Bark Blog

Food for Thought

Did you know that Carnation and Upjohn tried to market a birth-control dog food in 1985? Or that the second most important factor for most people in buying a dog food is the size and character of the resulting stool? On Sunday, September 2, take some time to read “They Eat What We Are,” Frederick Kaufman’s story on the state of the dog food industry in The New York Times. Kaufman traces the interconnected evolution of human diet and dog diet. The piece is loaded with some grim truths about how we got to where we are and also some interesting predictions, including nutrition professor Marion Nestle’s conjecture that the dog food market will split and that only about 5 to 8 percent of dogs will enjoy better, fresher foods, while the other 92 to 95 percent will see an ever more industrialized diet. Still, there is good news in the grass roots, slow food, socially responsible pet food campaign. Don’t miss it. (If you’re registered with Times Select, you can take an early look.)

Lisa Wogan

Up Nights Wondering if There is a Dog

Ever hear the one about the insomniac  agnostic dyslexic?

It's 2:30 in the morning and I can't sleep, which is unfortunately not an uncommon condition for me. (It must be my guilty conscience.) I am trying to fix it --the insomnia, not the guilty conscience--with warm milk, but all that seems to be happening is that I'm getting a stomach ache.  Maddie, my blind 13 year-old Australian Cattle Dog does not suffer from insomnia.  Nor, in my 16 years as veterinarian have I ever met a bleary-eyed dog that does. Maddie, bless her soul, is sleeping quietly on the floor, not even engaging in the stertorous  breathing that elderly dogs sometimes and brachycephalic  dogs always do.

I was on the Cape last week, and the closet we rented for the entire family didn't allow dogs, so poor old blind Maddie stayed with Jenn. Unlike me, The Little Woman was not upset about having a dogless week. She is not, by her own admission, what is commonly termed a "Dog Person," a term that has always baffled me.

First of all, what is a "dog person"? Is it someone who really really likes dogs a whole bunch? What, then, is the love threshold for being a dog person? Is being a Dog Person, as some seem to think, akin to a choice in a world where choices are only either A or B (Are you a Democrat or a Republican? Jew or Gentile? A Person of Color  or an Achromatic?)? That is,  are you either a Cat Person or a Dog Person, but never both? Can you be a dog person if you are hopelessly enamored of dogs and cats?

Secondly, why would someone who has said, and continues to say, "I'm not really a dog person" marry not only a guy but a veterinarian with 3 dogs who had a combined tonnage of over 150 pounds?(Deaths have whittled the tonnage down to the Cattle Dog's approximately 50 pounds.)

OK, I'm going to try to go back to sleep.

Richard Lerner, DVM

The $12 Million Maltese

Leona Helmsley, the late, infamous billionaire hotelier, left a $12 million trust fund to her little white Maltese, Trouble. As Trouble's caretaker, her brother also gets millions -- not a bad gig for a dogsitter! She generously bequeathed $100,000 to her chauffeur, but left nothing to two of her four grandchildren. Guess she felt the need to take her "Queen of Mean" rep to the grave.

Julia Kamysz Lane

Is Vick Apology Acceptable?

This past Monday, Michael Vick finally did something right off the football field. He pleaded guilty to federal charges regarding his role in a large dogfighting operation. He also offered a meandering, informal apology directed at NFL employees and children who had looked up to him as a role model.

What about the dogs whose lives he took so cruelly? And the dogs who suffered from their physical and psychological wounds? Vick categorizes what he did wrong as "immature acts." Excuse me? An immature act is a teenager shoplifting a CD, not an adult professional football player drowning, strangling and fighting dogs he deliberately bred and trained to kill each other. Does Vick honestly not know the difference? Or does he think we, the public, don't know or care about the difference?

So many questions remain: What will be the fate of Vick's dogs? Will the NFL's indefinite suspension lead to an outright firing? How much jail time will he serve? Newport News (Va.) reporter Alicia P.Q. Wittmeyer does her best to answer those questions and more.

If you're still outraged by the whole tragic situation, as am I, then please voice your concerns to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and Atlanta Falcons head coach Bobby Petrino. You can also support nonprofit organizations like HSUS, the ASPCA and your local shelter, all of which strive to end dogfighting and care for its many voiceless victims.

      

Julia Kamysz Lane

Tuxes and Tails

OMG! Check out these runway photos from Pet Fashion Week in New York (Aug. 18 and 19). OK, I’m a little behind on my news reading, but I felt that with Walmart’s secret recalls and Michael Vick’s guilty plea, we all could use a little diversion. Of course for my money, dogs in the coats they were born with make the best fashion statements by far.

Lisa Wogan

What's a Pibble Doing on the Radio?

If you read my article, "Disc Drive," in the July/August 2007 issue of The Bark, you're already familiar with  bully-breed advocate Andrew "Roo" Yori and his disc-dog world champion, Wallace the Pit Bull. Roo now hosts a monthly radio show, "Pibble Talk," and his next show is at 9 p.m. central time this Sunday, August 26, 2007. Tomorrow's guests include Jon Bosak, author of a graphic novel for young readers, Demo: The Story of a Junkyard Dog, and Diane Jessup of Law Dogs USA, a non-profit group that provides trained narcotics- and explosives-detection Pit Bulls to law enforcement for free. Listeners are welcome to call in with questions and comments. 

Julia Kamysz Lane

Microchips: A Dismal Failure (So Far)

For the past couple of years, I've been running microchipping cilnics at some local pet stores. My theory was that if I could eliminate the overhead of a veterinary clinic, and make it easy for people to come in (no appointments necessary), that pet owners woud beat a path to my door. As with many of my theories, it has been disproved in practice. I have managed to implant a few hundred chips, but given the population I could have reached and the time I've spent, it's a paltry number. I am glad for those animals that I have chipped. but I think that the experiment has done more to show how little the idea has taken hold in the pet-owning public.

As any parent can tell you, the most important thing to do when a problem has been found is not to solve it, but to assign blame, ideally, but not necessarily,to the responsible party. I'm working on a piece about the subject--not the hey-look-what-we-can-do type article that we generally see regarding advances in veterinary technology--but a jeez-we-could-mess-up-a-two-car-funeral type article. I will find blame, and I think I might have a simple solution. The weirdest thing about all of this is that this might be the only area I can think of where the Bush Administration has made a step (naturally insufficient and too small) in the right direction.

Richard Lerner, DVM

Wal-Mart's Secret Dog Treat Recall

A few months ago, while browsing vendor tables at an agility trial, a Bravo rep suggested I look at the label for the company's freeze-dried chicken breast strips. They were all natural, free of antibiotics and -- perhaps most importantly in those scary weeks following the massive pet food recall this past March -- not made in China. She added, "If you look at the label for other chicken-strip treats, it's likely the chicken came from China." Those words were ringing in my ears when I learned of Wal-Mart's secret dog treat recall of Chicken Jerky Strips from Import-Pingyang Pet Product Co. and Chicken Jerky from Shanghai Bestro Trading.

In late July, the retail giant began pulling these products off the shelves in response to customer concerns that their pets had become ill after consuming them. No public announcement was made, which is absolutely appalling. Surely, there were people who stocked these treats in their kitchen for weeks after Wal-Mart stopped carrying these Chinest brands. Didn't they deserve to know that they were harming their dogs?

Yesterday, a month after the company started removing the brands from its inventory, Wal-Mart finally released a statement suggesting customers return those treats for a full refund as tests concluded that they contained the toxin melamine. Wal-Mart spokesperson Deisha Galberth told the Associated Press, "There were very small amounts of melamine found. The amounts were so small the laboratory recommended more testing." She claims that the additional tests were necessary before going public.

Personally, I find any amount of toxins in my dog's food, treats or toys completely unacceptable and I would want to know about it immediately. If this keeps up, are we going to have to go back to growing our own produce to ensure it's safe? Do I need to start raising chickens in the old abandoned chicken coop in my backyard? Maybe it's time to cut out the middle man.

Julia Kamysz Lane      

Owner Digs Out Trapped 14-Year-Old Dog

Last Thursday, Aug. 16, Larry Thompson of Genoa, West Virginia, realized that his 14-year-old Dalmatian, Alex, had gone missing. The distraught family finally discovered the dog trapped 15 feet underground in an 80-foot-long storm drain beneath their driveway. After four days of desperate digging, Thompson pulled Alex to safety. Amazingly, despite his advanced age, Alex is doing well as you can see from the videos following his rescue and recovery.

Julia Kamysz Lane

EPA Study Raises Questions

In the upcoming issue of Bark (available on newsstands in early September), in an article titled "The Canines in the Coal Mine?" contributing editor Sophia Yin takes a look at the ways pollutants in the environment affect our dogs. Turns out they also affect our cats...and us.

In today's LA Times, journalist Marla Cone reports on a recently released EPA study that links thyroid disease in cats to flame retardants in some home products and pet foods. In a case of unintended consequences, something developed to protect us from one risk turns out to be a risk itself.

None of this is totally unexpected--as one of Dr. Yin's interviewees noted, unless we stop eating and drinking (and, presumably, breathing), it's hard to avoid some level of exposure to environmental pollutants. The more we know, however, the more informed our decisions can be. Both for our companion animals and ourselves, it's important to make  conscious choices to limit exposure where we can. As someone somewhere must've said, good for the planet, good for us.

And speaking of good for the planet, look for "Wheels of Change," by Kevin Skaggs, an article on alternative forms of personal transportation, also in the upcoming issue.

Susan Tasaki

Noah's Wish Settles Katrina Allegations

In the weeks following Hurricane Katrina, many nonprofit groups kicked off fundraising campaigns on behalf of victims. I truly believe the majority were well intentioned. As I mentioned in a previous post, the Attorney General of California investigated Noah’s Wish for its alleged misallotment of Katrina funds. The humane organization raised $8 million as part of its Katrina animal victim campaign. That's quite a bit of money; I imagine such a charitable windfall proved more than the nonprofit could handle.

According to a Mutual Settlement Agreement and Release signed last month by California’s Deputy Attorney General, former Noah’s Wish founder and director Terri Crisp, and current Noah’s Wish Board Chair Amy Maher, “The Investigation examined the following allegations: (1) that contributions made to Noah’s Wish for the purpose of rescuing and caring for the animal victims of Hurricane Katrina were not used for this specific purpose; (2) that Noah’s Wish did not properly classify and account for the contributions received following Hurricane Katrina; (3) that Noah’s Wish lacked adequate fiscal controls over its funds; and (4) that problems existed regarding board governance. Noah’s Wish disputes each and every allegation.”

As part of the settlement, “Noah’s Wish agrees that it will not appoint Terri Crisp to the Board of Directors nor will it employ her in any manner.” Also, “Terri Crisp agrees that she will not serve as an officer, director or trustee, or in any position having the duties or responsibilities of an officer, director, or trustee, with any nonprofit organization for a period of five (5) years from the execution of this Settlement Agreement.”

Whether she was guilty of the aforementioned allegations or not, you’d think that Crisp would play it safe and keep her distance from disaster relief or nonprofit groups for awhile. Instead, per a former Noah’s Wish volunteer, Crisp has quickly founded another nonprofit, Animal Resources. Like Noah’s Wish, her new organization focuses on rescuing and caring for animals from disaster areas. I am an admittedly cynical person, so all I can muster is a sincere hope that both organizations make good use of their second chances, for the sake of the animals and the donors who want to help them.

 

Julia Kamysz Lane

Time to Bunny-Up

In July, PetSmart began breeding and selling dwarf rabbits in 25 of their stores, with plans to expand depending on reactions from customers. In 2000, company CEO Philip Francis told Retail Merchandiser that PetSmart didn’t sell rabbits because they end up in shelters. What has changed?

They are currently the third most euthanized pet in this country. If bunnies had the same organized outreach as cats and dogs, this wouldn’t happen. So let’s join forces. Best Friends Animal Society is circulating a petition in protest. Brambley Hedge Rabbit Rescue has suspended rabbit adoptions with PetSmart and initiated a boycott. The Rabbit House Society is more circumspect, calling on the chain to change course and inviting supporters to politely express their displeasure.

Lisa Wogan

What's Next, Rent A Kid?

Perhaps FlexPetz founder Marlena Cervantes and her clients are well intentioned, but personally, I find this rent-a-dog business appalling. Cervantes prefers to use the term “dog time-share,” as if our canine companions are on a par with a condo. Such semantics might make for good marketing, but it does not change the fact that these dogs are treated like books checked out from the library.

Sure, on the surface, it seems like a good idea. People who don’t have time to properly care for their own dog can rent one for a few hours every week or for a full day – whatever fits their busy schedule. Well, that’s super convenient for the person, but what about the dog? He is shuttled between multiple homes over the course of a week’s time. What does that constant change do to the dog, both mentally and physically?

According to the company’s Web site, “FlexPetz dogs receive regular ‘refresher’ training sessions with our certified dog trainers.” I imagine the poor dogs need it because of the lack of consistency from home to home. Most dogs thrive on routine and building a bond with their family. What happens when they grow old? Will they be retired and allowed to live in one permanent home?

FlexPetz also spins its service as a way to save shelter dogs and prevent other dogs from ending up there. Again, brilliant marketing, but if the dog’s history is unknown, is it wise to press this dog into such a service? Even the best-trained, physically healthy and temperamentally sound dog might be stressed under these circumstances.

Lastly, what does this teach children about responsibility? That it’s okay to have a dog on the human’s terms, no matter how it might affect the dog’s welfare? That you can always get what you want? If someone truly doesn’t have the time, energy, money, etc., to be a responsible dog guardian, then why not volunteer at a shelter? Those dogs would gladly go for a walk, get a belly rub and enjoy some company, all for the price of a kind word (and maybe a treat).

Julia Kamysz Lane

Show Me the Money

After Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005, it seemed like thousands of nonprofit groups initiated fundraising campaigns on behalf of victims. In the months that followed, there were public rumblings that some groups were not following through; they were taking donations in the name of Katrina victims, but directing it to victims of other disasters or using it for other projects altogether. Allegedly, such was the case with Noah's Wish, a nonprofit humane organization based in Sacramento, Calif. In the course of a civil investigation initiated in March 2007 by the California Attorney General, Noah's Wish founder and director Terri Crisp abruptly left the organization. The group recently settled though denies mismanagement. Four million of the original $8 million it raised on behalf of Katrina animal victims will now be under state control to ensure it goes toward its intended purposes, such as building a new animal shelter in Slidell, La. 

Julia Kamysz Lane      

The Specter of Seamus

The image of an Irish Setter lashed to the roof of the Romney family car has a hold on Gail Collin’s brain like a dog with a squeaky toy. (Earlier this summer The Globe revealed how Seamus traveled from Boston to Ontario for summer vacations in the 1980s in a roof top crate with some messy results.) Collins reminds us how a detail like this has a way of overshadowing the image and policies a candidate wants in the light. She also hauls out a few other choice bits, like the fact John McCain has a pet ferret, Rudy Giuliani is a ferret-hater, and Judith Nathan Giuliani was a sales rep for surgical staplers in the 1970s, when it wasn’t exactly a canine-friendly industry. A story in the current Vanity Fair elaborates on the chilling dog brutality associated with surgical training and sales demonstrations. One column—so much to think about.

P.S. While the Seamus story is once again open for discussion, check out Scot Lehigh’s perspective on the sitch in The Globe.

Lisa Wogan

Share that dog love

I wanted to just pass it by. Is it necessary to draw attention to an heiress who chooses to spend $12,000 dressing her Chihuahua—for one season? It’s so obviously out of whack. But then I imagined what Gail Posner could otherwise do for dogs with the $15,000 a month she spends on Conchita. Let’s say she cuts the budget to a mere $5,000 a month (maybe scaling back the full-time nanny, reducing the weekly manicures and massages, and skipping some lunches at The Shore Club). That leaves $120,000 a year, which could buy something like 10,000 pounds of kibble; 1,000 nylon, quick release collars; 1,000 slip leads; 1,000 fleece pads; 1,000 medium transportation crates; 12,000 large Nylabone knots—for shelters and rescue operations around the country. And that still leaves $20,000 for plain old cash donations.

I wish that Posner's love for one dog, would lead to love for them all.

Lisa Wogan