DrinkingOutOfTheTrough

I am going to let Franklin keep you posted on Earl. Can’t do it myself right now.

I will report that I now have to clean the kitchen floor. Not because Earl is gone, but for the first time since 1983, I don’t have a dog. Our cleaning lady fully washes the floor once a week, but in between we do spill stuff.

The other day, I spilled some popcorn someone had brought to us. Usually I just leave it there. “Here, Tipper, a snack for you!” I realized that no longer could I rely on a canine garbage can to pick up dropped food.

I guess this is going to be a learn as I go process.

Our county commissioners have tough issues regarding enforcement of dogs in the back of trucks. Commissioner Steve Johnson, a veterinarian, agreed that dogs should not be loose in the back of trucks, but said the county can only go so far in telling people what to do. I concur.

Veterinarians see injuries inflicted on dogs by dumb people who think it’s cool to have their best friend riding in the back of the truck. It’s not cool, it’s negligent; but who is going to enforce idiocy? Animal Control is plenty busy.

We were driving back from the airport on I-25 behind a pick-up that had a sheepdog chained in the back. The truck hit a bump, and the dog flew out, hanging by his neck. Fortunately, the chain snapped, and the dog skidded off the road. It took a few minutes for the truck to stop and come back. By that time, my sister, my husband, and I were helping the panicked dog. It was OK, except for road rash on all four paws, and some missing claws. It could have been far worse. The drivers were told where the CSU hospital was, but all they did was put the dog back and drive off without so much as a thank you.

If abuses of animal owners were to be imposed 100%, Larimer County would have to make a new Department of Animal Stupidity. I don’t think this is within the budget. The dogs lose.

There is more grim news today about difficult economic times and family pets. Local shelters are seeing an increase in surrenders of family pets due to finances.

One local columnist who focuses on animal behavior wrote today about how a local shelter is about to go under due to lack of funding. She asks for support for this shelter.

I commend the efforts of any legitimate group for rescuing and caring for animals abandoned for any reason. However, I struggle with the attitude in our society that a pet is a disposable asset to be surrendered when inconvenient to keep.

One of the articles today discussed how much it costs to own a pet per year. This should be considered before getting a pet. If there is not enough money to care for a pet, do not get a pet. Volunteer at a local shelter, set up a dog walking business, pet sit, or do anything to be around animals that for whom you don’t have to bear any financial burden. You may discover a new source of income!

I have previously discussed how college students dump their pets at the end of the school year, leaving helpless dogs and cats to fend for themselves, usually unsuccessfully, and about horses being abandoned in tough economic times.

I am not in a financially disastrous position where I have to think of cutting costs and focus this on my pets. I cannot imagine someone so desperate that they would surrender their best friend to save a few bucks. Perhaps the pet was not their best friend. Imagine your noble, loyal dog, King, who worships you for the food you give and the balls you throw for him. He guards your home and protects your kids, happy to be paid with praise and tummy rubs. Now, fast-forward to tough finances, and imagine King staring at a stranger from inside a chain link cage, trying to wag his tail to show how friendly he is, hoping beyond hope that someone else will love him and keep him through good times and bad.

I have posted several times about dogs off leash. Please bear with me for two more descriptions of dog owner idiocy.

We had a lovely day of riding yesterday at the local state park. I rode Scoot, the Gentleman, and Earl rode Hannah, the Baby. We celebrated the Baby’s ninth birthday, which is actually today. Coming into the park, we noticed a woman riding a horse with a dog tagging along, running here and there. It has been a long time since we had seen such blatant disregard for a natural area. I called the ranger, but she was busy with something else. She stopped us on the trail to apologize for not getting there in time. While chatting, we saw another couple down by the reservoir with their dog off leash. Since that area is county jurisdiction rather than state, the ranger couldn’t do anything about it.

As we rode along, we noticed the couple had moved onto the trail we were using. We also noticed the ranger stopping her truck to get out and give these people a ticket. Bravo! We passed them, silent but gleeful.

Other than the scare we could get from a wayward dog, I think of the serious dangers to dogs when owners think it’s cool to let their dog run loose in the wild, free to be.

First, there are rattlesnakes all over our natural areas. While this is not the time of year to see them, many the curious pooch has been a victim of an irritated rattler, not always with a happy outcome.

Second, there are two packs of coyotes in the park. Right now, they are bearing their young. Generally, they don’t bother domestic animals, as there is ample food supply for them. There was an article in the paper the other day about urban coyotes and how they do like to munch on Fluffy the cat, or mix it up with Fido the pup. One roving coyote which attacked a local dog regularly received food tossed to it out of the drive-up window of a local fast food joint. I guess it thought it was entitled to living fast food.

Third, there are some really big kitties up at the park. I’m talking about mountain lions primarily, also called pumas, catamounts or cougars; bobcats, and the rare lynx. I’ve never seen one, but while riding our old mare, Marcie, heard one roar. I thought it was a boat motor from the reservoir until I saw Marcie’s ears go into predator alert. Marcie and I heard the roar twice. Later, by the water, we heard boat motors, and I knew we had come close to a mountain lion.

I’d love nothing more than to see the Wonder Husky run wild and free. I would also curl up and die if anything happened to her that could have been prevented by using common sense and obeying posted rules. 

Have you given a thought to what will happen to your animal friends after you die? This is a really important topic that many people don’t want to address.

I had to change my will, trust actually, because two people to whom I would have left pets died. One was my friend, Jean, whose illness and subsequent death I have discussed many times on this page. In the event that my husband was not able to take our pets, Jean was to get whatever dogs or cats we had at the time. When she passed, I changed my trust. Our horses were to go to our trainer, but he died suddenly and unexpectedly in June 2007 at 52. The horses will now go to a young woman we know if my sister doesn’t wish to take the horses. No one takes better care of animals than my sister. She even rescues cats with her organization  FACT. 

When Jean was first diagnosed with cancer in summer 2007, she immediately gave her dog and cat to friends. She knew that she would be immune-suppressed from chemo, plus it would be difficult for her to care for them. As her personal representative (executor), I followed through on her hand-written request to give some financial support to the people who now had Mango the dog and Colette the cat. I cut them a check after consulting with Jean’s brother on an appropriate amount. The nice couple, Marcy and David, set up a fund with the money to be used only for Colette and Mango.

Even if you provide for your pets after you die, things can change along the way. Be sure that you keep up to date on where you want your pets to be after you pass. Also be sure that the people you want to leave your pets to actually will take them.

Another sad commentary on the state of the economy: the efforts of horse owners to get rid of their horses. While riding last Thursday we saw two colleagues, a husband and wife team who own an animal clinic in a rural area. She does the small animal work and he does the large, plus shoeing horses. They said business was slow, especially now that people are trying to sell their horses.

Hay is expensive, so is grain, and so is veterinary care. I do not think that animals and their care come under the heading of disposable income that isn’t spent when times are tough. Why not hold back on cigarettes and alcoholic beverages?

One thing that hit me hard was a piece in the February issue of Equus Magazine. It reports that a horse rescue offers a “last act of kindness.” The NorCal Equine Rescue (NCER) hosted its first free euthanasia clinic in November. People brought their unwanted horses in to be put down.

NCER’s primary focus in to find homes for rescued horses, and all were evaluated for this. However, all horses were over 20 and had medical problems. The VP, Tawnee Preisner said, “Some of the horses could hardly walk, and they should have been euthanized a long time ago. But the owners didn’t have the money to do it.” Thumbs up to NCER for offering help. Thumbs down to horse owners who, for whatever reason, don’t take proper care of their animals.

There are so many people who oppose horse slaughter for meat that the two facilities in the US were closed due to public outcry. Now, horses are smuggled into Mexico under shady conditions for this, when horses could have been slaughtered under humane conditions and serve to feed the hungry and those in other parts of the world that consider horse meat a delicacy.

I shudder at the thought of horses going to any kind of mass slaughter, but reality sets in. What do you think?

The telephone jangled on the morning after I got back from my Chicago trip. My friend and her husband had gotten an eight week-old Shih Tzu puppy and were very upset that the pup was whining and messing up her floors.

I went over, where I found a most adorable pupster. He was indeed a tiny little fellow, and Mom was distraught.

We chatted about what she had been doing with this little tyke, and what methods she was using to train him. I watched her interact with him. I quickly recognized that if she didn’t adjust her methods, the puppy would become the leader of the pack at home, and become a horrible pet. I then shifted into tough love mode.

I am by no means a dog-training expert. I have had two dogs in my life, and have sought professional help for their training. Being Huskies, training has been a daily occurrence. I have seen people treat small breed dogs like babies, and this is a recipe for disaster. A dog is a dog and behaves as such, whether it is a two pound “land shark” breed, or a giant puppy that weighs more than I do. One needs to read about the characteristics of the breed and adapt to its unique behavior.

I recommended to my friend two books, The Mentally Sound Dog, By Dr. Gail Clark, and How to Raise a Puppy You Can Live With by Clarice Rutherford and Dr. David Neil. The latter is the best puppy book around even though I first used it in 1983, and the former is great for a pup in training. “Auntie Gail” was Tipper’s kindergarten teacher. I’ve know her a long time, and I taught her kids elementary physical education.

I also recommended that my friend by a book written about Shih Tzus. I have several Siberian Husky books on my shelf.

Winter puppies can be difficult, yet it’s often easier to housebreak a winter puppy. It has to go out to do its business, and you don’t want to supervise a puppy in the cold. Therefore, time spent outside for this purpose is minimal.

Lastly, I recommended that she, her husband, and the pup go through a minimum of puppy kindergarten and novice obedience classes. Not only are these classes an informative way for you to interact with a new pup, they are also too much fun.

I was proud that my friend “got it” after my jet-lagged hour and a half visit with her and her new friend. Since many little dogs seem to live forever, I know they have many fine years to come.

In these tough economic times, people tend to keep what is called disposable income. For example, they will not go out to the movies, stay out of the malls, etc.

In the local paper today, there is an article discussing Heska’s laying off workers. Heska is a specialty veterinary manufacturing company in Loveland, Colorado. The article reports that the company is being hit hard by the economy, and veterinarians are reluctant to make large capital purchases during an economic downturn. An example of this would be buying one of their new in-house blood work machines.

This is a sad turn of events, but it happens every few years and is not surprising. When the economy is poor, people tend to not seek veterinary care for their animals as often as when the economy is good. Unfortunately, this impacts not only the veterinarian’s income, but also the health and well-being of animals.

Having a pet comes with a responsibility and a commitment to the animal that it receives the best care possible whether it is providing quality food to good veterinary care. This costs money. I have seen people “price shop” for deals in veterinary medicine. Clinics have “specials” or discounted services to attract business. Have you ever seen a physician do this? This month’s special: Hysterectomy. All-inclusive from anesthesia to hospital care. Call today to schedule. You get the picture. Did you ever call a doctor’s office to see if her office provides the best price for a service you need? Of course not. You go to the doctor because of reputation, recommendations from friends, or a referral from another doctor. Most people have insurance that will take care of the majority of the bill.

I had to take calls from price shoppers all the time. One time, a woman called to ask my price for spaying a cat. I always explained what is involved, so she would know why my prices were what they were. There really is a difference in care when higher fees are charged. At the end of this particular call, I gave my quote. The woman shouted angrily, “Oh my God, I found a place that charges twenty-five dollars.” Bam! She slammed the phone down. With my ears ringing, I wondered if the place she found uses clean instruments, or if the surgeon washes his hands.

I hope that you will be able to weather the current economic storm. It will pass eventually. Be creative to manage money besides skipping quality veterinary care for your animal friends.

I went to the courthouse this morning to find the owner of the rental property where the dogs and irresponsible owners live. Next, I called the man who, with his wife, owns the house, and several others in the neighborhood. A formal report also went out in the mail to Animal Protection and Control.

We had a nice conversation after getting past the “My wife handles that stuff” part. As a landlord myself, I assured him that I understood his problem. Most likely, the owners of the dogs haven’t taken out insurance on them. In any case, any damage done by at-large dogs comes down to the responsibility of the property owner. I want to be proactive. I don’t want my horses hurt. I don’t want to get hurt and have to sue.  I couldn’t  handle more trauma to my leg. These injuries take a long, long time to heal, if in fact they do heal. All I want him (or his wife) to do is have a chat with the renters about dog responsibilities. The violations they incurred were two: dog off leash and public nuisance. Dog off leash refers to any time a dog is not restrained by a leash or behind a fence. Dogs can’t even sit on the lawn without restraint. Public nuisance refers to a dog that approaches you, your dog, or in the case last week, the horses. Ordinances are readily available for the public to access.

Our dog is properly controlled, and she is kept safe from  harm. 

If, as happened with the incident the other day, parties involved in these dangerous violations insist on not changing their ways, laughing and leaving the scene, or refusing to conform to city ordinances; I guess all I can say is remain well-insured.

 After the dog pack in the corral incident the other day, I thought the neighbors would get wise. Nope.

Less than a week after their dogs were chasing our horses and their pals next door into frenzy, I took the Wonder Husky for a walk. Suddenly, from the other side of the street, came a mass of flying fur that clipped me on my rebuilt leg. The dogs crashed into Tipper, age 12, knocking her flat, snarling and trying to bite her. I screamed. One of the dogs was the brown mutt that was in the pack.

I shouted to the young woman and her boyfriend with some unrepeatable vocabulary words. She denied being the owner of the dogs from the other day. Did they offer help? No. Did they apologize? No. They got the dogs into her Lexus SUV that Daddy probably bought her so she be safe driving home after a party and drove off. The only thing that happened was the boyfriend laughed at me as I called animal control on my speed dial and gave them the license number of the car.

When dog incidents happen on our walk, if the owner is kind and apologizes, I am usually nice and don’t press charges. This time, these idiots are going down. I have reports to file, and am finding out who owns the student rental so I can complain. I’m sure vicious, at-large dogs are not covered by homeowner’s insurance.

I carry a phone when I’m out and about. Sometimes I carry spray, which, when used could backfire. I’ll revert to taking my nine iron, I guess. The unfortunate thing is that it’s not the dogs’ fault. But you can’t use a nine iron on a person.