Paw Print

I worked at the Sun for ten years beginning in the mid-eighties and each year I spent an entire weekend entertaining out-of-town customers Preakness weekend, beginning with Black Eye Susan Day on Friday.  It was enjoyable spending time at Pimlico and in Corporate Village (the more civilized part of the infield) and watching the beautiful horses run, although I was always pleased when the last customer headed home Sunday afternoon.  Somewhere, somehow, since I left the Sun in 1995 I have developed a fear of WATCHING horse racing, either at My Lady’s Manor race or Shawan Downs. I saw at least one horse go down and kinda like eating fish—once I get a bone I’m DONE.  The last time I saw a horse go down was at Shawan Downs and it was the LAST race I’ve been able to watch live.  A horse down instantly zaps the sport and fun out of it for me, so I no longer choose to watch.  Last night when I was reading the trailer on the news and saw that the favorite Big Brown won the Derby and the filly Eight Belles came in second, but had to be euthanized, I had the same experience I’m sure anyone that actually watched the race had, happy and then immediately devastated.  After a restless night this morning I HAD to read the details; what could have gone wrong?  How does this happen?… Why?...Why?...Why?  How does a horse run a great race and then break down when galloping off?  Of course I did not know this filly, the owner, the trainer or the jockey, but I do know it’s tragic.  My heart breaks over all of the above; Larry Jones, Eight Belles’ trainer, left his seat in the stands to go down to the track and celebrate his filly’s finish only to find out she had to be euthanized; that’s tough stuff even if you don’t have a racing phobia.  Eight Belles’ jockey, Gabriel Saez, only 20 years old, said “Mr. Larry, they had to put her down,” then immediately left the track without changing his silks.  Jones somehow mustered the strength to say, “She ran the race of her life.  She went out in glory.”
It’s difficult to say whether Eight Belles was better off than Barbaro, who fought for his life for eight months before being euthanized.  It’s absolutely not hard to say that it’s very sad.

Six weeks after Felix gave birth to the Maryland Zoo’s first African elephant weighing in at some 200 lbs. he was FINALLY named, Samson.  The name was one of more than 1600 names submitted by zoo visitors.  Although a nice name and we know I have hang ups on names (i.e.  Felix - in my mind is a male name, not a female), where is the Maryland tie in?  I was kinda hoping for a name like Poe or Raven but Samson is a fine name - we just want him to stay healthy and entertain the many zoo visitors for many years.  With his first public appearance and naming yesterday the zoo’s general curator and elephant manager Mike McClure said Samson is doing well, very inquisitive and playful. Not to mention Samson appears to be advanced in using his trunk for water and oddly enough picking up and eating mom’s manure - it’s a good elephant thing apparently aiding in the development of his digestive system.  Who knew?  Weather permitting Felix and Samson will be out and about daily from 10 a.m. to noon - stop by and support the zoo and Samson, but be careful of his breath!

I’ve had a like-hate relationship to Martha Stewart in the past, she certainly is amazing in everything she does and I admire her business savvy and multi-media empire.  However, I never got the sense that she was a very warm person but after reading her blog tribute to her beloved Chow, Paw Paw I know she has a big heart and now a heavy heart.  Paw Paw was nearing 13 years of age when he passed away last week from Renal failure leaving behind Martha’s other two dogs Francesca and Sharkey.  Paw Paw was frequently seen on the pages of Martha’s magazine and TV show always looking content, pleased to be included and often smiling.  On her blog Martha said, “Paw Paw was a spectacular chow and even more a spectacular dog.  He was a loyal companion with the most agreeable temperament.” If you have ever lost a best friend canine I would encourage you to visit Martha’s April 16th entry http://blogs1.marthastewart.com/martha/ and experience the truly touching photo tribute to Paw Paw.  But make sure you grab a tissue or two first...very nicely done Martha!

I try and walk my boys each night after work (loving daylight savings time) however the past two weeks I have only been walking Ryder the 10.5 year old leaving Tahoe 12, at home.  Tahoe is pretty much blind from his diabetes and he walks on one of his wrists and not his paw which has to be painful.  It breaks my heart every night when I get ready to go and tell Tahoe he can’t come while he’s at the door ready to bolt.  Since he can’t see he can only sense things around him and he gets rather surly even if in no danger, so it’s really better to leave him at home (plus Ryder and I get a much better cardio workout).  I have lived in my neighborhood for 10 years and ironically I know all of the dogs names but very few of their owners names and vice versa.  Funny thing is although the humans don’t know each other by name we are all certainly aware of each other.  I know this because I have spoken to more people in the neighborhood in the past two weeks than in the past 10 years - they’ve stopped or come out to ask me “where is the other one?” It’s nice to know they’ve noticed us walking for the past 10 years and care enough to ask about Tahoe, I would never have known they saw us passing by.

Had an interesting conversation the other day with an associate that casually mentioned she had trained her dog to use a litter box.  After this vision sank in a little I had to back up the conversation and ask for more details on a dog successfully using a litter box.  Turns out she adopted a Yorkie/ShihTzu mix (all of 1 pound at adoption) and taught him - oh sorry, this large 1 pound puppy is named is TYSON - to use the litter box.  Her method was to take a cat litter box that has expandable sides, put them up on three sides and then she opened up one of the short ends as his entrance.  Instead of cat litter she puts down a Pee Pee pad (another new concept to me) and big ole Tyson goes right in and does his business in his three walled box privacy and every body’s happy.  When asked if he lifted his leg or squatted in the box she held up a tube of lipstick and said Tyson’s leg was the length of the lipstick tube so he definitely had room to lift. The box training of course does not substitute for his outdoor walks where Tyson is also happy to deposit his goods but it certainly frees the owner up if she gets delayed and can’t get home to meet Tyson’s schedule.  Wonderful idea!

Those that have adopted dogs and been told what the dog’s likely breed is or speculate based on “looks like a...” can now find out for certain with a simple DNA test.  A friend adopted a dog named Niko a couple of years ago that she thought was probably border collie/lab mix, but once she had his DNA tested she found out Niko was actually a mix of Chow Chow, Akita and Samoyed.  The DNA testing is a Canine Heritage Breed Test, that costs $79.00 - they use state of the art DNA technology to genetically identify breed characteristics and certify 38 potential breeds.  The DNA test uses a non-invasive cheek swab with quick turn around results of the breed composition in certificate form that includes a photo of the dog and the breed composition.  Benefits of having the breed composition test is to learn more about your pet’s heritage, infer potential health risks associated with breeds, better health and wellness management through breed knowledge and understand behavior and personality. (I’ve attached Niko’s certificate below.)
I’m particularly interested in doing this on my youngest, Ryder 10, I’ve always thought he was a Sheltie-poo as is my older dog Tahoe 12 but the more I look at Ryder I’m not convinced, I think he might have some Beagle or Corgi mixed in with the Sheltie.  Ryder is shorter with a solid little body similar to a beagle and he has the best sniffer and hearing in the state, he can smell or hear something miles away.  Ryder is also very sensitive, people oriented, and only wants to please - the Beagles I’ve known seem to be somewhat aloof and stubborn.  Ryder is the best dog I’ve ever known - besides the unlimited unconditional love he offers he is my angel - I want to know what mix he is so if possible I can find another just like him one day.  Stay posted for Ryder’s DNA Breed Test results.

We have been fortunate to have the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus in Baltimore this past week and it’s always a fun time to see the elephants coming off their trailer and having lunch at Lexington Market.  This year however there was more excitement for some of the guests - three zebras!  Mali, Giza and Lima all seven or eight year old geldings decided they wanted to see more of Baltimore than the inside of the First Mariner Arena and so they did!  There happened to be a door ajar near their pen and since it was already open why not take a walk around Baltimore right?  Unfortunately their experience of Baltimore City was in lanes of traffic at Hopkins Place downtown but only until these three escapees found the good sense to get on the sidewalk until their trainer and handlers arrived to spoil the fun.  Everyone was fine and quickly escorted back to the Arena.  The funny and ironic thing is this wasn’t their first escape - the same three girls plus another, Guinea escaped briefly during a circus trip in Colorado Springs, Colorado!  Carrie Coleman, a circus veterinary technician said “they must have enjoyed the mountains”...hmmm.  These curious females known as Grant’s zebras have keen eyesight, a shy nature and swiftness - each weighing between 600-700 pounds.  A few female zebras just out taking a walk and enjoying the scenery or A.D.D. zebras?

It’s a boy!  After weeks of keeping round the clock vigil around Felix the expecting African elephant delivers her healthy bouncing baby boy - all 290 pounds of him.  Felix, 24, who is considered petite in African elephant standards only 7,490 pounds endured a 22-month pregnancy, a mere 3 hours of labor, and poof a bouncing baby boy.  The yet to be named calf was up and standing within 30 minutes - of course, he’d been laying down for 22 months!  Interestingly, baby elephants stay babies for a much longer time not seeking independence from the mother for three to five years.  Felix is being a doting mom while other resident elephants at the Maryland Zoo Dolly and Anna, are also keeping a keen eye on the little guy.  On average only five African elephants like Felix and her calf are born in the United States each year.  This is Felix’s second birth, she had another male calf five years ago at Riddle’s Elephant Sanctuary and Wildlife Center in Arkansas where Felix was retired after a career in show business.  Felix arrived to the Maryland Zoo from Riddle 19 months pregnant with Tuffy, a male elephant, although not the new calf’s father.
Congratulations Felix and The Maryland Zoo! 

I’ve already established my respect for those who rescue dogs instead of buy dogs noting that too many thousands of dogs are in shelters. 
And because I’ve used this space to Paris Hilton bash - remember, she took her adopted kitten “Prada” in to be spayed and never went back to get her! 
On a positive note today I want to acknowledge one of the many celebrities who’ve rescued dogs over the years, Sandra Bullock.  Sandra is truly a compassionate animal lover unlike Paris Hilton adopting or buying pets for arm candy.  Two of Sandra’s past rescues include a three legged dog named Poppy and a two legged dog named Ruby, Lucky Dogs!  When Sandra totes Poppy and Ruby along with her it’s not for arm candy, it’s for the animals - something Paris Hilton and others should consider. 

There aren’t too many ways today you can make a difference without it costing you time or money but The Animal Rescue Site costs you nothing and by clicking on the site everyday you help feed thousands of rescued animals.  The link is to the right of this blog in red (Help Animals In Shelters with One Click, Click Daily!) each click counts towards food and care of rescued shelter animals paid for by their sponsors, how could you NOT click?

And, The Animal Rescue Site has launched a new forum called “Community,” a wonderful place where you can meet other animal rescuers, pet owners, and more. Trade and comment on amazing stories of animal rescue with others, ask advice, or start your own conversation in the Community forums. Talk about your special relationships, experiences, and thoughts in your own blog. And share pictures and comment on other cute animal photos with a friendly group of animal lovers in a wonderful collection of member photo albums!

Click today and everyday and help animals that need your help:  http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3