A Pets Ten Commandments #9

Please take care of me when I grow old. You too will grow old.

A Pets Ten Commandments #6

6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.

Battle Over Dog....Sperm

A divorcing couple showed up in an Oakland, CA courtroom to ask the judge to decide who gets the frozen dog sperm. The couple breeds bull mastiffs and had some semen frozen and stored. The judge originally thought she was being punked. In the end she decided it was not a part of the divorce and was a civil matter.

A Pets Ten Commandments #3

Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.

A Pets Ten Commandments #2

Give me time to understand what you want of me.

New Car Design...Just for DOGS

This week Honda will introduce a special dog package for it's Element model. Features includes a cushioned mesh “dog containment system” for the cargo area; a collapsible entry ramp that stores underneath; a dedicated Fido cooling fan; a spillproof water bowl; a secondary “containment system” for the back seat (to accommodate smaller breeds); special pet restraints; a rubber mat in a dog-bone pattern; and a special collar, leash and dog tag. This price has not been determined.

Almost Tax Time

Ever wish you could deduct your pets. With six dogs and 2 cats- all of whom are adopted it would sure be nice. Would hate to see people hoard or not spay/neuter pets just for a deduction.

For your amusement attached is a K9 Tax Return Form. Not sure where it came from so can't give proper credit.

Double Click the image to see the form.

150 Dogs Up For Adoption

It's hard to imagine 200 dogs in one location. Yet that is how many were taken from a puppy mill in Missouri. Of the 200, 150 are up for adoption. While many are pure bred, it's also true that many of these have lived their entire lives in cages and are not even house broken. If your heart is set on a pure bred and there is nothing wrong with that. Make sure the breeder is reputable and don't ever knowingly buy from a mill.

Many Languages

Arabic...أحب بلادي الكلب
Dutch...Ik hou van mijn hond
French...J'aime mon chien
Greek...Λατρεύω τον σκύλο μου
German...Ich liebe meinen Hund
Hebrew...אני אוהב את הכלב שלי
Italian...Amo il mio cane
Japanese...私は自分の犬の愛
Portuguese...Eu amo meu cachorro
Russian...Я люблю свою собаку
Spanish...Yo amo a mi perro
Swedish...Jag älskar min hund

English... I LOVE MY DOG

Money Matters

The current economic times are tough; more so with six dogs. One of the highest recurring expenses we have is the monthly flea and tic treatment. We use Frontline Plus and have been buying it from our vet. While our vet does have a good competitive price I spent last night comparing prices on the internet.

I chose to look at one product, Frontline Plus Blue (23-44 pound), 3 month supply. I would have thought the prices for the exact same product would be very close. In fact the price ranged from $22.99 to $53.99.

The $22.99 price as of today is from: Thriftyvet.com. Shipping to my house in CT is $4.00. A very close second is $25.00 from: Vetmedsforpets.com. Shipping for orders over $40.00 is free making this actually cheaper.

Over 30 on-line sites were searched. Don't just go to the first ones that pop up on your search and don't believe it when it says, Cheapest or Best price. There are likely better if you look.

Check back for more price checks.

Lyme

You've previously been introduced to Hobo. He is one of our older dogs. Having older dogs we realize that every new day is a gift. One day I noticed that Hobo could barely get up our one step into the back door. It got to the point where I helped him up and down so he could go to the bathroom. That evening things just seemed worse. I was sure that we were nearing the end of our time together. I held and petted him while we called the vet.

We got into the vet first thing the next morning. All sorts of tests were done including blood work to test for Lyme disease. The good news is that it was Lyme and Hobo responded immediately to his prescribed drugs. All the dogs are treated monthly with flea and tic protection. But if a tic gets in and is infected with Lyme..

If your dog suddenly gets limp, comes up lame, seems suddenly old, has sudden joint pain consider Lyme and get your dog tested. The fact that you don't see a tic is no guarantee- get them tested. Deer tics are small and in long haired dogs nearly invisible.

Off to the Park

Saturday March 7th. Great weather. Well almost. A huge thaw and the local dog park was a HUGE mud pit. Not that any of the dogs were complaining. Sunday the 8th. Rather than return back to the pit and the subsequent required bath I opted to go for a walk at a regular (non-dog) park.

What a great day and the park was packed. So many great dog intros- they love it. Met several people who were new with dogs, new to introducing dogs to other dogs and kids and people. I asked several if they had ever been to the local dog park- none had. One went so far as to say she was afraid there would be pit bulls there. I assured here there would and labs and retrievers and shepherds etc. For the most part people who go to dog parks, are responsible owners, who have socialized theirs dogs. My experience is that the dog park is a 97% positive experience. Would enjoy hearing from others about their dog park experiences.

Why, Jack?

I've been asked why I posted such an ugly photo of Jack. Here is another photo. Sometimes you just have to work with what you have.

Dog Log Cafe Sissy's Final Tail

I usually get attached to a new dog immediately. Without exception there is some connection. Not so with Sissy. At about the one year mark of fostering her we received a call from the Humane Society that we needed to do something- either return her or adopt.

For several months after bringing Sissy home, Xena was her only K-9 friend. Every weekend, weather permitting, we would take all the dogs to the dog park. Most of the dogs love it. Not Sissy. Her fear kept her at arms length from all the other dogs who tried to befriend her. But when she and Xena would take off running, perhaps after a real or imaginary squirrel, Sissy was in heaven. If she could play with just Xena, she was in heaven. Problem of course is that Xena wants to play with everyone. After a while Nikki and Xena and Sissy began to all play.

There was still the problem with us, me and Sissy. She would not allow me to approach if I was standing though she would tolerate me while sitting. In fact after a year she would come up to me in the car while going to the park and nudge me for some affection. She tolerates women much better and allowed our daughter's boyfriend to approach and to pet her while standing.

With all our lack of trust and lack of public displays of affection there was no way I was going to return her and have her go back in that cage. I knew, no matter how short the time, that she would have lost everything she gained. She and Xena and Nikki are good friends. A new beagle has entered our lives, Penny and they too are friends. Sissy and I are also making progress both while sitting and standing. It will improve with time.

Next installment- Penny.

Dog Log Cafe Number 6 Sissy

I recall being at the Humane Society one weekend day and seeing a dog all the way in the back of her cage, frightened to no end. She stayed like this no matter who walked by. Complete terror. Though we had five dogs already and had some success at helping other dogs in need as I looked at this dog I could not think of a way to help; I could not imagine what we would do.

A week or so later we received a call from the Humane Society asking if we were interested in fostering another dog. One with shyness and fear issues. We agreed to look and it was this same dog, named Sissy. In her current state she was not adoptable, would not come to anyone and showed nothing but fear. Her history was a little uncertain. She was probably a year to a year and a half old and had already had a litter of pups. She came from a shelter in North Carolina with her last remaining pup. (we are in CT) It was possible she had always been a stray.

Again I looked at her in her cage and could not imagine the way in which we would help her- yet we agreed.

I took her for a walk around the property prior to putting her in the van for the ride home. She stayed at the very end of the leash, as far away as possible. I believe she shook in fear the entire drive home. It was my hope that our other dogs would be the answer for Sissy and they had been in the past. Next entry - the introduction to the rest of the pack.

Dog Log Cafe- Prejudice and Pride

I've always been fond of going to kennels. There was a time years ago when I would come to a cage that had a pit bull and I would always, without exception, walk on by without so much as a glance. Back then I know what was in the headlines and what I believed to be true. That these were vicious killers bred for only one purpose. I had a prejudice that like all prejudices had no foundation or a limited one at best.

Today I look at these and all dogs and evaluate them as individuals and not as a breed. I have met pit bulls that are the most timid creatures I have ever met. They both were rescued from a past where they lived as 'bait' dogs for the fighters in the pack. All the dogs, the bait and the fighters were not born bad or good- they were raised in a certain fashion that set their destiny. Humans did this- not dogs. I have also met dogs with a breed history of docility that are more aggressive than the so called dangerous breeds. Remember its not the dog or the breed, its how they are raised and trained by humans. Give each dog regardless of breed, the benefit of the doubt.

Dog Log Cafe- Volume 5 Jack Bear

As previously stated from time to time we have been privileged to work with the local Humane Society. Several months after Lenny we were asked to consider fostering a miniature poodle. All the dogs we have met have a story and Jack, real name Jack Bear, is no exception.

The story we got is that Jack at the time was ten years old and that actually there were two, Jack and another miniature poodle. The other dog died and Jack started crying and didn't stop. So the owners bought a puppy hoping that Jack would enjoy the new friend and stop the crying. Well Jack kept crying and the couple decided they liked the new dog better and after ten years gave Jack up to the Humane Society.

Jack would not stop crying there either and we were again asked to bring him home in the hopes that the pack would help him get over his crying or grief. We met Jack after his having some teeth pulled. He was crying then, we agreed to take him and he cried all the way home. He was afraid of the pack and barked and cried. But like Lenny he soon came around began to fit in. His crying stopped probably an hour of so after he got home. After several weeks we received a call from the Humane Society that that had someone interested in meeting Jack and possibly adopting him.

It just so happened that this was a day or two before my daughters birthday and she informed me she was hoping to keep Jack with us. So Jack Bear became her birthday present and pack member number 5.

Think you're a manly-man? Try calling out Jack Bear to your miniature poodle and see how macho you sound.

Dog Log Cafe- Tough Times

A discussion this morning on a daily news show highlighted the affect that these tough economic times have on pets. When people get laid off often the pets are the first to suffer as they are given over to adoption centers and shelters in an effort to save money.

Dogs don't judge. Don't care that you're rich or poor. They repay love with love. In these tough times please remember the pets. Adopt if you can- you will be rewarded.

Dog Log Cafe- Washington Pups

Congratulations to newly sworn in Vice President Biden and his family on the adoption of their German Shepherd Dog. The Obamas have still to choose their new dog.

President Bush had two Scottish Terriers, Barney and Miss Beazley.

Dog Log Cafe-Most Popular Breeds

According to the AKC the 10 most popular dogs in the US are:
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Yorkshire Terrier
3. German Shepherd
4. Golden Retriever
5. Beagle
6. Boxer
7. Dachshund
8. Bulldog
9. Poodle
10. Shih Tzu

Popularity is measured by the number of registered dogs. This is the 18th consecutive year for the lab.