Volume 10, Issue 4 ~ Winter 2008 :: also in in
PDF format
In This Issue:
Leash Law Enforcement :
Arboretum, Ottawa, ON
Hideaway Park, Toronto, ON
RDOC Acquires Canadian Canine Good Citizen Test™
Holiday Hazards are Plentiful
RDOC Bite Prevention Program Volunteers
Discount for Service Animal Owners
From Here to Eternity
Volunteer Corner
Rainbow Bridge
Dinner and Murder Mystery Night
They're Good Pet People
Season's Greetings from RDOC
Leash Law Enforcement
Arboretum, Ottawa, ON:
Owners and handlers
walking dogs off leash at the Arboretum in Ottawa will soon be at risk of being
ticketed in accordance with clauses 11 and 12 of the City of Ottawa Bylaws as
follows:
11. Every
owner of a dog shall ensure that the dog is kept on a leash and under the
control of some person
when the dog is on any land in the City unless:
(a) the land is the premises of the owner of the
dog,
(b) the land is owned by a person who has given
prior consent to the dog being off
the leash,
(c) the land is parkland that is:
(i) owned by the City, and
(ii) not designated by sign as an area where dogs
are prohibited.
12. Despite clause (c) of Section 11, in the case
of parkland that is,
(a) owned
by the City, and
(b) designated by sign as an area where dogs are
required to be
kept on the leash,
every owner of a dog shall ensure that the dog is kept on a leash and under the control of some person
when the
dog is in the area designated by sign.
The fine for dogs off-leash in an area designated on-leash is $125.
The decision to invite City of Ottawa Bylaw Officers to enforce leashlaws at the Arboretum, which is federal land that comes under the jurisdiction of
Agriculture Canada, came as a complete surprise to dog walkers, who have been
permitted to walk dogs off leash, without penalty, since the 1930's.
TRAVERS
Photo compliments of Rob Quinn
Dog walkers may wish to write
to their Member of Parliament and the Minister of Agriculture Canada as
follows:
The Honourable Gerry Ritz
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Sir John Carling Building
930 Carling Avenue
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0C5
St.
James Park and Hideaway Park, Toronto, ON:
In 2007 the City of Toronto
introduced the "People, Dogs and Parks" Strategy, an initiative intended
to create consistent regulations for the city's few existing off-leash areas as
well as providing consistency for new areas. The policy also introduced
an annual review of all off-leash parks.
Since
then, the tension has been building as communities fight over traditionally
shared areas, such as Hideaway Park, while other off-leash areas such as High
Park are threatened with a reduction of their areas. St. James Park,
Withrow Park and the Beaches have also seen a noticeable increase in leash
enforcement since the introduction of the policy. Fines average $260. To
put this in perspective, a driver would have to be going 40km over the speed
limit on the highway to be charged a similar amount.
Clashes
between dog owners and other park users have been increasing for more than a
decade and the fight for greenspace is a bitter one. The reasons are
numerous but a fundamental component of the feud is education, or rather a lack
of it on the part of both dog owners and non-dog owners. Responsible Dog
Owners of Canada promotes responsible dog ownership and public safety through
education and support, respect for the rights and privileges of all members of
society, recognition for the contribution that dogs make in society through
companionship, service/assistance and therapy work and a strong network of
responsible dog owners to ensure the restoration and preservation of
dog-friendly communities. Those wishing to work towards these goals
in the Toronto area should contact Tracy Chong at [email protected]
Responsible Dog Owners of Canada is pleased to announce that it has taken legal ownership
of the Canadian Canine Good Citizen Test™ (CCGCT™) and is working to re-introduce the program across Canada.
What
is the Canadian Canine Good Citizen Test™?
The Canine Good Citizen Test™ was developed by the Human Animal Bond Association of Canada to promote responsible dog ownership and reinforce the
acceptance of dogs as good citizens in communities.
The
CCGC Test™ is a ten-step test open to all dogs one year of age or older. It is given in a realistic setting and
relaxed atmosphere to ascertain if a dog owner has trained and conditioned their dog to act in
a mannerly fashion in the home, public places
and in the presence of other dogs. The
test identifies and rewards owners who have successfully trained their dog to
be a respected canine member of the community.
The CCGC Test™ is an assessment of a dog’s manners and training. It is not a competition and does not require
that the handler and the dog perform with precision.
Why
a test?
It is only through some kind of test that a dog’s manners in public
places can be assessed. It is useful to
have a standardized form of evaluating dog behaviour under real life
conditions. The CCGC Test™ was developed in Canada by Canadians advocating modern non-aversive training methods. It encourages responsible dog ownership and
good dog behaviour in everyday surroundings.
Canadian
Canine Good Citizen training is fun and functional. Many dog owners select the Canadian Canine
Good Citizen training as a first step in preparing their dogs for other
training and sporting activities such as therapy work, obedience, agility,
search and rescue and performance events. Through the training exercises, dog
owners benefit from many joys and rewards, including a closer bond with their
dogs.
What
are the benefits of CCGC Certification?
Upon successful completion of the test, the owner is awarded a CCGCT™ certificate signifying that he or she is a responsible dogowner who has taken the time and effort to provide their dog with basic good
manners and that, on the day of testing, the dog demonstrated that it is a
socially acceptable dog.
Dogs that have solid obedience training are a pleasure to
live with, adapt well to a human living environment, exhibit good manners in
the presence of people and other dogs and are content in the company of the
owner who took the time to provide training, intellectual stimulation and an
enriched quality of life.
The following are some benefits:
Dog owners learn how well their canine
companions behave under normal on-the-street conditions around other people and dogs.
Dog owners can proudly display the CCGC Test™ Certificate with the Responsible Dog Owners of Canada seal that signifies that on the day of testing the dog demonstrated good basic manners
and behaviour.
Dog owners will appreciate that their well-behaved dogs are more readily accepted wherever they go because of their good manners.
Dogs will be much happier because they will be able to spend more time with their humans in many more places.
The Canadian Canine Good Citizen Test™
The CCGC Test takes place in a public setting with appropriate distractions. A
vaccination certificate, licence, a grooming tool, a plastic bag and a leash
with a buckle collar, body harness or martingale collar are required for this
test. A dog straining on its lead or
touching anyone with teeth or feet is unacceptable and, therefore, a failure.
Test Number 1 - Accepting a
friendly stranger: Owner shakes hands
with a friendly stranger. This test
displays a dog's acceptance of unfamiliar adults and children.
Test Number 2 - Patiently sitting for petting: A test for
shyness and defence of personal space.
Test Number 3 - Appearance and grooming: Reveals owner's care and sense
of responsibility for their dog.
Test Number 4 - Out for a walk: Illustrates handler’s control of
his or her dog.
Test Number 5 - Walking through a crowd: Demonstrates that the dog moves
around in a crowd without being unduly distressed and is under handler control.
Test Number 6 - Response to commands "sit", "down", "stay" and "come": This exercise
exhibits that the dog is trained and responds well to its handler/owner.
Test Number 7 -
Praise/Interaction: Shows the dog’s relationship with its owner
and that the dog can be calmed down easily.
Test Number 8 - Reaction to passing dogs: Demonstrates that the dog
behaves politely around other dogs.
Test Number 9 - Distractions: Illustrates that the dog is
confident when faced with common distractions.
Test Number 10 - Supervised isolation: Reveals that the dog can be left
with someone other than its usual handler and will maintain its training and
good manners.
CCGC™
Test Evaluators
Want to become a test
evaluator? RDOC is currently recruiting
CCGC™ Test Evaluators and is accepting applicants who meet the followingcriteria:
twenty-one (21) years of
age or over;
current
member of Responsible Dog Owners of Canada;
certified trainer or behaviourist with a recognized institute or association*, or
actively involved in canine activities for a minimum of three (3) years or six hundred
(600) hours with at least one recognized organization;
comprehensive
knowledge of dog behaviour , e.g. breeding, showing, performance events,
obedience training, canine-related education, assistance or therapy animal
training, etc.;
trained at least one (1) dog that has passed the CCGC™ Test, the Canine Good Neighbour(CGN) Test or the Canine Good Citizen Test (CGC), or has successfully completed
a CCGC™ Evaluator Training Program with RDOC;
prepared to fail dogs that do not meet the standards as a CCGC™ certified dog isconsidered to be safe and welcome in the community;
provide one (1) character reference and one (1) reference attesting to your skills with
respect to handling and training dogs; all references must be from someone who
has known the applicant for three (3) or more years and is not a relative.
Please note that all CCGC
evaluators, formerly certified with Human Animal Bond Association of Canada,
(HABAC), are considered grandfathered as RDOC evaluators provided they apply
for membership with RDOC.
CCGC™ Test for Clubs and
Organizations
The CCGC™ Test is a great opportunity for clubs and organizations to earn money, encourage responsible dog ownership and rewardresponsible dog owners.
Just follow these steps:
contact RDOC and ask for a test kit and a list of CCGC™
test evaluators;
set a date, location and cost for the test (test locations should be in a busy,
active section of the community);
advertise the test day in your community;
conduct the testing, congratulate the successful applicants and commend and encourage
those whose dogs require more training to try again;
send RDOC a copy of the test registration form; and
send a portion of the profits to RDOC (10% of the proceeds) and bank the remainder
of the profits for your organization.
For more information, contact
RDOC at 613.228.7764 or e-mail at [email protected].
Holiday Hazards are Plentiful
While Poinsettias are not likely to cause anything more than a tummy upset, there are holiday plants that
are toxic and sometimes fatal if ingested.
Some of the more common holiday flora that can create problems include
Christmas Roses, Mistletoe, Holly, and Lilies.
Festive foods that are
plentiful and toxic in most homes during the holidays include chocolate. The toxic compounds
in chocolate are Theobromine and Caffeine. Symptoms of chocolate poisoning
include vomiting and diarrhea, seizures, increased heart rate and respirations,
tremors, and hyperactivity.
Some types of chocolate are not as harmful as others and
the severity of the reaction from ingested chocolate
depends largely on the size of the pet and the type of chocolate eaten. White chocolate is the least harmful and dark
chocolate and cocoa are the most toxic.
Another treat that is harmful to dogs is Xylitol, an
ingredient often found in candies and gum, particularly sugar-free brands. Symptoms of Xylitol poisoning include vomiting,
weakness, ataxia, depression, seizures, coma, and death.
Other poisonous foods include alcohol, cherry or peach pits, onions,
coffee, garlic, grapes, raisins, raw yeast and macadamia nuts.
Non-Food Hazards
Remember dogs, especially puppies, will eat almost
anything that is within reach. Holiday
lights and extension cords: can cause severe electrical burns and/or
electrocution. The chemicals inside lights can also cause serious chemical
burns and noxious reactions.
Christmas ornaments can cause lacerations if broken and tinsel and ribbons
can become lodged in intestines if swallowed causing life-threatening
blockages. Keep potpourris out of reach as well as some may contain
traces of strychnine.
Prevention is the best way to ensure you and your pet have a safe and
happy holiday. Be sure to keep noxious
plants out of reach and keep toxic foods in sealed containers. Most of all, ensure that your pet is
supervised when around Christmas lights.
If your pet does ingest food or items that can cause harm, call your vet
immediately. A good resource for
additional information is the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals website at www.aspca.org or the ASPCA
Animal Poison Control at 888.426.4435.
RDOC Bite Prevention Program Volunteers
Responsible Dog Owners of Canada (RDOC)is seeking volunteers for its Bite Prevention Program. RDOC is a
registered presenter with Doggone Safe, a not for profit organization dedicated
to bite prevention through education, and plans to offer the "Be a Tree"
program to children in the spring of 2009.
While there are
no official dog bite statistics for Canada, the Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention
Program (CHIRPP) reported that, of all injuries recorded in 1996, one
percent (1%) resulted from dog bites or attacks. CHIRPP also reported
that injuries associated with dog bites and dog attacks were sustained most
frequently by 5-9 year olds (28.5%).
The majority of dog bites and
attacks are preventable and education is the foundation of prevention. If
you would like to be a part of this important project, the following is a list
of the various opportunities.
Administrative
Volunteers
Develop
and maintain a data base to accurately record the names of private schools and
French elementary schools, contact information, dates of presentation,
facilitators etc. The Ottawa Humane Society is responsible for the English
elementary schools and RDOC has a mandate to complement their work;
Develop and review workshop evaluation form(s) and make recommendations for the improvement
of materials and of the facilitating approach in classrooms and materials;
Prepare kits to be sent to schools, e.g. letters regarding program being offered, registration
process, description of program, program material for children, etc.;
Follow-up by sending material to schools, by providing telephone confirmations, etc.;
Coordinate logistics of workshops, i.e. dates, venues, facilitator(s) - school contacts,
contact facilitators for availability, etc.
Keep track of costs e.g. photocopies, stamps and credits (attendance fee per presentation).
"Be a Tree" Facilitators
Prepare and organize material for workshops;
Facilitate workshops;
Evaluate workshops.
Volunteers should also note
the following:
Workshop facilitators in schools must like
children, be affable and responsible and clear an Ottawa Police security check.
RDOC will cover the costs pertaining to a security check.
Activities may change to better meet the needs of our clients. Other activities may also be added for the same purpose.
For more information, please
contact MariLyse Dumas at [email protected]. To volunteer
for this program, please contact Julie More at [email protected].
Discount for Service Animal Owners
Effective immediately, WAG Pet Shop
(Ottawa, Ontario) offers a 10% discount on food to owners of service
animals.
Ottawa's first truly pet-friendly café has plenty of room to sit, enjoy a
coffee or tea and read the paper, check your emails, chat with friends or
browse around the cool dog and cat supplies, including the healthiest dog and
cat food lines available.
WAG is located at 1071 Bank
Street across from the Mayfair Theatre. Free
parking is available at the corner of Bank and Sunnyside. For those who use public transit, WAG is
located on OC Transpo Route Numbers 1 and 7.
For information, call 613.730.4647
or check out their website at www.wagpetshop.ca
From Here to Eternity
As every pet owner knows, the most difficult part of loving an animal is letting
go. Sometimes, pet owners are forced to give the final gift of love and free
their furry companion from a body that is no longer kind. Sometimes a pet will leave on his or her own
terms or a tragic event will end a life.
However pets cross the Rainbow Bridge, they are family members and, when
they pass, the loss can be overwhelming and the grief agonizing.
Not so long ago, when a pet passed away, there was usually a backyard
burial or the veterinarian arranged for cremation. Today, there are many more options for those
who want to honour the unconditional bond of a friend that was a vital part of life
and love. However, because most pet
owners do not think about the final journey, they are not aware of the services
available.
Very recently, we learned about Jocelyne Monette and Eternal Companions
Pet Memorial Centre and we were so impressed with the services provided, we
knew we had to share with our readership.
Eternal Companions Pet Memorial Centre was founded with the single purpose
of helping animal-loving people mourn, memorialize and celebrate the life they
shared with their companions. They offer
a sanctuary filled with compassion, acceptance and healing; a gathering place
for human and animal friends to pay their final respects with grace and
dignity. They are people who have
experienced the same deep bonds with their pets as you have with yours.
The services they provide include:
24 hour assistance
Home and Hospital Service
Burial Services
Memorial Options
DVD Certifications
Grief Support
Pre-Planning and Funeral Planning Consultant.
Eternal Companions Pet Memorial Centre has a
selection of unique keepsakes to honour your beloved companion and the memories
of your life together. Whether a locket,
a blown-glass ash memorial, a DVD montage, framed paw prints or an embroidered
blanket, there is a memento that will help you to remember that love never
dies.
As
most pet owners can attest, handling the final arrangements for your cherished
furry friend can be devastating and we, therefore, suggest you do a little
research before you need to make the difficult decisions. It will allow you to reflect on how you would
like to honour your pet when the time comes.
For more information, visit www.eternalcompanions.ca. In Ottawa, call 613.566.2100 or call toll free at 1.866.302.0500.
VOLUNTEER CORNER by
Julie More
RDOC is developing many new programs and I am happy to say we are getting more
volunteers. Thank you everybody. We couldn't run the programs without you.
In this
newsletter I would like to make a special mention of Kit Watson (Ottawa,
Ontario). Kit helped out at the RDOC
information table at the BARK Walk-a-thon. She also put in many hours helping
out at the Going to the Dogs fundraiser.
Then
there is the Pet insurance project. Kit
helped design the survey, did a lot of research and co-authored the article
about pet insurance in our last newsletter.
She is helping to design the Bite Prevention Program.
Kit and
her husband Cliff are owned by their cat Oreo and Hugo, their guide dog puppy in
training.
Responsible Dog Owners of Canada extends its sincere condolences to
John Seguin of Ottawa, Ontario in the loss of
Tucker, his
beloved canine companion.
Dinner and Murder Mystery Night
Responsible Dog Owners of Canada is pleased to present a Valentine's Day Dinner and Murder Mystery Night at the Player's Club (Rideau Carleton Raceway).
Nothing says "I love you" better
than blood and chocolate and this evening offers Rideau Carleton's famous all-you-can-eat
buffet, complimentary chocolate kisses, the suspenseful and zany antics of the
Eddie May Troupe, and a bonus $5 coupon for the SLOTS.
Also included is a chance to win a complimentary one-night stay for two in the luxurious VIP Room at the Cartier Place Suite Hotel, donated by Cartier
Place Suite Hotel and a $50 gift certificate for Café Mezzaluna, donated by
Café Mezzaluna.
A raffle prize, generously donated by REMAX, includes two tickets for a ride in the REMAX Hot Air Balloon.
Tickets
are $48 per person. Tickets are limited
and must be reserved before February 5, 2009. To purchase tickets or to obtain
more information, contact RDOC at [email protected] or
call 613.228.7764.
They're Good Pet People
Francine and Nina
Maria decorating for the photo shoot fundraiser
Responsible Dog Owners of Canada would like to extend its sincere
appreciation to Francine Paradis and Maria Vila of Pet Valu in Manotick Mews,
Ontario for hosting a barbeque and photo shoot fundraiser on October 17 &
18 for Responsible Dog Owners of Canada and Canines with a Cause. A total of $1000, which included a personal
donation from Francine and Maria, was divided between the two organizations.
RDOC volunteers were invited to set up a booth during the two-day event
and during that time had an opportunity to talk to Francine and Maria and check
out the store. We were thrilled to learn
that Francine and Maria are dedicated pet owners themselves and go the extra mile to
provide you and your pet the finest in nutrition and supplies.
True blue animal lovers, Francine and Maria have four dogs, five cats, 5
canaries and 5 finches (hand-raised) so you know that they have personal
experience of raising and caring for your furry or feathered friend.
Francine and Maria recently opened a new
pet resort and invite you to try their boarding services. For more information, contact Francine or
Maria at 613.692.1769.
Winter and Your Dog by Laureen Osborne
There are many ways to
protect your dog from harsh winter weather.
In extreme cold (minus 15 centigrade
or more), put boots on your dog's feet if he is showing signs of freezing paws.
Take your dog with you to the pet store to ensure you get the right fit. Excess
fur on the feet and lower legs can make it difficult for boots to stay on.
Consider having his feet and legs trimmed to accommodate the boots.
If there is no way your dog
will tolerate boots, you can use skin permeable spray foam which will protect
his skin from toxic road salt. You can also try grooming show products that go
on the pads. This will help your dog to keep from slipping on ice.
Keep the fur between his
under pads trimmed short so that snow doesn't collect and freeze into balls.
Does your dog need a coat?
He does if he is noticeably shivering when you take him outside. If he is long
haired, look for a coat with a nylon lining instead of fleece. The nylon won't
cause his hair to tangle.
There are nylon trouser suits available which
will keep him clean and dry on those slushy, wet winter days. They have
openings on the underside so he can still relieve himself.
With the right protection,
there is no reason why both of you can't enjoy winter!
Note: Laureen Osborne is a Master Groomer and the author
of "The Pet Owner's Guide to Dog Grooming" available at www.Larkspurpublications.com.
Inside RDOC
At a recent RDOC Board of
Directors meeting, the Directors agreed that the organization should apply for
charitable status. RDOC has been a
registered not for profit organization since November 2002. With a charitable designation, RDOC will be
able to issue income tax receipts.
Approval of a charitable designation will take anywhere from a year to
18 months.
RDOC would like to extend a warm welcome to Lorraine Green and Tracy
Chong, two new Directors. Lorraine will
take charge of the Canadian Canine Good Citizen™ Program and Tracy will beresponsible for the Toronto Chapter of RDOC.
Whatever you are celebrating during the
festive season,
on behalf of Responsible Dog Owners of Canada,
we wish you and
your family the very best during the holidays.
We also wish everyone health and prosperity for 2009.
Volume 10, Issue 3 ~ Fall 2008 :: also available in PDF format
In This Issue:
No Pets on Public Transit
Guide to Grooming
Pet Health Insurance Plan (PHIP) - Taking the Bite Out of Pet Insurance Legalese
Cans For Pets
Rescue & Humane Education in Merida (a journal excerpt) - Part II
Kudos to National Capital Commission!
RDOC Introduces Bite Prevention Program
Pit Bull Ban - Appeal Decision
Recognizing With Gratitude
St. Valentine's Day Dinner & Murder Mystery
Acknowledging Our Volunteers
No Pets on Public Transit by Candice O'Connell
On September 10, 2008, City Council struck a final blow to the Pets on Public Transit Pilot Project voting 14 to 8 against the following motion:
Moved by Alex Cullen
Seconded by Clive Doucet
WHEREAS several Canadian Municipalities allow caged
or crated animals aboard their transit
systems;
AND WHEREAS the transit system should be an
accessible system that provides those who wish to transport their pets in a
safe fashion the opportunity to do so;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED
THAT staff be directed to develop a Pets on Public Transit policy, including an
amendment to the Transit By-law, to permit the accommodation of pets on the
transit system provided they are:
crated, and
in the lap of the transit rider, and
traveling in off-peak transit hours
AND FURTHER BE IT
RESOLVED THAT this policy include the consideration of the following:
the safety of the operator and bus riders
the liability of Transit Services for the safety of the pet
the discomfort of those with allergies or zoophobia
AND FURTHER BE IT
RESOLVED THAT this policy be brought forward by February 2009 and include a
communications plan.
Voting in favour
were Councillors M. Bellemare, C. Doucet, G. Hunter, M. Wilkinson, J. Legendre,
D. Holmes, A. Cullen and P. Hume.
Voting against were Councillors R. Bloess, S. Desroches, J. Harder, R.
Jellett, D. Thompson, D. Deans, R. Chiarelli, C. Leadman, B. Monette, S.
Qadri, G. Bédard, E. El Chantiry, P. Feltmate and Mayor O'Brien.
A great deal of work had gone
into the Pets on Public Transit proposal.
RDOC prepared an 18-page submission that highlighted studies,
communications from many of the 24 transit authorities in Canadian cities that
have successful pets on public transit
policies and a petition of more than 2,000 signatures. Support for the initiative came from such
credible organizations as the Ottawa Humane Society and Therapeutic Paws of Canada. However, at the end of the day, the majority
of City Council was swayed by divergent opinions that RDOC believes were based
on misinformation, hyperbole and fear-mongering.
With this
decision, the issue cannot be revisited until a new Council is elected. RDOC believes in the initiative and will make
an attempt to educate the next City Council and get a Pets on Public Transit
policy implemented in Ottawa.
RDOC wishes to
acknowledge and thank Councillors Alex Cullen and Clive Doucet for their belief
in the project and their valiant efforts to persuade City Council to see the
merit of the project. Following the vote
rejecting the Cullen/Doucet motion, Councillor Cullen, a long-time champion of
the people, sent RDOC an e-mail commenting that it sometimes takes a longer
time to educate some people and encouraging RDOC not to give up. Good advice we think!
Guide to Groomingby Laureen Osborne
We know that Fall's here when the mornings are cooler and nightfall comes earlier. We also know Fall is here when those pesky
burrs "pounce" on our dog when he or she walks by.
Almost every breed of dog
will collect the odd burr, thorn or "hounds tooth" here and there. As soon as
you spot one on your dog, stop and remove it. The longer the burr sits in your
dog’s fur, the harder it will be to remove later.
Gently peel back each individual hair from the burr.
Be patient (and hope that your dog is too!). Once you have peeled enough hairs,
you should be able to "shred" the burr apart with your fingers. When you get
home, you can brush out any remaining barbs.
Sometimes your dog will be
covered in burrs and depending on how long they’ve been there and the type of
coat he has, this method may be impossible. In this case, use a pair of coarse
thinning shears and cut the burrs out of the coat. Always put your
fingers between the burr and your dog's skin so you don't accidentally cut your
dog.
If the situation is really
bad and the burrs are imbedded next to the skin and covered in fur, take your
dog to a professional groomer and have them remove the burrs.
Pet Health Insurance Plan (PHIP) - Taking the Bite out of Pet Insurance
Legalese
by Kit Watson & MariLyse Dumas
Is pet insurance right for you? As pet owners, we asked
ourselves this question and decided to do our own investigation regarding the
plans available and what each provides.
Hopefully, the information we gathered will take the bite out of pet
insurance policy legalese, and make it easier to decide if pet insurance is
right for you and your pet.
Pets play a very
important role in our lives. They not
only work for and help us, both physically and emotionally, as service and
therapy animals, but they share our lives as family members and
companions. Their physical well-being is
very important to us, and we take great strides to protect them from illness
and injury that may occur during their lifetime. Pet insurance companies realize this and are
capitalizing on the phenomena.
Selecting a pet
insurance company is a difficult task.
Does the company have stability and proven success insuring the lifetime
health of a customer's pet? Does your insurance company allow you to consult a
veterinarian of your choosing or a specialist, e.g. ophthalmologist or
oncologist? Does it allow after hours
emergency care? You'll also want to be sure your use of an emergency clinic
does not reduce the amount of coverage allowed for follow-up care. As a customer, you should expect that your
insurance provider has trained and qualified people to assist you when you have
a problem or need help with a claim.
Pet insurance companies who
employ pet lovers who care and understand pets can make all the difference.
Your veterinarian is a good person to ask for a pet insurance company
recommendation as he has heard it all, both good and bad, from other policy-holders.
Pet insurance is
expensive, but cost should not be the only factor pet owners consider when
purchasing a policy. Owners also need to
be aware of policy terms and conditions such as the coverage provided, coverage
exclusions and effective dates for coverage of accidents and illnesses and age
restrictions.
Most policies
cover accidents and illnesses unless there is a pre-existing medical condition,
but some policies will not cover illnesses for certain breeds such as the
Chinese Shar-Pei and Shar-Pei crossbreeds because the breed is considered high
risk for illnesses. A few companies
offer comprehensive coverage including preventative care (e.g. annual check
ups, vaccinations, neutering, dental, etc.), but premiums for these policies
are steep.
Some plans have
lifetime coverage limits for certain illness and others have lifetime coverage
limits for both illnesses and accidents, i.e. there are limitations on claims,
which may be unrealistic when modern veterinarian medicine can be so
sophisticated and extensive, while other plans have renewed claim limitations
on an annual basis.
Other plans
include co-payments and deductibles. For
example, some plans pay 90% and the owner pays 10%, while other plans cover 80%
and the owner pays 20%.
Another type of
reimbursement is calculated as a percentage of a benefit schedule which limits
the amount the insurance company will pay.
The actual reimbursement as a percentage of a benefit schedule can be as
little as 30% of your vet bill.
Deductibles are often based on the age of your pet, so as your pet ages,
your deductible increases.
If your deductible is not
age based, which deductible should you choose?
Choosing a higher deductible will lower your monthly premiums, but means
your out-of-pocket expenses will be
higher. Choosing a lower deductible will
increase your monthly premiums, but out-of-pocket expenses will be lower each
time your pet requires medical treatment.
Discounts for service animals, multiple pets, or pets that are microchipped are also available with some
plans.
Insurance and Liability Issues
Insurance is not
only about a pet's health but also about protecting the owner from being sued
if a pet injures someone, or causes property damage. While third party liability is not always
included in pet insurance policies, some plans include property damage if the
owner is a tenant in a rental unit and has a tenant’s policy.
However, no plans provide coverage for third party personal injury
liability. Third party personal injury liability is only provided under a home
insurance policy.
Home insurance
policies can also vary. Some plans
exclude third party personal injury liability if an owner has what some
insurance companies consider a "dangerous breed", while others may attach a
surcharge to the policy. The breeds most
often appearing on an insurance
"dangerous breed" list are American Pit Bull Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers,
American Staffordshire Terriers, Rottweilers, Doberman Pinchers, Bull Mastiffs,
Akitas and German Shepherds.
Surcharges are
sometimes waived if the dog is a certified service or assistance animal from a
recognized school or organization that trains service animals, or if the dog
has achieved a Canadian Canine Good Citizen or Canadian Good
Neighbour Certificate.
People with
service or assistance animals should know that, for insurance purposes, their
animals are considered pets. As service
and assistance animals can cost as much as $30,000, it would be too costly for
insurance companies to underwrite the cost of replacement.
To provide easy
access to the definitions of legal terms you will encounter in insurance policies, a glossary of the main legal terms
and website links follows this article.
Travel
Travelling with a
pet can be a fun experience if you think of your pet as a passenger with
special needs. A little pre-planning and
consideration goes a long way in making the trip a pleasure for everyone. Before travelling, a check-up with the
veterinarian is always a good idea. Make
sure that you have proof of the required vaccinations or an antibody titer
certificate, if acceptable.
Is your pet on
medication or special food? Be sure to bring along enough of each for the
duration of your trip. Check ahead to see if pets are welcome in the hotels or motels along your route, see http://www.responsibledogowners.ca/dogfriendly.html for a list of pet-friendly accommodations.
Insurance Tips While Travelling Outside Your Own Country
When travelling
outside of Canada, owners should have a copy of their pet's medical records.
Many countries also require an International Health Certificate completed by
the pet’s veterinarian. A sample of an
International Health Certificate can be viewed at http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/anima/heasan/export/petcom/petcome.shtml . Owners might also want to inquire if pet insurance exists in the country in which theyare travelling. If it does, they may
wish to purchase a policy before leaving home. This is not only more
convenient, but often less expensive.
For Canadian
snowbirds that spend their winters in Florida and want to take their pets with
them, insurance coverage is available for a maximum of 182 days. Some Canadian
insurance companies offer coverage for the United Kingdom. In some countries, like Mexico, pet insurance
is not available, but veterinary fees may be quite reasonable. If travelling in
Europe, e.g. France, pet insurance can be purchased in Canada in Euros, but you
will most likely require an address where you will be staying.
Pets sometimes get
lost and proper identification tags and/or a microchip is strongly recommended.
Conclusion
Whether pet
insurance is right for you or not, it is important to review the policies
available before making a decision. If
you opt to purchase pet insurance, you need to evaluate what you need, how much
you can afford and how much protection the policy provides.
Along with this
article, we have prepared an in-depth survey which we have broken down into
four categories, i.e. General, Coverage, Costs and Claims, so that we can
provide pet owners with factual information about pet insurance.
Pet owners are
encouraged to complete the survey no later than December 15, 2008, as the plan
is to publish the results of the survey in the Spring 2009 issue of the RDOC
newsletter. In the interim, a progress
report will be included in the RDOC Winter newsletter.
Any questions
concerning pet insurance that are of a legal nature should be addressed to a
lawyer who is familiar with and understands animal law. RDOC uses the services of Green & Vespry
Law Offices for legal interpretation. For other matters of a non legal nature,
such as coverage and claims, you should speak with a representative of your pet
insurance company or perhaps someone who has pet insurance and has experience
with a similar situation.
GLOSSARY OF TERMINOLOGY
Third Party
Liability
A person who is not a party
to any action but from whom a defendant claims relief. The party is not a party at the commencement
of the original action, but the defendant claims relief from the party and the
defendant adds the party to the action.
Co-Insurance
Requires the insured to bear
the proportion of the loss equivalent to the value of the property at risk, in
excess of the insurance thereon, bears to the interest of the insured in the
property or to the amount of insurance thereon.
Claim
Based
To demand as one's
own or as one's right; to assert; to urge; to insist. A cause of action. Means by or through which claimant obtains
possession or enjoyment of privilege or thing.
Demand for money or property as of right, e.g. insurance claim. With respect to claims to a negotiable
instrument of which a holder in due course takes free, the term "claim" means
any interest or remedy recognized in law or equity that creates in the claimant
a right to the interest or its proceeds.
Occurrence
Based
Every insurance
policy must provide a mechanism for determining the claims for which the
insurer is liable in a temporal sense.
The traditional way has been to focus on the occurrence giving rise to
the claim. For example, most automobile
insurance liability policies provide coverage for accidents caused by the
insured's negligence during the policy period.
Provided that the negligent act occurred in the policy period, the
insurer is required to indemnify the insured for all loss arising from it,
regardless of when a claim is made against the insured for that loss. This type of insurance policy is called an
"occurrence" policy.
As there is often no
consistency to legal terminology, we advise you to check out all of the above
legal glossaries before drawing any conclusions.
Financial
Euthanasia
If the costs
involved to keep a pet alive are very high and beyond the person's means, a
major subjective decision, it is less expensive to have the pet euthanised.
Benefit
Schedule
A benefit schedule lists the
reimbursement allowances available to you during your policy's one-year term.
Allowances are categorized and itemized by diagnosis, e.g. fractures, and by
treatment, e.g. cast.
The reimbursement
allowance for each diagnosis is available every time your pet suffers a new,
unrelated injury during your policy's one-year term. For example, if your dog breaks his leg and
requires a cast, the maximum benefit allowance under the VPI®
Superior Plan benefit schedule would be $251. If your dog breaks another leg
during your policy's term, an additional $251 would be available, less your $50
per-incident deductible. (Reference: www.petinsurance.com/coverage/benefitschedule.aspx)
Due
Diligence
Due diligence is
the level of judgement, care, prudence, determination and activity that a
person would reasonably be expected to do under particular circumstances.
In terms of occupational
health and safety, due diligence means that employers shall take all reasonable
precautions, under the particular circumstances, to prevent injuries or
accidents in the workplace. This duty also applies to situations that are
not addressed elsewhere in the
occupational health and safety legislation. (Reference Canadian Centre for
Occupational Health and Safety)
DISCLAIMER
Information
published in this article and subsequent survey on the RDOC website is provided
for information, education purposes, and to be used for guideline use only.
RDOC shall not be liable for any damages, claims, liabilities, costs or
obligations arising from the use or misuse of the material contained in this
website, whether such obligations arise in contract, negligence, equity or
statute law. We do not guarantee or warrant the quality, accuracy,
completeness, timeliness, appropriateness or suitability of the information
provided, as pet insurance companies are free to change policies at any time.
The attached survey has been prepared based on policies available in Ontario.
There may be differences in coverage, costs, etc. between provinces.
The RDOC website also
contains links to other websites (i.e. pet friendly accommodations) that are
independently operated. Any links that RDOC provides to other websites are
provided as a service to website visitors. RDOC does not recommend or endorse
any of the products or services on linked websites, and expressly disclaims any
liability associated with such sites and/or their products or services. Links
are provided for convenience and information only, and we assume no
responsibility for their content or their privacy practices, nor is liability
assumed for incompatibility, non-suitability, viral infection, worms, trojan
horses, or other destructive/disruptive components on or from such sites. RDOC
does not guarantee the quality, accuracy, completeness, timeliness or
appropriateness of the information contained within linked websites, nor is it
liable for the products and services sold through, by or from these sites or
their proprietors.
LINKS
The following are
some informative website links that RDOC members might find interesting:
A man wrote a
letter to a small hotel in a Midwest town he planned to visit on his
vacation. He wrote: "I would very much
like to bring my dog with me. He is well groomed and very well behaved. Would you be willing to permit me to keep him
in my room with me at night?"
An immediate reply
came from the hotel owner, who wrote: "Sir: I've been operating this hotel for
many years. In all that time, I've never had a dog steal towels, bedclothes,
silverware or pictures off the walls.
I've never had to evict a dog in the middle of the night for being drunk
and disorderly, and I've never had a dog run out on a hotel bill.
Yes, indeed, your
dog is welcome at my hotel, and, if your dog will vouch for you, you're welcome
to stay here, too."
Cans for Pets
Donate your empty, rinsed pet
food cans, with or without lids, to "Cans" for Pets, a program set up to assist
pet owners and their pets with emergency medical care expenses.
"Cans" for Pets is a "new"
You Can Make A Difference Community Recycling Program that takes cans out of
the blue box and turns them into cash for programs and supports a healthier environment!
Look for the blue recycle
containers at Bruce Pit and Conroy Pit.
For more information on the You Can Make A Difference Community
Recycling Program please call Catherine Gardner at 613.726.3609 or email [email protected]
Rescue and Humane Education in Merida(a journal excerpt)- Part II by MariLyse Dumas
I am keeping in constant contact with AFAD in Merida. They are sending me updates on their
activities, articles that are of
interest and anything that deals with cruelty to animals or ignorance.
When you are the only rescue
organization in a city of one million, you are the one who receives all
the emergency calls from people who
witness an act of cruelty or the death of an animal. You are the first one at
the scene. Such was the case, when AFAD received the information that a bitch
and her eight puppies had been buried alive and left to die.
When AFAD responded, they
actually found out that a woman was trying to keep the bitch from biting a
little boy. Very clearly the reason for the action is not cruelty but rather
ignorance. The woman likely did not realise that the bitch was trying to
protect her puppies from the little boy. The incident made the headlines in the
local newspaper in the hope of sensitizing and educating people about dogs.
Another call for help received by AFAD was from the local police: A horse was dying. As in many
cities in downtown Merida, there are horses and carriages so that tourists can see
the city. The horses are small, undernourished and wait under the blazing sun
while their owners are in the shade sipping a cool drink. This horse was dying
and no one knew what to do. So they called AFAD. The horse was lying in the
street surrounded by onlookers. He had a heavy chain around his neck which
impeded his already laboured breathing. The AFAD volunteers asked the owner to
remove the chain. They took care of the
situation and the horse died peacefully.
Life in the Yucatan is
hard. The Yucatan population is poor, very poor. So, people find ways to make
money. One of the latest schemes to make money is to have bulls and horses in a
"corrida" or bullfight. If ever you have seen a corrida in Spain, you will
know that there are "toreadors" and the horses used to tackle the bull are
usually covered with a well-padded blanket.
The bull, often wounded and furious, will charge the horse. Horses are
injured. Some are put down because their wounds are fatal.
In this new
version of a "corrida", the horses are not padded. There are no
"toreadors". The goal is for the bull to
kill the horse. During the "combat" if the horse is torn by
the bull's horns, he is taken to the back of the arena where a vet stitches the
animal and then the horse is returned to the arena. A "Sinaloense" is a bull
that killed 12 horses in one "corrida". He is used for breeding in the hope of
siring bulls that will be even better at "doing the job".
These "corridas"
started in August 2007 as a new form of entertainment. Vendors make money
selling beer and snacks. Bets are placed on the bulls and the number of horses
they can kill. This is big business but it is not supported by everyone. It is
important to state that there are more communities in Mexico that oppose this
"entertainment" than support it.
At the end of this article, I have included some links to articles written and videos created in
Mexico. Readers are warned that both contain text or images that are very
graphic and not for the faint of heart. I have included them because the
readers need to know that there is opposition in Mexico to mistreating animals,
torturing them, and/or killing them. There is a will to protect animals and to
educate the population.
Back in Canada,
there are days when, while reading an e-mail or an article from the local
newspaper, the "Diario de Yucatan", I want to pack my bags, buy a plane ticket
and go to Merida to work with their rescue organization. Organizations that I
have contacted to provide AFAD with information on issues such as the
construction of kennels, the development of a medical clinic or the sharing of
reading materials to educate the population, especially the children, have not
responded to date.
The Internet may
have opened a lot of doors, but because of repeated abuse, mistrust has set in.
What if the person writing to the organizations that do great work here and in
the United States is actually trying to find out where rescued dogs are hidden
and wants to harm the animals or the people that work at saving animal lives?
But, to quote a familiar expression, "Where
there is a will, there is a way", and I will find a way to lend a hand to AFAD
and the incredible women and men that save animals, relieve them of their pain
and do everything they can to educate people about animals and their potential
role in their lives.
Dog walkers at
Bruce Pit and Conroy Pit will notice a few new additions at these two off leash
areas. At each garbage receptacle,
biodegradable bag dispensers have been installed. As a pilot project, these
dispensers will be stocked with biodegradable bags by the National Capital
Commission for a one-year term.
Although
continuous education is essential, the concept of picking up after pets is
almost an intrinsic practice with dog owners. The entire green idea and use of
biodegradable bags is somewhat more recent but has significant merit and
value.
Responsible Dog
Owners of Canada has promoted the use of biodegradable bags for several years
and wants to thank Brian Gravelle, Manager, Greenbelt Portfolio and the National
Capital Commission for purchasing, installing and stocking the dispensers in an
effort to promote a better way of pet waste disposal.
Please note that a gentle, steady touch is required when
extracting a bag from the dispensers so
that the next bag is
sufficiently pulled out of the dispenser.
RDOC
Newsletter Receptacles
Another new addition to both areas is an RDOC
newsletter receptacle. These acrylic receptacles were specifically designed and
purchased by RDOC. They were installed courtesy of Brian Gravelle and the
National Capital Commission.
RDOC extends its
thanks and appreciation to Brian Gravelle and the National Capital Commission
for their innovation and collaboration in several projects that are promoting
responsible dog ownership.
RDOC
Introduces Bite Prevention Program
Responsible Dog
Owners of Canada is pleased to announce that it is now a licensed presenter for
the Be a Tree Doggone Safe Bite Prevention Program, see http://www.doggonesafe.com/.
The program will
be offered to children and new Canadians in French and English.
If you would like
more information regarding a Be A Tree presentation, or you are interested in
becoming a presenter, please contact MariLyse Dumas at [email protected] .
Pit Bull Ban Upheld - Appeal Decision
On October 24, the Ontario
Appeals Court handed down its decision regarding what is known as the "Pit Bull
Ban". The decision supports the ban and
rules that it does not violate any constitutional rights, as argued by
lawyers. It overrules Justice Thea
Herman's previous ruling and reinstates all of the clauses struck down in her
original ruling as unconstitutionally vague.
There is no word
yet on whether the decision will be appealed.
Recognizing with Gratitude!
Responsible Dog Owners of
Canada wishes to recognize and thank the following race sponsors and donors at
this year's Going to the Dogs Fundraiser.
RDOC also wishes
to extend its sincere thanks to all of the guests at the Going to the Dogs
Fundraiser. A total of $6,676.26 was
raised and shared equally by Responsible Dog Owners of Canada, Canines with a
Cause and Aussie Rescue Placement Helpline Inc.
Next year's Going
to the Dogs Dinner and Race Night is scheduled for Friday, September 18, 2009
and we are already working on making it bigger and better.
Responsible Dog Owners of
Canada proudly presents an evening of fine dining and "Idol Threats" by Eddie
May Murder Mysteries in the Player's Club at the Rideau Carleton Raceway.
Tickets are $48
per person and they are limited so reserve early. For more information, contact RDOC at [email protected] or call
613.228.7764.
Acknowledging Our Volunteers by
Julie More
The 3rd Annual Going to the Dogs Fundraiser was held in Ottawa, Ontario on
September 26th and I would like to thank all the amazing volunteers for making
the event so successful. Thank you
Candice, Yvonne, MariLyse, Denise, James, Andrea, Janet, Diane, Kit, Miriam,
Lorraine, Kate (Caitlin), Ralph, Paul, Tisha, and Kim. We couldn't have done it
without you.
In
particular, I want to acknowledge the contribution by the Green family. Terry Green's firm, Green & Vespry Law
Offices, not only sponsored a race but also brought 19 friends. Lorraine Green volunteered for stuffing promo
bags, assisted in transporting the silent auction items and promo bags to the
race track, helped with the silent auction table set up and sold 50/50 tickets
for almost two hours during the event.
Terry and
Lorraine's daughter, Kate, and her partner Ralph also sold 50/50 tickets. Families like the Greens sure make my job as
Volunteer Coordinator much easier and I wanted them to know how special they
are.
Like
the name "Going to the Dogs" implies, some of our four-legged friends were
involved. Tyler, my assistance puppy in training, helped me deliver the event
posters to all the vet clinics, pet stores, groomers, training schools,
community centres, grocery stores, post offices, libraries, etc in the city. He helped me guard the cars, trucks etc. while
volunteers transferred the silent auction merchandise from the vehicles into
the Rideau Carleton Raceway. I suspect
he also told all his doggie friends to get their humans to buy tickets for the
event.
I would also like to thank all our volunteers
for answering the evaluation questions so fast and for all the helpful comments
and suggestions. Many of the suggestions will be implemented to make next
year's fundraiser even more successful and fun for everyone.
Volume 10, Issue 2 ~ Summer 2008 :: also availablein PDF format
In This Issue:
Merida Dogs (journal excerpt) by Marilyse Dumas
Assistance Dog in Training by Tyler More (with help from Julie, his Mom)
Animal Communication by Jennifer Steers
Rainbow Bridge
3rd Annual "Going to the Dogs" Dinner and Race Night
Pets on Public Transit
MERIDA DOGS (journal excerpt)
by Marilyse Dumas
I am in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. I am sitting by the pool, patiently waiting for news about a meeting with the vets. They are to tell me all about a dog rescue program started not so long ago.
Two years ago, at my last visit, I could not believe my eyes. So many dogs - all breeds, all sizes, terribly skinny with barely any hair on their bodies. This time, there are not as many dogs in the streets. That is because the city has tasked a vet to euthanize a fair number of them. But, as the dogs are intact, the numbers are going back up again.
Here, many dogs live, breed and die in the streets. Others are tied to short chains on roof tops or inside the gates of homes and are used as guard dogs. They are never off their chains, irregularly given food and water, spend their days under the blazing sun and their nights howling with other dogs with similar fates. Sometimes you would swear they are weeping.
There are well-treated dogs in Merida such as the three that live at the Bed & Breakfast where I am staying.
There is a change of plan. The vets are not taking care of the rescue anymore. It's a woman (let's call her Maria) who has a shelter and works with a group of volunteers. It's very difficult to get in contact with her because she does what needs to be done to rescue the dogs. Going to the shelter is iffy as well.
Tomorrow I return to Canada and I still haven't been able to meet Maria. In the afternoon, there is finally an opening. That's it. We are going just past the city limits. There it is, the shelter where the dogs are put up for adoption. Will we be able to get in? Lots of talking through almost a peep hole. We are in. My heart is beating hard.
The kennel is well-organized and clean. The dogs are protected from the sun. There is a lot of barking. I go to meet every single one of them. There is a beautiful German Shepherd, a Beagle mix, a Cocker Spaniel and Poodles. If I could, I would bring them all home with me. I know as well that when I get back home, I will do all I can to help and contribute, from afar, to assist them rescue many more dogs. I don't know how yet but I will.
I am told that Maria, who started all this, will come to meet me at the B&B later. Now, I am getting really excited. I am going to go back to Canada with concrete information on their needs.
What a privilege to meet this lady. Maria is determined, passionate and realistic. At first, we need a bit of help communicating but soon we see we can do just fine mixing English and Spanish. We do not need anyone to talk from the heart. It is an international language that breaks all barriers. She blames the situation of the dogs more on ignorance than cruelty.
AFAD: http://afad.org.mx/english/index.php
They have established a non profit organization and have a few sponsors within Merida. They have a bit of support from the veterinarians who offer cheap rate for spaying or neutering.
When someone calls the equivalent of 911 about a dog or other animal, the operators know of the volunteer organization and give their number to the person who is calling for help. Sometimes, the police are not willing to take action because they do not know their legal obligations. This is Merida!
They rescue the dogs wherever the dogs are and ensure they are sufficiently healthy to live. If not, they are euthanized. Often, the dogs will have mange, worms and are very dehydrated. They are covered with parasites. The volunteers work to make the dogs healthy. They also have them neutered or spayed.
When the dogs are found, they are sometimes given back to their owners along with a serious talk about owners' roles and responsibilities. Sometimes, when the dogs are rescued from very bad situations, they are not returned to the owner. The organization files complaints with the authorities against the dog owner so there is an official record of the mistreatment.
The dogs that are healthy are put up for adoption. They charge 450 pesos (approximately $45 Cdn). 350 pesos is spent on altering and medicine and 60 pesos is spent on registering. The rest is reinvested in the shelter for medicine, food and educating the public. They have an application form to ensure the dog will be treated well and they make "surprise" visits to check. If the dog is not treated well, they take it back.
When I asked Maria what we can do for her, contrary to what I was expecting, she asked for advice on how to build better kennels, to educate the children and adults, to train the dogs in basic skills. She wants to know how to improve the shelter, build a quarantine area, plan and organise a small medical clinic on the shelter's site. She is very much aware that this is a long-term project and that it will take at least ten years to start changing
the culture, to educate the people.
Our conversation is almost over but I do have one question left: "How many dogs are rescued, on average, per month?" The answer boggles my mind. The numbers for Merida, for one year, are equivalent to the numbers published by the SPCA for the province of Ontario for the same period of time.
ASSISTANCE DOG IN TRAINING
by Tyler More (with help from Julie, his Mom)
Hi everybody,
My name is Tyler. I am a one year old black Labrador Retriever and I am being trained by my Mom to be her mobility service dog.
When I grow up I will have a harness so I can support her when she loses her balance, sort of like a walking cane. I will also be her picker-upper. When she drops something, I will pick it up for her and put it in her hand.
When she falls, I will raise the alarm to get help - I do have a loud bark. In the house, I will be able to run and get somebody to help or, if we are home alone, I will get the phone and bring it to Mom to get help. Right now my big sister Nellie does that. She was disqualified as a service dog so she can only help Mom at home.
When I reached nine weeks old, I came home. I was not too impressed with the drive to Ottawa from Kingston until Sylvie, a good friend to me and Mom, turned my crate around so I could see her and Mom. I was fine after that and went straight to sleep.
Socialization is really important for any pup but especially for a service dog. Mom is very good with my socializing program. You wouldn't believe the places she takes me to. According to my teacher, Cheryl Smith (Forever Friends Dog Training Centre), it is very important to socialize a pup and expose him to as many different experiences as possible between the ages of 7 weeks and 12 weeks. Until I got my second set
of shots Mom carried me into restaurants, stores, etc. She brought my baby blanket with us so I could lie on that so I wouldn't be exposed to any germs on the floor. Let me tell you she was one happy Mommy when I got my second set of shots.
I was a big hit everywhere I went. People just loved me because I was so small and cute. Everybody wanted to pat me. That was okay with Mom because it helped me learn and love people. I also learned to sit since people weren't allowed to pat me until I sat. Then, of course, I got up but Mom's only rule after the initial sit was that I keep all four paws on the ground. We went to restaurants, stores,
malls, arenas, etc. I also got to go on elevators, walk beside noisy cars and trucks and even got to go on an overpass over the highway and see the O-Train. Mom made sure we walked on busy streets, beside noisy construction vehicles, emergency vehicles with their sirens shrieking, etc.
I must tell you about my scary encounter with a Tim Horton cup. We were waiting for a friend at a Tim Horton parking lot. It was a windy day and there was a Tim Horton cup on the ground. The wind made the cup roll and, being a little pup at the time, I couldn't figure out what made the cup move. I wasn't really scared but thought I should protect my Mom. So I barked at it to show it how brave I was. The cup ignored
it. The nerve of that cup! I growled at it. The cup ignored it. Since I couldn't think of anything else to do I decided to make friends and went into the puppy play bow position. To my surprise, the cup still ignored me. Nobody ever ignored me in the past because I am so cute, but that cup did. I was not impressed. I looked at my Mom to see what I should do next, but she was laughing too hard to be any use to me. She finally picked up the cup and showed it to me. It was
just a paper thing. I am much bigger and wiser now.
I started puppy kindergarten class at Forever Friends Dog Training Centre right after I got my second set of shots. I really liked school, especially the play time sessions. There were eight of us cute puppies in the class. We had a marvelous time. We learned to play nicely and understand the meaning of the timing marker word "yes" which was followed by a treat. I liked that game. We started to learn our names,
sit,
down, release, gotcha, how to greet people politely, and how to take treats gently without biting Mom's fingers off. We also got used to being handled all over, which is important when we are at the vets or at the groomers.
Let me introduce you to my big sister Nellie. She is a 3 year old Australian Shepherd. She was being trained as a seizure response dog, but was disqualified so Mom adopted her. She is another one of my teachers. She taught me that, in this house, you sit in order to get a cookie, ring the bell
on the door to be let out and to come when called. I keep her very busy playing with me. Mom said she hasn't seen the old girl this active for ages. What can I say - I am good medicine for doggie arthritis.
Stay tuned for the next installment on my training in the fall issue of the newsletter. As you can see my life as a service pup in training is fun. I love to learn, I love people and I love all the treats I get while learning to do things for my Mom. Auntie Candice even makes beef heart treats for me. Now am I a lucky pup or what???
ANIMAL COMMUNICATION
by Jennifer Steers
Animal communication is something that pet people are hearing more and more of these days. There is something very comforting in knowing that we can connect with our companions; actually we do it all the time, we just don't acknowledge it.
What is animal communication?
In my opinion - and that is all it is - it's a conversation, a meeting of the hearts if you will. It is not a magical, mystical far out thing that only a few very special people have been blessed with. We all have the ability to communicate with our companions.
I would venture to say that most of us can think of occasions where we have known something was wrong for no obvious reason - just a feeling - and we found out later we were correct. That is the connection. If you have a good relationship with your companion you know them. How often do you hear yourself answering out loud for your pet? For example, I know you want me to go out and play, cuddle, eat, etc... Think about it, sometimes it's an obvious sign or body language that tells us. Other times we just know and we respond without thinking out loud to the request they have given us, the one we heard but thought nothing of. Over the next few months, try to make note of when you respond out loud to your pet. Each time you will have just had a communication, they have asked or told you something and you are responding to it.
What stands in the way of connecting?
Expecting it to be something profound and mystical. Often it is a thought, conversation or just a knowing that comes to you.
Expecting the communication to be able to tell you the future, who you should marry, or if you should change jobs. That may be far-reaching. Since you do not know these answers, why should your companion? They may give insight like you work too hard, for the job question, but it is not a psychic reading but really a conversation. The same one that you might have with a very, very dear friend.
Other road blocks
Doubt and listening to our heads and not our hearts. We will always question ourselves and feel that we are not getting it. Try to let that go, to be open to the possibilities, to feel and listen with your heart, and when you do get something trust it - do not analyze it to death.
Running on all cylinders
To communicate, it helps to SLOW DOWN. Quiet your mind, relax your body and feel into your heart. Spend some quality quiet time with your companion where you are not listening to others, music, television, talking, thinking of work and the millions of other things we do. Be present and mindful and open to what comes. Try not to force anything, just be open and receptive, curious and wait to see what comes. Our animal friends are perfect
at being present and mindful. Look to them for direction to savour being in the moment and appreciate where you are right now.
Expecting to be accurate all the time
Really it is a conversation, more subtle than our vocal ones we have with our human relationships but still a conversation. Think of how many conversations you have had using words out loud and you still have misunderstood or misinterpreted. Don't be so hard on yourself.
Upset
It is difficult for anyone to feel good about information when they are really upset. If you are dealing with serious health or behaviour issues, sometimes it is really hard to quiet our minds, center ourselves, hear what is going on and listen to our heart. This is an area where a communicator may be beneficial to help.
Just because you have communicated a wish for them to change a behaviour, it does not mean that they will. Again, it is a conversation not magic. You may wish your companion did not jump on the couch as much as he wishes you would leave him alone when he is resting on it. Just because you have communicated does not guarantee compliance or your way. It may help in reaching a negotiation or compromise on the issues you both feel strongly about.
If you decide to get an animal communicator to help, here is what you should know:
Animal communicators are not vets or trainers so should never diagnose an illness, advise you not to go to the vet, prescribe remedies or suggest that you do not need the help of a reputable trainer if you have behaviour issues. How they might help the professionals would be to give you information about thoughts or sensations they may have received from your animal friend. This with your information and observations may be able
to better assist a vet or trainer.
You know your companion the best. If you are not sure of what they may have told you, sit with it and see if it makes sense later. If you feel strongly that they are wrong then I believe that they most likely are. Always remember you know your friend the best!
You need to feel comfortable with whoever you choose to help you. It is a relationship and you must feel comfortable with it.
Remember that no one is 100% accurate, so don't take whatever the communicator says as law especially if it does not feel right to you.
Lastly, believe in yourself, slow down and see what happens. You have this ability too. There are many great books out there and workshops are available as well.
Enjoy the journey and the process. Have fun!!
RAINBOW BRIDGE
We wish to extend our sincere condolences to Sharon McKeil and Peter Finnie in the loss of their beloved Crom, to Janet MacLachlan in the passing of her cherished companion Finnigan, Elaine Dale in the loss of her strong and adoring Chauncey, Ian and Nancy Martin in the passing of Isaac, a retired guide dog, faithful partner and devoted family member and Lila, treasured heart dog of Cat Lane.
We also offer our deepest sympathy to anyone that has lost a loved one.
"Not the least hard thing to bear when they go from us, these quiet friends,
is that they carry away with them so many years of our own lives." John Galsworthy
PETS ON PUBLIC TRANSIT
Last year, Responsible Dog Owners of Canada (RDOC), launched a petition and collected more than 2,000 signatures in support of the "Pets on Public Transit" Pilot Project. It then initiated a comprehensive study regarding the existing policies in Canada and issues such as allergies, disease and phobias, the results of which were documented in a 17-page report.
There are 24 major cities across Canada that currently allow at least small pets in carriers on public transit during off peak hours. Toronto and Calgary both have more liberal access, allowing larger animals on leash. Inquiries to other transit authorities that allow pets on transit confirmed that there are no major problems with pets on public transit.
RDOC's proposal is for a six-month pilot project which would allow small fur-bearing or feathered animals in crates or soft-side carriers during off peak hours.
On July 17, a presentation was made to the Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee and a motion to support the pilot project was adopted. Another presentation will be made to the Transit Committee on August 20th at 09:30 in the Champlain Room at City Hall. Anyone wishing to present to the Transit Committee on this issue should register with Rosemary Nelson, Committee Co-ordinator, Transit Committee by phone at 613.580.2424, Extension 21624
or by e-mail at [email protected]. Speakers are permitted five (5) minutes.
Volume 10, Issue 1 ~ Spring 2008 :: also availablein PDF format
In This Issue:
Accessibility of Persons with Disabilities with Service Animals in Canada
CAPPDT Conference 2008
Amazing Race
Stoop and Scoop
Annual Spring Clean-Up
Spring Fling
B.A.R.K.'s Woofs & Wags Walkathon
FOAP 10th Annual Walkathon
RDOC Annual General Meeting
Hopeful Hearts Rescue
Disc Doggin'
Rainbow Bridge
Contact RDOC
Accessibility
Of Persons With Disabilities
With Service Animals In Canada
By Peter Platt
Choya was trained by Peter and certified by Canines
with a Cause.
Choya is due to retire this year.
Photo courtesy of Peter Platt
Anyone with a service animal
other than a Guide Dog for the Blind may be surprised to learn how little
accessibility protection there is for them in Canadian provincial and federal law. Laws vary from province to
province and most provinces don't have service animal laws. A few years back it became apparent that I
needed help in everyday life situations when going out into public places.
With the help of Canines with a Cause my beloved Golden Retriever Choya was certified as a service dog
and the rest is history. I am now able
to live my life relatively fully and have gained independence while out in
public.
The goal of this ListServ is to gather information
about existing laws in Canada pertaining to accessibility of persons with
disabilities and their service animals and to share information on existing andupcoming legislation across Canada. The ListServ address is [email protected] and is open to persons with a service animal, are considering obtaining one, or are involved in the
training of service animals.
Currently there is no legislated protection for
accessibility of persons with disabilities with service animals. The Ontario Human Rights Commission did provide me with a letter stating that under
the Human Rights Code of Ontario "Individuals and organizations are prohibited
from discriminating against persons with disabilities by refusing entry or
access to a building, premise, or good or service because a person requires the
accompaniment of a guide/service dog due to a disability."
A new Ontario regulation under the Accessibility
for Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2005 came into force on January 1, 2008 and
will provide Accessibility Standards for Customer Service. This regulation
recognizes persons with disabilities
using service animals but the implementation date is only 2010/2012. As stated in a letter I received on December
4, 2007 from the Accessibility Directorate "The Accessibility Standards for
Customer Service regulation does not stipulate certification requirements for
service animals."
On the federal government level, the Canadian
Transport Act allows for service animals on airplanes and trains only when it
can be proven that the service animal is certified by a "professional service
animal institution". The catch here is
that there is no record of recognized training schools listed under the Act.
The stories of persons with disabilities accompanied by a non-certified service
animal being denied transportation access in Canada are deplorable but the
fight continues to educate and promote change.
In the early years with Choya, I never realized how
big a deal certification from a recognized training school would become for
Canadians who need a service animal by their side. There are few, if any,
recognized training schools in Canada that will certify owner-trained dogs
(Canines with a Cause no longer certifies owner-trained dogs). I am at the forefront of fighting for
accessibility rights of persons with service animals and, with the
encouragement and assistance of my American counterpart, I started an internet
network for Canadians with service animals.
CAPPDT
Conference 2008
Pet owners in the national capital area will have a wonderful opportunity to hear experts speak on dogs and dog training when the
Canadian Association of Professional
Pet Dog Trainers (CAPPDT) presents "A Capital Idea ... Exploring The Relationship With Pets" at the 12th Annual Educational Conference and Market Place,
April 18, 19 and 20, 2008.
The CAPPDT Conference is designed for all people
who care about pets and has a line-up of dynamic speakers including Bob Bailey,
Phil Arkow, Dr. Simon Gadbois, Don Hanson and Dr. Jesus Rosales-Ruis.
A number of workshops havealso been scheduled e.g. Dark Field Microscopy with Dr. E. Beltran, DVM,TAGTeach with Joan Orr, Bach Flower Remedies with Don Hanson and Animal Assisted
Therapy with Phil Arkow and more.
The conference will be held at the Travelodge Hotel in Ottawa, Ontario. Conference registration fee
includes the keynote presentations, workshops of your choice on a first come
first served basis, continental breakfast, morning snacks, lunches and
afternoon snacks.For further
information regarding keynote speakers, workshops
or registration, please visit the CAPPDT website at www.cappdt.caor call 613.591.6228.
Amazing Race
Ian and Wazey. Photo courtesy of Peter Platt
No, it's not the "AMAZING
RACE" but it is pretty remarkable.As members of Team Diabetes, Ian Martin and Wazey, Ian's guide dog, will
be doing a 5km run in the Ottawa Marathon, May 24-25, 2008. And, Ian and Wazey
are hoping to meet their minimum goal of $250 in pledges.
Funds raised will help
support leading-edge research to find a cure for Type-1 Diabetes, adisease Ian has lived with for more than 45
years, and will also help fund programs such as Camp Banting, a summer camp for
children.
If you would like to help
Ian and Wazey meet and hopefully surpass the goal in their own Amazing Race,
you can donate online using a credit card by going towww.teamdiabetes.ca , clicking on Pledge a
Participantand typing in Ian Martin.Or, you can send a cheque payable to Team
Diabetes Canada and send c/o Ian Martin,1507 Michaelsem
Street, Orleans, Ontario, K1C 7C3.Unless requested, income tax receipts are only issued for $15 or more.
Please ensure you include your name and address.
Ian and Wazey would appreciate notes of encouragement.Actually, Wazey would prefer a treat but we
are sure that Ian will take care of that.In the meantime, we hope that Ian and Wazey reach their goal and have a
great run.
Go
Ian and Wazey!
Stoop and Scoop
We have received a number of complaints from
regular walkers at both Conroy Pit and Bruce Pit that there is an extraordinary
amount of faecal matter on the
ground.While some buildup is expected
over the winter months due to snow cover, etc., the reports indicate that a
growing number of dog walkers are negligent in picking up after their pet.Moreover, the ludicrous practice of hanging bags of
waste on tree branches seems to be thriving, a habit that drives responsibledog owners crazy.
Notwithstanding the fact
that dog owners are required by law to pick up after their pet and dispose of
pet waste in an appropriate manner, dog owners have an obligation to stoop,
scoop, and properly discard their pet's waste to protect the dogs from all
kinds of diseases and parasites like Coccidia, Giardia, Parvovirus, Distemper,
Tapeworms, Hookworms, Roundworms and more.
There is no doubt that the
majority of regular dog walkers take their responsibility to pick up after
their pet seriously. However, there are
some who just don't get it and they are going to create problems for everyone. Each one of us needs to play an active role in self-policing. Speak up when you see
someone neglecting their responsibility. Remember it is our privileges that will be forfeited. and/or our dogs that will get sick, if we cannot keep the off leash areas clean.
Annual Spring Clean Up
The spring clean-up days
are scheduled and the Roger"s Community Cruiser will be serving coffee and
donuts on both days.
Bruce Pit Clean Up is
scheduled for Saturday, May 17, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. and Conroy Pit Clean Up is
scheduled for Sunday, May 18, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Gloves and bags
will be provided.
Hope to see you there!
Houston is available for adoption
Photo courtesy of
HeathPhoto
B.A.R.K.'s Woofs & Wags Walkathon
The
Bytown Association for Rescued Kanines' (B.A.R.K.) 7th Annual Woofs and Wags Walkathon will
be held on Sunday, May 4, 2008 at the Arboretum (Central Experimental Farm).
Registration
starts at 8:00 a.m. and the walk starts at 9:00 a.m. Coffee and donuts will be
available before the walk and, following the walk, there will be a free
barbeque.
There are big prizes for the first ten people
collecting the most money, and dozens of valuable draw prizes including a $1000
gas card, two $500 gas cards, two photo shoots by
Suzanne Bird valued at $500 each and two bicycles.
Pledge
forms are available on the B.A.R.K. website athttp://tinyurl.com/yubupnor
by calling 613-738-0119. Anyone who
does not wish
to collect pledges but would like to participate may do so by paying a $20
registration fee.
FOAP 10th Annual Walkathon
On Saturday morning, June 7,2008, Chris Day, Friends of
Abandoned Pets (FOAP) Honorary Chair will MC the charity's tenth annual walk at
the Arboretum, Central Experimental Farm.
Walkers are encouraged to participate with their
dogs, but people without dogs of their own are welcome to take part to support
the organization and enjoy canine companionship.
Registration is at 8 a.m., with the walk, either
2.5 or 5 km, starting at 9 a.m., followed by a
barbeque, prizes and activities.
As in past years, FOAP is planning for great weather!
More information about FOAP is available on their
website at www.foap.on.ca and more details about the walk, including the pledge form,
will be posted in the coming weeks.
Annual General Meeting
The next annual general
meeting for the Responsible Dog Owners of Canada (RDOC) is scheduled for
Friday, June 20th, 7:00 to 10:00 p.m., at
the Ottawa Citizen Conference Centre, 1101 Baxter Road. In accordance with the Bylaws, five
Director's positions are available for those wishing to stand for
election.All members in good standing
are eligible to run for these positions. RDOC will be embarking on some very
exciting and interesting work over the next year and all members are encouraged
to consider standing for election.
Cheryl Smith, Professional
Dog Trainer and Behaviourist, Forever Friends Dog Training and Urika Dog
Behaviour Consultants, will be the guest speaker.Light refreshments will be served.
Hopeful Hearts Rescue
By Roz Phelps
Hopeful
Hearts Rescue was created in September 2007 to assist senior and special needs
dogs find homes in the Ottawa area. Despite many rescues working hard in
the Ottawa area, these dogs are often forgotten as a result of inherent medical
costs and the reality that more mature dogs are often passed over in preference
of younger dogs. Roz Phelps and Anne Comeau felt it was time to form a
rescue that would specifically serve these dogs.
With
public education, Hopeful Hearts hopes to undo the stigma that older dogs
cannot adjust to new homes and that their time is limited. With special
needs dogs, whether the uniqueness is missing a limb, lack of hearing or sight
or simply a medical condition, again, lack ofunderstanding is generally the biggest
enemy these dogs face.
So
far, Hopeful Hearts has had exceptional success! Simba, the oldest dog,
found his forever home at 13.5 years old! Three legged Bianca found her
family within days of posting as did our blind Miss Molly! To date,
Hopeful Hearts has adopted out close to a dozen of these special dogs.
Both
Anne and I have been active in the rescue world for many years and our homes
are always open to foster dogs. We believe it is important for us to foster
dogs in our own homes so we are really part of the fostering team. We
have a dedicated team of wonderful and much appreciated foster homes who care
for our special angels until they are adopted. We also have an
exceptional group of volunteers who are tireless in their efforts, dedication
and belief in the work that we do and the difference that we are making. The team also believes adamantly in strong
ethics. Every single penny raised goes directly to the support of our
rescues.We have no paid staff and do
not spend one penny without conferring with another team member. Our
books are completely open and receipts are kept for each and every
purchase.
A new rescue group recently started that is
meeting a special demand for our canine companions. In our special Guest
Column, Roz Phelps shares her experiences in how this rescue began
Hopeful
Hearts is also very proud of the fact that we help several other rescues with
food donations that we receive from a local merchant. We also take in
dogs from out-of-town shelters when the dog fits with our mandate, i.e. senior
or special needs.
Hopeful
Hearts does a thorough screening before placing a dog in a home. We do
references and vet checks as well as at least one home visit before the dog
moves to his or her new home. We
encourage our foster volunteers to come with us to the home visits as we feel
that their experience with the dog
will help us decide whether this is a good match or not.Our foster volunteers are very important to
us and we value their opinions!
Zeus
Zeus was emaciated, dehydrated, and lethargic when surrendered by his owner.
He now
weighs 12.8 pounds and is recovering.
Zeus came to Hopeful Hearts on Valentine's Day as an owner surrender. He was shockingly emaciated,
dehydrated and lethargic. This picture does not nearly portray the horror of
this dog's condition.We rushed him into
the vet who confirmed that this dog has not only suffered tremendous neglect
but also abuse.
Zeus is now eating two teaspoons of boiled hamburger and rice with
chicken broth every hour. Small amounts
of water are also being administered regularly.His stomach is about the size of a dime right now and he will eat
himself sick if given the opportunity.
Obviously, this little angel will not be well enough to be adopted for a
long time and we will be making certain that he will never be abused again.
If
you would like to adopt of one of our angels, would like to foster or donate or
you would like more information on our organization, please visit www.hopefulhearts.ca.
Disc Doggin'
By Pat Nadarajah
Does your dog like to retrieve toys, chase balls,
and run? Would you like to get involved in a sport with your pooch but don't
want to spend a lot of money on expensive equipment or classes? Maybe the
answer for you is the sport of Frisbee Dog also known as Disc Dog.
The sport of Disc Dog originated in California in
the 70s. It started with a toy called a frisbee, which was mass manufactured
and sold as a children's toy.Over the
years the sport took hold in various parts of the United States, Europe, Japan
and more recently in Canada.
Several organizations have been created to cater to
the sport, which offers different types of divisions that you can try with your
four-legged best friend. If you are a beginner and you just want to throw the
disc for your dog at a distance then maybe the standard Toss and Fetch is your
game. Like the name implies the competition consists of you, the handler,
standing behind a throwing line, marked out on the ground for you, and you
throw the disc ahead of you for your dog to catch. The competition field is
divided into yards (10, 20, 30, 40 etc) and depending on where your dog catches
the disc then points are accumulated for eachsuccessful catch. There are line judges that watch your dog's catch and
assign the points in accordance with the number of yards on the catch. This
division has appeal for novices, juniors (children) and the more advanced
throwers, who have the opportunity to try their hands and paws in the advanced
division of Toss and Fetch, where the distance is increased to challenge the
thrower and the dog.
Some competitions will also offer the furthest
catch division. Fairly self-explanatory, you stand behind the throwing line and
throw as far you can. Once your dog successfully catches the throw, it is marked
and measured by the judges. The furthest catch wins the competition.
Do you like to teach your
dogs tricks? Rollover, sit pretty, twirl? Why not put those party tricks into a
freestyle disc routine? Freestyle is a disc routine that can run anywhere from
60 seconds to 2 minutes and it involves you and your dog performing a series of
tricks and different throws all choreographed to your choice of music. The idea
is to showcase the natural abilities of your dog and the partnership you have
developed with your dog all while you are having fun throwing discs to music.
Freestyle routines are also judged on a number ofelements including your skills as a
thrower, originality of the routine, the canine's agility and of course your
team partnership.
The sport of Disc Dog is
fun and the training should be the same. Taking your dog out for a fun disc run
of Toss and Fetch is a great way to exercise your dog and get a little practice
in for your throws. As with all sports you should check with your vet first to
make sure that your dog is fit to play disc. If you have a puppy don't start
with throws. Your puppy should not be leaping or jumping for a disc until its
bone plates have closed which usually occurs by the age of 12 months. Puppies
should be encouraged to chase discs that are rolled on the ground and rewarded
for chasing the disc. You can teach your puppy to retrieve the disc using food
rewards, another toy or disc and a clicker.
Older dogs can learn new
tricks too! The same method can be used to teach your dog to retrieve a disc or
learn a new trick to incorporate in a routine. If you would like to learn more
about the sport of Disc Dog, our disc dog club, local and regional competitions
or you would like to book our dogs for a demo, feel free to contact the
Airborne Disc Dog Club of Ottawa at http://www.flyingdiscdogs.com .
Photos courtesy ofHeathphoto.
For more information, see www.heathphoto.ca
Rainbow Bridge
We wish to extend our sincere and deepest sympathy to Kit and Cliff Watson in the unexpected loss of their beloved Pioneer and to Lucille and Rob Lasallein the loss of their cherished companion Cookie.
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.
Volume 10, Issue 3 ~ Fall 2008 :: also available in PDF format
The 3rd Annual Going to the Dogs Fundraiser was held in Ottawa, Ontario on
September 26th and I would like to thank all the amazing volunteers for making
the event so successful. Thank you
Candice, Yvonne, MariLyse, Denise, James, Andrea, Janet, Diane, Kit, Miriam,
Lorraine, Kate (Caitlin), Ralph, Paul, Tisha, and Kim. We couldn't have done it
without you.
When I grow up I will have a harness so I can support her when she loses her balance, sort of like a walking cane. I will also be her picker-upper. When she drops something, I will pick it up for her and put it in her hand. 
Let me introduce you to my big sister Nellie. She is a 3 year old Australian Shepherd. She was being trained as a seizure response dog, but was disqualified so Mom adopted her. She is another one of my teachers. She taught me that, in this house, you sit in order to get a cookie, ring the bell
on the door to be let out and to come when called. I keep her very busy playing with me. Mom said she hasn't seen the old girl this active for ages. What can I say - I am good medicine for doggie arthritis.
Does your dog like to retrieve toys, chase balls,
and run? Would you like to get involved in a sport with your pooch but don't
want to spend a lot of money on expensive equipment or classes? Maybe the
answer for you is the sport of Frisbee Dog also known as Disc Dog. 
