HUMAN (AND MICROCHIP) TO THE RESCUE
A golden retriever who was “soaking wet, filthy, dirty, and flea-infested” sparked the compassion of a travel agency employee in St. Petersburg, Florida in late September. Jay Getman noticed the dog hanging around his place of business during a thunderstorm and took the dog in. He was hesitant to look for the owners, fearing the dog had been abused or neglected by them. But when a veterinarian found a microchip embedded in his ear, the truth soon came out.
Turns out that Pepper had run away from his home in Atlanta, Georgia while the family was away on vacation. Whether he got all the way to Florida by walking or fell in with humans who transported him is unknown.
However it happened, it defies the odds that Pepper would be reunited with his people after being separated from them for seven months and by 400 miles. A happy ending, indeed, and a powerful reminder of the value of microchipping.
SHARK VS. CARPENTER
In further dog news from the Sunshine State, a Florida Keys carpenter saved his dog from the jaws of a shark by attacking the big fish in turn. Greg LeNoir and his 14-pound Rat Terrier Jake were taking their daily swim at the local marina in September when a five-foot-long shark suddenly surfaced and grabbed the dog. LeNoir said he dove headfirst into the water and hit the shark’s back with his fists until he finally let Jake go.
Both man and dog survived the ordeal; Jake’s bite wounds were not critical.
LAPDOGS LUCK OUT
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a bill in late September that would have fined motorists $35 for sharing the driver’s seat with dogs or other animals. The bill was introduced by Republican Assemblyman Bill Maze, who called the practice distracting.
Schwarzenegger said he was signing only high-priority bills and didn’t consider the lapdog ban to be one of them. At the time, he had only a few days to consider and act on more than 800 pieces of legislation.
DOG LEASH RECALL
Based on a U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission report, Worldwise Inc. of San Rafael has recalled 223,000 SlyDog retractable dog leashes. The metal clasp connecting the leash to a dog’s collar can bend or break while in use, causing the leash to recoil unexpectedly. This poses a serious risk of injury to both dog and handler. Five such injuries had been reported as of the recall date of 9/3/08.
Consumers should stop using the leashes and return them to the company for a full refund, including shipping costs.
For more information, contact Worldwise toll-free at (888) 296-3807 during normal business hours Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s website at www.squareonesystem.com.
ANIMAL HERO HONORED
Corinne Dowling, the founder and Director of give A Dog A Bone – an enrichment program for shelter dogs in enforced custody and medical isolation – has been honored as an Animal Hero by the San Francisco chapter of The American Red Cross.
Corinne created Give A Dog A Bone in 1999 to relieve the stress and suffering of San Francisco Animal Care & Control (SF/ACC) shelter dogs not serviced by the agency’s volunteer dog walkers. Such dogs are kept separate from the regular shelter population of stray, owner-surrendered, and adoptable animals. They may be in custody due to investigations of owner cruelty and neglect, vicious or dangerous behavior, or owners who have been arrested or hospitalized. Sick and injured dogs are also eligible for Give A Dog A Bone services.
Dowling’s volunteer organization provides improves the quality of life of society’s most needy dogs by giving them mental and physical stimulation, companionship, training, and – most importantly – love and compassion. For more information about Dowling’s work, visit www.gadab.org.
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