On the trail for a good dog's life

Bridgeport, CT - "When I was a boy, the family dog was merely a live fixture around the house. While everyone petted and cared for the dog, it never reached "family member" status as it would be chained outside during the day and confined to the kitchen at night. After owning 11 dogs, my attitude toward the family pet has greatly changed. Likewise, the family dog has taken on a new role in society. Today, it is easy to find public dog activities, like training classes, canine sports and doggie daycare. More and more people are also taking their dogs on vacations, weekend camping trips and picnics in the park..."
Source: ConnPost.com, 7/16/2006

Seizures a reality for dogs even more so than for humans

San Francisco, CA - "DR. UTCHEN: We think our dog had a seizure. He stumbled and lay down, and his whole body seemed to spasm for about 10 seconds. After that, he lay quietly for about five minutes and then got up but seemed disoriented. Can dogs have epilepsy?
A: Yes, epilepsy occurs in dogs just like it does in people. For most dogs that are epileptic, the first seizure of their lives occur before the age of 3. Seizures are manifest on a whole continuum of behaviors..."
Source: InsideBayArea.com, 7/16/2006

Couple and their sled dogs share stories with children

South Jordan, UT - For Harry Schlitz, doing presentations with his sled dogs started 15 years ago as a hobby after he lost his job. Su gets a round of applause during a visit with children at the South Jordan Library. Su and her friends, Pixie and Sorrel, were part of a presentation about sled dogs..."
Source: ADN.com, 7/14/2006

Revealed: the man who killed 10,000 dogs

UK - "The secret slaughter of at least 10,000 racing greyhounds by one man has been exposed by an undercover investigation. For the past 15 years David Smith, a builders’ merchant, has been killing healthy greyhounds no longer considered by their trainers to be fast enough to race. He buries them in a one-acre plot at the back of his home in Seaham, Co Durham..."
Source: TimesOnline.co.uk, 7/16/2006

Judge orders man to pay vet bills of ’skeletal dogs’

Wailuku, HI - "A Pukalani man has been ordered to pay $1,670 to cover a veterinary bill and care of his three dogs that were taken from his home during an animal cruelty investigation last year. Thomas Dudoit, 49, also was fined $150 after he pleaded guilty Tuesday to one charge of animal cruelty..."
Source: MauiNews.com, 7/15/2006

Ask a Vet: Introduce dogs slowly, carefully

Dallas, TX - "Dear Sara: I am moving soon, and my dog will be sharing a house with another dog that he has not seen for about a year. What is the best way to go about reintroducing them?
A: Essentially, this question is about how to bring a new dog into a household that already has a dog. In this case, though, it may be easier for you because the two dogs have been together in the past..."
Source: TheEagle.com, 7/15/2006

For cats or dogs, we're mad about Max

San Francisco, CA - "What's in a name? If you're stuck with a weird one, you know that names can mean a lot, and you have your parents to thank -- or blame -- for that. But how do you go about naming your pets? For most of my pets, I've used the how-will-it-sound-when-I-call-them test. But I still managed to come up with Leroy Bach Brown for an Abyssinian cat I had years ago. I named my most recently acquired pet, a longhair calico, Maggie Mae and find myself calling her by both names..."
Source: MercuryNews.com, 7/15/2006

Animals are 'the virtue of man without the vices'

San Francisco, CA - "Every Sunday for years now, two couples travel to Bubbling Well Pet Memorial Park in Napa Valley to sit by the graves of their dearly departed — several rabbits and a dog. Their devotion may be unusual, but they are not alone. This Napa graveyard, made cult-famous by Errol Morris' documentary on pet cemeteries, "Heaven's Gate," buries 300-400 animals a year and cremates several hundred a month. People come by every day to pay their respects to Fluffy and Fido..."
Source: InsideBayArea.com, 7/15/2006