At the dogpark / Play safe!

June 25 /08
,.. VOTE ... VOTE ... VOTE ..


The polls are about to close for the Awesome Blog of the Month award over at Dogs With Blogs. I've been nominated and I'd really appreciate your vote.


Click to vote: http://www.dogswithblogs.com.au/bonezone/viewtopic.php?t=954


A whole lot of slobberlicky THANKS !! Y



...............................




So I went to the dogpark with Mama today for the first time in I don't know how long. It was so much fun playing with all my friends again. But I got myself into a teensy weensy bit of trouble, on account of I was running and jumping and acting like a coo-coo dog...
.

I really carried on, racing around and just plain being a sillyBoxer, and I kind of overdid it. It also got pretty hot out there. So when Mama saw me getting too worked up and panting, she hustled me home.




She put the a/c on and practically stuck my whole head in my water bowl. But I was still panting really hard and Mama was getting so nervous. She put cold, wet towels on me and fed me ice cream... then the silly woman called the vet!

"Should I bring him in?" I heard her ask, sounding like she was about to cry. But by then my panting had started to subside and then I was OK.

Then Daniel came home and told Mama that it happens all the time when he plays with me outside in the summertime. Being a guy, he really gives me a workout. He's used to seeing me like that. Even though Mama knows that Boxers are short-snouted, which causes respiratory issues, she just never saw me that winded. She's such a worry-pimple ... what's the expression? Oh, ... a worry-wart.

Anyway, the vet had told Mama that Boxers tend to think they have more energy than they really do and they don't know when to stop acting like savages. Oh really? Hmmm...

Anyway, maybe it was really all a ploy that Boxers use to get ice cream from their Mamas!! Ha ha ... Snort...

Sorry you were scared, Mama.


While on the subject of dog parks, read on:

This article appeared in our newspapers today about some sicko who's been poisoning dogs that were running off-leash in a Toronto park. It scares me so much to think there are people (monsters?) out there who would do such an evil thing to a dog. But I guess there are, and we have to do everything we can to stay safe.

Running off-leash is a lot of fun but now I am worried about doing that at a public park. It's a real problem because not everyone lives on a huge property with lots of running space, and we have to rely on parks to get our exercise and play.

We have to be really careful:


= Our parents have to limit the space we run in so they can watch us at all times to make sure we don't eat anything strange off the ground.

= It's best to bring a bowl and some bottled water, rather than drink out of the fountain.

= We should watch for people who hang around the dogparks who don't have dogs with them. Sometimes at our park there is a lady who sits all by herself and she brings a baggy of treats for all the dogs. Whenever she offers them to us, all the Mamas say "no thanks." Chances are, she's a sweet, lonely lady who just wants to be kind to us, but you never know...

= Even if a people park is designated for off-leash dogs, it's better to go running in a dogpark, where there aren't any people who might resent dogs running around freely.


If you can add to this list, please do and we'll post it.

Play safe, my friends.


Here's the article:

Police investigate Toronto dog poisonings
CTV.ca News Staff


At least five dogs that went off-leash in Toronto's High Park were poisoned by anti-freeze over the weekend, police said Monday

It appears the poison was poured into a water-dispenser for dogs that is located in an off-leash area of the west-end park, police said, noting it is also possible the poison was simply sprinkled on the grass.

Police have seized two water containers from the park as evidence and have taped off the area.

A spokesperson from the City of Toronto's Parks and Recreation Department refused to comment on the issue, saying the department doesn't discuss matters under police investigation.

One of the dogs is not expected to survive, while the others are in serious but stable condition.

The Veterinary Emergency Clinic near Yonge and Bloor was the only downtown emergency clinic open over the weekend, so doctors there saw many of the sick animals and managed to connect them to High Park.

Dr. Barb Bryer, who works at the clinic, told CTV Toronto she doesn't think the poisonings were accidental.

"I would like to believe that somebody wouldn't do this, but the likelihood of someone having a jar of anti-freeze at this time of year, walking through a no-leash zone and accidentally dropping it is hard to believe," she said Monday. "I'm very concerned someone has intentionally done this."

According to emergency veterinarian Dr. Karen Nasir, dogs are drawn to anti-freeze due to its sweetness and can sniff it out from a distance. Once ingested, it can cause kidney failure within hours, she told CTV.ca on Monday.

"It's such a potent toxin because it's highly absorbable," Nasir said. "Once the kidneys have been damaged, you can't really get them to recover."

............... Police tape surrounds the off-leash area at High Park in Toronto on June 23


Nasir advised dog owners to watch for signs of dizziness combined with extreme thirst, vomiting and frequent urination.

"The important thing is that people shouldn't panic," she said. "But if they're noticing dramatic changes, they should get their pet to their vet or an emergency clinic."


If ever in doubt of the safety of an area, owners should keep their dogs on leashes, Nasir advised. "When dogs are going off-leash... it can be hard to see everything they're doing," she said, suggesting pet owners who opt for fenced-in areas should do a visual sweep of the park before letting their animal roam free.

One dog owner who spoke to CTV Toronto at High Park on Monday said hearing the news made him fearful for the lives of his dogs.

"The first thought I had was that these two were here both days over the weekend so I'm hoping they're alright," he said.


.................Two dogs run in the off-leash area at a High Park in Toronto on June 23.

The case is not the first where dogs have been poisoned in a Toronto park. In February, numerous dogs fell ill and three died after walking in Delma Park, south of the QEW and west of Brown's Line.
Four years ago, 16 dogs got sick and one eventually died after hot-dogs laced with insecticide were found in an east end park.


And while we're on the subject of being safe, my pal Gunner's blog is dedicated to the health and well-being of dogs. It's full of important information that we should all read:

Go to Gunner: http://urbanpetsdogblog.blogspot.com/

30 comments:

Lacy said...

w00f's Chef, pawsome warning to our doggy friends...if u dont mind i will post link to u on my bloggy too...mite help save more puppy lives...

b safe,
~rocky~

Juno said...

Hello & nice to meet you, Chef! (since we love food, we love your name!)

Our dear friend Rocky and Angel LacyLulu's mama mentioned about your post regarding this stooopid creature who tried to kill us doggies. We watched the news last night and it made our pawrents really mad. We don't go to HighPark but you never know if this sicko will do something stoopid at our favorite park. Thank you for sharing this news with our friends.

Momo & Pinot

Sophie Brador said...

Chef, This seems to always be happening in TO. It's one of the reasons we decided to come back to Montreal instead of moving to Toronto. When those dogs were being poisoned by hot dogs, we were living near TO and considering moving to the High Park area. I'm so glad we didn't, because with my labbyness, it's pretty darn hard not to eat something scrumptious.

xo
SB

p.s. Does your mom know anyone in the greyhound rescue world?

Niamh said...

I love going to the dog park near me and it makes me so sad to hear that dogs in Toronto were poisoned by some horrible person. Take care of yourself Chef and don't get overheated.

Your friend,
Niamh

Lorenza said...

Hi, Chef!
So sorry about those doggies being poisoned!
Sick people! I hope the police can get them!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Sophie Brador said...

Hey Chef,

About that video question .... my mom says that if you are on a Mac and have iMovie, it should be pretty straight forward to replace the sound. On a PC, she's not so sure, but she does know that you would need to go through one of the video editing programs. I bet if you post that question on Dogs with Blogs someone would be able to help you much better.

Hope you had a fabulous day. Mine was great until mom started talking about rescuing a greyhound. I'm all for the rescue, just not the part where it lives with me.

xo
SB

Moco said...

We are headed over to vote for you.
Someone in Portland a few years ago was poisoning dogs in an off leash area. Sicko's are every where. Be careful. Stop overheating yourself.

Rambo said...

Wow. Someone put poison in a hot dog and poor innocent dawgie ate it? What sicko human would do that to us....especially when we luv humans so much. Ruf Ruf....shame on them humans.
Rambo

i said...

Hmm that happens over here too not too long ago although not to poison off leash dogs but strays. These people go around in vans throwing out food that has been laced with poison. How cruel is that! One unfortunate man's dog got poisoned when it ate one of the food pieces outside his house. Luckily the owner managed to get the dog to the vet on time.

Molly the Airedale said...

You scared us getting overheated, Chef, but we're glad you got ice cream to help cool you down! Smart boy!
Some hoomans are so evil and have way too much time on their hands! grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

Juno said...

Hello Chef!!

Just wanted to come by and 'wooooof' again! We forgot to mention that we envy you who are living in a bootiful city like Montreal. We recently visited there and we loved it! :)

As Sophie mentioned, this crazy thing seems to happen in T.O alot!! We know mom occasionally checks rental units in Montreal... we should really think about moving to your city! :)

We'd love to link your blog to ours. Hope it's ok with you.

Momo & Pinot

pee ess: Hope you will win the Awesome Blog Award!

Anonymous said...

That is horrible that someone is doing that. Coming from Canada I always took pride in how safe and friendly the country was - stupid sickos ruining everything. I'm glad your mom is vigilant about keeping you safe!

B said...

That is so horrible, how could someone do that? I hope they find a way to stop him.

Noah the Airedale said...

Oh Chef, that is absolutely dreadful...how can people be so cruel towards dogs. I hope they catch this person and lock them up.

Sounds like you gave your mum a big fright after your play at the dog park. She sounds like my pinky...watches us like a hawk. They can't help but worry about us.

Hugs and tail wags
Noah xx

Abby said...

Hi, Chef...

That is horrible...

I hope they find the monster is doing this...

Abby xxxooo

Toffee said...

That is TERRIBLE that someone has the nerve to hurt innocent dogs! Just terrible!! Thank you for posting that helpful article.

I hope you are staying cool and having fun.

Clover said...

Hi Chef!
Sorry to hear about you getting really hot and scaring your mom! Glad everything is fine though.
Love Clover xo

Anonymous said...

I'm back at last, so much to catch up on.

Simba xx

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Gaia the Airedale said...

Chefsta! I tried to vote for you buddy but I dont know how! Anyway terrible about the dogs..so sad! I dont know why or how people can do that.

puppy breath,
-Gaia

Gaia the Airedale said...

Ok I voted for you! Hope you win! I know, I wish there were a way I could share all the treats with you all, but were gonna hold a contest up here soon to which the prizes are free treats!! pretty pawesome huh? Keep posted

puppy breath,
-Gaia

Lola Smiles said...

whoa Chef, that's totally crazy about the mini-heat exhaust episode. I did that too once to my mama (when I was a wee one)...she even had me in the backseat of the car on the way to the vet's...and then I sorta livened up 10 minutes into the ride when I realized where the heck we were going!!

and that crazy gardening man who wanted to poison raccoons..and ended up poisoning dogs too...should PAY BIG TIME!! Oh, that makes me SOOOOO SOOOOO MAD! What's wrong with people Chef!?

a sad Lola tonight.

luv ya
Lola Smiles

Rachel said...

I'm a boxer fan that stumbled onto your blog. Chef, you are a beauty. If you want to see a pic of my baby go to;
http://mominreallife.blogspot.com/
2008/05/time-for-quickie-was-it-as-
good-for-you.html

Mr. T-Bone Beasley said...

Oh my CRAP!!!! Evil humans!!!! EVIL! Chef, don't go there okay! You'll give your momma a huge heart attack! And if that happens I'll have to mail myself to you and help you get better! But then, I may risk getting returned back home and never get to see you!

On the other hand though, it looks like you had a blast at the other dog park. I too tend to run around, usually with my tongue hanging out the side of my head...but then my human waters me and I feel better!

I've missed you Chef! I hope your package gets to you soon. I have to get you a new box. My human left it on the floor, and well...I thought it was mine! Hehehe!

Slurp!
Mr. T-Bone Beasley

Jessie, Jake and Lola said...

Ya we live near Toronto so we know about this - so scary.

Mama says if you don't like dogs then you should be shipped to the moon - and well we sooooo agree with her.

We love your day at the park - so much fun - we are not good yet to play with other dogs but we are learning and going to more classes.

As for your panting - keep that icecream coming! Great idea we are going to try it too.

Pedro said...

Hey Chef! Just wanted to let you know we voted today!

Pedro

the many Bs said...

hi Chef, we are dog park fanatics, now that Bailey is recovered from his surgery. our mom takes us every weekend. we run run run, and swim too ! it's the best place in the world. that worries our mom about bad people poisoning dogs there though. luckily, we pack our water and also drink out of the river. we don't eat anything there cuz we're too busy running. we will tell our mom to keep on the lookout though and don't trust anyone who offers us a treat. that's just terrible that some people would do that. if we knew who we were we would bite them! thanks for the warning.

woofs.

CoCo said...

Chef,

Thanks for all the important information. We pets all have to be extra careful at public parks!

It has been super HOT here where I live too! Us "squishy nose faced" dog have to be super careful during the heat...apparently we don't breathe like the "long nosed dogs."

My Mama have heard that the best way to cool a pup and the fastest way is to put a cool towel on our chest and belly. That is where we cool off the quickest...so the next time that happens, try that. Hopefully it won't happen again.

Have a great Summer!

Hugs,
CoCo

Mack said...

Hey Chef,
The first time my mom saw me pant like that she got worried too.

I think it must have something to do with our ubercute short noses.

And that is so terrible about that sicko who likes to prey on us doggies. What is the world coming to?
Stay cool,
Mack

Sophie Brador said...

Chef! I can see your new post about the rain in my RSS reader, but not when I go to your blog. Weird. And what's weirder still is that it is not raining at my house. But we live in the same city. Or do we? Maybe we are living in different dimensions or something. It's all very weird. Weird, weird, weird.

xo
SB

Eric said...

Woah.. you be careful not to overheat and not to get freeze headaches from too much ice cream!! hehehe.

That's awful bout the poisinings.Watch out there are some crazy bad things out there. Last year in my two favourite parks someone kept leaving chicken laced with poison and lots of doggies died.... was awful . .

I'm of to read Gunners blog Chef, thanks pal.

Waggin' Eric x