Thursday, October 31, 2013
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Monday, October 28, 2013
**** Pet Treats Recall Alert ! ****
The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday issued an alert to consumers about the illnesses and deaths tied to jerky treats from China. Officials say the exact cause of the illnesses remains unknown.
The agency has received reports from pet owners and veterinarians about jerky pet treat-related illnesses affecting 3,600 dogs and 10 cats in the U.S. since 2007. Approximately 580 of those pets have died, according to a news release.
Symptoms observed within hours of eating the treats include decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, decreased activity, increased water consumption and increased urination, the agency said. Severe cases have involved kidney failure and gastrointestinal bleeding, the FDA said.
The agency urges owners of pets showing symptoms to consult a veterinarian and save any remaining treats and treat packaging for possible testing.
PLEASE GO TO WWW.FDA.ORG (not.com) to learn more.
Saturday, October 26, 2013
More Cavalier Puppy Pictures !
Friday, October 25, 2013
USDA APHIS Regulations Revisited....
Current and proposed legislation are tools of animal rights activists attacks on animal ownership ! This does NOT just affect me as a hobby breeder ! Think about farmers, hunters, animal performers/competitors, zoos, research facilities, guide dogs, therapy dogs, search and rescue dogs, police animals..... EVERY ONE OF US AS A CONSUMER should be more aware and alarmed !
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mydogmychoice.com
This is a great website! It offers a lot of information on animal rights activists efforts to restrict and ultimately eliminate people's rights to own and breed dogs (and any other animal !) --- starting with Breed Specific Legislation, mandatory spay/neuter laws, and the new USDA regulations already going into effect !
The following excerpt is from this website. Please take a few minutes to visit this website and educate yourself on "the bigger picture". There is also suggestions for individuals that would like to help support counter efforts .
USDA APHIS Rules Explained:
The most important thing they say is:
American citizens can no longer buy the dog of their choice anywhere in the country without going in person to see the animal first unless the breeder is willing to become USDA licensed.
A USDA license has any number of rules that can't be met by a person whose dogs live in the house and sleep in their bed. They require the surfaces be impervious. No fluffy, no stuffed toys, no carpet, etc.
It requires that the owner be at home to allow APHIS to inspect 5 days a week during business hours. No going to a dog show. No working during the week. To be USDA inspected you have to either go really big or stop.
There are exceptions that are complicated and convoluted. Some of the published questions and answers contradict one another.
*** My footnote: if you visit the website you will see a link to the actual legislation. I encourage you to try reading it ! It is complicated and vague....to say the least ! I am a staunch supporter of animal welfare and humane, ethical standards of care....but animal welfare and animal rights are two very different beasts ! ***
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Congratulations to a New Therapy Dog!
Indian Hill's Ready to Rumble, CGC TDI
(canine good citizen and therapy dog)
with his proud owner Elizabeth Hancock
Now available in the Lake Geneva, MN area for therapy dog services :)
Don't be fooled by their big eyes and silky coat, these dogs are nothing but trouble !
And now there’s a book that chronicles all of these dog crimes!
DOG Shaming by Pascale Lemire available from Random House books for approximately $15
Enjoy the following excerpts from this photo book, we all know a dog or two that could've been included !
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Saturday, October 19, 2013
Check Out this doggie info Site!
BEFORE YOU BREED YOUR DOG
Planning to breed your dog? The puppies sure are cute, but are you really prepared? There's more involved with raising a litter than you could ever possibly imagine! Here's a pre-breeding checklist:
- Test both parents for genetic and hereditary diseases and good temperament.
Why? Most major health problems in dogs can be prevented by breeding only healthy dogs. By having the parents tested for hip dysplasia, genetic heart, thyroid, or liver conditions, and numerous other problems, you can avoid passing these painful and debilitating problems on to the next generation of puppies. The same goes for temperament. Breeding a dog without making sure it is free from genetic conditions is selfish and irresponsible. If you're going to do it, do it right. - Obtain Your Championship
Responsible breeders only breed dogs that when paired together will improve upon the breed. Before you consider breeding your dog, it's important to make sure he or she meets the breed standard - that is, your dog's proportions, features and general appearance are what they should be. Showing your dog in AKC/UKC conformation shows gives an opportunity for experienced third parties to give feedback on your dog. - Save up at least $1000 to invest in vet bills in case of an emergency.
It's not uncommon for a female to require a c-section, ultrasound, or other emergency procedures, and they're expensive! Not to mention, if any of the puppies are born with problems, they'll need to be hospitalized. $$$! - Be prepared for your new full-time job raising a litter, and spending hundreds or thousands of dollars to raise the puppies.
Yikes. Puppies are a lot of work, especially in mass quantities! You need to be dedicated to spending the time and money it takes to raise them properly if you're going to do it. Quality formula, food, vet checks, toys and shots are expensive. - Be prepared to help the newborns feed, urinate and defecate if the mom can't or won't, or if she dies.
Newborn puppies can't potty on their own - they need help. If mom won't do it, you'll have to help them. In cases of large litters, you'll probably have to help out anyways - mom will have a hard time keeping track of the pups she's groomed and fed. - Get ready to scoop a ton of puppy poop from inside your house every day!
No, they can't be kept outside. Too many diseases and germs, and they need to be kept at a constant cozy temperature. Not to mention socialization (being around the family) is incredibly important. - Be prepared to take the time to properly socialize the puppies and to interview prospective buyers to make sure they will take proper care of the puppy.
Each puppy needs individual attention every day - this takes a considerable amount of time, especially with large litters. And after you've put so much time, energy and love into these little creatures, you'll want to make sure they all get the best homes. Interviewing buyers is a time consuming, and sometimes scary, experience. - Be prepared to take back your "puppies" years from now when their owners don't want them any more.
Why? It will happen. I don't understand it, but some people think pets are disposable. Since you don't want to:
a) Let them take your puppy to the pound to be killed, or
b) Make it someone else's problem by turning the dog in to a rescue, or
c) Let them give the dog to their cousin Bubba who will tie the dog to a tree and feed it once a month for the remainder of it's miserable life...
The responsible thing to do is to take back the dog and find it a new home. - Be prepared to spend cash out of your pocket years from now if the owners of a puppy return a sick dog to you.
Sometimes people with the best intentions fall into situations where they find themselves unable to care for their pets. Get out your visa card... - Routinely call or visit to check on the puppies and make sure they are OK.
This sounds crazy now, but after you've invested so much in raising them, you'll want to make sure they're OK. Breeding truly is a life-long commitment.
Why Do I Care?
Animal overpopulation is a HUGE, SERIOUS issue. Hundreds of thousands of dogs and cats are killed in the US each year simply because no one wants them. Before doing some research on the issue, I always thought that the unwanted dogs that were "put down" were old, sick or mean. Not True! Did you know that a large percentage of the dogs destroyed at shelters are happy, healthy, well trained, and even purebred? My goal in creating this site is to inform others of the problems that occur when people breed their dogs without thinking of the best interest of the puppies, and the puppies' puppies, and so on. What if the person who may have adopted a dog from a shelter buys your puppy instead? Like it or not, when you randomly create dogs, other dogs will lose their lives as a result.
I don't have anything against responsible breeders that breed for the love of the dogs and to improve the breed, do temperament and genetic testing, and find loving, responsible owners for all the pups. If no one ever bred dogs, there wouldn't be any! However, many of these people also work in rescue as well, trying to save the lives of other dogs that may not have been responsibly bred, and responsible breeders usually require all or most of their puppies to be spayed/neutered. This page is here to inform "hobby breeders," those intending to make some quick cash, or those who are simply careless or uninformed and neglect to get their pets altered, that there are consequences for those actions, and many dogs will pay with their lives.
There is no money to be made breeding dogs if you intend to do it right and provide the best care possible for the mother and the pups. If you decide to breed, please do it responsibly. For more information, please talk to your vet and local breed associations, and contact your local humane society or breed rescue organization to see how you can help out. You can find more information on animal overpopulation atwww.hsus.orgsi
BEFORE YOU BREED YOUR DOG
Planning to breed your dog? The puppies sure are cute, but are you really prepared? There's more involved with raising a litter than you could ever possibly imagine! Here's a pre-breeding checklist:
- Test both parents for genetic and hereditary diseases and good temperament.
Why? Most major health problems in dogs can be prevented by breeding only healthy dogs. By having the parents tested for hip dysplasia, genetic heart, thyroid, or liver conditions, and numerous other problems, you can avoid passing these painful and debilitating problems on to the next generation of puppies. The same goes for temperament. Breeding a dog without making sure it is free from genetic conditions is selfish and irresponsible. If you're going to do it, do it right. - Obtain Your Championship
Responsible breeders only breed dogs that when paired together will improve upon the breed. Before you consider breeding your dog, it's important to make sure he or she meets the breed standard - that is, your dog's proportions, features and general appearance are what they should be. Showing your dog in AKC/UKC conformation shows gives an opportunity for experienced third parties to give feedback on your dog. - Save up at least $1000 to invest in vet bills in case of an emergency.
It's not uncommon for a female to require a c-section, ultrasound, or other emergency procedures, and they're expensive! Not to mention, if any of the puppies are born with problems, they'll need to be hospitalized. $$$! - Be prepared for your new full-time job raising a litter, and spending hundreds or thousands of dollars to raise the puppies.
Yikes. Puppies are a lot of work, especially in mass quantities! You need to be dedicated to spending the time and money it takes to raise them properly if you're going to do it. Quality formula, food, vet checks, toys and shots are expensive. - Be prepared to help the newborns feed, urinate and defecate if the mom can't or won't, or if she dies.
Newborn puppies can't potty on their own - they need help. If mom won't do it, you'll have to help them. In cases of large litters, you'll probably have to help out anyways - mom will have a hard time keeping track of the pups she's groomed and fed. - Get ready to scoop a ton of puppy poop from inside your house every day!
No, they can't be kept outside. Too many diseases and germs, and they need to be kept at a constant cozy temperature. Not to mention socialization (being around the family) is incredibly important. - Be prepared to take the time to properly socialize the puppies and to interview prospective buyers to make sure they will take proper care of the puppy.
Each puppy needs individual attention every day - this takes a considerable amount of time, especially with large litters. And after you've put so much time, energy and love into these little creatures, you'll want to make sure they all get the best homes. Interviewing buyers is a time consuming, and sometimes scary, experience. - Be prepared to take back your "puppies" years from now when their owners don't want them any more.
Why? It will happen. I don't understand it, but some people think pets are disposable. Since you don't want to:
a) Let them take your puppy to the pound to be killed, or
b) Make it someone else's problem by turning the dog in to a rescue, or
c) Let them give the dog to their cousin Bubba who will tie the dog to a tree and feed it once a month for the remainder of it's miserable life...
The responsible thing to do is to take back the dog and find it a new home. - Be prepared to spend cash out of your pocket years from now if the owners of a puppy return a sick dog to you.
Sometimes people with the best intentions fall into situations where they find themselves unable to care for their pets. Get out your visa card... - Routinely call or visit to check on the puppies and make sure they are OK.
This sounds crazy now, but after you've invested so much in raising them, you'll want to make sure they're OK. Breeding truly is a life-long commitment.
Why Do I Care?
Animal overpopulation is a HUGE, SERIOUS issue. Hundreds of thousands of dogs and cats are killed in the US each year simply because no one wants them. Before doing some research on the issue, I always thought that the unwanted dogs that were "put down" were old, sick or mean. Not True! Did you know that a large percentage of the dogs destroyed at shelters are happy, healthy, well trained, and even purebred? My goal in creating this site is to inform others of the problems that occur when people breed their dogs without thinking of the best interest of the puppies, and the puppies' puppies, and so on. What if the person who may have adopted a dog from a shelter buys your puppy instead? Like it or not, when you randomly create dogs, other dogs will lose their lives as a result.
I don't have anything against responsible breeders that breed for the love of the dogs and to improve the breed, do temperament and genetic testing, and find loving, responsible owners for all the pups. If no one ever bred dogs, there wouldn't be any! However, many of these people also work in rescue as well, trying to save the lives of other dogs that may not have been responsibly bred, and responsible breeders usually require all or most of their puppies to be spayed/neutered. This page is here to inform "hobby breeders," those intending to make some quick cash, or those who are simply careless or uninformed and neglect to get their pets altered, that there are consequences for those actions, and many dogs will pay with their lives.
There is no money to be made breeding dogs if you intend to do it right and provide the best care possible for the mother and the pups. If you decide to breed, please do it responsibly. For more information, please talk to your vet and local breed associations, and contact your local humane society or breed rescue organization to see how you can help out. You can find more information on animal overpopulation atwww.hsus.org
Monday, October 14, 2013
Saturday, October 12, 2013
Thursday, October 10, 2013
What is a Puppy Mill ? (revised 12/31/13 :)
"Commercial Kennels" become "puppy mills" when animals are housed in inhumane and filthy conditions, offered little in the way of proper medical care and disposed of when they're no longer productive as breeding stock.
Both are MASS PRODUCERS , operating as a business, with the primary goal of MAKING A PROFIT !!!
Both are MASS PRODUCERS , operating as a business, with the primary goal of MAKING A PROFIT !!!
(a) Sub-standard health and/or environmental issues;
(b) Sub-standard animal care, treatment and/or socialization;
(c) Sub-standard breeding practices which lead to genetic defects or hereditary disorders;
(d) Erroneous or falsified certificates of registration, pedigrees and/or genetic background.
They sell primarily to retail pet shops (usually via a broker), but occasionally sell directly to individual consumers. Dogs are bred solely for profit, with no concern for their physical health or psychological well-being - some are disease-ridden; all are there with the sole purpose of reproducing as frequently as possible. .
While many operations practice acceptable animal care that at minimum meets the standards of care provided for other commercial livestock, other breeding businesses care little for their animals. Even the "good" commercial breeders do not offer what behaviorists argue is essential for a temperamentally sound family pet: constant in-house exposure to normal family life and gentle socialization by all manner of people and children. Commercial kennels frequently (and legally !) house 50 or more breeding age animals with multiple litters being produced every week ! While ALL animals deserve to be raised humanely, A family companion is NOT the same as a steer that will ultimately become a family's dinner !
The United States Department of Agriculture licenses both large commercial kennels and other livestock producers with a set of standards and guidelines of housing and care required. However, there is documented inconsistencies in the frequency and thoroughness of USDA inspections. While new legislation is being introduced in many states, the root problem is the lack of funding and manpower to enforce the current laws and educating the public. PR blips and "feel good" /"sounds good on paper" legislation does not keep the focus on mass producers and will not in the long run do much to help the dogs in puppy mills ! Unfortunately, animal cruelty laws carry light penalties and are also often poorly enforced. ***Some Puppy Mills are NOT licensed or regulated at all ! ***
The United States Department of Agriculture licenses both large commercial kennels and other livestock producers with a set of standards and guidelines of housing and care required. However, there is documented inconsistencies in the frequency and thoroughness of USDA inspections. While new legislation is being introduced in many states, the root problem is the lack of funding and manpower to enforce the current laws and educating the public. PR blips and "feel good" /"sounds good on paper" legislation does not keep the focus on mass producers and will not in the long run do much to help the dogs in puppy mills ! Unfortunately, animal cruelty laws carry light penalties and are also often poorly enforced. ***Some Puppy Mills are NOT licensed or regulated at all ! ***
There's really no way to determine what misery may exist behind the puppy you're buying unless you investigate and do your homework.
Do not buy from a Pet Store. Even a nice shop that cares for their puppies in stock cannot tell you what that puppy's experiences were before it arrived at their door! Most pet stores are supplied by brokers who buy entire litters as young as 5 weeks old! They have not had the opportunity to have the socialization or natural puppy development provided by mom and littermates and you will probably be the 4th place they've lived already in their young life ! .
Try to buy from a person who can show you either the Mother or the Father and where the puppies are raised in the house with plenty of love and care. Also ask for a pedigree of your new puppy. Any responsible breeder will be glad to show off their line that they have been developing over the years. Talk to your Breeder about care and grooming of your puppy. Don't be afraid to ask for a grooming demonstration. Know what you are getting into before you purchase that cute little puppy. Don't forget to discuss your puppies eating habits and the type of food they have been feeding the puppy. Also do yourself a favor and ask for references before you write that check for that new puppy.
Educate yourself about the breed. Ask lots of questions when you call or visit any breeder. Take your time in deciding what dog is the right dog for you and your family. Find out how much exercise it will need, vet care and food expenses, will it be good with other pets or more likely to do well in a solo pet home, will it be good with kids, what health problems is the breed prone to? what is the breeds general temperament and attitude-- easy to housebreak? typically more of a guard dog or one that loves everybody and everyone? How much grooming will it need as an adult ? DO NOT IMPULSE BUY !!!!
While "designer breeds", adopted/rescued dogs, and mixed breeds can all be wonderful companions, take into consideration that Crossbred dogs are prone to all of the genetic diseases of both breeds and you lose the advantage of a reputable breeder with several generations of dogs behind your new pup to give a good picture of what it is going to grow up into .
Doing your Homework will surely pay off in the long run and please do not be afraid to ask questions. TOO Many dogs have been cast aside because the person did not know what they were getting themselves into when the cute little puppy grew up or their living situation changed ! The right dog in the right Forever Family is a lifelong member of that family!
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
Another Great Day at Work for a Therapy Dog
Prosecutors turn to dogs to put crime victims at ease
The little girl had already confided in a psychologist, a doctor and her family.
At 7 years old, she struggled to recount the trauma of sexual assault again and again, this time for Prince William County prosecutors. But when it came time for trial, the girl was ready. She testified via closed-circuit television and helped lock up her attacker for eight years.
And while it was ultimately the girl’s strength and support from her family that brought her through, she also got help along the way from an unexpected source: an imposing-looking but wholly affable German shepherd named Abby.
The girl began asking for Abby, and when she went to see prosecutors, she would lead the dog around the office on her leash. Simply petting and nuzzling Abby calmed the girl.
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Using service or therapy dogs to assist victims dates to a district attorney’s office in Queens in the 1980s and a Mississippi courthouse in the 1990s. It has expanded nationwide, and in November the National District Attorneys Association’s board of directors passed a resolutionsupporting the use of courthouse dogs.
Since November 2011, the child abuse program at Norfolk’s Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters has enlisted Pecos, a golden Lab mix, said Michele Thames, a forensic interviewer there. Elsewhere in Virginia, Suffolk and Albemarle County are working to start dog programs, according to Ellen O’Neill-Stephens, who founded Courthouse Dogs.
More than 40 court-related offices in 16 states use therapy dogs for child abuse and other cases, according to Allie Phillips, who keeps track at the National District Attorneys Association. Other offices use service or facility dogs, which have different certification standards.
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Florida has laws about how many times a child can be interviewed, and the dogs help put victims at ease quickly, said prosecutor Lorene Taylor. “We want to make sure that we can get the most out of the interview that we can with the least amount of trauma,” she said.
Some programs allow dogs in the courtroom, but those have been controversial. A child rape case in New York state is being challenged by defense attorneys who said the courtroom dog swayed the jury, according to a New York Times article from August. Defense attorneys in other places have said they are concerned a dog’s presence could cause a jury to be more sympathetic or unfairly lend credibility to a victim’s account.
“In any jury trial, we would be concerned that the jury would view the court permitting the dog to comfort a witness as an indication from the court that the witness had indeed experienced trauma,” Lisa Daugaard, deputy director of the Defender Association in Seattle, said in an e-mail.
But Daugaard said she didn’t see a problem with using a dog in an interview room. Creating a comfortable environment “has advantages for truth telling,” she said.
(Excerpts from a January 2012 Washington Post article By Jeremy Borden)
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Thursday, October 3, 2013
World Record set by Kong Dog Toys
The KONG Company set a world record for the most dog toys stuffed in one hour with a total of 1,975 toys during a event officially documented by Guinness officials at Riverside Park in New York City.Most importantly, each of the volunteers was able to take a portion of the 1,975 stuffed toys to their home shelter/rescue for the dogs.
Now that the record is official with Guinness, The KONG Company is throwing down the gauntlet. KONG challenges other groups to break this record for the benefit of pets everywhere.
For information and assistance on setting up an attempt, email KONGconnect@KONGcompany.com
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