Category: Dogs

Posts just about dogs.

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Update: Dog Saves Dog On Freeway

Sadly, there is no real chance of finding the amazing dog that risked its own life to haul an badly injured dog to safety. The event actually happened in March.  And unfortunately the injured dog died.

Like many/most countries, Chile isn’t an easy place to be a dog.   It’s estimated there are 220,000 stray dogs in the Santingo area alone.  Earlier this month, Chilean authorities raided the Benjamin Vinuña Mackenna Animal Protection Society where disease is rampant and animals are being killed in huge numbers instead of sheltered and adopted out.  This organization was established in 1915 and reportedly is representative of the conditions in most shleters in Chile.

Here’s an interesting gallery of dogs in Chile.

You can also see the video and read a translation of the news commentary.

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Study Reveals Jealousy In Dogs

An interesting study shows that dogs have a sense of fairness—a trait previously only demonstrated in primates.  With two dogs present, scientists began by giving a treat for the dog offering its paw when asked.  To start, both dogs would get a treat when they preformed the task.  Then scientists stopped giving a treat to the first dog when it offered its paw, but continued to treat the second dog when it preformed.  Very quickly, the first dog began refusing to offer its paw.  (Smart pup!)

Interestingly, the “value” of the treat was irrelevant.  Dogs were just as peeved if they didn’t get the bread treat than if they didn’t get the sausage treat.  Primates react differently given the “value” of the treat.

It’s thought this sense of jealousy or fairness is connected to cooperative behavior like hunting—keeping track of who does what and what they get for it.  So, scientist will next be looking at how emotion factors in to cooperative behavior.

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Translation Of Dogs Saves Dog News Story

I found a translation of what the newscaster is saying in the video of the dog risking its own life to save the life of a dog injured on a Chilean freeway.

These images seen from the surveillance cameras show a very common situation with our overpopulated highways. It is normal for us to see dogs run over. In the video, we can see this dog fighting for his life because he was run over by the vehicle.  What is very touching is to see the very heroic actions of this other dog who is trying to pull him to the side of the highway. We are going to keep seeing things like this until we find a solution to the dogs living on the streets.

There is an update on the dogs in Chile and you can see the video in this previous post.

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DIY: Make A Pet Bed With An Old Suitcase

Here’s another thrifty DIY project that would make a nice gift.  It can be as fancy or as simple as you want it.  You can attach feet or not  Sew a custom pillowcase or just wrap an old, washed pillow in a sweater, bathmat, or blanket.  Remove the “top” of the suitcase or leave it in place and make the bed more portable.  You do need to ensure the lid won’t slam shut trapping your pet or injuring them.  Here are four tutorials to inspire you.

(Interested in more nifty DIY projects?  Check out this collection of previous posts.)

A strap attached to the “top” and the underside of a hardsided suitcase keeps the lid open in the DesignSponge suitcase bed tutorial.

The ReadyMade bed tutorial uses an old suitcase with a soft, flexible top folded under.

JewelFaerie’s bed tutorial uses a hardsided suitcase and used a hook & eye to attach the “top” to a wall to keep the lid open.

suitcasebed21

An old, hardsided suitcase with the “top” removed is used in the Natural Home suitcase bed tutorial.

A hat case works great for a little dog.

Your imagination is the limit.

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