Traveling to Puerto Rico? Escort a Sato Dog!

Be a Sato Escort

Help to bring happy, healthy, rescued dogs to loving homes on the mainland--be a Sato transport escort! "Save A Sato" is a non-profit organization dedicated to easing the suffering of Puerto Rico's homeless and abused animals. "Sato" is slang for street dog. They are looking for people traveling to Puerto Rico that would be willing to escort a dog back to the mainland.

Sato is in need of transport escorts to accompany dogs on flights to their new homes....federal law prohibits them from sending dogs without a corresponding traveler.

If you are leaving Puerto Rico on an American Airlines flight to one of these airports please consider escorting a sato! If you are interested in donating your American Airlines Frequent Flyer miles to Save a Sato please click here.

They are currently looking for passengers flying from San Juan to -

Bradley International Airport (BDL) - Hartford, CT

Logan International Airport (BOS)- Boston, MA

John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) - New York, NY

Newark International Airport (EWR) - Newark, NJ

Tampa International Airport (TPA) - Tampa, FL

Hollywood International Airport (FLL) - Fort Lauderdale, FL

http://www.saveasato.org/

Choosing the Right Dog Breed | The Pet Health Zone

Choosing the right dog breed for you is as important as choosing a pet whose needs you can meet. There are a whole host of decisions that should be carefully thought out when contemplating making a pet a part of the family.

Make a checklist:

•Have I chosen a pet that will fit into my home and lifestyle?
•Do I have the financial resources to take care of a pet?
•Do I have the time to walk, groom, train and pay attention to a pet?
Whatever you do, don’t make getting a dog an impulse decision. This dog will be part of your life for years to come so do plenty of research before making the commitment.

Choosing the Right Dog Breed The Pet Health Zone

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Do Dogs Recognize Their Kin? 2009-09-01

Dogs Can Sniff Out Family From Friends
It even happens to dogs. Out of all the dog parks in town, your dog’s littermates and mom have to pick the one he goes to. There’s Mom playing fetch, and now your dog’s little brother and sister want in on the action. Do you think your dog would even recognize his littermates and parents after years of separation?
As it turns out, many studies have zeroed in on this topic known in scientific circles as "kin recognition," the study of how animals recognize their relatives and it’s importance in the natural world. The research often focuses on amphibians, social insects and in mammals, the rodent family, and there have been few studies with regard to dogs.

For research on our furry friends, we turned to the latest issue of DOGWatch newsletter from the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Katherine A. Houpt, VMD, Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Behaviorist, explains that dogs do likely recognize their family members. Studies have shown that dogs will approach a littermate in preference to a strange, unrelated dog even after months of separation. And further "if a dog’s littermates were divided and cross-fostered with other females, the dog would still recognize the littermates."

While there is a stronger draw to littermates with whom a dog was raised, dogs still prefer an unfamiliar relative over a more familiar non-relative. Dr. Houpt also suspects that, although recognition is based more on color than on visual cues, a dog may be the friendliest to the dog whose genome is most like his, for instance, that with the most similar coloring. So how do dogs show their preference? They may approach their siblings or parents faster or there may be more play or tail-wagging than with unrelated dogs.

But it’s not just dogs who they recognize, but people too. Studies also show that a dog will choose the person who raised him over a stranger, even if it’s been years since they’ve been together. What a relief! They remember us after all.

Source: DOGWatch Newsletter is a monthly publication from Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Science with news and advice on dog care. http://www.dogwatchnewsletter.com/

Support We Are The Cure - K9 Intel

Support We Are The Cure - K9 Intel

Help us raise funds to support the Canine Cancer Foundation.

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10 Best Places to Live for Pet Lovers - US News and World Report

10 Best Places to Live for Pet Lovers - US News and World Report

Well, the results are in and here are the top places to live for dog lovers. Not that I entirely agree, since San Francisco didn't make it in the top 10 due to the high cost of living. Considering the hundreds of thousands of dog lovers, beautiful parks, hiking trails, and beaches, S.F. gets my vote for #1!

Ellicott City, Md.
Rocky Point, N.Y.
Auburn, Ala.
Butte, Mont.
Yankton, S.D.
Lewiston, Idaho
Glasgow, Ky.
Aiken, S.C.
Flower Mound, Texas
Wolf Trap, Va.

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Getting Active with Your Pet

It's just as important for your dog to get daily exercise as it is for you to stay fit & healthy. 50% of the pet population is overweight or grossly obese. The reasons for pet obesity include poor diet and lack of proper exercise. Exactly the same reasons that we experience challenges with our weight. Unfortunately for our pets, they depend on us to get the exercise that they need. Their health is completely in our control.


Did you know that a piece amount of cheese for a Dachshund is the same as the average-sized women eating two hamburgers. That will sure make you think about the next morsel of food you feed your pet. Think twice bout giving your dog treats simply out of guilt for being at work to late and not spending enough time with them. It's much healthier for him/her (and you) to go for a walk or engage in play.

Fun ways to include your dog in your exercise activity: Running, roller blading , skateboarding, cycling, or throw the ball and do push-ups or sit ups while they retrieve the ball.

Celebrity trainer Gunnar Peterson discusses why he has joined the fight against pet obesity, and offers tips on how pets and their owners can get and stay fit together.
Check it out....http://www.avmamedia.org/display.asp?sid=182&NAME=Getting_Active_With_Your_Pet

Fear Aggression

How can you tell if it is fear based aggression?

With nervous and fear aggressive dogs, you will find that they will react similarly to any dog, regardless of whether it is male or female. The behavior is often worse if the dog is on the lead or is cornered, especially if close to the owner, who backs up the behavior, (though unwittingly) by becoming nervous and agitated as another dog approaches.

This manifests itself in a tightening up on the lead and shoulders because of the expectation of conflict. Nervous owners experience a rush of adrenaline which the dog instantly detects and causes it to look for what is causing the concern. It sees the dog approaching and reacts accordingly. This type of dog is also normally a barker, it will lunge and bark at the approaching dog but generally will not snap, unless all its options have run out (i.e. flight or freeze) and after all it’s threatening behavior the other dog still gets too close.

This problem can often be diagnosed if someone who is confident around dogs (that the dog does not know well) takes it out on the lead. It will not get the same fearful vibes from the owner, therefore the reaction to another dogs approaching will be less intense. It is a good way of finding out if your dog suffers fear aggression as the behavior will either not be exhibited or will be less pronounced. The owner can then use a desensitization program for both the dog and themselves.