Shadow practices as his owners cheer him on
The Del Mar beach in San Diego recently hosted its fourth annual Surf Dog Surf-a-Thon to raise money for a local animal shelter. Record crowds turned out to enjoy the surfing, costume competition, and other activities.
The North County Times has more.
Chocolate goes airborne
There are dog shows. And then there’s Dockdogs.
One is high-stress; the other is meant to be as much fun as possible.
Each type of event has its adherents, and those who participate in Dockdogs say that the relaxed atmosphere is one of its key attractions.
This year marks the 10th year of Dockdogs, with events around the country. Next year, for the first time, dog lovers in Germany, Japan, and Australia will be able to take part.
The Baltimore Sun has more.
Police dog Bear during a calmer moment
Well, not exactly. But Bear, the police dog who ran away from his handler’s Chicago home during a storm last week, had done it before.
When Bear was about a year old, just prior to another storm, he was similarly frightened and climbed the fence “like a monkey.” “I never saw a dog do that,” said handler Rick King.
[I have. The dogs I grew up with were German Shepherd mixes, and they routinely climbed fences that were in their way.]
King put in a higher fence after Bear’s last escape; now he’s searching for one that’s higher yet. Good luck with that.
Washington Humane Society volunteers walk shelter dogs
Not a diet for dogs, actually, but new books that share the weight-loss benefits of dog ownership, as the Washington Post reports.
Patti Lawson offers “The Dog Diet: What My Dog Taught Me About Shedding Pounds, Licking Stress and Getting a New Leash on Life.” And Jessica Berger Gross shares her experiences in “enLIGHTened: How I Lost 40 Pounds with a Yoga Mat, Fresh Pineapples, and a Beagle Pointer.”
Dogs are more than weight-loss tools, of course. But they can be the best motivation to get outside and get moving. To step out in style, check out Dogstuff’s collection of collars and leads, as well as apparel for you and your furry workout partner.
Dog on the run
Are you the athletic sort? Good for you. Not so much? Well, there’s still hope.
Walking, of course, is the best overall exercise because it doesn’t take a gym or fancy equipment, and it’s low-impact, so most of us can do it. Walking the dog is good for you, and for your pooch.
But some dog breeds also make great running partners. And if you want to give your dog more of a workout, you can benefit as well.
First, make sure your dog is healthy enough to run and is a breed that is suited to running. Dogs prone to hip dysplasia, or who may have trouble breathing, like bulldogs, might not be suitable running partners.
Running bearded collie figure from Dogstuff
Most mixed breeds don’t have these concerns. Most “working group” dogs are well-suited to running. Your vet can give your dog a clean bill of health and let you know if there are any issues with the breed being a running dog.
If your pooch hasn’t been leading an active lifestyle, you want to start slowly. Walk for 10-15 minutes, twice a day. Once your dog does well with that, try running for two minutes and walking for one, for up to 10 minutes. Over a period of weeks, you can gradually increase your distance and speed — for example, trying to go just 10 percent farther, or 10 percent faster, each week.
If you see your dog lagging, slow down. And be sure to build rest days into your schedule. Before you know it, your dog will be healthier and happier — and so will you.
Running Lhasa Apso notecard from Dogstuff
Caveats: If you run at a time of day when visibility is low, use reflective gear, for yourself and your dog. Avoid running in the heat of the day, especially if you run on paved surfaces. Not only can the heat itself be hard on your dog, but the pads on their paws, even though they toughen up, can dry and crack on hot asphalt.
Finally, be sure you bring water and offer it to your dog regularly. Dogs can’t tell us what they need, so keep a close eye out for any signs of distress. If you notice panting, slowing down, foaming at the mouth, weakness, inability to stand, agitation or glazed eyes, cool your dog immediately by thoroughly wetting him with cold water and getting him into the shade or an air-conditioned area, if possible. If your dog does not improve in about 10 minutes, please seek veterinary assistance.
With these simple precautions, running can be great fun for you and your pet. Enjoy!
Defending Iditarod champ Lance Mackey is still in the lead. But as he nears the finish line in Nome, Iditarod opponents are criticizing the race as too hard on the dogs.
Mackey with his team
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) opposes the race in its current form. They released a statement that reads in part,
The Iditarod forces the dogs to run too far and too fast in frequently grueling trail and weather conditions, and it exacts a severe, and sometimes fatal, toll on dogs’ physical and psychological systems.
The HSUS also points out that at least one sled dog dies each year during the Iditarod. Three dogs have died thus far during this year’s race.
While the race is billed as commemorating the use of sled dogs to bring lifesaving diptheria serum from Anchorage to the children of Nome in 1925, Iditarod co-founder Dorothy Page says half the run was done by train. The other half, according to Page, was done in relays, with no dog running over 100 miles.
A sled dog chews on a boot at a checkpoint
Supporters counter that given the “extreme marathon” nature of the race, the injury and death rate is very low, and that the sled dogs are working dogs who are happiest when they’re active.
Lance Mackey is now a couple of hours ahead of his nearest pursuer, while one of his less fortunate competitors has lost his team twice.
A musher on the Yukon River
All the details and complete coverage at Anchorage Daily News.
