With the mild winter that most of the country experienced, and the warmer temps that are already upon us, it’s shaping up to be an epic spring and summer for ticks. We at DogWatch Hidden Fences have already heard about multiple pets and people in our network having to go to the doctor for tick bites this week alone, so we thought now would be a good time to re-run an oldie but goodie on all things tick-related. Click the link below to learn how to recognize ticks, the dangers they pose to people and pets, how to protect your pets against them, and how to safely remove one should it make its way onto you or your furry friend.

From all of us at DogWatch, we hope you have a tick-free season and enjoy the beautiful weather ahead of us!

How to Avoid Getting “Tick”ed Off This Spring and Summer

Photo credit: Mark Robinson via Flickr(R)

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Some dogs have something to say, and they’re not going to let silly things like the inability to “speak” or lack of opposable thumbs keep them from doing it. These pups have taken the Internet by storm, regaling their followers with humorous stories, tales of their days, and photos that just make you say “Aw!” They are the digital dogs, and these are some of our favorites.

Bo Hoefinger

Author of BoKnowsOnline.com and the book “Bad to the Bone: Memoir of a Rebel Doggie Blogger,” Bo blogs on everything from cats to health issues to products to politics. He even runs his own advice column where troubled dogs can write in with their questions and get Bo’s sage advice. Often irreverent and always humorous, Bo’s blog is a must-read.

The Vick Dogs

The Vick Dog Blog is “authored” by pit bulls that survived life with Michael Vick and the system. They post pictures of themselves with cute captions and updates on their lives and progress. It’s a heartwarming site that shows the resiliency of the canine spirit.

Pebbles the Puppy

A Westie from across the pond, Pebbles brings her take on the pastoral parts of England. Frequently posting photos of her travels and escapades, Pebbles’ blog may make you want to dust off your passport and hop on a plane with your pup to see these beautiful sights firsthand!

Mr. B

Another Brit, and author of A View from the Furry Side, Mr. B loves to post photos of himself with brief (and often insightful) captions. Make sure to check out his Dog Psalms, where he endeavors to enlighten us humans on a dog’s view of nature.

Alfie

Alfie’s Blog: A Mountain Dog’s View of the World is written by Alfie, a handsome Entlebucher Mountain Dog living in London. (Seems like British dogs are natural-born bloggers!) His is another picture-laden blog, with the added bonus of having such neat categories as Mischief Monday, Wordless Wednesday, and Friday Foto Fun. Enjoy Alfie’s adventures and his great “smile!”

Snoopy

Nope, not the Peanuts™ character; this Snoopy is a bearded collie from California who is also a therapy dog. The only thing that competes with his mission to help people is his mission to get into as much mischief as possible. Snoopy updates frequently, so check back often to see what hijinks he’s has been up to!

Jay

Or as he refers to himself, Dog with Blog. Jay is a Border Collie living in Wales, UK with his housemate Ellie (McSmelly) and his owner. He’s got a bit of an attitude, which makes for some amusing reading, especially when he describes his troubles with Ellie and his life-long nemeses: birds. Keep an eye out for Jay’s amusing captioned photos; they’ll definitely give you a chuckle.

Tank

An English bulldog with over 36,000 followers, Tank is a Facebook favorite. He frequently posts pictures and videos with anecdotes from his adventures. While not as verbose as some of his counterparts, he more than makes up for it with his wrinkly, floppy-jowled, adorable bulldog face!

And last but certainly not least:

Boo

Facebook sensation Boo is a Pomeranian and perceived by many as “the word’s cutest dog.” Boo’s precious haircut, propensity for cute outfits, and adorable smile has gained him over 4 million fans, as well as numerous endorsements, including a stuffed animal, a calendar, and a book. He’s even been on TV! Check out his page and be prepared to melt at the sheer cuteness that is Boo.

Many of the dogs who blog are also on Facebook and Twitter. Check out their blogs for links to their social media pages!

All photos are property of the respective blog owners.

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Now that May is here and the weather’s getting warmer, both we and our four-legged friends are out and about far more often, which also means we’re away from our primary source of information: our computers. However, with today’s technology, no computer is no problem! Here are some helpful apps for iPhone, iPad, and Android that will make sure that out of the house doesn’t mean out of touch.

Pet First Aid

None of us want to think about our pet being injured or having a medical emergency, but unfortunately, it does happen. The Pet First Aid app aims to help in these situations. It provides videos, articles, and illustrations on first aid and triage for common medical emergencies for both cats and dogs, and covers everything from cuts and bee stings to CPR and bandaging. The iOS version also allows you to record your pet’s vital medical information and veterinary info so you’re always on top of his medical needs. $3.99 for iOS; $2.99 for Android (Android version only contains First Aid information; updates are expected which will allow the ability to track medical stats)

Dog Park Finder Plus

With listings of over 6,000 dog-friendly parks and beaches and 12,000 dog-friendly restaurants across the U.S., no matter where you travel, this app will make sure you don’t need to leave your dog behind. Dog Park Finder Plus includes map markers and extensive details such as park hours, fencing info, small dog areas, restroom availability, park fees, park size, park photos, park star ratings, and more. Also features advanced search functionality. $1.99 for iOS; not yet available for Android

FidoFactor

Another app to help you find the dog-friendly spots in your neighborhood, Fido Factor lists local dog parks and dog-friendly restaurants, bars, pet stores, hotels, and more. The app includes directions, hours and contact information in its user-generated database, as well as user reviews. FREE for iOS; not available yet for Android, but Android users can access the online database via their web browser at m.fidofactor.com

Pet Master

A easy way to store and remember of all your pet’s important medical and veterinary information. Keep track of veterinary appointments, meds, and shots (and be reminded of them in advance), log your pet’s daily activities, and more. Limited version FREE on iOS and Android; paid version also available with additional features.

Petometer

Want to keep track of you and your dog’s exercise? Petometer is the answer. This app can track how far and how long you’ve walked using your phone’s GPS and Google Maps, keep a history of all your walks to track your progress, and even sync with your phone’s calendar and remind you when it’s time for your next walk. It also offers a list of recommended exercises for you and your dog. You can add up to six different dog’s profiles and pictures, and share your activities via customized Facebook posts. FREE for iOS and Android

Pet Acoustics

Just as music can be relaxing for us, it can also relax our pets. The Pet Acoustics app provides calming music for your pet that is custom-created for animals’ unique hearing sensitivities in terms of frequency, volume, and rhythm. A great tool for rest time, separation anxiety, thunderstorm nervousness, car travel, veterinary visits, walks, grooming, puppy and kitten training, or for quiet time. Tracks available for dogs, cats, and horses. $1.99 for iOS; not yet available for Android, but albums are available to download at http://www.petacoustics.com/home.html

PetSnap

We all love taking pictures of our pets, but how frustrating is it when we can’t get them to stop and look at the camera? The PetSnap app aims to help with this by offering 32 different sounds to instantly get your pet’s attention and get him to look right into the camera. $1.99 for iOS

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Most dog owners (especially those with, shall we say, “difficult” dogs) know who Cesar Millan is. Called the Dog Whisper, the self-taught Millan is well-known for his success in training particularly aggressive dogs. His methodology? Helping dogs find “balance” by utilizing his understanding of “dog psychology,” combined with “calm-assertive energy” and his “fulfillment forumula”: exercise, then discipline, then finally affection.

DogWatch dealer Dave Wingfield of Hudson Valley Boundaries was recently able to attend one of Millan’s seminars on his “Trust Your Instincts” tour, and had the chance to have a meet & greet with Millan backstage. During their chat, Millan noticed Wingfield’s DogWatch shirt. When Wingfield asked if he approved, Millan said, “Of course. Dogs must have boundaries.” That statement in and of itself sums up Millan’s ethos as a trainer: in order for dogs to be truly happy and healthy, they must have boundaries. DogWatch Hidden Fences, Indoor Boundaries, and Remote Trainers are all useful and appropriate components in providing such boundaries.

Here’s the quick breakdown of the Millan method:

Dog Psychology

To understand the mentality of a dog, the dog must be viewed as an animal first and foremost; not a pet, not a companion, and certainly not a person or child.

Millan asserts that a dog is an animal with a pack mentality and its own individual and breed-specific needs that can only be met by understanding how the dog would function without human interference. By nature, he says, dogs operate within a hierarchy of dominance; they find where they fit in the pack and their behavior adapts to suit that position. A dog that believes himself to be at the head of the pack will be more dominant, a leader, and potentially more aggressive. He will expect to get his way at all times, and will act in a manner to ensure that. A dog that feels he is at the bottom of the pack will be fearful, anxious, and unsure of himself, and be potentially prone to unstable and aggressive behavior as a result of this fear.

According to Millan, having this basic understanding of dog psychology can help owners to better interact with their dog and properly establish and assert the pack order.

Calm-Assertive Energy

When training a dog, Millan believes the trainer must use calm-assertive energy, wherein one remains calm and in control and does not give way to affection or anger or frustration or other emotions. The trainer must also be assertive and stick to his commands; he cannot give in when the dog “almost” performs the command or outright refuses, nor should he issue a command in a tone that conveys anything other than confidence. A command issued as a question or a plea will not work; it needs to be a statement, an order – hence why it’s called a command. The use of calm-assertive energy helps establish the trainer as the head of the pack and shows the dog where he fits in the pack hierarchy.

Don’t mistake assertiveness for aggression, however; aggression can be counterproductive and cause a whole other host of behavior problems. Cesar’s way dictates that cool, calm, collected, and confident is the way to go.

Consistency is also key here; calm-assertive energy must always be used when controlling your dog’s behavior. If you are not consistently the pack leader, the dog may become confused and begin acting out again, which, again, is counterproductive.

The Fulfillment Formula

This method states that the priorities in training your dog should be exercise, then discipline, and then affection. The order of those priorities is key and needs to remain consistent.

First things first: exercise. A dog needs exercise to be healthy and happy. That’s a biological fact. Millan mandates walking your dog for at least an hour a day, and in the correct fashion.

Secondly, discipline. A dog needs rules, boundaries, restrictions. A dog is not a person or a child, and needs to know his place in the pack. Properly administered discipline is key in establishing this. Please note: discipline is NOT synonymous with punishment. On the contrary, discipline is simply treating and training the dog in that calm-assertive manner and using consistent corrections and commands to let the dog know when his behavior is unacceptable and let him know what the acceptable behavior is. Cruelty/abuse is NOT the same as discipline and is NEVER acceptable as a means of training.

Lastly, affection. Keeping affection as the lowest priority can be difficult, as of course we want to be affectionate with our dogs; after all, why would we get a dog if we didn’t want to show it affection? But in Millan’s method, one has to remember that affection is a reward, not a right. A well-behaved dog who maintains his place in the pack gets shown affection from his pack leader; if he steps out of line, he loses affection and is reprimanded for his insolence. Millan believes so should it be when the dog is in a domestic environment.

What do YOU think about Millan’s methods? Too strict? Just right? Need some tweaks? Sound off below!

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On February 10-12, DogWatch held our annual Dealer Meeting in Austin, TX. This meeting was our chance to gather our dealers together and discuss our techniques, strategies, and plans for moving forward, so we can continue to bring you the top-notch products and service you have come to expect from DogWatch Hidden Fences. We have some exciting new announcements coming down the pipeline (including a new product!), so stay tuned in upcoming weeks to learn more about what 2012 will bring!

Now, on to something else we are just as excited about. At the dealer meeting, we also announced our dealer awards for 2011. Awards were given out in several categories, including Top Dogs, Rookie of the Year, Top Dealers, Sales Achievement, and more. Congrats go to Major Market Dealers of the Year Emily & Pat West of DogWatch of Columbus and Jan Van de Kamp of DogWatch-Holland, as well as Mid-Market Dealers of the Year Eugene Harwell of DogWatch of North Alabama and Jon Simons of DogWatch of Omaha.

Read on for our full list of awards, and if your local Dealer made the list, we hope you will stop by their Facebook page to congratulate them!

2011 Dealers of the Year

Top Dog Awards

Rookie of the Year

Largest Customer

Service Award

2011 Dealer Awards for Sales Achievement

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When you think of a police dog or military dog, the first thing that pops into your mind is most likely a German shepherd. German shepherds (also known as Alsatians) have become synonymous with canines in law enforcement, and for good reason. They are loyal, determined, hard-working, confident, and near-fearless dogs who are happiest when they have a job to do. Their innate need to protect their people, coupled with their strong senses of smell and vision and excellent endurance and athleticism make the German shepherd one of the most well-suited breeds for a career in law enforcement, military, or guard work.

In fact, everything about the German shepherd connotes a noble, trustworthy, incorruptible companion and protector. From the regal, chiseled head and muzzle to the broad shoulders and strongly-muscled legs, to the dignity of its posture, the German shepherd dog simply demands respect.

However, many of the traits that have always been considered the hallmarks of the breed are beginning to disappear as breeders try to produce new lines that would be better show dogs and pets than working dogs. The physicality, musculature, and skeletal structure of the dog has changed, with the angles of the face being more rounded, the frame being larger, and the back developing a severe slope, which has been linked to serious health problems. In addition, the working drive and determination is being bred out, to make them better family pets.

American German shepherds are typically less alert and attentive, and less serious in nature; they are a more refined, gentler, softer breed that is generally not nearly as suited to police, military, and service work as its European counterpart. The fact is, as the dogs are cross-bred in an attempt to introduce these new characteristics, the dogs are becoming less and less themselves, so to speak.

The concern with this is, if this American line continues unchecked and without standards, will the days of the German shepherd as America’s premier working dog be numbered? Hopefully not, as experts are beginning to look at the American line of shepherds and the European line as two distinct breeds, and hopefully official distinction and breed recognition is not too far off in coming. With breed recognition comes regulations, standards, and guidelines that must be followed to uphold the breed’s integrity and preserve its health and best interests. This may be the American German shepherd’s best hope for a bright, happy, healthy future.

Photo captions and credits:

Top: German shepherd, European line. Photo by Erika Steer via Flickr.

Bottom: German shepherd, American line. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.

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With today being St. Patrick’s Day, plenty of people are embracing their inner Irish, regardless of whether they can actually trace their ancestry back to the Emerald Isle. The dogs in this post, however, are Irish through and through, and many proudly bear names that reveal their Celtic roots. So put on your green, sit back, and read all about the dogs of Ireland. Sláinte!

Irish Wolfhound

You will never forget the first Irish wolfhound you see; a massive, muscular, somewhat shaggy dog, the Irish wolfhound can reach 7 feet tall when standing on its hind legs! A true gentle giant, these big guys generally have mellow, placid temperaments and can be exceptionally social. They are also quite intelligent, and able to discern family, friend, and potential threat. Bred to hunt wolves, elk, and red deer, Irish wolfhounds have a predatory nature and tend to chase things. They can make great family pets, provided you have a large yard for them to roam in, and a way to contain them. DogWatch has great hidden fencing options for breeds such as the wolfhound; contact your local dealer to learn more!

Irish Setter

Known for its gorgeous, glossy mahogany coat, the Irish Setter was actually one of the first breeds to be recognized by the American Kennel Club® at its inception in 1884. Irish setters have lively (and sometimes pushy) personalities and require a good amount of exercise. They can be loving companion dogs and especially enjoy the company of children, but aren’t the best idea for a first-time dog owner. Irish setters take longer to mature than the average dog – generally about 3 years – so if you’re considering welcoming one into your family, be prepared for a longer-than-usual puppy phase, and make sure you’re ready for this energetic, fun-loving addition.

Irish Terrier

Irish terriers originated in County Cork and are the oldest of the terrier breeds. They are brave, intrepid animals that possess a deep devotion and commitment to their owners. Used in World War I to carry messages across the front lines, Irish terriers are tenacious and adapt to any situation with a near reckless abandon, which led them to receive the nickname “Daredevils.” They are generally good-spirited companions, but can be aggressive toward other animals are not recommended for a house with non-canine pets.

Irish Water Spaniel

A rare breed, the Irish water spaniel is one of the oldest spaniel breeds that exist today and one of the original 9 breeds recognized by the AKC® in 1884. Called the “clown” of the spaniel family, the Irish water spaniel is the tallest of the spaniels and has webbed feet to aid in swimming, which served it well in its original job retrieving ducks from the water. It is known for its curly, poodle-like coat that requires regular brushing, and its smooth face and hairless tail. The Irish water spaniel possesses great endurance and agility and is generally intelligent and inquisitive, but can at times be shy and independent.

Glen of Imaal Terrier

The Glen of Imaal (named for a valley in the Wicklow mountains, where it originated) is very much your typical terrier: spirited, rowdy, rambunctious, cocky, brave, and stubborn. Low to the ground with bowed legs and a shaggy, wiry coat, it’s an excellent digger and tends to go after all manner of small creatures and rodents. Unlike other terriers, however, the Glen of Imaal is not a barker. It is one of the newest breeds of dog, recognized by the AKC in 2004.

Kerry Blue Terrier

Great companions for those with allergies, the Kerry blue terriers have a non-shedding curly blue-gray coat and are highly intelligent and devoted. Be forewarned, however; they are exceptionally energetic and need regular play and exercise. They are also happiest when they have a job to do, such as hunting or herding. The Kerry blue (or Irish blue) is the national terrier of Ireland and has become a symbol of the country. Unlike their name suggests, they actually originated in Tipperary, Ireland, and not County Kerry.

Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier

The wheaten terrier has a special connection to St. Patrick’s Day, having first appeared in the Irish Kennel Club Championship show ring on March 17, 1937. Like the Kerry blue terrier, the soft-coated wheaten is also hypoallergenic. Naturally energetic, the wheaten has a warm, affectionate, outgoing personality and loves meeting and greeting new people. It is an athletic dog that excels in agility tasks and requires regular exercise. It gets along well with other dogs, but tends to not do well with cats.

For more information on these Irish pups, visit:

American Kennel Club Celebrates Irish Dog Breeds in Spirit of St. Patrick’s Day

PetMD’s Irish Dog Breeds for St. Patrick’s Day

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We’re now a few days into the 2012 Iditarod, dog sledding’s biggest race. Most people know that the Iditarod is a grueling distance race of over 1,000 miles that takes place on the Iditarod trail in Alaska and tests the endurance of both dog and man. Not everyone, however, knows about the dangerous and dramatic journey that the race commemorates, and how an unlikely hero emerged during it and helped save an entire city. That hero was Balto, lead sled dog of Norwegian Gunnar Kaasen’s team, and this is his story.

On January 20, 1925, an urgent radio signal went out from isolated, icebound Nome, AK. “Nome calling…Nome calling…We have an outbreak of diphtheria…No serum…Urgently need help…Nome calling…Nome calling…” A local doctor had diagnosed cases of diphtheria, an extremely contagious disease of the throat and lungs. The only hope to save the village was a batch of serum that was nearly 700 miles away in Anchorage. Winter in Alaska can be incredibly dangerous, and a snow storm was already brewing; with the threat of an imminent blizzard, the best bet for getting the life-saving serum to Nome in time was by plane. However, the only pilot in the territory capable of navigating the treacherous and unpredictable weather was on a flight to the lower part of the continent and unavailable. Something had to be done, and fast; diphtheria epidemics had already ravaged other parts of Alaska, and without the serum, Nome would be the next casualty, with hundreds of lives at stake.

Without a pilot available to fly the serum from Anchorage to Nome, it was determined that a Pony Express-style relay of 20 dog teams would traverse the Iditarod trail, braving the sub-zero temperatures and blizzard conditions to transport the life-saving serum. The serum was transported by train on the newly constructed Alaska Railroad from Anchorage to Nenana, arriving on January 27, where the first musher and team were waiting to take it westward down the Tanana River to the Yukon. In the Yukon, and every village thereafter, the best musher and team in town stepped up to take on the next leg of the journey.

One of the most dangerous legs fell to musher Leonhard Seppala and his lead dog Togo, and somewhat by accident. On January 31, during a raging storm, musher Henry Ivanoff had travelled half a mile down his leg of the trail when his dogs darted off after a reindeer; while untangling his dogs, he spotted Seppala, who, due to a breakdown in communications, was en route from Nome to pick up the serum and bring it back. Ivanoff passed the serum off to Seppala, who began what would be a 91-mile leg. As Seppala forged ahead, the storm grew worse, and he had to decide whether to risk a shortcut across the dangerous ice of the Norton Sound, or to take a lengthier route around it. Confident in his and Togo’s abilities, Seppala chose the Norton Sound route, successfully crossing the cracking ice floes and making it to the safety of land. A mere three hours later, the ice broke in Norton Sound, making it impassible.

The other critical portion of the journey fell to Gunnar Kaasen and the heroic Balto, who covered the last two legs of the trip. Kaasen was an experienced musher, but Balto, who was actually one of Seppala’s dogs, was generally not thought of as a particularly good leader; had Kaasen known just how bad the storm was about to get, he might have chosen his team differently. Contrary to expectations, Balto fearlessly pushed ahead into the gale-force winds of the roaring blizzard. Visibility was near zero; the blizzard was causing white-out conditions and this leg of the journey was done in almost complete darkness. Kaasen was dependent on Balto to lead the way and keep him and the other dogs safe. Balto proved his worth and mettle when he not only was able to keep the team safely on the trail, but stop them in time before they plunged into certain death in the icy Topkok river.

No one had expected that Kaasen and Balto would make it through the storm; when they arrived at their checkpoint, the musher scheduled to take the last leg was actually sound asleep! The dogs still had energy left, so Kaasen forged ahead on the last 21 miles to Nome. At one point, the winds were so bad that they actually lifted sled AND dogs off the ground and the serum fell into the snow. Kaasen thought all was lost, but thankfully was able to find the buried serum. He, Balto, and the team arrived in Nome just before dawn on February 2, 1925. The serum was dispensed and the town was saved. Balto and Kaasen were heroes.

They enjoyed instant celebrity, with a statue of Balto being erected in New York’s Central Park, and Balto himself attending its unveiling. Sadly, Balto’s star soon began to fade, as his owner, Leonhard Seppala, was not impressed by Balto’s leadership and heroics and worked hard on promoting himself and his other dogs. Before long, Balto was all but forgotten. Since he had been neutered, he could not be retired to stud, and was instead sold with the rest of his famed team and then relegated to touring the vaudeville circuit with Kaasen, the musher who braved the Iditarod trail with him. After two years in vaudeville, Balto and his team were sold again, this time to a “dime” museum in Los Angeles where they were mistreated and became ill.

During a trip to L.A., Cleveland businessman George Kimble discovered the plight of the dogs and was appalled. He struck a deal with the dogs’ owner; he would raise and deliver $2,000 in two weeks to purchase the dogs. To raise the money to save the dogs, Kimble established the Balto Fund; radio broadcasts nationwide asked for donations to save the heroes, and the response was more than Kimble could have ever hoped for. Within 10 days, the goal had been exceeded and Balto and his team were on their way to Cleveland.

On March 27, 1927, Balto and his six teammates arrived in Cleveland to a hero’s welcome, complete with a parade through the Public Square. They were given a home at the Brookside Zoo (now the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo) and were able to live out the rest of their lives in comfort and dignity. According to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, over 15,000 people visited the dogs on their first day at the zoo. Balto died at the age of 14 on March 14, 1933. His body was preserved and mounted and is now housed at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, where his heroics can be respected by each new generation.

To learn more about Balto and the great serum race, visit the Cleveland Museum of Natural History’s Balto Exhibit page, as well as the Iditarod’s History page. For more on the Iditarod itself, visit www.iditarod.com. For more on sled dogs, check out our previous post, “Sled Dogs: A Study in Endurance, Fidelity, and Intelligence.”

Photo captions and credits (top to bottom):

The statue of Balto erected in New York’ City’s Central Park. © 2012 Uris.

The monument to Leonhard Seppala in Junosuando, Sweden. Photo by Håkan Fors.

Balto with musher Gunnar Kaasen, who traveled the last leg of the Nome serum run. Photo by Brown Brothers, circa 1925.

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This Monday we celebrated Presidents’ Day, where we honor two intrepid men who were essential in establishing the United States as we know them today: George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. In leading the U.S., Washington and Lincoln, as well as all our other presidents, obviously had a solid team of advisors, experts, and confidantes who helped them handle the stressful decisions required by the role. While we at DogWatch are sure those experts are essential to a successful presidency, we are also inclined to believe that a good canine companion is just as important! So today, on Washington’s birthday, we’d like to celebrate some of the First Dogs who provided our nation’s leaders with love, laughter, and a whole lot of cute!

The Washington Dogs

George Washington had numerous dogs throughout his presidency, all with quite interesting names. Among them were American Staghounds Sweet Lips, Scentwell, and Vulcan, and Black and Tan Coonhounds Drunkard, Taster, Tipler, and Tipsy.

The Lincoln Dogs

Abraham Lincoln was known to have two dogs, Fido and Jip. Lincoln had determined that Fido would not survive the trip to Washington, D.C. from Illinois and left him behind, despite his son Tad’s objections. When Lincoln’s body was returned to Springfield after his assassination, Fido was brought out to meet the mourners.

The Hoover Dogs

Herbert Hoover’s most well-known dog was his police-trained bodyguard of a Belgian shepherd, King Tut. He also owned two fox terriers named Big Ben and Sonnie, an elkhound named Weejie, and an Irish wolfhound named Patrick, among others.

Franklin D. Roosevelt and Fala

Fala was FDR’s beloved Scottish terrier, who not only received his meals with the president and slept on a special chair at the foot of the president’s bed, but was also made an honorary army private! One of the most iconic and famous presidential dogs, Fala knew how to perform tricks and his antics were frequently covered by the mainstream media and often referenced by FDR and his wife, Eleanor. Fala outlived Roosevelt by seven years, and was ultimately buried alongside him. A statue of Fala alongside Roosevelt can be seen at Washington, D.C.’s Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial.

The Kennedy Dogs

The Kennedy clan is well-known for being dog lovers; current presidential puppy Bo is actually related to one of the late Senator Ted Kennedy’s Portuguese water dogs. When JFK was in office, he brought 4 dogs with him to the White House: Shannon, Clipper, Charlie, and Wolf. He was the first president to request that his dogs come out to meet the presidential helicopter when he returned home to the White House.

The Nixon Dogs

The infamous Richard Nixon was, among other things, known for his “Checkers Speech,” in which he claimed that he took no illegal campaign donations and the only thing anyone ever gave him was his cocker spaniel, Checkers. Sadly, Checkers passed away before Nixon took office, so she never saw the house she played a crucial part in securing for her owner. While residing in the White House, Nixon had 3 dogs: Vicky, a poodle; Pasha, a terrier; and King Timahoe, an Irish setter.

Gerald Ford and Liberty

Liberty was Gerald Ford’s trusted golden retriever. She was an energetic dog who loved swimming at Camp David and accompanying the president during meetings. It is said that Ford actually had a special signal he used to get Liberty to wag her tail when he wanted to cut meetings short. Liberty was known to make unapproved, late-night excursions outside the White House to “take care of business” without the Secret Service knowing.

The Reagan Dogs

Reagan had two dogs during his terms in office: Lucky and Rex. Lucky was a Bouvier des Flandres known for chasing the media around the White House, playing hide and seek with the Reagans, and accompanying the president to strategy sessions and conferences in the Oval Office. Ultimately, Reagan felt that Lucky had physically outgrown the White House, and she was sent back to Reagan’s estate in California. After Lucky’s departure, Reagan got Rex, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, whom he gave as a gift to wife Nancy. Rex evidently took a great dislike to the Lincoln Bedroom in the White House (which is thought to be haunted by Lincoln’s ghost), refusing to enter the room and frequently standing outside it and barking. When Reagan left office, Rex was presented with a dog house replica of the White House, complete with a patch of carpet from Camp David.

George H. W. Bush and Millie

Millie was the senior President Bush’s prized English springer spaniel, and the first dog to ever write a book. In fact, Millie’s memoir, “Millie’s Book: As Dictated to Barbara Bush,” went on to sell more copies than the president’s own autobiography! While in the White House, Millie gave birth to a litter of puppies; one of those puppies, Spot, became a two-time White House resident when her owner, George W. Bush, took office in 2000.

Bill Clinton and Buddy

In his fifth year in office, President Clinton adopted his chocolate lab, Buddy, and took thousands of suggestions from the public on what to name the pup. Buddy was a lively companion, very much a typical lab, and provided many laughs and memories, including when TV cameras once caught him relieving himself on the White House carpet! Buddy’s life was cut tragically short when he was hit by a car in January of 2002 at just five years old.

The Other Bush’s Dogs

While in office, George W. Bush had 3 dogs: Spot, Barney, and Miss Beazley. As mentioned above, English springer spaniel Spot was a two-time White House resident, having been born there to George H. W. Bush’s dog, Millie. Barney and Miss Beazley were Scottish terriers, and at one point, Barney had his own official web page which redirected to an extension of the White House web site! Barney is said to enjoy playing with volley balls and golf balls and observing a lively game of horseshoes. Barney and Miss Beazley starred in several films called “Barneycam,” as well as the White House’s annual Christmas videos during the Bush administration. In his later years in the White House, Barney began to tire of media attention, biting a Reuters reporter’s finger, as well as the Boston Celtics’ PR director’s wrist. First Lady Laura Bush’s spokesperson joked that “I think it was his way of saying he was done with the paparazzi.”

Barack Obama and Bo

This brings us to our current first puppy: Bo Obama, the adorable Portuguese water dog, a gift from late Senator Ted Kennedy and related to one of Kennedy’s own dogs. When Obama first ran for office, he promised daughters Sasha and Malia that no matter the outcome of the election, they would get a dog. Well, we all know how the election turned out, and some months after the Obama family settled into the White House, Bo came to live with them. Most recently, the White House was decorated with various replicas of Bo for its Christmas festivities.

For more information on presidential dogs, visit:

Time Photos: Presidents and Their Dogs

Dog Guide’s 20 Most Recent Presidential Pooches & Other Pets

Wikipedia’s List of Presidential Pets

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Those of us that grew up watching The Price Is Right remember host Bob Barker telling us at the end of every episode to “help control the pet population; have your pets spayed or neutered.” This month, the Humane Society of the United States is asking us to do the same thing: February is Spay/Neuter Awareness Month, and the 27^th is World Spay Day.

Spaying and neutering our pets is important for two primary reasons: 1) it helps control the pet population, keeping unexpected and unwanted pets off the streets and out of shelters where they are unfortunately frequently put down, and 2) it provides a host of health and behavioral benefits.

The Humane Society of the United States estimates that 6-8 MILLION homeless pets enter animal shelters each year; of these, 4 million cats and dogs are euthanized, many of which are the offspring of family pets that the family was unable to care or find homes for. Here’s a sobering statistic: according to PETA, if unaltered, one female dog and her offspring can produce 67,000 puppies in only six years; in seven years, one female cat and her offspring can produce 370,000 kittens! Since caring for that many animals (or finding homes for them) is an unrealistic proposition, it is almost certain that those offspring would wind up in shelters or on the street, where their survival is a matter of chance. Altering our pets can prevent this overpopulation, and help ensure that every puppy or kitten is wanted and has a forever home.

In addition, spaying or neutering our pets helps their health and behavior. Spaying females eliminates the discomfort of being in heat, and can eliminate the risk of uterine cancer and greatly reduce the risk of mammary cancer. Neutering our male pets makes them less aggressive and less likely to roam or fight, prevents testicular cancer, and reduces the risk of prostate cancer. Altered animals are also less likely to contract dangerous, contagious diseases that are spread through bodily fluids, such as feline AIDS and feline leukemia.

Neutering (or castration) is a simple, minimally-invasive outpatient procedure in which a male animal’s testes are removed. The operation takes very little time, and the male pet is usually able to go home in a matter of hours after the surgery. Oftentimes he will be fitted with an “e-collar” (Elizabethan collar) to keep him from licking or biting at the incision site, but he should experience minimal discomfort from the procedure and be his normal self in no time.

Spaying a female pet is a more complicated procedure, as it generally requires the removal of all the female reproductive organs and necessitates opening up the lower abdomen. After spaying, females are generally kept overnight for observation, and allowed to return home the following day. They are also fitted with an “e-collar” to keep them from disturbing or contaminating the surgical site or removing stitches. Laparoscopic or “keyhole” surgery is now a possibility for this procedure, but it is quite costly at this point, and generally not widely offered.

Veterinarians generally recommend that pets are altered between 6 and 8 months of age, but your vet can help you decide when the best time to alter your pet would be. Neutering or spaying an animal at an age younger than 6 months can sometimes cause health problems, so make sure to thoroughly consult with your vet if this is something you are considering. Older animals can be altered as well; it’s not a surgery reserved for puppies and kittens. The recovery period may be longer and slightly more uncomfortable for older animals, but they will bounce back just fine. For more information on spaying and neutering procedures, check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutering.

Many people list cost as a reason for not having their pets altered. Thankfully, many low-cost spay/neuter programs exist now to help ensure that pets are able to be safely spayed or neutered. To find a program near you, visit:

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/spayneuter/

http://neuterspay.org/

or call 1-800-248-SPAY.

If you are interesting in getting involved in Spay Day and Spay/Neuter Awareness Month and finding activities near you, check out the home page at http://www.humanesociety.org/issues/spay_day/.

Photo credits (top to bottom):

Spayed kitten. Photo by Adrigu via Flickr.

Luna with her “Cone of Shame.” Photo by Sonny Abeshamis via Flickr.

7 month-old Tulo and his e-collar. Photo by Anders B Knudsen via Flickr.

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