Adopt an Older Dog Month, Canine Partners, and Canine Flu Warnings
ADOPT AN OLDER DOG MONTH. They say old dogs are the best dogs and certainly Rufus, the colored Bull Terrier that connects the biggest names in AKC show competition with a TDI certificate is an exciting example of all that is wonderful in the world of dogs! Rufus is nine years old–not a young dog–and from what David Frei says, therapy is not a leisurely retirement for Rufus. This busy terrier keeps his owners busy driving him from visit to visit. (He especially loves children.) Cesar’s “DADDY”, a pit bull, is also a senior canine and according to Cesar continues to inspire “the pack”. Cesar has titled November as “Adopt an Older Dog Month”. This is a good message. So many of our older dogs are left behind due to owner death and disability. Too many pets are unnecessarily euthanized due to the death or incapacity of their human caregivers. Look for older dogs to have their own special space. One example is SUPER SENIORS, a proactive approach to aging canines, which will be discussed in a hands-on seminar in New Jersey. Worth looking into!
The other connection Rufus gives us is the new world of mixed-breed CANINE PARTNERS competition. Hopefully, many of these mixed breeds will also be active in therapy. Behaviorist William Campbell once mused that dog lovers should breed dogs with CGC titles in order to get the best in family dogs. This is really worth thinking about. Frei downplays breeding dogs to be accessories–what better purpose can a dog have than being an active therapy dog?
According to the AKC the first ever Mixed Breed CANINE PARTNERS event will be an agility trial scheduled for April 2, 2010 in Idaho. To find an event nearby visit akc.org/events/search. Click on the “Obedience-Agility-AKC Rally” tab and narrow the search by clicking on “Limit to Events Accepting Mixed Breeds” button. The AKC has approved mixed breed classes for 51 events so far.
CANINE SENILITY. November has been designated as National Alzheimers Month. Long ago I became aware of “canine senility”. Everyone who has been fortunate to share their lives with a senior canine has seen this in such events as when a dog walks into a corner and then seems to forget how to turn around! Also, a dog may sleep longer and deeper than usual. There is a prescription diet made by Hills called “b/d”. This is a very powerful aid. I add the dry ration to the regular diet. The daily amount must be adjusted for the dog and degree of confused behavior. Cagney, for example, is 40 pounds and 12 plus years. She is doing very well on a third of a cup mixed in with her breakfast ration. This gives her an active day with a good lifestyle–even a little of her naughtiness!
CANINE FLU. During a recent Frei/O’Hurley interview on the National Dog Show one of the writers asked about the precautions being taken to minimize the threat of canine flu or CIV which could be present at the National since it is held in Gettysburg. CIV represents a rare event in adaptive evolution. The HsN8 equine genome was transferred to dogs and the virus adapted and emerged. At this time CIV is endemic in New York and Pennsylvania–among other states. It is spread through aerolized secretions and contaminated surfaces like food and water bowls, collars and leashes. The virus remains active on surfaces for up to 48 hours, on clothing for 24 hours and on hands 12 hours. The most common clinical sign is a cough that can persist from 10 to 21 days. The AVMA cautions that the new vaccine may control the disease but does not prevent it and thus it has been labeled as a “lifestyle” vaccine and not recommended for every dog.
Nov 17, 2009 | | Uncategorized