Things that make you go ewwww

Check out this post from Frogdog on using rendered pets in pet food. For those that don't know rendered means boiled down until it is a paste. It is then used as an ingredient in food as protein source. For those that want to know more about this practice read the book "Food Pets Die For" by Ann Martin. While I love her book she isn't a fan of people feeding raw diets. A fact I find odd because she totally disagrees with vets who sell what she considers substandard food and considers it a conflict of interest, yet then sides with them on the raw food debate. Regardless it is a great book on how to read pet food labels and I love that she lists HOW she got all of her information.

Aside from the issue of if it is right to use pets as food for other pets, (Remember that mad cow disease began because people fed rendered cows to other cows as a cheap feed filler.) there is the issue of using pets that have been euthanized. Think about that, is it a good idea to have euthanasia solution as an ingredient in pet food an any amount??? Because if you think they are just using roadkill pets think again. Don't kid yourself. The pet food business is about money. Buying cheap ingredients saves them in the long run. Learn how to read those labels so you can find good pet food companies if you feed kibble food. Your other option is to either cook for them or feed a raw diet. Both acceptable options with some research on your part.

Kinda glad I went back to feeding raw after watching that. I'd say this might be a wake up call for people to consider what is going into their pets food.

As a side note because I lived in London during the mad cow era I am ineligible to give blood in this country. A fact that if I think about to much kinda freaks me out.

(Photo - When I did a search for a good photo to accompany this post I actually found one I considered to graphic to use here. I have to admit I will be much more careful about what words I plug into a search engine from now on.)

The word of the day was socialization

As you could see by the past photos we had a visitor for a couple of days. He was a 9 week old smooth coated chow chow. I am friends with a fabulous breeder and when she has a litter I usually get to help socialize some of the pups before they head to their new homes. (More photos of her beautiful dogs are here and here. ) I have had quite a few "puppy slumber parties" over the years. It is fun but a lot of work. This guy got to meet lots of other dogs (9 total including my 2) and many different people while he stayed with me. We also had a couple of fun outings including one to The Loyal Biscuit to meet Fenway. (photo above) People are always willing to love on a chow puppy. You have to admit that they are pretty darn cute!


If you want your dog to be social when they are older it is important to expose them to many different people, dog friendly dogs, and new situations while they are young puppies. It is a window of opportunity that closes which is why trainers recommend puppy classes whenever possible. Interestingly the studies they did to learn that puppies needed this critical socialization took place in here in Maine. (In Bar Harbor to be precise.) For anyone interested in a more in depth look at this information check out the book The New Knowledge of Dog Behavior by Clarence Pfaffenberger. Geek alert: This book may be a little dry unless you have a serious interest in dog behavior.

For the average person who wants to know more about what to do to help your puppy become that social dog check out the book After You Get Your Puppy by Dr. Ian Dunbar. It explains step by step what you need to do teach your puppy everything it needs to know to grow up to be a safe and confident dog.


There is some debate about the risk of socializing your puppy before their vaccinations are complete. Here is a quote that I think sums that up nicely:

“The primary and most important time for puppy socialization is the first three months of life… For this reason, the AVSAB believes that it should be the standard of care for puppies to receive such socialization before they are fully vaccinated… While puppies’ immune systems are still developing during these early months… appropriate care makes the risk of infection relatively small compared to the chance of death from a behavior problem.” - The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior *

*Read the full statement here* It is sad that there are dogs that get euthanized for behavior problems that could have been prevented simply by socializing them in the beginning.

Check out this page for even more great links on the subject. If you don't get your puppy socialized when they are young you may end up having to do behavior modification using counter conditioning to get your dog to be ok with everyday events or around other dogs later. Think of it as laying a strong foundation. Like going to a reputable breeder can statistically improve your odds for your dog not having a serious health issue, socializing your puppy will cut down on the odds you'll end up with a serious behavior problem down the line. That said there will always be dogs that you do everything right with that can still end up with some issues. There are no guarantees with puppies. However the more work you put in when they are young is more likely to mean less work you need to do later. And let's be honest here, working with them when they are puppies is a LOT more fun and easier than trying to undo problems when they are bigger and older down the road.

Wordless Wednesday

Walker makes a friend and my 1st razzy award

Walker did great at the boat show today. He made a new friend named Price and they played together a lot. (Price is also available for adoption at HSKC.) He went back to the prison quite exhausted. We also found out that Walker IS food possessive with another dog around. This is excellent information to find out before his adoption. We can warn potential adopters so it isn't a deal breaker for anyone. (which will hopefully prevent him bouncing back) I can also give tips for management and come up with a behavior modification protocol to change the behavior if he does go into a home with another dog.

It was a beautiful day and we collected a lot of money for the shelter. I even learned how to run the dog tag machine. I also had one of the most amazing chocolate chip cookies and a quadruple chocolate ice creme cone. Yum!!

And now for my FIRST EVER Razzy award!!

The only down part of the day was our neighbor in the booth next to us. I am so mad about it I could just spit. But that is unlady like so I shall use my only superpower and blog about it instead. I am not sure if she was the gallery owner but the booth she was in belonged to the Franciska Needham Gallery. Just after I arrived at the shelters booth to help out she loudly pronounced that we had "Excessive signage" and that it was "Poorly done". Wow, how truly tactless! First if we were in her way at all there are nicer ways to ask us to move our stuff. (which we did anyhow to be polite) And how incredibly rude for an "Art" person to tell us our signs are not nice considering a volunteer painted them and did what we think is an incredible job! (They were the same signs we had on our float for the parade.) Pardon us, a non-profit organization, for spending our money on things like food for the animals and vet care instead of professionally made signs. What were we thinking?? Then later she walked by with another person and we over heard her say that this was the art tent and she had "No idea why we were there." Ummm we were there because that's where the event organizers put us. Sorry if that downgraded your property. So for your efforts and kindness today lady the Razzy goes to you.

Yes I feel a little better now.

Thank you to Maine, Boats, Homes & Harbors for not only giving us space at the event but matching ALL donations this week. Bravo to you for being so supportive!!!

A K-9 Corrections update

The bad news is that Cooper didn't get his splint off the other day as expected. The x-ray wasn't quite what the Dr. wanted to see so he gets two more weeks to make it 8 total. It is better to be careful though so he doesn't re-break it and we end up back at square one. The good news is that he met a potential adopter and it looks like a match. He is going to finally get a great home with an owner that will dote on him as every dog should have. It is a little sad as I know he will miss his handlers. He has really bonded with one of them and I know he will do some owner searching in his new home for a while. I've explained it to the person so they know what to expect. Once he is out of his splint he will be headed to his new home. He has come a long way on the program and looks great now too. Fingers crossed for a smooth transition when the time comes. Walker is now also available for adoption. He had a slumber party last night at the shelter so he could be seen by the masses. Tomorrow he is headed to the Maine Boats, Homes and Harbors Show so he can be seen by even more people in hopes he stirs up some interest. This will be his first public appearance. I'm sure he'll make a good impression even though he is not there as a Boatyard Dog contestant. (They put the kibosh to shelter dogs entering after we were the crowd favorite the year we won. VBG) He'll just be there for the parade and meet and greets at the shelter's tent. I really want to find him a home with another doggy buddy to play with. He has a LOT of energy to burn. If not a doggy buddy he will need an active owner that wants to take him running daily. (or maybe they will have friends with dogs he can play with)

He is a very smart 10 month old neutered male hound mix who has learned a lot on the program. He is also a dog that will need an owner that will continue to practice what he has learned because he needs the direction to keep him out of trouble. For those that may be interested contact The Humane Society of Knox County for an adoption application. He is house trained and crate trained on top of knowing all the basics like sit, down, come, and stay. (And how to drink out of a water fountain.) The other thing we taught him was some APDT Rally Obedience basics. He knows how to swing left to get into the heel position for instance. I know that's not exactly something an average adopter may be interested in. Learning Rally is a great way to practice the dogs skills and teach the handlers how to train specific exercises which is why we use it on the program.

I've heard the weather is suposed to be great this weekend so if you're in the area tomorrow swing by and say hello. Walker would love to make a new friend.

Wordless Wednesday

Support your local shelters!!

We are glutons for punishment so we did another float. This time for the Maine Lobster Festival parade. Here are just a few of the photos I took before the parade.

We updated some of our signs. This is cat litter boy.

I love the back!

Check out our new volunteer mobile! Our awesome volunteer co-ordinator Joan Vargas not only thought up the idea but volunteered her own smart car for it. Yay for volunteers!!

It rocks!

A shelter that covers 22 towns needs all the help it can get! Visibility is important!

It is quite the attention getter.

Advertising that helps the shelter too!

Before the parade.

Fenway our superstar! Thanks to Heidi of The Loyal Biscuit for being a good sport and helping show off what shelter dogs can do! (She got to ride in the truck being the star and all.)

Our "pitch in to help" pool.

Yay!!

Side 1.

Side 2.

Our sign maker did an incredible job!!

We had alot of info we wanted to get out to the public.

I think we did a great job. We even have some ideas for next time! Thanks to everyone who helped out. Making signs, walking with the signs, collecting donations during the parade, handing out dog biscuits with wish lists and volunteer help cards to the crowd, driving the car/truck, walking with the banner. SO many hands together can get alot accomplished!!! When it comes to supporting your local shelter remember that every little bit helps.