Sherry’s Corner

Dogs and Cell Phones; Liability Insurance; Spaying before Age 4

DOGS AND SEARCHES FOR CELL PHONES. Here are a few thoughts as more and more states pass anti-texting while driving laws!  Did you know that cell phones have a distinct smell, so distinct in fact that dogs can be trained to search and find them?  These cell phone sleuths are used now in prisons but one could add cell phone detection to traffic searches.  The smell is said to be a sweetish, metallic, ozoney, weird robotic reek, according to a recent New Yorker article.  Not only do these dogs find cell phones, but they can also find cell phone chargers, batteries, ear pieces and related objects. In fact, the search dogs can find the electronic devices anywhere–impossible to hide!  New Jersey now has seven German Shepherds and Labradors on duty.  The Jersey dogs were trained by prison officials–and interestingly enough using no tax payer funds.  All these cell phone dogs come from the Seeing Eye dog center in Morristown.  

      One other thought on “texting”.  Texting could be dangerous to dogs and dog  ownership and training.  Dog owners adept at texting as a form of communication may not be developing the skills necessary to read and communicate with their REAL BEST FRIENDS. This is indeed a danger.  It is  a very cold world without such special friends.  Dog owners should be told to turn off their cell phones when they are with their canine companions AS A DANGER TO THE HEALTH OF THE BOND.

LIABILITY INSURANCE. Those who work with dogs, especially those who train or title themselves behaviorists or counselors affiliated with veterinary practices, now can obtain pet liability insurance in Pennsylvania from the John Diana Insurance Agency in West Hazleton.  Phone 570-459-5060.  Both Hartford and Travelers have policies.  Also, noted author Susan Bulanda is teaching two courses at Kutztown University.  A Level 2 course is targeted toward those who want to be a certified canine behaviorist consultant.  (The last word is the important one!!)

DON’T SPAY BEFORE AGE FOUR. A recent study of Rottweilers has found that bitches spayed before the age of four had a significantly shorter lifespan than those spayed at a later age.  Hopefully, more studies will cast some light on this interesting finding.

Adopt an Older Dog Month, Canine Partners, and Canine Flu Warnings

ADOPT AN OLDER DOG MONTH. They say old dogs are the best dogs and certainly Rufus,  the colored Bull Terrier that connects the biggest names in AKC show competition with a TDI certificate is an exciting example of all that is wonderful in the world of dogs!  Rufus is nine years old–not a young dog–and from what David Frei says, therapy is not a leisurely retirement for Rufus.  This busy terrier keeps his owners busy driving him from visit to visit.  (He especially loves children.) Cesar’s “DADDY”, a pit bull, is also a senior canine and according to Cesar continues to inspire “the pack”.  Cesar has titled November as “Adopt an Older Dog Month”.  This is a good message.  So many of our older dogs are left behind due to owner death and disability.  Too many pets are unnecessarily euthanized due to the death or incapacity of their human caregivers.  Look for older dogs to have their own special space. One example is SUPER SENIORS, a proactive approach to aging canines, which will be discussed in a hands-on seminar in New Jersey.  Worth looking into! 

      The other connection Rufus gives us is the new world of mixed-breed CANINE PARTNERS competition.  Hopefully, many of these mixed breeds will also be active in therapy.  Behaviorist William Campbell once mused that dog lovers should breed dogs with CGC titles in order to get the best in family dogs.  This is really worth thinking about. Frei downplays breeding dogs to be accessories–what better purpose can a dog have than being an active therapy dog?

      According to the AKC the first ever Mixed Breed CANINE PARTNERS event will be an agility trial scheduled for April 2, 2010 in Idaho.  To find an event nearby visit akc.org/events/search.  Click on the “Obedience-Agility-AKC Rally” tab and narrow the search by clicking on “Limit to Events Accepting Mixed Breeds” button.  The AKC has approved mixed breed classes for 51 events so far.  

CANINE SENILITY. November has been designated as National Alzheimers Month.  Long ago I became aware of “canine senility”.  Everyone who has been fortunate to share their lives with a senior canine has seen this in such events as when a dog walks into a corner and then seems to forget how to turn around!  Also, a dog may sleep longer and deeper than usual.  There is a prescription diet made by Hills called “b/d”.  This is a very powerful aid.  I add the dry ration to the regular diet.  The daily amount must be adjusted for the dog and degree of confused behavior.  Cagney, for example, is 40 pounds and 12 plus years.  She is doing very well on a third of a cup mixed in with her breakfast ration.  This gives her an active day with a good lifestyle–even a little of her naughtiness!     

CANINE FLU. During a recent Frei/O’Hurley interview on the National Dog Show one of the writers asked about the precautions being taken to minimize the threat of canine flu or CIV which could be present at the National since it is held in Gettysburg.   CIV represents a rare event in adaptive evolution.  The HsN8 equine genome was transferred to dogs and the virus adapted and emerged. At this time CIV is endemic in New York and Pennsylvania–among other states.  It is spread through aerolized secretions and contaminated surfaces like food and water bowls, collars and leashes.  The virus remains active on surfaces for up to 48 hours, on clothing for 24 hours and on hands 12 hours.  The most common clinical sign is a cough that can persist from 10 to 21 days.  The AVMA cautions that the new vaccine may control the disease but does not prevent it and thus it has been labeled as a “lifestyle” vaccine and not recommended for every dog.   

Sorry, Timmy

Timmy, I have a 12-year-old Springer that still wags her tail when she sees me and we take slow walks together.  Cagney needs a special diet and medications to maintain her quality of life.  She has two annual visits now to her veterinarian and these involve all kinds of expensive tests.  Aging is an expensive process.  Dying is very expensive.  Any additional money I have is and will be put aside for her.  She has been my best friend for a very long time and I want her by my side a longer time.  Therefore, contributing to your hearing aid is not an option.

      She was a Therapy Dog International (TDI) pet therapist for ten years but is now retired.  We both miss therapy work with Connie Cuff and the Sunbury Susquehanna Trail Dog Training Club group–especially at HealthSouth on the Danville Geisinger campus.

      Many older dogs lose their hearing.  Many older dogs also cannot see as well as they used to–especially after dark– and they (like us) move a little slower.  This is part of aging.  No one likes it–neither people nor pets–but pets accept this without complaint as a natural process. We must respect this.  We owe them that much.       

      May I suggest your owners teach you hand signals?  My Springers all respond to hand signals and have done so since puppyhood.  I am sure the nursing home residents would enjoy seeing you with this new skill and perhaps it will inspire many to learn to live with this challenge.  Also, many older dogs in shelters not only have night lights but they are used to their caregivers using white hankies to get their attention.  Old dogs can learn new tricks.

      There are special toys for older pets–even a softer KONG for the senior canine!  Some of these toys are scented.  The AKC stuffed animals seems to be all-age play classics.  (And as the holidays approach remember that “toys with noise” provoke and encourage prey responses and–IMPORTANTLY–toys are one of the leading causes for dog bites in dog-child play!)

IF PET FOOD WERE A FOOD. Did you know that pet food is not eligible under the food stamp program in Pennsylvania?  The reason given is that “pet food is not considered a food”!!  It might help if pet food were a food–not just to help pets that live in low-income families, but keeping pet food safe from contamination.  However, since more and more pet owners are reaching into their own cupboards and refrigerators to add carrots, green beans, cherry tomatoes and hard boiled eggs to balance the over-processed dog rations this should not be as big a hurdle as it seems.  

FROM KENNEL CLUB TO CAREER. Melody Fuller made the front page of the Press Enterprise recently with one of her champion Mastiffs.  Melody started in Dobermans and was a charter member of the now defunct Bloomsburg Covered Bridge Kennel Club.  Melody grooms, teaches obedience, and holds classes; she and husband Dave run a boutique that travels weekends on the show circuit.  She is renowned for her dog treats–all homemade in her Berwick kitchen. 

THERAPY DOGS ARE THE THEME FOR THE NATIONAL DOG SHOW PRESENTED BY PURINA!