More trouble with the kids next door

We've been having an ongoing issue with the kids next door. They hop the six-foot fence, they poke around in our mail box, they throw ice at the dogs and there's always a steady stream of trash coming into our yard from theirs.

I've talked with the kids and their mother on several occasions, but it never does any good. I just keep picking up the trash and crossing my fingers that they won't throw over anything that the dogs will eat and get sick from (which has happened in the past).

But last night as I chased Sophia around the yard to retrieve a can of Hawaiian Punch, I came across a large wooden chair leg with a screw sticking out of it. That was it. I'd had enough. I put all the trash in a bag and marched over to the neighbor's house. They were home but didn't answer so I called the police.

There is an officer assigned to our neighborhood and he called me back first thing this morning. I told him I really didn't know what else I could do and was wondering if there could be anything done on his end.

Turns out another police officer is my neighbor's landlord, and judging by the sympathetic tone the officer had as he said I shouldn't have to put up with the nuisance, I think my neighbor is going to be getting a call from her landlord. Hopefully a call from a cop who doubles as a landlord will be enough to get her kids to quit throwing dangerous objects into our yard.

How to make sure 'faux fur' is really fake

I get a lot of e-mails to videos depicting deplorable animal conditions. I don't share most because while I believe in combating animal abuse, I don't believe in bombarding people with graphic images to make a point.

But after receiving several e-mails recently about real dog fur stripped from dogs in China while they're still alive being advertised as "faux fur" in retail stores, I figured it was time to share so we can all shop wisely. That way none of use will unknowingly support this deplorable practice while shopping for a winter coat or sweater.

This is not a new issue, but it isn't a well known one. Macy's and Burlington Coat Factory both came under fire in 2006, when the Humane Society of the United States discovered the stores were selling products advertised as "faux fur," when the fur trim actually came from dogs in China that had been skinned alive.

Apparently there is a loophole in industry regulations that do not require garments with fur trim to specify if the fur is real or fake. The HSUS suggests three tests that consumers can use to see if the "faux fur" is really fake. The easiest way to tell is to pull the hairs apart so you can see the base of the material. If you see threadwork backing, then it is fake fur. If you see a smooth leather or skin surface, then it's real fur. The skin is usually white or tan but can be a different color if the fur has been dyed. Click here to read more about how to spot the difference.

Sadie is fitting in well

Sadie has made herself at home with us so quickly that you'd think she has been here all her life instead of just a few days.

She runs around outside with Sophia, as the two chase each other endlessly and inside they wrestle and play fetch together. Einstein plays with Sophia too, but he gets tired of her games quickly, so I think Sophia is happy to finally have a dog that can keep up with her.

While Sadie is full of life and energy, there is no question that she is also a lap dog. Every time I sit down, she sits on top of me. Sophia does the same thing, so now I'm usually covered in two dogs instead of just one. She also follows me around everywhere I go. I think that's because I'm the person that picked her up, so I'm the one she's decided to stick to like glue.

Adam is quite taken with Sadie. She reminds him of what he imagines Einstein must have been like as a puppy. I think it will be harder on him than me when Sadie goes to her forever home.

However, Lady didn't like Sadie very much at first and was territorial of me and the furniture. But by Sunday her, Sadie and Sophia were all cuddled up together on the couch taking a nap. I think it just took a day or two for Lady to realize that she wasn't going to loose my affections.

She hasn't had any accidents in the house all weekend. I haven't seen her go to the door to tell she has to go, but she at least seems to be potty trained. She also knows how to sit and come.

We're working on crate training with her too. The first couple of times I put her in a crate I put a Kong in with her filled with food and peanut butter so she would associate the crate with good things.

So far she's only been in there while we're sleeping and once while we left for a couple hours. Today will be her first time in there while we're at work. We'll see how she does.

Introducing Sadie

I picked up Sadie last night. She is very excited to be in a new place and has been a constant blur of motion as she checks out the other dogs and the house.

I was able to snap the above picture as she relaxed this morning though. I'll write a longer blog later, but I've got a long to-do list today, so I have to say goodbye for now.

I'm picking up Sadie today

I'm picking up Sadie, our new foster dog, after work today.

She was pulled from the shelter by a volunteer a couple days ago and the volunteer says whoever gave her up is crazy because she's a very sweet little dog.

Sadie gets along with the volunteer's three other dogs and has taken a liking to her 18-year-old daughter. When her daughter was giving Sadie a bath she yelled for her mom because she thought the dog was bleeding. But when the volunteer came in, she explained to her daughter that the discoloration in the water was just grime and dirt because Sadie was so filthy.

They're not sure if she's potty-trained so hopefully we can fix that in MUCH less time than it took me to get Sophia and Lady potty trained.

And speaking of Lady's bathroom habits, she is finally telling when she has to go to the bathroom. Two nights ago while I was asleep, Lady went downstairs and caused enough commotion to alert Adam, who was in the living room, that she had to go outside. I was so proud of her.

We're getting a new foster dog

I get tons of e-mails every week listing dogs that will be euthanized because of overcrowding unless a foster home is willing to take them.

Usually those e-mails are addressed to K9 Kindness Rescue members as a whole. But yesterday Debra Fraker, K9 Kindness Rescue's president, sent one just to me.

There is a red and white cocker spaniel named Sadie at the shelter Smokey came from. The shelter is full and the dog that the shelter director describes as very sweet and good with other dogs, is going to be put down if a foster home couldn't be found for her.

I asked Adam if we could take her in and he said it could be my birthday present. The details of transport and vetting are still being worked out, but it looks like later this week we're going to have another temporary addition to the pack. I don't have a picture of her yet, but I'll post one when I get it.

Top pet poisons of 2009

The ASPCA received more than 140,000 call to its a poison control center in 2009, and has compiled a list of the top pet poisons.

Not surprisingly, human medications tops the list. I had to call the poison control center when Sophia was a puppy because my former roommate left Midol on the living room floor.

Just 1/3 of a pill is fatal to a dog Sophia's size, and she ate 1 1/2. The call to the poison control center and a trip to the emergency veterinarian saved her life.

Other honorable mentions are insecticides, including improperly applied flea control products, people food including grapes, raisins and chocolate, common houseplants, household cleaners and garden products.

For the complete list, along with specific examples of unhealthy edibles click here to go to the ASPCA Web site.