Squidoo Challenge: Let's Write To Help Animals

Do you Squidoo?

I've finally discovered Squidoo! I know what you're thinking, "What, Squidoo has been around a long time!" Yeah I know, I'm a proscrastinator. So, "How does this relate to dogs?" you might ask. With every Squidoo lens that you create, you have the option of donating the money generated from the lens to charity. You can actually choose which charity it will go to, such as the ASPCA or TLC Animal Shelter.

I've just signed up with Squidoo today, and made my first lens, which will benefit the TLC Animal Shelter. TLC Animal Shelter caught my attention because they are using creative efforts to save as many animals as they possibly can. They reach out to the public for volunteers, they have their own CafePress T-shirt store to raise money, they've signed up for GoodSearch where they can get a percentage of profits when people shop at major stores, they have garage sales and walkathons. TLC Animal Shelter does everything they can so that they can avoid EVER having to euthanize a healthy animal.

In the future I may create some Squidoo lenses to benefit the ASPCA as well, but for now I thought I would concentrate on the TLC Animal Shelter. If you're interested, here's the lens I created today called Dog Ear Yeast Infection Cures. It's about home made remedies and over the counter products to cure a yeast ear infection in dogs. I still need to add more to it, but that should give you an idea. While I was making it, the thought just came to mind, that many animals could be helped through the creation of Squidoo lenses.

A Squidoo lens makes money from the Adsense and Amazon ads displayed on it. You also have the option of keeping 100% of the profits, and Squidoo will pay you by Paypal. I'm going to make it a goal to make 10 lenses a month, they are pretty easy to create, so that shouldn't be too hard. You're welcome to join me whether you want to make some extra cash for your pets at home, or donate it to an animal charity.

Basic Puppy Formula Recipes

If you have are trying to raise an orphan puppy, you can try these basic puppy formula recipes.

Basic Puppy Formula Recipes #1

2/3 Cup Goat milk canned (or just regular canned milk)
1/3 Cup water or Pedialyte
1 teaspoon Karo Syrup
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon Dyne or pediatric vitamin

Strain a couple of times to make sure there is no albumin in the mixture, although it has been used successfully without egg at all. Variation: 1 can of Condensed Milk rather than goat's milk (it may be too high in protein and put a strain on the puppy's kidneys. 1 envelope of Knox unflavored gelatin in addition to other ingredients (helps keep stools solid).


Basic Puppy Formula Recipes #2

1 cup of canned Condensed milk or evaporated milk
4 ounces plain, full-fat yogurt
1 egg yolk
1 dropper full of baby vitamins

Mix well.


Basic Puppy Formula Recipes #3
2 cups hot water
1 can Evaporated milk (Not condensed--both are in bakery section
of store but different products)
2 eggs
2 tablespoons Karo syrup
2 envelopes Knox unflavored gelatin.

Mix thoroughly to get the gelatin working.


Basic Puppy Formula Recipes #4
4 ounces Carnation EVAPORATED milk
4 ounces FULL FAT natural, plain yogurt
1 tablespoon Mayonnaise, (NOT salad dressing and definitely NOT
DIET)
1 egg yolk
1 dropper full of human baby pediatric liquid vitamin, no fluoride.

Whiz in blender...feed baby.

FunToKnow Dog Training DVD Review

Fun To Know DVD's creates a variety of educational and instructional DVD's, including the FunToKnow Dog Training DVD. Fun To Know claims that, "With this DVD you will learn how you can make your dog a well-mannered, polite, and playful member of your family." The FunToKnow dog training DVD is advertised to provide detailed instruction on how to deal with house training and destructive behaviors.

In the dog training world, there are two completely different sets of beliefs on the proper way to train dogs. We are aware that there are dog trainers that insist upon being a dominant alpha dog forcing their dog to be submissive. Yet, a large number of dog trainers are rejecting that theory now, and say the key is positive reinforcement training. When purchasing a book or DVD on dog training, most people want to know what types of methods are used.

Yet the FunToKnow Dog Training DVD sales copy is so vague, you do not know where they stand on this issue, and it's hard to know what you'll get before you buy. Not too many reviews available on the FunToKnow Dog Training DVD yet, but the ones I've seen have not been overly positive. With comments such as "This didn't have any real life scenarios using an untrained dog" and "It only took Pia Silvani and company a couple of days to make this video and it shows".

Based on the reviews given at this time, we cannot recommend the FunToKnow Dog Training DVD.

Natural Pro Health Dog Treats

Many commercial dog treats contain ingredients such as artificial flavorings, colorings, and preservatives. Why not make healthy, nutritious, natural pro health dog treats at home? You may find that it's less expensive than the store bought treats, just as important, your dog will most likely be getting a much healthier snack. The following is an extremely simple natural pro health dog treats recipe you can make at home.

To make liver treats your dog will love, start off with one pound of beef liver. Slice the meat into one inch pieces, and place in the food dehydrator for 24 hours. If you don't have a dehydrator, bake them on a cookie sheet at 325 for about 45 minutes. You can modify this natural pro health dog treats recipe to use with almost any type of meat. The beauty of this recipe is the simplicity, with no by-products or unhealthy additives.

Dog Vaccines Causing Health Problems

Dog Vaccines Causing Health Problems

You may or may not be surprised to know, that there have been numerous cases of dog vaccines causing health problems. Years ago, veterinarians would tell their clients that a yearly vaccine is required, but in the last ten years this has been challenged by veterinary schools and researchers. Yearly vaccinations are unnecessary, as most vaccines last for several years to the lifetime of your pet. The most widely accepted viewpoint in the medical community at this time, is that vaccination once every three years is sufficient. Over-vaccination is not just unnecessary, it can also be harmful to your pet with dog vaccines causing health problems in certain cases. Reported health problems include immune disorders, urticaria, vomiting, allergic reactions, kidney failure, arthritis, encephalitis, epilepsy, anaphylaxis, and injection site tumors.

Leptospirosis is one of the leading dog vaccines causing health problems and vaccination reactions. “Lepto is a very adverse event associated vaccine and the damndest thing is that lepto vaccines simply do not work. Dr Ron Schultz (the world’s foremost independent authority on canine vaccines) hates to see them in with anything else and, in puppies, advises that they are completely finished with the viral inoculations before getting a vaccine against Lepto, which he neither recommends nor advocates - even in Lepto endemic areas. “I have seen older dogs go into kidney failure within two days of receiving a Lepto vaccine.” (Dog Vaccines Causing Health Problems) Source: The Whole Dog

Immediate signs of dog vaccines causing health problems are lethargy, fever, muscle soreness, facial swelling, vomiting, and shock. Rabies vaccinations are required by law in many areas, yet is one of the dog vaccines causing health problems that can be severe and even life threatening. “Rabies is the vaccine most associated with adverse reactions because it’s so potent,” says renowned veterinarian Dr. Jean Dodds. “We have a lot of bad reactions, including fatal ones. They usually occur within two to three weeks after vaccination, although they can appear up to 45 days later. Because the rabies vaccine is a neurogenic protein, meaning it affects the nervous system, what you will often see is seizures or seizure-like disorders like stumbling, ataxia, dementia, and some demyelination, where the animals become wobbly and don’t have proper motor skills. You can also have an autoimmune-like destruction of tissues, skin, blood, joints, the liver or kidneys.” Dr. Dodds adds that animals already ill with immune-related diseases such as cancer can be even more negatively affected. “Often, this is the last thing that causes the animal’s demise.” (Dog Vaccines Causing Health Problems) Source: Animal Wellness Magazine

There have been reports of other dog vaccines causing health problems or reactions, including issues with the lyme disease, leptospirosis, and peridontal vaccines. Avoid vaccinating more than once every three years, and consider avoiding vaccinations altogether, if your dog is elderly or has health conditions.

Dog Doctor

Dog Doctor

This is dog doctor, a poor unfortunate victim of human types with way too much time on their hands! Notice the 100% polyester suit, it's sooo 1970's. Needless to say, this would be considered cruel and unusual treatment by any standards.

Dog doctor is putting up a brave front, and pretending like he's happy. Yet inside his dog mind, he's plotting to rip it off, at the first possible opportunity. We have set up a relief fund to benefit dog doctor, and...

I'm kidding. I found this dog doctor costume online, it looks like they are selling it at every costume shop. It made me wonder though, what if there really were a dog doctor? A dog doctor would probably give unconditional love to all of his patients, and listen to each one intently. Patients would get long walks, plenty of encouragement, and affectionate licks on the face.

Purina Dog Breed Selector

The Purina dog breed selector is a little tricky, because if I answer the questions honestly, it will not match me up with a dog breed.

Here are the questions asked in the purina dog breed selector:

1. How much daily exercise can you give your dog?
2. How much grooming would you prefer your dog to need?
3. How much do you want to spend if you plan on buying a purebred pup?
4. How much do you plan on spending on dog food each week?
5. How much time will your dog be spending around children?
6. Do you or any member of your immediate family suffer from allergies?
7. Do you have a garden or area outside your dog can use?
8. How much time will your dog be alone each day?
9. Will your dog be living with other pets, including dogs, cats, rabbits, etc?
10.Will you want to train your dog?
11.Are you looking for a dog for personal protection?
12.Are you looking for a guard dog?
13.What size of dog do you prefer?
14.What sort of coat would you prefer your dog to have?
15.How active would you like your dog to be?
16.How vocal would you prefer your dog to be?
18.How much shedding would you be able to tolerate?

At the beginning of the purina dog breed selector, it asks how long each day that you can exercise your dog. You can select 40 minutes, 1.5 hours, 2 hours, or more than 2 hours. If you select 1.5 hours, it will begin the test with 99 breed matches found. With each consecutive answer on the purina dog breed selector, it will then begin to deduct dog breed matches. In the second question, if you only want to groom your dog up to once a week, you'll be left with only 18 matches. On the third question, it asks how much you would spend on a purebred. Many of us concerned with the homeless or stray dogs, are probably not going to spend a fortune on a purebred. If you select the smallest amount, which is under 600 USD, you are left with zero choices.

On the purina dog breed selector, you may find yourself searching for ways to compromise in one area, so that you will get lucky enough to be matched up with a dog. It doesn't seem that the purina dog breed selector was accurate in selecting the perfect breed in my case, but they do ask excellent questions for anyone thinking about adopting a dog. If you want to try it go to Purina Dog Breed Selector and click the red banner that says "Launch the Breed Selector".

Dog Breed Selector Quiz

Animal Planet has a fun dog breed selector quiz, that will help you determine the perfect dog for you. The dog breed selector quiz will ask you 10 questions, that you may not have considered. At the end of the quiz, the results will show numerous results listing the best match first. I took the dog breed selector quiz in it's entirety, and was actually surprised by the results. The quiz said a Toy Fox Terrier would be my best choice, a breed that I know very little about. After researching this breed tonight, it's obvious that the dog breed selector quiz had made an excellent choice in my case.

10 questions the dog breed selector quiz will want to know:

1. What size of dog
2. Energy level of dog
3. Exercise requirements
4. Playfulness
5. Affection level
6. Friendliness toward other pets
7. Ease of training
8. Protection ability
9. Grooming requirements
10. Cold & heat tolerance

With each question of the dog breed selector quiz, it will give you a more detailed explanation, along with several multiple choice answers.

You can take the dog breed selector quiz here: Dog Breed Selector Quiz If you click on "start your search" in the dog breed selector box, it will start the quiz.

Make Home Made Dog Jerky Treats

This is going to be a long post, so if you're only interested in learning how to make home made jerky treats, scroll down to the bottom. What I would like to do, is show you how to make jerky treats at home that may be similar to Dogswell Happy Heart chicken breast treats, Mellow Mut chicken breast treats, and Breathies chicken breast treats. They all contain strips of chicken breast, but each variety is marinated with different ingredients.

Dogswell Happy Heart chicken breast treats ingredients: Chicken Breast, Flaxseed, Taurine, Turmeric, Cinnamon, Dandelion Oil, Vitamin E Supplement

Dogswell Mellow Mut chicken breast treats ingredients: Chicken Breast, Vitamin E Supplement, Chamomile, Clover, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Linden Flower, Oyster Shell Flour (Source of Calcium Carbonate)

Dogswell Breathies chicken breast treats ingredients: Oats, Barley, Brown Rice, Chicken, Dried Cane Molasses, Flaxseed, Potato Protein, Sweet Potatoes, Rice Bran, Canola Oil, Brewers Yeast, Natural Flavor, Peppermint, Cinnamon, Rosemary, Vitamin E Supplement, Parsley Flakes, Chlorophyll

You can make dog jerky treats as shown at the bottom of this post, but use the ingredient lists above as a guide to create a marinade. The inspiration of this post actually began almost a week ago when the owner of Kona Chips contacted CoCo the Blogging Dog about another post, in which I mentioned their company.

That post is here: Dog Freebies

They stressed the danger of made in China dog treats, and I've also learned that Dogswell dog food is not made in China, but all of their treats are! Kona Chips asked me to share the following information with my readers.

If you haven't visited Lacie's Site, I suggest you check it out at Lacie's Site, a website dedicated to a beautiful Cavalier puppy who died from chicken jerky from China. Also, other stories on pets who have become ill and/or died are included.

Do you feed your dog chicken jerky and if so, have you checked the label for country of origin? You should check the back of the label for 3 very small words, "Made in China". Did you know that most of the chicken jerky for dogs on the market today is made in China?

Have you heard that the FDA issued a new warning dated December 19, 2008?:
FDA complaints on chicken jerky

There's also a lot of information on our website about this product and a fun page too--please check out our Kudos page: Kona's Chips Kudos

Thank you!
Kona
Kona's Chips
www.konaschips.com

I agree with Kona for a variety of reasons, we should all be checking the label for made in China dog food or treats. The number one reason is China's track record with melamine tainted animal food, poisoned baby formula and toothpaste, dangerous baby toys, and shoddy low quality merchandise. One of my biggest personal reasons to boycott China, is the fact that they refuse to stop eating dogs and even skin dogs for their fur, and that's not something I want to support. If you would rather buy dog jerky treats, safely made in the USA, try Kona Chips. This is a reply back from Dogswell, in defense of their made in China dog treats.

Thank You for contacting us here at DOGSWELL®. I just wanted to reassure you that there is nothing to worry about. In no way are we affected or involved with this FDA warning.

The DOGSWELL® manufacturing facilities meet the highest and most strict sanitary conditions. All of our plants have HACCP programs, have received high scores by independent Third Party auditors, have strict raw ingredient standards and continuously check our products during processing and when they are finished to ensure they meet our high quality standards. Our wet food for dogs, our dry food for dogs and our biscuits are manufactured in the U.S. and our treats are manufactured in China . We regularly visit our manufacturing facilities to ensure the quality and safety of our products.

We don't determine our source country for ingredients based solely on the country of origin; we find the best quality ingredient combined with the highest quality supplier and testing specifications and select them. You can be confident that DOGSWELL® products are natural, high-quality and provide the best for your pet.

Please know we certify that our products are safe and clean with regular testing and ensure that our products meet high quality standards. We test product from each batch that is produced and have never had our results come back positive for ANY harmful ingredients such as cyanuric acid, melamine, e.coli and salmonella. Moreover, please note that no DOGSWELL® product contains milk powder.

We regularly test our products for any harmful contaminants and to ensure that they meet our quality standards. Along with an in-depth knowledge of our supply chain, our regular tests assure our customers that we are providing their pets with only the very best ingredients. Tests are conducted at independent, third-party, U.S. laboratories that follow FDA and APPMA-approved methodology. Please see attached for an example of test results for our treats; I have attached one of our HAPPY HIPS® products that were tested recently.

Our material suppliers are certified clean and clear of any contaminants. If raw ingredients do not meet their specifications and pass safety tests, then the ingredient is rejected immediately and never enters our processing facilities. Moreover, we strive to use products from suppliers that treat their animals humanely. Please see attached for an image of our chickens in their barn.

Please know that we honestly believe that pets are family too and we feed our products to our own pets regularly. Again, we test product from each batch that is produced and have never had our results come back positive for ANY harmful ingredients.

Dogswell is known for high quality products, and again, the line of dog food is strictly made in the USA. I'll still boycott the treats, as well as other made in China products, in protest for dogs that have been killed and skinned to make cheap made in China fur trinkets. Ughh, I knew this post would get long...:)

Now we get to the home made dog Jerky treats recipe. This is a recipe based on Mary Bell’s dehydrator book, but modified a bit for this post.

Basic Chicken Jerky

1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1/4 cup olive oil
juice of 1 lemon
*optional - Trying adding ingredients to the marinade, like Dogswell treats. Such as dried cane molasses, flaxseed, peppermint, parsley, etc.

1. Cut the chicken into 5 inches long, 1 inch wide, and 1/4 inch thick.

2. In a bag, combine the oil, lemon juice, optional ingredients, and add chicken. Squeeze out the air in the plastic bag, making sure all the chicken surfaces are covered with marinade, and seal the bag. Refrigerate for 24 hours.

2. Preheat the oven to 300F. Remove the chicken from the bag, place in a glass baking dish, and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the chicken from the baking dish, reserving the cooking juice, which can be used as a sauce. Let chicken cool.

4. Place the baked chicken strips on mesh sheets in the drying trays. Dry for about 6to 8 hours, depending on the style of dehydrator, until the strips are leathery.
Makes 4 to 5 ounces.

If you don't have a dehydrator, you can dry them in the oven at about 145F, but it will take at least 4-6 hours. If you're not a vegetarian, these are probably the only dog treats you'll ever be tempted to eat with your dog.

Why Is My Dog Coughing Up White Foam?

A worried dog lover asked, "Why is my dog coughing up white foam?" What I've found is that under certain circumstances, this is considered normal. In fact, I've done it myself! Dogs may cough up white foam when they are excited, overly hot, frightened, or stressed out. Sort of like the excitement you feel when your pawrent gets home, they grab the leash and take you out for a walk in the hot sun! Whoops, sorry I just spit up a little white foam there. In fact, even pregnant dogs may cough up white foam every once in awhile due to hormonal changes.

On the flip side, the answer to "Why is my dog coughing up white foam?" is not as reassuring. Because it can also be the sign of a serious medical condition requiring Veterinary care. Coughing up white foam is common in Kennel Cough, Tonsillitis, and may present itself in cases of bloat, poisonings, or choking. That's why the answer to the question, "Why is my dog coughing up white foam?" has to be "It depends." If your dog coughed up a bit of foam while playing, but seems ok now, he probably is. If your dog is frequently hacking/retching, and generally doesn't seem to be feeling well, a trip to the Veterinarian is necessary.

If Your Dog Is Vomiting Yellow Fluid

If your dog is vomiting yellow fluid, it's caused by throwing up on an empty stomach. If your dog throws up on an empty stomach, it's normal to see that bright yellow frothy stuff known as bile. It's not just that a dog is vomiting yellow fluid that's a concern, but the fact that your dog is vomiting to begin with.

If your dog is vomiting yellow fluid, you should consider:

Does my dog have an appetite? Is my dog sluggish or lethargic? Does he seem his normal self? Did he just throw up once or twice, but otherwise seem normal? Can my dog keep food down? Are his gums pink, rather than pale? Does my dog have a loose stool? Is my dog drinking water?

By answering these questions, it will help you determine whether immediate medical attention is necessary. Vomiting can be caused by something as simple as a change in diet, over-excitement and stress, table scraps that don't agree with your dog, or even playing too hard on an empty stomach. There are some dogs with sensitive stomachs that suffer from chronic vomiting, due to an excess of bile and stomach acids. If your dog is vomiting yellow fluid, there are a vast amount of things that could cause this, so it's important to consider all the factors.

If your dog is vomiting yellow fluid more than once or twice a week, you may want take him to the veterinarian, even if he seems otherwise healthy. Vomiting can indicate more serious conditions including intestinal obstructions, internal parasites, pancreatitis, tumors, kidney failure, and inflammatory bowel disease.

Faithful Dog Poem

Faithful Dog Poem

A Faithful Dog

A faithful dog will play with you
And laugh with you -- or cry.
He'll gladly starve to stay with you
Nor ever reason why.
And when you're feeling out of sorts
Somehow he'll understand.
He'll watch you with his shining eyes
And try to lick your hand.
His blind, implicit faith in you
Is matched by his great love--
The kind that all of us should have
In the Master, up above.
When everything is said and done,
I guess this isn't odd...
For when you spell 'Dog' backwards,
You get the name of G-d.

--Faithful Dog Poem
Author Unknown

Largest Dog In The World

The Guinness World Records indicate that a dog known as Hercules, holds the record currently for being the largest dog in the world since 2001. While Hercules doesn't hold the record for being the heaviest or the tallest, he does hold the record for being the largest dog in the world. Hercules is an English Mastiff weighing in at 282 pounds, with a 38-inch neck.

Hercules: Largest Dog In The World

Hercules is not the only English Mastiff that has gained attention from Guinness World Records for being of super sized proportions.

An English Mastiff named Kell held the record for the heaviest dog in 1999 at 286 pounds, but she could not be considered as large as Hercules, because she "only" had a 32-inch neck. If you like large dogs, the massive Mastiff is the right breed for you.

Mastiffs are heavy boned, with a males weight typically exceeding 200 pounds, and a minimum of 30 inches tall at the shoulder. It's little wonder that they dominate the Guinness World Records for the category of largest dog in the world. The largest dog in the world EVER was most likely Zorba, an English Mastiff weighing in at a whopping 343 pounds, and measuring 8.25 feet from the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail.

What Does a Benji Dog Look Like?

What Does a Benji Dog Look Like?

The term Benji dog is sometimes used to describe any small, scruffy mixed breed dog. Benji was a dog adopted at an animal shelter in Burbank, California who became a star in Hollywood. What does a benji dog look like? The original Benji dog was a mix between a miniature schnauzer, a miniature poodle, and a cocker spaniel.

Though a certain combination of dog breeds is not adequate to answer the question, What Does a Benji Dog Look Like? Benji dogs are small sized dogs, with soulful brown eyes. They are mixed breed, and downright scruffy faithful companions with hearts of gold.

Contact Pet Food Companies : Alaskan Dogs

If you hear about a pet food company that is helping the Alaskan dogs, let me know because I would love to write about them! I've been writing about the plight of the Alaskan dogs the last few days here and here. With major flood damage, it's estimated over 1000 dogs are in desperate need of dog food right now. One thing we can do is contact pet food companies, to see if they may be willing to help. Would you mind taking a moment, to email or call one of these companies, and see if they will help the dogs in Alaska?

Nestlé Purina PetCare Company
Checkerboard Square
St. Louis, Missouri 63164
(314) 982-1000
1-800-782-6116
http://www.purina.com/Company/index.aspx

Eukanuba
Contact Form
http://www.eukanuba.com/

Science Diet Pet Food
Contact Form
http://www.hillspet.com
1-800-445-5777

Halo, Purely for Pets
Spot's Stew
12400 Race Track Road
Tampa, FL 33626
800-426-4256 (Phone)
813-854-2900 (Fax)
customers@halopets.com
www.halopets.com/

Del Monte Foods
Makers of:
9lives, Meow Mix, Nature's Recipe, Gravy Train, Cycle, Reward, Kibbles n Bits
Contact Form
www.9lives.com

Nature's Variety
1-888-519-7387
www.naturesvariety.com

Evolution Diet, Inc.
1-800-659-0104
www.petfoodshop.com

Holistic Blend
1-800-954-1117
www.holisticblend.com

Life's Abundance
877-387-4564
HealthyPetNet.com

Mars Pet Foods
Makers of Pedigree, Cesar, Goodlife, Sheba and Temptations
www.mars.com

Merrick Pet Foods
1-800-664-7387
www.merrickpetcare.com

Natural Balance Pet Foods, Inc.
1-800-829-4493
www.naturalbalanceinc.com

Natural Life Pet Products, Inc.
1-800-367-2391
www.nlpp.com

Newman's Own Organics
www.newmansownorganics.com

Old Mother Hubbard
1-800-225-0904
http://www.omhpet.com/wellness/

PetGuard1-800-874-3221
904-264-8500
www.petguard.com

Stella & Chewy's LLC
718-522-9673
www.stellaandchewys.com

Veterinary Nutritional Formula
1-800-811-0530
www.vnfpetfood.com

Wellness Pet Food
1-800-225-0904
http://www.omhpet.com/wellness/

Wysong Professional Diets
1-800-748-0188
www.wysong.net

Are you struggling to buy dog food or afford Veterinary care? The Humane Society has a web page up, that may be able to offer assistance on pet food, discounted veterinary services including spay/neuter, and temporary foster care. It has all the states alphabetically, so you can search for help in your area.
Source: Humane Society

PETA Response : Alaska Dog Food Shortage

This is an update to the Dog Food Shortage In Alaska post from yesterday. Due to flooding in Alaska, there is a shortage of dog food supplies, and many sled dog owners have been trying to get by, giving their dogs table scraps. Dogs are being tied to trees, in flood ravaged areas, waiting for new dog houses to be built. After reading about the Alaskan sled dogs, it brought to mind how vocal PETA was during the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race in Alaska.

If PETA was concerned about these dogs during the race, certainly they would want to help them now? I emailed PETA with a direct request, asking them to donate dog food and warm bedding/dog houses. PETA even requests members to donate to them to provide one dog house to a needy dog for $265, two dog houses for $530, or five dog houses for $1,325. Yet, it doesn't seem like any of these donations, will go to help the Alaskan sled dogs that could really use some help right now. Here is excerpts from PETA's response to my letter, the name of the representative is concealed for privacy.

PETA REP: "Sad to say, but conditions for these dogs are usually so deplorable on a day to day basis, this current situation is little different than what they are used to."

PETA REP: "In most situations like this, the public response is generous and swift, especially when there is news coverage."

It's disappointing that PETA does not seem to understand how lack of dog food and shelters could be "different than what they are used to." Unfortunately, they didn't offer help with dog food or dog houses at this time, but simply suggested the "public" will probably help them.

If you do want to get involved or donate, here's a letter from the SPCA.

Urgent Dog Food Needs Due to Flooding on the Upper Yukon. The Alaska Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (AKVOAD) desk at the State Emergency Coordination has validated the need for dog food for the communities of Circle, Eagle, Stevens Village, and Tanana.

The estimated total need is for 8,000 pounds per week for the foreseeable future. Many of the villages will need dog food until the salmon arrive in July. There may be additional needs for dog food in other villages as the word comes in.

Dog food can be donated several ways. The most urgent need at this time is for dog food to be staged out of Fairbanks.

1. Drop off at the Civil Air Patrol hanger in Fairbanks at 3855 S University Avenue (East Ramp, Fairbanks International Airport). During working hours the dog food can be dropped off inside; at other times drop on the pallets outside the hanger.

2. Order (credit card) dog food from a store in Fairbanks and ask them to drop off the food at the Civil Air Patrol hanger in Fairbanks.

a. 49er Dog Food Store in Fairbanks (907) 488-4999b.

b. Coldspot Feeds. (907) 457-85553.

Anchorage: Drop off at the Alaska Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASCPA), 549 W International Airport Rd (907-562-2999) Deliveries ONLY Weekdays from 10AM to 4PM.AKVOAD will coordinate delivery from Fairbanks and Anchorage to the affected communities.

On Tuesday, May 19, 1,500 pounds of dog food was delivered to Tanana by the state and 2,400 pounds of donated dog food was delivered to Stevens Village by the Civil Air patrol.

AKVOAD has a general need to help with un-met human needs due to the 2009 floods. AKVOAD is accepting donations to the “2009 Spring Floods” account at any Alaska USA Federal Credit Union.

Additionally, checks may be mailed to:

AKVOAD (Alaska VOAD)
2535 Crestwood St
Anchorage, AK 99508

Dog Food Shortage In Alaska

There is a dog food shortage in areas of Alaska due to massive flooding, and sled dog owners from villages in Alaska are needing donations of dog food.

Rena Delbridge reported on the NewsMiner,

“There has been a real call for dog food,” Tanana Fire Chief Mark Haglin said. “Tanana has at least six dog racing teams, and each dog kennel averages from 40 to 60 dogs.”

One Tanana musher, Pat Moore, lost his fish camp and with it, his dog food supply.

“His entire camp got obliterated,” Haglin said, noting Moore is not alone.

“Everybody’s saving table scraps and things to feed the dogs,” he said.

In other places, such as Stevens Village, raging water wiped out dog yards as it washed into the community. Canines are tied to trees with bowls of water, waiting for new doghouses as residents begin the slow process of rebuilding homes. Source: NewsMiner

If you remember, the Alaskan sled dogs were frequently in the headlines for the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race, with animal welfare groups expressing serious concern for the dogs. While I don't support the Iditarod due to the extreme conditions, it does seem ironic, that animal groups *cough* PETA *cough cough* don't seem to be doing anything to help the Alaskan sled dogs with this issue. PETA acquired 31,014,163.00 in donations last year, perhaps they would be willing to part with a few thousand to donate dog food? I've emailed them today, requesting a dog food donation for these dogs, and plan to write a follow up post once a response is received.

Clinical Study For Dogs With Idiopathic Epilepsy

If your dog suffers from idiopathic epilepsy, you may be eligible for free medical care, by participating in a clinical study. A major animal health pharmaceutical company is sponsoring this study, and Visionaire Research and Education is currently recruiting volunteers for the clinical trial. According to a Visionaire Research and Education spokesperson, all dogs suffering with epilepsy will receive proper medical care. No placebos will be given, and your dog will be given either the FDA-approved treatment for idiopathic epilepsy, or the new test medication that is being evaluated in the trial.

If your dog is accepted into the clinical trial, blood tests, MRI's, CT scans, and treatment are all at no cost to you. You may also receive a gift certificate of $110, $220 or $330 to be redeemed at your local veterinarian. Fortunately, only 2% of dogs suffer from idiopathic epilepsy, so this post may not be applicable for you. I just wanted to get this information out there, as sometimes clinical studies can be a way to afford health care when your dog is suffering from a serious health condition. If your dog has been diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy, or has had unexplained seizures, either you or your veterinarian can contact Visionaire Research and Education to learn more about this study.

For more information: http://www.helpfordogswithseizures.com/

Flea and Tick Products Killing Pets

There has been a sharp increase in the incidents of pet poisonings by flea and tick products, which has led the Environmental Protection Agency to take a closer look. The most problematic products appear to be the "spot-on" flea and tick products that are applied to the base of the neck. In the last 5 years, the death of 1600 pets have been reported to the EPA, and 25,000 serious adverse reactions, directly related to the use of flea and tick products.

Though it hasn't been recalled as of yet, you may want to avoid all spot-on flea and tick treatments that contain the insecticide Pyrethroid. Pyrethroid spot-on treatments have accounted for half of the deaths reported to the EPA, whereas non-Pyrethroid spot-ons accounted for 6%. Here is a small excerpt from an excellent website regarding some of the issues with flea and tick products, and if you are a consumer of these types of products, I would recommend you read the article in it's entirety before your next purchase.

"The animal’s natural oils spread the insecticide over its body, making its skin and fur inhospitable to parasites. These pyrethroid-based flea and tick treatments — from Hartz, Sergeant’s, Farnam, and Bayer — are approved for sale by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and they are readily available at grocery stores, specialty pet retailers, and hardware stores. But they are also linked to thousands of reported pet poisonings, and they have stirred the ire of pet owners, the concern of veterinarians, and the attention of regulatory agencies." Source: Public Integrity

This leaves pet owners in a quandary, wondering how to best handle a flea or tick problem. This is a personal issue for me, as every time it starts getting warmer, the battle with the fleas and ticks begins. This year I decided to go with a holistic product that contained a combination of peppermint oil, cinammon oil, lemon grass oil, clove oil, and thyme oil. It's a spot-on flea and tick treatment called Natural Defense made by Sentry. I was very careful to apply it, but within a few days, realized it did nothing more than make me smell like a cough drop. With the aggravation of constant itching and hot spots forming, I'll admit to reluctantly driving to Petco to purchase Frontline Plus. Within a matter of hours, there were no signs of fleas, and they have stayed away.

Many of these holistic treatments are wonderful, but as of yet, have not found one that is as effective as Frontline or Advantix in the midst of a serious flea or tick problem. While Frontline Plus does not contain pyrethroids, is it REALLY safe? While I'm not a medical professional, something tells me that it's probably not a good idea to apply pesticides on our skin. If you follow directions on the label, it may be relatively safe for the time being, but long term effects? I wish I could wrap this post up with some great solution to solve all of our problems, unfortunately I can't. The EPA is recommending to avoid giving these products to "weak, aged, medicated, sick, pregnant or nursing pets, or on pets that have previously shown signs of sensitivity to pesticide products."

While the EPA has not recommended this, out of caution, it may also be a good idea to avoid all products containing Pyrethroid based insecticides. If any of you know of a holistic flea and tick product that really works, let me know, and I'll post it on CoCo the Blogging Dog.

Antique Photo of Pit Bull

Aaaw, what an adorable little angel!

A delightful dog loving Ebay seller, specializing in dog related vintage items and antiques, is allowing CoCo the Blogging Dog to display this antique photo in exchange for a link. SnowDogs Treasures has metal antique dogs, dog figurines, dog prints, and of course extremely old photos of Pit Bulls like the one shown above. This antique photo of a Pit Bull was taken in the late 1800's or early 1900's, and the name "Beauty" was written underneath the photograph. Beauty has a very kind face, and a "Little Rascals" patch over one eye.

RESCUE PUP

Once I was a lonely dog, just looking for a home.

I had no place to go, no one to call my own.

I wandered up and down the streets, in rain, in heat and snow.

I ate what ever I could find, I was always on the go.

My skin would itch, my feet were sore, my body ached with pain.

And no one stopped to give a pat or gently say my name.

I never saw a loving glance, I was always on the run.

For people thought that hurting me was really lots of fun.

And then one day I heard a voice so gentle, kind and sweet,

And arms so soft reached down to me and took me off my feet.

"No one again will hurt you" was whispered in my ear.

"You'll have a home to call your own where you will know no fear".

"You will be dry, you will be warm, you'll have enough to eat

And rest assured that when you sleep, your dreams will all be sweet".

I was afraid I must admit, I've lived so long in fear.

I can't remember when I let a human come so near.

And as she tended to my wounds and bathed and brushed my fur

She told me about the rescue group and what it meant to her.

She said, "We are a circle, a line that never ends.

And in the center there is you protected by new friends.

And all around you are the ones that check the pounds,

And those that share their home after you've been found.

And all the other folk are searching near and far.

To find the perfect home for you, where you can be a star".

She said, "There is a family, that's waiting patiently,

and pretty soon we'll find them, just you wait and see.

"And then they'll join our circle, they'll help to make it grow,

So there'll be room for more like you, who have no place to go".

I waited very patiently, the days they came and went.

Today's the day I thought, my family will be sent.

Then just when I began to think it wasn't meant to be,

There were people standing there just gazing down at me.

I knew them in a heartbeat, I could tell they felt it too.

They said, "We have been waiting for a special dog like you".

Now every night I say a prayer to all the gods that be.

"Thank you for the life I live and all you've given me.

But most of all protect the dogs in the pound and on the street.

And send a Rescue Person to lift them off their feet".

~ Author Unknown ~

Talk To Me Treatball

The Talk To Me Treatball allows you to record, and re-record your voice. It's motion activated, so whenever it's moved, it will play your pre-recorded message to your dog. Talk To Me Treatball is being advertised as a dog product to help ease seperation anxiety. In addition, it can be filled with kibble or treats, which are dispensed as your dog plays with this toy.

The fact that it is being advertised as a tool to assist with seperation anxiety, would suggest that they are recommending the Talk To Me Treatball to be used with no supervision. Looking over the online reviews on this product, that would not be advisable. Within 5 minutes of searching on the Internet, I found two seperate reviews that said the Talk To Me Treatball is unsafe because their dogs bottom jaw got stuck in the ball. In one case, the dog had to be rushed to the veterinarian to have it removed.

There were also complaints regarding the durability, including voice mechanism not working, and treats not dispensing. If you own the Talk To Me Treatball, be cautious, and do not allow your dog to play with it unsupervised.

Eurovision 2009 = Death For Dogs

While the Eurovision Song Contest may be Europe's favorite TV show, this year it has shown a cruelty and callousness that will not be forgotten. In preparation for Eurovision 2009 in Moscow, and the resulting international visitors, the Moscow City Hall directed that all stray dogs must be removed. Moscow city employees brutally beat to death and poisoned many of these stray dogs, with some going to shelters that are inadequate, where the dogs fate is quite possibly to starve to death. When I hear of the Eurovision Song Contest, I will always think of the innocents brutally killed for this event.

This is from a blog written in russian, that was translated into English:

"The media published several reports on the cleaning the streets from the stray animals as part of preparatory measures for conducting the Eurovision song contest which will take place in May 2009 stating that there will be not a single stray dog in the streets of Moscow.

The teams of trappers were formed in a hurry, paying no attention to the professional training of the doubtful “specialists”. These degraded “specialists” were trapping the tamed, healthy, friendly and vaccinated as well as neutered in the previous years dogs shooting with the poisonous substances which are forbidden to be used in the other countries, they were beating the animals and were murdering them in cold blood in the streets of Moscow in front of hundreds of witnesses and children.

According to the official data, by the beginning of the program realisation there were about 30 000 of stray dogs in Moscow. According to the official information from the authorities the shelters for stray animals will be constructed and commissioned by the end of 2009 and later. Nevertheless, starting from July 2008 the animals started to be delivered into the shelters being yet not constructed, there was no electricity, no water supply, no heating in these shelters - there rules of keeping the animals in the shelters were violated by the authorities.

The management of the shelters invented various reasons not to let people inside, the people were searching the animals which disappeared from the streets and had no information on their destiny, those few dogs which have been found in the shelters were in a terrible condition having no water, no food and they were barely alive. Thousands of dogs died from infection and hunger, without food, without water and in a severe frost." Source: Russian writer and Animal Activist on Live Journal

While it's seems that many city officials in Moscow are not concerned with cruelty to animals, normal citizens of Moscow have taken to protest in Pushkin Square in defense of those that have no voice.

"Animal rights activists who attended Wednesday's rally — from teenagers to pensioners — said they hoped that Eurovision would draw the international spotlight to their cause. Protesters held signs in Russian and English that read, "Murder in the Name of Eurovision," "A City Without Dogs Is Music Without Notes" and "Eurovision, Defend Animals From Cruelty." Anna Bogomolova, an 18-year-old student carrying a sign that said "Eurokilling 2009," accused authorities of illegally clearing the streets of dogs "just because some foreign guests might not like them." Source: Moscow Times

Dog Freebies

Here are some dog freebies...

Kona's Chips are 100% USDA inspected chicken breasts, and are made and packaged only in the USA. The motivation for the creation of Kona's Chips, was when a Pomeranian owner almost lost her baby from feeding him dangerous "Made in China" jerky strips. Kona's Chips will be happy to send you a free sample with no shipping costs if you email them requesting it. More information: http://www.konaschips.com/Samples.asp

Request a free sample of Flint River Ranch Premium All-Natural Pet Food in Regular Oven Baked Kibble or Lamb, Millet and Rice Oven Baked Kibble. More information: http://www.stola.org/dogbazaar/frrsampleform.html

Free dog food sample from Dogswell, maker of Happy Hips, Vitality, Shape-up, Breathies, Mellow Mut, Happy Heart, and Simply. This is a great dog food! More information: http://www.dogswell.com/free_sample

Free all natural pain killer for your dog that supports joint function and enhances mobility by harmony. I've requested this sample before, received product quickly, and it looks good. More information: http://www.doggonepain.com/shopping/sample.asp

Free Rachael Nutrish dog food sample "premium" dog food. I'm only including this because it's free, not really recommending it. I've already received my free sample, but I didn't like it. Tried to make the cats eat it, but they weren't interested in the stuff either. More information: http://switchtonutrish.com/

Free plans to make and build dog stuff. I found this website while I was hunting down free dog food, thought it was pretty cool, and decided to add it to this post. It has free plans to make dog accessories, dog beds, dog crates, dog carts, dog wheelchairs, dog clothes, collars, exercise equipment, and more. More information: http://www.make-and-build-dog-stuff.com/

Yosha Mira Writes To Mayor About Pitbulls

My good friend Yosha Mira wrote to the Mayor of Colorado on behalf of Pitbulls, and forwarded this letter to me. If you like Pitbulls, now would be a good time to compose a letter, and send it to a government official showing your support. Here's the letter Yosha sent to the mayor...

Dear Mayor Hickenlooper,

My name is Yosha Mira, I am what some people call a red nose pit bull. I understand that Denver Colorado a city known for many wonderful things is now known for killing pitbulls or any dog resembling pitbulls. That doesn't sound very American-in fact it could be considered analogous of Nazi Germany during World War II.

Dogs attack because they are mistreated to the point of becoming neurotic and scared. or are encouraged to do so by their human caretakers. I was mistreated by a police officer who I lived with for five years since I was a little puppy. However, I never attacked any one. Finally, the officer gave me away to two wonderful people. Now every night I sleep between them with my head on a pillow. I also live with a little girl puppy name little lady Diana. If I was so mean do you think that I would be nice to little innocent puppies?

I hope that you will reconsider your ban on all breeds of dogs that fall into the pitbull category.

Please visit my myspace page at www.myspace.com/yoshak9

Yosha Mira-The brown hound

Dog Sculpture Art Project

The Art Museum of Greater Lafayette and the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine is sponsoring a community art project known as the Dog Days of Summer. Community artists both professional and amateur are painting sculptures of dogs. Forty to fifty dog sculptures will be decorated, and then put on display from May to September in Lafayette, West Lafayette and on the Purdue University campus.

These dog sculptures consist of dogs standing that are 30 inches high and 35 inches long, the other dog is sitting and is 25 inches tall and 28 inches long. Each dog sculpture weighs about 35 pounds. The Dog Sculpture Art Project is in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Art Museum of Greater Lafayette, and the 50th anniversary of the Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine.

The Dog Days of Summer involves the entire community, which includes creating these lifesize dog sculptures, free outdoor festivals, community events to learn more about dogs, fun raffles and contests, and opportunities to create your own dog magnets, dog t-shirts, and dog sculptures. Dogs rule!

If you would like to learn more: http://www.lafayettedogdays.com/

Jewish and Christian Dog Toys

There's an entire line of dog toys being marketed to Jewish dog owners, called the Copa Judica's Chewish Dog Toy. Some of them are pretty funny, here is a photo of the kosher bone dog toy found at OyToys.com in the pet toy section.

This type of phenomenon is not observed soley by Jewish dog owners, as I've found dog t-shirts for Christian dog owners. Photo on the left is the Lead Me Not To Treatation found at MichiPet.com.

Sure it's silly, but I guess not too surprising. A dog is not simply a pet, but a member of the family, and this may be one way in which that is expressed.

'How I Became First Dog of 1600 Pooch'lvania Avenue

Bo Obama's newest book, "How I Became First Dog of 1600 Pooch'lvania Avenue" will be released at the end of May 2009. The writer that helped Bo create this book, is also promising an animated TV series featuring Bo Obama and his life as the First Dog. With every purchase of Bo Obama's new book, 5% of the proceeds will go to the ASPCA or other animal rights organizations.

"The book follows Bo as he realizes that he too can make a difference as a political animal. Not unlike the President in his efforts, our Bo helps his fellow K-9s the world over by setting up animal rescue organizations. In the process, he discovers that maybe he himself has a nose for politics. Bo holds a Press conference, recites his own doggy version of the Gettysburg Address, and even works on his own Bill of Animal Rights." Source: 1600Pooch.com Press Release

Petition To Department of Defense

Here's an email that I wanted to pass along to everyone. It's a petition to the Department of Defense requesting that they change military policy about animals. This is extremely important, please take a moment and sign this. Thanks!

"Your signature on the Clemency for Ratchet petition helped save Ratchet's life. Ratchet was rescued from Iraq on October 19, 2008 by SPCA International's Operation Baghdad Pups and reunited with SPC Gwen Beberg at her home in Minneapolis, MN!

But the campaign to change military policy to help soldiers keep their pets continues. We're working with Terrie Scott, founder of M.A.R.S. Safe Haven and sponsor of the Clemency for Ratchet petition, to spread the word about her new petition to help all soldiers adopt their pets.

With a new president and administration, M.A.R.S. Safe Haven is moving forward with efforts to have our voices heard regarding the military's policy about animals. Please sign the petition and spread the word today:
http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFmi1/zj7X/APj3d

Background on the campaign:
Hundreds of soldiers in the Middle East have befriended animals in the war zone to help them cope with the hardship and terror they face every day. These dogs and cats become their lifeline - saving them from deep depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Yet the military refuses to help or formally acknowledge the lifeline these animals give to our mentally wounded troops.

Veterans returned from Iraq are committing suicide at twice the rate of average Americans. It is time to ask the Veterans Administration and the military to embrace all measures to ensure the mental health of every one of our soldiers returning from war - including allowing these soldiers to adopt pets and bring them home.
Over 10,000 strays were killed in Iraq in the first few months of this year. If a U.S. soldier can rescue a homeless animal in Iraq that is otherwise destined to be killed, then military policy should allow that soldier to adopt their pet.

Please visit M.A.R.S. Safe Haven for more information on the wonderful animal rescue work they do: www.mars-safehaven.net. You can support their efforts here."

Can You Distinguish Between Liverwurst and Dog Food?

In blind taste tests, only 3 out of 18 people could pick which food sample was actually dog food. The American Association of Wine Economists conducted this study in which they compared Newman's Own Canned Turkey & Chicken Formula for Puppies/Active Dogs, Duck liver mousse, Spam, Pork liver pâté and Liverwurst. The experiment took place on December 31, 2008 with 18 college-educated male and female adults between the ages of 20 and 40 in Brooklyn, NY. Even though 72% of the tasters ranked Newman's Own dog food as the least favorite, again, only 3 out of 18 people believed it was actually dog food. Almost three times as many, were convinced the liverwurst sample must be the dog food.

"Considering the similarity of its ingredients, canned dog food could be a suitable and inexpensive substitute for pâté or processed blended meat products such as Spam or liverwurst. However, the social stigma associated with the human consumption of pet food makes an unbiased comparison challenging. To prevent bias, Newman's Own dog food was prepared with a food processor to have the texture and appearance of a liver mousse. In a double-blind test, subjects were presented with five unlabeled blended meat products, one of which was the prepared dog food. After ranking the samples on the basis of taste, subjects were challenged to identify which of the five was dog food. Although 72% of subjects ranked the dog food as the worst of the five samples in terms of taste (Newell and MacFarlane multiple comparison, P<0.05), subjects were not better than random at correctly identifying the dog food." Source: American Association of Wine Economists Study

Bow-Wow Bailout Free Dog Food

Dogswell dog food wants to help dog owners struggling to pay the bills with a free bag of dog food. This is a generous offer, as Dogswell is known for it's high quality dog food, and just a 4 lb. bag would normally cost $22.49. Dogswell offers products such as Happy Hips, Vitality, Shape Up, Breathies, Mellow Mut, Happy Heart, and simply. As an example of the quality, the ingredients in Happy Hips dog food are cage free chicken, glucosamine and chondroitin, blueberries, direct fed microbials, and apples. Dogswell dog food will be offering one free bag of dry dog food to the first 10,000 dogs in need through May 15th.

"Have you been laid-off from your job, suffered a pay-cut or reduction in hours due to these tough economic times? If so, you may be eligible for the DOGSWELL® Bow-Wow Bailout!

DOGSWELL® is proud to provide a free bag of DOGSWELL® dry food for dogs to out of work, or down on their luck, pet owners everywhere."

If you don't necessarily need a bailout, you can still get a free sample at Dogswell dog food.

p.s. Oh yeah, they'll help cats too.

Antique Pit Bull Dog Photo

Here's an antique Pit Bull photo that I came across, while searching for vintage dog photos on Ebay. While the seller is advertising it as pre-1950's, my guess is that it's from the early 1900's. The Pit Bull has a history of being a popular family dog, a therapy dog, a working dog, and even a war hero in America.

Source: Ebay Auction

As I look at this picture, I suspect that Pit Bulls are the same today as they were in 1950, and even 1910. What I see today, is too many people interested in Pit Bulls for the wrong reasons. Certain Pit Bull owners either neglect to train, or purposefully train their Pit Bulls to be mean. The result is bad press for Pit Bulls, as the dogs act out on aggression, in an attempt to please their owners. It's sad to think of the status Pit Bulls once had in America, to the breed bans and widespread discrimination that exists today.

How Your Dog Can Get a Harvard Degree

Harvard University is asking for dog volunteers to participate in a new dog behavior study, and is offering an honorary degree from the Harvard Canine Cognition Lab. Harvard University is conducting this experiment to understand how the canine mind works, and how dogs look at the world around them. The Harvard University Canine Cognition Lab will be testing for the following traits.

* Is your dog patient? If given a choice between 1 treat immediately, or 5 treats in a few minutes, will your dog wait patiently for the 5 treats?

* Can your dog cooperate with a human or another dog to gain access to a highly valued reward, and if this capacity is in place, does your dog recognize that some efforts to cooperate merit greater rewards than others?

* Does your dog distinguish between accidental and intentional actions?

* Can your dog recognize human words, understanding that some words refer to specific objects?

Does your dog understand that a picture is both an object, and an object that refers to another object?

* Can your dog grasp the abstract concept of "same," understanding that sameness refers to two identical objects? Source: Harvard Canine Cognition Lab

In return for participating in the experiment, Harvard is offering 5 dollars to drive there, a nifty Harvard Canine Cognition Lab Leash, a belly full of dog treats, and yes, a Harvard Degree!