A Dog Bite: Whose Fault is it Really?

A plane heading to Phoenix had to make an emergency landing on Monday, December 6 because a dog was let out of its carrier case and bit two people.  The report on this may have been short, but the implications are somewhat larger.

First, a reader can assume the dog was a small one because it was in a carrying case.  Now, I know a lot of people would disagree with me, but in my experience, the little dogs seem to have more... how shall I put it... dominance issues? problems with anger management? attitude?  Either way, this dog was probably already on edge from being locked up and going through security.  Airlines have been changing their rules to more strict ones over the past few years, and most certainly do not allow dogs to be let out.

That being said, when my father went to get both my dogs, the flight attendents were so taken with their puppy-ness that they let them sit on my father's lap.  But then, if the puppy isn't crying or making a mess, they usually don't go around biting people.

Fergus, one of two, at eight weeks old.

Who can't resist that face?

The owner probably knew beforehand that the dog had a tendency toward drama, and should never, EVER have let the little thing out of its mesh enclosure.  Airplanes are no places for dogs.  Driving, which is longer, isn't as stressful on them, especially the larger ones who would have to be in the cargo hold on a plane.  The point of this story is that even though the dog should not have bitten anyone, the owner was truly at fault.  A dog that small could have been held, but the more likely scenario was that the owner put him down on the ground to get something and he escaped and went on a rampage.  That rampage, for the record, was completely the owner's fault for not teaching the dog earlier who was in charge and who wasn't.

Holiday Eating

Every year, people make New Year's Resolutions to change the way they eat because over the past week, they have gorged themselves on every comfort food known to mankind.  When a large family gets together, they usually bring a lot of food.  Sometimes, one family can have more than one Christmas by visiting each side on different days.  All this eating can be bad for our health.

But all this eating can have another victim.  Pets are notorious for begging for food, and when family and friends are together, it's hard to keep track of how much they've had so far.  Unfortunately, all this eating can have a more negative effect on our pets than it does for us.  Specific things, such as chocolate, dairy products, grapes, macadamia nuts, and alcohol are prohibited for dogs.  These are not the only things, but checking a reputable website will help you become knowledgable about these dangers.

Under no circumstances should a dog or cat be fed alcohol.  It can cause intoxication, coma, or death, depending on how much an animal is fed.  Something that makes people behave dangerously and stupidly should NEVER be given to an animal with even less conscious judgement.

To make sure you don't spend your Christmas evening cleaning up the contents of your pet's stomach or worse, put a "NO FEED" rule in place for the holidays.  Everyone who walks through your door should be told in no uncertain terms that the dog is not to be fed, no matter how much he begs.  In a time of cheer, make sure that your pet can safely enjoy the season with you.

Group Profiles: Spaniels

*disclaimer: I do not own a spaniel, and so I can neither confirm nor deny the truth of the research I have compiled from the American Kennel Club and the Canandian Kennel Club.  If I make a wrong statement, please PLEASE comment and set me right*

In the sporting group, it seems as though there are 3 main groups.  First, there are the spaniels.  Secondly, the retrievers.  And finally, the pointers and setters.  Each group has more specific characteristics than the broader sporting group.

Spaniels include the American Water Spaniel, the Boykin Spaniel, the Clumber Spaniel, the Cocker Spaniel, the English Cocker Spaniel, the English Springer Spaniel, the Field Spaniel, the Irish Water Spaniel, and the Sussex Spaniel.  As a group, the spaniels seem to love to hunt and do things.  In addition, they usually seem to be friendly, willing to learn, and gentle.  Many people fall in love with their silky coat and large eyes.



American Water Spaniel

American Water Spaniel
The American Water Spaniel is reputed to be an active, loving dog, good for the field or for the home.  If you are looking to adopt one of these dogs, you must be ready to train him or her, teaching the pecking order of the home.  This dog will require daily exercise, so a person who is looking for a fellow couch potato might want to look elsewhere.  In addition, these dogs require regular brushing, meaning that they might become matted or that they shed a lot.  This dog is not for a person unused to dog fur.  The American Water Spaniel does not have a single disease that they are known for, but diseases such as cancer, hip displasia, allergies, hypothyroidism, follicular dystrophy, epilepsy, and cataracts have occured in the breed.  So, if you are buying a puppy from a breeder, make sure the breeder has had both the mother and the father checked and cleared for hips, eyes, and heart.
American Water Spaniel General Information: Wikipedia
American Water Spaniel General Information: AKC


Boykin Spaniel

 Boykin Spaniel
This dog is described as having enough energy to remain by his master's side throughout an entire day of hunting.  This means for the potential owner that they will need to live in an active home, or one where someone will be able to provide regular, moderate to intense exercise or the Boykin will become bored.  A bored dog is one that destroys furniture, one that digs holes, and one that does not listen to commands.  The Boykin also lives for human companionship, so leaving him at home for extended periods of time will not result in a happy, healthy dog.  Weekly brushing is needed for the Boykin, which is minimal compared to the maintenance needed for other breeds.  Healthwise, Boykins are prone to hip dysplasia and eye problems, so any breeder should have the necessary clearences for the mother and father of the puppy.
Boykin Spaniel General Information: AKC
Boykin Spaniel General Informaiton: Wikipedia
Sporting Group Breed Standards: Canadian Kennel Club

Clumber Spaniel

 Clumber Spaniel
By far my favorite spaniel, the Clumber spaniel is described as a gentle dog.  He stands only about 20 inches high and shed moderately year round.  The Clumber should be playful and loving, a perfect fit for a family with children and other animals.  This dog is not your high energy workout partner, but will enjoy a laid back walk.  The Clumber is intelligent and will behave best if trained in a positive manner.  The Clumber is not a dog for you if dog drool is equivalent to acidic slime.  There are three common health disorders that severely affect Clumbers.  First, entropion/ectropion eye conditions (the inward/outward rolling of the eyelid) are common in dogs whose families have not been cleared for eyes.  Second, spinal disk herniation is the bulging of one of the disks in the dog's spine, causing paralysis or pain.  Third, hip dysplasia causes immense pain and trouble walking.  If you want to add a Clumber to your family, make sure you go to a reputable breeder who has all the clearances in order.
Clumber Spaniel General Information: Wikipedia
Clumber Spaniel General Information: AKC
Sporting Group General Information:Canadian Kennel Club

Cocker Spaniel (American)

 Cocker Spaniel (American)
The Cocker Spaniel is the smallest and one of the more well-known of the spaniel group.  They usually average about 14 inches tall at their shoulders and are the perfect size for someone looking for a smaller dog.  Don't let their size fool you though.  These spaniels can have a mind of thier own and dominate a house if given the chance.  In addition, Cockers have a lot of energy and need a lot of exercise.  Cockers are intelligent and would benefit from a class that engages their mind and body.  Owners of cocker spaniels need to brush them regularly and make sure they keep their coats free from mats, which will cause skin irritation if allowed to develop.  No diseases are exceedingly common for cocker spaniels, but any puppy that does not have parents with clearances runs the risk of diseases, even fatal ones, later on in life.
Cocker Spaniel General Information: Wikipedia
Cocker Spaniel General Information: AKC

English Cocker Spaniel

English Cocker Spaniel
The English Cocker Spaniel is related to, and is even the ancestor of, the American Cocker Spaniel, but their are some differences in the way the dogs are built.  For example, the English Cocker Spaniel has a longer head than the American.  English Cocker Spaniels should go to homes where daily exercise is normal and homes with yards with things to sniff and engage their attention.  Described as merry, English cockers are friendly, happy dogs, but will dominate your household if you let them.  The most common health problem with English Cocker Spaniels is cancer, but if you get a puppy from a reputable breeder and make sure their bloodlines are clear, you will reduce your chance of cancer.  These dogs also have longer coats, so grooming will be important to keep mats at bay.
English Cocker Spaniel General Information: Wikipedia
English Cocker Spaniel General Information: AKC


English Springer Spaniel

English Spinger Spaniel
The English Springer Spaniel is one of the most accomplished hunting/flushing dogs and therefore will need a lot of exercise in his new family.  These dogs are friendly and loving, perfect for a family home, but will become attatched to their owners.  Even though they are only considered medium sized, the English Springer Spaniel will need daily exercise and regular grooming to keep their coat under control.  Badly bred Springer spaniels have a chance of hip dysplasia, which can be avoided by clearances and buyer knowledge.
English springer spaniel general information: Wikipedia
English Springer Spaniel General Information: AKC

F

Field Spaniels

Field Spaniel
These dogs are one of the most docile spaniel breeds.  They can come across as reserved when they meet new people, but never should they be shy or fearful.  These dogs function well in a family setting and love human companionship.  They enjoy walks, but will not resort to hyperactiveness if not taken on a 5 mile jog every day.  Also, field spaniels have a shorter coat than many other spaniels and therefore need less grooming.  Health problems common to field spaniels are usually associated with the eyes.  If you would like to avoid paying thousands in vet bills, buying a puppy from a reputable breeder would be advisable.
Field Spaniel General Information: Wikipedia
Field Spaniel General Information: AKC

Irish Water Spaniel

Irish Water Spaniel
This might be considered the spaniel version of a poodle with its curly coat!  These dogs are hypoallergenic, so people with allergies can have a sizable dog.  Irish Water spaniels are supposed to be inquisitive and humorous as well as easy to train.  Regular exercise is a must with these dogs, and they love water, but they are a wonderful family dog, although reserved with strangers.
Irish Water Spaniel General Information: AKC

Sussex Spaniel

Sussex Spaniel
Sussex spaniels are calm and sweet, perfect for families with children.  However, these dogs can become somewhat protective of their families.  They somewhat resemble a Clumber spaniel, and have about the same energy level, but are much smaller.  Daily walks are something a Sussex looks forward to everyday, but intense exercise is not needed.  Instead of shedding to an excessive degree, Sussex spaniels are more apt to drool.  Hip dysplasia is possible in Sussex spaniels but can be prevented by good breeding.  Recurrent ear infections caused by their long floppy ears can be avoided by thorough, regular cleaning.

Getting a Dog

The first step in choosing an animal, any animal, is research.  Many people do not conduct the necessary research before purchasing that cute Labrador Retriever puppy.  Knowing Sam is going to grow to 70 pounds is one thing, but experiencing the breed firsthand is a must.  The choice should not stem from simple cuteness, because bear cubs are cute, but this is not as adorable.

Size is not the most important consideration either.  Homes with children should be especially careful in choosing a dog breed because some breeds may have less of a tolerance for fur- and ear-pulling as well as involuntary teeth brushing.  In addition, activity level is an important consideration for people who live in a more urban area.

Most of the dog breeds today have been created for a specific purpose, and can be grouped  together with other breeds who share a similar purpose.  The temperment and needs of the dog will be linked to the specific group a dog belongs to.

Sporting Dogs
These dogs were made to hunt.  Swimming, running, fetching, digging, running, playing, playing, playing.  My retrievers go  through this list at least three times a day.  Many times, people are drawn to these dogs, which are usually of medium to large size, because they represent something sacred in their childhood.  Unfortunately, what most people don't realize is that they can go from this

to this.

The breeds in the sporting group are:

American Water Spaniel
Boykin Spaniel
Brittany
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Clumber Spaniel
Cocker Spaniel
Curly Coated Retriever
English Cocker Spaniel
English Setter
English Springer Spaniel
Field Spaniel
Flat-Coated Retriever
German Shorthaired Pointer
German Wirehaired Pointer
Golden Retriever (LOVE, but I'm biased)
Gordon Setter
Irish Red and White Setter
Irish Setter
Irish Water Spaniel
Labrador Retriever
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
Pointer
Spinone Italiano
Sussex Spaniel
Vizla
Weimaraner
Welsh Springer Spaniel
Wirehaired Pointing Griffon

This is only the first group!  The diversity in the dog world is astounding, and it has its pros and cons.  If you want to read an "official website" on the specific breed standards before I present them on here, http://www.akc.org/ is the place to go.  These people are the official organizers of the foundation of respectable breeding here in America.  HOWEVER, AKC PAPERS DO NOT NECESSARILY GUARANTEE A QUALITY PUPPY WITHOUT HEALTH PROBLEMS.

Getting a Puppy for Christmas

There was an article in our local newspaper today that addressed the issue of parents finally caving and getting a puppy (or a kitten) for the holidays.  The author was a vetrinarian arguing towards the idea.  She said that it simply didn't matter when one got a puppy or a kitten; it would still chew and eat miscellaneous items, still relieve itself in your house, and still need constant care.  The conclusion was that it didn't matter what time you added a puppy or kitten to your house.  It was going to be difficult.  While this is, I believe, untrue, I do think that this woman has a legitamite point when she says that puppies and kittens go to homes where the people aren't ready for them all year long.  But right after I read her article, I looked at the classifieds selling litters of puppies, just to see how many had been born for Christmas.  About 15 out of 24 mentioned Christmas in one of the following ways:

"Will be ready for Christmas"

"Makes the perfect Christmas gift"

"Will hold for X-mas"

Now, in my home, we do not have little children any longer, but with three dogs who love to unwrap gifts, I am going to assume that Christmas at my house is somewhat equal to the excitement Christmas brings in other homes.

It begins with the first present.  Hunter, traditionally, relieves that one of its wrapping.  And then another, and then another.  And before you know it all the dogs are simultaneously unwrapping presents.  And then someone tries to eat something.  And finally there is a large chase around our house after the dog who has the something.

That is, in a nutshell, a very excitable Christmas.  Our family would never bring a puppy into that environment, because puppies need stable energy to develop correctly.  At most houses, family, food, presents, and excitement are abundant.  These elemants are not conducive to a puppy's happiness, and therefore make the holidays generally not a good time to bring him or her into your house.

PS
Potty training in the cold and ice is not the most enjoyable experience in the entire world.  Puppies need to go out about ever 15-30 minutes.  That equals a whole lot of cold.

Cute Puppy Syndrome

Last Wednesday, my local SPCA group visited the animal shelter in our area.  The staff there gave us a tour and allowed us to interact with the animals.  I am most decidedly a dog person, with three relatively large, golden ones at home.  I do, however, like cats, especially when they don't hiss and scratch.  There were kittens in the lobby in cages and I will admit they were cute.  And fluffy.  But my heart stopped when I saw Dottie, the Yellow Labrador mix puppy who was about 8 weeks old.  Our entire SPCA group gave a collective "awww" at her clumsy puppy antics.  I wanted to bring that puppy home, but was deterred by the fact that 1) my family could not possibly handle anymore dogs and 2) I didn't have enough money to adopt her.

When a family goes looking for a dog or a cat, children are usually drawn to the small, fluffy puppies or kittens who resemble their stuffed animals.  Parents see only an adorable ball of fluff.  And then the puppy/kitten is on its way home. Within five minutes of coming home, the puppy soils the carpet.  I have never had a kitten, so I do not know what they do, but puppies can be little fluffy weapons of mass destruction.  All over the country, people make this mistake.  It is how the puppy mills remain in business.

I held Dottie, all of her wiggling, warm self.  But then we went into the main dog section with dogs of all shapes and sizes.  Dogs young and old.  Dogs of all breeds.  There was one Pitbull there named Bean who was going to have a hard time getting adopted.  Bean would lunge at anyone who came close to his kennel, snarling and showing his teeth.  Many of the girls screamed when Bean lunged, but after watching countless episodes of the Dog Whisperer, I knew that Bean was not aggressive.  His tail was wagging furiously, so his seemingly "aggressive" behavior was a product of his crazy excited environment.  Bean could easily attack any weak energy, however.  Weak energy in a human is anything (fear, excitement, nervousness, anger) that is not calm and assertive.  Bean most likely would have attacked the girls who screamed, because they were afraid, but I knew how to try and handle him.  The first rule is no touch, no talk, no eye contact.  So I stood there with my hands in my pockets looking calmly away.  Bean did quiet down after he realized I did not care about his noise.  Then, I knelt down, still looking away.  This sent Bean into another frenzy of snarling, but still I held my ground.  Soon, Bean again became quiet and laid down on the grown, a sign of submission.  If Bean were to be adopted by someone who has no idea how to handle him, he would attack eventually.  But there were plenty of other dogs there for people not ready for a dog like Bean.

Anyone considering getting a new dog should consider getting an adult that fits their lifestyle.  One of our dogs is one we adopted as an adult because at that time, we did not want a puppy.  Meet Hunter.



Hunter likes to swim



Hunter's the one in the middle.  He has raised three puppies in his lifetime. 
He wishes his family would stop bringing him baby brothers.

Hunter is one of the sweetest, most gentle animals I have ever met.  With him, he was fully trained and past all stages of puppy naughtiness.  Hunter may not have been puppy-cute when we got him, but he was lovable and sweet, all the things a dog should be.  Dottie at the animal shelter was adorable, yes, but I would not trade a dog like Hunter for her any day.

Animals in the City

I do not exactly live in a city.  My neighborhood has an adjoining cornfield.  Consequently, my three golden retrievers (the aforementioned Hunter, Myles, and Fergus) have an acre of fenced area to stretch their furry limbs.  New scents, small critters, and some deer make our backyard a dog haven.

This past weekend, I have been visiting Chicago, which is quite a large city, at least in my opinion.  I am not used to people everywhere and all the activity.  But something that was extremely powerful was the image of a Great Dane being walked down the streets of downtown Chicago, with no grass or trees to sniff and absolutely no room to be a dog.  Yes, the sight of city people and their beloved pet is a quaint sight, as Gene claims, but how treasured can this be if animals are being forced to live a life so different from what they should be?

In the holiday season, people in the city seem to think it is romantic to take a carriage ride around the city for an exorbitant amount of money.  All I can see in theis venture is the horse pulling the carriage, clopping down asphalt instead of eating green grass.  I am in no way suggesting that these animals are being abused, but I can't help but notice that their ears never perk up with interest as the horses I always rode did when I approached.  There is no more curiousity, no more joy.  These horses shouldn't be instruments of profit, trodding the streets amidst insane traffic and horn-blaring.  Even if the animals can't be used as more than a children's horse, that in itself is more of a life than pulling a carriage.  I was reminded instantly of Black Beauty, not for any reasons relating to abuse, but for the lack of animal happiness that I could see when I compared the carriage horses to the most lazy, slow pony I had ever tromped through a pasture to retrieve.  He, at least, would respond to noises, not being made deaf to stimuli through car horns.  Insensitivity in a animal of prey such as a horse is completely unnatural.  People in the cities, who are traditionally the most liberal, need to see that their advocation of animal rights must extend to animals in their own cities.  These are animals, and however domesticated, are not made to live in a concrete jungle.

Holiday Cheer

My dog Fergus is going to experience his first Christmas this year.  My other two are veteran gift-unwrappers.  Fergus has never seen a Christmas tree before, and it is now his favorite toy.  In our house, we have two trees, one upstairs and one downstairs, and Fergus is mesmirized by the smaller tree upstairs. We decorated the tree with care, taking great pride in even how the garland lay.  After trying to figure out exactly what his family was so focused on, Fergus realized that the Christmas tree was in reality a colored-ball holder.  There, hanging from almost every branch, was a perfect globe that fit easily into his mouth.  For days, we had been scolding Fergus as we caught him with ornaments (still on the tree) in his mouth.  Last Wednesday, Fergus was left alone with the toy-holding tree, and he seized his opportunity.  When I came home, I found Hunter, our oldest dog, with a pinecone that had previously been hanging from the tree.  By deductive reasoning, we assumed Fergus had pulled the ornaments off.  After finding four more pinecone skeletons in the backyard, we began to sadly put away the ornaments.  About five minutes later, we realized one little glass ornament was missing.  Using some more deductive reasoning, we came to the horrifying conclusion that Fergus had eaten the glass ornament.

The holidays are fraught with peril for pets of all kinds.  Tinsel on your tree will obstruct your cat or dog's intenstines as well as cutting the intestinal lining.  An ornament swallowed whole will most likely cause vomiting, but a glass ornament that is chewed and then swallowed will result in an emergency room visit.  This website has wonderful advice for pets of all kinds. http://www.animalliberationfront.com/Practical/Pets/PetsAtTheHolidays.htm

This was our worst fear for Fergus as we scoured the backyard for any sign that he hadn't eaten the ornament.  Upon finding no evidence, the vetrinarian was called and delivered the distressing news that if Fergus had indeed eaten the ornament whole, he would have been vomiting by that point.  She left us with the uplifting advice of watching his appetite, and if he seemed uninterested and lethargic, to bring him in right away.

Fergus is not the only pet who has ever tried to become involved in the holidays.  His brother, who lives in Georgia, pulled an entire branch off a Christmas tree.  Cats are notorious for eating tinsel.  This holiday, make your house pet friendly.  Candles, ornaments, garland and tinsel, and even holiday food can be harmful to your furry friend.  Make sure your pet is getting girfts on Christmas rather than becoming another Christmas casualty.

Fergus had apparently been playing with his ornament by batting it around on our deck with his paws.  Happily, he dropped it off the edge of the deck and couldn't get to it.  The relief that comes with knowing your friend is safe is indescriable.  Recently, Fergus has knocked over the upstairs Christmas tree for no apparent reason.

Deck the halls with boughs of dog-safe holly.

Missouri for the Dogs

Last month, Missouri passed legislation improving conditions of puppy mills.   Proposition B, as it is called, is a new measure requiring these large-scale, commercial breeding facilities to provide the necessaries of humane treatment such as food, water, shelter, and vetrinary care.  "An important step forward" Dr. Connie Meddling, a Humane Society vetrinarian called this new law, which, by the way, won't take effect until November 2011.

Puppy mills are the commerical breeding facilities that put profit above animal welfare.  These puppies are sold to places like pet stores, where shopppers might possibly be overcome by the cuteness of this "pedigree" puppy.  Breeding females are kept in cages too small to move in, and are continously bred.  There is no concern for the health of the dog.  There is no care for a dog's happiness.  There is only money.

This is no way for any animal to live.

Missouri, being the largest commercial dog breeding state, has begun to attack this practice, but its attack is a drop in a bucket.  First, the legislation will not come into effect until November 2011.  How many dogs will die in that time?  How many more will suffer through their bleak experience that can't be considered life?  The time for action is in the present, not in the future.  Even though this legislation is a year on the horizon, it could be deemed wonderful, except for its content.  Instead of putting strict limits on commercial breeding, Missouri has put generic guidelines down.  That's not to say that this isn't an amazing development, but it could use improvement.  Guidelines need to be set down for strict enforcement, because the law is useless if there is no enforcement.

But then, the act is specific and covers the basics of life.  I applaud the people who came together, the vetrinarians, the activists, and the people, to champion those who many times go ignored.  We as humans have a history of ruthlessly exploiting our environment and others.  Now, in the land of consumerism, we exploit these dogs who can't defend themselves.  Maybe we can redeem ourselves with this step- and hopefully subsequent steps- in the right direction.