Is rent-a-pet a good idea?

An Associated Press story details a company that sells time shares for dogs, giving "the doggie experience" to people who can't — or won't — assume the responsibility of full-time dog ownership.

The company — FlexPetz — started in California, but will soon be bringing its operation to New York.

This is not for the people on a budget. There is a yearly fee of $99.95, a monthly fee of $49.95, plus a daily rental (sorry, I know the company's owner doesn't like that term) fee of either $39.95 or $24.95 per day for weekends or weekdays, respectively.

Plus sales tax.

Plus a one-time fee of $150 for a pre-dog-rental one-hour training session in which you are to learn everything you need to know about taking care of and training a dog.

I was initially amused by the concept, but the more I think about it, the more I am totally against it.

Sure, some dogs might not mind having a different person on the other end of the lease every day. Perhaps a few dogs won't mind being sent back to a kennel after spending a weekend frolicking in the park.

The lack of consistency could mean that the dog will get harder and harder to handle as time goes by.

Let's say you join the service and commit (irony alert) to renting a dog for the minimum amount of days per month, based on the higher weekend day rate.

Here's what you cough up:

$150 training fee
$99.95 yearly account maintenance
$49.95 per month for 12 months = $599.40
$39.95 per day x 24 days = $958.80
Total for the year = $1,808.15

Plus sales tax.

If you have that much disposable cash and really care about dogs, how about contributing to your local dog shelter? How about volunteering at the shelter to walk dogs?

Yes, I know there are probably some people for whom this might be a good idea. But, there are too many negatives to think that this is good for anyone other than the person running the business.

Any other opinions out there?

A visit to the dog park

We finally made it to the Fishkill, N.Y., dog park, located in Doug Phillips Park on Route 52.

You can find it here.

Kate and I went there today with my editor Maria and her pooch Roland, seen below under a tree.

For the first few minutes we were the only ones there, but eventually a few more people showed up. With their dogs, of course. Nothing is stranger than someone who comes to a dog park without a dog.

The place is pretty large, and it has a double gate so the furry ones can't escape too easily. It even has an obstacle course for those dogs so inclined.

Kate, being an old gal, was content to sit in the shade most of the time.


You can see from the video how big the place is. Maria said that she had been there on the weekend when it was jammed with dogs. There are plenty of tennis balls to throw, and even a flying disk or two. Water bottles and waste bags are hanging by the entrance. There is a hose in the back near a couple of wading pools.

Kate found it extremely convenient just to lie down next to one of the water bowls — in the shade of course.


And under a bench, too.

I think the park is wonderful, and I wish more communities would provide safe and secure places for dogs to run and play off leash. Are you listening City of Poughkeepsie?

We will definitely go there again. It only took about 20 minutes, but I think we'll go on cooler days.

Not doing this blog for the D'oh

Go ahead and Simpsonize yourself. Click here.

My version — which, I will say before anyone else, isn't too far off — naturally features a T-shirt with a picture of Santa's Little Helper, the family's long-suffering, but faithful greyhound.

See you at the movies.

Ready for adoption

Here is the Dutchess County SPCA Pet of the Week. Ready for adoption. What are you waiting for?

This week's featured pet:
Chico —American Staffordshire Terrier/Dogue de Bordeaux mix
"Friend, pal, buddy — no matter what you call it, Chico is it! Handsome reddish-brown-coated AMstaff/Dogue de Bordeaux is searching for a partner, someone to take long walk, short runs and healthy naps with."

The Dutchess County SPCA is located at 636 Violet Avenue, Hyde Park, NY 12538. The shelter is open Sunday, Monday, Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed Wednesdays. Call 845-452-SPCA (7722).

Shelter pets rule.

No longer ready for adoption

This is Styner, a yellow lab. He was all set to be this Thursday's Dutchess County SPCA Pet of the Week.

I just got an e-mail from the shelter telling me that Styner has been adopted.

That is certainly good news. Congratulations to the pooch's new companions.

The Dutchess County SPCA is located at 636 Violet Avenue, Hyde Park, NY 12538. The shelter is open Sunday, Monday, Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed Wednesdays. Call 845-452-SPCA (7722).

Shelter pets rule.

Box o' puppies

Click here for a big, old box of 25-day-old golden retrievers.

Puppies!

Where's the paws button?

For goodness sake, get this kitten some real toys. Click here.

Let's hope that MacBook Pro is still under warranty.

I wonder what the kittie would do with an iPhone.

Ready for adoption

Here is the Dutchess County SPCA Pet of the Week. Ready for adoption. What are you waiting for?

This week's featured pet:
Muffin — Male tabby
"You can call him Stud for short! This male tabby is much more of a lover than he is a fighter, or even mouser! The handsome guy just loves affections ... come visit him and see for yourself!"

The Dutchess County SPCA is located at 636 Violet Avenue, Hyde Park, NY 12538. The shelter is open Sunday, Monday, Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed Wednesdays. Call 845-452-SPCA (7722).

Shelter pets rule.

Wednesday cuteness

Click here for kittens and toilet paper.

What more do you need?

Besides more toilet paper.

Don't cross Don Piano

Here are some "talking" cats for your Tuesday amusement. Click here.

It's a good thing Kate can't talk. I don't have enough minutes on my cell plan.

Thirsty work

When Kate and I lived in Manhattan, used to walk around Riverside Park frequently. Once on a hot day, we stopped at a fountain to get a drink. I pulled a plastic baggie — otherwise used for collection — out of my pocket and filled it with water so Kate could quench her thirst.

The friend we were walking with called me a Boy Scout, but his dog was glad I was resourceful.

Here's a video shows determined dog — and a damp one, too.

Another success story

I got an email from the Dutchess County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals saying that Butch, a Rottweiler, was adopted.

Congratulations to his new companion, and thanks for adding him to your family.

Shelter pets rule.

Kate's a lucky girl

I ran across The Ultimate Dog Treat Cookbook: Homemade Goodies for Man's Best Friend on Amazon.com the other day and it seemed to have some pretty interesting recipes in it.

Author Liz Palika has concocted dog biscuits, some of which can be cooked in the microwave, that sound tasty.

There's a recipe for Chunk Chicken and Sweet Potato Treats, Peanut Butter-Honey Nut Cheerios Balls (you can use creamy or chunky) and Taco Treats, made with ground beef, cheddar cheese, mild salsa and avocado.

Mmmmmmmmmm, Taco Treats.

I just whipped up a batch Microwave Oatmeal Balls (here's the link to the Amazon.com page for the recipe and I'm sure Palika wouldn't mind if you bought a copy of her book while you were there). They contained AP flour (you can make it with whole wheat or any other kind), flax seeds, quick oats, cornmeal, egg, butter, nonfat dry milk and beef bouillon powder.

As usual when I'm baking things for Kate, she's in the kitchen waiting patiently, guarding the oven and then guarding the table where the cookies were cooling on a wire rack.

When the first batch was cool enough, I gave her one. She held it in her teeth for a second and then started eating it. The cookie was a little crumbly, and some of the quick oats they are rolled in ended up on the floor.

But Kate managed to hoover all the stray bits quite nicely, thank you very much.

The second cookie was scarfed up even faster. The third was gone in a blink of an eye.

Ready for adoption

Here is the Dutchess County SPCA Pet of the Week. Ready for adoption. What are you waiting for?

This week's featured pet:
Grizzly — Akita/Shepherd Mix
"Looking more like 'Call of the Wild' than backyard buddy, this male Akita/Shepherd mix will have your neighbors guessing what your new pet is. But no worries, he's more into bear hugs than bear claws!"

The Dutchess County SPCA is located at 636 Violet Avenue, Hyde Park, NY 12538. The shelter is open Sunday, Monday, Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed Wednesdays. Call 845-452-SPCA (7722).

Shelter pets rule.

R&R where?

My fellow blogger Anthony Licari, who is stationed in Iraq, recently posted about a working dog who is nearing retirement.

Pearl, who is a bomb sniffing dog, is to return to the United States soon. Tony emailed me about her, saying:

Pearl used to work in Iraq finding bombs, but she's now with us back at the base after her tour. Her handler is a Marine and Pearl will be adopted by him when she gets back to the states ... she's retired from active duty now (LOL).

I think it's funny that they send a dog to Iraq for "some quiet time."

Enjoy your new life, Pearl. And thanks, Tony.

Remember: kitty is not a chew toy

I ran across this video on the Interwebs. At first I thought things were going badly for this cat, but the 2-month-old goldens finally settled down.

What an amazingly tolerant feline.

Hot days — hot dogs

We've got some toasty weather on tap for the mid-Hudson Valley in the next couple of days, with highs in the mid- to upper-90s.

So play it safe with your pets and make sure they has access to shelter and plenty of water and never leave them in a parked car for even a few minutes.

Here's some good advice from the Humane Society of the United States.

Maybe this dog has the right idea.


Remember: A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

Thanks to Leslie for sending me the video.

Sunday funnies

Funny pets + funny kids = funny video.

Enjoy.

Fireworks reminder

We are coming into the home stretch for Fourth of July fireworks celebrations. Just a couple more through the weekend, notably tonight in Amenia and tomorrow night in the Village of Fishkill.

There are been several news reports about animals becoming terrified by the noise and flashes of light and getting loose. This AP report is from North Carolina.

So please take another look at this blog entry about keeping pets safe during fireworks.

Ready for adoption

Here is the Dutchess County SPCA Pet of the Week. Ready for adoption. What are you waiting for?

This week's featured pet:
Buck — Domestic medium hair
"Looking for a great cat? Then the Buck stops here! Male black-and-white medium hair provides comfort, a compassionate ear and a great purr to ease those sleepless nights."

The Dutchess County SPCA is located at 636 Violet Avenue, Hyde Park, NY 12538. The shelter is open Sunday, Monday, Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed Wednesdays. Call 845-452-SPCA (7722).

Shelter pets rule.

Happy Fourth of July!

No. 4513012

But you can call her Kate.

I made it official today. Kate is now a legal resident of New York State. I walked across the street to the Poughkeepsie City Hall and got a license for her. Took all of 10 minutes and $7 (she's spayed, you know).

Yes, I know I moved to back to the state in January. Mea culpa. But at least I licensed her.

Initial licenses have to be done in person, with proof of rabies vaccination. In our case, the license will have to be renewed in May when Kate's rabies shot expires.

Subsequent renewals can be done by mail with a copy of the rabies certificate sent along as well. Couldn't be easier.

So if you haven't licensed your dog, do it soon.

Fireworks holiday reminder

As much fun as it is for us to watch fireworks, for pets? Not so much.

Here's a link to a recent post I wrote about keeping your pets safe during the Fourth of July holiday celebrations.

Some highlights: Keep the pets at home (more secure that way), don't leave them unattended in a backyard (might try to escape from the noise) and don't let them stay in the car (residual heat = bad).

Just a friendly reminder, that's all.

Hair-row to you, too!

Who's there?

I've had experience with dogs and screen doors. But a recent letter from Catherine DiGregorio of the Town of Poughkeepsie takes the cake.

She had just returned from exercise class around noon and was planning on having a snack and a nap when she heard a "horrendous noise like a bulldozer" slamming into her house.

"I rounded the hallway and came face to face with a huge, all-black dog. Of course, in my fear, he seemed like he was three times his size."

DiGregorio couldn't figure out how the dog got into her house and she was trying to shoo "Blackie," as she quickly named him, out the door.

Turns out, "Blackie" had crashed through her screen door.

"I ran outside to see if I could get some help. Alas, no one was around. In the meantime, Blackie was making himself right at home, roaming from room to room. He would not go near the door."

She called 911 who put her in touch with animal control, who showed up, collared the dog and identified who the owner was. DiGregorio contacted the owners the next day about the damaged door. They came by with a roll of screening and fixed the door.

"It was a nice way to meet such a lovely couple, but please 'Blackie,' if you decide to come visit me again, knock at my door and make sure you have your owners with you. It will be much easier on my nerves."

DiGregorio said you meet the nicest people when you least expect it, but offered a warning.

"You other dogs, this is not an open invitation to visit me also."

Thanks for writing and sharing your story.

Apparently "Blackie" was a little bit bigger than the dogs in this video.

Crate and barreling down the road

Under what circumstances would anyone think that putting a dog in a cage on the roof of a car for a long trip is a good idea?

Mitt Romney apparently thought so back in 1983 during a 12-hour family drive from Boston to Ontario. Sure, there was a shield of some sort but it must have been terrifying for the animal.

I don't even like to see people allow their dogs to stick their heads out the window. Look at your front grill or windshield sometime. That stuff can get in the dog's eyes.