"The dog ate my homework." "The dog tripped me." We make handy scapegoats for just about everything that goes wrong!
Here's the latest from the CDC and WaPo: Even when we're ASLEEP, we are responsible for tripping more than 85,000 Americans every year & sending them to the emergency room (well, cats account for some of those).
Read more about how dangerous we are: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/26/AR2009032601634.html
CDC Analysis Tracks Falls Related to Pets
By David Brown
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, March 27, 2009
Federal government researchers yesterday filled in a blank spot on the map of life's hazards -- the part occupied by Spot, Fifi, the chew toy and the water bowl.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that an average of 86,629 Americans visit the emergency room each year after a fall caused by pets or their paraphernalia.
That's the equivalent of 240 ER trips a day, and roughly 1 percent of the 8 million visits for falls of all sorts.
About one-third of the falls broke bones, about one-quarter caused bruises, one-fifth caused sprains and a little more than one-tenth caused cuts. About 62 percent of the dog-related falls and 86 percent of the tumbles involving cats occurred at home.
"We know that pets have many benefits," said Judy A. Stevens, an epidemiologist at the CDC's injury center. "We just want people to be aware that pets and pet items can be a fall hazard and can lead to injuries."
Dog-related falls account for 88 percent of the total, cat-related ones 12 percent. Children 14 and younger recorded the most injuries, but the highest rate of injury is in people 75 and older.
Women were more likely to be injured than men; they suffered 68 percent of the falls involving dogs and 72 percent involving cats.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Ragamuffin
This is Muffin, one of my many cousins on the feline side.She may look tough . . . but she's really a creampuff!
Don't forget to post your photos.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
The Best Man Was a Dog . . .
From Columbia J School, this report on the newest fad: muttrimony!
First it was Bark Mitzvahs, now we have wedding-service dogs.
Check out the excerpt from: http://jscms.jrn.columbia.edu/cns/2009-03-17/breger-petsinweddings
The latest wedding accessory: the family dog
By Sarah Breger
Andy MacDonald’s wedding day went off without a hitch. The celebration took place in his cousin’s house outside Seattle with a hundred guests in attendance. Toward the close of the ceremony, Inge solemnly walked down the aisle to present the two rings that would seal the couple in holy matrimony.
And she didn’t even stop to sniff her butt.
MacDonald’s collie-malamute mix had the honor of serving as ring bearer for the Seattle couple. “We just had to keep an eye on her so she wouldn’t eat the cake,” MacDonald says.
Man’s best friend has turned into the best man as an increasing number of couples are using dogs in their wedding ceremonies. This new breed of wedding guest has created a niche industry that caters to Fido’s appearance on his owner’s big
First it was Bark Mitzvahs, now we have wedding-service dogs.
Check out the excerpt from: http://jscms.jrn.columbia.edu/cns/2009-03-17/breger-petsinweddings
The latest wedding accessory: the family dog
By Sarah Breger
Andy MacDonald’s wedding day went off without a hitch. The celebration took place in his cousin’s house outside Seattle with a hundred guests in attendance. Toward the close of the ceremony, Inge solemnly walked down the aisle to present the two rings that would seal the couple in holy matrimony.
And she didn’t even stop to sniff her butt.
MacDonald’s collie-malamute mix had the honor of serving as ring bearer for the Seattle couple. “We just had to keep an eye on her so she wouldn’t eat the cake,” MacDonald says.
Man’s best friend has turned into the best man as an increasing number of couples are using dogs in their wedding ceremonies. This new breed of wedding guest has created a niche industry that caters to Fido’s appearance on his owner’s big
Saturday, March 7, 2009
BEWARE: Cat Poacher in Maine
If you are a cat living in Biddeford, Maine -- take notice!
It seems that a certain Mr. John Gold claims to have been trapping cats he finds on his lawn, then dispatching his victims to the shelter. As a former shelter inmate, I shudder to think what fate awaits them there . . .
We learn of Mr. Gold's hideous actions by a letter he posted to The New York Times Ethicist column (tomorrow's edition).
Amazingly -- Mr. Gold felt he had to turn to third-party arbitration to determine if his practice is right or wrong!
As a dog, I might be unusual in that I enjoy the company of cats (except when they play too rough). But even I know how atrocious this is.
Mr. Gold is outraged that cats may be using his lawn as a litterbox -- but he apparently hasn't bothered to find out if they are providing free, neighborly services, like rodent control.
Mr. Gold, please understand that cats (and canines) don't grasp the human concept of property ownership. We can't read deeds, we don't know what block and lot numbers mean, or mortgages or tax rolls. And cats, especially, are in the dark about the purpose of fences.
Perhaps Mr. Gold would be more successful if he employed the tools that animals do understand: When I want other dogs to know the boundaries of my territory -- I simply go around and pee on everything in my kingdom.
Mr. Gold -- just go out and pee on your property. Problem solved!
It seems that a certain Mr. John Gold claims to have been trapping cats he finds on his lawn, then dispatching his victims to the shelter. As a former shelter inmate, I shudder to think what fate awaits them there . . .
We learn of Mr. Gold's hideous actions by a letter he posted to The New York Times Ethicist column (tomorrow's edition).
Amazingly -- Mr. Gold felt he had to turn to third-party arbitration to determine if his practice is right or wrong!
As a dog, I might be unusual in that I enjoy the company of cats (except when they play too rough). But even I know how atrocious this is.
Mr. Gold is outraged that cats may be using his lawn as a litterbox -- but he apparently hasn't bothered to find out if they are providing free, neighborly services, like rodent control.
Mr. Gold, please understand that cats (and canines) don't grasp the human concept of property ownership. We can't read deeds, we don't know what block and lot numbers mean, or mortgages or tax rolls. And cats, especially, are in the dark about the purpose of fences.
Perhaps Mr. Gold would be more successful if he employed the tools that animals do understand: When I want other dogs to know the boundaries of my territory -- I simply go around and pee on everything in my kingdom.
Mr. Gold -- just go out and pee on your property. Problem solved!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Siberia South
Great news! A bunch more pups are about to join my pack!
This is one of my highfalutin Siberian husky cousins, sitting on Sally's lap and eying her dinner plate. These day's, she's eating for two, three, four, five . . . who knows.
This cuz is no mutt: she's (let's see if I can remember all this) Ch. Mileka's Silver Bullet.
The little cousins are due this month. If you're interested in things like pedigrees, these dogs are bone-i-fide!
Who Let the Dog Out?
I hear that football QB Michael Vick – every dog’s worst nightmare – will be leaving Levenworth soon and heading for his estate. http://www.boston.com/sports/football/articles/2009/02/27/report_vick_heading_home/
It seems the halfway house, where he was supposed to go after serving a term in the big house, is full up. No room at the inn. So he gets a free pass, straight to home plate (sorry about the mixed metaphor – guess I’m just a mixed mutt).
So Vick, a mass murderer of dogs, gets to go home, to serve the rest of his time in luxury.
Now when I was in the pen (vagrancy charges), they wouldn’t let me out until I got “fixed.” Never mind that nothing was broken. . . That was the choice: under the knife or life behind bars.
I propose equal treatment for Vick. If he wants out – give him a hatchet job!
What say, pups? Are you with me on this?
As we all know, Vick would come back with lots less aggression. And dogs will sleep easier at night!
It seems the halfway house, where he was supposed to go after serving a term in the big house, is full up. No room at the inn. So he gets a free pass, straight to home plate (sorry about the mixed metaphor – guess I’m just a mixed mutt).
So Vick, a mass murderer of dogs, gets to go home, to serve the rest of his time in luxury.
Now when I was in the pen (vagrancy charges), they wouldn’t let me out until I got “fixed.” Never mind that nothing was broken. . . That was the choice: under the knife or life behind bars.
I propose equal treatment for Vick. If he wants out – give him a hatchet job!
What say, pups? Are you with me on this?
As we all know, Vick would come back with lots less aggression. And dogs will sleep easier at night!
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Like Stealing Bones from a Dog
Dogs around the world rejoiced when hotel queen Leona Helmsley left billions of bucks to better the welfare of our species.
But now -- her human family has gotten a judge to invalidate this stipulation in her will. It's right here in The New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/26/nyregion/26helmsley.html?_r=2&hp.
I, for one, am outraged! Dogs are starving in China. Going hungry in Hungary. Freezing in Finland. And in the United States -- dying by the thousands in so-called "shelters" that can't afford to feed or care for strays and abandoned animals.
We cannot allow this travesty to happen. Dogs unite! Raise your voices and howl for Helmsley!
I propose we united as Hounds for Helmsley, bring back our bequest and demand that this support go to the dogs!
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