Frequently Asked Questions

A: Late August the Oregon Supreme Court passed a ruling that changes how animals are treated under state law. Now, any animal can be seen as a legal victim in a case, and this gives animals more protection against abuse.  For a pet lover, it's evident that each pet is an individual. Up until now, the law has seen them as property. The new ruling means, for instance, that if a person abuses 20 animals he or she can now be sentenced on 20 counts instead of just one - each individual animal is a separate victim. This can, in turn, result in longer sentences and make it more difficult for abusers to expunge these convictions from criminal records. The ruling also makes it easier for law enforcement to help animals in danger - if an animal is "property" an officer would need a warrant to step onto private property and for instance take the animal to a veterinarian. Getting a warrant can take four to eight hours, and that is enough time for an abused animal to die. 2014 has seen some great steps in the right direction for animal rights. Hopefully, the trend will continue until they are all protected.  

A: Cats sometimes do things that seem peculiar. Like, drink out of glasses or the tap instead of the water bowl, or splash their water around before drinking.  These behaviors are much easier to understand when considering that cats are wild survivalists. A cat in the wild will seek out moving water, because that is safer and fresher than standing water, and they'll look for water as far away from their prey as possible, to make sure it's not contaminated. If your cat drinks from everything but the water dish, he or she might be worried about the water being poisoned by the food. This is a strong instinct and it won't go away just because we think it's a great place for the bowls - try moving the water away from the food bowl. Putting the water in the opposite corner of where kitty eats usually solves the problem. Cats who prefer to drink from the tap or even the toilet might want moving water instead of the kind that's been sitting still in the bowl all day. Some cats splash their water with a paw before drinking in an attempt to solve the problem. If your cat shows these behaviors, consider buying a recirculating water fountain for cats. This might not fit all households, and in that case, try changing the cat's water more often.

A: Summer is turning to fall, but large parts of the USA are still blazing hot, and it's still season for beaches, boats, and pools. Whenever water is involved it's important to know that not all dogs can swim. Dogs will automatically paddle when they are in water, but some breeds are so front heavy that it doesn't do them any good. Bulldogs, for instance, cannot swim. A Bulldog in water will sink, no matter how much they try to stay afloat. Bulldogs are the worst breed when it comes to water, but all breeds with large, heavy chests and short muzzles have problems swimming. It's also worth noting that even amongst breeds who generally love to swim some individuals will have an aversion to water. If you are by the beach or on a boat, it's a great idea to get a life vest for your furry companion. If you have a Bulldog and a pool or pond, make sure the water is fenced off. There are also emergency monitors that will alert if something breaks the surface of the water. If you Bulldog falls in he won't be able to stay afloat, and he won't be able to get out of the water.

A: When Jesse-Cole Shaver and his sister Jasmine went out to play with some neighborhood kids, they had no idea a rotten log nearby hosted a swarm of bees. One of the kids stepped on the log, and the children were immediately surrounded by angry insects. The children made their way up the hill towards home to get help, but Jesse-Cole couldn't follow. This is when Hades, the adopted family dog stepped in. Hades ran over to the boy and dragged him up the hill to safety, getting stung several times herself in the process. Jesse-Cole was stung at least 24 times, and Jasmine five. To make things worse, she is allergic to bees. The children were rushed to the hospital, where doctors had to pick bees out of their hair. Thanks to Hades, the story ends well, and the pit bull is now cheered as the neighborhood hero. //youtu.be/BXuyb8tvUog

A: Each year, the American Humane Association holds a competition in order to find and recognize the country's phenomenal hero dogs. Voting is open until September 15th, so you still have a chance to get your vote in. Dogs running for the award come from all walks of life, and there are eight categories: Law Enforcement Dogs Arson Dogs Service Dogs Therapy Dogs Military Dogs Guide and Hearing Dogs Search and Rescue Dogs Emerging Hero Dogs The last category are for ordinary dogs who do extraordinary things, or are heroes to their families. One dog also walks away with top honors as the winning American Hero Dog, and the prize is $5,000 for a charity. In 2013, Elle the Pitbull became the American Hero Dog. She's a therapy dog who also works as safety educator, and with a children's reading program. Watch this wonderful video about Elle, and hop on over to //www.herodogawards.org/vote to vote for a 2014 Hero Dog! //youtu.be/7OHH03K_Vkg

A: In Russia it's considered good luck if a cat enters a new home ahead of the owners. It's a nice tradition, and cats with their keen senses can probably say more about a building than humans, so the Russians might be on to something. Now Russia's biggest bank - Sberbank - attempts to take advantage of the tradition through an unusual promotional campaign: the bank offers to deliver a cat to the doorstep of new mortgage clients. The campaign is limited to the thirty first new mortgages, and CNN reports that a few customers already signed up. Friends of cats might worry that everyone who buys a home isn't cut out to be a cat owner, but that shouldn't be a problem - the cats are only on loan for a couple of hours. Bank customers can choose from ten cats with different breeds, and The Financial Brand reports the cats belong to bank employees. On the big day, a branded van with a giant cat logo comes to deliver the pet. The bank says, "Order a cat for your housewarming and bring happiness and luck to your home." It is unknown what happens if the cat refuses to enter the house... The video below is in Russian, but expresses the sentiment of the campaign even without understanding the language, and who can resist watching cats? //youtu.be/4boS_2z5KKg

A: It's hard to resist pizza, and even harder to resist cats. So, why not combine the two in an advertising campaign? That's just what Pizza Hut in Japan did, presenting a web series called Pizza Cat where all pizza is made by cats. Stars of the show are Tencho, Hime, Dora, and Detch - four kitties wearing red caps and scarves. Cats are a big deal in Japan, where cat cafés pop up all over  to allow patrons to watch and pet cats even if they can't have one of their own. The Pizza Hut cats are also popular, but they don't seem to have the delivery completely down: //youtu.be/grOlrwgMkiQ In this episode, it's time to clean the restaurant. Watching a cat ride an automatic vacuum is surprisingly relaxing. //youtu.be/A5XcshenWeU  

A: Summer is officially over, but parts of the country are still hot and sunny. Did you know that dogs can get sunburned and get skin cancer just like humans? You shouldn't use human sunscreen on pets, but there are pet safe versions created to fit their skin, and to be safe in case the pooch would lick it off. Areas extra sensitive to the sun include the tip of the ears, the nose, the belly, and the groin - areas that typically have less hair coverage as well as thinner skin. New findings show that humans should wear sunscreen every day around year - even on rainy days, during winter, and up north - and that UV rays can reach us even through windows and cloud covers. Knowing that, it makes sense to protect our furry friends at least when they're romping about in the sun. Dogs love their outside time, but they don't know when enough is enough, and we need to control their time in the sun and heat. Even if the weather has cooled down a little it's wise to watch for signs of heatstroke. Symptoms include panting, drooling, lethargy, fever, vomiting, and collapse. Breeds with short noses, senior dogs, and puppies are  more susceptible to heat. If you think your dog might have heatstroke, do your best to cool it down, and call the vet at once!

A: Most - if not all - dog owners encounter a chewing problem sooner or later. Even the most well behaved pooch can fall for the temptation of chewing a shoe, a remote control, or why not a sofa cushion! Why is that, and what can we do about it? To start with, why do dogs chew? Puppies explore their world by putting things in their mouth. They do a good job exploring the world through their eyes and sense of smell, but one of their favorite ways to learn about things is chewing on them. Puppies also teethe for about six months, and chewing makes the sore gums feel better. Adolescent dogs - for some breeds this period can last up until they're two to three years old - are a lot like human teenagers. There's a lot going on in the body, they have energy to spare, they get bored, and sometimes they want to bend the rules a little. All this often adds up to unwanted behavior such as chewing, and the dog no longer has the extreme puppy cuteness to protect it. Unfortunately many dogs are given up during their adolescence, because their owners can't cope with a teenager on four paws. Adult dogs sometimes also chew. They don't do it to spite their humans. Some common reasons why dogs chew on your belongings include: As a puppy, the dog was never taught what to chew and what not to chew Dogs often chew because they're bored The dog might suffer from separation anxiety The behavior can be fear related It's a call for attention If your problems stems from separation anxiety or fear, you might need to seek help from a behavior professional. How can the problem be solved? First of all, take responsibility for your belongings. If it doesn't belong in your dog's mouth, keep it out of reach. Make sure shoes, clothes, books, trash, remote controls, eyeglasses, and similar are kept out of reach. Invest in good chewing toys that doesn't look anything like the forbidden objects. Many let their dog chew on an old shoe, or make a toy out of an old sock. The difference between allowed shoes and socks and forbidden shoes and socks is clear to humans, but not at all as clear to dogs. Spend extra time with your dog. Spending time with you will increase your bond, and help your dog learn acceptable behavior. If need be, keep doggie with you on a leash in the house, and confine him or her when you're unable to keep your eyes on him.  Provide plenty of "safe" toys. If you have a teething puppy, try freezing a wet washcloth and offer it for chewing - this can help soothe the sore gums. Supervise so your puppy doesn't chew it up and swallow it. Make sure your dog gets ample physical and mental exercise. Many chewing problems stem from the dog being bored. You might want to invest in puzzle toys, enroll in a training program, learn tricks, or take him jogging. You can also use meal-time as doggy entertainment. Instead of just pouring kibble into a bowl, mix it with a little peanut butter or soft dog food, stuff it into a Kong, and freeze it. Getting the food out will take a while, and give your dog something to work with. If you catch doggie chewing on something forbidden, interrupt through making a loud noise. Then, offer an acceptable chew toy, and give lots of praise when he or she takes the right toy.  

A: A hospice is a medical facility or at-home care that provides services and emotional support to a person in the last stages of a serious illness. A hospice facility is focused on reaching a good quality of life, and therapy dogs play an increasingly important role. Many persons with hospice care have spent their lives with animals, and suddenly they can't have a pet anymore. Therapy dogs provide the love, comfort, and companionship needed, and enrich the lives of both patients and families. The dogs can provide a physical contact many yearn for, combat loneliness, and make a person feel needed and wanted. Hospice work isn't for all dogs, or all handlers, but if it's something you would like to do with your dog, it makes a big difference for the people who needs it the most. In order to interact with the patients, the dog must prove itself reliable and with an appropriate temperament. The dogs must be at least one year old to be trained for hospice work, but other than that they can be large or small, mutts or pure breds. The dog must be healthy, and obey basic commands. If you're interested in hospice work with your dog, take a look at Therapy Dogs International. They have a testing brochure available telling you about the steps the dog must be able to handle, and you can read more about their testing requirements here.