Category Archives: Dogs

Bullseye! The mascot of the Target Corporation

Posted on January 17, 2015 | Leave a comment

The value of dogs in advertising cannot be underestimated. Just ask the Target Corporation, a chain of discount stores in the United States.

Their mascot is Bullseye, a bull terrier.

Photo by Target Corporation

Bullseye features in print media and television campaigns and appears ‘in person’ at corporate events including store openings. In October 2014, for example, Target opened a CityTarget store in Boston, not far from famed Fenway Park.

To mark the occasion, the company did photo shoots of Bullseye at various famous locations around the city. Now that’s public relations!

Bullseye apparently lives on a ranch just north of Los Angeles with her trainers. Over the years, there have been many Bullseyes (just like there were successive Lassies over the years). The company has also proudly reported that the makeup used on Bullseye is non-toxic and natural.

Bulleye is so popular that Target offers a range of products featuring Bullseye in its Bullseye Shop.

Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, Canine Catering Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand

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Posted in dog breeds, dogs in advertising

Tagged Boston, bull terrier, Bullseye, CityTarget, Fenway Park, Lassie, Target, Target Corporation

Autistic children who live with pets are more assertive

Posted on January 14, 2015 | 1 comment

Yet another piece of research that points to the value of dogs and other animals. This time the research was done at the University of Missouri and focused on the social skills of autistic children.

You guessed it – the children who lived with pets developed better social skills including assertiveness. “When I compared the social skills of children with autism who lived with dogs to those who did not, the children with dogs appeared to have greater social skills,” said Gretchen Carlisle, Research Fellow.

Source: University of Missouri press release

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Posted in research

Tagged assertiveness, autism, autistic children, children, dogs, Gretchen Carlisle, pets, social skills, University of Missouri

The best ball boys in the world

Posted on January 11, 2015 | Leave a comment

The ASB Classic tennis tournament finished yesterday with Venus Williams winning the title. But the real high point of the tournament was the advertising…

Meet the Best Ball Boys in the World: Oscar the Mastiff cross, Ted the Border Colies, and Teddy, the Jack Russell cross…

If dogs were allowed in ‘real’ tennis matches, I think I could become a fan!

Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, Canine Catering Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand

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Posted in Dogs, dogs in advertising

Tagged algal bloom, ASB Bank, ASB Classic, Jack Russell, mastiff, Svetlana Kuznetsova, tennis, tennis tournament, Venus Williams

Mourning a pet isn’t what it used to be

Posted on January 10, 2015 | Leave a comment

The role of pets has changed a lot in the last 20 or so years. This change is also reflected in how people mourn when a pet dies. This column, by Monica Collins of The Boston Globe, discusses how mourning for a lost pet is recognized as genuine grief. Well worth reading (just click on the link below)

Mourning a pet isn’t what it used to be – Lifestyle – The Boston Globe

Continue reading →

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Posted in dogs and mourning

Tagged Ask Dog Lady, Boston Globe, Christchurch, Christchurch Pet Loss Support Group, Facebook, Monica Collins, mourning, pet loss, pet loss support

A new twist on abandonment

Posted on January 9, 2015 | 1 comment

The Scottish SPCA has reported a dog that was abandoned along with a suitcase of his belongings.

The Shar Pei cross, Kai, along with his suitcase (photo by SPCA/PA)

The dog named Kai (identification details that were found on his microchip) was discovered tied to a railing outside Ayr station. His suitcase contained a pillow, food, toy and bowl.

When Scottish SPCA inspector Stewart Taylor checked with the owners, whose details were registered against the microchip, he was told that they had sold Kai on a website in 2013 but they didn’t know to who!

“This case highlights the potential consequences of selling an animal online as it often leads to the impulse buying of pets that people know very little about. Regardless of the fact Kai was left with his belongings, this was still a cruel incident and we are keen to identify the person responsible. If anyone can help we would ask them to get in touch as soon as possible,” said Scottish SPCA inspector Stewart Taylor.

Abandonment is an animal welfare offense that in Scotland and, if convicted, the persons responsible are likely to be banned from keeping animals for a specified period of time.

The bottom line on this case is that abandonment is still abandonment. And the ‘new’ owners weren’t even responsible enough to have Kai’s microchip updated. However, the previous owners are also responsible in that they failed to check on the people who were adopting Kai from them, ensuring they had legitimate credentials, viewing their home, etc.

Dogs are not disposable!

Source: The Telegraph

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Posted in animal welfare

Tagged Ayr railway station, Kai, Scotland, Scottish SPCA, Shar Pei, SPCA

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Wordless Wednesday, part 53

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Posted on January 7, 2015 in Dogs

Tagged Kenny, selfie

Lost Dogs – Is your dog at risk?

Posted on January 5, 2015 | Leave a comment

I really like the checklist in this item. Sometimes, without thinking, we put our dogs at risk. Losing a dog would be one of the most heartbreaking things that any of us experience – let’s re-think our habits before it is too late.

Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, Canine Catering Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand

No Dog About It Blog

I’m often brought to tears by stories of lost dogs that have been found.

Just this past weekend, a ten-year-old dog was found after being lost and out on her own for several days in frigid temps. As I read her owner’s teary and thankful response to all those who helped her get her dog back, I wept.

I remember the powerful waves of emotion that swept over me when I finally had Cupcake back in my arms again – relief, gratitude, and extreme happiness. Even though it has been three years since Cupcake went missing, I have never forgotten those twelve days she was gone. I have only to read another lost dog story or see another missing dog posting, to feel all the fear, worry and sadness all over again.

Losing a dog (no matter how long) changes you. It makes you more cautious, and more attentive. It also makes you less likely…

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Posted in dog care, dog ownership

Tagged at risk, checklist, lost and found, lost dogs, risky behaviors, risky behaviours

You know you’re a dog person when…

Posted on January 4, 2015 | 2 comments

Your mother asks you what she can get you for your birthday and you answer…

‘Something for the dog’

Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, Canine Catering Ltd, Christchurch, New Zealand

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Posted in dog quotes, Dogs

Tagged dog person, Greyhound, Izzy

Sarah’s Something Special Day

Posted on January 3, 2015 | Leave a comment

This is a great idea for multi-dog households. Every fur baby needs one on one time!

Adventures at Run A Muck Ranch

Recently, we instituted mandatory Something Special Days. Once a week, each dog is to be separated from The Hoard for 100% attention. No cell phone, no distractions, just 100% attention focused on one dog.

Today was Sarah’s Something Special Day.

As an added bonus, she had both Crabby and me there to share it with her.

Does this look like a happy girl to you?

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Posted in dog care, Dogs

Tagged multi-dog households, multiple dog households, quality time

New dogs at Westminster in 2015

Posted on January 3, 2015 | Leave a comment

The Westminster Kennel Club will allow two new breeds to compete this year: the Coton De Tulear and the Wirehaired Vizsla.

Sometimes referred to as a ‘Bichon-type’ dog, the Coton De Tulear is known for its cottony coat. The long topcoat covers the forelegs. The breed belongs to the Non-Sporting Group.

A Coton De Tulear, photo by Wikipedia

The Wirehaired Vizsla is a member of the Sporting Group and is known for its energetic and active lifestyle. A breed requiring mental stimulation daily, it is an excellent hunting dog with origins in Hungary.