Kim Bloomer's Blog
Posted by Kim Bloomer
Some things here in NM have recently come to light for me that has me determined to be more of a voice for determining the health, care and wellbeing for my own animals myself. In my case this means my dog since he's the sole "fur child" in our home.
I recently learned (and you would've thought I'd know this already but I believe the "powers that be" don't want people to know all the ways our rights are being erroded) that it is a misdemeanor offense to have an animal chiropractor come to my house to adjust my dog unless there is a licensed veterinarian present also UNLESS the chiropractor doesn't receive pay for the work.
In most states it doesn't even matter if you don't pay an alternative care practitioner or not, you'd still be in violation of the law in your state. Did you know that? I keep wondering what this bent is in America to thwart all natural health care of animals (and people) UNLESS a licensed vet or doctor is present and we can all guess the answer to that one and it most certainly goes to the root of the problem. I think these sorts of decisions should not be left up to the government organizations that apparently have major conflicts of interest, or the health boards. Rather it should be left up to us the animal owners to decide.
Maybe the problem has been that too many of us have apathetically sat back and allowed our rights to just be taken away as concerns our animals. I'm of the mind that you can't mandate away all the problems in a free society. In a free society you are going to have some people who make bad choices but legislating it all doesn't make those who choose to do wrong stop doing wrong. I suppose somewhere we may come to a happy middle but I seriously doubt it.
I hope to make a bit of difference by educating animal owners about their rights and encouraging us to all stand in the gap for our own animals as regards their health care choices and their welfare.
I like what Mahtma Ghandi said about being the example or solution you want to see in the world. So together with a friend we are organizing the National Alliance for Animal Owners Rights and hope to bring the state groups together with us. At least we aren't sitting back waiting for someone else to do it so we hope as many as you who are willing will join us.
Have a tail waggin' day!
Posted by Kim Bloomer
Just yesterday on our podcast, Animal Talk Naturally, my co-host Jeannie and I talked about the awful inhumanity of humankind to to animals through factory farming and puppy mills. Since this is a Dog Topic I'll focus here a bit on puppy mills.
I was perusing some sites this morning really encouraging us to not support puppy mills through our purchases. By purchasing puppies from puppy mills, newspaper ads and yes the ever present existence of puppy millers online, WE the buyers are the ones who are supporting this horrid practice. Us and the USDA in many cases in fact. I won't go there because there isn't enough space in one short blog post about all I'd like to say about how our government not only supports these commercial breeders but obviously keeps them in business with our tax dollars.
I digress and I'll just get angrier the more I go on about that particular subject. At any rate we can do a lot by just not purchasing dogs -or any animals for that matter -from pet stores or online. There is just no knowing what horrible condition the parents are existing in. By buying these puppies we are condemning more dogs to a horrible existence inside a puppy mill, namely the parents who are bred until they can no longer breed or produce. Females typically wear out by age 5 since they are bred over and over from their first heat. When a female can't produce anymore she is "dealt" with in several ways:
1. She could be sold at auction to an upstart puppy mill subjecting her to further torture and misery. Her own neglected existence makes her very unfit to be able to nuture and train a puppy to be able to live in human society. Her life is one of mere survival at best.
2. She can be left to starve to death. No sense feeding an unproducing dog after all, right?
3. She can be beaten to death, shot, or even sometimes in a rare humane case euthanized by a qualified veterinarian. Howver, this rarely is the case since it costs money for the puppy miller to give any dog any care above and beyond junk dog food and water.
Disease and health problems abound within these horrid puppy mill colonies. The breeding stock are not cared for other than a little food and water at best in most cases.
Does this sound like something you'd want to support? Not me. The puppies are no guarantees either. They are randomly bred with no aforethought to genetics, temperament or any of the other things that reputable breeders provide for the soundness of their chosen breed. Most often you will pay exceedingly high prices for a puppy mill bred dog only to gain a puppy that will cost you high vet bills and loads of heartache eventually.
We can all be part of the solution by choosing to NOT purchase puppies from pet stores, internet sites, and newspaper ads wanting cash for their "for sale" puppies and dogs. I'd rather wait for a reputably bred dog or get a rescue or shelter dog. That's how I choose to make a difference: by being part of the solution.
Have a tail waggin' day!
Posted by Kim Bloomer
I was talking with a friend today about specific breed natures. I felt I no longer had wonderful Golden Retrievers and was handed a Neopolitian Mastiff because I personally had to learn something about my own nature. They're a rather stubborn breed while Goldens are obedient and sweet. I know that sounds so philosophical and it is in a way. For me it's deeper and more spiritual than that but I won't go there in this short blog post.
More to my point my Golden Retrievers were always two things:
1. High energy
2. Eager to please me
They were bred for hunting in water, with their cute, big webbed feet and their utter delight in pleasing their owners. We could learn so much from dog nature, that the sheer magnitude of what they can teach us if we're listening is overwhelming. My Goldens were so obedient and willing to please with the never ending wagging of their tails and happy smiley faces. This time around though I was given a Neopolitan Mastiff with all the drool. I have learned more about myself with this dog than any other I've ever owned with maybe the exception of my Great Dane.
Both the Neopolitan Mastiff and Great Dane are a form of hunting breeds along with the Golden Retriever, but more classified as working breeds now. However Goldens help the hunter with bird game, and other more tender game while the Mastiffs took on large game like bear. Neos -as they're more commonly called - were also bred as guardians. That means they'd have to be a bit independent thinking, more able to make a decision on their own , more tenacious which often means that our idea of obedience can fly in the face of their specific breeding.
It really pays to know all about the breed you decide to bring home for that purpose or you could be in for such a big surprise your sweet little JRT (now called Parsons) for example ends up in the shelter because you wanted a nice, sweet lap dog.
There aren't any bad dogs, just bad owners in my opinion. I don't think my dog is really being disobedient when I perceive it as such. He just has to see what the big deal is all about when I want him to do something. I've learned to work with his own specific breeding to get him to do exactly what I want while he thinks it's his idea.
What was really hilarious the other day though, we were walking our dogs off lead on the dog side of the park we go to in the wee hours of the morning when no one else is out and about. My dog, Shadrach, had lagged a bit behind, so we stopped and turned around and I said, "If you don't get up here right now boy you're going to be on lead the rest of the time we're here". I said it just like that, nothing else, and he got the goofiest look on his face and came dashing toward us really fast and ran just past us. It's hard for a Humvee tank to stop really quickly! Think of an eighteen wheeler trying to stop and that's my Shadrach, all 130 pounds of him!
It was pretty funny but he came, and he stayed by me the rest of the walk. I like to humor myself and believe he understood my words exactly. Maybe he did or didn't but he sure did understand my tone of voice I'm certain. I didn't get excited or start screaming like I see a lot of owners do when their dogs aren't "behaving" according to how they believe they should. I remained calm and very matter of factly called him brooking no argument from him, so he came. If we work with a breed's nature, we may find our dogs "ain't misbehavin' " at all!
Have a tail waggin' day!
Posted by Kim Bloomer
As I was sitting here wondering what to blog about this week the same theme keeps coming back to my mind about animals and for this topic, dogs in particular. I was talking on the phone today with someone who is not only a friend but is the media company who will be fulfilling our Online Dog Expo CDs. We were having an interesting conversation about animals feelings, emotions and thinking. We both definitely agree that they do think, feel, "talk" and have emotions but more specifically how those are from their own perspective not ours.
We probably humanize animals too much most likely due to all the things we see in movies, on TV and read in books these days. The entire topic of our conversation today was how animals DO feel, think, dream, have conversations, etc., but from THEIR perspective. That means a horse thinks and feels like a horse, a dog feels and thinks like a dog, and so on. Really, it doesn't take rocket science to know that if you live with any kind of an animal. Too bad science doesn't undertand this concept too well because these things can't really be determined in a cold, sterile research environment. I mean if I were locked in a cage being observed, prodded, poked, and hurt I think I'd shut down as many emotions and reactions as I HUMANLY could.
I've lived with many animals over the years and I know for a fact they can understand human words, feelings, and actions way better than we do theirs in return because animals are listening and observing all the time. They talk with their bodies and whether we are aware of it or not so do we but animals are just much more observant of these things than us. I suppose this is because they aren't distracted by TVs, IPODs, video games, computers, and the rest of the technological distractions we face everyday.
In fact there are a few videos out right now on YouTube.com about talking dogs and cats. They really do sound like they are speaking too and maybe they do understand what they're saying. I find that fascinating in light of the fact that we often don't know or get what they're saying as is evidenced by all the animals that end up in shelters because WE couldn't understand them. How truly very sad when all we need to do is listen, observe and learn -just like the animals.
Have a tail waggin' day!
Posted by Kim Bloomer
Recently I made a new friend in Colleen Paige the founder of National Dog Day. My co-host Jeannie Thomason and I brought up National Dog Day on a regular basis on our online radio show, Animal Talk Naturally, prior to and following the August 26th debut because we both thought Colleen's mission was not only an admirable undertaking but a very worthy one. National Dog Day was implemented to have a nationwide adoption of over 10,000 dogs in one day! They surpassed their goal by over 2,000 dogs working in conjunction with shelters all over the country. What an incredible success and how wonderful that so many dogs were adopted!!
Colleen Paige is the daughter of the late actor, Robert Paige. She works as a dog behavorist and trainer and is known as THE dog trainer in Seattle, WA. It seems to me that everything she does is to help animals in whatever capacity she can. She's a multi-talented woman and just lately I discovered her amazing singing talent. With talent like hers she could definitely be taking her show on the road paving the path to fame and fortune. She has a brand new CD that will be releasing in January 2007 entitled Save a Soul. The entire proceeds of the sale of this CD will be going to National Dog Day's Project Shelter, choosing instead to benefit animals rather than her own fame!
I listened to several of the songs and loved it so much I placed my pre-order immediately afterwards. Then I went back to her MySpace page and listened to my favorite song, Ocean View, about 10 more times! You can listen to some of the songs at Colleen's My Space Page.
I'm always so impressed with the right things people do to bring beauty, love, peace, forgiveness, second chances, and hope into a world that is increasingly just the opposite of all these things. Colleen didn't know I was going to blog this today but I was so moved by what she's doing I felt compelled to share it with others, especially because it is to help animals.
Another friend of mine started a new podcast, The Pawz Cauze, to bring animal welfare issues to the forefront and to expose some less than altruistic views masquerading as animal welfare. Her take is a bit edgy and different but as a feral cat rehabilitator and dog rescuer, she wants to expose the wrongs and shed light on the real animal lovers. I hope you'll go support her "cauze for the pawz".
Until next time...
Have a tail waggin day!
Posted by Kim Bloomer
My mom always tells me that she doesn't think I've ever seen an ugly dog or one I don't like. That may not be entirely true as I've had some disagreements with dogs over the years but when I reflect back usually the problem was me not the dog.
Therein lies the key to the making of a "good" dog. The human factor is always the most important ingredient in the making of a "good" dog because really, dogs are good in their own "culture", if you will, but it is up to us to teach them what is "good" in our society.
We hear a lot of negative things about dogs in the media these days because the ugly truth is that "shock and horror" are what make ratings and sell advertising space. Again that is our fault isn't it?
Dogs are as good as the humans they live with and I would go so far as to say they are usually far better no matter who they live with. I can't comprehend their forgiving nature, their unconditional love, their willingness to learn, their humor, and their easy going nature when they are loved. It's as though they are here to remind us, the humans, of what is really important in this life and what really matters. I wonder though if dogs get frustrated because most of us aren't listening? Probably not because that is their nature.
As I sat in the Online Dog Expo this weekend that I helped organize, listening to the wealth of information of all the speakers sharing all about dogs, what kept coming back to me was the importance of education. The importance of working together as a team. The importance of serving and promoting others' missions and that our own would be taken care as a result if we didn't just focus on our own selfish ambitions. If we kept our focus about helping dogs have a better life, better health, better care and how we could do all this so much better as a united front standing together as the voices in a chorus for those who can't speak for themselves rather than divided, what an amazing outcome would emerge as a result. We've only just begun but everyone who attended got the message. The biggest excitement was just knowing how much the dogs would benefit if just each one of us shared with only one more person how exponentially quick that would grow! Think of all the "good" dogs there would be in the world then and none of the denigration that is so prevalent in the media today against dogs. Because they are only as good as us, aren't they?
So if we want a "good" dog, then we'd better begin working on us, don't you think?
Have a tail waggin' day!
Posted by Kim Bloomer
Yes, I am feeling rather fatigued because of the Online Dog Expo my online radio show co-host and I are organizing for Co-op World's Dog Community. Today has been a Murphy's Law day -you know the kind that "what can go wrong does" day? Our two top speakers are having major technical difficulties, exhibitor booths not ready, and some other issues not worth discussing here on a public forum. I've discovered that putting on an online expo is nearly as difficult as putting together an offline one and not the cakewalk I thought it might be. Nonetheless it's a learning experience.
What has this to do with a dog whining, except for the fact that I'm talking about a dog expo? Well first let me say I grabbed the title for this blog post from my good friend and co-host, Jeannie Thomason, who also runs an awesome online dog forum. I digress, anyway dogs whine when something is bothering them or if they want attention and I thought well if it's good enough for our canines and has purpose, then it has to be good enough for us. They whine, get it out and get the response they desire and then they move on. This is just another lesson in dog nature and how we can learn and apply great priniciples to our own lives if we'll but pay attention to how dogs operate.
One other thing, I heard a dog trainer say today that it is scientifically proven dogs don't have emotions. I BEG to differ. I think they have far more than we give them credit for and since I posed that to an online animal group I belong to I got a great response from a member so I'll share the link to the Wikipedia for your learning pleasure:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emotion_in_animals
Thanks for helping me out with the cheese on this whine! One last thing, don't forget to enter your dog into the National Dog Day Contest. Colleen Paige the founder of National Dog Day is going to be our featured guest during our live show in the Online Dog Expo and I'm pretty excited about that also. She's a lot of fun and if I were a dog, I'd whine to have her as my trainer just because she makes it all a great time and we all know dogs like to have a great time!
Have a tail waggin' day!
Posted by Kim Bloomer
I don't typically like to promote a lot of what I'm involved in here on Suite101.com because this is a place to learn about your topics of interest. However, I'm making an exception on this because the Online Dog Expo is all about educating people about dogs.
The speaker platform is really great and were handpicked by Jeannie Thomason (natural rearing breeder of Boston Terriers) and myself (as the event organizers) because of the quality of their missions and what they want to share. Each one has a particular special interest that usually goes back to a personal story or situation they have set out on missions to share.
The bottom line is, all of the information that will be shared is to specifically help dog owners be informed all about dogs so they can make better choices for their dogs and dogs in general will be better understood and we then hope, better cared for.
Subjects will cover feeding, nutrition, health, training, rescue, welfare, breeds, behavior, new products, and the role dogs play in society. We're even having some fun by having a virtual dog show. The best part I think is bringing all these people together, hoping they also form alliances with other speakers, exhibitors, and attendees and joint venture to help bring our dogs (and other animals) the best possible care they could possibly receive for their health and longevity.
We hope that the owners who attend will be able to then apply all they learn so our dogs will benefit. I expect that if they could, the dogs would all be howling and creating wind gusts with the amount of tail wagging happening because they'll know that so many more people will know what it takes for them to thrive and not just survive.
I hope many of you will attend so I can meet you, at least vocally in our audio rooms. It's all for and about the dogs!
Have a tail waggin' day!
Posted by Kim Bloomer
With the amount of information that comes across my desk and computer each week on dog care or lack thereof, I felt I had to make a bit of a statement about the responsibility of owning a dog. Before I do, I wanted to make one little comment regarding the Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin. It was all over the news yesterday and that includes the internet news. Everyone was shocked and saddened by this tragic turn of events. It will be sad not seeing Steve wrestle his crocodiles or take those risks I sure wouldn't want to do. However, a couple of things came to mind:
1. He knew what he was doing and CHOSE to do so
2. He loved what he did
3. He died doing what he loved
I honestly don't think it could get any better than that because we all have to die one day and what better way than doing what you loved doing? None of us wants pain, but I'm sure he went swiftly and I am guessing here of course, but I don't think death was meant to be painless. So Steve, we'll miss you!
This brings me back to our topic about responsible dog ownership. You see Steve made his choices but the only choices dogs have once we bring them home are the ones we make for them. Cute puppies grow into dogs and it is entirely up to US how they will turn out. A dog is as good as the owner who brings him home. If your dog is unruly and disobedient, the only one to blame is looking back at you in the mirror. If your dog tears up your personal things, potties in the house, and doesn't come when called, again look to yourself.
It is our responsibility to care for and teach our dogs how to interact and live in our society, otherwise they will apply their dog learning and logic which isn't usually a good thing. Dogs nip their young when they are unruly, do you want them doing that to your children when they're unruly? Then it's up to US to train them the correct behavior and I'm one who is for positive reinforcement training. Discipline is as important for dogs as it is for children and for them to know their boundaries. If we're out of control, how can we expect our dogs to be any different?
I have a problem, a big big problem with BSL (Breed Specific Legislation) because that is punishing the dog and not the owner who made him or her that way. That would be like punishing the car for killing someone because you were driving drunk. Doesn't make a bit of sense. While we need dangerous dog laws, really the problem is a human social one. We need to look within ourselves and ask if we have what it takes to love and rear a dog responsibly so that they can get along well in our human society, otherwise I question the motive or motives for bringing a dog home to live with any of us. Remember their society is different than ours. Ours is foreign to them until they are taught and if we don't have time for that, then we don't have time for a dog. Okay, I'm done...for now.
Have a tail waggin' day!
Posted by Kim Bloomer
I was recently contacted here on the Dogs Topic by a man wanting to share his very special dog, Endal. Endal is a beautiful yellow labrador retriever but after reading their story, I'm convinced Endal has a mind far superior to many humans even these days and certainly more kindness, empathy and servitude than many of us.
From what comes across my desk weekly -dogs needing homes because they've been abandoned, service dogs having to be euthanized because they've outgrown their usefulness, dogs being fought (and taught to do this by humans) then later being euthanized because the politicians think this is an easy out, dogs being abused, killed by the thousands in China for a couple of cases of rabies outbreak, and the list goes on -it was amazingly refreshing to hear from Allen about his special dog Endal.
In fact the entire UK knows about Endal and he is a representative of the big dog event in the UK, Crufts. I'll post a couple of links here for you to read about Endal and then do some searches on the net and see what comes up. Endal is truly truly a remarkable dog who is giving his entire life to be of service to his master, Allen. Really though, they are best friends! We could stand to learn much from dogs about self-sacrifice and serving with unconditional love.
Some places in the USA that are recognizing our dogs and doing much justice for them are:
and The Online Dog Expo of which I'm proud to be a part.
Here are some links about Allen and Endal:
http://www.k9magazinefree.com/k9_perspective/iss27p11.shtml
http://www.k9magazinefree.com/k9_perspective/iss26p6.shtml
http://www.labradorforums.co.uk/article82.html
Thank you Endal, for showing the world how awesome are our dogs!
Posted by Kim Bloomer
Our animals have a way of doing those scary Houdini acts don't they? I've been very fortunate with my dog Shadrach except one time last summer. We were running at the park and neither of us was apparently paying attention to the other -big mistake on my part as the "responsible" pet owner.
I run on the side of the park where there is no track, just grass (now my hubby comes with us and he walks with Shadrach while I run which is much better). There is a city building there closest to the only street (it's a major street but a two-laner so not as bad as some but bad enough as it only takes ONE car to kill a pet).
I ran past that building and around it and when I looked back I saw Shadrach running down the sidewalk in the opposite direction. He had this "scooting" gait going on that told me he thought that was the way I went and was trying to catch up to me. I yelled so loud that I must've shaken buildings (I think I shook the earth) and then I ran like I was a teenager again to catch him! My heart was in my throat because I was thinking and praying "Please God don't let him go into the street, please God, please God don't let him go into the street".
It was horrifying to me. I worked in veterinary medicine long enough to see what a car does to an animal. I saw a young American Staffordshire Terrier get blasted by a truck a couple of years ago at the same park on the same street in nearly the same spot. She didn't die immediately which was horrible to witness as she was in utter agony and the guy who hit her never even stopped. I had to watch her suffer, and although we got her to a vet, she was too badly injured and ultimately succumbed to her injuries although the vet did ease her suffering. So I was extremely upset to say the least -and mostly with myself for not being mindful of my dog and keeping him on lead!
Shadrach came running back to me so fast when he heard my thunderous yelling, and with a very embarrassed look as only dogs can show when they feel they've done something wrong. I was so relieved AND upset! He got put in a time out in the car, and then I ignored him the rest of the morning. A dog trainer friend told me I did exactly the right thing in dog lanuguage but all I wanted to do was hug him! It's hard being a dog parent! Needless to say, Shadrach is never out of our sight now at the park. What a wake up call! Just wanted to share. Have a tail waggin' day!
Posted by Kim Bloomer
I wanted to let you all know about a new online event that is taking place and of course it's all about dogs.
Beginning Friday evening of September 22nd through Sunday September 24th, the 1st Annual Online Dog Expo will take place. Yes, that's right dogs have their own virtual expo! While many people have a difficult time understanding how an expo can be virtual, those of us who hang out here online know the endless possibilities and apparently so do our dogs!
This expo is featuring some really great speakers with topics ranging from dog training to dog cuisine and health to dog politics, it will be loaded with information and education. This expo will use the voice-over-internet phone system through audio-enabled conference rooms that have visual and also text chat capabilities.
Along with all the guest speakers there will be Q&A sessions, consultations, demos, giveaways, mini-seminars in the virtual exhibitor booths during the three day long event. There will even be a virtual dog show using entry photos for "Best in show", "lookalike" and "cutest" dog photos and also some online radio personalities to give the event more of that offline flavor.
It all sounds sort of like that old cartoon the Jetsons but I'm betting the Jetson dog -just can't remember the dog's name -would find it fitting that dogs have their own virtual expo now!
Posted by Kim Bloomer
Recently I found out about the new book coming out in 2007 -The American Dogs of Distinction book. This book is all about recognizing the variety of service and work our dogs provide for us in the USA. I know, I know, dogs worldwide are invaluable and maybe one day someone will publish a book about the World Dogs of Distinction!
The good news is this book is still accepting nominations for your dog to be entered and hopefully accepted into this soon to be very prestigious book. I am thrilled to find out my dog Shadrach, the Neo Mastiff (that's his handle) was accepted into the book. What did he do? Well he has no awards, no birth certificate (i.e. kennel registration), no pedigree, no service work, none of these. So you might be wondering how he made it in right? Well they have a separate category for those really special dogs who maybe haven't done a lot as far as those kinds of awards but they have been instrumental in the lives of their owners and the joy, focus and enrichment they bring to our lives. My dog is exactly one of those. I do what I do each and every day for him and the others who preceded him. He was the catalyst that sent me into the world of writing and fighting for the welfare of these gorgeous, wonderful, caring companions who fill any void in our lives just by their very presence.
I hope you will go and nominate your special dog to be in this book. Go to American Dogs of Distinction to nominate your dog.
Posted by Kim Bloomer
Of course I'm in the business of dogs or I wouldn't be blogging here, and all the news I receive is all about dogs lately more than any other animal.
Coming up on August 26th, 2006 dogs will be celebrated for all the ways they contribute to our society here in America. The National Dog Day is working with rescues across the country in order for 10,000 dogs to be adopted nationwide in ONE day!
Sadly there will also be a Candlelight Vigil by My Dog Votes around the world in memory of all the dogs who are being racially profiled by the Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) that is creeping across the world and now into America. Why sad? Because BSL is but a bandaid on a dark, social problem that takes far more money and work to address than just focusing on dog breeds to eliminate. It is not a dog problem, it's a human one. Part of the answer is always education. Dogs do not naturally maul and attack people unless trained to do so. Remember it is a human problem not a dog problem. Targeting breeds is just plain stupid. So for me, BSL stands for Breed Stupid Laws.
On a lighter note, I'll be teaching a seminar on natural health for dogs in my city on August 19th and hope that it will help even one dog have a better life. By being informed and educated on a dog's nature, intelligence and temperament, we can all be better dog owners for the wellbeing of our dogs.
Have a tail waggin' day! You can email me at dogs@suite101.com
Posted by Kim Bloomer
Hello everyone, this is my first blog post as writer for the dog topic and there is so much news about dogs right now, that I thought I'd start this first post with some dog politics. Actually I'll have a lot of posts on dog politics since so much is happening that affects our rights as dog owners and the care and welfare of our dogs. Yes, I will always say dog "owners" not caregiver, not guardian (although I am my dog's caregiver and guardian) but owner. As you'll discover over the course of my posts, the reason is for the protection of our dogs and our rights not the contrary. I will also share all the fun things happening with dogs as I receive a lot of news on the subject of dogs. Fancy that!
The Canine Legislation Conference 2006 will be taking place August 19 -20, in Chicago, IL. This conference is going to bring experts together from across the United States to discuss the wide range of topics that affect us and our dogs, with a focus on their welfare and the laws pertaining to and about them. If you want more information please go to http://www.newleash.org/chicago/clc_2006.asp to find the details on how you can participate.
On another note, as a fun late summer activity you can also participate in the Dog Days of Summer with House Pet Magazine. Unfortunately it is too late to enter your dog but you can go look over all fifteen photos and vote for your favorite photo. I had a really hard time because they are all such great photos. The French Bulldog is too cute as are all the puppies there, and who can resist golden retrievers in the water??? However, I did finally make my vote after much deliberation and I chose the flat-coated retriever who decided "her" horse had had enough of deep water swimming. Dogs, are the best! You can vote for your favorite dog here
http://www.housepetmagazine.com/contest.htm and then next year enter your own dog!
Have a tail waggin' day!
Kim Bloomer