Monthly Archives: August 2012

Does Your Golden Retriever Like to Hoard Things???

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I can’t say I have experienced this…I usually catch Tucker in the act, and it takes at least two people to drop everything, corner Tucker, and get him to drop whatever it is in his mouth that he shouldn’t have, being a tissue, paper towel, anything small and plastic, or a pair of underwear.   If  I am alone, I usually have to use baby gates, chairs, whatever is in my way to catch him.  He thinks it is a game.  Sometimes I get very frustrated.  (I must win, no matter what!)  Tucker, as well as many, have brought out some pretty embarrassing items in the midst of company.

Credit: Icanhascheezburger.com

I can’t remember this with my other dogs, the sheer unwillingness to give up that prize.  When I used “the voice” and said “drop it” they would drop it.  From the other blogs I have followed, and articles I have read, golden retrievers like to hoard things, and bury them.

Is this the case with your Golden?

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Golden Retrievers Can Die from Lyme Disease

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Kathleen Drew noticed something was not right when Cody her beautiful Golden Retriever had stopped eating.  The vet suggested a change in his diet.  Perhaps hamburger would entice him..

“Cody” photo Kathleen Drew (Washington Post)

Cody continued to lose weight, and the vet suspected a urinary tract infection which was treated with antibiotics.  Tests and ultrasounds were

inconclusive in diagnosing any further problems.

A few months went by, and Cody became very ill.  He was rushed to the local animal hospital where he died of kidney failure.  An autopsy determined Cody suffered from Lyme disease.

Lyme disease is transmitted from ticks to humans and dogs.  Some dogs experience no symptoms at all, while others present with recurrent lameness,  loss of appetite, and depression.  In some cases, kidney failure or heart or nervous system disease results.  Golden Retrievers are considered to be one of the breeds most susceptible to Lyme Disease.

English: Adult deer tick, Ixodes scapularis. Č...

Some symptoms of kidney failure include vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite, weight loss, increased urination and thirst, fluid buildup in the abdomen and fluid buildup in the tissues, especially the legs and under the skin.

Richard Goldstein, Chief of Medicine at Animal Medical Center in New York who has studied Lyme disease in dogs for over 10 years says “Lyme disease can be a terrible disease.  Sick dogs can look like they are in a lot of pain.  It comes on suddenly”  The illness is treated  with the antibiotic doxycycline.   Full article from The Washington Post here.

Steps can be taken to prevent Lyme disease in pets, such as drops, flea and tick collars and avoiding tick infested areas.   If you suspect your dog has Lyme disease, a trip to the vet is in order.

America’s Most Powerful Golden Retriever is In the News Again

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“America’s Most Powerful Dog” has made the news once again, this time The Wall Street Journal.

Bravo is a Golden Retriever that belongs to US Secretary of Defence Leon Panetta.  I consider Bravo to be more powerful than Bo Obama, only because he gets to attend top secret meetings and such at the Pentagon, whereas Bo is rarely seen in the Oval Office.

“Bravo” photo credit Erin A. Kirk-Cuomo/Department of Defense

The story states that English Bulldog “Chesty” the Marine Corps mascot growled and got a little out of line with Bravo at a parade in May.

“There absolutely was a protocol break,” said Col. Paul Montanus, barracks commander  “We don’t bark at guests, whether they are human or the canine variety.”

Full story here.

Introducing…Pirelli..The Three Legged Golden Retriever

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Pirelli was born into a life of purpose.  He was born into a litter of dogs bred specifically to become service dogs.  There was just one problem.  Pirelli was born without a foot.   The Canine Assistants Organization decided that Pirelli had a different lot in life.  He would attend schools in the Georgia area and teach kids that disabilities don’t limit who you are as a person.  Such a beautiful message.

Because Pirelli is growing, he needs constant care for his prosthetic.  Please donate if you can here.

Here’s a full version of the story from The Daily Mail.

Best of Luck to Pirelli and the Canine Assistants Organization.

Neighbour shoots, kills family Golden Retriever

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Joy and Rob Nixon of Ashland Ohio are dog lovers.  They had two.  On April 2nd, 2012, their neighbor Donald Emery, 36 yrs shot their 7 year old golden retriever Tanner two times with a pellet gun.  Tanner died from the injuries.  You can see the news story from WMFD with video, showing pictures of Tanner here.

Golden Retriever

not actual photo of Tanner

Emery is up for a misdemeanor for Animal Cruelty.   The sentence for Animal Cruelty in Ohio is presently a few months probation and a small fine of $728.

There is an Organization called The Nitro Foundation which is trying to make a charge of Animal Cruelty a Felony with a much stronger penalty, including a mandatory jail sentence.

Please like their Facebook page here.  Nitro Foundation HB70 Law in Ohio

Donald Emery’s next trial date is Monday September 10, 2012.  Here’s to Justice for Tanner.  Joy and Rob, hopefully you can fill the void of Tanner in your heart somehow.  Animal Cruelty should definitely be a felony offense.

Golden Video of the Week – Golden Retrievers Get Birthday Surprise

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Sorry I’m a day late!  I usually do these on Sundays…This one is just adorable and I love the song choice :)   If you have some time to kill and want to watch some adorable Golden Retrievers doing trucks to music and stuff check out Augie and Ti’s Golden Retriever Channel on YouTube!

Dog Collar that Alerts Owners to Overheating

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I want to start by saying that I would never leave my dog in a car in the heat, even for a few minutes.  The only time Tucker comes for a ride with me is when I am running out to pick up food at a drive thru (He just loves car rides)

Here in Canada, a dog collar is being developed to help prevent dogs from dying from overheating.  The collar basically consists of a SIM card, heat sensor and a coded chip.  It sends a text message to your cell phone when the dogs’ temperature reaches 26 degrees Celcius (78.8 F)  This seems a little on the low side, considering a dogs normal body temperature is between 100 and 102 F.

Image-Toronto Humane Society

Aaron Starkman was headed on a camping trip near Penetangueshine, Ontario when he decided to quickly run into a store to purchase a camping stove.  He left his golden retriever “Hefty” in the car, figuring he would only be two minutes.  It was pouring rain on this particular day, so he didn’t figure it would get too hot inside the car.

It turns out there was a lineup inside the store, and by the time he reached his car,  about 20 minutes later, the sun was shining and Hefty was in poor shape.

Hefty is okay, but owner Starkman felt terrible and, along with his Ad Agency “Rethink”  came up with the idea to develop a collar that would alert owners via text message if their dog’s temperature reached a dangerous level.

“The Dog Caller” is still in the prototype stages but is expected to hit the shelves in 2013 at a cost of approx $20.  I will not be purchasing one!

Grady the (blind) Golden Retriever Needs Your Support

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One of the blogs I follow is called The Grady Report.  It is about a blind Golden Retriever who was rescued from an unthinkable situation resulting in blindness.  Grady is entered in the Fido Casting Call (2)   For every vote $1 is donated to Guide Dogs Canada.  And Yes, our neighbours South of the Border can vote too!

CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR GRADY

Vote Grady for Fido Casting Call 2

Please click on the link and VOTE FOR GRADY each day until September 10th.  Good Luck Grady!!