It's Time for Dog Chaining to End

I don't really understand why people chain their dogs. I guess it stems from a basic worry that the dogs will run away, but if that's the concern, build a fence.

On our small Wisconsin farm, we had dogs and cats, and chickens and cows. Every creature had the run of the farm, except the cows, and they would get out through the occasional hole in the fence. Dad believed that animals - like people - should be free. He also didn't believe that dogs or cats should be in the house, although he caved on the dog front as he got older.

Tammi Grimes of Altoona, Pa., founder of Dogs Deserve Better, a national rescue and advocacy group, fights the chaining of dogs. In April, she brought her message to Delaware's Week for the Animals.

Grimes' motivation comes from her childhood. Her family's Labrador retriever ran free, she remembers, but their beagle, Maggie, was chained.

"The chained one really made me sad," she says. "Just watching her all the time."

Grimes used those memories and an interest in animal issues to push for changes to dog chaining laws state by state. Already, California and Texas have put time limits on chaining, and Pennsylvania is close on similar legislation, she said.

"The chances of getting a full ban is pretty small," Grimes says of her state-by-state push. Breeders and hunters generally oppose a total ban. So states, including Pennsylvania, consider limiting the practice. California has a three-hour time limit; Texas' ban is from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. Last year, Grimes said, 14 states had anti-chaining bills introduced, but animal advocates in Delaware, decided to push other issues.

Marleen Oetzel, adoption coordinator for Lost and Found Dog Rescue in New Castle, wants to raise awareness and money as part of the nationwide Chain-Off 2008. Oetzel will be chained to a doghouse at Carey's Foreign & Domestic Repair in Georgetown for 24 hours starting at 10 a.m. June 28. She also will be chained to a doghouse for two 12-hour stints July 5-6 at Faithful Friends near Wilmington.

The idea is to draw attention to the issue and make people aware of the cruelty of chaining dogs. Animal activists hope to raise $4,000 to donate to Dogs Deserve Better to further Grimes' efforts. They also will have a petition for Delaware residents to sign.

In 2008, we shouldn't think that chaining an animal - any animal - has a place in our state.

Win a Copy of 'Marley & Me'

"Marley & Me," written by former Philadelphia Inquirer columnist John Grogan, is one of my favorite books. Period.

Be forewarned: Get the tissues ready, because I cried so hard when I was finishing it on a flight that the flight attendant asked me what was wrong.

It's subtitled, "Life and Love With the World's Worst Dog." That would be Marley, who didn't seem all that different than a lot of yellow Labs - and other dogs - I've known. In an interview last year with Delaware Pets, Grogan answered the question about whether lovable Marley really was the world's worst dog.

"I always called him the worst dog with a little bit of a wink," he told writer Claire Bushey. "The short answer is, I don't think Marley's anywhere near the worst dog. He may have been the most hyper dog in the world, but he had a good heart, and he gave us nothing but love and commitment through his whole life."

"Marley & Me" is more than just a story about a puppy named for a reggae star with feet too big for his little body. And it's more than an account of a family growing as their pooch turns into a goofy, mischievious and clumsy 97-pound powerhouse.

At its heart, "Marley & Me" is really a love story. A love story involving a couple, whose family grew to include three children, and who endured heartbreak, multiple jobs, many moves and all that life throws at them. All told through the prism of a incorrigible dog who was kicked out of obedience class, but who also was so intensely loyal that he put his head in the lap of his mistress after a painful miscarriage, stood guard over each Grogan baby and raced to the defense of a stabbing victim.

If you'd like a chance to win a copy of "Marley & Me," now out in paperback, e-mail pets@delawareonline with your favorite story of something goofy that your dog (or cat or other pet) has done. Please include your name, the pet's name, a photo of the pet (optional) and a daytime contact number. We'll turn the "goofy stories" into a story for Delaware Pets, and we'll choose two entries at random to receive a paperback copy of "Marley & Me." Please send your entries by June 20.

If books aren't your thing, "Marley & Me" also is being turned into a movie starring Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston. It's expected in theaters around Christmas. Pack more tissues.

The Obama Parrot

This is Smokey, the Barack Obama-loving parrot, who says - what else? - "Yes, we can" when he sees Obama on CNN.

If your parrot say "Go McCain" or "Hil-a-ry," there's got to be 15 minutes of fame for you, too.

Seeking a Sunglasses-Wearing Dog Model and Owner

For the next issue of Delaware Pets, which comes out in early June, freelance writer Denise Morrison Yearian has a very practical story about how to protect your dog from summer's sun and heat.

One of the dangers is heatstroke. Another is sunburn.

"This is particularly true for short, light- or white-coated animals or hairless breeds," says Dr. Daniel Morris, dermatology specialist at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Veterinary Medicine. "The most vulnerable areas are the tips of the ears, noses, eyelids and underbellies-places where little or no hair grows."

To help illustrate the story, we're looking for a dog model who wears Doggles or some kind of sunglasses - and his or her owner - who can come to The News Journal's offices on Basin Road (Del. 141) near New Castle by the middle of next week for a photo shoot.

If you are interested, please e-mail pets@delawareonline.com with info about your dog and your contact information. And if you have it, attach a photo of your pooch wearing his or her Doggles or sunglasses. Please put "dog model" in the subject line.

I'll contact someone as soon as possible, and post when we have our willing model.

E-mail Us Your Sleeping Dogs

Erica Tierney of Claymont sent in several photos of 5-month-old Darley. This is one of her favorites: "This is how she curled up in my lap and fell asleep the day we brought her home."

Is there anything cuter than a sleeping puppy? They seem so oblivious to the whole new world around them.

We need your photos of your dog asleep or falling asleep for a story that reporter robin brown is working on. She's exploring whether dogs dream and exactly how they do sleep. Do they have the deep REM sleep that humans have, for starters? We'll include many of the photos in a photo gallery, too, on www.delawareonline.com/pets.

Please e-mail your photos to pets@delawareonline.com, write "sleeping dogs" in the subject line and include your name, the dog's name, which city you live in, a few details about the photo and a daytime contact number.

Tippy and Polly and the Parade

First, my video and post-production skills leave something to be desired - I can't even figure out how to get the video turned the right way - but turn your head to the side so you can see Tippy Longstocking, a rat terrier, pulling Polly Pocket, a long-haired chihuahua, in a wagon during the Delaware City Pet Parade.

The dogs belong to Patty Barber of Delaware City, who was so very sweet. She says she knew Tippy was a strong puller when she used to pull Patty while she was on roller skates.

The dogs also had on great T-shirts that said, "Bee Kind to Our Earth."

They were one of the hits of the parade.

Most Original at the Pet Parade

Charles Baulk Jr., a patient care technician at Christiana Care, carried the medical theme with his three miniature Australian shepherds all the way to first place for most original costume at Saturday's Delaware Ciy Pet Parade.

Baulk dressed up (from left) Alyssa, Mya and Kiah as doctor, patient and nurse. The combo won over the three judges, and Baulk, of Newark, went home $100 richer.

Now, that's what you call a good bedside manner.

Met My First Dalmadora

I met my first Dalmadora - a combination of a black Lab and a Dalmatian - at Saturday's Delaware City Pet Parade. I had put my camera away and we were hustling to get home, so I didn't get a photo or even the name of the people who had the dog.

If you have a Dalmadora, can you e-mail me a photo of your dog to pets@delawareonline.com? I'll replace the photo above and include some info about your pooch.

Fun at the Delaware City Pet Parade

My sister and I took in the Delaware City Pet Parade on Saturday - and so did plenty of others. Among those we met along Clinton Street - before, during and after the parade - were Teal Oberholtzer of Smyrna and Drake, his yellow Lab, all dressed up for baseball season.

What made Drake's outfit - in addition to the pants (with a belt) and a great-looking ball cap - were the batting glove sticking out of his right back pocket and the stirrup socks. So, major league! Drake and Teal won for funniest costume.

After the parade, we talked with the Rogers family and met Reese, a 1-year-old female pug dressed as a Hula girl. The dog belonged to William Rogers of Elkton, Md. William's mother says he saved his money to buy the dog from a breeder in Lancaster, Pa. The outfit came from Build-a-Bear. And we can report that Reese (pronounced ree-cee) didn't mind at all. Love that grass skirt! Reese and William won second place for funniest costume.

Photo of the Day: All Cute Dogs

How's that for some cute dogs? Five of them! Love the crook of their heads.

Kate, who is an animal rescue transporter, Best Friends Animal Society ambassador, Washington Animal Rescue League volunteer and Georgetown Delaware SPCA volunteer, sent me this via e-mail.

Her cute pack, as she calls her four Jack Russells and one Labrador, is (from left): Buster, Shadow (who has since passed away) Jackson, Addison and Katie.

Do You Worry About Sunburned Pets?

With the sunny and hot weather apparently directly in front of us, it's a good time to consider how summer affects our pets, especially dogs, who spend time outdoors.

Denise Morrison Yearian, one of our freelance writers, is working on that very story for the next issue of Delaware Pets. She's found plenty of pet owners who deal with the heat side of summer. What she needs is someone who has to worry about their dogs (or other pets) - because of light-colored or thin-coated fur - having problems with sunburn.

If you pet has been sunburned or you worry about it, please e-mail contact info to me at pets@delawareonline.com, and I'll get Denise in touch with you.

Thanks for the help - and the insight.

Wilmington Kennel Club Dog Shows This Weekend

It's a little taste of Westminster in our backyard.

The Wilmington Kennel Club hosts its annual dog shows Friday (starting at 9 a.m.) and Saturday (starting at 8:30 a.m.) at Lums Pond State Park near Glasgow. Best in Show winners are crowned each day late in the afternoon, but judging goes on all day, each day in 14 different rings.

It's great to see the more than 1,500 dogs compete, first by breed, then by category and, at the end of the day, for Best in Show. Many of the dogs just seem to know how to "work the ring" and the judges.

It's also fun to see all of the variety of breeds, some of which you don't get to see very often. My favorite rarities are Bouvier Des Flandres (absolutely beautiful dogs) and Komondoroks (they look like dust mops with off-white dreadlocks). And the dog handlers and owners are some of the nicest people outside of the ring, too. Most are happy to have you pet their dogs and will tell you plenty about them.

If you go, dog show organizers ask that you leave your own dogs at home. They can distract the dogs that are competing, or cause a ruckus outside of the rings. Leave the pooches at home, and just come to marvel and to learn.

Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and kids 6 and older, and free for kids 5 and younger. The shows take place near the campground entrance for the park on Del. 71. Bring a chair if you plan to stay for a while, and concessions and pet vendors will be on site.

A portion of the proceeds will go to support the New Castle County K-9 Unit, and Saturday's schedule will include a demonstration by that unit during the noon lunch break.

A Pet-Loving Designer

After Sunday's 5K walk, we made the rounds of the tables at the pet fair at Killens Pond State Park. One of the nicest people there was Catherine Hefferan, a graphic designer who does all things pets under her business, Cathulu! Cards and Gifts. You can see - and shop - her work on Cafe Press. Or e-mail her at rummah2001@hotmail.com.

The great baseball jersey she has on in the photo - love the simple idea and the artwork - is $16.99 on her site. T-shirts go from $8.99 to $26.99 for a hoodie. And one of my favorite items is the Cat Journal ($9.49), featuring a big gray cat on the cover playing with a purple ball of yarn. Don't tell me your cat's antics - or yours - couldn't easily fill the journal's 160 pages.

Meet Nero the Great

One of those happy (I think he was happy?!?) to be at Sunday's Furry Scurry at Killens Pond was Nero, the Great Dane puppy of Larry and Cris Rhoads of Harrington.

Larry says Nero is just 9 months old and weighs 130 pounds. Nero's dad weighed 180, so at least in his genes, there is room to grow.

We saw Nero later on the 5K walk and he did appear to be enjoying himself, and exercising those great long legs.

Great Turnout for Furry Scurry

The weather was cooperative for Sunday morning's Furry Scurry, a 5K run/walk fundraiser for the Kent County SPCA at Killens Pond State Park near Felton. More than 300 people signed up to participate, including the Garrisons (Lisa and John, above) and their sons, Noah and Leon, who participated in the Kiddie K (Noah finished first!).

The Garrisons of Milton brought dogs Serena (a Pekingnese mix), Dorry (a pug) and Jazzy (a Doberman) to the festivities.

After the run/walk, pet vendors, pet agencies, nonprofits and rescue groups set up for a fair in the park. The event is one of the first in the Delaware Week for the Animals. I ran into Patricia Haddock, one of the organizers of the week, and says there are more than 50 events across the state throughout the week. She says she is particularly pleased with the variety of events and the national speakers who will be here.

Check out the week's Web site to find something that is right for you.

Watch here for more from Sunday's Furry Scurry and the pet fair.

Photo of the Day: Puppies

Are those two great faces, or what? Wyatt e-mailed this photo of Drake and Remy, a couple of book-end-matching 3-month-old Labs.

If you have a cute photo of your dog - or any other pet - e-mail it to pets@delawareonline.com and we'll give it a boost here or in a photo gallery for everyone to see.

Thanks for the great photo, Wyatt.

A Week Just for the Animals

I loved this photo shoot of little Brad Olin of Clayton and his dog Doozer. We used one of the photos on the cover of the latest issue of Delaware Pets, and here, you get another one. It's emblematic of the relationship that we all will be celebrating during Delaware's first Week for the Animals, starting Saturday and running through April 27.

There are events that criss-cross the state. Fun things like Sunday's Furry Scurry at Killens Pond State Park - an event I'm attending - and serious ones like Nathan Winograd's April 27 workshop on how to create a no-kill Delaware.

Just find your event - new ones seem to be added every day- and celebrate all that is true and good about the animals we share our lives with.

A Mexican Cat Dance

That's Pork Chop enjoying, OK, not enjoying an oversized sombrero. By the way, we have the same sombrero at home that a stuffed grizzly bear sits on. (Don't even ask!)

Unfortunately, we don't have a cat to wear (or not wear) our sombrero.

What's the funniest thing your cat will (or won't) do? Post here or e-mail me at pets@delawareonline.com.

Photo of the Day: Marmaduke?

Is that Marmaduke poking out his head on Thursday at Battery Park in Old New Castle?

Nope, that's Montego, a 2-year-old Great Dane who was enjoying the sunshine and temperatures in the 70s. Montego is owned by Karin Roseman of Greenville who, along with her mother, Silvya Horn, was walking her two dogs, Montego and Fitzgerald, at the park. Roseman was using her mother's car, because Montego likes to ride with his head sticking out through the sunroof.

Hmmm ... just like Marmaduke.

Petey and Me

I remember the day I picked out Petey at the shelter in Little Rock, Ark. One thing was clear to me: I needed her and she needed me. She was so small that she almost fit in one hand.

Weeks later, I took her to the vet to be spayed. He declared her part terrier, part whippet and part Dalmatian. I declared her my furry companion.

We were inseparable. She slept in my bed - just as much or as little as I did. She walked me in the mornings and the evenings. She raced into the house and back down the hallway when I came home. She romped all over our favorite bark park. She ate with me - I had people food; she had Science Diet.

Eventually, she grew into a 45-pound watch dog who meant business with strangers, especially men. She would stand in a defensive posture, barking, at any man whom she deemed the least bit suspicious. The only guy she ever warmed up to was my future husband, who fed Petey when I was away on business. Petey and I called him "the food guy."

When Petey died years ago, a little of my heart died with her.

I suppose that sense of loss is indicative of the emotional connections we have with the pets who share our lives. It's also at the core of the celebration that is Delaware's Week for the Animals from April 19-27. I'm happy to shine an extra light on this week, and I encourage you to find an event or two that will be meaningful to you - and your favorite pet.

Look for all sorts of details about the week and what you can do be a part of it in a special bonus issue of Delaware Pets, arriving in pet stores, vets' offices and groomers' shops later this week.