The Bark and Talk Blog

The Dog is OK, but the bird . . . ?

Chris & Linda — Mon, 25 May 2009 13:39:53 -0400

Don't talk to my parrot ...

Wanda's dishwasher quit working so she called in a repairman. Since she had to go to work the next day, she told the repairman, "I'll leave the key under the mat. Fix the dishwasher, leave the bill on the counter, and I'll mail you a check. Oh, by the way don't worry about my dog Spike. He won't bother you."

"But, whatever you do, do NOT, under ANY circumstances, talk to my parrot!"

"I MUST STRESS TO YOU: DO NOT TALK TO MY PARROT!!!"

When the repairman arrived at Wanda's apartment the following day, he discovered the biggest, meanest looking dog he has ever seen. But, just as she had said, the dog just lay there on the carpet watching the repairman go about his work.

The parrot, however, drove him nuts the whole time with his incessant yelling, cursing and name calling.

Finally the repairman couldn't contain himself any longer and yelled,

"Shut up, you stupid, ugly bird!"

To which the parrot replied,

"Get him Spike!"

Dog Art

Chris & Linda — Thu, 21 May 2009 16:41:55 -0400

We've all seen dog photography, but how about dog art? Like dog photos, there are good ones and not so good ones. It's difficult enough to do a good dog photo but a lot more work to do a good painting of a dog. Through my Twitter account (@BarknTalk), one of the people I follow, Debbie Cheehy, author of the childrens' book I Like Dogs, sent out a list of hashtags of other Twitter users she follows. One of these was @MuttButt which turns out to be MuttButt, Carolyn Anne Anderson's beautiful web site which, among other beautiful art, has a great collection of dog art. Check it out!

Also watch the video from the PBS Artist Documentary ARTe in which she is featured on one of the segments. She has quite a story to tell about herself and her service dog.

Chris

Melanoma Vaccine for Dogs!

Chris & Linda — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:26:13 -0400

My previous post gave you my opinion on well visits at the vet. Our 11 year old Newfoundland was recently diagnosed with an oral melanoma. It was fortunately small and completely removed.

Our vet, Red Bank Veterinary Hospital, is a state-of-the-art veterinary hospital and offers the most current treatment, in particular with diseases such as cancer. A DNA vaccine has recently been marketed for the treatment of melanoma – a breakthrough for this type of cancer. The human gene that is injected into the dog is considered foreign, and the dog's immune system recognizes it as such and mounts an immune response against it. The immune response then directs a continuous attack against the cancer cells.

Studies have noted excellent responses in dogs, with their survival extended by years in many cases. The vaccine involves 4 treatments on an every-other-week basis, with a booster every six months.

Emmett had his second shot today – how thankful we are to have this treatment available to us.

Linda --

How often should you take your dog to the vet? . . .

Chris & Linda — Wed, 20 May 2009 16:24:00 -0400

Owning 5 Newfoundlands and a pet-sitting business, you can imagine how often I frequent our vet's office (Red Bank Veterinary Hospital). Even so, when I mention to friends/clients, etc. that I am on my way to the vet, they often respond, "Again?"

I am a strong advocate of "well visits" for our dogs and encourage my clients to be the same. When our pups reach the age of 4, I take them for 6-month check-ups, regardless of absence of any symptoms.

My feelings on this were recently justified when I brought Emmett, our 11 ½ year old Newf, to the vet for a well check. He was doing very well with a good appetite and overall enjoying good health. Upon looking in his mouth, our vet noticed a lesion which, he was quite sure, was a melanoma. Two days later, the diagnosis was confirmed. Fortunately, it was a small lesion; it was removed, and they were able to obtain clean margins around the lesion site. Had this progressed, the prognosis would be very poor for metastatic disease. The median survival following surgical removal of an oral melanoma is currently less than one year.

Read my next post on "Melanoma Vaccines" and learn about a new and curative treatment for melanoma in dogs. Emmett is currently undergoing this treatment and has a good prognosis.

Linda --

Save the Sato Event - May 9, 2009

Chris & Linda — Fri, 15 May 2009 17:19:48 -0400

Sorry it took so long to get these posted . . . a bit of flu and some other things going on got in the way. Anyhow, the Save the Sato event last Saturday was a lot of fun for both dogs and humans. I went to help out the Wag On Inn Rescue Groups by taking some photos of them and the event. There were displays outside as well as in the HS gym. Sometimes you wonder why go to these events and be with a dog nerds . . . but you immediately change your mind when you see how much everyone (including the doggies) are enjoying themselves . . . even the vendors! Enjoy the photos:

Don't you want to adopt one of these guys? Imagine how happy they could be after being on the streets of Puerto Rico! Can you ignore this little face? . . .

Not all the dogs were excited by the activities . . .

But they perked up if something interesting came to their attention . . .

Of course, Layla, our rescued Sato, didn't mind being the star attraction . . . and all the attention that came with it . . .

But a lot of other dogs got love and attention too . . .

There was entertainment . . . but this mutt wasn't that excited about it . . .

There were other attractions too. . . . . .

Have you considered asking about pet sitting services? . . .

Many rescue organizations had displays and information about their services . . .

But our favorite is Wag On Inn Rescue Groups and the people who give so much of their time to rescuing these dogs:

Another Sato . . . Roxy - one of Layla's Puppies

Chris & Linda — Thu, 07 May 2009 18:06:39 -0400

Check out Roxy's story (with photos) at this site: http://www.artnsouldesign.com/mylittlesato.html

If you've been following some of the previous posts about Layla, you will recognize how much Roxy looks like her mother.

Chris

Dog Books for Kids Are All the Rage . . . Even Joy Behar Has One!

Chris & Linda — Wed, 06 May 2009 16:50:38 -0400

It seems that dog books for kids are all the rage these days. Within just the last couple of weeks, we've come across three:

SheetzuCacaPoopoo: My Kind of Dog by Joy Behar (Author) and Gene Barretta (Illustrator)

Jack and Jill, The Miracle Dog With a Tale to Tell by Jill Rappaport (Author) and Linda Solomon (Illustrator)

I Like Dogs by Debra Cheehy (Author) and Carol Hilliard (Illustrator)

I heard about the first two from interviews with the authors on WNYC Public Radio (my favorite radio station) and the last one from Twitter correspondence. Joy Behar's (from The View and The Larry King Show) and Jill Rappaport's (NBC's Today Show and celebrated New York Times author) books will undoubtedly get a lot of attention because of their previously established fame and in-crowd status.

Although I haven't read the books and don't feel qualified to be a critic of children's books, here are some impressions:

SheetzuCacaPoopoo: My Kind of Dog appears to be an entertaining and well-illustrated little book with a subtle political message about community activism for kids (the little dog organizes the other little dogs to stand up to the bullying big dogs). Other than this subtle message, though, the book seems to have no other purpose than to gain Joy Behar more recognition and money.

Jack and Jill, The Miracle Dog With a Tale to Tell seems like a somewhat hastily pulled together project with amateurish home photos of Jill's dogs with Jack, the German Shepard main character. This is surprising since Jill is billed on the cover jacket as an award-winning photojournalist. The tale of Jack is meant to pull at your heart strings – it's about a brave dog's bout with cancer in which he loses one of his legs but forges on as member of the family. There are many good messages in the story and the book is for a good cause because, according to Jill in the WNYC interview, a portion of the proceeds from the book will go to cancer research for dogs (The Tails of Hope Foundation and the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Foundation).

I Like Dogs, unlike the other books, doesn't have a well-known author who can easily get a lot of attention for her work. This beautifully illustrated book seems to me like it would just bring tremendous joy to a young child just from it's dynamic colors and flowing illustrations – something of beauty that would make a wonderful gift for a child. They have a wonderful web site which encourages other to send in their dog rescue stories and provides lots of information about rescue organizations, adoption and even the basics like "All About Dogs" for kids. I want to wish them the best of success with their wonderful book and web site.

Chris

Pet Sitter at Work . . .

Chris & Linda — Mon, 04 May 2009 19:27:17 -0400

A fellow pet sitter friend of ours, Chris, at work:

http://www.sleepswithdogs1.com/

Why Do Street Dogs Seem So Much Better Adjusted?

Chris & Linda — Mon, 04 May 2009 19:00:34 -0400

Many people have commented, after adopting a dog from the streets (such as a Sato from Puerto Rico), how well-adjusted, happy and so easy to train they are. A friend of ours (Debra Malinics) asked a trainer about that and the reply was interesting: these are DOGs – they had a pack, they wandered, they were off leash, and though they don't have much of a chance for a long life, they get to be dogs and do the things dogs love to do.

When we think about it, most dogs in America have difficult lives. They are left alone most of the day, separated from a pack, have little if any socialization, never get to play with other dogs and don't get much exercise. According to Temple Grandin, in her book Animals in Translation, you can walk down any city street and you will hear dogs barking, whining, crying, separated and alone. Dogs needs to be dogs -- the best thing we can do for them is let them off lead for an hour a day to be dogs. This is why dog parks and socialization classes are so important. All dogs live to play with other dogs (our Jolie – the Empress Dowager – a dedicated loner who stays velcro'd to my leg most of the day may be an exception).

So the conclusion is that these rescued street dogs are so friendly because they are socialized. Allowing them to romp around with some doggie pals every day keeps them happy and well-adjusted. I have observed and many others have commented that, even though it may be inconvenient, taking them to the dog park or the beach to allow them to run off-leash makes them more sociable, communicative and a more enjoyable companion.

According to Cesar Milan, dogs need three things: exercise, discipline and love. I'm sure he didn't mean to omit the fourth, socialization with other dogs, because he always stresses the importance of taking your dog to the dog park (in addition to but not as a replacement for a walk).

Chris

Many thanks again to Debra Malinics for providing the core of this post.

Closing Note: Jolie - the Empress Dowager - has ruled the household as Queen since we lost Emma (our 11-year-old and very sick Brittany) two year ago . . . that is, until Layla arrived in January. Other than Emma, and now Layla, she has never socialized well with other dogs. We know that she was terribly physically abused when she was a pup before we rescued her in Brooklyn and could not be touched for the first year. She still shies away from strangers who bend down to pet her. We assume that part of the abuse she suffered was from larger and more aggressive dogs (she's very submissive by nature).

Second Closing Note (added): Layla got away from me this morning while I was drying off the two dogs after returning from a walk on the beach in the rain. She took off on her own to go explore right after I had taken her harness off which has her ID badge on it. All types of negative thoughts entered my head including how I was going to discipline her.

Then I realized that today is trash pickup day in our neighborhood and I knew exactly what she was doing. I hopped in the car and drove slowly up the block to find her nibbling on some trash that had apparently spilled out of a trash can down the street. A simple call of her name while holding out a treat and she was back in the car -- soaked and dirty but both of us happy to be together again. She was just doing what dogs do!

From the streets of Puerto Rico to the runways of Philadelphia .... the new life of one Sato!

Chris & Linda — Mon, 04 May 2009 16:58:08 -0400

Carmen, a "Sato" (slang for "street dog") from Puerto Rico, adopted through Wag on Inn, made her debut as a fashionista with a starring role as a canine model in a fashion showfundraiser for the Gersham Y, an arts and cultural organization located in Center City, Philadelphia. In March, 2009, Carmen stole the show with her personality, behavior and ensemble, a Burberry styled coat accessorized with a green and brown leather collar and braided leash.

Debra, Carmen's owner, is on the board of directors of the organization, and was a model in the show. Debra and Carmen walked onstage together, with Carmen in a perfect heel. Half way down the runway, Debra dropped Carmen's leash, put her in a "sit/stay" position and continued to the end of the runway where she whirled and twirled while Carmen remained perfectly seated, poised and attentive. Debra then gave Carmen the "come" command and Carmen ran to, and sat down perfectly in front of Debra. While the audience applauded, and the commentator remarked on the well-behaved dog, Debra picked up Carmen's leash, and they walked off stage together.

Everyone loved Carmen! A group of admirers gathered around her after the show, wanting to know how this little dog got to be so well behaved, how long it took, what techniques were used, etc. The truth is, Carmen did everything perfectly from the minute she was adopted. She continues to be an amazing, joyous dog in love with everything - life, people, dogs and balls.

Carmen received a multitude of accolades and letters of praise the next day and she seemed to take everything in stride - simply another day in the big city.....

Debra is ecstatic with her decision to adopt a Sato - "We are sooooooooooooooo lucky to have her. She brings such joy into our lives. Everywhere and anywhere she goes, everyone falls in love with her. I tell how Wag on Inn rescues the satos so we continually spread the word on the work they do. Carmen is their little ambassador.

I never knew owning a dog could be so wonderful and she is the smartest dog I ever owned. I don't know if all Satos are like Carmen but we feel very, very lucky to have found her....or I should say, very lucky that they found her. Thank you Wag on Inn!"

Courtesy of Debra Malinics
Debra Malinics Advertising
701 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
215-627-1348

debra@dma-adv.com
http://www.dma-adv.com

PS from Chris:

We volunteer and work with Wag On Inn Rescue Groups in support of their efforts to rescue the Satos. Not to mention Layla, our own beloved Sato.

For those of your reading this who happen to be in NJ this weekend, we urge you to participate in the 2nd Annual Save the Satos Dog Show & Fair being held in Tinton Falls this Saturday by the Animal Friendly Organization of Monmouth Regional HS with participation by Wag On Inn Rescue Groups and several other organizations.

Remember that Puerto Rico is part of the US. Dog overpopulation, abandonment and abuse is a major problem there. Several organizations are looking for help not only to rescue, transport and adopt these Satos, but also to lobby the political system there and particularly Governor Luis Fortuño
to find humane solutions to this problem. Refer, for instance to the web site of the Save a Sato organization http://saveasato.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20&Itemid=48 for more information and suggestions on how you can help.