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The Dog Guardian: Spring 2016 (PDF version)
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Spring Highlights by Julie More Welcome to the Spring 2016 issue of the Dog Guardian. Sooner or later winter will end and spring, sunshine, rain, mud, flowers and birds will reappear. I am definitely not a winter person, but my two dogs are. Although, when it was really cold, we timed Tyler, my 8-year-old black lab, and it took him 45-seconds to run across our deck, down the stairs, do his stuff and run back to the door. Nellie, my 11-year-old Australian Shepherd is a real winter dog. She has to be called in or she would lie on our deck forever. In this issue, the Helpful Hints and Book Review sections have been combined. I was on the internet looking for ideas for Helpful Hints when I came across a great book called "Happy Tails: Hilarious Helpful Hints for Dog Owners." It is with sadness that we say goodbye to Carol Fraser (one of our volunteers) who passed away at the beginning of November. Her pup Maggie, Dagmar’s pup Xavier, and Kit’s cat Oreo crossed the Rainbow Bridge. RDOC is starting a new fundraising tradition. On May 14 we will have our very first garage sale that will hopefully become a yearly event. So when you are spring cleaning in April, save your items for our sale. This issue introduces our Children and Dog Program with the "Fido, Friend or Foe?" activity book. Enjoy reading our newsletter? Let us know what you think. We also welcome new articles. They can be emailed to [email protected] .
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By Julie More
It is with great sadness that I write this article. Carol and I had been friends for about 10 years. We were introduced by our guide puppies, Happy and Bibi, who were littermates. After raising Happy, Carol decided she needed her own dog, so Maggie, a very cute golden retriever joined the Fraser family. Maggie died about a month before Carol.
Carol and I joined RDOC about the same time. We worked together on several projects including the Preschool and Dog Program, Going to the Dogs Fundraiser and the Parks Clean-Up program.
RDOC would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Carol’s husband Andy, her two daughters Alison and Elizabeth, and her two grandsons Gabe and Nigel.
By Julie More
In the Dog Guardian Christmas 2014 issue, I reviewed the website How to Love Your Dog: A Kid’s Guide to Dog Care http://loveyourdog.com/ focusing on the section Dog Duties – What’s Your Job? http://loveyourdog.com/ages.html .
I would like to continue that review by focusing on another section: Getting a New Dog or Puppy? Are you ready for a new dog?: http://loveyourdog.com/nodog.html . It asks if you are ready for a dog by listing five big responsibilities, and explaining each in detail.
The next section is for parents: Parents: Would you like a reality check? Read this letter from a new puppy-owner on living with a new pup: www.loveyourdog.com/nodog2.html .
Finally, it takes you to a discussion about responsibility: www.loveyourdog.com/responsibility.html .
The website gives 2 book references:
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Character Education: Responsibility by Lucia Raatma, Book Reading level: Ages 4-8, 24 pages Publisher: Bridgestone Books (January 1, 2000) |
Do I Have To? Kids Talk about Responsibility by Nancy Loewen, Book Kids Talk Series, Ages 4-8 |
I found the webpage very well designed, giving lots of useful information that children can understand. It gives projects for kids to do, and ideas to think about.
By Julie More
I decided to combine the Book Review section with the Helpful Hints section because when I was searching the Internet for helpful hint ideas, I found this really neat book called Happy Tails: Hilarious Helpful Hints for Dog Owners by Dr. Gary L. Ailes and Joy Underhill.
According to Amazon:
"Dog owners who have struggled with naughty, un-trainable dogs and puppies will now be able to learn why dogs do what they do from Hank, a dog who's a lot like yours. You'll also get some expert advice from Dr. Gary L. Ailes, DVM, to learn what your dog is trying to tell you and how to correct common misbehaviours."
"Read Happy Tails to learn why dogs:
• Turn your flowerbed into an archeological dig;
• Dislocate your shoulder every time you take a walk;
• Gravitate toward the moldiest garbage can on the street;
• Mistake antifreeze for green Kool-Aid;
• Insist upon sniffing the nether regions of humans and animals alike;
• Turn on the canine sprinkler at every mailbox post in the neighbourhood;
• Turn ordinary table legs into objects of affection.
Your dog is not human, but he/she does want to please you. Your job is to figure out what their actions mean, understand that some of it is just typical of dogs, and offer gentle but firm guidance toward good behaviour."
Click here to preview the book
The book starts out by introducing the family: mom, dad, kid and the cat. The narrator of the book is Hank the pup, of course.
It is a very well written, humorous and informative book.
Rawhide is extremely dangerous for dogs
http://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/rawhide-dangerous-for-dogs/
RDOC is very pleased to host their first annual garage sale. Thanks Candice for this fundraiser idea. The garage sale will be held on Saturday May 14 at Betty's house (24 Elderwood Trail in Stittsville) starting at 9am. Thank you, Betty for offering to hold the fundraiser at your house.
Everybody, go through your house. It's time to declutter. Whatever you don't need we will be happy to take. Items can be dropped off at Betty's house on Friday May 13. Please put a price on each item as it will make our lives much easier.
Please keep the prices low for quick sale. If there is an item you want back that doesn't sell at a certain price, please mark "firm" so we don't let it go for less than the price tag.
We also need volunteers to help out on Saturday. If you can help please email me at [email protected] .
It will soon be spring (we all hope). That means it's park clean up time. Join us for our bi-annual Spring Clean-up Days that take place once in the spring and then later again in the fall. Most dog owners are very good in cleaning up after their dogs, but are not so good cleaning up after themselves. You wouldn't believe the number of Tim Horton's cups we collect on the clean-up days. These events also help promote our organization and give us an opportunity to answer questions.
During the morning we hand out bags and gloves to dog owners. They are the ones who do all the work picking up the garbage etc. Their reward is a much cleaner park and their dogs get dog cookies.
RDOC would like to take this opportunity to thank all the wonderful dog owners who help keep our parks clean.
Spring Schedule (Ottawa area):
Conroy Pit Park - Saturday May 21 from 9-11am
Stittsville Park - Saturday May 28 from 9-10am
Bruce Pit - Saturday June 4 from 9-11am
Andy Shields Park, Greely - Saturday June 11 from 10-11am
Heritage Park, Orleans - Saturday June 18 from 9-10am
By Julie More
If your dog loves to fetch balls, then Chuckit!® is the toy for him/her. You will love it too. Just put your dog’s ball in the Chuckit!® launcher and swing it. The ball will fly, and your dog will chase it. You can train your dog to bring the ball back to you, and then start the game again. Don't want to bend down to pick up the ball? No problem, you can scoop it up with the launcher. You don't even have to get your hands dirty.
Both of my dogs love this toy. I am a lousy ball thrower and the Chuckit!® makes me look like a pro, although I still have to watch where I aim. My friends have learned to duck when I throw the ball. Good thing my dogs think I am wonderful.
The price is very reasonable. The cost at Petsmart ranges from $15.99 to $24.99 depending which kind you choose. The Chuckit Jr® at Walmart is $9.99.
We are getting the "Fido, Friend or Foe?" activity book ready for printing. The book was created by Etta Agan Bradecamp DVM, DACT, DABVP and Joanna Burnette Freeman, DVM, and was recently updated in conjunction with RDOC.
The purpose of this activity book is to teach children how to act responsibly and safely around dogs. It can be used as a starting point to talk to children about bite prevention.
The activity book has two parts. The first is for the parents, caregivers, teachers etc. and explains the reason behind the activity book and how to use it. It also provides information about the point each page focuses on.
We have three ongoing projects:
1. We are in the process of talking to CHEO about using the activity book in their group activity program.
2. We are talking to veterinarians about giving the activity book to dog owners who have children or grandchildren between the ages of 3 and 8 years old.
3. We are talking to Girl Guide leaders about introducing the activity book to Sparks and Brownie groups when they are working on their Pet Pals badge.
We would like to thank Mark Sims from StateFarm Insurance for his sponsorship of the activity books printing.
By Julie More (background information provided by Kit Watson and Jill Sandwell)
We would like to recognize Candice O'Connell for her ongoing work as chair of RDOC. Candice is really RDOC. RDOC used to be called NCCPD (National Capital Coalition for People and Dogs). Candice was the founder and chair of NCCPD. The organization was formed when the NCC (National Capital Commission) decided they were not going to allow
dogs on NCC land. Thanks to the NCCPD board and volunteers' negotiation skills, they came up with a compromise that was acceptable to both the NCC and dog owners.
Two years ago Candice wanted to retire so we talked her into being a Co-chair with Dagmar and me for RDOC.
I have known Candice for about 10 years. She has an amazing knowledge of dogs, medical information, training experience, etc. She is a good organizer and a very good people person. She encourages people to try new things. She makes people think. She is very good at problem solving, and knows how to encourage people.
Whatever crazy ideas I have come up with over the years, she always encouraged me to try them.
Thank you Candice for all your work and dedication to RDOC and to dogs. We are really lucky to have you on our team. We are looking forward to working with you for at least the next 20 years.
RDOC would like to take this opportunity to thank our hard working newsletter committee.
They are: Jill Sandwell, Julia Wassef, Kit Watson, Candice O'Connell, Sheri Pendlebury,
Mary Blaney, Dagmar VanBeselaere, Janet Kettles, Betty Harris, Jennifer Harris,
Jean Schultz, Denise Jean, Diane Kearns, Claudette Levac, and Julie More.
Annual Membership Fees:
Seniors and Students $10
Adults and Family $20 (volunteers get 50% discount)
Not-for-Profit Organizations $35
Corporations and Businesses $50
To join or renew your membership, please email [email protected]
or go to our website at www.responsibledogowners.ca/membership.html
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Responsible Dog Owners of Canada (RDOC) Responsible Dog Owners of Canada is a registered non profit organization that promotes responsible dog ownership through education and support, cultivates respect for the rights and privileges of members of the dog-owning and non dog-owning communities, fosters recognition of the contribution that canines make through companionship, service/assistance and therapy and aspires to assemble a strong network of responsible dog owners to ensure the restoration and preservation of a dog-friendly society. Responsibility · Respect · Recognition Contact RDOC by: Write
to us at: Or visit us online at:
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