We Are The Cure Blog | Canine Cancer Information

With the growing number of puppy snatching cases in the US, many state like Texas, California and Delaware have decided to pass a legislation that would address the menace. Although California and Delaware have considered regulating the illegal sell of roadside animals, the Texas legislature is contemplating making pet theft a felony.

However, in case you are thinking why would someone steal a pet after all let me tell you that these doggies can fetch up to $10,000. The snatchers make money either through ransom or by simply selling them off to unquestioning, gullible customers at exorbitant rates.

Take a look at some of the ways that can prevent you from falling prey to pet snatchers:

1. You shouldn’t leave your pet outside for a long time without supervision.
2. Be careful while taking your dog out for walks. Avoid divulging too much information about him to strangers.
3. It’s not advisable to leave him alone in a car because apart from posing serious health hazards a parked car can also draw the attention of snatchers.
4. Some of us are into the habit of tying them outside stores when we go shopping. We should avoid doing this as it can give invitation to snatchers waiting for the prowl.

But despite taking all the precautions, if you still lose your pet what are the ways in which you will can recover him:

1. Equip your dog with a microchip collar and always keep your contact information updated with your microchip recovery service provider.
2. If you think your pet has been stolen call the police and immediately register a missing complaint. You may also contact the animal control officer in the area. In case your pet has a microchip fitted to his collar you should post the unique serial number along with his description in the ‘stolen article’ section of the National Crime Information Center for better results.
3. You should carry recent photographs of your doggy with you. Also have an accessible web account through which you can distribute information and photographs of your pet in case of emergency.
4. You can also ask the TV and radio stations to air information about your missing doggy.

However, all these factors notwithstanding, you should exercise adequate caution while purchasing pets.

1. Check on the breeders before purchasing the pets.
2. Never buy pets from roadside sellers, newspaper ads or the internet. Chances are that they might be stolen dogs.

A little bit of awareness on our part can not only save us the hassle but also give our pets a safe and secured life.

Have you bought a puppy recently? How often do you take him for a stroll? They say, in puppies the period between 3-12 weeks is very sensitive for socialization. In the formative years of their life certain people and incidents leave an indelible impression on their minds. This play a big role in shaping up their behavioural patterns later on.

So from now on take him along more often when you go for a jaunt in the evening. You never know there might be hidden in your otherwise timid pet a very mirthful creature. Or if you can spare some more time take him to obedience classes. Even taking him to your friend’s place where he might come across another dog belonging to the same or different breed might work wonders.

So try and acquaint him as much as possible with all sorts of things that he may encounter in the journey of his life. It could be from different types of people, animals to unfamiliar noises on the road. If his initial reaction is a bit weird don’t panic. Give him some more time. He will automatically adapt himself to the vicissitudes of life around him.

Organizations exist all across the country that train and place service dogs in homes where they are needed. These dogs go through a rigorous screening process and many, many months of training. It’s easy to find a home that needs one of these dogs. But what happens when it’s one of these dogs who is in need of a home? What happens to a dog that doesn’t make it through the screening process? That’s where people like Michael and Diane Levine come in.

Back in 1990, the Levines were living in Rhode Island and were looking for an addition to their family. They’d always loved dogs, but didn’t want to raise a puppy. That’s when they heard about Guiding Eyes for the Blind, a non-profit organization in New York that provides trained guide dogs for the visually impaired. They didn’t need a guide dog, but they were interested in adopting one of the program’s dropouts.

Dogs can be “released” from the program for many different reasons. According to the Guiding Eyes for the Blind website, the most common reason for a puppy to be released is that “the dog’s personality trait indicates a pup who seeks human support when under pressure.” Young adult dogs who have been through training may be released if they “show signs of worry in certain situations” or “appears to lack the fortitude for guide work.”

The Levines have welcomed three of these so-called “flunkies” into their home and couldn’t be happier. “I think raising a puppy is a lot of work,” says Levine. That’s why he thought this program was such a great idea. “They’re already trained,” he says, “They’re housebroken and they know basic commands.”

Taz was the first dog they adopted after being on a waiting list for about six months. Mandy was their next addition. She didn’t actually flunk out of the program, but rather, was released because of a medical condition. Although it was a minor problem, it is the policy of Guiding Eyes not to use guide dogs that have a health problem. A few years after they got Mandy, and after Taz had passed away, the Levines brought Jack into their home.

Levine says Jack flunked out of the program. “He was chasing squirrels or something like that,” he says with a grin. Levine says they would like to adopt another dog from a similar program eventually. The demand is so high for released dogs from Guiding Eyes that the anticipated wait for those who have already submitted applications is four years.

These released dogs make wonderful pets, and Mandy and Jack are proof of that. The adopted sister and brother are the best of friends, get to sleep on the bed and enjoy all the pleasures of being a dog. And Michael and Diane Levine get to enjoy all the pleasures that come with living with these two faithful companions. It is said that often the traits that make dogs unsuitable for “work” are the very traits that make them the perfect companion dogs.

Suzanne Jalot is a freelance writer and also the editor for Dog Living Magazine (www.doglivingmagazine.com). She can be contacted at editor@doglivingmagazine.com.

Did you ever think of adopting a senior dog as a form of recycling? It sure is, and it can help everyone involved!  If you bring a senior dog into your life through adoption, you help shelters by cutting down on the senior dog population that will, in many cases, be euthanized more quickly than younger dogs or puppies..  You help a senior dog get a new lease on life.  Best of all, you get a loving and grateful companion.

So why do so many people pick puppies? Puppies are cute, no matter what breed or size or color, and in most cases they get adopted quickly and easily.  Puppies are cute for a reason, so we put up with their antics and lack of brains until they become complete dogs.  Why not get the full package immediately?

Often, people are afraid to adopt an older dog because of the cost.  People assume that an older dog will automatically have health problems that will have to be dealt with by a vet and that means money out of pocket.  In reality, when you adopt a young puppy, you are putting money out for him or her as well.  There are shots, shots again, spaying and neutering, and yearly checkups.  Let’s not forget the ruined shoes, gallons of pet stain remover, and new furniture.

Another deterrent in adopting a senior dog is the dog’s history.  The fear of the unknown, it could be called.  No one wants to find out that the dog they adopted endured physical or mental abuse and now snaps at and cowers from tall men or women with glasses, or who knows what.   Granted, dogs can’t tell you what their stories are, but nothing is insurmountable.  Patience, training, and plain old-fashioned love can take care of lots of issues with dogs.  Plus, no one can assure you of your new puppy’s future either…unfortunately.

There are major benefits to adopting older dogs.

Older dogs tend to have calmer temperaments than their younger counterparts. Let’s face it, puppies are like kids….they have boundless amount of energy and go from 0 to 100 in mere seconds.  If you aren’t up to the challenge of a young dog, then an older dog is definitely for you!  While older dogs still need exercise, they love a long nap and a good chin scratch.

With an older dog, what you see is what you get. There are occasions when puppies grow up to look nothing like what anyone thought they were supposed to look like.  A puppy that looks like it’s going to stay small may grow up to be over 100 pounds! With a senior dog, you already know what you’ve got.

Many older dogs have already lived in a house environment and are housebroken. What a bonus…no housebreaking!  That also means no chewed up shoes, furniture or other important things.  Older dogs are long past the teething stage.

Senior dogs will let you get a good night’s sleep. Older dogs settle into a routine easily, and that includes bathroom visits and bedtimes.  They are accustomed to human schedules and don’t need feeding, comforting, or potty breaks at 2 a.m.  Their bladders are bigger too!

Older dogs listen better (hopefully) and mind better. Older dogs are more mellow and learn more easily.  If they’ve had any kind of human interaction, that means they have had some training, whether it be on purpose or even by accident.  Older dogs just “get it..”

So why not give a senior dog a great home for the twilight years of his life?  You will reap much more than you sow in love, gratitude and better health than you can imagine.  Your time with your senior dog may be shorter than with a puppy, but in many instances you have given an older dog a second chance at a loving, happy family and home.  Adopting a senior dog truly is the purest form of recycling!

“Old dogs, like old shoes, are comfortable – they may be a bit out of shape and worn around the edges, but they fit so well.” –Bonnie Wilcox, “Old Dogs, Old Friends”

Thanks to Roberta Beach, Silverwalk Hounds Dog Sanctuary, for her help with this article.  www.silverwalk.petfinder.com

submitted by Stacy L. Busch
www.buschpetproducts.com