This is one of my dog buddies as painted by my friend Jaime Baker. If you would like a dog portrait let me know and I will tell him. He would probably give me a dog treat commission.

•  I recently told you about Archie the Therapy Dog going to doggy heaven. Casa Pacifica is holding a Celebration of Life for him on Thursday, October 15th, at 5:30 p.m. Casa Pacifica will be celebrating the life of its beloved, original, one-of-a-kind, unforgettable therapy dog, Archie, who passed away at the age of 10 in July. The celebration will take place at Casa Pacifica and will provide Casa Pacifica’s children, its alumni, staff, volunteers, and friends the opportunity to remember a sweet, gentle giant, whose peaceful, calming presence brought comfort, love and healing to more than 4,000 children who resided at or attended the nonpublic school on Casa Pacifica’s campus over the last decade.

The event will include a video featuring Archie’s several ‘famous’ appearances on television, the planting of a tree in remembrance of him, and the unveiling of a special plaque honoring Archie’s life and contributions to Casa Pacifica.

For more information about the Celebration of Life event, please contact Morgan Tandy at 366-4022 or [email protected]. Casa Pacifica is located at 1722 S. Lewis Road in Camarillo.

Casa Pacifica Centers for Children and Families is a crisis-care and residential treatment facility for abused, neglected, or at-risk children in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. Hopefully Archie will be replaced by another wonderful loving companion to these kids.

•  Every weekend in October from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm, Ventura County Animal Services will be

issuing free microchips for all pit bulls or bull mixes. Bring their pets to either the Camarillo location, 600

Aviation Drive, or the Simi Valley location, 670 W. Los Angeles Avenue. National Pit Bull Awareness Day (NPBAD), which is October 24th this year, is a day of appreciation and education

designed to change perceptions and stereotypes about pit bulls and their responsible owners. NPBAD was established to educate and foster positive communications and experiences in the communities in which we and our dogs live,  and it is an initiative dedicated to restoring the image of the American Pit Bull Terrier. Ventura County Animal Services is proud to promote education for the pit bull breed and loves all of its animals.

For more information go to www.vcas.us, or contact 388-4341.

•  Davey’s Voice is a brand-new, Santa Barbara County nonprofit founded to honor Davey, a five-month-old puppy who was euthanized in 2014 after being tortured by his owner. Formed by Santa Barbara local Gretchen Lieff, Davey’s Voice hopes to create awareness around animal abuse and empower the public to advocate for voiceless, abused, neglected and abandoned animals.

“Davey’s Voice will support local projects and programs that promote animal welfare, reduce suffering and save lives,” says Lieff, who learned about Davey’s death and vowed to get involved. “We want to ensure something positive comes out of Davey’s horrific fate and pledge to make Santa Barbara the most animal responsible county in California. After that, we will continue our mission throughout the United States and beyond.”

Davey’s case has drawn nationwide attention due to the severity of the abuse inflicted by his owner, Chinese student Duanying Chen, 19, who is serving a 12-month sentence in county jail. At the time Davey was relinquished to a local pet emergency clinic by Chen’s girlfriend, he had multiple broken bones, significant infections and burns over 80 percent of his body, the District Attorney’s Office said in a January 2014 statement. His life could not be saved.

I think that a 12-month sentence is not nearly enough. How many years would he have gotten if this was a human that he tortured.? And a human might be able to fight back and this poor dog couldn’t.

Lief stated “We’re still working on the campaign details and will announce our plan in the next couple of weeks.”

For more information please call 565.0001 or email [email protected], or visit daveysvoice.org.

•  On Saturday, October 24, from 6-11pm singer/songwriter Kelly Z and her band, Kelly’s Lot is hosting the 3rd Annual Kelly’s Lot and Friends Fundraiser for CarlDogs.org at The Patio at Player’s Casino located at 6580 Auto Center Drive. 15% of restaurant totals goes to C.A.R.L. Reservations can be made at OpenTable.com, put in ‘Patio at Player’s Casino.’

Kelly’s Lot will be headlining alongside Tommy Marsh, Ray Jaurique, Jim Gustin, Truth Jones, Chuck Strong, and more.  There will also be a silent auction and raffle throughout the evening.  $10.00 donation.  For more information, please visit www.kellyslot.com.

Kelly’s Lot plays Americana and Blues with a roadhouse rockin’ sound that is upbeat, heartfelt and fun. Canine Adoption and Rescue League is a 501(c) (3) Private Non-Profit No-Kill Organization that relies on donations and does not receive government, state, or city funding.

•  by Victoria Usher

Recently there was an hours-long standoff in Hemet between police and a man where the man was fatally shot after he himself killed a police dog named Sultan. Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Albert Martinez said hours earlier, a San Jacinto police officer and his dog, Sultan, were searching for this man who was described as a felon. The pup Sultan apparently alerted his officer to a crawl space that was at the house and was then sent inside to figure out if the man was indeed hiding there. A shot was heard from inside the house and poor Sultan returned with what would turn out to be a fatal neck injury. The man eventually came out of the house holding a handgun and deputies then fired at the man and killed him. This is absolutely heartbreaking but we must all remember Sultan as a hero, a strong and brave dog. He looked out for all of us(as all K-9’s do) and he will be remembered.

• Herman Bennett Foundation’s Haunted Mansion Dinner, Ghost Tour & Magic Fundraiser! October 30th at  the historic Bard Mansion on the Port Hueneme Naval Base benefitting the Foundation’s spay & neuter programs across Ventura County.
Help control the local animal population and prevent the needless deaths of cats and dogs.
All tickets sales are a tax-deductible donation.
Tickets available by phone at 445-7171.
Visit hermanbennettfoundation.org for more information.

• I received the following from Mindy Benezra:

“My dear friend Scamp:
Regarding the photo of the Shih Tzu puppies in the last issue of the Breeze.

The truth is, a litter of 8-9 Shih Tzu puppies are cute, but not really, and they are quite unnecessary as is every litter of puppies until we fix the problem of overpopulation of pets.

There are plenty of Shih Tzu’s and Shih Tzu mixes who are homeless and already born. Why do we want to make more of something we already have too many of?

Statistics state that 25% of purebred dogs end up in shelters, so 2-3 of these pups are doomed to homelessness.

Tens of thousands of healthy adoptable pets are euthanized  each year in California alone .
In this country 8-10 million pets enter shelters annually and less than half ever make it out.
If kids read  the Breeze or even look at the pictures, it is the wrong message to send.
No, puppies aren’t cute… There are too many homeless dogs and cats already!

People should spay and neuter their pets, support their local shelters and rescues, they should not buy from breeders, they encourage  adoption. Once the shelters are clear of homeless dogs, we can make more Shih Tzu puppies and then they will be cute.

The only solution is  to teach our kids, they are the key to fixing this problem: the next generation, the ones who have learned about the tragedy of our homeless pets, and who are responsible and compassionate enough to be part of the solution( Spay and neuter) not the problem (more puppies)…

Thank you for everything that you have done to help CABODOGZ and other homeless pets find their way home.

Mindy Benezra
CABODOGZ
Ventura Hwy Luxury Boarding for Dogs”

Mindy: I appreciate what you are saying, and all you do to save dog’s lives which is why I always have dogs to adopt but they still are cute. Scamp

• “The Blessing of the Animals” Saturday October 3, 11am
All pets are welcome for the blessing. Charles Carroll Funeral Home
15 Teloma Dr., Ventura. See the ad in this issue.

• The Humane Society has ranked California number one for six straight years on its list of fifty states for laws and policies that relate to wildlife, farm livestock, pets, and animal fighting. Regulations, legislation, and ballot measures have been passed by the state of California in order to improve the lives of our animals for many years. Some of these include bans on dog fighting and cock fighting, hunting of bears with dogs, poisonous lead bullets for hunting, and shortening dairy cow tails (I hope my tail is included in this).

There are horrible people who don’t like these laws because they will lose business. Maybe dogs should have events where people try to kill each other and we could use the money to build no-kill shelters.

But I think it is something to take great pride in that  our state is known as the most animal friendly. Be sure to pet a dog today.

Archie the therapy dog has gone to doggie heaven where everyone is wagging their tails.

• It is with a deep and heavy sadness that Casa Pacifica has announced the passing of its beautiful Newfoundland and original therapy dog, Archibald Razz-M-Tazz – more famously known as “Archie the Therapy Dog.” Archie, who turned 10 years old in May, was the agency’s “gentle giant,” a great healer who brought his peaceful, calming presence, comfort, and love over the last decade to nearly 4,000 children on Casa Pacifica’s campus – children placed in the emergency shelter, residential treatment center, or attending the nonpublic school. He possessed an insightful intuition that seemed to tell him when a child needed his extra attention and gentle presence. He demonstrated an endless patience with children pulling his tail, poking in his nose and ears, tugging his fur, and lounging up against, or atop, his enormous body. He would sit for long periods of time with a child, letting them read to him or cry into his fur. He loved to run and chase behind the youth in Casa Pacifica’s quad, sometimes stealing their football or soccer balls and popping them in his teeth, or swimming and playing with the children in the pool. The children loved it, and loved him. Archie was certified as a therapy dog and in water rescue.

Archie was the biggest dog that I ever saw.

• I want to thank East Ventura Animal Hospital for being a new sponsor in the Breeze. I will be asking them questions about animal care in future issues.

I asked my veterinarian friends at Ohana Pet Hospital these questions.

Q             Is it true that my mouth is cleaner than my human friends?

A             That is actually a myth.  The truth is that your mouth is overflowing with bacteria but most of those nasty germs are species specific so it won’t affect your human friends when you go in for the sloppy, wet smooch. Always be sure to keep your shots current to avoid problems.  –  Dr. Jennifer Kelly, DVM  Thanks I love smoochy kisses.

Q             My human is a chocoholic but he never wants to share with me.  Isn’t that mean?

A             No! You should actually say, “thank you” because chocolate can make you very sick or

even kill you.  Humans might love it but for you, chocolate can be poison. If one of your dog friends eats it, his vet should be called immediately. The vet will want to know how big your friend is and how much chocolate was eaten.  Depending on the answers to those questions, your friend might need to make a trip to the vet.  Dr. Jennifer Kelly, DVM Okay I will stick to strawberry Sundays

Found dog: Please call Ventura Highway Luxury Boarding for Dogs, if you have lost this sweet dog at 643-3647

What’s cuter then a bunch of Shih Tzu puppies? Maybe a bunch of any puppies.

• The Humane Society of Ventura County will hold its ninth annual “Cats in the Canyon & Hounds in the Hollow” fundraiser on Sunday, Sept. 27, in Ojai.

The event will run from 2 to 5 p.m. at Boccali’s pizza and pasta restaurant at 3277 E. Ojai Ave. Guests will have a vegetarian Italian dinner under the oaks; shop for donated items and services at the “Buy It Now” marketplace; visit with animal friends looking for new homes; and listen to live music provided by The Main Street Jazz Band.

HSVC is a “no kill,” private, non-profit 501c3, organization founded in 1932. The HSVC does not receive any direct financial assistance from city, county or state agencies. Fundraising events, such as this, are what keep the shelter’s doors open and their dream of finding a home for every animal in the county sustainable.

“This is our major fundraiser for the year and we are looking forward to celebrating with the public all of our accomplishments as well as what the future will bring,” said HSVC Shelter Director Jolene Hoffman. “We hope to see many friends, both old and new, enjoying great music and food under the beautiful oak trees  while raising the funds necessary to keep the shelter growing to meet our communities’ needs.”

Tickets purchased in advance are $45 for adults and $30 for children 12 and under. Tickets bought on site will be $50 and $35, respectively.

For tickets or to donate a marketplace item, call 646-6505. For more information on the HSVC, visit www.hsvc.org.

The Humane Society of Ventura County has provided continuous support and services to animals in need and their owners throughout the county for over 83 years.

• Ventura County based dog rescue Canine Adoption and Rescue League (C.A.R.L.) will host a fundraising casino night on September 26th at the Saticoy Country Club. A variety of casino games will be available, including a poker tournament. For the poker aficionado who wants a bit of a challenge, there will be a poker tournament running simultaneously with the other games. All proceeds go to support C.A.R.L.’s sanctuary, rescue, and adoption program for local dogs in need. Saturday, September 26, 5:30 pm – 9:30

Saticoy Country Club, 4450 N. Clubhouse Dr., Somis.

You must be 21 years of age or older to attend this event (I’m only 13 so I can’t attend).

All proceeds go to support C.A.R.L.’s sanctuary, rescue, and adoption program for local dogs in need.

• PETA receives reports every year about animals who experience horrifying deaths after being left outside or in hot cars during the summer months. Recently a dog was found dead after being left in a hot car by a Thousand Oaks woman during 88-degree weather.

On a 78-degree day, the temperature inside a parked car can soar to between 100 and 120 degrees in just minutes, and on a 90-degree day, interior temperatures can reach as high as 160 degrees in less than 10 minutes. If you see a dog showing any symptoms of heatstroke—including restlessness, heavy panting, vomiting, lethargy, and lack of appetite or coordination—get the animal into the shade immediately. You can lower a symptomatic dog’s body temperature by providing the dog with water, applying a cold towel to the animal’s head and chest, or immersing the dog in tepid (not ice-cold) water. Then immediately call a veterinarian.

PETA offers the following suggestions for safeguarding animals during hot weather:

Keep dogs indoors: Unlike humans, dogs can only sweat through their footpads and cool themselves by panting. Soaring temperatures can cause heat stress, injury, or death.

Provide water and shade: When outside, animals must have access to fresh water and ample shade, and the shifting sun needs to be taken into account. Even brief periods of direct exposure to the sun can have life-threatening consequences.

Walk—don’t run: In very hot, humid weather, never exercise dogs by biking and making them run alongside you or by running them while you jog. Dogs will collapse before giving up, at which point, it may be too late to save them.

Avoid hot cars: Never leave an animal in a parked car in warm weather, even for short periods with the windows partially rolled down. Dogs trapped inside hot cars can succumb to heatstroke within minutes—even if a car isn’t parked in direct sunlight.

Never transport animals in the bed of a pickup truck: This practice is dangerous—and illegal in many cities and states—because animals can be catapulted out of a truck bed on a sudden stop or strangled if they jump out while they’re tethered.

Stay alert and save a life: Keep an eye on all outdoor animals. Make sure they have adequate water and shelter. If you see an animal in distress, provide him or her with water for immediate relief and contact humane authorities right away.

Avoid hot pavement: When outdoor temperatures reach the 80s, asphalt temperatures can reach 140 degrees, causing pain, burns, permanent damage, and scarring on dogs’ paws after just a few minutes of contact. Walk on grass when possible, and avoid walking in the middle of the day.

Hi: I’m a lost male Persian Short Hair (Exotic) : 7 years old : height 11-12″ : 17-18 lbs. : Red and white striped collar with red bell and yellow home again tag (microchipped) : Last seen on Bluebonnet Ave, near Saticoy and Telephone : Color Black with Golden Eyes : My name is Rambo, I have a fat tail, chubby body, flat face, dense fur, look like a teddy bear, and am friendly

My friend Holly Nuckols sure misses me and I miss her so hopefully you will find me and call her.

Phone 340-0601, E-mail [email protected]

When you’ve lost or found a cat in Ventura County go to LostCatVentura.com

Enjoying themselves at the FelixNFido adoption event were “Paws For Reading” dogs Suzie, Jane Middleton, Library Technician II (not a dog), Doug, Herbie,  Murphy  and Ricky

Bruno and Molly of Central Coast Pug Rescue are going home with Bob and Christina Thompson of Thousand Oaks after being adopted at FelixNFido event.

Kiarra was adopted  from CABODOGZ by  Nathan Celusta, of Newbury Park, and  his son Jasper at FelixNFido event.

:

Dear Dr. Scamp:

Through the mysteries of the ether, I have been informed of your views on the virtues of pet adoption, and I write to tell you how right you are.

I was one of a litter of expectant Labradors born about 11 years ago.  Through no faults of my own, I spent several years in grubby shelters, until I was rescued by an elderly gentleman who was attracted to my good looks and because he was familiar with labs, recognizing my potentialities.

We spent 7 years together before my age overtook me.  I’ll tell you about the best years of my life.

Like most labs I was trained to hunt birds, particularly quail and ducks, the former because I had such a good nose and the latter because I love the water.  In Mexico, I could locate a covey of quail by smelling them, when my boss could neither see them of hear them.  In the San Joaquin Valley I would wait patiently beside my boss in the blind, and, when the gun went off, I would follow the flight of the dead bird into the cold water and bring it back, gently putting it in my boss’ hand.

Although bird hunting was my first love, I loved being at home where it was warm and comfortable.  I was my boss’ No. 1 pal.  We would go for long walks, and I would see other dogs, not labs, and I would say to myself, “Humph! You don’t know the good life!”  I would see doves and quail and an occasional duck and bark, “It’s not the season.  Just wait!”

Well, toward the end I broke the ACL in my knee, and I could not walk very well or far.  My energy flagged, and I found it hard to get up in the morning.  I still tried to please my boss, and I wagged my tail every time he looked at me.  But I just gave up and died in the hands of my friendly vet.

To let you know what a good hunting dog looks like I also sent you my picture.

Sincerely, Radar Spaulding

Ojai

I want to give a big woof woof to all of the wonderful vendors and attendees at the at the Third Annual Felix n’ Fido Bring Me Home Adoption Festival, held at the Ventura Harbor Village main lawn. The entire event was about adoption and rescue of our homeless pets. A special thanks to Lightning Ridge Screen Printing for donating the printed shirts.

It was presented by CABODOGZ, me and the Ventura Breeze and  was a wonderful event that included music, pet artists and many dog adoption agencies, vendors selling pet items and of course the emceed Red Carpet Walk for all adoptees. I have included pictures of a few of the dogs that were adopted.

Wednesday, Aug. 26 was National Dog Appreciation Day.

And Californian’s certainly do appreciate us dogs. California has been ranked the #1 most “Dog Happy” U.S. state, according to the Milo’s Kitchen ‘Dog Happy’ Survey.

To create this national doggy appreciation ranking, Milo’s Kitchen brand dog treats surveyed 3,000 dog parents to determine how regularly they engage in thankful, grateful, and loving behaviors with their dogs.

The top 25 most ‘dog happy’ U.S. states

1. California
2. New York
3. Washington
4. Tennessee
5. Florida

86% of dog parents say their dog “comforts them immeasurably”
71% say their dog “reminds them to seek out more joy in life”
64% say their dog “makes them look forward to going home more than anything else”
63% say their dogs “make them much more patient and responsible”

And 100% of dogs say their lives are richer when they live in a loving home (My own survey results)

“It’s nice to know that help is available if I have a medical problem, or need a lift to the vet”

“ Do short hair dogs need to take a bath daily? I get a little dizzy in the washer-dryer but I look very handsome after”

Thank all of you who attended the FelixNFido adoption event held on Sunday at the Ventura Harbor. It was nice meeting you.

My good friend Victoria Usher wrote the following for me while I was napping, but I made a few comments.

The limit on how many cats residents can own in their home in Los Angeles may soon be relaxed in order to help raise the number of pet adoptions and help prevent felines from being euthanized in very crowded shelters. As of right now, it is illegal to have more than three cats without a kennel permit. In order to change this, a proposal must be made which would have to go through the city’s animal welfare committee and then after that it would need the City Council’s approval. Councilman Paul Koretz, chairman of the city’s Personnel and Animal Welfare and many others are really pushing to move forward with this so that residents can have as many as five cats. There are obviously people that have their doubts about making this change but in the end if it does happen not only will there be more cats in loving homes but there will also be less cats that have to be unnecessarily euthanized in packed shelters. No matter what, it’s all about what’s best for the cats. ( And I’m getting used to cats now that I live with one, they’re not too bad-Scamp).

The Working Cats program helps rescued cats with street-smart skills find homes. But not only will they find good homes, they will find good homes that will put their street smart skills to better use. A perfect example of this would be Pacino, a brown tabby from Los Angeles. Pacino had apparently lived on the streets of Los Angeles for quite some time, always running from danger and never knowing when or where his next meal would come from. But then one day he was turned in at one of the L.A. County animal services shelters. Pacino never thought he would be adopted by anyone; after all he was far too aggressive and distrustful. He never ever suspected that someone like Melya Kaplan who had started the Working Cats program in 1999, would come along looking for a cat just like him with a street-smart attitude. Pacino then became a nighttime warden at the Original L.A. Flower Market, always making sure that rodents never got out of hand. There are many other cats just like him that have also been recruited by an animal rights nonprofit to find homes in places that could use cats street-smart qualities. Because of the Working Cats program, all kinds of cats are rescued from different shelters and sent to locations such as private homes, businesses and schools. The Working Cats program has placed about 500 cats in about 50 locations. That is absolutely wonderful. These are the types of programs that we need more of in this world. Not all animals are alike, just as not all of us humans are alike. We all just want to find a place that we belong. The Working Cats program has done that for these cats and it’s a beautiful thing.

There has been a recent new study of ancient wolf DNA that is now telling us that dogs actually split from wolves as many as 27,000 to 40,000 years ago instead of 11,000 to 16,000 years ago, as earlier genome research had previously suggested. The genetic material used for this analysis was a small piece of rib bone, which belonged to a male wolf that lived on Siberia’s Taimyr Peninsula. During an expedition to this region, Love Dalen, first author Pontus Skoglund of the Harvard Medical School and their colleagues found this specific genetic material. At first they were all unsure if the sample came from a modern or ancient wolf, but radiocarbon dating later revealed that the animal did live about 35,000 years ago. After studying the animal’s DNA and then comparing it to genomes of modern wolves and dogs, the team all figured that there must have been a three-way split between the Taimyr, dog and wolf linages. (They must have all likes eating because that is my favorite thing to do, besides writing of course-Scamp)

Foto: “What time does this bar open?”

A friend of mine (who lives by the beach) lets his four year old kitty cat “Blackie” play in the sand by his house. Recently a Pierpont neighbor saw his cat killed by an off leash dog on the beach. So please keep your dog on a leash (which is also law) even if you think that they are very friendly and not a threat to other animals.

Sometimes even the most friendly dog will run after a cat if it is running. And how will you know if your dog poops if it is far way on the beach?

The Foothill Food Truck Fest takes place on the first Tuesday of each month at Ventura’s Poinsettia Pavilion from 5-9pm. Dining options range from their fresh maine lobster delivery, to grilled cheese sandwiches to homemade desserts. Beer, wine and margarita sales are available and diners have the option to dine indoors or eat outdoors while watching the sunset over Ventura.

Proceeds from the free monthly Foothill Food Truck Fest fundraisers, which have grown in size and popularity since being launched in 2014, help fund much-needed capital improvement projects at the Poinsettia Pavilion. Established in 1954, the facility is one of the oldest public venues in Ventura. It serves the local nonprofit community by providing affordable meeting and event space to non-profit and charitable. The historic venue, which includes a panoramic view of the city and Channel Islands, is available for public or private events. For more information, call 648-1143.

On Tuesday, July 7 the Poinsettia Pavilion combined the array of food trucks with the opportunity to adopt a new furry family member at their monthly Foothill Food Truck Fest event. The event included on-site dog adoptions hosted by several local animal rescue organizations that included the Canine Adoption and Rescue League (C.A.R.L.), Paw Works and the Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center, Inc. (SPARC).

“Our hope is that Foothill Food Truck Fest attendees will stop by to enjoy a delicious meal with us and also decide to open their hearts and homes to a homeless animal patiently waiting to be adopted,” said Carol Shiells, Poinsettia Pavilion Executive Director.

On June 20^th Ventura County Animal Services (VCAS) launched its new ‘Pit Crew’ Program and website, at the Ventura Harley Davidson, located in Camarillo.

Ventura Harley Davidson stepped up as a “Powered By” sponsor for the Pit Crew, which educates the public on responsible pit bull ownership and the many fallacies that surround this breed. The partnership with Harley Davidson seemed a natural one to Animal Services Director Tara Diller.

The new website www. VCASPitCrew.com is a resource for pit bull pet family members.

The Pit Crew Mission is to re-brand the pit bull in our community. By informing the public and dispelling commons myths, promoting spay and neuter, as well as sharing responsible ownership facts, area residents are given the opportunity to make informed choices when choosing their next forever family member.

In 2013 an orange house cat by the name of Kevin went missing from Anderson, South Carolina. Very recently he was united with his buddies and found his way home! After hitching a ride on a U-Haul trailer to Riverside County Kevin was found hiding in the trailer during a regular routine inspection at the Arizona border. Once found, the very dehydrated tabby was taken to the Blythe Animal Shelter, and then animal-control officials were able to track down the owner, Cheryl Walls. She told animal control that Kevin had been an outdoor cat and one day he didn’t come home. She said that she is looking forward to Kevin’s return.

It’s so nice to hear a beautiful story like this. Savana was very happy when I told her. We’re all so happy that Kevin finally found his way back home!

by Victoria Usher

Paw’s Corner by Sam Mazzotta

Dear Paw’s Corner: You recently put out a notice about a new strain of dog flu that was affecting dogs in Chicago. Now I’m hearing about it everywhere. Can you update us on this virus? — Jane in New York City

Dear Jane: This strain of flu, classified as H3N2, has now spread to at least 10 other states in the continental U.S. How concerned should dog owners be? Well, they should certainly stay alert, but it is not a cause to panic or to drastically change your dog’s daily routine. For example, some media outlets are recommending that owners stay away from dog parks. That isn’t exactly practical advice for urban dwellers, as no one knows how long this outbreak will last. Instead, let common sense rule. If your dog is healthy, by all means take it to the dog park. Keep an eye on the other dogs, and if one seems unhealthy, don’t let your dog near it. If you have a puppy or a senior dog, you already know that they don’t have strong immune systems. So visits with strange pets or other situations where they can be exposed to illness — not just canine flu but other infections, too — should be off the table anyway.

Monitor your pet for signs that it may be getting ill. A cough, sneezing and runny nose are typical symptoms of H3N2. Consult your vet right away if these symptoms show up, or if your dog has a fever or other symptoms like a lack of appetite, lethargy or weakness. (c) 2015 King Features Synd., Inc.