Project Pit Bull (part 1)

Not so long ago, I wrote a post about my dream of owning a pit bull. Without rehashing the article too much, the reason I have an infatuation with pit bulls is that they are the antonym of what people consider a friendly, lovable, cuddly sidekick. I hope one day to be able to adopt a pit bull type of dog and to prove that these breeds are friendly, lovable, cuddly sidekicks.

This got me thinking. What exactly is a pit bull? Is this goal even possible? Are these dogs really predisposed to some form of violence? Is it realistic to think that these dogs are friendly, lovable and cuddly given the stereotype?

So I am kicking off what I call “Project Pit Bull.” Sadly, this does not involve my spending time with any dogs. Instead, I plan on researching everything pit bull: from the purpose for which they were originally created to hereditary health issues, known behaviours of the breed, and even legal issues.

I admit that I have some preconceived notions about why pit bulls have a bad rap. It all revolves around my belief that people in our society exploit pit bulls because of their appearance and other characteristics. I will try to keep these prejudices aside and focus on research. I plan on interviewing knowledgeable people in the dog world as well as reading articles about the breed written by knowledgeable sources.

So if you have any questions about the breed, anything at all, feel free to sound off in the comments, and I will try to answer them in the project.

Wordless Wednesday: Bella Works on Her Melting Skills

Adoptable Bella using her beagle eyes to make people melt at Pet Valu recently.

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Click on the image below to see more photos

from the participating Wordless Wednesday blogs.

Tips to Prevent Dogs From Getting Lost

Limit Their Chance to Escape! 

Lindsey Sjouwerman – Marketing Coordinator at Speepdro Imaging Durham 

Making sure your house and backyard are dog-proof is a crucial step that many dog owners miss. All dogs are different—some dogs are lazy, but others are crafty and will do anything to get out. That could mean digging their way under your fence, jumping over it or straight up opening the latch. They may play dumb, but don’t let that lull you into a false sense of safety—unless you take precautions, all dogs will get out if they desperately want to.

The first thing to understand is what kind of dog you own: a digger, a jumper or a chewer? This will dictate how you dog-proof your backyard. Of course, there are items that all backyards should have to ensure your dog doesn’t escape:

Dogs checking out the action at the fence. CC Tristan Honscheid on Flickr

• An automatically shutting gate, widely available from any hardware store (tension in the springs forces the door closed so that you don't accidentally leave the gate open)
• Limited access to your backyard through only one gate
• No holes or other potential escape routes

Other options that pet owners can invest in include obedience training. The best practice of all is to practise awareness and make a conscious effort to protect your furry friends. When children share the yard, it is a bit harder to address the dangers, but try. The sheer idea of losing a dog because it got out may be enough for children to remember to close the gate or leave the dog in the house.

In my opinion, the best way to ensure the dog doesn't get out is to spend quality time with your pup. Go for walks or play fetch or any activity that will tire him or her out. Essentially, give your dog something else to look forward to. Stimulate the mind, so your dog doesn’t have to search for his or her own stimulation in the form of escape.

The Paws n' Hearts Jamboree

Mark your calendar! Paws n' Hearts is only a month away! 

What is the Paws n' Hearts Jamboree?
It's an outdoor fundraiser hosted by TAGS in partnership with Guardians Promoting Animal Wellness (G.P.A.W.s). All of the money raised will be used to support animal rescue initiatives.

Who is invited?
Everyone!

How much does it cost to go?
Advance tickets are $7.00, and tickets at the door are $10.00.
* Kids under 12 are free

Can I bring my dog? 
Of course! This event is all about dogs, after all. The event site includes a fenced-in dog park, but we ask that every person supervise his or her own dog or arrange for someone else to do so. In other words, no dog should be in the park without supervision! 

Where is it and how do I get there?
Paws n' Hearts is being held at the TAGS dog park.

Click on the map to view a larger version. 

What can I do there?

• Listen to live entertainment from three different musical groups throughout the day, including Hard Tymes and The Winter Vault. Make sure you bring a lawn chair! 
• Watch demonstrations in between musical sets from G.P.A.W.s, TAGS, a local groomer, and more!
• Bid on items in the silent auction.
• Participate in the 50/50 draw and other contests running throughout the day.
• Play doggy games with your furry friend(s).
• Eat! (There will be burgers, hot dogs, chips and drinks for sale for $5.00).
• Browse vendor booths and purchase items (not all are dog-related, so there will be a big variety)! 

Dexter is excited for Paws n' Hearts!

I want to be involved! What can I do? 

• We will be accepting donations for silent auction items or door prizes until Monday, September 9. The more items you are able to contribute, the better! This way, we will be able to raise more funds to allow us to continue to do our rescue work. 
• Volunteer! We need people to help supervise the dog park, sell draw tickets, handle cash at the BBQ, and assist with setup and take down of booths. 
• Spread the word! Join our Facebook event and let everyone in your social circle know what you'll be up to on September 14. The more, the merrier! 

Can I be a vendor?
Yes! The cost to set up a vendor booth at Paws n' Hearts is $25, and there will be room for two or three people per booth. Remember, your business does not have to be dog-related.

What else do I need to know?

• It is likely that Paws n' Hearts will be a cash-only event. Please plan accordingly because there are no banks or ATMs near the TAGS dog park.
• For tickets and vendor information, contact Kathy (tagsinfo@yahoo.ca), Shari (sharis.quest@yahoo.ca) or Rick (rickrene@bell.net). 
• For other information, please ask in the comments! 

Cold Dog Treats for Hot Temperatures

Written by: Nomi Berger, content writer for our newsletter

 

Like us, pets need proper protection from the heat and adequate shade from the sun. This year, take shelter from the swelter and turn each day into a holiday. Spread a sheet on the grass, fill a small wading pool or set up an umbrella on the balcony. Then, invite your pets to feast on their own, specially prepared doggie desserts.

Recipe One: Jewel-Toned Jello

1 pkg. cherry jello

1 chopped apple, banana and pear 

Mix jello as per instructions and stir in fruit. Pour into ice cube tray or small, individual moulds. Refrigerate until firm. Turn over onto plate and garnish with sliced strawberries. 

Recipe Two: Peanut Pupsicles

Peanut butter treats. Photo credit: Jennifer Yu from userealbutter.com

3 very ripe bananas

1 cup peanut butter

½ - ¾ cup wheat germ

½ cup unsalted peanuts finely chopped

Mix bananas and peanut butter. Add wheat germ to make dough. Form into one inch balls and roll in peanuts. Freeze on cookie sheets. Arrange on plate and garnish with frozen banana slices.

Recipe Three: Yummy Yogurt

½ cup blueberries

½ cup plain, low-fat yogurt

2 tsps. honey

Puree ingredients in blender or food processor. Pour into ice cube tray or small, individual moulds. Freeze at least 6 hours. Turn over onto plate and garnish with blueberries.

Recipe Four:  Cool Cupcakes

4 cups rice milk

1 tbsp. vanilla extract

1 tbsp. honey or peanut butter

Place paper cupcake liners in muffin tins. Stir ingredients and pour into cups. Set tiny dog biscuit into center of each cup and freeze. Peel back paper liner and arrange on plate. Garnish with more tiny dog biscuits.

Two words of caution:

(1)   Ensure that your dogs aren’t allergic to any of the ingredients you’re using.

(2)   Serve cold treats on a hot day in moderation. Too much cold in their systems can reduce their core temperature.