Important Warnings

Pet Owners & Working Dogs Take Heed
IMPORTANT WARNINGS & INFORMATION FOR ANIMAL OWNERS

NOTICE-IMPORTANT

(888) 4ANI-HELP or (888) 426-4435
NEW POISON CONTROL HOTLINE FOR ANIMALS
This phone number will connect you with an ASPCA veterinarian specially trained to assist pet owners or other vets.This is the only dedicated animal poison control hotline in the world manned by veterinarians, not telephone operators, STAFFED 24 Hours a day, 7 days a week!

FIREWORKS & PETS
PETS & EPILEPSY
Heat - animals & K-9 left in cars

Euthanisia of pets

NJ new animal Cruelty Law 8/27/01POISON -
Cocoa MulchPOISON-common household hemicals, plants, etc.
Animal Poison Control Center raisins & grapes.
Every 4th of JULY!!
POISON Anti-Freeze
Solution to help de-skunkpetPet First Aid, choking, CPR, etc.
POISON Mushroom please page down
Police & K-9 partners attend regional workshop- Delaware City, DE
Maine signs K-9 Vestadog bill

POISON Anti-Freeze
Solution to help de-skunkpetPet First Aid, choking, CPR, etc.
POISON Mushroom please page down
Police & K-9 partners attend regional workshop- Delaware City, DE
Maine signs K-9 Vestadog bill
K-9 Cars "cooler"
DE. more bomb K-9s
Fireworks and dogs....
Separation Anxiety
People foods for dogs....good and bad
THUNDER STORM FEARS IN DOGS
Raise YOUR Bowls ...prevent bloat
Safe For You, Poison For Your Pet
ProHeart 6 - WARNING
1-04-05

9/3/04

Fort Dodge to Comply with FDA's Request to Recall ProHeart 6 Injectable Heartworm Product from the Market Due to Serious Health Concerns

Fort Dodge Animal Health, of Overland Park, Kansas, at FDA's request, has agreed to immediately cease production and recall its heartworm medication ProHeart®6 from the market until the FDA's concerns about adverse reaction reports associated with the product can be resolved. FDA is requesting that the firm continue to conduct research to determine the cause of related adverse reactions and develop a strategy to help prevent such problems in the future before the product is marketed again. The FDA will convene an independent scientific advisory committee to thoroughly evaluate all available data.

ProHeart®6 is an approved injectable sustained-release heartworm prevention product for dogs. Heartworm disease is a serious and potentially fatal condition of dogs, cats, and other species of mammals. The parasite that causes heartworm disease is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito.

FDA is also advising veterinarians to avoid administering this product to dogs until further notice. Pet owners should consult their veterinarians regarding their pet's health care needs.

Since the product was approved in June 2001, Fort Dodge Animal Health has cooperated with FDA to investigate numerous adverse event reports. As a result, Fort Dodge has voluntarily changed the label to include post approval safety information including rare reports of death and a caution to practitioners that dogs should have a negative test for heartworm before administration.

Despite these label changes, FDA is still receiving unexplained adverse event reports, some of them severe. FDA's concern is based on voluntary self-reporting to FDA by veterinarians and owners whose dogs have suffered adverse drug experiences (ADEs) to ProHeart®6 (which contains the drug moxidectin) as well as the mandatory reporting of adverse events by Fort Dodge Animal Health.

Fort Dodge Animal Health has agreed to recall any product that has already been distributed to veterinarians.

As of August 4, 2004, FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) had received 5,552 adverse event reports for ProHeart®6. The actual number of adverse events is likely even higher because studies show that only a fraction of actual ADEs are reported.

The Agency has observed an increase in the number of cases associated with liver and bleeding abnormalities followed in some cases by death.

November 8, 2004
Safe For You, Poison For Your Pet
DE-ICING SALTS:
De-icing salts are potentially hazardous to any pet, but particularly dangerous to dogs because they are frequently outdoors. It contains an ingredient called calcium carbonate and it acts as in irritant to the skin on a dog's paw pads. If the dog licks its pads and ingests the salt, one of the side effects is gastrointestinal irritation. Symptoms of this include vomiting, diarrhea and drooling. More serious side effects, depending on the level of ingestion, include excessive thirst, depression, weakness in blood pressure and disorientation. The most intense symptoms after a high level of ingestion are a decrease in muscle function, seizures, comas and even death. If you suspect exposure to de-icing salts, call your veterinarian or contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center.

NONSTICK COOKING SPRAY:
Depending on the formulation, these aerosol sprays contain hydrocarbons, which are volatile substances. Some of the early signs of ingestion in your pet include an upset stomach. A high amount can lead to respiratory tract problems and a condition known as aspiration pneumonia (an inflammation of the lungs and bronchial tubes caused by inhaling foreign material). One thing you don't want to do is induce vomiting if your pet has ingested cooking spray or fumes from a nonstick cooking surface, because you could double the risk by forcing your pet to bring these substances back up again. Birds are very sensitive to cooking sprays because they have a unique respiratory tract that makes them very susceptible to irritation, so be really careful not only with cooking sprays but anything coming from an aerosol container when around birds.

YEAST DOUGH:
If yeast dough is ingested it can expand, rise in the stomach, and can present a dangerous risk to your pet's intestinal system, such as an intestinal rupture. Also, alcohol fermentation may take place in your pet's stomach and if there's enough ingested it can lead to alcohol poisoning. Any pet is at risk. Keep an eye out for signs of gastrointestinal irritation - vomiting, diarrhea and drooling.

COFFEE GROUNDS:
The harmful substances like theobromine and the caffeine found in coffee grounds are very similar to those in chocolate and often produce the same side effects. Look out for vomiting and diarrhea. In addition your pet may experience hyperactivity, increased heart rate, seizures, tremors and possibly even death, depending on the amount ingested.

MACADAMIA NUTS:
We've only seen a negative reaction from these nuts in dogs and we don't know all that much about why they are dangerous, but we would recommend keeping them away from all pets. It's an interesting phenomenon - if enough are ingested (and as little as a handful can be seen as dangerous), we see weakness in hind legs and can see the gastrointestinal effects - vomiting, diarrhea and drooling. These nuts can also affect the central nervous system and cause depression and muscle tremors. Generally signs resolve in 48 hours with proper care and treatment.

TOMATO AND POTATO:
The red, ripe fruit of the tomato is edible and may cause nothing more than stomach irritation to pets with sensitive stomachs. It's the green part of the tomato or a green unripe tomato and the plant part - the stem, the leaves, etc., that is hazardous. Tomatoes and potatoes are in the same family of plants, so both have similar side effects if the green part of the plant is ingested. Again, depending on the amount ingested you will see the common gastrointestinal effects - vomiting, diarrhea and drooling. In addition to these signs, look for decreased heart rate and drooling.

AVOCADOS:
The most common species of avocados is the species that is particularly hazardous for birds, rabbits and mice particularly, but also dangerous to other pets like dogs and cats. Ingestion usually leads to cardiovascular problems and can cause fluid accumulation around the heart and severe respiratory distress. Avocados contain a toxin known as persin and should be kept away from all pets.

RAHWIDE DOGGIE CHEWS:
The level of danger of these chews can depend on individual animal eating and chewing habits. Some dogs can handle these chews well, others can't. If your dog tends to eat in large chunks, then you should keep these chews away from them because they're liable to ingest a large chunk and it can get caught in your pet's digestive tract.
Also, a wet, gooey rawhide laying around can grow bacteria and that will cause GI effects. Whether or not you should keep rawhide doggie chews away from depends on each individual dog. Also, its probably smart to check on where the chew was manufactured - we don't know all that much about the ingredients contained in chews manufactured in foreign countries, but are pretty familiar with the ingredients in American-made chews.

DENTAL FLOSS:
Dental floss is particularly hazardous to cats and kittens because they love to play with stringy things. Be careful with this if your pet tends to get into the trash. Obviously, a foreign substance like floss can cause an obstruction of the digestive system.

APPLE SEEDS:
Apple seeds are in the same category as other fruits like apples, cherries, peaches and apricots. The stems, leaves and seeds contain cyanogenic glycosides, and depending on the dose, you will see not only the common gastrointestinal effects but weakness in coordination and difficulty breathing. In some extreme cases, animals can go into shock or coma and can even result in death. The toxic ingredients are contained in the center of the seeds, so be sure keep your pet from chewing or crushing the seeds with their teeth. Another interesting thing to point out is that the level of toxicity can depend on growing conditions. If it's a stressful growing environment for an apple tree, the level of toxicity may be less than if the tree was growing in a healthy environment. This makes it difficult to gauge how much is a dangerous level.

ONIONS AND ONION POWDER:
Onions, garlic and chives are all part of the allium species. Any of plants can produce similar effects. Look for the common gastrointestinal effects and trouble breathing. In addition, these substances can see significant damage to a pet's red blood cells. Cats can be particularly sensitive but it is dangerous to cats, dogs and birds.

RAISINS:
Although we don't know much about why grapes and raisins are dangerous, we do know ingestion can harm the kidney. We don't know much about the dangers with regards to ingestion levels either, so its best to keep grapes and raisins away from your pets, period.

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR PET INGESTS ANY HAZARDOUS ITEMS:
First thing to do would be to call your veterinarian and let him or her know the situation. They can offer up some direction. Also, the ASPCA has an Animal Poison Control Center, which operates a hotline open 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 888-426-4435 for a fee of $45 per case. If you call, you should be prepared with the following information: the name of the poison your animal was exposed to, the amount and how long ago, the species, breed, age, sex, and weight of your pet, and the symptoms the animal is displaying.

November 4, 2004
Raise Your Bowls
Elevating your pet's food bowl can help prevent bloat, a serious digestive condition that causes the stomach to expand.
Bloat is often caused when dogs gulp too much air while they eat. Placing your dog's food and water bowls on a chair or stool at about neck level can help minimize the amount of air he or she may swallow at mealtime.

Does your dog shake during thunder storms? Is he/she so terrified... you feel so sorry for them? TRY THIS. Take a look at this photo of a friend's dog. Put a TEE SHIRT and tie it tightly in the back. It makes the dog feel safe. IT WORKS! Thanks Beth Szillagyi for sharing.

IF YOU DO FIND THAT YOUR DOG GETS ANTIFREEZE OR SIMILAR TYPE POISON GIVE THEM ALCOHOL IMMEDIATELY AND THEN TAKE THEM TO YOUR VET...IT KEEPS THE ANTIFREEZE FROM CRYSTALLIZING THE BLOOD IN THE LIVER

Separation Anxiety:
Presenter: Briony Petch from Australia

Thursday, 15 April 2004

Dear owner, I miss you. Love, dog.

Many dogs experience separation anxiety when left alone. This can present as mild upsets such as whining, crying, barking, reverting to puppy behaviours (including soiling in the house) or severe and destructive behaviours like chewing, digging, scratching at doors, yowling and destruction of property. This is usual incompatible with happy domestic life.

New owners may unwittingly create this scenario by long drawn-out farewells that excite and stimulate the dog's mind just prior to their departure for the day. This leaves him or her confused and may lead to the venting of frustrations on your lovely new lounge, garden bed or door. Or he or she may bark or yowl in a vain attempt to get you to just as miraculously reappear.

Not all destructive and barking behaviours are separation anxiety. In young dogs it can simply be play behaviour, experimentation or him or her having a fun time without you to set ground rules. Separation anxiety is characterised by obvious stress. The animal is in no way happy, well adjusted or content at that time. He or she is not having fun.

How to recognise separation anxiety in your dog

1. Behaviour issues occur primarily when he or she is left alone.

2. He/She is your shadow, following you everywhere when you are at home.

3. Effusive, frantic, crazed greetings when you get home, especially in older dogs (over 2 years old).

4. Pooch shows evidence of depression, anxiety or excitement when you are preparing to leave the house.

5. He/she appears to be uncomfortable outdoors or dislikes spending any time by himself/herself.

Steps to reduce chances of creating separation anxiety in a new pet

1. Get a breed that is appropriate to your lifestyle and environment. For example no Border Collie pups in small inner city apartment, no Saint Bernards owned by busy DINK (Double Income No Kids) families.

2. Make your hellos and goodbyes simple and concise. No mad effusive play behaviour or pats prior to departure. When you have returned ignore pooch for five minutes and then make the hello a no-fuss affair. Play is for when you have a long period of contact with him or her afterwards, for you both to settle down and relax.

3. Ensure that as a new puppy your dog is socialised as much as possible with other dogs and people. This leads to a better adjusted adult and these problems are much less likely to ever occur.

4. Leave toys such as kongs (plastic toy), rope chews, rawhides and even bones for dog to play with and use up time while alone. Leaving an article of clothing with your scent on it also works well, especially for puppies.

5. TV or radio can be left on to provide human voices and mental stimulation throughout the period that you are away from the property.

The above techniques can also be used to treat mild separation anxiety. More severe problems will need the following adjunctive steps.

1. Desensitisation training. This is a technique used to teach your dog to be calm and content in your absence.

2. Change your leaving routine ie don't leave by same door, don't make it a long process. Also do things that routinely indicate leaving (getting keys, closing windows, shut curtains) without actually leaving. This will eventually avoid the stress and anxiety that builds when these things are done in preparation for leaving for the day.

3. When you leave, do so promptly. Say a phrase like 'Catch ya later' or 'Back soon' that lets him or her know you will be back. Leave and the return after 30 seconds for a simple calm pat and final goodbye. Being calm will teach your dog to be calm.

4. First day of desensitisation will entail a lot of work. Leave and return multiple times after 1 min, 2 min, 3 min, 5 min, 7 mins, 10 mins, 20 mins, 30 mins, 45 mins etc... If you return to an anxious patient then cut time away in half next exit. This may take all day.

5. Repeat the above procedure until you can leave for a significant period without anxiety.

6. Very rarely the problem is so ingrained that the patient will need professional help. Behaviouralist counselling or anti-anxiety medications from your local vet may be need to help combat the problem.

In closing, remember dogs are social or pack animals and need quality time with you or another dog to ward off boredom and anxiety. Spend time with your pooch and keep your entries and exits nice and simple. This will avoid lots of grief for both you and your furry mate in the years to come.

Last Updated: 14/04/2004 11:00:00 PM AEST

Dog Food and Nutrition – People Foods: Are They Safe? There is much controversy over what dogs should eat for canine health, proper nutrition and wellness. Some groups believe that feeding dogs raw red meat and bones is the best; some groups believe natural homemade dog food is best; others will claim any dog food will do. DogAge recommends sticking to mostly a dog food diet to ensure proper nutrition for all stages of your dog's life. Dogs are omnivorous--they enjoy meat and vegetables. To ensure that your dog receives the proper nutrients, choose a dog food that states it provides a 100% complete and balanced diet. DogAge advises against feeding your dog raw meat, due to the risk of bacteria and cysts that might be present in uncooked meat. Dogs who eat mostly table scraps or homemade dog foods tend to consume too much fat and not enough nutrition, and therefore have older DogAges. Some people foods, however, are OK for dogs in moderation (no more than 10% of the total diet) such as: Vegetables. Most veggies are OK for dogs, either raw or cooked. Stay away from onions and garlic because they can cause anemia in dogs. Rice and pasta. Low in fat and calories, these foods make great treats. Use these to add some bulk for weight control diets. Cooked meats without bones. Small amounts of cooked red meat may be OK when fed occasionally and in moderation. Remember that cooked meats can be high in fat and do not contain the proper balance of nutrients your dog requires. Dairy products. Dairy products, such as cottage cheese, low-fat yogurt, and hard-boiled eggs are OK when fed in moderation. Fruits. Dogs will eat both fresh and dried fruits. Stick with apples, berries, bananas, and seedless watermelon. Don't let your dog eat too much! Too much fruit may upset your dog's digestive system. Foods to keep away from your dog are: Sweets. Under any circumstances, DO NOT let your dog eat chocolate. The chemical theobromine contained in chocolate is toxic to canines and even in small amounts can prove to be fatal. Uncooked red meat and bones. Uncooked meats may contain harmful bacteria, parasites, and cysts, which may make your dog sick. Bones may be dangerous because they can splinter and puncture your dog's gastrointestinal tract. Chicken and turkey bones are a potential hazard for your pooch. These small bones can splinter and puncture the stomach or intestines, or cause choking. Grapes and raisins can be toxic to canines if eaten in large amounts. Onions and garlic can cause anemia in dogs. http://www.dogage.com/care/facts.aspx/FF/40

Plug-in cure for dogs' firework fear
Fireworks can be an annual misery for dogs

Dogs terrified by the sound of fireworks are being offered help by a university research team.
The University of Lincoln says it has developed a chemical which will reduce the stress experienced by dogs when they hear fireworks explode. With bonfire night approaching, many dogs "find this a miserable time of year, petrified by the unpredictable bangs," says Daniel Mills, principal lecturer in Behavioural Studies and Animal Welfare. The treatment is delivered by a plug-in device, similar to air fresheners, which will send a soothing pheromone into the air. "Many owners resort to seeking drugs for their pets in order to help them cope, but this is a simpler solution," said Mr Mills. 'Chemical barrier' This "dog appeasing pheromone" is a synthetic version of naturally-occurring chemicals which help to reassure newborn pups. Researchers believe that anxiety can be triggered in animals by exposure to sudden and unfamiliar experiences. And this pheromone can dampen these sensations by giving animals an artificial sensation of familiarity, which acts against the tensions caused by the sudden loud noises of fireworks. "Unlike drugs, the diffuser does not sedate the animal and make it sleepy," says Mr. Mills. The research, to be published in The Veterinary Record, was based on a study of 30 dogs who had shown signs of fear when fireworks were being set off. And it is claimed that exposure to the pheromone reduced the levels of fear. But the effectiveness depended on the dogs receiving an early exposure to the pheromone, which created a "chemical barrier" to the onset of stress.

Police put more dogs on the beat
Rising number of bomb threats forces agencies to increase canine forces
By ROBIN BROWN - Bear Bureau reporter Reach Robin Brown at 838-3189
09/28/2002Growing numbers of bomb threats after last September's terrorist attacks taxed the manpower and other resources of police agencies nationwide. In response, Delaware State Police, Wilmington police and Dover police all opted to train more of the dogs they already had to search for explosives. New Castle County police, however, bought four new dogs, tripling the size of the agency's K-9 bomb squad. Since then, the dogs and handlers have been trained and started work. On Sunday, they will be given bulletproof jackets and show off their skills during a demonstration at Newark's annual Community Day. County Police Chief Col. John L. Cunningham said the additional bomb dogs make the agency better equipped to respond to bomb threats and reports of suspicious packages or vehicles. Last October, the County Council unanimously approved spending nearly $55,000 to buy and train the dogs, train four members of the existing force as handlers and convert four vehicles into canine units. "They're a great investment," Cunningham said. With six bomb-detecting dogs instead of two, the team can conduct searches more quickly, respond to more than one emergency investigation site and make its resources more available to other law enforcement agencies, he said. For example, the team helped Wilmington police search the massive Elbert N. Carvel State Office Building and Louis L. Redding City/County Building after a bogus bomb threat Sept. 9th. Before Sept. 11, 2001, county police fielded only a couple of suspicious or bomb threat calls weekly. After the attacks, the number spiked to about 13 each day. Since then, such calls tapered to only slightly more than the pre-Sept. 11 level. But because the new dogs - like the original two German shepherds - are cross-trained for searching and patrol work, the squad now fields more than a dozen cases every week. "There's plenty of work for them to do," Cunningham said, "and they do it well." The new bomb dogs often are mistaken for German shepherds. "They're Belgian malinois," Cunningham said. "They look like German shepherds, but scruffy and thinner." The Belgians also like jumping and show more puppy-like energy than their German kin. The little-known breed - pronounced "MAL-ih-nwah" - is gaining popularity in law enforcement around the world because of its intelligence, aptitude for learning and ease of care, said Martha Doerner of the Wilmington Kennel Club. "Belgian malinois have much shorter hair than German shepherds - which makes their maintenance easier - and they're a lot friendlier than regular police dogs," she said. Club members used proceeds from their April dog show to buy bulletproof jackets for all the bomb dogs. Doerner said members are tickled that their public-service project link with the bomb squad will continue as dogs from the two groups appear together on Sunday.
The existing bomb specialists - Cpl. Phil Aufiero, his partner Zeke, Cpl. Kathy Rego and her partner Ryker - welcomed the new members. "We used to be on call 24-seven, so it's a lot better with them here," Rego said. New on the team are Cpl. Bernie Alimenti and Xena; Cpl. Fred Oehler and Zara; Officer James Fitzgerald and Tepke, and Officer Steven Purse and Tessa. The officers average 12 years on the force. Their dogs came from Holland through a law enforcement specialist who provided much of the teams' 13-week instruction. The officers, however, had to learn new languages to give their new partners commands. "All the dogs speak Dutch except mine," Alimenti said. "Xena speaks Hungarian."

New Castle County Police Cpl. Bernie Alimenti puts his dog Xena through its paces at the department's headquarters. The county tripled the size of its canine force to six to help cope with a rising number of bomb threats.
The News Journal/JENNIFER CORBETT
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Bomb-detection team demonstration WHERE: Evans Hall, The Green, University of Delaware WHEN: Sept. 29th, 2002, 12:30 p.m. Sunday at Newark Community Day. The 31st Annual Newark Community Day, a family-oriented event with free admission, will be 10AM to 5PM on The Green. Delaware Ave. will be closed between South College Ave. & Academy St.

Sunday, September 15, 2002
Have dog tested for cause of epileptic seizures

Q: My 3-year-old neutered male miniature poodle has recently been diagnosed with epileptic seizures. There is no history of epilepsy in his pedigree. My veterinarian wants to put him through a lot of tests - are these necessary?
A: There has been much research into the causes of epilepsy, but to date both the cause and the treatment are quite elusive. I suspect that your veterinarian wants to do further tests in order to rule out other causes of seizures, such as a brain tumor. Epilepsy is a very unpredictable disease; we think that it is nearly always inherited, although the mode of inheritance varies from breed to breed. It is known that it does occur in certain strains of miniature poodles. Seizures occur when a stimulus causes all the neurons in one section of the brain to fire at once, sending conflicting stimuli to the body. Seizures can vary in intensity and duration. Petit mal seizures are those causing little or no loss of consciousness or involuntary motions. Grand mal seizures usually include loss of consciousness, inability to stand, paddling of the legs and involuntary emptying of the bowels and bladder. Some seizures may only appear as biting at invisible flies or seeing "ghosts" in the corner of the room. Seizures usually start suddenly and end just as suddenly. They are followed by a period of disorientation where the dog does not appear to know where he is. He may wander around appearing almost blind, and have a tendency to bump into the furniture. At this point most animals appear to be tired and usually curl up and go to sleep for a period of time. Quiet and subdued lighting is the ideal situation for this recovery period. Under no circumstances should you try to soothe the animal by stroking and talking to him, as this will only cause the fit to be prolonged. Animals seldom bite their tongues or choke, although they may drool excessively. The term "status epilepticus" describes a condition where the seizing is continuous or where the seizures occur rapidly one after the other, without the dog regaining consciousness in between. This is a life-threatening state and veterinary help should be sought immediately. In a study of dogs that suffer from seizures undertaken at the University of Minnesota, 44 percent of dogs studied were diagnosed with idiopathic epilepsy, 48 percent of the dogs with seizures had direct brain dysfunction and 10 percent had a systemic disease such as distemper causing the seizures. Seizures with no known cause are called idiopathic epilepsy and occur in about 1 percent of dogs. Here there is no structural or functional abnormality of the brain; X-rays, CT scans, MRI exams and blood tests are all normal. The first seizure in these animals usually occurs when the dog is between 6 months and 5 years old, and the time interval between the first and second seizure is at least four weeks. Epileptic dogs do not necessarily have a shortened life span, although those that develop the problem before they are 2 years old or exhibit the more serious status epilepticus may not live as long.
Treatment for both petit mal and grand mal epilepsy is the same. Anti-convulsive drugs should be given once or twice daily if the seizures occur more frequently than every six to eight weeks or if the dog has had an incident of status epilepticus. It is very important not to miss a dose. It can be quite difficult to establish the optimum dose regime. Initially, your dog should be closely monitored by your veterinarian to ensure not only that the drug is controlling the seizures, but also that there are no untoward side effects.

ANIMAL LEGISLATION - NJ new animal cruelty law
New Jersey's acting governor, Donald T. DiFrancesco signed Monday, August 27, 2001 a new law. This law provides as much as 18 month prison sentence for anyone convicted of abuseing an animal. Those conviected also face a $10,000 fine. This was brought about by the cruelty of Butch, a young male Rottweiler.

Hot Dog Tech - Can the Hotdog save man's best friend?
By Becky Worley, Tech Live - Originally posted July 5, 2002

On a hot summer's day it takes only minutes for a dog to die of heat exhaustion in a closed car. A vehicle with its windows rolled up left in an unshaded area in summer can heat up to nearly double the outside temperature within minutes. Tonight's "Tech Live" takes a look at a possible solution to the deadly problem. Police officer Michael Andrel in Darby Township Pennsylvania adores his partner. Yeager is a highly trained German shepherd who rides on patrol with Andrel. But Yeager doesn't leave the squad car for every call. Sometimes he has to stay in the back of the car, even on hot muggy East Coast summer days. That can be dangerous. But Andrel has a weapon to protect his partner -- a device called the Hotdog, a temperature monitor used in canine unit police cars. The sensor's thermometer measures air temperature inside the car. When it reaches 85 degrees, the horn of the vehicle begins to beep. How the Hotdog works. It's not just a warning device. Hotdog, which is manufactured by law enforcement equipment maker Criminalistics, is hooked into the car's electrical system. When temperatures reach 88 degrees inside the cruiser, the horn blares even more frequently, then a fan is activated near Yeager's cage and the windows are automatically rolled down. On a 78-degree day, the temperature inside a shaded car is 90 degrees. A car parked in the sun can reach 160 degrees in minutes. For a dog, heatstroke death takes just 15 minutes. The Hotdog system has been used by Andrel and other canine units in Darby County during the past three years and now other police departments elsewhere are finding a need for the device. Tragic incident. Police in Pennsylvania say they think the Hotdog device could have saved Woodrow, a Philadelphia police dog with the K-9 unit who died last month when his handler accidentally left him in the car on a day when the temperature topped 85 degrees. As a result of the tragic death of Woodrow, a 5-year-old German shepherd, the Philadelphia Police Department is implementing the Hotdog system. All the units were donated by music publisher and Philadelphia philanthropist Kal Rudman. He is also donating two new dogs for the police department and another German shepherd to replace Woodrow. For every pooch. But the Hotdog is not just for police departments. It's available to purchase for $328. If you want one with a pager that alerts you to the car's temperature, the price is $598. You can buy the device at Criminalistics' website. The system is also available from the Ray Allen Manufacturing website for $309.95 ($524.95 for the pager model). To order, scroll down to the bottom of the page. If you can't afford the Hotdog, here are some analog tips for keeping your dog safe, courtesy of a Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine article distributed to canine officers: Heat stroke is a life-threatening medical emergency that occurs when an overheated dog's body temperature soars four to seven degrees above the normal range of 100 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit.
What to look for:
Excessive panting
Brick-red oral membranes Weakness
Loss of coordination, or collapse
What to do:
Contact your veterinarian, who may direct you to begin cooling the dog yourself or to bring it to the clinic.
If you begin cooling your dog, use cool, not ice-cold, water & a fan to bring the dog's body temperature down to 103.
How to prevent heatstroke
Never leave a dog unattended in a car during warm weather.
Keep your dog inside on hot, humid days, particularly if the heat regulation mechanisms are compromised by age, heart, lung disease, or a pug nose. If you leave your dog outside, provide plenty of fresh water (with a backup supply if one bowl tips over) and access to shade at all times of day. Don't shave longhaired dogs in hot weather. Hair coats operate as air-filled buffers shielding the dog's skin from heat.

Fireworks fear
Fourth of July hoopla poses problem for pets with noise phobias.
By Abe Aamidor - abe.aamidor@indystar.com - July 02, 2002.
Amid the rockets' red glare and the bombs bursting in air this Independence Day, your pet may decide that, instead of celebrating, he'd rather be hyperventilating -- under the bed, in the upstairs bathroom or in a hall closet far from the madding crowd. "The Fourth of July is probably the most disliked day of the year, primarily for dogs," said Gary R. Sampson, a local veterinarian who specializes in animal behavior. Firecrackers, cap guns (real guns, sometimes) and general revelry and mayhem can drive dogs bonkers, says Sampson. Cats don't like it either, but they just leave. Part of the problem is that dogs have better hearing than humans, and not just at higher pitches. Breed, size and gender of dog don't matter -- some dogs are bothered by what they hear, while others are not. Thunderstorms also bother lots of pets. The most agitated animals may bolt and run into the street, or may even jump through glass, seriously injuring themselves. Technically, it's a noise phobia, because there is no real danger to dogs from firecrackers fired from a safe distance. Ditto for thunderstorms -- some dogs are startled and agitated by the crack of thunder and lightning high in the sky, but there is no real danger to the animal unless it's left out in the storm. Laurie Eshelman says her 7-year-old golden retriever mix, Scruffy, has had a noise phobia for the past three years, since he was startled by thunder while staying at an outdoor kennel. "My dog is paranoid, literally, of thunder," said Eshelman, who owns a medical claims and billing company locally. "If the door to the basement is open, and he hears thunder, he goes down there, even if it's dark." Scruffy also reacts badly to fireworks, but Eshelman has never sought treatment for the dog. Dr. Mona Gitter, a Noblesville veterinarian, says she gets requests from 50 to 100 owners a year who want her to prescribe sedatives for their pets, typically because of thunderstorms or Fourth of July noise-related issues. But she often tells owners that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. "If you can keep them in a quiet place and away from the fireworks, (the pets) don't react that badly," said Gitter. If you or your neighbors really must be boisterous on the Fourth, Gitter suggests placing your pet in an interior room in its cage for the duration of the celebration. It may help if you stay with the pet for a while, too. But she also says a little behavior modification never hurt. Dogs can be trained to laugh at the noise! Gitter, Sampson and other vets suggest desensitizing dogs and other pets to the noise from an early age by letting them get used to it. For example, you might tape-record an actual storm or firecrackers going off and play it back a low volume, then increase the volume later to acclimate the animal. You can just a fire off a cap gun from a considerable distance, then move closer in stages. As with any animal training, you may have to try these techniques several times. If all else fails, a veterinarian can prescribe a short-acting sedative to administer to the pet about an hour before the mayhem begins. Pet owners are cautioned not to use human sedatives or tranquilizers, though. It's not just pets that suffer from the Fourth of July or thunder. Jeff Proudfoot, senior veterinarian at the Indianapolis Zoo, says emus (large, ostrichlike birds), llamas and baby dolphins were startled by Labor Day fireworks last year. The llamas "darted about in their pen," said Proudfoot. The dolphins "sensed it and swam around the pool pretty fast." But thunderstorms? When some of the animals are grazing or playing in outdoor areas they often don't even want to come inside, he said.

(sad to read, but helpful)
Parting with your pet
Deciding when it's time for a beloved companion to die is a tough call.
By Abe Aamidor - abe.aamidor@indystar.com - July 28, 2002
Call Abe Aamidor at 1-317-444-6472.
The doctor and his assistant arrived at the Carmel home promptly at 8 a.m. He was dressed in a white lab coat and carrying a traditional wide-mouth leather bag. The family of four sat in the great room on a long couch with their sickly old cat Nexxus. Ari and Jennifer Gleckman, their 2-year-old son Ashton, and 7-year-old daughter Ariana, played with their Maine Coon mix cat. They hugged him and stroked him, and said their goodbyes. Ariana studied a poem she had written the night before. ". . . I was very happy when I saw Nexxus. But when I heard that he was going to be killed I was not happy. I cried. But there was nothing I could do. . . ," she had written. While assistant Gina Elliott held Nexxus still, Tim Howell, a veterinarian at the Cat Care Clinic, 9512 Haver Way, injected the cat with a lethal dose of phenobarbital. "First, they lose consciousness," said Howell. "They may lick their nose, then they go to sleep. It's not stressful at all to the cat." It took four seconds for Nexxus to die. Pet owners may wish their terminally ill or very old dogs and cats would gently go to sleep at night and simply not get up the next morning, but veterinarians say most owners will have to choose euthanasia. And vets acknowledge it will be one of the toughest decisions pet owners will ever have to make. It's not known how many cats and dogs undergo what is commonly called "compassionate euthanasia," but most of the estimated 115 million cats and dogs in the United States will not die naturally. They will be euthanized at some point in time. Theresa Luley, a Sheridan-based veterinarian who exclusively makes house calls, recalled a recent euthanasia for an 18-year-old sheltie mix. "She had a big tumor in her mouth, and the time finally came," said Luley. "When I got there the dog was out in the back yard under a tree and it was a beautiful day and the lady and her husband were home and she had a beautiful poem/prayer that she had written and she asked if she could read it before I gave the injection. By the time she was finished, I was crying, too." Several local veterinarians say they perform, on average, two or three euthanasia procedures weekly -- typically in their clinics. A spokesman for the Humane Society of Indianapolis, 7929 Michigan Road, says his organization performs 25 to 30 such procedures monthly. Indianapolis Animal Care and Control, 2600 Harding St., also accepts pets for compassionate euthanasia. The procedure is the same or similar at all facilities, typically involving a lethal injection of barbiturate. Costs vary, but the Humane Society charges $30 for the procedure and $30 for disposal of the remains. Howell said he would bill for less than $100 for his house call and the euthanasia, the Gleckmans chose to bury Nexxus on their property. Congestive heart disease, kidney failure and cancer are the leading reasons pets are put to sleep. Better veterinary care that has given many pets longer lives has increased the incidence of cancer in old age, vets say. The big question most owners have is how to know when it is time. "It's an agonizing choice," said Luley. "You don't want to wait too long, and you don't want to be premature." In general, when a pet stops being responsive to its environment or refuses to engage in any activities it used to enjoy, then it is time, vets say. "Sometimes it's real clear- cut," said Lisa Sponsler of The Broad Ripple Animal Clinic. "The animal is clearly in pain, and there's no treatment. Other times the illness is real gradual." The Gleckmans decided to euthanize Nexxus after moving to their new Carmel home two months ago. The 14-year-old cat was arthritic, incontinent and increasingly senile and uncommunicative and had resisted effective treatment for at least eight months, said Ari Gleckman. "I had my hand on the cat" after the injection, said Ari. "You could just feel his heartbeat going away." Julie Smith, a local animal- rights activist, recently had her cat Linus put to sleep. Linus had been in treatment for chronic renal failure for three years, but began to be extremely tired and was vomiting a lot. Smith and her husband took the cat into a large sunroom in their home and camped out with Linus for a time; then a veterinarian came to the home to administer the lethal injection via an intravenous plug. "We spent a lot of time with Linus and said our good-byes," said Smith. Money can be a factor in choosing pet euthanasia. Some owners will spend extraordinary sums to keep a sickly cat or dog alive, but others may balk at the expense. "People say, 'I'm going to spend four or five hundred dollars and I'm only going to get nine more months with this pet because it's a metastatic cancer?' You have to respect that," said Dr. Sandra Norman, director of companion animal and equine for the State Board of Animal Health. The Gleckman family was well-prepared for the loss of Nexxus. Jennifer Gleckman says it was at her nephew's birthday party earlier this spring that they found their new cat, UCONN, named for Ari's alma mater. "She was a stray in Irvington," said Jennifer Gleckman. "We knew Nexxus was not going to live forever, so we brought her home."

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Household Chemicals & Poisons IT’S JUST COMMON sense to keep chemicals and cleaning solvents away from children and pets. Cats and dogs will eat many things that humans know to stay away from. Sometimes the things humans eat can be harmful or even life threatening to pets. Dogs and cats like to play, but they also enjoy getting into and eating all sorts of strange things. One 3-1/2-year-old, 85 pound pit bull named Retro proved no exception. According to pit bull owner Karen Heidgerd, “He’ll eat almost anything – even wooden spoons, which somehow come out in exactly the same shape they went in.” Retro may be a strong dog, but when he wolfed down 4 oz. of an asthma medication called Albuterol which was meant for another dog, he was brought to his knees. “He had tremors, his heart rate was 180 and in a dog his size it should have been 120,” said Heidgerd. Fortunately, Retro lived to bark about it. Dr. Steve Hansen, a veterinary toxicologist at the ASPCA, said that many household products and medications can be harmful to pets. Even medications intended for dogs, such as some flea treatments, may be poisonous to cats. While many people know that chocolate can be toxic to pets, you may not know that apple seeds are as well. So are macadamia nuts, and for some dogs, onions can be very dangerous. Many people love to plant spring gardens full of flowers and vegetables at this time of year. But some of the things you plant or flowering plants you may bring inside can pose poisoning hazards. The ASPCA said that tiger lilies, day lilies and Easter lilies are lethal for cats. Hyacinths are very toxic for both cats and dogs. Geraniums also are toxic, as is Baby’s Breath, philodendron and diefencacchia. Shrubs such as azalea and rhododendrum are as well. Daffodils are extremely dangerous to cats and dogs, but if you want spring flowers that deer won’t touch, daffodils do the trick. According to the ASPCA, there are between 50,000 and 60,000 pet poisonings reported to the ASPCA’s Poison Control Center every year. For more information on how to protect your pet, Your vet can also provide you with information about what type of first aid kit to have on hand for a dog or cat. Call the Poison Control at 1-888-426-4435, or visit their Web site.
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center 1717 S. Philo Road - Suite 36 Urbana, IL 61802 PH: 888- 426- 4435 http://www.apcc.aspca.org/ The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is aware of recent reports of dogs alleged to have developed kidney failure following ingestion of large amounts of grapes or raisins. Veterinary toxicologists at the APCC are currently investigating these cases in an attempt to determine the causative agents or disease processes. At this time the exact role of grapes or raisins in these cases is unclear. Pet owners whose dogs have ingested large quantities of grapes or raisins, or veterinarians managing such cases, are encouraged to call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435) immediately.
ANTI FREEZE According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, one of approximately 500 American pets run afoul of anti-freeze during 1999. A major ingredient in antifreeze, ethylene glycol, is colorless and tastes sweet. The temptation for pets and small children is obvious. Yet the chemical can be deadly. As little as two ounces can be swallowed is deadly. Antifreeze also contains sizable amounts of zinc and lead. Draining antifreeze out of a car or boat and letting it flow along a public gutter is illegal every where. A dog's life cannot be saved unless you act within six to eight hours as stated by vets. Death caused by irreversible internal hemorrhages. Check out this site for poisons! http://www.avma.org/pubhlth/poisgde.html
SKUNK SPRAYED DOG 1 Qt. 3% hydrogen peroxide 1/4 cup baking soda 1 teaspoon liquid soap (Any brand will work) A chemist developed this formula to rid the skunky odor. This MUST be mixed in an open container. To do otherwise is to risk explosion and possible injury. The mixture does not blow up. It creates a fizzy solution, the resultant pressure buildup and can explode a container. Mix and use ONLY what you need. DO NOT ATTEMPT to store the mixture. You can make larger amounts if needed to wash bigger animals. Mix in a bucket or bowl as it will fizz. Wet the animal with the solution. Knead it well into the fur to alter every bit of thiols on the hair. BE CAREFUL to keep it out of the eyes, nose and mouth. Use a sponge or dishcloth to wash the face. Leave on for a few minutes. Follow this with a thorough rinse with water. I have never tried the above, not responsible for any results. Tomato juice does not work.
When Emergency Hits Being prepared is crucial to pet's well being BY RUTH BASHINSKY - Daily News Staff Writer Colton is trained to save lives but when her 6-year-old Dalmatian, Dotty, started choking on a piece of rawhide, she froze. "Since dog anatomy is so much different than the human body, I was at a loss," said the upper East Side flight attendant, who is required to take emergency training for her job. "Even the doggie medical books I went through did not help." Fortunately, Colton was able to rally her neighbor for help. "He started thumping her on her side by her ribs; she got so aggravated that she barked and out came the piece of rawhide," recalled Colton. When emergency strikes with your four legged friend, being prepared is crucial, says Deanna Amoroso, a health and safety instructor with the American Red Cross who teaches pet owners how to identify an emergency and go into action. "Pet first aid is very similar in concept and theory to human first aid," she said. "But sometimes the actual technique and performance might differ because of the animal's anatomy." Amoroso offers the following basic tips until a pet owner can get the animal to the vet. Choking:Try to clear the airway by lifting the animal by its hind legs. If the object is not ejected, move to abdominal thrusts by placing a fist just below its last rib and moving it in an upward shove. CPR:The mouth-to-snout procedure is used only when the pet no longer has a pulse, said Amoroso. The most common pulse point on a dog or cat is the inside of the lower left leg. Hit by a car: Keep the pet quiet and warm. If there is a chance of broken bones try to immobilize the animal with a splint as you transport it to a vet. Poisoning: Call a vet or poison center immediately. Try to determine what your pet has ingested. In some cases, a professional might suggest that you induce vomiting with hydrogen peroxide. Cuts or deep wounds: Never remove an embedded object, such as sharp glass, nail or anything that could be sticking out of the skin because it can cause more damage, said Amoroso. Instead, stabilize the object in place so it's not moving around and rush the animal to a vet. Bite wounds: Apply a sterile water soluble lubricant to the hair, then clip the hair gently away from the wound. Flush the area with warm water or a saline solution. Most important, says Amoroso, is for pet owners to pay attention to what is normal for their pet so they can detect signals when something is wrong. For instance, knowing what their heart and pulse rate is and the color of their gums and mouth. Dr. Linda Barton, an emergency and critical care specialist from the Animal Medical Center, says pet owners should keep handy a list of phone numbers, including the vet, an after hours clinic and a poison control center. The American Red Cross is conducting a pet first aid course Aug. 28 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call (800) 514-5103 or visit its Web site at http://www.nyredcross.org.
Permission to cross post to other lists granted by author of this post!! Darlene---------- I am writing with a heavy heart to share my experience so hopefully even one dog can be saved (if it is possible to do so). Anyone whose dogs go out on a lawn should read this. We have 2.5 acres completely fenced (our whole back property). It is landscaped (lawn, with trees). Just like any suburban backyard only larger. We did this for the comfort and enjoyment of our dogs, we also have a large gravel run (thank goodness). I give you this background because there is nothing "weird" about our lawn or our property, no fancy shrubbery or exotic plants. We do not spray for anything, we do not use poisons of any sort. We have lived here 3 summers. Our dogs regularly run loose in our backyard (daily). Last evening I let 7 adults and two five month old puppies have the run of the place while I scooped poop. I went in about 5:15 p.m. and went back to let them in at 7:15 p.m. Two hours. Plus, maybe 45 minutes while I was there but obviously not watching their every move. One of the puppies was lying on the walkway by the porch and could barely lift his head. All the other dogs seemed normal. I grabbed him and he was very limp. He had copious drool around his mouth (like car sickness), and had had some watery runs, almost pure water. By the time I got him into the house and phoned the vet (seconds) he was almost dead. I drove like a maniac but this baby boy was DOA at the vet's office. This a.m. I took him to Guelph University (Canadian version of Cornell) for a postmortem. I just received the results. Mushrooms..and not very much (one small whole one and some pieces). Even if this puppy ate the mushrooms when I first put them out (4:30) he went from perfect to dead in 3 hours tops. The vet doing the tmortemsaid it was very unsual for a dog to die so fast from this, but he has seen it before, in another vet's dog. He is sending the mushroom & pieces to a botanist. I will post more if I get further information. However, be warned that I live in the Northeast with plants etc. typical to large regions of the U.S. and Canada. Further...when I got home and could really check the other dogs, his litter brother and their dam also had been drooling (especially the brother) but they were fine and remained fine. The drooling stopped but even while drooling the dogs would eat and were normal in every other way. Since we have lived here we have occasionally had a dog do this heavy drooling, sometimes with a slight watery discharge from the rear, but it would only last an hour or so and in all cases the dogs were fine before, during and after. This has happened maybe once a month in the summer, with just one or two dogs. The first time it happened we watched like hawks, but then realized the dog was We were CONVINCED it was from playing with toads. Excessive (copious) drooling but otherwise appearing fine is a symtom of having mouthed a toad (which gives off a mild toxin). It only happened in the summer, and never in the dog run. And now we know that WAS MUSHROOMS and not toads. I have searched and searched on the net and also looked through a veterinary book and the puppy's symptoms did not match what I read. Neither did the very rapid death. The vet that did the postmortem says this is unusual but he has seen this rapid death before. In another vet's dog. So if you see copious drooling and your dog appears fine, and stays fine, the next time it happens could mean sudden death. My dogs are staying in the run until I can figure out what to do or until winter, whichever comes first. Don't think it couldn't happen to you. I just can't BELIEVE it has happened to me, I am totally sick about it. If anyone has any extensive knowledge of mushrooms or of any way to eradicate them completely, I would be thrilled to hear from you. "Warner", a sweet and cuddly bi-black boy. May 19, 2000 to October 17, 2000. We loved you. Jo Ann Pavey- Whitegates Shelties - Palgrave, Ontario, Canada
Police and their K-9 partners attend regional workshop near Delaware City Police learn how to handle their four-legged partners By EDWARD L. KENNEY- Staff reporter - 04/10/2002 Patrolman Mike Buemi of the Binghamton, N.Y., police department would have no problem giving his German shepherd Harris mouth-to-nose resuscitation if the K-9's life depended on it. "Absolutely. No question about it," he said. "I ride with that dog eight hours a day. That's the closest member of my family I have right now." Buemi was one of about 40 officers who learned about first aid for dogs Tuesday, the start of a three-day regional dog-handling workshop near Delaware City. Delaware City police Sgt. Michael Brown, who organized the event, stood near an open-sided tent on the grounds of the Governor Bacon Health Center and glanced around as several field classes were held simultaneously. "They're doing aggressive control over here, teaching the dog to go after suspects," Brown said, pointing to an officer in a "bite suit" with a dog clutching his arm. "In this building here, they're doing bomb searches. And in this other building, they're doing narcotics searches." Police cars parked near the training area bore the insignia of a variety of agencies, including Pennsylvania units from Penn Hill, Parkesburg, Exeter, East Fallowfield and Tredyffrin. Dogs paced the back seats of some of the cars and barked loudly as people walked past. Brown was at a similar K-9 workshop in Cambridge, Md., on Sept. 11, the day terrorists took over jetliners, and that gave him the idea to hold a workshop here. "Since 9-11, our calls for services have increased, not only for bomb threats but people out there calling about suspicious vehicles and suspicious people they have seen," Brown said. He already had a site for the workshop. Delaware City police have an agreement with the health center to use the grounds and nearby vacant buildings for dog training. Brown also built a K-9 obstacle course there last year, and officers in Delaware and nearby states have been using it regularly. Tuesday, Patrolman Joe O'Neill of the Wilmington police led his 2-year-old German shepherd, Ben, through his paces on the course, where the two have worked in tandem before. When he's at home, he's bored," he said of Ben, a bomb dog. "You get him in the back of a police car, he wants to go. This is their whole life. They love work." Lewes Police Officer P.J. Martin brought his mixed-breed K-9 Iwan (pronounced Ivan) to the workshop, one of more than a dozen dog-training sessions the officer has attended in the past 11 years. "To me, it's exciting," he said. "Also, there's no better place for K-9 officers to learn something than by talking to other K-9 handlers." Martin said Iwan is a gentle dog at home with his family. But like the other dogs, a voice command can bring out his aggressive side. "He's really like a switch; you can turn him off and on," Martin said. "You can pet him. But then I could back up a few feet and tell him to guard you and you wouldn't be able to pet him. And if you walked toward him, he would bite you." Kevin Kelleher, a dog trainer with the Norfolk, Va., police, is one of five master trainers who volunteered to train handlers and dogs at the workshop. He wore the padded bite suit, letting Roni and other dogs chomp on his arm, as he acted out the part of a suspect or decoy. The successive sets of sharp teeth took a toll on his arm, despite the padding. "What we're aiming for is a dog that will bite and hold, so you do minimal damage," said Kelleher, who removed his jacket to show off some puncture wounds on his forearm. "The idea is, if you're a good decoy, it won't do that," he said of the bites. "Evidently, I'm not a good enough decoy." Reach Edward L. Kenney at 324-2891 or ekenney@delawareonline.com. Police dog Cinta navigates an obstacle course Tuesday at Governor Bacon Health Center under the watchful eye of Cpl. (LEFT) Terry O'Connor of New Castle County police. The event was part of a police dog-handling workshop that runs through Thursday. (MIDDLE) Wilmington police Cpl. Damian Vice hugs his partner Rik after the dog turned in a strong performance Tuesday. (RIGHT) Wilmington police Cpl. Bill McGillan calls off Remco during line aggression training. In Remco's clutches is Officer Kevin Kelleher of the Norfolk (Va.) police.
MAINE BILL SIGNED - April 2002 The picture below is Maine Governor Angus King, getting the 'paw of approval' on LD 2090, which will allow Maine Vest-a-Dog to legally resume their fund-raising activities to provide bullet/stab-protective vests for Maine police dogs. K-9 Sarge of the Lewiston Police Department is aided by his handler, Ofc. Tim Morin. During ME Vest-a-Dog's efforts to make this Bill a reality, an AP article ran about them - and folks from around the world signed their guestbook in support. Visit their website at http://mainevestadog.homestead.com

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