Dognapping Up Almost 70%

American Kennel Club has released information regarding dogs being stolen from their owners. Dognapping as they call it, is up almost 70% from last year. They're being taken from their owner's vehicles, waiting areas in public and at home as well as theft from shelters.

The AKC recommends owners get their dogs microchipped. This is a controversial subject as their are cons and pros regarding chipping your pets. One of the most important concerns is that the chip releases radiation into the dogs system which may lead to Cancer or other diseases. Another problem is getting dogs from breeders or other vendors who have already chipped the dog with their name and address. If you lose track of the vendor and you lose your dog the chip will carry return info for the lost vendor and not you-messy messy situation.

The positive side of chipping is that if someone finds your dog and returns it to a shelter or vet, your return info will be on it and chances are good you'll get your dog back.

We all take our dogs in our vehicles for companionship and so the dog can get out and see new places, people, other dogs and get exercise. Apparently, just a quick run into the store can put your dog at risk nowadays.

Solutions include a harness that lets owners carry their dog, preferably small dog, in front and secure. Asking store owners if you can carry or bring your dog inside the store, pet stores and garden nurseries are usually dog-friendly.  Putting up a car-sunshade to hide your pet's location in the car might be a good way to protect your pet also. You might want to consider a small motion sensing alarm for your car or even on the pet's harness.

No reason is being offered for the increase in pet thefts which makes the situation even creepier as all kinds of dark scenarios come to mind. Are the dogs being used for some kind of medical or scientific experimentation or being deported and sold in neighboring countries or are people so cash-poor now that if they want a dog the only way they can get one is to steal it?

Whatever the reason, be extra careful when you take your dog outside your home and certainly leash it in city areas. Don't leave the dog waiting on it's leash in front of a store or even your urban home. Try to hide your dog from view if you have to leave the vehicle or sadly, consider not taking your dog out in your vehicle as much. Think about risk versus reward.

More details at CBS New York.

Here's a video of an actual Dognapping:

Nose Cells Help Dogs Walk Again

Researchers at Cambridge University in England have made a discovery that allows previously paralyzed dogs to walk again.

They took 34 dogs with paralyzed hind legs and injected cells into their spines. The cells were from the dog's nose! The findings so far reveal that the injection of nose cells improves the dog's ability to walk again. The cells don't improve communication between the brain and legs but those particular cells regenerate more than any other cells in a dog's nervous systems.

The dogs don't walk as if they weren't injured but the cell therapy does improve walking ability and coordination.

Very interesting study.

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More details at ABC News.

Hurricane Sandy Pets Ready for Adoption!

Unfortunately, one of the effects of Hurricane Sandy was to force pet owners to give up their beloved pets. People lost homes and most shelters will not allow pets. Most will face euthanization if an adoption doesn't happen soon.

San Diego's premier shelter for homeless pets located in Rancho Santa Fe, The Helen Woodward Animal Center, received 60 of the homeless New York and New Jersey pets on Friday November 17th.

Spokeswoman Jessica Gercke said the pets will be checked out and vaccinated before allowing them to be adopted. Many of the pets, mostly dogs, are small in stature and should be adoptable.

A Southwest Airlines pilot and crew devoted their time to transport the pets.

Interested in adopting one of these pets?

Check out the Helen Woodward Animal Center online. The front page features a cute dog that was flown in to be adopted.

Visit:  Helen Woodward Animal Center.

Brooklyn Man Who Stayed with His Dog Found Dead

Brooklyn resident "Ritchie Krins" went to seek shelter from hurricane Sandy but was turned away because his dog wouldn't stop barking. The 67 year old baker lived alone with his dog and went back home with the dog when they couldn't find a place for shelter.

A neighbor banged on Krin's door a few hours before the storm hit and told him to leave but he answered he was alright. Krins was a bachelor and the dog was his only companion so he didn't want to abandon his dog.

Unfortunately, they found Krin's body laying face down in six feet of filthy water in his home that has been smashed and demolished by the storm. The dog was still alive and barking at rescuers. They theorized that the dog was able to swim to safety.

This was another example of just how strong the connection is between owners and their pets. This man would probably still be alive if he had left his dog to fend for itself at his home or even gotten out of the area with his dog when the storm had been announced days before.

More details at New York Daily News.

World's Tallest Dog Named Zeus

A Great Dane called "Zeus" is the largest dog in the world insists the Guinness Book of Records. The 3 yr. old is 44 inches tall but when he stands on his back legs he is 7 ft. 4 inches tall and weighs 155 pounds.

The owner who lives in Michigan said the only downside to owning this dog is the higher costs for everything, food, transporting him, medicines, etc.

Here's the link and photo of world's tallest dog Zeus

Dog Returns Home After 500 Mile Trip

Three year old Labrador Retriever "Buck" found his way back home after a 500 mile trip. The man who found the dog decided to keep him and brought him to the vet for shots. The vet discovered Buck's microchip and contacted Buck's father Mark Wessells.

Long lost dog and owner reunited after 500 miles. Nobody knows how Buck found his way back but guessing he used his strong sense of smell.

More details at People-Pets.

Letterman's Late Show Top Ten Dog TV Shows

Late Show Top Ten

Top Ten Programs On Dog TV

10

Neuter, She Wrote

9

Doogie Schnauzer, M.D.

8

America's Got Heartworm

7

How I Met Your Breeder

6

Bones

5

The King Charles Spaniel of Queens

4

Keeping Up With the Pomeranians

3

Who's a Good Boy? Starring Nathan Lane

2

Two Broke Bitches

1

Shih Tzu My Dad Says

Dave Barry's Dog Knows What They're Doing!

Dog people get this Dave Barry quote:

" The garbage men are doing something very, very evil, and only my dog knows what it is. "

Dogs are Carnivores Argument

Here's an interesting article by licensed veterinarian Dr. Becker. In this article Dr. Becker voices concern over the idea that dogs are plant eating omnivores like humans are and as such can exist on a vegetarian diet.  Ellen DeGeneres is a co-owner of the "Halo" brand and there are reports that she will develop a "vegan" line of dog food.

The Doctor reminds dog owners that a dog's teeth are built for meat eating, they don't have the digestive enzymes in their saliva for processing carbs and starches and their digestive system is designed to hold and break down meat-based proteins.

Read more interesting facts at Mercola.com.

5 Things Hiding in Your Purse That Could Poison Your Pets

This article is a very important read for any pet owner. These common items a lot of women carry in their purses can be deadly if pets consume them. Many pets will eat virtually anything in front of them so it's important to make sure all potentially poisonous products are not available for your pets.

Check out 5 Pet Poisons Hiding in Your Purse, Backpack or Workbag.

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