Hitting the road

It's time for a change.

After a couple of years freelancing and over five years full time as a reporter for the Poughkeepsie Journal, I am leaving the paper as of today.

I've accepted a position as local editor of the newcity.patch.com website, and I'll be moving to Rockland County.

It has been fun scouring the web for pet-related stories and video. I hope you learned a thing or two and, at times, had a good laugh or smiled when you hadn't been before.

Out of the 1,065 blog entries — including this one — there have been some real highlights.

Remember Sally, the dog tossed into a clothing donation bin? We broke that story. We followed it through Sally's adoption and the perp's sentencing. All the festivals like Beacon Barks and Paws in the Park? Great times all. Silly videos like Dogs Baking Bread or the Stealthy Kitty? Why not enjoy the special qualities that pets bring to our existence?

Kate, my loyal companion for over 15 years, has been my foil through this whole experience, and I hope she will continue in the role for a while longer. It is hard to believe she was diagnosed with kidney failure almost a year ago.

I tried not to anthropomorphize her, but it is difficult to not do so when she has such character. Those eyes; they seem to drill into your soul.

Kate has her good days and her bad days, just like me. I want more of the good days, but will be there during the bad, for sure.

Thank you all for the feedback, and thanks for visiting this blog.

I intend to continue blogging about pets at my new personal site "Making Us More Human," which you can access by clicking here. Give me a day or so to decompress, even though I've already posted an entry.

I send many good thoughts to all of you and the special creatures that keep us grounded and loved unconditionally.

Dog bites ... shark?

Here's one for the books.

A posting on Hambone Nation Blog chronicles the tale of Lucy, the 1-year-old shepherd/husky mix who loves jumping into the water and catching lemon sharks.

Our story comes from Chuck Limroth of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Chuck was captaining a boat in the Bahamas when he and his wife Wendy came across Lucy, a 1-year old German shepherd and Siberian husky mix that was up for adoption. The couple was looking for a pet and decided to take Lucy back home to Florida.

What they weren’t told was the reason Lucy was up for adoption—it was for her own protection! While living on her former owner’s private island, Lucy had developed a knack for catching small lemon sharks in the mangroves. On two separate occasions she had to be flown off the island and treated for shark-bite related injuries. Her owner realized it was just a matter of time before Lucy was more seriously injured as a result of her “fishing” activities. The owner had Lucy taken to a nearby harbor and hoped for her own safety that she would be adopted by a tourist.

The Limroths were on vacation in the shallow mangroves of an island when Lucy jumped out of the boat they were in to chase after a lemon shark. A stingray was nearby and Lucy pounced on it.

The stingray plunged its barbed tail, full of venom, into Lucy's neck. I won't spoil the story; you should read the entire tale here.

There is something said for leashes and being very careful wherever you are if you choose to have your pooch off leash.

There are also some good tips on what to do in a medical emergency.

Dancing doggie

Dog doing the Merengue!

Woohoo!

Watch it here.

Sleeping hard before breakfast.

Cuteness alert

This video is too adorable.

It's corgis on a treadmill.

Super cute, arent' they?

Some rewards come at too high a price

From Reuters is the story of a Labrador retriever that won an unusual award.

Read the story here.

Elie, the pooch, ate a beehive containing dead bees and pesticides was recognized as the most unusual pet health insurance claim in the United States.

The winner was selected from a dozen pets nationwide and was announced by the Veterinary Pet Insurance Co.

"Ellie may be a young dog, but she's already managed to eat everything from wooden toy train tracks to laptop computer keys," said the VPI. "So the beehive in the backyard was just another culinary adventure for this insatiable pooch."

She beat a border collie that ran through a window to get to a mailman and a terrier that bit a chainsaw.

Dogs in the swim to save lives

From Italy, via the Associated Press and NPR, comes the story of canine lifeguards on hand (paw?) to help swimmers who get into trouble.

Read the entire story here.

These "lifedogs" wear a harness or tow a buoy that victims can grab, or a raft they can sit on to be towed back to shore, and unlike their human counterparts, they can easily jump from helicopters and speeding boats to reach swimmers in trouble.

With millions flocking to Italy's crowded beaches each summer, the Italian Coast Guard says it rescues about 3,000 people every year — and their canine helpers are credited with saving several lives.

Training takes three years to reach expert rescue status.

Roberto Gasbarri, who coordinates the Italian School of Canine Lifeguards program in the seaside town of Civitavecchia, said 300 dogs are fully qualified for duty.

"The dog becomes a sort of intelligent lifebuoy. It is a buoy that goes by itself to a person in need of help, and comes back to the shore also by himself, choosing the best landing point and swimming through the safest currents," he said.

Any breed can be trained as long as the pooch is at least 66 pounds.

What a great idea, don't you think?

What's that you say?

Who's a better listener? Your partner or your dog?

According to a survey by Purina, 31 percent of New Zealand female dog owners think their pets are better listeners than their partners.

Read the story in USA Today.

Two-hundred-fifty dog owners and 250 cat owners were interviewed.

The survey also found that nearly 50 percent of female cat owners share their problems with their pets.

Well, all I can say is Kate doesn't listen to me.

Good kittie

Not exactly the Cat Whisperer, but pretty impressive.

According to the San Jose Mercury News, there's a cat that has a sixth sense about other cats that might be in trouble.

Dubbing him a "guardian angel," "wonder cat" and "miracle kitty," the staff and volunteers at the Nine Lives Foundation's Feline Well-Care Clinic say Christopher can tell when other cats need help. He will sit outside the cages of sick felines until someone lets him in, and last month, the clinic says, he saved the life of a kitten in need of a blood transfusion.

Read the entire article here.

"He'll often paw at a cage door to be let in so he can clean and comfort a cat in there," said Robert Lowery, a San Ramon resident and volunteer at Nine Lives.

He even became known as the "feral kitten tamer" last month, when he asked to be let into a cage with two feral kittens that were "untouchable, just hissing and growling," Thompson said.

Dog stabbing being investigated

From The Associated Press:

SAN FRANCISCO — U.S. Park Police are investigating the stabbing of a dog at San Francisco's Fort Funston.

Authorities say a woman walking her dog reported her pet was stabbed by a man as he walked his dog on a trail in the park Thursday afternoon.

Park ranger George Durgerian says it's not clear what sparked the attack, but investigators are taking statements from witnesses who came forward after flyers were posted of the incident. A possible suspect has been identified, though no arrests have been made.

As for the wounded dog, it has been released from a veterinarian after undergoing surgery.

U.S. Park Police are investigating because Fort Funston is within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, which is operated by the National Park Service.

Beef treat recall

Another pet food recall affects beef-flavored dog treats.

Merrick Pet Care, Inc. announced the recall of all lots of 10-ounce “Beef Filet Squares” for dogs and “Texas Hold’ems” pet treats because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.

Read the recall notice from the company here.

According to consumeraffairs.com, this is the third time in recent weeks the Amarillo, Texas, based company has issued a recall for certain lot numbers of treats.

The food was distributed nationwide.

In July, Merrick pulled 86 cases of its beef filet squares off the market after a sample analyzed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) tested positive for salmonella. Earlier this month, the company pulled another 83 cases of those treats -- and the Texas Hold’Ems treats -- off store shelves. On Monday, Merrick recalled all lots of the treats sold in 10 ounce plastic bags because of ongoing concerns about salmonella contamination.

Merrick said it has not received any reports of illnesses linked to the recalled treats.

People can become infected with salmonella by not thoroughly washing their hands after touching contaminated products or any surface exposed to them.

Consumers who purchased the recalled treats can return them to the store for a full refund, the company said. For more information about this action, contact Merrick at 1-800-664-7387.

On this date

In 1977, on this date, comedian Groucho Marx died at the age of 86.

One of his funniest lines, to me, was the following:

"Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read."

Cats once abandoned, now being adopted

Ninety cats living in an abandoned Albany apartment have been rescued and are now up for adoption.

Read the story and see the video and pictures from WRGB TV Channel 6.

The effort started with a simple plea from Diane Metz of Albany: "Please help the Orange Street Cats." Lara DeLaMater was one of several dozen area residents who responded and learned that the long-abandoned apartment at 198 Orange Street was housing 90 severely neglected cats and two dogs.

The animal lovers entered the condemned apartment July 29 and took the animals.

In a previous email to CBS 6, DeLaMater said, "I personally walked through the house... there were cats in rafters trying to seek safety from the inches of feces on the floor. Thousands of flies swirled around and the stench was suffocating, even with a mask."

So far, without spaying or neutering, medical costs for each animal has been between $150 and $250, Metz said.

They have a Facebook page and a website if you'd like to help or donate. The group is looking for foster care providers.

Can somebody help here?

Here's a video showing that animals help each other.

It involves two turtles, one of which is in an awkward position.

Watch here.

An odd couple

This will make you smile, I guarantee.

Here is a video of a dog and a deer who play together.

Watch.

Dog goes above and beyond the call of duty

This has been around for a while but I just came across it.

Normally, when you see a dog grabbing a kitten, it doesn't bode well for the kitten.

But read this story from CBS News and watch the video for a real surprise about an Iowa shelter dog who takes care of a litter of kittens.

It really is remarkable, don't you think.

Stay out of my food bowl

File this under gross.

Your pet's food bowl could be making your children sick.

Here's an article in USA Today.

Dry pet food and cross-contamination after feeding a pet in the kitchen is responsible for salmonellosis outbreak in 21 eastern U.S. states between 2006 and 2008. The outbreak sickened 79 people, with almost 48 percent of the cases occurring among children under age 2, according to Casey Barton Behravesh, CDC veterinary epidemiologist and study's coauthor.

"This investigation resulted in identification of the first documented outbreak of human salmonellosis linked to the use of dry dog and cat food," Behravesh wrote.

The story also has links to the recall of several pet foods last week as well as what to look for if you suspect contamination.

Who are you calling dumb?

How do dogs and cats measure up?

An article on msnbc.com by John Roach makes comparisons of dogs to toddlers, the hunting prowess of cats and well educated cat owners are versus dog owners.

If the debate over cat vs. dog intelligence seems better articulated by cat owners, there's a reason: Cat owners are more likely to have university degrees than dog owners, according to researchers at the University of Bristol.

They blame it on work ethics, meaning better edumacated people work longer hours so they have less time for pet care.

Specious argument, I think.

The article also says cats hunt less efficiently than dogs, even though cats are able to sneak up on their prey.

The biomechanics of the dog gait, for example, enables them to reduce muscular effort required to move forward by 70 percent. The cat gait efficiency gains max out at 37 percent and drops precipitously in a stalking posture.

Interesting article. Too bad I'm not educated enough to understand it.

Bad economy bad for pets

A stagnant economy is affecting pets, too.

It's not a new story. The economy falters, companies downsize. Employees lose their jobs, can't pay bills and are forced to move out of their homes.

That can be difficult enough. But for some victims of the economy who find themselves in tight financial situations, there's another difficult issue to tackle:

What do I do with my pet?

Read the entire article by Abbey Roy in the Newark (Ohio) Advocate.

Increasing cases of animal abandonment and shelter overcrowding indicate that pets aren't immune from the economy's toll on the nation. As pet owners continue to tighten their budgets to make ends meet, many are turning to shelters or abandoning their animals simply because they can't afford to keep them.

The Licking County Humane Society works with people who feel they have to give up their pets, asking if they are doing so because they can't afford to feed them.

If that is the case, there are places where food can be obtained such as a pet food pantry in Newark.

People are also cutting back on preventive care, such as heartworm prevention and fecal checks.

Sad to say, I am sure people are cutting back on their own care as well.

Walkway event promotes pet safety

My colleague John Barry covered Hounds Over the Hudson — hosted by the Dutchess County SPCA — Saturday on the Walkway Over the Hudson.

Here is his story in today's Poughkeepsie Journal.

I stopped by to check things out and took a few pictures. It was a gorgeous day to be on the Walkway. The views were spectacular.

Oil spill and abandoned dogs

One hundred dogs from Louisiana are heading to a shelter in Madison, N.J.

The pets were left behind by owners affected by the massive Gulf oil spill.

Read the USA Today story here.

The Louisiana SPCA, the Humane Society of the United States and American Humane Association have teamed up for this big transport. The animals are from various shelters around the area including St. Bernard Parish and Plaquemines Animal Welfare Society.

Monday, Pamela Anderson tried to help out also. Anderson, the honorary chairman of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, was in New Orleans to help relocate about 50 dogs from Louisiana to Virginia.

"People can't afford to feed their families, so the family member that gets left behind and has to go is the pet," Anderson said. She ended up adopting two of the dogs.

Anderson was in New Orleans helping to relocate about 50 dogs to Virginia.

The pooches are expected to arrive in New Jersey Friday at noon.

Dogs to strut across the Walkway Saturday

The Walkway Over the Hudson will be the scene Saturday of the Hounds Over the Hudson bridge festival, sponsored by the Dutchess County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and its counterpart across the river, the Ulster County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

It will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public with no registration required.

DCSPCA staff and volunteers will be providing information on the care of dogs and giving demonstrations with therapy dogs.

Members of the Humane Law Department will be giving demonstrations on how to prevent stress to dogs in hot weather.

A canine parade of adoptable shelter dogs will begin at 11 a.m. with each shelter meeting in the center of the bridge.

Note: The parade will be canceled if the temperature or weather conditions are unsafe for dogs on the Walkway.

Here are directions to both entrances — Highland to the west and City of Poughkeepsie to the east — to the linear park.

Bitten?

From the Seattle Intelligencer comes information about dog and cat bites.

Read the story here.

Veterinarian Beth Guerra said she sees a gamut of bites, from minor wounds to major trauma.

These do not just occur between strange dogs; often dogs in the same house that have been co-existing peacefully can find themselves in a fight, often over food or territory. The concern with this type of trauma, especially from larger dogs with extremely powerful bites, is that extensive injury can occur under the skin where only small punctures or even only mild bruising are visible.

She said while cat bites may seem innocuous, cats carry a bacteria in the mouth that can rapidly cause infection in the bite wound.

If you are bitten by a dog or cat, be sure to seek immediate medical attention, even if you do not feel the wounds are that severe. At the very least, the wounds should be washed immediately with soap and water. It is best to have any injuries assessed before complications develop.

Dog riding a lawn mower

Title sez it all.

Watch via the Huffington Post here.

Procter & Gamble recalls 2 Iams cat food lots

From the Associated Press:

CINCINNATI — Consumer products giant Procter & Gamble Co. said Sunday it is voluntarily recalling two lots of Iams brand prescription renal dry cat food because it could be contaminated with salmonella.

The products are available by prescription through veterinary clinics.

No illnesses have been reported, but an FDA analysis identified positive results on two lots of Iams Veterinary Formulas Feline Renal 5.5 lbs: numbers 01384174B4 0 19014 21405 1 and 01384174B2 0 19014 21405 1.

Codes are found in the lower right corner on the back of the bag.

Anyone owning the food should throw it out. Pets can become infected and people handling the dry pet food can become infected with salmonella as well if they do not wash their hands. Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, seniors and others with weakened immune systems.

Customers seeking more information or a refund may call P&G at 877-894-4458.

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You can read the P&G press release here.

Doggie ice cream comes to London

Now there's another reason to go to London.

On Saturday, the world's first ice cream truck for dogs opened in Regent Park.

Here's a story from the Daily News by Aliyah Shahid.

The red, white, and blue truck, dubbed 'K99,' will dish (and cone) up a variety of pup-friendly flavors like "Dog Eat Hog World," a concoction of cured leg of pork and chicken. Then there's the classic "Canine Cookie Crunch," which is vanilla ice cream topped off with dog biscuits.

The truck will travel the parks through the summer. According to London's Daily Mail, the truck will play the theme song from "Scooby Doo," instead of the traditional Mr. Softee jingle.

And best yet, the ice cream is safe for humans.

Pit bull takes care of actress Moore

Actress Mary Tyler Moore has a pit bull named Spanky who alerts her when her blood sugar gets too low.

She was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes around the time she began "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" in the 1970s.

Here is the article from PeoplePets.com.

"He helps me with my diabetes —he can sense when something's not right," Moore told PEOPLEPets.com at Broadway Barks. "He will come and sit and stare at me until I do something about it."

Moore and her husband also share their home with Shadow, a 12-year-old golden retriever; Shana, an 11-year-old miniature schnauzer; and Bond, James Bond, a 9-year-old Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen. They each have wonderful vocabularies, she says.

Afghan war vet gets big greeting

Here's a video that has received more than 2 million hits of a soldier returning from Afghanistan being greeted by his dog.

What a reaction.

Dog to a legend now in book form

A comic novel, centered around Marilyn Monroe's dog, will hit the shelves in December.

"The Life and Opinions of Maf the Dog and of His Friend Marilyn Monroe" is by Andrew O'Hagan.

Read the full story from cnn.com.

According to the book's description, Maf — short for Mafia — met everybody who is anybody during his time with the actress, including President John F. Kennedy, and accompanied the silver screen star to acting classes, chi-chi restaurants, department stores and to Mexico for her divorce from playwright Arthur Miller.

"Marilyn was a strange and unhappy creature, but at the same time she had more natural comedy to her than anybody I would ever know," observes Maf, who was 3 when Monroe died in 1962 at age 36.

O'Hagan has said that Hollywood is interested in making a movie about Maf and Monroe.

Who will it star, I wonder?

Dog toots its own horn — and lives

Allentown, Pa., TV station WFMZ has a story about a chocolate lab who was stuck in a car and alerting its owners by honking the horn.

Here's the story.

Max, 11, owned by Donna Gardner of Upper Macungie Township, Pa., was mistakenly left in Gardner's car after she returned home from running errands.

"I came in and started cleaning and about an hour later I heard a horn blow," she said.

Gardner went outside, but didn't see anybody.

"So, I came back in the house and I started cleaning again and the horn blew again," she said.

She went back outside and saw Max sitting in the driver's seat of the car.

Max was checked out by a veterinarian. He was a little weak but OK.

Hot weather tips from the DCSPCA

HYDE PARK — As summer temperatures continue to soar, the Dutchess Country SPCA is reminding residents to take precautions to keep their pets safe.

"Our companion animals suffer just like we do in the hot summer months and it is so important that we provide special care to ensure their well-being," said Joyce Garrity, executive director, Dutchess County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The DCSPCA advises that pet owners take the following
precautions for pets:

• Never leave an animal unattended in a parked vehicle. Temperatures can rise quickly in a parked car, even with the windows cracked open. Heat stroke can be fatal to pets as well as to people.
• Keep lawn and garden pesticides out of the reach of your animals as they can be toxic to both dogs and cats. When walking your dog, stay away from streets that you suspect have been sprayed with insecticides and/or other chemicals. Be sure to also keep citronella candles and insect coils in a secure place so that your animal does not have any contact with them.
• Make sure that clean, fresh water is always available for your pets. Do not leave a dog tied up outdoors. If your pet is allowed outdoors, make sure that it has access to a shady spot when it gets too hot. Paws can get burned on hot asphalt and concrete so take daily walks in the early morning or late evening to prevent your pet from becoming overheated. Take special care with animals with short-noses that may have trouble breathing in the heat and ones with white-colored ears, which burn easily in the sun.
• If you are caring for outdoor cats, make sure that they have access to a plentiful supply of water and keep feeding stations clean to prevent an invasion from ants and other insects.
• Keep a close eye on pets at a cookout. Reaching for tempting treats from the barbecue can result in burned paws and whiskers. And as tantalizing as it may be, do not give your pet treats from the grill as a sudden change in diet can result in a serious gastric upset. Also keep alcoholic beverages in a safe place and avoid raisins, grapes, onions, chocolate and products that contain Xylitol, a sweetener.
• Not all dogs can swim, and precautions should be taken to prevent an accident from happening when you are at a pool, lake or ocean with your pet.
• Keep your pets well groomed to control fleas and ticks; however, don't shave your pets down too much as their fur insulates them from the heat and prevents sunburn. Ask your veterinarian for advice about how to handle emergencies for bee stings and insect bites, using pet first aid.
• Prevent "High-Rise Syndrome," a common tragedy that occurs when cats and dogs fall out of apartment windows during the sweltering months in the city. Keep all unscreened windows closed and make sure that adjustable screens are tightly secured to keep your pets safe.
• Learn how to spot signs of heat stress in your pet, which include the following symptoms: heavy breathing, a rapid heartbeat, excessive thirst, heavy panting, glazed eyes, restlessness, lethargy, fever, dizziness, lack of coordination, profuse salivation, vomiting, a deep red or purple tongue and becoming unconscious. If your animal shows any of these symptoms, immediately call your veterinarian. Also take steps to gradually lower their body temperature; move the animal into an air-conditioned area and apply cold towels to the head, neck and chest or run cool water over the pet and allow the animal to drink small amounts of cool water.

Dogs go to new homes yesterday

The dog adoption yesterday in Highland was a success.

Here's my story about it in today's Poughkeepsie Journal.

The nonprofit group that ran the adoption is Pancake Hollow Farm and Rescue, Inc., also in Highland.

They are located at at 236 Pancake Hollow Road and can be reached by calling 845-721-1200.

I took a few pictures. The first is Liz Farinella and Jason Michalek of Milton who adopted a sweet husky-terrier mix.

Dog adoption set for today in Highland

I'm going to be over in Highland, across the river, today for a puppy adoption event being held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The homeless dogs will be given away from Dirty Dogs Pet Service at 3592 Route 9W.

The dogs were rescued by Pancake Hollow Farms and Rescue, a Highland-based group that travels around the country rescuing dogs that otherwise might be put to sleep.

The rescue organization is also accepting donations of bleach, paper towels, bath towels and garbage bags.

Call 845-691-4928. I'll post some pictures later.

'Pizza' for dogs

Found a new product at Adam's Fairacre Farms yesterday. For Kate, of course.

They are "Pup-Pies" for dog treats, made by the Lazy Dog Cookie Co.

I picked up Deep Dish Pizza, and after a little hesitation, Kate enjoyed it.


I cut it into pieces, but didn't give her the whole thing. It's about 4 inches across.

Something different from regular dog cookies.

Video Wednesday

How about a cat that's quick with its paws?

Watch this video.

Hope that person didn't get too scratched up.

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This dog is clumsy even on the rug.

Watch this video.

But it's funny. And there's a cone of shame!

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And finally, a cat that can open a door.

Watch this video.

Robots can learn from three-legged dogs

Research being done in Germany may affect the way robots move.

Martin Gross of the University of Jena is studying the way three-legged dogs move, thinking it could change the way robots get around if they lose one of their limbs.

Here's the story from Discovery News.

He noticed that his brother's three-legged dog, despite missing a hind limb due to cancer, was still faster than three other family dogs who had all four legs.

The same cannot be said of robots. If they lose a limb, they're likely to topple over, since they cannot readjust to the new way of walking. The entire robot could be rendered useless.

Gross said terrestrial locomotion is designed for an even number of legs. With the loss of a limb, there needs to be a reorganization of the way one gets around.

The study is part of the European Union's Locomorph project to help develop robots that can adapt in the event of an "injury."

Summer safety tips

Though the mornings are deceptively cool, it is definitely summer here in Poughkeepsie.

The warmer months, as we are all aware, can be bad for pets.

The Humane Society of the United States has some tips for keeping pets safe and healthy during the summer.

See them here.

They, of course, include never leaving your pet in the car or put it in the back of a truck.

It is very dangerous, and in some states illegal, to drive with a dog in the back of a pick-up truck. Not only can flying debris cause serious injury, but a dog may be unintentionally thrown into traffic if the driver suddenly hits the brakes, swerves, or is hit by another car. Dogs should ride either in the cab (in a crate or wearing a seat belt harness designed for dogs) or in a secured crate in the bed of the truck.

And a reminder since today is the Fourth of July, please make sure your pets have identification tags, so if they happen to get spooked by the fireworks and get out of the house or yard they can be returned to you.

Happy July 4th, everyone.

Terrifying sounds from above

With summer and the warmer weather, pet owners have to careful to make sure their charges have plenty of fresh water and somewhere to get out of the sun.

But also, this time of year brings the dreaded fireworks — something that can lead to stray and lost pets.

Read this article from the Orange County Register written by Samantha Gowen.

This weekend KatyDog will spend hours inside her favorite soundproof bunker: the bedroom closet.

July Fourth and all of its hissing, popping, thundering fireworks is enough to send the family dog and cat running from the sheer terror of it all.

The summer holiday is one of the most dangerous for unsecured pets. Animal control reports more stray and lost pets on July Fourth than any other single day of the year.

Gowan gives recommendations provided by the Animal Assistance League:

• Keep the pet inside
• Use a radio or television to drown out the booming sounds
• For unusually nervous pets, consult a veterinarian about tranquilizers
• Make certain ID tags and licenses are current

Kate, at her advanced age, doesn't seem to be bothered by fireworks or thunder as much as when she was younger. It's probably due to a loss of hearing.

The first summer I had her, when we were living on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, I made the mistake of taking her out for a walk at the time the New York Philharmonic was playing the "1812 Overture" in Central Park, two blocks from where we were.

When the accompanying fireworks were set off, Kate just about crawled over a car to get away from them, then under a car.

Thankfully, we weren't too far from the apartment buildings front door, and I managed to drag her safely inside.

To whom it may concern

An open letter to the person who lets their dog foul the sidewalk in front of my house and doesn't pick it up:

I hope you ruin a good pair of shoes because of someone else's stupidity.

Sincerely,

Michael Woyton

New paws keep cat on the move

Oscar is a lucky kitty.

He lost his two hind legs in an accident with a combine harvester, but a veterinarian took him to a neuro-orthopedic surgeon.

The surgeon made peg legs for Oscar and watch the video to see how well he gets around.

Not counting the surgery, the cost was $3,000.

Here's an Associated Press article by Maria Cheng via yahoo.com.

The artificial paws were designed to be fused to bone and skin.

The veterinarians then inserted the peg-like implants by drilling them into Oscar's ankle bones in his rear legs. The metal implants are attached to the bone where Oscar lost his paws and were coated with a substance that helps bone cells grow directly over them. The cat's own skin then grew over the end of the peg to form a natural seal to prevent infections.

After rehab training, Oscar was on all four feet in less than four months.

Pretty amazing.

Lucky dogs

A Miami Beach woman left her mansion and $3 million to her three dogs.

Here's the video from WTVG-TV in Toledo, Ohio.

Gail Posner died in March at the age of 67. She left most of her money to her mansion staff, but left $3 million and the mansion to her dogs.

Her only son, Bret Carr, got $1 million and is suing. He claims the staff scammed his mother into changing her will.

Drink up

On a recent visit to the Walkway Over the Hudson, it was nice to see watering stations set up for pets. For dogs, I'm assuming. Unless people take their iguanas for walk these days.

Sleeping pretty

Dogged pursuit of legislation?

From a dog's point of view, every day could be "Take Your Congressman to Work Day."

Here's a photo gallery of the pooches of Capitol Hill and the Congressmen and Congresswomen who love them.

I love the idea of squeaky toys scattered around the office.

Natural Balance recalls dry dog food

Natural Balance Pet Foods Inc. has recalled some of its dog food because it potentially is contaminated with Salmonella.

The Natural Balance Sweet Potato & Chicken Dry Dog Food with the "Best By" date of June 17, 2011 in the 5-pound and 28-pound bags have been recalled.

No illnesses have yet been associated with the recall, said Food Safety News.

Read the whole article here.

The recalled product was manufactured on Dec. 17. The recall was issued after a sample came back positive for Salmonella in a routine test conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Salmonella in dry pet food can infect both humans and animals.

For humans, symptoms of Salmonella include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and fever.

More serious ailments including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract problems. Anyone exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers.

Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain.

Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.

The recall was not issued for New York.

Recalled products were only distributed in pet specialty stores in the states of Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

People who purchased the product are urged to return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

NOTE: This is Dick van Patten's dog food company.

Get walking and take your dog, too

A recent article from WebMC Health News said walking your dog can help keep you fit and may also ward off high blood pressure and cholesterol.

Read the article here.

"Dog owners who don't walk their dog are missing a great opportunity to get physical activity and stay healthy," says researcher Cindy Lentino, MS, an exercise scientist at George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services.

"If you walk your dog just 30 minutes a day, you can meet national recommendations for physical activity," she tells WebMD.

The study was presented at a meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine in Baltimore.

It involved 916 healthy people averaging age 40, three-fourths of whom were women.

Compared with participants who regularly walked their four-legged pals, dog owners who didn't walk their pets:

• Were 58% more likely to be overweight or underweight.
• Were substantially less likely to meet the ACSM/American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines for physical activity, which call for moderately intense cardio exercise at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week. That means working hard enough to raise your heart rate and break a sweat, yet still being able to carry on a conversation.
• Spent about 30 more minutes sitting around every day, on average.
• Were more than twice as likely to have high blood pressure.

When matched against people who didn't own a dog, the dog walkers:

• Were 11% less likely to use tobacco products.
• Had about one-third the risk of diabetes.
• Were about 15% less likely to have high blood pressure and about 30% less likely to have high cholesterol.
• Were about 35% less likely to have symptoms of depression.

Give a dog a rabbit, he eats for one meal ...

That dog don't hunt.

It helps to say that with a southern accent.

Did you ever want to teach your hunting-breed dog to, well, hunt?

There's a place in Carlisle, Pa., that will do just that. Here's the story from Robbie Brown with the New York Times.

We were at the Fun Field Trial here, a hunting training program held in the spring for dogs that have never hunted but whose breeds were created to do so. Part doggie boot camp, part nature-versus-nurture science experiment and part outdoorsman’s Westminster Dog Show, the trial was founded last year by two local basset hound clubs to test the hunting instincts of ordinary house dogs.

It's for bassets, beagles, dachshunds and petit basset griffon vendeens, dogs bred centuries ago to help hunters get fast prey.

Some say domesticated pooches have lost the ability to hunt.

Alexandra Horowitz, a Barnard College dog behavior expert, said dogs may not go to their natural ways if they are allowed to hunt.

“People think if we put dogs in the right environment, they’ll just go back to their wild ways,” she said. “It really just depends on the breed and the individual dog.”

Change the letters around, pets becomes pest

Some say they are pets, but others call them pests.

East Anchorage, Alaska, residents have a rabbit problem.

Read the story by Rosemary Shinohara in the Anchorage Daily News here.

Some of the residents near Cheney Lake are at war with rabbits. Rabbits that shear off broccoli plants in their gardens. Rabbits that devour lilies in the flower beds. Rabbits that destroy perennials bought for $7 apiece.

Retired schoolteacher Collin Smith has posted a lime green sign in her driveway on Sherwood Avenue: "Rabbits have ruined my flower beds, eaten plants and flowers! Now what?" with a double underline on the "what."

Some say maybe 100 or more rabbits are on the loose in East Anchorage devouring gardens and some flowers.

"This was cabbage and broccoli," [Amber] Reichardt said, pointing to a space where plants had been eaten away from raised beds in the backyard. "I replanted all of it. Two hours later they ate it again."

She and her husband have since tried to rabbit-proof their yard with chicken wire under the gate and a barricade where the fence meets the house. As of Friday, the line of defense was holding. "It's been 13 days, a little bit shy of two weeks. We're doing well."

Not everyone hates the rabbits.

Paul Rotkis, who lives on Yorkshire Lane, across the creek from Otter Street and rabbit central, says he's only seen a few different ones around Yorkshire. "They're not a nuisance," he said. "Almost everybody likes them on Yorkshire."

He said he's been feeding two black ones for more than a year.

Iams cat food recall

Procter & Gamble Company is voluntarily recalling specific lots of its Iams canned cat food in North America as a precautionary measure. Tests indicated the product may contain insufficient levels of thiamine (Vitamin B1), which is essential for cats.

Here's a link to the Iams announcement.

The affected product is all varieties of the 3-ounce and 5.5-ounce cans of Iams ProActive Health canned Cat and Kitten food with the date on the bottom of the can 9/2001 to 6/2012.

P&G said the product should be discarded. For refunds or more information, call 1-877-340-8826 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET.

Was it a howl-along?

The Sydney Opera House on Saturday was the scene for a concert by performance artist Laurie Anderson.

So far nothing unusual about that, except for the fact that Anderson debuted her "Music for Dogs" composition ... for dogs.

Here's the Associated Press story via Yahoo.com.

Hundreds of dogs and their owners bounced around as Anderson entertained them with 20 minutes of thumping beats, whale calls, whistles and a few high-pitched electronic sounds imperceptible to human ears.

"Let's hear it from the medium dogs!" Anderson called out from the stage, as a few dogs yipped in return. "You can do better than that — come on mediums! Whoo! WHOOOOOO!"

Anderson said the idea for the concert developed out of a chat with cellist Yo-Yo Ma while they were backstage at a graduation.

Wait until the baby gets a little older ...

Get ready for a cuteness overload.

Here's a video of a dog playing with a baby.

You might want to turn down the volume because the video contains a lot of loud baby laughter.

Can't go to class ... have to walk my dog

College can be tough on students. For many, it's the first time you've been away from family for extended periods. Then there are the classes, new friends, new challenges.

How about throwing a dog into the mix?

Would that help or hinder?

A recent New York Times article by Jacques Steinberg talks about Stephens College in Columbia, Mo.

That institution welcomes students and their pet pooches. So much so that they've renovated a dormitory — called Pet Central — with a kennel on the first floor staffed by work-study students.

With these efforts, Stephens is hoping to smooth the transition of some students who may be so anxious about leaving home or adjusting to college life that a stuffed animal will not be of sufficient comfort. They want the real thing.

Stephens joins a growing number of colleges putting out a welcome mat for pets. They include the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the State University of New York at Canton, which allow cats in some dorm rooms; and Eckerd College in South Florida and Washington & Jefferson College in Pennsylvania, which set aside rooms for students with dogs or cats and others who love animals so much they just want to live near them.

Dianne Lynch, the president of Stephens, predicted more colleges will embrace the concept.

“Colleges will begin to recognize that this is important to students,” she said, adding that in an increasingly competitive recruiting market for top students, becoming known as pet-friendly is another way for a college to differentiate itself.

Stephens, the article said, began allowing dogs and cats in specific dorms in 2003.

Some, though, think there is a down side to allowing pets in college dorms.

The article quotes Dr. Harold S. Koplewicz, a psychiatrist, who worries that allowing a student to have a pet might slow the transition from child to adult and could mask serious problems such as depression.

And here is Maureen O'Connor's take on the article from Gawker.

Ugliest dog dead at 17

I'm a few days late on this but am going to post it anyway.

How often do you get to write the world's ugliest pedigree dog died?

Here's the story from the Asheville Citizen-Times.

Miss Ellie, the Chiness Crested hairless died at the age of 17 in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

Miss Ellie was rescued when she was 7 years old and brought to live with her owner, Dawn Goehring, and 13 other rescue dogs. In her final days, Miss Ellie was continually working on raising awareness and money for rescue animals. She was entered in the 2010 World's Ugliest Dog contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, Calif., and had planned to travel to California next month to compete one more time for the Ugliest Dog title before her retirement.

Even in death, Miss Ellie continues to raise money for the Sevier County Humane Society. See the Comedy Barn Canines Facebook page for more information.

New use for a dog's nose

Research is indicating that dogs may be able to detect chemicals released into urine by prostate tumors.

Read the article by WebMD.com writer Charlene Laino here.

The concept isn't new. Other researchers have reported varying degrees of success using dogs to detect cancers of the skin, lung, and bladder, says researcher Pierre Bigot, MD, of Tenon Hospital in Paris.

The theory is that many tumors release chemicals with distinct odors that can be picked up by dogs, whose sense of smell is much more sensitive than that of humans, he tells WebMD.

Researchers used a Belgian Malinois, a breed used in drug and bomb detection. The dog was trained to identify urine from a patient with confirmed prostate cancer and then taught to tell samples that were from healthy men.

Out of 66 tests, the dog was correct 63 times. Other dogs are now being tested.

The goal is not to have dogs sniffing around hospital testing labs, but to determine what chemicals the dogs are identifying and then develop a more accurate electronic detection system, something the article calls an "electronic nose."

He thought he was a kitten?

From Charlotte, N.C., television station WCNC, via the Huffington Post, comes the tale of a puppy stuck in a car engine.

See the video here.

If pigs could ... swim?

The Bahamas has swimming pigs?

See a video here.

Takes a lickin' ...

For today's cute fix, how about a cat licking a dog?

Watch the video here.

Care to join?

Mutts, unite!

For the first time in 125 years, mixed breeds will be allowed to compete along side purebreds in the American Kennel Club.

See the article by Monica Hesse in the Washington Post here.

Mutts will not be allowed to compete in the "conformation" events, the ones where judges decide how precisely a dog displays its breed's standards.

But the skill-based contests — Agility, Rally and Obedience — were officially opened to mixed breeds last month. This weekend, Mattaponi [Kennel Club in Manassas, Va.] held its first event in which mixed breeds, euphemistically referred to at the show as "All Americans," have been allowed.

The debate over the change goes back seven or eight years. At one point there was a proposal to have mixed breed dogs compete separately from purebred dogs, rather than directly against them. That was reconsidered.

"AKC has always been best known as an advocate for purebred dogs," says the AKC's Gina DiNardo, in discussing the change. "But [we're] concerned about the welfare of all dogs. ... We want you to become part of our fold."

Of course, I'm reminded of the Groucho Marx quip "I don’t care to belong to any club that will have me as a member."

A dog who truly beat the odds

I just received a call from Ron Lipton who said his dog Sweetie had to be put to sleep today.

Sweetie, who had lymphocytic leukemia, outlived expectations, having been diagnosed with the disease in November 2008. Lipton couldn't afford the extremely expensive treatment, and I did an article about Sweetie in December 2008.

Your response was overwhelming, and Sweetie was able to live a good life a little longer.

Lipton said every second of that time was "precious." However, she developed kidney failure and was put to sleep at home.

Here's my follow-up article from Dec. 29, 2009, which is no longer available in our archives:

PLEASANT VALLEY - Sweetie beat the odds.

The terrier mix, owned by Pleasant Valley resident Ron Lipton, was diagnosed in November 2008 with lymphocytic leukemia, a type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow.

With treatment, which included chemotherapy drugs every 21 days, she has lived six months longer than any expected outcome for the disease.

Her veterinarian, Dr. Martha S. Gearhart at the Pleasant Valley Animal Hospital, said Sweetie's progress was remarkable.

"It's been a tough but a good year," she said.

The dog has responded so well to treatment — she's in remission — that lowering her drug doses are in order, Gearhart said.

"We are going to go to once a month," she said, continuing with CeeNU, a brand name for the chemotherapy drug lomustine, and prednisolone.

Lipton said it hasn't been an easy year for Sweetie. She gained weight from the prednisolone, topping out at 65 pounds.

"She couldn't walk," he said, "but we got her weight down to 47 pounds and she really looks good."

Mary Lictro, the hospital's practice manager, said one wouldn't know Sweetie was ill by looking at her.

"She is still a very happy dog, and her spirits are great," she said. "She is doing better than we ever thought she was going to do."

Lipton, a retired policeman, couldn't afford the medical treatments. He teaches a physical education class at Marist College, but is otherwise unemployed.

A plea to the community brought in money used for Sweetie's treatments, though now, the donations have been depleted.

"Because we ran out of funds totally, they are testing her blood every six weeks," he said, "and the doctor has donated the office visits.

"If it wasn't for all those people who helped out, she wouldn't have made it," Lipton said. "It would be a shame to abandon her now."

Keeping his dog alive would mean the world to him, Lipton said.

"She keeps everything beautiful," he said. "Every single memory for her is precious and happy."

Sweetie still enjoys their daily walks in the park, he said.

"She knows she is sick," Lipton said. "She is so happy to be with her family.

Kitten on the keys?

This one is for those of us who spend most of our days in front of computers.

Animals using computers.

Woo-hoo!

Update on Kate

Sorry about the lack of blog posts over the last week.

I had to go to Gannett headquarters in Virginia for a couple days for training, and, let's face it, it's been a week. And not in a good way.

A week ago Saturday, Kate woke up around 4 a.m. and was stumbling around the house. I have wood floors and practically no floor coverings, and if she ended up on the floor she couldn't get up.

And when she did get up she would walk to the left. At times, in the kitchen, she would just go in circles to her left or she would walk through the house always turning left. Oh, and it was raining. Kate hates when it rains. And there were some pretty big thunder claps. Kate hates when it thunders.

I had to go away Monday and Tuesday for the training and I was panicking about leaving her. My neighbor was going to come in three times a day to let her out and feed her, but she couldn't have managed Kate if anything happened.

I called the vet, and when he finally returned the call, it was a half hour from closing. He said to bring her right over. He said he didn't think it was a complication of the renal failure. He said it seemed more like a neurological deterioration of some sort.

He suggested, since I was going away, to board Kate at the vet's so they could monitor her and run some tests. That took a load off my mind.

They only did a blood test, and it showed the kidney damage is progressing. That was expected.

I called while I was gone and the vet said she was doing well, was able to stand on non-textured surfaces and was eating.

When I went to pick her up Wednesday, it was raining again. Kate wasn't doing well. The vet said possibly the damp conditions were aggravating her arthritis, and he gave her an nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory.

Getting her home wasn't easy. She was yowling most of the way, something Kate never does. Fortunately, I asked a neighbor to sit in the backseat with her and keep her calm. She wrapped a towel around Kate and that helped a lot.

Finally, we got home and Kate's back legs really weren't functioning all that well. They were crossing at times, and occasionally the top of the paw would end up on the ground. I had to use the towel (it's red and, by the end of the exercise, it was quite hairy) to lift up her hindquarters.

She was better Wednesday evening.

Since then she's been OK. It rained a little Friday morning but it didn't seem to bother her. She actually came to the door when I came home from grocery shopping.

I put a large rug down on the floor next to her so she has some traction. A neighbor gave me a comfy dog bed her poodle wouldn't go hear, so Kate has a choice.

Actually I found that she had even another choice, much to my surprise.

I got home Thursday and opened the patio door. Usually I can see Kate on one of her beds from the door, but she wasn't there. I had blocked off part of the kitchen and living room so she couldn't go too far afield.

My heart skipped a beat until I got in the living room and turned on the lights. There was Kate, on the couch, as nice as you could please. (Photographic evidence above.)

Frankly, I didn't think she could still get up on the couch, but I was wrong. My real concern was whether she could get off the couch.

And she could.

So that's why I haven't been blogging. I've had my mind elsewhere, and on top of that, Wednesday and Thursday were crazy busy in the newsroom.

I'll keep you updated on Kate.

Photo: Michael Woyton/Poughkeepsie Journal.

High Falls pets have their day

HIGH FALLS — The annual High Falls Pet Show will be Saturday, May 15. There will be all pets of all kinds participating.

The event will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will be held in the Community Church of High Falls yard on Second Street off Route 213.

Here's a link to Google Maps.

Registration begins at 10 a.m. For pets who plan to compete in contests, there is a $4 fee. All proceeds will benefit the High Falls Civic Association.

General pet judging will takes place from 10 a.m to 11 a.m. All pets will be evaluated for good breeding, friendly behavior and photogenic qualities.

Special judging categories start at 11 a.m. and end at 12:30 p.m.

Prizes will be given in several categories, including pet-owner look-alike, vocal talent, best all-American mutt, most unusual pet and mature and distinguished pets.

Vendors will be on hand selling pet-related toys and food. Animal rescue and adoption information will be available.

There is no admission fee to attend the show.

Owners are urged to bring adequate food and water for the safety and comfort of their animal companions.

Shelter gets $1M gift

HYDE PARK — A $1 million bequest has been given to the Dutchess County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Executive Director Joyce Garrity announced the gift at the organization’s Hope for the Animals Gala May 1.

The money was from the estate of City of Poughkeepsie resident Lorraine Lingad.

Garrity said Lingad, who was a secretary at her church, loved all animals and left a remarkable legacy for the community.

“Through her generosity, she will help the DCSPCA prevent cruelty to animals and to help homeless and abused animals be adopted into caring, responsible homes,” she said.

“I only wish she could known what an impact she will have on this community,” Garrity said.

A portion of the bequest will go toward building a new $3 million Adoption and Education Center.

The DCSPCA now has 87 percent of the funds raised.

Board President Eric S. Ewing said that means the organization will be able to begin construction on the new facility without incurring any debt.

“The remainder of her gift will be used to support the operations so that we can continue to be a financially sound organization,” he said.

Dog breeder restrictions coming up in Missouri?

Missouri is the latest state to seek restrictions on dog breeders.

Read this story from USA Today.

Under the proposed dog-breeding measure, people could only have 50 breeding dogs and would be required to feed animals daily, provide annual veterinary care and not breed animals more than twice every 18 months. Breeders also would have to follow rules for the dogs' living space and house animals indoors with unfettered access to an outdoor exercise yard.

Supporters say they have collected an estimated 190,000 signatures on petitions. A decision as to whether there are enough to put the measure on the ballot will be made by Aug 3.

This is the 21st century?

Un-freakin'-believable is a story from Australia about a blind restaurant customer and his guide dog who were refused entrance to the establishment.

Read the story from the London Daily Mail.

In 2009, Ian Jolly, 57, was trying to enter an Adelaide restaurant and the staff thought he said he had a "gay dog" instead of a "guide dog."

So the enlightened staff refused to allow either Jolly or his dog into the restaurant.

The information came out in a statement to South Australia's Equal Opportunity Tribunal that recently made a ruling in the case.

Jolly will receive a written apology and the Australian equivalent of US$1,000.

Feel free make your own comments. I won't make mine here.

Videos from Beacon Barks 2010

Videos by Sarah Bradshaw/Poughkeepsie Journal.

Photos from Beacon Barks 2010

Saturday was Beacon Barks, the fourth annual street festival devoted to pooches and their owners.

Organized by the Dutchess County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Beacon Barkery, the event brought an estimated 3,000 people and 1,000 dogs to Main Street.

My colleague Sarah Bradshaw covered the event for the Poughkeepsie Journal. Here is her article.

She also graciously took photos and video.

Here are the photos. Video will be in a subsequent entry.

Enjoy. It looks like people — and their pups — were having a good time.

















Photographs by Sarah Bradshaw/Poughkeepsie Journal.