Fur Baby Inc

Police Dog Laid Off

A few weeks ago we told you about how the city of Snohomish, Washington was looking for ways to keep Dixie the police dog from being laid off.  Now the city of Aberdeen, Washington has laid off its police dog, Nitro.  The reasons are the same - a depressed economy and corresponding decrease in city revenue.

Now for the good news:  Citizens from around northwest Washington have been sending in donations to put Nitro back on the job!  The Peninsula Dog Fanciers Club of Bremerton is especially to be commended for its donation of $500.  Apparently the Aberdeen Police Department needs a total of $6000 to put Nitro back in uniform.

Here's the story from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer (opens in a new window)

If you'd like to make a donation, please contact the Aberdeen Police Department (new window opens with contact info)

Trivia:  Kurt Cobain of Nirvana was born and raised in Aberdeen.  The city's Web site promotes a "Kurt Cobain Walking Tour."

Purina Walk for Dog Guides

The Purina Walk for Dog Guides is this Sunday, May 31st, in cities all over Canada.  100% of donations go to the Lions Foundation of Canada and its Dog Guide programs.  There is no registration fee and you can walk with or without your dog.

The Lions Foundation provides Canine Vision Dog Guides, Hearing Ear Dog Guides, Special Skills Dog Guides, and Seizure Response Dog Guides.

Go to the Purina Walk for Dog Guides site to find a walk near you and download a donation form.

The Web site also allows you to make a donation on-line.  Fur Baby has and we encourage you to do the same!

There will be approximately 180 walks going on across the country!

Small Dogs Fend Off Cougar

A cougar wandered into the yard of Chiquita the Chihuahua and Rosie the Border Terrier.  The cougar was looking for trouble and found plenty!

During the ensuing scuffle, the cougar managed to pin Rosie.  But her loyal friend, Chiquita, stuck with her and barked with all her might.  No offense to Chihuahuas, but anyone who's spent time with one knows that barking can drive you crazy.  The cougar couldn't take it and ran away.

Both dogs are fine.  Their owner describes them as "tough, but lucky."  I'll say!

Read the story from Associated Press (opens in a new window)

Lost and Found Dog Returns the Favour

Last March, Blewett the black lab was lost in the wilderness for weeks.  People couldn't catch him, but they left him food.  Finally, Jay and Janie Smith were able to befriend him and give him a new home.  They named him Blewett because he had been lost in Blewett Pass, Washington.

On Monday, they were out for a walk when Blewett raced down to the river's edge to show them another lost dog.  Pepper, who is 11 years old, may have been swept away by the river on Saturday before struggling to make it back to shore.  He was wearing his dog tag, so thanks to Blewett, he's now safely back at home.

Read the story in the Seattle Times (opens in a new window)

Another Job For Dogs: Detecting Cell Phones

Dogs have an amazingly sensitive nose and an incredible ability to learn.  People have come up with many helpful and ingenious ways to put these two traits to good use. The latest job for dogs is searching for cell phones in prisons.  So far, the states of Virginia and Arizona have put dogs to work for this purpose.

Read the Fox News story (opens in a new window)

Owner Saves Black Lab After Rattlesnake Bite

Tank the black lab lives on ranch in Wyoming.  He was playing under some farm equipment and was bitten on the nose by a rattlesnake!

Since it was a 20-minute drive to the vet, his owner, Bobby Jenkins, tried sucking the venom out of the wound and spitting it on the ground.  This also poisoned him slightly!

He was able to get Tank to the vet, who gave Tank anti-venom.  It cost US$14,000!

Both have recovered!  Mr. Jenkins also has two other black labs.  None of them are allowed out of the house any more, except for supervised bathroom breaks.

The bond between dogs and people is truly remarkable.  Each is willing to go to any length to save the other.

Read the story (opens in a new window)

Terminally Ill Bulldog Saves Owner From Fire

Brittney is a nine-year-old American Bulldog suffering from cancer.  Early Saturday morning, she barked to wake up her owner because the house was on fire.  They both escaped.  The house is likely a total loss.

It's remarkable how much adversity dogs can tolerate and still be themselves!

Read the news article about Brittney saving the day!

Happy Birthday Harry!

Harry, our rock star, turned two on Monday, May 25!  

We had a rock band (Wii) party on the weekend to celebrate.

I also made him some lavender chicken pupcakes - using ground chicken manirated in lavender water (over night) before mixing with low fat bran muffin mix.  

UPDATE: And the Palm Dog goes to...

Dug from Disney-Pixar's 3D animated film Up is this year's winner of the Palm Dog, an unofficial award at the Cannes Film Festival!

Read the New York Times report on the Palm Dog

600 Dogs Attend Chicago White Sox Baseball Game!

Check out the photos

Link to the sports reporter's blog about the event