Thanks to Overboard creator Chip Dunham for issuing these very important pet care reminders.

I LOVE THIS CARTOON! It’s been on my refrigerator since it ran in my local paper on 07/31/07. Chip Dunham, the artist, periodically issues these reminders to pet owners who travel with their pets. Thanks, Chip!

I encourage you to check out his work… and if you like it, ask your local paper to carry OVERBOARD!

http://www.gocomics.com/overboard/2007/07/31

Doncha’  just love it when you find a product that’s not only good for your pet, but does some good for shelter dogs, too?  Usually, I shun products not made in the United States, but when I read the Buy 1 Box & We Donate 1 Meal, I was intrigued. (Read the side of the box below.)

So I checked the back. The product is made by our friends to the north, Canada(Hi, friends in Canada!) and distributed by a group in Oregon to stores like Sprouts, where we found this box. 

Now, GOOD BUDDY treats were running about $4.75 a box where as the other treats were running $7 for about 3 fewer ounces of treats.  (Yes, this does matter to the hound and the husky-cross. If you think dogs don’t know how to do math, give one more treat to one dog and see what the other(s) do.)

The other cool thing about this promotion is that it was launched by a 12-year-old girl’s mission to feed hungry shelter dogs in Bend, OR.  She created a website called, freekibble.com. As of this writing, FreeKibble.com has donated over 3 million meals to shelter animals. since Mimi launched the site on April 1, 2008. (NO FOOLIN’!)  

The Critters at The Red Dog Inn applaud Mimi’s efforts! Now it’s our turn:

There are lots of ways you can participate and help shelter dogs. Buy some GOOD BUDDY TREATS, then visit www.FreeKibble.com where you can answer trivia questions, follow them on Twitter or Facebook and just Do Some Good!  

“Mimi Ausland, a 12-year-old girl from Bend, OR, created freekibble.com to feed hungry dogs in their local shelter. It is now feeding 1,000s of dogs all across the country! In support of freekibble.com, we’re donating 1 nutritous meal, to shelter dogs and cats, for every box of Mac & Cheese Dog Cookies sold.”

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/38279498#38263805

Click here to getImages &
Orcas Pictures

It’s been a couple exciting days for Southern California boaters, and whale watching tour operators are rejoicing!  The wild orcas are putting on a show!

A few days ago off the Ventura coast, fishermen encountered a playful female orca who really was ready for her close up!! On June 1, Captain Dave from Dolphin Safari in Dana Point video taped an 8-orca pod feeding.  (Thanks, Captain Dave and Fishermen Greg and Richard for shooting the video so those of us who are desk-bound could revel with you!) I’ve included links to the stories below!

It begs the question: Who’s watching whom?

REMEMBER: Keep our oceans clean! Make sure your trash gets into the appropriate cans and keep your cigarette butts off the street!

http://www.whalewatchingtv.com/Orca-LIVE.html

http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-orcas-dana-point,0,4262348.story

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/station/as-seen-on/Close_Encounter_With_Killer_Whale_Captured_on_Video_Los_Angeles.html

People who’d overnighted at the beach dumped their trash outside their RV. A trashcan was a mere 10 feet away! The beach was littered with trash. 

After watching whale rescue teams cut a giant ball of garbage off a 26 foot baby gray whale, named Lilly, the question I have is this: How can you NOT police your trash?

Lilly died, but her passing won’t be in vain. A local OC woman is planning a memorial of sorts and encouraging folks to be mindful of the oceans. READ MORE HERE:  http://bit.ly/c44NHe

Remember: Your efforts are important because all paths lead to the ocean. Putting your trash in the appropriate bins is important wherever you may be — on the beach, in the parks, on a hike.  Clean up after your dog. Keeping your cigarette butts off the streets will prevent them from getting to the beach!

Regardless of who you are or how important you think you are, make a promise to leave places you visit a little better than you find them. 

Keep our beaches clean; they're counting on us!

Nonetheless, it amazes me that people still take their dogs with them on warm days, park under a tree, roll down windows and think that their dogs are safe! Shockingly, even people who claim to be “animal lovers” are loving their animals to death by continuing this practice. 

• Dogs normal body temp is about 101 degrees F.  At 103 degrees, your dog is in trouble.
• Dogs can suffer heat stroke when temps reach 110 degrees. On a 70 degree day, the inside of your car or truck can reach lethal temperatures within 30 minutes!!!   (http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn7631)
• In California, leaving your pets unattended in a vehicle is illegal (SB 1806) http://www.theanimalcouncil.com/files/CA_PENAL_CODE_SECTION_597.pdf 

Trees don’t help much and cracked windows don’t either.  Here’s a study that illustrates the point: http://www.mydogiscool.com/x_car_study.php 

While we never expect to be detained in a store or a restaurant, you never know. I never expected to pass out at the grocery store and be taken to the ER! Thankfully, my dogs were at home for that incident.

Can we please agree to leave our pets at home? Work through separation anxiety — your pet’s or yours!  But, if you are going to stop for lunch, stop at a pet friendly place or leave Fido at home!   If you love your pet, don’t put them in the oven — er, your car.

BTW… before summer heats up and power outages start, you may want to invest in a battery-powered fan or two — one for humans, another for dogs.  Check these out: http://www.aftproducts.com/Energy_Efficient_Fans_ff474071d2.dept

Here’s my advice: Start your search with one of the accreditation groups! That way you can be assured that the person you’re paying to learn from has met some sort of standardized criteria to teach and knows the precautions that need to be taken to be safe around a horse.  Unfortunately, too many riders declare themselves qualified to teach riding and train horses when they really shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near a teaching or training situation.  Protect yourself with information!  

There are a number of groups that certify riding instructors, but the one I’m most familiar with is Certified Horsemanship Association (CHA). There are no free passes in CHA. All the folks who are listed as certified trainers have taken the classes and are ranked according to their skill set. ALL OF THEM!

I wish I would have known about this long ago. I could have saved thousands of dollars wasted with unqualified charlatans and folks who rest on their achievements from 20 years ago. 

Repeat after me:

• Just because someone owns a horse doesn’t make them an expert. It makes them someone who owns a horse. 
• Just because someone calls themselves a trainer, doesn’t mean they are qualified to be one. Do your homework. If you want to show, GO to shows. Watch the trainers interact with their students, horses, others. Ask for references. Call and verify them. Ask them for their certification.

Here’s a dirty little secret. ANYONE can call themselves a trainer in the United States. (Please don’t run out and declare yourself a trainer.) Not all trainers, even the big celebrity trainers, are certified. Why? I don’t know. Pride? Concern they won’t be ranked as a “MASTER” trainer?  Concern that they may learn something new? Frankly, I wish more trainers would step up and get certified,  if not to improve their skills then to weed out the trainers who shouldn’t be doing this in the first place.

PLACES TO START YOUR SEARCH FOR A CERTIFIED, QUALIFIED INSTRUCTOR:

• CERTIFIED HORSEMANSHIP ASSOCIATION
• AMERICAN RIDING INSTRUCTORS ASSOCIATION

NOTE: I’m not a horse trainer. I’m not certified by either of these associations. I do know people who are accredited by these organizations and would gladly put my horse or myself in training with them.

Well, where I live, there is: CALIFORNIA VEHICLE CODE 23117.  (a) No person driving a motor vehicle shall transport any animal in the back of the vehicle in a space intended for any load on the vehicle on a highway unless the space is enclosed or has side and tail racks to a height of at least 46 inches extending vertically from the floor, the vehicle has installed means of preventing the animal from being discharged, or the animal is cross tethered to the vehicle, or is protected by a secured container or cage, in a manner which will prevent the animal from being thrown, falling, or jumping from the vehicle.    http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc23117.htm

I’ve called the paper and asked them to publicize this code — as well as encouraging people to not take their dogs if they have to be left in the car. As of January 1, 2007, it’s illegal to leave your pet in a car unattended on a hot day in the Golden State.

When I think about where I got this role of protector, I think of my mom.   When did she start instilling in me how the initiative system works?  When I was 5-years-old.  When I was 5, the board of education wanted to bus kids away from their home districts. Mom had lived in Chicago and worked in a hospital. One day, my older brother came by to visit, which was odd because it was a school day.  His school was taking part in an assimilation experiment and one of the kids pulled a knife on the bus. Well, that was it.  Not only did the Chicago program come to a grinding halt, but that’s when my mom decided none of her kids would be subjected to this again.

So there I sat, at the kitchen table as a 5-year-old stuffing and sealing envelopes to convince other California voters to not allow this intiative to pass.

Thanks to those days around the kitchen table, I’ve developed a healthy appreciation for the political process. I was able to meet a President of the United States, a few representatives, two governors of California, work for a County Supervisor and meet more than my fair share of movers and shakers –each who was a force in her own right.

I think it’s ironic that virtually everyone of the people I mentioned above was an animal person.

So Mom, thanks for being a Protector and for all the opportunities.

It’s also a good reminder to prepare for your pets, too.  Add a 5 lb. bag of your critters’ favorite dry food and treats to your emergency kit as well as bowls and water!  Make sure you have extra leashes and tags and collars.  The canines of the RED DOG INN have been microchipped, too.

There’s a misconception about microchipping.  You can have your pets microchipped and then CHOOSE to subscribe to the additional service. The Red Dog Inn dogs were microchipped for about $50 each, which included one year of service.  The chip can always be read!  Ask your vet about this method to get your pets home safely and quickly!

Here are some good resources: bit.ly/9RCqeP and bit.ly/b7Z23

Dressage pro Heather Blitz has launched a campaign among dressage riders to don a helmet when they ride.

My friend, Julie Goodnight, let me know today about a special offer by her sponsor, Troxel, making it a little easier to buy a helmet to ride in.  Troxel is offering FREE Shipping on helmets through March 31, 2010 at http://tinyurl.com/yh8nzxx or 800-225-8827.

Troxel offers riding helmets in Western and English styles in pricepoints for virtually every budget.   If you need a helmet,  click the link and place your order.  It’s important, folks.   If you’re riding wear a helmet: every ride, every time.  Child or adult!

Sources: 

http://tinyurl.com/yh8nzxx  (Troxel offer)

http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=15942

http://www.horsetalk.co.nz/news/2010/03/049.shtml