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Adopting older dogs
- Karen Litzinger
Older dogs can get looked over and find themselves stuck in rescue shelters simply because of their age. Karen Litzinger knows the joys of adopting an older dog first hand, and in this interview she draws on her experiences with her dog Tika whom she adopted at the age of eleven, as well as many online resources, to bust some myths that surround older dogs.
So are you taking on someone else's problem dog that will cost you a fortune when you adopt an older dog? - the facts and figures may well surprise you and have you looking at older residents in a different way the next time you visit a shelter.
Karen is the author of the CD Heal Your Heart: Coping with the Loss of a Pet which you can hear her talking about in Episode 110 of DogCast Radio.
You can find out more about Karen and Tika at Karen's site or at her blog, and Tika's pretty face has been used on a sympathy card. If you are interested in finding out more about older dogs you can visit the Oldies Club website, or read the Top 10 Reasons to Adopt an Older Dog on the ASPCA site, or check out The Senior Dogs Project or go to the Grey Muzzle Organisation site.
If you've adopted an older dog do let us know your story.
Corgis
We had a fantastic time at Crufts 2011 where Joanne Lovell educated host Julie about the two Corgis breeds - Pembrokshire and Cardigan.
Jo breeds Cardigan Corgis, and she talks about her concerns that the versatile breed she loves is so numerically few it is considered vulnerable.
You can find out more about the Cardigan Corgi at the Cardigan Corgi Association and more about Jo and her lovely dogs at the Liebehund website.
Addison's Disease detecting dog
Karen Ruddlestone's assistance dog Coco is unique in that he is the only scientifically proved Addison's Disease detecting dog. His ability to warn Karen that the cortisone in her body is too low has not only kept her out of hospital, but has improved her health and saved her emotional suffering.
She is full of praise for her amazing canine companion. Coco was trained and supplied by the charity Medical Detection Dogs and Claire Guest explains some of the science behind what these detection dogs do and the incredible way they are giving people their quality of life back in a variety of ways.
You can find out more at the Medical Detection Dogs website.
Westminster Dog Show
Nikki Moustaki is an award winning freelance writer, TV personality, pet industry expert and animal trainer.
She attended the Westminster Dog show both in a professional capacity and also as a dog lover. Nikki and host Julie discuss the similarities and differences between the two most prestigious shows in the dog world, Crufts and Westminster, and what they enjoy most about attending them.
You can find out more about the show at the Westminster Kennel Club website and more about Nikki at her website.