Two-by-Four Summer, 2014 draft 1 Guide Dog Users of Canada
Newsletter, Published Quarterly
Contact Guide Dog Users of Canada, address: Guide Dog Users of Canada 300 Hedonics Road Apt. 1009 Peterborough, Ontario K9J 7T1 Email to: [email protected] Telephone/Fax: 1-877-285-9805 Website www.gduc.ca
Editor:
Email mail to: [email protected] Assistant editor, past member of GDUC board, Laurie Scott
Your suggestions or submissions are always appreciated. Contact two by four at the address given above.
In This Issue:
Editor's Notes Summary of 15th conference and AGM 2014 President's Report for AGM 2014 GDUC Addresses, Committees and Representatives Membership statistics Gone To The Dogs And Loving It-A CD of Poems Members Have Opportunity to Evaluate Their School Melanie’s Encounter With The Tim Horton’s Monster Pay Back Jolliest Jingle bell Hootenanny Bringsell and Dogs, Two Articles Ten Service Commandments Quotes About Dogs The Most Shocking Things Ever Found Inside Of A Dog's Stomach Information Passenger Screening Canines Stoned dog triggers SPCA raid on Yaletown apartment
Editor’s Notes
Each member is important to this organization. If there is a reason why you joined, then maybe a friend who is a guide dog user may also join GDUC for the same reason you did, please tell your friends about why you are a member and how they can become a member too. Refer a friend to: https://members.gduc.ca/gduc/mygduc/memberregister.asp
Please contact the board members if you are willing to work on any of the committees listed. GDUC can only become more known if we all do the work it takes to reach out to others. If you know of guide dog users, please give them the information to join, or if you know of a group that would like information about GDUC, or would like to have a speaker come talk about what we do, contact the board and we will try to arrange for a member of GDUC to make a presentation. Thank you to all members. Thank you everyone who supports GDUC with your life-time and annual membership. Annual Membership is due December 31, unless you plan to pay at the annual general meeting this year, or just prior, your membership will be good until December 2015. Summary of 15th conference and AGM DATE: Friday to Sunday Sept. 26 to sept28, 2014
LOCATION: the Holiday Inn Toronto Downtown Centre
ADDRESS: 30 Carlton Street Toronto, ON M5B 2E9.
GDUC would like to thank six sponsors of the 15th conference and AGM.
· CNIB
The Conference and AGM committee
Shane Davidson chairperson Bhakti Patel Marc Proulx Phil Goodwin Penny Leclair
Guide Dog Users of Canada invites you to renew your membership or become a member for $5.00 by following this link: https://members.gduc.ca
Please do the following 1. Log into the system with your email address and password. If you cannot remember your password there is a link that will email it to you immediately below the Login button. 2. Find and press enter on the Renew Membership link.
3. Fill in the resulting form and press enter on the Renew Membership button.
4. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete your payment. GDUC has a PayPal account so the charge will show up as guide dog users of Canada.
Memberships fees, and/or donations can be mailed to: Greg Thompson 214 Rose Street Barrie, ON L4M 2V1
all cheques should be payable to GDUC and if possible, a note in braille telling Greg what the funds are for.
Subscribe to Friends of GDUC email list:
Guide Dog Users of Canada discussion list
This is an open list sponsored by GDUC, Run by volunteers, for guide dog users and those interested in guide dogs. Members can subscribe by first going to the following link http://lists.gduc.ca/mailman/listinfo/gduc-friends_lists.gduc.ca Here you will find information and a form to complete, in order to subscribe to the list.
If you'd like to make a donation, we have a presence on www.canadahelps.org. you just search for GDUC or Guide Dogs of Canada and a page will come up with our information. pay pal works very nicely as it provides people with an automatic receipt and leaves a good audit trail for GDUC.
GDUC Committees and Representatives
Current GDUC Board Members
Devon WILKINS, (President) mailto:[email protected]
Penny Leclair, (Vice-President)
Greg Thompson interim (Treasurer) mailto:[email protected]
Bhakti Patel, (Secretary) mailto:[email protected]
Directors Jerry Smith Shane Davidson Phil Goodwin Lynn Raloff Vivian Sollows
Committees
Lynn Raloff, Chair Wellness fund committee is : assisted by: Betty Meacher, Chris Schiafone and Margaret Thomson.
Vivian Sollows, chair of the bylaw committee: assisted by Penny Leclair
Greg Thompson, chair of the Membership Committee: with help from Penny Leclair, and Paula Crebbin.
Shane Davidson chair of the Tech committee: assisted by Anthony Tibbs and Vic Pereira
Phil Goodwin chair, Fund development: assisted by Jerry Smith
Devon Wilkins chair Advocacy committee: assisted by Penny Leclair Juliette Cyr, Lynn Raloff, Patti Ellis, Alan Conway This committee has the Project under Alan Conway, issue fake service animals Assisted by: Patti Ellis, Joyce Main, Chris Schiafone, Lynne Raloff, Teresa Eaton, Sharon Ruttan, Christine Duport-Switzer, Anthony Tibbs, Heather Watkus, Susan Neveu-bhatti and Kevin Frost. Kevin specifically volunteered for media related assistance. The second project Guide Dog protection. If you have an interest in either of these issues please let the board know.
Conference and AGM 2014 committee chair Shane Davidson, members Bhakti Patel, , Phil Goodwin Marc Proulx and Penny Leclair
Representatives for GDUC
Alan Conway will attend Canadian Transportation Agency Advisory Committee, which meets annually.
Penny Leclair is our GDUC representative of the consumer Advocacy group.
Membership Report
Dear Members of GDUC: With your support and dedication we continue to grow. As of September 2014, our membership is as follows: Active Annual Memberships: 39 Active Life Memberships: 43 Total Memberships: 82 If you haven’t yet renewed, now is the time! Please log in at http://members.gduc.ca and renew today! If you are unable to renew online, we would be happy to process your membership by phone. Please direct all membership inquiries to Greg Thompson at [email protected] Thank you for your continued interest in Guide Dog Users of Canada and its mission.
Gone to The Dogs and Loving It- a CD of poems
If you are like most of us, your family and friends love dogs. Now you can give them a birthday, Christmas or thank you gift that is unique and will help Guide Dog users of Canada. Thanks to Devon Wilkins you can purchase a ten dollar CD called Gone to The Dogs and Loving It. The CD has poems about dogs. Many of the poems are written by Devon Wilkins, (current president of Guide Dog Users of Canada). Several Poems have sound effects or musical backgrounds. Every cent of the ten dollars per CD will be used to benefit Guide Dog Users of Canada. You can order CDs by contacting Devon at [email protected]
A work of love by a dedicated member of GDUC. Help support this organization. Send a cheque to Devon at the GDUC address given at the top page of this newsletter. Include an envelope with your name and address so that Devon can put the CD into the envelope and mail to you. She included the poem read at the last AGM which everyone enjoyed so much. Get your copy today, limited Cds available.
GDUC Gives Members the Opportunity to Evaluate Their School
and share their ratings with others You must be a member of GDUC Membership is $5 per year. You must have a login password to rate your schools performance!
We all love our schools. Here is a chance to tell others what is so good about the school of your choice.
One more GOOD reason to be a member of Guide Dog Users of Canada.
You can see what members have said about their school.
In the following areas: Admissions rating and comments Training rating and comments At school experience rating and comments Field support rating and comments
To review and rate your school today, go to https://members.gduc.ca/gduc/mygduc/memberLogin.asp
With this exciting tool you can enter on the link for each school and get contact information for that school. Great tool for people who are trying to decide which school to apply to! You can go directly to a given school's web page with our new tool.
Share this with your friends.
We thank Greg Thompson for his time, skill and creativity to this new feature of our membership system. Only available to members of GDUC.
Try this today and let us know what you think?
If you have any problems please contact Membership chair Greg Thompson Melanie’s Encounter With The Tim Horton’s Monster Kathleen Wilson Member of GDUC former board member
Melody is a gorgeous, yellow Labrador with a friendly and inquisitive nature. She loves attention and beyond her preference for treats she just has to know. This curiosity of hers would be the pride of any self-respecting cat. She has been my guide-dog and side-kick for two months but we are both still learning as this experience will show.
Barb & I were enjoying a cinnamon bun & coffee at Tim Horton’s. Melody was watching the other patrons as they made their way to their tables with hands full of coffee and goodies. From Melody's spot under the table at our booth, she had a good view of everything that was happening. Barb and I chatted on and finally finished our coffee and delectable cinnamon roll.
I excused myself & asked Mel to find the washroom. You could tell that she was relieved to be at last having something to do, so away we went. Several people greeted us but at last Melody found the door and we were in. Having answered nature's call, Melody took me to the sink where I looped her leash over my arm & began to wash my hands.
"Hmmm, this is different," thought Melody as she spotted a strange box affair on the wall.
"I wonder what this is!" Melody stretched up her nose and thrust it into the strange contraption.
Imagine how startled I was when this loud hum came out of nowhere. Picture the surprised and baffled look on Melody's face when the hand dryer scored a direct hit and blew hot air up her nose. She leaped behind me and glared at the offending wall appliance. "Any more crap from you and I'll tear you from your mountings, hot air and all. "Miss Melody seemed to be saying as she led me from the ladies.
"Kathy, if you don't quit your laughing, I'll leave you here."
It didn't help at all when I told Barb about Melody's meeting with the Monster and Barb laughed as hard as I did.
"How did I manage to end up with two sadists?" Mel wondered as we left Tim Horton’s. Something tells me that this will not be the last time Miss Melody sticks her nose some place it doesn't belong.
Pay Back Kathleen Wilson
Three weeks after Melody's encounter with the Tim Horton Monster, I told myself it was a perfect day to be lunching out. The Tim Horton’s experience had made Mel very cautious when she entered a strange place. She was especially suspicious of washrooms and did not venture boldly where others feared to go. She peeked around corners with misgiving, anticipating coming nose to nose with the unexpected. This behavior was not at all what I was used to with my curious Melody so you can understand my relief when after a week of this timidity, her natural personality began to return. She actually displayed some eagerness to visit the various places where we stopped for our lunch. It was good to note that at last things were back to normal with my Merry Melody.
On this particular day, we got into Marion's car where Mel found half a Milk Bone waiting for her. Marion likes to leave a bribe on the seat to entice Mel to make that high jump into her van. In reality the reward is not necessary but Mel isn't prepared to inform Marion of this fact.
We were planning on meeting friends at the Red Lobster for seafood and I was imagining a plate full of shrimp and drooling just as Melody does when food is on the her menu. My taste buds were also ready for my favourite draft. You have to admit that a tall cold draft beer goes perfectly with a plate of succulent shrimp.
At last the five of us were settled around the table at the Red Lobster and my beer was standing sentry at my right hand. Conversation was eager and the laughter contagious. Melody watched from under the table with hope for any stray crumb that might fall her way. Perhaps it was the draft beer or the comedy but whatever the reason, once again I asked Melody to take me to the ladies room. Once again Melody stood up and gave herself a long luxurious stretch. We were on our way.
There was no problem finding the ladies wash room and Melody quickly showed me the handicapped cubicle. Of course Mel is a small Labrador but the normal size stall hardly allows room for one. Cramming two in would be giving togetherness an entirely different connotation. Since the larger cubicle was unoccupied Melody entered with a proud step and a wag of her extra-long tail. She was pleased to be helping me. "Life is GOOD." she seemed to be saying.
It was then that the unexpected once again struck. Perhaps she was checking to be certain that the toilet was in working order or then again it may have burped as these things sometimes do but whatever it was, Melody was very close to the toilet when it automatically flushed. Somehow she ended up with water running down her ears and along her nose. It trickled through her whiskers, then dribbled from her chin. Melody was really annoyed. I was laughing and drying her face with a Kleenex and she just wanted to leave. "Melody, you have to wait for me while I go." She wasn't in favour of staying a minute longer but she had no choice because the door was tightly closed.
With a long sigh, Melody waited. I took my seat and relaxed until that blasted stupid commode flushed while I was still on the thrown. I called that toilet every uncomplimentary thing I could think of while Melody sat there and laughed. Yes she did! I heard her. She even snickered too.
" Are you finished yet? Can we go now?" Melody asked with a wicked glint in her eye. Sometimes pay back is mighty sweet.
The Jolliest Jingle bell Hootenanny
Where: City Hall - Jean Piggot 110 Laurier Ave.
Date: Sunday December 14th, 2014
Time: 11 am to 3 pm
COST: FREE bring the family!
Goal: To beat the world record of the most people singing & ringing Jingle bells set as 488 on December 12, 2012 in Albany New York
WHY? To raise awareness for an emerging non-profit Adaptive Music Expressions with the objective to create a completely accessible music program, allowing anyone, no matter what the person's disability, age or musical ability to participate in music making to optimize music's health benefits. Please contact Vivian Sollows by November 1st, 2014 if you wish to perform.
Contact [email protected] 613-247-1917 Sponsors to date August 31, 2014: Folkrum Ottawa Community Music Venue
Bringsell and Dogs, Two Articles
Back in World War I, in 1914, the German Army introduced a specialised army dog, the ambulance dog, whose task was to go out with ambulances at night and locate wounded soldiers. At first the dogs were taught to bark as an alert, but the barking drew enemy fire. So then they taught the dogs to bring back the soldier's hat, but it wasn't always available. So a psychoanalyst named Pfungst invented the bringsel, a "leather sausage" attached to the dog's collar, hanging down vertically. When the dog found a soldier, he took the bringsel in his mouth and ran silently back to the ambulance crew, who then followed the dog back to the wounded man.
Other armies adopted variations of this, sometimes with the soldier wearing a tag the dog would remove and bring back.
Civilian search and rescue in many European countries, and later in North America, followed suit. Silent alerts were deemed preferable because first, there might be many dogs working the same area, and second, some people needing rescue might have been frightened by dogs barking.
A few years ago, Dogs for Diabetics, an ADI member, adopted the bringsel alert when they were looking for an alert that would be acceptable in offices. Since then, a number of other medical alert programs have adopted it for similar reasons. Other programs doing seizure response had been doing bandana pull alerts for much longer, and now many people call those bringsel alerts as well, so the service dog terminology has broadened beyond that used by the military and search and rescue.
Link to article on history of the bringsel: http://doglawreporter.blogspot.com/2011/07/red-cross-iron- cross-ambulance-dogs-in.html http://doglawreporter.blogspot.com/2011/07/red-cross-iron- cross-ambulance-dogs-in.html
One of the advantages of the bringsel for ambulance dogs also applies to service dogs.
From RED CROSS MAGAZINE:
“Army or Red Cross or Sanitary dogs, as the Germans call them, are first trained to distinguish between the uniform of their country and that of the enemy. Then the dog must learn the importance of a wounded man, as being his principal business in life. News of the wounded must also be brought to his master. He must not bark, because the enemy always shoots.
There are various ways in which the dog tells his master of his discovery. One method is, if no wounded have been discovered, to trot back and lie down, whereas, if he has found a wounded man he urges his master to follow. United States Consul Talbot J. Albert of Brunswick tells of a method in use in the German army, in which the dogs have buckled to their collars a short strap, and they are trained, when they find a wounded man in hunting over the battlefield at night, to grasp the straps in their mouths and so return, thus signifying that there is a man in uniform alive out there. Then they lead the way back to him.
This invention was necessary to overcome an evil that became evident among dogs taught to retrieve: that is, to bring back some piece belonging to the wounded man, his cap, glove, or something from the neighborhood, such as a piece of cord, a stone, or a bunch of grass. The trouble with the method was that the dogs, in their abundant zeal, never returned without something from the injured man, and usually they took that which first struck their eyes. This was most often a bandage, which the dog would tear off. If taught to bring back a cap and the soldier had none, the dog would very likely seize him by the hair.”
When the bringsel hangs from the dog's collar, it is always available, even if the person is taking a shower. :) And the person's relative position doesn't matter.
The drawback in medical alerts has already been mentioned: if the person is asleep, the bringsel alert is useless unless the dog is also trained to wake the person up first.
Ten Service Dog Commandments
From anythingpossible website www.anythingpossible.com
Few things in life have hard and fast rules and training, working and loving Service Dogs is no exception. However, there are some cardinal rules that should be followed by all teams for the benefit of the entire Service Dog community. We call these the “Service Dog Commandments.”
Some of the Service Dog Commandments are common courtesy, a couple are just good habits and others are absolute necessity. They may not work for every single team in every single situation, but the instances they don’t are few and far between. 1.) Thou Shalt Set a Stellar Example At All Times When your Service Dog accompanies you everywhere, you spend every waking minute with her and your lives are deeply intertwined, it’s easy to forget that you and your partner may be the first Service Dog team someone ever meets. Be certain to never leave any person, business or establishment with a less- than-positive impression of Service Dogs. Remember that there are two parts to a Service Dog team – you and your canine buddy – and both of you needs to represent the Service Dog community well. Check out this list of things Service Dogs in public should and should not do for a few pointers on setting a good example. 2.) Thou Shalt Abide By “Safety First” The world can be a big, scary, unpredictable place and that’s even before you’ve set foot out of your front door. Your Service Dog is your partner, your friend, your lifeline, your helper and your family member. She’s capable of a lot of things and is a miracle worker on 4 paws, but it’s up to you to ensure she is safe at all times. First and foremost, take care of your partner’s health needs on a routine basis. Use preventative medicine as needed for your area (heartworm prevention, disease prevention, etc.), keep your partner well groomed (long nails are a hazard on the slick surfaces many Service Dogs encounter regularly) and keep your partner’s weight in check. Carrying extra weight shortens your partner’s life, puts extra strain on their joints and back, decreases working endurance and is especially dangerous for brace/mobility support dogs. Second, practice defensive public access. Just like defensive driving, defensive public access requires you to be aware of your environment and spot potentially hazardous or awkward situations before they occur. Don’t take your partner into areas in which she could be hurt and help her avoid situations that seem routine, but that could turn bad quickly. For example, if your Service Dog works on your right side and you’re walking along a busy road with a narrow shoulder, move her to your left until you’re in a safer area. You can’t always control your environment, but you can control your Service Dog. Ensure your partner is able to easily transition to an alternate position if need be.
Third, follow basic canine safety requirements. If it’s too hot or too cold for you to be comfortable outside, it’s likely too hot or cold for your partner. Secure your partner when traveling in a vehicle. Avoid dangerous plants, substances and toxins. 3.) Thou Shalt Identify Your Service Dog The 3rd Service Dog Commandment goes paw-in-hand with the “Safety First” commandment. Identifying your partner is a huge part of keeping her safe. Have your Service Dog micro chipped and keep the registration information up to date at all times. If you travel, add a local emergency contact to the registry each time you’re on a trip. Get and use an ID tag of some kind. Many people put “Service Dog,” their dog’s name and their phone number on the tag, but if you’re concerned about personal information being accessible to just anyone, get a tag that lets people know your Service Dog is micro chipped and should be taken to a local vet if found. Dogs without tags are often taken to animal shelters or mistaken as strays. A visible tag may be your partner’s only connection to you, so make certain your Service Dog can always find her way home if she becomes lost for some reason. Don’t think, “My partner would NEVER be lost,” because the very things we think could never often tend to happen at the worst times. Perhaps you were separated from your partner during a medical emergency, or a natural disaster occurred. Plan for the worst, but hope for the best. 4.) Thou Shalt Follow the Service Dog Laws Service Dog laws in the United States are regulated on federal, state, county and city levels. Here’s a handy guide to federal Service Dog law that’s written in plain English, and here’s a great place to look up state Service Dog laws. Look up your county or city Service Dog laws via your local government’s website or request to see local ordinances at your library. It is your responsibility to know, follow and be able to explain the laws in your area. Even if you think a particular requirement is stupid or without value, abide by it anyways. Refer back to the 1st Commandment: Thou Shalt Set a Stellar Example At All Times. By utilizing a Service Dog, you’re front and center in the public’s eye and whether or not you agree with current Service Dog law, you should avoid giving members of the public or local justice system any reason to say or believe something negative about the Service Dog community. Additionally, should it ever become necessary for you to pursue legal action on the behalf of you or your Service Dog, you must be able to demonstrate you have followed federal, state and local Service Dog law. Finally, do not ever misrepresent a dog as a Service Dog or utilize a dog as a Service Dog who has no right to be called by that highly prestigious title. The hidden complications of fake Service Dogs are extensive and crippling to the Service Dog community. 5.) Thou Shalt Be Presentable At All Times
While many of the Service Dog Commandments are for you, the trainer, owner or handler, this one is moreso for your canine buddy. Keep your partner presentable at all times, particularly in public. She doesn’t need to look like she just waltzed out of a puppy spa or salon, but she should be well-groomed and odor free. Her coat needs to be free from mats, not dirty or exceptionally dusty, and her eyes and ears should be visibly clean. Before going out on a public access outing, your partner may need a quick brushing or wipe down with dog-safe bath wipes if she looks a bit rumpled. If your partner’s breed requires regular and professional grooming, make sure she gets it. Her gear needs to be clean and well-maintained and she should not have anything physical going on that would prevent her from safely doing her work and focusing on her job. For example, she shouldn’t be sick, recovering from any medical procedures or limping. Keeping your partner presentable and clean is not only common courtesy, but required by law in many areas. 6.) Thou Shalt Provide Physical and/or Mental Stimulation Service Dogs are not robots. At the end of the day, they are still dogs and living creatures with specific needs. Part of owning a dog is ensuring they get proper exercise. Exercise (whether physical or mental) provides your partner with an outlet for excess energy, allows her to focus on her job when working and helps her relax when she’s off-duty. Without exercise, even the best-trained dog’s skills can deteriorate rapidly and problem behaviors start cropping up. Check out this excellent guide to exercising for some ideas on what to do, exercise safety and benefits of playing.
Physical exercise can consist of walks, running, biking, swimming, playing fetch, participating in agility, weight pull or another canine sport or anything that gets your Service Dog’s heart rate up and lets her really use her body and muscles. Mental exercise can involve training, puzzle toys like Kongs or Tuxes, or canine brain games. 7.) Thou Shalt Maintain and Continue Thy Dog’s Training Your Service Dog is a working dog. Her job is skill-based, and like any skill, if not utilized, it fades. Federal law requires your partner to have specific, trained tasks to help mitigate your disability. It is your responsibility to maintain your dog’s training to a high standard. You and your partner should be continually learning and adapting throughout her working life; the training is never over. There’s always something new to learn or a skill to polish. Don’t ever stop learning, and don’t let your partner get sloppy on basic or advanced behaviors. The same can also apply to you, the trainer, owner or handler. Don’t ever think you “know it all,” because there’s always something else to discover an approach you haven’t seen. Everyone you encounter knows something you don’t, and you learn something from everyone, even if it’s what not to do. Read books, watch videos, attend workshops or fellowships and always work to better yourself as a handler. The better you are, the
better your dog can be. 8.) Thou Shalt Log Thy Learning If you’re not logging your Service Dog’s training, learning and socialization encounters, you should be. There’s no way around it; training logs are vital for a Service Dog team in today’s world. Check out this handy guide to establishing a Service Dog training log system that works for you and your partner. 9.) Thou Shalt Educate Whether you want to be or not, when you set foot outside of your house with your Service Dog, you become a Service Dog community ambassador. You will likely find yourself in the position of needing to educate people and businesses who know nothing about Service Dogs and you may encounter tense and/or hostile situations while out and about. Even when it’s difficult or stressful, you need to do your best to educate the public. Whether it’s handling an access challenge or you’re just answering questions about your Service Dog, interaction is inevitable. Have a plan in place to handle common situations and understand that you’re not just educating for your benefit, but for the benefit of every Service Dog team who will follow behind you.
10.) Thou Shalt Do Thy Best In All Things Some days are bad days. Some days you have a bad day, and sometimes your partner has a bad day. Whatever the case may be or the situation at hand, commit to always doing your best. Even on your worst days, remember that your track record for survival to this point is 100%, and that’s a pretty good record. If things don’t go as planned, your dog decides she doesn’t know her name today, you’re in a ton of pain, you encountered an awful access challenge or you just aren’t capable of getting out of bed, do the best you can for and by your partner, and know that tomorrow is a new day. No matter what, your Service Dog loves you unconditionally and as long as you put your best effort forward, you can rest easy in the knowledge you have succeeded for the day and there was nothing you could have done better.
Quotes About Dogs "In dog training, jerk is a noun, not a verb." -- Dr. Dennis Fetko
"If your dog is too fat, you are not getting enough exercise." --Unknown "Every dog isn't a growler, and every growler isn't a dog." --Anonymous
"Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole." --Roger Caras
"If your dog thinks you're the greatest person in the world, don't seek a second opinion." --Jim Fiebig
"Thorns may hurt you, men desert you, sunlight turn to fog; But you're never friendless ever, if you have a dog." --Douglas Mallock
"Whoever said you can't buy happiness forgot about little puppies." -- Gene Hill
"In dog years I'm dead" -- Unknown
"No matter how little money and how few possessions you own, having a dog makes you rich." --Louis Sabin
"Scratch a dog and you'll find a permanent job." -- Franklin P. Jones
"Properly trained, a man can be a dog's best friend." -- Corey Ford “I can't think of anything that brings me closer to tears than when my old dog -- completely exhausted after a hard day in the field -- limps away from her nice spot in front of the fire and comes over to where I'm sitting and puts her head in my lap, a paw over my knee, and closes her eyes and goes back to sleep. I don't know what I've done to deserve that kind of friend." -- Gene Hill
"There's facts about dogs, and then there's opinions about them. The dogs have the facts, and the humans have the opinions. If you want the facts about the dog, always get them straight from the dog. If you want opinions, get them from humans." -- J. Allen Boone
“A man's soul can be judged by the way he treats his dog." -- Charles Doran
"Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring -- it was peace. " -- Milan Kundera
"A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down." -- Robert Benchley
"Acquiring a dog may be the only opportunity a human ever has to choose a relative." -- Mordecai Siegal
"The fidelity of a dog is a precious gift demanding no less binding moral responsibilities than the friendship of a human being. The bond with a dog is as lasting as the ties of this earth can ever be." -- Konrad Lorenz "Some days you're the dog, some days you're the hydrant." -- Unknown
"If I have any beliefs about immortality, it is that certain dogs I have known will go to heaven, and very, very few persons." -- James Thurber
"Women and cats will do as they please and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea." -- Robert A. Heinlein
"In order to keep a true perspective of one's importance, everyone should have a dog that will worship him and a cat that will ignore him." -- Dereke Bruce, Taipei, Taiwan
"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." -- Josh Billings
“He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion" -- Unknown
"If you want the best seat in the house ... move the dog" -- Unknown
The Most Shocking Things Ever Found Inside Of A Dog's Stomach by JDA
As the owner of a two year old Golden Retriever, I can readily attest to the fact that most dogs seem to be part goat. In the two years I have owned my dog she has eaten: A bottle of thyroid medication Countless dog toys Six inches of rope Entire boxes of Kleenex A container of butter Huge quantities of food at various times left on the counter At least six different pairs of Old Navy flip flops Dish sponges Shower loofahs
And that is just what is springing to mind, I'm sure I could double that list with some more thought.
I bring this up because of an article I read this week on a UK dog who has eaten 40 different pairs of underwear, a set of car keys, 15 different pairs of shoes, and more than 300 socks (something my Golden Retriever also loves actually, add socks to the above list). Luckily the dog made a full recovery, but it got me to thinking of all the crazy things I have seen on the internet about the crazy things that dogs eat. I did some digging and here's what I found:
Jake and his 7-Inch Knife
Jake was a 12 week old Staffordshire Bull Terrier when his owner began to notice him acting a little strange: Jake, a 12-week-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier cross from Merseyside, was taken to the vet after he started vomiting and trying to keep his body in a straight line.
X-rays indicated a seven-inch knife was running through his body, with the plastic handle at the base of his pelvis and the metal point at the top of his throat.
Vets at the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) operated immediately and within a few days Jake had bounced back to health. Jake had swallowed the Shappu 2000 knife whole, handle-first, at his home in Huyton.
Elsie and her 12-Inch Knife
The knife thing is actually pretty common. Elsie, a St. Bernard, was six months old when she swallowed a 13 inch long knife:
Jane Scarola's veterinarian thought the X-ray was a joke. He's seen strange items get into the stomachs of dogs before, things like kebab skewers and small utensils. But a 13-inch serrated knife that somehow was swallowed by a 6-month-old puppy?
That was a new one.[...] Elsie, a Saint Bernard puppy, apparently had the blade between her esophagus and stomach for about four days before it was removed earlier this week in a 2-hour operation.
The puppy has an 8-inch scar, but is fine and back with her family.
Post surgery:
Harley and his 15+ Inch Choke Chain
Harley was 18 weeks old when she ate a 40 centimeter long choke chain:
A puppy called Harley has survived after wolfing down a 40 centimetre-long metal choke chain. Her owner, Devina Alderson from Cambridge, said she saw 18- week-old Harley chewing on the lead, and then the next minute it was gone.
Vets had to carry out an urgent operation to remove the chain from the dog's stomach, and she's fine now. "I think she may have a metal fetish because she tried to eat the scissors too," her vet said.
George and the Car Immobiliser Chip
George ate a chip that rendered his owner's car impossible to start: Juliette Piesley, 39, had changed the battery in her electronic key fob but was then unable to start her car.
When AA patrolman Kevin Gorman arrived at the scene in Addlestone, Surrey, he found its immobiliser chip was missing. Ms Piesley said her dog George had eaten something, and realising it was the chip, he put the dog in the front seat and started the car with the key.[...]
"They will now have to take George [the dog] with them in the car until things take their natural course.
The Lab Who Ate a Wii Controller
This lab ate a Nintendo Wii controller: A three year old Labrador Retriever belonging to the Becknell family of Loveland, CO caused alarm when it began coughing up blood.
On taking it to the vet, an X-ray revealed a large mass in the dog's stomach. After administering Syrup of Ipecac it began to vomit. Lo and behold out came a Wiimote. Marie Becknell commented:
"The Vet started massaging the dog's belly and it just came flying out. I knew what it was right away by the color and shape of it. It was my son's video game remote".
All of this just goes to show that you have to be hyper vigilant about the things with which your dog has access. We are definitely still learning when it comes to our Golden. Information Passenger Screening Canines
The Transportation Security Administration Disability Branch would like to share the following information with you regarding Passenger Screening Canines. Please feel free to share it with others.
The Transportation Security Administration Disability Program and the National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program appreciates you contacting us, and affording us the opportunity to respond to your inquiry regarding Passenger Screening Canines and their interaction with service animals. Our canine handlers are well aware of the sensitivities involved while working around other animals (such as dogs and cats) as well as people that are generally afraid of dogs. A great amount of time is spent instructing the handlers on the importance of maintaining control of their assigned canine at all times. When Passenger Screening Canine teams are working in the public queue line area, interaction with service animals should not be an issue because the screening canines and their handlers continuously undergo extensive training to ensure control of the canine in the context of the work they do. Additionally, the Passenger Screening Canine teams are highly-trained to maintain situational awareness at all times.
Stoned dog triggers SPCA raid on Yaletown apartment
Vet says it's common for canines to arrive at pet hospital stoned on pot CBC News Posted: Sep 29, 2014 7:39 AM PT| Last Updated: Sep 29, 2014 2:34 PM PT
Pomeranians are a fashionable breed of dog in Vancouver's Yaletown. One of them has had several experiences with recreational and prescription drugs in recent months. Pomeranians are a fashionable breed of dog in Vancouver's Yaletown. One of them has had several experiences with recreational and prescription drugs in recent months. (AP Photo/Tina Fineberg) It's tough to talk to any walk-in clinic patient about drug abuse, but even more difficult when the "patient" is a dog.
But one Vancouver pup's drug habits were so bad it prompted SPCA officers to pay a visit to its owner's Yaletown apartment.
The pup's name was Carter, a Pomeranian who arrived at the Yaletown Pet Hospital on Aug. 1, stumbling and exhibiting strange behaviour.
According to an SPCA search warrant, the pooch had a previously been admitted to the Yaletown facility twice to be checked out after it "got into weed."
The curious pooch with the dilated eyes was already on a prescription for Valium to help it deal with its resulting anxiety issues.
Thus when Carter turned up once again later in August at the pet hospital, the vet contacted another emergency clinic for the dog's veterinary records. It turned out Carter was a bit of canine Keith Richards who loved more than snacking on marijuana.
The records documented seven other visits linked to the Pomeranian's habit of cleaning up stashes, including benders on cocaine, methamphetamine, Zanax, ecstasy and even oxycodone.
"Dog seen for dilated pupils. Owner admitted to giving Valium at home. Toxicity shows positive for Benzo (Valium) and possibility of cocaine, methamphetamine," said one record.
Symptoms of drug ingestion included stumbling, stuporous appearance, panting, slow heart rate, dilated pupils, hyper sensitivity to stimuli and dribbling urine.
Party time ends with knock on the door
The SPCA put an end to the Pomeranian's party in August, when they showed up with a warrant at the door of the Yaletown apartment.
That doesn't surprise Maple Ridge veterinarian Adrian Walton, who says drugged dogs are not uncommon
"Dogs love the taste of marijuana."
Walton says stoned mutts are a regular at Lower Mainland clinics, but fortunately for them, pot's physical effects don't last long for dogs.
"The worst they tend to get is the munchies," he says.
But his biggest concern is not with the dogs — it is with their owners, who often try to hide the reasons their pets are sick.
"I just wish that owners would be honest with us, because it would save us a lot of time in testing," he says.
As for Carter, he's on the path to recovery, according to the SPCA.
The records indicate he was initially seized from his owner but later returned and no charges were laid. The SPCA says the dog's owner is turning her life around and the pooch is in good hands. With files from Jason Proctor