A Dog Blog For Everybody

Microchips: Pro and Con

2012-07-11T18:38:00.001-07:00

I worked at a veterinary clinic where the microchip, both dogs and cats was a popular service. The clinic was located in San Francisco's Pacific Heights, a very affluent area. The clientele were wealthy, educated people with the time and inclination to provide the best for their pets. And on those rare occasions when Fifi managed to stray out of the mansion and some good Samaritan brought her by the clinic, the first thing we did was run a scanner over between Fifi' shoulder blades. We'd detect the ID number, contact the database only to find out that the owner hadn't registered their personal information. FYI, The following database will handle most microchips in the United States...http://registermicrochip.com/. but you actually have to register the chip.
Sometimes, the owner would come in on their own soon enough to claim their dog. Sometimes, we'd turn the dog over to Animal Care and Control.
This anecdote serves to illustrate several points, not the least of which is that even educated people do some extremely stupid things. You need to REGISTER the chip. Always. Period.
If you don't already know what microchips are (if you've been living in a cave...before this economy, that used to be a metaphor)], microchips are tiny implants (about the size of a grain of rice) that are place under the skin, usually between the shoulder blades. The chip had a distinctive I D number (which the owner MUST register with a database). If the dog or cat is lost, a clinic or shelter will, hopefully scan the animal, find the chip, contact the database who will then contact then owner.
Microchips have clear advantages......if your animal is found, you will be contacted in a timely manner. This can clearly save both owner and animal a lot of grief.
Having said all this....
My research indicates that sometimes, the info on the chip can be damaged or corrupted with time....it's a good idea to have your animal scanned routinely every time you take them in for a check up or treatment.
Please keep in mind that the microchip is NOT some kind of tracking system...There isn't a satellite in space tracking the movements of every animal with a microchip...no one will be able to track your animal's movement. The chip is for identification purpose only.
Are there medical consequences for microchips? In a British study of 4 million microchipped dogs, less than 400 developed medical problems, these included site infection, migration of the chip, swelling....in two cases, cancerous tumors developed at the site of implantation....your dog is far more likely to be involved in a car accident (hopefully, with a human behind the wheel), than develop any serious medical issues.
In the United States, micro-chips are about $50...still a bargain.

The Best Dog for Couch Potatoes....Five Suggestions

2012-06-13T14:54:00.000-07:00

You know who you are...you're the kind whose idea of exercise is lifting a soda can to your lips while you watch Game of Thrones (at the same time, wondering why you just can't seem to lose any weight). If you live in the city, you do have to take your pooch out about twice a day; anything more just seems unduly strenuous. if you're in the burbs or in a rural area, you figure your dog is just happy romping around in your yard (you still should play with your dog to make sure they're getting SOME exercise). In other words, you love dogs, but you need the kind that's as laid back as you are, without being dead.
Here are some of my suggestions, based on personal experience, my years at a veterinary clinic, and some web research.
For low exercise, you basically want lap dogs....those sweet breeds or hybrids that don't demand a daily marathon or any other kind of extended exercise beyond brief walks or play periods.So, in no particular order....
1) The Pug -- A breed that looks like a wrinkled old person from birth., they seem to be happy doing very little. They 're pretty hardy and calm for a small breed. Pug owners I've known seem to find them soothing....waaaay better than prozac!
2) Pekingese -- My fave dog growing up was a peke named Groovy. He knew no fear...he would prance up to my scariest friends (the kind that wore leather and tats long before that kind of thing became widely acceptable) and charm them immediately. Aside from a little play, this breed is one of the least demanding in terms of exercise.
3) Cavalier King Charles Spaniel -- My personal fave. The embodiment of calm delight. Easily amused, few toys need, low key.
4) Chihuahua -- I've had bad luck with these (most of the ones I've known have been yappy...REALLY yappy), but everyone I know who has had one swears that the breed is low maintenance, needs little exercise or grooming (except perhaps the long-haired variety).
5) Havanese -- Spunky little dogs, the coat needs a fair amount of attention, otherwise a sweet breed, great for apartments.
Any other breeds suitable for the chronically laid back?

Al
www.adogblogforeverybody.com

Acupressure OR does your dog get the point?

2012-05-30T15:08:00.000-07:00

Acupressure seems like a kinder, gentler form of acupuncture....while I've known a fair number of people who have tried acupuncture with some success including a friend who totally stopped smoking after five acupuncture sessions (he had a pack a day habit for about twenty years), acupressure just seems like a kind of focused massage.
As for the veterinary use for either method, I've found little but anecdotal evidence out there for either acupuncture Or acupressure. I have a good friend who works for a pet food and supply chain and he told me about something called the Thundershirt....a kind of snug vest for dogs....the garment applies gentle pressure at various points on your pooch's torso and the effect is supposed to relieve anxiety and help with stress. I don't know anyone who actually has used a Thundershirt for their dog (evidently the garment is not sold at either Costco or Target)....so I looked at YouTube...
here's what I found.
Does anyone know anything about either acupuncture/pressure for dogs or about the Thundershirt...

Thanks,
Al
www.adogblogforeverybody.com

The last word on names is.....

2012-05-23T21:30:00.001-07:00

Your imagination....and lifestyle. . .if it needs to be aided by a bit of drink or smoke, so be it....

Come to think of it Bong, ZigZag or Stoner are great, distinctive names for dogs, particularly hairy mutts. Other good names for hairy mutts are Furry or Freak.

More in the Rock and Roll....think Blondie for Golden Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels and such. Axel, Slash, or Foo are great names. Rapper for a cool tempered dog (teach him to bark rhythmically...so cool).

For a ghetto edge, Mofo is good name...Honkie is a great name for a big, dumb white dog. Latino Ghetto would be names like Chinga, Chupa, Bicho.

So, throw your tired PC concerns out the window and name your dog any damn thing you please.

Job or Hobby Names

2012-05-23T20:54:00.000-07:00

Okay, so you may not want to name your pooch Accountant or Programmer.....but how about Cash or Hacker?

Screwdriver is a good name for a dog if your a carpenter (or a bartender...). If you're a lawyer or a sex-worker, simply drop the last two syllables....but if you do that, you might be careful about calling for your dog in the park.

Even if you're not a bartender, if you just like a drink occasionally, think of the possibilities....you could name your German Shepherd Jagermeister, your Chihuahua, Margarita (for either sex)...if you had a dog with a sad face, like a bulldog or a pug, the name Wino would work. Wine snobs can name their dogs Chardonnay or Cabernet.

People on the medical field can name their Dachshunds Syringe or Needle (as can drug dealers.....maybe not a good name after all..) X-ray is a good name for really lean dogs, like Greyhounds or Whippets. Muscley dogs, like Gordon Setters or Staffordshire Terrier could be called Steroid. Gynecologists can name their dogs Stirrup or Cervix.

Clever, funny and risque names

2012-05-23T15:58:00.000-07:00

Famous theatre/literary critic and humorist Dorothy Parker named her canary Onan because, "he spills his seed upon the ground".
Of course, these days, you are likely to have to offer an explanation of who Onan was (see Genesis 38: 9-10). Nonetheless, clever funny or even risque names will bring a chuckle (or gasp) among friends and acquaintances.
These kinds of names are probably best suited when you adopt an adult dog...ones whose habits and personality is well-established.
Think of a dog who has given you a number of minor things to complain about...you might name such a dog Peeve (as in, that's my pet...).
A dog who constantly licks their groin can also be called Onan if he is male and Lickety (as in lickety split) if she's female. If you want to be even more crude, name him Scrotum if he's a boy and Clitoris if she's a girl.
A dog who is fat, flatulent, neutered and barks to excess can be called Limbaugh.
A dog who enjoys looking at themselves in the mirror can be called Narcissus or Mitt if he's male or Madonna of Khloe if she's female.
An old dog who acts like a sexually active young dog can be called Jagger if he's male or, again, Madonna if she's female. Again a more crude version might be Dawg or Bitch, depending on gender.
Just take a good look at their habits.

Names and places...one and the same

2012-05-23T15:12:00.000-07:00

How about a name based on location?
For example...Frisco can be a good name for a dog living in the City by the Bay (though don't, under penalty of social excommunication, refer to San Francisco as "Frisco" while you are actually in the city). Castro works if your dog is muscular, fastidious and likes to run around naked and have sex outdoors.
If you live in New York City, Bronx would be a great name for a dog with a violent rep, like a Pit Bull. If you're a young Boho, Brooklyn is an apt name for your dog...(avoid calling your dog Manhattan...too cumbersome)Queen is good if either you or the dog is a tranny). Speaking of trannies, Giuliani is a good name for a dog who looks comically awful in a dress and wig
If your dog is a Havanese, try Miami, or Scarface if they're a Havanese who looks a little worse for wear.Castro also works, but for entirely different reasons than those cited above. ChaCha is another apt name.
Allow yourself to be inspired by wear you live!

Naming Names

2012-05-21T15:12:00.000-07:00

Name you dog something that suits their personality.
For example, if your dog is the quiet shy type, Enigma; the name is short, distinctive, easy to remember for your friends. Or Garbo.
If your dog likes to bark loudly, but doesn't actually attack physically, try Gingrich.
If your dog likes to bark loudly, but does actually attack physically, try Tyson.
If your dog requires constant, unending attention beyond that which is reasonable, Kardasian might be appropriate

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Naming you dog or Are you kiddin'?

2012-05-16T17:16:00.001-07:00

One upon a time , in early 20th century American history, a young lady journalist (for that was how women in journalism were referred to at that time) finished a novel. Specifically, an epic novel which took her ten years to write. On the advice of a well connected friend, she sent her baby to a New York publisher. Much to her surprise, the publishing house actually accepted her work.
But, there a catch. Actually, two catches,
First, the title...she called her novel Tomorrow Is Another Day. At that time, there was a glut of novels with the word "tomorrow" as part of their title.
Secondly, the name of the heroine. PANSY. The publisher believed that such a prettified name belied the passionate, assetive nature of the heroine. Her name had to go.
The result? The novel was renamed Gone With The Wind and its heroine re-christened Scarlett.
And the rest is history.
Names are vitally important. Archibald Leach is not the name of a movie star..so he became Cary Grant. The name Greta Gustafson does not connote glamour, romance and mystery. The name Greta Garbo does.
Tom Malpother is ho-hum. Tom Cruise sounds cool.
And so, the name of your dog should ideally say something...about their personality, their spirit, how they fit, or don't fit, into the world around them.
For example, a young, latter-day hippie sat in the waiting room of the veterinary clinic I once worked in. her dog, a male neutered black lab she had adopted as an adult, was back for yet another removal visit to the doctor. Though she loved her dog, his vet bills were a source of consyrtnation, so she began calling him Peeve.
But most people's dogs had very routine names. Bella was the most popular name for females, Max for the males. In an effort to inspire people to be just a little more inventive in naming their dogs, I've written a series of articles on the subject. Feedback welcome, but reserve the hate for your boss or ofr the co-worker with the annoying, snorty laugh.

A dog quote...and a statement about the economy...all in one

2012-05-08T12:24:00.001-07:00

.
In a quote attributed to the late Will Rogers ...
"The time to save is now. When a dog gets a bone, he doesn't go out and make a down payment on a bigger bone. He buries the one he's got"

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Rin Tin Tin:The First Canine Film Star

2012-05-02T16:53:00.000-07:00

I remember watching the syndicated re-runs of the T V, The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin, when I was a child in New York City. For years, I just assumed that all German Shepherds understood human speech. Though I loved Lassie, who also had a television show, I thought Rin Tin Tin (or Rinny, as he was often called on the show) was a bolder, more assertive presence on the screen. Lassie (who, I understand, was always played by males), had more glamour, but Rin Tin Tin had the guts. The Rin Tin Tin show had more suspense and action than Lassie; as a sickly child in the big city, the show was a safe, if vicarious, way for me to experience my lust for adventure and my love for dogs at the same time.

By chance, I saw a biography of the most famous German Shepherd of all time at a local book store, Books Inc. Susan Orleans, know for her best seller, The Orchid Thief, is the author. In the future, I'll post my review of the book here...in the meantime, here's a link to the You Tube video about Rin Tin Tin, Ms. Orleans, and the writing of her book....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71cSMBMa6_E

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SHOULD YOU LET YOUR DOG GO NAKED?

2012-04-29T13:02:00.001-07:00

You know what I mean….you’ve seen ‘em. Those snooty looking canines with pedicured and painted nails. Fluffed, puffed and coiffed dogs sporting a sweater that looks very LaCroix. . .Gucci-ish shoes….and diamond chokers from Tiffany’s ….have you ever seen a Great Dane look so ridiculous?
Be that as it may, there does seem to be an upward trend in the occurrence of canine couture in the world at large (see A Dog’s Life in Beverly Hills on You Tube…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2TDAq9frqM). After seeing these doggie divas online and on the street, one is tempted to the question that comes to mind after seeing a film with either Ryan Reynolds or Charlize Theron….are clothes really necessary?
1) Clothes Do keep dogs warm, despite an average body temperature of about 102 fahrenheit. Imagine a short-haired pooch, like smooth Chihuahua cavorting through the snow covered streets of Chicago….to prevent this creature from becoming a furry popsicle, clothes are definitely in order.
2) Wearing a distinctive garment makes your dog stand out in that leash free park. Especially if you own a popular breed, say a black Labrador, having your dog wear a bright red sweater makes for a stand-out animal, one which is easily spotted at a distance or in a group. Keeping track of the pooch is much easier this way.
3) Having your dog wear clothing provokes the much sought after “how cute” response…a valuable tool in attracting the people you most desire.
Of course, you could go the traditional route and let your dog go naked…but think how much more attention you’d attract if you are naked as well. Just visit you local nude beach or clothing optional resort (make sure to check and make sure that they are pet friendly). Or, if you visit San Francisco, simply walk down the street.

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TRAVELING WITH YOUR DOG

2012-04-24T14:57:00.000-07:00

Don’t. Yeah. I’m serious.

Think about how unpleasant it is for a human to travel these days. While your dog is not likely to be mistaken for a terrorist (though such a thing is not impossible…) a small dog is likely to be uncomfortable stuck in a carrier, even if your are close by to offer comfort (do not offer comfort in the form of alcohol or chocolate though, since these are toxic for dogs...more on that in a future blog....). Larger dogs must go into the cargo hold, which is even more terrifying: cold, noisy, with all sorts of freight, boxes and other dog carriers shifting about unexpectedly.

And when you arrive at your destination, there’s the matter of adjustment. Your jet lag might impair your ability to get up and walk your dog when they need it, resulting in a stinky surprise when you wake up (your hotel won’t likely be amused by this either).

If you insist on traveling with your dog, check the airline and follow their rules in this regard to the letter (you don’t want to be barred from bordering your plane for some minor infraction). The majority of airlines require a health certificate for your pet; ask you vet for details.

Instead of traveling with your pet, consider the options:

· Have them stay at home, while a friend (a very GOOD friend) comes by and makes sure your dog is properly exercised, fed and watered.

· Have your dog stay at a friend’s house (see above).

· Board your dog.

Dog boarding facilities very wildly in quality and price. DO YOUR HOMEWORK! Check the web, your friends, your vet. A boarding facility can be as simple as a storefront with some kennels in the backroom to a truly fabulous resort type setting including a pool, organized activities to yoga (yes YOGA, I AM writing this from California…). If you’re concerned about price, think of all the trouble of finding a pet friendly hotel, paying more for your stay because of your pet, not to mention the stress for the dog and yourself. Also, shop for the boarding facility well before your trip; last minute decisions have a way of being rash and might cost you more in the long run. Also, you might want to drop your dog off at the boarder’s the night before you fly, to avoid delays to your flight the morning after.

Remember, it’s either find a very good boarding facility OR cultivate some VERY good friends.

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Dogs...the new children?

2012-04-24T00:17:00.000-07:00

For the past couple of decades, I've noticed an increasing number of people choosing to raise pets rather than children. I'm no sociologist, but there seems to me a multitude of perfectly valid reasons for this trend.

1) Clothing is truly a mere option for animals.

2) School for you dog is a choice: not compulsory. Also your dog's education via obedience school is unlikely to drive you into debt.

3) No one is going to try to hook your dog on illegal drugs. If they do, simply turn in the wrongdoer and write a Lifetime Channel teleplay about the experience.

4) If you don't want your dog to breed, you can spay or neuter them (I suppose you could to that to kids, but that would be abuse...).

5) Choosing your prospective dog's breed to match your lifestyle is perfectly acceptable.

Dogs are almost invariably glad to see you (again, unlike children, especially teenagers...a group whose disdainful behavior towards those who support them resembles the behavior of cats towards their owners).

Though many might view with some alarm the trend towards treating pets, especially dogs, as a kind of adopted offspring, I say RELAX! If someone is not able, for whatever reason, to have children, dogs are a perfectly acceptable choice as a an object of one's deep affection....a choice that, as I'll argue in future postings, is enriching to the heart and, in the long run, easier on the wallet.

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