Read this blog from Washington Post blogger Jim Hoagland when you need a good cry. (Fixed the link 10/21 @ 3:00 pm ET – sorry!)
Category Archives: Human or Doggy Nature
Dogs choosing your mate, part 2
I posted recently about how some people trust their dog’s judgment when choosing their dates and mates. Here’s a new twist on that theme.
As you know, I search the Internet daily, looking for news that might be of interest to dog-lovers. This one just cracked me up, and I had to share it.
Second Chances for Jailbirds and Jail Dogs
Innovative prison program teaches dogs and men
At Wakulla Correctional Institute in Florida, an inmate reaches into his pocket and finds a dog biscuit for Pooh, a Husky-Labrador Retriever-Chow mix. Pooh gobbles the treat too enthusiastically and the inmate pushes him gently and firmly to the floor to calm him. Settled down, Pooh licks his hand.
Not too long ago, things looked bleak for Pooh. He was big and unruly and no one wanted to adopt him. Then Pooh got lucky and became part of a new program, Paws in Prison. Working with “dog whisperer” Jay King, inmates are taught how to train a dog, giving them useful skills and providing pound pooches a second chance.
The dogs move in with the inmates for two months, sleeping in kennels pushed right up against the bunks. King teaches them that it isn’t rocket science to train a dog–to teach them stability you have to be stable. He teaches them to train with kindness and treats, never harshness or punishment.
The end goal is to give the prisoners valuable skills that they can use outside prison (some dream of one day opening their own dog training schools), and to rehabilitate otherwise un-adoptable dogs to help them find forever homes.
Dogs as Beasts of Burden?
My sister sent me this article written by Jenna Woginrich, an advocate of good, clean country living. Jenna is also the author of Cold Antler Farm, a blog about her experiences as a beginning homesteader. She has this to say about shopping bags and using your dog to lighten your load:
Your Dog’s Birthday
OK, I admit my dogs are spoiled, but I don’t think I would go quite this far. Apparently, the newest thing is to throw a birthday party for your four-legged child. I’m not just talking about gathering around the dog dish and singing Happy Birthday while your dog feasts on canned food.
Too busy for a fulltime pet? Rent-a-dog!
The rent-a-pet concept has grown worldwide in recent years, despite disapproval from some animal rights advocates. Those in favor of the practice say it helps people understand dogs and learn how to treat them properly.
Dog lovers short on time or space say that renting dogs is a good interim solution until they’re able to commit to a permanent canine companion. Organizations that rent dogs to others feel that people often don’t understand all the work involved in caring for a pet, and their rental solution helps people understand what’s involved in caring for a dog.
Some rescue groups even use the rent-a-pet type program to help with fostering rescues. Not a bad idea, as it helps the dogs and helps potential foster carers decide whether they have what it takes to foster or adopt a dog.
Opponents say it’s mean to pass a dog around amongst temporary families, when they deserve a forever home. Advocates say it improves people’s understanding of dogs and offers a solution where some dogs would otherwise be homeless or euthanized. What do you think?
The life of a police dog
From the Minneapolis-St Paul Star Tribune: Gunner, a 2-year old German Shepherd spends his nights cruising the streets of Blaine, MN as part of a police K-9 team. Off-duty, he’s just another dog…or is he?
Shooting dogs in Pennsylvania
How could they have possibly thought this was a good solution? Two kennel owners in Maxatawny Township, PA were inspected by the dog warden, and were cited for a number of things, including excessive flea and fly bites on 39 of their dogs. Rather than seek treatment or flea-dip the dogs, they SHOT them!
China, the hero dog
Have you heard about China, the hero dog from Argentina? Apparently, she is a better mom than her 14-year old human neighbor. Check out this story from the small town of La Plata, about 40 miles south of Buenos Aires.
The Loyalty of Man’s Best Friend
From Greeley, Colorado: We all know dogs are man’s best friend, but have you ever wondered just how far your dog’s loyalty goes? Jake Baysinger, unfortunately, will never know, but his family sure will. Cash, a 3-year old German Shepherd stayed by Baysinger’s body for 6 weeks after the man committed suicide, guarding it from coyote attacks.