Two-Nosed Dog

Wow, I’m amazed by this story from BBC UK:

“Explorer Colonel John Blashford-Snell has had close encounters with vampire bats and angry bees, but his latest brush has been with a rather odd dog.  He spotted a rare breed of Double-Nosed Andean tiger hound, which has two noses, on a recent trip to Bolivia.”

You can click on the link above for a photo.  I suppose it takes some getting used to, but the dog itself seems to be fine. 

Long Swimmer

A story with a happy ending from BBC News:

“A dog is believed to have swum through treacherous currents in the Menai Strait in a 12-mile journey to get back to its owners.  Nine-year-old Tami had run away from its walker in a forest near Llanddwyn Island, Anglesey on Tuesday, 31 July.  The cocker spaniel then spent four days finding its way home to its owners in Caernarfon, Gwynedd, while they mounted a search across the two counties.”

I would be distraught if my dog were to become lost, but hopefully he would find his way back home whatever way possible.  Thank goodness for a happy ending to this story.  I think I better enroll my dog in some swimming classes,  just in case.

Injured Police Dog

A police dog named “Koda” will have to retire due to injuries, says the Gresham Outlook:

“Koda, the heroic Gresham police dog that suffered an injured leg after falling off a cliff while nabbing a fugitive sex offender, must retire.  Injuries to his front leg required a bone graft as well as fusing two bones in his canine wrist. Although the veterinarian surgeon says Koda will recover, it will take six to seven months, and he most likely won’t be able to perform the rigorous duties of a police dog…”

 

Police work is dangerous for dogs too.  I hope this dog can still lead a happy life after retirement. 

Deadly Algae

Here’s a sad story about several canine deaths due to algae in lakes:

“(WCCO) At least three dogs in Minnesota have died this summer after swimming in lakes filled with a certain type of algae. Low water levels and heat are making this one of the worst years ever for toxic blue-green algae.  Back in June, a family’s dog died after a swim in Fountain Lake in Wright County. Now concerns over the toxic algae are spreading.”

I generally try to keep a close eye on my dog when we go out, but I never would have thought that lake algae could be so deadly. 

“Rent-a-Dog” Controversy

According to this news report, there has been some criticism of the “rent-a-dog” concept I mentioned several posts ago:

“The Humane Society of the United States, however, is critical of the concept of renting a pet for the day. While it may be well intentioned, animal advocates say FlexPetz is not likely to benefit the overall welfare of the dogs they rent.”

Years ago, before I had a dog, I remember walking my friend’s dog a couple times and I really looked forward to being asked to walk her again.  If you are not a dog owner but have a friend or family member who does, maybe one solution is to volunteer to watch them from time to time.  But this company was probably conceived for those who don’t have access to dogs.  In the end, however, the most important thing is the welfare of the dogs.  We’ll see how this plays out.

Keeping Dogs Cool

“How’s your dog tolerating the record-breaking warm summer we’ve had so far? You may have contemplated ways to help it cool off, like shaving it. But that may not always be the best solution.”

That’s a quote from a story about shaving dogs’ hair short to keep them cool in the summer, from KSL.com (KSL TV).  We keep our dog’s hair short and he seems to be doing fine.  According to the article you have to be careful with some dogs though, because they may end up with bald spots or getting sunburned.  When we leave the house, we always make sure the windows are open or the air conditioning is on.  Of course, we NEVER leave him in the car in the summer (or winter if we can help it)!

Smart Collars

Here’s a N.Y. Times article featuring a product from Garmin called the “Astro:” 

“Garmin, a manufacturer of G.P.S. equipment, makes a tracking system that keeps tabs on dogs during walks in the countryside or in the dense ground cover of a hunting trip. It has two parts: a hand-held G.P.S. unit for the owner and another device that is mounted on the dog’s collar or harness.”

I already have a microchip that was injected into my dog’s back.  But this product sounds more comprehensive, and it allows owners to track exactly where their dog may be wandering at the moment.  I don’t let my dog roam around alone anyway, but it would be interesting if there was a way to know where he goes in the house when I’m not home.  One time, I set up a videocamera on the floor and left the house.  I looked at the videotape later and discovered that my dog mostly sleeps on the couch and occasionally gets up when he hears a noise.  He also howled in sadness that we left him alone, which broke my heart.  

Flexible Pet Ownership

A company called “FlexPetz” is offering customers a unique service where they can purchase the chance to spend time with a dog.  From the website:

“The concept of FLEXPETZ originated with a group of dogs lovers who sadly accepted that they could not provide a dog with the full-time care and attention that goes along with responsible dog ownership”

Sounds like a pretty interesting idea.  I take pet ownership for granted because I own a dog, but for those who love dogs yet for some reason are unable to own one, this is an interesting option.  Canine companionshp is always good for the human soul.  I wonder how the dogs like it.

Dogs and Literature

Here’s a book review of “Shaggy Muses” by Maureen Adams from the London Free Press:

“Countless lovers who, lacking their own voice, relied on Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s famous “Sonnets From the Portuguese” to woo their beloved should mutter silent thanks to a cocker spaniel named Flush.

Without the plucky pup’s timely intervention, one of England’s greatest poets might have succumbed to depression and never penned the immortal line, “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.”

Flush’s contribution to Victorian literature is one of five short biographies in “Shaggy Muses,” which details the profound and often unexplored influence a handful of canine companions had on five of the greatest voices in women’s literature.”

Dogs provide us with comfort, companionship, and sometimes, inspiration.  My dog has inspired me to start exercising and of course, to start blogging!  How about you? 

“Canophilia”

Here’s an article from Living.Scotsman.com about our obessesion for dogs:

“A new coffee-table book, Luxury for Dogs by Manuela von Perfall, illustrates the many ways we lavish treats on our best friends, those loyal and most passive of consumers. From designer chaise longues to home-baked kibbles, the book reveals the extent of our dog obsession – or canophilia, to use the proper term.”

The article talks about a book called “Luxury for Dogs” written by Manuella Perfall, and also quotes some statistics such as how people in the U.S. spend $8 billion a year on dogs with 62% of puppies having their own birthday parties.  I’ll admit, I don’t give a second thought to spending money on my dog.  If we can make their lives better during their short time on Earth, then what the heck?