Many people get very upset when people start talking about banning specific breeds such as the pit bull. Have you taken the time to learn about what laws are being considered in your state?
Category Archives: Dog News
Dog Overboard!
Remember the Tom Hanks movie where he survived a plane crash, only to be stranded on a deserted island? How about Gilligan and his friends, stuck perpetually on an uncharted desert isle after what was supposed to only be a three-hour tour (a three-hour tour). How many of you have wished to spend some time on a deserted island when life gets to be too much? Keep reading for a story about Sophie Tucker, an Australian Cattle Dog who fell overboard from her family’s boat and swam over five miles to an island. Continue reading Dog Overboard!
Washington State Puppy Mill Legislation
We had a comment on the blog last week about State Senate bill 5661 in Washington. The commenter, Dave, was against the bill because of the cost it would impose on breeders who own more than 10 adult dogs. Dave also states that “they” are trying to make it federal law, so it could potentially affect breeders everywhere in the States. Whether or not that last part is true, it is an interesting topic for debate.
Obamas’ Dog on Deck?
If you follow politics at all, you know that President Obama is heading overseas this week for a NATO summit. Why am I posting the President’s travel plans on a blog dedicated to all things dog? Well, on his recent appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Obama said his girls’ new puppy would be in place when he returned from the summit. Could it be that the much awaited puppy has recently been born & is about ready to be weaned and sent to his new home? Inquiring minds want to know!!!
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!
Congratulations to the Dog Whisperer
MONTEBELLO, CA – MARCH 2009: Cesar Millan — star of the Emmy-nominated National Geographic Channel hit series Dog Whisperer and best-selling author — took the oath today to officially become a U.S. citizen. Cesar, who passed his citizenship test earlier this year, attended the swearing inceremony this morning with dozens of others in Montebello, Calif., just north of Los Angeles. Cesar was joined by his wife Ilusion and two sons, Andre and Calvin, who attended to cheer him on (they are already U.S. citizens).
Mr. Millan is a native of Mexico, and is becoming a citizen at the age of 40, after entering the United States illegally nearly 20 years ago. He became a legal resident in 2000, and now has earned his citizenship.
A wag of the doggies tail to him on his accomplishment!
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!
Lance Mackey Three-Peats at Iditarod
After battling winds so strong yesterday that some of the dogs actually sat down and refused to run, Lance Mackey has won the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race for the 3rd consecutive time. Mackey, wearing bib #47, arrived in Nome today at 11:38 am with 15 happy, healthy dogs. Only two previous mushers have accomplished three consecutive wins: Susan Butcher and Doug Swingley.
For his efforts, Mackey will receive a Dodge Ram Quad Cab Pick-up truck from Anchorage Chrysler Dodge and a check for $69,000 from Wells Fargo, in addition to a congratulatory call from everyone’s favorite governor, Sarah Palin. The dogs? They get another bucket of sludge and the two lead dogs, Maple & Lucy, get a garland of roses from ExxonMobil and GCI.
Bruce, the official Iditarod site’s blogger, reports on the 30 – 35 mph windy conditions: “I stopped in Shaktoolik briefly and as I walked out of the checkpoint one of the Iditarod staff handed me a sandwich to eat. I took it with me as I walked out the door for the 200 yard walk down to the ice where an airplane was waiting to fly me on up the trail to Koyuk. By the time I got to the plane the sandwich was starting to freeze with ice crystals.” Can you imagine? I whine when my hot chocolate cools down on the way to work!
Meanwhile, three rookie mushers were reported late for check-in at Shageluk. Lou Packer was found by an Iditarod Air Force (IAF) pilot about 22 miles past the town of Iditarod. He signaled distress, at which time the pilot landed and found that 2 of his 15 dogs had died. In a move that should make animal activists feel at least a bit better about this race, a plane load of dogs were immediately airlifted from the site, and a 2nd flight was organized to pick up Packer and the remainder of the dogs.
Local residents took to the trail to try to find the other two lost mushers, Kim Darst and Blake Matray. They were both found between Shageluk and Iditarod and both decided it would be in the best interest of their teams to scratch from the race. They have been safely transported to Unalakleet and are waiting for transportation to take them back to the starting point in Anchorage.
So, drink a cup of hot chocolate for the competitors and snuggle up in front of your fireplace while you read this.
Until next time,
Good day, and good dog!
Dog to star in “House” TV show?
If you’ve never seen the TV show House, it centers on a crabby doctor named Gregory House, who has exceptional diagnostic skills. Of course, he’s wrong about 3 times and nearly kills every patient before he stumbles on to the right diagnosis, but I digress. Anyways, according to a story on MSNBC.com, many dogs combine their keen sense of smell with their intuition and daily observations of us to be able to tell when something is wrong.
Saturday Survey: Iditarod = Dog Cruelty?
With the death of 6-year old sled dog Victor at this year’s Iditarod, animal activists are again calling for the Iditarod to be shut down. On the other side, people say that these dogs are happiest when they are running and are, in fact, bred to run. In addition, the argument goes, there are over 900 dogs competing, and the loss of 1 or 2 dogs over a two week period, is probably no different than in the general population. So, what do you think? Should the Iditarod be stopped because at least one dog dies every year?
Dog Dies at 2009 Iditarod
I guess I’ve never followed this race too closely in the past, but animal activists have had it on their radar for years, as at least one dog usually dies during the two week race. and this year is no exception. Victor, a 6-year old sled dog on Jeff Holt’s team, died between the Rainy Pass and Rohn checkpoints this week.
Tuesday’s Top Ten: Iditarod Race Leader Board
I don’t know about you, but I’m really excited about the Iditarod this year. We don’t get any TV coverage where I am, so I have been following along on the web. Here are the top ten people on the leaderboard as of March 9th.
Continue reading Tuesday’s Top Ten: Iditarod Race Leader Board