There is just something about this breed. Could it be an intuitive understanding which no other breed seems to posses? Is it the way they look at you and seem almost to know what you are thinking?  Could it be their zeal for life and fun: always ready to be at your side, they desire to be with you wherever you go. I believe the general appearance description  of the breed standard captures them fully in this statement: ….” displaying a kindly expression and possessing a personality that is eager, alert and self-confident.”  What could be more in keeping with the nature of this breed than the  dog with a twinkle in his eye who will approach anyone because he knows no strangers.  The loyal companion who will come bounding towards you, seeking to shorten the distance between himself and his beloved friend.  It is the early morning nuzzle of a cold nose and enthusiastic tail rhythmically beating against the wall. The energy that is not soon to tire whenever there is fun to be had with a favorite tennis ball.  It is the happy hours which pass swimming after the stick and proudly laying it at his master’s feet.  The little boy and his puppy playmate romping through the woods hunting for an adventure.   What a truly amazing breed- loyal, intelligent, exuberant, guileless, and  steadfast to the end. Would that more people actually possessed the traits of a Golden. 

The Chicken Protector

Gates, our boy has been staying on the farm of some friends from church. Occasionally we get some intriguing reports about what our buddy has been up to.  I thought I would share one of his adventures as related to us by our friends.

It starts out with Gates discovering the chicken house, that funny little building where the “feathered things” go in and out. Not a little curiosity tempted our Gates into figuring out how to crawl under the house where he found himself in the inner sanctum of the fowls.  Upon spying an unoccupied  nest,  it suddenly occurred to him this was the place  where the humans  come to collect the  round edible delights full of a gooey yellow delicacy which could be had with a little crunch on the outward shell. “I have found it! I have found the source of all round things!” indeed the only intelligible thought in Gates’ head as the fowl congregation looked upon him with contempt as well as some reproachful clucks  for invading their private abode. In these moments,  Gates quickly developed  his plan for getting to the round things. It was perfect. So simple. Gates would use some insistent persuasion to make the feathered things remove themselves from on top of the round things, giving Gates better access. It did not take too much persuasion to the tune of “BARK!  BARK !  GET OFF THAT NEST!  BARK!  BARK!” to convince them to run for their feathered lives. All Gates could want of  booty was there before his very eyes. Reaching for one of the sparkling gems, Gates took a round thing; his thoughts dwelling upon the succulent pleasure he would soon experience.  He crept out with his prize in his mouth. After the humans found out about the escapades in the chicken house, they made a favorable treaty with Gates. They agreed to supply round things to Gates if he agreed never again to enter into the abode of the feathered things. Gates has not only proven his honor in not attempting to cross the threshold thereof, but has also pledged himself a defender of chickendom by protecting them from  the neighbor’s marauding  labradors, but that is another adventure.

I would like to encourage  every dog owner to consider training for CGC which is awarded by the AKC after a dog has adequately  completed 10 evaluations based on obedience. This is a basic  and not too  difficult  award to achieve with some consistent obedience training.  It is also one which should encourage you to go further with your dog in Obedience.

Because this title is not on the same level as a CD (Companion Dog title), it  does not have the same formality during the test as an actual AKC title. CGC Evaluators are supposed to encourage a relaxed atmosphere which provides for an enjoyable and  educational time for both the trainers and the dogs.

The 10 items mentioned above include: allowing  a friendly stranger to approach the owner while his dog remains in a calm sit, handling the dog on a loose leash, placing the dog in a sit and down- stay and walking away while the dog waits for the owner’s command to come.

Dogs of all ages may earn  this award, and it is a requirement before dogs may be evaluated for therapy companions  as well.  This should provide further incentive for you to make training  a  priority for the new year. Find out more about CGC here 

With the many illnesses affecting the canine world today, it can be reassuring to know there are  viable options and steps which can be taken to help prevent your dog from possibly having to suffer from disease and a decreased life span.

Here is an article I found through the GRCA  which addresses  possible  measures to prevent cancer, joint disease and, dental disease  which can be successfully implemented by dog owners.

Perspectives – Preventive Health Care Through Risk Management by Rhonda Hovan

I began looking into the common policy of  spaying and neutering and its health risks when performed early. There  is definitely an impetus to getting animals into the vet to have this surgical procedure done stemming  from different issues not related to the health of the animal. One  reasonable assumption is  that  sterilization  is a good practice  of animal population control, however, it seems to defeat the purpose since often times  dogs have not yet reached puberty when they are brought to the vet for this procedure.  This is why it is important as a dog owner to ask questions  and do your homework  when evaluating your vet’s policy on spaying and neutering, and to weigh opinions against conclusive evidence and research.

The following  is some of the research I have found:

Sex hormones have a strong correlation to the development of bone density. This would explain studies which  show incidences of orthepedic diseases including hip dysplasia  found  in dogs neutered before 5  1/2 months of age.

A  1999 study by Ware et al found  spayed female dogs had a 5 times greater risk of developing cardiac hemangiosarcoma.  Hemangiosarcoma is a fatal cancer common in large breed dogs. This cancer can develop in the heart or spleen.

According to an 2002 epidemiological study  3,218 dogs  neutered before  1 year of age had a significantly higher risk  of developing osteosarcoma.

Neutering has long been encouraged  by vets as a way to remove any risk of your dog developing prostate cancer.  Not only does research contradict this assumption,  the exact opposite holds true. In two studies which utilized controlled populations of dogs from America and Europe,  neutered dogs  were found to be a at a four times  greater risk of developing prostate cancer than their intact counterparts.

Studies have found increased risks of  mammary cancers in intact female dogs. It must be considered that these findings have more  to do with permanently leaving a dog intact than waiting for them to mature properly before having them  spayed.  The findings have shown the risk for developing mammary cancers is in direct proportion to how many heat cycles the female has before she is spayed.  So the risk is low if a dog is allowed  to have just one heat cycle.

The risks associated with testicular cancers have been found to be so low, that neutering as a prevention would be difficult to justify. The one exception to this would be  undescended testicles which pose a greater risk to developing testicular cancer and must be dealt with through neutering. It is also not necessarily imperative that even these dogs be neutered early.

I hope these are some findings which may inform as well as  aid you in looking further into this important procedure so you and your vet will be able to make the best decisions for  the health and longevity of your dog.

Today in the neighboring town around the beautiful historic square, it was held.  We thought this would be a great time to get Valor and Jackson out for some people time.  Boy did they love it!  Boy did they do great!

The more time I spend with these two guys the more impressed I am with them.  Valor was so cute.  He found a stick to chew on, laid down holding the stick between his paws and thoroughly enjoyed!  I got to do some more work with Jackson especially on commands, and they are so ten minutes easy to train!  He is so beautiful, just like his mom, and just as smart.  Valor just lives to be a friend.

This was a great opportunity for them to be around lots of activity and people of different sizes.  They shined!  They even sat still for babies to pet them, then rewarded the babies with affection.

I am so proud of these boys!  They are waiting for their forever homes.  Please contact 205-610-9224 or katie.hadley@yahoo.com for more information.

Valor

Jackson

While the fall does represent a time when rabies out brakes occur more frequently,
I thought I would share some interesting facts about the canine rabies vaccine.
As we have lived in a few different states, we discovered two different rabies vaccines based on the projected immunity they are supposed to afford your dog. We also learned that states have different laws regulating the administration of the rabies vaccine. In one state, your dog may be given an annual rabies vaccine which requires annual re-vaccination, while in another state he may be given a 3 year rabies vaccination which would entail a need for re-vaccination after 3 years. We also learned these vaccines have little difference.

There is currently research into how long rabies vaccines actually last. It has been found through scientific studies that blood serum tests in dogs vaccinated with a rabies shot revealed the presence of anti-bodies seven years after the first vaccination. The desired end of this research is to challenge the use of unnecessary vaccination. Besides this information, studies have also found considerable evidence of dogs exhibiting sever reactions to the vaccine including seizures, obsessive behavior, muscle atrophy, and autoimmune diseases.

It is also interesting to look back at the reasons behind why the this vaccine became an annual necessity. According to Dr. Ronald D Shultz, professor of Patho-biological sciences of veterinary medicine in Wisconsin, It turns out that the decision to re-vaccinate annually had nothing to do with actual evidence which suggested its effectiveness, but because of assumptions that immunity would not extend beyond a year. This information may be found at http://www.rabieschallengefund.org/education/why-challenge-current-rabies-vaccine-policy. For those of you concerned about over-vaccination or just unnecessary vaccination, it may be possible to have your dog blood tested in order to check for the presence of continued immunity from his last rabies vaccine.

As with anything which concerns your dog’s health, discussing your concerns with your vet is imperative.

After suffering the indignities of a bath and having his hair and nails trimmed, our buddy was required to pose for a couple of pictures : ) He didn’t have to go it alone, however, his pal Zach was right there with him.

I thought I would share some of the resulting glamour shots!

Gates/Bella 2010 "Raffie"

Isn’t he cute?  Several of our families have joined us on my new “Golden” facebook page.

My family and I are having so much FUN catching up on our puppies.

Friend me at katiesgoldens@gmail.com to join the fun!

Along with the new website design, new pictures will soon be posted from our families.  Thanks to all who have sent them.  It is going to be very difficult deciding which ones to use first.

Check back soon to view the pics!