Train that Christmas Puppy!

Did you cave in to temptation and get a Christmas puppy for the kids? I hope not, but if you did, you probably are beginning to realize that the cute little puppy has teeth, chews everything and likes to frequently pee and poop - usually in your house, on your rug and generally wherever you don't want him. And it's too darn cold out there to stand around waiting for the cutie pie to decided to finally do his business. So now what are you going to do with this bundle of "love" that you have brought into your family? TRAINING! NOW! TODAY! Sign up for obedience classes. Take the kids, take yourself, take the dog and go. You will thank yourself, you'll get out of the house, and the dog will remain a family member. If you don't, then in less than six months you are going to have a miserable, untrained, unsocialized dog on your hands. You'll grow to hate him and then you'll do what too many other unthinking Christmas puppy people do - you'll take the ^(*&%# dog for a trip to the pound and walk out empty handed. Then that puppy who was so cherished will sit behind bars, sad and confused, waiting for someone to make him part of a family. He will not understand that you simply hadn't planned for him to grow up. To help you out, here are some local places that a google search turned up:
Dauphin Dog Training Club
Alpha Dog
Obedience Training Class of Harrisburg/Mechanicsburg

11 Ponies Rescued!

The Pennsylvania SPCA rescued 11 ponies from the farm of a man who had twice previously been charged with animal cruelty. On a previous charge, years ago, the judge ordered the animals returned to the owner. It is so frustrating when those dedicated to helping and saving animals subject to cruelty have to keep pursuing the same person!

Very Sad Day

I'm so sad to report that my beloved dog Roxy ran out of our backyard and got hit by a car today. The little 5 pound baby had no chance. She survived for about 5 hours and as we were transporting her from the initial veterinarian to an overnight facility she took her last breaths in my 13 year old's arms. We are all so very sad. She was a perfect pet, loved by all and had brought considerable joy to our lives in the short time she was with us. The Noah's Ark veterinarian in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania was kind, sensitive and had a warm and assuring, yet realistic bed side manner. My thank you to Noah's Ark for trying.

Landlord may be liable for vicious acts of tenant's dogs

Kudos to you landlords that allow tenants to keep their beloved family pet. However, you may be subjecting yourself to liability if that "pet" is a vicious animal. A landlord who 1) knows of a dangerous animal's presence and 2) has the right to control or remove the animal by retaking possession of the leased premises could find him/herself a defendant if that animal harms someone. In Underwood, et al. v. Wind, the Pennsylvania Superior Court gave the landlord a second chance after the trial court found her liable along with her niece/tenant for injuries inflicted by the niece's dog. But, only because the jury instructions were erroneous.