When we got our second dog, I never intended for either one of them to be more attached to either one of us. But it seems each one has taken to the habits of each of their owners.
I'm a morning person, while Mrs. Pet Haven is a night owl. When I'm up early to start a new day, it's usually Kelso who's up and about with me. Sometimes he's awake even before I am. As soon as I'm up, he's right there with me, ready for to play with his toys and do "his business."
Rocco, on the other hand, is the night-time dog. He'll lounge on his bed in the morning while Kelso is up and about. Getting them set for their morning walk, it's Rocco that usually fights me a bit.
At night, however, when Kelso and I are falling asleep in front of the TV, it's Rocco who's running about, looking for food, and trying to play. Of course, my wife gets the full night time responsibility...since it's always my side of the bed that Kelso goes to in the morning when he wants to get up before we do.
Who would have thought that my pets could be a morning dog or a night owl?
Minggu, 09 Maret 2008
Jumat, 07 Maret 2008
Black Dog Discrimination
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23472518/
This is an interesting article about how dogs with thick, dark black coats usually take longer to get adopted at shelters. Apparently, the phenomenon is commonplace enough to have earned its own name: "black dog syndrome."
According to one quote in the article, "They're the hardest to adopt out, they're in the shelters the longest and therefore, they're most likely to be euthanized if nothing happens."
But what are the reasons?? Could it be a subconscious thing (like the fear of black cats?). Could it be that in some black dogs (the black pug comes to mind) that it's harder to see the dog's true features? Is it because they just look scarier?
Other theories include:
-Some people turn in their black dogs to the shelters because they've gotten new furniture and don't like the dark fur their pet sheds.
-their black coats can make them invisible in poorly lit kennels.
-Same problem happens with amateur photos on shelters' Web sites, which is how many people find the dog they intend to adopt.
-If people see a lot of black dogs at a shelter, they might think there is something wrong with the dogs.
I'm curious to hear from people with black dogs. Even a lot of the pet stores I go to don't offer a lot of black dogs for sale, so this is quite an interesting topic of discussion.
This is an interesting article about how dogs with thick, dark black coats usually take longer to get adopted at shelters. Apparently, the phenomenon is commonplace enough to have earned its own name: "black dog syndrome."
According to one quote in the article, "They're the hardest to adopt out, they're in the shelters the longest and therefore, they're most likely to be euthanized if nothing happens."
But what are the reasons?? Could it be a subconscious thing (like the fear of black cats?). Could it be that in some black dogs (the black pug comes to mind) that it's harder to see the dog's true features? Is it because they just look scarier?
Other theories include:
-Some people turn in their black dogs to the shelters because they've gotten new furniture and don't like the dark fur their pet sheds.
-their black coats can make them invisible in poorly lit kennels.
-Same problem happens with amateur photos on shelters' Web sites, which is how many people find the dog they intend to adopt.
-If people see a lot of black dogs at a shelter, they might think there is something wrong with the dogs.
I'm curious to hear from people with black dogs. Even a lot of the pet stores I go to don't offer a lot of black dogs for sale, so this is quite an interesting topic of discussion.
Rabu, 05 Maret 2008
"Guard Dog"
Kelso loves to keep watch out the window and bark at everything that walks by...but yet he's so harmless!
Selasa, 04 Maret 2008
Secondhand Smoke Killing Your Pets??
It’s no secret that secondhand smoke, also called environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), is associated with serious health risks for people, including heart disease, cancer, asthma and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). According to an article at Petside.com, "It makes sense that the same toxins that endanger human lives might also threaten the health of our pets. "
The full link of the article can be found: http://www.petside.com/portal/site/PetSide/menuitem.ab01e14a6f0d37e0cf306d28f93c2d04/?vgnextoid=5700edf183da7110VgnVCM10000075c1d240RCRD&vgnextfmt=default
Personally, I don't smoke, so that's one issue I don't need to worry about. For for those pet lovers looking for another reason to quit, look no further then your furry friend.
The article makes some interesting points, such as: "Lymphosarcoma is the most common feline cancer. It starts in the lymph nodes and spreads throughout the body. Studies suggest that cats who live with a smoker are twice as likely to develop lymphosarcoma as cats of nonsmokers, and three times as likely if they live with a smoker for more than five years."
Stats like this always add legitimacy to a point. More to the point, there is really nothing good that can come from smoking, as shown in this article.
The full link of the article can be found: http://www.petside.com/portal/site/PetSide/menuitem.ab01e14a6f0d37e0cf306d28f93c2d04/?vgnextoid=5700edf183da7110VgnVCM10000075c1d240RCRD&vgnextfmt=default
Personally, I don't smoke, so that's one issue I don't need to worry about. For for those pet lovers looking for another reason to quit, look no further then your furry friend.
The article makes some interesting points, such as: "Lymphosarcoma is the most common feline cancer. It starts in the lymph nodes and spreads throughout the body. Studies suggest that cats who live with a smoker are twice as likely to develop lymphosarcoma as cats of nonsmokers, and three times as likely if they live with a smoker for more than five years."
Stats like this always add legitimacy to a point. More to the point, there is really nothing good that can come from smoking, as shown in this article.
Minggu, 02 Maret 2008
Dog Brushing
Thanks to everyone who took my recent poll about brushing your dogs' teeth. I guess I'm not the only one who doesn't take the brush to my dogs mouth. 54% of you never brush their teeth. While a few of those answered that they do it on occasion, very few people do it on a regular basis.
I guess this explains why there are so many 'alternative' products on the market. From special dental bones, to sprays, to gels, there are so many different ways to help your dog have good dental hygiene.
I guess this explains why there are so many 'alternative' products on the market. From special dental bones, to sprays, to gels, there are so many different ways to help your dog have good dental hygiene.
Jumat, 29 Februari 2008
Hamden, CT Dog Dumping Controversy
I have been holding off on posting about this subject since it's had both regional and national coverage. Plus, it's somewhat of a morbid subject. However, since I grew up in this town, I have been following this story and it is just disgusting.
A story was revealed by a cyber paper called the hamdendailynews.com, which brought to light the fact that dead dogs and cats were being thrown into the town dump. Not buried, not cremated, not even hidden...just there, dumped in plain view at the local transfer station.
As the story has unfolded, it was revealed that a change in policy was made....all in the name of saving money. Apparently it was costing the town over $2,000 a year to cremate and dispose of the dead animals. Dumping them, of course, would be free. The blame game started and no one really knew who changed the policy, or when, or how. It just suddenly changed. Plus, it's still unclear where these dogs are coming from....are they dogs found on the side of the road? Or are they homeless dogs that are being euthanized after not finding a home? There is also rumor that the town doesn't go above and beyond in trying to find the owners of lost dogs. They keep the dog for the minimum amount of time (1 week), and then have them put to sleep if no owner comes forward.
I would hate to think that if my dogs ever got loose, that any town would not do the best they could to find the owner of the pet....especially that of a tax paying citizen.
After much public outcry, the policy was changed back to cremation. But, there are still plenty of letters to the editor and public war of words, since there are some people who spoke out in favor the town dog dumping, caring more about a measly $2K.
You can read the original article at http://www.hamdendailynews.com/town_gov.html#dd. There are plenty of other articles and letters to the editor -- just go back to the home page.
A story was revealed by a cyber paper called the hamdendailynews.com, which brought to light the fact that dead dogs and cats were being thrown into the town dump. Not buried, not cremated, not even hidden...just there, dumped in plain view at the local transfer station.
As the story has unfolded, it was revealed that a change in policy was made....all in the name of saving money. Apparently it was costing the town over $2,000 a year to cremate and dispose of the dead animals. Dumping them, of course, would be free. The blame game started and no one really knew who changed the policy, or when, or how. It just suddenly changed. Plus, it's still unclear where these dogs are coming from....are they dogs found on the side of the road? Or are they homeless dogs that are being euthanized after not finding a home? There is also rumor that the town doesn't go above and beyond in trying to find the owners of lost dogs. They keep the dog for the minimum amount of time (1 week), and then have them put to sleep if no owner comes forward.
I would hate to think that if my dogs ever got loose, that any town would not do the best they could to find the owner of the pet....especially that of a tax paying citizen.
After much public outcry, the policy was changed back to cremation. But, there are still plenty of letters to the editor and public war of words, since there are some people who spoke out in favor the town dog dumping, caring more about a measly $2K.
You can read the original article at http://www.hamdendailynews.com/town_gov.html#dd. There are plenty of other articles and letters to the editor -- just go back to the home page.
Rabu, 27 Februari 2008
LA Pets Must Be Spayed or Neutered
A new law in LA requires all pets to be spayed or neutered before reachine four months of age.
The ordinance is aimed at reducing and eventually eliminating the thousands of euthanizations conducted in Los Angeles’ animal shelters every year.
The ordinance does exempt some animals, including those that have competed in shows or sporting competitions, guide dogs, animals used by police agencies and those belonging to professional breeders.
The average pet owner, however, must have their dog or cat spayed or neutered by the time it reaches 4 months of age (as late as 6 months with a letter from a veterinarian).
First-time offenders will receive information on subsidized sterilization services and be given an additional 60 days. If they still fail to comply they could be fined $100 and ordered to serve eight hours of community service. A subsequent offense could result in a $500 fine or 40 hours of community service.
--- My question: How does this get enforced? Is it up to the vets to enforce it? The stores? The groomers? The town when you try to register your dog? The police?
The full text of the article can be found here:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23359355/
The ordinance is aimed at reducing and eventually eliminating the thousands of euthanizations conducted in Los Angeles’ animal shelters every year.
The ordinance does exempt some animals, including those that have competed in shows or sporting competitions, guide dogs, animals used by police agencies and those belonging to professional breeders.
The average pet owner, however, must have their dog or cat spayed or neutered by the time it reaches 4 months of age (as late as 6 months with a letter from a veterinarian).
First-time offenders will receive information on subsidized sterilization services and be given an additional 60 days. If they still fail to comply they could be fined $100 and ordered to serve eight hours of community service. A subsequent offense could result in a $500 fine or 40 hours of community service.
--- My question: How does this get enforced? Is it up to the vets to enforce it? The stores? The groomers? The town when you try to register your dog? The police?
The full text of the article can be found here:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23359355/
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