Sneaking In The Back Door At Westminster
Connie Newcomb, Dog Show Confidential
Connie Newcomb showed dogs at the prestigious Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York City for many years.
While Connie did make it to Westminster, it wasn't in a way she ever expected. Westminster offers a glimpse of the best of the best among canines. But a closer look behind the scenes at what it takes to get there reveals a society with its own language, hierarchy and complex traditions.
What began as an innocent attempt to fill her empty nest swiftly turned into a rollicking ride that brought Connie face-to-face with a host of indelible characters, canine and human, including the infamous Patty Hearst, her bodyguards, and her award-winning French bulldogs.
Connie soon found out that the dog-handling world was very competitive, even though you don't win anything. She told us the professional handlers always have the advantage, because it is a small community, and everyone knows everyone. Then there are the handlers who will try to throw other dogs off. They do this by throwing bait in the ring or walking to closely to them while they are circling the ring.
if you've ever wondered what it takes to arrive at Manhattan's Westminster Dog Show, the mother of all dog shows, Connie's book, "Dog Show Confidential," is your guide! See how competitive the process is, how it starts with finding a puppy with potential, and how the road to becoming a champion often begins with a series of false starts. Read an up close and personal look at the sacrifices owners make with little reward except bragging rights; contrary to popular opinion, there are few cash prizes on the dog show circuit.
See what it takes to really understand the dog show world and walk the green carpet under the Westminster banner at Madison Square Garden. Follow the adventures of Broadway (aka Kate), Carl, Leeloo ("the supreme being"), Gypsy, Jack, Rocky, and Yoshi (the pack master), along with an assortment of characters you just can't make up!
So why do people give up any semblance of a normal life to do it? You'll find out in this wry insider's perspective of an eccentric way of life most people never see.
In this day and age, it's no surprise that Westminster is a very political competition.
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Cancer Is Not A Death Sentence
Dr. Gerald Post, Animal Cancer Foundation
Cancer is the most common disease we see in our aging animals. However, it is also one of the most treatable. While it might not be curable in many cases, it is still incredibly treatable.
One of the most common misconceptions that Dr. Post deals with when he mentions chemotherapy and radiation therapy to his clients is that they feel it will affect their pets just as this treatment affects humans. That is not the case.
While some animals do have such things as fur loss (not hair loss), the dose as well as the method of fur growth, makes their fur loss less of a problem. These therapies are adjusted specifically for an animal, so that they can handle it well.
The second most common misconception is that it is going to be extremely expensive. Cancer therapy can be expensive, with bone marrow transplants costing between $20,000 and $30,000, but because of the advent or oral chemotherapy and other types of antiangiogenic or metronomic therapy, therapy no longer has to be out of reach for most people.
Every pet should get the best therapy that a guardian can afford. This affordability may be about money or may be about time. A program and protocol can be devised that fits almost everybody's budget or constraints.
So much of cancer relates to genetic risk factors. So in other words, all of us, human and animal, are born with a certain level of cancer risk. There are also certain breeds that are pre-disposed to certain types of cancer. Do some research to find out if your own dog has a genetic risk factor to certain types of cancers.
There are things you can do to help prevent cancer in your pets. Give them a good balanced diet, keep them at a good weight and keep them active. Also, have them seen regularly by a vet, so if something does show up, you can find it early.
The most powerful weapon against cancer is information and that there is, in most cases, hope for the treatment of cancer in pets.
Dr. Gerald Post is one of approximately two hundred board-certified veterinary oncologists in the United States and the Founder of the Animal Cancer Foundation.
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The Dangers of Doggie Dragon Breath - Dr. Debbie
Does your dog's breath cause you to gag and turn away? Are your pet's kisses unwelcome due to fetid breath? Many dog owners recognize that distinctive smell which is often accepted as a condition of dog ownership. But stinky dog breath, while common, is actually a symptom of illness and should not be ignored. Doggie dragon breath, just like a blinking traffic light, is a sign of danger ahead. Don't ignore dog breath for what it is - an indicator of oral infection that if left unchecked will impact your dog's health and shorten his lifespan.
What's the big deal about bad breath? It's more than just the smell. Bad breath, also referred to as halitosis, arises from plaque and oral bacteria. Periodontal disease progresses as plaque accumulates, mineralizes into tartar, and inflammation causes destruction of the supportive tissues around the teeth. Dogs don't simply get cavities, rather they will lose their teeth as connective attachments deteriorate. Untreated dental infections jeopardize the health of nearby teeth and may lead to osteomyelitis - infection in the bone. And with time, untreated periodontal disease showers the bloodstream with bacterial products leading to other diseases such as liver, kidney and heart disease.
Fight Halitosis
The best way to control periodontal disease is to assume an offensive attack. Monitor your pet's oral health by flipping up your dog's lip to discover what is lurking underneath. Look for red inflamed gums, yellow or brown accumulation on the teeth, tooth discoloration, or bad breath. Any symptoms of periodontal disease should be addressed with your veterinarian. Have your pet's teeth cleaned regularly at the veterinary office and follow up with home dental care, including daily brushing.
These professional veterinary cleanings are important to safely remove mineralized tartar, clean under the gum line, permit a thorough oral exam and take x-rays. Veterinary dental x-rays are an essential tool in detecting problems and have been shown to identify oral disease in 28-percent of dogs and 42-percent of cats that have an outwardly normal mouth.
Don't fall into the hype about herbal spray-on products or 'awake' dental procedures - these only offer a cosmetic improvement in visible tartar, which only covers a small part of the tooth. These methods, often incorrectly touted as a safe alternative to professional cleanings, can't address the 60-percent of a dog's tooth which lies under the gum line - exactly where periodontal disease brews and does its damage.
Once you identify that nasty doggie breath, you can be certain some degree of periodontal disease is present and dental intervention is needed. Statistics show that by 3 years of age 80-percent of dogs and cats already have periodontal disease. Don't forget that small and toy breeds of dog have accelerated dental problems diagnosed as young as 1 to 2 years of age.
Think prevention - have your dog's teeth cleaned and embrace home dental care steps. And the next time you find yourself in a cloud of canine halitosis, you won't turn the other way - you'll grab that toothbrush.
Featured veterinarian known as "Dr. Debbie" on national pet radio program, Animal Radio. Ebook author of "Yorkshire Terriers: How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend"; "Pugs: How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend"; "Mini Schnauzers: How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend"; and "Shih Tzu: How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend." Dr. Debbie's books.
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The Dogfather's Grooming Tip with Joey Villani
Lazy Groomers Just Want To Shave Dogs
Joey has heard this statement a million times, "Every time I take my dog to a groomer, they always say the dog needs to be clipped down because he's too matted!" They feel the groomer is telling them this because the groomer doesn't want to put the time and effort into brushing the dog out.
What most people don't realize is that clipping the dog down is usually more difficult than brushing a dog out that has knots and tangles. So when it gets to the point where you are told that your dog's coat needs to be cut down, it's not because they want to. In fact, most groomers hate to do this. It is very difficult to shave every nook and cranny of your dog.
Joey's answer to anyone who is told this, is don't blame your groomer! There is prep work that needs to be done by you. When your dog has knots and tangles, if you don't brush and comb them out on a regular basis, they get tighter and tighter, until they are up against the skin, pulling it, making it very painful for the dog. When it gets to this point, it can't be brushed out without causing extreme pain to the pet's skin. This is when you have to clip it to remove it.
So, grab the brush and comb and make it a regular ritual with your pet. Who knows, you both might start to enjoy the time together and bond more.
Animal Radio News with Stacey Cohen
Apps for Apes
Workers in the Great Ape House at the Smithsonian's National Zoo found a socially engaging outlet for their orangutans, an iPad. The idea came from a non-profit called Apps for Apes, which uses the program in other zoos worldwide. The National Zoo started with a donated iPad and their orangutans' repertoire grew to more than ten apps, including musical instruments and cognitive games. The program is also important for nurturing conservation, because it lets visitors make a connection in seeing the apes use the same technology we use every day.
Bigfoot or Sex-Starved Cougars?
Some people living on an Indian reservation in Oregon were pretty sure they had been listening to Bigfoot. An employee at the tribal housing authority said they started getting reports about loud cries coming from a swamp on the reservation. Some attributed the spooky noises to the legendary ape-like humanoid, which is part of the locals' tribal traditions and spiritual beliefs. But, it's more likely that the source was a slightly more common animal, like a fox or a cougar. Mixed with the echoing nature of the swamp and surrounding canyons, cougars' breeding calls can be "absolutely hair-raising."
Chicken Adoption Turned Into Chicken Robbery
What was supposed to be a chicken adoption turned into a chicken robbery. There was a three-day Hen Again Adoption Drive to help save a bankrupt farm and the lives of thousands of chickens. However, a local newspaper printed the wrong address in an advertisement for the event, causing a number of people to show up at the wrong end of the farm. The lost adopters started taking chickens without realizing the mistake, and a Hen Again representative said "carloads" of people left with fowl that weren't up for adoption. Social media was used to tell people about the mix-up, and hopefully people returned the chickens that weren't supposed to leave.
They're Strong, They're Fierce, They Wear Booties!
Police dogs in Germany sport some fancy footwear. The canine crime fighters were issued special boots lined with a layer of stab proof material that attached with Velcro. The shoes were designed to protect the dogs' feet from broken glass and other sharp objects at riots, crime scenes and other potentially dangerous situations. A German Shepherd led a trial of 12 dogs that showed how beneficial the boots could be. But even though the shoes were for the dogs' own good, the animals weren't immediately appreciative. The dogs would just pull them off with their teeth at first, but eventually adapted after a couple of weeks.
Poop Is Guide To Health
Your dog's or cat's poop is a kind of Google on your pet's health. Pay attention to it. There are many details about poop. Picking up isn't only the neighborly thing to do; it's for the best interest of all pets in the community. It's true there are some potential health issues to people, including roundworm, salmonella and whipworm which can be spread to other dogs, even the parvovirus to those not vaccinated. Also, "Dog poop is like caviar for rats." That's not exactly true in that rats don't relish dog poop, but like most things, they will cheerily eat the poo if they're hungry enough. And leaving it out may mean another dog will scarf up the poo. A community service? Well, not quite. Dogs that eat other dog's "stuff" have a condition known as coprophagia. Next time your pet poos, don't look away, instead, pay attention and then either pick it up outside or scoop the cat box inside.
Listen to the entire Podcast of this show (#1314)
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