Quick action by citizens and animal control saves dogs life

From the Hartford Police Police Chief James C. Rovella praised the quick action by concerned citizens of Huyshope Avenue and Sequassen Street in reporting an injured dog in the roadway. "The timely action by area residents in reporting an injured dog stumbling in the roadway helped save the animal's life," said Rovella. On Aug. 1, 1:15 p.m., Hartford Police Animal Control Officer Sherry Degenova responded to a citizen report of an injured dog in the vicinity of Huyshope Avenue and Sequassen Street. On arrival she was met by concerned citizens who indicated the dog, an eight month old female Labrador, was stumbling in the roadway. ACO Degenova located the dog collapsed and in shock in the roadway. She immediately transported the animal to the New England Veterinary center for treatment, where medical staff discovered a gunshot wound to the neck and subsequently removed a projectile. "The dog is expected to make a full recovery after which time we will seek to find a good home for her," said Animal Control Officer Degenova. "At this time there are no known witnesses to the incident or owner information," said ACO Degenova. Anyone with information that may be of assistance in the investigation is asked to contact HPD Animal Control Officer Sherry Degenova at 860-757-4392 or email ACO Degenova at deges001@hartford.gov. Confidential, anonymous tips may be submitted on-line at Hartford Crime Stoppers or by phone at 860-722-TIPS (8477).

A little bit of progress for Baxter

It has been a while since I wrote about Baxter. The reality is that he continues to GROW. Last week I had him at the veterinarians and he weighs 136 pounds. His brother, Green Jeans, is about 10 pounds heavier. His training is coming along slowly. He listens when he wants to. Fortunately he is still treat motivated. He has so much energy and then he collapses. And he loves his Wrangler just as much as I do. We took the back seat out and put a memory foam bed there. I also got a doggie harness for him to wear when riding. He is so cute when it is time to put the harness on he gets all excited and try's to stand still but his butt can't stop waging. We (Les) is working hard with the gentle leader to try and get him under control when he goes for walks. He is also going through some growing pains. He has started whining and howling even if you are in the same room with him.

So Baxter is a work in progress these days.

The growing continues

Baxter continues to grow like a weed. On many levels his demeanor has improved. However, once we recognize things are a little better everything starts over again. Take for example that a couple of weeks ago he won two points at the dog show. That is a very big deal. He was chosen the BEST Gt Dane male at the dog show. His show photo made me want to cry with pride. Then this past weekend he was back to being a toddler pulling like crazy on his leash. We use one of those harnesses that is supposed to keep him from being able to pull because it crosses at his shoulders. He is also quite verbal these days. REALLY verbal. we joke at home that every time he grows he talks about it.

Purr Project offers scholarship for vet tech's

The Purr Project is seeking applications for the annual Suzan’ D’Antonio Full Bucket Memorial Scholarship that honors its matron saint, friend, animal welfare advocate, and vet tech, the late Suzan D’Antonio of Cheshire who passed away in 2008, according to a statement. The award is named to reflect the principles in the book "How Full Is Your Bucket," by Tom Rath and Donald Clifton, the statement said. The book "describes how a person - best friend, coworker, or stranger - can (through their own positive words and deeds), fill your ‘bucket’ making you feel more positive," the statement said. "It is this principle that guided the life of Suzan D’ Antonio as a veterinary technician and an animal rights advocate - she filled buckets. The scholarship then, will go to those applicants who ‘fill the buckets’ of others by being an advocate for those who have no voice," the statement said. The statement also noted that: "Based on this premise, this scholarship is about service - the applicants’ service to animals and the Purr Project Foundations’ service to the applicant. The Purr Project has dedicated this scholarship in Suzan’s name in order to support you and fill your bucket." Academics are a component of the overall formula of how the winning applicant is chosen, but the "scholarship is for those who not only have ideas but for those who are about action in serving animals." "Simply put, we want doers. Each and every application will be reviewed with the understanding that each applicant is an individual and that there are going to be different ideas, different experiences, and different manners of service. This service may take many forms: helping maintain feral colonies, writing a newsletter, volunteering at a local shelter, helping with anti-cruelty programs, and more," the statement said. The scholarship is awarded yearly, so applicants are encouraged to reapply if they are not successful in a prior year, the statement said. Applicants must be current residents of Connecticut (when not attending school). "The important thing to understand is that this scholarship is for students who are or will be enrolled in vet-tech, pre vet, or veterinary medicine programs. We understand however, that academic programs can vary widely," the statement said. "Therefore, if your institution does not have one of these programs but your intent is to serve animals in one of these capacities, then you should apply anyway. The Purr Project, does not condone animal testing research (i.e. pharmaceuticals), and will not grant scholarships in these areas." For information on the scholarship, The Purr Project Foundation, or to obtain an application, write to The Purr Project Foundation at 12 Winged Foot Court, Cheshire, 06410; call (203) 272-9590, or go to: purrproject.org where you can download a copy of the application. Applications must be received by June 30 to be considered for the 2012 award. The Purr Project Foundation, Inc. is a certified 501C3 charitable organization and relies on contributions - 100 percent of which are applied to scholarship awards and are tax deductible. Donations also may be sent to the address in Cheshire. Every donation will receive a thank you and receipt by return mail.

A year has passed

A year ago tomorrow I was beside myself and time was standing still.
Our breeder had said any day now our new fur bundle of joy would be born.
And he finally was born.
I was flying high on happiness. I had already gotten everything in place. Crate, bedding, food, veterinarian.
And now we had to wait until he was three-years old to meet him.
That was a special day too. We went up for a weekend and the last day we were there we got to meet Baxter.
That was a LONG weekend. We couldn't focus on anything else.
It is so hard to believe a year has passed unless you look at before and after photos.
The photo I took of Baxy when he was three weeks old today looks like the tip of his nose.
He is really a very good boy. He just has way too much energy. But I know with time that will change.
He does keep us guessing.
Taking him to doggie school has been very helpful. But he needs to continue the socialization.
Friday I hope to check out a doggie day care where he can be dropped off in the morning and picked up at the end of the day tires out.
The daycare said they already have 2 other Gt Danes who frequent them.
What is also good is that they want to check us out as much as we want to check them out,
Happy Birthday Baxter. The year has flown by quickly.

A little lost dog, his owners who haven't given up and the community that has rallied around finding him

WESTPORT/NORWALK CT - Frightened by fireworks on New Year’s Eve, Jordina Ghiggeri’s 11-year-old beloved Corgi, Andy, went missing in Westport. A horse trainer from Massachusetts, Jordina has remained in Connecticut to find her sweet boy. While four long weeks have passed, Jordina refuses to give up hope.

What is truly remarkable about this story is the outpouring of love from the Connecticut community and beyond. As Jordina and her husband Michael continue their search, folks world-wide have rallied to Bring Andy Home. Volunteers brought together through social media and the understanding of the love for a dog, have contributed by developing websites, fundraising, distributing flyers and in pounding the pavement day and night. Andy & Jordina continue to find themselves in the center of a growing circle of kind hearted people willing to dedicate time, money, effort, and support to reunite Andy with his “mom”.

The Bring Andy Home Facebook page currently has more than 2,100 followers and is growing daily. Andy seems so close to being reunited with his family but he continues to remain elusive. Most recent developments include a large group from "Team Andy" on a well co-ordinated overnight stakeout last Tuesday night. Searchers reported multiple sightings which led to the discovery of his den. In the following days humane traps were set up in hope of containing Andy. Unfortunately the activity seems to have spooked him and he continues to be on the run. Monday, Jordina and her team of volunteers are bringing back Salsa, a pet tracking dog from Pure Gold Pet Trackers, to aid in Andy's search.

Please help share this story. Together we can turn heartbreak into a homecoming!
https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Bring-Andy-Home/323338351030976
http://bringandyhome.wordpress.com/

Jordina Ghiggeri can be reached at 1-781-264-5243
Michael Ghiggeri can be reached at 1-908-399-9428

New Haven food pantry for pets gets assist from Bethany Veterinary Hospital

By Bridget Albert
Register Staff
balbert@newhavenregister.com

Pets whose owners frequent the New Haven food pantry will be sleeping with full bellies thanks to a pet-food drive Bethany Veterinary Hospital held over the holidays.

A van filled to capacity recently delivered about 700 pounds of food, toys and other products for companion pets.

This is the third year Bethany Veterinary Hospital has held the food drive.

Diana Richter, executive director of the New Haven Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen, said she was very thankful for the support.

“Bethany Vet is a standout for us. They helped us launch Thunder’s Pantry (pet food bank) and they are instrumental in keeping the pantry going,” she said.

Angie Reich of Bethany Veterinary Hospital said the staff there was happy to hold the food drive.

“Anyone of us could be there,” she said. “We would really like to see the shelves stocked year round (instead of just the holidays).”

Reich said her heart broke when she learned an elderly person was taking food home for his pet and not eating himself.

Thunder’s Pantry, the pet food bank, was started three years ago when volunteers noticed an increase in requests for canned tuna. They learned that much of the food they were giving out was being eaten by their visitors’ animals.

Richter said pantry visitors were feeding their pets before themselves.

The food pantry, which is open once a week, serves 250 to 300 people per week, Richter said.

She said that about a third of those also utilize the pet food pantry.

Richter said it is not uncommon to see visitors in line with their pets.

“One man lives in the woods because he isn’t allowed to have his dog in the apartment,” she said.

Bethany Veterinary Hospital said it would be happy to be a drop-off location for the soup kitchen. Anyone wishing to drop off wet and dry food, kitty litter, toys and other pet-related items may stop by during normal hours. The hospital at 782 Amity Road (Route 63) will make sure the animal supplies are delivered in a timely manner.

The Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen is at 311 Temple St. Learn more about the soup kitchen at www.downtowneveningsoupkitchen.com.

Call Bridget Albert at 203-789-5702 and follow her on Twitter @nhrbalbert. To receive breaking news first, text the word nhnews to 22700. *Msg & Data Rates May Apply. Text HELP for help. Text STOP to cancel.

Meet Baxter's older brother Chester

I admit I love all critters great and small in size.
And from reading this blog you know of my fondness for Gt Danes.
But what you may not realize is that there is another dog in my life and that is Chester our Airedale terrier.
Chester is an absolutely wonderful canine. He came to be a part of our lives when he was about two-years old. He lived with friends of ours who show dogs. So Chester was destined to be famous in the dog world.
Unfortunately (or fortunately) for Chester he did not develope anatomically correct so he did not qualify for the dog show circuit and our friends asked us if we wanted to make Chester a part of our lives.
He is an absolute angel. He is patient, kind and caring. The only times he gets impatient is when he believes it is time to go for a walk with his ‘pack.’
Yes, Chester has a group of canine and human friends he plays with regularly at the Racebrook Tract.
Chester and Baxter are best buds.
Pictured is Chester patiently letting me bandage him up for a photo op promoting a doggie first aid class. And yes he got some special treats for being so patient.

It's graduation day!

Baxter graduated from Practicing the Family Basics tonight.
I am not sure if I am happy or sad.
It has been so very helpful having Kathy and her crew there week after week to answer all my dumb questions and not make me feel stupid.
Baxy has certainly come a long way.
Tonight I didn’t even have to keep him on the easy walker but just his regular collar. And he didn’t even pull!
Thank you Paws N’ Effect for all of your help!
Anyone looking to train your dog see me for references!

Courage and love on four short legs

This is an amazingh story of courage by a little corgi.
Definetly shows the undeniable bond between man and his faithful companion.

Could Baxter really be growing up?

Baxter is now 9-months old and last week weighed in at 114 lbs. And he is still growing!
He still eats three times a day most days and reminds you when it is time to eat!
It almost (I am a skeptic) seems like he is beginning to listen better. He is coming when called, walks a little better on his leash and actually seems to be paying more attention to me.
That being said when I took him out this morning he practically pulled me across the yard. There were about 6 deer in the yard that I didn’t see but he sure did!
On the one hand I want to blame him for pulling but on the other he was excited and I should have paid better attention. If I had, he would have stayed inside until they had left the property.
While on vacation over the holidays Baxter spent some time at his grandmas house. Playing with all those Gt Danes should have tired him; but it didn't!
We spent some time at a friends home after picking Baxter up and he was allowed to play with their dog Abigail. They zoomed all over the yard and Baxter was leaping over obstacles including me. I am not sure how it happened but all of a sudden he was flying through the air over my shoulder and he never looked back!
While I know my obedience expectations are high for him I realize that although he is a big dog he still is a baby with lots of growing to do. In the meantime we will continue to practice his basic obedience skills and hope for the best!
Pictured in Baxters sister Wichie Woman. The name says it all!

I am living with a pogo stick these days!

The past few weeks have certainly had their ups and downs with Baxter. He is now 8-months old and as written before he has gone from being a demon boy to a devil dog!
Not all the time - but there have sure been moments.
We have what we call a ‘playpen’ in the backyard for the dogs. It is really an exercise area. They can run, play and do their business in a safe enclosure and at the same time we don’t have a yard loaded with ‘yellow spots.’
Anyway, for a good long while I was in heaven when I would call Baxy and he would stop whatever he was doing and run over to me.
Not these days.
I know good and well that he hears me. He cocks his head and goes in the other direction when I call him.
And the game of tag progresses. Eventually I will get him to come in but it really depends on how much energy he wants to expend first.
And walks are a low point to my day and a very high one for Baxter.
He enjoys them so much he bounces straight up in the air. Seriously it is like you are walking next to someone on a pogo stick! And when he sees someone he gets so excited it is hard to restrain him. And forget it if he encounters another dog …
And yes, we are in classes working on these issues. In class he does better than when he is on his own.
Baxter is also a thief. Anything made of material is fair game to him. Dish towels, doggie face towels are one of his favorites. He sneaks into the room where they are and quickly grabs one and runs back to his bed and lays there until he is caught. “Leave it’ does seem to have made its way into his brain thank goodness!
Later this month we will be going to the vet for his flu shot and an updated kennel cough shot if needed. The best part of the visit will be his weigh in. Can’t wait for the new triple digit!

Maybe we’ve hit a plateau. He’s beginning to listen – a little

No matter how many times I tell myself Baxter will outgrow this, I can’t help but wonder if he really will.
The leash pulling, refusal to make eye contact when he gets stubborn and the refusal to get into the back seat of the Jeep are still a challenge.
Take the other day when we went for a ride to our veterinarians for a weigh in. Yes his weight is the in the triple digits at 104 lbs. He wouldn’t get back in the car to go home.
No matter how hard I tried, he would back away from the open car doors. Fortunately I had my cell phone so I called inside and asked for someone to bring out a treat to help lure him in. And it worked!
Note to self to ALWAYS have treats hidden in the car in case this happens again.
And it did this morning. We went for an early morning walk and he refused again. Tossing a treat into the back seat got him in thank goodness.
And we seem to have the pulling issue under control with the Easy Walk Harness. He sits to have it put on and makes the cutest little noises of excitement.
The only problem on walks in public is whenever he sees people and especially other dogs he starts jumping straight up in the air. He is such a social dog.

Where has Baxter Gone?

It seems like it was just yesterday that Baxter was a loving and obedient puppy. Just waiting to do whatever would please me.
That dog has vanished into thin air and been replaced with DEMON DOG. A canine that appears to be deaf!
Pulling constantly on his leash. Finding trouble at every step he takes.
I am promised that this is just all part of the growth spurts Gt. Danes go through.
I cannot wait for this one to pass. Bring Baxy Back soon please!

Puppy saved from top of speeding training

This is an amazing story.

It's snowing in Baxter Land

The Little Prince's first snowfall.

Proud Mommy

We are VERY proud of The Little Prince.
We took him to see his grandma last weekend at a show and she thought he was looking pretty darn good. She asked if she could enter him that day. AND Baxter won his first blue ribbon.
Yes, this week he is back to being The Little Prince as opposed to being Demon Dog. We know that any minute a growth spurt will overtake him and he will once again be DD. But Little Prince is nice while it lasts.
Lately Baxter has been doing a lot of dreaming. He runs, whimpers and sometimes wakes up wondering what had possessed his body. And then nobs off again.
We just bought him a gentle harness that is supposed to stop the excited pulling he sometimes does.
Later on we will fit him to it and go for a walk.
I know nothing but time will stop the kangaroo leaps straight up in the air, but hopefully the harness will preserve the shoulder.

Here we go again!

I knew this day would come.
However I was beginning to believe it might not.
After all, when I would ask Baxter to come sit next to me on the couch he would back away.
Not anymore.
It’s like overnight he has decided the sofa is the only place he wants to spend time.
He is, after all a Gt. Dane known for being able to find the softest spot in the house to rest those giant bones on.
The Little Prince; as we call him.
It’s either that name or Demon Dog.
He does have those moments when he will grab a dog towel – or dish towel and sneak past you to lay down with it.
Or, like last night, when we were beginning to believe he was FINALLY house broken. He walked into the hallway and peed.
I think we just looked at each other in amazement. Not believing what just took place. OMG!
Tonight I am on my own at doggie school. It will be interesting to see how he behaves with just one mommy.

Playtime with Chester

This is a little different.
Here Chester the 8-year old Airedale spends 'quality time' with youngster Baxter.
Note how Chester does very little work and helps to tire out Baxter.

Five months?

Has it only really been five months since he was born?
Some days it seems like five years!
But then I look at his face and of course melt.
He is, for sure, a lot of work.
Three meals a day.
The food has to be completely moistened which means I constantly have to think ahead and wet it for at least half an hour before he eats. Sometimes, usually lunch, I will wet the food and put it in the fridge for later.
I am not sure this will work in the winter when it is cold outside. It might come right back up.
We are starting Phase 2 of Baxter's training in Hamden at Paws N Effect training. We are in the Family basics class.
Very cool class that will incorporate the Clicker training we have already taken.