New Government Program Pairs Assistance Dogs with Injured Soldiers
June 29, 2009
The Associated Press reports today that a new program from the Veterans Administration takes dogs from animal shelters, trains them, and sends them home with soldiers wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan to help them in their recovery.
Sunday Survey: What to do with unwanted puppies?
June 28, 2009
We’re shaking up your weekend a bit here because Saturday was just a crazy day for me, but here is your survey for this week.
Let’s say your dog unexpectedly turned up pregnant. After you got over that sick feeling in the pit of your belly, what would you do with the puppies? I’m assuming here that it is beyond your means or desire to keep all of them, and that if you are reading this blog you have too much respect for canines to drown them in a burlap sack.
Friday Funny: Mass for a dog
June 26, 2009
Muldoon lived alone in the Irish countryside with only a pet dog for company. One day, the dog died, and Muldoon went to the parish priest and said, “Father, my dog is dead. Could ya’ be sayin’ a mass for the poor creature?”
Father Patrick replied, “I’m afraid not. We cannot have services for an animal in the church. But there is a new denomination down the lane, and there’s no tellin’ what they believe. Maybe they’ll do something for the creature.”Muldoon said, “I’ll go right away Father. Do ya’ think $5,000 is enough to donate for the service?”
Father Patrick exclaimed, “Sweet Mary, Mother of Jesus! Why didn’t ya’ tell me the dog was Catholic?”
Angel Service Dogs
June 25, 2009
Have you heard about Angel Service Dogs? There was an article in People Magazine about the founders, Brett & Sherry Mers of Monument, CO.
Their daughter, Riley, is terribly allergic to peanuts, to the point where she cannot enter a room where there is any possible source of contact with a peanut product. Her mom saw a TV show about how dogs are used in airports to detect illegal foods being brought into the country. She wondered if dogs could be trained to detect allergans, and thus a non-profit organization was born.
The first breed they have chosen for training is the Porti -how Presidential!
They now run a foundation dedicated to training service dogs for allergic people and matching these people to a dog who meets their specific needs. The dogs not only know how to use their noses, they also are trained to get help and can even push a pre-programmed phone button to call 911 for help.
What a great idea!
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!
Just A Dog
June 24, 2009
Not sure where this came from, so if you can identify the author, please let me know. Thanks to friend-of-the-blogger, Wendy, for sending this to me.
From time to time, people tell me “Lighten up, it’s just a dog,” or “That’s a lot o money for just a dog.” They don’t understand the distance traveled, time spent, or costs involved for “Just a dog.”
Some of my proudest moments have come about with “Just a dog.” Many hours have passed with my only company being “Just a dog,” and not once have I felt slighted. Some of my saddest moments were brought about by “Just a dog.” In those days of darkness, the gentle touch of “Just a dog” provided comfort and purpose to overcome the day.
If you, too, think it’s “Just a dog,” you will probably understand phrases like “Just a friend,” “Just a sunrise,” or “Just a promise.” “Just a dog” brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. “Just a dog” brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person. Because of “Just a dog” I will rise early, take long walks, and look longingly to the future.
For me and folks like me, it’s not “Just a dog.” It’s an embodiment of all the hopes an dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment. “Just a dog” brings out what’s good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.
I hope that someday people can understand it’s not “Just a dog.” It’s the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being “Just a woman.”
OK, now be honest – how many of you have a tear in your eyes after reading this?
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!
Only one dog for the Chinese
June 22, 2009
The city of Guangzhou, China (formerly known as Canton) has a new regulation set to take effect on July 1st. This law will allow each family to have only one dog, regardless of how many they now have.
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Saturday Survey: Reporting Dog Abuse
June 20, 2009
Don’t you hate it when you drive around your town and see a dog tied to a doghouse in all sorts of weather? Or a dog that looks like he has never been played with in his life? Got me thinking about how hard it is for most of us to get involved, to stand up for what’s right. So, that’s the topic this week: Would you report a neighbor who wasn’t treating his dog right?
So, is it ok to clone a dog as long as he is a hero?
June 18, 2009
What do you think, readers? I know many people are vehemently opposed to cloning, but I wonder if it’s situational or absolute. What if the clonee is a hero? Here’s the scoop, according to the NY Daily News.
Age is no barrier for this police K-9
June 17, 2009
From today’s Canton Repository (my local newspaper): Stark County is hosting the annual Police & Firefighters’ Games. While most of the events center on the officers themselves, such as track & field, tennis, and other athletic pursuits, there is a K-9 event for officers and their 4-legged partners.
Tuesday Top Ten: Dog Toys
June 16, 2009
Does your dog have a favorite toy? Based on my experience with my own dogs, here are my picks for the top 10 toys ever.
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