Literature and movies are filled with tales about dogs who are faithful to their owners even after death. Here is a sad but true tale reported today by Associated Press.
(Photo of Cash, and Sara and Lane Baysinger)

Dog guarded owner’s body for weeks after suicide.

GREELEY, Colo. (AP) — A dog stood guard over her owner’s body for up to six weeks after the man committed suicide on the remote northeastern Colorado plains, authorities said.
The body of 25-year-old Jake Baysinger of La Salle was found Sunday on the Pawnee National Grasslands about 75 miles northeast of Denver. Cash, his German shepherd, was found beside him, thin and dehydrated but still alive. The dog had apparently survived by eating mice and rabbits, authorities said.

The Weld County coroner ruled Baysinger’s death a suicide. The cause of death wasn’t immediately determined but authorities found a gun nearby, the coroner’s office said Tuesday.
Baysinger was reported missing June 28. An extensive search failed to locate him, but a rancher saw Cash last weekend, went to investigate and discovered Baysinger’s body and his pickup.

“At least we know it’s over now,” said Baysinger’s wife, Sara. “We’d been looking for my husband for six weeks, and this isn’t how we wanted it to end. At least we can close this.”

Cash has been reunited with her and her 2-year-old son, Lane. She said her little boy is “very close to that dog” and happy to see her again.
Investigators said the dog probably kept coyotes away from the body.

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South Florida may have miles of coastline but there aren’t a lot of places where dogs can dip their paws in the surf. But a dog’s life got better earlier this year, when Hollywood city officials approved a new dog beach.

And you don’t even have to be a Hollywood resident to enjoy it – although you will have to pay extra for the privilege.

Dog Beach of Hollywood is located between Pershing and Custer Streets, east of Ocean Drive (State Road A1A) and north of Sheridan Street. It’s open from 5 pm to 9 pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only. One-day passes are $5 per dog for residents, and $10 per dog for non-residents. Six-month passes (come on, your dog will want to go more than once!) start at $30 for residents, $60 for non-residents.

Passes can be purchased from rangers on site, when the beach is open, or at the Hollywood Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Office, 1405. S. 28th Ave., Hollywood. For more info, call 954-921-3404.

Beach-goers must use the Pershing Street entrance and sign in with the ranger. And the Web manager for FloridaPets.net warns on her site: Follow the rules! It took years for dog-lovers to get the city to agree to the concept, she said, and the project will be routinely reviewed. “So don’t give the naysayers any ammunition,” she wrote.

Do you know other places where dogs can hit the beach? Let us know!

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Usually when I get mass emails forwarded to me I usually delete, delete, delete. But, this one was sent by my good friend Oline Cogdill so my instinct told me it was going to be a good one. If this doesn't make you smile you must really be having a bad day.

Click here for the cleaning screen-saver

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We all think our pets are THE most adorable, precious and smart ones around (which makes us sound alarmingly like stage moms and dads). Here’s your chance to prove it to the world.

The search is on for a pup that will be the new face (maybe that should be new muzzle) of ALPO, a name synonymous with dog food. But the winner will need more than just good looks.

ALPO wants their new spokesdog to be a “meat maniac” – in their own words, “a loveable, everyday dog who has the most entertaining and memorable way of showing his excitement when dinner is served.”

You have until July 27 to enter, so hurry, hurry, hurry! Submit a home video of your dog in action by either snail mail or e-mail. Dog lovers preferring to sit on the sidelines can vote for their favorites, American Idol style. Click here for all the details.

The top dog will have his or her image featured on 2.5 million cans of ALPO. But wait, there’s more!
Other prizes include a trip to Hollywood for the winner and human posse, $10,000 in cash, a hometown celebration – and a year’s supply of ALPO.

And we already have a local girl in the running. Below is a video of Sissy, a Pomeranian from Boca Raton, showing that she will work it for food.

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Uno, the irrepressible pooch who has taken the dog world by storm, probably thought he made the big leagues when he took Best in Show at Westminister earlier this year. But now he truly is in the majors.

America's Top Dog threw out the ceremonial first pitch at the Milwaukee Brewers-Cinncinati Reds baseball game in Wisconsin last weekend -- possibly the first canine to do the honors. Flying first class with his own seat and harness, Uno earlier wowed the crowd by doing some fielding for Brewer's pitcher Jeff Supan and signing "pawtographs."

He also denied rumors that he's dating Madonna (sorry, A-Rod).

Click here for a column from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Uno's first pitching start.

Wonder if he's a southpaw?

(photo by Associated Press)

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Dog gone: Miami ranks number two among cities nationwide where dogs are lost, according to Dog Detective, an online network of owners who have lost and found pets. And the Magic City is number three when it comes to pup abductions.

Labs number one MIA

Labradors are the most common breed lost, according to Dog Detectives records as of the end of June. And pit bulls are the breed most likely to be stolen.

Here are the rankings:

Top three breeds lost: 1.) Labrador retriever; 2.) Chihuahau; and 3.) pit bull
Top three breeds stolen: 1.) Pit bull; 2.) Labrador retriever; and 3.) Chihuahau

Top three cities where dogs are lost: 1.) Houston; 2.) Miami; and 3.) Phoenix
Top three cities where dogs are stolen: 1.) Houston; 2.) Los Angeles; and 3.) Miami.

This is kind of like those rankings that show the most commonly stolen cars.
So: Does this make you, say, less likely to buy a Lab or more likely to buy a Yorkie if you live in Miami?

And I must say: It sure seems like it would be a lot easier to pocket a Chihuahau than a pit bull, but apparently not.

All kidding aside, take precautions to keep your dog (or cat) from being lost or stolen. Some owners have reported animals being taken from their own homes or backyards. Microchip your pets. Keep a current photo of your animal and start posting fliers as soon as he or she goes missing. Be wary of leaving your dog unattended outside, be it in or out of your yard.

(photo from Just Labradors)

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Denis Flaim who writes the Animal House blog at Newsday in Long Island, N.Y. offers six tips for taking your dog to work. Take Your Dog to Work Day is June 20.

Flaim says you've only got once change to make a good first impression.

I'm not sure about you, but the last time someone brought a dog into the newsroom, one of my colleagues had to go home for her alergy medication.

Click here for Flaim's tips.

Staff photo/Mike Stocker

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Dr. Tod Schadler, Associate Dean of Clinical Studies at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine in Edison, N.J., offers these tip to keep pets safe from the summer’s scorching heat.

Never leave your pet alone in a parked car. Parked cars are potential death traps for pets during the warm months. Even on a mild day, the temperature inside a car can quickly climb to more than 120°.

Provide adequate shelter for protection from the heat if your pet lives outdoors. Outdoor kennels should be well ventilated and in a shaded area. There should always be an area where your pet can go to get out of the sun.

Make sure that there is plenty of fresh drinking water available. The bowl should ideally be placed in a shaded area. Utilize a spill proof dish or provide a few bowls in case your pet tips one over.

Avoid excessive exercise during hot days. Exercise is important, but over-exertion during hot weather can result in heat stress.

Keep your pet well groomed. Overgrown and matted hair prevents good air circulation with your pet’s skin, making it more difficult to maintain a comfortable body temperature.

Be aware of symptoms of heatstroke. Heatstroke is a life-threatening condition that results when pets cannot maintain a normal body temperature. The warning signs of heatstroke include panting, staring or anxious expressions, a refusal to obey commands, warm and dry skin, high body temperature, rapid heartbeat and possibly vomiting. Call your veterinarian immediately if your pet exhibits any of these signs.

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A book crossed my desk that is nothing more than pure indulgence. Eye candy. Escapism canine-style.

Because if you like dogs, you’ll love Dogs: 101 Adorable Breeds ($24.99, Andrews McMeel). Rachael Hale, an animal portrait photographer from Aukland, New Zealand, manages to capture the essence of every breed. You can also read about each dog’s origins, temperament and maintenance.

But this book is really about looking at photos. And judging by the reaction of my co-workers, it's about oohing and awwing at the collection of adorable dogs.

Doggone cute.

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On our politics blog yesterday, reporter Scott Wyman wrote that the Broward County Commission has reworked the ordinance that defines “dangerous dogs.”

In a nutshell, a dog now will be considered dangerous if:

1.) It severely injures or kills a person; or
2.) It kills a domestic animal in an unprovoked attack off the owner’s property.

Once a dog is declared dangerous, it must registered with the county, muzzled in public and kept in a confined area with a warning posted.
(Click here if you want to read Scott's complete post on the new law.)

Notice there is no mention of specific breeds. But it is a stricter law, as previously dogs had to kill a pet twice before being labeled dangerous.

This ruling made me think back to an April post on SSS! by Karla, who uses a Rottweiler as a service dog and also is a dog trainer. Karla said she travels a lot overseas and thought that regulations they had in Majorca, an island off the coast of Spain, would work great here. Requirements include:

1.) All dogs over 22 kilos (48.5 pounds), or those considered “bully breeds,” must be registered.
2.) Owners of these dogs must have a muzzle with them at all times when with the dog (don’t have to make the dog wear it, though).
3.) Owners must have a criminal background check, a medical clearance saying they are physically and mentally capable of handling such a pet, and carry $250,000 in insurance.
4.) Dogs cannot be walked on a flexi-leash or leash longer than 6 feet.
5.) A vet must certify the animal has been vaccinated and is not vicious.

(Click here if you want to read Karla’s full post.)

So what do you think of Broward County’s new law? Does it go too far or not far enough? Should there be additional guidelines for specific breeds? Should owners be required to carry extra insurance, as they are in Spain?

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Dogs were receiving bone marrow transplants before humans, as canines were research subjects when the procedure was being developed. Now, dogs with lymphoma can get the life-saving treatment in their own right, say veterinary oncologists at Washington State University -- for a price.

Medical technology is advancing for companion animals, just as it is for their human friends. And with it comes the same questions we ask about advanced medical treatments for ourselves and our two-legged loved ones. When is it time to say "enough" and let go? And with pets comes a second, more complicated query: When does "too much" mean too much money to prolong an animal's life?

Trudy, growing older

The story by Tom Paulson of the "Seattle Post-Intelligencer," which ran Monday, is below. But I also encourage you to click here and read Paulson's accompanying piece about his golden retriever, Trudy, who had a rare blood disease.
"I had to ask my veterinarian to kill my beloved dog recently," Paulson starts out... But not before he spent $7,000, trying to buy a few more months with her.

BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTS -- FOR DOGS
BY TOM PAULSON c.2008 Seattle Post-Intelligencer
May 12, 2008

SEATTLE -- The bone marrow, or stem cell, transplant, a procedure that every year saves tens of thousands of lives and won for the Seattle physician who pioneered it the 1990 Nobel Prize in Medicine, appears poised to come full circle and finally become more widely available to those who first made it all possible.
Dogs.

"They helped us figure out how to help save ourselves, and so this represents a big give-back to the canine species," said Dr. Jeffrey Bryan, a veterinary oncologist at Washington State University.

Bryan is spearheading a project to soon launch what would be the world's first large-scale clinical transplant program for dogs. The program is expected to become available to treat dogs with lymphoma sometime this summer.

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If you’re like 30 million other Americans, you travel with a pet.

Nancy Cribb of Delray Beach was returning from a visit with her parents in Arkansas, when she got tired of trying to get her two Bichon Frises to drink water at every rest stop.

She looked at her cup holders and a light bulb went off. Why hadn’t anyone invented a bowl that fits in a car cup holder?

The To Go Bowl is her first invention and available just in time for Memorial Day travel from her web site furrytravelers.com.

“People that take their dogs in the car immediately know how valuable it is,” says Cribb, who left a job in property management to launch the site and her flagship invention.

Available in six colors, each $15 bowl holds 24 ounces of water. Cribb recommends filling the bowl to just 16 ounces in stop-and-go traffic. A removable base holds treats or dry dog food. The bowls are made in a Dania Beach factory.

Cribb sells several other products on the web site including harnesses, booster seats and strollers. You’ll also find South Florida stores that carry the To Go Bowl.

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The Humane Society of the United States has released a video that blows the snazzy front doors off Pets of Bel Air, a tony "pet boutique" catering to spoiled celebutants from the Paris Hilton mold. Turns out most of these pups destined for the laps of luxury are the “products” (which is exactly how the people who raise and sell these animals see them) of puppy mills. The video cuts between the store, which is crammed with designer pet totes and doggy duds, to the Midwestern kennels, where dogs with bleeding feet and sores are crammed into wire cages. There, they spend their miserable lives pumping out litter after litter.

Puppies born under these conditions, not surprisingly, are more likely to have congenital illnesses or skeletal deformities. The Bel Air employees, while denying the operation is supplied by mills, also talk about how they never are allowed to tell customers when a potential pet might be seriously sick. “If anything, we just say he has the sniffles,” giggles one. “It’s cuter.”

There are similar pet stores in South Florida, which has a celebutant culture of its own. If you patronize them, you’re part of problem. Stop it. It’s a dog — a living, breathing creature -- not an accessory.

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Girl power rules at Texas A&M University. The hunt is on there for a new canine mascot as the current job-holder, Reveille VII, is retiring. The college is willing to consider either a collie type, like the present Reveille, or a golden retriever. But A&M vice president Dean Bresciani said a female mascot definitely is preferred, "because they are mellower."

We knew that.

Here is the full, and fun, story from the Houston Chronicle.

Wanted: one dog, must hate orange
A&M has job opening up as Reveille VII passes on leash
May 1, 2008

By ALLAN TURNER
Copyright 2008 Houston Chronicle

It's a dog's life, and it ain't half bad. Glamour, pomp and pamper; a loyal and petting public; and all the travel you can stand.
If that sounds like the job for you, wag your tail.
Texas A&M's collie mascot, Reveille VII, is retiring, and the Aggies are on the scent of a successor.

On Thursday, the university's 16-member study committee - made up of students, professors, Aggie moms and others - issued a seven-point report on characteristics the new top dog should possess.
Not mentioned, but maybe the most important trait of all, is simple four-footed stamina.

"There is no university mascot that is used as intensively as Reveille," said Dean Bresciani, vice president for student affairs. "She goes to every university event imaginable. She goes to Aggie Mothers Clubs, A&M clubs around the state, and out-of-town and local sporting events; she appears in parades and at weddings and funerals. She travels more than the university president."

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Take your best friend out to the ballgame! The Florida Marlins are having their annual Bark at the Park tonight, Friday. The game against the San Diego Padres begins at 7:10 pm -- night games are improvement over the Marlin's original Dog Day Afternoon, which broiled pooches and two-legged fans alike in the sun.

The event is held in conjunction with the Humane Society of Greater Miami/Adopt-A-Pet and the Humane Society of Broward County. There will be professional pet photographers and other "dog friendly" activities.

Tickets are $12 for humans, $6 for kids and dogs. That should leave you enough money for -- what else? -- some hot dogs.

Click here for more details.

And check back with Sit, Stay, Speak! tomorrow. We are going to post some photos from the game, and we aren't talking about pictures of the players.

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Sami and Danni, these two sweet-faced Spaniel-mix sisters, were found alone in the back yard by a real estate agent checking on a Boca Raton home going into foreclosure. Their family had left the name and number of the dogs' veternarian and a note: They had to leave, they said, but could not bring their pets with them. The dogs, taken in by the Tri-County Humane Society in Boca, were healthy and in good shape. But they are 7 years old, cutting their chances for adoption.

I wrote about Sami and Danni in this story that ran last Sunday, on companion animals becoming the silent victims of foreclosures. Although the trend is hard to track, the people running South Florida's shelters fear its on the rise.

"Wow, sad article in Sunday's paper....," wrote Bruce in an e-mail to me. "Absolutely pitiful. Just wondering ... doesn't the Police Dept have any authority to cite or arrest these losers who abandon animals ? Surely this constitutes some form of animal cruelty?"

The answer is: Not necessarily.
There is no Florida law directly addressing animal abandonment.

Owners who leave their pets without water or shelter can be charged with animal cruelty, a misdemeanor that can be upgraded to a felony in extreme cases. But in Broward County, animal control or police officers who discover an animal alone but with shelter and water, and not in distress, post a 24-hour notice on the door. If the officer still finds no one at home when checking back a day later, the animal is taken to the county shelter and the owners notified.

Owners then have five days to claim their pets, and will be charged for boarding and other fees. But no criminal charges are filed.

So -- what are your thoughts on people facing foreclosure who leave behind their animals? Do you know someone who has been in this situation? Is abandonment cruelty if the pets are well-cared for and safe?

It's hard for me to imagine ever leaving my cats behind -- but then, I never have lost my home.

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Several readers vaguely remembered another story regarding a dog and a soldier after we posted an article last week about Bo, a Labrador retriever serving in Iraq whose Army partner was killed in a bombing.

The previous tale was about Nubs. An Iraqi stray cared for by Marine Maj. Brian Dennis, Nubs was so named because someone had cut off his ears to make him look more aggressive. Dennis, who is from St. Petersburg Beach, was forced to leave Nubs behind when his battalion went back to its command post. But the dog followed days later – forcing Dennis to make a choice between getting Nubs off the base, which didn’t allow pets, or killing him.

It’s a touching piece about the human-animal bond under the worst conditions. Here it is, if you missed it the first time. If you didn’t, it sounds like some of you wanted to read it again.

(photo of Maj. Brian Dennis and Nubs published in the Rocky Mountain News)

Dog rescued by Marine in Iraq heading to Calif.
Associated Press

Originally published 11:39 a.m., February 22, 2008
Updated 03:13 p.m., February 22, 2008

SAN DIEGO _ It began with a simple act of kindness to save an abused, injured dog from becoming one more victim in the Iraq war.
But what followed for Marine Maj. Brian Dennis and the mutt was a tale of friendship and loyalty that spanned miles and overcame long odds - one set to take a turn Friday with the anticipated arrival here of the Marine's best friend.

"This dog who had been through a lifetime of fighting, war, abuse ... is going to live the good life," Dennis told his family in an e-mail from Iraq.
The tale unfolded in October, a few months after Dennis deployed to Iraq from San Diego to work as part of the military team building infrastructure along the Syria-Iraq border and training Iraqi forces to take over.

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Pet blogger Ann Hellmuth, with our sister paper in Orlando, often writes about her bulldog, George. So she must be proud to discover that George has something in common with Buddy, who just crowned the winner of the “Beautiful Bulldog” contest in Des Moines.

And I am talking about something besides the fact that both dogs resemble Winston Churchill.
Click here to find out what it is.

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Army Staff Sgt. Donald Tabb and Master Sgt. Bo, a black Labrador retriever, were a team serving a military detail in Iraq. Both were riding in a vehicle two months ago when it was hit by a bomb. Tabb died in the blast but Bo survived, although wounded near his left eye.

Now Bo is being honorably discharged -- and given to his deceased partner's family, who live outside of Atlanta. The military is all Bo has known. Here is wishing him a swift adjustment to the peaceful civilian life he deserves.

Click here to read the full story in the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
(photo of Bo and Willie Smith, Tabb's brother, by Jason Getz of the AJC.)

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When we first brought Calvin home from the shelter I thought he was perfect. His cute little face, his chubby little tummy — just adorable.

After a few days I noticed he was nursing his back left leg. This being my first dog and all, I was freaked out and took him to the vet the very next day.

It turns out that Calvin was quite overweight. My vet told me that it is common for little dogs to get serious knee issues when they are overweight. He asked how much I've been feeding him, and I told him that I fill his bowl when it's empty. (That's how we did it when I was growing up.) He shook his head no and set me straight.

I learned that day that Calvin is not the type of dog that can be free-fed. The vet told me I should be feeding him a 1/2 a cup a day, twice a day. Growing up, our family dogs were always big, I really had no idea how much small dogs ate.

When we adopted Calvin he weighed 12 pounds and now he weighs 9. He still has a limp but it isn't nearly as bad as it used to be.

I know that overweight pets is a real problem. I want to know how do you help your pets lose weight?

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Features Copy Editor Laura Kelly writes:

Tara was named Fozzy Bear by her breeder. And that wouldn’t do for my majestic, Old English mastiff girl.

Though she pretty much stumbled toward me at our meeting — her massive paws ridiculously too large for her gangly legs and fuzzy, tail-wagging, little rear — I knew she was destined for a greater name — and a ridiculously larger size. I had no way of knowing she would outlive many mastiffs, living almost until the age of 13.

My mother knighted her Tara of the Kings, for the ancient seat of Irish royalty. (Hey, we knew the breed was English, but the name’s Kelly, ya know?)

After paying my $1,000 (thanks Mom and Dad, I was young and underpaid), a beautiful apricot, 4-month-old mastiff came home with me and changed my life.
Literally.

Since my husband of almost eight years claims he fell in love with my dog first, you can see that her impact was of great weight — much more than her mere 180 pounds.

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Getting Chihuahuas to race is a little like getting babies to smile for the photographer.

Check out the video posted on the pet blog at the Orlando Sentinel.

Blogger Ann Hellmuth also has news about the PETCO Unleashed National Chihuahua Races April 19 in Orlando, the first time in four years that the Florida race has been held outside of Miami. The winner moves on to San Diego over Labor Day weekend for the national championships.

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I don't know how many times I've been walking Chewy and Norman and someone stops to ask me "what are those?" I usually say schnauzer-Yorkie mixes but the truth is, I have no idea.

They have bearded faces and hair that grows like wild fire. Their previous owner had their tails cropped (which makes us think schnauzer). When we get them groomed Chewy's body looks a lot like my Italian Greyhound (deep chest and long legs). Norman, looks similar to Chewy but has short legs.

Well, now instead of guessing what our mutts are mixed with, why not just get a DNA test. That's right, buy a DNA Breed Identification Test from Happy Dog DNA and in two weeks the mystery will be solved.

The test costs $59.95 plus $4.85 for shipping. All you have to do is swab your pups mouth and send the test to the lab.

This test can be important because it can tell us a lot about our dogs and why they act the way they do. Plus we can learn about breed specific health risks to watch for.

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Dear Steve: During an appearance on Late Night With Conan O'Brien, Sheryl Crow said she wouldn't date a guy who wouldn't roll around with her dogs and be willing to get snot on himself. I have two Newfoundlands, therefore I know something about snot. I have dates, but apparently I know more about dogs than men. You're a man, so you tell me. My attitude has been, if you can't deal with my dogs, forget it. As a result, I have no guys. Any suggestions?
— S.T., Tacoma, WA

Check out Steve Dale's answer in Monday's Pet World column on Page 2 of Lifestyle.

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Oline Cogdill writes

Skin conditions are the most common ailment for dogs in South Florida. My sweet shih tzu Dash (a rescue) constantly scratches. For the past year, his skin has looked the best it ever has thanks to pills and omega fish oil capsule.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how they've dealt with skin problems?

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We recently moved from a neighborhood that had doggy bag stands everywhere. In our new neighborhood there is only one, but you have to walk a mile to get to it. Which is why I'm so excited that I can now buy BÄSTIS (pet waste bags) from our local IKEA.

I know it's not the most exciting thing to buy, but these bags are only $1.49 for 50 bags and are way more reliable than my reused Publix plastic bags.

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For all you Italian Greyhound lovers you must go to Iggyplanet.com.

You can learn everything you ever needed to know about Iggies, plus meet hundreds of IG owners who are as obsessed with their dogs as you are!

(And they have a great link to Italian Greyhound rescue groups)

This is my IG Silvio.

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Oreo McCain from Bideawee.org

Still wondering whether the vote you cast in the Jan. 29 presidential primary will ever count? You have another chance.

Bideawee, one of the oldest humane organizations, offers an opportunity to vote for First Pet.

Should the White House be occupied by feline Oreo McCain? Or canine Seamus Clinton? Or, a dog to be acquired later by Barack Obama?

Help decide who will succeed Barney and Mrs. Beasley.
Let your Pet Choice be heard!

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Getting a dog improved my social life.

First, Bella introduced me to my neighbors.

I had lived in my small neighborhood almost a year when I adopted Bella. It’s a quiet, friendly place. At that point, I could tell because people waved from their cars. But with my work hours and South Florida’s sweltering summer temperatures, I didn’t spend much time outdoors waiting to see if my neighbors would emerge to talk.

But when you have a dog, especially a puppy, you spend a lot more time outdoors. The morning and night-time walks turn into community gatherings. I now know my neighbors, at least those who have dogs, even if it’s just as “Bob’s dad” or “Ginger’s mom.”

Most importantly, Bella brought Boyfriend Bill into my life.

When Bella was a puppy, she had a walker, someone who took her out while I worked. And her walker had a friend, who had a friend.

So, in a round-about way, I met Boyfriend Bill through Bella.

Others have to have similar stories. Has your dog broadened your circle of friends?

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