Care About The Stray Dogs In The Yucatan

"Dog!" I exclaimed to my husband, who was driving our small rental car along a toll-free road that meanders slowly through the towns of the Yucatan, slowly meandering much like the many stray dogs along these roads. Sometimes the dogs would sleepily walk into the road and stop, find a warm spot and lay down in the sun. These dogs don't know about time; their previous moments determine their next and that is all. I rescued one of my two dogs a year ago from a street in Laredo. He casually trotted in front of a car that screeched to a halt to avoid hitting him while I closed my eyes and hoped for the best. When I peeked out to see that he'd made it back onto the sidewalk, I got out of the car and beckoned him over. He didn't have tags, a chip, "wanted" signs or any ads online. And so I took him home with me and he's been a part of my family ever since.

The last thing I wanted to do during my recent trip to the Yucatan was hit a dog, so I watched the roads vigilantly as my husband drove. We didn't hit any dogs while we drove around the peninsula, but we came close. Since there are so many stray dogs in the Yucatan, they don't get spayed or neutered and the stray dog population keeps growing. There isn't any sort of government-operated SPCA or Humane Society in the Yucatan. Private organizations try to combat the situation and a Planned Pethood in the Yucatan aims to aggressively implement spay/neuter programs throughout the region, but the problem is still widely apparent. For anyone who has traveled to areas of the world wherein programs like these aren't financed fixtures, stray dogs are usually just an unfortunate truth of travel.

Winding our way through the small towns between Cancun and Merida, the dogs came in all sizes and colors. We occasionally passed an identifiable breed – a Doberman here, a litter of newborn Rottweilers there – but most of the dogs we saw on these roads were that recognizable mix of everything. Usually tan with a medium build, these dogs were wherever people were. Begging for food or attention, they weaved their way through pedestrians and cars in the towns we passed. Some of them looked surprisingly healthy with shiny coats and smiling faces. Others were mangy and diseased. Some were dead.

The reality of the stray dog problem in places like the Yucatan cannot be negotiated without concerted effort. These dogs are part of the culture and landscape of this peninsula, for better or worse, and for all intents and purposes, they always have been. Ancient Maya communities included domesticated dogs. The Maya used the dogs for hunting, companionship, food and sacrifice. They fed the dogs corn and some Yucatec Maya today continue this tradition and give dogs tortillas. Spanish explorers in the 16th century visited Merida and documented the breeding, feeding and sale of dogs in the city.

Maya literature incorporated dogs, too. The Popol Vuh is the K'iche' Maya creation story. According to it, the gods failed horribly at their second attempt to make humans. The legend says that these humans were made out of wood. These humans were emotionless and would not feed the dogs, so the dogs retaliated in anger and destroyed them. The lesson in this story resonated with the Maya and they placed strong emphasis on respecting and feeding dogs. Associated with human life, renewal and death, dogs were of incredible symbolic importance to the ancient Maya. They held the job of leading people into the Underworld and protecting the home. Dog remains have been found buried alongside humans in Maya graves and royal homes. Presumably, the dogs were buried with their owners in order to guide them into the afterlife.

I clenched my teeth each time we passed these dogs, dead or alive. Dogs have long been an important component of human life. A dog was found buried with a human in Palestine in a 12,000-year-old grave. A dog and human were found together in a 14,000-year-old burial site in Germany. In my experience, most people who grasp the unique relationship between dogs and humans have a difficult time witnessing the kind of abundance of stray dogs I saw while navigating those small-town roads in the Yucatan.

As I was getting ready to leave the market in Merida one afternoon, two little girls walked past me, both cradling tiny, dirty puppies in their hands. I asked the girls how old the dogs were and if I could pet them. I crouched down in the plaza and held one of the one-week-old puppies. I didn't know whether or not they belonged to the girls or the street and in that moment, it didn't matter. Just like every other puppy from every time period and every part of the world, the little dog eagerly welcomed my affection.

Know About The Common Stray Dog Diseases

Stray dogs live in filthy, germ-ridden environments. They eat spoiled food from trash cans, sleep in dirty areas and are highly susceptible to a wide variety of fatal stray dog diseases. Many of these diseases are preventable by vaccines, which are unavailable to stray animals. Remember to have a stray dog checked by a veterinarian before taking him home, especially if you have other pets.

Fleas - If untreated, as with stray dogs, fleas will cause an array of irritating symptoms. A flea-bitten dog can have severe allergic reactions, infected skin sores and hair loss. Some flea-infested dogs will not eat or sleep due to constant scratching, and will eventually die.

Heartworms - Heartworm is caused by a roundworm that is transmitted by mosquitoes. The roundworm affects the heart and lungs, ending in death if not treated early. Many dogs do not show signs until the disease is in its advanced stages. Symptoms include lack of energy, laboured breathing, coughing and weight loss.

Parvo - Parvo is a very common and often fatal disease in stray dogs. This viral disease causes death within days from the onset of symptoms, which includes weakness, vomiting, large amounts of bloody diarrhoea and fever. Parvo is transmitted through bodily wastes and it is extremely difficult to rid an area of the disease once it has been in contact with an infected dog's feces.

Distemper - Distemper is a highly contagious viral disease that is present in a dog's bodily fluid excretions. This disease is fatal to 90 percent of infected dogs. Symptoms include fever, nose and eye discharge, nervous signs, paralysis, vomiting and skin sores. The few that survive this disease usually end up with a long-term nerve or skin ailment.

Ear Mites - The unsanitary living conditions that stray dogs are accustomed to make them vulnerable to an ear mite infestation. If gone untreated, this ear infection can become a maggot infestation, leading to the dog's slow and painful death.

Throat Worm - Throat worm is a disease spread by the dung beetle. Dogs who scavenge for food through garbage are the mostly susceptible to this disease. It is slow to develop following ingestion of the dung beetle. This beetle is parasitic during its migration through a dog's body. Throat worm disease, to begin with, causes the rupture of major blood vessels and large swellings in the throat. If the dog is treated at this point, there is a good chance for survival, but he is likely to develop further complications.

Mange - Mange is a microscopic mite infestation on or in the skin. Mange mites are controlled by a dog's immune system, but when their immune system is weakened, the mites multiply uncontrollably. A stray often has a weak immune system due to disease or poor diet. Mange causes skin flaking, hair loss, severe itching and infected lesions. The untreated stray likely will develop severe infections, blood loss and maggot infestation that leads to death.

Some Practical Steps To Help Stray Dogs Survive A Harsh Winter

Making sure stray dogs are warm in the winter is a bit harder than doing the same for feral cats, but we should do whatever we can to help them. Remember that for the most part, stray dogs have a harder time adjusting to cold weather than stray cats, and their options for finding warmth are bit more limited. Here are some practical steps you can take to help stray dogs survive a harsh winter:

1) If you know of a specific area where stray dogs sleep, consider leaving some warm blankets, etc. there for them to sleep on. Blankets used by dogs can become icy and cold during the winter months, so make sure you minimize the risk of this happening by placing the blankets in a covered area such as under a bridge, overpass, etc. Remember to also place some kind of protective layer under the blanket, so that it won't get wet from the ground. Thin layers of styrofoam, which you can buy at most bigger hardware stores, will usually do the trick.

2) Building a winter shelter for stray dogs is a bit more challenging than building one for feral cats. You can follow the basic principles of building a cat shelter (as outlined in my previous post), but you would have to make both the entrance and the whole thing a lot bigger. The matter is somewhat complicated by the fact that stray dogs often move around a lot. Still, if you feel that this is an option and you know of a particular dog that will benefit, please do this. Some people recommend straw instead of blankets as bedding in dog houses, because, as we mentioned above, blankets used by dogs in the winter can sometimes get wet and icy.

3) Remember the importance of donating blankets, old sweaters, and any other such items to your local animal shelter. In many of these types of shelters around the world, dogs are kept outside in the winter, and need blankets, etc. to keep warm. This is a very simple, yet very effective way to help these animals.

How Should We Treat A Stray Dog Correctly

For a stray dog. Nobody knows where he came from. Nobody knows what his breed is. Nobody knows whether he is sterilized or not. People in my street have given him an unusual name. But one thing that everybody knows is that he is a nuisance. He is a nuisance because he barks late at night and early in the morning. He is a nuisance because he sneaks inside the warm houses of people the moment he gets a chance. He is a nuisance because he steals food. He is a nuisance because he keeps strangers away from his street and snarls at new people. He is a nuisance because he wants to be loved.

This is not the story of just one dog. There are millions like this dog in every corner of our country. Our culture teaches us that every form of life is a part of God. Even animals are another form of God. But we forget this simple teaching when we beat these stray dogs black and blue and run them over by our cars. Sometimes we go to the extent of even poisoning them. We forget that they are also a form of life; they also need food and shelter to survive. They also need love.

Being a city dog is not an easy task. It starts in their infancy when they have to fight with their siblings for their mother's milk. That mother who herself was a street dog and never got proper food her entire life. After this, these pups have to survive the streets where everyday either they are crushed under vehicles or are shooed away by humans. Those few who survive all this are not that lucky as this is when their lifelong battle with the streets and people begins.

During this battle, these dogs have to endure a lot. They are beaten up by people, treated extremely badly, run over by vehicles, have to live in filth and never get proper food. Some people go to the extent of poisoning these dogs to get rid of them. Those who care for these dogs are shunned by their neighbours for causing the so-called menace of stray dogs in the locality. What people fail to understand here is that why these dogs create such trouble. The simple answer lies in them not getting proper food and shelter. People who want to keep pets go for expensive purebred dogs and forget the fact that there is another homeless, equally loyal dog down the street that has to search for food every single day of its existence.

The menace of stray dogs is not limited to India; it is very much there in other countries like United States of America and United Kingdom. In 2010, there was a proposal in Bucharest to kill sick and aggressive dogs and those in shelters who are not adopted after seven days. These kinds of policies are not new and have been seen in a number of countries. There are countries which even follow these policies.

But killing these stray dogs is not an effective measure to tackle the problem, adopting them and treating them as a life form is. Instead of considering these dogs a nuisance we should consider them as friends and treat them properly. They crave for proper food, shelter and a bit of love. If we provide them that, then they can peacefully coexist along with us.

A more effective solution can be to capture these dogs, sterilize them and then restore them back to where they came from. This kind of a policy ensures that they are not ruthlessly killed. This also keeps a check on their growing population. This measure has been undertaken in a number of countries and even in India. Also, proper NGO's can be set up to pick up these unwanted dogs and make them available for adoption. People should be encouraged to adopt these street dogs instead of buying expensive dogs.

Rescuing A Stray Dog Is Quite Meaningful

Adopting a stray dog may not be for all dog owners. When adopting a puppy or rescue dog you want to keep in mind that the temperament of the dog may be aggressive with other dogs and people. However, with the proper dog training you will be able to train your new rescue dog to adjust to it's new home.

Ever wondered what happens to a stray dog you once witnessed being run over by a car or chased by street hawkers? Before you start ponder for an answer, here's the upfront answer. Nothing! Throwing a piece of a waffle or a cookie is the closest thing to a considerate thing that happens to them.

It is a common misconception to believe that adoption is the first step towards helping a stray dog. The practical solution is slightly different and includes a few pre-requisites before you can contemplate on adopting a stray dog. Rescuing the dog becomes the first step. Even if the step isn't as gracious as adopting, it is equally rewarding. There are many rescue dog shelters in the USA provide dogs for a small fee to the right owners.

The next time you encounter a stray dog that has either shown up in your neighborhood or was found in tight spot on the streets, make an important note to remember the first step – Rescue. Ensure that the dog is not injured or bruised. A very obvious hint is the possibility of whining if the poor dog is injured. Please note that stray dogs do not trust so easily. Barking or threatening to bite is a clear good sign for you to call the animal shelter and let the experts do the job. If you are already experienced with snares and dogs, then do what you must to rescue. Getting a stray dog off the street is the first step to rescuing it because the dog is prone to succumb to despicable horrors like fast cars and brutal dogs. More than the aforementioned factors, starvation alone can kill a dog.

If the dog is injured, restraining it should not be a major challenge. However, calling the nearest animal shelter and letting them know of your coordinates is. One has to be clear while explaining the routes. At the same time, keeping a clear eye on the dog is important, lest it should run away. Getting too close to an injured stray dog is not a good idea as it may sense this as an act of aggression and try to defend itself. Most importantly, if the dog is stuck in the middle of the road, it becomes the spectator's duty to jump into action and divert traffic. Of course, all this will seem quite obvious but in time of dire need and worst case scenarios, one can often forget to do the obvious.

On all probabilities, it is a safe bet to be prepared. Having a kit in your vehicle doesn't hurt. The basic animal kit should contain leashes, snares, heavy blankets, water, dog food and more. Dog food is a clever method to lure a dog and earn its good trust. Do not forget to add first-aid equipment along with the kit. Sooner or later, you will be required to use one or more of these equipment from the kit.

How To Take Good Care Of A Stray Dog

Have you adopted a stray dog that looked undernourished? Here's how to take the dog under your wing and nurse it back to health.

First, take the dog to a veterinarian. If the dog is reasonably healthy, have the veterinarian give him a Rabies vaccine. Never allow your veterinarian to give a vaccine to a sick animal or give several vaccines at the same time. Your veterinarian will examine the dog, check for parasites, and give medication if necessary. They will also check for infections, old injuries, and examine the condition of the dog's teeth. You will also find out if it is safe to handle the dog.

If the stray dog is very nervous or even slightly aggressive, get a closed-end muzzle for the dog. Then, brush or comb the dog to remove any parasites, preferably outdoors. If the veterinarian administers a spot-on treatment, don’t bathe the dog for at least 48 hours. To remove ticks, have the following ready: rubbing alcohol, tweezers, and paper towels. Settle the pup down and rub the alcohol on the ticks, then start plucking those nasty ticks off him. Be sure to dig the entire head of the tick out as well, because the tick may still survive. If the bites start to bleed, apply pressure on them with a paper towel. The bleeding will stop shortly. The dog may whine or wiggle if you hurt it, so soothe the animal by speaking softly and petting it.

A stray and neglected dog is almost always a hungry dog. When you take the animal to the vet, ask what kind of feeding schedule you should set up. Why? If the dog has a distended belly, and you over-feed it, you could twist its intestines and kill the poor animal. A hungry animal will devour a bucket full of food in a matter of minutes, so only set out small amounts every few hours. Be sure to provide the animal with clean, cold water as well.

After such a busy day–a change in environment, a trip to the vet, grooming, and a nice meal, allow the stray dog to catch up on some sleep. Humans need sleep to function properly and dogs are no different. Provide a soft blanket in a quiet corner and leave the animal alone to rest.

A stray dog has always been neglected; it searches for a loving and responsible pack. Make it feel loved and let it know that you will care for his future needs.
A stray dog loves it when you play with it. They also like it when you scratch them, it's like you're telling them, "you're safe with me", and so the dog will feel closer to you. You could also hug them and make them feel at home. But make sure the dog is clean and free from diseases because you might catch it yourself.

Always keep in mind that if you already have a dog, make sure your dog isn't in contact with the one you adopted until it has its set of vaccinations, and its behaviour is stable.

There Are Still Some Dangers Of Helping A Stray Dog

How many times have you seen a stray dog and wanted to take it home? How many times have you tried or succeeded in taking it home? We all feel bad for stray dogs, but there are some precautions that need to be taken before attempting to help one.

Just because a dog looks friendly, be cautious. Stray dogs can be very frightened of people. Some people are very cruel to stray dogs, and the dog may assume all people are that way. If the dog is in pain or is injured, he/she may bite out of fear, regardless how friendly he/she may be normally.

Dogs can't talk, right? Wrong! You just don't listen to us or rather, watch us. We communicate through body language. I'll translate for you. Panting, helicopter tail wagging, and ears up are usually signs of a dog that is happy to see you. A tight mouth, ears back, fur standing up, growling, and a stiff tail wag usually means "back off." This could mean the dog is scared or aggressive and could act on that.

Don't try to push the dog by putting your hands on him/her. Also, do not try to carry the dog unless it is very small and does not seem frightened or annoyed with you. A leash (or a make-shift leash) is your best option. If you put the dog in your car, you should use a crate.

Be aware of the fact that a stray dog has been outside without care for potentially a long time. He/she could be infested with fleas, worms, parasites, or any other illness, some of which are very contagious to other dogs. Do not put your own dogs in jeopardy.

If you want to keep the dog, take him/her directly to the vet and get an exam before going home. Regardless of what the vet says, clean your car, the crate, food/water dishes, blankets, or anything the dog touched before allowing your dog to use it. This also includes YOU! Your clothes, your shoes, your skin, anything the stray dog touched could be potentially harmful to your pup.

The dog may be a lost dog. Just because there is no collar does not mean he/she does not have a home. Collars and tags come off. Have the vet check for a microchip or a tattoo. Call local shelters, the police, or anyone that may be contacted when looking for a lost dog. You may also want to place an ad in the paper for a found dog.

What You Need To Know Before Adopting Stray Dogs

There are hundreds of stray dogs roaming in the streets. They either get run over by speeding cars or starve perpetually. Most of us feel bad about the sorry state of these animals but very few have the gumption to come forward and adopt stray dogs as their pets. There is no doubt about the nobility of your intentions but when your pet is a stray, you need to take some essential precautions.

Here are few things that you need to do if you are adopting a stray dog as your pet
Let Them In: Feeding a stray dog and allowing it to sleep on your doorstep is not technically 'adopting' him or her. It is like giving alms to a begging child and bringing him or her home as a domestic help. If you want to adopt the stray as your pet, you have to let him or her into your home. The stray dog should be treated as a part of your family as your other pets, if you have any.

Dog Vaccination: Being a stray dog, it is definite that your new pet probably has not received any vaccinations. It is crucial to have the stray dog vaccinated. In fact, you should do the immunization first and only then allow the dog to enter into your house.

Is The Dog Sane: Mad dogs or Rabies infected dogs can be very dangerous. It is essential that you put your stray dog through a full medical check-up at a good veterinary hospital. This will include both physical and mental tests. Tests like rabies are the most important, but other minor disorders like fleas or a fungal infection also need to be treated.

What Breed Is It: It might seem like a trivial question, but the reason to determine the breed of your stray pet is very relevant? Certain dog breeds have their own set of disorders and there are different methods to care for them. For example, a Saint Bernard is a cold weather dog that cannot adjust in warm climates. Most stray dogs in India are mongrel dogs.

Potty Training: Once you adopt the stray dog and bring it home, you will have to start training it. This is not going to be easy if the dog is an adult. It is always easier to train puppies. Having lived on the streets, the poor canine will have no toilet training. You have lots of hard work to do.

Be A Good Dog: Living on the streets instils a killer instinct in stray dogs. They are naturally aggressive and this can be a threat to your kids and neighbors. You need to have a strong method to curb aggressive behavior of your adopted pet.

Major Concerns With A Border Terrier Pet Dog

If you want to have a small but sturdy pet dog, then the Border terrier might be for you. This pet is no delicate lapdog. The Border terrier pet dog is full of fun for the whole family.
Before getting a Border terrier pet dog, however, you might want to consider some of the major concerns regarding the breed. This will help you weigh the pros against the cons and will let you reach a decision that would be best for you. Here are some concerns regarding Border terrier pet dogs:
1) Temperament - when people talk about terriers, they all comment on the same behavior using different words. Some people say that their dogs are feisty. Some say that their dogs are stubborn. Some people would prefer to use the word impulsive. The point is, they all describe the same behavior. A terrier is inherently dynamic in its behavior. It is part of what makes a terrier, a terrier.

The temperament of the Border terrier pet dog may be quite surprising, if not outright shocking for most people because of its size. For such a small dog, a Border terrier pet dog sure packs a lot of energy.
2) Aggression - Border terrier pet dogs are not really as aggressive as other breeds. However, its instincts as a terrier would still urge it to run after anything smaller than it. This means that if you own a cat or even a pet rabbit, you cannot have a Border terrier pet dog. This also means that you cannot trust a Border terrier pet dog out of its leash. If it even sees something running, it will take off, leaving you yelling uselessly. This, of course, can cause accidents to happen. In order to make sure that your Border terrier pet dog does not get hit by a car, you need to keep that pet on a leash outside.
3) Escape - it is recommended by many experts that Border terrier pet dogs should be kept in a fenced-in yard to let it have some roaming space while making sure that it is safe. However, you should know that Border terrier pet dogs are clever escape artists. Even if a Border terrier pet dog is within a closed in fence, you should try to keep an eye on it.
4) The noise - Border terrier pet dogs will bark at practically anything that catches their attention. Because of this, you need to properly train them to bark only when needed. You should also be quick to stop them if they are barking inappropriately.
For this reason, you should not really get a Border terrier pet dog if you live with very close neighbors and if you work during the day. An unsupervised Border terrier pet dog is sure to keep barking all day long. This, of course, may draw complaints from your neighbors.
5) Independent thinking - what people love about Border terrier pet dogs is the fact that they can learn very quickly. This is because of their inherent curiosity and toughness. However, the same qualities that make them prize-winners can also make them very stubborn when they want to. You have to be consistent with your commands and show the Border terrier pet dog that you mean what you say. In doing so, you will be training the Border terrier pet dog properly.

What You Must Know If You Want To Adopt A Stray Dog

Every day people see stray dogs on the streets, wandering neighborhoods, and going from door to door begging for food. Fortunately, there are good hearted people who select to adopt them, bring them into their families, and give them a chance at a good life.

If you're considering adopting a stray dog, you should know that there are both challenges and rewards. Since you'll be bringing the dog into your home and family, it’s foremost to weigh both sides of it before you make a final decision.
One of the major challenges in adopting a homeless dog is not knowing its background. The dog could have been exposed to approximately anything, and you have no way of knowing before you adopt it. This can mean the dog has severe condition problems, and you won't know until you take the dog to the vet for an exam. Make sure you take the dog to the vet's office right away, and continue regular check ups to keep it healthy.

Another big challenge is his or her behavior. After living on the streets, many dogs revert back to wilder behavior, doing anyone they can to survive. This means they may be wary of humans, defensive, and not know “proper” behavior in a family setting. When you adopt a stray dog, you have to work to be extra diplomatic with it as you teach it how to socialize with humans.

Discipline goes along with behavioral problems a stray dog may have. Depending on how long the dog was on its own, it may have no discipline and not know what proper behavior is. While you're gentle, you must also be firm with the dog, and keep up the training, even if it's difficult. If the dog is an adult, it may be even harder to train, but patience, gentleness, and love will help.

Despite the challenges that come with adopting a stray dog, there are great rewards, as well. One of the most foremost is the chance to give a dog a chance at a good life. And, for many dogs, that second chance well means the inequity in the middle of life and death. Saving the life of a stray dog is a pretty big reward!

Another bonus to adopting a stray dog is the love and companionship of the pet. One of the big reasons people adopt dogs is for companionship and love. No matter what a dog’s background, if you continue to love it and are diplomatic with it, the dog will ultimately show you love and affection, as well.

People Should Have Fallen In Love With An Indian Stray Dog

India is home to one of the largest stray animals in the world. And, the most numerous among them are the stray dogs! Looks like it’s is the dog mating season! So many dogs & bitches in the Vashi area have given birth to puppies, the average litter size being 4-5 for each pair.

Compared to the pet dogs who enjoy free meals and good health care, these stray puppies are the victims of their own destiny. Born on the street, they often have no proper food or water and become the carriers of disease by living in unhygienic conditions. Many of them get injured by passing vehicles or lose their lives to starvation & disease. The puppies in this picture live in a gutter in front of my house.

Thanks to a kind man who regularly feeds them with milk, they still look healthier than most other street pups. I also drop some chapatis near the gutter from time to time which both the pups and their mother happily chew on!

Back in India after a year, I am most intrigued by that omnipresent animal, the Great Indian Stray Dog. As I have become older and possibly more mature, I am now able to fully comprehend the greatness of this feisty, versatile, and clever creature that blends so magnificently with the urban landscape of India, with its dug up roads, stinky smoky hot air, noisy streets, and real life abundance of Kathe Kollwitz prints.

It is unlikely that National Geographic will ever have these animals on its cover. The Great Indian Stray Dog usually sleeps during the day and with its ears drooping, its genitals grossly exposed, it may seem like the last animal Paris Hilton would want to kiss. But bear this in mind; the looks of the Great Indian Stray Dog can be deceptive. For when it is excited, its ears raised, its hips high and slender, its legs long and powerful, its strong jaws letting out a piercing bark, the Great Indian Stray Dog has an appearance good enough to qualify for being the symbol of any state or political party. One may argue that these dogs have been a victim of globalization, as is evident from their Jamaica style street culture. But at least these hoodlums have some personality as opposed to the arse licking, kiss seeking, shoe wearing character of the domesticated ones.

And these dogs know it all too well. It looks with disdain as rich fat people drag along with them collared hairy dogs from western lands, their tongues wagging. The Great Indian Stray Dog considers these useless opportunistic sloths in similar vein as popular culture disdains fat balding white men in Bangkok’s streets.

The Great Indian Stray Dog is also the only last animal to still believe that global warming is the biggest hoax of all times. After all, it has been experiencing something more akin to global cooling. That is because as much of the world is being converted to parking lots and more tires are being manufactured than new human legs are taking birth on earth, these dogs have lot more cool shaded areas to relax than ever before.

While animal rights activists have ensured that the urban sprawls are designated as protected reserves for them, not all is going well for the Great Indian Stray Dog. After all, since they are mostly reliant on human trash for food, these dogs are as much afflicted by obesity, high cholesterol and diabetes as we humans are. They are doing their best to cope up with this “Supersize all” culture by trying to be more active. I myself have been chased by them many times during my morning runs. But such tactics can be fatal and one can often see a martyr in the street, its entrails jutting out and offering a feast to the flies, its head mashed by the heavy tires that went over it, and its eyes being poked by a crow, the other great survivor of urbanization.

So next time you see the Great Indian Stray Dog, consider its life for a moment. And if you have some time, ask some stupid scientist to put a radio tag around one to experience firsthand how urban legends are made. Believe me; it would be far more exciting than watching endless repeats of snorting whales or pampered pandas with milk bottles on TV.

As a veterinary nurse I just wanted to put down my thoughts and experiences regarding adopting a street dog and transporting it back to your own country. Specifically countries with high quarentine regulations such as the UK or the USA. I am aware this can be quite a contraversial matter as emotions are very much a part of a decision like this.

Whilst I have met many people whom have fallen in love with an Indian street dog and decided to give it a better life by transporting it back to their own country. I fully emphasise with this situation and agree that it is very hard once you have built up a rapport with a street dog, to then leave it behind unsure of it's future. Believe me I have suffered from this on many an occasion.

However please take note of this: In the UK, as this is the only country in which I know the details of quarantine regulations, it is not possible to transport an animal from India on a pet passport system so an animal brought into the UK would have to spend six months in quarantine kennels once it had reached the UK. Six months kenneling in itself can be highly distressing for an animal, particularly one who is used to spending their life roaming stray in their own natural territory. Another stressful experience for an animal is the shipping itself in the noisy and cold hold of an aircraft although often animals are rightly sedated for this.

The next issue is the cost. Again I am only able to comment on the UK in which it costs around £3000-£4000 at least to kennel one dog in quarantine for six months and additional high costs for the shipping itself. I regularly volunteer and work as a development officer for an animal charity in north India. The charity treats sick/injured animals, mostly street dogs, at it's own small shelter and arranges for vaccination and sterilisation. It reaches and helps around 150 dogs a year. This is albeit a very small charity but is able to carry out all this work with an annual turnover of 90,000 INR so about £1000 if you'll excuse my crude currency convertion.

Thus the money you would spend on making one dog's life better by adopting them and shipping them abroad could potentially keep a small Indian street dog charity running for three years, potentially saving the lives of 450 dogs!!!!

Take Stray Dogs As "Man’s Best Friend"

Dog helped early humans to establish small colonies which eventually turned into early civilizations. Serbians from Bering Strait, Asian tribe like Athabascan and indigenous American tribes like  Apache and Navajo could not have possibly survived without the help of Dogs. Domestication of Dogs has also been recorded in the glowing history of Indus Valley Civilization.

We have studied that dog is a multipurpose animal turned into pet for more than 15000 years or so. Since then man is using dog as a security guard to home, farms and cattle, also as a friend and now even in assisting military and helping physically challenged people.

Hence, Dogs are very well known as “Man’s Best Friend” but perhaps dogs don’t know that humans are also known as “Most Selfish Creature”

Today’s Indian stray dog was once used to live proudly under the shelter of his owner who has suddenly left it abandoned, and made completely dependent on the leftovers thrown away on road side. What else could be a better way to show gratitude for whatever these “once pets” had done for human societies.

But now it’s too much. We certainly cannot take more of their howling and barking, their littering and shitting anywhere, spoiling the beauty of our cities, they can even attack us and they already did it many a times before. They are totally intolerable and annoying. So, the best way of getting rid of them is just stop feeding them till they disappear one day. We don’t care about what dogs did to our great great great grandpa’s great grand pa, why would we care? After all what is the use of uncivilized animals between civilized human society?

Clueless of what I am talking about? Let me confess, I used to believe what I wrote in the paragraph above. You can call me a merciless person but that’s what I always used to think of stray dogs till one day I saw three bulky men with iron rods tied with iron wires catching stray dogs on road. They were hunting these animals and quickly they succeeded in trapping one poor dog. That animal was unusually screaming and bleeding from his mouth, fighting with those lifeless wires and rods, finally he gave up himself to those proud he-mans.

According to the Humane Society, "4 million cats and dogs -- about one every eight seconds -- are put down in U.S. shelters each year." Several factors contribute to the burgeoning population of homeless pets: the economic crisis, the failure of pet owners to spay and neuter their cats and dogs, and lax puppy mill laws. Because shelters have so many animals to feed and protect, they are often unable to handle the volume. Pet lovers across the nation can help shelters and animal welfare organizations handle the crisis.

Consider your skills and availability. Are you a writer? Get involved with the fight for animal rights by drafting a letter or article to your local newspaper urging your fellow citizens to help the cause. Do you have experience in the legal field? The ASPCA urges volunteers with professional legal skills to aid shelters and animal welfare organizations by reviewing and challenging laws. Are you tech savvy? Creating a website for your local shelter will connect homeless pets to potential owners.

Visit your local shelter and volunteer. Depending on the shelter, you can contribute by either donating your time or money. Many shelters look for volunteers to help clean cages, dish out meals or socialize with the animals. Handymen are needed to help build or repair storage areas and cages. If you do not have time to volunteer, you can always donate money or items such as food or blankets.

Organize a fundraiser at your workplace or school. Even if you cannot donate to a shelter or organization, you can make an effort by helping to raise funds. Money collected, even in small amounts, from a group of people can make a big difference.

If you feel comfortable taking in a homeless pet, consider becoming a foster parent. Petfinder.com is a national website dedicated to matching homeless animals with their forever homes. Hundreds of shelters from across the nation advertise on the site, and many are looking for individuals with time, patience and knowledge to temporarily house homeless animals.

Take Stray Dogs In Our Homes As Members Of Our Family

When it comes to pets, many of us love the sight of a furry tail wagging. Most times, that furry tail belongs to a pooch who came from a reputable and conscientious source. The sad truth is, however, that many dogs end up on the street. There are several reasons for the number of stray animals, most of which are usually unpleasant, the result of negligence or irresponsibility or because pet owners - regardless how often they are told - don't grasp that dogs and cats can live as for up to 15 years and beyond.

Still other times, they simply run away and are never recovered and lastly and most troubling (at least to this author) are the ones who are abandoned simply because the dog is 'too big of a burden' or 'not what was expected'. Any way you look at it, the stray dog population is in the millions, spread all over the country. Some caring and enterprising people have taken it upon themselves to lighten the load placed on animal control services and shelters by adopting strays from off the street.

That isn't to say that every adopter is a prime candidate. Still, give them credit, animals seem to have a sixth sense about this sort of thing. When selecting a shelter from inclement weather and dangerous environs, they tend to hole up somewhere that they consider to be safe and potentially lucrative. Even so, if you open your door during a storm and see a sopping wet four-legged visitor, there are a few things you should consider before allowing him or her into your home.

You cannot equate domesticated and dogs of good breed with wild and stray dogs. Stray dogs have only a pack behavior that is inherited and marking of territory but nothing else. Whereas domesticated dogs are trained and live together with humans in our homes as members of our family.

Every dog of good breed needs to undergo sufficient training so that he is able to adjust to living in home with family and adapt to the ways as well as learn to obey rules and behave well.

One look at a well trained and well behaved dog will tell you how happy everybody in the family is and the dog is well looked after too. Because the dog is well behaved, it is well looked after and loved too.

On the other hand the untrained dogs are very wild and unruly. They often get into trouble with their owners due to their misbehavior without knowing why. They end up getting punished most of the times for no fault of theirs, all because they haven't been trained.

The owners love taking their well trained dogs with them and enjoy showing them off. Since they are well trained, they know how to behave and what is expected of them when they go out. They get to be admired by one and all.

A trained dog is able to live comfortably in our homes and manage to get by without getting into any problem. They understand the rules to follow and you can command them verbally and get them out of trouble and keep them safe. For example they know the rules to follow while crossing the road.

A trained dog can be guided on how to cross the road safely by listening to your commands and wait until the cars pass and then cross when it is safer to cross.

Train Your Dog How To Go To A Toilet

Most dog owners would love to have a well-trained dog, yet many dogs are not trained very well! You should understand that it is very possible to train your dog. Especially for those dogs pee everywhere.

However one thing may troubles you that is your puppy is simply pee anywhere and not pee in toilet.The sooner you start toilet training puppies the earlier your little dog will surely stop making any mess in the home.you might be worried that training your dog is too difficult or time-consuming, then please understand that, like many things in life, it's only difficult until you learn how to do it right.

Remember that puppies need to go pee an awful lot when they are young.Be certain to take your puppy outside after waking,eating,playing and any other activity that gets it excited.Toilet training puppy will be made way easier once you realize that just about its behavior.Train the puppy go to toilet and always lead puppy to the toilet.The Puppy will quickly realize this is the behaviour expected from it.Puppy react very well to bless.It shouldn't be disparaged as an effective coaching tool.If a puppy feels it has done something that meets with your approval it will be sure to try and repeat the action.For puppy potty grass,do not forget that consistency is important.By repeating the above steps housetraining your puppy will be accomplished much quicker.Don't forget to always stay calm,getting angry with a puppy that has gone to the can in the house will get you nowhere.Don't scream and get mad,understand that this is a part of having a young puppy.Never give up,stick with the Puppy potty coaching and you will be shocked how speedily your puppy will make a response to your work.All puppies need to be shown what is the correct way for them to behave.They learn what pleases you and will attempt to repeat the favorable behavior when they can.

As difficult as it might be, you have to stop saying anything to your dog before you leave. Be quiet, don't speak and do not pet your dog, just leave. Do the same when you get home. Walk in, check your mail, change clothes, whatever it is that you do and then after a while you can start talking to your dog. You are trying to establish that your being away was not a big deal, which leaves no reason for your dog to bark. Keep in mind, that consistency is the key factor to successful training dog pee.

Check Around To See Stray Dogs And Treat Them As Friends

We often think of stray dogs as poor, homeless souls in need of loving families and homes with large backyards to run around in. With Canadian winters, this is most definitely true – strays need help.
But I’d like to provide some insight to the world of stray dogs in other countries. For the most part, they are starved and struggling to survive, but for all of you whose hearts break for strays, I want to share the story of a strong, happy stray who had the best of both worlds – family, and independence.

I lived in the Dominican Republic for two years, living and working as a local, and experiencing real life, outside of the resorts. Stray dogs are a part of everyday life; they wander the streets and beaches in search of snacks. They lounge around and make friends with residents and tourists alike. It is not an uncommon sight to see a dog snuggled under a palm-tree, relaxing in the shade on the beach. They roll around in the sand, play in the waves, and chase each other around. When you’re too poor to buy a television, watching the local dogs frolic and scamper around can be great entertainment, so long as you pay the entertainers for their efforts with a piece of your empanada.

Generally speaking, Dominicans treat street dogs with respect. They are not rejects or untouchables, often finding shelter and lunch in local businesses, as well as lots of affection from passers-by. They are sweet and loving dogs, occasionally attaching themselves to someone and following them around for the day.

If you live in lighter residential areas and suburb areas of your community, chances are you have probably seen someone's lost dog wandering around the neighborhood. You probably think about the family that the pet may belong to. Most of us want to be able to help get that dog back to its family, but may be hesitant to take responsibility of the situation. If you follow a few guidelines, handling these situations don't have to be overwhelming.

First off, you should never approach a stray dog if you have any concerns about your safety getting involved in the situation. If you are uncomfortable approaching it, call animal control and have them handle it. Most of the time the first place people check after they are unable to find their dog by searching locally is animal control.

If you are comfortable approaching the dog, once you've secured the animal, check to see if it has a number, or address, or GPS tracking device first. If no identifying items are found begin by asking around your neighborhood and immediate area. Most of the time, the dog probably lives within a few street of your residence.

If you and your neighbors are unable to determine the pet's owner, and you do not wish to take the animal to a shelter, you can make some flyers and post them in the area. You can call your local animal control and give them your name, number, address and description of the dog so they can notify the owners to get in contact with you if they are contacted.

Check around to see if the owner's placed flyers for it and check the lost dog section of your local news paper.

If time goes by and the owner is not located, the only choices are to take the dog to your local animal shelter or keep and care for the animal as your own pet or until the owner is eventually found.

More than likely someone is searching for their loved one. Reuniting a pet, which sometimes is viewed as a family member by some is one of the greatest things you can do for someone. Hopefully if you run across a lost pet you can help it find its way home.

Take A Lot Of Time And Effort On Stray Dogs

Hundreds if not thousands of stray dogs are found each year around the world with no one in sight and nowhere to go. These are often in great danger whether it's because of neglect on the owners' behalf, or because of unforeseen circumstances causing the dog to become lost and scared. What can be done in these situations can be a tricky choice, and a choice that will need to be done quickly. Simply driving past a suspected stray dog on the side of the road could end in the death of the dog minutes later. What to do when you find one is different in almost every case, but there are guidelines to follow to help save the life of a scared stray, and put the mind of the loving owner at ease.

To begin you should always be aware that the dog in question may be very aggressive due to being scared, lost, and possibly very hungry, so approach with care. If you feel them is not a violent one then you should still be very careful not to startle or scare them in any way, a scared dog could easily run onto a busy road or dangerous area. A good way to reassure the dog you are not there to harm them and to get them close is to use a strong smelling food such as tuna or other favorites as well as speaking gently and calmly to the dog.

When you finally get the dog under control and have no fears of aggressive behavior, reassuring the dog by stroking and talking to them will make it easier for others to deal with them. If you have leash or any other form of control with you then try and secure the dog with them, still being careful not to scare the dog. When you have successfully captured them or if you have had other problems making it difficult to capture then you should phone for help from the local animal care or control authority to ensue the correct procedures are met and the safety of the animal will be secure.

We see a lot of stray dogs today being towed away by vans and trucks from the local dog pound. Some of them were unfortunate enough to become victims of speeding cars or even some kids who are looking for someone to vent their anger on. This is a very disconcerting sight for those who love these loyal canine companions.
If you are one of those that wants to give these stray dogs new homes and families to show them the love and affection they deserve, then you are in for a lot of effort in the project since people who are in need of loyal household companies are not quite visible in the community.

You can always go around the neighborhood and asking each and every homeowner in the area if they want to adopt one of your stray dogs to call their own, but this will take a lot of time and effort on your end to successful pull this off.

Set Up A Web Site For Stray Dog Adoptions

One way to advertise your dogs to a lot of people who might want a canine pet to give their life a little zest is to use the Internet. Considering that there are millions of people surfing the Net everyday, you can be sure that you will be flooded with mails and request to adopt one of your stray dogs from time to time after you set it up.

But if you want to be successful in this project, then you might want to make it interesting to the online public by posting dog pictures of your stray canine companions to boost their appeal. Let's face it; you would even want to adopt a pet if you don't know what it looks like, now would you?

Taking Dog Pictures For Upload

When you take pictures of your dogs to be uploaded on the Internet, you need to consider some minor details to ensure that you won't encounter any problems later on.

One such concern should be the quality of the photos that will serve as the main profile of your dogs on the Internet. You might want to groom your canine friends a bit before you take their picture. In fact, you want them to be nice and presentable when you showcase their photos on the Web.

You might want to run your dog pictures through a photo-editing program to adjust brightness or to clean up some noises to come up with high-quality photos that will appeal to the interest of possible adoptees on the Web.

Take Care Of The Stray Dogs And As Close Personal Friend

If you live in lighter residential areas and suburb areas of your community, chances are you have probably seen someone's lost dog wandering around the neighborhood. You probably think about the family that the pet may belong to. Most of us want to be able to help get that dog back to its family, but may be hesitant to take responsibility of the situation. If you follow a few guidelines, handling these situations don't have to be overwhelming.

Well you may look at the animal and feel sympathy with its plight. But before you say yes to your child, consider this. When you take on an animal (of whatever kind) you are taking on a new family member and all the responsibility that go with it. A pet is not another thing in the house. It has a personality, a sense of loyalty to family members (if you treat them right) and has needs just like any person would.

Dog's ancestors were able to take care of themselves in the wild, but modern day dogs have been so domesticated that it is not an option for them in this day and age. Have you ever seen a perfectly healthy stray dog? I think that would be rare unless he wandered into your yard only a few days after being lost.

In this situation your first responsibility is to take care of the dogs immediate needs. You also want to take the dog to the vet to have him checked out. You should then do whatever it takes to find the dogs owners. After all, this is someone's pet and they may be mourning the loss and are desperately looking for it.

Look for posters that have been put up and consider making your own to let people know that a dog has been found. Do everything possible until all efforts have been exhausted.

If the owner has not been found then start looking at your options. If you are entertaining the idea of keeping the dog, then decide who is going to be the main caregiver. Is that you, or the child? If it is the child then realize that the child knows nothing about taking care of a pet. Don't assume that the child will know what to do. Although, one thing you can be sure of in most cases, is that a child will give unconditional love for the dog. As a matter of fact, children won't look at them as pets but as a close personal friend.

If the child is going to take care of the dog then you will have to teach them how to do this.

1) They need food and water daily, obviously. If it is a large dog that eats a lot it can certainly dip into your budget.

2) Dogs need to be exercised daily for good health. A good run in the back yard or a throwing of the Frisbee or stick can be very therapeutic for the dog. Dogs do not respond well if they are not shown affection and are exercised every day.

3) They need regular veterinary shots and flea protection and heartworm medication. Regular baths are a must, and don't forget you need to take care of their teeth. There are simple solutions to that like a tooth biscuit.

4) Dogs will respond to training if you make it a fun and rewarding experience for them. They will look forward to it because it's a game for them. They will follow the rules of your home if you are consistent.

If you are willing to do all this then not only will you enjoy the relationship you build with your dog but you will also earn their loyalty and trust. Don't be surprised just how much of a family member your pet can be. Your child will also learn some important lessons in responsibility for others. It can be a beautiful thing!

Adopting A Stray Dog Can Be A Very Rewarding Experience

Every day people see stray dogs on the streets, wandering neighborhoods, and going from door to door begging for food. Fortunately, there are good hearted people who choose to adopt them, bring them into their families, and give them a chance at a good life.

If you're considering adopting a stray dog, you should know that there are both challenges and rewards. Since you'll be bringing the dog into your home and family, it's important to weigh both sides of it before you make a final decision.

One of the major challenges in adopting a homeless dog is not knowing its background. The dog could have been exposed to almost anything, and you have no way of knowing before you adopt it. This can mean the dog has severe health problems, and you won't know until you take the dog to the vet for an exam. Make sure you take the dog to the vet's office right away, and continue regular check ups to keep it healthy.

We see a lot of stray dogs today being towed away by vans and trucks from the local dog pound. Some of them were unfortunate enough to become victims of speeding cars or even some kids who are looking for someone to vent their anger on. This is a very disconcerting sight for those who love these loyal canine companions.

If you are one of those that wants to give these stray dogs new homes and families to show them the love and affection they deserve, then you are in for a lot of effort in the project since people who are in need of loyal household companies are not quite visible in the community.

You can always go around the neighborhood and asking each and every homeowner in the area if they want to adopt one of your stray dogs to call their own, but this will take a lot of time and effort on your end to successful pull this off.
Another big challenge is his or her behavior. After living on the streets, many dogs revert back to wilder behavior, doing whatever they can to survive. This means they may be wary of humans, defensive, and not know "proper" behavior in a family setting. When you adopt a stray dog, you have to work to be extra gentle with it as you teach it how to socialize with humans (and other animals).

Discipline goes along with behavioral problems a stray dog may have. Depending on how long the dog was on its own, it may have no discipline and not know what proper behavior is. While you're gentle, you must also be firm with the dog, and keep up the training, even if it's difficult. If the dog is an adult, it may be even harder to train, but patience, gentleness, and love will help.

Despite the challenges that come with adopting a stray dog, there are great rewards, as well. One of the most important is the opportunity to give a dog a chance at a good life. And, for many dogs, that second chance literally means the difference between life and death. Saving the life of a stray dog is a pretty big reward!

Another reward to adopting a stray dog is the love and companionship of the pet. One of the big reasons people adopt dogs is for companionship and love. No matter what a dog's background, if you continue to love it and are gentle with it, the dog will eventually show you love and affection, as well.

By adopting a stray dog, you also help reduce the number of strays in the United States. Thousands and thousands of puppies are born to stray dogs every year. By adopting a stray dog (and having it spayed or neutered), you reduce the number of dogs that will eventually end up strays themselves.

Adopting a stray dog can be a very rewarding experience, but it does come with its challenges. If you're considering adopting a stray dog, be sure you fully understand all that comes with it. Adopting any dog can be challenging enough, but adopting a stray can come with added complications. However, the rewards are worth it, and the love you'll get from your rescued dog will help you forget all the challenges along the way!

We Should Protect The Homeless Stray Dogs

Listening to yet another constituent complain about the thousands of neglected, scruffy mutts that prowl the streets of his town, Mosquera Mayor Luis Alvaro Rincon went ballistic. "A street dog," he ground out, "is a dead dog."

His fist pumping and voice rising as applause at the community gathering grew, he said, "It's an order. Round them up and kill them!"

Rincon's exasperation last summer was in some ways understandable. This suburb of Bogota has long been a dumping ground for canines whose owners are too uninterested or financially strapped to care for them. Now there may be 30,000 stray dogs here and in two adjoining suburbs, Madrid and Vaca."I know environmentalists won't like it, but if they don't, they should come to Mosquera and take a dog home with them," Rincon said.

Driving around the Porvenir Rio barrio, one gets the impression that there are more dogs than people. They seem to be everywhere: foraging for food, lounging in the shade or sauntering across streets and alleys.

Animal control has been a foreign concept in Mosquera, a city of 90,000 with no dog pound. One of Colombia's fastest-growing municipalities, Mosquera in recent years has had more pressing budgetary needs, including building a new hospital and roads and buying uniforms and lunches for the growing numbers of poor schoolchildren, the city's health officer, Paola Linares, said in an interview.
As the stray dog population has grown, so has the health and safety crisis. The level of fecal dust is alarming, and rising, and 89 dog bites were reported last year, a 27% increase from 2008. "We had more cases of dog bites than measles last year," Linares said.

Rincon's outburst sparked little outcry at first. But in October, an animal rights activist put the video of Rincon's speech on YouTube. That led to hundreds of angry phone calls and e-mails to City Hall from animal rights groups.
"This kind of discourse contributes to a disrespect for life in Colombia. Is it that much of a leap from mass murder of animals to that of humans?" said Albeiro Ulloa, an animal rights organizer in Bogota.

Protests were capped by a march here last month of 300 animal rights defenders, who were confronted by an equal-sized crowd of Rincon's defenders.

Subsequently, tempers cooled and both sides agreed to work on a happy, or at least more humane, resolution of Mosquera's canine crisis. Rincon retracted his "capture and kill" order and agreed to join a task force with animal rights leaders aimed at raising private funds to build a regional dog pound.

The panel also will try to change laws to restrict the sale of dogs and enforce vaccination laws.

"We have an imbalance in that there are too many dogs," said Ivan Duque, a veterinarian who is advising the task force. "But it's not the dogs' problem, it's ours, the human beings. We are the rational ones."

To Reduce Stray Dogs

Dr. Judith Samson-French is coordinating a pilot project to test the new birth control technology on dogs living on the Tsuu T'ina Nation next to Calgary. She hopes one day it might reduce the population of unwanted dogs and prevent attacks, such as the one on the 10-year-old boy mauled to death on a reserve in Saskatchewan on Saturday.

Last summer, Samson-French worked with Julie Felber of the Animal Rescue Foundation and Lori Rogers, an animal health technologist at the Calgary Zoo, to implant contraceptives in 15 female reserve dogs.

The contraceptive implant, called Deslorelin, was introduced in 2004 by Peptech Animal Health, a small biotech company in Australia. It suppresses reproductive hormones in animals for 12 to 18 months and is used in zoos, said Samson-French.
She estimates there are at least 700 dogs on the Tsuu T'ina reserve, but fewer than 20 per cent are wanted.

"The natives have pets that live inside with them, dogs that have names and are cared for. Then there are all the dogs that live outside, dogs they do not want and who keep reproducing. I call them dogs with no names. They're the problem," said Samson-French, owner of the Banded Peaks Veterinary Hospital, which regularly deals with an overflow of injured, unwanted dogs from the neighbouring reserve.
"We have the same problems, but in the city we pay taxes and we have the pound and dogcatchers to deal with our problem, which is invisible to us. They don't on the reserves. And they're overwhelmed by having five or six dogs scavenging around their houses."

Some are feral, born in the wild. Some come from "non-natives who dump their dogs on the reserves," said Samson-French.

Having been domesticated for 15,000 years, abandoned and feral dogs no longer know how to hunt or find water, she said. They live only two to three years, falling prey to cannibalism, starvation, parasites, predators or freezing to death. Female can have up to 15 pups a year.

"The best solution we've been able to offer so far is spaying and neutering, but that's not making a dent," said Samson-French. "It's too expensive and too time-consuming.

"That's why the contraceptive implant program is fantastic. It takes one minute, it's one-third of the cost, and the dogs don't leave the reserve."
The implant costs $68, compared to the $250-$500 it costs to spay a female dog.
With the permission of Tsuu T'ina residents, 15 friendlier, semi-feral dogs were caught using food and held in a volunteer's arms. A small area between the dog's shoulder blades was cleaned and injected with a local anesthetic. The implant -- along with a microchip to identify the dog -- was then injected beneath the skin.
At the same time, the dogs were given a rabies shot and a deworming tablet.
Of the 15 implanted females, one was killed by a cougar and the 14 remaining have not had puppies, said Felber, dog program co-ordinator with ARF, a non-profit group that rescues unwanted dogs and cats from First Nations and rural areas and finds them homes.

The plan is to follow the remaining 14 dogs and re-implant them every year until 2011, identifying them by their microchips.

Samson-French said she's applied for a grant from the provincial government to expand the study to include 50 more female dogs on the Tsuu T'ina and the Siksika First Nation and hopes to publish her findings.

And in two weeks she's going to Mazatlan to look into starting a pilot project to sterilize street dogs with Deslorelin. Unwanted dogs are a big problem in Mexico and other developing countries.

The downside of the implant is that it is temporary, it's currently available on a limited basis and only veterinarians can implant it. She's hoping those regulations change and technicians will be able to implant it, making it widely available.

Veterinarian Audrey Remedios, who's volunteered with the Alberta Spray Neuter Task Force on the Blood reserve near Cardston, is interested in the outcome of the pilot project: "If it works, wonderful."

But she thinks recapturing semi-feral dogs may be a problem, and trying to round up feral dogs will be next to impossible.

Jack Glacer, 79, has been going out to feed stray dogs on Tsuu T'ina three times a week for at least 10 years. He's heard some mothers on the reserve express concern about their children's safety around the dogs.

Be Friends With A Stray Dog

You would have wanted to be friends with a dog that has been lost or looks scared to you in your neighborhood. However, before you do this, it is important that you know about the risks involved in doing so and different signs that dogs indicate in their own way.

This is for all you dog lovers; for I know that you are on this article because you are one. There is only one reason why you want to be friends with a stray dog and connect with them, it's because you love them. Follow the guidelines mentioned below and see if you can befriend a stray dog.

Dogs are highly social animals and they are believed to have been domesticated, way before donkeys, cows, horses and sheep were. Dogs are the most loved pets because, they behave, play and get trained, in such a way that they can very easily fit into the human household.

Read the Dog's Body Language

This is one of the most important things to do, when you are trying to be friends with a dog. His ears, tail, mouth and his eyes can tell you everything that a dog is thinking of at that time. You need to look for the following signs before approaching a dog.

A Calm and Relaxed Dog

A dog that is relaxed and friendly, his ears will be perked up or bent downwards, his eyes will be wide open, body will be in a normal posture, tail would be wagging and will be short-barking.

You can look at a dog and understand, what mood is the dog in. Don't immediately approach a stressed, aggressive and scared dog. But, a relaxed and a playful dog can be friends with you immediately.

An Aggressive and Stressed Dog

Usually, when a dog is under stress, his ears are down and pointing backwards or even pointing upright, his mouth would be wide open, rapid respiration, hunching forward and barking. Don't stroke them or try communicating with them when they are vulnerable. Also, never stare in his eyes at this time. A dog that has cornered himself, with head lowered and looks alert; he can also act aggressively. This is because his position indicates that he is scared and vulnerable at the moment and can attack you in his defense.

Let such dogs alone for sometime, they are in no mood to be friends with you right now.

Give Him Food

The best way to show a dog that you care is by giving him food. You can feed him with the following things.

    >Lunch Meat
    >Bone Meals
    >Grain by-products
    >Dog Biscuits

Give him a bone and the dog will never forget you, he will know in an instance that you love him. If he is aggressive or inhibited, give him food for two-three days without getting too close to him. Slowly, when he will start to recognize you, you can start communicating and playing with him.

Give Him Something to Play

Dogs are great companions for playing fun games. Play with him using a tennis ball, string or a Frisbee. Dogs love it! Dogs are playful by their very nature. Playing with a dog will help you both connect faster. Throw the ball or the Frisbee and indicate him to get it. It is best to get two toys, so that if he does not get the first one then, throw the second one to let him know you are playing with him.

Pat and Caress Him

Dogs long for a human touch and affection. They totally understand your touch. Pat them, it makes them feel secured, loved and pampered. They ask for just a few moments with you; give it to them; they'll be happy throughout and will be your friend forever.

Learn about dogs 'favorite petting bits'. Two things that dogs normally love are being massaged on their foreheads and behind their ears. Different dogs can have different sensitive points. You'll learn about them eventually. Right now just stick to massaging on their foreheads and behind their ears.

Dogs respond humanly. They understand and grasp words you tell them. Give him a name and call him with that name every time you give him food or you see him.

Slowly they will understand your gestures and commands and will respond spontaneously. There are different ways in which dogs show their affection.
One should also avoid touching dogs that appear to have skin infections or diseases as they can lead to irritations like itch and rashes on you. However if you are dog lover you can get the dog treated by a vet and give him healthy food with oral medicines mixed in it.

"In order to really enjoy a dog, one doesn't merely try to train him to be semi-human. The point of it is to open oneself to the possibility of becoming partly a dog." - Edward Hoagland

Stray Dogs,Now And Future

The increased traffic there due to more people being off from home and/or school, there is also a problem with dog owners letting their often large and vicious sounding pets run loose in their unfenced front yards as they work on their cars, in their yards, or just in their open garages. A small number of these chase me down the street as I pass by (the dogs, that is). Almost always, when this happens, the owner catches on and frantically yells at the dog to stop. What morons. They obviously care little about their pets, and even less about any pedestrian who happens to walk by their house. After all, animals not used to being on the street are prone to getting run over!

Usually, though, and often to my amazement, many dogs are very well trained to stay within the confines of their "territory" in the front lawn, as ferociously and loudly they may bark at me. But that is still an unwarranted nuisance, in my opinion. And I know people who would be scared to death trying to walk past such a house.

I have a very intricate running course that winds up and down miles of residential roads and past a few hundred homes. In the past couple of years, I have encountered dogs running loose on just about every stretch of road at different times. Most of the time they growl and bark at me as they notice me, and a few run after me a bit. But the fact still remains that, in the entire time I have run what amounts to about two thousand miles through my neighborhood, complete with its sometimes straying canine residents, I have never been bitten. In fact, the last time I suffered a dog bite was in February 1973, when I was running with my high school track team in Davie, Florida.

Not having suffered a dog bite in 39 years is quite a contrast, though, to what happened earlier in my childhood. For I grew up in the 1960's, and society (at least where I lived) treated dogs very differently. Dogs ran loose around my neighborhood just as cats did (and still do). The kids all got used to the different dogs who hung around, some of whose homes were unknown. I can't begin to count the number of times I would see a stray dog and approach it to pet it (if it didn't approach me first). We had a dog ourselves at the time, but didn't let it run loose. But when we would take Michelle out for a walk, her presence would almost invariably attract a multitude of neighborhood dogs to keep her "company" (and she was spayed).

We did know of certain "mean" dogs behind fences that we weren't supposed to get near, but the general feeling was that dogs liked us and we liked dogs. Very little fear. And still, during all of this in my childhood, I recall being bitten lots of times. But we never made a big deal about it. So when I got bitten that afternoon in February, I just continued running and then showered and went home. I told my mom about it, and to be safe, she drove me down to get a tetanus shot. The next day at school I was confounded by my track coach's angry consternation: how could I just leave like that after being bitten by a dog? It was only then that the very real danger of rabies was impressed upon me and how oh-so very dangerous stray dogs were...

This fear of stray dogs is probably much more warranted today than it was in my childhood, though. For back then, running around loose outside conditioned dogs to be more accepting of people in general. But in today's era of leash laws and rules against dogs running loose in public, those dogs that do occasionally "break out" are much more likely to see strangers as enemies to be feared and attacked. So I'm afraid I'm not likely to ever regain my relative openness to chumming up with stray dogs...

Stray Dogs Attacked And Injured Around 15 People

Stray dogs attacked and injured around 15 people at Shalimar, Baghbanpura, Mughalpura and Daroghawala Area on Thursday. According to details, 15 men and women, including Yasmeen, Parveen, Salman, Babar, Tauseef, Junaid, Kashmir, Mushtaq, Shafiq, Shahbaz and Nasir, residents of Shalimar, Baghbanpura, Mughalpura and Daroghwala Area became victims of stray dogs while they were going somewhere. All victims who were attacked and injured by stray dogs were brought to Services Hospital by their relatives where doctors gave them antibiotic medicines in order to save them. Junaid, a victim, told Pakistan Today that he was heading back to his office located near Shalimar Gardens on a public van along with his friend. As the van stopped at Shalimar Gardens stop, he came out of the van and saw a group of dogs standing a few yards away.
“I thought that these stray dogs will not harm me but a stray dog attacked me and bit my leg”, Junaid said. He said that some local residents helped him in getting rid of the dog after which his friend hired a rickshaw and rushed him to Services Hospital in order to get first aid for rabies. Junaid said that after getting medication, he came to know that around 14 people had already been given treatment after stray dogs had attacked them.
 He said that according to hospital officials, all victims visited Services Hospital between 6pm and 9 pm on Thursday and belonged to Shalimar, Baghbanpura, Mughalpura and Daroghawala Area. An on-duty senior doctor at Services Hospital, seeking anonymity, said that they provided medical aid to more than one dozen men and women after they were attacked by stray dogs. He said that according to statements of patients, they all were attacked by one dog. The doctor said that a few patients were treated by the hospital staff until late night on Thursday.

Stray Dog At The Streets In India Is A Quite Difficult Life

When you read stories about Indian cities, you quite often hear that there are cows walking around everywhere. That is not exactly true! Yes, I have seen cows quite some time, but not that many and not that regularly. But one thing that is quite common to see in all Indian cities is the stray dogs. And this off course applies also to Mumbai. I do see in one news paper article that there are more than 70.000 stray dogs in Mumbai only.
Most often the dogs do you no harm. They just sleep or relax in the sun. In Hiranandani, close to where I live there have very recently been seen a few puppies. As you can see on the picture here, the mother so lazy that she even sleeps while she is giving her kids milk. These puppies have been taken quite good care of by the children in the area, and they have got milk and food given to them, which is quite nice to see. Otherwise I do think that being a stray dog at the streets in India is a quite difficult life.
On the first days in Mumbai I was a bit worried to actually step on these dogs, as tjey are quite difficult to spot when it is dark. Some of them might have diseases, so I really did not wanted to be bit. Luckily I have not done so yet, and now I think I’m more aware of them, so it should not be that much of a problem.
There are some problems with the dogs at the nights. When it is not that warm, they usually get to live and start to walk around to look for food. I remember coming home at 3 am once, and at that time it was not to nice to see the dogs lurking around my home.