Canine King of Pop Culture
CANINE KING OF POP CULTURE. The American Kennel Club recently polled readers on the most popular dogs in society. As you might expect there were few surprises. Snoopy was crowned the Canine King of Pop Culture! ( I wonder how many of Snoopy’s admirers know he was born in a western puppy mill!) Fourth on the top ten list was Eddie, the deceptively well-behaved Russell Terrier in “Frasier”. “Duke” of Bush’s Baked Beans fame led the voting in advertising and Lassie was top dog in the movies. Bo Obama, of course, won the nod as top political dog.
BETTY WHITE will receive an award on January 23rd. The renowned, animal-loving actress will be presented with the SAG Life Achievement Award by Sandra Bullock. White was one of the first to publicly praise the CGC, and is a former president of the Morris Animal Foundation and a present member of the Board.
PA HIGH COURT HAS RULED THAT THE PA SPCA IS NOT A STATE AGENCY AND CAN BE SUED! Once again the organization is reputedly in disarray with Board resignations, new board members and looking for a new CEO. The organization lost a case involving a Reading kennel. It will be back in court this week on a cruelty citation leveled when the owner of a 100+ dog kennel was cleaning feces during a rainstorm. According to Julian Prager the whole country is watching this trial due to what is termed the SPCA’s “high-handed” behavior.
SHELTER STRAIN. This week, more than 100 commercial kennels will close, putting a severe strain on small shelters struggling to find homes and temporary housing for a flood of dogs. One shelter manager who has placed 75 of these dogs says the major problem that the dogs have is “shyness”. “They’re not vicious,” she says, “they are frightened.” This is a problem shared with the Vick victims. When we terrorize our dogs, are we teaching lessons of terrorism?
NEEDED GUIDELINES. With AKC mixed-breed recognition there is a need for guidelines to help those who want to adopt or purchase a mixed-breed puppy. Many if not most of the guidelines, of course, are already in place or in the Puppy Lemon Law. However, in order to be eligible for the new AKC programs both parents must be from AKC-recognized breeds. A puppy from two goldendoodles would not be eligible. A puppy from a Golden Retriever and a Poodle would be eligible. So once again if a mixed breed is preferred –meet the dam and sire if possible. If they have a CGC and are active in therapy or other performance events the puppies could be more desirable. Take the time to search and to evaluate the owner/breeder and kennels–avoid BACKYARD BREEDERS WHO ARE THE NEW PUPPY MILLS (under the 26-dog limit of the Dog Law radar). Take the time to visit more than one breeder, more than one shelter and rescue. Also, with mixed breeds price is important. Don’t buy “trends” –they cost more. It may be just as economical to buy a purebred dog as one of the new “designer dogs”. Do ask for veterinarian references and references from trainers and others who have purchased/trained puppies from past litters. Breed rescues are probably the most reliable source of mixed-breed litters. And, remember a pet store puppy cost more than the same puppy from a breeder or a shelter. Check veterinary hospital bulletin boards and avoid newspaper classifieds and the Internet. Above all–think long and hard about your lifestyle and your budget! The new dog will be an important family member. There is no such pet as a free pet! Now we need to publish informational guidelines.
Jan 09, 2010 | | Uncategorized