Indoor Swimming for Dogs!

I've heard of the Canine Fitness Center in Crownsville, but never got around to checking it out. Yesterday, the center was featured in The Washbiz Blog, a Washington Post blog by Dan Beyer (who also writes a local blog called Columbia Talk).

The story was written by business columnist Tom Heath. Tom has a 10-year-old golden, Babe, who is "a bit arthritic." To keep him active, Tom and his wife drive from their home in Chevy Chase every weekend to take Babe to the indoor heated dog pool at the Canine Fitness Center in Crownsville, an hour away. "We pay around $29 for a half-hour's swim," he says. "It's worth every penny. He builds muscle in his arthritic legs and exercises his heart and lungs."

I know Riley would absolutely love it. Cody? Not so much . . .

News Video on Sweet Pea and "Vick Dogs"

Sweet Pea's foster mom, Stacy, sent us a link for a news video on Sweet Pea and the other Vick--now known as "Vicktory"--Dogs.

There is also an excellent story, "Can the Vick Dogs be Saved?" on Dogtime, as mentioned by Karen in a comment added to the earlier post on Sweet Pea.

Be Kind to Animals Week: May 4-10

Of course, every week is Be Kind to Animals Week, but it doesn't hurt to remind us that bad things still happen to good animals. Fortunately, there are many people who work hard to raise awareness and help heal animals such as Sweet Pea, who I wrote about yesterday. Today, I finally got moving and made the donation I'd been thinking about to one of the rescue organizations.

The American Humane Association created Be Kind to Animals Week in 1915 to celebrate the "unique bond between humans and animals." The group also advocates for children.

Meeting Sweet Pea

Yesterday, our dog walk group had a terrific walk on the No. 9 Trolley Trail from Ellicott City to the Benjamin Banneker park in Oella. The weather was gorgeous and a great group of people and dogs showed up.

All of the dogs were memorable, but there was one little gal, Sweet Pea, that I found I kept thinking about later. Sweet Pea is a pit bull terrier who once belonged to Michael Vick, and is now in a loving foster care home. She was certainly deserving of her name and seemed to really enjoy the company of everyone. She continued with some of us on a stroll through Ellicott City’s Main Street and into some of the dog-friendly shops. As I watched her gingerly picking her way through a narrow aisle of glass ornaments with the other dogs, I couldn’t help but think of the contrast with the life she had a year ago, and the fate she might have met had she not been rescued. How wonderful that she now has an opportunity to enjoy the caring environment that every dog deserves.

Sweet Pea’s foster mom, Stacy, says that The Washington Post will be featuring her story at some point, so we’ll keep an eye out for it. In the meantime, here is an article I found on the “Best Friends Network” about Sweet Pea and some of the other rescued Vick dogs. At least one--I was interested to learn--has even become a therapy dog, making weekly trips to an area hospital.

June 8 Dog Events

If June 8 rolls around and your dog complains that he has nothing to do, it's not for the lack of special events in this area.

So far, I know of 2 doggie events planned for Sunday, June 8:

Howard County Pet Expo. Runs from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm at Schooley Mill Park in Highland. All proceeds support animal rescue and there will be lots of adoptees on site. Plus raffles, demos, food, music and more. (410) 992-8410

A Dog's Day in Ellicott City. Starts at 2:00 pm and is sponsored by the Yuppy Puppy Pet Boutique on Ellicott City's Main Street. This sounds full of fun stuff--a pet parade, pet-owner dress alike contest, best dressed pet contest, side walk sale, prizes and more. You must arrive early to register for the contests. 410-750-WOOF (9663).

If you're really organized, you might even be able to make both!

University of Maryland Pets & BP Study

Richard volunteered to be a subject for a study conducted by nurse researchers at the University of Maryland. The study is looking at people's blood pressure during normal activities when their pet is and is not with them.

Basically, he is wearing a portable BP monitor today for 24 hours and completing an "activity diary". He will do this again in one month and 3 months.

I think they may still need subjects if anyone is interested. You must be 50 or older and not taking any blood thinners. (Richard was recruited at the Dog Day Afternoon event. He had that "over 50" look.) Each time you return the monitor, you'll get a $50 gift card (which Richard says he will probably decline since he doesn't think he's a "good subject" because he doesn't have high BP. I think I will tell him otherwise. I like gift cards.) For more info, call Sue Hall at 410-206-8161.

Animal Advocates Yard Sale - May 17

Clean out your cupboards, drawers, closets and basements! Animal Advocates needs donations of gently used household items, knick-knacks, decorative items, kitchen ware, wall art, linens, books, kid’s stuff (like intact toys and complete games or puzzles), tools, furniture, jewelry, accessories.

Yard Sale
May 17 (rain date is May 18)
9am to 2 pm
Parking Lot of the Applications & Research Lab
10920 Route 108
Ellicott City, MD 21042

Call AA for donation drop-off locations in Ellicott City, Columbia, Clarksville, and Western Howard County. Or, you can price your own items and bring them early (between 7am-8am) the day of the sale.

AA also needs volunteers the day of the sale, help with pricing prior to the sale, and large SUVs or pick-up trucks to transport items the day of the sale.

Your donations are tax-deductible. All proceeds from the Yard Sale save the lives of local animals, reduce pet overpopulation, and prevent animal suffering.

Contact 410.880.2488 ext #3 or aadvocates@hotmail.com