Purina Walk for Dog Guides

Today, all around Canada (over 180 locations!), people and dogs alike are walking in the Purina Walk for Dog Guides.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of this event.

There is no registration fee, or limitations on age or fitness level to participate.

Thanks to the event's sponsors, 100% of the donations go directly to Lions Foundation of Canada's Dog Guide Programs. This foundation provides guide dogs to Canadians who require them, at no cost.

You can make a donation online, plus find tons of great information at the Purina Walk for Dog Guides website. 

Summer is here

Last weekend Elli and I took our first trip of the summer to the cottage. As I was packing, Elli knew exactly where we were going. She was following me everywhere, and would get very upset if I went out of the house without her. Then, once we got in the car she would cry if we ventured off course.

Once we arrived Elli burst out of the car and ran around like crazy. She went into every room in the house (looking for my grampa), then she ran around the yard sniffing every blade of grass, and tree stump.

Since the sun was shining, and the water was low, we were able to walk along the waterfront all the way to the beach. It was about a half-hour walk each way. I couldn't believe how high Elli could jump on the large rocks. She even ventured into the frigid water. At the beach I threw in a couple sticks for Elli to get. She preferred the big one she could barely lift over the small sticks we started with. But, since she doesn't like to actually swim I could only throw the stick in a couple feet so she could still walk in to get it.

Since Elli is still perfecting her listening skills I only let her off leash a bit at the cottage. I have a long purple rope that I use when I need to tie her up, but give her some freedom too. This time I didn't tie the rope to anything, so the bundle of remaining rope was just dragging behind her. She never went too far, too fast. Although, a couple times she did find disgusting things in the grass--dead animals, gross things to roll in (required a trip to the sink before we left), I even pulled some sort of small skull out of her mouth! The rope was good in these instances because I could easily catch her if she tried to get away with whatever she found (and knew she wasn't supposed to have).

It turned out to be a great weekend, and hopefully the first of many great weekends we spend at the cottage.

(Elli is still recovering by taking extra-long naps)

Controversial Decisions

The OSPCA in Newmarket has revoked a controversial decision to euthanize 350 animals in their shelter after a ringworm outbreak several weeks ago.

The shelter faced outrage from the public. Protesters held signs and screamed murder at shelter officials when they heard of the shelter's plans of a mass euthanization.  So far 99 animals have already been killed. 15 other animals have been "stolen" from the shelter, while 96 others have been placed in foster homes. The goal is to treat the other 140 animals with a combination of segregation, 6-8 weeks of medication, and special shampoos and sprays. Six staff members were also infected during this outbreak.

Ringworm presents as a scaly, ring-shaped skin lesion. It is a highly contagious, and resilient fungi called dermatophytes. An infected animal will lose hair, have crusty patches of skin, and scratch to the point of bleeding. However, ringworm is treatable and is not a fatal disease.

Everyday Heroes

At the 42nd annual Purina Animal Hall of Fame awards three brave dogs and one cat were honoured.

Here are their inspirational stories:

Chance remained with his young owner, an autistic boy, who walked away and into a wooded area in a snowstorm. Chance stayed with the boy overnight, and led the parents back to the boy. Unfortunately the young boy didn't survive, and passed away in a hospital from severe hypothermia.

Bingo was trained as a service dog for another young boy who suffers from an undiagnosed respiratory disease. Bingo is trained to bark whenever the boy stops breathing.

Patty saved the life of her 80-year-old owner when he fell under a 6000 lb air seeder while working on the farm.  Patty leapt into the air to alert her owner's son to the danger.

Geppetto, the cat, saved his owner by waking her up to escape a dangerous gas leak in the home.

The Purina Hall of Fame is located at the Pawsway Pet Discover Centre at Harbourfront. 120 dogs, 20 cats and 1 horse have been honoured over the years.

sneak peek

I wasn't sure what to write about this week, so I've decided to do a little update on Elli's life.

Well, she got her spring haircut last week. She looks so tiny and adorable. I find it a relief once she gets her hair cut, it means I get a break from the daily task of combing and cutting out her tangles. She also doesn't get as dirty, and stays cool.

Elli has been helping me pet-sit a friend's cockatoo. They don't seem to like eachother too much. Plus, Elli seems to get bored while we're over at the house visiting. She's always thrilled to be leaving. This is also the house that her shih-tzu friend, Snickers, lives in. So I think Elli is sad that her friend isn't there.

The weather is slowly warming up and Elli has been enjoying spending time in the backyard sitting on the deck. She doesn't like to lie in the sun, so you'll find her in the shade chewing a stick.

That's about it. Here are some pictures I don't think I posted before. I find all the pictures I take include Elli. The second one always makes me laugh, Kane looks huge!!

Durham cats need your help

We have all heard about the over-population of cats in animal shelters. This week the Humane Society of Durham Region has had an influx of new cats brought into their shelter. Dozens of cats have been seized from two homes in Durham, and now these cats need to find loving homes.

The society has space for 65 cats at its current location and it was already over crowded prior to the cats from this seizure coming in.

The society is in the middle of a fundraising endeavour, hoping to raise $610,000 towards building a new shelter. The society has been looking for a new shelter after its previous one was destroyed in a fire in December of 2008.

For the complete story click here.

Raise the Woof in Pickering

Pickering Town Centre is holding a contest in support of the Humane Society of Durham Region. They are inviting people to go online (here!) to vote for a design that will be used on the next reusable bag sold by the PTC.

The Durham Humane Society is still recovering from a fire that killed over 100 animals.  As any shelter, any donation and support is greatly appreciated.