Back From Vacation

Michelle and I just recently got back from our vacation to Central Oregon. Michelle and I are both avid hikers and this one of the great water falls we happened upon while we were gone.

Michelle is really getting into nature photography and getting pretty good at it.

Lucy and Kona stayed in a dog boarding facility while were gone. They seemed to really enjoy it and actually acted a little wierd when they came home. It took them a couple of days getting used to being back home.

I think it was partly because of the great care they got at http://www.royalpetkennel.com/Royal_Pet_Kennel_Home.html. The employees there are awesome and you could really tell that they love dogs. If you live in the greater DC area, specifically in the Arlington or Alexandria, check them out.

Therapy dog helps Iowa students learn

By MELISSA REGENITTER Muscatine Journal

LETTS, Iowa - Scooter is always excited to go to school. The 5-year-old waits by the window for his ride to show up and is eager to see all of his new friends at Louisa-Muscatine schools. "He's such a good dog," Valerie Vineyard-Gipple said of Scooter, her yellow Labrador, which recently became a certified therapy dog. Scooter was introduced as L-M's school dog about three weeks ago and he visits three or four days a week. Much of his time is spent in the classroom of Diane Vineyard, Valeries mother. Vineyard teaches students with learning and behavior challenges and Scooter is there to bring a smile to the students. "When someone is having a challenging day he picks them right out of the classroom," Vineyard said. "There was a student that didn't want to learn and he kept taking his nose and nudging his arm." Just having Scooter around comforts students and they respect him and are nice to him, she added. Scooter will be 6 on Christmas Day. He was chosen as a family pet as a puppy by Valerie and her husband, Seth, of Wapello. He is loving and docile, which inspired Valerie to train him for certification through Therapy Dogs International. Therapy Dogs International is a volunteer, nonprofit group with many handlers and testing facilities across the United States, Canada and some other countries. Through training, Valerie learned of the Tail Waggin Tutors reading program and took on the initiative to bring it to L-M. She volunteers by taking Scooter to L-M Elementary School twice a week, allowing students to read aloud to him in a one-on-one setting. The sessions are helpful to students who need encouragement or practice reading and as a reward for good behavior. "I thought being a therapy dog would be a good way for him to share his unconditional love," Valerie said. The love he gets back is evident in the halls of L-M schools. It seems that anyone who passes Scooter cant help but smile, call his name or reach down to pat his head. Studies have shown that therapy dogs promote healing, increase well being and improve the quality of life for those they serve, according to Therapy Dogs International. Aiden "A.J." Sears, 5, has a special bond with Scooter. When he saw the dog in the library Thursday he ran to Scooter, squealed his name, and gave him a big hug. Sears told the story of how he was upset one day, which sometimes happens in kindergarten, and Scooter was there at just the right time. "I was crying and I was walking down from the library. I was having a bad day," Sears said. "I pet him and it made me feel better." Another student who cant get enough of Scooter is second-grader Gabe Hayes. He reads aloud with the dog once a week. Gabe brings books about dogs and Scooter lies nearby providing company. "It's fun to read to him and he's really calm," Hayes said, adding that reading with Scooter has encouraged him to keep trying to become a better reader.

800 Rescued Dogs find Homes

Accordingto the Baltimore Sun, the rescue that took in all of those 800 dogs rescued from the mobile home in Arizona has said that nearly all 800 have been placed in new homes. wow, 800 dogs all placed into new homes. That is quite an accomplishment.

Could you imagine 800 dogs all kind of hanging out in your home, especially small dogs. I would worry about stepping on them all.

Great New Blog

Well it is not new, it has been around. But I just found it. It is http://www.btoellner.typepad.com/kcdogblog and it has a lot of great information about a lot of different things.

It has a lot of great information about dog legislation and breed specific bans.

If candidates were dogs: Mike Huckabee - Beagle

Description: Large-eyed and long-eared, with a pure, kindly and sometimes conniving expression best captured in cartoon version by Charlie Brown’s Snoopy.

Beagles have a keen sense of smell, a desire to hunt and track down strange odors and a tendency to bay unceasingly when something seems amiss.

Behavior: Beagles like to please their masters. Training must begin early or the beagle can get out of hand and indulge in its favorite habits -- overeating and making a mess. They are also excellent escapologists and will attempt to dig their way out of any jam.

This breed, for all its apparent innocence, can be stubborn, hard to housebreak and bark to an annoying degree. Yet they are gentle and good natured and get along well with other dogs. Even inside, beagles are prone to cruising around the house with their noses down, sniffing away as they make an olfactory map of the territory, then checking the area periodically to make sure everything is as it should be.

Tendency to bark: High

Level of aggression: Low

Suitability as guard dog: Medium

This articles originally appeared in the Baltimore Sun

Movies are going to the dogs

An Austrian cinema is letting movie-goers take their pet dogs to films with them in a bid to lure more customers.

The Admiral cinema in Vienna has been struggling against competition from new multiplex cinemas which have been built nearby.

So cinema bosses have started a monthly Doggy Day in a bid to offer something different from their brash modern rivals.

Visitors pay £4 for a ticket while their pet pooch can go in for free and are given a blanket to snuggle up on in their seats, as well as water and popcorn.

A spokesman said: "The only thing different from a normal movie showing is that, on the insistence of local veterinary authorities, the volume levels for the films are turned down a bit so as not to hurt the animals' ears."

Thomas Feldinger, 24, who has already attended one of the doggy days with his pet Labrador Hanjo, said: "It's a great idea. Hanjo loved it in there and so did all the other dogs.

"I thought they might all make a noise and bark through the films but once the film started going they all settled down in their blankets and watched quietly."

Dogs Could Be a Diabetic's Best Friend

I found this articles and though it was pretty inteesting.


SUNDAY, Feb. 3 (HealthDay News) -- Irish researchers hope to prove that a dog's keen sense of smell gives it the ability to watch over the blood sugar levels of diabetics.

Canines have already shown themselves capable of leading the blind, alerting the deaf, and helping the physically disabled with daily tasks.

But researchers at Queen's University in Belfast, Northern Ireland, are taking the "helpful companion" idea one step further by gathering scientific evidence that could verify dogs can reliably detect dangerous blood sugar level drops in diabetics.

"Anecdotal reports suggest that some dogs can perform early warning of hypoglycemia by using their sense of smell to 'sniff out' if their owner's blood sugar levels are dropping," said lead researcher and psychology professor Deborah Wells.

More than 20 million U.S. children and adults have diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. Those with the disease do not produce enough insulin, a hormone the body needs to convert sugars, starches and other food into energy.

Diabetics must test their blood glucose level regularly, even sometimes in the middle of the night to avoid the peaks and valleys that can cause organ failure, say experts.

Wells hopes to find out what cues dogs pick up on so they can officially be recognized and trained as early-warning systems for diabetics.

At least two organizations in the United States already train dogs to detect low glucose levels. But exactly what the canines notice when a person experiences a blood sugar low is still a mystery, said Mark Ruefenacht, founder of Dogs for Diabetics, in Concord, Calif.

The organization is working with a forensic laboratory to identify a possible odor.

"We just haven't come up with the right answers," he said. "Every time we think we have the answer, we find that we don't."

Ruefenacht, a diabetic, started the organization three years ago, inspired after a puppy he was raising for Guide Dogs for the Blind woke him one night. Ruefenacht forgot to check his blood sugar before going to sleep, and he thinks he had a seizure that alarmed the pup.

Since then, the all-volunteer group has placed 30 trained canines in the homes of Northern California residents with type 1 diabetes.

Demand for the dogs is high; more than 100 people are on the waiting list.

Dogs for Diabetics uses Labrador retrievers that don't graduate from guide dog school. These dogs usually flunk for reasons such as refusing to walk in the rain or step onto an escalator -- all skills important for being a working dog, but not a general assistance one.

Ruefenacht said his dogs undergo three to four months of training similar to what is used to prepare dog to detect narcotics or explosives. The 2-year-old canines are first taught to detect scent samples of low blood sugar. Then they learn to find that scent on people, and alert others by holding in their mouth a soft tube that hangs from around their neck.

Dogs that successfully complete training are 90 percent accurate, Ruefenacht said.

These clever canines aren't the only ones that must learn new tricks.

Mary Simon has battled diabetes for more than three decades, and she now drives four hours each week from her home in Fresno to attend the required class.

"I need this dog desperately," said Simon, a diabetic who is also medical director for the Diabetic Youth Foundation in Concord, Calif.

Medication she takes hampers her ability to feel nighttime lows, she said, and the special glucose sensor she wears doesn't always work.

When Simon first learned of the hypoglycemic detection dogs a few years ago, she didn't think their talent was needed because glucose sensors were about to hit the market. Since then, she's changed her mind.

"My own personal experience is we need [the dogs] right now," she said.

Not everyone is so quick to put their trust in the canines' ability.

Larry Myers, a veterinarian and professor at Auburn University in Alabama, has trained dogs to detect everything from drugs to agricultural pests for 25 years. He said the jury is still out on whether dogs can truly detect low blood sugar levels, but he believes it's a possibility worth exploring.

Even though dogs have amazing olfactory abilities, he said they are not universally sensitive to all chemicals.

"Do hypoglycemic individuals, in fact, emit an odor that is characteristic? I don't know, and I don't think anybody does know right now," he said.

A possibility other than scent is the dogs are picking up on visual cues, which is thought to be the case with seizure detection dogs. Such dogs allegedly can pick up on extremely subtle physiological changes in their human companion that may begin five to 45 minutes before an actual attack. The dogs then warn the humans so they can find a safe environment or take precautionary measures.

"It turns out what the dogs are really sensitive to is subtle changes in behavior of the individuals just prior to seizing," Myers said. "It's more of a fact that dogs are very, very, very observant of human behavior."

Amenities for cats, dogs

By Michael Martinez
Mercury News
Article Launched: 12/16/2007 01:53:13 AM PST

Related Stories
Dec 16:
South Bay hotels that welcome petsThe pampered guestWith so many hotels accepting pets, it's no surprise that travelers are including the family dog - and sometimes cat - on their vacations. Here's a sampling of what some California hotels and B&Bs are offering to entice pet owners (always ask about size restrictions and fees):
• Have a cat? At W Hotels, guests receive cat toys and treats at check-in and can request food, litter boxes, a birthday cake and a "Meow-ow Box" first-aid kit. www.starwoodhotels.com.

• The Cypress Inn in pet-friendly Carmel has doggie blankets, evening turndown service and pet sitting. Dogs can run off-leash on nearby Carmel Beach. www.cypress-inn.com.

• The Viceroy Palm Springs offers a personalized dog dish, freshly baked dog biscuits and, in the summer, four cooling pools for dogs to escape the heat. www.viceroypalmsprings.com.

• The Casa Laguna Inn and Spa in Laguna Beach has a certified canine massage therapist available for relaxation, pain or anxiety-relief massages, at $75 a session. www.casalaguna.com.

• Don't have a pet but wish you did? The Hotel Monaco in San Francisco will lend guests a goldfish during their stay. Dogs get use of a bowl, bottled water, chew toys and Lassie videos to stay entertained. www.monaco-sf.com.

- Michael Martinez, Mercury News


http://www.mercurynews.com

This article is another indication that pets are becoming a greater part of our lives and are influencing our decisions more and more. Even more so, leading edge companies are aware of this and marketing products and services to entice pet owners.



Stop by Lucy's Dog House today for dog collars, dog toys and dog beds

Prison program turns problem dogs into pets

Eileen Mitchell

Saturday, December 15, 2007


Last year, Melody was just another typical mongrel from Taiwan: sharp features, pointy ears, curly tail. A fat scar around her muzzle looked as if it had been closed with electrical tape, leading her Taiwan rescuers to believe she had been destined to be somebody's entree.

When the 35-pound mutt arrived at the Marin Humane Society, she was frightened, wary and withdrawn, refusing to leave her crate even for food. Today, Melody is thriving as the beloved pet of Dick and Sandy Drew. Their union came about thanks to Pen Pals of San Quentin, an innovative partnership between the Marin Humane Society and San Quentin State Prison.

The program, funded entirely by the humane society, shows inmate handlers how to teach basic obedience skills and make shelter dogs more adoptable. Since 2005, they have helped at least 86 dogs find homes.

The idea for Pen Pals hit Larry Carson, canine behavior evaluator at the society, after he caught an Animal Planet channel show called "Cell Dogs." The award-winning television series profiled inmates in more than 120 prisons throughout the country who care for and train shelter dogs. Immediately, he envisioned a partnership between the humane society and San Quentin prison, and pitched the idea to his colleagues.

They loved it. So the retired Marin County building contractor traveled to Carson City, Nev., to meet with the Nevada Humane Society and the warden of Nevada State Prison. Since their program, Puppies Up for Parole, was introduced three years ago, prison violence has dropped by 30 percent.

"The warden told me this is the greatest program they've ever had," Carson said. "Prisoners build fences based on ethnicity and geography, but introducing the dogs has lowered those fences and given both inmates and staff an excuse to talk to one another. Because of this animal, they're on common ground."

Using the Nevada program as a prototype, Carson approached San Quentin officials, and they were all for it. Well, most were.

"Some staff didn't think the inmates deserved dogs, plus they had security and health concerns," Carson said. "But after the program was in place and they saw the benefits, their resistance melted. Now most are in favor."

Many prisons conducting similar programs do so in the cell blocks, but this isn't feasible at San Quentin because of its age and lack of space. Instead, Pen Pals is limited to the prison firehouse. Located on the prison grounds but not within the walls, the firehouse is staffed by inmate firefighters who are low-risk, low-security prisoners convicted of nonviolent crimes. They are carefully screened for histories of violence and animal abuse, must have a record of good behavior and have enough time remaining on their sentence to complete at least one full year.

"Humane Society staff and volunteers visit every Tuesday and Thursday," Carson said. "We conduct continuous training classes, follow up on each dog's progress and help with any issues the inmates might be facing. We're in constant contact. It's a real team effort."

Each dog lives with its handler, and canine "sentences" vary from a couple of weeks to six months. Recuperating medical fosters, which constitute 60 percent of Pen Pal dogs, often stay longer because they require close care and monitoring.

About 20 percent are shy dogs that need socialization, and the remaining 20 percent are naughty adolescents in need of basic manners. Aggressive dogs are not considered for the program.

Each inmate keeps a daily log that is monitored by humane society trainers. After the dog leaves San Quentin and is adopted, the new owner gets a copy of the log so he or she knows exactly what the dog experienced during its time in prison. Inmates get a binder with a certificate of completion, photos of their dog, plus paperwork and evaluations. As soon as one dog leaves, most inmates get another one the same day, which makes it easier to say goodbye.

"They take their responsibilities very seriously," Carson said. "That's the most positive thing about the program. They don't feel like they're just wasting their time in prison. Adopters often write to the inmates, through me, saying thanks for the work they put into their new dog."

One such dog was Tigre, a hefty brindle greyhound mix who was 20 pounds overweight and in dire need of training. Carson laughs about photos of the dog on the treadmill. "He was there for a month, lost 15 pounds and returned to MHS with a spring in his step."

Shortly thereafter, retired nurse Pat Flyer adopted Tigre. "The program is terrific. They do a wonderful job," she said. "Tigre was very well trained and listens to everything I say. He's the best dog I've ever had."

The Drews, who adopted Melody, agree wholeheartedly. "They gave us her handler's daily log. He wrote about her with deep care and compassion and expressed the desire to take her back if no one adopted her," Sandy Drew said.

"We have this preconceived notion about inmates, but most of them aren't different from people you meet on the streets," Carson mused. "They just made a mistake or exercised poor judgment. Almost everybody inside is going to be outside. It's our job, through programs like this, to make them the best people possible. Animal shelters and prisons are both in the rehabilitation business: We put out good canine citizens and hopefully they put out good human ones."

Pen Pals of San Quentin
The program teaches specially selected inmates how to train and socialize dogs in preparation for adoption. To learn more about the program, go to www.marinhumanesociety.org


E-mail freelance writer Eileen Mitchell at home@sfchronicle.com. Send your pet concern questions to home@sfchronicle.com with "Ask the Vet" in the guideline, and each month a guest veterinarian will address a different subject. "Ask the Vet" is for informational purposes only. Readers should not act on information seen in this column without seeking professional veterinary advice.

Dog sniffs out record offenders

A Durham Police dog has become so successful at sniffing out offenders that he is being sought after by other forces to assist their operations.

Dibley is believed to be the best performing passive drugs dog in the country, having notched up more than 120 arrests in the last 12 months.

The three-year-old golden Labrador now travels as far afield as North Wales with his handler, Pc Alison Dawson

He can detect drugs including cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, cannabis and rohypnol.

Most of Dibley's work is in pubs and clubs, but he has also visits businesses and schools.

Pat on head

Once his keen nose picks up the smallest trace of a drug on a person he sits, looks at them, and refuses to move.

Pc Dawson said: "Dibley is absolutely phenomenal.

"He is food rewarded and won't move until he gets a reward, or a pat on the head.

"I have come across lots of scanning dogs but Dibley is the best I have ever seen. He just wants to work."

She added that although his arrest total during the year is now 122, he has no plans for retirement.

"He still has a lot of working years ahead of him.

"Although he is currently in love with our cat I have got my eye on a mate for him to develop the Dibley 'strain'."

Original artile is from http://news.bbc.co.uk

dog beds, dog collars, dog toys

Dogs to provide therapy to soldiers in Iraq

Here is Boe, one of the therapy dogs going to Iraq.


BY JENNIFER BARRIOS | jennifer.barrios@newsday.com
December 13, 2007

Sgts. First Class Budge and Boe are headed to Iraq.

Budge and Boe don't have last names: They're dogs. But the pups are now officially enlisted as the Army's first therapy dogs for soldiers in combat.

The two black Labrador retrievers will be stationed with the Army's combat stress units in Tikrit and Mosul. Their role? To help soldiers deal with the stress of fighting overseas.

On Sunday, two (human) sergeants from the 85th Medical Detachment flew to Long Island to meet the two dogs at the Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind in Smithtown, which trained Budge and Boe.

"Our hope is that it brings some normalcy to the soldiers," said Sgt. Mike Calaway, an occupational therapist based in Tikrit, who will handle Boe. "The human-animal bond will help relax them."

And the dogs won't just be playmates for the troops, said Sgt. Jack Greene, another occupational therapist who will take Budge back with him to Mosul.

"The major thing is, they are going to help us knock down the stigma around mental health," he said.

But before heading off to Iraq, the dogs needed to get used to sights and sounds similar to those they will encounter in Iraq.

This week, the soldiers, the dogs and foundation officials visited the shooting range at Brookhaven National Laboratory, where the dogs were exposed to the sounds of submachine guns and handguns.

The dogs went to Long Island MacArthur Airport, standing by as Suffolk County police hovered in a helicopter, the wind whipping at the dogs' fur.

And the dogs braved perhaps one of the toughest tests of all: a jaunt through Smithhaven Mall during holiday season, designed to test their reaction to the chaos of crowds.

The dogs have been in training for months, and each has learned simple tricks as well as how to respond to voice commands such as sit, stay and play.

Now Budge and Boe must bond with Calaway and Greene, their handlers until the spring, when the men are scheduled to return from Iraq.

Then, Maj. Arthur Yeager, an occupational therapist based at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, takes over. Yeager, who is to deploy to Iraq next year, said therapy dogs are used at Walter Reed to help soldiers deal with treatment and recovery. He said he expects it to work on the battlefield as well.

"This is very touchy-feely, no doubt about it, but this works," Yeager said. "I know it works. I've seen it work. These dogs are stress sponges."

Soldiers in Iraq visit the combat stress unit when they become overwhelmed with the rigors of battle or by problems their families face at home.

But not every soldier welcomes the idea of going to the unit. Some have difficulty asking for help with stress, Yeager said. That's where Budge and Boe come in.

"To have a dog come up and nudge your hand -- I have yet to see even the hardest soldier refuse that," Yeager said.

The sergeants and dogs plan to leave Long Island on Saturday for Fort Hood, Texas, where the 85th Medical Detachment is stationed. There, Budge and Boe will be examined by a veterinarian for medical issues before deploying to Iraq.

Boe and Budge also will be given the new rank of sergeant first class. No one has to salute them, though. The rank is set higher than that of their human handlers to prevent possible abuse of the dogs, because the Army looks severely at any service member who abuses a higher-up.

Mike Sergeant, chief training officer with the foundation and a Vietnam-era veteran, said the Army's program is a good step toward meeting the mental health needs of its soldiers.

"Dogs are not going to be the sole answer, but they certainly will be an icebreaker," he said.



- It looks like the troops overseas will be getting a couple of therapy dogs. Awesome.

Two Dogs Save Toddler

staffordshire bull terrier

This article originally came from http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22923049-5001021,00.html

TWO family dogs are being hailed as heroes after they saved a two-year-old boy from drowning in a dam in Queensland yesterday morning.

Police said the dogs, a rottweiler cross and a staffordshire bull terrier, dragged the boy from the water after he had wandered into a neighbour's dam at Mackay on the state's central coast.

The owner of the property found the boy lying on the embankment of the dam covered in mud with the two dogs by his side.

Police said there were drag marks from the water's edge to where the boy was lying and small scratches on his arms from the dog's claws.

"We are certain the dogs pulled him out of the dam," a police spokesman said.

"It is an amazing story."

The Queensland Ambulance Service said the boy had been taken to hospital and was recovering at home last night.



I am not sure if a lot of folks have seen this article. I would assume not since it was over in Australia. If you notice the dog breeds involved, a staffordshire bull terrier a dog breed we Americans often confuse for a pit bull and a rottie mix breed, another dog often targeted for breed specific legislation. It is too bad this story most likely will not get more play over here in the U.S. to possibly help with the sad reputation bully breeds have here.

dog collars, dog beds, dog toys

Top 20 Female Dog Names

Hi everyone,

Just a little bit of interesting dog information. Here are the top 20 female dog names:

1. Maggie
2. Molly
3. Lady
4. Sadie
5. Lucy
6. Daisy
7. Ginger
8. Abby
9. Sasha
10. Sandy
11. Dakota
12. Katie
13. Annie
14. Chelsea
15. Princess
16. Missy
17. Sophie
18. Bo
19. Coco
20. Tasha

Enjoy.

dog collars, dog beds, dog toys

Vick Pays $1 Million For Care of Dogs

RICHMOND, VA—Suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick placed nearly $1 million in an escrow fund to pay for the care of 54 pit bulls seized earlier this year from his Bad Newz Kennels property in Surry County. The dogs had been part of his dog fighting operation.

Vick, 27, pleaded guilty in August to felony dog fighting conspiracy charges and voluntary surrendered to U.S. Marshals on Nov. 19 to begin serving his prison term. He faces up to five years in prison when he’s sentenced on Dec. 10 but it’s likely it will receive 18 months. Vick is being held at Northern Neck Regional Jail in Warsaw, a facility which houses about 450 inmates.

Vick placed $928,073 into the escrow fund which will be “used to pay whatever restitution money is ultimately ordered in this case”. Federal prosecutors had ordered Vick to pay for the dogs’ care and as part of his guilty plea, he agreed to pay “restitution for the full amount of the costs associated with the disposition of the all dogs” involved in the case.

On Friday, U.S. District Court Judge Henry E. Hudson sentenced two of Vicks’ co-defendants for their roles in the dog fighting operation. Although federal prosecutors had asked that Quanis Phillips and Purnell Peace be sentenced on the low end of the sentencing guidelines for their cooperation in the case and subsequent guilty pleas, dog owner Hudson sentenced Phillips to 21 months and Peace to 18. They could have been each sentenced up to five years in prison.

The state trial in the case is scheduled to begin on April 2 in Surry County.

Vick has admitted that he financed the dog fighting operation and had participated in the killing of at least six pit bulls which had not performed well in “testing sessions” but said that he had never gambled on the dog fights.

According to a summary of facts recited in the plea agreement, “most of the Bad Newz Kennels operation and gambling monies were provided by Vick” and that when the dogs of the kennel won, the winnings were split between Vick’s co-defendants and partners in the operation, Tony Taylor, Peace and Phillips.

Taylor is also scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 10.

The court papers said that Vick didn’t receive any of the purse money won by the kennel. He did admit to joining with others in killing six to eight dogs that didn’t perform to their standards and executed them by drowning or hanging the dogs.

As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors have agreed to recommend the minimum sentence which is 18 months in prison but ultimately, the final decision in sentencing rests with the judge. Vick’s surrender was approved by the judge.

Vick has agreed to cooperate with the government’s investigations into the dog fighting operation including testifying before grand juries.

He has been indefinitely suspended by the NFL.

The Falcons are attempting to recover $22 million of Vick’s signing bonus from the 10-year, $130 million contract he signed with the team in 2004. At the earliest, Vick would not be eligible to play again until 2009.

In the July 17 indictment, it was alleged that Vick bred, raised and trained dogs at his home expressly for dog fighting. The indictment also included a forfeiture allegation seeking recovery of any property constituting, or derived from, proceeds obtained directly or indirectly as a result of these offenses.

According to the indictment, Vick and his co-defendants were involved in an ongoing animal fighting venture based out of a property owned by Vick located in Smithfield, Va., from early 2001 through on or about April 25. Vick had allegedly attended the dog fights in Virginia and several other states. 12-1-07

I just saw this in the news. It looks like Michael Vick's challenges as a result of this part of his life are just beginning.

dog collars, dog toys, dog beds

Top 10 pet Friendly Cities Continued...

Here is the rest of the article

Chicago
If you're a baseball fan, diarize the White Sox annual Dog Day baseball game each spring. This cosmopolitan city has lots of pet-friendly places to visit, a wide selection of outdoor cafes and pet-friendly bars. Upscale hotels such as the luxurious Hotel Burnham and Hotel Monaco both welcome dogs of all sizes. Lake Michigan, a focal point of the city, offers more than 18 miles of paved trails that trace the lake’s edge. Want to take a lake cruise? Many boat operators will happily take Fido along too. And if your dog is getting bored with eating kibble, be sure to dine at Cucina Bella on N. Sedgwick or the branch on W. Diversey where he will be served a complimentary bowl of pasta.

New York
Some of the most fashionable hotels in this city can be a temporary home away from home for your dog, including the trendy Soho Grand Hotel. (For travelers who can’t bring their pets, the Grand offers a complimentary goldfish at check in, and will bag it for take-home.) Despite being a concrete jungle, there’s a lot for pets to enjoy in the Big Apple — a carriage ride through Central Park is a must-do activity. Many upscale stores also welcome well-behaved pets, and if Fido will sit quietly, you can drool over the jewelry at Tiffany’s on Fifth Avenue. The NYC Dog Walking Tour visits such neighborhoods as Greenwich Village, Soho, Lower East Side and Little Italy. A special highlight is a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge at dusk. Be sure to visit the William Secord Gallery on East 76th St. that specializes in 19th Century dog art — your pooch is welcome to browse too. And if you want your dog’s portrait painted, it can be arranged it at a price.

Orlando, Fla.
Be sure to visit Sam Snead's, on E. Pine Street. It was here that Governor Jeb Bush signed Florida's doggy dining law that allows dogs to sit with their owners in an outside location. Both dogs and owners can have fun meandering the paved paths of the Paw Park of Historic Sanford and cooling off at the misting tower. Because of Orlando’s location to Disney World, Universal Studios and other theme parks, there are lots of pet-friendly hotels in the immediate area; and the theme parks will pet-sit your dog while you go off and enjoy the rides. One place dogs are especially welcome is in Celebration on U.S. 192, a tiny town created by Disney with a population of around 2000. Downtown Celebration is a lively mix of retail shops, restaurants, offices and apartments that line a wide promenade circling the lake in the center of town.

Colorado Springs, Colo.
Colorado Springs is all about nature and the great outdoors. Hiking and walking trails abound, making this an excellent pet destination. Pets are welcome at the Bear Creek Nature Center, as well as the Manitou Cliff Dwellings. Preserved under a protective red sandstone overhang, the authentic Anasazi dwellings were built more than 700 years ago. The Garden of the Gods Park is another popular natural landmark. With its towering sandstone formations, paved and unpaved hiking paths, it’s a great place to enjoy various outdoor amenities. Dogs are allowed off leash in the area east of Rock Ledge Ranch & south of Gateway Road. Tucked away in the foothills of the famous Pikes Peak region of the Rockies, your pet will be in the lap of luxury at the grand Broadmoor Hotel. This five-star resort is set in 3,000 acres of manicured gardens acres against a backdrop of breathtaking scenery. There are three golf courses, gorgeous shops and pet sitters on hand to give pet parents some alone time to enjoy any one of the complex’s 15 restaurants.

Austin, Texas
Austin boasts 12 off-leash parks for doggy fun and games. In particular, canines love to cool of in the natural creek in Bull Creek District Park and Greenbelt on Lakewood Drive. Pooches are also welcome to tour the city in a horse-drawn carriage, a popular pastime, so it’s best to call ahead. The Spider House Patio Bar and Café on Fruth Street, on the edge of the University of Texas campus, is a popular student hang-out and is reputed to make the best espresso in town. If you enjoy ribs (and what dog can resist) Artz Rib House on S. Lamar Boulevard will draw you with its irresistible aromas. Stock up on special treats such as PeaMutt Butter Pleasers and Yummy Chummies at the Groovy Dog Bakery on Baylor Street. Finally be sure to visit Plush Pad on W. Anderson Lane and buy your pooch a cowboy hat — a great souvenir to take home from the Lone Star State.

Happy travels!

Sandy Robins is an award-winning pet lifestyle writer. She is a member of both the Dog Writers Association of America and the Cat Writer’s Association of America. She lives in Southern California with a menagerie of well-traveled pets.

The best places to eat, stay and play with your furry mates

This is an article from MSNBC and is by Sandy Robbins.

As it becomes more common for people to travel with their pets, cities around the country are beginning to appreciate the discernable impact the doggie dollar is having on their economy. Consequently, many are reacting to this tug on their purse strings by making an all-out bid to label themselves pet-friendly on the tourist map.

But what does it mean for a city to adopt this title? Generally-speaking, “pet-friendly” can be equated with “dog-friendly” as canines are undoubtedly America’s most well-traveled animals.

For the last three years, the editors at Dog Fancy, one of the country’s leading canine-centric magazines, have compiled a list of the best cities in the U.S. to be a dog, naming San Diego as this year’s winner of their DogTown USA award. Chicago and Portland Ore., topped the polls in previous years.

“It takes a lot to create a city that truly embraces its canine population,” says editor Susan Chaney. “We look at over 20 criteria. Naturally, it has to be a fun place for dogs and their owners. For example, we check into dog-centered activities, such as doggie festivals, parades and other events, as well as how many hotels are dog-friendly and how many restaurants allow dogs to eat on their patios. However, excellent veterinary care and an active humane society are also key elements of a pet-friendly city, and are as essential for travelers passing through as for the pets and their people who reside there. Further, it's clear that in the cities on our annual list, both the local government and general population embrace having that ‘doggie element’ in their communities.”

Here are suggestions to have fun with your pet in 10 cities that have been collared pet-friendly.

San Diego
The warm Californian climate makes this a year-round animal playground, and there’s a wonderful selection of both pet-friendly and off-leash beaches. The Otay Ranch Town Shopping Center has an off-leash park as part of this sprawling facility, making this a one-stop entertainment center for both pets and their people. A pet sitting service is provided at $5 an hour so that pet parents can enjoy a meal in one of numerous eateries. Seaside La Jolla boasts a selection of pet-friendly restaurants such as the Nine-Ten Restaurant and Bar on Prospect Street that offers great sea views from its outdoor patio. In addition, your dog may enjoy a kayaking excursion around La Jolla Bay — although pet life jackets are provided, dogs should be good swimmers.

Long Beach, Calif.
Belmont Shore is fast gaining a nationwide reputation for hosting several annual pet parades and doggie beauty contests, such as the Easter and the Howl o’ween parades and the Most Beautiful Bulldog competition that draws contestants from near and far. The city also has the only off-leash dog beach in L.A. County. Situated between Roycroft and Argonne Avenues, it's open daily year-round. All the stores that line Second Street are pet-friendly offering bowls of cool fresh water and lots of doggie treats. Pet parents will enjoy crepes and crisp salads at La Creperie while their canines snooze and watch the passing parade. The French bistro-styled eatery hosts a popular bar in the evenings and you can enjoy the soft sounds of live jazz.

Carmel, Calif.
Without doubt the pet-friendly Cypress Inn on Lincoln Street is a tourist attraction in its own right and is widely recognized to have pioneered many of the pet-friendly policies practiced by many of the large hotel chains and private inns around the country today. Co-owned by the legendary Doris Day, it’s filled with memorabilia of this Hollywood star. Your pet will particularly enjoy snoozing in front of a roaring log fire in the lounge, while you enjoy a pre-dinner sherry. Walking tours are a great way to discover the town’s scenic charms, and dogs will enjoy the smells along the way. Cats are regulars at this fur-friendly inn too.

Portland, Ore.
Traveling and touring can be thirsty work. The Lucky Labrador Brewing Company is a great place for both beer and man’s best friends. The brews with dog-inspired names cater for all tastes. Looking for a little perk-me-up? The Iron Mutt Coffee Company will ensure that you get a great caffeine fix while your pooch enjoys fresh eats and a complimentary biscuit. The Portland Saturday Market located under the Burnside Bridge between S.W. Naito Parkway and S.W. 1st Ave. offers an eclectic mix of merchandise and is a great place to stroll and shop. There’s no shortage of off-leash dog parks in the city — be sure to visit the Hoyt Arboretum on S.W. Fairview Boulevard. that offers canine visitors more than 185 acres of greenery to enjoy.

Seattle
For travelers who enjoy visiting historical points of interest and appreciate beautiful scenery, be sure to add a trip to Blake Island State Park the ancestral campground of the Suquamish and Duwamish Indian Tribes and believed to be the birthplace of Chief Seattle. Foodies (and that includes your dog) will enjoy Chinook salmon cooked Northwest Coast Indian-style around an open alder wood fire.

The Pensione Nichols Bed and Breakfast on 1st Ave. in downtown Seattle is a well located pet-friendly establishment. Well-behaved leashed dogs of all sizes are allowed on the buses and trains throughout the city. Dogs on leashes are also allowed at the tables on the patio at Crave on 12th Ave. (only operative in the summer). Madison Park Café on 42nd Ave. E. is another attractive garden setting and welcomes pets. And if you have time, add Norm’s Eatery and Ale House on 36th St. to your list. This laid-back pub is named after a dog and your pet will feel more than welcome here too.

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Seventh Annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship

Here is the Press Release about the American Kennel Club National Championship. I never ever in my life thought that I would be looking forward to watching a dog show on TV but things have really changed for me. I actually am looking forward to it.

NEW YORK, Nov. 20, 2007 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Kennel Club(R) and Eukanuba announced today that 2,444 dogs will compete for a total of $225,000 in cash prizes at the Seventh Annual AKC/Eukanuba National Championship on Dec. 1 and 2, 2007 in Long Beach, Calif. The show is held in conjunction with the AKC Agility Invitational and the AKC National Obedience Invitational (entries of 470 and 95 respectively) making for a combined entry of nearly 3,000 dogs competing in the three events.

The AKC/Eukanuba National Championship will be simulcast on Animal Planet and the Discovery Channel on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008 from 8-11 p.m. (ET/PT). Highlights from the AKC Agility Invitational will air on Animal Planet on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008 from 8-9 p.m. (ET/PT).

"The AKC/Eukanuba National Championship is a unique experience for any dog lover -- whether they are watching it on TV or enjoying it in person," said Ron Menaker, Show Chairman. "With nearly 400,000 square feet of event space, 3,000 dogs in competition, dozens of vendors, 148 educational displays, numerous demonstrations and now 40 international competitors in our Eukanuba World Challenge event, there is nothing that can compare to this complete canine extravaganza."

"The AKC/Eukanuba National Championship is a phenomenal event that brings together the best breeders, handlers and champions to encourage and celebrate the excellence of dogs," said Dan Rajczak, general manager, Procter & Gamble Pet Care. "Alongside our partners -- AKC and Animal Planet -- we're proud to be part of one of the most prestigious and well-respected dog shows and to provide a showcase that allows the world to appreciate these amazing animals."


Event highlights include:

-- Eukanuba World Challenge -- This inaugural international competition
will feature top dogs from 40 countries and six continents. Rare
breeds such as the Spanish Greyhound and the Azawakh will compete
against more traditional favorites such as Poodles and Dalmatians for
the title of "Eukanuba World Challenge Winner" and a total of $15,000.
The 2006 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship and 2007 Westminster Kennel
Club Best in Show winner -- "James," an English Springer Spaniel --
will represent the U.S.

-- AKC Meet the Breeds(R) -- Dog enthusiasts will have the opportunity to
get up close and personal with 148 breeds, as the AKC/Eukanuba National
Championship continues its honored tradition of highlighting
responsible dog ownership with its "AKC Meet the Breeds" event.
Designed to showcase a wide variety of adult dogs and puppies, breeders
will also be on-hand to share their insights and expertise on unique
canine characteristics. Visitors should make sure to stop by the
booths of the two newest AKC breeds -- the Beauceron and Swedish
Vallhund.

-- The AKC Agility Invitational -- The AKC's fastest-growing canine sport
and one of the most exciting to watch, agility allows dogs to
demonstrate their athleticism and versatility by racing against the
clock and overcoming a challenging obstacle course of tunnels, weave
poles, jumps and seesaws. It's a sport of physical skill, control,
patience and -- most importantly -- teamwork between handler and dog.
The top five ranked agility dogs in each of the AKC recognized breeds
are invited to attend this prestigious event. A total 470 dogs of 129
breeds from 41 states plus Puerto Rico and Canada will compete. The
AKC Agility Invitational airs 8 p.m., (ET/PT). Feb. 10, 2008, on Animal
Planet.

-- AKC National Obedience Invitational -- Obedience trials demonstrate the
usefulness of a dog as a companion to humankind. Accuracy and
precision are essential, but the natural movement of the handler and
the willingness and enjoyment of the dog are also important. To be
invited to this prestigious competition, a dog and handler must be
ranked within the top 10 percent of their breed or be ranked in the top
25 nationwide. A total of 95 dogs of 30 breeds from 44 states and
Canada will compete.

-- Junior Showmanship -- The excitement of competing in the National
Championship isn't just for adults -- 159 Junior Handlers (ages 9-18),
who have met high academic standards and qualification criteria based
on year-round competition will compete for prestigious wins and
scholarship money.

-- AKC Awards for Canine Excellence (ACE) -- Given annually to dogs in
five categories (Law Enforcement, Search and Rescue, Therapy, Service
and Exemplary Companion), the ACE Awards commemorate loyal,
hard-working canines that have made significant contributions to their
community. The five honorees and their owners -- including Junior
Handler Francisco Sanguino who discovered the sport of dogs with the
help of his foster mother and a rescued Rottweiler -- have been flown
to Long Beach to receive their awards and be recognized in front of the
AKC/Eukanuba National Championship audience.


For more information visit www.akc.org or topdogshow.com or to purchase tickets, please visit http://www.akc.org/invitational/2007/tickets.cfm.

The American Kennel Club (AKC), founded in 1884, maintains the largest registry of purebred dogs in the world. Its rules and regulations govern more than 20,000 canine competitions each year.

Eukanuba offers the most complete food lineup, delivering nutrition that is customized by breed and breed size, as well as health and performance requirements. Eukanuba is a division of Procter & Gamble , and you can visit us on the Web at www.eukanuba.com or visit Iams at www.iams.com.

Animal Planet, available in more than 93 million homes nationwide, is the only television network dedicated exclusively to the connection between humans and animals.

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Vick dogs Up For Adoption

I came across this article today and I am glad to hear that they are up for adoption. I know when the case first broke they was a lot of speculation that most of the dogs would never be able to put up for adoption.

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., Nov. 14 (UPI) -- Twelve dogs that belonged to suspended football star Michael Vick are up for adoption in Virginia, but the new owners may not know where the animals came from.

Nine beagles, two Rottweilers and a Cane Corso seized from Vick's Virginia property are among 50 dogs available for adoption, the Virginia Beach Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said on its Web site.

But prospective owners won't be told if a dog they wish to adopt was one of Vick's, Sharon Adams, the shelter's executive director, told The Virginian-Pilot newspaper.

"Folks that want a 'Vick dog' are not who we are looking for," Adams said, the newspaper reported Wednesday.

Vick, who was quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons, pleaded guilty in August in a federal dogfighting conspiracy case and is to be sentenced Dec. 10.

The 12 dogs apparently have no scars that would indicate they were fighters.

More than 60 dogs, including 48 pit bulls, were taken from Vick's property in Surry County, Va. Most of the animals remain in federal custody, awaiting placement in shelters.

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