I just can't get enough Dog Snuggie. I found the video after I posted the original.

I like how the part about how "you and your dog will enjoy years of comfort." Ah, togetherness. Now they just need a Kitty Snuggie. Are you listening, Snuggie people?

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs, Pet accessories, Pet videos
        

You know the dog has been jealous of your Snuggie. You, sitting there on the sofa, all cuddled up in that arm-holed wonder. Him, wound up, Snuggless, in a regular blanket, trying fruitlessly to work the remote. Who among us hasn't been there?

Well, the makers of Snuggie, the blanket for people who can't work a regular blanket, have solved that problem. They're unveiling The Dog Snuggie.

According to the company, more than five million Americans bought into the Snuggie lifestyle.

"With an estimated 74 million family dogs in the United States, it only made sense to keep those almost 300 million chilly paws warm this season," said Anne Flynn, Director of Marketing for Allstar Products Group.

The dog blankets are available in blue and pink and in a range of sizes to fit the smallest and biggest of canines.

They'll be available at stores including PetSmart, Petco and CVS, starting in August.

For $9.99, who can so no to a Snuggie -- for the dog.

Photo courtesy of the company.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 12:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (17)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs, Pet accessories
        

A flea-bitten dog rescued from a squalid Melbourne, Australia, backyard has been reunited with her ecstatic owner nine years after she disappeared.

And 17-year-old Chloe Rushby, who was only eight when her furry friend disappeared in Brisbane, couldn't wait to have Muffy back in her arms.

"I am not sure if she remembers me or not but I definitely remember her," an overwhelmed Chloe told the Herald Sun.

Chloe and her family screamed with joy to hear Muffy was alive - much older, very scruffy and 1,250 miles away in Melbourne.

"It would be fair to say that they were extremely elated and extremely excited by the call," inspector Gail Coulter, who found an emaciated Muffy after an anonymous tip, told The Daily Telegraph.

"They were initially shocked and confused, but when we mentioned the name Muffy - which is part of the microchip information - and gave them a description of her, they knew it was their pet lost so many years ago."

What happened in between is largely a mystery.

Photo of a scruffy Muffy/Associated Press.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

Ok. Let me say upfront there's a PRIZE involved in this one. ...

The helpful folks behind Tidy Cat did a survey and found that a disturbing amount of America believes in the concept behind "The Crazy Cat Lady." Meaning, if a woman, or even a man, has more than one kitty, something is up there.

The poll found 71 percent of all domestic cats living in the U.S. reside in multiple cat households. So, that would be quite a lot of crazy, no?

According to the survey, the majority of non-cat owners have negative perceptions about multiple cat owners and their homes, saying that they would describe people with more than one cat as being a homebody (75%), lonely (69%) and a "crazy cat lady" (58%). And, non-cat owners say they would describe multiple cat owners' homes as smelly (75%), having furniture and bedding covered in cat hair (85%) and being cluttered (66%).

Tidy Cats, who as a company that makes money from all these cat people, is campaigning to end the stereotype -- launching "Tidy Cats Campaign to End Cattiness." The campaign includes a contest where people with more than one kitty can share their stories.

Well, to win a prize right here on Unleashed, you can share your stories, but I'd rather you talk about whether or not you think the "Crazy Cat Lady" thing holds any water. You can say it does. You won't hurt my feelings. All that much. Or you can tell me why it doesn't. There's a great treat in it for the best response or two.....**UPDATE: A friend of mine raises a good point. He doesn't think two cats is enough to be CCL. He thinks it takes 4 or 5. Is there a certain number that vaults one into the CCL zone?

Posted by Jill Rosen at 6:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (24)
Categories: Cats Cats Cats
        

If you weren't able to attend the meeting this evening about the possibility of off-leash dog hours and possibly a dog park at Patterson Park, here are a few basic things you should know:

1. The meeting was extremely heated, with lots of raised voices and frayed tones on both sides of the issue.

2. The city parks department handed out very specific plans about the proposals on the table -- highlights of which I will detail for you below.

3. The city parks director told me after the meeting that a) she's leaning toward creating some sort of dog outlet at the park and b) there will likely be another community meeting within three weeks.

The proposal, drafted by Friends of Patterson Park Dog Park, would have two zones for off-leash hours -- one for small dogs, the other for large ones. Both are located just northwest of the lake.

The city supplemented the proposal with proposed off-leash area rules. They include:

* Dog owners wishing to use off-leash areas will have to pay an annual fee of $20, all of which will go to BARCS. They'll need proof of a city dog license and current vaccinations.

* No children under 8 years old will be allowed in the off-leash zone. Children 9-15 must be accompanied by an adult and the dog handler must be 16 years old or older.

* Owners are limited to three dogs. Professional dog walkers, trainers or groomers may not use the areas for business.

* Dogs under four months of age or in heat will not be allowed in.

* Dogs must be wearing a collar or harness with an ID tag and the off-leash and rabies tags. 

* Dog owners will be legally responsible for their dogs in the off-leash zone.

A lot of concern was raised at the meeting about how the zones would be enforced. Parks director Wanda Durden said that would be a priority and the city would be "very aggressive" about it. "You're going to see a greater presence" of enforcement, she told the group of about 100 people.

She also said that within a few months, park rangers would have the power to issue citations.

A fenced in dog park is also on the table.

The suggested location is along Baltimore Street on the western end of the park. As proposed, the park would be 20,000 square feet.

If you were at the meeting, how do you think it went? What do you think of the proposed locations and the rules?

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (44)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs, Events
        

Alright dog people, if someone were to bring home a small dog, say, a Miniature Poodle, and they had to equip their home from the ground up, what are the basics?

What would everyone recommend in terms of the best type of leashes, collars, the best food (both wet and dry).... good shampoos? (Does one even need actual dog shampoo?) What other stuff???? (PS: And no one better say The Toy!)

Don't leap ahead to any conclusions here regarding a certain Bean. I'm just collecting information. .....

PSS: Speaking of small dog showers, The Bean got caught in a huge downpour walking home from the park yesterday evening. His first taste of summer rain, most likely. He was soaked. Smelled like total Wet Dawg. He had to be bundled in a towel when he got home and dried off. I think he liked that part.

Teddy Bean snuggles upstairs. The concept of "upstairs" is still relatively new to The Bean. Because his paws slip on the hardwood, he won't walk up or down these steps -- though he will do other steps with more traction. So, to get to the upstairs realm, he has to hitch a ride in someone's arms.... Photo by Jill.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 1:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (12)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Pet accessories, Teddy Bean, formerly the Foster Dog
        

I love this sweet tale from a paper in North Carolina I used to work at, the Greensboro News & Record:

When a couple on a 100-acre farm could no longer care for their 36 Jack Russell Terriers because the man had a stroke, a Greensboro woman stepped in to find homes for not just one or two of them -- all of them. At once.

The woman started an impromptu rescue. A pet shop in the city volunteered room for the dogs and puppies to stay. The Humane Society of the Piedmont provided transportation to get the dogs there. Planned Pethood and a local vet offered to spay and neuter the dogs and get them vaccinated.

The dogs are all available for adoption. Well done.

Noah Becker, 11, of Asheboro, is surrounded by Jack Russell Terriers on a cot at Dog Days. Neslon Kepley/News & Record).

Posted by Jill Rosen at 12:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

Baltimore is hardly the only city struggling to figure out a way to peacefully find room for both dogs and people at its parks.

Cupertino, Calif., is dealing with the same thing and decide to give off-leash dog hours a trial run.

In this story by the San Jose Mercury News,  it sounds soooooo Baltimore. Just like here, people came out in droves for a recent City Council meeting, pushing the lawmakers to consider off-leash time. And just like here, there's plenty of opposition.

According to the paper, here's what Cupertino is doing first: "For the trial to go forward, members of a citizen group will work with city staff to gather neighborhood support near the parks and the field. Selected group members will use a city-created survey to gauge support. More than 50 percent of park users and neighbors living within 1,500 feet of the parks must approve the plan.

"When the trial period finally kicks off, licensed dogs and their owners will have to register for tags to participate. The city will look into increasing code and law enforcement presence during the trial. The city also wants to look into an education campaign about the trial period, dog safety and proper canine owner behavior."

Read more of the story here.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks will meet dog owners and other park patrons to talk about developing off-leash hours and/or a fenced-in dog run in the Southeast Baltimore park. 

The meeting will start at 7 p.m. at the General Wolfe Middle School, at Wolfe and Gough Streets. If you can't make it, I plan to be there and will blog afterward....check here after the meeting.

Parks head Wanda S. Durden has said the city is looking at off-leash hours in four parks: Riverside, Pattterson Park, Herring Run and Wyman Park. They're thinking about 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. in the morning and then 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at night.

But whether or not to proceed, she said, depends largely on what the community thinks of the idea.

The City Council voted in May to pursue the idea of off-leash hours.

Photo courtesy of Lee Nachtigal's photostream on Flickr.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs, Events
        

NAME: Laddie, named after the half-vampire kid in The Lost Boys.

OWNER: Lindsay Bowlin.

HOW THEY MET: I met him while volunteering at an animal shelter and immediately fell in love. He came in with two of his brothers and each time I’d take the three of them to the playroom, the other two would run around like lunatics while Laddie would just curl up on my lap and beg to be petted and kissed. He craved human attention. I was always sure to tell him I loved him because I wasn’t sure he’d ever heard that before.

AGE: 15 months.

HOME: Baltimore.

BREED: domestic short hair

BEST TRICK: He sometimes does a somersault in the air, going after his favorite toy.

FAVORITE ACTIVITY: Playing Feather (or Feaver, in catspeak – a feather that hangs off a long string) – he wants nothing to do with any other toy!

FAVORITE FOOD: He loves to sniff and lick the pickled ginger that comes from my carry-out sushi.

FUNNIEST MOMENT: My brother was eating a sandwich and sat it on the coffee table when he went to answer the phone. Laddie knocked the plate to the floor, ate the meat off the sandwich and left the rest there on the floor, as if it was on display.

EXUBERANT GREETER: Every time I walk through the door to my apartment, Laddie will gallop toward me at high speed, stop at my feet and wait to be picked up. Once I pick him up, he tucks his little head into the crook of my neck and we hug. This is a daily thing and makes me laugh and feel appreciated!

IF LADDIE HAD A MOTTO FOR LIFE, IT WOULD BE: Hugs, not drugs.

CREDIT FOR PHOTOGRAPH: Lindsay.

click here.

Want your pet to be featured in Unleashed? Click here to download the Collared questionnaire. Fill it out and email it to us, along with a web-sized jpeg, at unleashed@baltsun.com.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Collared
        

Now here's a thought. What if Michael Vick, who's eligible again to play in the NFL, comes to the Baltimore Ravens?

It's not an altogether far-fetched thought. As this story explains, the Ravens are so far the only team that's acknowledged considering him.

Would it work to have Vick, convicted for running a dog-fighting operation, in a role-model position in Baltimore, which has such a bad dog-fighting problem. To say nothing of animal cruelty -- consider the case of Phoenix, the pit bull recenlty doused with gasoline and set on fire.

On the flip side, maybe he could do public service messages in town. When he was released from jail, he did promise to work the Humane Society....

What do you think?

File photo of one of Vick's rescued fighting dogs.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 2:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (87)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

The LA Times has a really interesting story about some insurance companies denying homeowners insurance to certain breeds of dogs.

Insurers feel that some breeds are a poor risk. But animal advocate groups say it's discrimination.

Despite opposition from consumers, the paper reports, many insurance companies in California still maintain a will-not-cover breed blacklist. (I wonder if this happens in other states as well?--JR) The list varies from company to company, according to Loraine Lacey, president of Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of Orange County.

The lists include:

Wolf hybrids
Akitas
American Bandogge Mastiffs
Boerboels
Chow-chows
Doberman pinschers
Olde English Bulldogs (English bulldogs are acceptable)
Rottweilers
Pit bull breeds, including American Staffordshire Terriers, English Bull Terriers, Pit Bull Terriers, Presa Canarios and Staffordshire Bull Terriers
Mixed breeds containing any of the above

"I don't like it. It's just wrong," says attorney Jill Buckley, senior director of government relations and mediation for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Many insurers may hike the premiums on a homeowner policy or decline to write a policy if the homeowner has what is considered a high-risk breed. But the ASPCA and defenders of some of the most stigmatized breeds, like pit bulls, say dog aggression is often more about owner behavior than breed temperament.

Aggression can be fostered in any breed and has been throughout history, as humans exploited the natural strength of certain breeds, Buckley says. In the middle ages, it was the Great Dane, bred and trained to defend the castle moats. The Newfoundland was the bad boy of the 1800s. Today it's the pit bull.

But in California, breed profiling by insurers is legal and a fact of dog life, says Tully Lehman, spokesman for the Insurance Information Institute.

Some companies will insure any breed until there's a bite, after which renewal of liability coverage on the dog will be almost impossible regardless of breed. Others will insure any breed but require professional obedience training for some.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, dog bites cost insurers $356.2 million in 2007.

Photo of Olde English Bulldog named Duke courtesy of Cindy Funk's photostream on Flickr.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 11:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (8)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

Here's something fun to do this weekend with your dog -- and for a good cause.

Howard County’s 2009 Relay For Life is holding a Bark For Life, a dog walk, on Saturday, Aug. 1, from 9 a.m. to noon. The walk starts at the pavilion at Lake Elkhorn off of Broken Land Parkway in Columbia. 

Registration is at 8 a.m. People can also preregister  on Howard County’s Relay For Life website.

Like Relay For Life, a walk to support the American Cancer Society, Bark For Life, will also benefit ACS. 

If you need more incentive, there will be prizes. There's a costume contest, a dog/owner look-alike contest and contests for best tricks, longest tail, shortest tail, best dancer, smallest dog and largest dog.

There's also something for the top three fundraising doggies.

Registration is $15 per dog, which includes a bandana. Deluxe registration is $30 --

people get the dog bandana and a human T-shirt.

Walkers can also get sponsors if they want.

Dog leashes and vaccinations’ display are required.

If it rains, rain date information will be on the website at 7 a.m. on race day.

Questions?  E-mail hcrelay@hotmail.com or call Jason Copley at 410-781-4316.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs, Events
        

Hilarious tidbit to share about Teddy Bean's morning in the park.

While walking The Bean in Patterson Park, we came across Ellen walking her artfully named dogs, Mingus and Fellini. Of course Teddy had to say hi.

Ellen wanted to show off Fellini's special trick -- jumping for sticks while flipping in the air. (It really is quite fantastic.)

After a while of watching Fellini soar through the air while catching sticks, I look over and there's The Bean, with a little stick in his mouth. He'd never picked up a stick before. He wanted to be just like the big dog. 

A few minutes later, Mingus, a very large hound, rolls over on his back and wiggles in the grass. Sure enough, Teddy soon flops to the grass, on his back, and wriggles like nobody's business. He'd never done that before either.

Soooooo cute.  (And is he a genius or what?)

Posted by Jill Rosen at 12:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (9)
Categories: Teddy Bean, formerly the Foster Dog
        

A little bit of sad news to report... The breeder who brought us the Portuguese water dog puppy who would become the nation's first dog has died.

Martha B. Watson Stern, who lived in Texas, was 73. She died July 21 at a hospital in Charlottesville., Va., where she and her husband, Art, had a summer home. Her obituary did not list a cause of death.

The couple became famous in April as breeders of Bo Obama, the Portuguese water dog that became the pet of President Obama, his wife and their two daughters.

Art Stern told the Dallas Morning News that the couple became interested in Portuguese water dogs while watching the Westminster Kennel Club dog show in the 1980s.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 9:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: First Dog Bo Obama
        

Told you the other day about Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick's very adorable puppy, Tobey, who made headlines when he nipped a woman (no injuries) at a town meeting in Boston.

The Gov. has apparently been taking little Tobey everywhere since he got him recently as a birthday present. I can't blame him. That's one cute dog.

Here are a few more pictures of Patrick and Tobey. AP Photos/Boston Herald, Stuart Cahill.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Celebrities and their pets
        

NAME:  Roxy

OWNER: Woody & Heidi

HOW THEY MET: We met Roxy at the Pet Expo at the MDSPCA booth. She had spunk and just the right attitude to fit in with her brother-to-be.

AGE: 1.5 yrs

HOME: Baltimore.

BREED: Per DNA test (yes, we paid $250 to get a DNA test): Dalmatian, Boxer, Springer Spaniel, and Mastiff. Somehow Mastiff got in there, but you wouldn’t know to look at her.

FAVORITE ACTIVITY: Wrestling with her big brother, Fenway.

FAVORITE FOOD: Tuna fish. Heidi gave her a very small piece one night, and she spent 15 to 20 minutes sniffing the area for more. So unlike her.

FUNNIEST MOMENT: Roxy can be a chewer when left alone. As a puppy, she was crated in our bedroom when we left the house. One day, she managed to move the crate two feet in one direction to grab the down comforter, then moved four feet in the opposite direction to grab the curtain, then shifted the crate back to where she started. When we got home,

UNDERCOVER SNUGGLER: Roxy learned what covers are used for when sleeping. She waits for both of us to get into bed, then goes headfirst under the sheets until her whole body is covered. She sleeps there for most of the night.

IF ROXY HAD A MOTTO FOR LIFE, IT WOULD BE: Live every minute of life to the fullest, love, and be happy.

CREDIT FOR PHOTOGRAPH: Heidi Derricks

To see more pets that have been Collared, click here.

Want your pet to be featured in Unleashed? Click here to download the Collared questionnaire. Fill it out and email it to us, along with a web-sized jpeg, at unleashed@baltsun.com.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Collared
        

Breaking Teddy Bean news!!!

I do believe he just wagged his tail when I came home. And then let me pick him up. And then, when I put him down, followed me to the foot of the stairs.

Wow.

!!!

Posted by Jill Rosen at 6:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Teddy Bean, formerly the Foster Dog
        

Is your dog single? Lonely? Having a hard time meeting other dogs?

Having no luck with the whole online thing?

One enterpising company has devised a gadget to fulfill his doggie needs.

Brazil's Petsmiling thinks its cornered the market with the DoggieLoveDoll, the world's first dog sex toy.

Teddy will not be getting one.

The company is marketing it for dogs who are often left alone. Apparently The Kong is so yesterday? Wow.

Visitors look at a prototype sex doll for dogs during the Pet South America fair in Sao Paulo on Friday. AP Photo/Andre Penner.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 12:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (66)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs, Fun stuff, Pet accessories
        

The five-legged puppy who's tumultuous saga we've been chronicling on Unleashed, had surgery to remove his fifth appendage. So, he's no longer freak-show fodder, which will hopefully foil the efforts of a Coney Island sideshow man who wanted him as an oddity. Which is the reason why Allyson Siegel of North Carolina paid $4,000 for him.

At top, Lilly, a Chihuahua-terrier mix sniffs around her new Charlotte backyard on Friday July 24, after her surgery. Underneath, Allyson Siegel holds Lilly. Siegel bought the puppy to save him from a Coney Island sideshow and paid to have the extra appendage removed. WBTV in Charlotte reported that a fundraiser will be held at 6 p.m. Friday at The Dog Bar in Charlotte to raise money for Lilly's vet bills. AP Photos/The Charlotte Observer, Jeff Siner

Posted by Jill Rosen at 11:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

Those community discussions about off-leash hours in parks are about to start with Patterson Park up first.

On Thursday, Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks will meet dog owners and other park patrons to talk about developing off-leash hours and/or a fenced-in dog run in the Southeast Baltimore park.

The meeting will start at 7 p.m. at the General Wolfe Middle School, at Wolfe and Gough Streets.

When Unleashed last checked in on this issue, parks head Wanda S. Durden said the city is looking at off-leash hours in four parks: Riverside, Pattterson Park, Herring Run and Wyman Park. They're thinking about 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. in the morning and then 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at night.

But whether or not to proceed, she said, depends largely on what the community thinks of the idea.

The City Council voted in May to pursue the idea of off-leash hours.

Anyone planning to be there? If so, what would you like to talk about?

Carter Glass takes his dogs, left to right: Rudy, Zeke, Kira, for a walk in Patterson Park last year. Sun photo Barbara Haddock Taylor.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 10:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (23)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs, Events
        

A week ago I brought Teddy Bean back to the MDSPCA for the first time since I brought him home July Fourth weekend. He was due for some shots and Katie, the foster coordinator, wanted to check out his act, see if Teddy was ready for the bigtime: Adoption.

The pup got props for wearing his leash so comfortably, to say nothing of stylishly, but he blew the big test: embracing people.

His sentence: At least one more week with me.

But Sunday, I think it sort of happened. The Bean might have had the time of his life. Literally. (For those who haven't been following along, I'm fostering Teddy Bean, a wee rescue from a raided Pennsylvania puppy mill. To catch up on his story, click here.)

Meredith, mistress of the B-More Green blog, and owner of Dizzy, invited Teddy over for a playdate. He could not only mix it up with another dog, what he lives for, he could do it off-leash in her backyard.

From the second Teddy scrambled up Meredith's front steps to when he felt the first so-slobbery sign of Dizzy's affection to when I put his tired 10-pound self back in the car to head home, The Bean was in heaven. The way the two of them bounding around the house, the Bean's frazzled tail wagging along with Dizzy's big one...Huge.

At one point, the four of us walked up the block to Lori's house where there were -- hooray! -- three more dogs. The Bean was romping with Dizzy, Chi-Chi, Lola and Ricki, playing with a squeaky ball, helping himself to the water bowl, and then -- out of nowhere, he was in Lori's arms. His head on her shoulder. Meredith got some next. And finally me. He was simply a blissed out pup.

He might have played so hard he ran out of energy to protest. But, I think he just kinda liked it.

If The Bean dreamed at all in that dastardly puppy mill, I'm pretty sure it might have gone something like that. Except maybe with cheese. Which I gave him later at home.

The Bean poses proudly with one of his new bones. They're cheese flavored.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs, Health, Teddy Bean, formerly the Foster Dog
        

When your cat slips out the front door, as they're all too well known to do, the worst thing you can do is chase them, according to pet detective Laura Totis in Clarksburg.

"They saw the cat 20 feet away, and they went after it," she tells The Associated Press, describing what happened to one of her clients' kitties. "It went another 20 feet away and they did it again, and it disappeared."

She advises instead of running after the wayward cat, leaving the door open and then circling around the kitty to herd it back inside.

Other techniques to bring home your lost kitty:

Think like a cat. Cats don't walk like dogs along the sidewalk. They panic. "They run till they hit something," Totin says. Or, they might slink along a wall or a fence. They're looking for a hiding place.

Look close to home. The majority of missing cats are found close to the owner's house.

Look down, underneath things, behind things. "Get down on your hands and knees," says Totis. Otherwise you won't see the hiding places that were obvious to the cat. "Look under bushes, behind things, under porches, in sheds."

Use a flashlight even in daytime. "The markings on cats are designed for camouflage," says Totis. "The light will reflect the eyes. Otherwise you look and it looks like a pile of leaves."

If you do find your cat's hiding place, remember not to give chase. "The goal is to have the cat come to you," says Totis. "Just sit there and talk to it." One client who finally saw his cat after six weeks had to sit and talk to it for 45 minutes. "Be patient. It's a cat. They do things on their own time," she says.

If you have sightings but can't get the cat to come to you, set up a humane trap. For advice, try your local animal control or shelter, especially one with a trap-neuter-release program for feral cats. They will be experts in trapping.

The most important thing, say experts, is not to give up. There are cases where cats were found after going missing for weeks or even months. Says Totis: "The biggest mistake people make is that they give up too soon."

One of Missing Pet Partnership's cat detection dogs, Suzie, poses with an orange kitty that she could, no doubt, find right away. AP Photo/Missing Pet Partnership, Hardin Weaver.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Cats Cats Cats
        

A wonderful update on the most remarkable of kitties from our pet colleagues at the LA Times. If you've heard of Nora, you'll love this. If you haven't, you must read this and get acquainted with her. You won't be sorry:

A piano-playing cat named Nora took YouTube by storm a few years ago when her owners, married Philadelphia-based artists Burnell Yow! (yes, the exclamation mark is part of his name) and Betsy Alexander, uploaded a video of her performances to the site.

Yow! and Alexander meant simply to share the video with Alexander's students (she teaches piano in addition to her work in music composition and studio art) and with their niece, who lived across the country. But word spread quickly among the Internet cat meme community; since the original video was uploaded in early 2007, it's received more than 14 million views. (A second video, dubbed "The Sequel - Better than the original!" was added a few months later and has garnered another 4 million views.) Nora, a gray tabby, became a star virtually overnight, and her musical stylings were described by the Times of London as "something halfway between Philip Glass and free jazz."

Earlier this year, Lithuanian conductor Mindaugas Piecaitis caught wind of the phenomenon and decided to compose an orchestral piece to frame Nora's piano playing. The resulting composition, "Catcerto" (Piecaitis' overly precious title, not ours), premiered at the Klaipeda Concert Hall on June 5. Video of Nora, the "featured soloist," played on a giant screen behind the Klaipeda Chamber Orchestra during the performance.

Yow! and Alexander insist that Nora's piano playing is not a behavior they've taught her; instead, according to the cat's extensive bio, she simply leapt onto one of Alexander's pianos one day when she was about a year old and never looked back. Nora appears to prefer one piano (a Yamaha) in particular and high-pitched notes to low-pitched ones. She particularly enjoys "dueting" with Alexander's students, according to the couple.

As further proof that Nora chooses to play the piano out of pure enjoyment, Yow! and Alexander note that their other cats (they have six in total, all named for artists; Nora is named for Surrealist painter Leonora Carrington) shun the instrument, save for an occasional walk across the keys.

Bonus rags-to-riches element to Nora's story: she was adopted from a New Jersey shelter as a kitten.

One of the original Nora videos -- you HAVE to watch it:

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Cats Cats Cats, Fun stuff
        

FAVORITE FOOD: Unsure. Maybe she needs to try more delicious things to decide.

FUNNIEST MOMENT: We have fun watching Phoebe trying to catch fireflies.

CUDDLY LAP DOG: Phoebe is shy in new environments, but once she gets to know you she wants to be on your lap or next to you always. She’s very sweet and cuddly. We’re looking for a home with another dog for Phoebe since she has always had dogs in her life and is timid when all alone.

IF PHOEBE HAD A MOTTO FOR LIFE, IT WOULD BE: I was born to play.

CREDIT FOR PHOTOGRAPH: Pet Rescue of Maryland

To see a recent (and really cute) Ready to be Collared (Augusta), click here.

Want your pet to be featured in Unleashed? Click here to download the Collared questionnaire. Fill it out and email it to us, along with a web-sized jpeg, at unleashed@baltsun.com.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Collared, Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick's ridiculously cute  new puppy got a bit too frisky at a town meeting and nipped a woman on the hand.

The incident occurred Thursday after the governor brought his 9-week-old black Lab, Tobey, with him to a  meeting in Boston.

The puppy has been an attraction since Patrick received him last week. He has been bringing him to work for house-training purposes. And probably just to show him off.

Children touring the Statehouse have asked to see Tobey, and youngsters played with the dog at the town hall meeting. Could Tobey be trying to be the next Bo Obama? Maybe political pups are the next big thing?

Aides say the woman was bitten when she bent down to pet the puppy but continued to play with him nonetheless. (He's THAT cute!) She was left with a red mark on her hand, which was treated with a bandage. She went to the hospital as a precaution.

Photo of the Deval and little Tobey courtesy of the governor's website.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 10:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Celebrities and their pets
        

Brand new Sen. Al Franken's very first bill? It would create a program to give service dogs to all injured veterans.

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports that Luis Carlos Montalvan, a disabled Iraq war veteran, suggested the idea to Franken months earlier at the presidential inaugural ball in Washington.

"It was really like a dream come true," Montalvan, a journalism student in New York City, told the paper.

According to the paper, Montalvan told Franken that his service dog named Tuesday helps him deal with life after suffering fractured vertebrae and a head injury in an attack near the Iraq-Syrian border in 2007.

"There is going to be a clear return on investment here," Franken told the paper. "My hope is that at the end of this they'll go, 'A ha! These dogs pay for themselves or more than pay for themselves, we have fewer suicides, fewer incidents of hospitalization, less costs in prescription drugs and more productivity.' "

Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., listens to testimony by Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor on July 16. AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite.
 

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

Cloned dogs are helping sniff out issues at outh Korea's airport customs.

Six genetic duplicates of a single Labrador retriever have been working at the country's main Incheon international airport and three other customs checkpoints to deter drug smuggling. First they had to go through 16 months of training.

They are part of a litter of seven born in 200, cloned from a skilled drug-sniffing dog. They were all named "Toppy" — a combination of the words "tomorrow" and "puppy." One was injured in training and dropped out.

(For more on cloned puppies, click here.)

The cloning work was conducted by a team of Seoul National University scientists who in 2005 successfully created the world's first known dog clone, an Afghan hound named Snuppy.

The agency has said clones could help reduce costs inherant in finding dogs who can handle the critical task of sniffing out contraband. Only about three out every 10 naturally born dogs it trains end up qualifying for the job.

Above and at right, South Korean customs officials handle cloned sniffer dogs checking baggage at Incheon International Airport on July 17. LEE HOON-KOO/AFP/Getty Images.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 10:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

Nin, a dreamy-eyed black and white cat who patrolled the Northeast's highest peak as the Mount Washington Observatory's mascot for a dozen years and was the subject of a children's book, has died.

Observatory executive director Scot Henley says Nin died on July 14. He had retired in 2007 as top cat  and was estimated to be about 19 or 20 years old.

A rescued stray from Vermont, Nin was popular. In a Web site posting, Henley wrote summit visitors "undoubtedly scratched their heads with bewilderment when they noticed a rotund white cat patrolling the top of the tallest mountain in New England."

The Boston Globe wrote, "Nin spent a dozen years at the facility. Within its cold, concrete walls, he 'brought a little piece of home' to lonely staff members, interns, and visiting researchers, said executive director Scot Henley. Undeterred by harsh weather, he would follow them around, purring helplessly if they walked too fast for him to keep up. "

He was the kitty in the children's book, The Cat in the Clouds, by Eric Pinder, a former weather observer on the mountain. The book was published in May.

Nin was euthanized due to failing health. According to the Globe, his burial site overlooks the Northern Presidentials, "peaks he saw from the mountain home he loved."

Posted by Jill Rosen at 9:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Cats Cats Cats
        

Guinea pig rescues might want to gear up.

Disney's new movie G-Force, which opens Friday, features a squad of specially trained, computer-generated guinea pig spies coming to the world's rescue. Animal activists expect it will create the same kind of must-have pet craze sparked by 101 Dalmations a few years ago.

Some guinea pig rescue groups have already posted pleas to those who might rush out to buy the furry little rodents.

"I can tell you, every single rescue in the United States and abroad took a look at that movie trailer and said, 'Oh God, here we go,'" said Whitney Potsus, vice president of The Critter Connection, Inc., in Durham, Conn.

The Orange County Cavy (aka guinea pig) Haven in Costa Mesa has already posted urgent Internet pleas to parents asking them to say no when their children beg for guinea pigs, because the animals are too fragile for young children.

It's happened before. Some call it "101 Dalmations syndrome," after the live-action Disney movie that sent thousands rushing to buy the black-and-white spotted pups. When the dogs failed to act like those in the movie, families gave them up, breeders said.

The popularity of Chihuahuas soared after the movies Legally Blonde and Beverly Hills Chihuahua and when Taco Bell featured a talking one in an ad campaign. Ferrets were the animal of choice after Along Came Polly and guinea pigs were in demand after Bedtime Stories.

In G-Force, Agents Juarez, Darwin and Blaster drive cars, parachute, use blowtorches, swim, talk, walk on two legs, live in tanks with mice and rats and use hamster balls, Lyn Zantow, a volunteer for the Orange County group, warns on her Web site.

In real life, guinea pigs are noisy, eat and poop all the time, require big and clean cages, don't swim and can be expensive to care for if they get sick, she said, adding that they should be kept out of the hands of young children.

"We can only hope ... parents will all do their research before bringing any critters home. Otherwise, when the novelty wears off, rescues everywhere are going to have their hands full with surrenders," Potsus said.

A guinea pig can scare or startle easily and if a child doesn't have a good hold, it will run off. "Guinea pigs can't jump," said Fenella Fpeece, president of Wee Companions Small Animal Adoption Inc. in San Diego. A fall, even from a sofa, will paralyze them, break their backs and then "they are probably as good as dead."

Read the full story here.

At top, Valerie Hansen holds up a Guinea Pig in Walnut, Calif., on July 21. AP Photo/Nick Ut. Below, G-Force characters include, from left, Darwin, Juarez and Blaster. AP Photo/Disney.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff
        

The other day Unleashed told you about a pretty stupid guy, to say the least, who left his dog in the car while waiting with his girlfriend in line to audition for American Idol. The dog died. It was more than 90 degrees in Denver that day. Well, the animal rights group PETA has rushed into circulation a video featuring Idol judge Simon Cowell and his dog, Claude. In the public service message, Cowell talks about how he's "appalled" at people who leave their dogs in cars. Check the video out above.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Celebrities and their pets
        

As teams begin evaluating hundreds of pit bulls seized in the largest U.S. raid on dogfighters, the Humane Society of Missouri has issued an urgent call to rescue groups to help find homes for the dogs deemed eligible for adoption.

On Friday, teams of animal behavior experts from across the nation are set to begin assessing more than 400 dogs seized from alleged dogfighting operations in Missouri and Illinois earlier this month. About 100 more pit bulls taken from operations in Iowa, Texas, Oklahoma, Mississippi and Nebraska also will have to be evaluated.

So far, the humane society has heard from just over a dozen rescue groups willing to find homes for one or two dogs, but said more are needed. Animal groups say they haven't had a crisis response of this magnitude since thousands of pets were dislocated in Hurricane Katrina.

"We're going to need a whole lot of new friends to help the animals in this case," said Debbie Hill, the Humane Society of Missouri's vice president. "There are so many more in this unprecedented raid."

The pit bulls' seizure comes as U.S. shelters are inundated with abandoned dogs and cats, 3.7 million of which are euthanized each year because they can't find homes.

The teams will analyze the dogs' demeanor and spirit — are they aggressive, traumatized, shy or confident? Can they be socialized and trained, or are they too broken to repair? The Humane Society of Missouri will report the findings to the federal courts, which have the final say. Until then, the Missouri and Illinois dogs are being sheltered in St. Louis.

Missouri's Humane Society already got a test of what it might take to place the dogs after 10 more pit bulls were surrendered to HSMO investigators working a phone tip the day after the July 8 nationwide raids. The dogs ended up in California four days later, courtesy of Bay Area Doglovers Responsible About Pit Bulls, or Bad Rap, which helped evaluate the dogs taken from NFL star Michael Vick's dogfighting operation.

Bad Rap's Donna Reynolds got commitments for temporary shelter space and foster homes within hours of a frantic flurry of e-mails and calls to Bay Area shelters and rescue groups. Then, Bad Rap evaluated them.

About half were found to be shoe-ins for adoption, such as Jett, a social, dog- and cat-friendly but scarred male. Another candidate, Beauty, was small, muscular and scarred, maybe pregnant. Her ears are cropped short, and she has a bulging, possibly blind eye from an old injury that will get medical attention.

"They were sponges for human affection," Berkeley Animal Care Services volunteer Emily Colwell said.

At top, Tim Racer, co-founder of BAD RAP in Berkeley, Calif., plays with Jet, one of 10 Missouri pit bulls surrendered to authorities and shuttled to California in the days after the largest dogfighting seizure in U.S. history. AP Photo/Jeff Chiu. Below, another pit bull rescued from a home in Tecumseh, Neb. Dave Weaver / Associated Press.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 10:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

There's  a fight over a five-legged Chihuahua puppy from North Carolina.

The owner of a Coney Island animal show, John Strong, says he had a deal to buy the dog, Lilly, from a Gastonia man.

Multiple media outlets reported that the dog's owner, Calvin Owensby, sold the pup for $4,000 to Allyson Siegel, a Charlotte woman who wants to have the extra leg amputated next week so the dog can walk normally and be spared the freak show life.

Strong says he's the rightful owner of the dog. But Siegel says -- quoting -- "over my dead body."

The New York man says his show contains "amazing animals, oddities and freaks."

Strong is hinting that he may go to court over the whole affair.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
        

A non-profit organization called B-More Dog is offering free dog behavior and handing classes.

The classes are for anyone with a dog they're having a hard time handling, says Erin Sullivan, president of B-More Dog. The classes, however, are ONLY for people. If you go, do not bring your dog.

The one-session classes, held at the Baltimore Rescue and Care Shelter, BARCS, are typically held on the last Sunday of the month. This month's class is at noon on Sunday July 26. It's expected to last about an hour.

The class will focus on ways people can detect behavioral clues in their dog's body language. Trainers will be available for a Q&A period.

"It's for people who really need help, people who are struggling with their dog and don't know what to do," Sullivan said.

There will be training discount coupons available to those who complete the class.

Sessions are also planned for August and September.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Events, Fun stuff, Health
        

NAME: Apollo

OWNER: Patrick and Angelic S. (Brother of sorts to Pierre and Pandora.

HOW THEY MET: In search of a companion for our first cat, we were informed by our friend that her friend, a local veterinarian, recently had a feral cat give birth to kittens in her garage. We went to see them and this little furry ball of fluff, who was the only boy of the litter, was the one we picked to pair with our female cat at home. We read somewhere that the female cat would be more accepting of a male.  When we brought Apollo home, we weren’t so sure that our first cat even WANTED a companion…all she did was hiss! But they eventually became friends and now they play with one another and groom each other regularly.

AGE: Approximately 4 years old.

HOME: Baltimore Highlands.

BREED:  Domestic medium hair.

BEST TRICK:  He “sits” and stands on his hind legs for treats. "Up!" 

FAVORITE ACTIVITY: Being lazy! Being an “Uncle” to the foster kittens that we host in our home regularly.

FAVORITE FOOD:  CHICKEN!

FUNNIEST MOMENT:  Love watching him chase the laser light. He can jump impressively high!

BUILT IN DINNER CLOCK: He also knows EXACTLY when it is dinner time and will MEOW like crazy ‘til he is fed!

IF APOLLO HAD A MOTTO FOR LIFE, IT WOULD BE: “Anytime is a good time for chicken and naps.”

To see more pets that have been Collared, click here.

Want your pet to be featured in Unleashed? Click here to download the Collared questionnaire. Fill it out and email it to us, along with a web-sized jpeg, at unleashed@baltsun.com.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Collared
        

I'm sorry to inform chalupa fans everywhere that the Taco Bell dog has passed on.

The ubiquitous Chihuahua, known best for "saying," Yo quiero Taco Bell!" on all those commericals, died of a stroke Tuesday night.

People Pets reports, the dog died of a stroke at age 15. Though the commercial had the pup "talking" in a man's voice, the deceased was a she -- inexplicably named Gidget.

"She made so many people happy," Gidget's trainer, Sue Chipperton, told People.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 4:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (21)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

Ruby Gettinger, of the Style Network's Ruby, holds her dogs Foxy and Lucy. Gettinger used to weigh more than 700 pounds and the show is about her effort to lose weight. Maybe running after these two little ones is helping her struggle. AP Photo/Style Network.  

Posted by Jill Rosen at 1:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Celebrities and their pets
        

If anyone is heading to Cape May to vacation with their dog, be warned: The leash police are on the lookout.

According to a story in the Cape May County Herald, officials patrolling area beaches are issuing tickets to people caught on the beaches letting their dogs run leashless. 

Worst yet, officials say most of the tickets are going to people from out of town.

No way to ruin your vacation like a ticket....

For a beach must closer to home where you'll never have to worry about such business, check this out.

Or, if you're planning a Delaware/Maryland beach vacation and thinking about bringing the dog, definitely check this out.

Man walks his dog on Dewey Beach. Sun photo by Barbara Haddock Taylor.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

While some people are willing to pay hundreds of dollars to get a sense of what their dog might be talking about, it turns out, they could just ask the baby.

New research from Brigham Young University shows babies understand the meaning of different dog barks. Infants just 6 months old can match the sounds of an angry snarl and a friendly yap to photos of dogs displaying threatening and welcoming body language.

The experiments are intended to show how babies learn.

“Emotion is one of the first things babies pick up on in their social world,”  BYU psychology professor Ross Flom, lead author of the study, said in a statement. “We chose dogs because they are highly communicative creatures both in their posture and the nature of their bark."

It's unclear if the dogs can understand babies. It would seem only fair.

In the experiment, the babies first saw two different pictures of the same dog, one in an aggressive posture and the other in a friendly stance. Then the researchers played random sound clips of friendly and aggressive dog barks.

While the recordings played, the 6-month-old babies spent most of their time staring at the appropriate picture. Older babies usually made the connection instantly with their very first glance.

Photo courtesy of BYU.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs, Fun stuff
        

Eegad. So I'm outside sitting on my stoop, waiting for a friend to arrive. Teddy, on his red leash, is checking out the sidewalk, sniffing this and that, as is his way. 

One second, the people end of the leash is in my hand. Then next minute, not so much. Instantly Teddy is several feet away -- too far for me to step on the leash or lunge and grab it. He starts to trot.

Oh crap. Immediately I picture him getting away. I picture him running into the street and getting hit by a car. I think about how I would explain losing my foster dog to the MDSPCA. Come back Teddy!

He trots to the end of the block, he hangs a left on Baltimore Street, continuing to hightail it toward who-knows-what. Maybe the park? I'm wishing someone would materialize ahead of me on the sidewalk so I could call to them to intercept the doggie. He hangs another left into the alley. I'm in flip flops. My running is pathetic.

Finally, a ways into the alley, he stops to sniff some weeds. I gain on him. He keeps sniffing. I stomp on the leash with my foot. He's all startled with the leash stomp. He's mine again.

I walk the chastened doggie around the corner, back to the house. My neighbors, who had been getting out of their car when I started to give chase, were happy to see I'd been able to grab him. They were worried. Um, me too. 

Now he's all snoozed out on the sofa. As if nothing happened. He ate a piece of extra sharp cheddar out of my hand. Such a bad/good?/slippery dog/cheese hound/escape artist. 

Posted by Jill Rosen at 9:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)
Categories: Teddy Bean, formerly the Foster Dog
        

Alberto Contador of Spain, wearing the Tour de France overall leader's yellow jersey, poses with a Saint Bernard dog prior to the start of the 16th stage of the race. Are dog's good luck? Chien de bon chance? AP Photo/Christophe Ena.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 11:23 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs, Events
        

An interesting issue came up Sunday on the venerable Dining@Large blog. Elizabeth Large was discussing the shockingly high prices at the Baltimore Farmer's Market and someone chimed in to say she saw someone this weekend selling puppies -- Labradoodles -- at one of the stands.

DCDiva wrote: "I was pretty disturbed to see the flower people selling PUPPIES. IT IS A FARMER'S MARKET. It really disgusted me and I left their stand when I saw what they were doing. No need to support back-yard dog breeders."

Others chimed in too -- hotly on both sides.

DCDiva complained to Carole Simon, who organizes the city-run market, in an email she shared with Unleashed. She wrote:

"Instead of enjoying my shopping, I spent the entire time worrying about the welfare of these dogs. I do not know the vendor's name, but they sell flowers near the Breadery folks. Please follow up on this issue with the vendor. I do not want to see them selling puppies again, and I certainly will not ever patronize this stand."

Simon wrote back, appalled to hear the vendor was selling puppies, but vouching for the farmer, saying she'd been to the farm, seen the puppies and that they were being "treated like family." She said the farmer is a registered pedigree breeder.

So, what do you think of all this? Would you buy tomatoes from a guy that also sells Labradoodles?

Let's air it out.....

Photo of really nice looking tomatoes by Elizabeth Large. 

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (28)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Events, Health
        

When one pastor noticed church attendance dropping off, she came up with a creative, a touch Noah's Ark-ian solution: What if people could bring their pets?

Rachel Bickford, pastor of the Pilgrim Congregational Church in North Weymouth, Mass., writes about her experience leading a more-literal-than-usual flock in Guideposts.com.

Bickford writes about looking down from the pulpit and seeing Lucy, a terrier, Sam, a pug and Bernese mountain dog Chloe. She started services with animals last October.

"Growing up, I’d wanted to be a vet, but in my twenties I felt called to seminary. After seven years at Pilgrim Congregational, I still loved coming to work," she writes. "But folks just weren’t coming to church as much anymore. Too many sporting events on Sundays and too little faith. I looked out at the half-empty sanctuary one Sunday and thought, Lord, what can I do to get people as excited as I am about coming to church?

"...my gaze fell on my two apricot cockapoos, Tugger and Indy, curled up at my feet."

Bickford started with a Sunday afternoon service. After worship she served biscuits and invited everyone to toss tennis balls with our dogs in the side yard. Everyone was leashed. She called it Woof ’n’ Worship.

"Before long we had 150 people—150!," she writes. "The dogs got along famously. I giggled when, during my first reading, a handsome German shepherd with a clownish grin licked a tiny Chihuahua’s ears.

"Later, the choir sang “Amazing Grace.” Everyone roared when Pee Wee, a schnauzer, began howling along. He was almost in key!"

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Fun stuff
        

It's always nice to see a local spot on a national "Best of" list. And it looks like Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis has nearly topped Petside.com's list of the Top 10 Dog-Friendly Beaches.

“At Petside, we know that a day at the beach is even better when you can bring your four-legged companion, so we looked far and wide to identify America's friendliest dog beaches,” Joshua Fried, Petside.com's director said.  “This year's list includes some spectacular spots from Florida to Oregon and many locations in between.”

Cape San Blas, in Port St. Joe, Fla., takes the No. 1 spot. With its year-round, leash-free policies and dog-friendly activities like a sailing program welcomes dogs aboard and a variety of pet-friendly restaurants nearby, this place sounds like a must-see if you're in the area with your dog.

But at the almost-as-prestigious No. 2 slot, there's:

2. Quiet Waters Park. Petside calls the park a "dream play pen." The selection team appreciates the park's fenced-off area beach area for dogs and digs the park's annual “Howl-O-Ween Barkin Bash” costume parade for dogs and their owners.

The rest of the Top Five follow. For more, see the story here.

3. Block Island, Rhode Island, is a small dog-friendly island open year-round. The beach has a relaxed leash policy, and bans all motor vehicles, making it a safe haven for your furry friend to roam around.

4. Cannon Beach, Oregon, is a four mile stretch of beach along the Pacific conveniently located near a town filled with dog-friendly hotels, restaurants and shops. Dogs must stay on-leash, but the view is worth it.

5. Fort De Soto Park, St. Petersburg, Fla., has the unique “Paw Playground,” consisting of fenced-in areas for both big dogs and small dogs. The park provides dog showers, a dog beach and fresh drinking water.

Dogs enjoy Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis. Photo/Friends of Quiet Waters.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs, Fun stuff, Travel
        

Now that I've had the Teddy Bean for two weeks, it's clear that he's made progress, just not quite enough of it. But there's one place where the puppy mill playing field levels -- where a dog that's known nothing but crowded cages, filthy smells and sad howls can be pretty much a normal pup. The park -- Patterson Park. There The Bean is any dog, a happy dog, trotting along grassy paths, tail high in the air, tongue out. 

(To catch up on the trials of Teddy, the foster dog I'm taking care of who was rescued from a Pennsylvania puppy mill, click here.)

Every time he meets another dog, Tedward simply must go say hello. It's like he's running for election, all the furry behinds we have to stop and sniff. 

We've met so many park dogs in just a few days. Abbie, Max and Katie. Tina. Champ. Cheddar. Floyd. Pete. Every single one, The Bean greeted with a big howdy sniff and effusive aftershocks of tail wagging. He may not know what to think about people, but he knows exactly what he thinks about doggies: Loves 'em.

Also, when Teddy's in the park, in his element, he lets his guard down a bit. A few days ago, when it was warm, Cheddar's mom offered The Bean a sip of water....from a cup...which she held in her hand. He lapped it up with almost no hesitation. Amazing. He'll still only take a treat from my hand on very rare occasions, but here he was, sipping from some stranger's cup 'o kindness. That's Teddy in the park.

He's also watered the grass there, so to speak, for two days in a row. I know it's just coincidence -- he still thinks the *proper* place to go is on my kitchen floor. But, maybe, just maybe, all that sniff time he's logging in over there is getting a message through. (Foster mom takes time out to offer small prayer to the Housetraining gods...)

PS: I'm keeping him for a third week....more to come on that.....

At top, Teddy Bean makes friends with a furry one whose name I think is Tina. Just below, The Bean meets up with Abbie, Max and Katie, some dogs who actually live on our block. At right, Teddy surveys his domain. Photos by Jill.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 4:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs, Teddy Bean, formerly the Foster Dog
        

A five-legged puppy could soon walk normally, thanks to a North Carolina woman who paid $4,000 to prevent the pup named Precious from becoming part of a New York sideshow.

The Charlotte Observer reports that 45-year-old Allyson Siegel of Charlotte bought the puppy because she didn't want her to be part of a Coney Island, New York, show that features disfigured animals.

Siegel renamed the six-week-old puppy Lilly and plans to spend an additional $2,000 to get the extra appendage removed. The fifth leg hangs between the puppy's two back legs.

The paper reported that sideshow owner John Strong had already paid a $1,000 deposit for the Chihuahua-terrier mix.

Siegel contacted the Gastonia seller and asked him to sell her the puppy instead.

Associated Press photos of Siegel and lucky Lilly.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

In today's paper, Sun reporter Don Markus tells of a fundraiser in Clarksville held yesterday to benefit dogs in the military.

Dogtopia spa in Clarksville invited dogs in for a charity scrub down to benefit pups deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq. (I added pictures on Tuesday 7/21 -- Jill)

Don says the inspiration for the dogwash is a very personal one for Dogtopia's founder, Amy Nichols. The daughter of a Vietnam War veteran and the wife of a former Navy radioman, Nichols established her K-9 Support charity five years ago and said it has donated more than $30,000 and "thousands of pounds" of supplies to military dogs in Iraq and Afghanistan.

According to Nichols, there are more than 1,000 military dogs deployed worldwide, including around 700 in Iraq and Afghanistan. Among the supplies being sent are protective goggles that the dogs wear while sniffing out roadside bombs, cooling beds, and more traditional items such as chew toys.

Sunday's dog wash in Howard County was one of several held this weekend at various Dogtopia locations around the country.

Above, Rocky, who belongs to Joan Bosmans, gets a scrubbing.

At right, Dale Rowland washes Penelope, a yellow lab owned by David Cabrera from Eldridge.

Sun photos by Algerina Perna.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 6:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs, Events
        

NAME: Annie

NICKNAME: Annie Kabannie

OWNER: Feldman Family

HOW THEY MET: We got her from a breeder.

AGE: 10

HOME: Reisterstown.

BREED: Labradoodle

BEST TRICK:  Catching Frisbees.

FAVORITE ACTIVITY: Long walks and sleeping on the sofa or bed.

FAVORITE FOOD: Any leftovers from dinner (especially matzoh ball soup and homemade spaghetti sauce) and pretzels are her favorite snacks.

FUNNIEST MOMENT:  Annie's funniest moment would have to be when she has a rare accident in the house (usually on the Oriental rug) and then pulls a corner of the rug over it to hide her mess. 

SHE SPEAKS OUR LANGUAGE: She thinks she's a person, and she is very smart. If we say walk or leash or treat or show her any of these things she will get very excited to the point where she will be wiggling her whole body and running around. So, we have to spell these things to keep her from going crazy (but she still knows).

Annie loves to play in the yard and bark and chase all her friends the deer, squirrels and birds endlessly running after them all. She lets us know when the woodpeckers start pecking at our siding.

IF ANNIE HAD A MOTTO FOR LIFE, IT WOULD BE: Let me in, let me out; let me in, let me out...

CREDIT FOR PHOTOGRAPH: Rachel Feldman

To see more pets that have been Collared, click here.

Want your pet to be featured in Unleashed? Click here to download the Collared questionnaire. Fill it out and email it to us, along with a web-sized jpeg, at unleashed@baltsun.com.

Posted by Mary Corey at 6:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Collared
        

So you want to know what that bark meant, that growl that whine -- and who doesn't.

Well, a Japanese toymaker claims to have the answer: The “Bowlingual."

Takara Tomy was recently showing the device off at a toy, who, saying it can translate what a dog “says” into human language and emoticons.

People strap the device like a collar onto the dog. When the dog makes a noise, the Bowlingual will analyze what it means and let you know on an LCD screen.

The main catch? You have to be able to understand Japanese. That's the only language it comes in, so far anyway.

The gadget, which will be available in August, will cost you a little over $200, U.S.

Employees of Japanese toy giant Tomy poses with the "Bowlingual," a gadget that expresses dogs' emotions. The company unveiled it the annual Tokyo Toy Show in Tokyo last week. The "Bowlingual" analyses a dog's voice through a wireless microphone attached to its collar and then displays the dog's emotions through an audio and LCD display. Tomy will put it on the market on August 27. YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP/Getty Images.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 11:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs, Fun stuff, Pet accessories
        

NAME: James

NICKNAME: Jimbo

OWNER: Batlimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS) – looking for his forever home.

HOW THEY MET: James was wandering the streets of Baltimore looking for a loving human to rescue him and let him give them kisses. The kind people at BARCS rescued him 115 days ago and are looking for his forever home.  BARCS began celebrating Independence Day on July 5 with a Spirit of ’76 promotion designed where they're waiving the adoption fees on the first 76 dogs to be adopted. Hint. Hint. James could give kisses AND be free.

AGE: 2 years.

HOME: Baltimore

BREED: Terrier Mix

BEST TRICK: James (aka Jimbo) has an amazing ability to sit and stay – even in crowds. He recently attended HonFest and was described by people who met him as “a chill dude." He interacted well with other dogs and was especially good with children. 

FAVORITE ACTIVITY: He loves to be around people and show them his affection. He knows if you have something on your mind and is there to let you know he cares. He wants to ensure that life his good for his best friend and would shower you with affection.

FAVORITE FOOD: Meatballs!

FUNNIEST MOMENT: James had a visitor to the shelter who wanted to share his sunglasses with him and bent down and put glasses on him. James was great and could be described moving his head around like a bobblehead. At one point, we though he might start moving his whole body and could have competed on America’s Got Talent.

MELLOW WITH A MOZART FETISH: James is a mellow dog but not much gets past him. He enjoys classical music, knows if you are coming to give him a treat, and seems to remember everyone he has met before. With children, he also understands to approach them differently and to “let them be kids."  He would enjoy other dogs or being “King James."

IF JAMES HAD A MOTTO FOR LIFE, IT WOULD BE: "Throw your heart over the fence and the rest will follow!"

CREDIT FOR PHOTOGRAPH: Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter.

To see last weeks sweet Ready to be Collared (Augusta), click here.

Want your pet to be featured in Unleashed? Click here to download the Collared questionnaire. Fill it out and email it to us, along with a web-sized jpeg, at unleashed@baltsun.com.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Collared
        

Two red panda cubs abandoned by their mother at birth are thriving at a northern China zoo thanks to milk and loving care from an unlikely surrogate mother — a dog.

According to The Associated Press, the cubs, born June 25, were abandoned immediately by their mother after giving birth in front of a crowd of visitors at the Taiyuan Zoo in northern China's Shanxi province.

"No one knew she was pregnant. Her plump body and bushy hair disguised her protruding belly until the babies were born," said Ha Guojiang, a zoo employee. "We hurriedly went about to find a wet nurse for them."

The dog wet nurse, belonging to a farmer from a nearby suburb, was selected from two other candidates that had recently given birth. The dog is now raising the two panda cubs like its own pups, sometimes even refusing to feed its own pup.

At 3-weeks-old, the baby cubs have yet to open their eyes and have doubled in length to about eight inches. Unlike the more well-known, bear-like giant pandas, red pandas resemble raccoons with long bushy tails. There are believed to be fewer than 2,500 adult red pandas in the world.

At top, a mother dog gets acquainted with two red panda cubs who were abandoned by their mother soon after they were born, at a zoo in China. AFP/AFP/Getty Images. To the left, the mom dog nurses the cubs born on June 25. AFP/AFP/Getty Images. At right is what a Red Panda looks like a little older. Too cute. GREG WOOD/AFP/Getty Images.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 12:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

I recently spent a little time at some Delaware and Maryland beaches for a story that appears in Sunday's Travel section. I found that there are some amazing places there for your dog. But you need to plan ahead to find them.

I suggest steering northward. In Lewes there's a B&B called the Lazy L that not only welcomes dogs -- they flat-out celebrate them. Sure, there are cheaper motels that allow dogs. But they almost certainly don't have the grassy dog run that the Lazy L has. Or the outdoor dog shower to rinse off sandy paws. Or all the extra towels and water bowls or the ability to take the pooch to breakfast where treats are waiting.

Plus, the Lazy L is very close to Broadkill Beach, the only beach in the area where you can take your dog any time in season. Other beaches, like those at Rehoboth and Ocean City, prohibit dogs all the time in season. At others, like Dewey or Lewes, you have to watch the clock, as dogs are only allowed very early or very late in the day.

Anyway, check the story. There are some good finds -- a restaurant called FishOn! in Lewes with a doggie menu, a boutique called Yuppy Puppy in Bethany that hosts doggie pizza nights on Fridays and doggie pancake breakfasts on Sundays.

Write in if you've found some other spots. Or with your reviews if you've tried any of the places I mentioned.

At top, Brad Edmonds of Landenberg Pa., plays with his border collie Harley on Dewey Beach in the morning.

Just below, Allan Roberts of East Stroudsburg Pa, hangs out in his room at the Lazy L with his dog Sadie. They are regular guests.

To the right, At Yuppy Puppy in Bethany Beach, dogs get free puppy pancakes on Sunday mornings. Here, rescue dog Hunnybunny of Bethany Beach gets a bite of pancake. She's a regular, along with owner Ellen Saether. Sun photos by BARBARA HADDOCK TAYLOR.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 10:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs, Fun stuff, Travel
        

Thanks to a last-minute intervention by a mediator, a Baltimore church has agreed to allow cat advocates to continue feeding feral cats on church property.

Because of the agreement, a protest at the church set for Sunday morning has been canceled.

The cat feeding volunteers, who are part of a citywide trap-neuter-return program, have been feeding a colony of cats on the Northside Baptist Church's lot for two years. A couple weeks ago, the church, fed up themselves with the cats, ordered the cat tenders to dismantle the feeding station. Church officials said the cats not only bother parishioners, they leave droppings all over their otherwise manicured lawn.

Alarmed that the cats would starve, one of the cat people, Denise Farmer, picketed the church by herself the last two Sundays. Cat advocates from across Baltimore had planned to join her tomorrow. 

But Alley Cat Allies, a national feline advocacy group based in Bethesda, heard about the controversy and sent a mediator over. The church agreed to allow the cats to feed in a more remote part of its grounds. Alley Cat Allies also agreed to give the church decorative stones for its flower beds and some motion-sensor devices that emit a high-pitched noise to repel cats.

"Obviously we all want what is best for the cats – and this agreement will ensure their presence on the ground with volunteers being allowed to feed," said Elizabeth Parowski, spokeswoman for Alley Cat Allies.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (19)
Categories: Cats Cats Cats
        

The animal activists of PETA are urging Baltimore's State's Attoney's office to "vigorously prosecute" the teens charged in the burning of Phoenix, a pit bull puppy doused with gasoline and set on fire in May. The dog, suffered from burns on more than 90 percent of her body, was euthanized a few days later.

Police have charged twin brothers Travers and Tremayne Johnson, 17, as juveniles in the case.

PETA sent a letter to Prosecutor Jennifer Rallo urging her to treat the case seriously. The organization is asking that if convicted, the defendants be jailed, prohibited from keeping animals, and ordered to undergo psychological evaluations and counseling:

"On behalf of our thousands of members and supporters in Maryland, we ask that, if convicted, the aforementioned defendants be provided any counseling or treatment deemed necessary by mental health officials (in addition to receiving the maximum period of incarceration allowable by law)," wrote Kristin DeJournett, a PETA cruelty caseworker. "The safety of the community may depend on it.

"Given the violent and malicious nature of their alleged crime — and because repeat crimes are the rule rather than the exception among animal abusers — we implore you to take every measure necessary to ensure that the defendants, if convicted, are barred from possessing animals for as long as possible and that all animals who may be in their charge be immediately seized."

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

Here's some huge news for north Baltimore and Baltimore County dog owners. Robert E. Lee park, which dog people have treated as if it was a dog park for years, is finally going to actually be one.

According to this Towson Times story, the county plans to build a secure dog area within the park. The park could be ready in about a year an a half, officials say.

The acrimony between people who like to let their dogs run off-leash in the park and swim there is long running. In 2004 I did a story about it, talking about how Baltimore City built a fence to keep people and their dogs from a certain area of the park, but, much to the city's disgust, dog lovers cut holes in the fence and wriggled through. The city then welded bars onto the fence to make double-sure people could take their dogs through. A woman got stuck between the bars.

At the time, the city's associate parks director at the time called dog people's disregard for the park laws "civil disobedience."

If the dog park really happens at Robert E. Lee, perhaps some of that "civil disobedience" will turn to regular old obedience. Though, just a guess, some folks might still want to run their dogs and let them splash around there off-leash. Just. A. Guess.

Dogs romp at Robert E. Lee while their owners practice civil disobedience. Sun file photo.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 12:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (19)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs, Fun stuff, Travel
        

Today marks a full two weeks since I brought Teddy Bean home.

(For those who haven't been following this sorta saga, I'm taking care of a foster dog, one of those rescued two weeks ago from a Pennsylvania puppy mill. See more here.) 

Though the first few days the little Bean shook and shook, hiding in a corner and simply quaking with fear, he doesn't really shake at all anymore. He still hides in corners though. But when he does, he's constantly peeking out and seeing what's up. 

He clearly uses his corner vantage point to get his bearings. Sometimes it seems that when I'm in the middle of the room, or Leo and Pumpkin are, he'll hover in a corner until he sees a way to zip cleanly past us.

A friend of mine at work asked the other day if he wags his tail when I come home. First of all, I can't see his tail because he's in a carrier. But even if I could, I'm sure the answer would be no. No tail action. But he does let me put him on my lap and pet his smelly self like crazy while I'm watching TV at night. He'll go that far. 

This morning he ate his breakfast in the same room as the kitties, who were eating, too. That's kind of progress. Maybe. Usually Teddy orders room service so that he can eat near his carrier while no one's looking.

The kitties seem to be co-existing with him for the most part. The last two days, however, when I get home Teddy's carrier is pushed away from its spot into the middle of the floor. I could be wrong, but Leo, who's been spotted swatting Teddy on the snout and trying to get him in trouble, might be trying to roll the doggie out into the street. If I see him writing a "Free to a Good Home" sign, I'll know for sure. 

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Teddy Bean, formerly the Foster Dog
        

I have a story in today's paper about a Northeast Baltimore church and a group of cat lovers who are in a bitter fight over feeding feral cats on church property.

The cat people, who are part of a citywide trap-neuter-return program, have been feeding a colony of cats on the Northside Baptist Church's lot for two years. A couple weeks ago, the church, fed up themselves with the cats, ordered the cat tenders to dismantle the feeding station. Church officials say the cats not only bother parishioners, they leave droppings all over their otherwise manicured lawn.

Alarmed that the cats would starve, one of the cat people, Denise Farmer, has picketed the church by herself the last two Sundays. This week she's hoping cat advocates from across the city will join.

See the full story here.

What do you think? Should property rights trump the rights of people to support animals?

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (35)
Categories: Cats Cats Cats
        

It's not everyday that Unleashed and Kasper on Tap have overlap. But we do today!

Rob Kasper writes about a silly kitty named Maisy that spent the night in her owner's beer fridge. Maisy wasn't hurt. It wasn't clear what brand of beer she found so alluring. Kasper needs to delve further, methinks. Maybe it was Dogfish!

The owner, Bill Nelson, who is the local fire chief in his Australian town, was having family members over to watch a cricket match on the TV. He walked out to snag some brews from his beer fridge, located in a shed adjacent to his home.

Apparently, the cat followed him and jumped in the fridge when Nelson was not looking.

The cat was not missed until the next morning. Then an all out search was mounted around the household. At first, Nelson thought the cat might be trapped in the shed. Eventually he opened his beer fridge, and there was Maisy, chilly but unharmed, curled up on the fridge floor.

Burp.

Photo: Robin Sharrock in Herald Sun 

Posted by Jill Rosen at 10:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Cats Cats Cats
        

This is about as disgusting as it gets.

According to the Denver Post, a guy let his dog die in a hot car while waiting with his girlfriend who was in the long line to audition for American Idol.

The small terrier died in the hot car, where Quincy Vanderbilt, 24, left the windows up on a day that reached 91 degrees, the paper reported.

The two got to Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium in the morning. By 2 p.m., the first time Vanderbilt bothered to check on the dog, the terrier was dead.

The guy got a misdemeanor summons for animal cruelty.

In case you need a primer on how to treat your dog or cat (or child, for that matter) in the summer heat, please, please click here.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs, Health
        

About 500,000 pets are affected in some way by home fires each year. And the American Kennel Club and ADT Security Services want to do something to cut that number.

They declared Wednesday National Pet Fire Safety Day, a national day of awareness day to make pet owners aware of potential risks to pets in their houses. 

Here are some tips:

Extinguish Open Flames - Pets are  curious and will investigate cooking appliances, candles, or even a fire in your fireplace. Ensure your pet is not left unattended around an open flame and make sure to thoroughly extinguish any open flame before leaving your home.

Pet Proof the Home - Take a walk around your home and look for areas where pets might start fires inadvertently, such as the stove knobs and loose wires. 

Secure Young Pets - Especially with young puppies, keep them confined away from potential fire-starting hazards when you are away from home.

Since Pets Left Alone Can’t Escape a Burning Home – Use monitored smoke detectors which are connected to a monitoring center, providing an added layer of protection beyond battery-operated smoke alarms.

Affix a Pet Alert Window Cling – Write down the number of pets inside your house and attach the static cling to a front window. This critical information saves rescuers time when locating your pets. You can obtain a free window cling by going to www.adt.com/pets or at AKC Responsible Dog Ownership Days events. Details are available at www.akc.org.

Keep Your Information Updated - Firefighters are familiar with pet alert window clings so keep the number of pets listed on them updated. Knowing the accurate number of pets in the house aids rescuers in finding all of your pets.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Cats Cats Cats, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Events, Health
        

NAME: Yoshi Moshi Brown.

OWNER: Erika Brown.

HOW THEY MET: My mommy works with a lady that adopted my cousin, Hiro. When my mommy saw a picture of me, she decided to adopt me too! 

It was love at first sight. When she picked me up from my foster parents, I snuggled in her lap and rested my head by her heart.

AGE: 5 months old.

HOME: Owings Mills.

BREED: ShiChon (Shih tzu, Bischon Frise mix).

BEST TRICK: Sit and wiggle. I get soooo excited that I can’t be still. I can sit for a second or two, then wiggle, then sit still, then wiggle some more.

FAVORITE ACTIVITY: Running!  I love to run…in circles, up and down stairs, and fetching my toys.  I also love to pick up random things in the grass and on sidewalks.  My mommy won’t let me keep them though.  She usually digs in my mouth to retrieve my sidewalk treasures.

FAVORITE FOOD: Puperoni!  Sometimes I don’t chew it, I just inhale it like a Dyson vaccum.

FUNNIEST MOMENT: People like to tease me.  nytime I hear a bag opening, I know it’s time to eat! But it’s usually a trap to get my attention when it’s time to go to bed or follow someone somewhere. I just want a treat, so I’ll follow you where ever you go as long as Puperoni is involved!

INTERNATIONAL DOG OF MYSTERY: I never bark when I have to use the bathroom…my mommy will have to figure that one out. I like to bark when it’s time to eat!  I love to hide under my grandpa’s bed, but I have to find another hiding place…they always find me when I’ve been bad. And I love to steal socks!

IF YOSHI MOSHI HAD A MOTTO FOR LIFE, IT WOULD BE: Eat, Sleep, Run, and Be Merry!

CREDIT FOR PHOTOGRAPH: Erika Brown

To see more pets that have been Collared, click here.

Want your pet to be featured in Unleashed? Click here to download the Collared questionnaire. Fill it out and email it to us, along with a web-sized jpeg, at unleashed@baltsun.com.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Collared
        

Check out this boy of summer! That handsome devil is Dizzy, who you might know is the pride and joy of Meredith Cohn of the B'More Green blog. She recently blogged about taking The Diz to Downs Park in Pasadena for a romp in the water.

I'm proud to say that the toy Dizzy is playing with in the water is from me. I picked it out for him at Critter Beach, a great pet store in Rehoboth Beach that I visited for an upcoming Sun Travel story about bringing dogs to the beach. It's a Grriggles neoprene toy, water proof and made for dogs to have a time with in the pool or ocean. I have another one that I plan to give away here soon, so watch out for that.

Meredith highly recommends Downs for dog people. She writes: "After splashing in the surf for a while, we hiked for about an hour on a trail through the woods. We saw lots of birds and a family of deer.

"In all, there are five miles of paved and natural trails in the park. There also are ballfields, a children's playground and a pier. Hours are 7 a.m. to dusk, except Tuesday, when the park is closed."

Photo of the romping Diz by Meredith's husband, Doug Beizer.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 1:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs, Fun stuff, Travel
        

Tennis champ Andy Roddick nearly won Wimbledon recently, but opted out of the Davis Cup, instead choosing to watch it on TV with this very cute, very relaxed dog. This is a photo that Roddick posted on his Twitter account. He wrote: "Me and the dog watching Davis cup."

Posted by Jill Rosen at 12:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Celebrities and their pets
        

Yesterday PetAirways made its debut at BWI. It's the first airline dedicated entirely to flying animals, where the dogs and cats sit in the main part of the plane as passengers and not in the cargo hold. About 40 pets arrived in Baltimore from Chicago Tuesday.
Here's a video that gives a sense of that the flights are like. While some aren't sure about the new airline, plenty of people seem to really like the idea. As one woman in the video says, "My pet is not a suitcase."

Posted by Jill Rosen at 11:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Cats Cats Cats, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Travel
        

Our pet comrades at the LA Times report that teacup dogs, fashionable -- and at times seemingly an accessory for starlets, --  are now competitive. There's a hotly contested Guinness World Records title for smallest dog by height and smallest dog by length.

Scooter, above, is a 6-month-old Maltese whose owner, Cheryl McKnight of New Zealand, believes will one day hold the title of smallest dog -- heightwise. Scooter is just over 3 inches tall, measured from his feet to the top of his shoulder blade. Although he's still a puppy, McKnight says he hasn't grown at all since he was 2 months old, and she believes he won't grow any taller -- certainly no taller than the current recordholder, an American Chihuahua.

The record-holder, a Chihuahua named Heaven Sent Brandy, is fully grown and measures 6 inches long.

McKnight's sister breeds Maltese and gave Scooter to her as a gift. The tiny animal eats from an egg cup and apparently has his share of challenges as a result of his stature. "I can't take him for a walk or put a leash on him," McKnight told the New Zealand Herald.

These tiny dogs are unquestionably cute -- but does cute come with a price? The increase in popularity of "teacup" dogs -- extra-small poodles, Yorkshire terriers, Chihuahuas and the like -- has undoubtedly helped boost profits for puppy mills that churn them out as if they were products on an assembly line.

And what of their health? Scooter "weighs less than a block of butter at 400 grams -- and that is while he is wearing clothes," according to the New Zealand Herald.

According to Petside.com, as humans breed smaller and smaller dogs, "the dogs' teeth don't keep pace as well and many small breeds are troubled by teeth that are too big for their mouths." Tiny bones can break easily as well -- although it's also true that small dogs, on average, live longer lives than large ones.

Maltese puppy Scooter can easily fit in a teacup. Rebecca Grunwell/Associated Press.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Events, Fun stuff, Health
        

While there's been much hoopla surrounding the debut of PetAirways, which opens today from BWI, not everyone is exactly thrilled.

One critic had some harsh words for the airline today in Huffington Post. Rachel Farris wrote:

"Today marks the first flight for the new PetAirways, a "pets-only" airline that caters only to the four-legged traveler. While their red carpets and wagging tails may seem glamorous, a business model that rewards quantity over quality and discount over value may not fly in the long run with the most precious of cargo."

Farris goes on to point out that the airline's profit depends on moving as many pets as possible. She implies that the company's budget approach make some nervous that corners could be cut when it comes to safety. And she said it could be hard to prove since the airline is not a member of the Independent Pet and Animal Transportation Association.

She writes: "PetAirways doesn't belong to IPATA yet. And, since they are not operating a cargo charter, they won't be subject to the Department of Transportation incident reporting for live animals. Because of this, it will be hard for consumers to know exactly what happens after the cargo doors close. Without these statistics, and reliable service conditions, pet owners might find that with this new niche airline, the proof ultimately is in the puppy chow."

What do you think. Would you trust your pets to PetAirways?

Posted by Jill Rosen at 3:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (13)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Cats Cats Cats, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Travel
        

It's true -- the kitties really are working you...

We may not be able to get cats to do much, but they can get us to do just what they want, according to a report published in the July 14th issue of Current Biology.

Crafty felines motivate people to fill their food dishes by sending a mixed signal: an urgent cry or meowing sound embedded within an otherwise pleasant purr. The result is a call that humans find annoyingly difficult to ignore.

"The embedding of a cry within a call that we normally associate with contentment is quite a subtle means of eliciting a response," said Karen McComb of the University of Sussex. "Solicitation purring is probably more acceptable to humans than overt meowing, which is likely to get cats ejected from the bedroom."

McComb's own cat inspired the study. The kitty consistently wakes her up in the mornings with a very insistent purr. She learned in talking with other cat owners that some of their cats too had mastered the same manipulative trick. She decided to get to the bottom of it.

It turned out that wasn't so easy to do. The cats were perfectly willing to use their coercive cries in private, but when strangers came around they tended to clam right up. Her team therefore had to train cat owners to record their own cats' cries.In a series of playback experiments with those calls, they found that humans judged the purrs recorded while cats were actively seeking food as more urgent and less pleasant than those made in other contexts, even if they had never had a cat themselves.

McComb said she thinks this cry occurs at a low level in cats' normal purring, "but we think that cats learn to dramatically exaggerate it when it proves effective in generating a response from humans."

In fact, not all cats use this form of purring at all, she said, noting that it seems to most often develop in cats that have a one-on-one relationship with their owners rather than those living in large households, where their purrs might get overlooked by poorly trained people.

Photo of roaring kitty courtesy of Xamad's photostream on Flickr.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 10:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Cats Cats Cats, Fun stuff, Health
        

NAME: Jake (Jacob if I am in trouble).

OWNER: Kimberly Collins

HOW THEY MET: Hi, my name is Jake.  I rescued my mommie when she came to meet me at the Shetland Sheepdog Club of Greater Baltimore's rescue in Columbia. She had recently lost another sheltie named Mozart, and was not sure if she was ready for another pet. But I worked my magic on her. I walked over to her, curled up in her lap, and sighed contentedly. She was hooked!!

AGE: 13-ish (My birthday is June 24).

HOME: Catonsville.

BREED: Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie).

BEST TRICK:  Playing volleyball across the fence with the next door neighbor. 

FAVORITE ACTIVITY:  ANYTHING involving a ball!!

FAVORITE FOOD: French fries, tomatoes, cucumbers...did I mention French fries???

FUNNIEST MOMENT: I am a total Momma's Boy!! Everyone thinks it is funny that I will not leave my mommie to go walkies.  I have a petsitter, Miss Ruth from Paw Walker, who comes to take me walkies. I love Miss Ruth!! But if my mommie is around, I ignore her. Once, when my mommie was sick and Miss Ruth tried to take me walkies, I laid down and refused to move. I had to stay by my mommie's side!

ALL DOG, BUT PURRS LIKE A KITTY: I am a total love bug!! I'm very verbal and when I'm being pet, I purr like a kitty. I love learning new things, and think that everyone is my friend. I'm proof that adopting an older dog is a great idea!!

IF JAKE HAD A MOTTO FOR LIFE, IT WOULD BE: You can teach an old dog new tricks!

CREDIT FOR PHOTOGRAPH: Kimberly Collins

To see more pets that have been Collared, click here.

Want your pet to be featured in Unleashed? Click here to download the Collared questionnaire. Fill it out and email it to us, along with a web-sized jpeg, at unleashed@baltsun.com.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Collared
        

I already filed today's update, but I couldn't resist this extra tidbit....

When I last mentioned Teddy's so-called relationship with my kitties, Leo and Pumpkin, I called it a detente. There might be more to it.

Either Teddy Bean has taken a sudden interest in big balls of yarn, or......[insert scary music here]....he's being set up!

Over the weekend I was knitting a pair of mittens on the sofa. Teddy was watching from his carrier. I went upstairs to do a few things and when I came back, the ball of yarn -- and the attached knitting -- was in Teddy's carrier. On my sofa, where the knitting was, lay a single pellet of kibble...Teddy's flavor.

It seems like the dog did it, right? But the more I think about it, I'm convinced it was Leo. First of all, Leo is a kitty -- a species whose interest in yarn needs no further documenting. Second of all, Leo has been showing a bit of attitude toward the Bean -- he swatted him on the nose for no good reason the other day. (Motive!) And third, why would Teddy, who hasn't so much as touched an object of mine, and only recently became interested in sitting on the sofa, jump up there and grab half-made mittens of all things? Hmm? Hmm Leo?

I think a kitty's been a-plotting.....

Posted by Jill Rosen at 1:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)
Categories: Teddy Bean, formerly the Foster Dog
        

I'm not sure what to even say about this. Having heard grumbles at the July Fourth Pet Parade at Baltimore's American Visionary Arts Museum about people who used colored hair spray to "paint" an American flag onto their pug, this seems to leave that in the dust. With color that vivid, it's got to be hair dye on that little thing. Is this dog abuse or is it embarassing a dog to make him or her look like a bad birthday party clown or is it just a matter of taste? Let's discuss.

Stylists trim the hair of a poodle on July 11 at a pet dogs service shop in Wuhan in central China's Hubei province. AP Photo.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 9:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs, Fun stuff, Health
        

There are certain things one isn't supposed to mention in polite company. One of them, unfortunately, happens to be a rather large part of hosting an entirely unhousebroken dog.

Teddy Bean has bathroom issues. Big time. 

(In case anyone is new to this saga, I took in a foster dog a week ago. He's a rescue from a recently-raided Pennsylvania puppy mill.)

Since I brought him home a week ago, he hasn't peed on the puppy pads I bought. He hasn't peed outside -- despite my pacing with him for seeming eons up and down the sidewalk. Job wouldn't have been so noted for patience if he had to wait 45 fruitless minutes outside for Teddy Bean to do something, only to have him do it the second he gets back in the house.

Let's just say I'm glad I bought the economy paper towel pack.

Which is why I was almost in tears of happiness Friday night when Teddy dropped a little present in the grass of Patterson Park. I stood jumping for joy while my friend hustled to find a plastic bag.

When we got back to the house, Teddy settled in on the sofa NEXT to me for about an hour even though someone he'd only just met was also in the room.

Between both of those things, I was over the moon. I've been looking for signs of improvement, minute anythings to show that the Bean is changing from a quaking, frightened, damaged little beast into, well, a regular dog.

I thought those two signs, at least, were money in the bank until Saturday morning. Just hours after over the moon, I was hunched over the kitchen floor, scrubbing away what you don't even want to know about. I mean, what the doggie did down there he could only have learned by watching horror movies.

With the little Bean, it's not going to be easy, but hopefully it's going to eventually be.

For more on Teddy, click here.

At top, Teddy hangs out on a living room chair, one of his favorite spots in the house, and tolerates a little pat on the head from his foster mom. Below, a little Teddy Bean sacks out on a big chair. Photos by Jill.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 11:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)
Categories: Teddy Bean, formerly the Foster Dog
        

NAME: Augusta.

Nickname: Gussie.

OWNER: Beagle Rescue of Southern Maryland; foster: Mara Melton.

HOW THEY MET: Animal control in rural Virginia called to say that they had three beagles that needed to be rescued. She was one of them.

AGE: 8 to 10.

HOME: La Plata.

BREED: Beagle.

DOESN'T MISS A TRICK: Gussie is very much aware of her surroundings. She is an active senior and would enjoy “neighborhood watch” walks. Very little escapes her attention. We think that in her previous life she may have been on the police force…. She will do very well as an only dog or in a home with gentle non-alpha dogs.

IF GUSSIE HAD A MOTTO FOR LIFE, IT WOULD BE: Gotta check it out!

CREDIT FOR PHOTOGRAPH: Beagle Rescue of Southern Maryland

To see last week's Ready to be Collared, click here. 

Want your pet to be featured in Unleashed? Click here to download the Collared questionnaire. Fill it out and email it to us, along with a web-sized jpeg, at unleashed@baltsun.com.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Collared, Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

Meatball lets out a big yawn while awaiting the start of the 2009 UFO Festival Alien Pet Costume Contest on July 3 at the Roswell Convention Center in Roswell, N.M.

Meatball took 2nd place in the contest. Below the pup tries to untie his shoe. AP Photos/Roswell Daily Record, Mark Wilson.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 2:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Events, Fun stuff
        

Thursday, easily, was Teddy's best day thus far.

He and the kitties have reached something of a detente. He's eating quite a bit. He's not shaking so much.

And -- drumroll please -- he started to make himself at home on the living room furniture. In particular, he's tried out two chairs and seems to have zoned in on a favorite, a leather armchair near the front window. It's the kitties' choice, too. Just like they do, he curls up, wedged between a wool throw and a soft pillow, alternatively napping and checking out the goings-on of the street.

He spent hours there Thursday afternoon. I dropped a few treats on the chair arm, hoping that as long as he was trying new things, he might also be willing to taste a Beggin' Strip. Or any of the other two bags of nibbles I bought. Not so much. Not yet.

Anyway, as if conquering homestyle seating wasn't enough of a thrill, Teddy and I also took a walk to Patterson Park. He's been on a leash before, but only on my block. Being as it's essentially all concrete, save a few tree beds, I think it's somewhat lacking as far as a dog's idea of a good walk would go. Not that Teddy has preconceived notions.

Though he might not have had much -- if any -- experience with it, Teddy took to the grass immediately, sniffing and snuffling around so much that his black buzz cut of a coat was soon covered with flecks of clover. Every time he encountered a dog, a big one, a small one -- ANY dog -- his little bedraggled tail wagged and wagged. He may not know what to make of humans, but dogs? Those he knows he loves.

Above, Teddy, atop his new favorite chair, snuggles against the wool throw. Below, he checks out what's going on outside, from the chair, which he's so bravely chose to try. Photos by Jill.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 4:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs, Teddy Bean, formerly the Foster Dog
        

Sun photographer Kim Hairston shot this picture the other day to go with a piece about animals being freaked out by fireworks. But I wanted to post it because it's not often we get such a sweet dog shot AND an awesome cityscape shot combined. The adorable Wheaten Terrier, Bogart, belongs to Patti Neumann. She calls the 7-year-old, whose birthday is next week, "Chief of Security" for her company, CITYPEEK.com.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 12:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

I just wanted to give a quick shout out of thanks to Elaine, David Z., Tina and everyone who offered suggestions to quiet Teddy's mournful night howl.

I moved the carrier into my bedroom last night and he was perfectly quiet -- except for some crunching on kibble.

Good boy!

And thanks everyone for your suggestions. Please keep them coming. Sharing and commenting and giving advice is what Unleashed is all about.

For more on Teddy, click here.

More updates coming soon!!

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Teddy Bean, formerly the Foster Dog
        

Arthritis supplements bought by millions of pet owners for their dogs, cats and horses sometimes skimp on the ingredients the makers claim can help aching paws and aging joints, and some contain high amounts of lead, an independent laboratory found.

Four of the six joint supplements for animals tested by ConsumerLab.com lacked the amounts of glucosamine or chondroitin promised on their labels or had other flaws, such as lead. Wider testing by a trade group of 87 brands found that one-quarter fell short, the Associated Press reports.

Over-the-counter dietary supplements for humans do not have to be proven safe or effective before they are sold, and pills for pets get even less scrutiny.

"There is and there always has been" a quality problem, although many companies do a good job, said Mark Blumenthal of the American Botanical Council, which tracks research on herbal products.

Even when these supplements contain what they claim, there is little evidence that they work, veterinary experts say. A large government study of people with arthritis found that glucosamine and chondroitin did no better than dummy pills in easing mild pain. Testing these supplements on pets is more difficult.

"You can't ask a dog or a cat to give you a subjective impression of how they're feeling after taking the product for several days. They can't say, 'On a scale of 1 to 5, I feel better or worse,'" Blumenthal said.

Giving supplements to an ailing pet can make its owner feel better, though. "The owner shelled out money for the pills and wants to believe they are helping," Blumenthal said.

Up to one-third of dogs and cats in the U.S. are given supplements, a government report estimates. Sales of pet supplements have roughly doubled since 2003, to nearly $1 billion a year in the United States, according to the Nutrition Business Journal. These supplements are sold over the Internet and at pet supply stores and some groceries.

Many pet owners believe they make a difference.

Nicole Albino, who lives in New York City, said her dog Chakka was constantly chewing and licking his knees until her veterinarian recommended glucosamine and chondroitin.

After taking the pills for a year, "he's definitely been licking his knees a lot less," she said. The dog resumed when she ran out of the stuff for a few weeks. "It just seems to help," Albino said.

ConsumerLab.com's most recent tests of human joint supplements, released this week along with the pet pill results, found that five out of 21 brands failed to meet quality standards, usually because of too little chondroitin. Four of the six pet supplements tested also failed. One contained only 17 percent of the promised chondroitin.

The National Animal Supplement Council, a trade group in suburban San Diego, found that 28 percent of the 87 brands it tested in April did not contain what was claimed, said council president, William Bookout. The group doesn't name names, but uses the results to help members improve quality control.

For people who do give pets joint supplements, experts suggest:

* Check with a vet beforehand to see if it is safe.

* Look for a seal of approval by an independent lab or organization.

* Keep a log of your pet's behavior, such as its ability to go up and down stairs, before and after supplement use so you can tell if it helps.

* Don't exceed recommended doses. Too much can cause loose stools and gas pains.

* Watch for shellfish allergies if using glucosamine derived from seafood.

* Avoid versions in salt form (NaCl, or sodium chloride on the label) if the animal has high blood pressure.

* Do not use glucosamine or chondroitin with blood thinners, such as heparin or aspirin, unless a vet advises it. Some breeds, such as Doberman pinschers, are predisposed to bleeding problems.

To read more of the story, click here.

Nicole Albino poses for a photograph with her pug Chakka on June 29 at her home in New York. Albino said Chakka was constantly chewing and licking his knees until her veterinarian recommended glucosamine and chondroitin. AP Photo/Tina Fineberg.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Cats Cats Cats, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Lost and Found
        

So well into the week with the foster pup, who I've decided to call Teddy (short for Teddy Bean) ("bean" as in little black bean), he's not only enjoying his time out of the carrier, he's taken it upon himself to complain if he's in the carrier too long. Funny, coming from a puppy mill dog who, as I understand it, spent his entire life up to now in a wire cage that's certainly less pleasant that the blanket-lined pet carrier he's upset about. But, eh, I guess he's learning about creature comforts. That's good!

(In case you're just tuning in now, I'm taking care of a foster dog, a sweet, scared poodle that was rescued last week from a Pennsylvania puppy mill. Catch the first installment here. And other chapters here and here.)

Anyway, so Tuesday, after leaving him in the carrier all day when I went to work, as the shelter told me to do, and then putting him back in the carrier when I was ready for bed, at about 2:30 a.m. I was woken up by a howling, a mournful coyote noise that could only be coming from Teddy. Uh-oh. I went downstairs and let him out of the carrier, thinking he might be having a bathroom situation.

After a few minutes out, realizing it wasn't a bathroom thing, I escorted him back into the pet taxi and went back upstairs to bed. An hour later, the coyote return-eth. I go downstairs, turn on a lamp for him, hoping that would make it somehow better. He stops. But before I'd even made it back up the stairs, he resumed The Howl.

I grabbed a sheet and pillow and spent the rest of the night downstairs with him. He remained quiet as can be and Leo used me like a trampoline until the sun came up.

Aside from the appearance of that noise, he seems to be doing well. He's eating a lot. He's enjoying kibble now in addition to the wet food and slurping from the water bowl. He continues to decline regular dog treats, but will gobble up all the extra-sharp Cheddar I'll allow him. Go Teddy. 

Posted by Jill Rosen at 2:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (6)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs, Teddy Bean, formerly the Foster Dog
        

With a dog suddenly in my life, one from a puppy mill whose job is breeding dogs to make $$$, I was curious to find out how much dogs go for. From reputable breeders. From various rescue organizations.

I know that shelters like BARCS and the MDSPCA have standard fees that apply to all dogs -- no matter what type. You'll pay the same about the adopt a scruffy mutt as you would a Labradoodle, should a Labradoodle happen to be at the shelter.

Anyway, I was kind of disturbed to see that some non-profit groups -- I won't name names -- ask for "minimum donations" to adopt dogs. And the "minimum donations" clearly depends on the type of dog. In other words, you'll pay more for a Labradoodle puppy than for an older Shih Tsu. It just seemed somehow wrong. Though these are rescue groups, and seemingly a good place to adopt a dog, by doing this aren't they perpetuating the idea that certain dogs are worth more -- and thereby giving places like puppy mills reasons to endure? Or maybe I'm off-base. Maybe they just want to get money for their cause where they know they can....

Curious about what you guys think. Please weigh in.....

**NOTE ADDED A BIT LATER AFTER PEOPLE STARTED COMMENTING: Hey, just want to be clear. It's not only paying more for a puppy than a senior dog. It's paying more for a Shih Tsu than a Pit bull. Or paying more for a Labradoodle than a Shih Tsu -- even if they're all the same age. -- Jill.

Photo of Labradoodle pup in an Amazon shipping box courtesy of Estoril's photostream on Flickr.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 10:35 AM | Permalink | Comments (9)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

Richard Gere stars in a Hollywood remake of Japan's long-cherished story of Hachiko, a faithful dog that died at a train station waiting for its master. But "Hachi: A Dog's Story" is more about the dog than about Gere, the 59-year-old actor told The Associated Press Wednesday.

"On this movie, I was definitely second-class," he told reporters at a Tokyo hotel.

The story of Hachiko is a legend among Japanese, a pet-loving nation that honors self-sacrificing loyalty.

Hachiko, the story goes, always used to wait at Shibuya train station for its master, a professor at the University of Tokyo.

Even after the professor died, the dog waited every day at the station for a decade, until it died in 1935.

People were so moved they built a statue of Hachiko at the station, which remains a popular rendezvous spot for Japanese today.

The story of Hachiko was made into a 1987 Japanese movie. Gere's version transports that story to a station in Rhode Island.

The movie premiered in the U.S. at the Seattle International Film Festival in June, and opens in Japan in August.

Gere said the Japanese breed of dogs called Akita used in the movie are close to wild dogs and very difficult to train. In the beginning, Gere was instructed not to even look at the three dogs that played Hachi.

"They only do something because they want to. You can't really buy them with food," said Gere.

Gere said the new film evokes the artistry of silent movies.

Often, the crew would film the dog for 12 hours, and take just 10 minutes to shoot Gere's segments, he said.

"We were capturing something that was organic and real that was happening between me and the dogs," he said.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 9:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Celebrities and their pets, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Events
        

With Bo Obama at home back in the U.S.A., President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle are mixing it up with a cat during a visit to the presidential residence outside Moscow in Gorki on July 6. It's unclear if the kitty has a name. Great tail on that cat though! Russia's Dmitry Medvedev and Obama were meeting to discuss Afghanistan and cutting their nuclear arsenals. MIKHAIL KLIMENTYEV/AFP/Getty Images.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 9:11 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Cats Cats Cats, First Dog Bo Obama
        

A couple that live in a closet-sized Beirut apartment has happily decorated it with 13 snakes -- that they allow to roam free.

According to this little story, Pierre Rizk and his wife Sapna have the pythons, including one named after former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, in a less-than 500 square foot apartment.

"I really admire her for her leadership," Rizk told a reporter. "She has so much intelligence, responsibility, and energy -- just like the energy of snakes."

Is that a compliment?

At top, Lebanese snake hobbyist Pierre Rizk poses with one of his pet snakes. In the other picture, below, the snake hobbiest and his wife, Sapa (which means "Snake" in English) watch television with two of their Indian Python snakes in their flat in Dekwaneh, which is east of Beirut on July 6. Rizk and his wife have no children but are happily living with 13 pet snakes. JOSEPH BARRAK/AFP/Getty Images.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 7:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff
        

The man authorities allege is responsible for the gross neglect and abuse discovered when officials raided his eastern Pennsylvania puppy mill a week ago has been fined more than $150,000 and is facing over 230 charges for allegedly violating the state's dog laws.

Eighteen of Derbe Eckhart's dogs from the Almost Heaven Kennel were sent to shelters in Baltimore, which Unleashed wrote about. My foster dog, Teddy, is another victim of the Emmaus mill.

According to the Associated Press, Eckhart has 15 days to appeal the $152,900 fine from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 4:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

In the wake of a spate of highly publicized cases of gruesome animal cruelty, Baltimore has created a task force to curb such crimes.

Mayor Sheila Dixon announced on Tuesday the creation of the Anti-Animal Abuse Task Force, a group including representatives from city offices, the police, the states attorney’s office, animal welfare organizations and city residents.

Over the course of a year, the task force will assess the effectiveness of Baltimore’s cruelty laws and brainstorm ways to raise awareness of animal abuse. They’ll also consider ways city agencies and animal advocates can better coordinate their efforts.

The task force will issue recommendations to the mayor.

“The protection and safety of animals in this city is an important concern,” Dixon said. “It’s imperative we treat this issue with the upmost importance.”

The first meeting will be at 6 p.m. July 15 at City Hall — though it won’t be open to the public. Task force chairwoman Caroline Griffin, an attorney who’s on the board of Baltimore’s Humane Society, said the public will, however, be welcome at some future meetings.

Meanwhile, Dixon is asking anyone who sees suspected animal abuse to call 311.

In May, someone doused a pit bull puppy with gasoline and set her on fire in Southwest Baltimore. The dog, who came to be known as Phoenix, was soon euthanized because of her extensive injuries and people raised more than $26,000 to find out who did it. Teenage twins were eventually charged as juveniles in the case.

In June, two cats were found within two weeks in the same Northwest Baltimore neighborhood, burned, beaten and tied to a school fence.

Christine Muldowney, a social worker from Lauraville is one of two citizens joining the effort. She says she’s seen for years the grim evidence of abused dogs and cats.

“I’ve seen the bodies,” she said, adding that she hopes this will be a way to pull something positive from the death of Phoenix.

“We just keep receiving case after case and not a lot is getting done,” says Jennifer Mead-Brause, executive director of Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter, Inc., where Phoenix was first treated.

One thing Mead-Brause plans to start immediately is tracking abuse cases in the city. Now, no one has any idea how many animals are hurt or criminally neglected in a given year.

Animal control brings them to her shelter by the truckload, daily, and her staff tries to heal them for adoption.

Meanwhile Bob Anderson loses track of the animals once they leave his truck. He said he didn’t even know there was an arrest in the Phoenix case until he read it in the paper.

“Pulling people together like this can make a difference,” Mead-Brause said of the task force. “Change will get done.”
 

Mayor Sheila Dixon announces the creation of the Anti-Animal Abuse Task Force Tuesday at City Hall. JED KIRSCHBAUM/ BALTIMORE SUN PHOTO.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 12:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Cats Cats Cats, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Events, Health
        

From left: Stars Keana Texeira, Cassie Scerbo and Ashley Rickards arrives with their dogs for the grand opening of Artist Knox Luxury Grooming Pet Salon on June 27 in Hollywood. Something about this screams "accessory."

Actress Kam Heskin, left arrives with her dog for the grand opening party for the Artist Knox Luxury Grooming Pet Salon in Hollywood, California. (She's apparently the only actress in Hollywood who doesn't use her dog as arm candy, like a bracelet or maybe a furry purse.) Actress Kaycee Stroh, right, poses with her dog.

All photos by Kristian Dowling/Getty Images.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 9:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Celebrities and their pets
        

A chihuahua named Maggie, that's the itty bitty one on the right, and an Irish wolfhound named Merlin, the mega-dog to the left, took part in a dog show in the northern German city of Hamburg on June 28. It looks as if Merlin might consider Maggie a dog treat. Merlin's nose is the size of Maggie's whole head. ROLAND MAGUNIA/AFP/Getty Images.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 8:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs
        

Even though they're using it as an advertisement for a service, this is a really touching story of a long lost kitty -- and I mean REALLY long lost -- being reunited with his person.

When her cat, Dopey disappeared six years ago, Donna Lane-Mills gave up hope her beloved family cat would ever be found. But thanks to AKC Companion Animal Recovery, the kitty's back.

Because of a microchip, he was found at a shelter 20 miles from Lane-Mills' home in Sacramento, Calif.

Dopey had somehow found his way to another town 40 miles away and was adopted by an elderly woman. When she recently passed away, the cat was brought to the local shelter, where personnel there decided to scan the now 9-year-old cat, because due to his age, he would most likely be euthanized.

“When I checked my voicemail at work I received the most unexpected message,” Lane-Mills said, in a release prepared by the Kennel Club. “They let me know that Dopey had been turned in to a shelter. I had to listen to the message twice. I thought there is no way, Dopey’s been missing for six years.”

But hearing the description of the orange tabby cat with droopy eyes and long legs, Lane-Mills was convinced it was him. Dopey was born at Lane-Mills’ home in 2000, one of 7 in the litter, and was named by her children.

“He was a favorite of my youngest daughter who was just 6 years old at the time of his disappearance,” Lane-Mills recalled. “She was crying herself to sleep at night saying, ‘I miss my Dopey.’ We thought he had been hit by a car.” After his disappearance the family posted fliers around their rural neighborhood and spent weeks calling vets and shelters.

Dopey has become something of a poster boy for microchip services. 

Lane-Mills said Dopey was happy to see her at the shelter, “purring like crazy." The family reunion also included other pets, that according to Lane-Mills seemed to remember Dopey -- “Spencer” the 17-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier mix and “Inni” their 15-year-old cat.

“He’s still the same sweet kitty we remembered,” Lane-Mills said. “He’s just a little bit more mature.” 

Photo of the lucky Dopey courtesy of American Kennel Club.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 6:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Cats Cats Cats
        

In the wake of Phoenix, a puppy doused with gasoline and set on fire, and two cats tortured to death, Baltimore City seems prepared to take a step to fight animal cruelty.

Mayor Sheila Dixon, together with the ASPCA, have a press conference scheduled for tomorrow morning to talk about the formation of a anti-animal cruelty task force.

I plan to attend and will have more details for you here and on The Baltimore Sun's news pages. 

Anyone have any ideas what this task force should try to take on and who should serve on it?

Posted by Jill Rosen at 6:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Categories: Assorted pet stuff, Dogs, dogs, dogs, Events
        

My colleagues over at the Sun's green blog, B'More Green, just posted something dog owners will no doubt find troubling. Advocates for the Chesapeake Bay say our pets, specifically dogs, are bigtime polluters.

Tim Wheeler writes:

When looking for culprits to blame for the Chesapeake Bay's foul shape, it's tempting to point fingers at smelly sewage treatment plants, or at farmers whose flocks or herds of animals produce highly visible, not to mention odoriferous, mounds of manure.

But before pointing fingers, maybe we should look a little closer to home. Household pets, particularly the legions of dogs taken for walks every day, collectively are a significant source of water pollution, experts say, and even a threat to human health.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation issued a report today highlighting the ways in which pollution and bacteria put humans at risk when they swim in the bay or its tributaries, when they eat locally caught fish or when they drink water from wells.  I wrote a story about it for The Baltimore Sun.

... According to a state study, pet waste is the leading source of bacteria found in a stretch of the Severn River where a few years earlier a Crownsville man acquired a life-threatening bacterial infection after swimming with a mild scrape on his leg. 

Read more, here.

Photo of dog walking on the beach courtesy of Mikebaird's photostream on Flickr.

Posted by Jill Rosen at 1:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)
Categories: Dogs, dogs, dogs