Bark Blog

To Meat or Not To Meat?

I am not a vegetarian, so a story about a culture where people eat dogs really challenges me. I'm horrified at the thought. But I eat beef. I eat pork. I don't eat horse meat. I'll eat chicken, but wouldn't touch crow. My lines seem totally arbitrary or, at least, culturally  determined.  I don't eat duck, rabbit or lamb -- for no really defensible reason other than some gut feeling. Who is to say that eating dogs should be off limits if eating animals, in general, is not?

So I'm wondering, can you love and work for animals and still eat them? I think about the work of Temple Grandin, who is not a vegetarian, but has done much to improve conditions for animals, particularly livestock. I'd like to hear from BARk readers about how you answer this central question. If you eat meat, have you considered it a conflict? If you are a vegetarian, has your relationship with a companion animal played a role in that decision?

Lisa Wogan

Illegal Lap Dogs

There was a time when I thought nothing of allowing my dog to be free in the car and stick his head out the window. Then I woke up and realized that if we were in an accident, the rest of his body would go through that window. I would have no one to blame but myself for his injuries, suffering and possibly death. We now use wire crates and seatbelt harnesses to ensure all five of our dogs travel safely.

So you'd think I'd be all rah-rah about the proposed legislation making it illegal for people to drive with dogs on their laps. Frankly, I think attempting to legislate common sense is ridiculous. No one likes to be told they HAVE to do something, like they're five years old. Plus, it's a waste of time and money as the bill meanders through the maze that is our government. Isn't there a better way to educate the public about safe dog travel? I'd love to hear your ideas.

Julia Kamysz Lane

Cujo the Chihuahua

Cujo the Chihuahua made the front-page news of my local newspaper when a Chicago police detective helped reunite him with his family after being dognapped two months ago. The happy ending made me smile, as well as the name of their other dog and Cujo's best friend, Michelle the Pit Bull.

Julia Kamysz Lane

Cop Shot, Killed Dog Recovering From Back Surgery

A few months ago, I blogged about a suburban Chicago cop who shot and killed a pit bull named Sugar when he entered her home without the owner or roommate present. He claimed he did it in self-defense, because she "lunged" at him. According to all who knew her, Sugar was a sweetheart and friendly with everyone. My guess is that she zoomed over to greet him, much like my own pit bull mix would do, and because of her breed, the cop assumed she was on the attack. So had that trigger-happy cop broken into my home, all five of my dogs would likely be dead, too. The thought is absolutely unbearable, as was the photo in the paper showing the grief-stricken look on Sugar's owner's face when he learned the news.

Tragically, it has happened again, this time in Lakeview, my former neighborhood in New Orleans. On Monday, April 14, police officers responded to a burglar alarm at Dr. Patrick Coleman's house when one of them shot and killed Jax, a 4-year-old Doberman who was recuperating from back surgery. Jax was shot eight times at close range. Jax's sister, a Doberman named Scarlet, was cowering in a corner of the yard when Coleman arrived at the scene. According to Coleman, Jax was in no condition to pose a threat to anyone and his dogs had never been perceived as a threat in the past when officers responded to alarms at the house. The cop's excuse? The dogs had "lunged" at him. The controversy has attracted attention nationwide ... and for good reason.

If you google the words "cop," "shot" and "dog," you'll find similar stories around the country in which a dog was killed by a police officer. Clearly, police departments need to train their officers to respond to dogs in ways that are more humane, such as pepper spray. Jeff Dorson, of the Humane Society of Louisiana, says there are free training programs available upon request. Even though the New Orleans Police Department says the officer did nothing wrong, it would be an excellent good-will gesture toward the public to train officers how to handle companion animals with compassion, not bullets.

Julia Kamysz Lane

Woman Bites Stray To Protect Her Dog

Amy Rice of Minneapolis, MN, bit a stray dog to stop its attack on her senior Labrador Retriever, Ella (pictured here). Rice says it was an instinctive last resort. I understand the urge to protect our dogs at any cost, but I don't think I would ever consider biting a dog as a defensive maneuver. What are your thoughts?

Julia Kamysz Lane

Oprah Exposes Puppy Mill Horrors

On Friday, April 4, tune in to Oprah Winfrey's show for an undercover investigation of the horrors of puppy mills. These commercial breeders provide purebred puppies to pet stores nationwide.

The American Kennel Club contacted its community of dog fanciers with pre-emptive concern about Oprah's subject matter. The statement read:

"Dear Fancier: As you probably know, Oprah is airing a show tomorrow (Friday, 4/4) on the topic of "Puppy Mills." While the show was previously taped, we have been in touch with the producers about our desire for responsible breeders to be represented, and they have allowed us to submit a 2 line statement which they said will be incorporated into the show. They have also stated that there is no specific intention to malign purebred dogs or the AKC.

"We will be watching the show along with you and, if warranted, we will respond publicly. However, it is our hope that Oprah's interest in animal welfare will help open up a dialogue on the issue and that AKC and the dog fancy will continue to be engaged."

If AKC wants to demonstrate a sincere interest in animal welfare, it will no longer allow commercial breeders and pet shops to register puppies with AKC and do its part to educate the public as well.

Julia Kamysz Lane

Struggling Shelter Flooded; Situation Desperate

Last November, Franklin County Animal Control in Benton, Illinois (southeast of St. Louis, MO), burned to the ground, resulting in the tragic death of more than 50 animals. The dedicated shelter staff and volunteers have made do with limited resources ever since. Rather than turn animals away, cats and kittens found refuge in a storage shed and dogs and puppies survived one of the coldest winters on record in outdoor kennels pulled from the ashes. Donations are desperately needed to rebuild, but the shelter is located in a rural area of southern Illinois where public and private funds are limited.

To make matters worse, the shelter is now struggling to stay afloat, literally, after days of rain caused flooding. In the words of the shelter director, "PLEASE PLEASE BEG PEOPLE TO HELP US. We've ... been out in the rain for the last two days getting soaked trying to get tarps back up & help all these animals, but the situation is hopeless."

Foster homes are needed most, according to Michelle Parson, President & Dog Program Director of A Caring Place Humane Society in nearby Darien, IL. If you can help, please contact Michelle at (630) 271-9002 or michelle.parson@comcast.net.

Other area shelters are also suffering due to flood waters. The photo above is from the Piedmont Animal Control Shelter, where eight dogs drowned. You can read more here.

Julia Kamysz Lane

100,000 Dogs Nearly Poisoned

Every year, worldwide, there are approximately 35,000 human deaths caused by rabies. That might sound horrific, but what's worse is that 60% of those rabies-related deaths occur in India alone. This past Thursday, March 6, Indian Kashmir authorities announced its plans to poison 100,000 stray dogs with strychnine in an effort to stop rabies. Thankfully, once the public was made aware of this inhumane solution, authorities were persuaded to work with welfare organizations on a stray sterilization program.

Julia Kamysz Lane

Act Against Dog Auctions

Last year, when a controversy was brewing over a new pet shop in the Chicago area, I was sickened by the naive comments of a dog owner. She had purchased her puppy from a pet store. Because her puppy was healthy and well tempered, she didn't understand -- and therefore, did not support -- criticism of pet shops. Her dog was fine, so what was the problem?

For every cute puppy for sale at a pet store, there are tens of thousands of adult dogs who live in commercial kennels. And I use the word "live" very loosely. A dog deserves more than just being "fed and bred." Two years ago, Mary O'Connor-Shaver attended a dog auction and saw firsthand the neglect and suffering of dogs at the hands of puppy mills.

There has been a long-standing controversy among dog rescue volunteers in regards to dog auctions. Some people believe that saving the life of even just one dog at auction is reason enough to go and bid. Others believe that this act, though compassionate, does nothing to increase awareness of the horrors of dog auctions and puts money in the pocket of the puppy millers.

If you want to help stop dog auctions, please go to Animal House and Ban Ohio Dog Auctions. We might not all agree on how best to shut down this deplorable industry, but increasing public awareness of the puppy mill dog's plight is a good first step.

Julia Kamysz Lane

Reward or Ransom For Lost Dog?

I'll never forget that horrible day when Jetta's new owner called to tell me that she was missing. We had fostered the beautiful German shepherd for a local rescue group and grown very attached to her. On the very day of the adoption, a friend came over to visit and left the front door open just long enough for Jetta to bolt. Thankfully, someone suggested I contact Sherlock Bones, an experienced pet detective, and he helped us take immediate action. Within hours, we got Jetta back safe and sound.

Since we were a nonprofit rescue group, Sherlock Bones didn't charge us for his services. I will always be grateful for his generosity. He told us that it was important to scrape together whatever we could to offer as a specific reward on our flyers because that got everybody -- even people who didn't like dogs -- keeping an eye out for her.

Apparently, Bert Clark of Canada received similar advice. The distraught dog lover offered a $15,000 reward for the safe return of his beloved chocolate Lab, Huckleberry. Clark scoffed at a reporter's suggestion that his reward was "excessive." (I think all of us who read Bark would agree!) Soon thereafter, he got his dog back, but questions remain as to whether Huckleberry was dogknapped and the reward was actually a ransom.

Lost in all of the drama over the reward money is the fact that the dog walker left Huckleberry alone outside a cafe while she went inside for "five minutes" to grab something to eat. If a dog were left in my charge -- and I made a living at it -- you better believe that pup would never leave my sight. Now that Huckleberry is safe, I wouldn't be surprised if Clark tells the dog walker to get lost.

Julia Kamysz Lane

Woman Wants Ex's Dog To Be "Axed"

Last night, Anderson Cooper -- reporting live from New Orleans -- and his in-studio substitute, Erica Hill discussed a radio station publicity stunt that went awry. On Valentine's Day, listeners were invited to come down to the Atlanta-based radio station with something that either belonged to or was given to them by an ex and that they no longer wanted. It would then be destroyed in the parking lot with an ax. You'd assume that most people would bring the usual -- old love letters, photos, clothing, stuffed animals, etc. But one woman showed up with her ex-boyfriend's dog! You can see a video of this sweet shepherd mix on CNN. Thankfully, the Humane Society and caring callers intervened, so the dog found a loving home by the end of the day.

Julia Kamysz Lane

Dogs are in the picture

We don't usually go in for the celebrities and their dogs around here at Bark. But when I saw a photo of Christina Aguilera with her new baby in Hello!, it seemed worth a nod. The new family tableau includes mom, dad, baby, and three, count 'em, pups all nuzzled together. It may just be a photographer's notion but hopefully it's a sign that the dogs aren't about to become second-class citizens in this household, which happens all too often.

Lisa Wogan

PETA No Fan of Best In Show

Animal-rights organization PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is no stranger to stirring up controversy. In the past, some dog owners have questioned PETA president Ingrid Newkirk's canine devotion as a fundraising ploy or worse.

So it comes as no surprise that PETA debuted a provocative ad campaign (one commercial compares purebred dog breeders to the Ku Klux Klan) during Westminster Kennel Club's annual show, the Superbowl of dog shows. You can watch all three commercials through You Tube or the New York Times.

What do you think of the new PETA commercials? Are they fair? Or too over the top?

Julia Kamysz Lane

Chicago Tribune Loves BARk!

To those of us who love dogs, the success of BARk magazine makes perfect sense. Who wouldn't want to read a smart periodical dedicated entirely to our cherished companions? But it's always nice when non-dog people (or entities) admit that they find it fascinating, too. So thank you, Chicago Tribune, for congratulating BARk on its 10-year anniversary in today's editorial, "That's 70 in dog years."

I especially like the dare at the end, in which the editors "defy anyone -- dog-haters and cat-lovers included -- to thumb all the way through BARk without grinning like a border collie. It will make you want to get a dog. Or be one." BARk readers, how do you feel after you read the magazine? Are you compelled to give your dog a big hug? Does it inspire you to try something new with your dog? Or add another pup to the pack? Let us know!

Julia Kamysz Lane

Not a Hallmark moment

I’m a sucker for a lost-dog reunion story. I want my free shot of feel-good, but have you ever noticed how in most lost-and-found stories there is usually some weird detail that gets in the way of true misty-eyed pleasure. The case of Luke in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel today is a perfect example.

First, the woman who “found” the three-year-old shepherd-beagle mix, actually lifted him out of an off-leash area where she said she thought he’d been abandoned. Why she didn’t ask around or try to find the guardian somewhere in the park is never explained. But you can cut her a little slack because Luke was, after all, naked. At the end of the story, his guardian reveals that he wasn’t wearing a collar. Duh. (Oh, and we learn something about microchips, too: The vet didn’t scan for one.)

Lisa Wogan

Pit Bulls, Dogfights Sell Papers

With all that is going on in the world, my local newspaper decided that a pit bull attack was front-page news. But if you read the article closely, it's clear that calling this a "dogfight" is a misnomer and that if a poodle or golden retriever had been the perpetrator, this likely wouldn't have even made the paper. So here's the letter I wrote to the editor this morning:

"Shame on you, Daily Herald, for sensationalizing a story, deliberately misleading the public, and perpetuating the myth that wherever the pit bull goes, violence follows (“Caught In Dog Fight," 1/29/08).

"This past Tuesday's front-page headline said, “Woman Hospitalized After Pit Bull Attack,” leading readers to believe that the pit bull attacked her. In truth, the pit bull attacked the small dog the woman was walking. She chose to get involved and risk harm. There is an enormous difference between a dog who is aggressive toward dogs (especially small ones that appear to be prey) and a dog who is aggressive toward people. After quoting neighbors’ concerns for themselves, the Daily Herald missed an opportunity to educate the public instead of reinforcing that fear.

"If anyone deserves the public’s wrath, it’s the owner of the pit bull. Neighbors report that he keeps two pit bulls on leashes in a garage. By reinforcing the myth that pit bulls are vicious, the Daily Herald encourages people to perceive pit bulls as monsters, not dogs who deserve attention, training, love and the basics, like a warm place to sleep in this zero degree weather. Had the owner taken the time to socialize his dogs and keep them in the house, this tragedy never would’ve happened."

If space had allowed, I would've shared the story of my mom and my pit bull mix, Shelby. Three years ago, my mom was walking Shelby through my semi-rural neighborhood. A 120-pound Great Pyrenees escaped from the back of a pick-up truck and grabbed 65-pound Shelby by the head and froze. My mom was bitten on the finger trying to protect Shelby, and the Great Pyrenees's owner lost a fingernail attempting to pry her dog's mouth off of Shelby's head.

My mom and the other dog's owner both required trips to the emergency room. Fortunately, they were both going to be okay. We then brought Shelby to the Great Pyrenees's owner's vet. I was absolutely livid when the staff assumed that Shelby, being part pit bull, had initiated the fight. How can the staff at a vet office believe such horrible breed stereotypes? When I told them that Shelby was the victim, they were surprised but unapologetic. Thankfully, Shelby's ear and head wounds completely healed. She still thinks everybody is her friend. If only that were so.

Julia Kamysz Lane

Finders Keepers?

I serve as the Midwest rep for Catahoula Rescue Inc, a national, nonprofit rescue group. Recently, one of our volunteers in Texas was contacted by her vet because a woman brought in a Catahoula puppy she had found. The woman had no intention of looking for the owner, even though the puppy was in good health and had clearly belonged to someone. The vet wanted to alert our rescue in case the original owner was searching for their lost puppy.

As a professional and authority figure, wouldn't the vet also have an obligation to alert the local animal shelter and insist that the woman place a free found classified ad in the paper? I don't know how this woman can live with herself, knowing that her way of thinking ("finders keepers") is as mature as that of a two year old. Not to mention she is possibly causing a lot of heartache to a family somewhere by not giving them the opportunity to claim their puppy. If she's that cold hearted, maybe the threat of possible legal action (say someone recognized the puppy and alerted the family to its whereabouts) would get her attention and make her do the right thing. But it shouldn't come to that.

Have you ever found a dog? What did you do?

Julia Kamysz Lane

Dog Poop: Friend or Foe?

We live on a half acre with five dogs. Needless to say, I pick up poop on a regular basis. Despite my best efforts scanning the yard, I occasionally step in poop. This is one of my absolutely biggest pet peeves. Usually, it happens when I need to leave the house in five minutes for an appointment or someone is coming over. The worst time is summer, when the poop is soft and squishy and especially hard to dig out of the stupid little rubber ridges on the bottom of my gym shoe. If you're reading this far, you know exactly what I mean. Perhaps you even engage in "poop talk" with your dog friends.

So who knew that dog poop could help catch a criminal? It seems appropriate that an idiot drunk driver was literally caught in deep doo-doo. Eighteen-year-old Josue Herrios-Coronilla crashed his car into a dog owner's yard. He immediately fled the scene, but not before stepping in dog poop. Police easily tracked the messy footprints and apprehended him. I hope part of his punishment was cleaning his shoes.

Julia Kamysz Lane

My Dog Can Do Laundry

You know that saying that we only use 10% of our brains? Well, the more I learn about dog behavior and training, the more I realize how very little we ask of our dogs despite their clear ability to learn and do more. Connie the Newfie is the perfect example. When her owner, British animal behaviorist Hazel Carter, was stricken with arthritis in her back, she taught Connie how to do everything from untying her shoe laces to doing the laundry. I'm not suggesting we turn our dogs into personal maids, but teaching a dog a new trick can give them the mental stimulation they crave. And if it helps keep my house tidy in the process, what more could you ask for?

Julia Kamysz Lane

Red dog, blue dog

For too long, animals have been mere symbols in presidential politics. From Millie to Buddy to Miss Beazely, dogs, in particular, have been used to conjure warm, fuzzy feelings of virtue, family and loyalty. Never mind the record. It’s frustrating how little attention politicians dedicate to actual animal welfare issues. But if everything from spay/neuter programs and animal fighting to puppy mills and hunting are important litmus issues for you, check out Michael Markarian’s blog, particulary his review of the Republican and Democratic presidential contenders’ records. Markarian is the president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund, which lobbies for animal welfare legislation and works to elect humane-minded candidates to public office. The Republicans, not surprisingly, don’t fare too well. Something Salon.com pointed out a few weeks ago.

Lisa Wogan

Slain Soldier's Dog Goes Home

Until I read this story on CNN, I never pondered what happened to a military K-9 partner if the handler died. Since these dogs require an enormous amount of training, I would've guessed that they were assigned to a new handler and went back to work.

Of course, the bond between a dog and his person is priceless. Wouldn't a dog like Lex, who worked and lived with 20-year-old Marine Cpl. Dustin Jerome Lee every day, need time to grieve? Is it fair to expect this 8-year-old German shepherd, who was wounded in the line of duty, to return to work? Lee's family didn't think so and pleaded for their right to adopt Lex. Nine months after their son was killed, Lee's parents will bring Lex home Dec. 21 to Quitman, Miss. I can't think of a better Christmas present for Lee's family and their son's devoted dog.

Julia Kamysz Lane

How Much Is That Doggie In the Window?

Although I'm not a fan of chains, I love that PetsMart and PetCo invite rescue groups to hold adoption days instead of selling puppies and kittens. I used to think this symbolized increased awareness of puppy mills and that the days of singing, "How Much Is That Doggie In the Window?" were over.

Unfortunately, I was wrong. Over the past year, two pet store chains that sell puppies have opened near me. Every other weekend, one of them posts a giant sign near a major intersection promoting its "Puppy Sale!" as if these puppies were furniture or clothes. I imagine they're getting older and no longer as cute so the pet shop wants to "move the merchandise" to make room for more "inventory." That mentality makes me ill.

So my new hero is Clover Moore, Lord Mayor of Sydney, Australia. A few weeks ago, she introduced the Animals (Regulation of Sale) Bill 2007 to the New South Wales State Parliament. This would prohibit the sale of all mammals -- including dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, mice and rats -- in pet shops in New South Wales. For details, go to Parliament of New South Wales.

Julia Kamysz Lane

Fido Film Awards

The first-annual Fido Film Awards were handed out over the weekend by the British Film Institute in London, England.  In the Historical Film category, four corgies named Poppy, Anna, Oliver and Megan took top prize for their role as Queen Elizabeth's treasured pets in the movie, "The Queen".   Another Welsh cardigan corgi, American Travis, won the Comedy Film category for his work in the Molly Shannon movie, ""Year of the Dog"."

The Fido Awards were created by British journalist Toby Rose, who annually presents the Palme Dog Award for best canine on-screen performance at the Cannes Film Festival in France.  How long before the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences can be convinced that Americans want awards for their big-screen dogs, too?

Leigh-Ann Gerow

Ellen DeGeneres Learns Tough Lesson

Oh Ellen DeGeneres, beloved talk show host, how could you be so ... human? DeGeneres and long-time partner Portia De Rossi adopted a dog who, despite their best efforts ($3,000 on training!?!), could not make friends with their cats. So the couple gave the Brussels Griffon mix named Iggy to their hairdresser and her family. Everything was fine until the rescue group Mutts & Moms called to see how Iggy was settling in. That's when things began to get interesting.

The adoption contract stipulated that if the adopter could not keep the dog, he must be returned to the rescue. That is a standard practice of rescue groups. Why go through the painstaking matchmaking process of adoption applications, references checks and home visits if the dog is just going to be given away again? That's how many dogs end up in rescue in the first place. In a video on her Web site, DeGeneres says the whole point of rescue is finding a good home for the dog. That's right -- the RESCUE finds the home, not the adopter who decides to give up the dog.

DeGeneres's heart was in the right place, but she still needs to follow the rules just like the rest of us. If the family was indeed a good match, there's no reason why the rescue wouldn't have adopted the dog to them once notified of the situation. Now the rescue is in a bad spot. If they adopt out Iggy to someone else, the other family and DeGeneres will make a big stink. If the rescue gives Iggy back to the family, it sets a terrible precedent for all future adoptions. It's a shame that both parties couldn't have handled this in a more civilized fashion, for everyone's sake.

Julia Kamysz Lane

How Could This Happen?

When this story first came to my attention, I just couldn't believe how someone could do such a thing. A litter of dead seven-week-old puppies were discovered behind a convenience store in Georgia. As if that wasn't bad enough, they were beaten to death and the likely culprit is a 20-year-old lab technician who worked at the University of Georgia’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital. If you can stomach to read more, go to UGA Vet School Worker.

Julia Kamysz Lane

88 Chihuahuas, Pugs, Poodles, Yorkies Need Homes

Backyard breeding is one of my biggest pet peeves because it stems from greed. Mattie Barber Rowell of southeastern Louisiana was recently booked on animal cruelty charges after 88 small dogs were rescued from filthy living conditions. They included Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, Poodles, Pugs, Schnauzers and Yorkies. Some were so badly matted that they couldn't even walk. Two dogs had ulcerated eyes. All of them were infested with fleas and approximately one third were heartworm positive. Rowell surrendered her ownership rights and St. Tammany Humane Society in Covington, Louisiana, is doing its best to care for the dogs and find them new loving homes. To make a donation or adopt, please call the St. Tammany Humane Society at (985) 892-7387.

Julia Kamysz Lane

Taboo Treats & Chocolate Chart

Do you give your dog a grape every now and then? How about the occasional chocolate-chip cookie? If so, pick up the October issue of National Geographic and get the scoop on why these seemingly harmless treats can be dangerous. The feature story, "Canine Taboos," focuses on foods toxic to dogs, such as grapes, chocolate, coffee, onions and more. You might be surprised to find what's on the list.

Unfortunately, I have first-hand experience with this kind of food scare. Several months ago, I came home to discover an open bag of semisweet chocolate chips on my kitchen floor. One of the dogs had managed to open up the pantry door and get into my baking supplies. At first, I wasn't too concerned because we have four dogs and I figured the chocolate was divided among my entire pack. But then I realized that if only one of them ate all of the chocolate, s/he would be in trouble. I called my vet and she recommended we make all of the dogs vomit. Turns out that one dog -- our Dalmatian, Darby -- did indeed eat the entire 8-ounce bag of chocolate chips all by herself. Fortunately, she was fine but it was frightening nonetheless.

If you're concerned about the effects of chocolate on your dog, National Geographic also provides an interactive "chocolate chart." You can adjust the weight of the dog and the amount of chocolate ingested to determine the real-life symptoms. It can also help you determine if a vet visit is in order.

Julia Kamysz Lane

Most Vick Dogs Get Second Chance

A team of ASPCA animal behaviorists have completed their assessments of suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick's 49 seized dogs. Of the group, only one had a history of biting people and was found to exhibit intense human aggression during the assessment, thus requiring euthanasia. The remaining 48 dogs will either go to adoptive families, a sanctuary or receive training as police dogs. As much as I believe in second chances, I truly hope that Vick does not receive the same reprieve. When will the NFL outright fire him?

Julia Kamysz Lane

It’s a Dog’s Life in Iraq

Listen to Sgt. Dan Stober’s tale of “adopting” a stray and tending to her puppies while stationed in Iraq on NPR’s Day to Day.

Lisa Wogan

Ken Foster's Pit Bull Party!

Best-selling author and pit bull lover Ken Foster kicks off a series of bully-themed events in New Orleans to celebrate his latest book, "Dogs I Have Met and The People They Found." Foster's handsome brindle pit bull, Brando, is featured on the cover.

Oct. 3: Join the Hot 8 Brass Band at Sound Cafe (2700 Chartres St., New Orleans; 504-947-4477) from 7-9pm to celebrate the pit bulls of New Orleans and Foster's new book. Special bully guests include Dag, the inspiration for Belladonna owner Kim Dudek's latest venture, Dag's House; Trap Jack, a former desk-duty dog from the Louisiana SPCA; Lola, special assistant to Gloria Dauphin of the Louisiana SPCA; and Animal Rescue New Orleans's director Robyn Beaulieu's beautiful blue pit bull.

Oct. 4: Foster reads from and signs copies of "Dogs I Have Met" at Octavia Books (513 Octavia St., New Orleans; 504-899-READ) at 6pm.

Oct. 6-7: Pit bulls are eligible for free vaccinations and spay/neuter services at clinics throughout New Orleans. Enjoy panels of historic images of the pit bull compliments of Animal Farm Foundation.

For more info about any of these special events, call 504-613-7370.

Julia Kamysz Lane

Devoted Dogs Guard Deceased Owner

Concerned neighbors contacted police when they hadn't seen 66-year-old Sandra Cherichella of West Paterson, New Jersey, for two weeks. Sadly, the elderly woman was discovered dead, most likely of natural causes, in her home. Her two beloved Border Collie mixes, Shaggy and Kathy, were guarding her decayed body. The house was filthy and filled with feces. The grieving dogs were dirty and suffering from mange, plus there was no food or fresh water. Police believe Cherichella could've been dead for nearly two weeks.

Lysa DeLaurentis, the animal control officer on the scene, couldn't bring herself to take the 10-year-old dogs to the shelter, where she was sure they would be euthanized. Instead, she brought them home to buy them some time and help them get healthy in hopes of finding a new home. If you'd like to help with Shaggy and Kathy's medical treatment, donations may be sent to:

All Humane Animal Control
781 Ringwood Ave
Wanaque NJ 07465

Or for more info, please call (973) 616-8569.

Julia Kamysz Lane

Bravo Recalls Poultry Products

Commercial raw diet company Bravo is recalling three of its poultry products over concerns that they might be contaminated with Salmonella and/or Listeria monocytogenes. The specific varieties and batches are:

1) Bravo Original Formula Chicken Blend frozen raw food
Product Numbers: 21-102, 21-105, 21-110
Batch ID code (on hang tag): 236

2) Bravo Original Formula Turkey Blend frozen raw food
Product Numbers: 31-102, 31-105, 31-110
Batch ID code (on hang tag): 236

3) Bravo Basic Formula Finely Ground Chicken frozen raw food
Product Number: 21-212
Size: 2 pound tube
Batch ID Code (on hang tag): 226

This is a voluntary recall as no pets or people have been reported ill due to any of these products. Pet owners may return unopened tubes of food to the place of purchase for a full refund. If the package is already opened, safely dispose of the food, wash the label and return it to the store for a full refund. For more info, go to Bravo Recall.

Julia Kamysz Lane

Doggie Da Vincis

Necessity IS the mother of invention! When Mary Stadelbacher of Salisbury, Md., needed to raise money fast to keep her service-dog training business afloat, she got creative ... or rather, her dog did. She figured that if her Foxhound mix, Sammy, could learn to open doors and pick up objects for disabled people, he could learn to pick up a brush and paint. Two years later, paintings by Sammy and fellow "Doggie Da Vincis," are popular for fundraisers as original works and notecards. As far as Stadelbacher knows, her dogs are the only dogs that hold paintbrushes in their mouths to paint at an easel. To see videos of the dogs painting or purchase their work, go to Shore Service Dogs.

Julia Kamysz Lane

Police Dog Dies in Hot Car

During warm weather, most people use common sense and do not leave their dogs in the car. So how do you explain the tragic death of Bandit, a K9 officer whose partner, Sgt. Tom Lovejoy, forgot him in the hot patrol car this past August? The five-year-old Belgian Malinois was in the vehicle for 12 hours before Lovejoy found him dead. Temperatures in Arizona that day had reached 115 degrees. After a two-week investigation by the county sheriff, Lovejoy was arrested and charged with animal cruelty. The investigation determined that Bandit was in the car from about 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on August 11. During that time, Lovejoy ran errands, napped and went out to eat with his wife. What's worse, Lovejoy is a 15-year police veteran and head of the K9 unit.

Julia Kamysz Lane   

Puppy Buyer Discovers Gruesome Conditions

Last week, a potential puppy buyer drove to Pickett's Pride American Bulldogs, a breeder in north Houston, and discovered dozens of dead dogs and nearly 70 more emaciated animals in need of food, water and clean living conditions. Pickett's Pride owner Kathy Drobina has since been arrested on cruelty charges.

The Houston SPCA was awarded custody of 47 American Bulldogs and 10 cats. Animal Cruelty Investigator Howard Goldman sent an email to dog rescues around the country, asking for their help. He wrote, "We need to find good homes fast to avoid having to euthanize. Please contact me if you know any established rescue that could help the Houston SPCA help these dogs." Goldman can be reached at hgoldman@hspca.org or (713) 869-7722, Ext. 171. The shelter is located at 900 Portway Drive, Houston, TX 77024.

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

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

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

Jon Stewart on Vick

The Daily Show's Jon Stewart in response to Michael Vick's assertion that dog fighting is a "sport," replied  that he" would like to cover Michael Vick in liver and let the dogs see how fast and as elusive as he says he is." See the clip for yourself.
Claudia Kawczynska
Editor in chief

Will NFL, Nike Do Right By Dogs?

Popular Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick has been federally indicted for his alleged involvement in a dog-fighting ring on his Virginia property. According to the Washington Post, “Vick, one of the NFL's most exciting players, was charged with competitive dogfighting and conducting the venture across state lines. The 19-page indictment alleged Vick was highly involved in the operation, alleging that he attended fights and paid off bets when his dogs lost. It said he also was involved in the executions of dogs that did not perform well.”

And “executions” is not a euphemism for humane euthanasia, either. The indictment details how dogs who failed to fight were drowned, hung and in one case, electrocuted. In this light, it's shocking to think that fans admired Vick and young kids looked up to him as a role model. How could a young man with such talent and promise prove to be so cruel and heartless toward animals? It wasn't like Vick needed the money. What causes someone to do such horrific things?

ASPCA President/CEO Ed Sayres said, "Federal charges in dog fighting are extremely rare, and we applaud the authorities for giving this crime the attention it deserves.”  As dog lovers, we must demand that the NFL and Nike – which had planned to debut its latest Michael Vick-brand shoe this August – take this case just as seriously.

So what can you do? For starters, contact the NFL and Nike. Tell these highly profitable businesses why Vick deserves the boot. You can also sign a petition via the Humane Society of the United States by clicking on: NFL Petition. Lastly, consider donating money to the HSUS, which is caring for the 52 seized dogs seized from Vick's property while he awaits trial.

Julia Kamysz Lane

Bad Dog "Wins" Contest

My blood hasn’t stopped boiling since I spotted today’s front-page article, “Bad to the Bone,” in my local paper. Owner Gayle Byhring’s four-year-old yellow Labrador Retriever, Archie, recently “won” the Chicago-area Bark Busters Naughtiest Dog Challenge. (Kudos to Bark Busters for the brilliant publicity campaign, but why did the newspaper bite?) Thanks to contests like this and bestselling books like Marley & Me, people not only think it’s okay to have a poorly trained pooch but they vie for having the worst! Why does the media use adjectives like “mischievous” and “naughty” to describe a Lab whose leash pulling caused the owner to fracture a foot and require shoulder surgery?

A month ago, this same newspaper covered a tragedy, “Elgin Police Officer Shot,” in which a policeman accidentally shot his partner when he fired at and killed a dog he claimed "charged" them as they attempted to enter an apartment from a balcony. The dog’s distraught owner, Melissa Hoving, and her friends said that Sugar was friendly, had never bitten anyone, and was excellent with neighborhood children, even giving them rides on her back.

Had those two officers attempted to enter my home, you can bet that my dogs would’ve charged them, and yet they all have their AKC Canine Good Citizen certificate and participate in sports like agility, dock diving and herding, all of which require advanced training. So it seems that Sugar’s only crime was being a dog … oh, and a pit bull. Two dogs, two front-page stories, and I think the only winner is a commercial dog-training company.

    

Julia Kamysz Lane

Dog As Guinea Pig

The front page of The New York Times this morning features a thought-provoking story about the intended and unintended consequences of DNA screening in dog breeding. It’s a must-read. Reporter Amy Harmon explores what happens in the drive for “genetic perfection” when the ethical concerns guiding the human DNA debate are pushed aside.

This story is part of an ongoing, fascinating series on the impact of genetic technology on humans. To read more, check out The DNA Age.

Lisa Wogan

"Bad Dogs" or Bad Publisher?

John Grogan, author of the best-selling Marley & Me, says he will do nothing to publicize his next book, Bad Dogs Have More Fun, out in September. Sounds like success has gone to his head, eh? Not exactly. Apparently, Vanguard Press and the Philadelphia Inquirer made a deal to publish Grogan’s newspaper columns (which the Inquirer owns) as a collection without his knowledge. Grogan first heard about the project in a letter after the deal was struck. Feeling blindsided, he had his agent send a letter to his current publisher, HarperCollins, to emphasize that he will not promote or support the Vanguard book.

According to Publishers Weekly, Grogan “believes the book, which features an image of a puppy on the cover, is shamefully trying to piggyback on the success of his smash bestseller. ‘This has nothing to do with wanting to publish my columns and everything to do with [Vanguard and the Inquirer] getting a piece of this very large audience I have with Marley & Me.’”

      

For the full scoop, go to "Grogan Howls Over Vanguard Book." - Julia Kamysz Lane

Dogs of War

In the June 4 issue of The New Republic, a soldier in Baghdad, writing under the pseudonym of Scott Thomas, describes Iraq’s “zombie dogs.”

If you patrol Baghdad at night, you end up sharing the streets with dogs. Thousands of them roam the darkened city, some mangy, others well-groomed, promenading through piles of garbage and bricks. Sometimes, when they’re alone, they pass by nearly undetectable except for the quiet scraping of their unclipped claws along the alleyways and the strange iridescent glow of their eyes. More often, they congregate in giant packs. They fight and howl and bark, and they are louder than the people who inhabit the city during daytime.

In his report, Thomas’s patrol halts to investigate some canine commotion. They discover a small group of starving animals feeding on a corpse.

Almost within arm’s reach of the body, two of the more deranged, wild-looking dogs were still pursing back their lips to scoop up brain tissue with their fangs.

My life with dogs has no reference for this sort of moment, even though I’ve read scenes like this in other accounts of other wars. The image on paper is not one you can easily get out of your head. (It’s just so horrifically topsy-tu