Category Archives: Dogs

A guide dog for two

Posted on March 15, 2011 | Leave a comment

I had to share this story from the UK’s Daily Mail.

Graham Waspe was devastated when his guide dog Edward was left blind after developing cataracts.  Edward has served Graham for six years.

However, Opal, Graham’s new guide dog, is proving to be a set of eyes for both Graham and Edward.

Graham Waspe with former guide dog Edward and current guide dog Opal; Edward had his eyes removed because of severe cataracts

Mr Waspe says, “Opal’s been great for both of us. I don’t know what we’d do without her” while his wife says that Edward still loves to be around children and have his tummy tickled.

Read the whole story of Mr Waspe, Edward and Opal – complete with great photos –  here.

Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand

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A dog named Beau by Jimmy Stewart

Posted on March 8, 2011 | Leave a comment

In 1981, actor Jimmy Stewart (1908 – 1997)  read a poem he wrote about his dog, Beau, on The Tonight Show hosted by Johnny Carson.  For anyone who has loved a dog, you will understand.

Thanks to You Tube, here’s Mr Stewart reading his poem:

Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand

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Posted in dog ownership, dog quotes, Dogs

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Helping service dogs

Posted on March 8, 2011 | Leave a comment

Engineering students at Northeastern University (my alma mater) are working to design a product that will help service dogs.

Initially, the first-year engineering students were given an assignment to submit a design for an apparatus that would help service dogs to do their job.  This required the students to research what gear was already available and in use.

After submitting designs for things like an apparatus that would help a service dog pull a wheelchair in a straight line, the students felt there was unfinished business.  Working with their faculty sponsor and the University’s Centre of Community Service, these students are now pursuing product design and development in their spare time.

Read The Boston Globe’s story on this project.

Watch the video.

Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand

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Posted in research, special needs

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Pet-friendly workplaces – Replacements Ltd

Posted on March 7, 2011 | 1 comment

I’ve written for some time now about hotels that offer pet-friendly accommodation for dog owners.  I am now extending my research into firms that have pet-friendly workplaces.

First up:  Replacements Ltd. This firm was founded in 1981 and is the classic case of a person who turned their hobby into a business (no need to guess why that appeals to me).    During the 1970s, founder Bob Page spent his weekends collecting china and crystal.  Friends would ask him to keep an eye out for certain patterns (as replacements for pieces they had  lost or broken.  He began buying more and more pieces, storing them where he could in his house.

By 1981, he had left his job as an auditor to found Replacements, Ltd.  The company’s facilities now are the size of seven football fields, housing 13.8 million pieces.  Some of these pieces are more than 100 years old.

Bob also brings his two dachshunds to work with him and, out of his love for his dogs, he encouraged his staff to bring their dogs to work as well.  The company now promotes the pets of its staff through its  newsletter in a column on Featured Pet (and Pet Owner!).  The company even encourages customers to visit them with their well-behaved pet.  Partially in recognition of the take your dog to work policy, the company was awarded the 2009 Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award by the American Psychological Association.

Replacements, Ltd – I salute you!

Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand

Golden retriever Dios comes to work with Brad Newton, who works in the online marketing team

Judy Sizemore delivers mail with her dog Alex

Senior dog Darby has worked at Replacements for 8 years with owners Jenn Barton (continuous improvement analyst) and John Harris (internet services supervisor)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Posted in dog-friendly workplaces, Dogs

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Special needs pets

Posted on March 5, 2011 | Leave a comment

On Friday evening, Prime showed a BBC documentary on owners of special needs pets.  It was great to see this issue being covered on New Zealand television because there are owners here who need support as they care for special needs pets.  I love working with special needs dogs in my massage practice and the owners of these animals are special people, too.

This is  Ollie, a Dalmatian who is unable to walk on his own.  However, he is not in pain and is very alert and happy.  His therapy regime includes massage and acupressure, laser therapy, and regular acupuncture treatments.  His strength in his front legs is improving and he has a mobility cart to help him with rehab.

Ollie in his mobility cart.

Ollie’s mobility cart was purchased from Doggon’ Wheels and imported into New Zealand because his owner could not find a supplier locally.  We measured Ollie for his cart and the cart was made especially for these measurements.

Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand

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Posted in complementary therapies, dog care, special needs

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Doggy quote of the month for March

Posted on February 26, 2011 | Leave a comment

“One reason a dog can be such a comfort when you’re feeling blue is that he doesn’t try to find out why.” – Unknown

Particularly appropriate for all of us in Christchurch as we work to recover from last week’s earthquake.  Keep your pets close and stay safe.

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Water quality warnings in and around Christchurch

Posted on February 25, 2011 | Leave a comment

The surface water bodies around Christchurch are receiving untreated sewerage because of the many broken sewer pipes around the city.  This means you need to keep your family (and dogs) away from water until further notice.

Don’t forget that your dogs require their water to be boiled as well. (Even if you have mains water supply, the Council wants you to boil water until further notice.)   It is recommended that you boil water for 3 minutes, allow it to settle and cool, and then re-boil for another 3 minutes.

Take care out there.

Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand

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Posted in animal welfare, dog care, Dogs

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The importance of microchipping

Posted on February 24, 2011 | Leave a comment

I’m here in Christchurch, New Zealand after our major earthquake on Tuesday (22nd February 2011).   On Tuesday afternoon, a neighbour found a dog in his yard with no collar or tags.  We took him in, because our house is secure and our fences are still in place.

He was a lovely boy and because I didn’t know his name, I called him Shake.  He slept in our bed on Tuesday evening to ride out the aftershocks and a little Rescue Remedy helped.   He was glued to my side all day Wednesday.

On Thursday I was able to get him to a local vet to have his microchip scanned.  A few more calls and I made contact with his grateful family who came to pick him up within the hour.  As it turns out, his name was Trick and he had a bath on Monday evening.  His family didn’t have time to replace his collar.  Otherwise, he would have been tagged with clear ID.

Trick relaxing in our lounge

Microchipping is now mandatory in New Zealand but if you are in a place where it is voluntary – please have it done.  You never know the circumstances that would see your dog lost and you needing to find one another again.

Best wishes to all and thanks for your kind words.  We are without basic services like sewerage but are coping with power and some limited water supply.

Trick temporarily took over Daisy’s bed

Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand

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Posted in animal welfare

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Strong dog – wide head?

Posted on February 21, 2011 | Leave a comment

The size of your dog’s head may be an accurate predictor of his/her strength, according to research by Dr William Helton of the University of Canterbury.

Dr Helton studied dogs that competed in events for the International Weight Pull Association and published his results in the journal of Behavioral Processes.

Broad-headed dogs were able to pull much greater weights than those breeds with narrower heads; but dogs with the narrower heads were likely to run faster.  This is a classic case of not being able to ‘have it all’ because, as Dr Helton says, “Nature does not allow unlimited budgets and the trade-offs are often physical constraints.”

The size of the head isn’t an absolute indicator, but it is a skeletal trait that is an indicator of other skeletal traits which are linked to endurance, strength, or speed.  Dr Helton recognises that other factors such as nutrition, personality aplay a part in a dog’s overall performance.

Read more about Dr Helton’s findings in this Discovery News item.

Kathleen Crisley, specialist in dog massage, rehabilitation and nutrition/food therapy, The Balanced Dog, Christchurch, New Zealand

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Owner pleads not guilty in dog-in-car case

Posted on February 20, 2011 | Leave a comment

Newspapers are reporting that Annabell Quor, the owner of the pomeranian who died in a car parked at The Palms shopping centre in December, has entered a plea of not guilty to a charge of reckless ill-treatment of an animal.

Ms Quor appeared in the Christchurch District Court this week; the charge was brought by SPCA Canterbury inspectors.  Ms Quor maintains that the dog’s death was an accident, that she forgot to remove the dog’s muzzle, and that she had left windows open with a bowl of water for the dog to drink.

The case will continue on April 21 in a post committal conference.  The charge Ms Quor is facing carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison, a fine not to exceed $75,000, or both.

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Posted in animal welfare, Dogs, ethics and pet rights

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