If you have a small dog there are a few things you might want to keep in mind.  Just like large-breed dogs, small dogs should get regular exercise, however, it should be appropriate for the type of dog you have.  Walking is good for almost every dog, but your small dog might need shorter or slower walks.  Also, watch out for stairs.  For some small dogs, stairs are not a problem, but stairs can put a lot of strain on dogs prone to back issues.

Large-breed dog food has high doses of glucosomine and chondrotine.  While these ingredients are still needed for a small dog, they do not need the large doses contained in large breed food.  Also, several brands of food have “small-bite” formula’s (dry food) that is for a small dog to chew and digest.

Finally, watch the table scraps.  Small dogs can easily gain weight.  An extra couple of pounds is nothing on a German Shepard, but it may make your Pug, pudgy.

Some cats actually enjoy walking on a leash.  Here are a few tips to get started:

1. Go Slow.  Get you cat or kitten used to their harness first.  The harness should fit snuggly but leave at-least a finger space around each part of the harness.  Give you cats treats as soon as you put on the harness.

2. Start Indoors.  Once your cat has accepted the harness, take short walks around your living room-without a leash.  Drop treats as you slowly walk or have a toy that drags along behind you.

 3. You first outdoor adventure.  Once your cat follows you around your house or apartment, you might be ready for an outside adventure.  Make sure there are no dogs around.  Sit outside with you cat on his leash and follow him or her as she sniffs about.

Tune in Next week for part II.

Today marks the 15^th anniversary of my father’s death.  (Ironically, it’s my mother’s 80^th birthday).  My father was a complex man; brilliant, terrifying, sentimental, cruel, angry, playful and funny.  Plagued by guilt over the death of my infant sister and following the stern and stoic example of fatherhood which surrounded him, he hid his pain by turning to alcohol.  In time it overtook him and he died too young. 

Each year at this time I think of my father.  Throughout his life, he lacked friends.  You see despite his amazing intelligence he never learned how to speak kindly.  He was as hard on other people as he was on himself.  For a long time, I carried my father’s legacy of self-hatred.  I expected great things from myself and I would beat myself up if the measuring stick fell short.  And, I was short with other people as well.

About two years ago, I made a decision to be my own best friend.  It was not a matter of change;   it was simply learning to accept what I most hated in myself.  When I witness my own character defects I just leaned to say; ok, I’m human too.  God, remove this if you can and will, but if not, help me accept myself.  It’s a much easier way to live.

There was one thing that was a constant with my father.  He knew I was afraid of the dark.  When I was very young, my father began turning on the hallway light each night.  It was left on until morning.  No matter how tired, angry or upset my father was, I remembered he would walk to the far end of the hall and turn on the light, even when I no longer needed it.

 In memory of my father today I’m asking you for a few favors:

1.       Be kind to yourself.

2.       Be kind to others.

3.       Keep an eye out for who’s lighting your hallway, no matter what words they use.

Many of you know I share my heart and home with a rescued Pit Bull named Sabrina.  She is incredible powerful and can easily drag me if I walk her with the wrong equipment.  I’m very fond of dog harnesses for powerful dogs.  If you have a strong dog and use a regular collar, you can damage your dog’s spine by pulling on it’s neck. 

When I walk my dog on her harness, I place her on my left, loop the leash behind my back and rear-end and use my right hand to make corrections.  This allows maximum leverage, keeps my dog next to my leg (if dogs routinely walk in front of you it’s a sign that they think their dominant) and it keeps her safe and she understands exactly where her place is.

A court abitrator ruled Michael Vic pay approximately 20 million dollars back to the Atlanta Falcons.  This was bonus money previously awarded to him.  The NFL players union is appealing the decision, but hopefully, it will not be overturned.  While this money will not benefit the siezed Pit Bulls that were used for fighting on his estate, it is a good sign that celebreties and sports figures who engage in felony activities will be held accountable for their actions. 

Judge David Doty in Minneapolis will be hearing the appeal.  Then in December Vic will recieve criminal sentencing from Judge Henry Hutson on behalf of the state of Virginia. 

To some it may seem like one man is being singled out and as a compassionate person, I feel bad for Michael Vic.  He’s lost his career, his fortune is quickly tanking, he has drug charges, he’s hated by many people, and he’s put his family through hell.  But keep in mind, he is responsible for the torture and death of dogs-many dogs.  He needs to pay the price just as anyone should. 

To read more about this issue please visit http://www.dailypress.com/news/dp-now-vickpay-1009,0,5970438.story?coll=hr_tab01_layout

Recently, Michael Vic, who plead guilty to involvement in dog fighting operation was ordered to undergo drug testing.  He failed.  Last year, a vibrant young woman in my hometown suffered a violent death because she sympathetically opened her door to a stranger.  The stranger happened to be coming down from his dose of crack (cocaine).

Obviously the victims of crime suffer the same loss whether or not the perpetrator was using drugs or not.  So to be fair there should be mandatory sentences for anyone who commits a violent crime.  On the other hand there are many who would argue that individuals suffering from addictions such as an alcoholic or drug addict should receive lighter sentencing because they are powerless over the drug.

I see both sides of the argument and offer a further insight.  I’m sure this will sound “Pollyannaish” to some but I do not believe a conscious person can commit an act of violence.  I think anyone who beats kills or rapes another person is disconnected and insane while the violence occurs.   
My belief is that we need to do more to insure children experience a loving, supportive world during their formative years.  How will we achieve this?  I do not know.  I know our prisons are full of people who wear masks because they do not know what it feels like to be nurtured and accepted.  I know there are other people who experienced the same lack of support in their early years and never resorted to violence.  Why?  Perhaps if we can answer these questions we’ll not only reduce prison population but addiction as well.  What is your opinion?