I would have never believed anyone would try mailing a dog. It takes an average of three days  for mail to be delivered anywhere in the US. In fact Dallas is only 3 hours from Austin and I still allow 3 days for mail. The woman did not put food or water in the box. This is a perfect example of the saying “You can't fix stupid". She has even asked the judge for the dog back. To read the full article - http://www.examiner.com/airlines-airport-in-minneapolis/woman-who-tried-to-air-mail-puppy-wants-it-returned. Please don’t try this. Airline shipping is far safer. You can also ask around locally-there are services that drive dogs around the country as an alternative to flying a dog.

.... YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS

To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone:    888-382-1222.
It is the National DO NOT CALL list It will only take a minute of your time.. It blocks your number for five (5) years. You must call from the cell phone number you want to have blocked. You cannot call from a different phone number.

Happy Thanksgiving to all. Please don't give your dog the left over turkey bones. I know it is tempting but you can make soup stock if you feel the need to not waste the bones. Cooked bones shatter and lodge in throats or tear up the intestinal track. Also, a dog can bet stopped up (for lack of  a better term). Emergency trips to the vet over a holiday is not fun for you or you dog. Get some safe chews and let your dog enjoy those instead of the bones. May you have a safe and happy holiday with your family and dogs.

As many of you know, my 8 year old daughter and I are cancer survivors. We participate in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure every year. This year the Austin Affiliate did a rolling start for the non timed folks -so a few more dogs came. I have to say seeing pink dogs was fun. My favorite was the Great Dane in the pink tutu.  All dogs were friendly and well behaved.  I keep telling my husband (he is on the board) that they need a Dog for the Cure Walk too. OK, the name needs work -Canine for the Cure?  Well, who knows maybe next year they will do it.  Now that we have had a few days we are now recovered enough to get back to our everyday business.

Austin, Texas will come alive tonight with ghosts, goblins and spooks ringing our door bells for Trick or Treat. Many dogs enjoy dressing up and coming with the little spooks but some dogs are very frightened by the weird looking humans. A number of dogs are better served by going to their crates or a back room. Children do not always realize how scared a dog has become and continue interaction with the frightened animal. This is risking a bite that is completely unnecessary.  From a dogs perspective that is not a human but something the dog does not recognize so don’t set your dog up to bite out of fear. Give you pup some quiet time and keep the little monsters at your door safe. Next year you can do some training with your dog to help them overcome their fear of the costumes.

If you use Merrick Treats check your packages. There has been  a recall that affects the US. For more info go to http://www.examiner.com/x-60625-Boxer-Examiner~y2010m8d4-Merrick-dog-treats-recalled-due-to-possible-salmonella-contamination

This is odd...the Merrick and Iams Eukanuba recalls all due to salmonella. I dont think they are manufactured in the same plant. For more info see http://www.examiner.com/x-38960-Ashland-Frugal-Living-Examiner~y2010m7d30-Food-recall-PG-expands-cat--dog-food-recall-to-include-Iams--Eukanuba-due-to-Salmonella-concerns.

Apparently, seven dogs died after flying on American Airlines on Tuesday this week according to CNN (http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/08/04/illinois.airline.dog.deaths/index.html?hpt=T2). I would like to find out more details. All dogs were bound to different places. I wonder how long they had been on the flight, when the dogs had last had water, where the dogs came from, and if they are indoor dogs. The flight rules usually don’t allow a dog to fly if the temperature is predicted to be or is over 85 At the location for landing.  I would want to know what the temp was at the time they landed too. The temp the article refers to was much earlier than the landing time. Since the dogs are in the cargo we can assume they are medium to large dogs. I am disturbed by the fact that seven were dead, five more were affected and two were fine. I wonder if this will end flying for pets in cargo.