Top 10 wildlife threats

Veterinary Pet Insurance just released a list of the top ten wildlife dangers to your pet. It looks scary, but they say a lot of the threats are regionally focused, so depending on where you are, you probably don't have to worry about all of these.

The list goes:

1. Snakes (Yikes!)

2. Coyotes (read my earlier post about a dog escaping a coyote attack by jumping on a bus)

3. Raccoons (major carrier of rabies)

4. Squirrels (really? but they look so yummy!)

5. Scorpions (gross!)

6. Javelina (a what? they are very protective of their babies)

7. Porcupines (several dogs in my family have gotten a little too close to these interesting looking creatures)

8. Groundhogs (they will bite their way out if you try to catch them)

9. Skunks (these stinkers prey on rodents, so may go after a small dog)

10. Rats (these scavengers are unlikely to bite your pet, but carry lots of diseases)

Read the ABC news report, for a full description of these threats.

No kibble here!

I'd say this little cafe in Dallas is ahead of the pack! They now offer a menu for the dogs that accompany their people eating on the patio. It sounds like they had to get a new city ordinance passed in order to make it possible, so there are rules like no eating off of human plates, and waitstaff cannot pet the dogs. Read about the restrictions, and check out the dog menu here--includes yummy stuffy like scrambled eggs with turkey bits and grilled chicken. The menu also includes a list of what NOT to eat for dogs. Another bonus: 15% of their puppy menu sales will benefit a local shelter!

[Image courtesy of PhotoBucket]

Puppy politics

Gov. Deval Patrick of Massachusetts has been seen carrying his new puppy Tobey everywhere. Some politicos think that he is doing it to gain positive public attention, while supporters note that puppies need a lot of time, attention, and opportunities for socialization so he is just taking proper care of his new pup.

I think it is a little of each because we all know that puppies make everyone more popular! But don't let that stop you from thinking about adopting an adult dog like me.

1,000 Strong for the Scoop!

A new milestone for the Scoop--It has been just over a month since my launch, and the website has had over 1,000 visits! I owe so much of this success to the word of mouth generated by my readers, so please continue to spread the word! Thank you all for your support and tips. Plus, the Scoop is now on Facebook and Twitter!

Do dogs have morals?

Scientists at Harvard are working to understand the dog's sense of morality. They need volunteers to help out, so if you live in the Boston area, consider signing up for the betterment of human understanding dogkind. Read more about the Harvard Canine Cognition Lab and their research program.

Tuesday & Luis inspire Congressional action

Tuesday is back in the news! Just a few weeks ago, I wrote about Tuesday, a service dog helping veteran Luis Carlos Montalvan cope with PTSD. Well, I had a hunch this duo could be an inspiration for something bigger.

The recently sworn in Senator Al Franken (yes, THAT Al Franken, from SNL), just introduced his first bill in Congress. Would you believe that Tuesday and Luis were his inspiration? Well, Franken had met Luis and Tuesday at a Presidential Inagural Ball earlier this year, where he learned of his story. All of this served as his inspiration to introduce a bill that would create a pilot program at the Department of Defense to work with non-profit organizations to provide at least 200 service dogs to veterans struggling with both physical and mental wounds of war.

"My hope is that at the end of this they'll go, 'A ha! These dogs pay for themselves or more than pay for themselves, we have fewer suicides, fewer incidents of hospitalization, less costs in prescription drugs and more productivity,' " Franken said to the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Wags to Luis for speaking up! The bill (S. 1495) already has bipartisan support in the Senate, so I have high hopes that this will be a reality.

Lost for a YEAR

Teddy was lost for a year! Poor guy managed to get by on what he could find, probably even eating out of dumpsters. Some very dedicated shelter workers had seen him roaming the area and hoped to get him to roam right into the shelter (with a little help from bacon and spam, mmmm, bacon). But it worked, and now Teddy is back! They are helping him recover from his time on his own, but he will be up for adoption soon.

Give this dog a JOB!

Ollie was not only lucky enough to land at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, he was enrolled in their Search and Service Training Program! Ollie has been a star student and has proven he can search successfully in the wilderness and urban environments. Not so bad for a shelter dog, huh? The folks at Best Friends point to Ollie as an example of how not all service dogs need to be pure bred. Ollie is also an example of how working breed mixes can make great pets, but sometimes need a job to channel their energy.

Speaking of working breeds in need of homes, check out my friend Baxter. He is an Australian Cattle Dog mix in desperate need of a home with a big yard where he can have a job. His last owner shot him with a bb gun because he was barking, but poor Baxter was just barking because he was bored!

He loves people and love attention, but has TONS of energy that needs to be channeled into something constructive. Baxter has lots of love to give, just like Ollie, but he need to find a forever home that is just right for him. If you are interested in Baxter, please contact Lisa: lm2n@earthlink.net

5-legged puppy no more

Lilly's leg-removal surgery was a success! Catch up on the backstory and pictures in my earlier post.

Lily's new person, Allyson Siegel, fast tracked the surgery amid reports that the coney island sideshow was going to sue for their "right" to have her. This article reports that "Prior to the surgery, the puppy couldn't sit, walk or lay properly because of the extra leg (which had six toes and protruded from her stomach). "She'd struggle to run up a hill or walk up a hill because she had to tug that thing behind her," says Siegel." That would be no way for Lilly to live!

While the vet offered to do the surgery for free, Seigel said she paid for it from donations she received from supporters. Lilly is expected to make a full recovery, but she will have to wear a cone on her head while her wounds heal. Any dog knows the cone is no fun!

The car does not need to be scary!

I love riding in the car, but not all dogs do. This article offers some good tips on helping your pup learn how to behaving in new situations--like riding in the car. I bet for some dogs it is scary at first, especially if the reason they ever get in the car is to go to the vet for shots-no fun! The article offers some quick tips to make sure your dog loves the car as much as me.

[Image courtesy of PhotoBucket]

Dare, another very special two legged dog!

I received a huge response when I wrote an earlier story about Faith, the two legged therapy dog. Faith is certainly one of a kind, but there are other dogs like her out there.

Dare is a sheltie who has one front leg and one back leg. Dare can walk, run and even swim on his two legs. He does swim therapy regularly to keep his two legs in shape. In his spare time, Dare is also a therapy dog! He visits amputee clinics, special needs schools, and other folks with disabilities. His person says that he just walks because no one ever told him he can't. That message should help others struggling to overcome their disabilities.

Check out the Dare's whole story here....there are lots of super-cute pictures with this story, so you definitely want to click this link!

Saved from a 7-foot gator!

This Wheaten Terrier Mandy found herself in the jaws of a 7-foot gator in her own back yard. Yikes! His owner didn't run away, but ran to the gator to save his best friend. He used his hands to pry open the jaws of the gator, and Mandy got away with minor injuries. Mandy's person lost two fingers in the ordeal, but says he would do it again if he had to. What a hero!

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Puppy-proofing your home

Petside has this helpful guide for puppy-proofing every room in your house--from the living room to the laundry room, to the garage, and even your backyard! Sure, I love to have fun exploring, but it is not so fun when I get sick from eating something I am not supposed to have. I used to try to eat the plastic eyes out of my plush toys, but now my person just cuts them out before I can play with them.

If you plan on bringing a new member into your pack soon, check out these tips to keep you house safe and happy (but still fun!) for your puppy.

Why do some dogs have short legs?

Some dogs are little all over, but other dogs seem normal size except for their legs--like basset hounds, corgis, and dachshunds.

Scientists have now discovered why! They have located a single gene that produces a protein that sort of confuses growth during development. This is what makes them different than the all-over small dogs, like toy poodles.

Grants for Petfinder member shelters!

Hey rescue groups and shelters: you may be tested!

Maddie's Fund and Petfinder are operating a $50,000 grant project this summer promoting great customer service at shelters and rescues around the country. You may get called or emailed by a tester, but it could turn into money for the dogs and other pets in your care. Awards will range from $500-$2,000! Check out the details here.

[Image courtesy of PhotoBucket]

First 100 dog-days with the Obamas

Bo, the White House dog, wrote this clever article in the New York Times, reflecting on his first 100 days since finding his forever home with the first family.

He sounds concerned about being compared to first dogs of previous administrations. His thoughts on the coverage of Buddy, the Clinton dog: "Buddy was persistently maligned by rumors that he did not get along with Socks the cat, as if that were his fault. (Cats, need I remind you, are jerks.)"

Bo is under even more pressure with today's 24-hour news cycle!

[Image Courtesy of the White House]

Un-skewering Smokey

Just last week, I posted a story about Smokey the Chihuahua puppy who had a giant fork stuck in his head.

Don't you know, he was already on the Today Show! They had the full story from the vet and exactly how this unlikely accident happened, and why Smokey was able to survive. After they removed the fork, he was walking in circles to the right for a while, but he seems to have gotten over that. He has one droopy eye, but is expected to recover just fine.

A rough ride

This Boston Terrier, Ali was rafting with his people in Oregon when everyone went overboard! Oh no!

His bigger buddy, Duke, a pit bull mix, was able to swim to safety right away, but Ali had a rougher ride. He floated through two rapids before getting out of the water and then had to survive the night--where he had to hide from the cougars and bears living by the Blossom Bar rapids in Lower Rogue River Canyon. When Ali found his people the next day, he still has his life vest on!

Both dogs had life vests on, which surely helped save their lives. Remember, life vests are not just for kids--adults AND dogs need them especially in rough waters!

Molly FOUND, and news on other stolen pets

I got the BEST email this morning at Scoop@dailydogscoop.com: MOLLY HAS BEEN FOUND! One of her people sent me this picture of her back safely at her home. The woman who stole her has serious mental health problems and has a history of stealing animals. She was seen purchasing dog supplies with Molly at a local Petco, and the police were able to subpoena the credit card records to find her.

To catch up on the background on what was happening with Molly, read my original story here.

Also today, this story was posted on NewsChannel8 about a rise in stolen pets in the DC area, especially small dogs (which are easier to pick up and run away with) and cats that are in unsecured yards. The bandits will keep the dog until a reward is offered, then get the cash in exchange for the return of your precious pet.

I highly doubt this trend is exclusive to the DC area, so be careful wherever you are. Remember even if you are just going in for a cup of coffee, it is not safe to leave me tied up!

Happy Birthday to ME!

Today is my birthday! I don't really know exactly when I was born, since I was abandoned, so I celebrate by birthday on the day my new life started in my forever home. I am about 4 years old, and have been in my forever home for 2 years today!

Speaking of milestones, the Scoop has had nearly 700 visits since launching just a month ago! I will be announcing my first sponsor soon, and you can now follow me on Twitter @DailyDogScoop !

Thanks for your support, and please keep spreading the word through facebook, twitter, or plain, old fashioned email!