The Columbus (OH) Dispatch ran a great article on April 7th on therapy dogs used by teachers to help chldren with their reading. I had never heard of this specific purpose for dogs, but it sure makes sense. My dogs listen to me sing and tell them stories; why not dogs providing a rapt, nonjudgmental audience for young or reluctant readers.
The article, by Jane Hawes, notes the New Jersey-based Therapy Dogs International and you can learn more about their "tail-waggin' tutors" by clicking on this LINK. There are 19,000 "reader dogs" in the US and Canada!
As the parent of a special needs kid who struggles to read, I am all for this. Dogs love to feel included, to have a job. Kids love dogs. Dogs love to listen. Kids love to learn. Kudos to all involved!
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Honda's Dog Friendly Element
Check this out: Honda has shown the Honda Element SUV at the recent NY Int'l Auto Show.
It has:
This car should be available in the fall and is assembled in East Liberty, Ohio (yeah!).
Personally, I think the Element is a really strange looking car. I've got a Chevy Venture Van, 2001, and it works great for our three dogs (and a parrot in a traveling cage on long trips). I can put my plus-size son, his girlfriend and her wheelchair, plus two small dogs, and various picnic supplies easily in the van. I've had a Toyota Rav4 in the past, and very much prefer a van over an SUV. I don't like climbing up into a car.
But what interests me is that Honda has listened to what consumers want in a car and how to fit the car to their lives. A lot of what they are offering in this car may be easy to get a la carte and put into the car you already have. For instance, our Pekingese goes ballistic when left in the car (window cracked or a/c left on, of course). My son recommended I set up the extra dog cage in the back of the van for him, so he will feel he's in his "den." (He loves his crate at home and goes in there on his own at 10:00 pm when he feels everyone should be sleeping.) So, I'm going to try that soon, for our summer out and abouting.
A few years ago I purchased an "adapter-thingy" that fits into the cigarette lighter and has 2 electrical outlets on it (for same son's laptop with poor battery). Perhaps I could pull this out of a box in the garage and put it in the car with one of those little fans you can get at Walmart.
Washable car seat covers should be easy to find. We've already got a gallon of water and extra bowls in the car.
Sometimes making do is best in the long run. We won't be purchasing the Element, but it's an interesting trend, no?
It has:
- a cushioned pet bed with safety restaints in teh cargo area
- a spill-resistant water bowl
- a ventilation fan
- a folding ramp giving dogs an easy way to get in the car.
- a pet carrier in the backseat
- machine-washable seat covers
- rubber floor mats with dog patterns
This car should be available in the fall and is assembled in East Liberty, Ohio (yeah!).
Personally, I think the Element is a really strange looking car. I've got a Chevy Venture Van, 2001, and it works great for our three dogs (and a parrot in a traveling cage on long trips). I can put my plus-size son, his girlfriend and her wheelchair, plus two small dogs, and various picnic supplies easily in the van. I've had a Toyota Rav4 in the past, and very much prefer a van over an SUV. I don't like climbing up into a car.
But what interests me is that Honda has listened to what consumers want in a car and how to fit the car to their lives. A lot of what they are offering in this car may be easy to get a la carte and put into the car you already have. For instance, our Pekingese goes ballistic when left in the car (window cracked or a/c left on, of course). My son recommended I set up the extra dog cage in the back of the van for him, so he will feel he's in his "den." (He loves his crate at home and goes in there on his own at 10:00 pm when he feels everyone should be sleeping.) So, I'm going to try that soon, for our summer out and abouting.
A few years ago I purchased an "adapter-thingy" that fits into the cigarette lighter and has 2 electrical outlets on it (for same son's laptop with poor battery). Perhaps I could pull this out of a box in the garage and put it in the car with one of those little fans you can get at Walmart.
Washable car seat covers should be easy to find. We've already got a gallon of water and extra bowls in the car.
Sometimes making do is best in the long run. We won't be purchasing the Element, but it's an interesting trend, no?
Monday, April 13, 2009
First Dog, Bo
I'm really glad that the president's promise to his daughters, to get them a dog, has brought to the forefront so many issues surrounding acquiring a pet. What is the best way to find a pet for your family? What is the best pet for your family? At the very least, all the hype over the First Dog has gotten people thinking about how these decisions are made--and that is a good thing. (Click here for a link to the video on the First Dog.)
Pets should not be an impulse purchase, but often they are. Shelters are full of impulse purchases. The problem is not with the animals, but with the lack of knowledge on the part of the "purchaser."
So, what sort of questions should families ask themselves before aquiring a pet? You can download a PDF of questions and important points to consider before acquiring a pet. Go to www.dreamtimepublishing.com and click on the button for Free Downloads (lower left column).
Now, back to the First Dog. The Christian Science Monitor has a good column up today asking "What about the President's promise to adopt the first dog?" Read the article and see what you think. Did Obama go back on his word, or did he find an acceptable medium (i.e. adopting a dog that had been returned by it's purchaser. It needed a new home, and Obama provided it)?
In addition to writing about animals (in this blog and in the book Open Your Heart with Pets), I am also a publisher. I publish a book on African Grey Parrots that has a chapter on breeding. This book is one of our big sellers; anyone with an African Grey parrot needs to read this book because they are very intelligent, complex pets and there are not a lot of books out there with the level of detail contained in Bobbi Brinker's book. As the same time, as a person who has fostered rescued parrots (one of them in his 30s, and two in their 20s), I feel uncomfortable with the idea of bringing still more parrots into the marketplace.
I'm not a person with strong, polarizing views on things...I tend to be a middle-of-the-roader and look with respect and a bit of awe at those who are so sure their views are correct. But I recognize that since my parents bought me my first dog (a Dachshund named Joey) at age 6 or so, my understanding of animals/pets has evolved over these many decades. Even what I considered acceptable 10 years ago has changed. I can only believe that in 10 more years, my views will have evolved more. What will those views be? Everything I learn about animals leads me to believe that still waters run deep, and we humans haven't treated them as we should. Of course, I also feel this way about the elderly, disabled, children, and the disenfranchised, hungry, poor people throughout the world. But, let's stay on topic...
Sometimes there is so much that needs to be done, it's easier to close our minds to everything, rather than realizing we can specialize as individuals in what we care about. But funny how environmentalism, fair trade, organic gardening, animal rights all seem to overlap. Thank god for books and universities and museums and magazines and newspapers and the Internet where we can learn about diverse viewpoints and new ideas about animals and the world.
Well, off my soapbox for now. Congratulations First Dog Bo, for finding your forever family. May the Obama daughters enjoy many years loving you and whispering their thoughts into your soft coat. If only dogs could talk!
Pets should not be an impulse purchase, but often they are. Shelters are full of impulse purchases. The problem is not with the animals, but with the lack of knowledge on the part of the "purchaser."
So, what sort of questions should families ask themselves before aquiring a pet? You can download a PDF of questions and important points to consider before acquiring a pet. Go to www.dreamtimepublishing.com and click on the button for Free Downloads (lower left column).
Now, back to the First Dog. The Christian Science Monitor has a good column up today asking "What about the President's promise to adopt the first dog?" Read the article and see what you think. Did Obama go back on his word, or did he find an acceptable medium (i.e. adopting a dog that had been returned by it's purchaser. It needed a new home, and Obama provided it)?
In addition to writing about animals (in this blog and in the book Open Your Heart with Pets), I am also a publisher. I publish a book on African Grey Parrots that has a chapter on breeding. This book is one of our big sellers; anyone with an African Grey parrot needs to read this book because they are very intelligent, complex pets and there are not a lot of books out there with the level of detail contained in Bobbi Brinker's book. As the same time, as a person who has fostered rescued parrots (one of them in his 30s, and two in their 20s), I feel uncomfortable with the idea of bringing still more parrots into the marketplace.
I'm not a person with strong, polarizing views on things...I tend to be a middle-of-the-roader and look with respect and a bit of awe at those who are so sure their views are correct. But I recognize that since my parents bought me my first dog (a Dachshund named Joey) at age 6 or so, my understanding of animals/pets has evolved over these many decades. Even what I considered acceptable 10 years ago has changed. I can only believe that in 10 more years, my views will have evolved more. What will those views be? Everything I learn about animals leads me to believe that still waters run deep, and we humans haven't treated them as we should. Of course, I also feel this way about the elderly, disabled, children, and the disenfranchised, hungry, poor people throughout the world. But, let's stay on topic...
Sometimes there is so much that needs to be done, it's easier to close our minds to everything, rather than realizing we can specialize as individuals in what we care about. But funny how environmentalism, fair trade, organic gardening, animal rights all seem to overlap. Thank god for books and universities and museums and magazines and newspapers and the Internet where we can learn about diverse viewpoints and new ideas about animals and the world.
Well, off my soapbox for now. Congratulations First Dog Bo, for finding your forever family. May the Obama daughters enjoy many years loving you and whispering their thoughts into your soft coat. If only dogs could talk!
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Designer Dogs
Newsweek magazine has an in-depth article this week (April 13, 2009) on "A (Designer) Dog's Life. Written by Suzanne Smalley. This is worthwhile reading for anyone interested in the humane treatment of pets, dogs in particular, and the pros and cons of breeding, purebreds, and mixed breeding for profit, as well as the story behind the idyllic Amish and Mennonite farms in Ohio and Pennsylvania who sell puppy mill dogs at auctions.
I won't attempt to re-cap Ms. Smalley's article: she's done the research and writing, and Newsweek visited the farms and also talked to the farmers and to animal-rights activists. Please read the full report yourself at Newsweek.
Here is a fact I found interesting.
I won't attempt to re-cap Ms. Smalley's article: she's done the research and writing, and Newsweek visited the farms and also talked to the farmers and to animal-rights activists. Please read the full report yourself at Newsweek.
Here is a fact I found interesting.
"According to Bob Baker, who investigates puppy mills for the ASPCA, these dogs typically receive little if any vet care, are kept in tiny cages 24 hours a day and rarely interact with humans. 'The difference all comes down to raising a dog as a loving pet versus cash crop,' says Baker, who estimates there are between 5,000 and 10,000 puppy mills in the United States, with as many as 2,000 in the Amish and Mennonite countryside."
Five to ten THOUSAND mills...that's not puppies, that's mills. A farmer with one male dog and four females might produce 48 puppies a year (in one example given by Smalley). That would mean 240,000 to 480,000 puppies per year! And I wouldn't be surprised if some farmers had more than five dogs breeding.
I don't know how we can change the fate of dogs in shelters without also going to the source. Free spay/neuter programs should be available to seniors, folks with disabilities, and families on public assistance. Low cost spay/neuter should be available to others. Legislation must address puppy mills. North Carolina, Washington, Oklahoma and about 24 other states, Smalley says, "are considering or have recently passed bills to improve conditions in puppy mills."
Here in Athens, Ohio, every Saturday morning you can see a few faithful protesters holding signs along the highway fronting Petland (see Petland protests here). Hats off to them! Long before I knew better, I purchased a Pekingese from Petland. The few faults that he has I am sure are due to his early non-socialization, and the first five months of his life spent confined in a small cage. He is a wonderful dog, but I will never purchase a dog, cat, or bird from a pet store again.
For more information on this subject, visit:
A Designer Dog's Life: Newsweek 4/7/09
Inside the Puppy Mills: Newsweek 12/13/07
The Oprah Winfrey Show: Investigating Puppy Mills 4/4/09
Also: What You Need to Know Before Getting A Dog
And: The Truth About Animal Shelters and Responsible Breeders
The Humane Society of the U.S. (Stop Puppy Mills.org)
Another nationwide demonstration is taking place at Petland stores from 1 to 3 p.m. (unless otherwise indicated) on Saturday, May 9, and we want you to be there! At these peaceful, lawful demonstrations we will be asking Petland again to please stop selling puppies! Contact your local organizer with any questions that you may have. We will supply the signs and flyers; all you need to do is show up. Unless otherwise noted where to meet, please assemble only on the public walkways in front of the strip mall.
Regulation of Commerical Animal Dealers (US Dept. of Agriculture)
Animal Welfare Act (US Dept of Agriculture, PDF)
Puppy Mills: Dogs Abused for the Pet Trade: Factsheet from PETA
Puppy Mill Rescue: 501(c)3 that finds new homes for breeding dogs from puppy mills
United Against Puppy Mills
Also: Finding a Reputable Breeder
Note: September 19, 2009 is the annual Puppy Mill Awareness Day.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Pet Food Banks
When families are struggling to have enough food to put on the table, they can turn to gardening, food banks, community gardens, programs like Share...but where can they go for pet food?
Here are links to several places online that are working to see that all pet-guardians have enough food for their precious pets.
Pikes Peak Pet Pantry in Colorado Springs updated their national list of food bank programs on 3/28/09. Click on their link to pull up a PDF of the list, or visit this webpage.
This link at Pet/Expo also has some good tips.
Save Our Pets (Atlanta) Includes a state-by-state list of pet food banks.
The Humane Society of the United States, (click on "pet tips").
The Pet Food Bank (Since 1997, TPFB has supplied over 50 different animals rescues with much needed food and supplies through generous donations from manufacturers and retail stores. With the help of volunteers, we are able to collect and transport these items to the shelters throughout Southern California and Mexico.)
Here are links to several places online that are working to see that all pet-guardians have enough food for their precious pets.
Pikes Peak Pet Pantry in Colorado Springs updated their national list of food bank programs on 3/28/09. Click on their link to pull up a PDF of the list, or visit this webpage.
This link at Pet/Expo also has some good tips.
Save Our Pets (Atlanta) Includes a state-by-state list of pet food banks.
The Humane Society of the United States, (click on "pet tips").
The Pet Food Bank (Since 1997, TPFB has supplied over 50 different animals rescues with much needed food and supplies through generous donations from manufacturers and retail stores. With the help of volunteers, we are able to collect and transport these items to the shelters throughout Southern California and Mexico.)
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