HAS anyone noticed the recent advertising for Eukanuba biscuits for dogs? It has been used extensively in New Zealand over the past few months in magazines such as Pets New Zealand, Animals' Voice and Paws for Thought (a vet group publication), and describes how a woman in a wheelchair had lost the use of her two legs but gained the use of four (her Labrador).
This Labrador was used to pull her wheelchair along - a huge waste of the dog's talent and not a job for a dog. People who want to be pulled along by an animal ought to use the animal that is built for the job - a pony! A mini-pony if you like, which can be house trained if required. Companies like Eukanuba should not be promoting such a use of these dogs - obviously this woman in the advertisement is still able to do a lot for herself or she would be using the dog for the jobs that really help disabled persons - to fetch, pick up and carry things for her and look after her specialised needs as dogs love to do for their chosen people, not to pull her wheelchair. If she goes to places that are too difficult for her to turn her own wheels, then there is a very good solution in the motorised wheelchair.
Who is training these poor dogs as tow trucks? Such a person is not fit to be called a trainer and should go on a modern training course or start training mini-ponies instead. Shame on you Eukanuba for using such an example to advertise the health and strength the dog gains from your product. There are plenty of other dog situations you could have used to illustrate your product, rather than use one that is in many areas illegal, in others not encouraged, and hopefully a fast-dying practice.
Death in cage
I have learned recently of a very sad accident that happened to a young Labrador retriever, scarcely more than a pup. She was left in a wire cage by her owner in USA who was going to be away from the house for some time, and while she was away the dog managed to open the top clips on the cage and attempted to squeeze through. She got her head and front legs through but not the rest of her body and was literally 'hung' by the belly over the cage lock and slowly bled to death.
In New Zealand such cages are used for showdays or as a training tool, but are never called a wire kennel as they are in USA. This sad story is a timely warning to check that clips are secure and can not be opened by enterprising dogs, and also a warning that wire cages are not made for all-day confinement, but rather for short periods of 'time out' - under supervision of course.
Council bean-counters
HAMILTON City Council, New Zealand, has excelled itself in the stupidity stakes. Resident Melissa Wilton went along to the council to register a mixed breed dog that had been left tied up and injured behind her husband's business. Husband Keiran had brought the dog home when he found it, and a vet visit found that boiling water had been poured over the dog and as well it had a leg injury and couldn't walk properly. The family named the dog Chopper and cared for him until he was well again, costing them at least $500 in veterinary fees. They decided to keep him and went to register him, but the council's Animal Care and Protection unit told Melissa she would have to hand the dog over to the unit while inquiries were made as to whether she was a suitable person to be his caregiver ... and an adoption fee of $16 would need to be paid (this as well as the registration fee of course)!
Whew - unbelievable - adoption from where? It is not as if the unit had been looking after Chopper or had contributed to his veterinary fees or even paid for a single meal! And as for investigating whether the family was suitable as the dog's caregiver - perhaps spending $500 on vet fees and personally nursing the dog back to health may give just a tinsy-winsy clue?
There are times, council, when thinking of the dog's welfare may mean simply keeping your own money-grubbing paws out of an already perfect situation. After all Chopper had been through, being forcibly "handed over" must have been hugely stressful for him.
Chopper is now back with his family and very happy, but such interference should never happen when the facts are so obvious.
Car window warning
A recent accident to a Jack Russell terrier brough the dangers of the car home to a dog owner. She usually closes the windows and locks them when the dog is in the car, but this day her daughter was in the car for a short time and had opened the window. Not noticing the window in the hurry to get things done the owner drove away with the window down and the dog, being a dog, put her head out of the window. However, in doing so she stood on the 'close window' button and next minute was firmly wedged by the closing window and howling fit to bring the town out.
The owner, panicking, had to find a place to stop the car and release the dog, who was left with a very large blood blister on her muzzle. But it could have been worse so this accident had its conclusion in a lesson that needs to be passed on - never have a dog unrestrained in a car with a window open.
Pleasure for elders
GROUPS are emerging in many areas that take dogs to visit the elderly in rest homes every week. It has been found that elderly patients benefit greatly from such visits and look forward to seeing the dogs and having a chance to pat and talk to them and talk to the owners about their pets.
It is a great lesson in socialisation for the dogs in such programmes, as well as bringing hugs and cuddles to elderly folk who may see family members only rarely, or often do not have any family at all. A really worthwhile programme that should be in operation in all areas of the world.
