Pit Bulls: Killers or Companions?

By the way, that cute pup is Maya, available for adoption at the Chicago Anti-Cruelty Society. More at http://www.anticruelty.org/.
I found another article explaining why pits AREN'T killers, murderers, and the cause of every dog bite in the known world. Read it here: http://www.gomestic.com/Pets/Pitbulls:-Killers-or-Companions.13362 and be sure to check out the comments as well. There is one particularly interesting one that the press blames "pit bulls" for all dog bites but it turns out later that it was in fact a completely different breed. As the comment states, it is often a golden retriever. Deciding whether or not that is true is up to you. I'm just here to enforce that "Bully" breeds are the best!!!!

Two Books You MUST Read If You Are Getting Ready to Adopt a Dog

• Adoptable Dog: Teaching Your Adopted Pet to Obey,Trust, and Love You by John Ross and Barbara McKinney


• The Complete Guide to Mutts: Selection, Care, and Celebration from Puppyhood to Senior by Margaret H. Bonham

From training techniques to special supplies to just about everything else, these books are chock-full with wise words for your adopted canine.

How to Change your Dog's Name

Are you having second thoughts about your dog's name? Maybe Mosley fits your pup better than Fred. Or perhaps your newly adopted older dog has a moniker you don't particularly enjoy. Here's how to change his name without confusion.

• For a few days, continue to call him Fred(or the name you don't want).
• Then, link the two names together, and praise your dog for reacting. (Fred-Mosley)
• Once he reacts well to that, simply drop the former name and use only Mosley.

You might find that Mosley now answers to both his new name and Fred. Read more at: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1562943/how_to_change_a_dogs_name.html?cat=10

Chicagoans Looking to Adopt A Dog, Cat or Rabbit...

GO TO THE CHICAGO ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL!!! One of the city's few "kill" shelters(if not the only). The adoption fee is $65 for both dogs and cats, and for dogs it includes spay or neuter, City license, Rabies inoculation, booster for Distemper, Hepatitis, Lepto-spirosis, Parainfluenza, Parvo-virus, Heartworm test (DHLPP), AVID Chip. For cats, the fee includes spay or neuter, Rabies inoculaiton, booster for Feline Distemper, Pneumonitis, Rhinotracheitis, Calici (FVRCP), Feline Leukemia test, AVID Chip. Rabbits are only available seasonally so call or visit to check if a rabbit is waiting for a forever home.
So please save an animals life and adopt from here. It costs less than at any other shelter I've found in Chicago so far. Come to the shelter located at

Chicago Animal Care and Control

2741 South Western Avenue

Chicago, IL 60608

(312) 747-1406

Adoption hours are from 12 noon to 6 pm but viewing ends at 7 pm. Open 7 days a week.

Weird Facts about Dogs You Never Knew...

• The world's smartest dogs are thought to be (1) the border collie, (2) the poodle, and (3) the golden retriever... while the dumbest dog is believed to be the Afghan hound
• Dogs judge objects first by their movement, then by their brightness, and lastly by their shape
• Dogs have two times as many muscles to move their ears as people
• The longer a dog's nose, the more effective it's internal cooling system
• An elderly woman was saved by her 12 pound Yorkshire Terrier who fought off an 80 pound Akita and survived with only 9 stitches
• It is a myth that dogs are color blind. They can actually see in color, just not as vividly as humans. It is akin to our vision at dusk.
• Dogs DO have better low-light vision than humans because of a special light-reflecting layer behind their retinas
• A German Shepherd guide dog led her blind companion the entire 2100 mile Applachian Trail
• If never spayed or neutered, a female dog, her mate, and their puppies could product over 66,000 dogs in 6 years!
• Dogs' only sweat glands are between their paw pads
• Like human babies, Chihuahuas are born with a soft spot in their skull which closes with age
• Teddy Roosevelt's dog, Pete, ripped a French ambassador's pants off at the White House
• The average city dog lives 3 years longer than a country dog
• In 2002 alone, more people in the U.S. were killed by dogs than by sharks in the past 100 years(that DOES NOT mean dogs are vicious, but rather humans have more contacts with canines than sharks. And I presume you have never seen a shark walking down the street?)
• Basset Hounds cannot swim
• The Bible mentions dogs 14 times.
• Three dogs survived the sinking of the Titanic - a Newfoundland, a Pomeranian, and a Pekingese
• There are only 350 Cisky Terriers in the world - perhaps the rarest breed
• Dogs have no sense of "time"
• Only dogs and humans have prostates but dogs do not have an appendix
• A dog's smell is more than 100,000 times stronger than that of a human's
• Davy Crockett had a dog named Sport

Do these interest you? Read more at http://www.thefoundbin.com/lost-and-found-articles/102-weird-facts-you-never-knew-about-dogs !

Are you adopting a dog? Here are some essential supplies...

• Dog Crate- A dog crate is the most important piece of training equipment you'll want to bring home along with a new puppy or adult dog. A crate gives your dog a den-like area where they will feel safe and secure. Most importantly, they are great training tools and help speed housetraining. Your home and your puppy will stay safe by crate training! Make sure if you are adopting a puppy you purchase a crate with a divider so your puppy.
• Leash & Collar- You will need a collar and leash to make sure your new pet gets home safe and sound. For growing puppies, and adjustable collar will work best. Remember, even a trained dog can become distracted and end up in a dangerous situation. Always leash your dog when outside a fenced area.
• Chew Bones- Dogs need to chew. Chewing provides dental benefits and relieves boredom. Chew bones are a much better alternative to satisfying your dog's urge to chew than the leg of your elegant dining room table or your new pair of hiking boots. We suggest Booda Bones, Nylabones, Kongs, and natural hollowed marrow bones. Make sure you bring home a supply with a newly adopted pet... your couch will thank you!
• Dog Food- You will need a high quality dog food to feed your newly adopted friend. A sudden change of a dog's primary diet can be hard on both their stomachs and their eating habits.
• Food & Water Bowls- Your dog will need a separate dish for water, and one for food. We suggest no-tip stainless steel dishes. They work well and will not slide all over your floor, making messes less likely. If you will be giving your dog water in his crate, we also recommend a ceramic crock for this purpose. They are heavyweight and dogs do not like to chew them. Dishwasher safe!
• Kong- Providing food and/or treat stuffed Kongs for your dog can keep them contentedly busy (working) and out of trouble for long periods of time. This is the only safe toy to leave in the crate with your newly adopted puppy or dog! Buy one (or two, or three). Your furniture will thank you!
• Treats- Remember to include a bag or box of cookies on your list of essentials, which will double as training treats for a job well done. Use them to enforce good outdoor potty habits, teach obedience, or just to show your dog affection and build his trust in you.
• Bed- If you want your newly adopted dog to stay off your furniture you will need a soft, comfortable place for him to call his own. You can train him to go to his bed while you are "on" your furniture. This product should not be left in the crate with a chewing puppy or new dog. Once you are certain they are past the chewing phase they may have a bed in their crate, until then this would be an item for them to enjoy while they are out.
• Basic Grooming Supplies- It is important that you get off on the right foot with a newly adopted puppy or dog. Get him used to nail trimming and brushing immediately.

Read more at: http://www.wrightwayrescue.net/Essentials.html

Don't Litter: Spay and Neuter

One reason why there are so many unwanted animals in shelters nowadays is that irresponsible owners do not spay/neuter their pets. Male dogs won't want to roam, male suitors won't be arriving to see your female, and it reduces aggresive behaviors. Also, your female dog won't return home pregnant. Come on, whadda you have to lose? If you think you can't afford it, search the Internet for low-cost or even free spay/neuter programs in your area. A local humane society might be a good place to check out. Remember: DON'T LITTER, SPAY AND NEUTER!!

Poor dogs

Read this chilling excerpt from an article on CNN:
"The shotgun blast rips into the stray dog's midsection, sending it tumbling over and over. Agonizing yelps echo through the streets as it tries to reach and bite at the gaping wound. Minutes later, the dog is dead. A few miles away, a puppy eats a piece of poisoned meat. Its body starts to twitch and spasm as the toxins kick in. It dies within 15 minutes."

Vets feed stray dogs pieces of poisoned meat. Police shoot and kill them. This is done to prevent spread of disease and attacks on residents. But SPCA International spokesperson says there is another way. Mobile spay/neuter and vaccination programs are available. The Iraqi government has been slow to respond. (But this is from February)

Read more at http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/02/12/baghdad.dogs/index.html

Im not trying to say anything bad about anyone, but that excerpt wrenched my gut.

Shelter Dogs:Priceless

Just a little something I thought was cool...

For all you canine-loving fashonistas...

Featured are some items available for purchase at http://dreamdogsart.typepad.com

There are many more T-Shirts, mugs, calendars, clocks, boxes and other who-knows-what just waiting for you.

If you're planning to get a dog from a pet store, think again!

This is why we need to support local humane societies and animal shelters INSTEAD of puppy mills.

• It’s estimated that more than 90 percent of dogs sold in pet stores come from puppy mills – large, commercial breeding operations where they’re treated like inventory and stored in crowded, filthy cages with other dogs.
• There are no limits on breeding. Female dogs used for breeding are bred over and over again until their bodies give out. Then they’re destroyed, sold for research or dumped at the local pound. Dogs may well be inbred, which means their puppies might have deformities.
• Dogs raised in substandard conditions often suffer from all kinds of physical ailments, which can result in large veterinary bills – and a lot of heartbreak – for their unsuspecting new owners.
• There is no reason to support the exploitive breeding of companion animals when millions of animals languish and die in public shelters every year.
• Also, have you ever seen pet store dogs going for a walk? They are taught to urinate and defecate INSIDE their crates(which actually must be called cages in this case) which goes against house training, crate training, causes you to have bigger messes to clean and even have to pay big bucks for a private dog trainer to fix this problem. What's the point?

Go to this site to print out something to show your local pet shop that being puppy friendly is better. http://www.stoppuppymills.org/puppy_friendly_pet_stores.html

Support Bully Breeds

I personally cannot understand why there are such stereotypes as bully breeds and rottweilers being killers or toy dogs being ankle biting rats. What viciousness do you see in the faces above?Bully breeds are in fact the best companions for children. And well trained Rotts or toys are the same as your average labrador. ANY untrained dog can attack humans. Labradors, beagles, and golden retrievers included. In fact:

Pit bulls are no more vicious than golden retrievers, beagles or other popular dogs! In a recent study of 122 dog breeds by the American Temperament Testing Society (ATTS), pit bulls achieved a passing rate of 83.9%. That's as good or better than beagles ... 78.2%, and golden retrievers ... 83.2%. How did your favorite breed do? See for yourself: ATTS.org

In the ATTS test, a dog is put through a series of confrontational situations. Any sign of panic or aggression leads to failure of the test. The achievement of pit bulls in this study disproves once and for all the old tired belief that pit bulls are inherently aggressive to people. Like any breed of dog, a healthy pit bull that is properly raised will remain loving and friendly. In the past 20 years, we've seen some sad examples of poorly bred and badly treated dogs that are the byproducts of irresponsible 'backyard breeders' and cruel and abusive homes. These improperly raised, unsocialized creatures can show temperaments far removed from the traditional authentic pit bull. Don't confuse these unfortunate misbreds with the huge majority of well-loved dogs in this country that remain solid in temperament, affectionate, trustworthy and friendly to their dying day.

Don't Pit Bulls have LOCKING JAWS?No. A pit bull's ability to "lock on" with it's jaws is one WHOPPER of a myth that refuses to let go! The jaws of a pit bull are built just as any other dog's jaw. There's no 'enzyme', no special mechanism that would make a pitbull's jaws 'lock'. They're DOGS, not alligators! What a pit bull does have is strength, tenacity, and determination. When he grasps something he wants to hang onto, his willpower is the glue.
Don't Pit Bulls TURN ON THEIR OWNERS?No. Healthy pit bulls with stable temperaments are succeeding in hundreds of thousands of homes across the continent. Dogs that bite people are typically troubled individuals, and they represent every breed. In general, biting dogs have been damaged by improper handling, abuse and/or damaged genetics. The good news is, these types of personalities offer warning signs well in advance of biting, although unfortunately, many ignore or misinterpret their dog's troubling behaviors. To reduce dog bites, communities should invest in bite prevention education efforts such as these programs. For a well researched source of information on canine aggression, visit The National Canine Research Council

Don't pit bulls have to be TRAINED TO FIGHT?NO! Pit bulls are terriers, and terriers tend to be scrappy with other animals if unsocialized, poorly managed or otherwise left to their own devices. Just as farmers have used Jack Russell Terriers to do battle with badgers, foxes and other animals, unscrupulous people have exploited the terrier drive in pit bulls against other dogs for 'entertainment' purposes. Like many breeds, pit bulls can run the gamut from very dog aggressive to exceptionally dog friendly, but each dog shares some potential to fight other dogs if mismanaged. Avoiding dog fights involves understanding terrier traits and basic canine behavior in general. A properly socialized, well managed pit bull should never have to get into a dogfight, because he's accustomed to the presence of other dogs and - IMPORTANT! - he has a smart and responsible owner willing to keep him safe from situations that could invite the unhappy possibility of a scuffle.

Will a pit bull that shows aggression towards other animals go after PEOPLE NEXT?No. Aggression towards other animals and human aggression are two totally different things. We've heard this frightened quote, "He went after a dog (or cat) and our kids might be next!". This is one big MONSTER of a myth that has generated a host of damaging anti-pit bull hysteria. It is perfectly 'normal' for a pit bull to be wonderfully affectionate and friendly with people, while at the same time not 100% trustworthy around other dogs. Like any breed of dog that we see in family homes today, a properly raised, well socialized, responsibly owned pit bull should never be human aggressive. Pit bulls that do show truly aggressive behavior towards humans are not typical of the breed and in some cases, should be humanely euthanized

Is there a pet store in your neighborhood that sells puppies?

Chances are those pups are from puppy mills, living in cramped conditions like the ones pictured above or even worse. Did you see that poor puppy? Take the time to stop poor creatures from suffering inside of the store. Go to http://www.stoppuppymills.org/puppy_friendly_pet_stores.html to download a pledge and invitation to give to a pet store owner. If you get your friends to do the same, you might just accomplish something!!

FREE CLICK TO SAVE THE WORLD!

I've found 2 sites where you click for free- and each click benefits the world, from offsetting carbon dioxide emmisions, to vaccinating dogs, to sponsoring a poor child. And more!
www.care2.org/click2donate (ony 1 click per section per day will count)
www.theanimalrescuesite.com

STARTLING GLOBAL WARMING STATISTICS

And when I say startling, I mean it. Don't treat this as just another article meaning nothing. Maybe this will finally inspire you to go "green:"

• The UN says that 2.8 billion people will face water stress or scarcity by 2025 if consumption continues at current rates. That's in SIXTEEN years!!
• There is an 80% DECREASE in U.S. global warming pollution required by 2050 to stop the worst consequences of global warming.
• America is the NUMBER ONE global warming polluter in the world.
• At least half of the following 5 years are expected to be as hot or hotter than 1998, the hottest year on record(that's in the WORLD).
• America's carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels since 1990 have increased 20%.

If you've been inspired, here are some simple tips:

• Visit http://www.fightglobalwarming.com/carboncalculator.cfm to calculate your personal impact.
• Set the thermostat to no lower than 78 degrees F in the summer and no higher than 68 degrees F in the winter, and turn it one degree up in summer and one degree down in winter(you won't notice a temperature change, but you will notice a lower utility bill.)
• Buy metal or ceramic bowls for your pet.
• Use fans instead of air conditioning.
• Send ecards. Try www.care2.com where every ecard you send saves a square foot of rainforest.
• Use compact fluorescent bulbs instead of incandescents.
• Plant a deciduous tree on the south side of your home, which will shade it in summer and let the sun warm it in winter.
• Close curtains to keep out summer daytime heat or keep in nighttime winter warmth.
• If there is no neighborhood curbside recycling program in your area, visit your city's website to see if your neighborhood to the list.
• Buy second-hand.
• Reuse, reduce, and recycle.

Happy greening!

DOG Facts!!

Here are some randow dog facts I've gleaned off from books and websites over the years.

• Make your walks interesting. Let your dog carry a box, a basket, or a toy while walking.


• The five most common dog names:Male: Max, Jake, Buddy, Bailey, SamFemale: Maggie, Molly, Lady, Sadie, Lucy


• The ten most popular dogs (AKC, 2007) are in order: Labrador Retriever, Yorkshire Terrier, German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Beagle, Boxer, Dachshund, Poodle, Shih Tzu, and Bulldog


• A dog's temperature is between 100.2-102.8 degrees Fahrenheit.
  
• The following indicate possible health problems and should be checkedby a vet: vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, excessive sneezing, coughing,or abnormal discharge from eyes.
  
• Chocolate affects a dog's heart and nervous system; a few ounces will kill a small sized dog.
  

I bet you know most of these already anyway.

Chocoholics, Rejoice!

This picture shows the wonder in use. Inhalable chocolate- Le Whif, it is called. It was developed by David Edwards and several of his students. It uses chocolate particles that are 80 to 300 microns which is too large to enter the lungs. Your mouth is coated with chocolate at less than 1 calorie! You can purchase Le Whif online at the end of the month. The cost is $50 for 24 "whiffs," each of which contains 4 puffs. So the price tag for each "whiff" is $2.00. Pretty neat, huh? Read more at
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-talk-inhale-chocolateapr10,0,7491094.story
or
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/04/10/for_those_who_live_and_breathe_chocolate_a_puff/

Pet Ownership Stats from ASPCA.org

-About 60 percent of all households in the United States have a pet. (Source: American Veterinary Medical Association)
-About 60 million dogs and about 75 million cats are owned in the United States. (Source: Pet Food Institute)
-According to the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy (NCPPSP), about 65 percent of pet owners acquire their pets free or at low cost.
-The majority of pets are obtained from acquaintances and family members. About 15 to 20 percent of dogs are purchased from breeders, 10 to 20 percent of cats and dogs are adopted from shelters and rescues, and 2 to 10 percent are purchased from pet shops. (Source: Ralston Purina and NCPPSP)
-At least 20 percent of cats are acquired as strays. (Source: NCPPSP) Many strays are lost pets who were not kept properly indoors or provided with identification.
-More than 20 percent of people who leave dogs in shelters adopted them from a shelter. (Source: NCPPSP)
-The cost of spaying and neutering a pet is less than the cost of raising puppies or kittens for one year.
-The average cost of basic food, supplies, medical care and training for a dog or cat is $400 to $700 annually.
-About 75 percent of owned pets are neutered.

Watch this it's SO cute!!!

Click on the link it is the most cute thing ever be sure to have the sound on!!!
http://www.wimp.com/bunnysong

Go Orange for animals

April is ASPCA's Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month. Raise awareness by going orange. The month begins on April 7th, and ASPCA Day is on April 10th.

Here are some ideas:

• Dress in orange.


• Getting ready to sow your flowers? Buy as many orange flowers as you can-just make sure they aren't toxic to animals.


• Organize an orange bake sale with citrus colored cupcakes, cookies, cakes, ice cream and other colorful goodies. Donate your profits to your local shelter.


• Spread the news!

Read more at http://www.aspca.org/about-us/aspca-april/ways-to-go-orange.html