggression problems with positive methods. Those are only two of many books and DVDs available to help people and their dogs.

Do yourself, and your dog, a favor and, as the classic song title proclaimed, "Accentuate the Positive."

Toys for Dogs & Cats

2008-11-27T17:19:00.004-05:00

I know you're thinking about holiday gift-giving. Dogs and cats are a great part of that. We not only buy things for them but for our friends' companions as well.

I want to take a minute or two to remind you to be careful when buying toys for your pets or others. There is no regulatory group for pet toys. The industry relies on manufacturers to police themselves. That cute little toy you've been admiring may not be the safest thing for your beloved companion. And the way in which you play must also be considered.

Look for loose parts. If you can loosen it, your dog or cat can, too. And if the pet consumes it, disaster may follow with a swallowed toy, or toy part, getting lodged in your pet's throat or intestinal tract. A visit to the veterinarian or emergency veterinary hospital may ensue. And so might an expensive surgery to remove said object.

Dog toys with squeakers can be a real problem if the squeaker isn't secure. Remove the squeaker before the dog or puppies does precisely that and swallows it. Any little piece glued on can be easily removed. Chew toys made like twisted rags can shred and the yarn can be swallowed. They can also get very dirty. They're not a great idea unless they can be used to grab a loose tooth. Supervise all play with this type of toy.

Be careful of feathers on cat toys. They will usually come off and can be swallowed. Mylar cat teasers can cause the equivilent of a paper cut on the cat's mouth if it is caught by the cat at a certain angle. Why take a chance?

Interactive cat toys must be put away between play sessions. Cats can easily get tangled up in the wire or cord or string. Make play sessions with these toys special times for interaction each day instead.

Laser toys shouldn't be on your list. Having had laser surgery on my eye, I can tell you how powerful a laser can be and a rapidly moving dog or cat can easily find the light in their eye while the well-meaning owner is trying to keep up with movement. Opt for another toy instead. You can always use a flashlight if you want to play with a light. But be certain that the game starts with the light coming from a specific place and is "returned" to that specific place when the game ends so your dog or cat doesn't go crazy looking for the light!

If you're buying your cat a new cat tree or scratching post, be certain that it has a solid base and can't be tipped over. Also your cat should be able to stretch out full-length against it.

Dog toys that can be stuffed should have an opening at the other end so it doesn't create a vacuum, allowing the dog's tongue to be caught inside.

Inspect everything! Don't buy anything that looks "iffy." Since there is no overseeing body to ensure safety it's up to you to inspect all toys as you would for a small child.

And remember to stay in the room the first time you give a new toy to your pet. You want to be there in case something goes wrong. If there's a problem, you want to be there, on the spot to intervene. Your pets are depending on you!

Have a wonderful, safe holiday!

Thanksgiving and The Family Dog

2008-11-12T21:07:00.007-05:00

Ahhh, Thanksgiving. It's coming and so are the guests. And the tempting kitchen smells. Turkey roasting in the oven, potatoes, yams, and the desserts. Apple pie, pumpkin pie, pecan pie. Well, you get the idea and if you're anything like me, you're drooling at the thought. Guess who else is getting excited? Your canine companion.

If you've read my behavior book, "Rover, Get Off Her Leg!" (H.C.I. Communications) you know what dogs are capable of doing during a holiday when those smells are soooo tempting. You know where that turkey can end up and in what condition. And with company coming your dog will have to be on his or her best behavior.

Now is the time to start thinking about your dog's "company manners," his comportment, her etiquette in polite company. Well, truthfully, you should have thought about it sooner but better late than never.

Be sure you feed your dog early in the day. Your dog's daily ration should be divided into two separate meals. One fed at breakfast and the other at dinnertime. Your dog will be eating when you are so there's less temptation to give in to his pitiful glances. Never feed your dog at the table. He should learn early on that he waits politely until the family has finished eating and then he can receive a treat, whether that's in the middle of the afternoon, or in the evening. During the holiday, that treat can be a small piece of turkey. He is not allowed to beg, climb up on the table (yes, dogs do that!) or otherwise cajole family members and guests into giving him food from their plates. Remember that onions are poisonous to dogs so keep those well out of reach. The same for chocolate! And nothing laced with nutmeg....

Your dog should also greet visitors politely, with all four feet on the floor. No jumping up allowed. It's too easy for many dogs to knock Grandma or Grandpa off their feet. While this face-to-face greeting is normal dog behavior, it is not normal human behavior and your dog is living in human society and will need to learn the rules of comportment. Sitting politely and waiting to be acknowledged is optimum. Getting underfoot can be equally hazardous for some family members.

You'll also have to enlist the cooperation of your guests. They can't pet the dog unless he's either sitting or standing quietly and no sneaking food to the dog under the table!

Thanksgiving can be a wonderful holiday or a complete canine disaster. The choice is yours. Start training now with positive reinforcement, setting your dog up to do the right thing so he can be rewarded for it. This will pay dividends in the end, for you and for your dog.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your four-legged family members.

Presidents, Dogs and The Right Stuff

2008-11-08T23:52:00.006-05:00

There has been so much talk recently about the president elect's plan to get a puppy for his daughters, and the current president's dog biting a reporter. I promised myself I wouldn't add to the white noise of discussion and yet, here I am. I think it's because I'm frustrated by both situations.

Let's start with the current administration. There's no doubt in my mind that President George and Laura Bush love their Scotties. I don't know how the dogs were trained but I have my suspicions. There were at least two factors coming into play when dog teeth met reporter's hand. First and foremost, it's imperative that everyone know how to properly approach a dog. Never, ever swoop down on a dog and shove your hand at him. This simply isn't prudent. The dog-loving reporter was not dog-savvy. No dog likes anyone to swoop down on him. And you should never reach out to a strange dog. Move slowly. Get down to the dog's level if possible. Always present a strange dog with your closed hand and let him sniff your knuckles. And before you even think about doing any of that, ask if you may pat the dog. The dog's owner or handler will be able to tell you if that's a good idea. You, too, can avoid being bitten.

Add to this the dog breed. The Scottish Terrier is pretty well known for being "dour." Terriers are feisty dogs and the Scottie is no exception. He is, perhaps, not the best choice for a dog who is going to be greeting strangers. Any dog would be hard-pressed to be warm and welcoming all the time when being approached incorrectly by strangers, or even by people he knows. Put the huge press corp on the lawn with cameras, etc. and you have an accident waiting to happen.

Now we have a President Elect who has promised his children a puppy. One child is allergic to dogs and he's saying that he can get a "hypoallergenic" dog. Uh, sorry. There's no such thing and whoever told him this was doing his family and the potential new four-legged family member a great disservice. Dogs who have hair, not fur, are far less likely to cause a problem however the problem lies with the dander, not the hair or fur. To bring home a puppy and then discover that the child is allergic is going to cause a problem not just for the family but for the puppy as well who will be uprooted from his original home and then will be a likely candidate for rehoming after he washes out as First Pet.

Then there was that horrible moment when Obama stated that it wouldn't be a small dog because he wouldn't walk a small dog. Let me state unequivocally that I do not recommend Toy dogs for homes with children despite the plaintive voice of one of the Obama daughters mentioning a "Yorkshire." It's seldom a good match. I say that as someone whose area of expertise is Toy and Small dogs. But the statement that he wouldn't walk a small dog? I have often said, and I'm not the first to say it, that it takes a big man to walk a little dog, is true. It takes a man who is secure in his masculinity, is sure of himself as a person to care only that he has a dog he loves who loves him and those he loves. Size doesn't matter to such men. For those who won't walk a small dog, well, I have said before that those people have a problem that I can't handle.

An issue that is important for every dog, whether in the White House or your house, is training along with socialization. All dogs and puppies must be properly socialized. Crucial to the way in which the dog or puppy will respond to those around him is the way in which he's trained. Aggression begets aggression and training a dog with old, aversive methods will only come back to bite you. Literally. Some of those things may work in the short term but sooner or later the dog will react. Operant conditioning is ideal. Even a child can do it. Literally. And this would be the ideal way to get the children involved with their new dog.

So, how to choose that dog or puppy? A shelter dog would be right for most families but there's less of a chance of finding one who won't cause allergy problems. Better is to find a breed that the child can tolerate and then go to Breed Rescue for that specific breed and give a forever home to a dog who deserves a second chance, who may have been thrown away by his first owner for any one of a myriad of stupid reasons. Whatever they do, I hope for the sake of the dog and the children that the commitment is for the dog's lifetime. And doing it right is having the right stuff.

Air Travel with Dogs and Cats

2008-10-25T20:09:00.004-04:00

I used to travel by air with my four-legged companions. I prefer carrying a dog or cat on board, tucking the little one under the seat in a safe carrier, rather than having my hairy companion in the cargo hold. It's one of the advantages of a smaller dog or cat. There has always been a fly in the ointment, however. The airlines do not charge for a carry-on unless there's a dog or cat in it. In other words, if you take your laptop computer aboard in a case, it costs you nothing. If you take your dog or cat in a carry-on case, it used to cost approximately $100. each way. You would pay for the privilege of losing leg room.

When asked, the airlines would cite "allergy" if pushed. No one had a real answer because there is no regulation regarding this. It was simply a matter of charging extra because they could. Seldom did you hear a sound out of the carrier. In fact, in all my years of flying, I've never heard from a dog or cat onboard. I cannot say the same for the infants whose parents didn't have the common sense to put a bottle into a baby's mouth on take-off and landing to counteract the change in air pressure. What I did hear was a lifetime of loudly screaming infants on planes. Then there have been the children who have pulled hair, kicked my seat repeatedly, screamed, yelled, whined. Well, you get the idea.

As for the allergy excuse, and it is my understanding that one airline in Canada has banned pets because some person got a doctor to complain, the excuse simply isn't valid. If dogs and cats are to be banned because of allergy, what about the women reeking as if they were standing next to the perfume counter when it exploded? Or the men who are doused in strong after shave? Anyone with asthma can tell you what that is like. Or a migraineur whose migraine is triggered by strong odors. Or the people who smell of cigarettes and cigars? What of those people who cause discomfort to other passengers and can, in some cases, make them downright ill? I was on a flight from NY to London a few years ago when a horrible stench was suddenly filling the cabin. It was pretty scary since many of us thought there was something wrong with the plane. It turned out to be coming from a woman a couple of rows ahead of me who was using nail polish remover and giving herself a manicure inflight! Often it's the flight attendants who are wearing an unearthly amount of perfume or aftershave.

I have sat next to a woman who threw up all the way across the Atlantic. People with colds and flu passing their germs through the cabin. Never once have I been disturbed by a dog or cat. But those respectful pet owners who care enough to carry their well-mannered dogs and cats with them have been punished by the airlines with exhorbitant charges.

The airlines are losing business thanks to the cost of fuel. They are belt-tightening, which is prudent. However, going after dog and cat owners is not likely to be very prudent. A friend who travels a good deal with her dogs made arrangements for two trips. The news of the new carry-on price for pets was nothing short of sticker shock. Her flight from JFK to Cleveland is $167. for her seat and $300. for her tiny dog to fly under the seat! Yes, you read that correctly: THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS! And she is the only one losing leg room! Her dog, by the way, has hair not fur, so if they're pleading allergy (and I don't think she has heard why they are charging so much), it won't fly. Any pun intended. For her flight from JFK to Long Beach, CA she is paying $299. for her seat and $200. for her dog to fly under the seat.

It is patently unfair.

People carrying dogs and cats to dog or cat shows have found air travel convenient but how many of them will now find it better to drive? It may take a little longer but the fuel costs for driving may well be less than those of flying with a dog or cat when outrageous costs are tacked on by the airlines for a carry-on. That's business lost to the airlines. Maybe they think they can afford it. Maybe they don't know exactly how many people travel for dog shows, cat shows, canine musical freestyle competitions, etc. They may be about to find out.

Breed Rescue and Shelters

2008-10-09T15:27:00.005-04:00

I love a really good animal shelter. A really good one is clean, safe, and linked into a network of caring people. Volunteers who are adept at handling dogs and cats work with them to make life less frightening for them in the shelter environment and try to make them more adoptable.

Karen Pryor's shelter pets program is a particularly good one that I'd like to see in use in shelters around the world. Volunteers are taught to clicker train the dogs, cats, puppies and kittens. They not only find life more interesting but are more adoptable when they can go to their new homes having learned a thing or two.

The one area in which shelters fall down, in my opinion, is in their misunderstanding and underuse of dog and cat Breed Rescue volunteers. The problem seems to be endemic in U.S. shelters. I don't understand why so many either don't know or are unwilling to learn how to use these people most effectively, to take advantage of their expertise in their breed.

For the purpose of brevity and I hope, clarity, I will talk about dogs but this also applies to cats.

When a purebred dog or cat is turned into a shelter, they go into the system. In a kill shelter there are only a few precious days in which to get them out before they're put down. (The euphemism for killing, "put down," doesn't please me since I prefer to be crystal clear about the act.) Most shelters put the animals up for adoption by the public once they have been deemed adoptable. This includes health exam, possibly spay or neuter and some sort of temperament test that, frankly, isn't consistently good or useful. Before shelter people start screaming at me, I know that you're doing the best that you can and listening to a bunch of "experts" who are often just people who are exceptionally good at self-promotion and earning money through these "lectures." The public has the first crack at adopting these purebreds. Throughout this process of intake, evaluation and adoption is where I think the shelters are not on track with breed rescue and are not properly utilizing this invaluable resource.

Each breed has its own characteristics, health and temperament issues, etc. These are best known to people who have been in the breed for awhile and are experienced in evaluating, training and placing members of their breed. The ideal situation is for the shelter workers to learn to identify the breed, refer to their list of breed rescue contacts (and every shelter should have a such a list clearly available in their office) and call the appropriate person.

The breed rescue person will have a volunteer go to the shelter, "pull" the dog (take him out of the shelter) and will take the dog home for evaluation, medical care, training, and if the dog is a good candidate, placement in a "forever home" that has been carefully screened by someone who knows that breed and is uniquely qualified to make that decision.

Small dogs in shelters, for example, do quite poorly since they're frightened, cold (they lose body heat more quickly than larger dogs), and deprived of the human interaction that is essential for them to do well. They can exhibit fear biting in a shelter setting that would never otherwise happen in a home. It's their only defense when they're terrified. All dogs and cats lose heart and begin to withdraw when placed in a cage with no real love and human contact, without a home of their own. Even a temporary home with a breed rescue foster volunteer is a home where the companion animal will do far better than in the shelter setting.

By getting these dogs into Breed Rescue, the shelter will then have room for more of the mixed breed dogs who also need a home. There will be more space for them when the purebreds are in Foster Care.

Why don't most shelter people understand this and see the value in it? I honestly don't know. Years ago, the head of a large shelter asked, plaintively, why I couldn't get the Toy Dog Rescue people to take the larger purebred dogs since she could place the small dogs. Wow! I was stunned by her lack of understanding of the concept of Breed Rescue. It still makes me shake my head in wonder, even today.

Shelters should not be a cheap pet shop for the public who want a Purebred. Those people who want to adopt a purebred can go to Breed Rescue. The Purebred Rescue groups can be found at the American Kennel Club's website: www.akc.org.

I would love to see the day when there is no further need for shelters, when every dog and cat will be in his or her "forever home." But until resources are properly used that day keeps getting pushed further and further away.

Physical Therapy for Pets

2008-10-01T01:30:00.004-04:00

There was a time when people would have physical therapy when they had a problem but never considered it for their pets. It never crossed their minds that their companion might need the same sort of help. Physical Therapy for dogs and cats is something that hasn't been around as long. Why? Who knows?! Obviously, it's beneficial for the pet who has had surgery, been in an accident or has a chronic physical problem.

Veterinary physical therapy practices are beginning to spring up in the U.S., Canada, and other countries. One such practice, Sterling Impression Animal Rehabilitation Center of New England in Walpole, Massachusetts (www.starcone.com) sits in a small strip mall. An unlikely location but a convenient one for pet owners.

Inside the doors are an underwater treadmill and a hydrotherapy pool and that's only the beginning. Dr. Marjorie McMillan created Sterling Impression when she realized there had to be a better way to treat animals with lameness problems. The veterinarian had spent 2 years carrying her paralyzed 15-year-old Labrador Retriever. The issue was personal for her. She knew how owners with lame pets felt because she was one. Dr. McMillan headed to the University of Tennessee Veterinary School to learn Physical Therapy where groundbreaking work was, and is, being done in this field.

Dr. McMillan and Cathy Simons, CVT, created the Water Wellness Center and changed the name to Sterling Impression when they moved the location of their practice to allow for the heated lap pool and whirlpool area. Why Sterling? That was the name of Dr. McMillan's beloved Labrador Retriever. Show me a pet owner who can't relate to the reason for the change of name.

Therapeutic ultrasound, custom-made carts and more can be involved in the treatment. Mobility issues are helped in many ways, and getting the immobile large dog into the pool happens with the assist of a hydraulic lift. And I should mention that even cats benefit from water therapy.

Spending a day there was one of the most heart-warming experiences I've had. Watching dogs walk using the underwater treadmill, going for laps around the mall with a little dog whose hind legs were in a cart, watching pets wearing life vests and swimming after toys that are thrown across the lap pool is heartwarming. You can see how much better they feel. Massage therapy also helps these beloved companions. The care and concern of the staff matches that of the owners. This is a team effort and it pays off for the pets, the owners, and the staff who take pride in their accomplishment when they see the results of their work.

Sterling Impression is a happy place where feeling better is a great feeling for everyone involved.

Reading with Dogs - Great Programs for Children

2008-09-26T02:29:00.007-04:00

I love to read. It has been one of my favorite pastimes since I was a child. My mother used to read to me and taught me to read long before I went to school. Not every child has that sort of interaction and not every child feels comfortable with books, with reading aloud in the classroom, sounding out the words, enjoying the stories.

One way to facilitate childhood reading, especially for children who are shy or have problems with reading, is to bring a dog into the classroom and have the child read to the dog. The dog, unlike a human, doesn't criticize, doesn't pass judgement, or cause the child to feel uncomfortable in any way. Studies have shown that reading to a dog reduces stress. This can help facilitate reading.

Reading programs that include a dog have proven to be very successful. Therapy Dogs International has a reading program (www.tdi-dog.org/childrenreadingtodogs.html), as does Therapy Animals (www.therapyanimals.org/read) whose program is called R.E.A.D. - Reading Education Assistance Dogs. There's Reading with Rover (www.readingwithrover.org.) and there are more.

These programs are community-based, facilitated with local dog/owner teams who have passed tests for going into schools and/or libraries and allowing the children to read to their dog.

What do the children read? They read a variety of books but I've discovered one new series that is geared to dog facilitated reading programs. Written by Robert J. McCarty and illustrated by Stella Mustanoja McCarty, the Planet of the Dogs series is geared to children of all ages.

The first in the series, Planet of the Dogs is the story of the very first time that dogs arrived on our planet to teach people about love and to save the farmers of Green Valley from the invasion of the Stone City warriors. Castle in the Mist is the 2nd book in the series. In this book the dogs return to earth from out in space, on the other side of the sun. This time they arrive to prevent war and free kidnapped children from the Castle in the Mist.

Coming in October is the third book in the series, Snow Valley Heroes, which is the story of how the dogs saved Christmas.

This delightful series, published by Barking Planet Productions, can be purchased separately or together for use in a reading program or at home. More information about these books can be found at: www.planetofthedogs.net.

Any one of these books would make for a delightful - and one would assume cherished - gift for any child. All three would be an amazing reading adventure.

The books are available from your favorite online bookstore. Find the reading program nearest you. If a reading with dogs program doesn't yet exist in your community, you might want to work towards that goal.

Every child deserves the magical escape found in a good book.

Puppy Mill Awareness Day

2008-09-17T22:47:00.003-04:00

Puppy mills. I've talked about them before. The dogs are bred nearly to death, puppies are raised in cages, crammed together like badly treated livestock. Actually, that's what they are, they're certainly not beloved housepets or family members. They live in wire cages, eat there, eliminate there and live in filth, seldom having human touch or caring. Certainly there is no socialization. Puppies are then taken away from mothers too young by "bunchers," put into trucks and taken to pet shops. Sometimes they don't make it and die in the truck. Often they're sick and die at the pet shop or soon after they are sold at an inflated price to a new owner.

The price is what they think the market will bear, with markups for the buncher, the pet shop, etc. They are sold for more than a pet quality puppy from a reputable breeder, or for the same price. What you won't get from a puppy mill pup is a chance to meet at least one of the parents, see proof of health screenings before breeding, you won't have a healthy, well-socialized pup well on its way to being housetrained. They have every chance of having behavior problems. In fact, it's the rare puppy mill pup who won't.

Some pet shops are fancier than others and they talk about getting their puppies from "breeders" but look at the registration papers and see where those pups originated. Chances are very good that it will be one of the hearts of puppy mill country.

September 20, 2008 is Puppy Mill Awareness Day. I wish every day were Puppy Mill Awareness Day. Here are two websites where you can learn more about it:

http://awarenessday.ning.com/

http://www.awarenessday.org/

I hope you'll take time to think about this issue, learn more about it. Don't be fooled by the puppy mill, the backyard breeder, or the commercial breeder who claims to do testing and have "socializers." There is nothing like a dedicated breeder, one who does all of the testing, knows their pups well, start housetraining and often simple behaviors like Sit, Down, Stay, Come before the pups go to their new homes. They lose money on every litter. The pups are family members and are matched to their owners.

Most people spend more time learning about cars before buying one than they do about dogs and puppies. Take time to learn and be sure you and your new pup are off to a good start.

Dispelling Some Old Cat Myths

2008-09-14T23:54:00.004-04:00

I don't know why but people attribute all sorts of things to cats that simply aren't true. They're "Old Wives' Tales" (or should we say "tails?") and I'd love to know who started them and why! It's all patently unfair.

The biggest myth about cats, across the board, is that they're solitary creatures who can take care of themselves and don't need much attention if any at all. To which I can only respond: HUH?! Are you kidding??! Let's get this straight right now: Cats are solitary hunters but they are very social. Observing feral cats it has been found that they group together in what is called a "clowder." Yes, dogs form a "pack,' cats form a "clowder." When we bring them into our home we become their family, part of their clowder.

Cats love attention and affection but they're not exactly like dogs which is where people make a huge mistake. Cats don't want to be stared at or approached first. They want to observe and make the first move. Look away. Put one finger out and down at the cat's level and let the cat sniff it. This is polite behavior to a cat.

Cats need attention, affection and interaction. Use an interactive toy to play with your cat and be sure to put it away between play sessions so your cat won't get into trouble with the string or any feathers or wires.

Another myth is that cats need to be outdoors. That's one of the most dangerous myths because your cat can be attacked by another animal, hit by a car, or otherwise be endangered. Your cat belongs in the house with you with lots of vertical space to go up, a nice view from at least one window, a scratching post and a cat tree, each with a sturdy base that won't tip over, fresh water and fresh food and clean litterboxes. Experiment with a variety of toys to see what your cat likes best. Some like balls, some like pipecleaner toys, trackball toys, soft toys to carry around, etc. Most like a variety from which to choose.

Leaving your cat alone for the weekend is not a good idea from a safety standpoint as well as the fact that he will be lonely. Just because you don't have to take him out for a walk doesn't mean that he doesn't need attention! And, yes, some cats enjoy being walked on a harness and leash.

You can train a cat. They can do just about anything a dog can do and respond very well to operant conditioning (clicker training). This is also a way to keep your cat's mind engaged as well as exercise his body. There is also cat agility and, perhaps, your cat would enjoy doing that.

Frankly, you will get out of a cat what you put into it, just like any other relationship. A little love and attention will be returned more times than you can count. To quote an old TV commercial: try it, you'll like it!

Responsible Breeders

2008-09-04T03:10:00.006-04:00

I'm often asked to recommend a "good breeder." The breed always varies but the desire is the same. The problem is that I don't need one hand on which to count the people I personally consider to be "good," ergo "responsible and ethical" breeders. My standards are high and I see no reason why breeders shouldn't meet them. Sadly, I find that while many breeders call themselves responsible, you don't have to look far below the surface to see that they talk the talk but don't necessarily walk the walk.

I've detailed what I expect in "Small Dogs, Big Hearts." I don't think it's too much to ask to see at least one of the parents on the premises, to see clearances for health testing done before breeding for any genetic diseases that occur in the individual breed, to ask for a health guarantee to a reasonable age. All puppies should be clean and healthy and have a separate elimination place. The breeder should be properly socializing the puppies and starting their training as well as teaching them about the human-animal bond. And the breeder should be keeping the pups, preferably to at least 12 weeks while socializing the pups. If the breeder isn't socializing the puppies properly (a situation that must continue throughout the dog's life) then the earliest the pup should go to its new home is 8 or 10 weeks. The later, the better.

I have finally found a book that I can refer both breeders and potential pet owners to that details exactly what breeders should be doing and it is written by someone who walks the walk. Jerry Hope, CDBC, is a breeder, judge, trainer and behavior consultant in Georgia whose book, "The Breeder's Guide to Raising Superstar Dogs," is a must read for everyone who cares about dogs. I have a few minor differences with what should be done with Toy dogs but that's very minor. This is a book I'm happy to see available to the general public. And I hope more breeders will adopt Hope's program which includes thorough socialization, training and use of the bio-sensor program which is carefully outlined in Hope's book which is available at Amazon.

Add this one to your collection. You won't regret it. Too many dogs end up in shelters because they've had a poor start in life and have behavior problems for one reason or another. This book can go a long way in helping to prevent that.

I'd like to see what would happen if cat breeders adopted this program. Cats develop at different stages from dogs but I think this would be a worthy experiment to create better feline companions as well. It's certainly food for thought.

Greyhound Racing and Other Animal Abuse

2008-08-27T23:21:00.005-04:00

I remember many years ago reading that Greyhounds "stand well for bleeding," which was one reason why many racing Greyhounds ended up in research labs. You could say, in those days, that those poor animals were the "lucky" ones even though many of us were utterly horrified. Many were shot, their bodies dumped, when they lost races. Or clubbed to death and then dumped.

Greyhound rescue groups began to spring up around the country. They did, and still do, as much as possible but it's virtually impossible to save every dog. The count I've read was that 16 States still allow Greyhound racing, (www.greyhoundracingsucks.com/grs_statesthatallowLinks.htm), although I have seen the figure at 15 States elsewhere.

Let's get our facts straight about these lovely creatures. They are Sighthounds. They hunt by sight, going after moving prey. Running is natural for them and they enjoy it but Greyhound Racing is something else. It is pure exploitation and not every dog is meant to race. Those who lose, because it's a money-making venture, are disposed of as quickly as possible. The ones trained on a live lure are less likely to be rescued and adopted because you simply cannot trust them around the family cat or small dog. That's both nature and nurture.

Why are people still making money from this alleged "sport?" Why are companion animals - and all dogs and cats are certainly companion animals -- considered "Livestock" in most Midwest States? Where is their protection from abuse? How can animal cruelty laws be passed in any place that considers a pet "livestock?" This is beyond an archaic attitude. Laws need to be changed by those living in States where dogs and cats are designated as "livestock" and they need to start campaigning now. Rescue Groups are trying but they need more help. Don't just sit there and say that "someone else" will do it. Each of us is "someone else."

Contact your local rescue group and find out how you can get involved in changing legislation. It's not just the Greyhounds who are at stake here. It's every dog and cat. Abuse of animals is the precursor to abuse of people. I'm not making that up. Go and investigate for yourself. Read the published literature. If you don't care about animals, hopefully, you care about people. If we cannot do something to animal abusers to stop them, how can we hope to stop them from escalating into abusers of people? When is enough, enough? When will people be motivated enough to stand up, be counted, and work for change?

Dog Parks

2008-08-21T23:52:00.004-04:00

If you know me or you've read some of my books, you've probably figured out that I'm not a fan of dog parks. I think there are too many variables to make it viable for the average dog owner. I have a whole list of "caveats" in a couple of my books, pointing out what you have to look for and why when you're scoping out a dog park. The dog park "bullies," the owners who aren't responsible and aren't paying attention, the fact that children shouldn't be in there playing because it's for the dogs. And then there's the problem of little dogs who can be badly injured or possibly killed by big dogs if owners aren't watchful. There's responsibility on both sides: the big dog owner and the small dog owner.

Not terribly long ago, Cheryl S. Smith wrote a great book about dog parks, "Visiting the Dog Park," by Cheryl S. Smith, published by Dogwise. It's available everywhere books are sold, including at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Dogwise. It's the ultimate guide to using dog parks.

More recently, a sort of picture book for grown-ups was released. It's "fiction" but contains enough fact to be useful even to older children. "Dog Park Diary, the social round of Goody Beagle," as told to Kim Pearson, tells the story from the dog's perspective. Frankly, I wasn't sure of the message before I read it. But told from the dog's perspective and with wonderful photos by Anne Lindsay it points out the bully who is expelled from the dog park, the big dogs who get along with little ones, the little dog owner who is afraid to let her Toy dog play with large dogs, the greeting rituals among dogs, etc. For the dog fancier, the sight of Bichon Frise spelled as Bishon Frise thanks to an editorial oversight, might be a bit jarring but shouldn't put anyone off from the book itself. Published by Primary Sources Books, it's available online at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. A little pricey but probably at a better price point online, it would make a nice gift for the holidays.

When It's Not Always a Behavior Problem

2008-08-16T21:52:00.005-04:00

One of my areas of special interest is animal behavior. So many behavior problems can be fixed with some professional help, either from a Veterinary Behaviorist, an Applied Animal Behaviorist or a Certified Animal Behavior Consultant. Not everything that's assumed to be a behavior problem is one.

The first thing my colleagues and I do, as Certified Animal Behavior Consultants, is send the client to their veterinarian for a complete work-up and, in the case of a dog, a complete Thyroid Panel. It's imperative to know if the problem is organic in nature and the behavior is the result of an underlying physical problem.

Some cases can be more confusing than others, especially for the layperson. Here's a case in point, and a little food for thought. I'm deliberately omitting the names and the place. It could have happened to any rescue person anywhere in the world.

A cat was brought into rescue and placed in a foster home. She was, naturally, a bit frightened at first and supposedly had some problems in her previous foster home. The new foster was prepared to give the cat a fresh start.

The cat was sweet and loving most of the time but for what seemed like no reason at all and from out of nowhere, the cat would growl and bite, going from Angel Kitty to Cujo Cat in mere seconds. After some time with the new foster, the rescue groups board decided that the cat should be put down, that there was a safety issue. That can be a very wise choice in many cases. In this case, the foster refused to do that and would have spent his own money on veterinary care if necessary even though, like so many people, he has precious little to spare these days. The cat was too loving most of the time and he was convinced that this cat was worth saving. He simply didn't have the experience with rescue cats to make a final evaluation.

The cat was subsequently sent to another foster who has a great deal of experience with rescue cats (and dogs). She found the same to be true in her house. The cat was mostly sweet and loving, a purring little angel who appreciated any display of affection and was happy to cuddle, and yet she would suddenly turn. This woman was convinced that there was something more to it and began to observe the cat very carefully.

She finally noticed that the cat's almost reflexive reaction came when anyone petted her back end, especially if they got near her tail. Ah hah! Also, if another cat came up to her and she had to flick her tail it would set her off. The movement seemed to be causing her pain. A broken tail, perhaps?

Off to the veterinarian they went this past week. Upon examination, the veterinarian found the cat to be very sweet, trusting and affectionate. Until he began to examine her hind quarters. Ooops. Out came Cujo Cat. He thought she didn't need an x-ray. If the tail were broken it had happened a long time ago and had healed but she was, he thought, exhibiting signs of inflammation causing excruciating pain. His decision was to give her a steroid injection to reduce the swelling and pain. She may need to be on the injections for the rest of her life if this is what ends the pain for her. Time will tell.

If she is to be rehomed it is with the express understanding that the new owners never touch her hind quarters, certainly never touch her tail. She may very well spend the rest of her life in her current foster home, content, happy and with the understanding that she has a physical problem that may require lifelong treatment.

This was not a behavior problem but a physical problem that manifested itself in what looked like a behavior problem. She will not be put down. She will have another chance and a loving home.

The take-away message here is never assume that you are looking at a behavior problem in a rescue animal or one of your own pets. Go to a veterinarian as soon as possible for a complete work-up and then decide upon the next step when you know if you are dealing with an organic problem or a true behavior problem.

WCFO INTERNATIONAL FREESTYLE COMPETITION

2008-08-02T23:25:00.004-04:00

Last year I was one of the judges for the World Canine Freestyle Organization's International Competition. It took place in Greeley, CO. This year it moved East, to Warwick, Rhode Island. Yesterday I drove down to watch and enjoy the competition for the day. It was great not to have to sit behind the judges' table with a straight face so the competitors couldn't second guess me as a judge and assume I like this or that. Frankly, I love it all. I love the fact that people are involved in this sport, colloquially known as Dancing with Dogs.

WCFO is the world's largest freestyle organization and competitors do, indeed, come from all over the world. Others compete via video entry. All are judged by the same rules.

I long ago labeled this "The Dog Smiling Sport -- everyone is smiling and the dogs are smiling at both ends!" Veterinarians have noticed that their patients who do freestyle are better balanced since they have to work on all sides of their owners. This is a team sport and the dog and owner are the team.

Yesterday we not only saw pairs dancing (two owners with their dogs) but Brace as well. One owner, two dogs. That is quite an accomplishment.

The sponsors for this year's International, Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance foods and Animal Planet were out in force. For the first time there was a "kiss and cry" area for competitors to wait for their scores because for the first time the International is being televised. You will be able to see the competition on Animal Planet later this year. I won't give away the name of the winner of the very first Animal Planet Trophy but I can tell you it was big and beautiful!

I had a great time sitting in jeans and a tee-shirt, largely unrecognized by many people because I wasn't in a suit. LOL I saw old friends, cheered on the competitors and had a wonderful day. I love seeing the creativity of the owners in choreography, music selection, props. It's wonderful to see how much fun they and their dogs have while they're dancing and making the audience smile and cheer. It's a sport that's safe for all dogs, big and small, mixed breed, purebred, rescue. Dogs of all ages. I love the Handi Dandy division for handicapped dogs and/or owners and Sassy Seniors for senior dogs and/or owners, and the Junior Division with our stars of tomorrow who are shining brightly today.

The best part is seeing the bond between owners and dogs. That's really what every dog sport should be about but in WCFO this is very much in evidence. The bond is more important than anything else and it's very much in evidence. There is also a great camaraderie among competitors. It just doesn't get any better than that.

For more information about freestyle go to: www.worldcaninefreestyle.org.

Cell Phones and "Vicious" Dogs?!

2008-07-23T14:19:00.003-04:00

If you watch TV, or even if you don't, you probably know about one cell phone company's commercial showing someone going over a fence and having to avoid Pitbulls in order to get their newest cell phone. It is completely offensive to anyone who loves dogs. There are those who will tell you that there is no such thing as a "Pitbull" and that is essentially true. There are "Bully" breeds and there are some crosses that look like anything but an alleged "Pitbull." What this commercial is doing is further demonizing dogs.

The dogs are chained and portrayed in every possible way to be vicious. The company refuses to remove the ad. There is an ugly tendency now to castigate some dogs because of the way they look. It has been carried to such an extreme that it isn't unusual for someone walking a little Pug or Boston Terrier to be stopped on the street and asked if it's a "Pitbull."

Many breeds have gone through similar experiences and been falsely labeled as "vicious." Any dog can bite. They have teeth and no other way to defend themselves but to paint all dogs with one brush is as bad as saying that all people are the same, all cars are the same, all horses are the same, well, you get the idea.

If I hadn't already left that cell phone service provider for another last year I would certainly leave them now in protest, opting to vote with my dollars.

What is as offensive as the commercial is the fact that the company won't acknowledge their mistake, apologize and move on, creating better relations with the dog-owning public.

Are there bad dogs? Of course! Any dog can be turned into a defensive animal but there are far more good dogs whose owners love them, train them properly, and care for them as family members. Those people buy cell phones and cell phone service, too. And I suspect once they realize what is happening they may opt for another provider.

Time will tell. Meanwhile, I'm just one more voice asking that this commercial be taken off the air. Now. Please.

Help Your Cat Find His Way Home

2008-07-16T01:00:00.003-04:00

For longer than I count, dog owners have always turned over every leaf and stone searching for their lost pets. Cat owners, who were even more likely to allow their pets to roam seldom used to look for their lost felines, assuming they'd run away or found a new home. It's really hard to fathom that attitude these days although I suspect some people may still feel that way.

I now see nearly as many posters for missing cats as I do for dogs. Still there is a good way to help ensure that your lost pet will be reunited with his family: microchipping. It is becoming nearly as popular for cats as it is for dogs but we still need to make more people aware of microchipping, especially cat owners.

One microchip company, Home Again, has gone the extra mile for cats and their people, not only providing a safety net of microchipping but helping in another way as well. Home Again Proactive Pet Recovery Network has promised to donate $1. to the Winn Feline Health Foundation for every cat microchipped and enrolled in Home Again during the months of June, July and August. You still have time to take advantage of the company's generosity in helping feline health studies while taking that extra step to provide for your own cat's recovery in case he is lost.

While some cats wear a collar, a cat who gets loose can easily lose his collar and thus his tag as means of identification. Microchipping provides that added measure of security. If your cat is taken to a shelter or veterinary hospital, he can be scanned for a microchip, his number can be called in to Home Again and the owner will be notified.

It's sad to think that microchipped cats are fewer in number than microchipped dogs. It's a relatively inexpensive and painless way to protect your beloved companion. And by taking advantage of Home Again's generous donation offer, you'll be helping all cats have healthier lives through Winn Feline Foundation's studies which will greatly benefit from Home Again's generosity. They will be as generous as you are a responsible owner when you get your cat microchipped and enrolled in Home Again by the end of August.

Feel free to visit: www.winnfelinehealth.org to learn more about this 40 year old non-profit's work. The organization was established by the Cat Fanciers' Association to promote the health and welfare of cats through research and education.

Also be sure to visit: www.homeagain.com which is a subsidiary of Schering-Plough Animal Health Corporation.

Zootoo

2008-07-11T16:52:00.003-04:00

I'll admit that I was intrigued when I first learned about zootoo.com. The site brings pet lovers together and helps raise funds for needy animal projects. Started with a bang, they had a contest for a shelter makeover contest. New members began flocking to the site daily, voting for their favorite shelters, reviewing products and news stories, connecting with others, sharing pet photos and more. Zootoo's president, Richard Thompson (known as Topcat on the site) has fashioned a very special website.

They had hired my friend, Dr. Jill Richardson and she went to work with a determination seldom seen. Fueled by her natural enthusiasm for all things animal, she began creating groups. I soon had one. How? I don't know. You have to know Jill to understand. LOL She's one-woman energy-generator. She has tons of ideas and she knows how to get things done.

I had the pleasure of finally visiting Zootoo.com's offices in New Jersey yesterday, on my way to PA where I will be teaching all day tomorrow. I'm a learning facilitator in Kutztown University's Dog Training and Management Program.

Just about everyone at zootoo has pets, if not in the office, then at home. Fish, pocket pets, dogs, cats. They run the gamut. Tank, the English Bulldog who arrives with his owner every day, holds court throughout the offices, as the mood strikes him. He's a much-loved dog who knows that he's everyone's darling.

From Jill's enthusiasm sprang a brand new photo contest that zootoo and I are hosting. Do you have America's Smartest Dog? Want to enter? Want to know what you'll win? Then follow this link to the contest on zootoo: http://www.zootoo.com/petphotocontest/darleneardenssmartestdogphotoc

While you're there, sign up, select the local shelter and rescue group that you want to help support. Surf around and see all of the neat things zootoo.com has to offer pet owners. You won't regret the time spent there.

No So Merry Olde This Time....

2008-07-06T22:51:00.005-04:00

One of the reasons I was in New Mexico was to help a friend ship a foster cat to his owners in the U.K. They had been called back to Scotland and had hired a "professional" company at great expense because they said they weren't the cheapest but they were the best. Uh huh. Following the Defra website rules for getting a cat or dog into the U.K., you must first have the animal microchipped, then she or he must be given a Rabies injection, then wait and get a titer which can only be done at one lab in the U.S. having U.K. approval, the one at Kansas State University. Then, no more than 48 and no less than 24 hours before shipping on an approved carrier, a veterinarian must give the cat or dog flea and tick treatment as well as deworming whether they need it or not. The veterinarian must sign off on all paperwork which is then taken by the individual shipping said dog or cat, to the USDA office for their veterinarian to approve the paperwork. The "professional" managed to do the Rabies vaccination before the microchipping. The cat got all the way to England where his owners were to pick him up at Gatwick Airport and was refused entry. The owners were told that the cat would be killed rather than allowed in. A frantic e-mail was sent to my friend asking if poor Victor could be sent back to her to await redoing of all of the above. Another 6 months. Well, of course! This cost the owners another $800. Plus the money from the "professionals" was not only not refunded but there was no apology. The company is part of a larger group of "professionals" but that group is unresponsive as well.

My friend had been reading the Defra website for months to assure that all would go well this time. I read it for weeks. We followed everything to the letter (a little irony there that you'll soon understand) so that Victor could go on the Pet Passport Scheme. Ha, the word "scheme" should have been a clue! Yes, I know it has a different meaning in the U.K. I've been there enough times to be consider bilingual. ;-)

Victor and his paperwork went to the local veterinarian my friend uses and received yet another rabies vaccination. Two in one year which isn't a good thing. After I arrived he had his de-worming, flea and tick treatments and I watched as the veterinarian and his tech carefully went over all the paperwork to ensure that everything was in order. Next on the agenda: we drove to the USDA office where their veterinarians approved all of the paperwork. They said it was in perfect order and signed off on it. So far, so good, right? So we thought....

Victor had his reservation to fly to his owners who were anxiously awaiting his arrival. They'd bought him a new bed. He had been theirs before they had their child and had waited a long time to be reunited with Victor.

My friend made many calls to the receiving person at Gatwick to be reassured that all was well on that end.

Whatever possessed my friend to fax the paperwork to the Defra office in the U.K. I'll never know but thank heavens she did and we didn't put the cat on the plane. They were -- wait for it -- refusing him entrance! Why? Well, it seems that the letter "A" appeared before his microchip number on the Kansas State University form but is not on the microchip itself when the animal is scanned. The "A" is not the Scarlet Letter from Hawthorne's book. No, it stands for Avid, the manufacturer of chip the cat has and would make it easier to know which reader to use. All other numbers match. Everything.

As another friend put it quite succinctly: the cat is being held hostage in the United States by the British Government.

Victor is now 11 years old. A third Rabies vaccination and another 6 months of repeating everything for a third time is not recommended by my friend's veterinarian. Frankly, I wouldn't recommend it, either. Neither would my friend but it was left up to the owners. They sadly agreed. Our hope is that they will adopt a needy cat in Victor's name.

What I do recommend is that if you are thinking of shipping a cat or dog to the U.K. for any purpose whatsoever, that you think twice. We are perfectly capable of reading and following directions. (Two award winning writers so we certainly have that skill!), a series of well-educated and informed veterinarians approved, even the USDA and we couldn't do it. Plus there's the expense. For what? How many dogs have been rejected who were headed to the U.K. to be shown at Crufts? How many dogs and cats are shipped to breeders each year and how many make it into the country? How many are rejected?

The outcome, by the way, is that the owners are heartbroken, as is to be expected. My friend, the owners and I cried on both sides of the Atlantic. This made us sick in every possible way.

I know others who've had similar problems but I foolishly thought that by following their list of rules it could be done. Silly me. I hadn't counted on the whims of bureaucrats.

Victor will live out his days much loved in my friend's home with her cats and dogs. But he's not with his owners who desperately want him. And all because of the letter "A."

Albuquerque Does it Right!

2008-06-26T22:19:00.006-04:00

I arrived in New Mexico on Friday. Animal person that I am, I was at the Albuquerque Shelter on Saturday. This is a City that had one of the worst possible systems that was called Animal Services. An average of 28,000 animals was brought into the two shelters every year and far too many were euthanized. That is no longer true and within months it began to be turned around in a big way. Impossible, you say? Hardly. All you need is someone who cares and who is determined to do something.

In Albuquerque's case it was their Mayor, Martin Chavez, who saw the problem and set to work fixing it. In a stroke of absolute brilliance, he put Jeanine Patterson, a Registered Nurse by training, in the position of Director and she set to work turning the entire system around. For the first time in 20 years the euthanasia numbers dropped into double digits. The shelter was cleaned up and a new facility appeared in a mall where people can shop and stop by and visit cats and dogs who might just be great additions to their family. Patterson is no ordinary nurse. She opened medical clinics around the world for Intel. She knows how to make things happen. She even invited Dr. Sandra Newbury from the University of California-Davis visit because she specializes in Shelter Medicine and could make recommendations of everything from the most effective cleaning and deodorizing as well as disinfecting agents to better protocols to limit stress while cleaning cages.

Patterson is one of the nicest women I've had the pleasure of meeting and those who work with her and those who volunteer would appear to agree since there is such a warmth that passes among those at the shelter. The Albuquerque Animal Care Center is something to be seen. And something the residents of Albuquerque can take great pride in having in their City.

The shelter is clean, bright, well-maintained and there is a veterinary staff. The associate director is, in fact, John Romero who is on the New Mexico Board of Veterinary Medicine. The method of adopting is fair.

The fact is that Mayor Chavez has his own dog who goes everywhere with him, including his office every day. One of the most popular annual fund-raising events is the Mayor's Dog Ball.

In concert with this effort, is a group called Kennel Kompadres. The Friends of Kennel Kompadres are those who donate money to help augment the money the City has set aside for the Shelters. In other words, in many other places it's common for donations to a shelter to go into one fund and the money might end up being used for road repair instead of going to the shelter. Kennel Kompadres raises funds to help augment the shelter needs including humane traps for feral cats, etc., puppy and kitten formulas, kitten beds, toys, pet food to help those who foster animals for the shelter. They also do a wonderful job of humane education for children. They bring dogs and cats into school classrooms to educate the children about caring for pets and how to stay safe. They also pay for and distribute coloring books filled with animal care information and they have the equivilent of pet baseball cards for the children to collect. On the back are pet care facts, including spaying and neutering.

There is an Eastside Shelter as well as a Westside Shelter and people who truly care about animals in each.

Thanks to Mayor Chavez, Jeanine Patterson and people who augment the staff like Rick DeReyes, as well as those involved in Kennel Kompadres, many dogs and cats as well as puppies and kittens have found loving homes, life instead of death. The numbers keep coming down for euthanasia and up for adoption. Who could ask for more.

If you know me, you know that I don't impress easily. Albuquerque's Department of Animal Welfare has certainly impressed me. Their motto: Spay, Neuter, Adopt, Love serves as a shining beacon for every community in the United States. And Mayor Martin Chavez should be honored for his foresightedness, compassion, caring, and his determination to take action for the animals of Albuquerque. Bravo!

Visit the Animal Care Centers and Kennel Kompadres online:

http://www.cabq.gov/pets

www.kennelkompadres.org

Has the World Gone Crazy?!

2008-06-16T22:44:00.002-04:00

I was reading my e-mail this week, when up on my screen popped a post with the most incredible story. I thought it had to be a hoax because there are so many of those. Nope. This was real. Almost surreal. And really, really ugly.

Mayor James Valley of Helena - West Helena, Arkansas, it was reported, decided to release all of that city's shelter dogs into the nearby national forest. He did WHAT??! Yes, that was my reaction. He expects defenseless dogs who are scared, lonely and abandoned to make their way in the forest. Domesticated pets are supposed to do what in order to eat, drink and find love, care and medical attention? He had the temerity to claim, according to a news report I read online in a Dallas newspaper, that the dogs were better off! The shelter is run-down, the temporary shelter wasn't good enough and all this time, when the civilized world has volunteers who raise funds for shelters, who staff them with proper personnel and integrate programs such as Karen Pryor's clicker training programs for dogs and cats in shelters to make them more adoptable, the residents and officials of Helena - West Helena, Arkansas have been doing exactly what?

By the way, releasing them into a National forest is an illegal act.

I'm still pondering all of this. I still can't believe that this has happened in a civilized society. Frankly, it makes me sick.

It's the Economy

2008-06-14T02:34:00.003-04:00

Sadly, one of the seldom discussed factors impacted by the economy is the family pet. With houses in foreclosure, or about to be foreclosed, soaring gas and food prices, something's gotta give. Unfortunately, that "something" is all too often the family pet. Dog or cat, they are landing in shelters and rescue groups at an alarming pace. When it comes to deciding between food and shelter, or medication and gas for the car, the family pet doesn't even begin to factor into the equation. Much loved companions are finding themselves homeless and with a limited number of days for which they'll be held at a shelter, without signs of a new home, the pet has nothing to look forward to beyond dead.

My friend, Marilyn Krieger, a Certified Cat Behavior Consultant in the San Francisco Bay Area is also in charge of Bengal Cat Rescue for the State of California. She has noticed a definite increase in the number of surrendered cats by people who simply can no longer afford to keep them. They need foster homes until permanent homes can be found. This is a pattern that repeats itself with every cat and dog breed rescue around the country.

Another close friend, Sue Janson of Wichita, Kansas points to her rescue group seeing an increase in the number of animals being relinquished by their owners because of their inability to pay for their care. They are having to make a choice: do I buy gasoline so I can get to my job? do I buy food for my kids or do I relinquish my pet because I can no longer afford him?

This is a difficult decision for everyone involved. There are no real solutions.

Perhaps you can foster a pet until a home is found. Or, perhaps, you have that home for a pet in need. Maybe you can donate food to your local rescue group or shelter. Or maybe you can help a friend who needs it so that pet can stay in his home. We must find ways to work together to resolve these issues while we wait for the economy to turn around. To paraphase: No Pet Left Behind!

Greenwich Kennel Club Dog Show's Meet the Author Event

2008-06-08T16:39:00.005-04:00

Yesterday was the Greenwich Kennel Club Dog Show's annual "Meet the Author" event. This annual educational event, the first and probably only one of its kind at a dog show, allows the public to meet dog book authors, buy signed books and ask questions. The Taylor Farm Park show site in Norwalk, CT is an impressive stretch of land. Fortunately, there was a mild breeze blowing off the ocean because temperatures soared into the 90s.

It was such fun to meet new people, catch up with colleagues and old friends, and see dogs, dogs, dogs!

I suspect entries were down and some people who entered weren't there. That's not unusual in and of itself but I suspect soaring gas prices are to blame for a good part of it. People have to make serious choices when it comes to hobbies, to fun events. And more serious events. I plan to talk more about that in another blog post.

Meanwhile, I just want to bask in the memories of a lovely day, a wonderful show committee (Joy Brewster is an exemplary Show Chair and Donna Gilbert did a great job in her first time go as Book Signing Chair.)

Thanks to one and all for a great day and a wonderful way to kick off the Summer!

A Little Child Shall Lead Them

2008-05-26T01:34:00.003-04:00

When most of us were eleven years old we were playing with dolls and riding bikes. Well, times have changed. Young Mimi Ausland of Bend, Oregon, now twelve, began a project to feed hungry shelter dogs when she was just eleven. She started a website for the express purpose of advancing this idea. The site has many sponsors and she is partnering with http://www.zootoo.com to help further her dream.

Starting at her local Humane Society of Central Oregon Shelter, she plans to expand the program one shelter at a time.

So far more than 300,000 pieces of kibble have been donated.

People from all over the world can surf to her website, answer a Bow Wow Trivia Question each day, and for each question answered correctly 10 pieces of kibble are provided to the shelter. Here's the link if you'd like to check it out:

http://www.freekibble.com

And once again, a little child shall lead them.

We hear so much about the bad things kids do. It's nice to hear about the good things for a change.

Credit Where Credit is Due

2008-05-22T15:55:00.007-04:00

A lot of controversy tends to swirl around The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). To be perfectly candid, when it comes to supporting animal related charities, I respond in two ways: to help grass roots humane groups and breed rescue, I will donate a signed copy of one of my books which is worth more than any check I could personally write. People tend to bid up and pay more for a signed-by-author book. And I created, as I mentioned before, The Marcia Polimer Abrams Fund for Canine Behavior Studies at the American Kennel Club's Canine Health Foundation. The Donor Directed Fund, in honor of my mother, is aimed at helping learn more about behavior problems and should benefit both dogs and people.

Back to HSUS. Their feral cat program is headed-up by Nancy Peterson, an absolutely wonderful woman by anyone's standards. Her heart is in her work. Nancy recently brought to the pet press' attention a newly-created resource for anyone who does rescue work or has found a colony of feral cats:

http://tinyurl.com/57hvp3

The comprehensive list has everything from frequently asked questions to information about my favorite solution to a difficult problem: Trap, Neuter, Release (TNR).

You don't have to be political to surf over and see what they've created, to take advantage of information in one handy place.

The feral cat problem can't be solved overnight but with TNR, and pet owner education, I believe that it can be solved and sooner rather than later.

Re: The Next Generation...

2008-05-15T15:10:00.005-04:00

Last night, at their invitation, I drove to the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, to speak to their new Behavior Group.

I wondered, on the long drive through New England roads, what I would find. UMass doesn't have a veterinary school but undergrads could certainly go on to that if they could get in. Getting into Medical School is easier these days than getting into Veterinary School. Did they want to be Applied Animal Behaviorists? Animal Behavior Consultants? What did they know and what did they want to know?

After getting lost on the campus despite a tiny map that is barely legible to anyone over the age of 25, and with help from the kindness of strangers, I found my way to the correct building.

The students, mainly women which is not unusual, were wonderful. Warm and welcoming and certainly curious about the field of Animal Behavior and the related dog training field. They want to do the right thing. They've been trying to encourage their friends and parents to make proper choices and are so determined to help animals that they want to know more. They are hungry for knowledge with the open minds and bright enthusiasm embodied by the young and young-at-heart.

One young woman had volunteered at a zoo and would do so again this year. Her immediate goal is to bring environmental enrichment to the facility to provide a better quality of life for the animals. Another had been a shelter volunteer and expressed a strong desire to help animals, to make life better for those in shelters and help them live better lives in their homes. That was a common theme: making life better for animals and their owners, help people choose the right pets and train them properly so that they wouldn't end up in shelters, or to rehabilitate those who could be rehabilitated.

I gave them the obligatory explanation of why some can't be saved even when it breaks our hearts to have to admit it. I told them that they would be training owners, not just dogs, that learning what is normal for animals, both physically and mentally, is important. You don't walk in assuming that it's truly a behavior problem without a full work-up being done by a veterinarian.

And on and on it went.

I walked out, tired but uplifted, knowing that the next generation is producing people who care about those who cannot speak for themselves and they want to help in a kinder, gentler way. They know that choke and prong collars get the exact opposite result that they seek, they know that animals are intelligent and can learn more easily when properly trained, or retrained. Among the self-centered, rude, they've-been-handed-everything generation of kids there are some who have learned to care about others.

The world may not be so bleak after all.

Renting Dogs?!

2008-05-10T14:16:00.004-04:00

I was horrified to learn that there's a company that rents dogs out to people who are dogless. They claim that the dogs are chosen from shelters. Mainstream press has picked up this story as if it were something good. I cannot imagine how they can report that without thinking about the issues and presenting more information.

Personally, I think this is a horrible idea. Can you imagine the shelter dog who has lost his home for whatever reason, suddenly being shuttled from home to home, caregiver to caregiver with no sense of security? Just as he thinks he's found someone to love him forever, that forever home that every dog needs and deserves, he's off to the next person.

Look further than that and think about the people in our disposable society who think that a dog is to have for a little while, not for its lifetime. Where is there sense of responsibility? Where is the bonding? Will any two people treat the dog the same way? Dogs need consistency in diet, training, attention, love. They give us so much in return. Is this the best we can do? Turn them into yet another disposable commodity to fill someone's fleeting fantasy of having a dog for just a little while?

I don't know whether to scream or cry.

Please tell me how you feel about this latest wrinkle in the world of dogs.

Caring Canines

2008-05-03T16:56:00.004-04:00

Today was no ordinary Saturday. It's one I had eagerly anticipated since receiving a request to speak to Caring Canines (www.caringcanines.org), a dedicated therapy dog group in the Greater Boston area. I have a special spot in my heart for therapy dogs since my mother benefitted from a therapy dog who visited her adult day care.
What a heartwarming group of unselfish people make up the Caring Canines membership! I wasn't surprised.
Raise your hand if you're familiar with Therapy Dogs. Not every dog is right for this job but for those who are, and for their owners, they bring a world of caring into the lives of the lonely, ill, infirm.
Caring Canines, one of many such groups throughout the U.S. and probably many other countries, take their dogs on regular visits to nursing homes, assisted living facilities, hospitals, day care centers for the elderly, etc. Anywhere people can use a smile, soft fur to pat, and unconditional love.
For some, a visit can mark the first time someone has spoken or smiled in months or even years. For family members and hard-working staff members, the visits to patients also brings smiles and a chance to relax.
After I spoke, many members related what the visits are like for them, how much they, as well as their dogs, benefit. Just walking in and out of a building can take 15 minutes while people come up to pet the dog. Even those accidental meetings are helpful and welcome.
They also have special programs along with their regular therapy dog visits. Their Hug-a-Pet program brings dogs to at-risk children in residential homes, as well as children who are hospitalized and those in Special Needs classrooms. An Entertainment Team brings dogs to do tricks at Children's Hospital, while another, a Critical Response Team, comforts those who are in the throes of an emergency.
The visits are, of course, free of charge and all of the people involved are volunteers.
Sure, they could be out doing other things with their lives. But they have chosen to share their dogs and that unconditional love with others, asking nothing in return. But what they do get in return is not just the knowledge that they have brightened other lives but that they are connected to other people in a very special way. The experiences touch their hearts as well.
Thanks to the volunteers' generosity of spirit and sharing the world becomes a little brighter place for those in need of light at the end of the tunnel.

Pets as Blood Donors for Other Pets

2008-04-22T20:41:00.003-04:00

Most people think about donating blood but they probably don't think of their dogs (and sometimes cats) as potential blood donors for other pets in need of a transfusion.

I was well aware of this, especially when writing "The Angell Memorial Animal Hospital Book of Wellness and Preventive Care for Dogs," where I included information about blood donations at Angell. Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston isn't the only facility where this is done. I would venture to guess that there are blood banks at major veterinary hospitals throughout the United States and probably in other countries as well.

What brought this topic to mind was a press release I received today from UC Davis (California). They have a wonderful veterinary school and major veterinary medical center on campus. Currently they have a need for Dog Blood Donors for their new UC Davis Veterinary Blood Bank.

"Because we need dogs with a specific blood type, we plan to screen approximately 1,200 dogs each year in order to establish and maintain the necessary pool of 200 to 400 regular donors," said Dr. Sean Owens, the blood bank's medical director and head of the Transfusion Medicine
Service at UC Davis' William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital.

Regular donors usually only donate four or five times a year although they could easily donate monthly with no adverse effects.

Donor dogs are screened to see if they meet the criteria. UC Davis also requires that they be from one to eight years of age, weigh at least fifty-five pounds and be current on flea, tick and heartworm preventative medications, never been pregnant and, of course, never had puppies. Their owners must live within 100 miles of UC Davis.

Pet owners interested in having their dog screened for donation may obtain more information or set up an appointment by calling the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at (530) 752-1393 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by e-mailing caninebloodbank@gmail.com.

If you live elsewhere and are interested in having your four-legged companion become a blood donor, I'd suggest you check with your nearest veterinary medical school hospital or major veterinary teaching hospital to see if they maintain a bloodbank and ask for a screening.

It's an easy way for your and your pet to help others.

Behavior

2008-04-17T14:01:00.009-04:00

I don't know why most people don't understand that behavior problems are the cause of the death of more dogs than any one health problem. Think about it. The dog misbehaves, they take it to the shelter. The dog isn't housetrained, they take it to the shelter. And the shelter will usually only hold the dog for a few days, except for the no-kill shelters and even then, no-kill shelters have situations where a dog must be put down.

Most problems are fixable if people take the time. In fact, they wouldn't have the problem at all if they'd taken the time to train properly (and I do mean positively) in the first place. We know that aggression begets aggression and that's a topic for another blog entry!

Some behavior problems are genetic. Why do dogs do what they do? How much is the owner's fault, how much is genetic and how much is a combination of nature and nurture?

After my mother died, I wanted to do something meaningful to honor her and to keep her name alive. I went to the American Kennel Club's Canine Health Foundation (www.akcchf.org) and started The Marcia Polimer Abrams Fund for Canine Behavior Studies. Everything that AKC/CHF does ultimately benefits people so please don't scream at me about only caring about animals. That's not true. This is a win/win. My mother was my best friend and I became her sole caregiver. It was from my mother that I learned about unconditional love.

Part of my royalties from the sale of my new behavior book, "Rover, Get Off Her Leg!" will go to the fund. The book is available online and anywhere books are sold.

I also use the behavior fund to give gifts for weddings, anniversaries and to honor other special occasions. There is a form at akcchf.org that allows the donor to designate where they want the money to go and all they have to do is remember Behavior Fund if they don't want to write out the entire name. Or just mail them a note and put the behavior fund in the note line at the bottom of your check. It's such an easy thing to do.

http://darlenearden.com/chf-fund.htm

If everyone who loves dogs gave a dollar or two for behavior studies, imagine what could be accomplished for dogs and their people.....

A Few Suggestions for Oprah

2008-04-08T18:45:00.003-04:00

Not that I expect Oprah or her producers to be aware of my blog but it's still a free country so I'm going to put a few thoughts out into cyberspace.

Considering the reception of her program on puppy mills, I'd like to see Oprah do a second show. After all, an hour is so little time, and tell even more of the story. If I were producing the show, here's what I'd want to do next...

I'd want to educate buyers about responsible, ethical breeders. I'd want to discuss the genetic health tests that they do before breeding, how carefully they select the right sire for the litter and what they pay in stud fees. I'd want to tell how the puppies are raised in clean homes, indoors, and learn the beginnings of housetraining right away, how they're socialized, how pups are kept with littermates and mother to learn how to "speak dog" and the all-important bite-inhibition.

Oprah touched on the fact that responsible breeders ask their puppy buyers questions, interviewing the potential puppy buyer. That's good but it's only part of the story. A small part.
And while they were discussing shelters, what wasn't touched on by anyone and is fodder for another show, is how many shelters "import" dogs from the South and from Puerto Rico. If there's such an overpopulation problem, there should be no need to "import" more dogs. Those "shelters" that need to import dogs in order to stay open should be shut down and the money put into the shelters that need help. Just my thoughts but I'd still like to see the issue addressed.

The show could also address the issue of Fostering, how Breed Rescue people take the dogs into their homes and rehabilitate them. It wasn't really pointed out that dogs who land in a shelter often have behavior problems. The breed rescue people, knowing their own breed so well, will come in, get the dog out and into a foster home where the dog is rehabilitated into a potentially great family member for the new owner. This also means that there are fewer purebreds in shelters because Breed Rescues moves quickly to get them out once they're notified.

Oprah's show mentioned that responsible breeder will take their dogs back even if they're older. This, too, could use some extra emphasis.

And wouldn't it be nice to see some of those rehabbed purebred rescues with their owners?!

I'm sure others have even more thoughts on the subject. Those are just mine.

OPRAH and The Puppy Mill Show

2008-04-04T20:02:00.005-04:00

The way rumors were flying around the internet when it was first announced that Oprah Winfrey was going to do a show on puppy mills, you'd think the sky was about to fall! Responsible breeders in the dog fancy were afraid they were going to be vilified when they are not at fault. One post from some man who claimed to represent an organization of Sporting dog people went so far as to advise boycotting Oprah's sponsors. How can anyone call for a boycott or get upset before they've seen the program? People were leaping to so many conclusions that it was like watching grand jetes at the ballet!

Like every other dog lover, dog writer, behavior consultant, etc., I simply had to stop my day and watch the show. It was, at this point, mandatory viewing. What did I come away with after the fact? Lisa Ling did an admirable job going undercover at a puppy mill and showing the public (if they care to pay attention) the disgusting, inhumane conditions of the origins of most pet shop pups. There was a visit to a kill shelter where dogs must be chosen to be euthanized because they haven't been adopted and their time is literally up. It's gut-wrenching.

There were stats (in my mind, over the top) about how many purebreds are in shelters. Most are taken by breed rescue, rehabbed and rehomed so that wasn't quite on target but a small point to quibble about. Oprah's veterinarian, Dr. Sheldon Rubin, not only showed how easy it is to neuter a pet and told of the importance of spay/neuter as a health issue but Oprah pointed out that there are lost cost spay/neuter clinics so there's no excuse for not having your pet spayed and neutered instead of adding to the population.

Viewers were advised to get their dogs from a shelter or breed rescue and even the man from the rescue group said that the problem doesn't come from responsible breeders because they take their dogs back, even after several years so their dogs aren't landing in the shelter. Buying from a reputable breeder is quite different from buying from a backyard breeder or a puppy mill dog.

All in all, it was an excellent program and Oprah Winfrey did a great service today in helping to educating the public.

Those of us who specialize in writing about dogs and cats usually end up preaching to the choir, seldom being able to break through to the mainstream media. This time, the mainstream media picked up the ball and ran with it. And scored!

Brava, Oprah! I hope others follow your lead and I hope that you will revisit this topic in the future.

Cats Help Hearts

2008-03-26T16:34:00.009-04:00

For years we've known that having a pet helps to lower blood pressure. Drs. Alan Beck and Aaron Katcher did that research long ago when both were in Pennsylvania. Now, along comes new research showing that cats can reduce your risk of having a heart attack. Yes, you read that correctly. The study report was announced recently at The American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference. The study lasted for ten years and included more than four thousand Americans which is pretty impressive. It was carried out by researchers in Minneapolis at the University of Minnesota's Stroke Institute. The Institute's Executive Director, Dr. Adnan Qureshi is the senior author of the study. Those participating in the study were between the ages of 30 and 75.

I look at my cat and realize that I didn't need a formal study to tell me this. But I do realize the importance of scientific data to back up what pet owners have known in our hearts to be true.

I acquired Aimee as an adult. She was a gift to my mother but I would be responsible for feeding, scooping the litterbox, etc. I saw the difference that sweet, gentle soul made in my mother's life.

I also see what she has done for me. Cats purr for a number of reasons and one of them is to calm themselves or others. When I have a migraine, her gentle purring helps to ease my breathing into rhythm with her purring. It's not a cure but it certainly helps.

More than just having a cat in the room (I don't know if that helps by itself since that wasn't part of the study), having my hands on Aimee is very calming. I have no problem understanding how cats relieve stress just as dogs relieve stress. They're different species but both are incredible companions.

Yes, we needed a formal study so the medical profession would take us seriously when we said that our cats and dogs make us feel better. For those willing to take on the responsibility of a pet for life, they may just have acquired a lifesaver.

Re: The Media and The Story

2008-03-18T17:26:00.003-04:00

Several days ago a couple was found with a trailer filled with a huge number of small dogs in deplorable conditions. Some of the dogs were missing feet. There were, reportedly, some 800 dogs there. The media missed the story. Oh, they reported on the dogs that were rescued, the elderly couple who were sorry and said they were in need of help and the media let stand the statement from someone at the shelter where the dogs were taken who said that the couple meant well. What the media neglected to report or even comment upon beyond the statement of fact, is that the couple was selling puppies over the internet. Yes, selling them over the internet. These were backyard breeders carried to the worst possible extreme.

It's no secret that I believe that all people should not be painted with the same brush. A backyard breeder, a commercial breeder, a puppymill, none of those is the same as an ethical, responsible breeder. Those are merely puppy producers. The same goes for the kitten producers. They are in no way ethical breeders. Ethical, responsible breeders show their potential breeding stock to be sure their dogs or cats meet the Standard for their breed, getting objective opinions. They sell only healthy puppies or kittens and they socialize them properly. They do not sell them too young to leave mother and littermates. They are not set-up to become a behavior problem waiting to happen because of lack of socialization.

You should be able to go to the breeder's home and see health clearances for the parents and at least one parent on the premeses. You should see a clean home. The breeder should be screening you carefully to be sure that you are ready for the lifetime commitment to the dog or cat. While you are passing inspection, so should they. And they should be asking for references.

If someone doesn't care enough to properly breed and socialize, to keep their animals under clean conditions, to breed with health in mind and care offer to take back that puppy or kitten at any time during the animal's lifetime, that speaks volumes. And ethical hobby breeders do not take credit cards. Breeding to improve their breed is an expensive hobby, not a business.

Why didn't the media pick up on any of this? Perhaps some did. But during the airing of that same news story I'm afraid that most missed a great opportunity to make a point, to educate their viewers. To be sure there is very little air time available but someone could have made an effort with an editorial at the end of the broadcast. Whatever happened to editorials from local television stations? Is anyone doing them anymore?

It was an opportunity lost.

Ethical breeders lose money on each litter. They plan breedings well in advance, breed to the written Standard to improve their breed. Please remember that and don't paint everyone with that same tarnished brush.

Introduction

2008-03-17T15:22:00.000-04:00

I can't imagine how the world existed before the internet. Well, yes, I can. I remember it only too well. I'm not sure I'd want to return to those days. I've met so many wonderful people in cyberspace.
A little about me...
I'm an author/speaker/journalist and a certified animal behavior consultant. You can learn more about me at my website: www.darlenearden.com.
My books are available wherever books are sold and there are articles posted that you can read at my website as well as those that appear in a wide range of magazines.
I love dogs and cats and my main goal is to enhance the lives of pets. I'll be here at least once a week and I hope that you will find something in my thoughts, musings, etc. that strikes a chord.