Hero Dog Saves Owner, Loses Own Life

Duncan Dunn died a hero.  His dad, Scott Dunn, fell asleep on the couch Monday night.  Around 3:30 a.m., Duncan, a 4-year-old Boxer, awakened Scott.  "He was poking at me and barking," said Dunn. "Normally, that means he needs to go out, but when I woke up, I couldn't see because there was smoke."

Dunn quickly dressed and ran outside, grabbing Duncan by the collar as he headed for his truck.  It was only when he reached his truck that he realized  he held an empty collar - Duncan was not there. Firefighters later found Duncan curled up on Dunn's bed.

Scott Dunn's home was destroyed in the blaze. 

Firefighters helped Scott bury Duncan.  Several of them wept.

Dog Dies After Alerting Owner to Cobb House Fire

Dog Alerts Man to House Fire

Dog Saves Owner From Cobb Fire

Why Not Adopt a Senior?

November is Adopt-A-Senior Month.  As a shelter volunteer it's easy to judge those who leave their senior pets at shelters, but the fact is there are too many seniors in the shelters that need homes, and they seldom get adopted. 

And that's a shame, because there is no feeling in the world better than saving a senior.  They bring a warmth into your home like nothing else, and they fill every nook and cranny with unconditional love. 

Maybe they are a little bit slower than they used to be, maybe they need help getting in and out of the car, or going up and down the stairs.  Maybe they need a special diet, or require medication or other special care.  But there is a glimmer in their eyes, an intelligence, an established personality, and a knowing look of appreciation that you just won't find anywhere else on the planet. 

No animals should be dumped in shelters, but especially not the seniors.  

There are seniors from 7 years to 17 and up in the shelters.  Adopt one.  You won't regret it. 

And that's Wednesday's Woof.

10 Reasons Senior Pets Rule

Top Ten Reasons Dogs Don't Drive

A new Top Ten list is posted every Monday.If you have a suggestion for a Top Ten, send it to petpurri@gmail.com. If we use your suggestion we'll send you a prize!

 

1)         It's hard to keep your eyes on the road with your head
            hanging out the window
2)         Dogs would want to stop at every fire hydrant
3)         Hello – is that a red light or or a green light, oh who cares ….
4)         They would want to stop at every dog park
5)         Dogs would be prone to road rage with all the stupid humans
            on the road
6)         It's hard to chase a car and drive a car at the same time
7)         Der Hunds would clog all the Der Wienerschitzel drive-thrus
8)         Dogs can't parallel park
9)         They definitely can't afford today's gas prices
10)       Have you been on the 405 lately, I think they are driving

German Shepherd Drives Car

Pug Drives Car

Pillow Peccadillo

My pillow is like catnip to cats.  And especially when my head lays upon it.  And most especially of all when my eyes are closed and I am sound asleep.  It is then scientifically proven to be irresistible, stronger than the strongest catnip.  Stronger even than special Christmas-mix catnip.

My cats have invented a game called "How many cats can squeeze onto Mom's pillow next to her head while she's trying to sleep."

Not just next to my head, but smashed up against my head and my face.  And on top of my head and my face.  "Making cookies" in my hair.  And the fun really starts when two that don't particularly like each other (Opie and Little Mess, for instance) decide they must be on my pillow at the same time.  Yes, I do have a large pillow.  No, it's not large enough.

Being lulled to sleep by soft purrs.  Snuggling against soft furs.  Sometimes, it's just the right size. 

 

Kumquat's Kunundrum

Kumquat awoke and wondered, would this be the day?  Would today be the day he would brave the upstairs landing and pass by Puck the StairMaster, unofficial Gatekeeper to the Sacred Spot (a brand new Kumquat-sized cat cube). 

Kumquat's stumpy little legs carried him up the stairs until he was only one step below Puck.  Kumquat and Puck faced off in a shifty-eyed Eastwood-esqe stare down that would have done Clint proud.  Puck stared down upon little Kumquat, and Kumquat's eyes stared back and squinted up at his nemesis. 

Would today be the day that Kumquat dared brave the Stair Master?  Yes, today was the day.  Mustering every ounce of courage in his 9-lb body, Kumquat sprang forward.

Whack.  Twenty pounds of feline fury swatted at Kumquat and down the stairs he went.  Today would not be the day.  Maybe tomorrow …. 

Or maybe he would just sit at the stairs and whine until someone carried him past the Puck.

Senior Comfort

Is there anything sadder than watching closely as one of our beloved animal companions succumbs to the inevitable effects of aging?  I think not.  But since there is nothing we can do to stop time from rolling on (last time I checked the Time Machine was several years off), there is plenty we can do to make our companions' journey less painful and more dignified.

Make sure your pets see a vet regularly, including a senior blood panel, upon having reached the age of seven.  A change in diet or dietary supplements may be necessary. 

Think of what you can do to make your beloved companion more comfortable …  Perhaps more bedding, or stairs to better access the beds and furniture.  Is a ramp for the car necessary?  Would your dog be more comfortable in a padded harness, rather than a collar?

 

Pets can experience mental decline as they age, and this mental decline is not considered a normal part of aging (cognitive dysfunction syndrome, or CDS).  Special diets and supplements can help stave off dementia.  Play mental games with your pet to keep the mind sharp (environmental enrichment).

Of course all of these things will cost money, and money is not easy for a lot of people to come by nowadays.  But every effort should be made.  The Senior Dogs Project contains a lot of useful information.

And most important of all, keep your companion animal at home with you and love them to the very end.  Do not  dump them in a shelter to die on a cold slab of concrete, staring out with vacant eyes, hoping to the very end that you will come back for them. 

And if you can adopt a senior pet from your local shelter, do so!  There are many seniors in need.

Top Ten Ways Cats are Better Than People

  A new Top Ten list is posted every Monday. If you have a suggestion for a Top Ten, send it to petpurri@gmail.com. If we use your suggestion we'll send you a prize!

1)         They were once worshiped as deities in Egypt.

2)         Cats are clean; many (many) people are not.
3)         Cats sleep 16-18 hours a day. Jealous? I am.
4)         A cat has over 100 vocal sounds (how many do you have?).
5)         Cats have better table manners than most people.
6)         Cats have 9 lives, people barely have one.
7)         Cats can see in the dark.
8)         Cats can climb trees without hooks and ropes.

9)         Cats are the boss of people 20 times their size.

10)       People suck.