Working Service Dog Report: DM gene

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Degenerative Myelopathy Gene

More detailed information.

For more information on the gene responsible for degenerative myelopathy in certain breeds and for testing information go here:
http://www.akcchf.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=248

Look for the article “AKC Canine Health Foundation Announces Genetic Test for Canine Degenerative Myelopathy” posted on May 08,2008.

There is some preliminary information on the test posted here: http://www.caninegeneticdiseases.net/ .

The side bar has a link to the University of Missouri-Columbia, College of Veterinary Medicine under "Degenerative Myelopathy" with very detailed and excellent information on this disease. On the same page you can also find a list of organizations that helped fund the gene project. Please consider these organizations for your donations.

I will report in more detail as soon as I have had time to study the new material.

PJJ

05/11/2008

Short Stories About Dogs

Bookshelf

Selecting The Perfect Dog For Your Family

How To Adopt The Perfect Puppy And Live Happily Ever After.

Peter Jaeckle
ISBN 0-89532-068-1
Avoid common mistakes in selecting a rescued dog. The first tutorial in a series of hands-on eBooks on dogs, dog adoption, dog behavior and dog training the easy way by Peter Jaeckle, Ph.D.
The author is the chief dog evaluator for a major urban animal rescue group. First hand experience, practice and an intimate knowledge of dog breeds, large and small, as well as his work with difficult dogs enable the author to explain the tricky task of making sure that a new canine member fits right into the lifestyle of his new family.

How to select a dog from a breeder or shelter, why informed adoption is better adoption, important rules to remember, what to look for, how to avoid the biggest mistakes when bringing home a dog are all addressed in easy to understand terms free of trainer and dog behaviorist jargon.

This tutorial takes the gamble out of dog adoption by enabling the reader to make rational and informed decisions based on knowledge and experience.

Over 70 pages filled with valuable advice, information and pictures are at your fingertips.

Use the shopping cart below to order the eBook now for only $ 3.95
Full audio version $ 2.50
eBook and audio version $ 4.95

Kid Friendly Dogs -

What Parents Should Consider Before Getting A Dog For The Kids

Peter Jaeckle
ISBN 0895320703
Kids and dogs often make for great childhood memories. But they also can create nightmares of fear. Every year thousands of small children are bitten by their very own pet. Over 80 percent of all dog bites involve children. What can parents do to prevent such horrific experiences? How can they assure a happy relationship between their children and the family pet?

Dog experts disseminate conflicting advice. A kid friendly dog in one list shows up in another as a vicious kid eater. This can leave parents confused and feeling helpless. It does not have to be so.

In his capacity as dog evaluator the author has tested thousands of dogs of all breeds. Many of them from 'difficult' breeds. Based on his experience and extensive studies of dog and child interactions he cuts a path through the jungle of conflicting and confusing opinions.

Armed with facts and criteria discussed in this booklet, parents now have guidelines to apply to the process of selecting a good family dog. A well selected family dog makes for a harmonious and happy relationship between your children and their canine companion. This brief manual gets you started on the right way.

Use our shopping cart to order it now for $ 3.45

Buy the audio version for $ 2.50

eBook and audio version $ 4.50

Remembering the Founder

The King Is Dead – Long Live The King!

Windsor King MacArthur, editor and main contributor to this blog, unexpectedly crossed the Rainbow Bridge on June 18, 2008. He was at least 14 years old.

He succumbed to degenerative myelopathy, an insidious disorder of the spinal cord and nervous system for which there is no known cure.

His passing is not only a blow to his blog but also a great personal loss for me.

After eluding death in a shelter eight years ago, he spent the second half of his life as my faithful, ever present companion. Gentle, considerate, self-disciplined, with great love for people, a loyal paladin in good times and bad, my truly unique, irreplaceable best friend dedicated many of his later years to the rehabilitation of old, disadvantaged, aggressive dogs. His selfless service touched the lives of countless dogs leaving indelible impressions on theirs. The need for a wheelchair did not stop him. He passed away returning from rescue duty.

Windsor was a veritable service dog.

But most of all, Windsor will be remembered for his love of women. He spent his last truly happy lucid moments petted and caressed by a young female friend. He gave her his last broad, happy smile and his final joyous Boxer noises.

His euphoric smile and his jubilant noises shall stand as his memorial in my heart.
And the changed lives of dogs he touched bear witness to his greatness.

PJJ