When you have to fit everything you need for six months into a relatively small minivan, you make some tough decisions as to what you can live without. In my case, that meant leaving behind lots of books and clothes, and looking closely at what I packed for the dogs. In the end, little else for them went besides leashes, dishes -- and Kongs.
Which is how I got to thinking about just how important a single brand of pet toy has become in the lives of dogs and the people who love them.
Kong is king. The pet toy that's shaped like the Michelin tire man has come a long way since its creator adapted it from a rubber piece off the suspension system of an old VW van. There's one thing that hasn't changed, though: This is one toy that has stood up to the abuse of countless dogs, cats and even birds.
Kong is coming up on its 25th anniversary, and words of praise for the highly recommended toy have turned up in such well-respected publications as the dog-lover's literary magazine The Bark, and the alternative-care newsletter The Whole Dog Journal.
Both publications devoted space recently to articles describing the toy's place in fixing behavior problems, as well as the art of stuffing the Kong's hollow center with goodies to keep dogs occupied. (Alternating layers of peanut butter with dog cookies is time-tested favorite for dogs, while peanut butter and seeds will keep most any parrot busy.)
Kong has been around about as long as I've been an adult, so my critters have always had Kongs. These toys last pretty close to forever, and I swear the first one I ever bought is still bouncing around the house. (If you have one of those rare chewers so strong he can destroy a Kong, the company will replace the toy for free.)
The toys come in different sizes and colors. The ones I can't seem to keep around are those I call "Retriever Kongs" (the manufacturer calls them Kool Kongs), designed to float and equipped with a rope for throwing. The vagaries of currents and tides, and the boneheadedness of certain retrievers in my family, means I seem to lose one of these toys a month. I figure they end up the same place that missing socks do, and I buy both Kool Kongs and socks in bulk and on sale so I'll always have both available.
Why are Kongs so remarkable? Part of the answer is durability; part is flexibility. The Kong stands up to countless hours of chewing, and its shape lends itself to erratic bounces that add interest to the most ordinary game of fetch.
You can use Kongs, especially the rope-equipped models, to keep your dog exercised. They're so popular at my favorite dog park that you can usually see one or two that are stuck in a tree from an errant throw. Probably more important is the use of Kongs to help dogs with separation anxiety, pets who get so upset at being left alone that they engage in destructive behavior. A goody-stuffed Kong offers a harmless alternative to chewing the sofa or scratching the windowsill.
I get news of dozens of new pet products every year and samples of dozens more. I almost never write about them because they're mostly just variations on some familiar themes, or are something new that's perhaps nice to have but in no way essential to keeping a pet happy. But like many veterinarians, trainers and behaviorists, I find myself recommending Kongs constantly. Any product that gets such universal support over so many years deserves a moment in the spotlight.
Kong is still the king of pet toys, and I haven't seen anything even come close to taking the crown.
PETS ON THE WEB
Here's a Web site to save for a rainy afternoon, because you'll be spending a lot of time on it once you get there. The Index of Famous Dogs, Cats and Critters Web site (www.citizenlunchbox.com/famous) lists more than 4,000 animals who are famous in their own right (like Lassie) or belonged to someone notable (like Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Scottish terrier, Fala).
I really liked how the site codes each entry as to whether the information has been confirmed as accurate or is just an educated guess. With so much bad information on the Internet, it's refreshing to see a site that wants to be sure what's being shared is accurate. And on the site's "famous dogs" page, don't miss the comprehensive listing of canines who have been characters on the TV show "The Simpsons." It's a hoot!
THE SCOOP
Clumping cat litter is great stuff indeed, but sometimes it gets where it shouldn't. Cats with silky, long hair sometimes get litter stuck to their fannies and the insides of their legs -- the moisture that catches on their fur from using the box attracts the litter. And then there's tracking: Moisture on a cat's paws can grab litter, which then gets rubbed off throughout the house. Fortunately, you can minimize both problems.
With longhaired cats, if you're not inclined to comb out the spots that attract litter on at least a daily basis, then you should keep the trouble areas clipped short. As for tracking, putting a large sisal doormat under the litter box will help. The rough texture of the mat will help to knock the litter off your cat's paws.
QUESTIONS FROM THE PACK
Q: I just lost one of my precious dogs to a choke-collar accident. My 2-year-old labs were wearing martingale-type choke collars, and one dog got his teeth and jaw caught in the other dog's collar. Before they could be cut apart, one of the dogs choked to death. I am devastated. If there is anything I can do to prevent this from happening to anyone else's dog, please let me know. -- L.F., via e-mail
A: I'm so sorry you had to learn the hard way about the dangers of these collars. As for helping to prevent another such tragedy, your story should go a long way.
If you use a choke collar, remember that it is to be put on at the same time as your leash when you're going to walk or train your dog, and taken off with the leash, as well. These collars (even the half-choke of the martingale) are not meant for use as everyday wear, and it's flat-out dangerous to use them for such a purpose. I cringe every time I see a dog who has his license and ID tags on a choke collar, a sure sign that collar is being used incorrectly.
Some folks are so collar-phobic that they won't put any collar on their dogs at all. They argue that their dogs are never out of the house or yard without supervision, and therefore don't need a collar and tags. Nonsense! Kids leave gates and doors open, fences blow down, and dogs find loose boards to wriggle through all the time. Without a collar and tags, a lost pet is far less likely to make it home again.
Take off any collar that tightens, and replace it with a well-fitted buckle or snap-together collar with a license and an ID tag with current information. This simple act is one of the most basic, and most powerful, ways of protecting your pet.
Q: I am at the age when adopting a young dog makes me concerned as to who may care for my pet when I am gone. So when I look to adopt, I now will take an older dog whose "parent" has passed on. Such dogs deserve to continue to live out their lives as normally as possible. I treat them as my children, and they return the favor by reading my mind and knowing what is required of them.
These dogs are great company, not as hard to train, and I love them very much. This practice should be mentioned to other older people who love animals but never thought of adopting an older pet. -- D.F., via e-mail
A: Older pets are often overlooked by people who are sure they cannot be happy with anything but a kitten or a puppy. But for many people, especially seniors, older pets are often the perfect choice.
You've touched on the reasons why. Many people in their 70s and 80s would enjoy and benefit from the company of a pet, but they shy from getting one because they are worried about the animal outliving them. With an older pet (five to 10 years of age or more), that worry is minimized. Older pets are often already trained and much less active than younger ones, making the transition from one home to another relatively easy.
When I was doing breed rescue, we had a very difficult time getting people to consider older pets. In some people's minds, an "older pet" is any animal over 1 year old! Although our sweet seniors usually stayed in foster care much longer than younger dogs, when they were matched with the right home, they were among our biggest success stories.
If you'd like to consider an older pet, check in with your local shelters, rescue groups or veterinarians. The right cat or dog for you will turn up soon enough.
Gina Spadafori is the award-winning author of "Dogs for Dummies," "Cats for Dummies" and "Birds for Dummies." She is also affiliated with the Veterinary Information Network Inc., an international online service for veterinary professionals. Write to her in care of this newspaper, or send e-mail to writetogina(at)spadafori.com.
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