A Dogs thats Not Yours for Life

Gucci, an 18-month-old pomeranian, is a fluffy ball of fun who loves walks in the park. And he can be your dog - for a price - as part of a new service renting out canine companions.
Gucci can be yours - temporarily


Living in London, with a garden not much bigger than a picnic blanket and a working day lengthened by a long commute, it seems unfair to own a dog. But wouldn't it be nice to have a furry friend to take for walkies?

To the average British animal lover, the idea of canine timeshare might jar a little. A dog is famously for life, not just for Christmas. Shelters are full of forlorn dogs, surrendered by owners who found themselves without the time or effort to look after an animal.

So perhaps there is sense in the dog hire company Flexpetz opening a branch in London, its first outside the US. There the business is well established, with dogs-for-hire in New York, San Diego and Los Angeles.

To borrow a dog for four days a month costs a tail-drooping monthly fee of £279 in the UK (in the US, it's $279.95) - plus extra for drop-off and collection, if needed. The company says the high cost of maintaining and paying for vets' bill explains the disparity. The target clientele in London will be much like those who have signed up in Los Angeles and New York - urbanites whose busy lives make full-time pet ownership difficult. So far it says 100 have pre-registered in London.

Gucci is the first and only canine recruit to London's Flexpetz, but more will be available soon, says Pippa Woolard, the company's UK representative, who will run orientation sessions and arrange the pomeranian's movements around the capital. The New York branch usually has five dogs.
Families with young children are among the target clientele


Most Flexpetz dogs in the US have been given up by their owners, who no longer have time to spend with their pets. Others are ex-show dogs or breeders.

Chelsea McNabb is a Los Angeles-based actress and Flexpetz customer with an extremely varied schedule, but who aspires to eventually looking after an animal full time.

"I had considered adopting a dog a few years back, but decided against it because the idea of first-time-dog-ownership was a bit intimidating.

"Typically I spend time with this beautiful coonhound named Sasha. She is very, very, smart. We regularly hike together at many trails adjacent to Hollywood/ Santa Monica mountains. Once I took a Cocker Spaniel named Stevie, who I liked a lot too. But Sasha fits my lifestyle better with the hiking so now I only spend time with Sasha."

Once she has a house with a garden, she hopes to take full ownership of a dog like Sasha. And this is something that is encouraged by the firm.

"The hope is that a member will fall in love and adopt it, once they've seen if a dog will fit into their lifestyle," says Ms Woolard. All of the dogs are available for adoption, at a price subject to negotiation, if a customer finds that a permanent dog does fit into their lifestyle.

It only takes an hour in Gucci's company for my three-year-old to regard him as her dog. And vice versa. "He takes everyone he meets into his pack," says Ms Woolard, as small dog and small girl nuzzle noses.

As thunderclouds gather over London's Green Park to curtail our dog walking, she is reluctant to relinquish control of the lead. A bottom lip trembles. "But I don't want to give him back. I love him."

Unconditional love

Also keen to shower Gucci with love and puppy treats is Huwgh Taylor, a wine buyer who lives in a Chelsea flat, who plans long walks in London's parks to get fit. He heard about the scheme from a friend who travels to New York on business. Most dogs need the security of a proper routine with one owner

RSPCA's David McDowell

"I saw they were hoping to open in London and put my name down for pre-registration. I work long and unsocial hours, which would make it incredibly unfair on any animal, especially a dog.

"When I was growing up I had a German shepherd collie cross. This scheme means I can have the companionship of a dog without having to leave it alone while I am at work."

And the whole idea of renting a pet fits into modern lifestyle trends. The US economist Jeremy Rifkin suggests in his book the Age of Access that the world was moving away from an emphasis on owning things to renting being the norm.

It may be hard to see how you might get true companionship from a pet that you only see for four days a month.

And animal behaviour experts worry that shunting a dog between multiple owners will cause it distress. The RSPCA's man groans on hearing that the London branch is about to open.

"There will almost certainly be an emotional impact for the dogs as they are moved from owner to owner, from home to home, and then back again until someone decides they want them again," says veterinary adviser David McDowell.
Learning to hold Gucci's lead


"Most dogs need the security of a proper routine with one owner and without this they could become stressed and unhappy."

Instead of renting a pet, he advises that anyone desperate to spend time with a dog could volunteer for their local RSPCA branch or animal centre.

Flexpetz's founder Marlena Cervantes says only dogs with temperaments suited to the upheaval are chosen.

"Our ideal dogs are extremely social, not owner dependent, good with children and other animals. We carefully screen our dogs for temperament and social ability."

A former behaviour therapist for children with autism, she came up with the rent-a-dog concept after taking her Labrador along to several therapy sessions and seeing how enthusiastically her clients took to the dog.

"And I had many years experience sharing a pitbull/boxer mix named Valencia with my ex-boyfriend. It worked out for my dog to have two loving homes, and she was never left unattended."

Gucci, when not rented out mainly at weekends, will live with a carer. But not Ms Woolard. She is a cat person.
Source: BBC News

IRS to Send Reminders About giving you money

I posted this here because I thought it would be of interest to all dog owners and everyone else who is filing income tax returns.. IRS to Send Reminders About Rebates
By MARTIN CRUTSINGER (AP Economics Writer)
From Associated Press
February 28, 2008 1:26 PM EST
WASHINGTON - Don't be alarmed. More than 130 million households will get letters from the Internal Revenue Service beginning next week and it's good news, not bad.

The letters are part of an extensive outreach effort to make sure people don't miss out if they are eligible to receive a tax rebate check under the recently passed $168 billion economic stimulus plan.

The IRS letters will remind people to file a 2007 tax return so they will receive the stimulus payment.

Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson said Treasury and the IRS would work hard to get the word out. "For the majority of Americans, all they will need to do is file a tax return," Paulson said in a statement.

He said that the IRS would also be working with the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Social Security Administration and private groups such as AARP to "reach those who do not normally file a return and ensure they know how to get their stimulus payment this year."

The IRS mailing will be titled "Economic Stimulus Payment Notice" and it will alert people that they may be eligible for a one-time stimulus payment of up to $600 for individuals or $1,200 for a married couple filing jointly.

The stimulus package that Congress passed earlier this month in an effort to give the weak economy a jump-start also includes a $300 per child payment for qualifying children younger than 17.

The IRS notices are informational and do not seek any financial information. The mailings will go to taxpayers who filed a tax return last year.

The notice states that to receive a

Is Your Dog Alone All Day

You wouldn't leave a young child alone in the house, would you? Then why would you leave a puppy or young dog in the house for hours at a time? Many people do it and it's not fair to the dog or the family.

Unless you are able to make some arrangements for the dog to be let out and have some social contact, at the very least every few hours, then you are sentencing him to solitary confinement and considerable discomfort.

Dogs are pack animals and they crave companionship. All dogs need social contact and exercise. If they are deprived of any of these, bad behavior will almost certainly occur - and it's not the fault of the dog.

Boredom and separation anxiety will manifest itself in destructive behavior and soiling of the house. Just ask yourself, how long could you tolerate being alone, with no books, no TV, no personal contact and no room to move around? How many trips to the bathroom do you make in the course of a day?

Putting the dog in a crate is only part of the solution. This will prevent any destructive behavior such as chewing furniture or personal possesions but won't solve the puppy's psychological problems, or his need for toilet breaks.

If the dog has been properly trained for the crate, he will have come to regard it as his safe "den" and will feel much more secure and comfortable in this environment but he will still need adequate and frequent toilet breaks.

It's necessary to consider the breed characteristics. Some breeds are more dependent on human company than others and this can be a big influence on their reaction to prolonged separation. Similarly, the more active breeds will suffer far more from long periods of confinement.

Imagine a border collie, shut up for long periods with no mental stimulation and no exercise! In no time at all, you'll have a very neurotic dog indeed.

So, if your dog has to be alone in the house for large parts of the day, as a minimum you need;

1) a place (probably a crate) where he can feel secure and comfortable with some toys and familiar objects;

2) some arrangement, possibly with a neighbor or friend who is familiar with the dog, for periodic breaks for toilet and a little exercise;

3) provision of drinking water, preferably just before the toilet break; and

4) some stimulation, such as a radio talk show or some music.

Toys can be a great distraction and comfort for your dog. There is a huge choice of toys which can keep him amused and allow him to chew to his heart's content. Buy a good number of toys, which will allow you to rotate them. Some toys allow small treats to be hidden in them, keeping him interested for longer.

It is vital that your dog learns that chewing anything other than his food or his toys is a definite No. It is best to limit his chewing to those toys which are specifically designed to be safe.

Any other approach can make the dog confused. If you give him an old sneaker to chew, you can't blame him if his next choice is one of your brand new business shoes.

Some trainers advise leaving one of your old garments in the crate with the dog. If he is allowed to chew this, then he may end up with your new golf sweater. It may be better to leave a few garments near the crate but out of reach, so he can feel the comfort of your scent.

As your dog becomes more accustomed to his routine, you may feel confident in leaving the crate door open but shutting him in one room, then gradually expanding the areas he's allowed in (making the bedrooms last, or not at all).

At the very minimum, you should ensure that he gets some freedom and exercise before everyone leaves for the day and when you return home, that he gets plenty of play and more exercise (with some fun training thrown in).

Source: Ken Charles

Why DO I Bother?

Why I bother to blog Dog News or Post Funny Dog pictures or Jokes? I love dogs, dog causes, and the people we can help. That's the focus of these blogs.The process of collating and writing about local news focuses attention on worthy causes, Save the Dogs is such a cause, this is why I have this fund drive going on in order to help Save the Dogs and I ask you to open your hearts and give a few dollars . Just go to the Chip In Box at http://dogcents.blogspot.com and donate whatever you can to get food shelter, heart worm treatments etc. You can make a difference in makeing these dogs lives better. Do not wait till Christmas to get into the spirit of love to give, give now when they need you. Is it to much of a sacrifice to give a donation to Save the Dogs? Really there is nothing to think about just go to the Chip In Box and give your donation, and know you have done something good.. There are some News stories that are swept under the rug are indeed found by bloggers and with the power of blogging, they can bring attention to them. That's the power of blogging.PS. In the process, I'm learning about communication. Also to bring attention to my goal. knowledge between you..." To me, this is very difficult. Perhaps the most important thing is to have integrity, to be as honest as you can be. by lilyruth

Dog Jokes

Q: What do you get if you cross a dog and a cheetah?A: A dog that chases cars - and catches them!Q: What happens when it rains cats and dogs?A: You can step in a poodle!Q: What sort of clothes does a pet dog wear?A: A petticoat!Q: What do you get if you cross a dog and a lion?A: A terrified postman!Q: What happened to the dog that ate nothing but garlic?A: His bark was much worse than it's bite!

Robber wearing dog mask gets laughs

The people of Cranberry are pretty good-humored. It's one of their saving graces.Especially when one of them is looking at what appears to be a black semiautomatic pistol in the hand of a masked robber.According to Post-Gazette reporter Rachael Conway, a clerk at Gordon's Mini Market on Rochester Road foiled a robbery attempt Tuesday night by bursting into laughter when confronted by a man wanting cash from the register. The would-be robber was wearing a plastk mask of Pluto, you know the Disney cartoon character."[The laughing clerk] didn't comply with the request, and the frustrated Pluto robber then left the store," said Cranberry police Sgt. Dave Kovach. The sgt. said while the clerks response is understandable its not recommened."I don't want to give the impression that that's an advisable thing to do," he said. "Pluto could have been a strung-out heroin addict. You never know."Next time you confront the suspect be careful, he might be goofy...

Dog Basket, Cruelty man Jailed

A psychiatric report showed Paul Lidford had a personality disorder
A 31-year-old man who subjected his girlfriend to abuse, including forcing her to lie in the dog basket, has been jailed for two years and five months.
Paul Lidford, from Denbigh, was convicted of four specimen assault charges at a trial in February.

Sentencing him at Mold Crown Court, the judge said he had sought to control with violence and verbal abuse.

Lidford was handed an indefinite anti- social behaviour order (Asbo), stopping him from approaching the 27-year-old.

Recorder Philip Marshall said the victim was still suffering from the treatment she had received at Lidford's hands.

You sought to control her, to dominate her, through violence and verbal abuse

Recorder Philip Marshall

During the trial, it emerged that over the course of their five-year relationship he had subjected her to abuse.

The jury heard that on about five occasions Lidford, a heating engineer, had forced her to lie in a dog's bed, and threatened that if she looked from under the blanket she would be assaulted.

Once, Lidford had kicked her repeatedly after she looked out from under the blanket, the court was told.

Swelling and bruising

The victim suffered swelling and bruising across her back and could not move, but Lidford had refused to call an ambulance.

The victim wept as she told the jury that she had reported matters to the police in the past, including an incident when Lidford whipped her with a dog lead.

But she had always withdrawn the allegations, believing that he loved her and would change.

Delivering his sentence, the judge said Lidford's former partner still suffered flashbacks and nightmares.

A psychiatric report showed Lidford had a personality disorder going back years.

He said: "During that relationship, I am satisfied, you sought to control her, to dominate her, through violence and verbal abuse.

"She felt worthless and despite everything said she had feelings towards you. She said on numerous occasions that she loved you."

A Pet Can Change your Life

'Are you feeling a little stressed lately? Do you feel isolated from the outside world because it seems as though no one understands what you're going through? If so, you may want to try out a new therapeutic treatment: Owning a pet. It's no secret that some of us have voids in our lives that can't be filled by other people, at least not as often as we'd like. For many, our lifestyles may depend, whether we realize it or not, on a support system that helps balance out our physical, emotional and mental states. And believe it or not, the right pet can do this for you without asking for much in return -- just the basic necessities. Soon enough, you'll start to see the positive changes it can make in your life.'
Five good reasons to get a pet:
A pet will provide round the clock love and affection without asking for much in return...
A pet can serve to keep your mind off of the constant strain in your life...
It allows you to nurture and take pride in its growth and health...
It allows you to open up: 'A pet will not judge or disagree with you. It's only there to listen... '
It gives you a reason to work out: 'A dog enables you to walk and run considerably more, thus healing your mind and body at the same time...'

Animals ran away from animal shelter

RALEIGH, N.C. - Animal welfare officials are looking for pets that ran away this week after they were spooked by Independence Day fireworks displays.Since Wednesday, there have been 13 runaways reported in Wake County and more were expected, Mondy Lamb of the Wake County chapter of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said Thursday.Animals generally escape because they aren't properly confined."Animals don't know where big booms are coming from," said Lamb. "They just hear loud noises and need to run away from it."Reports of animals that ran because of fireworks also have come from Durham and Johnston counties. Last year, Johnston had a couple of hundred reports after July 4 and so far this year there have been about two dozens calls, said animal services Director Ernie Wilkinson.Officials at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Shelter said 12 dogs were brought in as of Thursday and three were reclaimed by owners who said they ran during fireworks, said Melissa Knicely-Berry.

Wishing you all a Happy Fourth Of July

Happy Fourth of July to you and your families. Have fun and enjoy and take along the family pet so he can also enjoy the fourth. On this very dry Fourth of July, nothing is knee-high
except to the grasshoppers, going out of their little minds,
sending messages of love all around, but no one listens,
no one believes, no one hears them above the explosions.
Enjoy and Happy Fourth Of July....

"strange facts"

Dog-eat-dog world TX Reveille, the official mascot of university life at the Texas A&M University, has her own credit card; dines occasionally on steak and other delicacies; and her bark is always taken for the command: 'class dismissed'; yet, it's still a dog's life, with almost every minute of her day dedicated to being a 'meet and greet mascot.

'breeder charged' 'animal abuse' [b]
Breeder was trying to develop superior dog breeds AK 'Two breeders who acquired dogs from an Alaska collie breeder now charged with animal abuse says the breeder has devoted years to developing genetically superior dogs and that she cares deeply about their health...' The breeder's cargo load was seized when a dead dog and starving dogs near death were discovered in her 'care.' Breeder was trying to develop superior dog breeds [b] [KTVA] (What is it with some breeders? How is it that the worst kind of animal abuse is often at the hands of breeders... They end up collecting a zillion animals and then allow them to starve and suffer horendous conditions... is this a similar sickness to 'cat collectors' ? )

Oldest Dog Breaks Record

Butch, world's oldest dog, gets in Guiness book of records VA 'His name is Butch. He's a beagle. His title is etched in official Guinness World Records certification and he earned it by living for 27 years. That's something like, um - wait a minute and let me check my math - 189 in human years... His eyes, however, are bright and his tail still wags. He still begs for petting, and as with all beagles, food is a major holiday to celebrate often. On regular occasions he lets loose and does a bit of running about the house...' [Charlottesville Daily Progress]

POEM TO FRIENDS

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it, it is real. But only for a season.LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.Thank you for being a part of my life, whether you were a reason, a season or a lifetime. Solamon