Sherry’s Corner

Red Shoes and Dog Bite Prevention Program

One of my favorite books/movies is “The Wizard of Oz”.  During the period when I was writing the column “Canine Good Citizen Close-up” for DogWorld, a reader sent me a letter describing a dog bite prevention program she had used in her Syracuse, New York class that involved re-creating the story of Dorothy, Toto, the Scarecrow, Tin Woodsman and Cowardly Lion.  If you remember, Dorothy took the yellow brick road trip to escape the Wicked Witch of the West–really the neighbor bitten by Toto.  She was saving her dog.  It might be fun to re-create this story for children with that message in the Sunbury area??  Not too many of us associate responsible ownership and dog bite prevention with this classic and Dorothy is a celebrity worthy of Cesar.  

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the rate of injuries is highest among those aged 5-9 years.  The American Humane Society has just developed a dog bite prevention program and, of course, the AVMA has the Blue Dog program.  Further, using dogs in costume seems to be particularly effective with autistic children.  They need to learn dog bite prevention and how to interact with a dog safely–mastering social skills through cues to find THE BEST FRIENDS THEY WILL EVER HAVE.  Since Halloween is just around the corner this might be the perfect opportunity to find and/or make costumes. 

CONCERN HOTLINE. To report unsatisfactory conditions at a kennel confidentially or if a kennel is suspected of being illegal, call the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture’s toll-free hotline at 1-877-DOG-TIP1

SENIORS AND RAMPS. I am still able to climb stairs, although the 10 PM trips are often painful.  I have had so many senior canines that found these stairs difficult too.  From now on I vow to teach my dogs early in life to master agility ramps.  I think life will be easier for all of us.

HAND WASHING. The emphasis on hand washing as a disease prevention measure may add to the health of your dog–remember that the illnesses which live in nursing homes and can be transmitted to therapy dogs are a danger that can be prevented with more hand washing.  Also, this is a chance to teach children with cold-blooded pets–especially turtles–to wash their hands after handling these creatures, which are well-known carriers of salmonella.

VICKS’ VICTIMS. As is probably already clear from other blogs, I am not too pleased that Michael Vick is going to be an active player for the Eagles, the team from the City of Brotherly Love!  It doesn’t speak well for love.  And, I have to wonder about the PSPCA “Second Chance Dogs”.  Although I am glad these dogs will not just be marched to euthanasia–as they have been for years and years–is this hypocritical fund raising? Before Vick, they were an insurance liability. Now suddenly they have become innocent victims of animal abuse.  I guess if Vick deserves a second chance, so do the dogs.  He is lucky to be in such good and forgiving company.  Does he deserve to linked with such noble friends and have his own TV program?     

NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE. The Canine Good Citizen program is being used as a tool in evaluating the Vick victims.  For those who did not know, the AKC has acknowledged that the CGC began at a Bloomsburg Fairgrounds training class.  I remember the first dogs–they may have had collars but not leashes. The trainers spent a great deal of time during the first class fitting collars correctly. And, interestingly enough one of the next places to offer the CGC was the Kansas State Fair. Vets participated with the 4-H clubs. They wanted to prove that Kansas was not just a puppy mill source.