Dog Park Update: Che is returned!

Che the lost pooch we reported on yesterday was reunited with his owner. It turns out, Che probably just wandered off and escaped from the dog beach. We're glad he's safe, but this is a perfect opportunity to remind everyone to watch your dog at all times. Moreover, before letting Fido off leash, verify that all escape routes are closed off.

Scroll down to the comments at the end of the article--the discuss is interesting. Readers are debating whether the people who found the dog would have returned him without the $2500 reward and whether they should have accepted the reward.

Danger at the Dog Park: What to do if your dog is lost or stolen

KIDNAP VICTIM: Che is a 6 month old Shar-pei/Pug mix with a surgical scar on his belly. He weighs about 30 pounds and is white with brown spots. IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION CALL (773) 415-9813.

Over the weekend, this cute Shar-pei/Pug was stolen at one of Chicago's dog beaches. Everyone considers dog parks and dog beaches safe havens to play and socialize. After all, these places are filled with dog lovers. Unfortunately, some bad people take advantage of the collegial atmosphere and tragedy can occur. Support for Che and his owner has been overwhelming. Posters have sprung up all over town and hundreds of people are on the look out. Che's owner has offered a $2500 reward for his safe return with no questions asked.

Che's owner has already been contacted by a scam artist claiming to have the dog. If your dog is lost or stolen, what should you do and how can you protect yourself from scam artists trying to take advantage of your situation?

Regardless of how conscientious and careful you are, Fido can end up lost or sadly, stolen. Your chances of recovering your pet are a million times better if he’s wearing an identification tag and he has a microchip. Collars can slip off; chips are permanent. Most veterinary offices and shelters have equipment to read a microchip. If the information is current, Fido will be back in your arms that much sooner.

The moment you realize that Fido is missing, do the following:

1. Grab a recent picture of your pet and roam the area where he was last seen. Call your pet’s name as loudly as you can. He may be scared and hearing your voice is likely to draw him to you. In addition, talk to everyone you meet on your search. They may have information that will lead you to your dog.
2. Contact all local shelters and animal-welfare organizations, animal-control agencies and veterinary offices, as well as the police. Provide a detailed description of your dog and any information about the incident.
3. Visit the local shelters every day. You know exactly what your pet looks like. A shelter worker may have a different idea of what light brown, spotted or short hair means. Moreover, many dogs may fit your description.
4. Alert your neighbors. Go door-to-door; ask people who live and work in the area if they’ve seen your dog.
5. Place an article of your clothing on the front porch so your dog can smell home. Dogs have been known to return after many months and many miles
6. Advertise! Prepare a flyer with your dog’s picture, your contact phone numbers and e-mail address and information about his last known whereabouts. Hang the flyers on signposts and telephone poles and in stores, animal hospitals, libraries, coffee shops and other locations in the area. Place ads in newspapers, online and on the radio. Place the information on Facebook, Twitter and other social networking sites.Get the community involved--the more people that are on the look out the better.

The announcement should include a detailed description of your pet, such as breed, gender, age, weight, color and any special markings or characteristics. It’s despicable and unforgivable, but evil people may try to play on your heart strings while you are searching for your lost pet. Therefore, always leave out one identifying detail to protect yourself from scam artists. Likewise, never include your home address.

If someone calls or e-mails claiming to have your pet, ask her to describe your dog. If the person doesn’t mention this characteristic, she’s not trustworthy. Moreover, if the story seems far-fetched, it probably is. Be wary of any person who asks for money before returning your pet. Most Good Samaritans are not motivated by financial benefit. Always arrange to meet a stranger in a public place, such as an animal shelter, a pet-supply store or a veterinary office. Don’t pay a reward until you have your dog firmly in hand. If you believe that someone has stolen your pet or is trying to scam you, contact the police.

Pet Portals

Many vets are offering an interesting new service called a Pet Portal. Here's an example from Jill's vet Blum Animal Hospital in Chicago. The free service allows a pet owner 24/7 seccure access to a variety of important information and services such as:

• vaccination history
• request appointments and ask questions
• medical alerts and recall information
• order prescription refills
• articles on pet care and health
• medication and exam reminders
• instructions for pet sitters
• birthday reminders

The portal is essentially a web page for your dog. It's private, password protected and allows you to access your pet's information even when the vet is closed. It's a convenient way to manage your pet’s health care and medication schedule, communicate with the animal hospital and learn about pet health.

Check with your vet to see if the office offers Pet Portals. In addition, be sure to read the policy for email lists. Most vet's offering Pet Portals don't sell your email. Some, however, send coupons and information from companies the office determines to be beneficial to patients. In the later case, you should be able to opt out of receiving any ads--unless of course you enjoy spam.

High Flying Canines

Wow! Some dogs can really fly! This past weekend extreme canine athletes competed in the Teva Mountain Games in Vail, Colorado. Rouser launched himself 24 ft 7 inches off a dock in pursuit of a toy and won the air distance jump competition. Another high flying pooch, Jet, clinched the vertical jump competition by leaping 6 ft 2 inches off the ground and then went on to win the speed-retrieve competition.

Here's a video of Georgia competing in the air distance jump competition.

Here are some fun videos of dogs competing at other events:

• Diesel jumping 25ft.
• Qualifying for the world championships.

If your pooch likes to run, jump and follow directions, check out the Dock Dogs website. With training and practice, your pooch could break the world record for Outdoor Big Air Jump now held by Country, who jumped 28 feet 10 inches on October 9, 2005.

HAPPY DOG: An Update On Our Book

We interrupt our regularly scheduled dog information blog with an update on our book HAPPY DOG: CARING FOR YOUR DOG'S BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT. We are getting closer and closer to publication on September 1, 2009.

In addition to helping you improve the life of your pet, we want to help improve the lives of dogs in need. For that reason, all of our book events will benefit local shelters. Please email us if you'd like to plan a book event in your city to benefit your favorite animal rescue, shelter or animal welfare group.

We've had some other exciting news as well:

• All the major book clubs, including the Literary Guild, Doubleday Book Club, Book of the Month Club, Crossings, Lifestyle, Children’s and Black Expressions Book Club will be offering a special hardcover edition of HAPPY DOG beginning in September.


• Billy will be appearing in an article in the September issue of Good Housekeeping Magazine.


• We have teamed up with Barker and Meowsky to raise money to help dogs in need. Barker & Meowsky will donate a portion of each book they sell to several animal welfare organizations and shelter. More details to come!


• We will be signing books at Chicago Animal Care and Control's BIG NIGHT annual fundraiser on September 9 in Chicago from 6:30 -9:00 pm at the Cultural Center. This event features food from Chicago's top chefs and a fab silent auction. More details to come.

So stay tuned--we'll share the news as we receive it!

And now, back to our regularly scheduled dog care blog...

Here's the poop on poop.

If your dog has diarrhea or strange stools (or is vomiting) for more than 24 hours, call your vet. Strange poop could be loose, mucus-y, unusual or different smelling or an off color like white, tan or green.

We've all heard this admonition many times. Even us dog experts in Happy Dog Land know this rule. Yet, Jill ignored Shadow's bathroom issues and she's hoping you all learn from her mistake.

Yesterday, Shadow had an appointment for his semi-annual examination. On the way, Jill & Shadow stopped in to visit Billy at his salon. Shadow promptly went to the bathroom on the floor. Jill scooped it up to bring to the vet and thoroughly sanitised the floor. "Strange that Shadow had an accident," she thought, "but convenient because now I have a stool sample for his appointment."

During the appointment, Jill and her vet discussed Shadow's lifestyle and habits. The doctor discovered that Shadow had lost 2 pounds since his last visit in February. Concerned, the doctor, asked about Shadow's stools. Jill mentioned that Shadow had had a bit of diarrhea over the past few weeks, but nothing memorable.

Today, the doctor called and notified Jill that Shadow has Giardiasis, a bad-news parasite. Shadow is now being treated. Hopefully, this explains Shadow's weight loss too.

Looking back on the last few weeks, Shadow's stools were occasionally, but not consistently, loose or strange. Shadow did have at least one messy accident in the house, but because his stools were often "normal" Jill figured that he had a minor stomach ache. She figured wrong and now she feels like the world's worst dog mom!

So please, for Fido's sake, internalize and follow these two simple rules:

1. CONTACT YOUR VET IF YOUR DOG HAS DIARRHEA, A CHANGE IN HIS STOOL OR IS VOMITING FOR MORE THAN 24 HOURS. (And, yes, we're yelling!) Fido's stool does not have to be continually different to be a red flag. If his stool is loose or weird even twice, it never hurts to call. If it's more than a minor stomach upset, you'll be glad you did!
2. A fresh stool sample yields the most reliable test results. Ideally, bring Fido's sample to the vet as soon as possible, the fresher the better! If you can't get the sample to the vet immediately, keep it cool or refrigerated. Discard samples that are more than 12 hours old according to the American Animal Hospital Association. Shadow's sample was extremely fresh (only 30 minutes old), which helped the vet diagnose Giardiasis. This parasite is often eludes testing if the sample is stale.

Bo Obama: Comic Book Super Hero

First he's a Beanie Baby and now this! What a lucky dog!

The nation's First Portuguese Water Dog (who is second only to Zeke, Billy's Portie) is staring in issue number four of the Marvel Comics series Lockjaw and the Pet Avengers. The issue will be available August 12, 2009.

When Bo is returns to the White House after saving the universe, perhaps he can give the President a few tips on saving the economy or, at least, the auto industry.