Scratchings-and-Sniffings

To Choke or Not to Choke

Introducing guest blogger, Alecia Evans of Walk in Sync

Do we have an ethical or moral right to use training and walking tools with dogs that choke them when there are safer more effective tools we can use to train them? 

Have you ever used or are you considering using a harness to train and walk your dog? 

Has the time for collars, neck and nose attachments to your dog run its course? 

What do you think?  What do your readers or subscribers think? 

Here's what I think:

We Can Do Better for our Dogs and Pups

Halo & Free Kibble.com Visit San Francisco

Another great program that I can't help but share. It's that time of the year, of course. We're all focused on helping shelters and pets. We do it all year long, sure, but somehow, during these winter holidays, we get really inspired... like this:

From our BFF Caroline Golon - I'd write a whole post of my own, but this press release says it all better than I could. Imagine all this kibble being delivered in San Francisco today and in Portland and Seattle tomorrow. There are opportunities to interview folks on-site. If you go, please let us know and come share your experience. (pics are from the Cinncinati drop off... look at those smiling faces!)

"This holiday season homeless pets across the nation will have bellies full of nutritious, all natural food, thanks to Halo, Purely for Pets and Freekibble.com . The two organizations are embarking on their first ever Freekibble.com "Koast to Koast Kibble Drop" where shelters and rescues up and down the East and West coasts will receive 400,000 meals of all natural Halo Spot's Stew for the holidays.

25 Facts About Pet Rescue and Adoption

From my friend, Susan Daffron, who is a top-notch professional in the writing/publishing world and very much involved in rescue work.

25 Facts About Pet Rescue and Adoption

SANDPOINT, Idaho -- A new book called “Publicity to the Rescue" (ISBN: 978-1-61038-004-1; LCCN: 2011914679) explains how animal rescue groups can raise awareness about their organizations to increase donations, recruit more volunteers, and boost pet adoptions.

Author Susan Daffron, the Founder of the National Association of Pet Rescue Professionals offers up 25 Facts About Pet Rescue and Adoption:

Some pets from the Foothills

I don't share adoptable pets in our local area enough. Here are the ones sent to my email box from the Foothills Animal Shelter. If you're local to Denver/Boulder... consider these pets and if you're not in the market for another pet, share with your network. Maybe one of them is.

Remember - Pets Add Life - which is a great idea created by the American Pet Products Association. They're hoping to achieve 5000 followers on Twitter [@petsaddlife ]- hop over and help that happen. They've promised to donate $1000 to the Anipal Academy Awards - which is supporting Canine Cancer research, right here in CO.

Check out the adoptable pets now:

Pit Bull Proud - Opportunity to Participate

Over at Start the Change, my granddaughter's blog, she and her Mom are supporting Kenn Bell, the creator of Dog Files, and his series of videos about Dogs and how they are such integral parts of our lives. As they say, "the potential to share the truth about Pit Bulls and not the media hype" is what's important.

Here's the scoop on what Kenn Bell is doing - creating a movie to show how proud he is and how proud  we all should be, of this magnificient creature. Understand that "pit bull" is a colloquial term - there are no pit bulls, in reality. You will not find 'pit bull' as a registered breed in the AKC, for instance.

It's a term people have applied to a group of dogs. The American Staffordshire dog is where it all began, and the fact that some people malign these dogs and have abused and mistreated them, is reason enough to try and educate the world about them - in a way that will uncover the truth: that it's not a dog problem, it's a people problem. Here's what Kenn says they are doing:

Help Support Therapy Dogs with Cesar Canine Cuisine

Our dogs love Cesar Canine Cuisine. Yep, all of'em. The little girl, Olive, and the big ones, Chester and Emily. In fact, they love Cesar better than a lot of other stuff. Chester, I'm convinced, thinks he's a little dog. He prefers little dog food and treats. The other two, pretty much eat anything but prefer Cesar's.

Anyway, the good folks at Cesar have a great campaign going on that I think is well worth supporting. You can help by just clicking the 'like' button on their Facebook page. Here are the details...

Please help support the Therapy Dogs  - simply “like” CESAR on Facebook (www.facebook.com/cesar), and for every “like,” CESAR® Canine Cuisine will make a $1 donation to American Humane Association – to spread the love of therapy dogs to those that need it most. *up to $20,000

To help explain even further, Cesar has supplied this FACT SHEET about the American Humane Association HERO DOG AWARDS... enjoy! (also visit this link - their Breed of the month is a Shih Tzu - too adorable!)

Best Practices for Dog Rescuers

Kyla Duffy from Happy Tails Books and Up for Pups, (and who brought us our Olive girl, pictured here) has compiled an amazing resource guide for those who rescue dogs.

She says, "After a five-month-long data collection effort, Road to Rescue is complete in both paperback and eBook version! This indispensable resource is for both those looking to improve their rescue organization and those seeking to start one."

Buckle Up, Fido!

Is is true? Is corporate America finally beginning to understand that it's just as important to keep pets safe in vehicles, as to keep people safe? It isn't JUST because pet parents love their pets - it's also because any loose object (purse, laptop, pet) becomes a projectile in an accident. Even a minor accident.

I get really burned when I see people allowing their dogs to sit on their laps when they travel in a car. Seriously, would you put an infant there? Would you disregard safety research and studies and allow your two-year old to ride on your lap in the front seat? Your dog, no matter how small, is the equivalent of an infant or toddler - at least, I think so.

Be the Change for Animals

Scratchings and Sniffings is fortunate to be part of a growing and powerful group of bloggers that work to effect change in the world. Our focus is pets - and animals - and their rights, which often get ignored or overlooked. This video is from some talented and committed bloggers who continue to connect and work for the benefit of our animal friends.They are active in many different ways and my hope is to help promote them, and their causes, on this blog. Why? Because it's up to US - the people in the pet community, to stand up and fight for what's right.

Enjoy.

 

BlogPaws' Advanced Vet Track

Last week BlogPaws finally announced the addition of an Advanced Veterinary Practice Track at their conference coming up in August. This unique track has been created especially for Veterinarians and practice managers and the rest of the vet staff.

Working with In Touch Practice Communications and Bill Schroeder, who is an excellent presenter and not only knowledgeable about social media but about how the vet industry should be using social media, BlogPaws will provide vets and their staff true hands on training.

Here's the down and dirty overview as noted on the Vet Practice Track link at BlogPaws: