Run, Don't Walk

Photo: Mary Vogt

When Dogs Love To Run!

Dog running services are becoming more common these days. With many urban professionals working long hours, they come home too tired to walk let alone run their dogs. One of the oldest existing dog running services called Running Paws started in New York City in 2002. It started when one of the owners took a friend's yellow lab for a run in Central Park. Amber the lab loved it, and jogging with the dog, broke up the monotony in his exercise routine.

How Dog Running Works

Most dog walking companies will offer dog running as a service. Other places offer dog running exclusively. It costs about twice as much as a regular walk (even though prices vary). Dog runners will run a dog for 4 to 7 miles (6.5 to 11km). The one bright side is that a client will only need this done two to three times a week compared to walking dogs every day.

Many of the running programs are customized to accommodate the weight, size and age of a dog. Some of the benefits of doing this is that it decreases separation anxiety, helps to keep destructive behavior at bay and calms aggression.

Dog Running Services Reference

Here is a list of places that have dog running websites. Most of these are in America but you will find a couple abroad.

Company Name	Website Link	Location
Abby Loves Dogs	abbylovesdogs.com	Austin, TX
Atlanta Dog Runner	atlantadogrunner.com	Atlanta, GA
Austin Dog Runners	austindogrunners.com	Austin, TX
Bark, Get Set, Go	barkgetsetgo.com	Boulder, CO
Brooklyn Dog Runners	brooklyndogrunners.com	Brooklyn, NY
Cape K-9 Cardio	capek9cardio.com	Cape Cod, MA
Chicago Dog Runners	chicagodogrunners.com	Chicago, IL
Dash Dog Running	dashdogrunning.com	Buffalo, NY
DC Dog Care	dcdogcare.com	Washington, DC
D Jog	djogmydog.com	Seattle, WA
Dog And Runner	www.dogandrunner.com	Chicago, IL
Dogs On The Run	dogsontherun.com	Phoenix, AZ San Diego, CA Orange County, CA Palm Springs, CA Temecula, CA Fort Collins, CO Nashville, TN Seattle, WA
DogStar	dogstarcharleston.com	Charleston, SC
Donna's Dog Walking	donnasdogwalking.co.uk	Grantham, Lincolnshire, UK
Green Bay Dog Runner	greenbaydogrunner.com	Green Bay, WI
Happy Trails Dog Running	happytrailspdx.com	Portland, OR
KC Dog Runners	kcdogrunners.com	Kansas City, MO
Mainline Dog Runners	mainlinedogrunners.com	Philadelphia, PA
Marathon Dogs	marathondogs.com	Flagstaff, AZ
NYC Dog Runners	nycdogrunners.com	New York, NY
Paw Joggers	pawjoggers.com	Cincinnati, OH
Run That Mutt	runthatmutt.com	Fargo, ND
Running Paws	runningpaws.com	New York, NY
Running The Pack	runningthepack.com	Boston, MA
Santa Barbara Dog Runner	sbdogrunner.com	Santa Barbara, CA
Trailblazing Tails	trailblazingtails.com	Los Angeles, CA
Walks With Zara	walkswithzara.com	Chicago, IL
We Run Spot	werunspot.com	Dallas, TX
Zoot	zootpets.com	Georgetown, TX (north of Austin)

Let's Discuss!

Do you use dog running services or prefer a simple walk?

Related Posts

20 Breeds That Make Great Running Companions
Let's Run: A Pictorial
When Your Dog Is Beyond Chubby
When Your Puppy Is Too Peppy
Workouts For Owners And Dogs

Remember Not Replace

Cosmo And Elvis 1995

One of the hardest parts of being a dog owner is when one has to say goodbye to their longtime friend. Over the past 29 years I have had dogs, those days have never been easy and come to quickly. You think about all that your dog meant to you and how empty your life is without them around anymore.

What can be even more difficult is the time it takes to grieve. All dog owners grieve in their own way. Some decide to have a new dog join their family right away. Others can't ever think of having another dog ever again. It's a unique bond, that's for sure.

I think that replacing a dog is a common misconception when it comes to bringing a new dog into your household. Dogs are irreplaceable. Even if they don't live as long as we would like, they will always be remembered. I think the best way to remember your dog is to help another dog by letting it become part of your life.

Time is the most important factor. Sometimes, a person needs more time to pass and other times time doesn't pass quickly enough. When I had Cosmo and Elvis (as pictured above), the loss of Cosmo really hit Elvis hard. He didn't know what to do and was terrified. He would pant excessively and had severe separation anxiety, even with one of our family members there. He refused to eat and after 10 days, it became a necessity for him to have a companion.

After visiting the animal shelter, my mom and I decided on Cookie. She looked nothing like Cosmo and was a female. This way Elvis would know her as another dog, not a replacement. It took a few days, but Elvis came to accept her as a companion.

Dogs don't live as long as us, but they live life to the fullest. They always teach us so many life lessons without saying a word.

Let's Discuss!

When is the right time to add a dog to your family?

Recommended Reads

The Loss Of A Pet by Wallace Sife
Paw Prints In The Stars: A Farewell and Journal for a Beloved Pet by Warren Hanson
Goodbye, Friend: Healing Wisdom for Anyone Who Has Ever Lost a Pet by Gary Kowalski
Coping with Sorrow On the Loss of Your Pet by Moira Anderson Allen
When Only the Love Remains: The Pain of Pet Loss

Related Posts

How Cookie Came Into Our Family

Last Minute Gifts For The Holidays

As the holiday shopping season winds down, time is running out to pick up gifts. Getting the right gift can be a challenge so I've created a list that's ideal for the dog fans on your list. I found many of these products at a local pet boutique called Paws Pet Place. You can find many of these products online at Paws Pet Place online. Although, it's very close to the holiday, you may be able to get similar gifts at boutiques in your home town. Many people also give gifts for New Year's day so for those of you who do, this may get a good list for that holiday.

Cool Gifts

This dog bed is a gift for those who love to spoil their pooches. It's made of wood with a spot to engrave your dog's name, and a paw print design that can go on either side of the bed. Price: $110 USD.

Treat Jars are great and stylish. They're reasonably priced too starting at around $15.00 USD. Ceramic bowls are neat gifts as well. They are heavy so they don't slide around and can be thrown in the dishwasher. Most bowls are about $7.00 USD and up. All of these together are a fantastic combo as well.

For the dogs and their owner constantly on the go, these water bottles are a great gift. You can find them for about $4.00 to $15.00 USD depending on size and style. They can be found everywhere and come in handy on a long walk or run.

Interactive toys that challenge a dog are all the rage. These "smart toys" are great for dogs who need extra mental stimulation. So many times Homer plays with a toy and loses interest and gets his nose into something else. What I like about the Star Spinner is the different layers where food or treats can be hidden. It's made in the US by Kyjen and can be found anywhere starting at $15 USD.

These are great for the die-hard sports fan. Not only do they have dog shirts showing team support but you can also find hats, collars, leads and id tags for a person's favorite team. These usually start at $10 USD and up.

Stocking Stuffers

I found these at Paws Pet Place the other day. They're a great stocking stuffer for dogs.

Doggy Pops are a treat I came across last night. I had never seen treats like this and loved their creativeness. The pop part is made of peanut butter and the sticks are composed of different kinds of rawhide. This morning, I gave it to the dogs, when I went out for a few hours. Well, all of the dogs loved them. I picked them up from Pet Supplies Plus for $4 USD.

I never saw bones such as carrot bones made by Zuke's. These organic bones were bought in medium for $3.29 USD. These organic creations wound up being a little too big for the dogs so we substituted them for dinner last night. Did they think it was a regular bone? You better believe it! Homer was so protective of it, he waited by the door until he could go outside in the yard. Then, he went to the back, and buried it in the snow. Twenty minutes later, he wanted to go out again. After being let out a second time, he came back in with his bone and hid behind one of the cozy chairs in our family room to enjoy his bone in privacy.

Let's Discuss!

Have you finished your holiday shopping yet? What are some things you like to get for your dog-loving friends and family?

Related Posts

Bark For Beer Collars
More Last Minute Christmas Gifts

Kroger Pet Food Recall

Hi Everyone,

I received the latest news from my friends at Pet Food Talk and thought I would share it with you. If you or anyone you know purchases Kroger's pet food, you may want to pass this on...

On December 18th, 2010, Kroger issued an official recall of many of its pet food products which are sold under a variety of brand names.

Why Is Kroger Issuing This Recall?

According to current information, Kroger initiated this recall due to the possibility that the recalled formulas were contaminated with Aflatoxin.

What is Aflatoxin?

Aflatoxin is a naturally occurring toxin that is produced by a type of fungus. Aflatoxin may be present in grains while they are waiting to be processed into pet food products. Some of the crops that are routinely affected by aflatoxin include sorghum, rice, wheat, soybeans, corn and millet. Aflatoxins are one of the most carcinogenic substances known to scientists today.
What Are the Symptoms of Aflatoxin in my Pet?

Kroger has stated that there are a variety of symptoms that could signal that a pet has eaten food contaminated with aflatoxin. The symptoms are:
<1>Lethargy/Sluggishness
Yellowish Eyes
Yellowish Gums
Lack of Interest in Food
Bloody Diarrhea
Severe Diarrhea
If your pet has any of these symptoms, you should contact your veterinarian immediately to schedule an emergency appointment. Aflatoxin can potentially cause serious health complications and may sometimes be fatal to pets.

List of Affected Brands

This pet food recall includes both dog food and cat food. The following brands have been included in the Kroger pet food recall (according to current information):

• Pet Pride Cat Food sold in 3.5 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111088128
• Pet Pride Cat Food sold in 18 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111071357
• Pet Pride Tasty Blend Poultry & Seafood Cat Food sold in 3.5 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111088152
• Pet Pride Tasty Blend Poultry & Seafood Cat Food sold in 18 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111074580
• Pet Pride Kitten Formula Food sold in 3.5 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111071903
• Old Yeller Chunk Dog Food sold in 22 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111074566
• Old Yeller Chunk Dog Food sold in 50 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111074563
• Kroger Value Cat Food sold in 3 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111000018
• Kroger Value Chunk Dog Food sold in 15 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111071559
• Kroger Value Chunk Dog Food sold in 50 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code:1111000108

What States are Affected?

Kroger stores in the following states have currently been affected by the recall:
Alabama
Arkansas
Georgia
Illinois
Indiana
Kentucky
Louisiana
Michigan
Mississippi
Missouri
North Carolina
Ohio
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia
West Virginia

Other Affected Stores

In addition to this, the following stores in Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska should beware of these brands which are sold in the following stores:
Baker's
Dillons
Food 4 Less
Gerbes
Hilander
Jay C
Owen's
Pay Less
Scott's

Baby It's Cold Outside!

Portuguese Water Dog In The Snow by Zbigniew Nowak

Now that winter is here, all of my dogs love the snow. Cookie, acts likes a little pup. It seems the snow revitalizes her. However, cold temperatures follow, and there are some days it's just too cold to take the dogs on a long walk. Personally, I won't take them on a walk if the temperature is about 15°F (9°C).

Still, laying low doesn't help get that excess energy out of the pooches. Luckily, there are alternatives when the weather is too cold:

4 Ways To Keep Your Dogs Active When It's Too Cold

1. Take them to a pet superstore.Stores like Petco, PetSmart and Pet Supplies Plus are great places to bring your dog. They can walk through the aisles and take in the smells of other dogs. It's also good for running into other dogs to visit.
2. Go To An Indoor Dog Park! Here, you can have all of the benefits of outdoor play without any worry about your dogs getting cold. There is lots of space for them to run and interact with other dogs. Best of all, being off-leash is great for dogs because they can run free. They have staff on hand to address any questions that dog owners may have. It usually costs $5 to $10USD per dog.
3. Go for a car ride.My dogs love the car. The one whose ears really perk up when I mention the word car is Cookie. The way she reacts, it's as if I read her mind. As much as dogs love to run and play, a good car ride will give them plenty of mental stimulation. Dogs love to observe and the change of environment, will rid them of the winter doldrums.
4. Have a playdate! This one may be tricky because not everyone has an area in their house where dogs can run freely. Still, if your dog has built up a kinship with another dog, this may be a good option.

Let's Discuss!

How do you exercise your dogs when the temperature drops?

Related Posts

Walking Your Dog In Winter
Winter Safety Tips
Woof Hoofs Product Review

Another Brilliant Move By A Genius Dog Owner

Photo: AnneMarie Mannion, Chicago Tribune

I was watching the news yesterday and was in utter shock when I head about a young puppy who was thrown out of the window of a moving car. The male puppy, an Australian Cattle Dog mix between six and eight months old survived. He was found by some employees of X Sport Fitness, who then called authorities. The road where this dog was discovered is a busy one. The speed is 40 miles(64 kph) per hour on that road. That young puppy is extremely lucky. The Elmhurst, Illinois police are not going to rest until they arrest this reprehensible coward. The dog is safe but not up for adoption at this time but probably will be soon.

Sadly, this isn't the only time an incident like this has happened. In Louisville, Kentucky, this past September some cruel person dropped a young female dog out a car window while driving. This was a major expressway where cars travel at 65 miles per hour (105 kph). "Hope" (pictured above) survived but had severe injuries as a result. The cost for her surgery was $12,000. She had been severely abused, and is very lucky to be alive. She had spinal injuries from this and it was questionable that she would survive. Almost three months later, this young girl is in foster care and still has a cast on her broken left hind leg. She is extremely shy around new people and surroundings. The primary goal is to restore her lost muscle mass since she has been on bed rest for so long.

The animal shelter to where she was taken has been deluged with adoption requests. There is also an $8,000 dollar reward from the Louisville police as well as, a $2,500 dollar reward from the American Humane Association leading to the apprehension of the individual responsible for this travesty.

Making Sense Of The Senseless

I will never understand what drives a human being to do such heinous acts like this to a dog. If I ever came across these people, I would love to ask them "Why?". Dogs don't ask to be taken in, we do it because we want them in our lives. I will never understand what drives a person to this. One bad act that happens in the blink of an eye, changes a dog's life forever.

Hope and the little puppy are the lucky ones. Many others don't have such a happy ending.

Let's Discuss!

What are your thoughts on either of these dogs?

Read More About It

If you would like to learn more about these wonderful dogs, you can read up more about them below:
Dog Tossed Into Traffic In Good Condition
Dog Thrown From A Moving Car - Fox 41
Hope, Three Months Later, An Update

Get Off The Furniture Giveaway Winner

Hi Everyone!

It's been a long week that is still continuing. I've been in the midst of finals and while I've finished some things, I have to turn in a couple of projects and programming exercises. I will be back with a new post on Thursday.

We have a winner in our Get Off The Furniture Giveaway. See the video below to find out. Hope you all have enjoyed the weekend. A huge thank you to all you guys who entered. :D

The Big Winner!

Get Off The Furniture Giveway Winner from Elena Papastefan on Vimeo.

Related Post

Get Off The Furniture

A Rescue's Christmas Poem

Hi Everyone!

Since we're in the midst of the holiday season, I went ahead and did this month's podcast. It's called A Rescue's Christmas Poem. It captures animals and how they feel in a shelter beautifully. Here's the link you'll need...


A Rescue Dog's Christmas Poem

Related Posts

Home For The Holidays
How Cookie Came Into Our Family
How To Decide On The Right Dog
Leaving On A Jet Plane
The Ripple Effects Of The BP Oil Spill
The Newest Member Of The Whitehouse

Get Off The Furniture Giveaway

Catching your dog on the furniture, is always a frustrating thing for dog owners. There are times I'll find the dogs on sofas, chairs or even tables. Probably the only thing they've stayed clear of are tv tables.

Nowadays, dog furniture is becoming more popular these days. Major stores everywhere sell beds and pillows made especially for dogs. I think for a pet owner this is the way to go because the dog knows that piece of furniture is just for them.

Our Giveaway

To celebrate how our dogs fit into our home life, CSN stores is sponsoring this giveaway. One winner will win a $45 USD promotion code to use at any of their 200 websites.

Contest Rules

1. You must live in the U.S. or Canada.
2. You must have a valid e-mail address.
3. Winner will be chosen at random.
4. Only one entry per person.
5. Contest ends Thursday, December 9th at 11:59 P.M. C.S.T.

How It Works

You can enter it one of the following ways:

1. Become a new follower and leave a comment.
2. Tweet this on Twitter: I just entered Too Kool Doggies giveaway for a $45 prize from CSN stores. #GetOffTheFurniture
3. Leave a comment below about your pets and furniture.

Special Deals!

You may want to check out these special holiday deals through CSN Stores websites:

www.csnbaby.com
www.everygameroom.com
www.fitnessequipmentandmore.com
www.toysandgamesonline.com

Related Contests

Sleek, Chic and Unique
When Dogs Chew What They Shouldn't

Good Luck Everyone!

Free To Roam Yet No Longer A Stray

Photo Resource: The Bark

Some of you may remember Rusty, the stray dog who eluded capture for three years. Well, now that he's recovered from his heartworm treatment, he will be going to a new home. It's located in Utah and is called Dogtown at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.

Many of you may know about Best Friends since many of Michael Vick's pit bulls were sent there instead of being euthanized. Since Rusty did not feel comfortable around humans the way dogs should, they decided to send him to Dogtown. Although he is never vicious around humans, he's more himself around other dogs.

Dogtown only accepts less than 1 percent of the 2,000 applications it receives each month. This will be a fresh start for Rusty in a place where he can be safe and not worry about living life on the run.

Read More About It

All Dogs Go To Heaven; Rusty's going to Utah
Rusty The Vagabond Dog

Let's Discuss!

Have you known a dog like Rusty? Have you heard about Dogtown?

Get Ready For Black Friday!

Hi Friends!

Here's wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving. Hope everyone is having a fantastic holiday wherever you are.

Black Friday is the biggest day for retailers around the world. It is the first day of the holiday shopping season and with Christmas exactly a month away, that isn't very much time. Today, I received so many Black Friday ads with my paper, it was put in a separate bag.

As pet owners, there will be many special deals out there for our pets. These also can be a great gift idea for your pet-loving friend. Without further adieu, here's my...

Black Friday Deal Roundup

PetSmart

Greenies Canine Dental Chews
These are great for yourself or as a gift for the holidays.

Original price: $32.99 USD
Black Friday Price: $24.99 USD

Drinkwell Pet Fountain available through Petsmart.

Original price: $49.99 USD
Black Friday Price: $19.99 USD

Fancy Feast Cat Food

For those of you who have cats as well as dogs, this is an excellent deal on canned food:

Original price: $.56 per can
Black Friday Price: $.40 per can

All Pet Collars will be 50% off

Menard's

Cuddlee Critters are great for dogs (like Homer) who love to tear a dog toy to shreds. They have a squeaker but no stuffing, so a dog owner will not have to worry about having their dog ingest all of that stuffing. Best known for their hardware products Menard's will be selling Cuddlee Critters at a phenomenal discount:

Original Price: $10.00 USD

Black Friday Price: $1.99 USD

Note: Not available online.

Amazon

Pet Photography 101: Tips for taking better photos of your dog or cat Available through Amazon (which I am an affiliate of).

Original price: $14.95 USD
Black Friday Price: $7.47 USD

Get It Here!

Woof Hoofs

Woof Hoofs is having a special sale for their one-year anniversary. You can buy any pair for 20% off their dog boots. Promotion Code: baxter This special also includes free shipping. You can get this through the website only. Don't miss out on their celebration!

Pet Beds

This is the one item that you will find on sale anywhere. Popular stores include:
Macy's
Kohl's
Bass Pro Shops
Ace Hardware

Let's Discuss!

Will you raid the sales or stay away on Black Friday?

What Could Be Better Than Puppies?

Hi Folks!

I recently found out that there are over 70,000 puppies and kittens born each year. Many of these puppies are born into puppy mills. All of them deserve a good home. In the spirit of animal adoption, let's take a better look at puppies.

Pyrenean Mountain Dog Photo: Agnes Carter Million

Photo: Jason Smith

American Staffordshire Puppy Photo: Jan de Wild

Puppy With A Flower Photo: Dreamstime

On A Clear Summer Day

Taking A Snooze Photo: Valery Kirsanov

Behind The Wheel - Photo: Arno Nasshan

Cute Red Head - Photo: Enna Van Duinen

Time For A Bone - Photo: Hugy

On The Beach - Photo: Laura Frankel

Basset Hound Puppy Relaxing - Photo: Jorge Alejandro Preciado Oseguera

Hope you all have a fantastic day.

More Photo Related Posts

The Dogs Of Summer
Fun Friday Photos
Harmony In Unison
Home For The Holidays
Let's Run: A Photo Pictorial
Sometimes They Can Get Along

Chihuahuas, The New Breed Of Police Dogs

Momo —Japan's Newest Police Dog Photo by: Reuter's

The Newest Rage In Japan

Everyone knows that police dogs are strong, confident, aware and have a great sense of smell. There are small dogs out there who think they're a big dog and do not get intimidated by anyone. A famous breed like this would be a Chihuahua. This morning, I was listening to the radio, and they had mentioned that Japan had a brand new Chihuahua named Momo (Japanese for peach).

This 7-year-old pooch was one of 32 dogs who passed the search and rescue test in under five minutes by finding a person merely by sniffing her cap. Weighing only 6.6 pounds (3 kg) she is planned to be used in situations when German Shepherds can't fit into smaller spots. She'll also be deployed in earthquake search and rescue missions.

Not The First Chihuahua To Serve and Protect

There's a chihuhua/rat terrier mix in Ohio who's officially the world's smallest police dog, as she's been added to the Guiness Book Of World Records. Her name is Midge. Working with her partner, Brutus she helps to keep drugs off the street in the small town outside of Cleveland. Starting out at only three months old, she was trained by Sheriff Dan McClelland of Geauga County, Ohio since 2006.

Photo: WKYC.Com

Since then, she's blossomed into a full-fledged narcotics dogs. In her downtime, she isn't used for crowd support because of her size. She moonlights as a social dog for the townspeople Too. You can see what's she's been up to, in this Channel 8 News video below:



More and more, dogs are finding new ways to be indispensable to their owners. I can't wait to see what will happen next.

Let's Discuss!

Do you have a police dog in your hometown that isn't the usual dog? What do you think about small dogs working as police dogs?

Read More About It!

Meet Japan's Newest Police Dog - Reuters
Mini Chihuahua,Latest Geagua County K-9
Dallas News Report About Midge

Related Posts

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Two Great Dog Photo Contests

Good Morning! As a dog owner, one of the best things I love about my dogs is getting the perfect shot with my camera. Purina Petcentric understands this and is having a special contest to celebrate that fact.

In accordance with The National Dog Show will be broadcast on NBC on Thanksgiving Day (November 25) at 12:00 P.M. EST. John O'Hurley—who's best known as Mr. Peterman from Seinfeld— will be the host.In accordance with this show, Purina will be having a special contest where five winners will win a Flip 4GB Camcorder Camera and compete for the Best in Show photo.

There is a limit of one entry per household, however, you can enter the one photo that you will be using in more than one category. Also, the photo size limit is 1 MB. All entries must be received by 11:59:59 a.m. CT on December 30, 2010 to be eligible for consideration. The subject in the photo must be owned by the person entering the contest.

The five contest winners will be chosen by total votes through the website. 40% of the votes will count towards the category winners. You can see and vote on the photos at the Petcentric website. Purina will donate a dollar for every entry (up to 50,000) to adoptapet.com.
.

The Categories

Here are the categories to which a person can submit their favorite pet photo:

• Best Athlete
• Best Expression
• Best Troublemaker
• Most Lovable
• Best John O'Hurley Look-Alike (pictured right)

Photo: Ken Lund

The Grand Prize

The best in show contest winner will receive a trip for two to Aruba. This will be decided by the judges. How do they decide? 50% is how well it fits with the category theme, 25% is based on composition and the other 25% is based on originality/creativity.

A Contest For November

In addition to The Dog Show Contest, Petcentric is having a special contest that is just for the month of November called It's Game Time! The object of this contest is to capture your dog's athletic side whether they're catching their favorite ball or being the best cheerleader ever. One lucky winner will receive a 4GB Flip Camcorder and a Nikon Coolpix Camera. This contest ends on November 30th.

Let's Discuss!

Have you entered your pets in any photo contests lately? Are you planning to watch The National Dog Show this year? I will be watching the show and if I can find the right photo, then I will probably give the contest a shot too.

Learn More

If you would like to read more about these exciting contests or learn about The National Dog Show, you can check out these links:

Petcentric Website
The National Dog Show

Related Posts

The National Dog Show
The Winners
Pet Photography

How Could Someone Do That To Pookie?

It never ceases to amaze me how people can be so cruel to animals. This was especially so on Veteran's day in Greensville, South Carolina —a day where we recognize the armed forces who serve our country—where someone set fire to a sweet 14 year-old dog called Pookie, whose only desire was to serve his family with love. He was the type of dog to keep to himself and didn't hurt anyone. All he did is mind his own business sitting outside in his doghouse while watching the owner's house.

Yet some pathetic shell of a human being set this dog (a collie-chow mix) on fire in his doghouse, his head pinned under a cinder block. The dog was badly burned but rescued in time. He will need surgery to repair the severe damage to his head and face. Both of his corneas have been damaged, so there is a possibility he will go blind because of the scarring. He will have a long, slow recovery ahead of him, thanks to this spineless coward. He's improved steadily and is not as skittish today as he was yesterday.

To date, there has been no suspect implicated in this heinous crime. The only lead the police have is that a person saw a tall, thin man hanging around the doghouse moments before the fire started. I only hope there was a witness out there to bring this poor dog the justice that he deserves.

Good News

The good news to come out of Pookie's plight is the overwhelming support of the public to help donate money to cover the surgery costs. He will also be adopted out to a good home, since his owner, Mable Ramey can no longer afford to keep him. At least, he will spend his golden years being treated like a king.

If you would like to pictures of how this dog is doing, you will want to check out the WYFF Website . If you would like to make a donation, please call Animal Care Services in Greenville at 864-467-3954. I didn't post the pictures due to the fact that they are very graphic.

Let's Discuss!

Have you heard this news story? What are your thoughts that you would like to share?

Cute Dogs Daily

I always get excited when I come across a new dog-friendly website. This is the case for Cute Dogs Daily. The goal of the website is to submit cute photos or videos of your dog. What's even better is that they are having a Cutest Dog of 2010 Contest. You submit a picture of your dog. The owner of the winning dog will receive a $75 gift card to PetSmart. If you have that perfect photo of your dog, it's something to consider.

Here's an adorable video of a pug puppy looking at itself in the mirror that you can see on the website or right here...

Let's Discuss!

What's your favorite website to see cute dogs or animals?

Related Posts

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Giving His Readers A Say

There's a new author in town who's changing the way books are sold. Bo Hoefinger, a lovable Golden Retriever/Chow-chow mix from Georgia who's the author behind this bright idea.

How This Works

This was first done by the rock band Radiohead when they released their album a few years ago. The author thought it would be a great idea to do it with a book so he incorporated this feature into his website.

In order to get the word out, the author is offering a "Pay What You Want" option if you buy the book on the Bad To The Bone Memoir website, you can pay whatever price you want to get the book. This is a brilliant marketing promotion! An important detail is the more you pay, the more animal rescue groups will benefit since Bo will be donating the profits of the book sales to them. Personally, I hope to be able to review this after school slows down a little.

Let's Discuss!

Have you read this memoir? What are your thoughts? Have you ever done a pay as you go offer?

Learn More About It

If you would like to learn more about this innovative offer, please see the following links:

Author Says Pay What You Want
Bad To The Bone Memoir Website
Buy From Amazon (my affiliate link)

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Ted, My 8th Podcast

Hello Everyone!

I can't believe how much time has gone by since my last podcast. This time I'm continuing by doing another dog poem. This one is short and sweet. It was written by Maxine Anna Buck.

Enjoy. Here is the link to the my podcast blog.

Podcast 8

Riding In Tandem From Superfetch

Some of you may love to ride your bike with your dog. Recently, I came across this video from the tv show Superfetch. It shows Sam and her Australian Kelpie dog Ruiz riding on a tandem bicycle together. I've never seen anything like it and thought this would be a great thing to share on a Friday.

For all of you who love to bike, you may want to visit biking.com through this link here.

Let's Discuss!

Do you ever watch Superfetch? What is the most fascinating thing you've seen dog and owner do in tandem.

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Dangerous Dog Bans

I was looking at the news this morning and came across an article where Cesar Millan can't bring his pit bull Junior  to Toronto, Ontario because of a dangerous dog ban. Nevermind that Junior is a pit bull mix who has basically been an ambassador whose calming presence help comfort many aggressive dogs.

Junior and Daddy from Cesar Millan's Website

While I think that there are dangerous dogs out there, I think it's unfair to lump them all into one group because of a few bad dogs who probably didn't have an owner, or was doing what they thought their irresponsible owner wanted.

Dangerous Dogs: Myth or Reality?

Many dogs such as Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Presa Canario, or even Doberman Pinschers are considered dangerous by lawmakers. The irony is that bad owners have made these dogs dangerous. If an owner gets a dog with aggressive tendencies, they must have the patience to help reel in that aggressive streak. Instead, many of them will try to fight them in dog fights, beat them up as an outlet for their frustration or simply turn them into mean dogs so they won't feel intimidated.

Who suffers? It's not the owners, but the dog. There are dogs out there with behavior issues that can be threatening to humans. They may be strays who've had to fend for themselves or dogs who have been severely abused. It's so hard to believe that a certain breed of dog is dangerous though. Everything has its exceptions.

Not everyone likes dogs. Still, as long as certain dogs are raised by responsible owners and act like good citizens, why not exclude them from these bans? Better yet, instead of targeting a specific breed, why not judge every situation individually?

Personally, the more I read about places creating dangerous dog bans, the more I think they are perpetuating the myth instead of getting to the heart of the matter. When you create laws that are based on fear, there is little possibility to change the situation for the better.

Let's Discuss!

What are your feelings on dangerous dog bans?

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