Loyal Dog wont leave Companions Grave

I read the story of the loyal dog in China who wouldn't leave his companions grave after he had passed away, I wasn't surprised at all, as I know from my own experience how loyal dogs can actually be.

The chinese man was an elderly, unmarried man who would always be with his dog, his dog was his whole family.

When the dog went missing after the owner passed away, no-one thought the dog would be found at his owners grave. Locals found the loyal dog lying by the grave and as much as they tried to coax him away to come back into the town for food, he wasn’t going to budge from his owners grave.

As soon as he was coaxed away for a short matter of time he would soon be back by his masters grave again as he is the most loyal dog to his owner.

There was nothing more the locals could do apart from bring food and water to the graveside and let him eat there. The towns people are planning to build him a permanent kennel if he chooses to remain at the graveside of his companion.

This story just highlights the fact that dogs become very attached to their owners, feel like they are part of the same pack and are loyal and will stand by and protect their owners, in this case even after the very end.

To watch the video click here

Romanian Government Votes to Euthanize Stray Dogs

Update from:http://dogsforlifex.blogspot.com/2011/04/help-stray-dogs-of-romania.html

The Government in Romania have made the sad and inhumane decision to murder the stray dog population that exists there as they will go ahead and euthanize stray dogs.

I quote:

'Parliament voted by 168-111 to pass the law, which is expected to be signed by President Traian Basescu. The law will allow officials to round up homeless dogs from the street, hold them in shelters for 30 days and then have them killed.'

I feel this is disgraceful and totally the wrong way in successfully controlling the stray dog population in Romania.

It is a money making scheme in which officials will benefit from the deaths of the dogs, as money will be sent to them to carry out these murderous acts.

Thousands of innocent dogs will die, they are totally oblivious to the fact that this law has been voted for and that they will no longer roam free and live their everyday life. They do not know that tomorrow may be their last day to live their last day for human affection, their last meal they would eat, this is all because 'the human race is far 'superior' to dogs and has the right to choose who should live and who should die.' (I don't think so!)

The only way forward is Neuter, Spay and releasing some dogs back to their territories, while keeping others in dog shelters where there is a chance for people to rescue a dog or find dogs for adoption. Dog owners need to be may responsible for their dogs and it should be mandatory for all owners to have their dogs operated on, registered and all paperwork in place.

Full article here:http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/22/romanian-stray-dogs-parliament-euthanize_n_1107666.html?utm_campaign=112211

Mutilated USA Dog 'Hope' Passes Away

Once again severe animal cruelty news comes to light in an animal abuse story that was carried out by an individual, which was in the form of terrible neglect and abuse on a living creature, that ultimately lead to the death of this poor innocent dog named 'Hope'.
'Hope' the abused animal was found tied to a tree in the woods, not only severely emaciated, but tied up by an electrical cord (left to die, as admitted by her owner).
On further inspection it became apparent that Hope a victim of animal abuse, was nearly decapitated.
She was taken to a pound to be rescued and given medical care as her megaesophagus and trachea cord was severed.
All looked well for a while.......
A couple came in to the humane society animal shelter and adopted Hope and took her to get special care, to help a dog that was in need.
The vet carried out the emergency surgery on the abused animal and all went well.
Hope had started playing and there really was 'hope' for her future and to make a recovery.
Then sadly, her breathing got bad, so oxygen was given to her.
This was not enough and Hope passed away, 'her body just gave up on her' her adopted owner remarked.
All we can be thankful about this terrible case of cruelty to an animal is that, she is finally at peace and her owner has been charged for animal cruelty, for his terrible unforgivable sin of animal abuse and cruelty to one of the many loving animals of the USA.
We all live in hope that animal cruelty to dogs will become a thing of the past, but these stories sadly just keep coming to our attention and the need to help a dog is always there.

Another Ball Bites the Dust

We was just browsing around on our day out and I spotted these small soft cartoon character balls, immediately I thought of our 2 hounds at home who would be delighted at the prospect of the arrival yet another new toy.
For them, the sight of a new toy that they can play with is a very happy moment.
We purchased 2, a Thomas the Tank Engine for our male dog and some other feminine cartoon design for our pointer and I safely tucked them away in my handbag.
Upon us arriving home, as usual both dogs were very excited and we was greeted by two tails permanently wagging, our male could have knocked someone over with his tail as he has a lovely big fluffy tail and his tail was moving in a very fast happy motion. (we call his tail Rod Stewart - as it is so big and fluffy and when he has been washed and he holds his tail up high with it curling around slightly,  the hair hangs down like Rods hair - his tail is gorgeous!)
After a short break and relax at home we thought it was about time to take them 'Walkies'.
My partner produced the dogs new toys from my handbag and he rolled our Kangal/Husky Mix his one. He caught it and ran off happily with it to his favourite rug where he sniffed it and licked it, it was even a tough decision for him whether to stay at home with his new ball or go walkies....he finally chose walkies.
Our pointer got given her ball on the walk because she loves to play catch on the walk or for us to throw it in the sea for her to retrieve.
After some fun by the sea with her catching, fetching and retrieving the ball went slightly off course and landed in the sea, now I did mention that she retrieves from the sea but of course it all depends on the conditions at sea (whether the sea is calm or whether the waves are crashing in) and how many rocks are around for her to cheat her way into the sea without properly swimming. (she has tried swimming but she does not seem very strong and does not get far)  She sometimes has a habit of climbing around on the rocks and leaning her face forward as far as she can go to try and let the tide float the ball in her mouth, which sometimes pays off (cheating or what!?). This is what happened today except the tide wasn't in her favour and we all watched as the ball started off a couple of feet away from the rock she was standing on, which she could have easily managed to get it if she had put her mind to it, to the ball floating out metres and metres into the depths of the sea.
It felt like deja vu for us, as this must have been the 6th or 7th ball in the last couple of months that she has lost to sea and we have seen her face so many times before as she stands on the furthest rock out whining for her long lost ball to come back to her, which of course it never does.

'Star' The Collie Cross That Was Buried Alive

The photo is heartbreaking, the facts seem surreal.

But it is only too real, it is a terrible severe act of animal cruelty.
This poor dog (named Star by her rescuers) in Malta was cruelly buried alive and if that wasn't bad enough, she sustained appalling injuries before being buried such as; 40 pellet gun shots to her head, her legs tied together with lace and her muzzle bound together with wire - shocking is an understatement.
It is clear that the twisted culprit responsible didn't want this poor dog to survive and did everything in his/her power to end this dogs life.
As if shooting the dog, bounding the dog and burying the dog wasn't evil enough, the abuser had covered the poor dog with a wooden panel and weighed it down to really seal her fate and end her life.
It emerged that the shots were from close range which backs up even more that it was a planned murder.
It saddens me that we are living among humans who have it in them to carry out such malicious harmful acts on innocent creatures.
This dog is one of the lucky ones, that was found by passing Animal Welfare Officers whom were nearby investigating another cause and by chance heard this poor dog whimpering.
But how many more animals go undetected and die a sad lonely death from abuse?

Star is lucky she survived and that the welfare officers found her, otherwise she would not be here today.

She really is brave and a true fighter, all I hope now is that she can be adopted by a family that will keep her safe, love her and for her never to feel pain like that again.

Back from the Beach

We have just returned from our trip to the beach.
Both dogs were excited to be reunited with the cream grainy stuff that is fun to dig up - sand of course.
Our Male Kangal Mix especially gets excited, when he hears the noise of the waves crashing he knows we are at the most fun place ever - the beach. He happily runs along smelling every smell and scent there is possible and our Pointer dashes off to find a prized stone to collect.
The sky is blue hardly any clouds and the sun is warm, there is nothing better than the free drink of salty sea water that is on offer for them both. They are so hot that even the salt does not put them off .
Our boy is just getting used to the sea, he is a little afraid of the waves crashing in but has braved his fears after seeing our Pointer swimming out to get her ball, so he now stands a little further in the sea with all his paws in the water. And we make a game out of it for him and instead of him fearing the waves, he gets excited every time they they come rolling in.
Our girl is always on a mission and has to be doing something like retrieving her ball, jumping around, nudging you or dropping the ball for you to throw, so as you can imagine very energetic.
Whereas our boy likes nothing more than to dig himself a very big hole in the shade to lie in.
Everyone is completly tired tonight after returning from the beach and the dogs, lucky for them have a nice long snooze and dream of their adventures while we prepare dinner.

KG Dogfighting Previously Known as Dog Wars

Some people have asked me my views on the the new Google Android game that was called 'Dog Wars' and that has now recently been renamed 'KG Dogfighting'.
I feel it glorifies real dog fighting and condones it as something cool and fun to do, I also feel it will change the way some people see dogs and they may start seeing them in a different light. Instead of owning a dog and treating it like part of the family, giving it food, caring for it, showing it love it could make people see a dog as a money making object and that the dog must fight and perform well for its food.
Children are very easily influenced by things they see on the TV and Games, they want to copy and act out what they see.
Kage Games witheld the game and changed the name to KG Dogfighting for trademark purposes, nothing has changed it is still the same cruel game.
It has reportedly been said by Kage Games that the game is educate the public on the evils of animal cruelty. But it does not educate people on animal cruelty as it does not show police arresting and fining the dog fighters, it does not show the dogs being taken away by animal welfare officers and it does not show the dogs in pain and suffering.
I would say it is more likely to educate people and give them the knowledge on how to train a dog to fight in real life.
All around the world now people/organisations/governments are trying hard to phase out dog fighting with some positive action which involves making harsher punishments for convicted dog fighter culprits, this is in order to stop people from taking innocent dogs and forcing them into fighting for money. Some dogs are lucky enough to live but are scarred forever but others sadly lose their lives.
And Kage Games go and release something like this.

The Elusive Draught Excluder…..

After his 5th Bark of the morning, I roll out of bed.....As much as he would like me to get up on his 1st bark, I simply can't.

Every morning our Kangal/Husky Mix Male decides when everybody is going to get up to go on the walk.

Its funny to think about how he obviously barks for no reason and outdoor everyday noises he'd normally ignore, when he wants us to get up he barks at them. The dustbin men passing etc...

As I get myself ready I notice the Draught Excluder (its a long furry sausage dog shape) by the front door is missing.....where am I going to find it? Yep you guessed it.....I stroll back into the bedroom to see him laying down asleep using the Draught Excluder as a pillow!

This is the morning ritual and its so funny to think that once he has successfully woken us up and got us out of bed and his job is done, he lays back down and has a extra deserving kip while we get ourselves changed and ready for the walk.

And everynight we put the Draught Excluder down by the front door and every morning our cheeky dog has taken it and has added it to part of his collection of soft toys.

Thats why I got chilly last night!

Do Dogs Dream?

Yes I think its clear that dogs do dream.

I am the owner of 2 dogs and 1 of them has more of an active imagination and dreams regularly.

My Kangal/Husky mix often dreams, his legs make a running movement while lying on his side, his tail wags, he growls and he makes loud hiccup whooping noises. Wheras my Pointer doesn’t dream often only sometimes she will also make loud hiccup whooping noises, but rarely.

Like humans dogs sleep in (SWS) and (REM) phases. Only humans sleep for longer.

(REM) - Rapid Eye Movement

All the dreaming happens in the REM phase when your dog is in a very deep sleep and this is when there is most brain activity.

(SWS) – Slow Wave Sleep

In the SWS phase your dog will be more likely to wake up. When your dog is still and breathing heavily this is the SWS phase.

Dreaming often happens when we come back from the beach, so I like to think that he has enjoyed himself so much he is dreaming he is back on the beach again running around, digging and playing games.

My Easter Delight vs My Pointer's Delight

I don't know if it is the Gold shiny wrapper or the little bell round its neck that jingles or just the though of Lindt chocolate that still makes me get all excited when I see a 'Lindt Easter Chocolate Bunny'. I had forgotten that they had existed until I had received one inside a small parcel from my Nan and Grandad. I may be many years older now but everyone that knows me knows I have a sweet tooth and gifts like this are much appreciated by me.
My Gold Bunny stood with pride on my bedside cabinet, little did it know it was sitting there waiting for its fate - for me to eat it. I did have some remorse at the same time so a couple of days passed, I couldn't bring myself  to tear the foil off and bite the ears and destruct this lovely shiny ornament so it would stand no longer. I had carefully chosen to place this on my bedside cabinet out of my naughty Pointers way. My GSP (German Short-Haired Pointer) is sometimes a minx she will try to eat anything and is always hungry. This seemed like the best and safest place.
A few days later and after wondering why my Pointers bed was empty and everything was too quiet I had a look around, approaching the bedroom door I noticed it was slightly open. I peered in and spotted her, she was in there eating something! I raced to the other side of the room and found her slurping and licking her mouth and looking up a me wide-eyed, there in front of her on the floor was my butchered Lindt bunny with the little jingling bell laying on its own metres away. I picked her up in my arms shouting 'No' 'Bad Girl'  I could not believe she had found it and had been tucking into the bunny, she was swiftly deposited straight in her bed where she was still licking her mouth and devouring the creamy Lindt flavour for many minutes after. But the main concern was her health she had eaten half of it and chocolate is very dangerous to dogs so we had to monitor her closely for the rest of the day.
We decided not to eat the rest of the chocolate as she had nibbled bits out of most of it and it wasn't quite the same anymore.
I sighed and picked up the bell which was the only piece of evidence left and placed it on the side, that was all that was remaining of the once proud bunny that had existed an hour earlier.

Looks like I will have to wait for next Easter and hope someone gets me one ; )

Morning in our Abode

Another sunny bright upbeat day has greeted us. As the sun starts to creep into our windows our lovable furry boy wakes us up, I suppose you could say he is similar to how parents wake their children up on school mornings to stop them oversleeping, once the parents duty is done they might get back in bed for a while. This is what he does before he decides to have his morning shower BTC (Big Tongue Clean)
Mean while Our Pointer stretches her long legs and yawns, she has kept curled tightly in a ball enjoying her last zzzzzz and only when she has seen us changed and ready to march on out has she decided to rise from her comfy doughnut bed to join us.
Leads are on, Jackets are on so we are ready to go. As we walk along the dogs trot along happily, our boy happy to explore the fresh new scents of the day and our girl running around us in circles eagerly awaiting her beloved green ball. Familiar faces and familiar hounds pass by, blossom is appearing, shrubs are greener, sky is blue and the weather is milder. As the peaceful walk nears to an end and we have completed a full circle we all converge on the front door waiting for it to open, we have built up an appetite and are famished. A few minutes later the aroma of toast fills the air, for our dogs this smell is a thousand times more attractive because of the receptors in their noses which is why they can't help covering the floor with their translucent juice from their mouths which has a constant flow like a river, the dogs patiently lay down and await their meals. Once a pot of freshly brewed tea appears we both ready to sit down to breakfast, on finishing the last mouthfuls of toast 2 heads with eager faces raise up they know it is their turn now.
They watch in delight as dinner is transferred into 2 shining metal bowls, their bowls. As my partner dishes it out, my boy sits and paws him excitedly and my girl sits then zooms it on the target - 'her bowl' at 100mph. My boy savors the taste and enjoy his meal while my girl wolfs it down. This is quite a typical fun morning for the 4 of us and one that I always enjoy and there is still the rest of the day yet.

Dog Tip of the Day

Let Sleeping Dogs Lie…..this saying is correct as from our experience our dogs are grumpy and a little confused when they wake up and would not apprecitate being woken up suddenly and having someone standing over them as we humans also wouldn’t appreciate.

Origin of Dogs

Where did dogs originate from?

There are many thoughts and theories but in reality, we do not have a truly accurate timeframe or location regarding the exact origins of the dog or its domestication history. We do know that its closest ancestor is the wolf, that forms part of the group of animals called Canidae, these include wolves, jackals, coyotes, dingoes, and foxes. It is now widely accepted that the modern dog has wolf like traits and is almost certainly derived from wolf stock. Today’s domesticated dog is probably a mutated form of the Middle Eastern or East Asian wolf, possibly the latter because there is greater genetic diversity, often a sign of greater antiquity in Asian dogs than in European dogs.
Archaeological evidence points to a time-period some 12000 to 15000 years ago when we started creating permanent settlements. This was towards the end of the Mesolithic period and the start of the Neolithic. Some of the earliest of these settlements are to be found in the fertile area now known as Northern Israel. In These Natufian villages is where modern dog may have originally surfaced.
Archaeologists have discovered remains of a burial site at a Natufian village called Ain Mallaha, in which an old man and a young pup are buried together, the mans left hand is cradling the dog. The puppy three to four months old was probably killed to give the man company and companionship on his journey to the afterlife. What is so important about this find is that it is the earliest chronological evidence pointing to domestication. And suggests that humans had starting accepting dogs not just as vermin, but as companions and trusted pets.
Many are of the opinion that they effectively domesticated themselves. They took advantage of an ecological niche and mutated from their wolf cousins to fill that niche. The trigger was our move from early stone age nomadic hunter/gatherer  before we started inhabiting permanent settlements and becoming hunter/farmers, it may have been that change that stimulated the rapid mutation into domestication.
In essence, you cannot domesticate a wolf, you can to some extent tame it to such a degree that it will accept human contact, but you will never domesticate it. To tame a wolf you need to hand rear it. You would need to start this before the cub was 8 days old, prior to the eyes opening, remember he was born deaf and blind and it takes some time for these senses to develop.
In a wolf pack, there is a basic need for some members to locate the prey, some to drive the prey, others to circle and harass, and still others to lie in wait and ambush. Others stay behind and guard the young, It’s only when you have this combination of emotional types that the pack (and the hunt) succeeds. Our modern working dogs are the result of genetic engineering by our forbears, they bred for certain traits, enhancing those traits by breeding like with like.
No one will argue that the HPRs, Retrievers, Spaniels, Collies, Hounds, and Long Dogs have sometimes quite different skills, Take the Bloodhound, that is the tracking orient part of the equation, The Collie is the cutting out the prey from the herd. The Springer the orient chase grab, but not consume.

Dog Tip of the Day

 Be vigilant this Easter with chocolate around. Make sure your dogs don’t get any as it contains Theobromine which is poisonous to dogs. Cocoa, cooking chocolate and dark chocolate have the highest levels while milk chocolate and white chocolate have the lowest.

Cheese Cheese and more Cheese

What is it about the stuff that our dog goes crazy for?!

Everytime I go into the Kitchen he knows exactly when the I get the Cheese out of the fridge. He comes trotting into the kitchen with a 'Can I have some' cute expression on his face.

Not sure if it is the plastic that is wrapped around the Cheese that gives it away and makes a slight noise or that his nose is so sensitive that he can smell the Cheese from far away but this only happens when Cheese comes out the fridge.

Of course I can't resist and have to break off a small chunk for him and he gobbles it down and looks around for more. But I have already safely covered and put the Cheese back in the fridge.

So be careful when getting the Cheese out of your fridge there might be a Hound come up behind you with his sympathy look on 'I haven't eaten yet', can I have some' and you might just have to give him a piece.

Dog Tip of the Day

Be careful this time of year as Daffodils are extremly poisonous to dogs, if consumed. The whole plant is a danger, even the water it stands in is very toxic so keep an eye on your dog in the garden or out and about.

Help the Stray Dogs of Romania

I am disgusted to read about Romania's inhumane way to deal with their stray dogs. I cannot believe a country that is a member of the EU has come to the decision that they will murder all their stray dogs, even dogs that they have previously operated on and are wearing ear tags, they will not reproduce more dogs so what a waste of time and money getting them operated on. Its clearly a vendetta against all dogs. It is crazy, the solution is Neuter and Spay, evidence in the past has shown that when these narrow minded people kill the dogs, more dogs arrive and the dogs population builds up again but if you Neuter and Spay the dogs will stay at a controlled rate. They are trying to get the previous law that stood in place changed from 'Romanian law dictates that only dogs with health or behavioral problems may be euthanized.' to this  'euthanize healthy dogs'. I feel appalled at Romania and can not have respect for a country that treats living creatures so cruel.

This is the stray dogs last chance for us humans to speak out for them.

Please Sign this Petition

Help Save Lennox

Some of you may have heard of Lennox the Labrador/American Bull Dog Mix who has been seized from his family and now his life is on the line because of an out of date/discriminating Law in Northern Ireland. After the wardens measured him, he was deemed by them a pit bull type. So for no reason he was just taken away from his family in May 2010 to live in solitary confinement in a inhumane small dirty concrete room and that is where he still is now.
What is really sad about this is the fact that Lennox is suffering and he may lose his life by Breed Discrimination. He is innocent, he didn't choose to live where he did and to be the breed he is.
What can be done?  If the family cannot have Lennox back a Rescue Centre in Ireland is willing to take Lennox on and rehome him in an area where his breed is accepted.
Everybody needs to speak up about this we cannot stand by and watch an innocent family pet being murdered because of a breed name.
Today it is Lennox, Tomorrow it is your Dog.

Please Help by Signing this Petition

Dog Tip of the Day

When looking inside your dog’s ears they should be light Pink and clean. No Redness or Swelling should exist inside the ear. A small amount of Yellow or Brownish wax is normal but a large amount or crustiness is a problem. A healthy dog will not scratch his ears or shake his head often.
Be extra observant with dogs that have long hairy ears like Spaniels.

Dog Tip of the Day

If your dog has a bout of upset stomach or diarrhea feed him/her boiled Chicken and Rice to settle the stomach.