This billboard combines a serious message with a tongue-in-cheek one.
Hang in there, folks. The weekend isn’t far away!
In this, the 2nd in my ongoing series about canine university mascots, I cover the University of Georgia Bulldog.
Official bulldogs have been given the name Uga (derived from the University of GeorgiA) and their lineage is traced like royalty (imagine the Bulldog equivalent of Queen Elizabeth II). In fact, the Seiler family has, through its breeding programme, supplied every University of Georgia bulldog for the last 56 years.
Russ, the current ‘temporary’ University of Georgia bulldog mascot will be promoted to the official title of Uga IX on September 15, 2012.
Later this month, Uga IX will officially take up his reign as the University’s mascot. He is currently known as Russ and he’s the half-brother of Uga VII, who died in 2009. Russ has served as an interim mascot for 23 football games and has worked hard enough to officially be promoted into the role of the University’s mascot.
The Bulldog is the icon of the University and appears on other parts of the campus beyond athletics.
Fans of the University can join the Bulldog Club for special promotions and ticket discounts. Students can deposit into their Bulldog Bucks accounts and use their funds to purchase meals and other merchandise from shops and dining halls at the campus. The alumni association also recognises the top 100 Bulldog Businesses – that’s the top 100 businesses created by University of Georgia graduates.
Posted in dog breeds, Dogs
Tagged alumni, bulldog, Bulldog Bucks, Bulldog Businesses, Bulldog Club, bulldog mascot, georgia bulldog, UGA, University of Georgia
Last week, on the 28th of August, we marked the 7th anniversary since Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and other Gulf communities.
In marking this sad anniversary, I share with you the Hurricane Katrina memorial at the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. The Best Friends staff and volunteers saved over 6,000 animals in the aftermath of Katrina and the relief efforts will be remembered by all of those involved for many years.
The Hurricane Katrina memorial at the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah.
In addition, here is the video compiled by Best Friends to mark the 5th anniversary of the Katrina relief efforts:
Posted in animal welfare, Dogs
Tagged Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Best Friends Animal Society, Hurricane Katrina, Kanab, Utah, YouTube
Here are Thelma and Louise. These boxers were found roaming the streets of Los Angeles and were lucky enough to find their way to the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, where I met them in the Old Friends kennel section of the sanctuary.
Both Thelma and Louise were older dogs and that unfortunately means for many dogs that they are not chosen for adoption from traditional shelter environments. However, Best Friends recognised that there are ‘boxer people’ all over and that – with a little time – they could find a home together with people who would be willing to take on the special medical needs of two senior dogs.
And that’s just what they did. Thelma and Louise went to their forever homes on June 16th this year!
Posted in dog adoption, Dogs
Tagged Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, boxers, Louise, Thelma
No one appreciates the very special genius of your conversation as the dog does.
– Christopher Morley
Today, 30 August 2012, is National Holistic Pet Day.
This is the day to celebrate all of the ways we can care for the ‘whole’ dog – their physiological health and their mental health.
As a canine massage therapist, I’m naturally a supporter of holistic approaches because I help treat dogs with acupressure, laser and massage therapies. I also help dogs with rehabilitation programmes, even measuring dogs for mobility carts when necessary. I also like to use bach flower remedies.
Here are a few ways to celebrate National Holistic Pet Day:
Whatever you do – enjoy National Holistic Pet Day together. The best thing you can give your dog is your time.
Kathleen Crisley, Fear-Free certified professional and specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand
Posted in dog care
Tagged acupressure, bach flowers, dogs, holistic care, holistic medicine, homeopathic, laser, massage, mobility carts, National Holistic Pet Day, rehabilitation
Researchers at the University of Washington Center for Conservation Biology have found a novel use for dogs – detection of northern spotted owl pellets. Owl pellets are regurgitated by the owls and contain fur, bones and other materials that the owl does not digest.
The traditional method of locating the owls was to undertake vocalization surveys that simulated the sounds of the northern spotted owl so that ‘real’ owls would respond. But, as this owl has come under threat by another owl – the barred owl – researchers felt that the owls were not vocalizing out of concern that they would be found. Barred owls are known to kill northern spotted owls.
Max, an Australian Cattle Dog, pauses after locating a northern spotted owl roosting in a tree in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. Copyright Jennifer Hartman, University of Washington
Enter the detection dogs. They find owl pellets at the base of trees where the owls are roosting. By mapping these finds, the researchers can understand the habitats where each type of owl is thriving.
By using the dogs for detection, there was a 30% improvement in detection probability.
The information about barred and northern spotted owl populations will help forest managers who are making changes to protect the northern spotted owl.
The genetics research group at the University of Helsinki has published its findings into a study of tail chasing in dogs. The study involved 400 dogs and questionnaires to the owners about their dog’s behaviour. Samples of each dog’s blood were also taken.
The questionnaires covered behaviours, aspects of the dog’s puppyhood and daily routines. Owners were also asked to evaluate their dog’s personality.
Compulsive tail chasing can occur in any dog but is common in breeds such as the Bull Terrier and German Shepherd. These breeds were included in the research, as were the Miniature Bull Terrier and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.
The study aimed to describe the characteristics of tail chasing in dogs and to ascertain the environmental risk factors for the disorder. The researchers also wanted to know if a previously identified gene that has been associated with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) had a role to play.
What they found
Dogs may be a good model for studying OCD in humans because they are physiologically similar and share our environment. Consequently, this research has wider implications.
The research paper is available in the 27 July 2012 edition of PloS ONE
Source: University of Helsinki press release
Kathleen Crisley, Fear-Free certified professional and specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand
Vets tell me that one of the hardest things they are asked to do is to euthanise a dog that could be saved by surgery or medication. The catch is that the owner cannot afford it. This problem has, in more recent years, been called economic euthanasia because the main deciding factor is cost.
Whilst some vet practices may be able to work out payment plans for customers, many are reluctant to do so because they’ve been burnt by customers who have not paid in the past. With more expensive treatments and medications available, vet practices are less likely to be able to afford the extension of credit.
We are lucky in New Zealand that our range of pet insurance choices is greater than ever before. I notice that The Warehouse is advertising a pet insurance product and that is excellent for dog owners and the sector as a whole (including the competitors) because it raises awareness of pet insurance.
Purchasing pet insurance is a serious decision.
Uptake of pet insurance in New Zealand is relatively low. At least one consumer organisation has advised owners to set aside funds in a designated savings account rather than buying an insurance policy because the insurance is likely to cost more over its term than any benefits that are paid out. Of course, we’re also told that our level of household savings is low. And interest rates are hardly likely to grow your savings to the size you will need for a major operation. Where to start?
My advice is to think about your household budget and be realistic about how much money you can pull together if your dog becomes unwell. Is your dog worth more to you than this amount? If so, then start considering insurance that will fit your budget.
An internet search will quickly give you articles on things to consider when buying pet insurance. The insurers themselves will give you information on why their policy is ‘best.’ Just remember that insurers are also in the business to make money, so you need to understand their policies and exclusions and the premiums you will need to pay.
Always read the policy document first. Then ring and ask questions. Your first test of the insurer is to see how quickly and courteously they respond to you. Don’t stop asking questions until you are satisfied that you understand the finer details. Finally, follow up with the company to confirm the answers in writing before signing up. Keep a file just in case you have a dispute later on.
Pet insurance, like other insurance, is there to help you manage the risk if something bad should happen. The policy may never pay for itself. That’s not the goal. The goal is to be able to afford medical care for your four-legged loved one.
Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand
Posted in dog care
Tagged economic euthanasia, Internet, medical care, pet insurance, The Warehouse
Many institutes of higher learning have adopted a dog as their official mascot. In this, what I hope will be my first profile of such dogs, I’d like to introduce you to the Northeastern University Husky.
In a prominent foyer of the main campus, a bronze sculpture of the Husky has been on display for decades in homage of the dog’s role as the official mascot.
It’s a common meeting place for students and faculty, particularly as the foyer provides a haven from what can be rainy or snowy weather in Boston.
The statue’s muzzle has been worn smooth from the amount of petting it has had over the years.
In addition, the sports teams of Northeastern are referred to as the Huskies, the newsletter of the university is The Husky Nation, and the on-campus card for purchasing is The Husky Card.
Visit the official university bookstore and you can buy t-shirts, sweatshirts and other items bearing the Husky image. If you are lucky, a real Husky will attend a special sport or other event being held at the University!
Posted in dog breeds, Dogs
Tagged alma mater, Boston, Huskies, Husky, mascot, Northeastern University, The Husky Card, The Husky Nation
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