All Things Dog - October 14, 2008

In the Trib this week there's a story about an Iraqi puppy that was pulled from a trash fire by an American soldier, Army Sgt. Gwen Beberg. She named the dog Ratchet and is trying to get him sent home to the United States with the help of SPCA's Operation Baghdad Pups. Beberg had arranged transportation home for Ratchet earlier this month, but a U.S. officer confiscated the dog before he reached the airport. More than 30,000 people have signed a petition to urge the Army to allow the puppy to go home with Beberg. Operation Baghdad Pups planned a trip to Iraq today to rescue six dogs and hopes to rescue Ratchet as well. For more on this story and to see a picture of Beberg and Ratchet read the Trib article.

Hillsborough County Animal Services will hold a series of orientation sessions for citizens who wish to join the Volunteer Partnership Program for animals at Hillsborough County Animal Services, 440 Falkenburg Road in Tampa.The following dates have been scheduled to welcome new recruits:Saturday, October 18 at 10 a.m.Wednesday, November 5 at 5:30 p.m.Saturday, November 22 at 10 a.m.Wednesday, December 10 at 5:30 p.m.Animal Services is also seeking volunteers at least 18 years of age to train as Reserve Animal Control Officers (RACO). Candidates are asked to commit a minimum of 20 hours per month, primarily on weekends, to assist field operations. RACO officers may be involved with animal handling but will not be asked to write citations.For further information on this Volunteer Partnership Program, call Hillsborough County Animal Services at 813-744-5660 or send an email to info@hillsboroughcounty.org .

Marjorie Kehe of The Christian Science Monitor offers reading suggestions as an alternative to the popular dog movie, Beverly Hills Chihauhau.

Also in The Christian Science Monitor, Georgianna Pfost writes about vacationing with her dachshunds, and the time her pooch, Taffy clued her into a special feature at her vacation spot.