animals Archives - Page 8 of 10 - Author K. Williams

Adopt Don’t Shop!

May 8, 2015 By Captain Maiel

Adopt don’t shop is a mantra we can all get behind. When I was looking for a companion, I was considering a Cardigan Welsh Corgi, which I would have to forge a relationship with a breeder hours away, or looking for a rescue. I wound up with a rescue, not a Corgi, either, and that worked out just fine for me. She’s the love of my life and everything I wanted. She’s even got red fur. However, for most, a specific breed is in mind and they refuse to settle for anything less. I totally get that. You want what you want. I’d love to rescue a Great Dane, but MAGDRL has rules that kicks me to the curb as a potential home, despite my history of being a great dog mom, a special needs Jack Russell and now my rescue. The rules are there to safe guard the animals. There is no guarantee, and they see the contrary all too often, that you will be a good fit for one of their dogs. To save the pet from multiple re-homings, they have parameters you must fit. Renting is a big problem for potential adopters. The rescues just don’t want you. You’re risky, despite the devotion, I am sure, you would have for your new pet. I yupped MAGDRL right off the phone, listening to the shitty advice and bad behavior issues the foster was chatting me up about–she’s okay to foster, but I can’t adopt–my dogs ate face to face with no incident. It’s called training. Hers could not because of behavior issues she addressed by not addressing them.)

I recently came across this article on the plight of the NYC Homeless pets and the facilities that are failing them. With the uphill battle rescues face, you’d think they’d reassess their plans (allow pet owners who rent to adopt, because their applications read 13 years with a special needs pet, adopted a pet who is now 5–adopted when 6 mos. No fence, but a dog park nearby and doggy grandparents with lots of yard, but also an owner who uses leashes for the dog’s safety regardless…a fence won’t keep them in, that’s false security). Well, in this case, the NYC comptroller is making them. Finally! Rescues mean well, but a great many get in over their heads. There simply are too many animals and too little money to go around for support. It’s a sad testament to humanity’s lack of empathy and connection to the world in which we as a species live.

The best thing you can do is to educate yourself on dogs, especially if you have never had one, and then go to your local shelters (there will be many in your drivable area) to look for a pet that needs your shelter. Take your time, even though a shelter dog doesn’t have time, it’s best that you don’t make a false promise to one.

Pet Parenting Quandaries #3: Understanding Dog Food Labels

May 8, 2015 By Captain Maiel

Have you ever gone through the trouble of finding the right food for your dog? If you haven’t, then you’re probably either really good at this, or you’re doing disservice to your pet. Most of the food that you can buy in the grocery store is the human equivalent of a bag of cheese curls. Sure, it tastes great, but it has nil nutritional value. It’s junk food. Once in awhile, giving them some kibble and bits, is a better alternative to tables scraps, which often contain foods that are poisonous to pets, like onion, walnuts, too much sugar or salt. Remember their bodies are much smaller than our own in most cases. They cannot digest the same foods, because they don’t have a human digestive system. Though they’re omnivores, they should never be given strictly vegetarian meals. Vegetables are really hard for them to digest. REALLY HARD.

Lately a lot of deliberation has hovered around raw or traditional diets. Those who buy into the dog as wild wolf pack animal way of thinking tend to err on the side of raw. The science isn’t completely in on this, but their pets appear to be doing just fine. So, too, with traditional diets, unless the pet has a grain or other allergy. Where do you begin as a concerned pet parent?

Vet Street is a good starting ground for researching some of the frequently asked questions of pet parenting. I’ll let you know in the future if I feel they’re doing a disservice to animals, but for now, and because I use common sense and consult my veterinarian in person before making any rash decisions, they’re a good resource for the average owner to reach out to.

Vet Street published an article last year (November 14, 2014) about understanding the labels on dog food. When making a decision about what to feed your pet, that’s really the first place you need to start. A lot of brands brag about the ingredients in their food. I’ve found that when you actually read the label, what’s there is confusing and sounds nothing like food. Truth be told, dog food is like human cereal. It’s highly processed nutritional supplement. Don’t get me wrong. It IS mostly food product–as much as chicken nuggets by Tyson are food products. Sadly, this is what we have to give our pets, which is affordable and doable. Doing all natural–going to the store and buying the rice, vegetables and meats and making it yourself is very expensive and time consuming. The little biters love it though! I’d recommend switching things up and giving your dog (unless they have an allergy) fresh food a few times a month to a few times a week, depending on what you can afford and what you have time to do. They will love you for it. But, be mindful that you must do your research on what is proper portioning for a pet and proper foods. Do not feed dogs these foods: link. Look for more lists, because not every list is comprehensive and more items are added from year to year. A good meal: diced chicken fingers roasted with carrots. Boil up some green beans or broccoli and add some brown rice. Make sure everything is cut up into small bits, because dogs gulp, and it could make them sick. Go easy on the rice too, that swells in their abdomen and can also make them sick if you give them too much.

Check out this Vet Street guide on what is in your dog’s food for more information on labels

Costa Rica Becomes First Latin American Country to Ban Hunting for Sport | Inhabitat – Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building

April 27, 2015 By Captain Maiel

This absolutely floors me. Did you ever think you’d see the day that this would come into being? Humans have evolved to a point where cultivation of food sources is more sustainable than hunting. There are simply too many of us to do otherwise. The diversity of food sources and sheer numbers of animals and plants raised to become sources of nutrition for the human population is the only thing that keeps the race going.

Hunting for sport was something I never could wrap my head around. I don’t find stalking and killing something a fun past time. The taking of a life is a very serious thing. At least, that’s what I was taught. Then you have those who justify their blood sport by saying, you buy meat in the market, so there is really no difference. Except, there is. Accept there is. Though the meat packing industry needs to undergo some serious changes, the raising and slaughtering of animals for food is vastly different than stalking and killing one for the purpose of amusement. I can respect the hunter who hunts to feed his family. I cannot respect men and women who go out to kill for a thrill. You know who likes to do that sort of thing?

Charles Manson. Jeffrey Dahmer.Dorothea Puente, Belle Sorensen, Nannie Doss,Ottis Toole…

The desire to kill for amusement is a decidedly sociopathic endeavor. It requires the ability to either shut off, or the lack of empathy. Those who hunt for sport are not that far off from being harmful toward other humans. For the time being, they’ve found reward for their desire in attacking animals instead. This is a psychological profile of a killer, and regardless if it’s nice or not, it is the truth behind the drive to hunt. We as a society need to get past the reluctance to name call and label, because it is our world that is in jeopardy by the hands of those who exercise this disposition on seemingly non-lethal to humans pastimes. Undeniably, the over hunting of animal populations leads to environmental repercussions and therefore a danger to human life.

About a week ago, I read an article headline that said humanity needs to reevaluate its relationship with animals if the species wishes to survive.

Read more about Costa Rica’s unprecedented new law:

Costa Rica Becomes First Latin American Country to Ban Hunting for Sport | Inhabitat – Sustainable Design Innovation, Eco Architecture, Green Building

Dog Germs May Be Good For Us, And Here’s Why

March 30, 2015 By Captain Maiel

If you’ve been following the blog, then you now I love my dog. Sadie Sue Shagbottom even has her own place here. She’s the heart of my heart. So, when this article wended by, I was like…oh, good! Finally, something that will put to rest the “Get Hot Water! Get the Disinfectant!” Lucy from Peanuts screams from the dogs are icky crowd. Thank you, I’ll take my slice of germs, lower blood pressure and reduced stress with a side of fur on everything and unconditional love.

Dogs are everything. Read more…

Dog Germs May Be Good For Us, And Here’s Why.

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Pet Parenting Quandaries #2: Companions and Controversy: Rethinking the word “Abuse”…

March 20, 2015 By Captain Maiel

When this came under my gaze way too early in the morning, confusion and concern set in. Then I found out why so many people were frothing at the mouth. The handler had picked up the dog in the traditional manner. For someone who doesn’t understand specific breeds, worked as a handler or ever been part of the wider dog world, this would probably be a little disconcerting. Let me put it to you this way: I watched an entire documentary where Jacks were handled that way by their farmer handlers. I’ve watched terriers and other small breeds in the ring handled this way for years (the dog shows are a favorite of mine being from a family who used to raise dogs for show). None of these animals have abused animal behavior, which they would if they were repeatedly harmed. Armchair ‘dog experts’ are making me crazy! They freak out based on their low information and it really is making things dangerous for dogs and their people. A little knowledge, doesn’t go a long way.