(Marcia) excerpt from article ..."So the question on every dog's lips is 'When is the snow coming back?'" Do dogs have lips? The La Nina pattern even had its effects felt on the Iditarod (unsure of spelling) this past year. The winning team, which did break the record, could have made faster time at the end of the race if it had been colder. It was about 40 degrees F. -- enough for the snow to be soft, and to make the dogs feel overheated. (They do have heavy coats.) The optimum temperatures for a dog team are between -20 degrees F. and 10 degrees F.

yes, dog's have lips. they just don't stick out.

Being a wolf yourself you ought to know. I wasn't sure what the dark outline around their mouths was called. Now I know -- it is dog lips. How are your dogs doing? The one you mentioned as having a sort of rash or flea allergy. Is she better?

she's got fleas something fierce and nothing's working, even the expensive stuff we got from the vet. problem is the double-coat. hard to get the stuff down to the skin. but she's no longer rashy. the little one stopped itching on day one of the meds. think i need to get the oral meds for the big teddy bear. not to start a big fat fight, but....what do you folks think about people who own pitbulls, dobermans, and rottweilers? don't worry about hurting my feelings. my belief is that dogs behave the way their owners allow them to. but a healthy respect must be maintained around dogs that are bred for their fierceness. (i.e., don't leave alone with kids) but this is not to say that kids don't provoke the fight. i have seen too many kids throw rocks at dogs and tease them. this behavior is enough to make me snarl. a lot of people think that dogs should be put down for behavior that is more wildlike without regard to what provoked the dog. i'm deadset against that unless it can be proven that nothing was done that was known to have provoked the dog. i.e., just sitting there versus poking it in the eyes.

A child or an animal raised with love is a cherished memeber of any community. When the inate temperament of either is antisocial to begin with, it takes more care and nurturing to make the critter more bidable. The wrong people own pitbulls and rotweillers and dobermans. For the wrong reasons...at least, out here. To protect their pakalolo patches from the Feds.

that's what i see too. pitpulls for the sake of saying i've got a pitbull but not knowing the natural temperment of the dog and being unable to establish dominancy with it. i know someone who owned two pure german shephards and both selfishly guarded the babies. but i also knew a guy who owned a mutt who turned and snapped at their baby (mutt and baby in the same seat in a car) and he took that dog under a bridge and shot it on the spot. and for heaven's sake, if you want a dog think about the environment you're gonna put it in. please don't get a dog that loves to run and lock it up in an apartment. no matter how much in love you fall with it and vice versa. and remember that puppies grow up. and don't lock 'em up in crates either. they get used to it because it becomes a security blanket. dogs need the room to move. train it appropriately to play with the doggie toys, ok? i have some friends who own two dogs. these two dogs are allowed to come out at night and morning for nature calls. the rest of the time, they are locked up in cages. not a good thing. dogs are social animals. they need the pack. so give them your attention. afterall, this animal will love you with everything it's got so the least you can do is play with it once in awhile.

(needed to get that out of my system. some folks were talking about dogs and turning and i can't get a word in edgewise)....

Amen, Wolfie. Well said. There should be some moral code for animal owners - but, it is hard enough to legislate what morality exists now for humans. How can we expect more from our animals?! (That guy should have been shot (or whatever) for putting the baby and mutt in the same seat then shooting the poor dog when he snapped at the baby...unconscionable!)

no joke! i've a great article that i printed from work. will post it here when i get a few minutes at once!

ok, luckily, the article i printed out had the link on it so let's see if it's still there.... http://abcnews.go.com/sections/living/DailyNews/dogtalk000417.html

i think i'm gonna buy that book although he confirms what i already know.

Easter Eggs Can Be Dangerous to Dogs M LONDON (Reuters) - Dog owners beware: too much Easter kindness could kill your dog. The National Canine Defense League said dog owners should think twice before feeding their pets chocolate at Easter since it contains a toxic chemical called theobromine. The charity said theobromine is harmless to humans but can kill dogs if eaten in large quantities. Milk chocolate is the least harmful; cocoa powder the worst. ``While a chocolate fix may make us feel good, it could mean bad news for man's best friend,'' said the charity. ``Avoid heartache this Easter and keep those eggs under lock and key.'' Owners who suspect their dog has overindulged symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, excessive drinking and convulsions should contact a vet urgently.

Dogs, Not 'Goat Sucker' Kill Livestock SANTIAGO (Reuters) - Roving dogs and not a mythical, blood-thirsty beast known locally as ``chupacabras,'' or ``goat sucker,'' are responsible for the deaths of farm animals in northern Chile, a government official said on Thursday. ``They are wandering dogs, which abound in the zone of Calama,'' said Oscar Camacho, general director of the state-run Agriculture and Livestock Service. Calama sits in the world's most arid desert 930 miles (1,500 km) north of Santiago. Local press reported that more than 200 animals had been killed, and that some had incisions in their throats and their blood had been sucked out. The reports said detectives swept the zone with night vision equipment and that blood-curdling sounds were heard in the dark, causing residents not to venture outside. The legend of the ``goat sucker,'' which has never been seen, began several years ago when animals who had been killed mysteriously were discovered in several Latin American countries.

That's horrible. I shall depart quickly before I have nightmares.

Don't put Fido through the dog-wash say RSPCA FROM EMMA DALY IN MADRID FOR families fed up with getting soaked at Fido's bath-time it seems like a good idea. But last night there was a cool reception from the RSPCA for the very latest labour-saving invention - the automatic dog wash. The invention has impressed the King of Spain to such an extent that he has had one installed at his Palace in Madrid. But the very thought of putting pets into a machine that has every programme except the final spin-rinse has horrified RSPCA spokeswoman Emma Nutbrown. She said: "We would urge members of the public to stay well clear of this contraption. It is enclosed and totally unsuitable where an animal gets distressed. There is also a risk of young children copying this and putting a kitten or similar animal in a microwave." But Spanish inventor Angel Segura has no such qualms after Nina, a West Highland terrier, successfully tested the prototype. The machine has a glass-fronted cabin made of stainless steel. It works by heating water to 36 degrees centigrade and then firing jets at your pet through dozens of jacuzzi-style nozzles. Next comes a measured dose of shampoo followed by a rinse with clean water and a soothing blow-dry. So far, claims Mr Segura, there have been no reports of panic attacks in dogs and cats put through his machine.Selling for around �12,500, the pet-wash is aimed at animal salons, vets, and breeders. "However, we are working on a model for the home," said Mr Segura. � Express Newspapers, 2000

I love this story. Wonder if Wolfie will...!

Would it be a one size fits all dogs? A little Rover might get drown in a large dogwash. It might not be a really good choice for those with very highly strung dogs. Your dog might have to go on Prozac because you put him in a dogwash.

I know! I emailed it to Gi, the mother of Patas. She was indignant and suggested a trial run for the inventor. Talk about claustrophobia! Gotta use no-tears soap as well. This is a truly bad idea when you really think about it!

i don't know about an automatic doggie wash. hmmmm....wouldn't it be scary?

The EMAZING Dog Tip of the Day - Wednesday May 10, 2000 Vizsla Have you ever heard of the dog breed Vizsla? Long a protected breed in its native land of Hungary, the Vizsla is being seen more in the United States. These striking golden-rust hunting dogs are similar in looks to the Weimaraner, which is a little better known thanks to being featured in a series of popular photographs by William Wegman. The Vizsla is an all-around hunter that can be used on deer and boar, but is mainly used for birds. Vizslas have a very high activity level and require mental stimulation to prevent them from becoming bored and destructive. They are lively, gentle and affectionate dogs and are friendly unless threatened. Click here for more information on Vizslas http://www.vizsladogs.com

Vizsla's are FABULOUS doggies!!! And such a beautiful color red... very smart, Very active, great running partners for those not of the hunting mind. Not a good apartment dog for a seditary human. If however you're a runner, skater, frisbee throwing cyclist the vizsla's your pup!

Slesk with lovely lines...but, not for the condo-bound! You could put one through her paces, I'll bet!

Well, that was supposed to be "sleek"....

I really think they're gorgeous. BUT I doubt that I'll ever own another 'retriever'. I've become partial to the 'sight hounds'... greyhound, saluki, ibiezan, pharoah, rhodesian ridgeback, etc. And then there are the Bourdeux Mastiffs, ohhhhh boy are they nifty! But my favorite of the strange doggies is... the chinese crested. I call them nekkid tina tuner pups. They look like little hairless greyhounds with a tina turner mop of hair on the top of their littke heads. I want one of each...

Gaze hounds. Ah yes... (I am a devotee of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show)

Yikes!!! You like those strange little doggies from outer space???!!!

yup... i admit i have a fondness for some strange looking pooches. truth be told, when Pearl the Wonder Greyhound goes to doggie heaven, i will probably not last a week before some other hound is taking up space on my carpet. i don't do well withput a dog in my space. though it is moments like this when i wonder why... Pearl just tooted a big doggie fart and it's puuuuu-eeeeeee!

i'm going to bed... upstairs where theres a fan.

Just being a doggie - where's she supposed to do it? Gals have the same bodily functions as men though they're not allowed to "express" them as eloquently as men do... Try feeding your precious pooch something less fragrant...?!

It's that hot already and it is just May? Wasn't it freezing your buns off just a few weeks ago? What happened to spring?! G'night, Gena!

The fan wasn't for coolness... it was for air circulation ;-) And the pooch toots are ALWAYS fragrant. It matters not what goes in the front loader. When it exits out of my dog, be it gaseous or solid, it is nasty! But she's very pretty....

Collapsing Trachea Has your dog ever started wheezing and coughing like it's choking when you've been walking? If so, it may suffer from a collapsing trachea, which is not necessarily as bad as it sounds. Common in many Toy and Miniature breeds, this can be caused by a weakening of the cartilaginous tracheal rings. The trachea can collapse when the dog becomes overly excited or over exerted. Medical and surgical intervention can provide some relief in advanced cases, but a majority of the dogs can lead normal lives without any intervention. - Lisa Scott

Older Dogs' Memory Do you have an older dog? Depending on breed and size, old can be considered anywhere from seven years to in the teens. If your dog is exhibiting signs such as not recognizing you, sleeping less at night, forgetting housetraining, or loss of interest in his family and pet friends, he may be suffering from Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome. This medical condition is treatable and there is a new medicine for it called Anipryl. Visit the link below for more information and check with your veterinarian to see if Anipryl is right for your older dog. Click here for more information http://www.anipryl.com

What's Your Sign, Rover? I share my home with a Piscean, a Taurean, and a Libran. I often find the Piscean in the bathtub, waiting for a drip to drop from the faucet onto his nose. The Taurean is a sweet girl who loves everyone, until someone tries to snatch one of her possessions. The Libran likes things just so - or never mind! Sounds like a wacky household, yes? Well, perhaps my household wouldn't sound so wacky if I told you that the Piscean, Taurean, and Libran who share my address are our beloved dogs! Dogs and astrology? Sure! They are born with their own natal charts! (All animals are born with natal charts.) And although dogs and cats have innate behaviors, domestication seems to have given them the opportunity to express some of their particular astrological traits (many domesticated pets only have to wait until they hear the dinnertime call of the can opener for food). More tomorrow!

What's Your Sign, Rover? Part Deux Looking to discover Rover's astrological influences? Lots of Web sites are devoted to pet astrology. One that really stands out is Nancee Belshaw's site. She is a licensed psychotherapist and an astrologer and she offers some great astrological insight into pets. She offers a brief (and fun) assessment of pets born under particular sun signs as well as in-depth reports for a fee. Click here to learn more about Fido! http://www.nanceestar.com/ZodiacPetsLogo.jpg

Free Dog E-Postcards Do you enjoy sending e-greetings to your friends, family, and online pals? Well, if they are dog lovers, you need to stop by the link below to send one of the nifty dog postcards. Sending the postcards is as easy as selecting from several different breed pictures, entering a person's name and e-mail address, as well as your own, and typing a message. The person is notified that he or she has a postcard waiting. Send one to brighten someone's day! Click here for dog e-cards http://www.cyber-cards.com/animals/dogs/Dogs.shtml

thanks for that!

Yay!!! Wolfie was able to post! Takes real determination and more than a little Spring withdrawal...*sigh*

The following breeds are now recognized by the AKC *wink* Collie + Lhasa Apso Collapso, a dog that folds up for easy transport Spitz + Chow Chow Spitz-Chow, a dog that throws up a lot Pointer + Setter Poinsetter, a traditional Christmas pet Great Pyrenees + Dachshund Pyradachs, a puzzling breed Pekingnese + Lhasa Apso Peekasso, an abstract dog Irish Water Spaniel + English Springer Spaniel Irish Springer, a dog fresh and clean as a whistle Labrador Retriever + Curly Coated Retriever Lab Coat Retriever, the choice of research scientists Newfoundland + Basset Hound Newfound Asset Hound, a dog for financial advisors Terrier + Bulldog Terribull, a dog that makes awful mistakes Bloodhound + Labrador Blabador, a dog that barks incessantly Malamute + Pointer Moot Point, owned by....oh, well, it doesn't matter anyway Collie + Malamute Commute, a dog that travels to work Deerhound + Terrier Derriere, a dog that's true to the end Bull Terrier + Shitzu Oh, never mind..

Mussels May Help Arthritic Dogs Arthritis is a common problem in older dogs. A study involving feeding 32 dogs either a placebo or a powder made from mussels shows that mussels may help arthritis. After six weeks, the dogs were examined for visible signs of lameness and levels of joint inflammation. The arthritis symptoms had improved in four out of five dogs given the mussel extract. Half of the dogs given the treatment had improved by at least fifty percent. In those not given the supplement, the scores had deteriorated slightly. Dr Linh Bui, who conducted the trial, said, "We've been feeding this diet to dogs with arthritic symptoms and they improved amazingly." Sadly, once the dogs stopped eating the supplement, their symptoms worsened once more. The active ingredient of the mussels remains unclear even to its proponents, although a fatty acid called icosatetranoic acid is one candidate.

Get A Chip On The Shoulder Does your dog wear identity tags? One fault of tags is that they can be lost or removed. In an effort to make identifying lost pets easier, animal shelters across the country have begun injecting tiny microchips under the skin of animals under their care. Each chip stores a nine-digit number. The chips are 14 millimeters long--about the size of a grain of rice--and weigh about 0.25 grams. Workers use a hypodermic needle to inject a chip just under the skin of a dog or cat, usually in the animal's shoulder. When a lost or abandoned animal is brought to the shelter, workers use hand-held scanners to emit low-frequency radio waves that can read the number of the chip inside an animal. Shelters use a computer database to match the number with the pet's owners.

Glaucoma In Dogs Did you know that dogs can suffer from glaucoma? Glaucoma is an increase in ocular pressure, many times resulting in the appearance of an enlarged eye. Aqueous fluid (water) is either overproduced or under-absorbed within the anterior chamber of the eye. In most cases, the latter applies. There are special tools used to diagnose glaucoma in dogs and there are different treatments available. If blindness has been caused because of the glaucoma, it is possible that the blindness can be reversed. If you suspect that your dog may be suffering from glaucoma, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Rent A Dog Have you ever thought about renting a dog instead of owning one? While that may strike some of us as unheard of, it is all the rage at Inutama - the dog theme park in Japan. Located in western Tokyo, the park has seen a steady growth in visitors, especially those who want to interact with dogs but cannot own them because dogs are not permitted in their apartments. The cost is $10 a turn with a dog and there are more than 80 dogs to choose from.

Dog Park Does your neighborhood or city have a Dog Park? That is a park specifically for the dogs! This is a large fenced-in area, usually double-gated, that allows dogs to run free under their owner's supervision. This is good for the dogs and also gives the owners a chance to meet other dog owners. The Best Friend Dog Park in Huntington Beach, California has a wonderful Web site that has the rules of the park and a link for starting a park in your area. Click here to visit The Best Friend Dog Park http://www.bestfrienddogpark.com

THE SCOOP Spring is the time when those winter coats start dropping off, and that means a lot of pet hair floating about. "Double-coated" breeds such as collies and Samoyeds can be a mess this time of year, as their soft, wooly under- coats can be pulled out by the handful. You can hasten the shedding process by combing your pet thoroughly with a wide-toothed steel comb, followed by a warm bath and more combing. Also at this time of year, I run a comb through the coats of all three of my dogs -- one long-haired and two medium-coated -- on a daily basis, and in a couple of weeks' time the worst of the spring shed is behind us.

You have three dogs??? I had enough trouble managing one!!!!

One self-imposed cat here - a redhead with all the temperament which goes with her coloring. Have you gone kitten shopping yet, Maggie?

Oops, I see the problem - I neglected to put the byline with the story. No, I am not a dog fancier, actually, though there are some I could learn to love easily.

Couldn't see you with them really! No we haven't gone kitten shopping yet - daughter 2 doesn't stay still long enough and of course we went to Scotland! After relating to a delicious tabby with red who talks all the time in Scotland (and who I shall be cat sitting in August!) I just can't wait. But I have to have a talking cat!!!!! There don't seem to be that many kittens around just now. I think it must be the wrong time of year here. Once H returns from her latest jaunt away we'll ring the cat rescue place and see what they have.

i know all about that double-coated thing. KoKoMo's undercoat comes out in lumps which you pull with your fingers. and now that the hot weather is upon us (louisiana), her shedding has started (did it ever end?)...

oh yeah, i use a rake type device to pull the undercoat out. it's made specifically for it and works like a charm.

Yup! I used to have one of those too for our labradour. Really useful.

In the list of the mixed dog breeds, you neglected to mention this one: Chow + Akita Chokita, a dog that likes bananas.

I just met a really cute mix: A Shar-Pei German Shephard. A Sharp-Shephard. Cute, Cute, Cute!!!

*lol* luv it!!

Wow! Here I thought it just might be dull stuff going on in here. I should know better! Love the additions to the dog-mixes. I have only known talking cats. My grand(cat)son runs from window to window warbling at the hummingbirds at my son's feeder. It is the most amazing sound. Our self-adopted marmalade talks and purrs all time even when she is irked with us. Enjoy!