Category: Pets

There’s nothing worse than watching your Golden Retriever suffers from itchy skin allergies. We asked our community of over 800,000 Golden Retriever owners the following question: What shampoo do you recommend for a Golden Retriever with itchy or sensitive skin?

We’ve summarized the best responses below. Always remember to check with your veterinarian before making changes that affect your Golden Retriever’s health. iHeartDogs is reader supported, so some of the links below may be paid affiliate links at no additional cost to you. 

18 Best Hypoallergenic Shampoos for Golden Retrievers with Itchy/Sensitive Skin

Medicated from the veterinary clinic. My girl used to be really allergic to most shampoos and once we went to the Rx version from our doctor she was good for a bath any time

Author: Jeff P.

Likes: 2

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I us clean stay oatmeal shampoo and conditioner has helped you can get it on Amazon

Author: Michele O’Rourke M.

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We tried oatmeal baths and they didn’t make much difference. We had to use medicated shampoo and change her to a grain free diet. She was much better then. I’d recommend talking with your vet, they know your dog best. Good luck.

Author: Maureen A.

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Oatmeal let it sit then a really good moisture container let it sit rinse with cool water

Author: Linda U.

Likes: 6

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All of my goldens have had atopy, vet prescribed cytopoint injections every month and malaseb shampoo. Ask vet for allergy blood testing, could even be dietary?

Author: Sue S.

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My golden has dry skin but she does not itch at all . I give her oil pills from the vet and use Oatmeal shampoo .

Author: Sue C.

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Paul Mitchell for pets Tea tree shampoo

Author: Tammy S.

Likes: 0

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I know that Burts Bees has a leave in conditioner for dogs that works pretty well for my golden.

Author: Alana S.

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Mine had the same issue, I give them Fish oil and it helps! Also don’t bathe them a lot in the winter

Author: Lori W.

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Change diet, add oil to their food for starters. Dog food is the first suspect. Frequent bathing can also cause this.

Author: John A.

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I have used Burt’s bees for puppies tearless shampoo for my golden since puppy now almost 2 years old. No problems! I always make sure I rinse him really well!

Author: Mark Beth G.

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Johnson and Johnson baby shampoo. My vet recommended it several years ago and we have used it on every Golden since.

Author: Carol K.

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Furminator Dog shampoo from Amazon

Author: Jane W.

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Pooch shampoo with baby powder and then they have regular one of that

Author: Ezra R.

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Main and tail.

Author: Gordon L.

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Change its diet I gave mine home made food and itchy flakey skin stopped and it reduces shedding to. Would you eat the dried stuff with Colouring and Es? Dog food is supposed to be fit for Human Consumption!! Dried stuff maybe convenient but I wouldn’t give it to my Dogs. All mine have black noses and wonderful skin even with heating on. Originally Dog’s ate what we ate years ago they are healthier even our Vet said he’d be out of business if everyone changed!! It worked out cheaper to!

Author: Victoria H.

Likes: 2

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Oster Oatmeal Essentials

Author: Rhonda D.

Likes: 0

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Change what you are feeding your dog immediately. This is either a yeast or allergy response. Shampoo will be like a bandaid on a broken leg.

Author: Kevin H.

Likes: 0

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A wheelchair is great to help your paralyzed pet exercise and run around outside but it is a bit cumbersome to use in the house. You might find your pet getting suck on furniture or dinging up your walls and baseboards with their chair.

If you find your dog less willing to follow you from room to room, or they cry for you to carry them with you, your pup may need some indoor help!

Indoor Pet Mobility Solutions for Inside the Home

It can be challenging to keep a special needs dog active inside the house. Here are a few simple mobility solutions to keep your handicapped pet active and safe indoors:

Traction Socks

Dogs that struggle to find their footing have a difficult time standing up after a long nap, may need a little help getting their grip. In these instances, your pet might benefit from the Walkin’ Pets Traction Socks if their paws slip on the floors.

The traction socks are super comfy and feature rubber soles to help your pup propel themselves forward without falling. In addition, wearing pet socks or boots inside the house will help senior pets to maintain their grip on the floor as they walk around. This is incredibly helpful on hardwood, tile, or laminate flooring that can be slippery.

Drag Bag

Paralyzed pets will scoot and drag themselves around when they’re not in their wheelchair. This can leads to rug burn and abrasions on their chest, abdomen, and hind legs. Wearing a drag bag will create a barrier between your dog’s sensitive skin and the rough floor.

The Walkin’ Drag Bag will help prevent scrapes and hard-to-heal pressure sores from forming when your dog drags themselves from room to room. The drag bag covers your dog’s limbs and chest to protect them and keep them safe as they play. Since many paralyzed pets are also incontinent, the drag bag is made of a waterproof material that’s easy to clean, and the bag is roomy enough that a dog can wear a diaper while they use their drag bag.

Walkin’ Scooter

Are you looking for a wheelchair alternative for inside the house? The Walkin’ Scooter is fantastic for pups who want to move quickly when not in their wheelchair. The scooter combines the drag bag and the wheelchair for the best mobility inside the home.

The scooter’s base is padded for comfort and is on caster wheels, allowing your dog to take corners easily. Safe on baseboards, the scooter is designed for inside your home and can roll across many different surfaces. The scooter is easy for a paralyzed pet to maneuver and can easily fit through narrow doorways and around the furniture to help your pet go anywhere in your house. In addition, the scooter features a low profile that allows the pet to rest and lie down while in the scooter. So after their nap, your dog is ready to roll!

Walkin’ Lift Rear Harness

Getting your paralyzed pet up or down the stairs doesn’t have to strain your back! A rear lifting harness can help support your paralyzed dog’s hind end and lift their back legs. The Walkin’ Lift Rear Harness will allow you to bring your disabled pet up the stairs safely.

As an added benefit, the rear lifting harness is fully compatible with the Walkin’ Wheels dog wheelchair. Using a rear harness gives your pet additional support when in the wheelchair and can make it easier for you to help get them in and out of their cart.

Related Articles:

Among the 9,000 entries submitted to this year’s CUPOTY 04, I’ve seen salamanders being eaten by plants, slime moulds celebrated as works of art and spiders mimicking bird poo. I’ve been awestruck by a jellyfish that walks on its hands, a marble that resembles a cosmic wormhole and an egg that seems to contain the crucible of life within its watery walls. Often I have sat there in astonishment, marvelling at the magic of it all.

Many of these moments would have gone unnoticed if they had not been witnessed by people who have a natural sense of curiosity about the world. It’s a fabulous gift, and one that I’m so grateful to benefit from. I hope you feel the same.

This year there were 11 categories: Animals, Insects, Butterflies & Dragonflies, Invertebrate Portrait, Underwater, Plants, Fungi, Intimate Landscape, Manmade and Micro, as well as Young CUPOTY. Samantha Stephens took the overall title with her incredible picture of northern pitcher plants digesting juvenile spotted salamanders, while Nathan Benstead was named Young Close-up Photographer of the Year 04 for his magical picture of slime mould fruiting bodies.

To see the winners and Top 100 pictures from CUPOTY 04, visit the website at www.cupoty.com. To stay up to date with all things CUPOTY (and receive fresh creative content) sign up to my fortnightly newsletter via the CUPOTY website.

Close-up Photographer of the Year 04 winners share the stories and techniques behind their pictures with co-founder Tracy Calder.

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Overall and ‘Animals’ Category Winner CUPOTY 04

Nature’s Pitfall by Samantha Stephens

Nationality: Canadian

Occupation: Photographer

Website 

Instagram 

Northern pitcher plants (Sarracenia purpurea) are carnivorous, allowing them to survive in nutrient-poor bog environments. Here there is no rich soil, but rather a floating mat of sphagnum moss. Instead of drawing nutrients up through their roots, this plant relies on trapping prey in its specialised bell-shaped leaves, called pitchers.

Typically, these plants feast on invertebrates – such as moths and flies – but recently, researchers at the Algonquin Wildlife Research Station discovered a surprising new item on the plant’s menu: juvenile spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum). This population of northern pitcher plants in Algonquin Provincial Park is the first to be found regularly consuming a vertebrate prey. For a plant that’s used to capturing tiny invertebrates, a juvenile spotted salamander is a hefty feast!

On the day I made this image, I was following researchers on their daily surveys of the plants. Pitchers typically contain just one salamander prey at a time, although occasionally they catch multiple salamanders simultaneously. When I saw a pitcher that had two salamanders, both at the same stage of decay floating at the surface of the pitcher’s fluid, I knew it was a special and fleeting moment. The next day, both salamanders had sunk to the bottom of the pitcher.

Samantha’s top tips:

1. Be creative with the tools you have – this image was lit with headlamps!
2. Try photographing your subject from every angle.
3. Macro photography can be tricky, and photogenic moments are often fleeting. The more you practise your technique, the better prepared you’ll be to capture an image in the field.

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‘Fungi’ Category Winner CUPOTY 04

Ice Encrusted Comatricha by Barry Webb

Nationality: British

Occupation: Gardener/photographer

Website

Instagram

In January last year, following two days of freezing fog and sub-zero temperatures, I found some mature Comatricha growing on an old fence post lying on a pile of discarded, rotting timber. I was attracted to the way the ice had encased the slime mould, creating strange, windswept, leaf-like shapes. The tallest one was only 3mm high, including the ice. The final image is the result of 55 focus-bracketed images combined in Zerene Stacker.

Barry’s top tips:

1. Don’t let cold weather put you off, it often produces unique images.
2. Slime moulds are not just found in the woods; they can also be spotted on decomposing vegetation or wood.
3. Creating a log pile can produce all kinds of subjects for macro photography.

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‘Invertebrate Portrait’ Category Winner CUPOTY 04

Mayan Derriere by Jamie Hall

Nationality: British

Occupation: Photographer

Instagram

Facebook

This triangular spider species (Arkys curtulus) is an ambush predator, not a web-based hunter like most. To hunt its prey, it sits compact and
curled up on a leaf, mimicking bird poo or other bio-debris. Balanced abdomen-side down, eyes up, it looks to the sky and watches for an unsuspecting fly or other insect to wander onto the leaf.

The abdomen on this species has some very pronounced and interesting markings, which reminded me of the Mayan carvings on rocks and stone. This individual was photographed in a conservation park in Brisbane, Australia.

Jamie’s top tips:

1. Get down to your subject’s level for an image with impact, rather than shooting from your eye-level.
2. Try to show your subject demonstrating natural and intriguing behaviour.
3. The side of your subject with the shortest depth will require the fewest number of images in a stack for the most amount of detail.

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‘Butterflies & Dragonflies’ Category Winner CUPOTY 04

Veiled by Wim Voojs

Nationality: Dutch

Occupation: Process Consultant

Instagram

I found this dew-covered male banded demoiselle on a reed stem among the streams near my hometown, Ede in the Netherlands. Banded demoiselles are easy to approach as they rest and dry in the early morning. I tried to find an angle that would produce bokeh bubbles in the warm light, creating the atmosphere that I desired in the picture.

I like to emphasise the beauty of these insects by showing their strength and vulnerability. I’m not after a record shot, more an emotional portrait – maybe this is due to my background as a portrait photographer.

Wim’s top tips:

1. Shoot with the lens wide open for shallow depth of field and beautiful bokeh.
2. Focus manually, then you can position the focus exactly where you want it.
3. Set the camera to continuous shooting and shoot while moving the camera in small increments through the DoF.

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‘Manmade’ Category Winner CUPOTY 04

Oil & Water 44 by Matt Vacca

Nationality: American

Occupation: Photographer

Website

Instagram

This picture was captured as two drops of oil were merging. I’m intrigued by polarity and experimenting with oil and water has become a rich source of abstract expression. The symbiotic relationship that evolves from naturally opposing elements has become metaphoric for me. I am constantly learning and finding new inspiration, as I watch and continue to be fascinated by the dance that plays out through a macro lens.

Matt’s top tips:

1. Improvise.
2. Experiment.
3. Be patient

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‘Plants’ Category Winner CUPOTY 04

Next to my Tree by Sébastien Blomme

Nationality: French

Occupation: Engineer

Website

Instagram

Snake’s-head fritillary is one of my favourite flowers. This one was taken in the city of Toulouse, France. It usually grows on wet meadows but can also be found in forests. In this image, I wanted to introduce some context, but keep the flower as the centre of interest. I managed to get a tree in the background and decided to keep it out of focus so that its shape is only suggested.

Sébastien’s top tips:

1. There may be lots of subjects, but spend time finding the best specimen in the most attractive environment.
2. Shoot from a low angle to get the best background possible, but also to be at the same height as the flower.
3. Look for a subject in the shadows if you want a nice subtle light.

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‘Insects’ Category Winner CUPOTY 04

Intruder by Anirban Dutta

Nationality: Indian

Occupation: Government Service High School Teacher

Instagram

Facebook

Before the start of the monsoon every year, some species of termite swarm in the late afternoon and early evening – this behaviour is known as nuptial flight. One day, I witnessed this event near a petrol pump in the town of Cooch Behar, India.

There were thousands of termites drawn to the powerful street light, and one black drongo. This bird spent almost 20 minutes swooping through the termites, snatching and eating them as it went. ‘I shot multiple exposures to capture this event, which I had never seen before. Three frames were recorded and combined in-camera. The first one with a high shutter speed and in Kelvin white balance, the second with a high shutter speed isolating the drongo and the third with a slow shutter speed in Tungsten white balance.

Anirban’s top tips:

1. Pre-visualise the image you want to create in your mind’s eye and make sure you know the settings on your camera well enough to create it when it comes to taking the actual picture.
2. Practise shooting and combining multiple exposures – it’s a challenging technique, but the results are well worth it.
3. Try to use natural/available light wherever possible.

‘Intimate Landscape’ Category Winner CUPOTY 04

Frequency by Mike Curry

Nationality: British

Occupation: Photographer

Website

Instagram

VERO

This is a reflection of a building at Canary Wharf in London taken in November. The water was moving in a very fluid way and I was there to try out my new Sony DSC-RX100M6 – I was particularly keen to test the camera’s fast burst and slow motion video modes. I was struggling to get it to focus on the water’s surface, but after about two hours of failed attempts it suddenly worked, and the results were amazing!

Mike’s top tips:

1. Be patient: wait for calm, sunny weather.
2. Be patient: you can spend hours looking for a good reflection.
3. Be patient: sometimes you need to search through thousands of images that are out of focus to find a good one!

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‘Micro’ Category Winner CUPOTY 04

Batrachospermum Algae by Marek Miś

Nationality: Polish

Occupation: Biologist/Photographer

Website

Instagram

I took a sample of Batrachospermum (a kind of red algae) from a small river in Wigry National Park, Poland. Although it has natural beauty, it doesn’t look great using bright-field illumination. However, by combining polarised light and darkfield techniques I managed to get a colourful and interesting picture.

‘It was challenging to show more than one or two “twigs” of algae, because even a 4x microscope objective shows too small a part. To capture it properly, I made a panorama consisting of nine images stitched together during post-processing. To expand the depth of field, which is very shallow using a microscope, each of the nine images consist of several frames combined in one output image in Helicon Focus. The final image is the result of combining more than 100 separate shots.

Marek’s top tips:

1. Try using different illumination techniques to bring out the beauty of the subject.
2. Spend time looking for interesting subjects, and play around with colours and composition.
3. To show small subjects at a larger scale, consider stitching lots of small frames into one large panorama.

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‘Underwater’ Category Winner CUPOTY 04

Little Predator by Viktor Lyagushkin

Nationality: Georgian

Occupation: Photographer

Website

Instagram 

This is a Lucernaria quadricornis (Stauromedusae), a stalked jellyfish, photographed beneath the ice of the White Sea in Russia – the only freezing sea in Europe. The green colour of the water is a sign of spring as algae grows. ‘The “leg” of the jellyfish helps it to attach to a stone or seaweed. Its tentacles project up or down, waiting for prey. If its hunt is successful, it catches the prey and collapses its tentacles into a fist. If the hunting site is no good, Lucernaria walks away on its “leg” or sometimes its “hands”.

Viktor’s top tips:

1. To take good underwater pictures, especially macro shots, an underwater photographer needs excellent diving skills to control his/her body position in the water precisely.
2. Observation is useful not only for macro, but for any wildlife photographer. It is often photographers who make biological discoveries: they find new species or notice unusual behaviour in animals.
3. Time spent studying the underwater world will translate into better and more varied results.

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Young Close-Up Photographer of the Year

Hemitrichia calyculata, Nathan Benstead

Nationality: British

Age: 17

Website

Instagram

Last winter, I was walking through my local woodland, inspecting rotten logs and sticks, when I came across a log covered in slime mould fruiting bodies or sporangia. I set up my camera gear and focused on a small cluster among the moss.

Nathan’s top tips:

1. Look for slime moulds and fungi a day or two after rainfall.
2. Use a good-quality focusing rail mounted to a tripod for stability and to make focus stacking easier and more enjoyable.
3. If you find a group of slime mould sporangia, or fungi, try to focus on any that are on their own or in a smaller separate group. It will make your images tidier.

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‘Insects’ Category Finalist

Levitation by Ferenc Kocsis

Nationality: Hungarian

Occupation: Economist

Instagram

Facebook

The fragile dance of a Tisza mayfly (Palingenia longicauda) over the river at Tiszafüred, Hungary. Mayflies begin their last flight over the river at dusk in mid-June, flying for a few hours above the water before their three-year life cycle is complete. This is the largest European mayfly, and its range today is almost exclusively the Tisza and its tributaries. It’s a protected Hungarian treasure and a bio-indicator of the water quality of the Great Plain of Hungary’s rivers.

Ferenc’s top tips:

1. The most important thing is to be there, at the right time; the Tisza mayfly appears above water at a certain location only a couple of days a year.
2. To capture a single mayfly from the riverbank or from a boat you need a telephoto lens.
3. Mayflies are quick but autofocus works pretty well in most cases. This is handheld action photography at high speed.

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‘Intimate Landscape’ Category Finalist

Revisit by Andrew Baruffi

Nationality: American

Occupation: Camping Sales Lead at REI

Website

Instagram

This scene was captured on a two-day shoot. The first day was spent scouting the washes of Zion’s east side for ice tucked between the boulders. In certain places deep pools of water form, freeze, and allow for detailed rings to pattern around the surface. I stumbled upon one of these pools, but the freeze was scattered and a bit too melted’.

‘I decided to come back the next morning to see what had happened overnight. I returned to a gorgeous singular freeze at the pool. The light crept into the east side and brought with it golden reflected light from the sandstone slabs opposite the scene. The reflected light kissed the surface of a single oak leaf fused into the ice and made for a nice contrast of cool and warm tones. The tip and stem of the leaf were frozen into the ice, causing the leaf to bend upward in the centre.

Andrew’s top tips:

1. Go to Zion in winter and look closely at the ground beneath your feet.
2. Take your time and fully explore a scene. I wouldn’t have found this image without taking the time to move around the area.
3. Embrace and understand reflected light. It’s difficult to work with at first, but with patience you will get the hang of it.

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‘Manmade’ Category Finalist

Wormhole by Danny Wilson

Nationality: American

Occupation: Retired

Instagram

Facebook

This is a macro photo of a handmade contemporary marble (think paperweight without the flat spot on the bottom). I collect these little orbs and one day, about ten years ago, I decided I was going to try to get inside the glass with a camera. That’s what started me on this self-taught photographic journey. I’ve taken thousands of pictures of contemporary glass since then, but this is my favourite.

‘The hardest part about shooting glass is controlling the light. It wasn’t until I started holding the light source with my hand that I realised a fixed light source is much harder to work with than a mobile one. My work took off from there and I was able to capture things even the glass worker wouldn’t have spotted!

Danny’s top tips:

1. For this type of picture, a fixed light source is harder to work with than a mobile one.
2. Depth of field is extremely shallow at this range. You might like to experiment with focus stacking for the best results.
3. Befriend your local glass artist as this hobby can get expensive quickly!

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‘Underwater’ Category Finalist

From Below by Boldizsár Szűcs

Nationality: Hungarian

Instagram

I took this picture in the forest of Gemenc, Hungary. It’s the largest floodplain forest in Central Europe. It was shot in May, when the Danube river flooded, and water poured into the trees. The original plan was to photograph European fire-bellied toads, but I couldn’t find any. Fortunately, I found this beautiful raft spider (Dolomedes fimbriatus) and photographed it from below the water’s surface.

Boldizsár’s top tips:

1. For this type of picture, you will need a waterproof case for your camera.
2. Go to your nearest wetland and spend some time exploring and observing.
3. Be very careful not to disturb wildlife.

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‘Butterflies & Dragonflies’ Category Finalist

Beautiful Blue and Golden Spots by Emmanuel Graindépice

Nationality: French

Occupation: Teacher

Website

Instagram

A four-spotted dragonfly on a cool morning in a wet spring meadow in Hauts-de-France. Her wings were covered with dew as she waited patiently for the sun to dry and warm her body so she could take flight. I took the picture against the light, in the middle of flowery vegetation.

Emmanuel’s top tips:

1. Position yourself at the same height as your subject.
2. Look for background ambience in gaps of light.
3. Include vegetation in the foreground for a very soft look.

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Related articles:

CUPOTY Minimal: competition open for entries

Best photography competitions to enter in 2023

Beginners guide to Macro Photography: How to create great macro photos

How to take great macro photos on a smartphone

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Traveling with your pets from the United States to Canada is easy! Learn everything you’ll need to know for a pet friendly road trip across the border.

 

The idea of traveling with your pets to Canada might make you nervous. But there’s really no need to worry! We’ve traveled across the border with our dogs many times over the years, and we’re happy to share the tricks we’ve learned.

Traveling To Canada With Pets For Commercial Reasons

Please note that this article is for people traveling with their pets for personal reasons, like a vacation or to visit friends and family. If your trip to Canada is for pet breeding, sale, or adoption purposes, refer to the rules regarding the commercial transportation of animals.

If you’re planning to travel to or through Ontario with a bully breed, please pay special attention to the “Breed Specific Legislation” section of this post.

Documents People Need To Travel Between The U.S. And Canada By Car

Most U.S. citizens can visit Canada for up to six months, as long as the right paperwork is presented at the border. When entering Canada or returning the the U.S., all travelers must provide acceptable identification and proof of citizenship. A passport is recommended because it proves both citizenship and identification.

Those who meet certain requirements can apply for Trusted Traveler Programs. Acceptance into these programs allows members to use expedited lanes at the U.S. airports and when crossing international borders. In addition, these additional forms of identification may also be acceptable:

• U.S. Passport Cards
• Enhanced Driver’s Licenses
• Trusted Traveler Cards (Global Entry*, NEXUS, SENTRI, or FAST)
• Military Identification Cards (for members of the U.S. armed forces on official orders)
• U.S. Merchant Mariner Document (for U.S. citizens on official maritime business)

Those traveling for work, school, or who are planning to move permanently will likely need a Canadian visa.

 

Traveling With Children

All minors entering Canada and returning to the U.S. must present evidence of citizenship, such as a passport or passport card at the border. Children younger than 16 who are traveling with both parents by land (not flying) can use their government-issued birth certificate as identification.

If you’re traveling with a child for whom you share custody, or you’re not the child’s parent or legal guardian, additional documents will be needed. You can learn more about those requirements on the US Customs and Border Protection and Canada Border Services Agency websites.

Pet Friendly Hotels In Canada

If you’ll be spending the night in Canada, you’ll also need to find a great pet friendly hotel! Canada has many hotels that welcome pets, and it’s easy to find the perfect accommodations by searching online.

 

Documents Needed When Traveling With Dogs And Cats To Canada

There is no limit on the number of pets that can travel with you to Canada, as long as they are your personal pets. Before heading to the border with an animal, make sure you understand the Canadian import and travel requirements.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency sets the policies for traveling with your pets to Canada. Their officers inspect and can refuse entry, confiscate, or detain an animal if:

• it is undeclared, including family pets
• you do not have the necessary permits/certificates
• it is suspected of being sick or infected with a pest or disease
• the animal is transported in a non-humane way and not kept safe from harm and injury

Proof Of Rabies Vaccination

If you’re traveling to Canada from the United States, Mexico, or any other country not considered rabies-free with your cat or dog that is at least three months old, you’ll need a valid rabies vaccination certificate. For cats and dogs younger than three months, proof of age must be provided upon request.

The rabies vaccination certificate must meet these requirements:

• be legibly written in English or French
• have the name and signature of the licensed veterinarian that issued the certificate and the date it was signed
• identify the animal by age, breed, sex, color/markings, weight, and microchip/tattoo number, if applicable
• state that the animal is vaccinated against rabies
• indicate the date of vaccination
• indicate the trade name and the serial number of the licensed vaccine
• specify the duration of immunity (otherwise, it will be considered valid for 1 year from the date of vaccination)

Pets traveling to Canada are not quarantined upon arrival from any country. Additionally, Canada does not require a vaccination waiting period. Pets can travel to Canada immediately after he or she receives the rabies vaccination.

READ MORE ⇒  Planning A Pet Friendly Road Trip

 

What if you don’t have a valid rabies certificate?

Arriving at the Canadian border without a proper rabies certificate likely means you’ll be jumping through some additional hoops.

First, you’ll have to have your dog vaccinated for rabies within two weeks of your arrival. Then you’ll have to take the vaccination record to a Canadian Food Inspection Agency office.

In addition to the vaccination cost, you’ll incur administrative fees for each animal. These fees are due when you cross the border.

What if your pet can’t be vaccinated for rabies?

If your dog or cat can’t be vaccinated for rabies due to his health, you can apply for an exemption to the rabies certificate requirement. Applications, submitted in writing to the National Centre for Permissions, must include a letter from your veterinarian stating the specific condition preventing the vaccination of your pet. You also have to include the results of a Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test meeting the minimum titre requirements.

Upon approval, your pet will still need an inspection by a CFIA veterinarian when you arrive in Canada.  You’re responsible for making arrangements for the inspection at your port of entry before the animal travels.

 

Health Certificate When Entering Canada

The Canada Border Services Agency inspects all pets traveling to Canada to ensure the animal’s rabies vaccination is current and the animal description matches. The agents also visually inspect the animal to ensure that there are no visible signs of illness or injury.

It is possible for the border agents to refer any animal crossing the border for secondary inspection. But as long as your dog is healthy, this is unlikely to happen.

Generally, health certificates are not necessary when traveling with your pets to Canada. But, if a pet appears to be ill, the border agents can request a health certificate from a veterinarian. Their primary concern is that the pet’s condition is not contagious.

If you’re traveling with a pet with an obvious health condition, we recommend getting a health certificate from their vet prior to your trip. It’s a bit of a hassle, but it could help you avoid a delay border!

Pets flying to Canada must also meet the requirements of the airline on which they’ll be traveling. Most airlines require that all pets have a current health certificate.

READ MORE ⇒  Tips for Traveling to Canada with a Cat

 

Transport Pets Safely

Canada has strong regulations in place to help protect all animals from injury and suffering during transport. To ensure your pets are safe while traveling, follow these suggestions:

Contain your pet – Buckle up animals that could distract the driver in a seat belt harness or secured carrier. In addition, pets should not roam freely in the back of pick-up trucks, and must not be exposed in any way to flying debris.

Watch the weather – Don’t leave animals in parked vehicles for long periods of time, especially in hot or cold weather. If you must leave your pet unattended in a vehicle for a short period of time, ensure it has fresh water and leave windows open a little on either side of the vehicle to create a cross-breeze.

Provide food, water, and rest – On long trips, make sure your pet has food and water and that you make regular stops so it can rest or get out and walk around.

 

Taking Pet Food And Treats Into Canada

Visitors traveling with pets to Canada from the United States can bring up to 20 kg (44 pounds) of pet food and treats into Canada for their personal use. This is the total amount of pet food and treats allowed, regardless of the number of pets traveling with you. In addition, the pet food and treats must meet ALL of the following requirements:

• Pet food and treats must be from the United States, commercially packaged, and unopened.
• All pet food and treats must be in the possession of the traveler at the time of entry.
• The animal that will eat the products must accompany the traveler at the time of entry.
• Any pet food and treats imported into Canada by the traveler must be fed only to the animal that accompanied the traveler into the country.

For longer trips, or if you’re traveling through Canada to or from Alaska, consider taking a dehydrated pet food with you. We love The Honest Kitchen dog food and it’s great for traveling because a 10 pound box makes 40 pounds of food!

READ MORE ⇒  What To Pack For Your Dog For An Overnight Trip

 

No Requirement For Microchips or Tattoos

Canada does not require a microchip or tattoo identification for pet dogs and cats. However, some type of permanent identification can help your pet get home if they get lost.

Traveling With Other Types Of Pets To Canada

Not everyone travels with cats and dogs. Here are the rules for traveling to Canada with less common pets:

Amphibians and Reptiles

Imports of amphibians and reptiles (other than turtles and tortoises) are controlled by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and/or other restrictions under the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulations of International and Interprovincial Trade Act, which are administered by the Canadian Wildlife Service. If you plan to bring an amphibian or reptile to Canada, you should contact the Canadian Wildlife Service.

Birds

Birds are considered pets for Canadian import purposes if they are personally owned and cared for, and are a species commonly known as caged birds such as psittacines (birds in the parrot family), song birds, toucans, canaries, finches, cardinals, etc.

To travel with your pet bird to Canada, you must meet all of the following requirements:

• Your bird must accompany you or a member of your immediate family.
• The bird must appear healthy when inspected at the port of entry.
• You must sign a declaration stating that:
  • the bird was in your possession for the 90 day period preceding the date of importation and wasn’t in contact with any other birds during that time
  • the bird is your personal pet and won’t be sold
• You or any member of your family must not have imported birds into Canada under the pet bird provision in the past 90 days.

In cases of a disease outbreak, an Export Veterinary Certificate from the United States might be required. Check the Canadian Food Inspection Agency for more information.

 

Ferrets

Ferrets can only travel to Canada from the United States. They can cross the border without an import permit if they have a valid rabies vaccination certificate. The ferret must have received the rabies vaccination in the 12-month period preceding the date of import. Ferrets less than 3 months old are not subject to any import restrictions.

Rabbits

Pet rabbits from the United States do not require an import permit or health certificate to enter Canada. When you arrive at the border, present your rabbit to Canada Border Services Agency staff for inspection. Also provide proof that the rabbit has lived in the United States for the 60 days prior to entering Canada.

Rodents

Most pet rodents, including chinchillas, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice, and rats can travel to Canada without an import permit or health certificate. Border agents may inspection your pets related to the humane transport of animals regulations.

There are import restrictions for certain (or specific) pet rodents, including prairie dogs, gambian pouch rats, or squirrels from most countries; and all rodents from Africa.

Turtles and Tortoises

Turtles and tortoises arriving from all countries require an import permit. And the animals must have been in your personal possession in the country of origin and accompany you to Canada. You should submit the application for permit to import at least 30 days before your arrival.

 

Breed Specific Legislation In Canada

If your Canadian road trip will take you to or through the Province of Ontario, and you’re the owner of a bully breed, please read this information carefully. You might need to change your route.

Province of Ontario

Ontario has an ugly Breed Specific Law that bans “pitbull-type” dogs from the province. Police and animal control officers can search for and seize any dog deemed to be a “pit bull-type” based on visual inspection.

If the authorities determine the dog is a “pit bull-type,” the dog is euthanized, even if it didn’t break any other law. Here is a summary of the law from Ontario’s Ministry of the Attorney General.

READ MORE ⇒  Tips for Traveling with Pit Bulls

There are no exceptions to this law for tourists traveling with their pets. So, if you have a pit bull, please avoid Ontario. And if you have a dog that could be mistaken for a pit bull, carry documents proving your dog’s pedigree when traveling in Ontario.

Throughout the rest of Canada, there are municipalities with breed restrictions and bans. Plan to avoid them. Visit the Justice for Bullies website for a map of locations with breed specific laws.

 

Pet Friendly Destination Ideas In Canada

Canada has some gorgeous pet friendly vacation destinations to consider. Here are a few of our favorites!

The Complete Pet Friendly Guide To Jasper National Park

Dog Friendly Hike at Lake Louise

A Pet Friendly Guide To Banff National Park

Dog Friendly Road Trip In British Columbia: Vancouver To Kamloops And Back

Vancouver’s Top 5 Dog Friendly Things To Do

 

Documents Needed When Returning To The United States With Pets

Rabies Certificates Not Required For Cats And Dogs Traveling From Canada To The United States

All pets must appear healthy to enter the United States. Cats, regardless of where they’re arriving from, don’t need proof of rabies vaccination to enter the United States. Things are more complicated for dogs.

After October 14, 2021, dogs coming from counties considered high-risk for importing rabies must have CDC Dog Import Permits and can only enter the country at approved ports of entry.

Luckily, Canada isn’t a high-risk country on the CDC website. So, dogs traveling from Canada to the United States don’t need to present a rabies vaccination certificate or other paperwork. Still, the CDC recommends all dogs receive a rabies vaccination.

Also keep in mind that some states require vaccination of cats and dogs for rabies. So it is a good idea to check with state and local health authorities at your final destination.

 

Health Certificate When Entering the United States

Like in Canada, if your pet is healthy he won’t need a health certificate to come into the U.S. However, if there could be any question about your pet’s health, we recommend getting a health certificate from a veterinarian that states his condition is not contagious.

READ MORE ⇒  What You Should Know About Emergency Vets Before You Need One

Taking Pet Food And Treats Into The United States

When driving from Canada to the United States, you can bring up to 50 pounds of pet food purchased in Canada. The food must meet the following requirements:

• Does not contain lamb, sheep, or goat meat
• Shelf-stable (not needing refrigeration) and sealed (never opened) containers of pet food must in commercial packaging
• Labels on the packaging must clearly list the ingredients and country of origin
• Manufactured in Canada or the United States only

Pet foods containing sun-dried, freeze-dried, or raw products cannot be imported for personal use.

 

In Real Life

The requirements are pretty straight forward. But if you’re still losing sleep, here’s what it’s really like to cross the border with your pets.

We hope this summary makes it easier for your to plan your pet friendly trip Canada! For more ideas on places to visit, be sure to check our pet friendly destination guides.

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The African wilderness is home to some of the world’s most majestic and endangered animals. Still, the sad reality is that many of these animals face a dire threat from poaching and illegal wildlife trade. One area that has been particularly hard hit is Uganda, home to a wide variety of wildlife, including gorillas, elephants, and lions.

Unfortunately, Uganda has become a hub of illegal activity, with poachers targeting animals for their meat and body parts, which are believed to have medicinal properties. According to a recent report, Uganda has seen a surge in animals being slaughtered for their body parts used to make traditional medicine.

The problem is particularly severe for Uganda’s gorillas, which are critically endangered. The gorillas are being killed at an alarming rate, and their hands and heads are particularly sought after. Some even believe eating gorilla meat can cure diseases like HIV/AIDS.

The illegal wildlife trade is devastating for the animals themselves. It profoundly impacts the local communities that depend on wildlife for their livelihood. Many local people rely on eco-tourism to make a living, and the poaching of animals is driving tourists away. This is leaving the communities in a state of poverty and despair. At the same time, the poachers continue to profit from the illegal trade.

It’s important to note that the problem of poaching and illegal wildlife trade is not limited to just gorillas; it affects many other animals as well. Murchison Falls National Park, located in the northern part of Uganda, is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including elephants, lions, and antelopes. Unfortunately, the park has been hit hard by poaching, with elephants being targeted for their ivory and other animals being hunted for their meat.

The poaching has had a devastating impact on the park’s wildlife population, with numbers of elephants and other animals declining sharply. In recent years, the park has seen a significant increase in the number of poached elephants, with some estimates putting the number at around 80 elephants per year. The situation is alarming and urgent action is needed to protect the wildlife and conserve the ecosystem of Murchison Falls National Park.

The Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) has implemented several initiatives to combat the poaching and wildlife trade. One of the main initiatives is using specially trained park rangers, which protect the animals and catch poachers. The UWA has also set up several community-based conservation programs, which aim to provide local people with an alternative source of income to discourage them from participating in the illegal trade.

In addition to the loss of wildlife, poaching also severely impacts the environment and ecosystems. When animals are hunted to extinction, their loss can disrupt the entire food chain and cause a domino effect on the survival of other species.
It’s important to support initiatives like the one led by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and raise awareness about the dangers of traditional medicine made from wild animals. Together, we can help to preserve these magnificent creatures for future generations to enjoy.

In conclusion, Uganda is home to a wide variety of wildlife. Still, the country faces severe threats from poaching and illegal wildlife trade. Poachers target animals for their meat and body parts, which are believed to have medicinal properties, with gorillas being killed at an alarming rate. The illegal trade not only affects the animals but also severely impacts the environment, ecosystems, and local communities that rely on eco-tourism for their livelihoods.

However, with initiatives led by the Uganda Wildlife Authority and community-based conservation programs, the country is trying to combat the poaching and wildlife trade. It’s important to support these efforts and raise awareness about the dangers of traditional medicine made from wild animals.

This article by Nicholas Vincent was first published by OneGreenPlanet on 18 January 2023.

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As 2023 began, I started to reflect on the year that had passed. Each day at Londolozi had followed a natural rhythm. Waking up to the dawn chorus of francolins and scrub-robins, and going to sleep to the haunting call of a hyena or distant lion roar. Few understand these rhythms better than Londolozi’s elders Freddy Ngobene, Jerry Hambana, Rose Ubisi and Judas Ngomane. They are members of the Shangaan tribe, who have lived in harmony with this land since the late 1800s, and developed a great affinity towards it. So much so that their entire calendar year was based around its natural rhythms.

January – Sunguti

“The beginning”

Jerry Hambana describes this as his favourite month. A time when grazing for cattle was plentiful and the marula trees began to bear fruits. These fruits can be used to make jams and beer and, needless to say, for Jerry and most Shangaan people, this is a month of laughter and festivity.

February – N’yenyana

“When the birds begin to breed”

During the month of N’yenyana, most of the migrant birds have returned, and begin to breed. One particular bird species which marks this phenomenon for the elders is the Red-billed Quelea. These highly gregarious birds fly over in their thousands, creating a rolling wave of birds across the landscape. Once they reach their nesting site, the male sings while fluttering his wings in proud demonstration while completing the nest. “The noise wakes us sometimes”, says Rosy.

March – N’yenankulu

“When the chicks grow bigger”

The Quealeas lay their first egg as soon as the nest is able to hold it, and the male continues to build it thereafter. Once hatched after about 10 days, the tiny Quelea chicks start to open their eyes and grow their first feathers. At 20 days old, they begin to fly and are independent. The independence of these chicks marks the month of Nyenankulu.

April and May – Dzivamusoko and Mudyaxihi

“A time of plenty”

Shangaan people have survived for years by practising sustainable horticulture. Freddy describes this as a time for harvest, when the plants grow and when families are able to eat peanuts, pumpkins, green beans, wild raisins and mielie meal (ground corn) all together at this time.

June – Khotavuxika

“The beginning of winter”

Temperatures in the Lowveld typically drop to about 4°C (approximately 40° F) during our winter and the days become shorter. This marks the start of Khotavuxika. Fortunate, one of our staff chefs, describes this as, “a time when we all wear warm clothes, and sit around the fire when we are telling stories.” Storytelling around a fire is an imperative part of the Shangaan culture. Everyone must attend, and it is how elders pass on life lessons to the younger children.

July and August – Mawuwani and Mhawuri

“The windy time”

During these two months, the leaves on most deciduous trees, which have turned yellow and brown, are blown off due to the stronger winds experienced. This is necessary for the trees to begin producing new leaves when spring arrives, a time of new life. For the Shangaan people, when Mawuwana begins, it signifies the time to begin planting new seeds and getting the crops ready for the next season.

September – Ndhzati

“Starting to prepare”

Ndhzati marks a month of preparation for the upcoming farming season. To prevent animals from eating the crops, fences made from thorn branches are constructed around them.

October – Nhlangula

“The time of the Guarri fruit”

‘Nhlanguleni’ is the Shangaan name for the Magic Guarri bush. This tree has several significant cultural uses. The fruits, which ripen during this month, are sweet and relished by people and animals alike. The twigs, once cleaned and chewed, can be used as a toothbrush substitute together with toothpaste made from the ash of a leadwood tree. The Latin name Euclea divinorum is derived from the supposed ability of this tree to help people divine for water. Judas Ngomane is said to be one of the few people able to find underground water using this bush.

November and December – Hukuri and New’ndza mhala

“The month of the impala”

One of the best things about the summertime at Londolozi is the birth of the impala lambs. Starting from mid-November, impala ewes begin to drop their lambs. Within about three weeks, the majority of the lambs have been born. Towards mid-December, most of the wildebeest also drop their calves and the open crests are filled with young impalas, wildebeest and zebras. To the Shangaan people, this marks the end of the year.

I was fascinated by just how closely the Shangaan people lived to nature and how truly dependent on it they were, and still are. Judas summed it up, while Jerry translated;

“We survived together with the natural world, and we knew that if we did not take care of it, there would be nothing for us and our children the next year”.

Therein lies a powerful message for modern society, from the words of an ancient culture.

Whilst birding the Al Jouf area of northwest Saudi Arabia we came across some pale looking Desert Lark Alauda deserti near Sakaka, resembling A. d. isabellinus. Geographical variation in Desert Lark is complex, and numerous races have been named mainly on the basis of plumage coloration. The colour of the birds appears to be directly related to the colour of the local soil and rocks with birds from sandy habitats are mostly buff-coloured, those of stony or rocky ground various shades of grey, rufous, or brown with blackish races living in black lava deserts. Confusingly, pale and dark birds occasionally live side by side in some areas and bleaching and abrasion have marked effect on colouration and produce further complications often making sub-specific identification difficult. A. d. isabellinus occurs from northern Egypt, east to south and east Israel, southern Jordan, north-west Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq and is small and pale, generally light sandy to pale buff-brown with greyish or pale olive-grey tinge above, buff or creamy buff below, tail rufous with triangular black area at tip. Birds presumably of this subspecies occur throughout northern Saudi Arabia gradually becoming plaler towards the east becoming pale cream similar to A. d. azizi, which is the subspecies that occurs ear to me in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia around the Hufuf and Shedgum areas and is the palest race with pale creamy plumage. It is clear there is some difference between colouration, bill size and tail colour of many of the birds in Saudi Arabia but how much of this is clinal is unknown.

Known exclusively for their spotted coats and depictions with firetrucks, Dalmatians are the kind of dog who gets you noticed quickly. Aside from the show-stopping black and white coat, Dalmatians have big personalities. They are intelligent, affectionate, active and protective.

Dalmatians as family dogs

Sara Krieger has owned Dalmatians for 11 years and has bred two litters. The dogs are a large part of her family, and they appreciate the vast space they have to run around the family farm.

“Dalmatians are great family dogs and are great with children,” says Sara, although adult supervision is always recommended.

As with any breed of dog, a tired Dalmatian is a happy Dalmatian — and that means a happy family. Plenty of mental and physical stimulation is key for these dogs, who are known to be very smart.

Dalmatians thrive with active families who understand their intelligence and include them in their daily activities, whether that is hiking, running, biking or traveling.

Are Dalmatians aggressive?

One thing Dalmatian fans might not know is that the Dalmatian can become protective of their home and their families. “Especially of their kids,” says Sara.

Working with your Dalmatian on manners and socialization at an early age will help Dalmatians learn when it’s acceptable to show protective tendencies. It’s never too late to enroll your dog in manners classes and socialization; older Dalmatians will benefit from this training, too. 

Dalmatians are highly trainable and need access to regular exercise. A well-exercised Dalmatian (both mentally and physically) will be a great house companion and easy to live with.

“They will nap on your couch and be ready to go when you are,” says Sara.

And lastly, choose a Dalmatian breeder who does all necessary health testing, such as BAER (Brainstem Evoked Potential), a hearing assessment that’s used to evaluate the hearing in dogs on the parents and puppies. Have more questions about the Dalmatian temperament and what it is like to live with one? Go to the Dalmatian Owners of America Facebook page to have all your Dalmatian questions answered by actual Dalmatian owners.

Known exclusively for their spotted coats and depictions with firetrucks, Dalmatians are the kind of dog who gets you noticed quickly. Aside from the show-stopping black and white coat, Dalmatians have big personalities. They are intelligent, affectionate, active and protective.

Dalmatians as family dogs

Sara Krieger has owned Dalmatians for 11 years and has bred two litters. The dogs are a large part of her family, and they appreciate the vast space they have to run around the family farm.

“Dalmatians are great family dogs and are great with children,” says Sara, although adult supervision is always recommended.

As with any breed of dog, a tired Dalmatian is a happy Dalmatian — and that means a happy family. Plenty of mental and physical stimulation is key for these dogs, who are known to be very smart.

Dalmatians thrive with active families who understand their intelligence and include them in their daily activities, whether that is hiking, running, biking or traveling.

Are Dalmatians aggressive?

One thing Dalmatian fans might not know is that the Dalmatian can become protective of their home and their families. “Especially of their kids,” says Sara.

Working with your Dalmatian on manners and socialization at an early age will help Dalmatians learn when it’s acceptable to show protective tendencies. It’s never too late to enroll your dog in manners classes and socialization; older Dalmatians will benefit from this training, too. 

Dalmatians are highly trainable and need access to regular exercise. A well-exercised Dalmatian (both mentally and physically) will be a great house companion and easy to live with.

“They will nap on your couch and be ready to go when you are,” says Sara.

And lastly, choose a Dalmatian breeder who does all necessary health testing, such as BAER (Brainstem Evoked Potential), a hearing assessment that’s used to evaluate the hearing in dogs on the parents and puppies. Have more questions about the Dalmatian temperament and what it is like to live with one? Go to the Dalmatian Owners of America Facebook page to have all your Dalmatian questions answered by actual Dalmatian owners.

A family in Malaysia received a nasty surprise when a 10-foot reticulated python crashed through the ceiling of their home while they were watching TV.

The incident took place at Kampung Pasir Lutong in the Miri Division of Sarawak, Malaysia. The Miri District Operations Control Center was called to the scene by the mother of the family at 11:09 p.m. local time.

Half an hour later, four members of the defense force arrived at the house and were directed to the intruder, which was hiding under a box in the kitchen, APM Miri Officer Mirwan Shah Bin Masri told Newsweek.

Using special equipment, the team was able to remove the 17-pound snake and release it back into its natural habitat. It took nearly half an hour to capture the python.

Reticulated pythons are one of the longest species of snake in the world. They regularly reach over 20 feet in length, although the largest on record measured over 32 feet. The species are native to Southeast Asia and have maintained fairly stable populations across their native habitat, despite widespread hunting for their skins.

“Pythons are usually found in the forest and look for prey,” Masri said. “Pythons can live near rivers and can be found in areas with rivers and lakes nearby.”

The animals are highly adaptable, and while they prefer the forest habitat, they have even been found in sewers in Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysian Borneo. “They spend most of their time on or under the ground in burrows,” Masri said. “When resting, startled or defensive, these pythons curl tightly into a ball, concealing their vulnerable head among the coils.”

As with all constrictor snakes, the reticulated python is non-venomous and kills its prey by suffocation. Their prey typically includes birds and small mammals, although they have been known to eat larger animals such as deer and pigs when they get the chance.

Attacks on humans are rare but not unheard of. There are numerous reports of people being eaten by these snakes, including a woman in Indonesia, whose body was found inside a 23-foot python.

Should you encounter a snake in your home, the best advice is to stay calm and call your local wildlife rescue center. Avoid handling the snake yourself as this could provoke the beast into launching a defensive attack.

This article by Pandora Dewan was first published by Newsweek on 9 January 2023. Lead Image: Photo of the APM officers after catching the 10-foot-long reticulated python. APM MIRI/FACEBOOK.

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Zoo workers have been forced to rescue a mangled lawn mower after it fell foul of a grumpy crocodile.

Elvis the croc, who resides at Australian Reptile Park, New South Wales, Australia, took issue with the noisy grass trimmer as it shortened the green in his enclosure.

Waking up and choosing violence, he entered into a tug of war with operations manager Tim Faulkner, who had not yet realised that the mower no longer belonged to him.

After a short tussle and a threatening head shake, Tim came to his senses and, with a shout of “let it go let it go” from an onlooker, remembered that he was in a fight with a reptilian apex predator and released his grasp.

Elvis, victorious and the proud owner of a new four-wheeled, petrol-powered mower then dunked it into the water of his enclosure.

While initially unclear whether the croc, who’s thought to be over 50, knew how to use the garden tool he then gripped its wheel while the deadly blade still span right in front of his nose.

While he managed to avoid having his nose cut off, the thieving croc did pay a price for his actions, AZ Animals reported.

Footage shows Faulkner picking up two enormous teeth from the ground, casualties of the melee.

In a terrifying reminder that Tim made the right decision by letting go, he holds one of the teeth up to his arm to show the true scale of the beast.

”Once he got it, he just sat there and guarded it,” he said.

”It was his prize, his trophy. If it moved, then he would attack it again.”

It took a team of zookeepers to distract Elvis with kangaroo meat while Tim swam down into the water to retrieve the mangled mower and the two three-inch teeth.

Elvis, who was wild and thought to be one of the biggest crocs in the state, was captured after he began harassing fishing boats in Darwin Harbour.

“He is so full of testosterone that he views everything as a threat,” Faulkner said. “Even potential mates.

“When they are the dominant croc, they’re just full of testosterone”.

“He’s got his beautiful own yard, he wants to be a solitary creature. He’s happy.”

“I can’t lie, the bosses are not going to be happy about the cost of a new lawn mower,”

“[But] we love it. No one’s injured … and when you get scared and it all turns out to be good, it’s actually quite enjoyable.”

This article by Harry Thompson was first published by The Daily Star on 8 January 2023. Lead Image: Elvis is a territorial croc, his keepers say (file) (Image: AFP/Getty Images).

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It doesn’t get much better than following a hunch and after an 11-day-long search, finally finding a lion’s den. After the arrival of the Ndzhenga Males, the majority of the …

Whilst birding the Hanidh area on 20 January Phil Roberts noticed a Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus sitting in a tree on the edge of a large pivot irrigation field. This is an exceptionally early time for the species to occur but, we had another on 19 January 2018 in Jubail, and there have been a handful of records in the UAE in January. Oriental Cuckoo is a possibility as a vagrant but has not been recorded in the Kingdom yet. The photos I took do not show too many features of this species, although they are very difficult to identify unless calling, which this bird was not. Common Cuckoo is an uncommon passage migrant in Saudi Arabia occurring throughout the Kingdom. Spring migration is mainly in April and May and autumn migration from mid-August to October.

Teaching your dog to stay is one of the most important skills your dog can learn. Stay is not only a basic manners cue, but it makes living with a dog easier by successfully communicating not to dart out a door. Stay is also a foundation skill if you ever want to explore any kind of dog sports or activities. 

Supplies needed for teaching your dog to stay: 

• Quiet area to train 
• Small pieces of treats your dog is excited about 
• Patience

Steps to teach a dog to stay

For many dogs, the easiest way to teach Stay on cue is either by teaching a Sit-Stay or Down-Stay. Eventually, you’ll use these same steps to teach a stand-stay, but that is generally more challenging for dogs to learn. Before training your dog to Stay make sure your dog has a solid understanding of a Sit cue, and/or a Down cue.

Step 1: Start inside your house or another very quiet area without a lot of distractions. Cue your dog to Sit or Down. Praise and reward your dog for sitting, release your dog with a Release cue or toss a treat to get your dog to change positions. 

Step 2: Cue your dog to sit down again and this time wait a few seconds before treating and releasing your dog with lots of praise and treats. Repeat, waiting a few seconds before treating and releasing. This is where patience is especially important. The goal here isn’t to see how long your dog will hold the position, rather it’s about slowly building up duration, so starting with just a couple of seconds is plenty.

Step 3: After a few repetitions, slowly, just incrementally a few seconds at a time, increase the amount of time you are asking your dog to hold his Sit or Down position before praising and releasing. If your dog gets up, that’s OK! Just ask him to Sit/Down again, wait a couple of seconds, and then praise and treat. 

Step 4: When your dog is consistently holding a Sit/Down for a short length of time, between 10 to 20 seconds, introduce the verbal cue of your choice for Stay, such as “Wait” or “Stay” by asking your dog to Sit/Down, give the verbal cue and then wait a few seconds before treating/releasing. 

Step 5: Slowly increase the amount of time you ask your dog to hold his Stay. Just remember to slightly increase the length of time you ask your dog to hold each time, making sure to praise and reward your dog for a job well done. 

Step 6: In addition to increasing the length of time you ask your dog to hold a Sit or Down Stay, start to slowly increase the distraction level around your dog. Slowly move around your dog while he is in the Stay position, then build up to higher levels of distraction like throwing toys and then venturing outside to areas with more sights and sounds. Build distraction levels slowly until your dog can hold a Stay near high level distractions, such as being around other dogs.  

Breaking the Stay cue: 

If at any time your dog breaks his Stay, don’t scold or punish him; instead, just calmly ask your dog to Sit/Down again, but this time ask for a slightly shorter amount of Stay time — keep your dog successful. When a dog breaks his Stay, he’s communicating that he isn’t yet ready to handle that level of distraction or that length of a Stay, which is important information for us to have as dog owners/trainers. As a general rule: End your training session on a positive note, where your dog is successfully completing the exercise.

Teaching your dog to stay is one of the most important skills your dog can learn. Stay is not only a basic manners cue, but it makes living with a dog easier by successfully communicating not to dart out a door. Stay is also a foundation skill if you ever want to explore any kind of dog sports or activities. 

Supplies needed for teaching your dog to stay: 

• Quiet area to train 
• Small pieces of treats your dog is excited about 
• Patience

Steps to teach a dog to stay

For many dogs, the easiest way to teach Stay on cue is either by teaching a Sit-Stay or Down-Stay. Eventually, you’ll use these same steps to teach a stand-stay, but that is generally more challenging for dogs to learn. Before training your dog to Stay make sure your dog has a solid understanding of a Sit cue, and/or a Down cue.

Step 1: Start inside your house or another very quiet area without a lot of distractions. Cue your dog to Sit or Down. Praise and reward your dog for sitting, release your dog with a Release cue or toss a treat to get your dog to change positions. 

Step 2: Cue your dog to sit down again and this time wait a few seconds before treating and releasing your dog with lots of praise and treats. Repeat, waiting a few seconds before treating and releasing. This is where patience is especially important. The goal here isn’t to see how long your dog will hold the position, rather it’s about slowly building up duration, so starting with just a couple of seconds is plenty.

Step 3: After a few repetitions, slowly, just incrementally a few seconds at a time, increase the amount of time you are asking your dog to hold his Sit or Down position before praising and releasing. If your dog gets up, that’s OK! Just ask him to Sit/Down again, wait a couple of seconds, and then praise and treat. 

Step 4: When your dog is consistently holding a Sit/Down for a short length of time, between 10 to 20 seconds, introduce the verbal cue of your choice for Stay, such as “Wait” or “Stay” by asking your dog to Sit/Down, give the verbal cue and then wait a few seconds before treating/releasing. 

Step 5: Slowly increase the amount of time you ask your dog to hold his Stay. Just remember to slightly increase the length of time you ask your dog to hold each time, making sure to praise and reward your dog for a job well done. 

Step 6: In addition to increasing the length of time you ask your dog to hold a Sit or Down Stay, start to slowly increase the distraction level around your dog. Slowly move around your dog while he is in the Stay position, then build up to higher levels of distraction like throwing toys and then venturing outside to areas with more sights and sounds. Build distraction levels slowly until your dog can hold a Stay near high level distractions, such as being around other dogs.  

Breaking the Stay cue: 

If at any time your dog breaks his Stay, don’t scold or punish him; instead, just calmly ask your dog to Sit/Down again, but this time ask for a slightly shorter amount of Stay time — keep your dog successful. When a dog breaks his Stay, he’s communicating that he isn’t yet ready to handle that level of distraction or that length of a Stay, which is important information for us to have as dog owners/trainers. As a general rule: End your training session on a positive note, where your dog is successfully completing the exercise.

Swearing-in ceremonies are a big deal for new police K9s. At least, they should be. All the humans who attend these events think it’s a serious occasion, but for the dog that’s being recognized, it’s just a normal day off work.

For K9 Ghost at the Glynn County Police Department in Georgia, his swearing-in ceremony was all fun and games for him. Instead of closely listening to everything he agreed to, he just wanted to play! A viral video of the ceremony stole the hearts of humans all over the world.

K9 Enjoys Ceremony a Little Too Much!

A Belgian Malinois named K9 Ghost recently completed his police dog training. He spent months learning skills at Highland Canine Training, LLC in North Carolina before training with his human partner, Officer Garza. The human and dog duo learned to work together as a team.

Now, K9 Ghost is an official member of the Glynn County Police Department. To honor his training completion, the department held a swearing-in ceremony for him. However, Ghost didn’t take it as seriously as he should have.

In a video of the ceremony, Chief of Police Battiste kneeled down next to the dog and recited the pledge. He asked the dog to repeat after him, but of course, Ghost couldn’t do that. Instead, he sniffed the paperwork to investigate, and then he entered play mode. As Battiste continued to read the paper, Ghost tried to play with him by jumping up on him, nibbling on his fingers, and requesting belly rubs.

RELATED: German Shepherd Gets Bored of Police Dog Training, Makes Everyone Laugh Instead!

At the end of the ceremony, Battiste asked Ghost to bark if he understood the oath, but Ghost kept playing instead. So, a dog in the audience barked on Ghost’s behalf. Even though Ghost was distracted the whole ceremony, the officers laughed at his antics. After all, it’s hard not to find the adorable pup amusing.

Viewers Had a Lot to Say

Ghost wasn’t in “work mode” during the ceremony, so that’s why the officers happily let him play. However, the video gained a lot of mixed reviews, with some people concerned that he was stressed or not trained enough. But Ghost went through all the necessary training, so he deserves a chance to relax and be silly. His actions during the ceremony aren’t how he’ll behave on the job.

Luckily, most people found the video amusing and endearing. It’s heartwarming to see that even the toughest and most intelligent dogs have regular puppy energy too.

Congratulations, Ghost! Thank you for your service, and for entertaining thousands of humans on the internet!

Watch the Ceremony Here:

Featured Image: Facebook

Damon, a dashing Pittie mix, came in to care at Cincinnati Animal CARE as a lost dog. But despite their best efforts to find his family, nobody came to claim him. So naturally, he was put up for adoption.

Damon spent many many months waiting for the perfect forever family to come along, but it just hadn’t happened for him yet.

But since Cincinnati Animal CARE is a shelter that’s often at critical capacity, dogs are sometimes rotated into the employees’ offices. This allows space for them to take in more dogs.

“He was living in the behavior office, but they needed their space to work with more dogs in need, and he had really bonded with Sydney, our foster specialist. So he was living there for a bit,” said Ray Anderson, a staff member at Cincinnati Animal CARE.

So when Sydney needed to step out of the office to attend a meeting, Damon was left to his own devices. The mischievous pooch did an extra thorough job of investigating his environment. When he realized that he had easy access to tons of toys, he simply couldn’t resist. The toy lover had hit the jackpot. One toy turned into another, and then another, and then another. 

He was left alone for less than an hour (45 minutes to be exact). And in that time, Damon managed to play with every single toy that was stashed in the office. Some toys were chomped-up and chewed, while quite a few were shredded to pieces. 

“I believe the official number of toys destroyed was all of them. The foster office is loaded with goodies to go home with our foster fams, so he found a cornucopia of fun,” said Ray.

When Sydney returned to her office, it looked like the aftermath of an epic puppy party. There were toys spread all over the room, and tons of toy stuffing littering the floor. But Damon wasn’t met with anger or outrage. The staff found it incredibly amusing, and understood that he’s a dog, who was just doing what toy-loving dogs do.

“He was having the time of his life — how could you be mad at that face,” Sydney said.

Shortly after, Sydney posted a photo of the party’s aftermath to their Facebook page. The scene had made their entire staff laugh, so surely it would bring joy to others too. People across the internet were highly amused by the situation, and the story went viral. In fact, the story was shared so much that Damon’s original family saw the post and was able to come and claim him! 

What a happy ending for such a fun-loving pup!

Featured Image: Facebook

When Hill Country Humane Society in Buchanan Dam, Texas, took in an injured dog, they decided to name him Messiah. Why? Because it was an absolute miracle that he had even survived. The two-year-old Great Pyrenees mix had been shot, not once, but eight times, in multiple places all over his body, including his face.  

Now, they’re hoping they can find out who committed this awful act of animal cruelty.

Animal control officers responded immediately when they received the call reporting that a dog had been shot and was hiding under a building nearby. 

“We named the dog Messiah. We are located in a rural area of central Texas where many people raise livestock, so livestock guardian-type breeds are extremely abundant. Unfortunately, a lot of them do not get spayed or neutered, and like Messiah, they are driven by natural instincts and roam to find a mate,” said a spokesperson from the Hill Country Humane Society.

Once he was handed off to Hill Country Humane Society, they immediately went to work trying to find a veterinarian who would be able to work on him. Then, they wasted no time rushing him to receive emergency care. 

The poor pup was found in really rough shape. His body was bloody, and it was obvious that he was in a lot of  pain. He was anemic, most likely from all the blood loss, and his stomach was full of gas and needed to be drained.

Once he was thoroughly examined, it was confirmed that he had up to eight whole bullets or fragments embedded in layers of his skin. One was close to his nose, there was another in his neck, one in his upper back, and one bullet went all the way through his back leg. The wound near his nose remains the most concerning, as the fragment is lodged extremely close to his nasal cavity. 

It’s an absolute miracle that he not only survived the wounds and blood loss, but that every single shot missed his major arteries. While he has a long journey ahead to full recovery, Messiah has now been matched with an incredible foster family, who can give him all the love and care that this sweet baby deserves. Even after all that he has endured, he’s still the sweetest boy.

Help Asheville Bears (HAB) is offering a $5,000 reward for any information regarding this horrific act of animal cruelty. If you know of the person(s) responsible for this awful abuse, please call the anonymous tip line at 1-855-SOS-BEAR at any hour of the day or night.

Featured Image: Facebook