There are a lot of great “green” activities you can do with your dog. Hiking is one example, as long as you follow the tenets of “leave no trace”. In other words, don’t leave doggy-doo, litter, or trampled and broken plants.

Here are some other suggestions for keeping your dog green:

1. Research your dog’s leash options. Retractable leashes are great for travel since you can keep your dog close to you, or let them run. Further, some leash designers offer eco-friendly options such as recycled vintage leashes.
2. Wherever you go, bring something to collect doggy-doo. Bags that conveniently clip onto retractable leashes are one option. Further to that, there are now “compostable” bags that have much less environmental impact than regular plastic bags.
3. Investigate local guides that may reveal cool places to take your dog.

In an article from The Herald, a Scottish plan to crack down on irresponsible dog owners who let their pets run dangerously rampant has met with positive response. Alex Neil, an SNP backbencher received about 100 responses to his proposed Control of Dogs Bill, which calls for a new approach. Under the new proposal dog owners could be liable to pay up to £5,000 (about $9,723 US dollars) for injury or damage, with the most severe penalties for more serious cases being unlimited fines and up to two years in jail.

The proposed law is meant to operate as a preventive, enabling control orders to be issued to owners of dangerous animals. The orders could require muzzling, re-homing the dog, or owners being required to attend dog-training courses.

Mr. Neil’s approach is to shift focus from the dogs to the owners, as he feels the owners should be held responsible for their dogs. Current legislation focuses more on specific breeds and he said this has not made the public safer.

“There is a minority of dog owners out there who are simply not responsible with their dogs, and we need ways to act against them,” said Mr. Neil.

Canine fashion show promotes awareness of organizations

By Tara Bozick – Victoria Advocate

At the Just Dogs! fashion show at the Victoria Mall on Saturday, fifteen dogs modeled outfits to promote awareness for organizations that help dogs. Lexie and Koda, known as a teddy bear breed, showed off their bridesmaid and best man ensembles to the audience while children reached up to pet their heads.

Lexie and Koda’s owner Tina Montgomery brought four dogs to the fashion show, dressing them up as bride and groom, in swimsuits and as rockers.

Owner of Just Dogs!, Will Cleveland ordered wedding gowns and tuxedos for the second annual show. He hopes the hundreds who gathered to see the cute puppies noticed the organizations that encourage spaying and neutering.

“We’ve got too many dogs that don’t have a home now,” Cleveland said.

Carol Kopszywa, owner of Nikki, a four-month-old Siberian Husky is not going to let her pup be put to sleep or lose the chance for a full life with a truly caring owner. At about 9 weeks of age, Nikki was diagnosed with a congenital disorder that will require a $4,000 operation without which her life expectancy is only about 6 to 12 months.

Carol Kopszywa, a resident of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, wondered if people would care enough to help Nikki have a chance to live a full life. We are thrilled to report people do. The owners of Bayview Pet Medical Center held a dog-wash fundraiser for Nikki on Saturday and raised nearly $500.

Nikki’s condition causes her blood to bypass the liver where toxins are normally filtered out. The result is her blood fills with toxins that cause further liver damage and neurologic injury. She will be taken to the LSU School of Veterinarian Medicine in Baton Rouge for surgery.

Donations to help with Nikki’s medical costs can be sent to the Bayview Pet Medical and Dental Center at 1319 Bienville Blvd, Ocean Springs, MS 39564. Phone (228) 872-4424‎.