Animal House

Keep the condo; I want the cocker.

Wed, 14 May 2008 15:54:04 -0500

Tomorrow's column talks about pups in the crossfire, caught in the push-me-pull-you of divorce. Who gets to keep the dog? Or who wants to use Fido as emotional ammo? Keep the condo; I want the cocker.

Move over, greyhounds. Here come the Chihuahuas!

Fri, 02 May 2008 16:36:36 -0500

I have now seen everything: Chihuahua races! If you're thinking of competing yourself, The PETCO Unleashed Chihuahua Races come back to New York this Saturday. On hand to defend her title in the 35-yard race is the reigning 2007 champ -- Maddie of Manhattan. A limited number of spots are available on the day of the race. Preregister by clicking here.

Prep Your Puppy for the Outside World

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:48:10 -0500

If you're one of those people who gets terror-struck at bringing a young puppy over your threshold into the real world, for fear that he will be struck down with some malady, read this recent column. It talks about how early socialization -- before the 12- to 14-week mark, not after -- is absolutely crucial for a well-adjusted puppy. And the greater risk, say experts, is in under-socializing -- not under-vaccinating.

Rescue Ink -- don't judge a book by its cover

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 12:43:17 -0500

"Shock and awwww" was the headline for the story I did on tattooed animal lovers Rescue Ink, and ain't it the truth. This band of tough-talking, soft-hearted rescuers say they gets dozens of e-mails about Vivi the missing whippet, even today. Read it and weep -- for joy.

Meet Emma

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 17:33:03 -0500

I was about to shut off the computer here at the paragraph factory and go outside into the unseasonably warm day (or what's left of it) when I got this email. Emma's story made me stop. Maybe you will, too. CONTACT: DIANE -HOPE4DOGS@OPTONLINE.NET ~PLEASE CROSSPOST ~ SEE PIX ! ALL SHE HAS KNOWN IS PAIN AND TORTURE LOOKING AT HER PICTURES, IT IS HARD TO FATHOM THAT SHE WAS USED AS A BAIT DOG. EMMA IS A PRETTY PITTIE MIX ABOUT 4 YEARS OLD WITH PERFECT BLACK AND WHITE MARKINGS ( MUCH LIKE A BOSTON TERRIER'S). SHE HAS A BEAUTIFUL SOUL, BUT HER LIFE HAS BEEN A BRUTAL AND UGLY ONE. SHE WAS FORCED TO BREED AND ALSO TURNED INTO A BAIT DOG *SHE ARRIVED AT THE SHELTER WITH MULTIPLE BITE WOUNDS* *HER TEETH HAVE BEEN FILED OFF !* 25 % OF HER TONGUE IS MISSING :-( SHE IS SO FRIGHTENED SHE DOES NOT *WALK* IN THE PRESENCE OF PEOPLE; BUT RATHER, SHE DOES A VERY TIMID COWERING CRAWL. (NO- WE ARE NOT EXAGGERATING, THE DOG WILL NOT WALK OUT OF FEAR) WHEN SHE SEES A DOG- ANY DOG- SHE GOES BELLY UP IN AN AUTOMATIC ACT OF SUBMISSION. EMMA IS SCARED OUT OF HER MIND AND YET DESPITE IT ALL? SHE HAS SHOWN A GENTLE, LITTLE GIRL SIDE TO HER ADVOCATE; OFTEN CRAWLING AGAINST HER AND UNDERNEATH HER, FOR PROTECTION. THE MONSTER(S) THAT HAD EMMA TOOK EVERYTHING THEY COULD FROM HER,USING & ABUSING HER, FOR THEIR GAIN. BUT THE ONE THING THEY DID NOT TAKE- -THOUGH THEY MAY HAVE BROKEN IT- IS HER SOUL. EMMA STILL HAS A LOT OF SOUL IN HER, AND IN THE RIGHT HANDS WE DESPERATELY WANT TO SEE HER GENTLE SPIRIT COME BACK TO LIFE. WE KNOW, THAT ONCE UPON A TIME EMMA WAS PROBABLY A NORMAL, HAPPY AND GENTLE GIRL, THAT PLAYED WITH OTHER DOGS AND WAS EAGER TO PLEASE HUMANS. (TRAGICALLY THIS STUNNING, GORGEOUSLY MARKED GIRL, GOT INTO THE WRONG HANDS AND THOSE BEAUTIFUL TRAITS IN HER PERSONALITY, ARE THE SAME TRAITS THAT MADE HER A PERFECT, DEFENSELESS BAIT DOG.) :-( EMMA IS HURTING FROM THE TREMENDOUS TRAUMA OF WHAT SHE HAS BEEN THROUGH- BUT DESPITE THIS? SHE SHOWS NOT ONE MEAN BONE IN HER BODY AND ZERO AGGRESSION. IT WILL TAKE SOMEONE WITH A LOT OF PATIENCE AND A BIG HEART TO TAKE THE TIME TO HELP HER OVERCOME HER HORRIFIC PAST. EMMA NEEDS LOTS OF LOVE AND REHAB TO LEARN TO BE A REAL DOG AGAIN. TO LEARN NOT TO THINK THAT EACH PERSON OR DOG SHE MEETS, SPELLS THE PAIN AND TORTURE OF A BAIT SESSION. EMMA'S LIFE IS IN DANGER RIGHT NOW. SHE IS IN A VERY FULL, HIGH KILL SHELTER. AFTER LIVING IN HELL FOR SO LONG, SHOULDN'T SHE GET A CHANCE TO KNOW THAT LIFE CAN BE GOOD & THAT THERE ARE KIND HUMANS AND FRIENDLY CANINES IN THIS WORLD? WE THINK SHE IS WORTH IT- BUT HER TIME IS RUNNING OUT. ALL IT TAKES IS FOR THERE TO BE NO CAGE SPACE AT ALL AND EMMA, LIKE SO MANY DOGS WHERE SHE IS, COULD BE DESTROYED. PLEASE HELP US SAVE HER FROM DEATH AND PLEASE HELP US HEAL HER SPIRIT. EMMA KNOWS A LOT ABOUT PAIN AND SUFFERING, AND NOTHING ABOUT LOVE AND KINDNESS. DON'T LET EMMA EXPERIENCE ANY MORE HUMAN BETRAYAL, WE ARE IMPLORING ALL RESCUE PEOPLE AND ORGS FOR HELP WITH THIS GIRL. WE DON'T WANT HER LAST EXPERIENCE ON EARTH, TO BE THE ULTIMATE BETRAYAL: A SHELTER NEEDLE IN HER FOREARM. IF YOU CAN HELP EMMA IN ANYWAY- PLEASE CONTACT HER ADVOCATE DIANE IMMEDIATELY AT THIS EMAIL ADDRESS: HOPE4DOGS@OPTONLINE.NET *PLEASE GIVE DIANE A CHANCE TO GET BACK TO YOU AS SHE FIELDS A LOT OF EMAILS FOR RESCUE*

The spay-neuter debate

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 12:57:36 -0500

If you own a companion dog, the question is not if to spay or neuter, but rather when. Instead of reflexively following the "six month rule," or buying into draconian legislation that would have you snipping your Samoyed at three months old, how about looking at the medical evidence? That's exactly the subject of last week's column, which we hear has even made the rounds to vet students via the AVMA's online newsletter.

Zootoo visits Little Shelter and Bobbi and the Strays

Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:25:32 -0500

Zootoo.com, the networking site for animal lovers, announced the top 20 finalists of its Million Dollar Makeover Contest. Two of them are right here in the metro New York area -- Little Shelter in Huntington and Bobbi and the Strays in Queens. Zootoo honchos were in town today to tour the two shelters.

Circuses and political correctness

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 14:45:46 -0500

If you haven't caught the Washington Post piece about the conflict parents face when deciding whether or not to bring their kids under the big top, it's required reading. And consciousness-raising, too: Is it appropriate to teach children to laugh at bike-riding bears and ball-tossing elephants, much less to condone the often brutal methods employed to teach them? In late March, the ASPCA appealed to TNT (Turner Network Television) to cancel its upcoming “Greatest Show on Earth” series about -- natch -- the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. The animal-welfare group" reminded network executives of the real behind-the-scenes story—that Circus staff regularly abuse and torment performing elephants with bull hooks, chains and other devices."

Swiss hunters have kitties in their scopes

Fri, 04 Apr 2008 12:26:37 -0500

A friend who is a world traveller recently commented on the absence of cats during a visit last month to Geneva: Compared to Rome, where cat colonies frolick in the ancient ruins of the Coliseum, the Swiss city had kitties, kitties absolutely nowhere. Now she knows why. A New York Times story about how Switzerland is the only country to still permit the hunting of stray cats, whose fur is used in clothing and blankets. Public pressure is soon expected to put an end to the practice, likely by this summer.

A "First for Ferals" in Babylon

Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:17:19 -0500

File this under "If It's Free, It's Me": On Sat., April 5, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Town of Babylon launches a free spay/neuter program to assist with TNR (trap/neuter/return) of feral cats. Babylon residents can go to Phelps Lane Annex in North Babylon to collect up to five free spay/neuter vouchers for each address, redeemable at Brentwood/Islip Animal Hospital. The town expects to distribute between 400 to 500 vouchers, valid through mid-July. Babylon Town also has a limited number of new humane traps for residents to borrow; a refundable $60 deposit is required. Town and Last Hope, Inc. volunteers will be on hand April 5 to instruct cat caretakers in the use of humane traps and follow-up feral care. For further information about the Babylon feral voucher program, call Chris Elton (631-643-9270) at Babylon Town Animal Shelter.

Oprah investigates puppy mills

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 16:15:43 -0500

Dog folk are abuzz over Friday's upcoming Oprah episode, "Lisa Ling Investigates the Hidden World of Puppy Mills." If you can't watch, TiVo it!

PetSmart takes lumps on "bully ban"

Mon, 31 Mar 2008 12:19:58 -0500

Emails have been making the rounds complaining about "breedist" requirements at PetSmart "doggie day care" facilities. Indeed, the company says outright that its PetsHotel and Dog Day Camp programs do not welcome any dogs with a “bully breed” classification, which is defines as "American Pit Bull Terriers, Miniature Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Bull Dogs, Bull Terriers or mixed breeds that have the appearance or characteristics of one of these breeds." It also retains the right to reject individual dogs of any breed. "I will no longer patronize them in any way -- and have written them to tell them so," wrote one irate cross-poster. "On the website, there is a 'contact us' capability to send an email. I thought a good name for them would be PetStupid, and told them that was what I would call them from now on ... " Makes good sense to me -- judge each dog individually, as opposed to making sweeping generalizations about breeds. After all, there are some well-socialized, dog-loving pits and pit mixes out there -- just as there are killer Chihuahuas! Also troubling to me, as someone who is very careful to avoid overvaccination, is that PetSmart requires dogs in these programs to be vaccined for parainfluenza -- a vaccine that the American Animal Hospital Association calls "noncore" (read: unnecessary), in its 2006 canine vaccination guidelines.

How much continuing education does your vet get?

Fri, 28 Mar 2008 11:55:01 -0500

Here's a little gem of a web page: A state-by-state compilation of all the continuing-education requirements for veterinarians. New York vets, for example, must complete 45 hours of continuing ed over three years -- not as strict as Iowa (60 hours over three years), but nowhere near as loosey-goosey as Michigan (zero!). The chart also shows continuing-education requirements for licensed vet techs, as well as human doctors. Read it, and, in some cases, weep!

The "Myth" of Animal Overpopulation

Mon, 24 Mar 2008 15:27:17 -0500

I've been writing my column about companion animals for eight years now, and some topics get way more attention than others. Last week's installment, about Nathan Winograd's book, "Redemption," is generating tons of commentary. It explored the idea that instead of focusing on owners and draconion rules, we should set our sights on more effective shelter management and supportive programs like free spay-neuter. So, what do you think -- who's to blame? Irresponsible owners, poorly staffed and run shelters, so-called humane associations whose advocacy of euthanasia would seem counterinuitive to their very purpose?

A Cut Above?

Wed, 19 Mar 2008 15:58:49 -0500

Is there life after "Queer Eye"? For Jai Rodriquez, there is. Rodriquez turns his attention from clueless straight guys to tousled pooches in a new reality show, "Groomer Has It," which debuts April 12 at 9 p.m. (ET/PT). Twelve contestants put their grooming skills to the test by attempting such Herculean feats as identifying a dog's breed while blindfolded to grooming farm animals. (Do Bantam hens care about "product"?) The winner takes home the vaunted title of Groomer of the Year -- and a prize package worth $125,000. That's a whole lotta creme rinse.