Active Canines

Don't Get into a Fight

Here's helpful advice from an animal control officers who was recently caught off-guard and found himself in a fight. Macon.tv: How to Avoid Dog Attacks, 2008-May-16, by Claire Simms: Animal Control Officer Van VanDeWalker says there are ways you can avoid being bitten. "The number one rule is, don't scream and run because the dog's natural instinct is just going to kick in to chase you and overtake you. "Number two, don't look the dog in the eyes. To them, that's a sign you're ready for a fight." Experts advise you walk away slowly and deliberately and try to get something to shield yourself.

 

Surgery for Rescue Dog

When the neighbors heard that Molly needed an expensive surgery, money was raised to cover the costs, and any excess will be kept to cover needs of other dogs that serve their community.

The Joplin Globe: Rescue dog to return home with pacemaker, 2008-May-22, by Melissa Dunson:

The Unsinkable Molly Brown earned her name once again. The 5-year-old chocolate Labrador who serves as a Newton County search-and-rescue dog came out of surgery Thursday morning with a pacemaker in her formerly failing heart. Her owners, trainers and handlers, Allen and Alicia Brown, of Saginaw, will pick her up today at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine in Columbia.

Molly has been part of some of the highest profile search-and-rescue operations in the Four-Sate Area in recent years. She needed the pacemaker because she recently was diagnosed with a complete electrical heart block.

Researching Better Dog Shelters

Animal Rescue League of Boston: The Stanton Foundation Grant, 2008-Feb-12 (via Bark Blog): The Animal Rescue League (ARL) of Boston has received a $3 million grant from The Stanton Foundation, the largest private contribution in the ARL of Boston’s 109-year-old history. ... The grant allows the ARL of Boston to develop the first-in-the-nation Center for Shelter Dogs. Once completed, the Center for Shelter Dogs at the Animal Rescue League of Boston will provide a model for improving the welfare and eventual placement of homeless dogs cared for by humane organizations, animal control facilities and rescue groups.

Therapy Dogs for Autism

Ivanhoe's Medical Breakthroughs: Autism Dog, 2008-May-13:  "Never would have expected to have help from a four-legged furry creature and the impact that he has had and what he can do," Jennifer says. Ajax is trained as an autism assistance dog. When Matthew gets anxious, sometimes a nuzzle from Ajax is all it takes. Ajax keeps Matthew from wandering off and keeps him calm."... At 4 Paws we have discovered a magic that exists between children and dogs, a magic that can become a life-saving miracle for a child paired with one of our Autism Assistance Dogs. ... Our research indicates that the child with Autism displays behaviors toward their dog that they rarely, if ever, display towards human companions. In addition, the child that is partnered with a 4 Paws dog is found to seek their dog out for companionship, comfort, and confiding in ways never shown to family members.

 

Job for a Party Animal

I never thought I would post a story about a chihuahua in Active Canines, but CoCo is one hard-working, hard-partying animal. As you can see from her blog, she's a fashion model as well as the Animal Ambassador of the Little Rock Zoo. Kudos to her family for sharing her entertaining personality with all of us. The World According to CoCo: Would You Like CoCo to Appear At Your Next Event? CoCo is available for appearances. For more information please contact [email protected].

Have a Happy Hike with your Dog

Trail Journals 2007: Hiking with a Dog, 2003-Mar-25, by "Superman" Jim Thompson: Both you and your dog will have a better hike if you train your dog for the trail. All of the things listed above are pretty easily learned due to the repetition of these events on the trail. You simply have to be consistent in what you expect from your dog. You get to hold the leash so that means you’re the one in charge. Taking an ill suited pooch on a long hike is not good, unsafe and unfair to everyone. Your dog should be your best friend and you will both be happier if it is trained for what you are doing. Hiking is not just taking your dog to the woods and walking.