Rent a dog?

Can you imagine renting a dog?
I know that my Alphas have to PAY other humans if they can’t look after us. So this is the other way round… Quite unfair and sad for the K9s, I think!
“American pet rental service is cruel and treats dogs like a ‘timeshare’ say animal charities”

By BEN CLERKIN - Last updated at 16:04pm on 20th April 2008

A dog is supposed to be for life - but can now be for only a weekend or even just a day thanks to a new pet rental service.

Dog lovers who do not have the time or space to keep a full-time pet can hire a part-time one with Flexpetz, an American company setting up in the UK.

But the new dog borrowing scheme has been heavily criticised by animal charities who say it is cruel because renting out dogs like a “timeshare” only serves to confuse and upset them.

The dog borrowing scheme has been heavily criticised by animal charities who say it is cruel

However, such is demand for the service that 100 people in the UK signed up to the members-only scheme before it was even recently launched, after proving popular in the US.

The new London branch currently has five dogs, with most of the animals retired show dogs, which have received full obedience training, and are checked by vets every three months.

They are also fitted with tracking collars in case they are lost.

Members pay an annual fee of £50, a monthly subscription of £49, and £30 per visit by “their” dog.

The fees cover leads, bowls, beds and food which are supplied for every trip.

Marlena Cervantes, a behavioural therapist who launched the service, said that ideally the dogs are shared by only two or three “owners”, and live in a kennel the rest of the time.

“Our members are responsible in that they realise full-time ownership is not an option,” she said.

“They range from a five-year-old girl whose parents work full-time to a 65-year-old woman who’s not physically able to walk a dog every day.

“The demand has been incredible and although we only have five dogs at the London branch we are going to significantly increase that number.

“And we are seriously considering opening more branches across the UK.

“We screen all our members first to make sure they are suitable. We are looking for commitment and compassion and if people do not measure up we do not let them join.”

But the idea of sharing a dog between multiple “owners” has been questioned by animal welfare charities.

Kennel Club Secretary, Caroline Kisko, said: “It is with deep concern that the Kennel Club has heard about FlexPetz.

“The concept of renting out dogs as a ‘timeshare’ equivalent is detrimental to the dog, leading to all kinds of confusion for the animal.

“It also raises many questions about the kind of person who is making money at the dog’s expense, what happens when the dog gets older and no one wants it, and what happens in the situation where people who are renting the dog don’t want to give it back?

“It is also of concern that different people will have different ideas about house rules, leading to even further confusion for the dog when it is not given any consistency with which rules to follow.”

There are already many ways in which dog lovers can get access to dogs, even if they don’t have time or space to own one, she added.

“These include volunteering to walk dogs from a local rescue centre, or helping dog related charities which run schemes to send their dogs ‘out’ for the weekend to socialise while they are in training, such as Hearing Dogs for Deaf People,’ she said.

“These dogs need our support first - and there’s no charge to people for the privilege.”

Dogs Trust behaviour advisor Vicki Horsley said: “One critical element of responsible ownership is the commitment to care for a dog for the whole of their lives and not to regard them as disposable.

“Rent-a-dog schemes simply encourages a throw-away attitude that so often leads to dogs ending in rehoming centres.

“The instability that would come from frequent changes of home is likely to lead to chronic stress and anxiety, which could present itself in a variety of health and behaviour problems.”

Pet charity Blue Cross animal behaviourist Ryan Neile said: “When a dog is passed around from one person or home to another, they may become confused, distressed and unpredictable.

“We will often spend months working with such dogs to repair the damage of the past.”

wild garlic soup surprise

Hi all,

I’m back again. Sometimes one needs a break, and life has been quite busy recently. But now spring seems to be here for good, and today we ventured into the woods, collecting some wild garlic and having a lovely swim in some really muddy pond. Hah! I needed that!

Alpha Su then made a wild garlic soup and tried to smoothe it in a blender. Of course, the whole stuff was spitting around in the kitchen, everyone screaming and cursing, and just Mali and me licking the delicious soup from everywhere on the floor and the kitchen units. What a delight!

Lucky and Flo

Lucky and Flo

These two collegues work as sniffer dogs for the Malaysian police. I was most impressed and very worried about their welfare when I read this article:

Malaysian mob orders $30k hit on two Labradors
KUALA LUMPUR (Malaysia)

Meet “Lucky” and “Flo”. Reportedly the Malaysian crime syndicate has put a RM100,000 (US$29,240) bounty on their snouts. In the past month, the two Black Labs have led police to over $3.5 million worth of illegal, pirated and child-pornographic DVDs.

L & F are specialized sniffer dogs, the only two in the world trained to detect the scent of polycarbonate, a chemical used in optical discs (DVDs). The pooches, trained in Ireland, were sent to Asia by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) in an effort to uncover the piracy syndicate which costs the film industry an estimated $6.1 billion yearly.

Authorities have taken the threats on the dogs’ lives very seriously and have notched up security. “We move them around [to keep them safe],” says Nor Hayati of the MPAA. “They are in a very secure place.”

MPAA president Dan Glickman says, “The dogs are some of the greatest employees we have here at the MPAA.”

Wouldn’t it be interesting if someone would also train us dogs to sniff out fake designer bags, watches, shoes and jewelry? We K9s could help not only the design industry but would also embarrass the pretenders and the show-offs who love to flaunt their imitation jewelry at high-profile parties!

JettyDogs and Jumping Jack Splash

This is one of the hottest days of the year so far. With my black coat, I get a bit too hot, and I wish I were a yellow Lab or at least a Golden Retriever.

I also would have liked to take part in the JettyDogs Championship yesterday, which seems to be just the right competition for me as a type of sea otter. I certainly would like to compete with Jumping Jack Splash, under the title Flying Floppy. Maybe next yea, that’s what Alpha Su reckons. Please feel free to book a ticket in advance.

Dogs put their best paw forward in new canine sport
Dogs of every description have been beating the heat by having a go at new sport - JettyDogs. The canine competitors chase a ball or a favourite toy off a ramp and into a swimming pool and the dog who can leap the furthest wins.

Over 100 dogs took part in the JettyDogs display, which marked the last day of Dog Train and Behave Week at Ruxberry Farm, near Chertsey, Surrey. With temperatures soaring to 26 degrees, the 1500 people who attended could only watch on as the dogs plunged into the ice cold water.

The British JettyDogs champion Jumping Jack Splash - who can leap a whopping 17 feet - was on hand showing his canine rivals how it’s done. There was a serious side to the event as the dogs learnt important behavioural lessons organisers say.

Spokeswoman Anna Webb said: “It’s a way of promoting sensible dog ownership and showing people how to train their dogs. It teaches the dogs to obey orders and also lets them have fun with their owners. The point of JettyDogs is that anyone can do it, all you need is a dog and a ball.”

The sport was recently imported from the United States where it is known as DockDogs.

future career as a paramedic?

Well, I always knew that we K9s are far more clever than bipeds might think. This is our Secret Intelligence. They try to guess what’s going on in our mind, they interpret our winging and howling, but they are hardly ever right. Anyway, I appreciate their efforts.

Of course I do a good job as a guard dog, and I try my best to be good company . But life saving? I am most impressed by the following article telling how retriever Toby saved his Alpha’s life:

 

“Dog performs Heimlich on choking woman”

“CALVERT, MD (USA)
Mar 29, 2007″

“This dog doesn’t do tricks. He does tracheas.
When Debbie Parkhurst, 45, got a chunk of apple lodged in her windpipe on Friday, her dog “Toby” came to the rescue. The 2-year-old Golden Retriever pushed Ms. Parkhurst onto the floor and issued abdomenal thrusts (jumping up and down on her chest) until the obstruction was expelled from her airway. Toby’s actions, hailed as a canine version of the Heimlich maneuver, saved her life.”

“The doctor said I probably wouldn’t be here without Toby,” says Ms. Parkhurst. “It was lodged pretty tight because I couldn’t breathe. I tried to do the thing where you lean over a chair and give yourself the Heimlich, but it didn’t work.

“The next thing I know, Toby’s up on his hind feet and he’s got his front paws on my shoulders. He pushed me to the ground, and once I was on my back, he began jumping up and down on my chest.

“As soon as I started breathing, he stopped and began licking my face, as if to keep me from passing out.”

A friend arrived in time to witness the canine CPR and drove Ms. Parkhurst to the doctor.

“I literally have pawprint-shaped bruises on my chest,” says Ms. Parkhurst. “I’m still a little hoarse, but otherwise, I’m OK.

“I keep looking at him and saying ‘You’re amazing.’ “

Who would have guessed that this medical miracle mutt was once just a cast-away cur? Toby, as it turns out, was rescued from a dumpster by Ms. Parkhurst in 2005.

She admits that the pooch never seemed to be med-school material. “Of all the dogs in the world,” she says, “I never would have expected this goofy one here to know the Heimlich.”

But oddly, the dog’s rescue procedure was performed exactly the way it is suggested by the American Red Cross: “a series of five back blows and five abdominal thrusts.” ²

(The licking part was just improvisation.)”

I will apply for a training at Toby’s, I have decided. I always considered working as a paramedic, and this seems to be a good start. With my weight, I certainly could perform a “Heimlich” on a biped’s trachea as well!

Viennese delights

You can’t imagine what arrived in today’s post. It was the first time that Mali and me got mail, and even something very big…

A delicious fragance evaporated from the packet. Despite seeing OUR names on the envelope, Alpha Su took it out of my mouth and opened it.

“This is for you, from Julchen in Vienna”, she said (as if I hadn’t seen it), sounding very excited.  My saliva started already to drip. With such a smell, I just can’t control myself. Mali tried to jump on Alpha Su’s lap as she does when she wants to be superior to me. Su shook her off.

The envelope contained two awesome cloth bags and a sweet letter from Julchen. I must admit, I was hardly able to concentrate on her letter. This overwhelming smell from the bags nearly knocked me off…

And they proved to be a wonderful surprise: they were full of exquisite dog biscuits!

Now can you imagine what kind of self control was imposed on us poor creatures in order to take these silly photos? Humans have a strange perception of “being civilised”. I would have swallowed the lot straight away. But no way….

Oh dear… Now I know what suffering means.

Look at these awesome creatures. Julchen didn’t know their exact flavours, but I don’t bother - they are just yummy!

We were each given just a very controlled quantity of, maybe four (!) biscuits. Alpha su told us they were too expensive to be eaten in one gulp, ’cause they are from Vienna, and they came via airmail. (So what?)

To torture me, she then decorated me with my bag in a way that I could just smell the goodies without reaching them. Now I know what a St Bernhards must feel like, with all that Cognac around his neck…

There they are… We were told, we’ll have some more before going to bed. How can  humans be so cruel? And pretend that they love us???

In case any of you would like to try these Austrian delights, I can give you the address of the bakery. (Not of Julchen’s, of course - that’s TOP SECRET!)

haiku for dogs

This picture shows me in my office where I work as a guard dog. As you see, I take my job quite seriously. No coming or going escapes my glance. Especially the dust men need to be barked at a lot, because Alpha Su tends to forget to put the bins out.

I don’t like very much the Jehova’s Witnesses though, because they seem to be so scared of me, which really makes me cross. This chap Jehova shouldn’t send out frail, arthritic old ladies who hardly can walk. There is now lots of cheap polish labour available in the UK, who would do a pretty good job. Yes, I know, they are mostly catholic, but who cares if the dosh comes in.

My cute and cheerful way of jumping up on humans is not always appreciated, which I really can’t understand. Mali likes to give everyone a good lick, which I personally find much more irritating. I only lick on things that are worth it, like kitchen floors (or Mali’s bottom, I must admit, ’cause she’s still a puppy after all).

Now my dear friend Julchen from Vienna sent me some dog haiku poems today, which I would like to share with you…

Love my master; Thus I perfume myself with This long-rotten mouse.

I lie belly-up In the sunshine, happier than You ever will be

Today I sniffed Many dog behinds—I celebrate By kissing your face.

I sound the alarm! Paper boy—come to kill us all— Look! Look! Look! Look! Look!

I lift my leg and Whiz on each bush. Hello, Spot—Sniff this and weep

I sound the alarm! Garbage man—come to kill us all— Look! Look! Look! Look! Look!

How do I love thee? The ways are numberless as My hairs on the rug.

I sound the alarm! Mail carrier—come to kill us all— Look! Look! Look! Look! Look!

My human is home! I am so ecstatic I have Made a puddle

I sound the alarm! Gardener—come to kill us all— Look! Look! Look! Look! Look!

I Hate my choke chain— Look, world, they strangle me! Ack Ack Ack Ack Ack Ack!

Sleeping here, my chin On your foot—no greater bliss—well, Maybe catching mice

Look in my eyes and Deny it. No human could Love you as much I do

The cat is not all Bad—she dots the neighborhood With Tootsie Rolls

Dig under fence—why? Because it’s there. Because it’s There. Because it’s there.

I am your best friend, Now, always, and especially When you are eating.

My owners’ mood is Romantic—I lie near their Feet. I fart a big one.

 

 

 

stop the rain!

I took this photo of my friend Anna Florenzia and my daughter Mali at our pond, at a time, when we still thought that summer was approaching…

If you scroll down, you will see what became of our English summer. Houses are flooded, people evacuated - it’s time to brush up my maritime retriever and lifeguard qualities!

Well, you will probably have noticed by now that the time has come to continue my blog in English. It will be full of mistakes, alas, but unfortunately not many of my K9 friends speak German. So it’s about better communication, really. I hope you’ll appreciate this, although Dory and Liza will probably be disappointed, because they are practicing their German via blogging.

Now have a look at these photos: looks like deluge has hit England. It’s not quite so bad in North Norfolk where I live, because our village is “high” above sea level (50m).

To be honest, nobody will convince me to go outside in this weather. Although I love the water, I hate these nasty raindrops on my coat. They take ages to dry, and then I smell like … a wet Labrador, they say. That may please the Queen, who apparently has got a whole gang of us and takes them out in whichever weather conditions. Poor royal colleagues!

Fortunately, Alpha Su is a bit more fussy, just like me. One minute to pay a penny, then rushing inside again.

Arnie Schwarzenegger und Samson

“The Frog” - (7” x 5” / 16.cm x 12cm)

So also löst Alpha Su das Problem mit Malis und meinem schwarzen Fell beim Malen - sie macht aus Mali einfach einen gelben Labrador! Das nennt man wohl “künstlerische Freiheit”.

Unser Teich ist voller Frösche, und unter dem Teppich, der den Kompost abdeckt, haust eine Krötenkolonie. Ich persönlich begrüße solche Biotope, bis auf jene, die Igel beherbergen. Diese Viecher bringen mich einfach zur Raserei mit ihren Stacheln.

In meinem fortgeschrittenen Alter neige ich allmählich dazu, in die Breite zu gehen. Aber ich fresse einfach zu gern. ALLES! Freunde bezeichnen meinen Körperbau als “gemütlich”… Aber nun schaut euch mal folgende Bilder von Whippet Wendy an, die ich in der heutigen “Daily Mail” entdeckt habe…

Zuerst dachte ich, mich beißt ein Bär! Aber nein, die arme Wendy leidet unter einem Gendefekt, der ihre Muskeln verdoppelt. Ihre stolze Besitzerin berichtet, Wendy liebe es sehr, auf ihrem Schoß zu sitzen und gekrault zu werden. Wendy ist es schnurzegal, dass sie Arnold Schwarzenegger genannt wird. Sie ist gesund und munter und schläft auf Frauchens Bett.

Also wenn ich DAS dürfte,würden mir ein paar Muskeln mehr oder weniger auch nichts ausmachen. Aber uns lassen sie nicht in ihre Betten, obwohl wir so schlank sind. Naja, mein Sessel ist auch für die Alphas tabu - eigentlich… Manchmal quetscht sich Alpha Su an meine Seite, und ich lasse ihre Liebesbeweise seufzend über mich ergehen. Muss wohl mal sein, ab und zu…

Samson, ein anderes Prachtexemplar, machte auch die Tage Schlagzeilen. Er ist eine Mischung aus Dogge und Neufundländer, und ich möchte diesem Riesen nicht im Dunkeln begegnen!

In the summertime, when the rain pours down

Regen Regen Regen… und jetzt auch noch Sommerstürme! Da möchte ich keine Pfote vor die Türe setzen. Überhaupt merke ich, dass die Dynamik meiner Jugend ein wenig geschwunden ist. Dabei bin ich erst 6 Jahre alt.

Mali hingegen mit ihren 2 Jahren kommt gerade erst so richtig in Fahrt. Sie ist ein echter Rowdy, rennt mich draußen um, attackiert mich (wie ich es ihr damals beigebracht habe…) und rast wie ein Wildschwein durchs Unterholz. Abends, vor dem letzten Gassigehen, heult sie an der Türe auf, als ginge es auf die Jagd, und schießt dann hinaus, um Igel oder Füchse zu überraschen. Während ich mich ganz bedächtig erstmal umschaue, vor der Türe Platz nehme, die Nase in die Luft strecke und interessante Gerüche zu identifizieren versuche.

Und dann Malis Unart, sich in Fuchsscheiße zu wälzen… Derartige Kindereien habe ich seit langem hinter mir gelassen. Ich als dominantes Weibchen markiere solche Hinterlassenschaften mit ein paar Tröpfchen meines ausdrucksvollen Urins. Markiert wird alles, was anderen Spürnasen interessant erscheinen könnte, also neben hündischen Spuren auch totes Getier wie etwa ein vertrockneter Frosch oder zermatschte Schnecken. Das ist meine Art, die Oberhand zu behalten. Mit diesen Tröpfchen erkläre ich: “Leute, Flori was here!”.

In unserer Gegend wimmelt es von Füchsen. Habe gerade einen interessanten Bericht über eine diebische Füchsin gelesen, die für ihre Jungen vier riesige Gänseeier gestohlen und Stück für Stück im Maul über einen See transportiert hat (scheint ein echter Retriever-Fuchs zu sein! Imponiert mir echt, diese Füchsin). Die Gänse waren nicht begeistert, als sie zurückkamen und das leere Nest vorfanden. Hier die Fotos: