news-record.com

Every other dog I've ever had or been around has been scared of thunder. My other two Labs used to hide under the dining room table until it was done. Dunkin'? Nope, he barks to go out in it. I'm sure it has something to do with his love of the rain, but really, I'd rather not be standing in the back yard with lightning flashing all around me.

Maybe it has something to do with us working with him not to be scared of loud noises. My son has a 1968 Mustang that is very loud and would take Dunkin' for rides as a pup. He loves that car.

Does your dog run for cover or run for the door when storms hit?

I came in to work this morning, only to read on our site that a Dachshund had been fatally shot by a police officer in Danville, Va. According to our story, police officers were serving a warrant to a home, and the neighbor's Dachshund ran toward the officer, growling. The officer shot the dog when it lunged toward him.

I understand that the officer felt he was being threatened by this dog, but do any of us really think the Dachshund was going to badly hurt him? It's a tiny dog, and while the dog may have been protecting his territory, the officer could have easily given the dog a swift kick in the gut to solve the problem.

My brother has a Dachshund and I've seen her protect her territory. Every time their door opens, she barks. Every time a new person enters their home, she barks at that person. She growled at me once a couple years ago because I was trying to cuddle her too close to her face. Do I ever feel threatened by her? Absolutely not. She'll bark and growl at me one minute, then is curled up in my lap the next.

It's just a sad, sad story.

For a little over four years, it was just Julian. He was my only cat, and as far as he was concerned, he should be my only cat. But in January 2007, I adopted Abbey from the SPCA. I figured Julian needed a playmate, someone to keep him company while I wasn't home.

Boy was I wrong.

He hissed, growled and spit at her, avoided her at all cost, and did nothing to welcome her into our home. After a while, a silent agreement was made; Abbey could do as she pleased, as long as it didn't bother Julian.

When I got Abbey, she was only 9 months old. Still a kitten, it was Julian and my responsiblity to teach her right from wrong. And I think even to this day (she's 3 now), she looks to him as sort of mentor. And, because of this, she continues to be nice to him, and tries to get him to like her.

She'll snuggle next to him while he's sleeping; she'll rub up next to him, she'll even try and play with him. Most of the time, her actions produce a hiss or snap. Other times, he just walks away. Unfazed by his actions, Abbey continues with her signs of affection.

Monday morning, like any other morning, I woke up and went downstairs to feed the cats and make coffee. When I turned from the counter, ready to place the bowls on the floor, I saw Abbey cleaning Julian. I have no idea how long this was going on, but I got the sense that once Julian realized I was watching, he walked away.

Read any cat book or expert online, and they will tell you a good sign that your cats get along, and accept each other, is when they clean each other. Abbey and Apple have been doing it for months; they clean each other, use the action as a sort of sign they want to play, or they do it just because. But I had NEVER seen Julian even allow one of the other cats to get that near to him.

But I guess if it was going to be one of them, it was going to be Abbey. Finally her perseverance as paid off.

DogNewsDaily.com, which claims to be one of the top Web sites for dogs owners and the pet industry (I've never heard of it until now), is advertising an opportunity for unemployed dog owners. At their blog, they are offering the chance for unemployed dog owners to post a resume and search for jobs in the pet industry. The site has donated $1 million to help fund this employment assistance program.

Simply go to www.blogdognewsdaily.com and click on the "Resumes" tab and follow the directions to post your resume. Jobs are also searchable by clicking on the "Jobs" tab.

Please come back and let us know how this works out if you decide to post your resume.

For nearly three years, I have been volunteering with the SPCA of the Triad. During this time, I've seen many dogs come into the center, then leave to their new, happy home. Almost as many dogs as I see at Country Park, where I like to start my day with a morning walk. The other day, while passing the dog park, I saw a familiar face.

About a year ago, the SPCA brought in two dogs, a mother and her pup. The younger of the two, a male mutt-type dog, had long golden fur, more around his neck and head than the rest of his body. So I named him Leo. His bio and photo went online, we took him to pet fairs, but for some reason, there was little interest in this sweet, handsome dog. Leo was selected for the center's training program, New Leash on Life, making him even more of a catch. But still, no one came calling.

Three months ago, I answered the phone and spoke with a very nice woman, who saw a number of our dogs on our Web site and wanted some information about each. She asked about Leo, and I knew I had found him a home. In less than two weeks, Leo was with his new family and visits to Country Park's dog park.

When I saw Leo's very recognizable coat pattern and long bushy hair, I approached the woman, and asked her where she got him. She happily told me the SPCA of the Triad, and I confessed that I was the person she spoke with on the phone. She told me how Leo was doing, how he loved to sleep on their couch, play with his toys in their large backyard and how happy he made her and her husband. I could easily see Leo was very spoiled as he walked from window to window in the backseat of her car, smiling with his tongue hanging out.

I thanked her for talking with me, gave Leo a hug, and continued with my walk. Happy to know he was one happy dog in a happy  home.

Parker and Perri, brother and sister, were born March 19. They were abandoned by their mother at a young age and rescued by the Animal Rescue & Foster Program. They have been raised around other cats and a dog. Meet Parker, Perri and their friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday at the Next Step Adoption Center, 705 Milner Drive, Greensboro. Information: 574-9600 or www.arfpnc.com.

Be sure to check out the Guilford Record North and South every Sunday, and the Rock Creek Record on Wednesdays for more "Pet of the Week."

As my neighbor and fellow morning dog-walker Howard said, "You almost had rabbit for dinner." He was about right.

I walk Greta and Cassie every morning before work. Most mornings are very uneventful, but not this morning.

A rabbit lives in the grass in some empty lots behind our house. We've seen it a couple times, but he's usually not hopping anywhere near us. But that changed today.

We were strolling along and the dogs were walking really well. So well in fact that I could hardly tell they were at the other end of the leashes. That should have been my first sign that something would go wrong.

About halfway through our walk, Mr. Rabbit hops out right infront of us on the sidewalk, then darts across the street and disappears into more grass. Greta and Cassie took off after Mr. Rabbit, taking me with them. I managed to stop them and myself before I fell face-first into the sidewalk.

My neighbor Howard was walking his dog Comma nearby and saw the whole thing. "You almost had rabbit for dinner," he said to me. "My arm hurts," I said to him.

We managed to regroup and finish the walk, but not without Greta tripping all over herself, Cassie and me trying to see where that silly rabbit went.

When I took Yoshi to his first vet appointment nearly five years ago, the veterinarian warned me that Yoshi would shed his entire coat twice a year. Yoshi is part Australian Shepherd and Husky, and it’s the husky in him that causes him to shed so much.

Well, it’s Yoshi’s shedding season right now. He’s been dropping clumps of fur around the house, and from what I’ve read, the shedding can take as long as three weeks. There is Yoshi fur everywhere.

So this weekend, I decided that Yoshi was way overdue for a brushing, which he LOVES. When he sees me get the brush out, he lies down on his side on the floor and he stretches out. This photo will give you an idea of the amount of fur he sheds. And this clump of fur is only from brushing one side of him! I didn’t even get to his backside or tail yet. Even though I’ve had him for almost five years now, I’m still amazed by the amount of fur this dog has. I told my husband by the end of Yoshi’s brushing that there was enough fur to create a new dog. I also wish that I knew how to sew because I think Yoshi’s shedded fur would make a nice, cozy sweater. : ) It’s so soft, like a sheep!