Mudder's Tale

This is Mudder's Tale. In horse racing parlance, a 'mudder' is a horse who runs well on muddy tracks. Mudder did not race well on muddy tracks; In fact, we're not sure if Mudder raced at all. You see, Mudder was not a race horse, he was a dog - a greyhound - a greyhound with personality.

When Mudder first came to the adoption kennel, he was a very shy youngster, afraid of everything that moved and most of everything that stood still. When prospective adopters came to the kennel Mudder cowered at the back of his kennel. No one could get near him. And so Mudder was declared 'un-adoptable' and it was unknown what Mudder's fate would be. And Then.... along came Helen. Helen was a dog trainer who specialized in rescue greyhounds. Helen DID NOT believe in an 'un-adoptable' dog; and so Mudder went home with Helen. Thus began a new chapter in the lives of Helen and Mudder.

For the first two years of their relationship, Mudder literally lived in the closet. Helen could not get him to come out willingly. However, once out the door and in the yard, she couldn't get him back in. His whole personality changed and he became a happy go lucky fun loving dog. He played with the other dogs, he played with toys and he ran, and ran, and ran. Anytime Mudder was approached he ran with a twinkle in his eye. When he was outside Mudder was free of all inhibitions. Mudder knew nothing could hurt him because nothing could catch him. He was a greyhound. Helen spent many late, rainy, cold nights trying to catch Mudder and bring him back in.

During this period Helen was continuing to learn and grow as a trainer and behaviorist. Mudder was both her student and teacher. Together they went to seminars and workshops with some of the greats. They learned calming signals from Turrid Rugass, they learned confidence building from Suzanne Clothier, they learned TTouch and Bach Flowers from Copper Love. Mudder went to all Helen's training classes and to every workshop and seminar she could find. Helen applied everything she learned and everything she read to Mudder's training. Mudder taught Helen to think outside the box and to develop her own training philosophies. For three years they had a siy
symbiotic relationship of teacher and student, student and teacher. Then it was time for Mudder to move on and there I was.

I met Helen and Mudder when I adopted my first greyhound, Bingo. (Thus began my love affair with greyhounds. But that is a different story) I knew that rescued greyhounds were a little different than the average dog and I wanted Bingo in an obedience class taught by someone who understood greyhounds. The rescue agency recommended Helen and we signed up. At every class I would see this beautiful,red greyhound lurking on the fringes. As time went by, Helen and I became friends. While Bingo and I learned, Helen also assisted me with my crazy boy, Toppie. Soon Helen and I had formed a friendship; she was my mentor and I became her apprentice. It was about this time that Mudder was ready for a new home and I was ready for another greyhound. And so Mudder came to live with Bingo, Toppie and me. And a new chapter began.

(to be continued)

Feisty Britches

A long time ago, in a past life I was a girl scout leader. I remember one of my kids telling me about her little terrier dog, 'Feisty Britches'. I never met 'Feisty Britches' and have no idea what actual breed she was, just that she was a terrier full of spit and vinegar. So why am I writing about a dog I never met. Well it's all because of my doctor.

The other day he was telling me about his 88 year old mother's dog who is a
'Feist'. At first I thought he was referring to the dog's personality, as in
'Feisty Britches'. Not at all, Doc was telling me about a dog breed, a 'Feist'. I had never heard of a Feist and thought maybe it was a made up word; But No! A Feist (aka Mountain Feist, Treeing Feist), is a small hunting dog, developed in the rural southern United States (Doc. says North Carolina). So I went home and researched 'Feist'. TheFeist' is small dog, at least compared to what lives in my house. They are generally under 18" tall, and 20 Lbs or less. Even though they are a hunting dog by nature, they make excellent house dogs, watch dogs, and can be good with kids. They need some exercise, but not really more that any other breed, about 30 minutes a day. Doc says he grew up with feists on a farm in N.C. and they were great dogs. However, they do have that little dog bark.

So I ask myself, since I have never heard of this breed, it must be a new breed, maybe one of those designer breeds? But NO! This dog goes back centuries. Reference to them is included in George Washington's diary in 1770. OK, so they must hunt small vermin like the 'Rat Terrier' who was, incidentally, developed from the 'Feist'. But NO! These little guys were used in bear hunts. And they can be found in literature, in William Faulkner's "Go Down Moses" and his short story "The Bear", and in Marjorie Kinan Rawling's "The Yearling". Abraham Lincoln wrote a poem fraturing Feist dogs called "The Bear Hunt".

It is thought that the Feist descended from Native American dogs crossed with small terriers from Britain and were kept as far back as the 1600s. So wouldn't that make them one of Americas oldest breeds, if not the oldest breed. So then why isn't this breed recognized by the A.K.C.? It is recognized by the U.K.C. (United Kennel Club), the N.K.C. (National Kennel Club).

HMMMM!

Who's The Boss; Dog..Cat..Human????

This is not really a simple question.At one time I was possessed by no less than three greyhounds and a GOAD (Good Ole American Dog). As far as the dogs went, pack leadership was clear; ME, Toppie (THE GOAD) and then everyone else. Why was Toppie higher than everyone else, because they knew that if they crossed over what he considered "The Line", he would beat the tar out of every one of them. Why was I higher than Toppie, because all good things came from me, namely FOOD, shelter, unconditional love (that's a two way street you know) and protection. (Toppie's story is the first in the line of blogs below). Why was Toppie NOT the boss, because he used force and intimidation to control. Believe me, the others never came when Toppie called. They never looked up to nor respected him: they feared him. In short they had no personal relationship with Toppie. They simply stayed out of his way.

After Toppie left us, pack hierarchy became a little less clear. When it came right down to it,
I was still pack leader, however the rest of the hierarchy depended on the circumstances. Kitt thought he was leader because he thought he had stepped into Toppie's place as the pushy one. But in reality, when I wasn't around. Mudder was the boss. (Mudder also has an interesting story, but that is for another time).

So now the question of dominance and force comes in. Why was I the undisputed leader of my pack? I did not "alpha roll"! I did not use choke chains or force! I did not take my meals first ! I did not hit them! I seldom yelled at them and then only in an emergency to get their attention. So why then, was I, and why am I still, the undisputed leader of my pack. Because from me, "all good things come". I provide food, love, shelter and protection. For a dog, it's really that simple.

So the answer to the question is really very simple. Who's the boss?


THE CAT!

It should be noted: I do not own nor am I owned by a cat. Maybe because I want to be BOSS.

'Tiger' becomes 'Tigger' But Still A "Tiger" of a Cat

Tigger lives in Palm Beach County, Fl with Joanne (Mom), Jim (Dad), and Meowse and Friend. He loves protecting the house, strolling with his Mom & Dad and sunning down by the lake. This is his story.

Tigger came to us about a year ago, skinny, very hungry. It was hard to resist his plaintive, demanding cry each morning to be fed. We could not get over how unafraid he was. For three years we already had two indoor-outdoor cats. One was a Hurricane Katrina rescued kitty named Meowse and the other was Meowse's friend,named Friend. Those cats use a cat door at will and depending on the day or how fast we moved, are still wary of us. But Tiger liked people, especially ones who would save him from starvation. As time went by he became less emaciated, growing more muscular and stocky. His personality began to emerge. He wanted to be top cat. I sometimes wondered if he wished that Jim and I would disappear and he could just take over the house.
His swagger demanded respect and began to cause a problem with the two cats who were already tenants and us, who were watching.

He intimidated Friend the most. Soon he was confronting him, making eye contact and zoom-Friend was running for his life. With Meowse, who is 1/3 his size, it was a different story. Meowse never met his gaze, rarely acknowledged his presence unless swatting at him in exasperation.
Meowse knew in his soul who was top cat and there was no argument. Soon Meowse was standing guard so Friend could come for food.
We began to look for another home for Tiger, who by this time we called Tigger. We hoped his personality would become less aggressive after having him neutered. After a period of time post surgery we noticed no change so continued to look for another home for Tigger. We knew that in a single cat family he would be a wonderful pet. He would love being #1 and would be loyal and affectionate. Wouldn't this be best for him and for me who was exhausted trying to keep altercations from occurring. At the same time we were also trying different strategies to help him fit in. We fed him on one side of the house, hoping he would recognize his space there away from the other two. We tried with a squirt bottle of water to discourage him from the other side of the house. But his loyalty tugged at our heart. One time while having a garage sale in the drive, a potential customer with a ridgeback, came into Tiggers drive. He had been laying on the side unnoticed until he pounced on the back of the large dog with all claws, standing in attack on the dog's backbone. Fortunately, he quickly jumped off leaving only claw puncture wounds. He began to take walks with us, following us around the block, or if we walked further, waiting for us to come back by and pick him up. One time we visited some friends and he waited outside for 3 hours to walk back home with us. We were beginning to become attached.

So now we have accepted him into the family-sort of. He does understand he eats on a different side of the house and that is supposed to be his space. But he often runs around to the other side to swagger around and try to intimidate Friend. Friend has learned of a good spot on the porch that is protected and often lays there. Meowse still guards Friend. Early in the morning all three cats are on the non-Tigger side door peering in, looking for breakfast. Tigger allows the other two in first, then heproudly crosses the Florida Room and is let out to his space where he eats breakfast. Several times a day or night he shows up to cross the Florida Room and be let out the other side. Then he wants someone to follow him out to keep him company while he eats a bite. I am thinking of putting up a sign that says 'Cat Crossing'. He is very healthy; big and seems to have found a nitch.
Friend has accepted his guarded life style and does not seem to feel banished. King Meowse is confident of his hallowed place in the family and accepts his new responsibility ofprotecting Friend. Tigger seems to know how far he can go and that he will never be King, nor replace Friend in Meowse's heart, but does have a place in ours.

~Joanne Kelly~

Know Your Pet

It is a little known fact that I am a retired dog trainer. (See me teach Casper to play scrabble!) When training, the thrust of class #1 was always body language and calming signals. The homework assignment was to watch your dog closely for one week in his/her normal, stress free (we hope), home environment and report your observations at the next session.

It is our responsibility to protect our furry and feathered friends from harm, not just harm to them, but possible harm they might inflict on others. To do this we must know how to understand what our pet is telling us; Know what frightens him/her; Know how he/she reacts when stressed; Know how to recognize, alleviate and remove the stressor. It is extremely important that we be able to read body language, for that is the language of animals. But, like any language, it can be easily misunderstood when taken out of context. For example, my sister had a pit bull mix who frequently barred his teeth. Considering the bad rap this breed has taken in recent years, someone observing this behavior could leap to the conclusion that those teeth were a warning sign. They could fear that Leo was about to pounce. In reality, this was the way Leo showed pleasure and happiness. He learned to show those teeth when my sister performed his nightly tooth brushing which was always followed by a treat.

We have removed animals from, and changed, their natural environment. By leashing and confining them we have taken away some of their natural coping methods. (I'll write more on this later.) Therefore, it is our responsibility, our duty, to know them and protect them. This is the least we can do for those we love.

Good articles on Calming Signals and Body Language:

'Cat Body Language -''Talk To The Tail" '
www.a-house-full-of-cats.com/catbodylanguage.html

'Calming Signals - The Art Of Survival' ~Turid Rugaas~
www.canis.no/rugaas/onearticle.php?artid=1

'Body Language' ~Ian Dunbar~
www.dogstardaily.com/training/body-language

A Cats Prayer

Now I lay me down to sleep,

The king-sized bed is soft and deep...
I sleep right in the center groove
My Human can hardly move!

I've trapped her legs, she's tucked in tight
And here is where I pass the night

No one disturbs me or dares intrude
Till morning comes and "I want food!"

I sneak up slowly to begin
My nibbles on my human's chin,
She wakes up quickly, I have sharp teeth -
And my claws I will unsheath

For the morning's here and it's time to play
I always seem to get my way.
So thank you Lord for giving me
This human person that I see.

The one who hugs me and holds me tight
And sacrifices her bed at night.
~Author Unknown~

"There was an old owl lived in an oak The more he heard, the less he spoke; The less he spoke, the more he heard O, if men were all like that wise bird"
- Punch

Ying and Yang - Pros and Cons - To Fence or Not To Fence

As I was outside one morning; scooping poop; listening to four terriers barking non-stop; I yelled up to the house, "You are the joy of my life and the bane of my existence". Then my mind started to wander, as my mind often does, and I started thinking about fences and dog doors. Being a Libra, my mind often slides back and forth over the proverbial fence. I also often sit atop that fence wobbling over decisions. But this is not about me, it's about the pros and cons of fences and pet doors. (in my opinion)

Fenced In Yards (conventional fences):

Pros; Your pets can't run out in the street and get killed or lost. Fences prevent fights with stray animals. They protect wild life from being hurt by or hurting your cherished fur-babies. You always know where those babies are (if the fence is in good condition). You don't have to take the time to walk your dog, (especially useful when you are running late to work). Fences keep the neighbor hood clean and the neighbors from stepping in poop. Fences provide privacy.

Cons; You have to scoop to avoid stepping in unpleasant things, (that never quite works for me, for every two I scoop I step in at least one). There is a tendency by some to just put the animal out by him/herself, thereby denying him/her quality, one on one time. Fences can cause issues with neighbors when animals make a lot of noise, especially at 2 AM. Fences can block the view.

Electric Fences:

Pros; Underground electric fences do not interrupt your view with unsightly fence lines. They can be used in neighborhoods that prohibit fences. If self installed, they are cheaper than standard fencing. They are easier to maintain than standard fences, (as long as nobody digs).

Cons; Electric fences do not always work. (Ditto for electric collars) Given the right incentive (i.e. other animals, children, food, thunder phobia, etc.) your pet will cross the fence line, usually at top speed. He/She crosses the line so quickly that he/she doesn't even notice the jolt. However, when returning he/she is not moving as fast and not as highly motivated, and he/she does feel the shock. Now he/she can't get back in. Electric fencing may keep your animal in, but will not keep other animals or people out. This can put your baby and/or the other animal or person at risk. It is possible to break an animal's spirit with electric fences and collars. He/She receives punishment (the shock) but has no idea what he/she did wrong. The jolt just comes out of nowhere.

Dog/Cat Doors:

Pros; Your pet can go in and out whenever he/she needs or wants to. Dog/Cat doors can lessen your stress of not being home in time to let your little guys out. If there is a home emergency (i. e. fire, flood etc), your baby can get out of the house.

Cons; Your pet can go in and out whenever he/she wants to, (this can allow that 2AM barking.) Puppies, kittens and small animals can be in danger if left out alone. Animal theft is real, as is intentional injury to pets that can get out when you are not there to protect them. Dogs can be injured if they slam into a closed door at full speed, (that goes for sliding glass doors too). Other creatures can access your house, not all of them being cats and dogs. Burglars can easily enter through large pet doors.

Side Notes: Walking forms bonds and provides companionship between people and pets. It is good exercise for all and forms relationships between neighbors; nothing starts a conversation like animals and babies. So even if your yard is fenced, you and your fur-baby should walk long and often.
As long as I have had pets of my own, I have had a fenced in yard and a dog door. Yes, it was my boy Toppie (dog in socialization article) who slammed into a closed dog door at full speed. Now in my defense, I did not let him out when the door was closed. One of his favorite things was a good game of chase with my Doberman. Toppie would slam full force into the back door, popping it open, circle around and come in through the dog door. One day it was closed.
As to strays coming in the door; my sister has found more than one opossum on her screened in porch eating cat food. And burglars? Well that depends on the size of the door. My brother-in-law had to climb through mine once. His only comment--"any burglar who squeezes through that door deserves anything he gets."
Personally, I love my dog door. In my first job, (all 35 years of it) I was required to work a lot of overtime. Without the dog door I would have come home to some awful messes.
I am not in favor of electric fences or collars of any kind. In my opinion the cons far outweigh the pros. My neighbors had a dog that constantly scaled the fence and wandered about the neighborhood. In desperation they used an electric fence and collar. He went from being a happy go lucky guy to a little old man overnight.

Ode To Beast Cat

Ode To Beast Cat

She came out of the West
With dirt on her Chest
She was scrawny and thin
With more dirt on her chin
She looked like a Beast; Beast Cat

She asked for some food
But it wasn't my mood
Till I looked in her eye
And I knew she was my
Beast; Beast Cat

So I gave her my lunch
And she started to munch
We bonded that day
And forever she'll stay
My Beast; Beast Cat

Beast Cat was a stray in Nafplio, Greece. She deigned to adopt a graduate student who was studying archaeology in Greece at the time. The student brought Beast Cat to live in the United States. Beast Cat has lived in Atlanta, Ga, Tallahassee, Fl and Columbus, Ohio. She is currently back in residence in Atlanta, staying with her graduate student's Grandmother and Aunt. Beast Cat enjoys living in the United States where there is always plenty of food to eat and people to fulfill her every desire.

Importance Of Early Socialization (Dogs)

Let’s take a moment to talk about the importance of puppy socialization and also to plug ‘Dog Star Daily’. Dog Star Daily (see Resources & Links) is an E-zine for dog lovers. It contains hordes of information on dog issues. On the ‘Dog Star Daily’ site, you will find downloads and blogs by some of the most reputable people in dogdom, including several veterinarians. One of the primary contributors is my all time favorite trainer/behaviorist, Dr Ian Dunbar. Dr Dunbar is one of the pioneers in the field of non-aversive dog training and puppy education. According to Dr Dunbar, by the time a puppy is 8 to 12 weeks old, he needs to meet and party with at least 100 people. In our modern world, this is an extremely difficult task to accomplish. However, I cannot stress enough the importance of positive socialization, not just with people but with different breeds and sized dogs as well. Below is the story of one of my own dogs that was not properly socialized. It’s one of those “if I knew now … ” stories.

About 20 years ago, I was living with my 12 year old retriever mix and a very large 2 year old Doberman. (I adopted the Doberman as an adult) Both of these dogs were wonderful and well balanced. But this is not their story; it is Toppie’s story. I decided that my Doberman needed a younger playmate and so I got him a puppy. In my limited experience up to that time, I felt that a mutt would be the best choice. And so, off I went to the country in central Florida to get a puppy. Since he was born on the banks of Lake Tohopakaliga, I named him Tohopakaliga, Toppie for short. Tohopakaliga is Seminole for ‘sleeping tiger’. The legend is that normally the tiger (lake) sleeps, but when it awakens it ROARS. The name turned out to be quite prophetic.

In raising Toppie, I followed all the conventional methods including crate training. He slept and stayed in the crate whenever I was not at home with him. I would rush home at lunch everyday to take him outside for a few minutes. Toppie was one of the best house trained dogs I have ever owned. However, he was NOT socialized. The only dog outside the household he was exposed to was his littermate who lived with my sister. About the time he was 4 or 5 months old, I discovered that he hated Rottweilers and was afraid of babies. He broke through my screen door and sent an adult rottweiler packing (the dog was not on our property). When my brother came over with his three month old grandson, Toppie ran terrified into his crate. By the time Toppie was 6 months old we had a serious fear problem. When I enrolled him in a basic obedience class, I discovered that we had serious fear aggression. The standard method of fixing the problem at the time was with a choke collar and a lot of ‘pops’. This only exacerbated the problem, resulting in Toppie’s never going anywhere except for late evening walks on deserted streets. When we moved to Georgia I met a wonderful dog trainer/behaviorist. She worked with Toppie and me for several years, but alas it was too late for poor Toppie. In my defense I will say there was a genetic predisposition for problems with his whole litter. His littermate Jennie also had severe fear issues. However, since my sister had children at the time, Jennie was socialized to a multitude of different people and animals. Consequently, Jennie’s fears, while still there, never turned into aggression. Had Toppie been properly socialized and not isolated as a pup I am confident he would not have been fear aggressive as an adult. This is not to say that fearful, aggressive, nervous adult dogs can’t be helped, they can. But it is far more difficult to help an adult with these issues that to fix a puppy. So the moral of this story is socialize, Socialize, SOCIALIZE!