Furry Skurry Walk

The Furry Skurry was a 5K walk to support the Humane Society of Greater Dayton. The slideshow is a collection of photos taken at one of watering stations for both the dogs and owners.

Experience at the Athens County Dog Shelter

I took an hour out of my day to learn about the Athens County dog shelter and I wanted to share my experience. Unfortunately, the dog warden wouldn't let me take any photos, but I saw dozens of absolutely beautiful dogs and it made my heart break.

Most of the histories of the dogs there are unknown, but many show signs of abuse. One young Jack Russell Terrier mix named Sweetie (pictured above from the shelter's Web site) especially caught my eye--she was very affectionate but every time I reached down to pet her, she would cower and put her tail between her legs. One volunteer told me this was a sign that she may have been hit frequently at some point before she arrived at the shelter.

But Sweetie is just one of 24 dogs and one puppy currently housed at the shelter who's waiting to be adopted. As I walked by cage after cage, I couldn't imagine why these dogs couldn't find a home. Obviously not everyone wants a dog or their landlord doesn't allow pets, but these are absolutely wonderful dogs and for a bargain. Dogs at the shelter cost only $65; puppies at Petland other pet stores can cost hundreds of dollars. Even more alarming is that many pet stores are linked to puppy mills.

Also, Athens County (and really everywhere else in the United States) has a problem with too many dogs and not enough owners. I wrote about this in my first blog post, but it needs to be stated again. Rather than buy from a pet store, choose a dog that actually needs a home.

Not only are owners saving the dog they choose to take home, but they're also opening that spot for another dog. The Athens County shelter can hold about 45 dogs, but space is cramped and there are not enough foster homes for the dogs to temporarily stay.

As I left the dog shelter with woofing dogs and whining puppies, I saw a family coming in to adopt a dog. The young boy there had a huge smile on his face and although I was still feeling melancholy, I realized there is some hope. For every dog that is dropped off at the shelter, one will soon be adopted.

Making your dog mind its manners

All of the dogs my family has owned went to school--obedience training, actually. It may sound like an added expense, especially considering professional obedience training can cost $40 to $125 for four to six weekly classes. But it's an expense worth taking.

We've all been around those crazy dogs that jump, constantly bark, or are all together wound up without any sort of control from the owners.

I found some tips about obedience training that I'll share with you.

Dogs need structure and commands to follow. Although tasks like sit, stay and lie down seem arbitrary, they build trust between dogs and and their owners. Dogs like to be rewarded for their good behavior, but without proper training, they won't know which behaviors are appropriate and which are not.

Just like people, dogs don't like confusion. They need to know their place, which means they respect their owner(s) as the boss.

Also, for owners with kids, having an obedient dog will help them feel more confident with having the dog around kids. This extends to other dogs or pets in the family too.

Additionally, there is a sense of satisfaction when you give your dog a command and he or she actually obeys. How impressed will your friends be when you tell your dog to "shake" and he just does it!

Training can seem overwhelming, but it's important to make it fun for both you and your dog. Be sure to reward your dog with treats and praise for good behavior. Also, never, ever hit a dog. A simple scold or nudge will do when your dog needs his or her behavior corrected.

For information on local obedience classes, try your local humane society or pet store. There are also hundreds of "Do-it-yourself" books out there if you don't want to spend the money on an instructor. Or, if you're more of a TV person, check out "The Dog Whisperer." The host of the show, Cesar Millan, can do some amazing things with out of control dogs.

Just because dogs are animals, doesn't mean they can't learn to mind their manners.

Note: The photo was taken from the Associated Press wire service. The caption reads: Chenwei Hsieh and his dog "Juicy" go for a bike ride along Richmond St. in London, Ontario, Canada on Saturday, May 2, 2009. Instead going for a walk, Hsieh takes a leisurely bike ride while "Juicy" runs behind him. When she's tuckered out she hops on his back and enjoys the ride home. (AP Photo/The Canadian Prss,London Free Press-Derek Ruttan)

Athens County Dog Shelter Benefit Concert

Tomorrow night Donkey Coffee and Espresso is hosting a benefit concert for the Athens County Dog Shelter and Friends of the Dog Shelter--a network of volunteers that fosters dogs or places them in no-kill shelters.

The dog shelter has struggled with providing extra services for the dogs like flea and tick medicine and spaying and neutering. Any puppies they receive are given their first round of shots, but the shelter can't afford any additional medicines they may need if the puppies or dogs are sick.

But the proceeds from the concert would help pay for those services and to the volunteers of the Friends of the Shelter, who use their own personal money to pay for the dogs.

One of the organizers of the event is a senior Ohio University student who volunteers a few times a week to walk or play with the dogs. She also said the dog shelter needs things like towels, blankets, food, and cleaning supplies in addition to monetary donations.

Dogs at the shelter cost $65 with their licenses, which is an excellent bargain compared to dogs found at the pet store down the road. My most recent dog was a rescue from a shelter and he is an excellent dog--even if he isn't a pure breed.

The concert begins at 8 and the line-up includes:Kaslo, Run_Coward, Michael Rinaldi, Erin Schroettinger, and Death Beef.

The cover is a $4 donation. I plan to be there with and I'll hopefully use the pictures from the concert in a slide show.

If you want more information read Friday's edition of The Post, where I wrote a preview story about the concert.

This is definitely a great cause and I hope many students (and their moms) come out!

Blog Review: Vick Dog Blog

I wanted to take a moment to review another dog blog. I immediately found the Vick Dog Blog, which chronicles the life and events of the fighting dogs from Michael Vick's dog fighting circuit.

Although the subject is very serious, I was so pleased to find that someone was taking the time to explain what happened to those dogs. Obviously the Michael Vick dog fighting case created a huge media storm, but very little attention was paid to what actually happened to the dogs once they were rescued. Most of the dogs have attended some sort of obedience or behavioral school. All of them are socialized with other dogs and people, and one is even a therapy dog.

I also liked how the blog was "written" by 11 survivor dogs. It may seem a little corny, yet it adds a personal and emotional touch to a very serious topic. Although the writing is certainly conversational, it borders on too informal.

The posts also include photos, external links and even videos. One post had a series of photos with though bubbles so it looked like a comic strip. I also liked the photos of each of the "dog writers." Once again, this adds a personal touch to the entire blog.

I would suggest the writers start mixing up some of the posts by writing as humans or maybe even writing about other cases of dog abuse that was not the Michael Vick one.

Overall though I thought the blog was really interesting and it gave me some ideas for my own blog--like adding some more photos of dogs and perhaps adding a blog post about dog abuse.

Dogs Are Not Good College Roommates

I love spring on Ohio University's campus. Summer is in the air and everyone is in a better mood now that they can shake off the winter blues and cold weather. I also hate spring on this campus. It seems like everyone suddenly feels the need to get a puppy and parade it around on anywhere people might be able to "ooo" and "aww".

I understand that pull to get a dog when the nice weather starts. What's a better way to greet spring with a dog where you can run around, play catch or just lounge in the grass. .

But the novelty of owning a puppy can quickly fade, especially when you have to walk it, clean up after it, feed it, brush it, take it to the vet, and attempt to give the same love and affection it gives you.

When I see these puppies happily rolling around in flower beds, something tugs at my heart. Usually, that something is sadness and even pity. What happens to that little yorkie or dalmation when its owner moves out of his or her house at the end of the school year? Can it come along or is it shuffled to someone else's house or worse yet, given up to a shelter?

Owning a dog in college is selfish and ultimately hurts the relationship between canine and owner.

Perhaps I'm being too pessimistic and that dog will lead a happy life, but I think there are much better alternatives for college kids wanting to scratch that puppy itch.

Why not volunteer at a local animal shelter? These facilities can always use extra hands to take the dogs out to play  while their cages are cleaned. Even if you can't take that floppy-eared dog home with you, you are giving it an extra 30 minutes of love it wouldn't have gotten before.

If that isn't long term enough, what about using your place as a foster home? If you can't keep a dog long-term, providing a foster home allows for some dog to stretch its paws of out the shelter, open up space for another dog and give you a companion without worrying about what to do with the dog.

There are other animal alternatives too. What about a fish or cat? Either way, dogs are companions that need long-term, responsible care--not college roommates.

Maybe You Should Get A Dog

What a terrific video to kick off this blog! What a cute but important message to give to viewers during the super bowl. The ad encourages dog adoption, but I can certainly identify with some of those characters with my own dogs' behavior.

Before I can discuss some of the aspects of the dog-human relationship, I have to strongly encourage people to get a dog. Cats and other pets are fine too, but I am "dogcentric." The first step to enjoying the companionship, love and loyalty a dog brings, you first have to get one.

Unfortunately, millions of dogs are abandoned each year. With too many careless owners who are too busy, tired, sick, whatever--most shelters are stretched beyond capacity and are forced to euthanize a majority of dogs if they can't find a home for them in a couple of weeks.

But there is some hope. It's now easier than ever to adopt a dog with all its medical shots and spaying/neutering completed for a fraction of what pets stores and breeders would cost.

People are willing to spend thousands of dollars on little baubles and gadgets, why not on a pet that will always be happy to see you, never complains, and gives constant love and attention.

I encourage people to take a step back from acquiring the most extreme, exotic or outrageous accessories and make a home for a friend.
So maybe you should get a dog.