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Archive for the 'Human Interest' Category
There are new innovative programs across Sonoma County in northern California that use therapy dogs to help kids learn to read. Animal trainers and educators are increasingly enlisting canines for the unlikely challenge of helping children read. This month, the central library in the city of Santa Rosa started teaming up with the Sonoma County Humane Society to entice kids to come by on select afternoons and sign up to “Read to a Dog” from 3 PM to 4 PM. Trained therapy dogs serve as patient ears for young readers who otherwise would be too shy or self–conscious to read out loud to an adult, parent, or peers in school. An important point is that dogs don’t criticize.
Kids who have experienced the feeling of failure around reading now can be “the tutor” when reading to a dog, said Kathy Klotz, executive director of Intermountain Animals. Dogs also are comforting and put children in a relaxed state, making reading more pleasurable, said Martin Smith of the UC Davis Veterinary Medicine Extension. Finding reading pleasurable is an important part of becoming a good reader.
Hooch, the therapy dog shown above, would look great in a safari dog collar, when he makes his rounds helping kids.
World’ s Ugliest Dog Contest
Sonoma–Marin Fair, Northern California
June 26, 2009
This contest has become a world famous showcase for the ugliest of dogs. Miss Ellie, a 15–year old Chinese crested from Tennessee, was expected to win yet again. But the surprise victory went to an unknown: Pabst, a Boxer mix from Citrus Heights, California. Pabst has an amazing underbite and wowed the crowd with his sly grin.
He not only came away with a 4–foot tall champion’s trophy, but a cool $2,000 and a modeling contract with House of Dog in Los Angeles. He even has a chance to gain fame on the Animal Planet cable show along with appearances on national TV. We’re proud of you, Pabst. Keep on grinning!
This information is provided by www.barkingmart.com
This past Saturday, on a beautiful day at Roberts Lake in Rohnert Park, California, about 300 folks gathered with their dogs for the first annual Dog Faire. The purpose was to raise funds for the Education Foundation of Cotati and Rohnert Park. The day was filled with demonstrations of flyball, agility, and law enforcement K-9s. This is one of eight fun-raisers held each year. The foundation this year gave out more than $48,000 in grants to teachers and schools to supplement academics, art, and music instruction as well a field trips for children. Of all the dog breeds in attendance, all seemed to get along well for this worthy cause.
This information is provided by www.barkingmart.com
Recently, in Islamorada, Florida, Greg LeNoir dove into the water off a pier to rescue his rat terrier, Jake. Jake was in the mouth of a 5-foot shark, and Greg had to punch the shark repeatedly to get it to loosen its grip on the pup. Fortunately, the shark released Jake. He suffered numerous puncture wounds, but his medical prognosis is good.
This information is provided by www.barkingmart.com
Ratchet, the Iraqi puppy, finally had his very best day yet. An animal rescue group flew into Baghdad on Sunday, October 19 and loaded him onto a charter flight. He was due to arrive in Minnesota at the end of the week. Ratchet was adopted by Army Spc. Gwen Beberg, 28, from Minnesota. Beberg, along with another soldier, rescued the puppy from a burning pile of trash last May.
It was the third try by Operation Baghdad Pups to get Ratchet out of the country on behalf of Beberg who says she couldn’t have made it through her 13 month deployment without the mutt. “He has been her emotional support, confidante, sanity-saver and a connection with something other than a war zone,” Beberg’s mother reported.
Ratchet would look and feel terrific in a new, soft parka for his first winter in the U.S.
The temperament of the Golden Retriever is a hallmark of the breed and is described as “kindly, friendly and confident.” They are not “one man dogs” and are generally equally amiable with both strangers and those familiar to them Their trusting, gentle disposition, therefore ,makes them a poor guard dog.
The typical Golden Retriever is calm, naturally intelligent with an exceptional eagerness to please.
This information is provided by barkingmart.com
We love our pets. Americans will spend $43.4 billion on our pets in 2008, a 5 1/2% growth from 2007, according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association. That’s more than double what pet owners spent more than a decade ago, the group noted.
Contributing to that growth are high-end products and services such as pet spas, day care, and luxury gifts for pets. Another fast-growing area is pet insurance according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association. “Pet owners want to protect themselves and their pets against unexpected medical expenses,” says Bob Vetere, president of the association. More than 2 million pet owners currently subscribe to pet insurance. By 2010, APPMA estimates that 5 to 7 % of all pet owners will carry a pet insurance card.
The aging baby boomer population is filling their houses with pets as grown children move out, and this is also contributing to the change in the pet industry, Bob Vetere says. “For empty-nesters, pets are filling a void in their lives, and they’re showing their appreciation to their pets,” he said.
Despite concerns of an economic slowdown as Americans spend more cautiously, the pet industry appears somewhat insulated from recession talk, the association said. “Pet owners and the companies providing pet products and services show no sign of letting up,” Vetere said.
This information is provided by barkingmart.com.
When “Desperate Housewives” star Felicity Huffman isn’t gossiping or getting out of a predicament on Wisteria Lane, she is on a mission to save orphaned animals.
More than four million orphaned dogs and cats are euthanized each year because of overcrowding in animal shelters. In an effort to save them, Huffman has teamed up with Iams Home 4 the Holidays to help find loving homes for pets in need. Help Iams’ pet food and Felicity Huffman reach the goal of 1 million pets adopted this holiday season. We hope you’ll be interested in adopting, donating or volunteering for a great cause.
Iams’ goal is to have a million dogs and cats adopted. Of that million, 750,000 of them would have been killed otherwise, according to Huffman.
“What is great about Iams Home 4 the Holidays, they have 3,000 shelters all across the world, even in Iraq and any participating shelter you can go on their Web site and find one that is closest to you, and not only can you adopt your best friend who is there waiting for you, but they also give you an education program,” says Huffman. The education program includes how to train your dog, how to pet-proof your house and how to introduce them to your children as well as the right vaccinations to give them.
Two years ago, Huffman adopted her dog, Tucker shown above, in Los Angeles from Pet Orphans of Southern California.
Huffman pointed out a common misconception that shelters don’t have purebreds. “There are all sorts of rescue programs for purebreds. You can go online and find them everywhere,” Huffman explained.
Like many animal lovers, Huffman has had a rewarding experience with Tucker, who sometimes visits the “Desperate Housewives” set and even runs through a few shots, which have to get cut. “I think he is really grateful. He’s the sweetest dog and my children are all over that dog. I mean, they have their fingers in his mouth and up his nose and dress him up with tutus. Our adopted rabbit rides on Tucker’s back so he is just the most gentle loving soul,” Huffman gushed.
This information is provided by barkingmart.com.
Pets can pull you out of a depression, they can help distract you from pain, and they can get you up and moving when you didn’t think you could walk another step.
Pets can provide support in ways that people can’t because they offer love and companionship without judgment.
Pets can also keep secrets, enjoy silence, and they can be great snugglers.
Petting a dog or even watching fish swim in an aquarium has shown to decrease spikes in blood pressure caused by stress and tension. A UCLA study showed that men were less likely to be depressed if they owned a pet. Pet ownership also decreases the need for medical care among the elderly and has been associated with improved health among people with disabilities.
For children, animals can be a best friend that teaches responsibility, compassion and nurturing behavior. They are a source for learning about life, and are often a child’s important first experience with death.
Let’s protect our special pets with warm clothes.
Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog’s owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle. I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn’t do anything for Belker and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.
As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience. The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker’s family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.
The little boy seemed to accept Belker’s transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker’s death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, “I know why.” Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I’d never heard a more comforting explanation.
He said, “People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life –like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?” The
six-year-old continued, “Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t have to stay as long.”
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
Remember, if a dog were the teacher you would learn things like:
· When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
· Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
· Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
· Take naps.
· Stretch before rising.
· Run, romp, and play daily.
· Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
· Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
· On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
· On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
· When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
· Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
· Be loyal.
· Never pretend to be something you’re not.
· If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
· When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently.
This was provided by www.barkingmart.com