BEHAVIORAL and PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF SPAYING AND NEUTERING DOMESTIC DOGS is the title of a master’s thesis by Hunter College graduate student Parvene Farhoody that was included in PA Federation Digest #2035 by Julian Prager. The research rests largely on the Canine Behavior and Research Questionnaire created by Dr. James Serpell–reliable and valid! The results are interesting and provocative. Hopefully, it will slow the knee-jerk acceptance of this “benign” and “beneficial” surgery as the end-all-answer to many canine problems. After all, after more than 30 years of spay-neuter subsidies and banners we still have overpopulation, so clearly the surgery has not been a sufficient solution for this situation. Now there are reasons to suspect that there are other weaknesses in this over-hyped panacea.
According to the abstract included in the Federation Digest, “Behavioral characteristics of intact male and female dogs were compared with those of four groups of neutered dogs–neutered before 6 months, between 13 and 18 months and after 18 months. Among the findings, neutered dogs were more aggressive, fearful, excitable and less trainable than intact dogs. In addition the author found a significant difference in bone lengths.“
Findings support the need for an immediate re-evaluation of current recommendations to spay or neuter dogs to prevent or treat behavior problems and a full examination of the physical effects of spaying and neutering pet dogs. As most readers know a spayed or neutered dog is considered to have less monetary value by both the AKC and the AVMA. Research has also shown a risk of cancer and cognitive impairment, which further act to support many views.
PETUNIA THE NEARLY BLIND DOG. Hopefully, by this time Petunia has found a home. Her story in the Daily Item was heart-wrenching. But, she is not alone. There is an animal sanctuary that specializes in caring for animals with disabilities. Rolling Dog Ranch even has special diets for its residents. http://blogrollingdogranch.org
FLEA AND TICK PESTICIDES. There has been growing concern about the use of flea and tick pesticides (spot-on-products) causing skin irritations and death in animals less than three years of age and/or weighing 10 to 20 pounds. It might be wise to check with your veterinary hospital if your dog falls in one of these areas.
WALKING YOUR DOG–HEALTH CARE’S SECRET WEAPON. According to a study in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health, people who own and walk a dog are 34% more likely to meet federal benchmarks for physical activity. Physical health benchmarks call for at least 150 minutes of such activity a week. Middle-age people have the least time to walk a dog; younger and older people get the most physical benefit; puppies were more apt to be walked than older dogs; and larger breed dogs were walked longer than smaller dogs. Wonder what difference weekly class training would make in staying young? Perhaps there should be a study on the effect of class dog training on owner health and fitness!
Apr 11, 2011 | | Uncategorized
In the case of Three Mile Island, the lack of planning for pet owner/pet evacuations led, after the accident, to a series of public meetings and community surveys, with results widely reported in the popular and research presses. These discussions also resulted in a number of statewide and community projects and efforts. These include a Pet Alert Wallet Card designed by Animal-Vues, a nonprofit education organization located in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. The card effort was funded initially by Pennsylvania electricity supplier PP&L and distributed around the world after an article on the effort appeared in USA Today. These cards are still being distributed today at no cost by local animal rescue organizations (although a donation is appreciated). The original card had a red border to make it easy to find in a wallet or purse. The holder could write on it the names and contact information for caregivers. It also include the name and phone number of a veterinary hospital, location of pets in the home and how to gain access to them. The current Pet Alert Wallet Cards are more elaborate.
In addition to the Pet Alert Wallet Card, Animal Vues compiled the first small animal (pet) disaster guide, published by Bloomsburg University. The initial 32-page book, Guidelines for emergency pet care, had both easy-to-view and easily understandable illustrations and text. In a later copyrighted version, some of the instructions were modified after consultation with animal behaviorist Dr Sebastian Heath.
More recently, Columbia and Montour counties in central Pennsylvania have established a SART—a state animal response team composed of community volunteers with medical, organizational, and other related expertise and experiences to aid local communities in the evacuation of pets and pet owners to designated sites stocked with medical, food, and other supplies needed to keep pet and owner together in a natural or other crisis.
Most recently, the nuclear disaster in Japan and stories appearing on the national and international news about abandoned pets have reawakened concerns for pets and pet owners. Japan’s earlier institution of the American Kennel Club’s Canine Good Citizen program through the work of trainer Terry Ryan in that country has aided rescue and evacuation efforts throughout tsunamis and other natural disasters. Canine Good Citizen program graduates are well-behaved dogs who have been taught to ignore distractions and be calm in all kinds of adversities.
Crises like Three Mile Island, and now the nuclear challenges in Japan, offer valuable lessons learned to animal care, veterinary, community, and other leaders who wish to ensure that all members of an affected community receive care and shelter. During the Three Mile Island accident, the radio was the only form of information, panic was rampant, and there was widespread distrust of authority. There were eyewitness accounts of veterinary hospital parking lots swamped with free-roaming cats and dogs left there by their caring owners. The vast majority of pets were left to roam. Only the milking herds and the Hershey Medical Center research animals were protected—the herds were kept in their barns and the research animals were shielded underground.
Finally, several studies and many articles have been written about disaster planning and pets since Three Mile Island, but very little since that time focusing on nuclear disasters specifically. This article goes some way toward offering practical advice but much more information is needed, as demonstrated by the recent crises in Japan. We should not have to endure a nuclear crisis to receive information about how to survive it, especially with pets—forewarned is fore-armed, and later/during a crisis may be too late for our pets.
What to do in the Event of a Natural or Other Disaster
Overall, pet owners should:
· Ensure that their pets are car-trained and social so that evacuation to a community facility is less stressful both for owners and pets
· Especially for dog owners, participate in Canine Good Citizen training
· Obtain a Pet Alert Wallet Card and keep it on their person
· Be prepared to quickly assemble supplies for evacuation to a shelter, including food, water, bowls, leashes and/or crates/carriers, medicines, bags and scoops for waste, a favorite blanket or something familiar to the pet
If a pet owner must leave their pet at home:
· Put a note in a front window near the front door/on the door about the presence of pets (number, type, ages, medical conditions, etc.)
· Put pets in a basement or bathroom area with access to food, water, and a place to eliminate—typically, there should be a sufficient supply of food and water for at least 48 hours
· If the confined space includes the pet’s crate/carrier, put a small basin of water, or, in the event of several crates/carriers, a small child’s plastic wading pool on the crates to protect the pets from radiation and serve as an emergency source of water
Apr 03, 2011 | | Uncategorized
HOSPITALIZATIONS FOR DOG BITES NEARLY DOUBLE IN 16 YEARS –IS THE CANINE GOOD CITIZEN PROGRAM A FAILURE? This headline in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association should give all responsible dog owners pause. The Canine Good Citizen program was created to prevent increases in dog aggression that were making headlines 16 years ago. Since that time the CGC has become a benchmark for responsible ownership and well-behaved dogs. Clearly, this has not been enough, because not enough about this troubling trend has changed. Statistics quoted in the JAVMA article parallel those reported by Drs. Alan Beck, Aaron Katcher, Randall Lockwood, Larry Glickman, et al. Bites are most frequently inflicted on the head and neck, with boys bitten more often than girls and most victims under the age of ten. Dog bites, like spay/neuter, seem to be perpetual problems. Over the years there has been a decrease in child-targeted dog safety education. The only visual education in dog bite education is the Blue Dog DVD distributed by the AVMA and coloring books for pre-school through second grade by Animal-Vues. Even the insurance companies have stopped publishing coloring books and seem to putting their efforts into practices that exhibit some tendencies toward breed discrimination. The AKC’s answer to this has been “this is not a breed for the first time owner”. It does not acknowledge that “all dogs bite”.
The Hartford is now a sponsor of the AKC Canine Good Citizen and S.T.A.R. Puppy programs. The slogan is MAKING GOOD DOGS GREAT. Perhaps now with the AVMA study the new slogan should be modified to read MAKING GOOD DOGS SAFE. For more information on the Hartford sponsorship, visit akc.org/thehartford.
BEN UPDATE. I just received Bennett’s AKC registration. He is TINYWOOD’S GRAND RAGS TO RICHES. His call name is “Bennett”. Today, AKC registration is available for almost all dogs in some limited form. I have always encouraged breeders to register each puppy because I have felt that it not only supports the breed you love, allowing him or her the competitive opportunities needed to live up to his or her potential, but the organization, but the funds and practice strengthen the AKC, making it better able to speak for all dogs. Registration fees also help to support such programs as the Canine Good Citizen program, the AKC Canine Health Foundation, search and rescue teams as well as legislative efforts on the state and federal levels. However, the AKC’s alleged stand on the Pennsylvania dog law (puppy mills) is giving me pause. And, unfortunately, I also have reservations about the complimentary health plan since reimbursement is based on breed profiling and about the AKC CAR microchip program because the chips have not yet been standardized. I also received a DVD titled “Our New Dog and You–A Beginner’s Guide to Dog Care and Training”. One of the co-narrators is the very knowledgeable David Frei. I wish his co-narrator had been a dog trainer like Pat Miller, Carol Lea Benjamin, Terry Ryan, or Pia Silvani rather than another AKC-affiliated spokesperson.
Mar 14, 2011 | | Uncategorized
PA Senator Stewart Greenleaf has re-introduced a bill that would allow exemptions for mandatory rabies vaccination in cases in which the procedure would negatively impact the health of a dog because of infirmity, physical condition or therapy regimen (determined by a veterinarian). S Bill 590 has widespread support in the dog fancy. However, there are many who oppose it. Take the time to make your view heard.
Since Pennsylvania has one of the highest incidences of rabies among cats it would seem this bill would possibly even cause more harm because even if there is a low possibility of exposure to an unvaccinated animal–such as a cat–it would be necessary to give a rabies shot for protection IMMEDIATELY followed by booster vaccinations during the third and eighth weeks.
With the abundance of free-roaming feral cats it would be impossible to protect a dog without an up-to-date vaccination–and remember, a low probability exposure is defined as one in which there is no direct contact!
Veterinary hospital staff oppose the bill, calling it a danger as well as expensive protection. Also, some rescue groups already import puppies and dogs with questionable vaccination statuses and with all of the new breeds–6 more will be recognized this year by the AKC– entering the country, Pennsylvania could become a gateway for rabies. Finally, veterinarians already vaccinate dogs with questionable DNA in rabies clinics. Many of these look like and act like hybrids.
USE OF ARTHRITIS SUPPLEMENTS. Glucosamine and chondroitin are widely used to treat arthritis in humans and veterinary patients. Thus, it is worth considering that only very weak clinical trial evidence supports this practice. Some believe the form has an important impact on effectiveness, with liquid being the most effective. On the other hand, the Nutramax-produced Cosamin DS and Cosequin have substantial clinical trials behind them and come in many forms. The clinical trial is available upon request.
PUPPY CLASSES. The AKC is offering a pilot program for puppies ages 4 to 6 months–designed to increase entries. Offered at two shows so far, this class has drawn entries of 78 and 69. Also under consideration–5th and 6th place ribbons for group competition in which there are more than 12 breeds present.
THE NORWEGIAN LUNDEHUND. During this summer show season, watch for a new breed–the Norwegian Lundehund. The breed has 6 toes and originally hunted puffins. I don’t believe we have Puffins in Pennsylvania so those who purchase them to live in our state will need to find an occupation for them.
Mar 06, 2011 | | Uncategorized
I once reviewed a research study investigating the effect of a full moon on the number and kinds of pets admitted to an emergency clinic–seriously! Although the authors did not find a significant increase in number or seriousness of injuries I wonder if events like the Super Bowl have an effect on pets needing emergency care–perhaps from an overindulgence in cheese? And could the Super Bowl be labeled a UEE? Not seriously.
So far there has not been a veterinarian-led investigation into this very important question although there has been at least one report of UEE (Unusual External Events) on cat behavior. It seems some events can trigger litter box problems as well as eating problems. But, now watch for the UEE affecting your pet. Pet owners, we now have a scientific name for fire works, owner vacations, a new family member! UEE has entered the pet owner’s vocabulary! Also new–creating a video of your pet’s unusual behavior with your phone. A noted veterinarian says such videos can help with diagnosis since home behavior does not always manifest itself in the hospital.
NEW COLUMN. Jacqueline O’Neill of Bloomsburg is now authoring a column for the Allentown Examiner. www.examiner.com It has training tips as well as current events. As most of you know O’Neill is a very successful trainer and owner of a Boxer, a Petite Bassett Griffon Verdeen and a Toy Fox Terrier. She has wide experience in pet therapy (including 9/11 with her boxers), rescue and agility and her dogs have been on Animal Planet Dogs 101.
NATIONAL HEART MONTH. February is National Heart Month–for dogs too. The AKC Canine Health Foundation is developing a promising pharmaceutical that blocks seratonin in the mitral valves of dogs with cardiomyopathy. The Foundation also has devised a genetic test for dilated cardiomyopathy. As most owners of older dogs know– heart disease contributes to aging problems. Diets are modified as in humans to include a low salt diet and moderate exercise is part of the treatment. The Health Foundation recently had a fundraiser at the Hill Crest Canine Country Club in Mifflinville (Britany Long). Long plans to formally open training classes in March.
MOST OF ALL I REMEMBER FEBRUARY AS NATIONAL DENTAL MONTH. THE LATE DIXON CUFF ALWAYS, ALWAYS STRESSED DENTAL HEALTH AND CLEAN TEETH.
MORE HEALTH NEWS. The book, Champ’s Story: Dogs Get Cancer Too, has won the Teacher’s Choice Award. By Helen Foster James, the book is available through Amazon. Skipping ahead to March–on the 6th, the Bloomsburg Fire Hall is hosting a Vera Bradley Bingo with proceeds to benefit the Fabulous Felines Cat Rescue. Remember PawsAbilities on March 12th-13th.
Feb 28, 2011 | | Uncategorized
By now most of you know about the head butt Martha Stewart suffered when she said good bye to Francesca, one of her French Bulldogs. Stewart obviously forgot the adage–”let sleeping dogs lie”–even in the kitchen! As Stewart bent over Francesca to give her a kiss, the dog sprung up and their heads collided. The bloody result–stitches in Stewart’s split lip and a slight whiplash.
Gerontologists want seniors to stay in their homes as they age but this involves the danger of falls and inevitably dogs enter the discussion as a danger. A house is only a structure without a resident companion dog and so it is past time we factor them in as safety issues. As Stewart proved–a small dog can be dangerous without a fall! Further, do we really know how many falls are caused by dogs? Or for that matter has anyone done a study on what breed can predict a Super Bowl victory or an early spring? (I’m only half kidding!)
Unfortunately, small breeds do not know they are small and they have all the behavior problems of larger dogs. Since the naughtiness is often indulged, the behavior almost necessitates a trainer who understands the small dog psyche. Terriers and toy dogs don’t think like Great Danes. Perhaps the Agencies on Aging need to include a dog trainer as a resource?
I NEVER WANTED TO SAY GOOD-BYE. The title of this book sums up all the feelings of any dog owner who has had to feel the grief of losing their beloved pet. Originally published in the 1990s it has been re-printed with a foreward by Betty White. White probably has thousands of products and books presented to her hoping for an endorsement. That she has chosen this book of poems is indeed high praise–and as the owner of a first edition I agree with White. The author is Arlene Klein. She writes about her sadness and loss, gently touching upon emotions we all can share. The dogs described in the book are Yorkshire Terriers that not only watched life from matching bean bag chairs but from trips around town. Today the love of her life is Scout, a retired champion. (Speaking of champions, here we should mention that Sadie, the Scottie that went Best in Show at Westminster last year, will be absent from ringside due to motherhood.) Klein’s dogs are immortalized in a videotape on the Canine Good Citizen, a program White also endorsed when it was first produced by the Latham Foundation. A portion of the proceeds is donated to the Morris Animal Foundation for Canine Health Studies. $9.95 Publisher Designing Poet www.amazon.com
RECENT STUDIES WITH SURPRISE QUESTIONS. Recent study results are indicating that a commercially available point-of-care relaxin test kit designed for use with dogs can be be used to reliably detect pregnancy in cats. (This is the first time I was aware there was a pregnancy test for dogs. How about you? Usually ultra-sound and x-rays are used to determine pregnancy.)
A recent study found that canine influenza virus can spread easily among dogs and can cause lung damage.
A commentary published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association discussed the decapitation of rodents as humane euthanasia.
The commentary cites newer research challenging this conclusion. Why this newer research–are we still decapitating animals in our research laboratories?
Feb 13, 2011 | | Uncategorized
Kim Kezer not only trains her winning Irish Water Spaniel, Fiona, she also trains hippos , jaguars, and giraffes for the Franklin Park Zoo. Fiona is the number three ranked Irish Water Spaniel and has been featured on Animal Planet’s Dogs 101.
A Pennsylvania champion Labrador Retriever from Richboro specializes in working with young children in an assisted learning program–including the disabled and autistic. Owner Wendi Hunter (kennel prefix Ridgeway) holds a “read to the dogs evening” at the local library.
A Rottweiler named Riley is the mascot for the Church of the Epiphany in Spartansburg, SC. It will be the first appearance for Riley and owner Episcopal Priest, Henry Tollison.
Vietnam Vet Doug Toomey, North Carolina, who trained sentry dogs will be on the carpet with Eddie, a Miniature Bull Terrier, while Seaworld trainer Jamie Marti of Orlando will be there with Harley, a top Belgian Malinois. And, the trainer of Rachel Alexander, the 2009 Eclipse Thoroughbred of the Year, will bring Poker, a Norwich Terrier she purchased with poker winnings. The first show dog for Caroline Dodwekk, he has been the number one Norwich for the past three years.
An Iraq war veteran will be in the ring with a Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Moose. Larry Lentz now owns an Illinois boxing gym that trains pro and amateur fighters. Moose is the lifeguard at the gym. And then there is a Leonberger named Cisco. He is a Delta Society therapy dog and certified Animal Assisted Crisis Response team member–he also participates with his owner Lorene McLaughlin of Vermont in the weekly READ program. Another Leonberger, Gigi, survived a near-death experience when neighbors tried to poison her. She and her owner, Jean Boggie, also survived a capsized boat.
And last, but not least–an Alaskan Malamute named Kinky from Montana. Owners Baker and Coburn also raise Icelandic sheep and angora goats.
If there could be a BEST IN AMERICA, then these owners and their best friends should win the titles. A big WOOF to all who train their dogs week in and week out!
Feb 09, 2011 | | Uncategorized
Each year I receive an invitation to join a Westminster media conference call. This year, invitees were allowed to ask David Frei and Tom Bradley questions. Tom Bradley is the longtime show chairman of the Westminster Kennel Club and David Frei is an authority on all things canine and host of telecasts on the USA Network–for the 20th straight year!
I thought you might be interested in the following trivia.
ENOUGH AIR TIME FOR ALL BREEDS. A problem for television–a total of 179 breeds are currently recognized by the American Kennel Club and this number will increase to 185 next year. Both Bradley and Frei say with the increase in number it is increasingly difficult to make sure each of the breeds has time on camera. This year each of the group judges have judged Best in Show. The Westminster BIS judge is from Italy. In March he will follow the Westminster judging assignment with the task of judging BIS at Crufts.
THERAPY. Frei shares his life with a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named “Angel”. Angel excels in therapy in a women’s health unit while “Grace”, a Brittany, follows in the pawprints of Frei’s previous Brittany’s (both passed this past year). Both dogs “dabble in the show world and are dedicated to their work as pet therapists”. Although Bradley has had an active past with sporting breeds–German Shorthaired Pointers and more particularly Labrador Retrievers– his canine companion in the office is a Border Terrier. Westminster Best in Show winners have an active history in pet therapy and Frei said the English Springer Spaniel, James, was and is a wonderful therapy dog–followed closely by Rufus, the Bull Terrier. Eight of the former Westminster winners are active and over ten years old!
THE SHOW IS FAST APPROACHING. Westminster is held on the 14th and 15th (this year, the Empire State Building will be red in honor of Valentine’s Day, not the customary purple and gold). Then Frei says, “the world is ready for us on Wednesday–even though the winner, his owner, handler and other connections have been partying all night!” This year the media events include a trip to Sardis for the traditional steak (last year they were hosted by Donald Trump) and the Stock Exchange on Thursday. The winning dog will also be on Martha Stewart this year for the first time. Frei says he knows how to operate every cell phone as New Yorkers line up for pictures. New York is a dog-friendly city even when Westminster is not on the agenda. The Westminster BIS usually is retired after this triumph since if s/he were to be defeated it would cast a negative note on a great win. After the Westminster whirl the BIS goes home for a rest and doesn’t return to New York until the Garden Show!
Uno had the most active schedule but is not the best therapy dog since for the Beagle–it is all about him!
PENNSYLVANIA CONNECTION. And, Bradley has a Pennsylvania connection. He hunted with German Shorthaired Pointers trained by the late Dick Johns of Benton. In the past he has showed dogs in Bloomsburg and even spent a New Year’s eve in Benton as the guests of the late Dick Johns and the Eyerly family. On the media conference call we spoke of the clusters of AKC-sanctioned shows held on the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds with its quality entry. (Odds favor an Irish Setter winning BIS–perhaps a duplicate of the breed’s triumph on the Fairgrounds and at the National!)
Having a retired champion therapy dog is truly a breeder’s dream–a picture of all that is really a great dog!
Feb 03, 2011 | | Uncategorized
Her owner boasts about Gabby, a 14-year-old Golden Retriever that stole a box of Christmas Gertrude Hawk Smidgens from under the tree. “She knows expensive candy when she smells it,” he smiles. He doesn’t understand that the real accomplishment was consuming the whole box without any gastrointestinal upset! Another Christmas miracle–a research nutritionist reports that camel’s milk will stop a dog from barking! Peace on earth?
None of this comes from a bonafide nutritionist or even clever marketing. Dog food takes up more space in a grocery store than does baby food. Most popular are light foods and foods targeted to a specific age. If you happen to have a thin dog recovering from an illness or disability, you are out of luck. As most dog owners know, Cornell University has graduated some of the most prolific animal nutritionists in the country–from Ben Sheffy through David Dzanis. The college is even well known for its human nutritionists. A recent book credits a team of Cornell nutritionists with maintaining Franklin Roosevelt’s weight so he could live comfortably in his wheelchair–it also mentions that his wife Eleanor was known to be a terrible cook (she took cooking lessons at Cornell!). But, no one worried about Fala’s weight! Apparently there were no doggy treats then or perhaps it never occurred to the President to sneak his Scotty any of Eleanor’s bad cooking.
SENATE BILL 1454. Introduced by Senator Greenleaf, this bill would exempt dogs and cats from mandatory rabies vaccination if they have existing medical conditions. Mandatory rabies vaccination was enacted in order to set up a protective barrier between wildlife and people. It has worked for the past 40 years in the Commonwealth. It has worked for millions of pets. Why should there be exceptions for the few? And, if the bill passes how will that affect the rabies law? In today’s economy, is the cost of a new law to benefit a few necessary to pass and implement?
VETERINARY PRICE SHOPPING. Many dog and cat owners in the present economy wonder why fees vary from hospital to hospital. Dr. Nancy Kay, in a recent blog that attempts to discourage fee comparisons, cites the following precaution–watch for hidden fees. “Some clinics may offer an extremely reasonable quote for a surgical procedure but then charge additional fees for the office visit or for removing stitches.” Also, it pays to investigate the clinic. I know a girl who adopted a dog from a shelter and had the shelter’s vet neuter the dog. When she went to pick it up both back legs had casts. She was told that neutering caused a dog to be pigeon-toed, which in turn necessitated the casts. Sometimes it pays to pay more and avoid expensive complications from substandard care. Trust between veterinarian and client is the most important consideration in deciding cost.
And, speaking of spaying, Kay says the word usually refers to removing the uterus and both ovaries. However, it is perfectly feasible to just have just the ovaries removed. The result, Kay writes, is that the dog cannot conceive and any chance of developing ovarian cancer is eliminated. Pyometra does not occur and the chance of uterine cancer is extremely low. Less time is spent in surgery and trauma is a lower-risk possibility. Before you spay or neuter discuss the procedure with your veterinarian and visit http://www.speakingforspot.com/blog/?p=1905 “A different way to spay”.
Jan 18, 2011 | | Uncategorized
At year’s end we remember the passing of the famous. Pets never make this list–usually! But, this year the Boston Globe offered an obituary of “Splash”, the 13 year-old Portuguese Water Dog that shared the life of Senator Edward Kennedy. One wonders with what joy the two must have greeted each other when reunited!
“I like to think that he and his Master are playing tennis ball fetch again tonight,” Vicki Kennedy wrote when announcing Splash’s death.
Many pets have their names listed in newsletters when crossing the Rainbow Bridge. Why do so few have their own obituary? They too have contributed much. Why are we reluctant to publish our grief? True, sometimes pets are mentioned in a death notice of family members and I have seen many pictures of pets at “viewings” and in veterinary hospital Memorial Albums. A friend of mine once said a picture with a pet defines who you are!
The late Robert Flowers, a veterinarian who gave grief seminars, once noted that men seemed to carry grief harder than women. He often told the story of a football player who had to euthanize his companion. Flowers said the owner made six visits to the hospital before before finally parting with his dog.
I lost my Cagney at age 13 in 2010. She is still a strong presence in my home. She didn’t play ball but I imagine that while she now waits for me she occupies herself with the pet therapy she loved and waves at friends she knows. She loved to wave with her left front paw and I know her wave will be the first thing I will want to see.
Like so many of us the first death we experience is that of a pet. I know mine was. And it remains unforgettable. I can still see my dog in the road and know she had been following me on a foggy morning.
Perhaps we gather these lists and pictures of the people who touched our lives because we don’t want to say good-bye. After all, who wants to forget love?
Jan 02, 2011 | | Uncategorized