Dog Offers Emotional Support

One minute he’s a “Grangel”—sitting quietly, snuggling, or (my favorite) sleeping. The next he’s full on “Grucifer”—shredding things, yipping so loud he wakes up the neighbors, and straight up raising hell. I never know which Groot I’m going to get.

His name may mean “big” in Dutch, but the only colossal thing about the 11-pound chiweenie is his slightly deranged, and refreshingly chaotic, personality. Well, that and his ridiculously floppy ears, which never cease to mystify and amaze.

I love the little dude. He’s been with me through thick and thin—a fire, the Trump era (a fire in its own right), some brutal losses, a global pandemic, and a pretty shitty breakup. When I finally extricated myself from a toxic four-and-a-half year relationship (ugh), I fought hard to keep him. Groot is my dog.

I was the one who found him—and his oh-so-adorbs puppy mug shot—in the back of the Auto Shopper Magazine. I was the one who drove all the way to Hollister, handed over 150 of my hard-earned sheckles, and liberated the 6-week-old furball from an evil kitty overlord and weird-and-slightly-creepy owners. They told me they thought that he was a pug! They had no clue.

For having a wee little pea brain, Groot turned out to be a pretty smart cookie. On hikes, or at the disc golf course, he confidently leads the way—understanding the paths and way around the forest better than his human counterparts. If he wants or needs food, he’ll nod his head at and stare, with slightly watery eyes, at whatever he aims to nosh. If he needs to pee, he’ll patiently wait by the door for me to let him outside. He doesn’t really say anything, but he says a lot.

Angels sang and rejoiced (or maybe it was Enya?) as the sun broke through clouds in a periwinkle sky on a cool and crisp autumn morning, casting light on the Pearly Gates (er, wooden gates) of Chanticleer Dog Park. Birds chirped nearby, and morning dew drops clung to blades of grass in a recently manicured field, shining like diamonds. It was a monumental day, the happiest in Groot’s life. It was the day he learned to pee on things.

Dogs lift their legs to urinate on things they consider theirs. To let other doggies know that they are present, and to signify their reproductive status and canine ranking. It was obvious from the get go that Groot had high aspirations—and some kind of Pinky-and-the-Brain-type complex going on.

Pinky: “Gee Brain, what are we gonna do tonight?”

Brain: “The same thing we do every night, try to take over the world!”

It may have taken him a while to catch on, and to truly understand the power of his pee, but during his five brief years, Groot has made it his mission to slowly but surely take over the world, one lifted leg at a time. He’s blossomed into an eccentric, semi-obsessive artist—the Picasso of Pee—practicing and perfecting his form and technique wherever and whenever he can.

I can deal with his urinary urges and peeing proclivities today—heck, they’re kind of cute—but OMG potty/house training the little dude was an absolute nightmare. Good ol’ Wikipedia taught me that proper house training is all about positive reinforcement, consistency, and patience. But it didn’t begin to explain just how patient you’ll need to be. Typically, it takes puppies 3-6 months to be fully house trained. That would have been a dream come true! It took my little furball close to a year and a half to cease his peeing on the walls and carpet, not to mention dropping deuces in my bathroom, kitchen … and bed.

Today, Groot is a Grangel most of the time. He’s 100% potty trained, my devoted caddy on the disc golf course, my wing man at the beach  (26th Avenue is our spot!), and he doesn’t rip up carpet, shred my pillows, or gnaw through the legs of my coffee tables. He was a lot to handle as a puppy. Some days I miss that side of him—adorable little Grucifer—but most of the time I’m just grateful that he’s finally mellowed out.

His Napoleon complex is largely gone now. Yes, Groot still has ambitions and aspirations of ruling the world, but long weekends of training and “Puppy Kindergarten” have taught him proper bite inhibition, socialization, and (mostly) obedience.

A few years ago, I wouldn’t have dreamed of taking Groot into a store or a restaurant with me, or into one of my classes at UCSC. But today, Groot and I are a package deal. As a certified emotional support animal, he saunters along beside my shopping cart in Whole Foods, chills silently under my table at Lillian’s Italian Kitchen, and cowers behind my chair in the shade at the beach. I can’t tell you how much it means to have such a loyal, sweet, and yes, slightly deranged, companion by my side each and every day. And, in case anybody asks, yes, I have a note from a doctor and yes, Grootie is certified. He’s got a red vest and everything.

Training Service Dogs

A local veteran organization has been awarded part of a $10 million federal grant that will provide placement and training of service dogs for disabled veterans.

Scotty Deatherage, founder and executive director of Oklahoma-based Honoring America’s Warriors (HAW), says the organization will benefit greatly from this grant.

“The purpose of the grant is to provide veterans who need mobility and or psychiatric service dogs at no cost,” said Deatherage. “It ensures that the highest quality service dogs are being placed with disabled veterans who need them.”

“It is heartbreaking that 20 veterans take their own lives each day,” said retired USAF Major General and HAW board president Rita Aragon. “We must do more to help those with physical, mental and other service-connected forms of trauma”. Providing service dogs to veterans is a proven theory, but for many, the cost associated with training and raising these animals is too great.  Honoring America’s Warriors service dog program began in 2015 and this is their second federal award in the past two years.

Fire Dogs

The remains of 28-year-old Phoenix Netts were found in the Forest of Dean by officers on May 12.

West Midlands Police are today continuing their search of Handsworth Cemetery in Birmingham.

Forensic specialists have been combing woodland at the cemetery and fire investigation dogs are at the scene helping with the search.

A tent has now been put up in the woods. A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: “Detectives from West Midlands Police are continuing to progress the investigation into the murder of Phoenix Netts and are carrying out searches in Camp Lane, Handsworth Wood, Birmingham as part of their enquiries.

“Forensic experts, including specialist dogs, will be carrying out examinations of the site over the next few days.”

Two people have been arrested in connection with Ms Netts’ death.

Gareeca Conita Gordon, aged 27, from Birmingham, is accused of murdering Ms Netts on a date between April 14 and May 12.

Mahesh Sorathiya, of Denmore Gardens, Wolverhampton, has been charged with assisting an offender.

Preventing Dog Bites

The number of U.S. Postal Service employees attacked by dogs nationwide fell to 5,803 in 2019 – more than 200 fewer than in 2018 and more than 400 fewer since 2017. The Postal Service has new technology tools to help reduce dog attacks.

The theme for the 2020 U.S. Postal Service National Dog Bite Awareness Week, June 14-20, is “Be Alert: Prevent the Bite.” The campaign addresses aggressive dog behaviors that pose serious threats to the more than 80,000 Postal Service employees delivering mail and how communities they serve can play an integral part in their safety.

“During this difficult time, our letter carriers are delivering mail and they need our customers help to do it safely,” said Sandusky Postmaster Monica Kietzke.

According to Kietzke, technology supports carrier safety in two ways: Mobile Delivery Devices, handheld scanners used by carriers to confirm customer delivery, now include a feature to indicate the presence of a dog at an individual address; and Informed Delivery which alerts customers to mail and packages coming to their homes, and allows customers to plan for the carrier’s arrival by securing dogs safely.

The Postal Service offers the following safety tips for dog owners:

When a carrier delivers mail or packages to your front door, place your dog in a separate room and close that door before opening the front door. Dogs have been known to burst through screen doors or plate glass windows to attack visitors.

Parents should remind children and other family members not to take mail directly from carriers in the presence of the family pet. The dog may view the carrier handing mail to a family member as a threatening gesture.

If a carrier feels threatened by a dog, or if a dog is loose or unleashed, the owner may be asked to pick up mail at a Post Office location or other facility until the carrier is assured the pet has been restrained. If the dog is roaming the neighborhood, the pet owner’s neighbors also may be asked to pick up their mail at the area’s Post Office location.

Therapy Dog Class Graduates

School Therapy Dog

Nala first visited the school nearly four years ago and became a key member of the support team until her recent death after a short illness.

Chief Calming Pawfficer

 

After a hiatus due to COVID-19, Longmont Dental Loft’s therapy dog will be returning to the office effective June 29th, 2020. Bentley is an Australian Labradoodle with the title of Chief Calming Pawfficer. As the Chief Calming Pawfficer, Bentley interacts with patients that enjoy being around dogs. He typically sits on patients laps and is a comforting presence that makes patients feel at ease.

“Since we’ve been back from the COVID-19 closure, patients have asked us on a daily basis when Bentley is coming back,” said Adrienne Hedrick, Longmont Dental Loft Dentist, and owner. “He’s been extremely popular with our patients. In fact, in the past year we’ve had 3 patients adopt Australian Labradoodles as a result of meeting Bentley.”

During the past few months Bentley has been staying at home. He has had a lot of fun and has kept entertained by taking walks and playing with the vacuum cleaner. However, he misses seeing patients and is ready to go back to the office.

There will be several precautionary measures in place when Bentley is at the office. First, he will be in the office area away from patients unless a patient requests to see him. Second, before a patient encounters him, they will need to make sure they wash their hands. And Bentley won’t be at the office every day. If a patient wants to make sure he is available, Longmont Dental Loft is asking patients to request a visit with him in advance.

Perfect pooch

We arrive outside the doors of the Hamilton SPCA breathless, excited. It’s the final day before level 4 lockdown – we imagine the next month spent in the confines of our four walls with a furry companion. A puppy to love and cuddle, train and treat.

“I’m so sorry, the last one just went out the door,” the volunteer shrugs. “Try calling the other rescue centres.”

Every phone call yields the same result. It seems all of New Zealand has decided to fulfil their long-awaited puppy dreams at once. We return to Raglan with our tails between our legs. Oh, how I wanted that to be true. I had already spent countless hours scrolling TradeMe listings and adoption sites. My younger self who read Champion Dog: Prince Tom at age 10 and slept with it under her pillow had made herself known and become so incessant in her demands that my partner had given in months ago. “You can get a puppy for your 30th birthday.”

Covid sped things up. Why wait until July when April-May had unexpectedly become devoid of all social activity?

Throughout level 4 I studied lucky dog-owners with envy. Walking past at precisely two metres distance, lead in hand.

Level 3 was when she found us. A link sent by my sister landed us on her face. Sweet, gentle, golden. Legs a supermodel would kill for. “I want a small dog,” I had told all my friends. “One that can curl up on my lap.” But there she was in all her tall, speedy, Whippet glory, and it felt just right.

The pound van arrived only days later for a ‘contact-less’ dog delivery. We had fussed over positioning. Should we put her dog bowl here? Is this a good spot for her bed? Would she prefer soft toys or tug toys?

And then of course, the matter of her name. The pound had bequeathed her with Weasel, which we agreed was unacceptable for such a graceful lady. We chose Willow, congratulating ourselves on our powers of originality and alliteration, until weeks later when I saw an online poll for most-common Whippet names with Willow in the number two position.

After an initial shy tail-wag and sniffing every item in the house, Willow spent most of her first day resting her head on alternate laps. We exclaimed over her fur – so silky soft! Her manners – so gentle! Her quietness – no barking!

By day two she had made good progress on chewing her way through every piece of our furniture.

By day three she achieved her first successful escape attempt, thanks to her Twiggy legs.

We feel the full weight of our dog parent inadequacies. We listen to podcasts. Borrow a copy of The Dog Listener. Book in weekly sessions with a dog trainer.

With every new command she masters, we glow with pride. Willow has the benefit of the doubt when she falters – oh, that other dog was too distracting. Perhaps she’s over this brand of treats.

Like all new parents, we believe our child to be the cutest and brightest of them all. “You’re the best dog that ever lived,” we whisper in her silken ears each night. “We never met a pup as wonderful as you.”

Life changes with a dog. Walks become a sniff-fest. You scan the horizon for potential danger (aggressive dogs, cats, poo, small dogs that resemble rabbits, fish bones) and potential opportunities (friendly, agile doggy playmates with equally nice owners, things that look interesting to sniff). You find crumbly bits of dog treats in all your pockets.

You navigate challenges – puppy’s first period/heat and the hazard that presents to your sofa cushions, peeing on the lino, vaccination shots, nearly getting bitten at the dog park, cat-chasing escapades, toilet paper that’s been decimated into confetti, feeling like your lead-holding arm is about to exit its socket, the guilt of leaving her at home while you attend meetings.

You experience joy – seeing her delight when the car window is wound down, nose extended, hearing the solid thump of her tail in the darkness when you emerge from your bedroom early in the morning, the careful positioning of her hindquarters in front of you for maximum back scratching, when she finally comes back perfectly when called, the upside-down-belly-rub-meets-kangaroo pose, gentle face-licks, soft amber eyes that hold only love.

“She’s not very small,” friends say when they see her for the first time.

“No, she’s perfect.”

Pet Of The Week

The “lovable” Betty Boop was named the Smithtown Animal Shelter’s Pet of the Week. She is an 8-year-old medium-sized female pit bull terrier mix.

Betty Boop was found wandering around a nearby train station and brought to the Animal Shelter by a Good Samaritan.

“This sweet girl is the ideal therapy dog!,” the shelter said in a news release. “From your first introduction, she becomes instantly attached. You’ll find it hard-pressed to walk away. Betty Boop is very laid-back, great on a leash, and a stage five clinger on the couch. She does have some arthritis issues, but this is manageable with a little bit of extra care and attention. Betty Boop would do well in a home with children, but deserves to be the only pet in the family.”

She was named after the iconic cartoon diva — who was originally designed as a dog.

Betty Boop is the “perfect combination” of calm, affectionate, and sweet, according to the shelter. She weighs 70 pounds.

If you are interested in meeting Betty Boop, please call ahead to schedule an hour to properly interact with her in a domestic setting, which includes the shelter’s Meet and Greet Room, the dog runs and the Dog Walk trail. Family Pet Meet and Greets and at-home interactions are also welcome and an integral part of the adoption process.

Due to the coronavirus, the Smithtown Animal Shelter has had to restrict public access to confirmed adoption appointments and animal/wildlife rescue. Hours are currently Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays and Wednesday evenings are by appointment only.

To inquire about the Pet of the Week or to meet your potential soulmate, call the Smithtown Animal & Adoption Center at 631-360-7575.

The Smithtown Animal Shelter’s primary concern is finding the perfect home for each animal that finds his/her way to it. The Animal Control Officers at the Smithtown Animal Shelter will go out of their way to ensure both the rescued and rescuer are made for one another. If you have other pets, you can arrange to bring your four-legged family member into the shelter or they can set up an at-home meet & greet to see how your prospective new addition does with other family members, pets or the household itself.

The shelter is also seeking foster volunteers. Foster parents provide temporary care for cats, kittens and dogs in their own homes. Some animals need as little as two weeks of care, while others may need care for extended time.

New Ride-Sharing Feature

Sarah Sanelli describes her one-year-old chocolate labrador, Hank, as a cuddly “clinger” who is a star of her social scene.

Sanelli, 28, and her partner frequently drive their pup to social gatherings and, when they’re open, dog-friendly beer gardens. “I’ll take him along with me and not second guess that,” she says. “All our friends want to see him as well.”

The only trouble is Hank is 30 kilograms – far too big to sneak into a bag in a cab – meaning the return home to their apartment in Melbourne’s Brighton can be complicated if they want to have a few drinks.

Uber is on Thursday rolling out its “Pet” feature nationally, after a trial in Sydney and Brisbane, to allow app users to take their pets along for rides.