It's Take Your Dog to Work Day! Does your boss know the benefits?

 
Yay! It's Take Your Dog to Work Day! I'm lucky, like many presidential pooches I get to go to work with my dad all the time. How does your boss feel about dogs in the office?  

If you don't currently work in a dog-friendly office, make sure your boss knows the facts:

• By including that you are a "dog-friendly" workplace in your help wanted ads, you can increase both the number and quality of applicants who apply
• Employees who bring their dogs to work are less likely to leave
• Employees are more likely to work late to finish projects if they don't have to run home to feed and walk Fido
• Even non-dog owning employees enjoy the relaxed atmosphere created by having dogs in the office

Do you take your dog to work?

Always

Once in a while

No, it would be too distracting

No, it's not allowed

or View Results

Send your boss a link to this post along with a photo of your adorable pup giving his or her best sad-eyed puppy look. You never know, today might be the day the boss finally caves in and makes your workplace a dog-friendly one!

^{Bo Obama's Dog Blog sources: USA Today}

Help a veteran | Participate in the Dog Bless U.S.A. Campaign

 
Dog Bless U.S.A. - what a great campaign from the fantastic team at Explore.org. Through July 4th, for every 5,000 "likes" they get on their Facebook page, Explore.org will donate a dog to a veteran who is suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (up to 100 dogs)!  

We canines know how to bring comfort and cheer to our human companions and we have an endless capacity to love. All we ask is that you care for and love us in return.

"This campaign is to channel the energy of the dog community into the gift of unconditional love and healing that only a canine can provide.  We want to raise awareness about the amazing role dogs can play in the lives of veterans and people who suffer from emotional and psychological damage- while giving everyone a chance to participate through a zero-cost contribution,”said Charles Annenberg Weingarten, founder of Explore.org and Dog Bless You.

So scurry on over to the Explore.org Facebook page and let them know you "like" them!

The World's Richest Dog Dies | Who gets Trouble's money?

 

 
Trouble Helmsley, the sassy Maltese owned by the infamous Queen of Mean (Leona Helmsley), went to that big treat buffet in the sky on December 13, 2010. She was 12 years old at the time of her expiration. If only Trouble's demise had been reported in a more timely manner, I could have sent a rawhide wreath along with my condolences.

But is anyone really mourning fluffy-butt's passing? Her mom, Leona, passed into purgatory (where only the mean people pay taxes), in 2007 and Leona's brother Alvin didn't want to care for the pooch, so Trouble hopped a private jet down to Florida where Carl Lekic, manager of the Helmsley Sandcastle Hotel assumed responsibility. Sounds like Carl may have genuinely liked the pampered pup.

I have it on the down-low that Trouble was a feisty little gal, biting anyone who got too close to Leona (clearly Trouble inherited more from mom than just her money). Mama Leona would not be happy if she knew the $12 million she bequeathed to T-dawg was reduced to a measly $2 million by a New York judge. No sweat though, turns out $2 mil was more than enough to cover her expenses.

Trouble's annual expenditures:

• $8,000 - grooming
• $1,200 - food (her chef-prepared crab cakes were replaced with canned dog food)
• $2,500 to $18,000 - medical care (Trouble had kidney problems)
• $100,000 - full-time security guards (Trouble received 20 to 30 death and kidnapping threats)
• $60,000 - guardian fee for Mr. Lekic

When Trouble slipped into her eternal dog nap, the remainder of her $2 million inheritance reverted to the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, estimated to be worth $5 to $8 billion in 2007. In her will, Leona instructed the trustees to disperse the funds in ways that would benefit dogs, but the trustees are not legally obligated to fulfill her wishes, so they haven't. So much for fancy estate lawyers.

In 2009, the HSUS, ASPCA and Maddie's Fund went to court accusing the trustees of a "scheme to deprive dog welfare charities" of their share of the Helmsley estate. Their motion was denied.

To date the trust has given away more than $450 million with only $100,000 (about one-fiftieth of one percent) donated to organizations that help dogs.

And finally, Leona's desire to have her canine companion rest beside her in the Helmsley mausoleum was squashed since Sleepy Hollow Cemetery does not allow animals to be interred on their property. Why not? It's not like we're going to relieve ourselves on someone's tombstone. Boy, if Leona were alive, heads would roll.

Here's a little Helmsley mausoleum trivia for you:

• The mausoleum cost $1.4 million to construct and sits on ¾-acres in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Westchester County, New York.
• Embedded in 3 of the interior walls are Tiffany-style stained glass windows depicting the Manhattan skyline. Because having a beautiful view in one's crypt is crucial...really? 
• Leona left $3 million dollars to cover the cost of having her final resting place "washed or steam-cleaned at least once a year." Oh, that pesky crypt dust...

^{Bo Obama's Dog Blog sources: ABC News, Humane Society of the United States, Seattle Times, The New York Times, theworkingcaregiver blog, Wikipedia, Yahoo News}

Famous inventors and their furry muses

 

As I listen to my assistant read me page after page of world history, I'm fascinated to learn of the roles many of my four-legged ancestors (and one furball) played in the development of some the world's greatest inventions. 

I've just got to share my new-found knowledge with you! 

1793 | Eli Whitney invents the Cotton Gin

Whitney propelled the south's economic development with his cotton gin (gin = short for engine). The apparatus separated the seeds from the the cotton and could clean up to 55 pounds of cotton per day.

Whitney's muse for his great invention? A cat. He was pondering ways to improve cotton production when he witnessed a cat trying to pull a chicken through a fence with only some of the feathers able to make it through.  

1876 | Alexander Graham Bell invents the telephone

I shudder to think where humans would be without their phones - instant access, 24/7. Sometimes I long for the old days I've heard about, days when life moved at a much slower pace and the ticking of the old mantel clock created a soothing adagio soundtrack to everyday life.

Mr. Bell would amaze onlookers by using his hand to manipulate his Skye Terrier, Trouve's, vocal chords (as he growled), producing a crude imitation of the sentence, "How are you grandma?" Spectators were amazed and convinced they had just witnessed a talking dog.

It doesn't sound like Trouve was harmed during these demonstrations though I'm sure having Bell's hand shoved in his mouth wasn't on Trouve's top 10 list of "Fun things to do with Dad." Hopefully he was rewarded with buckets of treats and attention since this early experiment propelled Bell onward to more serious explorations into the transmission of sound. 

1877 | Thomas Edison invents the phonograph

I can't deny that the man was a genius but I'm sorely disheartened to learn of his disregard for the lives of animals, even though he is quoted as saying, "I am proud of the fact that I never invented weapons to kill" and "Nonviolence leads to the highest ethics, which is the goal of all evolution. Until we stop harming all other living beings, we are still savages." Sounds good, doesn't it?

However, in Edison's efforts to protect his financial interests in his patented direct current (DC), and prove that Westinghouse's new alternating current (AC) was much more dangerous, he electrocuted many cats, dogs, cattle and horses (a process he referred to snidely as getting "Westinghoused").

But he didn't stop there...with a crowd of 1,500 spectators looking on, he electrocuted an abused circus elephant named Topsy. The details of Topsy's abuse are heart-wrenching and the video Edison shot of the macabre event is like something from my worst nightmare. Shame on you Mr. Edison.

On a much kinder note, Nipper the terrier was used as artist Francis Barraud's muse for his painting titled, "His Late Master's Voice," which was purchased by several recording companies including RCA. Nipper has secured his place in history as the iconic RCA pup staring quizzically into a gramophone's trumpet.  

1888 | George Eastman invents the first roll film & roll film camera

Prior to Eastmans' invention of roll film, photos were taken using photographic plates. With Eastman's Kodak roll film and Kodak roll film camera he revolutionized photography by making the tools both affordable and available to the general public. 

Eastman owned several dogs during his lifetime though it was his first dog who seemed to leave an indelible impression on the inventor. In a letter written to long-time friend, Susan Brown, he laments, "I cried all night" the day his pup was stolen by an Erie Canal boatman. 

This confirms my suspicions that it was intense love and admiration for a dog that fueled Eastman's desire to develop a way for all humans to capture the awesomeness, handsomeness, beauty and antics of their furry friends for all eternity. 

^{Bo Obama's Dog Blog sources: Google Books, Wikipedia, Wired.com} 

Dogs dig summer! Top 5 list of warm weather endeavors for you and your pup

 

Surf and turf 

It may not be every dog's cup of gravy but some of us just can't get enough time in the water. Whether it be a pool, the ocean, or a lake, just throw out a floating chew toy and I'm there buddy. For my land-loving cousins, just running up and down the beach or shoreline can be a gas! And, while I prefer to frolic for fun, watching a dock diving competition sure makes for some great entertainment. Those dogs rock!

Salt water can make us pups sick and if consumed in large quantities, it can even be fatal. When preparing for a trip to the beach, be sure to pack plenty of fresh water for the dogs and yourself.

Pitch-a-pup-tent

Bugs, varmints, roasted wienies coated with a sumptuous layer of dirt mixed with ash and howling to Kumbaya while sitting with my peeps around a campfire, what's not to love about camping? Including us on their camping ventures is crucial to our human's safety since we can protect them...okay...at least warn them of impending danger.

Keep the chocolate bars you packed for s'mores out of our reach. And don't forget to pack the doggy first aid kit and some extra blankets. We get cold too!

Get your tail on the trail

I love to be outside with my family and can't wait 'til we're able to travel and explore some dog-friendly hiking trails. Having an endless supply of trees to smell and mark would be a dream come true!

Treat us for fleas, ticks and heart-worms before we go. If your pup isn't used to long hikes, start out with some short practice hikes building up to longer hikes gradually.

Jump through hoops

You don't have to be a professional to show off your best agility moves. Any dog can do it! Have your family set-up some obstacles for you to maneuver in your backyard. No need for fancy equipment, they can use what they have around the house (a broom between two chairs makes a great hurdle). 

Do agility on a grassy or padded surface only since blacktop or concrete can hurt us. And by all means keep things fun and use lots of positive reinforcement (treats are good!)

Bow-Wow BBQ and Puppy Pool Party

Have all of your doggy dawgs and their humans over for a summer soiree. The peeps can grill and chill while you and your crew raise the woof! Have the parental units put out some chew toys, tug toys, fetch toys, balls and a kiddie pool where you can cool off after an intense tug-of-war session.

The kiddie pool will provide plenty of fresh water for your party animals and having an abundance of treats and toys available will go a long way in avoiding territorial squabbles.

Resources

• BBQ Doggie Delight recipe
• CPR for dogs
• Do-it-yourself dog agility course
• Dock diving schedule of events
• Dog travel and camping gear product reviews
• Fighting and preventing flea, tick and heartworm
• How to throw a dog party
• Kumbaya lyrics
• Parasite prevention
• Pet-friendly campgrounds in the USA
• Seven dog symptoms you should not ignore
• Top 10 dog friendly beaches 
• Top 10 dog friendly hiking trails in the USA
• US Dog Agility Association (USDAA)
• "Who Let the Dogs Out" MP3 download (for Bow-Wow BBQ)
• YouTube video: How to teach your dog to jump

The ABC's of Cat Adoption for National Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat Month

 

In honor of National Adopt-A-Shelter-Cat Month, I'm shining the spotlight on our fur-less caretaker's other favorite companion, cats. I think the little guys are cute and am considering adopting one myself (hopefully neither of the girls are allergic to cat dander).

With approximately 6 to 8 million dogs and cats entering shelters ever year, I think it's important to go over the ABC's of cat adoption before adding a feline to your family unit. 

 
What better way to do your part in making the world a better place then by saving a life? Adopting a pet from a shelter does just that. Cats thrive in loving homes and will fascinate and amuse with their antics and superior intelligence (say what?!).

I've heard many a human declare that their cat understands them on a deeper plane than any human they know. I've also heard them repeat the phrase, "Dogs have owners while cats have staff."

 
Are you really prepared to be a responsible cat parent? Caring for your new cat involves more than love and attention (though both are essential). You also have a financial responsibility to provide your fur-child with healthy food, medical care, toys, kitty litter and other supplies.

And, while cats are less demanding then dogs when it comes to exercise and grooming, their care will take time. Make sure there's room in your schedule and your budget for kitty's care before adopting.

 
When you adopt, you are making a commitment to that cat or kitten to do everything within your power to make things work. There's no giving up if the reality of cat ownership is a little different then you had imagined.

With a lot of love and patience, your new pet can be trained to mind the house-rules. Keep in mind that kitty wants this to work just as much as you do...probably more! Your mindset should be that adoption is for life.

Research everything involved in cat care and consider how your cat will fit in to any future lifestyle changes (like having a baby), before adopting. Cats can bring a fun new dimension to a formerly cat-less household.

Sharing your life with a cat will bring joy to your heart, love to your life and a smile to your face!



Top 10 reasons why cats end up in shelters

1. Too many in house
2. Allergies
3. Moving
4. Cost of pet maintenance
5. Landlord issues
6. No homes for litter-mates
7. House soiling
8. Personal problems
9. Inadequate facilities
10. Doesn’t get along with other pets

Resources

• Save a Cat - Pictures and profiles of homeless cats by zip code
• Cost of caring for a cat
• Cat supplies you'll need
• iPhone apps for pet owners
• Pet Insurance Center
• Cat supply product reviews

^{Bo Obama Dog Blog sources: About.com, National Council on Pet Population Study & Policy}

Video of the world's smartest dog and dog IQ quizzes for your pup!

 
Personally, I have never doubted the superior intelligence of myself or my canine cousins, as a matter of fact I think our brilliance is quite obvious.

Take me for example, Bo Obama - The First Dog of the United States of America, who wields the power to influence our leader on important world issues like creating a worldwide "Give Your Dog a Bone and All the Treats He Can Eat Day." Granted, humans are not always quick to pick-up on the golden bones of wisdom we so generously toss their way but given enough time, they usually come around.

I present Exhibit A: NOVA's "How Smart Are Dogs" video. Sit back and prepare to be amazed by Chaser, a six-year-old female Border Collie, who understands more than 1,000 words! Still not convinced canines are wicked smart? Then check-out the deductive reasoning acumen she demonstrates during the "Darwin test."

And what about those chimps?! ROTFLOL! Cheetah's got nothin' on me and my dawgs! Boo-ya!

 

In case the video has you wondering how smart your faithful fur-ball is, try a couple of these dog intelligence tests:

Dog Under Towel Test

How to do the test

1. Your dog should be awake and reasonably active
2. Let the dog sniff the towel
3. With a quick smooth motion throw the towel over the dogs head, so it's head and shoulders are completely covered (you may want to practice this without the dog first). Start timing and watch silently.

Scoring

If the dog frees itself in 5 seconds or less ..................................................................................	5 points
In 5 to 15 seconds .........................................................	4 points
In 15 to 30 seconds .......................................................	3 points
In 30 to 60 seconds .......................................................	2 points
If the dog hasn't freed itself after 60 seconds ..........................................................................	1 point

Retrieving from Under a Barrier Test

For this test you will need to create a table low enough to stop your dogs head from getting under it, but high enough off the ground to get it's paw under. You can make it out of some bricks or large books and a board.

How to do the test

1. Make sure your dog is watching you from nearby.
2. Show your dog the tidbit of food and even let it sniff it.
3. With the dogs full attention slowly place the tidbit just far enough under the table, that the dog can use its paws to retrieve it
4. Start timing and encourage your dog to get the food.

Scoring

 

If your dog uses its paws to retrieve the food in 60 seconds or less......................................	5 points
If your dog uses its paws to retrieve the food in 1 to 3 minutes............................................................................	4 points
If your dog uses it's muzzle only and fails to get the bait, or if it uses it's paws and hasn't retrieved the food after 3 minutes ...............................................................	3 points
If your dog doesn't use it's paws, simply sniffs and gives one or two tries with it's muzzle ..........................	2 points
If your dog has made no attempt to retrieve the bait after 3 minutes ...............................................................	1 point

Does Your Dog Know Its Name Test

How to do the test

1. Your dog should be settled comfortably around two meters in front of you.
2. In the voice tone you use to call your dog call "refrigerator"

Scoring

If the dog shows some response to come....................	3 points
If the dog does not come, call "movies" in the same tone. If the dog comes......................................................	2 points
If the dog still has not responded call it's name. If the dog comes or shows any tendency to move to you .....	5 points
If the dog has not moved, call it's name a second time. If the dog comes ..............................................................	4 points
If the dog still doesn't come ............................................	1 point

For more dog intelligence tests and final score results visit Dog IQ Tests.

^{Bo Obama's Dog Blog sources: Australian Broadcasting Corporation, ABCNews.com, NOVA Science Now}