Sunday, April 29, 2012
A look at some of the animal-based laws to come before the Massachusetts Legislature.
When it comes to animals, the laws in this state are very outdated and have gone largely unchanged since their inception in the 1800s. Some of the laws still on the books today speak of not overworking horses and other beasts of burden on farms. Though a very good law, it speaks to where our current animal laws are based; on farms and before automobiles. As an example, animal cruelty only became a felony within the last eight years. Fortunately, there are groups of very well educated animal people working with our legislature to introduce some modifications to some laws and introduce some new and important laws as well. The best part is a mere phone call from a citizen regarding these bills can help get them passed. Most of the bills …
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Food dispensing toys can help keep a dog entertained.
Take a look at the flyer posted in the media gallery for a lost dog. Call 774-219-5659 if you have any information. *** Does the idea of staying home all day, without a care in the world sound good to you? What if I said you were not allowed to use a computer, cell phone, or even watch T.V. Would it still sound good? For most of us we wouldn’t mind a day or two like that, but day upon day of it we would be bored out of our minds. In fact, we would probably start getting ourselves into a little bit of trouble, just to entertain ourselves to combat the boredom. Hmmm…this sound like what happens to our dogs when we are not home. Speaking from experience, I have one dog who when left to his own devices will find something to occupy his …
Sunday, February 12, 2012
The importance of finding the right trainer to work with your dog.
I have received a few e-mails over the past few weeks asking if I know a good dog trainer. I know quite a few! But, I also know quite a few that are not so good. When I consult a client on potentially training them and their dog, I spend a fair bit of time on the phone talking with them. I do this because the trainer/client relationship must be a good fit. There is a lot more to training a dog and its family that just getting the dog to respond to commands. A dog is not an IPAD. We cannot merely expect to push a button or say a command and have the dog robotically respond. Yes, this in one way is the goal at the surface, but there is more to it. When a client calls and asks me to “just fix the dog,” we probably aren’t going to be …
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Animal House columnist Chris D’Arpino is in Kentucky helping to care for dogs involved in an animal abuse case at a puppy mill.
This week I am fortunate enough to have been called upon to work with the International Federation of Animal Welfare (IFAW) in Kentucky, working on a very serious case. I am very proud and very honored to be on such an amazing team and work with some amazing organizations. Thank you for the continued support to the South Shore Disaster Animal Rescue Team, as it is this support that allows us to be able to aid in such a huge effort. As reported on the ASPCA website, “In October 2011, the ASPCA Field Investigations and Response (FIR) Team headed to Rowan County, Kentucky, to help care for 118 small-breed dogs including Chihuahuas, Dachshunds, Papillons, Min Pins and Poodles—several pregnant and some just a few weeks old—who were removed …
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Animal House columnist Chris D'Arpino recounts how a twisted intestine resulted in a close call for his dog, Ferris.
Everyone has a special relationship with their dogs. My family and I are no exception. Ferris, my partner dog, has been featured on my television show; works with me at Massasoit Community College helping me teach animal CPR and first aid; helps me train first responders and rescuers on proper handling of animals; works as a therapy dog at the Coolidge House in Boston; and is generally right with me everywhere I go. Ferris is very much my partner. What happens to me impacts him and vice versa. Ferris was rescued from a shelter in Dedham and he and I were instant friends. To me Ferris isn’t just a dog. Where I go, he goes. We work and train together—we are truly partners. Well, I almost lost my partner this week. Ferris had a twisted…
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Has beaching become a common problem for the common dolphin?
Thoughts of dolphins generally conjure up images of warm tropical beaches, clear blue water, the flipper theme, and usually a performance in an aquarium. None of which makes one think of New England in January. The most popular dolphin is the bottlenose dolphin, but here in New England we have quite a population of the common dolphin. The common dolphins are what caused a stir this weekend on Cape beaches when a pod of thirty beached themselves. The Cape is one of the world’s hot spots for animal beaching behavior. This is largely thought to be because of the topography. The International Federation of Animal Welfare deployed a group of trained volunteers to help get the dolphins back into the water. Unfortunately at least ten died …
Sunday, January 8, 2012
When it comes to owning pets, how many is too many?
In recent weeks there have been more and more headlines about people hoarding animals. There are even television shows dedicated to the worst of domestic hoarding. The benefit of television is that after the shock and awe of how terrible the conditions are, after a few commercials we see the happy ending where all the animals get saved and the house gets cleaned up. If only this was the norm. The reality that reality T.V. doesn’t show us is that in order for a person to gather that many animals and for the situation to get that bad, it takes years. Generally these cases start with local officials getting involved and having to spend a tremendous amount of time and energy collecting evidence, writing reports, going to hearings before any…
Sunday, January 1, 2012
After learning of the first confirmed case of rabies in Massachusetts in more than 70 years, Animal House breaks down this viral infection.
This past week we have learned about the first confirmed case of rabies in Massachusetts in 75 years. The man infected lives on the Cape and the suspected cause was a bite from a bat. The man was listed in critical condition and his family members, who were also exposed, are being treated as well. There have been a small number of other rabies cases but they were contracted out of state. In fact, there have been fewer than thirty cases in the United States since 1990. Rabies in humans is relatively rare, just like west Nile virus, but is a real danger and poses serious health risks. Rabies is a viral infection that attacks the central nervous system of warm-blooded animals (that’s us). The rabies virus is generally contracted when an …
Sunday, December 25, 2011
The cardinal, known for its distinctive red color, peaked head, and beautiful voice, has long been a symbol of the Christmas season.
The cardinal has long been a symbol of Christmas cheer, and when one sees the brilliant red plumage against a snow-white background it is no wonder. The cardinal is a year-round resident here in the Northeast. It doesn’t migrate and it doesn’t shed its feathers. The cardinal’s distinctive red coloration and peaked head makes it a well-recognized bird. They were actually more commonly known as “redbirds,” but they derived their current name from the red robes worn by the Catholic Cardinals. The cardinal will generally nest low in dense shrubbery and is a frequent visitor to any bird feeder. The winter months are actually a great time to see the cardinal as it will use the bird feeders as a supplemental meal and the red plumage will stand …
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Breaking down the fungal infection Dermtophytosis, better known as ringworm.
I love the texts I get from my wife at work, and this week was no exception. The text said, “have a puppy with ringworm, can we bring it home?” Now, this may seem like an odd text, but when your wife is a veterinarian and you live on the island of misfit animals, it is a completely normal text. The good news is that the puppy will only be with us for a few weeks for treatment and then will be up for adoption at the Animal Rescue League of Boston. The truth is, though I said yes, I really had no clear understanding what ringworm was. So, I decided to do as much research as I could and I found out a lot of very interesting things. The first thing I learned is that ringworm, or Dermtophytosis, isn’t a worm at all—it is a fungal infection…
Snyder's Stoughton
11:54 am on Sunday, February 12, 2012
Since we are getting a rescue dog at some point soon, we'll be following your advice. We may even be giving you a call. more ›