How a Unique Shelter is Helping Dogs

By Linda Cole

Most animal shelters are run by kind and responsible people who love the pets they care for in their facilities. Their main goal is finding the perfect owner for the pets. Without these caring individuals, dogs and cats would have no place to live while they wait for their forever home. However, some shelters are thinking outside the box to give pets a better environment to wait in.

Adopt-A-Dog animal shelter in Armonk, NY is manned by an army of dedicated and committed volunteers who help insure each pet living at the shelter receives all the love and attention they need. The animal shelter, sanctuary and rescue began in 1981, and sits on two acres of land. This shelter is unique in how its run, and proudly touts a 95 percent success rate in adoptions with practices that include educating potential pet owners about responsible pet ownership, how to properly care for pets, and making a lifetime commitment to adopted pets.

The shelter is run more like a sanctuary. Volunteers walk the dogs, take them for car rides, take them swimming, and play ball and other games with them in the exercise yard. During office hours, cats and dogs are allowed to wander in the office area where they get to spend time with the staff, sack out on a bed or watch TV. The office is in a house and has two people who live there, so someone is always available to tend to the needs of the pets. In order to give all of the dogs in the shelter access to the home, they are rotated on a daily basis.

The adoption process is taken slowly at the shelter. Their goal is to make sure a pet is a good match for someones lifestyle. Multiple home visits are made when there are children or other pets in a home. The first step for any shelter is to find someone to adopt a pet; making sure the pet remains in the home and isnt returned to the shelter can be a harder task to accomplish. This is where Adopt-A-Dog stands out from other shelters by using a program they incorporated to educate potential adopters, and taking time to make sure a pet fits into a potential owners lifestyle.

Visitors interested in seeing dogs meet them in the exercise area or home instead of viewing pets behind closed doors in the kennel area. In most shelters, as soon as someone enters, a chorus of barking dogs creates excitement and stress for both canines and humans. Being able to meet a dog in a more relaxed atmosphere keeps them calmer, and their true personality is more likely to shine. This reduces stress levels of everyone involved.

Adopt-A-Dog is also a rescue. According to its president, Allyson Halm, finding puppies in the Northeast part of the country can be difficult, and some people are looking specifically for puppies to adopt. To help reduce the number of pups in high kill shelters in the southern part of the country, volunteers drive to these shelters and transport puppies to Adopt-A-Dog where they have a better chance of finding a home. They also have taken in Beagles rescued from a lab that shut down in their area.

With millions of dogs and cats living in shelters, sometimes it takes thinking outside the box to increase their chances of finding a home. Volunteers are the backbone of animal shelters, doing what they can to help care for homeless pets. Without them, most shelters would have a much harder time tending to the needs of the pets in their care.

What Adopt-A-Dog has been able to accomplish is a good model for any shelter to follow. Unfortunately, its not always that easy to find enough funding to pay for expenses, let alone buy extra land that can be used for dogs to romp around in. Having the ability to let pets mingle with people working at the shelter, or going for walks, car rides and to the beach helps keep pets better socialized. Living in a home-like atmosphere is less stressful for them, too.

Even if you arent looking for a pet, visiting your local shelter to give pets much needed attention only takes a little bit of time, and most shelters appreciate an extra hand now and then. If you dont have time to volunteer at a shelter, I dont know any shelter that would turn down a donation. Making pet blankets, toys or beds is also a good way to help out. What a shelter pet needs more than anything else is the feeling that someone cares.

Photos by jeffreyw

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“Hybrid” dog – Isn’t that just an alternative word for Mutt

We often heard about new “hybrid dogs", or “designer” dogs.  We can see them in pictures that are very adorable and these are the new breeds that are indeed trendy now days.

Of course they’re adorable and cute! All puppies are! Should you spend hundreds of dollars if they aren’t?  The answer to that question is obvious; in fact some pay thousands of dollars for one, certainly true! The young of a mating between two purebred dogs of different breeds is a mutt, a mongrel.  So if you have one, you should love it, care and train it for it as if it had the bluest blood of the canine kingdom.

There are hundreds of breeds of dogs in the world and every breed is uniquely created by humans. Each breed has a specific purpose – whether he is purposely assigned in guarding the flock or simply being an ideal lapdog. There’s no purpose that development shouldn’t continue.  In some instances if there is a need for a dog with specific characteristics, innovative individuals will come forward to fill that need.

However, it takes epochs to “breed true.” Liken yourself to your siblings. Do you all have the same personality, same interests, same looks and strengths? Chances are, you don’t. Each of you has obtained some of the “best” traits of your parents. And each of you has some of the worst.

Two of the well-known mixed-breeds out there now are the “Puggle” and “Golden Doodle.”   The rationale behind these crosses is impartially obvious: wouldn’t it be nice to have a Golden Retriever’s personality and readiness to please combined with the Poodle’s non-shedding coat and intelligence? Wouldn’t it be equally pleased to have a small dog without the breathing issues of a Pug, but quieter than a Beagle?

But there is no way of knowing you won’t get a stubborn, noisy, high-strung, slobbering mutt who sheds like the dickens!

If you are planning to spend your money on these “hybrids” that are commanding, be sure to do a research to all the traits of the contributing breeds. You will get a mixture of the two. And an equally lovable mixture may be waiting for you at your local rescue center –the coat you want with the size you want and the adorable face that melts your heart.

If you necessitate for particular characteristics in your puppy – whether a family member has allergies, or your household requires a quiet, or you have a very small, or no yard, “easy keeper,” or if you wish to fully partake in the world of canine competition, consider a purebred animal. There are over 150 breeds known by the American Kennel Club. Research them all and surely get one that is right for you.

Author Bio:  Wilfred is a writer of a various non-fiction, comic books, graphic novels, myth and reference. He is a proud father of two wonderful pups and two curious cats. He interested in working with a lot people. It is the thing that motivates him aside my form his cute pups and kitties. 

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Dalmatian Dogs Very Unique Very Distinct

Dalmatian dogs are often called the black and white spotted dogs as they are found with distinctive black and white spots all over their body.
These spots are also the unique identification symbols for this breed as no other purebreed dog has the distinctive Dalmatian spots. Dalmatians as believed by majority of people have basically originated from Dalmatia, a province in Croatia. Dalmations are said to be one of the oldest purebreds in the world. The average life expectancy of this breed is 10-12 years.

History
The history of the Dalmatian is an uncertain and highly debated topic. Most of the people believe that the breed has originated in Dalmatia, a province in Croatia; however there are certain people who believe that Dalmatian may have some links with Egypt as Dalmatian has been seen in Egyptian cave paintings, running alongside chariots. A chapel in Florence has a fresco of 14th century which also had a pictorial representation of a dog identical to Dalmatian. Whatever its origins, one thing is for sure that the Dalmatian is an ancient breed which has come through the years virtually unchanged. Dalmatians were also used as a dog of war, a hunter, a retriever, a bird dog, and a carriage dog. They were also used as a watch dogs and firehouse mascot.

Appearance
Adult Dalmatians are muscular and agile. They are fit for all kinds of lifestyle. They are of about 19 to 24 in height and 45 to 70 lbs. in weight, when they are fully grown. They have short fine furry coat which they shed all the year around. It is not woolly or silky rather sleek, glossy and healthy in appearance. They have a well proportionate body and arched neck line. Their chest is deep, voluminous and of moderate width, having good coil of rib without being tub shaped. They have strong and sturdy bone structure. However, the most distinct feature in their appearance is their black and white spot which make them most popular.

Personality
Dalmatians are well behaved and polite. But are very protective and can be great watch dogs. They love to jog for miles. Loving, devoted and sociable, a Dalmatian is full of stamina, friendly and affectionate. Dalmatian dogs become good playmates for children and get along well with other dogs or household pets. They need consistent training and respond well to positive reinforcement. They love to be praised when they have proved themselves worthy of it. 

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Unique “Message” Collars Can Make Dog Walking Safer

By Linda Cole

I have yet to find a dog who doesnt enjoy going on walks. However, the problem is that not all dogs are leash trained, nor are they all friendly. Sometimes, a meeting between two dogs doesnt go as well as both owners expected. I recently heard about a new idea in collars, leashes and harnesses, with messages that can help make dog walking safer for dogs, their owners and other people.

A company in the United Kingdom has come up with a simple way to send a clear signal to people approaching with their dog or someone just walking that tells them if a dog is friendly, isnt interested in making a new friend, or needs space to stay calm. Dexil’s Friendly Dog Collars were designed to let strangers know what a dogs temperament is like before they are near him. The purpose of the collars is to hopefully cut down on dog-on-dog encounters and dogs biting people who simply want to pet them. Its a system based on a traffic light.

You can get a collar, lead or harness with a simple message embroidered in black on them. A green collar with the word “Friendly” means that the dog is good with adults, kids and other dogs. Orange with “No Dogs” means hes happy to meet people, but hes not good with other dogs. Red with “Caution” means to stay away, and do not approach this dog. He needs his space and doesnt want you to pet him.

Other messages are available, including two for special needs pets. A gold color signifies a “Nervous” dog that may be unpredictable if approached. White is for a “Blind Dog” that may be limited in his sight or completely blind. White is also used for “Deaf Dog,” which means hes hard of hearing or completely deaf. Blue says “Training,” for dogs being trained by their owner, so please do not disturb. Yellow is a good one for shelters and rescue groups; it says “Adopt Me.”

A message on a collar, leash or harness is a good idea, but proper socialization and training shouldnt take a back seat. Dogs that receive basic training are less likely to end up in a shelter because of behavior problems, and its much easier to control your dog and keep him safe when he follows your commands. Socializing your pet to different kinds of environments, sights, sounds, other dogs and people helps keep him happy, calm,and well balanced. Positive training with your dogs favorite CANIDAE treat is one of the best ways to strengthen the bond between you.

Walking a dog, at times, can be a bit of a gamble. If your dog is not as dog friendly as you would like, or hes skittish around strangers, meeting another dog can cause you to whirl around and walk away as fast as you can. Sometimes its a child that suddenly comes running over because she wants to pet the doggy, and you freeze because your dog isnt fond of kids. A message on a collar, however, wont stop a kid who hasnt learned how to read, and the best way to protect your child from unnecessary dog bites is to teach them how to approach an unfamiliar dog.

My first dog, Jack, was a people and dog friendly fellow. He loved playing with kids and wouldnt hurt a fly...unless he was at the vet. Sitting in the waiting room, hed hide under a chair or in a corner. Anyone who approached him was met with an apprehensive stare. Jack was a handsome American Eskimo who always drew attention while we waited, but people didnt always listen when I asked them to stay away, and I was the one who got grumpy stares if Jack growled. The point is, even a friendly dog can be nervous or scared in certain situations, and is apt to lash out in the only way they know how.

A message on a collar that alerts people to stay away can help prevent dog-on-dog aggression, as well as dog bites if you have to break up a fight. The brightly colored collars are also a safe way for older kids, and people who arent good at reading a dogs body language, to quickly see if the canine they are approaching is friendly or not. After all, the goal when walking your dog is to make sure humans and dogs are kept safe while you enjoy a stroll with your best friend.

Photos courtesy of Friendly Dog Collars

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