Canine Codis, Combined DNA Index System
Two articles

Effort Uses Dogs’ DNA to Track Their Abusers
By MALCOLM GAY
ST. LOUIS
June 27, 2010
Scientists and animal rights advocates have enlisted DNA evidence to do for man’s best friend what the judicial system has long done for human crime victims. They have created the country’s first dog-fighting DNA database, which they say will help criminal investigators piece together an abused animal’s history by establishing ties among breeders, owners, pit operators and the animals themselves.

Called the Canine Codis, or Combined DNA Index System, the database is similar to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s digital archive containing the DNA profiles of criminal offenders. Scientists say that by swabbing the inner cheek of a dog, they will be able to determine whether the animal comes from one of several known dog-fighting bloodlines.

“People are not generally going to the pound and buying pit bulls to fight — these dogs are from established bloodlines,” said Tim Rickey, senior director of field investigations and response for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. “And if a suspected dog fighter’s animal matches one of those bloodlines, that would be a key piece of evidence.”

The database, a joint effort by the A.S.P.C.A., the Louisiana S.P.C.A., the Humane Society of Missouri and researchers at the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory at the University of California, Davis, was developed during an investigation last July that resulted in 26 arrests and the seizure of more than 400 dogs. The investigation, which stretched across seven states, from Iowa to Texas, resulted in the largest dog-fighting raid in United States history, the authorities said.

“We ran the DNA to see if we could connect the different crime scenes and 400 different dogs, which we were able to do,” said Dr. Melinda Merck, a forensic veterinarian for the A.S.P.C.A. “A lot of times defendants will claim not only that they are not dog fighting, but also that they’re just breeding and they don’t know each other.”

The DNA showed otherwise, indicating that many of the dogs were related. The July raids have yielded at least 17 guilty pleas, and while the DNA evidence did not conclusively prove a relationship among defendants, it certainly suggested one. Investigators caution, however, that DNA evidence alone will rarely make a case, though many juries have come to expect it.

“There is definitely a C.S.I. effect,” Dr. Merck said. “Juries want to know that if you have evidence you’ve run every possible test. The DNA is just one more tool in our kit that can bolster our cases.” She added, “I do think it’s something that is going to make the dog-fighting world very nervous.”

Illegal in all 50 states, dog fighting gained national attention in 2007 when Michael Vick, then the star quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons, pleaded guilty to federal dog-fighting conspiracy charges and went on to serve 21 months in prison.

Investigators say the multimillion-dollar industry is often associated with other illicit activities like drug trafficking and gambling. But the real money, they say, comes from breeding the animals, which can fetch up to $50,000 for a champion fighter. “There’s a lot of money that’s made on the fight purses and the side wagering, but the goal for these dog fighters is to breed a champion or a grand champion,” Mr. Rickey said. “It’s not uncommon to get $5,000 for a puppy. Over a dog’s lifespan, that can be in the tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands of dollars.”

Researchers say the database, which contains the genetic profiles of nearly 400 of the dogs recovered in the raid, will become more useful as it grows.

Beth Wictum, who directs the forensic unit at the University of California, Davis, where the database is stored, hopes to “identify other lineages that are in the West.”

Investigators add that the database may also prove useful in forensic investigations of blood samples found at a dog-fighting site, allowing them to establish the presence of a particular dog.

“One of the challenges in a lot of these fighting pits is that the losing dogs are often executed and dumped along the side of the road somewhere,” Mr. Rickey said. “This database may provide a useful tool for tracking down where the animal was bred, and maybe the owner.”

Nearly 250 of the animals recovered during the July 2009 raid have been rehabilitated and are now pets or service and therapy dogs.

“These animals were horribly mutilated — missing ears, missing eyes, missing parts of their legs,” said Jeane Jae, a spokeswoman for the Humane Society of Missouri, which housed the animals that contributed to the database. “But when given a choice, many will choose not to fight — that’s an animal that’s capable of rehabilitation.” One such animal, a brown and white pit bull that now goes by the name Reggie (pictured above), still bears a web of fight scars across his face. The dog cowers at the sound of cheering crowds, which his owner, Gale Frey, believes he associates with the roar of the fight pit.

Nevertheless, Ms. Frey says, Reggie has made great strides and is being trained to work as a therapy dog in St. Louis-area hospitals. “We’re moving forward,” said Ms. Frey, who runs Phoenix Pack, a nonprofit dog rescue service in St. Louis. “The pit’s in the past.”

Photo: Mark Katzman

Dog-Fighting DNA Database Breaks New Ground In Crackdown on Animal Cruelty
“Canine CODIS” Technology Unveiled by ASPCA, Humane Society of Missouri, Louisiana SPCA & University of California, Davis
NEW YORK
June 15, 2010
The nation's first criminal dog-fighting DNA database has been established by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), The Humane Society of Missouri (HSMO) and the Louisiana SPCA (LA/SPCA), and will be maintained at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) Veterinary Genetics Laboratory. Known as the Canine CODIS (Combined DNA Index System), the database is designed to help the criminal justice system investigate and prosecute dog fighting cases and address the growing problem of dog fighting using 21st century technology.

"Dog fighting is a multi-million dollar criminal enterprise that leads to the cruel treatment and deaths of thousands of dogs nationwide every year," said Tim Rickey (left with rescued Pit Bull), the ASPCA's Senior Director of Field Investigation and Response. "This database is an unprecedented and vital component in the fight against animal cruelty and will allow us to strengthen cases against animal abusers and seek justice for their victims."

Rickey, the former Animal Cruelty Task Force Director at HSMO, Kathryn Destreza, the ASPCA's Southeast Regional Director, Field Investigation and Response and formerly Director of Humane Law Enforcement for the Louisiana SPCA, and Dr. Melinda Merck, the ASPCA's Senior Director of Veterinary Forensic Sciences and the nation's premier forensic veterinarian, collaborated to create the database, working with Dr. Randall Lockwood, the ASPCA's Senior Vice President of Anti-Cruelty Initiatives and Training.

"This database will connect investigations across the country and internationally, creating multi-jurisdictional collaboration," said Ms. Destreza, who presented on the Canine CODIS at the recent Veterinary Forensics Conference in Orlando, Fla. "It's another tool we can use toward the elimination of dog fighting."

Dr. Merck, who testifies as a forensic veterinary expert for animal cruelty cases around the country, added, "Juries expect forensic science to support the evidence that's presented to them, and animal cruelty cases are no exception. This database breaks new ground in supplying that evidence for dog fighting investigations."

The Canine CODIS contains individual DNA profiles from dogs that have been seized during dog-fighting investigations and from unidentified samples collected at suspected dog-fighting venues. The HSMO provided the 400 original and initial samples of dog DNA collected from dogs that were seized last July during the nation's largest dog-fighting seizure ever, a multi-state raid led by Mr. Rickey that followed an 18-month investigation by federal and state agencies.

The database is similar to the FBI's human CODIS, a computerized archive that stores DNA profiles from criminal offenders and crime scenes and is used in criminal and missing person investigations. DNA analysis and matching through the database will help law enforcement agencies to identify relationships between dogs, enabling investigators to establish connections between breeders, trainers, and dog-fight operators. Blood collected from dog fighting sites will also be searched against the Canine CODIS database to identify the source.

"The Veterinary Genetics Laboratory has one of the largest sample databases in the world," said Beth Wictum, Director of the Forensics Unit of the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory in UC Davis' School of Veterinary Medicine. "This is important for estimating the rarity of a DNA profile. The Canine CODIS database is unique because it includes many more DNA markers than are normally tested, and that provides greater power when calculating match probability or assigning parentage."

"When these cases come to trial, it's important to make your strongest case," she adds. "DNA evidence not only establishes links between owners, breeders, and dog fighting sites, it tells a story. We can tie blood spatter on pit walls and clothing, or blood trails found outside of the pit, to a specific dog and tell his story for him. We become the voice for those victims."

How the Canine CODIS Database Works
DNA samples from animals have been used in forensics investigations for over 15 years to help solve criminal investigations. In some cases, the animal may be related to the suspect, the victim or the crime scene. In other cases, the animal itself is the victim or perpetrator.

In dog-fighting investigations, the dogs' inner cheeks are swabbed to collect DNA in their saliva at the time they are seized. These swab samples are then submitted to UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory for DNA testing. Law enforcement agencies also collect DNA at suspected dog-fighting venues in samples of blood, saliva, tissue, bones, teeth, feces and urine. These unidentified DNA samples can be submitted to the laboratory at UC Davis for analysis and archiving in the database.

When an agency submits a sample to the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, the DNA is analyzed and the Canine CODIS database is then searched for corresponding DNA profiles. In the event the database search locates a match for the submitted DNA, the lab will notify both the agency that submitted the new sample and the agency that submitted the existing sample. The Canine CODIS database is only available to law enforcement agencies; analysis is part of the cost of testing.

Dog Fighting Statistics
Although there are no official statistics, the ASPCA estimates that there are tens of thousands of people involved in dog fighting in the United States. Dog fighting is a federal crime, as well as a felony offense in all 50 U.S. states.

For more information, visit www.aspca.org/dogfighting. Click √ below.

Michael Vick's ex-pal shot at QB's birthday party
Ex-pal wounded at NFL dog fiend's party
By DAVID K. L I
With Post Wire Services
June 28, 2010
A former dogfighting pal of Michael Vick (right, in hat) was shot moments after crashing the NFL quarterback's birthday bash and angrily flinging cake in his face, witnesses told The Post yesterday.

Quanis Phillips (left) , a co-defendant in Vick's dogfighting case, flew into a rage when Vick and brother Marcus Vick told him early Friday to leave the 30th-birthday party at a Virginia Beach nightclub, witnesses said. Vick is barred from associating with Phillips under his parole agreement.

Phillips' brother was at the bash, too, and seemed to be an invited guest, mingling easily with other partygoers. But once Vick and his brother spotted Quanis Phillips, they told him to get lost, witnesses said.

Before leaving, Phillips slapped a piece of birthday cake off a female partygoer's plate, splattering the face of the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback with frosting.

"Michael didn't react. I was surprised," a witness at the bash said. "But Marcus was the one who reacted. He had this I-can't-believe-this-just-happened, we've-been-disrespected look on his face. He was very agitated."

Phillips left the party screaming and continued hurling obscenities from the parking lot of the Guadalajara nightclub, witnesses said.

"Phillips was still yelling, even outside, then five minutes later, a shot rang out in the parking lot," a witness outside the club said.

A Virginia Beach police spokesman said last night that the probe into the shooting was continuing and that no one had been arrested.

Phillips, who was sentenced to 21 months in prison for his role in Vick's infamous Bad News Kennels dogfighting operation, was treated at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital before being released.

When he applied for reinstatement in the NFL after his release from prison, the veteran signal caller was warned by league brass to steer clear of unsavory characters.*

"We have been looking into it to determine the facts," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said.

* Does the VICKtimizer know anything BUT?

If Aggressive Dog Threatens You, Know What to Do
All about Preventing, Treating Dog Bites
Dr. Debbye Turner Bell
NEW YORK
June 22 2010
Would you know what to do if you suddenly came upon an aggressive, threatening dog?

And what if you got bitten?

On "The Early Show", resident veterinarian Dr. Debbye Turner Bell (left) offered important pointers on preventing -- and treating -- dog bites. She also had words to the wise about keeping your dog from becoming aggressive.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs in the United States each year, and one-in-five bites requires medical attention - some 800,000 a year. Not only that, but children are most at risk, especially those between the ages of 5 and 9.


WHY DOGS BITE

There are several reasons a dog will bite, and many of them have nothing to do with being mean.

More often than not, a dog will bite out of fear, rather than aggression. Dogs that feel threatened, unsure, or challenged will respond by biting as a self-defense mechanism. Dogs that haven't been spayed or neutered may display aggressive behavior related to their sex drive. Dogs are territorial creatures and will protect their turf. So a dog might bite if its food, toys, or pups are bothered. A surprised dog will bite. If you approach a dog unexpectedly or he doesn't hear you coming, his instinct might be to bite out of fear.

Dogs that haven't been properly behavior-trained and socialized are more likely to bite.

BREEDS THAT WILL MOST LIKELY BITE

In short, ALL DOGS are capable of biting. There's no one breed or type of dog that's more likely to bite than others. Biting has more to do with circumstances, behavior, training (or lack thereof), and ignorance on the part of human beings.

According to HealthyPet.com: "A study performed by the American Veterinary Medical Association, the CDC, and the Humane Society of the United States, analyzed dog bite statistics from the last 20 years and found that the statistics don't show that any breeds are inherently more dangerous than others. The study showed that the most popular large breed dogs at any one time were consistently on the list of breeds that bit fatally. There were a high number of fatal bites from Doberman pinschers in the 1970s, for example, because Dobermans were very popular at that time and there were more Dobermans around, and because Dobermans' size makes their bites more dangerous.

The number of fatal bites from pit bulls rose in the 1980s for the same reason, and the number of bites from Rottweilers in the 1990s. The study also noted that there are no reliable statistics for nonfatal dog bites, so there is no way to know how often smaller breeds are biting."

THE CORRECT WAY TO APPROACH AN UNFAMILIAR DOG
1) First get the "OK" from the owner!

2) Hold out your hand, fingers closed, palm down, slowly toward the dog. Allow the dog to approach your hand and sniff it.

3) Wait for the dog's "OK." If he wants your affection, he will lower his head, perk ears, or even come closer to you. If the dogs puts his ears back, flat on his head, or growls, or cowers, don't pet him!

4) Pat the dog on the top of his head, or along his back. Avoid touching his belly, tail, ears, or feet.

THE WRONG WAY TO APPROACH A STRANGE DOG
1) Running toward an unfamiliar dog.

2) Getting eye-level, very close, and smiling. When you smile at the dog, he thinks you're "bearing your teeth" at him. That's an invitation to fight!

3) "Surprising" a dog (sneaking up on her or startling her while she's sleeping) Often, the dog's defense mechanism will kick in, and she will bite in self-defense.

4) Ignoring their warning! If a dogs barks ferociously or growls when you approach his territory, bed, etc. and you continue, that is an engraved invitation to get bitten. They are warning you that they don't like that and to stop. Listen!!

5) Inappropriate touching: Dog's generally don't like their ears, tail and feet tugged. Some don't like being inverted and rubbed on their belly. This is a position of submission and an aggressive dog will resist this "challenge" vigorously.

WHAT TO DO IF THREATENED BY AN AGGRESSIVE DOG
1) Remain calm and still. DON'T RUN! This is a race you will not win. If you are alone, back away slowly. Do not turn your back.

2) If you are on the ground, curl into a fetal position, cover your head with your arms, and keep your fingers curled in a fist.

3) Avoid eye contact. Remember, staring an aggressive dog in the eyes is a challenge.

4) Do not smile at the dog

5) Use a soft, soothing tone of voice. Loud, angry-sounding words and screaming only spur on the dog.

6) If he bites you, DO NOT PULL AWAY. This only spurs the dog on. Remain calm. Try to put something between you and the dog like your purse, jacket, bicycle, backpack, etc. Don't hit the dog. Again, just makes the situation worse.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU GET BITTEN
1) If the bite is serious, call 911.

2) Wash the bite wound thoroughly with soap and water. If the wound is deep, painful, discolored, or swollen, contact your medical professional.

3) If possible, confirm the dog's rabies vaccination status.

4) Report the bite to your local authorities and veterinarian.

WAYS TO PREVENT AGGRESSION IN YOUR PET
1) Spay or neuter your animal. This is not only good for the health of your dog, it can decrease the dog's drive to roam, and compete for the affections of the opposite sex. Often, intact dogs (those that have not been spayed or neutered) are more territorial, aggressive and protective.

2) Avoid playing "tug of war" with a dog. Many dogs interpret this as aggression. If they "win," they feel empowered. If they feel threatened, they may try to retaliate.

3) Avoid "roughhousing" with, or other sudden movements toward the dog's owner. Many dogs will see this as an attack on their owner, and will attack you to defend the owner.

4) Socialize and behavior-train your dog.

5) Do not try to take food or toy away from a dog. NEVER bother a dog while he is eating. The most common situation where a dog bite occurs is while a dog is eating!

6) Have enough toys for your multiple dog household, so that the dogs don't have to share. They also should not share food and water bowls.

7) Do not allow your dog to roam unsupervised or off-leash.

Click on image below √ for CBS Morning video

Above photo: istockphoto.com

Ban Suspended On Pit Bulls, Rottweilers...For Now
Rockville Centre Lifts Ban After Residents Complain
Rockville Center, NY
Jun 30, 2010
The controversial Rockville Centre ordinance banning two breeds of dogs has been suspended – at least for now.

Hundreds of people turned out at Rockville Centre Village Hall Tuesday night, urging local leaders to repeal the ban on Pit Bulls and Rottweilers.

The ban went into effect three weeks ago. Newsday reports the village board, facing intense opposition and questions about legality, voted unanimously in favor of the suspension. The Mayor says the ban was a result of neighborhood complaints.

"The reason we passed this law was to protect the safety of our residents, many of whom have felt threatened by animals of these breeds and asked us to do something about them," Rockville Center Mayor Mary Brossart said.

Rockville Centre's mayor says a public hearing on the pet ban ordinance will be held July 20th.

Couples Accused as Spies Were the Suburbs Personified
By MANNY FERNANDEZ and FERNANDA SANTOS
June 30, 2010
They raised children, went to work in the city each day, talked the small talk with neighbors about yard work and overpriced contractors. In short, they could have been any family in any suburb in America.

In Montclair, N.J., a woman who lived next to the Murphy family described them as “suburbia personified.” They asked their neighbors for advice about the best middle schools to send their two young daughters. Richard Murphy mowed the lawn; Cynthia Murphy would come home from her job as a financial-services executive, daffodils and French bread in her hands.

“We would talk about gardening and dogs and kids,” said one neighbor, Corine Jones, 53.

Miles away in Yonkers, there lived another ordinary couple, Vicky Peláez and her husband, Juan Jose Lázaro Sr. (above). They doted on their two pet schnauzers and their teenage son, Juan Jose Lázaro Jr., a classical pianist.

Two Schnoozies? They can't be ALL bad....

Three Breeds Gain Full AKC Recognition
AKC Welcomes the Cane Corso, Icelandic Sheepdog and Leonberger
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
The American Kennel Club welcomes the Cane Corso, Icelandic Sheepdog and Leonberger as the 165th, 166th, and 167th AKC recognized breeds. The Icelandic Sheepdog will join the Herding Group while both the Cane Corso and Leonberger will join the Working Group. The new breeds became eligible for AKC registration on June 1, 2010 and are eligible for competition in their respective groups at conformation shows held on and after June 30, 2010.

"These three diverse breeds all share rich and unique histories and a dedicated group of fanciers in the United States," said AKC Spokesperson, Lisa Peterson. "We are delighted to grant them full AKC recognition and watch as each breed continues to thrive and grow."

The Cane Corso is a muscular and large-boned breed and is distinguished by his noble, majestic and powerful presence. One of two native Italian "mastiff type" dogs that descended from the Roman canis Pugnaces, the Cane Corso was and continues to be a property watchdog and hunter of difficult game such as wild boar. Intelligent, the Cane Corso is easily trained, and affectionate to his owner while loving with children and family.

For more information visit the Cane Corso Association of America at: www.canecorso.org / Click √ below

Playful, friendly and inquisitive, the Icelandic Sheepdog is a hardy and agile dog. Slightly under medium size with prick ears and a curled tail, the breed has two coat types, long and short, and happens to be Iceland’s only native dog. The Icelandic Sheepdog adapted its working style to Iceland’s local terrain and farming techniques since its arrival to the country in AD 874 – 930. This adaption made the breed indispensable to the Icelandic people. Today, the Icelandic Sheepdog is increasing in popularity, and while still small in numbers, is no longer close to extinction.

For more information visit the Icelandic Sheepdog Association of America at: www.icelanddogs.com / Click √below

Despite its lion-like looks and large size, the Leonberger is actually quite light on its feet and graceful in motion. A calm, non–aggressive breed, the Leonberger was originally bred as a family, farm and draft dog. Today the breed excels as a multi–purpose working dog but the most important task is being a reliable family companion. In fact, Leonbergers are often called the "nanny" dog because of their affinity for children. Interestingly enough, they have been featured on stamps in European countries as well.

For more information visit The Leonberger Club of America at: www.leonbergerclubofamerica.com / Click √ below

Breeds that wish to begin the road to full AKC recognition must be recorded with an accepted registry. The AKC Foundation Stock Service is the AKC's recording service for purebred breeds that are not yet eligible for AKC registration. After a breed has been in FSS the recognition process begins with a written request to compete in the Miscellaneous Class from a National Breed Club. While there is no established timetable for adding new breeds, dogs typically compete in the Miscellaneous Class for one to three years. More information on the process can be found at the AKC’s Web site.

For more information about the Cane Corso, Icelandic Sheepdog and Leonberger, visit the American Kennel Club Web site at www.akc.org, or if you are in the New York City area, meet breed experts in person at Meet the Breeds on October 16th and 17th at the Jacob Javits Center. Visit www.meetthebreeds.com for more details.

Photo credits: Cane Corso/ Bruce Harkins for AKC,
Icelandic Sheepdogs/ Brynhildur Inga, Leonberger / For AKC

Girl, 3, Attacked By Coyote in Rye
RYE, N.Y.
June 30, 2010
A coyote has attacked a 3-year-old girl playing in her backyard in Rye, the second coyote attack on a child in the same suburb within four days.

Rye Mayor Doug French says the 3-year-old was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after the Tuesday night attack. The girl's house is behind the Rye Nature Center, which is located on a 47-acre wildlife preserve.

The latest attack occurred as Rye Police Commissioner William Connors was addressing a group of residents about the last coyote attack.

Cops can now kill coyotes in Rye.

On Friday, two coyotes attacked a 6-year-old girl in her front yard. She was treated for scratches and bites at a hospital and released.

The two attacks happened about 1.5 miles apart.

Dog trainer takes the lead in canine beach ban battle
Alnwick, Northumberland, UK
29 June 2010
A Dog trainer has hit out at plans to exclude the animals from beaches.

Northumberland County Council has launched a consultation to replace current dog laws in the county, with the possibility of banning dogs from designated areas and ensuring they are kept on leads.

Jacquie Hall, owner of Northumberland Canine Centre and chairman of North Northumberland Dog Training Club at Rennington, believes that the plans are 'totally unenforceable and badly thought-out'.

She said: "While I wholeheartedly agree that dog owners should be penalised for not picking up after their dogs, the unavoidable truth is that it just does not happen. Current legislation on dog fouling is perfectly adequate with on-the-spot fines or fines up to £1,000 via the courts. Sadly it is just not enforced and dog fouling is undoubtedly the main reason for the possible ban. It is the equivalent of keeping cars off the road to stop speeding."

The council's plans include keeping dogs on leads no longer than 1.5metres, and completely banning them from certain areas.

Jacquie said that dogs will foul whether they are on a lead or not. "Places to walk dogs off lead are already limited in the summer with stock in some fields and crops growing in others where footpaths cross. If dogs are also banned from sports fields, which the majority of people agree they should be, then the options are lessened even further," she said. "If dogs aren't allowed access to the beaches then they will have to foul elsewhere in communal areas or even pavements. Dog owners who persistently don't pick up dog mess now will still not pick up if they are forced to walk elsewhere. The only thing that will ever make them comply is enforcement."

Jacquie sees around 100 dogs and their owners a week at her training centre and educates owners on the importance of clearing up after their dog.

"In the 30 years I have been involved in dog activities throughout the UK, I have never yet met or heard of anyone who has been cautioned, let alone prosecuted, for not picking up after their dog, other than one report in a local newspaper back in 2002, described as an historical event. This must solely reflect on the lack of enforcement, given the amount of dog fouling that obviously still takes place."

Jacquie, who was born and brought up in Beadnell, also has a caravan site in the village and says many of the caravan owners and visitors come to the Northumberland coast because they can walk their dogs freely along the beaches.

She said: "I totally agree that too many owners do not pick up after their dogs but is this a good reason to ban them and risk losing valuable business in the area without trying enforcement first?"

Jacquie is hoping to be allowed to contribute to the consultation. "My motivation is less about business and more about being a dog owner. It seems to me that the council needs to work on what is practically possible to enforce and not embarrass itself by making laws that will turn into nothing more than a joke," she said.

"Who exactly is going to measure whether a lead is more than 1.5metres? It would seem a simple solution to employ part-time mobile community wardens to enforce existing fouling laws and perhaps a new law relating to sports fields. Fines would surely cover a large part of the cost."

A refuge reborn:
No-kill shelter 'In Dog We Trust' opens on site of closed wildlife sanctuary in Wellington
By MITRA MALEK
From: Palm Beach Post
WELLINGTON, FL
June 29, 2010
Jager arrived last week, a gray schnoodle whose owners realized they couldn't handle caring for him anymore. He's guaranteed to live at In Dog We Trust, a no-kill animal shelter that opened this month on the former property of the Folke Peterson Wildlife Center, a wildlife sanctuary that shut its doors last year.

Founder Nicole Brown (left) had always loved dogs, but the staggering number of dog euthanizations in South Florida county shelters - at least 15,000 last year - made her decide that saving as many as she could would become her mission. At one point she had 20 dogs in her 3,000-square-foot house in Boynton Beach, all from Miami-Dade Animal Services.

"I didn't know we have these kills shelters that are so overrun," said Brown, 33.

When a friend who had been on Folke's board of directors suggested she move her operation to Folke's 20 acres near Southern Boulevard and State Road 7, she did. The wildlife center closed in July 2009 because it ran out of money to sustain operations amid the economic downturn.

"This is better than my house, and I can do it more professionally," Brown said.

Thirty-six dogs were at In Dog We Trust's shelter last week, nearly all rescues from county shelters. One was a stray golden Labrador retriever puppy that volunteer Gabriel Diaz found along Okeechobee Boulevard that morning. She was wearing a leash that was nearly choking her, and had a microchip - but it wasn't registered to anyone.

The nonprofit organization makes sure all its dogs are vaccinated, spayed and neutered before offering them to new owners. It also tests each canine's temperament. Is it fussy with food? Does it like children, cats or other dogs? "All those things are so important to know, so you don't make a wrong pairing," Brown said.

Brown and her largely volunteer staff visit potential homes before they place the dogs.

In Dog We Trust encourages people to browse county shelter websites and then let the organization know if they see a dog they would like to adopt. "If someone can tell me they want a dog, we'll give it a shot," Brown said, adding that she hadn't yet talked with any of the county shelters about her idea.

Dianne Sauve, director of Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control, said that she was skeptical of that proposition.

"I would first be wondering why the people would not be directly coming to us" to adopt, Sauve said.

In Dog We Trust also works with people who foster the organization's dogs, caring for them until a permanent owner is found.

Brown hopes to eventually open a thrift shop on-site to raise money for her organization. She'd also like to host abuse recovery groups to interact with the canines. "I've seen dogs heal people," she said.

In Dog We Trust can hold about 50 dogs at a time. The shelter has 39 rescued dogs as of today :
• 31 come from Miami-Dade Animal Services
• 4 come from Have a Heart Inc., a rescue organization in Georgia
• 2 come from owners who surrendered them
• 2 are strays

For more information, click √ on logo below

Photos: Brandon Kruse/Palm Beach Post

"We want Rosco for a little brother!" ROSCO @ In Dog We Trust

Calif. woman says Chihuahua died saving her kids
RICHMOND, Calif.
June 29,2010
A Northern California woman says her Chihuahua died protecting her children from two pit bulls that got into her apartment.

Mayda Estrella, of Richmond, says the family's Chihuahua, named Manchas, jumped in between the canine invaders and her 4-year-old son Sunday. A pit bull grabbed Manchas with its jaws and carried the Chihuahua away. Contra Costa County animal services officials say the Chihuahua was killed, and the pit bulls are now in custody.

The pit bulls' owner says they had escaped their yard by chewing through a fence.

Estrella says her front door was open when the dogs came in. She says when she saw the dogs come in, she ran into a bedroom with her other child, a newborn baby.

County officials say the owner won't face criminal charges.

Pet Owners In Gulf Region Need Help
Animal Shelter Asking For Donations
From: clickondetroit.com
NEW ORLEANS
Monday, June 28, 2010
ARNO, an animal rescue, no-kill shelter said it is experiencing a huge amount of surrenders right now because of the oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.

So many people have lost their jobs because the disaster, they now cannot afford to keep their pets.
ARNO said it is trying to place as many dogs and cats into foster homes until things can return to normal and families are able to work again.

ARNO is asking for donations for its Pet Retention Program. The program allows individuals and families who are of low income or who are currently out of work to retain their pets, with ARNO paying for food and medical care.

To learn more about this program or to make a donation, go to www.animalrescueneworleans.org √ below

Photo: Chloe, surrendered by a family no longer able to afford the cost
nor the time to care for her, as they have five children to feed.
Chloe required a dental and surgery to remove bladder stones.

Keeping a Best Friend, Over a Co-op’s Objections
By ISOLDE RAFTERY
Christine Haughney contributed reporting
June 27, 2010
If there’s one rule any resident at 407 Central Park West knows, it’s that no dogs are allowed.

So when Donald W. Reilly, a former Marine, returned home from the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 with a beagle puppy, several of his neighbors were surprised. Several told their co-op board representative, who demanded that his landlord take action. Letters were exchanged, with Mr. Reilly explaining his situation, but nothing happened.

His situation was this: He was disabled, living in a rent-stabilized apartment, and the dog was his emotional support. He had been living in the building since 1968, long before the building converted to a co-op, and he remembered the days when dogs were commonplace in the building. Even with the co-op rule, he did not think the pup would pose a problem.But it did. And like many disputes among apartment dwellers, there were other issues: Some neighbors said Mr. Reilly was a problem, often sawing and doing loud work into the night. After several years of back-and-forth, Mr. Reilly received word that he would have to move out by Christmas Day 2008 or face eviction proceedings.

Rules were rules, the board said, but Mr. Reilly, 71, viewed the action as discrimination. Facing eviction, he and his lawyer filed a petition with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, asking that he be allowed to keep his beagle, P. T.

Last month, he won his case, along with $6,000 in lawyer’s fees from his landlord and the co-op board.

Mr. Reilly is among 25 to 50 residents every year who appeal to the agency, asking to keep a pet as an emotional support. Amendments to the federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 allow disabled people to keep service animals in their homes, no matter the building’s rules. Emotional support animals fall into that category.

Fifteen years ago, there were few petitions to keep emotional support animals. But that changed in the 2000s, said Jo-Ann Frey, the director of the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, a division of HUD.

“We all know about having a guide dog, so that’s not a secret,” Ms. Frey said. “But emotional support animals are becoming more prevalent.”

Caring for animals forces tenants out of their pajamas and out of the building, she said. Mr. Reilly, for example, walks P. T. twice a day to Central Park, where he socializes with other dog owners.

Securing this allowance isn’t easy, however. Doctors are interviewed, and lawyers are hired to negotiate. Landlords are often reluctant, worried that if one tenant is allowed a pet, other residents will want one as well.

“They’re not on board with an emotional support animal because they see it as a way to get around a no-pet policy,” Ms. Frey said.

Mr. Reilly’s disability dates back to his days in the Marines, when he was found to have narcolepsy, a sleep disorder that caused him to fall asleep suddenly during the day for up to a minute. He was honorably discharged. He also has diabetes and high blood pressure. He takes 10 different medications a day.

When Hurricane Katrina hit in the summer of 2005, he signed up to volunteer with an emergency response team out of Battery Park City. He knew how to run small boats. In the Gulf Coast, he discovered unimaginable devastation — and came upon four abandoned beagle puppies. Unable to resist their floppy ears and pleading eyes, he scooped them up. He gave three away to military families and kept the quietest, whom he named Pierre Gustave Tonton Beauregard, for the Confederate general. (The general’s real name was Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard; in French, “tonton” is an affectionate term for uncle.)

When Mr. Reilly was given notice that he had to leave his apartment, he did what he did every day — he talked to fellow dog owners in Central Park. Someone suggested he contact Maddy Tarnofsky (below, left), one of three lawyers in New York who specialize in pet eviction cases.

Ms. Tarnofsky, too, lives in a rent-stabilized apartment on Central Park West with her dog, a Newfoundland named Maizie. (That’s short for Miss Mazeppa, one of the three strippers in the Broadway musical “Gypsy.”)

“If someone comes to me and says, ‘I’m depressed,’ I say, ‘Go out on the sidewalk in New York City — 9 out of 10 people are depressed,” Ms. Tarnofsky said. “There needs to be some connection made between the presence of the animal in the apartment and the management of the person’s condition. The presence of the animal will help them to cope with their symptoms.”

Ms. Tarnofsky believed that Mr. Reilly, who pays $700 a month for his one-bedroom at the back of the building, would win his case. Since she started specializing on pet cases, none of her clients has lost a pet. She has helped people with H.I.V. and cancer, and on two occasions, for couples who could not conceive. She filed a complaint with the Fair Housing office after Mr. Reilly’s first court appearance on the eviction proceeding.

Janusz B. Sikora, the assistant secretary for the co-op board, said Mr. Reilly’s complaint took him by surprise.
“We didn’t want to push him out of the building whatsoever,” Mr. Sikora said. As usual, there was more to the story than met the eye, and there were issues with Mr. Reilly beyond the dog. “He thinks the law does not apply to him,” Mr. Sikora said. “He does renovations, and he does not ask the landlord. Tenants complain about sawing, hammering and alterations. You’re not supposed to make noises after 10 p.m.”

Mr. Reilly, for his part, would move if he could afford it. He would like a bigger apartment — at least one more room for an office — and friendlier neighbors. They’re just not the way they used to be, he said, before gentrification. Back then, they said more than a frigid hello in the elevator.

Cordial relations aside, Mr. Reilly isn’t planning on leaving. Nor is the dog. The settlement allows for Mr. Reilly to get another dog after P. T., so long as it isn’t one of a long list of large dogs.

“With him around, I pay attention to him and his needs — I don’t worry about getting embroiled in my situation,” Mr. Reilly said. “In that regard he keeps me sane, you know, instead of spending time sitting around all by myself worrying how I’m going to pay the rent.”

He looked at P. T., who looked away. “I know you’re not dead,” Mr. Reilly said. He laughed.

“I’m glad he’s so funny, because laughing is wonderful,” he said. “I laugh a lot because he’s around.” He paused. “It’s a drag to sink into the torpor of not being used. If no one in the world wants you, it does nasty things to yourself.”

RELATED
If you value your sanity, avoid co-ops: Dogfight on posh Fifth Ave.

MADDY TARNOFSKY
New York Tenant Attorney • Pet Evictions
360 Central Park West
Suite 5E
New York, New York 10025
Phone: 212 • 972 • 1355
Click on √ logo below for website

Photographs of Donald Reilly and P.T. by Todd Heisler/The New York Times

8 Legs and 2 Wet Noses of Security
By MICHAEL S. SCHMIDT
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.
June 27, 2010
New Meadowlands Stadium, the $1.6 billion home of the Giants and the Jets, has only two year-round residents. They are Rufus(below, foreground)and Anja (left), black Labrador retrievers who moved quietly in May into kennels just feet from the playing field and are believed to be the only bomb-sniffing dogs in the country who live in a stadium or an arena.

Stadium officials acquired them for $10,000 each after determining that they were more cost effective than buying an X-ray machine or renting dogs to inspect every delivery. Hiring a dog and a handler to work 40 hours a week year-round, the officials said, would have run $150,000 a year compared with the $75,000 it costs for the stadium to have two dogs of its own.

“I have never heard of anyone doing this,” said Vincent Henry, a security expert who has advised companies and police departments on antiterrorism tactics and serves as the director of the Homeland Security Management Institute at Long Island University. “They are creating an additional layer of security and sending the message that security is not just something practiced on game day.”

Since Rufus and Anja arrived, they have spent their days sniffing deliveries, from the turf that covers the field to the machines that boil the hot dogs. They have leapt up four feet onto trucks so they can properly inspect them.

The dogs relax in separate kennels or play ball with their handlers in the stadium when they are not working. Employees stop to pet the dogs as long as they are not in the middle of inspecting a delivery.

“In the dog world, we call them high drive,” said Steve Babiak, the security manager for the stadium. “They focus on a specific smell and get a reward. These dogs are focused on a ball. If they find the smell in training, they get a ball. All they want to do is work and get the ball.”

The dogs’ kennels (one indoor, the other outdoor) have a bed and a water bowl. No toys are allowed because the dogs will chew them to pieces, but occasionally they are given a rawhide. They are fed twice a day, although their portions are less than most dogs because stadium officials want to keep them lean. They almost never work together.

“You want to keep a fresh nose so you take one out and keep one fresh,” said Kevin O’Connell, a dog handler at the stadium. “Rufus gets jealous and groans when I take Anja out. She doesn’t do much when I take him out. She just hangs out and doesn’t do anything.”

The 2-year-old Rufus and Anja, 3, look like identical twins and were born to a breeder in Canada who named them Buddy and Kala. When the dogs were about a year old, they were sold to a kennel in Florida where they were renamed and put through 16 weeks of bomb-sniffing training.

“These dogs’ sense of smell is so strong,” said Bill Heiser, the president of Southern Hills Kennels, which sells more than 100 working dogs a year and trained Rufus and Anja. “If you walked into a house and someone was cooking beef stew, you would smell beef stew. If the dog goes into the house, they can individually distinguish the smell of the carrots, potatoes, the pepper, the seasonings and the meat.”

The dogs are different from police dogs, which are taught more than just bomb sniffing and often go home every day with their handlers. On game days, fans will rarely see Rufus and Anja. They will be inspecting deliveries while New Jersey state police dogs patrol the crowds.

Stadium officials scoffed at the notion of renaming the dogs a second time after the football teams that play here. But Heiser, who trained the dogs in Florida, said they were so driven and smart that it would not be a problem. “All they would have to do is call the dog by a different name when it’s time to eat or time to play with the ball,” he said. “Just say the name every time you are calling the dog for something of pleasure, and they will learn very quickly.”

Photos: Robert Stolarik for The New York Times

Wet and wild
Dive into summer with your pup — just don’t forget his doggles!
By JENNIFER SENATOR
June 27, 2010
You’re not the only one who could use a refreshing dip in a pool right about now. As summer’s heat intensifies, chances are your dog is feeling the burn as well. So why not splash around together?

That’s just what Mila, a 6-month-old Leonberger, does with her owners, Tamara Umansky (left) and David Schmidt, at Water4Dogs, a canine rehabilitation facility in TriBeCa. Opened in 2008, the facility (77 Worth St.; 212-285-4900, water4dogs.com) offers hydrotherapy and exercise for dogs — both in the 8,000-gallon indoor pool and on underwater treadmills — as well as recreational swimming for dogs and their owners.

Umansky, who was once a competitive diver, loves the water, but says, “In New York, it’s really hard to get Mila in the water. We tried the beach, but the water was too cold and she didn’t want to get in.”

Now, every Wednesday morning before work, the Williamsburg couple put on swimsuits and T-shirts (to protect their skin from paw scratches) before hopping into the 41⁄2-foot-deep pool with Mila. As she paddles around, they swim alongside her and throw toys for her to fetch. Sometimes she just crawls back and forth across the pool, from one end to the other. Often, another Leonberger, Cody, who belongs to Water4Dogs rehabilitation coordinator and manager Jean-Marie Cooper, joins in. The dogs chase each other in and out of the pool, and after 30 minutes, collapse exhausted on the sidelines.

“Half an hour doesn’t seem like a lot, but when they’re working the whole time, it really tires them out. They’re natural swimmers,” Cooper says of the breed, which, like Labrador retrievers, has webbed feet. “Labs or Leonbergers can just kick and they don’t have to put in as much effort as bulldogs or pugs, which have shorter legs.”

But just because Mila was born to swim doesn’t mean she jumped right in. “The first time we brought her, she scratched David all over. She was holding onto him and trying to get out,” says Umansky. But after about a month of weekly swims, Mila now seems to look forward to her weekly trip to the pool. “She gets excited when we get in the car,” Umansky says.

Mila’s swim sessions aren’t just for fun, either. Leonbergers, like many large-breed dogs, are prone to hip dysplasia, and swimming is better for her than running on the city’s sidewalks, says Cooper. “The joints receive a full range of motion from swimming, and the muscles work harder because of the resistance created by the water — all without the impact that muscles and joints receive when they hit the pavement,” Cooper explains. The water, set to a therapeutic 92 degrees, makes dogs loose and comfortable.

While Mila comes for a private swim, which is $50 for 30 minutes, the facility also offers open swims four times a week, for up to six dogs at a time. Right now, both large and small dogs swim together, but they may soon be separated. “When the big guys are full of exuberance, they’re not going to notice that they are belly flopping on the little cockapoo mix,” says Cooper.

“Doggles” are available for dogs with sensitive eyes, as are “swim snoods,” or doggie swim caps, which can be worn by dogs who are prone to ear infections or just don’t like getting their ears wet.

After the swim, the dogs are rinsed off and then blow-dried by staff before heading home. “It’s like having a day at the spa,” laughs Cooper.

Surely, Mila would agree. Says Schmidt, “She has a better life than us.”

Splash time for fido!

• Chelsea Waterside Dog Run (23rd Street and 11th Avenue) has a stream running through it, giving sweaty paws just the right amount of relief. Even better, the water doesn’t get stagnant and dirty since it’s constantly running.

• Tompkins Square Park Dog Run (Tompkins Square Park, between Avenues A and B) has three refillable doggie pools, deep enough for most dogs to wade in.

• Greenwich Village Dog Run (Leroy Street at Pier 40), located near the Hudson River, has two plastic doggie pools and a water hose.

• Sirius Dog Run at Kowsky Plaza (385 South End Ave. at Liberty Street, Battery Park City) has step-in doggie water fountains that refill every 20 minutes.

• DeWitt Clinton Dog Run (52nd Street and 11th Avenue) has a small doggie pool protected by shade, making it a cool respite for dogs all summer long.

• The Dog Beach at Prospect Park (Prospect Park West and Ninth Street) offers a fenced-in swimming “beach” that’s actually paved cement, so paws don’t get stuck in any murky underwater messes. It’s free, but that pesky off-leash rule applies during the hottest time of day, so you’ll have to come early or wait until after dark lest you face a $100 fine.

Photo: JONATHAN BASKIN

Girl, 6, Scratched, Bitten by Coyotes in NY Suburb
RYE, N.Y.
June 26, 2010
Police say a 6-year-old girl was scratched and bitten by a pair of coyotes who charged her as she played with friends in the front yard of her suburban New York City home.

The girl was treated and released from the hospital. She had bites on her shoulder, thigh and possibly on one ear. Her back had been scratched.

Police in the Westchester County city of Rye said Saturday that they were searching for the coyotes. Police Commissioner William Connors says they believe the animals may be rabid, given that coyotes rarely attack humans.

Connors didn't identify the girl or say where she lived. He says the girl's mother scared off the pair of coyotes. The attack happened about 9:15 p.m. Friday. Rye is about 30 miles northeast of Manhattan.

Would You Know if Your Dog Had Stomach Torsion?
June 25, 2010
“Todd, keep an eye on Beau—he’s going to throw up,” said Robyn Salvo of Jackson, NJ, as she sent the Salvos’ eight-year-old German Shepherd to join her husband in the backyard. It was a regular Saturday night three weeks ago; Beau had been fine all day, but was now retching and acting distressed.

Once in the yard, Beau squatted as if to defecate, but nothing happened. He continued to pace, pant and dry heave.

As Todd put his arm around the dog to comfort him, he felt that Beau’s stomach was hard as a rock. “At that point, I knew he was in trouble,” Todd recalls. “Twenty years ago, before I got my first German Shepherd, I read a book about the breed. I somehow remembered what I had read about bloat and stomach torsion—and Beau was showing several of the classic signs. I knew that if he didn’t get help right away, he could die.”

Food bloat is a condition—rarely life-threatening—in which the stomach swells because a dog has eaten too much, too fast. However, the word “bloat” is often used to refer to gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), or stomach torsion, a much more serious condition in which the stomach twists around in the body. GDV is fatal if not treated promptly. A dog who overeats and has a full, uncomfortable stomach is not the same as a dog who suffers from GDV, and a veterinarian is the only one who can distinguish between the two and make the proper diagnosis. While the causes of GDV are unknown, deep-chested breeds such as Shepherds, Boxers, Akitas and Great Danes are more prone to being stricken.

After calling ahead to see if there was a surgeon on site, Todd and Robyn put Beau in their car and raced to the nearest 24-hour emergency veterinary clinic. Beau was X-rayed, and within 10 minutes a vet told the Salvos that their dog did indeed have GDV—his stomach had flipped. Less than two hours after he began exhibiting symptoms, he was rushed into emergency surgery, where 20% of his stomach had to be removed due to tissue death. At that point, the Salvos were told that his chance of survival was 50-50.

Happily, Beau is a strong dog and pulled through with flying colors. He is back home with his family, and his stomach is now attached to his abdominal cavity wall so it cannot twist out of place again.

It was extremely lucky that the Salvos were home when Beau’s GDV struck—but when it came to taking correct action, Todd’s knowledge, rather than luck, made all the difference.

“The biggest lesson from this that I hope to pass on to others is to research breeds and their potential health problems before you bring home a dog,” says Todd. “Don’t choose a dog based solely on looks. You need to find out what kinds of medical issues you might be in for, especially as they age. After finding out, if you still want that breed—as I did with German Shepherds—you’ll be better prepared to help them if something goes wrong.”

What Is Bloat?

When bloat occurs, the dog’s stomach fills with air, fluid and/or food. The enlarged stomach puts pressure on other organs, can cause difficulty breathing, and eventually may decrease blood supply to a dog’s vital organs.

People often use the word "bloat" to refer to a life-threatening condition that requires immediate veterinary care known as gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV), gastric torsion and twisted stomach. This condition can cause rapid clinical signs and death in several hours. Even with immediate treatment, approximately 25% to 40% of dogs die from this medical emergency.

What Are the General Symptoms of Bloat/GDV in Dogs?
• Distended abdomen
• Unsuccessful attempts to belch or vomit
• Retching without producing anything
• Weakness
• Excessive salivation
• Shortness of breath
• Cold body temperature
• Pale gums
• Rapid heartbeat
• Collapse

What Causes Bloat in Dogs?
The exact cause is currently unknown. Certain risk factors include: rapid eating, eating one large meal daily, dry food-only diet, overeating, overdrinking, heavy exercise after eating, fearful temperament, stress, trauma and abnormal gastric motility or hormone secretion.

What Causes GDV in Dogs?
The exact cause is currently unknown.

What Should I Do If I Think My Dog Has Bloat?
Bring your dog to a veterinarian immediately. Timeliness of treatment is paramount, since a dog exhibiting signs of bloat may actually have GDV, which is fatal if not promptly treated.

How Is Bloat Treated?
Depending on your dog’s condition, a veterinarian may take an X-ray of the abdomen to assess the stomach’s position. The vet may try to decompress the stomach and relieve gas and fluid pressure by inserting a tube down the esophagus.

How Is GDV Treated?
If the stomach has rotated, emergency surgery is necessary to correct torsion. There are many complications that can occur both during and after surgery, including heart damage, infection and shock; intensive post-operative monitoring for several days is routine. Most vets will recommend that during this surgery, the dog's stomach be permanently attached to the side of the abdominal cavity in order to prevent future episodes.

Are Certain Breeds Prone to Bloat/GDV?
Most dogs love to overeat if given the opportunity, so any dog, from a Greyhound to a Chihuahua, can get bloat.
However, it is very rare for dogs that are not large, deep-chested breeds to be struck with GDV. This condition most often afflicts those dogs whose chests present a higher depth-to-width ratio. In other words, their chests are long (from backbone to sternum) rather than wide. Such breeds include Saint Bernards, Akitas, Irish Setters, Boxers, Basset Hounds, Great Danes, Weimaraners and German Shepherds.

How Can I Prevent Bloat/GDV?
• Feed your dog several small meals, rather than one or two larger ones, throughout the day to avoid eating too much or too fast.
• If appropriate (check with your vet), include canned food in your dog’s diet.
• Maintain your dog’s appropriate weight.
• Avoid feeding your dog from a raised bowl unless advised to do so by your vet.
• Encourage normal water consumption.
• Limit rigorous exercise before and after meals.
• Consider a prophylactic gastropexy surgery (which fixes the stomach in place, as described above) if you have a high-risk breed.

Dog Saves Dog From Busy Intersection
Friends escaped to freedom, and now need a loving home for them both.
From DIANE HERBST of tonic.com
with excerpts from PeoplePets.com
FRIDAY, JUNE 25, 2010
You usually read about extraordinary people helping people or animals. But this time, we wanted to share a sweet tale of an extraordinary dog named Brains, and her pal Brawn reported by PeoplePets.com.

A few weeks ago, two dogs escaped from an abusive situation in Florida. One of them, skinny and weak, had a 20-pound chain he was dragging. His friend, later named Brains, guided Brawn through traffic in downtown West Palm Beach, nudging him along and waiting for him to make sure he was safe.

"They seemed to be friends," David Walesky of Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control tells PEOPLEPets.com. "She was nudging him, telling him to get out of the road. They were crossing traffic. He was worn out and she was in front of him saying, 'Let's get across this together. I'm waiting for you, buddy—let's go.'"

On June 14, two construction workers spotted the skinny orange male pup, who weighed about 40 lbs, stumbling as he tried to maneuver his way through a busy street. When Brawn stumbled, Brains, a black pit bull mix (above), waited for him.

"She was giving him encouragement and getting him through traffic," says Walesky. "He was up and moving, but it is difficult to drag that heavy of a chain."

The two construction workers saw what was going on, scooped up the friends and brought them to the Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control.

Kay-Lynette Roca, founder of Safe Harbor Animal Sanctuary,  heard of their plight, and "asked for the dogs because they were going to put them down," says Roca. "It's so crappy for them to survive all of that and [then be euthanized]. They have gone through too much, they're obviously friends, and we are the only shelter in South Florida that takes pit bulls."

So off Brains and Brawn went to the Jupiter, Fla., sanctuary, which never euthanizes animals. "They're settling in very nicely," says Roca. "They're doing very well; they need to put some weight on."

The pair are now resting comfortably together at the sanctuary's state-of-the-art, charitable veterinary hospital, where Brawn is being treated for heartworms. Next stop: the sanctuary's newly-opened, 28-acre ranch in Palm City, where they'll "acclimate and chill out," Roca says.

The West Palm Beach neighborhood in which dogs were found is known as a breeding ground for fight dogs, Roca says. "A lot of these guys will put weights and chains around their neck to build up muscles."

Roca believes Brains and Brawn broke loose from the same abusive situation. "They seem to know one another," she says. "She is protective of him, and she seems to be the leader." Thankfully, the pair don't show any aggression to other dogs or to humans. "They're very sweet," she adds. "We see no problems with them."

These best friends will now remain so forever, as they'll only be adopted out to a family willing to take both. Roca promises: "I will absolutely make sure they stay together."

If you would like information on how to adopt Brains and Brawn, or make a donation for their medical care, call (561) 747-5311 or visit the sanctuary's website.

Photo courtesy of Safe Harbor Animal Sanctuary & Hospital.

Dog Law: Dogs in the workplace
Ask the Expert
By Geordie Duckler, JD, PhD
JUNE 2010
Q: At the business where I work, I have pleaded with my boss to allow me to bring my dog, arguing that it would make me a better employee. He’s generally sympathetic to the idea, but his hesitancy in actually approving my request triggers a question: Do workers have any legal right to have companion pets at work if it makes them more productive or mentally healthier?
A: Certainly, if you have an actual disability, federal law is on your side. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that an otherwise qualified employee with disabilities be given meaningful access to the same programs and services that other employees enjoy. In those circumstances where employees describe provision of an animal to be a “reasonable accommodation” for certain impairments, courts apply a balancing test, weighing the benefit of the assistance an animal might provide against the hardship a disruption might impose on others in the same workplace, including customers and co-workers.

Being a question of fact (that is, an issue that can be proven or disproven), a claim that having a dog ameliorates stress or allows one to better perform job duties must be supported by evidence that the dog has particular medically therapeutic qualities. In other words, just as in grade school, you will need a note from your doctor; further, the note must be specific—not just a vague endorsement of the dog’s effectiveness as an overall source of good feelings, but a solid diagnosis that the dog actually solves specific problems that need to be solved in order for you to do your work.

Like your boss, courts may pay lip service to the value of canine companionship but are ultimately quite reluctant to give legal significance to the observation that “dogs make people feel better,” since this point of view has no identifiable stopping point. The worry is that eventually every person who can make some sort of case for it (depression or low self-esteem, for example) would be entitled to bring the dog of their choice to work, without regard to job-related training or utility. Or worse, that there would be no logical reason to eventually deny accommodation for those who liked cats, fish, reptiles or birds better than dogs. For that reason, while one may find many more dogs in offices these days compared to even five years ago, it is doubtful that they will become a standard workplace phenomenon anytime soon. Another factor underlying courts’ anxiety is the odd (and quite modern) perception that overall, animals tend to subtract from human productivity much more than they contribute to it.

If you are not disabled, the only other two likely ways to legally compel your boss to accept your dog’s daily attendance would be either a) a claim of discrimination based on your membership in a legally protected category, or b) proof that your written employment contract provides for it in some manner. Both present obstacles, the former because dog ownership is not yet a recognized state or federal constitutional right, and the latter because you most likely do not work for Enlightened Dog Owners of America, Inc., Work and Woof United or any of the similar imaginary companies that one might envision during a lunchbreak daydream.

Until you do, your best bet is to check out the Pet Sitters International website, petsit.com, particularly their “Take Your Dog to Work Day” Action Pack (click √ on logo below). That way, you can lay the groundwork with your boss for at least one dog-accompanied work day next year.

TAKE YOUR DOG TO WORK DAY

Photo: Rodin at Work/R.Coane-SCOOP & HOWL

Freedom Flight Brings Homeless Dogs to Waiting Families
By Katie Leavitt
June 25, 2010
Californians are well known for favoring small dogs and toting their portable pups around anywhere a handbag can go. It's great those dogs all have a home, many even live the life of luxury.

There is another side to the coin, though. The California animal shelters are overflowing with these small breed dogs. Although they are in demand, there is still a surplus of supply. The answer? Ship them off to where supply and demand leans much more in the dogs' favor.

Jan Folk, founder of The Orange Dog, a website offering quality, sustainable pet items, realized the overpopulation problem in California, but the lack of available small dogs in her area of Edmonton, Canada. So, through proceeds from the profits of The Orange Dog, she funds the Freedom Flight Program to bring the unadopted California Cuties to Canada.

On Friday, June 25, the pups will buckle their seatbelts on a private Gulfstream III jet and prepare for lift off on Freedom Flight No. 4. Sixty dogs, half from the SEAACA in Downey and half from the Fresno SPCA, will leave sunny Cali for the Edmonton Humane Society. It might be quite a bit cooler there, but the love that awaits will surely warm them.

So far, Folk has helped more than 250 dogs, who probably would be euthanized otherwise, find homes. In previous transfers, many of the pups were adopted weeks before the freedom flight. Most others found homes quickly amongst the crowd of waiting adoptive parents. Friday's flight will also be greeted by loving families awaiting their precious cargo.

To find out more about The Orange Dog, click √ below

Dogged vet sues Mariah Carey to pay her bill
By DAREH GREGORIAN
June 23, 2010
A veterinarian to the stars is trying to take a bite out of Mariah Carey, charging the dishy diva has stiffed her for the "extraordinary services" she performed for her three pampered pooches.

In papers filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, Dr. Cindy Bressler says she did over $37,000 work taking care of Cha-Cha, Dolomite and JJ, but their hit machine owner has only paid a fraction of her bill.

Bressler, who does house calls in Manhattan and the Hamptons, says she tended to the trio "at the special instance and request" of the "Precious" star between October 31 and December 2 of last year.

Bressler "rendered veterinary services including extraordinary services to the defendant’s canines," the suit says.
In all, the suit says, she "performed work, labor and services on the defendant’s canines . . . at the agreed price and reasonable value of $37,790.32, which sum [Carey] agreed to pay." But she didn’t — she only forked over $8,231.50, and is refusing to paw over any more, even though she never contested the rest of the bill, the suit says.

The suit says Carey was "unjustly enriched," and seeks the remaining $29,559, plus legal fees.

A rep for Carey did not return an e-mail for comment, and Bressler, whose website boasts that her "clientele includes prominent New Yorkers and celebrity clients," did not return a call.

It’s not exactly a dog’s life for Carey’s Jack Russells. All three pooches went on vacation with her to a resort in Puerto Rico earlier this month to celebrate her 41st birthday, and are often the subject of Carey’s tweets.

She’s done several video comedy sketches with JJ, who’s voiced by Snoop Dogg in the bits. In one, she’s singing in the recording studio, and he quips, "I thought I heard someone choking a cat." She’s also tweeted about Dolomite taking swimming lessons — and stealing her panties.

The dogs were reportedly a gift from her hubby, Nick Cannon.

Dog Dies of Animal Cruelty, Owner Arrested
PHOENIX
Wednesday, 23 Jun 2010
A 19-year-old man has been arrested on two counts of animal cruelty and two counts of animal neglect after his dog dies of apparent heat exposure.

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office responded to Kenneth Tucker's (left) residence last week to check an animal's welfare.

When the deputy arrived, the deputy saw a large dog in the backyard inside a cage that was much too small. The dog was panting, crying, and unable to move. There was no shade or water near the dog, and temperatures outside were more than 100 degrees.

The deputy let the dog out of the cage, where it took two last breaths and then died.

The dog's body temperature read 111.9 degrees, which is the highest the thermometer could read. The normal body temperature for a dog is 101 to 103 degrees.

Tucker was booked into the 4th Ave Jail on Wednesday.

Fewer pets euthanized, more arriving
Euthanasia rates down by about 10 percent
Reagan Hackleman
AUSTIN (KXAN)
Wednesday, 23 Jun 2010
Gabriel is a five-year-old fluffy grey cat that’s been at the Town Lake Animal Center for a few months now.

“She is just so beautiful and soft and sweet,” said Christina Sebby.

Gabriel is lucky. She’s going home with Sebby, but not every cat is so lucky. In May, 255 cats left the shelter with a new owner, but almost 400 were euthanized.

“It’s really hard for us not to provide homes for all of them,” said Filip Gecic, Operations Manager at the Town Lake Animal Center.

In March, Austin City Council passed an immediate ban on euthanizing healthy, adoptable animals as long as there is enough cage space available. “We still have limited space at the shelter and we still have to euthanize animals. With the summer and the spring season being very busy, it’s kind of a common occurrence,” Gecic said.

While adoptions are up compared to the same time last year, 46 percent for cats and 29 percent for dogs, the shelter is seeing a huge influx in the number of cats being dropped off. “If you have an animal that you can’t take care of, it would be a good idea to try and find a home for it yourself,” said Sebby.

During the past two months, they’ve seen roughly 700 more cats than usual, Gecic said. He thinks confusion might have something to do with the increase.

“When people hear no-kill then they might think that we are 100 percent no-kill,” Gecic said. And Gecic says that’s simply not true. The shelter’s goal is to have 90% of the animals that enter the shelter get adopted or taken by one of their adoption partners.

This weekend the Town Lake Animal Center is holding Kittypalooza . The event fuses rock-and-roll with cat adoptions. Adoption fees will be cut to $35. Older cats will be free.

Opposition to 'doggie dining' proposal may give pause to Vero Beach officials
From: TCPalm.com
By Ed Bierschenk
VERO BEACH, FL
June 23, 2010
Al Benkert wants the community to be more pet friendly, but believes in letting sleeping dogs lie when it comes to a proposed ordinance allowing dogs in restaurants’ outside dining areas.

The head of the city’s Oceanside Business Association, who is a real estate agent and former City Council candidate, supported such an ordinance suggested by a restaurant owner — until he learned it might mean additional requirements and expenses for restaurants.

Additional requirements and expenses could include permit fees, employee training and signage.
Olske Forbes, owner of the Greenhouse Cafe, 2045 13th Ave., brought the idea of a “doggy dining” ordinance to the council earlier this month.

Forbes has allowed dogs in the outside courtyard of her restaurant, but an inspector with the state Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Hotels and Restaurants told her she could be cited for it if a local ordinance allowing it was not in place. Inspectors with the division visit restaurants at least twice a year.

“I’ve played all my life by the rules,” said Forbes, who seemed to have the support from many of the City Council members when she broached the idea of an ordinance at a meeting earlier this month. Forbes thought Councilman Ken Daige stated the situation well when he said the ordinance could give restaurants another tool for attracting business. But Benkert said he contacted a few restaurant owners on the beach and they felt that they “should leave well enough alone.”

Forbes doesn’t think an ordinance permitting dogs in the outside areas of restaurants that want to allow them would be expensive or much of an imposition on the businesses. “I don’t see anything here that’s hard to do,” she said of state requirements, which include sanitizing tables after each use, requiring employees to wash their hands immediately after touching an animal and cleaning up any dog waste. They are practices she would follow anyway, Forbes noted.

The state allows local governments to grant permits for outdoor pet dining to restaurants, who might otherwise find themselves in violation of health codes. City code enforcement officers would have to enforce the ordinance, Planning and Development Director Tim McGarry said. Restaurants that want to allow pets in an outside dining area would have to get a permit and have proper signage and sanitation procedures in place. Right now, McGarry said, the city takes a hands-off approach when it comes to enforcing the state law that prohibits animals in outside areas of restaurants where there’s no local ordinance in place.

McGarry likened the situation to the city’s approach to enforcing the most recent water restrictions imposed by St. Johns River Water Management District. The city, as well as some others in the district, did not pass an ordinance adopting those rules and St. Johns hired a private firm to enforce its own rules.

The idea of a “doggy dining” ordinance is not new. City Attorney Charles Vitunac said his office has begun drafting such an ordinance twice in the past but both times a decision was made against moving forward with it. The latest draft ordinance could be brought back again to the City Council at its July meeting and then would be reviewed by the city’s Planning and Zoning Board before a final vote is taken.

In June of 2008, Fort Pierce proposed a dog-dining ordinance that went above and beyond the state’s and put greater restrictions on restaurants. The City Commission, however, never took action on it.

DOGGIE DINING REQUIREMENTS
Visit http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/hr/hr-faq-dogs.html to see a list of the requirements that would have to be put into place in a local ordinance.

Photos: Robert Coane/SCOOP & HOWL

Weird BUT true
Wire Services
JUNE 22, 2010
No soup -- or cocaine -- for you!

Feds busted a man for allegedly trying to smuggle 4 pounds of coke through Washington's Dulles International Airport using powdered-soup packets.

He got into hot water after a dog sniffed him out.

Extraordinary Pet Rescue Stories:
Vote for Your Favorite!
By Robin Wallace
June 21, 2010
Rescue and adoption stories are the best kind of happily-ever-afters. And now, you have the chance to vote for the most remarkable tale of pet survival and rescue.

Purina Pro Plan’s adoption initiative “Rally to Rescue” has announced the top finalists in the Doing More for Pets Rescue Stories Contest. Judges in the nationwide competition selected the 10 most "paw-inspiring" stories out of more than 100 submissions.

“These 10 stories are truly inspiring and pull on the heart strings of the pet lover in all of us,” said Heather Gettys, senior brand manager for Purina Pro Plan. “We’re proud to help shine the light on these special pets and the amazing people who rescued them."

The winning rescue pet and owner, as well as the affiliated rescue organization, will be awarded with a trip to November's National Dog Show presented by Purina in Philadelphia. The winning pet rescue organization will also receive $5,000 in Purina Pro Plan brand pet food coupons.

Doing More for Pets honors rescue pets that have overcome great odds to survive and thrive under harrowing circumstances, due to the incredible hard work and dedication of small pet rescue organizations. With smaller pet organizations responsible for about 45 percent, or half a million, pet adoptions annually, Doing More aims to raise funds and awareness via local adoption events for these local shelters.

In conjunction, Purina's Rally Across America national road tour has set a goal of 400,000 pet adoptions by the end of this year, building on the current total of more than 320,000 adoptions since the program inception in 2005.

The program works to overcome adoption obstacles, often arising from misinformation about rescue pets.

Heeter explained that some families shy away from adopting rescue pets because of concerns about behavioral problems stemming from past abuse. "But that’s not the case with many rescue pets and the truth is, just like any other pet, they can be a loving, wonderful, lifelong companion.” Heeter said. “Often it just takes a little training and patience for rescue pets to feel more at ease with their new environment.”

The tour also encourages pet lovers to contact local organizations and offer to help rescue pets by volunteering a few hours or by giving pet care items or a monetary donation, both of which provide valuable help.

The Top 10 Pet Rescue & Adoption Stories

Through October 1, pet lovers across the country can visit www.rallytorescue.org to view the 10 finalist pet rescue stories and help make one canine the top dog with their vote. The contest winner will be determined by a combination of a popular vote and judges’ scores.

Pets honored as the 10 finalists in the Purina Pro Plan Doing More for Pets Rescue Stories Contest, include:


Asher, Tennessee Valley Golden Retriever Rescue (Knoxville, TN)
The transformation from sick and fragile to gorgeous and loving has made Asher the golden retriever’s life with his new family more meaningful then they could have ever imagined.



Bubbles, Raining Cats N Dogs (Redding, CA)
After intensive surgery and endless care and attention, a sick six-week-old puppy, weighing only six pounds and starving, soon found health, happiness and a wonderful home to call her own.



Buddy, Border Collies In Need, Inc. (Phelan, CA)
Found severely mauled when he was used as a bait dog for competitive dog fighting, Buddy is now thriving. In fact, the gratefulness of this once-mistreated Border Collie has inspired others to realize that no matter what life hands you, a good heart will always overcome the bad.


JoJo, From the Heart Rescue (Canutillo, TX)
Once abandoned with a broken leg, this courageous dog now uses her own journey through life to inspire humans recovering from orthopedic injuries as a service dog.




Kaylene, Husky Haven (Houston)
Within the first few months of her life, a petite Siberian husky puppy went from being abused and abandoned on the side of a road to finding a forever home with her new best friend through the help of a devoted pet rescue organization.



Kobe, Dalmatian Rescue North Texas (Dallas)
Hit by a car, stranded, starving and left to fend for themselves on the side of the road, a Dalmatian mother and her pup are now strong on their road to recovery, and hopeful about finding a forever home.



Leopold, Great Lakes Weimaraner Rescue (Gary, IN)
After being rescued from a cold, lonely shelter, an injured yet hopeful Weimaraner had to give a little in order to gain a lot. An injury forced veterinarians to amputate his leg but he now has a loving family and a future thanks to many strangers who helped along the way.



Ollie, Animal Guardians of America (Plano, TX)
When it seemed that no one could keep up with the high-energy needs of a dog named Ollie and foster homes with other dogs weren’t working, fate brought in someone who was just his speed.



Ten, Alabama Pug Rescue and Adoption, Inc. (Birmingham, AL)
Found starving and severely malnourished, a spirited pug’s life was threatened by an infection. But thanks to dedicated rescue workers, each day was a milestone and today he has exceeded all expectations and is a true perfect “Ten."



Wishbone, PupeLuv Rescue, Inc. (Waterford Township, MI)
When a kind soul was encountered by an abused, malnourished dog, his outreach to those who cared meant a new chance at a healthy life and a loving, forever home for this lucky dog.

Click √ on logo below

Firehouse pooches are NY's Besties:
The old dog's still got it!
By GINGER ADAMS OTIS
June 20, 2010
Ten-year-old Stewie, a zany Dalmatian from Brooklyn, fought off his young challengers and emerged as top dog after a week of intense voting in The Post's online competition to become a calendar canine.

Stewie ran away from the pack with 7,452 votes -- about 28 percent of the 26,851 online ballots cast by Post readers who selected three favorites from 12 FDNY dogs, many of them strays rescued by warm-hearted firefighters.

The playful pooch won the right to show off his spots in a char ity calendar com ing out this fall from the Silver Shield Founda tion, which pays college tuition for the children of slain public-safety officers.

Stewie was in a tight race to be in the top three all week and fell out of contention late Thursday night. But a last-minute voting campaign from a group of retired firefighters from his house -- Engine 309/Ladder 159 in Marine Park -- gave him the comeback of the century.

His proud firefighter brothers described him as a "puppy at heart" who leaps into the firetruck to go out on calls every chance he gets -- and rides with his head out the window.

Laid-back Lucy (right) claimed second place with 6,328 votes, 24 percent. This former street dog lives in the Bronx FDNY Dispatch Center and loves to play catch-me-if-you-can, the doggie version of tag. She'll come when called and then teasingly veer away at the last minute, hoping someone will chase her around the building. She has a favorite soda machine she likes to sleep beside.

Thanks to a grass-roots Twitter campaign, former shelter dog Bits (left) nearly upstaged early favorite Stewie. In the end she held onto third -- barely edging out Lightning from Engine 260 in Long Island City, Queens -- with 5,387 votes, or 20 percent. Bits likes to play football with the firefighters at Engine 233 in Bushwick, Brooklyn, and greets them by wiggling and shaking to show her happiness.

FIRE ENGINE FRIDA SAHOOTS THEM ALL!

In the halls of Congress, the pitter-patter of paws lightens the tension of governing
By Rachel Saslow
Saturday, June 19, 2010
They are the ultimate Capitol Hill insiders, privy to high-powered meetings between lawmakers and lobbyists, able to just saunter into congressional offices -- no appointment necessary. Want this kind of access? Tuff.

We're talking about dogs. A couple of dozen -- dozen -- roam the halls of power in the Capitol every day.

CHAVO Rep. Linda Sánchez D-Calif.	NIGEL Rep. Edward Whitfield R-Ky	TROUBLE Sen. Robert Bird D-W.Va.	TINKER Rep. F. James Sensenbrenner Jr. R-Wis	TIGER & POOLEY Sen. Christopher S. Bond R-Mo.	DAKOTA Sen. Kent Conrad D-N.D.

While Bruin makes the weekly trip from D.C. to California with Lewis, Cali lives in D.C. with his owner. A couple of years ago -- pre-Cali -- Calvert decided that his schedule was too hectic for him to own a dog. His communications director, Rebecca Rudman, offered to take care of the dog if she could bring the dog to work every day. Rudman and Calvert picked out Cali on a Sunday, and she came to work Monday morning. Visitors can see faint outlines of Cali's messes on the carpet before she was housebroken -- or, House broken, in this case.

Cali has made herself at home on the Hill, swimming in the fountain outside the Rayburn House Office Building, snagging a treat from the Capitol Police every morning on her way in and playing with her best friend, the Chihuahua in the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform office.

Congress has a long history of lawmakers bringing their dogs to work, says Senate historian Donald Ritchie. In the 19th century, John Randolph of Virginia often strode into the Senate chamber with his hunting hounds at his heels. The late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) was known for walking his Portuguese water dogs, Sunny and Splash, in the grassy area next to the Russell Senate Office Building. "Usually aides walk the dogs, but Kennedy always did it himself," Ritchie said.

Sen. Robert Byrd (D-W.Va.) is one of Congress's most famous dog lovers. He often praised his Maltese Billy during floor speeches. Soon after Billy's passing in 2002 at age 15, the senator's granddaughters surprised him and his wife with a new puppy. "It was a little ball of white fur in the guise of a Shih Tzu," Byrd, 92, said via e-mail. "My wife took one look and said, 'Here comes Trouble!' " Though many people call the dog Trouble, the senator calls her Baby, "because she has a baby face," he said. He used to bring Baby to work every day but she started putting on weight from all the treats, so now she only goes to the Hill occasionally.

Ritchie doesn't know of any rules on the books concerning dogs: "Senators can pretty much do what they want."

In addition to Julep, Whitfield also owns a Scottish terrier named Bosley and the rambunctious Jack Russell terrier (is there any other kind?) Nigel. Nigel has to come to work with the congressman every day, "because our dog walker can't really deal with him," Whitfield said.

Whitfield's wife, Connie Harriman-Whitfield, is the Humane Society's senior adviser for presidential initiatives, and she helped organize a dog contest last year called the Congressional Canine Honors. Two of the six awards in the photo contest went to Whitfield's staffers' dogs -- including "rising political star" and "elder statesdog" -- causing whispers that Whitfield's Humane Society connections gave him an unfair advantage. ("Not true," he said.)

But it was Bosley who caused the most trouble back in 2002 when he escaped from the Cannon House Office Building and took off running down Independence Avenue SE. Members of Whitfield's staff and a policeman chased him all the way to the Capitol.

The benefits of having Julep, Nigel and Bosley underfoot outweigh their rare disruptions, Whitfield said: "I think the atmosphere is better, because it's hard to be very formal when you have a dog jumping around the office."

You might say dogs are the antidote to life on the Hill: simple when governing is complicated, silly when legislation is serious.

Laurie Anderson's playing partner: Lola Belle
June 19, 2010
Laurie Anderson above was upstaged by her blind rat terrier, Lola Belle, at the release party for her first album in nine years, "Homeland." The talented pooch accompanied Anderson on keyboard in the penthouse at the Cooper Square Hotel for the likes of her co-owner, Lou Reed, performance artist Marina Abramovic, Antony Hegarty of Antony and the Johnsons, author A.M Homes, poet Anne Carson and photographers Timothy Greenfield-Sanders and Ralph Gibson.

Weird BUT true
Wire Services
JUNE 19, 2010
If you called this guy crazy like a fox, the foxes probably wouldn't appreciate the comparison.

An Egyptian was busted at the Cairo airport trying to smuggle eight live foxes and 50 chameleons -- all in one large suitcase.

The man hoped to sell the animals in Thailand and buy a computer.

Dogs have day at church
Faiths take different positions on moral treatment of animals
From: THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
BY MEREDITH HEAGNEY
Friday, June 18, 2010
Sammy's "mother" held her as the pastor placed his hand on her little head. "May the Lord bless you and keep you," the Rev. Jim Donnan said. And with that, Sammy the cat was blessed Sunday outside Livingston United Methodist Church in German Village, along with about a dozen dogs. The pets of members and neighbors received a blessing, while animals that are hunted or suffering were the subject of prayers. "We therefore ask for God's blessing on all these animals," Donnan said, "and thank God for setting us as stewards over all the animals of the Earth."

Many faiths teach that God created all life, and that humans have the responsibility to treat animals well and use them responsibly for work or food.

Activist groups such as the Humane Society of the United States reach out to churches for help with advocacy, painting the treatment of animals as a faith issue.

Voices of faith have blamed oil companies' greed and American dependence on the fuel for the devastation wrought on birds and fish in the Gulf of Mexico after the oil spill. But different creeds look at animal welfare in different ways. In Hinduism, some deities that are worshipped take animal forms such as a monkey or an elephant's head.
Other religions teach that animals are below humans in God's eyes.

Faiths differ on which animals should be eaten, whether they can be hunted, and which kinds should be kept as pets.
And then, of course, there is the question children tend to ask when their beloved canine, feline or hamster dies: Do animals go to heaven?

That can be a tough one for the Rev. Patrick Toner of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Plain City.
"The church teaches (that) animals don't have souls," he said. But "when I die and I see the face of God, I will see the infinite variety of love, and part of that is likely to include the countenance of my little Yorkie, Bridie, who shows me love all of the time. "Somehow, in the great scheme of things, nothing that is ever good and loving is ever lost in God."

The Bible speaks often of animals. In Genesis, God filled the land and seas with animals, and made man to "rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock ... and over all the creatures that move along the ground." The Old Testament prohibits muzzling an ox while it is treading grain and making animals work on the Sabbath. The Gospel of Luke says not even a sparrow is forgotten by God.

Both Christian vegetarians and Christian hunters have organizations.

Ed Phillips of the South Side is president of the central Ohio chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Hunters, which has about 15 members.

"All God's creatures are good, right next to the mashed potatoes," he said.
Click √ here > See "Eye on Palin"

But Phillips doesn't believe in killing anything unless it's going to be used for food. No exceptions. "If you shoot a squirrel, you take it home and make squirrel gravy," he said. He taught that lesson to his grandchildren as he taught them to hunt.

In the Jain faith, an Indian religious tradition, adherents are called to be vegetarians and to do their best to avoid harming a living thing. They have a ritual to ask forgiveness for inadvertent violence, such as squishing bugs while walking.

Donnan, the pastor overseeing the blessing at Livingston United Methodist, said God created human beings to be carnivores, so it's not a conflict to both respect animals and to kill them for food.

Judaism discourages hunting, said Rabbi Howard Zack of Congregation Torat Emet in Bexley. Kosher laws require that an animal be killed in a very precise way, by someone who is trained to quickly slit its throat to minimize pain to the animal. Blood cannot be consumed because blood is considered the soul of the creature, he said.

A similar ritual is followed in Islam, where meat must be prepared a certain way to be halal, or acceptable, said Amir Hussain, a professor of theological studies at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. The prophet Muhammad was a cat person, Hussain said. A hadith - one of the sayings of the prophet - tells of Muhammad's cat falling asleep on his cloak. He removes the cloak rather than wake the cat.

Most Muslims do not keep dogs as pets because their saliva is considered ritually impure, Hussain said. But, he added, "that doesn't mean you go out there and start killing dogs. You have to treat them kindly, because again, they're creations of God."

* *


"A Dog is very religious and its religion is free from superstition. The god it believes in is its master, and that god actually exists, and is actually concerned about its welfare, and actually rewards it and punishes it, on a plan comprehensible to Dogs and meeting with their approval, for its virtues and vices. Dogs need not waste any time over insoluble theological problems. Their god is plainly visible and wholly understandable -- they have no need of clergy to guess for them, mislead them and get them into trouble."

~ H.L. MENCKEN

Photo top left: WILL FIGG | DISPATCH PHOTO

Weird BUT true
Wire Services
By DAVID K. LI
June 17, 2010
A professional dog-poop scooper found $58 in doggie doo, and returned it -- the cash, not the poo -- to the owners.

Steve Wilson of DoodyCalls, a St. Louis residential pet-waste removal service, noticed the cash sticking out from the pile of poop.

He pulled out the bills, sanitized them and doodifully returned them.

Tail Problems
From:: DoggedHealth.com
June 16, 2010
Your dog’s tail is basically a continuation of the spine. The tail is composed of little bones which are actually vertebrae along with muscles and nerves which allow the tail to move and control sensation in this area. The nerves at the base of the tail are particularly important as they help your dog to control bowel movements.

Unfortunately, tail injuries in dogs are not that uncommon. That normally wagging tail can be stepped on, hurt when it bangs it something, caught in a car door, or even bitten. And tail injuries are pretty painful for your four-legged friend. Even if you didn’t see the cause of the injury or don’t see any swelling or wounds, you can usually tell something is wrong with your dog’s tail if the tail droops or lies flat against her hindquarters. Due to the painful nature of many tail injuries, your dog may even start to walk very gently.

Bruised Tails
A bruised tail most often occurs when your dog’s tail has banged hard against something such as a coffee table or even a wall. In addition to having a drooping or sagging tail, you may notice swelling or discoloration at the site of the bruise. Bruised tails will generally heal on their own but you should make sure that your dog is kept relatively inactive during the healing process so as not to re-injure the tail. In addition, for more severe bruises, many vets will administer non-steroidal anti-inflammatories or corticosteroids to help reduce pain and swelling.

Broken Tails
Broken tails are most commonly caused by accidently closing a door on your dog’s tail or from damage sustained when your dogs takes a fall. Although many tail breaks can heal on their own without long-term consequences, a broken tail will be very painful for your dog and will generally heal in a bit of a crooked fashion if not treated. Thus, the best thing to do is take your dog to the vet where the tail may be set and splinted and your dog will be given some medication to reduce the pain. Surgery is generally not necessary except in the cases in which your vet determines the tail has been severely damaged and/or neurological damage has been to the tail. In these cases, a portion of the tail may have to be amputated. Amputation is done under general anesthesia. The damaged area or areas are removed and the remaining portion of the tail is sewn up and bandaged.

Wounded Tails
Wounds on the tail must commonly result from a bite but also may caused by banging the tail against a wall or other hard object that actually “opens up” a wound in the tail. It is important to take your dog to the vet to evaluate the wound and to have your dog put on antibiotics to prevent infections that frequently occur with wounds. At the vet, the wound will be cleaned and dressed. If the wound is quite minor, it might be sutured up and bandaged. More severe wounds are left open to drain but still covered with a bandage. As with broken tails, in the case of a very severe wound or neurological damage, partial tail amputation may be necessary.

More Tail Problems
Aside from the tail problems listed above which deal with injuries to your dog’s tail, there are a number of other medical problems that can also impact your dog’s tail including tumors such as lipomas, mast cell tumors and melanomas; skin problems that have taken root in the tail such as allergies; and neurological conditions and spinal problems such as cauda equina syndrome which is caused by a compression of nerve roots in your dog’s lower back and can causes pain and/or movement problems in yoru dog’s hind legs and tail.

Due to the physical attributes of their tails some breeds are also susceptible to specific tail problems. Bulldogs, for example, can be prone to a condition in which their twisted nature of their tails creates a deep crevice– called a tail fold – that holds moisture, bacteria and yeast leading to chronic infections. These infections are hard to resolve with medication alone and can be painful, so, in particularly severe cases, surgery can be the recommended option. The surgery is generally aimed at seeing if the tail can be reconstructed and if the skin fold can be removed.

Finally, there is also a condition called limber tail syndrome that can impact any dog’s tail but is most commonly found in hunting and sporting breeds such as Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers. With limber tail syndrome, also cold water tail or frozen tail, your dog’s tail suddenly hangs limply for no apparent reason and the base of your dog’s tail might seem a bit sore if you touch it. Although it is not definitively known why some dogs get develop this syndrome, it is thought to be associated with strenuous exercise, swimming in water that is either to warm or too cold, and, more recently, studies have showed it may associated with muscle damage to the tail. The best cure for this condition is simply to let your dog rest. Applying warm compresses to the base of your dog’s tail has also been helpful, and, in some instances, anti-inflammatory medications have been used. Complete recovery, without any intervention, usually takes about 2 weeks although a dog who has gotten this syndrome tends to have more bouts in the future.

"It’s not much of a tail but I’m sort-of attached to it.” ~ EEYORE

Photo: Baby Frida's Tail
by R. Coane/SCOOP & HOWL

The Red Lion Hotels Joins the Paws to Click Movement
16 June 2010
Are you hitting the road this summer with your pet? Before you do, be sure to join the A.S.P.C.A., Bergan and Red Lion Hotels in the Paws to Click movement! In recognition that an estimated 30,000 car accidents are caused annually by unrestrained pets, this movement increases awareness of the importance of keeping your pet crated or buckled up in the car to help keep the whole family safe.

Red Lion is a chain of more than 40 pet-friendly hotels throughout the western United States. Pets can stay for free, and even earn points in the Red Lion R&R Club loyalty program! The A.S.P.C.A. is proud to have partners like Red Lion Hotels, which not only caters to traveling pets, but supports our cause in many ways. Red Lion helped turn Spokane, WA, orange in April by lighting up their Hotel at the Park in our signature color—and they also donated $2,500 to local shelters. This month, in support of Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat month, Red Lion will donate much-needed supplies such as used linens, towels and blankets to local shelters in their hotels’ communities.

Red Lion also continues to raise funds for the A.S.P.C.A. by donating $2 from the sale of each “Red, the Lion,” their adorable plush mascot.

Be sure to join the Paws to Click √ movement!

The Kelly Miller Circus Comes to The DOGHOUSE Town
Starring the smallest eliffant in the world*
by RODIN S. COANE
Editor-in-Chief
14 June 2010
Three Doggie acts, one show!

* Psssst, really a Doggie in disguise

Photos by Daddy Bob/SCOOP & HOWL

Animals Forfeited: ‘Puppy mill’ dogs doing well
By Tim Hudson
From: Examiner-Enterprise, Bartllesville OK
Monday, June 14, 2010
Animals seized in an alleged Nowata County “puppy mill” on May 17 are in good spirits, according to Bartlesville Police Department Animal Control Officer Rita Harvey.

Harvey said there are currently 40 dogs being held at the Washington County SPCA and 19 housed at the Nowata Animal Center. “We don’t know how many for sure right now because some females were pregnant and they have been having puppies,” Harvey told the Examiner-Enterprise today.

Carolyn Nichole Vaughn, 34, and Wesley Dion Griner, 39, had initial appearance on Friday in Nowata County court on charges of cruelty to animals in a case stemming from the discovery of the animals at a rural Nowata residence. “Right now, the judge ordered the animals forfeited, and they (Vaughn and Griner) have 10 days to appeal. The 10 days will be up on the 25th (of June),” Harvey said. “I don’t look for them to appeal,” she said. “After that, the dogs become the property of facilities that are housing them.”

The term “puppy mill” generally refers to commercial canine and/or feline breeding operations that produce the animals in large quantities. A common complaint against puppy mills is that the animals are generally bred and kept in substandard, overcrowded and unsanitary conditions with little regard for the pets’ health, safety or welfare, according to the www.oklahomapuppymilltruth.org website.

“Right now, the dogs are in good shape,” Harvey said. “They are clean and seem to be very happy and healthy. “They will eventually be up for adoption. We have a whole list of people waiting to adopt them.”

She added that she is surprised that after all the dogs have been through, they are have such a good temperament.

On June 3, Associate District Judge Carl Gibson ordered Vaughn and Griner to pay $900 to the Nowata Animal Shelter, $2,880 to Dr. Sarah Gordon and $7,176 to the Washington County SPCA in connection with care for the dogs seized.
Vaughn and Griner are both free on $2,500 bond each.

USDA Approves First Canine Flu Vaccine
By Robin Wallace
June 14, 2010
After nearly one million doses sold to veterinary clinics and shelters throughout the U.S. in the past year, the USDA now has granted full license to the first vaccine against canine influenza virus.

Known as Nobivac Canine Flu H3N8, the vaccine was given a conditional license on May 27, 2009, and has since been shown to reduce the signs, severity and spread of CIV infection, while also lowering the rate and severity of lung lesions. The USDA approval now confirms the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine, where field experience data shows it is well-tolerated and has adverse effects comparable to those seen for other canine vaccines.

According to Steve Shell, Companion Animal Business Unit Head of Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health, makers of the vaccine, more than 9,000 small animal practices nationwide have the vaccine in clinic. "Though not considered a core vaccine, Nobivac Canine Flu is commonly recommended by veterinarians for at-risk social dogs, such as those regularly receiving Bordetella vaccination, because they are frequently in contact with other dogs," Shell said.

CIV is a highly contagious respiratory disease in dogs caused by an influenza A virus, H3N8.

“In general, any dog that is in a closed room with other dogs for at least six hours or more can be considered at risk, particularly those that are boarded frequently, go to dog shows, dog day care and training classes, or are in shelters,” said Dr. Ronald D. Schultz, professor and chair of Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison. “Other dogs that may be at risk include those in rescue groups and those that travel with families, particularly to endemic areas, are housed in breeder facilities or belong to animal healthcare personnel,” continued Crawford.

Cases of canine influenza have been identified in 33 states and the District of Columbia. During 2009-2010, outbreaks occurred in shelters, kennels, dog day-care centers, veterinary clinics and other facilities in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Colorado, Connecticut and Virginia.

The cost of treating CIV and the potential for serious secondary infection, led the American Veterinary Medical Association to call for the development of a vaccine in 2006.

Now, Nobivac Canine Flu H3N8, made from inactivated virus, is intended as an aid in the control of disease associated with canine influenza virus infection and is administered by subcutaneous injection in two doses, two to four weeks apart. It may be given to dogs six weeks of age or older and can be given annually as a component of existing respiratory disease vaccine protocols to ensure more comprehensive protection.

With Flood Toll at 19, Question Is, How Many More?
By JOHN ELIGON and KEVIN SACK
LANGLEY, Ark.
June 14, 2010
Search crews canvassing dozens of miles of muddy, rugged vegetation in scorching heat and humidity on Sunday recovered a 19th victim of last week’s deadly flash floods that flushed out the Albert Pike campground, and officials said they were not certain how many people might still be missing.

Georgia Baker, a member of the Four States Search and Rescue team, followed her cadaver search dog on the banks of the Little Missouri River in Langley, Ark., on Sunday.

Photo:Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

Touched by a dog named Angel
By William R. Levesque,
From: St. Petersburg Times
GULFPORT, Fla.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
To Kathryn Champion, dogs were just pets. They didn’t change lives. They couldn’t talk to you or cry with you or laugh at the absurdity of life with you. They certainly couldn’t make you forget war.

That’s what Champion, 45, of Gulfport believed after 27 years in the Army, including one horrific tour in Iraq. While she was serving as a lieutenant colonel in a civil affairs unit, five soldiers under her command died during that deployment.

After she got home in 2006, life was tough on her. Champion suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder. She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Then the worst news: A virus she contracted in Iraq was killing her optic nerves. Champion was going blind.

Which brought her to Southeastern Guide Dogs in Palmetto early last year. Champion was severely depressed. She had withdrawn deeply into herself. Her Army career was finished. She thought a dog would be a nuisance in her disordered life. “I didn’t put much creed into a dog being man’s best friend,” she said.

In May 2009, Champion was introduced to a golden Labrador retriever mix who loved chasing squirrels and hated anyone touching her tail.

Her name was Angel.

At first, nothing worked right between Champion and Angel. Southeastern provides its dogs and new owners with 26 days of training together. It is essential for the visually impaired students to understand the rhythms of their dog’s life. Dozens of commands have to be learned. Most importantly, Champion had to learn to trust her dog. But Champion was flustered. She couldn’t get Angel to do what she wanted. They weren’t working as a team. Champion considered quitting. “I felt like a failure,” she said.

The moment it all clicked was unexpected. Southeastern took Champion to a Tampa hotel. Champion was told to allow Angel to guide her down some stairs. Champion jokingly told her dog to find her a Starbucks. They made it down those steps together without a stumble, Champion thinking a trainer was following in case she fell. At the bottom, the trainer told her, “You did that by yourself.”

The idea of flying made her sick with fear.

Champion’s son, Bruce, wanted her to fly to Washington state, where he was stationed with the Army, so the pair could have a last visit before his deployment to Afghanistan. It was false bravado when Champion got off the phone and looked to Angel and said, “Okay, buddy. We’re going to get on that airplane and we’re going to go see your brother.”

The flight would be Champion’s first big trip with Angel, just two weeks after their training ended.
The plane would be claustrophobic. People would stare at her. She might panic. “People don’t understand what it’s like to be scared all the time,” she said.

A friend from Southeastern was allowed to walk on the plane in Tampa with Angel and Champion. But the terrifying moment came when the plane took off and Champion was alone with her dog. If her heart raced too quickly, she reached down to touch Angel. By increments, Champion relaxed. She missed her connection in Chicago. A flight attendant found Champion in the empty plane. “Is this Seattle?” Champion asked.

Champion made it to Seattle a few hours late. And Angel met her brother. Somewhere along the way, Angel became far more than a guide dog to Champion.

Champion started visiting the mall again. Crowds didn’t bother her as much. And if she once feared people might stare at the blind woman with the guide dog, she discovered that Angel made people want to speak to her. They always asked about the dog.

Champion traveled with her dog to the Grand Canyon. She stayed at Space Camp in Alabama where both Champion and Angel were strapped into harnesses and lifted into the air to simulate weightlessness. People laughed when they saw Angel suspended like a canine astronaut, her tail wagging.

Champion and Angel were the definition of inseparable. If Champion got too sick to take Angel for a walk, friends might arrive to take the dog out. But Angel would refuse to leave Champion’s side. At a recent visit to the dentist, the dentist had one request: Could Champion move Angel’s head off her lap? And whenever she got stressed, Champion talked to her dog as if she understood every word. “Angel knows everything about me,” she said.

There is one more thing that Angel did for Champion.

Champion has started raising money for other veterans who need guide dogs. It costs $5,000 for someone to undergo the 26 days of training at Southeastern. So every chance she gets, Champion speaks to whatever group will have her, asking folks to donate to Southeastern’s “Paws for Patriots” program. So far, she has raised $15,000 — enough to train three veterans. Her goal is to raise $2 million, no matter how long it takes.
It’s Champion’s hope that trained dogs might be provided not just to blind veterans, but also to those with PTSD.

Champion isn’t withdrawn anymore. She’s once again engaged in life. “Angel has been her ticket back in,” said Patsy French, a Southeastern spokeswoman. Said Champion, “Angel shows me the kindness of humanity.”

To contribute:
Anyone interested in providing a donation to Southeastern Guide Dogs Inc., or learning more about the nonprofit, can call (941) 729-5665 or go online at guidedogs.org. Click √ beow.

Doggone green in Brooklyn
By Barbara Kessler
June 11th, 2010
While other businesses debate the merits of being eco-friendly, one business in Brooklyn has gone all-out, greening every aspect of its operation. And the clients are lapping it up.

Both dogs and kitties get completely eco-pampered at Unleash Brooklyn, a dog and cat boarding and daycare facility; while less fortunate cats and canines also are cared for in the greenest way possible in what appears to be New York City’s first green pet rescue operation, Dog Habitat Rescue.

The rescue, which has been allocated space in Unleash Brooklyn’s quarters, has been recognized by the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals as the first green pet rescue in the city, and possibly in the nation.

“A lot of people really wanted to do this,’’ said Jay Lombard, referring to the many volunteers and helpers who have helped create and operate the unique assemblage of spaces, which in addition to the boarding and rescue areas, includes the original business at 216 Franklin Street, the District Dog Boutique and Spa.

Rob Maher and Bea Boado, who started District Dog, which sells organic pet food and supplies, o
wn Unleash Brooklyn, the boarding facility. Lombard runs the rescue, which is a non-profit.

The businesses complement each other perfectly and enable a thoroughly green enterprise, starting with the fact that they share a rooftop. Rescue dogs are kept in a separate area from the boarders, because the law requires that they have their own digs, but sharing the building has kept expenses down and allows certain efficiencies in purchasing.

“As a startup business, it was very cost effective by being green,” Lombard says.

The boarder dogs and cats enjoy their own rooms or “condos”. (See fees at the website.) And all the animals, owned and those seeking owners, are able to mingle (when healthy) in a shared a run area. All the areas are cleaned with green cleaners and lighted with CFLs for efficiency. The boarding and rescue facility, which opened in 2009, relies upon many re-purposed materials. Stalls and gates are made of salvaged wood. Recycled rubber was used for the flooring.

By design, the dog stalls were not made of metal cages and concrete, as found in other boarding houses.
Rescue and boarder dogs alike are fed nutritious natural foods that Holcomb says really help the rescue dogs rebound quickly from nutritional neglect. Dog Habitat rescue cats and dogs benefit from visits by behaviorist Denise Herman of Empire of the Dog pet training, who also offers obedience classes onsite. In addition, the animals eat healthy food provided by sponsors, Stella & Chewy’s, a seller of raw food for pets, and Zuke’s, which makes natural treats.

“We were taking in dogs that were malnourished and dehydrated and had mange….These dogs are thriving now,” Lombard said.

Lombard, whose professional background is in fundraising, joined Maher and Boado in the multi-faceted enterprise after becoming a patron of District Dog, which is located across from a dog park he frequented.
He began to see the possibilities for an expanded operation about the same time he lost one of his dogs, a lab named Skyler, whom he had rescued from a litter saved by a friend who caught a man trying to throw a bag of pups into the Hudson River. Today, the “Skyler Fund” that Lombard set up helps pay for the biggest single cost associated with rescuing dogs and cats, the veterinarian bills.

Dog Habitat Rescue takes care of six to eight dogs at a time; and sometimes a few cats. Unleash Brooklyn can house 40 to 50 paid boarders. Both the boarding and rescue operations are in great demand in the city, where many people need quality boarding and where rescue dogs are typically fostered in homes because high rents make facilities so costly, Lombard said. He says he feels good about finding a humane solution that discourages puppy mills and throwaway pets.

“I can do a really good thing by saving a life and giving a dog a second chance.”

Lines Drawn in the Sand Over Dogs and Cleanup
By JENNIFER A. KINGSON
EAST HAMPTON, N.Y.
June 11, 2010
If you go down to Wiborg Beach on the early side — say, 7:30 a.m. — the first person you might run into is Steven Gaines, the author, who comes with his dog Shepsil. “I’m here every single day of the year, even if there’s a snowstorm,” he said.

By 8 a.m., more dogs arrive, accompanied by people wielding cups of coffee and tennis-ball flingers. If it’s a summer weekend, there will be several dozen dogs, frolicking on the sand and in the water while their owners mingle. Nearly everyone carries a Mutt Mitt, a plastic bag for removing waste.

“It’s a way to meet people,” said Mark Stearns, who drives with his wife and two French bulldogs from Philadelphia to East Hampton every weekend, year-round. “We’ve met a lot of people because of the dogs.”
Just before 9 a.m., the dogs and their owners trek to the parking lot, complying with a law that bans dogs from the beach after 9 a.m. and before 6 p.m. during the summer season. By day, the families with their children trickle in, setting down towels on the sand that the dogs have vacated.

This is where the conflict comes in.

“There’s poop out there everywhere, and when it gets hot out here, it stinks so bad,” said Suzzanne Fokine, a year-round resident who uses the beaches daily for exercise and meditation. “We wouldn’t let our kids poop on the beach, so why do we let dogs poop on the beach?”

Forget the artists-versus-writers softball game or the quest for a reservation at Nick and Toni’s. The real battle line in East Hampton lately has involved the continuing feud between dog owners, who say they are diligent about picking up after their pets, and other beachgoers, who point to evidence otherwise. It’s as much a clash of mind-sets as it is of beach manners.

“I think the people who are dog owners and dog lovers are not really good at seeing the other side,” said Steven A. Ludsin, who frequents Georgica Beach and wishes that dogs did not. “They sort of feel like, ‘Why don’t you love my adorable little dog?’ ”

The controversy grew acute over the winter, when officials in the Village of East Hampton floated the idea of cutting back the hours for dogs on the beach — say, from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m. in the high season. This prompted many residents here to do what they do best when they are outraged: write well-worded letters to The East Hampton Star, the weekly newspaper. It also prompted some to form a committee (another of the village residents’ strong suits). Kathryn Staley, who has a cairn terrier, and Maureen Bluedorn, who has two cairn terriers, organized a group called BeachDogs11937 — referencing the East Hampton ZIP code — to work against any new restrictions.

“You know how it is in New York City, some people just spoil it for everybody,” said Ms. Staley, who commutes between Manhattan and East Hampton. “There are some people who just never pick up after their dogs and always keep them unleashed. Most of us abide by the rules and clean up the beach as we walk.”

During the off season, BeachDogs11937 worked amicably with village officials, and the upshot was that the rules for dogs on the beach were not altered. In exchange, the dog owners agreed to hold beach cleanups every month this summer and start an education campaign — with T-shirts, pamphlets and radio ads — to coax people to pick up after their dogs.

“I think this year will be a good test for us,” Ms. Bluedorn said. Larry Cantwell, the village administrator, is the point person for complaints about beaches, which he calls the “crown jewels of the village.” He also fielded all the angry e-mail messages from the dog lovers who worried about the potential rule changes. “When you have a conflict between people going to the beach and enjoying it with their children and dogs that spoiled the beach, it’s a serious matter,” he said. “When you receive a phone call from a parent whose child has picked up dog feces on the beach, we take that seriously.”

Which leads us to the story of Matt Norklun. A longtime East Hampton resident, Mr. Norklun has seen it all: dogs biting joggers, attacking birds, killing a seal, soiling on people and their belongings. “At Georgica Beach, people wash their dogs in the hot showers with soap that are meant for humans,” he said. In 2008, he grew so exasperated that he took a Mutt Mitt, collected samples at Georgica Beach, and left it on the steps of Village Hall. Mr. Cantwell, who had to clean it up, was not amused, and Mr. Norklun was fined $500 for littering.

Mr. Norklun said his fine was paid entirely by neighbors who support his crusade but do not want their names associated with it. “I’m not anti-dog,” he said. “It’s just there’s a place for everything, and the beach is not a place for dogs. Imagine a kitty-litter box: would you put your hand in it?”

One thing both sides agree on: the summer people — make that, the “citiots” — are to blame.

“On a Friday evening, they drive out from the city and go straight to the beach,” Mr. Norklun said. “They’re like, ‘O.K., here we are at the toilet, let the dog out.’ A lot of times they don’t even get out of the car.” He complains that the police department turns a blind eye. “They hand out thousands of parking tickets every day, and they can’t get one kid to go to the beach?” Mr. Norklun said.

Actually, an officer patrols the beach by car every morning. “It’s one of our top priorities,” said Gerard Larsen Jr., the village police chief. But “we can’t be everywhere all the time, and it’s probably a small percentage of the people who aren’t cleaning up.”

Last year, enforcement was stepped up, with officers starting beach patrol at 7 a.m. rather than 9 a.m., but to little avail. “I don’t think we’ve issued one summons yet for people not cleaning up,” Chief Larsen said. “It’s like driving enforcement: when the cops are there, everybody slows down.”

Most beaches in the United States don’t allow dogs, period, but East Hampton has been relatively lenient. In the olden days — perhaps the 1980s — when Main Street and Newtown Lane were dominated by mom-and-pop stores, the issue was less pressing, since there were fewer people and dogs. But now that the village has enough residents and visitors to attract the biggest names in retail — Hermès! Gucci! Tiffany! — the matter has come to a head.

According to the village government’s Web site, the population of East Hampton village — which is a subset of the Town of East Hampton — is 1,388. But on summer weekends, that swells to an inestimable number (not counting houseguests). On a Saturday night in August, 1,388 may represent the population of the East Hampton movie theater plus the people trying to get a table at Rowdy Hall.

The crowds were back on Memorial Day weekend, when BeachDogs11937 held its inaugural cleanup. Anne Haring, who helped dispense T-shirts at Wiborg Beach, recalled the days when bringing a dog was no big deal.
“There are more people, more children now,” she said. “There’s also been the whole cleanliness thing — germs. People are phobic about germs.”

Mr. Gaines, who chronicled the excesses of the Hamptons in his book “Philistines at the Hedgerows,” used the phrase “sense of entitlement” to describe careless dog owners, and worried aloud about the potential loss of a pleasurable morning ritual. “This is really the friendly, happy beach,” Mr. Gaines said, gesturing to the crowd of people and dogs. “This is a very important part of living here.”

Photo: Yana Paskova for The New York Times

The woof is on fire!
You pick top pooches for heroes calendar
By GINGER ADAMS OTIS
June 13, 2010
Hot dogs!

Furry firefighters from a dozen city firehouses want to become calendar pinups -- and Post readers get to pick the best three.

Twelve pooches who live and work alongside the Bravest are competing for the honor of appearing in the first-ever Silver Shield charity calendar due out this fall.

The pageant of doggies is as diverse as the city they serve. Yogi and Stewie are sleek Dalmatians, and Frank is a stocky bulldog who hogs the firehouse couch. Lucy is a gentle, golden-haired stray, while Milo and Yayo are a mischievous duo who eat off plates when nobody's looking.

PHOTOS: THE 12 DOGS IN THE RUNNING FOR THE CALENDAR

The pooches do try to earn their keep. Nikita and Lightning know how to stop, drop and roll -- and demonstrate it for visiting schoolkids.

The three who get the most votes from Post readers online will appear in the calendar with fire and police dogs from upstate, New Jersey and Connecticut, said Joe Debono, head of the nonprofit MBA Corps, which is helping Silver Shield with the project.

"It's going to be a great calendar. We'll be meeting the real firehouse dogs of New York City, many of whom are strays and rescues that firefighters have generously adopted," Debono said.

The Silver Shield Foundation covers college tuition and other expenses for the children and families of tri-state-area public-safety officers killed in the line of duty. It's looking for corporate sponsors to help with the calendar so all the proceeds can be used for its charity.

Vote for your favorite FDNY dog here, and check out the results next Sunday.

If you want more information about the calendar, send an email to calendar@mbacorps.org

Read the FIRE ENGINE FRIDA story
Click √ on image above

Photo: BABY FRIDA FIRST RESPONDER / R.COANE

To the Editor: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RODIN!
Rodin Schnauzer Coane turns 6
The DOGHOUSE
June 12, 2010

At The DOGHOUSE, a howling family pawty celebrated our Editor-in-Chief's 6th barkthday. In attendance were Sweet Sophie Beagle, Mommy Cindy and Baby Frida Schnauzer (below, Daddy Bob took the pitchoores - he's not in'em). The occasion was marked by a TripleBurger Patty decorated with blue candles, savory frankfurter, banana and chicken, yam and chicken and other assorted treats. For the occasion, Mosiú Rodin wore a red and white star print, navy blue bandana.

Click √ on Mommy Cindy and the girls for more pitchoores

Pets Welcome: Housing for the Whole Gang
By Rebecca Phillips
June 12, 2010
Finding a great house or apartment is not easy. In the middle of an economic downturn, landlords are much more cautious about any red flags in the financial and personal backgrounds of potential renters — including pets. But today's market can also favor strong rental candidates, so finding that perfect place for you and your pet isn’t impossible, although it can seem so at times. “It just takes more time and persistence,” says Matt, a graduate student in Farmington, CT. He, his wife Jenna, and their two rescued dogs, Anise and Ginger, moved from the suburbs of St. Louis to the suburbs of New Haven three and a half years ago, and then again to a new apartment last year.

Matt counsels those who are contemplating a move to start covering all bases as soon as you know you'll be looking for a new place to live. Get letters from your current landlord, references from neighbors and pet-sitters, and make sure your dogs and cats are up-to-date with all shots and certifications.

Almost every real estate search site has options to search with or without pets, and a number of pet-friendly real estate agents offer specialized services around the world. You can find an agent near you through the Pet Realty Network (www.petrealtynetwork.com). You can also choose whether you want to limit your search to only those apartments who actively welcome animal tenants.

While there are an unfortunate number of unequivocally non-pet buildings, many “no pet” tags are negotiable, so don't hesitate to inquire in case a landlord is willing to ease restrictions. Nicole, a producer and marketing executive in Brooklyn, NY, found one who said he “may consider small dogs.” Her dog Biscuit is 140 pounds — no one’s idea of small. But when Nicole spoke to the landlord, she discovered that his main concern was noise — not size — and Biscuit is not a “yappy” dog.

Many landlords — especially those who don't have pets themselves — incorrectly assume that size is the only factor that determines a dog's temperament. This knee-jerk policy is easy to spot, and often can be relaxed for certain exceptions.

Sadly, too many renters end up leaving their loving dogs and cats behind when moving. In the United States alone, people drop off between 6 and 8 million pets at shelters annually, often citing moving as their reason. Of those abandoned animals, 3 million dogs and cats are euthanized each year — that’s over 8,000 pets a day.

“Animals are a commitment,” says Maggie, a technology developer in New York City, “not an inconvenience.” For her, it’s not worth even considering buildings that don’t allow animals, especially when life has already been rough for her two adopted cats. Maggie is lucky to have lived in the same pet-friendly building for years, which made it easy when she decided to adopt.

But when you’re moving with animals, you should be prepared to make certain choices in their best interest. If your dog has bad hips, like Nicole’s, a residence without burdensome stairs may be best. If your pets are active and outdoorsy, like Matt’s, they may need places with a backyard or close to public parks. These tips may seem like common sense, but by considering these choices at the outset of your search, they won’t seem like concessions later.

Factoring certain costs into your rental budget can also help you prepare for your housing search. Some buildings may charge a larger security deposit if you're bringing animals with you into your new home. This fee can cost more money up front, but in the end can be much less expensive than a nonrefundable monthly “pet rent” on top of your own. In some states, landlords are forbidden by law to tack on a "pet rent," so be sure to check with your local housing authority. You might also consider purchasing renter’s insurance that covers any unforeseen damage — whether it’s caused by you, your pet, or Mother Nature’s unpredictable whim.

When preparing your rental application, you can also create a “pet résumé” — just like you would for a job application. Include your pet’s veterinary records to demonstrate regular medical care, up-to-date shots and vaccinations, and indicate whether your pet has been spayed or neutered. Address what steps you take to prevent conditions like fleas, ticks, and heartworm. You should also have on hand copies of diplomas from obedience classes or any “good canine” certifications.

Be prepared to talk about your dog or cat’s daily activities, including whether he or she is active, sedentary, an outdoor pet, or a crate creature. Other questions also might arise, such as — do you use dog-walkers and cat-sitters, or do you leave your pet alone all day? Do you have lots of toys for your cat to scratch on (other than the sofa), and are you fastidious about cleaning up spills and stains? If the answer to the last questions are "yes," don't be shy about sharing your good ownership practices with potential landlords.

If your interview goes well and a landlord seems likely to approve your application, offer to bring your pets in for an interview of their own, to demonstrate what fantastic tenants they would make. Nothing is more likely to tip the scales in your direction than a positive in-person experience.

But above all, no matter what your reason, avoid lying to your landlord to expedite an already difficult process. Warns Nicole: “don't claim you don't have a pet if you do. Don't say your pet is quiet or good with kids or good with other dogs, if they aren't. Be responsive if people complain.” When you are a considerate, responsible pet owner and renter, it makes your life much easier — and helps all of us create a positive perception among non-pet-owning people and landlords.

RENT OR GO CONDO If you value your sanity, avoid co-ops! Click √ on the article image, top left, for related story

Photo: R.COANE/SCOOP & HPOWL

Run the New York City Marathon for Team ASPCA!
June 11, 2010
Do you want to help homeless, abused and injured animals? This fall, save lives and cross the finish line at the New York City Marathon with Team ASPCA, our new marathon training and fundraising program!

General registration for the world-renowned race, which takes place on November 7, 2010, is currently sold out, so what better way to earn a spot than as a member of our team? On Team ASPCA, you’ll receive entry in the marathon by raising essential funds for the ASPCA and have a positive impact on thousands of animals' lives. After the NYC Marathon, team members will have the opportunity to participate in other races and fun runs throughout the year.

Space is limited, so don't get left behind—apply today to be a part of Team ASPCA’s inaugural season! Applications are due on July 1. The selected participants will be notified by July 9. For additional information about running the marathon for the ASPCA, please contact Kymberlee Setterberg at (212) 876-7700, ext. 4654, or kymberlees@aspca.org.

The increasing ‘humanisation’ of our pets
By Sam Knight
June 11 2010
Like the rest of the Young family, Pip does not eat dog food. She may be eight months old. She may be 12in tall. She may be a wire-haired Jack Russell bitch. But she does not see the sense in it. It is not, as far as she can see, for her.

At a recent dinnertime, the Youngs were trying to change their dog’s mind. Pip’s meal of choice – boiled chicken and rice – waited on the countertop, while Eleanor Young, who is 74, pulverised some dry dog food with a few swings of a wooden meat hammer. She sprinkled this on the chicken and rice. Her sons, Thomas and Gordon, watched from a sofa. Pip sat on the floor. Gordon, who owns Pip, and whose idea it was to get the dog, then put the meal before Pip and she, with a curl of her lip, began to eat.

Silence fell. Pip ate. The Youngs watched. It is something of a nightly ritual and no one was too anxious about what would happen. Gordon, a 37-year-old architect, bought the dog in February as an object of interest for his elder brother, Thomas, who has schizophrenia, and his mother, who cares for him. The three of them live in neighbouring apartment buildings and Gordon thought that a family dog might give them a shared endeavour, and add some fun to their lives.

And earlier that evening, when Gordon arrived with Pip, that is exactly what she did. Released from her lead, she bolted into the kitchen and started chewing Thomas’s feet. He laughed and hopped while Eleanor called Pip and for an instant the dog seemed to divide and be in many places at once – sitting on its new bed, begging for food, skidding on the wooden floor, barking at a vanished ball. During the exhibition, Thomas described Pip’s exuberance as “positive and benign in some ways”, while Eleanor, who had never touched a dog before Pip, described her developing affection for the animal. “Gradually, I love her more and more. I treat her as a new baby.”

While Pip ate, nosing around the dog food, Gordon, who is gay, considered his mother’s remark. “You can see we are now a family unit with the dog. I wonder whether it would be the same if I had a child,” he said. The Youngs sat quietly while Pip sorted her dinner with a miraculous concentration. A few discarded crumbs of dog food lay on the kitchen floor. “Naughty, naughty. I don’t know why she eats rice,” Eleanor muttered. “Sometimes I give her a potato.”

The scene at the Youngs is part ancient, part modern. A few details aside, it might have taken place at any point in the past 14,000 years. Dogs, in the shape of wolves attaching themselves to paleolithic settlements, are thought to have been the first domesticated animal, ahead of the horse, the cow and the sheep, and the odd, leisured niche occupied by pets has been in place for millennia. Egyptian archaeological sites contain the remains of mastiffs and greyhounds, while mutant Chinese red and gold fish have been cherished in the home since the 4th century. Alexander the Great named a city after his dog, Peritas, and during the Middle Ages abbots and abbesses fretted about the animal obsessions of their monks and nuns. “Ye presume henceforth to bring to church no birds, hounds, rabbits or other frivolous things,” wrote William of Wykeham, the frustrated Bishop of Winchester, to three Hampshire nunneries in the late 14th century.

And all this time we have wondered exactly how pets fit into our lives. Fortified by our need to exploit animals for their fur and meat, Aristotelian, Christian and, later, Enlightenment thought posited a strict separation between humankind and beasts, emphasising their lack of reason and their brutal lives, empty of feeling. But pets – individuals amid the herds – have never belonged in that dichotomy.

To continue reading this article in THE FINANCIAL TIMES, please click √ below.

Photo: Gordon Young (right) with Pip, a Jack Russell, which he bought for his brother,
Thomas (left), who has schizophrenia, and their mother Eleanor

Photo Credit: Charlie Bibby

Putting the Pounce Back in Your Pup
By ROBBIE BROWN
CARLISLE, Pa.
June 11, 2010
The rolling hunting grounds in southern Pennsylvania were teeming with rabbits — brown streaks darting into plastic hutches, cottontails munching clover, and barely detectable silhouettes under shady sumacs. But my basset hound, Elvis, seemed far more interested in the baked ziti smell wafting from the clubhouse nearby.
“No pasta until you eat your rabbit,” I scolded parentally. Elvis flopped down in the shade of an oak and closed his eyes. It was 9 a.m. — six hours before the big event — and he was already asleep.

We were at the Fun Field Trial here, a hunting training program held in the spring for dogs that have never hunted but whose breeds were created to do so. Part doggie boot camp, part nature-versus-nurture science experiment and part outdoorsman’s Westminster Dog Show, the trial was founded last year by two local basset hound clubs to test the hunting instincts of ordinary house dogs. It is open to four breeds normally associated with the great indoors: bassets, beagles, dachshunds and petit basset griffon vendéens. But with their remarkable noses, short legs and voracious appetites, these dogs were bred by Europeans centuries ago to lead hunters toward scurrying rabbits, badgers and other quick-moving prey.

The trial is the canine equivalent of Yankees Fantasy Camp, pairing master with tutor. But instead of batting lessons from Darryl Strawberry, rookie dogs are led on hunts alongside prizewinning hounds with names like Digger and Quest. Owners, who first gather at the clubhouse, later stand along wooden fences and shout encouragement (“Go Ollie!” and “Hunt ’em up!”) like parents in a grandstand.

Disclosure to PETA: No rabbits are killed, and the only gun is a starting pistol, fired into the air to measure a dog’s “gun shyness.” In fact, the dogs never catch rabbits — and normally don’t even see them — but are judged on their ability to follow the scent as long and directly as possible. “It’s what dogs were bred to do, and they can relearn it surprisingly quickly,” said Kenneth Engle, the trial’s founder, vice president of the Basset Hound Club of America and owner of 13 hunting dogs.

Not that Elvis had shown much pedigree or promise so far. That he had even left the club building, so to speak, was a feat.

Since I adopted him last year at age 4 (previous name: Flash), Elvis has led a resoundingly pampered life. He clocks an average of 20 hours of sleep per day — on the rug; on the sofa; on the passenger seat of my car; on his large, fluffy bed at home; on his larger, fluffier bed at the office. Occasionally, he will rise, blink at the daylight, eat some food and fall back asleep — a medical condition I call wakeolepsy. To Elvis, meals come on plates, not legs.

Most of the owners, from up and down the East Coast, seemed more confident in their dogs — 30 strong at this trial. Lawrence Castagna, an art curator in East Hampton, N.Y., decided to enter his 1-year-old basset hound, Gamble, after the dog tugged at the leash whenever rabbits appeared near his home. “If Gamble were my son and he were good at baseball, I would be taking him to Little League games,” he said.

Others felt like Nancy Zeidenberg. Asked why she brought her basset, Homer, she described his vacuum-cleaner-strength nose and obsession with devouring every last morsel of cheese, peanut butter and freeze-dried liver at home in Ridgewood, N.J. “If he can smell cheese,” she said, “maybe he can smell a rabbit.”

This belief — that you can teach an old dog older tricks — seems to be gaining popularity. The number of so-called instinct-performance tests to measure a dog’s hunting and herding skills has increased 39 percent over the past two years, totaling 1,549 in 2009, according to the American Kennel Club. Many are geared toward pets and owners who have never hunted.

In Vacaville, Calif., trainers at the Herding-4-Ewe Training Facility teach collies to herd ducks and sheep. In Crosswicks, N.J., an instructor at the Village Green Farm Earthdog Center coaches dachshunds to chase badgers through underground tunnels.

“A dog that’s not allowed to hunt won’t hunt,” said JoAnn Hilliker, a basset hound trainer in Gainesville, Fla. “But if you allow them to hunt, most of them will.” Not necessarily, said Alexandra Horowitz, an expert in dog behavior at Barnard College. After millenniums of domestication, she said, dogs are as much like humans as they are like wolves. “People think if we put dogs in the right environment, they’ll just go back to their wild ways,” she said. “It really just depends on the breed and the individual dog.”

Back at the trial, at the Carlisle Beagle Club, about 120 miles west of Philadelphia, the event’s organizer, Mr. Engle, drew numbers from a bingo machine. Out of 15 braces of dogs (one experienced, one newcomer), Elvis would go 14th, with a basset named Quest. That meant I would spend the morning walking the grounds in search of rabbits for the other dogs. Every few minutes, someone would sight one and excitedly cry, “Tally ho!” The whole group would hustle to that spot, and two dogs would be unleashed. Normally the trained dog would sniff feverishly and then race after the rabbit, its nose skimming the soil. The only question was: Would the inexperienced dog join in?

Most house dogs were simply confused. They seemed interested in the smell of rabbits, but equally interested in the smell of other dogs. They did not grasp the mission.Sirius, a basset owned by Sheldon B. Stern, lost interest about 30 seconds into the chase. He sniffed the rabbit’s path briefly, eyed another dog curiously and then trotted back to his owner.

“That’s the problem with our domesticated dogs,” said Mr. Stern, a psychologist from Long Island. “They smell our pizza. They don’t smell the rabbits anymore,” he said, adding, “If we had put a steak in the woods, that might have worked.”

Still, I held out hope that Elvis would surprise everyone and reveal himself to be a natural-born hunter. Before the trial, I had asked Ms. Hilliker, the dog trainer, for advice on preparing him. “You need to familiarize him with the smell of a rabbit,” she said and — without joking — suggested that I “find a road-kill rabbit and tie it to a tree.” Instead, I bought a little plastic bottle of “rabbit scent,” a perfumelike liquid used by dog trainers, and drizzled it across the yard. Although Elvis didn’t run down the scent’s path, as I’d hoped, he did roll around on the scent, suggesting to me that he was at least interested in the smell of rabbits.

So when Elvis’s turn at the trial came late in the afternoon, and Mr. Engle cried “Tally ho!,” I eagerly ran Elvis to the spot. Immediately, Quest put his nose to the ground. And then, for a magical moment, so did Elvis. He breathed the scent in deeply, began padding down a path after the rabbit and looked like a genuine hunting dog. It was thrilling.

And that’s when Elvis got distracted. Quest darted into a tuft of tall grasses, but Elvis looked daintily uninterested. And just as the rabbit appeared to be escaping for good, Elvis stopped. He lifted his right hind leg and urinated.

“Hunt’s over,” Mr. Engle declared.

If Elvis didn’t display a killer instinct, he did show a glimmer of hunting prowess. And that was enough for me.

As for Elvis, Mr. Engle gave him a consolation prize, a trophy for participation in the form of a ceramic rabbit. This one caught Elvis’s attention. He chewed it to pieces at home. And then he fell asleep.

Forthcoming American Kennel Club tests and training in the area:

RETRIEVERS Hunt Test, July 3 to 5, Nod Brook Wildlife Management Area, Simsbury, Conn. (along Routes 10 and 202, sharing an entrance with Tower Business Park); sbgrc.org.

TERRIERS AND DACHSHUNDS Earthdog Tests, July 3 and 4; Earthdog Training, July 17 and 18 and Aug. 14 and 15 (registration required); Village Green Earthdog Farm, 221 Bordentown-Crosswicks Road, Crosswicks, N.J.; www.dcnj.net/calendar.htm.

SIGHTHOUNDS Lure Coursing Tests and Trials, July 23 and 24, Stormville Airport, Route 216, Stormville, N.Y.; (519) 458-8181.

Photo: Jessica Kourkounis for The New York Times

Staten Island Man Accused of Starving Pit Bull,
9 Puppies
NEW YORK
Thursday, 10 June 2010
A Staten Island man is accused of starving his pet dog and nine of her puppies.

ASPCA special agents found the 6-year-old pit bull mix, Beauty, and her month-old puppies inside a large cage in Joedennys Malave's apartment at the Richmond Terrace Houses. ASPCA spokesman Joseph Pentangelo (left) described the animals' condition as "fairly grave.''

Malave, 30, was charged with torturing and injuring animals, and issued a desk-appearance-ticket. He was arrested earlier this week.

The dogs were discovered May 9. The arrest was delayed while authorities investigated whether the dogs' conditions were due to neglect or sickness.

Pentangelo says the animals were taken to the ASPCA's Manhattan animal hospital where the bony puppies were hand-fed formula because their mother couldn't produce enough milk to feed them. All of the animals are recovering. The puppies will undergo medical and behavorial tests to determine if they can be put up for adoption in the future.
Animal hospital staffers named the puppies, Lefou, Rose, Juliet, Fifi, Belle, Lumiere, Philippe, Chip and Mrs. Potts, after characters from the Disney movie "Beauty and the Beast," the Staten Island Advance reports.

On Wednesday, more than 40 dogs, 15 cats, two horses, a pony and a goat were seized in a raid on a home in eastern Long Island.

THE CURIOUS COOK
The Chemical Weapons of Onions and Garlic
By HAROLD McGEE
June 9, 2010
What do garlic and onions have in common with gunpowder? A lot.

They’re incendiary. They can do harm and they delight. Sulfur is central to their powers. And they helped inspire the work of a chemist who has just published a welcome treatise on the smelly yet indispensable allium family.

Different alliums stockpile different sulfur chemicals to make their weapons, and this accounts for their varying flavors. The stockpiles themselves are inert, but when the plant’s tissues are damaged, enzymes in the tissues quickly convert the sulfur compounds into reactive, stinging molecules.

Onions, shallots, scallions and leeks share a special stockpiled chemical and a second defensive enzyme. They produce a sulfur molecule that’s small and light enough to launch itself from the damaged tissue, fly through the air and attack our eyes and nasal passages. This long-distance weapon is called the lachrymatory factor because it makes people’s eyes water.

Their sulfur-based defense systems give the alliums their distinctive flavors. The plants deploy them when their tissues are breached by biting, crushing or cutting. The chemicals are highly irritating, and discourage most creatures from coming back for seconds.

They kill microbes and repel insects
and they damage the red blood cells of DOGS and CATS.

Never feed a pet onions or garlic in any form.

Photo: Tony Cenicola/The New York Times

This article has been excerpted from The New York Times.
Foodies interested in the full article, click √ on onions.

Dogs Dig Laurie Anderson’s ‘Music for Dogs,’ Appropriately
By DAVE ITZKOFF
June 7, 2010
Concertgoers (and their owners) at the premiere of Laurie Anderson’s “Music for Dogs.”
In so far as no one was bitten and nearly everyone stayed where he or she was supposed to, the debut of Laurie Anderson’s “Music for Dogs” was deemed a howling success by its audience and their owners, The Associated Press reported.

The concert was performed for the first time outside the Sydney Opera House on Saturday as part of the Vivid LIVE arts festival that Ms. Anderson is curating with her husband, Lou Reed. The 20-minute work consists of thumping beats, whistles and high-pitched electronic sounds that cannot be heard by human ears, The A.P. said, as well as whale sounds that worked some four-legged concertgoers “into a frenzy.” (Others, The A.P. said, simply “stared at the stage with glazed eyes,” which in our experience is not necessarily an indication of a bad show.)

A Jack Russell terrier named Oliver made a break for the stage, The A.P. reported, dragging his owner, Jacqui Bonner, along with him. But all in all, Ms. Anderson said, “That was the most amazing concert I’ve ever, ever gotten to give! It’s really a dream.”

Photos: Greg Wood/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

Marmaduke the Great!
Classic cartoon dog inspires big love between owner and Dane
BY REBECCA WALLWORK
June 6, 2010
At the end of a long day with her head in the books, 26-year-old grad student Whitney Krahn comes home to the Williamsburg two-bedroom that she shares with a roommate and plops down on the couch. That is, if there’s room for her.

Krahn is the proud owner of Jane, a 90-pound (and growing!) 6-month-old Great Dane who also loves to curl up on comfy furniture, her butt on the cushions and front legs on the floor. “Half on, half off — that’s a standard Great Dane position,” says Krahn.

Krahn insists Jane’s life in the city isn’t that different from her mom’s Danes, who live in the suburbs of Jacksonville, Fla. “When you’re home they want to be next to you. So even if I had a huge apartment, Jane would be right here, putting her head on my lap. Or if I got a king-size bed, I could still wake up with her sleeping on top of me. Which she does!”
The breed, which on average live around eight years, is intelligent, and surprisingly mellow for its 130- to 170-pound full-grown size, depending on the sex. (Females tend to weigh less.)

“Everything is bigger when you own a Great Dane,” says Dave Miller, president of the Great Dane Club of America. “They take up a lot of space and eat a lot of food.” About $80 worth per week, to be exact, says Krahn. “My mom was worried I couldn’t afford the upkeep,” she says, “and we probably eat the same amount!”

Then there are bones, chew toys, training classes and doggy day care. It adds up quickly. “But it’s money I’m happy to part with,” says Krahn. “I mean, she’s my child. If I thought she was bored or dissatisfied, I would feel so terrible.”
While Krahn recommends Great Danes as excellent family dogs, she stresses the need to teach them good manners at an early age. “When you have a large dog, it’s so important that she is well-behaved in public.” Especially in a city like New York, where people actually cross the street for a closer look.

“One afternoon, we were sitting outside a restaurant in the West Village, and I counted 10 hands reaching out to touch her at once,” says Krahn. “I can’t walk my dog without hearing, ‘Scooby-Doo!’ or ‘Hey, do you keep that thing in a stable?’”
But Krahn just laughs it off. After all, a sense of humor comes with the territory of owning a Great Dane.

“The Marmaduke comics were always so true,” says Krahn. “The illustrations of the Dane with his butt in the air, the sad faces, the expressiveness — it’s all right on.”

Those comedic moments, which once appeared in over 600 newspapers nationwide, are actually making their big-screen debut in the film version of “Marmaduke,” out now. With Owen Wilson voicing the goofy giant, the movie is a mix of live-action and CGI, and, like its cartoon — and real life! — counterparts, is a comedy of pet errors, with talking animals and a big choreographed dance number.

“Great Danes really seem to get to know you and grow close to you,” says Krahn. “They transcend being a pet.”

That’s for sure!

Photo: 20TH CENTURY FOX LICENSING/MERCH

Colleges Extend the Welcome Mat to Students’ Pets
By JACQUES STEINBERG
COLUMBIA, Mo
June 6, 2010
When Allison Frisch (right) goes shopping this summer for furnishings to decorate her freshman dorm room at Stephens College, she will be looking for a comforter for herself — and a matching doggie bed for her roommate. That is because Ms. Frisch will be sharing her room with Taffy, her 10-year-old Shetland sheepdog. And Stephens, a women’s college founded here in 1833, says it is glad to have them both.

Ms. Frisch is one of 30 incoming freshmen at Stephens who have asked to bring a family pet to campus when they arrive this fall. That represents an increase of 20 over last year’s freshman class — so many that the college is renovating a dormitory for the students and their companions, most of them dogs and cats. The dorm, dubbed Pet Central, will have a makeshift kennel on the first floor, staffed by work-study students who will offer temporary boarding and perhaps a bath.

With these efforts, Stephens is hoping to smooth the transition of some students who may be so anxious about leaving home or adjusting to college life that a stuffed animal will not be of sufficient comfort. They want the real thing.

Stephens joins a growing number of colleges putting out a welcome mat for pets. They include the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the State University of New York at Canton, which allow cats in some dorm rooms; and Eckerd College in South Florida and Washington & Jefferson College in Pennsylvania, which set aside rooms for students with dogs or cats and others who love animals so much they just want to live near them.

“I recognize this as being a trend that is tied directly to the whole notion of helicopter parenting,” said Dianne Lynch, who became president of Stephens last year and who is herself the owner of two dogs and two cats. “It’s harder and harder for students to leave home. Bringing this particular piece of home with them may make that separation easier.”

While about a dozen colleges have explicit policies permitting pets of some kind — Eckerd even allows snakes, provided they are “less than six feet long and nonvenomous” — Ms. Lynch predicts that that figure will soon rise.

“Colleges will begin to recognize that this is important to students,” she said, adding that in an increasingly competitive recruiting market for top students, becoming known as pet-friendly is another way for a college to differentiate itself.

Stephens, which began allowing dogs and cats in designated dormitory wings in 2003, said their owners tended to be especially organized and responsible and do well academically.

While acknowledging that a pet can provide a teenager relief from stress, as well as unconditional love, Dr. Harold S. Koplewicz, a psychiatrist specializing in children and adolescents, said he worried that taking a pet to college could slow the transition for some students.

“By having your pet there,” said Dr. Koplewicz, who is also president of the Child Mind Institute, “you could have an excuse not to go out and talk to people.”

Moreover, Dr. Koplewicz said he worried that allowing a student to have a pet might merely serve as a Band-Aid on what could be a more serious mental health problem, like depression. “You can understand that a college might make this accommodation,” he said. “That doesn’t necessarily address the issue that these are risky years.”

But Elena Christian (below), a dance major who is entering her senior year, said that being able to raise her 18-month-old Chihuahua in her dorm room had only served to enhance her social and academic experience at Stephens. “She really keeps me calm,” Ms. Christian, 20, said as the dog, Annabelle, who weighs less than seven pounds, tugged on a red leash on the grass outside her dorm on a recent morning. “Sometimes during finals week, I get stressed out. She always does something that makes me laugh.”

Ms. Christian said that not long after she got Annabelle from a breeder, the dog provided her with perhaps the best lesson she had learned in college: that being responsible for the well-being of another requires constant vigilance.

That hard lesson came after she inadvertently left Annabelle alone in a pen in her 13-foot-by-15-foot dorm room without ensuring that the gate to the pen was closed securely. While Ms. Christian was in class, the dog scampered out and gorged on a nearby stash of beef jerky and chocolate. Her owner skipped her next class to rush Annabelle to the veterinarian, who administered Ipecac.

“She was not happy,” Ms. Christian recalled.

But man’s (or student’s) best friend may not make the best dormmate. And so Stephens, following the lead of Eckerd and Washington & Jefferson, has established a Pet Council made up of students and faculty members that enforces a lengthy list of strict guidelines. (One example: a dog is never allowed to roam free in a dormitory room while its owner is in class.) A repeat violation by Ms. Christian could result in Annabelle being removed from her care; indeed, two students lost their dog privileges last year after the Pet Council ruled that they were not taking appropriate care.

The college also takes noise complaints seriously; after a three-week grace period at the beginning of a semester, a yappy or barking dog can also be barred. And to respect the wishes of students who may not be so pet-friendly — as well as those with allergies — dogs and cats are not welcome in classrooms or in common areas like lounges.

Though in years past Stephens has barred pets weighing more than 40 pounds, that rule is being relaxed, with the belief that some of the biggest dogs are often the most docile. Unlike their owners, dogs and cats are not subjected to preadmission interviews, but proof of vaccinations is required.
For Ms. Frisch, 18, who starts at Stephens in the fall, Taffy’s acceptance was almost as exciting as her own into the college’s theater program.

Indeed, Ms. Frisch enjoys being around her dog so much that when she was cast in a community production of “The Wizard of Oz” as the Wicked Witch, she arranged for Taffy to play the role of Toto. (She said her father never shared her passion for Taffy, relegating the pooch to the basement.)

While Ms. Frisch’s family lives just 15 minutes from the Stephens campus, she said that she expected some homesickness and that having Taffy with her would undoubtedly help. “I took her for a walk on campus the other day,” she said. “I told her, ‘Yeah, Taffy, we’re going to be happy here.’ ”

Dilip Vishwanat for The New York Times

Rescued Dog Saves Diabetic Owner
By Kris O'Donnell
June 5, 2010
Ten-year-old Australian cattle dog Middy is never far from the side of Walter Graham, his owner. Whether playing fetch or taking a walk by the lake, the two are constant companions. But Middy is no ordinary pet.

“He knew before I knew what was going on with me,” Graham said.

Graham adopted Middy from a rescue group, when he was just six months old. Then, about four years later, Middy’s behavior suddenly changed. “I’d come home from work and Middy would just constantly bark at me,” Graham said. “I had no idea what was going on other than I knew I was sick and something was wrong.”

Soon after, Graham was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. Once he got his levels under control, Graham says Middy stopped barking at him. So he wanted to test his theory. “I then started creating diabetic events, if you will, and at that point would realize that Middy was reacting to my blood sugar,” Graham said.

Graham’s doctor put Middy through some tests and confirmed his remarkable abilities. By using his nose, Middy was apparently smelling sugar level changes on Graham's breath. Graham then got the idea that perhaps his pet could become a service dog, which would give Graham a lot more freedom without having to constantly worry about his blood sugar levels. That’s when New Horizons Service Dogs stepped in. Based in Orange City, Florida, New Horizons has been training service dogs for more than fifteen years.

“Middy had good skills but he needed to learn some basic obedience,” New Horizons Executive Director Janet Severt said. “He needed to learn how to behave in public and to be socialized around unusual things whether it be a subway or a plane or grocery store or going into a restaurant.” She said.

Severt says she has never trained a dog quite like Middy. “Most of our dogs are started from a very young age,” Severt said. “Very rarely do we have an older dog that becomes such a wonderful service dog like Middy.”

Even more unusual is that most service dogs are Labrador or golden retrievers.

“Middy’s a one of a kind for a cattle dog, which is not a normal dog for service work because it’s a herding breed,” Severt said. “He uses his herding instinct to bump him. He uses that to tell Walter he needs to take care of himself,” Severt said.

Middy’s training took about six months, and he’s been an active service dog for the last six years.
Severt says she’s still amazed by him. “It’s a miracle that Middy was able to help Walter in the way he did,” Severt said.

As for Graham, he says he adopted Middy because he wanted to rescue a cattle dog. Reflecting on their special bond, Graham says, “Now, he’s rescued me.”

If you would like more information about New Horizons Service Dogs, click below.

Photo Courtesy of Walter Graham

Pet Health Care Videos Launch on ASPCA.org
June 4,2010
Prevention is truly the best medicine—even when it comes to your pet. It’s much riskier (not to mention more expensive!) to treat illnesses than to protect against them. So why not get a jumpstart on your pet’s healthy habits? Watch our new pet care videos for helpful hints on performing basic wellness checks and essential grooming from the comfort of your own home.

The ASPCA’s Dr. Jennifer Lander and a rotating cast of adorable, adoptable cats and dogs star in these useful “how-tos.” Current videos include “Performing a Basic Pet Check”, “Cleaning Your Cat’s Eyes”, “How to Clean Your Dog’s Ears” and a bonus blooper reel!

Please note: our advice is not intended to replace regular visits to your veterinarian. More videos will be added regularly, so be sure to bookmark our pet care video webpage and check back every few weeks.

Click √ on image to view

Coping with Separation Anxiety in Pets
June 4,2010
When your dog suffers from separation anxiety, leaving the house can be just as stressful for you as it is for him. No one likes to see a beloved pet upset—plus, any time away from home might be spent worrying what kind of mess awaits your return. Will your pooch tear up the sofa? Chew the walls? Pee on the carpet? Shake, drool and bark for hours?

Overcoming disorders like separation anxiety takes time, patience and consistency, but it can be done! Don’t wait any longer: take control of your dog’s happiness—and your own—just in time for summer travel season. Follow the advice of ASPCA animal behaviorists, and next time you drop off Fido at a friend’s house or the boarding kennel, you’ll feel sweet relief knowing that you miss him more than he misses you.

Doctor Knows Best
The first step in tackling behavior issues is to rule out any underlying medical problems that might be causing your pet’s behavior. For example, if your pet is urinating in the house, he might be suffering from a urinary tract infection, bladder stones, diabetes or kidney disease.

Keep It Mellow
All greetings—hellos and goodbyes—should be conducted in a very calm manner. When saying goodbye, just give your dog a pat on the head, say goodbye and leave. Similarly, when arriving home, say hello to your dog and then don’t pay any more attention to him until he’s calm and relaxed.

Dogs Need Jobs
Providing lots of physical and mental stimulation is a vital part of treating many behavior problems, especially those involving anxiety. Exercise can enrich your dog’s life, decrease stress and provide appropriate outlets for normal behavior. Plus, a tired dog doesn’t have much excess energy to burn when he’s left alone!

Photo: Rodin and Frida - R. Coane/SCOOP & HOWL

Microchip Helps L.I. Family Get Missing Dog Back 4 Years Later
NEW YORK
03 June 2010
A Long Island family is celebrating the return of Cooper, their little white dog went missing four years ago.

The fluffy pup, a coton de Tulear, was dropped off at the Islip animal shelter about a month ago after he was found wandering the streets of Brentwood, about 17 miles from his home in Lloyd Harbor. Shelter supervisor Joanne Daly said no one came looking for the dog. A microchip was found under his skin, and they traced its ownership to Gwynne Wicks and called her.

It was a call Wicks told Newsday she had long lost hope of receiving, a cell phone call so shocking she had to pull off the Long Island Expressway. Wicks told Newsday that her two sons, David, now 14, and Michael, 8, were "thrilled" when she relayed the news. When she went to the shelter, she approached Cooper's cage and said his name. "He turned around and looked at me and gave me a big lick," she said with a laugh. "I said, 'That's him!' "

Wicks and Daly believe the dog, who was wearing a name tag and electric collar when he disappeared, was probably stolen. But, whoever took care of Cooper trained him well. The dog is now house trained, doesn't bark as much and responds to commands, Wicks said.

Wicks said she hopes her story will inspire others to get their pets microchipped.

Photo credit: Danielle Finkelstein/Newsday

Arrests sought in reported Nowata ‘puppy mill’ case: Case under review by D.A.
By Tim Hudson E-E County Reporter
Enterprise-Examiner
Bartlesville OK
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Nowata County Sheriff’s Office deputies have submitted affidavits for the arrest of two people in connection with a reported “puppy mill” discovered in May.

“I turned two affidavits over to the district attorney’s office and they are working on it,” NCSO Deputy Jay Long (left) said when contacted today. “We expect arrests any day now,” Long said. More than 60 dogs were seized May 17 following a raid on a reported puppy mill in rural Nowata.

The term “puppy mill” generally refers to commercial canine and/or feline breeding operations that produce the animals in large quantities. A common complaint against puppy mills is that the animals are generally bred and kept in substandard, overcrowded and unsanitary conditions with little regard for the pets’ health, safety or welfare, according to the www.oklahomapuppymilltruth.org Web site.

According to Long, the NCSO received information that there was a puppy mill near a residence in rural Nowata. Following the report, authorities went to the owners and asked if they could look at the premises.

Reportedly, the dogs were kept in cages that were situated away from the main house by a barn.
Authorities contend that the dogs had food but the living conditions were “terrible.” Long announced the day after the raid that a veterinarian that accompanied deputies on the raid took several dogs immediately because of the conditions.

In total, 65 dogs were seized in the raid and were all small breeds — Chihuahuas, Schnauzers and terriers for the most part, according to BPD Animal Control Officer Rita Harvey. She further said that several dogs were in different stages of pregnancy.

Long said the dogs that were seized in the raid are still considered to be in protective custody.
“They are still in our care and still considered evidence,” he said today. Long said a hearing is scheduled Thursday regarding the feeding and care of the animals.

He said the animals are being housed at the Nowata Animal Shelter and at the Washington County SPCA.

ONCE THEY WERE NUMBERS, NOW THEY HAVE NAMES
By Cathy Scott, Best Friends staff writer
June 01, 2010
When an older 5-pound Yorkshire terrier was lifted from her wire box and carried out to a travel carrier inside a van, it meant the start of her first trip away from a huge puppy mill business. The stark existence she had endured for roughly nine years was over — but she didn’t know it yet.

Meet dog number 661, a popular-breed Yorkshire terrier, whose life has been spent having puppies who sell at pet stores.

Number 661’s life prior to that included standing, sitting, sleeping and having puppies on wire, with no relief. Her feet spread, causing infection between her toes. “She’s a small dog and she has these big platypus feet. She’s lived her entire life trying to balance on wire mesh,” said Kelli Ohrtman, campaign specialist for Best Friends’ Puppies Aren’t Products.

Number 661, now named Charlotte, comes from a puppy mill with a thousand dogs, “Yorkies who have been treated well and live in good conditions have tiny feet. Her feet are big and fat and splayed,” Ohrtman said.

Charlotte has just two teeth in her mouth and a tiny jaw that gives her a “horrific over bite,” Ohrtman said. “Personality-wise, she’s one of those who wants to be around people, but she’s still afraid.”

At the commercial puppy mill, her physical needs were met, food and water given, and a small indoor and outdoor space provided. “That’s it,” Ohrtman said. “Each time she went into heat, she was bred and had her puppies taken away at exactly eight weeks.” That scenario repeated itself for roughly nine years, which is the best estimate of her age. “It’s a really stark existence.”

Charlotte’s breed is a popular one. She’s from a USDA-licensed kennel, which means her puppies were sold to pet stores. “Her puppies are most likely grown up and now living in homes as cherished pets that somebody bought not realizing where they came from,” Ohrtman said.

From the puppy mill, Charlotte was driven to a temporary Midwest rescue center where, for the first time, volunteers and Best Friends’ staffers showed her love and affection.

Charlotte is included in the latest Pup My Ride program. The transport takes discarded puppy mill dogs, most of whom go to rescue groups on the East Coast where there is a high demand for small dogs. Before they leave for their new homes, they get medical check-ups and badly needed TLC.

Then there’s Number 369, who has been named Cash. He’s a 2-year-old cockachon — or cocker spaniel-bichon frise mix that’s a new so-called designer breed. As a young puppy, he was chosen to live his life at the puppy mill instead of being shipped to a pet store and put up for sale.

“He’s your typical male dog at a puppy mill. He was kept back as a stud dog. He has no socialization. It’s pretty safe to say he was born at this facility and almost forgotten about,” Ohrtman said.

Cash’s world began changing when the mill owner was unable to pay her mortgage or her bills.

Then, life changed dramatically the day an auction company showed up with a truck, took away the kennels, the equipment and the dogs. Suddenly, when the truck stopped at its destination, Cash was moved into a holding facility with 350 other dogs. What he could not know then was he had landed at a dog auction.

He was placed on a table in front of an audience with five other dogs. The bidding started at a dollar, then it dropped below a dollar. As breeders purchased dogs, one by one, Cash didn’t receive any bids. He was taken to the holding area as one of the few who remained behind.

“There are many dogs just like Cash who just don’t sell well at auction,” Ohrtman said. “They’re the ones who are too old to keep breeding, or breeds that just aren’t selling well to the public. Sometimes there are just more dogs than breeders want. It’s not the dogs’ fault.”

The auctioneer that day seemed to understand Cash’s and the other dogs’ plight.

“We don’t want to have to put these dogs down, but that’s what’s going to happen,” the auctioneer told the few remaining in the audience. Best Friends volunteers, who attended the auction as observers, stepped up and, for pennies, took Cash and the others with them.

Cash, along with Charlotte, is now about to head west to Best Friends to greener pastures on the Pup My Ride transport, to a new life and a home.

“Had someone not been there to take Cash, his life would have ended that day at the auction house,” Ohrtman said. “In a way, he was lucky to be one of the dogs none of the breeders wanted. He now has a pretty good life to look forward to as a pet in a forever home. Soon, he’ll be living the good life.”

How you can help:
Help rescue more dogs from puppy mills by donating to Puppies Aren’t Products campaign to fund future Pup My Ride projects.

Choose adoption. Many purebred dogs are available for adoption. Search by breed at Petfinder.com for your next family member.

Nine things you can do to help stop puppy mills:
You can HELP end puppy mills by supporting our Puppies Aren’t Products campaign and Pup My Ride program. The Pup My Ride program transports dogs out of puppy mills and shelters and into areas where they are most likely to find their forever homes. You can donate $5 to Pup My Ride by texting the word PUPPY to 90999. You will also be able to subscribe to receive text alerts about our work to end puppy mills sent right to your mobile phone.

Wet Vs. Dry: The Pet Food Debate Continues
by Gabrielle Jonas
June 1, 2010
Which is better for the family pet: dry food, wet food, or a mixture of the two? Issues for pet owners include water content, nutrition, dental health, and cost.

Many pet owners fear that pets never fully compensate for the low water content in dry food, leading to urinary tract disease.

Not true, Tony Buffington, D.V.M., Ph.D., Professor of Veterinary Clinical Sciences at the Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center, told ZooToo News. Buffington, whose research in urinary stone formation led to the reformulation of cat food, said cats do indeed compensate for dry food from their water bowls. But it's a myth, says Buffington, that cats’ desert origins allow them to survive on very little water. The Near East was not made up of desert 12,000 years ago, but the Fertile Crescent was, when cats were domesticated there. Feline water requirements are closer to those of a dog than a camel, so keeping fresh water available to them is crucial, especially with dry food.

Dry and wet food do possess essentially the same nutrients. In fact, the research behind both wet and dry food gives pets a nutritional benefit that even humans don't possess, said Buffington. "I am less concerned about the quality of pet food in the United States than about the quality of human foods," says Buffington. "Whereas humans eat a variety of diets that are formulated by people with no training in our species' nutrition, pets eat complete diets that are formulated by nutritional experts in their particular species."

“Pet food labeling rules are much more strict than are those for human foods," says the Pet Food Institute (PFI), a national trade association which represents the pet food industry.

Still, the National Academy of Sciences cautions that there is much to be known about companion animal nutrition. "Several gaps still exist in our knowledge of requirements for specific nutrients," the academy said in a 2006 report, Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats.

Many pet owners are convinced that dry food helps clean their pets' teeth. But that's more true for dogs than for cats. Colin E. Harvey, B.V.Sc., FRCVS, Professor of Surgery and Dentistry at the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, talked to ZooToo about his research published in the Journal of Veterinary Dentistry on the effect of dry food on pets' dental health.

"In dogs, I could not show that feeding dry kibble foods was less commonly associated with calculus build-up and gingivitis except on two teeth — the upper first molar teeth — often the most severely affected teeth in the mouth," Harvey said. And because owners of diminutive dogs are fearful of their pets' choking on kibble, those canines are the most likely to suffer from gum disease around the upper first molars. "Owners of small and toy breed dogs — which are much more likely to have periodontal disease than medium-sized or larger dogs — are more likely to feed their dogs soft food," said Harvey.
But dry food does offer some benefit to feline dental health. Cats fed dry food were somewhat less likely to have severe calculus buildup on eight major teeth, and gingivitis was less likely for two teeth, Harvey said.

Dry food made especially for dental health offer much more ability to control buildup of plaque and tartar than standard dry food, but not if they are watered down. "The effectiveness of the typically larger kibble size of a dental diet is lost if the owner wets the food because they see their dog taking its time to chew and swallow the food, as they interpret that as not 'normal',” Harvey said.

When a manufacturer adds water to pet food, the food becomes more expensive. "There is a cost difference between wet and dry food," said Consumer Reports Magazine. "Wet foods contain about 75 percent water, so pets need more to get the same calories, and that makes wet food more expensive per serving."

Feeding a 35-pound dog dry food can cost from 38 cents to $2.88 per day, whereas feeding it canned food can cost from $1.38 to $4.78 per day, Consumer Reports found in a study published in its March 2009 issue.

Photo: Robert Coane/Scoop @ Howl

The Truth About Dog Food
By JANE E. BRODY
June 1, 2010
Whatever you think your pet needs (dog or cat, that is, I’m not getting into nutrition for birds, rabbits, turtles and the many exotic animals people keep as pets), there is a product ready to meet it: vegetarian, organic, holistic, natural, raw, kosher, all-meat, gluten-free, high-fiber, high-protein, grain-free, low-fat, “lite” and anti-allergy. There are products for young and old pets and those with sensitive skin, sensitive stomachs and sensitive skin and stomachs, as well as foods enriched with supplements like antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine and chondroitin, the value of which has yet to be established for people, let alone pets.

Do the conscientious pet owners who buy these products really scour the supermarket for the human equivalent of “Grain-Free Optimal Holistic Nutrition for Dogs, Thoughtfully Chosen Whole Food Natural Ingredients in Every Bite,” as proclaimed on the package of Earthborn Primitive Natural dog food? Or baby food like Innova Puppy Food made with turkey, duck, barley, brown rice, apple, tomato, carrot, potato, egg, cottage cheese and alfalfa sprouts?

Parents know how to respond when a baby reacts badly to a newly introduced food. But if a puppy eating Innova had a food sensitivity, how could you tell which ingredient was responsible?

I’m not against feeding pets well. They are, after all, much-loved members of the family, providing valuable emotional support. Although both cats and dogs can be as mischievous as toddlers and as rebellious as teenagers, they are always happy to see you and they never talk back.

In fact, too often pets are overindulged, with too much food and too many snacks in proportion to the exercise they get. Veterinary groups have estimated that 20 to 60 percent of American dogs and cats are overweight or obese and at risk of developing heart disease, high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes.

And I wonder whether people who invest in high-end pet foods are getting their money’s worth. Are their pets really healthier and happier? Do they live longer? And are these foods any better than the generic versions sold in supermarkets and big-box stores?

Recognizing the high value most owners place on their companion animals, and distressed by recent recalls of contaminated pet foods, two scientists decided to examine the pet food industry and the evidence for the value of its products and the claims made for them. Marion Nestle, the Paulette Goddard professor of nutrition, food studies and public health at New York University, and Malden C. Nesheim, emeritus professor of nutrition at Cornell University, have packaged their findings in “Feed Your Pet Right: The Authoritative Guide to Feeding Your Dog and Cat,” published in May by Free Press.

In an interview, Dr. Nestle (pronounced NES-sel) said: “People are willing to spend anything on their pets. The $18-billion-a-year pet food industry is considered to be recession-proof. Although during this economic downturn shelters have been overwhelmed with pets people could not afford to keep, those who have kept their pets are not stinting on what they spend to feed them.”

She noted, however, that the so-called premium pet foods cost three to four times more than supermarket brands. Within the premium brands, there is also a wide price range, yet when the ingredients lists are compared, they are strikingly similar since all have to meet certain nutritional standards. The first five ingredients of nearly every kind of dog and cat food are generally the same, representing protein, fats and carbohydrates, Dr. Nestle said, adding that “anything listed below the salt would be present in only very small amounts.” She and Dr. Nesheim compared 10 premium chicken dinners for dogs and found that all contained basically the same ingredients: All start with chicken or chicken broth, followed by grains and vegetables. The nonpremium brands use more grains and poultry, meat and fish byproducts.

Most important, Drs. Nestle and Nesheim say, is to look for products labeled “complete and balanced,” indicating that they meet the nutritional requirements of cats and dogs listed by the Association of American Feed Control Officials. This organization, in conjunction with the Food and Drug Administration, state officials and the animal feed industry, develops model regulations for pet foods, which are voluntary unless encoded in state laws.

“All pet foods are made from the byproducts of human food production,” Dr. Nestle explained. “No matter what the package says, your dog is not getting whole chicken breasts, but what remains after the breasts have been removed for human food.”

And, indeed, it is primarily human food companies — Nestlé, Purina, Mars and Procter & Gamble — that make the pet foods sold throughout the world. Of course, in much of the world, domestic dogs and cats survive on table and street scraps, not commercially produced pet foods. In seeking evidence for the added value to health and longevity of commercial pet foods, the authors found almost none with any validity.

No agency requires proof of pet food health claims, and no pet food company is willing to invest in decades of research to determine whether its products keep animals healthier and extend their lives, the authors state. Pet food companies say they do research, but it is rarely done in a scientific fashion, with comparable control and experimental groups. There is, however, ample evidence that, despite claims to the contrary, both dogs and cats “are perfectly able to digest grains if they are cooked,” Dr. Nestle said.

None of this should imply that different pet food products make no difference to individual animals. When my friends’ havanese began licking its paws incessantly, the vet suggested they try a corn-free pet food, which stopped the itching. However, they need not spend $31 for a 12.5-pound bag of premium food free of corn; Costco’s Kirkland Super Premium Dog Food, also free of corn, costs about $15 for a 40-pound bag.

Still, Dr. Nestle suggested, “if one or another brand seems to completely change the way a dog behaves or cures an allergy, when you find something that works for you, stay with it.”

While many pay good money for marketing gimmicks, Dr. Nestle also does not object to people paying for attributes they value. If characteristics like natural, organic, holistic, vegetarian or kosher are important to pet owners, it may be worth it to them to pay top dollar for pet foods that claim to provide the desired attribute, even if there is no official or enforced definition of the claim.

Although some owners insist on cooking for their pets, the authors said animals are more likely to get all the nutrients they need, and in the right amounts, from a commercial product.

“Besides, the pet food industry serves an important ecological function by using up food that would otherwise be thrown out,” Dr. Nestle said. “If everyone cooked human food for the 472 million cats and dogs in America, it would be like feeding an additional 42 million people.”

Photo: Mike Bentley

Firefighters use new resuscitation masks to rescue four pets from fire
June 1, 2010
Two dogs and two cats that appeared lifeless after a Tuesday evening fire in a West Rogers Park home were rescued by firefighters with the use of new pet resuscitation masks donated to the Chicago Fire Department.

The fire was reported about 5:10 p.m. in a single-family home in the 6600 block of North Fairfield Avenue, according to Fire Media Affairs Director Larry Langford.

Occupants of the home had evacuated by the time firefighters arrived, leaving four pets unconscious in the home, Langford said. All four animals appeared lifeless when firefighters found them.

Firefighters from Truck 47 used the new pet resuscitation masks, and all four pets were "rescued and came back to life," Langford said. The masks "use oxygen designed to fit over the snout of a dog or cat," he said.

In total, about 250 kits were donated by an invisible fence company and Tuesday's fire was the first opportunity to use the masks, Langford said.

The fire, which originated in the basement, was quickly extinguished and there were no reports of injuries. By Tuesday night, the owners of the home were reunited with their pets, described as two house cats, a small dog and a large dog. All four pets had recovered from the fire, Langford said.

All department rigs, including fire trucks, engines and ambulances, are now outfitted with the pet masks, Langford said.

Canine Military Heroes:
A Memorial Day salute to military working dogs
by Zootoo Pet News Staff
May 31, 2010
Since World War I, military working dogs have played a crucial role in protecting our nation’s armed forces. Today, these four-legged heroes continue to perform vital duties, from explosive and drug detection to deterrence and handler protection.

After their service, these dogs enjoy retirement in a loving forever home, chosen through a rigorous screening process from a long waiting list of potential adoptive families.

The beloved military working dogs, both past and present, have saved the lives of tens of thousands of servicemen and women, and Zootoo is honored to salute them on this Memorial Day.

U.S. Air Force military working dogs Doc, Kisma and Jampy pose for a photo at the military working dog kennels at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., during their last weeks of service before retirement. The dogs earned 30 years of military service among them. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jason Colbert)	A military working dog, assigned to 172nd Cavalry Regiment, wears his doggles, his assigned personal protective equipment to protect his eyes, as a Chinook helicopter takes off, kicking up dust and debris, in Parwan province, Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jason Brace)
Cookie, the unofficial mascot of 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, rides in a U.S. Soldier’s backpack at Combat Outpost Jeleran, Afghanistan. (DoD photo by Tech. Sgt. Francisco V. Govea II, U.S. Air Force)	U.S. Air Force military working dogs Doc, Kisma and Jampy pose for a photo at the military working dog kennels at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., during their last weeks of service before retirement. The dogs earned 30 years of military service among them. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jason Colbert)

Weird BUT true
Bo in stare-down with Secret Service Dog
Wire Services
May 31 , 2010
There's no question who's top dog in the Obama administration.

First Dog Bo got into a stare-down with a Secret Service dog at Andrews Air Force Base late last week. And the bomb-sniffing pooch turned tail.

"I didn't want him getting into it with the Secret Service," President Obama said. "I've seen their training."

If you value your sanity, avoid co-ops:
Dogfight on posh Fifth Ave.
Andrea Peyser
May 31, 2010
Woof. This epic drama plays out in a tony, apartment building on Fifth Avenue, where pied-à-terres, some made from two (or three or four) combined spaces, are bordered by Central Park on the west, and to the north by the Guggenheim Museum.

The building at 1056 Fifth Ave. has all the bells and whistles you'd expect in this ZIP code -- 'round-the-clock doormen, elevator operators. Plus, a strict ban on furry friends. No teensy teacup poodles or gauche German shepherds here. And no freaky Cornish rex kitties. But in the past few months, well-to-do residents of the 80-unit co-op have proved they don't need to have animals to act like them. They're at each other's throats. Angry letters flood mailboxes. Neighbors who've never spoken knock, in person, on doors. And, predictably, the threat of legal action swirls in the halls with the scent of Chanel.

The peace that has swaddled this building like a 1,000-thread-count Frette Egyptian cotton bed sheet has been pierced, perhaps irrevocably, by an attempt to change an ironclad policy that has ruled the lobby and living rooms for more than 60 years. Some neighbors want pets.

"People who wanted this wanted it so badly," said Lori Berke, who lives in a double-wide ninth-floor apartment with her husband and teen-age daughter, Amanda.

"Dogs don't belong in the city, they belong in the country," countered Karin Brown, 75 (seventh floor).

The city's expanding dog runs and tangled leashes tell another story. As families flee the suburbs for the hectic urban embrace, dog ownership is way up. Many buildings have relaxed pet bans as a way to lure buyers who won't be apart from Fifi. Sometimes, there's a backlash -- in Baltimore, residents of a building want to test dogs' DNA to find out who's been leaving steaming piles of poop.

At 1056 Fifth, stubborn residents argue that a pet ban only makes the digs more desirable.

"People lock them up during the day. They bark eventually. We have very thin walls in this building. In the elevators, they slobber on you and jump on you," said Brown. "I like dogs. Just not here."

Amanda Berke, 15, wrote a plan to allow dogs weighing less than 25 pounds, one per apartment, restricting them to the service elevator, and sent it to -- of course! -- a lawyer. She took a poll that found that 60 percent of residents agreed with pets. And that, said her mom, is when things "got interesting." "You learn a lot about your neighbors," she added.

Intense letters flew between apartments. Some were sent to me by an interested party, not the Berkes.

"There is no enforceable way to limit the size, weight, hair length or other characteristics of any dog brought into the building," stated a May 18 letter addressed to "Tenant Shareholders," which spread unfounded fears of declining property values.

A petition attacked Amanda as a sneak for stating that dogs "may" be 25 pounds or less, not "must" -- a mistake that was typed into her policy by the lawyer, said her mom. She was slammed for not mentioning cats, a move some took as calculated -- although Amanda insists she forgot to mention cats because she didn't think they were a big deal. "She's 15!" said Lori.

Tempers were high at the shareholders' meeting Tuesday. "Why should the rights of children trump everyone else?" asked one tenant. "I'm very, very allergic!" said another.

Pumped by building nastiness, residents voted down pets by 2 to 1, despite the earlier, pet-friendly poll. Amanda ran from the meeting, crying.

"I told my daughter that even Barack Obama lost a campaign," Lori said. "It's been a good lesson to her. It's also been eye-opening." She also considered legal action, explaining, "The opposition threatened legal action if this passed."

Me, I have no use for animals, except at a distance. (Or on a plate). But these folks will have a hard time selling apartments in pet-friendly New York.

There is a larger lesson here. If you value your sanity, avoid co-ops.

Mutts make the cut
Mixed-breed dogs are finally able to strut their stuff and compete alongside purebred pals in AKC agility competitions
By REBECCA WALLWORK
May 30, 2010
“It was like doggie segregation,” says the 38-year-old Murray Hill resident whose mixed-breed is quite the agile pup. “Until now, she wasn’t able to participate in her own kennel club’s agility trial.” But on April 1, the country’s most prestigious dog organization, the American Kennel Club, introduced the Canine Partners program, allowing mixed-breed dogs to compete alongside their purebred cousins for the first time ever. (And, no, it wasn’t an April Fools’ Day prank.)

Mutts have long been allowed to exercise agility through other organizations such as the United States Dog Agility Association, but as the nation’s oldest authority on all things canine, the AKC stood steadfast in their exclusivity.

“The AKC has been around for 125 years, yet this is one of the first times mixed breeds are allowed to compete,” says Topol. “It’s a big deal.”

If dog shows like Westminster are the beauty pageants of the dog world, agility trials are the Olympics. Instead of looks and breeding lines, these events are all about speed and athleticism. And Topol’s 3-year-old mixed-breed surely isn’t short on energy.

“Schmutzy is crazy athletic — she loves agility,” says Topol. “To her, it’s like crack.”

Topol found her goofy-looking dog at the North Shore Animal League and began doing agility trials 2 1⁄2 years ago when a neighbor at her local dog run suggested it would be a good way to channel Schmutzy’s excess excitement. The pair had good success at USDAA events, but Topol was thrilled to learn they could start competing at AKC trials, too.

At one on May 15, the pair zoomed through the obstacle course — Schmutzy leapt through hoops, weaved poles and over jumps, ears flying. Topol ran a few feet to her side, using hand gestures and verbal commands to tell her where to go next, testing both her leadership and training skills.

“I need to be faster to keep up with Schmutzy!” admits Topol.

Living in a one-bedroom apartment in the city presents challenges for practicing jumps and seesaws. But Topol does training drills in hallways and attends classes in Port Chester twice a week.
“It’s a great way to have an active dog in the city,” says Topol. “Before we started doing it, Schmutzy was crazy and a bit overweight. Now she’s fit, happy and calm.”

Some agility enthusiasts who get hooked wind up getting a new dog — usually a breed known for excelling at the sport, such as a Shetland sheepdog or a border collie. But Topol remains true to mutts all the way.

“People ask me what breed Schmutzy is, and I tell them, ‘She’s a one-of-a-kind dog.’ It rocks. Plus, she gives purebreds a serious run for their money.”Read more:

Photo:ROBERT KALFUS

Summer Safety Tips:
Protect Your Pet From Heat and Sun
by Zootoo Pet News Staff
May 27, 2010
Memorial Day weekend signals the start of summer, and both pets and owners alike are gearing up to celebrate the long, lazy "dog days" of the season. But even though animals are eager to play outside in warmer climates, the sunny weather can bring perils for both cats and dogs.

Here are Zootoo's simple guidelines for a safe, carefree summer with your furry friends:

Pets need sunscreen
Just like humans, your cat or dog can get extremely sunburned, especially if your pet has light colored hair. Animal sunburns can cause the same problems as those of humans: peeling, redness and even cancer. Skin cancer in pets is much more prevalent than one would assume, so purchasing pet-friendly sunscreen can go a long way in protecting the health of your pet when the heat kicks in. Places that are easy to forget, but prone to burning are: inside the nostrils, tip of nose, around your dog’s lips and the inside of ears for dogs with stand-up ears.

Never leave your pet in the car
It may seem like a car trip will cool off your pet, but it will probably do more harm than good if you leave your pet in the car for even a few minutes. The temperature in your car can rise over 100 degrees in a manner of minutes, so if you are bringing the dog in the car, make sure you can take him out on any errands you run when parking the vehicle.

Pets need extra water... but don’t let them drink just anything
Just like humans, pets need a lot of water during the summer, but be careful not to leave that water out too long. The heat can breed bacteria, which can sicken your pet if you’ve left it out in the sun too long. Give your dog extra water during the spring and summer, but be careful to change the water often. If dogs are extra thirsty, pets are bound to drink something they shouldn't drink. Puddles of what looks like water may be on the ground, but these may include antifreeze or other dangerous chemicals, so keep an eye when the dog is panting and looking for something to sip on.

Don’t give your pet TOO much exercise
Don't overdo it in the heat. Keep walks to a gentle pace. If your pet is panting a lot or seems exhausted, it's time to stop. There are quick and easy ways for you and your pet to get in shape together this summer, but one of them is not overdoing it — try changing up the routine and jogging intervals with your dog, or walking up and down hills in order to exercise both yourself and your pet.

Inside is better than outside
Even if your pet is in the shade, it can get sick quickly on hot days. As much as Fido wants to go outside, it is usually smarter to keep your pet inside as much as possible. If you have to leave the dog outside on a hot day, make sure to check on him/her regularly. NEVER leave the house on a hot day with the dog outside.

Watch for heatstroke
Dogs can develop heatstroke fairly quickly. Signs of this are excessive panting, staring, anxious expression on the face, warm skin, refusal to obey commands by owner, vomiting, collapse and rapid heartbeat. If you suspect that your pet is suffering from this, lower the animal's body temperature by applying towels soaked in cool water to the hairless areas of the body. Often the pet will respond after just a few minutes of cooling, only to falter again with his temperature soaring back up or falling to well below what is normal. Take the dog to the vet immediately — don’t try to solve this yourself.

Throw away uneaten food
Although you may leave wet cat food out or dog food during the day in winter months, summer months and warm weather lead to increased bacteria growth, so if your pet doesn’t eat it immediately, bring the food inside to the cool house, where it can be kept for longer.

Westchester Man Gets 1 Year For Dog Murder
Jonathan King Was Sentenced To A Year In Prison For Brutal Murder Of His Girlfriend's Yorkshire Terrier
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.
May 25, 2010
A man who killed his girlfriend's dog by snapping its spine will be spending a year behind bars.
The Westchester County district attorney's office says 21-year-old Jonathan King of Yorktown was sentenced Tuesday to a year in prison and a year of probation.

King admitted in March that he killed Libra, a Yorkshire terrier mix, last year by yanking its collar hard enough to dislocate its head from its spine.Prosecutors said there was no apparent motive. King was also ordered to have no contact with his ex-girlfriend or her family.

The dog's body was found behind a clothes dryer. King was identified when DNA analysis determined that blood found beneath the dog's claws was his.

Dogfighting detection means knowing signs
The Daytona Beach News-Journal
PET PROJECT
By JACQUE ESTES
May 22, 2010
Animal control agencies across the country are always on the lookout for dogfighting activities. And while many homeowners who live in more congested areas may believe this activity isn't happening in their area, there are aspects of the illegal and abusive businesses that could be happening right next door.

"It's everywhere, including very populated neighborhoods with houses right next door to each other," Becky Wilson, director of Volusia County Animal Control said in a phone interview. "It's not limited to rural areas. Organized fights may be in more remote areas but the raising and training goes on everywhere."

According to the Humane Society of the United States website, hsus.org, "Street dogfighting is rampant in our cities, perpetuating animal cruelty, violence, and crime. It causes horrible animal suffering and desensitizes young people to cruelty. In this underground world, who ever has the toughest pit bull is the winner -- and the dogs and our communities are the losers."

Dogfighters who suspect they have been detected often move to a different area, making it difficult for authorities to track down and prosecute them. But there are signs neighbors can watch for if they suspect dogfighting activity nearby.

According to Flagler County Animal Control officer Katie Westerhouse, increased traffic to the house may be the first tip something isn't right. "You may see lots of traffic, people coming and going with animals coming in and out," she said. One might think the sound of dogs fighting would be the first tip-off, but that's not necessarily the case. "Don't assume that just because you hear the dogs that sound like they are fighting, they actually are," Westerhouse said. "Sometimes it's hard to tell the difference."

Other possible signs are privacy fences and apparatus like kennels, special treadmills for the dogs and spring poles. These are not conclusive signs of a fighting operation, however. People, myself included, have privacy fences and dogs that have been known to get quite vocal with each other.

Spring poles, often used in fight training, are also accepted toys used by owners to allow their dogs to grab onto a toy and play a tug of war of sorts with the spring mechanism providing the resistance. This does not make them fight trainers, just average people with average homes using equipment the way it's intended. Wilson said those with two-story houses may be able to look down into a backyard and see spring poles hanging from trees but she cautions people to not judge on this alone.

According to Westerhouse, dogfighters are more likely to keep their training equipment out of the public view.

Breed profiling is also inconclusive. "Just because someone owns a pit bull does not mean they are fighting it," Wilson said. "Pit bulls can make great family pets."

Westerhouse said that in her experience most of these dogs are canine aggressive but not necessarily aggressive toward people. "Most of the dogs that have been raised to fight or as a bait dog have been great with me," she said.

Both Wilson and Westerhouse stressed the importance of reporting any concerns and never approaching or confronting the individuals themselves. "People who are suspicious of activities should report it to us and let us do our investigation," Wilson said, adding that there is "a lot of investigation prior to our knocking on the door."

Those who believe there may be dogfighting activity in their neighborhood should call the animal control office that serves their area. Phone numbers are generally listed in the local government section of the phone book."It's important for people to make the report" Wilson said.

Catching dogfighters
Thanks to a donation after the well-publicized Michael Vick dogfighting case, the Humane Society of the United States was able to double the reward offered from $2,500 to $5,000 for tips that lead to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in dogfighting.

Tips can be made anonymously by calling 877-TIP-HSUS (847-4787).

Detector Dog Sniffs Out Tortoises
May. 21 2010
A Canada Border Services Agency detector dog was able to sniff out three tortoises from a traveller's suitcases at the Edmonton International Airport. Officers then took the suitcases aside and found the tortoises along with other prohibited food and plant material.

The Canada Border Services Agency says the importation of the tortoises is prohibited in Canada. The animals were on a plane from London, England.

An Edmonton man is the owner of the suitcases, and he is now investigation. Officials say it's not clear yet whether the owner simply didn't know the rules, or was attempting to smuggle the reptiles in. "Canada Border Services is determining whether or not criminal charges will be laid," said Lisa White with the Canada Border Services Agency.

Trevor Hickey of the Edmonton Valley Zoo says there is a pet trade market for these tortoises. The tortoises have since been seized and were turned over to Environment Canada to be cared for.

Hope for Wapato Strays
By Ryan Simms, KIMA-TV
Wapato WA
May 21, 2010
A new rescue group is pledging to save as many animals as possible.

In a sea of puppies, dozens of dogs have been saved, but there are many more to go.

For Randy Sperle, it's a lofty goal. You may remember, last month, KIMA took a closer look at Wapato's stray pet problem, and found five strays in just 20 minutes. But nowadays, Sperle is trying to change that, in the form of new rescue group called "Rez Dogs."

The group has only been operational for one month, and yet they've already rescued 30 animals. But cruelty still exists. Sperle recently saved a pregnant dog that had a cable wrapped around its neck.

Rez Dogs is running only on donations.

Unlike other rescue groups, it offers help to people who might not have enough money to take care of their pets.

But with each droopy face there's still a lot of work to do, Including dealing with irresponsible owners.
"They're not gonna reclaim that dog, they'll just get another dog that won't be spayed or neutered," Sperle says.

Sperle knows he faces an uphill battle, but with 20 pets already saved, it's a step in the right direction for Wapato's strays.

If you would like to learn more about Rez Dogs, you can call them at (509)-823-1037. You can also
e-mail them at RezDogRescue@clearwire.net

Tennessee Floods Impact Pets:
How to Keep Your Animals "Disaster-Safe"
By Robin Wallace
May 18, 2010
No one expected what was forecasted to be "just" a couple of days of thunderstorms to result in the worst flooding in the history of the region, but that's what happened in Tennessee earlier this month.
The flooding disaster has impacted countless Tennesseans, with an estimated $1 billion in damages, and has resulted in 31 confirmed deaths. The toll on pets and animals is still being assessed by various animal agencies, but the impact can be seen clearly in area shelters, which are overrun with displaced animals.

The Tennessean reports that people have been finding animals in basements, attics, ventilation shafts, vehicles, bushes, and on the streets. Some have microchips and collars, but the phone numbers listed for them are temporarily out of service, The Associated Press reported.

Meanwhile, the ASPCA has been following up on calls from families evacuated from flooded and damaged areas.
“The family had been able to move the animals to higher ground before they were evacuated. But this was almost four days ago, and we had no idea the conditions we would find them in,” Allison Cardona, the ASPCA’s director of operations, said of one specific case.

In search and rescue boats, the ASPCA's Field Investigation and Response team arrived at the scene to discover a dozen chickens, a peacock and a goat congregated on a tiny area of dry land, and a cat in the house and another on what appeared to be a small trailer engulfed in water. With animals secured in a boat able to hold dozens of animals, the team headed back to dry land.

“As soon as the animals were secured in the boat, they fell asleep,” said Joel Lopez, ASPCA’s logistics manager. “Between the rain, followed by severe heat, and not having access to food or water, they were just exhausted. I like to think they were finally able to relax, now that relief had come."

Once back to the shelter, the animals all went through a decontamination process which consisted of repeated washings in Dawn liquid dish detergent as the flood waters turned toxic.

“It’s polluted by everything you find in a home — sewage, kerosene, garbage, bleach and other hazardous chemicals — and it’s everywhere,” explained Kyle Held (right), Midwest Director of ASPCA Field Investigations and Response, of the danger which is compounded when animals groom or preen themselves and create a serious risk for illness.

This group of rescued animals was quickly reunited with its family. “The family was there to greet us as we arrived back at the shelter,” said Lopez. “Emotions were high — they were just so happy to be reunited with their beloved pets.”

But many more animals are waiting for their happy reunions as shelter directors say they're running out of space for newly rescued pets. As of last week, the Nashville Humane Association closed its doors to strays, reserving its remaining room for families in need of temporary boarding for their pets.
At Metro Animal Care and Control, animals are allowed to stay indefinitely if they are found collared or micro-chipped, which is a bend of the rules.

According to The Tennessean, "by law, the agency is required to keep dogs and cats only for three business days before they can be evaluated for adoption or euthanized. The agency also is waiving boarding and impounding fees."

To help pets and pet owners affected by this FEMA-declared disaster area:

1) Donate to the Red Cross: Simply text “REDCROSS” to 90999 to donate $10 to relief efforts. Every little bit helps and is so greatly needed right now. Or, log onto their website to donate via credit card.

2) Donate to Nashville Humane Association: NHA has provided shelter for many of the displaced pets while their guardians are at Red Cross shelters. You can help two ways: Either donate money via their Web site, or deliver supplies to their shelter for distribution to pet guardians and pets in need.

3) Donate to the Community Foundation: The Community Foundation has established disaster Response Funds to help Davidson County as well as Middle Tennessee counties with flood relief. Learn more here.

4) Donate to Brown Dog Foundation: The Brown Dog Foundation is raising funds to assist displaced pets with medical care and needs through their Disaster relief Funds program. Learn more and donate here.

How to Keep your Pet "Disaster-Safe"

The Tennessee floods of May 1 - 2, 2010 should also serve as a reminder to pet owners to make sure you have a disaster plan in place which accounts for your pets.

The ASPCA suggests:

Get a Rescue Alert Sticker
This easy-to-use sticker will let people know that pets are inside your home. Make sure it is visible to rescue workers, and that it includes 1) the types and number of pets in your household; 2) the name of your veterinarian; and 3) your veterinarian's phone number. If you must evacuate with your pets, and if time allows, write "EVACUATED" across the stickers. Click here to get a free emergency pet alert sticker for your home.

Arrange a Safe Haven
Arrange a safe haven for your pets in the event of evacuation. Do not leave your pets behind. Remember, if it isn't safe for you, it isn't safe for your pets. They may become trapped or escape and be exposed to numerous life-threatening hazards.

Note: Not all Red Cross disaster shelters accept pets, so it is imperative to determine where you will bring your pets ahead of time:

1. Contact your veterinarian for a list of preferred boarding kennels and facilities.
2. Ask your local animal shelter if they provide emergency shelter or foster care for pets.
3. Identify hotels or motels outside of your immediate area that accept pets.
4. Ask friends and relatives outside your immediate area if they would be willing to take in your pet.

Emergency Supplies and Traveling Kits
Keep an Evac-Pack and supplies handy for your pets. This kit should be clearly labeled and easy to carry. (Remember, food and medications need to be rotated out of your emergency kit—otherwise they may go bad or become useless.)

Top 5 items should include:
1. Blanket (for scooping up a fearful pet) and an extra leash or harness.
2. About a week's worth of canned (pop-top) or dry food, and bottled water.
3. Disposable litter trays and litter.
4. Recent photos of your pets (in case you are separated and need to make "Lost" posters)
5. Photocopies of medical records and a waterproof container with a two-week supply of any medicine your pet requires.

Choose “Designated Caregivers”
This step will take considerable time and thought. When choosing a temporary caregiver, consider someone who lives close to your residence, is generally home during the day, or has easy access to your home. A set of keys should be given to this trusted individual. When selecting this "foster parent," consider people who have met your pet and have successfully cared for animals in the past. Be sure to discuss your expectations at length with a permanent caregiver, so he or she understands the responsibility of caring for your pet.

Evacuation Preparation
If you must evacuate your home in a crisis, plan for the worst-case scenario. If you think you may be gone for only a day, assume that you may not be allowed to return for several weeks. When recommendations for evacuation have been announced, follow the instructions of local and state officials.

To minimize evacuation time, take these 5 simple steps:
1. Store an emergency kit and leashes as close to an exit as possible.
2. Make sure all pets wear collars and tags with up-to-date identification. Your pet's ID tag should contain his name, telephone number, and any urgent medical needs. Also do the same on your pet's carrier.
3. Consider micro-chipping as a more permanent form of identification.
4. Always bring pets indoors at the first sign or warning of a storm or disaster. Pets can become disoriented and wander away from home during a crisis.
5. Consider your evacuation route and call ahead to make arrangements for boarding your pet outside of the danger zone at the first sign of disaster.

How to Identify Dog-Friendly Candidates
May 18, 2010
As election season heats up around the country, we will be publishing a series of articles on proactive things dog clubs, owners and breeders can do to make a difference. In this second installment, we provide ways to find out candidates’ views on canine legislation.

One of the most effective ways to ensure your rights as responsible dog owners and breeders are protected is to ensure that dog-friendly lawmakers are elected. But how can you know for sure that you are voting for someone who will support your rights? AKC Government Relations has several suggestions on how to determine if a candidate will protect your rights as a dog owner.

Research Incumbent Voting Records
If the candidate is an incumbent, start by researching their voting records on canine legislative issues during their time in office. Start with their most recent term, and then research previous terms if applicable. For state legislative incumbents, visit the AKC’s 2010 Legislation Tracking page, and click on your state to see the canine legislation issues AKC tracked this year. Click on each bill to review its bill history and any votes that were taken. You can also view who sponsored the legislation.

You may also want to visit AKC’s Legislative Alerts page . You will find six years of alerts AKC posted on various local, state, and federal issues. If available, click on the link in the alert to view bill information. If not, you can visit your state’s legislative web site, go to the bill search page, and choose the year you wish to search. Then you can type in the bill number. Most state legislative web sites allow you to search for 3-5 years.

Some local municipal web sites also allow you to search archived votes and meeting minutes. If they do not, contact your city or county clerk’s office (depending if the issue was considered by the city or county government) and request the vote record for the issue of interest. These records are available to the public.

Many other political and advocacy organizations also post candidate voting records. Check the sites of organizations that agree and disagree with your positions on canine legislation to see how they rate your candidates and how the candidates voted on issues of interest to that organization.

Research Candidate Endorsements
Another great way to learn about candidates is to research their endorsements. Many have this posted on their campaign web sites and in campaign literature you will receive in the mail. You can also call their campaign office and ask if they have a list of endorsements. Check to see if organizations you support (or oppose) are supporting your candidate. Many candidates will also be endorsed by public officials. Consider whether these officials are dog-friendly.

Take the time to also search the web sites of organizations that support and oppose your views on canine legislation. Many of these sites post endorsements or ratings systems for candidates.

Ask the Candidates
One of the most effective ways to find out the candidates’ views is to ask them directly. Attend town halls, public forums, debates, and other public events that allow voters to ask the candidates questions about issues important to them.

Here are some suggested questions:
• Would you support the ability to breed dogs, as long is it is done in a responsible and safe manner?
• Do you support the ability to keep dogs that are not spayed or neutered?
• Do you support the ownership of all breeds of dogs?
• Would you support limiting the number of animals someone can own?
• Would you support citizens holding dog shows (and/or field trials, hunt trials if applicable) in your state/district/community?
• Do you believe there is a pet overpopulation problem? If so, what do you believe is the cause of the problem and how would you resolve it?

DO NOT ASK them their opinions on specific organizations, as they may not be aware of where various groups stand on dog issues. Rather, asking them policy questions will give you a much better idea of their positions. We also recommend that you do not engage in a public debate . Instead, follow up with their campaign office and ask if you can meet with the candidate or their staff to discuss canine legislation issues.

Make sure to let them know that the candidate’s positions on these issues
WILL impact how you VOTE!

Remember–if they do not share your views, dodge a question, or have not voted how you want, view it as an opportunity to educate. When you follow up, invite candidates to your next club meeting or dog show to talk about canine legislation. Remember to visit the AKC Government Relations Toolbox for resources you can give candidates to help educate them about the value and importance of supporting responsible dog ownership!

Weird BUT true
Wire Services
May 18 , 2010

Now playing in Baltimore: "CSI Meets Lassie."

Residents of an upscale condo are voting on a plan to gather the DNA of every resident's dog to identify the perpetrator who's leaving piles of poop on the grounds.

Each dog owner would be charged $50 to cover the cost of the tests, a proposal that one resident described as worthy of a "Seinfeld" episode.

Bella the Beagle Returns Safely Home
By Jay Speiden
May 16, 2010
Even among dog lovers, Kari Hess stands out as a true canine devotee. For years now, she has gone the extra mile to make sure that every stray she comes across along the highway or in her neighborhood gets a good shot at finding its way home.

“I always stop and collect any strays I see and I call the number on their tag to make sure they get home safely,” Hess said. “If they don’t have a collar, I take them to the vet to see if they might have a microchip that will get the lost pet back home to its owner.”

So, on December 29 of last year, when Hess was bringing in her dogs, Zach, Barkley, Ziggy, and Bella, from their fenced-in play area, she was shocked to find that her newest beagle Bella was missing. After a closer inspection, she noticed that one of the dogs had tunneled under the fence. “I don’t know if it was Bella that did the digging, maybe it was one of the other dogs.” But, at the end of the day, it was Bella that got loose — and it was Bella who was now out there somewhere, completely on her own.

“I panicked,” Hess admits. “I rushed out and crisscrossed the neighborhood, yelling and searching, but there was no sign of Bella. She was just gone.”

As someone who regularly picks up other strays, Hess knows the value of having a pet chipped and being a member of a service that will help you if your dog is lost. “I’m a member of Home Again and they were an amazing help. Minutes after calling them, they’d put out the pet equivalent of an APB dragnet by faxing the lost pet report along with photos and flyers to all the vets, pet groomers, and pet stores within a 50-mile radius of my house.”

Hess spent New Year’s Eve stuffing 2,500 flyers she had made into mailboxes and posting ads on Craigslist.com, but Bella was still missing. Despite all of her efforts, Hess had no luck finding Bella. “Everyone in the neighborhood was so great, especially the kids. They would see me walking my other dogs and ride up on their bikes and tell me they were looking every day. They were probably trying to make me feel better because I was often in tears whenever I walked the dogs, remembering Bella.”

Hess put an ad on Craigslist every day and got tons of responses, but each time she went to see the dog in question, it was never her Bella. “Some people would just call to tell me they were sorry I lost my dog,” Hess said. Her vigil went on for 7 weeks. “I was still going through the motions, but I’d been disappointed by so many false leads that I was starting to lose hope,” Hess admits.

Then one day the phone rang. A vet in a town just outside Miami, some 20 miles away, was on the other end of the line. “I think I have your dog,” said the voice. “I thought it was a joke or another false lead,” Hess remembers. “Then they said they were a vet and asked me Bella’s microchip ID number.” The numbers were a match. Bella had been found.

“Bella was found by two elderly sisters who live together in a house outside of Miami,” Hess explains. “Her collar was missing when they found her, but they said she appeared in good condition.” She was, however, hungry and the two sisters began feeding Bella. Their idea was to keep her as a pet for their niece who loves dogs.

The niece did love Bella when she met her, but as a dog lover, she also realized someone else might love Bella too. She insisted that Bella get a scan just to make sure she didn’t have a chip. That’s when the vet found her microchip and called Hess. “I rushed there as fast as I could and there she was. The vet asked if I wanted to keep Bella and I almost yelled, ‘Yes!’.”

Now Bella is back home with her family. But these days, before Hess puts her dogs out into the play area, she checks the perimeter to make sure nobody else makes a break for it. And everybody is happier for her vigilance.

Photo courtesy of Kari Hess

Gust-blown pup survives 5-floor fall
By JESSICA SIMEONE and JAMES FANELLI
May 16, 2010
He's a real-life Underdog!

A mild-mannered Manhattan pooch turned into a flying furball when a gust blew him up, up and away off his owner's 11th-floor terrace in TriBeCa and sent him five stories down and 30 feet east to a rooftop. Alfie, a 4-year-old, 10-pound silky terrier, miraculously walked away from the flight with just a few bruises and scratches and a cut lip.

"It was like 'The Wizard of Oz,' and he was Toto," said Jessica Gould, a neighbor who rescued Alfie.
The dog was swept from the Independence Plaza complex on the afternoon of May 3 after a thunderstorm whipped up.

"It had to be a horrible, horrible quick wind because he definitely doesn't jump," said his owner, Sarann Lindenauer, 67.

Lindenauer had left her terrace's door open to let in the warm breezes earlier in the day. She said she left her apartment for five minutes and came back to find Alfie had vanished. "I ran all over the house calling his name," the grandmother recalled. "I looked down on the plaza and onto the landing of the town houses."

Luckily, Gould, who lives in a different tower of the complex, had been looking out at the storm from her seventh-floor window and spotted Alfie -- five flights down. Gould headed to Alfie's landing spot and found him standing in the rain.

"I brought him down to the lobby," she said. "Then [the doorman] grabbed a towel and said, 'This is Alfie. Oh, my, God. This is Alfie. He came from the 11th floor.' "

Lindenauer was called and reunited with Alfie.

"I always keep my door open, but no more," she said. "He doesn't exactly love being out there now."

Photo: Daniel Shapiro

National Dog Bite Prevention Week:
How to Protect Yourself and Your Kids
By Zootoo Pet News Staff
May 15, 2010
As the sunny days of summer arrive, more pet owners will be heading outdoors with their dogs. And while most of these pooches are warm and neighborly, it is important to know how to protect yourself and those around you in case a risky situation arises.

Next week is National Dog Bite Prevention Week, and the American Kennel Club is working to educate people about how to avoid harmful encounters. Adults should be especially careful to make children aware of how to prevent dog bites.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 400,000 children seek medical attention for dog bites each year, and children are the most frequent victims of dog bites.

The American Kennel Club offers the following tips for kids on how to be safe around dogs:

1. Dogs are territorial creatures by nature and like their own space. If a dog is barking at you while you are in his territory (his yard or car for example) do not try and pet him.

2. Always ask a dog’s owner permission to pet the dog before you approach. Approach the dog slowly and let him sniff your hand first, and then pet him under the chin.

3. If you encounter a lost dog, do not run towards or away from him. Be still and back away slowly.

4. Should an unfriendly dog run toward you, stand still with your arms crossed in front of your body. Do not make eye contact with the dog—they take eye contact as a challenge.

5. If you come across a pack of dogs, throw a small object away from you to distract them, and then slowly walk away.

6. Remember it is the deed, not the breed. Do not judge a dog simply by what breed it is. Judge a dog by his actions.

Additional information on safety around dogs can be found on the AKC website at www.akc.org

√ √

Lou Reed and Laurie Anderson to Perform Free Show...for Dogs
by Benjy Eisen / SPINNER
Sydney, AUSTRALIA
May 15, 2010
Nobody will ever accuse Lou Reed of playing it safe. The non-traditional artist has made a career out of going out of bounds, first with the Velvet Underground, then with the love-it-or-hate-it 1975 album 'Metal Machine Music' -- and all points in between. And he's at it again.

On June 5, Lou Reed and his wife Laurie Anderson will perform a free concert on the North Boardwalk near the Sydney Opera House in Australia -- exclusively for dogs. And we're not talking about the barkers you may find next to you at the typical rock gig. We're talking actual canines. Reed and Anderson will perform 'Music for Dogs' - a 20-minute piece composed by Anderson that will be inaudible to human ears but which will surely make the dogs bark and howl and do whatever else it is they do at rock concerts made just for them. Human chaperones can, you know, bring a book or sniff around while their dogs rock out.

"Our canine friends will be treated to a glorious cacophony of sound while all we hear is the lapping of the water on the harbor," states the event's website. We bet you'll also hear a cacophony of dogs responding to the music in the same primal way that humans do. We're also betting at least one dog whistle will be involved.

The event is part of the Vivid LIVE festival at the Opera House which this year, not so coincidentally, is being curated by Reed and Anderson. They will both perform concerts for humans on other nights, including a show by Reed's Metal Machine Trio, during which they will perform music inspired by the 'Metal Machine Music' album. At the time of its 1975 release, some critics speculated that it was, in fact, for the dogs. These days, we know better. But it looks as if Reed himself has come around to the idea.

What If Disaster Strikes?
Emergency Planning for Pets
May 15, 2010
As Hurricane Katrina, 9/11, and the current tragedies in the Gulf Coast region and Tennessee illustrate, disasters come in all shapes and sizes. Even with the aid of disaster response teams, homes and families were devastated by these destructive events—and many evacuees lost their companion animals.

With hurricane season just around the corner, the ASPCA reminds you to help keep your family intact by creating an emergency evacuation plan. Even if you don’t live in an area that’s known for dangerous weather, please take the following simple actions before you’re forced to confront a catastrophe.

Have an Evacuation Plan in Place
Plan for the worst-case scenario. Store an emergency kit and leashes as close to an exit as possible, make sure all your pets are wearing proper identification and consider your evacuation route ahead of time.

Arrange a Safe Haven
Don’t leave your pet behind if you’re forced to evacuate. Find out if there are emergency animal shelters in your area.

Pre-Pack an Emergency Kit
Prepare a “go kit” of essential pet supplies before disaster strikes, and make sure that everyone in the family knows where it is. The kit should be clearly labeled, easy to carry and should include items such as a pet first aid kit, recent photos of your animal companion and any medications on which his health depends.

Choose a Designated Caregiver
Consider who you’d like to act as your pet’s temporary caregiver should you not make it home in time to retrieve your pet. Make sure the person you choose agrees to take on the responsibility, has a key to your residence and has spent time getting to know your animal companion.

Get a Rescue Alert Sticker
Affix these decals, available for free from the ASPCA website, to the windows of your home to alert rescue officials that a pet lives inside.

Visit the Disaster Preparedness, section of our website to read our complete list of tips available in both English and Spanish.

Trying to Take a Bite Out of Crime via Felons’ Dogs
By ERIK ECKHOLM
May 15, 2010
When drug agents in southeast Tennessee tried to arrest people suspected of dealing methamphetamine last month, they ran into an all-too common obstacle: a large, snarling dog on the front porch.

As the officers persuaded the homeowner to come out and chain the animal, the main suspect and her partner flushed away the drugs, the agents say. “The delay wiped out the chance for a conspiracy case against the man she was with,” said Mike Hall, director of the district drug task force in Charleston, Tenn.

While menacing characters with dogs in spiked collars are nothing new, the use of aggressive animals as sentries and weapons by drug dealers and gangs has reached new heights in some regions. They threaten innocent neighbors, police officers and, as this example showed, enforcement of the law. One of four drug searches and arrests in Mr. Hall’s four-county district now involves a house with guard dogs, he said.

“These dogs are the gang-member version of buying a home-security system,” said Carter F. Smith, a gang expert and professor of criminal justice at Middle Tennessee University, protecting dealers from predatory human rivals as well as arrest.

Now Tennessee legislators, at the urging of law enforcement officials and even animal-welfare advocates, have passed new measures aimed at curbing the use of mean dogs by criminals. A bill awaiting Gov. Phil Bredesen’s signature would bar felons convicted of violent or drug-related crimes from keeping “potentially vicious” dogs for 10 years after being released from prison or probation. Based on studies showing that unsterilized dogs are most apt to be aggressive, it would also require that any dog owned by felons be spayed or neutered and implanted with a microchip for identification.

Many communities have tried to limit the presence of large, aggressive dogs, sometimes singling out pit bulls and Rottweilers. That provokes complaints from animal lovers, who say there are no bad breeds, just bad masters.

The Tennessee proposal, modeled on a 2006 law in Illinois that was the first of its kind, focuses just on felons and also avoids naming breeds. A dog of any kind, even a Chihuahua, could be branded as potentially vicious if it has been reported twice for lunging at people or biting.

“Breed-specific laws do not get at the root of the problem, which is the owners,” said Sherry L. Rout, a legislative advocate in Memphis for the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which helped draft the bills in Tennessee and Illinois.

Laws nearly everywhere allow for the seizure and destruction of dogs that attack people or animals. In the new bill, if a dog is labeled as potentially vicious, the felon must give it away or turn it over to animal control. “The thought is that a dog in the hands of the wrong person can be dangerous,” Ms. Rout said. “But a dog that’s walking the line may not be dangerous in the hands of the right person.”

In Illinois, officers have used the sterilization requirement as a way to build cases against suspected dealers. If they spot an apparently intact male dog, for example, officers can justify stopping suspects for questioning or even searching their homes.

Mr. Hall, the Tennessee drug agent, said that when the canine threat is known in advance, one member of the raiding team carries a fire extinguisher for fending off an attack. If that does not work, they try a Taser. In a couple of cases each year, he said, officers have to shoot the animal.

In one case last year, he recalled, the agents missed seizing $150,000 in illegal cash because of a dog that growled from his outdoor doghouse. They arrested a man suspected of dealing drugs, who later told them that he had buried the cash under the doghouse, just like in the movie “American Gangster.” When they went back to look, the stash was gone. It had been retrieved and taken abroad by the man’s wife.

“We didn’t think to look there,” Mr. Hall said. “And to be honest, I don’t think any of us wanted to try to look there.”

Photo: Tennessee 10th Judicial District Drug Task Force
Surveillance of a drug suspect's home in Charleston, Tenn.

HOARDING:
10 Dogs, Dead Rottweiler Found in Abandoned Brooklyn Apartment
NEW YORK
14 May 2010
Ten dogs found with a dead Rottweiler in an abandoned New York City apartment are being evaluated.

Firefighters discovered the animals after responding to a water leak at the Brooklyn apartment Thursday afternoon. They found seven pitbull mix puppies, their pitbull mix parents, a lab pitbull mix and a dead Rottweiler.

The Animal Care and Control removed the animals. It will evaluate them to see if they need medical attention.

No arrests were made. Neighbors told authorities that the owner may have been taken to the hospital.

Halifax taxpayers on the leash for legal costs in two-year dog custody case
The Canadian Press
HALIFAX
May 13th, 2010
Halifax taxpayers are on the hook for more than $13,000 in legal bills racked up in the fight over the fate of a dog authorities wanted to put down.

The Halifax Regional Municipality has its own legal department but hired a local lawyer to handle the enduring animal control case.

The municipality deemed the dog, named Brindi (left with guardian Francesca Rogier), was dangerous and ordered it put down, sparking a two-year legal fight. But the dog, which was seized in 2008 after attacking another canine, was given a reprieve last month by a judge. Brindi was held at an SPCA site for about 20 months until being moved to the municipality’s new dog pound.

Kristin Williams, executive director of the Nova Scotia SPCA, said her organization picked up all costs — about $18,000 — for Brindi’s boarding and food, as well as her basic medical needs. Brindi’s owner, Francesca Rogier, has said she’s spent more than $30,000 on lawyers since her dog was seized, but ended up representing herself at trial. That means the case revolving around the pooch has cost more than $61,000 to date. And the meter’s still running.

Brindi remains in the city pound until Rogier returns to court on or before Aug. 19 to see if she can finally get her dog back. Justice Alanna Murphy said Rogier and her dog must successfully complete training courses before Brindi can return home.

Summer's Top 10 Pet-Friendly Vacation Destinations
By Robin Wallace
May 12, 2010
Memorial Day is just around the corner and on its heels is summer break. Grab the kids, the swim gear and hit the road — but, oh, wait, what about Spot and Fido? Bring them along, too!

There's no reason the family pet should be excluded from the family vacation, especially considering the number of pet-friendly options. From RV'ing across country to going for a day trip to the local state park, families and pets can enjoy summer vacationing together more now than ever before.

While we could never know all the friendly destinations for you and your pets, Zootoo Pet News has sorted through countless replies in our search for the "best pet getaways" and here are our top picks:

1. The YMCA of the Rockies.
Nationally recognized as one of the country premier vacation destinations, the YMCA of the Rockies has two pet-friendly vacation locations in the Colorado Rockies. The Estes Park Center offers beautiful trails for canine-friendly hiking and every Friday during July, a Yappy Hour is hosted for canine guests. Yappetizers and doggy drinks will be served and special guests will give presentations on subjects such as canine nutrition, obedience and agility, and veterinarian advice.

At the second location, near Winter Park, dog owners seem to love the serenity of Snow Mountain Ranch and the wide variety of trails available for them and their pets. Both locations offer a wide variety of activities exclusively for humans, including mini golf, disc golf, swimming, fly fishing, rafting, horseback riding, guided hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, arts and crafts centers, day camp programs, and family nature programs.

For more information, visit www.ymcarockies.org
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2. Victorian Inn.
Perfect for a delicate doggie's sensibilities is the Victorian Inn, in Monterey, Calif. The historic inn offers a pooch-friendly package that comes with two treats: "Love Me, Love My Dog" includes cozy, specially designed accommodations for two humans and one hound, souvenir water bowls, tail wagging doggie snacks, a beach toy; and for the pet owners, continental breakfast buffet and an evening wine and cheese reception. Each room has a fireplace — the perfect place for pooches to curl up and nap.

Near to shops and the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and with its wide open, pet perfect beaches, extensive oceanfront walking paths and dog-friendly attitude, Monterey is the epitome of a dog's life. Plus, your adventures might win you a prize. Each month, the hotel's staff picks one favorite "Fido-in-Monterey" photo for a complimentary one-night stay at the Victorian Inn. But the Victorian Inn does more than just give weary travelers a respite, it also helps homeless animals. Ten percent of every "Love Me, Love My Dog" package is donated to the SPCA for Monterey County.

For more information, visit www.victorianinn.com
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3. Canine Club Getaway.
Described as the "Club Med for Dogs," Canine Club Getaway only happens in 2010 from June 2 to June 6 at Lake George, NY. The all-inclusive, resort-style 4-day getaway holds dozens of activities daily, such as swimming — where dogs are allowed in the pool — agility classes, hiking, Frisbee, lure coursing, flyball, doggie skateboarding, canine CPR, as well as "barks and crafts."

In addition, there are daily seminars by expert trainers and veterinarians on topics including Emergency Canine First Aid, Dog Psychology 101 and Training Fusion. While dogs are allowed everywhere — from seminars to the bar and dining areas — plenty of "human friendly" activities are offered: horseback riding, country line dancing and an on-site spa.

For more information, visit www.canineclubgetaway.com
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4. Su'ruff Camp.
In Cali, the surf's up and for dogs, that means the Fifth Annual Dog Surfing Competition! As part of Loews Hotels' award-winning Loews Loves Pets program, the May 22nd surf event is raising money this year for the San Diego Police Department Unit. Through the course of the "surf dog" weekend, a special room rate applies — plus, all surf dogs receive a pet placemat, food and water bowls, dog tags, treats and scoop bags. For entering the competition, doggie contestants get surf shorts or a bandana.

But if you can't make it out for the May event, Coronado Surfing Academy offers doggie surf lessons nearly year round, in partnership is Loews Coronado Bay Resort.

For more information, visit www.loewssurfdog.blogspot.com
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5. Unleashed Dog Parks.
If someone said "doggie park" and "summer vacay" in the same sentence you may be less than enthused, but Unleashed Dog Park isn't your ordinary doggie playdate locale. Located in Dallas, Texas, it's a giant (at 50,000-square feet of special K-9 turf) indoor dog amusement park. As the nation's first indoor, off-leash play park, it also offers shopping, dining and dog services, such as "paw-cures" and blueberry facials for both owners and pets. With day care services also provided, the family can get out and enjoy the nearby lakes and water parks, as well as other tourist attractions in Dallas.

For more information, visit www.unleasheddogparks.com
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6. Queen Mary 2.
Known as the largest passenger vessel currently sailing the seas, the Queen Mary 2 is also reported to be the only cruise which allows pets to join their owners on deck. Operated by Cunard Line, the "Pets on Deck" program offers Queen Mary 2 canine passengers fresh-baked biscuits at turn-down, a choice of beds and blankets, and even a QM2-logo coat. The kennel program is overseen by a full-time kennel master, while the kennels and adjacent indoor and outdoor walking areas are open throughout the day, so guests can spend time with their pets. But the program is not just for dogs. Cats are invited too, and either sort of pet will get a portrait with their owners, a crossing certificate and personalized cruise card.

For information, visit www.cunard.com
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8. EPIC Hotel.
Fees here and there add up when travel plans include the family pet, yet, in downtown Miami, Kimpton's EPIC Hotel doesn't see the four-legged family member as an extra cost: Pets stay free! Various pet-friendly services and amenities are available including restful accommodations in a luxury guestroom; VIP (Very Important Pet) amenity; pet bowl and pet bed; leash and plastic bags for dog walks; as well as pet sitting, grooming, walking and massages.

If your suite needs even more puppy love, Kimpton's Guppy Love Program is available at EPIC, where guests can request a live goldfish to stay overnight in their guestroom, never worrying about caring for their fishy friends because hotel staff provides daily feedings and care.

For more information, visit www.epichotel.com
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9. Colorado Springs.
Yes, the Colorado city and the surrounding Pikes Peak region has been named one of the nations pet-friendliest by Men's Health and Forbes.com. Boasting of mountain scenery chalked full of trails and open spaces, the destinations screams adventure and is home to seven dog parks. Pet-friendly accommodations exist for both dogs and cats, while attractions and activities run the gamut, including Buckskin Joe Frontier Town & Railway where pets go where you go, on a horse-drawn trolley into town or on the train ride; Cripple Creek District Museum, Garden of the Gods Trading Post, Historic Manitou Springs and Manitou Cliff Dwelling are all sites, among others, open to leashed pets; and, Wilderness Aware Rafting and Royal Gorge Bridge & Park offer free kennel services while the family enjoys the rides. With most shops and restaurants being pet-friendly, even offering treats and water, the Colorado Springs region is a pet owner's paradise.

For more information, visit www.VisitCOS.com
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10. Alexandria, Va.
For the history buffs, this town is complete with trivia-rich sites that also happen to be pet-friendly. With 15 pet friendly hotels in price ranges to suit most travel budgets, the city offers many seasonal outdoor dining areas for families with pooches, while various tours are completely open to leashed canines, including Arlington Cemetery, George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate and the Torpedo Art Factory Center. Going for a cruise up the Potomac River is also a canine option, as well as a walking tour of Alexandria, a hike on the Mount Vernon Trail and, of course, several dog parks.

For more information visit, visitalexandriava.com
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Queens pet store misses chance to save lost dog
By AMANDA MELILLO and BILL SANDERSON
May 12, 2010
Poor Lola. The French bulldog, who needs surgery, is lost in Queens — and workers at a Forest Hills pet store bungled her best chance to make it back home.

"She’s my baby. She’s like a daughter to me. She’s not a dog," said Lola’s distraught owner, Liliana Intrabartolo, 24, who added that she hasn’t slept or eaten since Friday, when Lola fled her family’s house on 74th Street in Glendale.

After scouring the neighborhood, and plastering it with missing-dog fliers, Intrabartolo on Sunday called neighborhood pet stores, thinking maybe someone might bring them a lost dog.

A worker at one, Metro Puppy on Metropolitan Avenue in Forest Hills, told her yes, someone brought in a dog looking like Lola on Friday afternoon, saying they could not care for her.

But the worker said two store customers immediately took pity on the dog, and took it home before anyone at Metro Puppy could get their names, scan the dog’s ID microchip or check with Animal Care and Control to make sure it wasn’t reported lost. "The dog was at our place maybe three minutes," the worker said.

Intrabartolo said she bought Lola several months ago for about $1,200. French bulldogs often sell for $2,000 or more but Intrabartolo said she got a lower price because Lola needs expensive eye surgery. She said cops at two precincts — the 104th, which covers Glendale and the 112th in Forest Hills — both declined to take her report of missing or stolen property.

After The Post asked about the case, cops said they would look into the matter.

Bernadette Peters Sheds Fun, New Light on Pit Bulls in ‘Stella is a Star’
By Amy Lieberman
May 12, 2010
A new children’s book, penned by renowned Broadway actress Bernadette Peters, tells the story of a shamed Pit Bull that longs to be a princess pig – loved by all and not feared for her impressive set of choppers.

Peters presented the illustrated story, “Stella is a Star,” to a group of school-aged children at Dylan’s Candy Bar, in midtown Manhattan, this past week, reading and singing the tale of a dog named Stella, modelled after her own beloved Pit Bull.

The story might be fiction, but it offers a valuable lesson to all, Peters later told Zootoo Pet News, as looks can often be deceiving.

“I wanted to write about Stella, who realizes that she is a Pit Bull and then thinks that no one likes her, so starts masquerading herself as a pig,” said Peters, the owner of two shelter dogs and one cat. “And I think it’s a lot like us in life, in that we sometimes don’t accept ourselves when we are young and we try to become something that we are not and it’s a great life lesson to learn – to love and accept who you are.”

In the book – the second for Peters, who also wrote “Broadway Barks,” about her other dog Kramer, in 2008 – Stella the Pit joins a dance school just for pigs. With her faux curly pink tail and golden crown, she is embraced – albeit dubiously so – by her piglet peers.

On the night of a dance recital, though, Stella’s true doggy colors are revealed. She is surprised to find that her teacher and friends knew all along, and didn’t care, that she was a Pit Bull. She is then free to just be “a dog who loves to dance,” “no more princess pig, and no need to pretend.”

Peters says that if people take the time to consider a Pit Bull as a potential pet, they will find pleasantly surprising conclusions of a similar variety. “I love to change people’s perceptions about Pit Bulls, and to show them how naturally sweet they are,” said Peters, who holds two Tony Awards. “If you just take a dog by itself, it will naturally be affectionate and love people. But anyone can take a dog and mistreat it and make it nervous.”

Peters’ commitment to pets, and often overlooked, discarded animals, in particular, prompted her to launch her charity event Broadway Barks 11 years ago, with her friend Mary Tyler Moore. The adopt-a-thon, held in Shubert Alley, the heart of the Broadway theater district, first started by benefiting just five New York City area animal welfare and shelter groups.

The event has since grown considerably. In 2007, NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg proclaimed July 14 “Broadway Barks Day,” and in 2008, fundraising proceeds benefited 25 animal welfare groups.

Profits from both “Broadway Barks” and “Stella is a Star” go toward Broadway Barks, the organization, Peters says, noting that additional funding for this cause is a major inspiration to keep on writing.

To purchase or find out more information about “Stella is a Star” and "Broadway Barks"
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Photo Credit: Mykwain A. Gainey

Weird BUT true
Wire Services
May 11 , 2010
Good grief! British police arrested a man who was wearing a Snoopy costume while he attempted to break into a prison to spring a relative.

The cartoon Beagle had a gun -- which turned out to be a water pistol -- when he and an uncostumed helper turned up at the prison at the Isle of Wight.

Furry Flood Victims Wait for Owners at Humane Society
by Bianca Phillips / Memphis Flyer
May 11, 2010
Not only were hundreds of people displaced by recent flooding around Millington, a number of dogs and cats were left homeless after their owners either abandoned or lost their pets during the evacuation.

More than 30 canine and feline flood victims are being held at the Humane Society of Memphis and Shelby County. Volunteers rescued the animals last Monday after the floodwaters receded. None of the rescues were wearing collars, tags, or microchips identifying owners and addresses.

“We’re holding the animals for 14 days in hopes that their owners will come and get them,” said Amanda McNeely, director of operations for the humane society. “After the 14 days, we’ll spay and neuter them and put them up for adoption.”

About two-thirds of the rescued animals were cats, which McNeely says have a tendency to scatter during disasters. Some chained dogs were set loose by the fire department during rescue operations.

“We do have one pit bull that we found still tied to a fence. We speculate that he had to swim to stay afloat during the flood, so we named him Phelps,” said McNeely referring to Olympic gold medalist swimmer Michael Phelps. “We talked to several people whose animals drowned in the flood,” McNeely said. “Once the Shady Oaks Trailer Park started flooding, the police wouldn’t let residents go back into their trailers. One man had a puppy in a crate because it was rambunctious, and they wouldn’t let him in to get his puppy.”

Anyone who has lost a pet during the flood should visit the Humane Society of Memphis and Shelby County at 935 Farm Road to see if their pet is being held there. Any pets left after two weeks will be made available for adoption by the general public. Click √ below.

Dogfight over pitbulls
By IAN ROBERTSON
May 10, 2010
The Ontario government may have bitten off more than it could chew by outlawing pit bulls five years ago.

Claiming a “huge groundswell” of support, New Democrat Cheri DiNovo (left with Miss Vickie) says she will submit a private member’s bill Monday to banish the breed-ban. Di Novo, who represents Parkdale-High Park, called the 2005 Dog Owners’ Liability Act (DOLA) a knee-jerk reaction to several high-profile attacks.

Figures gleaned from media and public health reports estimate the total North American dog population at 77 million — 7 million in Canada — with pitbull numbers up from 1% to 5% over the past 30 years, Ontario’s “badly-worded” legislation resulted in “the extermination of hundreds,” DiNovo said. Unlike criminal laws, “the onus is on the owner to prove it’s not a pit bull,” she said.

Developed overseas centuries ago for bull- and bear-baiting and dogfights — mostly in pits — “never trust your pit bull not to fight,” the pets.ca advice website warns.

Under the right circumstances, most will tackle and defeat other breeds, the unidentified author wrote.
Calling a well-raised pit bull “the most loyal and loving dog in the world,” he said, most displaying unprovoked aggression and bad temperament should be euthanized. Lamenting “media hysteria” and legislation that makes good owners defensive, he said “irresponsible and ignorant owners have done almost as much damage to these dogs as dogfighters.”

Defenders of pit bulls cite attacks by rottweilers, huskies, German shepherds, chows, boxers, wolf hybrids and labradors. But deaths and attacks by pit bulls far exceed other breeds on critics’ lists.
Dogged by howls of protest, several countries rescinded breed bans.

DiNovo’s challenge “doesn’t get rid of the dangerous dog legislation,” which judges animals individually.
“We need that,” she said. Dangerous people who want dangerous dogs will “switch to a rottweiler or other breed.”

In 2008, a judge’s finding of the pit bull definition as unconstitutional was overturned. And two legal appeals in Toronto were defeated, with one owner ordered to pay $35,000 in court costs, the other $12,000. But in Brampton, a decision last month returned boxer-bulldog crosses Brittany and Rambo to their owner after a three-month impound and costly appeal.

DiNovo said a vexatious neighbour denounced them as the much-maligned breed.

In an email response, attorney-general department spokesman Brendan Crawley said statistics kept under DOLA “include all breeds of dangerous dogs. There is no way to differentiate between pit bulls and other breeds.”

The act was prompted by Ontarians demanding protection “from the menace of pit bulls,” Crawley said. Citing public safety, “municipal animal control personnel are provided with extensive powers to seize pit bulls and other dangerous dogs.”

The amendments banished Staffordshire bull terriers, American Staffordshire terriers, American pit bull terriers and included any that look “substantially similar.” Existing dogs were exempted but some owners risk seizure for refusing rules requiring neutering and, using muzzles and leashes in public.

Toronto Humane Society last month released a survey — using figures taken from public health agencies — which showed the number of combined dog-human and dog-animal bite figures have remained about the same since 2005 — averaging 5,400. Breeds were not recorded, spokesman Ian McConachie said.
Most GTA municipality 2008 and 2009 stats varied little: Toronto 678, down from 862; Durham Region 608; Hamilton 548; York Region 416, down from 539; Halton Region 395; Brampton-Caledon 272.

In mid-April, Toronto’s most notorious pitbull, Bandit, died — almost seven years after leaving Daniel Collins, 3, with 250 stitches and facing repeated plastic surgery. Despite his grandmother urging Bandit’s destruction, the THS successfully appealed, blaming lack of supervision. Kept at its River St. shelter, the animal was euthanized five months after the OSPCA reported it lunged at a police office last November.

Most bite reports are “anecdotal,” McConachie said, adding without proper data, the ban unfairly led to fewer people with pit bulls, many owners surrendering them. Offenders face fines up to $10,000, but most investigations yield “a muzzling order,” Toronto Animal Services manager Eletta Purdy said.

Company fines up to $60,000 target aggressive junkyard dogs and pit bull puppy profiteers.

Toronto licensed 63,878 dogs last year, but Purdy estimated up to 250,000 canines reside in Toronto.
Proving pit bull lineage “is challenging,” relying primarily on how dogs “appear,” she said. Varying DNA test results proved problematic in the U.S.

“We won’t seize dogs,” unless it’s after an attack or a public threat looms, said Purdy. If Animal Control officers lay a DOLA charge, they may request an interim impound order. Purdy could not recall a dog killing someone in Toronto since 2000.

The most infamous modern case was in 1995, when Staffordshire terriers Apollo and Rage savaged Joe Peters, 22, in his absent friend’s Seymour Ave. home. Mourning them, the owner was acquitted of criminal negligence causing death for harbouring dangerous dogs after witnesses testified the often-drunk victim tormented the dogs.

In 1998, a bullmastiff killed Courtney Trempe, 8, in a Stouffville neighour’s back yard. The owners had Mosley destroyed, but opposed bad dog inquest testimony by some neighbours.

Several recommendations were used in the DOLA legislation.

“Pit bull” describes a family of large, solidly built short dogs, with well-muscled necks and short muzzles.
With so many involved, McConachie said they aren’t a registered breed.

Statistics ex-Quebec journalist Merritt Clifton, publisher of Animal People in the U.S., compiled from continent-wide medical and media reports since 1982 cites 2,815 dog-human attacks, 364 fatal. At 1,618, pitbull and pitbull-crosses constitute the most attacks, with Rottweillers second for 453, others high on dog villain lists at below 100 each. In 2001, the Canada Safety Council reported 460,000 Canadians bitten yearly, but past-president Emile Therien said the non-profit organization relies on public health records that only cite attacks, not breeds.

“A lot of bites weren’t reported,” and despite regulations, he said officials “can’t enforce them. If they did, dog owners would go nuts.”

Clifton said the Ku Klux Klan financed operations with pit bull fights, also training them to terrorize blacks. After U.S. authorities whittled KKK activities, many owners resettled — some to Canada — and made new friends: Outlaw bikers. Other groups later popularized them.

Clifton estimated 1 million U.S. pit bulls are destroyed annually.

Calling Ontario’s legislation “a very good law” for permitting existing pit bulls, he said the law takes the potentially dangerous dogs out of the hands of breeders and those who use them to fight.

Organic Pet Food Gets Leg Up From White House Report
By Gabrielle Jonas
May 9, 2010
Organic pet food received an indirect boost from the White House last week when the President’s Cancer Panel Report exhorted consumers to minimize their cancer risk by choosing food grown without pesticides, chemical fertilizers, antibiotics, and growth hormones.

“Many known or suspected carcinogens first identified through studies of industrial and agricultural occupational exposures have since found their way into soil, air, water and numerous consumer products,” the panel wrote in an accompanying letter to President Obama. “Exposure to pesticides can be decreased by choosing, to the extent possible, food grown without pesticides or chemical fertilizers," the report, “Reducing Environmental Cancer Risk: What We Can Do Now,” said.

"Exposure to antibiotics, growth hormones, and toxic run-off from livestock feed lots can be minimized by eating free-range meat raised without these medications,” the report added.

Organic food is farmed without antibiotics, synthetic hormones, genetic engineering, or sewage sludge, chemical pesticides or fertilizers; then minimally processed with limited artificial ingredients and no preservatives or irradiation.

The endorsement of organic food by a presidential panel is unprecedented.

“Organic foods have the least chemicals applied in their production and the least residues in the final products," said Christine Bushway, executive director of the Organic Trade Association. "Those seeking to minimize their exposure to these chemicals and follow the recommendations of the President’s Cancer Panel, can look for the USDA Organic label wherever they shop.”

Indeed, in 2009, pet owners shopped for organic pet food more than ever before. Sales of organic pet food reached $84 million in 2009, up almost 10 percent from $76 million in sales the year before, according to OTA's 2010 Organic Industry Survey.

Sales growth of organic pet food outstripped even that of organic product sales overall, which grew a little more than five percent to $26.6 billion, of which, almost $25 billion represented organic "people" food.
Though the organic food industry represents less than one-half of one percent of total pet food sales, organic pet food sales increased its penetration of total pet food sales last year. And while total U.S. food sales grew by only 1.6 percent in 2009, organic food sales grew by 5.1 percent. "Even in tough times, consumers understand the benefits that organic products offer and will make other cuts before they give up products they value,” said Bushway.

But is the value returned in kind? A decision to buy organic food for a pet may double its food bill. For instance, a 16-pound bag of By Nature Organic Adult Dog Food sells for about $31. By contrast, a 15.5-pound bag of Purina Dog Chow Naturally Complete Dry Dog Food, which is not organic, sells for about $16.

Though organic growers and handlers must be certified by USDA-accredited organizations, there is no guarantee that organic pet food is healthier than conventional pet food. Even OTA acknowledges that organic food can only assure the potential for less toxic residue in the food. Currently, there are no rules governing the labeling of organic foods for pets. But that may change. The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Organic Program may soon recommend that pet food not be labeled organic if it contains vitamins, minerals and amino acids such as taurine, if they are not organic.

Is your home or garden pet safe?
Exercise caution with plants and other common household items
By Rebecca Bakken | Special to the Kalamazo Gazette
Kalamazo, MI
May 09, 2010
Warm spring and summer months mean that cats and dogs cooped up all winter finally get a chance to stretch their legs and explore the new, green territory.

While exploring, pets may encounter poisons, plants or situations that could cause illness, injury or death.

Gary Ryder, veterinarian at the Southwest Michigan Animal Emergency Hospital, said rat poisons are the most dangerous to have in homes and yards of pet owners. The poison is flavored like peanut butter to make it palatable to the rodents, but Fido may also think it’s pretty tasty. In addition, rats or mice that eat the poison won’t die immediately and may make it into the neighbors yard before dying. Dogs or cats that see the dead rodent as a delicacy would be at risk for poisoning.

When it comes to poisons, Stephen Lawrence, director of Kalamazoo County Animal Services and Enforcement, said to clean up anti-freeze puddles in the driveway because the liquid tastes sweet and can smell good to animals. Lawrence also said to read labels thoroughly on weed killer and fertilizers, as many recommend letting the product dry before animals should walk on it.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has found mulch made from cocoa bean shells to be toxic to dogs.

Ryder said pet owners need to be aware of heat stroke and not leave animals in cars on hot days, even with windows cracked and in shady areas. Runners also need to be sure to stop for drink breaks for their canine companions, as dogs don’t sweat through their skin the way people do and can only get rid of excess heat through their paw pads and panting, Ryder said. Signs that an animal has gone into shock from heat are muddy brown gums, excessive panting and labored breathing, Ryder said. An animal is in serious trouble when it starts having bloody diarrhea and red dots appear on the gums, ears and abdomen.

Near bodies of water, pet owners should keep an eye on dogs that chase waves, as they tend to “bite” at the water and can experience water toxicity from drinking too much, Ryder said. On boats, it is always recommended that animals wear life vests.

Another simple yet important tip is to be sure to keep dogs on leashes when they’re near roads.
“A leash is a lot cheaper than the emergency vet,” Ryder said.

Of course, dogs and cats that roam outside should always have access to fresh water and wear licenses or identification tags, Lawrence said. State law requires that dogs wear a license at all times.

Lawrence said when transporting a dog in the back of pick-up truck, make sure it is secured to the vehicle with a leash, but not one too short that the dog could risk hanging itself.

When a furry friend comes back from outside with fleas or ticks, make sure to use the appropriate medicine. Putting medicine meant for a cat on a dog, or the opposite, could be toxic to that animal, Lawrence said. He also recommended using monthly preventative medicines for heartworm. If an animal is infected by the parasite and it goes unchecked, it can cost up to $1,000 to treat.

Dachshunds and Owners Celebrate at Annual Friendship Festival
By Emily Sklar
May 8, 2010
Diversity is the rule on most spring Saturdays in New York City's Washington Square Park. Newly-minted New York University students test-drive their bikinis alongside grizzled old-timers in faded protest shirts, while pit bulls – their tongues lolling – pace the fountain. Labrador retrievers chase pigeons. Street performers emote. Chess players deliberate. A motley assortment of humans and canines shares space in the sun.

Twice a year, however – once in April, and once in October – the park’s demographic undergoes a radical shift, as a small but vocal group descends, tails wagging in solidarity. These are the days of the Dachshund Friendship Festival.

This year, the vigorous mingling began at noon on Saturday, April 24, as Dachshunds of every stripe converged for the Spring Fiesta. With hundreds of energetic, lavishly costumed dogs and people gathered in one place, a carnival atmosphere soon prevailed.

Long-haired beauties – those Breck girls of the dachshund world – flirted with muscular short-haireds. Curmudgeonly-looking wire-haireds tried to appear distinguished and remote (hard to do when you’re wearing a hat shaped like a slice of pickle). Vendors offering sodas, pretzels, ice cream, and – of course – hot dogs strolled through the crowd. (This reporter encountered three dachshunds named Nathan.)

At 1 o’clock, the throng was called to order under the Arch for the singing of the Dachsong, a paean to the breed. Although lyrics and music were available on the Friendship Club website, several civic-minded attendees brought hard copies of the song to distribute to the uninitiated and unprepared. Many owners held their dogs aloft during the anthem, but as the last chords of the song faded away, and the dachshunds were returned to their feet, the north end of the park began to teem once again.

Dogs with outgoing personalities rushed to greet each other, their little legs flying across the cobblestones in delight as they spotted potential friends. Others, perhaps feeling shy, surveyed the scene from a distance. Everywhere, animals in sundresses, bandannas, beanies, leather vests, and – in the case of one very game specimen – a suit comprised of felt flowers – met, mingled, sipped water from collapsible bowls, and sniffed each other's outfits.

On the subject of clothing, dachshund attitudes vary. Some dogs at the Fiesta seemed mortified at having to appear in costumes (presumably) not of their own choosing. Others had the jaded air of veteran actors at their umpteenth Academy Awards, bemusedly taking it all in and reflecting on the days when they too could pull off a sleeveless gown.

Still others, it was clear, had been waiting all year for their turn in the spotlight; the pearl-chokered short-hair, for instance, knew immediately what her public wanted, and – like a former beauty queen – happily obliged with a few poses before enthusiastically devouring a biscuit. Some, like long-haired Leonardo, went about in their birthday suits.

Other dogs seemed a bit overwhelmed – if game. 8-month-old Lomax (pictured), had been rescued from a puppy mill in Georgia, and arrived in the city malnourished, sickly, and afraid. On this day, however, he appeared to be coming out of his shell. “It’s the first time I’ve seen him like this,” his owner remarked, as Lomax stood on his hind legs and attempted to scramble up the side of the fountain in order to get a better view of the drum circle taking place inside. “He’s usually very timid, but he seems to be doing better now.”

Perhaps knowing he was being discussed, Lomax quickly sidled back to the safety of his owner’s ankle. “I guess he’s ready to call it a day,” she said. “This has been a lot of activity for him.”

Dog Custody Battle Settled in Court
By Keith Goldberg
WARWICK, NY
May 8, 2010
Joan Hoge didn't plan on coming home from work with a dog. And she never thought she'd have to fight in court to keep him.

This legal tail, er, tale, begins in December, at Ground Zero in lower Manhattan. Hoge has finished her shift as a heavy-equipment operator and is sitting in a truck when she hears a puppy's cry. She sees a man bouncing a Jack Russell terrier on the sidewalk before vanishing around a corner. Hoge gets out of the truck and follows them. She sees the man in front of a building, punching the puppy.

"What are you doing," she asks.

"I don't want this dog anymore,"the man replies.

He sells Hoge the puppy for all the cash in her pocket — about $100. She takes the puppy, named River, home to Warwick. She includes River in her family Christmas cards.

Then in March, Hoge comes home to find the door to the dog pen in her front yard open. Two dogs — including River — are gone.

The Warwick Valley Humane Society finds the dogs the next day. They identify River by a tracking microchip implanted under his skin. The chip traces River back to the man on the Manhattan street. His name is Ron Jagger and he wants River back.

"It's like someone taking my kid from me," Hoge said.

Jagger claims the dog was stolen and takes Hoge to small claims court. A friend puts Hoge in touch with lawyer Peter Green; he takes her case pro bono. "I do criminal defense and personal injury," Green says. "This was my first custody case."

On April 29, a witness tells Warwick Town Justice Nancy DeAngelo that she saw Jagger give Hoge the dog. Meanwhile, Jagger admits he never filed a police report. DeAngelo rules that Hoge can keep River. Hoge and Jagger split the humane society's boarding costs.

Attempts to reach Jagger and his lawyer were unsuccessful.

As she watches her 6-year-old son Andrew chase River around her living room, Joan Hoge is asked why she was willing to go to court over a dog.

"River's a part of my family," she says.

Photo: John DeSanto/Times Herald-Record

NJ man sentenced for 'savage' act of cruelty to dog
By Oliver Mackson
GOSHEN
May 8, 2010
Justin Lynn squeezed an eyeball out of a Yorkie named Balki in Walden last summer. The law calls that aggravated cruelty. Judge Robert Freehill used a different word as he sent Lynn to jail Friday.

Freehill called Lynn's crime "savage."

He sentenced the 23-year-old from Jackson, N.J., to six months in the Orange County Jail and five years' probation. He also told Lynn that he can't have any pets while he's on probation. If Lynn violates that condition, he could be re-sentenced to as much as 1?1/3 to four years in state prison. The sentence was the maximum that Freehill could impose, under the terms of a plea bargain that was worked out in Orange County Court between Assistant District Attorney Jamie Ferrara and Lynn's lawyer, Ben Greenwald.

Greenwald called the sentence "excessive," arguing that the crime warranted probation, not a jail term.
Walden police arrested Lynn last summer. He was staying in the village with a friend, and when she returned home to find Balki's injury, Lynn told her the dog was mauled by a cat.

He pleaded guilty March 15 in County Court to aggravated cruelty to animals, a felony. If he stays out of trouble in jail, he could be out by Columbus Day.

Canine Communication:
Survey Results Reflect Bond Between Owners and Pets
By Kevin Kisthart
May 4, 2010
After a long, stressful day, nothing is better than coming home to your best friend frantically awaiting your arrival right at the front door. As excited as you are to see your pet, there is no doubt that your pup is just as excited to see you. This initial excitement is very easy for humans to pick up on, but during many other times throughout the day, you are on the same wavelength as your dog and may not even know it.

According to a survey done by Pup-Peroni and Kelton Research company, 75% of people say that by reading their dog's body language and facial expressions, they can tell exactly what their dog is thinking. We can tell when they are happy or sad, and they can tell the same about us.

The Pup-Peroni survey reports that over 40% of people agreed that their dog would be more likely to pick up on their bad mood than their best friend. Dogs are very perceptive animals and can sense our feelings and emotions, as they have a good understanding of human social cues.

Though your pup may not always know exactly what we are thinking, their expressions and body language usually tell us everything. We know when they are happy and want to play, and we know when they are sad and know when they have done something wrong. And there’s no bigger sign of what your dog is thinking than seeing him with his head cowered and ears flat — right before finding out the garbage is all over the kitchen floor.

While it’s easy for us to pick up on how our dog is feeling, believe it or not they know what we are feeling as well, and most of the time they know just what to do. According to the Pup-Peroni survey, an overwhelming 89% of dog owners said that their dog has tried to comfort them in times of need. Dogs don’t even have to give us a pep talk to try and cheer us up. All it takes is a simple wag of the tail, and a nice shared moment with your best friend.

That’s the beauty of the simple relationship between humans and canines. They don’t try and lecture us, judge us, tell us what to do, or ever let us down when we need them the most. In fact, most people prefer the company of their dog over their human friends when they are down, and that’s why they truly are our four-legged family members.

Times Square Car Bomb Investigation
Photo: Robert Stolarik for The New York Times
May 4, 2010

Officers had a bomb-sniffing dog in Kennedy International Airport Monday

One Year Old, a Few Small Lessons Are Left
By JILL ABRAMSON
May 4, 2010
Scout turned 1. She weighs 63 pounds.

To the naked eye, she is all grown up, but she is still very much a puppy, and some bad habits die hard — like pulling on her leash when we are heading to the dog run. As we approach the gate, I feel as if my arm is coming out of its socket. Recently, a squirrel crossed our path and Scout came close to dragging me to the pavement.

A while ago I mentioned these problems to my friend Sam, who has a dog even bigger than Scout. He recommended a trainer named Chris Velez, a k a CujoCop. “He can fix anything, especially with big dogs.”

Because he is an experienced trainer of police dogs and bomb-sniffing dogs, I worried that gentle Scout might be afraid of him, especially since he had an image of a German shepherd on his business card. (Scout has been scared of German shepherds since she was a puppy, and was a little roughed up by Vigo, one of the dogs who sometimes walked with us at the farm.) But when Cujo arrived, Scout loved him immediately, wagging her tail, sniffing and dancing around him excitedly. She allowed him to put a slip chain collar over her head.

“She’s wonderful,” he told me. “She’s well socialized and doesn’t seem to have an aggressive bone in her body.” He seemed to sense that I was worried about being judged as a hopelessly undisciplined puppy owner. “It looks like you have done a wonderful job with her,” Cujo reassured me.

It was time to head out with Scout in her new collar and leash. When Scout began tugging outside our front door, Cujo corrected this behavior by pulling Scout back to his side. When she walked alongside him, he praised and patted her. When she pulled, the new collar tightened. She learned to avoid this tightening very quickly. After about five minutes, Cujo handed the leash to me. Scout immediately pulled.

“Tell her no and correct her by pulling her toward you,” Cujo commanded. “Then start walking again and praise her when she walks next to you.” We repeated these same steps as we walked the route to the dog run.

As we walked past Dudley’s Paws, a pet store where the owner often has a treat for Scout, I knew I’d hit a moment of truth. But when she started to pull toward the door, I said “No” firmly and pulled her back to me. Then we continued, leash nice and loose. I praised and patted Scout. At this point, it was I who was more desperate for Cujo’s approval. He’d recently returned from active duty in the Army Reserves, and I could see that he would be a great troop leader. Scout was so obedient in his presence that I wanted to invite him to move in with us. Instead, after a session that lasted an hour and a half, I was dismissed. “You’re going to be fine,” Cujo said. “Just remember to use the new collar, and call or e-mail me if there are any problems.”

Cujo was giving me a command. It was mine to take or flub. While his style was different, I realized that his actual technique was not a radical departure from Diane Abbott’s positive training during Scout’s early weeks in puppy kindergarten. Repetition, constancy, correction and praise were the keys. It wasn’t Scout who had fallen down on the job, it was me. Because she was so well behaved most of the time, I had stopped being consistent about correcting her when she pulled or exhibited other persistently annoying behavior. Moreover, I was taking her good behavior for granted and not praising her enough or remembering to take treats to reward her. Scout had learned so much in her first year that I had become complacent.

As a year-old dog, Scout was asserting herself and testing. This was true in the country, too. At the farm, she now bounded out of the car to meet her friends, Cyon and Bunny, not bothering to look back. Or she hurtled toward the pond and jumped right in, with no fear of the water that used to scare her as a pup. She was often the leader during runs with the rest of the dogs in the Breakfast Club.

Sometimes she wandered too deeply into the woods, curious over some smell, or to chase a critter. She didn’t always come when I called her back, again asserting her independence. I dusted off Diane’s instructions on proper recall training and vowed to reinforce them with Scout for her own safety.

On her birthday we celebrated with a yogurt-frosted dog biscuit at the farm. We invited our friend, Barbara, and her puppy, Xena, who was born two weeks after Scout.

Scout and Xena, a spirited lab, were immediately joyous at their reunion, roughhousing just as they did as small puppies last summer. Barbara and I marveled over how big they both had become. A year ago, they were little bundles of fur falling over their own paws as they chased each other. Now they were sitting obediently, waiting for me to split the birthday cookie in half.

Soon we saw another dog walker, my friend Lee. A year ago, Scout and I first met Lee when she was practicing fetch with Vigo, a large German shepherd who scared Scout back then. Lee was helping prepare him to work as a Fidelco guide dog. Lee agreed to provide him with the love and training he needed during his first year before beginning his formal training as a guide dog. Recently, Lee and Vigo had parted, so that he could begin the next phase of his training. Saying goodbye had been heart-rending and I could see how much she missed him.

How much a dog learns and changes in the first year is breathtaking, and Xena, Vigo and Scout, in their own ways, were all wonderful examples. The puppy months can almost kill you. And then, in the blink of an eye, they are fully grown and completely attached to you. It is impossible to quantify the amount of love and work that goes into this human-dog transaction.

Now, at Lee’s heels, it looked as if a rabbit was walking next to her, but it was her new shepherd puppy, Caleb, all ears and paws at 11 weeks. This dog is hers to keep, and Lee is beyond smitten. Of course, she has circles under her eyes. This was me a year ago. And, as I watch Scout gently bow, inviting Caleb to play, the cycle begins anew.

Photo: Henry Griggs

Journey of 2 Dogs and 2,000 Miles Nears the End
By Amy Lieberman
May 2, 2010
More than two years have passed since Luke Robinson and his two Great Pyrenees dogs, Hudson and Murphy, started walking across the country for canine cancer awareness, so it’s understandable that the 39-year-old is ready for their journey to culminate in mid-June. Robinson and “the boys,” as he calls them, spoke to Zootoo Pet News just outside of Mystic, Ct., with only 110 miles to go until their final destination of Boston, where hundreds of people from 16 states will meet them to walk the last, much-anticipated lap.

“We’re taking our time, enjoying the beautiful scenery,” Robinson said. “The boys are still doing great. But we are all ready – we think it is time for the walk to end. We’re at the point where we accomplished most everything we set out to accomplish. We talked, we spread the word and it is time to move on the next phase of this project.”

Robinson, Hudson and Murphy first set off on foot and paws, respectively, from Austin, Texas in 2008, two years after the death of his beloved dog and their brother, Malcolm. Malcolm, also a Great Pyrenees, died at the age of eight from cancer, and the loss, as Robinson then told Zootoo Pet News, “really shattered my world.”

The former business consultant subsequently sold his truck and gave up his job, all for sake of this journey, which he hoped could raise awareness for canine cancer, from which around 50 percent of dogs will eventually die, according to the National Canine Cancer Foundation. Robinson’s trek seems to have accomplished just that, as he has gained substantial media attention and support from friends and strangers alike along the way, who routinely offered their homes and aid to the trio.

Megan Blake (right), actress and co-host for the PBS television series “Animal Attractions” was just one of the many to join Robinson on his journey. She and her two-year-old mutt, Super Smiley, accompanied him, Hudson, and Murphy for one week in mid-April on the East Coast. Blake described the experience as “completely energizing,” in part because of the constant support that onlookers and followers from afar provided.

Their first night camping was “very, very cold,” the Los Angeles resident said, so she described the conditions on her Twitter account. Supporters instantly responded, soon showing up at the campsite with clothes for her and also for Smiley.

Everyone seemed to understand that she and Robinson were walking to raise awareness about canine cancer. “People would stop and pull over, just to say, ‘My dog just got diagnosed with cancer, thank you for what you are doing,’” said Blake, who has had two dogs die of cancer.

Blake plans to meet up with Robinson again in Boston on June 19, to celebrate the culmination of the 2,000-mile journey. A host of events are planned for the occasion; more information on it and Robinson’s trek can be found at 2dogs2000miles.org (Click √ below).

Yet this is just the first part of the expedition for Robinson, as he now plans to write two books about his trip, one for children, and another for adults. He also intends to launch a foundation that will raise money for canine cancer research.

The 2,000 mile walk took longer than anticipated, Robinson says, as he and the boys eventually slowed from traipsing 10 miles or so per day, to 6 or 7 miles. Life on the road can be “tough,” Robinson says, but noted that he hasn’t missed the conveniences of “modern society,” he joked.

He doesn’t know where he will live, and anticipates it might be difficult to rebuild his life back from scratch. Yet Robinson says that he would do it all over again, for Malcolm or for either of his two other dogs.

“I didn’t imagine that it would reach this level,” Robinson said. “My job is to reach people to help them learn more about cancer and, but I live in the moment and I don’t think I will feel the full impact of this all until I walk the final mile, with people from 16 states around me. That will be a perfect testimony to the kind of grassroots effort we have built.”

Blake recommends that owners watch out for what she calls the 5 L’s as symptoms: Loss of appetite, loss of weight, lameness, lethargy, lumps or lesions.

For more information about canine cancer, pet owners can visit
CanineCancerAwareness.org


and WeAreTheCure.org

Photo courtesy of Penny Knobel-Besa

Road to adoption: Finishing school
Baxter the border collie was a bark-a-holic.
But intensive training at Anti-Cruelty has lowered his voice
and raised his chances for adoption.
By William Hageman
May 2, 2010
There's an old " Three Stooges" short that features the boys being transformed into gentlemen as part of a bet between two professors. A similar scenario is being played out at Chicago's Anti-Cruelty Society, as the training staff has taken on a challenging fellow named Baxter with the aim of making him adoptable.

The mission of shelters such as Anti-Cruelty is to find homes for as many unwanted animals as possible. Unadoptable dogs don't have much of a future, so these organizations try to make them more desirable.

This brings us to Baxter, a 5-year-old border collie mix who — let's be generous here — needed work. He and his sister were surrendered by their owner Feb. 1. Back then, he was a canine trifecta of Larry, Moe and Curly, lacking only a bad haircut and eye-poking skills.

How much of a hellhound was he? One indication was a note on his cage to the staff: "I love to chew apart tennis balls, soft toys and rubber squeaky toys. ..." But what was worse? His barking.

"We're trying to work on his cage presence," said Karen Okura, the manager of Anti-Cruelty's department of animal behavior and training, her words all but drowned out by Baxter's relentless, ear-piercing yelps.

Baxter does have his pluses. He's one fine-looking animal. He's housebroken. He's intelligent. He's friendly. He doesn't smoke, drink or swear.

But that barking ....

The crate escape
As part of his training, Baxter is put in real-life situations, such as being walked around the shelter and in Anti-Cruelty's courtyard, interacting with people along the way. This he is good at. But most would-be adopters wouldn't get that far with him because his barking would deter them from taking him out of his kennel. Thus, they didn't get to see the rest of his personality.

"The problem is," Okura explained, "he's a border collie mix, and they're not supposed to be in the big city. They should be in the Highlands of Scotland. He's an example of a breed becoming popular because all the experts say they're the most intelligent breed. But then it's, ‘Oh, I have to take care of him?'"

Without the physical and mental stimulation they require, working dogs stuck in shelters can deteriorate quickly. But Baxter has kept his weight, hasn't gotten into tiffs with other dogs and seems fairly well-adjusted. Typically, small dogs are adopted in a week or two. The larger the dog, the longer it generally takes. But even after three months, Baxter still has that border collie spunk. "It's a testament to his makeup," Okura said. "Beneath the surface, he's a pretty good dog."

But that barking ....

Finishing School
Baxter's training is in the hands of Amanda Kowalski, an animal behaviorist and training specialist at Anti-Cruelty, and her Finishing School volunteers, a group of volunteers who focus on making dogs more adoption-friendly.

"The ultimate goal is to diminish his barking," Kowalski said, "so he doesn't do it 100 percent of the time." After three weeks, she said, he now barks only a third of the time. "In addition to the time that I set aside each day to work with Baxter in his cage, our Finishing School volunteers also check on Baxter and find him being quiet."

Here, then, is how they've gone about remaking the beast.

DAY 1: The strategy was to employ treats and a clicker to correct Baxter's missteps. And because he was at his worst when prospective adopters would walk by his kennel — not the best way to ingratiate yourself with strangers, pal — the training was done there.

At the outset, whenever anyone approached, he'd bark, stand on his hind legs, and bark some more. "Just general rude behavior" is the way Okura described it.

Kowalski and her crew would stand outside his kennel, and as soon as he hesitated in his incessant barking — maybe he was trying to catch his breath — one of them would click her clicker and give Baxter a small treat. After about 5 minutes, he seemed to be catching on. His barking became less frequent; when he looked as though he was getting ready to bark: click, and a treat.

Soon, he was keeping his yap shut for 5, 10 seconds at a time. At one point, a trainer ran out of treats and turned to another for a fresh supply. Baxter, obviously starting to get it, actually sat down and silently waited. This was progress!

"I'm hoping in a week people will notice the difference," Kowalski said.

DAY 5: Kowalski reported that Baxter was doing well in his intensive training program (he was one of two dogs undergoing the enhanced training). "He has really been catching on and has made me become more creative as far as getting him to start barking." She said he was content just to lie in his cage. So she had other staff members run past his cage to induce barking so his training could continue.

DAY 7: What's worse than an ill-behaved dog? Ill-behaved teenagers. "We had an incident where some teenagers started banging on his cage to set him off," Kowalski reported. "That set us back a little bit." He reverted to barking at every person who walked past, she said. But because Baxter had a basic foundation of click-equals-quiet, it took only a few days of work to get him back where he had been.

DAY 8: Kowalski gave Baxter a workout in a large play area before his scheduled training session, hoping to burn off any lingering teen-inspired angst. And his training went well. He spaced out his barking — sometimes more of a soft woof than a loud bark — and he seemed more mellow and attentive.

DAY 9: There's a second part to Baxter's training. He hates going back into his cage after being exercised. So Kowalski and her crew try to tire him out, and he is rewarded when he goes back into his cage.

DAY 10: "Baxter is still making progress on his cage presence," Kowalski reported, but "there are no solid adoption hits yet."

DAY 15: Two weeks into his training, and Baxter is improved. He's not perfect — heck, the Stooges started a face-slapping free-for-all at their coming-out party — but he's on the right track.

"In all honesty, we've made small progress, given the environment in here," Kowalski said. "It's noticeable to staff and those who come by. But he's nowhere near being cured. He's made improvements, but he still needs work."

That will be up to Baxter's new owners. Once he goes to a real home and gets out of the stressful environment of the kennel, he should continue to progress. But until then, Kowalski and her crew will work on him.

"He's a good dog."

Good to go!

You can visit Baxter at the Anti-Cruelty Society, 157 W. Grand Ave., Chicago,
or click √on Baxter's photo, top left.
For adoption information, go to anticruelty.org or click √ on banner

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!
MAY
SOLIDARITY WITH MILL MOMS MONTH

MAY 1 ~ MAY DAY
INTERNATIONAL
LABOR DAY

PUPPY MILLS = FORCED LABOR

"Any breeder that can’t provide a loving, in-home environment for a pregnant bitch, and a safe home environment surrounded by loving people for new born puppies, is exploitive.

Anyone who breeds as a business rather than for the love of the breed is exploitive."
~ FRANCIS BATTISTA
Co-founder of Best Friends Animal Society

SCOOP & HOWL

From Shadows to Light:
Blind Sol gets his sight back
Bronwyne Mirkovich
April 30, 2010
Here is an update on rescue Sol y Sombra, blinded by cataracts. This is a happy video -- no tissues required. Sometimes things work out for the little guy, and when they do....

√ Watch video

Pet-friendly stamps posted
April 30, 2010
The post office is holding out a friendly paw to dogs, and cats too.

A new set of 10 first-class stamps featuring cheerful dogs and cats has go on sale nationwide [as of Friday, 2010], designed to promote adoption of animals from shelters.

The 44-cent stamps are part of a "Stamps to the Rescue" campaign, not only to encourage pet adoptions but also raising funds to buy food for animals in shelters.

ASPCA Anti-Cruelty Veterinarian Honored by Brooklyn D.A.
April 30, 2010
On April 23, Dr. Robert Reisman, Medical Coordinator of Animal Cruelty Cases at the ASPCA, was honored with a “Making a Difference” Award from Kings County (Brooklyn) District Attorney Charles J. Hynes. Each April during Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month, the Kings County D.A. presents these distinguished awards as a tribute to those who have made outstanding contributions to the prevention of animal abuse.

Dr. Reisman was recognized for his work at the ASPCA, where he handles a caseload averaging 300 animal victims each year. Since joining the ASPCA as a clinician in 1988, Dr. Reisman has played a vital role in the growth of the organization’s Humane Law Enforcement Department. Today, his medical and forensic investigations of animal cruelty enable the prosecution of hundreds of criminal cases each year. Just last month, Dr. Reisman assisted the Kings County D.A. in the prosecution of a Brooklyn man convicted of beating his Dachshund puppy to death.

“Dr. Reisman’s expertise and dedication is unparalleled. He makes an extraordinary difference in every case he handles,” says Stacy Wolf, ASPCA Vice President and Chief Legal Counsel of Humane Law Enforcement. “He consistently works to mitigate the problem of animal abuse and neglect within the community, and is an asset to the ASPCA Bergh Memorial Hospital staff.”

No stranger to honors, Dr. Reisman has received many distinctions for his dedication, including the ASPCA’s Angel Award, the Merit Award from VMANYC and the Maxwell Medallion from the Dog Writers Association of America, and was named 2008 Veterinarian of the Year by the Veterinary Medical Association of New York City.

More information on our Agents and the work they do can be found in our Humane Law Enforcement section. Click √ on image at right.

Victory for Racing Dogs:
New Hampshire Passes Greyhound Protection Act!
April 30, 2010
On Wednesday, April 14, the New Hampshire State Senate voted nearly unanimously to pass the Greyhound Protection Act (House Bill 630) to permanently ban the racing of Greyhounds in the Granite State. The bill had already passed the state’s House of Representatives in March, so it now goes to Governor John Lynch, who is expected to sign it into state law.

Thanks for this legislative victory are due in part to the New Hampshire-based members of the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade, who sent 267 emails to their state senators urging support for the act, and to Senator Sheila Roberge, who took the Senate floor to tell the tragic story of Amber, a Greyhound who lost her life in a violent track accident. Amber was one of nearly 1,200 dogs injured while racing in New Hampshire between 2005 and 2008—these injuries included broken legs, paralysis, cardiac arrest and head trauma.

The ASPCA opposes dog racing, which is an inherently cruel form of entertainment. Racing dogs are confined for 20 hours or more a day in small cages, often wearing muzzles; they are bred excessively in the quest for good runners, with the “excess” puppies killed or otherwise discarded; they suffer from inhumane transportation as they’re shuttled from state to state for racing purposes; and they regularly endure serious and fatal injuries.

The nine states that have banned dog racing are: Maine (1993), Virginia (1995), Vermont (1995), Idaho (1996), Washington (1996), Nevada (1997), North Carolina (1998), Pennsylvania (2004) and Massachusetts (2008, effective 2010).

Weird BUT true
By LUKAS L. ALPERT, Wire Services
April 30, 2010
Talk about sticking to your convictions!

A dying Oregon comedian has sold space on his cremation urn to PETA for an ad blasting KFC and dog breeding.

One will read, "I've kicked the bucket -- have you? Boycott KFC." The other will say, "People who buy purebred dogs really burn me up. Always adopt."

Homemade Pet Food:
Pet Owners Cook Up Mew Stew and Bow-Wow Chow
| By Gabrielle Jonas
April 30, 2010
Can pet owners prepare homemade meals without depriving their pets of vital nutrients? Yes, says the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association, but cooking for the cat or dog requires precision.

"It does take education, effort and dedication to get it right," says Dr. Jean Hofve, DVM, a holistic feline veterinarian in Denver, Colo., and former editor-in-chief of the Journal of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association. "Many people get the idea that meat is all a cat needs. This is a very dangerous myth."

In fact, while meat is the cornerstone of a homemade diet for cats, supplements with the same kinds of vitamins and minerals found in its prey's bones, glands, and blood, are also vital for a cat's health, Dr. Hofve said. The goal of a homemade diet is to mimic the pet’s natural prey; in the case of a cat, to "make a better mouse." But anything a pet owner can cook up on the stove must be supplemented with vitamins and minerals, veterinarians say. For instance, cats must receive supplements that include taurine to prevent blindness and heart disease.

One company, Balance IT, offers canine and feline recipes made of human food ingredients, as well as the supplements to go with them. Pet owners go on online and click on one of eight proteins — including lamb, chicken and tofu — and one of nine carbohydrates — including rice, pasta and couscous. The resulting recipes — all vetted by board-certified veterinarians — can be enhanced with either human mineral and vitamins from drug stores, or with Balance IT's own supplements, which sell for $35 for a 21-ounce or 600-gram jar, plus shipping.

Even without the supplements, Balance IT is a pricey proposition: The company charges $20 for one recipe; $30 for two, and $37.50 for three.

Pet-owners can find free recipes on gourmetsleuth.com. Though the website doesn't approach pet cuisine with the medical precision of Balance IT, it does provide a chart with a break-down of canine proteins, fats, and carbohydrate requirements.

Lindsay Knerl, writing on the blog networking site sweetbread.com, suggests that families can save money by making dog food in a slow cooker using rice, vegetables, and cheap cuts from the butcher.
"Manager’s special items that you might not feed your friends such as hindquarters or shanks can make excellent dog food," she writes.

Interest in homemade food is on the rise since melamine-contaminated food in 2007 scared pet owners into seeking out other dietary options for their pets. Now, pet owners scared by the expense of prepared food are interested as well.

Indeed, the cost of feeding two 100-pound Great Pyrenees dogs premium kibble for $60 a month had Knerl rethinking how she fed her pets.

"If the pet food recalls weren’t enough to steer you towards making your own dog food," wrote Knerl, "the cost savings would."

Veterinarians and pet owners debate as to whether homemade foods for pets cover all the nutritional bases. An oft-quoted text of a text used in veterinary schools, Small Animal Clinical Nutrition IV Edition, claims that more than 90 percent of homemade foods for pets are nutritionally incomplete. But proponents of homemade pet foods argue that the publisher of the text, the Mark Morris Institute, is the former owner of Hills Pet Nutrition, Inc., maker of store-bought pet food brands Prescription Diet and Science Diet, and hence, competitors of homemade food.

The Colgate Palmolive Company now owns Hill's Pet Nutrition, Mark Morris Associates and Theracon, another Morris-owned company. Critics also argue that two of the three editors of the textbook are Hill's employees, and almost 25 percent of the contributors work for both Hill's and the Mark Morris Institute.

Deborah Davenport, DVM, MS Diplomate ACVIM, executive director of the Mark Morris Institute and Director of Professional Education for Hill's Pet Nutrition, could not be reached for comment.

Pit Bulls Found Dead in Trash Bin Outside Mastic Pet Shop
MASTIC, N.Y.
Wednesday, 28 April 2010
A Long Island reptile shop owner made a gruesome discovery in the dumpster behind his store Tuesday while taking out the garbage.

Alex Fabiano says he found two dead pit bulls in the trash bin outside the Animal Hut on Montauk Highway in Mastic. Mona Rivera reports Fabiano noticed a large trash bag in the dumpster that he didn't put there. He said the bag was really heavy and smelled.

"I cut the bag open and saw a dog foot," Fabiano said. "I cut it open a little bit more and I saw two dog heads."

Police say the dogs appeared to have been abused and starved.

The SPCA is offering a $1,000 reward for information that could lead to an arrest in the case. It is asking anyone with information to call 631-382-7722.

Store owner Alex Fabiano points to dumpster where he found pit bulls
Photo/Mona Rivera

Blood Test Could Detect Cancer in Dogs
| By Jay Speiden
April 27, 2010
Losing a pet is like losing your best friend or a member of your family. So a simple blood test that could help detect one of the leading canine killers would seem like good news, but some veterinarians are not completely sold.
The new blood test, made by OncoPet Diagnostic Inc., is called the OncoPet RECAF test, and its makers claim that it can detect all forms of cancer in dogs by detecting certain proteins in their blood, often before the cancer is even fully formed. OncoPet Diagnostic Inc. claims this early detection will save the lives of countless pets and save the owners the pain of watching their animals suffer with cancer.

Why, then, are some veterinarians skeptical about the test?
A Diagnostic Breakthrough or Setback?

The new RECAF blood test is being touted by its makers as a breakthrough that will save the lives of millions of animals. The makers of the test claim that it is 100% effective in diagnosing all forms of canine cancer. But some veterinary oncologists remain skeptical of the tests.

Dr. Timothy Rocha, a board-certified oncologist on staff at the New York City Veterinary Specialists Clinic, explains why he isn’t thrilled about the new test. “It’s made by a company who is out to make a profit so, of course, they want as many people to use their product as possible,” Rocha explains. “The problem arises when people who love their pets feel the need to go on a ‘cancer hunt,’ subjecting their animals to a lot of unnecessarily diagnostic testing that can actually stress your pet and cost owners thousands of dollars. Owners want to do what is best for their animals, but this type of testing doesn’t always amount to a positive for your dog.”

When Not To Use the RECAF Blood Test
Dr. Rocha thinks that these blood tests should never be used as a substitute for your normal routine vet visits, or for the broad spectrum of tests that are standard for your pet’s regularly scheduled vet visits.
“Dogs can suffer from a lot of ailments and while cancer is certainly one of them, you want to approach any potential illness by eliminating as many potential problems as possible. The only way to do this is through the standard battery of broad-spectrum tests that a vet will run to try to diagnose an illness. If you only test for cancer you might be missing something,” Rocha warns. “Or, if you spend all your money on this one cancer test, you might not be able to follow up if your pet has another illness.”

Basically, Dr. Rocha believes that if your animal doesn’t seem well, this narrow cancer test should never be used as a substitute for other, broader testing for a more general list of possible ailments. “The last thing you want is to get in a mode of thinking where you have your vet hunting for a specific diagnosis,” advises Rocha.

“You want to always keep an open mind and make sure you are doing what is best for your dog. Sometimes that might even mean stopping the hunt for an illness altogether and just taking your dog out for a hike or a jog in the park.”

A Cancer-Fighting Tool
Dr. Rocha does think the RECAF test shows promise as a tool for monitoring how a dog is responding to cancer treatments. “If a dog is diagnosed with cancer and is undergoing cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, this test is very useful is monitoring when the animal goes into remission or, later, to see if they are staying cancer free. This test is excellent for that purpose and really does do a fine job is determining whether the cancer is present in a certain animal.”

Dr. Rocha asserts that the best way to keep your pet healthy is to concentrate on quality of life issues by providing your pet every opportunity to lead a happy and healthy life. This behavior doesn’t usually include taking your pet into the vet at every turn to undergo blood tests.

Of course, if your pet is obviously feeling ill you should take him to see the vet and, if it makes sense, your doctor might very well want to use the RECAF blood test to test for cancer. But, this decision is probably best left to your vet.

Your job should be making sure you concentrate on making the good times you have with your pet as good as they can be… for both of you.

Texas governor kills 'wily' coyote during jog
AUSTIN, Texas
April 28, 2010
Pistol-packing Texas Gov. Rick Perry has a message for wily coyotes out there: Don't mess with my dog.

Perry told The Associated Press on Tuesday he needed just one shot from the laser-sighted pistol he sometimes carries while jogging to take down a coyote that menaced his puppy during a February run near Austin. Perry said he will carry his .380 Ruger — loaded with hollow-point bullets — when jogging on trails because he is afraid of snakes. He'd also seen coyotes in the undeveloped area. When one came out of the brush toward his daughter's Labrador retriever, Perry charged.

"Don't attack my dog or you might get shot ... if you're a coyote," he said Tuesday.

Perry, a Republican running for a third full term against Democrat Bill White, is living in a private house in a hilly area southwest of downtown Austin while the Governor's Mansion is being repaired after a 2008 fire. A concealed handgun permit holder, Perry carries the pistol in a belt.

"I knew there were a lot of predators out there. You'll hear a pack of coyotes. People are losing small cats and dogs all the time out there in that community," Perry said. "They're very wily creatures."

On this particular morning, Perry said, he was jogging without his security detail shortly after sunrise. "I'm enjoying the run when something catches my eye and it's this coyote. I know he knows I'm there. He never looks at me, he is laser-locked on that dog," Perry said. "I holler and the coyote stopped. I holler again. By this time I had taken my weapon out and charged it. It is now staring dead at me. Either me or the dog are in imminent danger. I did the appropriate thing and sent it to where coyotes go," he said.

Perry said the laser-pointer helped make a quick, clean kill. "It was not in a lot of pain," he said. "It pretty much went down at that particular juncture."

Texas state law allows people to shoot coyotes that are threatening livestock or domestic animals. The dog was unharmed, Perry said.

Perry's security detail was not required to file a report about the governor discharging a weapon, said Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Tela Mange. "People shoot coyotes all the time, snakes all the time," Mange said. "We don't write reports."

The governor left the coyote where it fell. "He became mulch," Perry said.

Folsom police help pet owner sting dognappers
George Warren     
FOLSOM, CA
April 27, 2010
A young woman who lost her 7-month-old chihuahua at a Folsom gas station turned the tables on two suspected dognappers who demanded ransom for the puppy's safe return.

Britney Parkerton, 19, stopped to get gas Saturday night at a 76 station on Iron Point Road and her puppy, Roo, slipped out of the car without her knowing it.  "I didn't notice for about 20 minutes because he always sleeps in the car," Parkerton explained.

Parkerton soon got a call from a man who picked up Roo at the gas station and called the number on the dog's collar.  Her relief quickly turned to shock as the man demanded a "reward" for finding the puppy.  Customers at the 76 station who watched the man pick up the dog told Parkerton he claimed the dog was his.  "He stole him just to get money from me," she said.

Her next call was to the Folsom Police Department, which helped her arrange a sting.  With an officer standing by, Parkerton told the man holding her dog that he would find an envelope containing $600 in her unlocked car parked in front of the gas station in exchange for him leaving Roo in the car unharmed.

Officers watched the driver of a black Chevrolet Camaro swap the puppy for the envelope and they stopped the car after it left the parking lot.  They arrested Adonison Gunther, 31, of Oakland and Marisa Jackson, 21 (right), of Elk Grove.  Both were booked into the Sacramento County Jail on charges of extortion, conspiracy and possession of stolen property and were later released on bail.

Folsom police spokesman Jason Browning said text messages recovered on Gunther's cell phone confirmed the ransom demand.  "When you keep something from somebody else and force them to pay money or they'll never see it again, then it's absolutely extortion," said Browning.

Roo is back safe with Parkerton. She called the whole incident the worst and best day of her life and was grateful to Folsom police for helping her get Roo back.  "I got the biggest headache I've ever had.  But in the end, I've probably never been happier in my life," she said.

Small Change, Big Lessons for Kindergarten Helping Hurt Animals
By Margo Ann Sullivan
PLAISTOW, N.H.
April 26, 2010
First-grader Chassity Gregoire remembers a special day last year. “It was like a bright sunny day,” she said, when Jolly the dog came to thank the Pollard School kindergarten. The children helped pay for surgery that saved his front leg. Chassity and the other students, then in teacher Toniann Hamilton’s kindergarten, lined up around the flagpole “where all the flowers were sprouting,” and met the dog whose cause they had adopted.

“He was nice and calm, and he didn’t bark, really,” Chassity said. “He wagged his tail when we patted him.” But Chassity and classmate Ryan Hogan, both 7, noticed Jolly was hurting, even though he wagged his tail. “He was bending [the paw] a little,” Chassity said.

“He looked in pain,” said Ryan. “I felt sorry for him.”

Doctors suspected they might be forced to amputate Jolly’s leg, according to Kim Lynch, a veterinary technician at Plaistow-Kingston Animal Medical Center, where the operation was performed last summer. But the surgery worked, and the dog, a five-year-old Black Lab/Australian Shepherd mix, is using the leg, although he does hop up and down stairs on three limbs, instead of all four, his new owner, Barbara McClenaghan, said. “Right now, it looks great,” McClenaghan said. “He’s building muscle. That leg’s a little thinner than the others, but he’s wagging his tail.”

McClenaghan, who fostered the dog before she officially adopted him, took Jolly to Cape Cod after the surgery, and he spent a quiet summer at the beach recuperating. “His right front leg bones are dislocated from the shoulder; they stick out and are still hanging, but that doesn’t stop him,” she said. “He’s a very happy dog... and how he’s still happy after what he went through is amazing.”

A happy ending for Jolly did not seem possible a little more than a year ago. The dog was living in distressing conditions, chained to a couch and starving to death. After an alert neighbor reported the case of animal abuse, Jolly was rescued and delivered to Puppy Angels. The dog has gained back 30 pounds, McClenaghan said.

Puppy Angels arranged for most of his treatment at the Plaistow hospital; Concord’s Cilley Veterinary Clinic donated the dental surgery, according to McClenaghan. Jolly’s teeth were so bad they had to be removed. The gums healed, and he eats regular dry dog food, McClenaghan said.

And then the kindergarten class chipped in a bit extra. The kindergarten raised $88 for Jolly’s medical bills after one of the children suggested donating their small change to help an animal, Hamilton said. The children brought pennies, nickels and dimes to school for a weeklong lesson in counting, she said. Most of the lesson focused on calculating the number of coins they collected, but they also added up the value and decided how to use the money, she said. One of the youngsters felt the money should go to an animal shelter. He said the “poor animals never get any help,” she said, and the other children agreed.
That weekend, Hamilton happened to see a story about Jolly in a community newspaper. She cut out his picture and pinned it on the bulletin board. Once the class saw Jolly’s picture, the lesson came to life, she said.

“They had been bringing in a couple of pennies at a time,” she said, and sometimes they would forget to bring anything. But once Jolly became part of the lesson, the children had a stake in the assignment. “It became a lot more personal,” she said, as students would announce, “I’ve got a quarter for Jolly.” Some even brought a dollar, and the parents became involved with the dog’s story, too.

Hamilton chipped in the extra $12 to make the donation an even $100 after the class let her know $88 would not be a big enough gesture. Hamilton said the children told her, “You can just put in the rest to make it $100.” The children also drew pictures and wrote poems to send Jolly with their gift.

Jolly was supposed to go back to Pollard School after the surgery, according to Sherry Morrall, the Puppy Angels executive director. But he needed an additional operation to remove bad teeth and the school year ended before he was well enough to go back and see the youngsters.

Hamilton put the news about Jolly on the bulletin board, so the students would know he came through all the surgery successfully. Some of the youngsters kept asking her about the dog. Jolly might go back someday to see the Pollard School children, Morrall said. Meanwhile, the new kindergarten is counting small change, Hamilton said, and they will be donating the money to Puppy Angels to help another dog in need.

“We’re saving money for animals at a pound,” said Mikayla Cross, 6. “And there’s the chart,” said Idabelle Bradstreet, 5, pointing out the colorful tally on the classroom bulletin board. As of Monday, April 19, the afternoon kindergarten had collected 441 coins worth $22.85, Hamilton said.

Math lessons work better with a dog in the equation, according to Hamilton. “They relate it to something tangible,” she said.

How to Help
To donate to Puppy Angels, visit their website at www.puppyangels.com (click √ on image below) and use the PayPal link, or write to the organization at Puppy Angels Rescue, Hopkinton, NH, 03229.

Photo Courtesy of Barbara McClenaghan

Weird BUT true
By DAVID K. LI, Wire Services
April 27, 2010


What a ruff day.
Firefighters in Naperville, Ill., had to saw apart a mechanical reclining chair to rescue a dog trapped inside.

The terrier, Ebonyser, had crawled into 87-year-old owner Ken Makris' favorite chair at an assisted-living facility.

File photo by R.Coane/SCOOP & HOWL

"The Back-Up Plan" Raises Awareness of Homeless, Handicapped Pets
By Robin Wallace
April 26, 2010
The romantic comedy "The Back-Up Plan," starring Jennifer Lopez and Alex O’Loughlin, opened this weekend at the box office. And for homeless and handicapped pets, the movie is more than just a fun flick.

"[Chloe] has a pet store but does not sell animals because she brings in only rescued or shelter animals, using her store as a venue for that," American Humane's Jone Bouman said of Lopez's character. "And they are using a handicapped animal, which is another message that gets intertwined in all of this — that handicapped pets can make great pets as well."

Chloe's pet, "Nuts," is a rescued, handicapped Boston terrier who uses a brace and cart to mobilize his paralyzed rear legs. But, according to Bouman, Hollywood performed a trick of movie magic by casting three different dogs in the role, none of who are handicapped, as well as building "an ingenious apparatus." "The dog had a little platform that he was standing on, but you can't notice it because of how they covered it up," said Bouman, whose TV & Film Unit monitors the working conditions of animals on set.

In American Humane's extensive experience — monitoring more than 1,000 productions a year — "we have seen it all, trust me," Bouman said with a chuckle. "We have seen handicaps — limping and such — but this was a pretty rare occurrence. This dog had a major role and was in a lot of scenes, so it is unusual," Bouman said of the significance of bringing a paralyzed, "wheelchair"-bound pet into mainstream prominence.

In conjunction with CBS Films, the studio behind "The Back-Up Plan," American Humane held 12 adoption events in major markets last weekend, where "Paw-tographs" from Nuts and advance screening passes where given to shelter visitors. Each of the markets heavily promoted the events at their local shelters, with CBS radio and broadcast news affiliates airing promotional segments leading up to the weekend and covering the day's results.

"One of the success stories I heard out of the Denver shelter is that they adopted out 306 pets in the course of a couple of days," Bouman told Zootoo Pet News. "It's a huge number and they were just thrilled."

Expected to be the studio's first major success, since "CBS Films has only been around for a couple years," "The Back-Up Plan" could help raise awareness on the issues surrounding homeless and handicapped pets.

"Less than 20 percent of the pets are adopted from shelters and that translates into millions of pets being euthanized every year," said Bouman, who hopes the film will help boost adoptions. "So we need to get that number up, up, up, so that people are more aware of homeless pets, and so that the vast majority of people can adopt pets. That the correct and positive messaging that is written into the plot of the movie, and that is a win-win for everyone."

Photo Courtesy of CBS Films

Coyote vs. Greyhound:
The Battle Lines Are Drawn
By JULIET MACUR
ELGIN, Okla.
April 26, 2010
One morning in an otherwise quiet corner of the Great Plains, high-pitched yips and deep growls sprang from a cluster of trees. Two greyhounds were fighting a pack of coyotes . One greyhound was bitten on a front paw and a back leg. The other was bitten in the jaw, and blood soaked its muzzle. But two of the seven coyotes died. The greyhounds, wild-eyed and wet with slobber, trotted to their owner, John Hardzog, a cattle rancher who was waiting nearby.

“Greyhounds are calm, gentle dogs, but they’re also pretty efficient killers,” Hardzog said as he picked a clump of tawny coyote hair from one dog’s teeth. “This is exactly what they’re born and bred to do. Yep, this is what they live for.”

Unlike the greyhounds familiar to most Americans as racers and pets, Hardzog’s are trained only to chase and kill coyotes for sport. Hunting coyotes with greyhounds goes back generations. President Theodore Roosevelt did so on this land, about 70 miles southwest of Oklahoma City, in the early 1900s. It remains largely a regional pursuit that is part of the area’s lore, like the cattle drives along the Chisholm Trail .

Ranchers and farmers have long viewed coyotes as pests because they kill livestock. Yet hunting coyotes with greyhounds — all members of the Canidae family — is banned in some states, including Washington and Colorado. Some animal-rights groups, including the Humane Society of the United States , say it is inhumane, for coyotes and for greyhounds.

“It was not thought of as sporting by a majority of citizens in our state because the coyotes were getting killed by dogs, not by people,” Miranda Wecker, the chairwoman of the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission , said of last year’s decision to ban the sport. “This was dogs ripping apart other dogs. Thinking about it that way, it became very close to dogfighting .” Dogfighting became a felony in all 50 states in 2008, in no small part because of Michael Vick , the N.F.L. star who went to prison a year earlier for his involvement in a dogfighting ring .

But Hardzog, a 65-year-old lifelong Oklahoman who wears pressed Wrangler jeans and a rodeo belt buckle the size of a bread plate, called his favorite form of hunting “one of the cleanest sports out there.” Using greyhounds to hunt is natural, Hardzog said.

“When you get the dogs running in a dead run after a coyote, now that’s a sport,” Hardzog said before spitting snuff into a tiny gold spittoon. “The coyote is just about the smartest wild animal alive because they always have an escape route. I respect them. They can outsmart you. But greyhounds are smart, too. I think they’re the neatest dog ever made.”

Hardzog, who eschews seat belts and scoffs at “too many laws,” was 7 when he first hunted coyotes with his father. Now he has 40 greyhounds and greyhound mixes, some with scarred legs and faces, that he bred on his 318-acre ranch. Sometimes, they gnaw on stillborn calves and clean their teeth on the bones. He said he spent $600 on their monthly upkeep.

They have names like Matthew, Luke, Venus and Little Bit. Some are part Irish wolfhound , others part Saluki . All have a strong prey drive and hunt by sight. Only a handful have failed as coyote hunters, Hardzog said.
Electric-shock collars help train the dogs not to chase anything but coyotes. Otherwise, Hardzog’s dogs are collar free, for good reason. Several broke their necks when their collars snagged while scooting under barbed-wire fences, which can also rip their paper-thin skin.

“Every time you turn ’em loose, you don’t know whether it’s going to come back sound or not,” Hardzog said. “There’s just a lot of obstacles out there. Every once in a while, you had one run off in a ditch and either break their back or a shoulder or dislocate a hip. But it’s the risk you take. If you didn’t let them run, you would be denying what they were bred to do.”

Once, Hardzog lost four dogs when they ran over a cliff while pursuing a coyote, his wife, Charlette, said. “He has such a bond with his dogs,” she said. “He could barely get over that.”

In his truck, Hardzog often keeps a blood-clotting agent, wound wrap, a staple gun and an array of medications, but no water. If a dog is seriously injured, he said, he takes it to a veterinarian. Other hunters might not be as caring, he said, because “they got no common sense.”

To subdue a coyote, the greyhounds often nip its back leg to sever a hamstring. Then they go for the kill by biting the neck. Hunters often leave coyote carcasses behind.

Judy Paulsen, the director of Greyhound Companions of New Mexico , said she had seen the damage coyote hunting could do. “If the dogs don’t return from the hunt,” she said, some hunters “just leave them for dead because, to them, they are expendable.”

Coyotes help control rodent populations and are an important part of the ecosystem, wildlife experts say. To protect livestock, however, the federal Agriculture Department’s Wildlife Services killed nearly 90,000 coyotes in 2008. Catching them is tricky because they are cunning, skittish animals wary of anything unusual in their habitat, said Paul Curtis, a wildlife specialist at Cornell University .

The Agriculture Department uses foot and neck traps, aerial gunning and bait containing poisonous gas. Yet the coyotes endure, even when ranchland turns into housing developments, as it has here. They learn to snack on garbage, roadkill and pets.

In Oklahoma, coyote-hunting season never ends. But to avoid having his dogs overheat, Hardzog hunts from Thanksgiving through March, killing 270 to 350 coyotes a season. “The government spends thousands of dollars trying to kill coyotes every year,” he said, grinning. “I do it for free.”

On hunting days, Hardzog loads 16 dogs into four specially made pens and into his 1977 Ford pickup. These days, he estimated, one in six farmers do not want him on their land. “These people, they just live in a different world now,” he said. “They don’t have no cattle. Don’t have no chickens. They just got little yippy poodles. Nobody hardly even knows what it is to hunt coyote with greyhounds. But they ought to. Coyotes love to kill little poodles and cats.”

Hardzog drives along dirt roads and through ranches, using binoculars to spot coyotes. He yells “Ara-hoo!” with the might of his lungs to stir them. Sometimes, his dogs see the prey first. One day last month, they barked and whined at a coyote in the distance. Hardzog maneuvered his truck closer, then he yanked a pulley to open a pen. Four dogs leapt out. They raced about a quarter-mile until they spotted the coyote. They homed in for the kill out of Hardzog’s sight.

Several hours of hunting took a toll on his dogs. Four were bitten by coyotes. Barbed wire opened a five-inch wound on one dog’s left foreleg, exposing muscle. Another had split its nose. Hardzog injected the injured dogs with penicillin, B12 and a steroid to reduce swelling and fight infection. As he sprayed wound treatment, the dogs trembled.

His way of killing coyotes, he insisted, is the most humane, but he worries that his favorite sport will be banned.

“Probably 99.9 percent of the people that’s going to protest it never been, don’t have an idea of what a coyote is or what a greyhound is,” Hardzog said. “To me, they don’t even have a right to draw an opinion. They can pass all the laws they want to, but the good Lord is going to do all the judging."

Photo: Fred R. Conrad/The New York Times