Lost Dog? Search Wisely!

Free enterprise is certainly the foundation this country is built on and I'm an avid supporter of it. It's what ensures that we have choices -- choices in brands of bread, choices in internet service providers, choices in animal shelters and rescues. Although, sometimes it seems that, with so many brands and so many options, it's not only confusing, it's often difficult to make the right decision.

This seems to be the case when it comes to lost and found dog listings. They seem to be popping up all over the internet now, and who's to know whether they will actually do any good in locating a lost dog.

After a quick Google search, I found three potential lost dog services. The first, Fido Finder (FF), listed only two found dogs in Arlington, Virginia. At the Arlington animal shelter, we know that there are more than two dogs that have been found in Arlington and far more that are lost. The second site, Hugs for Homeless Animals (HHA), only allowed me to search by state. The listings did include the city, but no dogs were found in Arlington. The third, Lost Your Pet, actually charges $10 a listing and returned absolutely no results for found dogs in Arlington.

To their credit, FF and HHA do not charge for the listing (HHA does request a donation to their organization, though). A free listing certainly doesn't seem to hurt and may aid somewhat in the search for a missing dog, but it is imperative that dog owners understand the need to contact their local animal shelter.

Most animal shelters will take and actively search lost and found reports. Of course, those who live in a dense area should also consider filing reports with all area shelters. Seem redundant? Not at all. Unfortunately, not all shelters have the infrastucture to share reports with other organizations and, while a dog may have been lost in a town like Alexandria, a concerned citizen who may work there but live in Arlington, may bring the dog to the shelter he or she knows. There is also no substitute for ensuring that current lost dog signs are hung around the neighborhood and that neighbors are contacted.

If a dog is lost, it can be heartbreaking experience and many owners may go the extra mile to find him. Just make sure that the first resource is your local animal shelter and the "extra mile" is an online listing.

Active Dogs, Inactive Owners

Think daily walks or a game of fetch is enough to burn off your dog's energy? Think again. Looks like we can't seem to find enough time to devote to our dogs' exercise needs. In turn, we have resorted to investing in equipment designed to increase our dog's activity and, well, decrease our own. The dog-powered scooter is the urban answer to mushing. Hook up your dog, hop on, and your off. Now there's a doggie treadmill?

Really, how lazy or busy must we be if we can't hop off the couch long enough to take our pooches for a good stroll?

Behavior Issue or Health Risk?

It's a sad story but so often a true one -- pet owners giving up there once faithful, loving, well-behaved companions because of sudden behavior problems. It's especially sad when the pet is euthanized for a behavior issue that stems from an undetected health problem.

Thyroid issues, specifically hyperthyroidism, often cause an increase in energy that may make a cat or dog overly hyperactive. Unknown aches and pains can cause pets to snap at just a touch. And, as we often see at the Arlington animal shelter, something as simple as a urinary tract infection can cause a once-perfectly-potty-trained kitty to quit using the litterbox.

While it is quite obviously important to seek veterinary care when such behavior issues occur, it is extremely important to seek care right away, before these behavior issues become unbreakable habits.

Cats Save the Day!

Looks like cats all over the world are busy doing good deeds!

One cat alerted her owners in the Bay Area of their housefire, while another in Australia clawed his owner's face (ouch!) until he awoke to a matress ablaze. The latest, an adopted cat in Iowa, jumped on her guardian, alerting her to a fire and giving her and her daughter enough time to call 911 and escape a fire that destroyed her home.

Lassie, Rin Tin Tin, look out! The family cat is putting your good deeds to shame!

Could you possibly need any more reasons to adopt a furry friend?

Dogs Found, Cats Lost

The latest news is that lost dogs are returned to their owners more often and sooner than lost cats. This, however, is nothing new to animal shelter workers. The reasons are straightforward and the solution quite simple...

1) Dogs more often wear ID tags with current contact information than cats.

2) Dog owners are more aware when their dog is missing than cat owners because cats are often allowed to roam free and dogs must be kept on a leash.

3) People are more apt to react when they see a roaming dog, since roaming cats are more common.

How can we all solve this basic problem?

1) Make sure that all dogs and cats wear id tags at all times.

2) Call your local animal shelter immediately if your dog or cat is missing.

3) Keep your cats safely inside with you at all times.

Crossing the Line: Obesity to Cruelty

Two brothers in the UK were found guilty of "causing unecessary suffering to an animal," by allowing their 10 year old chocolate lab to gain a gross amount of weight, to the extent that he could not even walk more than five or six steps wihtout collapsing.

Some feel this crosses a line, causing pet owners to worry about a pet gaining a few pounds and others wonder if parents will be prosecuted for having "fat" children.

The story, plain and simple, is that the brothers failed to give the dog an appropriate diet and rejected any advice from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Could you even look at this image and watch this video of this poor, helpless creature and argue against this ruling? I'm glad to see that someone is looking out for at least one of the hundreds, maybe thousands, of neglected animals out there.

Diet Drug for Dogs

With the new year come new year's resolutions. One of the top new year's resolutions for people involves getting in shape or losing weight. Well, why not resolve to help your over-weight pet shed a few extra pounds, too?

Last week, the government approved the first "diet" drug for obese canines -- Slentrol. Produced by Pfizer, is meant to help obese canines lose the extra weight. The drug, however, is not without side effects and could cause loose stools, diarrhea, vomiting, lethargy and loss of appetite. Hmmm, loss of appetite? Well, isn't that by design?

Of course, why not try a healthy diet and exercise first?

Top Dog Names

The results are in and the top dog names in no way resemble the top baby names this year! Looks like we give our babies more distinguished names such as Emma (thank's to Friends), Madison, Aidan and Jacob, than we bestow upon our furry friends.

According to data from Pet Harbor, our favorite four-legged friend names include Molly, Daisy, Lucy, Princess and Charlie; but the two most popular, hands down, are Max and Buddy.

"Why not name your pet Zhivago or Toots or Sir Galahad or Tawni or heck, even Fido," suggested a Pet Harbor staff member. Also, according to Pet Harbor, some of the more unique names include Bamma, Wasabi, Watcher and Frankie Blue.

What's your favorite name?