Barking Up The Wrong Tree

Chicken Bones Are Dangerous For Your Dog

Earlier this week, a friend of mine was out walking her two dogs, a shih tzu and a border collie.  Whilst attending to the ‘business’ of her shih tzu, she didn’t see the collie finding a discarded chicken carcass, presumably for a fox and having a little nibble.

Chicken bones are incredibly dangerous to dogs.  From what I understand, it doesn’t matter so much if they are raw but once cooked, the bones become very brittle and can splinter or break in the dog’s mouth or throat, causing damage.

Unfortunately, in this case, this is exactly what happened.  The collie was rushed to the vets but unfortunately died on the operating table.

I write this article to warn anyone giving their dog cooked chicken to watch out for the bones, be extra careful and even for those who don’t have dogs, be careful when you put your rubbish out that it is carefully wrapped and cannot be ransacked by foxes or cats.

It is heartbreaking to lose a dog at any time, but even more so when it is through an accident such as this.

This post is dedicated to the memory of a beloved dog, Milly, who will be sorely missed.

Hovering Dogs?

Have you ever taken a photo of your dog that didn’t quite turn out as planned.  Here’s a picture I don’t think the owners were aiming for, but it looks pretty cool to me – one for the photo album anyway.  Hovering dogs – who knew dogs could fly? 

Dog Sign

I wonder what this says… might have to ask my shih tzu dog for a translation…

The Cost of a Dog

Before you buy a dog, consider if you can afford it.  I’m not just talking about the purchase price, because obviously if you want a pedigree dog, they are expensive.  I’m talking about the cost of keeping a dog.

When you first get a dog, you should get him or her vet checked.  The first innoculations should also be discussed then.  These will set you back around £50 – £60.

Then you’ll need to buy the basics.  Even if you don’t go mad on toys and treats, the dog will need somewhere to sleep and a couple of toys, plus you need to buy bowls for him to eat and drink from and a lead for walking.

I highly recommend buying a good pet insurance policy to insure your dog too.  I once had a dog who broke her leg and the operation cost me £300.  Luckily, it healed well.  However, even though I then insured her, she’ll never be covered for any more problems with that leg.

Consider all the factors when buying a dog.  They’re expensive and a huge responsibility.  If you do find you have an unwanted dog, or cannot keep him, then do the right thing and rehome them properly.  Don’t abandon them or turn them to the RSPCA.  You bought the dog, do the right thing by him.

Cost of Neutering A Dog

How much does it cost to neuter a dog?

My mum recently had her shih tzu bitch neutered.  It cost £110.  However, the dog then seemed to get a small infection, resulting in three more visits to the vet, injections and tablets.  Total cost approximately £170.

If you are on benefits, you can get your dog neutering subsidised and it will only cost you £30 apparently.

Five Reasons Why A Dog Is Better Than A Cat

Seeing as I run this website, you could probably guess I like dogs.  Does that mean I hate cats?  I don’t hate them as such, I just don’t appreciate them.  Here are five reasons why a dog is better than a cat:

1. A dog is always there for you – not off leading a double life you know nothing about, eating someone else’s food, letting someone else pet them and generally having a good time whilst not telling you about it
2. A dog loves you unconditionally – he won’t sulk if you don’t feed him at the right time and won’t make you pay for every mistake you’ve ever made
3. A dog will tilt his head to one side and listen to every word – he won’t just yawn, close his eyes or ignore you
4. A dog will come when you call him – not just come to you when he’s good and ready
5. A dog will keep you company, whether that’s walking, playing frisbee or going to the park – not just lie around the house, taking a three hour nap

Come to think of it, read this again – it could read just as well as five reasons why a dog is better than a man!

Guide Dogs Banned

You know, sometimes you read a story that really makes your blood boil and this one really did it for me.

A partially-sighted lady was wandering round a car boot sale – yes, a car boot sale! – when she was asked to leave because dogs weren’t allowed.

According to 50 year old Mrs Stone:

“We had only been there a short time when this man came over and told me dogs were banned – I explained she was my guide dog, but he just did not want to know.  This man just kept shouting at me, it was very embarrassing and humiliating to be spoken to like that in front of big group of people. I was really shaking. I needed my guide dog at the car boot sale as she helps me get up close to objects so I can see them better and is trained to cope with crowds.

People just show a bit more consideration when you have a guide dog and my husband is able to go off and do his own thing if he wants to.  Uschie was in harness and it was perfectly clear that she was a guide dog. The man said she had to leave because there is a problem with dog fouling, but she has been trained only to go on command.  I was told that I could either carry her or put her in a trolley, which was just a ridiculous suggestion.

She is very well behaved in harness and acts as my eyes, it has made a huge difference to me; I couldn’t cope without her.”

I am so pleased to hear that the persons responsibly at the Stalham Football Club in Norwich now face prosecution under the Disability Discrimination Act, and so they should.  What rights do they have to ban someone?

It is bad enough that there are so few places you can take your dog nowadays, and now they try to ban guide dogs too.  Personally, I believe a car boot sale is one of the few places left when you can walk round with your dog, allowing them to get used to people, different sights and smells.  Dogs need socialising.  It is because we do not allow them to go places that they are confined to their homes, getting to know only the immediate family and then bark and growl and don’t know how to act with others.  Sure, I understand not everyone likes dogs, some people are allergic to them and nobody likes it if a dog has an ‘accident’ but the owner should take responsiblity, be careful how long the dog is out for and be sure to clean up if anything happens.  As for banning guide dogs – ridiculous!

Can All Dogs Swim?

I always thought all dogs could swim as I thought it was a natural instinct.  I remember when I was younger, my shih tzu fell into the river.  He’d never been in water before but he sure learned quick!

Anyway, today I read that not all dogs can swim.  In fact, one human family were trying to ‘encourage’ their dog to swim in a local pool during a special four legged friendly swim day and their dog simply sank and had to be rescued.

Apparently, some dogs do actually need to be taught.  You can do this at a local dog kennels where they often have special dog swimming pool facilities or you can find somewhere with calm, clean water on a warm day.  Preferably, there should be a sloping bank so you can go gently in.

If you go to a special pool, someone there will help the dog or you can often help yourself.  Encourage the dog to get in with you and support them underneath.  Support the dog gently until they get the hang of the ‘kicking legs’ thing and then gradually and gently let them go it alone.  At a pool, they often have special supportive equipment to support the dog (picture courtesy of NosetoTail.com).

Dog swimming pools aren’t just for fun.  They’re often used for thereapeutic benefits, such as when a dog is recovering from surgery or a broken limb to strengthen them without pressure.  If you have a good dog insurance policy, some will even cover the cost of ‘alternative treatments’ like these.

Stealing Dogs

I read a story today in the Northern Echo about how two dogs were stolen from a family’s stable by luring them away with cooked chicken.  The owners came home to find the two missing dog’s leads left behind with a couple of half eaten chicken legs.

The two dogs were just pets, a rottweiler and a terrier, and one of them was a rescue dog.  The family has two children, aged nine and fourteen, who are understandably devastated.  The mother said:

“Siobhan has been crying all night, but I don’t know what to say to either of them. I don’t know if the dogs are going to come back and, if they don’t, I suppose we can only hope they are being looked after,” said Mrs Scott, of Coxhoe, County Durham.  They are family pets, not guard dogs. They don’t have a bad bone in their bodies. We have a holding where we keep horses, which is the best place for them if everyone is away out all day.”

Why anybody would do this is beyond me!  Unfortunately, only one of the dogs was microchipped so the owners are hoping the dogs are kept together so maybe they have a chance of getting both back.

You can read the full article on the Northern Echo website

Should You Drive With A Dog In Your Lap?

People who drive with their dog in their lap deserve to be fined in my opinion, no question.

Why then, is California suddenly debating whether or not this should happen?  Bill Maze, an assemblyman in Visalia, opened the ‘idea’ after he saw a woman driving with THREE dogs on her lap.

You get fined for using a mobile while driving, you get fined for eating or drinking whilst driving, so why not for driving with a dog on your lap?  It is irresponsible and could cause an accident.  Besides which, if you cared about your dog, why are they on your lap anyway?  Wouldn’t they be safer either in a dog harness, which we wrote about in March, or in a carrier?  Being on your lap won’t keep them safe.  Idiots.

Apparently, the bill has been passed to the State Senate to pass it as law.  Once passed, drivers will be charged $35 for having a dog on their lap.