Disposa-Dogs

I grow weary of people posting their unwanted pets (mostly dogs) on sites like freecycle and craigslist. It really disturbs me that people do this. If they're getting rid of their dogs because they don't have time to care for them, I think that they should have to give up any children they have too. Pets are part of the family, not some object they can own.

Petfinder.com - Adopt a Homeless Pet

Spay or Neuter Your Pets

Please spay or neuter your pets. Overpopulation is a huge problem and can easily be avoided if everyone would do their part.

Backyard Frolic

I love watching my two frolic in the yard. It's so funny when they chase each other in a circle around the shed.

National Anti-Vivisection Society

Advancing Science Without Harming Animals is the motto of NAVS. Check out their site, it's very interesting.

A Retriever who Really IS Golden!

This awesome Golden Retriever saved a Marlyand woman's life by performing his own version of the Heimlich maneuver. Click Here for the full story.

Prevent A Litter Coalition

from http://www.palc.org/
WHY DO WE CARE? OUR REASON D'ETRE!

Every year in our nation, animal organizations take in, care for and attempt to adopt out millions of pets who, through no fault of their own can no longer be cared for by their families, are born without an awaiting home, have been abused or abandoned, or are just lost, but have no identification and therefore no way back home.

Although precise data is not available, it is estimated that 5-10 million American pets are taken in by shelters and rescue groups each year. Of which, 3-4 million are euthanized by often under funded animal care and control organizations, as a heartbreaking way to manage the numbers of homeless and unwanted pets in our society. Additionally, these statistics do not take into account the many free roaming and feral animals (estimated to be in the tens of millions) that fend for themselves in our neighborhoods.

Not only do these animals we claim to love suffer greatly, but also communities spend millions of dollars to admit, round up, house, adopt out or euthanize homeless animals, and free roaming and feral pets can annoy a public that has no understanding of their circumstances. In addition, this tragedy takes an enormous emotional toll on those who handle related issues on their community's behalf.

Do we not set the tone for our society by the way that we treat, and honor our responsiblity towards those that are dependent upon us?

If you have pets, or are considering adding a pet to your family, please learn about your pet's lifetime needs, and care for your pet responsibly. You will be a part of the solution!

Buffy's Woobie

Even dogs need security blankets. Buffy's so funny when she calmly wads up her crate mat between her front paws and gently gnaws at it. This will keep her occupied for usually half an hour. It seems to have a calming effect. Much the opposite of when I let the dogs out back and she sees a rabbit scamper across the yard and goes completely nutso, barking at the top of her lungs.

Pet Poisoning Antidote Hotline

The ASPCA has a poison control hotline for pets. If you suspect your pet has been exposed to something toxic, you can call their toll-free hotline number which is: 888-4ANI-HELP (888-426-4435) and you will be connected with a trained ASPCA vet who is knowledgeable in such matters. The hotline is staffed around the clock.

Diver Delivers Denver Dog

This is a great story out of Denver. A rescue diver retrieves a dog that became stranded in icy water after falling through a thin layer of ice. Click Here for the story.

Nemo's Virus

Last weekend Nemo caught some sort of a virus. I hardly slept at all Monday night due to having to let him out six times between 1:45am and 5:00am to go potty. It was brutal. Luckily the vet was able to see him Tuesday morning and Nemo was put on 500mg of metronidazole (1 tablet 2x/day) as well as Purina Veterinary Diets Diabetes and Colitis formula dog food. He's been doing much better, thankfully. I'm glad Buffy didn't get sick. It's bad enough having ONE dog who's not feeling well.

Prayers for Michael and Bobby

Please pray for Michael Keenan, a San Francisco artist and Bobby, the Jack Russell Terrier he rescued from a burning building last Tuesday. Both of them have extensive burns and have a 50-50 survival rate.
Keenan had previously rescued a woman from a sinking car. The story can be found here.

Wayward Dog Rescues Crash Victim

German dog breeds are amazing! Of course I love Dobermans, but German Shepherds are definitely a close second. This brave boy wandered off from home and came upon a woman who was involved in a car crash where her car left the roadway and ended up in the woods. He dragged her back to the roadway so she could flag down a passerby for help! Read the story here: http://www.walb.com/Global/story.asp?S=6026256

The Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan

I'm in the process of reading Cesar's book and I have been an avid viewer of his series on the National Geographic Channel. I only watch it when the dogs are outside, though as one of my Dobes barks frantically at the TV screen when she sees other animals on there. It's a catch-22. I need to watch the show to learn how to correct her issues, yet I have a hard time watching when she's barking away at the TV.

Bye Bye Barbaro

I was so saddened to hear of Barbaro being put down today. It was painful to watch news footage last month of him being led around the field and seeing him hobble around awkwardly on the foot that developed laminitis. Hearing of his death today really hurt.
Barbaro, rest in peace. We'll always love ya!

Click to see Barbaro Tribute sites

photo credit: http://www.vet.upenn.edu/newsandevents/news/Barbaro/barbaro-299_HRes.jpg

National Dog Show

Saw a blurb on the local news this morning about the National Dog Show. Went to their website, and lo and behold a Doberman is in the main picture. YEAH!

Top 10 AKC Registered Dog Breeds

Wow, the Top 10 list according to the American Kennel Club surprised me and lately is including a lot more of the toy breeds near the top of the list.
1&2 Labradors
3 Yorkshire Terrier
4 German Shepherd
5 Beagle
6 Dachshund
7 Boxer
8 Poodle
9 Shih Tzu
10 Miniature Schnauzer
So where did the Doberman end up, you ask? Way down at #21 right before Miniature Pinscher. Rounding out the bottom of the list are the least registered dog breeds of Foxhound, Otterhound and Harrier.

Real-Life Pet Detective

Move over, Ace Ventura! There's a real-life pet detective on the case. His name is Carl Washington of Pet Detective USA and he, along with his pet pals Coco, Gizmo and Rocky help to locate missing pets. Based in Georgia, Carl and the dogs were sniffing around my neighborhood recently, trying to locate a 15 month old Australian Shepherd named Wink who was frightened off by another dog during a recent walk, and ran off. Wink has a bright blue right eye and the left eye appears to be a darker color. If you have seen Wink in the Montgomery County, MD area please call 240-620-9825.
Carl's success rate is not bad. About 1/2 the animals he is hired to locate are found. He might charge up to $3,500 for 3 days' work but most pet owners agree it's a small price to pay to bring a loved member of the family back home.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to everyone. Make it a great year and have a dog-gone good time!

Could a Doberman be the Right Dog Breed for You?

by Andy Matthews

They were originally bred in Germany over a century ago to be watchdogs and bodyguards. They are extremely powerful animals, and the sight of one of these big, dangerous looking dogs coming after you would fill anyone with dread.

The German miltary, and police were quick to recognise this, and the Doberman became a willing recruit. Fearless, and devoted to its owner and family members this is a versatile dog capable of excelling at many tasks.

Classified by the American Kennel Club as a member of the Working Group, the Doberman is a dapper dog with a powerful chest and bullet shaped head. They weigh in at anywhere between 55 to 90 pounds, and stand 24 to 28 inches tall.

The Doberman Pinscher has a short coat either black, black and tan, red, blue, or fawn with tan markings. Their almond shaped eyes are always dark in color.

In America most Dobermans have their tails docked, and quite often their ears cropped. In the UK both of these practices have been banned. If left natural the ears, and tail develop much like a hounds. Lately though, there has been a movement away from docking and cropping by some American breeders.

This is an energetic breed. Life in an apartment is not the best setting for a Doberman. A fenced yard, and quality exercise is a much better fit for them. A brisk daily walk on and off of the lead should keep your dog in top condition.

Despite their poor public image, most Dobermans are great with young children and other pets. They really are devoted family dogs. However, they are perhaps not the ideal dog for a 1st time dog owner. They are highly trainable, and they will do anything to please their owners. But they are a dominant breed, and they need to understand exactly who is in charge.

To avoid problem behaviors, you will definetly need to start socializing and training your dog as soon as you bring him home. They are a very intelligent breed, and you could find them getting in to real mischief if you do not check their behaviour. Either choose a dog training method that works or puppy obedience classes.

These are a good idea, since the classes will help you to socialize your puppy while he is reasonably little and much easier to control. Trust me, it is far better to teach a smallish puppy to sit, than to try it with an adult dog weighing almost as much as you do!

These are large, energetic, muscular dogs and consequently need a substantial amount of dog food. Make sure that you feed your dog a well balanced food that is specifically formulated for large breeds. Doberman Pinschers can suffer from hypothyroidism and a hereditary condition called von Willebrand's disease [a blood disorder].

Hip dysplasia, and heart problems are also a danger. As they get older, these sweet natured dogs can often become overweight, so make sure that you keep the lid on the cookie jar.

They are average shedders, and grooming is quick and easy. Simply, brush your dog once a week to remove dirt and loose hair, and that's it.
Doberman Pinschers may look like natural born killers, but they are really just oversized lap dogs. If you want a dog that will guard your home, but still loves to curl up beside you and the family at night, then a Doberman may just be the right breed of dog for you.

Andy Matthews is the best friend of Suki, a 2 year old Cocker Spaniel, who has tirelessly built from scratch http://www.top-dogs-names.com. Check it out it’s kind of unique!

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