Trapped in animal shelter pipe, puppies perish

By Daniel Tepfer Staff writer for the Connecticut Post

BRIDGEPORT -- Police officials plan new procedures at the city's animal shelter after two-week-old puppies died when they got trapped in the facility's waste-disposal system. "There is a design flaw in the building and we will try to get it corrected," said police Capt. Brian McCarthy of the year-old shelter on Evergreen Street.

"This was a very unfortunate incident. "McCarthy said the puppies apparently slipped into a waste pipe in their mother's kennel Friday and got stuck 5 or 6 feet below the shelter's floor. "It appears two puppies managed to get beneath a loose metal cover on a waste trough and got caught in the drain pipe," he said.

The accident wasn't discovered until a shelter employee heard the trapped animals whining from beneath a bathroom. McCarthy said a business that has a mini-camera affixed to a pipe snake was brought in to try and locate the puppies. "The camera found one puppy lodged in the pipe. We were thinking about ripping up the floor to get it when the decision was made by someone at the shelter to put water in the pipe to push the puppy out," he said. While the flushing action would have killed the trapped puppies, by then shelter employees believed the puppies had died, he said. "Several hours had already gone by since the puppy got in there where it was sitting in waste water and cleaning fluids, and the puppy was eventually presumed to be dead."

McCarthy said after the pipe was flushed using high-pressure hoses, one puppy's body was eventually recovered. He said he doesn't know what happened to the other puppy's body. The waste system is linked to the city's sewer system. "Until we get the flaw fixed I've directed the shelter's employees not to put any small dogs or puppies in kennels with the waste trough," he added.

This article is from The Connecticut Post. News Channel 12 also covered this story, and they have video coverage of the puppy in the drain. Beware of the video, it made me very upset!

Please ADOPT! Get these poor animals out of the shelters and give them a loving home!!!

Avoid Tragedy by Preparing the Family Dog for Baby's Arrival

The arrival of a new baby into the family can create unanticipated problems for dog owners. The story of the Kentucky newborn snatched from his crib illustrates that even a beloved family pet go be a serious, if unintentional, threat.

Tragedy can be avoided with advance planning, according to Julie Zbriger, professional dog trainer with Best Friends Pet Care in Norwalk. “It’s important to include the family dog in preparations for the new arrival,” she says. “Otherwise, he may become anxious about his role in the household and act up. Even simple curiosity about that strange new creature in your home can make him a potential danger.”

Zbriger recommends the following:

1) Introduce the sounds, sights and smells of a new baby well in advance of the due date. Play a recording of a baby crying and the musical toy you plan to use in the crib. Use a doll to role play how you will hold and care for your baby. Apply baby powder and baby lotion to your hands and to the doll so he gets used to the smell.

2) Refresh your dog’s training skills well before baby arrives. A well-trained dog who obeys your commands is one of the best safeguards for your new baby. Enroll in a basic training or a refresher course and be sure to practice with him. Be sure your dog knows the “down” command and that you use whenever baby enters the room.

3) Gradually decrease the time you spend with your pet. You’ll have less time for him once baby comes and a gradual shift will make the transition easier. If you have a high-energy dog who needs lots of exercise, enroll him in a doggy day camp program a few days a week.

4) Supervise every interaction. No matter how well-trained, a dog’s reaction to a baby is unpredictable. Never leave them alone together. Know where your dog is at all times and don’t give him freedom to roam. Closely watch his reaction to baby; if you see any sign of stress or aggression, seek help from a professional trainer. If serious behavioral problems can’t be resolved, it may be best to find a new home -- both for the safety of the newborn and the well-being of the pet.

Zbriger offers private training and group classes at the Best Friends Pet Care, 528 Main Avenue, Norwalk. New classes start monthly. For more information, visit www.bestfriendspetcare.com or call 203-849-1010.

Happy Birthday To You!!

Happy Birthday to our day campers Rocco, Milo and Rex!! There is nothing like doggie ice cream to celebrate another year!

Tips for Dogs That are Fearful of Thunderstorms

Many dogs are fearful of thunderstorms. It's a horrible experience to watch these pets trembling and so scared, and all you want to do is tell them that everything will be alright. Unfortunately, dogs don't understand English. There are however a few things that you can try to alleviate this fear in your pet.

1. Be Calm and Confident.

If you become nervous for your pet, they will pick up on those emotions. Use a confident tone, and don't baby them. If everytime it storms you speak baby talk to your pet and let them sit in your lap, you will be reinforcing their fearful behavior. Instead be happy, carefree and confident. Lead by example, don't give them a reason to be worried.

2. Create a Safe Space.
Make sure that your dog has a comfortable area to retreat to in the event of a thunderstorm. Don't leave your dog outside either. Provide an inviting crate or a comfy bed away from windows or doors that they can curl up in.

3. Background Noise.
You may want to keep the radio or TV on during thunderstorms. The background noise might minimize the noise from the thunder.

4. Exercise Your Dog.
If you know that thunderstorms are in the forecast it is a good idea to give your dog a some extra exercise that day. If they are exhausted or worn out, they will be less concerned with the noises going on outside.

5. Buy an Audio CD with Thunderstorm noises.
If you play a CD with soothing sounds of thunder, you can try to desensitize your pooch. If you take this approach, play the CD frequently, in all types of weather.

These tips should help you and your fearful dog. There are however some severe cases that require medicine that can be obtained from the Vet, but I recommend trying these alternatives first! Good Luck, the weekend weather forecast is looking grim.

Quiz Time! What Breed of Dog Are You?

Tomorrow in Doggy Day Camp...

We will be giving out an award for "Social Butterfly". If your dog loves to flutter about in a crowd, call today and sign him up for camp! Our Doggy Day Camp Program is designed for high energy dogs who love to romp and play with other social dogs.

The Cutest Couple Goes To...

Pepper & Ella from Small Dog Camp and Rudder & Budgy from Big Dog Camp!

Extreme Pet Vanity!

Has your cat had enough of that same old hairstyle day in and day out? Well there is a new trend in Pet Fashion, and it is Wigs! There are wigs for both cats and dogs, but these fun and colorful hairstyles pictured are from Kitty Wigs. Some cats would consider this torture- but if your cat is a ham for the camera and enjoys a lot of attention, who knows, he or she might enjoy it! For more information or to see more photos of cats wearing wigs check out the Kitty Wigs Website.

Meetup Group Announcement

The Small Dog Meetup that was scheduled for this Saturday July 18th has been cancelled. Sorry for the inconvenience. We will schedule another one soon.

Hiking With Your Dog in CT

Hiking is a great way to stay in shape, enjoy nature, and of course bond with your dog! There are many great hiking spots in Fairfield County, Connecticut- but some are more dog friendly than others. Lake Mohegan Cascades in Fairfield, CT is a great spot to take your dog on a nice day.

The park is really dog friendly. Dogs have the freedom to run loose on the trails and in the river as long as they are on leash in the parking lot and picnic areas (within 100 ft. of these areas). I would suggest off leash only to those pets who come when called!

There is beautiful scenery including lush trees that canopy over the trails, waterfalls, a shallow river leading to the lake, and of course, the lake itself... gorgeous!

The little river is deep in some sections so be careful, but the shallow parts are perfect for taking short cuts, getting your feet wet, and for letting Fido romp around. The rocks can be slippery so if you decide to take a short cut through the water keep that in mind. The trails themselves are not too rocky or steep, so they are pretty easy on the dog's feet.

The Lake Mohegan Cascades are a great place to get away from reality and connect with your natural side. Your dog will enjoy the adventure guaranteed. It's a great place to hike, fish, relax, or take the family. The site has plenty of picnic benches and even grills, so make a whole day of it! The Lake Mohegan Beach is just down the road, so you might even want to wear your swimsuit. The Lake Mohegan Cascade Parking Area and Entrance are located at the end of Morehouse Road in Fairfield, CT.

Don't Miss Out- Next Week in Doggy Day Camp..

MON: Contest for Best Physique. Calling all Svelte Pooches!
TUE: Contest for Cutest Daycare Couple. Love is in the air!
WED: Doggy Aerobics. It's bathing suit season!
THU: Valet Special $15 mile round trip within a 10 mile radius!
FRI: Contest for Counselor's Little Helper. Suck Ups wanted!

Which Celebrity Would Your Pet Be?

Doggie Pool Party!!

What is the 4th of July without a Pool Party?!? We threw a Doggy Day Camp Pool Party Bash to celebrate the holiday. The large and small day campers both enjoyed their own separate parties. The big dogs jumped right in, while the little guys just wanted to get their feet wet!

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Happy Independence Day! Tips for Your Pet This Fourth of July

Happy Independence Day!! Make sure to keep your pets safe this weekend as many dogs run away or do physical harm to themselves as a result of the fireworks. Make sure to give them plenty of exercise and love to ease their anxieties. For tips on keeping your pets safe this holiday visit http://www.wral.com/lifestyles/pets/story/3090123/.

2009 Best Friends Dog Fest

Best Friends 2009 Dog Fest event held in June was a big hit! The games and contests were enjoyed by all, especially little Casper here who won third place in the biscuit toss! We had all sorts of games like Musical Mats, Bobbing For Hot Dogs and Paw Painting. Please support the Animal Rescues and Shelters who were a part of this day, PAWS, StraysandOthers, Adopt a Dog and Stamford Animal Care & Control. Also, a big thanks to the South Wilton Veterinary Group who helped us out with low cost microchipping. Thanks to all of our other vendors, the dogs and their owners, and we hope to see you back next year!

Greenwich Kennel Club Dog Show

The Staff at Best Friends always look forward to attending the Greenwich Kennel Club Dog Show each year. It is a great opportunity to see a variety of beautiful breeds that you don't see everyday, like the Pharaoh Hound pictured above. It's also a great chance to play with puppies! 2009 turned out to be a great year for this show, with beautiful weather. The doggy pool was a big hit, especially for the soggy Newfoundland puppy in the above photo! For more information on this Dog Show visit their website at http://www.greenwichkc.org/.