News crews captured this amazing video of Los Angeles firefighter Joe St. Georges rescuing a German Shepherd mix from the Los Angeles River. The firefighter suffered a bite to his had but was ok. When asked about his bite injury St. Georges shrugged it off and said, "He did what dogs do." The German Shepherd mix was taken to a nearby shelter and was named "Vernon." He is in quarantine for a few days. If his owners don't step up to claim him, he will be put up for adoption. But Vernon doesn't need to worry. The shelter already has a list of over 20 people willing to adopt the rescued dog.
ASPCA, Best Friends Animal Society, American Humane Association and The Humane Society International joined the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti to help the animals affected by the earthquake.
It is estimated that here are an estimated 5 million livestock in the country, a large stray dog population, companion animals and native wildlife.
The international coalition is preparing a mobile animal clinic and staff to perform outreach work in Haiti. The coalition will also be assessing and assisting with the needs of animals belonging to people displaced by the disaster, as they move into temporary camps and shelters. Plans include providing food and clean water, as well as vaccinating companion animals against rabies.
Porter is a 3 month old Doberman Pinscher who will soon be available for adoption. Here's his background from the Heidi's Legacy website:
"We though Porter was born with a deformed right front leg but upon our vet's examination it was determined that his leg was severely broken when he was about 5 weeks old and no medical attention was given it. It cannot be reconstructed and will now have to be amputated. This little boy is a sweetheart. He was a confiscation because his owners were going back to jail. Porter snuggles and loves to be held and rest against your check. He plays beautifully with the other dogs. He is estimated at 3 months (Sept) and is enjoying a life of play, eat, drink, and naps. He is very good with the other dogs of all sizes and when it comes to humans, he is a kisser and love bug. He will be neutered shortly and then ready for some lucky family that would love to work with her on obedience."
For more information visit Heidi's Legacy Dog Rescue website.
Here’s a great way to eat great food and help homeless dogs all at once. September is Columbia Restaurant's Community Harvest. During the entire month of September Columbia Restaurant will donate a contribution equal to 5% of your lunch or dinner bill to the deserving organization of your choice. Local organizations include the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, Humane Society of Sarasota, Animal Rescue Coalition (ARC) of Sarasota, and the SPCA of St. Petersburg.
The Columbia Restaurant was founded in 1905 and is Florida’s oldest restaurant. Locations include Tampa’s historic Ybor City, St. Armands Circle in Sarasota, The Pier in St. Petersburg, Sand Key in Clearwater Beach and in Central Florida’s town of Celebration. All Columbia Restaurants are owned and operated by the Gonzmart family, fourth and fifth generation members of the founding family.
For more info: visit the Columbia Restaurant website.
The world's oldest dog died last Friday. Chanel, a wire-haired dachshund, was 21 - that is the equivalent of 147 human years. She died of natural causes at her owners' home.
Owner Karl Shaughnessy nominated Chanel for the title of world's oldest dog when he noticed that the Guinness World Records book had no record.
In May, Guinness World Records officials presented Chanel with a certificate as the world's oldest dog at Chanel's last birthday party.
August was a sad month for record breaking dogs. Only weeks ago, the world's tallest dog, Gibson, died of cancer.
Gibson, the world's tallest dog has died from cancer at the age of 7. The Harlequin Great Dane was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, an aggressive, bone cancer in April. His owner, Sandy Hall made the very difficult decision late last week to have Gibson euthanized to end his suffering. When a tumor was discovered in his right front paw, his whole leg was amputated in hopes of keeping the cancer from spreading. However last week Gibson's owner, Sandy Hall, learned that the cancer had spread to his spine and lungs. Gibson made it into the Guinness Book of World Records for his unmatched height of 42.4 inches.
This is probably not a surprise to many dog owners, but according to a recent study by canine researcher, Stanley Coren, PhD, of the University of British Columbia, the average dog is as intelligent as a two year old child.
For his book, “The Intelligence of Dogs”, Coren collected data from 200 dog obedience schools in both Canada and the United States and discovered that the smartest canines averaged in intelligence with a 2 ½ year-old child.
Coren discovered that the average dog can comprehend as many as 165 words and gestures - with the “top dogs” understanding up to 250 words. They can even count to five. When it comes to their socialization dogs are on par with teenagers.
This is one of my favorite stories to tell about Koda. I've had German Shepherds all my life. When my beloved Wanda died, I was of course devasted. I wasn't sure if I could face owning, loving and losing another dog. But I eventually started looking on Petfinder.com for another Shepherd to adopt. There was something about Koda's pictures that made me decide she was going to be my next dog.
My boss had been asking when I was going to adopt another dog so I showed him Koda's pictures and told him that I was going to adopt her after my next paycheck. Stanley, in his way, said "What! You're waiting. She might not be available next week." He then pulled out his wallet and asked how much her adoption fee was. He gave me the cash on the condition that I would get her right then and there. I asked what if the people fostering Koda weren't available? I remember Stanley saying "You're a salesman. You'll convince them."
I think I shocked the foster mom when I called and said I was driving to Naples (a 2 hour drive) that night to get Koda. I wrote down the directions and off I went. Of course I forgot the directions and the telephone number. So I'm driving down I-75 trying to remember how to get there. I somehow made it without getting too lost.
Finally! Police are looking into the disappearance of Bear, the missing German Shepherd police dog. This is the third time Bear has gone missing from his Chicago Police handler and is still missing.
I love great new dog products - ecofriendly no less!
A Florida woman is hoping to teach dog owners to clean up after their pooches with biodegradable bags rather than plastic grocery bags.
Bibi Rogers has created a pouch that dispenses biodegradable bags. Her business, 4U2ReUSE, sells two versions of the "iPICK UP" pouch. Some are made of previously used kites, used parachutes or used vintage fabrics.
ASPCA, Best Friends Animal Society, American Humane Association and The Humane Society International joined the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti to help the animals affected by the earthquake.
Porter is a 3 month old Doberman Pinscher who will soon be available for adoption. Here's his background from the Heidi's Legacy website:
Here’s a great way to eat great food and help homeless dogs all at once. September is Columbia Restaurant's Community Harvest. During the entire month of September Columbia Restaurant will donate a contribution equal to 5% of your lunch or dinner bill to the deserving organization of your choice. Local organizations include the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, Humane Society of Sarasota, Animal Rescue Coalition (ARC) of Sarasota, and the SPCA of St. Petersburg. 
The world's oldest dog died last Friday. Chanel, a wire-haired dachshund, was 21 - that is the equivalent of 147 human years. She died of natural causes at her owners' home.