Read This And Then Get Outside With Pet
With summer here, those of you who do not race sled dogs are probably happy. In fact, you probably only scan the newspaper these days in your rush to enjoy the balmy weather with a dog who actually likes warm temperatures.
Given your active leisure schedule and my burgeoning mailbox at the newspaper, here’s a wrap-up column of short items I think you’ll find interesting and useful.
Toss that mortarboard
Mary Lou Groom of Spokane and a golden retriever named Lona recently completed a rigorous month of training at Guide Dogs for the Blind Inc. in San Rafael, Calif. The organization also operates a campus in Boring, Ore., 25 miles east of Portland. For more information about services provided, call (503) 668-2100.
Not to would have been cruel
Lacey, my Siberian husky whose reproductive future I pondered in my April column, was spayed three weeks ago. As previously noted, her athletic lineage is impressive. But I wouldn’t be ready to breed her to expand my sled dog team for at least two more years. Each passing year she remained unspayed would increase the chances of her developing all the painful health problems found so often in unspayed and unneutered dogs.
Nice try
Leaving dog feces on the ground because, after all, they are biodegradable is not a good rationalization for being lazy. In those feces are microorganisms that can make people sick, especially kids, who tend to be intrigued by touching the multicolored, fragrant piles. Whenever you go out with your dog, stuff a few plastic bags into your pockets to clean up after your pal.
Even in Montana
Letting a dog ride unrestrained in an open pickup truck bed is not smart. Repeat, IT DOES NOT LOOK COOL. Frankly, it looks ignorant, and in most states it’s illegal. Slam on the brakes once and the dog becomes roadkill, often by first bouncing off the windshield of the next car. And ever noticed how quickly pickup truck beds get hot? It’s easy for dogs to burn their pads within a matter of minutes. Get a canopy for the pickup truck bed or put the dog in a traveling crate.
Cat on a hot tin roof
Or dog in a hot car, same thing. The point is both are extremely dangerous. Too many dogs have given their lives to prove that open windows, parking in the shade and cars with air conditioning don’t change this rule of common sense: Don’t leave your dog in the car on a warm day.
Interstate dreams
Before you hit the road this summer, you might want to check out these two books:
“Eileen’s Directory of Pet-Friendly Lodging” by Eileen Barish.
“Pets-R-Permitted” compiled by Annenberg Communication Institute (1-800-274-7297).
Sorting through the bureaucracy
National parks do not allow dogs on trails. National forests usually do. State lands vary. Check land regulations before arriving for a hike with your dog.
Dogs on disc
“Telemark’s Guide to Dogs” is a new CD-ROM including everything from an interactive breed selector to a catalog of dog books and magazines. Contact Telemark Productions at (408) 738-2386 or http://www.telemarkprod.com.
Summer reading list
Other new books about dogs and dog people include:
“Out of Harm’s Way: The Extraordinary True Story of One Woman’s Lifelong Devotion to Animal Rescue” by Terri Crisp and Samantha Glen.
“The Dog Who Loved Too Much: Tales, Treatments and the Psychology of Dogs” by Dr. Nicholas Dodman.
“In the Company of Newfies: A Shared Life” by Rhoda Lerman.
, DataTimes MEMO: Mary Sagal’s background is in journalism and wildife biology. She has also worked at a veterinary clinic. She lives in rural Spokane County with her husband and their mixed-breed and Siberian husky dogs. About Dogs appears the first Sunday of each month.