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Dog News

Dec 1, 2007

• Austria (Vienna): Researchers at the university are looking into canine cognition by teaching dogs to use computers. They did not try to teach dogs typing and so forth -- instead, the researchers trained the dogs to touch a screen to visually categorize pictures.
• US: Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) can infect any unvaccinated dog or puppy, as well as other species of animals. Dogs can catch the disease when exposed to sick dogs or wildlife. The symptoms include runny nose and eyes, fever, decreased appetite, cough, vomiting, and diarrhea. Nerve damage can occur, and severe cases can result in death. The best plan -- vaccinate your dog.

Nov 25, 2007

• Maryland: Last year, Cayenne and Romeo, two K-9s, had their first litter of puppies. Six of these were selected to begin K-9 training as drug-detection dogs. They have been training for about 10 months now, and will probably begin full time work around April of next year. Given the success of the first litter, it was decided that Cayenne and Romeo should become parents again -- and they are expecting another litter of Labrador Retrievers soon.

Nov 22, 2007

• Vermont (Hinesburg): Local K-9 Tiger needed funds to help pay for life-saving surgery -- and the community responded. Enough funds were donated to handle Tiger's case and to set up a fund to help other police dogs.

Nov 20, 2007

• UK (London): Humans have gone crazy for dressing up their canine companions for costume parties. Your dog can go as Elvis, Darth Vader, or Santa. Shops like Angels's Fancy Dress offer these outfits for hire, and a lot more, too.
• Florida (Palm Beach): The license for an un-fixed dog (or cat) will get more expensive here. Which is not such a bad thing -- hopefully this change will encourage more people to spay or neuter their pet.

Nov 17, 2007

• Phillipines (Manilla): A search and rescue demo was held where top dogs showed off how they do their jobs. One, a female Belgian Malinois called Chairman, confidently trotted around piles of rock and concrete and quickly identified the location of her pretend victim with a high-pitched bark. She received a backrub and a chew on her toy in reward. Another, Rebelle, a Labrador Retriever, also demonstrated her skills by going straight to the location of her pretend victim and barking loudly. These dogs and their human partners have been trained extensively in search and rescue techniques.

Nov 14, 2007

• Arizona (Sierra Vista): Working dogs, Lacey and Blue, are Collies who play an important role in their human's mortgage company. The dogs hang out in the office and greet customers, and they help relax people who are nervous about borrowing a large sum of money to buy a house. The dogs also are great publicity -- they do commercials and attend various meetings. When they aren't working, the two also visit assisted living facilities, where they are always welcome.

Nov 11, 2007

• North Carolina (Rural Hall): Dogs of all sizes have taken part in a 2-day competition to see who can pull the most weight. The competitors ranged from a 16 pound Jack Russell Terrier, to a 155 pound Saint Bernard. The dogs had to see how many bags of dog food they could pull for 16 feet. The organizers are making sure no dogs are injured during the competition, so if a dog can't pull at a certain weight, humans will pitch in and help out. Dogs also only compete against each other by their own weight class. (FYI: The Saint Bernard pulled over 2100 pounds.)

Nov 9, 2007

• Washington (Seattle): More than 140 dogs and their owners danced the cha cha, waltz, and other styles as part of the "It's Raining Dancing Dogs" competition, held by the Emerald City K-9 Freestyle Dancers and the World Canine Freestyle Organization. What fun!

Nov 8, 2007

• Virginia: About 1000 dogs, mostly small breed pups, were rescued from an operation owned by Junior Horton, who said he runs a legitimate operation. But the animals were found in wire fence cages, denied human socialization opportunities. Shelters throughout the East Coast are accepting these dogs to try and find them good homes.
• Wisconsin: Dr. Paul Miller, a professor of comparative ophthalmology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, estimates that dogs can see in light that is about 5 times dimmer than we can see in. Dogs have larger pupils, which let in more light, important at low light levels. They also have more rod cells in their retinas; these are the cells that work better in dim light. In addition, dogs have a mirror-like structure called a tapetum in the back of the eye that reflects light. This reflection gives the retina a second chance to process incoming light. And it also gives dogs those reflective eyes we've all seen in photos in response to a camera flash.

Nov 4, 2007

• Australia (Ballarat): Guide Dogs Victoria has been training dogs for 50 years. They also have a companion animal program that involves dogs visiting the homes of people with disabilities.
• Illinois (Mattoon): Melinda Gill, through the noncredit courses at Lake Land College, offers a class called Puppy Kindergarten. In the class pet owners learn how to handle, own, and take care of their puppy. It's a great -- and important -- learning experience for both the humans and their canines.

Oct 30, 2007

• Sweden: Inventor Lennart Jarlebro has invented something that may help solve the problem of the corrosive effect of dogs' urine on lamp posts -- a urinal for dogs. It involves a rubber cup attached to the lamp post with tubing to carry the liquid away. Mr. Jarlebro is applying for a patent and hopes to sell his product to local councils all over Sweden.

Oct 28, 2007

• London (UK): At the first Fido Film awards, canine were recognized for their movie performances. Actress Helen Mirren's corgi co-stars won Best Historical Hounds and Best in the World for their roles in the movie "The Queen." The corgis are Poppy, Anna, Oliver, and Megan, and their proud person is Liz Smith.
• US: While it's OK to dress your dog up for Halloween, be sensible. Don't force your dog -- or especially a puppy -- into something strange and uncomfortable. If your dog barks, nips at you, or just seems to go crazy, don't force him or her to wear the costume. Think how you'd feel if some big person made you wear something you didn't want to!

Oct 25, 2007

• UK (Bloomsbury): A mother and her daughter were alerted to a fire in their apartment building by their two Cairn Terriers, Mitt and Kess. The dogs' barking did the trick, so everyone was able to leave the building safely.

Oct 23, 2007

• Missouri (Columbia): The 14th Annual University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine Dog Jog took place on Sunday, with 50 people and 30 dogs running the 5K. The winner was Claire Beckmeyer and Ellie, her Black Labrador-English Setter mix.
• Michigan (New Boston): Paul, a local 7-year-old, suffers from autism but he has help from Atlas, his yellow Labrador-Golden Retriever mix. Atlas and Paul teamed up through Canine Companions for Independence of Ohio. The group trains and places assistance dogs for people with disabilities. In Paul's case, Atlas helps him stop undesired behavior, have confidence around people, and even talk more.

Oct 20, 2007

• US: We love our dogs and we love having them inside, but sometimes our furniture doesn't agree. Time to re-upholster the sofa? It's best to forget the silks, linens, chenilles, and even cottons if you want to avoid the trauma associated with pet stains and the coffee and juice spills that always seem to happen. Instead try a "power fabric" like Crypton that is more durable, stain and fade resistent. Next time Snoopy puts his muddy paws on the furniture, it and you -- and Snoopy -- will be glad.

Oct 18, 2007

• California (Stanford): Researchers have been investigating the gene that controls canine coat color. Interestingly, this gene is related to genes that are thought to help protect the body from invading microbes. Stanford scientists think now that perhaps these genes have a more broad function -- to deal with environmental changes. And perhaps canine coat color is one instance of adaptations to the environment. The scientists will keep researching the color gene to further their understanding of these interrelated genes.

Oct 16, 2007

• Maryland (Laurel): There are a number of organizations that work to place assistance dogs, and one of those is Fidos for Freedom. Fidos trains canines to be service dogs for people with physical impairments and for deaf people. They also train therapy dogs who visit people in hospitals and nursing homes to bring love and cheer. Some of the therapy dogs visit schools to lend encouragement to young readers.

Oct 14, 2007

• Massachusetts: Researchers are looking into Obsessive Compulsive Disorder in dogs. Frequently, dogs can be helped by using various medications originally introduced for humans. Now, by looking at the genes of canine OCD patients, scientists may gain insight into how the disease works in humans, too.

Oct 13, 2007

• Tennessee (Knoxville): Local foster children and shelter dogs are coming together to help each other out. The kids teach the shelter dogs basic skills to make them more adoptable, and the dogs reach out to the troubled teens. The program, called HALT, matches kids and dogs twice a year, and HALT volunteers supervise the children's work with the dogs. Both benefit -- the dogs get adopted, and the teens learn about patience, discipline, responsibility, and unconditional love.

Oct 12, 2007

• California (Amador County): A specialized trailing seminar was recently held here to teach dogs how to track. 22 dogs off all different breeds -- including terriers, a bloodhound, and German Shepherds -- found people hidden on a ranch. Some people involved in the seminar wanted to train their dogs to volunteer as rescue dogs, while others were interested in using their dogs in law enforcement.

Oct 10, 2007

• Australia (Sydney): A national recruitment is ongoing for beagles and labradors that are so destructive that their humans can no longer cope. Such high-energy pets often end up in the pound -- but they could be trained for security work instead. For more information call (02) 8508 3222.

Oct 7, 2007

• CNMI (Saipan): In honor of St. Francis of Assisi, a blessing of animals was held today in front of the Chalan Kanoa cathedral. A number of canines were there, and their owners thought it was a great way to raise awareness about animal welfare. (CNMI = the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands)

Oct 6, 2007

• Australia: Up to 20,000 greyhounds a year are put down here because they are too slow, or too old -- and there aren't enough homes to take them. But some dogs are lucky. One is Phoebe, a beautiful black greyhound who was saved by the Greyhound Safety Net (GSN). This organization and other welfare groups are working hard to stop the killing of unwanted greyhounds, but until the racing industry changes the situation will not improve.

Oct 4, 2007

• Arizona (Tucson): When Carey Haas' dog Wylie became ill several years ago, she wanted to give him the best food, so she started preparing his meals herself. That lead her to making custom doggie birthday cakes, dog food, and treats for discerning canines. Available at Dirty Dawgs in Tucson.

Oct 3, 2007

• Connecticut (Bethany): Local resident Peter Horbick gave a black granite monument to the town in honor of his son and war dogs. The War Dog Memorial honors canines who over the years have helped soldiers in many ways -- saving lives, alerting to danger ahead, and providing companionship and comfort.

Oct 2, 2007

• Colorado (Mesa County): A noxious-weed detecting dog named Nightmare showed off her skills today. She has been trained to find plants that are considered intrusive and harmful to the environment, including purple loosestrife and yellow starthistle. Nightmare was taught at the University of Montana. It took about 3 months. Nightmare can cover 2-3 times more territory than a human plant hunter so the cost of training weed dogs (about $10,000) would be worthwhile in the fight to eradicate these plants.

Oct 1, 2007

• Vermont (Kinya): Yesterday, the 6th annual Green Mountain Iron Dog Competition was held at Camp Dudley. The race began as a training exercise for police dogs and their trainers. It is a 1 1/2 mile agility course that includes a paintball shoot, a water crossing, evidence recovery, and a 100 yard dash. The event is great practice for the dogs and handlers, and it also raises money for the Vermont Police Canine Association.

Sep 29, 2007

• California (Concord): Medical alert dogs are used to detect when a diabetic is becoming hypoglycemic. The dogs will wake up their owner if need be. This extra security gives the diabetic a lot of reassurance, plus it is comforting to have a lovable canine around 24 hours a day. These dogs require months of expensive training by organizations that know what they are doing. One such place is dogs4diabetics.com. This group has trained over 20 dogs for area type-1 diabetics. Unfortunately, demand is much higher than the number of trained dogs, and the organization is always needing funds to pay for the dogs' training. So far the dogs have all been black or yellow Labrador Retrievers. Many of them are "career-change" dogs, who started out in guide dog training, but were not suitable for that work. But, what might be a failure in one area is a definite success in another. The dogs that qualify for medical alert go on to provide real assistance to their humans.

Sep 28, 2007

• Puerto Rico (Yabucoa): Visitors and volunteers are rescuing abandoned dogs here and taking them to the US -- sometimes to people's homes and sometimes to shelters. This is an effort to try and save some of these canines, called "satos" -- the word for "mutt" -- in Puerto Rico. This activity is controversial -- some rescue groups think transporting canines to the US does not help solve the abandoned dog problem. There is little spaying or neutering here, and shelters are overwhelmed, forced to put down many of the dogs they take in. The hope is to change local attitudes and improve local conditions. But pet lovers will continue to rescue these dogs because it is hard not to be moved by their plight.

Sep 25, 2007

• United States: Dancing dogs? Yes, you too can take your dog for a turn on the dance floor, an activity that is increasing in popularity in the U.S. There are classes to teach your dog the proper steps; and recently, a 3-day camp for dogs and their owners was held in the Milwaukee area to get people and pooches trained on what to do. If you get serious about this, you can check out the World Canine Freestyle Organization, which holds and judges canine dancing events.

Sep 24, 2007

• Michigan( Goodells): This past Sunday, around 100 dogs and their people walked to raise money for animals at the annual Mutt March. All kinds of dogs were on hand -- Chihuahuas, Beagles, Great Danes, a Labradoodle... The event raised over $8,000, and is used to help the Blue Water Area Humane Society animal shelter. After the walk, various contests were held including an owner-dog lookalike contest.

Sep 23, 2007

• Illinois (Bartlett): Ever dream of doing what you love for a living? You never know where the inspiration to do so will come from. Michelle Sarwas was studying for an MBA when a class project to create a business plan got her to focus on what she loves -- dogs. So she took her plan and created a business -- the Bark Avenue Daycamp. She studied the demographics and needs of the region to determine if her idea had potential. And she had to figure out the right price. But so far, business is growing for people who want a place to drop off their dog for a day (overnights are possible too), where Fido will get plenty of exercise, good care, and a lot of attention.

Sep 20, 2007

• Colorado (Fort Collins): Firefighters will use an oxygen mask for humans on dogs to help them survive smoke inhalation, but the masks usually don't fit well enough. But now, thanks to donations from businesses and owners, 3 kits with masks especially for dogs have been purchased with more on order. The masks are cone shaped and come in 3 sizes; the smallest also work on cats and rodents. In addition to a difference in size and mask shape, the oxygen delivery rate is different. All designed to make saving pets easier.

Sep 19, 2007

• US: Cathy Trauernicht became concerned about dog safety 14 years ago when her Labrador Retriever sprained both front legs jumping out of a car. She worked with an engineer to develop a patented design that uses lightweight plastic with texture to add traction. The ramps are light and easy to maneuver, and fold up for compact storage in a car or elsewhere. For more information, visit ramp4paws.com.

Sep 18, 2007

• Texas (Cleburne): Last Saturday, people brought their Dachshunds for the first Dachshund Days and Craft Fair. About 100 dogs participated in the parade, and over 50 in the races. 80 competed in the 3 different costume categories. Various vendors and entertainment events were on hand for the humans, too.

Sep 16, 2007

• Michigan (Livonia): Dirty dog? Take him to the self-serve dog washing station at Dunk N Dogs. At the dog wash, the facilities are set up to make it easy to wash and dry a canine without making a mess in the house -- or soaking the owner.

Sep 15, 2007

• Austria (Vienna): At the Bunter Hund cafe in Vienna, dog Oktoberfest will begin on September 20. Dogs visiting the cafe will be given a special beer for canines, pretzels, and traditional Bavarian sausages.

Sep 14, 2007

• Arizona (Ahwatukee): What are the most popular dog names in Ahwatukee? Max, Buddy, and Bailey. The most popular breeds? Labrador Retriever is number 1, then Golden Retriever.

Sep 13, 2007

• US: Stem cells are being used to help treat dogs. One veterinary treatment available is to use a dog's own fat-derived stem cells to enable healing of such things as ligaments for those dogs where healing is impaired for some reason. (These type of stem cells are not embryonic.)

Sep 12, 2007

• China (Dalian): The China Guide Dog Training Center opened 2 years ago, but many people in the country have never heard of the organization or know about seeing-eye dogs. Students at Dalian Medical University, where the center is located, will be going to the Olympic games next summer to promote awareness of guide dogs and the training center. The training center also hopes to give guide dogs to impaired athletes in the next Paralympic games. One problem the organization faces, however, is lack of funds and few donations. Hopefully these outreach efforts will make a positive difference.

Sep 11, 2007

• Pennsylvania (Philidelphia): Sometimes police dogs themselves become lost. To prevent this from happening, local police are putting a GPS device on the collars of their K-9s. Officers have tested the device by "hiding" their dogs in the woods, buildings, or cars, and have been able to track them down every time.
• Germany (Leipzig): Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology have been studying how well dogs understand human behavior. Researchers tested dogs against chimpanzees by setting down two containers, one with food and one without, and then pointing to the container with the food. Dogs immediately understood the message, but the chimps didn't realize what the gesture meant. Dogs were even able to interpret the intention of a human's gaze. Researchers are looking into how much of this ability is genetically based by examining the capabilities of puppies.

Sep 10, 2007

• Canada (Edmonton): 3 of the local K-9s and their handlers finished in the top 5 (out of 47 teams competing) at last week's Canadian police dog talent competition. The dogs and their handlers demonstrated skills that included tracking, obedience, agility, and drug and explosive detection. The most popular event for spectators was the criminal apprehension demonstration. The top finisher for Edmonton was Police Service Constable Darren Smith and his dog Cora, who finished 3rd in the overall "Top Dog" category.

Sep 9, 2007

• Pennsylvania (Windber): A local couple, the McCrackens, along with some other area residents, formed the Northern Somerset Regional Police K-9 Association, Inc. This organization's goal is to support obtaining and training K-9 dogs for the region. The association wants to be able to maintain funding for K-9s, so that public money won't be needed in case of any budget shortfalls.

Sep 8, 2007

• Florida (Palm Bay): Today over 20 dogs gathered at Palm Bay Regional Park for the Skyhoundz Hyperflite Canine Disc Local Championship. All sorts of dogs took part -- Labrador Retrievers, Collies -- even friendly mutts. The canines competed to see who could catch the most Frisbees. The winner was Samantha, a smooth-coated Border Collie.

Sep 7, 2007

• US: The strain of the rabies virus specific to dogs has been eliminated in the United States, say experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Other strains of rabies are active, however, which can infect dogs. Therefore, it is still important to vaccinate your dog and other pets.

Sep 6, 2007

• Illinois (Chicago): The City Council voted to approve an ordinance that allows dogs to dine outside at licensed restaurants, effective next January 1. Dogs may not go inside at all and must be on a leash at all times. In addition, the restaurants may keep some outdoor eating areas dog-free, if they wish. But otherwise, Fido will soon be welcome with his humans.

Sep 5, 2007

• Israel: A 3-month national compaign promoting spaying and neutering has been considered a success -- about 5000 dogs were fixed during this time. During the campaign, the cost of spaying and neutering has been 1/3 of the regular price. And the campaign has not ended yet -- dog owners are encouraged to contact their veterinarian. The goal of the campaign is to reduce the numbers of abandoned and homeless dogs in Israel, which number in the tens of thousands (if not more) each year.

Sep 4, 2007

• Wisconsin (Madison): At Goodman's Pool yesterday, hundreds of dogs of various kinds jumped and splashed to raise money for the Capital K-9s, who hope to add a 5th K-9 unit to the local police force. A Dutch shepherd named Nora won the biggest splash contest. Some dogs like Nora loved the water and would have stayed in all day, but others were happy to have a quick dip and get out. Once "dog time" was over, the pool water was sanitized, humans had time for a swim, too.

Sep 3, 2007

• Washington (King County): When a child needs to give evidence or testify here, he or she can -- if needed -- rely on Ellie to provide a comforting presence. Ellie is a Labrador/Golden Retriever mix who was trained as a service dog and who now works for the prosecutor's office. Often, children who have witnessed or been the victim of a crime are too traumatized to discuss what happened, but Ellie helps give them reassurance and security and has helped a number of youngsters get through the interview or the trial. Other jurisdictions are looking into having similar dogs work for them.

Sep 2, 2007

• South Africa (Johannesburg): Teens who have gotten into trouble and are in the criminal justice system are helping dogs who have been rescued from local areas. The kids come on Saturdays to help care for the dogs. They learn various skills and the importance of treating animals with kindness and respect, something that isn't often taught to kids in poor areas. The program runs for 8 week sessions, but many kids return every week for months because they love what they do.

Sep 1, 2007

• Washington (Corvallis): The Western States Regional Sheepdog Championships took place yesterday. Nearly 50 dogs competed and all of them happened to be Border Collies (although any trained herding dog is eligible). But Border Collies are considered the best breed to herd sheep. The dogs respond to their handler's commands while they guide one or more sheep across the field, through gates, and into a pen (and sometimes back out again).
• US: Dr. Carolynn MacAllister, a veterinarian with the Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service, says that secondhand smoke is associated with an increase in the occurrence of some cancers in cats, dogs, and birds. Another reason to give up smoking -- for the sake of your pets' health.

Aug 31, 2007

• Florida: Due to the early closing of the Melbourne race track, over 300 Greyhounds are in danger of being put down in the next couple of weeks. These beautiful dogs love toys, napping, and going for walks (on leashes). They can make a great addition to the family. Rescue groups across Florida are actively seeking foster homes and will supply everything you need to take in a Greyhound. If you would like more information, please contact Gold Coat Greyhound Adoptions at vocalsinc @mac.com.

Aug 29, 2007

• UK: A blood test from PetScreen is available that can detect canine lymphoma tumors early. Lymphoma is a disease that can be treated if caught early -- something that can be difficult to do in a dog. PetScreen is based in the UK, but testing can be done in other countries as well. For more information visit them at

Aug 28, 2007

• New York (New York): Lucky and Flo, 2 Labrador Retrievers who recently worked in Malaysia tracking down DVDs to trap counterfeiters and providers of other illegal material, demonstrated their skills at City Hall Plaza. It took the dogs 6 months of training to learn to detect the scent of DVDs. Currently, they can't tell the difference between counterfeit and legit discs, but once they find a cache, their human handler can take it from there.

Aug 27, 2007

• Maine: The companies L.L. Bean and Planet Dog have joined up to create a holiday gift tote for dogs. The L.L. Bean tote bag will be filled with holiday products from Planet Dog -- just right for any discerning pooch.
• North Carolina (Wilmington): Area teen Lexy McLean works hard to rescue homeless dogs. She began volunteering at a local shelter when she was only 11 and has saved at least 30 dogs since then. She keeps tabs on crowded shelters and fosters dogs who only have a short time left. Then she finds just the right owners to adopt them. Lexy has also recruited friends and family to foster dogs. She keeps tabs on the dogs she's placed to make sure they are doing well. And she has a website, soarpage.petfinder.com where she lists animals up for adoption and information to educate people about issues related to the humane treatment of dogs.

Aug 26, 2007

• US: Dog owners should keep an eye out for leptospirosis -- a bacterial disease that can be found in dogs and other domestic animals as well as wildlife. Infection can occur after direct contact to infected bodily fluids or contaminated water. Dogs who have contracted the disease will generally shiver, throw up, be resistant to moving, and have weakness. If your dog has any of these symtoms, contact your veterinarian right away. Dogs who live outdoors have the greatest risk.

Aug 25, 2007

• Kansas (Witchita): The Kansas Humane Society and the Witchita Eagle are putting on the 10th annual "Woofstock" on October 6. Before the actual event, there will be a canine photo contest with several categories like Best Smile, Grumpiest, and Most Pampered. On the day of Woofstock, there will be different events for people and canines, and all funds raised go to the Kansas Humane Society.

Aug 23, 2007

• Michigan (Plymouth): The local fire department has purchased respitory kits for dogs (and cats), so rescuers can give oxygen to pets in need. The funds to buy the kits were provided by local pet lovers.

Aug 22, 2007

• Delaware (Wilmington): On September 8th, in conjunction with the canine event, Dog Jog, the pool at Legion Stadium will be open for canine swimmers. Dogs have to be registered ahead of time to swim. The pool will be open for pooches after Dog Jog, from September 10-14.
• UK (Ipswich): Over 2000 dogs participated in the charity event Dogs in Need Agility Society Dog show last weekend. Over £6,000 pounds was raised.

Aug 21, 2007

• California (Coronado Bay): 47 canine surfers participated in the 2nd annual Loews Coronado Bay Resort Surf Dog. Toby, a Shih Tzu mix, won first place in the solo contest. In the second contest, dogs surfed with their owners, and Zoey, a Jack Russell came in first.
• Australia: Because the police cannot find enough adult German Shepherds to train as police dogs, a program to breed puppies has begun. When they need a new dog, they can't just pick any dog or puppy for the task. So, they are using genetics, veterinary and behavioral science to get the best puppies for the job.

Aug 20, 2007

• Malaysia (Putrajaya): Two black Labrador Retrievers, Lucky and Flo, have been working for the past 6 months, sniffing out illegal DVDs -- 1.6 million of them. They were so successful, supposedly bootleggers put a bounty on them. The dogs will be going to New York next, and a new pair of dogs (trained in Ireland) will replace them.
• India (Chennai): The Madras Canine club held a show this weekend with over 200 contestants representing more than 30 breeds. The Best in Show was Jedai, a 2 year old Shih Tzu.

Aug 19, 2007

• Texas (Killeen): The First United Methodist Church held "Bark in the Park" today, with more than 60 people and their dogs attending. Dogs were blessed by the pastor, then everyone got to see a presentation by a local K-9 unit. Afterwards, there were games and contests -- such as the laziest dog.

Aug 18, 2007

• Georgia (Atlanta): The Atlanta Humane Society gave 100 dogs free microchipping to help with their safe return should they become lost. The 100 microchips were donated by 24PetWatch, a Canadian pet recovery and insurance service.

Aug 17, 2007

• Oklahoma (Lawton): The City Council is planning to impose a $500 fee on pet store owners who sell pets that have not been spayed or neutered. Sounds like an excellent idea.

Aug 13, 2007

• Colorado (Lake Norman): Penny and Bubba Wilson are not your typical surfers on Boogie boards. They're Pomeranians. According to their owners, they love to surf. Penny usually only rides for about 10 minutes before hopping off and swimming to shore. But Buddy has been on his board for up to 4 1/2 hours. Both dogs were quickly trained to use the boards. They practice water safety, too, because they always go out wearing their orange vests.

Aug 12, 2007

• Australia: 24 newly-trained explosive detection dogs have been tapped to protect APEC leaders at a meeting in Sydney next month. Each dog is a Labrador Retriever, equipped with 220 million sensory cells to detect odors (compared to a human's 5 million). After the meeting, the dogs will join teams at airports around the country.

Aug 10, 2007

• Bolivia: Dogs with two noses? Apparently so -- the rare Double-nosed Andean tiger hound. It is possible that this breed came from double-nosed dogs in Spain (the Pachon Navarro) brought by the Conquistadors. See the

Aug 9, 2007

• Scotland: Local pooches are giving their blood to a national blood bank, the Pet Blood Bank. It provides supplies to veterinarians for emergencies, such as for dogs who have been hit by a car and have injuries requiring a blood transfusion. Dogs are screened before donating, and they get a meal, a toy, and a bandana in thanks.

Aug 8, 2007

• Texas (Houston): The organization Vest N'P.D.P (Investing in Police Dog Protection) donated 7 vests to Houston's Metro Police Department's K-9 unit and 2 vests to the local school district. The vests cost $700 each but could save the lives of the dogs who work in these departments.

Aug 7, 2007

• US: A woman left 3 dogs in her car with the 4 windows cracked about an inch. The outside temperature was 89 degrees F; when the dogs were rescued, the inside temperature was already almost 103 degrees. Fortunately the dogs were OK. The woman may be charged, and rightly so. Do NOT leave your dogs in your car in the summer. Even for a few moments.
• Singapore: Starting in September, owners will be required to microchip their new dogs. Owners that currently have dogs are encouraged to get them microchiped at their veterinarian. This measure is intended to help reunite lost dogs with their owners and to support responsible pet ownership.

Aug 5, 2007

• Washington (Bothell): Grayhounds make great pets. They are affectionate and smart. They do need regular exercise, especially walks (but then so do all dogs). And the walking benefits the owners, too. The non-profit Greyhound Pets, Inc., had an information booth this Saturday to promote Grayhound adoption. The ex-racing dogs are placed in foster homes first so they adjust to being "regular dogs" and get ready to be someone's new best friend.

Aug 4, 2007

• US: So long as your dog doesn't slip out of his collar, you may never lose "sight" of him again. If he -- or she -- is wearing one with a GPS system on board. Several companies have recently come out with these pricey but handy collars. They track the dog's position using GPS satelites, and radio the dog's position to the owner's hand-held unit.

Aug 3, 2007

• Canada (Kingston): Next week sheep dogs will converge on Market Square for a sheep dog trials rodeo. The dogs compete to find the fastest who can move 3 sheep through an obstacle course and into a cage. The event is a promotion for the upcoming Kingston Sheep Dog Trials to be held the following weekend.

Aug 2, 2007

• Oregon (Tigard): The 5th Annual Dog Days of Tigard took place last Saturday at Potso Dog Park. Over 75 humans and their canines enjoyed games, contests, free gifts, and meeting other like-minded folks. The local K-9 unit brought Blade and Sig, who showed off their crime fighting prowess to the enjoyment of the spectators.

Jul 31, 2007

• UK (Wigan): Guide Dogs for the Blind need volunteers to care for puppies and teach them basic obedience skills -- in other words, to socialize the puppies and get them ready for advanced guide dog training.
• New Mexico (Otero County): Zen, a German Shepherd who works for the local sheriff's department, demonstrated his drug sniffing skills for the public yesterday. He showed his ability to respond to verbal and non-verbal commands during his searches. Besides giving people an opportunity to see Zen at work, the event was also a fundraiser to enable the department to buy Zen a bulletproof vest and to begin saving the money necessary to bring another dog on board. Each dog plus its training costs over $11,000.

Jul 30, 2007

• California (Calabasas): "Flex Petz" is a membership service that allows people to "rent" a dog -- for those people who want some canine companionship but not fulltime, or for those who think they might want a dog but aren't sure. Members take a training class and pay a monthly fee, in addition to daily rental costs of their dog.
• New York (Aurelius): This weekend the local Bass Pro Shops was the site for the annual Dog Days Weekend hosted by Worthington Kennels. Dog obedience classes and demonstrations were held.

Jul 29, 2007

• Ohio (Ironton): Local trainer Leslie Milleson works with 4-Her's who want to show their dogs in obedience competitions. She gets the kids ready for county and state fair events. Two sisters in the Huddle family are training their Old English Sheepdogs. Besides the normal sit and stay, the dogs have learned to jump on command. After the state fair, the kids and their dogs will take the Canine Good Citizenship test, which is a certification program offered by the American Kennel Club.
• Florida (Lakeland): Rudy Connor, a lifelong dog lover, turned 74 yesterday, and for the 4th year, all he asked for was pet food. All donations go to the South Lakeland chapter of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. What a great way to celebrate your b-day -- by helping dogs!

Jul 28, 2007

• Pennsylvania (Millersburg): One of the stars of the show at the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art Festival is the group called the Mid-Atlantic Disc Dogs. These canines entertain with their high-flying, acrobatic disc catching maneuvers. In addition, at the festival today the local competition for the 2007 Hyperflite Skyhoundz Canine Disc Championships was held.
• US: What to do if you find a lost dog with no ID? Call local veterinarians and the local shelter to see if someone has reported the dog missing. If possible, take the dog to a vet to be scanned for a microchip. What *not* to do -- post a flyer with a photo of the dog. Unscrupulous people will call and describe the dog, saying it is theirs, then turn around and sell the dog. Instead post general information about the dog's appearance. If you cannot keep the dog while you wait for the rightful owner to contact you, take the dog to the nearest no-kill shelter. Your local vet may know of one.

Jul 27, 2007

• New Jersey (Rockaway): Paws-itive Experience and Eleventh Hour Rescue will be hosting an ice cream social on August 11 to raise much for veterinary care, food, and shelter for dogs who need a second chance at life. Edy's ice cream will be available for the humans, while Frosty Paws will satisfy the dogs who come to the social. Games and activities are also planned.
• US: During the summer, dogs are at increased risk of snakebite. In western areas, rattlesnakes can be especially dangerous. Antivenom is available, but it can be in short supply and is expensive. A less expensive alternative is a vaccine to rattlesnake bite. It requires 2 shots initially, then an annual booster shot. Something to discuss with your vet if rattlesnakes are common in your area.

Jul 26, 2007

• Oklahoma (Midwest City): Hundreds of dogs were left behind as owners had to leave northeastern Oklahoma after recent flooding (an all-too-familiar story). Fortunately, Save Haven Canine Rescue is providing shelter for some of these animals. The dogs have been checked out by a vet and are being relocated to other shelters. Experts recommend that before the next disaster strikes that you have a pet identification tag for your dog, a supply of dog food at home to last several days, and a good photo of your dog kept in a safe place (not at home) to make it easier to locate your pet and identify it.

Jul 25, 2007

• UK (Dundee): The Dogs Trust has established a branch of its Hope Project, which is an effort to help homeless people keep and care for their pets. The homeless register with the charity and then can use their card to get veterinary care. So far only one vet clinic is participating but the charity hopes to sign up other clinics soon.
• Canada (Northern Quebec): Due to rising temperatures in the winter, the use of snowmobiles is becoming impractical. But dogsleds may be the preferred way to get around. The Kativik regional government would like to see a return to this traditional form of transportation because dogs are much better at crossing icy patches than snowmobiles.

Jul 24, 2007

• Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh): A new dog park especially designed for guide dogs opened this past weekend. The park was designed and built by United Way Day of Caring volunteers. The park makes it easier for the guide dogs' humans to walk them; it has a nice level patch of grass that the people find it easier and safer to walk on.

Jul 22, 2007

• California (Ferndale): The Lost Coast Kennel Club All Breed Agility Trials are taking place this weekend. Dogs of about 50 different breeds are competing. Three trials were offered: jumping and weaving, standard obstacle course, and Fifteen and Send Time (the handler arranges their own course). Dogs and owners both love the training involved for agility -- and the competitions, too.
• New York (Binghamton): The Pet Net program began 6 years ago and brings in dogs to nursing home facilities to visit the residents. The dogs have 8 hours of training so they can be calm around the nursing home equipment and patients. The dogs bring unconditional love and acceptance to people who don't always get the attention and affection they need.

Jul 20, 2007

• Georgia (Gainsville): So, how stupid can you get? 3 people tried to rob a K-9 training facility (clearly marked with signs). When the officers showed up for training with their dogs, they saw the thieves who turned and ran. Big mistake. The dogs quickly hunted them down and the suspects were apprehended.

Jul 19, 2007

• California (Calabasas): One dog at a time -- that is what Tammy Sue Roberts and her daughter say as they work through their own charity to place dogs with foster families, to give those dogs a new chance at life. If you'd like to help them with their work, visit Oz Animal Rescue.

Jul 17, 2007

• North Carolina (Wake County): County officials are urging people to get their dogs and puppies vaccinated against parvovirus if they have not done so. Parvovirus is very contagious and often can be lethal. Symptoms include lethargy, fever, vomiting, lack of appetite, and severe diarrhea. Dogs can die in as little as 3 days after showing symptoms. Please check with your vet if you are unsure if you dog has been vaccinated.
• Vienna (Austria): Recently a small ice cream shop, Iori, has started selling canine "ice cream" to dogs. The "ice cream" comes in 3 flavors -- vanilla, vanilla-rice, and soy. There is no sugar or cream in the doggie "ice cream," and has approval from Austria's food safety office. However it is made, the dogs seem to like it.

Jul 16, 2007

• Missouri (St. Louis): Sunday, 75 dogs and owners participated in the Golden Fire Hydrant trophy contest (won by a Cocker Spaniel named Riley) during the fourth annual "Paddle with your Pooch" regatta. They were able to celebrate outdoor dining together since the Mayor signed into law the recent bill allowing dogs to join their owners at outdoor restaurants.
• US: Urban mushing is becoming increasingly popular. Basically, you hitch your dogs to a wheeled scooter, you hop on, and off you all go. The organization, Dogs Across America, has noticed a steady increase in membership since its foundation in 2005, especially in Texas, California, and Washington where most urban mushers are currently. Many different kinds of dogs enjoy the sport, not just Huskies and Malamutes. [We had 2 Siriuses, Sky and Bowie, who enjoy urban mushing.]

Jul 15, 2007

• New Mexico (Santa Fe): The Santa Fe animal shelter is hosting a "home-building" event. Because many rural dogs live outside, shelter officials want to give these dogs a snug place to hang out in winter and a shady place in summer. Lumber has been donated and now the shelter is looking for volunteers to build the dog houses.

Jul 14, 2007

• California (Los Alamitos): Tonight, dachshunds will be running in the annual Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals (in between horse races at the Los Alamitos Race Course). The race is 50 yards -- quite a distance when your legs are only about 4 inches long. 87 dogs will be vying for the winner's circle and a chance to compete in the nationals.

Jul 13, 2007

• Washington (Seattle): The volunteers of Guide Puppies of Seattle take little Labradors, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds and other cute furry bundles and teach them basic commands and social skills. Once the dogs achieve these goals, they can go on to guide dog training, and eventually graduate and be placed with their companion human.

Jul 12, 2007

• Australia: The company Peptech has created an implant with a drug called deslorelin that is a contraceptive for male dogs (only). It is reversible and also an alternative to neutering.
• Wales (Cardiff): Local students raised over £250 for the Cardiff Dog's Home through a sponsored dog walk. The funds will be applied toward a vet treatment room at the facility.
• Hawaii (Kakaako): A new store called Kaimana Hale, featuring clothing and accessories for canines, has recently opened. The product line is called Cocojor Hawaii, and has muumuus and beachwear with Hawaiian prints, as well as items like carriers and hats.

Jul 11, 2007

• California (Montara Mountain): A man was hiking with his dogs when they got away from him. He followed, but slipped and ended up at the bottom of an 80 foot ravine. After calling for help, he was eventually rescued, but there was no sign of his dogs. The next morning the dogs were located at the bottom of the ravine. They had found their human's scent and had gone looking for him. In order to rescue the dogs, the Peninsula Humane Society was contacted. But there seemed no way to lift them out. However, luckily when a neighbor of the dogs called them, they recognized his voice and scrambled up the ravine to safety.
• Michigan (Grand Rapids): On Tuesdays, therapy dogs visit the Devos Children's Hospital. The West Michigan Therapy Dogs work with patients in other hospitals, too. The therapy calms the patients, provides a comforting touch -- and helps brighten spirits. The dogs also help parents and siblings who are coping with a sick relative.

Jul 10, 2007

• Japan (Osaka): Bow Wow, a local cafe, caters to people and their dogs. In addition, the cafe has their own resident dogs for people to play with. By having "in house" dogs, the cafe greatly increased its appeal and now is so popular it can be hard to get into on weekends and holidays. Customers remove their shoes and wear slippers, then can go into the spacious area to pat, play with and just hang around the canines.
• Oklahoma (Stillwater): The Boren Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at Oklahoma State University might be mistaken for a people-hospital, except all the patients are animals. One recent patient was Jefe, a Labrador, who had arthroscopic surgery. The surgery will give him a chance to continue competing in field trials. All types of orthopedic surgeries are performed here, as well as operations on the heart and other internal organs. They even have laser disc surgery and other high tech procedures available.

Jul 9, 2007

• Colorado (Denver): The Southwind neighborhood had a 4th of July parade that included lots of kids on patriotically decorated bicycles and a group of dressed-up canines. The children decorated their bikes and/or dressed up their dogs in celebration of the big day.

Jul 8, 2007

• Singapore: Kua Cheng Hock has spent more than the past 3 years working to gain access for guide dogs and their blind owners to shopping centers and public transportation. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Award by Alexandra Hospital for his work. Mr. Kua is blind himself, and says getting his Lab Kendra two years ago made a vast improvement in his life.
• Colorado (Nederland): Peakwaggers makes dehydrated gourmet dog food, prepared by Gayle Brooks, the founder. Peakwaggers dog food packs are freeze-dried, light and portable -- perfect for taking on a camping trip with your dog.

Jul 7, 2007

• Holland (The Hague): Custom officials are using two dogs trained to sniff out poultry to check flights coming from countries where bird flu has been found. Bo is a German Shepherd and Judy is a Belgian Shepherd. The two have found over 1800 kilos of illegal meat.
• US: Across the country, animal shelters are full of dogs who ran away from 4th of July firecracker noises. If your dog is missing, contact your local animal control facility or shelter. (You can find the number in the local government section of your telephone book.)

Jul 6, 2007

• Wales (Gwent): Local police sniffer dogs are looking for businesses, schools, and other public places where they can refine their skills. The dogs need additional practice with distinguishing the important smells from among the thousands they will encounter when working.

Jul 5, 2007

• California (Palo Alto): A local man was walking his dogs near San Francisquito Creek, when one of them went in and got stuck in the mud. The owner followed and the other dog, too. Soon all three were stuck in the mud and required rescuers from the fire department to pull them out. Please use caution when stepping into unknown creeks and other bodies of water.
• Massachusetts (Danvers): Spoiled Rotten Doggy Daycare opened not long ago. It has indoor play areas, with a section just for puppies, as well as a fenced-in outdoor space. Dogs have fun with staff and other dogs instead of being home alone during the day.

Jul 3, 2007

• Arizona (Gilbert): A local park -- Cosmo -- opened an area reserved just for small dogs earlier this year. This section was added at the request of owners of smaller canines.
• UK (London): Police sniffer dogs who searched for bombs after the July 7, 2005 attacks in London were awarded the George Cross for their work.
• US: Veterinarians can order a poster from the Morris Animal Foundation about its Canine Cancer Campaign. 1 in 4 dogs die of cancer, and the organization is kicking off an effort to find a cure for cancer in dogs. curecaninecancer.org

Jul 2, 2007

• Pennsylvania (Lancaster County): Nearly 100 dogs competed in the Golden Liberty Leap hosted by the Keystone DockDogs Club. Dogs compete in horizontal jumping and in vertical height. The event was held at the Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue shelter to promote that group's activities.
• UK (Prestwood): Rusts Supermarket was nominated for a Hearing Dog Friendly award given by Hearing Dogs for Deaf People. The shop and its workers have been consistenly helpful and make hearing dogs and their owners welcome.
• Arizona (Bisbee): A local training facility offers a course in snake aversion for dogs to teach them to leave snakes alone. The class simulates finding a rattlesnake without the owner nearby to warn the dog.

Jul 1, 2007

• Nebraska (Omaha): Yesterday, voluteers washed dogs at Petland for $10 a wash. The proceeds go toward the purchase of bullet and stab resistent vests for police dogs in local departments.
• Utah (Hurricane): One of the five regional qualifiers for the United Flyball League International Championships is being held today. Competitions include jumping hurdles and catching tennis balls. Winners can compete in the championship in Texas this November.

Jun 30, 2007

• Canada: Michelle Jameus, from Ottawa, is running across Canada to raise awareness of the problem of killing shelter animals and to encourage people to spay or neuter their pets. She calls her effort the "No Kill Marathon," which began in April and is expected to end in October in Vancouver.
• Mississippi (Hattiesburg): The 6th annual Deep South Crawfish Cluster Dog Show is going on now. More than 2500 dog of all kinds of breeds are participating over the 4 days.
• Ohio (Franklin County): The Franklin County dog shelter made $1 ID tags or $20 microchips available today to help alleviate the problem of lost dogs on the 4th of July. They pick up many dogs who have panicked and run away from firework celebrations. The shelter recommends leaving your dog at home.

Jun 28, 2007

• Utah (Salt Lake City): Gateway to Canine Partnerships recently adopted a litter of 5 mixed Labrador puppies and began training them as service dogs. Puppies begin training at 12 weeks, learning basic commands and socialization. Later, they learn how to open doors, turn lights on and off, calling 911 and other life-saving tasks. Once a dog is placed with a person, the pair need over 50 hours of training to be a fully functioning team.
• Iowa (Des Moines): In the last 2 years, the Great Dane Club of Des Moines has rescued 20 dogs across the state. The club arranges for someone to foster an incoming dog. The foster parent evaluates the dog, helps with its social skills, and gets its medical treatment up-to-date. Once the dog is ready and the right adoptive family is found, the dog goes to its new home.

Jun 27, 2007

• Missouri (Lake of the Ozarks): Dogwood Acres Resort offers boat rides, long walks, dock jumping --- for your canine friend as well as you. It is one of several pet friendly places in the area.

Jun 26, 2007

• UK: This Friday is Guide Dogs' Shades Day -- people are encouraged to wear their sunglasses this Friday to remind everyone to protect their eyes when outside -- and to raise funds for Guide Dogs. This charity breeds, trains, and supports the nearly 5000 guide dogs and their owners in the UK.
• Virginia (Damascus): A new narcotics K-9, Sgt. Gunner, has been added to the local police force. Sgt. Gunner is a 4 year old German Shepherd. He and his handler have taken training and are ready to do their jobs.
• Oregon (Clackamas County): This weekend at the Fairgrounds about 400 dogs from around the US and Canada will compete in the US Dog Agility Association's regional championships. Many agility winners are former pound rescues -- dogs with smarts and high energy, traits that got them in to trouble until a proper outlet was found for their abilities.

Jun 25, 2007

• Canada (Iqaluit): It's summer break for sled dogs. Their owners bring them here to spend the warm days, where they can relax, hang out, and do as little as possible. The owners enjoy the down time, too.
• California (San Francisco): University researcher Steven Hamilton is trying to identify and understand the genetics behind panic and agression disorders in dogs. The similarity of genes within a breed and the differences between breeds will hopefully make it easier to identify the genes involved in these disorders.
• Iowa (Des Moines): The local dock diving club began over 18 months ago and has a number of enthusiastic members. They get together every two weeks to put their dogs through their paces -- or dives. Each dog must wait at the start of the dock for the toy to be thrown, then he or she can sprint down the dock and leap into the water. A number of competitions are held each year. One event looks for the length of the jump, while another is for vertical distance.

Jun 24, 2007

• Australia (Melbourne): If someone is bitten by a dog, investigators use DNA kits to collect evidence to permit identifying the culprit. Canine DNA can be collected from saliva, blood, and excrement.
• Washington (Vancouver): Yesterday, the second annual Dog Days of Summer celebration took place, featuring an adoptable dog fashion show, Doggie Olympics, and dog-related demonstrations. Donations for Animeals were also accepted.

Jun 23, 2007

• Illinois (McLean County): Guide dogs and their owners participated in obstacle and obedience competitions today at Maxwell Park. Visitors also had the chance to ask questions and get information about pilot dogs. And there was a raffle to raise money for training guide dogs.
• India (Mumbai): The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation will begin a sterlization and immunization program (conducted by the Animal Welfare Society) to help deal with the community's stray dog problem.
• Arkansas (Little Rock): Yesterday, 10 dogs spent the day at Mangan Holcomb and Partners in celebration of "Bring Your Dog to Work Day." The dogs and employees really enjoyed it. And the company also took the opportunity to spread the word about the work of the Central Arkansas Rescue Effort.

Jun 22, 2007

• US: Today is take your dog to work day -- thousands of companies across the US participate (did you?). And, it is also an opportunity for shelters and other pet organizations to promote their activities.
• Tennessee (Cookeville): Yesterday, 23 dogs and owners graduated from the first dog obedience class offered by the Cookeville-Putnam County Animal Shelter. The course is part of a "Bite Free" initiative to promote more responsible dog ownership. The dogs learned how to behave themselves and the owners learned how to get their dogs to behave.
• Phillipines: Although pedigrees like German Shepherds and Labradors are often trained to be bomb-sniffing dogs, having that pedigree is not necessary. Mixed breed dogs can be trained too, and in the Phillipines trainers will start working with "askals" (short for asong kalye) -- street dogs-- to find bombs.

Jun 21, 2007

• California (Contra Costa County): Bart, a black labrador mix, works 4 days a week, checking thousands of packages at mail centers, sniffing out illegally shipped agricultural material that could contain dangerous pests. Humans might miss the package, but not Bart! And, Bart is a pound rescue.
• Michigan (Jackson): In honor of "Take your Dog to Work Day" (Friday), a local bookstore is inviting people to bring their dogs, and will offer puppy treats (to the canines).

Jun 20, 2007

• California (San Jose): This coming Saturday, the Fairmont Hotel is inviting dogs and their owners to enjoy pizza, sushi, tacos and more. Dog walkers, for a fee, will take visiting dogs for a walk while the humans have tea or cockails in the lobby. All funds raised benefit the Santa Clara County Humane Society.
• UK (Rothiemurchus): A pack of racing dogs set a UK sleddog pulling record when they moved a 6 ton dump truck more than twice the length of a bus.
• Texas (Dallas): Nelly, the "bad," "unadoptable" dog from Oakland, California arrived to become part of the Gap Dogs program to learn how to do search and rescue. The Oakland Animal Services people kept trying to find the right place for Nelly and found him the perfect fit with Gap Dogs.

Jun 19, 2007

• Florida (Sarasota): Yesterday, the city commissioners voted to allow dogs to accompany their owners to outdoor cafes and eateries. The restaurants must purchase a license and make sure the dogs stay away from food service items. But no one expects any problems with the dogs (who behave better than most people).
• Illinois (Chicago): Dogs are allowed back into the south end of Grant Park again, but owners are asked to keep the dogs from piddling on the sculptures.
• Delaware (Wilmington): Harry's Seafood Grill is hosting "Martini's for Mutts" tonight to raise funds for Faithful Friends. (Faithful Friends)

Jun 18, 2007

• Maryland (Salisbury): Mary Stadelbacher, who runs a dog-training school, began teaching dogs to hold and use a paintbrush. The result -- canine canvases. 20 works by the dogs are being shown at Salisbury University. Sales of the paintings help fund Shore Service Dogs.
• Tennessee (Algood): Last week the United States Police Canine Association held their annual trials to verify the skills of police dogs. 27 dogs and their handlers attended. The tests for the dogs included agility, obedience, search, and the ability to apprehend suspects. All the dogs earned their certification.
• Australia (Brisbane): The local Delta Society's Pet Partner program sends 600 teams of volunteers and their dogs to visit patients in nursing homes, hospitals, mental health facilities, and other locations each week. The participants notice the benefits the dogs bring to patients. Now the Delta Society is working with researchers at Monash University to quantify this benefit.

Jun 17, 2007

• Ohio (Cincinnati): The Pet Athletic Club provides day care, training, exercise, grooming, and other services for owners who want a nice place for their dogs to spend the day.
• India (Bhopal): The Dog Tiffin Centre has a home-delivery meal service -- for canines. Tasty entries like Mutton with Rice and Chicken Soup are on the menu. This service is especially helpful for strict vegetarian families who cannot even prepare meat dishes at home.
• Montana (Great Falls): Yesterday, the 9th annual Dachshund Days took place where more than 130 "wiener dogs" and their humans enjoyed a treasure hunt, costume contest, talent competition and more. Funds raised went to the American Cancer Society.

Jun 16, 2007

• Texas (McKinney): Karen Hash saves so-called unadoptable dogs from a local shelter. She gives them a foster home and whatever care they need until they can be adopted -- all with her own money. She has saved over 20 dogs in the last couple of years. It is amazing what someone can do who cares.
• Iowa (Webster County): 500 dogs competed at the fairgrounds in the Fort Dodge Kennel Club Dog Show and Obedience Trial. Dogs represented 91 different breeds.

Jun 15, 2007

• Arizona (Mesa County): Two women rescue dogs from local shelters and work with prison inmates at the Red Rock Correctional Center to train the dogs to make them more adoptable. The 8 week training sessions benefit both the dogs and the inmates.
• Oregon (Pendleton): Law enforcement officials have been training in Pendleton this week. Part of the training included exercises with drug-sniffing dogs at different locations in town.
• Michigan (Delta Township): Mildred Nelson, 84, is often seen walking her Shih Tzus, Tom and Jerry, around the community. But she also gives them a ride in their own little cart behind her motor-powered scooter. The two of them love the drives, which are limited to quiet suburban streets.

Jun 14, 2007

• California (Los Angeles): Security dogs are patroling Metrolink trains, sniffing for odors that will alert them to the presence of explosives. An added bonus is the smile they give to commuters.
• Maryland: Dogs train to sniff out shotgun shells and other evidence of poaching. The dogs can also find dead game animals so that authorities can see if the animals were killed illegally. They are trained to follow a scent trail to help track suspects.
• North America: Tick season is here. Check your dogs regularly for ticks which can transmit various diseases (like Lyme disease) to your dog -- and you.

Jun 13, 2007

• Japan (Tokyo): The country's first nursing home for dogs has opened that can care for 20 dogs. It has 24 hour monitoring by vets and puppies to play with the eldery canines.

Jun 12, 2007

• US: As summer approaches the threat of thunderstorms increases. Many dogs are afraid of storms. You can help calm them by providing a safe area on the first floor in the interior -- but don't lock your pet in a tiny room or crate if that upsets them further. Play soothing music to drown out the noise. And reassure your dog. In addition, make an emergency plan for severe weather and include your dog in it.

Jun 11, 2007

• US: 20 - 40 percent of canines in the US are obese, and excess weight can cause health problems. A new drug on the market, Slentrol, may be appropriate for some dogs. The right diet and exercise are extremely important. If your pooch needs to shed some pounds, talk to your vet about what you can do.
• Florida (Orange County): A fire destroyed a small apartment complex. Thankfully no one was hurt, and 3 dogs who were trapped inside were rescued.
• Arkansas (Cowley Country): Local teenagers are giving back to the community by volunteering at the local humane society. They help with photography, walking dogs, fundraising and much more.

Jun 10, 2007

• Canada (Ontario): The leash-free, 1.4 acre -- fully fenced -- dog park of Quennippenon Meadows is one year old today. A fundraiser that included raffles, games, and dog biscuit sales was held to raise money for running the park. There are also low-fee membership dues for those who want to use the park to help pay for its upkeep.
• Ohio (Zanesville): Yesterday, over 100 dogs had fun running through a variety of agility courses at the Fieldhouse Family Sports and Wellness Center. All kinds of dogs were there, including an Australian Shepherd, a Border Collie, and a Weimaraner. The courses were designed by the North American Dog Agility Council.

Jun 9, 2007

• Croatia (Zagreb): Over 10,000 dogs from around the world are participating in the Euro Dog Show, a 3 day event. Contests are in beauty, obedience, and agility. Some of the profits will go toward a local charity for guide dogs.
• US (Hawaii): Since it became easier in 2003 for travelers to take their cats and dogs to Hawaii, feline and canine arrivals have increased 30%. Hotels are adding services to cater to vacationing pet owners. (But there are still many restrictions and requirements to bring animals here.)
• US: A therapeutic vaccine for canine melanoma is available now even though it is still in final trials involving 50 dogs in several cities. It is expensive, but offers hope to dogs suffering from this cancer. The drug can be obtained from veterinary oncologists.

Jun 7, 2007

• New Mexico: "Spay New Mexico" is a one month program aimed at creating afforable dog and cat sterilization. Residents can call 1-800-248-7729 for information.
• New York (Brooklyn): Megan Montgomery prepares haut canine cuisine for upscale pooches. Her company is named Zen Chien Personal Chef Service for Dogs.
• Connecticut (Norwalk): This Saturday about 1800 dogs will compete in the Greenwich Kennel Club's 75th Anniversary All-Breed Dog Show, Obedience and Rally Trial. Non-showing pets can participate in the Doggie Fun Zone Challenge Course.

Jun 6, 2007

• Florida (Sarasota): The company Mercedes Medical has 35 employees -- and 6 to 10 dogs in the office on any given workday. Every day is "Take Your Dog to Work Day" here! (June 22 is the day for everyone else.)
• US: DNA testing is available to determine your dog's breed (or breeds). A company called MetaMorphix, Inc. provides an at-home cheek-swab test kit. The swab goes back to the lab and you can find out which of 38 breeds your dog is.

Jun 5, 2007

• Austria (Vienna): Researchers have shown that dogs can decide how to imitate a behavior they see another dog do depending on the situation the other dog is in versus their own situation. Something once attributed only to humans.
• US: According to Men's Health Magazine, the best US city for dogs is Colorado Springs, while number 2 is Portland. This was based on parks, vets, daycare, and low incidence of heartworm disease.
• California (San Diego): A study from San Diego State University shows that dog owners who walk their dog regularly weigh about 6 pounds less than those who don't. Get those sneakers on and get the leash!

Jun 4, 2007

• Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur): Sniffer dogs -- trained to scent certain chemicals --have helped find over 1.3 million counterfeit DVDs and CDs.
• Canada (Ontario): Yesterday, Lions Club Purina Walk for Dog Guides raised about $7,000, which will be used to help people with disabilities acquire a guide dog.
• Canada (Niagara Falls): And, about 200 people participated in the Wiggle Waggle Walkathon yesterday, raising funds for the Niagara Falls Humane Society.

Jun 3, 2007

• North America: Xolos, the Mexican Hairless dogs, once sacred to the Aztecs, continue to gain in popularity and can be found in homes around North America. They are great for people allergic to most dogs.
• Arkansas (Tontitown): Dog Party USA recently opened as a full-service doggie daycare and pet boarding facility, with nap time, snack time, and plenty of romp time.
• North Dakota (West Fargo): Despite rain, the 55th annual all breeds dog show is going strong, with over 1100 dogs entered.

Jun 2, 2007

• UK (South Yorkshire): Police dogs will be getting a woven metal mesh armor to protect them from being stabbed (here police dogs have a greater chance of being stabbed than shot). These armor vests are more flexible and lighter than other kinds of vests worn for the same purpose.
• Pennsylvania (Chadds Ford): The Brandywine River Museum will have a show celebrating dogs and dogs doing what they do. It's called "Dog Days of Summer: Works by Jamie Wyeth." Most of the artwork is done with charcoal, watercolor and oils.
• Illinois (Rockford): 60-80 volunteers washed a couple hundred dogs to raise money for the Humane Society of Winnebago County.

Jun 1, 2007

• Australia: A university study showed that children whose families have dogs are more active -- especially girls. The children walk their dogs and/or go with their families to walk the dog. Sometimes it's bike riding. But whatever exercise it is, it's good for the dogs -- and the kids.

May 31, 2007

• Canada (Nanaimo): The Regional Agility Championships will be held here June 1-3, with over 300 dogs expected to compete. Judging for agility trials includes how quickly and cleanly a dog can complete the course, with only commands or signals (no touching) from the owner.
• Hawaii (Honolulu): The Pet Spot celebrates its grand opening with a fashion show, dress-up contests, and prizes.

May 30, 2007

• Florida (Palm Bay): In just two years, drug sniffing dogs, Bob, Harley, and Jake, have found over 30 pounds of contraband, which has led to the arrest of over 170 motorists -- all during routine traffic stops.

May 29, 2007

• US: Canine Hip Displasia (CHD) is an extremely common condition that results from several developmental factors -- the main one being looseness of the hip joint, which allows it to become partially dislocated. Over time, this partial dislocation causes physical damange to the joint. CHD can be diagnosed by X-ray. Treating it can be difficult and may require pain medications and surgery. Some new dog foods on the market claim to help prevent CHD from occurring. But the best thing to do is to consult your vet before making any changes to your dog's diet.

May 28, 2007

• Iowa (Ames): Researchers may have found a way to treat dogs with "sudden acquired retinal degeneration syndrome" using a technique that works on humans. In this disease, electrical activity to the retina is cut off; the treatment restores 10-15% of the activity. This amount allows the dogs to walk around without bumping into things.
• India (Mumbai): A local NGO, Welfare of Stray Dogs, held a garage sale and raised money for a program to spay and neuter stray dogs. They raised enough for 40 dogs.

May 26, 2007

• Mexico City: At the World Dog Show the hairless breed Xoloitzcuintles (or Xolos for short) is a crowd favorite. These dogs date back to Aztec times, but nearly became extinct in the 1940s. They have upright ears, long, thin legs, and a long tail (hairless, of course!).