Getting a dog? Consider these factors to make sure you're a match

(ARA) – There are plenty of cliche things that people say about dogs: that they’re man’s best friend, that they love you unconditionally and that behind those cold noses, there are warm hearts. But while dog owners might feel a bit silly about repeating those old chestnuts, they’ll also admit they’re absolutely true.

Before you get a dog, doing a bit of background research is important, but keep in mind that you also have a valuable resource right in your community – the local animal shelter. Shelter dogs are often the ones that are “invisible” – out of the public eye and therefore, out of mind as well. Best Friends Animal Society has created the “Invisible Dogs” campaign to call attention to the hundreds of thousands of very real, but unseen dogs hoping to be adopted from U.S. animal shelters, any of which might be right for your home.

Whether your household has one person or 10, a dog can fit right in, but not every dog fits with every home. At shelters across the country, the pet experts on the staff can help match you with an adoptable dog, based on your lifestyle and the dog’s personality and traits. Because you can meet shelter dogs before bringing them home, it’s easier to make the perfect puppy love connection.

When you’re ready to start looking for the right dog for you, consider these tips from Best Friends Animal Society and InvisibleDogs.org:

* Be honest about your lifestyle. Everyone has a different schedule, and dogs have schedules of their own. If you’re away from home a lot, consider dogs that have lower energy levels and minimal exercise demands. However, if you love to go for a run in the morning and a long stroll every evening, you might be a good match for a dog that has a bit more of a get-up-and-go demeanor.

* How much maintenance? Some dogs have wash-and-wear coats that don’t require grooming other than a nice bath every so often. Others will need to be combed and still others will need haircuts to keep their coat in check, or to be more comfortable in the summer heat. Opt for a dog with a coat that matches the level of dedication you’re ready to put into grooming, keeping in mind that it’s not too much of a hassle for any dog. Also remember that you’ll need to care for his toenails and teeth to keep him feeling his best.

* Find a personality match. Some dog owners like their pups to be right on their lap as much as possible, while others prefer a companion who is a little more independent. While breed can have some effect on this, it also largely depends on the individual dog. Meeting a dog at a shelter will let you spend a little time together to see if you’re a good combination.

Big or small, shaggy or sleek, the dog that’s right for you is out there waiting. With a bit of forethought and a few one-on-one meetings with available dogs, you’ll be well prepared to find the dog that will be the companion of a lifetime. And when you do, it won’t be long before you’re telling everyone that your dog really is your best friend. To learn more about helping adoptable dogs, go to www.invisibledogs.org.

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Your pet's health: debunking common myths

(ARA) – If you are a pet owner, your pet is a beloved member of your family. You buy treats and toys and sometimes even costumes to keep your pet happy and an integral part of the family. But, what about your pet’s health? In the midst of all the fun, it is vital that pet owners work with their veterinarians to keep their pets healthy.

Over the past decade, as the population of dog and cat owners has increased, the number of pets that are receiving proper veterinary care has seen an alarming decline. A two-phase study of pet owners and veterinarians, which was commissioned by Bayer HealthCare LLC, Animal Health Division and conducted by Brakke Consulting in collaboration with the National Commission on Veterinary Economic Issues, assessed this disturbing trend.

Data from the Bayer Veterinary Care Usage Study suggests that the decline in veterinary visits could be due to misconceptions pet owners have about their pet’s health. Below is a list of pet health myths along with facts that can help pet owners understand the importance of veterinary care:

* Myth: Annual wellness exams are unnecessary and do not help my pet.

Fact: The recent Bayer study found that 95 percent of veterinarians surveyed believe that companion animals – both dogs and cats – require at least one veterinary well-visit annually. Yet many owners think that their pets only need to go to the veterinarian for vaccinations or shots. During routine check-ups, veterinarians evaluate health status using a number of tools such as ear and eye checks, listening to the pet’s heart, X-rays and blood work. By using a range of medical techniques, veterinarians can catch conditions that, if undetected, can become costly-to-treat or chronic illnesses.

* Myth: All it takes is a click of the computer mouse and I can figure out what’s wrong with my pet.

Fact: All too often, pet owners look to the Internet for answers regarding their sick pet. According to the Bayer study, 39 percent of pet owners look online before consulting their veterinarian if the pet gets sick or injured. With the availability of online resources – some helpful and some not – pet owners are waiting too long to bring their pets in for care, and the pets are sicker than they would have been if the pet owner brought their pet in at the first sign of concern. The Internet can’t cure whatever issue your pet is having, and this delay could lead to costlier and more time intensive treatment.

* Myth: It is simply not as important to bring your cat to the vet as it is your dog, and the stress of taking the cat isn’t worth it.

Fact: Cat owners know all too well the challenge of putting a cat in a carrier and transporting it to the veterinarian, and the stress cats sometimes exhibit once you actually get them there. In the battle between cats and humans to get to the vet, cats are clearly winning. The Bayer study found that more than one-third of cats had not been to the veterinarian in the last year, missing out on necessary care.

With this in mind, many veterinarians are taking steps to create more “cat-friendly” areas in their clinics. For example, some veterinarians have separate entrances for cats, or quiet rooms away from dogs for cats and their owners.

* Myth: Older pets need less care than younger pets.

Fact: There is a perception that, since older pets require fewer vaccinations, they need less veterinary care. But, older animals are more susceptible to a range of chronic and costly illnesses like diabetes, cancer and arthritis. Much like humans, as pets age, they need frequent medical care and observation to ensure continued optimum health.

* Myth: I just need to bring my pet in when it is sick; the value of an annual wellness exam is not comparable to the cost of a visit.

Fact: Think about all the doctors you see during the year. From an ophthalmologist to a dentist to your internist or family doctor. For your pet, the veterinarian provides all these services. When your pet goes for an annual wellness exam, that veterinarian needs to play the role of every doctor a human would see. So, for every veterinarian visit, Fluffy or Fido is getting a full check up with the skills of a number of doctors combined into one.

In addition to these important facts, veterinarians are working to keep up with their clients increasing use of social media. Some veterinarians are integrating new marketing strategies and tools, including using Facebook and Twitter or texting to connect with pet owners.

“When looking at these myths and facts, it is important to remember that the life span of pets is much shorter than that of humans, so skipping out on the veterinary visit for even one year, is similar to a human skipping doctor visits for seven years,” said Sheldon Rubin, DVM and Oprah’s former veterinarian of 15 years. “With this in mind, it is imperative that pets get the healthcare they need to live long and healthy lives, and don’t go more than a year without seeing a veterinarian.”

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Here’s an uplifting story about my greyhound hero, and here’s a somber story about more greyhounds in desperate need of help.

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At last, some good news to come out of what I have to say was one of the most distrubing animal-related tales to hit the airwaves in a while (besides Sarah Palin’s penchant for shooting wolves, that is).

Check out the happy-ish ending to the sad story of Michale Vick’s dogs at Sports Illustrated.

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It took about two hours for Greta to worm her way into my heart after I adopted her. And although there have been challenges along the way, I could not imagine my life without her.

As more and more greyhound racetracks are closing (hallelujah!), that means there are that many more greys that need forever homes.

Here’s a great article on getting a greyhound in the white house.

Or your house.

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The American Mutt-i-grees Club, founded by Pet Savers Foundation, wants to spread the word that mutts are people  dogs too!

The American Mutt-i-grees Club is all about change and choice:

Changing how mixed-breed dogs are regarded, by celebrating the unique
characteristics of each one of them, and helping people make the right
choice – the choice to adopt mixed-breed puppies and adult dogs at shelters across America.

No To Puppy Mills
When you adopt a Mutt-i-gree from a shelter, your choice also says “No” – no to buying a puppy in a pet store that’s supplied by the unbelievably cruel
trade of the purebred puppy mills and irresponsible backyard breeders. If
these puppy mills are stopped from bringing millions of puppies into the
world, millions of puppies and adult dogs being euthanized each year might
be saved.

Three out of every four shelter dogs are mixed-breed, and for many
Mutt-i-grees, their lives end before they begin. Make a difference and save a mutt!

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Back when I was looking into rescuing a dog, I stumbled across a local organization that helps place Golden Retrievers in homes. That group, Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue and Sanctuary, Inc., is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the mission of securing safe, loving homes for displaced or homeless Golden Retrievers. They receive Golden Retrievers from owners who can no longer care for them because of changing circumstances in their lives, and they also maintain close working relationships with animal shelters in Sacramento, Sutter, Placer, El Dorado and surrounding counties to ensure that Goldens are relinquished to them prior to being euthanized. They even rescue Golden Retrievers found wandering the streets or reported to them by concerned neighbors. They rescue Goldens of all ages, and even mixed Goldens on occasion.

A secondary mission of Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue and Sanctuary, Inc. is the procurement of suitable land, either donated or otherwise, for the purpose of constructing a facility to house as many as 25 golden retrievers at any one time, with a permanent caregiver in residence. We need the capability to provide housing for the overflow of Goldens that have been rescued but not yet adopted, and to provide long-term care for those Goldens with special needs (i.e. blind; amputee; etc.).

Given the fact that they are rescuing an average of 350-400 dogs each year, the need for a sanctuary is quite evident. However, it cannot come at the expense of our basic rescue activities, as their financial resources are first and foremost allocated to the healing of the physical and psychological wounds of the rescued Goldens. Any surplus, or excess funds, will be reserved for sanctuary operations.

That’s where the Kibble & Bids annual fundraiser comes in. With the support of sponsors, attendees, participating wineries, breweries, restaurants, and auction donors, the groups has netted $110,000 for the organization last year. All proceeds were devoted to veterinary services for the dogs, continued maintenance and improvements to the adoption center and sanctuary, including the extensive kennel remodel and equipment/storage garage.

Last year Homeward Bound rescued a record 561 dogs, almost double the number in 2006 (288), and incurred a whopping $305,263 in veterinary expenses. You name it, they do it: heartworm therapy, chemotherapy, hip replacements, knee surgery, spaying, neutering, hospitalization, dental work, shots, eye surgery, dermatology, and the list goes on. From intake to evaluation to placement, every aspect of rescue and adoption is done solely by volunteers and donations.

Kibble & Bids 2008 is Saturday, September 6th at The Riverwood Estate in Sacramento. Tickets are $55 per person in advance and $65 at the door. For more information, or to purchase tickets, click here.

Please also note that for the month of September, I will be blogging here only once per week, every Tuesday. If you miss me, be sure to stop by DailyEatsOnline, PetSavvy, SavvyCooking, and SavvyHalloween, where I will also be blogging once per week this month. See you there!

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The recently released Dog Heroes of September 11th is the first major publication to salute the canines that served the nation in the recovery missions following the terrorists’ attacks on America. The book provides an excellent overview of the mission and requirements of these search and rescue dogs and serves as a lasting tribute to these noble American heroes.

In addition to purchasing the book, there’s another way to recognize four-legged heroes. Nutro Natural Choice dog food is sponsoring a contest to elect a canine search team to represent the face of the Natural Choice Brand.

The candidates are:

Annie, a Yellow Lab who came to Search Dog Foundation and was eventually paired with firefighter Shani Richeson with the Sacramento Metro Fire Department in November 2007.

Mace, s Yellow Lab from Fremont, California, who was found tied him to a railroad track, sprayed with mace and left to die. He was found and taken to an animal shelter, where he was scheduled to be euthanized. Mace was rescued by one of SDF’s firefighters and renamed Ace. By the end of six months of training, he was partnered with Teresa Ortenberger with California Task Force 7. Teresa and Ace eventually achieved FEMA Certification together. In September of 2005 they were deployed to Hurricane Katrina.

Rob Cima, a fellow SDF handler and Assistant Fire Chief with El Dorado County Fire near Sacramento, lost his Search Dog Harley to cancer in November of 2006. Teresa had two certified dogs (Ace and Remi), and out of respect and admiration for Rob, decided to give Ace to him. They were an excellent match, and in March of 2007, Rob and Ace achieved FEMA Advanced Certification.

Jester, an Aussie-border collie mix, is now paired with Davis Doty of Yorba Linda, CA, working with California Task Force 5 in Orange County. They are currently training for FEMA Certification.

Cast your vote here.

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The Golden Retriever is one of those quintessential dogs. They’ve got big hearts and gentle demeanors, so it’s no wonder that the breed is so darn popular.

The latest news only makes this sweet, dreamy dog seem even more appealing.

A Golden at a southeast Kansas zoo recently adopted three tiger cubs abandoned by their mother. It all started when the cubs’ mother had problems with them, and a day later, stopped caring for them entirely.

Because puppies take about the same amount of time as tiger cubs to develop, and the adoptive mother just recently weaned her own puppies, it was perfect timing all around. The adopted mother even goes so far as to lick and clean the cubs, too.

The Safari Zoological Park is a licensed facility that specializes in endangered species such as leopards, lions, cougars, baboons, ring-tailed lemurs, bears and other animals. It currently has seven white tigers and two orange tigers.

As for the adopted mom, when her nursing duties are over, she’ll no doubt go back to being a great addition to her caring, animal-loving family.

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One of my “greyhound” friends recently had to have her hound’s front leg amputated due to bone cancer, which is, unfortunately, common in greyhounds.

Both she and I know of one amazing “tripod” that we’ve both witnessed run our own dogs ragged.

While my friend’s handsome greyhound who, by the way, is also a pal of my own girl, Greta, recuperates from his recent surgery, I am already looking forward to cooler weather so we can all get together for a romp.

Until then, this video I found on YouTube featuring a tripod greyhound who was rehabilitated at a Spanish animal shelter will have to suffice.

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