Planet Dog Blog

The Dogs that Sit With Santa

Santa Claus made his way to the Planet Dog Company Store on Sunday for our 6th annual Sit with Santa fundraiser.

All the money raised helps to fund the grant program of the Planet Dog Foundation, supporting non profits that train, place and support dogs helping people in need. 

Santa works overtime on Sit with Santa day, doing his best to snuggle with 95 dogs.  Small dogs, huge dogs, terrified dogs, multiple dogs . . . .  our Santa loves them all.

Of course, then there are the crying babies, the 7-person families with 2 dogs, the camera crews from the local stations . . .  Santa limps back to his workshop every year. 

And while Santa is exhausted when the day is done, we know that the PDOG pups have a great holiday card to share with all of their friends!

The Origins of "Man's Best Friend"

The Planet Dog Foundation crew is busy preparing for our 6th Annual Woofminster Amateur Dog Show, a celebration of the many ways dogs endear themselves to us. There are a variety of "challenges" to allow participating dogs to show off some hidden talents (stay tuned next week for a full report on the festivities!)

I have noticed a lot of use of the term "man's best friend" in relation to the event, and it got me thinking - Who coined that phrase? I hadn't heard the story, so for those of you who haven't heard it either, here's the story of poor Old Drum:

Old Drum was a black and tan hound dog belonging to Charles Burden. On the night of October 18, 1869, he was shot and killed by Leonidas Hornsby, Burden's brother-in-law and neighbor. Hornsby was disgruntled at the loss of several of his sheep, and vowed to kill the next dog caught on his property - and that dog was Old Drum.

The death of Old Drum resulted in three separate jury trials and an appeal to the Missouri Supreme Court. In his closing arguments to the jury, Mr. Burden's attorney, George Vest, delivered the following tribute, and is credited with naming the dog as "Man's best friend". Mr. Burden won the case, and was awarded damages in the amount of $50.00, an astronomical sum for the time.

Eulogy of the Dog

"Gentlemen of the Jury, the best friend a man has in the world may turn against him and become his enemy. His son or daughter that he has reared with loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest to us, those whom we trust with our happiness and our good name, may become traitors to their faith.

The money that a man has, he may lose. It flies away from him, perhaps when he needs it the most. A man’s reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill-considered action. The people who are prone to fall on their knees to do us honor when success is with us may be the first to throw the stone of malice when failure settles its cloud upon our heads.

The one absolutely unselfish friend that man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him and the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous is his dog.

Gentleman of the Jury, a man’s dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he may be near his master’s side.

He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer, he will lick the wounds and the sores that come in encounters with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert he remains. When riches take wings and reputations fall to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens.

If fortune drives the master forth an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him to guard against danger, to fight against his enemies, and when the last scene of all comes, and death takes the master in its embrace and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by his graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad but open in alert watchfulness, faithful and true even to death.”

Happy National Guide Dog Month!

September is National Guide Dog Month. In celebration, here are some fast facts about guide dogs, and some tips on etiquette when you meet one. All of us at Planet Dog are honored to be able to support these amazing dogs and all they do to increase the independence of visually impaired people. Enjoy September, and be sure to praise a Guide Dog this month!

Guide Dogs and Their Owners

 

 

• A guide dog is a highly trained dog that acts as a mobility aid to blind and visually impaired people. It provides not only mobility but gives freedom and independence as well as being a faithful and loving companion.
• With the increased mobility and independence gained through the use of a guide dog, the confidence of the blind or visually impaired person soars.
• Well trained guide dogs are intelligent, alert, and always willing to serve.
• Guide Dogs are allowed to go everywhere that the public is allowed to go. This includes  restaurants, taxicabs, hotels, planes, boats, retail stores, etc.
• It costs more than $25,000 to complete the training for only one guide dog. There are almost 60 schools in 26 countries.
• Matching the correct dog with the correct owner takes skill and experience. The owner’s length of stride, height and lifestyle all contribute to the type of guide dog they will be matched with.
• Dog and owner spend up to four weeks of intensive training together until they qualify together.

A guide dog is taught to do a wide range of tasks, including:

• Walk in a straight line in the center of the pavement unless there is an obstacle;
• Not to turn corners unless told to do so;
• To stop at curbs and wait for the command to cross the road, or to turn left or right;
• To determine when it is unsafe to proceed;
• To judge height and width so that its owner does not bump their head or shoulder;
• How to deal with traffic.

Some Do’s & Don’ts When Meeting a Guide Dog:

• Don't walk on the dog's left side as it may become distracted or confused.
• Do walk on the owner's right side but several paces behind him.
• Don't attempt to grab or steer the person while the dog is guiding him or her attempt to hold the dog's harness.
• Do ask if the owner needs your assistance and, if so, offer your left arm.
• Don't give the dog table scraps. Do respect the owner’s need to give the dog a balanced diet and to maintain its good habits.
• Don't allow children to tease or abuse the dog.
• Do allow it to rest undisturbed.
• Don't allow your pets to challenge or intimidate a guide dog.
• Do always ask permission before petting a guide dog. If permission is granted, don't pat the dog on the head. Do stroke the dog on the shoulder area.

 

 

Working Hard for the Kibble

It is grant season again at the Planet Dog Foundation. Every year, we receive hundreds of proposals from organizations seeking financial support for the programs they conduct, helping people by using specially trained dogs. As always, the range of programs that are using dogs is inspiring.

Let's start with just the sniffing dogs. Dogs are being trained to sniff out early warnings of bladder, lung and ovarian cancers. They can alert a diabetic to a subtle shift in blood sugar levels, long before available glucose monitors can. They can locate the scat of endangered animal species to help conservation efforts to protect ever-shifting habitats. They can find drugs, bombs, carbon dioxide leaks, termites, bedbugs, missing people, or the tennis ball that rolled under the dresser 3 years ago.

Then there is the comforting dog. Dogs are brought in to disaster situations to help calm and console survivors. They visit hospitals and rehabilitation centers to soothe patients and their worried families, or to encourage someone to continue doing painful and frustrating exercises to rebuild strength and capacity.  They can help at-risk youth learn compassion for the first time, and even the most hardened inmates shed tears when pups they raise in prison move on to more formalized training. They can calm an autistic child, a veteran suffering from PTSD, or a person struggling to learn how to read.

And of course, there are assistance dogs helping people with a wide range of needs. They can open doors, and pay for goods in a store. They can alert a hard-of-hearing person when the smoke detector goes off, and retrieve the telephone when someone falls. They can lead a visually impaired person through the busiest intersection, or pull off someone's socks and place them in the washing machine.

It is the highlight of our year to read more about the variety of programs that are harnessing a dog's natural capacity for smell, for pleasing people, and for unconditional love. It is an honor to provide our modest support to some of these groundbreaking organizations. Stay tuned to learn more about the programs we will fund this fall- it truly will warm you heart.

Our Human Pets? Or our Pet Children?

Research continually shows that many of us consider our pets a part of the family. We treat them as our children, pamper them, and often make heroic sacrifices to accommodate their peculiar needs into our routines. As we dive further in to the 21st century, it is clear that we ascribe human traits and very human desires to our dogs.

Planet Dog recently hosted 2 events that bring that anthropomorphic sensibilty to the pets and pet owners of Portland.

Animal communicator and Reiki practitioner Sarah Moore appeared at the Planet DogCompany Store last week and offered "readings" of the various dogs who attended. She asserts that she can "hear" what the dogs are thinking and feeling, and is able to be the conduit between the curious pet parent and the pet itself. In channeling the thoughts of various dogs, she taught us that dogs really DO care about the color of the collars and jackets we make them wear.

My dog apparently was never a fan of the blue collar, but really loved the red one with the daisies on it. She also really hated the little sea-glass knick-knack I have hanging from the rear-view mirror in my car. Sarah couldn't be sure if it was because it swung around and distracted her from better views out the window, or if it was because she never liked the person who gave it to me many years ago.

In either case I felt very badly. I always thought she loved that friend, and I honestly believed the blue collar must have been more comfortable for her than the red one, especially in the summertime. But apparently, I was wrong.

Sarah informed one couple that all those times that they put the life jacket on their dog and carried him up by the back handle like a six-pack of beer, the dog simply loathed it. In fact, through Sarah, the pup asked very specifically NOT to be carried that way ever again.

Next in the chain of dogs-who-like-human-things events, we held our 5th annual Bark in the Park, a fundraiser for the Planet Dog Foundation which allows people to bring their dogs to a Portland Sea Dogs game, our local Red Sox Double A affiliate. The dogs participated in an on-field parade, and were warmly greeted by Slugger the SeaDog, the Sea Dog mascot who takes the whole "animals with human attributes" thing to the next level.

After the parade, dogs relaxed in the bleacher section by the mini-Green Monster, taking up 2 seats, and gathering every dropped crumb and hotdog piece the rowdy Sea Dog fans released. They did a hearty Downward Dog at the 7th Inning Stretch, and howled as the batter swung at a pitch that was clearly not a strike.

How about you? Do you take your dog along on "human" adventure trips? Do you think your dog enjoys being at human events doing human activities?

 

  

  "But Dad. who would swing at that pitch? It was way outside!"

Working Like a Dog

Summer is officially here, and that means that Take Your Dog to Work Day is coming up on Friday, June 24. Officially sponsored by Pet Sitters International, this annual event encourages employees to bring their canine pals to the office and share the special bond we enjoy with our pets with our office-mates.

Every day is take Your Dog to Work Day at Planet Dog, and that means every day we practice responsibility with our pups. If you are lucky enough to bring your dog to work, be sure to follow some common sense guidelines so it is enjoyable for everyone.

Not every dog is cut out for the working grind. There are many new sights and sounds in the office that some dogs will handle better than others. Consider your pet's personality when thinking about bringing them to the office, and be sure to have the flexibility to bring them home if things aren't working out.

Not every worker is cut out for dogs. Some people have allergies and aversions to dogs, so be sure that the office community is agreeable to having pets there, and establish locations that will always be dog-free (conference rooms, kitchens, break rooms, etc.).

Keep your dog under control all day. Leash your dog on the way in and out of your space, and use a pet gate or baby gate, or a tether to keep the dog with you all day. A sure way to ruin the day is to have someone's lunch stolen off their desk, or a special surprise left in the hallway. Believe me, we have had both of these things happen, and not everyone thinks that is funny or cute! 

Schedule time to give the dog frequent walks outside, and time to visit with those co-workers who are interested. TYDTWD is a wonderful way to let your coworkers without dogs see what a special bond you have, and what a joy it is to have a pet. Have some resources for local shelters and rescue groups in case your colleagues become interested in adopting a pet. 

Have fun! Study after study shows that dogs in the office increase productivity and lower stress for employees. If your dog has the work ethic to join you, it should be a fun, educational and exciting day for everyone! Please, share your dogs at work stories with us here!

Read more about Take Your Dog to Work Day at http://www.takeyourdog.com/About/.

Tick Season is Upon Us!

Welcome back, faithful readers! Please excuse the hiatus from the PDOG Blog- we are back, and moving forward better than ever! Please enjoy this week's post from the Planet Dog Company Store Manager, Jim Williams.

I don’t know anybody that likes ticks. This is the time of year when we, at The Planet Dog Company Store, get lots of questions about ticks and Lyme disease. This year is no different. Some have described this year as an epidemic year - not only does it seem there are more ticks, but they seem more resistant to the traditional tick prevention products.

There is a great debate about which flea and tick prevention is preferable- chemical or natural? We carry Frontline and a range of herbal and all natural tick control and prevention products at our store. Our goal is to educate ourselves about the options so that we can educate our customers. We want our customers to make an informed choice about what might work best for their pets. 

A couple of years ago I started using an herbal wellness formula for my dog, Pirate, and I have had some good success with it. Over the course of those two years, I have found maybe 3 or 4 ticks on Pirate, which is actually a lot fewer than when I was using the more traditional topicals. This particular formula, Canine Wellness Blend, is something we carry at The Planet Dog Company Store and we get it from Joyce Belcher, an herbalist from York, Maine, who has a company called Herbs for Life.  All of her herb-based products are designed to keep pets’ immune system healthy and balanced. 

Joyce does a lot of research and work with holistic veterinarians in developing her products. She recently came to educate the store staff to understand how herbs like Spirulina, Bee Pollen, Hemp Hearts and Neem impact the overall body systems. Additionally, Joyce introduced us to her latest product, a tincture designed to actually prevent Lyme disease in both dogs and humans. 

We all learned so much from Joyce, that we invited her to present a broader seminar for our local community. She  will join us for our next “Yappy Hour” on June 23^rd at 5:30 pm. Like all of our Yappy Hour events, it is free and we will provide some yummy snacks for people and pets.If you are reading this and can be in Portland, ME, please come join us. I promise it will be informative.

What have you used for flea and tick prevention? Has it worked for you? Have you noticed any differences in efficacy in the past few years?

 

Guest Bloggger Stephanie Hulse: Where Was Your Wiener This Weekend?

   

Greetings from Austin, Texas!  My name is Stephanie Hulse and I am one of the Inside Sales Representatives here at Planet Dog.  When my husband, Jarett, and I relocated to Texas a few months ago we weighed the pros and cons of each city. We chose Austin. It wasn’t an easy decision, but Austin’s proximity to Buda, aka the Weiner Dog Capital of Texas, definitely played its part. Needless to say we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate the most exciting event of the year this past weekend – the 14^th Annual Buda, TX Wiener Dog Races.

That’s right! It’s a race – just for DACHSHUNDS! Someone looked at these silly dogs, with their long bodies and stubbly little legs and thought “what would happen if I made this little guy race against its brothers and sisters?”  The rest is history…and hilarious.

This year’s theme was “Alice in Weinerland” and the weekend was complete with a costume contest, parade and every dachshund themed vendor you could possibly imagine.  Jarett and I met hundreds of doxies and their people, many of the pups in colorful Alice in Wonderland themed costumes. Johnny Depp is no match for a dachshund in a Mad Hatter costumer. Nobody is as dedicated to fun as the group that gathers to celebrate the funniest dogs on earth. It was like Shangri-La, if Shangri-La was filled with strange looking hound dogs designed to dig holes.

This was our older Dachshund, Kielbasa’s first run in the Buda Weiner Dog Races, but we had high hopes. We had been training him in the backyard using our Planet Dog Squeaky Tennis Ball (his favorite) and baby carrots for weeks. We even made our 12 week old puppy Klink run with him for distraction. So, naturally we were convinced he’d be a champion as we loaded him into the blue lane for his first race of the morning. The crowd went wild as the gates were opened and so many little stubby puppies shot out of their cages. Tiny legs worked over time and bellies grazed the grass as these athletes sped towards the finish line. The roar of squeaky toys and owners calling to their little champions was deafening, but Kielbasa was nowhere to be found? Sadly, he got a little intimidated when the doors opened and just wandered aimlessly around the starting line. He saw the crowd, peed a little and sat down waiting for me to retrieve him from this nightmare.  Finals was definitely not in our future.

But, while Kielbasa was not the champion he still walked away with the Baby Carrot of Victory and to a dachshund, what could be better?