Earlier this week, I posted about the decline in euthanasia in pet shelters, but I want to ask today about the broader question of euthanasia. I have a relative who is absolutely against it under any circumstances, while I tend to think it can be a humane solution when a dog is suffering. My son, who works in a nursing home asked me the other day why we can’t euthanize old, suffering people. I tried to explain how that’s a slippery slope, but I’m not sure he heard me.
U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Angela Cardone, a military working dog handler with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, conducts training at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Oct. 19, 2018. (Seth Rosenberg/U.S. Marine Corps)From Military.com and the Honolulu Star Advertiser:
Bogi, a 5-year old Belgian Malinois, has been reunited with her original handler, Sgt. Angela Cardone of the U.S. Marine Corps, at Queen Kapiolani Hotel in Waikiki, with the help of Washington, DC’s American Humane military program.
The pair originally met in Iwakuni, Japan, about three years ago. Cardone trained Bogi as a narcotics detection dog, and the two worked together for two years until Cardone was moved to Honolulu last summer. Continue reading Retired Military Dog Reunited with Handler→
The first two winners of the Cadbury Bunny contest were dogs, so who’s to say your dog couldn’t be next? The current Bunny, Lieutenant Dan, announced the contest on his Instagram. I didn’t see it until now, so time’s a wasting! Get your entry in by 3/1/21 (that’s Monday – can you believe it?) Continue reading Cadbury Bunny Tryouts→
From the New York Times: Euthanasia rates at large city shelters have fallen steadily over the past several decades due to a number of factors. Spaying and neutering has arguably had the biggest impact, which means that fewer animals are being taken to shelters in the first place. Continue reading Good News About Euthanasia→
Rosie and Checkers: what do you mean this isn’t our bed? Photo by Philley
The good folks at Tractive GPS have compiled a list of the top five ways to celebrate today, which is National Love Your Pet Day. The highlights:
Praise them.
Spend quality time together.
Upgrade their toys and safety gear.
Treat them to new healthy foods.
Use your imagination to do their favorite things.
From the Twitter feed of @BeagleFacts. There is a direct correlation between beagle levels of muddiness and beagle levels of satisfaction. This has been well established in multiple peer-reviewed studies.
Today is National Random Acts of Kindness Day. Our dogs give us kindness every day, so this is the day we should pay it back with random snuggles, kisses, treats, playtime, and toys. Maybe even some time on the furniture where they’re not usually allowed. (Never happens at my house.)
Although today the race could be held in Texas, The Iditarod will, as always, be held in Alaska, starting on March 7th. However, they have made some significant changes due to COVID-19. Here’s the scoop:
The Iditarod Trail Committee confirmed that both the restart and the finish of the Last Great Race on Earth will take place at Deshka Landing. The decision was mutually made by the Iditarod and the Willow Area Community Organization due to concern for COVID-19 risk mitigation at the Willow Area Community Center, which is also undergoing construction projects on facilities regularly utilized by the Iditarod.
Deshka Landing, located approximately 7.5 road miles from Willow Lake, serves as a year-round access point to the Lower Susitna Drainage consisting of the Susitna River, Deshka River, Yentna River, Alexander Creek and all tributaries. This change for the 2021 race, along with the Iditarod Golden Trail Loop race route, further allows race organizers to safely execute and continue to protect the communities along the trail, the mushers, volunteers and Iditarod personnel. Continue reading Iditarod Starts in 18 Days!→
I’m watching The Weather Channel, waiting for the snow to reach us here in Canton, Ohio, and realizing that there is snow deep into the south, where they are not quite as used to it as we are. So, a few cold weather tips for you and your dog: