Brutus the Golden Retriever

The Golden Retriever originated in Great Britain. This is a versatile breed that does well in obedience trials, agility, hunting, and leading the blind.

The Golden Retriever standard says this breed should be 21 to 24 inches at the shoulder and 60 to 75 pounds. Many Golden Retrievers in the United States are taller and weigh more than this. Brutus is a very large dog. He weighs well over 100 pounds and is not overweight.

Golden Retrievers make excellent pets. Their long golden coats make them very beautiful. This breed is good with children and gets along well with other pets.

The Shih Tzu or Chrysanthemum Dog

The Shih Tzu is a small dog. This breed weighs between 9 and 19 pounds. This fine companion dog stands 8 to 11 inches at the shoulder.

The Shih Tzu is originally from Tibet. They are people oriented, confident, and charming. These dogs have a beautiful, flowing coat and require regular grooming. The hair that grows up from the short nose makes this breed look like a chrysanthemum.

Foods & Drinks that are Bad For Dogs

There are many foods that are not good for dogs and should not be included in recipes you develop for your dogs. Things that are not good for dogs include alcohol, chocolate, raisins, grapes, onions, garlic, coffee, eggplant, and macadamia nuts.

Alcohol can lead to coma and death. This is not new. We see this in humans all the time.

The theobromine in chocolate is the chemical that can kill. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate have the most theobromine.

Raisins and grapes may lead to renal failure. Several people have told me stories of raisin toxicity in their dogs. Even though their dogs were over 100 pounds, a few raisins made them very sick. I no longer give my dogs raisins or grapes.

I have never given my dogs onions, because I know they are hard for dogs to digest. I recently learned that onions damage canine hemoglobin.

Garlic can damage red blood cells and lead to anemia. Studies show that garlic may also lead to kidney problems. I used to give my dogs garlic and use it in my liver brownie recipe. I recently stopped, after reading the results of some of these studies.

Coffee may increase a dog's heart rate and cause seizures. I don't drink coffee, so it never occurred to me to give it to my dogs.

Eggplant is hard for dogs to digest. People who have given their dogs eggplant say it passes through undigested. This makes a huge stool that is difficult to pick up.

Macadamia nuts may cause tremors or paralysis. They may also be a choking hazard, because of their size and shape.

If you think your dog has become ill from consuming any of these substances, call your veterinarian right away.

The Legend of a Newfoundland Dog on the Titanic

There is a legend that three dogs survived the Titanic. Two of the dogs were small enough to be cradled in the arms of their owners on lifeboats. The third dog was said to be a big black Newfoundland Dog named Rigel.

When the Titanic sank into the icy water, Rigel swam around looking for his master for hours.

Rigel was credited with saving one lifeboat from being crushed by the Carpathia. His frantic barking alerted the crew of the Carpathia that a lifeboat was dangerously close to the ship. The occupants were to cold and weak to shout for help. Swimming around in the icy water did not seem to bother Rigel.

Rigel was taken aboard the Carpathia and continued to search for his master. He was not able to find his master and was adopted by a member of the crew.

Parker The Therapy Dog

Parker works with a palliative medicine physician. His small size and calm personality make him an excellent therapy dog.

Mile Square Park in November

Collies

Scout and his new friend are Collies.

Some Collies have long flowing coats, and others are smooth or short hair Collies. Dogs with long hair require frequent grooming, but they are beautiful, if their coats are properly cared for.

Collies are intelligent and make excellent farm dogs. They are good at herding, and watching over families.

The Versatile Collie does well in Obedience Competitions and Agility Trials. Collies like to work.

The Rat Terrier

Wags is a Rat Terrier. He was happy to participate in the JDRF walk for the cure. Walking 3 miles was no problem for Wags.

Rat Terriers are affectionate family pets and excellent farm dogs. Terriers were bred to get rid of
"varmints". The job of the Rat Terrier is to eliminate rat infestations. They are active little dogs, but they are also happy to lounge around on the couch after work.

The Rat Terrier always has a smooth coat. The breed has a lighter build than the Jack Russell Terrier.

More Dogs that Walked for JDRF

Nevada, Sheba, and Sady are three well behaved dogs that walked to help find a cure for Diabetes.

Nevada is the largest of the three dogs and is a Rotweiler mix.

Sunshine Raises Money for Diabetes Research

Sunshine walked to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Sunshine wore her team shirt and walked three miles on the UCI campus.

Juvenile Diabetes is called type 1 Diabetes. The cause of type 1 Diabetes is unknown. The pancreas stops working and the children need insulin injections for life. The children who get type 1 Diabetes are usually NOT overweight. Type 1 Diabetes is NOT caused by eating sugar.

People who have type 2 Diabetes may or may not need insulin. Obesity can cause type 2 Diabetes. Some people with type 2 Diabetes can control their blood sugar with diet, exercise, and oral medication. Exercising and losing weight will help decrease the symptoms of type 2 Diabetes or make it go away.

There is no cure for Type 1 Diabetes. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is working to find out what causes type 1 Diabetes. With help from supporters like Sunshine, JDRF will someday find a cure for type 1 Diabetes.

Andy Rooney Quote

If dogs could talk, it would take a lot of the fun out of owning one. ~Andy Rooney

The Dogue de Bordeaux

The name of the friendly Dogue de Bordeaux in the photograph is Security.

The Dogue de Bordeaux is a French dog that resembles the Bull Mastiff in size and type. This breed is also called a French Mastiff or a Bordeaux Bulldog. These dogs are popular throughout France. They are also found in Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Japan, Africa, and the United States.

The Dogue de Bordeaux has a short, smooth coat that requires minimal grooming. Their coats are either dark auburn or fawn, with a little white allowed on the chest. This breed has a mask on the muzzle that is either dark red or black.

After the fall of Rome, the Dogue de Bordeaux arrived in France. The French used this powerful breed as a war dog, and to keep wolves and bears away from livestock. They were also used as a fighting dog and were pitted against bears and bulls. This breed can be aggressive with other dogs.

The massive head, wrinkled face, and undershot jaw give the Dogue de Bordeaux a threatening appearance. This breed has been used as a guard dog. They are fearless and will confront strangers. Despite having such a scary appearance, this breed is gentle with their owners and children.

The Dogue de Bordeaux is not recommended for the first time dog owner. This is a powerful dog that requires an experienced handler. Responsible owners of this breed provide proper housing, early socialization, and obedience training. These are necessary to protect the community, and help ensure that the breed will not be labeled a public nuisance or a “dangerous dog”.

Please Don't Pet Assistance Dogs

Dogs that assist a person with a disability are Assistance Dogs. You will see these dogs in stores, restaurants, and other places that people do not bring pets.

When you encounter a person who has an Assistance Dog, please ignore the dog. These dogs are adorable, but they are not pets.

Never try to feed or pet an Assistance Dog that is working.

Talk to the person who has the disability, but ignore their dog.

Dog Park Etiquette

Dog Park Etiquette Tips

The purpose of the dog park is to provide a safe place for dogs to exercise and socialize. Dogs do not wear leashes at the dog park.

1. Entering the dog park - Most dog parks are double gated, so the dogs do not get out. Open the first gate and close it behind you. Remove the leash. Open the second gate and enter the park. Remember to close the gate behind you.

2. Avoid fights - Do not bring food. If the dogs start to fight, distract them with a ball or a toy. Remove aggressive dogs from the dog park. Occasionally, a dog owner may refuse to remove an aggressive dog. If you feel that your dog is at risk from another dog at the park, you should remove your dog. You can return at another time. The safety of your dog is your priority.

3. Do not bring a bitch in heat to the dog park.

4. Watch your dog at all times.

5. Do not bring more dogs than you can handle.

6. If you bring your children, educate them about canine behavior and the proper way to behave around dogs. Remove your children if they are acting inappropriately or if you feel they are at risk from any of the people or dogs in the park. Watch your children at all times.

7. Clean up after your dog everywhere. Dogs are banned from beaches and parks when owners do not pick up the poop. Be a responsible dog owner. No one likes flies or stepping in poop.

8. If your dog injuries a person or another dog, apologize and be prepared to compensate the victim. Some dog beaches and dog parks have insurance to cover mishaps. Others do not.

Dog parks are a great place to meet people and get exercise. Dogs run and play until they are exhausted.

The most important thing to remember when you are at the dog park is to treat the other park users the way you would like to be treated.

Hugging a Baby

Click on this link to see how a dog hugs a baby.

http://www.dnaco.net/~vogelke/pictures/how-to-hug-a-baby/