Bark Blog

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

Dog Power!

Bored with the same old walks? Then you and your pup might like to try the Dog Powered Scooter and the Dog Powered Trike. They're similar to mushing, except the dogs are harnessed from behind the human driver so he can steer without worry. Architect Mark Schuette of Bend, Oregon, invented the dog scooter and trike as a way to spend more time with his dog and give him enough exercise. For a cool video demo with a Husky and a Rottie, click here.

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

Keep Your Dog Safe From Predators

Over the past few weeks in the Chicago area, small dogs have been under attack by hungry coyotes and even a red-tailed hawk. In all cases, the dogs had been left outside unattended in order to go potty. The carefree days when a dog could roam freely -- or even for just a few minutes to take care of business -- are long gone. Take the time to escort your dog outside, on leash. A small inconvenience for you could literally save your dog's life.

Julia Kamysz Lane

Sons and daughters of Anubis

I’m just back from 17 days in Egypt. It’s always a good thing to see how other people live, but the trip also provided an unexpected window onto how other dogs live. Those lessons began before I even landed. Reading the Herald Tribune’s Egyptian daily on the plane, I saw this headline: Cairo to go back to shooting stray animals despite protests. According to the story (which also ran in USA Today), complaints and dog-bite reports in Cairo and neighboring Giza (home to the pyramids) moved the government to begin shooting strays as a population control measure. The policy had been suspended earlier in the year after complaints from animal rights groups and tourists who had seen the carcasses of shot dogs.

The issue of strays in Egypt isn’t going to go disappear at the end of a gun. This controversial practice, which often leaves wounded dogs to die slowly, has been going on for years. Back in 2002, the World Society for the Protection of Animals was cautiously optimistic about a pilot spay/neuter program. But the current  budget for sterilizing strays is $70,000, well short of the estimated $9 million needed.

At nearly every temple and pyramid I visited in Egypt, there was at least one dog, usually many more. They were all mid-size, Dingo-looking mutts, thin with patchy fur and covered in bugs. I couldn’t figure how they survived, especially in the desert. Despite their ragged appearance, I found their presence reassuring. They were playful and romped with us and each other. They lapped water from our cupped hands and gobbled up our snacks. They were like heirs of Anubis, the ancient Egyptian jackal god, greeting us and guiding our journey. While Anubis is most closely associated with the underworld, he is also the god of abandoned and lost children. I can’t help thinking that Egypt’s abandoned and lost dogs could use a powerful god dedicated to their cause right about now.

Lisa Wogan

Camp Gone to the Dogs!

Over Memorial Day weekend, my dogs and I had the pleasure of attending Camp Dogwood about an hour northwest of Chicago. The experience was both invigorating and exhausting! We arrived Friday afternoon to find an honest-to-goodness camp setting, complete with woods, cabins, campfire circle, beach, dining hall, and plenty of bugs for the dogs to chase. I felt like a kid again!

The first night was a little rough as I was in charge of three large dogs without my husband to help. (We had signed up together but he took a new job within weeks of camp and could only get away on Sunday.) I settled in as best I could and met my roommates – seven humans and eight more dogs. That’s right, we had 11 dogs under one roof! There was little privacy or space, but I couldn’t have asked for nicer roomies, both human and canine.

They were especially accommodating of my oldest Dalmatian Darby’s wariness of new people. I asked them to please allow her to come to them rather than approach her directly and they all helped her feel at ease. The camp provides orange bandannas for anyone whose dog needs extra space or a proper introduction to people and/or other dogs. I worried that fellow campers might give Darby a wide berth or assume she was aggressive, but for the most part, people were very considerate and gave her attention on her terms.

The dogs and I didn’t sleep well that night due to a thunderstorm and an annoying emergency exit sign that kept the tiny room well lit. Plus, my dogs or my roommates' dogs barked at every little sound. For the remaining nights, I opted to commute from my house every day, which was only a 45-minute drive. I hated having spent so much money on a room I didn’t use, but getting a good night’s rest for both me and my dogs was priceless. 

Saturday and Sunday offered a full schedule of activities from which to choose. Camp instructors led seminars on aromatherapy, canine nutrition, photography, thunderstorm/firework phobia, treat-making and more. My pups enjoyed agility, beach games, dock diving, lure coursing, rally obedience, swimming, tracking, you name it! I was especially excited when Darby grew so confident during dock diving that she jumped off the pier repeatedly and whined when she had to wait for her turn.

If I had to pick my favorite activity, it was the herding clinic on Sunday morning, in part for the sheer novelty of it. (Having lived in the city or the ‘burbs, I had never seen it in person.) Any dog with a herding-breed background (purebred or mixed) was eligible for the Herding Instinct Certification (HIC) test. As far as we knew, our rescue 10-year-old Catahoula Leopard Dog, Desoto, had never even seen a sheep before, but we thought it’d at least be fun to try.

So bright and early, we joined a caravan of cars traveling to Magic's Legacy, a stockdog training farm just over the border in Genoa City, WI. Instructor Shannon Wolfe (gotta love the name!) first demonstrated herding with her amazingly quick Border Collie, Minnie. To help us fully appreciate Minnie’s talent, she then asked us humans to attempt to herd the same flock. What a mess! We had sheep running all over the place or standing stubbornly in a corner of the field. It was jaw dropping to see that 12 people couldn’t even come close to accomplishing the work of one little dog.

When it was time for the HIC tests, I felt a little nervous. Would Desoto completely ignore the sheep or would he try to eat them? The moment he entered the pen, he went into a kind of trance, crouched down and started moving the sheep. It was amazing to see him instinctively know what to do. He easily passed the HIC test and did such a marvelous job that my husband excitedly yelled out, “Good job, buddy!” which earned him a glare from the tester. (The owner is supposed to be completely silent and let the dog focus on the task at hand.) We always thought Desoto was special, but as we drove back to camp, we were simply in awe of him.

Unfortunately, my youngest Dal, Jolie, swam a little too much and sprained her tail, known to many a Lab owner as “swimmer’s tail” or “dead tail”  (Sporting Dog Health). The injury limited her activities for the remainder of camp, which was disappointing. Of course, I was relieved it wasn’t something more serious. I decided not to bring her back on Monday so she would take it easy. Knowing your dog’s physical limits was key to making the most of camp. Despite thorough safety precautions on the part of camp instructors and participants alike, dogs will be dogs; there were at least two bite incidents of which I am aware. Also, a greyhound required several stitches to his leg after taking a tumble during lure coursing, a high-speed sport.

Considering how many dogs were at camp and the number of athletic activities, I think everyone did a remarkable job of putting health and safety first.      

If you have any questions or comments about attending dog camp, please post in the “Comments” section. I'd love to hear from you! – Julia Kamysz Lane

Dogs on the Go

Plenty of people fly with their dogs, but they can’t always count on a place for their pooch to potty. Now airports are following the lead of pet-friendly hotels by offering dog amenities such as their own green space (USA Today). Reno-Tahoe International Airport encourages dog guests to use Gate K-9 Bark Park, located near the baggage claim area. The landscaped park features trees and a canopy for shade, fresh water, poop bags and even a fire hydrant. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport offers not one but two dog parks, including the spacious 2,000 square-foot Bone Yard. For more guidance traveling as a pack, Pet Friendly Travelhelps you locate and compare the most Fido-friendly airports in the U.S., from Austin to Seattle. - Julia Kamysz Lane

The dog walker

Interesting piece in the L.A. Times (need a log-in?) about a dog-walker in Buenos Aires:

The paseaperro is a Buenos Aires fixture often photographed by awe-struck American and European tourists who can't fathom how one person can keep so many dogs moving obediently along. The secret, Clemente says, is understanding dog psychology. And having a dog on your side. That's where Homero comes in.

"Homero is 5 years old and he's already starting to look old," Clemente says as she walks from one apartment building to the next, picking up her clients.

"Poor guy. It's the work. You see this other dog over here," she says, pointing to another Lab in her group. "He's 5 too. And not a single gray hair."

"Paseaperro." I love it! Plus, the story made me think of my "virtual" dog friends in Rio, Oliver and Gulliver, who are spending their fall at the beach. -- G.S.