The sign I don’t like to see

Posted on August 9, 2015 | 1 comment

No dogs allowed sign in Dunedin

I was recently in Dunedin on business and noticed these brass signs inlaid into the sidewalks leading to the central business area – No Dogs Allowed.

It makes me sad when I see these signs.  If only we had more responsible dog owners, who trained and cleaned up after their dogs, our cities would be more like those in Europe – where dogs are welcomed everywhere.

In my opinion, we can only stamp out poor dog ownership and training when it is seen publicly and acted upon with enforcement as well as incentives for being a good dog owner.  When we consistently restrict access to ‘good’ and ‘bad’ owners alike, we hide poor dog ownership rather than addressing it as a community.  Peer pressure as well as formal enforcement is a good combination.

Sadly, it seems the re-built Christchurch will also be off limits to dogs and their families.  We are not learning.

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

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A frosty morning at the dog park

Posted on August 8, 2015 | 2 comments

Izzy and I make a regular weekly date to go to the dog park on Sunday morning.  For most of the year, especially in winter, we have the dog park to ourselves.

This morning was frosty and cold but with lots of birdsong.

Here she is, chasing down a tennis ball and coming back to me:

Because Izzy has lost some teeth, her tongue usually hangs out of the side of her mouth

Throw another one, Mum!

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

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Saved in America

Posted on August 7, 2015 | Leave a comment

There’s a new documentary on the horizon:  Saved in America

It’s an expose of sorts into the world of animal welfare in America with guest appearances by celebrities like Pink, Kim Kardashian and Katherine Heigl.

Not totally surprising is the fact that the larger animal welfare charities (Humane Society of United States, Best Friends Animal Society, as examples) have higher overheads and PR strategies – which soak up donor dollars.    On the other hand, I wonder what the animal welfare movement would be like if it weren’t for the larger organizations and their leadership…

Food for thought.

Here’s the trailer.  Wish I could see the whole film here in New Zealand.

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

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Paw activated drinking fountain

Posted on August 6, 2015 | Leave a comment

We’ve had a touch of spring weather this week (which is about to change – and fast – back to winter) and because of the hint of warmth in the air, I’m thinking of what I will plant in the garden this year – and looking at Izzy’s little paddling pool which will need a good scrubbing out before it can be used.

And then I found this video – a paw-activated drinking fountain.  I have been meaning to video Izzy drinking from the fountain at the dog park because it is cute to watch her aim for the flow of water.  I think she would like something like this and it would act as another activity for mental stimulation.

Maybe we can add it to her wish list for Santa?

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

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What pet should I get?

Posted on August 5, 2015 | Leave a comment

“I want a pet, I want a pet, what pet should we get?” is the mantra of the latest Dr Seuss children’s book, published for the first time in July 2015.

The manuscript for this book was found amongst the papers of Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr Seuss) almost 25 years after his death.

What pet should I get

From what I can see, the illustrations are classic Dr Seuss, as is the rhyming language he liked to use for his young audiences.

I grew up with Dr Seuss – Horton Hears a Who was a favorite.  And so it is rather nice to think that a whole younger generation of kids can talk about the newest Seuss book.

Critics say the book is dated because the children go to a pet store to find their animal (rather than adopting).  Let’s hope the teacher, parents and grandparents who read this story to the children are able to explain why going to the pet store “isn’t the way we do things nowadays…”

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

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Old dog face

Posted on August 4, 2015 | Leave a comment

What a lovely perspective on having an older dog…it does creep up on us yet they are a joy to have in your household – making you value time even more.

Mel's avatarNo Dog About It Blog

What is it that changes in a dog’s face that suddenly makes her look old? Is it the lightening around her muzzle? Or, the increasing milkiness of her eyes? Or, is it the way she smiles, flashing that toothy grin at us?

What is it that we first notice? Is it a moment or an accumulation of moments? It seems like one day we are looking at our dog and seeing a young and energetic face, and the next day we see an old one in its place. It always seems like a surprise to me when I finally see it.

A couple of months ago, I took a candid shot of Cupcake standing out on the patio. What I saw on my camera’s viewing screen made me stop and stare.  “Wait. What happened?” I thought, “That doesn’t look like Cupcake. That looks like an old dog.” And it was. It was my Cupcake, in all…

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Doggy quote of the month for August

Posted on August 1, 2015 | Leave a comment

“Animal lovers are a special breed of humans, generous of spirit, full of empathy, perhaps a little prone to sentimentality, and with hearts as big as a cloudless sky.”

– John Grogan, author of Marley & Me

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Leisa & Indy’s NZ Charity Cycleway Journey

Posted on July 31, 2015 | Leave a comment

Leisa McNaughton and her dog Indy, a Border Collie/Bernese Mountain Dog cross, will commence a 4-month journey on 1st October 2015 to travel the length of New Zealand.

Their journey will begin in Cape Reinga and travel using tracks that are part of Nga Haerenga The New Zealand Cycle Trail and connector routes.

On her Facebook page, Leisa says, “My aim is to encourage others to join me in the sights and sounds of our wonderful country while cycling the length of NZ and fundraising for my 13 chosen charities.”  These charities , all regional, will include:

  • Sport Northland Whangarei
  • Auckland Rescue Helicopter Auckland
  • Cambridge Riding for the Disabled Cambridge
  • Cranford Hospice Hastings
  • The Capital Performing Arts Wellington
  • Marlborough Falcon Conservation Trust Blenheim
  • Menzshed Waimea
  • The Tasman Environmental Trust Richmond, Nelson
  • Westcoast Coastguard Greymouth
  • Canterbury SPCA Christchurch
  • Otago Medical Research Foundation Dunedin
  • Number 10 Invercargill
Indy tests his trailer before the big journey starts (photo by Leisa)

Indy tests his trailer before the big journey starts (photo by Leisa)

Leisa says she and Indy “chose each other” at the SPCA about six years ago.  She attributes her recovery from severe depression and burnout to, in part, Indy’s non-judgmental support and companionship.

Indy will ride in a specially designed trailer during the pair’s journey together.

You can follow Leisa and Indy on their Facebook page.

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

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Never give up on your dog: Barney’s story

Posted on July 29, 2015 | Leave a comment
Barney with his "Most Improved Dog" trophy (photo by Vic Barlow)

Barney with his “Most Improved Dog” trophy (photo by Vic Barlow)

I’ve just updated my Facebook page today with thoughts about why it is important to adopt – and when one dog leaves your life, you may not want to wait too long because another dog awaits…

And then this good-news story popped up.  Barney was a challenging dog with difficult behavior – but his owners hung in there with him.  And he won Most Improved Dog at his dog training class.

Read Barney’s tale here

And if you like Barney’s story, you may have missed my story about Kess:

Kess’ Story – Part 1

Kess’ Story – Part 2

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The dental therapy dog

Posted on July 28, 2015 | Leave a comment

Just when you think I’ve run out of ways to report on new ways dogs are working as assistance/therapy dogs…I introduce you to Flossie.

Appropriately named, Flossie is a dental therapy dog.

Lexa and Flossie: (From left) Dr. Alan Golden, Elysia Yriarte and Natalia Caraballo smile for the camera while petting Flossie, a dental therapy dog, and her half-sister Lexa, a dental therapy dog-in-training. (photo courtesy of American Dental Association)

Lexa and Flossie: (From left) Dr. Alan Golden, Elysia Yriarte and Natalia Caraballo smile for the camera while petting Flossie, a dental therapy dog, and her half-sister Lexa, a dental therapy dog-in-training. (photo courtesy of American Dental Association)

At the 10,000-square-foot Virginia facility, Golden Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, Flossie is free to run around with one job: to make people comfortable wherever they are. Flossie has been coming to the office since she was 8 weeks old in 2012.

“I would say, ‘Back to work,’ and she goes out and finds a lap to sit on, or sometimes she cuddles with the kids,” Dr. Golden said. “She’s good at it.”

With the success of Flossie, Dr. Golden said he’s been considering creating a resource for dentists who are interested in using therapy dogs in their practice.

Flossie, a Cavachon (Bichon Frise/Cavalier King Charles Spaniel cross), received her therapy dog certification from the Alliance of Therapy Dogs.  New patients are informed that Flossie works at the practice so they are ready for her presence in the office when they arrive.

For patients that are particularly frightened of dogs, or who have severe allergies, Flossie is sent to her official resting area, which is fenced off and has a dog bed.

Dr Golden’s partner in practice is so impressed by what Flossie brings to the practice that he has his own dental therapy dog in training, Lexa.

Source:  American Dental Association

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