dogs revert to predators

A dog pack blamed for the killings of a Georgia couple is a reminder of the fragility of mankind's pact with canines. Underlying the relationship between the species is a simple expectation: We feed them, they don't kill us.

Dogs are so much a part of American life — valued members of or even substitutes for human families — that it can be easy to forget they are still animals with teeth and the ability to use them if instinct demands it.

Add the lack of an owner and steady meals, and dogs can quickly begin to resemble their wolf ancestors, teaming up in packs for hunting and protection. They may look like pets, but behave like predators.

That is what investigators believe Sherry and Lothar Schweder encountered along a country road in Georgia a week ago. They say a pack of wild dogs killed Sherry Schweder as she took an evening walk and fatally mauled her husband when he went to look for her. Authorities euthanized more than a dozen dogs they suspect were involved.

Very seldom do dogs kill people in the United States: At least 20 Americans have died so far this year from dog attacks, a handful fewer than have died from lightning strikes.

But it is not unusual for dogs to use their teeth on people. Dogs bite about 4.5 million people in the U.S. each year, and nearly 900,000 of those, about half of them children, require medical care, the Centers for Disease Control says. More than 31,000 Americans needed reconstructive surgery after dogs attacked them in 2006, center figures show.

James Serpell, director of the University of Pennsylvania's Center for the Interaction of Animals and Society in Philadelphia, said the number of dog-bite cases is remarkably low, considering how closely humans and dogs live together.

"Frankly it's a triumph that dogs don't bite us more often than they do," Serpell said. "Any dog will bite if you provoke it sufficiently, or if it's in pain, it will defend itself. Potentially any dog will show predatory behavior, especially if it's very, very hungry."

Still, the statistics prove plenty of dogs bite the hand that feeds them. The CDC says adults with two or more dogs at home are five times more likely to get bitten than people with dog-free households. What gives?

Predatory behavior — hunting for food — is just one of many reasons canines, whether wild or housedogs, may attack people, experts say.

Spaying or neutering might help some dogs in some cases, such as reducing aggression toward other dogs, but won't make much difference in predatory behavior such as pack attacks on humans, said Dr. Wayne Hunthausen, a veterinarian and director of animal behavior consultations at Westwood Animal Hospital in Westwood, Kan.

Dog bites also may be caused by medical problems; possessiveness over food and toys; fear aggression resulting from genetics or poor socialization; redirected aggression, such as when a dog fights with another dog and goes after a person who intervenes and protection of territory from a stranger.

"Just because the dog sees you as a source of food doesn't necessarily mean there's any respect there," said Hunthausen, a past president of the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior.

In Georgia, a man living in the area where the Schweders were killed said he had fed the dogs and never had a problem with them. He didn't believe they had killed the couple.

Dr. Bonnie Beaver, a former president of the American Veterinary Medical Association who headed a task force on dog attacks, said it didn't surprise her that the dogs hadn't attacked that man but would go after the couple.

Many dogs, including packs, are fine with people feeding them, but if someone strange enters their territory or stares at them, it's a different scenario, she said. She also said it wouldn't have been surprising if the pack had turned on the man that fed them.

"I can put food in a wolf's pen and put it in, and put it in, and put it in, and the wrong thing happens, and I'm toast," Beaver said.

Dogs were domesticated tens of thousands of years ago. In some ways they are far removed from wolves — principally in their willingness to cozy up to humans. In other ways, they seem surprisingly close to their ancestors.

A strong predatory instinct was key in the wild, and the more important a trait is to a species' survival, the harder it is to breed out, Hunthausen said.

In some breeds — ratting dogs such as terriers or hunting and herding dogs — the prey drive was fostered or tweaked through breeding to achieve behaviors humans wanted. That strong predatory drive is one reason some dogs chase joggers, bicyclists and even cars.

"The faster something moves, usually the more likely it is to release predatory behavior," Hunthausen said.

Pit bulls, historically bred for fighting, are the breed that seems to most frequently make headlines for aggression. Earlier this month, two pit bulls killed their owner's brother and a mixed-breed pug in a Leesburg, Va., home.

Hunthausen's instructions for children who encounter strange dogs are similar to those suggested by grizzly bear experts: Stand still like a tree or curl up and stay still like a rock; don't move or make eye contact. Unlike grizzly bear-related guidance, he said if he met with a pack of wild dogs and had a chance to get up a tree or to another safe spot, he would probably take his chances and run for it.

Research shows in general, how many wolf-like traits a dog has is related to how little or how much a dog looks like a wolf, said Beaver, a veterinarian and professor at Texas A&M University's Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery.

For example, Siberian huskies and Alaskan malamutes are nearer to wolves genetically than Chihuahuas or toy poodles are, Beaver said.

In general, domestic dogs are closer to wolf cubs than to adult wolves, she said. Like wolf cubs, dogs bark a lot and are dependent on a leader, Beaver said.

Interestingly, one way domesticated dogs differ from wolves is in their response to food rewards, the University of Pennsylvania's Serpell said. While humans can use food to motivate dogs to follow commands, wolves, though smart, tend not to see the point, he said.

If humans kicked dogs out en masse, some could live off the land and hunt in packs, Serpell said. Future generations would probably start looking something like dingoes, he said, referring to domestic dogs-gone-wild in Australia.

"I think most of them would die, actually, if humans weren't around," Serpell said. "They just would not be able to cope."

Coco

Since I had already taken Kimo out early, I decided to take Hershey separately. In the distance towards the begiing of the street, I saw a man with a small dog. I had seen them before but never in our street.

As we drew closer, Hershey was hesitant in approaching. I encouraged him along and met up with the man. I remember it was a pom mix. I said pom/chihuahua, but that was the other dog on Makanani. This one is an eight-year old pom/fox terrier mix.

Name is coco. Coco and Hershey. Should remember that. Man's name is Wayne. OK, let's see if I can remember that.

[Fri 8/28, posted 8/30]

it's not working

Kimo was barking at 7:00 (after howling at 6:00). It's RMAS earlier than usual.

Instead of taking out Kimo, I decided to go out on the road to greet them. I pet Miki and Kimo was barking. Then I moved up in sight of Kimo and stopped to pet Miki in sight of him. No sign of the barking abating. Reina says it's not working.

So I decided to retrieve Kimo and trail them. I think Kimo showed some signs, but managed to contain any outbursts. And for a little while, he was right on Shammy's tail.

[Friday 8/28, posted 8/30]

Joel Silverman

Hey Joel Silverman (host of Good Dog U) is still around. (Found while searching to see if Animal Planet cancelled In the Dog House. It's not scheduled for the next couple of weeks anyway.)

He now shaves his head and has a book out.

Koa out again

took Kimo out and Koa was out on the road again. What is it, like four days in a row?

I had brought an extra leash today just in case, so I leashed up Koa and took him along. He was pulling so I went for a little walking practice. Don't know how much it's helping, maybe a little.

Took him home, went downstairs, nobody home. Back up the stairs. Koa sat by the door in the garage like he wanted me to let him in the house.

Sorry. Close garage door. Head home.

I saw the plank of wood that I had placed at the bottom of the gate was pushed over, so evidently he escaped under the gate. So I added another plank.

No sign of RMAS today, maybe they gave up walking to my side after yesterday's incident?

[Sun 8/23, posted 8/24]

Brad vs. Victoria

Early Sunday a.m.

Decided to watch my DVR.

First In The Dog House, where Brad said treats are no good for the dog.

Then It's Me or the Dog, where Victoria is doing nothing but training the dog with treats.

And they're back to back on Animal Planet. But no Brad scheduled for this week. Hmm.

[Sun 8/23, posted 8/24]

was it Koa or Miki? / going long

Kimo was barking as RMAS came walking by, so I took him out.

I was trailing them a bit as we headed back toward the beginning of the street heading up by Hershey's house. Kimo started to go wild and I grabbed him and made him lie down with a squeal. Soon after, I saw them pause and saw Amy pass Shammy to Reina. Then I saw why. Koa was loose.

I patted my thigh to call Koa and he came running. And RMAS went on their way.

I didn't have an extra leash with me. So I tried to pick up Koa. He squealed and Kimo went wild. So I walked Koa back while bending over holding his collar.

I retrieved the other leash and left Kimo on the steps. He was barking like he wanted to come with us as I took Koa home.

I was Wendy (or somebody) who had come back and left the garage door open. She opened the door and let him in the house. I told her it wasn't too good because other people were walking their dogs. But she didn't respond much to them.

Then I went to get Kimo, headed up and down the RMAS driveway. Amy and Reina were still outside and I told them I took Koa home. I told them the garage door was open and he must have run off. Reina said nobody came to get him. I said they probably don't care. Amy said I should adopt him.

Anyway, press on.

I decided to go long and walk to the church to see if Ally needed help. On Judd there were the bigger black dog and the smaller brown dog running back and forth barking. The brown dog was running around in circles bouncing off the wall. After watching them a little while, wondering if they were going to calm down (I think they did a little bit), I went on.

The husky wasn't home today. Kimo might have been looking for him as he sniffed the gate.

Saw Ally with a policeman by the church parking lot entrance. She said she had enough help for now, but she might need help later.

Walked in, but didn't see Donna or Christie. So I went out the front gate to Bachelot. Then to Kuakini, Liliha. On Bachelot, Kimo was pulling like he wanted to go back. I went back a little but then I proceeded down the road again. Kimo started pulling again, so I was curious to where he would lead me. I was surprised when he turned into Sereno. (Google Maps says it's Elena on the Liliha side). He turned into a driveway where there was a doghouse kind of like his. But suddenly a dog ran out from the house and started barking at us. OK turn around. The guy next door asked if I knew them, but I said I wanted to see where the dog would take me.

Enough of this. Back to Liliha. No Chibi. Left on Judd. Saw a garage sale sign, so turned up Mahalo, sidetrack to Eheu, back to Mahalo, Twin View, Alewa. Decided to cut through AOP, bumped my head on a tree branch (forgot to duck). Went through the back of Chung's yard. Saw Steve out, no car in garage, but he didn't turn to look at me.

[Sat 8/22, started 8/23, posted 8/24]

RMAS after the walk

I took Kimo out in the morning and retrived Hershey.

As we went up the street, Amy was leaving out a bag for the CP or BB folks. It was brand new clothes she said. Clothes that she bought for Wynn that still had tags on it. I said unused, not brand new. She said brand new.

Anyway, on to Lolena Place, cross the graveyard, down Kamalii (with no dogs barking for a change), to Hillcrest, up Skyline. I see the haole woman who I often see fast walking her biggish dog turned into a driveway on Skyline. So that's where she lives. I usually see her in the afternoon. But maybe she walks mornings too?

Then to Makanani. The big white dog was looking at us from behind the fence. But then his brown partner started barking (though I didn't see him) and the white dog followed suit for a little while. But mostly just looked.

Then to the old brown dalmatian (or whatever he is). He just lay in his house looking at us. And no sign of the young one.

The basenji was next, kind of running back and forth, but not barking (I guess he doesn't really bark). But he looked excited so I kept Kimo away.

After going home, didn't have much treats to give Kimo and Hershey (forgot to load up), so I broke a piece into four tiny pieces.

Kimo was home and started barking. I took him out to see what was going on and it was RMAS. I took Kimo up to follow them up the street and he was composed. Coming back he acted up because Keith was going crazy jumping up and down at the window.

Then I drew nearer to Reina and Miki. Kimo acted up again as Miki turned to me. I got him back under control. But then I had to go take mom to church to help out with the luau. (Meanwhile Hershey was laying quietly on the steps looking at us.)

So Kimo's not quite back yet. But maybe getting there.

Yahoo groups

Yesterday morning, I was browsing through Yahoo groups for dog training and two caught my interest enough for me to subscribe (so I could read some of the messages).

One is Pos-4-ReactiveDogs.

A reactive dog is a dog who reacts strongly and/or shows high levels of stress and anxiety, when faced with mild to moderate exposure to specific stimuli, and/or toward certain environmental situations.

This list has been created as a safe place, or haven for people who live with, love and work with anxious/reactive dogs, and who are dedicated to helping these dogs by using a methodology that is respectful toward dogs and on their (the dog's) terms

I guess that sounds like Kimo since he goes wild at certain dogs walking by. Or attacks when being disturbed from his sleep (or sometimes just resting). Or being removed from a spot where he's lying down. Etc.


The other one is Volhard Training whose names I recognized from their Dog Training for Dummies book.

My first impression: the messages in both groups look interesting and the group members seem respectful and helpful.

Gayle and daughter

In the afternoon, Kimo was barking and running back and forth in the back.

I thought it might be Keith, but when I took Kimo to the front, it was Gayle (and her two or three dogs) and her daughter (I presume) with another dog.

I took Kimo up the steps and had him lie down. He lay with his head near (or on, I forget) the railing. And I had my hand lightly on the back of his neck in case he acted up.

I massaged his neck as they came walking back and he reacted only slightly as they passed.

I guess that's good.

[Wed 8/19, posted 8/20]

Musubi visits

I heard Kimo barking in the back and it was Musubi (or the one I call Musubi anyway -- the one who looks like has shaved hair around the eyes).

Kimo's OK with Musubi outside, but he barks at her (I think it's a girl) when he's behind the fence or railing.

I took Kimo out to the front yard. Kimo pooped. And Musubi came sauntering over the wall and got close to Kimo. As I mentioned before Musubi seems attracted to Kimo. Kimo went over to sniff her and later she lay down belly up. That's kind of what Paco does too.

I went to take him up the street and Musubi slowly followed at a distance. Gerald dropped off Hershey near the fire hydrant, but Hershey smelled Musubi and pulled to go after her at the Tsutsui yard.

Pressing on up the street. Hershey pooped. And as I picked it up with the plastic bag, it was soon evident that the bag had some holes in it...

WTH, press on. Soon Reina came up the driveway with Miki and Shammy. No Amy this time, I guess because Wednesday is golf day. I watched Kimo and he got a little agitated and had a quick outburst.

I got him back under control, but decided to turn around anyway instead of following. Especially with the poop on my finger.

Go home. Kimo goes up the steps. Take Hershey in the garage with me to wash hand. Hershey was hesitant to go in. I thought he was always hesitant to go in the back (or to Koa's place) because he's scared of them. But maybe he's always hesitant in unfamiliar places.

Anyway. Wash hands. Take dogs to Hershey's house for their treats. Go back home.

[Wed 8/19am, posted 8/20]

Neil Sattin

I thought I had written about Neil before here, but I guess not really.

Anyway, like Lee Charles Kelley, he's a follower of Kevin Behan's Natural Dog Training. Which makes him unusual since pretty much everybody else is of the alpha school or positive school (or a mix).

He has a website/blog and facebook page. Here's his profile from facebook.

My journey to the method started with my dog Nola, who had a brief history of corporal punishment from her previous owners that left her rather skittish around other humans (except me, for some reason). She pretty much wanted to kill about 4 out of 5 dogs we encountered, and she had a tendency to run off into the woods as well, leaving me to wonder if I’d ever see her again.

I attacked the problem with all of the fortitude and perseverance that a college graduate could muster. Stacks of books, tips from other dog owners, advice from trainers, and hours of time spent together. I quickly moved from my Monks-of-New-Skete approach, but no matter what I tried, I could not help her with her anxiety, or her seeming desire to hurt other dogs. At one point I had a correspondence with a well-regarded dog trainer and he thought that the solution to Nola’s aggression issues was to have her euthanized. Well, yeah, I guess that would work!

Sometime during Nola’s sixth year I decided to foster another dog, Buddy. It was back to Google for me, to try and find some solution to the problem. That was how I stumbled upon Kevin Behan’s website. Everything I read on his site made sense, not just in terms of how he explained dog behavior, but also in the way that his ideas just resonated with me on some core level. What he described was a way of tapping into a dog’s deepest instincts and seeing the world through their eyes (or, more accurately, feeling the world through their heart). Rather than looking for ways to suppress a dog’s natural energy, he spoke of channeling it into obedience behaviors. The first time I saw Nola flip from being aggressive to play bows, I knew that I had stumbled onto something amazing. I wanted to find out more. Now, years (and an apprenticeship with Kevin) later, and having witnessed many other dogs similarly affected, I can say without hesitation that Kevin’s work is truly important in the canine community.

[now I see this mostly came from his blog post, how I became a dog trainer below]

* * *

Well, I've seen Cesar and Victoria. And while I've made some progress I think, Kimo still gets wild, he still attacks, and I still get bitten (and I've been been working on him for nearly three years now). What do I have to lose?

I think I'm going to get Behan's book. I think I'll get a used one on ebay. Slightly cheaper than from Amazon. As far as I know that book hasn't changed since first being published in 1992, so I'll go for that one since it's the cheapest.

And I see Neil's DVD cheap on ebay. Well cheaper than the $65 list anyway. [Hint: it ain't there now, because I ordered it.]

Neil also has a blog at this website though it hasn't been updated frequently after the inital burst.

Like LCK's blog (or almost every blog for that matter), it doesn't have a table contents for easy lookup, so I think I'll start putting the contents here (as I read the posts).

What is this blog about?
How to play tug of war with your dog
How I became a dog trainer and people trainer
How to be calm, assertive, and relaxed -- be the moose!
How to Turn a Negative Mindset into a Positive Mindset through Acceptance, Forgiveness, and Action

OK, I'm wrong again.

Here's the listing of his blog posts.

And a neat guide to training incorporating some of those posts.

* * *

Hey that's cool. A comment from Neil himself. This is even more of an honor than when LCK send me a haiku after I added him on twitter.

I don't know why the item doesn't show up on eBay now either. Since I ordered the DVD, maybe I should now order Kevin's book. Though I'm kind of leery because I've have had a hard time deciphering Kevin's terminology on some of his recent articles. Maybe Neil can translate.

* * *

I was wondering how Neil found my blog. So I did googled Neil Sattin site:blogspot.com and found my post as the second result. The first result is an interview with Neil at Barking Buddha Doga. And I also see LCK's blog mentioning Neil several times.

* * *

[4/2/10] I see (via Twitter) that Kevin Behan has a new book coming out and that Neil recorded an 80 minute interview with Kevin.

Very interesting interview. Especially liked his anecdotes. It turned kind of metaphysical with some unfamiliar words, so was difficult for me to grasp much of it (kind of like his book). Hate to say it, but I think Kevin would come across as kind of a nutcase to the general populous, since his theory is so far out of the mainstream. Neil mentioned that the publisher of his new book is also the publisher of Deepak Chopra. So I guess that would make Kevin the Deepak Chopra of dogs.

I don't really get Deepak either. For example, "When your consciousness becomes fully grounded in that unity that transcends the conventional notions of good and bad, right and wrong, then you will find the absolute security you are seeking." WTH does that mean?? Actually I guess it somehow relates, since the premise is that dogs don't really have a concept of good or evil. Somehow...

Sheesh. All I'm trying to do is get Kimo to behave (or more accurately not misbehave).

*** [10/21/18]

saw this article about NDT via twitter.  It's very readable since it's not written by Behan 8)

How smart are dogs?

Using adapted tests designed for human children, psychologists have learned that average dogs can count, reason and recognize words and gestures on par with a human 2-year-old.

"They may not be Einsteins, but are sure closer to humans than we thought," said Stanley Coren, a professor emeritus at the University of British Columbia and leading researcher on dog behavior.

He said the average dog can understand about 165 words, including signs, signals and gestures. They can also count to about 5, he said.

"I mean, we're not going to make them an accountant or something," Coren said in an interview with CNN Radio.

The smartest dogs, he calls them the "super breeds," are on par with a 2½-year-old, recognizing up to 250 words.

* * *

[8/18/09] LCK begs to differ.

Kathy Sdao

Kathy is a professional animal behaviorist in the Karen Pryor school. I found her via RBTD on twitter.

The linked article was "Forget About Being Alpha" (feed treats instead). Kind of the opposite of Brad Pattison. [Here's another related article (also found via RBTD) on old-school vs. new-school training.]

Kathy has some other interesting articles on her site.

another day with Miki & Shammy

Kimo peed on the chair leg (the chair next to his doghouse) again. Hasn't happened for a while, but I guess it's better than peeing in the house.

RMAS come again. I took out Kimo and went up the street. Amy tells me she's cancelling her alarm system. She was cleaning up her overflowing toilet and forgot to turn off the alarm and says it's too humbug to turn off and on I guess.

Anyway, I let them pass back down and went to get Hershey and trailed them again.

This time, we managed to catch up to them (didn't quite get there yesterday). Well at least Hershey caught up to Shammy. Reina and Miki were still in the front. Kimo remained calm.

They turned around and I put my hand on the back of Kimo's neck just in case. But he seemed OK. They were going down the driveway and Miki started barking. I think at Paco. Then Kimo instantly reacted by going wild. I had to hold the leash up for four or five seconds until he calmed down.

Almost.

Then to Makanani. The basenji was there, the rubbish truck was coming and the man opened the gate to toss his rubbish in the bin. And I took the opportunity to toss my poop bag in along with some styrofoam thing I picked up at his neighbor's grass. The basenji came at the fence. Kimo got a little near and the basenji took a bite in the air. I pulled Kimo away, but Kimo didn't show much reaction.

Then past the white and brown dogs, who didn't bark at first. Then up Skyline and down Puna. The black dog was on steps but stayed there and didn't bark. But as we got to the next house, the dogs in the house barked and the black dog ran to the fence and joined in.

Then back to Makanani. The basenji was there. I had Kimo sit and pulled some burrs off his fur as the basenji looked on. Just to try to get him used to us. Then we headed home.

[Tue 8/11/]

trying again with Miki & Shammy

The dogs were barking, it was RMAS.

Took Kimo out and went over next door. Hershey wasn't there yet, but soon enough Gerald comes and drops off Hershey.

I let RMAS pass, holding Kimo to control him, then we slowly followed up the street and stayed at a little distance. Kimo was mostly calm. At least no outbursts.

Then off to Lolena Place, Kamalii. Turning the corner there were two pit bulls (or mixes, one barking, one somewhat calm). I never saw them before, only heard them barking (I assume it must be them). Then Hillcrest, down Skyline, Maalaea, Naio. When I came to the place with the bunch of small dogs, I only saw one brown furry dog not barking at us. But as we got closer, a few of them ran out and started yipping. The furry dog started barking but stopped as we walked away. Then to Hala.

Decided to go down Laki. There was a tame pit bull looking at us. At least he wasn't barking. But soon a small little white dog (not tied up) on the driveway we passed started barking.

Turning the corner up Kealakai. The corner house had a couple of water dishes, but not sign of a dog. As we passed, the dog charged to the fence and barked at us. It was the old brown dog that I thought was gone. He stopped barking. I brought Kimo to the fence and they sniffed.

[Monday 8/10, posted 8/11]

make that two days in a row

I heard barking in the morning and went to the front to look. It was Reina and Amy walking Miki and Shammy. That's two days in a row.

Somewhat later, I took Kimo out and went to retrieve Hershey. As Kimo came over to sniff, Hershey went into a submissive position lying on his back with hind leg in air.

Then we went up the street. RMAS were coming back from the beginning of the street so I had the dogs sit while they came back. Kimo lost it once and I grabbed the back of his neck to settle him down. Then had him lie down.

Meanwhile Koa was behind the gate whining for me. So after they went down the driveway, I went over to pet him. Hershey was scared and didn't want to go close, so I had to kind of drag him. I guess Hershey is scared of Koa too.

Then down the road and cross the street. The Filipino man was walking his little chipom. He said he had stones (I guess kidney stones) and had to have an operation. I noticed some missing hair on his leg and found out the dog is 10 years old. Kimo didn't seem inclined to sniff.

Then we came to the black gate. The brown dalmation (or whatever he is) was lying down, but I lingered for a while and he and Kimo sniffed.

Then further down, the white pit bull (or whatever he is) was by the gate but not barking. Later the brown pit bull (or whatever he is) was gated by the front door of the house started barking. And as were made our way past, the white one started barking.

Then up Skyline and down Puna. The black dog saw us but didn't bark. Then started barking some as we made our way past. I think these dogs are getting used to us.

Then to Aulii and back to Makanani. The basenji was behind the gate along with the elderly man and a young girl. The basenji postured then came to gate. Kimo didn't seem interested in going over.

So what is that? Kimo plus 10 dogs? Not counting Nalu's two dogs who half-heartedly barked at us. Sort of out of obligation I think.

getting better? but still dangerous

I still maintain that Kimo has gotten better, but he's still not safe.

Donna and Christie were in the back with Kimo and I was inside on the computer.

I hear some screaming in the back and I run to the back. Kimo is growling at them. I pick up the leash and try to leash him as Kimo goes wild. He nips at me and gets my thumb. A few seconds later he calms down a bit but I see blood dripping to the ground. My blood. He calms down further and I go to wash my hand with the hose.

The bleeding didn't completely stop (slow ooze) until the next day. It's still kind of numb as I write this the next day.

Christie said what happened was that Kimo jumped on her and she grabbed his paw to take him off. That's when he started growling. I think I made it worse by running outside and confronting him with the leash. That might have heightened the intensity. I should have just stayed between them until he calmed down. Or at least not put my hand in harm's way.

So Kimo is still prone to these episodes when he goes wild and strikes unthinkingly. But this time he was reacting to me trying to leash him from the front.

[Sun 8/2, posted 8/3]

The reappearance of Miki and Shammy

Decided to go long with Kimo. Went down Kealakai and saw a couple walking further down where I usually turn. I went all the way to the end until Keola and turned left to Lanakila. There was a terrier and another dog barking. Then onto Kuakini, picking up some trash here and there, and then up Bachelot. The house with the dog had the gate open, so obviously no dog outside today. Then to Bates and Liliha. No sign of Chibi. Right on Judd, down Bachelot, to Bates. Notice a dog behind the fence which was looking at us but not barking. Debated whether to take Kimo to the dog but continued on. Then I saw the owner come out. So I decided to chance it. But Kimo was balking at coming close so I didn't force him. Told the owner he's shy. Back to Liliha. Saw Chibi down the driveway and a older man walking noticed they were the same breed. Chibi saw us but didn't come. Then I called for him and he came running. And I held my fist up to sniff. Kimo didn't seem interested though. Though I finally coaxed him for a brief sniff. Then left on Judd. The Husky was sleeping by the gate. He woke up and was friendly. But once again, Kimo wasn't interested. Though finally they had a brief sniff. Up Iholena, Lolena, and back home.

Was reading the paper on the front steps and Kimo started to bark somewhat fiercely. It was Reina and Amy with Miki and Shammy. I don't think they've walk this was for over a year (since Koa was coming out on the street and growling at them). I held Kimo as they went up the street to Keith's barking. I ripped up some chicken jerky bits to give to him as they came back. Keith was going wild. But Kimo was mostly munching. He acted up a bit as they were passing. But I enticed him more with the jerky and that seemed to work. I remarked to Reina that I hadn't seen them this way for a while. Reina said she didn't want to walk the dogs by herself in case Koa shows up. But it's not as bad with her mom she has the golf club. And can presumably chase away Koa with it.

Gidget the chihuahau

She charmed millions without ever saying a word, and managed to make fast food tacos adorable. Gidget, the Chihuahua best known for her Taco Bell ad campaign, died from a stroke on Tuesday night at age 15.

"She made so many people happy," says Gidget's trainer, Sue Chipperton. PEOPLE met both Gidget and Sue at a Hollywood animals photo shoot in February, where the pup was a consummate pro and delighted the crew with her playful nature.

The mostly retired actor lived out her days lying in the sun – "I like to joke that it's like looking after a plant," says Chipperton – and entertaining at shoots when her trainer brought her along. "Gidget," says Chipperton, "always knew where the camera was."

400 animals rescued

About 50 volunteers from Oahu and the mainland rescued nearly 400 dogs, cats and birds last weekend from a Waianae no-kill animal shelter in one of the largest operations of its kind in the state.

They set up an emergency shelter in Kalaeloa on Saturday and transferred animals Sunday from the Animal Haven, whose operator had died.

Although some animals had to be taken to veterinarians, they all had treatable conditions, according to Jennifer Kishimori, co-founder of the Oahu Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The Animal Haven, a nonprofit shelter that took in abandoned animals for 17 years, was created by Bonnie Pang, who died in her sleep July 13. Her death left her husband of 32 years to look after the dogs, cats, rabbits, ducks and chickens Pang had collected.

"My wife had a very bad habit and an inability to say no," said Norman Pang. "Sometimes people would take advantage of her, but her primary focus was to help the animals and make sure they had a place to stay."

Pang realized he would not be able to take care of the animals and handed them over to the Oahu Society.

***

[9/4/09] On July 13, the day Norman Pang's wife, Bonnie, died, he got a call offering help with more than 400 dogs, cats and birds his wife had cared for at their rural Nanakuli home under the name Animal Haven — which he described as a no-kill hospice for abused, abandoned and unwanted animals on the Leeward Coast.

The call was from Jennifer Kishimori, vice president of the O'ahu Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

"I said a friend of his had called, and I asked how could I assist him," Kishimori said. "And he said, 'I'm not able to care for all these animals. My wife passed away. And I need help.' "

What followed over the next five days involved three animal welfare agencies and what's been described as the largest animal rescue operation in O'ahu's history.

And although Pang has not been cited, arrested or charged, he is facing possible prosecution for animal cruelty — even though some animal activists say that's not the case and that Pang's cooperation is what made the rescue operation a success.

"I thought they were here to help me in my time of need," said Pang, who believes he has been the victim of a "spiteful vendetta" that has damaged his name and reputation. "But it's evidently not turning out that way."

Two days after his wife's death, Pang signed a surrender statement giving Kishimori's group full ownership of all the animals at the shelter. Because the O'ahu SPCA is barely a year old, Kishimori requested the assistance from the Humane Society of the United States, which has resources and experience in animal rescues. The national agency accepted and flew a small team to Hawai'i.

Pang had specifically told Kishimori he did not want the assistance of the Hawaiian Humane Society because his wife, who began the animal shelter nearly two decades ago, disapproved of the society's euthanasia policy. That, and the fact that the society had taken Bonnie to court in 1995 for cruelty to animals, although a judge dismissed the case.

On July 19, members of the O'ahu SPCA, assisted by the Humane Society of the United States, began moving dozens of animals from the Pang residence to a hastily prepared emergency animal shelter in Kalaeloa.

But during the move, Pang said he noticed a man and woman from the national Humane Society videotaping and photographing emaciated and sickly animals that had recently come into the compound.

"I questioned the guy about what he was doing," recalled Pang, 64. "And he said, 'Oh, we're doing a training film.' And I says, 'You sure you're not using it for evidence against me?' And he said, 'Oh, no, no, no. We're doing it for the training film.' And I took their word that they were just doing it for training purposes."

Later, Pang said a video of the rescue appeared on the national Humane Society Web site describing the shelter as a "hoarding situation," and featuring emaciated dogs and cats along with descriptions of "open wounds" and "external and internal parasites."

Still photographs from that Web site have since shown up on the Hawaiian Humane Society Web site along with negative characterizations of Animal Haven as a "hoarding/breeding operation."

Inga Gibson, Hawai'i state director of the Humane Society of the United States, said her organization turned video footage and still photographs of the Animal Haven rescue over to the Hawaiian Humane Society when it was asked to do so.

"Any time a request is made (for) information related to a possible criminal investigation, we have a legal obligation to provide that information," said Gibson, who pointed out that the Hawaiian Humane Society is an animal control law enforcement agency, which Gibson's organization is not.

Had the materials not been turned over, she said the Humane Society of the United States could be susceptible to charges of withholding evidence in a criminal case.

Gibson said it is standard procedure for her organization to post videos and still photographs of rescues on its Web site as a way to keep members informed about what the agency is doing.

Pam Burns, CEO of the Hawaiian Humane Society, said it's up to the city prosecutor's office to decide if Pang has violated the law. She said because the Pangs would not allow her investigators to enter the property, it wasn't possible for her organization to make a firsthand assessment.

However, based on the national Humane Society's video footage, photographs and personal statements of one of that organization's on-site rescuers, she said, "We believe that it (Animal Haven) was in violation of the animal cruelty law."

Others don't see it that way.

Alicia Maluafiti, president of the O'ahu SPCA and former community relations director for the Hawaiian Humane Society, said the Pang residence has long been known as a shelter of last resort for sick and abused animals on the coast.

"We believe that Mr. Pang is doing everything he should be doing, and for that he doesn't deserve to be prosecuted," said Maluafiti, who thinks the Pangs, out of kindness, accommodated and cared for as best they could the never-ending menagerie of forsaken creatures they inherited.

"They were overwhelmed. It was through no fault of their own that the people of the community continued to dump their animals there."

Added O'ahu SPCA's Kishimori, "When she (Bonnie Pang) received most of these animals, they were in horrific condition. It wasn't as though she neglected them. That's the way she received them. I'm amazed at what all she did with all these animals — although she was in way over her head."

Maluafiti and Gibson both say the rescue operation went smoothly and quickly because of Pang's cooperation and assistance.

Of the more than 400 dogs, cats and birds taken, only three had to be euthanized. Approximately two thirds of the remainder have been adopted or are in foster care. The rest are doing well and are being cared for by volunteers at the temporary shelter.