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By jnavary, February 5, 2010

Typical dog farm conditions: young dogs crammed into wire cages all their lives.

Recently, a high school student in South Korea contacted KARA (Korea Animal Rights Advocates) about a dog farm next to his school. Students can see the dog farm, hear dogs barking all day, and hear louder cries once every 3 days (most likely when the slaughtering of dogs is taking place). An awful smell reaches the school playground from the dog farm.

You can read the whole story and see pictures by following this link: http://animalrightskorea.org/actions/dog-farm-near-high-school.html

This is only one example of the abuse of animals out of hundreds of cases: dogs of different breeds are kept on farms across Korea in horrible conditions, without proper food or clean water and in filthy steel cages. KARA has

A mother with pups born into a dog hell. This beagle once again proves that dog meat supporters are lying when they say that only "special" kinds of dogs are raised and killed in the dog meat industry.

reported this farm to the officials. The farmer can be penalized if he does not have a permit for his dog farm.

*Download and distribute flyers to people in your local community. Get them at: http://www.uniteddogs.com/stopkillingdogs/get-involved

*Join Stop Killing Dogs support page on Facebook to keep yourself updated with the latest news: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stop-Killing-Dogs-supporters-page/235848430651

KARA and other organizations are fighting for a better life for dogs in Korea every day. But they need more than local efforts to ensure proper legal protection for these animals and make dog farms illegal. The government of Korea tries to ignore the problem, so to help Korean dogs

A scared tiny dog that was perhaps once someone's pet. The same is true of the poor Maltese in horrific circumstances below.

we need international pressure.

The petition at www.uniteddogs.com/stopkillingdogs has already collected over 350,000 signatures.

If all of you find 1 person to sign, there will be 700,000 signatures by tomorrow.

Thank you for spreading the word

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By jnavary, February 4, 2010

Over 2 million dogs are brutally killed in South Korea every year.

That’s over 5,000 dogs a day who get strangled, burned, electrocuted or beaten to death for their meat.

The South Korean government has accepted Animal Protection Laws which make animal torture illegal, but those laws have never been properly enforced in the country. The dog meat industry continues to thrive and the officials are reluctant and indifferent to ban it.

Although forbidden to advertise themselves on main streets or in English, over 6,000 restaurants today serve dog meat in South Korea. And they don’t get closed down.

MORE INFORMATION IN TOMORROW’S POST

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By jnavary, January 23, 2010

Proper support іח a bed іѕ іmрοrtаחt fοr ɡοοԁ sleep аחԁ ɡοοԁ health. It іѕ חο less іmрοrtаחt fοr уουr dog. Yου wουƖԁ want fοr yourself tһе best bed уου сουƖԁ practically afford, аחԁ іt ѕһουƖԁ bе јυѕt аѕ essential tһаt уουr dog’s bed bе designed wіtһ іtѕ health аחԁ well-being іח mind. Tһе family pet counts οח уου tο provide a comfortable аחԁ supportive dog bed tһаt fulfills іtѕ need fοr deep, restful sleep.

50-Inch Sleeper Bolster Bed

Tһеrе аrе lots οf dog bed choices tһаt cater tο tһе various sizes, sleeping habits, behavioral patterns аחԁ health issues οf ουr canines. Many аrе comfortable, top quality dog beds; οtһеr choices аrе חοt аѕ desirable.

Advertising wіƖƖ ԁіѕрƖау words Ɩіkе luxurious, tһе best, сοοƖ, fashion, custom, designer, orthopedic аחԁ discount prices, wһісһ аrе fine. Hοwеνеr, more іmрοrtаחt words tһаt ѕһουƖԁ receive ουr attention аrе support, pressure relief, comfort аחԁ durability.

Tһіחk οf tһе forces аt work οח уουr body wһеח уου’re lying іח bed. Gravity іѕ pushing уου down. Yουr hips, shoulders, joints аחԁ skeletal frame аrе being pushed іחtο уουr mattress. If уουr mattress wеrе cement οr οtһеr hard surface, іt wουƖԁ חοt compress аt аƖƖ, natural curvatures wουƖԁ חοt bе supported аחԁ additional pressure wουƖԁ bе placed οח sensitive points. Yουr hips аחԁ shoulders wουƖԁ bе subjected tο tһе brunt οf tһе force аחԁ wουƖԁ probably ѕtаrt tο һυrt аחԁ bring аbουt discomfort аחԁ less-tһаח-restful sleep. Tһаt іѕ wһу people seek out muscular аחԁ skeletal support wіtһ аѕ much pressure relief аѕ possible.

Pressure οח tһе bones аחԁ joints һаѕ a cumulative damaging effect.

Tһе same forces οf gravity tһаt cause υѕ tο look fοr comfortable sleep support аƖѕο affect ουr pets. Tο prevent calluses wһісһ саח occasionally become infected, tһе dog ѕһουƖԁ һаνе a well-padded bed located wһеrе іt tends tο lie, sleep οr relax. Inner spring mattress dog beds, regular foam dog beds, egg crate foam dog beds, shredded foam dog beds аחԁ polyfill dog beds wіƖƖ аƖƖ compact аחԁ сrеаtе resistance аt points wһеrе tһе mοѕt weight іѕ applied.

Hospitals аחԁ burn units һаνе used memory orthopedic foam fοr patients fοr many years іח tһе effort

K&H Ortho Thermo-Bed

tο eliminate pressure points tһаt сrеаtе bed sores. Yουr dog οr pet іѕ аƖѕο susceptible tο tһе same laws οf gravity wе аƖƖ аrе tһаt cause tһе cutting οff οf circulation сrеаtіחɡ pressure point discomfort. Tһеѕе pressure points build up, аחԁ tһаt іѕ wһу people аחԁ pets toss аחԁ turn tο ɡеt away frοm tһе pressure build up triggering tһе need tο turn over. Tһе pressure points soon build up again аחԁ tһе cycle continues.

Orthopedic foam саח reduce a dog’s tossing аחԁ turning bу up tο 90%.

Orthopedic memory foam dog beds reduce pressure οח joints аחԁ οtһеr jutting body раrtѕ, firm enough tο satisfy уουr dog’s instinctual need tο sleep οח solid ground, wһіƖе assisting healthy circulation. Traditional material іѕ susceptible tο sag; orthopedic pet bed surfaces refresh tһеіr form wіtһ еνеrу υѕе, providing exceptional therapeutic cushioning. Absorbing, redistributing аחԁ balancing weight pressure evenly асrοѕѕ tһе surface οf tһе dog’s body аѕ іt gently cradles tһе body helps afford superior comfort.

Equally appreciated bу younger pets, tһе sleep surface offers ехсеƖƖеחt preventative care. Orthopedic dog beds improve tһе quality οf life fοr dogs аחԁ cats wіtһ hip οr elbow dysplasia, arthritis аחԁ joint problems associated wіtһ large breeds аחԁ older dogs.

Yου mау want tο consider a heated dog bed іח winter οr a cooling dog bed fοr summer. If уου аrе considering a pet bed fοr outdoor υѕе, уου ѕһουƖԁ сһοοѕе one mаԁе οf high-quality tough materials tһаt саח withstand tһе wear.

It’s tһе ƖіttƖе things tһаt аrе really bіɡ things wһеח іt comes tο extending tһе life аחԁ tһе quality οf life οf ουr pets.

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By jnavary, January 14, 2010

The first American camera was patented by Alexander Wolcott in 1840. Since that time dogs have  consistently ranked amongst the favorite animal models for photographers. Dogs played many roles in early photography, representing mascots, war dogs, novelty photos, guardians, hunters and entertainers. Of course, some older photos portray dogs in the role with which we are most familiar – that of loyal companion.

It can be fascinating to observe the physical development of various breeds throught the years. By comparing what we see today with photographs of the same breeds taken many years ago, changes over time can be quite notable. For example, the practice of selective breeding for aesthetic purposes has increased the size of the bulldog’s head. This change in physical appearance can, unfortunately, result in health problems. For the bulldog, the modification of the head has increased the probability of problems with both breathing and giving birth.

In the first photo below you can see a thinner, smaller headed and longer legged bulldog – characteristics making him closer to the look of his ancestors who were originally bred for the “sport” of bull baiting.

I hope you enjoy this small collection of vintage dog photos as much as I did while collecting them!

Dreamworld Irish Boy (c. 1910’s-20’s)

The bulldog in this photo, Dreamworld Irish Boy, went on to win Best In Show at Westminster in 1914.

Photo Credit: U.S. Library of Congress

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Portrait of a girl with a dog. Stockholm 1865-1875

Photographer: Wilhelm Lundberg

Photo Credit: Stads Museum, Stockholm, Sweden

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Buccleuch Avon (b.1885)

Buccleuch Avon was one of the founders of the modern Labrador, and he carried the “liver” gene. He is believed to be the ancestor of all chocolate Labs.

Photo Credit: U.P. Labradors

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An Old Sea Dog - 1905

Photo Credit: U.S. Library of Congress

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Kennel master at the White House for Herbert Hoover's dogs.

Robert R. Robinson, kennel master at the White House for Herbert Hoover’s dogs, Buckeye, a German police dog; King Tut, a Belgian police dog; and Englehurst Gillette, a Gordon setter.

Photo Credit: National Photo Company / U.S. Library of Congress

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Who is cuter?

Photographer unknown – early 20th century

Photo Credit:  Vintage Portraiture on Flickr.com

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Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his daughter, Anna, with their German Shepherd dog, "Chief of the Mohawk". May 1920 during the Seventh annual Dog Show of the Washington Kennel Club.

Photo Credit: National Photo Company / U.S. Library of Congress

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The Bath - Circa 1914

Cute photo by Harry Whittier Frees featuring a dog dressed as human appearing to give another dog a bath in a tub.

Photo Credit: Harry Whittier Frees / U.S. Library of Congress

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George Custer and his dog - 1862. Taken during the Peninsula Campaign in Virginia.

Photo Credit: Civil War glass negative collection, U.S. Library of Congress

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Helen Keller with her dog, 1904

Photo Credit: U.S. Library of Congress

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DogBurg’s Daily Art Spot

Newfoundland Dog Called Lion, 1824

Framed Giclee Print

Landseer, Edwin…

36.25 in. x 30.25 in.

Buy at AllPosters.com

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By jnavary, January 8, 2010

Signs of Canine Illness

Owners who observe and handle their healthy dogs have a head start on recognizing early signs of illness in their pets. Those who know what a healthy pet acts, feels, and smells like can spot differences in behavior and bodies and determine whether a trip to the veterinarian is necessary.

Healthy dogs have a temperature of 101-102º F, a respiratory rate of 15-20 breaths per minute, and a heart rate of 80-120 beats per minute. They have pink mucous membranes (gums, inside of lips, tongue, inside of eyelids) and rapid capillary refill action in these areas.

They have clean-smelling ears and skin and a full haircoat. Their skin is pliant, an indication of proper hydration, and their eyes are clear and bright.

If your puppy or dog shows any of the following signs, be prepared to call your veterinarian.

•  Eyes: swelling, discharge, redness, etc.

•  Nose: running, crusting, discharge, etc.

•  Ears: discharge, debris, odor, twitching, scratching, shaking, etc.

•  Coughing, gagging, sneezing, retching, or vomiting.

•  Irregular breathing, shortness of breath, prolonged or heavy panting, etc.

•  Intestinal activity
- Color and consistency of bowel movement
- Frequency of defecation
- Bloody stool
- Evidence of parasites, etc

•  Change in amout of food intake

•  Change in body weight

•  Change in water intake

•  Urine
-  Color
-  Frequency
-  Amount
-  Straining
-  Dribbling, etc.

•  Odor
-  Mouth?
-  Skin?
-  Ears?
-  Other?

•  Coat & skin
-  Wounds
-  Tumors
-  Hair loss
-  Dander
-  Color change
-  Biting
-  Scratching
-  Bite marks
-  Evidence of parasites
-  Licking, etc.

•  Behavior
-  Depression
-  Anxiety,
-  Fatigue
-  Lethargy
-  Sleepiness
-  Trembling
-  Stumbling
-  Falling, etc.

Noticing signs is half the battle; keeping a record helps the veterinarian make a diagnosis. Be sure to note when the symptom first appeared, and whether it has been intermittent, continuous, increasing in frequency, getting better, or getting worse before calling the veterinarian.

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DogBurg’s Daily Art Spot

Two St. Bernard Rescue Dogs in the Alpine Snow

Framed Giclee Print

31.25 in. x 23.25 in.

Buy at AllPosters.com

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By Tristan Andrews, December 28, 2009

It’s very likely that just about all puppies have chased their tails at some point. For a puppy, chasing his tail is as common as a child spinning in circles. Puppies seem to become aware that they have tails and, therefore, they are something to try to catch. Who hasn’t had a laugh at a puppy spinning around trying to catch his own tail?

Many dogs continue this behavior as they get older. It’s a playful behavior and dogs seem to enjoy it. Of course, it may also be a sign that your dog is bored and is looking for some way to entertain himself. If the behavior bothers you, try to provide your puppy or dog with lots of fun toys and safe things to chew on so he will have some other options.

It’s possible that some dogs continue to chase their tails after they are adults because it amuses their owners. They have learned that chasing their tail gets them attention and causes their owners to laugh and give them affection, so they chase their tails to get this positive attention. If you don’t want your dog to chase his tail it’s not necessary to punish your dog or to be harsh with him. Simply stop giving him the positive feedback. Stop laughing at his antics. Encourage him to do something else. Play with him with some toys, for instance. Throw a ball for him. Play frisbee with him.

Some dogs may chase their tail if there is some kind of physical problem concerning their tail. In these cases it only looks the same as a dog who is chasing his tail for fun. For example, your dog may have a flea bite at the base of his tail and it may be driving him crazy. He may spin, trying to reach the place that’s itching, but he can’t reach it. So, it looks like he’s chasing his tail. You can help your dog by checking to see what’s bothering him. This kind of spinning and chasing actually does look different from tail chasing. With tail-chasing a dog is trying to catch the tip of his tail (usually). When there is a physical problem a dog is often trying to reach the base of his tail or his body. Try to notice the difference and see what’s bothering your dog so you can help him.

Impacted anal sacs or problems with worms can also cause dogs to chase their tails.

Tail-chasing can also occur after physical trauma, surgery or illness. Bull Terriers and German Shepherds seem to be more prone to tail-chasing than other breeds.

In some cases, tail-chasing can become a compulsion as in an obsessive compulsive behavior. There is some evidence to suggest that this OCD tail-chasing behavior may be linked to high cholesterol in the diet.

Dogs with anxiety problems may also engage in compulsive tail-chasing. About two percent of the canine population is estimated to have canine compulsive disorder.

If your dog does develop this compulsive tail-chasing behavior you will need to talk to your veterinarian. He may recommend drug therapy for the problem. The most common treatment is Prozac for dogs. You will also need to work with your dog on behavior modification. In case you think this is extreme, dogs who chase their tails compulsively may do so for hours a day, so it really is necessary to help them.

Tristan Andrews is a freelance author who writes about dog information and dog training.

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DogBurg’s Daily Art Spot

Basset Hound Puppies Sleeping

Framed Art Print

Black, Keith

17.6875 in. x 21.6875 in.

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By jnavary, December 24, 2009

DogTown is returning to the National Geographic Channel on January 1st! This is one of my absolute favorite shows. The staff there are, IMHO, genuine heroes and heroines.

Here’s a clip from one of last season’s shows:

And here is the official announcement from the DogTown website:

Ring in the New Year with a new season of DogTown starting Friday, January 1, at 10 p.m. ET/PT on the National Geographic Channel. The hit series returns with 10 new episodes that follow the rehabilitation of abandoned, neglected and misfit dogs at DogTown, the last-hope refuge that’s part of the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, the largest no-kill animal facility in the country.

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DogBurg’s Daily Art Spot

Holiday by Rail

Framed Art Print

Kriesel, Johanna

17.875 in. x 21.875 in.

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