Not all dogs can dog-paddle, but you can train them to be safe in the water

There are certain things we assume dogs know by instinct. Sniffing, for instance, sometimes in embarrassing places. Barking, too, and begging for food scraps are also downloaded onto dogs’ internal computers at the factory.

Then there’s swimming. It seems so integral to being a dog that we’ve even named a stroke after them, the dog-paddle — so you’d assume that’s another thing that every dog is born knowing how to do.

It turns out that you’d be wrong. Not every dog knows instinctively how to swim, and some can’t swim at all, Wendy Diamond, the founder and editorial director of Animal Fair magazine, told TODAY. Dogs’ aquatic abilities are so misunderstood, in fact, that she put together a list of water safety tips for dog owners.

Sago Palm Plants Dangerous to Dogs

According to Dr. Sharon Gwaltney-Brant, veterinary toxicologist and vice president of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, all parts of the plant are toxic, not just the seeds or nuts, and common signs of ingestion include vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, depression, seizures and liver failure. Please read poison prevention tips online.

Two Kids with Big Hearts and a Whole Lotta Love for Rescue Animals

About ILRA

About Rescue Animals

In short, we are a site dedicated to celebrating rescue animals of all kinds, supporting shelters, rescues and animal rights groups and to animal welfare worldwide. We advocate always choosing adoption over buying an animal.

We seek to raise awareness within our communities and to work towards a future where all animal owners are responsible and we no longer have to make the choice to put down otherwise adoptable animals simply due to a lack of space and resources.

We support animal welfare causes from around the world and believe people should take action in any way they can, whether it’s signing petitions, speaking up when they see mistreatment of animals, fostering animals, anything!

Everyone can make a difference!

A beauty pageant (of the 4-legged variety)

A beauty pageant (of the 4-legged variety)

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Animal rights, animal welfare and the law regarding animals

Animal rights, animal welfare and the law regarding animals

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Veterinary board gives Dr. O a smackdown - why won't BARC?

Veterinary board gives Dr. O a smackdown - why won't BARC?

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Austin Celebrations of Take Your Dog to Work Day Under the Weather This Year?

Every day is Take Your Dog To Work Day for Obama's Bo. Not much ado has been made today in Austin of the 10th anniversary of Take Your Dog to Work Day. With the death of Michael Jackson and triple-degree heat, this year's celebration is a bit under the weather.

Imagine the Dog Days of Austin's Summer Spent in a Fur Coat

Dog cools off at Lady Bird Lake.

105 degrees and a labrador named Wrigley provided Michael Alwan 106 good excuses Wednesday to skip the exercise routine.

"No crazy 6 mile runs," Alwan laughed. Crazy is about right. It's a strenuous enough workout just going out in the elements at all these days. Austin has baked at 100+ degrees for 12 days in the last 2 weeks. It has forced Alwan to alter what his lab is allowed to do.

"Just about all you can do when it's 105 degrees out...just bring him down to the lake to go swimming."

Alwan spent Wednesday afternoon playing a game of tennis ball fetch in the shallows along Lady Bird Lake. Unfortunately, not all pet owners are as on the ball as Alwan.

"I've known dogs that can die of heat exhaustion. They can overheat and die," notes Dr. Allison Haley at the Brykerwood Vet clinic. She says it's easy to overestimate how much your little beast can bare. Doctor's advice; scale back on activity.

Source:
CBS 42 Reporter: Jason Wheeler
Email: jwheeler@keyetv.com
Last Update: 8:23 am

Junie and Velma Featured Pets of the Week Around Austin from statesman.com

JUNIE

Breed: American Cocker Spaniel
Age: 10 mos.
Sex: Spayed female
Weight: 15 lbs
Color: White and buff
www.austincockerrescue.org
512-527-9923
woof@austincockerrescue.org







VELMA
Age: 5
Sex: Spayed female
Weight: 12
Color: Black and white
www.thunderingpaws.org/
512-402-9725
adoptions@thunderingpaws.org


Want to be included in statesman.com listings? Send a photo of your pet of the week, along with his/her description and contact information for your shelter or rescue group, to elepine@statesman.com for consideration.

Is That a Frown on Your Face or Are Just Feeling Guilty for Eating All Those Ribs When You Thought I Wasn't Looking?

Barnard College Prof uncovers origins of the “guilty look” in dogs in recently published article on canine cognition

Recent research on dogs has indicated more human-like forms of reasoning about what people know than has been demonstrated even in chimpanzees.

This study sheds new light on the natural human tendency to interpret animal behavior in human terms. Anthropomorphisms compare animal behavior to human behavior, and if there is some superficial similarity, then the animal behavior will be interpreted in the same terms as superficially similar human actions. This can include the attribution of higher-order emotions such as guilt or remorse to the animal.

Creator of Enzo the Dog 'Speaks' Today at BookPeople

Garth Stein, author of The Art of Racing in the Rain, at BookPeople in Austin today at 3 p.m.

Enzo knows he is different from other dogs: a philosopher with a nearly human soul (and an obsession with opposable thumbs), he has educated himself by watching television extensively, and by listening very closely to the words of his master, Denny Swift, an up-and-coming race car driver. Through Denny, Enzo has gained tremendous insight into the human condition, and he sees that life, like racing, isn't simply about going fast. Using the techniques needed on the race track, one can successfully navigate all of life's ordeals.

Chappy White Nose Gets 1471th Warm Pat

Check out Chappy's diary.

Cat Playing on Treadmill

Maxx the Cat demonstrates best use of treadmill.

Dog Attacks Toilet -- in Slow Mo

Dog Puts Toilet In its Place

Speak now for best dog art on wine bottle or forever hold your snout shut

Click here to review all 51 wine labels and then cast your vote for your favorite. The top 10 artists with the most votes will go to the next round.

Voting runs until midnight PST, Friday, June 19, 2009.

The wine with the winning label will debut at The Dog Days of Summer event at Mutt Lynch Winery August 8, 2009.

From Austin to Boston for the love of dogs and ending cancer

Luke (center, in photo), Hudson and Murphy! They are walking from Austin to Boston to help raise funds and awareness for cancer.

In May 2004, Luke's 6-year-old Great Pyrenees, Malcolm, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a particularly aggressive cancer of the bones. After his right front leg was amputated and he went through chemotherapy, his spirits regained. The cancer was too aggressive, however, and on January 11, 2006, he passed away.

Luke is determined to keep going until there is a cure for canine cancer.

Check them out at his website 2 dogs, 2000 miles or follow his updates on his blog!

You can also follow them on Twitter- 2 dogs, 2000 miles on Twitter and Hudson and Murphy! and Facebook!

Barton Springs Goes to the Dogs

From News8Austin

Beneath a canopy of trees, just outside the fence at Barton Springs Pool, a section of the spring has gone to the dogs.

"It's just one of those Austin-type places, I guess. Everyone comes here, brings their dogs, it's free, the water feels good, it's cold," dog owner Hank South said.

FDA approves drug to treat cancer in dogs

The Food and Drug Administration approved a new cancer treatment for dogs. The treatment is a pill called Palladia. The drug cuts off the blood to cancerous tumors and helps prevent more tumors from forming on a dog.

"There is no guarantee that there is going to be like a slam dunk situation," said Dr. Greg Biehle an Austin veterinarian. "In research, they have had over a 37 percent success rate which is really nice."

Palladia will be sold in early 2010, but the drug will be available at certain veterinary oncology specialists soon.

This is the first drug that is specific for dogs with cancer. The other cancer fighting treatments for dogs were derivatives of human drugs.

This cancer drug approval for dogs is an important step forward for veterinary medicine, said Dr. Bernadette Dunham, director of the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine. Prior to this approval, veterinarians had to rely on human oncology drugs, without knowledge of how safe or effective they would be for dogs. Today's approval offers dog owners, in consultation with their veterinarian, an option for treatment of their dog's cancer.

The FDA said Palladia (toceranib phosphate) has been approved to treat canine cutaneous mast cell tumors, a type of cancer responsible for about 1 of 5 cases of canine skin tumors.

All cancer drugs currently used in veterinary medicine originally were developed for use in humans and are not approved for use in animals, the federal agency said. Cancer treatments used in animals are used in an extra-label manner as allowed by the Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act of 1994.

Palladia is manufactured by Pfizer Animal Health Inc.

Sources: FoxNewsAustin and FDA

Fetching Art for Dog Lovers June 6 at Quattro Gallery

austindogandcat video footage of Austin Dog Alliance Poodle Dog Red Carpet Fashion show and fundraiser last Sunday at Central Market North

see it here

Putting on The Dog in Your June Wedding

The woofreport offers these tips if you want your beloved dog to march down the aisle alongside you and the other love of your life:

1. It’s hard to believe, but not everyone is crazy about dogs. Remember, most guests come to see the happy couple, so don’t let the show go to the dogs.

2. Make sure your pooch looks his best, fresh from the bath and smelling divine.

3. Pee the pet now or forever hold your peace. At an outdoor wedding, let the pup mark his territory territory before the ceremony.

read more here

Leave No Dog Behind -- Fidofriendly.com summer travel tips

Traveling with your pet is one of the most rewarding experiences that a pet guardian can have.

By taking very little effort, you can make a checklist of things to accomplish before leaving for your destination.

No matter the length of your trip, you should always keep in mind the safety and comfort for your child with fur.

Here are a few reminders to make your trip a success:

• When traveling with pets in extremely hot weather, you will want to make sure the air conditioning functions properly before you hit the road. Water is always a necessity no matter the weather condition so make sure you have plenty on hand for both you and Fido.
  
• As far as feeding your pet, you might want to curb the usual amount so as not to create too many pit stops.
  
• If you and your pet are the active sort, bring plenty of towels. You can wipe your feet at the door, but so far, to our knowledge, your dog will probably require some assistance to get the mud and gunk from his paws. Besides, if your dog is like most, they really don't mind the mud and gunk but your host will thank you for it!

Get the full story here

Get Your Licks on Route 66 -- The Cross-Country Adoption Tour

FIDO Friendly magazine and North Shore Animal League America bring you Get Your Licks on Route 66! The cross-country adoption tour is scheduled to kick off this month and travel to raise awareness of shelter adoptions with its mission to save lives. The 36-foot mobile adoption unit will travel the length of nostalgic Route 66 in California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and Chicago, Illinois with an adoption wrap party in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Due in Texas June 17. See map and get more info