∙ SPAN Thrift Store is now open to the public and looking for donations of adult clothing, household items and tools if you’ve got items you no longer use.
SPAN Thrift Store is providing $10 spays and neuters for low income households with cats and dogs.
Two upcoming clinics are:
Tuesday, May 25th at SPAN Thrift Store parking lot 110 N. Olive St. (behind Vons on Main), and a second at Albert H. Soliz Library – El Rio, 2820 Jourdan St., Oxnard, 93036 on Tuesday, June 1st.
Please call to schedule an appointment (805) 584-3823.
∙ Sadly, Search Dog Cooper’s story began like so many others as he was mistreated and neglected at the hands of his original owner. When Silicon Valley Animal Control removed Cooper from that situation, they worked with Golden Gate Labrador Retriever Rescue to find an appropriate foster home for the young yellow Lab.
Thanks to his foster family’s patience and kindness, Cooper learned that humans can be good and loving. Bouncing back from a rough start in life, Cooper showed immense joy when playing with toys—enough toy drive to warrant a call to the Search Dog Foundation.
Cooper passed his search dog candidate evaluation and soon found himself climbing rubble and searching for human scent… and enjoying every moment of it! Flying through training, Cooper was partnered with his new handler, Mike Bruce, with whom he quickly certified, and they now stand ready to respond when needed to help in the aftermath of a disaster.
Cooper’s journey from rescued to rescuer is only possible thanks to you.
SDF Family has helped Cooper and many dogs like him find their home and a job they love as a search dog, but we know there are many more out there, waiting for their chance at a new “leash on life.”
A search dog will never ask for anything—their unconditional love and unwavering bravery in the face of tragedy is what they readily give for nothing in return. But it doesn’t mean they don’t need our support and care.
You can give them the gift of both by making a donation today.
Together, we can change the lives of so many—both human and canine.
searchdogfoundation.org
Address 6800 Wheeler Canyon Rd, Santa Paula but it seems like Ventura.
You can donate at https://donate.searchdogfoundation.org/1170.
∙ The lead water technician for Real Water—a Las Vegas-based company that produces “alkalized” bottled water now linked to liver failure cases—testified that he had no relevant experience to be a water technician when he was promoted to the position last August.
Real Water’s lead technician, Casey Aiken, 40, is a former vacuum and timeshare salesman who began working for Real Water last June after losing his job as a strip club promoter. According to a taped deposition from late March that was obtained by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Aiken was promoted from his job of loading bottled water onto shipping pallets to the company’s lead technician after “a couple hours” of training.
In late November, just a few months after Aiken’s promotion, five infants and children who drank the water developed acute non-viral hepatitis, which led to acute liver failure, health officials say. The children ranged in age from 7 months to 5 years. Real Water’s branded water was the only common link between the cases.
Health officials didn’t connect the November cases to the water until March, however, when state and federal investigations were underway. On April 26, the Southern Nevada Health District announced it had identified six additional probable cases and one suspected case, all of which are in adults. The health district is now investigating 50 additional cases, and there are now at least 10 civil suits against Real Water, all alleging poisoning. Aiken’s video deposition was taken in connection with those civil suits.
∙ By Chrissy Sexton Earth.com staff writer
A study conducted at the University of Helsinki is providing new insight into what causes aggressive behavior in dogs. Based on a dataset of more than 9,000 dogs, the researchers found that aggressive behavior is most often triggered by fear.
Growling, barking, snapping, and biting are all signs of aggression among dogs, but these same gestures are also used for communication in non-aggressive situations, such as during play. It is important to recognize when a dog’s aggression is excessive, and poses a threat to both humans and other animals.
“Understanding the factors underlying aggressive behavior is important. In what kinds of circumstances does aggressive behavior occur and what is the dog’s motive for such behavior? In normal family dogs, aggressive behavior is often unwanted, while some dogs with official duties are expected to have the capacity for aggressiveness. At the same time, aggressiveness can be caused by welfare issues, such as chronic pain,” explained study co-author Salla Mikkola.
The researchers investigated aggressiveness toward both dog owners and unfamiliar humans based on several potential risk factors.
“Dogs’ fearfulness had a strong link to aggressive behavior, with fearful dogs many times more likely to behave aggressively,” said Mikkola.
“Moreover, older dogs were more likely to behave aggressively than younger ones. One of the potential reasons behind this can be pain caused by a disease. Impairment of the senses can contribute to making it more difficult to notice people approaching, and dogs’ responses to sudden situations can be aggressive.”
While small dogs are more likely to become aggressive compared to bigger dogs, their behavior is not usually considered as threatening. As a result, the researchers found, aggressiveness is often not addressed in small dogs.
The results indicate that male dogs are more aggressive than females, regardless of neutering. The study also revealed that dogs who spend time in the company of other dogs behave less aggressively.
“In the case of dogs prone to aggressive behavior in the first instance, owners may not necessarily wish to take a risk of conflicts with another dog,” said Mikkola.
The experts found significant differences in aggressive behavior among various dog breeds, which can point to a genetic cause.
“In our dataset, the Long-Haired Collie, Poodle (Toy, Miniature and Medium) and Miniature Schnauzer were the most aggressive breeds. Previous studies have shown fearfulness in Long-Haired Collies, while the other two breeds have been found to express aggressive behavior towards unfamiliar people,” said Professor Hannes Lohi.
“As expected, the popular breeds of Labrador Retriever and Golden Retriever were at the other extreme. People who are considering getting a dog should familiarize themselves with the background and needs of the breed. As for breeders, they should also pay attention to the character of dam candidates, since both fearfulness and aggressive behavior are inherited.”
The study is published in the journal Scientific Reports.
∙ Dogs are great at reading their owners’ emotions and body language, so showering your pet with attention just before leaving may actually make them more anxious when you’re gone.
“Don’t drag out hellos and goodbyes,” Venator said. “Stay calm when leaving and give them a treat as you walk out the door to create a positive association with you leaving.”
Venator suggested that if you feel guilty heading out without saying goodbye, try having a play session 10 to 20 minutes before stepping out the door.
Photo by Denna Gledhill
Haole Boy had been wowing crowds since 2013, when he climbed on his owner John Murphy’s surfboard at Mondos and started surfing with virtually no instruction. He went on to work with A Walk On Water (AWOW) program, helping teach kids with developmental disabilities to surf and be comfortable on the waves. He died a year ago and this memorial has been set up on the Promenade near California St.
