Bradenton Dog

Mary Lou Davidson

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Greener Grass for Shelter Dogs in Manatee County

The dogs at Manatee County Animal Services will have greener grass to play and run on thanks to some very generous local businesses and the Picture Them Adopted group.

Picture Them Adopted is a program of photographers and volunteers who take professional pictures of the dogs and cats at Manatee County Animal Services to try and increase their chances of adoption by showing their personalities through a great photo. The two areas where the dogs are photographed were not so picture perfect however.  So the group stepped in to try and get sod donated to fix up the photo areas.

Caryn Hodge, PTA organizer, contacted Sandy Moses of Sandy’s Lawn Service to present the problem. Sandy in turn contacted several companies she thought might chip in to help. According to Sandy, “Everyone I called wanted to help…It was amazing.” Harmony Care prepared the area by pre-treating for weeds and providing starter fertilizer for the sod. The county public works department prepared the areas by clearing debris and also installed the sod.  Sandy’s Lawn Service provided the top soil. The areas that needed to be covered equaled 3150 square feet. A total of 9 pallets were needed to cover the areas.

Initially, Sandy had several companies that were willing to contribute, and then one phone call changed the entire course of the project. Burnett’s Nursery, Big Earth and Bethel Farms were all ready to help by donating a portion of the sod. Sandy then called Everglades Farm Equipment to see if they would also pitch in. Gary Noel at Everglades decided to donate all of the sod required. He contacted his sod provider, SMR Sod Farms. They immediately came on board to provide the sod to Everglades at a considerable discount and to deliver the sod at no charge. According to Caryn Hodge, PTA organizer, “Sandy Moses took our request and did most of the footwork to make this happen.”

According to Moses, this project came along at the perfect time. “I have been grieving the loss of my 13 year old Golden Retriever, Cesar. Working on this project helped me deal with the loss and honor him at the same time.” Sandy states further, “It was my pleasure to work with these companies. What a great project this was to try and save the precious lives of these animals. Manatee County sure is an animal loving community.” Sandy’s comments are echoed in the efforts many have put forth in helping the county to become a NO KILL county by the end of 2012. The county was at 45% in September 2011. Currently they are at 80%. According to PTA organizer Ruth Uecker, who was also instrumental in helping to coordinate the sod project, “Providing a better environment and nicer play/run area for the dogs, makes them happier and therefore, more adoptable.”  Picture Them Adopted and Manatee County Animal Services extend their deepest gratitude to Sandy’s Lawn Service and the other companies that were so instrumental in getting this project accomplished.

For more information on animal adoptions, the NO KILL effort and how you can help Manatee County reach their goal visit www.manateecounty.org/pets.

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Breed Profile: Welsh Corgi

by Lauren R. Tharp

As the old Welsh term “cor gi” roughly translates to “dwarf dog,” is it any wonder that this lovely herding breed is known primarily for its squat stature?  Popularized in modern times by Queen Elizabeth II and recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1934, the Corgi has been making itself memorable over the years in books, movies, and even anime.
Physical Traits

Size & Weight:  Both male and female Corgis measure around 10-12 inches at the shoulder, and weigh 20-30 pounds.  This breed is “medium” in size.  They’re low to the ground, but long of body.

Coat & Color:  This breed sports a double coat: They have a medium-length, coarse, water-resistant overcoat with a shorter, plusher, undercoat.  Welsh Corgis come in all colors, but the most common are tan, black, red, sable, or fawn—with or without white markings.  And they have naturally short tails!

Other:  While, as a whole, this breed is known simply as “Welsh Corgis,” there are actually two distinct breeds in the group: Pembroke Welsh Corgi and Cardigan Welsh Corgi.  Both breeds originate from Wales and have only slight differences in coat texture and colors.  As you may have guessed, the differences are so minimal that (for other than show dog breeders) they’ve been lumped together into the same group.  However, this remains a fun fact to pull out at parties!

Life Expectancy:  12-15 years.

Temperament
A member of the Herding Group, the Welsh Corgi has been known to herd cattle, sheep, ponies, geese, and sometimes their owners!  This breed is bold, confident, and loyal to the end.  As the 11th most intelligent purebred dog breed in existence, Corgis are quick to learn and highly obedient.

Wags

  • Suitable for first-time owners.
  • Great with children.
  • Responds well to obedience training.

Challenges

  • They bark.  A lot.
  • While great with humans, they can sometimes be aggressive with other animals if not properly socialized with them early on.  Some male Corgis will remain aggressive toward other males even after socialization.
  • They require a fair amount of exercise. You may find them nipping at your heels with a “go go go” attitude if not sufficiently worn out throughout the day.

Does the Welsh Corgi sound like your ideal mate? Contact the Florida Corgi Rescue to find an adoptable Corgi in our area.

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April 25th: Pet Parents Day!

For all the poop they’ve scooped and the treats they’ve given, Pet Parent’s Day on Sunday, April 25, celebrates those who lovingly consider their pets part of the family. Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. (VPI), the nation’s oldest and largest provider of pet health insurance, commemorates the occasion by offering free customizable Pet Parent’s Day e-cards on its Facebook page, and donating up to $10,000 to One Dog Rescue, a non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing old, sick and forgotten pets who are looking for pet parents of their own.

Throughout the month of April, visitors to VPI’s Facebook page can customize a free Pet Parent’s Day e-card to send to their pet loving friends. Visitors can select among creative and fun dog, cat, bird and exotic pet illustrations, or upload a photo of their favorite furry friend. Senders will also be able to compose a personalized message on each e-card to pet parent recipients. Both senders and recipients can share the finished Pet Parent’s Day e-card with family and friends on Facebook.

Additionally, VPI will donate $5 (up to $10,000) to One Dog Rescue for every pet insurance quote generated at PetParentsDay.com during the month of April. One Dog Rescue is a non-profit organization dedicated to rescuing old, sick, injured and forgotten pets, many of whom are on the short list to be euthanized.

“For many people, pets are part of the family,” said Curtis Steinhoff, director of corporate communications for VPI. “Over the years, pets have gone from the backyard, to the living room, to many times getting their own space in the bedroom with us. The human-animal bond has never been stronger, and we feel it is important to set aside a day to recognize the special commitment made by pet parents.”

About Veterinary Pet Insurance
With more than 485,000 pets insured nationwide, Veterinary Pet Insurance Co./DVM Insurance Agency is the No. 1 veterinarian-recommended pet health insurance company and is a member of the Nationwide Insurance family of companies. Providing pet owners with peace of mind since 1982, the company is committed to being the trusted choice of America’s pet lovers and an advocate of pet health education. VPI Pet Insurance plans cover dogs, cats, birds and exotic pets for multiple medical problems and conditions relating to accidents, illnesses and injuries. Optional CareGuard® coverage is available for routine care. Medical plans are available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. More than 2,700 companies nationwide offer VPI Pet Insurance as an employee benefit. Policies are underwritten by Veterinary Pet Insurance Company in California and in all other states by National Casualty Company, an A+15 rated company in Madison, Wisconsin. Pet owners can find VPI Pet Insurance on Facebook or follow @VPI on Twitter. For more information about VPI Pet Insurance, call 800-USA-PETS (800-872-7387) or visit petinsurance.com.


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Breed Profile: Boxer

by Lauren R. Tharp

Originally used for dog fighting, the Boxer would stand on its hind legs, striking out at its opponent with its front paws like, well, a boxer!  Officially recognized as a breed in 1904, the Boxer is currently the 7th most popular breed in the United States.  Many celebrities have taken a liking to Boxers over the years, including Humphrey Bogart and Justin Timberlake.

Physical Traits

Size & Weight:  On the larger end of “medium.”  Boxers typically measure 20-25 inches at the shoulder (with the females being on the smaller end of the scale) and weigh around 50-70 pounds.  They’re very muscular.

Coat & Color:  Smooth, coarse, short hair in either fawn/red or brindle coloring.  They can also come with a black mask and/or white markings.

Other:  “White” Boxers are fairly common.  However, they are actually considered to be a “fawn” or “brindle” dog with overly excessive white markings rather than a truly “white” dog.

Life Expectancy:  8-12 years.

Temperament

The top five character traits of a Boxer?  Alert, loyal, curious, brave, and very playful.  Boxers are equally at home in the role of a watchdog or bouncing around out back with the kids.  However, this breed can also be trouble if the owner isn’t confident enough to handle it.  This is a dog who likes to know who’s boss—and may challenge you for the title!  But, with the right amount of training and love, you could end up with a wonderful pet you won’t soon forget.

Wags

  • Little grooming needed.
  • Patient with children, even younger ones.  (Though be sure to supervise any early interaction until your Boxer is properly trained).  Boxers are known for loving kids and going out of their way to keep them happy and safe.
  • Highly excellent watch dogs.

Challenges

  • Not the best dog for first-time owners.  Boxers require a confident owner who’s willing to put in the time and effort into rigorous obedience training.
  • Early socialization is a must.  Got someone (human/pet/other) you want your Boxer to like?  Better introduce them to each other now!
  • Rowdy, slobbering, and prone to snoring.

If you are looking for a Boxer in your area, please check your local shelters or visit Florida Boxer Rescue.

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Poodle Profile

By Lauren Tharp

The perfect mix of beauty and brains, the Poodle has rightly earned its spot as the 8th most popular breed in America and the 2nd most intelligent by the American Kennel Club.  The Poodle, originally used as a hunting dog, has had an ever-changing role throughout its history.  Being employed as anything from a guide dog to an Army working dog to a circus performer, Poodles are now known more for their haircuts but one thing has never changed: How much their owners love them.

Physical Traits

Size & Weight:  This wonder dog comes in all sizes: Standard, Miniature, and Toy!  Standard Poodles are 15-20 inches at the shoulder and weigh 45-70 pounds.  Miniature Poodles are around 10-14 inches at the shoulder and typically weigh 6-10 pounds.  Toy Poodles, the smallest of them all, measure 10 inches or less at the shoulder and weigh an itty-bitty 4-6 pounds.

Coat & Color:  Poodle coats are curly or corded.  They’re available in nearly all solid colors including white, black, cream, blue, gray, silver, brown, and apricot.

Other:  Poodles don’t shed; their hair grows and grows and grows.  It’s because of this that the breed has their hair clipped on a regular basis.  However, the classic “poodle cut” was originally designed to help the dogs move through water more efficiently when on hunting trips with their masters.

Life Expectancy:  12-17+ years.  Life spans for Poodles vary.  As a general rule: The smaller the dog, the longer the lifespan.

Temperament

Never shy.  Quite the opposite, really.  Poodles are bold, confident, and highly intelligent.  Highly “people-orientated,” this breed loves (and needs!) human companionship.  They follow orders extremely well.

Wags:

  • They’re fantastic at obedience training! They learn quickly and they retain what they’ve learned, making them well-suited for old pros and first-time owners alike.
  • Great with children.
  • Considered by many to be more “hypoallergenic” than most breeds due to is lack of shedding.

Challenges:

  • Requires regular professional grooming.  This can be expensive and time-consuming.
  • Due to their strong hunting instinct, they’re not always the best breed to mingle with smaller animals.  Birds in particular could be in danger if your poodle isn’t introduced to them early enough.

Can grow to be high strung or mischievous if not physically exercised or mentally challenged on a regular basis

If you are considering adding a poodle to your family, please consider contacting one of our local rescue group or Florida Poodle Rescue.  Need some gear for Poodle?  Check out this cool site CollarPlanet.com or for breed specific Poodle goodies, RamonaLovesDogs.com.

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Rottweiler Profile

by Lauren R. Tharp

Opinions of Rottweilers vary wildly.  While many remember Alexandra Day’s Good Dog, Carl children’s book series, still more remember the breed as the “evil” dogs from The Omen.

The one thing everyone seems to agree on?  Rottweilers make excellent guard dogs!  Most commonly used as guard dogs, this breed is also commonly used for Police work, search and rescue, and sometimes as guide dogs for the blind.  Officially recognized by the AKC in 1931, Rottweilers are currently the 16th most popular breed in the United States.

Physical Traits

Size & Weight:  Large. Definitely large. Rottweilers grow to be 22-28 inches at the shoulder and can weigh 90-140 pounds!

Coat & Color:  The Rottweiler’s coloring is so “classic,” you’re probably already familiar with it, even if you didn’t know you were looking at Rottweiler at the time.  Their black coats with rust markings are so recognizable, it makes you say, “Oh, it’s one of those dogs…”  As for the texture of the breed’s coat:  It’s coarse, dense, and generally very straight.  Rottweilers have medium-length hair with thicker “undercoats” on their necks and thighs.

Other:  This breed sometimes has their tails docked (stubby tails).  Tail docking for this breed is most common in the United States and New Zealand.

Life Expectancy:  8-12 years.

Temperament:

Rottweilers are so known for being difficult, that the AKC itself has accepted it as simply a part of the breed personality, stating, “An aloof or reserved [Rottweiler] should not be penalized, as this reflects the accepted character of the breed. An aggressive or belligerent attitude towards other dogs should not be faulted.”  What’s that?  “Aggressive or belligerent?!”  Well…yes.  Rottweilers can have that temperament.  But Rotties can also be calm, loyal, brave, and hard-working.  With extensive training and early socialization, this breed can make a lovely pet.  If you’re willing to put in the time and effort, your dog will too!

Wags:

  • Excellent guard dogs.
  • Grooming needs are minimal.
  • If you’re highly athletic and enjoy running or swimming on a regular basis, a Rottweiler will definitely be able to keep up with you. (They require daily exercise!)

Challenges:

  • Their reputation precedes them…  Unfortunately, since Rottweilers have gotten such a bad rap over the years, many insurance companies have been refusing to insure homeowners with Rotties as pets.  Check your policy!
  • They get bored very easily.  This can lead to destructive behavior of the house-thrashing variety.
  • NOT for first-time owners. Rottweilers require a good deal amount of obedience training and socialization.  They need an owner who is as confident, strong-willed, and hard-working as they are.

If you are looking for a Rottweiler, please check your local shelters or visit : Adopt a Rottweiler