Chars Dogs and Dog Info

I was reading on the Humane Society of the United State’s website about some businesses mislabeling their goods as faux fur when in all actuality it was real fur. On November 24, 2008, the HSUS filed a lawsuit in Washington D.C. Superior Court against six of the country’s major vendors and fashion designers. Those listed were Lord & Taylor, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s (who also owns Bloomingdale’s), Andrew Marc and Dillard’s. The lawsuit stated that these companies failed to act like conscientious companies. 

According to the HSUS, they have worked to unveil bogus labeling and advertising of products containing animal fur. Nonstop HSUS exploration in the winter of 2007 and 2006 confirmed that designers and department stores were selling coats trimmed with fur that was tagged as the wrong species or faux fur. They saw it mainly with fur from raccoon dogs and these stores have called it everything from raccoon to faux fur and sometimes even polyester. 

Thankfully, some businesses have taken steps in straightening out the labeling but others continue to offer fraud to their customers. 

It is illegal to use real fur and label it as faux or fake fur. It must be fully disclosed on the tags that it is indeed real fur so consumers like me can avoid buying this type of product. 

USA Today had an interesting article about pilots who are donating their time, fuel and planes to move dozens of dogs a month from shelters that are filled to capacity where they were almost certain to face euthanasia to no kill shelters and rescue groups. These places are a number of states away, but they are compelled to find new homes for these dogs. 

These heartfelt transfers are flown by generous common aviation pilots who have signed up with newly formed Pilots N Paws. Pilots N Paws is a web based message board where pilots can obtain information regarding dogs that need relocating. 

Pilots are matched with shelters and dog pounds regarding dogs that their time is almost up. The rescuers retrieve the pups from death row, load them onto their small planes and fly them one, two or six at a time to rescue shelters and groups with no kill policies and that have available space for them. Most of the rescued dogs are from the South where sterilization rates are low and dog overpopulation is out of control. 

If you are a pilot, would like to send a donation or want to learn more, you can go to this website: Pilots N Paws

It is Thanksgiving night, all is calm, all is bright-whoops, that’s Christmas isn’t it. Lol My hubby is up north with his family for the holiday and my dogs and I are relaxing watching my DVR’d shows and catching up.

I watched the Purina Dog show on television today and I really enjoyed it. In the herding group, the Australian shepherd won and it was a beautiful dog. I’m partial because I have two Australian shepherd dogs. Last year, the Australian shepherd went on to win best in show, but I believe a pointer won this year. They always have great commercials with dogs in them when they have this show, and it is probably the only time I actually watch commercials. It is always fun to listen to the interesting facts that the hosts talk about each breed. I always learn new things every year along with seeing the most gorgeous dogs around prancing around their stuff. The only thing I don’t like is they do not show all the dogs that are participating. Out of each group, they only highlight the top ones and don’t actually show each dog in each breed. It would be nice to be able to see each and every dog in every group, but I suppose there is a time allotment problem. 

All in all it was a good, quiet enjoyable day. Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving too. 

Today I promised you that I would explain how my dogs rule me regarding their supper time. I swear, these dogs can tell time. Right on the button (well almost) they know it is 7 pm and time for dinner. They start dancing around, playing rough with one another, jumping up on me, all to tell me it is time to feed them. I better get up and feed them or they will just get rowdier and rowdier until I feed them. How they know that it is supper time is beyond me. 

When you have five dogs, there has to be a certain structure in feeding them. I set all the bowls on the table and fill with food, and then I have to feed them in order, and they expect that. Shelby, the boss of the house, gets her food first, then Midnight. I go back and get Shiloh’s bowl and feed her. I pick up the boys bowls, Rocky and Fritz, and give them their food. I have to go in order because that is what they expect. I always wonder what would happen if I switched it up. They would probably be real upset. 

I know some dog owners free feed but I can’t do that because I have a couple of pig dogs in the household and they would eat everybody’s food all at once and leave none for the others. I can’t even leave a dog food bag on the floor. When I do, somebody gets into it and eats like there is no tomorrow. Nobody ever fesses up that they did it, but I know when Fritz is involved because when it happens, his little belly is so full and firm, I know he was involved. He is a little guy so I know he’s not the one that bites through the bag. One of the bigger dogs has to help. 

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

My dogs have me under their little paws. I realize that because of what they make me do. Just like when I get up in the morning, the first thing I do is let them out to do their job. After they come in, they get their favorite treat-chicken jerky. They love it and I swear that Shelby can’t live without it. When they come in from outside, they all sit by where the goodies are and act a little nuts until I give them their jerky. Shelby grabs her piece and runs down the hall and goes into her daddy’s room, jumps on the bed and chews it up in peace, away from everyone else. I have unfortunately gotten into a habit of giving them 3 different goodies in the morning. For awhile they would ask to go out, one after another, until they got all their favorite goodies. I got smart on that trick and decided to just give them the 3 treats, one after another, instead of letting them out each time. They get the jerky first which they finish up in about five minutes. About ten minutes after that (if I’m lucky) they are begging for their next treat. The second round is a veggie treat. After they are through with that, they are again begging for their third course. That treat is part of a homemade cookie that I get from the local dog bakery. I inform my furry kids that treat is it until supper time and to go lay down. Magically, they eat their cookie and go lie down and don’t beg again until supper time.

Supper time is a different story, and I will explain our doggy supper time tomorrow. 

Some people act like their dog is a person. These people do things with or for their dogs that might seem a bit odd to most people that do not have dogs. 

Some people get their dog a pedicure and cook for their dog. Some people have been known to purchase a dog when they were going through an emotional crisis. (This is not a good idea, by the way) A lot of people have framed photos of their dogs around the house among pictures of their other family members. Some people have been known to cancel plans because they felt their dog might get too lonely. Other dog owners have called into work saying they are sick in order to spend some quality time with their dog. 

Some people, including me, trust their dog’s opinion of new people. If a new person comes to the house and one of my dogs growl at them, I have to think twice about that new person being a perspective friend. A small percentage of people have lost a friend, girlfriend or boyfriend over a dog. 

Over 70% of dog owners say that they let their dogs sleep with them. My husband and I allow our dogs to sleep with us. Have you ever talked to your dog on the phone when you are away? I’ve talked to my doggies on the phone. I’ve even called home when I’ve been away and left them a message on my answering machine so they can hear my voice. 

Whether wrong or right, I know I treat my dogs like part of the family and they are my furry kids. Do you?

Here is an easy way to help dogs in need. All you need to do is make use of Dogpile.com when you need to search for something online. Dogpile.com is sponsoring a program called their Search & Rescue program. When you utilize Dogpile.com for your searches, they will donate money to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA®). Their objective is to bring in $1 million by December 2009. 

With our economy is such a bad state, our littlest animals are roughing it more than ever at the over populated dog shelters across the United States. It is so easy just to do your searches on Dogpile.com and help our needy pets. You don’t have to pay a thing and they get money to help the dog shelters out. 

Therefore, please help out our dogs and go to Dogpile.com and lend a hand to the ASPCA. Also, Dogpile.com is a great search engine so it will help you too!

I read that recently in the country of England, the government disclosed a specific ruling on how owners of dogs are to properly take care of their pets. It is called the Consultation Code of Practice for the Welfare of Dogs and is a detailed 28 pages long.

The declaration includes things like make sure their dog has plenty of bedding to a nutritional diet and also instructs owners to provide proper toilet training and exercise for their dogs. 

The law was produced to assist dog owners to completely comprehend their dog’s requirements. Owners must be certain that their dog has appropriate home surroundings, not left by themselves too much, a balanced diet and free from injury, sickness, and pain and suffering. 

Maybe the United States needs to put a guideline out such as this.

The Humane Society of the United States has accused the national pet store chain, Petland, of selling dogs that were bred in deplorable conditions in puppy mills last Thursday, November 20, 2008. This has been announced after an eight month investigation. 

According to the Humane Society, the Petland stores are being furnished by large puppy mills. However, they tell the prospective customers that the dogs are coming from reputable breeders. Some puppies that are sold at Petland stores are sold for as much as $3,500 each, according to the Humane Society.

I feel that puppy mills are the worst things in the United States. They should be shut down and the people running them sent to prison. I beg you to spread the word about Petland and ask everyone you know to NOT buy from Petland. Every sale just gives these puppy mills more revenue and reasons to keep on running these puppy mills and making these animals live in deplorable and horrible conditions. 

There is a big problem with trying to find homes for an increasing number of retired greyhounds. The increase is due to a struggling dog racing business and a frail U.S. economy that has left a lot of people without jobs and not capable of affording a new pet. The troubles are made worse since more and more race tracks are closing, especially at this time of the year. Some are closing permanently because of competition from increased casino gambling and the overall economic reduction in people spending money on entertainment. 

Recently, the state of Massachusetts voted to ban greyhound racing altogether which then led to two tracks having to close by January 1, 2010. With some tracks in the state having more than two hundred dogs, these dogs have to go someplace. Possibly, some of them can be transferred to other tracks but the need of adopting a lot of these dogs is going to rise. 

Local nonprofit greyhound rescue groups and other adoption services are trying to encourage the adoption of greyhounds. Unfortunately, these organizations are themselves seeing decreases in donations as prospective supporters are becoming financially strapped themselves.

Greyhounds make great pets, since they are gentle, quiet, flexible and familiar of being handled by humans.