The Poodle (and Dog) Blog

“Only a punk would hurt a cat or dog”

The city of Baltimore has had some serious problems in the past few years with horrific cases of dog abuse by teenagers.

One case that drew national attention was when 17-year-old twin brothers doused a friendly one-year-old dog in gasoline and set her on fire for their own amusement. Other egregious incidents of animal torture have made the world wonder why there are so many sociopathic teenagers in Baltimore.

Now a campaign has been launched across the city in an effort to convince kids that real men love dogs and cats, they don’t torture them. “Hurting an animal is not a rite of passage to show your manhood."

The campaign features dozens of signs, billboards and leaflets featuring a local athlete with the message “Only a punk would hurt a dog or cat.” Raven, Jarret Johnson; Oriole, Adam Jones; and martial arts fighter, John Rallo have joined the effort.

Adams is giving his dog Eskimo kisses, Johnson calls his dog his best friend, and Rallo hugs a cat to his chest.

Nearly everything has been donated to the campaign, from the advertising expertise, photography, to media space as the city of Baltimore attempts to change their image to the world.

Thanks to Pam for the graphic

Puppy survives swallowing 15-inch post

I have vowed not to write any more posts about dogs swallowing stuff.

But this x-ray is the most bizarre I have ever seen.

Blue, an 8-week-old Pit Bull, managed to swallow a 15-inch metal flag post and make a full recovery.

Story and video

Macho men and tiny dogs—Brett Favre and Jazzmin

 Brett Favre cuddles Jazzmin the Yorkie in a quiet moment off the field

Brett Favre’s record of 297 consecutive starts in the National Football League will undoubtedly stand for many years. Favre is the only quarterback in NFL history to throw for over 70,000 yards and over 500 touchdowns.

He holds the record for most career touchdown pass completions, most career passing yards, and most career victories by a starting quarterback. He has led teams to eight division championships, five championship games, two Super Bowls, and one Lombardy trophy by winning Super Bowl XXXI.

Off the field he may have been somewhat of a drama queen in the later years, but even  though he holds the NFL quarterback record for most times sacked, he never whined about being on the ground after every play like that quarterback for the Eagles [cough Michael Vick] did. And he doesn’t insist that Jazzmin “belongs to his wife [cough Tom Brady].

Now in retirement he can look forward to quiet moments with Jazzmin while he waits to enter the Football Hall of Fame.

Idaho dog shows up in California, then Nevada

If only all dogs could write the way some of the blogging dogs write, we would have some exciting stories or maybe whole novels.

But we’ll never know exactly what convoluted adventures dogs like Reba have had.

Reba, a 18-month-old Border Collie cross, went missing from her secure outdoor kennel in Troy, Idaho on September 13 with only a collar and vaccination tag. Her family, Kamy and Travis Heath and their two young boys, searched the city, but could not find her.

Two days later a woman in Roseville, California found a black and white dog with Reba’s vaccination tag, but a woman walking by her house said the dog was hers and off they went. The Heaths were sure that was the sad ending of the story.

Then last Friday a humane society just outside of Reno, Nevada called saying that they had a black and white dog with Reba’s vaccination tag.

So the Heaths left the next morning for a 1400-mile round trip to Reno to pick up Reba to bring her back to Idaho.

The only explanation that makes sense is that Reba was stolen twice and managed to get away from her abductors both times, hoping to find her way back to her family. The story

Macho men and tiny dogs—David Ortiz and Mikey

 David Ortiz kisses his dog Mikey following conditioning drills at the team's spring training facility
                  - Sports Illustrated Photo

David Ortiz, designated hitter for the Boston Red Sox, is a seven time All Star and holds the all time record for RBI’s by a designated hitter. Ortiz is 6’4”and weighs 230.

In July Ortiz caused a bench clearing brawl between the Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles when a pitcher threw three inside balls at Ortiz, who took offense and charged the mound.

At the risk of offending the sanctimonious, (actually we’re sure the sanctimonious don’t read this blog) we at The Poodle & dog blog love bench clearing brawls. They provide excitement in what is essentially a boring cerebral sport. It’s more like saber rattling than fighting.

Both teams charge indignantly onto the field like their honor is at stake. Sometimes actual punches are thrown. The umpires calm everyone down and the commentators get all anal about how fighting (like crying) has no place in baseball. The fans love it. My dogs do a happy dance.

Ortiz apologized to the league and got a three day vacation suspension when he probably just stayed home and played with Mikey the Yorkie.

File this under “It seemed like a good idea at the time.”

If you’re dog sitting someone else’s Chihuahua, don’t make him run alongside your car while you are driving 10-15 mph down the street. People will call the police and take pictures of you.

When well meaning people try to get you to stop doing something incredibly stupid, don’t tell them you have a gun in the car. You will face criminal charges of animal cruelty and felony menacing.

And you will have to hire a lawyer and go to court. And get your name and picture all over the Internet. And people will make fun of your intelligence and your hair.

Macho men and tiny dogs: Mike Rowe and Axl

Mike Rowe cuddles up with Axl after announcing a partnership with Guardian Angels for Soldiers' Pets. Photo by AP Images

As the creator and producer of the TV series Dirty Jobs, Mike has worked on more than 200 jobs that most people want to avoid doing. As the lowest apprentice on each show, he actually does the dirty jobs to celebrate the hard working people who make civilized life possible for the rest of us.

Guardian Angels for Soldiers' Pets, an all volunteer nonprofit organization, finds caring, loving, and safe foster homes for military personnel during deployment or hardship.

 

The amazing Skidboot was the world’s smartest dog

Skidboot died in 2007, but during his life he performed on Oprah, Letterman, Animal Planet and many other places.

Skidboot was a celebrity, making $30,000 a year and changing the lives of his owners.

Thanks to Michael for reminding me of Skidboot and sending this video.

 

Jedi Dogs

 

An epic battle for a bone. Jedi style.
With a resolution worthy of a Jedi Master

 

Produced by Matin Atrushi and Travis Kurtz
Edited & VFX by Roser Segura
Music by John Adamich (Lynne Publishing)

 

This is Harper, a most amazing puppy

A few weeks ago Harper was rescued from a garbage bag held by a man selling puppies in a parking lot.

 

Harper was diagnosed with pectus excavatum or “swimmer puppy syndrome,” a disorder that causes them to lie flat on their stomachs and not be able to move their heads. Usually they don’t live beyond three weeks.

Fortunately Harper had no brain or heart abnormalities.

 

Her rescuer, Erica Daniel, was able to help her, including massage, a hydrotherapy class and a lot of puppy love. Now Harper is thriving, continuing to gain strength and confidence. More about Harper

Thanks to Bungirl