Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Beagles for adoption at Osceola County Animal Services

There are 24 dogs up for adoption at Osceola County Animal Services in St. Cloud, Florida. Many of them are quite young, and two of them are beagles.

This is Shoeshine. He's a 27-pound beagle puppy. No word on how he ended up at the shelter, but he's been there for weeks.

This is Buck. He's a four to five year old beagle boy. He arrived at the shelter as a stray, and he needs a home without small children. Buck's been at the shelter for about a week.

Both beagles could use a home. So could the other 22 dogs at the shelter. Osceola County Animal Services says they are way beyond capacity and need help.

You can contact the shelter at 407-742-8000.

The hours of operation are: M: Noon - 5pm; T-F: 10am - 5pm; Sat: 9am - 2pm.

You can also check out their website at http://www.osceolacountypets.com/, or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/OsceolaCountyAnimalServices.




Monday, July 29, 2013

A good, stinky time: Fleet Peeples Park in Winter Park

If you're a dog owner in Central Florida, you've probably heard of Fleet Peeples Park. This Winter Park dog park is considered one of the best around. Most people love it, dogs love it.

But would Lulu and I love it?

Fleet Peeples is nestled along Lake Baldwin. And part of the lake is fenced in and available for the dogs to romp in the water. The park is huge! On top of the large off-leash area, there's also a big trail with a sidewalk that's great for a dog who wants to sniff around.

But not everyone likes Fleet Peeples. For one thing, there's no separate area for small dogs, like most area parks. That means yorkies are mixing with pits and aussies, and there are LOTS of them. For another, the park is not completely grassed. There's lots of dirt, which mixes with water from the lake and can make things quite muddy.

Then it appears not everyone is picking up after their dogs. I didn't see anything, but boy, could you smell it!

I don't think people are deliberately not picking up after their dog. I think it's tough to keep track of the pets because the area is so big.

Lulu had no problems making friends when we went. She ran a bit and played mostly with the small dogs. You could hear a few fights here and there, but generally the dogs all seemed to play well together.

Lulu didn't want to play in the lake, since she's not a big water fan. But it was really hot that day. She drank water from one of the drinking areas, but eventually she just laid down in the dirt.

Lulu didn't get dirty, but there is a dog wash area that's quite nice, right by the human restroom. There was a long line to use it. Everyone had towels with them.

Overall, I think it's a nice park. We will try to visit again when it's not so hot.

Fleet Peeples Park is located on Lakemont Avenue, on the shores of Lake Baldwin in Winter Park. It's not easy to get to, but if you go to the Friends of Fleet Peeples Park website, they have easy directions to get to the park.

Sunday, July 28, 2013

PRODUCT REVIEW: Thunderleash

Does your beagle pull on the leash?

When I first got Lulu, she would pull to the point she was pretty much crawling across the ground to get at what she was smelling.

She's on an Easy Walk harness now, but sometimes she'll still yank when she really wants to get at something.

That's why I decided to give Thunderleash a try.

Thunderleash was created by the same company that brought us Thundershirt. We did a week long review of the Thundershirt earlier this year.

Unfortunately, we aren't as much of a fan of the Thunderleash as we are of the Thundershirt.

The Thunderleash is designed to prevent pulling. The leash converts to its no pulling design by wrapping it around the dog's body and clipping it to a safety clip.

There are buckles that allow you to keep a small amount of slack around the leash, and another that stops the leash from going any further.

There is a lot of room for user error, so read the instructions carefully. You need to make some adjustments on the buckles to make sure there is just enough slack. Too much slack and the harness aspect is useless.

If it works right, each time the dog pulls it should provide gentle pressure around her chest so that she stops pulling.

Now I typically don't use a harness that clips at the top because Lulu will pull through that like it's nothing.

But as you can see, she was pulling hard. Even with the Thunderleash around her. Lulu was able to keep pulling me, even moving the leash around on her body.

Now, as with the Thundershirt, not everyone has the same experience. Lulu is driven by her nose, and she can be tough to deal with. A dog that would rather choke than not pull is not going to have any problem with the gentle pressure of the Thunderleash around her chest.

So it is possible it will work with your dog, even if it didn't work with mine.

And remember, if it doesn't work, you can always take advantage of the company's guarantee.

Something else to consider -- any "no-pull" harness is really no substitute for training your dog not to pull. This is one of those places where Lulu doesn't do well at home, but does elsewhere.

The Thunderleash is $30 and comes in two sizes: small for dogs 12 to 25 pounds, and large for dogs bigger than 25 pounds. 

DISCLAIMER: I received a free Thunderleash to try out from Thundershirt.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Almost Wordless Wednesday: Family weekend

Lulu is recuperating. She's had quite a weekend.

First, we went to my parents' house to help Dad take care of his dogs while Mom was out of town.

Here's Jasmine and Buster, my parents' puppies. They don't look like active dogs, but that's because this was the only good picture I could get of them! They are crazy!

And here's Cappy, Mom's dachshund. He and Lulu had lots of fun. They play all the time.

And since the dogs all wanted to beat up on poor Lulu, she was pretty tired and stressed out.

And that might have something to do with the possible seizure she had overnight.

I took her to the vet, and she seems to be ok. She's never had a seizure before. I'll be watching her pretty closely from now on. AND... we'll be talking about seizures and beagles in the coming weeks.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

DC beagles free thanks to Beagle Freedom Project

On Monday, seven beagles walked on green grass and got human love for the first time ever.

Photo courtesy of Beagle Freedom Project.
Beagle Freedom Project, the group that rescues beagles used for lab research, rescued seven dogs from a facility in the Washington, DC area on Monday.

The beagles were taken to a home and given their first taste of freedom together. Six were named for the Founding Fathers: John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, Thomas Jefferson and George Washington. The seventh, a girl, was named for Dolly Madison.

But this is not the end of their stories. They have a long road ahead of them, including time with foster families who can teach them to be regular dogs. 

Photo courtesy of Beagle Freedom Project.
Shannon Keith, founder of the Beagle Freedom Project, was on hand for the big rescue, which is only the second East Coast rescue for the group.

I spoke to her at the beginning of the year about what it takes to do a rescue. Check out that interview here.

"We have sent a letter to all 380 laboratories across the US that use dogs inviting them to participate in our beagle retirement program," Keith said. "Most companies and universities that have partnered with Beagle Freedom Project have come from a friendly advocate working inside the lab. Although they may disagree with us about the efficacy and ethics of using animals for research, they do share our principle of giving these dogs a chance at a normal life after all they have endured and suffered through for the sake of human products and corporate profits."

In other words, it takes someone who wants to see these dogs in a good home within these labs. Otherwise, these beagles will be killed at the end.

"Each year there are over 70,000 dogs (almost all of them beagles) used for testing in the US," Keith said. "A good many of these dogs are needlessly killed at the end of the research and this should not be."

Photo courtesy of Beagle Freedom Project.
Keith calls that these companies' "dirty little secret." The research done is maybe pharmaceuticals and chemicals.

 What's worse, each year taxpayers fork over millions of dollars earmarked for animal research at government facilities.

Keith said there are things you can do to help Beagle Freedom Project rescue these beagles, not just across the country but around the world.
  1. The first is money.

    "The rescue missions and veterinary costs can often be prohibitively expensive, but we will never let a laboratory beagle be killed simply because of money," Keith said. "We are always grateful for any donation."

    Oftentimes these beagles have health problems after years of experimentation. 
  2. People can sign up to be a Beagle Freedom Project volunteer. Supporters can sign up at info@beaglefreedomproject.org
  3. Buy and wear our merchandise. So many people have contacted us because they have see a stranger wearing a t-shirt and then looked up their website!
  4. Never every buy anything tested on animals. Be a cruelty-free shopper and encourage all your friends and family members to do the same.
To buy cruelty-free items, check out Life With Beagle's Cruelty-Free Guide.
We have sent a letter to all 380 laboratories across the US that use dogs inviting them to participate in our beagle retirement program. Each year there are over 70,000 dogs (almost all of them beagles) used for testing in the US. A good many of these dogs are needlessly killed at the end of the research and this should not be. Most companies and universities that have partnered with Beagle Freedom Project have come from a friendly advocate working inside the lab. Although they may disagree with us about the efficacy and ethics of using animals for research, they do share our principle of giving these dogs a chance at a normal life after all they have endured and suffered through for the sake of human products and corporate profits. - See more at: http://www.lifewithbeagle.com/2013/02/beagle-freedom-project-shannon-keith.html#sthash.vC3W9E2Z.dpuf
We have sent a letter to all 380 laboratories across the US that use dogs inviting them to participate in our beagle retirement program. Each year there are over 70,000 dogs (almost all of them beagles) used for testing in the US. A good many of these dogs are needlessly killed at the end of the research and this should not be. Most companies and universities that have partnered with Beagle Freedom Project have come from a friendly advocate working inside the lab. Although they may disagree with us about the efficacy and ethics of using animals for research, they do share our principle of giving these dogs a chance at a normal life after all they have endured and suffered through for the sake of human products and corporate profits. - See more at: http://www.lifewithbeagle.com/2013/02/beagle-freedom-project-shannon-keith.html#sthash.vC3W9E2Z.dpuf
We have sent a letter to all 380 laboratories across the US that use dogs inviting them to participate in our beagle retirement program. Each year there are over 70,000 dogs (almost all of them beagles) used for testing in the US. A good many of these dogs are needlessly killed at the end of the research and this should not be. Most companies and universities that have partnered with Beagle Freedom Project have come from a friendly advocate working inside the lab. Although they may disagree with us about the efficacy and ethics of using animals for research, they do share our principle of giving these dogs a chance at a normal life after all they have endured and suffered through for the sake of human products and corporate profits. - See more at: http://www.lifewithbeagle.com/2013/02/beagle-freedom-project-shannon-keith.html#sthash.vC3W9E2Z.dpuf
We have sent a letter to all 380 laboratories across the US that use dogs inviting them to participate in our beagle retirement program. Each year there are over 70,000 dogs (almost all of them beagles) used for testing in the US. A good many of these dogs are needlessly killed at the end of the research and this should not be. Most companies and universities that have partnered with Beagle Freedom Project have come from a friendly advocate working inside the lab. Although they may disagree with us about the efficacy and ethics of using animals for research, they do share our principle of giving these dogs a chance at a normal life after all they have endured and suffered through for the sake of human products and corporate profits. - See more at: http://www.lifewithbeagle.com/2013/02/beagle-freedom-project-shannon-keith.html#sthash.vC3W9E2Z.dpu
We have sent a letter to all 380 laboratories across the US that use dogs inviting them to participate in our beagle retirement program. Each year there are over 70,000 dogs (almost all of them beagles) used for testing in the US. A good many of these dogs are needlessly killed at the end of the research and this should not be. Most companies and universities that have partnered with Beagle Freedom Project have come from a friendly advocate working inside the lab. Although they may disagree with us about the efficacy and ethics of using animals for research, they do share our principle of giving these dogs a chance at a normal life after all they have endured and suffered through for the sake of human products and corporate profits. - See more at: http://www.lifewithbeagle.com/2013/02/beagle-freedom-project-shannon-keith.html#sthash.vC3W9E2Z.dpu

Monday, July 15, 2013

10 things to do when taking your dog to the vet

Lulu is going to the vet next week (don't tell her, k?).


Nothing's wrong. She's going for her annual check-up. Aside from being a good thing to do to make sure your dog has a clean bill of health, it's also a great time to ask questions and make sure you are doing all you can to ensure your dog is getting what they need.

But you should never go to the vet unprepared. So here are 10 things to do when taking your pet to the vet:

1. Observe your pet for things to talk to the vet about. Sometimes your dog does something that you think, odd -- but then they don't do it again, and you brush it off.

For instance, Lulu has a habit of sometimes shaking her head. This could indicate an ear issue. so it will be something I will talk about with the vet.

Look at other things though -- how are they eating and drinking? How are their bathroom times? How's their energy? If you have to, take notes so you can be as specific as possible. AND ASK QUESTIONS.

2. Make sure you have a good idea of what your pet eats each day. When it comes to things like your pet's weight, or their teeth, a vet will want that info if they sense something's off. That way they can help you adjust if necessarily. That means not just the types of food, but the brands and also measurements if you can.

3. Have any health care paperwork you've gathered over the year with you. Did you go somewhere else to get a vaccine? What flea or medical treatments is your pet getting? It's good to have that with you, because they may need it.

4. Call ahead and see if you need to bring anything with you. Some vets like to have stool samples. If that's the case, it's good to have it ahead of time. Also, it's good to see if your vet is on time, or if they're a little behind, because you don't want to have to be there too long with a nervous pet.

Courtesy of Matthew Wright via Flickr Commons
5. While on that subject, bring what you can to keep your pet comfortable. You know your pet better than anyone. If your pet is uncomfortable at the vet, they won't like to wait to see them either. A stress shirt, a favorite toy, or a blanket might be the thing to make them feel better. Also, be sure to have a leash, a harness, a crate, a muzzle. Your stressful dog will be in a room with other stressful dogs, and there could be problems.

6. When you are in the room with the vet, watch how they work on your dog. A vet usually does a nose to tail exam. You can use those same methods to check your dog on a regular basis. This will help you if there's a problem. Watch how they check for lumps or abnormalities or skin conditions. (This shouldn't replace an actual vet visit)

Courtesy of Brian via Flickr Commons
7. Did I mention ask questions? ASK QUESTIONS! Why does my pet do this, why do they do that? You never know when it could lead to something. The animal can't talk, so the vet has to rely on you.

8. While we're at it, if you have behavioral questions, ask about those too. You vet could have answers on things like separation anxiety or going to the bathroom in the house. Some issues could stem from something health-related. Unless you ask, you never know.

9. Have a serious discussion about vaccines. Vaccines are very important, especially if you have a social dog, or one that is out a lot. So don't say no to them out right. For one thing, many local governments require dogs get a rabies vaccination, so you may not have a choice. For another, the core vaccines, canine parvovirus, distemper, canine hepatitis and rabies, can protect your pet from serious illness. But you don't necessarily need them all every year. Work with your vet to figure out what you need, and keep a schedule.

Also -- be aware that pets can have reactions to vaccines. Lulu had a reaction to her last rabies shot. If your pet has a reaction to a rabies shot, it could range from a little lethargy to much more serious, debilitating problems.  Here is what the ASPCA says:
"Immunizations mildly stimulate an animal’s immune system in order to create protection from specific infectious diseases. This stimulation can create mild symptoms, ranging from soreness at the injection site to fever and allergic reactions. Another less common side effect is the development of immune mediated disease following vaccination. 
"Most dogs show no ill effect from vaccination. Vaccine reactions may be minor and short-lived or require immediate care from a veterinarian. Clinical signs include: 
  • Fever    
  • Sluggishness
  • Loss of appetite
  • Facial swelling and/or hives
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Pain, swelling, redness, scabbing or hair loss around the injection site
  • Lameness
  • Collapse
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Seizures
"It is best to schedule your dog’s appointment so that you can monitor him for any side effects following administration of the vaccine."
10. If you need to get medicine, see if you can get it from a regular pharmacy.  Lots of pharmacies sell some pet medications at cheaper prices, like Target. It can help you reduce costs.

And don't forget to thank them.

Finally, I found this great article on Reader's Digest  50 Things Vets Won't Tell You

Saturday, July 13, 2013

REVIEW: Seresto collar flea treatment for dogs

I remember flea collars -- the white, kinda powdery strips of of rubbery material that we kept trying to put on the cats. They didn't do anything for the fleas and kinda smelled funny.

This ain't your mama's flea collar.

Seresto is the gray collar above the purple collar.

This is Seresto, from Bayer, the makers of Advantage, Advantix and Frontline. Seresto came out earlier this year, after being on the market a year in Europe. Lulu has had it on about a month.

Seresto uses the same basic ingredient as the topicals, but the way this works, you don't have to apply it once a month, or as needed (who hasn't had to apply Frontline or Advantix more than once a month?). The collar slowly releases the active ingredient, Imidacloprid, to kill and fight off flea infestations.

Seresto also uses Flumethrin, a European treatment to repel and kill ticks.

If done right, Bayer Seresto Flea and Tick Collar can last up to eight months.



The collar comes wrapped in plastic inside a tin. You shouldn't open it until you decide to put it on your dog.

Now the Bayer website says it kills fleas within 24 hours, but I found (and most people find, from the reviews I've read), that you really don't see a difference until about a week after. Also, you should probably wait a couple days after bathing a dog before putting the collar on for the first time.

I found after that first week it worked very well. Lulu has not had any problems with the collar. She also hasn't had any irritation from it, something that I understand can be a problem with collars. She doesn't scratch at it, and there's no redness or loss of hair.


Something else I've noticed -- Galadriel has stopped scratching. She is an indoor cat, but she has seemed to be a carrier of fleas in the past, so Lulu will still be dealing with fleas even when treated. And Galadriel is a pain in the butt to give treatment to.

Seresto, according to Bayer, not only kills fleas before eggs can be laid, but it helps curbs flea larvae in the dog's surroundings. Lulu's surroundings are every where in the house, and Galadriel shares them. I haven't seen a flea on the cat.


Pros:
  • Seems to effectively kill and keep fleas off the dog.
  • Doesn't require applying the treatment once a month -- Lulu hates when I tried to put the topicals on her, but I was not fond of giving her Comfortis, even though it worked well.
  • Also provides protection against several kinds of ticks. Bayer also says it helps ward off tapeworm infections, chewing lice, and helps treat sarcoptic mange.
  • Is easy to put on and doesn't bother the dog.
  • You don't have to take it off to wash the dog.
  • Works for up to eight months.
  • Not greasy, or powdery.
Cons:
  • Seresto is a chemical treatment for fleas. I know many are not a fan of this. I live in Florida. I know it can be possible to naturally deal with fleas down here, but I have never been successful. I live in an apartment complex, so that makes it harder. I promise to look into more natural remedies at some point.
  • Seresto lasts up to eight months. But in order to ensure that, you can't bathe the dog more than once a month. When that happens, it reduces the duration of the treatment to five months. With a beagle during the rainy season, that can be a problem. Not because of the rain, but because she likes to run in mud afterwards.
  • Because of that issue alone, Seresto may not be economical for you. When comparing it to K9 Advantix II, it's more expensive than a six-month supply. 
  • Some vets suggest not putting flea and tick treatment on all the time. If you subscribe to this, you may not want something that get this.
As always, if you have real questions, you should talk to your vet first.

Seresto is now available in stores everywhere, and you can check with your vet too. It comes in small dog (up to 18 lbs.), large dog (over 18 lbs.) and one for cats.

You can also buy Seresto on Amazon.com.




DISCLAIMER: I received a Seresto flea collar for free from Bayer at Global Pet Expo in Orlando in February.

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

REVIEW and Coupon: Scrufftag QR collars from dogIDs.com

QR code tags are all the rage right now for pets. Each tag comes with a QR square, which can be scanned with a red laser app on any smartphone. It's linked to a directory, like PetHub, which stores contact information.

The QR codes range from simple to crazy -- there are even Disney and Star Wars QR code tags.

But I already have a tag for Lulu with my phone number on it.

So it seemed silly to me to get another tag. She is also microchipped, so how much more does protection does she need?

Well, 10 million dogs are lost every year, according to microchip company HomeAgain.com .

And beagles have bad habits of following their noses until they are far from home. Lulu has run off on me a couple times, and from a friend once.

Still, the idea of another tag seemed silly because if one tag gets ripped off, why not another?

But I love the idea of a QR tag COLLAR.

I got mine from dogIDs.com, a dog gear website that specializes in personalized products.

The heavy-duty collar is woven very well. Lulu has had it for a few weeks, and it still looks like it did when I first pulled it out of the box. Lulu is usually very good at beating up her collars and harnesses. So I'm happy to see no fraying with this.

The nameplate is white and very clear, so it's very easy for any QR laser to read the QR code. It also lays well across Lulu's neck, so it is easy to scan. The plastic also has not worn, or scuffed. And the collar around the nameplate is dirty, so that's pretty impressive to me.

And when you do, this pops up:


It pulls up my contact info, and any important info about Lulu.

And, I got an email as soon as this profile is viewed, letting me know people have looked at Lulu's profile.

And by the way, all this is free from PetHub.com.

How effective is the tag? PetHub.com has cataloged success stories of found dogs thanks to PetHub on their website.

Pros:
  • Gives your pet another form of identification. (Should never replace a microchip though)
  • The collar is sturdy, as is the buckle and nameplate
  • Comes in lots of colors and styles
Cons:
  • Collars come off just as easily as a tag can. 
  • Not everyone knows how to work a QR laser.
  • They are a little pricey -- $29.00.
 If you are interested in buying a collar, I have a coupon code for you from dogIDs.com

Code:  beaglelife15
Deal:  15% Off Any Style QR Code Dog Collar, including the new reflective collar.

Expires:  September 1, 2013

DISCLAIMER:  I received my collar for free from dogIDs.com to review.

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

5 ways shelters can get people to adopt pets

Summer is a tough time for animal shelters. Lots of people are busy doing other, summer-type things.

As a consequence, shelters are full, and animals are in danger of cats and dogs being euthanized.

So here are five great ideas shelters can utilize to get more people in the doors, and maybe get more pets out of those doors and into loving homes.

1) Fun themed events.

Seminole County, FL has gotten an influx of kittens. So this event completely makes sense.


On Saturday from 10 a.m.  to 4 p.m.: 
 If you are looking to add a new family member stop by the Altamonte Petco and check out ALL the babies we'll have that need forever homes. Then travel on over to Ethos Vegan Kitchen and grab some lunch or dinner and support TEARS. Hope to see you there!
2)  Take really cute pictures of the dogs and cats in the shelter.


This is Shoeshine, a 10-month-old beagle at Osceola County Animal Services. He needs a home. You can tell he's not happy -- his tail is down. But he looks like he could be a great dog, right?

In Central Florida, we have a great volunteer group called Pawsitive Shelter Photography. They take great photos of pets as a way to show people their personalities. The group works with three shelters in my area -- Orange County, Osceola County and Seminole County.

Do you have great photography skills? Shelters need help getting better pictures so that the dogs and cats look their best. Consider offering to help them. 

3) Discounts. There is always a concern about the type of people who come in on a sale to get a pet. However, a sale can also be a great way to promote the shelter, and get people interested. 

Here's what Orange County Animal Services did for Fourth of July:


4) Show the possibilities a dog or cat can have as a pet. 


My friend Sheley Revis in North Carolina does these pictures to show how a shelter pet can be amazing.

McGrady was at a kill shelter in Ashe County, NC. On top of being in a rural shelter, he's deaf. But the volunteers kept him, and eventually he found Sheley. She trained McGrady using hand signs, and now he's an amazing dog with a foundation that raises money for rural shelters in North Carolina.

Sheley's goal is to show that shelter dogs have great possibility.

You can follow McGrady on Facebook.

5) Join up with local businesses for great events. SPCA of Central Florida partners up with local businesses to do some neat things. For instance,  California Pizza Kitchen and SPCA are having an event on July 20.

Know of any other ways shelters can promote their adoptable pets? Please share. I will share them here!

Sunday, July 7, 2013

You know your dog is a beagle if... The beagle nose!

From the front of their black nose to the white tip of their tail, beagles are nothing if not eclectic dogs. They're silly, playful, brilliant, conniving, loud and loveable.

Whether you are a new beagle parent, or a seasoned beagle pro, there are some fun things about beagles that you may (or may not) realize.

So with apologies to Jeff Foxworthy, I'm starting a new series:

This week, we are talking the nose!

You know your dog is a beagle if...

1) Their head is made for smellin'.  The big black nose. The floppy ears. That mouth. Put it together and you have the beagle super power. (My problem is Lulu often uses her super power for evil, not good)

Plus, beagles have some 225 million olfactory cells. Few dog breeds have that many scent receptors, even though they have tens of millions more than us people. There's a great article in Psychology Today on it.  And they can store a smell like we store movies on a DVR.

Combine those cells with the additional attributes, and you have a lean, mean sniffing machine.

2) The nose almost never stops.
  
When do you see the nose stop? When they're eating or sleeping. And sometimes not even then. They are constantly sensing something in the air.

Or on the ground!

3) The Force is with them. Tell me you've never had something similar happen. I step out of the door to walk Lulu, and I have to go right back in because she immediately starts howling. But you see NOTHING OUTSIDE.

So if Lulu smells something and starts howling, it's because she immediately senses the presence of something she has sniffed before, and it's something she wants to draw attention to.

With Lulu, normally it's a dog. And I won't be able to see the dog, and Lulu probably didn't see the dog either, but she knows it passed this way. She can also tell be sniffing the ground.

4) Tracking a scent is more important than peeing (even though she REALLY had to do it a moment ago). Ever seen "Up!"? You know the scene where Dug is talking to the humans, and then all of a sudden he goes "Squirrel!"? Beagles are great at getting distracted, and that distraction is often about a scent they feel they need to track.

But they are also stubborn, and the two can be a bad combination. A beagle on the scent trail will sometimes tune out everything else -- including their handler. A beagle left outside to their own device will follow a scent to its logical conclusion -- which can be miles from its starting point.But another, more enticing scent can also distract a beagle.

This is why you don't see as many search and rescue beagles. But they DO exist. Animal Planet has an awesome video of a search and rescue beagle squad in San Diego for their Small Dogs, Big Jobs series.

The handler in the Animal Planet video, Pam Medhurst, has her own YouTube channel with some cool training videos as well, like this one with her dog Snickers.




5) When they track what they are after, watch out! Ever heard of Beagle Brigades? They can be found at airports in several countries around the world. The beagles are on the hunt for food, plants and other things that should not be coming through Customs. By doing so, they are protecting America's crops and livestock.

This is Thunder. In 2011, his handler wrote this post on the USDA blog about being a member of the Beagle Brigade. There's a whole training center for the dogs, which come from rescue groups and shelters all over the country. And when they're retired, they are found forever homes.

So the best thing to do with your sniffer is channel their energies with a little training. You can't shut off the nose, so you just need to work with it. Carry around treats that are more enticing than whatever the dog can sniff.  Not all beagles will respond, but many will.

You can also incorporate it into play. Take a tracking course, which involves ground scenting. And it's an AKC-sanctioned event, so you can compete with dogs all over the country. You can also try field trials or beagling, but those are really meant for real hunters.

Do you have any suggestions for dealing with a beagle's nose? Let us know in the comments section! Also -- got any beagle quirks you want us to talk about? Tell us!

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Almost Wordless Wednesday: Donating to SPCA

On Saturday Lulu, my friends, my Dad and I collected donations for SPCA's Meals on Wheels program.

We didn't have a great turnout this time compared to my event last October for Harbor House. But we got quite a bit of stuff!

So today Lulu and I dropped the donations we did get off to SPCA of Central Florida in Orlando. We had some very generous people come by and donate a bunch of food and treats.

SPCA has a program called Pet Food Xpress, which provides pet food for Meals on Wheels programs in Seminole, Orange and Osceola counties.

To help out, go to the SPCA of Central Florida's website.



Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Planning a cookout? Summer food guide for dogs

Fourth of July is a big food holiday (as are most American holidays).

And sure, we try to keep our dogs away from human food on a daily basis. But we all know it's tough to keep a dog from great smelling food when there are a lot of people around, and outdoor cookouts make it even harder.

So here are some summer foods that you don't have to worry about falling on the floor -- or a child sneaking to them -- or annoying relatives/neighbors/party guests feeding to the dog because they think it's "cute."
  1. Watermelon -- As you can see from the picture, Lulu loves watermelon! And it's great on a hot day, it's very juicy and it's cool-tasting. The only thing you really need to worry about are the seeds. They can be hard to digest, plus some fruit seeds contain cyanide. So watch out for that.
  2. Meat -- Hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken, ribs. Protein is always great for dogs. Here are some things to consider though:
    A. There are a number of studies out there that suggest charbroiled food has cancer-causing agents. One way to get around that is to pre-cook the meat, or marinading it. Just be careful. Some marinades contain things that dogs shouldn't eat: garlic, onion (or onion powder), chives and salt. Also, artificial sweeteners like xylitol found in sugar-free foods.
    B. Many cookout meats are very fattening. Dogs can get pancreatitis from eating a fattening meal and table scraps. So do it sparingly.

    C. Bones. You should stay away from giving dogs most bones, as they can splinter. Some beef bones are ok. Especially thick beef rib bones.
  3. Mayo salads -- Macaroni salads, potato salads, egg salads, cole slaw, etc. Dogs can have mayo but sparingly. It goes back to the whole pancreatitis thing. Plus, mayo and heat don't always mix.
  4. Ice cream or frozen yogurt -- It's a timeless treat in the summer. Lots of people give their dogs ice cream or frozen yogurt. But don't forget that dogs and cats are lactose-intolerant, so these treats can lead to stomach problems and diarrhea. If you can choose, frozen yogurt is always better. And while we are at it: no chocolate ice cream allowed, or sugar free.
  5. Corn on the cob -- It can be an occasional treat, so no concern if the dog eats it. Just don't let them eat the cob itself.
  6. Vegetables -- Put it this way -- avocados, mushrooms, onions. Dogs can't eat those. Everything else is pretty much fair game.
  7. Fruit -- Same thing -- Grapes (and by extension raisins) and peaches are the only fruit dogs can't eat. Still, be careful. Some fruits shouldn't be eaten in abundance.
Have questions about other foods? Here are a couple great websites with huge databases:
And, here's some other great tips for cookouts from Petfinder.com. Enlarge it to get a better look: