Frequently Asked Questions

A: The Finnish Spitz - or Suomenpystykorva - is the national dog of Finland, hailed in many patriotic songs. These small and hardy dogs are perhaps most known for their barking abilities. They can bark up to 160 times a minute! The Finnish Spitz was originally bred for hunting, with a focus on birds and small game, but they are also used for moose and bear. The breed stems back some 6,000 years, with the first representatives arriving to Europe around 2,000 years ago. A typical Finnish Spitz loves children, wants to spend time with the family, and gets along well with other dogs. They are intelligent, independent, lively, quick, and friendly. So, what's with the barking? It has several functions; it tells the hunter the dog has found something, it distracts the prey, and to some point it masks the noise of the hunter approaching. In their home land of Finland, there are barking competitions for the Finnish Spitz. They are also one of the few dogs who can yodel.  

A: Most dogs are super-curious, and summer invites to investigation. That's usually not a problem, unless you have one of those dogs that try to eat everything, or play catch with wasps and bees. While many dogs wouldn't dream of tasting a plant, others munch down on everything they see. Knowing your dog's normal behavior goes a long way towards ensuring safety. Some of the most common problem backyard plants for dogs are Oleander, Lilies, Daffodils, Tulips, and Rhododendron. Bulb plants cause problems for dogs who like to dig, because the bulbs are often toxic - and inviting to chew on. Common signs of a pet ingesting something poisonous include slobbering, drooling, and pawing at the mouth. Also watch out for vomiting and weakness. A poisoning left untreated can have serious consequences and even lead to the pet's death, so it's better to be safe than sorry with calling a vet. If you wonder about plants, the ASPCA has a great list that includes both toxic and non-toxic plants.

A: Hector Gracia Middle School's yearbook is a little different this year; it features Taxi Benke, a seizure alert service dog. Image from today.com Taxi looks out for his human, 14-year old Rachel, and predicts her epileptic seizures. He attends class with Rachel every day and can sense problems up to an hour and a half before something happens. Taxi has been with Rachel for the last four years and prevented her from drowning at several occasions. When he senses a seizure coming up, he can alert her family and teachers, and he orients herself to break her fall. Read more on today.com.

A: There's no doubt that cats are smart. They are quick to learn and have evolved for thousands of years to observe the world and make intelligent decisions. A cat's brain structure is actually about 90 percent similar to a human's. According to Psychology Today, cats have around 300 million neurons while a dog has around 160 million. Cats also have more nerve cells in visual areas of the brain than humans and most other mammals. In plain English that means that they have a well developed center for rational decision making and complex problem solving. This area of the brain is involved in planning, interpretation of communication, and memory. If cats are so smart, why don't we have service cats leading people with impaired vision, or police cats finding hidden drugs? Cats find motivation in discovering personal benefit. "What's in it for me?" They base decisions on what to do and when depending on what it can get them. They are more impulsive than dogs, and less patient. If something doesn't reward them, they'll move on and do something else. Dogs are more socially adapted and will work for a treat or to make their human happy. Cats can solve more difficult problems, but only if they feel like it.

A: Poppy is a British kitty living in Bournemouth with her family consisting of four humans, four other cats, a hamster, and a rabbit. She recently celebrated her 24th birthday with a cake made from cat food, and is the world's oldest living cat. She has lived through four US presidents and still rules the house, but her age is starting to show; she has lost her hearing and vision. Though, the family says she is still quite feisty and defends her food from the other cats. Poppy likes canned and dry food, KFC chicken, kebab, and fish and chips. The oldest cat ever recorded was named Creme Puff and lived in Texas. She became 38 years old. Image from www.nbcnews.com

A: When John Bartlett set up a webcam to watch his foster kittens, he did not expect to become a worldwide phenomenon. His camera shows kittens eating, sleeping, rolling around, and other pretty uneventful stuff that cats do. The camera has become a great success; the website komonews.com reports that Bartlett has hundreds of people watching sleeping cats for hours. Watching the cats help people all around the world de-stress. People Magazine posted a link to his site, and and he now has over 20,000 regular viewers. The cam has led to even more than that: cat lovers have started talking in chats while watching the footage, and recently a convention of cat fans from all around the globe met in Seattle. The web cam inspired people to come all the way from Australia to talk about cats. Barlett fosters for Purrfect Pals, and his goal with the kitty cam is to get attention for the rescue and the important role fosters play in the lives of homeless pets. He says every cat that has been featured on the camera has been adopted, and he has found homes for nearly 200 kittens.  

A: A recent study of Canadian pet owners made by the Canadian Veterinary Association together with Hill's Science Diet reveals an interesting discrepancy of what pet owners' think is important and what they actually do. When asked what the most important thing is when it comes to enhance the length and quality of a pet's life, most owners answered exercise. When veterinarians get the same question, exercise comes in as the fourth highest priority. However, knowing that something is important is not the same thing as doing something about it; on an average weekday, Canadian pet owners spend 79 minutes watching TV, 48 minutes browsing the Internet, and 25 minutes playing with or exercising their pets. On average, women do a little better than men. Women spend 28 minutes playing with or exercising their pets, and the corresponding number for men is 19 minutes. According to veterinarians, 55 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats do not receive sufficient exercise to maintain good health. On an average weekend day, the TV watching increases to 89 minutes, the Internet surfing sinks a little to 44 minutes, and pets get 29 minutes. Overfeeding and obesity are the main issues amongst Canadian pets, and time spent together playing or exercising is a great way to strengthen the bond between humans and pets.

A: Assuming the dog breed is physically able to swim - not all dogs can swim - how do they learn to do so? Dogs will instinctively paddle when they enter water. Some dogs love water at first sight, plunge in, and might not want to come out again. Others are reluctant and even scared. If your dog doesn't take to swimming immediately, here are some tips that might help them along: Encourage the dog by going out in the water yourself and calling for them. If they follow you, reward with praise. If your dog likes to play fetch, they might follow a floating toy or tennis ball into the water. Start at a shallow depth and go gradually deeper. Many dogs want to join in if they see people or other dogs having fun in the water. As with all training it is important to stay calm. Some dogs will never like water. We might feel that they're missing out, but should still respect it. If your dog turns out to love swimming, it is still up to you to think of safety. Older dogs and puppies tire quickly, and they often don't realize how tired they are until it's too late to turn back. Watch out for strong currents and underwater debris that can ensnare the dog. Many dogs who don't like water still enjoy an outing to the beach. Non-swimmers should wear a life vest. This is particularly important for breeds such as Bulldogs who are physically unable to swim. If the sand is hot, protect the sensitive paws. Make sure there's access to shade and cool drinking water, and be attentive for signs of heat stroke.

A: Dogs, cats, and other pets are good for a person's health. They create a sense of stability, they are good company, reduce stress, combat depression, and lower blood pressure. Pets are particularly good for the elderly. Med Transport Center in St. Petersburg, Florida, took these facts into account when they planned their new service; medically equipped motor homes that come with two drivers and a nurse. Besides providing physical comfort, pets are welcome to travel with the guest. Traveling out of state or across the country can be necessary and harrowing, especially for a person suffering dementia. Being able to bring a pet can give comfort and provide a sense of stability. Smaller animals travel best in a crate, and larger dogs need to be on a leash. Besides transportation to and from medical facilities the company also offers a vacation option to help someone with special medical needs experience the country, along with their pets. Dogs are the most common guests on the trips, but cats and birds have also tagged along.  

A: Dogs can't sweat. They pant to cool themselves off, but it's not the most efficient system. Another risk for dogs is that they're generally eager to please their owners and will not stop playing or even indicate that something is wrong until it is too late and heatstroke is a fact. When it comes to cats and dogs, the pets most susceptible to heatstroke include: Pugs, Bulldogs, and other short snout dog breeds Persians and other cats with flat faces Sick and elderly pets Cats and dogs with heart conditions Dogs who exercise in hot weather Dogs who have airway problems or snore Overweight pets Cats and dogs who recently relocated to a hotter climate Any pet who has had a heatstroke before. They are at higher risk of getting it again. Heatstroke is a real problem. It can lead to kidney failure, liver failure, brain damage, swelling of airways, lung damage, seizures, muscle damage, bleeding disorders, and even death. Make sure your pets have access to a cool area. If you don't have AC, use fans to increase the circulation in the house. Always make sure your pets have access to cool water. Pet doors allow cats and dogs to come back inside when they want to. An energy efficient dog door or cat door such as the PlexiDor dog doors and cat doors will ensure that the heat stays outside. Symptoms of heatstroke include: A blank stare or anxious expression Heavy panting and possible raspy breath Bright red gums Salivation Throwing up Stumbling, falling, or collapsing Elevated temperature Lying flat on cool surfaces Pet's skin feels warmer than normal Seizures If your pet shows any signs of heatstroke, hose them down so their panting slows. Small animals can be sprayed with a spray bottle of water set at a fine mist. The water helps prevent the body temperature from raising further. Call the vet. Heatstroke is serious and this is not a time to apply a wait-and-see approach. When you go to the vet, keep the AC on in the car to keep the pet as cool as possible. If you don't have air-conditioning, make sure to keep the windows down. Just watch the pet so they don't jump out of the car! At the vet, treatment can include intravenous fluids, blood tests, and oxygen. Severe cases of heatstroke require hospitalization up to ten days.