Once when I had remarked on the affection quite often found between cat and dog, my friend replied, ‘Yes. But I bet no dog would ever confess it to the other dogs.’
– C.S. Lewis
The White House’s latest edition, Sunny, appears to be settling in well as the nation’s Second Dog (the title of First Dog belongs to Bo).
Official White House photo by Pete Souza, taken 19 August 2013
When interviewed about the new addition, President Obama said that he and his wife are seeing less of their daughters now that they are growing up with active lives of their own. “I think there is an element for Michelle and me of, you know, we see what’s coming and we need to make sure that we got somebody who greets us at the door when we get home.”
Sunny, who is a year old, is a Portuguese water dog like Bo and will be a companion for the First Dog, who is also feeling the need for company since Malia (15) and Sasha (12) are busier. President Obama said, “Bo was getting a little down in the dumps inside the house.”
But what I really liked about the interview, and this will resonate with Christchurch dog owners who are really suffering from high rentals and pet bonds (see A mixed news week for dogs in Christchurch), was President Obama’s admission that Sunny had had a few accidents.
“We live in rental housing. We didn’t have to put down a deposit, but we are making sure that it gets cleaned up for the next occupant.”
Congratulations to the Obamas for becoming another well-adjusted multiple dog household!
(And in case you missed it, here’s the official White House video announcing Sunny’s arrival)
It’s been a variable week of dog news here in Christchurch (to say the least).
The news was all bad by mid-week, when it was reported that two Rottweilers mauled a young boy of eight, named Mason Bennett. Mason had been staying with his mother and her partner (who owned the dogs). And there had been a previous incident when the dogs were aggressive with another young boy.
Read Dad’s shock at earlier attack by same dogs
The recent dog attack saw lots of comments about how Rottweilers can’t be trusted. Was it the dog or the owners who are to blame?
In the same edition of the newspaper, columnist Rachel Young wrote about My dog was a rottweiler. In general, a defense of the breed, Ms Young also mentions in her story that when her family Rottweiler, Zeb, became unwell with kidney disease he became more aggressive. Her parents decided to euthanize him. To quote “Despite the loving environment, at times you can’t beat nature. In Zeb’s case, it seemed the protective, aggressive nature was developing as he got older and sicker.”
Which shows that even some dog owners don’t know a thing about dogs. Maybe a sick dog lashes out because they are in pain and can’t communicate that in spoken words – and their family doesn’t get it!!!!!
This provoked a Letter to the Editor on my part – which the newspaper largely got right but they decided to edit it by attributing the dog attack to dogs that were unwell (which there isn’t any evidence of – just poor owners!)
The dog news turned for the brighter the next day when police dog Gage was honoured with the PDSA Gold Medal posthumously. Killed in 2010 during a drug raid, Gage took a bullet that was meant for his handler Bruce Lamb. The PDSA Gold Medal is known as the Animal’s George Cross, for civilian bravery.
Bruce Lamb tells his and Gage’s story here Shot police dog Gage honoured for bravery
Today is Monday and there is mixed news for dog owners in today’s newspaper. Front page news is the story of landlords charging special pet bonds to allow tenants to keep pets. This is when a tenant pays more than the standard four week’s rent upfront to secure their rental and it is illegal.
The story goes on to say that charging more for a pet-friendly rental (week to week, or month to month) is okay. Unfortunately, since Christchurch is still in earthquake recovery mode, rental housing is at a premium. Many dog owners don’t dare contest a pet bond because they need a home for all members of the family. Read Landlords in dog box over pet bonds.
Further into the newspaper, some better news. A little puppy of about six weeks old was found cowering under the seat of a car when it was stopped by police. The offenders fled and the dog is believed to be stolen property. A police constable is appealing for information about the wee puppy.
Read Police pursuit nets puppy
Here’s hoping that the stolen pup is returned home soon…
I’d like to see more positive news about dog and dog ownership in Christchurch. But it seems that for every bad news story, we need about ten more to gain the confidence of the public.
How does your city/town deal with dog news? Please get in touch.
Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand
Bag Balm® is a tried and true product that has been around since 1899. Originally designed as a salve for irritated cow udders, it is also a great product for your dog.
Bag Balm® contains lanolin and is ideal for irritated and dry noses, healing/softening of paw pads and minor scratches. For dog walkers with chapped hands in the winter – it’s also great!
In my canine massage practice, I deal with a lot of elderly dogs and when they are not ambulatory, the skin on their paw pads can build up and become rough and cracked. Bag Balm® works wonders.
I have no concerns in endorsing this product for your dog. In a pet market that is flooded with products, isn’t it nice to know that something pure and effective has been around for over 100 years?
***This is not a paid endorsement. I purchased this product for use in my canine massage practice***
Posted in dog care, products for dogs
Tagged animals, Bag Balm, chapped hands, dog walkers, lanolin, paw pads, rough noses, skin irritations
Whoopee! (or should I say ‘woof woof’). This week the White House put out an official statement concerning its position on breed specific legislation. And it’s great news…
“We don’t support breed-specific legislation — research shows that bans on certain types of dogs are largely ineffective and often a waste of public resources.
In 2000, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention looked at twenty years of data about dog bites and human fatalities in the United States. They found that fatal attacks represent a very small proportion of dog bite injuries to people and that it’s virtually impossible to calculate bite rates for specific breeds.
The CDC also noted that the types of people who look to exploit dogs aren’t deterred by breed regulations — when their communities establish a ban, these people just seek out new, unregulated breeds. And the simple fact is that dogs of any breed can become dangerous when they’re intentionally or unintentionally raised to be aggressive.
For all those reasons, the CDC officially recommends against breed-specific legislation — which they call inappropriate. You can read more from them here.
As an alternative to breed-specific policies, the CDC recommends a community-based approach to prevent dog bites. And ultimately, we think that’s a much more promising way to build stronger communities of pets and pet owners.”
Ginger Girl is one of the ex-fighting Pit Bulls saved from Michael Vick’s Bad Newz Kennels and rehabilitated. She lives in a loving home.
Pit bulls are often the subject of breed specific legislation; yet they are very sweet dogs capable of much affection and devotion.
I love innovative fundraising campaigns that attract attention. (Plus I’m sick of people who peddle fundraising boxes of chocolates which in my opinion is simply too easy and contributes to the obesity problem.)
So this year, I’m supporting SPCA Cupcake Day.
Instead of selling human cupcakes, I’m selling doggy cupcakes. These cakes are tummy friendly with fresh ingredients like banana and apple. The frosting is low fat cream cheese and the treat on top is one of my Chicken & Parsley Doggy Bites.
I’m having lots of fun taking orders and baking these, plus I feel like I’m supporting a cause I believe in and giving back to my community.
My cupcakes for Cupcake Day are selling for $2 each
Posted in animal welfare
Tagged cupcake, cupcakes, fundraising, fundraising campaigns, SPCA, SPCA Cupcake Day
Today, new photos of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with baby Prince George were released. The family dog, Lupo, also featured.
I’d like to salute the royals for proving that the addition of a new baby isn’t a reason for ditching the family dog. Every day, here in New Zealand, there are ads in Trade Me which read ‘Free to a good home – we have a baby now and don’t have the time…’
Bringing a dog into the family should be a life commitment, as is bringing a child into the world. Please be a good example to your children and do not treat the family dog as disposable. And remember – the dog was there first!
Posted in dog ownership
Tagged animals, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, lifestyle, Lupo, new baby, Prince George, royal baby
Well done to Museo Ferrari Maranello; the Ferrari Museum has recognised that car lovers may also be dog lovers who are traveling with their pooch.
The solution? Guarded kennels in the shaded part of the museum garden which is located next to the cafeteria.
Photo courtesy of Museo Ferrari, Maranello
In three different sizes (to cater for dogs of all sizes), these kennels replicate in detail the classic Ferrari motor car which is built in Maranello.
Your dog will experience a Ferrari cockpit like no other! Photo courtesy of Museo Ferrari, Maranello
Now that’s dog-friendly business! Does the museum near you cater for your dog?
Arthritis is a common condition in older dogs. At first, though, owners may not always realise when their dog is suffering. That’s because dogs tend to hide discomfort and pain from their pack.
Signs that your dog may be suffering from arthritis include:
One day in 2011, Daisy let me know something was wrong. We were out walking and she slowed down and stopped and the look in her eyes was one of pain. She had finally let me know that she wasn’t feeling herself.
A series of x-rays confirmed arthritis in her lumbosacral spine and left hip.
Since then, she has responded to rest, conventional treatments, hydrotherapy, and other complementary therapies including my massage and laser treatments.
Quality of life for an arthritis sufferer can be attained – once the owner is aware of the problem!
It’s important to keep your dog’s nails trimmed to avoid injury to their paws and general irritation. Some dog owners find that walking on urban/suburban pavements means that the only real concern is the dew claws. Other owners, such as those on lifestyle blocks and farms, find that their dogs need regular nail clipping.
But beyond that – do our dogs want/need pedicures?
I’m talking decorative colouring of the nails. Products like this one from Warren London – Pawdicure Pens – which decorate the nails in colours…
Pawdicure pens from Warren London come in a variety of colours
I love my dog and I love to include her in my daily life and activities. But would I colour her nails? Never!!! I think that is over to the top and exposes her to chemicals she doesn’t need. Looks like this one don’t excite me:
What do you think? Would you polish your dog’s nails in colours and designs? If so, why?
Posted in dog care
Tagged dew claws, dog owners, nail clipping, nail polish, Pawdicure, Pawdicure pens, pawdicures, paws, pedicures, toe nails, Warren London
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