Archive for June, 2010
Faith in the Living Room
Working with fearful dogs can be a challenge. One particular challenge for some dogs is leaving a room they consider to be a safe spot. Our own fearful dog Faith spent over a year in the living room before I finally enticed her out.
If you have a fearful dog who’s afraid to leave a room, you might think that you’ll never persuade her to leave. But don’t give up. With time, patience, and a bit of creativity, you’ll succeed eventually. Here are some tips you might want to consider. They worked for me, and they’ll probably work for you.
Tip 1: Let the Dog Set
It’s take-your-dog-to-work day every day in Congress. Dogs roaming the halls of Congress isn’t something I’d ever thought about before. But according to an article in a recent issue of The Washington Post, it happens all the time on the Hill.
Each day, a number of Representatives and Senators take their dogs to work with them. For example, Senator Christopher Bond (R-Mo) has a young Havanese who sleeps in her bed under his desk. One of her playmates is a Chihuahua mix named Pooley, who belongs to Bond’s communications director.
One representative, Ed Whitfield (R-Ky), actually rescued a Lab mix while on his way home from work.
And it’s not just the Republicans who bring their dogs to work. The late Senator Edward Kennedy (D-Mass)… Continue reading
That Dog Treat Might Be Tainted
Tainted dog food — and tainted pet food in general — is a serious problem. (For “tainted,” read “Salmonella.”)
Over the past few years, many pet food manufacturers have recalled tons and tons of dog food, cat food, and pet treats because of Salmonella. The recalls include some of the leading brands. For example, in 2008 the California Department of Health recalled some types of Pedigree pet food because of concerns about Salmonella in it. And just this year Merrick Beef Filet Squares dog treats were recalled because of concerns about Salmonella.
We’re all concerned about recalls like these recalls because… Continue reading
A couple of weekends ago, Lisa and I attended the the grand opening of the ARK of Cleveland’s new home. The ARK is our local “no kill” animal shelter. Some people had set up a table on the front lawn. I figured they were ARK volunteers handing out literature. But Lisa went right over and began talking to a man. She introduced him to me as Robbie Cody who, along with his wife, Shelli, own Constant Companion — a pet funeral home and crematory.
Years before I ever contemplated becoming a guardian of a dog or cat, I was friends with a woman whose dog died. She took the death hard. At the… Continue reading | 1 Comment