Letters from dog lovers

Dear Dog Reporter,

I am new to Indian Trail and I am having a real problem with a cat that is not fixed and keeps coming into my yard.

I have a dog and cat of my own. My cat is an indoor cat and my dog has a fenced in yard to run and play in.

The owner of the cat does not care about his cat being in other peoples' yards. My cat gets very upset when this roaming cat ends up on my front porch.

Do I have any recourse?

Thanks,

Terri (June 2008)

Hi Terri,

I share your frustration as I have the same problem in my Indian Trail neighborhood with dogs and cats.

Unfortunately, Indian Trail has no leash laws. And even if there were leash laws, cats would likely not be included. This is one of the reasons why this site emphasizes the importance of responsible pet ownershipship.

Try contacting the following group's Charlotte chapter of Friends of Feral Felines for advice about a roaming cat that is not fixed.

Meanwhile, I suggest you keep a spray bottle of plain water near your front door and give the neighbor's cat a few squirts when it tries to get cozy on your front porch. Cats are smart creatures and I bet before long this one will decide your porch is not worth the aggravation.

Best regards,

Debbie 

**********************************************************

Quality Pet Food vs. Cornering the Market

Many readers have written me recently regarding my reasons for recommending pet food found in health food stores and speciality pet shops and asking why I still eschew the popular brands available in major grocery store chains and pet store chains, even though those brands may not currently be on any recall lists. Please study this excellent article: What's Really in Pet Food and you will understand pet food company that spend the bulk of their budget on advertising instead of on quality ingredients are suspect.

Best regards,

Debbie 

(March 2008)
***********************************************************
Dear Dog Reporter,

I recently rescued two mixed breed puppies and would like to enroll them into some sort of obedience training class. I live in the southwest Charlotte area and wondered if you had any that you could recommend.

Thanks,
Tiffani

(January 2008)
Hi Tiffani,
For their first obedience class, I took both of my rescued mix breed puppies through training classes at Petsmart. Puppy Headstart or a regular beginners class are ongoing at area Petsmart stores.

There are also Puppy Kindergarten classes at Piedmont Kennel Club which is located near Carowinds. Check out the PKC website for scheduled classes.

Both of these facilities use postive reinforcement training methods. When looking for a dog trainer and especially when it come to puppies; avoid trainers who employ scare tactics such as loud noises or harsh physical discipline.

Best regards,

Debbie

***********************************************************

Dear Dog Reporter,

Regarding your article: Doggie doors not exactly heaven 'sent', let me tell you a cute story that will have you pondering.

I recently adopted this beautiful mixed breed dog, very energetic and under one year of age. One night after going to bed and being asleep, I became semi-conscious of the dog jumping on and off my bed, running up and down the hall and in and out of the doggie door. She repeated this I don't know how many times. I thought to myself, the dog is just exploring her new surroundings and the yard is large and fenced in ... what could be the harm? Besides I was so cozy and warm that I rolled over and was soon fast asleep again.

When I awoke about 6:30 a.m, I noticed something on the floor. Oh darn, it looked like my new white bath towel. Switching on the light, I let out scream. It was a possum, thankfully a dead one. Now, the question is when the dog was jumping on and off and on and off my bed, did she have the possum with her? Hopefully, she was just trying to get me to acknowledge the gift she'd left me on the floor. I'll never really know for sure but from now on the doggie door is locked at dark!

Signed,

Carol

Wingate, NC

(November 2007)

********************************************************************

Dear Dog Reporter:

Thanks for the laughs. This (Doggie door not exactly heaven 'sent') was so well written, a true joy to read. Props to you!!!

Jolene A. Fecker

Improving the quality of your pet's life

Fur, Feathers, Fins & Fun

Professional Pet Sitters

(September 2007)

*******************************************************************

Hi (Dog Reporter) Debbie,

I wanted to tell you that everyone on the staff (myself included) LOVED your story. It may be one of our favorites this year. As we sit around our copy editing table, we always talk about the stories, etc. and this one had everyone enjoying it so I can only imagine the readers loved it , too. Fine job, indeed! The quotes were priceless!

Alison Woo

Editor

Union County Weekly

(September 2007)

********************************************************************
Dear Dog Reporter:

Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed and appreciated your article. I've already had phone call this morning from someone interested in Lacey. Here's hoping the exposure will sell some microchips and raffle tickets for us so we can continue this work. Stories like yours help to make it possible, and I wanted you to know how much I personally appreciate it. While the county has come a long way in what it is willing to do for the anmials of Union County, a lot of it still will depend on the generosity of others. With the new foundation, we can be sure that those donations fund exactly what the contributors intended.

Once again, a heartfelt thank you.

Ann Bass

Union County Sheriff's Office, Animal Services Bureau

(July 2007)