Pets

Known as man’s best friend, dogs have increasingly become part of many people’s lives. Often viewed as more than simply pets, they are companions and valued members of the family. Then, there are times when dogs will get sick and may need to go to the vet. However, while dog owners are likely aware of this, they may be unaware that sick dogs may also require blood transfusions. Much like there are human blood donors, dogs can also become blood donors to help save the lives of their fellow canines. To do this the dog must meet specific criteria. For example, in Australia, VIC, the U-Vet Canine Blood Donor Program requires that the dog: Weighs 25kg or more. Be aged between one and seven years old. Be fully vaccinated. Be regularly wormed. Never have received a blood transfusion itself. Has a known history of good health. Be of calm temperament. ...

As the tussle over NSW Premier Mike Baird banning greyhound racing in the state continues, something more proactive is occurring than the rhetoric of political posturing and legal challenges. This something, is to help the dogs find new homes. These greyhounds are unlikely to keep racing, and they may never had a hope of winning any greyhound races to begin with. But they can be given new hope, and can make great pet dogs for the right people. Greyhound Adoption Day will be held 10am-2pm this Saturday, 16 July 2016, at the Wentworth Park greyhound racing track in Sydney, NSW. At least 20 greyhounds will be there and available for adoption as pets. Giving people the opportunity to meet the dogs, other owners, and speak with greyhound experts to learn more about the breed. Admittedly it’s short notice for this first Greyhound Adoption Day. However, the event is being run ...

The kelpie named Kasey has had a rough stint. What at first appeared to be an open wound from an infected tooth, turned out to be a gunshot upon vet examination. The results of which showed the dog had been shot in the head. Breaking her jaw. Shattering her teeth. Leaving behind shrapnel and a burst abscess. Kasey was initially found by a council ranger, after she was dumped near Tamworth, in regional NSW, Australia. Things have started to improve for Kasey the kelpie since then. She was taken in as a rescue dog by Australian Working Dog Rescue (AWDRI). An Australian non-profit charitable institution which aims to save working dog breeds from being euthanased in council pounds and shelters, and find new homes for them. As for the story of Kasey the shot kelpie, she weighed in at only 13kg upon rescue, and is now a more healthy 21kg. ...

When people think of someone playing video games, dogs don’t exactly come to mind. Dogs on occasion may watch television and have a chew on a controller, but play video games? The dog is probably more into chasing cats and napping. However, the CleverPet Hub wants to change all this. The video game console of sorts, it’s more of a device, for dogs aims to fulfil dogs’ needs for mental and physical stimulation. It’s not necessarily going to replace things such as companionship or walks with a dog’s owner. However, not every dog owner can be around their pet all the time. Being left alone can result in dogs behaving badly, including chewing, digging and destructive behaviour. Not to mention barking or howling, and other separation anxiety issues found amongst dogs. CleverPet Hub, which looks more like a dome and thankfully doesn’t rely on being connected to the television to ...

Being left in a hot car has claimed the life of one of two dogs in Cairns, Australia. One dog, the male, had to be euthanased. The second dog, the female, is presently under municipal care. The incident occurred yesterday on Wharf Street in Cairns, Australia, while the owner of the car, Graham John Oakes was in a Queensland court. He will now face criminal charges over the incident. Charged with two counts of animal cruelty, Oakes is scheduled to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on 22 January. Bystanders gave the dogs water through the partially opened car window in an attempt to save them, but it wasn’t enough. At this time of year in the near 40 degree heat of Cairns, Queensland, and with the dogs spending over two hours locked in the hot car, by the time council arrived to extract the dogs, the male dog was ...

Dogs. Love them or loathe them, somewhere people are likely to be walking them. Leashed or unleashed, is less of the point here. Because no matter how well trained, at some point dogs are going to want to go to the toilet. Maybe the dog is well trained and simply got caught short. Maybe it’s none of the above. The number one variety doesn’t seem to matter too much to people. Whether it’s for labelling or something else. When you’ve got to go, you’ve got to go. Even in dog-terms. And it should drain away easily enough if outside. While Tarō Gomi assured us in his book that Everyone Poops (or by another title Everyone Eats and …), the author didn’t specifically mention that dogs poop. So that may explain some of the confusion and taboo, but dogs do poop. The question of where dogs poo, can be of importance ...