Who Is the Coolest Dog In History?

Well, according to a survey conducted by the American Kennel Club (AKC), it's  good ol' Snoopy!
The survey, conducted in celebration of the AKC's 125th anniversary this year, brings together dogs  from diverse backgrounds for a look at how dogs have been woven into every aspect of American culture from film and literature to sports and art.

Here are some of the survey results:

Top 10 Dogs in Pop Culture:

1. Snoopy
2. Texas A & M's Mascot Reveille
3. Scooby Doo
4. Eddie from the TV show Frasier
5. Pound Puppy toys
6. Painting "Dogs Playing Poker"
7. Song "How Much is that Doggie in the Window"
8. Georgetown's Jack the Bulldog
9. The song "Who Let the Dogs Out"
10. Brian Griffin from the animated TV show Family Guy

Top Dogs in Each Pop Culture Category:

Cartoons: Snoopy
Television:Eddie from Frasier
Movies:Lassie
Literature:Clifford the Big Red Dog
Song: How Much is That Doggie in the Window
College Mascot: Texas A & M's Reveille
Advertising Mascot:Bush's Baked Beans' "Duke"
Art/Fashion: Painting "Dogs Playing Poker"
Toys: Pound Puppies
Famous Dogs: The National Crime Prevention's crime dog McGruff

A press release from the AKC identified certain results that it classed as "surprising" including:

• Major Upsets - Pound Puppy toys (No. 5) and "Dogs Playing Poker" (No. 6) received more votes than old-time favorites Toto from the Wizard of Oz (No. 24), Benji (No. 27), and Rin Tin Tin (No. 46).
• Political Dogs - Bo Obama captured the spotlight earlier this year but landed in the 42nd spot, yet still received more votes than Bill Clinton's Buddy (No. 44), FDR's Scottish Terrier Fala (No. 55) and even Richard Nixon's Cocker Spaniel Checkers(No. 65).
• Dogs Bark to a Different Tune - Patti Page's 1953 song "How Much is That Doggie in the Window" came in at No. 7, while "Who Let the Dogs Out" (No. 9) by the Baha Men outranked Elvis' Hound Dog (No. 22).
• Newcomers Beat the Classics - Newcomer Brian Griffin, from the TV show Family Guy, landed in the top 10 (No. 10) while more classic animated dogs such as Huckleberry Hound (No. 38) and Underdog (No. 53) fell deeper down the list.

AKC experts created the initial list of pop culture dogs but then the results where determined by public surveyconducted online from September 15 through December 14. In total, nearly 76,000 people voted.
The complete ranking of AKC's Top 125 Dogs in Pop Culture can be found here.

Well Trained Dog Survives Snake Attack!

I know it's cold out in most of the USA, but it's mid-summer here in Australia and we are seeing alot of snakes in some areas! I wanted to share a photo that's in today's local (Australian) papers. Victorian labrador Bronson had a very close call with a deadly snake!.

According to news reports, Bronson, a champion obedience dog returned home from a run on the family property on Jan 4, with a deadly Copperhead locked firmly in his jaws and coiled around his snout.

Bronson's quick thinking owners found a chaff bag and lowered the snake to the ground, pulling the bag up and over the snake while at the same time releasing its body which remained wrapped around Bronson's snout. The well trained dog did not release the snake until commanded to "drop" by his owner.

 Blood tests at the near by West Gippsland Veterinary Centre (Victoria) confirmed Bronson had received a bite but thankfully after four days of treatment in hospital  Bronson is now happily at home.

Symptoms of snakebite include seizures, vomiting, bleeding around the bite, weakness in the limb and paralysis. The animal may collapse with laboured breathing. In cases of snake bite, urgent treatment is needed but make sure you call ahead to your veterinarian or emergency veterinarian centre, so they have antivenene on standby.

How Much Does it Cost to Keep a Pet?

How much does it cost to keep a dog? How much does it cost to keep a cat?

According to one survey (American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (APPMA) 2008) the average yearly cost of owning a dog is $ 1425 and the yearly cost of owing a cat is $990. Other surveys but the cost even higher!

The annual costs of keeping a dog include:

1. food
2. flea, worm, heartworm and tick control (buy online at VetShopOnline.com - its cheaper :)
3. vet visits (pet insurance can help) & immunisations
4. a toy or two
5. grooming fees
6. brush & shampoos/conditioners
7. collar and lead
8. licence/registration fees
9. pet sitting/boarding

This is all on top of the initial costs of getting a dog including the price of the dog (consider a shelter dog), vet check, vaccinations, bedding, food and water bowls etc.

If you're thinking of getting a cat, you'll be up for the same sorts of expenses (although generally because cats are smaller than dogs, there are cost savings).

Although USA has a very high proportion of pet ownership (some estimates say that there are more dogs and cats in the USA than humans!) the incidence of pet ownership seems to be declining a little, and cost does appear to be one of the factors. There are ways of saving money owning a pet, but you need to remember to keep these costs in mind.

Of course, there are benefits (including costs benefits) to owning a pet. For example:

• pet owners visit the doctor less and get sick less often
• pets (especially dogs) deter theft and break ins
• exercising your pet at the park saves on gym fees
• playing with your pet is cheap fun for you (and the kids!)

Overall, we certainly think that the joy we get every one of our pets is worth the cost!

People Prefer to be Stranded with Pets than Humans

Recently we published the results of a survey we conducted, on who people would rather be shipwrecked with. It turns out most respondents chose their dog!

56 per cent of respondents to our online survey said they would rather be stranded on a desert island with their dog than a human. Spouses were a distant second (16 per cent), followed by cats (12 per cent), moms (11 per cent) and human best friends (5 per cent).

For us the survey was just a bit of a laugh, but we were delighted when the story was picked up by television and radio media nationally.

What really amazed us was that the story was picked up by media all of the world, including the Czech Republic, Holland and India. I guess it just goes to show that people all over the world are the same, and everyone enjoys a good chuckle now and then.