I’ve been writing about and interviewing experts for my Pet Peeves radio show on the increase in veterinary costs at petliferadio.com. Many cat owners told me that the cost was a big factor preventing them from taking cats to the vet as often as might be needed. So I was happily surprised and touched to read Moki’s story, in which a cat owner not only went the extra mile to help a tiny stray--she dipped DEEP into her bank account to the tune of thousands of dollars since this past July.

Crystal met Moki when she volunteered at the local shelter, and the tiny tabby kitten immediately seemed special. While he hated being handled by the staff, once at home he bonded with Crystal’s boyfriend and went from frightened feral to love-bug purr-kitty.

Moki

It should have been a happy ending. But Moki developed what at first seemed to be an upper respiratory problem, which is quite common in shelter kittens. This “bug” wouldn’t go away, though, and nearly killed the kitten despite appropriate treatment and visits to multiple veterinarians.

He was diagnosed with cerebral hypoplasia--but that was later ruled out. He was suspected to have FIP--but that also was ruled out. He developed a urinary infection, suffered neurological signs and damage, underwent MRIs and other tests, and still has specialists stumped.

Despite his trials, Moki remains a happy, loving kitten, and Crystal keeps hope alive that his problems will be diagnosed and perhaps cured and logs his progress at www.savemoki.com. She writes, “Moki’s love for life goes beyond anything words can describe. He has taught us that there is nothing we can’t overcome, with the help of a friend, a little support and lots of love.”

Posted by Amy Shojai at 3:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

My training bag o’ tricks is jam-packed with dog-friendly goodies. Treats, toys, clickers, chews, six-foot-long leashes – I’ve got canine training and entertainment covered. The darn thing weighs almost 14 pounds! (You should see how jacked my left arm is.)

I have one extra special training tool in addition to all of my staples that I absolutely love, but for some reason always manage to forget. That could be because I only use it in certain scenarios. It’s effective, fun and sort of spy-esque.

What is it?....

The silent dog whistle!

Truth be told, it’s not actually silent, but it isn’t nearly as loud as a referee’s whistle. That’s a good thing if you plan to use it during odd hours.

For example, one of my canine clients had a tough time coming in from the yard after her final potty trip late at night. Her people sheepishly admitted that they probably sounded angry when they called her, which made their dog even more reluctant to come to them. (What dog is eager to come to someone screaming “Get in here NOW! I mean it!!” Think about it folks – if you want your dog to joyfully run to you when you call, don’t sound angry!) The dog whistle was a great solution for them because every time the dog heard it she knew she was about to get a big chunk of cheese the moment she came inside. (Plus a whistle can never sound pissed off!)

I have a whistle at the ready for Zeke and Sumner when they get snarky with the dog that lives behind us. One toot cuts through their passionate between the fence “conversation” with Maxine (a conversation that roughly translates to, “I’m going to kill you! I’m going to chew through this fence and bite your face off! Die, Maxine, die!”), and makes them race to me to collect something scrumptious.

So how do you train your dog to respond to a whistle? It’s actually pretty simple: blow into the whistle then immediately give your dog an extra-special treat. Repeat a dozen times, then disappear around the corner, toot the whistle and immediately give your dog a treat when he rounds the corner to find you. Gradually begin to use the whistle in more distracting environments. Don’t overuse it, and make sure to pay up with a treat each and every time your dog responds to it.

I usually reserve my whistle for Maxine run-ins, but I’ll occasionally give it a toot just to watch the spectacle of two pudgy old dogs running towards me at full-tilt. Zeke and Sum have wonderful everyday recalls, but their silent whistle recall makes them look like greyhound wannabes.

Posted by Victoria Schade at 2:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

Did you hear the one about how Italian Greyhounds should never, never, never be off leash in an unfenced area? Pick up any book about the breed and you’ll see that pronouncement in bold typeface. That’s because Italian Greyhounds can’t be trusted off leash, they’re easily startled and they’ll run off without giving you a second glance.

Really?

Behold, my new clients 3-year old Mickey and 9-month old Conan (like the talk show host, not the barbarian), taking a potty break off leash in an unfenced area right by a golf course:

Here’s Conan heading home while doing his frolicking fawn impression:

Wha? How come they’re not in the next county? These dogs are flight risks, right?

Not in this case.

Though Conan and Mickey just began training with me this morning, it’s evident that their person has already been working hard to grow a strong and enviable bond with her dogs. She’s confident enough in her relationship with her guys to allow them to take quick potty breaks out back off leash, accompany her to the mailbox off leash, and – gasp – get nutty on the golf course with a pit bull buddy!

Now I’m not suggesting that all I.G. owners should unleash their dogs and cross their fingers. There’s an assumed risk in allowing any dog to run free in an unfenced area, and my Official Dog Trainer Stance on off leash unfenced play is that it’s a big risk.

That said, do I do it? Yup.

Do I have clients who do it?

*Sheepishly shrugs shoulders.* Um hm.

Have I heard horror stories about seemingly well trained off leash dogs that suddenly take off, never to be seen again? Unfortunately, yes.

Safety issues and breed arguments aside, the heart of the off leash debate is about the bond – or lack thereof -- between you and your dog.
I couldn’t help but be impressed by the titanium-strong bond between Conan, Mickey and their person. Everything I teach them will be gravy – they’ve already mastered the tough stuff.

Posted by Victoria Schade at 5:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

More than eight million pets are lost each year. Without identification 90 percent won’t return home.

Cats are underserved in this respect, too. Maybe it’s because responsible owners keep kitties inside and don’t think identification is needed. But an indoor cat that gets out becomes frightened, runs blocks or miles away if chased by a strange dog, or hides for days (even weeks!) under the porch because she’s so scared. Cats that are lucky and end up in a shelter can be recovered--but only if there’s some form of identification so the staff knows to contact you.

There are several options available for giving your cat a fighting chance to come home. Tattoos probably aren’t used very often because you must first shave the fur--and who wants to shave off that glorious coat? Once the fur grows in, the tattoo becomes hidden.

Tags are visible and probably the easiest for a good Samaritan to notice. Products like KoogaTag bring high-tech help to pet identification. This tiny USB tag that attaches to your pet’s collar can hold reams of information directly from your computer.

But many cats hate wearing collars and slip out of them. Microchips have a great advantage. They’re permanent, the cat can’t lose a microchip, and the shelter can scan a ‘chipped cat to immediately find the owner. The microchip, embedded in surgical glass about the size of a grain of rice, is injected beneath the pet’s skin in the shoulder region. Even tiny kittens can be ‘chipped and don’t react any worse than when they’re vaccinated.

Chips are read using a hand-held scanner over the shoulder region. AVID, Bayer Animal Health, and HomeAgain as well as AKC-Companion Animal Recovery offer various additional benefits with pet enrollment in their respective databases.

You supply the information that goes onto the chip and the information also is kept by a database. There are many pet recovery databases available, and some only register certain brands of microchips while others, like the AKC-CAR and ScoringPets.com register all kinds of microchips, tags and tattoos. Do your homework! Find what works best for your kitties.

Posted by Amy Shojai at 5:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Just when you think cruelty can go no further, some idiot takes out his aggression on helpless animals. The news out of Long Island, New York today that a live-in lover brutally squeezed two cats - one to death - makes you wonder...

what would be fair punishment?

Holding the fort down in Iraq our canine pals are earning the medals when it comes to sniffing out bombs and being all round good companions. These guys should automatically be awarded the AKCs Good Canine Citizen certificate!

Canines of the Iraq War

In business news the eyes are still on pets, pets, and more pets. The American Pet Products Manufacturers Association released news figures showing pet owners spent an estimated $41 billion pampering!

Yep, that was billion with a 'b.' How do YOU spell b-l-i-n-g?

Is there pet news happening in your town? Send it to us at stories@petside.com

Posted by Kim Jack Riley at 1:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A new study out of the University of Minnesota shows that keeping a cat cuts your risk of heart attack or stroke by nearly 30 percent! Cat owners probably aren’t surprised by the results, although the researchers weren’t expecting the magnitude of the effect. Coming on the furry heels of the recent CATalyst Summit and its effort to raise the stature of cats makes this report seem quite serendipitous.

So will your doctor say, “Take home a cat, and call me in the morning?” We can only hope. It’s not only cool to keep cats, you now may get a doctor’s purr-scription!

The lead researcher, Dr. Adnan Qureshi, agreed that cats bring medical benefits to their owners, and unlike drugs or surgery, there are minimal risks--other than an overabundance of furry love, I suppose.

Qureshi, executive director of the Minnesota Stroke Institute at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, suspected there might be benefits, so posed his own questions and planned to present results last Thursday at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference in New Orleans. His team reviewed data on 4,435 Americans, aged 30 to 75, who took part in the federal government's (1976-1980) second National Health and Nutrition Examination Study. Of the participants, 2,435 either owned a cat or had owned a cat in the past, while the remaining 2,000 had never done so.

Most surprising--d*gs in this study didn’t measure up. In previous studies, it was found that a single 12-minute visit with a dog improved the heart and lung function of people with heart failure, but the Minnesota findings put d*g owners in the same category as non-pet owners--no protective effect was observed. To be fair to d*g lovers out there, (and I am one!) Qureshi indicated that the numbers of d*g owners in the study wasn't big enough to count statistically.

Qureshi doesn’t even own a cat, although he says the study results may prompt him to rectify that situation. Speaking of serendipity…that’s my cat’s name. There’s something magical at work here, folks, wouldn’t you say? (cue eerie music…)

To read more about the health benefits of pet ownership, check out Petside's article How Pets' Love Helps You Live Longer

Posted by Amy Shojai at 2:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I made a prediction late last year that the Labrador's sixteen-year reign as the top dog in the country was about to end.

I was wrong.

The AKC registration results are in and the faithful Labrador Retriever has maintain his title for a seventeenth year.

Geez. You don't have to gloat.

Yorkies maintained their position as the number two most popular dog in the country.

The big news this year is that the bulldog made it back in the top ten for the first time since 1935.

Pushed-in wrinkle faces, represent!

Posted by Victoria Schade at 2:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Welcome to the petside headlines! We’ve been growing leaps and bounds since launching the site -- so much to say about cats and dogs…so little time!

Winter is on full force over most of the US, aren’t you glad you’ve got your computer and petside to keep you company?

Inside petside we’ve got original articles from tons of authors from around the globe, edutainment videos, and fun ways to find breeds that are just right for you! We’ve got plenty of tips and treats for you and your pet, as well as a daily pet horoscope to make sure you know how to plan your day, and more…

But the real reason I’m starting this blog is because at petside we want to bring you news, news and more news! And let’s face it, our pets are in the news just about every day.

Of course you might find a few of my opinions included in here, but that’s where the conversation starts. So don’t be shy. Check in often to see what’s going on in the news from a petside point of view, and let’s get to know each other.

The snow outside is a great lead in for some more serious discussions, like the upcoming Iditarod.

What do you think about racing huskies? There are strong opinions on the matter and here’s an overview from the Humane Society.

Elsewhere, it’s no secret that homes across the US are falling deep into foreclosure,

but what about the pets? Who’s taking them on during transition time? Here’s a local shelter that took some action in Chicago.

The Oscars weren’t the only news coming out of LA this week,

as the mayor took action steps towards stamping out animal overpopulation

And you thought there’s no news that’s pet news? Stay tuned. I’ll be back every day to chat.

Posted by Kim Jack Riley at 10:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Zeke and Sum love to have their teeth brushed, so it’s not a struggle to get them involved in the process.

The challenge is that they both have tiny little corn niblet teeth that are hard to find in their cavernous, gummy catfish mouths.

Particularly Sumner.

He’s all lips:

We actually have to move his flews out of the way and hold them up in order to access his teeth:

Chicken-flavored toothpaste is a must – they consider it a delicacy. They try to make a meal of it as we brush:

After the obligatory feasting we get down to bindess:

Tooth brushing isn’t a chore in our house because the guys actually enjoy the process. That’s not true of all dogs, though. Problems arise when you try to wrestle your dog into submission in order to clean his teeth ... if you take it slowly, use a tasty toothpaste and a gentle hand, the process will be a snap.

And hey, your dog might enjoy brushing so much that he’ll do it himself, like Sumner!

Posted by Victoria Schade at 11:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Did you know cats quite easily learn to walk on a leash? I call it "liberation training" because it allows the cat to safely accompany you beyond the confines of your house.

There's nothing wrong--and I encourage--keeping cats inside in a safe environment. But if you have a "Christopher Columbus" type cat eager and curious to explore, a leash--or a stoller--might be an option. You can find the strollers at pet products stores, and they work extremely well for nearly any confident cat.

For leash training, I prefer halters. The cat's neck is quite fragile and can't stand much tugging on a collar. Also, the kitty head is nearly the same size as the neck, so a collar can easily slip over the head and WHOOPS, you've got a lost cat.

The H-style harnesses used for dogs may work well for the largest cats, as long as you fit them snug. Kitties are contortionists and will wiggle and pretzel themselves out of confinement if you aren't careful. So I prefer the figure-8 harnesses, because when the cat tugs against the leash, the halter tightens so he can't wiggle out. There now also are cat vests available that completely covers the cat's upper torso.

Training goes much more quickly with kittens. They simply don't know any better and think it's a game. Older cats may fall over and pretend paralysis when first fitted with a halter.

To start, make the halter part of the furniture. Toss it on the floor, play with it, pet the cat with the harness so it smells like him, and otherwise make it a normal (not scary) part of his world. When you first put on the harness, have a treat or feather toy handy to distract the cat. If the kitten chases the feather while wearing the harness, he realizes it doesn't restrict movement. Older cats will take some convincing.

Leave it on only a couple minutes each day and build up the time until you can clip on a leash and follow the kitty around the room. Eventually you should be able to have safe excursions into the garden or to Grandma's house--or even to the pet products store to check out the cat furniture.

Posted by Amy Shojai at 11:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

My cat never stops talking--with her tail, with her body, with her voice. She has even been known to answer the telephone. It’s the truth! I have no idea what sort of conversation she had, but my phone bill certainly went up.

But there are times when she tries to communicate simply with--

THE STARE.

One of my friends, another cat lover, commented on this about her two kitties, Punky and Poppy, play this game with her even more often. They STARE--and I suppose believe that she’ll read their kitty minds.

And indeed, eventually she starts checking the litter box, the water bowl, the food…Oh, the food bowl is empty?

STARE--blink-blink-blink

Message received.

Posted by Amy Shojai at 3:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Bogart’s person admits that she got lucky. Why? Bogart the Maltipoo is an Internet puppy, purchased from an online ad. He came from a breeder in Texas and was shipped across country when he was just a wee pup. The good news wasn’t that he showed up in one piece – it’s that he showed up at all.

“Buyer beware” is an understatement when it comes to purchasing pups from web sites. Sure, you can find responsible breeders online, but you’ll have to weed through the “free to a good home, just pay the shipping” scams out there as well. (You pony up the shipping expenses, the “breeder” tells you that there are shipping complications and extra money is needed, you pay the difference, pup never shows up … wham, bam, it’s a scam.)

There’s an easy way to avoid getting taken by an online puppy scam … visit your local shelter and be a hero to a homeless pet. If that’s not an option, try to find a reputable breeder (check references) who will allow you to visit the facility and meet at least one parent. Shipping can be dangerous for young puppies, so try to “buy local” if at all possible.

Bogart defied the odds and is actually a healthy, confident pup. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case when it comes to online puppy purchases. Did it happen to you? Tell us your story … write to stories@petside.com

Posted by Victoria Schade at 3:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Zach the Greyhound used to have a horrible track name: Lucifer.

C’mon, does this look like the face of the devil?

Thankfully, he didn’t take after his former namesake. He’s a friendly, happy three-year old combating a fairly typical Greyhound phobia: Climacophobia, or the fear of stairs. What’s odd is that he’s not afraid of all stairs, just the narrow, carpeted set that leads to his fenced-in back yard, aka, “Heaven.”

The secret to treating Climacophobia is to shelve ambition and move at a snail’s pace. If you try to push a stair-phobic dog – literally or figuratively – you can kiss progress goodbye. Dealing with canine phobias is a Zen-like process that requires patience … it’s a slow dance between you and your dog, with Fido acting as Fred to your Ginger.

So how far did we get with Zach during our first lesson? Did he bound down the stairs and out into the yard?

Hardly. Brave Zach mustered the courage to place his paw on the top step and we called it a day. I was pleased to see that his person had excellent training instincts – she really “got” it, and didn’t ask for more than Zach could handle.

I’ve worked with a bunch of stair-phobic dogs, from Min Pins to Greyhounds, and every single one became a stair master. I’m looking forward to adding Zach to my list of success stories.

Posted by Victoria Schade at 3:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Yesterday, I posted a bit of a rant about cat hoarding so today it’s fair to turn the other furry cheek and applaud multi-cat households. Did you know that according to the latest survey by the American Veterinary Medical Association, that cat households in the US typically contain 2.2 cats?

I’d like to see that .2 cat, wouldn’t you?!

But seriously, cat lovers realize that the love multiplies when shared with more than one cat. Adopting a pair of littermates is ideal because they’ll have a buddy to roughhouse and play, and won’t pester you to death. That way they teach each other how to inhibit biting and clawing, too.

Of course, bringing a second cat into the home after you’ve had a resident cat for a while can be a different issue entirely. It is a cat “rule” that the interloper be shunned, hissed at, and driven away. So it takes some special maneuvers to convince Princess Cat she should accept the new kitten on the block.

Put yourself in your cat’s paws--how would you feel if a stranger came into your house, slept in your bed, ate from your dinner plate, and “ahem” did things in your private toilet? Not only that, the stranger got love and attention from your favorite purr-son on earth! No wonder the kitty’s tail gets in a twist.

Patience is key. First off, recognize it can be love at first sight, hate at first sight, or you can take it step by step and strengthen your odds that the critters will at least tolerate each other. So confine the new cat to a room by himself with all the kitty accoutrements (litter box, food bowl, scratching post, etc). This tells your resident cat that only part of her territory has been invaded.

Expect some investigation at the closed door. Paw pats beneath the door are very positive signs. Let the cats get used to each other’s smells and noises before ever giving them a face-to-face meeting. Try feeding the cats on opposite sides of the door to associate the strange cat’s presence with “good stuff.” Once the hiss-quotient has faded, consider opening the door. With some luck and patience, furry love will bloom.

For more, read Petside's article on Tips for Living with Multiple Cats

Posted by Amy Shojai at 3:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It’s happened again, this time in a neighboring community. Complaints from neighbors prompted the police to remove 209 cats and three dogs from a local two-story home.

Waste was stacked several feet in some areas, and the officials found 40 cats in one bedroom. According the property owner, they started with just 13 cats. It quickly got out of hand, he said.

This situation can happen so easily to well-meaning, cat-loving people! We all want to take proper care of our cats, and to save cats’ lives. Sadly, when it gets out of hand and you can’t stay ahead of the hygiene, spay/neuter, feeding, and all other issues, it risks the lives of those very cats we wanted to save.

The definition of a cat collector (or hoarder) is a person who isn’t able to care for the cats they currently have, but continues to take on more cats. She often plans to adopt out rescues, but then can’t bear to part with them. I use “she” because most cat collectors are women.

People can and do keep multiple cats without being collectors. These folks know each cat by name, get them regular veterinary care, provide a hygienic and safe place for the cats to live, and recognize their limitations--when to say “no” to one-more-cat.

If you feel overwhelmed or know somebody who might need help, seek help from local animal welfare organizations, or ask your veterinarian for guidance. Cat Collecting has been characterized as potentially a type of obsessive-compulsive disorder and counseling may help.

It’s too late for the local family. Their cats were confiscated, the healthy ones re-homed, the ill cats euthanized--and they are prohibited from having cats as pets for the time being. That’s a tragedy on so many levels.

Posted by Amy Shojai at 2:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Donovan the mixed breed dog sure looks like a sweet guy, right? All honey colored and smiley … if you were to run into him on the street you’d probably brace yourself for a big kiss on the lips.

Think again. Beneath Donovan’s grin lurks the tortured soul of a dog with multiple pupsonality disorder. In the house he’s a charming host, but once he hits the sidewalk he’s on the prowl, ready to bark a warning at any people or dogs breathing his air.

“You lookin’ at me, Doberman? Cause I could take ya. Don’t push me.”

Donovan’s leash surliness is an embarrassment to his owners. His explosive barking and pulling every time he sees another living creature isn’t exactly making friends on the trail. Plus dealing with that level of stress on both ends of the leash turns what should be a fun recreational activity into a dreaded chore.

Because of current TV programming, you might assume that I swooped in to assert my “calm assertive energy” on Donovan to bring about a “calm submissive state” in him. Um, no. I didn’t. It might look good in TV-land, but that’s not how it’s done in the real world. Helping leash aggressive dogs requires more than pithy mumbo-jumbo about “pack leaders” and “submission” … it takes science.

We don’t want to suppress Donovan’s explosive reactions to people and dogs by punishing him with collar corrections or “Shh!” noises, we want to change his reactions to them at his very core through counter conditioning and desensitization. With the right sort of dog-friendly, science-based training, Donovan will soon see a dog on the horizon and say, “Cool – here comes a dog. I love seeing dogs, because that means I get a cookie!”

The beauty of science-based training is that you don’t have to know how to “whisper” to be successful ... anyone can do it.

Donovan digs science.

Posted by Victoria Schade at 2:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Mr. Thin Fur really enjoys basking in the sun.

He claims a spot in front of the door and lounges there until the heat makes him pant. It’s like an endurance sport for him … after a while he looks really uncomfortable, but he won’t move away. Perhaps he’s storing heat for future cold spells.

Sometimes Summie joins him, but he can’t take the heat for long.

Posted by Victoria Schade at 12:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The eyes of a cat truly hold fascination for us all. Besides their jewel-like glory, they seem to perceive so much more than we do. In fact, cats require only one-sixth as much illumination as we do and use twice as much available light.

The back of the eye (retina) acts like a movie screen and is covered with highly specialized light-sensitive cells. Cones recognize color, while rods respond to shades of black and white and our kitties have many more times rods than people do. That allows them to see an incredible array of grays and blacks in even low light conditions.

While many books may state that cats are color blind--don’t believe it! They do have the equipment to perceive colors. But rather than seeing in a three-color system like people do (red, yellow, and blue), cat color vision is based on a two-color system of blues and greens. In very bright light, green and blue seem much brighter than red to cats because they have very few red-sensitive cones or none at all. Feline daytime vision is dominated by shades of blue. Maybe that’s why my cat Seren prefers her blue sparkle toys!

Posted by Amy Shojai at 11:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

With the current round of primaries, and President’s Day on the calendar, it gives one pause--or perhaps paws--wondering what all the kitties think of the cat-fight?

Some years ago during another presidential campaign, I had the fun to appear in a tongue-in-cheek debate on the Today Show and elsewhere, arguing which pet was the more appropriate White House pet. I argued the cat side--and won! (Was there ever any doubt?)

Throughout history, cats have shared the Oval Office with presidents and their families. When President Lincoln found three nearly frozen kittens while visiting General Grant during the Civil War, Lincoln adopted them on the spot. Theodore Roosevelt’s cats, Tom Quartz and Slippers, often attended White House dinners and state occasions. President Calvin Coolidge had three cats named Tiger, Blackie, and Timmie--and a canary. Timmie was a restrained and genteel diplomat and allowed Caruso the canary to hitch rides on his back.

Calvin Coolidge kept lots of pets including cats named Bounder, Tiger, and Blacky, JFK’s menagerie included Tom-Kitten the cat, President Ford had a Siamese cat named Chan. More recently Socks made being a cat cool when he lived in the White House--and then was given to President Clinton’s secretary when they left office. Although both Bush presidents have kept cats--neither brought them to the White House.

Cats, of course, are bored by the whole discussion.

Felines are masters at kitty poker. They stare silently across a room to stake their claim and make a point, until the target slinks away with nary a tail twitch. Politics might learn something from watching cats.

I often want to ask political candidates, “Do you have a cat, or a dog--or neither?” The answer, I believe, could be quite telling.

To see more presidential pets read Petside's Top 5 First Pets List!

Posted by Amy Shojai at 3:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Little Ellie the two-year old terrier mix was not happy to see me last week. She greeted me at the door with a cacophony of barks, and then she gave me the cold shoulder for the next twenty minutes. Ellie sat and watched me from two rooms away, assessing my every gesture. If I moved too quickly, or laughed too loudly, she disappeared around the corner.

Uh oh. It must be shy dog season.

Ellie has only been with her person for ten days, so it’s understandable that life is freaking her out right now. Unfortunately, the poor pup is set on a hair trigger, so anything out of the ordinary – a car backfiring, a stranger entering the house, a quick gesture -- can send her sailing for cover, or barking to defend her life.

Though Ellie didn’t fall in love with me during that first lesson, she did warm up to me enough to allow me to work on “sit”, “down” and some leash walking. Towards the end of the lesson I forgot myself and moved a little too quickly across the room, which tipped Ellie over into the barky zone. I was surprised to see that she also charged me as she barked … that response certainly adds a new wrinkle to process. Ellie is a very frightened little pup… though her “flight” instinct is stronger, her “fight” response seems ready and willing. Not a good thing.

Will Ellie come to love the training process? Can she begin to overcome her deeply rooted fears? Will she ever allow me to touch her? Stay tuned.

Posted by Victoria Schade at 3:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So you want your diva cat to be stylin’ and a cool cat, the cat’s meow? Why should dogs have all the haut couture dress-up fun? Classy cats these days may be sporting a Kitty Wig, courtesy of Julie Jackson.

It’s all in good fun, says Jackson. “These cat-sized wigs are intended to encourage playful interaction between you and your kitty.” Kitty Wigs™ donates 20 percent of all profits from sales of the wigs to the ASPCA.

The company launched last December and already has generated buzz--or is that purrs?--around the Internet (www.kittywigs.com). Currently the wigs come in four styles; Pink Passion, Bashful Blonde, Silver Fox and Electric Blue. More styles will become available soon. You get a Kitty Wig on a round form, a hairnet, instructions and toy mouse, all inside a Kitty Wig branded travel case to keep everything safe.

Caution: Not all cats will appreciate playing dress up, but some will enjoy the extra attention. The key is to go slow, show your cat the wig, rub her with it, compliment her appearance, let her sniff and investigate before ever popping it onto her head. Use treats or a favorite toy to reward her for playing dress up, and leave the wig on for only a couple of minutes before removing.

‘Kitty Wigs are not meant to be a cat toy,” says Jackson. She believes it’s a purr-fect photo prop, and cats can be encouraged to wear one for the time it takes to click that picture. It could be the image all the other cat valentines have been yearning to see.

Photos and logo used with permission of Kitty Wigs

Posted by Amy Shojai at 10:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Melman the Brittany Spaniel might be my most favorite canine model. In fact, I think the guy is a bone-afide supermodel. He must have watched “Zoolander”, because he gave me a variety of looks during our recent photo shoot.

This look is called “Sassitude”:

“Too Cool for School”:

“Haute Couture”:

“Don’t Mess”:

“Best Behavior”

“Come hither”:

“Le Tigra”

“Inconsolable”:

“I See Dead People”:

His final look of the evening? “Please, no more Photos”:

Posted by Victoria Schade at 9:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

If your Valentine’s Day includes furry loves, take care that chocolate indulgence doesn’t turn your celebration to feline calamity.

Chocolate contains theobromine, a stimulant related to caffeine. Eating too much shifts your cat’s heart into overdrive. Milk chocolate won’t cause life-threatening problems because it takes nearly two pounds of milk chocolate to poison a seven-pound kitty. Despite cartoon cats to the contrary, felines tend to be more discriminating than dogs and rarely overindulge.

But if they do, your cat will get an upset stomach with pet eruptions (from either end!) that rival Mount Vesuvius. The tasty treat recycled in this fashion won’t do your carpets any good, either.

Baker’s chocolate, though, can be deadly because it has ten times as much theobromine as milk chocolate. A seven-pound pet only needs to eat two ounces to be poisoned. Licking chocolate frosting, lapping up cocoa mix, or gulping truffles—a very rich dark chocolate treat—causes vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, seizures, coma, and even death.

If you catch Kitty snacking on your Valentine yummies, induce vomiting to get rid of the poison. First, feed her a small meal to dilute the poison and delay digestion. Then give her 3 percent hydrogen peroxide, one to two teaspoons for every ten pounds she weighs. Squirt to the back of the pet’s tongue with an eyedropper, needless syringe, or turkey baster. The taste and foaming prompts vomiting within five minutes. If it doesn’t, call your veterinarian.

For some very odd reasons, cats that easily hurl hairballs are incredibly difficult to make vomit when you want them to.

Forget about the chocolate for Kitty this Valentine’s day. Show your pets how much you love them in other ways. Snuggle with your cat, play with a feather toy, share a tidbit of your yogurt. But keep tasty poison out of reach--or better, don’t bring it into the house. Your waistline--and carpets--will thank you.

Posted by Amy Shojai at 5:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Why do I insist on doing this to my dogs?

Despite what the miserable looking mugs pictured might tell you, no animals were harmed in the making of this Valentine.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Although I think Zeke wanted to harm me. Check out his face in this outtake:

Posted by Victoria Schade at 4:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The first time I met with 12-week old Wink and his people we were smack-dab in the middle of a downpour. It was the kind of day best suited for lounging on the couch under a blanket and napping, not suiting up and doing potty runs every forty-five minutes.

When the weather outside is frightful, it’s hard to resist the temptation to send a puppy out the back door to do his business unchaperoned. After all, he knows what he needs to do out there, right?

Not quite.

All it takes is one squirrel, one blowing leaf, one intriguing scent molecule and Mr. Pup will forget the job at hand and engage in more pressing activities. (“There was a squirrel. In my yard. You have to understand the gravity of this situation.”) You then call sweet puppy back to the house assuming that he eliminated. Right as he walks in the door he realizes “Oh, wait. There’s that full feeling. I need to let loose.” Then he goes and does just that behind the couch.

It’s important to accompany young pups on each and every potty trip outside for a few reasons. Number one, you can keep him on track when the world gets too distracting by chanting his potty phrase. (What? You don’t know what I mean by a “potty phrase”? Stay tuned.) Number two (ha), you can reward him with a high-value treat the moment he finishes going. This teaches him that pottying in the proper location earns him a paycheck. Finally, you can be 100% certain that he’s actually empty, and then reset the clock for the next potty trip.

During our one-hour lesson, Wink’s people took him out for two successful potty trips in the drenching rain.

I invoked dog trainer privilege and stayed inside.

Posted by Victoria Schade at 4:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Last week I listed some of my colleagues and their cat books, and mentioned the Cat Writers Association. The organization also includes member artist who specialize in feline illustrations, paintings, calendars, and all-things-cat. Some of these talented folks also will do portraits of individual felines--now what could be a more purr-fect Valentine gift for the cat lover in your life? Check out the sites www.wendychristensen.com (Wendy Christensen) and www.catmandrew.com (Drew Strouble) to purr-use some of the most striking and endearing cat portraiture around. Here are a few examples.

Wendy Christensen

Wendy Christensen

Drew Strouble

Drew Strouble

Posted by Amy Shojai at 4:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Day 5 – Madison Square Garden – New York City
Contributed by James McManus

It’s just before 8 a.m. and Ring 4 is surrounded.

Soon, the Doberman Pinschers will enter the ring to compete for Best in Breed, and the winner will move on to this evening’s competition for Best in Show!

I have been here since just after 7am watching the crowd file in and listening to the excitement level rise.

Gazing around, there appear to be between 2 to 3 thousand people already in attendance, and as one of the security guards tells me, “By tonight, it’ll look like a prize fight’s going on.”

When the dogs enter and walk to their respective rings, a roar goes up from the crowd like horses taking to the track before a big race. Earlier this morning at the Hotel Pennsylvania a show dog owner said to me, quoting George Orwell, “All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.” When I asked the name of his dog, he responded…”More Equal,” and then they walked across 7th Avenue and into Madison Square Garden.

I look at the strong and proud Doberman Pinscher’s lined up for inspection by the judge...they all seem equal to me.

And calm. If anyone is nervous, it appears to be the fans who are already choosing dogs that they are convinced will win Best of Show later tonight and groaning when the judge does not linger over their choice. Alongside each ring are young men and women wearing aprons and holding brushes and water bottles. They hand the brushes and water bottles to the handlers on cue like a nurse assisting a doctor.

Each handler has a different way to keep his or her dog calm. Some sit on the carpet with their dog, others give them small bites of treats and still more pump up their dogs with praise. Often, roars come from other parts of the floor letting you know that the Toy Poodles or the Pugs also have their legions of fans.

After the Doberman’s are judged, I walk over to where the Silky Terriers are in the ring. I quickly notice that the young lass who caught my dog’s eye the other day is strutting her stuff for many more than just Riley Fitzgerald.

Nani looks to be in great form!

Her owner/handler, David Wojtek is walking her with great pride. I wish Riley was here to see his girlfriend compete. Well, maybe she’s not his exclusive girlfriend, but why not let Riley keep his dream.

Nani makes the 1st cut as several other Silky Terriers leave the ring. As I get closer to the ring, Nani poses for the camera and then gets back to business. The tension builds as the judge is clearly about to make a decision. I think of all the work that has gone into these few seconds. And wait, silence, wait, whispers…and with a quick “1,2,3,4” the judge elates four owners and the others leave the ring. As David walks by, he smiles at me.

I ask what he’s feeling and he says “I don’t know, we’re not used to being in this position.” It then hits me…ALL of these dogs are used to winning. But this is the best of the best. Sadly, Nani didn’t make the final cut.

During a lull in the action, I head backstage to see how all of the dogs prepare right before coming out onto the floor. And WOW, this is a world of its own! Backstage is an incredibly crowded mix of grooming tables, cages, cubicles, vendors…and of course, people and dogs.

It is loud and unruly, but the dogs don’t seem to mind at all.

Each dog has a cubicle area, like a human athlete has a locker. When they’re not being groomed or bathed or blown dried, many rest in their cages. The owners have gone to great lengths to make the cages feel like home.

One dog has his fan hooked up to his cage and a radio for him to listen to. When I ask the owner what he likes to listen to, he answers incredulously…music!

Other owners have covered the cage with a blanket from home or lined the cage with a piece of carpet from the basement. Each owner has something to remind the dog of home. And what a large home it is! As I walk the backstage area it is the length of two football fields. There are small pee stations with wood shavings every 30 yards or so and vendors line the outer edge of the entire area selling everything from…well, everything dog related you could ever want. There is an ambulance back stage for both dogs and humans. To give you another sense of size, the backstage area has its own concession stand.

Back out onto the floor and the competition. Now in ring four are the Tibetan Mastiffs and our friend Loka who we met on Saturday. She looks calm and confident as the judge checks her teeth and her bite.

But as with Nani, Loka does not win and will not be around for the competition later tonight. Maybe we are bad luck.

Put your camera away, I tell myself. But, oh, there’s a gorgeous St. Bernard who wants his picture taken. Wait, he looks familiar. Oh...I'm told he's starring in the movie Snowbunnies!

I’m not a jinx, I’m not a jinx. Snap, snap, snap. Please let him win, please let him win.

Whoo-hoo! Best of Breed...he DID it!

So now, after 5 days of reporting, we’ll be watching with millions of others tonight to see who takes home top prize. But no matter who wins, all of these beautiful animals are more equal than others and they will be missed in Madison Square Garden and New York City by all whose pleasure it has been to be in their company.

Posted by Kim Jack Riley at 8:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The CATalyst Summit last week was the single most important life-enhancing event for cats and their people since the invention of Kitty Litter. Along with nearly fifty animal health and welfare movers-and-shakers, I was invited to participate in a two-day think-tank in Palm Springs, California. It was sponsored by the American Association of Feline Practitioners and funded by Pfizer Animal Health, to focus on elevating the status and health of the cat.

This initiative was the brainchild of Dr. James R. Richards--that’s him with Dr. Mew, his office cat. Jim went too early to the “rainbow bridge” this past spring in a tragic accident that left his longtime dream incomplete. He was the director of the Cornell Feline Health Center, and a mentor to many (including myself). And he lamented the fact that kitties just don’t get the same respect as d*ggy counterparts.

I mean, d*gs are great, I love my d*g. But cats are something unique and very special.

So, his friends and colleagues gathered to carry on in his paw-steps and make Jim’s dream a reality. These caring, savvy, and influential cat-centric experts represented the most diverse group I’ve ever seen. Under other circumstances it may have turned into a catfight! But everyone put aside differences, with the rallying cry:

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE CAT!

We were charged to come up with a plan that addressed four "Pillars for Action"
>Improve Health Care for our Feline Companions
>Increase Responsible Pet Ownership
>Enhance the Stature of Cats
>Enrich Lives (human and cat)

We came up with an ACTION PLAN:

1. BRANDING THE CAT
CATalyst wants to better promote the idea that CATS are COOL. (Even though the folks reading this blog already know that…not everyone is so enlightened).

2. GUIDELINES
Humans have lifestage health guidelines--we know women should get a mammogram at a certain age, and men should check for specific things, so why not cats? That will help veterinarians know when what things need to be done for the best possible care of kitties. So pending their boards’ approval, the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) and American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) will cooperatively develop these guidelines for veterinarians.
Once the guidelines have been completed, Winn Feline Foundation, and pet journalists like myself and my colleague Steve Dale, with funding from Hills will create and make available a CONSUMER FRIENDLY VERSION of these AAFP-AAHA feline lifestage guidelines. How cool is that?! Maybe cats don’t need to see the vet every year, or perhaps they should get tests every six months after a certain age--we’ll find out.

3. CAT FRIENDLY PRACTICE
Not all veterinary practices are as "cat-friendly" as they could be. Heck, cats hate going into a waiting room filled with dogs, and they get their tails in a twist being stuffed into a carrier. So CATalyst will find ways to encourage veterinarians to make their hospitals more attractive and user-friendly to cats--and to their people.

4. CONSUMER AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
CATalyst recognizes we love our cats, and many of us already have good education and great motivation to do what’s right. But other folks need extra help to enhance both. So there will be lots of great educational materials that come out of this, all for the benefit of our beloved kitties. It’s an opportunity for all the cat-savvy educational outlets to pounce on board in this massive, good-for-felines effort.
I believe in this initiative so much, feel it’s so important, that I’m “talking it up” in as many places as possible, including my Pet Peeves radio show at www.petliferadio.com. Current shows also cover a talk with David Frei about Westminster (d*gs are people, too!), and an interview with the president of the American Veterinary Dental Society. But next week, Pet Peeves addresses the “Cost of Love” and veterinary care costs, including how the CATalyst effort can help.

CATalyst plans won’t happen overnight, but shining a spotlight on cats’ needs is long overdue. Don’t our cats deserve the special attention? I am honored and thrilled to have been a part of this historic and never-before collaboration of industry, veterinary professionals, animal welfare, cat fancy and media. Stay tuned--you’ll be hearing more because--

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE CAT!

Posted by Amy Shojai at 12:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Doggie massages, pooch psychics and makeshift fire hydrants...rehearsals are all over now and today was the first day of the Wesminster Kennel Club Dog Show...for real! This four-ring stage at Madison Square Garden was no place for the weak of heart, and it was time to judge the Best of Breeds, part 1.

The day started with a few disappointements. First of all, it was no gold ribbon for our old friend Moose - the Swedish Vallhund. You remember, we met him on Friday at the hotel. But we had also met Riley, that darling Glen of Imaal Terrier, and he won Best in Breed! Ah, the ups and downs, highs and lows.

Reality check set in when I realized I couldn't be in four places - or rings - at the same time. Well how are you supposed to choose between beagles or bulldogs?

Before making a ring decision, I took a peek at the salon of all salons and caught more than a few canines having a bad hair day. Not this poodle though...

I couldn't help wondering if he sleeps in pink plastic rollers?

Then there was miss Afghan. I guess the below freezing temperature required a special warm-up suit? Funny, I always thought winters were harsh in Afghanistan?

OK, back to decision time. I love 'em all, but I have to say there's just something about Lassie that always makes my heart skip a beat.

And suddenly I gained a new appreciation for Blue Merle Collies...

OK, decision made...it's off to Ring 3 and the Herding breeds.

Strangely, not many collies actually look like Lassie???? You gotta love those artful Border Collies...

Standing ringside you pick up a lot of the human experience attached to showing a dog. These are real people with real lives, and I heard some pretty amazing stories about what brought them to participate in the sport. The time spent in the ring moves so fast compared to the travel and prep time. Everyone has a unique tale to tell and I learned a few insider tricks.

Like 'double handling.' A technique particularly popular for the keen investigatory senses of German Shephards. When they're in the ring, two handlers will stand outside the ring on opposite ends, causing the dog - who is looking and searching for them - give the appearance of constantly being on the alert! Pretty clever, eh.

Then there are the ice cold towels, placed underneath of a waiting dog to cool down his possibly sweating paw pads. Who knew?

The time flew by, but tomorrow I'll plan on orthopedic shoes and snacks. For now, it's sweet dreams for me just thinking about the sweeties group of Shetland Sheepdogs ever imaginable. Check out this Blue Merle Sheltie!

If you're visiting the show or just want to talk about it, go to our chat boards at my.petside.com

Posted by Kim Jack Riley at 8:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Is your cat a talker? or does she indulge in those “silent meows” that look so pathetic you melt?

My baby Seren perfecting her Meow

Researchers identified sixteen distinct feline vocal patterns. They fall under four general categories: murmur patterns include purrs and trills; vowel patterns are meows in all their variations (cats can produce several diphthongs, too); articulated patterns are chirps and chattering that express frustration; and strained intensity patterns are warnings such as hisses and growls. Those “silent meows” probably just hit frequencies humans can’t hear but other felines understand.

Some cats talk quietly, if at all. Persians and the beautiful blue Chartreux breeds, for instance, tend to be rather quiet. But Siamese like my Seren rarely shut up and insist on having the last word.

Cats seem to reserve “meows” for talking to their people, and use them as requests--wait, who am I kidding? Meows are DEMANDS from the cat: let me OUT, let me IN, pet me, play with me, FEED me!

Poor sleep-deprived humans eventually give in and let kitty out or in, offer to pet, play and/or fill the food bowl. And guess what you’ve done by giving in? You’ve rewarded the cat--and she’ll continue to use meows in the future.

You have been trained by the best.

Following this link to find out more about what your cat is trying to tell you.

Posted by Amy Shojai at 12:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Day 3 – Hotel Pennsylvania – New York City

Contributed by James McManus
Photos courtesy Laura McManus

My name is Riley Fitzgerald and I’m a 16 lb Schnauzer - Poodle, a Schnoodle some call me. The last two days my daddy has been leaving me at home to visit OTHER dogs in Manhattan and write a blog for petside.com... and I don’t like it. So, in order for daddy to get all of his socks back in one piece he has decided to allow me to write today’s blog.

As we walk toward the hotel, I notice that finally people are getting their priorities in the right place. That banner lining all the streets surrounding Madison Square Garden pretty much says it all.

Dogs DO rule!

Enough said.

I don’t know about these doors entering the hotel. Why do they spin?

Forward….oops….whoa….back up….this time….quick...quick…quick….spin…spin…spin….whew….finally inside! Hey! A lot of my friends are staying here. Here is a French Bulldog named Ziti.

Mmm, pasta. It’s his 1st time in New York City and he likes the energy. I told him I’d show him around later, but right now I’m on petside.com assignment.

Look at all these people and their stuff!

Big boots and shoes…I need to be careful around here.
Hey, where are they taking her and why is she in a cage?

Someone didn’t read the sign out front. Hey Mister, we rule!

I’ve got to get out of this hustle and bustle. Here we go. Lap dogs, just like me.

Rossi is the one with the sweater on and Tom is behind him. They are both from Sarasota, Florida and it’s their 3rd time in New York City. Rossi is a Boston Terrier and Tom is a Parson Russell Terrier. I say they’re both pretty smart because they found laps to sit on. That’s what I like to do when I’m home. Maybe I need a short nap.

Let’s see what’s in the gift shop. Woof! Woof!

Why aren’t you barking back?!
Uh-oh, I better quit barking or I’ll lose my press crendentials.

I’m heading downstairs to take care of a little business.
But before I head down…Ooh-la-la! I didn’t get her name, but I’d like to.

Ahh, here’s something I recognize.

Excuse me for just a moment.

Ok. Boy, there’s all sorts of stuff down here. There’s a massage lady, another lady selling pictures and photos of dogs. Wow, dog books! Hey if you need a writer, I write a blog! And here’s a 6-year-old Basset Hound named Sweet Tea and she’s listening to a dog psychic tell her how she’ll perform in the show.

These show dogs get everything.

But here’s one Show Dog perk that I don’t like at all. It’s a room with four bathtubs. I got up on my hind legs to take a peek inside, but they’re not getting me in there.

No way, no how! Maybe the life of a show dog is not quite the bonanza I think it is. I don’t take a bath unless I extort treats before, during and after. And then I shake all the water on Mommy so she doesn’t try that again. I may not be a show dog, but I’m pretty smart.

I’m getting out of here before I…well, H-E-L-L-O! What’s your name?

Nani. That’s a pretty name.

It’s Hawaiian meaning, beautiful one. You sure are! Well, mine’s Riley Fitzgerald meaning, um, I don’t know. Tell me more about YOU. You’re a Silky Terrier from San Francisco. You flew out in the cabin of a plane? Wow, a travelling girl! I like to travel. Would you like to be part of a story I’m writing? You would? You’re free now. That’s great because, well…so am I!!! Woof.

More from the dog show tomorrow. Maybe. Woof!

If you're visiting the show or just want to talk about it, go to our chat boards at my.petside.com

Posted by Kim Jack Riley at 8:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Day 2 – Hotel Pennsylvania – New York City

Contributed by James McManus
Photos courtesy Laura McManus

Against the backdrop of America’s largest and busiest city, the 132nd Westminster Kennel Club Dog show arrivals continue to stream into the Hotel Pennsylvania. In just two days these dogs will cross the busy midtown street and enter Madison Square Garden to compete with each other...

but today is for arriving, catching up with old friends and relaxing.

As we enter the bustling hotel lobby, no one is more relaxed than Buell, a 4-year-old Australian Shepherd.

Buell, Australian Shephard

He waits for his room assignment by sprawling out on a lobby bench. This morning he flew in from California and appears to be sleeping off a bit of jet lag.

Others relax by exercising. This is Cobe’s first time in New York City, and the 4-year-old Bouvier des Flanders is working out on the Jog a Dog – a treadmill made specifically for our canine friends. We caught him during a 30 minute workout in the basement of the hotel.

Cobe, Bouvier des Flaunders

Back home he lives on 14 acres and gets his exercise by traversing the grounds, but in New York City where space is at a premium, all 100 pounds of Cobe stays fit and sharp without traveling a yard.

Near the Jog a Dog is another area specifically designed to make these dogs feel relaxed and at home – an area affectionately named the “Canine Loo”. Also known as the Pee Station, the area is 36 feet by 24 feet replete with red plastic fire hydrants and four plant stands in the middle.

The ground is covered with bags upon bags of pine and spruce tree shavings while the walls are covered with paintings and photos of dogs. In each corner of the “Pee Station” is a garbage can against which leans a pooper scooper. We met Riley leaving the “Canine Loo” and he posed for a few pictures.

Riley, Glen of Imaal

Riley is a 2 ½ year old Glen of Imaal. (If you’re not familiar with that breed, neither were we. So we asked his owner, Andy Henschel, who told us that the Glen of Imaal is an old Irish breed of dog that is not a dog of royalty. They were owned primarily by peasant farmers in order to ward off vermin).

But Riley has ascended to royalty. Last year, at only 18 months old, he won Best in Breed. At home, Riley is simply the family pet and he is easily spooked by the vacuum cleaner, but on the Westminster carpet he has singleness of purpose amid the noise of the crowd and the flashing camera bulbs. It won’t be until age 4 that Riley reaches maturity for his breed, but as a show dog he is already mature beyond his years.

Back upstairs near the l-o-n-g hotel check-in line, we find a dog and his owner staking out a bit of marble floor to rest up after a 20-hour car ride from Little Rock, Arkansas. Bram is a 4-year-old Norwegian Elk Hound, and his owner, Ray Vaturro, says he’s a good traveler but is a little weary. This is his second WKC show and last year he won an Award of Merit.

Bram, Norwegian Elk Hound

The Norwegian Elk Hound is the National Dog of Norway and he’s bred to hunt Elk and big game. But on a Saturday afternoon in New York City after 20 hours on the road, he looks content to take it easy.

And, you may ask if there are any strategy sessions among all of this relaxing?

Here is one of this year’s newly recognized breeds, a Plott named Jeff, getting secrets from last year’s Best in Show, the English Springer Spaniel, James.

Jeff was so happy with the information he received that he decided to relax by stretching out on the carpet of the 18th floor press room.

Tomorrow, more behind the scenes from the 2008 Westminter Kennel Club Dog Show!

If you're visiting the show or just want to talk about it, go to our chat boards at my.petside.com

Posted by Kim Jack Riley at 9:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Photos courtesy Laura McManus

Picture this…the world’s most famous arena packed with 2,500 of the finest specimens of America’s show dogs, with only one taking home the grand prize on Tuesday night. Stand back American Idol, it’s time for the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden, and petside.com will be working the room.

Hounds, Terriers, Herders and Toys…if you can’t make it yourself to New York City this weekend, no worries, the Petside Team has got you covered. (We thought we’d take this opportunity to give Victoria a weekend vacation and keep you posted with street talk from the Show).

If you think it’s just about Monday and Tuesday in the ring with judges, think again! First there’s the travel from towns all across America. Sounds simple if you own a toy breed, but does Jet Blue accommodate English Mastiffs? We found out today.

Rufus, English Mastiff

Jerry Hooks loads up his cooler with beef and loads his 215 lb, 5-year-old English Mastiff, Rufus, into the truck for a twelve-hour drive from North Carolina.

Although Slick the Saluki comes from show dog royalty, his owner Sara chose 1,600 miles worth of gas over airline cargo after a previous dog she owned went missing at a connecting Dallas airport from Oklahoma!

Slick, Saluki

Then there’s the socializing. These show dogs may look like they’re perfect all the time, but they know how to let their hair down. The Show has already got all bases covered, with EMS and special veterinarian’s standing by with Pup-tobismol. This shot of Ch. Rocky Top Sundance aka Rufus the Colored Bull Terrier, took on champagne accolades as winner of the ’06 Best in Show award.

Rufus, Bull Terrier

But if you think you can just become a show dog and live the glam life overnight, remember little Moose. His owner Marilyn Thell is credited as the first person to ever import a Swedish Vallhund to America, and therefore started the process of breeding. It took little Moose his entire 12 years to finally have his breed recognized by the AKC, and just as he gets to represent at the Garden, he will simultaneously announce his official retirement.

Moose, Swedish Vallhund

Hey, dry your eyes for Moose and Marilyn, the rest of the year he is busy making the rounds as a therapy and service dog! Yay, Moose.

So many beauties and only ONE gets the prize. I’ve got my eyes on a stunner named Loka. She has a gaze that melts you – a combination of elegance, strength, and a darn good cuddle.

Waddayathink? Isn't she sweet?

Loka, Tibetan Mastiff

I’m going to try my luck at crashing a few parties. Tomorrow, it’s back to the hotel for a lunchtime piano concerto soiree in the lobby – dog-friendly music performed by a virtuoso.

Owners, handlers, judges, groomers, dog walkers, and dog oglers see you tomorrow.

Oh, and if it’s just a timing issue but you can get to New York before March 1, the Empire State Building will house a special WKC window display through Febuary. Saks Fifth Avenue has also got a must-see WKC window display.

If you're visiting the show or just want to talk about it, go to our chat boards at my.petside.com

Posted by Kim Jack Riley at 8:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A couple of days ago I shared some of my colleague’s books. They are modern writers, though. Just to prove the point that writers and felines have a long-standing relationship, consider some of these quotations from the past:

“The cat in gloves catches no mice.” Benjamin Franklin
(Hmnnn, I’d really like to see somebody put gloves on my cat Seren.)

“No favor can win gratitude from a cat.” La Fontaine
(This guy wrote fables, and proved the exception to the rule--he didn’t seem to care much for kitties!)

“One of the most striking differences between a cat and a lie is that a cat has only nine lives.” Mark Twain.
(No comment.)

“There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats.” Albert Schweitzer

“Once it has given its love, what absolute confidence, what fidelity of affection!” Theophile Gautier

“A cat has absolute emotional honesty: human beings for one reason or another, may hide their feelings, but a cat does not.” Ernest Hemingway

“The smallest feline is a masterpiece.” Leonardo da Vinci

And my absolute favorite:

“A home without a cat--and a well-fed, well-petted and properly revered cat--may be a perfect home, perhaps, but how can it prove its title?” Mark Twain

‘Nuff said.

Posted by Amy Shojai at 4:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Angelic Kody the Maltese has a secret.

He’s three and a half years old and … he still poops and pees in the house!

He selects predictable elimination targets: one little spot of carpet in the dining room gets the solid waste, and any clothing left on the floor get the liquid.

There’s good news and bad news in this scenario. The good news is that Kody has predictable drop zones, the bad news is that he’s been perfecting his indoor potty technique for the past three years. That’s a lot of history to undo.

Kody’s person and I discussed a few easy techniques to address his indoor potty habits:

1. Rig up a “doggie doorbell” that Kody can use to let people know when he needs to go out (Kody doesn’t signal when he needs to take a potty break, he just lets it flow when the mood strikes.)
2. Reward each and every outdoor potty. A high-value treat after completion lets a dog know that he gets paid big time when he goes in the right spot.
3. Place a small food and water dish near his solid waste drop zone. Even though it’s not an official feeding spot, the “essence” of food will keep Kody from using the dining room as a toilet.
4. Supervise, supervise, supervise. Kody needs to be treated like a new puppy … he shouldn’t be out of sight until he can be trusted not to squat in the house.

Kody’s 12-year-old sibling cats watched his lesson from the wings. They understand his struggle, but sharing their litter box is not an option.

Posted by Victoria Schade at 3:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A recent story from Associated Press about pets abandoned in California sadly is repeated across the country. It’s awful when the current economic situation causes people to lose their homes--and some owners have left behind pets. Shelters have been overwhelmed. Cats have been rescued from dire conditions when found starving in these homes, or left to fend for themselves on the streets. Some die before they can be helped. I cried reading these reports.

How sad, and how devastating it must be for people faced with terrible choices. They may not be able to find housing that allows them to bring their cat. I know the folks reading this would never consider leaving behind a beloved family member. Kitties trapped inside foreclosed houses sometimes starve before they’re found, and we all know what happens if a housecat gets dumped outside. *shudder* If you know about such a thing, don’t hesitate--contact your animal welfare group to get help.

In fact, abandoning a pet is against the law. In my state (Texas) abandonment is punishable by a $4000 fine and up to a year in jail. You don’t get a free pass because your finances or living arrangements have changed.

I pray that none of you ever must face such a terrible situation. When you do have to move, plan early and start checking for rental properties at least six weeks before you plan to go. Check with local animal welfare organizations to see if they keep a list of ‘animal friendly’ accommodations in your area.

Prove to your future landlord that your cats cause no problems, and you’re the purr-fect pet parent. Put together a pet portfolio about each kitty (hey, it works for d*gs, too!) that includes veterinary records and recommendation letters from the vet or past landlords.

Also, make sure you get any agreement in writing. I’ve heard too often about kindly rental managers “looking the other way” and allowing cats--and then a new manager or landlord takes over and kicks everybody out. Don’t let that happen to you!

The San Francisco SPCA’s “open door” program (www.sfspca.org) has some great information and templates for putting together your pet portfolio.

Posted by Amy Shojai at 11:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Michael Vick’s pit bulls are back in the news, but this time there’s a happy ending … many of the dogs that were a part of Vick’s fighting ring have been rehabbed and are living in new homes. Tell me, though … did you read the articles about those hard-luck dogs and think “Well, good for them, but I don’t want them in my neighborhood!”

When you see a stocky, shorthaired dog on the bike path, do you give it a wide berth?

Would you let your dog play with a pit bull?

No other dog breed needs a PR agent more than the misunderstood pit bull, and I think they found one in Ledy VanKavage, the ASPCA’s Senior Director of Legal Training & Legislation. I saw Ledy speak about canine profiling at the American Humane annual conference last year and I was blown away by her presentation. She opened my eyes to the realities hidden behind the headlines. (Although she didn’t have to persuade me about pit temperament --I already know from firsthand experience that pits are wonderful dogs.) I contacted Ledy to help me do some pit bull myth-busting.

VS: What is a pit bull?
LVK: There is no such breed. There are American Pit Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Bull Terriers, Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, French Bulldogs, Bullmastiffs, Boxers, and American Bulldogs. Nowadays anyone who sees a short-haired stocky dog thinks it is a "pit bull". Animal control officers and police officers routinely overrule veterinarians regarding the heritage of man's best friend.

Let's face it: you can't accurately determine the lineage of most mixed breed dogs without doing DNA testing or knowing the dog's heritage. It's purely subjective-one shelter worker classifies a dog as a Viszla mix while another worker at the same shelter classifies the dog as a Pit mix. You might as well use a Quija Board.

VS: Pit bull attacks always seem to end up on the front page of the paper. Do you feel that there’s a media bias in reporting dog attacks?
LVK: If you’ve read the paper lately, every dog that bit must be a "pit". The media bias surrounding these dogs is appalling.

Case #1: A Labrador mix attacked a 70-year-old man sending him to the hospital in critical condition. Police officers arrived at the scene and the dog was shot after charging the officers.
• This incident was reported in ONE (1) article and only in the local paper.
Case #2: A 16-month old child received fatal head and neck injuries after being attacked by a mixed breed dog.
• This attack was reported TWO (2) times by the local paper.
Case #3: A 6-year-old boy is hospitalized after having his ear torn off and receiving severe bites to the head by a medium-sized mixed breed dog.
• This attack was reported in ONE (1) article and only in the local paper.
Case #4: A 59-year-old woman was attacked in her home by two Pit bulls who had entered through her doggy door. She was trying to break up a dog fight. The dogs had seen a neighbor’s Jack Russell terrier enter the home. She was hospitalized with severe injuries.
• This attack was reported in over two hundred and thirty (230) articles in national and international newspapers, as well as major television news networks, including CNN, MSNBC and FOX.

The "pit bull" attack garnered much more press -- more press than the child who was killed by a mixed breed dog. It's unconscionable. I've had animal control wardens from around the country tell me that they will have a severe dog attack in their city and the call will go out across the police scanner. The reporters will call wanting to know more- specifically the breed of dog. If the animal control warden tells them it was a Labrador or a golden retriever the reporter hangs up and the story doesn't get covered. This bias in reporting has created a modern day witch-hunt with some cities banning, hunting down and killing innocent dogs simply because of their breed.

VS: Where does human behavior factor in to the “dangerous dog” equation?
LVK: Most often the problem begins at the human end of the leash. It's a no brainer -- reckless owners are involved in most serious dog attacks. Of the fatal dog attacks that occurred in 2006- 97% of the owners failed to neuter or spay their pets, 84% involved reckless owners (chained dogs, loose dogs, abuse or neglect cases, etc.) and in 78% of the cases the dogs were not maintained as a pet- they were used as guard dogs, yard dogs, breeding dogs or fighting dogs. There are numerous factors OTHER than breed that are involved in dog bites. We need to address those factors and educate people about dog behavior.

Folks, “pit bulls” are just dogs, not monsters.
Remember Petey from Our Gang? Trusted friend, partner in crime and de facto babysitter?
Yeah, Petey was a pit bull.

Posted by Victoria Schade at 11:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (21)

Remember Ears?

She had a very unique spay surgery last week. It wasn’t the typical slice-and-dice long-term recovery affair that most pups undergo … little Maple had laparoscopic surgery.

The procedure isn’t widespread yet (laparoscopes ain’t cheap), but it sounds like it should be. It’s a minimally invasive surgery, requiring only a few small incisions rather than a large abdominal opening. That means less pain and shorter recovery time.

Maple’s people told me that she was up and at ‘em a day later.

Maple later told me in confidence that she’s happy with the smaller scars … she’s planning a future in swimsuit modeling.

Posted by Victoria Schade at 4:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I have the absolutely best job in the entire world. I get to write about cats! (D*gs, too, but that’s for another blog…)

Cats and artists--especially writers--have an affinity for each other. At times, I’m nearly convinced that I’m “channeling” my cat, as the words spill onto the computer screen. Some of my favorite writers belong to an organization dedicated to good writing about cats. The Cat Writers’ Association, Inc. (www.catwriters.org) has over 200 members who write cat novels, nonfiction cat books, cat articles, cat poetry, cat columns, and cat blogs. Some of these writers--Darlene Arden and Sandra Toney and former cat blogger Allia Zobel--provide articles for petside, too!

If your cat inspires you to write, don’t hesitate--give it a whirl. Your local animal welfare organization probably has a newsletter and would be delighted for you to volunteer to write an article or two. Many of our Cat Writers members started out that way, and went on to win prestigious awards and even write books.

Here are just a few of the books written by cat writer members--in no particular order, because I don’t want to prompt a cat-fight! You’ll find more terrific reads at the CWA bookstore.

FICTION:

Carole Nelson Douglas “Midnight Louie” mysteries
Shirley Rousseau Murphy “Joe Gray” mysteries
Clea Simon “Theda Krakow” mysteries
Victor DiGenti “Windrusher” cat fantasy series

NONFICTION:
Wendy Christensen, cat behavior books
J. Anne Helgren, cat breed books
Dr. Shawn Messonnier, alternative medicine books
Amy Shojai, cat health care books

FOR FUN:
Dusty Rainbolt, Ghost Cats
Bob Walker, Cat Photo books
Stu Hampel, Happy Cat Day

Posted by Amy Shojai at 4:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We live in an old house, and when I say “old” I don’t mean “quaint old”, I mean “weird old.” It’s shaped like a shoebox and you have to go up a flight of stairs to get to the kitchen. It’s odd, but it’s home.

Our old house has an attic with a pull-down staircase, and when Zeke hears the ear-piercing clatter of it unfolding he comes running. I can’t remember how it began, but the guy loves to go up with us and explore the attic.

Why we carried him up there the first time I’ll never know, but that one trip set a precedent. Now he assumes that anyone going up is going to bring him along for the ride. He puts his feet on the metal stairs and looks over his shoulder as if to say “OK, I’m ready to go. Let’s move already.”

Once up there he’s King of the House, Master of Discarded Furniture and Out of Season Holiday Decorations!

While we go about our business he checks for interlopers (the mice and birds that occasionally make their way in):

When he’s ready to return to his terra firma kingdom he waits at the top of the stairs:

Ok, I realize that it’s totally weird that I carry my dog up to the attic. It’s just one of the many crazy-dog-lady things I do with my guys … how about you? What embarrassing things do you do with and for your pooches?

Tell me your crazy dog-lady stories by writing Stories@petside.com or leave a comment!

Posted by Victoria Schade at 5:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Happy February--and welcome to National Pet Dental Health Month. Have you scheduled your kitty for a dental exam or cleaning? You might want to think about that.

According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, 70 percent of cats develop dental problems by age three! Yep, there may be a reason Fluffy’s fish-breath could strip paint off the walls.

Periodontal disease, a fancy word for sore gums and cruddy teeth, means your cat’s mouth contains enough bacteria to cause other problems. Even if her teeth don’t hurt, when they’re covered with yellow to brown plaque or the gums are red, chewing can pump these bad bugs through your cat’s bloodstream and affect the heart, liver and kidneys.

Cats are unique (hey, we all knew that, right?!) because they also can develop a special type of cavity that’s hidden from view. They’re called neck lesions because they start at the gum line or “neck” of the tooth, and eat away from the inside out. The hollow tooth ends up causing pain and sometimes collapsing.

So what can you do about it? Since Fluffy won’t brush her teeth, you need to do that for her. I can hear you now, saying, “I’m not sticking my hands anywhere near those sharp teeth!” It’s true that most adult cats won’t appreciate the attention but you can start with babies and get them used to it while young.

Cats don’t like foreign objects stuck in their mouths (hey, would you?). But they won’t mind an owner’s fingers, especially if you flavor your finger with something tasty. Trust me on this, Fluffy’s not going to eat you. Here’s how you do it.

The first week, simply handle and pet your kitten’s mouth. Get her used to the whole idea. Invest in a tube of CAT toothpaste, from your veterinarian or pet products store. It’s malt or chicken flavored to appeal to the cat. Offer a tiny amount on the tip of your finger as a treat, and leave the cat wanting more.

The next week, smear a bit on your finger, and slip it inside the cat’s mouth on one side. Massage the gums for--oh, say 10 seconds--and then stop. Again, leave Fluffy wanting more. Each day, increase the amount of time from 10 seconds to 20, to 30 and on to a full minute on each side. Pet toothpaste generally has an enzyme that helps break down the tartar and plaque, so you don’t even have to scrub too much for it to have some preventive effects. But eventually, you can wrap a bit of gauze around your finger first, apply paste to the gauze and use that to wipe off the outside of the teeth. Your cat’s tongue will take care of the inside surface of the teeth.

For older cats who just don’t want to mess with this, try offering a chunk of firm cooked beef, big enough that Fluffy can’t swallow. As she turns her head to chew, she’ll naturally scrub the teeth a bit. She may still require a thorough cleaning at the vets, but this can help maintain that bright kitty smile between times.

For more on keeping pet's teeth healthy, read petside's article Protecting Your Pet’s Smile

Posted by Amy Shojai at 3:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Today the newspaper ran a story about a cat with no eyes still able to hunt. Daisy stalks birds, sometimes catches them, never bumps into furniture or trees, and has a normal kitty life.

It’s not at all uncommon for pets, particularly older ones, to suffer vision loss. In Daisy’s case, being hit by a car took her vision. But cats don’t rely on their sight nearly as much as hearing or scent, so it’s not all that surprising how well blind cats adjust.

It’s not cruel to allow your pet to function as a blind pet. Daisy and other blind pets are not nearly as concerned about the loss as people are. With older kitties vision loss may be so gradual and the cat adjust so successfully, you may be surprised to discover she’s blind.

Blind pets memorize the pattern of the house, and moving things around will confuse him. It’s not at all unusual for a blind cat, for instance, to still insist on making floor-to-counter leaps with confidence as long as her memory remains fresh and accurate.

It’s vital to keep the food, water bowls, litter box, and pet beds in the same spot, so Fluffy can easily find belongings. It may be helpful to “scent” important objects for the cat with strong odors (liverwurst? peppermint?) to help his nose “see” what he’s looking for.

Safeguard danger zones, particularly if unavoidable changes must be made. For example, pad the sharp edges of furniture with bubble wrap until your dog learns to avoid the danger. Block off steep stairways with baby gates to prevent falls.

Very social cats may become more standoffish once vision fades. They’ll avoid contact with houseguests to avoid being stepped on. Blind pets also startle more easily, so always speak to your cat before petting or they may nip in reflex.

These cats typically are still very happy. They continue to enjoy and remain engaged in life and the world around them—including their human loved ones.

To read more about blind pets, read petside's article on Pets with Disabilities

Posted by Amy Shojai at 5:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Baci was an “unplanned” puppy. Her person-to-be was wandering through an outdoor market, spotted a basket of furry adorableness and the rest is dogstory.

When I met with Baci’s person for the first time last week I gently pointed out that … perhaps … she should done some … “lifestyle inventory” prior to bringing Baci home. She didn’t have any of the equipment necessary for a new pup, and she didn’t know about the mechanics of crate training, potty training or socialization. (Now there’s a candidate for my Puppy DVD!)

Baci’s person admitted that her common sense was momentarily short-circuited by puppy cuteness. (I feel you sister… we almost became a 3-dog household last year when I met this bit of puppy perfection. My logical, sensible, immune-to-puppy-face Hubby kyboshed me.)

Baci’s person now realizes that she has a lot of catch-up work to do.

Indeed.

Bringing a new puppy home is a huge, life altering decision. Dog guardianship touches every aspect of your life in ways you can’t imagine until you’re waking up at 2AM for the millionth potty trip. Bringing a puppy into your world requires a thoughtful inventory of your lifestyle, finances, home life and yes, sanity. Trust me, you’ll be driven slightly mad by any number of typical puppy challenges like household destruction, potty training or nipping.

The good news is that Baci’s person is ready to soak up all she needs to know about raising a happy, healthy puppy.

And Baci? Oh, he’s perfect.

Posted by Victoria Schade at 5:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

All set for the Big Game this Sunday?

No, not that big game. I’m talking about Animal Planet’s annual Puppy Bowl!

I’ve been lucky enough to be a behind-the-scenes coordinator on the show for the past two years. I help with the puppy selection process in the months leading up to the taping, which puts me in the terrible position of having to gauge puppy cuteness. “Puppy Cuteness” is redundant, right? (To be honest it’s more an issue of size, not cuteness. The scaled-down field can only take so many pounds of puppy.)

I think we found an exceptional crop of puppy players this year. Here are just a few of the fuzzy faces you might see on the field:

These two dressed for the occasion:

Unfortunately, I couldn’t photograph all of the players, as game day is jam-packed. In addition to all of the on the field action, each player needs to sit for an official “glamour shot” prior to kick-off:

I stood right next to the photographer trying to get the pups to look at the camera with their “game faces” on. Not as easy as it sounds, folks … these pups were in the game zone and ready to roll, so we had to get pretty creative to get them to sit still for a few seconds. That included holding treats and squeaky toys above the lens, and doing my best “frightened kitten” meow and “big dog” bark. Let’s just say that my animal impersonations are pretty realistic.

Once play commenced I was on the sidelines with a representative from American Humane, watching for “unnecessary ruff-ness.” Some pups took their linebacker position too seriously and had to be pulled from the field, but happily, most of the pups played like pros.

By the end of the day we had some very tired little teammates:

Those little pups were in it to win it! Watch the spectacle of Puppy Bowl IV this Sunday on Animal Planet beginning at 3 PM (ET/PT).

Posted by Victoria Schade at 3:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Seren always knows ahead of time that I’ve a trip planned. Even before I take out the suitcase, she’s underfoot, checking out the clothes laid out on the bed, and generally making a pest of herself. She hops in and out of the empty bag until physically moved from the vicinity. And if I don’t watch out, she’s unpacking my carefully folded unmentionables and making a nest for herself inside the suitcase.

I wonder if that’s what happened with Gracie Mae. She stowed away inside her Ft. Lauderdale owner’s suitcase, and ended up in a strange man’s home when he picked up the wrong bag.

Rob Carter, of Ft. Worth, Texas, realized he had the wrong luggage as soon as he opened it--the kitten bouncing out just made the experience more bizarre.

Meanwhile, Kelly and Seth Levy of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida frantically searched for their missing cat. Bathroom tiles torn out to reveal crawl spaces produced no kitten, nor did patrolling the neighborhood calling for Gracie to come home. Gracie was under Rob’s bed.

Fortunately, the kitten had a collar with an identification tag. A phone call later, the stunned but relieved owners learned of the trip. Gracie was none the worse for being packed up, shipped off, X-rayed in security, manhandled in cargo, flown for four hours, and off-loaded. Seth paid the $80 to take the kitten back home.

Please be sure that your kittens and cats carry identification. Many felines hate collars--Seren does--and you may think they’re safe if exclusively indoor pets. But bad stuff happens to good cats, and not every feline gets lucky.

Posted by Amy Shojai at 2:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)