32 Simple Things You Do that Matter to Dogs

I was trying to think of my favorite cause for Blog the Change, and one of the things I care about most is how pets are treated. It turns my stomach and breaks my heart to read about careless, cruel and stupid some people who neglect and abuse animals. It doesn't seem like too much to expect every dog (every living thing) to be treated kindly, humanely. I was going to write about animal abuse laws, anti-tethering laws, regulations on anti bark collars and other laws. Or, on the flip side, I was going to write about some of the many wonderful groups who help animals.

While all these are worthy, I thought instead, I really wanted to write about pet parents who help animals simply by treating them right. They don't neglect or abuse them in any way. They don't let their dogs run loose in the road. They don't keep them outside all day in all types of weather. They don't leave them in hot cars. In short, they are doing the right thing, not because there is a law ordering so, but because they care. Sometimes Being the Change starts right in your own home.

This is a tribute to the common pet parent, who loves their pet. And that is making the world a better place for animals.

32 Simple Things You Do that Matter to Dogs:

You adopt them.
Hug them.
Walk them.
Feed them,
But not too much.
You give them a comfortable bed.
Talk to them.
Listen to them.
Train them.
Teach them good manners.
You understand why they whine.
Understand why they bark.
Keep them warm in the winter.
Keep them cool in summer.
Dry their muddy feet.
You play with them.
Throw them a ball,
Or a Frisbee.
Try a play group.
You do your best to keep them safe
And healthy.
Cuddle with them.
Give them opportunities to explore.
Keep their minds active.
Visit the veterinarian.
You bathe them.
Trim their toenails.
Share your ice cream with them, once in a while.
Comfort them during a thunder storm.
Realize they need you.
Realize you need them.
You Love Them.
Love Them.
Love.

Book Review: a dog named Slugger

A Dog Named Slugger by Leigh Brill, is a true story about a woman who, at the height of her Cerebral Palsy symptoms, turned to a service dog organization where she was matched with Slugger, a highly intelligent, devoted and loving Yellow Labrador.

The book is heart-warming and inspiring, but it also promotes a very worthy cause--the Service Dog Industry. Leigh’s proceeds from the book will go to the nonprofit St. Francis Service Dogs organization.

On a personal note - - I've had a copy of this book for a few months, and had it by my bedside, knowing that I would soon have lots of time to do nothing but reading.

I recently had surgery for total knee replacement on my left knee! While what I went through was nowhere close to Leigh's needs and the restrictions which go along with Cerebral Palsy, but living in a four-level house made me very quickly understand how nice a four-legged helper would be. It never failed that whatever I needed was in the wrong part of the house. Opening doors holding onto a walker in front of me, or while holding a cane in one hand and other supplies in the other, really brought home to me what a huge help Slugger's presence must have been to Leigh.

I really enjoyed getting to know Leigh by reading her book, and fell in love with the playful, but hardworking Slugger, and his protege Kenda. My only criticism is that there weren't enough pictures! I would have loved to see more photos of these new friends.

If you'd like to know more, visit the website: Leigh Brill or Facebook page, A Dog Named Slugger.

The cutest thing you'll see today

(via)

Meet the Dogs of War

Their razor sharp teeth are made from titanium, their body armor can withstand clouds of hot shrapnel, and they've been trained to wear oxygen masks for high altitude dives into enemy territory.

Say hello to the US Military's dogs of war - including the bomb-sniffer that joined the hit squad of 79 Navy SEALS that took out Osama Bin Laden in a compound in Pakistan.

The dog would have dropped into the battle zone strapped to the chest of one of the SEAL team members as he rappelled from one of the three Black Hawk helicopters landing in Abottaban, Pakistan.

Wearing body armor equiped with an infrared camera, the dog could stream live images to team members in other parts of Obama's hide-out and back at the base. A radio mounted near the dog's ears would have let SEALS in other parts of the compound give orders to the dog.

Read more ...

Video: Boston Terrier Vs. Kitten

Smile!

(via F Yeah Wrinkly Dogs)

Video: Duck vs. Pup

Found on the Web

50 Dogs At 50 Miles Per Hour
Little is as satisfying to a dog as sticking their head out of a car window and eating the breeze.

Iran Pushing to Ban Dogs as Pets
Dogs are unclean in the eyes of Islam, but man's best friend in Iran has until now avoided being outlawed. That could all change if a new bill recently proposed in parliament passes.

Want a hot dog?

Snuggie for Dogs Pink Colored Fleece Blanket Coat with Sleeves

The ultimate in cold weather doggie accessories, the Snuggie for dogs fleece blanket coat with sleeves is perfect for every breed of dog! Keep your fuzzy friend warm from head to paw with this super-soft, thick, luxurious fleece! The adjustable Velcro tabs ensure the perfect fit for any size dog from Chihuahua to Bull Mastiff.

at Amazon $9.98

Let's look at old photos

Princess Margherita of Savoy-Genoa, aged 15 years, 1866; future Queen of Italy. (via)


State Library and Archives of Florida (via)

Very unusual to find an OLD photo with a cat, isn't it?

photographer: Békei Ödön - Budapest / Hungary 1896 -1908 - photo found at Flickr, from ggaabboo's collection.

Empress Elisabeth of Austria (Sisi) in hat and velvet coat trimmed with ermine. At her side her favorite dog, 'Shadow'. The photo was taken by Emil Rabending, ca. 1865. Postcard published by Postkartenverlag Donauland, Vienna, Austria, around 1900.

From the top down: Luke the dog, Buster Keaton, Al St John, & Roscoe Arbuckle.
(via)

found at flickr, from Antique Dog Photos (c. 1943)

Two Acts of Loyalty after Japan's Earthquake and Tsunami

By Linda Cole

Natural disasters can happen in the blink of an eye, and people and animals caught in nature's fury have their lives changed in a matter of minutes. Even with all the destruction, life goes on as stories of survival emerge from the rubble. Japan's earthquake and tsunami devastated so many lives, but some were saved because of the devotion of dogs.

As an animal lover, when natural disasters happen I worry about the pets that are caught up in something they don't understand. Pets that suddenly find themselves wandering through debris and shivering through cold nights with no shelter, food or clean water and no comforting voice from the ones they love.

Since the earthquake and tsunami struck Japan, videos and stories of survival have been popping up on Facebook. One video in particular captured my attention. It shows two dogs left homeless by the devastation. One dog is injured and his friend stands guard over him in a true display of loyalty. When this video began to appear, the person posting it left a comment saying, “This is a hard video to watch. It's heartbreaking.” So I passed it by not wanting to watch something I knew would make me cry. But it stuck with me as the days passed and I kept thinking about the dogs and wondering what their fate was.

The video was shot by a Japanese reporter and his cameraman surveying the destructive power of the tsunami in an area called Arahama. A dog approached but stayed a comfortable distance away from them. He gave a bark as if saying, “That's close enough,” and went back to another dog lying in the background in front of a large metal barrel resting on its side. It's obvious the dog was protecting his injured friend. Both dogs were muddy, wet, cold and probably hungry. No one knows how long they had been together, but it's believed they knew each other. The uninjured dog wore a collar, so he was at least someone's pet. The good news is, both dogs were rescued. The dog guarding his friend was taken to a shelter, and the injured dog was taken to a vet where he is being cared for.

One story of survival that has stayed with me recounted a 12 year old Shih Tzu named Babu and her owner, 83 year old Tami Akanuma, who rode out the earthquake in their home. Babu is not a dog who enjoys walks, but on the day of the earthquake, she insisted on going for a walk when the lights in the house began to flicker. Once outside, instead of following Tami, Babu yanked on her leash and went in the opposite direction towards a nearby hill. Each time Tami stopped to rest, Babu would urge her to keep moving by pulling on her leash to get Tami to move faster. Babu finally relaxed and stopped pulling, and Tami was amazed to have discovered they had walked a little over half a mile in just a few minutes. As she turned around to look down the hill, the tsunami crashed through her coastal town and Tami's home was destroyed, along with everything else in the area.

Those of us who are close to our pets aren't surprised by these two stories of devotion, but they are nonetheless humbling because they remind us how the strong bond we've built with our pets goes both ways. Even between two dogs.

I do think animals have an ability to predict the weather to a certain extent, and I'm sure Babu sensed the tsunami. She could have raced outside and left Tami behind – but she didn't. Babu knew her job was to lead Tami to higher ground because of the impending danger she sensed. The uninjured dog in the first story could have taken off on his own to find shelter and food – but he didn't. His devotion kept him by the side of his injured friend. Loyalty and love run deep once a bond and trust has been formed, and not even an earthquake's destruction nor a tsunami could break their bond.

This isn't a feel bad story. It's a reminder to love your pet each and every day, and never take them for granted. It's a reminder to “see” stray cats or dogs who are trying to survive the best they can because they could be someone's lost pet. It's a reminder to treat every animal with respect and realize how precious they all are. It's a reminder to give the people and pets you love an extra hug. Life and security should never be taken for granted, because both can be changed in the blink of an eye.

Read more articles by Linda Cole

Recycled Pet Portraits by Samuel Price

Sam Price has saved at least 650 trees!

See, he creates unique dog portraits using hundreds of hand-cut recycled magazine squares on canvas. Sam works five days a week at collage using at least 20 recycled magazines a day. That’s 100 magazines a week, 400 a month, 4800 a year, and 48,000 in ten years. (To make 1,100 magazines, you need about 15 trees.)

The results are very unique and make a great gift for the green dog lover who has everything dog.

See more of Sam's work at: mydogcollage.com and samuelpriceart.com.

(via Dog Milk)

Found on the Web

Underwater Aliens: The Beauty Down Below
The animals of the deep ocean might as well be from a different planet. Here are some beautiful images of the some of the strangest creatures on earth.

Deadly Bat Disease Spreading West
White-nose syndrome has killed more than a million bats in the United States. Read about the startling crisis that's threatening whole populations of these creatures of the night.

10 Humane Ways to Discipline Your Dog
Ten humane, and widely used, training techniques for dogs.

Soviet dog’s space capsule could fetch $10 million at Sotheby’s

The Vostok 3KA-2, a giant rusty ball, orbited the Earth on March 25, 1961. It carried a life-size cosmonaut mannequin and a live dog, and landed two hours after launch in a snow-blanketed field about 700 miles from Moscow.

Three weeks later, cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin climbed into an identical vehicle and became the first human to travel into outer space.

The test capsule could fetch as much as $10 million when auctioned on April 12, the 50th anniversary of Gagarin’s voyage.

The four-legged cosmonaut traveling on 3KA-2 was named Zvezdochka and fared better than some of her canine predecessors just by surviving. The documentary footage played at Sotheby’s shows the dog looking alert, if slightly out of breath, when removed from the capsule.

Sotheby’s offered the test capsule in 1996, with an estimate of $800,000 to $1 million. It didn’t sell and was later acquired privately by an anonymous U.S. businessman directly from the Russians.

Source

- . - . -

Zvezdochka photo from Corbis

"The dog shown is "Zvezdochka" (Little Star), one of Russia's "Space Dogs," which was reportedly launched and returned safely to earth upon command, in a five-ton Soviet space vehicle, on March 25th. This was the fifth such vehicle to be successfully put into orbit by the Russians, in their attempt to put a man into space and return him safely. The soviet news agency, TASS reported that the dog "feels normal." The main purpose of the launching was "the further improvement of the design of the satellite spaceship and its system" for putting a man into space and returning him to earth."

Shar-Pei dogs shed light on human Fever Syndromes

The gene mutation responsible for the wrinkled skin of Shar-Pei dogs is also linked to a periodic fever disorder, a finding that could have important implications for human health, researchers report.

Shar-Pei dogs have a high prevalence of a periodic fever disorder that is similar to inherited autoinflammatory periodic fever syndromes in humans.

The thick, wrinkled skin of Shar-Pei dogs contains an excess of hyaluronan, most likely because of an over-activation of the hyaluronan synthase 2 (HAS2) gene. The fever disorder in the dogs occurs when overproduction of hyaluronan activates the immune system, according to scientists at the Broad Institute in Cambridge, Mass., and Uppsala University in Sweden.

Read more . . .

Guide to Dog Health Problems and Dog Health Care

A great dog lover, Nancy Crist, has created a very useful website for the rest of us dog lovers, concerned about health issues we might encounter in our pets.

Nancy currently owns 10 rescue dogs, and has a non-stop parade of foster dogs, so she has dealt with numerous dog health issues firsthand, and decided it was time to share it with other dog-loving people.

Please visit Nancy's website:

Dog Health
A site devoted to the latest information on dog health issues, written by a mother of 10 dogs and foster mom to an endless parade of canine orphans. Treatment information from both conventional and holistic veterinary medicine is provided. It's a work in progress, so check back often!
www.dog-health-today.com

Video: Tyson the cat

(via digg)

Video: Flula in Germany

Keep your eye on the poodle!



(Via The Daily What)

Man Charged After Barking At Police Dog

MASON, Ohio -- Police say an Ohio man has been charged with a misdemeanor for barking at a police dog.

A police report says 25-year-old Ryan James Stephens was charged with teasing a police dog in the Cincinnati suburb of Mason.

Officer Bradley Walker wrote that he heard the K9 dog barking uncontrollably inside his patrol car while he was investigating a car crash at a pub early Sunday morning. Walker says Stephens was making barking noises and hissing at the animal.

Walker reported that Stephens said "the dog started it" when asked why he was harassing the animal. The officer said Stephens appeared highly intoxicated.

Source

World's oldest known dogs from France were poodle-sized

The oldest dogs from France were small, lap-sized canines that lived up to 15,000 years ago, according to new research.

These poodle-sized dogs raise a lot of questions about the earliest domestication of dogs, due to their impressive age and the fact that most other prehistoric pooches were much larger.

"One or many domestication events could have occurred in France and, more generally, in the western part of Europe," Maud Pionnier-Capitan told Discovery News. She led the French project, described in a paper accepted for publication in the Journal of Archaeological Science.

In 2008, Mietje Germonpre, a paleontologist at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, and her team identified what they believe is the world's first known dog.

Found in a Belgian cave, the remains for this possible dog suggest that it lived around 32,000 years ago and resembled a Siberian husky. But it was about the size of a large shepherd dog.

Germonpre told Discovery News that it's unclear now whether these much smaller French dogs descended from the European Paleolithic stock of large dogs, were introduced from elsewhere, or resulted through selection for a smaller body size.

Read more . . .