Happy Times at the Dog Run, Now Coming to an End

It’s considered impolite, yet everyone slips up occasionally. How can anyone be blamed for mixing up the name of a dog with that of its owner, especially when the dog is Henry and his owner goes by Rags?

Even still, Dick Sebastian resolved he would not make that particular mistake, or any similar one, at the small-dog run in Washington Square Park he started frequenting a few years ago with his wife, Susie, and his dog, Kitty (grounds for more confusion, but that was someone else’s problem). He whipped up cartoony illustrations of all the dogs at the run who, like Kitty, arrived like clockwork for the morning shift, and turned them into a chart labeled with their names. Mr. Sebastian sometimes brought the work in progress to the dog run, and over time, even owners who were not part of the regular crew — many of them part of a downtown, arty scene — asked if their pets could be included, or agreed when approached by Mr. Sebastian.

nice story... read more>>

Small dog killed at doggy day care by bigger dogs

A Stoughton family is grappling with grief and guilt over the death of their Shih Tzu puppy Harley, who was mauled to death at doggy day care Friday when left alone with supersized playmates.

“We wanted him to be outside and have fun. Now we just can’t get over the guilt of how he died,” Harley’s owner Margaret Milne said through tears. “He was the most precious thing. That dog, in the 10 months he was (home), was never alone more than two hours. That’s how much we loved him.” MORE>>

I guess they'll sue for negligence as they do in the States.

Marine bends rules to save dog found in Iraq After injured stray trekked 75 miles to find him, pilot got him home to U.S.

You couldn’t find a more contented dog than the mutt sprawled on the couch in the TODAY studio, his head resting on his master’s thigh, a loving hand petting around his abbreviated ears.

But if those ears — cut off near the dog’s skull — give the impression that there’s more to this scene than just the timeless bond between a man and a dog, you’d be right. They are the source of his name — Nubs — as well as a reminder of the war-torn land he came from: Iraq.

(...)

Nubs was among a pack of dogs living near their fort with the approval of the Iraqi soldiers. “The Iraqis actually use the dogs as an early-warning system,” Dennis said. “They let them live around the border forts because they’ll alert them to anyone approaching.”

In Iraq, not a dog’s life
Life is tough enough in Iraq for people, and it isn’t any better for dogs. One day, Dennis went out on patrol in an area where Nubs used to hang out and was alarmed to discover his friend, badly wounded.

“He had a big wound on his left side,” Dennis told Vieira.

“One of the Iraqis told me that one of the soldiers had gotten mad and stabbed him with a big screwdriver. He looked terrible. We didn’t think he was going to make it. He was all infected. It was bad.”

The whole story MORE>>

Oh yes, the bond between a man and a dog is very special, especially when the dog follows you home.. 75 miles away or 200 km. It's desert. isn't it?

Picture of right are the dogs in Iraq... I see one that I want to bring here!!

Maltese terrier on dangerous dog list

(Australia)They may look friendly and loveable, but the little Maltese terrier has joined the NSW government's list of ill-tempered dogs.

I'd be ill tempered if I was combed, and srubbed the way they are!

The Maltese terrier was involved in 12 attacks on people across NSW in the July-September period, according to the latest Dog Attack Register.

I wonder what the circumstances were...

It is the first time the dog has featured in the "top 20 attacking list" on the register launched in January.

"This is obviously a surprising outcome, but nonetheless a reminder that any dog has the potential to attack, regardless of breed," Minister for Local Government Barbara Perry said today.

Yes, but less likely to attack if they are treated with respect that they deserve.

Another unexpected inclusion was the state's most popular dog, the Labrador retriever, which was reportedly involved in 20 attacks from July to September.

Those kids just don't understand why they don't like hugs!

The Dog Attack Register indicates the Staffordshire bull terrier was the prime offender in the latest quarter.

It was involved in 116 attacks, followed by the Australian cattle dog, implicated in 56 attacks, and the German shepherd with 55.

Unless these is a reason behind the statistics, that's all they are... numbers.

MORE>>

Paintings by dog sell for more than £1,000

Using the lush surroundings of his home town of Eastern Shore, Maryland as his muse, Sam's paintings are attracting a loyal art world following.

Some of his 22 paintings - done using a tailor-made paintbrush held in his mouth - have sold for up to $1700 (£1,045).

"Sam is a regular renaissance dog and his abstract paintings are all the rage with the hip New York galleries," says Mary Stadelbacher, Sam's owner.

"He loves his painting and would happily carry on for hours if I left him to it.

"He loves to work in a variety of colours and layers his paintings with darker shades first and then moves on to lighter ones later." MORE>>

I'd love to see all of his paintings!

Lethal injection for death-grip dog

A pit bull dog had to be lethally injected when it latched on to a man's hand for more than 20 minutes after attacking his two pet dogs in Melbourne.

Paramedics were forced to kill the dog with a dose of drugs designed to put severely injured patients into an induced coma when the animal refused to let go of the man.

A Victoria Ambulance spokesman said the killing had been an "absolute last resort" at the request of police who could not shoot the dog because it was too close to the man.

The 30-year-old man had been walking his "two small fluffy dogs" on Sunday night when the American pit bull dog attacked, a Victoria Police spokeswoman said.

One of the small dogs was killed and the other injured during the attack.

The dogs' owner tried to help but was then bitten on the hand by the pit bull, which held its grip for more than 20 minutes. MORE>>

Pimp your dog's ride: 2010 Honda Element is furry-friendly

Now your dog can ride in style, thanks to American Honda's new 2010 Element.

The car is souped-up with equipment such as a cushioned pet bed, a dedicated fan for the pet-cargo space, a spill-resistant water bowl and an extendable ramp for glamorous entrances and exits. And the Dog Friendly Element is designed not just with comfort in mind, but safety as well -- soft, seat-belt-grade nylon webbing secures pet passengers in the vehicle's cargo area, preventing driver interference and adding an extra layer of protection for dogs in the event of a frontal collision.

The Dog Friendly Element is available for purchase beginning Nov. 17, with an option price of $995. Read more about this pet-centric new vehicle at The Times' auto blog, Up To Speed.

Boy's head crushed in Vic dog attack

....A child safety advocate has called for compulsory obedience and social training for dogs after a boy was mauled and critically injured by the family dog north of Melbourne.

The five-year-old boy suffered severe head injuries after the dog grabbed his head between its jaws in the backyard of his home at Broadford, about 80km north of Melbourne, about 2.30pm (AEDT) on Sunday.

The boy was taken to nearby Kilmore Hospital by car and transferred by ambulance to the Royal Children's Hospital, where he remains in a critical but stable condition.

Kidsafe Victoria president Mark Stokes said the attack, which followed two other dog attacks on Victorian children in August, showed training must go hand in hand with dog licensing.
"Dogs and young children, especially babies and toddlers, do not mix and dog attacks can leave children disfigured for life as well as being fatal," he said.

Kidsafe proposes certified training for all dogs as a part of the licensing system.
"No training, no licence, no dog," Dr Stokes said. MORE>>

Is Boomer the world's biggest dog?

Measuring one metre at the shoulders and 2.1 metres long from nose to destructive wagging tail, he might be the world's tallest living dog.

Caryn Weber says her three-year-old Landseer Newfoundland keeps all four paws on the floor when he drinks from the kitchen tap in her family's farm house in eastern North Dakota.

Boomer can stare into a car window eye to eye with a driver. A nine kilogram bag of dry dog food lasts the 81 kilogram canine a couple of weeks. MORE>>

Man's best friend: the forgotten victims

Among the pulverised concrete and timber, a lone dog stands guard, awaiting a master who will never return.

When the Poutasi villagers file back to the deserted disaster scene to attend church, other dogs suddenly emerge from the bush, drawn by the possibility of scraps.

A skinny black pup whimpers as a young girl whacks it on the nose with a broomstick to get it out of the way of the church steps.

They are the often-forgotten disaster victims.

Across Samoa's tsunami-stricken southern coastline, up to 3000 dogs are estimated to need emergency food. MORE>>

Woman admits cruelty to 99 dogs

A woman has admitted eight cruelty charges after 99 St Bernard dogs were found abandoned in a Northamptonshire kennels.

Mary Ellen Collis, 51, was charged with seven counts of causing unnecessary suffering to 85 dogs and one of failing to meet the welfare needs of 14 dogs. MORE>>

Vets who care for the Disabled, people on limited income, and abused women

A beloved pet needs veterinary care, but the owner can't afford treatment. For many seniors and people with disabilities, this scenario is a sad reality.

That's where the Farley Foundation steps in.

Established by the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA) in 2001, the Farley Foundation (a registered charity) assists seniors and disabled persons on limited incomes with the necessary treatment of their pets. In 2007, the Foundation expanded its criteria to assist the pets of women at risk of abuse (and their children) who are participating in OVMA’s SafePet Program. The Farley Foundation honors the human-animal bond and seeks to help those who most benefit from pet ownership. MORE>>
_____________________________

CYCLING FOR PETS

Veterinarian Jim Hysen, of Lockerby Animal Hospital in Sudbury, will cycle 100 km from Milton to Guelph and back to raise funds and awareness for the Farley Foundation on Saturday.

.....

A total of 53 veterinarians and veterinary health professionals will participate in Saturday's fundraiser. Thirty-five riders will cycle 100 km, 18 will cycle 100 miles and each cyclist will attempt to raise a minimum of $1,000 for the Farley Foundation. MORE>>

Much ado about poo

Volkach is a small Bavarian town whose residents love dogs – currently 422 are registered at city hall. But in this quiet community, the fouling of sidewalks and parks has reached such an unacceptable level that politicians have been spurred to action, and of course they believe they have the answer – to record the DNA of all the canine creatures in their community.

The mayor of Volkach, Peter Komell, is promoting a scheme that calls for saliva or hair to be taken from local dogs to create a DNA database. A dog warden would be employed to collect canine ordure and then check it with the database. When the computer finds a match, the offending dog owner would be sent a fine. If no corresponding match is found, a stray watch alert is issued. MORE>>

Rescue dog heroes

....Around five months ago on May 13 when the floor and dome of a movie theatre under construction in Bangkok collapsed at around 5am, four injured workers were pulled out alive from the dense mass of twisted, tangled steel scaffolding.

Unable to find three others buried under drying concrete slabs, Thai authorities called the Thai Rescue Dog Association (TRDA) for help.

By the time the dogs arrived two had been recovered — dead. The location of the third remained unknown.

Savannah, a golden retriever belonging to New Zealand-born volunteer Susan Redmond, went into the thicket of steel. She detected the man – under 50 cm of concrete.

Unfortunately he too was dead. But Savannah and the TRDA had proved themselves.

The TRDA is the only civilian institution in the region doing pioneering work in training rescue dogs and handlers. MORE>>

Barking dogs at facility upset neighbors

Residents living near a guide-dog training facility in south Phoenix are complaining of frenzied barking and growling that can be heard throughout the day and night.

That was the case on a recent morning in the neighborhood surrounding the non-profit Eye Dog Foundation for the Blind, when one resident recorded the cacophony of barking from her backyard just after 6.

"This is what we what we have to put up with every morning," resident Barbara Tristan said over the racket. "It is just horrible." MORE>>

Doesn't say much about their training program. I mean, a guide dog shouldn't be stressed to this level... Didn't I hear that there were "issues'' at this Blind Foundation... like people leaving their employment, etc.. I may be wrong, but the last sentence give me reason to think I'm right.

They say changes occurred about two years ago, which coincides with the time when Brown took over operations.

Dogs behind bars: Inmates train shelter dogs that may have been on death row (w/ gallery)

WALLA WALLA -- A metal dog bone hangs from Fox's collar.

Crude engraving on the tag identifies the Australian shepherd mix as DOC #000005. He was incarcerated on 8-17-09 and, if he maintains a good disciplinary record and completes the recommended training, he will be paroled from the Washington State Penitentiary on 10-25-09.

Fox's time behind bars may be short, but those 10 weeks hold a lot of promise for the 4-year-old dog and his primary handler, inmate Wayne Hawk. Fox is learning how to behave once placed in his adoptive home and Hawk is getting lessons in responsibility and compassion.

Fox is one of six shelter dogs to participate in the inaugural canine training program at the Walla Walla prison. Each dog could have faced euthanization, but now is paired with two offenders to be trained in basic obedience and socialization before it is released. MORE>>

Pregnant woman ticketed for dog's poop - in front of her own house

As if being nine days overdue wasn't enough stress on a mother-to-be, is now fighting a $250 ticket for a lapse on the poop patrol.

A Sanitation Department agent slapped her with the summons Monday for not picking up after her dog as the out-to-here pregnant 19-year-old took a breather on her stoop in Maspeth before going to get a tissue.

"I was just relaxing," said Fernbacker, who finally went into labor Thursday. "It was literally right in front of my house."

She was approached by the officer about 10:30 a.m., minutes after her black mutt, Kimmy, pooped on a grassy patch in front of her father's house, where she lives. Fernbacker was waiting for a ride to school.

"I told [the agent] I was going inside to get a tissue," she said. "And he told me it didn't matter."

The officer asked Fernbacker to get her ID as he wrote the ticket up. The summons states that she "made no attempt to remove dog feces in a legal manner."MORE>>

Pair a `great inspiration'

Eleven-year-old Braeden Taylor-Phillips and Hobson, his two-year-old Cavalier King Charles spaniel, are among the younger stars practising for the canine agility events at Manfeild during next month's National Dog Show.

The pursuit, in which a handler directs a dog through an obstacle course in a race for both time and accuracy, is attracting many young people who are excelling in open competitions against adults. MORE>>

Doggy in the window stands guard for 22 years

OVER the past 22 years, many a passer-by wandering down Swindon’s Bridge End Road will have asked themself ‘who is that doggy in the window?’.

Because for more than two decades, a huge cuddly toy old English sheep dog has sat in the bay window of John and Teresa White’s home.

Curiousity finally got the better of me and I knocked on their door to find out more – and discovered the dog’s faithful presence was down to John’s love of fishing. MORE>>