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I Hate Good-Byes
I really have a problem saying good-bye, seems like I’ve been having to say it a lot lately.
Yesterday, I learned that another long time client, Tootsie, had passed away. She was a funny girl, very set in her ways. When her doggy brother Roscoe appeared on the scene, Tootsie was quite upset. When she discovered she couldn’t chase him away, she became the ultimate “big sister.”
She made sure little brother Roscoe towed the line in all ways at all times. Roscoe would try to engage Tootsie in play quite often but she wasn’t too interested, usually barking at him to go away.
Tootsie was quite a character and she will be missed by her brother Roscoe and her people. Take care, Miss Toots!
Enough “All Pit Bulls Are Bad”
As I’ve written here before, I have a problem with breed-specific legislation that singles out pit bulls. In reading online today, I found yet another story of BSL, this time in Maryland.
The Maryland Court of Appeals has ruled that pit bulls are “inherently dangerous” and anyone owning a pit bull or pit bull mix could be arrested, serve six months in jail and incur a $1,000 fine. This ruling came on the heels of a case involving a young boy that suffering life threatening injuries from a pit bull attack.
This is a very sad example of discrimination. Pit bulls, or any dog breed for that matter, can be considered dangerous if not trained and socialized properly. There’s also something to be said for how a person approaches a dog they don’t know. Pit bulls, as with most dog breeds, will protect their people and what they consider their territory when an unknown person approaches.
To say that this breed is “inherently dangerous” is not so different from discriminating against all members of a particular race or religion. Yes, there are “bad” pit bulls, but that’s not ALL pit bulls, just as there are bad people in various races or religions but that doesn’t make ALL members of the race or religion automatically bad people!
Interestingly, the site that ran this story is conducting a poll on whether readers consider pit bulls inherently bad, and the results thus far with over 37,000 votes show 55% say no, 42% say yes.
What are your thoughts regarding breed specific legislation?
If you’d like to read the entire article, go to http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/02/11500617-maryland-court-finds-pit-bulls-are-inherently-dangerous?lite
Good-bye To A Friend
I found out today that a client, Chandler, had passed away.
When I first hime a couple of years ago, he was still adjusting to quite a few changes: new house, new people, new dogs. Although he had his grumpy times, overall he dealt with everything pretty well.
One of the biggest challenges for him was dealing with having a new puppy in house. When Gigi arrived, she loved her big brother a lot, while big brother Chandler would bark and/or growl if she came anywhere near him.
Over time he adjusted and she learned his boundaries, they became pretty good friends.
The last time I saw Chandler he wasn’t getting around too well. Age was catching up with him, he didn’t see as well as he used to, arthritis was slowing him down, but he still gave me a high-five with his front paw for treats and wagged his tail when he got petted just right.
I’m scheduled to stop by the house later this week and it won’t be the same with Chandler gone. I will miss you, dear boy. Take care!
Helping “Flat-Faced” Dog Breeds Enjoy Summer
Summer is the time to get out and about with your dog, but for brachycephalic or “flat-faced” breeds like pugs or bulldogs, the warmer weather can pose serious health risks. Here are some ways to help your dog through the warm weather and still have fun:
- Walk your dog in the early morning and evening when the temperatures are lower
- Never leave your dog in the car unattended. Dogs can suffocate in a matter of minutes in hot weather
- Keep your dog at a healthy weight
- Use a halter rather than a collar to attach leash
- On extremely hot days, take short walks so you can get home easily if you need to
- Don’t overexercise your dog or get them too excited or stressed.
If you sense your dog is overheated, get him to a shady spot if outside, or to a cool place in the house such as the basement that has cool floors he can lay on. Put cool wet towels on him to get body heat down. Once stabilized, take him to the vet to be checked for any lingering problems.
Getting Great Pictures of Your Pet
I love taking pictures of my pets, Jessie and Marty, as well as capturing images of clients when I’m with them. If you’re wanting some great pictures of your pet, but have trouble getting them to “sit pretty”, here are some other picture ideas:
- The weather is pretty right now, so many dogs are really wanting time outside. Have your camera handy and snap a picture of your dog as he’s sitting in the sun, enjoying the warmth of it.
- If your pet enjoys playing with a special toy indoors, capture a picture of him actively playing with it.
- Does your pet enjoy treats? Get a picture of her as she’s enjoying snack.
- Dogs and cats often like to lay on their backs, all stretched out, snap a picture of that, it’ll make you laugh when you look at it later.
- If you have young children, take a picture of your cat or dog with your child when they don’t know you’re watching.
These aren’t the standard “pretty” poses, but they’ll definitely bring back fond memories when you look at them years from now. I took the picture of Marty, shown above, one afternoon a while ago.
Do you have a favorite candid picture of your pet? Please share……..
Funny Pet Video of the Week-Dancing Dogs
In this video, the dogs are pretty cool, but the people look quite ridiculous! Check it out……….
Weekend at the Expo
I participated in the Great KC Pet Expo this past weekend and made some great connections. Followoing are some of the products, services and organizations I learned about through the Expo.
In the booth next to me was a team with a pet product line called Smoochable Rupert. The product originated in the Kansas City area and is manufactured locally as well. Products include pet dental spray (for both dogs and cats) and pet shampoo (unscented). I’ll be writing more about them in the near future, but if you’d like to check them out now, go to www.smoochable-rupert.com.
An organization I wasn’t aware of until the Expo is Johnson County Animal Response Team (JoCART). This is a nonprofit dedicated to helping animals after a disaster. They set up temporary veterinary relief shelters in disaster areas, work to reunite lost pets with their owners and coordinate animal evacuation activities. For more information on JoCART, go to www.jocartks.org.
The Knnsas City Ferret Hotline information on care of ferrets, fostering for homeless ferrets and helps coordinate boarding for ferrets whose owners are out of town temporarily. For more information, go to www.ferrethotline.com.
I also met a couple of great ladies from the KC area that happen to blog about pets. Emily Hawkins authors a blog called Waldo Bungle and you can check it out at www.waldobungle.wordpress.com. Crystal Wayward authors a great blog called Wayward Dogs, check it out at www.waywarddogs.com.
Here are some of the people and dogs seen at the Expo
It was a great time, met lots of nice people and pets and learned a lot too!
Happy Easter!
I found this picture yesterday on Pinterest and loved it. Have a great Easter!
Does Your Dog Need An Attorney?
Due to the ever growing status of pets in our society, animal law is now a rapidly growing field. Half of the American Bar Association approved law schools now offer courses in animal law. Although any licensed attorney can handle animal law cases, it’s best to find out that has chosen this field as a specialty.
Following are some areas that would typically be considered an animal law case:
- Veterinary malpractice
- Pet injury or death
- Tenant/landlord disputes
- Custody and ownership disputes
- Dog bites
- Estate Planning
- Contractual Disputes and consumer complaints
On Wednesday, we’ll delve into veterinary malpractice and how the law views it.
Info for this series from Whole Dog Journal, March 2012
Cats and Dogs Working Together To Find Lost Pets
This story was featured on the Animal Planet Show Must Love Cats. Cheeto the cat helps train dogs to help find lost cats. Check out Karma the Pit Bull Detective…..this is a cool story!
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