Canine Breast Cancer

As we end October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I thought this story from WEWS in Cleveland was appropriate.  (No, it doesn’t involve NFL players wearing pink shoes – have you ever seen anything more ridiculous?)

[Read more]

We Have a Winner!

I received an e-mail from the good people at Nasonex today.

“I wanted to let you know that the name chosen for Ronnie’s four-legged friend is now posted at “Don’t Blow It” (www.dontblowit.com). As a reminder, for every new person that plays the game, we’re planting a low-allergenic tree through American Forests.”

So, for those of you who were wondering, make sure to check it out!

Until next time,

Good day, and good dog!

Name Ronnie Nose’s Dog

This is short notice, as the end date of the contest is this Friday!  Nasonex (an allergy nasal spray) is running a contest to name the dog which appears in their online game, “Don’t Blow It”.  The star of the game is Ronnie Nose, a large nose which apparently uses Nasonex to avoid allergy symptoms.  Ronnie now has a dog who needs a name.

Contest Rules:

Name Ronnie Nose’s Dog Contest

• Contest runs from August 3 to September 11, 2009
• Enter by submitting a creative name at nameronniesdog.com
• One winner will receive a $500 gift certificate to FetchDog and have his/her name featured on the “Don’t Blow It” game
• Two runners-up will each receive a $250 gift certificate to FetchDog

Good luck!

Until next time,

Good day, and good dog!

Health Care Reform / A Bailout for Your Dog

USA Today is reporting that Representative Thaddeus McCotter, a Republican from Michigan, has proposed a bill which would allow people to deduct up to $3,500 per year on their taxes for expenses related to pet health care.  From reading the bill, it sounds as if you can deduct not only vet care, but also food, accessories, and supplies.

Known as The Happy (Humanity And Pets Partnered through the Years) Act, the bill is now being debated in the House Committee on Ways and Means.  The goal of the bill is to encourage responsible pet care and reduce the abandonment of pets which has skyrocketed during the current recession.

Citing research from the American Pet Products Association’s National Pet Owners Survey, the bill states that 63% of us have pets in the household.  The bill also makes note of the positive effects the human-animal bond has on our emotional and physical well being.

Support the bill by calling or writing your Congressman and asking him to vote for house bill HR3501.  You can find contact information for elected officials by entering your zip code here.

Until next time,

Good day, and good dog!

Dog-Firefighter Bond

CBS news reported yesterday on a unique bond between a certain Charlotte, NC firefighter and the dogs he finds at fire scenes. About 9 or 10 years ago, he rescued Cinnamon, a beautiful Dobie from a house fire, and the Charlotte Observer ran this picture which attracted worldwide attention.

Now, last week, Firefighter Jeff Clark is at it again. He and his crew arrived at a fire where a man stood outside with a mama dog. Inside, her nine puppies were in a box in the utility room. Clark and another firefighter were able to take a blanket and rescue all nine pups.

Thanks for doing such a great job Jeff!

Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!

Photo credit: AP/Patrick Schneider, Observer

Taco Bell dog dead at 15

Earlier this week, handlers of Gidget, the chihuahua made famous by starring in Taco Bell commercials, announced that the dog suffered a massive stroke and had to be euthanized at the age of 15.

Now some tasteless bloggers have noted that Taco Bell has a new chalupa filling, but this blog would never go there.

The idea for a talking Chihuahua was first pitched to Taco Bell by two men from Michigan, but the company turned it down, afraid of being nailed by activists who thought it was too stereotypical.  The company dismissed the two men’s idea, but then used it anyways, resulting in a $42 million payout after a later lawsuit.

Rest in peace, Gidget.  Vamos a extrañar.

Until next time,

Good day, and good dog!

Why do dogs eat grass?

For the most part, dogs are meat-loving carnivores.  In fact, their jaws aren’t even made to move any way other than up and down, making it impossible for them to grind up grains in their teeth.  So, why do they insist on eating grass?

[Read more]

Keep your dog safe on the holiday

As you celebrate America’s independence today, be sure to give some thought to the fact that your dog may not be up for the same sort of celebration as you are.

[Read more]

Angel Service Dogs

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!

Dog bites police officer, gets tasered and shot 3 times

OK, when you read the headline you’re thinking it’s a Rott, a Pit, or some other big strong dog, right?  Nope, it was a 5-pound Chihuahua mix! Here’s the story from WCPO, a local TV station in Cincinnati. [Read more]

Next Page »