Ben Swan's Blog – March 2009 Archive (5)

Off-leash blog:True love knows no breed

Zach might be a Labrador-Shar-Pei mix, but when it comes to water, he’s decidedly aqua-phobic.

Having grown up in wet, wet Oregon, you’d think this dog would love to frolic in open water. Not so. On a recent visit to Laughlin, Nev., Zach remained true to his anti-water self.

On the banks of the Colorado River, Zach stayed close to the banks, hoping the current would bring in a favorite toy rather than force him to wade… Continue

Added by Ben Swan on March 28, 2009 at 11:00pm — 11 Comments

Off-leash blog: Market's 'dog holder' all tied up in success

Susan's already posted blogs about this on her good work, but here's my take on it:

What started as a lark has become a full-time duty for animal advocate Susan Stephens, better known by some as the dog holder at the Santa Fe Farmers Market.

It’s a Saturday job that Stephens would love to share with nonprofits and other animal-welfare groups. And she’s worried if she burns out, those who rely on her for their canines’ safety will be hurt the… Continue

Added by Ben Swan on March 21, 2009 at 11:53pm — 2 Comments

Off-leash blog: Listening to the wisdom of animals

It’s puppy season in Mexico. You can tell from the hordes of brownish-black bundles of fur that follow their mothers around deserted buildings and abandoned fields, puppies hoping for one more lunch off their exhausted, undernourished mothers.

Some of the dogs might have owners — somewhere — but most are on their own, scavenging for food from trash that accumulates where people gather: Bus stops, cafés, run-down hotels. Traveling from Santa Fe to Oaxaca, Mexico last week, I saw… Continue

Added by Ben Swan on March 14, 2009 at 11:57pm — 5 Comments

'Miracle dog' safe at home

Tenacious dachshund survives more than two weeks on the road

Anneke Chittim calls Canela her miracle dog and the best birthday present imaginable. Those who helped Chittim reunite with her lost dachshund after more than two weeks agree, but also credit Chittim's tenacity in rallying forces for a positive outcome.

"The beauty of this is how everyone came together to find this dog, " said neighbor and friend Gisela Minke.… Continue

Added by Ben Swan on March 11, 2009 at 4:53pm — 5 Comments

Off-leash blog: Take time to count your animal blessings

In the midst of puppy training, correcting reactive-dog behavior and keeping my focus on Zach’s four-step, I often forget just how lucky I am to have three loving canines.

Every morning Zach, Bear and Jimmy remind me how important they are in my life. It’s usually Zach who’ll start the high-pitched yawn that tells me it’s time to get up. If he’s not on the bed, he’ll jump up and start stretching while doing his morning sing-a-song.

That’s Jimmy’s cue to do what puppies do… Continue

Added by Ben Swan on March 8, 2009 at 12:01am — No Comments