Lead Poisoning In Dogs

Signs of lead poisoning in dogs may initially include vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, aggression, depression, lack of appetite, weight loss, and progress to foaming at the mouth, blindness, tremors, and seizures.

Lead poisoning from paint is not very common anymore, since they stopped using it in 1977. If you are renovating an older home though, inhalation of the dust produced from lead paint, when surfaces are scraped or sanded, can be very toxic. When paint chips become weathered, they can also contaminate the soil, creating another source of toxicity for your dog.

Lead paint is not the only source of lead poisoning in dogs, there are many other every day items including:

Lead sinkers (used in fishing), batteries, fishing tackle, bird shot, drapery weights, solder, lead glazing on pottery, gasoline exhaust, linoleum, plumbing materials and supplies, caulk, toys, lubricating compounds, weights, putty, tar paper, bullets, lead foil, golf balls, food packaging, and improperly glazed ceramic food or water bowls.

Lead poisoning in dogs can be diagnosed by a urinalysis, blood test, and possibly radiographs to see if there is lead in the intestinal tract.

Doggie Lover Doll

The Doggie Lover Doll inventor says, "I had the idea to make this doll when my Maltese started to grab everybody’s legs. I did some research and couldn’t find anything like it, anywhere in the world. I decided to make it!”


I saw this featured on Inventor Spot, and debated whether to post this on CoCo the Blogging Dog. It's a little racy, controversial, but Marco Giroto the creator of the Doggie Lover Doll, believes this is a healthy way for dogs to alleviate the urge. Marco Giroto reports that testing has shown dogs with Doggie Lover Dolls are calmer, have a lower anxiety level, appear to be less aggressive, and are also less likely to mark territory.

The PetSmiling company has the exclusive patent on this invention, and plans to market them in pet stores. They have a website that's not quite finished at DoggieLoverDoll and the company can be contacted by calling +1 (305)728-6404 in USA or via e-mail petsmiling@petsmiling.com.

Symptoms Of Bloat In Dogs

Gastric Dilation-Volvulus, Torsion, or Bloat are all terms to describe a condition in which a dogs stomach has excessive gas, and the stomach flips over or twists. This is a life threatening condition because it creates an intestinal obstruction, cuts off the blood supply, and can result in cardiac arrest. In this case, time is critical, and a dog suffering from Bloat, will require immediate emergency treatment. Here are symptoms of Bloat in dogs to watch out for:

Abdominal distension, hard abdomen, painful stomach, vomiting foam, unsuccesful attempts to vomit, swallowing frequently, salivating, breathing heavily, pale gums, unusual positions-crouching, arching, curling in ball, praying position, restless, no appetite, excessive thirst, and weakness.

Bloat happens most frequently in large dogs, especially those that are deep chested such as Saint Bernards, German Shepards, Great Danes, and Mastiffs. While certain breeds are at a higher risk for bloat, it can happen to any breed. Genetics play a part in your dogs risk factors, but behavior can as well. A non-genetic cause of bloat can be drinking/eating too quickly, and then engaging in strenous activity.

Coprophagy : Dogs That Eat Feces

Coprophagy is a term used to describe the act of a dog eating feces. It's an unsettling habit, and is unknown why there are some dogs that display this behavior, and some that don't. With dogs that engage in coprophagy, there is typically a pattern. Your dog may only eat frozen feces, they only like cat feces, or prefer to eat feces of a herbivore exclusively. It's been suggested that coprophagy is absolutely normal, and others that disagree, believing it's an indication of behavioral or health issues.

Commonly stated suggestions why dogs may engage in coprophagy include:

* Stress induced behavior
* Dogs like the taste
* Inadequate diet/nutritional deficiency
* Health issues (parasitic infestations or pancreatic insufficiency)

What you can do to stop your dog from eating feces:

* Change to a high quality dog food
* You can use commercially available products intended specifically for this problem. For example, there are products such as For-bid or Deter.
* Eliminating opportunity for this type of behavior by restricting access to kitty litter box, watching closely on walks, and picking up any stool in the yard.

Unlikely Animal Pairs

Here are some unlikely animal pairs, who decided they just had to be friends!

This is a bittersweet story about a lioness that adopted a baby antelope in Kenya. The lioness is said to be fiercely protective of the antelope calf, even nursing the baby several times a day. This is the third antelope the lioness has taken a maternal interest in. The first antelope adoptee was eaten by other lions when the lioness was asleep, when she discovered what happened the lioness was stricken with grief, and went around roaring in anger. The second antelope was captured by humans and seperated from the lioness. The locals say, the lioness adopted each antelope calf on a holiday: Christmas, Good Friday, and Valentine's Day. Source: BBC

The Mutsugoro Okoku zoo in Tokyo, Japan has a snake that has made friends with a hamster. Zoo officials gave the hamster to the snake to eat, but the snake refused, and observers say they seem to have taken a liking to each other. Surprised zookeepers decided to just keep the pair together and say, "I have never seen anything like it." Source: BBC

Here's a story about a baby hippo who thinks a 100 year old tortoise might be his mommy. The baby hippo was found alone and dehydrated, and was rescued by a wildlife sanctuary. The tortoise already living at the wildlife sanctuary, and the rescued hippo, soon became close friends and inseparable. Source: BBC

Things You Can Learn From A Dog

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.

When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.

When it's in your best interest, practice obedience.

Let others know when they've invaded your territory.

Take naps and stretch before rising.

Run, romp and play daily.

Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.

Be loyal.

Never pretend to be something you're not.

If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.

Thrive on attention and let people touch you.

Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.

On hot days, drink lots of water and lay under a shady tree.

When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and
pout...run right back and make friends.

Bond with your pack.

Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.


Author Unknown

Cleft Lip and Palate In Dogs

Did you know that dogs can be born with a cleft lip and palate? Most of us associate this devastating birth defect to humans, but it happens just as well in the animal world. A cleft lip or palate can occur when the bone and tissue in the roof of the mouth do not develop properly during pregnancy.

This condition is primarily a genetic defect and is hereditary, however it can also be caused by the mother taking certain drugs while pregnant, as an example, treating a pregnant dog with corticosteroids, excessive vitamin A, and exposure to insecticides during pregnancy is known to cause cleft lip in puppies. In addition, pregnant dogs suffering from malnutrition or infections have a higher risk of having puppies with this birth defect. Here are photos of a boxer with a cleft lip...


Photo Source: Wikipedia Commons

While dogs are not as self conscious of the cosmetic aspects of a cleft lip, the health risks can be significant. Puppies born with a cleft lip need to be watched closely. Nursing for a puppy with a cleft lip can be difficult, which may result in regurgitation, aspiration pneumonia, and malnutrition. Brachycephalic (nose pushed in) breeds such Bulldogs, Pugs, Pekinese, and Boston Terriers run the highest risk for cleft lip in dogs.

White Dog Shaker Syndrome

White dog shaker syndrome is a condition that you don't hear about that often. It's primarily found in white small breed dogs including the West Highland white terrier, Maltese, Poodles and the Bichon Frise. White Dog Shaker Syndrome can cause your dog to tremble uncontrollably, to the point that it would be difficult to walk while going through an episode. It differs from a seizure in that your dog remains fully conscious.


White Dog Shaker Syndrome will typically appear suddenly at one to three years of age. It's surprising, but many veterinarians do not know about this condition. If a dog is brought in with these symptoms, and blood work and tests fail to show the cause, further research may lead to the diagnosis of White Dog Shaker Syndrome. While little is known of this disorder, corticosteroids and diazepam have been used successfuly to prevent further episodes.

Human-dog Communication: Breed As Important As Species

Human-dog Communication: Breed As Important As Species

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Collapsed Trachea In Dogs

Many dogs with a collapsed trachea, can often times lead an absolutely normal life. I've been diagnosed with a moderately collapsed trachea, and yet I'm able to jump and run, though sometimes when I get overexcited, I'll find myself honking like a goose. Genetics may play a factor in my case, as Pomeranians tend to stuggle with this disorder quite frequently, as do Yorkshire Terriers, Toy Poodles, and small dogs in general.

Tip: If you have a dog with moderate or severe tracheal collapse, smoking in your home is a big no no! Smoking and air pollution in your home can severely aggravate this condition.

Conditions that will make a collapsed trachea worse include respiratory irritants, allowing your dog to become overweight, respiratory infection, and being placed under anesthetic with an endotracheal tube. I've discussed the anesthetic issues with my veterinarian, and he has a strong opinion that the risk factors for a collapsed trachea, will not pose a problem for any experienced veterinarian.

In other words, if your dog with a moderately/severely collapsed trachea ever needs surgery, don't search out to find the cheapest veterinarian you can find. Look for the best veterinarian, do blood work prior, and make sure your veterinarian knows all of your dogs health issues before surgery day.

Al Franken's Bill To Provide Service Dogs To Veterans

I'm encouraged to read that help may be on the way for veterans, with Al Franken's new bill, that will help provide service dogs to veterans. You might think that the government would support our veterans in every way possible for injuries sustained while on active duty. Unfortunately, that's not always the case, and sometimes they just have to fight for it. It reminds me of a story I read recently about a soldier who was awarded a purple heart for bravery in Iraq. This soldier needed a service dog from injuries sustained, but without the governments assistance, he had to actually go through the newspapers to ask the public for donations. It was a worthy cause, but it just made me think, could the government be doing more for our veterans?

Here's the story about Al Franken's proposed bill...

In his first piece of legislation as Minnesota's junior senator, Al Franken is looking to expand the number of service dogs available to wounded veterans.

Franken wrote in an opinion piece published Monday in the Minneapolis Star Tribune that his proposed pilot program will train "a statistically significant number of dogs" to measure the benefits to veterans living with devastating injuries sustained on the battlefield.

The dogs' companionship, Franken said, provides invaluable health benefits -- both physical and emotional -- to veterans suffering from debilitating injuries and psychological disorders.

The service dogs will help "reduce the suicide rate among veterans, decrease the number of hospitalizations and lower the cost of medications and human care," he said.

Franken's legislation was inspired by a meeting he had last January with a wounded former Iraqi intelligence officer and his golden retriever, "Tuesday."

Source: Fox News

Five-Legged Puppy Saved From Freak Show

This story is about a strangers act of kindness, that saved a five-legged puppy from being an exhibit at the Coney Island Freak Show. The puppy was born six weeks ago with a fifth leg protruding from her stomach, which caused her to trip whenever she tried to walk. John Strong from the freak sideshow had already put $1000 deposit down and was planning to pay the remainder $2000, so that he could exhibit this puppy to the public as a freak. Allyson Siegel from North Carolina read the story, and decided she would outbid the freak show, simply because she wanted to save this puppy from a bad life. She was able to rescue this sweet baby, and has surgery scheduled within two weeks to remove the extra leg. "She is beautiful, she's not a freak, she's a normal little puppy dog and she should be just like all the others," Siegel said.

Source: NY Daily News

Shelters Refusing Guide Dogs

It's taken for granted that guide dogs are always allowed in restaurants, hotels, workplaces, and everywhere to accompany those that desperately need them. This is not the experience for Shawnine Mackay, a homeless woman confined to a wheelchair. She is literally sleeping on the street every night, because the shelters turn her away. Shawnine Mackay does not get the help she needs from shelters, because she refuses to abandon Molly, a dog that is trained to help her detect and cope with seizures. This is not an unusual case, as it appears quite common for shelters to turn away needy people that have dogs.

This week, the Housing Rights Center and the Disability Rights Legal Center filed a lawsuit against the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority and several shelters it funds, alleging that such bans by homeless shelters are against the law.

The Americans With Disabilities Act and fair housing laws do not allow discrimination against people just because they rely on service animals, the suit said. "They are all supposed to take service animals," said Shawna L. Parks, director of litigation for the Disability Rights Legal Center. "We are not talking about pets."

Representatives from the homeless services authority could not be reached for comment. Source: LA Times

It's a shame that they had to resort to filing a lawsuit against the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, but it's all worthwhile if that's what is needed to bring attention to this travesty.

Read Spot Read

An animal trainer in New York, Lyssa Rosenberg, has taught her dog how to read. "Willow plays dead when she sees the word 'bang', stretches a paw in the air when she sees 'wave' and gets up on her back feet to beg when she sees the words 'sit up'. The literacy program for dogs began when a friend promised Mrs. Rosenberg a trip to Mexico if she could teach Willow how to read. She won the bet, and Willow was reading in only six weeks.

Source: Ananova

What Causes Fainting In Dogs?

Did you know that dogs can faint, just like people can? Fainting will usually result if the blood flow going to the brain slows or stops. Fainting involves a loss of consciousness, with the most common cause being heart issues such as heartworm, heart disease, heart murmurs, heart tumor, and erratic heart beat.

If your dog faints, they need immediate medical attention to diagnose the underlying cause. It may not necessarily be a heart issue, but it does indicate a serious health condition. Loss of consciousness can also be caused by heat stroke, low blood sugar, low blood pressure, obstruction of airflow, collapsing trachea, spinal cord disease, severe anemia, leukemia, poisoning, hypothyroidism, and brain disease.

The breeds most commonly predisposed to heart disease, and therefore dog fainting, are Boxers, Chihuahuas, Cocker Spaniels, Doberman Pinschers, English Cocker Spaniels, Great Danes, Lhasa Apsos, and Poodles.

Idiopathic Epilepsy in Dogs

One to six percent of all dogs suffer from Idiopathic Epilepsy seizures. If the cause of a seizure is unable to be determined by tests, it's typically classified as Idiopathic, which means that the cause of the seizure is unknown. Studies suggest Idiopathic Epilepsy may occur more often in certain breeds, indicating a possibility it may be hereditary, although it has not been absolutely proven.

The breeds that most commonly suffer from this disorder are the British Alsatians, Belgian Tervuren, Beagles, Cocker Spaniels, Keeshonds, Collies, Dachshunds, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Irish Setters, Labrador Retrievers, Poodles, Saint Bernards, Siberian Huskies, and Wire-haired Fox Terriers.

An Idiopathic Epilepsy seizure in dogs has three stages which are the pre-ictal period, the ictal stage, and the post-ictal period. The first stage is the pre-seizure stage where your dog may sense something is wrong, seem nervous, pace around, or seek your reassurance. The ictal stage is the actual seizure that will typically last for one to three minutes. During the seizure your dog will lose consciousness, fall over to his side, and began to have muscle contractions/convulsions. The dog will not respond to your touch, will often urinate/defecate, and salivate from clenching his teeth. The last stage of an Idiopathic Epilepsy seizure is recovery, called the post-ictal period. This stage usually involves a certain level of disorientation, which lasts from an hour to a few days.

If your dog has a seizure, it doesn't necessarily mean that he has Idiopathic Epilepsy. Seizures in dogs can also occur from eating poison and toxins, kidney and liver failure, Hypocalcemia, hypoglycemia, encephalitis, and trauma. It's important to get your dog fully evaluated by a veterinarian if seizure occurs.

What To Put in a Dog Evacuation Kit

If you suddenly had to evacuate, do you have an emergency plan to protect your pets? In the case of a national disaster do you have sufficient supplies to get by at home with your pet? If a severe man made or natural disaster occurred, might the stores run out of supplies? This may seem like such doom and gloom, but many animals have become lost, and even died in disasters. This post is about what to put in a dog evacuation kit, and compliments the prior post about what to put in a dog first aid kit.

As an example, Ready America has pre-prepared dog evacuation kits. These kits include: 5 Year Shelf Life Dog Food, Water Pouches, Pet Water Bowl, Pressed Rawhide Bone, Chew Rope, Pet Waste Bags, Tie Out Leash, Pet Wipes, Pet ID Tag, Antiseptic Cleansing Wipes, 1" Gauze Roll, Triple Antibiotic Ointment Packet, Nitrile Gloves, and a Pet Carrier.

The American Veterinary Medical Association has an AWESOME list that will guide you in packing a dog evacuation kit. This includes 2-week supply of food, 2-week supply of water in plastic gallon jugs with secure lids, Batteries (flashlight, radio), cage/carrier (one for each animal, labeled with your contact information), Can opener (manual), Cat/wildlife gloves, Copies of veterinary records and proof of ownership, Emergency contact list, Familiar items to make pets feel comfortable (favorite toys, treats, blankets), Flashlight, Leash and collar or harness, Litter, litter pan, litter scoop, Maps of local area and alternate evacuation routes (in case of road closures), Muzzles, Newspaper (bedding, litter), No-spill food and water dishes, Paper towels, Radio (solar and battery operated), Spoon (for canned food), Stakes and tie-outs, and Trash bags. The AVMA is an excellent resource on disaster preparedness for pets.

Tip: The 5 year emergency dog food is just like regular dog food, only it is vacuum packed. With vacuum packing you can keep the bacteria out, keep the flavor in, it prevents spoilage, and gives the food a much greater shelf life. The pre-prepared emergency vacuum sealed food can be quite pricey, but you can make it for much less. You can buy a brand new Pump-N-Seal that will vacuum seal your food right into zip lock bags for under $35.

Let's hope we never need a dog evacuation kit, but it's just something to consider.

What To Put in a Dog First Aid Kit

If you keep a first aid kit for yourself, have you considered packing one for your dog? First aid kits enable you to act faster in a medical emergency, as all supplies are located in one convenient location. If you're wondering, "What do you put in a dog first aid kit?" read on.

Pre-packed dog first aid kits are already being sold at pet stores, such as the Bow-ow kit. The first aid items they include are: Blue Heavy Duty Water Resistant Bag, Cold Pack, Vinyl Gloves, Splint Material, Gauze Dressing, Stretch Gauze Roll, Triple Antibiotic Ointment, Hydrocortisone Cream, Tweezers, Scissors, Antiseptic Wipes, Cotton Balls, Styptic Pencil, 2" Elastic Bandage, 1/2" Adhesive Tape, 3" Cotton Swabs, Stickers For Vet & Emergency Numbers, Pet Alert Door Card.

A different dog first aid by Creative Products sells a first aid kit for sporting dogs that includes: Green Heavy Duty Water Resistant Bag, Skin Staple Gun, Cold Pack, Hydrogen Peroxide, Eye Wash, Styptic Pencil, Thermometer w/ Case, 2" Flexible Cohesive Wrap, Alcohol Prep Pads, Gauze Pads, 3-Ply Towels, Iodine Solution, Saline Solution, Stainless Steel Scissors, Stainless Steel Forceps, Surgical Scrub Brush, Syringe (10cc), Hydrocortisone Cream, Triple Antibiotic Ointment, 3" Cotton Swabs, Cotton Balls, Latex Tourniquet, Vinyl Gloves, Pill Gun, Iodine Pads.

This should give you an idea of what normally goes into a dog first aid kit. There are other items you may want to consider adding as well. These include:

Leash, muzzle, Bitter Apple, Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) liquid and capsules, Pepto Bismol tablets, Kaopectate tablets, Buffered aspirin, Ear cleaning solution, Activated charcoal, dog vitamins, Karo syrup, rubbing alcohol, saline solution, Splinter Remover, first aid tape, nail clippers, cotton swabs and balls, paper and cloth towels, Dawn dish detergent, Needle-nose pliers or hemostats, towels and blanket, and Ziplock bags.

You may never need a dog first aid kit, but if you do, you'll be glad that you're prepared.

What is Patent Ductus Arteriosus in Dogs?

Patent Ductus Arteriosus is a serious heart defect, that without surgical correction can result in death. The ductus arteriosus is a small channel that connects the pulmonary artery and the aorta. In fetal development, the ductus arteriosus is open or "patent", to allow oxygenated blood to bypass the non-functional lungs in a growing fetus. With both dogs and humans the patent ductus arteriosus normally closes on it's own 3-10 days after birth. What if it doesn't close?

If the Patent Ductus Arteriosus does not close on it's own, it will cause strain on the heart resulting in heart failure. Early symptoms of Patent Ductus Arteriosus may be a difficult time breathing, coughing, weakness, and frequently a heart murmur. If caught early, your puppy has an excellent chance of recovery, with surgery to close the ductus arteriosus. If not caught soon enough, the damage to the heart will be permanent, resulting in premature death. Patent Ductus Arteriosus can be diagnosed by a veterinarian checking for a heart murmur with a stethoscope, and confirmed by an x-ray.

There are clinical studies for Patent Ductus Arteriosus that will actually cover the costs of surgery. When searching for things to write about on CoCo the Blogging Dog, I've noticed some medical clinical studies for dogs, that are beneficial for everyone involved. I don't want to make that the focus of this blog, so I've created another blog at ClinicalStudiesForDogs.com. Since it's brand new, there's not much to see yet! Over time though, there will be many studies added, with the Patent Ductus Arteriosus clinical study being one of the first listed.

Make Flea Preventative Dog Powder

If you would like to try a natural flea remedy, here's a recipe for a dog powder mix. You can sprinkle this in the food, put it in drinking water, or even add it to gel capsules for pill form. Brewers yeast is an old time tested remedy, which has nutritional benefits as well. There are additional optional ingredients to this recipe. Bone meal is great for the bones and teeth, kelp and alfalfa are an excellent source of vitamins. Here's the recipe for the healthy flea preventative dog powder.

Mix the ingredients well and add them to an air-tight container. Keep in freezer if desired, and add one tablespoon to your dogs food each day.
1 cup brewer's yeast
1 cup bone meal
1/2 cup kelp powder
1/2 cup alfalfa powder

Note: There are people that suggest giving garlic to your dog will help prevent fleas. They may be correct, but at this time it may be more prudent to stay away from it. The safety of garlic for dogs is still being debated. On one end you have supporters that praise garlic for boosting the immune system, anti-bacterial properties, and overall health benefits. On the other end, we have dog owners that are just as adamant that it is a dangerous poison. In my personal experience, a veterinarian recommended giving garlic, and after doing so had no ill effects. With the controversy though, and plentiful alternatives such as brewers yeast, it may just be better to avoid it for now.

Dogs With Thunderstorm Phobia

The fear of loud noises, including fireworks and thunderstorms, are fairly common in dogs. It's not easy to convey to a dog that it's only a passing storm, or that fireworks are simply a way to celebrate. Furthermore, a dogs ability to hear is much greater with an ability to detect sounds at the 16 to 20 Hz frequency range, while humans can only hear in the 20 to 70 Hz range. Research also indicates that dogs may have the ability to sense pending storms, atmospheric changes, and even static electrical changes. For many dogs, a thunderstorm is a frightening experience, and may result in panic. This should go without saying, but never scold or punish your dog for being afraid of loud noises.

A dog may begin with trembling, panting, and pacing. With fear unabated, this could lead to jumping tall fences, running uncontrollably, and foaming at the mouth. Even if your dog has never displayed symptoms such as these, it's best to leave your dog indoors at these times, to prevent them from running away. To try to keep your dog calm during thunderstorms, play soft music to counteract the storm. If your dog chooses to go in his open crate, in the closet, or under the bed, allow him to do so, but do not force it. If you lock your dog in a crate, he will still be frightened, and may even injure himself trying to get out. Dim the lights, play soft music, and even sprinkle a few drops of lavender on a washcloth for relaxation.

Dog Most Likely To Bite

A dog most likely to bite is not necessarily a certain breed. When you hear of dog bites in the news, it's typically larger breeds, because they tend to do the most damage. If Paco the chihuahua bites the neighbor, chances are, there won't be a story about it on the New York Post. Studies suggest that certain conditions are the key factor in dog bites, rather than the breed of dog.

Training issues that may make a dog most likely to bite, include lack of socialization as a puppy, and issues with territorial behavior, such as guarding food and toys. Proper socialization is important for puppies to be well adjusted as adults. A dog most likely to bite may be shy, fearful, and anxious around strangers. If your dog is normally well adjusted, but has suddenly started biting, get him checked out at the veterinarian. Aggression issues can be caused by medical problems from being in pain such as cancer, liver and kidney failure.

Children are much more likely to be the victim of a dog bite, than an adult.

Warnings of a dog most likely to bite would include growling, tensing up, and a curling lip. This body language may not be so apparent to young children, who may make fast movements towards a dog. Furthermore, children can play too rough with a dog by poking, prodding, and pulling ears. It's important to train your children to be kind to animals, and be sensitive to their body language.

Animal Cruelty - FBI Agent - Final Update

This will most likely be my final update on Leslie Ledger, an FBI agent who shot his neighbors dog. Ledger has finally been sentenced to two years of deferred probation and 300 hours of community service. The incident happened in February of 2008, explained in posts from March of 2008, and then again in July of 2008. What is still not clear to me, is how this may or may not effect Ledger's position as a FBI agent. What happened is that Ledger shot and killed a neighbors Chihuahua in cold blood, and then initially lied to police claiming that he didn't do it. However, another neighbor happened to witness the crime, and Ledger confessed when he realized there was little other choice.

While we can all respect FBI and law enforcement agents who pursue this type of work out of a desire to help others, and many do, at the same time we can only fear those who seek positions of power and abuse those that are weaker and unable to defend themselves. Leslie Ledger's attorney said "...some have portrayed Ledger as a villain, but that is the opinion of some self-righteous and holier-than-thou people.” As if judging Ledger for animal cruelty is just being holier-than-thou, seemingly suggesting that it's somehow normal to just go out and kill neighborhood pets. At the risk of being self-righteous and holier-than-thou, anyone that would intentionally hurt an innocent animal, is not someone that I want in a position of power.

You can read more about this case on the Waco Tribune.

What Is The Strongest Breed Of Dog?

What is the strongest breed of dog, is it the Tosa Inu?

The Tosa Inu may be the strongest breed of dog in the world. Unfortunately, it was bred to be a fighting dog, and is still used today in blood sports in various parts of the world. The reason you don't hear of this breed in dog fighting as often as Pit Bulls, is because they are much more expensive with prices ranging between $750-$2500. Some other names this breed goes by is Tosa Ken, Tosa Tōken, Japanese Fighting Dog, Japanese Mastiff, Tosa Fighting Dog, and Japanese Tosa.


The Tosa Inu makes an excellent companion, as they are highly intelligent. This dog weighs between 130-200 lbs, and is loyal and protective of family members. The Tosa Inu has a tendency to not do well around other dogs, unless they were raised together as a puppy. Tosa Inu's can be well balanced family dogs with a great deal of socialization as a puppy, and consistent positive reinforcement training.


What is the strongest breed of dog, is it the English Mastiff? The Mastiff is an easy going, calm, well-mannered, and loyal member of the family. This breed will easily get along with other pets, including small dogs, but will not hesitate to protect your family.


An English Mastiff typically weighs between 150–250 lbs, and has been dominating the Guinness Book of World Records for largest and heaviest dogs. They're really isn't anything that's not to love about an English Mastiff, except the life span at an average of only 10 yrs, is never long enough.


What is the strongest breed of dog, is it the Rottweiler? This breed has a long resume as a working dog. Rottweiler have been used as herders, cart pullers, guard dogs, guide dogs, therapy dogs, and in search and rescue. A Rottie is 110 lbs of good natured, self-confident, courageous dog.


The Rottweiler may be the oldest herding breed with history dating back to the Roman Empire.

Leptospirosis Awareness

It's the start of Leptospirosis season, it's important to be aware, as there has been an increase of Lepto diagnosis in the past few years. This morning I was reading local news just for the Brooklyn, NY area, saying that two dogs have already died this week from Lepto, and many others had been treated. Leptospirosis is a life threatening illness. With treatment, it can have up to an 86% success rate, but treatment requires inpatient hospital care, up to a week on IV fluids, antibiotics, and in some cases hemodialysis.

Tip: When you take your dog to the park or out for a walk, don't let your dog run through standing water, as it may be a source of infection. The most common way Leptospirosis is spread is from the bacteria in urine from infected animals. If you can avoid walking through puddles, and wet areas it will reduce the chances of your dog being infected by Leptospirosis substantially.

Leptospirosis is a bacteria that thrives in warm, wet weather and will live in standing water and moist soil. It's spread by the bacteria in urine of rodents, skunks, raccoons, and other infected animals. From the time of infection, it will take between 3-14 days to start showing signs of illness. Once infected with Leptospirosis, the bacteria will settle in and begin damaging the kidneys. The signs include lack of energy, fever, lack of appetite, muscle aches, nausea, excessive thirst, and jaundice (yellow eyes).

Whether you should get the vaccine for Leptospirosis, is a judgement call. Numerous veterinarians will no longer recommend it because it's known for causing a variety of reactions, and in many cases will not prevent your dog from getting Lepto.

Portuguese Water Dog Rescue

The Portuguese Water Dog Club of America (PWDCA) is involved with Portuguese Water Dog rescue and relocation. One reason there aren't as many stray Portuguese Water Dogs, is that many of them are purchased from breeders, who encourage/require the new family to return the dog if the adoption doesn't work out. Even so, Portuguese Water Dogs are occasionally found as strays who have been lost or abandoned, in animal shelters, or being advertised in local newspapers. The PWDCA Portuguese Water Dog rescue will try to intervene in these situations, and find a safe haven and loving home for the dog.

The Portuguese Water Dog Rescue will try to locate the breeder, but if that's not possible, they will take full responsibility for the dog. They'll also provide free advice to Portuguese Water Dog owners who are having problems, such as training and behavioral assistance, in an attempt to help the owner keep their dog. There are people that for a variety of reasons, are simply unable to keep their dog, and turn them into the PWDCA Portuguese Water Dog rescue. In this case, they will accept the dog and search until they find a loving lifetime home. If every breed of dog had a dog rescue group like this, it would significantly reduce the homeless dog population.

More information about the Portuguese Water Dog rescue, can be found at the PWDCA website.

Butterick Patterns Dog Costume

If you like to sew, you may get a kick out of these patterns for dog coats. While I'm not selling any of these, you can find them by going to Butterick.com and typing "dog" in the search box. The butterick patterns dog costume packages may inspire you to create something warm and cozy in the next few months, just in time for the fall/winter season.






Included with each Butterick patterns dog costume package, they include patterns for XS, S, M, L, and XL dogs. That way, you can make one for your dog, and more for gift giving!