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My
boyfriend came home with a fifteen dollar bag of designer dog biscuits.
He said, "You think he's gonna like them?" I said, "I don't know, he's
out in the backyard eating doody, lemme go ask him".
Elayne Boosler
| SPRING
2003 Dear Elayne, I just discovered your tailsofjoy.net, and was drawn in by your "No Bones" column. I grew up with dogs, never cats. Then I fell in love with a cat person, and realized the felines are the coolest pets. We are against getting our cats de-clawed, but we just spent a
ton of cash on new windows and Lucy (a chunky Maine Coon) is always
crawling up the screen. Any ideas on how to keep Lucy off the screens? Sean in Denver Dear Sean, What can I tell you? You name a cat Lucy, you're gonna get physical comedy. My question to you is, why didn't you name the short- haired orange one Lucy? Kudos on not de-clawing. I referred your question to our good friend, Click and Treat trainer extraordinaire, Gary Wilkes, (see his links on our LINKS page). Here's what Gary had to say: "There is a gizmo sold by Premiere pet products called a SSSScat. It's a can of compressed air with an infra-red motion sensor attached. When the cat moves in front of the sensor, it "BEEEPs", then startles her with a blast of air- harmless, but unnerving. Place it to protect one window/screen. Protect the rest of the screens with some sheets of cheap plexiglass in the meantime. Once the inhibition is learned at one window, you can move the can to the next one". I always believe in redirecting behavior as well, so make sure she has plenty of other fun stuff to climb, stuff that's more fun than window screens, things actually made for her entertainment pleasure. Or, put a large picture of Donald Rumsfeld outside each window. That should do it.
I really don't know how to handle this situation. I am VERY angry. As you can read this little guy was available and as soon as I received the email I made arrangements to get him. When I emailed Alana {a fellow rescuer} back 5 minutes later, I
was hit between the eyes with the follow up email stating that he
was KILLED... The reason...he wasn't a pup and not as placeable
as the other dogs there. This is a piss poor excuse for killing
an animal. As you know I am famed for taking and placing the unwanted,
disabled dogs at the shelters. HE HAD A HOME. I am very angry. What
can we do so this doesn't happen again? What has the world come to? Joy and Craig Nadel Dear Readers, Joy and Craig and wonderful, dedicated rescuers here in California (see their organization's website at http://rescuemeinc.org They certainly do find a way to place the hard to place animals passed over by many other rescuers. There is no shortage of animal shelter tragedy stories, so let me say just one thing, the only thing that will ever change it all: SPAY and NEUTER, SPAY and NEUTER, SPAY and NEUTER.
I live in Los Angeles. I don't know if your readers know how hard it is to get rid of a skunk under your house who won't leave. Animal Control said I had to trap the skunk and then they would come and get him. I had to go to the pound, put a deposit down on a cage, get it home, and then I had to cook chicken and put it in the trap. I heard skunks will eat anything. It wouldn't touch my chicken! Finally my neighbor cooked some chicken and the skunk went right in the cage to eat it! Long story short, he sprayed in the cage, and Animal Control wouldn't give me my deposit back until I got the cage cleaned and deodorized. Forget it, nothing worked and I lost my deposit. What do you think of that? Blossom F., Los Angeles Dear Blossom, A copy of "The Joy of Cooking" is on its way to you as a gift from all of us here at Tails of Joy. We took a poll and none of us here has ever heard of a ravenous wild animal turning down a chicken dinner. I think you would have been better off letting the skunk go free. He could have gone back and told all the other wild animals about your cooking, and from then on only your neighbor would have had problems with animals under the house. My dog was diagnosed with cancer, and if you see this letter in time I would be interested to know if you know of any three -legged dogs who are doing okay with just three legs. The vet said my dog would have a good chance to survive the cancer if he removed her front leg, but I have never seen that and don't know if my dog could get around and still be active and be okay. Thanks. L.E., Dallas Dear L.E., As a matter of fact, I know lots of three legged dogs who do just
fine! Sometimes people don't even notice they are looking at a three-
legged dog because the dogs are doing everything the rest of the
dogs in the group are doing. I don't know what kind of dog you have,
but I have even seen lots of big dogs (boxers, etc.) with a leg
removed and they live long normal active lives. I don't think they
miss the lost legs at all. And look at how active WE are, and we
have only two legs (See our "We Get Pictures" page for some
great three legged dogs.) I can't believe my dog's not bald. I have never seen so much shedding in my life. My house looks like I have shag carpeting, and I don't even live in Queens. What do I do? Anita D., New York City Dear Anita, Well, you could move to Queens. Or, you could take him outside
every day and brush him really well. It's spring, and dogs shed
their winter coats about now, so we're all going through the same
thing; I could make another dog by emptying my vacuum cleaner bag.
I used to sweep up all the hair from outside after I brushed my
dogs, but now I let the wind take it, as I noticed birds are building
their nests. I think that every bird's nest in my neighborhood is
fur lined, and I don't even live in Vegas. Dear Elayne, I have two beloved dogs, one of them getting pretty up there. I know sometime in the next year if she doesn't go peacefully in her sleep I will probably have to make that decision that nobody wants to ever have to face, and have her put to sleep. Some days she seems like a puppy, and then other days she can't even walk. And just when I think it's over, she has a great day and gets frisky and playful and I get very hopeful, and then she doesn't walk for a week. She lives in the garage now because she can't get up the steps, and my younger dog insists on staying out there with her. I think that's amazing. My question to you is, I don't want to be there when they put her down. Do you think that is an okay thing, to leave her there? S.B., Los Angeles Dear S.B., I'm so sorry your doggie is getting nearer to that point all animal lovers dread. And I too hope she somehow gets to go peacefully on her own. It's also wonderful that your other little guy is standing by her. Aren't dogs amazing? While I know many people, and have many friends, who loved their
dogs as much as we do, yet at that last moment dropped them off
at the vet and left them because they could not face being there
at the end, I personally cannot do that. I don't judge it, and if
that's all you can handle there is no shame in that. I believe a
vet who has tended your dog all her life will handle the matter
in a gentle and compassionate way, even if you are not there. This
is a very personal matter. For me, I personally feel that I want
to be there for my dog. I want him to know that I was there for
him for everything, I want to whisper to him as he goes, I want
him to be unafraid because he hears me and sees me talking to him,
and I want him to leave knowing, seeing, feeling and hearing me
and feeling safe. I do it for myself as much as for him, to make
sure I gave him everything, which is such a small thing compared
to what they have given me. It's very hard. But sometimes, they
let you know that they understand what you are doing for them. My
friend Steve, who was at first reluctant to stay with his dog Maggie,
called me afterwards. He was so glad he went. He said she licked
his hand right at the end, and it was as if she was saying "thank
you". Just do whatever you can. If you're going to be too upset
it may be better not to be there, just so she doesn't pick up on
your fear. But if you can stay, and see her go peacefully and calmly,
the reality may be a better memory than the work of your imagination
if you are absent. Good luck, and I hope she has many, many good
days/weeks/years left.
We have two rottweilers, a boy and a girl. They are the sweetest dogs in the world. We live in the hills and take them walking, on very short leashes, on the weekends. Whenever we pass other people, either just out alone, or with kids, or especially with other dogs, usually little dogs, you would think we were walking down the street with loaded bazookas. They yell at us, things like, "Oh no, don't let them off!" Or, "Wait til I get my dog out of the way!" And people walking with kids grab the kids away, or shove the kids behind them. What is wrong with these people? Don't they know they're making their kids afraid of innocent dogs? My husband and I feel like criminals just walking our dogs down the street. What can we say to these people to make them not afraid of us? N. S., California Dear N.S., Why don't you and your husband get t-shirts made to wear while walking your dogs which read: FIFTEEN KILLED SO FAR, GET OUT OF THE WAY. People are just acting out of fear and responding to stereotypes, which are incorrect. Kind of like racists do. Same mentality. It's very good of you to want to correct the negative image, especially where scarring the children is concerned. Just the fact that you have them on short leashes should signal intelligent people that you are responsible dog guardians. The next time you take a walk and the person with the little dog starts panicking, just call up ahead, "Can you hold tight to your shi tzu please? My dog is terrified of them. Thanks!" And while strange children should never be encouraged to go up and pet an unknown dog, the next time someone scares a child in the face of your dogs, just skip the parents and say to the kids, "He's a very friendly dog, and now he's going to feel bad all day because your mommy scared you!"
I swear my dog smiles, but my friends don't believe me. In fact, I know all his expressions and he has the same range of expressions as a person does. Do you believe me? Ron, Cleveland, Ohio Dear Ron, I certainly do. When you spend lots of time talking directly to your dogs, they not only learn more of the language and it's nuances, they actually mirror human expressions. My dogs smile, listen intently, look questioning, direct my gaze to where they want it to go (cookie jar, ball), look sheepish (sheepdoggish), quizzical, loving, and they can blot lipstick. They haven't learned to smirk yet, but that's because it's early in the Mets' season.
Spring is here and we have lots of trees with lots of birds building nests and flying around. We love our cats, and they love being out back. Is there any way to prevent them from killing birds? We feel bad for the birds, and we really hate that the cats bring them inside and give them to us as presents. Darice, Washington, D.C. Dear Darice, A simple "No Gifts Please" card enclosure should do the trick. However, if they insist, tell them you're jus t not registered at the Discovery Channel. Of course, the old bell around the cat's neck helps some, giving the birds a little warning. Pouncing on the birds when they're already on the ground doesn't give the bell much time to do it's stuff, so be sure to keep all water baths and bird feed high up and not attached to anything the cats can climb. Don't send your cats out hungry, and keep their water bowls in the house. Maybe you could rent a copy of that old Rodin horror film to show the cats. That might make them think twice about whom to attack.
I read your article on the "Accent". I've been using it but maybe not enough. Can too much hurt my lil boy? He only eats a couple tablespoons of food a day (he weighs 5 lbs.). How much Accent should I give him? I feed him "IAMS" puppy food. He's still a pup. I must say I love your sense of humor! Jacqueline G. Dear Jacqueline, If he weighs five pounds, how much poop could he be eating? I wouldn't give a little guy like that (or any dog really) too much Accent. In a forty to seventy pound dog people usually try one teaspoon a day, so with your guy a few grains would be all! If he's still eating poop, just distract him with a toy or cookie. Puppies usually outgrow the habit all on their own as you keep gently correcting them. Now, I want you to read this email regarding IAMS which came around on the Action email lists. I have not verified these claims, but perhaps someone from the company would like to send us a response? SUBJECT: CSI Information on IAMS & Other Dog Food Manufacturers
Laboratory Dogs
Our investigator videotaped Iams dogs being dumped on cold concrete
flooring after having
As for Iams' & P&G's promise that animals in their studies would never be euthanized, PETA's investigator documented the destruction of 27 of the 60dogs whose muscles were hacked out of their legs. Two more of those dogs were found dead in their cages several days after the muscle surgery - one of them had been suffering for 11 days prior to her death. Her dead animal form read: "pyometra [infection of the uterus] possible, bloody discharge from vulva - foul odor present. Lethargic, not eating well, dehydrated." When our investigator reported that Humbug, an Iams dog, was limping, she was told by a vet tech that the laboratory had an x-ray machine that dated back to the 1960s but no film for it and that the director of the laboratory preferred to kill, rather than treat, animals with broken bones. In addition, Fifi and the other "met" dogs were bled by the laboratory in order to sell their blood to other companies even though the metabolic studies do not call for blood draws. Finally, shortly before our investigator left, the lab director told the vet techs to debark all of the Iams dogs as he was being disturbed by their desperate cries for attention. Our investigator emailed Iams researchers in Dayton with this information, hoping against hope that Iams would respond and say "No! You may not debark our dogs!!" But all she got was the sickening sight of a lab technician covered in blood after a day of performing the debarking surgery. When our investigator resigned, she told the Iams representative and the lab director that she was leaving because despite her best efforts, nothing was being done to enhance the desperately boring, lonely, harsh lives of the animals. The Iams representative admitted that both he and the lab director were from the "old school. http://www.peta.org/feat/iams/fifi.html http://www.peta.org/ People
for the Ethical Treatment of Animals 501
Okay, time to go to the park!!!!! Copyright Brooklyn Productions, Inc. 2003-2006 |
Our investigator
also videotaped Iams representatives touring the facility and seeing
the animals' condition with their own eyes and feeling with their
own sweat the overpowering heat and humidity in that place on a
summer's day, knowing the animals can't sweat. Unfortunately, the
dogs can't walk out as the Iams guy did. An Iams veterinarian, who
came to see the first group of 49 Labrador Retrievers the company
had purchased for testing from a USDA Class B dealer, saw that one
of the dogs had given birth in a cement kennel and that she had
been provided with nothing to rest on to nurse them. Did he do anything?
No! One of the puppies and an adult Labrador died shortly before
our investigation ended - perhaps because the temperature in the
building had fallen to 34 degrees. An Iams "behaviorist"
saw dogs spinning out of madness in their cages and yet said nothing.
An Iams cat dental researcher even overheard two employees talking
about animals being treated inhumanely at the facility yet Iams
continued to conduct business there as usual.