Words of Praise for Dalmatian Rescue

Tracey Lynn Corley of Ocean Grove, N.J., wrote to praise the Dalmatian Rescue of Delaware and Molly Paes who helps to runs it -- and to send photos of her adoptee, Chance aka Sir Chancelot. The rescue is featured in the May issue of Delaware Pets

"I adopted my Dal from Molly after I lost my two Dal girls, a month apart from each other," Tracey Lynn wrote. "Everyone at the rescue was great and the foster parents met me halfway (I live in NJ), to bring me Chance."

We Need Your Smiling Dog Photos!

We're working on a story for a future issue of Delaware Pets about whether dogs smile. To help illustrate the story, we'd like to run a page filled with smiling dogs' faces (it's OK for the owners or anyone else to be in the photos, too). That's where you come in.

To give you an idea of what we're looking for (above) that's Jake Kapcsos of Bethlehem, Pa., who attended Delaware Dog Fest in April with his happy dog Blitz, and Tiffany Banks of Newark with her smiling boxer Maxwell.

Please include your name and city or town, the dog's name and a daytime contact number in case we have any questions. E-mail your photos to pets@delawareonline.com

Solving Your Dog's Mystery Breeding

We've all had dogs that we've introduced to family and friends as "Petey, my All-American pooch" or "Brownie, our beloved mix of a mutt."

You pepper your vet for his or her ideas on lineage. My vet thought my shelter dog Petey was part Dalmatian, part terrier and part whippet, and all-world energetic. (She sure was.)

Now, you can use science to solve one of the pet world's great mysteries. MetaMorphix, a biotech company in Beltsville, Md. (near D.C.) can tell you your dog's breeding courtesy of a $65 DNA test (plus $6.95 S&H) called Canine Heritage. Just like a human DNA test, you swab the inside of the dog's cheek -- using a soft-bristled nylon brush in the dog's case -- and mail it in.

MetaMorphix tests for 38 identifiable breeds, and in four to six weeks, you get a certificate with the dog's primary and secondary breeds, and something called in the mix -- breeds that appear, but have the least influence on your dog's composition. To order a kit, call (800) 362-3644, or go online.

After that, all that's left is the bragging.

Michael Vick, Dog Fighting and Stupidity

I'm not sure who the bigger jerk is: Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick for having a home that was raided in a dog fighting investigation or Washington running back Clinton Portis for saying it's OK if Vick allowed the fighting to happen.

Dog fighting is a felony in 48 states, including Delaware and Virginia, where a police raid of Vick's home -- which he has since sold -- seized 66 dogs (one appears to the left), 55 of them pit bulls (some injured), and equipment that could be associated with dog fighting, including a "pry bar," which is used to pry a dog's jaws apart. To be fair, Vick is under investigation for his role, but no charges have been filed. He says a cousin lived at the home and he did not know he had a large kennel there.

But if you saw Sunday morning's report on ESPN, a police informant who has been extremely reliable in undercover dog fighting investigations, says he saw Vick in 2000 with one of his dogs in a fighting pit. The informant says Vick was betting big money on his dog, which lost its fight. The informant, whose identity was hidden and whose voice was altered, called Vick one of the "heavyweights" of dog fighting.

The Falcons -- Vick's NFL team -- says they drafted him in 2001, meaning the team can't discipline him for something he did before he was drafted.

Portis doesn't even have that as cover. "I don't know if he was fighting dogs or not," Portis said in a TV interview. "But it's his property; it's his dogs. If that's what he wants to do, do it."

Ah, Mr. Portis, dog fighting is illegal. I guess law school isn't in your future after you're finished in the NFL, which if you keep spouting stupid comments like that, might be sooner than you think.

Authorities in Virginia are deciding whether to bring charges against Vick for alleged animal cruelty and dogfighting at the house he formerly owned. Today, the NFL said it would make members of its security staff available to help with the investigation.

At some point, the NFL, Vick and, maybe even Portis, will have to admit just how horribly cruel and wrong dog fighting is to any right-thinking human.

Talk About a Sweet Treat

You know you can't feed your dog real chocolate, but no one ever said anything about fake stuff.

Multipet makes a sweet line of dog toys featuring Tootsie Roll, Dubble Bubble, Charms Blow Pop and Tootsie Roll Pop. The 6-inch Tootsie Roll with squeaker (left) is $4.99 at Concord Pet. We found it at the Chestnut Run location on Faulkland Road.

Let the canine good times roll.

Kalmar Nyckel Kitten Missing Near Shipyard Shops

WEDNESDAY UPDATE: Still no sign of Timmynocky, reports Marcia Ferranto, executive director of the ship's foundation. She says Timmy does have a microchip, so it can be read at many vets' offices.

Ferranto suspects someone has taken the kitten home. "He is just the most friendly cat," she says.

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Timmynocky, the 5- to 6-month-old gangly gray, short-hair kitten who is one of the newest members of the Kalmar Nyckel's crew, is missing.

The crew thought Timmynocky -- sailor talk for thingumajig -- was onboard May 13 when they set sail from Dravo Plaza, near the Shipyard Shops in Wilmington, up the Christina River. He wasn't, says Debbie Boerke, one of the crew members who also helps to care for the ship's cats. UPDATE: Ferranto says the ship's crew DID NOT see Timmy on the Riverwalk as they left on the sail. If they had, they would have called the office to send someone to look for him.

"He's very friendly and loves the ice cream that they sell on the Riverwalk at Molly's Ice Cream shop," Boerke says. "He has been seen following people back to their cars begging for ice cream and has even jumped in people's cars to get the ice cream."

Timmynocky, who was adopted by the crew in April from Faithful Friends shelter, was wearing a purple break-away collar with a tag identifying him as Clew Garnet, a former ship cat who was hit and killed by a car in March on Seventh Street. Timmynocky's new tag hadn't arrived. The ship's longtime mascot cat, Toolbox, also is gray.

If you have seen Timmynocky or know anything about his whereabouts, please call the ship's office at 429-7447. The ship is offering a reward.

The ship's cats are featured in the May issue of Delaware Pets.

Photo of the Day (Hound Dog Version)

Is that a sweet face -- and oh, those hound dog eyes -- or what? That's Bentley, a bassett hound owned by Susan Bartlett of Felton, captured in a terrific moment by News Journal staff photographer Scott Nathan.

Susan and Bentley attended a spring open house Sunday at the Kent County SPCA in Camden. The shelter offered food for pets and people, plenty of pet information and a Blessing of the Animals.

A Husky and Kitten Do the Tango

The kitten is tiny, curious and frisky. The Husky is big, curious and sweet.

The dance between opposites ensues. Enjoy!

101 Reasons to Love This Rescue

One of the stories in the May issue of Delaware Pets is about a wonderful rescue group in Milton for Dalmatians. Molly Paes and her daughter Brenda Paes care for six Dalmatians and two other dogs at their home on Dalmatian Lane (you can see this passion runs deep) near Milton. They also find foster families for dogs that get surrendered or that they pull from shelters, approve adoptions and raise money to fund all of their work.

In the photos above, that's Brenda with Cindy, Siren and Angel. And that laughing dog playing with the ball is Beth. (Great photos by Chunk Snyder.)

Here's the really fascinating part: Cindy and Siren are deaf -- as are about 10-12 percent of Dalmatian puppies. The Dalmatian Rescue of Delaware splits with the Dalmatian Club of America on how to deal with the disability.

The national club advises breeders to destroy deaf Dalmatians, citing aggressiveness and the likelihood of them being hit by a car. The Delaware rescue group says baloney. Responsible owners wouldn't let their dogs, hearing or deaf, near roadways or cars, Molly Paes says.

Susan Bunting of Dagsboro, adopted one Dalmatian who hears and one who doesn't. She says Fudge responds to hand signals and is well-trained, thanks to the work of the foster family. Plus, the other dog, Gidget, watches out for him.

Hey, Dalmatian Club of America, sounds like it's time to change your policy. Cindy, Siren and Fudge all deserve a place in the world.

Way Too Cute Fuzzy Friend

You'll see this, too, in the May issue of Delaware Pets -- hitting pet-related businesses starting Thursday -- but I thought I'd share it here, too.

This is Rudy the cat, a character in the book, "Counting in the Garden" from Scholastic. He is the softest, cutest and most colorful hand puppet ($15.99) we've seen. I found him at Barnes & Noble on Concord Pike.

"I love to hide in the garden and watch for birds," Rudy's tag says, "and I am the happiest when chasing butterflies."

For the young pet lover in your life with an imagination bursting at the seams, this would be a great gift. Rudy comes in a backpack, too.

Sweetest Photo of the Day

I am a sucker for cute. I am a sucker for pugs. Combine the two and I'm totally hooked.

This is Baby Nina submitted by sjrn.

Hmmm ... I wonder if there might be a Cutest Puppy Contest in our future?

What Can We Do About Pit Bulls?

I wanted to say something about pit bulls after I read the story about the little Jack Russell terrier that saved the five kids in New Zealand from two attacking dogs. George, the terrier, was so badly mauled as he held off the pit bulls and protected the kids that a vet had to euthanize him.

You've read the stories about pit bulls attacking children or workers in Delaware:

* In April of 2002, a 2-year-old boy was mauled to death by a pit bull in the Fox Point area.

* In January 2006, a pit bull injured a 3-year-old New Castle-area girl when he lunged at her and mauled her.

* Last October, a roaming pack of dogs attacked three kids as they waited for the schoolbus in their Belvedere neighborhood. The three kids suffered minor injuries; the dog owner was charged with eight misdemeanors.

* In March, a sanitation worker who was charged by a pit bull in a Prices Corner neighborhood, fended him off and then ended up in an altercation with the home's resident. The worker later shot and wounded the dog in the leg. Both men were charged in the incident.

The incident with the kids in Belvedere prompted New Castle County Council Jea P. Street to act. He offered an ordinance requiring owners of specific breeds of pit bulls or pit bull mixes to muzzle their dogs while outside, post warning signs on their property and secure $100,000 in liability insurance. The legislation failed 11-2 after passionate testimony by dog advocates that the legislation was unfair and wouldn't work.

Now what?

I've heard people say the breed is misunderstood and they know "sweet" pit bulls. Tell me why you would have a pit bull? And how, as a society, do we prevent owners from teaching and encouraging these dogs to attack, either for protection or for sport? How many more Belvedere or New Zealand incidents do we need before we take this threat more seriously?

Photo of the Day

News Journal photographer Fred Comegys captured this great moment Sunday of Ziggy as he sits under the legs of Whip Jaime O'Rourke at Winterthur's Point-to-Point. O'Rourke drove the carriage for Phyllis Wyeth. What a terrific view Ziggy must have had of all the goings-on. Lucky dog!

If you know Ziggy's owner, let me know, and I'll give proper credit.

Fun Food for Your Dog

It's one thing for you to be a coffee nut, but your dog? Critter Beach on Rehoboth Avenue gets into the espresso spirit with this too-cute biscuit ($2, as I remember).

I can drink my triple nonfat, no-whip mocha to that!

She Found the Dog That Tugged at Her Heart UPDATE

Meet Molly. (What a total cutie.)

She was adopted by Jennifer Valentine, a volunteer for Lost and Found Dog Rescue in New Castle, which we profiled in the April issue of Delaware Pets. The thing I love about the shelter/rescue stories is the way adopters talk about their new companions. There is such joy in their voices and in the photos of them - like they were meant to be together. But Jennifer went way beyond adoption to tackle volunteering.

Jennifer writes, "People that know me well know that I am a 'dog lover,' but it wasn't enough for me to just be a dog lover anymore. I needed to do something to help all of those homeless dogs. I am so thankful to have found this rescue."

Jennifer adopted Molly on Dec. 8 from Lost and Found. She says from the moment she saw the dog's photo on the rescue's Web site "she tugged at my heart."

"I met her four days later at my first Mutt Mingle and I was like a child on Christmas morning," she writes. "I couldn't wait to meet her and all of the volunteers. For me it wasn't about seeing if it would be a good match for my other three dogs. ... I already knew in my heart and I was right. She fit in from day one!!"

If you'd like to help more people find the dog that will tug at their hearts, Lost and Found is having a fund-raising Basket Bingo from 2-5 p.m. Sunday at Minquas Fire Company, 21 N. James St. Newport. Cost is $20 in advance; $25 at the door. Go to the Web site for more info.

And Lost and Found's founder Marleen Oetzel says the rescue's needs are particularly great right now. One of its recuperating dogs attacked Marleen's dog Chico. "Thankfully, he survived, but it was really touch and go." Chico spent five days in a vet hospital and the bill totaled more than $5,000.

Whatever you can do to help, I'm sure Marleen and Jennifer and everyone else at Lost and Found would appreciate.

UPDATE: Marleen has a current fundraising plea on the Lost and Found Web site. She has the before photo of six "broken dogs" -- dogs that would have died without Lost and Found's help -- and their after photos. She writes: "We wanted to show when people pull together -- miracles do still happen." The after photos are amazing. Marleen wants to raise $8,000, and the current total is $1,147. Please help -- with whatever you can spare.

DeBella Dog Walk on Sunday

If you are looking for a dog event this weekend, Classic Rock 102.9 MGK and host John DeBella have a free one going on Sunday at Area 14 of Ridley Creek State Park in Media, Pa.

The main draw, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., is the 5th Annual MGK DeBella Dog Walk. The event is open to the public - and to dogs who are on leashes (no retractable ones, please) and well-behaved. In addition to the walk, the day will be filled with tables for rescue groups, adoption programs and animal shelters, training and agility demonstrations, vendors and doggie contests. Love those doggie contests.

Directions: I-95 to I-476 N. Merge onto I-476 N via EXIT 7 toward PLYMOUTH MEETING.- Take the US-1 exit, EXIT 5, toward LIMA/SPRINGFIELD.- Keep LEFT at the fork in the ramp.- Merge onto US-1 S via the ramp on the LEFT.- Take the PA-352 N exit.- Turn RIGHT onto N MIDDLETOWN RD/PA-352 N.- Turn SHARP RIGHT onto GRADYVILLE RD.- Turn RIGHT onto CEDAR KNLS.

Seeking: People with Pets Being Treated for Cancer

Cancer is a scary experience, filled with doubts and questions and a seemingly never-ending series of medical tests, procedures and treatments. That's true whether the diagnosis involves a person or a pet.

We're working on a story about pets and cancer for Delaware Pets, and our writer has talked with people who have lost pets to the disease and to medical people who treat animals. Stewart (above), the cat of Wendy Lewis of Wilmington, died during the last month from a tumor on the roof of his mouth. He couldn't undergo chemo or radiation, but Lewis said medication helped slow the tumor's growth and extend his life by 13 months.

What we're looking for to make the story whole is a person whose pet is undergoing treatment for cancer now.

The American Veterinary Medical Association reports that the incidence rate in pets increases with age. Dogs are susceptible to cancer at about the same rates as humans; cats less so. About half of the deaths for pets older than 10 are the result of cancer.

For this story, we wondered whether the incidence rates had increased, or whether the veterinary community had come up with more ways to diagnose and treat the disease. Animal MRIs and ultrasounds can detect cancers now, and chemotherapy and radiation are much more common for pets than they were even 10 years ago.

If you have a pet being treated for cancer and you're interested in sharing your story, e-mail Jill Fredel at pets@delawareonline.com, or give me a call at 324-2859.