Archive for June, 2007

via Guzer
Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney has been accused of mistreating his family dog. The Associated Press reports that back in 1983 Romney placed his Irish Setter, Seamus, in a carrier on the roof of the family car during a 12-hour trip from Boston to Ontario. Apparently, Seamus “expressed his discomfort with a diarrhea attack.” Romney’s sons complained about the brown liquid running down the back windshield and then, as if in wartime, Romney took firm and decisive action. He “quietly pulled the car over, borrowed a gas station hose and sprayed down both the dog and the kennel before returning to the road.” Such grace under pressure. That’s just the kind of man we need running out country. Wouldn’t you say? Romney dismissed the accusations that this rooftop throne was cruel and unusual. He said, “he scrambled up there every time we went on trips…He got it all by himself and enjoyed it.” Sure he did Mitt. Sure he did.
One more fact indicating that dogs are becoming more and more like humans and likely to take over the world soon. Some Common Human Injuries Also Common In Dogs.
I’ll drink to that:

via Bruce Farm Pets
Today’s Small Dog Headlines:
Dog tie-up law doesn’t seem to be working in T.O.
Dog survives night in freezing waters to return home
Bobcat attacks 2 dogs in Apache Junction
Woman charged after neighbors complain dogs kept in hot bedroom
Yorkie puppy lost (or stolen) at DFW Airport’s Terminal D
June 29th, 2007

via Pomkins
Today’s big news concerning the world of small dogs comes to us from California, California debates pet-sterilization law. This controversial law, called the California Healthy Pets Acts, would require pet owners to neuter their pets before the age of 4 months. Those who don’t abide by this law would be fined $500 per pet. It’s unfortunate that it has become almost necessary to enact a law like this to simply uphold common sense. If a measure like this could prove to potentially reduce the 500,000 unwanted cats and dogs that are destroyed in California’s shelters each year, then it’s probably a good thing. Not surprising, Bob Barker, a notable advocate for controlling the pet population, called in to the Assembly to voice his support of this bill. The article indicates that, “at least 25 states require that dogs and cats adopted from shelters be sterilized.” What do you think?

via Funny Pet Stories
With the 4th of July just around the corner, you should read these, Tips to Calm Your Dog’s Fear of Fireworks. Maybe small dogs are actually frightened by freedom and independence?
One thing I do know is that this couple in South Dakota believe in freedom and independence for small dogs, so much that they even recruited an army of donkeys to support their cause. Randall and Vicki Eggert wanted to open a dog kennel and breed Pekinese dogs on their property but their plan was halted when the neighbors complained about the noise factory, they aruged that the kennel would be too close to their homes and that the Eggerts already owned too many dogs. So, as the story goes, the Minnehaha County Commission rejected a conditional-use permit for a kennel on their property. The Eggerts didn’t just get mad they got tough; they decided to raise donkey’s instead. Vicki Eggert explained, “‘I have a sister in Mobile, Ala., who told me they pretty much make a lot of noise. We did it to irritate the neighbors…I figure if the neighbors want to complain, then they’ll have to listen to the donkeys.’” They are no joke. Don’t mess with the Eggerts, they will cut you.
I’ll drink to that:

via Ann & Jan’s Chihuahuas
Today’s Small Dog Headlines:
Dog saved from jaws of coyote by quick-thinking owner
Survivor of World Trade Center attack battling neighbors over dog
Puppy awaits prosthesis in Colorado
Puppy rescued from extreme temperature in car
Men who killed and ate dogs in Hong Kong win cut in jail terms
June 28th, 2007
Yesterday, Stephanie asked for more photos of small dogs wearing glasses. Well Stephanie, ask and you shall receive. Lucky you, Costume Dogs, has an entire page dedicated to photos of dogs wearing glasses! This is manna from heaven. You really hit the jackpot on this one. Here’s a stellar example:

via Costume Dogs
In case you are searching for a small dog friendly hot spot to vacay this summer, dogfriendly.com has announced a list of the Top 10 Dog-Friendly Resort Areas to visit in the United States.
Get your checkbooks out and Paypal accounts ready, an empty dog food can from the trash of Paris Hilton has made its way on to eBay.
Here is some more talk about DNA profiling of dogs. Many pet owners are now calling upon DNA testing to confirm the ancestry of their mutts. Donna Haraway, a historian of science and culture at UC Santa Cruz, said, “it’s one more way of codifying the American cultural belief in genes as the foundation of everything important…I find it mildly disgusting. Then again, as the proud owner of two dogs, she added: ‘I might actually buy such a test.’” Such a tumultuous struggle! Not even Donna can resist the allure and intrigue of the cold, hard facts.

via Association of Pet Dog Owners
Finally, here’s an interesting article, What are dogs thinking? Maybe more than we knew. The article discusses how research shows that dogs, like humans, are capable of imitating behaviors. A group of scientists studied a group of dogs and concluded, “‘the behavior was very similar to the children who were tested in the original experiment,’ said Zsofia Viranyi, of Eotvos University in Budapest, who helped conduct the experiment, published in the journal Current Biology. ‘Whether they imitate or not depends on the context. It’s not automatic, insightless copying. It’s more sophisticated. There’s a kind of inferential process going on.’” Does this mean dogs might take over the world? We can only hope.
I’ll drink to that:

via Next Day Pets
Today’s Small Dog Headlines:
Dog Found Abandoned & Spray Painted
Pup left in truck to die, dumped in trash
Tillman the skateboarding dog hits big time in iPhone TV ad
Garden party goes to the doggies
Cops: Jersey City police dog killed innocent Chihuahua
Dog owners howl with protest as California considers neutering law
Stench forces man to give up two dogs
Pooches crash Shock Picnic
Woman used scissors to cut puppies’ tails
June 27th, 2007

via Breibart
A 2-year old Chinese Crested and Chihuahua mix named Elmwood was crowned the World’s Ugliest Dog this past Friday. Elmwood’s owner Karen Quigley said, “she rescued Elwood two years ago. ‘The breeder was going to euthanize him because she thought he was too ugly to sell.’” And by ugly, she means ridiculously attractive.
Just in case you missed this the last time around, this is 100% magic:

via Fugly
In other news, Jane Balogh registered her Australian shepherd-terrier mix to vote as a form of protest. “The second time Duncan M. MacDonald sent in an absentee ballot, an election worker in Federal Way called to ask about the paw print on the envelope. But it took three ballots before the prosecutor contacted the voting dog’s owner.” There’s no mention of his party affiliation. I suppose he’s either a Whig or a Tory.
I’ll drink to that:

via Stone Wall Ranch
Today’s Small Dog Headlines:
Dog Ditches Owner’s Chevy Impala in the River
Miami Man Shoots, Kills Small Dog
Dozens of small dogs rescued from puppy mill arrive in Colorado
June 25th, 2007

via dierenkliniek
Today is a very important day for small dogs all around (the US & Canada). It is a day when small dogs are given the opportunity to shine, and show off their business prowess and acumen. What day is it you may be asking, well, it’s Take Your Dog to Work Day! Does anyone have any work place stories to share from this glorious day?
The Dog Sale is taking place at Christie’s Auction house this morning. I wonder if dogs will be allowed on the auction floor and permitted to register paddles and bid? Does anyone have a cool million to lend so I can bid on some sweet dog paintings?
I’ll drink to that:

via Colletts Country Kennel
Today’s Small Dog Headlines:
Advocate calls on Air Canada to reverse pet ban
Dogs freed from debris-filled home up for adoption
Puppy litters of seized dogs overwhelming shelter
Dog left in hot truck was not in danger, couple say
Woody the dog reunited with owners
Wicklow puppy farm described as worst-ever in Ireland
June 22nd, 2007

via Pasta and Vinegar
Here’s a helpful guide to securing your pet in the car, Safety First - Buckle Up Your Dog. This guide indicates that “in a crash, an unrestrained pet could not only be seriously injured, but could seriously injure people in the car. For example, at 30 mph, a 50lb (22.5kg) Border Collie would be thrown forward with a force equivalent to a polar bear!” Imagine that, a polar bear!? How fascinating! Does that mean a Chihuahua would be thrown forward with a force equivalent to a panda bear? A miniature horse? An emu? I will do the calculations soon and get back to you.
I’ll drink to that:

via Ink Frog
Today’s Small Dog Headlines:
Miami Man Shoots, Kills Small Dog
Gator nearly devours Sanibel dog
Don’t let your dogs go postal
Saratoga inn to hold dog-friendly ‘Yappy Hour’
Dozens of dogs seized from ‘deplorable’ conditions
1-year-old Dog(s) Kills Owner
Lawsuit Targets Florida Puppy Mill
June 21st, 2007

via USA Today
Mark from Dogs With Cones wrote in yesterday to alert me to some really important small dog news. The Guinness Book of World’s Records has named Ducky, a little Chihuahua, the world’s smallest dog! Weighing in at 1.4 lbs and measuring 4.9 inches tall, Lisa Messier, Ducky’s owner says she paid $5,000 for him (according to USA Today, “based on his current weight, that’s $223.21 an ounce or $1,020.41 an inch.”) “Now, under Messier’s tutelage, he’s taken to wearing a tiny suede jacket with crystals.” More photos please. You should take time to read Lisa’s letter to USA Today, which is a fascinating look into the life and times of Ducky.

via Live Science
This isn’t exactly small dog news, but I feel it is noteworthy nonetheless. 3 baby tigers were rejected by their mother and took a particular liking to a dog that had recently given birth to her own litter of puppies. That photo shows the mother nursing the three tigers and her own pup. Awww.
I’ll drink to that:

via All About Great Danes
Today’s Small Dog Headlines:
New Law Mandates No Pet Left Behind
Doggone little recourse when pet hurt at park
Go Green: Eco-Friendly Pet Option
Man Who Saved Dog From Fire Dies
BigLaw and the Humane Society Show Their Puppy Love
June 20th, 2007

via Indogneeto
A girl scout in Washington State was sifting through a pile of trash at a local Goodwill (she was looking for scrap wood for a girl scout project) when, to her surprise, she came across a magnificently disturbing sight, a black and white beagle and springer spaniel puppy. Do you think that this puppy is 100% delicious, like a black and white cookie? I imagine so.

via Table of Malcontents
The Herald News published the following article, Big men, Tiny dogs find a place in the hearts of oversized men. The article profiles three men, two of which it explains are over 6 foot tall, the third is of an undetermined size. These men are all small dog owners. Have you ever heard of something so wild? I have. I think it’s called a Napoleon complex. Brian owns a 14-lb dachshund named Laverne. He explains that he “sometimes gets looks and comments when he is with his dog. The best time, though, is when he is driving with Laverne, who likes to perch herself on his neck…despite Laverne’s small size…Brian says she has a big personality. ‘I have a spiked collar on her because she’s tough like that…’” Also, Dave Gibson, the owner of 3 Yorkshire Terriers said in reference to them, “they do everything a big dog does, but they don’t hurt nobody and they’re easier to take in the car.” Imagine that, tiny little dogs doing everything big dogs can do, what has the world come to? Soon, people will say that women are just as able bodied and capable as men.
I’ll drink to that:

via The New Gamer
Today’s Small Dog Headlines:
Rats ‘are like small dogs’
Teens honored for saving dog
Bear Dog Park wins award for ‘Best Small Dog Area’
Police find 23 dead dogs at Pa. home
MEPs call for a complete ban on the cat and dog fur trade in the EU
Homeless Puppy to Become Search & Rescue Dog
June 19th, 2007

via Funny Fur
This couple was so busy being dazzled by Walmart’s ridiculously low prices that they didn’t noticed that someone went off with out their dog: Seeing Eye dog lost in Wal-Mart parking lot. I am sure they can just get another one in Walmart and, for half the price.
Most everyone knows the saying, a small dog a day keeps the doctor away, right? Darcy Ingram is lucky to be alive due to her small dog. “In December 2005, at just six months of age, Freeman [her puppy] sniffed out what Ingram’s doctors assured her was not there - a cancerous tumour in her right breast. “He kept hurting me and hurting me,” said Ingram, a glowing picture of health. “He wouldn’t leave that breast alone.” I think Freud has a name for that, Oedipus Complex anyone? Seriously though, the 2006 journal, Integrative Cancer Therapies reported finding that, “ordinary household dogs with basic puppy training…could detect cancer just by smelling the breath of lung and breast cancer patients.”
Shame on the kids that used Ninja, a 3-year old Chihuahua, as a football. A disgrace!
I’ll drink to that:

via Pup City
Today’s Small Dog Headlines:
Painting of a Dog Could Sell for US$1.2 Million
Boys used dog as a football
Woman Killed by Her Own Pet Dog
Coyotes ranging into local backyards
Size counts at the small-dog park
June 18th, 2007

via O Amigo Secreto
Matthew sent me this frightening article on dog genetics from the NY Times: As Breeders Test DNA, Dogs Become Guinea Pigs. I wish I could scoop at the whippets into my arms and take them away from this cruel, mean world. Oh whippets, “Come here quick!.” cried Daisy at the window. The rain was still falling, but the darkness had parted in the west, and there was a pink and golden billow of foamy clouds above the sea. “Look at that,.” she whispered, and then after a moment: “I’d like to just get one of those pink clouds and put you in it and push you around..” I tried to go then, but they wouldn’t hear of it; perhaps my presence made them feel more satisfactorily alone.”
The article proposes, “next up, geneticists say, could be…dogs that cock their heads endearingly when they look at you.” Can we engineer a gene that gets rid of the stupid people carrying out this work? How about this gem, ” Mary-Jo Winters, a poodle breeder, uses a DNA coat-color test to ensure there are no genes for brown fur lurking beneath her black-and-cream-colored dogs. ‘I don’t want brown,’ said Ms. Winters. ‘It’s not my thing.’” What is your thing Ms. Winters? Do tell.
I’ll drink to that:

via Pup City
Today’s Small Dog Headlines:
Dog fights equal horse races
Man who fed puppy to boa constrictor gets 90 days in jail
Police nab suspected puppy-snatcher
Puppy who lost ears finds open arms
Missing puppy was to be therapy dog for burn victims in Flint
June 15th, 2007
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