The Zoom Room -- New Social Spot for Dogs & Their Guardians

The Zoom Room has been born for dogs and their owners/guardians to spend quality indoor time together. Founded by Jaime Van Wye, reputed for building kennels across the country, The Zoom Room has agility and obedience classes, in addition to open gym exercise sessions. It's a super alternative to dog parks when it's muddy outdoors. Not to mention Wi-Fi, coffee and beverages, and a Doggy Disco!

There are 16 Zoom Room locations across the country according to Denver Post reporter John Davidson, with 10 more being planned for this year. Lucky for Colorado canines, there is one in Denver, CO (1165 S. Broadway) and one in Longmont, CO (2318 17th Avenue). Learn more about The Zoom Room and find out the nearest one to you for some pure fun for you and your pup. What a great way for dogs to learn and be social, and for you and your best friend to have wonderful interaction time together!
  

For those of you who love to read dog books:

MAGGIE is now $4.60 on Kindle down from $7.99

  

Posted By Dawn Kairns, Author of MAGGIE: the dog who changed my life

Stop Researchers from Acquiring Dogs and Cats from Shelters

I received this message today from Noah Gittell, the Government Affairs Manager for the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM). Please share this with as many people as you can to help the animals. We are one step closer to banning the acquisition of cats and dogs from shelters for research, but it isn't happening soon enough. Please read on:

I’ve got news to report regarding our efforts to stop researchers from acquiring dogs and cats from shelters. We have learned that soon, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will no longer allow researchers who receive federal funds to purchase cats or dogs from class B “random source” dealers. These class B dealers sell animals who are bought from shelters or adopted from “Free to a Good Home” scenarios. They have even been known to steal animals from private backyards.

This is a huge step forward, but we still need your help. The ban on using cats from class B dealers does not go into effect until October, and the use of dogs will not be phased out until 2015. Additionally, while we are thrilled that the federal government will be phasing out the use of most shelter dogs and cats, class B dealers will still be able to sell them to privately funded research institutions.

Please contact Congress and urge your U.S. Representative to co-sponsor The Pet Safety and Protection Act, H.R. 2256, a bill that will permanently ban the sale of animals from class B dealers to all U.S. research facilities.

Dogs and cats in animal shelters should be adopted by new companions—not purchased by class B dealers and used in painful experiments. NIH’s new policy will help end the practice of pound seizure, but it will not happen soon enough. That’s why it is so important for you to contact Congress today. When you are done, please forward this message to your friends and family—and share on Facebook and Twitter.
Sincerely,

Noah Gittell
Government Affairs Manager
 

Posted By Dawn Kairns, Author of MAGGIE: the dog who changed my life

Dog Heroics: Five Stories of Dogs Saving Their Owners

Today I am happy to have this wonderful guest post by Paul Glovers about special canines saving the lives of their guardians. Enjoy. And thank you, Paul.

Paul lives with his wife and Standard Schnauzer in Washington state and is a freelance writer for Veterinary Assistant Schools, a guide to Vet Assistant careers and education.

Stories of dogs saving the lives of their owners are always touching and very inspiring. They are indeed a man's best friend because of their unconditional love and loyalty to their masters and even to complete strangers. Here are 5 stories based on true accounts of dogs saving their owners from dangerous situations:

1. Hero Dog Shot after Defending Home from Intruders

Rumble, an American Straffordshire terrier is expected to survive and be on the road to full recovery after being beaten and shot by intruders while trying to defend the owner's home. This dog, now considered as a hometown hero chased the burglars that are trying to break into the family's home. He suffered from gunshot wound and severely broken leg that needed intensive operation. Dr. Michael King from the Canada West Veterinary Specialists offered to perform the surgery for free.

Full story here: http://www.news1130.com/news/local/article/337393--hero-dog-shot-while-trying-to-defend-home-expected-to-live

2. Rescue Dog Saves Family from House Fire

Timothy Argento was at work when his home in Levittown went on fire with his wife, daughters and their friend sleeping inside. Good thing Lily, their recently adopted dog woke up everyone inside the house even before the smoke detectors went off. Everyone made it out safe and suffered no injuries and Lily made sure that everyone was out of the burning home before she got out. Lily was adopted from the North Shore Animal League. Argento states that all the material things that were burned down by the fire can be replaced but what is important is that everyone is alive and well, all thanks to Lily.

Full story here: http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/02/24/dog-saves-family-from-house-fire-in-levittown/

3. Adopted Dog Returns the Favor and Saves His Owner's Life

Gerald Gray suffers from diabetes and a lung disease. Had it not been for Parker, a dog the couple adopted, Gerald would have been in a different situation right now. On one morning at around 3 o'clock in the morning, Parker a Jack Russell Terrier was trying to get the attention of Cynthia Parker by constantly barking and digging. She went ahead and looked around and found out that her husband's oxygen level was low. They never put much thought on Parker's act until it happened again, this time at the hospital where Parker won't leave his owner's side. It turns out that Gerald's oxygen went down to a dangerous level. The couple considers Parker as a life saver.

Full story here: http://www.wbtv.com/story/17116241/rescued-dog-is-saving-lives

4. Perth Dog Saves Owner's Home from Fire

When fire broke out in the kitchen area of his owner's home, this Perth dog immediately went to a heroic mode. Dyson, an eight month old Labrador barked continuously in order to get the attention of the neighbors until someone noticed the fire and called the firefighters. The damage was estimated to be around $50,000 and the kitchen area was completely burned. The damage could have been worse if Dyson was not quick to seek help.

Full story here: http://www.skynews.com.au/offbeat/article.aspx?id=722234&vId=

5. Trixie the Dog Nominated for the 5th Annual Dogs of Valor Awards

One evening of October last year, 78 year-old Ida Moose was at her backyard when she unknowingly suffered from stroke and heart attack. She woke up lying in the mud and found her terrier dog Trixie standing right beside her. Trixie started to bark in an attempt to get help and attention but was unsuccessful at first. This faithful pet stayed beside Ida for twenty hours and never left throughout the ordeal. Trixie provided warmth to her owner during the long rainy night until help finally arrives. It would have been impossible for Ida to survive had it not been for Trixie. Her life saving efforts was recognized and Trixie is nominated for the 5th Annual Dogs of Valor Awards given by the Humane Society of the United States.

Full story here: http://www.todaysthv.com/news/story.aspx?storyid=200054
 

Posted By Dawn Kairns, Author of MAGGIE: the dog who changed my life

Sound Therapy and Other Stress Busters for Anxious Pets

Do you have a dog that is fearful of thunderstorms? Fourth of July fireworks? Or a dog with separation anxiety? It has now been shown that calm music, such as classical music can have a calming effect on dogs.

I had a first hand experience yesterday with our foster dog, Lucky. He was exhibiting some separation anxiety behaviors when left alone in his crate when I left the house. Yesterday before I left, I set him up with Pandora playing through my computer, and a peanut butter kong. He rested his head on his paws as the music played (it was actually easy listening country), and lifted his head quickly when the music stopped. I was able to leave Lucky alone for nearly 3 hours in his crate, and he was calm when I returned home, the music still playing! Not only was I proud of him, but I sensed he was happy and proud of himself!

You can learn more about sound therapy in the book Through a Dog's Ear, and read how more animals are being adopted in shelters as a result of this wonderful discovery here: http://throughadogsear.com/

The following video segment with Dr. Marty Becker from Good Morning America discusses the powerful calming effect of music on dogs, as well as other products such as anxiety wraps and fermone sprays.

Lucky and Maddie

To learn more about Lucky or to adopt him visit Rocky Mountain Lab Rescue and fill out an application. He is 6 1/2 years old, house-trained, responds to many commands, and is affectionate and sweet. He will lie at your feet, cuddle and be thrilled to finally have his forever home where he is loved and wanted for life.

Posted By Dawn Kairns, Author of MAGGIE: the dog who changed my life