5 Ways to Have a Happier New Year 2009!

Do you want to train your Dog to have a happier New Year 2009?

Watch the video for more............



Cheers!
Dorothy
www.DogMillion.com

Beverly Hills Chihuahua -The Movies

The latest dog movies is in Town. Go and watch at your nearest cinema

Beverly Hills Chihuahua -The Movies

Check out the preview at this video



Happy New Year 2009!

Dorothy
www.DogMillion.com

World's first cloned pet dog turns 1

With one ear flopped forward and her tongue dangling in anticipation of another item to fetch, Mira seemed like any other playful pup scampering around Eastwood Park in Tamalpais Valley.

But proud owner Lou Hawthorne of Mill Valley said Mira - the world's first cloned pet dog - signals a new horizon in genetics. The border collie/husky just turned 1 year old.

"I'm delighted we're here at this milestone," said Hawthorne, who spent a decade trying to clone his family's dog that died in 2002. "During the process of creating her, it was a goal. But once I had Mira in my arms she was an entity with feelings. She's real."

Hawthorne, 48, said Mira's home life provided "the first time we can say anything halfway intelligent about behavioral similarities" among clones. His dog was born in the same Korean biotech lab that created the first cloned dog in 2005.

In addition to a striking physical resemblance to Missy, a three-quarters border collie and one-quarter husky that died at age 15,

her clone shows the same athleticism, intelligence and mischievousness, but some differences as well.

Like Missy, Mira likes to play a game in which someone holds an item just out of reach; unlike Missy, Mira doesn't mind loud noises and bright lights.

Hawthorne, chief executive of Mill Valley-based BioArts International, which licensed patents issued in the 1990s after researchers in Scotland cloned a sheep, created three other Missy clones months after Mira. Missy Too lives with other family members; Mani lives with a scientist in Phoenix; and Kahless lives with a linguist in Boulder, Colo., where she is being taught commands in the Klingon language from "Star Trek." (In the "Star Trek" franchise, Kahless was a legendary Klingon leader who was cloned in an episode of "The Next Generation" series.)

"We have four near-Missys," he quipped.

Their genetic makeup was confirmed to be Missy's exact copy by the University of California at Davis veterinary genetics lab.

Elizabeth Wictum, associate director of the school's veterinary forensics lab, said though the puppies were deemed genetically identical, "in terms of how identical the dogs would be, we don't entirely know how much genetics play in terms of personality."

"Their environment plays a role in developing the animal's personality," she said.

BioArts, which raised more than $700,000 in an online dog-cloning auction earlier this year, is Hawthorne's second commercial cloning venture. His Genetic Savings and Clone of Sausalito, which offered to clone customers' pet cats, closed in 2006.

In the past month, the firm cloned three dogs. Hawthorne declined to identify the customers, but he said they included clients from the company's auction - and possibly Trakr, the German shepherd search-and-rescue dog that found the last human survivor of 9/11 among the World Trade Center rubble. Trakr's owner has accepted BioArts' offer to clone the dog.

Hawthorne would only say of the auction clients that they were all couples or families wishing to clone their pets; four of them live in the United States, and cloning fees ranged from $130,000 to $170,000.

"Pet cloning is fun, but I think it's not going to be a huge business because the work is very complex," he said. "Most of the world is going to get dogs out of shelters, and that's a good thing."

by Jim Staats

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Dororthy
www.DogMillion.com

Emaciated dog with inherited skin condition found wandering in Klang,Malaysia.

INDEPENDENT animal rescuers are crying foul and want the relevant authorities to monitor dog breeders in the country after an emaciated, weak and disoriented Doberman was found wandering in Teluk Pulai, Klang, recently.

The dog, which is literally a walking skeleton, is also hairless due to a genetically inherited skin disorder.

The dog, which was wearing a good quality choke chain around its neck, is believed to have been abandoned by its owners who might not have known how to manage its skin condition.

Pitiful sight: The Doberman is believed to have been abandoned by its owners.

Independent rescuer Leigh Chen said the Doberman’s inherited condition might be due to too much in-breeding.

“Many pedigree puppies come from backyard breeders and unlicensed puppy mills.

“These unscrupulous breeders have no qualms about mating siblings with each other or even offspring with their parents,” alleged Chen.

Chen said the Veterinary Services Department (DVS), as the custodian of animal welfare, must be given the power and legal right to crack down on errant breeders.

“In addition to this, it must also be made compulsory for pet shop owners to microchip the pets they sell, for identification,” she added.

Fellow rescuer Sherrina Krishnan concurred and advised the public to be cautious when buying pets.

“My only advice to people who buy pedigrees is, please don’t just buy one for the sake of buying one. Check the breeding conditions, check the breeders – ask for papers,” she said.

Meanwhile, a passer-by rescued the Doberman and handed it over to non-governmental organisation Community Development and Integration Initiative (CDII), which recently launched its canine welfare project dubbed “Malaysian Dogs Deserve Better”.

The dog has since been sent to a veterinary clinic where it was diagnosed to be suffering from severe heartworm infestation, low platelet count and malnutrition.

The attending veterinarian also said the dog was only about two years old.

According to CDII director Clarence C.R. Chua, his organisation’s canine welfare project emphasised a no-kill policy and therefore the dog would be treated and taken care of until its last day.

“It’s only two years old and therefore deserves a second chance to continue living,” said Chua.

He said CDII’s canine welfare project was a long-term plan aimed at opening a sanctuary and hospice for dogs in Selangor.

“We have a long way to go and need to raise funds to realise our plan.

“We also hope that the Selangor government will give us a helping hand by allocating us a piece of land for our sanctuary and hospice,” he added.

Those interested in sponsoring the abandoned Doberman’s treatment or adopting it can write to malaysiandogsdeservebetter@gmail.com.

By:WANI MUTHIAH

Cheers!
Dorothy
www.DogMillion.com

Obama Dog

Have you seen Obama Dog Sings Obama Dog Song???

Enjoy the Video!!

Cheers!
Dorothy
www.DogMillion.com

Worls's Smartest Dogs

Man’s best friend comes in various sizes, shapes and shades, and some are smarter than others. Find out where your dog places.

Like how all parents behave when it comes to their children, dog owners are convinced that theirs must the most intelligent, best-looking and adorable in the world.

Your dog does not need to be a champion or the offspring of one. Nor does it need any papers or documentation. And it certainly does not need to possess a pedigree stretching back 2,000 years to make it the apple of your eye.

But is your pet pooch really as smart as you think?

Here is a list of the smartest and dumbest dogs in the world drawn up from a survey of lists on the Internet. The brightest breeds are rated based on two criteria: “obeying first command”, which has to be performed immediately at least 95% of the time, and “understanding new commands”, which has to be done successfully in less than five repetitions.

While some mixed-mongrels can be remarkably clever, this list only looks at certified breeds.

World’s smartest dogs

1. Border Collie: If a dog can actually look intelligent, this is it! Its keen, sharp, alert expression says it all. The Border Collie came from the borders between England and Scotland, where shepherds bred this dog over centuries.

Its unique features are its incredible ability to work out of sight of its master, to reason on its own, and its unique style of gathering the sheep with sweeping wide runs and weird ability to control them with an intense gaze called the “eye” while using stalking movements.

Its agility, strength, good looks, nice temperament and brain power make it the world’s top dog.

2. Poodle: The uninformed may shriek and protest because poodles have been portrayed as the dumb blondes of the doggie world. But did you know that poodles were originally hunting dogs bred by the pragmatic German, and not the fashion-conscious French?

Smart, alert and receptive to obedience training, poodles are often seen in circus doing tricks. The infamous “Poodle Clip” hairdo was designed by hunters, not make-up stylists, to enable poodles to move through water more quickly as they were bred as water retrievers! The patches of fur were meant to protect the vital organs susceptible to cold.

3. German Shepherd: German Shepherds are the world’s most dependable working dog and ideally suited for war zones, difficult working conditions, and areas of natural disaster.

Loving and intelligent, it makes a great family companion, herder and show competitor as its majestic stance and military-like posture make for a showy appearance.

This dog is fond of children and is a great protector. It is the kind of dog that willingly sacrifices its life to save its master and his family.

4. Golden Retriever: It is one of the world’s most popular breeds because of its good looks, friendly temperament, high degree of tolerance and an eager-to-please attitude.

It is a great hunting dog, an excellent guide, and a world-class search-and-rescue dog. It has a distinctly attractive personality and is said to have a “kind expression”.

5. Doberman Pinscher: Their reputation as attack dogs that go straight for the jugular is true only if they have been trained do this. The Doberman is muscular, powerful, fast and obedient.

It looks like a warrior with sharp, pointed ears and erect carriage. Energetic, watchful, and fearless, it is very loyal to its master. This dog’s 42 teeth allow it the famous scissor bite with upright lower incisors touching the inside of the upper incisors.

6. Shetland Sheepdog: It looks like a miniature Alsatian or German Shepherd but it is only 13 to 16 inches at the shoulder. Related to the Border Collie, this breed shrank in size when it was first transported to the Shetland Islands and cross-bred with small, smart, long-haired breeds. It is intensely faithful, loving and responsive but only to its owner.

7. Labrador Retriever: Family-friendly, intelligent and gentle, the Labrador loves children and will allow its ears and tail to be pulled and to be bullied. Its natural inclination to please and assist humans makes it an ideal guide for the blind. It is invaluable in search-and-rescue teams and narcotics detection squads.

Originally used by Newfoundland fisherman to drag in nets and nab escaping fish, the original dog was crossed with setters, spaniels and other retrievers before finally becoming the beloved Labrador Retriever. It is an efficient retriever of birds and animals shot by its master.

8. Papillon: It looks like an automated, battery-operated toy but this living, breathing creature is happy, alert, friendly, quick and graceful. The word papillon means “butterfly” in French, and the association was due to the dog’s beautiful ears which resemble the lovely wings of a butterfly.

As befits its name and size (8 to 11 inches), this dog is elegant, fine-structured, light and dainty. Like the poodle, it appears to tip-toe on its legs.

9. Rottweiler: Its dark, menacing looks makes it a favourite of horror movies where its arrival herald some malfeasance, usually towards your body parts. The Rottweiler’s solid, hulky mass of muscles makes it a powerful guard and attack dog.

Despite its appearance, it is surprisingly agile and fleet-footed. Its inbuilt desire to protect family, home and hearth makes it a godsend as companion, guardian and all-purpose dog.

10. Australian Cattle Dog: This strong, compact cattle dog relishes rough, harsh environments, and Australia has plenty of these.

Its potent combination of muscle, strength and penchant for hard work corraling cattle in open and confined areas is unrivalled. So is its intelligence, courage and devotion to duty. Its protective instincts make it the self-appointed guardian to the stockman, his herd and property.

By: Kee Hua Chee

Cheers!
Dorothy
www.DogMillion.com

Malaysian Siberian Husky Club Birthday Party

A PACK of Siberian Huskies at a park under the hot sun is a sight that you don’t see every day.

And at a special occasion, the Malaysian Siberian Husky Club celebrated the birthdays of four of their members’ dogs at the 1 Utama Central Park in Bandar Utama recently.

Joining the furry kids were 10 other Siberian Huskies and their owners who brought food and drinks to liven up the atmosphere.

Circle of dog lovers: Members of the Malaysian Siberian Husky Club and their pooches socialising at the get-together.

The event was initiated by club president Deby Chor to celebrate the birthdays of her dogs Fawkes and Chaos as well as two other members’ Huskies called Sir Naughty and Dame Queenie.

Chor said she saw the opportunity to hold the get-together at the1 Utama Central Park as the place was dog-friendly and had hosted many large dog gatherings before.

“I am glad that so many Siberian Husky owners turned up at such short notice. Since we only meet once every quarter of the year, this is a wonderful oppurtunity,” she said.

The club, she said, was set up in 2006 to educate first-time owners on the Northern breed.

So far, 226 members have signed up, including those from afar like Britain, the Philippines and Thailand.

Birthday girls: Two-year-old Siberian Huskies Princess Chaos and Dame Queenie at the birthday party

Chor said the Siberian Husky club was also active in advocating responsible dog ownership.

“We encourage the public to do plenty of research before they get a Siberian Husky as a pet. First-time dog owners will find that it’s not easy to care for this breed because they need plenty of attention and must be exercised daily.”

She said apart from a standard breed guideline on the club’s Internet domain, its members had also contributed their knowledge on the Siberian Husky.

For more information on the club visit www.mypethuskyclub.com.

Cheers!
Dorothy Loong
www.dogmillion.com

HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR DOG'S IQ

How smart is your dog? A lot depends on you. How well a dog learns to do what’s expected of it — one common way of defining “intelligence” — is actually as much a function of time, patience, practice and environment as it is of canine IQ, said Debra Horwitz, a veterinarian and board-certified animal behaviorist from Creve Coeur.

Horwitz firmly believes every dog has the ability to become more intelligent with proper training and positive reinforcement.

Dogs are like humans, Horwitz said. Some will never gain their highest potential of intelligence, just like humans. “You don’t” need “a purebred to have a smart dog,” she said. Plenty of mutts have plenty of smarts.

Of course, some dogs have been bred over centuries for their talents in specific areas. For example, the border collie is the ideal breed for herding livestock. But because of its excitability and need for a job to do, the border collie wouldn’t be considered “intelligent” in a home environment that didn’t offer plenty of running-around time.

Instead of thinking of your dog as “smart” or “dumb,” try to understand what your dog likes to do and why it might not understand the lessons you’re trying to teach. Try teaching tricks during quiet, calm times. If your dog can’t do the task when it’s relaxed and calm, it surely can’t do it when it’s stressed out and distracted.

Altering your training technique might yield amazing benefits. For dogs that like to jump up and down, for example, try teaching them to “dance.” This channels their energy in a more appropriate way.

Keep in mind that some tasks, although not exclusive to one breed, are more prevalent in certain breeds. Any dog can be taught to follow a scent, but it’s easier to teach that skill to a scent hound or a hunting dog, Horwitz said.

Personality and temperament also have a huge effect on how well a dog adapts to training. A shy dog might find strong physical techniques overwhelming and be intimidated. A quick, energetic dog might find too much repetition boring and lose interest. Training techniques that focus on positive reinforcement as well as different ways to teach the same task will usually bring out the best in any dog, Horwitz said. Punitive training methods are less effective and produce frightened, unhappy — and unpredictable — animals.

When you are clear in the response you want, you are more likely to get it from your pet, she said.

By: McClatchy Newspapers

Cheers!
Dorothy
www.DogMillion.com

7 Tips to Motivate your Dog walk with you?

There are many ways that you can motivate a dog to walk nicely next to you. Here are some strategies that you can try with your dog to be more interesting so she is motivated to walk near you to see what other fun activity is going to happen!

1. Bring an outside-only toy with you. If your dog is not thrilled with toys, read this post about teaching a dog to like toys more. Keep a toy near your front door that your dog LOVES. Only use it on walks, and only give it to your dog when she is walking nicely. Gently take it away when she pulls.
   
   
2. Talk more. Enthusiasm is a way to keep your dog focused on you as well as provide information to her that she should continue doing what she is doing because she might get a treat or a toy.
   
   
3. Quick, gentle changes in direction. Occasionally turn quickly and go the other direction when your dog pulls. Never jerk or be rough with your dog. The changes in direction combined with enthusiasm when she is in the right position is a way to keep her focused on you.
   
   
4. Change speeds. If your dog wants to run, run with her for short spurts when she appears by your side. The goal is to make it worthwhile for her to walk in the "reward zone" because sometimes it results in toys, treats or quick sprints might occur.
   
   
5. Change your tone and volume of voice. Did you know talking really softly is one way to sometimes get dog's attention? Try something like, "Hey. What's over there? Let's go check it out" and then start running towards something as soon as your dog looks at you. What are you doing? You are motivating your dog to pay attention to you. The more a dog pays attention to the person holding the leash, the less she is scanning the environment for something to pull towards.
   
   
6. Toy exhanges. Teach your dog to drop toys on cue and then practice toy exchanges on walks by asking for "Drop", and then throwing another toy within the length of the leash. You can continue this periodically on walks to give your dog exercise and mental stimulation. If you need to learn how to teach your dog to Drop, see my Puppy Biting and Rules of Tug video and see more leash walking strategies in my Intermediate Leash Walking video.
   
   
7. Reward eye contact. Read this post about teaching eye contact on walks. The more your dog is motivated to look at you, the less she will pull towards other distractions.
   

These are just a few of the many ways you can be more interesting than the environment to keep your dog focused on you. With practice, you will discover what works best to keep your dog interested in you.

Source By: WatchandTrain.com

Cheers!
Dorothy
http://www.dogmillion.com/

Crazy Dog! Bit Himself

This Dog is MAD, he is bitting himself.....can someone explain????

Don’t crouch to protect your dog from coyote attack

If your small dog is attacked by a coyote, don’t crouch down and shield your pet, a state wildlife official said.

Debra Berry, of Estero, who did that Sunday night, was bitten on her lower leg by the coyote and on the nose by her pet dachshund she was trying to protect, according to a report by Lt. Gregory Stanley, of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

The last thing people should do is to get on the coyote’s level or lower to try and protect their pets, said Gary Morse, a spokesman for the state wildlife agency.

“To a coyote, that is an act of submission,” Morse said.

Instead, people should pick up their pets and stand tall, because that is an act of dominance that coyotes understand, Morse said.

And, he said, people should carry golf clubs or walking sticks or canes to ward off coyote attacks.

In Sunday night’s attack, Berry was armed with a golf club, but didn’t use it, Stanley said.

Although Berry’s dachshund was saved, it was seriously injured and is recuperating at an animal hospital in Estero.

Berry was taken by ambulance to North Collier Hospital to be treated for the bites to her leg.

Three small dogs were killed by coyotes in Estero from March 6 through May 18.

Last week, a Shih Tzu mix was saved by its owner when the dog was attacked by a coyote.

Source: DENES HUSTY III • dhusty@news-press.com

Cheers!
Dorothy
www.dogmillion.com

Top 10 ways to prevent dog bites

Here, in honor of Dog Bite Prevention Week, are the top 10 ways to avoid getting bitten by your dog, or someone else's, courtesy of the American Veterinary Medical Association:

1. Pick a dog that is good match for your home. Consult your veterinarian for details about the behavior of different breeds.

2. Socialize your pet. Gradually expose your puppy to a variety of people and other animals so it feels at ease in these situations; continue this exposure as your dog gets older.

3. Train your dog. Commands can build a bond of obedience and trust between man and dog. Avoid aggressive games like wrestling or tug-of-war with your dog.

4. Vaccinate your dog against rabies and other diseases.

5. Neuter or spay your dog. These dogs are less likely to bite.

6. Teach your child to ask a dog owner for permission before petting any dog.

7. Let a strange dog sniff you or your child before touching it, and pet it gently, avoiding the face, head and tail.

8. Never bother a dog if it is sleeping, eating or caring for puppies.

9. Do not to run past a dog. 10.

If a dog threatens you, remain calm. Avoid eye contact. Stand still or back away slowly until the dog leaves. If you are knocked down, curl into a ball and protect your face with your arms and fists.

To those, I would add these, based on my observations and Ace's experiences as a therapy dog: Don't assume all dogs are gentle, and don't assume they're all vicious. Don't, when meeting a dog, put your hand out, then jerk it away again and again. Don't assume a friendly little dog wants to be picked up (or a cat for that matter). Don't scream, or, worse yet, scream and run. Take your time when meeting a dog; let him come to you.

Posted by John Woestendiek

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Dorothy
www.dogmillion.com

No space was available in dog hotels in Sofia during the holidays and users have to book a room for their pet well in advance.

Demand for so-called pet hotels is very high, according to Graf hotel, which also has a dog training school. Graf representatives said they mainly work with longstanding clients who are aware of the need to book a place in advance for their pet, Focus news agency reported on April 28.

The 15 leva a day price includes special care, a separate cage suitable for the dog’s size and proper heating. The cage is made of tiles and regularly disinfected so as to enable a smooth transition between one dog vacating and another arriving. There is also a big yard where dogs exercise during the day, observed by video cameras. The pets also have special cook.

Graf hotel representatives said that they only accommodate dogs but that other pet hotels accept cats. The price does not depend on the pet size or breed.

Hotel representatives also said there are no problems with the dogs because they do not accept aggressive animals, apparently a common practice in all pets’ accommodations. The dogs are always walked alone and every dog has a separate corridor, the hoteliers also said.

by: Elitsa Grancharova

Cheers!
Dorothy
www.dogmillion.com

Biggest Dog Ever!

Hi all Dog Lover,

Have you ever seen dog's size that bigger than human? If not, you definitely will like this Photo.

Enjoy!

Dorothy!

www.DogMillion.com

Help your dog overcome carsickness

Many pet experts believe that carsickness in dogs might be prompted by fear of the motion or fear of the noise associated with riding in a car -- or anxiety about an unfamiliar destination.

There are ways to calm dogs down and make them more comfortable in the car.

If possible, start young, getting your puppy accustomed to driving places with you.

For older animals, try this approach:

Invite your dog to join you in the car and give him a treat without ever leaving the driveway.

Do this several days in a row.

Then have him come to the car and just turn on the motor without moving, petting and talking softly to him, then offering him a treat.

Finally, go for a short test drive with him. By this time, many dogs will have forgotten their queasiness about the whole car ordeal.

If all else fails, ask your vet about motion sickness medications.

Post by:Washington Post

Dorothy Loong
www.DogMillion.com

Dog racing injuries increase!

Seventy-six greyhounds broke their legs racing last year at Dairyland Greyhound Park, an 18.7% increase over the year before, state records show.

A broken leg, or hock, is considered to be one of the most serious injuries a greyhound can suffer at a track.

In all, a total of 462 injuries were reported at the track last year, a 19% increase from 2006.

Of those 462 injuries last year, 363 involved dogs that suffered muscle-related injuries, sprains or fractures. Track owners have complained for several years that the state's Gaming Division, which regulates the track and compiles injury statistics, throws together relatively minor injuries like nail or tail injuries along with the more serious injuries.

The 2007 report makes a distinction between the more severe injuries and the minor ones.

Asked to explain why more dogs are breaking their legs, state officials pointed to a number of factors, including the condition of the track, the race quality of the greyhounds and the weather. Greyhounds run year-round at the track, which opened in 1990 and is the state's last remaining dog-racing track.

Jenifer Barker, a state veterinarian on site at Dairyland who treats most of the injured dogs at the track, cited the condition of the track's surface and the overall deterioration of the greyhound industry in general as reasons for the increased injury rate.

The track has not been completely resurfaced since at least 1995, according to Bill Apgar, the track's general manager. However, he said, the track is constantly maintained and groomed for the dogs.

"Nobody likes injuries," he said. "This is an athletic contest, and injuries do happen. We spare no expense in making the track as safe as we can."

Apgar said the track employed four full-time employees to groom the track, plus three part-timers. In addition, a maintenance director, the track's racing director and Apgar himself monitor the track, he said.

Apgar said that not every injury is attributable to the track itself. "A third of these injuries were injuries when the dogs were bumped in turns. Other injuries could be the result of genetics. Maybe the dog got bumped, didn't show any effects right away and the next time he ran, he broke down," he said.

Barker said her veterinary peers around the country did not have a set policy on how often a track needs to be resurfaced, but said a rule of thumb is every three to five years.

Industry experts have differing opinions on what constitutes a well-maintained track that minimizes injury. Some say a hard surface is the best surface; others say a more forgiving surface can minimize injury.

Barker also said the greyhound industry has been in decline for years, a victim of differing tastes and the growth of casino gambling.

"Some have called it a dying industry," she said. "There's not much money in it, and there isn't as high caliber of help as there used to be."

Barker recalled a time in the 1990s when each kennel at a dog track would have several helpers on duty. Today the average is more like two helpers per kennel.

Dan Subach, the Gaming Division's chief steward at Dairyland, said a number of factors played a role in the number of injuries. But all parties are trying to address the frequency of injuries.

"It will take enormous efforts by numerous parties. . . to hopefully have a positive impact on this," he said.

According to Subach, weather plays a role in injuries at Dairyland. The dogs are subjected to rain, wind, snow, sleet and very dry conditions.

"And there is a concern that the quality of dogs Dairyland is getting is not as good as they've seen in the past," Subach said. "And that quality may be related to past health issues, or previous injuries. Finally, when dogs run well, they tend to be moved out to other tracks.

"We want to look at the kennels and the education and training at the kennels, and make sure they are putting a sound animal on the track."

Besides pari-mutuel greyhound racing, the track also offers simulcast horse and greyhound racing from around the country. In 2006, the track reported it had lost $2.84 million; track owners say they expect to report they lost millions in 2007.

The owners of Dairyland are awaiting federal approval of a proposed more than $800 million casino-convention center project that would be built on the grounds of the dog-racing track. The Menominee tribe has an option to buy the track for $40.5 million. The tribe is partners with the Mohegan tribe in Connecticut to build the complex and continue live dog racing. The Mohegans would develop and manage the casino for seven years.

Dog Lover,
Dorothy
www.DogMillion.com

Miniature horse dies from dog attack

LUBBOCK, Texas — A second miniature horse has died after being attacked by pit bulls last month.

Kauli Sparks, co-owner of Hearts and Hooves of Lubbock, said the decision was made Saturday to put Jolly down to ease the therapy horse's suffering.

"He was doing really well until yesterday, probably around 2 p.m.," Sparks said in Sunday's online edition of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. "He basically crashed."

Five Hearts and Hooves miniature horses were attacked by pit bulls last month. Oreo was killed in the attack.

Sparks said Jolly developed toxemia, a general infection that spread throughout his body and caused many of his organs to begin shutting down.

Hearts and Hooves is a nonprofit organization that brings miniature horses indoors to people who need therapeutic healing.

The owner of the dogs signed them over to Lubbock Animal Services.

Sources: Associated Press

Dorothy
www.DogMillion.com

It is a Dog Life!

I AM a dog. Well, at least according to the Chinese zodiac I am. And according to an article I recently stumbled across on the Internet, people born in the Year of the Dog “possess the best traits of human nature.”

I’m inclined to agree with this gross generalization. But then, I’m inclined to agree with anything that depicts me in a positive, glowing manner. Like all good dog people, I have a deep sense of loyalty. I am also honest and inspire other people’s confidence because I know how to keep secrets. Unlike rat, snake and monkey people, I suspect.

But ... and there’s always a but ... “dog people are somewhat selfish, terribly stubborn, and eccentric.”

If these are some of “the best traits of human nature”, I hate to imagine what traits non-dog people possess.

But there’s more. “They (dog people) care little for wealth, yet somehow always seem to have money. They can be cold emotionally and sometimes distant at parties. They can find fault with many things and are noted for their sharp tongues.”

I don’t know about you, but I feel there’s something wrong with that last paragraph. It’s as if the author is saying that dog people come by their money in a suspicious way. And if I’m cold emotionally, what would I be doing at a party? Cold people don’t go to parties. They like to stay at home and play games like “Revenge of the Killer Dog” on their computers.

Although I normally don’t find fault with anything or anyone (don’t forget I’m honest), I don’t have anything good to say about the writer of that article. As for having a sharp tongue, I only reserve that for really irritating people, like most Malaysian drivers, pushy shop assistants, people who look at me in an odd way, women who wear strong perfume, and people who walk slowly in front of me in crowded shopping malls. Oh yes, and the designers of shopping malls. Other than that, I’m probably the sweetest, most amiable person you’re ever likely to meet.

The zodiac article does redeem itself when it concludes by saying that dog people make good leaders. But then again, perhaps an emotionally cold leader isn’t such a good thing. As far as I know, Hitler, Stalin and Mussolini were all cold leaders. And they didn’t get up to much good.

It also seems that I am compatible with people in the Years of the Horse, Tiger, and Rabbit. Of the few friends I do have (due to my emotional coldness) none were born under these zodiac signs. Indeed, if the zodiac article is correct, I have aligned myself with a bunch of eccentric, bad-tempered loners. Not exactly the sort of people you want to have around you at a party.

I’m not even all that compatible with my children. My son is a snake person and my daughter is a pig person. Interestingly enough, people born in the same year as my son “never have to worry about money; they are financially fortunate.” He’s obviously benefiting from all the money I seem to have. Or maybe it’s because he’s memorised my credit card numbers.

My daughter, on the other hand, in true pig-like fashion, is kind to her loved ones and very loyal. When I’m old, I’d much rather have a kind, loyal pig taking care of me than a snake. Besides, the zodiac article asserts that snake people are usually good-looking and sometimes have marital problems because they are fickle. Maybe good-looking people can afford to be fickle with their partners because they know that it’s relatively easy to attract another mate if their marriage fails. I certainly don’t want to be stuck in the same house as a disgruntled daughter-in-law during my twilight years.

Dogs are also not all that compatible with people born in the Year of the Rat. Typically, rat people are charming and highly attractive to the opposite sex. But they are stingy. They are also quick-tempered and love to gossip. But all is not lost for people contemplating having a baby during this coming Year of the Rat, because rat people are said to “work hard to achieve their goals, acquire possessions, and are likely to be perfectionists. Their ambitions are big, and they are usually very successful.”

In short, children born this coming year will likely grow up to have fabulous careers and every luxury money can buy, but they won’t share it with anyone.

I think I’ll stick with the pigs.

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

by MARY SCHNEIDER

Cheers!
Dorothy
www.DogMillion.com

A White House Dog-and-Pony Show

Since 1800, when John and Abigail Adams became the first residents of what we now call the White House, lots of pets also have called it home. The Adamses started things off with two dogs, Juno and Satan, and built stables for horses.

Over two centuries, the mansion at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. has welcomed all sorts of animals, from an alligator to wolfhounds. In size, these creatures have ranged from silkworms to an elephant (he only visited, though, and lived at the zoo).

Some of these pets were faithful companions, some helped shape public opinion about their owners, and some were ambassadors for good causes.

In the early 1900s, Theodore Roosevelt's children nearly turned the White House into an ark. Besides dogs and cats, they had a pony and horses, some sheep, a macaw, guinea pigs, rats, snakes, a badger and a one-legged rooster.

Once, when 13-year-old Archie Roosevelt was very sick, his brother Quentin brought their pony, Algonquin, upstairs in the White House elevator to cheer him.

In 1863, Tad Lincoln interrupted a wartime Cabinet meeting to plead with his father to spare the life of a turkey that was about to become Christmas dinner. Abraham Lincoln did as 10-year-old Tad wished, pardoning the bird.

You can learn more about White House pets in an exhibit at the White House Visitor Center, 1450 Pennsylvania Ave. The center is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The exhibit is free and runs through March 9.

Exactly one year from today, a new president will be inaugurated and move into the White House. Maybe some new pets will move in, too.

Source: washingtonpost.com

Cheers!
Dorothy
www.Dogmillion.com