Brandy and Val

On December 9, I wrote about the growing need and number of food banks that are supplying food for pets as well as people.   Apparently, this need has reached critical levels and Petco is expanding its Petco Foundation to help build a national network of food banks.  That’s GREAT!   While I generally try not to link “big box stores” in favor of small, family run operations, the Foundation and its’ resources are so important to helping animals and families who have them that I encourage all to read more about what they do.  Use it as a resource for where to go if you need help or if you wish to help.  The Mayor’s Alliance in New York City is working with the Petco Foundation in its’ expansion efforts.  Food bins will be put in Petco stores for donations so, if you can, help lend a hand and donate some food.  If you have a local pet store that you like to support, urge them to help a food bank by donating some food.  I know that one of our favorite local stores, Bentley’s, in Arlington Heights, IL, is always working on some project,  helping shelters and donating food in the area, giving them an A+ in our book.  PAWS Chicago will also distribute Petco food and products through its spay and neuter clinic.     If you  know local stores in your area who also help out, please comment our Facebook page or here so we can start our own resource list!  Some other resources are noted back in our December 9 article, as well.

A few weeks ago we talked about some breakthrough moments we had during our sessions and wondered whether we were going to be able to repeat the process of having two, very nervous autistic children who were scared of Brandy take a walk with her.  Well, I am glad to report that INDEED, these same children were very willing to walk with my sister and had an equally good time.  One of the kids even held mom’s hand and patted it.  Awesome.  We wonder how this translates, if it does, to other aspects of their lives.  We hope it does.  Another big moment for Brandy occurred when the sole remaining child in the class who wouldn’t acknowledge her agreed to wave “hi” and “bye” and looked at her when he did this.  He even kind of agreed to maybe touch her next week.  Wouldn’t that be great.

As for me, well, I “flew solo” today.  The other dog I normally work the room with was absent so it was up to me to carry the day.  I think I did a great job working with so many children and dad keeps calling me a star, so it must be true.  We did all my favorite activities:  walking with the children; taking treats from them; being brushed by them; playing the cup game in which I get to find my treat and playing GET MINNIE where I retrieve my mini-Val toy from a basket and bring it over to the person calling my name.  It was a good day.

I think we’re ready for much deserved naps.

Over the past several months, I’ve heard that bed bugs are, unfortunately, making a comeback in the United States.  Not only are they making their way into hotels, but they are infiltrating apartment buildings and private homes.  However, I am not writing about bedbugs.  You can Google galore about the subject!  I am here to recognize, once again, how our incredible canine friends are front and center in becoming invaluable working animals!  The are becoming the primary line of defense  in the fight to sniff those buggers out.   Two recent articles in the        NEW YORK TIMES centered around the role of the pups.  What’s interesting is that it doesn’t seem to matter what kind of breed is used as long as they pass their hunting/sniffing training.  In the articles mentioned, a beagle, basenji and a puggle were used but, not surprisingly, another company has trained mutts with success.   Dogs in search of bed bugs not only find them faster than humans but can do so with a accuracy rate of over 95%.  Once again, we humans are humbled by the power of man’s best friend.

A day to lighten up a bit now that we’ve had some good weather, sunshine and can feel spring in the air!

What dog guardian can’t relate to this one:

One of Brandy's daily highlights

We had major breakthroughs at pet therapy this week that I want to share with you.  In my session with mom, two children who absolutely, positively would not communicate or show any emotion with me agreed to go on a “walk.”  Maybe it’s because they are used to me by now or maybe it was something else, but the kids walked with enthusiasm, laughed and smiled.  This made it a really good session for me.  I wonder if,  the next time we visit, they will remember this outing and go with me again for a walk.  Maybe they will pet me. One boy gave me a treat on a fork and he seemed to really like that.  I know I did, after all, who doesn’t like getting a treat?  I really hope that they understood something good was going on!

Later when we met up with Val and dad, Val told me that he did 3 roll-overs on his own without any help and the children in his group all clapped and laughed.  I know he really loves little girls, I bet when he lived in New Orleans before Hurricane Katrina he had a sister but I also know he really likes it when everyone gives him good attention, too!

A big cheer to all the children who participated this week and whom we gave some happiness to.

Adopted Oscar with sibling, Kitty

The controversy continues as to whether Pit Bulls are a menace to the dog-world and society at large.   It is unfortunate that these creatures have been in-bred and their reputation and their use as attack and fighting animals seems to be spiraling out of control.  When I was growing up, everyone was “afraid” of Dobermans.  Now, due to the exposure of large dog fighting rings (thanks, Michael Vick!) and some of the unsavory people who are using and training them as intimidation dogs, the Pit Bull’s reputation has been soiled to the point where, almost universally, people are fearful of them.   Two of my friends rescued and adopted Pit Bulls — one was captured and taken in after being observed wandering in a public park for weeks and slowly dying of starvation and cold; the other was thrown into my friend’s yard as discarded trash.  Both dogs were nursed to health and  are now thriving with their new families and are adorable,  sweet pups.

The forever beloved lab, with a reputation for having the friendliest, gentle demeanor can also be bred to be mean and attack. We had a neighbor who had the meanest lab I had ever seen.  I just couldn’t figure it out.  When I walked Brandy and Val it would run up to the boundary of its’ invisible fence and bark, snarl, growl, bear teeth, etc. to such an extent, I would cross the street and literally pray that it would not break through the fence.  Everyone in the neighborhood knew that dog was scary except its’ owner.  Eventually, the dog bit another neighbor and it was put down with the excuse being “it was old and getting erratic.”  Erratic for the last 10 years?

Maybe it’s the people and not the dogs?

Here’s an interesting article recently forwarded to me written in  Philly.com