When it comes to our plea for pet jokes, it's not exactly raining cats and dogs. (Hence, no danger of stepping in a poodle.) But we could use more.

So, in an attempt to pick up the pace, and add to our collection, I offer this one, from the Nevada Appeal, which attributes it to one Jo Ann Gardner:

Three handsome male dogs are walking down the street when they see a beautiful, enticing, female poodle.

The three males fall all over themselves, slobbering and hoping for a favorable glance from her. She notices this and decides that the first one who can use the words 'liver' and 'cheese' in an imaginative and intelligent sentence, can have her affections.

The sturdy, muscular black Lab speaks up and says, "I love liver and cheese."

"'How childish," says the poodle. "That shows no imagination or intelligence whatsoever."

The tall, shiny golden retriever steps up and says, "Um, I HATE liver and cheese."

"Pitiful," says the poodle.

She then turns to the last, and smallest, of the three -- a chihuahua. He gives her a sly wink, turns to the golden retriever and the lab and says ...

"Liver alone ... cheese mine."

*

(If you have a dog or cat joke, original or not, send it in as a comment, and we'll add it to our list)

Posted by John Woestendiek at 8:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

Reminder: If you're looking to hoist a few with your dog tonight, drop by the Loew's Annapolis Hotel, which is hosting the second in its summer-long series of "Canines & Cocktails" events, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Tonight's celebrates black dogs (though dogs of any color are welcome) and features Patricia Black Townsend, who has put together a book called Black is Beautiful, A Celebration of Dark Dogs.

Proceeds benefit various area animal welfare organizations, including the SPCA/Humane Society of Prince George's County. For the entire list of Canines & Cocktails events, click here.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 12:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Under a bill proposed in the Ohio legislature, owners of any dog that "belongs to a breed that is commonly known as a pit bull" would have 90 days to surrender their pet to authorities for euthanasia.

Rather than me opine again on this topic, allow me to give you the proposal verbatim, in its dry and chilling entirety:

House Bill 568, Sec. 955.111

(A) Beginning ninety days after the effective date of this section, no person shall own, keep, or harbor a dog that belongs to a breed that is commonly known as a pit bull dog.

(B) Not later than ninety days after the effective date of this section, a person who owns, keeps, or harbors a pit bull dog on the effective date of this section shall surrender the dog to the dog warden. Not later than ten days after receiving the dog, the dog warden shall euthanize the dog.

(C)(1) Beginning ninety days after the effective date of this section, if an officer has probable cause to believe that a dog is a pit bull dog, the officer may apply to a court of competent jurisdiction for a search warrant. The court shall issue a search warrant for the purposes requested if there is probable cause to believe that a dog is a pit bull dog.

(2) After obtaining a search warrant, an officer shall seize the pit bull dog and surrender the dog to the dog warden. Not later than ten days after receiving the dog, the dog warden shall euthanize the dog.

The proposal comes from state Rep. Tyrone Yates, who introduced it last week. It has been sent to the legislature's State Government and Elections Committee.

While numerous local governments have adopted pit bull bans -- like the two towns in the Dakotas we referred to earlier this week -- this is the first proposed statewide ban with which I'm familiar. It's a highly revolting development, and one that -- though, granted, it pertains to exterminating breeds of dogs instead of races of people -- is reminiscent of some shameful times in world history.

I'm hoping this can't happen in 21st Century America, but then again, on a local level, it already has.

Even the American Kennel Club -- normally focused on purebred breeds, of which the pit bull is not one -- is urging citizens to voice their opposition to it, as you can see here.

The Animal Law Coalition is mobilizing opposition as well.

Let's hope such organizations are successful, and the death march in the Buckeye State is avoided.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 10:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (18)
        

The Canton Dog Park will hold its sixth annual summer fund-raiser Saturday, June 7, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (with a rain date of Sunday, June 8).

The event will be held at the park, at the corner of Clinton and Toone streets, and will feature raffles, a silent auction and food provided by Austin Grill, profits from which also go to the park.

Sponsors of the event include 2910 on the Square, Baltimore Animal Rescue & Care Shelter (BARCS), Bin 604, Daily Grind, DocSide Veterinary Medical Center, Doghouse Girls, Eastern Animal Hospital, JD’s Smokehouse, Mama’s on the Half Shell, Maryland SPCA, Nacho Mama’s, Partnership Wealth Management LLC, Savannah Parke, Southern Galvanizing Company, and Vircity2.

Canton Dog Park -- the only place in the city of Baltimore where dogs can legally run off leash -- is operated by the Canton Community Association (CCA), a nonprofit organization. Donations are tax deductible.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 8:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

Matt Grant, the first-ever international bachelor on ABC's The Bachelor, seems to have found his true love -- a cute little mutt named Olivia.

In two new public service announcements (click the hunk's photo above for one of them), Grant co-stars with Olivia to stress the importance of working to stop the overpopulation of homeless pets euthanized in animal shelters.

Grant has joined forces with The Humane Society of the United States to promote spaying and neutering.

"... It's good for animals, it's good for you and, most importantly, it saves lives," Grant said.

"Celebrity support is invaluable in drawing attention to animal protection issues," said Beverly Kaskey, senior director of the Hollywood office of The Humane Society of the United States. "Matt's willingness to get behind the cause of protecting pets shows what a compassionate guy he is and why he won't remain a bachelor for much longer."

About half of the 6 to 8 million dogs and cats who end up in shelters each year in America are euthanized, HSUS says.

You can read the full HSUS announcement here.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 6:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

A 28-year-old Glen Burnie woman was sentenced yesterday to three years in prison and three years' probation -- the maximum allowed under her conviction of two counts of animal mutilation.

"She needs to be in her own cage for a period of time," prosecutor Kimberly DiPietro said. "At least, she'll know she'll get fed."

Anne Arundel County Judge Paul A. Hackner called the animal abuse case the worst he had ever seen.

County animal control officers discovered five dead dogs and four starving ones when they investigated a neighbor's complaint about Kelly Lynn Schreck.

Lawyers said Schreck intended to breed Great Danes, but due to marital and emotional problems became overwhelmed: "Words cannot express the sadness ... over the loss of my dogs ...My life was in constant turmoil and I was depressed," she said in a statement read into the court record.

The judge banned Schreck from owning pets for five years and ordered her to repay the county almost $8,000 in veterinary fees.

Four dogs were found alive by animal control officers: Parker, Abby, Fancy and Hannah. Hannah later died.

Karen Quatman, an Annapolis member of the Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League, which arranged for the adoption of two of the surviving dogs, said yesterday's sentence "was better than what we expected."

Susan Hughes, a Prince William County, Va., woman who adopted Fancy, a 4-year-old Great Dane, said in a letter to the judge that Fancy came to her home "a timid girl unsure of her surroundings, fearful of men and hands coming near her face." She gained 40 pounds in the first month after her rescue and "has blossomed into this regal, loving creature that just wants to be loved and cared for."

To read the full story in today's Sun, click here. 

(Photo courtesy of Anne Arundel County State's Attorney's Office)

Posted by John Woestendiek at 1:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

Both Toyota and Honda have created websites in Japan for dog lovers, aimed at attracting what the industry sees as a growing demographic.

Japan's No. 1 and No. 2 automakers are looking to win points with dog lovers through websites that don't just tout the dog-friendliness of their cars, but also offer information on dog friendly cafes and hotels as well.

Their motivation, of course, is financial: Due to a recent pet boom and a declining birthrate, there are now more dogs and cats in Japan than children under 15, and the dog crowd is seen as a more lucrative target these days than even single women and baby boomers.

Visitors to "Honda Dog" can find out about events where they can test-drive Honda cars with their pups. The Toyota dog site started soon after Honda's move. Both are Japanese-language sites.

Honda's website, for example, gives dimensions for its cars' cargo space for stashing cages, a rating system that ranks seat fabric for ease of removing dog hair, and more, according a Reuters article about the marketing strategy.

"There's definitely a need there that wasn't being met," said Teruhiro Murai, an Internet marketer at Honda who came up with the idea seven years ago to fulfill his own needs as the owner of a golden retriever and miniature dachshund.

Dog-conscious car shopping is alive and well in America, too, with Subaru, Honda and Toyota all chasing the dog lovers market.

Dogcars.com named the Honda Element SUV its first-ever "DogCar of the Year," in part because of its easy-to-clean interior and anti-noseprint windows.

To read the full Reuters story, click here.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 11:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Oprah's much talked about puppy mill episode will be re-aired today

In Baltimore, it can be seen on WBAL, Channel 11, at 4 p.m.

According to Oprah's website, the idea for the show came from a billboard that had been put up to grab her attention, off the Kennedy Expressway in Chicago: "Oprah: Do a show on puppy mills. The dogs need you."

Not long after that, Oprah's beloved cocker spaniel Sophie died.

The puppy mills episode, which documents the deplorable conditions inside profit-obsessed, overcrowded breeding operations, was intended as a tribute to her dog, Oprah says.

The man behind the billboard was Bill Smith, founder of Main Line Animal Rescue, an agency that rescues hundreds of abused, unwanted or abandoned animals, rehabilitates them and adopts them out to families. Many of the animals it receives come from puppy mills.

The show was originally broadcast April 4. Our posts before and after it generated one of the largest reader responses the Mutts blog has experienced. For a sampling, click here.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 10:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)
        

The electric company calls it "stray voltage," and it's suspected in the deaths of at least four dogs in the past few years in New York.

In the latest case, Celia Sing, of Long Island City, says she was taking her 7-year-old Siberian husky, Sebastian, for a walk on Sunday when he stopped at a light pole.

Sing says her dog suddenly fell, shook uncontrollably and died.

Because of the holiday weekend, Sing said she was unable to get answers from the Department of Transportation. The light pole was replaced on Monday. A department spokesman said the area has been made safe, but the cause of the stray voltage has not yet been determined.

In June of 2007, a New York Post reporter's dog fell victim to an electrified light pole. She was walking Mushy, a 100-pound Mastiff in Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem. "He stepped near the lamppost, and suddenly, he started staggering toward me. Right away I thought: "Oh, my God, he's being electrocuted!" she wrote.

In the past, according to the website Gothamist, a Boston Terrier, a chow-chow and a human being have all met a similar fate. You can see its posts on the previous incidents here, here, here and here.

To see a local ABC affiliate's report on the latest incident, click here.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 12:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

If you've thought it would be nice to have a pet door -- but always worried that giving your pet the freedom to come in and out as he pleases would also give that freedom to raccoons, strays, burglars and other assorted vermin -- here's a solution.

Pet Doors USA is offering a new "Plexidoor Pet Door" that opens exclusively for your pet via a wearable pass code “collar key.”

Electronic and electro-magnetic pet doors open in response to a signal from a "key" attached to your pet's collar when your pet is a few inches from the door. Some keys activate the door that then opens like a mini garage door. In some units the "key" releases the catch so the pet can push the door open.

“Collar keys” come programmed and can be clipped to the dog's collar. The technology in the door reads and recognizes the code as the pet approaches.

The Plexidor Electronic Door itself is sturdy, rust-proof, energy efficient and does not blow open like most mud flap pet doors, the company says.

A safety mechanism prevents the door from closing while obstructed, preventing pinched tails, paws or fingers.

They're pretty pricey: The one pictured runs $697.

For more information, go to dogdoors.com.

(Photo courtesy of Dog Doors USA)

Posted by John Woestendiek at 8:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

When Charles Krout heard from his neighbor that his house in Remington was burning, he had only one request -- save his pets.

Apparently Rex Cox did just that -- entering the rear of Krout's home as firefighters arrived at the front, shattering a window with a hammer to get in and leading Krout's two dogs to safety.

Firefighters extinguished yesterday's fire quickly. When Krout and his wife arrived, they were reunited with their two dogs: Kid, a 4-year-old German shepherd; and Tara, a 6-year-old golden retriever.

"They're my babies," Krout said, adding that they had found only one of their two cats. Battalion Chief Steve Canter said he believed the second cat escaped but had not yet been found in the neighborhood.

To see the video shot by Gus Sentementes, click here.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 7:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Last week's post on Randy DeCarlo, the Georgia rescuer of beagles and bassets who faces up to 12 years in prison if he's found guilty of violating noise ordinances, has drawn a few comments -- including two from Randy DeCarlo.

You can read them here.

DeCarlo turned down a deal for probation in exchange for relinquishing 10 of his 25 dogs, and will head to court June 12. In his comments to us, he says he plans to fight the charges and prove not just that he's innocent, but that his dogs are, too.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 10:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

The next in a summer-long series of "Canines & Cocktails" events at the Loew's Annapolis Hotel is in honor of black dogs, and will feature Patricia Black Townsend, who has put together a book called Black is Beautiful, A Celebration of Dark Dogs.

The May 30 event -- to which dogs of all colors are invited -- will benefit various area animal welfare organizations, including the SPCA/Humane Society of Prince George's County.

Townsend said her book is intended to increase awareness of the difficulty black shelter dogs face in getting adopted and to improve their public image.

It's can be ordered online through the website of the SPCA/Humane Society of Prince George's County, to which all proceeds go.

A dog-lover since childhood, Townsend, a writer and amateur photographer, has lived with black dogs for nearly 18 years.

“Of course I’ve always thought my dogs were beautiful, and it never occurred to me that other people wouldn’t think so,” she says. As Townsend became interested in animal welfare and rescue issues, she learned black dogs are the hardest for shelters and rescue organizations to find homes for.

“My goal is to get people to look at black dogs differently,” Townsend explains, “… to appreciate their attractiveness and diversity and to give more thought to adopting a black dog if they’re looking for a new fur friend.”

She also hopes to raise some money for the SPCA/Humane Society of Prince George’s County, a volunteer-run, nonprofit, animal welfare organization for which she has worked as a volunteer for several years.

As it's something a lot of people have trouble with, including me, I asked Townsend for some advice on photographing black dogs. Here's what she said:

"Not being a great "technician" myself, I have to admit there's some luck -- and trial and error -- in getting good photos of black dogs. Unless you have lots of lighting equipment, which I don't, outdoor light is best.

Be aware that digital cameras have trouble dealing with high-contrast images. Bright, indirect light -- as opposed to direct sunlight -- is usually best.

If you are shooting in bright sunlight, it's best to have the sun behind you and get down close to eye level with the dog rather than shooting them from above ... unless you're intentionally trying to capture a special effect with shadows.

And, of course, thanks to the joys of PhotoShop, we now have to capability of controlling images that we never had before ... like lightening a black dog without washing out the lighter background completely; it just takes time and a certain amount of practice and skill."

Posted by John Woestendiek at 7:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

Israeli jails are using a custom-built computer program to interpret the barks of guard dogs -- to help prison staff distinguish between everyday, run of the mill woofs and, "HEY, SOMEBODY'S ESCAPING!" barks.

Noam Tavor, head of the Israel Prisons Service canine unit, said the program is designed to overcome mistakes in which guards have either not heard dogs sounding an alarm or failed to identify the significance of the barking.

"It collects the dogs' barks through microphones ... and sorts and grades them," Tavor said. "It relays only the barks that are significant in terms of security — barks that reveal stress or aggression in the dog."

Tavor, according to an Associated Press article, said prison staff would sometimes ignore dogs' barks if they thought it was nothing serious, what he called the "boy who cried wolf" phenomenon.

The system, installed three years ago, was created by Bio-Sense, a high-tech company headquartered near Tel Aviv. Bio-Sense recorded the patrol dogs barking in different situations, from playtime to cat encounters to actual emergencies.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Picking up the award on behalf of Lucy, director Kelly Riechardt revealed that Lucy is her dog: "She was no trouble at all to direct. She always did what she was told and got to the set on time."

The movie's showing was the first appearance by Michelle Williams on a red carpet since the death of her estranged husband Heath Ledger.

In the film Michelle plays Wendy, whose car breaks down on her way to seek summer work in Alaska. You can read the full story here.

Lucy received the jewled dog collar that is given to the winner of the award, conceived eight years ago.

The first winner, in 2001, was Otis, who appeared in Jennifer Jason Leigh's directorial debut, "The Anniversary Party."

For other winners, and background on the award click here.

(Photos: Michelle Williams at Cannes/Associated Press)

Posted by John Woestendiek at 9:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

It's not a good time to be a dog in the Dakotas.

Voters in Leola, South Dakota, have upheld a decision by the city council to make it illegal to possess pit bulls, bull mastiffs, Rottweilers, Doberman pinchers and German shepherds, and any dogs that are mix of those breeds.

The banned breeds -- get this -- are exempted from the law if they help or are being trained to help people with disabilities. How generous.

Mayor Dean Schock says the ordinance was passed due to concerns from people who walk and bike or whose children bike around town. Residents voted 103-27 last week to endorse the council's action.

Meanhwhile, up in North Dakota, officials in the town of Kenmare, which approved a similar ban last month, decided the proposal needed more review. The town has a scheduled a special meeting tomorrow night to discuss it.

The Kenmare council has been considering a ban on American Staffordshire terriers, Doberman Pinschers, Rottweilers, pit bulls or crosses of any of those breeds. Officials said the ordinance was drafted due to fears of vicious dogs, but some dog owners threatened to move because of it.

For both these towns, I'd recommend doing a little homework on the issue. I'd recommend they meet my dog -- a combination of two "vicious" breeds -- but since that's not possible, maybe they could at least watch his movie, "Hey, Mister, What Kind of Dog is That."

Then I'd recommend they stop here. And here.

A dog's bloodlines don't make him dangerous.

Stupid humans do.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 9:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (8)
        

"The Unsinkable Molly Brown" -- a search and rescue dog better known as just "Molly" -- has lived up to her name, surviving an operation in Missouri that saw a pacemaker installed in her heart.

After years of helping authorities look for murder victims and survivors of natural disasters, Molly, a 5-year-old chocolate Lab, became lethargic last month. Veterinarians believe she had a heart attack.

On Tuesday night, after noticing her heart rate had dropped, her owners, Allen and Alicia Brown of Saginaw, rushed her to Columbia.

After the Joplin Globe reported on the story, the Browns were overwhelmed with offers to help pay for the $2,500 surgery, follow up visits and travel costs. A medical technology company, Medtronic, Inc., donated the device, and an anonymous Kansas businessman offered to kick in $2,000.

Molly was scheduled to return home today, where she will be confined to her crate for two weeks. She should be able to return to full-time rescue work, Allen Brown said. Allen, a paramedic, and Alicia, a nurse, work with the all-volunteer Newton County K-9 search-and-rescue unit.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 9:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

The anthropomorphist in me wants to put little bubbles above these picnicking pandas assigning them thoughts -- especially that guy behind the stump in the background, for clearly he is the brooding and rebellious deep thinker of the group.

Either that or noboby likes him. He reminds me of me, in high school.

The one on the far right, meanwhile, seems to be thinking, "Chicken salad? Again?"

As we know, assigning human thoughts to animals is wrong, and it's too fine a photo to mess up with thought bubbles. So I'll just say enjoy your own Memorial Day weekend picnic and give you the straight description:

In this photo distributed by the official Chinese news agency Xinhua, pandas eat food at the China Wolong Giant Panda Protection and Research Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province. Three of ten pandas that went missing there after the May 12 earthquake have not been found, Xinhua said.

(Photo by Chen Xie, Associated Press)

Posted by John Woestendiek at 11:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

Randy DeCarlo of Lilburn, Ga., has been rescuing dogs since his father passed away in 2001.

He reckons he's saved 250 from euthanasia since he started.

"They're the only thing that's really important to me," DeCarlo, 55, said.

But according to an Atlanta Journal-Constitution article, DeCarlo will be hauled into court later this month to face 24 counts of violating noise ordinances -- and a sentence of up to 12 years in prison.

Granted, animal hoarding is a sickness (and not one we're  saying he has); and granted, DeCarlo's present guests include a dozen beagles and a dozen basset hounds, both breeds that can bark consistently and annoyingly enough to make you want to head for the hills.

But sending him to prison for 12 years -- you'll recall Michael Vick is serving less than two -- well, that would just be cruelty to humans.

Prosecutors offered DeCarlo a deal to avoid trial and jail: give up 10 of his 25 dogs, and accept 24 months on probation.

DeCarlo declined.

He fears many of his dogs -- such as Casey, his one-eyed beagle, and others with special needs -- might not be adoptable.

DeCarlo heads to court in Gwinnett County on June 12.

(Photo by George Chidi, courtesy Atlanta Journal-Constitution; AJC.com)

Posted by John Woestendiek at 10:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (11)
        

If I lived in Anne Arundel County -- home of the mandatory dog house -- and had money to spare, which I don't, I'd spring for one of these eco-friendly dog houses whose rooftops sport a lush carpet of native vegetation.

Specifically, I'd go for the limited edition "Andrew Jackass Plantation," the model to your left. 

Designer and landscape architect Stephanie Rubin, of Greenrrroof Animal Homes in California -- not a big fan of the seventh president -- designed, built and graffiti-fied this model, made out of Tennessee cedar, milled from 200-year-old trees that were felled during a tornado on Andrew Jackson's estate.

The price tag for it isn't mentioned on Rubin's website, sustainablepet.com, but her other green-roofed garden homes -- and there's quiet a variety of models -- start at $1,000.

According to the website, Rubin's dogarariums are built entirely of nontoxic materials, like untreated red cedar, beeswax waterproofing and even a bamboo piping drainage system that can fill the dog's water dish.

The live and growing rooftop serves to provide insulation against temperatures and sound, filters dust and particulates, and can even repel fleas.

(Photo courtesy of Greenrrroof Animals Homes)

Posted by John Woestendiek at 7:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

"Animals, that's what I want to devote my life to now," Emmylou Harris tells Animal Radio listeners this weekend.

Which is fine with me, as long as she keeps singing, too.

The 12-time Grammy Award winner guests on the AM-FM (terrestrial) and XM Satellite Radio broadcast of Animal Radio Saturday and Sunday.

"Animals can teach us how to be better human beings. They've certainly taught me that," Harris says on the program. She also discusses her dog Bonaparte and his legacy.

Also on the program, Richard Pryor's wife, Jennifer Pryor, talks about "Pryor's Planet," ­ an animal advocacy organization. The comedian's love for animals reached the point where, "Richard would get out of the car and talk to cows. H­e had an animal magnetism."

Animal Radio calls itself the "most-listened-to" animal programming in the U.S. It is carried on 97 AM-FM stations across the country. In Baltimore, it can be heard at noon Wednesday's on WHFC 91.1. Animal Radio is broadcast on XM Satellite Radio channel 158 on Saturday from noon to 2 p.m., and Sunday from 9 to 11 a.m.

To hear it on the internet, log on to animalradio.com.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 3:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Laws and surveillance techniques intended to fight organized crime and terrorists are being used in Britain to go after dog owners whose pets foul the grass.

It seems six different borough councils have now admitted to using the surveillance laws to monitor, arrest and prosecute owners who failed to clean up after their dogs.

Brian Binley, an MP (Member of Parliament) for Northampton South condemned his local borough council for "acting like Dick Tracy" with the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (Ripa), which is intended for use "in the interests of national security."

Figures released by Northampton borough council show Ripa powers had been used five times since the act came into force in 2000 to take action against owners who failed to clear up after their dogs, according to this article in The Guardian.

A council spokeswoman said she could not say what sort of surveillance was undertaken, but that it could have been the use of cameras or simply personal surveillance.

Other councils, including Derby, Bolton, Gateshead and Hartlepool, have also owned up to using the Ripa powers to fight dog mess, according to the article, and the Gosport borough council has admitted that its officers used "digital cameras and binoculars to catch those failing to scoop up their dogs' poo."

"I am perfectly happy to give police powers in order to fight terrorism and very serious crime, but when it gets to this level you really have to question it," Binley said.

All of this makes me wonder even more about the helicopters I see hovering overhead nearly every afternoon at Riverside Park when I walk my dog, Ace. Are they collecting footage of leash law violators? Capturing digital images of those who don't scoop up after their dogs? Naaaaah, I'm just being paranoid. Aren't I?

Posted by John Woestendiek at 10:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

A California company plans to auction off its dog cloning services next month through a string of online auctions, with the bidding to start at $100,000, the New York Times reported yesterday.

The company, BioArts International, will auction off five dog clonings. It is calling the project "Best Friends Again," and has scheduled the auctions for June 18, according to the Times report. (You can read it here.)

BioArts has arranged a partnership with the Sooam Biotech Research Foundation in South Korea, where scientists Hwang Woo Suk cloned the first dog, a male Afghan hound, in 2005. He and his Korean colleagues named that dog Snuppy, for Seoul National University puppy.

The company began work last fall to clone its first dog, using genetic samples from his family dog, a border collie-husky mix named Missy who died in 2002. Three clones of Missy have been produced, he said. (That's them with BioArts CEO Lou Hawthorne in the AP photo above.)

The company guarantees a healthy dog that resembles the original. Hawthorne said that BioArts would not spend the money “unless and until we deliver a cloned dog that they sign off on.”

And so technology marches on. It won't be long until it's a matter of heading to the mall to get your pet cloned, or perhaps a drive-thru where you place your order and drop off your dog's tissue sample in the first window, pick up an identical pup at the next. Or perhaps a big warehouse store -- a Clone Depot.

In fact, this pet cloning thing is making headlines often enough that we have created a category for it (see the rightside rail for our categories) -- a place where you can find all our past and future cloning entries. But no duplicates. We promise.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 7:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

Spurred by the death of Eight Belles in the Kentucky Derby, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals -- about 30 members of which showed up at Pimlico to protest last weekend's Preakness -- have stepped up their call to end horse racing.

When PETA president Ingrid E. Newkirk heard that Hillary Clinton had placed a Kentucky Derby bet on Eight Belles -- the horse that broke both her ankles and had to be euthanized -- she dashed off a letter earlier this month.

"I hope that everybody will go to the derby on Saturday and place just a little money on the filly for me," Sen. Clinton told supporters in Jeffersonville, Ind., ABC News reported. "I won't be able to be there this year - my daughter is going to be there and so she has strict instructions to bet on Eight Belles."

"Horse racing is as indefensible as dog fighting, and Sen. Clinton must step up immediately and condemn it as animal abuse," said Newkirk. "Eight Belles and countless other horses abused in the racing industry suffer horrendously and die just so that people can bet on them as though they were poker hands."

"PETA takes no position on whether you win or lose the race you are in," the letter said, "but we call on you to publicly reject betting on such hideous spectacles of domination over wonderful animals who deserve more than pain and death for human profit and amusement."

Newkirk's letter, and more photos of the Preakness protest can be found on in the blog archive of PETA's website

(Photo courtesy of Peta.org)

Posted by John Woestendiek at 8:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)
        

The dog crowd at Wyman Park Dell has its act together.

Not only do they hold their own happy hour on Fridays -- enjoying what I'm sure are refreshing non-alcoholic beverages (alcoholic ones, like dogs off leashes, would be illegal.)

They have a voluminous mailing list of all the dogs and owners that frequent the park.

They chip in and dog-sit for each other when somebody has to leave town.

And they even have their own website (which you can find here), complete with their own unofficial map -- to the right, designed by Rita Venturi.

On the day I stopped by, a couple of weeks ago, there was an amazing cross-section of breeds and sizes, all playing together happily on a huge grassy area shielded from the roads by steep embankments.

It's fairly well hidden, a wedge of green that lies between Hampden and Johns Hopkins. Sometimes, it even takes people who have lived in the neighborhood a while to discover it.

"Even some who live within two blocks," notes Lisa Marie Kiessling, recalling the owners of a greyhound who ran away. The family found the dog in the park, and have been coming ever since.

"Depending on what time one goes there, you might find yourself surrounded with many - or be alone in your thoughts with your dog(s) at your side," said Kiessling, who has three Great Danes.

As a city dweller, she considers the park "a gift beyond worth. ... One can play fetch or chase or whatever in the great lower playing field of Wyman, without fear that your dog is going to run out in the road and get hit by a car."

Between the dog-dog interaction, the dog-human interaction, and the human-human interaction, Kiessling says, "it's the best social hour available."

Of course, not all those interactions have been pleasant.

"In the past 10 years I know of three broken hips that happened when the dogs and their owners were going down the steep hill and got sideswiped be one or more dogs."

Once in a while, there are dog fights. Once in a while, friction arises -- between non-dog owners and dog owners, and even between responsible dog owners and dog owners who aren't keeping an eye on their dog, she added.

But for the most part, it's one big happy family.

Many in Wyman Park get together there for the Friday happy hour, and it's also commonly used by residents for dog-friendly birthday parties and other celebrations.

"It's a great place to meet with different types/breeds/size of dogs," Kiessling said. "We have everything from toys to giants in our group, from purebred to any possible mutt combinations."

Her own dogs -- that's Kiessling with BearBear to the left -- are there every day.

If you've got an ax to grind, some praises to sing, some observations to make when it comes to Wyman Park -- this little enclave of it or any other part -- feel free to use our comment section and get a dialogue going.

To join in the conversation at other parks, click on the "Dogs of Our Lives" logo in the rightside rail.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 6:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

Chugging around the trail at Fort McHenry this past weekend, Ace and I pulled over to to meet a Chow named Chi.

Ace seemed eager to make the acquaintance of the charcoal-colored fluffball, or maybe he just wanted a break from running with me while I was on a bicycle. Some people call it "bikejoring." I call it easier than pedaling myself.

We were making our second lap around the trail that encircles the fort and its 43 acres of parkland, when Ace veered into the grass, where Chi and Pat O'Malley, an artist and semi-retired art teacher, were sitting.

O'Malley said Chi, who is 10, visits Fort McHenry about twice a week.

Pets are permitted at Fort McHenry, except in the fort itself, but park rules call for them to be leashed and attended at all times.

On the weekends especially, it's a good idea to follow that rule. The park fills up with visitors -- some of them seeking to soak in the history of the fort that inspired the Star Spangled Banner, some of them interested in soaking up some sun. On top of that, there are usually a few picnics going on, and Ace, at least, is prone to wanting to visit those in search of handouts.

Weekdays are a little quieter, and I've seen a few people let their dogs run unleashed when there's no crowd.

Unlike the other parks we've featured in this series, Fort McHenry doesn't have a huge contingent of daily, same-time-tomorrow visitors. But a lot of dog owners go there semi-regularly.

There is no charge for using the park grounds, picnicking or parking -- unless you are going into the fort.

Fort McHenry was built in the late 1700s and bombed by the British for two days in September 1814. Francis Scott Key watched it all while aboard the Tonnant, and, once the British abandoned the mission, wrote the lines to what became the Star Spangled Banner. The fort and land became part of the National Park Service in 1933.

Chock full of history, it's also a good place to strike up a chat, and a fine choice for a stroll. It has lots of grass, plenty of shaded areas and a dog/bicycle/pedestrian-friendly concrete trail that follows the waterfront and loops around the fort.

Whether you and your dogs are regular visitors, or just drop by once in a while, if you have thoughts to share on Fort McHenry, click the comment button below.

To visit and join the discussion in our other "episodes" of Dogs of Our Lives -- Robert E. Lee, Federal Hill, Canton, Patterson Park, Riverside, Locust Point, click on the Dogs of Our Lives logo in the rightside rail and find your park.

(Tomorrow: Wyman Park)

Posted by John Woestendiek at 6:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Scully, here, with the poop on Robert E. Lee Park.

Trust me, when it comes to the poop on Robert E. Lee Park, nobody can provide it as well as me.

I am an English Mastiff, 150 pounds and – at eight months old -- still growing.

Three or four times a week, I hit the park with my master, Lat Naylor. He’s an artist.

Sunday was a typical day. We got there early, around 9, parked the car, and walked over the pedestrian bridge past that dam.

It's like a giant stairway, with water running over it.

If you didn't need to go when you got there, you will by the time you walk past it, with all the rushing water, which is too bad for you humans, because there are no public restrooms -- at least none that are unlocked.

I hooked up early with a Newfoundland named Anchor. My kind of dog -- big and drooly. Then I chewed on some sticks.

Some of which were still attached to the tree. 

 They’re fresher that way.

Then I met another big dog, named Ace – not quite as big as me – but he galloped right up and he made a growly noise, and I wasn’t sure if he was going to bite me or what.

So I did that submissive thing. I backed away and had some alone time.

Ace approached a few more times, and we started to play.

There were lots of other dogs -- but the little ones, like this guy, weren't into wrestling.

.

Playing with Ace, I took a few tumbles, as I haven't reached my full grace potential quite yet.

As it turns out, Ace and I really hit it off. We wrestled for a long time – off the leash. I know, it’s illegal, according to the signs, but how much faith can you put in signs like these:

Besides, everybody does it.

Robert E. Lee Park, for a dog, is the best of Baltimore's city parks -- even though it's not in the city.

Lake Roland is in Baltimore County but owned by the city because it's where much of Baltimore's water used to come from. As a result of the absentee ownership, the park is a tad neglected. But also as a result, our masters are less likely to get rousted for letting us off the leash.

It's more than 450 acres.

It has streams and a lake to cool off in.

There are dense forests and scenic trails, and tunnels and footbridges.

It's paradise for a dog.

I think the people have a good time, too -- though not quite as good a time as we do. People are funny. They always ask each other what the other's dog is named, but rarely do they exchange their own names.

That puzzles me. 

Even though they use us dogs to help them socialize, they still like to keep some distance. It's kind of like it was with Ace -- coming up all growly and in my face. At first, I wasn't sure I was going to like him.

But he turned out OK.

If you take the time to get to know somebody, rather than decide on first impression you don't like them -- because their tail's too curly, or their growl's too loud, or their coat's the wrong color -- it usually pays off.

People need to do a better job of sniffing each other out.

Well, that's all for me.

See you at the park.

Your friend, Scully

(If you frequent Robert E. Lee Park, please feel free to use this page to post any comments or information -- about dogs, about dog owners, or about the condition of the park.)

(Any opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those of Scully, or his owner, Lat Naylor.)

(All parks referred to in this and other "Dogs of Our Lives" entries are not technically dog parks, with the exception of Canton Dog Park, the only dog park in Baltimore City. At other city parks, dogs are required by law to be on leashes at all times.)

(Photos by John Woestendiek)

Posted by John Woestendiek at 6:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (17)
        

Here, in honor of Dog Bite Prevention Week, are the top 10 ways to avoid getting bitten by your dog, or someone else's, courtesy of the American Veterinary Medical Association:

1. Pick a dog that is good match for your home. Consult your veterinarian for details about the behavior of different breeds.

2. Socialize your pet. Gradually expose your puppy to a variety of people and other animals so it feels at ease in these situations; continue this exposure as your dog gets older.

3. Train your dog. Commands can build a bond of obedience and trust between man and dog. Avoid aggressive games like wrestling or tug-of-war with your dog.

4. Vaccinate your dog against rabies and other diseases.

5. Neuter or spay your dog. These dogs are less likely to bite.

6. Teach your child to ask a dog owner for permission before petting any dog.

7. Let a strange dog sniff you or your child before touching it, and pet it gently, avoiding the face, head and tail.

8. Never bother a dog if it is sleeping, eating or caring for puppies.

9. Do not to run past a dog. 10.

If a dog threatens you, remain calm. Avoid eye contact. Stand still or back away slowly until the dog leaves. If you are knocked down, curl into a ball and protect your face with your arms and fists.

To those, I would add these, based on my observations and Ace's experiences as a therapy dog: Don't assume all dogs are gentle, and don't assume they're all vicious. Don't, when meeting a dog, put your hand out, then jerk it away again and again. Don't assume a friendly little dog wants to be picked up (or a cat for that matter). Don't scream, or, worse yet, scream and run. Take your time when meeting a dog; let him come to you.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 8:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

An encounter arranged last winter between a hippopotamus named Primrose and another named Harry at the Werribee Open Range Zoo in Melbourne, Australia, resulted in "Muddy," as she has been temporarily named.

The five-week-old hippopotamus calf, seen her following her mother, has tripled in size since her birth. The gestation period for the hippo is about 8 months.

Zoo officials report the calf is strong and healthy, and that a permanent name will be chosen through a contest.

(Photo by William West/AFP/GETTY IMAGES)

Posted by John Woestendiek at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

It's National Dog Bite Prevention Week.

The purpose of the week is to bring attention to a mostly preventable problem -- the 4.7 million people bitten by dogs every year, about 800,000 of whom receive medical attention.

As pointed out by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), United States Post Office and the American Academy of Pediatrics -- all sponsors of the week -- it's up to people, not dogs, to stop dog bites.

"What's most important is that dog bites are largely preventable," said Dr. Gregory S. Hammer, AVMA president. "Through appropriate dog training and education of adults and children, these numbers could be dramatically reduced."

Small children are the most common victims of dog bites, followed by older people and postal workers.

"From nips and bites to actual attacks, violent dog behavior continues to pose a serious threat to our employees," said Patrick R. Donahoe, Deputy postmaster General and Chief Operating Officer. "Last year, more than 3,000 Postal Service employees were victimized by dogs."

To help educate the public about dog bites, the AVMA has developed a brochure. To get it, and more information on National Dog Bite Prevention Week, click here.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 7:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Not being big on formalities, I consider it an achievement to have gotten through nearly 55 years of life only having to wear a tuxedo four times.

Half of those times were to get married. All of those times, they were rentals. (The tuxedos, I mean).

Now, though, another tuxedo occasion is coming up -- the Baltimore County Humane Society's Black Tie and Tails Gala, Saturday, June 7.

It is pretty much the social event of the season for the doggie crowd, and proceeds from it go to care for the animals at the Humane Society. I really should go.

But I dread the idea of going to the tuxedo place -- something about all that fussing and measuring, not to mention the thought of spending lots of money for rental clothing.

So if you have a tuxedo, and you're definitely not going, and your waist is a good 36 inches, and your height about 5 foot 9, and the only six-packs you've ever looked down and seen have been in your refrigerator, and you don't mind a relatively clean, drug and disease free stranger wearing your clothes, drop me an email.

Since it's a dog-friendly event, the tux will probably accumulate some dog hairs, but otherwise I promise to treat it well, to give it a good home for a few days, and to try and appear dashing in it, though I know I will never be as handsome as my dog. 

The Humane Society of Baltimore County's Black Tie and Tails Gala will be held at The Grand Lodge in Hunt Valley from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tickets are $150 each. It features a gourmet dinner, open bar, live music, silent auction, best-dressed pet contest and more. To purchase tickets online, visit the HSBC website: www.baltimorehumane.org.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 8:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

OK, one more round of dog beer. Then I'm going to have to cut you off.

Doggie Brew -- not to be confused with Kwispelbier, born in Holland, or Bowser Beer, born in Baltimore, is made in New York by Brian Davis (that's his 7-year-old Maltese Shih-Tzu mis, "Isabel" on the label).

Doggie Brew was among the first dog beers to be introduced in the U.S., along with Happy Tail Ale in California, which is now, according to its website, "on hiatus."

Davis, of Syracuse, N.Y., says the idea came to him during a sleepless night when, to occupy his mind, he started coming up with names for dog beer.

Now he's the founder and CEO of Doggie Beverages Inc. He says he developed the vitamin-enriched beer to give back something to the dogs that have enriched his life. 

I ran into him today at H.H. Backer Spring Trade Show at Baltimore's Convention Center, which was filled with pet product vendors from around the country.

He provided me a bottle of all three flavors: Wet Snout Stout (beef), Doggie Lager (chicken) and the newest, Amber Bark (pork). Ace will be sampling them in days ahead.

Doggie Brew's website is www.doggiebrew.com, and it can be purchased at Dogma in Baltimore, as well as Bark Premium Natural Pet Food & Supplies in Clarksville.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 5:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Officials at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are warning that salmonella infections from dry dog food may be an under-recognized source of illness in people after an outbreak of infections in people was been traced to contaminated dry dog food in Pennsylvania.

"This is the first time human illness has been linked to dry dog food," said CDC epidemiologist Dr. Casey Barton Behravesh, co-author of the report on the findings.

The CDC isn't sure how the salmonella bacteria got into the dog food, officials said Thursday.

An estimated 70 people, mostly in the Northeast, were infected in 2006 and 2007 by dog food produced by Mars Petcare at its Pennsylvania plant, CDC said.

About 40 percent of those infections involved infants, according to the May 16 issue of the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. None of the cases reported were in Maryland; most of them (29) were in Pennsylvania. At least 11 were hospitalized. No deaths were reported, according to the report. No pets became ill.

Salmonella was identified in feces samples from dogs that ate the dry food. It was also found in open bags of the pet food fed to the dogs and in unopened bags of dog food made in the Pennsylvania plant. Mars Petcare voluntarily recalled some bags of the two brands of food involved, but neither of the recalled brands was related to human illness, the CDC said.

"The most important thing is to wash your hands right after you handle any dry dog food, any other pet food, pet treats, even supplements or vitamins," Barton Behravesh said. "In addition, keep infants and other young children away from pet food, because kids tend to want to see what their dogs are eating and grab at the pet food and play with it or even put it in their mouth."

For a report by Reuters on the outbreak, click here.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 10:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Before you book a flight to England or Holland to pick up a four-pack, you might want to check Baltimore's own pet shop Dogma, which carries an almost-local version of dog beer called Bowser Beer.

In six-packs, no less.

It was the brainchild of former Baltimore resident Jenny Brown, who recently moved to the Phoenix area.

On the market for a year now, Bowser Beer, like the Dutch-made Kwispelbier we featured earlier today, is beef flavored (though a chicken flavor is in the works) and contains no alcohol or carbonation.

Brown, who is founder and president of 3 Busy Dogs, says the beer is now being shipped to 45 states. While the product has been out for a year now, the company is ramping up its marketing effort: "Watching sports on the couch or after a long, dusty walk. … Put some party in your animal! Dogs love Bowser Beer, and this one’s just for them."

Brown came up with the recipe in Baltimore -- to go with the doggie pretzels the company also makes -- but it's actually manufactured in Florida. They're also offering -- if you send in a digital image -- to put your dog's photo on the label of the Bowser Beer you buy, in lieu of the Brown's 13-year-old English mastiff, Maggie, who normally graces the bottles.

Bowser Beer is also available at Muddy Paws in Annapolis.

For more information, click here.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 5:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

Dixie’s eyesight had gotten so bad that she had taken to walking directly behind her master when they went for a walk, afraid to venture out of his shadow.

The 7-year-old Mountain Cur stopped running and playing, and began to gain weight. But “even when she was almost blind,” said her owner, Brett Williams of Runnells, Iowa, “she was still my best dog.”

Recently, Dixie became the first dog in the U.S. to receive a corneal implant – and it worked.

Dixie's sight was restored through a two-step surgical procedure that involves cutting into the eye to take out the cloudy cornea and stitching into place a permanent, plastic cornea. The entire eye is then covered with tissue from the dog to help it heal. After several weeks in bandages, a hole is cut into the tissue, exposing the new plastic cornea.

The new cornea is working for Dixie, but she has very little peripheral vision, said Sinisa Grozdanic, an assistant professor of Veterinary Clinical Sciences at Iowa State University, who performed the surgery.

"She is visual," he said. "For Dixie, it's like looking through a peephole."

Grozdanic became interested in the surgery after attending a conference and meeting a representative of a German company called Acrivet, which is developing the plastic corneas. The implant used was a prototype, and they are not yet available commercially, according to the company. Given the success of Dixie’s operation, though, they may soon be.

Dixie has been a patient of Grozdanic for four years during which he had worked to restore, or at least retain, Dixie's deteriorating eyesight.

According to Grozdanic, corneal transplants -- using live corneal tissue from other dogs -- have a low success rate because of the high likelihood of rejection.

To read the full story, visit Sciencedaily.com

Posted by John Woestendiek at 7:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Had I known this product was in development, I would have tried to get them to use a photo on the label of my dog Ace (who loves licking beer bottles).

Then, instead of having to pronounce "Kwispelbier" (which, granted, somebody named Woestendiek should be able to do), I could have just called it "the beer that made my doggie famous."

Alas, we'll just have to wait for that, and for the beef-flavored doggie beer, too. Produced in Holland, it's only now made it as far as Great Britain.

What's in it? According to the company website: Water, Beef Extract, Malt Barley Extract, Lactic Acid, and Potassium Sorbate. It does not contain alcohol, and it is not carbonated.

They recommend, for a small to medium dog, one-half bottle per day (served at room temperature), while a large dog can handle a full bottle.

According to the company's website, "Kwispelbier has been brewed with ingredients which are also used in products for human consumption. It has the very high quality which your best friend deserves."

Despite the lack of carbonation, it can still be served frothy by shaking the bottle.

"The great taste of Kwispelbier comes from high-quality beef," the website says.

The dog beer recently hit the shelves at the Meteor Centre store in England, where manager Mike Hall said, "We've had quite a lot of repeat business - people coming back for more because their pets really enjoyed it."

"People are going to sit and watch the football and have a beer with the dog."

The Derby store was chosen as the place to test the drink's popularity before the retailing company Pets at Home launched it countrywide.

Kwispelbier - or "tail-wagging beer" - is being sold at £1.99 a bottle, which translates into almost four U.S. bucks.

According to a report in the Daily Mail, a spokesman for Pets at Home, said: "While initially people may think of the drink as a novelty, it makes a delicious treat for a thirsty dog. "It also encourages drinking, which is good for the kidneys, and is a great source of vitamin B.

"It means pets are even more a part of family life as they can enjoy a beer, too."

(Photos courtesy of hondenbier.nl/)

Posted by John Woestendiek at 5:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

The group trying to bring a dog park to Locust Point will host a benefit tonight at Little Havana on Key Highway, from 6 to 9 p.m.

The Locust Point Dog Park organization is more than halfway to its initial goal of raising $25,000 to start construction of a fenced in area at Latrobe Park where dogs can play unleashed.

The dog park would be only the city's second. Currently, Canton Dog Park is the only public ground in the city where dogs can legally be off leash.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 5:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

I try to limit myself to one good snarl a month, so forgive me for growling twice the same day.

But some big-dog discrimination has surfaced on the West Coast, and if there's one thing I can't abide it's big- dog discrimination -- possibly because I have a 130-pounder myself, possibly because I fear weight limits for dogs could lead to weight limits for people and then where would I be? (Probably at McDonald's.)

Patricia Tomlin was taking her Great Dane to the park at the center of Americana at Brand, a new and pretentiously named outdoor mall in the heart of Glendale, Calif. But her pleasant evening stroll was interrupted by a security guard who told her that her big dog had to go.

"He informed us that if you cannot carry the dog you cannot bring the dog in," Tomlin said in a letter to the Glendale News Press. "I feel by telling me my dog is not allowed that this is size discrimination. You either let all dogs in or no dogs at all."

What makes this extra snarl-worthy is that the mall surrounds a two-acre public park, the only entrance to which is through the grounds and privately owned roadways of the mall. The big-dog ban applies to pets over 25 pounds, according to this Los Angeles Times blog entry.

To see our archived "Snarls," and our collection of "Wags," scroll down the right side rail of this page and look in the "Categories" section.

(Los Angeles Times photo)

Posted by John Woestendiek at 11:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)
        

Our snarl of the month goes to Kenmare, N.D., where the city council – which had already voted to keep the town safe from “pit bulls” – has now added American Staffordshire terriers, Doberman pinschers, Rottweilers and any cross of those breeds to the list of banned dogs.

All of this was precipitated by … absolutely nothing. The mayor and council say they were being “proactive,” according to this article in the Minot Daily News.

The council passed the ordinance April 14. Another meeting was held this week to hear from residents opposed to the law, some of whom have threatened to move out of town should the law be upheld.

“He’s our pride and joy. It’s like coming in and taking one of our kids,” said Brandon Peterson, who owns a 140-pound Rottweiler named Diesel. “They shouldn’t make somebody get rid of somebody in their family. I think we all need to work together to come up with something and not kick somebody out of town because that would be just crazy.”

Peterson said he will move before he gives up his dog. “He’s a good boy. I will never ever get rid of him.”

The city wasn’t taking action against dog owners before the May 12 meeting. If it upholds its ordinance, affected dog owners will have 10 days to remove their animals or face fines.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 10:03 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

See the dogs.

See the dogs wait.

See the dogs wait patiently in front of the portable toilets.

See how the dogs are causing no harm.

See how the dogs, when they are no longer thirsty, stop drinking.

See the dogs behave.

See the humans.

They are at a horse race called the Preakness.

They are not watching horses.

They are throwing things.

They are running on top of toilets.

See the humans misbehave.

The dogs are wearing leashes, but they don't act like they need them.

The humans aren't wearing leashes.

But they are acting like they do.

(Photo: No, they're not waiting their turn -- just waiting for their indisposed masters, who were among those taking part in the Animal Humane Society's 34th Annual Walk for Animals, in Golden Valley, Minn. earlier this month. By Jim Gehrz/Associated Press)

(Video: The Running of the Urinals, Preakness 2007. By Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun)

Posted by John Woestendiek at 7:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

Earlier this month, I spent an afternoon making house calls with John Slaughter -- a stockbroker turned veterinarian who started a private practice in Baltimore last year.

We started with a retriever in in Glen Burnie, and ended up with two Great Danes in Hampden.

In between, we dropped by the home of a beagle in Ridgely's Delight.

Slaughter, who works three days a week at the Banfield Hospital at the PetSmart in Bowie, devotes much of the rest of his time to his new practice.

The son of former University of Maryland Chancellor John Slaughter, he's also an author, having written about his extensive travels to Africa in the book, Brother in the Bush, An African American's Search for Self in East Africa.

The story in today's Sun (you can find it here) is about both his life as a house call vet, and the events that led up to his change to a slower-paced, kinder, gentler career.

Those include his adventures in Africa, the shooting of an intruder in his home, and watching the headquarter offices of the company he worked for, Morgan Stanley, go down in the collapse of the World Trade Center.

Slaughter's website for his private practice is www.camdeninnerharborvet.com

Posted by John Woestendiek at 7:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

Seeking an edge over competing dog-walkers in downtown Seattle, Dominika Rosinski has named her year-old enterprise "Hot Chicks Dog Walking Company."

"Men," the platinum blond, 26-year-old dog-walker says, "love confident blondes." And apparently she is one.

"It's an attention getter," she explained in a Seattle Times story about the proliferation of dog-walkers that has taken place in the wake of new dog-friendly downtown apartments and condos opening in the past year.

For $20 per half-hour, Rosinski also feeds and cleans up after the dogs she walks.

In an increasingly competitive market, the report said, Rosinski and other pro dog-walkers are attempting to customize their services -- specializing in such things as taking dogs on walks in the country, being eco-friendly, promising to jog with the pet, or offering extra affection, premium treats, or distilled water.

Sticking out in a crowd has made a huge difference in landing clients since she started her business a more than a year ago. "I'm like a label to my clients," Rosinski told the newspaper.

To see a slideshow of Rosinski in action, click here.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 7:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

A British insurance company has put together a list of what breeds people spend the most money on, and the biggest bucks, it turns out, go to the smallest dog.

Chihuahuas -- the breed favored by Paris Hilton and Britney Spears (who reportedly once treated her dog Bitbit to a $180 steak at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas) -- cost their owners about $197,000 each, much of that presumably in clothing, jewelry and other luxuries.

The labrador, by comparison, has about $60,000 spent on it in the course of its life.

The study surveyed 3,000 dog owners in Great Britain and looked at the amount spent for vets, food, grooming, kennels and insurance, spread over the breed's average life expectancy.

On average, the study said, a dog owner spends about $62,000 during its lifetime.

"Today's household pets are treated more like members of the family and this attitude is reflected in the amount owners spend on their pets' lifestyle," said Mike Pickard, head of pet insurance at esure, which conducted the study.

The research found that vets' fees are the biggest expense of owning a dog, followed by food and kennels. Nearly 40 percent of dog owners had no idea how much their pet was costing them, according to a story about the study in the UK Daily Record.

Here are the top 10: 1. Chihuahua 2. Greyhound 3. Mastiff 4. Boxer 5. English setter 6. Doberman pinscher 7. Golden retriever 8. Poodle 9. Dalmatian 10. Great Dane

(AP Photo)

Posted by John Woestendiek at 11:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

Having a dog in the house reduces the risk that young children will develop allergies later in life, German researchers say.

The finding, based on a six-year study of 9,000 children, lends weight to the theory that growing up with a pet conditions the immune system and makes it less sensitive to potential triggers for allergies like asthma, eczema and hay fever.

“Our results show clearly that the presence of a dog in the home during subjects’ infancy is associated with a significantly low level of sensitisation to pollens and inhaled allergens,” said Joachim Heinrich of the National Research Center for Environmental Health in Munich.

To read more about the report, click here.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 6:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

There are dog people and there are cat people, or so the stereotyping goes.

Cat people (like cats) are a little more mysterious, self-centered and independent, sometimes bordering on aloof; they are capable of entertaining themselves for hours on end, more tricky, more circuitous, more manipulative.

Dog people (like dogs) are more prone to dominance and co-dependence, crave constant attention and are more open, outgoing, social and likely to drool.

 But a new study from Ball State University says that those stereotypes -- when it comes to the animals and the people -- are, well, stereotypes. And it suggests people should choose their companion animals not on the basis of species, but on how their individual (human and pet) personalities match up.

A study of dog and cat guardians found that it is the fit between owner needs and pet personality, rather than pet type, that best predicts companion animal attachment, said Lucinda Woodward, a professor of psychological sciences and personality researcher.

A good fit, the study points out, means higher success rates in animal adoptions. "We've long had this perception that cats think of themselves as being the center of the world, but dogs are happy to be around their masters, sharing in all sorts of social activities," Woodward said.

"Many people perceive themselves as being either 'cat people' or 'dog people.' These people often think they relate to their pets because they share similar personalities."

Surveys and interviews of 266 college-age pet guardians found the majority of cat and dog owners see themselves as having personalities similar to the stereotypical one of their pets. "Yet, not all dogs and cats have traditionally perceived personalities," Woodward noted. "There are friendly cats that want to be around their guardians all the time and dogs that don't crave constant attention."

"The dynamics of the human-animal relationship are quite complex," she said. "Our study leads me to believe that 'cat people' should seek independent pets that are also low on submissiveness while 'dog people' should seek pets high on friendliness and low on dominance."

Woodward said the next step is to develop a behaviorally based checklist that will enable shelter workers to assess the personality types of different dogs on the dimensions of dominance and friendliness in order to optimize the partnering of humans and their pets.

In other words – or so it seems to me – a system of determining compatibility kind of like those used by Internet matchmaking services: If you like long walks on the beach at sunset, choose a pet that likes long walks on the beach at sunset.

Woodward is seeking participants to help in the development of the Pet Attribute Work Sheet (PAWS) for dogs, a checklist that can be used to classify dogs on the key personality traits. Dog owners interested in participating in the development of this measure may complete a survey at www.Rate-Your-Dogs-Personality.com, and enter to win one of three $25 gift certificates for PetSmart.

For the full story on the study, click here.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 8:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
        

Flexpetz, an American company that rents dogs in Los Angeles, San Diego and New York, is now setting up in London, and the initial reception is chilly, at least from animal welfare advocates.

We introduced you to FlexPetz back in December. By March criticism of the concept was surfacing around this country.

So far, only one dog is ready to rent in London, an 18-month old Pomeranian named Gucci, according to an article in London's Sunday Times Online. But more dogs are being recruited, said Pippa Woollard, the Flexpetz facilitator there.

Five people will be able to share Gucci, renting him once a week for £279 a month, a higher rate than the company is charging in the U.S. “It is just much more expensive in Britain to own a dog. We have to ensure the correct veterinary treatments and checks are made and pet food is also dear,” she said.

Woollard said Gucci is well cared for and lived with a family that had other dogs on the outskirts of London. She would not disclose whether the family was paid, but said that all the dogs to rent were owned by Flexpetz.

The company plans to open another branch in Glasgow later this year.

“There will almost certainly be an emotional impact for the dogs as they are moved from owner to owner and from home to home," said David McDowell, a veterinary adviser at the RSPCA. "Most dogs need the security of a proper routine with one owner and without this they could become stressed and unhappy.”

Sarah Carlin, a spokeswoman for the Dogs Trust, said: “Who does this service really benefit? Dogs need a stable routine and a constant owner to bond with and whilst the various ‘owners’ may provide treats and affection, the charity is concerned about the emotional impact on the dogs involved.”

Posted by John Woestendiek at 7:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

Three months after she was apparently struck by an airplane at Orlando International Airport, this eagle was recently released back into the wild in Florida.

She was the 346th rehabilitated eagle released by The Audubon Center for Birds of Prey in Maitland, Florida.

A wildlife management agent at the airport discovered the eagle with multiple fractures to her wing and bruises all over her body. Volunteers suspect she was clipped by a plane and then tumbled on the ground, said Lynda White, EagleWatch Coordinator for the center.

Founded in 1979, the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey has treated over 12,000 injured or orphaned raptors,more than 40% of which have been returned into the wild.

The center handles the largest volume of eagles, owls, falcons, hawks, and kites east of the Mississippi River, provides environmental education programming, fights to save endangered and threatened birds of prey and operates an "Eagle Cam," which you can view here.

 To see an award winning PBS special on the organization click here.

(Photo by Red Huber/Orlando Sentinel)

Posted by John Woestendiek at 8:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Only a month remains to submit a photo of your pet for inclusion in the Maryland SPCA's 2009 Pet Calendar.

The 9- by 12- inch wall calendar features pictures of area dogs, cats and other animals submitted by animal lovers.

For $35, your pet will appear in the calendar, you will receive a calendar, and -- while all entries get pictured -- your pet's photo will be entered in a contest and could be chosen for the calendar cover or each month's pet-of-the-month spread.

Photos must contain only animals, no people, and must be color prints, 4 by 6 inches or larger, or high-resolution (300 dpi) digital photos. Entries must be submitted by June 2, 2008, and are not returned.

For more details and an entry form, visit the SPCA's calendar webpage or call Carrie Price at 410-235-8826, ext. 133.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 8:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

Yet another dog "reality" show is in the works -- this one tentatively titled Greatest American Dog -- in which 12 owners and their dogs will live together and compete in games that test their ability to train their dogs.

Part of the new CBS summer line-up, the show will offer a top prize of $250,000 and will be hosted by Jarod Miller, the co-host of PetFinder on Animal Planet and former executive director of the Binghamton Zoo in New York. It premieres July 10.

You can find the CBS press release here.

Animal Planet's Groomer Has It, in which dog groomers compete and live together, premiered earlier this year.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 12:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

If you thought the guy suing the family of the dog he killed with his car was mind-boggling, check out this one: A New York woman who took her family to visit the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, Conn., has filed a $100 claim against the city because her 1-year old son stepped in dog feces outside the Maritime Garage.

The incident, says mom, ruined her child’s shoes and the entire outing.

The city's official response: “Poop happens.”

If anybody should be able to understand that, you'd think it would be the mother of a 1-year-old.

Norwalk officials will deny the claim, city attorney M. Jeffry Spahr said.

Mahopac, N.Y., resident, Kelly DeBrocky filed the claim with the city clerk on April 7. It came across Spahr's desk this week, according to this scoop in the Stamford Advocate.

"I was just really skeeved, I thought the whole thing was disgusting," DeBrocky told the newspaper. DeBrocky wanted the city to reimburse her for $54 she spent at Stride Rite replacing her toddler's ruined shoes, and the wasted $50-plus in expenses she spent for parking and aquarium admission on April 5.

Spahr said the city doesn't dispute that the incident took place -- that said 1-year-old's foot did land in said pile of poop -- but he doesn't see why it had to ruin said shoes or said day.

“I don't know why the shoes are ruined. I've mowed the lawn a lot of times, we have a dog, and the same things happens to me, I just squirt them off. I don't understand why she couldn't run the shoes under water."

Posted by John Woestendiek at 10:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

Here's a video from the Humane Society of the United States that exposes "canned" hunting for what it is -- unfair, wimpy and, in the words of HSUS president Wayne Pacelle, "an open-air slaughterhouse."

The animals are often fenced in, meaning there is no escape. They are often brought in from the outside, meaning they are partially domesticated, and therefore might be unafraid of the intrepid humans who fancy they are bravely stalking wild prey.

Most of it takes place on private ranches -- from Texas to South Africa, HSUS says -- where hunters pay a fee and are guaranteed a kill.

As if the canned hunt weren't one-sided enough, the HSUS reports that some hunters have taken to using donuts to lure their prey and GPS-equipped hounds to track them down.

If all that weren't despicable enough, these hunters -- so as not to damage their trophies -- will often let the animals die slow deaths.

For more information, visit the HSUS web site.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 7:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

Not long after Fester, a brain-damaged miniature pinscher, was hit by a car and killed in Minnesota, a lawsuit was filed.

By the driver.

Jeffery Ely is asking for $1,100 in damages, which includes the cost of repairs to his 1997 Honda Civic, the time he had to take off from work to get his car fixed and court fees. Pieces of his bumper were propelled into the radiator when he struck the 13-pound dog, Ely said, necessitating a replacement.

According to a story by the Duluth News Tribune, the case will be heard in St. Louis County Court tomorrow.

Fester's owner, Nikki Munthe, said Fester squeezed out the door of her home near Cloquet in January and ran into the street, where he was struck by Ely’s car and killed instantly.

Fester, she said, had suffered seizures as a reaction to vaccines as a pup, causing brain damage. The family named him Fester after the character from the Addams Family because “he really was not that bright,” she said.

Ely said he feels sorry for the family’s loss but feels they should be held responsible for their pets’ actions. He spent more than $600 putting a fence in his backyard to keep his own dogs contained. “I have complete compassion for them,” Ely said. “I know how it feels. I love dogs. But once you get them, they are your responsibility.”

The Munthes have filed a countersuit.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 10:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
        

Driving with a pet on your lap may soon become illegal in California.

The state Assembly on Monday, saying pets can distract drivers no matter how well-behaved they are (the pets, that is), approved a bill to ban people from driving as they hold dogs, cats or any live animal.

The bill, which calls for fines of $35, now moves on to the Senate.

"You have a potential major risk of an auto accident when you have a live pet that can be around in your face, in the steering wheel, down on the floor under your feet," said Assemblyman Bill Maze, R-Visalia.

The San Jose Mercury News reported that opponents of the bill include Assemblyman Martin Garrick, R-Carlsbad, whose spokesman said Garrick's "dogs are like his kids. He knows best how to handle them.They're very well-trained and well-behaved. ... If he wants to have his dogs riding in the front seat with him, then that should be the case."

Talking on a cell phone while driving -- without a hands-free device -- has also been outlawed in California under a bill that takes effect in July.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 6:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

 I'd bet big money it's only a matter of time before there's a TV series about cooking for your pet -- the only question is who will get to it first, the Food Network or Animal Planet.

Then it will be only another matter of time before there's a show in which 12 pet-food cookers will live together (with their pets and their pet food ingredients) in the same house, competing for the title of best pet food cooker.

I probably won't watch either, but I did watch Sun reporter Jill Rosen's excellent video (with videographer Monica Lopossay) about attempting to become personal chef to her handsome cat, Leo.

Jill's story, along with some dog and cat food recipes, appears in the Taste section of today's Sun (and underneath the video if you visit this link).

If you are a TV executive and you are interested in Jill hosting a pet cooking show (better make that cooking for your pet show) -- as opposed to, say, Rachel Ray, Martha Stewart, or some other overexposed host -- contact me, as I am her agent.

If you are interested in casting Leo Sesame in a starring role, preferably in a major motion picture, contact Jill, as she is Leo's agent.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 12:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

In Anne Arundel County, a controversy continues to fester over a county law that requires all dog owners to supply a dog house if their pet spends time outside.

The County Council, as a Sun article today points out, is reviewing the law, and considering revoking it, in light of an Edgewater environmentalist's complaint about animal control officers threatening to take her dog and cite her because her collie lacks a dog house.

Officers gave Anne Pearson a warning in March and attempted to cite her, but she refused to sign and took her complaints about the law to a council member, who has introduced a bill to withdraw, or at least alter it. The council discussed the matter at a meeting Monday.

Specifically the law requires that "for each dog confined or tied outdoors, an owner shall provide a shelter to protect the dog from the wind, snow, rain, cold and sunlight."

It goes on to specify that the shelter have a floor, roof, four walls and a doorway, a resting board or bedding, and be big enough to allow a dog to stand up, lie down and turn around without touching the sides or top.

To me, the law is a case of good intentions run amok.

Yes, dogs who live outside -- or even just spend the day outside -- should have shelters, and water, and they should not be chained.

But requiring doghouses, built to specifications, for any dog that spends any time outside, is going overboard. If a dog owner has left a dog outside in harsh weather conditions, he should be prosecuted for abusing or neglecting his dog -- for cruelty to animals, not for not having a four-walled doghouse.

And having animal control officers spend their time looking for dogs without dog houses -- they've issued nearly 175 warnings and handed out more than 50 citations since 2005 -- is probably not the wisest use of their time.

Last August, on a day that reached 98 degrees, a Rottweiler named Bogus was found dead of heat exhaustion in his front yard in Brooklyn Park. His owner had put him outside at 8:30 a.m. and fallen asleep.

Bogus' owner eventually was convicted of animal cruelty. That he also broke a little-known county law mandating doghouses is not all that relevant.

Anne Arundel County Animal Control officers and the Humane Society say Bogus's fate is an example of why the law is needed. To me, it seems more like evidence that it's not. The law didn't save Bogus. His owner got prosecuted.

What are your thoughts? Should dog houses be mandatory? Or should the Anne Arundel law -- violation of which can carry a $50 to $500 fine -- be dumped?

Posted by John Woestendiek at 7:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (12)
        

Something tells me that Baltimore's next official dog park -- only the city's second -- is going to be in Locust Point's Latrobe Park.

And no, it's not a Ouija Board (which, by the way, were last manufactured in Baltimore just a block up the road from the Fort Avenue park).

Nor have I gotten word, animal communicator style, from the many dogs to whom the park is already a home away from home -- Dixie, Rocky, Sandy, Turkey, Bogart, Payton, and of course, Natty and Boh among them.

Instead it's the commitment of a spirited group of volunteers who already have received most of the necessary permits and permissions and are more than halfway to raising the amount initially needed to get work underway.

While a dog park may not mean much to Zeus and Apollo (pictured above) -- the two Rottweilers of John And Debbie Kleinsmith stay on their leashes while outside -- to dozens of other dogs and their owners, it means enough to make some sacrifices and spend a lot of time making it happen.

"Dog parks provide a safe and clean place for dogs to interact," said Barbara Wilson, a Locust Point resident who’s helping lead the effort, "and they lead to happier and more obedient dogs, which in a neighborhood as tight as this one is important. It's a stress-free place for them to play."

 The group's web site is locustpointdogpark.org.

Volunteers in the group meet the first Saturday of every month to clean the 14-acre park, as a show of good faith.

And they've held a series of benefits at South Baltimore bars to help raise money to build it. The next one is May 15 from 6 p.m. to 9 pm. at Little Havana.

In another fund-raising event, back in December, they sponsored a have-your-dogs-picture-taken-with-Santa event on the waterfront in Locust Point.

(Santa photo courtesy locustpointdogpark.org)

Posted by John Woestendiek at 6:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Sniff around Federal Hill Park long enough, and you're bound to find something interesting.

For those of you with dogs that regularly do just that, this is your, uh, spot.

What -- to a dog and its owner -- is good about Federal Hill Park? (Obviously, the view, for one thing.) What's bad about it? (Not a lot of room to run, it seems to me.) What dramas, large and small, are unfolding there?

If Federal Hill is where you routinely walk your dog -- Ace and I only hit it once in a while -- send us the scoop, the gossip, the dirt (and feel free to do so anonymously) via the comment button below.

My impression is, as city parks go, Federal Hill is, for dogs and dog people, a little snootier, a little less welcoming, a little more clique-ish than most -- maybe because of its upscale location.

Even when I lived halfway between Federal Hill and Riverside Parks, I'd generally choose Riverside -- mainly because (though it's illegal in both, and subject to periodic raids by police and animal control) I felt less guilty about letting Ace off his leash there.

Federal Hill Park just seems a more refined place -- one more suited to strolling than romping, though plenty of that goes on as well.

Because it's smaller, and much of the land is made up of the steep hills, it's not the kind of place a dog can run his heart out. Still, there are a good number that gather there nightly to frolic off leash.

As a rule, one runs into more purebreds at Federal Hill, and more "designer mixes," The little dog Ace is checking out above, Deuce (no kidding), for example, is a Shih-Tzu-poodle mix, or, according to her owner, a Shih-poo.

They were enjoying some contemplative bench time the other day, gazing at the city's every expanding skyline, when we interrupted.

Federal Hill Park is also where you will most commonly see Sally Ann Jennings, of Recycled Love, and her crew -- four rescued pooches, the eldest of which she has taken to sometimes pushing in a stroller. (Sally Ann and Federal Hill Park were both featured in my Ace movie, Hey, Mister, What Kind of Dog is That?)

There's probably no better park to sit on a bench and people-watch. It offers a commanding view of the Inner Harbor, and of the rampant condo construction to the east that is gobbling up the sky.

While Federal Hill seems to be a little better maintained than most city parks, it's still riddled with broken glass, especially after outdoor movie nights and assorted festivals take place. While it's quieter than most, it does have its loud moments, like when boisterous high-schoolers pass through after school.

Federal Hill was given its name in 1789 after a celebration honoring the ratification of the Constitution. After the Baltimore riot of 1861, the hill was occupied by Union troops who erected a small fort, with a cannon pointing towards the central business district to ensure Baltimore's and Maryland's allegiance to the federal government.

Today it serves as a seemingly peaceful place to parade one's pooch. Then again, if you take your dog there regularly, you know better than me.

So feel free to get this dialogue going with your thoughts  -- lofty or petty (we accept them all) -- by clicking the comment button and writing the next episode of Dogs of Our Lives - Federal Hill. 

(Tomorrow: Dogs of Our Lives - Locust Point)                  

Posted by John Woestendiek at 6:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
        

In the shadow of a pagoda built in 1892, purebreds and pit bull mixes rub shoulders at Patterson Park -- 155 acres as diverse in humans as it is in dog breeds.

You're as likely to see a rescued pit bull that once served as breeding stock for a dogfighting operation in Washington (she's 10 and her name is Zora), as you are a purebred Boston Terrier who looks like he's perpetually in a tuxedo, and often has an attitude to match (his name is Buster).

Dozens of dog-walkers gather at Patterson Park daily, one of whom agreed to give us the lowdown:

"Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Baltimore City, and cocooned by the neighborhoods of Butcher's Hill, Patterson Park, Fells Prospect, Canton and Upper Fells Point, local pooches from the area unofficially gather each evening at the bottom of the pagoda for their daily romp ...

"While the seasons and pooches come and go in this favorite doggie hang-out, the 'regulars' can typically be found rolling in the (numerous) mud holes, chasing the local squirrels, playing ball or Frisbee, running in circles, grazing on the grass, and munching on sticks all while keeping a keen eye out for those dreaded men on bikes (the Park Rangers) or the big white van (Animal Control).

"As the weather gets warmer, the beautiful boat lake (with no boats) always seems to look more appealing to every Patterson Park pooch, though usually the dogs are too busy having fun and playing to exhaustion to bother running down there."

There are those who plunge in from time to time -- sometimes to cool off, sometimes in pursuit of duck.

As at all other city parks (except for the Canton Dog Park) dogs are supposed to be on leashes at all times at Patterson Park, but some owners routinely dance around that law.

For more than five years, dog lovers have been attempting to establish a dog park in Patterson -- a feat made even more difficult by the number of surrounding neighborhoods whose approval is required. That group's website is here.

To learn more about Patterson Park, you can visit the Friends of Patterson Park website.

To pass on your experiences in, views of, and gossip about the park, its dogs, and its dog-owners, click the comment button below.

Coming tomorrow: Dogs of Our Lives - Federal Hill.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 7:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (8)
        

Here's an old piece of video that's still worth crowing about -- from the PAX network series Miracle Pets, which premiered in 2001.

In this segment, narrated by Alan Thicke, a couple shows and talks about the unusual relationship that blossomed between a stray kitten that appeared in their yard one day and the crow that showed up with him.

The motherless kitty was about three months old when it first showed up, and the couple watched (and videotaped) in amazement as the crow went about feeding the kitten worms and protecting it. When the couple eventually took the cat into their home, the crow would stand outside and wait for it to come out.

The video was posted to YouTube about a year ago -- after a man came across it while going through his mother's old VHS tapes -- and it's gotten more than 4 million views since.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 7:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

Bark Busters, the world’s largest dog training company, has teamed up with SPCA International  to help support Operation Baghdad Pups, a program that provides assistance to servicemen who wish to transport an animal from the war zone in the Middle East to their home in the United States.

Under the collaboration, Bark Busters dog behavioral therapists will donate their training services to the animals and their caregivers to help them adjust to their new surroundings back home.

"These service men and women have all answered the call for our country,” explained Liam Crowe, CEO of Bark Busters. “Partnering with SPCA International to help these animals and our troops is an honor for us. We’re more than happy to provide the assistance and training for Operation Baghdad Pups.”

Bark Busters will assist SPCA International in the screening, handling, and training of the dogs in the program. In addition, Bark Busters will provide "Welcome Home Kits" -- with goodies and training aids -- for the dogs and their caregivers.

SPCA International launched Operation Baghdad Pups in 2007 to help military personnel transport back home the animals they befriend in the war zone. Every animal in the program must already have a committed home before being accepted. SPCA International covers all expenses through donations from supporters.

The mission of SPCA International is to raise awareness of the abuse of animals to a global level, to teach and foster good pet parenting practices, and to promote spay and neuter programs around the world.

Bark Busters started in Australia in 1989 and came to the United States in 2000. It has trained nearly 400,000 dogs worldwide.

(Photo: K-Pot was sent home and now lives with the sister of the Army medic who rescued him; photo courtesy of SPCA International.)

Posted by John Woestendiek at 8:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

Patrick McDonnell, creator of "Mutts," the comic strip -- who we have long hoped would never go all Purina on us and threaten to forbid our blog from sharing the same name -- has come out with a lovely new book that features his strips alongside the stories of animals adopted from shelters.

Shelter Stories: Love. Guaranteed is a collection of more than 100 of McDonnell's "Shelter Stories" strips, accompanied by photos of 70 rescued animals -- dogs, cats, ferrets, rabbits, guinea pigs and birds.

The book also includes a reference guide with tips for adopting the right pet, and a list of useful website links.

About 7.5 million adopted dogs and 16.2 million adopted cats live in U.S. homes; yet another six million find themselves in shelter every year, about half of whom are euthanized.

McDonnell's book contains an introduction by Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, an organization on whose board of directors McDonnell serves. His official website, muttscomics.com, receives roughly one million visits each month. The book is available from Andrews McMeel Publishing.

(Cover photo courtesy of Andrews McMeel Publishing)

Posted by John Woestendiek at 2:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

The popular Hampden pet supply shop Chow, Baby! will no longer be called Chow, Baby! because that word -- CHOW -- belongs to Purina, or so the dog food company asserts.

They asserted it in a lawyerly enough manner to persuade the shop's owner, Robin McDonald, to change it. So what was formerly Chow, Baby! -- once the new signage goes up -- will now be Howl.

"It has recently come to our attention that your company is using "CHOW, BABY!" as a company name and service mark," a Purina lawyer wrote McDonald. "Such uses of `CHOW, BABY!' in connection with the sale and distribution of pet food, pet treats, and other pet-related products is likely to cause confusion with Purina's CHOW trademarks, and dilutes the distinctive quality of those marks."

That was more than three years ago. McDonald had been open less than a year and had just started a website using the name Chow, Baby! when she got the letter. Her lawyers advised her it would cost thousands to fight for the name and told her she might lose anyway.

"Apparently Purina has a whole department of people and that’s what they do -- look for trademark infringement. I guess they figure if they let one person get away with, they would be opening the door."

In Purina's view, any use of the word "chow" by a company involved in a pet-related pursuit is treading on their turf.

McDonald, as a result, took the website down and, for the next three years, kept her company -- still called Chow, Baby! -- off the Internet and out of Purina's radar.

Recently she's decided an Internet presence is probably more important to her business than retaining the disputed name. Earlier this year, she decided to hold a contest to pick a new name.

"I needed to get a website up," she said, "and we were moving to a bigger space and expanding, so I can't pretend anymore I don't exist."

McDonald opted against choosing "McDonald's" (wise choice), and didn't go with Harper's, either, which, while it's her dog's name, also belongs to a manufacturer of pet products. Instead she chose as the wining entry "Howl, Baby!," but then decided to shorten it to Howl.

A new logo is in the works, and a new awning for the new store at 3531 Chestnut, which is the former Hampden Post Office -- the building McDonald started her business in.

The new store is already open -- complete with a dog charm school on premises, B-more Charming School for Dogs.

McDonald, who sells a variety of organic pet foods and products (Purina not among them) plans to hold an official grand opening soon.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 8:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
        

A Springer spaniel named Lulu was found Sunday -- buried in the rubble of a building that exploded eight days earlier.

Hearing her whimpers as he combed through the debris, Brian Holt, owner of the snowmobiling and dog-sledding business that had been housed inside the building, turned off his radio and began calling her name.

Through her continued yelping, he located her and, "after 45 minutes of frantic digging, we found her laying in a crawl space under 15 feet of rubble," Holt said. "She basically had a two-story building on top of her."

According to an Associated Press article, Lulu suffered mild dehydration and had some trauma to her left eye, and probably survived by drinking melting snow and eating food she found in the debris.

Lulu's owner, Brian Mislanski, had been critically injured in the April 19 explosion and remained at St. Anthony Central Hospital in Denver on Tuesday. Mislanski, a van driver for Good Times Adventures in Breckinridge, Colo., was house-sitting for managers who lived in the upstairs apartment when the building exploded.

Friends took Lulu to visit him in the hospital.

Posted by John Woestendiek at 1:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
        

If a Sunday afternoon of wine-sipping and dog-walking -- all in the name of a worthy cause -- is your idea of a good time, the Linganore Winery has a deal for you.

On Sunday, May 4. the winery in Mount Airy will hold a "Wine and Fleas" event to benefit Maryland Westie Rescue, a volunteer group that's dedicated to saving West Highland White Terriers in Maryland.

Formed just last year, the group has already assisted 39 dogs in finding homes.

The event runs from 1 to 5 p.m. and costs $20. The winery is at 13601 Glissans Mill Rd. in Mount Airy.

Guests are invited to bring their dogs and enjoy a walk around the grounds and free wine tastings throughout the day.

Dogs are allowed in the winery's private tasting area, and for those wanting to take the full tour petsitters will be available.

For more information, click here.

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