Running With Dogs: Are they all Suitable Partners?
February 8, 2010Almost every day at precisely 8:35, A.M, while I lazily sit sipping my morning coffee, gazing out my office window, I often catch a glimpse of a few of our neighbors out for their morning run with their dogs.
Interestingly, it doesn't seem to make any difference whether they are pedigree dogs or just plain "mutts". They all seem to be having such fun, and I fervently wish I could get out there and join them.
Of course I am dog-less in central Florida, but I highly suspect that if I invited Hush Puppy, one of our cats, to accompany me on a jaunt, I would receive a glance that translates into, "she has lost her mind."
Even though he was given a name by his breeder that is rather "canine" sounding, Puppy's physical fitness program consists of dashing through the house at breakneck speed with his brother, Hubble, chasing him! Retrieving little pieces of rolled up paper, or a favorite toy are the only behaviors that they exhibit that in any way resembles the canine behavior.
So I got to wondering if all dogs enjoy running with their humans, and was compelled to do some research on the subject. I actually was amazed at some of the information that I discovered. According to a fairly recent article in the New York Times online, "Some dogs are bred to go the distance and some aren't."
It seems that Michelle Powe, an English teacher in Midlothian Texas, discovered that Mookie, her 90-pound Catahoula, (referred to often as the Catahoula Leopard dog or hound but not a true hound, which was named after the Catahoula Parish in Louisiana and bred specifically to hunt wild boar), was not her ideal running partner.
Powe commented, "He kept trying to herd me. "By the end of it, my knees were sore from having 90 pounds constantly bumping into me. It was fun for other people to watch, but not so much for me." During their three-mile run, Mookie kept displaying this breed's typical behavior, nipping at her legs and throwing his rather hefty weight against her. All I can say is "ouch!"
Michelle Powe is not unique in assuming that her young, vibrant dog would make a fabulous running partner to accompany her when she was out for a jaunt. She, like many dog owners, thought that since canines love to spend time with their humans, and enjoy running, it would be a match made in Heaven.
However, running in the manner that we choose is not something that all dogs enjoy. Many dogs just are not thrilled with running in a straight line. After all, there are those enticing scents which any dog with a mind of its own must investigate. Additionally untrained dogs can wreak havoc for folks out for serious run.
Michelle's sister, Alexandra-Powe, a dog trainer in Dallas, and author of a book on dog obedience, cautioned folks considering running with their dog: "Invariably active dog owners wake up one day and say, 'Today is a beautiful day, I'm going to go run with Fluffy,' and they've never run with Fluffy before, and they set off and realize it really stinks running with Fluffy."
She suggests that anyone interested in running with their dogs first check the breed's characteristics. She also advises that small dogs, such as Chihuahuas, Yorkshire terriers and teacup Poodles may have difficulty keeping up with their humans, running long distances at high speeds.
Do you run with your dog? Do you have any additional suggestions? Leave a comment and share about them.
Photo Credit: Champion Catahoula dog via Wikipedia
February is Pet Dental Health Awareness Month
February 5, 2010Healthy teeth and gums are at the core of the robust physical condition for our pets. To highlight the necessity of maintaining excellent pet dental care, the month of February has been set aside as National Pet Dental Health Month.
Dental wellness carries the identical importance to our furry companion just as it is to us! Therefore, why not set aside time this month to have your pet's oral fitness checked out by your veterinarian. This is the perfect time for that annual dental examination and cleaning. Sparkling teeth accompanied by fresh breath is a great reward for both pet and owner.
According to Dr. Henry Childers, DVM, the president of the American Veterinary Medical Association, "Oral disease is the most frequently diagnosed health problem for pets. Just as the public has come to realize that their own oral health is linked to their overall health, veterinarians want people to understand that dental health care is essential to maintaining the overall health and well-being of the family pet."
Unhealthy dog mouth
Periodontal Disease is one of the most common occurring conditions, especially in our older pets. The disease begins from to accumulation of plaque that forms on the teeth after eating. This is largely responsible for resulting in "stinky breath" which often becomes unbearable. If the buildup of plaque is permitted to continue unchecked, gingivitis results with gums becoming red and inflamed.
Left untreated, gums recede, teeth become unstable with tooth loss and abscess formation occurring. Due to the abundance of bacteria forming on teeth and gums, which is highly accessible to the pets blood stream, internal organs can become infected, which may cause systemic conditions such as kidney failure, liver and heart disease.
Healthy dog mouth
What are the symptoms of periodontal disease?
1. Red Inflamed gums
2. "Stinky breath"
3. Pawing at the mouth or drooling
4. Hard yellow calculi build up on teeth
5. Facial sensitivity
6. Tooth loss or bleeding gums
7. Poor appetite or unwillingness to eat
If your pet has any of these symptoms arrange an appointment with your vet as quickly as possible to initiate dental care. If serious dental disease is present, your veterinarian may have to extract the decayed teeth. However, it is simply amazing to see how well pets adjust with healthier gums, if this becomes necessary.
So please don't wait until you observe symptoms. Prophylactic dental care is the best preventative measure. Also ask your veterinarian to teach you how keep your pet's teeth clean in between professional visits. Once your pet is accustomed to this essential part of pet care, this simple task is certainly well worth the time you spend performing it.
Do you provide regular dental care to your pets? Leave a comment and share.
Photo credits: myminizoo
West Hollywood Bans Sale of Pets in Stores!
February 4, 2010If I were a companion animal and had my druthers, I would definitely choose to live in West Hollywood, California, as it has to be one of the most compassionate pet loving cities in the United States.
As you may recall, West Hollywood was one of the first municipalities in the state to ban the cruel and inhumane practice of declawing cats several years ago. This city became the guiding-light pioneer which helped inspire the passage of further ordinances banning this practice in several other California cities.
So yesterday I was both thrilled and heartened to learn the breaking news, that West Hollywood has once again stepped up to the plate. The city now joins South Lake Tahoe, the first city to outlaw the sale of cats and dogs in pet shops in 2009, to become the second city in the United States to ban the sale of cats and dogs in pet shops!
Due to the diligent work of the Companion Animal Protection Society, the landmark West Hollywood proposed ordinance which was passed on February 1, 2010, if approved at the second reading, will become effective law on March 19. The legislation was initiated by Councilmember Jeffrey Prang, and was supported by CAPS, the Humane Society of the United States and the Animal Legal Defense Fund.
The Companion Animal Protection Society scheduled regular protests in front of the Elite Animal Pet Store, and also conducted an extensive investigation of the puppy mill from which the dogs were purchased by that store. West Coast Director of CAPS, Carole Davis in expounding on what they found during their investigation said, "Dogs were covered in feces, covered with wounds, and extremely stressed out . . . They try to chew their way out, the poor dogs."
In an interview with an NBC affiliate, Carol Davis said, "West Hollywood's City Council has shown great leadership, wise judgment and compassion, in taking that action and, by considering an ordinance banning the sale of cats and dogs in our city's pet stores. It will save countless shelter animals' lives locally and will send a strong message to abusive commercial breeders all over the nation."
While pet stores will be permitted to continue selling cats and dogs until September 17, 2010, from there on, they will be allowed to give space for the adoption of shelter and rescue animals. An exception was made to allow the sale of "animals that were bred and reared on the premises of the person or establishment," so that small breeders would be able to continue selling their stock, but puppies and kittens from mills will no longer be permitted to be sold by pet stores or off-premises breeders.
It is expected that the ordinance will be approved. Carol Davis added that there are also 17 other cities that are presently interested in considering passing similar ordinances and have contacted her already.
Become more familiar with the work that CAP has been doing to end the sale of puppy mill pets in pet stores by watching the video uploaded to YouTube by DoggyTV. It is truly amazing what this organization has been doing to protect these helpless animals and well worth watching.
I think this is fantastic news! What are your thoughts? Leave a comment and let us know.
Teenager Arrested for Cat Murder
February 3, 2010Of all the atrocities to which human beings are capable, I rank cruelty to animals as one of the most horrendous and unspeakable crimes. When I hear about stories similar to the one below, I am always shocked and deeply distraught. Not only does it break my heart, but it gets me incredible angry.
And while my rational mind is cognizant that the people who perform these acts may suffer from deep-seated psychological disorders, I find it very difficult to have any compassion for them at all. As a retired psychotherapist, perhaps I am not being sufficiently professional which would allow me to take those issues into consideration, but I find myself unable to remain emotionally undetached.
I think it is high time that we, as animal lovers, set their as a priority and not allow excuses to be made for such violent and sadistic behavior. Considering how the large percentage of acts of cruelty directed at animals often develops into violence toward humans, we must even find ways to prevent it from happening.
It has been so frustrating to animal lovers over the past years, that the people who committed these grievous deeds were basically given a slap on the wrist, a small fine and their actions apparently not given a second thought by the judicial system. So it is extremely heartening to me to have read about law enforcement personnel who consider animal cruelty a serious crime.
Last week, in Windsor, Ontario, a seventeen year-old boy was arrested by police in connections with the stabbing murder of a three to four-year-old calico cat. Police said that he even knew the cat that was named Cleo, as she was a stray recently found and adopted by his family. Cleo was spayed and sadly declawed which obviously meant that at one time she belonged to someone.
Scene of the crime
Animal Welfare officers were shocked by the crime, describing the acts as "vicious." The officers were summoned to Atkinson Park in Windsor's west end soon after a local resident reported seeing two young men "kicking and stabbing a garbage bag before throwing it into a swimming pool."
These violent acts are so incredibly gruesome that I am refraining from writing explicitly about them. Fortunately the family surrendered their two other healthy cats to the humane society.
The teenager was due to be arraigned on two charges: "willfully causing the unnecessary suffering of an animal and willfully killing an animal". If he is found guilty I hope he pays dearly for his crimes.
What reactions do you have when you hear about cruelty to animals? Please leave a comment and share your thoughts.
WEEKLY CUDDLE CHAMPION: Cuddly Puppy
February 2, 2010This puppy caught our attention with her pretty eyes. We would love to learn more about you! Congrats on being Cuddle Champion this week!
Submitted by: Kelli Jo Selph
"My little cuddler"
To submit a picture to "WEEKLY CUDDLE CHAMPION" post your pet's picture on the petside facebook fan page wall with the caption "I think my pet is the CUDDLE CHAMPION"! Make sure to tell us your pet's name and a little bit about them!
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Teenager Arrested for Cat Murder
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