A License to Exist?

A new hotly contested law in Vienna requires those who own breeds of dogs known as "fight" dogs to carry a license that proves that they can keep their dogs under control. These breeds include rottweilers, pit bull terriers, mastiffs and others have been, in effect, "branded" and as you can well imagine, many owners are up in arms.

According to Alexander Willer, a spokesperson for Vienna's main animal shelter, the list of breeds that require additional licensing was compiled at random and has made it very difficult for breeds on the list that are currently in shelters to find new homes. In addition, shelters have seen increases in the numbers of breeds on the list being abandoned.

"The image of these dogs has hit rock bottom," he said. "The majority of people who own these kinds of dogs are normal--they aren't psychopaths." Nonetheless, according to Valentina Simic, whose son was attacked by a rottweiler, some of these dogs are dangerous.

"Dogs are cute and all, but if people can't handle them properly then they shouldn't be allowed to own them," she said. It is interesting that this law puts the onus on owners, which is as it should be, but is doing so in a way that is ultimately harmful to certain breeds of dogs.

Not that we hear about attack poodles, mind you, but according to City Councilor, Ulli Sima, the law is not about vilifying certain breeds. "The animal doesn't have to know any tricks, fetch the paper or do a double back flip--all the owner has to do is show that he has it under control in a city setting," he remarked.

Elsewhere in Europe, notably the Slovak capital of Bratislavia, a similar law was repealed after about a year of protesting from owners of breeds on the list. One wonders if the same fate awaits the Viennese bill and/or whether strict leash laws would serve the same purpose.

Garden Toxins

While sitting at the vet this week (for a change), I noticed the very informative flyer put out by VPI Health Insurance about the dangers of garden toxins. Did you know the following are toxic to pets: Autumn crocus, Azaleas, cyclamen, hyacinth/tulip bulbs, kalanchoe, oleander, sago palm, lilies and daffodil bulbs?

I must confess I had no idea that there were so many dangers planted in my garden. Thankfully none of my dogs have ever had any interest in tulip or daffodil bulbs (only the squirrels seem to dig these up)nor has anyone eaten any azalea leaves. But I can report that lilies are absolutely not toxic to rabbits since every year my beautiful stargazer lily bulbs are nibbled leaf by leaf by my rabbits.

I am sure you are aware of the dangers of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. When in doubt, leave them out is my mantra. No Round Up or chemical lawn food around here--both are known carcinogens. And please be careful of mulch. Many stories circulated around the Internet a while back about the dangers of "cocoa" bark mulch if ingested by pets. It apparently contains chocolate which we all know is toxic to dogs in large amounts.

Bottom line: If you suspect one of your pets has ingested any part of the above list, call your vet. Most will cause vomiting and/or diarrhea but some like sago palm can actually lead to sever liver failure and death.

By the way, Sam was as the vet with very early stage lyme disease (I caught it Day 2 when he started limping on a different leg than he was favoring the day before) and after one dose of the antibiotics I can report he is as good as new. 30 days of meds, however to make sure he builds up antibodies, but he will forever test positive for the disease. I have been warned that if he ever shows symptoms again, they will treat him without testing.

The outdoors can be dangerous to pets in more ways than one.

Meet Holli

This is Holli, the alpaca, who brings hope and inspiration to everyone she visits, especially the elderly in nursing homes and children of all ages. Holli, you see, has been through many trials of her own. Born prematurely on a farm in St. Louis, she was rescued by Michele Zumwalt, who raises alpacas at her farm, The Alpaca Patch.

To complicate matters, Holli was spooked by a young dog and injured her spine. Zumwalt chose to try and rehab Holli, and as a result, the young alpaca travels in her own, custom built wheelchair. It makes for some interesting bonding with people who are also confined to moving chairs.

Because she is literally at the same level as people in wheel chairs, she can roll right up to them. The result, explains Zumwalt, is that the people can reach out and really touch and handle her. Holli, "is very patient and very energetic and enthusiastic to interact with them," she continues. "She seems to really encourage them because she has never given up."

Holli's rehabilitation has been quite an expensive and lengthy trial for Zumwalt (the alpaca requires daily physical therapy and muscle stimulation) but contributions from those who have been inspired by Holli's persistence have helped ease the financial strain. In fact, one of those animal lovers, Valerie Smith of Topeka, Kansas,even contributed $700 to have her custom wheelchair created.

"When I heard about Holli, I know it's just like a baby with multiple physical handicaps," said Smith. Smith was also instrumental in having Holli seen by Dr. David Anderson, a professor of veterinary medicine at Kansas State University, who was amazed at Holli's persistence. "At this point, I would have to speculate that Holli has every chance of living a high quality life," he said. "Based on her response to the therapy she has received, she may even have the opportunity to walk again. her ready adaption of the wheelchair is a testament to her desire to get up and going."

What's that Seabiscuit's owner said? Something along the lines of "You don't give up on people or animals just because they are a little beat up." Surely this story proves his point.

Happy 4th!

Happy 4th of July!

If your pet is frightened of the loud noises associated with fireworks, try playing classical music like the kind found on the CD, Through A Dog's Ear, that has been proven to calm them. You can also try confining them to a room without windows and if all else fails, resort to tranquilizers, with your vet's approval, of course.

We used to have a pug that barked incessantly at fireworks. The good news: They are usually fairly short lived.

Hope your holiday is safe and happy.

Charlie

This is Charlie, a border collie with a very important job at Aronimink Golf Club, the site of this week's PGA tour. Charlie (a female by the way) is in charge of chasing geese and other wildlife from the course, which this week will see Tiger Woods play through.

This environmentally friendly critter control has apparently been very successful and is a big hit with the members. "She's just prepared to chase anything that moves," assistant superintendent Ben Little told the Philly Inquirer, that reported this story. "Never actually caught anything but she has fun with it."

Charlie's official job is to deter anything that might interfere with the golfers and that can include wildlife from geese, to hawks, to rabbits, deer, foxes and squirrels. Geese, of course, are the especially troublesome because of what they leave behind.

Since Charlie has been on the job (four years now), the geese have been deterred from leaving their footprints and other reminders of their presence on the golf course. And the best part: no geese are injured or harmed.

Charlie patrols during the evenings when golfers have left the course. Otherwise they might not find her footprints in their bunkers especially endearing. But they love what she leaves in her wake: no goose droppings.

Best part: Charlie couldn't be happier. As everyone knows, border collies "need" a job and she certainly has found the perfect one!

And I Thought I Had Shadows

Tina and Chandi from the Semi finals of Britain's Got Talent give a whole new meaning to the term "shadow." Very, very impressive! And Chandi is a rescue dog!

Splish! Splash!

So we're having a heat wave here which only means one thing: swimming in the park with dogs! (Sorry, Mr. Sondheim)

Yes that's Amos as deep as he can be and note the upturned tail. He is one happy boy to cool off from the oppressive heat and humidity.


That blur is Phoebe chasing a friend down stream. These days its a veritable dog beach!


The best part: tired, happy and (after a good hosing with a little shampoo), relatively clean dogs.

Wish the same could be said for my car.