DOG, n. A kind of additional or subsidiary Deity designed to catch the overflow and surplus of the world’s worship. This Divine Being in some of his smaller and silkier incarnations takes, in the affection of Woman, the place to which there is no human male aspirant. The Dog is a survival — an anachronism. He toils not, neither does he spin, yet Solomon in all his glory never lay upon a door-mat all day long, sun-soaked and fly-fed and fat, while his master worked for the means wherewith to purchase the idle wag of the Solomonic tail, seasoned with a look of tolerant recognition.
— Ambrose Bierce
In the News
Your questions answered on service dogs (The American Legion)
“You could basically, with enough time, train a service animal to do just about anything. I’ve seen them do some really awesome things.”
Amid knives, shotguns, and taxidermied deer heads, happy dogs draw a crowd in a Harrisburg (The Philadelphia Inquirer)
“I think, when you come to one of these events, you’re going to see some dogs that do some amazing things. People in the audience get to wonder about their own dog back home, that there’s a potentially a world champion on their couch.”
Residents of Colorado community fight back to keep open space dog park off-leash (KCNC-TV)
“We’re all kind of in a panic mode trying to halt this, have the city listen to us, and make some negotiations. Let’s find out why and how.”
Girls write book about neighborhood dogs, donate money to Service Dogs Alabama (Montgomery Advertiser)
“Service Dogs Alabama trains dogs for people with PTSD, mobility issues, seizures and autism, said Ira Verbois, the executive director. His organization also provides dogs for hospitals, schools and courtrooms.”
2 Kentucky students helping train service dogs on campus (WLKY)
“It’s a lot to balance, but Osborne and Carr say it’s worth it.”
Health, Wellness, Safety, Etc.
Thrive Pet Healthcare, a “first-of-its-kind pet healthcare network,” is “spotlighting a concerning trend — small dogs tend to develop dental problems more rapidly and at younger ages than bigger dogs.”
According to the company’s specialty director of dentistry:
With French bulldogs reigning as America’s top breed, and a rise in small dog ownership, it’s crucial for owners of smaller dog breeds to understand their unique dental challenges. Their compact mouths, heads and faces, along with other genetic features, predispose them to rapid tartar buildup, plaque and gingivitis more than larger dogs.
Symptoms of dental problems include mouth swelling, bad breath, inflamed/bleeding gums, missing teeth, and poor appetite. AMD does not do commercials, but Thrive Pet Healthcare is “offering a $50 discount on dental cleanings through April 14.” So whether it’s with them or a different provider, if you own a little one, perhaps it’s time for a pro to do some teeth maintenance, and look for signs of trouble.
Breed of the Week
“Unlike other breeds, his intelligence does not give him an air of superiority.”
Charity Profile
Bone Cancer Dogs is an “all-volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to funding research, awareness and education of canine bone cancer, while offering hope and support to those who are coping with the disease in their dogs.”
Among its many activities, BCD helps owners find oncologists, spreads the word about clinical trials, and accepts requests for proposals from researchers.
The good news about this very brutal disease is that there “are many options once bone cancer is diagnosed,” and recent years have “seen huge progress in … treatment.” New types of surgery, “chemotherapy protocols,” and even a vaccine are being investigated. The “cause of bone cancer” is still “not known,” so much work remains. But when a cure is found, it’s likely that BCD will have played a major role in the victory.
Participation Time
Thanks for reading today’s edition of “The Doggo Daily” — now spread the word about A Million Dogs! Tell a friend, and follow us on X and/or Facebook.
Don’t forget, A Million Dogs is a community. That means you are on our team of content creators. Tell us how we’re doing. Submit an essay, or suggest a recipe. Write a review of a book or a product. We’d love to hear from you.
Today’s discussion questions (answer in the comments section below):
1. Would your dog enjoy competing in dock diving?
2. How often do you take your pooch to the local dog park?
3. Is your dog smart, dumb, or somewhere in-between?
1. Would your dog enjoy competing in dock diving?
My dog doesn’t enjoy jumping from the back seat of the car to the ground. Just gives me a look as if to say ‘Aren’t you going to lift me down?’.
2. How often do you take your pooch to the local dog park?
We just go to parks, some of which are safe enough for some off leash running about.
Scotland doesn’t really have dog parks per se. There’s one old Victorian style park in town with a small fenced in area for dogs but the majority of fenced in areas just for dogs are fields to hire. Maybe there are more down South of the border.
3. Is your dog smart, dumb, or somewhere in-between?
Whip smart.
Except when she doesn’t want to do something and does the Valley Girl head tilt to indicate she has no idea of what you speak.
She does, of course, but it’s cute.