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Brought to you by Dog Paddling
Adventures | | |
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Welcome to our Spring/Summer Dog Paddling Post. This issue is dedicated to the
wonderful bond that human and canine share. We are looking forward to another
great hiking and paddling season with you and your pup.
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Protect Your
Dog |
| The
most important safety command for your dog to understand is 'come'. Especially
if your dog is often allowed to run off leash (which is great for both you and
your pup!), having a reliable retrieval command will at the very least save you
time and frustration, and at the most, may save your dog's life.
However,
the most important piece of safety equipment for the dedicated dog lover is to
ensure that they are always wearing a collar with a name tag. People often remove
their pup's collar at night or while indoors, which is a perfectly acceptable
routine, but you should always put it back on before venturing outdoors! To do
otherwise is quite simply irresponsible and unfair to both your pup, and to the
person who finds (or is found by!) your pup.
On our Dog Paddling trips
we have had 3 dogs join our group that were simply wandering in the forest and
found us an attractive bunch. None of these dogs had collars or any type of identification
on them. After searching and spending several hours, during and after trips, problem
solving ways to reunite pups and their owners thru phone calls to local authorities,
driving to several of the neighboring properties, signs on cars all in the unsure
hope to return the pup to its home… in these cases we were thrilled to get
them each back to their home. But in many cases this does not happen!
Pets give us love and companionship, but in return for their loyalty, they need
your care and attention. Always have a collar with tags on your dog when he is
going to be outside as well as a tattoo or microchip, this makes finding your
lost puppy back to his home much easier!
FYI
 95%
of animals with visible ID are reunited with their humans
30% of dogs
without ID that end up in shelters are claimed by their humans. | |
In
a recent Story in the Newark Paper...
A dog stranded on a chunk of ice in the middle of the Passaic River was brought
ashore Wednesday by rescuers in a rowboat who spent three hours fighting the current
and dodging ice floes to reach the animal.
An animal shelter worker and
a fire captain set out in the 8-foot boat after somebody reported seeing the 40-pound
Rottweiler mix trapped on the ice.
When they finally reached the dog,
shelter worker George Smith slipped a noose over his neck, followed by a leash,
and gently tugged the reluctant animal toward the boat.
"At first,
he kind of freaked out," Smith said. "But when I reached underneath
him and got him up under his body and pulled him in the boat, he got real calm.
He looked up at us like, `Hey, I'm safe now!'"
Smith and Kearny
Fire Capt. Tom McDermott, both exhausted from rowing, steered the boat to shore
about 300 feet away. Other rescuers bundled the dog up and rushed it to a shelter.
The dog, which had a collar but no identification, was to be examined and treated
for exposure and possible frostbite. He appeared to be 3 to 4 years old.
Nobody had claimed the dog by Wednesday afternoon…If only this dog was
wearing some form of ID!
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| BY
Sasha & Vanessa Lobo
Hi!
My name is Sasha and I am a 5 year old yellow Labrador Retriever. I was born on
May 10, 1997 and it was always my Mom's dream that I should one day become a certified
St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog. When
I was young, I was very naughty and extremely hyper. I went to obedience classes
with Mom but was so happy just being with her and the other dogs that I didn't
learn much. Anyway, Mom persisted and before long I had mastered all the basic
commands (I am very smart you know!!). Finally,
on May 27, 1999, when I had just turned 2 years old, Mom took me for my Therapy
Dog Evaluation.
She explained to me that I really had to be good and concentrate,
and not get too happy and excited. The Evaluation consisted of basic commands,
walking on a leash, testing my reaction upon meeting people and other dogs, as
well as people in wheelchairs and dressing gowns. Guess what!! We were told that
I do have the talent to be a Therapy Dog. My family was so proud and so was I.
I was now a certified
St. John Ambulance Therapy Dog. A
few months later, we were set up to visit a senior's home. We visit the aged as
well as residents suffering from mild dementia and Alzheimer's. The people at
the home are sometimes alone and scared and I know that I bring them great comfort.
They stroke me and give me treats that Mom brings along. Sometimes they tell us
stories about the pets they had.
But
the best part of my job is when something magical happens, such as when a resident
who hasn't responded to anyone else, does so when we walk through the door, or
when Mom puts their hands on me to stroke me. Just
recently there was a lady who we were told did not speak or respond but we knew
she liked dogs. So we went up to her wheelchair and the moment she saw me you
could see her eyes light up. Much to the amazement of the staff she started to
talk to me and stroke me, calling me a beautiful dog. What
a wonderful feeling to bring something to someone that is so basic - a smile and
a feeling of peace. What an important job I have.  You
might think that you need to be a very healthy and active dog but let me tell
you that I have severe Hip Dysplasia and arthritis, and even had hip replacement
surgery a year ago but that has not stopped me! We only stopped visiting for 4
months after my surgery but try never to miss a visit as we know there are people
waiting for us and we do not want to let them down. So if you are a happy pup
and love meeting people, then this is for you.
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I love my
job! I have a purpose in life besides eating, sleeping and having a fun time.
We always bring smiles to the residents and staff when we visit and we leave them
feeling a little brighter. We feel happier too!! Now
I'd like to ask you "Are you really that busy that you and your owner cannot
put aside two hours a week to visit a hospital or nursing home?" The rewards
are just tremendous. It does not require a lot of time- just two hours a week. P.S.
As Sasha's Mom I would like to add a few comments. Therapy Dog work is not only
beneficial to those who are visited but is a very rewarding experience for you
and your dog as well. This is a great way of spending quality time with your dog
while providing comfort and joy to those who you visit. If
you would like more information about the program or want to become a part of
it, please contact Sondra Holgate at (416) 757 0385
Pets
are good for our Health "Please
let me be half the person my dog thinks I am!" -Anonymous
We all know how much love
and companionship our dogs bring to our lives but do we realize how they are a
positive influence on our health and well being? There is great evidence to prove
that pets have a positive impact on a number of health conditions. Studies have
shown that pets have many benefits to our health, including lower cholesterol
and blood pressure and reduced stress. Scientists don't know why this is but some
theorize that the act of petting a dog can release positive endorphins in the
brain, helping bodies to maintain 'homeostasis' (which is a good thing). Research
has also shown that pet ownership increases the odds of survival for people who
have a heart attack.
Pet ownership can also offer many benefits to older
people as well. A recent study showed that senior citizens who own pets are less
likely to be depressed, are better able to tolerate social isolation (if this
applies to the individual) and are more active than those who do not own pets.
Studies have shown that individuals who own a dog:
- Are ill less frequently than those who do not have a dog
- If they
do get ill, they are quicker to recover
If they have had surgery experience
faster healing times - Are less likely to suffer from depression and loneliness
- Have higher self-esteem
- Enjoy less stress and anxiety in the company of
pets (as opposed to friends and spouses present)
We
all need something to live for in our lives and something to focus on. Pets offer
us unconditional love, which is of significant benefit to our overall well being.
Our relationship with our pet is unique. Our pets depend on us, and being needed
motivates us to stay well. | | |
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| Looking
for a new dog?
Why not adopt or rescue
| Every
year far too many wonderful dogs are dumped in shelters or given away when they
no longer 'fit the family'. Adopting a puppy or adult dog from a shelter or rescue
can be a great way to get a dog. The hardest part of adopting a dog from a shelter
is the selection… since there are so many dogs available you can be overwhelmed!
Choosing the right dog generally means finding the type of dog who matches
your lifestyle and wants. A dog's size, exercise requirements, friendliness, assertiveness,
and compatibility with children should all figure into your decision. When you
go to visit an animal shelter, keep in mind that the shelter is a stressful place
for any animal. Often a dog's true personality won't show until he's away from
the other animals. So even if you walk by a kennel and the dog doesn't try to
get your attention, don't count him out just yet… he may just be frightened
from his recent unpleasant experiences and need a bit of time.
Some
good questions to ask: 
How old is the dog? Even though a puppy sometimes sounds
more appealing, it is important to know that young dogs require much more training
and supervision than more mature dogs. An adult dog may fit in to your lifestyle
a bit easier and is almost always more manageable to handle than a new puppy for
an existing family. Also think how nice it is to give a more relaxed elderly dog
a home!
Is the dog shy or assertive? Although an active
or energetic dog may catch your eye, a more quiet or reserved dog might be easier
to live with and care for on a daily basis. Unless you are a very active person,
a border collie may not be for you!
Is the dog good with children?
Learning about a dogs past through a history sheet or from an adoption counselor
can be helpful, but past information isn't always available. In general, a dog
that is active, likes to be pet, and is not sensitive to handling and noise is
a dog that will probably thrive in a household of kids.
Before heading out to purchase a new dog consider these facts:
Places like the Toronto Humane Society (THS) work hard each year to find
homes for needy dogs… here are some statistics which may interest you:
In 2002, the THS admitted 1,945 dogs. Of these, 947 (49%) were adopted, 188
(10%) were euthanized, and 393 dogs were returned to their owner.
In
2001, the THS accepted 1,704 dogs of which 954 were adopted, 340 were euthanized
and 316 were returned to their owner. A
quick comparison of Costs:
Included in the
THS $100 adoption fee, your new pup will receive a microchip, be spayed/neutered,
all initial vaccinations, and a leash. When
purchasing a new dog: Price of dog can vary ($200-$2000), microchip ($75), spayed/neutered
($220), initial vaccinations ($150), leash ($20) etc.
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Doggy
Tails
Until
There are None...Rescue One! By:
Robin Ungaro
I
love animals. I have an affinity to them. It stood to reason that once I moved
to the openness and tranquility of the country, that I would amass a collection
of furry friends. We started slowly, with one cat, and then another a few months
later. During that time, I spent the better portion of a year doing my homework
on dogs. Lack of preparation was not going to be an issue for me, I would be ready
for anything! Purebred vs mixed breed, large vs small, high energy vs couch potato.....I
compiled my wish list. The
decision to go with a rescue was blatantly obvious. How could we, in good conscience,
support deliberate breeding when hundreds of animals pass through various shelters,
through no fault of their own, waiting to be given a second chance. As
it turned out, we rescued Holly only 2 days before she was to be euthanized. When
I saw her, I was struck by how pretty she looked, even though she was somewhat
emaciated. She took to me immediately by placing her large frame practically on
top of me and licked my face incessantly. It was clear that there was no turning
back. It didn't
take long for us to realize that she had a myriad of issues, as would anyone cooped
up in a cage for 6 months or more. She was depressed, didn't wag her tail, barely
ate at all, was carsick, had severe separation anxiety, etc.....but by far the
worst problem of all was that she chased our cats with a vengeance! At this point,
all the research I had done was out the window. We ended up with a complete nightmare
on our hands.
It
was then that I discovered the plethora of resources and people who have the skills
required to deal with this type of situation. An experienced dog owner and friend,
Animal Behaviorists, trainers, the girls at Dogeden Daycare, the people I met
through DPA, etc... It was all there for the asking. Holly had only been with
me for a few weeks when I took her on a Dog Paddling Adventure. In the beginning
she was frightened of the canoe and the water, but by the end, she was jumping
in and out of all the canoes, splashing around in the water. She really came out
of her shell during that trip and had a fantastic time. Today,
Holly is a bright, confident, beautiful young girl who is full of energy and playfulness.
She is the most gentle & loving girl we could have hoped for.. even with the
cats! We're now in the process of rescuing a doggie brother for her and another
feline playmate. Holly is the quintessential rescue story and a shining example
of how mutually rewarding and fulfilling saving a life can be.  Supporting
your local rescue organization will go a long way to ensure these amazing dogs
continue to be given the opportunity to have a loving home. Until there are none......rescue
one!
"If you take in an
unwanted dog, and feed him and make him prosperous, he will not bite you…this
is the primary difference between dogs and men"
-Mark
Twain | | |
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| Exciting
Dog Paddling Events.....
| Dog
Lovers' Spring Hiking Club
Our Spring Dog Lovers Hiking Club has been a blast in the past, and we are excited
to announce that we are back with 11 exciting hikes! We have added a brand new
location, Pigeon River Conservation Area, and it's a terrific addition to our
other existing locations. Be sure to check it out. The hiking club runs every
weekend until June 1 so come out and try one, or join the club and try them all.
The more hikes you do the more you save. All hikes include breakfast snacks, warm
drinks, buffet lunch and drinks, along with energy snacks for you and your pooch
throughout the day. Summer
Season
We are very excited for the upcoming
Paddling Season, which will begin on June 21 with a one day paws and paddle. This
1 day, introduction to paddling with your dog is the perfect way to start off
your summer and introduce you both to canoeing! Check out our full schedule of
canoe trips which will run every weekend until labour day, including the new custom
5-7 day trips running throughout the summer to remote locations in Algonquin Park.
We hope to see you on the lake this summer with your pooch! Fun
Dog Dictionary - Understanding the Language of our pups!
LEASH:
A strap which attaches to your collar, enabling you to lead your human where you
want him/her to go. | | | | |
Our 
