Ever heard of a “phone dog“? Well, picture this.
The phone rings.
There’s a dog on the other end. He’s calling for help for his master who has been suddenly taken ill.
You think we’re kidding? We’re not. It happened for real a few years ago in America (www.msnbc.msn.com).
Insulin-dependent diabetic
Kevin Weaver was an insulin-dependent diabetic liable to lose consciousness if his blood sugar dropped too low. For this reason, he trained Belle, his beagle, to bite into the emergency numbers 911 on his cell phone to summon help in an emergency.
And that is precisely what his clever little friend did one day when Kevin collapsed in a coma.
‘I’d be dead if I didn’t have Belle,’ he said. The dog phone call saved her master’s life.
Kevin and his extra-special pal hit the headlines when they travelled from their home in Florida to Washington for Belle to receive her well-deserved life-saving award.
Singing for his supper
We’ve all heard of public houses called the Dog and Bone. But how about something different… albeit a shade quirky?
All the enterprising landlord need do is invite his dog to ‘sing’… many do it automatically.
Give the dog a phone and train him to ‘sing’ into the receiver. Lead him into the bar when the pub is at its busiest and get him to work his magic.
As a form of entertainment the singing dog may not be the most exciting trick around, but re-name his establishment the Dog and Phone and our pub landlord could be on to a winner.
Murphy leads the way
Meet Murphy, a recent recruit to HM Prison Service in Norwich, England.
Murphy is a young Spaniel sniffer dog, currently being trained by prison officers to recognise the scent of mobile (cell) phones smuggled in by prisoners.
If it works, this mobile phone dog could lead the way for others to follow suit.
‘We’re making great inroads,’ said a prison spokesman. (www.hmprisonservice.gov.uk)
Please care for my pet
Many dogs have identification tags attached to their dog collars. But people who live with only a dog for company would also be wise to carry some form of identification to this effect in their wallet or purse in case of emergency.
Many pet rescue centres now provide a special card, on request, saying something along the lines of: “In the event of an accident, please note that I have a dog (or cat, or rabbit). Please telephone the following number…”
On the blank back of the card, the owner can scribble further relevant information, perhaps some alternative numbers to phone. Dog-sitter, friend, or even a helpful neighbour.
The important point to stress is that if a dog-owner is suddenly taken ill, there should be someone available to look after any pets left home alone. Even if only on a temporary basis.
Eating his greens
Do you worry at the sight of your dog vomiting? Wonder if it is cause for concern?
If so, have you ever asked yourself what makes a dog vomit?
There are many reasons, explains a veterinary expert (www.petclubuk.com).
Scavenging in bins, eating leftovers or indigestable food, a change of diet, gulping food, or drinking vast amounts of water on a hot day are just a few.
And who among us isn’t familiar with the grass-eating dog that produces a slimy green mess on the freshly-washed kitchen floor the minute he arrives home? Nothing serious there, say those in the know. He’s just been ‘eating his greens’.
Swallowing unsuitable objects is a much more serious situation. Our expert says he has had to remove chewed toys, food wrappers, ornaments, toys, socks, slippers and a host of other objects.
Unless such surgery is carried out quickly, the swallowed object can cause a blockage with fatal results.
Study the mess
What the vet suggests is that before doing anything else we should study the mess on the floor, or the bed, out in the garden, or wherever the dog has chosen to empty the contents of his stomach. Smell it and if possible, take a sample of it to the vet (preferably in a sealed container) because colour and substance can provide essential clues as to whether the problem can be resolved with a couple of days starvation (followed by light food) or call for major surgery to remove the obstruction.
Or you could always get the phone dog to ring…
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