Advice on Pets, Life, Love
Dear Dog Lady,
A friend and I took our dogs to the new dog park in South Boston. It opened a few months ago and is on First Street, behind the old power plant and next to the MBTA bus depot. My friend went to the opening and she said Mayor Marty Walsh was there as well as other official types. I guess because of this, I expected more of the place but it's basically just a dirt lot in the sun. Still, it's fenced-in so you can let your dog off the leash. I was eager to do this with Homer, my Maltese-mix.
When we got to the park, I saw unleashed dogs but also unfixed dogs. A Labradoodle running around with all his privates elicited a growl from Homer. I was taken aback and a little fearful. I've heard that unfixed dogs can be aggressive. My fear grew greater when two Great Danes rode up to the park with their heads sticking out of a van emblazoned with the Harley-Davidson logo. They came loping in with their keeper, a dude in a leather vest, cowboy boots and a doo-rag. I couldn't help but notice their scrotums were intact.
Because I am writing this, you know we all got out alive. However, I was very nervous being around these dogs. Are my fears unfounded?
Jane
Dear Jane,
"Ask Dog Lady" never declares a dog fear unfounded because we're talking about living, breathing creatures. Yes, they can be predictable but they're also "human." They can change and charge on a dime. We must always expect the unexpected.
A dog park is usually a very safe place. However, when the balance is off -as can occur when unneutered dogs enter the mix - you are right to be worried and vigilant. Why people don't do the responsible thing for their city dogs remains a mystery but it's an unknown we must endure. We live in an imperfect world - but it's a little more perfect with your fixed dog by your side.
Dear Dog Lady,
I have two Australian cattle dogs. A male, Rondo, is five years old and a female; Ringo is six. Ringo is a little loopy. The dogs have an outdoors fenced-in area that's about an acre. They get a lot of exercise and a lot of love. Ringo will eat large rocks sometimes. She also seems to have some slight mental issues but they come and go. She won't come in and go out through some doors. Other times she is fine and the doors don't seem to bother her. Does this sound normal?
Abbie
Dear Abbie,
Normal as a rock. Remember, dogs are not robots. No two dogs are exactly alike. Every dog has some "slight mental issues." Their behavior is unpredictably predictable. You can't fathom what strange force spooks Ringo - shadows, sounds - to compel her to avoid doors sometimes. You really have no control over her approach-avoidance of portals.
You can have more control over her rock eating. Although this tendency to eat rocks is more inscrutable doggy behavior, the practice can be stemmed by your strict supervision. Letting a dog run outside unsupervised is easy for you. It would be so much harder to take your two large dogs for a long, vigorous walk on the leash. Walking is a dog teaching tool; releasing a dog outside to do whatever it wants is not.
Dear Dog Lady,
I am a single woman who rescued a Cane Corso in 2015. She is the joy of my life and we are rarely separated. I am considering retiring to another country next year and naturally I want to take my girl with me. I believe she will have no difficulty accepting the warmer climate as it will be better for her arthritis and allergies, as well. My concern is the actual trip - two flights of four hours each with a two hour layover. I don't want to stress my dog unnecessarily and want her to be as comfortable as I can make her.
I have been told not to sedate her and I am planning the trip when the weather will not be too cold in the cargo area. I've been told she will not be allowed in the passenger area. Is making this trip asking too much of a nine-year-old dog? What tips/suggestions do you have?
Sherri
Dear Sherri,
Wow, a Cane Corso is a whole lot of dog to ship in the cargo hold-especially a Cane Corso with health issues. Riding in the belly of an airplane is a complicated issue for pets. Only a few big airlines - such as American and United - accept large dogs in cargo but there are restrictions. For example, because the cargo hold is unpressurized, dogs can only fly when the temperature is suitable. Your dog has allergies and arthritis. You must get a health certificate from your veterinarian verifying your pet can withstand the flight.
www.askdoglady.com