The Daily Woof

Dog survives one month after house fire

2011-03-22T15:37:00.001-07:00

It was nearly one month after a fire destroyed the multi-unit building.

Acevedo hadn’t seen her dog Lola since the fire on February 23. But, while returning to pick up some belongings Monday, she made a stunning find.

“We thought it was raccoon or something in the house,” Acevedo said.

But she soon figured out, that scratching sound was coming from Lola, her long-haired Dachshund.

Somehow, Lola survived not only the fire, but four weeks that followed, while locked inside that abandoned home.

Doctors think she managed by drinking toilet water and eating scraps she found around the burned-out house.

“She probably was eating something in there,” said Dr. Megan Whelan, who has been treating Lola. “There’s some material on her x-rays, mineral-like material. So, she might have been getting into something in the house.”

That stretch included several nights of sub-freezing temperatures.

Acevedo immediately took the pup to Angell Animal Medical Center, where doctors went to work.

“Lola was brought to (us) last night and is currently being cared for in our Emergency/Critical Care Unit,” said MSPCA-Angell spokesman Brian Adams. “The veterinary team is performing several tests today to uncover the extent of her injuries. Lola remains upbeat given her ordeal.”

As of Tuesday, the dog appeared to be recovering. She was expected to spend one more night in the hospital before heading home.

Acevedo was just overjoyed to have her pup back. “I’m never going to tell her no ever again. You want a treat? Here you go. You want to go out? Yes, sure. I’ll go out with you right now.”

Puppy survives euthanization

2011-03-03T10:26:00.000-08:00

It's a miracle! A three-month-old puppy abandoned in Oklahoma that was put in a trash bin after being declared dead by a vet is alive . . . and looking for a new home.

The puppy was left outside a dog shelter in Sulphur, Okla., with the rest of his litter. They were sick when they were found, so a vet at the shelter decided to euthanize them.

The procedures were performed, and then the puppies were put in a trash bin outside the shelter.

But when animal control officer Scott Prall took a peek inside the container the next morning, one puppy was very much alive. "He was just as healthy as could be," Prall told Oklahoma News 9.

The surviving puppy was named "WALL-E," after the garbage-collecting robot in the Disney-Pixar animated movie of the same name. In the movie, the lovable WALL-E was the last of his kind.

After the shock discovery, vet Amanda Kloski took the puppy in temporarily. When a woman in Pennsylvania heard WALL-E's incredible story, she wrote about him on Facebook, prompting people from all over the U.S. to call the veterinary clinic and offer him a home.

The clinic was set to look at offers from all the prospective owners Wednesday and make a decision about his new home.

"He needs a really special home because he's really special," Kloski said.

Parents of Fallen U.S. Soldier Adopt Son's Bomb-Sniffing Dog

2011-02-03T15:17:00.000-08:00

The parents of a fallen U.S. soldier are adopting the dog that the military says loyally rushed to the Marine’s aid when he was killed in Afghanistan.

Darrell and Kathy Rusk picked up the dog, Eli, on Thursday. They asked the military if they could adopt the four-year-old black Labrador after their son was fatally shot in December during a gun battle with the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Twenty-year-old Pfc. Colton Rusk was the handler for Eli, who was trained to sniff out explosives. The military discharged Eli from service following Rusk’s death.

Military officials say Eli is only the second military dog to be adopted by the family of a slain handler.

The Rusks picked up the dog at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, the training headquarters for all dogs used by the U.S. military. They said they wanted to adopt Eli because their son talked about him constantly, making him seem like part of the family.

Poetry: A Stump for a Tail

2011-02-02T12:51:00.000-08:00

You can't buy loyalty, they say

I bought it though, the other day;

You can't buy friendship, tried and true,

Well just the same, I bought that too.

I made my bid, and on the spot

Bought love and faith and a whole job lot

Of happiness, so all in all

The purchase price was pretty small.

I bought a single trusting heart,

That gave devotion from the start.

If you think these things are not for sale,

Buy a brown-eyed puppy with a stump for a tail.

--- author unknown ---

Darwin Award? Woman tries to mail puppy via USPS

2011-02-02T12:45:00.000-08:00

Really....there are just some people on this planet you have to wonder about...

Postal workers in Minneapolis got quite a surprise when a package suddenly moved on its own.

Suspicious, they opened it up -- and found a live puppy inside.

Authorities say that Stacey Champion, 39, tried to mail the 4-month-old dog from Minneapolis, to Atlanta, in a package with no food, water or air holes, The Star Tribune reported.

If postal workers hadn't found the animal, it would have died, officials say.

"It was supposed to be a birthday gift for a family member," said Minneapolis Police Sgt. Angela Dodge, according to The Daily Telegraph.

"It would have been kind of traumatizing to get a dead puppy.

"Postal workers became suspicious when they saw the package move on its own and thought they heard it panting. They rescued the black poodle-schnauzer mix, whom they have christened "Guess."

The dog "was so happy to get out," said Thompson Ojoyeyi, a postal worker. "We gave him water and he drank so fast.

"It is legal to send certain animals, such as bees and some cold-blooded animals, through the mail. But it is not legal to send animals such as cats and dogs.

Champion has been charged with animal cruelty. Authorities say she hasn't said why she thought she could send a dog through the mail -- or why she didn't tell postal workers about the box's contents.

She has, however, asked for a refund of the $22 postage that she paid."She just wanted her money back," Ojoyeyi said, according to The Daily Telegraph.

Guess was taken to the city's animal control facility. It's not clear whether Champion will try to keep the animal, but it seems likely Guess will be put up for adoption.

Everyone who has worked on the case is hoping that he will find a good home."He's cute as a bug's ear," Dodge said

2011-01-17T16:48:00.001-08:00

As the death toll from devastating flooding in Brazil continues to rise, a single picture drives home the sense of loss.

Leao, a medium-sized brown mutt, lies next to the grave of her owner, Cristina Maria Cesario Santana, who died in the catastrophic landslides caused by heavy rain. This AFP/Getty picture was taken on Saturday, the second consecutive day that the dog refused to leave the woman's grave at the cemetery in Teresopolis, near Rio de Janiero.

Brazilians are bracing for more rain, fearing more landslides after waves of muddy water swallowed towns in the country's worst flood disaster on record.

At least 655 deaths were reported in a mountainous region of Rio de Janeiro state, northeast of the city of Rio.

2010-12-15T14:14:00.000-08:00

Eagles quarterback Michael Vick, who spent time in prison for his involvement in dog fighting, said Tuesday having a dog as a pet would help in his rehabilitation.

In an interview with NBC News and TheGrio.com, Vick said, "I would love to get another dog in the future. I think it would be a big step for me in the rehabilitation process.

"I think just to have a pet in my household and to show people that I genuinely care, and my love and my passion for animals; I think it would be outstanding. If I ever have the opportunity again I will never take it for granted. I miss having a dog right now. I wish I could. My daughters miss having one, and that’s the hardest thing: telling them that we can’t have one because of my actions."

Vick has starred for the Eagles this season, with the team in first place heading into Sunday's NFC East showdown against the Giants at the Meadowlands.

"This entire situation has changed my life dramatically. Better player, better person," Vick said in the interview. "More patience, more persistence, and the willingness to, like I said earlier, set high goals and high standards not only on the football field but in life.

"And in so many ways I thank God for changing my life and keeping me healthy and putting me on the path to where I can redeem myself and make a great comeback."

Diplomat's Son Avoids Jail Time for Beating Dog in U.K.

2010-12-09T12:59:00.000-08:00

Tunisian diplomat’s son avoids jail time for beating his puppy in the U.K., the Daily Mail reports.

Mohammed Abou-Sabaa was caught on tape striking his Labrador Poppy 20 times.

Despite his actions being recorded, British magistrates imposed a two-year suspended prison sentence and banned him from keeping animals for four years.

Abou-Sabaa claims the unprovoked attack happened because he was “having a bad day” after learning he was turned down for a job, according to the paper.

“It was a despicable act. I was incensed when I saw the video – it just went on and on,” RSPCA inspector Paul Heaton told the Daily Mail.

Poppy has made a full recovery and is currently being looked after by the RSPCA.

Girl Risks Her Life to Save Beloved Family Dog

2010-12-08T16:46:00.000-08:00

A beloved family pet barely survived an icy plunge after falling into a frozen pond in an Indiana backyard on Monday night.

A member of the Witsken family, of Noblesville, Ind., attempted to rescue their golden retriever Breeze from the ice, but failed when unsafe conditions led to hypothermia. The incident forced them to call 911 for help.

The drama began when one of the Witsken children, Nekoda, 18, noticed Breeze was missing and began the search. When Nekoda spotted the dog in the backyard, she immediately tried to rescue it, but fell through the ice herself, waist-deep.

"[Nekoda] looked like an icicle. Her hair was all wet, she was taking her coat off and crying, but she was really just worried about the dog," her mother Kathy said.

Nekoda was shocked by the cold, saying, "it just instantly numbs you, just like that. I just remember trying to drag her and getting myself out of the ice," said Nekoda.

The family knew that in order to save Breeze, who was still stuck in the icy pond, they needed help. Nekoda watched shivering from the shore as her mom called 911.

Firefighters arrived and a diver went in for the rescue. The diver emerged holding in his arms Breeze, who had been in the freezing water for more than 40 minutes.

"A dramatic rescue just in time," said Dennis Parker, who carried Breeze to the ambulance.
"[She was] covered in ice forming on the ears and snout at that point. I don't think she would have really made it much longer than when we got her out, so it's a good thing they called when they did," Parker said.

Breeze was recovering at the vet until Tuesday evening, when the family was able to take her back home into a warm house.The family says it's grateful to the firefighters who risked their lives to save Breeze.

"They did an excellent job and they really cared not just about Nekoda, but about the whole situation. [They] put their hearts in it. There's a lesson to be learned here, there's a lot of heart in what they do, and there were a lot of teams that came together to help us," Kathy Witsken said.

7 dogs perish on American Airlines flight

2010-08-06T15:59:00.000-07:00

(CNN) -- Authorities were investigating the deaths of seven dogs after an American Airlines flight to Chicago.

Flight 851 was an hour late taking off from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Tuesday morning, according to Mary Frances Fagan, director of corporate communications for American Airlines. The flight arrived at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport at 8:54 a.m. with 14 dog kennels on board.

All the dogs on Flight 851 were "bound for other locations," Fagan said. When ramp workers began the process of moving the dogs to the other flights, they noticed the animals looked "lethargic." They tried to cool them down. The animals were taken from the airport to a veterinarian, Fagan said. Seven dogs later died.

The incident was under investigation. The dogs are being necropsied. The airline said it has drawn no conclusions on what happened.

"We normally transport 100,000 or more every year. We certainly do value pets that our customers have as well as our own," Fagan said.

The American Airlines website details rules for accepting dogs and cats on aircraft. Among them: "Temperature restrictions have been established to ensure animals are not exposed to extreme heat or cold in the animal holding areas, terminal facilities, when moving the animals between terminal and aircraft or on an aircraft awaiting departure."

The airline's website says pets cannot be accepted when the current or forecasted temperature is warmer than 85 degrees at any location on the itinerary.

The Dallas Morning News reported the temperature at Tulsa International Airport was already 86 degrees at 7 a.m. before the plane's departure, and 87 degrees at 8 a.m.

Dog saves owners life through amputation.

2010-08-04T08:45:00.000-07:00

A terrier named Kiko has performed surgery. Kind of.

According to a bizarre story reported in The Grand Rapids Press, Kiko smelled an infection in his owner's right big toe and set about "amputating" it. Which in doggie terms, of course, means he ate it. All the while, Kiko's owner, Jerry Douthett of Rockford, Mich., lay passed-out drunk in his bed.

Douthett awoke to find a bloody stump where his big toe used to be, and he and his wife rushed to Spectrum Health in Grand Rapids, Mich. There, they discovered Douthett actually had type 2 diabetes and was suffering from a dangerous infection in his big toe.

Doctors finished the job Kiko had started, and amputated what was left of his toe.

Douthett's wife, Rosee, a registered nurse, had actually suspected her husband had diabetes and insisted he get checked out. But before he did so, he had a few beers. And then a few margaritas. After that, he went home, passed out, and Kiko got to work. Weird story, but Bruce Rossman, a media relations manager at Spectrum Health, confirms that it's true.

Humor: Picture

2010-07-26T09:05:00.000-07:00

Pet dog accidentally released into wild.

2010-07-26T08:52:00.000-07:00

July 26, 2010 (Pen Men at Work): The Frankfort Humane Society mistook a dog to be a coyote and it was released into the wild. The American Kennel Club-registered dog was owned by Lori Goodlett, who said the dog named Copper was 11 years old and a female.

Copper was staying with Lori along with another 15 year old dog named Trigger. According to her, Copper and Trigger were playing in her fenced backyard when she left on July 3. When she returned, Copper was not there. Lori said, “I searched for her in the neighborhood area and asked everyone showing the photo.”

When Goodlett put posters of the dog, she was contacted by the Frankfort police. They informed her that an officer took the dog to humane society thinking it was a stray. Later, a society worker called up the police and said that they must pick it up as coyotes are not allowed here.

The animal was then left loose by the department at the back of a home improvement store following a consultation with a wildlife expert, who advised that the coyotes should either be killed or returned to the wild.

John Forbes, the Humane Society board chairman said he supports the decision of the shelter. He added, “It is against the law to keep a coyote in the shelter as our manger assessed it to be one. We have a faith in the people working here.”

However, Goodlett is still unable to understand how her dog could be misidentified as a coyote. She said, “When Copper was young, people used to say that she resembled a fox as she had pointed ears but she was never mistaken for a coyote.

Frankfort Police Maj. Frank Deaton stated that the dog did not bear a collar or any other identification mark. He added, “Luckily, the dog was photographed by the officer, who had foresight.”

Goodlett is now being supported by the police and volunteers and hopes to find her Copper. The lady said, “My head says Copper has gone forever but my heart still has a hope that a good family may have found her.”

Chihuahua save children from dog attack.

2010-06-30T13:30:00.000-07:00

RICHMOND, Calif. — A Northern California woman says her Chihuahua died protecting her children from two pit bulls that got into her apartment.

Mayda Estrella, of Richmond, says the family's Chihuahua, named Manchas, jumped in between the canine invaders and her 4-year-old son Sunday. A pit bull grabbed Manchas with its jaws and carried the Chihuahua away.

Contra Costa County animal services officials say the Chihuahua was killed, and the pit bulls are now in custody.

The pit bulls' owner says they had escaped their yard by chewing through a fence. Estrella says her front door was open when the dogs came in.

She says when she saw the dogs come in, she ran into a bedroom with her other child, a newborn baby.
County officials say the owner won't face criminal charges.

Vet tech negligence allows for loss of dog and friend

2010-06-22T14:49:00.000-07:00

DENVER, CO - Cate Clark dropped her dog, Ruby, off at the 29th Avenue Animal Clinic last Thursday so she could be treated for dehydration.Two hours later, Ruby was dead -- not because the veterinarian made a mistake in treating the dog but because her staff allowed Ruby to escape her kennel and then the clinic altogether.

She wandered 18 blocks from the Stapleton clinic north toward Interstate 70 where she was hit by a car and killed.

"The negligence, the carelessness, it's just infuriating," said Clark. "I'm so sad, but I'm so angry at the same time."

Dr. Michele Smith, the veterinarian at 29th Avenue Animal Clinic, is taking responsibility for Ruby's death and has already fired the employee who left the clinic's back door propped open, allowing Ruby to escape.But that escape wouldn't have been possible had Ruby been in a kennel with a working latch.

"The kennel was broken," said Clark. "When we took Ruby in on Monday, the tech kept joking that Ruby keeps getting out of her kennel. And maybe that was funny at the time, but why wasn't she in a secure kennel? And when we went back to look at it, they'd already put another dog in the same kennel even though they could have gotten out just as easily."

Smith has refunded Clark's bill, paid for Ruby's cremation and even sent her flowers. But, it's little solace to Clark, her partner, Kelly and Harley, the couple's other dog who has been mourning the loss of his "best buddy" ever since Ruby failed to come home from the vet.

"Ruby was a great dog, she was a protector, she was a guardian, she was a great companion, she was a very gentle dog," Clark said. "We all miss her and you can't replace her. Nothing in this world will replace her."

Dog flies 20 miles by gust of wind. Is okay.

2010-06-22T14:10:00.000-07:00

June 22 (THAINDIAN NEWS) A dog is said to be in good health and happy to be returned to its owner after flying for twenty miles in a strong wind gust which swept the dog away during a storm.

Agnes Tamas, a 57 year old man from the Hungarian village of Gesztered renamed his dog ‘Lucky’ after he survived being swept away in the storm, according to ‘Photonews Agencia Noticiosa’. In a very surreal moment, the dog flew away during the storm, and was carried 20 miles before landing safely.

According to the account by Tamas, “I saw the roofs of the local houses being ripped off one by one, and I ran into my garden to try and get to the cellar. I couldn’t believe it when the dog house flew up into the air - complete with my dog cowering inside. It was like something out of the ‘Wizard Of Oz.’”

The dog was found after a local radio station made an appeal to citizens to be watching for the animal. Concerned citizen Kalman Csutor called the Red Cross and reported finding the dog after hearing the radio plea. “He was pretty shaken. I have no idea what happened to the dog house or whether the wind carried him all that way - but when I found him he was 20 miles from home.”

What's in a name?

2010-06-18T16:08:00.000-07:00

Sometimes a dog just looks like what he is, and for owners Jason and Siobhan Engdahl, their 1-year-old mixed breed looked like a "Pickle." "We like to pickle and brew things in our home," Jason Engdahl said. "We happen to have a lot of pickle cookbooks as well. One day Siobhan came home with the little woofer, and I had just looked at a cookbook called 'Pickled' and I said 'Pickle.' And Siobhan said 'Pickle,' and Pickle wagged his tail. It just seemed right."

The addition of "Von Corndog" came a few days later when the Engdahls decided that name was a good one as well but they didn't want to wait to add another dog to their home before using it. Thus, "Pickle Von Corndog" was born. Pickle's interests include resting in laps, hoarding tennis balls, tagging along during bicycle rides and, interestingly enough, foreign languages. "We recently found out that Pickle speaks French," Engdahl said. "After returning from a recent bike trip in France, we said, 'Cornichon! Allons-y!' ('Pickle! Let's go!'), and he responded the same way as when we spoke English. We really had no idea that he was so continental."

Cesar Milan and Illusion file for divorce.

2010-06-07T08:50:00.000-07:00

News drops from the Dog Whisper website that our favorite canine coach and his wife of sixteen years are seperating.

"We are sad to announce that after 16 years of marriage we have decided to file for divorce," reads a statement on posted Cesar's Web site Friday. "The decision was made after much consideration and time. We remain caring friends, and are fully committed to the co-parenting of our two boys."

Ilusion Millan filed for divorce at Los Angeles court Friday, citing irreconcilable differences, legal documents show. She is seeking primary physical custody of the kids with visitation for Cesar, 40, as well as spousal support.

Millan is the longtime host of the National Geographic Channel's Dog Whisperer. He famously came to the U.S. as a young man from his native Mexico with $100 in his pocket and a dream of becoming a famous dog trainer. He succeeded – with the help of some famous clients such as Jada Pinkett Smith. In addition to hosting his television show, Millan has authored several best-selling books.

World's ugliest dog passes

2010-06-03T10:27:00.000-07:00

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn -- Miss Ellie, a small, bug-eyed Chinese Crested Hairless dog whose pimples and lolling tongue helped her win Animal Planet's "World's Ugliest Dog" contest in 2009, has died at age 17 after a career in resort show business in the Smoky Mountains.

The Mountain Press reported Thursday that Ellie starred in shows at the Comedy Barn in Pigeon Forge.

She also appeared on The Animal Planet cable show "Dogs 101" and was on billboards and in a commercial.

Pigeon Forge Mayor Keith Whaley proclaimed Nov. 12 as "Miss Ellie Day" for her owner's efforts to raise money for the local humane society. Over the years, Ellie helped raise more than $100,000 for the Sevier County Humane Society.

She will be cremated.

Surf Dogs

2010-05-25T14:28:00.001-07:00

Dogs from around the country took part in this SoCal competition, which also served as a fundraiser for the San Diego Police Department's canine unit. Here's TJ letting loose on a wave. He sure is one cool cat ... errr, dog.

Each dog had 10 minutes to show its stuff while judges noted the length of the dog's ride, its confidence and whether or not it could "grip it and rip it."

There were three different heats for the dogs to compete in: small dogs, large dogs and tandem. Ranging from 5-pound Pomeranians to 85-pound Bernese Mountain Dogs.

The Surf Dog Competition is an extension of Loews Hotels’ Loews Loves Pets program and has become a successful fundraiser for local pet-related charities.

Dog ear facts

2010-05-18T14:32:00.000-07:00

A few interesting tidbits of canine trivia:

A dog's level attention can be determined by ear behavior. Erect ears facing forward indicate that your pooch is engaged. Slightly back eaers signal friendliness and ears folded back tightly against the head suggest fear or timidness.
In the still of a night when the rest of us are asleep, a dog can can hear the bodily vibrations of termites in your walls.
While domestic dogs can hear frequncies much high than that of us, they can't hear as high as cats can.
A dogs' ears move independently of one another.
The canine ear canal is L-shaped as it turns towards the ear drum, making them predisposed to yeast infections and parasites and sometimes hard to diagnose.
The longest ears ever recorded according to the Guinness Book belong to a bloodhound named Tiger from IL. His right ear measures 13.75" while his left is 13.5".

Horse saved by other horses!

2010-05-18T14:23:00.000-07:00

An amazing story I wanted to include here:

A horse shot twice with a crossbow by unknown vandals survived after four fellow mares spent three hours taking turns — to lick the wound clean, The Sun reported Tuesday.

The 20-year-old horse, Zeta, was in critical condition after one of the arrows bounced off her rib, while another lodged an inch from her lung as she grazed in a field in the U.K. Owner Jo Young, 39, said the four other horses saved Zeta's life.

"It was really touching that when she was found the other horses in the field were nuzzling her for comfort and licking the wound,” Young said. "They kept the wound clean which would have prevented it from being infected by bacteria. It also helped to stem the blood flow.”

"There was definitely a herd instinct kicking in among the horses. They knew Zeta was in need and they rallied round to save her," he said.

Witnesses saw a group of teenage boys running away from the field at the time of the attack.
The police and RSPCA launched an investigation into the shooting.

German Shepherd Hero.

2010-04-23T14:22:00.000-07:00

ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Alaska State Troopers are presenting a special award to Buddy, a German Shepherd that led authorities to a fire at his owners' property near Willow.

Buddy will receive the engraved silver-plated dog bowl Friday afternoon in Anchorage.

Troopers say Buddy and his owner, 23-year-old Ben Heinrichs, were in the family workshop on the Caswell Lakes property April 4 when a heater ignited chemicals.

Heinrichs, who sustained minor flash burns on his face, dashed out as the fire grew. He then told Buddy "we need to get help."

The dog took off and eventually found a trooper responding to a call about the fire. Buddy led the officer through winding back roads to the house and the trooper guided firefighters to the scene.

The workshop was destroyed, but only some window trim on the house was damaged

Lab Loyal to Owner, Even in Death

2010-04-21T16:36:00.000-07:00

Through the last six years of his life, Parley Nichols, 81, never left his Hartville, Ohio, home without his dog Lady. The two were best friends, soul mates and constant companions who took care of each other.

So when Parley, who had developed dementia, went missing on April 8, it was no surprise that Lady, his 6-year-old golden retriever that he bought as a puppy, was also gone.

"Dad had been wandering around, and we kept looking for him for a solid week, sending out flyers, doing whatever we could," Terry Nichols, one of Parley's two sons, tells PEOPLEPets.com. "With his dementia, he would struggle to hear you talk to him, then four hours later he seemed okay. We were very worried."

Finally, a neighbor called saying someone had driven by a field outside of town and heard a dog barking, trying to attract attention. But when Nichols and other family members drove to the area, they found nothing.

"When we went a second time to a different place by a creek, we found Lady and my dad, who was already dead," Nichols tells PEOPLEPets.com. "Lady was standing by his side protecting him. We are sure that she never left my dad for seven days, staying alive by drinking water from the creek."

Lady didn't know what to do when she saw other members of the Nichols family arrive at the scene on April 14. They had to pull her away from her master and place her in the back of their pickup truck.

"I don't know how dogs perceive things but she knew she had to stay with dad no matter what," says Nichols. "And she did."

Decorative Luggage Tags

2010-04-12T09:24:00.000-07:00

"Do it, Say it, Wear it!" That is the motto of Studio250.com, an online store. Unforunately they don't have any other canine items other than these luggage tags at this time. If you like their store, let them know and send them a note stating you'd like to see more dog-centic accessories.

Make your bag stand out with this adorable luggage tag. Made of durable rubber and 4" x 2" large size will easily seen. Reverse side contains a plastic protected card to fill out our personal contact information. Don't leave home without it!

We went and checked these out for you. In addition to what is pictured above, they also have tags representing a Terrier and Dachshund. They have a price tag of $12

'Ritz'-y canines

2010-04-09T16:46:00.000-07:00

At the Miami (South Beach) location of the Ritz-Carlton, you're not the only guest that has the ability to be pampered.

For a prices starting at $250 (in addition to the human price tag), the Ritz is offering quite an experience for your pooch.

Rooms feature a luxurious four-poster dog bed with Italian Frette sheets, made-to-order doggie treats from the kitchen, and water bowls filled with Fiji or Evian water.

Why not finish with a relaxing massage, color enhancement, and grooming?

Top 10 Pet Health Claims

2010-04-09T16:40:00.000-07:00

According to the ASPCA, fewer than 10% of pets are covered by insurance.

Out of the reported claims, here are the top 10 claims (2009 and running):

Ear infections
Skin allergies
Pyoderma/hot spots
Gastritis/vomiting
Enteritis/diarrhea
Urinary tract infections
Benign skin tumors
Osteoarthritis
Eye inflammation
Hypothyroidism

VIDEO: Dog Sled

2010-04-01T08:41:00.001-07:00

Sorry it's been a while since our last post, but sometimes life outside the internet takes over.

Anyway, here is a cute two minute video of some golden labs playing in the snow we thought you may enjoy. There's nothing like seeing a pet, or any animal for that matter, discover something new to enjoy and then begin to play.

http://www.dogwork.com/snow2/

2010-03-17T08:46:00.000-07:00

FARMINGTON, N.M. - The patient was only slightly injured when he limped into a hospital in the northwest New Mexico city of Farmington.

The only problem was, he was a dog.

When the automatic doors at San Juan Regional Medical Center's emergency room slid open Saturday night, the pooch walked in, blood on his nose and paw, and a puncture hole in one leg.

Animal control officer Robin Loev (LOHV) responded to a call from the hospital and suspects the puncture wound was from the bite of another dog.

Loev says the German shepherd mix appeared to be intelligent and calm — and knew enough to go to the right place.

The animal was taken to the Farmington Animal Shelter and claimed by its owner.

Man chokes puppy rsulting in death.

2010-02-26T12:57:00.000-08:00

SAN DIEGO — A man who said he choked his 10-week-old Labrador retriever as punishment for biting is headed to court on a felony animal cruelty charge because the dog has died.

Officials with the San Diego Department of Animal Services say Coco went into cardiac arrest early Friday and could not be revived.

David Hale Warner took the dog to a veterinary clinic early Wednesday, saying he pinned the dog down for 20 seconds to teach it a lesson after the puppy bit his girlfriend on the nose.

Officials say the dog couldn't walk, was breathing poorly had reddish saliva and blue gums when it was brought to the clinic.

After Warner was arrested, authorities learned he was wanted on a warrant charging him with spousal abuse. If convicted of animal cruelty, Warner faces prison and a fine of up to $20,000.

Chief Barker: Is it me, or is violence against domesticated animals seem like its on the rise in recent months. This just saddens me beyond all belief. The puppy was most likely playing and just learning to socialize.

Spay Day tomorrow

2010-02-22T12:47:00.000-08:00

The last Tuesday in February marks the annual recognition of Spay Day brought to you by The Human Society of the Untied States and Humane Society International. This will be it's 16th year.

It's purpose is to inspire people and save animal lives by spaying and neutering pets and feral cats.

Just in the United States alone there is an estimated 6-8 homeless animals that enter shelters every year. Slightly less than half are actually adopted leaving the rest to be euthanized. That equates to upwards of 4 millions animals just in the U.S. alone! Spaying and nuetring is the only 100% effective way control birth among stray dogs and cats.

As you know with the state of the economy as it is, more and more people are giving up their animals and services at both the state and county levels are recieving even less money towards animals services. The number of euthanization may even go up from current numbers.

Please, please...if you own or know someone who has a pet that has yet to be spayed or neutered please provide inforamtion or look into it yourself. Many shelters even have programs that will either pay 100% or subsidize the procedures.

There are many Spay Day 2010 events taking place all over the country. Check this link here to see if there is an event near you!

Alert: Nature's Variety issues recall.

2010-02-18T10:00:00.000-08:00

Nature’s Variety has recalled their Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diet for dogs and cats with a “Best If Used By” date of 11/10/10 because these products may be contaminated with Salmonella. The only products affected are limited to chicken medallions, patties, and chubs with a “Best If Used By” date of 11/10/10. No other Nature’s Variety products are affected.
The affected products are limited to the Nature’s Variety Chicken Formula Raw Frozen Diet packaged in the following forms:

* 3 lb chicken medallions (UPC# 7 69949 60130 2) with a “Best If Used By” date of 11/10/10
* 6 lb chicken patties (UPC# 7 69949 60120 3) with a “Best If Used By” date of 11/10/10
* 2 lb chicken chubs (UPC# 7 69949 60121 0) with a “Best If Used By” date of 11/10/10

The “Best If Used By” date is located on the back of the package above the safe handling instructions. The affected product was distributed through retail stores and internet sales in the United States, and in limited distribution in Canada.

If you are a consumer and have purchased one of the affected products, please return the unopened product to your retailer for a full refund or replacement. If your package has been opened, please dispose of the raw food in a safe manner by securing it in a covered trash receptacle. Then, bring your receipt (or the empty package in a sealed bag) to your local retailer for a full refund or replacement.

Nature’s Variety became aware of a potential problem after receiving a consumer complaint. Subsequent testing indicated that the lot code related to the consumer complaint tested negative for Salmonella. However, additional subsequent testing found the “Best If Used By” date of 11/10/10 to be contaminated with Salmonella.

Puppy Bowl Return to AP Feb 7, 2010

2010-02-05T10:44:00.000-08:00

If you're not a sports fan, tune in to Animal Planet on Sunday for some adorable puppy action! On February 7, Puppy Bowl will be back for its sixth year, showing from 3-5PM and then repeating throughout the night.

An all-star, all-adorable cast will mix it up on the gridiron, and this year, the network is bringing the cuteness to a new level with bunny cheerleaders and a kitten half-time show!

All of the precious puppies come from shelters, including the SPCA of Anne Arundel County (Maryland), Pennsylvania SPCA, All Star Pet Rescue (New Jersey), Waveland Animal Shelter (Mississippi) and All Paws Rescue (Missouri).

If you're interested in adopting your own rescue pup, you can visit Petfinder.com.

To vote for this year's MVP (Most Valuable Puppy),visit AnimalPlanet.com. But before you vote, click through to get a glimpse of this year's starting lineup!

Sparky Tweets!

2010-01-27T14:21:00.000-08:00

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Social networking is going to the dogs.

In its first-ever toy created for the canine community, Mattel is introducing a product called "Puppy Tweets" that meshes the hugely popular Twitter with consumers' love of pets.

Puppy Tweets is a plastic tag with a sound and motion sensor that you attach to your pet's dog collar and connect its USB receiver to your computer. Then you create a Twitter account for your dog and enjoy updates all day from Sparky or whatever its name is on your computer or smartphone.

The tag is set with several pre-recorded tweets that are triggered by the dog's activities. So if he's running around, you might get a tweet that says "I finally caught that tail I've been chasing and...OOUUUCHH!"

If Sparky is napping, he'll tweet "Somedays it feels like my paw is permanently on the snooze button!" If he's making a ruckus, his tweet will let you know that as well, saying"YAHOOOOOOO! Somedays you just gotta get your bark on."

"Puppy Tweets capitalizes on two popular trends - the use of social media and real time communication, as well as peoples' extreme love for their dogs," said Susan Russo, Mattel's director of marketing.

Puppy Tweets is part of the No. 1 toymaker's line-up of new products for 2010 that it showcased to members of the media Thursday ahead of the industry's annual Toy Fair in New York next month.

Jim Silver, a toy industry analyst and editor-in-chief of TimetoPlayMag.com, said he was "curious" about Puppy Tweets when he first saw it.

"I thought that a 5-year-old doesn't know about Twitter," he said. But he said that Mattel is going after an entirely different market and "expanding beyond kids" with Puppy Tweets. "This is a product for adults."

"It's a good thing to try especially since no one else has come up with a pet product quite like this."

Puppy Tweets will be available at retailers in the fall, and will carry a suggested retail price of $29.99.

Dog Town - Free game trial!

2010-01-25T10:57:00.000-08:00

Thanks to John McFeely for sending us this info:

With the huge success of the National Geographic Channel’s show DogTown, National Geographic Games decided to jump on board! National Geographic Games has developed a new PC user game titled DogTown.

In this game the player is a volunteer at DogTown and it is their mission to rehabilitate every dog that enters their facility.

Working with the DogTown staff and the stars of the hit show, the player will not only improve a dog’s physical health but also work to improve the mental strain and heartache that many unadoptable dogs feel. The player will spend significant time with each dog diagnosing ailments, playing catch, and teaching tricks, pampering the dogs and introducing them to the big world outside of DogTown!

Visit this link to see more and play: http://games.nationalgeographic.com/

Mother arrested for directing son to harm pet

2010-01-22T13:36:00.000-08:00

I know this isn't a dog story, but it's disturbing none the less as it demonstrates that no matter how many times animal cruetly is reported and profiled on the news, there are just some people that just don't seem to get it.

Not only are we disturbed and greatly saddened by outcome for the pet in question, but also for the child that was asked to perform this task by his parent. What kind of world are we living in where this is deemed acceptable as a just corrective message by any parent. How will this affect the child later in life in social setting and his own development? And what state of mind is this parent in?

WARM SRPINGS, Ga. — A Georgia woman is in jail after police say she forced her son to kill his pet hamster with a hammer as punishment for bad grades.

The sheriff of rural Meriwether County told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution Thursday that the 12-year-old boy told his teacher about the killing. The teacher reported it to the Division of Family and Child Services, who contacted police.

Sheriff Steve Whitlock said 38-year-old Lynn Middlebrooks Geter of Warm Springs faces one charge each of animal cruelty, child cruelty and battery.

The sheriff's office said she remained in the Meriwether County jail early Friday. It was not immediately known if she had a lawyer.

Meriwether County is located about 90 minutes southwest of Atlanta.

Woman to use insanity defense in treatment of pets

2010-01-21T12:41:00.000-08:00

RIVERHEAD, N.Y. — A Long Island woman has pleaded not guilty to abusing family pets in front of her children. Investigators say 42 dead animals were later found buried in her yard.
Defense attorney James Saladino told a judge Thursday he's considering an insanity defense for Sharon McDonough.

McDonough also is accused of using excessive corporal punishment because her toddler's crying woke her up.

She could face up to two years in prison if convicted of the top charge, aggravated animal cruelty. She also is charged with child endangerment and animal torture.

Her adult son contacted authorities about the living conditions of his younger siblings. He also complained that five dogs and a cat were mistreated in the Selden home

MI man arrested for living with too many dogs.

2010-01-13T11:13:00.000-08:00

DEARBORN, Mich. — A man who had hundreds of live and dead Chihuahuas and Chihuahua mixes in his Detroit-area home has pleaded guilty to an animal cruelty charge in a deal that keeps him out of prison.

Fifty-six-year-old Kenneth Lang Jr. of Dearborn made the plea Tuesday in Wayne County Circuit Court. He had faced up to four years in prison.

Under the deal, Lang gets five years' probation, may not own animals and must pay $3,000 restitution to the Animal Legal Defense Fund.

In July, authorities found Lang was hoarding the dogs. They say some dead dogs in freezers in the home may have been killed with an injection.

Defense lawyer James Schmier says his client needs treatment for an obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Chihuahua rescue

2010-01-06T10:13:00.000-08:00

SAN FRANCISCO — More than a dozen Chihuahuas from San Francisco are flying in style to new homes in New York.

The 15 animals are flying in the main cabin of Virgin America flights scheduled to leave from San Francisco International Airport on Wednesday morning.
Officials from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will meet the animals at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and help find them homes.

San Francisco animal control officials say Chihuahuas are in abundance at California animal shelters, but they're in demand in other states like New York.

Experts say pop culture is to blame for the overpopulation of the dogs in California, with fans imitating Chihuahua-toting celebrities like Paris Hilton.

Facelift for Adoption

2010-01-05T11:16:00.000-08:00

A wrinkly dog has received a full face lift and a double eye lift costing $897 so he won’t go blind.

The abandoned shar pei, named Roland, from Australia, is highly prized for his wrinkly skin. But the breed suffers from entropion, a painful condition in which his wrinkles cause his eyelashes to turn inward and rub against his eyeballs, The Daily Telegraph in Sydney reported.

If left untreated the condition could have caused Roland to go blind and was preventing him from finding a home. So the dog has had cosmetic surgery.

Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals chief veterinarian Magdoline Awad said the 90-minute surgery was not about vanity.

"What we have done is made him adoptable," she said.

"It is not uncommon in this breed, it is a congenital problem."

Roland now has a better chance at finding a good home as a family could adopt him without having to pay for the surgery, Dr Awad said.

Town hold dog census.

2009-12-22T13:35:00.000-08:00

It begins with a knock on the door of a well-appointed house on a quiet street in a South Jersey suburb.

On doorsteps across the state, residents are opening their doors to find municipal workers conducting house-by-house searches to check for unlicensed dogs.

Under a state law that health officials estimate dates to the 1950s, when rabies was a real threat to household pets, New Jersey towns are required to conduct the census every two years.

"I started here in 1985, and there was a requirement then," said Faye Sorhage, chief veterinarian for the Department of Health and Senior Services. "It's pretty much eliminated dog rabies in New Jersey."

As the rabies threat has declined, so has the number of municipalities following the little-known regulation. In 1980, 91 percent of towns submitted canvases to the state; in 2008, only 32 percent did so, according to health department records.

Chesilhurst, a mostly low-income community near the Pine Barrens, does not participate in the census and won't for the foreseeable future, Mayor Michael Blunt said.

"Chesilhurst has so many other problems, the last thing we're concerned about is a dog census," he said. "The minute you start giving people tickets, you bring hell on yourself."

Under state rules, if a resident is found to have an unlicensed dog in his or her home, the municipality can send out a bill for the license with the threat of a fine for nonpayment.

For New Jersey residents, who generally consider themselves to be some of the most onerously taxed people in the country, the $10 to $20 charge is like a red flag to a bull.

A visit from Fries earlier this month left Chuck Rupertus, owner of a small landscaping company, irate."Why do we even have this guy? I pay $14,000 a year in property taxes, and they're nickel-and-diming me about my dog. It's not costing anybody in the town,"

How much is that doggy in the window?

2009-12-15T08:54:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Matt Pynn

Many parents will be scouring the internet to find the best deal on toys and gadgets this Christmas, which means facing the online threat of ‘counterfeit’ goods. However, there’s another item on the list and it’s not the latest games console or fad toy, but one of the 50,000* trafficked puppies believed to be imported from Ireland each year, as well as those bred by unscrupulous breeders in the UK.

Nearly a third (32 per cent) of people thinking about buying a puppy admitted they will search the internet or ads in a local newspaper to find a cut-price, puppy bargain and 45 per cent would be prepared to pay less than £200, according to new research from animal welfare charity, the RSPCA.

The charity is concerned that, despite warnings not to buy a puppy this Christmas, people are unaware of the threat of potentially huge hidden costs, and dangers of buying a ‘counterfeit’ puppy.

Furthermore, almost one in five people (19 per cent) planning to buy a puppy are giving in to the demands of their family’s children. The research shows that the combination of desperate parents, and the Christmas rush for presents, could create the perfect storm for the puppy ‘counterfeiters’ who have little regard for animal welfare and whose main concern is profit.

When asked about buying a puppy, 92 per cent of those planning to purchase feel it is important to know where it has come from, yet more than half (56 per cent) say they plan to get one from an advertisement in a newspaper, on the internet or from a pet shop. Based on complaints received from members of the public, the RSPCA believes this increases the chance of buying a ‘counterfeit’ puppy, with potentially fatal health problems such as Canine parvovirus or worms. This means that some new owners could find themselves facing the heartache of a very sick or even dead puppy after Christmas.

Justine Pannett, spokesperson from the RSPCA, said: “The RSPCA warns people not to buy puppies as Christmas presents. It’s quite shocking to learn that despite this, people may be treating shopping for a puppy in much the same way they would for other Christmas gifts, like a Wii, and looking at ways to make savings wherever possible. There’s no cheap way to be a puppy owner. People thinking about buying a puppy don’t just need to plan for the initial cost of buying it. They also need to consider the on-going costs and commitment needed to care for a dog throughout its life.”

The RSPCA emphasises the importance of thorough research before buying a puppy. A few examples of checks that can be done include always seeing a puppy with its mother in the place where it was bred, as well as checking vaccination cards and vet details carefully. The charity also advises that if the vet’s contact details are obscured or are registered outside of the UK, the vaccination card could be a fake.

One mother from Kent, who remains anonymous due to an ongoing investigation, gave into pressure from her children to buy a puppy and has regretted not researching its origins ever since. This October, after scouring the newspapers and internet an advertisement on a website selling puppies caught her eye. She went to the breeder’s home in Surrey with her family and paid £250 for Archie, a Jack Russell puppy. Despite seeing what the breeder claims was a vaccination card, within five days Archie became dehydrated, was diagnosed with suspected Canine parvovirus and placed on a drip. A few days later he was put to sleep.

“We were all absolutely devastated,” the Mother said. “I feel like I’ve been very naïve but you don’t expect to get a puppy and for it to die just a few days later. Archie was supposed to have been vaccinated, but when we looked closer the card we had been given by the breeder looked like a fake. Next time we will do more research and think very carefully about where we get a puppy from.”

Justine concluded: “Puppy trafficking is an appalling, profit-driven business and we can’t emphasise enough the importance to Britain’s dog-loving public of working together to fight the puppy ‘counterfeiters’. It’s not always easy to spot a trafficked puppy just from looking at it, but we recommend doing thorough research before buying a puppy, to help save heartache and spare people from lining the pockets of unscrupulous ‘counterfeiters’.”

To find out more about puppy trafficking please visit www.rspca.org.uk/puppytrafficking

ALERT: Pig Ear and Beef Hoof recall.

2009-12-14T16:27:00.000-08:00

Pet Carousel has initiated a recall of all Pig Ears and all varieties of Beef Hoof pet treats because the products may be contaminated with Salmonella. The problem was discovered after FDA testing found positive results for Salmonella in pig ears and beef hoof products.

These products were recalled because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. Salmonella can affect both humans and animals. People handling dry pet food and/or pet treats can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the treats or any surfaces exposed to these products.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella may experience some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Although rare, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments including arterial infections, endocarditis (inflammation of the lining of the heart), arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their health care provider immediately.

Pets with Salmonella infections may become lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. Some pets may only experience a 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 any of the affected products or is experiencing any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.

The following products have been recalled: The affected pig ear products were packaged under the brand names Doggie Delight, Pork Tasteez and Pet CarouselItem No.: * 18100-P Bulk* 18016-P 10-pk red mesh bag* 18120-P 20-pk red mesh bag.

The affected beef hooves were packaged under the brand names Choo Hooves, Dentley’s, Doggie Delight, and Pet CarouselItem No.: * 1506-K 5 lb. bulk* 1507-K 10 lb. bulk* 1520-K 20 lb. bulk* 12125-T 10-pk vinyl bag* 12110-T 10-pk, vinyl bag* 12111-T 10-pk, vinyl bag* 12122-T 10 lb., bulk* 1503-K 3-pk, vinyl bag* 1510-K 10-pk ,vinyl bag* 1405-S 5 lb., bulk* 1408-S 10-pk, vinyl bag* 1410-S 10 lb., bulk* 1420-S 20 lb., bulk* 90058-H Cheese/& Bacon Stuffed Hoof, bulk* 90056-H Peanut Butter Stuffed Hoof, bulk* 17005-R Rope toy with Hooves.

The products were distributed nationwide in both bulk and retail packaging for sale in pet food and retail chain stores throughout the country. All sizes and all lots of these pork ears purchased on or after 08/16/2009 and all beef hoof products in all varieties purchased on or after 09/16/2009 made by Pet Carousel are included in this alert.

Pet Carousel has completed notifying its consignees and requested the consignees return affected products and remove them from retail sales. Out of an abundance of caution and concern for public safety, Pet Carousel is issuing this press release to inform consumers of potential risks and to ensure that all affected product has either been returned or otherwise removed from use.

Consumers who have purchased the products described above should cease use and return the product to their place of purchase. Additionally, consumers with questions may contact Pet Carousel at 800-231-3572 from 8:00am to 4:00pm PST.

Review: Dog Town - Tales of Rescue, Rehabilitaion, and Redemption

2009-12-14T15:02:00.001-08:00

The Daily Woof gets asked to review items from time to time and we especially enjoy books and useful products.

Sometimes it is difficult to adequately review an item in just mere words, as sometimes the item reviewed seems to transcend conventional narratives and is more of a ‘feeling’ than anything else. That’s how we feel about the book “Dog Town: Tales of Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Redemption.” from National Geographic Press.

This book clocks in around 300 pages and is a collection of heart wrenching stories, all true, from the viewpoint of various staff members at the Best Friends Animal Society just outside Kanab, Utah. For those that have ever watched the show, both some of the staff and dogs will be very familiar to you, but the writings contained within can capture and compliment those tales seen within the television show.

Each of the 15 chapters follows the story of a rescued dog. The stories can really touch your soul and it’s impossible not to have empathy for both the dog and the caretaker in question. From abused animals, to older and sickly ones, these are first hand accounts told from the viewpoint and words of those on the front line.

Some of the chapters end in happiness, and some do not. It’s fact, it’s raw, and makes one really think about animals and the volunteers in a whole new light.

The chapters are accompanied with nice black and white photographs, and there is also educational and training tips contained within as well (Thanks to Pat Whitcare). The education comes in exposing puppy mills, dog fighting, and other important care related issues.

As we said, it’s hard to put into words the power of this book. The Daily Woof highly recommends this as a ‘must read’ for anyone who has ever loved or cared for not just a dog, but any animal and the people who volunteer their skills and time to ease their suffering and make a ‘quality’ life. 5 stars.

Oh, and every book that is purchased? A portion of the proceeds goes to the Best Freinds Animal Society.

Dog survives 98 days by self on island.

2009-12-09T14:29:00.000-08:00

Buddy, a 4-year-old beagle, was reunited with his New Jersey family on Monday after 98 days spent on unihabited Gull Island in New Jersey' Manasquan Inlet.

The Kelleys, of Eatontown, N.J., lost control of Buddy on Aug. 31 as the family attempted to switch the dog's leash while frolicking on Dog Beach in the Manasquan.

Two months later, Buddy — who had lost so much weight he was little more than skin and bones — was spotted along railroad tracks near the deserted island.

"The Coast Guard said they had seen him digging in the sand," said Edith Kelley. "He might've been looking for clams or sand crabs."

Exactly how the dog survived is unclear, but Kelley said Coast Guard officials told her the dog might have survived on dead seagulls found on the island. But by the time a local man, "Muskrat" Jack Neary, successfully trapped Buddy on Monday, the once-35-pound dog had dropped to just 19 pounds.

Kelley's husband, Charles, said he still can't fathom how Buddy made it back home.

"I'm still walking around in a funk, it's hard to believe," Charles continued. "I mean, is this true? It's hard to believe."

Edith Kelley, whose son Patrick cares for Buddy, said the family is simply "ecstatic" to be reunited with their "miracle" dog.

"I couldn't believe it — after 98 days," she said. "And he's behaving like he never left. He didn't go feral."

Alaska's Sheep Mountain dog sled race cancelled.

2009-12-08T15:36:00.000-08:00

The first major Alaska sled-dog race has been cancelled due to a lack of snow, The Anchorage Daily News reported.

Alaska’s Talkeetna Mountains have not received enough snow to allow The Sheep Mountain 150 to take place this weekend, said race director Zack Steer said, according to ADN.

"There is not enough snow to support 45 dog teams, especially on the downhill sections in the mountains," Steer said in a press release, ADN reported.

"Mushers are not able to control their dog teams without adequate snow to operate the sled brake. Safety for the dogs and the mushers is paramount to this race, and right now that is not possible."

The Sheep Mountain 150 is the first mid-distance race of the season. Many teams training for the Iditarod or Yukon Quest use the race as a season warm-up, according to ADN

Spam, Spam, & More Spam

2009-12-08T15:12:00.000-08:00

Good afternoon all...

I know it's been a few weeks since our last informative posting and we get a lot of email correspondance that we always try and respond to in a timely and positive manner.

However, in recent weeks, The Daily Woof has been the subject of Spam bots, particularly in the comments section. We have noted a substantial increase in bogus comments, mostly for fake websites that may redirect your click to a questionable site, advertisements that have nothing to do with dogs (namely watches and pharmacueticals), or other exploits.

For this reason, we have decided to temporarily introduce a comment moderation aspect that may help cut down on the spam. Personally, we don't like to do this as we want all dog and animal lovers to leave a friendly or helpful comment as effortlessly as possible. There are various degrees of comment moderation from 'open' to very 'stringent', but feel that making you, the reader, jump through too many hoops is a distraction and a pain. Therefore, we are taking the 'light' approach for now, requesting that you simply use a word verification method to leave a comment.

Hopefully you will not find this too much of a hinderance and will choose to comply in order to leave a comment, until we feel that The Daily Woof is in more of a 'spam free' environment.

Until then, please be patient as we go back in our posts and remove the junk.

-Chief Barker.

Poetry: I adopted your Dog today

2009-11-19T09:34:00.000-08:00

I adopted your dog today
The one you left at the pound
The one you had for seven years
and no longer wanted around.
I adopted your dog today
Do you know he’s lost weight?
Do you know he’s scared and depressed
and has lost all faith?
I adopted your dog today
He had fleas and a cold
But don’t worry none
You’ve unburdened your load.
I adopted your dog today
Were you having a baby or moving away?
Did you suddenly develop allergies?
Or another reason he couldn’t stay?
I adopted your dog today
He doesn’t play or eat much
He’s very depressed
But he will learn again to trust
I adopted your dog today
And here he will stay
He’s found his forever home
And a warm bed on which to lay.
I adopted your dog today
And I will give him all that he could need -
Patience, love, security and understanding.
Hopefully he will forget your selfish deed.

- Author Unknown

Humor

2009-11-17T16:27:00.000-08:00

Military dog found, after 1 year missing in Afghanistan

2009-11-12T14:34:00.000-08:00

SYDNEY — A bomb-sniffing dog that disappeared during a fierce battle in Afghanistan between Australian troops and militant fighters has been found and returned to its unit after more than a year.

And Sabi the black labrador is getting a celebrity welcome home.

Sabi was with a joint Australian-Afghan army patrol ambushed in restive Uruzgan province in September 2008, triggering a gunfight that wounded nine troops and earned one Australian soldier the country's highest bravery medal.

But there was no sign of Sabi after the battle, and months of searching failed to find any sign of the retriever — until now.

Defense officials said Thursday that a U.S. soldier recovered Sabi at an isolated patrol base elsewhere in Uruzgan. Further details about the base were not given.

The dog was returned to the Australians' base in the province just in time for a visit by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who was photographed Wednesday along with the U.S. commander in Afghanistan Gen. Stanley McChrystal petting Sabi.

"Sabi is back home in one piece and is a genuinely nice pooch as well," Rudd told reporters.
Exactly where Sabi has been or what happened to her during the past 14 months will probably never be known, though that she was in good condition when she was found indicated somebody had been looking after her, military spokesman Brig. Brian Dawson told reporters in Canberra.
The dog was being tested for diseases before a decision was made on whether she can return to Australia.

PETA distances itself from former spokes person Dominque Swain

2009-11-10T11:16:00.000-08:00

It sounds like “Alpha Dog” starlet and PETA spokeswoman Dominique Swain needs a refresher course on how to treat animals.

The 29-year-old actress was spotted at an animal shelter in Malibu over the weekend of November 7th, accompanied by her father and a box of eight-week-old, half cocker spaniel puppies that her dog had.

“She was really strung out and just wanted to dump the puppies there, they had never even been to a vet,” an eyewitness tells Tarts. “She was told that it was crucial that they had their shots at four and eight weeks, and they had to be kept away from the other shelter dogs.”

According to the witness, the shelter volunteers asked if Swain could make a donation so the required vaccinations could be performed, otherwise the volunteers at the non profit shelter would have to pay for them.

“She said she had no money, despite [driving in] in her BMW,” the eyewitness said. “She was really rude. Eventually she said she would make a small donation, but just left the pups there and drove off.”

It sounds like Swain may have forgotten the words she uttered in PETA’s “I’d Rather Go Naked Then Wear Fur” campaign under the slogan “Kindness is a Class Act.”

"Cruelty to animals is wrong," Swain said. "If all I have to do is stand in front of a blackboard naked to make people think about the cruelty that animals go through to make a fur coat, I'm perfectly willing. I'm baring my skin to save animals' skins!”

A spokesman for PETA was not impressed with the actress's actions.

"We’ve not worked with Dominique in years and there's no excuse for her allowing her dog to breed in a city that is overflowing with homeless animals literally dying for good homes," said the rep. "There are free and low-cost spay-and-neuter services available all over LA. It is up to all animal guardians to fix their cats and dogs. If people don't have the resources to pay for spaying or neutering, they can still find free clinics by doing the tiniest bit of research."

A rep for Swain did not respond for comment.

Dog becomes first offical XBox canine meber

2009-11-03T11:21:00.000-08:00

After accidentally purchasing 5,000 Microsoft Points while chewing on his owner's Xbox 360 controller, Oscar the dog has been officially recognized by Microsoft as the service's first canine member - and given his own Xbox Live account.

A Lab/Hound mix named Oscar - attacked the Xbox 360 controller while his owner slept. According to the owner, while chewing on the controller, Oscar managed to somehow turn the console on and purchase 5,000 Microsoft Points for his owner's account, which was discovered the following morning when the owner found the confirmation from Microsoft of the $62.50 transaction in his email.

The owner wasn't mad, only mystified - and had already spent the points on downloadable games - the story wasn't quite over. Now there's been an official response from Microsoft:

"People spend tens of billions of dollars on their pets every year," said a MS spokesperson, "but it's pretty unusual for your pet to return the favor (except in love and tail wagging of course)."

The Redmond-based software giant will be refunding the points, setting Oscar up with his own Xbox Live subscription and gamertag (with some extra points thrown in so the dog can buy 'Splosion Man, of course) and sending the owner a brand-new, not-chewed-on controller.

Poetry: Old Dog in a Locket

2009-10-28T15:39:00.000-07:00

Old dog in a locket

That lays next to my heart

I will always love you

As I did right from the start.

You were right beside me

Through the darkest of my days

It was your kind and gentle nature

That made me want to stay.

Now I hold you in my arms

Your breath still warm against my hand

Our hearts still beat together

And I wonder if you understand.

Through the hours that I held you

Before the light did leave your soul

I knew a way to keep you

Forever in my hold.

I snipped the hair from around your eyes

So I would always see

The beauty that surrounds me

Even in times of need.

I snipped the hair from around your ears

So I would always hear

Music in the distance

To quiet any fears.

I snipped the hair from across your back

To bring me strength in time of need

And the power of your essence

Would always be with me.

I snipped the hair from around your heart

That beat in time with mine

So I would know that love would find me

At some distant time.

And so, your life slipped out of mine

On a quiet Spring like day

But I knew that a part of you

Was always here to stay.

Old dog in a locket

That lays next to my heart

I will always love you

Even though we had to part.

-Heidi Stamm

Anatomy of a dog raid.

2009-10-20T13:27:00.000-07:00

We wanted to share this with you as a 'live' account on a dog raid that took place on October 15th, 2009. Brought to you by CNN as reported by Brooke Baldwin. It's a bit lengthy and we decided not to break it up into two parts as we normally would for articles this size, but TDW felt it would lose momentum if broken up.

LAURENS COUNTY, Georgia (CNN) -- It was 8 a.m. October 15. Our CNN crew had been up for a while, waiting. We still didn't have an address.

My producer, Susan Brown, and I had several questions: What would the living conditions of these dogs be like? What about the man whose door the Sheriff's Office was about to knock on? He was unaware of the raid that was about to occur in his backyard. Despite all of our planning, unknown variables were at play.

First stop was the Sheriff's Office in Laurens County, which is in central Georgia. Starting with information from a tip line, authorities had uncovered clues that led them to believe they needed to intervene and investigate.

The plan was this: The sheriff would drive to the property to execute the search warrant for particular objects generally associated with dogfighting, and for the dogs themselves.

Expressing concerns about the conditions at this private residence where dogs were suspected of being bred for dogfighting, Laurens County Sheriff Bill Harrell said, "If anything is going wrong, we want to get it stopped."

Private investigators with Norred and Associates Inc. will work alongside Harrell and his deputies, leading tactical teams. The teams were made up of veteran investigators donating their time, effort and expertise, along with volunteers of the Dublin-Laurens County Humane Society, who would collect and care for the dogs.

All of the team members had experience with animals, particularly pit bulls. Based on information from the tip line, they were starting the day prepared to find as many as 60 dogs chained up in the woods behind one man's house in East Dublin, Georgia. These men and women waited, braced for battle -- only the war they were waging was on animal cruelty.

"I want to thank everybody for coming. It's for a good thing. It's for the dogs." Chuck Simmons, a private investigator and former police chief, was mapping out the search area on a dry erase board.

He was warning his crew about snakes, water from recent rains and nonsocialized dogs.

After loading up crates on several trucks, everyone headed out. With the address of the raid location in hand, our crew joined a convoy of half a dozen cars down several rural roads to our final location. We arrived at a one-story ranch house with several acres of grounds.

The sheriff beat us there. He and his deputies were already roping off this man's front yard with yellow crime tape. Rollin Monta "Monty" Loyd, the property owner, appeared furious. As the teams moved into the woods behind his home, our crew was stuck in front and across the street.

We could not go on the property to get the shots we wanted, because that would be trespassing. We couldn't see the dogs, but we could hear them. The private investigators, who where part of the raid, videotaped the operation.

Half an hour into the raid, reports began to come in. The good news: The dogs were still there; news of the raid hadn't leaked. The bad news: There weren't 60 dogs, as anticipated; there were more. The final count was 97.

Most of the dogs were pit bull terriers; many were puppies. They were found cowering in cages or chained. Some older dogs were scarred -- possible signs of fighting, investigators said. Others were malnourished, simply skin and bone.

Their conditions were atrocious, according to Terry Wolf of the Dublin-Laurens County Humane Society.

"Their chains are too short to reach shelter, those who have shelter. The water that they have seems to be recent rainwater with algae in it, and I've seen no food bowls. Most of them are very timid," Wolf said. "They seem to be human-friendly, but they're attention starved, and they're definitely not socialized. You can tell they've been living hidden in the woods, out of sight."

Irene Sumner, director of the Dublin-Laurens County Humane Society, talked through tears, overcome before the count had been completed.

She told us about a puppy found dead and tossed aside into a used plastic bag.

"I wouldn't do that to anybody. How can they -- what do you need 80-plus dogs for? There's no reason for it. It would be totally different if it was a kennel situation where they were housed, fed, vetted, all of the above. We don't know all of the information on that yet, but you can visually see that that's not the case here," Sumner said.

The Sheriff's Office says no evidence of dogfighting or training was found on the property, but veterinarians will examine the dogs for any physical signs of fighting. Test results will take several days.

As volunteers continued to count dogs and buzzards circled overhead, property owner Loyd waited out front with members of his family. He was angry.

CNN tried to speak to him, to give him a chance to tell his side of the story.

He didn't want to talk. Instead, he shouted to go see his lawyer. When reached, Loyd's attorney said: "My client has not participated in dogfighting and is not charged with dogfighting."

Loyd was arrested and charged with animal cruelty. Neighbors and family members whom CNN spoke with came to his defense, saying Loyd loved the dogs and they were bred to be pets.

The founder and CEO of the private investigation firm heading up this raid isn't buying it.

Since the story broke about NFL player Michael Vick's dogfighting ring, Greg Norred has been donating his firm's time and expertise and his own money to rescuing dogs.

"I'm an animal lover. I've always been an animal lover. And in the wake of the Michael Vick case, I always thought there might be something I could do about animal cruelty, and with the type of business that I'm in and the resources that I have, it seems like dogfighting is the best vehicle that I can use to do something about animal cruelty."

In the past two years, Norred's team has volunteered for at least 16 raids. They've helped put 20 people behind bars and saved 200 dogs. Make that almost 300 after this most recent raid.

Several hours into the raid, the first group of dogs was transported from the woods to an undisclosed location. A CNN crew was allowed to go but could shoot only from inside this building.

Investigators feared that if there were any identifiable marks outside the property, someone might recognize it and steal the dogs. Authorities couldn't take that chance. But they did allow video of some of the dogs from inside the cages. They had taken many puppies, which looked helpless.

Volunteers feared one puppy wouldn't make it through the night.

The next step for these dogs is to determine which ones are healthy enough to possibly be adopted. Some, sadly, won't share that fate. They'll have to be put down.

If you wish to contact for adoption or make a donation, please use the following contact info:

Dublin-Laurens County Humane Society: The Dublin-Laurens County Humane Society can be contacted at 478-272-5341.

Norred and Associates: Norred & Associates Dog Fighting tip line is 1-877-215-2250. A reward of $5,000 is offered for information.

2009-10-16T09:50:00.001-07:00

TAIPEI (Reuters) – A city in central Taiwan is offering shopping vouchers to volunteer dog waste collectors in a bid to clean up a perennial problem caused by the large number of stray animals island-wide.

City officials in Taichung, which has a population of one million, said on Wednesday the environmental protection bureau would give vouchers worth 100 Taiwan dollars ($3) for every kilo of dog poo collected. In areas of the city especially affected, the reward will be for every half-kilo.

“By means of offering rewards, the bureau hopes to goad the public into spontaneous clean-up efforts that protect the environment,” the city council said on its website.

The problem began in the 1980s, when Taiwan saw a boom in pet dogs following economic success, but now residents complain about the canine menace and the government has been fighting the issue for years.

Humor: Funny dog sign

2009-10-15T16:06:00.001-07:00

Vick declines to visit former dogs he owned.

2009-10-15T16:02:00.000-07:00

Michael Vick was given the chance to visit some of his former dogs who are housed at Bay Area Doglovers Responsible About Pit Bulls, also known as BAD RAP. He was going to be in the Bay Area this weekend when the Philadelphia Eagles are in town to play the Oakland Raiders.

Here are the details from The Associated Press:

“We understand Vick is trying to right his wrongs and is very interested in
redemption, but you can’t find redemption without acknowledging your victims,”
Racer said. “Making amends to the dogs themselves would have helped to create
some closure for many of us, especially those people who worked so hard to keep
them from being destroyed. It seems that Vick is not ready to go there.”

The visit would have taken place at a location where Vick could view the dogs from a distance so that it satisfied the conditions of his parole that bar him from being near animals.

Despite the fact that Vick claims he is trying to ‘right his wrong’ he declined the offer. Maybe he was afraid the dogs would recognize him.

Tips for bug bites and stings.

2009-10-07T10:28:00.000-07:00

Dogs most frequently are stung on the mouth or muzzle as they try to catch an insect in flight.

Most stinging arthropods (such as bees, wasps, yellow jackets, and fire ants) inject a toxin that is painful and locally irritating. Some animals will develop a body-wide, or systemic reaction to the toxin. This is the equivalent to a human suffering from an allergic reaction to a bee sting.

Animals that suffer systemic reaction to arthropod stings or bites may develop hives, itching, red skin, vomiting, diarrhea, or swelling of the face. These symptoms can progress to shock, which can be fatal. Also, animals that develop facial swelling also may develop swelling in the throat, which can compromise breathing.

Witch Hazel can cause allergic reactions as well.

If your pet is stung by a bee or other arthropod, stay calm (dogs often react to the demeanor of their caretakers). If a stinger is in place and your pet will tolerate you handling the area, use a fingernail to scrape out the stinger gently. Do not squeeze the stinger or use tweezers, since this may cause additional poison to be injected through the stinger.

Diphenhydramine, also known as Benadryl, is readily available over the counter at drug stores and a child’s portion is pretty accurate a dosing in small dogs. A dose of 0.5 to 1.0 mg per pound of body weight will prevent shock and reduce the likelihood of facial swelling, hives, and other systemic reactions in many dogs. There are also new disolvable strips if you can't get yoru dog to swallow a pill. Never use a combination product that contains pain killers, anti-inflammatory drugs, or decongestants in a pet.

Remember that this sort of home remedy is no substitute for veterinary care. Some animals will suffer side effects from diphenhydramine. For many animals, diphenhydramine alone will not be enough to halt a systemic reaction to an arthropod bite or sting. But if you are in the middle of the wilderness and getting to a vet isn’t an option, diphenhydramine can make a big difference.

Finally, remember that some types of bites and stings are more serious than others. If your pet is bitten by a black widow spider or brown recluse spider, for instance, simple remedies such as diphenhydramine will not suffice to address the situation. Vet care is a must in these cases.

Supreme Court Weighs Free Speech in Dog Fighting Case

2009-10-06T09:30:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON -- On the first Tuesday of October, the second day if its new session, the Supreme Court will take up the case of a dog lover whose bloody pit bull fighting videos have raised questions on whether free speech protects the sale of horrific scenes of animal cruelty.

Robert Stevens, 69, was sentenced by a Pittsburgh jury in 2005 to more than three years in prison for selling the graphic videos of dog fights.

The 1999 law used in Stevens' sentencing "prohibits the knowing creation, sale, or possession of a depiction of a live animal being intentionally maimed, mutilated, tortured, wounded, or killed" for commercial gain. But the law stipulates that the material must also lack "serious religious, political, scientific, educational, journalistic, historical, or artistic value."

The case centers on a basic fundamental question examining the reach of the First Amendment.

Is the law so broad that it also covers some protected speech, thus making it invalid on its face?
A lower appellate court ruled that it was, striking down Stevens' sentence.

Stevens has defended himself against charges of animal cruelty, insisting that he is a dog lover who distributes information about pit bulls to educate the public. Meanwhile, the government defends the decade-old law used to convict Stevens as an effective deterrent to stop animal cruelty, alleging that Stevens is the type of facilitator and profiteer the law is meant to stop.

The case has made some strange allies. The New York Times joined other media organizations and publishing groups to write a brief to the Court supporting Stevens' case. The paper is concerned the animal cruelty law is so broadly written that it "imperils the media's ability" to report on animal issues.

Also supporting Stevens is the National Rifle Association, which has clearly stated that it does not support animal cruelty, but that the group shares the concern of the media organizations, alleging that the law is so broad in scope that it will hamper its right to sell hunting videos.

And the American Civil Liberties Union says that the law "impermissibly criminalizes a vast array of protected expression [and] targets speech based on its viewpoint."

Solicitor General Elena Kagan argues that the law is necessary to combat the commercial incentives someone might have in trying to profit off of activities that are illegal in all 50 states.

Kagan contends the law is narrowly tailored to target people like Stevens who sold material showing bloody dogfights and so-called "crush videos" in which women wearing high heeled shoes step on animals until they are dead. "Such images are far removed from the free trade in ideas that the First Amendment was designed to protect," Kagan wrote.

Stephen Colbert el dos, rising to the top.

2009-09-29T08:54:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Satirical TV anchorman Stephen Colbert may not have a dog in this fight, but his name alone may have helped a Pomeranian-Chihuahua mix puppy beat a 6-year-old Cavalier King Charles spaniel.

In the online doggie beauty pageant, the canine Steven Colbert el dos won the latest weekly semifinal, which enables him to compete for a $1 million grand prize.

Colbert el dos from Georgia beat Mozart, or MoMo as he's known to his family and friends in New Orleans, Louisiana, to win cutest dog of the week.

"While it certainly would have been a lot of fun for MoMo to win this past week, we're excited for Stephen Colbert el dos and his owners. What a fun and entertaining ride it's been so far." said piano teacher Cara McCool, MoMo's owner.

"We're just happy for the attention this has brought to our charities as well as others supported by so many cute dogs in this competition," McCool said.

Her charities included: Redeemer Presbyterian Disaster Relief, Desire Street Ministries, Louisiana Teachers Save Our Students fund, Cavalier Rescue USA, Musical Arts Society of New Orleans, the Louisiana SPCA, and Teach for America.

Colbert el dos' winnings are pledged to attract a stork to his owners' house. The owners, Bryan and his wife, Allyson, are newlyweds and are hoping to use the prize money for in vitro fertilization treatments to start a family. Colbert el dos' owners asked not to have their last names published to protect their privacy.

Bryan said he was shocked when he found out on Monday his dog had won.

"On Saturday night, I went to bed and we were down 150 votes," he said. "I know they announced the winners on the blog and I saw winner for Week 8 and I was expecting to see Mozart and I saw Stephen Colbert el dos and I just couldn't believe it." He said it was a great day for the 7-month-old puppy and his owners.

Their four-legged family includes three other dogs, all rescues, but they bought Colbert el dos from Puppies Galore in Lawrenceville, Georgia. When they met him, he was 2 months old, barely weighed a pound and would not eat.

The manager of the store said the puppy was regressing after he was separated from his siblings. Now Stephen Colbert el dos is eating well and, "He's as hyper as any puppy you'll see," Bryan said.

Last week, they entered the competition and said they only told a few friends and family members. They posted a note on a Stephen Colbert fan site and support for the pooch went viral.
A Web site said Colbert el dos had an invitation to appear on the "Colbert Report" if he made the top 12. Bryan said the TV show has not contacted them. Renata Luczak, a spokesperson for Comedy Central, could not confirm or deny the pet's booking, saying the "Colbert Report" "refrains from commenting on upcoming guests appearing on the show."

The human comedian Colbert has wreaked havoc in other online competitions, from a Hungarian bridge-naming contest to a NASA competition to name a room in the international space station.

In both cases, Colbert won the popular vote. Hungary declined to name the bridge after Colbert. NASA, instead of naming the room in his honor, sent a treadmill to space with the Colbert honorific.

In those contests, the competitions received heavy promotion during the show, with Colbert urging his viewers to participate. In the dog photo fight, Colbert had an impact without direct participation.

7 Excellent iPhone Apps for Dog Lovers

2009-09-21T14:22:00.000-07:00

-By Mary Ward

There is no end to what you can do with your passion and love for dogs, and these applications prove just that. You can find some excellent iPhone apps to keep your dog entertained and keep your skills sharp in caring for your pooch.

1. Dog Whistler - This gives you the perfect tool for dog training, all at your fingertips! You can use this app as a dog whistle to help train your dog and teach them tricks. This is a perfect complement to obedience training or helpful for the older dog set, making this one of the most popular iPhone apps out there.

2. iPet Dogs – This app will give you instant access to dog lovers from all around the world! This is the first social networking site for dog lovers and allows you to meet and talk with people just like you. You can load this to your iPhone and be tied into whatever is going on within the dog community at that very moment. Learn a thing or two about your prized pooch along the way!

3. Dog Teaser -Have fun with your dog by using this app to keep them playing for hours. You can load any number of sounds that are sure to get your dog moving and barking in some fun play time. This can provide hours of entertainment for your dog and you alike!

4. Virtual Dog – Always wanted a dog but don’t have the time? Now you can adopt a virtual dog right from your iPhone. You can own your own puppy online and care for it, all from cyberspace. Perfect to try out caring for a dog or get yourself ready to see if you can adopt one in real life.

5. Dog Tricks & Bark Machine - This is a perfect tool to help train even the most unruly dog. You can use the sounds and commands on this app to help teach your dog some cool tricks or simply get them to listen to you better. It’s a great tool for the true dog lover!

6. Pet Services Finder – If you want to find the closest place to take Fido for any variety of services, this is an excellent app to keep closeby. You can keep up with the latest local dog parks, find a new groomer, or search for a vet in a town you may be visiting. Keeps you on top of your game when it comes to caring for your pampered pooch!

7. Paws Y& Claws Pet Vet – Here you can test your skills in nursing your dog back to health. Though this is technically a game, it’s an excellent way to learn some new skills that can transfer to real life care for Fido.

The iPhone strives to have an app for everyone, and that includes those of us who love our dogs! Use these apps to entertain and to ease your life with your best friend.

Mary Ward is a freelance writer and likes writing about animal-related career topics, such as how to research and choose among online veterinary technician courses, how to apply for online college grants, and more. TDW thanks her for writing this article and donating her talents for this entry.

Humor: Caption this

2009-09-18T13:34:00.000-07:00

Have a better caption? Then by all means....post it in the comments!

Maternal Instinct

2009-09-17T13:28:00.000-07:00

Germany-

Katjinga, an 8-year-old Rhodesian ridgeback, is tapping into her maternal instincts and serving as a surrogate mom to a 2-week-old piglet who was abandoned by its family.

Born on Aug. 21, the black, pot-bellied pig named Paulinchen, was found by Roland Adam, 54, on his land in Hoerstel, Germany, near death and abandoned by her family the night after she was born.

"I found Paulinchen all alone," Adam told the U.K.'s Daily Mail.

"When I lifted her up, she was really cold."Adam brought the tiny little piglet back to his home and introduced her to his canine, hoping that Katjinga, who had just finished with her own litter, would care for the newborn. To his relief, the two bonded right away.

"Katjinga is the best mother you can imagine," Adam said. "She immediately fell in love with the piggy. Straight away she started to clean it like it was one of her own puppies."

Mother and piglet are adjusting well to their new life together, with Katjinga even beginning to lactate again so she can feed her new baby.

World's Most Expensive Dog

2009-09-10T15:35:00.000-07:00

A black Tibetan Mastiff, 31 inches high and answering to the name of "Yangtze River Number Two," is believed to have broken the world record as the most expensive dog after a Chinese woman paid $582,000 for the “priceless” canine.

In keeping with its record-shattering status, according to local reports the 18-month-old dog arrived at its new owner’s home in stupendously excessive style.

A motorcade of 30 luxury cars cruised to the airport in Xi’an to take delivery of Yangtze. Enchanted onlookers gathered to celebrate the arrival of the city’s new resident.

If the figure of $582,000 is accurate, it makes Yangtze River Number Two possibly the most expensive pet dog in history. Earlier this year, a family in Florida paid $155,000 for a Labrador called Lancelot Encore. That price included the cost of cloning the original Lancelot.

The young millionaire, according to one report on a Chinese Web site, fell in love with the dog while on a breeding trip to Qinghai province. The woman, referred to only as Mrs. Wang, had been travelling to the town of Yushu with a Tibetan Mastiff that she already owned with a view to mating it with the famously pure-blooded hounds of that region.

While there though she spotted a dog known as White Root and knew immediately that she had to make it hers. Another version of the story suggests that the woman had spent some years in the quest for the perfect Tibetan Mastiff and was satisfied that the dog she found in Yushu was it.

“Gold has a price, but this Tibetan Mastiff doesn’t,” the young woman reportedly said on her return home.

It remains unclear why she renamed the dog Yangtze River Number Two, though the process appears to have taken place while Wang and her dogs were returning from the breeders.

New York School Bans Diabetic Boy's Service Dog

2009-09-09T10:11:00.000-07:00

YONKERS, N.Y. — Officials at a New York school have refused to allow a diabetic student to bring his service dog to school.

A school district official stopped 8-year-old Anthony Spataro, his mother, and his dog, Dash, from entering a Yonkers school on Tuesday.

Samantha Spataro said her son was told that he was welcome at Paideia School 15 without his dog.

The Westchester school's spokeswoman said the dog is too young to have been properly trained as a service dog to detect glucose levels.

The district also barred Anthony from coming to class when he had a different service dog, a 2-year-old German shepherd, to monitor fluctuations in his blood sugar levels.

School officials told FOX 5 New York in August that Anthony had an aide assigned to him and had been doing well in school without a dog.

The state's Division of Human Rights issued a determination earlier this year that the family has grounds to sue the district over the issue.

The family says they will go to court.

Lucky the Turtle Gets New Legs

2009-09-02T12:33:00.000-07:00

I know this isn't a dog related article, but the picture and story was so unique and uplifting, we'd thought we would share with you anyway.

From the Press Democrat of Santa Rosa:

A tiny box turtle surviving on painkillers and antibiotics after having his front legs eaten by a raccoon is getting a second chance — and a new pair of legs — thanks to a clever veterinarian in California.

When Lucky the turtle's legs were chewed to bits on July 31, his owner feared the mangled and bloody stumps would be too much for him to bear.

But the tenacious terrapin wasn't giving in, so owner Sally Pyne sought help from a local vet with experience in reptile care.

Veterinary surgeon Robert Jereb attached plastic sliders — the small discs usually stuck underneath chairs and table legs — to get Lucky back on his feet again, the paper reported.
Jereb stacked the discs two high and taped them to Lucky's stomach, restoring him to his usual height and allowing the turtle to propel himself with his hind legs, pushing from the back and sliding along in front.

Jereb said he wasn't sure how an animal got to the turtle, which normally would have boxed up for protection by withdrawing his legs and head into his shell, the Press Democrat reported. Jereb said Lucky may have been overweight or could have had a shell deformity that put him at risk.

Pyne said Lucky is adjusting well to the change, but told the Press Democrat the loggerhead's libido has waned, and he now leaves his companion Lovey alone after years of unwanted amorous advances.

"Now Lucky doesn't chase her around and try to make babies any more," she said.

Humor - The Hangover

2009-09-01T14:24:00.000-07:00

Art or something more repulsive?

2009-08-31T16:53:00.000-07:00

TDW would like to thank Andrea for pointing out this story for us she found in the Yahoo sports section. In the comments section, let us know what you think..

Article written by MJD

"The image you're looking at was painted on the side of a tire shop in Philadelphia. That's Michael Vick (notes), sporting his number seven Eagles jersey, choking the life out of a puppy dressed in a Dallas Cowboys jersey.

If you're a frequent visitor to Shutdown Corner, you know that I think Michael Vick jokes are inbounds. I'll make fun of Michael Vick all day long, but I don't think that's what we're looking at here. The "art" above equates the domination of the Dallas Cowboys with the physical domination and likely murder of a puppy dog, both as things that are worthy of celebration. Looking at it makes me feel a little icky.

It can't come as a huge shock to anyone, though. There were always people out there who thought Vick's crimes were no big deal, and never in the history of the world has there been a shortage of people willing to make twisted jokes.

Priscilla's connection to Puppy Mills

2009-08-27T12:58:00.000-07:00

All eyes were on Priscilla Presley on Saturday evening as she was honored at Much Love Animal Rescue’s Third Annual Bow Wow Wow Dinner in Hollywood, in front of a star-studded crowd including Denise Richards, Tori Spelling, Jerry O’Connell and Jason Lewis.

The former wife of Elvis Presley actually admitted she was quite "embarrassed" to take home the Icon Activist’s Award as she felt there were people in the audience who had devoted much more to the cause, but nonetheless became quite emotional as she accepted the prestigious honor.

But being embarrassed wasn’t Presley's only confession — it turns out she also committed the cardinal sin of naively purchasing her three pooches from Bel Air’s infamous puppy mill (where Paris and Britney also reportedly bought their canines) which is the very thing the organization is attempting to prevent.

Mills are mass operations that keep dogs in cages for their entire lives for breeding purposes only, with very little veterinary care or human companionship. Once their reproductive ability dwindles, they are generally killed, abandoned or sold to another mill.

"I didn't know at the time but I’m glad I did that because I was able to rescue them, they would have died. It was like having a newborn baby. One was so sick I had it sleeping with me," Presley said, adding that her "baby" has turned out to be the "most loving and amazing" animal imaginable and that’s she’s type the person who worries about everything, including the well being of Elvis’s favorite animal — horses.

According to a source close to the former actress, her passion for rescuing animals has been pivotal in helping her thru the dark days in missing her late husband.

"I’ve now got rescue horses at Graceland," Presley proudly announced. "Especially now with the economy, this has really opened my eyes to what’s going on out there. We need to give a voice to these animals."

Dog perishes inoverheated car - Surprising owner.

2009-08-26T11:22:00.000-07:00

RICHMOND, Va. — A dog belonging to the CEO of the Richmond, Va., Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals died after accidentally being left alone for four hours in her hot car.

Robin Starr's husband Ed told the Richmond Times-Dispatch that he put the 16-year-old mutt named Louie, who was deaf and blind, into his wife's vehicle on Aug. 19 as she was getting ready for work. Starr often took the dog to the office with her.

But on that day, she arrived at work without realizing Louie was in the car. Several hours later, at about noon, she saw the dog when she went out for lunch.

She took her pet inside to the SPCA clinic and then to an emergency veterinary hospital, where he later died of kidney failure.

The National Weather Service says the temperature had reached 91 degrees by noon that day.
The board of the SPCA says it still supports Starr, who has been CEO since 1997 and does not plan to resign. It was unclear whether she would be charged.

National Dog Day - For children

2009-08-26T08:46:00.000-07:00

In addition to it being National Dog Day today, how about some coloring fun for the kids? What better way to have a sit down with today's youngsters and have an educational conversation with them about all things dog and what they mean to us and how to be treated and respected.

Have your child pick his or hers favorite dog coloring pages and turn them into their own personal dog book. On the other hand, if you own a dog try to find some free dog coloring pages that represent your dog. Here are the top websites with free dog coloring pages for National Dog Day.

Go here: http://www.coloring.ws/dogs.htm

On this webiste, you have over 25 fun free dog coloring pages to choose. Some of the dog breeds you will find on this website are Poodles, Terriers, Dalmatians and Guard dogs. Then you also have funny dogs, sleepy dogs, dog with bone, dog with food, connect the dot dog, Frisbee dog, barking dog, dog with hearts, and dog with butterfly. These dog-coloring pages are cute and the kids will enjoy.

Here's a few other you may want to look at as well:

http://www.freeprintablecoloringpages.net/category/Dogs

http://www.lucylearns.com/coloring-dog-sheet.html

Enjoy!

Aug 26, 2009 - National Dog Day

2009-08-26T08:42:00.000-07:00

August 26 is National Dog Day.

Started by self-styled “pet lifestyle expert”/interior designer Colleen Paige, National Dog Day is intended to raise awareness of all the ways in which dogs enrich our lives, and to get people to donate to shelters.

The organizers’ website encourages people to host a variety of events to celebrate, including dog costume parties, adoption fairs, or buy things from their sponsors such as photo sessions, boutique items and treats.

They also created National Puppy Day, National Mutt Day and National Pet Day.

Flu vaccine for dogs

2009-08-24T14:05:00.000-07:00

-Leslie Mann

A new vaccine from Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health lets dog owners protect their four-legged friends from this illness. Conditionally licensed in May by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for dogs age 6 weeks and older, the vaccine includes two injections, then an annual booster.

Full licensure may follow, pending further studies. The vaccine was tested on 746 dogs from 30 breeds, age 6 weeks to 10 years. No side effects resulted, Intervet says."It's a 'lifestyle vaccine' for dogs who are in communal places such as dog parks, day care, shows, boarding kennels, spas," said veterinarian Cynda Crawford, who identified the canine influenza virus in 2004 with veterinarian Edward Dubovi from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Cornell University.

"Dogs who stay at home and just walk around the block are not at risk. Before 2004, it was thought that dogs were not susceptible to the influenza virus," said Crawford, who is a clinical assistant professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Florida in Gainesville. "Then we saw it that year among racing greyhounds." The virus, known among scientists as H3N8, mutated from an equine virus, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Since 2004, thousands of cases have been laboratory-confirmed in 30 states and in the District of Columbia, Crawford said. The states that have been hit the hardest are Colorado, Florida, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

A two-sample blood test, taken while the dog is sick and again two to three weeks later, confirms the virus.

Howeverm "It's still new, so we don't yet know about all the side effects, and most dogs recover from it if they do get it. So I wouldn't necessarily recommend it for every dog,".

The canine virus behaves a lot like human flu viruses, Crawford said. "The symptoms are similar -- coughing, runny nose, sneezing. And it spreads the same way, through direct contact," she said. Fortunately, she added, the virus is easily inactivated by washing hands, clothes and items such as dog bowls.

"While sick, the dog should be quarantined," Crawford said. "You should call your vet, but you have to let it run its course, just like when you have the flu."Only 10 to 20 percent of dogs that acquire canine flu progress to a more serious disease such as pneumonia, according to the CDC. Only 5 to 8 percent die.

Unlike the human flu, canine flu is not seasonal. Dogs in communal facilities can be vulnerable year round. The vaccine contains a "killed," not "live" virus, so it is a myth that it "causes the flu," Crawford said. She said the cost of the vaccine is on par with the commonly used distemper vaccine. Crawford said there is no evidence that humans or other pets can catch the canine flu. "But we know that cats can get influenza viruses from birds, so it is prudent to keep your cats away from your infected dog," she said, adding that canine flu is not linked to swine flu.

Family Reunion

2009-07-30T12:37:00.000-07:00

A flea-bitten dog rescued from a squalid Melbourne, Australia, backyard is to be reunited with her ecstatic owner nine years after she disappeared.

And 17-year-old Chloe Rushby, who was only eight when her furry friend disappeared, can't wait to have Muffy back in her arms.

Chloe and her family screamed with joy when the RSPCA called to say Muffy was alive - much older, very scruffy and 1,250 miles away in Melbourne.

"It would be fair to say that they were extremely elated and extremely excited by the call," RSPCA inspector Gail Coulter, who found an emaciated Muffy after an anonymous tip, told The Daily Telegraph.

"They were initially shocked and confused, but when we mentioned the name Muffy - which is part of the microchip information - and gave them a description of her, they knew it was their pet lost so many years ago."

What happened in between is largely a mystery.

The fluffy white bitser is known to have been kept in a filthy back yard for the past two years.

Rescued 5-Legged Puppy Has Extra Limb Removed

2009-07-24T13:24:00.000-07:00

Lilly, the five-legged puppy at the center of a tug of war this week between a Charlotte, N.C., dog-lover and a Coney Island, N.Y., freak-show owner, had her extra appendage removed Thursday.

The dog's new owner, Allyson Siegel — who purchased Lilly for $4,000 from Calvin Owensby, and outbid freak-show owner John Strong — says the 6-week-old terrier-Chihuahua mix had the surgery at a veterinarian's office, but preferred not to disclose the location.

The operation took place amid reports that Strong was planning to file a lawsuit to get the dog back. "Last night I called the surgeon and said, 'Will you take a look at her to see if she's healthy enough, see if you think that she could possibly have the surgery now?' And he did, and she did," Siegel said.

Though the dog is still recovering and will not return home for another 24 to 36 hours, Siegel says she's "doing great. She's recovering well, no complications."Siegel, whose story was originally reported in the New York Daily News, says she will pay for the surgery bill — which could total up to $2,000 — with donations that she's received from several people who've heard the dog's plight.

"In my mind it's kind of over. Just let it be over," she says, referring to Strong's legal threats.

"I'm very happy that Lilly is fine and that she's going to be a normal dog. And get to have a normal life and not be in a cage. I don't personally have anything against him, Mr. Strong, I don't know him. This was really always about Lilly."

Prior to the surgery, the puppy couldn't sit, walk or lay properly because of the extra leg (which had six toes). "She'd struggle to run up a hill or walk up a hill because she had to tug that thing behind her," says Siegel. When she returns home, the dog will be running around like any other puppy — though she'll have to wear a cone to prevent her from biting her stitches. "She's got a lot of energy,” Siegel says of the Lilly's personality. "She plays hard and sleeps hard."

by Amy Jamieson.

Humor: Codependence

2009-07-20T15:17:00.000-07:00

Got a better caption? Then by all means, leave it in the comments for all to enjoy.

Franken Looks to Increase Number of Service Dogs for Veterans in First Legislation

2009-07-20T12:31:00.000-07:00

In his first piece of legislation as Minnesota's junior senator, Al Franken is looking to expand the number of service dogs available to wounded veterans.

Franken wrote in an opinion published Monday in the Star Tribune that his proposed pilot program will train "a statistically significant number of dogs" to measure the benefits to veterans living with devastating injuries sustained on the battlefield.

The dogs' companionship, Franken said, provides invaluable health benefits -- both physical and emotional -- to veterans suffering from debilitating injuries and psychological disorders. The service dogs will help "reduce the suicide rate among veterans, decrease the number of hospitalizations, and lower the cost of medications and human care," he said.

Franken's legislation was inspired by a meeting he had last January with a wounded former Iraqi intelligence officer and his golden retriever, "Tuesday."

"Service dogs like Tuesday can be of immense benefit to vets suffering from physical and emotional wounds," wrote Franken.

Franken said service dogs typically cost about $20,000 to train and another $5,000 to place with a veteran -- a cost that is well worth the investment, he said.

"It is my strong belief that a service dog will more than pay for itself over its life, and my bill is designed to determine the return on investment with a pilot program that provides service dogs to hundreds of veterans," said Franken.

Humor

2009-07-17T10:14:00.000-07:00

Spam is indeed removed here.

2009-07-17T09:45:00.000-07:00

Just a note.

We do indeed read every comment left on our entries, and if it's Spam...it's gone.

So if you're going to leave a comment, at least 'attempt' to make it personal, (i.e. get our name right) and don't make it so obvious to redirect others to some ponzi scheme site, or 'make money fast' with pets.

Just saying......

Pets as a source of income.

2009-07-16T09:20:00.000-07:00

PEACHTREE CITY, Georgia (CNN) -- Lori Lawrence has been laid off twice since ending her 20-year career with the U.S. Air Force in 2001. But after losing her most recent job in February, she felt liberated.

"I started thinking, I'm tired of going through this," she said. So Lawrence, who last worked at a staffing firm, contemplated what she would enjoy doing most.

"It was obvious," she said. "Something with pets."

Inspired by Cody, her 14-year-old Siberian husky, Lawrence set her sights on opening a dog-grooming business in the upscale Atlanta suburb of Peachtree City, Georgia.

"My Pampered Pooch offers the opportunity for dog owners to show their four-legged friends just how much they enjoy their unconditional love and friendship, by pampering them," Lawrence said, reading her mission statement.

"People spent $42 billion last year on their pets alone," Lawrence said. "You know [the money is] there. How do I get in? I want in!"

She attended Small Business Administration seminars and researched business plans of other startups before she drafted her own.

With help from community small business experts Lawrence reduced her startup costs from $147,000 to $35,000.

She has not yet secured all that money, but is counting on $4,000 from savings; $6,000 from donations, which she will solicit from dog washes and social networking; and $10,000 from investors, including peer-to-peer loans and microloans from services such as Kiva.org.

Lawrence's plan also outlines other services such as pet sitting, a dog taxi, retail options and a doggie bakery.

"All these things are ways of adding more revenue than just the basic dog wash," he said.
To spread the word, Lawrence is organizing free dog washes to help to build up her customer base, before she even opens the doors to her shop.

With her friends and neighbors by her side, Lawrence hopes to be serving all the pampered pooches in her area by the end of next month.

TDW would like to praise Lawrence for her entrepreneurial drive and spirit and point out that when times are tough, people with a little creativity, vision, and a bit of elbow grease can accomplish anything. We bet she'll be much happier working with dogs than back in the corporate world.

Recipe: XV Beacon Dog Biscuit Recipe

2009-07-15T10:34:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Kate Shamon for this Bostonian recipe...

XV Beacon Dog Biscuit Recipe

Ingredients:

2 Cups Whole Wheat flour
1 Cup Graham Flour
½ Cup Rolled Oats
2 teaspoons Baking Powder
1 ½ Cup Milk
1 ¼ Cup Peanut Butter
2 Tablespoons Molasses
1 teaspoon Vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together flours, oats & baking powder.Mix milk, peanut butter, molasses & vanilla until smooth.Add to dry ingredients. Dough will be stiff. Knead dough w/hands.Roll out to ¼ inch & cut into shapes (bones, sticks, balls)Bake 20 mins until lightly browned. Turn off oven & leave inuntil crisp & dry. Cool & store in airtight container.

Lullaby book for your pooch

2009-07-15T10:14:00.000-07:00

I'd like to thank reader Andrea Lechner-Becker for letting us know about this book.

"Ron Burns’ new book was inspired by his relationship with his adopted pup Rufus and is titled Rufus Rhymes – Modern Lullabies for Dog Lovers. It contains nostalgic lullabies whose lyrics have been changed to be dog-centric. So, instead of “Rock a bye baby on a tree top, when the wind blows the cradle will rock” it’s “Rock a bye Rufus on top of my head, the dog trainer says you need your own bed.” It’s 24 perfect bound 8.5” x 8.5” pages of delight retailing for $8.99. They go on sale starting July 13th, so I was wondering if you would like to feature the book and maybe do a story about Ron on your page around that time."

You will be able to purchase the books on-line at http://www.rufusrhymes.com/. Check out this site for pre-orders and other available titles.

We'll be back next week

2009-07-09T13:45:00.000-07:00

Thanks for sticking around and checking in with us here at The Daily Woof on a regular basis.

We'll be taking the next few days off to recharge our batteries and do the whole vacation thing. Look for us to return next week, with new articles and stories, and hopefully a more regularly publishing schedule...

-Chief Barker & Frankie, power schnauzer.

Firefighter gets 90 days for killing pet dogs

2009-06-30T16:16:00.000-07:00

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A judge has given a 90-day jail sentence to an Ohio firefighter who prosecutors say killed his dogs to avoid boarding them during a vacation with a girlfriend.

Forty-three-year-old David Santuomo of Columbus pleaded guilty Wednesday to two counts of animal cruelty and one count of possession of a criminal tool. That charge concerned a plastic bottle that authorities said was used as a rifle silencer.

Assistant Franklin County Prosecutor Heather Robinson said Santuomo shot his two mixed-breed dogs Sloopy and Skeeter multiple times on Dec. 3 after tying them to a pipe in his basement. She says he dumped the remains in a trash bin behind his firehouse.

Defense attorney Sam Shamansky called the crime an isolated event “totally out of character” for his client.

Airline for Dogs

2009-06-24T11:07:00.000-07:00

Alysa Binder and Dan Wiesel are founders of Pet Airways of Delray Beach, Fl. The new airline was inspired by their own cross country trip with their own Jack Russell Terrier, Zoe.

"We really want to make a difference in the care, safety, and comfort of pets.", Binder says. Reservations for pets are booked through the company's online ticketing system.

Introductory, one way flights cost $149 and will be available to five inaugural cities: New York, Washington D.C., Chicago, Denver, and Los Angeles.

Dogs (and other pets) are dropped off at 'pet lounges' located at regional airports. Attendants keep an eye on your pets, giving them potty breaks just before takeoff. Pets travel in a climate controlled main cabin, not the cargo hold.

Flights are scheduled in the evenings, when there is less turbulence and are more apt to be in a restfull state. Each pet has their own crate and an attendant on board watches them as owners are not allowed to travel on the plane; it's up to you to pick them up at their destination.

Puppy survives toilet flushing.

2009-06-15T14:34:00.000-07:00

LONDON — A puppy in Britain had a lucky escape after a four-year-old boy accidentally flushed it down the toilet when he was trying to wash it, the Daily Mirror newspaper reported on Monday.

The week-old cocker spaniel's young owner, Daniel Blair, thought the puppy needed a wash after it got muddy playing in the garden, so he put it in the toilet and flushed it.

But his plan went disastrously wrong when the animal was swept away and became trapped in a waste pipe for nearly four hours.

Firefighters and animal welfare officers could not reach it, so Daniel's mother eventually called a plumber, who found the dog lying upside down in a pipe about 20 metres away from their house in Northolt, west London.

Plumber Will Craig said he used a long rod to push the puppy to the nearest manhole cover, where it could be fished out to safety.

"I pushed him really slowly and watched the poor thing wriggling around," he said. "Eventually I pushed him far enough for the firemen to grab. Suddenly everyone started cheering. We couldn't believe he was still alive."

The dog -- which has been named Dyno after the plumbing firm which rescued it -- is now safe and well and back with the family.

Daniel has apologised, blaming his twin brother for getting the dog dirty and saying: "I had to give him a wash. I'm so, so sorry. I won't do it again."

Chihuahua's corner cougar

2009-06-15T10:42:00.000-07:00

SAGE, CA -- A woman got the surprise of her life when she walked into her garage to see why her dogs were barking. She found a full-grown mountain lion.

Ana Lee Spray, 23, says her three chihuahuas were barking so loudly that it woke her up Saturday morning. She couldn't figure out what was wrong, and got up to check on the dogs. When she saw the animals standing guard at the opening of the garage, Spray investigated further.

She ran into her daughter's bedroom, which has a window that looks into the garage, and quickly got the answer staring back at her.The chihuahuas, which weigh about three pounds each, had cornered the mountain lion. The big cat appeared to be angry and began hissing at her and foaming at the mouth. Spray called 911 and then grabbed her video camera.

The pint-sized puppies refused to back off, and kept barking for about 45 minutes until two Riverside County Sheriff's deputies arrived.

"When they saw the dogs they said `These little things?' When they saw the mountain lion their jaws dropped," Spray said. "They radioed, `This is a full-size mountain lion and it is not happy to see us.' "

Officers with the Department of Fish and Game arrived at Spray's home a short time later and Spray called the dogs off. Spray said the Fish and Game officers shot at the animal three times with a tranquilizer gun. The cat then ran, and the deputies and Fish and Game officers chased it. Spray said she heard another shot, but wasn't sure if came from a tranquilizer gun or firearm. Authorities have not said publicly whether the mountain lion was re-released into the wild or shot and killed.

Experts say the animal was likely looking for food and had its eye on the chihuahuas as a quick snack.

Humor: Caption This

2009-06-10T15:39:00.001-07:00

"Mom! Look what the cat did!"

Add a caption in the comments section

Dog retrieves live grenade to owners surprise

2009-06-09T16:31:00.000-07:00

BERLIN — A dog playing fetch in Germany has found and delivered to its owner a U.S. hand grenade from World War II.

Police in the western town of Erkrath said Monday they were called by the dog's 40-year-old owner who stopped walking her pooch when she recognized the "rusty" object it was carrying was a weapon.

Police summoned a munitions expert Sunday to identify and defuse the grenade.

Grenades and bombs left over from World War II are still often found in Germany.

Sometimes whole streets in neighborhoods are evacuated so that such devices can be safely defused.

Loved Ones Meet Fallen Soldier's Dog

2009-06-02T12:42:00.000-07:00

DULLES, Va. (WUSA) -- A fallen soldier's five-month-old dog arrived on American soil Monday afternoon, allowing mourning loved ones to see the puppy princess that kept Major Steven Hutchison so happy in Iraq.

The oldest soldier to be killed during the war in Iraq, Hutchison, age 60, died from injuries sustained by a roadside bomb on May 10.

The incident happened on Mother's Day, as well as the soldier's nephew's birthday.

"From my understanding, he may have been targeted by the insurgents," explains his brother, Richard Hutchison. "His whole team's mission was to secure the border of Iraq and Iran. They were making a lot of changes in the way they do things and apparently it didn't sit well with the insurgents."

The news comes as a bittersweet blow to loved ones who knew his goal was to make a difference.
"I was glad he was over there making that big of a difference that they would want to take him out," says Richard. "At the same time, I lost my brother so it makes no big of a difference why."

The Vietnam Veteran and Army Major left behind a piece of himself in his dog, Laia. The soldier's team found her at the young age of six weeks old. She had a broken back hind leg, which they casted. Hutchison decided to name her after Princess Leia in "Star Wars," his favorite movie. From that moment forward, she had him wrapped around his paw.

"I probably shipped over $300 worth of supplies to him for the dog... dog food, collars, leash bowls, deworming medication, all kinds of stuff," says Richard, who flew in from Phoenix, Ariz., along with his wife Nancy to meet the dog.

"He lived for that dog," says Nancy. "He loved her."

Laia was able to make the safe trip home after a close friend of the fallen soldier's contacted organizers of the SPCA Internationals Operation Baghdad Pups program. It's designed to proved veterinary care, clearance and transports out of the war zone for soldiers companion animals.
Laia will now live in Michigan with a contracting friend who Hutchison knew in Iraq. His family in Arizona plans to visit the dog whenever they can.

"I got an email from one of the soldiers that says when the dog was around my brother was a different person," says Richard. "He always had a smile on his face. He was always happy. He lost his wife three and a half years ago and my brother was struggling with that."

Bulldog save owner from fire.

2009-06-01T14:04:00.000-07:00

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - A man's decision not to end his terminally ill bulldog's life ended up saving his own.
Scott Seymour said his dog, Brittney, awakened him with her barking early Saturday in time for both of them to escape from his burning house in Grand Rapids.
The fire came two weeks after a veterinarian discovered the 9-year-old American bulldog had several cancerous tumors.

The vet said the dog might not survive surgery, and Seymour ruled out chemotherapy, believing it would be too hard on Brittney.

Seymour said he could have had Brittney put down, but instead decided to give her medication to blunt her pain until death comes naturally, probably within a few weeks.

Dog Kennels Center

2009-05-28T09:56:00.000-07:00

The Daily Woof has added a new link (see left margin) for Dog Kennels Center, an online store that should meet all your dog kennel needs including crates, fences, doors, strollers, and more.

Owned by Patrick Sedivy and his wife, Dog Kennels Center also deserves recognition for its numerous charitable givings to places such as Animal Haven, SPCA LA, Animal Rescue League of Iowa just to name a few.

The site is clean and easy to navigate with clear categories and great pictures and of course comparable pricing. Stop on buy Dog Kennels Center for all your kennel needs.

Michael Vick leaves jail

2009-05-20T12:44:00.000-07:00

Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick left a federal prison in Leavenworth, Kansas, early Wednesday, according to his publicist and the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

He will serve the last two months of his 23-month sentence in home confinement in Virginia, his publicist Judy Smith said. He is a native of Newport News, Virginia.

Vick, 28, pleaded guilty in August 2007 to a federal charge of bankrolling a dogfighting operation at a home he owned in Virginia.

Vick plans to work with the Humane Society of the United States on anti-dogfighting campaigns, Humane Society President Wayne Pacelle told CNN on Tuesday.

Vick will work on programs aimed at preventing youths from getting involved in dogfighting, and also on programs to assist young people who have already been involved in the blood sport.
Pacelle said the Humane Society was approached by Vick's representatives.

He said he has traveled to Kansas twice to meet with the former quarterback, and during the second visit, the two discussed how Vick could use his sway over youths to discourage them from involvement in dogfighting, as well as help those who were apprehended in connection with it.

Old Dog Haven now on Facebook

2009-05-18T10:00:00.000-07:00

One of The Daily Woof's favorite charitable organizations has just expanded their footprint in the digital realm.

Old Dog Haven, a final refuge and adoption facility for senior dogs in Arlington, Washington has just joined popular social networking site, Facebook. Congratulations.

Foster parent and volunteer, Lisa Black, set up the page for Old Dog Haven. Check it out here.

Won't you help sponsor a senior dog? For a donation of *25, you can help a dog for 3 months! This helps with the cost of food and medications. You'll receive a picture and note of the dog your helping.

What Old Dog Haven does: OldDog Haven is a small nonprofit group using a large network of people to provide a loving safe home for abandoned senior dogs. Our goal is to provide a loving, safe home for senior dogs abandoned at this stage of their lives. When we have room, and the means, we take these dogs into our homes; if possible we adopt out those with a reasonable life-expectancy. We care for the rest as long as they have good quality of life. In addition, we try to assist owners in finding new homes for their senior dogs through our website and referrals.

Glenn Close on Oprah to discuss Puppies Behind Bars

2009-05-13T10:24:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Amber Caouette of KG Partners for sending this to our attention:

On Friday, May 15, a new dog toy from FetchDog and Vibram Pet Products to benefit Dog Tags will be featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Award-winning actress and longtime Puppies Behind Bars supporter Glenn Close will present host Winfrey with the FetchDog "Chewy Shoe” toy and discuss how inmates train the Dog Tags dogs to assist injured soldiers as they return to their civilian lives.

Through the Puppies Behind Bars Dog Tags program, returning soldiers receive — free of charge — dogs highly trained to assist them in their daily routines and restore some of the quality of life taken from them by their wartime wounds. Inmates in New York-area prisons train the dogs, learning empathy and the rewarding feeling of giving back to society in the process. Gloria Gilbert Stoga founded Puppies Behind Bars in 1997, and added the Dog Tags initiative in 2006.

2 Men Plead Guilty to Eating Family's Pet Dog

2009-05-07T10:16:00.000-07:00

Two Hawaiian men pleaded guilty Wednesday to first degree animal-cruelty charges after they allegedly stole an 8-month-old puppy, took it home and butchered it, the Honolulu Advertiser reported
.
In exchange for their guilty plea, police dismissed a second charge of theft against Saturnino Palting, 48, and Nelson Domingo, 49, the newspaper reported.

The pair allegedly stole the puppy, named Caddy, from the Moanalu Golf Course in December 2007, where the leashed dog was left near an equipment shack by it's owner, the Advertiser reported.

Palting and Domingo were employed by the golf course as groundskeepers

GA dognapping caught n tape.

2009-05-01T16:02:00.000-07:00

COVINGTON, Ga. -- Surveillance video shows burglars leaving a Covington home with a homeowner's stuff -- including their dog.

The homeowner said he wants his son's best friend back -- and he talked to Channel 2 Action News reporter Linda Stouffer about the crime that he still can't believe.

Ken Carter said he knew he'd been burglarized the second he saw that his front door had been busted and his alarm panel had been ripped up.

Carter said his closet had been picked through. "I had my money jug sitting over here," said Carter, pointing to a corner of his clothes closet. "And they snatched that. And my kid's clothes were right here and they snatched all of his clothes."

Carter said the worst part is that the burglars stole his son's puppy, Zeus.

"That's all he talked about when he talked to me on the phone. Just his dog, he wanted to see his dog, and come play with the dog. And now it's gone," said Carter. "I haven't told him yet."

Carter's security cameras were rolling during the burglary and caught the suspects on tape.

Ten minutes after the men broke in, the tape shows two men leaving with a big, blue bag, apparently full of stolen goods, and one man has the puppy tucked under his arm.

"I was just angry. I was just speechless," said Carter. "I work hard for everything I've got. This is my first home, and I moved out here to get away from that."

Anyone with any information is asked to call the Newton County Sheriff's Office at 678.625.1400.

Caption This: Add a caption to the comment section

2009-04-29T08:38:00.001-07:00

Pet Chihuahua swept up by wind.

2009-04-28T09:56:00.000-07:00

WATERFORD TOWNSHIP, Mich. — Tinker Bell has been reunited with her owners after a 70-mph gust of wind picked up the six-pound Chihuahua and tossed her out of sight.

Dorothy and Lavern Utley found their pet on Monday in a wooded area nearly a mile from where 8-month-old Tinker Bell had been last seen. The brown long-haired dog was dirty and hungry but otherwise OK.

The Utleys, of Rochester, had set up an outdoor display Saturday at a flea market in Waterford Township, 25 miles northwest of Detroit.

Tinker Bell was standing on their platform trailer when she was swept away.

Dorothy Utley tells The Detroit News that her cherished pet "just went wild" upon seeing her.

$4.2M Tiara for dog

2009-04-28T08:36:00.000-07:00

A young Thai jewelry designer has crafted a tiara worth $4.2 million for his pet dog, using precious stones given to him by his mother.

Riwin Jirapolsek, who showcased the tiara at a dog show in Bangkok recently, said he wanted to make something special for Kanune, his 15-year-old male Maltese.

He took almost two months to finish the piece, which is made from titanium encrusted with 250-carats of emeralds and diamonds.

Jirapolsek said he has no plans to sell the tiara, and now wants to create a jeweled hair clip for his beloved canine.

“I will make a hair clip next time, because my dog has to wear clips every day — otherwise its fur will block its view,” Jirapolsek told Reuters Television. “It may be decorated with jewels.”

Despite the global economic crisis cutting into people's expenditures, the Bangkok dog show saw several canine lovers dressing up their pets in elaborate costumes and accessories and participating in events.