Paw Print

I’ve always found it amusing that when one of my dogs yawn the other ones big yawn is not too far off, I assumed they were both lazy as I yawned along with them.  I was surprised to have recently read an article about a study published in the Biology Letters that found that human yawns are contagious to dogs, a sign that man’s best friend might be capable of empathy.  Apparently dogs lack a sense of self, a prerequisite for understanding the feelings of others - REALLY????  My dogs have always been empathetic and aware of my feelings, happy or sad.  According to the article unlike chimpanzees and possibly elephants and dolphins, dogs do not recognize themselves in the mirror, a classic test of self- awareness. Only humans and chimps are known to yawn contagiously.  The study consisted of 29 dogs; each dog watched a researcher yawn and then, in the control portion of the test the same researcher just opened his mouth.  21 of the 29 dogs yawned after the researcher yawned, no dogs yawned during the control test.
Could it actually be that one of the 29 dogs in the test just happened to yawn when the researcher yawned and the other 20 dogs yawned because of another dog and not the human at all? 

I’ve been noticing lately, as has my pooch Ryder, that the bazillions of squirrels sure have been busy the past couple of weeks storing up for winter.  Knocking acorns and those little (or not so little green balls when in the squirrels mouth) from the trees and running to hide and bury them in a safe place.  After seeing this video maybe I know where they’re getting their energy - think squirrels on Red Bull.

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"Chosen by a Horse” is a must-read memoir written by Susan Richards. This was truly one of the most touching books I have read in quite some time. “Chosen by a Horse” is an inspirational story of How a horse fixed a broken heart. I encourage all animal lovers and those that are dealing or have dealt with loss, be it family or pet, to read this book. “Chosen by a Horse” reinforces the human-animal bond as one between true kindred spirits.

Beautiful collection of zoo babies from around the world, I have a hard time selecting just one as my favorite, can you?
Send me your pick of the liter and I’ll let you know who gets the most votes.
http://www.pixcetera.com/pixcetera/zoo-babies/5776/?feeddeeplinkNum=0

Most dog owners know that “dog is man’s best friend” but this is just another example of how dogs can not only enhance out lives but save our lives.
There are many great reports on this but the one included from USA Today includes the actual 911 call made by Buddy, the German shepherd when his owner, Stalnaker, had a seizure.  Police are dispatched whenever 911 is called, but that Stalnaker’s address was flagged in Scottsdale’s system with the fact that an assistance dog dials 911 when the owner cannot. Buddy made two other 911 calls when Stalnaker was having seizures, the first last August.

Stalnaker’s seizures are the result of a head injury he sustained about 10 years ago during a training exercise in the U.S. military.

Stalnaker adopted Buddy when he was 8 weeks old and trained him to get the phone if he began to have seizure symptoms.
Buddy, now 18 months old, also is trained to press programmed buttons until a 911 operator is on the line.

Stalnaker got Buddy through Michigan-based Paws with a Cause, which trains assistance dogs nationwide for people with disabilities.
http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline/2008/09/bow-wow-wow-dog.html

I was on my way to visit my mother in the hospital earlier this week outside of Philadelphia on a very rainy morning with a little thunder mixed in.  Taking the back roads to avoid traffic lights on every block and not completely sure I knew where I was going, I emerged from under a dark overpass in teeming rain on a very busy two lane road and there were two sopping wet Golden Retrievers running between cars and in the middle traffic.  After I composed myself from my immediate panic attack I immediately put my flashers on and pulled to the side of the road to try and rescue these frightened wet dogs.  Fortunately they were as scared as I was and as soon as I clapped my hands and opened my car door they got in panting, dripping, shedding but I could have cared less.  I was so happy to have them safe in the car with me there was nothing else that mattered at that point. 
These two Goldens were so sweet and appreciative to be out of the rain and in human care, they were full of love and kisses - and wet.
They both desperately needed to be in the front seat with me so there the three of us sat for a few minutes while I tried to figure out the next step.  They both had their invisible fence collars on and vet tags so I figured I could at least get them there but I really wanted to make sure they were reunited with their owner.  They literally had me pinned in the drivers seat and to get them to settle just enough for me to see if there was another I.D. tag was our first wrestling match - but I won and did find a number to call.  Of course one of the beautiful 100 lb. beasts was sitting on my phone on my console so here we went again - round 2.  Once I had my phone I had to dial quickly before I forgot the number and had to wrestle her again for her tag, I will say most of the wrestling consisted of big sloppy kisses from them while I giggled and found the tag.  Got the number in the phone and was connected to the owners place of business, a very nice Irish man was pleased to hear I had captured his girls.  Thinking ahead after he gave me directions of how to get to his home and anticipating a challenge driving with these adorable love-bugs I asked their names so I could maybe give them a command with name and they would listen better - it was a good thought. He said “Daisy is the bigger one and Lucy is the puppy” - huh, there was no puppy in my car!  But here I was preparing to take them home in an area I was not familiar with but that was not my biggest challenge - wrestling match round 3 - I tried to get one in the back seat so the other could sit in the front passenger seat (this is how my two thirty lb. dogs travel anyway) but it became pretty clear early on that that was not going to happen so I did my best to gain control of the drivers seat and go.  It was certainly not the safest of driving conditions but we made it and when the owner came to get them out of my car with their leashes they were happy.  Once they were out of the car it took me a few minutes to gather myself and stop giggling - I was completely wet and my black shirt was covered with their hair and my car looked like a cyclone of wet red hair had hit it.  And to complicate things a touch remember I was on the way to the hospital to spend the day with my mother recovering from surgery, I stunk like a wet dog!
Fortunately I had expected to head back to Baltimore that evening so I had my bag in the trunk so I was able to change my wet hairy shirt but did have to sit for eight hours in wet jeans...but, I would do it again in a heartbeat! 
The couple of claps of thunder that morning sent Daisy and Lucy through their electric fence and into the traffic,
please mind your pets when thunder and lightening are in your area.
On the way home that night I had to giggle again when I saw the inside of my windshield covered in wet dog and hair smudge,
they were very big dogs and they completely consumed all of the front seat.

One of the greatest secrets of life is having patience & wisdom....

About 8 months ago my parents who have not owned a dog since for 41 years (last dog was Ajax, a dalmatian) dog-sat a friend of a friends dog for the weekend.
I need to tell you now, both parents became so quickly enamored with this dog they baby-sat I felt like my place as the baby in the family had been compromised.  My parents of course have been very fond of my dogs over the past 30 years but this newbie took on a whole new place in my parents heart and lap!
After several of these dog-sitting jobs I had to see for myself what all the hoopla was about which called for a trip to my parents on the Main Line of Phila....omg, this precious little white fluff ball named Zoe was only born to be adored and loved! 
She is so sweet and lovable, I was immediately betraying my dogs by being totally smitten.
Here’s what we know about Zoe from her current owners:  “Zoe was rescued by Last Chance Equine Rescue in Quakertown PA.  They are a rescue organization that cares for horses and small animals. They sent down a horse trailer to New Orleans to rescue the animals that were stranded and abandoned due to the hurricane. Zoe ended up at the Vet office where my Vet friend was working.  She was a foster dog to one of the technicians, my vet friend saw what a sweet animal Zoe seemed to be and brought her home for me to see.  Her foster mom could not keep her as she had two other dogs and wanted to adopt a baby.  The minute he walked through my kitchen door holding Zoe in his arms, l Iooked at her face and said “I will keep her."We adopted Zoe, signing the papers that Last Chance Ranch provided.  She legally became ours as no one claimed her by the date stated on the papers.
She was so traumatized that we had to hand feed her, and give her water on a spoon.  She did not want to leave our laundry room and interact with us. She continuously shook with fear.She was completely shaved as her fur was so matted when she was rescued there was no other choice.  She looked like she had been skinned.  When she arrived at the hospital, she had a seizure, was suffering from heart worm, fleas etc. to say nothing of the emotional trauma.  They cared for her with love and affection, and physically, she became stronger. Little by little, day by day. she started responding to us.  Her true personality was able to emerge set free by heaps of healing love.
Today, as you know, she is outgoing, loving, sweet, playful, and the dearest animal I have ever known.  She always makes me laugh and at the same time cry, when I think that this loving creature was abandoned due to the horrendous disaster that was Katrina.
I thank you so much for your piece on Zoe.  I love that you are taken with her.  I always think that everyone who comes in contact with her should love her as much as I do.”
Zoe was fortunate in many ways - she survived Hurricane Katrina, was brought back to good health by a caring veterinarian, was adopted by a loving couple and have a couple that dog-sit who are crazy about her!  Not to mention, I would adopt this sweet little dog in a heartbeat.
My mother kept saying “if she could only talk and tell us her story, her name, anything...” but some things are better left in the past.
As a new hurricane approaches the Gulf we can only hope and pray it does not do the damage to human life
and animals that Katrina did - ever again, anywhere. 

I’ve been infatuated with Samson since his mother Felix was on baby watch, I diligently followed the arrival and naming of Samson and took in every bit of information I could find.  Of course the highlight for me was visiting Samson when he was just three months old and speaking with the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore curator Mike McClure - I was undoubtedly more excited than any of the children visiting.  One of the challenges Mike McClure told us about on our visit was keeping Samson from eating sand (which he wanted to do to help grind in his gums due to teething), apparently that is still something to watch since he is still teething and x-rays showed some sand in his digestive track but not enough to worry about.  Other than a little sand in the belly, Samson is a curious calf that is learning to talk.  On July 30th, Samson “let out his first real elephant trumpet, “ when asked how it sounded Mike McClure said, “ridiculous...I’m used to the big ones.  To hear it from someone his size was just silly.  But I was very proud of the boy.” Aahhh!
Samson also communicates with his mother with infra-sound ( a vibration) heard only by elephants and a voice that is audible to humans -
a deep growl or rumble.  Samson is now five months old and weighing in at a slim 590 lbs., a long way to go to momma Felix’s weight of 7200 lbs.  However, Samson is gaining two lbs. a day from mother’s milk, and he won’t stop nursing for three to five years! 
As the zoo veterinarian and zoo curator continue to monitor Samson’s progress it great to hear “he has been a very healthy calf.”
And, oh so cute!  If you have not visited the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore to see Samson and the other great animals please do,
you’ll be glad you did!  http://www.marylandzoo.org/blogs/index.aspx?BlogID=3

How many of us are guilty of over-feeding our pets, after reading this I know I am!  I’ve had Ryder my 10 year old puppy on the new canine diet medicine Slentrol for several months to get a few extra pounds off of him and it works.

Maryland-bound Pet Obesity Awareness Tour Aims to Turn Fat Pets Fit

Think slipping your beagle a 1-oz. cube of cheese is no big deal? Think again.
That seemingly benign treat is the equivalent of 2 ½ hamburgers to humans!

From August 28-September 1, Baltimore-area pet owners can learn more about pet obesity through the PetFit Tour, a mobile resource visiting the Maryland State Fair and Baltimore-area animal hospitals to raise awareness of the health risks associated with pet obesity, the importance of veterinary visits, feeding the right nutrition, and encouraging pet owners to increase playtime with their pets.

Located at the Maryland State Fair, PetFit tour volunteers will be on hand to lead interactive exhibits such as the “Treat Translator,” which gives pet owners a better sense of the health and nutritional consequences of common snacks given to our dogs and cats. Weighted vests that simulate just how much those extra few pounds on your dog would feel on you are also part of the experience.

Small animal veterinarian Dr. Heidi Hulon and her canine companion will be in town on Wednesday, August 28, and available for interview about the PetFit tour and pet obesity. Dr. Hulon will be able to demonstrate some of the interactive features that the public can later experience at the Maryland State Fair.

The PetFit Tour is part of the Alliance for Healthier Pets: Obesity Awareness Program, developed by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and Hill’s Pet Nutrition Inc.

“The purpose of this Alliance is to provide veterinary health care team members with creative tools that will assist them in educating their clients,” said Gregory S. Hammer, DVM, president of the AVMA. “Through the adoption of proper nutrition, increased physical activity and regular veterinary visits, owners can help their best friends live longer and healthier lives.”

The emphasis will be directed at promoting positive weight management behaviors by combining veterinary health care team communication and pet owner compliance, proper nutrition, daily fitness and regular weight examinations.

“Pet obesity continues to be a condition more veterinary health care teams find during pet examinations, and there is a need to help owners understand the ramifications,” said Christine Jenkins, DVM, DACVIM, director of Academic Affairs at Hill’s. “We are excited to team up with the AVMA to help impact the lives of pets in need of a weight lifestyle change.”

The Oversized Truth
A weight management study concluded that compared with cats of optimal weight, obese cats are more than twice as likely to develop skin conditions, four times as likely to develop diabetes mellitus and five times as likely to develop lameness requiring veterinary treatment.3 Likewise, another study showed that dogs fed to maintain an ideal weight can live longer, healthier lives.

“If we are to truly help the pets we love who suffer from obesity, the time is now,” said Janet Donlin, DVM, chief of Veterinary Business Channel at Hill’s. “As veterinary professionals, we have an obligation to do our part to help pet owners take steps toward forging a healthier tomorrow for their dogs and cats.”

How Fit is Your Pet?
The 2008 Obesity Awareness and Prevention Kit is now available for veterinary health care teams to utilize for their weight management efforts. The kit contains materials which can be used to help initiate dialog with pet owners regarding pet obesity and how to help pets lose weight.

Veterinary health care teams can request their Obesity Awareness and Prevention Kit and learn more about the PetFit Challenge and PetFit Tour by calling 1-888-7-PETFIT or by visiting http://www.PetFit.com . PetFit.com also contains celebrity trainer Gunnar Peterson’s fitness tips, information on the PetFit Tour’s full schedule, locations and times, success stories from past PetFit Challenge winners Milo and Pumpkin and will soon feature multimedia highlights of tour events as they become available.