Canines in the unit: Dogs visiting patients

Detroit, MI - "During her stay at St. Mary Mercy Hospital in Livonia, Mich., this month, Lisa Goodman thought someone was coming to poke her every time she heard footsteps coming into her room. So when a visitor to her stark and sterile room turned out to be a peppy Jack Russell terrier named Daphne, followed a little while later by a big, panting golden retriever named Parker, Goodman, 35, was not only relieved but also restored..."
Source: Philly.com, 2/27/2006

Designer dogs 'deserve right to dine in restaurants'

"Dogs could be allowed to dine at restaurant tables with their owners under a new bill being considered in Florida. The pampered pooches will be able to get an outdoor seat in some cities in the US state if the bid to introduce a three-year test programme is successful..."
Source: PetOwnersOnline.com, 2/27/2006

CATSA plans to test bomb-sniffing dogs

Ottawa - "Canadian air travellers may soon encounter a new breed of security screener with a keen sense of smell, pointy snout and long tail. The federal agency responsible for scrutinizing passengers and baggage plans to team up with the RCMP to test the use of bomb-sniffing German shepherds..."
Source: TheGlobeandMail.com, 2/27/2006

Our substitute children: Appropriate ways of spoiling your dog

Maysville, OH - "The cover story of Weekend Life magazine this week claims to introduce us to Generation Arff.According to the story by Meeta Agrawal, dog ownership has increased 12 percent in three years.Certainly Americans love their dogs. Some even go to the extreme of buying clothes for them, shopping for them at pet bakeries -- even having birthday parties for them..."
Source: Maysville-Online.com, 2/25/2006

Military dogs in active service reaches 7,000

Beijing, China - "There are 7,000 dogs in active service for the People's Liberation Army (PLA), sources with the military dog breeding center said here Thursday. After training, qualified military dogs can assist the military forces in various fields including mine detecting, telecommunications and scouting, Yu Bin a trainer at the center said..."
Source: News.Xinhuanet.com, 2/25/2006

Grief follows no schedule

Fredericksburg, VA - "...My book collection reflects an abiding interest in how to cope with the agony of grieving for beloved dogs whose lives have ended. Understanding the emptiness of facing the death of a beloved pet, and our conscious and unconscious need to examine memories of dogs that have loved us, is a common theme in conversations with men and women who have been graced to know a dog as best friend and companion..."
Source: Fredericksburg.com, 2/25/2006