Blog Archives
Cesar’s Way: Dog Size and Lifespan: When Bigger Isn’t Better
I am not going to say much about this article other than this is kinda eye-opening. It kinda makes sense as to why it happens but also leaves a lot of unanswered questions. I guess we will have to figure out what those answers are:
Dog Size and Lifespan: When Bigger Isn’t Better
By Jon Bastian
From: http://www.cesarsway.com/dogcare/doghealth/Dog-Size-and-Lifespan-When-Bigger-Isnt-Better?utm_source=BlueHornet&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Apr17DogVision
Dog lovers have no doubt noticed that smaller dogs live longer than large ones, and now there’s a scientific study to back that up, as well as a few hypothesis as to why this is true.
When compared to the lifespan of other mammals, “smaller size, longer life” would at first glance appear to be counter-intuitive, especially to families that have gone through short-lived pet rats (2 years), hamsters (3 years), or gerbils (4 years).
In the non-pet category, chimpanzees live shorter lives than humans — about 45 years vs. 70 years — and elephants have a lifespan comparable to humans. This is nothing, of course, compared to the bowhead whale. Weighing in at up to 65 tons and sixty feet long, current estimates place its maximum lifespan at 200 years.
Following this logic, then, we should expect a Great Dane to live longer than a Chihuahua, but that’s not the case. The former only live, on average, 6 or 8 years, while the latter can live up to 18 years.
As it turns out, while bigger species of mammals live longer than smaller ones, within species it’s reversed. While the following example may be anecdotal, it does indicate that even humans are subject to this rule; Wilt Chamberlain, the professional basketball player, was 7’1” tall and died at 63. Jerry Maren, the 4’3” actor best known as one of the Lollipop kids in the 1939 version of “The Wizard of Oz,” is still alive at 93.
The effect is even more pronounced in dogs, which have a more extreme range of sizes. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the largest dog, a Great Dane named Zeus, was about as big as Wilt Chamberlain, measuring 7’ 4” feet in length and weighing 155 pounds. The smallest living dog is a Chihuahua named BooBoo, at 4 inches tall and 1.5 pounds.
For comparison, applying that size difference to the shortest verified human, 21 inch tall Chandra Bahadur Dangi, would give us a tallest human at about 31’ 5”. Going in the other direction, with 8’ 11” Robert Wadlow as the tallest human, the same size ratio would make the shortest human just barely under 6 inches tall. Incidentally, Chandra is still alive at 73, while Wadlow was only 22 when he died.
Recently, scientists tried to determine why this is the case. In a study led by Dr. Cornelia Kraus, a research scientist and lecturer at the University of Göttingen in Germany, researchers analyzed data on age of death in over 56,000 dogs from 74 different breeds, and were able to put a number on it. They found that, for every increase of 4.4 pounds of body weight, a dog’s lifespan decreased by 1 month.
The next step will be to determine why larger dogs live shorter lives, but the scientists already have some ideas. At its simplest, larger dogs die younger because they age more quickly. They age more quickly because they grow faster. This can lead to earlier incidence of tumors and other abnormal tissue developments, including cancer. It can also contribute to abnormal development, leading to physical conditions impacting health.
Dr. Kraus’s study, “The size-lifespan trade-off decomposed: Why large dogs die young,” will be published soon in The American Naturist.
Y’know I didn’t want to believe it, but it’s true . . .
So, recently I watched the movie “Beyond the Myth,” which is a film about America’s myth of a “bad breed” or “pitbulls.” If you haven’t seen it, do it – it is worth your time. (It’s available for purchase on youtube for $3.99 or free on Amazon Prime). It will open your eyes. However, you can watch a trailer here:
As you can see from the trailer, “Beyond the Myth” is a powerful documentary. One that could save lives – even if it couldn’t save some of lives in the film. These dogs are not more aggressive than other breeds of dog, we just believe they are. Hell, it doesn’t help we think several breeds are all the same breed! Of course, it’s going to be a higher rate attacks if you lump a bunch of breed together and compare it to all the others. But who cares about that, kill them all!!!
One major point the movie makes is that Pitbull Attacks get significantly higher rate of being reported in the news. When another breed of dog attack or kills someone, it is a dog attack. When a Pitbull does it, it’s a Pitbull attack! Not a Golden Retriever Attack or Collie Attack, a Pitbull attack! These are scary and dangerous animals!!!! Keep your kids away! Or at least the news would have you think.
It is true that Pitbull attacks get way more attention than other forms of dog attacks. And today’s offering helps prove their case. In my newsfeed, I found a article about a “Pitbull Attack.” And yes they did use the words, “Pitbull Attack.” And of course, it had to be a little boy who died. What kind of parent would allow a young boy around a Pitbull? Don’t know? Well, they will tell ya.
What’s most interesting to me (beyond the title) is it’s position in the feed. I only subscribe to the Top Stories feed from ABC News. So, I shouldn’t seen this article. Yet I did. And it wasn’t too far down the page either:
Can you count the number of stories it is down? I’ll give you a hint, it’s not that many!
Of course, this story is tragic. Especially since the young boy in question died. But was it really the dog’s fault? Was it really the breed’s fault? I doubt it. Of course, the dogs were killed afterwards making the tragedy that much more tragic. That good old “eye for an eye” thing still applies to the animal world I guess. All well that ends well, I guess. The beasts are dead, let’s move on to the next attack!
What truly frustrates me is that the story doesn’t really say much of anything – just that two pitbulls attacked a woman and her child (I think it is her child), and that both the boy and the dogs were killed. That’s it. No names, no circumstances, nothing. Why bother with a news article? Just write a frickin’ headline and be done with it! It says more than actual article. Nice job ABC News, nice job. How many dogs will have to die for you to sell papers? Cause this will cause people to kill more “Pitbulls.”
Click here to read the article
Reblog: I Adopted a Dog on “Death Row”
So, today post isn’t a complete reblog. You can see the entire piece here. Instead it is a except from the woman that saved this little guy’s life. Enjoy:
I Adopted a Dog In Its Final Hours on “Death Row,” and It Might Be the Best Decision I’ve Ever Made
By Mandy on Dec 3, 2012 at 1:00pm
I posted on my Twitter and Facebook at 11 p.m., “I’ve come to an important decision. I’m going to adopt a dog. Now to figure out which kind.” The suggestions came flooding in, but then my friend Dennis Burger added to the thread: “Mandy, if this is a move you’re making soon — like, now — please consider this guy. He’s going to be destroyed tomorrow if no one adopts him.”
When he first came to the shelter. See how scared he is?
I’m a big believer in fate, synchronicity and no coincidences. I clicked on the dog’s profile, which had been shared more than a thousand times from a Web site called Urgent Pets on Death Row, Inc., and indeed, the 18-month-old pit mix was going to be euthanized if no one adopted him. In the past this has happened as early as the morning at Animal Care & Control, and so with no time to lose, I put down the deposit to adopt him the next day, a few minutes before midnight.
When I headed out to the Brooklyn location the next morning on Saturday, the waiting room was overflowing with cats removed from homes who had elderly owners or from Hurricane Sandy, and I went to the front to make sure Samsung was indeed safe, and there hadn’t been any kind of awful error where he was put to sleep regardless of my adoption hold. They assured me he was safe, but it was going to be a few hours.
I sat and waited and tried not to let my heart break from all of the sweet cats who so desperately wanted owners around me. (The dogs are kept in the back, away from the waiting room.) Please, if you are considering adopting an animal, go to a shelter. Save a life. These animals are so precious and loving. They deserve a life, and you can give it to them.
“We were all hoping you would come!” one volunteer said, pulling up Samsung’s ID number and chart, and I filled out the adoption papers which asked me things like if the dog grew or got sick would I abandon him. No, no, no.
Samsung says goodbye to his angel volunteer Elisa.
When Samsung was brought out by volunteer Elisa Lafont, she was beaming.
“This is a very special dog,” she said. “I’m so glad you came.”
Elisa comes out from Long Island to volunteer at the shelter and give the pets the attention and love they need, and she also helps to spread word of animals that are placed on “Death Row.” The reason that Samsung was listed there was because, as often happens when dogs remain in a shelter, he contracted kennel cough, and because Animal Care & Control is limited in space, and accepts all animals, they cannot be a no-kill shelter. Samsung getting sick meant he was now on the “euth list,” as much as everyone hated to put him there. Other than his cough, which can be cured with a course of antibiotics, he is a very healthy, happy, loving dog.
Elisa later told me, “Weird thing is I almost didn’t go in Saturday. Because I was in a mood and wasn’t sure. But then I saw Sam was on the list and knew I had to go in, in case I wouldn’t ever see him again. So when I saw he was reserved when I woke up, I was relieved. I told him when I had him in our cuddle spot that ‘I was doing my best to make sure he would make it out, that I was praying hard. To please hold on a little longer.’”
I could see just how special he was when Elisa brought him out.
“This is your new mommy,” she said. “She saved your life, Samsung.” Elisa gave him a special Snoopy collar to wear for the cab ride home.
He knows how to do “Paw,” “Sit” and “Stay” and he licks you with appreciation. When the car service came to take us back to Manhattan, he curled up below the seat and patiently looked up at me. It was my very first night in my new studio, and my new dog would be spending it with me.
Samsung and me in Madison Square Park.
I lay out the food and water in some makeshift Tupperware, and then showed him that he was allowed to jump on the bed with me. I didn’t intend to fall asleep at 8:30 p.m., but as he curled up next to me and put his paw on my hand, that’s exactly what I did. My boots and jacket were still on, and the next morning we woke up at 6 a.m. Samsung nuzzled and licked me and stared up at me with his sweet soulful eyes.
“You’re still a little sick, Samsung,” I told him. “But you’re going to get better. I’m not giving up on you.”
He rested his head on my chest, and his heart beat next to mine.
Videos That Make You Smile: Three-legged Dog Caught Stealing Food From Store
Awww . . . you little rascal!!!
Me . . . That’s the source babe. Don’t forget it.
A Christmas Video That Makes You Smile: Animals Sing “12 Days of Christmas”
Do you remember that Talking Dog that was the top most watched video of last year? (If you don’t than click here). Well, this exciting video comes from the same channel.
This time the source is me. Enjoy!
A Christmas Video That Makes You Smile: A Puppy Christmas
From foul to undeniably cute, ain’t life grand?
This time the source is me. Enjoy!
Videos That Make You Smile: Best Western’s Welcome Ambassador
I wish that all hotels were like this.
This time the source is Cesar Millan, see the post about Cocoa here.
Videos That Make You Smile: Hero Dog Seeks Surgery to Repair Face Injuries
The story about a hero dog who lost part of face to save his owner’s life is looking for a new one.
This time the source is me. Enjoy!
N.J. May Become First State to Require Seat Belts for Pets
I am personally not sure what to think of this law. True, it doesn’t directly affect me but it is possible that the idea could catch on to New York. Especially since New Jersey and New York City are so close. It’s almost as if they were one and New York City does drive this state’s policies so it is possible to happen. I just don’t know if it will or if I like the idea . . .
N.J. May Become First State to Require Seat Belts for Pets
(Image credit: Amazon)
The fines would not apply to pets kept in crates.
Endorsed by New Jersey’s Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, legislation to require seat belts for pets has been in discussion in the state at least since the summer, not that such a bill doesn’t have its critics, who argue that more attention should be paid to the state’s budget deficit and 9.9 unemployment rate.
But Spencer defended the bill saying, lawmakers are “taught to multi-task.”
“This doesn’t limit my ability to address other issues for the people of New Jersey,” she said.
Other states, such as Hawaii, Connecticut, Illinois and Maine have banned motorists from driving with pets in their laps, but New Jersey is apparently the first state to require that pets be strapped in.
Whether New Jersey’s and similar bills become the law, Melissa Ramirez, founder of Chicago-based Zerimax, which makes seat belts for pets, is already filling a new market niche. Launched in May, Zerimax was named in part after Ramirez’s dog Max, a miniature Pinscher, that became paralyzed in a car accident in 2008. While airbags protected the driver, Ramirez’s husband, Max was thrown across the car. Determined to protect other pets, Ramirez sells a variety of harnesses that range in price from $20 to $30.
“There was a void in the market with devices that were easy to use,” she said. “There are a lot but they were cumbersome and difficult.” Ramirez, apparently, is filling this void.
Zerimax’s sales have quadrupled every month since the company’s launch in May, according to Ramirez, who has a marketing background. With a Groupon deal that starts Sept. 22, Ramirez expects to make about $70,000 in sales by the end of the year, even without pet seat belt legislation requiring them.
But she cautions that if a bill such as New Jersey’s becomes law and other states adopt similar measures, cheap products could flood the market. Ramirez urges customers to look for quality when it comes to securing their pets.
“Check that items are sewn and not glued,” she said, and choose metal over plastic, she said. Make sure the safety device fits your pet properly. “Thirty pounds of dog can be distributed differently in a Greyhound,” she said. “Not all devices out there will fit your dog.” Ramirez suggests owners measure their pets and understand their girth.
“It would help to create standards so if the category grows,” said Ramirex, “ it grows properly.”
