Recently, there has been a lot of news about unsafe and toxic commercial dog foods. Unfortunately, this problem isn’t really ‘news’. It seems that incidents like this occur periodically. Perhaps this is one reason more and more people are opting to ‘home cook’ for their pets. In order to properly home-cook for your pets though, you should first have a basic knowledge of canine nutritional needs; and, even more importantly, a thorough knowledge of human foods that are harmful to dogs. Some foods which are safe for humans can be poisonous for our canine companions. E-dog-training.com has put together a list of 25 common human foods that are toxic to dogs. Of course, when in doubt, always check with your vet. Here is the list to get you started:
1. Onions (Both onions and garlic contain the toxic ingredient Thiosulphate. But onions are more of a danger. Many dog biscuits contain *small* amounts of garlic – garlic contains less of this toxin so huge amounts would need to be consumed to be toxic. And, by the way, this poison builds up the system – it can be toxic in one large dose – or with repeated consumption of small amounts.)
2. Chocolate (Chocolate contains Theobromine, a compound that is a cardiac stimulant and a diuretic. This can be fatal to dogs.)
3. Grapes (Grapes are dangerous because of an unknown substance which is toxic to dogs – affects canine’s kidneys)
4. Raisins (See above.)
5. Most Fruit Pits and Seeds (Contain Cyanogenic Glycosides resulting in cyanide poisoning – though the fruit itself is OK.)
6. Macadamia Nuts (Macadamia nuts contain an unknown substance that is toxic to dogs.)
7. Most Bones should *not* be given (especially chicken bones) because they can splinter and cause laceration of the digestive system and/or become lodged in your pet’s throat – so they also pose a choking hazard.
8. Potato Peelings and Green Potatoes (Contain Oxalates, which can affect the digestive, nervous, and urinary systems.)
9. Rhubarb leaves (see above)
10. Broccoli (Broccoli is only toxic in large quantities.)
11. Green parts of Tomatoes or Green Potatoes(Contain oxalates, which can affect the digestive, nervous, and urinary systems.)
12. Yeast Dough (Yeast Dough can produce gas and swell in your pet’s stomach – leading to rupture of the digestive system)
13. Coffee/Coffee Grounds and Tea ( are dangerous due to the caffine.)
14. Beer/Wine/Alcohol of any kind (Alcohol of any kind could lead to coma or even death.)
15. Human Vitamins (Human vitamins, especially those containing iron, can cause damage to the lining of the digestive system as well as cause kidney and liver damage)
16. Moldy or Spoiled Food (though I think this goes without saying.)
17. Persimmons (Persimmons can cause intestinal blockage)
18. Raw Eggs and Raw Fish (Raw eggs and some raw fish can cause Salmonella poisening.)
19. Salt, Baking Soda, Baking Powder (In large amounts these can cause an electrolyte imbalance – and severe electrolyte imbalances can lead to muscle spasm or even congestive heart failure.)
20. Mushrooms (Mushrooms may contain toxins which could cause liver and kidney damage)
21. Sugar-Free Foods (Sugar-free foods containing Xylitol have been found to cause liver failure in some dogs.)
22. Nutmeg (Nutmeg can cause tremors, seizures, and central nervous system damage.)
23. Excessive Fatty Foods (Excess fatty foods can cause Pancreatitis.)
24. Avocado (All parts of the avocado and avocado tree are toxic to dogs.)
25. Diary Products (Dairy products don’t usually pose a great danger; but many dairy product have high fat content (see number 23) – and many pets are lactose intolerant – some pets more than others. Lactose intolerance leads to gas and diarrhea; though small amounts of yogurt and cheese are usually fairly well tolerated.)
Keep these 25 toxic foods in mind when cooking for your dog. And always ask your vet when in doubt about anything concerning your pet. Happy Home Cooking!
среда, 2 мая 2007 г.
The Keys To Understanding Your Dog
You do not have to look very far to determine that the old saying about a dog being a man's (or woman's) best friend is right on. Dogs provide a great companion and they only want your attention in return. Some dogs require a bit more attention than others but that is understandable. Nowhere else will find a friend that will forgive you so willingly for virtually anything you may have done.
When you get a new puppy, one of the first tasks that you are going to want to teach it is the task of being house broken, and to provide some kind of sign or signal when they need to go outdoors to relieve themselves. By nature, dogs will squat wherever they are and this is their nature, but with training you can teach them that doing this inside the house is not good, and they need to do what you teach them.
An old school of thought is that when they make a mess indoors, you should scold them, stick their nose in it, and then put them outside. Believe me, there is not a need to stick their nose in it, they will get the point with the scolding. Keep in mind that this is an animal, not a child, and it may take them a bit longer to catch on to what you are trying to teach them, but in the end they will eventually catch on.
Dogs are huge with the reward system. Your attention and petting and kind words go a long way towards letting the dog know you are happy with something they have done, and it really does not take long for them to grasp the concept of something when it is associated with a reward. That reward could be a dog treat or kind words, but when they have done something right, make sure you remember the reward system will work wonders with them.
Some people want to have a dog but they are gone all day. This creates a problem, because even with a dog crate, the dog should not be left alone in the crate for the period of an entire work day, which is 8 hours or more. They just cannot hold it that long, and scolding them for making a mess in their crate after you have left them for 8 or more hours is totally unreasonable. If you are going to be gone for that long a period of time, either do not get a dog or make other arrangements. There are many places popping up all over that are the equivalent of "doggy day care", and this is an excellent alternative to leaving your dog in a crate all day.
In terms of intelligence, dogs are pretty much the same. It is said that some breeds are smarter than others, but I think it is because some breeds are more anxious to please you than others and therefore have your undivided attention when you are trying to teach them something. To a certain extent, dogs are as different, even within the same breed, as humans. I have seen some dogs that appear to be dumber than a doorknob, but then again, I have also met humans who fall into that same category!
Love your dog and treat them right, and you will have a constant companion and a friend for life!
When you get a new puppy, one of the first tasks that you are going to want to teach it is the task of being house broken, and to provide some kind of sign or signal when they need to go outdoors to relieve themselves. By nature, dogs will squat wherever they are and this is their nature, but with training you can teach them that doing this inside the house is not good, and they need to do what you teach them.
An old school of thought is that when they make a mess indoors, you should scold them, stick their nose in it, and then put them outside. Believe me, there is not a need to stick their nose in it, they will get the point with the scolding. Keep in mind that this is an animal, not a child, and it may take them a bit longer to catch on to what you are trying to teach them, but in the end they will eventually catch on.
Dogs are huge with the reward system. Your attention and petting and kind words go a long way towards letting the dog know you are happy with something they have done, and it really does not take long for them to grasp the concept of something when it is associated with a reward. That reward could be a dog treat or kind words, but when they have done something right, make sure you remember the reward system will work wonders with them.
Some people want to have a dog but they are gone all day. This creates a problem, because even with a dog crate, the dog should not be left alone in the crate for the period of an entire work day, which is 8 hours or more. They just cannot hold it that long, and scolding them for making a mess in their crate after you have left them for 8 or more hours is totally unreasonable. If you are going to be gone for that long a period of time, either do not get a dog or make other arrangements. There are many places popping up all over that are the equivalent of "doggy day care", and this is an excellent alternative to leaving your dog in a crate all day.
In terms of intelligence, dogs are pretty much the same. It is said that some breeds are smarter than others, but I think it is because some breeds are more anxious to please you than others and therefore have your undivided attention when you are trying to teach them something. To a certain extent, dogs are as different, even within the same breed, as humans. I have seen some dogs that appear to be dumber than a doorknob, but then again, I have also met humans who fall into that same category!
Love your dog and treat them right, and you will have a constant companion and a friend for life!
2 Steps To Crate Training Your Puppy
If you are reading this, you have probably heard of crate training and want to know how to crate train your puppy. It is actually quite easy and your puppy will appreciate it. Dogs like the security and safety that a "den" provides and the crate serves as a "den" for them.
Crate training your puppy helps you with house training and housebreaking because dogs will not "mess" in their den unless there is simply no where else to go. Crate training also helps establish you as the "alpha" dog which, in turn, helps you train your puppy.
There are two steps in crate training.
1. Select A Crate
A crate is simply a confined area. A box isn't good because your puppy can not see what is going on around him/her. A wire crate is best because your puppy can see, smell, and hear what is going on around him/her and adjust to you and your family. Also, the crate needs to have a lock.
You need to select a crate that is not too small or too large. A crate is too small if your puppy cannot stand up and turn around in it. A crate is too big if your puppy can roam around in it. If the crate is too big, your puppy will pick a corner in which to "mess" and sleep in another corner. This will make house training and housebreaking difficult. Ideally, the crate needs to be big enough for your puppy to stand up in and stretch, but not big enough for your puppy to move around in very much.
You need to furnish the crate with a soft place for your puppy to lay down. Put some water and play toys in it.
2. Crate Training
At first, put a dog treat in the crate and encourage your puppy to go into the crate. Keep your puppy in the crate for only a few minutes (5 to 10 minutes) and then let him/her out. Do not make a fuss about either putting your puppy in the crate or letting your puppy out of the crate. Each time make the time in the crate a little longer. Your puppy needs to slowly adjust to being in the crate. Eventually, your puppy will be able to stay in the crate when you are not home and at night. But, remember that a puppy needs to go to "go to the bathroom" fairly often, so keep this in mind. Do not keep your puppy in a crate all day. Give your puppy time to exercise and to "go to the bathroom" outside.
Do's and Don'ts
Do place the crate where your puppy can be a member of the family - where your puppy can see, smell and hear you and your family.
Do not make the crate a prison for your puppy or use it for punishment.
Do let your puppy out if it is obvious that your puppy needs to "go to the bathroom", but do not let your puppy out just because he/she is barking or fussing just to get out. Let your puppy out when he/she is being good. Otherwise, your puppy may think that he/she needs to bark or fuss in order to get out of the crate.
Do not make a fuss about putting your puppy in the crate or letting your puppy out of the crate.
In summary, crate training your puppy is easy. Select the proper crate and train your puppy. Crate training will be a benefit to both you and your puppy.
Crate training your puppy helps you with house training and housebreaking because dogs will not "mess" in their den unless there is simply no where else to go. Crate training also helps establish you as the "alpha" dog which, in turn, helps you train your puppy.
There are two steps in crate training.
1. Select A Crate
A crate is simply a confined area. A box isn't good because your puppy can not see what is going on around him/her. A wire crate is best because your puppy can see, smell, and hear what is going on around him/her and adjust to you and your family. Also, the crate needs to have a lock.
You need to select a crate that is not too small or too large. A crate is too small if your puppy cannot stand up and turn around in it. A crate is too big if your puppy can roam around in it. If the crate is too big, your puppy will pick a corner in which to "mess" and sleep in another corner. This will make house training and housebreaking difficult. Ideally, the crate needs to be big enough for your puppy to stand up in and stretch, but not big enough for your puppy to move around in very much.
You need to furnish the crate with a soft place for your puppy to lay down. Put some water and play toys in it.
2. Crate Training
At first, put a dog treat in the crate and encourage your puppy to go into the crate. Keep your puppy in the crate for only a few minutes (5 to 10 minutes) and then let him/her out. Do not make a fuss about either putting your puppy in the crate or letting your puppy out of the crate. Each time make the time in the crate a little longer. Your puppy needs to slowly adjust to being in the crate. Eventually, your puppy will be able to stay in the crate when you are not home and at night. But, remember that a puppy needs to go to "go to the bathroom" fairly often, so keep this in mind. Do not keep your puppy in a crate all day. Give your puppy time to exercise and to "go to the bathroom" outside.
Do's and Don'ts
Do place the crate where your puppy can be a member of the family - where your puppy can see, smell and hear you and your family.
Do not make the crate a prison for your puppy or use it for punishment.
Do let your puppy out if it is obvious that your puppy needs to "go to the bathroom", but do not let your puppy out just because he/she is barking or fussing just to get out. Let your puppy out when he/she is being good. Otherwise, your puppy may think that he/she needs to bark or fuss in order to get out of the crate.
Do not make a fuss about putting your puppy in the crate or letting your puppy out of the crate.
In summary, crate training your puppy is easy. Select the proper crate and train your puppy. Crate training will be a benefit to both you and your puppy.
Train Your Pet And You Will Enjoy Your Pet
Pet owners are very loyal to their pets and there is nothing a pet owner will do to make sure their pet lives long and is healthy. Instead of buying a more than one puppy it is better to purchase a single puppy this way the puppy will have a better chance bonding with the owner and it will be easier to will bond to its owner better and will be easier to train than having many puppies. Avoid the temptation of buying two or more puppies. Depending on the breed, the best time to purchase a puppy is between 7-9 weeks of age. The puppy should get used to being around people and other dogs. Your puppy should not be allowed to roam the house freely until he is properly housetrained. A common misconception is that healthy dogs and cats must eat every day when in fact they do not. Smaller breeds are an exception, but even then pet owners must take care not to overfeed.
For a little bit of responsibility, time, and money on your part, you and your family will get a lifetime of love and unconditional adoration. The positive effect a dog can have on your family is amazing.
With all animals make sure the water and food bowls are cleaned regularly, the reason for this is to keep them free from germs and bacteria. Place your pets bowl so it is not in the way of walkways or in places where someone could knock into it. Keeping the area sanitized will help keep your pet healthy. Since medicines for pets are not easily distributed, it would help if you would also ask your veterinarian where the drug shops for pet care are.
Many dogs and even cats become very attached to children. Parasites that are internal and external are mainly responsible for illnesses and diseases seen in the large population of dogs. The common dog flea is the number one health problem facing these pets.
Exercise is every bit as vital to your pet’s health and well being as good food, clean water and shelter. Eating well and getting enough exercise are as important for dogs and cats as they are for people.
Vegetables and some fruit in your dog’s diet and a small quantity of such can provide many of these active compounds. For any weight loss program, human or animal, diet is the first essential part.
A pet tag is a very affordable way to help keep your pet around for many years to come. Pet name tags can also be chosen from a variety of materials such as stainless steel, aluminum, brass and even plastic. You want to make sure that your pet tag is made durable enough to last many years, and will not fade or rust. You want to make sure that your pet tag is made durable enough to last many years, and will not fade or rust. 90 percent of pets carrying an identification tag will return to their homes. You should always make sure your pet/dog is wearing his/her id collar tag, the contact information on the tag should be up to date just in case your dog is missing. The ID tag should have your pet’s name, destination address, your name and telephone number.
For a little bit of responsibility, time, and money on your part, you and your family will get a lifetime of love and unconditional adoration. The positive effect a dog can have on your family is amazing.
With all animals make sure the water and food bowls are cleaned regularly, the reason for this is to keep them free from germs and bacteria. Place your pets bowl so it is not in the way of walkways or in places where someone could knock into it. Keeping the area sanitized will help keep your pet healthy. Since medicines for pets are not easily distributed, it would help if you would also ask your veterinarian where the drug shops for pet care are.
Many dogs and even cats become very attached to children. Parasites that are internal and external are mainly responsible for illnesses and diseases seen in the large population of dogs. The common dog flea is the number one health problem facing these pets.
Exercise is every bit as vital to your pet’s health and well being as good food, clean water and shelter. Eating well and getting enough exercise are as important for dogs and cats as they are for people.
Vegetables and some fruit in your dog’s diet and a small quantity of such can provide many of these active compounds. For any weight loss program, human or animal, diet is the first essential part.
A pet tag is a very affordable way to help keep your pet around for many years to come. Pet name tags can also be chosen from a variety of materials such as stainless steel, aluminum, brass and even plastic. You want to make sure that your pet tag is made durable enough to last many years, and will not fade or rust. You want to make sure that your pet tag is made durable enough to last many years, and will not fade or rust. 90 percent of pets carrying an identification tag will return to their homes. You should always make sure your pet/dog is wearing his/her id collar tag, the contact information on the tag should be up to date just in case your dog is missing. The ID tag should have your pet’s name, destination address, your name and telephone number.
A Cat of a Different Color
One of my favorite films is the Wizard of Oz. Who has not marveled at the color and special effects used in this film way back in the 1930s? The production was nothing short of genius during the dark ages of the special effects industry. One of the most memorable scenes in the movie for me is when Dorothy and her entourage enter Emerald City and the horse drawing their coach keeps changing colors. To draw audience attention to this colorful spectacle the coach driver (who also is the traveling salesman, the doorman to Emerald City and the Wizard himself) announces "Now that is a horse of a different color!"
Now, in real life I have never seen a horse like the one pictured in the film, but I have seen a cat of a different color. In order to tell you about the cat however, I first must tell you about a dog; my dog…"Scooter".
Scooter was the first dog I ever shared my life with. He came out of a cardboard box sitting in a department store. He cost me $4.99, almost all of my birthday money for that year. I didn't know it then, but that purchase was perhaps the best value I had ever gotten for my money in my life. He was definitely the best investment, for he paid out years of devotion and friendship that my human friends could never have given me. He was a great companion and friend. He was protective and faithful. He stuck closer to me than a brother no matter where my adventurous travels took us.
On one of our escapades, Scooter and I were at one of our favorite places, the marble yard. Before you picture circles drawn in the dirt with kids shooting glass balls, let me explain that the marble yard was a plant where they cut and stored huge marble slabs. Each slab was as wide as the widest refrigerator and twice as long, weighing several tons each. The slabs were stacked 4 or 5 high with railroad ties between them to give the stacks stability.
There were easily hundreds of stacks on the four acre parcel of land. Each stack was different in shape, size and stability. Some were solid and firm. Others would wobble when you jumped on them from another stack, much like the trick stones on some Disney rides. In retrospect, the wobbling slabs were probably what kept drawing me and the rest of the gang back to play there. It was so much fun being able to rock a multi-ton stone so high off the ground. Typical boys, we never thought about the danger, only the fun.
My gang (a term that did not carry a violent connotation to it in my day) consisted of six or seven pre-teen boys and our dogs. Most of our time together was spent at the marble yard. During mulberry season, you could climb up the slabs and reach the biggest and most juicy berries anywhere. We played Army, using sticks for guns and flung mulberries at each other like kids do today with their paint guns. The only difference was the stain left by mulberries didn't wash off as easily.
We also played tag, chasing each other around the tops of those stacks. It was a grand place that we all loved with the same passion our mothers loathed it. Many a fractured skull had come crying home from this enchanting place. We were all forbidden to play there, but… On one particular occasion, only Scooter and I were in the marble yard. I was jumping from stack to stack above, while he chased me from a dozen feet below. The idea of this game was to get away and hide from Scooter so he could search for me. He was really very good at it and I had to scurry around with abandon to get away from him. The fact that I could have fallen and split my head open (again) was not a consideration. We were having too much fun.
I made some quick maneuvers, jumping rapidly across four stacks of marble and felt that I surely had confused and lost Scooter. When I laid down on one of the top slabs and peeked over the edge, he was not there. I peeked over the other side and he wasn't there either. In fact, he was nowhere to be seen and I started to get concerned. Suddenly, I heard him yelping and barking from what seemed to be a great distance away.
I mountain-goated my way down to the ground and began looking for him. To my surprise I found that he wasn't very far away at all. He had just been barking from inside a huge hole under one of the bottom slabs. This had muffled the sound and given the impression that he was farther away.
He was aggressively digging and barking under this slab, so I got on my hands and knees to see what he was after. I knew feral cats abounded in the marble yard and often had their kittens under the slabs, so it did not surprise me to see the silhouette of a cat back in the dark, under the slab, near to where Scooter was.
I egged him on by saying "get him Scooter, get him boy". Now, before you think me an insensitive wretch or cat hater, please let me explain. I love cats and would do nothing to endanger them. Scooter was all bark. He always had been. I knew it and he knew it. He was a very fast dog. He had often chased cats and rabbits down, but when he caught them, he didn't know what he was supposed to do next. So he would back off and just look at them. Even when a cat spat or swiped at him, he would just sit with a stupid grin on his face and ultimately turn and run off.
He apparently knew that chasing cats was what dogs did, but I guess no one ever explained to him why. His modus operandi was to chase, catch and hold down; then back off and watch them. He never bit them, never growled, and never stayed interested in them very long after the chase. He just seemed to like to run after them to prove he was faster. He never hurt any of them and I knew this time would be the same
So, knowing this, I had no reservations about egging him on. After doing so, I maneuvered myself to the place I thought the cat would exit when Scooter successfully flushed him out so I could catch him. Right on cue, the cat came running out and I jumped forward to catch it. Everything happened so quickly after that I cannot recall the exact order of events, but I do remember noting that it was the most strangely colored cat I had ever seen. It was black with beautiful white stripes and a very fluffy tail. In fact, it was a cat of a different color.
This thought was immediately followed by a very strange event. Like magic, right before my eyes, this beautifully colored cat transformed itself into a skunk, and a very angry one at that. I had no time to react. I was airborne, in the middle of my lunge for the "cat" when Scooter came shooting out of the hole behind him.
I don't know how I managed it, but somehow I changed direction in mid-air and decided on a sage plan of escape. I think I might have made it too, except for Scooter. In keeping with his routine, he jumped on the back of the skunk and, to be honest, I don't really remember what happened next, except to say that the immediate area was enveloped in a rather sickening cloud of skunk musk.
The only experience I have ever had that came close to that nauseating encounter was the day I went through the gas chamber training at the Naval Recruit Training Center in San Diego. At least then a quick shower took the gas residue off. Not so skunk musk. Everything you see in the cartoons is true. Your eyes burn, your skin burns, your face burns and you cannot breathe without gagging.
And you have to scrub. My mother scrubbed Scooter and me raw and when she was done doing that, she scrubbed us again. Scooter and I both got butch hair cuts and a bath of tomato juice that day. And then mom scrubbed us again. My mother was finally getting revenge for all the gray hairs the marble yard had caused her.
Scooter and I both learned a valuable lesson that day. There is no such thing as a cat of a different color!
Now, in real life I have never seen a horse like the one pictured in the film, but I have seen a cat of a different color. In order to tell you about the cat however, I first must tell you about a dog; my dog…"Scooter".
Scooter was the first dog I ever shared my life with. He came out of a cardboard box sitting in a department store. He cost me $4.99, almost all of my birthday money for that year. I didn't know it then, but that purchase was perhaps the best value I had ever gotten for my money in my life. He was definitely the best investment, for he paid out years of devotion and friendship that my human friends could never have given me. He was a great companion and friend. He was protective and faithful. He stuck closer to me than a brother no matter where my adventurous travels took us.
On one of our escapades, Scooter and I were at one of our favorite places, the marble yard. Before you picture circles drawn in the dirt with kids shooting glass balls, let me explain that the marble yard was a plant where they cut and stored huge marble slabs. Each slab was as wide as the widest refrigerator and twice as long, weighing several tons each. The slabs were stacked 4 or 5 high with railroad ties between them to give the stacks stability.
There were easily hundreds of stacks on the four acre parcel of land. Each stack was different in shape, size and stability. Some were solid and firm. Others would wobble when you jumped on them from another stack, much like the trick stones on some Disney rides. In retrospect, the wobbling slabs were probably what kept drawing me and the rest of the gang back to play there. It was so much fun being able to rock a multi-ton stone so high off the ground. Typical boys, we never thought about the danger, only the fun.
My gang (a term that did not carry a violent connotation to it in my day) consisted of six or seven pre-teen boys and our dogs. Most of our time together was spent at the marble yard. During mulberry season, you could climb up the slabs and reach the biggest and most juicy berries anywhere. We played Army, using sticks for guns and flung mulberries at each other like kids do today with their paint guns. The only difference was the stain left by mulberries didn't wash off as easily.
We also played tag, chasing each other around the tops of those stacks. It was a grand place that we all loved with the same passion our mothers loathed it. Many a fractured skull had come crying home from this enchanting place. We were all forbidden to play there, but… On one particular occasion, only Scooter and I were in the marble yard. I was jumping from stack to stack above, while he chased me from a dozen feet below. The idea of this game was to get away and hide from Scooter so he could search for me. He was really very good at it and I had to scurry around with abandon to get away from him. The fact that I could have fallen and split my head open (again) was not a consideration. We were having too much fun.
I made some quick maneuvers, jumping rapidly across four stacks of marble and felt that I surely had confused and lost Scooter. When I laid down on one of the top slabs and peeked over the edge, he was not there. I peeked over the other side and he wasn't there either. In fact, he was nowhere to be seen and I started to get concerned. Suddenly, I heard him yelping and barking from what seemed to be a great distance away.
I mountain-goated my way down to the ground and began looking for him. To my surprise I found that he wasn't very far away at all. He had just been barking from inside a huge hole under one of the bottom slabs. This had muffled the sound and given the impression that he was farther away.
He was aggressively digging and barking under this slab, so I got on my hands and knees to see what he was after. I knew feral cats abounded in the marble yard and often had their kittens under the slabs, so it did not surprise me to see the silhouette of a cat back in the dark, under the slab, near to where Scooter was.
I egged him on by saying "get him Scooter, get him boy". Now, before you think me an insensitive wretch or cat hater, please let me explain. I love cats and would do nothing to endanger them. Scooter was all bark. He always had been. I knew it and he knew it. He was a very fast dog. He had often chased cats and rabbits down, but when he caught them, he didn't know what he was supposed to do next. So he would back off and just look at them. Even when a cat spat or swiped at him, he would just sit with a stupid grin on his face and ultimately turn and run off.
He apparently knew that chasing cats was what dogs did, but I guess no one ever explained to him why. His modus operandi was to chase, catch and hold down; then back off and watch them. He never bit them, never growled, and never stayed interested in them very long after the chase. He just seemed to like to run after them to prove he was faster. He never hurt any of them and I knew this time would be the same
So, knowing this, I had no reservations about egging him on. After doing so, I maneuvered myself to the place I thought the cat would exit when Scooter successfully flushed him out so I could catch him. Right on cue, the cat came running out and I jumped forward to catch it. Everything happened so quickly after that I cannot recall the exact order of events, but I do remember noting that it was the most strangely colored cat I had ever seen. It was black with beautiful white stripes and a very fluffy tail. In fact, it was a cat of a different color.
This thought was immediately followed by a very strange event. Like magic, right before my eyes, this beautifully colored cat transformed itself into a skunk, and a very angry one at that. I had no time to react. I was airborne, in the middle of my lunge for the "cat" when Scooter came shooting out of the hole behind him.
I don't know how I managed it, but somehow I changed direction in mid-air and decided on a sage plan of escape. I think I might have made it too, except for Scooter. In keeping with his routine, he jumped on the back of the skunk and, to be honest, I don't really remember what happened next, except to say that the immediate area was enveloped in a rather sickening cloud of skunk musk.
The only experience I have ever had that came close to that nauseating encounter was the day I went through the gas chamber training at the Naval Recruit Training Center in San Diego. At least then a quick shower took the gas residue off. Not so skunk musk. Everything you see in the cartoons is true. Your eyes burn, your skin burns, your face burns and you cannot breathe without gagging.
And you have to scrub. My mother scrubbed Scooter and me raw and when she was done doing that, she scrubbed us again. Scooter and I both got butch hair cuts and a bath of tomato juice that day. And then mom scrubbed us again. My mother was finally getting revenge for all the gray hairs the marble yard had caused her.
Scooter and I both learned a valuable lesson that day. There is no such thing as a cat of a different color!
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