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.