animal sanctuary saved

Abandoned dogs that were facing death because they bark too loudly have been saved after hundreds of people stepped in to help.

Twin sisters Pat Hartley and Jane Wright, who run Mill House Animal Sanctuary, feared they would have to make the heartbreaking decision to destroy the animals after one noise complaint was made by a neighbour.

The 70-year-old sisters were issued with a council noise abatement order, which meant they must find homes for the 17 dogs or erect a £2,000 soundproof fence that they could not afford.

If that failed the dogs would have to be put down.

But after people heard their plight, the twins have been swamped with pledges of money to save the dogs from death row.

Mrs Hartley said the response has been 'overwhelming'.

'We are so grateful to everyone who has offered their support. You don't realise how nice a lot of people are.

'We think we will get enough to buy the fence, because quite a lot of people have pledged to send us money.'

The animal sanctuary is also home to 10 cows, 10 ponies, seven pigs, five sheep, five llamas and three goats.

The sisters began caring for animals when they were just six when their family saved a young pony called Dolly because a neighbour was sending her to be slaughtered.

[via twitter]

Bringing Light to Shadow

Shadow was the human-aggressive dog from which sprang the book Bringing Light to Shadow by Pamela Dennison.

"I am Pam Dennison, a dog trainer, and Shadow is my sixth rescue dog. I assumed, with a history of five dogs to my credit—all successfully rescued and rehabilitated—that I could quickly and easily turn this dog into the competitive obedience, agility and sheepherding dog that I wanted him to be.

Unbeknownst to me, I had a human-aggressive dog on my hands. I did not truly realize or comprehend the magnitude of the work, total dedication and commitment required to help him. I had been humbled by a forty-pound Border Collie.

This journal chronicles our struggles together, from recognition of the aggressive behavior to the painstaking efforts to turn Shadow into my dream dog: confident, calm, focused, and friendly. It is the story of taking him from a human-aggressive dog to passing his Canine Good Citizen test.

I have included my actual journal entries as well as training concepts and comments on what I learned in hindsight as I went through this experience. You will see that I made quite a few mistakes, especially in the beginning of the retraining process. I could have, quite easily, edited out all of them to make myself look better, but that is not what this book is all about.

The purpose of this book was not only to show the mistakes, but also to highlight them so that you might learn from my errors. Part of my intent is to demonstrate to you what does not work as well as what does when retraining an aggressive dog. I understand firsthand the denial, frustration and anguish that comes with living with an aggressive dog. I want you to know that I feel your pain, but there can be a light at the end of the tunnel."

***

Shadow passed away yesterday.  On p4r, Pamela Dennison writes

Shadow went peacefully in my arms today. He is now free from pain and playing with Cody, Noel, Carrie and Brandy...and probably chasing the cats, Robbie and Scarlet...

Shadow quite literally changed my entire life for the better. From the day I brought him home from rescue, he enriched my life. Shadow taught me much more than I ever taught him and he inspired hundreds of people with dogs like him.

He was funny, smart, a pain in the ass sometimes, sweet, loving and even though in the beginning he wanted to be good, he didn't know how. But as the years went by, he truly became the dog he wanted to be, loving up complete strangers that came to the house.

He will forever be my shadow.

Pamela Dennison, CDBC
http://www.positivedogs.com

Spider bite #2

After dropping mom off at church yesterday, I had Joey and Jojo with me.  So I figured WTH, let's go visit Laura and Cathy (and Spider and Indy).  Maybe I could scoop some food or something.

I drove around and parked a little ways away and noticed there are a lot of barking dogs in the neighborhood.  Not the least of which are Spider and Indy.

Joey and Jojo didn't react much.  Both Spider and Indy were barking, but Spider was more intense.  Laura was inside.  And Cathy asked if I wanted to take Indy for a walk.  Of course.

So I went up the hill and sure enough bothe Joey and Jojo pooped.  And I noticed I didn't bring along any poop bags.  That's what happens when you do things on the spur of the moment.  I also noticed there were a lot of other poop droppings in the area.  I guess people don't pick up their dogs poop around here.  (And Cathy said there are a lot of stray dogs in the area too.)

Good thing I found a jack in the box wrapper and used that to pick up the poop.  But then with so much poop I saw on the way, it really didn't make too much difference.  After going all the way around, we went to the end of the street and back.  Indy liked to sniff Jojo's butt.  Most of the time Jojo and Joey were out front.  But sometimes Joey would linger back.  But when he came back out front, Indy would get out of his way.

On the way back, Laura finally came out with Cathy on the sidewalk.  They said they had brought out Spider , but Spider got scared of the yardman and the weedeater so they let him back inside.

Back to the garage, Spider was still barking.  But would take food from my hand through the gate.  Carefully too, as he made sure that his teeth didn't touch my fingers.

Cathy figured the next step was for me to walk Spider.  And for Laura to walk Jojo and Joey.  Though Laura didn't really want to walk.  She finally managed to get the choke chain on Spider.  But as I went out on the driveway, he slipped loose and ran back in the garage.

I walked back in and he nipped me in the back of my right heel.  I walked in the gate (I think so he would follow me in) and as I turned to go back outside he nailed my on the back of my lower left leg.  (I guess that would be Spider bite 3, but the first one was pretty minor).

It didn't seem too bad as it wasn't gushing blood. But blood was oozing out slowly.

After chatting a bit more, I figured I better leave and check where my mom was.

Going home, I rinsed it.  I think that started the blood oozing out slowly again.  And it started to look a little more gory.  (see picture)

Later on, while standing on the steps, Joey came over and started licking it.  He licked it pretty clean and so it doesn't look so bad now.

Joey and Steven 2

Stanley went out walking, so I decided to take Joey out.  I was going to take Kimo too if he wanted but he signaled he didn't want to walk.

Just my luck that Steven went jogging at the same time.  I had Joey on the short leash and wanted to see what would happen when Steven passed.  We weren't in my territory, more near the Wong's house or the new house area.  And Joey reacted as Steven jogged past.

That was a little surprising since we weren't near my house.  But maybe not that surprising since he remembered the incident last time.

I kept the short leash when Steven came back and on subsequent runs and they was little reaction that I could see.

So I suppose it could have been worse.

Later I took Kimo out with Joey and he pooped near the Iha telephone pole.  And didn't lose control when Keith was barking at us.

Pet Psychics (animal communicators)

I see Sonya Fitzpatrick is on on Katie today.  She's probably the most famous pet psychic since she had a show on Animal Planet called The Pet Psychic some years ago.

I don't know if I believe it completely (Christie does), but you never know.  I think there could be something to it.  Maybe.  Or maybe not.  James Randi would be skeptical.

Doing a quick search on google (and youtube) also brings up names like Laura Stinchfield, Lydia Hiby, Karen Anderson,

also check out some of the videos in my animal people playlist

I remember there was an animal communicator features on Dog Whisperer.  Looking it up, the communicator was Susan Hill.  That was season 4, episode 24 which featured Kathy Griffin and Scrout on the other two stories.

Joey again

Joey is over again because Sheryle is getting her floor tiled.  I took Joey, Kimo, Tuffy, Fifi out yesterday.  Because Hershey wasn't over and Jojo didn't come in the morning.

Treating at Duane's garage.  The roofer (who owns a big dog) came over to Kimo and had him sniff his hand.  Then went to pet him, but Kimo nipped at him to stay away.  A couple of times.  Joey seemed OK with Fifi this time.

Then later after everybody went home, Jojo arrived.  And played with Joey a little while on the steps.  He stayed a while and finally looked like he was going to jump down so I let him out.

***

Today, Jojo came early.  Gave Kimo his antibiotic by hand and hand-fed them all a little.  Since today is a Hershey day, was thinking of taking all of them out.

Duane and Coco come.  No barking from Keith or anyboday and even Hershey.  Take out Joey and Jojo.  But Kimo lay down and I didn't want to force him.  Retrieve Hershey.  Retrieve Fifi.  Have Duane hold them  by the stonewall.  Bring Jojo with me and retrieve Fifi.

Go to Duane's garage.  Duance treats them.  Though after a while, Joey and Jojo come by me and I treat them.

Lots of treats.  No problems that I can see except that Coco still wants to jump on Tuffy.

Time to go.  Suddenly I hear a commotion.  I think it was Joey.  And I see Fifi on top of somebody.  I think it was Joey.  I grab Fifi's collar and pull her up.  Took a little while, but finally she calmed down.

Duane comes out and offers to take Joey back home.  Offer accepted.

Take home Hershey.  Kimo wants to come out.  So I let him out and he goes poop (or maybe he pooped after?).  Then we go back to the end of the street.  The roofer from yesterday arrives and Kimo wants to go to him.  He offers his hand to sniff but doesn't try to pet him.  Probably a good move.  Fifi and Tuffy run up for affection.  Jojo kind of shies away.

Let Kimo go home.  Take home Tuffy and Fifi.

Don't know what happened.  My guess is that Joey might have showed some teeth at Fifi and Fifi jumped him.  And that's what happened last time.  Good thing Kimo wasn't there.

And that's kind of what happened with Kimo and Miki.  Kimo growled and Miki jumped him.  Joey recovered faster than Kimo though (who never fully recovered).  He got used to her again that last time he stayed with me, though it took several days.  We'll see how he is with her this time.  At least he doesn't bark and go nuts at her when I walk her (like Kimo used to do with Miki).

Hawaiian Humane Society foster care

Every day, animals from the Hawaiian Humane Society are being cared for by volunteer foster families before they can be placed for adoption.

Whether it’s for a kitten, puppy or a sick or injured animal, these dedicated families open up their homes and provide a place of comfort, as well as some tender loving care for these creatures in need.

When animals are received at the shelter, the staff of veterinarians evaluates them and identifies ones that would benefit from foster care.

“For example, we have a large number of underage kittens and puppies that come in that are not ready to be sterilized and adopted, so they need further care,” explains Swartz.

“And then we also get animals with a variety of injuries, from minor things like wounds to surgeries that need to happen, such as orthopedic surgery or animals with eye injuries that need to have their eye removed. Those animals need to have some recuperation time before they can be adopted, and it’s much better to recover in a home where they can be comfortable.”

There are on average 90 volunteers per month in the foster care program, but the number of animals in need of foster care is much greater.

“It would be really nice to get to a point where we have people on-call,” says Swartz. “Right now what we do is we get an animal and then we start looking for a person. In my ideal world I would have a list of people ready and waiting, and all you have to do is call and place them.”

Michael Ellis

I came across Michael Ellis while browsing through youtube and found this video about his philosophy of dog training.

Here's more videos from his website.

anti-depressant

how to teach a dog not to bite you when giving treats

Duane is sort of scared to give treats to Fifi and Hershey.  (No problem with Tuffy and Coco).  The problem is that they get so excited with the treat that they just chomp at the treat not thinking if you finger is in the way.  [He's sort of scared with Kimo too, but not because he gets excited eating.  But he's seen how Kimo transforms when he gets excited.]

Here's the way I do it.  First, you have to assume that the dog does not want to bite you, but wants to eat the treat.

So I hold the treat between the thumb and my finger with the treat sticking out a little way.  Then have to dog wait and move the hand slowly to the dog with my knuckles toward the dog.  I hold my hand until the dog calms and waits then I slowly turn my fist to present the treat to the dog. The dog has to pull out the edge of the treat with his teeth without biting my hand.

Alternately, with the treat between my thumb and forefinger, I put my fingers into the dog's mouth.  So, since the dog doesn't want to bite your fingers, the dog has to carefully nibble on the treat without biting your fingers.

I admit Hershey bit my finger one time in his excitement to get to the food.  So I yelled ouch and waited longer for him to calm down more.  And he's more careful/cautious now.

***

I guess I just kind of came up with this on my own.  Probably evolved from having the dogs tug on the jerky to pull it out of my hand.  Sort of a tug game.

Here's a different (more wimpy) method.  The dog in this post, Cosmo, reminds me of Kimo especially with his crazed look.

Why do all these American Eskimo/Japanese spitz have similar names?  Cosmo has the K sound at the beginning and the mo at the end.  Kuma was an American Eskimo on Dog Whisperer.  Cotton (another dog whisperer case) has the K sound.  Hoku (the other Hoku on Puna street) has the K sound (RIP).  Chibi, ok that one doesn't quite match.

Protocol for Relaxation

This is Karen Overall's Behaviour Modification Program which uses treats (used as a salary or reward, not as a bribe).

This program is the foundation for all other behavior modification programs. Its purpose is to teach the dog to sit and stay while relaxing in a variety of circumstances. The circumstances change from very reassuring ones with you present to potentially more stressful ones when you are absent.

The goals of the program are to teach the dog to relax, to defer to you, to enjoy earning a salary for an appropriate, desirable behavior, and to develop, as a foundation, a pattern of behaviors that allow the dog to cooperate with future behavior modification (generally desensitization and counter conditioning). This protocol acts as a foundation for teaching the dog context-specific appropriate behavior. The focus is to teach the dog to rely on you for all the cues as to the appropriateness of its behavior so that it can then learn not to react inappropriately.

The Full Protocol

***

Karen Overall is a vet with a PhD in Zoology (awarded for research focusing on mating systems and egg physiology of a protected lizard -- I guess you gotta get it for something).

More articles from Karen Overall.

She writes about the myth of dominance.  And says to embrace deference rather than dominance. [reminiscent of NILIF]  To me, it's the same thing.  But maybe not to others.  The word dominance seems to have a stigma attached to it (if you're in the "modern" age) and can lead to abusive behavior.

[via p4r]

Talk Dog Hawaii

Well, believe it or not, there’s a guaranteed way to make your dog stop barking, and it’s totally humane.

First you have to understand why dogs bark, their psychology, and ultimately learn to become the pack leader.

“Barking is the No. 1 problem people come to me for,” says master dog behavior therapist Scott Argus of Talk Dog Hawaii. “There are dogs that will only bark when somebody walks by the house, and they bark for 30 seconds and stop; there are dogs that bark all day long; and then there are all the dogs in between.”

He says the two primary reasons a dog barks are fear and separation anxiety. But both stem from the dog thinking it’s the pack leader.

“A dog’s DNA is 99.8 percent identical to the gray wolf,” he explains, “and the importance there is the gray wolf is a classic pack animal – they work together and live together as an extremely tight-knit family. Their very survival in their minds depends on having a good pack leader. It’s literally life and death.

“So what happens is you bring a dog into your home, and after a couple of days, she says, OK, I’m a member of a new pack. I eat here and I sleep here. If I want to survive, I have to figure out who the pack leader is.

“Well, you behave like a human, and she thinks, uhoh, there’s no pack leader here, we’re all gonna die. So the dogs, by default, say if nobody else is going to do it, I will.”

As the leader of the pack, their No. 1 job is security, which explains the barking. They hear something outside and their responsibility is to warn the pack.

With separation anxiety, it’s not about feeling lonely, bored or abandoned, but rather about safety. “She’s barking because a member of the pack is wandering off, so the pack is no longer safe,” explains Argus. “I can’t be out there with you to guard you, and you’re not here to protect us if we get attacked, so by splitting up the pack, I only have two choices: I either have to get out and join you, or you have to come back and join me so we’re all together again.

“So that barking is the most typical response, ‘come back, come back, come back,’ and she’ll do it all day long. You can tell her not to, and she’ll look at you and say, ‘Are you crazy? We’re going to die. You have to come back,’ and she’s certain she’s right.”

So how do you become the pack leader? Well, in the eyes of the pack, the leader is the fastest, most competent and reliable person in the pack. To achieve this, the key word is anticipate.

“Anticipate what they’re going to do, correct them as they’re about to do it or praise them if they’re doing something right, and they go, wow, you read my mind, you’re a superhuman pack leader,” says Argus. 

“What impresses a dog is your timing. And the solution is to convince them they are no longer responsible for the security of the pack. They’re responsible instead for paying attention to the pack leader.

“And we teach you how to behave like the leader of the pack, to talk dog so your dog understands what you’re saying (by using sounds and tones of voice), and reward them by saying yes (rather than with treats).”

[Cesar-bashers are rolling their eyes.  Doesn't everybody know that pack theory has been disproven?]

Dog owners do need to be the leader of their home, not because the dog will become aggressive and take over but because these eternal puppy-like dogs need boundaries and a good parent.

Dog owners need to be good parents to their dogs just like they do for their children.  Spoiled children with no rules and parents that don’t set limits create the same kind of mayhem.  Dogs have to learn good behaviors and manners and their parents need to instill and make them follow rules.

It doesn’t really matter if you want to think of yourself as Alpha or parent, what does matter is that you set rules.

[so, sort of the same thing]

Kimo gets blessed

Mom called Donna to return her mini-cooler (padded container to keep food hot or cold).

She said she's at the church at the Penny Carnival and that they had spaghetti on sale for $3.50.  And also that they were blessing dogs (apparently something new with the new pastor).

I took Tuffy and Fifi out first, but no trick or treaters except for Judy and Ethan (who gave me candy).  I guess all the kids were taken elsewhere.  After I retrieved them, I see Duane and Coco coming back with Judy and Ethan.  Ethan was a little scared of Fifi and Tuffy.  Judy too for that matter.  Especially Fifi.

We reached the end and Duane decided to walk back with us.  On the way back, Koa was loose with Jason.  Tuffy wanted to sniff and they were OK.

Then I took mom to the car.  I opened the gate and Kimo ran down.  I opened the door and he went in.

The parking lot was pretty full.  So I double-parked near the entrance (as directed by the attendant).

I took mom up the kitchen where Christie and Popo Wong were.  And then to the dining room where Donna was.  And bought some spaghetti.

Then I went to look for parking and wound up parking on Bates Street.

I walked Kimo up and he made some poop on the grass/weeds area.  There was a guy and a dog at the corner waiting to cross.  And we waited as Kimo stopped, apparently not wanting to come to close.  Took him up the kitchen and he jumped up on Donna.

Then some lady said they were doing blessings on dogs.  So I took Kimo down and warned Pastor Darren that Kimo had a bite history.  So he let Kimo smell him.  All was pretty good.  But after reading the blessing, he went to sprinkle water on Kimo's head and Kimo kind of snapped at his arm coming over his head.  But then I had him sit with his back to him.  And he seemed OK.

Then I saw Donna Chu.  And she remarked Kimo is so different now.  And went to pet him with her arm going over his head and he snapped at her too.  OK, not so different.

Back to the dining room.  Christie and Popo Wong were in the dining room.  And Kimo jumped up on Christie.

OK time to go.  Christie took home Popo Wong.  Donna took home ma.  And I took home Kimo.

jojo and koa

take out kimo and jojo when duane comes w/ coco
gerald drops off hershey en route
retrieve tuffy, retrieve fifi
walk some more

treat at hershey's
tuffy comes too close to fifi's treat and she growls him off
let kimo go home

walk a little more, take home tuffy, take home fifi

see mr. and mrs. wong getting more starfruit
mamo holds jojo as I pick some fruit, then mr. wong holds him, jojo seems scared

koa loose, take koa and jojo for short walk, jojo acting up barking and growling
settles down, take koa behind the gate and treat him and jojo

another dog morning

ow, my thumb!

duane and coco come / take out jojo and kimo

retrieve tuffy, retrieve fifi

jojo pulling coming back, cat? / no, it's Izzy and Cubby loose, Kimo takes him back to their pen

treat at my driveway, let Kimo go home

go for another lap

take ma to donna's house (since donna watching carly)

take kimo and jojo to diamond head dog park, but's it's being cleaned

take them to humane society, jojo almost runs off, step on leash, slam door on right thumb,

but not open until 11 (11-7 weekdays, 10-4 weekends), talk to employee with chickens

kimo in front floor, jojo on front seat, brake for car, jojo falls on kimo = fight, but then they calm down

home: open gate for jojo and he goes home

[10/19/12, posted 12/7/13]

Joey and Charlie (and more)

here comes Jojo, take Kimo, Joey out for pee and poop

go for short stroll

Kimo wants to go back to Hershey's house

treat on front steps

oatmeal

here comes Duane and Coco

take out Joey and Jojo

retrieve Tuffy and Fifi

walk back with Duane

treat them at Duane's garage

Amy walking, catch her as she's coming back and walk with her

take home Tuffy, Taylor comes to visit as she's going out to school

Mr. Wong coming up, and Mrs. Wong and mom walking up too

walk her up to the Wongs

Jojo reacts to Koa and Koa barks back

tie Jojo to post and treat Koa and Joey, they kind of worked

walk mom back home 

try nap

barking, let the dogs out, Kimo goes in the back, so let the dogs stay in the back for now 

[later that day]

decide to take out Joey, Kimo remains in back, and retrieve Tuffy

who's that coming?  It's Robin and Tea and Fisher with Charlie

ok walk with them.  Charlie sniffs Tuffy, but Joey wants to go after Charlie, ok short leash

Joey barking at Fisher jumping up and down, but hold him and he gets used to him

bring Joey in the back again, Kimo still lying down 

leftover Kam Drive-In food

bring Joey in the front / Feed Kimo and Joey

[10/17/12, posted 11/29/13]

dog day Tuesday

jojo comes

stay on front steps as garbage truck comes / but Kimo barks and Joey runs down and barks

decide to take out Joey w/ Jojo, Kimo stays home

retrieve Hershey

retrieve Tuffy, retrieve Fifi

Mr. and Mrs. Wong walking, so walk with them

go for another lap

treat at my driveway, let Joey go home

take Hershey home

take Tuffy home, take Fifi home

a few more fleas on Jojo and Kimo :(

Jojo jumps down to go home

feed kimo (w/ 1/4 pill) and joey a little

go out on service call (Cliff Hedani)

barking at Pat and Keith / Charlie runs on the street after Keith

Reef's wife on the street, trying to train Charlie not to run / go across to talk to her

her name is Robin, teaches pre-school at Mid-Pac, kids names are Tea and Fisher

stay on steps as Steven is jogging and Amy is walking

Cheryl comes with Coco (Duane just came home from the mainland and went to sleep)

take out Joey, no leash for Tuffy, so retrieve Fifi and get her extra leash and get Tuffy

Kahoa comes home from baseball practice and joins us, let him walk Joey / their cat is named Buddy

walk back with Cheryl and Coco

then walk back, Jake has to go #1, take Tuffy and Fifi home

watch some of the presidential debate and eat hamburger curry

hey where's joey?

look around, can't find him, oh there he is back to the front lawn

[Tuesday, 10/16/12, posted 11/25/13]

Michael Vick has a dog now

Last week, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick created a stir when he tweeted what appeared to be a Rockwellian picture of himself playing on his iPad while his daughter studied at the kitchen table. The stir occurred when people noticed a box of Milk-Bones on the table, which raised the question: Is the man who spent 23 months in federal prison on dogfighting charges now a dog owner?
The answer, it turns out, is yes.

In a statement released on Thursday, Vick confirmed that he does, in fact, own a dog.

''I understand the strong emotions by some people about our family's decision to care for a pet,'' Vick said in a statement. ''As a father, it is important to make sure my children develop a healthy relationship with animals. I want to ensure that my children establish a loving bond and treat all of God's creatures with kindness and respect. Our pet is well cared for and loved as a member of our family.
''This is an opportunity to break the cycle,'' Vick added. ''To that end, I will continue to honor my commitment to animal welfare and be an instrument of positive change.''

***

[I'm not against it.  Hopefully a relationship with a loving dog will break his former non-caring attitude about them.  Maybe it already has.  I believe in forgiveness.]

Fifi tangled

Joey is back as Cheryl is going to Kauai to bring back her father's ashes.

Duane is on the mainland, so Cheryl took out Coco this evening.

Keith was barking so Kimo ran up the steps and stopped when he saw it was Cheryl and Coco.

Took out Joey as Kimo didn't seem to want to go (as usual).  Joey kind of lunged at Coco at first but seemed OK after.

Sorry Tuffy, you have to stay home today.  And he barked as we walked past (I think he was barking for me to take him).

The UPS truck passed us (Joey barked at it).  Cheryl thought they might be delivering to her house and she left her mom by herself at home.  (Zenny's on vacation so Cheryl was home today.)

As we came back, I noticed Fifi was sitting near the stake and didn't move from it.  I thought she might have gotten tangled in the rope.  So I hooked Joey on the gate and went down to take a look.

Yep, she was tangled.  Practically the whole rope was wrapped around her leg.  Took a while, but I finally got it unwrapped.  The progress came after I unhooked the rope from the stake.

After she was untangled, she seemed OK and went to drink water and ran to the steps.

Gave her a treat.  Gave Tuffy a treat.

Go home.

Cloud Star

TEN YEARS AGO, Jennifer Melton and Brennan Johnson adopted an adorable puppy they named Samantha. But the dog had a not-so-adorable problem.

"She was constantly itching and scratching,” recalls Melton.  “She ended up being kind of sickly. I did a lot of research and found that dogs, just like people, could have allergies.”

The pair of San Luis Obispo, California, Costco members put Samantha on an elimination diet to determine

what she was allergic to. Within a month or so, she became healthy and active.

When the two started making their own dog food and sold homemade treats at a dog-shelter fundraising event, they were besieged by calls from people wanting to buy more. Johnson said, “I think we can make a business out of this.”

Their company, Cloud Star (www.cloudstar.com), which started in 1999 with just the two of them, now employs more than 100 people.

Cloud Star products are sold at health food, pet supply, grocery and gift stores throughout the UK, as
well as online.

Ten per cent of all profits go to organisations that support women, children, the environment and, of course, pets.—SF

-- Costco Connection, February 2010

Ah, they make the Buddy Biscuits that I've bought before at Kalihi Pets.  Also available at Amazon I see.

30-day challenges

This is from an interesting blog called ThatMutt.com: A Dog Blog by Lindsay Stordahl who runs a dog running, dog walking, pet sitting business.

Try these 30-day challenges [found when I was googling heeling and loose leash walking]

Rusty has a problem

“John, sorry to bother you but I think Rusty has a problem.”

The call was from my cousin Bryce, a great guy who takes good care of his cute silky terrier.

As I turned to look at the clock and vaguely saw 11:30 p.m. I mumbled, “Tell me what’s going on.”

“Well, I came home from work and noticed that Rusty kept licking ‘down there.’ Then when he stood up, he walked kind of funny. As I looked closer, I noticed that his penis was swollen and red. It looks dried out and I think he’s in pain.”

“Bryce, I know this is going to sound weird, but I need you to get a water soluble lubricant and gently put some on Rusty so that his penis can retract into normal position. He has a condition called paraphimosis, and if it lasts too long it could get serious.”

Fifteen minutes later Bryce called back telling me that everything was OK. I told him that if it ever happens again to lubricate and call me if it doesn’t work.

Months went by, then late one night I received another call from Bryce. “John, I’m sorry for calling so late but Rusty has the same problem again. I didn’t want to bother you, but I’ve been rubbing lubricant for over an hour and his penis still won’t go back in.”

As I shook the cobwebs from my head I contemplated what Bryce just told me.

Dan and Jade

are Duane's son-in-law and daughter who are visiting from Portland.

I saw Dan with Duane last night walking Coco (and Joey and Kimo were barking at them).

This morning, more barking at 5:30 AM.  It was Dan for an early morning walk.

Later more barking, Dan and Jade (I learned their names later when Charlotte was talking with them) came out with Coco.

I took out Joey and pulled Kimo up.  Kimo made some soft(ish) poop at Tsutsui's then I let him go home.

Then brought Joey solo and caught up with them.  I was kind of watching Joey to see how he would react with Dan.  But he was right behind him apparently attracted to the bag of treats he was carrying.

Then retrieve Tuffy and Fifi.  And walk to the beginning.  A few more treats.

Start walking back, Roy is in a van (he went to watch his grandson or grandnephew play football) going out. And then a little more and we see Charlotte getting ready to walk.

Hand Joey to Charlotte.  Tuffy gets loose and goes to Dan.  OK, perfect.  One dog for each of us.

Maybe not that perfect, since Tuffy is kind of pulling Dan.  But not bad.

OK, end of the line.  Bye Coco.

Wait here comes Jojo.  Jojo is running wild kind of riling up Fifi and Tuffy.  Manage to regain control and go down back home to grab another leash.  Put Joey's leash on Tuffy and Tuffy's leash on Jojo.

Walk some more.  Why is Jojo pulling?  It's Ann and Mochi.  Kind of warn Charlotte that Joey doesn't like Mochi.  So we keep them somewhat separated and there's no trouble.

Walk back with the eight of us and Charlotte goes home.  Ann volunteers to take Joey.  And Joey and Mochi seem fine.

Walk another lap.  Joey starts rolling around at Charlie's house.  Fifi sniffs too close and Joey gets up and growls and they go at it very briefly (actually I don't know exactly what happened because it happened really quick).  Ann thought it was Fifi's fault going after Joey, but I think it was Joey reacting to Fifi coming close.

So after that we walked back with Joey kind of keeping an eye on Fifi.  And I kept Fifi at a little distance from Joey.

Well at least he forgot all about Mochi and walked fine next to him.

Ann takes Fifi and I take Tuffy home.

Later I go to flea comb Jojo and find a flea.  I'm ready to to put the flea into the detergent water but then I see Kimo lapping it up.

And so it goes...

back to Puna

take out Jojo and Joey, retrieve Hershey

Ann is out with Mochi / Joey reacting to Mochi for some reason, put on short leash

retrieve Tuffy, retrieve Fifi

wth go long

round Natsunoya wall / ok not easy with the dogs sniffing

Makanani, say hi to Maka, Hunk and Pua barking

up skyline, up puna

back down puna, hey there's dottie and hoku

talk a little to neighbor (who thought I was waving to her when I was waving to dottie)

hoku barking at us mildly, then another dog in the back barking more intensely

Dottie has a new dog in the back, Sandy (light brown lab mix?) who's her niece's dog who's staying with her

 back down Puna, Aulii, round the bend

back to the end, take home Joey, take home Hershey

Fifi gets loose and Fifi and Jojo are chasing/playing with Tuffy trying to join in (but I'm holding them)

finally catch Fifi, they go to my backyard, Fifi and Tuffy drink water

walk them to the back and finally home (whew)

[9/27/13, posted 11/3/13]

dog and cat training with Joel Silverman

Just noticed this show playing today (Sunday)

Dog & Cat Training With Joel Silverman is a new and different weekend animal TV show that caters to not only the dog owner, but to the cat owner as well. This show focuses on training and will help the average pet owner deal with some of the training and problem solving issues they might have with their pet. But there is much more! Joel was very successful with his previous TV series he hosted, Animal Planet's "GOOD DOG U". Although only 13 episodes were shot in 1999, those same shows aired for an amazing 10 years. Each week Dog & Cat Training With Joel Silverman will have the same format and pretty much of the same weekly segments.

stressing on the steps

went out on the steps when Pat took out Keith and gave them treats. No problems, even when Keith came down partially on the sidewalk to look

take Kimo and Joey out as Kimo looked like he wanted to out. Went up toward the end of the street and Kimo poops on the road

then Pat takes Keith on the steps to trim his hair
go out and treat Kimo and Joey with Kimo on the top landing

they're ok for a while as Pat continues trimming Keith
but Kimo goes over threshold and goes wild and Joey goes after Kimo
I try to grab both of them on the scruff which probably escalated Kimo into his wild state
I think I was lucky not to get bitten.
Eventually they calm down enough
Kimo goes down to the bottom landing and I sit between them and they seem OK

See Garrett delivering the mail and go down to the garage when he's coming back
I sit down by Joey and Kimo comes limping out. Didn't realize he hurt his leg. Don't see any blood or obvious wounds.

Let Kimo go out to pee and take Joey out on the leash
Kimo goes back in the garage and lies down in the sun

*** [later that day]

barking, it's duane and coco / take out joey, duane retrieves mr. wong, i retrieve tuffy

hey tracey is out with maya, tuffy seems ok, but joey is reacting / let him closer to smell and he seems better (wants to smell her butt)

coco seems uncomfortable too, but then seems better as we walk back

[posted 10/28/13]

5+4

barking at Hershey howling

barking, it's Mr. and Mrs. Wong walking

take out Joey and Jojo, but Hershey already inside

walk back up, Roy and Charlotte are walking and chatting with Mr. and Mrs. Wong

hand Joey to Charlotte and Roy takes Jojo

retrieve Fifi and Tuffy and we go walking (5 people and 4 dogs)

Cheryl drives by and says it looks like it's more fun than her going to work

[posted 10/24/13]

no-kill animal bill shelved

A City Council committee voted Tuesday to defer a proposal requiring the Hawaiian Humane Society to inform no-kill shelters and the public whenever it intends to kill animals brought to the Moiliili facility.

Parks and Cultural Affairs Chairman Tom Berg called for the deferral of Bill 57 after the other members of the committee — Ikaika Anderson, Romy Cachola and Breene Hari­moto — all said they would not support it.

Berg said he is reworking the bill to make it more palatable for colleagues. "The deferral by no means says that this is over," he said, adding that he still feels strongly about the Humane Society making some kind of notification before killing animals.

Officials with the Hawaiian Humane Society testified that the bill was unnecessary and could lead to overcrowding and possibly the euthanization of more animals. The bill calls for the Humane Society to notify a registry of shelters and the public, and then give them at least five days to adopt a cat or dog before it can be killed. Animals deemed ill or dangerous could be killed sooner.

Joey the menace

Ugh.  Joey is still here (floor is getting redone) and getting to be a problem (at least today).

He's getting more used to Fifi again as I took him out with Jojo, Tuffy, and Fifi out for a couple of laps in the morning.

Later in the morning, he and Jojo jumped out and went behind Pat's house again.  No problem.  But then I see Joey on the other side of the fence and Jojo found a different path through the fence.

Looked like they were having a good time running around the yard and going under the buildings as some student and teachers were watching.  Joey wouldn't come to me but finally decided to come to me.  And I took him home (with Jojo following) via the Chung's house.

In the afternoon, Jojo had gone home and I let Kimo and Jojo out to pee/poop.  Kimo did his thing and went back in the house.  But Joey headed to Keith's house again.  Oh no, he's at AOP again.  Go to get him.  On the way back, there was a loose dog with a lady waiting for her son.  Some barking, but then they sniffed and seemed OK.

Late afternoon, and I hear howling (Hershey was still here) and barking.  He was howling at Charlotte walking.  So I decided to take out Joey and Hershey.  Kimo didn't want to come.

Took them out on the street and Steven jogged by.  Joey leash slipped out of my hand and he went after Steven.  Got between them and stepped on his leash.  Steven looked at his shorts like they were ripped or something.  Sorry.  (Oh boy.)

Let Charlotte walk Joey.  And I retrieved Tuffy (sorry Fifi).  And we went for a lap.

Coming back, Jeannie came out and said Steven got bit in the groin area.  Then Steven came out.  Luckily he didn't seem too mad.  I told them of my experience getting bit by Kimo and that they have to watch for infection (swelling) and probably should get a tetanus shot.  (Oh boy.)

Then see Malia out with Kat and Shirley.  Start to walk toward them and Joey reacts to Shirley and vice-versa.

Cheryl comes out with Jojo as Zenny is getting picked up and we walk with her.  Joey is getting a lot of walking.  He seems OK with them.  Maybe he don't like girl dogs?  He was OK with Charlie who was tied up in the garage this afternoon (and barked only occasionally at cars parking up the street).

On the way up, see a couple with a couple of dogs at the Sakuda's.  It was Jason and his wife with Hershey and their beagle.  Joey sniffs the new beagle and seems OK.  They're watching Hershey a

Later that night Duane comes out with Jojo and Joey barks at them (so Kimo did too).

Despite his cute looks, not an easy dog.  Need to watch him more carefully.

[Thu 9/13, posted 9/14]

[Fri 9/14, posted 10/17/13]
The next day..

policeman comes regarding dog bite, tells me to take the dogs in the house, I take them in the back

but then as I go to talk to the policeman, joey comes running out from the ewa side, he must be squeezing under the gate

policeman calling around to see what he's supposed to do / I sit with joey on the sidewalk with joey lying down next to me

then I take him back to the stairs when he's ready to talk to me

he tells me to sign a statement and I write a description of what happened sitting my joey on the steps

I have a court date for November 1 (around there)

oh boy..

[Fri 9/21, posted 10/25/13]

talk to Steven running by, said he had to go kuilima the next day so the boss told him go emergency and he had to fill out a form and I guess they reported it / said he's going to pass on the bill

[Mon 9/24, posted 10/31/13]
Took Kimo and Joey to the Bark Park after dropping Christie off at school.
First we go on the sidewalk and joggers run by
no reaction from Joey
which leads me to think that Joey's action against Steven was territorial