Dog TailsOver 54 million pet dogs are harbored in the United States today, according to the Statistical Abstract of the US. In 1996, Americans spent over $10,000,000,000 (ten billion dollars) on health care--for their pets according to the American Veterinarian Association. These statistics prove just how much Americans love their pets. Non-fiction animal stories are timeless and thoroughly enjoyed by animal lovers of all ages. Dog Tails contains anecdotes of numerous stray dogs that the author has encountered while working as a Dog Control Officer in Dutchess County, New York for the last fifteen years. Dog Tails is a collection of stories; some heartwarming, some comical and some amazing, but all true. The book also contains some humorous stories of wildlife encounters and a few cat tales as well. In the first chapter, you will meet the author and her family, including their two Golden Retrievers, KC and her son, Jocko. A year after moving to Dutchess County, New York, in May of 1977, KC gave birth to eight puppies. One of the males, Jocko, had a health problem and was added to the family. KC and Jocko managed to keep their owners lives interesting with their mischievous antics. KC and Jocko enjoyed four years of carefree mischief until Jocko was stolen on Christmas Eve, 1982. After six months of fruitless searching for Jocko, the author co-founded Dutchess County Pet HotLine, a volunteer organization. Originally, Pet HotLine's focus was to put an end to the dognapping that was epidemic in the county. In time, the organization became a flourishing clearing house for any lost or found pet. It was and continues to be the only such service available in the county. Chapter two of the book contains heartwarming tales of a number of dogs who benefited from the existence of Pet HotLine. In chapter three, the author decides to become actively involved in the animal field and applies for a Dog Control Officer's position. This chapter briefly explains the requirements of the position and tells why dog control is a necessary evil. Chapter four sets the stage for the stories to follow by giving an overall view of the area where the author lives and works. This chapter also details several people's reactions to some humorous wildlife encounters. As a dog lover, the author has owned a number of dogs over the years. Two of them were obtained from the 'Guiding Eyes for the Blind' program. This chapter contains stories of her personal dogs and explains the requirements of raising a 'Guiding Eyes' puppy. The rest of the book contains stories about stray dogs. In chapter six, the reader meets two 'vicious' Dobermans and reads of their affinity to cars. One Doberman is a carjacker; the other one finds himself trapped by a car. Lyme disease is a horrid disease caused by the bite of a tick. It has been diagnosed in at least 47 states in the US, and has a devastatingly debilitating effect on the humans that are afflicted. When a dog gets Lyme disease, the symptoms are often mistaken for rabies. This chapter relates the tales of two dogs with Lyme disease. Chapter eight tells the story of a little abused dog and his unique rescue. Chapter nine is about two dogs who find themselves trapped in holes and unable to get out. The chapter relates the problems involved in rescuing them. The next chapter humorously relates the difficulties involved with seizing stray male dogs that are enamored by bitches in heat. Chapter eleven is about the appearance of a very unusual visitor to Dutchess County that is definitely not indigenous to the area. This chapter contains documentation of the numerous sightings of this animal. The following chapter informs the reader as to what constitutes cruelty to animals whether by abuse or neglect. |
