Vick's Dogs cover Sports Illustrated year-end issue!

Good News for the Bad Newz dogs! Check out this article from Sports Illustrated on the comeback stories of some of Michael Vick's Pits.

On the cover is Jasmine - one of the dogs both HSUS and PETA wanted to be put down for being "past rehabilitation"! Glad she was given a second chance!

To support animal-care groups that helped with the rescue and rehabilitation of the Vick dogs cited in the article, go to their respective Web sites: www.aspca.org, www.badrap.org, www.bestfriends.org, www.recycledlove.org and www.ourpack.org/.

Never Forget

A canine officer and his dog take a much needed rest September 18, 2001 after search duty at the World Trade Center site, one week after the attacks on New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C.

For more pics of the dogs that helped in the efforts of search and rescue click HERE.

For more information on Search and Rescue (SAR), check out sardog.org.


[photo credit]

Doggie Doctor's Diagnos Owner's Ills....

Check out this cool story from MSNBC!

Message from Dr. Greco, DVM...regarding Chai and the Pimple Ball

Just wanted to post this comment for all to see. From veterinarian Dr. Charles Greco, regarding Chai's story.
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My name is Dr. Charles Greco. I’m a veterinarian in New York.

I came across your blog about your dog Chai. I wanted to extend my well wishes for a speedy recovery. I own 6 dogs, 2 cats, 4 birds and 3 tortoises, so I know how much a pet can become a part of the family. I was shocked to learn that the toy that hurt poor Chai came from Four Paws Pet Products. I have used many products from Four Paws from Wee Wee Pads to toys and dental products and I have always found them to be of the highest quality.

I personally contacted Four Paws today and talked to some lady in the customer service department that told me that the toy that hurt Chai was the result of a manufacturing defect in one shipment of the pimple ball with bell toy. She explained that the defect, which is very difficult to see with the naked eye, is caused by a blockage in a small hole in the ball that is critical to regulating the suction inside the toy. She also told me that when Four Paws learned of the injury to Chai they immediately stopped shipping the product to distributors and retailers. She also said that Four Paws asked any retailers that had this toy in their possession to remove the toy and send them back to Four Paws.

She told me that Four Paws is individually inspecting everyone of the pimple balls in its inventory in order to identify and discard any that are defective. She also said that Four Paws will also be changing the packaging of its pimple balls to make it easier to inspect them for potential defects. I was surprised when she told me that the Executive V.P., Barry Askin, was so deeply moved by the injury to Chai that he is personally visiting the manufacturer next month to inspect the manufacturer’s operation and to make sure the defect has been corrected and that procedures are in place to make sure the defect has been corrected and that procedures are in place to make sure it will not happen again.

It was reassuring that this company is not sitting by idly but is taking an active role in making sure this terrible accident never happens again. I would just urge any pet owner who may already own one of these toys to check carefully to see if the second small hole in the ball is blocked. If they have any doubt whether the hole is open they should not let their pet play with the ball.

I also went on Four Paws’ webpage, www.fourpaws.com. On the webpage they state that they will replace any defective toy. Again, all the best to you and Chai. I hope the two of you can share many years of happiness ahead.

BBC: Pedigree Dogs Exposed

Very interesting show from the BBC on Pedigree dogs and the many health problems that are not often heard or talked about. You can see the whole series on YouTube here.

The Chai Story

Please visit Chai's blog and do what you can to support his cause!!!

Donations, Fosters, Help Needed for the Seized Ohio dogs!

Message from the AMTC Rescue Chairperson:

I have been in contact with the Columbiana County Humane Society in Ohio. They have asked us to provide any assistance that we can, including taking as many Manchesters into AMTC Rescue foster homes as possible. The shelter told me that the seized dogs are purebred rat terriers, purebred Manchesters and Rat Terrier/Manchester mixes. The dogs range in age from 8 months to 8 years old. There was a litter of 4 week old puppies taken into the care of the vet who assisted in the seizure because they were not doing well. So far, about 120 dogs have been seized. They do not have an exact count because they are still trying to catch them. Some were living in the house, some were living in a kennel and some were living loose on the property. The loose ones are the most feral and difficult to capture.

I am writing to you to ask for donations to the AMTC Rescue fund and just as important, I need volunteers to foster as many dogs as possible. We can only take in as many dogs as we can house, so please contact me asap if you can help with fostering. Before we can take in any dogs, we need an experienced Manchester owner in Ohio to volunteer to go to the shelter and help them sort out the dogs by breed. We need to know how many purebred Manchesters are there and their sex and age. If you can assist the animal shelter and AMTC Rescue in this way, please email or call me immediately at amtcrescue@bleusprings.net or 585-335-8401.

Thank you,

Kristina Barlak
AMTC Rescue Chair

American Manchester Terrier Club
http://clubs.akc.org/mtca/rescue/
amtcrescue@bleusprings.net

140 Dogs (Mostly Manchester's) Seized from Ohio Dog Hoarder!

Story from 33 WYTV News:

More than one hundred and twenty Manchester Terriers and mixes are being housed at an undisclosed location, after being rescued from a home on Freemen Road near Lisbon Wednesday.

"There were quite a number in the home, and the remainder were in outdoor kennels.", says Brenda Austin, from the Humane Society of Columbiana County.

Humane agents and volunteers are busy feeding and caring for the animals, in hopes most of them can find loving homes and owners. Some of the dogs, especially the young puppies are ready to be adopted right away. Austin says the rest of the animals will be sent to various rescue shelters throughout the area.

"People would have to understand that any of the adult dogs really need a lot of work, they're not used to people.", says Austin.

Unfortunately some of the dogs were so wild, they had to be put down.

"Some of our volunteers did get bit, so we put some down because of that, some medical, there were a couple in pretty bad shape out in the field, so they were euthanized by the veterinarian.", says Dean Vickers, Ohio Director for the Humane Society of the United States.

Vickers says the owner willingly relinquished the dogs. No charges have been filed but they could be coming. For now, agents can only guess why one home would hoard more than one hundred hounds.

"People just have a lot of animals sometimes that they think that they love, or they feel that they love, but unfortunately the standards of care become substandard at some point when they get overwhelmed.", says Austin.

It's unclear if the original owner will get any of the animals back. That's a decision that will likely be made by a judge in a court of law. If you're interested in adopting one of the dogs or just to donate supplies, you can call the Humane Society of Columbiana County at 330-332-2600. Humane Society of Columbiana County has also set up a temporary office in Salem to collect supplies, food, donations. Agents say this is their largest single rescue ever, and the most expensive as well.

FOUND!! 3 of the Szulik Toy Manchester Terriers are HOME!

PLEASE CROSS POST!!!!!

Last night one of Therese's friends received a phone call from someone that found a cage with 3 ''min pins'' on the side of the road in Sorel, Quebec (just south west of where they were taken!!). After confirmation, they are 3 of the missing TMTs! 2 older males and 1 older female.

This was an email confirmation from Therese:

I am home now at 9:50pm with my three stolen dogs. The Toy Manchester's were my old Man Goofy (10 1/2), Munster (7 1/2) and Female Trouble (5). They are happy to see me and kiss me.

Now they are with me and Munster back on his chair and Goofy asleep with Trouble, they look calm but so nervous from what's happened to them.

I will pray to get back my missing dogs: Lucas, Scarlett and the young Star. I will pray to see them too.

THANKS ALL OF YOU AND ALL THE PEOPLE TO HELP ME
THANKS LINDA RICHARD

Thérèse

RIP Ben & Jerry....

Please take some time to visit Spencer's blog today and say a prayer for these two little pups.

UPDATE: on Stolen Toy Manchester Terriers

Hey every pup. Just received an update from Therese's friend:

The police think that the burglary was a cover and that the dogs were the target. A neighbor of Therese saw, the day of the break in, a white truck and a red car in her drive way. Therese found the instrument that was used to break into her home. It was in a garbage bag behind her shed.

As she is desperate to find her dogs, she even called a ''sight seer'' to know where she dogs are!

Let keep our eyes open!

She told me to tell you all a BIG thank you for all your help, that she don't know what see would had done without all your help!!
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Reward offered for information leading to the safe return of these dogs
If you have ANY info, PLEASE contact:
Thérèse Szulik - St-Damien, Québec Canada
Tel: (450) 835-4699 Email: therlik@hotmail.com

Toy Manchesters Terriers STOLEN in Quebec!!! PLEASE CROSS-POST!!!

Therese Szulik had her home broken into and her 6 dogs STOLEN!! She lives in St.Damien, Quebec, Canada. PLEASE CROSS-POST!!!

Here are the dogs identifications:

GOOFY (TATTOO BCL3G FD)
LUCAS (TATTOO BCL2K FD)
MUNSTER (TATTOO BCL16K FD)
SCARLET (TATTOO RZC4L LF)
TROUBLE (TATTOO BCL23N FD)
STAR (MICROCHIP 95600000109561)

They are tattooed on their inner right thigh, and registered with the Canadian Kennel Club.

Reward offered for information leading to the safe return of these dogs
If you have ANY info, PLEASE contact:
Thérèse Szulik - St-Damien, Québec Canada
Tel: (450) 835-4699 Email: therlik@hotmail.com or szulik@sympatico.ca

Milk-Bone Celebrates 100th Birthday!!

Milk-Bone celebrated its 100th Anniversary in Times Square yesterday. Ivanka Trump and Cristian de la Fuente of Dancing With The Stars were on hand to help celebrate with their loveable pooches.

Happy Birthday Milk-Bone!! I'll be sure to savor my cookies a bit more tonight!

Actor Cristian de la Fuente, left, of TV's "Dancing with the Stars," Ivanka Trump, right, with her dog Tiger, helped celebrate Milk-Bone's 100th Anniversary, Wednesday, May 21, 2008.

Milk-Bone celebrates its100th Anniversary by unveiling a 480 square foot dog house constructed with over 100,000 Milk-Bone dog biscuits, Wednesday, May 21, 2008, in New York’s Times Square.

UPDATE: Wire Fox Terrier abuser sentanced!

You remember when I posted about the WFT "breeder" from Quebec who was found to have severely abused and neglected dogs on his property. Here is the latest news sent from the petitioner, Daniela Slon:
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Thank you so much for signing the petition "No Dogs for LaPorte! Sauvons Les Petits!"
Good news! Today, May 6, 2008 - final judgement was given at the courthouse in St. Jerome.

Laporte got $1,000 for each count & 200 hours community service. Plus, three years probation during which he is not allowed to own a dog. After that, he will be monitored so that he will not start breeding again.

Best of All! The red collar dogs are safe. He will not get the dogs back & if he even tries to contact the foster families, he will be arrested.

ALL the media were there. Keep checking Canadian press for updates.

Thank you for your support - Merci Beaucoup! The petition really made a difference. Hopefully it will impact Canadian Law so that we see an end to cruelty and puppy mills.

Best,
Daniella Slon and Axel Wire Fox Terrier

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Canoe.ca reports:

Judge Jean Sirois rendered one of the stiffest sentences possible under current laws Tuesday to Marc-Andre Lapointe who owned a puppy mill in St-Jerome, north of Montreal.

The judge said the attitude of the kennel owner, who wanted the return of his best-producing dogs, played a part in the harsh sentence.

Sirois says Lapointe showed no remorse about his mistreatment of the 97 filthy dogs, mostly fox terriers, that were seized from his bungalow in 2005. Twenty dogs were immediately euthanized.

Check out this link for the rest of the article.

[photo credit]

Artist not so cruel?

So I got sent an email with a link to another blog about the story I posted last fall about the artist who used a starving street dog in an installation.

This blogger dug a little deeper and found out that perhaps we all jumped the gun on our emotions and didn't look into the real story behind the exhibit.

If it's true, I never mean to use this blog to "slander" anyone, as I've been accused. This is a personal blog mostly to be fun and amusing...with tidbits of dog news that I think might be interesting.

Anyway, check out this site for more info..hopefully it's true, and the dog was indeed fed and not mistreated and escaped in the end.

I think in the artist should have provided that kind of information (about how the dog would be treated when not on display), realizing the dog-loving public would jump all over it..which in the end gave him crazy publicity, which is what most artists want anyway.

http://internetservices.readingeagle.com/blog/paws/archives/2007/11/post_4.html

Here is a post from a Facebook group that was also petitioning to stop the exhibit. I think what the creator of the group wrote sums up what we all feel:

"I truly hope that the dog did not die in the name of art or whatever cause. However I would also like to thank all the group members who signed the petition and forwarded this group to bring awareness to this issue.

I would like to remind all, that we did not petition for nothing. Stunt or not, we have served the objective of this group: prevent animal cruelty through spreading awareness and protest.

The bottom line for myself is, exploiting an animal who is already sick and weak is still wrongful. Through this petitioning process, not only did we put pressure on govts, groups and media to investigate the issue, but we also erected a strong warning against any future acts of animal cruelty. I urge everyone to keep that spirit! Animals, as a vulnerable group will always face the risk of being exploited. We have the ability to prevent, preempt and stop future sufferings and therefore, we must continue this fight."

Buckle Up for Safety!!

A new campaign is hitting the streets, and has car companies like Volvo going to the dogs!

BarkBuckleUP campaign educates pet parents on how to put on and take off safety pet belts and the importance of securing their pet safely for travel.

BarkBuckleUP will educate nationally (in the US), for people to USE a pet safety belt every time, day & night, 24/7, coast to coast, Safety Belts Save Lives and Money.

Volvo, the car brand best known for safety has teamed up with BarkBuckleUp to promote the safe transportation of pets in vehicles. At the Chicago Auto Show, the partnership was promoted with, of course, canine companions.

There are a number of ways to secure your pet in the car, including harnesses that can attach to the seatbelt or integrated cages available on some vehicles.

So buckle up pups!!

[source]

Dog Tracks Soldier 70 miles in Iraqi Desert

Check out this heart warming story about a dog, beaten and abused in Iraq, who tracked the soldier who had befriended him 70 miles across the Iraqi desert.

MORE Pet Food Recalls!!

YIKES! Please check out the list from the FDA. Be safe pups!!

Valentine Chihuahua - Born with Heart-shaped Pattern

A puppy has been born in Japan with a large, clear, love-heart-shaped pattern in his coat. The chihuahua was born in May as one of a litter to a breeder.

Owner Emiko Sakurada said it was the first time a puppy with the marks had been born out of those she had bred.

She had no plans to sell the puppy, which has been named "Heart-kun".

[source]

February is National Canine Weight Check Month!

Overweight dogs can face serious medical problems, including heart disease, arthritis, skin conditions and breathing issues , and the National Canine Weight Check is trying to prevent that.

The National Canine Weight Check is an effort to raise awareness about the health complications that may be faced by overweight dogs and help owners determine if their dogs are at risk.

Throughout the month of February, the NCWC is encouraging owners to get a free weight check for their dogs at a participating vet’s office. The event is supported by the American Kennel Club Humane Fund and by thousands of veterinarians across the country, through a sponsorship by Pfizer Animal Health.

You can find out more information about the program, including a list of participating vets across America, at stopcanineobesity.com/ncwc.

You can also take the BARC (Body Assesment Rating for Canines) quiz, an easy tool to help identify if you are a prime candidate for a weight check.
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I took the quiz, and got this response: There is a low risk that your dog is overweight or obese. You may want to take this survey every few months, especially if you see changes in your dogs weight.
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So lets get healthy pups!