Doggie Database – Is Megan’s Law for the Dogs?
Posted on April 22, 2008
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Would you want to know about any overly aggressive dogs in your neighborhood? If a certain dog has previously been implicated in an attack, do you have the right to know about it to protect your family? Are overly aggressive dogs of a certain breed? Who is making the determination as to what constitutes an aggressive breed - a municipality? How were these dogs dealt with before the Internet?
These are just some of the questions being kicked around our little canine community. We’re not looking to take a stand and mark our territory on this one. No, we’re going to let the latest news out of Escondido, California pass through our paws unscathed. As with all decisions made for the greater good, there are both positive and negative aspects to maintaining a nationwide database of Canine Offenders.
Basically, Rover’s Law strives to “protect our children, our loved ones, our pets and our neighborhoods from the dangerous and vicious dogs that live among us. Our goal is to create a National Registry of Bad Dogs similiar to that of the Department of Justice’s Registry.” (In order to quote directly, we had to leave the misspelling)
Again, the mutt mignons realize legislation is not necessarily good or bad. Our only question comes with the implementation of Rover’s Law. Will McGruff become the leader of a Canine Gestapo, or can we all just get along - man and beast? Is a national Dog ID tag next? Uh oh, they slipped that one right under our nose…and around our necks.
For some helpful doggie data mining, give these sites a whiff:
http://www.pedigreedatabase.com/
http://www.lostdogsdatabase.com/
Marooned Mutt
Posted on April 19, 2008
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Palm trees swaying in the trades, gentle waves lapping on shore - sounds like a delightful way to spend an afternoon, or a few weeks if one has the opportunity. But, given the choice, would you forego the next four months to bask in all the South Pacific glory you can handle?
We would too! But a certain Canine Castaway may beg to differ. You see, Snickers - the 8 month old Cocker Spaniel - spent the last 4 months marooned on the small Pacific Island nation of Kiribati, about 1100 miles South of the Hawaii. Fanning Island, a sparsely populated atoll in the middle of the largest ocean on Earth, had the pleasure of hosting Snickers’ extended stay. As fate would have it, Snickers and his sailing companion, Gulliver, had the misfortune of landing upon this desolate rock only after enduring the 3 previous months adrift in the Pacific! Their original owners had to abandon their prize pooch and stunning Macaw after hitching a ride with a supply ship headed for the US Mainland. We guess they had enough of the island life, drifting hopelessly in the Pacific will do that. One problem though, the ship was not having anything to do with Snickers, or Gulliver. They were not welcome aboard, and forced to endure the next 4 months marooned on this tiny windblown volcanic island. Now already having a penchant for the tropics, we’re sure Gulliver caught on with a local crew and maybe found himself an Island girl to settle down with, it is springtime…But Snickers wasn’t home, Fanning Island is no place for a haole Cocker Spaniel.
Through yet another twist of fate in this young mutt’s life, a guardian angle by the name of Jack Joslin caught a whiff of the story. The rest is history. From Jack’s legwork, the Hawaiian Humane Society, Norwegian Cruise Lines, and Hawaiian Airlines all mobilized to lend a paw to the marooned mutt. Earlier this week Snickers was the honored guest aboard the Pride of Aloha, finally steaming away from his former beachside accommodations. Sailing, shuffleboard, midnight kibble buffets - this is what this young pooch was planning for when they set sail across the Pacific for the first time, not the canine version of Castaway. And forget about the media attention, Snickers just wants to get back to normal. What of Gulliver you ask, well last we heard the Macaw Militia is amassing forces to go in and rescue their fallen flyer. The bird lobby is following in Mr. Joslin’s paw prints, face man Peter Foreman plans on mobilizing forces to get Gulliver off that island and back to the mainland. You see, he may have to take somewhat of a more circuitous route back into the country. The plan is Christmas Island, then onto the Port of Los Angeles - one of two U.S. ports to accept exotic birds. Surely there will be bureaucratic roadblocks, but we have faith in our feathery friends.
Muttspace would like to recognize the effort and love put forth by everyone involved, especially Jack Joslin for his unrelenting networking. Congratulations Jack, Snickers is a gift!! Big thanks to CAPT. Evans Hoyt - skipper of the Pride of Aloha, a true salty sea dog! And to the rest of the Pride of Aloha crew!!! Hawaiian Humane Society doing what they do best. Saving lives, one animal at a time. Mahalo!
Doggie Downers
Posted on April 8, 2008
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Ridalin for the ADHD hyper hypo 4 yr old at the playground, Viagra for the coitally challenged and otherwise healthy 35 yr old man, Minoxidil to fight a losing battle….where does it end people?
Nowhere in sight as far as the butt sniffers here at Muttspace are concerned. Nope. Our clairvoyant Canines foresee a rapid decline of society over the next several generations - of Mutts and Men. Er, women too - we didn’t forget the two dozen YAZ spots on constant rotation. Alliteration aside…We’ve become so lazy, so bored, so incredibly detached from reality around us. We’re scratching itches that aren’t there; we actually look for artificial things to stimulate what would normally be naturally occurring emotions. Somehow we lost the scent along the way. Now, not only are our children innocent victims of our chemically induced comas, our pets are in the crosshairs. Poise is the latest in a somewhat disturbing trend (our opinion) of owner-administrated Canine medication/supplements available on the open, uh, market. Poise Calming Treats for Dogs are - get this - designed to bring an increased level of calm and serentity to your pooch. Or, at least that’s what made our ears perk up after first hearing the now ubiquitous radio spot. Yes, you heard it right. No sarcasm, hyperbole, or tangents needed for once. No, that statement stands by itself - Poise calming treats are meant for dogs who bark, chew, sniff, squat, dig, bury, fetch, run, drool, lick, pant, yelp, howl, and fart….too much. We couldn’t resist.
Some of these synthesized concoctions probably do offer some benefit - Cosequin and Glucosamine come to mind - but the main point we’re missing here is, who is handling the distribution of said calming biscuit to the pet? Of even more importance, what exactly is the mental capacity of that person shelling out the Canine California Sunshine? It goes back to the age old debate; Crazy Dogs…or Crazy Owners?
Our muttley advice is simple - spend that money that would’ve went to pet meds YOU are prescribing, on a trip to the Vet. Leave the prescribing and administering of medication and supplements to the professionals. Find something else to obsess on about your pet. Like a daily walk. Or more rawhide.
Maybe we here at Muttspace spend too much time in front of the TV. Maybe sleeping on the couch, sunbathing, slurping copious amounts of fresh water, maybe it does get a bit repetitive. That must explain our RSD (Repetitive Strain Disorder) from chewing apart that doggone couch arm! After awhile we do need some simple stimuli between the morning and evening walks to occupy our time; maybe it’s not spent in the most constructive way. But what of our future, are we to be committed and medicated when chasing Robins and sneezing on Dandelions proves fruitless? Ya know, that isn’t any fun on those cold, wet, winter days. We have to do something when we’re home alone all day!!!
Wait a second, we smell a rat. Maybe that Poise thing isn’t so bad after all….
How say you Mutts?
Size Matters
Posted on April 3, 2008
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Dateline - November 2007 -
Washington D.C.What better place than the Capitol of this great nation to commemorate such an important milestone in the annals of history? Guinness World Records Day is always a special day, a day we officially document some of the most ridiculous, and some of the most magnificent. As for the latter, let us not waste any more time. Our sight hounds are trained on a special meeting that took place this past November (2007) outside The White House.
Enter Gibson and Boo Boo. These 2 prize pooches bear the great honor of World’s Tallest, and World’s Smallest Dogs, respectively. Gibson, the Harlequin Great Dane already barks “I Love You,” and considers a certain late night talk show host a close personal friend. Hollywood fame is nothing new to this four-legged celeb, a published pooch of national predilection amongst the towering tailwaggers.
Boo Boo is a tiny lil tempest, coming in at only 10.16cm. Her owner, Lana Elswick has been a breeder of Chihuahuas for 19 years and considers Boo Boo the smallest of the lot. A little dog with a big heart, this lil firecracker is now officially the Smallest Dog In The World - but Ms. Elswick, please get on the Guinness people to update their records! A 15.2cm Key Largo Chihuahua by the name of Heaven Sent Brandy is listed currently as the diminutive title holder. We here at Muttspace would not aim to confuse anyone, and we demand clarification and justice for Boo Boo! No disrespect mind you for Ms Brandy, she is welcome in out exciting ring of kibble any day.
Call it Brandy or Boo Boo, Gibson the gargantuan Great Dane is the real catalyst here. We need to give credit to Gibson’s nome de plume - Sandy Hall, a longtime ‘Dane lover. Gibson is truly a gift. And he continues to share his gift every day, having earned his certification in Therapy Dog and Special Needs training. Gibson is larger than life.
If opposites of the canine world can come together under the parasol of peace, in the cradle of power, then dog gonnit, we need to sniff our own asses once in awhile! Maybe that’s what is missing. We forget our poop stinks. Leave it up to our slobbering mutts to point the way. The Canine lobby is gaining support.
For more record breaking canine celebrities, click here: http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/records/natural_world/fantastic_pets/most_tennis_balls_held_in_the_mouth_-_dog.aspx
http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/records/natural_world/fantastic_pets/highest_jump_by_a_dog.aspx
Canine Therapy
Posted on March 18, 2008
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Man’s Best Friend?
Yes, consider it fact. We’re not talking clichés and bold-faced claims, the Muttspace minds are quoting authentic, documented, scientific study. According to the genius minds over at St. Louis University, their study found, “… that a lovable pooch named Sparky and a robotic dog, AIBO, were about equally effective at relieving the loneliness of nursing home residents and fostering attachments.” Furthermore, the great Professor William A. Banks, M.D. went so far as to explain that not only did Sparky bring a gleaming ray of light to this particular nursing home, but he goes on to mention, “The residents found a little quiet time with the pooch is a lot nicer than spending time with a dog and other people,” quipped Dr. Banks.
There we have it, end the debate, put the women and children to bed, the fat lady is singing a sweet swan song - our dogs are our best friends! Now it’s in the books, and we can move onto more pressing matters.
Now that it is scientifically proven that dogs are better than cats - oops, uh… I mean that dogs are our best friends, yes that’s it…Having known this most convenient truth since childhood, we here at Muttspace are asking the bigger question addressed in a recent CNN piece. Will robot dogs someday take the place of Sparky, the “9-year-old, reddish-brown mutt with a white muzzle and floppy ears?” We certainly regard this as nothing short of blasphemy!!! A robot dog replacing the real thing, hah! The notion certainly does not even dignify a response. Should we need to mobilize, the Mutt Militia is standing by for just this kind of happenstance. Ready to defend the Canine World at a moments notice. You want them on that fence, you need them on that fence!
Remember HAL?
Dog Days of Recession
Posted on March 5, 2008
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This is no light-hearted, middle of the road offering from the coffers of Muttspace. No, this is a call to arms! It seems that the family dog is the latest victim of economic fallout. Cut down on the rawhide you say? Doable. Maybe a switch from Nutra to Purina One may help allay some food cost fears?? Surely it must, at least on the surface. What other adjustments are some Americans making in regards to the economic pressure the family dog inflicts on the budget? Well, what some responsible dog owners have taken to is the most un-American of all choices…they are giving up. Cut and run. Drop the dog at the shelter and go fill up the Hummer 2 with some petrol. Beyond Hillary v Obama, beyond WMD - doggonnit beyond Brittney for mutts sake. Is this what our country is coming to? We know about consumption and a disposable society - but c’mon. Our dogs are not disposable!!!
Seriously, due to the economic woes facing the nation, some people are actually giving their dogs up for adoption because they can no longer afford to keep them. This seems totally unacceptable from our point of view, but then again that is four-legged. How do the masses feel? Commiserate for the dogs, not the poor owners. Maybe if they dropped Starbucks everyday, they could afford to feed their dog. Maybe, the $600 family cell phone plan could use a bit of restructuring to accommodate Fido’s sustenance. Maybe one day, people as a whole will be a lot more fun to be around than dogs…Probably not as far as we’re concerned. The kibble ball foresees economic adjustments being made by responsible dog owners in the near and long term. For the stupid, ill-prepared people out there; A bit of preventative medicine - please do not adopt a dog in the first place! Just as those wrongfully on public assistance drain the system, so too can wrongful pet adoption. Take a look at the swelling shelter populations, or the ever increasing annual numbers of euthanized animals. Please learn to take care of your own behind before you elect to be responsible for that of another. Did someone say too many apathetic, narcissistic, undisciplined kids?? Oh, ahem…uh no, sorry, we didn’t mean…uh, different story. Has no relation here whatsoever…
We at Muttspace wonder how the Greatest Generation - of Mutts and Men; how they would feel about our present state of affairs.
Too many questions to raise here - I’ll leave the opinions to the Mutt masses. From our tone here, Muttspace sentiments are crystal clear. How does the rest of the canine contingency out there feel? Are these just irresponsible dog owners giving up their pets regardless of the economic situation? Are people really that affected by this economic downturn, that our pets are suffering? What steps can we take to mitigate our budgetary concerns, while keeping our precious pooch’s best interests at heart? That should be the main focus - stay tuned for more there. We’ll do some research, run some surveys - and see what we come up with. Again, we’re not the WSJ here, so don’t expect forecasts. Just take everything with a grain of kibble…and don’t be afraid to bark out every once in awhile.
Your Dog will thank you for it, they love you anyway.
Showcase Showdown
Posted on February 26, 2008
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“Come on down! You’re the next contestant on the Price is Right!” barked the golden throated emcee and stalwart pet sterilization pontificator. Thanks to some recent legislation passed in the city of Los Angeles, today is a happy one for Bob Barker. There may however be some mixed feelings in the LA Basin pet community. The City of Angels became the first to adopt such strict pet sterilization laws, don’t take our word for it - sniff around yourself. For the average dog owner, it will be mandatory to spay or neuter their pets before the age of 4 months, 6 months with a doctor’s note. Of course there are restrictions regarding show and sporting dogs, or police and assistance animals - check for yourself if you have any questions. You don’t want Vic Mackie coming to your house and shakin’ down the family Shepherd for zee papers! And we, sure as heckfire, are not going to try and interpret or decipher bureaucratese.
Almost as famous as the tag line to one of America’s most popular TV game shows, was the daily send off by Bob himself. His daily urgings left an indelible impression on us; imagine how shocked our family dogs were to hear their favorite game show host rally for their… sterilization of all things! Talk about inner conflict; you think raising a teenager poses some seriously uncomfortable questions, try answering to Jack the family Golden Retriever, why Bob Barker wants to make sure he never learns any new tricks - so to speak. So, outta respect for Jack (R.I.P.), we’re gonna let a sleeping dog lie here and reserve comment. Let’s see what our canine community thinks of this perplexing predicament facing our pet population. We don’t mean to pussy-foot around the subject, it’s just the vacillating has us chasing our tails. These canine reproductive jokes doing anything for anyone?? Didn’t think so. Besides, we’re not journalists, or political pundits - we’re just good ol’ fashioned dog lovers. Furthermore, children are for people who can’t have dogs!
And we do carry some human guilt here, given the subject manner. Think Big Brother, or Close Encounters…that’s gotta be what it’s like to Fido….or Fefe for that matter.
We’ll leave the barking to the unsilent majority.
Dogs In Space
Posted on February 20, 2008
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Sit! Oooh sorry, lost who we were talking to there for a second…You may want to sit down for this one, we are about to turn the world upside down. Mind you, we are not taking responsibility for anything, from what was recently learned - this is (or should be) common knowledge. Frankly, as dog loving individuals, we are really upset we missed this one. Something tells me a good portion of the human population did as well, but I guess only time will tell. Damn those History books!!! To whom do our canines, nay, the entire population of the planet as a whole, owe their greatest gift of thanks - Edison, Lassie, the Standard Fire Hydrant Co.??? You may be surprised to learn that a certain Russian tail-wagger may be the most underappreciated, and overlooked of all historical heroes of recent times.
I was reading Water Magazine recently, it’s a surf publication centered on the ocean, and waves…Water. Pick it up; we’re in the dog biz not public relations! So, as I was reading this incredibly adept, powerfully awe-inspiring piece focusing on Oahu’s Waimea Bay, I was immediately taken aback by the visual imagery flooding my visual pleasure centers. I can’t imagine how such beauty can be captured on film, or memory card for that matter. There’s a fine artistic debate waiting to happen huh? Too bad, we’re talking dogs here. I know, you’re getting lost, not sure where we’re going with this whole historically significant, impoverished pooch slant relating to coconuts and palm trees…read on grasshopper. As I am drinking in the seascapes, preparing my brain to pore over the mellifluous dissertation before me; I conjure up images of salt tinged palms swaying in the trades, lazy afternoons, and moonlit tropical nights. And then my eyes fall down the page to the opening sentence of the article, and it reads just like this…
The words dropped like an Acme anvil:
“The first week of November 1957 was a busy one for exploration. On Sunday, Russia showed how badly it wanted to kick our ass in the space race by launching the first living creature into orbit. That creature was Laika, a stray dog “rescued” from the streets of Moscow, and her instant popularity threatened Lassie’s position as World’s Most Famous Pooch.”
Did everyone see that OK???
The article continues….”As the Russkies threw back shots of vodka in celebration, word leaked out that there were no plans for the satellite to return to earth. Laika faced certain doom, and by Thursday, she was dead.”
- Jason Borte
WATER Magazine Vol 6. NO. 4
Admittedly, we are among the generation who propagate social community networks for our beloved animals. But, how did this information previously escape us? Sputnik, no problem. Yuri Gagarin, yup. But Laika, the Moscow Street Mongrel who left her most earthly concerns behind for the advancement of science, and life in our universe - that is beautiful! And we at Muttspace cannot believe how uninformed we were about this most unlikely, under appreciated intergalactic hero. We’d first like to recognize author Jason Borte from Water Magazine as a bastion of canine reverence for his if not unknowing, somewhat skewed historical demarcation of canine lore. Beyond all else, and beyond any $20 words we know nothing about, Muttspace is giving it up for Laika! We’re proclaiming November 7th - Laika’s fateful day - an official Canine Holiday from this day forward.
Yes, you may notice that November 7th also carries some additional historical significance…Did Laika play more of a role here than both the United States and Russia care to admit? Was this a game of blind man’s bluff at a dog poker table in the sky? Was the space race ultimately decided by a lone mutt from the gulag? We won’t draw the conclusions; we will only ask the questions…
In the game of international espionage, there is no such thing as coincidence. If you’re still not picking up what we are putting down, don’t look at the dog next time you shout out a command and he or she doesn’t react - maybe it’s just you!
What we are talking about people is this: Why is Laika’s fateful day the same day we go to the polls to elect the leaders of our government?
Tonight….on The Factor!
Can Owning a Dog Improve Your Health?
Posted on February 6, 2008
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Can a dog improve your health? For current owners, the answer to this one is an overwhelming YES!
When we think of quality of life, health benefits, and improving personal relationships, we may think of New Year’s resolutions before we think of our dogs. But that’s exactly the kind of positive impact a dog can have on your life.
Thanks to our mutts, we all know we’re better people everyday for having those simple opportunities we do to share our lives with our precious pooches. From inspiring us to get out and take a walk, to snoozing next to us on the couch; our dogs play such a vital role in our happiness, it’s obvious to see how they would positively impact our overall health. Maybe its dark outside already, just got home from work, kinda chilly outside…not really feeling that thrice weekly 2 mile jaunt this evening. Yeah, try pulling that excuse with Fido. You won’t even get a word out - leash in mouth, tail whipping you in the leg as he is on the way to the door. Go ahead and try to resist, you’re exercising today whether you like it or not. Maybe you’ll cut it off with a brisk walk around the block, but you still made it out there. Benefit; the dog got your lazy, unmotivated butt off the couch and out the door. Responsibility and motivation all in one drooling, hairy, happy go lucky package. Score one for Household Pooch M.D.
Apart from the everyday benefits realized by those of us fortunate enough to already be in good health, recently publicized studies show significant proof supporting the help of dogs, and animals as a whole, in administering therapy to cancer and cardiac patients, autistic children, and even people struggling with depression. Dogs just have that natural - or preternatural - therapeutic sense. They know when something is wrong, all dog owners out there know what we’re talking about. Call it a sixth sense, call it a good nose.
Aside from the grinning, tail wagging, lick you in the face excitement that is there to meet you every single day, dogs really can have a significant impact on our outlook in life, and even overall health. Are dog owners happier and healthier than your average person? Would someone be more inclined to exercise if they had a dog? Who knows, let’s open the debate. As we can see from the articles mentioned[i], the overwhelmingly undeniable benefits realized in the medical community are well documented. Muttspace will look to address these and other key issues affecting our canine community.
The mutts shall inherit the Earth!
It’s just a matter of time…
[i] The Pet Care Trust - UCLA MEDICAL CENTER DOCUMENTS CANINE THERAPY FOR CARDIAC PATIENTShttp://www.petcaretrust.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3321
The Scoop on Poop
Posted on January 24, 2008
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According the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (APPMA), there are approximately 44.8 million households in the U.S. with at least one dog. This roughly equates to 74.8 million owned dogs, in 39% of American households.
That’s a lot of poop!
What we are doing with it, or NOT doing with it; that’s the bone we choose to pick with some irresponsible owners out there…some of whom are our neighbors. One of the largest contributors to water pollution in and around our major cities is urban runoff. A prominent source of some of this urban runoff comes directly from our dogs behind. Remember the figures above and see what the city of San Diego did to curb their dog poop problems….back in 2000. It’s now 2008, and although the poo figures are somewhat limited, one can infer there is significantly more poop on the planet now than there was 8 years ago. You’ll also notice that amongst the array of sources responsible for the pollution, dog poop is known to carry disease causing bacteria[1]. So in addition to the smell and walking hazard presented when waffle shoe meets fresh steamer, it’s also unhealthy!
Now, there isn’t going to be any barking, complaining, and lambasting emanating from our cultured canine community here. We’re just addressing the environmental concerns surrounding the increasing accumulation of our dog’s poop. As there will be more people, with more dogs; so there will be more poop…and more poollution if we don’t do anything to change our bad habits. We need to be responsible before the phrase stepping in shit takes on a whole new - literal - meaning.
It’s natural, sure. It’s fertilizer, not really….These are just some of the excuses we rationalize to ourselves while not taking the 5-15 seconds to bend over and clean up after our dogs. Well, that and our pride. Guilty as charged, been there done that - enough said. Again, we’re not looking to point fingers here; we’re looking to enact change in our own bad habits as responsible pet owners. However, change mean action! Let’s concentrate on the future, and practice the same kind of diligence in picking up our dog’s poop as we would tending to one of our children’s diapers. If you don’t care about your anonymous neighbor enough to clean up after your dog, then consider the next time you go the beach, lake, or river…and think about how many other people care just as little as you.
“Little dog, little poop…”
- Little mind
“It’s fertilizer”
- Shithead
Woodsey the Owl, Smokey the Bear…Mr. Hankey. We need a good poop-scooping advocate; a pillar of the community, a stalwart defender of canine rights - the voice of reason. We know you’re out there somewhere…
[1] Click here for the entire article by Traci Watson of the USA Today: http://www.usatoday.com/news/science/2002-06-07-dog-usat.htm keep looking »
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Hello, I'm Wayne - Welcome to my Dog Blog
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