Tails Of The City

Do you know where your dog is?

We've all read about them in our favorite gossip columns: high profile pet nabbings including Paris Hilton's chihuahua (although it has been argued that she simply forgot where she left poor little Tinkerbell) and most recently actor John Schneider's two three-month-old puppies — Paisley, a Yorkiepoo, and Marley, a Yorkie terrier — which he planned to give to his children. The puppies were inside their kennel in the family SUV for 10 minutes before it was stolen from a local supermarket parking lot. The car was retrieved but, sadly, Paisley and Marley were not.

Among the missing: Marley...

Then, according to a New Yorker article by Kate Julian, a full-blown dog-napping terror hit NYC's Upper West Side in December. E-mails began circulating (one subject line: "DOGNAPPING attempts in NYC with RAZOR and RANSOM — get dogs ON LEASHES — happening on West Side"), and flyers were posted at dog runs, veterinary offices and pet stores ("COMMUNITY ALERT: DOGNAPPING attempts on the West Side"). When women with small dogs were named as the primary targets, panic ensued. (I actually overheard a group of women and their small-ish dogs discussing this very phenomenon in Central Park during my most recent Manhattan visit.)

and Paisley.

Some suspected that in addition to asking for ransoms, the dognappers might also be supplying research labs. Not surprisingly, heavy-duty leashes have been selling briskly in Upper West Side pet shops.

According to police, not a single case of West-side doggie theft has been officially reported, yet the rumors quickly ignited terror in the hearts of well-heeled Manhattanites. Why did this happen? Corey Robin, a political-science professor at Brooklyn College and the author of "Fear: The History of a Political Idea," who was interviewed for the New Yorker, fingers the financial crisis. "A small dog creates a tremendous amount of emotional attachment, but at the same time it is a luxury item — and that's being taken away."

As it turns out, the pet hostage racket is not a new idea. As the social reformer Henry Mayhew wrote, in 1861, it was a popular way of extracting money from the wealthy class in Victorian London. Nabbers used a piece of liver or a bitch in heat to lure unsuspecting canines from their owners, and financial negotiations would follow.

Although there are no reliable statistics about dog thefts, a few years ago Lisa Peterson, of the American Kennel Club (AKC) started monitoring what she saw as a disturbing trend. Her list of the disappeared includes more than two hundred dogs in twenty-four states. In 2008, the AKC tracked more than 65 pet thefts from news and customer reports, up from just a handful in 2007. Thefts range from puppies being stuffed into purses at pet stores to purebreds being snatched from cars in parking lots.

To help prevent your fuzzy friends from being a target of a crime, the AKC offers these tips:

• Don't leave your dog off-leash and unattended in your yard.
• Never leave your dog inside your car, even if it's locked.
• Avoid leashing your dog outside of a store or restaurant unless you can readily keep an eye on them.
• Protect your dog with microchip identification; Collars and tags can be easily removed so make sure you have permanent ID with a microchip and be sure to keep your contact information current with your recovery service provider.
• If you suspect your dog has been stolen, immediately call the police as well as animal control and pet shelters in the area your pet was last seen.
• Have fliers with a recent photo in an easy-to-find place in the case that your dog goes missing. It's also a good idea to keep a photo of your dog in your wallet and on an easily accessible website or email account so that you can distribute immediately if necessary.

Have you ever lost a pet to theft? Did you get your baby back?

Posted By: Amelia Glynn (Email) | Jan 05 at 09:20 AM

Serious service animals or special privileges for pets?

Move over pooches. Service animals aren't just for the dogs anymore.

In her interesting and well-researched NY Times article, Rebecca Skloot writes:

Big Pictures

Ann Edie enjoys a meal with a friend and her loyal guide miniature horse, Panda.

What's most striking about Edie and Panda [her guide miniature horse] is that after the initial shock of seeing a horse walk into a cafe, or ride in a car, watching them work together makes the idea of guide miniature horses seem utterly logical. Even normal. So normal, in fact, that people often find it hard to believe that the United States government is considering a proposal that would force Edie and many others like her to stop using their service animals.

But that's precisely what's happening, because a growing number of people believe the world of service animals has gotten out of control: first it was guide dogs for the blind; now it's monkeys for quadriplegia and agoraphobia, guide miniature horses, a goat for muscular dystrophy, a parrot for psychosis and any number of animals for anxiety, including cats, ferrets, pigs, at least one iguana and a duck. They're all showing up in stores and in restaurants, which is perfectly legal because the Americans With Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) requires that service animals be allowed wherever their owners want to go.

Some people enjoy running into an occasional primate or farm animal while shopping. Many others don't. This has resulted in a growing debate over how to handle these animals, as well as widespread suspicion that people are abusing the law to get special privileges for their pets.

Should the law formally recognize the menagerie of service animals that currently exist? What solutions would you propose?

Posted By: Amelia Glynn (Email) | Jan 02 at 08:18 AM

Skateboarding bulldogs star in Rose Parade

Two renowned skateboarding bulldogs, Tillman (above) and Tyson (below), took riding in the Rose Parade to new heights. They showed their stuff skating on a custom-made track built by skate track designer Aaron Spohn on a float sponsored by Natural Balance featuring a 15-foot long skateboard and a 16-foot tall bulldog made of flowers. I'm not sure what their inclusion ultimately says about this traditionally televised Pasadena event (innovative infusion of new blood or desperate "pet" ploy to up viewership?), but Tillman and Tyson looked like they were having a blast.

Posted By: Amelia Glynn (Email) | Jan 01 at 10:50 AM

New Year's resolutions for pets?

Yep. It's that time again. Time to set a few "intentions" (resolutions have always felt a tad too stuffy) to kick off the New Year. This year, mine include making more time for travel (especially to at least one place I've never been), adding three more national publications to my writing roster and finding a new apartment in the City by the Bay that truly feels like home.

On The Doone's list are a visit to a naturopathic vet for a full check up and another to the dentist, because she's never been. I'd also like to take her along on a backpacking trip this summer. Just a girl and her dog.

What are your intentions for your pets in the New Year?

Here are a few suggestions from the American Kennel Club (AKC) and Nature's Variety to help jump start your list:

• Feed smart: The easiest way to help shed those unwanted holiday pounds is to cut back on calories. Set regular meal times and reduce meal portions.
• Remember variety is the spice of life: Dogs and cats thrive when they're exposed to a variety of tastes and textures. Offer your animals different flavors (beef, lamb, chicken, salmon) and forms (raw, dry kibble, canned). Not only will pets look forward to mealtimes, the variety may also help to reduce the risk of allergies, improve skin and coat condition and maintain a healthy weight.
• Get active: Look no further than your backyard to find the perfect training partner. For a great workout, try walking your pooch on different surfaces like sand or dirt or hoofing up and down a few of those famous San Francisco hills to build leg muscles. During winter months when pets spend more time indoors, a closed set of stairs can provide the perfect cardio-exercise routine. Start by throwing toys up and down for your animal to run after. Another fun indoor activity for both cats and dogs is playing hide and seek. Try hiding a few of your pets favorite treats around the house and send them on a scavenger hunt!
• Keep it interesting: Pets need to exercise their minds just as much as their bodies. Work on simple obedience routines, such as heel work and turns, or break out the training books and begin practicing new and more difficult tricks and skills.
• Make more time for family: Pile everyone into the car for a day trip to a dog-friendly park or beach. Or get the everyone involved in playing with your cat or training your dog by signing up for agility classes or a fun-filled performance event.
• Delegate: Help your family work together by assigning roles and responsibilities to care for your animal. Decide who will be responsible for feeding, exercising, grooming, etc. Make a schedule and assign each family member a task. Be sure to rotate tasks each week so that everyone has a chance to bond with your pet in a variety of situations.
• Try new things: Why not offer your pet a massage to ring in the New Year? Massage therapy and acupressure can be incredibly calming in addition to helping increase flexibility and improve circulation. Pick up a book or DVD at your local bookstore to learn a few techniques that you can try out on your pet.
• Share the wealth: If your animal is friendly, good-natured and obedient, volunteering at a local hospital, nursing home or pediatric ward can give you and others the warm fuzzies in New Year. (The AKC even offers a Canine Good Citizen Certificate.) Contact the volunteer coordinator at your local hospital or nursing home to find out how you and your pet can help spread some cheer to those in need.

Happy New Year! Here's to a fantastic 2009!

Posted By: Amelia Glynn (Email) | Dec 31 at 10:15 AM

A Biden puppy update

As advertised, Vice President elect Joe Biden's grandchildren disclosed the name of the Biden family's new German shepherd puppy on Christmas morning: "Champ."

Rob Carr / Associated Press.

Biden with grandchildren Maisy, left, and Hunter at a campaign rally.

Politico reports: The name has sentimental significance for Biden, whose dad told him growing up, "Get up champ," whenever he was having a tough time.

The Bidens also plan to adopt a second dog (this one a rescue) after the inauguration so that Champ will have a buddy. This will hopefully help make amends with animal activists who were disappointed in his choice to buy his first pup from breeder, Linda Brown, who was later criticized for a variety of violations. Critics also cited the recession's affect on shelters across the country, which are reporting a drop-off in donations, less government funding and a shrinking pool of people who want to adopt.

Said Biden in a recent ABC interview with George Stephanopolous: "I've had German shepherds since I was a kid and I've actually trained them and shown them in the past...So I wanted a German shepherd, and we're going to get a pound dog, which my wife wants, who is hopefully a golden [retriever]."

Biden also told Stephanopolous that his family has rescued pets in the past, including their cat.

Posted By: Amelia Glynn (Email) | Dec 30 at 12:45 PM

The pet dentist: talking teeth with Dr. Milinda Lommer

Last spring, during a trip to Alamo Square Park with The Doone, my pal Sam and his black lab-mix Lantis introduced me to the importance of pet dentistry. Apparently Lantis had been plagued by some serious "tartar problems" and, at his vet's suggestion, Sam was now regularly rooting around in Lantis's mouth with a rubber nub-covered finger cap slathered with chicken-flavored cleaning paste.

I've never taken The Doone to the dentist and now wonder if I should. She doesn't have any super obvious problems (at least not to the untrained eye), but she's getting up there in years, and to my knowledge has never had her teeth professionally cleaned. Does this make me a bad pet parent?

Dr. Lommer administers a root canal treatment.

To get to the bottom of my doggie-dental denial, I called up Dr. Milinda Lommer, a board certified veterinary dentist with Pets Unlimited, to learn more about the ins and outs of animal oral hygiene.

1. Why did you decide to become a pet dentist? I originally wanted to be a zoo veterinarian, but quickly realized that I wasn't comfortable "flying by the seat of my pants" so to speak. Dentistry is a good mix of medicine and surgery and allows me to work on zoo animals from time to time.

2. What's your favorite part of your job? I love seeing patients for their postoperative recheck and hearing their parents describe how active and happy the pet has become. Often they say things like, "We thought he was just getting old, but now we see that he must have been really uncomfortable before...He's like a puppy again!" Cancer cases, when they can be cured and the animals can return to normal life — usually after the removal of a section of the jawbone — can also be one of my favorite things. But cases where a tumor is inoperable and there's not much help I can offer make me very sad.

3. Are pet dentists common? The certifying body for dental specialists, the American Veterinary Dental College, was established in 1988. There are currently fewer than 100 board-certified dental specialists in the United States.

4. Who are your patients? In private practice, I treat dogs and cats. As part-time faculty at UC Davis, I have also participated in the treatment of rabbits, rodents, horses, and zoo animals.

Leo behaves himself during his routine examination.

5. How often should pets go to the dentist? Every pet should have a complete physical examination by their family veterinarian at least once a year, which should include a mouth examination. Each pet's need for oral care will depend on diet, home care, and chewing activity, as well as breed predisposition and other genetic factors. Some pets come to me every six months for periodontal therapy, others do well with professional care every year or two.

6. How do you get animals to cooperate? For professional cleaning, anesthesia is required. Tartar and plaque are not just a cosmetic problem, but often a symptom of disease. In an awake patient, it is impossible to remove bacterial plaque from below the gumline where the bacteria can cause an inflammatory response that may ultimately lead to the destruction of the bone and tooth-supporting connective tissue.

7. What are the most common teeth-related issues that you see? I frequently treat cases of gum disease, fractured teeth and oral cancer. Traumatic malocclusions, teeth that are out of alignment and are causing pain or trauma to other tissues, and stomatitis, a painful inflammatory condition where the pet's whole mouth is red and ulcerated are also common.

8. Are there specific warning signs we can look out for? Bad breath — "dog breath" is not normal!; loose teeth or teeth that are discolored or covered in tartar; a pet who shies away when the face or mouth is touched; drooling or dropping food from the mouth; returning to the food bowl frequently but eating only a small amount at a time; bleeding from the mouth; loss of appetite or loss of weight — this combination can result from diseases of many organs, so a complete physical examination and blood tests are important.

9. Are some breeds more at risk than others? In general, smaller dogs seem to be more at risk for periodontal disease than larger dogs. This is, in part, due to the fact that 42 teeth often do not fit neatly into the mouth of a chihuahua, pug, or Yorkshire terrier, for example. When teeth are crowded, plaque accumulates more rapidly. Small dogs are also more likely to be fed wet food, which can lead to more rapid plaque accumulation, and are less likely to be offered chew toys and treats, which may help reduce plaque and tartar formation.

10. How can we take care of our pet's teeth at home? For home care, the three keys are: work on the surfaces of the teeth just under the cheeks and lips without actually opening the jaws; make it part of your daily routine; and, offer a reward, preferably a special toy or game or a small food treat if the pet is solely food-motivated, following the cleaning. My own cats like the CET Seafood flavored toothpaste so much that they actually come into the bathroom at night and meow at me to brush their teeth!

11. Are there specific tools that you recommend? Tooth-brushing is the single-most effective way to maintain a healthy mouth. My favorite new product is Healthymouth anti-plaque water additive. It's been shown to reduce plaque by nearly 80 percent and has earned the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) Seal of Approval. It's made from all-natural ingredients including yucca, pomegranate, clove, cinammon, chlorophyll and zinc, and contains no xylitol or other potentially harmful chemicals.

Do you take your pets for regular dental checkups?

Posted By: Amelia Glynn (Email) | Dec 29 at 06:40 PM

Tastes like chicken? No, lamb.

Last week, a group of more than 40 animal lovers gathered at the Guangdong government's office in Beijing, China to protest the killing of cats for food.

www.securepet.biz

A cat being pulled from cage so he can be tortured (usually beaten) to death. In China, prolonged death is often equated with better tasting meat.

The protest was fueled by a recent report in the Southern Metropolis Daily, a Guangdong paper famous for its exposes and aggressive reporting said about 1,000 cats (both strays and stolen family pets) were transported by train to Guangdong each day to be killed for food. The animals come from Nanjing, a major trading hub for cats, the newspaper said, and are brought to market by dealers on motorcycles, crammed into crowded wooden crates.

Some people in Nanjing spend their days "fishing for cats," which often includes stealing other people's pets, the report said. Some blame the rise in pet nabbing on the decline in the economy.

According to an AP article, a butcher in Guangdong province, where felines are the main ingredient in a famous soup, was unfazed. "Cats have a strong flavor. Dogs taste much better," she said, adding that the meat she sells comes from "legitimate sources." "It's from cat farms. The animals are raised the same way cows are." The butcher described cat meat as tasting a bit like lamb.

The protest represents the latest clash between old traditions and new ways of thinking and living, such as keeping pets, made possible by China's growing affluence.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) issued a statement decrying the cruel treatment: "China has no animal protection laws, and throughout the country scores of cats and dogs are bred or rounded up, crammed onto trucks and driven for days under hellish conditions to animal markets, where they are beaten to death, strangled or boiled alive," said a spokesman for the group, Michael V. McGraw.

Guangdong is home to the Cantonese people, famous for being the most adventurous eaters in China. There's a popular saying: "The Cantonese will eat anything that flies, except airplanes, and anything with legs, except a chair."

Americans clearly value dogs and cats differently than the Chinese, although this recent protest indicates change. I don't believe anyone reading this column would argue that it's acceptable to steal someone's pet and sell it as food. But, do you think it's acceptable to eat cats and dogs that are raised on farms, in the same way we eat pigs and chickens and cows (the first of which are considered anathema to observant Muslims and Jews, and the latter to Hindus)? If the animal isn't a family "pet," is eating cat and dog meat really that different from eating the meat of any other animal?

Is it the inhumane treatment or the eating of these animals or both that strikes a nerve? Have you ever eaten cat or dog? Would you?

Posted By: Amelia Glynn (Email) | Dec 26 at 10:50 AM

Avoiding holiday hazards

There's nothing better than getting together with family and good friends for the holidays to eat, drink and be merry. Unfortunately, certain goodies and decor can be hazardous to our furry friends. To help you and your pets stay happy and safe during this time of year, the ASPCA and the American Humane Association offer these tips:

startribune.com

Decorations can be dangerous: Consider decorating your tree and mantel with organic, non-toxic ornaments such as dried flowers, wood, fabric or pinecones. Traditional ribbons or tinsel, if ingested, can become lodged in the intestines and cause intestinal obstruction.

Feed responsibly: We all like to spoil our pets, but it's best to reserve the rich foods and sweets for our house guests. A sudden change in diet, even for just one meal, can upset pets' stomachs. Avoid cooked bones of all kinds, which can splinter easily and cause blockages.

Cover the tree water: Both cats and dogs may find the tree water irresistible, so make sure to use pet-friendly tree preservatives. Better yet, use a tree stand designed to prevent pets from accessing the water, which can harbor bacteria.

Keep batteries away from your babies: Many gifts are battery operated, but if bitten or swallowed batteries can cause ulceration in your pets' mouths, tongues or gastrointestinal tracts.

Pick pet-friendly flowers: In addition to poinsettias, lilies, holly, amaryllis, mistletoe and pine needles can be harmful to pets. Stick to the fake versions instead and keep both your traditions and your pets alive and well.

Careful with candles: Keep candles well out of your pets' reach. Animals can easily knock them over and start a fire, and curious kittens are particularly at risk of getting burned by candle flames.

Happy and safe holidays to you and yours!

Posted By: Amelia Glynn (Email) | Dec 24 at 03:00 PM

Budget crises threatens lives of Oakland shelter animals

More than 180 adoptable animals at Oakland Animal Services may be euthanized during the week between Christmas and New Year's Day because of a City-ordered shutdown. Because no animals can be adopted during the mandatory shutdown, and stray animals will not have completed their state-mandated holding period, the shelter will be forced to euthanize more than 20 adoptable animals daily from December 26 through January 2.

The Marin Humane Society (MHS) rescued 16 cats and dogs from the facility last week, and if adoption numbers hold, hopes to rescue more animals in the coming days.

If you are considering adopting a new animal into your family, the MHS urges that you visit their shelter first to help "make room for the incoming" from Oakland. As part of the MHS "Home for the Holidays" program, the adoption fee for cats has been reduced to $75 (down from $150) through January 1, 2009.

Posted By: Amelia Glynn (Email) | Dec 23 at 01:30 PM

Coping with the loss of a pet

Sage, my childhood dog went to that great dog park in the sky while I was away at college. She was my constant adventuring and snuggling companion growing up and I still remember her well. She had a spotted tongue, patiently allowed me to apply peanut butter to her nose and would primly cross her front paws whenever she lay down.

My father called me one afternoon during the winter of my sophomore year to tell me that she had taken her last breath in my brother's arms on the way to the vet. Sage's health had deteriorated rapidly over the course of just a few days and then, poof!, she was gone. Her death didn't feel fully real to me until I came home that summer to an empty doghouse.

Dr. Nancy Kay and 17-year-old Lexie.

Because the holidays can stir up such a hefty (and varied) mix of emotions and memories for all of us, I asked Dr. Nancy Kay, author of "Speaking for Spot: Be the advocate your dog needs to live a happy, healthy, longer life" for her advice on how to cope with the loss of a pet, especially during this potentially challenging time of year.

Seek support: Just like the old adage says, "What we resist persists." It's important to share your feelings about your loss, just make sure you do it with the right people. "I strongly encourage talking about things with a selective audience, meaning people who really understand what you are going through," suggests Dr. Kay. "This is a good time to take a sabbatical from people who say 'Oh, it was just a dog (or cat); get over it.'" She also recommends journaling about your feelings and experiences. (See below for information about drop-in support groups at the Animal Care Center in Rohnert Park or call 707-584-4343 for more information.)

Forget "normal": Try not to define what's normal or not normal. You may need to keep the water bowl and leashes out for several weeks (or even months) or you may have the urge to put everything that reminds you of your pet immediately out of sight. Your relationship with your pet is unique and only you know what's best for you.

You'll know when it's right: Some people run out the next day to get a new animal while others need time to mourn without the distraction of a young puppy or kitten to care for. However, Dr. Kay advises, if you're going to the shelter with the hope of finding the same pet that you lost, you may not yet be ready to open your heart and home to a new animal.

Let yourself off the hook: The grieving process for most of Dr. Kay's clients begins at the first mention of illness and they often vacillate between feelings of anger, sadness and guilt. "My clients worry that they euthanized too soon or not soon enough. They worry that they waited too long to have their pet diagnosed and treated. Or that they weren't as loving as they could have been," she says. "I try and remind them that they had the best intentions and they did the best they could. That's what is most important."

Create rituals: You may want to continue hanging your pet's Christmas stocking or purchase a gift to place under the tree. During your holiday meal, you could also place a special candle on the table and light it in memory of your pet. Another great suggestion is writing a dedication to your pet on the inside cover of a favorite book or two and donating them to your local branch of the public library. Or simply write a letter to your pet telling her the things that you miss and thanking her for the friendship she gave you. "Most of my clients opt for private cremation with return of the ashes," says Dr. Kay. "Some people travel with the ashes to keep their pet as part of their life." She also receives many holiday cards from clients that are still signed with the name of the pet that was lost.

Volunteer: Helping animals in need can lift our spirits and take the focus off of our sadness. Working in a local shelter or animal rescue organization allows us to forge new connections with animals and animal lovers alike. You might also consider making a donation in your pet's name to a favorite shelter or other charity.

Colleen Mihelich, president and founder of Peternity.com offers this advice for helping a friend who has recently lost a pet:

• Encourage them to talk about their feelings. Many people feel silly sharing how devastated they are by the loss of their pet, so they will welcome your reassurance and your ear.
• Give them a card or gift to express your sympathy and remind them of the joy the pet provided.
• Support them in holding a ceremony or ritual to commemorate the pet's life.

Have you recently lost a pet? What helped (or is helping) you cope? Please share your stories and advice.

Posted By: Amelia Glynn (Email) | Dec 22 at 11:29 AM