The Verdict on the Tire Biter

The Tire Biter is a great food-delivery toy but did not stand up to Daisy! The bone worked fabulously for my other dog, Li'l Rocky. It's easy to fill, easy to clean, and gives the dog a challenge without causing frustration.

The problem. After Daisy consumed all the frozen canned food, and got the kibble out of the bone, she continued chewing on the bone. She gnawed on the bone itself and I noticed that she was breaking it down and mangling the bone, probably ingesting very small bits of it as she did so.

I took the bone away and got online to research whether it was intended that the bone breakdown this way. I couldn't find a clear answer, so I emailed the company with my question. Within a couple of days I got a reply. The representative told me that if Daisy is gnawing on the bone and breaking it down, it should be taken away from her. Thus, the Tire Biter bone is not the answer for me and Daisy! I need a toy that is safe to leave with her, not one that I need to take away from her once she gets the food and treats out. Darn! The search continues.

Is This the Answer?

I hope it is!

The question: Can I find a delivery system for a long(ish)-lasting dog treat that is both Daisy proof (not-destructible) and Daisy safe (that isn't harmful or dangerous)? You're probably wondering why this is such a challenge. Interactive toys can be found virtually anywhere that dog supplies are sold, and what's so special about Daisy? Is she so much stronger than average that all the "indestructable" toys on the market are no match for her?

Daisy is not bigger or stronger than your average 43 pound dog. Daisy's "specialness" is not based on her physical attributes. Daisy is only a bit of a challenge because of what goes on between her ears. You could call Daisy "committed" or "determined," but sometimes "obsessive compulsive" is the only apt description for her level of commitment to a particular task. Pain is irrelevent to Daisy when she is focused.

But it could be that Daisy is not so different from a lot of other dogs -- which is why I've decided to blog about this quest. Maybe there are other dog owners out there who can benefit from my market research.

Note that the matter is further complicated by dog #2. This "delivery system" that I'm looking for has to be more than just Daisy proof. It also has to be enticing enough for Li'l Rocky. If it's not tastey enough, it will not fit the bill as a comforting distraction for Rocky to enjoy at crate time.

What I'm really looking for is a substitute for hollow sterilized beef bones. These worked really well for a while. Each end stuffed with something good, a few dry kibble in the middle, stored in the freezer and dispensed to dogs at crate time or whenever I need them to be happily distracted. Perfect! Here are more details . . .

My preferred filling: prepare instant mashed potatoes with chicken broth (instead of water); stir in little pieces of meat or cheese. Stuff one end of the bone with the mashed potatoes, then drop a few kibble into the open end; then stuff that end. Put in a plastic bag and freeze

What's good about them? (1) Dogs LOVE them! They run to their crates when it's time for these goodies and don't give a hoot that they're being crated or left alone. (2) Filling is of my own creation, or at least of my choosing. (when I don't have time to prepare the doggie mashed potatoes, I use a high-quality canned dog food). (3) Portion control. Other alternatives involve things that take dogs a long time to eat but constitute a huge portion if the dog consumes the whole thing. I want something that keeps the dogs busy for a while and is a "treat," but not a project that keeps them gnawing for hours and fills their stomachs with junk food. (4) Versatility. I can use the same vessel to deliver the mash potato mixture, canned dog food, or even peanut butter. I can give the bone to the dogs either frozen or not. (5) They're inexpensive.

The problem? Daisy doesn't stop working on the bone when it is empty . . . she proceeds to gnaw on the bone with gusto. This would be o.k., except that the bones are very hard and she goes at it with such vigor that her gums bleed (this doesn't stop her, mind you), and I'm afraid that she is going to bust a tooth one of these days. (She does not have periodontal disease, btw).

The Tire Biter might be just the ticket! It's hollow and has an opening at both ends, just like the hollow bone. It should be easy to clean (easier than the porous bones even). The rubber is very tough and most of the edges are smooth. It doesn't look like Daisy will be able to break pieces off (we shall see). Only down side is that the Tire Biter is more expensive than the hollow bones; I paid $11.99 a piece at Prairieland Feeds. They'll be worth the money if they work - a lot cheaper than oral surgery.

I've got the Tire Biters stuffed and in the freezer now. We'll do our first test tomorrow and I'll let you know how it goes!

Other interactive toys that I've tried or considered:

Everlasting Treat Balls: See http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=18516&cmpid=01csegb&ref=3312&subref=AA&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=0033724000000

Daisy likes these quite a bit and really goes at it. Rocky thinks they're alright, but not as yummy as a stuffed bone. Problem with these is that Daisy will go at the thing until the giant biscuit is completely devoured. For the size dog she is, that means she would be eating a REALLY BIG biscuit every day. That's more empty calories than I'd like her to have. And I worry about the final stages of the thing -- some dogs are able to pop the biscuit out of the treat ball. At some point it becomes a dangerous sized disk -- It is too hard for dogs to chew like a biscuit, and perfect for choking on. Supervision required if you have an aggressive eater.

Standard Kong Toy: Best use of a standard Kong it to put kibble inside and then "seal" the open end with some canned dog food or peanut butter - and freeze. The dog licks at the opening as the stuffing thaws, but eventually the idea is to get the kibble out by playing with the Kong and rolling it around so that the kibble falls out. When Daisy is in her crate she doesn't really have room to roll a toy around to get the kibble out. But she would go bonkers trying - which is not exactly what I'm trying to achieve. I want the crate experience to be a happy one; not a frustrating one.

Other Kong toys: Kong makes some rubber toys that are designed to hold biscuits very tightly, giving dogs a challenge. Others are in the shape of a ball or a log, and have multiple ridges in which you can smear peanut butter, cheese whiz, or mushy dog food. See http://www.kongcompany.com/worlds_best.html. You can freeze these and they will keep a dog busy for quite a while, licking the good stuff out from between the ridges. Unfortunately, the rubber ridges are soft enough that Daisy chews at the ridges and ingests little pieces of rubber. Most dogs will do just fine with these and I would highly recommend them. Careful with the Cheese Whiz and Peanut Butter though - lots of calories!

Premier Products:

Bouncy Bone (http://www.premier.com/View.aspx?page=dogs/products/behavior/busybuddy/bouncybone/description) Rubber center, with "nylabone" type ends that twist on and off. You twist off each end to insert an edible disk between the center and the nylabone end. Daisy liked this very much, but I'm not comfortable leaving her alone with it. She gets absolutely obsessed with eating as much of the disk as she can and ends up with bleeding gums. Some reviewers have complained that dogs can loosen the ends and get the disk out - you would not want your dog to choke on the disk. I don't think this is likely to happen if you screw the toy together tightly. (Rocky is only mildly interested in this toy-not a high value item for him)

Funny Bone (http://www.premier.com/View.aspx?page=dogs/products/behavior/busybuddy/funnybone/description) The Funny bone is a similar concept to the Busy Bone, but has flat edible rectangles that are inserted into ridges in the bone. These edible things concern me because they are VERY hard. Especially if you don't store them in an airtight baggie. The ones I had got extremely brittle and broke like a pane of glass would break - sharp corners and edges. I was afraid to give it to my dogs. However, Premier is a good company and I'm sure they've tested the product.

If you're interested in kibble dispensing toys, Premier has a couple of nice ones:

Twist 'n Treat (http://www.premier.com/View.aspx?page=dogs/products/behavior/busybuddy/twistntreat/description)

Tug a Jug (http://www.premier.com/View.aspx?page=dogs/products/behavior/busybuddy/tugajug/description)

Fur Ball September 25, 2009 - Daisy's story

The Fur Ball was a great success!

For one of the live auction items, we played this video and then asked the crowd to raise their paddles to give $500, $250, $100, or $50 to take home nothing but the feeling of knowing you're supporting a good cause. This "item" earned us about $12,000 and two individuals donated $1,000 each!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHYv3VN2Zuw&feature=youtube_gdata

If you missed the Fur Ball, it's not too late to make a donation in honor of Daisy.

Fern - 9/19 /09 - 2 Days After Rescue

I stopped by the shelter to visit Fern this morning. She is doing well. The catheter and wrapping have been removed from her left leg and she is finding it much easier to move around. She is very happy to have visitors! We put a soft e-collar on her, as she shows a little too much interest in licking her sutures. She has plenty to eat and drink and very soft blankets to lie on.

CCHS is accepting donations to cover the costs of Fern's surgery and care. If you send a donation, please write "For Fern" in the memo line. To make a Pay Pal donation, use the link for Fern donations on the CCHS homepage: http://www.cuhumane.org

Michael Vick - As it Stands Right Now 8/14/09

I had made a vow that my next post would consist of only "Good News," but I just have to opine on the Michael Vick/Philadelphia Eagles thing. I'll be brief.

No, I'm not surprised that he has been signed. I don't know much about professional sports, but I imagine there are many NFL players with criminal records. If they let wife-beaters play, they're going to let guys play who committed cruelty to animals. If we have a beef with the consequences for Vick's crimes, we should be looking at cruelty and dog fighting statutes and the applicable penalties for those crimes. We should be lobbying for tougher laws and more vigorous prosecution. Expecting a money-making enterprise like the NFL to penalize Vick for life is not realistic. And, although it might feel good to voice outrage at the Eagles' decision, it is ultimately not productive.

What will outrage me is if what I heard from Vick today is accepted as a suitable expression of remorse. So far I have heard him refer to a "horrible mistake," "a pointless activity" and regret that he "risked so much at this point in his career." These pronouncements fall so short of what I want to hear that I am finding it hard to suppress a major rant . . .

We've all made "horrible mistakes" and engaged in "pointless activities" that got us into trouble. But do those words explain away electrocuting a dog in a swimming pool? He regrets that he risked his career? Are you kidding me?

What I want to hear, what I hope to hear on Sunday night's 60 Minutes, is something more like this: "I am mortified when I look back on the dispicable acts I committed. I cannot imagine what possessed me to inflict such pain and suffering on innocent animals. I am working with a therapist to find out why I lack empathy for living beings. I hope someday, when I have figured out how I could have behaved like such a monster, I will be able to help others avoid taking that path. I have nightmares in which I hear dogs screaming. I wish I could take back the agony I caused those dogs." That's the kind of thing I want to hear. That's the kind of thing I sure hope Wayne Pacelle (HSUS President) heard before he agreed to work with this guy.

Being sorry for "risking his career" and engaging in a "pointless activity"? That's an adequate expression of remorse? Come on.

Parking Lot Heroes - Warning: Graphic Content

This weekend, temps here in central Illinois were in the low 90's and the humidity was high. Anybody with 1/2 a brain would know that you can't leave an animal in a car with no a/c running in the afternoon on day like Saturday. Three diners at Fazoli's in Champaign apparently don't have 1/2 brain between them.

Here's the story. My friend, C.L., spends a few hours at PetSmart every Saturday, as a rep for a high-end pet food producer. This Saturday, at 2 in the afternoon, she was getting out of her car near Fazoli's and saw three people get out of a Suburban and go into the restaurant. At the same time, she heard the bark of the puppy that was left behind. The Suburban was parked in the sun. They had left at least one window cracked. C.L., having more than 1/2 brain, immediately called Animal Control and waited by the vehicle. At 2:10, Animal Control had not arrived. C.L. had enlisted back-up from a Banfield veterinarian (Banfield clinic is located within PetSmart) and another colleague. One of them called the police. At 2:13 the puppy was in obvious distress; vocalizing and panting heavily. C.L. went into Fazoli's and confronted the puppy's people. She was incredibly angry and upset, but somehow managed not to curse as she informed them that they were killing their puppy over a plate of pasta. They replied that "everybody" leaves their dogs in the car.

When C.L. returned to the Suburban, the puppy was in the arms of the veterinarian, and they rushed him/her into the Banfield clinic for emergency treatment. The pup's temperature was approaching 104. (for adult dogs, 104 degrees is the threshold temp. for heat stroke; at 106 degrees the situation is dire). Initial procedures did not bring the pup's temperature down fast enough. After a cool water enema was administered, the pup's body finally cooled down.

Back outside, Animal Control had arrived and I believe the puppy owner was issued a citation and fine of $225. C.L. reported that the Animal Control officer was appropriately stern. When the puppy was fully stabilized, she/he was returned to the owner. I sure hope they learned a lesson.

Morals of the story?

(1) What's obvious to me is not necessarily obvious to everybody else. Sometimes I get so tired of repeating the "don't leave your dog in the car" message! I think, "surely, everybody already knows that!" Well, apparently not. Remedial as it is, the lesson still needs to be taught.

(2) Under certain conditions, it literally does not take more than 10-15 minutes for an animal to go into crisis due to heatstroke. Please - do not risk your own animal's life for the sake of convenience. And, if you see an animal in a situation that does not look good to you, contact authorities immediately. Don't wait until the animal is in distress -- it will be too late. And,

(3) There are heroes among us! Three cheers for C.L. and her colleagues who intervened to save this puppy's life. They were courageous and they made a difference.

Buddy