About 25 years ago there was a wonderful series on public TV called All Creatures Great and Small based on the experiences of James Harriot, a country vet in the Yorkshire Dales in 1930’s England… a thoroughly enjoyable series of anecdotes of his relationships with his co-workers and his clients, a proud lot of very poor, extremely hard working farmers. I don’t recall anything on TV in years that can match it for genuine warmth and its testimony to how magnificent human nature can be.
I’ve been collecting dog quotations. Thought I’d share a few clever ones with you:
If dogs could talk it would take a lot of fun out of owning one. – Andy Rooney
You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you a look that says, ‘My God, you’re right! I never would’ve thought of that!’ – Dave Barry
The great pleasure of a dog is that you make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, he will make a fool of himself too. – Samuel Butler
If you think dogs can’t count, try putting three dog biscuits in your pocket and then giving Fido only two of them. – Phil Pastoret
The more I see of men the more I like dogs. – Madame de Stael
Ever consider what dogs must think of us? I mean, here we come back from a grocery store with the most amazing haul — chicken, pork, half a cow. They must think we’re the greatest hunters on earth! – Anne Tyler
Don’t make the mistake of treating your dogs like humans, or they’ll treat you like dogs. – Martha Scott
There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face. – Ben Williams
I’ve seen a look in dogs’ eyes, a quickly vanishing look of amazed contempt, and I am convinced that dogs think humans are nuts. – John Steinbeck
Lots of people have pet allergies. Several strategies can help to reduce the incidence of allergic reactions due to pet dander. Simply follow as many of these as you can as often as you can for the best results. After all, if you can’t breathe, who is going to take care of your pets?
Vacuum carpets and furniture on a daily basis.
Vacuum curtains on a regular basis.
Dust with a cloth that picks up the dust and doesn’t just move it around.
Avoid upholstered furniture, curtains, and carpeting. Opt for furniture with leather, vinyl, or wood. Install hardwood flooring and blinds.
Brush your pets on a regular basis, preferably outside the living area.
Wipe down all surfaces on a weekly basis.
Consult your veterinarian about sprays that minimize dander. Purchase ones that he recommends.
Limit the areas of the home that your pet has access to on a daily basis. Electronic collars can assist with that.
Get an animal that is known for causing fewer allergic reactions in people.
Purchase an air purification system that targets animal dander.
If you want to have pets in your home, but you are allergic to their dander, follow the strategies listed for some relief to the potential reactions that you might experience. Plus, visit your doctor and get his advice on the advisability of owning a pet that can cause allergic reactions in you.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
You can’t just reach into the fridge at 7-11 and grab a regular ‘ol bottled water anymore. There seem to be more flavors of water these days than kinds of pop. Jumping on the latest trend is a new brand from Colt Beverages, Inc. called Fortifido, variety of bottled, flavored goodness for you dog.
The bottle water for Fido comes in four flavors, each full of vitamins and minerals to supplement your dog’s food nutritional plan.
The four Fantastic Fortifido Flavors are:
HEALTHY BONES: (Peanut Butter Flavored) Formulated with Calcium added to help maintain healthy bones in adult dogs.
FRESH BREATH: (Spearmint Flavored) With Spearmint added for fresh breath for all stages of life.
HEALTHY JOINTS: (Lemongrass Flavored) Formulated with Nutrients added to to help maintain healthy joints in adult dogs.
HEALTHY SKIN: (Parsley Flavored) Formulated with Zinc added to help maintain healthy skin for all stages of life.
Fortifido will be available at retailers soon.
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