dogs

By Martin Mersereau

 Dogs have been disappearing in Idaho. One dog, named Bean, was found shot dead and left near a canal. A hiker found another dog in a canyon, covered with a sheet and apparently beaten to death. Two other dogs, Gauge and Mac, went missing and were later found shot to death on a neighbor’s property. Two dogs were believed to have been abducted from a fenced backyard. A small dog who was let outside to relieve himself hasn’t been seen since. Rumors are swirling that dozens of other missing dogs may have been abducted, shot or used as “bait” in dogfighting rings.

If your animal companions are snoozing at your feet or curled up on your lap right now, good. But if they’re outside alone, don’t keep reading—go get them. As the Idaho residents whose dogs have disappeared or been killed have learned the hard way, leaving animals outdoors unattended—even for “just a minute” in a fenced yard—is irresponsible and an invitation to tragedy.

We all want to believe that our neighborhoods are safe, but in my work, I have seen that every community is full of dangers for dogs and cats. Most of the 400-plus cruelty cases that PETA receives weekly involve animals who were victimized while outside unsupervised. In Volusia County, Fla., for example, a cat who usually roamed the neighborhood at night was found one morning sliced in two. The front half of his body was in his owner’s backyard, and his intestines were in the front yard.

Friendly cats and dogs are also the favored victims of bunchers—people who cruise neighborhoods, picking up animals in order to sell them to laboratories for experiments—and dogfighters looking for free “bait” to train dogs to attack. In Buchanan, Ga., two dogs who were kept outdoors on chains were believed to have been abducted by a neighbor and used as dogfighting “bait.” One dog was returned paralyzed, and the other was found dead on a neighbor’s lawn.

It’s also not unusual for cruel neighbors with short fuses to take matters into their own hands. In Enola, Pa., a cat who was allowed to roam went missing. Five days later, the cat’s owner discovered him dead in her trashcan. A neighbor had previously warned her that he was sick of her cat using his yard as a litterbox.

In Frenchtown Charter Township, Mich., a man pleaded no contest to attempted animal killing or torture for leaving out meat spiked with sharp objects to stop a neighbor’s dog from coming onto his property. The dog, named Jinx, ate the meat and had to be euthanized because of his injuries. There is no excuse for harming animals—and animal abusers must be prosecuted—but people who leave their animal companions outdoors unattended share in the blame when their animals meet gruesome fates.

Cruel people aren’t the only dangers lurking outdoors. Every day, animals are injured or killed in traffic, poisoned and attacked by other animals. Chained dogs are especially vulnerable because they have no way to escape from aggressive roaming animals.

Just as responsible parents would never let their 2-year-old wander freely around the neighborhood, we shouldn’t leave our animals to take their chances outdoors, either. We can keep our animal companions safe by keeping them indoors and allowing them outdoors only on a harness and leash, under our constant watchful eye. That way, we’ll never have to wonder whether our animals are safe, and we won’t ever be haunted by the regret of having allowed something terrible to happen because we failed to protect them.

By Maureen Schwab

This month, two of the year’s most important award shows will be televised across the planet. If you are more excited about the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show (2/11-13) than you are about the Academy Awards (2/24), then you are a true dog lover. By the numbers, however, the movie lovers at 40 million make the 3 million viewers with a pooch penchant the underdogs.

I have only recently become a dog lover, owing this conversion to simply having to learn to like a family member’s dogs. Growing up in Green Island in the fifties and sixties, our family never owned a dog, nor did many of my neighbors. In those days, dogs roamed freely through the streets of Green Island, and at times presented the residents with a frightening encounter to deal with. My younger brother was bitten by a neighbor’s dog, and another brother tells tales of outrunning a stray or two. Over time, the strays have all but disappeared, and the only unleashed dogs are those found frolicking at Crompton Park with owners in close proximity.

The dog that led to my conversion is a troubled terrier mix that I adopted from a relative and now own. Since the day I took him in last March, he has been a good boy with me, and a loyal companion to my other dog, who was purchased at a pet shop in 2009. If the tea leaves had predicted that I would own two dogs some day, I would have laughed and declared fraud, but here I am; happy and in love with these two damn dogs!

Michael Schaffer, author of One Nation Under Dog (2009) , credits social trends that have developed over the past 30-40 years for reasons why Americans are in love with their dogs. Two career couples that marry later, divorce more frequently as well as longer work hours and commute times occurred at the same time dog ownership began to increase. Schaffer speculates that people are leaning on pets to fill the gap in social support mechanisms that might have otherwise come from families or the community. Some even promote their pets the status of honorary child…..”fur babies”.
Dog behaviorist and psychologist Sarah Wilson also points out that dogs are some of the longest relationships we have, our pets often outlast our marriages and/or romantic relationships! Consider me guilty on all counts; I know I am “ Mama” to my two boys, and these are the longest relationships I have had so far, with the exception of my children, immediate family, and dear friends of 50+ years.

Social science aside, people who love their dogs often do so for very simple reasons; dogs are always happy to see you, they help us not to be alone in the world, and accept us in spite of our flaws and faults. In some cases they give us courage and a reason to get up in the morning. You can tell them any and every secret and never be betrayed . A dog can even help you stay in shape with long walks, and games of fetch and last but not least…..can even help you make new human friends.
I would not discourage anyone from watching the Academy Awards this year, especially since the film based on local author Matthew Quick’s book Silver Linings Playbook (2008), has been nominated in several categories. I’ll be watching the dog show instead, rooting for the schnauzers and terriers with my little loves ( a.k.a those two damn dogs!) by my side.

By Teresa Chagrin

It was 20 degrees outside. The tiny gray dog, tethered to a tree, had no shelter and no way to stay warm. Her hair was falling out in clumps because of a severe skin infection, leaving her shivering and on the brink of hypothermia. Thankfully, the little dog, now named Suzy, was rescued after a concerned passerby called PETA’s Emergency Response Team, which mobilized a compassionate local humane officer. Many other dogs who are forced to face the winter on a chain or in a backyard pen aren’t as lucky.

A sweet pit bull named Daisy, alone in an Arkansas backyard, froze to death one subzero January night because the chain that she was attached to prevented her from reaching shelter. In North Carolina, PETA fieldworkers found three chained pit bulls—Mylie, Buck and Roscoe—dead inside their bare doghouses. They were just skeletons covered with skin and had no body fat to insulate them from the winter cold. Every bone in their bodies was visible.

Dozens of other dogs across the country die similar cold, painful deaths every year because their guardians—if they can even be called that—are ignorant of or indifferent to their needs. Every dog longs and deserves to live indoors with a loving human “pack,” but dogs who are relegated to the backyard are often deprived of companionship, adequate shelter and other basic needs.

Overturned barrels or plywood lean-tos offer no protection from howling winds and freezing temperatures. Old rugs and blankets, which people sometimes toss to dogs for bedding, freeze after they get wet. A basic dry doghouse stuffed with straw and covered with a flap, while no substitute for a loving home, is a luxury compared to what most chained and penned dogs are given.

Dogs’ fur coats don’t provide adequate protection from the elements—especially when it comes to short-haired, small, young or elderly dogs. Frostbitten ears, toes and tails, hypothermia and death are daily threats to dogs who are left outdoors in the winter. Older dogs who have spent winter after bitter winter on the cold, hard ground endure the added misery of aching, arthritic joints. While their families stay cozy and warm inside heated homes, many dogs who are left outdoors shiver themselves to sleep every night—if they can sleep at all. Click to continue »

By Rosalie Tirella

Here we are, me and my little Husky mix, Jett, on the road. November 2012

This little guy, like lots of city dogs, could use a great dog park, a la Cambridge. Fenced in so greyhounds and Huskies won’t fly the coop (they love to run FREE), with benches so owners can chat with each other, with plastic poop bags and disposal cans so we can pick up after our pooches (least fun part of owning a dog in the city), some trees, maybe more … . Let’s talk with Cambridge and copy their plans. Let’s make this happen, Worcester! There are so many dog lovers in this city! There are so many rescued dogs (like Jett) who deserve this park!

That being the case, making your own homemade dog treats can be one of the best ways to not only be sure of what you are feeding your dog, but it can actually save you money too. Thousands of recipes can be found online.

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And for 2013 … try to eat way less meat … or go veggie! A song by one of our fave vegetarians (you thought we were gonna pick Paul McCartney, didn’t you?) Click on link below. – R. Tirella

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xL5spALs-eA

By Deb Young

Winter is here and while the weather outside is frightful, these winter pet tips can keep your precious pets snug, safe, and warm.

Keeping Your Pet Warm: Many people misunderstand an animal’s coat of fur. Although it may be plush and beautiful, it is not always the perfect insulator, and if your pet has short-hair or hairless, they are even more vulnerable to the cold. To help prepare your pet for warmth, start with a dry, draft-free shelter.

Just remember, if it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for your pet.

Pet Clothes: Good or Bad Idea: The real answer is: It depends. There is nothing wrong with dressing your dog for the season, as long as it does not inhibit breathing or movement. Cute clothes for cats are usually not a good idea. They are more stubborn than dogs and could actually do more harm than good. In cold weather, keep cats (even outdoor ones) inside with a warm blanket and they should be fine.

Keep the Outdoor Adventurers Inside: If you have a dog that spends most of its time romping in your backyard, or a kitty that spends the day in a sunny patch on the front porch, winter’s arrival may be a rude awakening. Pets are at risk of getting frostbite or hypothermia just like a human. If your pet has been playing in the snow, make sure to supervise and clean his/her paws, ears and coat when returning inside.

Pets need more calories, primarily from fat and protein in winter to keep they’re internal furnace stoked. Because they are burning up extra energy to generate body heat, increasing the daily calorie intake by switching to a high-protein, high-fat diet during cold weather ensures energy supply doesn’t dwindle.

Another frequently overlooked winter need is hydration. dogs and cats can dehydrate just as quickly in the winter as the summer. Check your outdoor water bowl often and break ice that may form on top. Although many pets eat snow, it is not an adequate substitute for fresh water. In fact, eating snow can be dangerous,especially if vehicles are nearby because they pose a possible antifreeze threat, which is my next point.

Tis the Season for Poisons: Coolant and/or Anti-freeze can spill in the parking lot, garage or driveway and are EXTREMELY poisonous to pets. Unfortunately, dogs and cats love the smell and taste. So, it is important to keep an eye on them when around these areas. Wipe paws, legs and stomach when returning from the rain, sleet, or ice.

Save a Cats Life this winter: Cats love to be warm and cozy, especially in the winter. Since they don’t know any better, what better place than an engine compartment? This unfortunate accident causes numerous cat deaths a year. Save a life this year by banging loudly on your hood. This will give any sleeping cats a chance to vacate before turning over the motor.

It doesn’t take much to keep our pets safe when things get frosty. Just like us, our feline and canine friends need shelter, warmth, food, and care. When winter’s chill sends you scurrying indoors, don’t forget your furry four-footed pals and their simple needs this season.

By Deb Young

Once upon a time, there were fewer cars and more open space. Nowadays, though, we have relatively few places where we can safely and legally walk our dogs off leash.
So its time to choose the best equipment for your dog, for safety and training.

For many dogs, a versatile harness is a great alternative to a collar as they can eliminate pressure from your dogs neck — preventing possible trachea and neck injury.
From a training perspective, dog harnesses are useful for teaching your pup not to pull as the pressure from a harness is more evenly distributed around your dog’s body.
Finally, some crafty dogs are occasionally able to slip their heads out of their collar, but since a harness fits around the whole body, pup is less likely to accidentally escape.
Even if you wind up using a harness or a halter for leash walks, your dog should still always wear a collar with her ID tags.

When choosing a collar for your dog, choose a fabric or leather collar, go for wide rather than narrow. Even a well-trained dog may hit the end of the leash hard when a squirrel leaps out in front of her, for instance. And many behavior problems involve lunging and barking.

The force of the lunge is more concentrated with a narrow collar, so it hurts more and even risks bruising your dog’s trachea.

Some people like special breakaway collars that open if you pull at them hard enough; the idea is that your dog can’t get hung up somehow. My perception of risk runs the other way–I worry more about my dog getting loose in a fire or accident and running panicked with no visible ID.

ID could be your pets ticket back home. Even animals living inside can on occasion escape into the wide world. Both dogs and cats need ID!!
Micro Chipping is good too, but an external tag is essential, it could mean the difference of your neighbor returning your pet to you or turning him into the animal shelter.

If you have a fenced in yard, it might not be enough to keep your dog completely safe during the day while you’re gone.

Even a fenced yard can’t stop a hawk or other bird of prey.

Please be aware that many dogs have been taken from backyards in the past few years. I still maintain that dogs should not be left completely unattended.

But, an outdoor dog kennel is your safest bet to let your dog play while you are out doing yard work or relaxing in yard.

The kennel is definitely an investment, because they can run anywhere from $150 to $300. But on a happier note, it’s portable so you can take it with you wherever you go, so the cost over the years doesn’t come out to much.

I don’t think shock collars or electric fences are good options either! Electronic containment systems aren’t guaranteed to work for your dog and of course is the power goes out, they won’t work at all!

And shock collars are just wrong! Have you ever seen an alpha dog poke a submissive dog with a cattle prod? Of course not, they use dog methods to correct, and that’s what dogs understand!

Be kind to your pet and show them with love… remember you are their world.
Owning a pet is a lifetime commitment. Commit to keeping them safe!

By Alka Chandna

As our nation grieves the massacre at Aurora, Colorado’s Century 16 multiplex, the recurring question in many of our minds is, “How?” How could anyone be so cruel, so violent, so numb to the suffering of others that he could blast away unsuspecting victims in cold blood and not display a hint of remorse?

There is no easy explanation for such senseless violence, and there is never an excuse or justification for it. But a look into alleged shooter James E. Holmes’ history reveals that he was immersed in a field of study—neuroscience—in which violence against helpless sentient beings is deeply ingrained. Click to continue »

By Lindsay Pollard-Post

It’s a nightmare come true: In a moment of distraction, a baby is left behind in a parked vehicle. The sun beats down, the car heats up and the child—unable to escape the sweltering vehicle—dies of heatstroke.

A Virginia father lived this horror on July 13. He reportedly forgot to drop off his 5-month-old son at daycare on his way to work, instead leaving the infant strapped into his car seat all day. The father realized his fatal error only after he went to pick up the boy after work and found him unresponsive in the backseat. By then, it was too late. At least three other babies have died in similar tragedies in the past few weeks. Nearly 40 children die every year after being left in hot cars.

Animals, too, suffer and die every summer after their guardians forget them—or intentionally leave them—in a hot vehicle. Two days before the Virginia boy’s death, Jeg, a drug-sniffing dog with the Arizona Department of Public Safety, had to be euthanized after his human partner reportedly left him in a hot patrol car for more than an hour. The officer was apparently switching vehicles when he left to respond to a crash and forgot that Jeg was still in the first car. Click to continue »

By Deb Young

For some of us, taking a vacation just wouldn’t be nearly as much fun if we couldn’t share it with our dogs. Camping and other outdoor adventures are natural vacation options with our four-legged friends, although dog-friendly vacations can be as plush as a four-star hotel stay!

While taking your dog on vacation can be great fun, it can also pose some challenges. Not every dog (or person, for that matter) will enjoy a visit to a crowded tourist destination. Not every relative will appreciate having us show up on their doorstep with our dog in tow. And some dogs just aren’t cut out for rugged camping adventures. Plus, some dogs become over-excited or anxious when traveling, which can lead to things like marking, barking, or destructive behavior. These won’t make for the most relaxing vacation experience!

Consider some of these dog-related questions when thinking about your vacation:

-Does your dog like adventure and excitement? Or would she be happier with a calm, quiet experience?

-Is your dog a seasoned traveler? Or will this experience be all new?

-Does your dog enjoy people? Other dogs?

-Does your dog have any special needs or physical limitations that might affect her enjoyment of a trip?

How will thinking about these questions help?

If your dog is a social butterfly, and you both love the bustle of people and activity, for example, you might choose a dog-friendly resort area or city.

Or, if your dog is shy of people or likes to run and swim, you might choose a quiet week in a lake-front cabin instead.

Keeping your dog’s personality and experience in mind will help you plan a fun vacation for you both.

The most important thing to consider about traveling with your dog is how accustomed he or she is to the type of travel you will be doing. Is your dog comfortable in the car or camper? Can you take steps ahead of time to help him become more comfortable?

If traveling by car or recreational vehicle, make sure your dog is relaxed on longer rides, doesn’t get car sick, and knows how to settle down. To make it even more pleasant for your dog, plan to make frequent stops to stretch, play, and potty.

Don’t leave your dog alone in the car while you play tourist. Some tourist destinations also have day kennels where you may be able to leave your dog while you visit the sights, but check out any kennel carefully to make sure it is a safe and appropriate place for your dog.

If your vacation involves walking, hiking, or backpacking, make sure your dog is in good enough shape to handle your walking expectations.

What if you can’t take your dog on vacation with you, what do you do?

Selecting the best possible care for your dog while you go on vacation can be a challenge so daunting as to make you seriously consider staying home. Making sure your dog will be safe and in good hands is vital both for her well-being and for the peace of mind you need in order to enjoy your vacation. Selection of the best care environment and the best person to entrust with your dog, you must take into account your dog’s specific needs and comfort level and the options available.

Here are a few helpful things you can do.

- Have someone already well-known and liked by your dog care for him while you are away. Many dog owners prefer this option, because they trust their friends and relatives.

- Hire a qualified in-home pet sitter. This is a good option if your dog will do best in the familiar surroundings of the home and you do not have a neighbor, friend or relative able.

- Board your dog in a traditional boarding kennel. This is a good option if your dog has anxiety or the tendency to be destructive when left alone. Choose a modern boarding facility to provide personalized care for your dog.

Today, many boarding facilities are more like dog resorts, and they are set up to allow friendly dogs to roam freely. Or they have individual rooms instead of kennel runs for their canine clients.

Leave your dog with the familiar items necessary to maintain her comfort level while you are away. Having a favorite food / treats will be comforting. Also having a favorite blanket or toy will be a comfort whether pet stays with a friend, a sitter or in a kennel.

Provide emergency contact information to your dog’s caretaker. It is important that the person or facility responsible for your dog’s care is able to reach you / veterinarian in case of an emergency. Put these important numbers in a location in your home that is easily accessible, or give them to the kennel staff when you drop your dog off to be boarded.

Having a safe and happy summer for you and your dog takes a little planning , but is very important.

Plan well in advance to allow time to research your options. We all want what is best for “Woman’s/Man’s Best Friend”