Today's Woof » Dog News

Dogs and Sheep

Elizabeth Deitz — Thu, 17 May 2012 15:10:55 +0000

I enjoy finding dog-centric artists and works of art. If you enjoy doing this as well, check out The Canine Art Guild, as I do regularly.

Another informed source of fine canine creations is Dog Art Today, founded by Moira McLaughlin in 1977. If you want a broad introduction to dogs in fine art, this is the place to hang out. From the Old Masters to little known contemporary artists, she frequently posts about some pretty unusual, out-there works of dog art.

Recently she mentioned Dana Hawk. After poking around Dana’s website I am now on a mission to own some of her work.

Being a bit of an insomniac, this one particularly appealed to me. Be sure to visit her website if you love animals in general and possess a sense of humor that is slightly off – kilter.

The Insomniac's Dog - by Dana Hawk

The Dog's Bed - by Dana Hawk

Dating and Your Dog

Elizabeth Deitz — Fri, 04 May 2012 16:10:28 +0000

Is your dog a “speed dater?” Or is he likely to spend the time to get to know his or her play date well?

Does she flit from dog to dog, happy to stick to the superficial? Or would she prefer meeting someone with similar athletic interests and abilities? Does she look for someone with a keen interest in chasing down that stick and bringing it back? Or maybe settling down for some shared couch time? Maybe do a crossword puzzle together?

A new online dating service, MatchPuppy, now in beta, is available for you and yours if you live near NYC. There is Lulu who “loves to play with dogs of all sizes” and then there is Cheidd who (won’t be friends with anyone.”) When creating an account for your dog you are asked about your dog’s energy level and play style, as well as favorite parks and then you able to set up a play date or join an already existing group.

I like this approach to arranging play dates because it recognizes that not all dogs are “the life of the party” or “love everybody.” There are those that are wallflowers and those that are brazen hussies and trollops. And finding the right match can be a crapshoot. Anything that helps narrow the playing field is a step in the right direction.

But then again, sometimes there is just no explaining it! Just crazy chemistry!

Kids with Asperger’s Need Your Vote

Elizabeth Deitz — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 17:37:26 +0000

Austin Rocks!

We are very lucky in Austin to have one of the most innovative and inspiring approaches to helping kids with Asperger’s learn and practice social skills. But to take this program to the next level, and to be able to help many more children, your help is needed.

K9 Club – Autism

The program, called K9 Club – Autism uses therapy dogs as a basis for teaching social skills. Every aspect of the curriculum and facility is designed to help kids with Asperger’s acquire and hone social skills. And they have a great time doing it!

For most children, reading social cues comes quite easily. But children with Asperger’s need to be taught this, and in a very special way and in a very supportive environment. Working with these specially trained dogs children are able to practice and in a way that is positive. After all, dogs are natural magnets for children. And in a socially complex world, having the opportunity to practice the social skills necessary to interact comfortably is important. The specially trained staff facilitates the interactions and guides the interactions with these non-judgemental and loving dogs. It is a miraculous thing to watch!

Pepsi Refresh Grant

K9 Club – Autism hopes to win 50K to grow this program with a grant from Pepsi. By working with the University of Texas to document the curriculum and their successes it will be possible to share with other organizations. It’s super easy to cast a vote! Just click here and you will be able to show your support for this cutting – edge approach.

How Can Autistic Kids and Dogs Work Together?

A Protein is a Protein is a Protein

Elizabeth Deitz — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 16:39:25 +0000

A story on NPR has me wondering about the direction that feeding our dogs may eventually take. When you look at the history of providing victuals for our dogs, there have been, just as there have been with humans, fads, sometimes based on new research but more often based on economy and availability. Though dry food started to gain some popularity in the thirties, it was around the time of WW II that we began to feed commercially prepared foods, both canned and bagged. That trend is so firmly entrenched now that many people maintain that they will not feed Fido “human food.” Interesting in light of the fact that “people food” became “dog food” mainly by processing to increase shelf life.

Organic Is In. Will In Vitro Be In?

When I posed the possibility of feeding Fido in vitro meat to a dog friend, his response was an emphatic “That’s just wrong!” But, really, what is wrong with it? From the point of view of an animal activist, it would have to be welcomed. It could definitely lessen the number of animals that we eat.

The question that springs to mind then, is when will “laboratory grown protein” become a key ingredient on dog food labels? Do you think “in vitro” dog food will ever be “in,” in the same way that “organic dog food” is? Will it ever be as hip as sushi is now?

Protein, Protein Everywhere

It really is much more available than you think. Think grasshopper and cockroach. OK. Nix the cockroach. But I can almost imagine grasshoppers as a palatable source of protein and crunch, if not for humans, then perhaps our pets . Can insects be raised humanely? Is that even a concern? What would Peta say? With hamburger being only about 18% protein, grasshoppers, at 60% would clearly be a better choice in some ways. If you can get over the yuck factor.

But frankly, we have gotten over the yuck factor with hotdog ingredients and sushi - so anything is possible.

What Will You Do?

If, as many predict, our consumption of animal protein is severely curtailed, which source of protein for Fido would you chose?

Photo Credits: Mike Licht on flickr

More Dog Food Disappointments

Kibble, Kids and Salmonella

Post Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day

Elizabeth Deitz — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 14:39:36 +0000

Yesterday was “Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Day.” And what does that have to do with dogs you may ask? Quite a bit actually.

The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and many other dog or veteran related organizations joined a campaign, called “Dog Bless U.S.A.,” to raise awareness of the awesome healing and helping abilities that dogs can have in the lives of veterans. Our veterans who are experiencing PTSD are in need of support and this is an opportunity to show your support at no cost – just a click!

There are many remarkable stories attesting to the benefits that service men and women have experienced when paired with a Psychiatric Service Dog. They can often play a big role in helping a vet return to a more normal life, more quickly, by helping with a vet’s fears and anxieties.

Explore.com will donate a trained dog for every 5,000 ”Likes” they get on their Facebook page. Here is an opportunity to help a veteran with PTSD be matched with a service dog.

March on over to the Explore.com Facebook page and click the “Like” button at the top of the page and show your support by helping a vet with PTSD get the service dog they need. You only have until July 4th so get clickin’ and keep it goin and spread the word!

Remember War Dogs On Memorial Day

Dogs and Owners Reunited Through Facebook and Twitter

Elizabeth Deitz — Fri, 27 May 2011 17:57:30 +0000

As the post-tornado devastation continues in Joplin, Missouri, hope lies in the heart-warming stories of Joplin pet owners reuniting with the dogs or other pets they lost during the May 22 tornado.

One of the most remarkable stories is of Mason, a dog with two broken legs, and able only to crawl!

But it’s not just the successful efforts of Missouri’s Humane Society, animal rescue teams and other animal-related organizations in Joplin bringing families and their pets back together…

Not surprisingly, social media sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, are playing a large role in reuniting lost pets, including dogs, cats and birds, with their owners. In less than 24 hours after disaster hit, a Facebook page titled “Animals Lost & Found from the Joplin, MO tornado” was up and running, gaining over 9,600 fans in les than 48 hours

The Facebook page offers more than information about Joplin animal shelters, how and where to donate money and supplies, and other ways you can help. Pet owners seek help from fellow “Animals Lost & Found” followers by posting photos of their missing pets while other followers post pictures of found animals, providing contact information and offering to foster the found pets until owners are found.

“Animals Lost & Found” also provides information on organizations accepting and fostering found pets, websites with lost and found postings, and warnings, advice and tips.

Similarly, “Lost & Found Tornado Pets 2011” provides photos of lost and found dogs and other pets along with contact information. You can also find out the latest news on lost and found pets and how you can help by following the tag #Joplin on Twitter.

Truckers Volunteer To Move Pets Across Country

Pilots Volunteer To Transport Animals

Rescue Ink – A Rescue Group With Real Attitude