Therapy Dogs, Wayward Hounds and Pool Parties
All Rise! Homeless Mutt Becomes Courtroom Therapy Dog
Olive, photo by Julie Smith
A fluffy gray and white pup named Olive was recently named the 2020 Therapy Hero Dog of the Year by the World Pet Association. A formerly homeless street dog, Olive was originally rescued by Brandon McMillan, animal trainer and host of CBS’s Lucky Dog, who in turn introduced her to Lisa, a child advocate volunteer for abused and neglected children in Missouri. Now a certified therapy dog, Olive provides love and comfort for children who must face the unimaginable stress of appearing or testifying in court against abusive or neglectful adults, many times their own parents. Olive has served over 300 children since 2016 and continues her work today, ensuring that no child has to walk into that daunting courtroom alone.
Source: americanhumane.org
Pup Turns Up! Lucy’s Home After 9-Year Mystery Jaunt
Missing for nearly nine years, a toy fox terrier named Lucy was recently reunited with her human, Alexis Regula. Lucy had disappeared from Regula’s yard in 2011 while she was living in Tennessee and frantic searches failed to find her. Regula, who has since moved to Pennsylvania, had given up hope of ever seeing her again when her mother received a call from a Tennessee animal control officer saying they’d found and identified Lucy through her microchip. The volunteer group Pilots N Paws flew Lucy, now 11, to Pennsylvania for the reunion. Lucy’s been mum on her whereabouts during her prolonged absence, but Regula says, “Her tail has been wagging a mile a minute, just like I remember.”
Source: yorkdispatch.com
Splash ‘n Wag Pool Party Closes Out the Dog Days
An Ohio town found a way to stretch out summer by hosting a canine pool party before draining the municipal pool for the season. About two dozen dogs took part in the socially distanced dog swim, with a suggested $2 donation going to support a local rescue group and the area’s K-9 unit. Watch a video of the splash fest at the below link, narrated by the aptly named reporter Hannah Drown.
Source: cleveland.com
Wild Thing! Are New Guinea’s Singing Dogs Back?
New Guinean singing dogs, thought to have gone extinct in the wild decades ago, may be back. Close cousins of the dingo, the dog with the haunting wail hasn’t been seen outside a zoo since the 1970s. But a new study suggests wild dogs discovered living near a mine in the New Guinea highlands could be the same animals.
About the size of a border collie, these tan short-haired dogs are believed to have shown up on New Guinea about 3500 years ago, possibly brought by boat. Researchers hope the wild pack, if confirmed, could help preserve the population by reintroducing genetic diversity that’s been lost over years of captivity.
Source: sciencemag.org
Department of Silver Linings: Pandemic Pooches Boost Dog Economy
While COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc on human jobs and wallets, it’s a different story for the canine-based economy. Pandemic quarantines have boosted dog-related spending including vet visits, leashes, and a booming market for doggie diapers, with the makers of PeeKeeper reporting they’ve been busier than ever.
The nonprofit side is also experiencing an uptick in adoptions and fostering, including hard-to-place older and special needs animals. As a result, shelter euthanasia is now down 43%, according to Shelter Animals Count.
Source: usatoday.com