So here's a story that could have ended tragically, but didn't.  It actually has a very happy ending for both the dog and its owners, but the getting to the happy ending was painful for everyone.  

I got an email last week from a friend of mine, asking for advice.  Apparently, a friend of hers had left their dog -- a chocolate Cocker Spaniel -- tied up outside their neighborhood deli in Brooklyn while they ran in to quickly grab something.  When he came back outside, his dog was gone.  And sadly, it only took a split second. 

What people don't realize is that there are a lot of crazy, greedy and unkind people out there who often steal dogs like this one for their own benefit.  Whether their intent is bad:  selling the dog or, worse, using it as bait in dog fighting rings; or good:  they honestly believe they're saving a dog from potential ill fate,\; this is very stressful for both the dog and the dog owner.  

I'll get to how the story ends in a moment.  In the meantime, here are a few tips for dog owners if they ever find themselves a victim of dog theft: 

• Immediately notify your vet in case someone brings the dog in or inquires about its health records
• Notify all vets in your area in case they see your dog
• Distribute flyers in public places in case others spot your dog
• Check Craig's List and other local resources to see if someone might be trying to sell your dog
• Check with the local shelters to see if someone might have found your dog

Last Sunday, a few days after this dog went missing, I got another email from my friend telling me that its vet had gotten a call requesting copies of its health records.  The person calling wouldn't identify themselves nor was the number they were calling from available.  Naturally the vet denied their request. The good news here is that it seemed the person who stole the dog wanted to provide it with proper care. The bad news is that this was a dead end lead.  

Then came the wonderfully amazing end to this story.  My friend emailed me a couple hours later letting me know her friend's had found their dog!  Apparently someone spotted the dog on the Promenade and notified the owners.  The police were called and they found the dog at the home of a woman who claimed to have paid $500 for it on the street and she was the rightful owner.  After a quick trip to the vet, where the dog was scanned for a microchip, it was identified as the stolen pet and immediately returned to its rightful owners.  And now, dog and owner are safely and happily back home together!

The moral of this story is this:

• NEVER EVER leave your dog unattended, not even for a moment!
• Always make sure your dog has proper identification -- both i.d. tag and microchip because the tag can easily be removed
• If your dog goes missing, take immediate action and don't give up!  

Your story too can have a happy ending, but best not to tempt fate.  Keeping your dog close means keeping your dog safe!

WE LOVE HAPPY ENDINGS!

    -  

Talk about dogged determination!  And Buddy the German Shepherd is not only determined; he's a HERO! 

As the story goes, Buddy's owner was working on his truck when a spark hit some gasoline and set both him and his workshop on fire.  The man ran outside rolling in the snow trying to put out the flames while at the same time shouting at Buddy, "go get help!"

Buddy took off running down a dark, snowy road until he came upon an Alaskan State Trooper, who amazingly was able to sense that Buddy was trying to tell him something.  The trooper followed buddy as he raced back towards the raging fire with hopes of saving his master. 

When they arrived at the burning building, the trooper was able to call for help. Thanks to Buddy and a perceptive state trooper, Buddy's owner suffered only minor burns on his face and second-degree burns on his hands. 

This goes to show you the power of the human-animal bond.  And in this case, Rin Tin Tin has nothing on one man's best bud, Buddy!  

P.S. Buddy the HERO was rewarded with an engraved silver bowl. courtesy of Alaska's finest state trooper!

My dog Max rarely ever sleeps in the bed with me.  Every once in awhile he'll jump up in the morning and plop down at the foot of the bed, but he's not really a snuggling kind of guy.  Or so I thought!

I've been traveling quite a bit lately and when I do, Max hops in the black car with me early in the morning and we pop across town to my best friend's place.  Her husband and seven-year-old daughter greet me and Max at the side walk and off they go.  He never looks back.  On the one hand, I'm happy he's okay with me leaving.  On the other, I'm thinking, "Wait a minute.  Won't you miss me?"

I typically call nightly to check on Max and see how he's doing and if he's missing me at all.  So the other night, I make my ritualistic phone call and Karyn answers the phone.  We make a little idle chit chat and then I get straight to the point . . . "how's Max?" I ask.  To which she replies . . . "He's great.  Curled up next to me in the bed sound asleep." 

I'm thinking, "what the f**k!"  My dog is sleeping with another woman!  Suddenly, I'm feeling the pain of Sandra Bullock, Elin Woods and Elizabeth Edwards all rolled up into one big ball of hurt!  Max, I discover, is not only sleeping with someone else, he's actually been doing this for years! 

At my house, he typically sleeps by my bedroom door.  At their house, he sleeps smack in between the two of them.  What's that all about?

I, of course, discussed this with my vet and she surmised that Max likely isn't comfortable sleeping in my bed because in my house, he has a job -- to protect me -- thus why he sleeps by the door.  At my friend's house, the job of protection is left to Karyn's husband and therefore Max can relax and sleep where he likes.  And that he does. 

So, here's what I have to say.  Sandra, Elin and Elizabeth . . . your husbands really weren't cheating on you when they starting sleeping with other women.  To the contrary.  They were actually protecting you.

Nice work if you can get it. 

Once a dog.  Always a dog. 

Have you ever noticed how my dog friends and I are obsessed with peeing on the snow?  It doesn't matter if there is only one teeny tiny patch left on the ground -- we will find it and we will pee on it.  We will, at all cost, leave our vibrant yellow mark on the last remnants of winter!  Long live yellow snow!

I'm sure you're wondering why we do this.  I suppose I would ask the same question if I saw a human mill about until they found a viable patch of snow and then oh-so-gratifyingly relieved themselves on it.  Come to think of it, I have seen that before -- but that's another story.

Here's the deal when it comes to dogs and snow.  We male dogs like to mark our territory.  Typically we sniff about until we find a scent we like -- more often than not, another dog's pee -- and we lift our leg.  And mind you, we don't let it all come out at the same time, rather we measure it, saving enough for a few more pit stops along the way.  Oops, I digress -- back to the snow thing. 

Well, imagine this . . .

How sweet would it be to not only be able to follow a scent and then mark your territory on top of it, but to then also see that mark?  We males are visual creatures you know.  Man oh man do I feel like a man!  

So next time you see me, or any other male dog for that matter, intently searching for that last little mound of snow; you should know that it's for no other reason than . . . we like to see the mark we've left on the world -- in this case, snow.  It's as simple as that!

What does your dog want this Valentine's Day.  Well, according to a survey we conducted among dogs (just kidding) -- among dog owners, the number one gift they plan on giving their pooch is more quality time together!  And I'm sure a few big ole wet smooches.  

Think about it.  Who loves you more than your dog?  He or she is always happy to see you.  And even when they do get upset with you, not only do they forgive (and very quickly), they also forget.  How many dogs do you know that hold a grudge?  They don't care if you have morning breath, wear no make-up or have dirty hair.  And more importantly, they don't complain when you crawl into bed with hairy legs.  Ah the joys of dog ownership!

When was the last time your dog looked at you and asked "do I have to eat Kibble again?  Can't I have something more interesting for dinner?"  And they don't complain when you throw your dirty clothes on the floor (they actually like the dirty clothes -- NEW TOY!) nor do they bitch and moan when you take too much time to get prepped for a night out on the town. 

And they never, ever tell you that you made a fool of yourself because you had one too many at the holiday party!

So what's not to love about your dog?  Forget "man's best friend."  Your precious pooch is the best friend you women will ever have!  So lay on the love this Valentine's Day and spend some real quality time with the one who loves you baby. 

Happy Valentine's Day!