As I’ve said before, Chris and I are volunteers for Basenji Rescue. It seems to be the time of year where it’s raining Basenjis all over Texas. Needless to say, we’ve been busy. It takes a lot of people doing a lot of work to get a dog evaluated, vetted, healthy, rehabilitated, into foster care, and eventually re-homed.
Ike is taking over today’s post. He and I clearly have the same philosophy.
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Listen up, people!
I happen to be an expert in doggie care. |
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If you have a dog, please make sure he’s wearing identification. It’s best to have both an ID tag and a microchip. If I am ever lost, this will be the easiest way to get me reunited with my humans.
See how easily I wear mine? |
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In fact, I’m positively bored with it. |
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This is an inexpensive roll of poop bags.
They’re really easy to use, especially for me. All I do is poop, and the humans take care of the rest. Some people don’t use these, and it is revolting. |
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Lou thinks everything is a toy. He is seriously immature. |
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Please make sure your doggie gets the medicines and vaccinations he needs. Sometimes dogs get really sick, making it hard on both the dogs and the humans who care for them.
Don’t you humans have some saying that starts out, “An ounce of prevention…”? |
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Remember that we can be active little beasts. If we have too much energy that doesn’t get drained every day, we can act out. Making sure that we have plenty of active time can solve a lot of behavioral problems.
Trust me, I’ve done my share of acting out back in the day. |
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Most importantly, remember that we’re pack animals. We want to be with you. Please take good care of us.
If you are able to donate to a rescue group or shelter, they can put your money to really good use. Supporting fundraisers is a good way to help, too. Okay, I’ve said my bit. We can go back to silent dogs and knitting again. Thanks for listening! |
Amen brother! Preaching right to the choir on all of those very important items!
Ike should do public service announcements. He’s got some important, basic stuff to impart.
Seriously, as “dog People” I think we sometimes take these things for granted. “Doesn’t everyone treat their animals with basic respect? Don’t they all have more toys than some 3rd world countries?” Not. It always shocks me when I run up against animal neglect and cruelty. Its hard to get my mind around.
Way to go Ike!! Good commentary and advice!!!
Way to go Ike!! Good commentary and advice!!! I should have him as a guest writer for my pet column!!
Ike, I agree that every animal should have ID. But don’t like wearing a collar. I can take my collar off when the people aren’t looking–I’m quite skilled at it. But I don’t go outside so a collar is not as necessary for me. I do have a microchip though.
However, I think Lou is right about the poop bags. They were on the floor. Everything on the floor in my house is a cat toy.
Scout – since you’re a cat who probably doesn’t even like going outside, you’re allowed to run around naked (without a collar). You’ve got your microchip, so you’re all set.
You’re right – anything on the floor is fair game. Lou’s last “toy” was an in-progress sweater. He was crafty enough to open a cabinet door to get it out. Luckily he only “played” for about 30 seconds before I realized what was going on.
Do you really have your own email address??
🙂
His nose looks so looooong in that yawning picture. I like dogs with long noses.
It is sad that animal lovers take it for granted that others treat animals well. Like people who dont think animals have feelings – what the?! even our guineapigs had feelings and im pretty sure they didn’t have much brain in there :D:D
They don’t microchip little animals like rabbits and things. I suppose they should.
Anyway, it’s really admirable that you do so much for animals that need help. If everyone just does a little bit then imagine how much better things could be 🙂
Mahatma Gandhi said:
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”
Powerful stuff.
Ike is my hero!! I love him, he seems like such a baby at times but he is soo wise. He IS the most handsome boy!! I am feeling like a very bad dog parent after reading this, she is neglected compared to your dogs, she only has ONE toy at a time,(unless the cat counts)and no microchip, wow it’s a good thing I live on a island!!
HERE HERE!! That was a great post Sta… err, Ike! 😛
You forgot the part about getting an EXTRA big bed if you plan on sleeping in there too! haha
Yo!!! Halleluah on the poop bags!!! I’m tired of finding “deposits” in my front yard that were not left by my dog. I’m so paranoid about not having poop bags handy that I have a bag dispenser attached to Bruce’s main leash and a couple of spare ones in the house plus a poop bag dispenser in both cars. You never know when the “mood” is going to strike!
Ike is so wise! I’d have Bruce take over the Chuck and Mo Spot for a day but I’m afraid he would just write about how to rip a tennis ball into a million pieces and the art of burying sticky rawhides in the couch.
Bug and Moana think Ike is very wise — even if he is a dog.
Good point on the microchipping. I’m going to ask about that at our next vet visit. Oddly, I always assumed it was for those who have purebred dogs — I honestly didn’t think a “regular” dog needed microchipping. After reading this, I realized that ANY beloved family pet should have one!
Penny (my beagle/cocker mix) agrees whole-heartedly, and would like to add a few points:
1. Do not leave your dog on the balcony of your apartment building all day – even if they have house training issues. It’s mean. And very upsetting to any animals that may live underneath the dog on balcony. *Penny growls ominously at Rottweiler barking on balcony*
2. Know your dog. Dogs have personalities, just like people. Some of them are social butterflies, and some are not. Some are afraid of people or other dogs. This is ok. However, it is NOT ok to take a dog who is scared or aggressive with other dogs to a crowded dog park. It is not ok to take a dog uncertain of people right next to a children’s playground. You may find that children will run up to your dog before you have a chance to warn them. I say this as a dog who IS scared of other dogs and who IS uncertain of humans (well, humans other than my pack). It’s hard, but it isn’t fair to anyone to put us in these situations!
3. Please ask before letting your dog come up to sniff another. You never know if that dog is friendly.
4. Screaming will not make me come back to you, prevent me from running away, stop me from jumping, or interrupt my prey drive. It will make me look at you like a moron when I finish what I’m doing.
These are my pet peeves 😉 . Finally, if you know anyone in the Northern Virginia / DC / Maryland area with room in their hearts and homes for a dog, please check out aforverhome.org (where I came from). These are great people who will soon be inundated with beagles and beagle mixes – “allegedly” Michael Vick’s bait dogs.
Let’s add that to the list, as well, shall we? Do not EVER use us for fighting.
Sorry – Penny’s feeling preachy too!
awesome!
Fabulous post. As a veterinarian, I wish more people would see it as money invested (in your dog’s health),than money spent. Love your humanitarism…ummm make that doggitarism 😉
baroooooooooooo (translated = bravo! encore!)
Ike totally needs to record a public service announcement. He would be the best spokesdog ever! (Lou would be a great spokesdog too, but it might be hard to get him to focus and sit still long enough to do it…)
Ike,
Thank you. You are a voice of reason in this insane world.
your pal,
oh what a cute post of pictures. I am just now starting to look into learning about dogs. My children and husband want a dog, me…well, the vote is still out. I am afraid of dogs (have NO idea why). I want a small dog and I know NOTHING about them. Can you give me a good site to start research? I have 2 kiddos, 9 & 3..my 9 year old is Autistic and I really agree with his doctor, this would be GREAT for him AND for a dog who needs a family. I am a sahm so I would be with him/her all day, lucky huh LOL. I would really like to get a rescue doggy so I can feel that not only is our family getting a new member, but I want to help with the doggies who have no home now. Thanks!
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