Dogs riding in cars...and one flew out the window

Dear Ollie,

Please print this letter as a warning to all dog owners who love to take their pets for rides in the family car. I am a responsible dog owner and I love my three dogs very much. All of them love to accompany me on short trips in the car. I know that when the temperature is over 70 degrees, even with the windows down, dogs can quickly succumb to heat stroke and die if left as little as ten minutes in an enclosed car. Even with the air conditioning on, things can happen, like the car stalling or running out of gas. Last Thursday, the weather was absolutely   beautiful so I took my three dogs (one puppy and two adults) to Deep River Park in Hobart for some healthy exercise. They love to chase leaves and just enjoy walking the trials. Yes Ollie, I do pick up their dog poop to make the walks pleasant for those who walk later. After we walked and played, I loaded the three critters in the back of my van and took off for home which is less than three miles away. The dogs have a large dog seat in the back and are able to jump off and get water. They are not strapped in and don’t wear any kind of harness. I have always felt that they were safe because the large dog seat is fastened to the car and was fabricated from heavy metal with a lot of crash resistance. Well, I must admit when I got home, I opened the back of the van’s hatch, pulled stuff out and left the three dogs inside until I had free hands to carry them out. My dogs weigh 23 pounds, 15 pounds and the puppy is six pounds. There is a fall of more than two feet from the door at the back of the van to the driveway. When I came back out to the driveway to get the three dogs, I was dumbfounded to find only the two adult dogs waiting to be transferred into the house. The little guy had vanished. I was in a panic. Did he jump off the tailgate to chase a squirrel? In my haste, did I leave him at the park? I could not imagine where he could be. I called for him in the neighborhood and there was no puppy. Then, I drove back to Deep River Park thinking I left him there, but I knew better.  Of course, he was nowhere to be found. Then I telephoned the Porter County Shelter and they wrote up a lost dog report. In tears, I phoned the Hobart Humane Society. They had a little puppy in custody matching my dog’s description. A kind couple had brought him in after they witnessed him being “thrown out of the back window of a car traveling on County Line Road”. “I’ll be right there,” I said, and I was. Apparently, the back windows of the van were open enough for him to fall out when I turned from the park south on County Line Road. He must have been perched on top on the dog seat and lost his balance. He had a few scrapes but wasn’t any worse for the experience. I want to thank the staff at the Hobart Humane Society for their caring and professionalism and the kind young couple, who stopped their car, picked him up off the road and took him to the shelter. If they hadn’t taken the time to be concerned, the little puppy could have been hit by another approaching car. “All is well that ends well,” Shakespeare wrote. I am thankful that there are good people in this world who care about animals and they happened to be there when I made a very dumb mistake.

Signed,

Dumb, Dumber & Dumbfounded

 

Dear Dumbfounded,

You have said it all.

 

Remember, rescuing one pet can’t change the world…but the world will change for that one pet

Dog gets stuck in Doggie Door

Dear Ollie,

Today, I found myself inside out. Yesterday, I was outside in. I am a 22 inch high pure white Samoyed dog.  I love to play and what I have in my owner’s laundry room is a doggy door installed on an outside wall that goes right into a fenced patio. The door was installed when I was just a pup so I could go in and out of it all day when my owners were gone to work.

Recently, I got stuck going in the door and stuck going out, I looked ridiculous.  My back yard space is concrete. I just love to dig in dirt and used to drag in the house all kinds of stuff. So now I am sunning myself on concrete.  I hate it. I am the happiest when I am rolling in something that smells awful to my human but wonderful to me. I love chasing squirrels up the trees and howling at the full moon. I look forward to a walk on my leash, playing with toys and chewing stuff. I am having a lot of trouble. My owners are talking about giving me up. Help me Ollie.

Sam, the Samoyed

 

Dear Sam,

Having a doggy door in your laundry room can be a great idea. Most owners invest in fencing for a run or a yard for their dogs, but few build a concrete patio with a doggie door access.

After all, you are a dog and that’s O.K. I always say that a dog is a dog and all the things you speak about loving to do are things that dogs love to do. Your human needed to understand that you would grow big someday, the doggy door would be too small, a concrete patio wouldn’t cut it and you would most certainly grow up and end up acting like a dog.  Humans go in and out of relationships all the time.  But when a relationship between a dog between a dog and their owner goes bad, the dog has no control over his destiny.

Acquiring a puppy and then believing the pup won’t grow up and not fit in a doggie door is really ridiculous. Because the human does not understand their dog, many good dogs end up abandoned on the streets or in shelters or dog rescue groups. Sure, nobody can guarantee that every dog and owner relationship will work out but the same can be said of most things.  Clearly, your owner had no idea how big you would grow. He or she may be trying hard to be responsible but is missing the obvious. First, you are a dog and second, the doggie door is too small because you grew. Many of the local pet stores like Brandt’s in Michigan City or PetsMart in Merrillville sell doggie doors in all sizes and materials such as plastic or metal.  PetsMart even has dog trainers who can help people train their dogs to use these doors. I’m hoping that your owner gets the idea that concrete is silly and your dog door needs to be bigger before you get so stuck that you can’t move or get hurt. This situation really worries me.

 

 

Remember, rescuing one pet can’t change the world…but the world will change for that one pet

Dog bites a strangers pants. Stranger demands money for cleaning fee.

Dear Ollie,

My owners are very angry with me. I am staying out of their sight and bouncing around the house only when called. If I throw my head up in the air and catch a whiff of something delicious cooking in the kitchen, then l make an appearance. I guess that I’m just plain lucky to still have a dinner bowl.

Last month, my entire family traveled to California to visit my owner’s daughter who resides in Napa Valley. When my humans planned the trip, they telephoned every hotel, to ask if they were pet friendly. So we stayed at an Embassy Suites that assured my family it was pet friendly.

Here’s what happened to us. We were all in a lovely room on the first floor away from the lagoon and the ducks and geese but near to a stairwell door. I was returning from a walk when my owner turned me loose to run to our door and greet their daughter. I was jazzed by the freedom but very alarmed when I heard noise, and a huge banging as the stairwell door opened and two men came barreling into the small vestibule.  I turned, I lunged and I bit. Well, I didn’t actually bite him in the flesh but there was worsted wool flying in the wind. He wasn’t hurt but he demanded $250 to pay for his pants. Personally, I have tasted better wool and I think he was lying about the cost. If that weren’t bad enough, when we checked out of the hotel we were charged a $150 cleaning fee for me. . What an insult to a dog that is perfectly house trained. Now you know why my owners are angry with me. It cost them an additional $400 in vacation money. How do I get back in their good graces?

Lloyd

Adopted from the Northwest Indiana Humane Society

 

 

Dear Lloyd,

Yes, you are lucky to still have a dog dish. But, having said this, just because a hotel or motel advertises that they are “pet friendly” does not mean you are welcome to chase geese and other water fowl. Your owners must ask the right questions. Such as, “Are there special rooms for pets and/or do you add an additional “cleaning or damage charge” added to my room bill if I bring a pet on property?” The term “pet friendly” means different things to different hotels or motels. For instance, the Kimpton Hotels do not charge extra for pets. In fact, each pet is given a goody bag at registration and a welcome letter from their director of pet relations, who happens to be a dog too. The Westin Hotels charge guests with dogs a refundable deposit against damage etc. It is important for your pet owners to do this type of research before planning another holiday because every property is different.

Regarding the flying worsted wool incident, you should not have been unleashed because clearly, you can’t mind your own business. Dogs jump if they are excited, overstimulated, or think there is was danger.  Chalk that one up to a lesson for your owners. Dogs around people need to be leashed. Have patience Lloyd, your owners will get over their shock of losing a perfectly good $400 and you will be welcome back into the family.

Remember, Rescuing one pet can’t change the world…but the world will change for that one pet

Yorkie Afraid of Local Dog Park

Dear Ollie,

 

Well, I finally made it to a dog park last week. While other dogs were running and jumping and chasing things in the park, I sat in the car with my nose pressed to the window. On the drive over to the park, my owners talked up the dog park as a place that I could exercise and they could spend a couple of hours with other people. Usually, people who go to dog parks are the very same people who like their dogs and they like other people who like their dogs too. Most regional dog parks are established, funded and cared for by dog owners. However, the one that I visited, Canine Country Club on Sturdy Road in Valparaiso, is owned and managed by Valparaiso residents Teri and Bob Gray. Bob is a teacher at Wheeler High School in Union Township and Teri works part time but with her degree in psychology, she is practicing what she knows in the dog park environment and admits that, “People are harder to deal with than dogs.” My owners bought a membership in the park and I was elated. Ollie, you must wonder how I know all these things. Well, I know what I know because I listen to everything that goes on in my house. That is how I learn.  The park is open from 7 a.m. to dark and Bob told my owners that it is a quality place for exercise and socialization. But so what? I didn’t get to exercise because I was in the car and never got out.  Well, maybe that is not entirely true. I was out once but I barked and scooted backwards and I wouldn’t stop barking or scooting no matter what my owner did.  Then, I was put back in the car for what seems like forever. 

Signed,

Twinkie, a very small Yorkshire terrier

 

Dear Twinkie,

In a perfect world, you still would not be perfect. If you were perfect, you would be so well mannered that you would play off leash and return to your owner at the first summons. It’s not a perfect world, and we already know that you are not perfect. So, we have fenced in dog parks and hope that the dogs attending are well mannered. Some dogs will never fit into a dog park environment like my brother Oscar because he barks at everything that moves. Or, my friend Rosie who hates dog parks because she finds the parks to be overwhelming and frightening. Dogs should already be well socialized before they are turned loose in a dog park, Terry said.

Writer Cheryl S. Smith wrote in a book titled, “Visiting the Dog Park,” that every dog owner should know their own dog.  Teri agrees. She has a special fenced in run on her 4.5 acres for very small dogs like you Twinkie, but many dog parks don’t encourage tiny dogs. The risks are many such as; being viewed as prey by a larger dog, being run over by large dogs playing or being tripped or kicked by dog owners who are not looking down at the grass. To enjoy the park experience both dogs and owners need to know the rules and follow them.



 

Remember, rescuing one pet can’t change the world…but the world will change for that one pet

 

All Dogs Swim. Some just look better doing it.

Dear Ollie,

I am a pitch black Skye terrier who has the good fortune to live with a family in a beautiful lake side home. Every summer Sunday, my owners attend church in the morning and in the afternoon we pile into the boat and take a ride on the lake. On one such Sunday, my eye caught the action of Cooper; our next door neighbor’s Golden Retriever as he leapt from the dock and swam effortlessly into the lake. Everyone adores Cooper for his generous loving nature. Personally, I don’t love Cooper. Now, I’ll tell you why.

This particular Sunday, there were children on the dock squealing with delight as they threw red and blue plastic Frisbees into the lake for Cooper to fetch. Cooper retrieved the treasured discs in this mouth, his head remained high above the water while his long legs cut and glided through the water.

I was transfixed. Then it happened. I jumped out of the boat while my owners were docking the boat. My head immediately disappeared from view. There were screams coming from the boat, “Duffy’s head is under water, oh my God, he’s going to die.”  Well, I didn’t die; I headed straight towards land, my short legs paddling as fast as they could. Needless to say, I did not look anything like Cooper. If sputtering in a fresh water lake weren’t embarrassing enough, I missed the land entirely and attached myself to the cross hatch fence underneath the dock. There I was, half under water and stuck on the fence like an ugly black barnacle. Members of my family swooped down to try and pull me off the fence. As they tried to pry me loose, there were desperate cries of, “Let’s call the fire department.” Well, the more they pulled, the harder I hung on. I looked ridiculous.  Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw Cooper, head high, slicing through the water. I definitely did not want to cause a rescue scene starring Cooper or the fire department’s hook and ladder team so I let loose. I was immediately scooped up by my owner and wrapped in a blue towel. “Poor Duffy,” she said.

 

Ollie, what happened to me?

Duffy

 

Dear Duffy,

Dogs swim, cats swim and even squirrels can swim. You are a dog, so you are able to swim too. However, a Golden Retriever can swim a lot better. Because he is a perfectly designed swimming machine standing 24 inches at his tallest. His long legs and floppy protective ears make him an excellent swimmer and retriever. You are not designed to swim because of your short legs and long body. That shape and pointed ears make you an excellent rodent hunter. True, hunting rodents is not a very exciting or glamorous job, but someone has to do it. Duffy, all dogs are unique so learn to be happy with what you are and who you are and, in the future, stay out of the water.  

 

 

Remember, Rescuing one pet can’t change the world…but the world will change for that one pet

Educating People to be Responsible Pet Owners

Dear Ollie,
Throughout my life, I’ve helped unwanted pets, mostly dogs. I still don’t understand why people get a puppy or dog and just pen or chain them up outside 24/7. What a miserable existence for such loving animals! Police and animal control do nothing. These dogs don’t get love, attention, socialization, walks, baths, haircuts, brushings, ears cleaned, nails clipped or vet care. They’re lucky if they get clean water in a clean bowl and good food. They live in a small pen or on 3 feet of chain. One pit bull I saw had a very heavy tow chain on his neck. People who force their dogs to exist this way have no heart. They only like the power they have over a helpless animal. Please educate people to be responsible and caring pet owners.
Susie Smith



Dear Susie,
Indeed, I am flattered you believe that I alone can actually do something about these deplorable conditions that you describe because I am just one small dog However, I believe that my tiny voice can make a difference when joined with voices like yours who have the courage to speak out against the mistreatment of animals.

Animals are not accessories to be abandoned when they go out of style. They have spirit and personality and the right to be treasured and treated well by their owners.
Reading your letter reminded me of a book named The Little Prince, written and illustrated by Antoine De Saint-Exupery. Many years ago, this book was translated from French so English speaking children could enjoy its words. My human reads passages to her grand daughter and I curl up by her feet and listen.

The little prince travels within the galaxy and visits planets. On one planet he meets a fox who explains to him what it means to be tamed. To be tamed, the fox explains, is to establish ties with something so that it becomes unique. “To me, you are nothing more than a little boy who is just like a hundred thousand other little boys. And I have no need of you. And you, on your part have no need of me. But if you tame me, then we shall need each other. To me you will be unique in the entire world. …If you tame me it will be as if the sun came to shine on my life. I shall know the sound of a step that will be different from all others. Yours will call me like music, out of my burrow,” said the fox. “One only understands the things that one tames and men have no more time to understand anything. They buy things all made up in the shops but they cannot buy friendship. Then the fox shared a secret with the prince. “What is essential is invisible to the eye; it is only with the heart that one can see rightly.”

Susie, people who are cruel to animals do not understand what the fox has said. Continue working for the animals and I shall too because we understand what it means to see rightly with our hearts.

Remember...Rescuing one pet won't change the world...but the world will change for that one pet.

Some Puppy Breeders should be called "Greeders"

Dear Reader,

There’s a new six week old, two pounds, seven ounce Shih Tzu puppy in our community and I’m very worried. The little guy was bought from a breeder in Wanatah and that’s a real concern for me. Why? Because there are puppy mills operating in that community and those breeders or “greeders” as I call them, want their puppies sold young, small and early. The pups are bred from a bitch that spends her days in small, filthy cage churning out litter after litter of puppies to be sold for profit. Her dull, patchy coat is painfully matted and her ears are full of biting mites. Her nails have grown so long that they curl under and pierce her tender paw pads. She’s surrounded by hundred of other dogs, also caged and in poor health and their chaotic, panicked barking is deafening and relentless. No one ever tells her that she’s a good girl or gives her a treat. No one scratches behind her ears or kisses the top of her head.

My woman human has raised many litters of puppies for the Humane Society of Northwest Indiana and for Lakeshore Paws. She said it’s an old wives tale that a six week old puppy is ready for adoption. She observed that the pups learn important behaviors from their moms and litter mates; interpreting dominance, inhibiting biting behaviors and submission to a dominant dog. He learns what it’s like to play, romp and behave correctly among his pack of siblings and his mom.

A six week old puppy simply hasn’t been in our world long enough to learn the correct behaviors from his mom and siblings, she says. In other words, between five and eight weeks, a pup is learning how to be a dog.

Well, who doesn’t want a darling itty bitty ball of fur? The puppy mill “greeders” bank on the fact that we’re all suckered in by a tiny fur face. With toy breeds, petite and/or “teacup size” sells well.

He’s tiny and irresistible and you’ve heard it said that he’ll bond with your family the younger he is. Oh no, think again. The age you bring your puppy home can make the difference between a well-adjusted pet and one who is neurotic, frightened and having behavior problems for the rest of his life.

Reputable breeders and responsible shelters will not allow their puppies to leave their moms until after eight weeks and will encourage a potential puppy owner to see the pup’s mother and father while visiting every square inch of their facility.

Puppy mills keep you away from their operation and for good reason. Often they’ll bring the pup to you in a neutral location. When shopping for a puppy, don’t support puppy mills by acquiring your fur baby in a puppy store or answering a blind ad. If a puppy looks too young to go home with you, it probably is. An eight or nine week old pup is ideal.


Ollie

Remember...Rescuing one pet can’t change the world…but the world will change for that one pet

Lloyd gets hit by a car. Other pet accidents.

Dear Reader,

Responsible dog owners do their best to plan ahead, think of every possible situation before it happens and endeavor to keep their animals safe. However, to spite the best of circumstances, accidents can happen. Indeed, that’s why these unexplained and usually undesirable events are called accidents.

Yesterday, Cynthia Steingas’s dog, Lloyd, was hit by a car. Cynthia was walking him on Cumberland Crossing in Valparaiso, a walking trail on the north side of town surrounded by artwork. Lloyd was leashed and wearing a harness. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a very attractive female terrier strolling with her owner and enjoying the sounds and sights of Cumberland Drive. He bolted, and in the process, tore his red harness in two. He sped across the street and was hit by a car that was not speeding. Luckily, Lloyd rolled under the car and, at the end of the day, was able to walk away from this accident. Lucy, the cute terrier dog, is owned by Kim Juhlin, DVM from Vale Park Animal Hospital. Lloyd was admitted there for observations and X-rays.
There’s a new West Highland terrier puppy in town named Sampson. His owner, Don McAuliffe, has been very careful with Sammy but to spite this caution, Sammy has wiggled out of his owner’s arms, somersaulted to the ground, jumped out of the truck and hung by his leash, fallen off the dock into the lake and was pinned by another dog when double crated in a car. 

Michele Czarnecki, owner of Czarcrest, a Schererville breeder of West highland terriers, tells this sad story. One of her little white pups found a loving home with responsible pet parents until a day when the pup was sitting under a computer desk, chewed an electrical cord, and was immediately electrocuted.  
Baby gates, also known as safety gates, and are commonly used to confine puppies to “safe” areas in the home. A breeder of German shepherds in Winwood, Arizona shares a recent horrific experience. One of her nine week old pups got his head lodged in the opening of the gate and was strangled.

Just last week Pom-Tini, a cocky black and white animated extroverted rescue dog, had a very bad experience when I was writing my “Ollie” column. He stuck his nose where it clearly didn’t belong by curling up on the printer table. Then I hit the “print” button, and his tail fur got caught in the mechanism under the printer where the copies come out. It was horrible.  

Lloyd is fine and walked away from the car accident with nothing more than a torn back paw nail. Sammy is still bopping around but has learned the lake is not a place he ever wants to be again. The Pom-Tini still posts himself on the table with the printer but when the printer makes a sound, he jumps off the table and finds another spot to sit.
I leave you with this thought. Bad things will happen to good pet parents and their pets, accidents are just part of life.

 

 





Remember: Rescuing one pet can’t change the world…but the world will change for that one pet



 

 

Continuing Independence Day Celebration

 

My Favorite Girlfriend Stevie Nix
 

Ollie-Dog looking very handsome

Stevie Nix and Ollie-Dog Rockin' their Independence Day Bandanas
 

Happy Independence Day!

I'm staying indoors today. You know, that fear of fireworks makes me want to curl up in the closet and shake until the celebration is all over.

The big news for me is I will be making a, wait for it, PUBLIC APPEARANCE in two days...

Here's the poop:

Meet me at Westfield Southlake Mall on Saturday, July 6th from 12:00pm to 3:00pm for advice, questions, and, if you are very good, a pawtograph...just sayin'!

For tickets to this FREE (yes, FREE) event, visit http://askollie-dog.eventbrite.com/.

Smell ya later! And you better be there or my fur feelings will be hurt.

Sunny Has Pet Carrier. Will Travel.

Dear Ollie,

I love summer travel with my family. For many years, we have taken trips all over the country. Some motels and hotels that we stay in are pet friendly and some are not. I’m small and get smuggled on to non-pet friendly properties where I’m cautioned not to bark. Some of the pet friendly hotels and motels are very nice and some are not. This year, we are going on a “Staycation” which I believe means that we are staying put within the geographic parameters set by one tank of fuel. We might stay at a local hotel just for fun or, if the fuel prices come down some more, we may do some traveling by car to Michigan or Wisconsin . My owners’ wonder which hotels and motels are pet friendly and what that really means. 

Sunny, the Jack Russell Terrier

 

Dear Sunny,

It’s that time of year again when Fido or Fidette (I mean Bella or Bob) gets packed into the family car with all the luggage and picnic baskets. For a traveling pet, you are living at the right time in history. All across the nation, a large percentage of hotel and motel industry marketing money is being used to develop ads directed at attracting the four legged traveler and pet parents.  More often than not, traveling baby boomers with an empty nest have filled that nest and their vehicles with one or more four legged companions. Hotel and motel owners realize that a well-groomed and very well behaved animal is a good guest. Dogs and cats never steal towels or bibles, or take pictures off the walls. They don’t get drunk or disorderly and they never run out on paying the bill. Some hotels, like the Hotel Monaco in Chicago reward the furry guest by giving each a gift basket filled with canine goodies.

You can search the internet at pet hotels.com for hotels and motels that welcome dogs and have reviews. We like to go to La Quinta properties because they are everywhere and accept dogs with no questions asked. The Chicago Wyndham, some Hampton Inns and Marriott’s welcome pets, a select group of Hilton properties are pet friendly, and all of the Kimpton Hotels like the Chicago Allegro. If you’re traveling in Chicago, check out Hotel 71, the Avenue, Renaissance and Hotel Intercontinental.

While randomly surfing the internet, I caution you to be careful. First, a percentage of hotels or motels charge a big, fat service fee or pet damage deposit that you may never in your lifetime see again.  Secondly, the quality of some hotels and motels is so awful that, in desperation to attract business, the owner throws a sign up outside in the yard advertising that pets are welcome. Sure they are, the rooms are unkempt, door handles fall off, mirrors are smeared (not by poltergeists) and the toilet seat is lying against the bathroom wall.  Beware of that sign, like the Bates Hotel, made famous by the film Psycho, no human or pet would ever choose to spend the night there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remember: Rescuing one pet will not change the world...but the world will change for that one pet.

 

Ollie celebrates a Birthday

Ollie has a big family

Today we celebrate Stevie's 10th birthday. She is the white and brown dog in the back (R).

Lassie is afraid of Fireworks

Dear Ollie,

Every year just around this time, I hear rumbling noises in the distance and loud bangs near my house. Then, I am graced with the presence of an 80 pound dog panting on my lap. Her ears are down, her tail is twitching and her claws are out. She’s scared and I’m trapped under a bristle tent of brindle colored collie fur. What can I do to enjoy the July 4^th holiday season without stressing out Lassie?

Pet Parents

Lowell, IN

Dear Pet Parents,

Ka-Boom! What you have here is a scared dog. However, it’s natural for dogs to be afraid of loud noises so not to worry. The sounds trigger their nervous system and they may become very afraid, unsure or shy. Running away from the noise is a survival mechanism for dogs. I know dogs that react to the loud sound of a vacuum cleaner by either attacking the large metallic, mechanical monster or running from it.

But this is about your question. If you want to prevent your 80 pound collie from quivering in your lap, I have these suggestions.

Scolding or coddling Lassie won’t help her. Scolding will scare and confuse her and coddling serves to reinforce her fearful behaviors. Instead, you need to act confident and unbothered by the noise and activity outside and distract her by playing a game such as ball.  Also, I like Cesar Milan’s suggestion of going for a very long walk before the fireworks. If Lassie is completely exhausted, her brain will be so tired that she won’t be able to concentrate on the fireworks.

If booming fireworks are being set off by neighbors nearby or if you’re having guests over for a holiday celebration that includes fireworks, find a quiet, secure place to keep Lassie. Darkening the room can help and so can crating. Don’t leave her outside even in a fenced yard where fireworks may be heard in a distance. She may try to dig her way to China or jump a fence.

Some veterinarians sell “Thunder shirts” to wrap around a dog thereby reducing anxiety. Or you can make your own by using an adult or children’s T-shirt. As a last resort, you can get a prescription from your veterinarian for tranquilizers.

Lassie will never understand America’s need to celebrate their independence from Britain by setting off fireworks that have a booming profit margin and I don’t either.

Calendar July 6, from 1 to 5 p.m. because I’m appearing at Westfield Mall by the Humane Society of Northwest Indiana kiosk on the second floor. For a small donation, you can write a question and I’ll answer it in my Post Tribune column.   Pretty neat, right?



Remember: Rescuing one pet will not change the world...but the world will change for that one pet.

I am Charlene and I am a Poop Roll-Aholic

Dear Ollie,

I am Charlene a mixed breed border collie. I also live in Union Township, and I really like living here. I have a large yard, and I like to herd lawn mowers, other dogs and my woman-person's van.

My man-person is my favorite thing in the world. He thinks that I am the smartest dog ever. (He thinks that I am a dog, but I know that I am a real live little girl.) My problem is sometimes I like to roll in bad stuff. I am quite discerning so a nice, fresh, dead carcass is my very favorite. However, when in a pinch, any new poop or swamp water will do just fine. When I do this he calls me RIP, which is an acronym for “Roll In Poop.” I become very embarrassed and ashamed when he calls me this. Also, I must have a bath before I can go back in the house.

Why do I have an irresistible urge to roll in poop and how can I learn to stop?

Charlene



Dear Charlene,

Seriously, I love it when a beautiful female dog talks to me about her favorite fragrance being Eau de Poop. Phew, I get all worked up just thinking about it. Well young lady, you are not human and so you don’t tolerate toiletries, daily showers or, God forbid, the hated shampoo bowl. For me, taking a bath makes a real bad day.

I get it. Your idea of smelling absolutely irresistible is to roll in something that, for humans, is 100 % horrible. My personal favorite in this category, and it sends my humans clear out of the room, is dark, green goose poop. I fall in love with its bouquet in August and it makes my human gag.

One theory or hypothesis suggests that dogs are trying to mask their own scent by rolling in the unthinkable and thus gaining an edge over prey species that might otherwise detect them and flee for cover.

There are some experts in dog behavior that say the more dogs roll in stinky stuff the better equipped they are to tell other dogs where they’ve been and what they found there. A dog streaked with excrescence is viewed by his canine brethren as a story teller.

Given the fact that the average dog has some 220 million scent receptors and a human has a paltry 5 million, really makes me wonder about all this.

Canine society holds story tellers in very high esteem.

Humans hold story tellers in very high esteem, too.

Film maker George Lucas worked on a string of hit movies titled Indiana Jones and the yada, yada, yada starring Harrison Ford. Lucas had a dog named Indiana when he was a child and named this lead character after his dog. Historically, human story tellers do not roll in poop.















Remember:  Rescuing one pet can’t change the world…but the world will change for that one pet.

Bob's Been a Bad Boy

Dear Ollie,

I have been trying to train my high energy dog for weeks to respond to the commands “Stay” and “Come”.

Last week, I was walking Bob; he saw a person and ran to the other side of the street. Before you think that I am an irresponsible owner, let me add that he was on his red leash and pulled with such force that it flew out of my hand. He is very strong dog and gets just a little crazy around people.

I yelled “Stay”, and he stopped dead in his tracks. For a moment, I thought I was experiencing great success. I was relieved that he had made so much progress in his training that he did not dash into the street to chase a car, bike or jogger. Even the neighbors came outside to witness this spectacular show. There was a well behaved Bob quietly sitting on his haunches sniffing the wind, doing absolutely nothing and going absolutely nowhere.

Of course, this behavior required a special treat from me. So, I ran across the street to both capture and reward him. This was I fantasized, what the instructor in obedience class calls, a perfect training moment. Bob was happy to see me and let out a series of little barks but still didn’t move.

Could my training have gone too far? Bob sat like a white marble statue his head turning east in my direction. I rushed to him armed with treats and gushing praise.  And then I saw it. My well behaved dog, Bob, was attached to a leash snared in a budding red rose bush. He wasn’t well-behaved at all. He was stuck. What do I do with Bob?

Signed,

Cynthia (a frustrated owner)

 

Dear Cynthia,

Well, what do we do with Bob? Bob is a very headstrong dog. Of that, there is no doubt. Your friendly neighbors may refer to him as a lovable lunatic or an outboard motor dialed to high. He is energy in motion and everything interests him all the time. A high energy dog will keep on dancing until he is calmed down. Does this sound like Bob? To train Bob requires the   perfect spot with no distractions and no spectators. You need to be calm and forceful at the same time and this training must occur while he is leashed and you are in command. Be sure that you really run him before he trains and this may wear him down for you. Use body language like a hand signal that is the same each time you command a behavior from Bob. Dogs respond to both your body language and tone of voice.  The “Stay” command comes after Bob learns to “Sit”.

Since I am only a dog and not a trainer, I don’t have the expert advice you need to train Bob. I just know from experience what works for me and my human. You can continue your training or check out a book on dog behaviors and training from the library.

I’m thinking that you may need to double your vitamins just to keep up with Bob. Not only that, remember, Bob is pretty smart. After all, he fooled you.

 

No Bites. Kisses!

Ollie-Dog