THE AMERICAN FAMILY PET EXPO!

JUST A REMINDER!!!! The annual American Family Pet Expo in Pomona is Friday, April 16th, Saturday, April 17th and Sunday, April 18th. Come visit us! Call Carole Oglesbee at (949) 552-1373.

LESSONS LEARNED TOO LATE . . .
By Mike Gallas

There was a story on the news last night; a story we have all heard to many times. A fourteen month old was killed by the family dog. As the details of the story unfolded, I just had to shake my head. It seems the parents of this child purchased two “Pit Bulls” after a series of robberies in the neighborhood. An eyewitness who was present before and during the pit bull attack said that the baby was in the yard unsupervised except for the dog. Leading up to the attack, the child repeatedly hit the dog. This story left me with two questions: First - What is a fourteen month old doing outside unsupervised? Second - How many times does this story have to be played out before people wise up? This is not a story of a pit bull gone mad. Pit bulls are as good or bad as the people who have them. This is the story of a baby in an unsupervised area with a dog and the tragic circumstances that are possible. Under NO circumstances should a young child be left unsupervised in close proximity to a dog regardless of the breed. Many a greyhound adoption has failed because the dog either growled, snapped or bit a child. This does not mean that greyhounds and children cannot live in harmony. Many greyhounds live with and truly enjoy the company of children. However, it is up to the parents to use some common sense. Certain guidelines must be discussed and then put into practice for the safety of all concerned. The dog must first be treated with the respect he/she deserves. Dogs are not toys to be grabbed, prodded or hit. Children must be taught what is and is not appropriate behavior with and around their new friend. The dog should also have a “Quiet Place” that is totally off limits to children at all times! When the dog is in his quiet place, leave him alone!! This is very important. A dog will react to an unpleasant situation in one of two ways. He will remove himself from the situation (flight), or he will fight back (attack). If escape is not an option, then fighting back is his only recourse. In addition, a resting dog with eyes closed or open, should be left alone. People do not take kindly to being disturbed while they are resting, why should a dog be any different? Many animal behaviorists, dog trainers and others agree that dogs do not always make the connection that children, especially babies and toddlers, are human. These little creatures move and sound much different that older children and adults. Their squeaks, cries, gurgles and erratic movements can be very distressing to an animal that is not used to them. It is imperative that caution is used at all times. Never assume that the dog is used to the child or that it is ok to leave them unattended. The bottom line is if an adult is not available to supervise the situation, the dog and the child should be separated. Basic common sense should be used in assessing each situation as it arises. Finally, I strongly urge anyone with small children who is thinking about getting a dog and/or who owns a dog to read “Child Proofing Your Dog” by Brian Kilcommons. It is a valuable resource that could prevent mishaps and headlines.


 

GOOD-BYE TO YOU, ROO .
By Lauren Graham
To My beloved "Sister" Roo, who just passed away of kidney failure. You walked into our lives and made all of us proud to have you a part of our family, even though you were with us for only nine months. You became such a happy dog, always wanting to be loved up by the whole family, which everyone did because you were so lovable. When you moved to Arizona with mom and dad, I got upset, but I was able to come visit you and that made me happy. I have always loved you and always will, even though I can't touch you and tell you that I love you. You will be sadly missed, but you'll never be forgotten. You have touched the hearts of everyone who has met you, especially your family. Good-bye, my sweet little one. Someday we'll meet again.
~Lauren

BRAGGING, OR REALLY COOL?
By Davis The Greyhound

Okay, this is either a plea for a home, or merely the diary of a greyhound. Could be any breed of dog, really. This diary just happens to be mine, and I just happen to be a greyhound who happens to be available for adoption from GPA. Or at least I was when this issue went to press. Anyway, here goes. My name is Davis, and I retired on February 7, 1999. I am presently shacking up in a very nice home in Mission Viejo, but the homeowner already let me know I'm on a very short lease. Thought it would be a good idea to start seeking more permanent digs. I'm 80 lbs, skinny, but buff. I'm of keen intelligence and sweet disposition. I suffered a broken leg at the race track, and the folks at Greyhound Pets of America are seeing to my surgery and rehabilitation. Sooo, I won't be available for adoption until April, 'cause GPA wants me to be in tip-top shape when I go into my new home. Nonetheless, I'm putting the word out now. No better way to be late getting somewhere than to have all the time in the world. Enough of that. Let's talk about me. First of all, I do not like cats. No, let’s say I hate cats. I mean cats have absolutely no socially redeeming value, and the world is a lesser place because they exist. I have, therefore, dedicated my life to making the world a better place, which means, NO cats. If you have a cat and you love it, you probably don't want much to do with me. Moreover, if you have a cat you'd like to get rid of, or one that just bothers you . . . I'm for hire. I mean, I am your guy. When I finish with that cat, he won’t bother you, your neighbor, or your sister-in-law in Sheboygan. Now I've heard folks whisper that this is antisocial behavior. I beg to differ. Think about this: Dodger fans hate the Angels, the Hatfields hate the McCoys, and Democrats have little use for Republicans. It's the natural order of things. Dammit, dogs are supposed to hate cats. A dog that likes cats is one quart short of a gallon. I, on the other hand, am perfectly normal. I do get along just fine with other dogs and children. (Sometimes, I think, they’re hard to tell apart) I even like small dogs. I mean just because a dog is physically challenged is no reason for me to harbor ill-will toward it. This turkey I am living with has taken to teaching me to give him my paw when he asks for it. Look, a dog’s paw has a number of practical uses. I can walk on it, run on it, scratch on the door to go out with it, and I can sure knock the holy bejesus out of a cat with it. But it is not meant to be handed to a human on request. Now don’t get me wrong; I don’t mind lifting my leg, it is just that I am used to lifting the back one. However, if you're like this turkey, and you think that this is cute, I guess I can give you your cheap thrill. Just make sure that you don’t forget my treat. The lady of the house is a truly sweet, wonderful person. She says I'm a really handsome dog. Of course I agree, but I don’t lord that fact over anybody—humility is yet another of my many virtues. Well, you may ask, why should I adopt this dog? What will he do to make mine a better life, to enrich my homestead. My friend, let me count the ways. I will awaken you each morning by licking your face, while my big brown eyes tell you how much I love you. I will be a wonderful companion for your children, and greet you each evening with my tail wagging to let you know how glad I am that you have come home. I will lay at your feet while you work at your computer or watch television. I am sweet, and I know that your friends, who come to visit, will just love me, and while I am not at all aggressive, my sheer physical size might make a burglar decide to try another house. And think of how proud you will be when you take me for a walk and introduce me to your friends and neighbors, or maybe to people you have never met before. How can I promise all of this?. You see, my good friend, that is what Greyhounds do and do very well.

REMEMBRANCES:

• Our hearts go out to Tom & Brenda Lundsford, who lost Tiger. Tiger was the first dog brought into Hemopet. He was 10-1/2 years old. 

• Cara Brockhoff lost Davie, her first greyhound. Cara is the founder and director of North Coast Greyhound Support.