Dogs In Space
Posted on February 20, 2008
Filed Under General | Leave a Comment
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
Filed Under General | Leave a Comment
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
Filed Under General | Leave a Comment
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
Barks to Bytes: Tell Me How You Really Feel
Posted on January 17, 2008
Filed Under General | Leave a Comment
Cacophony of Canines? Not so says recent research out of Hungary, where researchers analyzed over 6000 barks from 14 different Hungarian Sheepdogs. Read more here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080116/od_uk_nm/oukoe_uk_hungary_dog_1. We have bigger questions to answer.
As any dog owner worth their salt knows, we already know our mutts basic emotions - and when they communicate them to us. In addition, we’re talking a small cross section of pooches here: 6000 barks and yelps amongst 14 dogs? What did that take them - all of one day to amass that critical data? We just get worked up with all the buzz surrounding this one. Aside from all that, research shows us the computer judged the dog’s emotions correctly, 43% of the time. Human beings judged the emotions correct 40% of the time. We’re talking about 3% here…in a group of 6000 barks, from 14 dogs…of one breed.
Again, not the kind of science we would go all Jetsons about, but certainly entertaining. There may definitely be a market for some kind of dog-human communication decoder thingamajig in the future, but then again…do we really need pet owners who rely on a computer program to tell them how their pet is feeling?
Even Astro didn’t need that.
America’s Ten Most Popular Dog Breeds
Posted on January 17, 2008
Filed Under General | 1 Comment
Our cars are getting bigger, and our dogs are getting smaller. Recent research suggests that Americans are moving more toward the toy breeds when considering dog adoption. Now we hope this uptick in smaller breeds popularity is due in large part to a better educated dog-loving public, and proper recognition for the individual breed. In large part, the owners and breeders themselves are responsible for this groundswell of interest. What we hope isn’t responsible for the surge in interest; Our increasing desire to make things more portable! Leave pick up and go to incredibly small iPods and increasingly larger coffee troughs, not Malties and Teacups. Yorkies and Brusselranians need just as much care and love as some of our less vertically challenged canine companions. Sometime a lot more!
Don’t take our word for it, according to the AKC (American Kennel Club):
THE PETITE POOCH
• The popularity of small dogs (under 20 lbs) has steadily risen over the past decade. Some of the biggest movers include:
Cavalier King Charles Spaniels: 735% increase
French Bulldogs: 305% increase
Brussels Griffon: 231% increase
Papillons: 132% increase
Chinese Cresteds: 100% increase
• Of the breeds that have seen the highest decrease in registrations during the past decade, larger dogs are affected the most:
Rottweilers: 83% decrease
Dalmatians: 97% decrease
Chow Chows: 91% decrease
Back to good ol’ Muttspace science…Don’t consider “all the rave in
2007: Ten Most Popular Dog Breeds
1. Labrador Retriever
2. Yorkshire Terrier
3. Golden Retrievers
4. German Shepherds
5. Dachshunds
6. Beagle
7. Poodle
8.
9. Boxer
10. Shih Tzu
Hollywood Hounds: Top 10 Celebrity Mutts
Posted on January 17, 2008
Filed Under General | 1 Comment
No we’re not talking Britney Spears and her incredibly neglected, anxiety-ridden, pharmaceutically addicted
We’re showcasing the real celebrity mutts!! Albeit, nary a Hound or Mutt in this regal lot.
1. Numero Uno, Top Dog, Leader of the Pack…whatever tag you wanna throw at this pooch, he’s fine with it. Won’t change him a bit. The gifted hund in question, you ask? None other than Rin Tin Tin. Sure some may say Lassie, or Benji, but this gracious German has everything in ordung. He started first (1922), and blazed the trail for all other canine performers to come.
2. Lassie – gotta be. Aside from the Gentle German previously mentioned, Lassie is a lasting American icon. Maybe even more so than Rin Tin Tin, we just had to give it up to Tin for making his way out of war torn
3. Although this next choice in our incredibly accurate, entirely important compilation of cinematic canines is not necessarily “real”, he is most certainly one of the world’s most beloved Beagles. Charles Shultz first penned the Black and White Bombardier back in 1950 with the first run of the Peanuts comic strip. Snoopy is arguably the most successful mutt on this list. With theme parks, current running comics, tv specials…etc., this pooch rakes in the dough. And remember, he did all this without uttering a single bark. There is a lot to be said for silence…
4. Higgins. That’s right, you read it correctly! Higgins! No, I’m not going to launch into some soliloquy spouting off Magnum P.I. lines. I’m simple honoring the true recipient of our entire movie going praise over the last couple of decades. You see, Higgins was the original Benji. Following Higgins’ original contribution to major motion pictures, much like the Courageous Collie honored above, there were several actual dogs that played the part. Rather than honor the human who created the captivating movie franchise (latest release in 2004!), we choose to pay tribute to the original Tenacious Terrier. Higgins!
5. I can’t believe it either, two Terriers in the top 5. We ain’t in
Top Ten Celebrity Mutts - Part Deaux
Posted on January 4, 2008
Filed Under General | Leave a Comment
6. This one may surprise some people (if they were actually still reading). We’re not going for cute and cuddly here, more like cantankerous and maniacal. Much like Peter Benchley forever instilled the fear of Jaws in me to this very day, Stephen King reminded us all of the dangers of rabies! Cujo was one mean dog. We can’t blame him for being curious and chasing that rabbit down the hole…..Uh oh….conjuring up too many references …it’ll just sound crazy…..Just count Cujo the rabid St. Bernard number 6 and we’ll move forward.
7. What would a top ten list be without Disney? They probably own the damn concept. And we’ll be hearing from their lawyers soon. For dog’s sake we’re launching Goofy, Disney’s all time pooch, in at number 7. We may have misspoke before (don’t worry, we’ll do it again) when mentioning Snoopy as the all time breadwinner. Goofy probably has everyone there. Including most small countries around the world. Yep, this classic, buck-toothed grinnin’ hound may very well be the most profitable canine in the word. Ever. Still. But don’t forget the behind the music type events of yore: click here for the sordid Mickey/Minnie divorce transcripts: http://www.wocka.com/joke.php?id=5427 (yes, it is a dirty joke).
8. We really wanted to put this guy up there a little bit higher but just couldn’t find the correct forum to honor such a hero. There were even rumblings of top dog honors being throw about. Maybe he deserves his own article….more on that later – perhaps, The Psychology of Old Yellar. Yes, that’ll do. Oops, OK, you’re still here reading this inane drivel. Old Yellar is the glorious Yellow Lab Mutt we are pinning number 8 on our top dog list. Wait, uh oh – turns out the Yeller one was another D I S N E Y creation! Another article indeed…
9. Throwin’ two prize pooches at you here, and no way are they number 9 on any list! In fact, these two are tops in the minds of yours truly. A little obscure, yes. A wee bit presumptuous, only for the uninitiated. Flash and Fred are two Basset Hounds that will go down in television and movie making history. If for not their stellar acting, and commanding on screen presence, then at least for their garish personalities. We can go on for pages and pages describing the dialogue and plot lines in great detail; I’ll save you that and give you the fine works these two beautiful Bassets were most noted for: Dukes of Hazzard (tv) and Smokey and the Bandit (movie), respectively. Flash played an affable, if not somewhat aloof Southern Basset Hound in the Dukes of Hazzard television series of the early ‘80s. Fred, in many circles considered the fore father of Southern Basset Hound, was an integral part of Burt Reynolds’s convoy kicking, law breaking squad, in the Smokey and the Bandit trilogy (ok, he was in one). These two prize Dixieland Hounds definitely played it to the bone!
10. Last, certainly not least. Much like Disney talking dollars and cents, this dog is singularly responsible for my binge drinking as a teenager. You guessed it, none other than the man himself – oops, I mean the lady – Spuds Mackenzie! Yes, Spuds was female. The original party dog was actually played by a champion Bull Terrier out of the
This bitch knew how to party!
Our Money is Going to the Dogs
Posted on December 6, 2007
Filed Under General | Leave a Comment
Who gets more of our money, our kids or our pets?
To the ones we love, it’s never a question of how much. We want to give the best life possible to our kids, as well as our pets. Although, sometimes we must admit to wanting to trade both of them in for some new ones! Not only is America becoming more pet-friendly, we are also droppin’ some serious coin on our pet population. In light of some recent news out of the biz world, we at Muttspace felt compelled to highlight and share some interesting data. None of which is our own mind you – we leave that up to the experts. What’s great is through some simple research, we’ve learned that Americans spend more on their pets than they do their children’s toys! That includes video games….
Don’t take our word for it, match the data below with this (http://www.toyassociation.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home&TEMPLATE=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&CONTENTID=3887) from the Toy Industry Association (TIA).
We love it! We spoil them, buy them clothes, jewelery, holiday gifts, designer accessories, anything to show them our love, they are our Pooch Nation. Now you’re not gonna catch The Brigadier sportin’ any bling, but we’re not haters either. If Ms. Grand Champion Fefe Francesca’s Fiery Fiefdom Toy Poodle wants a diamond studded Tiffany necklace, then so be it – let them eat cake!
According to American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (AAPMA):
Total U.S. Pet Industry Expenditures
Year Billion
2007 $40.8 Est.
2006 $38.5
2005 $36.3
2004 $34.4
2003 $32.4
2002 $29.5
2001 $28.5
1998 $23
1996 $21
1994 $17
Estimated 2007 Sales within the U.S. Market
For 2007, it estimated that $40.8 billion will be spent on our pets in U.S.
Food: $16.1billion
Vet Care: $9.8billion
Supplies/OTC Medicine: $9.9 billion
Live animal purchases: $2.1 billion
Pet Services: grooming & boarding: $2.9 billion
Actual Sales within the U.S. Market in 2006
In 2006, $38.5 billion was spent on our pets in the U.S.
Food: $15.4 billion
Vet Care: $9.2 billion
Supplies/OTC Medicine: $9.3 billion
Live animal purchases: $1.9 billion
Pet Services: grooming & boarding: $2.7 billion
* Unless otherwise stated, spending statistics are gathered by APPMA from various market reseach sources and are not included in the organization’s bi-annual National Pet Owners Survey.
• According to the 2007-2008 APPMA National Pet Owners Survey, basic annual expenses for dog and cat owners in dollars include:
Dogs Cats
Surgical Vet Visits 453 363
Food 217 188
Kennel Boarding 225 149
Routine Vet 219 175
Groomer/Grooming Aids 127 18
Vitamins 77 31
Treats 66 40
Toys 41 26
**Note: APPMA does not ask Survey Participants how much in total they spend on their dog or cats annually. The expenses listed above are not all inclusive and each category was asked separately of the survey participant.
What Should I Feed My Dog?
Posted on December 5, 2007
Filed Under General | Leave a Comment
Simple question, lots of choices. What we’re going to do here is simply highlight what we have found to be the healthiest dog food options for your pet. Much light has been shed on the pet food industry of late, thanks in large part to a recent scare involving contaminated pet food coming out of China. Rice gluten, wheat gluten, communist dog food production – a serious international incident affecting not only the canine world, but the entire population of the planet. Your dog’s food is the number one responsibility if you’re looking to provide a healthy, active, enjoyable life for your pet. Gone are the days of grabbing a 50lb sack of kibble from the local supermarket, no now we have pet Supercenters! And you know what, our pets are better off for it. Let them eat cake I say!!
When considering food options, one thing we should not do is use price as the differentiator. It’s important to keep your pet’s diet consistent, and with that you have the responsibility to feed your dog the best food available. Easy, just ask your vet. For reading purposes, we’ll list a few brands below that seem to be amongst the top consumer choices.
Premium Dry Dog Food
Innova EVO is widely recognized by breeders, and veterinarians alike, as a high quality, premium dry dog food. From the high-grade protein, the whole fruits, vegetables, this is a can’t miss when it comes to quality nutrition for your pooch. I’m getting hungry from reading the ingredients.
Dry Dog Food
As with most so-called store bought brands, most contain ground yellow corn as their main ingredient, something not essential for the well-being of your dog. Not harmful mind you, just not essential. A good choice that is a little less expensive than the premium brands is Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover’s Soul. Yeah, truthfully I think the same thing. What does the book have to do with dog food?? Actually a lot of the ingredients are of a higher grade than the run of the mill types, and the cost isn’t as prohibitive as the premium brands…
Premium Canned Dog Food
Most sources say the best nutritional plan for your pooch is a mix of quality canned and dry food. Canned food is generally believed to be higher quality – with less fillers, unneeded grains, and preservatives. A good option many dog owners stand behind is the Canidae brand. They boast human-grade ingredients free of hormones and chemical preservatives. Nutro MAX is another less expensive option, with a slight drop off in quality of ingredients.
Canned Dog Food
Here’s a name we’re all going to know; Pedigree. Why do we know it so well? Because we have all seen the commercials! Let’s just hope they put the same care into their dog food, as they do their marketing and advertising. But seriously, Pedigree is a good budget option when considering nutritional options for your dog. Considerably less expensive than the Nutro MAX, Pedigree provides quality beef and poultry protein. In fact, it contains a lot more meat than most other store bought brands.
As with any health concerns (and nutrition should be number one), please consult your veterinarians before heading off to the local pet depot and grabbin a sack of ‘Ol Roy.
Designer Dogs: Intentional Mutts or Hybrid Pups?
Posted on December 5, 2007
Filed Under General | 1 Comment
Goldendoodle, Cockapoos, Labradoodles and Pomapoos…what other whacky names can we possibly come up with? We’re not going to get into all the genetic behind advantages and disadvantages of hybrid dogs. No, what we are going to address here is the groundswell of popularity these hybrids have generated. It seems as if pure breed canines or jolly ol’ mutts are no longer enough to satisfy the dog owning public. We gotta take two good things and mix ‘em up! Why you ask? That is the question we look to answer here.
Why? Are these dogs and the new breeds we are creating better off for having the human interference? We’re going to take a stand here and say absolutely not. Furthermore, is that the fundamental reason we are genetically engineering our dogs? We just don’t see it that way. We’re putting Hybrid dogs into the category of status mutts. Yup, you heard it – hybrids just benefit the mental state of the owner. Sure, we’ll take a lot of heat for this, but that’s the only way we would want it. Without dialogue, there is no progress!! Get off your high horse, think of the welfare of the animals, and come back to Earth with the rest of us. How many dogs are euthanized in shelters every year? The answer is too many. Especially when we have people who have never owned dogs choosing mutts in much the same way they choose their automobiles – EXACTLY how THEY want them. This seems more like a Dr. Moreau approach to running the Neverland Ranch, than it does a responsible dog owning public.
Why do we need so much attention? Does the dog really know it is this unique, one of a kind privileged pup to be put on a pedestal? Of course not, the Goldendoodle is much the same dog as the Golden Retriever/Poodle mix down at the local shelter. Only you can go get a shelter dog for $26, the Hybrid will cost you $3000. Yes, we know bloodlines can be manipulated, and if we are paying that much, we must be getting a better quality animal, right? We’re not so sure – and beyond that, another question comes to mind. Why are you considering dog ownership in the first place?
What do you get when you cross a Shih Tzu and a Bulldog?
A Bullshit.
« go back — keep looking »-
About
Hello, I'm Wayne - Welcome to my Dog Blog
-
Search
-
Tools
