Get to know pit bulls

A Facebook friend posted this video, and I just had to share it.

Pit bulls are the most misunderstood dogs on the planet. They do not deserve the bad reputation they gotten thanks to bad people who use them and abuse them.

Please take just 3 1/2 minutes of your time to watch this video and listen to its important message.

Animal Services has a new web address

Manatee County Animal Services has a new web address:

www.mymanatee.org/pets



This new address makes it much easier to get to the site, so please bookmark it.


There was a time in Manatee County when Animal Services was known as Animal Control, or "the pound." Not anymore. Where its mission used to be removing unwanted animals, now its mission is helping lost pets get back home and helping abandoned pets get adopted into new homes.


Please support Animal Services in their effort to help Manatee County become a "no-kill community."

Calling Dr. Doolittle

My nephew thinks either some kind of Brady Bunch tiki doll thing is hidden in his house somewhere, or else the house itself is built over an Indian burial mound. Why?

His son stepped on not one, but two tacks. And his coffee maker is on the fritz. And two of his pets are ailing.

Seems the pug had to go to the ER last weekend with some kind of bladder ailment. X-rays, catheters, meds, the works. And then my nephew posted on Facebook:  I now have $640 reasons why I like cats better than dogs.

Well ... then the cat started puking Gatorade-colored stuff. Back to the ER. Seems he ate a Glo-Stick. He's still at the vet's.

So I asked my nephew: Do you still like cats better than dogs?

His answer: I'll let you know when I get the cat's vet bill.

Moral of the story: Either find that Brady Bunch tiki doll thing and get rid of it, or make sure the house is pet-proof. They will eat the darnedest things, and they end up paying for it with sickness and you end up paying for it with MasterCard.

The dog whisperer

A friend's post on Facebook brought to mind a cherished memory.

One day I came home for lunch, and Jethro the hound was sunning himself in the back yard. Reba was in the house begging for a cookie. It's her way of saying, "Welcome home! Now, gimme something."

I told Reba, "Go tell Jethro mom's home."

She ran through the house, out the doggie door and up to where Jethro was sunbathing. She looked like she was whispering something in his ear, and then there they came, trotting into the house.

And I thought, "Move over, Cesar. There's a new dog whisperer in town."

Roscoe's no Olivier, but you will love him anyway

I had a great time this week working on the story of Roscoe, the acting dog who is appearing in a production of Shakespeare's "Two Gentlemen of Verona" at the Asolo.

Roscoe's human, Jim Gillespie, was so easy to talk to, and he has a million (well, OK, maybe just a thousand) stories to tell about his star pooch. There was the time ... but wait ... I don't want to get ahead of the story.

A couple of things about Roscoe will surprise you. So be sure to get a copy of the Herald tomorrow and read all about Roscoe, the newest star of the local stage.

Candidate chooses her dog over the election

In all the post-election news this week, there was this:


Florida candidate skipped election to care for her dog

PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) While many people anxiously waited for the results on Election Day, a city council candidate in the Florida Panhandle decided to spend some time with her ailing dog.
Sherri Myers didn't know she had narrowly defeated Courtney Peterson in Pensacola's District 2 race until Wednesday morning. She had turned off her cell phone and missed calls Tuesday from the Pensacola News Journal seeking comment about her victory.
Myers says she didn't think she had any chance of winning, so she took her dog to Alabama for a day trip. The dog has throat cancer and is not expected to live much longer.
Myers is a 68-year-old attorney.
Information from: Pensacola News Journal, http://www.pensacolanewsjournal.com.


I had only one comment after finding this on the wire: I would vote for this woman in a heartbeat.

When a pet won't eat

So you pet doesn't want to eat. Should you be concerned? I think it depends.

If your pet is a picky eater and frequently turns his nose up at what you offer, it's probably not a concern. (And do you want to know why he is picky? It's because you've fed him people food or gourmet pet food and now you want him to eat kibble. Don't look at me like that. You know who you are.)

If your pet is a voracious eater and scarfs down whatever you put in front of him, it may be a concern if he doesn't want to eat, but even then, only if it's for a day. After that, it's time to check him out.

Start by looking in his mouth. Does he have a bad tooth? Are his gums swollen? Time to call the vet. Don't wait for it to "get better" or "go away."

If his mouth is OK, give him a massage all over. Does he wince or yelp when you rub a certain spot? It could be he's in pain and doesn't feel like eating. Again, time to call the vet.

In the meantime, what do you do?

A neighbor called me this morning and said their dog wasn't eating and they had discovered an abscess on one of her canine teeth. (I know ... the indignity, right?) She wanted to know if Hookah could have an aspirin.

I passed along the advice I got from my vet and said she could have one buffered aspirin twice a day. Hookah's about 50 pounds, same as my late, great hound, Jethro, who took aspirin for his arthritis. But NO ACETAMINOPHEN. Do not ever give a pet Tylenol or any other medication for that matter without checking with your vet. Aspirin is usually safe and if it were a small dog, I would give half a tablet to start with.

My neighbors are good pet parents, and already plan to take Hooka to the vet in the morning. And that's the bottom line:

When in doubt, call the vet.

Do you go for critter costumes?

Halloween is just a week away, and I'm wondering how many people out there dress their pets in costumes.

Reba has some rabbit ears that she wears sometimes, and will now be "pawing" them down to Ella. My ex used to say, "Don't you dare put those ears on that dog. She will be embarrased." OH PLEASE!!

One year, Reba wore them to the vet's office for her annual checkup. She's always gone the last Saturday in October, and sometimes it actually falls on Halloween.

We waited patiently for her name to be called, and when Doc Mossler turned around to go toward the exam room, I whipped out the rabbit ears and put them on Reba. On the way behind him, I said, "Doctor Mossler, I need you to take a look at Reba's ears."

Then when I hoisted her up on the table, he got a laugh out of it. And Reba wasn't embarrased one bit.

So ... do you dress your pet for Halloween? I would love to hear about it and see your photos. Just click in the comment box and let loose.

Got spare change?

Stopped by PetSmart on the way to work today and saw some really cute kittens.

Sponsored by Kitty Korner, a division of the Animal Network, the adoption event is a great way to see cats needing homes while you do your shopping for kibble.

Kitty Korner also feeds about a dozen colonies of "community cats," and welcomes donations to help in that endeavor. Maybe if everyone dropped their change in the box on the way out of the store, it would add up to saving a hungry kitty.

A few dimes here and a few quarters there, and pretty soon, you're taking serious money.

It's cats vs. dogs!

The Humane Society of Manatee County is promising a tail-wagging good time at the fifth annual Cause for Paws party to benefit the homeless animals of Manatee County.

This popular fundraiser will be held 6:30-9:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at Palma Sola Botanical Park, 9800 17th Ave. NW. in Bradenton.

There will be finger-licking barbecue and other favorites catered by LeeRoy Selmons, music and dancing with DJ Robb Smith, and some competitive tailgating games. You can enter to win a 42-inch HDTV or other great prizes and bid on fabulous silent auction items including a photo safari in South Africa. Dress is casual and fun.

Tickets are priced as follows:

Faithful Friends: $85 a person; includes all you care to eat plus beer and wine.

Humane Heroes: $500 includes two event tickets along with beer, wine and specialty drinks. You will also receive a listing in the program highlighting your generosity.

For more information or tickets, visit http://humanemanatee.org/cause-for-paws.

Sponsorships are still available, too. For those, call (941) 747-8808, ext. 311,or e-mail info@humanesocietymanatee.org.

Does your dog need to go to school?

If your dog could use a little "etiquette training," you may want to visit the Sarasota Obedience Training Club during its open house from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

The club is hosting the open house as part of the American Kennel Responsible Dog Ownership Day. There will be food, fun and dog sports demonstrations of obedience, flyball, agility, rally, earthdog, tracking and gundog work.

Not sure what those are? Come watch dogs who love what they do.

The Sarasota Obedience Training Club facility is at 7505 County Road 675 in Manatee County. For more information, visit its website: sotcdogtraining.com.
 
After the open house, you may decide to take the little nipper (no pun intended) to an obedience class. The next beginner's class level 1 (also known as companion dog obedience) starts at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 25 at SOTC. This class, for pups 5 months or older, meets once a week for six weeks for 50-60 minutes a class. The fee is $95.

Handlers will learn to train their dogs using basic cues in a group situation using only positive training methods and positive reinforcement (no correction or punishment). Basic behaviors taught include attention, sit, down, come, heel, wait, loose leash walking, stand, take it, leave it, stay, distraction work and more.

Details can be found at the SOTC website.

A day for dogs: Canine Christmas

If it's fall, that means it's almost time for Canine Christmas. For more information, read my Talking Pets column in Friday's Herald, or visit http://www.caninechristmas.com/.

Here's a look at last year's festivities:

 

Time to get ready for Howl-o-ween

Fall has arrived! You can smell it in the air in the mornings, and the "ber" months are finally here. October begins Friday, and that means it's time to start thinking about the holidays.

First up is Halloween, and if you like to celebrate this holiday with your pooch, you might want to check out some new goodies available from upcountryinc.com.

New Howlween Treats are all natural, pumpkin shaped and flavored, and are a great gift for four-legged trick or treaters. They sell for $10.


You can also deck your dog in Halloween Ribbon Collars, made from high-tensile strength nylon webbing with sewn on stain and fray-resistant polyester/nylon ribbons. All collar and lead hardware is cast (not welded) of solid brass and quick-release buckles are Coast Guard approved for high weight hold. They're machine washable and come in sizes XS-XXL. They go for $19

Jack O’ Lantern stuffed toys are appropriate for dogs or cats, and they sell for $9.

All  these products are available at http://upcountryinc.com/.

Less than adoptable? Sad, but true

Got this in e-mail and wanted to share it ASAP.

PETFINDER.COM KICKS OFF

ADOPT-A-LESS-ADOPTABLE-PET WEEK

SEPTEMBER 19 – 25

Survey Uncovers that 95 Percent of Shelters and Rescue Groups

Have Pets That They Are Having Extreme Difficulty Placing in a Home  

Silver Spring, MD – What if people were denied a loving home because they had dark-colored hair or were considered to be too old? According to a recent survey by Petfinder.com, the largest online database of adoptable pets, 95 percent of shelters and rescue groups currently have adoptable pets for which they are having extreme difficulty finding a home. In fact, 33 percent said they have had adoptable pets listed on Petfinder.com for one to two years, and an additional 27 percent said they have cared for pets that have been homeless even longer.

So that no pet is overlooked simply because of their age, breed or even the color of their fur, Petfinder.com is kicking off Adopt-A-Less-Adoptable-Pet Week from September 19 to 25 to help find homes for these loveable animals and bring awareness to the issue. So far, more than 500 shelters and rescue groups in Petfinder.com’s network are planning to participate. 

“It breaks my heart to think that some pets are homeless for years when they are just as wonderful as the younger, fluffier puppy next to them. These overlooked pets often make great additions to a family – but many people don’t even realize they are discriminating when they begin looking to adopt,” said Betsy Banks Saul, the co-founder of Petfinder.com. “The goal of this initiative is to bring the issue to the forefront and help find forever homes for these special animals.”

Petfinder.com launched the first ever Adopt-A-Less-Adoptable-Pet Day in 2009, and extended this year’s initiative to a full week so that more less adoptable pets will be given the chance to find a loving home. Petfinder.com will also be featuring a gallery of “less adoptable” pets on its website during the weeklong event to highlight just how many pets need to be given a chance. While the gallery is not intended to be searchable, visitors can log onto Petfinder.com and type in their zip code to find adoptable pets at their local shelters or rescue groups.

More details can be found at http://www.petfinder.com/lessadoptablepetweek.



Guide Dogs having open house

Southeastern Guide Dogs will host its next open house 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Sept. 18, at the campus at 4210 77th St. E., Palmetto.

Visitors can join a guided walking tour of the Freedom Walk and SEGD's puppy and dog training kennels. This is an opportunity to learn how guide dogs are trained and to experience what it's like to walk blindfolded with a trained dog.

You can also get more information on volunteering to be a dog walker or puppy hugger.

For more information, call (941) 729-5665 or visit the SEGD website: http://www.guidedogs.org/.

Do you have a glamour puss?

If you think your cat may be the next Lorenzo, here's your chance to have a glamour photo taken and benefit the Humane Society of Manatee County at the same time.

A Glamour Pet photo is set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25, at Animal Medical Center, 3102 Cortez Road. (And of course, dogs are more than welcome, too.)

The session fee is $14.95, $10 of which will be donated to the Humane Society. Pet glamour costumes will be available, and there will be 12 to 15 poses from which to choose.

Call 753-6709 to make an appointment or visit www.humanemanatee.org for more information.

Mark your calendar for Canine Christmas

Wow ... this year is going faster than a dog playing Fly Ball. And as fall approaches, it's time to mark your calendar for Canine Christmas 2010.

This year's festival will be held 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, and once again it will be on the beautiful grounds of Bishop Animal Shelter, 5718 21st. Ave. W. in Bradenton.

Admission is free, with a $2 donation per vehicle for parking. Proceeds go to festival co-sponsor Animal Network Inc. to further its mission of "Helping People Help Animals."

This festival grows every year and humans and their canine companions have a blast. Dogs are most certainly welcome (it IS Canine Christmas, after all); they just need to be on a leash, have an inoculation tag and be social.

Hope to see you there!

Lorenzo the super cat

In Friday's "Talking Pets" column in the print edition of the Herald, I wrote about Lorenzo the cat, who loves to model for his human, free-lance-journalist-turned-feline-photographer Joann Biondi. He's earning his catnip through the prints Biondi sells on Lorenzo's web site.

I thought readers would like to see Lorenzo in action (or inaction, as the case may be), so here are some pix.

                                                           Photos by ASSOCIATED PRESS

Lorenzo and his human, Joann Biondi.

THE END

"Dog-phin" in the harbor

Got this video from a friend and thought I'd share it.

If only people could get along so well.

Ode to the pig lady

I used to have a neighbor who had a pet pig. He was a big pig, too, not a cute little "Babe" type pig. He would laze around the back yard secure in the knowledge that he would never end up on somebody's plate alongside some fried eggs or sweet potatoes.

One day my sister and brother-in-law were at my house and I mentioned something about the pig lady. That's what we affectionately called the neighbor with the big pig, and the moniker just rolled off my tongue like ... well ... bacon drippings.

My sister knew all about the pig lady, but my brother-in-law was horrified. "Shame on you," he said, "You shouldn't talk about your neighbor that way." He was even more aghast when my sister and I started to laugh, and my sister came to my defense. "No, SHE is not a pig, but she has one for a pet."

Alas, the pig lady moved away, so I can't get any more mileage out of her name.

Bowling for puppies

No, it's not what you think. You won't be bowling to WIN puppies, but you will be bowling to HELP puppies (and other animals, too) at the upcoming Puppy Bowl at AMF Lanes on Cortez Road.

All proceeds will benefit Safe Haven Animal Rescue of Florida. I'm proud to say that my Ella was the first rescued dog adopted out by Safe Haven, so they have a special place in my heart.

The Puppy Bowl will be 6-10 p.m. Aug. 21 at AMF, 4208 Cortez Road. Cost is $40 a person, and that includes shoe rental, two hours of bowling, food and one drink at the bar. There will be door prizes and a 50/50 drawing, too.

This is a fundraiser that promises to be a lot of fun, so I hope to see you there!

To bark or not to bark?

So ... you think your dog is the next Eddie, the lovable pooch on "Frasier." Or maybe even the next "Lassie" - brave, smart and able to turn on the charm when the director yells, "Action!"

Well, here's your chance to see if your pooch has star quality.

The FSU/Asolo Conservatory is looking for a doggie diva or Shakespeare hound to play the part of Crab the Dog in an upcoming production of "The Two Gentlemen of Verona." (And he or she won't have to memorize any Elizabethan dialog!)

Greg Leaming, director of FSU/Asolo Conservatory and also this production, says, "We're looking for older dogs with a wizened and deadpan sense of humor. They should be docile and responsive to commands. Some knowledge of tricks is a plus, but all dogs will be considered. Any interesting dog can and should audition; my thoughts on the right dog can we swayed by a really good audition!"

So here's the 411 on the auditions:

When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 18
Where: FSU Center for the Performing Arts
            5555 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
To schedule an audition:
             Call (941) 359-5700, option 1, ext. 3636 or
             e-mail Debi.Schalch@conservatory.fsu.edu
Deadline: Sept. 13
Rehearsals begin: Oct. 28
Production runs: Nov. 2-21

Leaming reminds "stage parents" that their dog must have proof of vaccination and be sociable, and be leashed during the auditions. Conservatory students will be on hand to assist people and their pets, making sure there is plenty of fresh water and doggie treats on hand (or paw).

Here's a good deal for you

There was a story on Saturday's Business page in the Herald about a local woman who is suing Petland, accusing them of selling dogs bred in “puppy mills” but marketing them as coming from reputable breeders.

My heart goes out to this woman, who obviously loves the little Boston terrier she got there. That little dog, Jasmine, is lucky to have been taken home by a caring soul who is doing everything she can to make her healthy so she can have a good life.

Buying animals from a pet store - any pet store - is risky business, indeed. Luckily, there IS an alternative: adoption.

There are hundreds of wonderful pets just waiting at shelters and in foster homes for somebody to love them. And for people who really want a specific kind of dog, there are breed rescue groups, too. Just Google, for example, "beagle rescue groups" and you can find one in your area.

Fostered pets are an especially good deal. Volunteers with rescue groups take dogs (and cats, too) home with them to be loved, socialized and perhaps trained until a "forever home" is found for them. These "foster parents" can tell you all about the animal they have sheltered: whether it gets along with other animals, whether is likes to sleep on the bed, whether it has a food intolerance. To find foster animals, contact one of the local rescue groups. And you can find the groups through any of the local shelters.

Another good reason for adopting: the pet comes spayed or neutured, vaccinated, and usually microchipped. And all those services are included in the adoption fee.

If you're looking for a pet and choose not to go to a pet store, please consider adopting. The animal you save will love you just the same.

Dogs really CAN talk

Have you ever seen a dog with a waggly tail and thought: "Oh, what a friendly puppy"? That wagging tail may not be sending the same message you're receiving. A wagging tail that's stiff and upright and one that is relaxed and sweeping are saying two entirely different things.

A friend of mine sent me a video that I think everyone should see, especially parents and their children. Called "Zoom Room Guide to Dog Body Language," it will show you postures that demonstrate the difference between nervousness and alertness, relaxation and stress, and fear and worry. It will also show the danger signs that can help people keep themselves, their children and their pets safe.

It's from Zoom Room Dog Agility and you can see it on YouTube or the Zoom Room website. Check it out. It may just be the best 5 minutes you can spend online today besides Bradenton.com. Here's the link:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=00_9JPltXHI 

www.zoomroomonline.com/dog-training-videos.html

Liver brownies ... yum!

I discovered these little gems 6 or 7 years ago at Canine Christmas, and my dogs just love 'em. They make great training treats or a good supplement for puppies to get them some extra protein. A friend of mine did just that, using them to put some weight on her golden retriever puppy, who was the runt of the litter and needed some extra nutrition.

Now, they're a bit disgusting to make, but you'll get over it. And you can make a big batch and freeze them, then just thaw them in the microwave oven or refrigerator. In fact, they should be kept in the refrigerator because they will spoil and turn moldy.

LIVER BROWNIES

1 1/2 cups wheat germ
1 pound liver (beef or chicken)
1 1/2 cups corn meal (regular, not self-rising)
3-4 eggs
1/2 cup crumbled bacon -- optional

Add in order to a food processor or blender and puree for 2-3 minutes. Put in a well-greased cake pan and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

If adding bacon: Fry or bake the bacon until crispy, drain well, and crumble into bits. Add the bacon and stir into the brownie mix after it is pureed.

Cool, cut into squares and refrigerate or freeze.


Note: Some dogs have a hard time digesting corn, so you can use leftover cooked rice instead. Just grind it in a food processor or blender until it is like meal.

Is your pup a rock star?

The Herald once had a crusty managing editor who said, "I don't have a dog because dogs have to wear collars and collars imply that they're property."

Well, in the first place, under the law dogs (and all pets) are considered "chattel property." That's a fancy name for personal property that can be moved from place to place, as opposed to property such as real estate. So the law equates your beloved pet with a couch, or a car, or a piano. But I didn't want to get into that and shore up his argument.

What I said was, "I don't agree. I think a collar and especially a name tag sends the message: I have a home. I am loved. If I am lost, please take me home." He just went "harumph" and walked away.

Collars can also send the message, "Look at me! I'm a regular fashionista." And while the selection of collars is not bad at the local pet supply stores, you can get a collar fit for a rock star pup at My Pup Rox.

This local company makes colorful and funky collars for dogs and sells them over the Internet. And if you see a pattern you like, they will customize a collar to make sure it fits. A friend of mine has one of these collars, and I can vouch for the fact that they are made to last, too, with heavyweight interfacing.

Prices are in the $12-$14 range, which I think is pretty reasonable for a handmade collar. So if you're looking for something different, something clever, something fit for a rock star pup, check out http://www.mypuprox.com/.

Would you like a Bark-atini?

The Polo Grill in Lakewood Ranch is hosting a benefit for Honor Sanctuary Animal Rescue this Wednesday from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Celebrity bartenders will serve up Bark-atinis and Meow-mosas and all tips will benefit the rescue group.

Honor Sanctuary operates shelters for dogs and cats and is supported entirely by community donations, according to Cindy Morton, president of the board of directors. Honor Sanctuary also operates a retail adoption center, Nate's Place, on Cooper Creek Boulevard.

Polo Grill is at 10670 Boardwalk Loop in Lakewood Ranch. For more information, visit http://www.pologrillandbar.com/ or call Honor Sanctuary, (941) 302-0933. You can also visit http://www.honorsanctuary.org/.

Crazy Critters for 'cave dogs'

Ever wonder why dogs like to pluck the stuffing out of their toys? I have. And I've come to the conclusion that it goes back to their "cave dog" days, when they were wolves and had to catch and eat their dinner.

Watch a pack of wolves on Discovery Channel chowing down on a moose or an elk and there you have the modern dog, noshing away on Mr. Fox, or Mr. Pig, or Mr. Rabbit.

Well, there's a new line of toys on the market designed for dog parents who don't enjoy coming home to a blanket of "snow" from a stuffed toy. They're called Crazy Critters and they are stuffing free. You can check them out at the website, http://www.buythecrazycritters.com/, which has a pretty funny video showing dogs in the act of massacring stuffed toys.

The website says "offer not available in stores," but they've got these critters at PetSmart.

Now, personally, I'm not sure dogs are going to go for them, considering they have no tasty stuffing, but if you don't see the humor in coming home to a blizzard in your house, you might want to check them out.

Bird brain: It's not an insult

Lots of birds can talk ... cockatiels, parrots, mynah birds. And the "bird experts" tell us they are just mimics, that they really don't know what they're saying.

Well, I beg to differ.

I once had a cockatiel named T-Bird. And that bird could think, I swear he could.

One time, I had gone to Busch Gardens and won a stuffed toucan in a ring toss game or basketball throw, I don't remember. But I do remember coming home and showing T-Bird the brightly colored stuffed version and he said, "Pretty bird!"

OK, not close enough to "thinking" for ya? Here's the one that really convinced me:

T-Bird and his lady friend, Chula, used to have a perch in the living room where they hung out in the daytime. I had draped a rather large marine rope down the perch so they could climb back up when their wings were clipped.

One day, T-Bird climbed down the rope and set out across the floor to where my tasty leather shoes had been shucked by the door. He got to about six inches away from the shoes, stopped in his tracks, said "NO!," and walked away.

I'm convinced that was thinking on his part. I don't care what the "experts" say.

Killing them with kindness

Ever have one of those "that is so wrong" moments? I had one on the way to work the other day.

I was behind a car driven by a man and his two dogs. Actually, the man was driving and the two dogs were navigating. They were hanging out the window as dogs are wont to do, but ... they were hanging out the driver's window.

And I heard myself saying it: That is so wrong.

How can you be in control of a car when you have two dogs - or even one, for that matter - in your lap? And what would happen if you get in an accident and your airbag goes off? There go your dogs, too.

Sometimes people think loving their dogs means letting them have their way all the time. They consider it a kindness to give them the freedom to do whatever they want.

I believe a happy dog is a well-behaved dog who knows his boundaries, knows what is expected of him, knows that his human loves him enough to keep him safe.

And I believe some people kill their dogs with kindness.

Don't make me beg

We teach our dogs lots of things. Some commands, such as "sit" and "stay," are essential for a well-mannered dog. And some, such as "roll over," "play dead" and "beg," are just tricks for kicks. We think they're cute, and some are, but one is downright bad for dogs: begging.

I had a hound who would beg at the drop of a hat. Whoever had Jethro as a puppy had taught him this, and I used to think it was cute. Until he got older and had back problems.

It was the day after a family gathering. We had ordered pizzas, and Jethro spent the day begging for "pizza bones," the tasty crusts with little bits of cheese stuck to them. The next day he could hardly walk. I took him to the vet, and he was diagnosed with disc problems. He was put on medication and we went back in a week for a checkup.

I told the doctor that Jethro appeared to be getting bettter, he was able to "sit and beg." And that's when Doc Mossler gave me a good scolding.

"Don't let him do that," he said. "That's the worst thing he could do. Dogs are meant to be horizontal and when they sit up like that, they compress their spine and get disc troubles."

DUH! It had never occurred to me, and I felt like such a bad dog mom. I tried my darnedest to break him of it, but it was ingrained in him and he had back troubles the rest of his life.

So if you're thinking of teaching your puppy to beg, please don't. And if you make him sit and beg, please stop. It will save him a lot of pain in later life.

Please don't make me beg!

Can you help in a storm?

Hurricane season can be an especially stressful time for pet owners. As pets are part of our families, arrangements need to be made for them as well as ourselves. The days of evacuating and leaving pets behind to fend for themselves are gone, thankfully, because Manatee County now has pet-friendly shelters so families can take their animal members with them.

To prepare for this season, Manatee County Animal Services is hosting a hurricane preparedness meeting at 5:30 p.m. Thursday. The session is designed to recruit and educate volunteers on hurricane preparation in homes and shelters, and to come up with a game plan for teamwork in the event of a storm.

Kris Weiskopf, chief of Animal Services, and his team want to compile a list of people they can count on to assist in a time of need. Especially welcome are animal rescue volunteers, who can bring their experience to the table and help get this team organized.

If you can help, plan to attend the meeting at Animal Services, 305 25th St. W., Palmetto. It's being graciously sponsored by Al & Elaine's Legacy, an animal rescue support group out of St. Petersburg.

RSVP to Kerry Barnes, an animal rescue volunteer and co-founder of Al & Elaine's Legacy, at kbarnes4@tampabay.rr.com.

Horsing around at summer camp

If your kids love animals, this summer camp is for them.

Fiego Farms Horse Day Camp is held 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. every Wednesday until school starts. Geared toward children from kindergarten through sixth grade, it's only $35 a day.

For more information, see my Talking Pets column in Friday's Neighbors section of the Herald.

 

Photo courtesy Fiego Farms                                                                                                             Photo courtesy Fiego Farms

Photos courtesy Gail Lynch Judah

Don't let sleeping cats lie

After my blog and column last week about kitten season, information started rolling in about other cat adoption events around town in addition to Kitty Korner. So here are a few more:

 

• Humane Society of Manatee County is running adoption specials through Wednesday. The Seniors for Seniors program waives all fees for people older than 50 who adopt a cat older than 2. Also, anyone can adopt two cats or kittens for $90, a $30 discount. Fees include spay/neuter, vaccinations and microchips. Call 747-8808 for more information.
• Manatee County Animal Services is also running a two-fer special, offering Cats in Pairs for $76. The 55 for $55 program allows anyone 55 or older to adopt any cat - or dog - for $55. Fees includes health check, spay/neuter, vaccinations, a county license certificate and tag, microchip, and an adoption kit. Call 742-5933 for more information.
• Gulf Shore Animal League is having an Independence Day Kitty Adopt-a-thon 11 a.m.-4 p.m. July 3 at Tractor Supply Co., 4404 State Road 64 E. Special fees include spay/neuter, vaccines and microchip. Call 747-2284 for more information, or visit http://www.gsalinc.org/.

 

 

                                     Photo by PAUL VIDELA/pvidela@bradenton.com

These young cats are waiting for new homes at the Humane Society,

which is running a two-fer special through Wednesday.

It's kitten season

Female cats have kittens year 'round, but this is the most prolific time of year for cats in Florida.

The gestation period for a female cat is short, 63 days, and as soon as she stops nursing her kittens she goes back into heat, so she can have litters three or four times a year.

Shelters and rescue groups are overrun with kittens, and you can help save countless of them by adopting one (or two ... or three).

In Manatee County, Kitty Korner is a division of Animal Network made up of people who are committed to rescuing, spay/neutering, and adopting cats in our community. Kitty Korner runs a program for trap-neuter-release of "community cats," spaying and neutering as many felines as possible.

Cats and kittens that are adoptable are put into a foster program and offered for adoption once they are spayed/neutered. Those that are returned to their cat colony are put under the watchful eye of a guardian who feeds and monitors the colony every day. These folks also take cats from Manatee County Animal Services and place them in the foster/adoption program.

Some of Kitty Korner's cats and kittens are housed at the adoption center at Petsmart, 4425 14th St. W., and can be seen during the week. Many more of the program's foster cats are are shown 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays at Petsmart. You can also view adoptable cats at www.petfinder.com (search for Animal Network, Bradenton). The standard adoption fee of $75 includes testing, spay/neuter, current vaccines, microchip and a post-adoption vet visit.

This is a community problem, and as a community we should do all we can to get these cats off the streets and into good homes. 

A pet project

People have all kinds of pets -- dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, rodents and more -- and they love to talk about them. Did your cat do something hilarious? Dog do something outrageous? Bird say something you wish it hadn't? The world wants to hear about it! So we started this blog.

I have two dogs: Reba, who was 14 at the end of March, and Ella, who just turned 16 months old. They are rescues who each now live the life of Riley in the house we share in Bradenton

Pop quiz: Can you tell why I named them what I did?

I'll give the answer in my companion column, also called Talking Pets, debuting Friday in the Herald's Neighbors section.