Is this what you did to the poor creature, Ms Irene Pepperberg? Have him worked to death by your research? 8-12 hours a day, every day, of gruelling mental exercise, just to find out where the limits of avian intelligence exist! No wonder Alex died so young. Both you and Brandeis University should be ashamed of yourselves! Bird Brain Dies After Years of Research WALTHAM, Mass. - Alex, a parrot that could count to six, identify colors and even express frustration with repetitive scientific trials, has died after 30 years of helping researchers better understand the avian brain. The cause of Alex's death was unknown. The African grey parrot's average life span is 50 years, Brandeis University scientist Irene Pepperberg said. Alex was discovered dead in his cage Friday, she said, but she waited to release the news until this week so grieving researchers could get over the shock and talk about it. "It's devastating to lose an individual you've worked with pretty much every day for 30 years," Pepperberg told The Boston Globe. "Someone was working with him eight to 12 hours every day of his life." [link] g [link]

Scooter has the annoying habit of taking a long time to poop when first let out in the morning even though he pees right away. I don't like standing around outside forever, so I have been teaching him a new command. "Go potty" already gets him to pee, so now I tell him after he goes potty to "go poopies" and praise him when he poops. We just started this routine yesterday. So this morning, when my daughter was taking the dogs out for morning potty duty, I figured I should remind her of the new routine. "Be sure to tell him to go poopies!" I called as she headed for the door. Scooter turned around, looked at me with his biggest good dog grin and squatted right there on the kitchen floor. When he'd done his business, he ran up to me to get a reward, secure in the belief that he had been a very good dog in responding so quickly to my command. He needs to learn how to scoop poop and mop floors. Paula "Anyway, other people are weird, but sometimes they have candy, so it's best to try to get along with them." Joe Bay

Okay, here goes... Many years ago I adopted a dog from the pound, she was the most incredibly good dog and has been with me for over ten years. She is now in her teens. Maybe 12-13? A large breed dog, part Keeshund and possibly part Shepherd. She is very well trained and knows over 60 different commands/phrases. Her name is Gypsy Rose. We knew we'd get another dog when her time came, and debated on whether to get one now, or after. The logic was that now, she could help us train a new dog by example, and supposedly younger dogs breathe life into older ones. But we didn't make the decision, we looked around but never really decided. Until one day we encountered a dog unexpectedly and adopted her, another dog pound special. The logic was flawed, and when Dakota's time comes waay down the road, we'll wait until the after. But that doesn't help us now. We're in it for the long haul. Dakota was 8 months when we adopted her, and was a yo-yo dog. She'd been at the pound twice. It was obvious nobody had taken the time to train her, and she's come a long way in our care. We've had her for about 9 weeks. We've taught her sit, lay down, stay, up (the stairs), go away, come, and a couple others, including some hand signals. We've taught her to eat from her own bowls, though she still tries to snatch a bite of Gypsy Rose's when her own bowl is empty. We've taught her to wait at the kitchen doorway while her food is being readied and not to go to her food bowls until given permission. She's done incredibly well with that, too. The problem we're having is that she just harasses Gypsy Rose constantly, mostly wanting to play but her play is a bit rough and Gypsy Rose is older. And two big dogs hurtling thru the house isn't a good thing (both are house dogs, we don't do yard dogs). I know in part it's Dakota's fear of not getting enough, whether it be food, attention, whatever, due to her history. She's happy with us but I don't think she likes sharing us. So she harasses Gypsy Rose, just bugs her nonstop like a bratty little sister. She doesn't try to hurt her, she just pesters. She knows it's not acceptable to us but on this issue, we haven't found the trick in getting her to obey us for any length of time. We might get her to back off and go do something else but 10 minutes later, she's back at it. She's now about 10 months old, full of energy, hormonal (but fixed), and prior to us, I don't think she'd ever been in a house. So it's all new for her. We do not have a fenced yard so she's limited to walks for exercise. Gypsy Rose doesn't help... she figured out that if she instigates Dakota to bother her, Dakota gets in trouble. So we believe Gypsy Rose is egging it on. Can anyone offer any suggestions on how to get the two dogs to stay calm around each other? Not go into high gear? Shari Windows and Macintosh shareware games Blackjack game [link]

Hi We rescued a young (11months old) female rottweiler/beauceron cross bred, about two months ago from our local dog pound. We chose her because at the pound when all mayhem was breaking out she stayed very calm. She is very gentle and is great with our young children (1 year and two years). However we have a problem with aggressive behaviour towards strangers in the street and other strange dogs(particularly those who are barking behind fences) ( to the point of biting one of our neighbours we met in the road in front of our house at the end of a walk!. I try to restrain her and make her sit ..she has none of it and will pull and jump on the leash. If she is off the leash she will run up to the person barking and snarling (and already one bite) We have started dog training classes but when she is there she is very well behaved (typical!) and the trainers have a problem visualising this aggressive behaviour. During the training wee do a routine where we meet other people and dogs (socialisation), she is very calm when we do this! Maybe the behaviour is a protective/territorial reaction...the sweet little old lady we met (and terrified) in the street yesterday was hardly a threat... We live in a small village however I'm very reluctant to let her run off the leash in case we see some one else. How can I correct this behaviour?

Last week, finally, I was able to get through to Defenders of Animal Rights, and I got an appointment to bring Lucky in on Monday for them to enter into their adoption program. There is a $70 surrender donation, which I would be glad to give if I can be assured of her best interests. They said it would be OK if I visited her once in a while at the shelter, to take her for a walk, and for that I would give them additional donations. My fear is that I have heard they will sometimes euthanize dogs that do not appear to be generating interest for adoption. They told me that they would notify me if she displayed dangerous aggression, and would allow me to take her back, but otherwise she would be PTS. The main reason for my seeking a new home for Lucky has been that she and Muttley were not getting along very well. At first, there were few problems, and I was able to leave them both with free run of the house for a few hours. Then, it seemed that they would play roughly, and it would escalate to what looked like more serious fighting. They would attack each other, with teeth bared, and hackles raised, accompanied by growling, barking, and yelping. They would both grab each others' neck, tail, legs, etc, but did not bite hard enough to cause visible wounds. More recently, I have noted that it seems like Muttley is trying to limit Lucky's access to me, as if he is jealous of my attention to her. I always have tried to give them equal treatment. Yesterday, I decided to allow their play to continue, rather than always crating one or the other. Once in a while I would tell them to knock it off, and I also tried giving both of them high value treats while they both sat. I even had them share a few pieces of steak on the same plate, and there was also a large bone on the floor, which they took turns chewing on. Sometimes Muttley would grab it out of Lucky's mouth, but it did not seem to cause any severe reaction. Sometimes it seemed like they were play-fighting to get my attention, as they looked at me and stopped briefly when I called them. But it seemed that Muttley did not want Lucky to go past him to get close to me. When I asked them if they wanted to go out, they both immediately ceased hostilities and waited by the door as I put on their collars and leashes. Most of the time while walking them together, they either ignored each other while they each did their dog things, or else they would walk side by side, almost cheek to cheek. They will pee or poop at the same time, and don't seem to try to cover each other's markings. But finally, last night, they both seemed to relax a bit more, and they were both lying on the floor near each other when I went up to bed. Previously, I would have crated one or the other, or kept my bedroom door closed with one dog in and the other dog out. Later that night, both dogs came upstairs and slept quietly on the floor. This morning, I was awakened when both dogs got on the bed, but they seemed content to be there with me, rather than interacting with each other. Eventually, they got more active, and "chewed on" each other, but it seemed more like a grooming behavior; neither dog seemed to be aggressive, and their tails were wagging. They accomplished their objective of getting me out of bed, and taking them for their regular morning walk. When I let them loose in the fenced area, they each just did their own business of peeing and pooping and eating vegetation. They did not run after each other and play-fight, as they usually would, and they were happy to have their leashes back on to continue their walk. Now Muttley is snoozing on the bed while Lucky is asleep on the floor. It seems like, perhaps, they have now accepted each other. When they are so well behaved like this, I get second thoughts about surrendering her to adoption. I'm sure she will be happier here if I don't need to keep her in a crate for extended times. It is difficult managing two dogs, but really not that bad as long as they are not (literally) at each others' throats. Maybe they have finally worked out some dominance issues, and I wonder now if they will actually miss each other if I separate them. I know I will miss Lucky if I surrender her to DoAR, but I want to do what is best for her, as well as me. I'd feel a lot better if I found a home for her with someone I knew, or at least nearby, so I could see that she is happy and being well cared for. At the shelter, she would probably be isolated in a fenced run, and I know she gets anxious and barks and whines when I leave her for a while. She seems to enjoy being close to people. So, based on these recent experiences, my decision has become more difficult. What do you think? Paul, Muttley and Lucky

Am a the only duntz who's ever done this - - I'm teaching my Rusty tricks... and I realize I've been teaching him the tricks but haven't been forgetting to include proper markers and releases... I say... "Sit..." or atleast I think that's what I say... he sits but pops up instantly - - almost like a spring is under him. I say... "Down..." he goes down and pops up instantly like a jack-in- the box. Every trick he pops up... and I'm thinking, "You duntz... STAY... STAY... STAY.." I even say STAY... "What is the dog hyperactive or something?" I'm thinking... Then last night I was listening to a podcast where the owner was talking about markers and releases... and I note to myself that I tend to say "Good boy!" after he does a trick... kinda without even thinking about it or realizing it. Today I'm teaching him to do a trick and I HEAR myself say, "Sit... good boy!" (instantly he pops up) "turn around... good boy... st.." POP! So finally I decide... that's it... no more good boy - - yes, o.k. and he get's his hugs, kisses and good boys when its all over... but still... each time I catch myself doing it... and each time he obeys... only I don't realize I've said it until AFTER I said it... I think this is a great anecdote how its not always the dog that's the dummy...

I am ashamed to say but I have a cousin in California who has friends that are obsessed with dogfighting. I've been urging my cousin to report them, but he says they'll know who did it. He's afraid because some of them are in law enforcement (hard to believe I know). Now here?s the outrageous thing. My cousin Luke said that there is an organization looking after the interests of people who breed and fight pit bulls. It's called PetPac. He said that literally thousands of people in the dogfighting business are joining PetPAC. How do they get away with this? Is this organization an underground group? He also said the people in dogfighting are worried about a law that PetPAC is trying to stop. I think its Assembly Bill 1634 (number may be wrong ? I just wrote down what he said on the phone). It requires people to spay or neuter their cats and dogs to cut down on the number of animals that end up euthanized at the pound. Luke says the dogfighters are real worried about a shortage of kittens and puppies to be used as bait in the fights. This is so horrible. If anyone out there in California knows anything about PetPAC, can you report their activities? Thanks, Grace

Areas that try to ban specific breeds run into the problem that the owners of the dog are protected by the fourteenth amendment in the USA. [link]

Judges read all the pre-sentencing mail. Do You Want to Contact the Judge Who Will Sentence Vick? By Joy in Laws and Dogs/Cats, Crimes Against Dogs and Cats, Dogs and Celebrities, Group Barks Thanks to Attorney General Rosie Moondog of President Isabel's Animal Abuse Commission for barking out the contact information for the man responsible for sentencing Michael Vick. If you decide to contact Judge Hudson PLEASE be polite, succinct and use NO profanity. If you swear or otherwise make a bad impression on Judge Hudson it will only make Vick look better. Here is the contact information for Judge Henry E. Hudson. When writing please address as The Honorable Judge Henry E. Hudson. This is the man who will sentence Vick. It's up to him to decide how much time the scum sits in jail, so be polite, and ask his honor to make a statement against dog fighting that will be heard across the country. The Honorable Judge Henry E. Hudson Lewis F. Powell, Jr., U.S. Courthouse 1000 E. Main St., Suite 305Richmond, VA 23219-3525 Phone: (804) 916-2290

Maui, Cali and I live in a bi-level house. The dogs and I are upstairs99.9% of the time. If the dogs go downstairs it's very rare and only for abrief time. Cali used to try to go down there when she was still housebreaking so I'd tell her no. Now they don't even try to go down there, even though its not really off limits. Anyway, I am moving to the bedroom downstairs so I can be up later at night (doing grad school work) without bothering my parents. Also, I can claim the family room which gives the dogs more room to run around when they need to be confined (to the whole downstairs instead of just to the bedroom like they are now when I am doing school work or on the computer). I have been cleaning and getting things moved around and ready to be painted so I've been down there more often lately. Cali refuses to come down and when I call her, she obliges but goes back upstairs as soon as I allow. I should be moved in down there in a few days and wonder how Maui and Cali are going to take in the whole situation. It should be interesting. Our current bedroom is going to be an exercise room/office/guest room/toy room. Hopefully there brains won't be too much out of whack when all is said and done.

Gabby is now 5 months old and has been interested in toes as long as I can remember. Well I completely baffled her last night. It was chilly here and I put on a pair of socks which completely confused her. OMG it was funny as soon as she saw me with them on she jumped back startled then slowly approached to sniff them. Then everytime I got up to walk around I had her walking beside me with her nose to my feet..LOL Celeste Unique one of a kind beaded Jewelry By Celeste [link]

They are here in Albuquerque New Mexico. They have an under construction... but mostly there... web site at retrodogbakery.com. They hold contest based on dog pictures and also have a bunch of cool stuff like team gear for your dog. Well good luck on the contest. retrodogbakery.com

Sorry to bother you, but I couldn't find anything on the web. 1) Do male wolves, foxes, hyenas, coyotes, jackals, dingoes, andAfrican wild dogs lift their rear leg when taking a leak, or is this practice limited to domesticated dogs? 2) Other than the domesticated house cat, do other cats try to coverup their poop deposits?

Most nights, Peanut starts out curled up between us, up by our pillows, and then moves down by our feet to finish out the night. Last night, he started out normally, and then turn around so that he was half under the covers...but only the front half. His butt was sticking out from under the covers and he slept quite comfortably that way for several hours (not that I stayed awake to notice, but every time I woke up he was like that). Eventually he did move down to the foot of the bed like he normally does. He originally wanted to go all the way under the covers and sleep by our feet, but we managed to talk him out of that! He's still the most normal dog I've ever lived with, which is kind of a scary thought. Bright eyes/burning like fire,           > Kevin Michael Vail Bright eyes/how can you close and fail?  > (Email Removed) How can the light that shone so brightly > . . . . . . . . . . Suddenly shine so pale?/Bright eyes      >  . . . . . . . . .

1)I Guess You Really Never Own A Dog, You Just rent them, And you haveto be thankful You had a long lease. 2) You really Know You're A Creep If A DOG rejects you. 3) I'm Married, But my Real Partner Is my dog. 4) If you ever tell me I love My dog More than YOU , You are @@#$Right. 5)There Has never been Yet a Dog who Learned to DOUBLE Cross you, NorCatered to you when YOU won , NOR Dropped you When You Lost. Visit this must see site: The Canine Gazette at [link]. Their mission statement is that: "The Average Dog has only ONE request of Humankind, to please Understand me." Filled to the brim with not only highly ethical breeder listings, but deeply informative canine sections, with training tips from the renowned Charlie Petrizzo, and a multitude of canine specific internet resources. For those of you interested in being successful online, please be sure to notice the bright orange advertising banner found at this site too. Entitled "Say Adios to your Job", this FREE video is absolutely outstanding! William Potter Mission statement: "INTEGRITY IS WHAT YOU PAY FOR"