By Lisa Evans
The rubbish collector is not stealing our stuff.
I do not need to suddenly stand straight up when I’m lying under the coffee table.
I will not roll my toys behind the fridge, behind the sofa, or under the bed.
I must shake the rainwater out of my fur before entering the house.
By Deborah Taylor-French www.dogleadermysteries.com
Hey there. I know I have been a bit thin on posting for a few months. Family stuff took me away a few times, but now that my loved one is better...I am back.
Sydney wants 100% happy rescue dog photo splash today. A little birdy told me. Of course, Sydney usually is not camera-shy. He peeked away as if to tell me, "That's enough posing, Mom!"
Spring green pastures turned California hills lush with bright hues. This white pony remembers we bring treats. This day, the pony insisted that we had more peppermint candies in our pockets. He did not agree that we had given him the last of his sweet treats.
His protest? A tossing head, murmurs, nickers and Mr. Ed talking lips!
If you are old enough to remember the television show, Mr. Ed. You know that horses have a sense of humor. They don’t need voice overs to express themselves. Horses lips are agile, expressive and quick. Do not ever hand feed a pony or horse without keeping all your fingers tight together.
Remember horses eyes are on the side of their heads, so their vision is different from ours. They see animals and things in motion. And one of your fingers, looks a lot like a carrot.
from Deborah and friends at Dog Leader Mysteries.
California poppy (Photo credit: davidyuweb)
By Deborah Taylor-French Dog Leader Mysteries
I kid you not.
I watched a half a dozen of videos on free roaming dogs in Russia. In the news recording, you will see not one but two trained animal behavior specialists. They believe the free roaming dogs show a lifestyle build on watching human behavior. The huge numbers of dogs that live shelterless and without a family, have formed groups giving each other mutual help.
These dogs have figured out how to ride trains. Trains to the heart of Moscow where food is more plentiful.
Most of these dogs travel in groups. They appear well-fed. These free roaming dogs show with little or no conflict. They do not show aggression to each other nor with people. The smartest dogs know where and when to catch trains.
Istanbul street Dog
In the YouTube video below, dogs work in teams. They board trains together, ride trains to the city center then awaken any napping members in time to exit the underground metro at their usual time and stop.
By their behavior, these dogs go begging together. What’s more, they have watched that tourists, work commuters and city dwellers enjoy feeding small cute dogs. Somehow, the group knows to hang back and send out a smaller dog to beg for larger dogs (who do not receive as many gifts of food).
Even riding on crowded trains, the dogs avoid conflict. One has been video recorded letting a woman rest her feet on the resting dog’s ribs. They do not show the worry dogs exhibit as strangers move around the tiny moving train car.
Many pet dogs like our Sydney jump or growl if any of us rest our feet on him. In the car, he won’t let anyone touch his paws.
In most of the USA animal control officers hunt stray dogs, put them in shelters, where most wait on death row.
A huge number of volunteers in American rescue as many as they can. The lucky rescued ones receive gentle baths, veterinarian checkups and loving care.
I love this short video of a German Shepherd dog called Barney.
His rescue from death in a shelter by the Westside German Shepherd Rescue lifts my heart. Barney, and other great dogs, wait in foster care. Another reason to adopt, don’t shop. Foster care givers, volunteers and donations welcome.
Thanks to people performing loving acts for homeless hounds.
German Shepherd Dog from 1915 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
By D. Taylor-French Dog Leader Mysteries
“Nina?” Maeve said. “Where’d you go?”
Maeve stopped walking. She looked over the town square. Her freckled nose wrinkled when she spied Nina crouching behind a corner of city hall.
“Oh.” Maeve hurried back. “Why didn’t you say?”
Nina didn’t answer. Instead, she kept craning her neck toward a dumpster behind the market. She was chewing on a lock of wildly messy hair. From behind her head looked like a lion’s mane. Maeve peered over her friend’s shoulder. Around the corner stretched a parking lot with trees beyond it.
“What’s so interesting?” said Maeve. “Oh..what a mess. Raccoons threw trash everywhere. But Nina….”
“Shush,” whispered Nina, “don’t scare him—.” In afternoon shadows, clumps of trash rustled in the warm breeze. Greasy bags and empty soda cans skittered over the gravel and dirt. The market’s trash dumpster lids were open. Boxes and bags stuck up over the green bin’s side.
“Who’s him?” Maeve said, adding, “ Won’t a cool ice cream sandwich or a Choco Taco taste good?” That’s why they had walked to town. In the heat of the summer afternoon, Maeve glanced at the Golden Eagle Market across the parking lot.
Nina gasped. A tan dog slunk into view close to the green dumpster. The dogs ears pointed in two directions. He didn’t seem sure of anything except that the sun felt good on his head.
Shy dog
“Oh.” Maeve’s gaze followed Nina’s stare.
The dog’s ribs stuck out. Snatching up in a greasy donut bag, he ripped it open. His ears flopped as he chomped like he would eat it, bag and all. A car passed on the street by city hall; he backed away toward the trees.
Nina shook her head. “Got to stop him before he eats any plastic.”
Even though Maeve knew better than to talk while Nina sorted out an animal problem, Maeve complained, “I’m thirsty. Can’t we come back?”
Nina took a soundless step into the open. Sinking low, she reached one hand slowly toward the dog. The dog looked up. Nina called softly, “Here, hungry dog. Have some yummy food.” The dog froze, eyes wide. One at a time, Nina tossed dried chicken treats. She aimed each into a trail leading toward her.
The dog flinched. He raised his head, snuffling Nina’s treats. After eating two bites, the dog looked at Nina’s outstretched hand as if it wanted to trust her. Dropping his head, he snatched a greasy donut bag and ripped it open.
The Franklin Dairy water truck pulled up and parked in front of the Golden Eagle Market, causing the dog to drop the bag and run. He melted into the trees.
When Maeve saw the red water truck, she blushed and stood up straight, as if to look taller. Maeve pulled a swath of reddish ponytail from her freckled face. Stifling a giggle, she watched the Franklin twins climb down from the truck cab.
The Franklin farm truck looks like this.
A typical dumpster in Sunnyvale, California. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
By Deborah Taylor-French on Dog Leader Mysteries
Interspecies friendships often surprise people. Yet those of us who live with several kinds of pets, see that rabbits and dogs, cats and dogs, and other species of animals enjoy each others companionship.
Christians and Muslims live in peace all over the world. Keep that good thing going. Even animals know loving one another fills their lives with joy. Watch this video and smile.
Rabbits and dogs can be friends. We know. These are our pets getting to know each other. Guess who is doing a fine job of “Sit, stay.”? Paris sniffs Sydney and thinks he’s okay for a dog.
Our dog, Sydney & rabbit, Paris
By Deborah Taylor-French for Dog Leader Mysteries
Your dog needs help staying cool. Yes, I have a dog who loves to lay in the sun and feel wonderfully hot. Believe me, Sydney can get too much of a good thing like sunbathing. Lately, Sydney A.K.A. “Pork Chop” has had too much of his favorite foods.
Now he gets snap peas and celery instead of table scraps for treats.
This April in northern California, the temperature jumped from mild to hot. A local animal shelter supervisor reported surprise that this spring season began with three dogs rescued from locked parked cars. These three dogs ended up in the animal shelter and under the care of the shelter’s veterinarian.
All three dogs suffered from heat stroke.
Dog at animal shelter (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Cars and trucks act like solar ovens heating pets and children left inside for just a few minutes.
Never leave a pet in a car on hot days.
Open car windows do not prevent furry pets from overheating.
“Heat stroke occurs most commonly in the summer, especially early in the summer before dogs have had a chance to acclimatize. Older dogs, brachycephalic dogs, and overweight dogs are at a higher risk. It’s best to keep your dog inside or in the shade during the heat of the day, especially early in the summer. Never lock your dog in the car during the warm months. And remember that shady areas may become sunny as the day moves on, so a yard that’s cool and shady at 9 a.m. may be scorching hot at 1 p.m.” Dogster Vet Dr. Eric Barchas The Top 8 Summer Hazards for Dogs “Keep your dog safe as the weather gets nice with these tips from our resident vet.”
Imagine you’re a very young child. You cannot open a car door. Your mom parks the car, saying, “I’ll be right back.”
The car begins to heat up. Your mom left you wearing a down vest, or fur coat, and a warm hat. You can’t take off these thick-warm outer layers.
The heat in the car rises. In a few minutes, the heat rakes your face then your nose and eyes dry out. You feel itchy allover. You squirm.
Soon, you begin to pant. Panting is the only way you can cool off. But the more you pant, the faster you try to get the hot-prickly-feeling out of your body. Through a small open window more hot air presses inside the car.
Each minute the car continues heating up like a metal barbecue with the lid on.
Your head hurts. You feel dizzy and slump over in your seat. You cannot take a deep breath. Hot air stings your nostrils. You panic and begin scratching the doors and windows.
No matter where you move or what you do, hot air chokes your nose and mouth. Your stomach aches. Finally, you faint from lack of air.
English: Canadian man wearing a fur coat and hat circa 1910 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Some dogs do not grow fur. Like poodles they grow hair. When it thickens, just like thicker wool coats, the person wearing it retains heat faster. Poor Sydney, he is off to the groomers today to be shaved so he can enjoy the warm weather.
Keep your cool and your dog too!
Fast Track Tuesday by Deborah Taylor-French
This just hit my inbox from the Humane Society of the United States. Please share this post or this video if you love dogs.
A Distinguished Member of the Humane Society (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
By Deborah Taylor-French
This report carries enough information that it needs no introduction from me.
“New accusations that one of the country’s largest organizations dedicated to dogs, the American Kennel Club, isn’t doing enough to protect animals. TODAY National Investigative Correspondent Jeff Rossen reports.”
–Note from me: Did you know that the American Kennel Club only has nine inspectors for the entire United States of America?
In my opinion, this is NOT nearly enough inspectors to do site visits at even 10% of all AKC approved breeders. AKC pedigreed puppies should be bred for healthy lives and under humane conditions. Don’t the dogs and the dog buyers deserve this?
American Kennel Club Hounds (Photo credit: eschipul)
Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Help dog buyers stop buying AKC registered dogs and look to breed rescue groups, plus shut down puppy mills due to their animal cruelty. Dogs lives and futures depend on us. We need to be their voice.
Yours most truly,
Deborah
By Deborah Taylor-French www.dogleadermysteries.com
I watched this video twice.
The old saying goes, “They get along about as good as dogs and cats.” Usually meaning the compared people do NOT get along at all. But here we see a mystery. A cat and dog that more than get along. They do something together that very few pets do.
Free Roaming City Cat
This patient cat, in the video below, and the happy dog on a leash charmed and enthralled me.
How did the cat get the dog to do this?
Was it training or more like a game these pets like to play?
Your guess is as good as mine.
Plenty of dogs and cats for adoption.
Try Petfinder today.
By Deborah Taylor-French on Dog Leader Mysteries
“Dogs laugh, but they laugh with their tails.” – Max Eastman
A funny thing happened to me after I crossed the street. A reddish-brown miniature poodle trotted out from under a grand Roman archway. He stopped on the narrow sidewalk. And then, he looked at me and he laughed.
You do believe me, don’t you?
His laughter (like his ability to see with his nose) did not need enlarged moves for the human eye. Plus his laugh came as a throaty chortle…so softly I doubt anyone else heard.
Once I got over my surprise, I felt instantly worried for the little red poodle. A dog off-leash on the frequently tourist mobbed streets of Florence equals a dog in DANGER. I had seen only a half-dozen mutts following their masters on-leash. I spied only two dogs without leashes, playing in a car and truck protected corridor between souvenir laden wagons.
So far, no pedigreed dog had walked off-leash between the forest of fast-walking people and traffic. The streets of the heart of Florence tend to narrow. People bumped into me. I dodged their elbows, feet and bags. Buses crammed one-lane streets after motor scooters and bicycle riders rolled by. I could not find a safe place to avoid hurtling vans and would duck into shop entrances to feel safe. That’s how crowded I felt every hour on the streets of Florence.
I imagined this classy dog looked back at me in amusement. Why was I there? How dare I stand on his sidewalk. Then he went on his way smelling new and old messages. I had nothing to fear. He kept to the sidewalk. The instant his mistress a blonde woman in a handsome suite, said the dog’s name, he rushed to her and sat. He waited to have his leash attached.
Off they went down toward the Nave River. The poodle pranced like a model canine good citizen, just behind his mistress. Italian dogs show good manners, either walking just behind or just in step with their pet parents.
In my six days in Florence, Italian dog lovers kept a good hold on their dogs.
Italians who live in Florence do not permit their dogs to pull on the leash, get in the way of passersby or bark at strangers. Italians expect their dogs to behave well.
Only at rare moments did I hear any dogs bark. After sunset, a few little yaps echo as little dogs celebrate getting outside from city apartments.
Once two guard-dogs barked at us from behind a high fence. They quieted as soon as we passed and near a public garden.
“Your dog has the ability to tell you exactly how he feels whether he is happy, sad, bored, excited,
disgusted, puzzled, confident, uneasy or frightened.” Sara B. Hansen
Fetch Sara’s blog Dogs Best Life to read her post Learn to Read Your Dog.
So lovely to see the dogs of Italy being given excellent care and leadership. Good manners never come from neglect. Good manners demand high expectations and follow through. Punishment will never be follow through. Punishment confuses dogs. But insisting on good manners and say behaviors depends on you, the pet caregiver. You make it clear what you do not allow. What you will let the dog do or not do.
Thanks for all your LIKES and comments. They keep me writing this blog.
By Deborah Taylor-French http://www.dogleadermysteries.com
For 147 years, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has kept its motto:
“We are their voice.” |
Each April, Dog Leader Mysteries blog goes ORANGE for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month.
For puppies sake! Pet shops must stop selling pups.
1 Adopt, don’t shop for your next pet. In the USA millions of pets die in animal shelters every year. The main reason these pets die is due to abandonment, getting lost, or pets families losing their homes. Also pet families may not be able to pay for health care for aging pets. Homeless pets need our help.
The best way to stop puppy mills is never buy a pet online or in a pet shop.
2. Look for and only buy cruelty free products. Cosmetic companies have changed their laboratory testing on animals because of people who do not want rabbits, cats and dogs suffering in cages. Pets and lab animals suffer as creams, lotions or makeup gets rubbed into their eyes.
3. Never buy fur. The fur trade has a long history of cruelty to animals. Animals hunted for fur coats or baby seals clubbed to death adds up to terrible cruelty. Write letters to retail stores that sell fur to stop. For every person who writes a letter to end the suffering of animals hunted or raised in cages for the fur trade, another hundred people believe this type of animal cruelty must stop.
4. Visit the ASPCA to learn more about what you can do for animals. The ASPCA Website hosts a page of free stuff like computer wallpapers and cut badges like the ones on my blog today. Click for free stuff. http://www.aspca.org/about-us/aspca-april/
5. ASPCA Day on April 10 wear orange—the official color of the ASPCA—to commemorate the protection of animals.
I love April.
Sydney rarely notices poppies, unless another dog has left him a message.
I love all flowers in every color. One of the first flowers I learned to name was the California poppy, our state’s official flower. These wild poppies self-sow. Their seeds ride the wind then grow in-between rocks, weeds and garden plants. I like watching California poppies as they poke their pale-green leaves up in our garden. I feel watching their rich color may rival to the thrill I feel when a hummingbird zooms close by. Native poppies sporting golden-orange. Their cheery waves makes a day in the Golden State of California live up to its name.
Wear orange when you walk your dog this April. Show your true colors for animal welfare. If you look good in orange, you can get a t-shirt from the ASPCA Go Orange.
Like a dog with a raw giant bone, I chew away yet end up puzzled. Not often do I find something so new and truly useful on YouTube. If you take five minutes to watch this video, so cleverly written and produced, you will laugh, you will find yourself cheering and hoping this best dog wins.
This Super Green Dog A.K.A. the Smartest Dog in the World will win your heart.
Visit Pup Protector and see all the color choices for leashes and collars, plus you get a choice of LED light color, too. I want a white one with red lights for Sydney, that way I will know he is getting the royal treatment. And I will feel safer walking him after dark and near busy streets.
A dog collar made for walking at night.
