Dog

Categories Dog

War Dogs, a retirement plan

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Did you know that up until 12 years ago, when a military dog reached the end of its usefulness it was killed?

In 2000 a law was passed to allow handlers, and the general public, to adopt these dogs and give them a home.

But it left out some important pieces.  The dogs are still considered equipment, and when equipment has reached the end of its usefulness the military won’t transport it unless transport is required for its destruction.  That means that if a military dog is “retired” while overseas the cost of returning that dog to US soil falls on the handlers and volunteer groups.

Now HR4103/S2134 introduced to the US House by Republican Walter Jones (NC) and to the Senate by Democrat Richard Blumenthal (CT) that would provide for the transport of military dogs so that they can be returned to the US for adoption.  And perhaps most importantly it would require the recognition that these dogs are not equipment, they are infact canine members of the military, and not “its”.

 

For a better write up and more information see Raised by Wolves.

Categories Apollo, Artemis, Dog, Nothing Much

New dog tags

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For the puppies, not me.

 

For Apollo:

 

and for Arty:

 

Tags from Fetching Tags (these are the “Super” style which allows you to pick your own phrase).  They filled the order nice and quick, and I really like the look.  They had to go an extra step for Apollo’s, technically his phrase is one letter to many, but they made it fit for me.   The other side has their name and my phone number so its an actual tag and not just a phrase too.

 

And yes I paid for them, and was not asked to review them, and am not receiving anything for reviewing them.

Categories Dog

Proposed Tibetan Mastiff Breed Standard Changes UPDATE 2

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Proposed changes here.

The AKC Board meeting minutes for the February 10th meeting have been posted on their website here.  Scroll to the bottom of page 3 for the relevant information.

The changes were indeed passed.  They go into effect February 29th 2012.

Excuse me while I go swear at something.

Edited: I don’t know whether to laugh or cry at this line:

There was a motion made by Mr. Gladstone to direct the President to investigate the Tibetan Mastiff Club of America, or any other Parent Club, where there might be restrictive membership policies. There was no second to the motion.

Edited again: effective immediately they’re changing the process for changing a breed standard.  Me thinks they were caught a little off guard by the uproar these changes caused. 

Categories Apollo, Dog

Its official: Winter’s over

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Apollo’s shedding his winter coat.  He started growing it in back in August (I freaked, can you say sign of a bad winter coming???), but since December has been slowly shedding.  Now however its truly loose, running my hand down his shoulder nets me a handfull of gold fluff.  Guess the birds looking for nest lining better get their acts in gear….

Categories Apollo, Dog

Poor Apollo

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First something walks through his yard earlier this week sending him into protection overdrive.  He’s STILL carefully sniffing over, and then peeing on, the original scent mark in the front yard.

Then this morning two different sets of kids knock on the door selling stuff for school. He totally went nuts “somebodies at the DOOR and I didn’t hear them drive IN!!”. The second time worse than the first, the poor girl at the door about fainted when the giant barking head abruptly appeared at higher than her eye level at the door. Not sure she believed me when I said he’s friendly….

Now the poor giant puppy is flinching at every sound, jerking out of his nap to half bark, before realizing that its ok and going back to sleep……

Edited: I’m thinking we’re going to have to do some desensitizing to people “appearing” at the front door if he’s going to be this twitchy afterwards.  He’s ok if he gets the “warning” of hearing a vehicle in the drive, but when they walk up the first warning is the knock on the door….

Categories Apollo, Dog

Apollo is seriously upset about something

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I have no idea what either.

Took him out to go pee, and he started sniffing something on the ground, scent trail of some kind (not unusual, between neighbor dogs, coyotes and possibly foxes, not to mention other wildlife this is pretty normal).  He peed on it a couple times, but kept getting more and more agitated, till he finally dragged me back to the house, in the door, and proceeded to check every window and door he has access too.  He’s now switching back and forth between front and back windows searching for whatever it is….

Categories Cats, Dog

Hospets

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Not to horribly long ago I was browsing the GunBlogBlackList and ran across a post by someone (of course I don’t even remember which blog at this point, sorry), who’s a nurse (I think?) and had a patient come in for an extended hospital stay on short notice.  The patient was extremly worried about her dogs, having no family nearby to care for them.  The nurse took the dogs herself until such time as other arrangements could be made, but was curious if anyone was aware of a service for people in situations like this.  I think I was the only one who responded, but even my response was “no.”

That answer has now changed.  A lady in OH, inspired by watching her father go through the same process, has created a service called Hospets.  How it works:

Basically the way it works: Hospice or Senior Services will discuss our program with their pet owning patients. If the patient seems interested they are referred to us. At that point, we go to the patient’s home and meet with them, their family and their pets to determine what their needs will be. Do they need helping getting pet food? Does their pet need to be taken to a vet or to a groomer? Do they need helping with basics (walking a dog, cleaning a litterbox etc) During this meeting we will also determine if they have a plan for the care of their pet in the case of an emergency hospitalization, and what is the plan for the pet when the patient is no longer with us. We will get photos, a full bio on the pet, medical and vet info and emergency contact information.

If the patient opts to use us for emergency care or for placement services, they will sign releases allowing us to get vet records and also to allow us to take possession of the pet when needed. We are on call 24/7 and can come pick up a pet as soon as we are notified by Hospice. This will keep the pet from having to enter the shelter system. Usually when an elderly person is rushed to the hospital and there is no one left in the home to care for pets, animal control is called and the pets are seized. Because of the situation, pets don’t even have to be held for the stray time! While the patient is hospitalized, Hospet foster homes will provide respite care for the pet. If the pet owner is requesting that we place the pet in a new home, we will screen potential adopters while the pet remains with the patient. The goal is to keep the patient and their pet together as long as possible.

 Very cool, and totally awesome!

H/T to YesBiscuit!

Edited: Thanks to KurtP I now know the blog was Low Dog on the Totem Pole (aka: Tinkerbell and Spike).  I left a comment there again.