K-9 officer loved animals VA George E. Ball, police officer and animal lover, was tough, yet tender:
'As a K-9 officer, Ball had the best of both worlds. He could catch bad guys and spend time with man's best friend. But his compassion toward animals extended beyond canines. Ball's home was a haven for injured raccoons, owls, iguanas and even two skunks, Blossom and Flower. Often, colleagues would catch him warming birds in his heated patrol car on a cold day...' [Virginia-Pilot]
Greyhounds need homes PA 'Greyhound racing has claimed the lives of an estimated 1 million greyhounds in its 75-year history in the United States. Greyhound racing is legal in 16 states...' Although greyhounds make wonderful pets and are gentle dogs, 30,000 greyhounds are put down each year. [Herald Mail-Online] (
Related:
National Greyhound Adoption Program (800) 348-2517)
New Zealand muzzles four breeds and bans their import NZ New Zealand joins other countries in banning import of four breeds considered by some as dangerous:
'Four breeds of dog will have to be muzzled in public under changes to dog control laws announced today. American Pit Bull Terriers, Brazilian Filas, Dogo Argentinos and Japanese Tosas are covered under the law change...' [New Zealand News] Related: Davenport girl recovering after pit bull attack
High tech toys for pets score big 'According to the Pet Product Manufacturer’s Association, Americans are on target to spend $31 billion on their pets this year...' Pet owners will pamper their pets in a big way next year; the two biggest growing sectors in pet products are high tech gadgets and toys, and health oriented products. Some of this year's products include:
- the Panic Mouse for the bored cat... a toy mouse, driven by a computer chip, randomly skitters around
- the Self Washing Cat Box... no more scooping, no more smells...
- ionic pet brush... battery powered brush promises to ionically breeze through your pet's offending odor
- bird diaper... 'The Flight Suit' for your indoor avian friends
Great Pyrenees Dogs: Protectors of Sheep CA Coyotes have made a comeback in Marin County and Bill Jensen uses two Great Pyrenees dog to protect his sheep ranch from them.
'Great Pyrenees dogs were developed in the 15th and 16th centuries in the mountains between Spain and France to protect sheep and goats from the wolves -- they have a natural instinct to repel predators...' [San Francisco Chronicle]
Wolf-dog refuge draws howls of protests CO A wolf-dog haven in Durango, Colorado, continues to draw protests and criticism from nearby farmers. The refuge provides a spacious home of kennel runs to 71 wolf-dogs, and also houses the cramped trailer-home of their caretakers, Craig and Paula Watson. When a neighbor learned the dogs received 300 pounds of donated food per day from Purina (worth $4,000/month), she successfully campaigned to put a stop to the handouts, saying nearby farmers struggle to feed their livestock while the wolf-dog haven remained 'an unproductive refuge.'
Riding in cars with .... dogs MD Summer is almost here; tomorrow's high temperature is projected at 81 degrees fahreinheit. Meanwhile, our air conditioning is officially dead, according to the auto shop where our old station wagon sits. Bad news for us and our dog: that was our good car... (nevermind the other car, which is in such a sorry state that its last trip will soon be one to the city dump).
This weekend we toured several auto dealers and tested a Honda Element and a Honda CRV. The Element is cool looking, but noisy, and it's not really dog friendly... The Honda designers don't expect you to put your dog in a seat belt (we do); the side view from the back seat is obstructed, while the view forward is spectacular; the back seat boasts ridiculous cup holders in its midsection, so your dog can't stretch out; nor can your dog lean against the door easily; our dog likes to lounge; propped against the door with one eye open and the other eye closed. The Element is washable and roomy and turns on a dime; too bad they used an uncomfortable back seat design. The Honda CRV fares better: it's a slightly quieter ride, but it is less roomy; its design is definitely less inspired than the Element and the interior upholstery is less durable.
We're still looking at other vehicles: our dog enjoys his car rides, but he won't be going on any soon.
Related:
Riding in cars with dogs,
dogs in cars,
Accessories for dogs in cars Internet and high tech breakthroughs boosts veterinary medicine Canada The information sharing power of the internet adds value to the high tech world of pet medicine. The
Veterinary Information Network, founded in 1990 in California, now boasts 9,000 paying members across North America, ready to share the combined knowledge of 400 vet specialists and consultants:
'Equipment considered standard to people in health care can take five to ten years to appear in small, cost-sensitive veterinary practices. But in the nanosecond world of computer technology, animal practitioners are quickly catching up. Sitting adjacent to the ultrasound unit at the Ajax clinic, a flat-screen telemedicine module can swiftly share ultrasound images and cell samples with veterinary specialists across the continent...' [Toronto Star]
Mickey Rourke' coffee break with Loki Hollywood,
CA ... Milk and coffee for the dog? ... dogs are lactose intolerant, caffeine in a little dog can send it to jitterland... and chocolate is toxic... next time, try water... Mickey Rourke recants his former life and tries to resurrect his one redeeming talent: acting.
' "Can I get a little bowl of water?" Mickey Rourke asks sweetly of the waitress at the Chateau Marmont Hotel, pointing down toward the small dog skittering around between the table legs... "Dogs are my thing," he says as Loki, a Chihuahua terrier mix, leaps into his lap and makes a survey of the tabletop. Mr. Rourke gently cradles her in one arm and offers her some cappuccino foam... ' [NY Times] Related: Holiday: Chocolate and other goodies
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