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Written by: DJ Geribo

Category: Our Own Doggone'd Thoughts

I recently heard talk about all the fur out there that claims to be faux may not be. It may actually be real fur, from a once live animal. Now personally, I just avoid the whole idea of any fur on a coat or any other article of clothing or any type of statue that is covered in anything that even resembles fur, just to be safe. I would hate the idea of inadvertently purchasing something that I thought was faux fur to find out it could possibly be real, ripped from the hide of an unfortunate animal. Makes me sick just to think about it.

According to the Humane Society, there are three tests you can do to find out if the item you want to purchase is actually real or truly a fake.

1. Check the base of the fur for skin or fabric - pull away the base of the fur. If it is fake you will see threadwork backing from where the hairs emerge. If it is real, it will look more like leather/skin.

2. Check the tips of the hair for tapering - if it is fake, the hair will be cut straight across (although this may change in the future). If it is real, it will taper to a point.

3. The Burn Test - check by burning a few hairs - animal hair will smell like human hair, fake fur made from acrylic or polyester does not have the same smell.

But again, things are changing and the "experts" are learning new techniques all the time to get away with using real animal fur instead of the synthetics. Why, you may ask, use real instead of synthetic? Perhaps stray dogs/cats are more abundant and thus cheaper than purchasing synthetic fur as collars on coats. As sickening as that thought is to even think about, consider the possibility the next time you go to purchase something that is labeled as "faux" fur.

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Written by: DJ Geribo

Category: Our Own Doggone'd Thoughts

Here in the northeastern United States, we traditionally experience cold weather this time of year that prompts us to bundle up, dressing in layers. While we can protect ourselves from the cold, our dogs aren’t as fortunate, unless we pay attention and provide for them. Two of my dogs are Pomeranians and actually enjoy the cooler weather with their double-coats. But I have noticed, when walking in the winter months, that if ice gets between their toes, soon they are limping. I’ll usually pick them up, wipe off their feet, and carry them until we reach drier ground.

Don’t let the fur coats fool you – our furry friends can suffer from frostbite and hypothermia just like we do. And the puppies, kittens, elderly, and smaller-sized animals are more susceptible to cold-related injuries and suffering.

Our other dog is a Miniature Pinscher and she does not like the cold at all. We usually put a coat on her when we go for a walk and she is much happier wearing a sweater around the house. But all of our dogs are only outside for a short time, just long enough to do their business, and then they are ready to come back inside. We do have an area set up inside the house where they know they can potty if we are in the throes of a Nor’easter.

Although some people have large dogs for protection and leave them outside day and night, provide a sheltered area where they can go to get away from the elements if they want. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that they are still closely related to wolves. Centuries of domestication and living indoors have changed their constitution and they need protection from severe weather if outdoors.

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Written by: DJ Geribo

Category: Our Own Doggone'd Thoughts

Most Saturdays I try to watch a program called "Born to Explore". I really enjoy it and am envious of the host, Richard Wiese, who travels to countries around the world learning about different cultures and people. This past Saturday's show he was in Kenya where he spent a portion of his time visiting the Kankfeld Conservancy where farmers are learning to co-exist with wildlife.

Instead of killing the local Cheetahs, who the farmers fear will kill their livestock, they are using dogs, who bond with the livestock (goats, sheep, etc) from birth and whose job it is to protect the herd. Their barking and agressiveness toward the Cheetahs is enough to frighten the Cheetahs away. And now instead of killing the Cheetahs they are being saved. It is a win-win situation.

I am always impressed by the number of jobs dogs take on to help and protect their human caretakers. All for a little food, shelter, and love.