This pooch was one of many who showed up for last month's BARCStoberfest, the annual fund-raiser for Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter. To see more of the attendees, many of them in costume, click here.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

An animal control officer blew the whistle on the shelter she works for in Indiana after she found a live dog in a freezer that was used to hold the carcasses of euthanized animals.

The discovery – and allegations that four other dogs had survived euthanasia attempts since August -- led to the firing of the Rushville, Ind., “animal warden” Jack Hill.

The allegations were made by Hill’s assistant, animal control officer Jamie Glandon, who recently found a dog who had spent four days alive in the freezer.

Glandon had gone into the freezer to dispose of a euthanized animal when she saw the live dog, named Gabby, pop her head out of a barrel.

Glandon told Channel 6 News in Indianapolis that orders were given to try to euthanize Gabby, but she refused and took the dog to a veterinarian.

She told the station she fears her job is in jeopardy because she spoke about the failed euthanasia attempts. She said she hopes to place the dog in a home once it has recovered.

Here’s to Gabby finding a nice home, and Glandon getting a big fat raise.

To see the TV station’s full report, click here.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)
        

Did you hear the one -- or, actually, the two -- about the two-legged dog that got lost in the airport?

The first time it was in Orlando, where Faith and her owner, Jude Stringfellow, were on their way home from a national pet trade show. A video of that account can be found here.

On another trip a few months later she was misplaced and missed a flight to Oklahoma City. (You can find that account on  Stringfellow's blog.)

Distressing as those instances might have been -- for Faith and Stringfellow -- they paled in comparison (at least as Stringfellow tells it on her blog) with a more recent trauma: A comedian poked fun at Faith.

Sebastian Maniscalco, in a comedy routine that was part of the "Vince Vaughn Wild West Show," a traveling comedy act (and soon to be documentary), apparently emulated the two-legged dog. It's hard to know for sure because the video -- under the threat of legal action by Stringfellow, we presume, who has announced her intention to sue -- has been removed fromYouTube and every other website it was on.

The best description of it, ironically, remains on Stringfellow's blog:

"Faith, being the World's Most Photographed Dog/Animal is not to be taken lightly - she earned that, she deserves to be lifted up in very very high esteem - NOT to be shot down by some one whose idea of humor is to pen his arms behind his back and flop around on stage in a pseudo act pretending to be something he could NEVER be - my dog ..." Stringfellow wrote. "... I will therefore be the one to bring about any and all legal actions ... My hope is that we can get this resolved quickly - but I'm already hearing people say that Faith's reputation may have been hurt for future film projects.

"Faith is defenseless against these types of attacks. She can't answer how it would make her feel to know someone has disgraced her - Oh, but I can." To read all of Stringellow's entries on Maniscalco -- and they can get a little sanctimonious -- click here.

However stupid Maniscalco's routine might have been, I'm going to have to side with him, rather than my fellow dogger-blogger, on this one. We still have free speech in this country and that includes the right to say tasteless and politically incorrect things. I doubt that the comedy bit hurt Faith's feelings, or the dog's earning power. We emailed Stringfellow, but got no response. As it turns out -- in yet another blow to free speech -- she charges for interviews, as her website attests:

"$1,500 per day for a venue is a standard price for a one day show or performance. It does not include expenses for travel and hotel. (3-Star hotels are required with pet acceptance) ...INTERVIEW FEE (home): $1,000 for a half-day interview / film crew or personal + expenses & hotel. (i.e. Oprah, Montel, Inside Ed. type footage for the filmed interview or sound bite) ...INTERNATIONAL DAY RATE: $7,500 - $10,000 per day. (Each day beginning from the day I leave America and return to America. This fee will be paid in full 10 days before I board the plane to come to your country."

This concludes our three days of Faith.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (6)
        

Here's Faith's appearance on the Montel Williams show -- one of many stops she and her owner have made on the talk show circuit.

For a dog with only two legs, Faith has gotten around.

She's appeared with Oprah Winfrey, Rikki Lake, Maury Povich and David Letterman, on Inside Edition and on several local newscasts -- most often as inspirational feature.

Faith also has a website, faiththedog.net , and she's the subject of two books, written by her owner Jude Stringfellow -- one that incorporates the trauma that her family was going through at the time, one a tamer, cleaned-up version for kids.

Of course, all that fame hasn't come without a price. Twice Faith has gotten lost at airports on her way to and from public appearances, and more recently -- after a less than nationally known comedian included a reference to the two-legged dog in a comedy routine -- Stringfellow hired a lawyer to file a lawsuit against actor Vince Vaughn, in whose traveling comedy show the routine appeared.

But we'll save the tawdrier side of the tale for another day, like tomorrow.

Tomorrow: Losing faith

Posted by John Woestendiek at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

If you haven't yet found Faith -- she's all over the Internet -- we bring her to you today, via a local TV news dispatch from a while back.

Faith was on her way to greater things at the time of this report -- the talk show circuit, a book, product endorsements -- some of which we'll show you in the days ahead.

Faith was born with three legs in late 2002 and taken in by the Stringfellow family in Oklahoma City family in early 2003. Of her three legs, one was deformed and had to be removed when she was seven months old.

With only her hind legs left, Faith learned to walk -- upright -- a feat her owner Jude Stringfellow says was a result of lots of hard work, though Stringfellow also says she gives all the credit to Jesus.

Whatever the case, Faith was up and running and -- though there have been a few bumps in the road -- she has gone on to charm and inspire thousands.

(Tomorrow: Faith hits the talk shows)

Posted by John Woestendiek at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Willie Nelson has filmed a television spot supporting an anti-dogfighting bill that is moving through the Georgia Legislature, the Associated Press reported today.

"Dogfighting is against the law in Georgia, but the laws are so weak, the beautiful state of Georgia has become a haven for dogfighters from around the country," Nelson says in the ad, looking in the camera while "Georgia on My Mind" plays in the background.

The Georgia bill would make it a felony for anyone to sell, trade or transport dogs for the purpose of dogfighting.

The Best Friends Animal Society, a national animal welfare organization based in Utah, produced the ad and asked Nelson to participate.

AP reported that State Sen. Chip Rogers, the bill's author, hopes to get the spot on TV and radio around the time of the Dec. 10 sentencing for suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, who pleaded guilty to a federal dogfighting conspiracy charge. The bill has passed the state Senate and will go before a House committee in January.

(AP Photo)

Posted by John Woestendiek at 11:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Michael Vick and the other inmates at the Northern Neck Regional Jail in Warsaw, Va., enjoyed a Thanksgiving dinner of turkey, stuffing, rice, cranberry sauce and sweet potato pie – but observers doubt that the fine holiday meal was what led the former Atlanta Falcons quarterback to turn himself in before his sentencing.

Vick, who is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 10 on charges related to his involvement in a dog fighting ring, reported to the prison Monday – about three weeks early.

Vick (shown at the right in an AP photo)pleaded guilty in August to a federal dog fighting conspiracy charge, and his attorney said his early appearance at the jail was further proof of his remorse and repentance.

"From the beginning, Mr. Vick has accepted responsibility for his actions, and his self-surrender further demonstrates that acceptance," attorney Billy Martin said in a statement.

Federal prosecutors are asking U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson to order Vick to pay $1 million in restitution from so that the 50 pit bulls seized from the dog fighting operation can be properly cared for.

Vick, who has is reportedly having financial troubles and has put his Atlanta home on the market for $4.5 million, might still have some things for which to be thankful this Thanksgiving: The maximum sentence he faces is five years.

In Houston County, Ala., earlier this month, Judge Ed Jackson handed dogfighter Johnny Ray Lewis – arrested in 2005, when authorities uncovered 17 injured and scarred dogs on his property. -- a 102-year prison sentence, according to the Dothan Eagle.

While there was speculation that the public's strong reaction to Vick’s case played a role in that lengthy sentence, the Humane Society of the United States says stiff sentences for dogfighting were popping up in the South way before authorities nabbed Vick.

In November 2004, South Carolina dogfighter David Tant received a then-record, 30-year jail term for dogfighting and related crimes. In 2005, Walter T. Ware was sentenced to 40 years in jail for dogfighting and possession of drugs to enhance the dogs' fighting ability.

Of course, you can't help but wonder if the sentences those low-level dog fighters (not to mention low-lifes) received might have been lighter had they the means to pay a $1 million fine, and whether Vick's ability to do so will translate into a sentence lighter than the five-year max.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (32)
        

Seems like it was just Halloween (remember, YES! chocolate can be toxic for dogs) and already more holidays are upon us. With them comes abnormally large amounts of good smelling food, a deluge of loved and tolerated visitors, and the festooning of homes with berry-laden plant life, brightly colored plastic, and burning candles – all of which can spell trouble, or at least stress, for your dog or cat, and maybe you.

The Internet is full of holiday pet safety warnings – some real ones, some imagined ones. Here, in an attempt to separate the fact from the fiction, is a list of 10 things to watch out for.

1. Turkey is bad for dogs. Not true! Turkey bones are (they can splinter), and gorging on turkey fat can cause pancreatitis (take note, Uncle Fred), but turkey meat – despite the fretting on many internet forums – poses no danger to dogs.

2. Poinsettias can be toxic for pets. True! The stems, leaves and flowers of the plan can all cause vomiting and diarrhea. If your pet has munched on the poinsettias, (or, for that matter, azaleas, amaryllis, Japanese Yew, English Ivy, Eucalyptus, mistletoe or holly) consult a veterinarian.

3. Pine needles are toxic to pets. True and false. While intestinal problems can result when a dog swallows too many needles, your Christmas tree might pose a bigger threat to your cat. Pine oils are toxic to cats. Makes sure your pets have plenty of water, so they’re not tempted to slurp from the Christmas tree holder

4. Tinsel can kill your pet. Theoretically, yes it can cause trouble. Like rubber bands, ribbon or any long stringy object, it can cause an intestinal obstruction and even a fatal case of peritonitis. If you should see tinsel or any other possibly long object protruding for you pets mouth or (warning, the word “rectum” is coming up) rectum, don’t try to pull it out. Instead, consult your vet.

5. Electric lights. These pose a triple threat. One, the glass bulbs, if chewed, could injure a dog or cat both externally and internally. Two, chewing through the cord can cause electrocution or electric burns. Three, strung out electric cords – as you may know – are easily tripped over by pet and human and can topple the tree.

6. Candles. Most dogs know enough not to stick their nose in a flame. Cats, too. But candles are easily knocked over. Put them where that’s not likely to happen.

7. Ahhh, dessert. Your best bet is to keep them all away from your pet. Chocolate is toxic to them, and other sweets don’t do them any good either. Grapes and raisins are also toxic to dogs.

8. The crowds. With a lot of new and strange humans in the house, your dog or cat could get stressed out by the holiday hub-bub. Then again, they might love it. It all depends on personality. – that of your pet and that of your visitors. Your finicky aunt may not like a wet nose nuzzling her support hose. Then again, your dog may find the decibel level of your brother-in-law a tad higher than he is used to. Play it by ear.

9. Decorations on the tree. Don’t use cookie ornaments. That would be asking for it. Don’t use breakable or splinter-able ornaments. In fact, if you have a puppy, or a particularly playful cat, you might want to keep the ornaments to a minimum until next year.

10. The presents under the tree. These, too, can intrigue your pet, especially if you have a dog that likes to unwrap things, and especially if any of the things might contain food product. Young dogs and bored dogs and home-alone dogs might decide to start Christmas early.

OK, then, now that you see danger lurking around every corner, enjoy your holidays. Don’t freak out. Just do what’s right for your pet.

And be thankful that you have each other.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

The video above -- and I warn you it's disturbing -- is from the undercover investigation into Virginia puppy mills by the Humane Society of the United States

The five-month investigation found nearly 1,000 unlicensed puppy dealers operating in Virginia and led to more 1,000 dogs being rescued by HSUS.

In what the HSUS says may be the largest puppy mill rescue in U.S. history, more than 350 puppies and 700 adult dogs, including 650 breeding females, were removed from one facility, known as Horton's Pups. The operator of the facility surrendered all but 200 of his animals to Carroll County, Va. after realizing that he could not provide proper care for the dogs, just days after The HSUS released the results of its investigation.

"The HSUS investigation has brought relief to hundreds of dogs in an overcrowded and awful puppy mill operation," said Stephanie Shain, The HSUS director of outreach for companion animals, and the organization's leading puppy mill expert. "But now the state needs to adopt stronger policies to crack down on a large-scale industry that is severely mistreating dogs in the Commonwealth. And consumers should stop buying dogs from pet stores or through the Internet, and instead adopt homeless dogs from reputable shelters."

Posted by John Woestendiek at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
        

No financial renumeration (darnit) is involved in us showing this advertisement for Scout and Paws, a dog and cat food manufactured by Sainsbury's in Great Britain.

We just think it's funny.

Take a look.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

The Humane Society of the United States has proclaimed next week “Puppy Mill Action Week,” and is urging consumers to avoid buying dogs from pets stores or over the Internet – both of which often sell dogs from puppy mills.

“Holiday shopping time is the worst for these animals. Puppy mills are about supply and demand, with no greater demand than during the holidays,” says Stephanie Shain, director of The HSUS’ Stop Puppy Mills campaign. “When consumers stop ... shopping for puppies in pet stores and online, these mills will go out of business.”

She adds, “People think they are rescuing a dog from a pet store, when that purchase is only making room for hundreds more puppy mill dogs to be bred and sold. The public should be concerned not only with that one puppy in the window, but also for the mistreated breeding dogs caged for years back at the puppy mill. Because people buy the puppies, these dogs will spend their lifetime confined, churning out puppies.”

The HSUS encourages consumers instead to deal with animal shelters and purebred rescue groups that have thousands of dogs that need homes. When buying from a breeder, the HSUS says, consumers should investigate and make sure they are dealing with a reputable and compassionate breeder.

The HSUS has been working for years to stop puppy mills – using the courts, the legislative process, undercover investigations and public awareness campaigns. Earlier this month, an HSUS investigation spotlighted shocking conditions in Virginia where more than 900 unlicensed commercial puppy dealers operate.

During Puppy Mill Action Week, which starts Nov. 25, the HSUS is asking people to follow five steps:

1. Sign the “Stop Puppy Mills” pledge on the website, www.stoppuppymills.org.
2. Write to government officials and ask for an end to the inhumane treatment of dogs in puppy mills. Urge members of Congress to make a priority of puppy mill dogs and enforcement of the Animal Welfare Act.
3. Download free “Stop Puppy Mills in 2008” HSUS card inserts for holiday greeting cards.
4. Download free flyers from The HSUS website to post in veterinary offices, health clubs, dog parks and other public places.
5. Spread the word about puppy mills by sending one e-mail to five friends with a link to the website.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

Puerto Rico, despite its many allures, has never been a particularly good place to be a dog -- and just how bad it can be became dreadfully clear this week.

Puerto Rican police said yesterday they plan to broaden their investigation into the alleged massacre of some 80 pets after a report by The Associated Press showed the taxpayer-subsidized slaughter of cats and dogs has been going on for years.

"It is awful. It is a violation of animal rights. It is cruelty to animals in the most awful way," said Carlos Carazo, who oversees the Animal Control and Protection Office in Puerto Rico's Department of Health "If it turns out to be true, the whole spectrum of the law should fall on the people who did it."

Last month a firm known as Animal Control Solutions, which contracts with the government, was accused of killing 80 dogs and cats seized from three housing projects in the town of Barceloneta. The AP probe, published Wednesday, found such killings were routine.

The AP investigation found that thousands of unwanted animals have been tossed off bridges, buried alive and otherwise inhumanely disposed of, despite the pledges of two animal control companies to deliver adoptable strays to shelters and humanely euthanize the rest.

Read the full Associated Press story here

Posted by John Woestendiek at 5:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (20)
        

You've probably come here expecting a photograph of the bride (canine) and groom (human) who formally exchanged vows in India a few days ago.

Sari (or saree), I'm not going to do it.

For one thing, I don't want to violate any copyright laws. For another, I don't want to encourage other humans to marry their dogs. Dogs deserve better than that.

If you simply must see the bride -- who was, dare I say it, fetching, in her red sari -- try here.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

You can't believe everything you read, but the Times of India reports today that a 33-year-old man in the Sivaganga district of Tamil Nadu married a dog in a bid to ward off what he believes was a curse stemming from killing two dogs 15 years ago.

Selva Kumar married a dog named "Selvi" at a temple in Manamadurai on Sunday, according to the newspaper. The dog, believed to be 10, arrived at the temple wearing a sari and amid a grand procession, the Times reported. See it for yourself here.

According to Kumar, when he was 18-years-old, he clubbed to death two mating dogs and hung them on a tree. After the incident, he suffered a stroke and could not move his left arm and legs and also turned deaf, the newspaper said

Kumar claimed an astrologer advised him that all his problems would be solved once he did the penance by marrying a bitch.

That last line is almost verbatim from the newspaper, and the Times of India is no Weekly World News (may it rest in peace).

Attempts to confirm this story were unsuccessful. Nor could it be determined at presstime -- or whatever the blog equivalent of that is -- if Kumar was the first man to marry a bitch.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

Continuing my research into the world of dog sledding, wet and dry, I came across this new documentary about a dog sled team in Jamaica -- assembled entirely out of mongrels from pounds and shelters.

Judging from the trailer -- and we all know you can't judge from the trailer -- it looks wonderful, and it has Jimmy Buffett in it. The movie was released on DVD last month.

“It seems like it was just yesterday when I had this crazy idea to bring dog sled racing to Jamaica. It’s been two years now and it’s amazing that SUN DOGS, which has been such a big part of our lives is something that we will now be able to share,” said Danny Melville, founder of the Jamaica Dogsled Team and executive producer of the film.

“The Jamaica Dogsled Team has come to mean so much more than I ever imagined," he added. One of our primary goals is to bring education and awareness of the compassionate treatment of animals to Jamaica’s inner cities through our work with the Jamaica Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. SUN DOGS will help us accomplish this."

A portion of the proceeds from Internet sale of the DVD (on the website, www.jamaicadogsled.com) will go to the JSPCA.

The team will be represented at the East Meets West Dryland Challenge in Brainerd, Minn., this weekend, and one of the team’s mushers is training to qualify for the Yukon Quest 1,000 Mile International Sled Dog Race

Posted by John Woestendiek at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

As we've been pointing out for a few days now, dog sledding is no longer just something to do in the snow.

This weekend there will be more proof of that when dryland mushers from across the U.S. gather in Brainerd, Minn., for the East Meets West Dryland Challenge.

With the absence of snow in many parts of North America -- and global warming cutting down on the amounts of it in normally snowy climes -- mushers have turned to new styles of racing, including dry rig racing, bikejoring, scooter racing and canicross.

All will be featured in this weekend's challenge. You can find out more about it here at the International Sled Dog Racing Association website. Or you can check out this article from the Rapid City Journal in South Dakota.

I'll be pulling for the Jamaican Dog Sled Team. What, you didn't think there was a Jamaican dog sled team? Well tune in tomorrow.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 10:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

In case I must leave Montana before getting a chance to go dog sledding this winter -- it's item 48 on my 100 things to do in Montana list -- it's good to know that I'll be able to do it back in Baltimore, snow or no.

As of this year, one can dog sled in Baltimore -- well, Baltimore County, anyway -- thanks to Maryland Sled Dog Adventures, a company started by a husband and wife that offers dryland dog sled rides.

Dryland dog sledding -- long used to train and condition sled dogs in the off season -- is rapidly becoming a sport of its own, partly as a result of global warming and the shorter, more temperate, less snowy winters that it has brought. 

Catherine Benson and her husband Eric, who live in Baltimore's Roland Park area, started the company after sledding on land, wet and dry, for about seven years.

"We got started after we got our first dog, Zoe," Catherine said. "Zoe ate two couches and we finally decided she might need a little more outlet for her energy than her daily walk around the block."

They offer rides with their four dogs, but also have a "run what you brung" program that lets you try dog sledding with your own dog. They also offer lessons in canicross, skijoring and bikejoring (see previous entry).

The company bills itself as the only dog sledding touring operation in central Maryland. Sled teams operate in other parts of the state, including western Maryland, where both Yellow Snow Adventures and Husky Power Dogsledding are based.

Maryland even has a dog sledding race -- albeit one sponsored by an outfit in Pennsylvania. The Fair Hill Dryland Challenge, is held Dec. 8 and 9 in Fair Hill. It's sponsored by the Pennsylvania Sled Dog Club.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 11:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Skijoring, anyone?

How about bikejoring?

Or maybe some canicross?

There's a whole new realm of "sports" taking off in this country, with its own vocabulary, but basically it boils down to this -- getting pulled around by your dog.

Maybe you're one of those whose dog already does that everyday on your walk to the park, but we're talking about more than that -- about what's generally referred to as "dog-powered sports."

It includes everything from dog sledding on wheeled rigs, to tethering your dog to a bicycle, skateboard, scooter or roller skates.

Last summer, at the beach, I got into the habit of bicycling with Ace. He loved it. And I loved the way it wore him out -- that contented kind of worn out, as opposed to the working overtime for your crummy boss kind of worn out. I loved the purposeful look on his face as he ran alongside me, and the way he came to react to the words "bike ride?"

My dog loves exercise. Me? Not so much. So dog-powered sports, I'm thinking, may be in our future.

The best way to get started, the experts say, is with some "canicross," which, though it bears a striking resemblance to walking the dog, is more than that. In canicross the dog is attached at your belt, and the dog pulls you.

From there, you might step up to skijoring, which is when your dog pulls you on cross country skis (the skis being attached to you). Skijoring originated in Scandinavia and means "ski driving" in Norwegian. Or bikejoring, which ... well you can figure it out.

They are all variations on dog sledding, something I got to do once, while on assignment in Nome for the Iditarod. It was a brief ride, and only as a passenger, with a burly Alaskan very close behind me guiding the sled. Despite the intrusion on my comfort zone, it was exhilirating, and I've always wanted to do it again.

This scootering -- except for the price of scooters (see dogscooter.com) -- looks like it might be worth a try too.

Keep in mind, if you're going to do it, do it right -- read up, or take some lessons; watch the video above; use a proper harness; and most important of all, allow plenty of time for rest and liquid refreshment.

Make sure the dog gets some of those, too.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 4:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

What's missing from this picture?

Obviously, snow.

But that doesn't stop Catherine Benson, and it won't stop hundreds of participants -- on skateboards, scooters, sulkies, bicycles, wheelchairs, carts, rollerblades and wheel-equipped "sleds" -- from logging thousands of dog-powered miles this weekend.

Benson, who operates Maryland Dog Sled Adventures, will be among those taking part in "Dogs Across America," a nationwide event that started three years ago and one that demonstrates just how much pull dogs have in this country.

This year, organizers are hoping to hit the 3,000-mile mark.

Dog scooterers, mushers, and other participants in dog-powered sports organized the relay-type event to demonstrate the pulling and traveling ability of dogs.

In each participating state, teams of dogs and humans will run one or more trails in the state, with the miles each human covers going toward that state's tally.

The event is held over three weekends -- Oct. 20-21 in Canada and Alaska, Nov. 10-11 in northern states (including Maryland), and Dec. 15-16 in southern States.

In Maryland, some participants will follow the Northern Central Rail Trail in northern Baltimore County, from Freeland to the Pennsylvania state line and back (starting at 10 a.m.) -- with dogs pulling them on bikes, carts and, as is the case with Benson, in a sled equipped to run on dry land.

The number of dogs per device is unlimited. Should there be snow, skis and sleds will travel the trails. Otherwise, any wheeled device may be used. Dogs can pull scooters, bicycles, sulkies, dryland mushing rigs, wagons, carts, roller blades, roller skis, skateboards, wheelchairs or even just a human walking behind them on a leash.

Dogs Across America describes itself as "a loose group of dog lovers," many of whom connected through the Yahoo Group "DogsLoveToRun."

Having a dog tug you across terrain seems to be an up and coming sport -- one whose level of human exertion, at first glance, appeals to me

We'll take a closer look at dog-powered sports in the days ahead -- or at least the next two.

Thursday we'll cover some dog scootering basics

Friday we'll look at the new company, Maryland Sled Dog Adventures

As for Saturday, there's still room to mush (dry style) if you want to get in on the action.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 12:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

We have not one, but three winners in our "If Dogs Could Talk" essay contest.

Third place went to Bob Rollman of Parkton, Md., who kept it short and sweet: "If dogs could talk, we wouldn't need Dr. Phil," he wrote.

Second place went to Anne Madison, of Baltimore, a frequent commenter on these pages who says she considers the blog "a kind of virtual dog park." Madison wrote that her dog Spencer would offer the following advice, if he had the gift of gab: "Our muzzles may turn gray, but we should never be so dignified that we can't enjoy an ear scratch or a tummy rub."

First place went to Mary Schmidt, of Wichita, Kansas, who started reading after hearing of the Mutts blog on National Public Radio. A mutt owner, Schmidt adopted her third, Amie, from a humane society, and says the dog has a remarkable vocabulary of woofs. Here's what Mary wrote:

"If dogs could talk, public cell phone conversations might get more interesting and less annoying.

"If dogs could talk, human languages would acquire more words for smells and tastes.

"If dogs could talk, a lot of employees would be calling home during the day to see what the dog was up to.

"If dogs could talk, they could spill many details about the human lives they observe with such great attention.

"If dogs could talk, their humans could finally learn what happened before the shelter adoption or before the stray was welcomed inside.

"If dogs could talk, I'd finally get proof that my dog is as good of a comedian as I think she is."

To see the original entry and comments, click here.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

I'm not sure who's babysitting who here, or what they're so upset about.
But the moral is clear -- sadness, like joy, can be contagious, even across species lines.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 7:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

Anybody who has ever had a cat will probably recognize this morning behavior -- depicted here by English animator Simon Tofield of Tandem Films in a piece called "Cat Man Do."

Posted by John Woestendiek at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

Of more than 900 commercial puppy dealers in Virginia, only 16 are operating with the proper federal license, according to a five-month investigation of “puppy mills” by the Humane Society of the United States.

The investigation, released today, revealed deplorable factory-style breeding in operations in large kennels, trailers and backyards, many of which were breeding as many dogs as possible with little or no oversight or concern for the health and well being of the animals.

The HSUS investigation found that many breeders are violating federal laws that require licenses if breeders have more than three breeding females; and that others avoid the law by selling directly to the public via the Internet, where they are not required to have a license and can operate without oversight.

“We uncovered a massive, unregulated puppy mill and pet trade industry in Virginia -- on a scale no one had imagined,” said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of the HSUS.

“Only two percent of the puppy breeders are even licensed by the federal government, yet they are churning out tens of thousands of puppies, often in deplorable and demonstrably inhumane conditions. Many live in filth and darkness. We want consumers to know where their puppies come from, and that their purchases support these businesses.”

"This investigation suggests that the puppy mill industry is larger than any of us thought,” said Stephanie Shain, HSUS director of outreach for companion animals, “and that operators within the industry are skirting federal oversight in huge numbers.”

Details of the investigation are available at http://humanesociety.org/puppymill

The HSUS says undercover teams found dogs being harmed and abused throughout the state; laws being ignored, and consumers being duped.

One breeder, in business for more than 30 years, had between 500 and 700 breeding dogs on the premises. Some were selling puppies not yet eight weeks old, as required by the Animal Welfare Act. Others had dogs with severe health problems, malnutrition and lacked adequate food, water and shelter.

The HSUS favors adoptions from shelters and breed rescue groups – instead of buying from pet stores -- and says people intent on buying from a breeder should be sure they are dealing with a reputable one and not a puppy mill.

About 43,000 dogs are euthanized every year in Virginia after failing to be adopted, the HSUS noted.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 1:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)
        

I found myself in need of a last- minute costume for Ace last night -- and here's what we came up with.

Keep in mind, I'm not real big, personally, on costuming dogs, and that I'm on an extended visit away from home, so supplies were limited.

(For those of you who aren't regular readers -- and being irregular is no fun at all, is it? -- I'm temporarily at the University of Montana, serving as a visiting professor of journalism.)

Invited by my one of my students to a Halloween party  -- one whose host was gracious enough to invite my dog as well -- we tried to come up with something quick, cheap and easy.

So step one was squeezing him into this green T-shirt, emblazoned with the world "Ireland" in gold. 

Step two was an orange bandana.

Step three was getting him to sit.

Voila. Irish Setter.

Of course, it probably only added to Ace's breed confusion. (Irregulars: You can learn more about Ace's bloodline elsewhere on this page.)

And only about 30 percent of guests managed to figure out what he was -- even when told that sitting was a clue.

That didn't keep him from having a good time though -- up until we left.

Next door to the house where the party was, a resident had installed a creepy-voiced creature on his doorstep that kept repeating, through a recording, "Hey, I see you! Where you going?"

Ace tensed up as we walked past it to the car, then bolted in the other direction, almost pulling me down with him before I realized I had to either let the leash go, or lose my arm. He ran back to the party house and cowered behind the fence. Only with a lot of coaxing, and through walking on the other side of the street from the creepy voice, was I able to get him, shaking and whimpering, back to the car.

On this particular fright night, he got a good one.  Call it the luck of the Irish.

How did your pet fare on Halloween? Send your tales by leaving a comment below.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 12:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)