New Year's Resolutions For Animals

With 2009 just around the corner, we were inspired to create a list of New Year's resolutions for animals. Feel free to add your own and share them with us!

1) Do your part to reduce pet overpopulation - spay and neuter you companion animals and encourage others to do the same.

2) If you encounter a stray dog or cat, stop to help. You could very well save a life. The Humane Society of The U.S. has some good guidelines for rescuing strays: click here to check them out.

3) Please don't patronize pet stores that sell puppies! The overwhelming majority of these dogs originate in puppy mills, inhumane breeding kennels that sacrifice canine health and comfort for profit. Remember, reputable pet shops and supply stores don't sell puppies!

4) Turn your trash into treasure by donating items to your local animal shelter. Old towels and blankets, baby gates, bedding, and even cardboard paper towel tubes can all be put to good use helping animals.

5) Familiarize yourself with Trap/Neuter/Return (TNR) programs for feral cats.

6) Report cruelty. Because animal cannot speak for themselves, we must advocate for them. Trust your instincts - if you suspect that an animal in your community is being neglected or mistreated, speak up.

7) Adopt your next furry friend from a shelter or rescue group. With millions of homeless cats, dogs, and critters in our country, you are certain to find the perfect companion. Petfinder is a great place to start; you can search by zip code and narrow the results by breed, age, gender, etc. There's even a feature that allows you to find special needs pets, which is an option we always encourage! (Check out the Rebound Hounds' Top Ten Reasons To Adopt A Disabled Dog).

8) Forgo fur. The Majority of fur sold in the U.S. comes from unregulated farms in China where animals like foxes and raccoon dogs are kept and killed in agony. If you don't want to support cannibalism, electrocution, and commercial cruelty, chose faux or forgo.

9) Be an advocate for a chained dog. In far too many circumstances, dogs are kept chained outdoors, ostensibly to guard the home in which they should live. Dogs are pack animals by nature, so depriving them of companionship, exercise, and interaction is especially inhumane. Furthermore, chained dogs often end up becoming anxious and aggressive. If there is a chained dog in your neighborhood, please consider sharing a letter from Dogs Deserve Better with the owner. There is a Spanish version along with an English one.

10) Make 2009 the year that you microchip your companion animals if you haven't already. Although microchips are not entirely foolproof, they significantly increase the odds that your pet will be reunited with you if it becomes lost.

Purdue University Offers Hope For Dogs Disabled By Hip Dysplasia

How many of us have watched helplessly as a senior canine companion struggles with hip dysplasia? This degenerative joint disease is all too common, and it affects a dog's ability to stand, walk, and enjoy everyday activities without crippling pain.

Fortunately, pups with bad hips have some talented friends at Purdue University. A team of mechanical engineering students have developed a special brace, or "exoskeleton" to help alleviate the pain of hip dysplasia and improve mobility by up to 55 percent.

The traditional treatment for dogs afflicted with hip dysplasia has been surgical hip replacement and/or prescription pain-killers. Since both options pose risks (especially for older animals) and are costly for pet guardians, an alternative is greatly needed. Although the Purdue team's brace isn't yet available commercially, they are hoping it will be soon. For now, it is being tested with patients like Stella (show above) at the University's veterinary school.

Engineering student Jim Bergeron is optimistic about the brace's potential: "The dog will kind of step gingerly on it, and then, what we're hoping to see is, when we put the brace on that she'll just be walking around like a normal, happy dog," he told a local news station. "I hate looking at the dog here and seeing her in pain, you know, it breaks my heart and so it's going to be fantastic actually if it works, so we're really hoping it will."

Canine Cancer Awareness Part 2

In November we wrote about canine cancer and osteosarcoma - a bone tumor which often leads to leg amputations. Now we are happy to share some positive updates about the fight against canine cancer. The Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) is leading the effort to find a cure within the next 10 - 20 years. MAF has funded over 100 canine cancer studies so far, including one on osteosarcoma at Ohio State University. The study found that combining traditional chemotherapy drugs with suramin, an anti-parasitic agent, can help dogs live longer after the affected limb is amputated. Suramin has been particularly effective in treating Greyhounds with osteosarcoma.

Another MAF sponsored study investigated mammary tumors. Mammary gland (or breast) cancer is the most common tissue abnormality in female dogs, especially those who are unspayed. We learned this firsthand with Greta. She wasn't spayed until she entered Dachshund rescue at about age 10, and she had several large mammary tumors as a result. Fortunately they proved to be benign, although between 40% - 50% are typically malignant. This is why it's so important to have female dogs spayed as early as possible. Whenever we encounter folks with unspayed dogs, we tell them about Greta and the grueling tumor removal surgery she had to go through.

Canine cancer is an important topic for all dog lovers since it kills one in four of our furry friends. As a result, the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Veterinary Cancer Society have paired up to create a warning list of cancer symptoms:

-Abnormal swellings that persist or continue to grow
-Sores that do not heal

-Weight loss

-Loss of appetite

-Bleeding or discharge from any body opening

-Offensive odor

-Difficulty eating or swallowing

-Hesitance to exercise or loss of stamina

-Persistent lameness or stiffness

-Difficulty breathing, urinating, or defecating

Some breeds are particularly susceptible to certain forms of cancer. Osteosarcoma is most prevalent among giant breeds like Great Danes, Newfoundlands, and Bernese Mountain Dogs, and large breeds like Greyhounds and Rottweilers. Although this is currently the case, imagine how wonderful it would be if canine cancers like osteosarcoma were eradicated in the next decade? Hopefully the Morris Animal Foundation's major campaign will continue to yield successful insights to help advance the path toward a cure.

Merry Christmas In Memory Of Granny

I thought this sweet image of Granny would make a fitting Christmas greeting. Granny was one of the many deserving dogs helped by Coast To Coast Dachshund Rescue. Five years ago Granny was found alone in a rural wooded area of Florida. Apparently someone had abandoned her to fend for herself despite the fact that she was at least 13 years old and practically toothless. Miraculously, she was discovered and turned over to animal control where she was christened with the name Granny. After no one came forward to claim this sweet senior pooch, she was transferred to Coast To Coast Dachshund Rescue.

Granny's first veterinary exam revealed some bad news: she was suffering from an advanced heart murmur and her lower jaw was broken and dislodged. Still, this did not deter Granny from sharing love and affection. According to her foster family, "She was a tail wagging, toothless senior who greeted everyone as if they were long lost friends!"

Granny received support through the Coast To Coast Dachshund Rescue Buddy Program before her passing in July. When I approached her former foster guardian about using Granny's picture, she gladly agreed and said, "she'd have loved it to show that other little old ladies who lost their original home have a chance at being loved..."

Holiday Hounds

Presenting the Rebound Hounds' official Christmas photo!

And the runner up! (I like how they appear to be deep in thought)

Here's one from back in days when Ms. Greta was more mobile:

It doesn't get much cuter than this - three-legged Dewey wearing a tiny lumberjack hat that used to belong to my sister's doll!

And finally, the hounds pose in front of their own petite Christmas tree...

Two-Legged Dogs Get Around

We're all familiar with tripod dogs, but what about bipeds? Remarkably, a number of dogs with just two legs manage to do pretty well for themselves. Faith, a delightful mutt, is a perfect example. She was born with three legs, including one that was severely deformed. After it had to be amputated when she was several months old, Faith was left with only her hind limbs. Despite this, Faith learned to walk as a biped. She has been featured on Oprah and her family reports that she loves to chase after geese at the park.

Like Faith, Carmen, Venus and Pablo are a trio of Chihuahuas who were all born with missing limbs. The tiny pooches' deformities are most likely the result of irresponsible backyard breeders. Unfortunately, birth defects are the all too common result of inbreeding, and as I wrote last month, many irresponsible breeders and puppy mills end up producing disabled dogs like Carmen, Venus and Pablo. Luckily for these sweet pups, they were surrendered to the North Shore Animal League on Long Island where an employee fell in love and adopted them. The Chihuahuas are now rolling through life with with special, custom-designed wheelchairs - too cute!

Andre, another biped, began life with four legs but a terrible accident cost him his two left paws. The poor pooch was caught in a trap in Alaska and would have most likely died if he wasn't miraculously saved by a good samaritan who noticed him hobbling across a rural road. Although Andre's injuries were extensive, he defied the odds by surviving and remaining mobile.

In Thailand, a special two-legged dog named Chook was rescued by an incredible group called Care For Dogs. They were able to help Chook learn to get around on his hind legs and he ended up being adopted by his trainers - what a lucky pup!

Not only does Kandu - an adorable Jack Russell mix - have two legs, he's also a bona fide champion! Kandu recently won "Best In Show" at the 2008 annual Nuts For Mutts dog show in Woodland Hills, California. Kandu captivated the crowd with his charming personality and took the top prize in the "Best Kisser" competition as well. Back at home in Colorado, Kandu participates in the Heeling Friends program at a local hospital. Believe it or not, this amazing little dog was once slated for death because of his disability. Kandu was fortunate enough to be adopted, though, and his popularity just seems to grow with every passing year. Check out his very own personal website by clicking here.

All of these incredible biped dogs demonstrate that a disability doesn't have to completely limit life. Just ask Kandu - he even hits the slopes on a special monoski! If you have a two-legged dog story, please feel free to share it with us...

Hooray For The Underdog - Cards For A Cause

On a post-Thanksgiving shopping excursion, we discovered a marvelous line of cards called Hooray For The Underdog and the concept couldn't be better. Husband and wife team Joe Grisham and Janet Healey are professional photographers in Dallas who are passionate about dogs. Although their coprorate clinets include JC Penny, Neiman Marcus, and PetSmart, Healey and Grisham have found numerous ways to support animal welfare. In Dallas, they have designed bus ads to promote pet adoptions and banners encouraging mandatory spay and neuter legislation.

Hooray For The Underdog is a fetching collection of notecards, journals, buttons, folders, and notepads featuring all kinds of adorable rescue dogs. The back of the cards feature additional information about the canine models. Bibi and Buster are pictured above and according to their profile they "Did not fit their human's busy work schedule" and their special power is "Making laundry fun by stealing stuff and running full speed throughout the house."

Gracie (shown below) was the "last of a litter from a cardboard box in a grocery store parking lot." In addition to looking irresistable in a sombrero, her special power is being a "Rottweiler wannabe and part time desperado. If you need a fearless guard dog, she's your hombre."

Individual cards are $3.00 and 10% of the proceeds benefit animal rescue organizations. Check them out if you haven't already!

Patsy Ann: A Deaf Dog Who Captured Many Hearts On The Last Frontier

If you've ever spent time in Juneau, Alaska you've probably heard of Patsy Ann. Although deaf from birth, this remarkable Bull Terrier was able to sense the impending arrival of ships at the wharf and would always arrive to greet sailors and passengers. Patsy Ann came to Juneau as a puppy in 1929 and assumed her post at the docks shortly afterward. Instead of belonging to one person, Patsy Ann preferred to live as the community's dog. She spent most nights at the Longshoremen's Hall and received countless meals and treats from her fans about town.

In 1934 the mayor established Patsy Ann as the "Official Greeter of Juneau" and praised her for her "unerring sense of ships" arrival and for her diligence in welcoming them. Juneau's beloved dog grew quite famous and postcards bearing her image made popular tourist souvenirs. In her later years Patsy Ann grew arthritic, but she never stopped greeting steamers at the wharf. In 1942 she passed away peacefully in her sleep at the Longshoremen's Hall.

Fifty years later a commemorative statue was erected in her honor on the Juneau dock. It was crafted in bronze by artist Anna Burke Harris, who included clippings of dog hair from around the world in the casting to symbolically unite the spirit of canines everywhere.

Despite being gone for many years, Patsy Ann still continues to capture the hearts of people from around the world. As I was reading accounts of her story, I discovered a student named Ryan who focused on Patsy Ann for his Hero Project. He wrote, "This dog is my hero because she had a disability that never kept her down and did what she loved for her whole life. To me that is amazing!"

Chocolate & Dogs Don't Mix

Yes, we all know this by now right? Unfortunately that didn't stop me from leaving six dark chocolate truffles within striking distance of Dewey. I completely forgot that they were tucked inside a bag in my purse along with an apricot danish, and Dewey, being the expert scavenger that he is, found them and gobbled them all up (except for the apricot at the center of the danish!). Luckily, I caught him right afterward and was able to rush him over to the shelter vet. They administered hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting, but it wasn't effective, so we ran him up to the emergency vet. At the animal hospital they used Apomorphine - an intravenous drug to get the poor feller to throw up, and this time it worked. Once all the chocolate (and danish) was out of his system, he was given activated charcoal. According the vet on duty, he was treated just in time. Although small amounts of chocolate are usually harmless, dark chocolate is particularly dangerous to small pups. Dewey is only ten pounds and the truffles were very concentrated, so he was definitely in jeopardy. Here is more from the ASPCA about the hazards of chocolate for dogs:

Why is chocolate bad for dogs?
Chocolate can contain high amounts of fat and caffeine-like stimulants known as methylxanthines. If ingested in significant amounts, chocolate can potentially produce clinical effects in dogs ranging from vomiting and diarrhea to panting, excessive thirst and urination, hyperactivity, abnormal heart rhythm, tremors, seizures and even death in severe cases.

Typically, the darker the chocolate, the higher the potential for clinical problems from methylxanthine poisoning. White chocolate has the lowest methylxanthine content, while baking chocolate contains the highest. As little as 20 ounces of milk chocolate—or only two ounces of baking chocolate—can cause serious problems in a 10-pound dog. While white chocolate may not have the same potential as darker forms to cause a methylxanthine poisoning, the high fat content of lighter chocolates could still lead to vomiting and diarrhea, as well as the possible development of life-threatening pancreatitis, an inflammatory condition of the pancreas.

If you have a pooch who ingests chocolate, try to induce vomiting with household hydrogen peroxide (it's good to have a syringe or eye dropper on hand to administer it orally). If your dog will not vomit, seek medical attention ASAP. Even though it will probably be an expensive vet visit, it's way better to be safe than sorry.

Happy Endings! Bailey & Holly Have New Homes!

It's always great to hear about happy endings for disabled dogs and I'm delighted to share two of them! In October I wrote about Bailey, a charming 5 year old paralyzed dachshund who was available for adoption with Furbaby Rescue. Bailey had many fans and was described by Furbaby Rescue as "one of the sweetest, best tempered, most loving dogs we have ever met... His spirit and his joy in living is never ending. He warms the hearts of everyone he meets." Apparently someone agreed wholeheartedly, and Bailey was adopted on December 4th! We'll try to get the full story for you, so stay tuned for more details about this special little guy and his new family...

Also, Holly - the cute 3 year old tripod Lhasa Apso mix - was recently adopted from the shelter where I work! Holly is now known as Stella and she shares her new home with two canine brothers, one of whom is a three-legged pooch as well. Stella has more than a few tricks up her sleeve and is reportedly keeping her parents busy! They have discovered that she has a fondness for cheese and is known to hoard stuffed animals. Sounds like life on three legs isn't slowing her down a bit!

Scarf Season

By Seattle standards it's pretty chilly, or at least that's the excuse I used in order to justify dressing Greta up in this little scarf! It was actually a gift from the vet staff at work. Apparently they discovered it in the shelter laundry, so it's quite possible that it began life as a blanket that got shrunk in the wash. Either way, I personally think the effect is quite charming...

Support Disabled Dogs This Holiday Season!

So here we are again: the holidays are nearly here and that leaves many of us scrambling to find gifts for family members, coworkers, friends, and neighbors who already seem to have everything. Never fear, though, because the Rebound Hounds have some top-notch ideas for Hanukkah and Christmas 2008!!! Our recommended presents will support disabled dog rescue and advocacy, and they promise to delight the recipient(s).

1) Buddy dog membership with Coast To Coast Dachshund Rescue. The Buddy program provides a way for people who aren't able to adopt a dog to help pups in need. Currently there are a dozen Buddy dogs to chose from, and there is no minimum donation. For this all-volunteer rescue group, no amount is too small!

2) Anything from Pets With Disabilities. All proceeds benefit this fabulous organization and there is a nice variety of unique products to chose from: shirts, tote bags, stickers, and the wonderfully uplifting book "Extraordinary Dogs" by Joyce Darrell.

3) A monetary or in-kind donation to Rolling Dog Ranch, a truly outstanding sanctuary for disabled animals in Montana. Check them out it you haven't already - it's impossible not to be moved by the incredible work that husband and wife team Steve Smith and Alayne Marker do. The sanctuary relies entirely on donations and the money is spent very wisely. Rolling Dog Ranch also appreciates in-kind gifts including fleece blankets and hay. PetSmart gift cards are also accepted. In short, every little bit helps!

4) Impress the hipster on your list with an "I Heart Tripods" tee from three-legged dog lovers in Brooklyn. This grey Alternative Apparel shirt looks super soft and totally no-nerdy, so even the toughest fashionistas are bound to approve. There's also a tote bag available with the same image. Best of all, proceeds benefit struggling tripod dog guardians who are overwhelmed with vet bills.

5) For kids, we suggest a copy of "Frankie, The Walk N' Roll Dog" an uplifting, vibrantly illustrated children's book. Frankie also has some great merchandise including cute shirts and hoodies in adult and kid sizes.

6) Dogs On Wheels has delightful Christmas ornaments that "celebrate the spirit and courage of our pets with disabilities" and proceeds benefit CorgiAid. The porcelain ornaments feature vivid photos of adorable extra special pups, including a number of doxies in wheelchairs. They can also be customized to feature a specific pooch.

7) Membership with Best Friends Animal Society - one size fits all!

8) Give a shout out to three-legged dogs everywhere with "The Tripawds Book" from www.tripawds.com This full color, hardcover book features over 20 inspirational stories of canine cancer survivors and other tripod dogs. Best of all, the book can be customized to feature your own pup if you choose!

9) Thankful Paws offers a wide variety of merchandise with an emphasis on deaf and blind dogs. Cute shirts carry slogans like "The language of love needs no ears, it comes from the heart - Love a deaf dog today!" and "My blind dog has taught me... You can be a champion without winning a blue ribbon."

10) The inspirational DVD Diva Dog - a documentary about Coral, a sweet pit bull who spent the last few years of her life in a wheelchair after being hit by a car. Click here to watch the trailer!

11) Surprise the wine enthusiast in your life with a bottle (or case!) of Three Legged Red from Dunham Cellars. T-shirts featuring Port, the tripod dog who inspired the wine, are also available.

12) A signed print from Karen Derrico's "Painting 4 Paws - Art With A Cause" series. We are especially partial to the rendering of Misty and Duke, two wonderful pups who use wheels to get around and are the Pets With Disabilities spokesdogs.

Finally, the very best thing you can do to help disabled dogs this holiday season is absolutely free: Spread the word that they deserve a chance! If you know someone who would like to add a dog to their family, encourage them to consider adopting a "less than perfect" pup from a shelter or rescue group. Or, if you know of a dog guardian who is struggling to care for an ill or disabled pooch, lend a helping hand and remind them that if all else fails, many rescue organizations will take sick and injured dogs to get them the care they need. Dachshund rescue, in particular, is extremely dedicated to assisting all doxies regardless of their condition. Because they cannot speak, our canine friends are counting on us to advocate for them, and there's no better time than now - during the season of goodwill - to do just that.

Wallace & Gromit Creators Spotlight Disabled Pets & Individuals With Disabilities

Recently we discovered a clever cast of disabled cartoon characters who are part of the Creature Discomforts series by the creators of Wallace and Gromit. In England, Aardman Animations teamed up with an advocacy group called Leonard Cheshire Disability to spotlight individuals with physical challenges. The animated characters in Creature Discomforts include Peg the hedgehog who uses a wheelchair, Cath the hearing impaired cat, Callum the blind chameleon, Brian the bull terrier who has spina bifida, and Flash - a "sausage dog" who also relies on wheels to get around. There are 12 characters in all and each one is narrated by a disabled person. Flash is voiced by Alex Mihaly who sustained a spinal injury. The purpose of the Creature Discomforts ad campaign is to challenge and redefine people's perceptions of the disabled. My guess is that the radio and TV spots that aired in Britain have also succeeded in changing ideas about disabled animals. In one of the TV spots the dachshund Flash (pictured above) says "Because we're in a wheelchair it doesn't mean to say we're not capable of thinking. Now let's get things put right. Not just for disabled, for everybody. So we can all work in harmony together." Well put, Flash! For clips and photos visit http://www.creaturediscomforts.org/

A Toast To Tripod Dogs!

Wine-loving tripod parents everywhere can raise a glass in celebration of this unique vintage from Walla Walla, Washington. Three Legged Red was created by winemaker Eric Dunham as tribute to his beloved tripod dog, Port. Dunham discovered the Border Collie by chance when he was just a puppy. Port had been attacked by another dog and badly injured, necessitating the amputation of his front right leg. According to Dunham, "The puppy had lost a leg, but found a home. With only three legs, and two on the port side, I named him Port." At the winery in Walla Walla, Port was a regular presence, delighting visitors with his endearing personality. In May Port passed away at the ripe old age of 13, but Three Legged Red lives on. I haven't had the pleasure of sampling it yet, but by all accounts, it's a great table wine. Here's to Port and his fellow tripods on both sides of the Rainbow Bridge!