Sherry’s Corner

Freely we receive; freely we must give

The Biden family has chosen a German Shepherd puppy from a breeder.  The one-month-old puppy will make its family debut after the inauguration.  The breed is synonymous with courage, bringing to mind images such as the famous “Rin Tin Tin” as well as the “Dogs of 9/11″. 

      The puppy is being trained by its Chester County, PA  breeder.  According to the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behaviorists, puppies should begin socialization training between 7 and 8 weeks of age–before their vaccinations are complete–which should have the newest Biden family member well schooled for inauguration press coverage.  (More dogs are euthanized due to behavioral problems than infectious diseases.)  

      Two of the most famous German Shepherds have been named for cities–Manhattan and Dallas– which makes one wonder if the puppy could be named “Scranton”!      

      One of the saddest Christmas stories I have ever read was written by the late, great Collie breeder, Albert Payson Terhune.  Titled “The Christmas Pup”, it’s the story of a collie puppy that was killed on Christmas eve after it had bitten a child when its tail was pulled the child.  A  finger scratch from tiny milk teeth–and the pup’s lifeless body ended up in the trash along with unwanted gift wrap, labeled a “dangerous” dog. For these children the puppy was a toy that yelped when its tail was pinched.  It’s feeble defense earned it the label “dangerous dog”. 

      Christmas toys can be dangerous and provoke aggression between children and puppies.  The path to canine adulthood has always been dangerous.  First, there is no monitoring of puppy toys as there are children’s toys.  No one checks them for safety yet puppies taste and chew.  Just recently a study on the toothbrush-shaped dental toys revealed that small dogs are most at risk from these chew aids.  Small dogs especially (we can substitute puppies) may require surgery in order to free fragments from the gastrointestinal tract.  There is a high mortality rate from the surgery (JAVMA, Vol. 232, 2008).

      The squeaking puppy, the squeaking puppy toy also provokes a dangerous  prey response.  In the case of the puppy the toy is ripped to shreds, much to the delight of those watching and the aggression response  receives  reinforcement.  If the toy belongs to a child the game becomes defensive and the victim is not just a plush plaything but the child.  Thus, the first bite can occur over a toy and under a Christmas tree.  The toy becomes too valuable– the game becomes too competitive for safe play.

      Rachel Ray has a great recipe for macaroni and cheese named for her late Pit Bull, “Isaboo”, who loved buttered butternut squash. I have been looking for a mac and cheese recipe that is low salt and flavorful–one that is similar to the Kraft version but healthy.  This one is easy.  Brown grated onion in olive oil and butter and add 3 Tbsp. flour to form a paste.  Mix in 2 cups of low sodium chicken broth, a package of defrosted butternut squash, and a cup of half and half.  Stir until thickened.  Add 2 cups of ground or shredded cheddar, a half cup of parmesan cheese and a sprinkling of nutmeg.  Mix with a pound of ridged macaroni cooked a la dente.  (I haven’t shared it yet with the Springer ladies since I am enjoying it first.)     

       BLUE DOG, the American Veterinary Medical Association-endorsed dog bite prevention program, includes a toy warning for dog toys that make a noise meant to trigger reactive or protective behavior.  Noiseless toys received their approval. They might go one step further and place warning labels on toys that should only be played with with parental guidance.  Further, the well-known dog trainer, Cesar Millan, would go another step–eliminate sounds  and impregnate toys with scents to maximize puppy enjoyment.  He points out that the first sense in a newborn is smell and the puppy will search for pleasurable odors.  It is important to emphasize that a recall of dog toys can well be a major recall of the puppy himself!           

      There are other dangers in “growing up puppy”.  Puppy vaccinations before 8 weeks of age need to be discussed with a veterinarian and the breeder.  Early socialization and puppy kindergarten are both now high on the list of recommendations of the veterinary behaviorists association.  It is also important to remember that our new dog law mandates small crating area until the age of a year or when the puppy is considered an adult.  This provision allows pet stores and commercial  breeders to restrict place and keep a maximum number of puppies in small areas.  Isn’t it wonderful to know that although a puppy is small as we weigh and measure size– puppy love is infinitely enormous, forgiving.  Freely we receive.  Freely we must give.