OK, Yd like to clear up 2 misconception that people have about dogs. Eve held back my desire to publicly address this for quite some ume. Only because when J tell this to people in private, they all look shocked, since it has usually followed a story they have just told me about their dog's swimming talen ts. Well, here it is ... have webbed feet. Not just all water dogs — I mean all dogs. The smallest Chihuahua, the fastest Greyhound, the largest Mastiff — alll have webbed fect. Their feet may not be the same shape or size, bur all of ; copandab vse if y : ble you lon't "believe ie, go down to the All dogs © mavaral ability than ic does with having webbed feet. | When it comes to swim- otter in another lite, When Harley was five months old, my husband tossed a stick inte the Fraser River. Harley ran up to the water and without hesi- tation he waded in, retrieved the stick, then kept on swim- ming. Qn the other hand, Alex, my Doberman, was a giraffe in another life. Wher: he was in water he looked like a giraffe trying to swim, or tying to prevent himself from drown- ing. With his long legs flailing ali over the place, splashing up a tidal wave, I considered buy- ing him a canine floatation device. He wanted to swim but he just coukin’t figure our what to do with his legs in the water. So, how does one teach a dog how to swim? ~ Well, first and foremost, if the dog has no desire, mean- ing if the dog runs at the sight meeting. “And not very nicely, > gither” But while supporting a bylaw that would keep a tighter leash on roaming cats, he insist- ed that he was not “anti-cat.” Indoor felines,. he said, live | longer and healthier lives.- Rather ‘barge, Kost suggested that peo- ple could rent traps and catch $788 S50 $i.0o § sume ff SiS.68 All vaccinations inchute 22 physical excm by veterinarian OPEN 7 DAYS! Early drop off (with appointment) Mon-Fri 8:06am - 8: Sat-Sun 9:00am - 4:00pm 226 Marine Dr.,.N.V. 988-7272 (24 hrs) Sunday, August 20, 2000 — Noeth Shore News - 43 PETS —— Not every dog takes to water like a duck of a large puddle, don’t force it. The dog may never like the water, just like people. And do not, [repeat do net, voss she dog in the water and let them fend for themselves, The only thing this will do is reinforce the dog's desire never to swim as well as make the dog afraid of water and afraid of you when they are near water. Or worse, the dog may drown. What you do want to do is take your time and turn it into a game, First, tind a stretch of beach, where there are not any other dogs around. Sometimes the presence of experienced swimming dogs may intimi- date the non-swimmer. If the dog likes to play tetch or likes to chase objects, bring along a tennis ball, a floating Frisbee or some other type of floating toy. Even a stick will do. Play with the dog along the edge of the water. Get the dog really excited. by playing an intense game of fetch or chase. Get the dog totally into the toy. Then every so often toss the toy into the water but not too far. A couple of feet from shore will do (try to make it look like an accident, but with- out the drama). As the dog tries to get the tov, encourage him verbalty, with “Good “repeat offenders” who tres- pass, and turn them in to the SPCA. Owners would then be ‘contacted and fined. Coun. Emie Crist, who pounced on the issue after hearing many complaints, was the only one te vote for eat control. Instead, council decid- ed to pursue a public awareness campaign for pet owners. —Marcie Good Give this game seme time. The dog may not get the hang, of it his summer but maybe next one. After five years of trying, Alex has finally taken his first swim. — joan is the owner of Sierra K9 Training on the North Shore. For advice or training e-mail ber at . comes when the dog swims for the first time, it will probably took really funny and you will be very excited ©... try not to laugh. Be as calm and playful as you have been. Then instead of tossing the toy in puppy!” Once the dog begins to feel comfortable retrieving the toy fron: one distance, tass it a little further. If the dog gives up, don’t get angry oF frustrated, just get the tov and try again. Eventually the dog will make an attempt to wade deeper water right away, give in deeper and deeper after the tthe dog an easy fetch as they tov. might be a little freaked out Whea the moment finally after their unexpected venture. OFS HPPOPEEPVPVEPUVOEUVID Pi SOCIETY OF RTH VANCOUVER invites cil people who want an animal friendly true no-kill pound in North Vancouver to join us. Pt ° AUGUST 23, 7PM, DELBROOK COMMUNITY CENTRE * @% COUNCILLOR ERNIE CRIST WILL EXPLAIN HOW THIS CAN BEDONE © Taik about how North Vancouver can be the a? ey first true no-kill municipal pound in Canada @ ® No expense to the taxpayers ¥ All volunteers @ Puppy playground. ; # Cat garden © A happy place for animals and people ¥ @ = ®@ Join us in a coffee or tea ¥ Talk about your feelings for our best friends . bd This is your chance to speak for those who cannot speak for themsetves ® bd 7 DO YOU HATE GOING TO YOUR POUND? WELL - NO MORE! rs . YOU CAN HELP CREATE A TRUE NO-KILL POUND ¢ e @ NO MORE HEALTHY ANIMALS KILLED . ; . ad @ANIMAL-LOVING VOLUNTEERS MAKING A DIFFERENCE ¥ PETITION. | WISH TO ADD MY NAME(s) TO THIS PETITION FOR A TRUE NO-KILL MUNICIPAL. POUND IN NORTH VANCOUVER: (please copy and distribute) -_ oe a 3 Signature: Address: —— La city (2 cistrict Postal code: Tel#: r i i } i § I I I i Hy i H WE'LL SEND IT TO YOUR MAYOR AND COUNCIL ; . _ You can see FOTP’s vision for a truly humane pound at -. io of www.animaladvecates.com or phone us at 984-8826 «. r=" Best of treats, Shepherd Rte X. Barely | more than a pup harself, Maddie and her “Petcare is a multi billion lot Material One fat conainaes 0 grow ia espe 20d Bye! Have fun at school... (hee,hee)... | get to go to the ‘Planet’ for some real furill (Wooteet!) For a Dog Gone Good Time... . Pianet Dogs Day Care for your Dog: * Indoor/Outdoor Flay Area » Outdoor Walks ® Doggy Cam * Socialization - » Pool ~ A Sincere Love For Our Most Important this s you,we Want to hear from you. No drop-ins or phone calls please. . 309 Mansfield Place N. Van 17) 1 a: 9040612 _ Email: admin@cameloi-petcare-com "We will be the change that we wish to see ius the future". 103 Riverside Dr, NY. 929-0663 Fort Moody -931-D0GS Mail to: Box 114, 103-2609 Westview Drive, North Vencouver, B.C. V7V ana b :