SFSPCA launches website for dog owners | San Francisco Examiner

SFSPCA launches website for dog owners | San Francisco Examiner

San Francisco Giants Dog Days of Summer.

Chico and I went to the SF Giants Dog Days of Summer and had a blast. There was a dog parade before the game where we got to walk around the track of the field.

Lenny gets a visitor today.

Donate to Lenny, dog stabbed by man at Fort Funston.

Man stabs dog at Fort Funston

Man stabs dog at Fort Funston
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Police are looking for a man who repeatedly stabbed a dog Thursday at Fort Funston in San Francisco.

A woman told authorities she was walking her American bulldog on the main trail when she was approached by a man walking a pit bull.

The two dogs confronted each other, but when the woman asked the man if he could grab his dog, he pulled out a knife and stabbed her dog four times.

The dog, named Lenny, is recovering after several hours of surgery.

Police say the suspect is a frequent visitor to the park. His dog is named "Denali."

Anyone with any information is asked to call authorities.

(Copyright ©2010 KGO-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)

Take your dog to the SF Giants Game!

San Francisco Giants Dog Days of Summer presented by Natural Balance Pet Foods.

Order tickets here: https://secure.mlb.com/sf/ticketing/dogdays_form.jsp

Sunday, August 29 / Giants vs. Diamondbacks at 1:05pm



Important Rules and Information

* We reserve the right to refuse entry to any dog.
* Waiver forms must be completed before entering the ballpark.
* Only one dog per adult, please. Any participating dog must be at least 6 months old.
* Use good judgement regarding the temperament of your pet so that this event will be enjoyable for everyone. Do not bring your dog if it is unpredictable in crowds, with other dogs, and/or strangers, or is in heat.
* All dogs MUST have ID Tags, be on a leash at all times and have current rabies vaccination.
* Dogs and their owners will be restricted to a certain area within the ballpark.
* Be courteous and responsible.
* Please pick up after your dog.
* Veterinarian will be on hand in case of an injury or emergency.

Bring your best friend to the Game!
$56 Dog Days Combo Ticket
Includes one Bleacher ticket
and admission for your canine. Register Online Now »


Dog Days Combo Ticket includes:

* Every dog will receive a special item
* Strut your stuff in a pregame parade
* Costume contest
* A portion of sales benefits the SF SPCA

All About Paws Dog Pawty

More Dogs Than Kids In San Francisco - Lots Of Doo (video)

More Dogs Than Kids In San Francisco - Lots Of Doo (video)

A Pet-Friendly Guide to Chestnut Street: San Francisco, Marina Neighborhood

http://www.incirclepets.com/articles/show/404-a-pet-friendly-guide-to-chestnut-street-san-francisco-marina-neighborhood

Hair and pet fur soaks up oil spills

Newest members of our dog walking family! Welcome guys!

Why Dogs Are Great at Frisbee

Hornblower Cruises & Events : San Francisco : Dog Day on the Bay

Hornblower Cruises & Events : San Francisco : Dog Day on the Bay

Join Hornblower Cruises & Events, the San Francisco SPCA, and sponsors Sloat Garden Center, KSFO-AM and Mutt Lynch Winery for Dog Day on the Bay!

WHAT YOU GET

* 2-hour yacht cruise
* Full brunch buffet
* Doggie buffet of all natural dog treats
* Water bars strategically positioned around the Belle
* Free-flowing sparkling wine
* Scenic San Francisco Bay views
* Sod covered poop deck
* Live entertainer

One dog per person, all dogs must be on leash. Please see guidelines for more information. Proceeds are donated to the San Francisco SPCA. For more information on the SPCA, please visit www.sfspca.org.

Guidelines

1. We reserve the right to refuse entry to any dog.
2. Dogs of all sizes and breeds are invited.
3. Waiver forms must be completed before boarding.
4. Your dog must wear a current rabies tag to board. I.D. tags are mandatory.
5. Use good judgment regarding the temperament of your pets so that this event will be enjoyable for everyone. Do not bring your dog if it is unpredictable in crowds, with other dogs, and/or strangers.
6. All dogs MUST be on a leash at all times.
7. Be courteous and responsible.
8. Please pick up after your dog.
9. Veterinarian will be on hand in case of an injury or emergency.
10. If your dog is sensitive to motion (i.e., riding in cars) or gets motion sickness, please do not bring your dog.
11. Please do not bring a dog in heat.
12. Dogs and people only, no other animals.

Book now.

Through a Dog's Eyes -- coming to PBS April 21 | Extended Preview | PBS

Then and Now photo album.

Pics of the dogs as puppies and pics of them now.

check out the pics! www.angeladogwalking.com

Chico at the Sausalito Cutest Dog Contest

Great Dog Quote

“Are you upset little friend? Have you been lying awake worrying? Well, don't worry...I'm here. The flood waters will recede, the famine will end, the sun will shine tomorrow, and I will always be here to take care of you. -Charlie Brown to Snoopy”

Website - All About Paws Professonial Dog Walking

Check out my updated website!

About Me - All About Paws Professonial Dog Walking

Bay to Barkers Cutest Canine Contest April 10 - Sausalito

Bay to Barkers Cutest Canine Contest Coming on April 10

Date: Saturday, April 10, 2010

Times: 4:00 PM -- Winners Announced (two and four-legged participants)

Reception follows (for two-legged participants)

Location: Ceremony: Gabrielson Park, by the Ferry pier (See map below)
Reception: Casa Madrona Hotel, 777 Bridgeway, Sausalito CA


Winners in the Sausalito Chamber of Commerce first annual Bay to Barkers Cutest Dog Contest will be announced Saturday afternoon at 4:00 PM at Gabrielson Park.

A reception for the bipeds in the audience will follow at the Casa Madrona Hotel.

It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown.

Happy Easter.

Voting is now open, cast your vote for Best Dog Walker! I appreciate it.

I'm thrilled to be nominated for the Best Dog Walker by SF Gate's BayList! Voting begins Monday, March 29th, and runs through Friday, May 28th.

All About Paws Dog Walking, Best of the BayList - CityVoter

All About Paws Dog Walking, Best of the BayList - CityVoter

Sun kissing.

Chico ready for a siesta after a day at the beach.

let's go to the dog park

let's go to the dog park
Originally uploaded by judithsweet

From a beagle named Elie.

"A Dog's Boat." Sausalito, California. Photo of the Day for March 18th, 2010.

Great news!

All About Paws Dog Walking nominated for best dog walker in San Francisco by SFGate BayList! Stay tuned for details on how you can vote!

Does your loved one miss the dog more than you?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20100315/lf_nm_life/us_usa_dogs_survey_1

NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) – Have you ever had the feeling that your loved one misses the dog more than you when he or she is away on a business trip? You may be right.

A third of Americans admit to pining for their pooches more than their partners when out of town. But maybe that's because nine out of ten of them feel their pet is more pleased to see them after a hard day at work and is even more likely to notice when they've had a bad day.

Your partner's relationship with your dog may be closer than you thought and it might be going on behind your back. Around one is seven dog owners say they have "shared a look" with their dogs at least once and even more than that claim to be able to read their pet's facial expressions.

And ever wondered what's behind the long gaze into pooch's big brown eyes? Your partner may be one of a third of dog owners who swear it's an entire "conversation" without words.

And it doesn't stop there.

Many Americans turn to their four-legged friends for solace before friends and family. Nearly two thirds believe their dogs are more dependable than their closest comrades and over 70 percent would rather go for a walk with pooch when feeling uptight than hang out with their best buddy.

These are the results of a survey commissioned by dog snack maker Pup-Peroni that questioned over 1000 U.S. dog owners about the feelings they have for the pup in their life. The hold dogs have over their owners' emotions is striking.

Over two thirds say they feel more guilty about leaving their dog behind when traveling than leaving friends or loved ones. A majority say their pooch makes them feel happy, loved and relaxed.

(Reporting by Edward Krudy; Editing by Patricia Reaney)

SAN FRANCISCO area: Nuena Pet Photography looking for dogs to photograph - AKC and rescues!!

Project DOG is a photo project aimed at bringing together the worlds of purebred and rescue dogs through a creative dog photo project. The quest is simple. To find and photograph all 151 AKC dog breeds. For every AKC breed photographed, a rescue dog of the same breed will be given the same royal photographic treatment. The result? A BOOK. The American Kennel Club (AKC) is not affiliated with nor endorses this project.

If you are in the San Francisco Bay Area and have an AKC registered dog -or- a rescue dog of one of the breeds below, you may be eligible to receive a complimentary photo session for inclusion in the book. Nueana Pet Photography is still looking for breeds listed below in bold. Please email me at kira@nuenapets.com for more info.

http://nuenapets.com/projectdog.html

Video: A Guide to Walk Your Dog Off-leash in the GGNRA

Dog Discovers The Joys Of Bouncing On A Trampoline!!!

DARPA Study on Athletic Performance in Sled Dogs and Humans

Outside Magazine, March 2010
By Brian Alexander
It's the Dog In You
An Oklahoma veterinary scientist named Mike Davis says there's no doubt about it: The world's greatest athletes, of any species, are the canines who pull sleds at the Iditarod. Now, in a project funded by the Pentagon's research arm, he's coming up with ways to make us more like them.
see story:http://outside.away.com/outside/bodywork/201003/sled-dogs-human-athletic-performance-research-1.html

Andersoon Cooper's Pic of the day-"Woof Blizzard here, reporting live! Snow slowly turning yellow, one puddle at a time."

http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2010/02/26/beat-360%C2%B0-22610/
Beat 360° 2/26/10
Ready for today's Beat 360°? Everyday we post a picture you provide the caption and our staff will join in too. Tune in tonight at 10pm to see if you are our favorite! Here is the 'Beat 360°' pic: Three men walk their dogs in Central Park February 26, 2010 after a snow storm dropped 9.4 inches (23.8 cm) in New York. More snow is expected in the next two days.

Scientists pinpoint origins of little dogs

Scientists pinpoint origins of little dogs
Big dogs came first; little ones arose 12,000 years ago in Middle East
By Jennifer Viegas Discovery Channel

Small dogs the world over can all trace their ancestry back to the Middle East, where the first diminutive canines emerged more than 12,000 years ago.

A new study, which appears in BMC Biology, focused on a single gene responsible for size in dogs. Researchers found that the version of the gene IGF1 that is a major determinant of small size in dogs probably originated as a result of domestication of the Middle Eastern gray wolf, which also happens to be smaller than many other wolves.

In terms of which came first, big dogs or small dogs, the answer is now the former.

"Archaeological studies suggest that ancient (dog) remains found in Belgium, Germany and Western Russia, which date to 13,000-31,000 years ago, were most similar in body size to the Great Dane, while those from the Middle East dating to about 12,000 years ago were most similar to a small terrier," lead author Melissa Gray told Discovery News.

For the study, Gray, a researcher in the Laboratory of Genetics at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and her colleagues traced the evolutionary history of the IGF1 gene. To do so, they surveyed a large sample of gray wolf populations, other wild members of the Canidae family, and numerous breeds of dogs.

Gray and her team first confirmed that all domesticated dogs trace their heritage back to gray wolves. She indicated the jury is still out as to when and where the world's first dog — of any size — emerged.

All small dogs, normally weighing 20 pounds or less, share the variant of IGF1 also found in Middle Eastern gray wolves, the scientists discovered. This means the gene must have surfaced early in the history of small dogs, but after dogs in general were first domesticated.

The DNA studies, combined with the archaeological record, then suggest that at least 12,000 years ago, the first domesticated small dogs entered the world, with humans playing a major role in the process.

"(There) could have been a mutation arising early in the history of dogs," said Gray, "which was maintained by breeding and artificial selection by humans, or could have been an adaptive trait that developed during domestication as a means to coexist with humans."

The timing and location provide intriguing clues, as Middle Eastern societies then were moving away from the hunter-gatherer lifestyle and towards agriculture-based communities.

"Small (dog) size could have been more desirable in more densely packed agrarian societies where dogs may have lived partly indoors or in confined outdoor spaces," Gray explained.

"It is unlikely that dogs at that time were used as a source of protection, but more likely that they were used initially for their fur, as a food source, and possibly companionship," she added.

Reduction in body size is a common feature of domestication and has been observed in other animals, such as cattle, pigs and goats.

David Macdonald of the University of Oxford and Carlos Driscoll of the National Institutes of Health point out in a separate paper in the Journal of Biology that most of the Western barnyard animals were domesticated beginning at around the same time 12,000 years ago.

Dogs stood out from the rest, however, because they were "in the role of not just a treasured companion, but a precursor to wealth and inequality" since "dogs are likely to have become status symbols as well as being intrinsically valuable," Macdonald and Driscoll wrote.
© 2010 Discovery Channel

URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35564095/ns/technology_and_science-science/

When a Killer Kills : Discovery News

When a Killer Kills : Discovery News

Posted using ShareThis

The death of trainer Dawn Brancheau today at SeaWorld Adventure Park in Orlando, Florida at the hands of Tilikum, one of the largest killer whales in captivity, was a shocking, terrible tragedy. There are no words for her family and loved ones, whose loss is beyond measure.

Even more disturbing, perhaps, is the fact that captive Orcas are regularly involved in the deaths of trainers. Tilikum himself, a 12,000 pound bull, killed his trainer at Sealand of the Pacific in 1991. The body of a homeless man was found draped across his back at SeaWorld in 1999.

Brancheau's death is the second in just a couple of months. Alexis Mertinez, a trainer at Loro Parque in Tenerife died in late December after having his chest severely compressed by a different whale "not considered completely predictable" who was known to "play rough."

The list goes on, tallying up near two dozen attacks -- most non-fatal -- since the 1970's. Together with today's sad, unpredictable incident, such tragedies raise a few important questions about training and keeping killer whales in captivity.

Were Tilikum a lion, a wolf, or a grizzly bear, would the death of a trainer be so surprising to us? We have a special fascination with whales, and killer whales in particular. We know they are immensely powerful but also incredibly intelligent, social, and emotional animals. Images of trainers hugging them and playfully tossing them fish are the first things that pop to mind.

But perhaps because of their status in our culture, we forget that they are multi-ton apex predators. In the wild they ruthlessly hunt down and eat seals, sea lions, and just about anything else they want.

More broadly, what provokes an attack like this, and why do they keep happening?

"Whether you call it boredom, aggression, stir-crazy, or it just being a wild animal, these accidents occur, and shouldn't be taken for granted," Courtney Vail of the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society (WDCS) told Discovery News (a call made to SeaWorld was not immediately returned). She went on to suggest that it's the venue in which we view these animals -- a brightly lit SeaWorld tank, with music, applause, and sensational tricks -- that makes us think these animals are happy go-lucky animals content with life in captivity.

We can't see into the mind of an animal, of course. But according to Vail, 136 Orcas have been taken into captivity from the wild since 1961. Of those, 123 have died, with an average lifespan of four years once captured. For a species that averages 35 years in the wild, that's a pretty poor public health record.

The bottom line is that these animals are very lucrative, as are the relationships trainers establish with them for shows. A 2004 investigative report by Sally Kestin of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel revealed that SeaWorld paid $875,000 for an Orca in the mid-1990s. Though WDCS hasn't been able to find any current numbers, Vail speculated that the whales likely now sell for "millions of dollars."

Being a campaigns director for WDCS, Vail's stance is that no whales should be kept in captivity. Of the 41 Orcas currently alive in captivity around the world, only 13 are wild. Still, captive breeding programs need new blood from wild populations to maintain genetic viability. Animals will continue to be harvested from the wild, simply because they are money makers.

And for the same reason, the position of SeaWorld trainer to a killer whale isn't llikely to disappear any time soon, no matter how dangerous a job it is.

Bill proposes animal-abuse registry Web site

Sausalito cute dog contest.

Sausalito Chamber of Commerce First Annual Bay to Barkers

http://www.sausalito.org/specialevents

ENTRY FORM
This isn’t your average dog show – it’s a fun CONTEST to showcase your canine companion and raise money for worthy causes -- the Sausalito Chamber of Commerce, the Sausalito Dog Park, The Marin Humane Society & Guide Dogs for the Blind.

CATEGORIES:
Best of Show /Cutest Canine - Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the cutest canine of all?

Best Dressed Dog - Deck out that dog and let it strut its stuff!

The Bow-Wow-Look-Alike - Are you a canine clone? Have people ever told you that your dog looks like you? Well, let our judges decide!

Fido the Fundraiser - Solicit donations! If you and your dog raise the most money you’ll be handsomely rewarded and gifted!

People's Choice Pup - The Pooch with the most popular votes from the general public wins this prize.

To register your pooch in the 2010 Sausalito Bay to Barkers Dog Contest, complete the entry form, and mail or deliver to the Sausalito Chamber of Commerce, 10 Liberty Ship Way, Suite 250, Sausalito, CA 94965 with the $50 entry fee (make checks payable to the Sausalito Chamber of Commerce) along with a glossy photo of your doggie (5x7 minimum size). For Best Dressed, make sure the dog is pictured in costume and if you’re competing in the Bow Wow Look Alike category make sure you’re in the photo with the dog. For more information call 415-331-7262 Ext 202.

Award Ceremony
April 10, 2010, 4-6 PM in downtown Sausalito
Food, drink & Fido, brought to you by Sausalito Chamber of Commerce

Dog photos will be on display downtown (location to be announced) where you and your family and friends can view and vote for “People’s Choice”. Celebrity judges will vote on the first three categories; the pooch with the biggest pocket book will win the Fido Fundraiser and THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE award will go to the pooch with the most popular votes. Prizes range from an overnight stay for you and Fido at the Casa Madrona hotel to a $500 portrait of you and your dog.

Dog’s Name________________________________

Owner’s Name________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________________

E-mail: ______________________________

Telephone:___________________________
Applicant hereby releases and discharges the Sausalito Chamber of Commerce and all other participating and sponsoring organizations from any responsibility, personal liability, loss or damage in connection with this event.

Signed ________________________________________

Date ________________________________________

Award Ceremony Rules
1. Dogs must be leashed at all times during event
2. 4’ SAFETY RULE – Please keep your dog 4’ away from unknown dogs
3. All dogs required to have current rabies vaccinations

Sponsored by the Sausalito Chamber of Commerce.

NEED EXTRAS FOR FEATURE FILM DOGGIE BOOGIE: Being filmed in San Francisco Bay Area

http://www.poochcoach.com/doggieboogieextras.htm
NEED EXTRAS FOR FEEL-GOOD FAMILY FEATURE FILM
Being filmed in San Francisco Bay Area
An endearing, insightful and humorous movie that explores the dog-human bond.

Name: Doggie Boogie: Get Your Grrrr On!
Logline: A devoted Bichon pup helps his teenage owner and her dog-dancing uncle unleash their potential.
Web Site: www.DoggieBoogieMovie.com

Doggie Boogie combines America’s love for dancing and dogs. Doggie Boogie fuses the wackiness of Best in Show with the thrills of Flashdance and the comic-book villainy of 101 Dalmatians. This wild quest for personal identity answers the question, Why does my dog look at me that way?

The theme of Doggie Boogie is that it’s never too early or too late to go for your dreams.


"Doggie Boogie: Get Your Grrr On" is looking for audience extras to be a part of our grand opening for our film! We are inviting people of all ages (families welcome) to participate in this feel-good family movie.

Location: March 5th is our huge day at Ruby Sky. The call time will be 9:00 a.m. -- 420 Mason Street, San Francisco, CA 94102

Please feel free to invite friends and family – anyone with a fabulous costume would be wonderful. Everyone else shall dress colorfully.

Email Marlene: DoggieCasting@gmail.com

AUDIENCE EXTRAS CONTACT:
Marlenee @ 925 383 3456 marlenee.emigh@gmail.com
Delicia @ 408 829 0856 delicia@doggieboogiemovie.com


GENERAL INFO ABOUT FILM:
"Doggie Boogie: Get Your Grrr On!" is a feel-good family film with wacky characters and grrreat adventure! The message is simple: It's never too early or too late to follow your dreams. The film is vibrant with brilliant costume, make-up & set design...a cross between the films "Nanny McFee," "Best in Show" & "The Wizard of Oz."

If possible, please forward this information along!
THANK YOU FOR HELPING US!

Playtime

West Hollywood eyes sales ban on cats, dogs | San Francisco Examiner

West Hollywood eyes sales ban on cats, dogs | San Francisco Examiner

Associated Press
02/15/10 2:52 PM PST

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. — People shopping for pets in West Hollywood might soon wonder why there aren't any doggies in the windows anymore.

The city is poised to give final approval to an ordinance that would end sales of dogs and cats as a way to reduce the demand that can lead to inhumane conditions in the breeding industry.

The ordinance was approved on a first reading earlier in the month. If it passes a second reading Tuesday, the law would take effect March 19.

Councilman Jeffrey Prang said the move would strike a blow to puppy mills and other cruel, assembly-line breeding.

"There's so many abandoned animals," said Ivan Merino, a manager at Collar & Leash in West Hollywood. "People keep buying dogs and cats and then after a few months they just dump them."

The Humane Society of the United States said the ordinance was modeled after a similar law adopted last year in South Lake Tahoe, Calif.

More than 500 independent pet shops nationwide, including 38 in California, also refuse to sell puppies in their stores.

Under the West Hollywood proposal, all pet stores would have to stop selling cats and dogs by September 2011.

People who want "companion animals" should consider adopting from municipal shelters or nonprofit rescue agencies, Prang said.

Documents filed with the ordinance said 35,000 dogs and 67,000 cats were euthanized in city and county shelters in Los Angeles in the past year, even as customers kept buying puppies and kittens at pet stores.

West Hollywood was the first city in the country to outlaw cat declawing. San Francisco, Santa Monica, Los Angeles and Beverly Hills followed with their own bans

Read more at the San Francisco Examiner: http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/ap/w-hollywood-to-consider-ban-pet-store-cats-dogs-84406962.html#ixzz0fkezLcmr

Day One Results from the 2010 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

Day One Results from the 2010 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show

From Doggies.com
February 15, 2010
For more details and for winners of each breed, see the Westminster Kennel Club’s web site. www.westminsterkennelclub.org

Hounds

1st Place: Whippet – Ch Starline’s Chanel

2nd Place: Greyhound – Ch Grandcru Clos Erasmus

3rd Place: Scottish Deerhound – Ch Foxcliffe Hickory Wind

4th Place: PBGV – Ch Rokeena Carte Blanche

Toy

1st Place: Toy Poodle – Ch Smash JP Moon Walk

2nd Place: Pekingese – Ch Linn-Lee’s For The Good Times

3rd Place: Shih Tzu – Ch Hallmark Jolei Austin Powers

4th Place: Papillon – Ch Forevr Errol Flynn


Non-Sporting

1st Place: French Bulldog – Ch Robobull Fabelhaft Im On Fire

2nd Place: Chinese Shar-Pei – Ch Chaoyang Chick Magnet At Asia

3rd Place: Bulldog – Ch Kepley’s Showbiz Razzle Dazzle

4th Place: Miniature Poodle – Ch Splash Di Caprio

Herding

1st Place: Puli – Ch Cordmaker Field Of Dreams

2nd Place: Belgian Sheepdog – Ch Uri De Beauvoir

3rd Place: Bearded Collie – Ch Tolkien Raintree Mister Baggins

4th Place: German Shepherd – Ch Kridler’s Nutmeg V Signature

Teach your dog to pick up his leash and bring it to you.

Danger, Get Your Leash from Walker Parks on Vimeo.

SF dog licensing among lowest in Bay Area | San Francisco Examiner

SF dog licensing among lowest in Bay Area | San Francisco Examiner

Book signing at Crissy Field

Chico is the coverboy!

Bomb sniffing dogs are super stars of anti-terrorism efforts at Super Bowl

All the technology, the intelligence gathering gadgets, the James Bond-like tools, nothing law enforcement will ever develop can compare to the natural crime fighting gifts of a dog.

Teams of trained dogs are running interference to prevent any would be terrorists or criminal lunatics from planting explosives in or near the Sun Life Stadium in Miami this Super Bowl Sunday.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) says in a press release the best K-9 explosive detection teams from across the country have been working in Miami for several weeks and will continue working throughout the big game.

ATF is just one of 50 law enforcement agencies teamed together for Super Bowl security this year and the dogs the agency has brought in are considered "the best of the best," says Special Agent in Charge, Hugo Barrera.

The ATF only uses Labrador Retrievers in its K-9 program. Besides their exceptional sniffing abilities, the labs are not as intimidating when agents bring the animals into large crowds. The Guiding Eyes for the Blind, the Guide Dog Foundation and Canine Companions for Independence supply the dogs to the agency.

The dogs and their handlers undergo an initial 10 week training course at a facility in Front Royal, Virginia, according to the ATF. Training is ongoing throughout the dogs' crime-fighting careers. Besides explosive materials, the dogs are also trained to sniff out firearms and ammunition.

Below is a photo array and some information on the ATF K-9 teams involved in this year's Super Bowl security effort.

see article here

Sunday book signing for SAN FRANCISCO DOGS book.

Sunday meetup for SAN FRANCISCO DOGS book. Come purchase a copy of the book and get it signed by me and Chico and meet some of the other dogs featured in the book.

Sunday, February 7, 2010
Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Location:Warming Hut in San Francisco.Presidio Building 983 (end of Crissy Field, near Fort Point and the Golden Gate Bridge, and across from fishing pier), San Francisco, CA 94129.
This book is available at a very discounted rate for use as a fundraising tool at dog shelters, pet shops, dog organizations.
Read more about the book on Amazon here.

Who Dat Dog!!! Beagle Saints Fan leads cheers during NFC Championship Game

Beagle Saints Fan leads cheers during NFC Championship Game-Who Dat?

Oprah's birthday present to herself: Springer spaniel pups

Oprah's present to herself: Springer spaniel pups
January 31, 2010 6:09 PM Chicago Tribune

Winfrey gave herself a birthday present Friday when she adopted two springer spaniel puppies from a Chicago shelter, according to her Web site and shelter officials.

In keeping with the background of their high profile new owner, the puppies, 14-week-old sisters Sunny and Lauren, already made their first television appearance, on the Oprah Winfrey Show on Friday evening.

A littermate of the pups, Trent, which was going to a friend of a friend of Oprah's, also appeared.

Winfrey contacted shelter officials about six months ago asking them to be on the lookout for springer spaniel pups, said Paula Fasseas, founder and chair of PAWS, a Chicago-based no-kill shelter at 1997 N. Clybourn Avenue.

She said that while she is just happy that the dogs were saved, she is particularly excited with them going to Oprah because of her ability to put focus on saving shelter animals.

"What's really wonderful about Oprah adopting is that she educates the world and the message is to go to a shelter,'' said Fasseas. "She's really directed so much attention to this terrible problem we have with homeless pets.''

Fasseas said Winfrey has been a generous donor to the shelter and has previously adopted a cocker spaniel from there. She also featured dogs and the shelter in her magazine.

Fasseas said shelter officials search the city pound in an effort to save animals from being euthanized and to find them homes. She said the siblings were part of a litter turned over to the pound by an owner. Because they were turned over by the owner, the shelter could have euthanized them immediately, she said.

She said she did not know the circumstances behind the owner's turning them in but said often animals are brought to the pound by people who may have lost their homes or just don't have the means to care for the animals.

Fasseas said she had only told shelter workers to keep an eye out for a springer spaniel. She kept Oprah's identity secret and only told them that a "donor" was interested.

When the dogs were located, a picture was sent to Winfrey's assistants and Fasseas was surprised to hear Oprah's voice on her telephone.

"I like those, I want to see those spaniels," Fasseas recalled Oprah saying.

After seeing the dogs in person, she decided to adopt them, Fasseas said.

Fasseas said the dogs were being kept with a foster family to ensure that they were healthy until the adoption could be finalized. She said the dogs will stay in the foster home until they are old enough to join Oprah's other dogs. A previous dog of Oprah's had died of a highly contagious disease.

By coincidence, the adoptions of the black-and-white pups came the same day that Winfrey turned 56, according to her site.

"I did decide, though, to get myself a little birthday gift this year. Actually, I thought I'd get myself two," she says on her site. "They just arrived in time for my birthday."

-- Carlos Sadovi
Read more from story link.

Squaw's Rescue Dog Team to Olympics in Vancouver

Wylee is going to the Winter Games.
The 2-year-old border collie is a member of the Squaw Valley Ski Patrol Avalanche Rescue Dog Team that has been invited to provide assistance at the Olympics in Vancouver beginning next month.
The 2-year-old border collie is a member of the Squaw Valley Ski Patrol Avalanche Rescue Dog Team that has been invited to provide assistance at the Olympics in Vancouver beginning next month.

The team based at the resort near Lake Tahoe is the only one in the United States to receive such an invitation.

"This is the highlight of all the handlers' and dogs' careers," said Matt Calcutt, who will be coordinating the team in Vancouver. "It's almost like the doggy Olympics."

Four dogs and four handlers from the Squaw team plan to make the trip.

Calcutt said they were selected because they have met the high standards of the Canadian Avalanche Rescue Dog Association for years. They also will be representing Squaw Valley USA in honor of the 50th anniversary of the 1960 Winter Olympic Games held at the resort south of Truckee.

Wylee, and his handler Craig Noble, joined other team members earlier this month in a simulated search and recovery of skiers and snowboarders caught in a slide at Squaw Valley. They did sweeps for avalanche beacons and sniffed out buried objects including one patroller volunteered to be buried by his superior.

Among the stringent standards from the Canadian group is a requirement that dogs can find scented items — pieces of clothing worn by patrollers for training purposes — buried overnight more than 2 feet deep, Calcutt said.

"They (the handlers and dogs) need to get validation in dog searching, obedience, avalanche knowledge, they have to be able to forecast avalanche activity, and have to be able to travel in avalanche conditions," Calcutt said.

So how do the handlers get the dogs up to snuff?

It's all about "play, play, play," Calcutt said.

"When they find something it's the biggest reward of the dog's life — we don't give them this much attention at any other time," Calcutt said, as Noble wrestled with Wylee recently after a successful find.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2010/01/31/state/n133618S95.DTL&tsp=1#ixzz0eFxCv9nP

On the Ellen Degeneres Show today: The four firefighters who saved a stray dog from the swollen LA River last week

Most popular dog breeds of 2009 announced by American Kennel Club

Most popular dog breeds of 2009 announced by American Kennel Club

Posted using ShareThis

2009 Top 10 Most Popular Dogs in the U.S.:

1. Labrador Retriever

2. German Shepherd Dog

3. Yorkshire Terrier

4. Golden Retriever

5. Beagle

6. Boxer

7. Bulldog

8. Dachshund

9. Poodle

10. Shih Tzu

LAFD Technical Rescue, Dog Plucked from L.A. River

Dog Walking In Golden Gate National Recreation Area

We are lucky in The Bay Area with these amazing places to walk dogs.
http://www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/pets.htm


Areas Open For On Leash or Voice Control Dog Walking

Dogwalker in action!

This is pic of Ralphie & I. Ralphie has to be on-leash for awhile because she had surgery on a shoulder but she still is getting out!

Dublin Dog Collars - A must for beach wear!

www.dublindog.com

I'm in love with these dog collars. They are waterproof, time tested at the beach everyday and Chico and I have yet to destroy one. If you have an active salt water loving dog like mine, check out one of these collars. www.dublindog.com

Happy Birthday Chico!

Training Search Dogs for Urban Rescue

American Humane Association Supports Animal Relief Efforts in Haiti Through International Coalition

American Humane Association Supports Animal Relief Efforts in Haiti Through International Coalition

Posted on: Friday, 15 January 2010, 16:16 EST

Original Article link here

American Humane First to Join This International Response Team

DENVER, Jan. 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Humane Association is part of the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti (ARCH), an international group of professional animal welfare organizations committed to aiding animals in the earthquake-stricken region. American Humane is the first organization to join and commit significant resources to ARCH, which was created by the World Society for the Protection of Animals and the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070521/LAM095LOGO)

Currently, this international coalition is preparing a mobile animal clinic and staff to perform outreach work in Haiti, with training provided by ARCH. The coalition also will be assessing and assisting with the needs of animals belonging to people displaced by the disaster, as they move into temporary camps. Plans include providing food and clean water, as well as vaccinating companion animals against rabies.

As of today, coalition personnel are not on the ground in Haiti, due to restricted access in the country. The coalition expects to have professional animal rescue responders arrive in Haiti in the coming days to begin assessments of animal needs and provide initial assistance. Naturally, the situation may change quickly, and the coalition will adapt its plans and efforts to best meet the needs of the animals.

People who want to support these vital efforts and help other animals in disasters can donate at www.americanhumane.org/aes-donate.

American Humane will be actively updating its website and social networks to inform people on the status of the coalition and how they can help. Find us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/americanhumane and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/americanhumane. The information contained in this release can be reused and posted with proper credit given to the American Humane Association.

About American Humane

Founded in 1877, the American Humane Association is the only national organization dedicated to protecting both children and animals. Through a network of child and animal protection agencies and individuals, American Humane develops policies, legislation, curricula and training programs to protect children and animals from abuse, neglect and exploitation. The nonprofit organization, headquartered in Denver, raises awareness about The Link(R) between violence to people and violence to animals, as well as the benefits derived from the human-animal bond. American Humane's office in Los Angeles is the authority behind the "No Animals Were Harmed"(R) end-credit disclaimer on film and TV productions, and American Humane's office in Washington, D.C., is an advocate for child and animal protection at the federal and state levels. The American Humane(R) Certified farm animal program is the nation's original independent certification and labeling program for humanely raised food. American Humane meets the strong, comprehensive standards of the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance, has been awarded the Independent Charities of America's "Best in America" Seal of Approval, has met the stringent standards for financial efficiency and accountability required by the American Institute of Philanthropy to qualify as a Top-Rated Charity, and has received a 3-star rating from Charity Navigator, America's premier independent charity evaluator. Visit www.americanhumane.org to learn more.

SOURCE American Humane Association

Pic of the day

Rescue dogs are seen in their enclosure before leaving for Haiti at the Torrejon military airbase in Torrejon de Ardoz, Spain, Wednesday Jan. 13, 2010.

Video: Dog senses earthquake before humans

Scientists don't really understand if animals can detect earthquakes before humans, but this YouTube video certainly makes you think this dog got an early warning. According to a story on National Geographic's website, historians recorded that animals in 373 B.C. left the Greek city of Helice days before an earthquake leveled it.

National Disaster Search Dog Foundation Deploys Rescue Teams to Haiti

SOURCE: National Search Dog Foundation
Jan 13, 2010 19:23 ET
http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/National-Search-Dog-Foundation-1101550.html
National Disaster Search Dog Foundation Deploys Rescue Teams to Haiti

LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - January 13, 2010) - National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, a non-profit, non-governmental organization dedicated to recruiting rescued dogs and partnering them with firefighters to find people buried alive in the wreckage of disasters, today announced six Canine Search Teams are en route to Haiti to assist with search and rescue efforts in response to the powerful 7.0 earthquake that struck the island on January 12. The State Department, the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance are working in conjunction with California Task Force 2 (CA-TF2), a FEMA urban search and rescue task force based in Los Angeles County.

CA-TF2, which is sponsored by the Los Angeles County Fire Department, is one of two U.S. Task Forces charged with responding to international natural or man-made disasters. All six teams deploying with CA-TF2 were trained by the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation to find people buried alive under the wreckage of disasters.

"The Haitian government has requested assistance from the U.S. in responding to the most devastating earthquake to hit the island in 200 years," said Debra Tosch, Executive Director of Search Dog Foundation. "We know that the first few hours after a major disaster has occurred are critical in saving lives and the search and recovery teams are in place now."

Los Angeles team members of the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation heading to Haiti today include:

-- Gary Durian & Baxter - L.A. County Fire
-- Ron Horetski & Pearl - L.A. County Fire
-- Bill Monahan & Hunter - L.A. County Fire
-- Jasmine Segura & Cadillac - L.A. County Fire
-- Jason Vasquez & Maverick - L.A. County Fire
-- Ron Weckbacher & Dawson - Civilian

"Our hearts go out to our neighbors in Haiti, and we're honored to be able to help find survivors of this terrible tragedy," said Bill Monahan a firefighter and paramedic with Los Angeles County Fire. "In addition to comforting victims and their loved ones, we'll be relaying up-to-the-minute news and information through the Search Dogs Twitter feed at http://twitter.com/searchrescuedog."

ABOUT THE NATIONAL DISASTER SEARCH DOG FOUNDATION (SDF) www.SearchDogFoundation.org

The Search Dog Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to strengthen America's emergency response network by producing the most highly-trained canine-firefighter disaster search teams in the nation. SDF recruits rescued dogs and partners them with firefighters, providing the canines and the training at no cost to their departments. SDF receives no government funding and relies solely on support from individuals, private foundations and companies to produce these highly-skilled teams.

Since its founding in 1996, SDF has rescued hundreds of dogs, many on the brink of euthanasia. They have trained 105 Search Teams, 72 of which are currently active. SDF Teams have been deployed to 66 disasters including the World Trade Center attacks and Hurricane Katrina and state and local emergencies such as earthquakes, mudslides, building collapses, train derailments and missing person searches. Eight of SDF's teams are members of CA-TF2 and are ready at all times for immediate deployment overseas when called upon by the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance.

California Hires K-9s to Help Ease Budget Crunch

Source: Doggies.com
Written by The Dog Lady · Filed Under Dog News

I wish I could remember where I picked it up, but I have been reading a publication called Kind News, Jr. Edition. It is a 4-page newspaper put out by the Humane Society Humane Society.org/Kids specifically for children.

In the issue I have, it talks about a unique program developed by the California Department of Fish and Game. Under current economic conditions, employees in all departments have been cut to the bone. Due to the large amount of territory each remaining officer must cover, they have a hard time catching poachers who illegally take wildlife such as bears, trout, and elk.

As part of the solution, the Department began training dogs to recognize the scent not only of the protected wildlife, but also of gunpowder. The dogs they use? Pooches from local shelters! What a great way to reduce overcrowding at shelters while giving the dogs meaningful work and contributing to the state’s well-being.

Because the state budget didn’t allow for the care of these K-9 employees, Fish and Game officers were paying for their partners’ vet care, food, and other expenses. The HSUS stepped in with a grant to help out.

Kudos to the California Department of Fish & Game and the HSUS for partnering to rescue shelter dogs as well as to protect the state’s wildlife.

Until next time,

Good day, and good dog!

DOG WALKERS: VOLUNTEER TO WALK DOGS AT ANIMAL SHELTERS

http://www.charityguide.org/volunteer/fewhours/dog-walkers.htm
by Ann Mason

Volunteering as a dog walker at your local animal shelter or humane society is a meaningful way to make a difference in the lives of homeless dogs in your community.

Dogs in animal shelters are confined to cages. The isolation and restricted activity can cause health and behavior problems that affect the dogs' quality of life and chances for adoption.

Volunteer dog walkers provide the daily exercise, affection and socialization that confined dogs need to stay healthy, happy and adoptable so that they can one day go home to a family that will care for them in ways their original owners did not.

Animal shelters and humane societies rely on the help of volunteers to operate; dog walking is one of the most flexible ways to help. Most shelters allow volunteer dog walkers, who have completed an orientation, to simply drop-in during regular business hours to walk and play with the dogs.

If you are an animal lover interested in brightening the day of a lonely dog that needs a little attention and exercise -- and if you need maximum flexibility with your volunteering -- walking dogs may be for you!

* Find your local animal shelter by entering your zip code at Pets 911 or Petfinder.
* Contact the closest animal shelter to inquire about dog walking opportunities. Complete any necessary paperwork, orientation and training required by the shelter before you begin volunteering with the dogs.
* Encourage friends and co-workers to join you as a volunteer dog-walker, and remind people considering getting a dog that your local animal shelter has many adoptable animals eager to find new homes.

To learn more about health and welfare issues facing dogs and other pets in animal shelters, contact the Humane Society or The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA).

Chico is on Dogbook! Check out his profile.

Chico's Dog Book Profile Link.

Even In Recession, Dog Walkers' Hands Are Full

by Josie Holtzman NPR All Things Considered

Looking for a job with no dress code, no cubicle and no office politics? One that, despite a tough economy, still has a lot of pup — uh, pep? The clientele can be a handful, but it's nothing a few treats and a long walk can't satisfy.

It's 10 a.m. in downtown New York and Casey Butcher is ready for work, but he's forgotten his paper. A lot of New Yorkers start the day with the morning paper. For Butcher, though, the newspaper serves a whole different purpose.

He's in the dog-walking business, and his first client of the day is a French bulldog puppy named Mochi who is about to take care of his own business.

"A lot of dog walkers invest in the blue poop bags, but I try to use an AM New York when I can," Butcher says. "I'm a little aware of my carbon footprint — I can go through, like, 20 bags a day."

Butcher works for a company called Club Pet NYC. It's not the most glamorous way start to a day, but even in this economy, poop pays. How much does it pay? That can be a little controversial.

An article in a 2004 issue of the New York Daily News asked people how much they made. A dog walker named Sammy Swale reported about $50,000, prompting some dismayed online responses such as, "I went to grad school for five years for a Ph.D. and I still make less than the dog walker!" Another reader replied, "The dog walker is lying, we make much more than that!"

Butcher agrees, although he won't say how much he makes. "I have a friend who's making $100,000, and that's with the company taking half. So he brings in about $200,000 a year just walking dogs." That would be a pretty good income even with Manhattan's high cost of living.

But not just anyone is cut out for this line of work. According to the walkers, it's a lot harder than it looks. First, there's the physical toll. Sherman Ewing, the guy who started Club Pet NYC, says his foot grew a size and a half in his first year from walking about 10 miles a day.

Then there are the logistics. Like the keys to 200 apartments.

"What is amazing is I can tell if any are missing just from the sheer weight of it," says Eric Hahn, who has worked for Ewing for the past seven years and considers himself somewhat of an expert walker.

Even so, walking five dogs at a combined weight of 350 pounds can be a little tricky.

"There is a method. People see you with a bunch of dogs and they think it's just random," Hahn says. He explains his system this way: "Whoever is full and has not been emptied yet is on the outside of you — it's a matter of rotation. I need to keep track of who's empty and full because if a dog's about to go and you go into a lobby ... ."

But what makes dog walking truly challenging is that you have to be good with both dogs and people.

"I have people where their kids call me Uncle Eric," Hahn says. "I've had dinner with my clients. It's not like I'm the help, necessarily; it's more like [an] extended member of the family."

The people at Club Pet NYC won't call dog-walking recession-proof. But it certainly will never require a government bailout or a stimulus package. Unlike the banking industry, dog walkers can always count on a high rate of deposit.

Link to story and audible on NPR

Hiring a dog walker : tips from Dogtime

Article can be found by clicking here.

Much as we'd like to, most of us can't lounge around with our dogs all day, every day. After all, someone has to work to pay for the kibble, and once in a while we all have to go someplace where dogs simply aren't welcome (funerals and business trips come to mind). What do you do with Spot?

It all depends on your situation. If you work long hours or have such a long commute that you don't have time to properly exercise him during the work week, either doggie day care or a dog walker can be a terrific solution. If you travel frequently, a pet sitter is an excellent alternative to a kennel, because your dog avoids the stress of a disrupted routine.
How do I choose a dog walker or sitter?

A dog walker is responsible not just for exercising your dog but for keeping him safe while out cruising on foot. The sitter is responsible for that and more. This is not a job for the eight-year-old kid down the street: the walker needs to be up to the job or you could risk a lost dog or one who's been hit by a car.

Interview the candidates. Take the time to interview several people to see what they offer and how your personalities fit together. Does your dog respond well to any of them? Do you trust them? Here are some other questions to consider:

* Is the person bonded and insured?
* How long has she been in business?
* How many times a day does the sitter come?
* How long a walk will your dog get?
* How will you know that he's really being walked for that amount of time?
* How many dogs does the walker take out at the same time?
* Will the dogs go to an off-leash fenced area, or will the dogs be on a leash the whole time?
* What will the person do with the dog waste?
* Will she water, feed, or medicate your dog, if needed?
* Will she offer special assistance to your older or special-needs dog?
* Can your blind, deaf, or lame dog go with a group of dogs being walked?
* Does the walker have a group of older dogs, or will you have to pay extra for a solo trip?
* If you have a puppy, will your pup be walked with other youngsters?
* Does the walker have a first aid kit in her car, and does she provide water and treats when appropriate?
* What is her discipline style? Does it differ from your methods?
* Is there a backup in place should the walker get sick or have car trouble?
* What is the fee and how does the person bill?
* What is the procedure if you need to cancel a walk?

Get references. If you know of people who are satisfied with a walker's or sitter's services, there's a good chance you'll be satisfied too.

Go on a walk. Get a feel for the pack dynamics, including how the walker manages and interacts with her charges. If she's not particularly keen on the idea of you tagging along, that may be a red flag.

Take a look at the physical makeup of the group--this is a case where size matters. Toy Poodles should not have to keep pace with German Shepherds and Great Danes. And of course there's a safety issue: big dogs may trample, play too rough with, or simply trip over the little ones.
Why walkers and sitters should be bonded and insured

These folks have to be trustworthy not only because they're caring for your dog--they also have access to all the stuff in your home, and we're not just talking about dog beds. That's quite a bit of trust needed for a stranger.

Ask for written proof of commercial liability insurance and/or bonding. Take no excuses such as, "I've filed for it but it's not here yet" or "It's not necessary," because it is, and a professional knows that. Any walker or sitter you consider should be insured for liability including care, custody, and control of the involved dogs.

A dishonesty or fidelity bond claim protects you if the pet sitter is convicted in criminal court of stealing your dog or things from your home. You won't get anything without a conviction--which can take years--but it's better than nothing.

Some sitters get insurance coverage for theft instead of a bond, because theft insurance doesn't require a criminal conviction and it usually covers accidental breakage or damage to items in your home, as well as stolen items. This is all to your benefit whether your sitter or walker is dishonest or merely klutzy.

Bottom line: A dog walker or pet sitter is a great way to keep your dog happy and well-cared for if you can't be with him during the day. Interview potential candidates thoroughly and consider only those who take your dog's physical and emotional well-being as seriously as you do.

AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB’S RANKING OF THE TOP 125 DOGS IN POP CULTURE

Site names pop culture's 'top dog'

Chico digging Tahoe.

He found The Charlie Brown tree.

Family dog saves B.C. boy from cougar attack

Man's best friend does it again....

http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=2403805

Pack of coyotes sparks concern in San Rafael

Pack of coyotes sparks concern in San Rafael
Jennifer Upshaw Swartz
Posted: 01/03/2010 10:23:56 PM PST

Linda Gattuccio walks her two dogs Sammi and Maggie in San Rafael. Gattuccio has changed her route after encountering a pack of coyotes along a trail behind Embassy Suites. (IJ photo/Robert Tong)
Linda Gattuccio and her two golden retrievers used to enjoy their early-morning walk on the dirt path along the wetlands adjacent to the Marin Lagoon development behind the Embassy Suites hotel in San Rafael.

No more.

It was about eight weeks ago that Gattuccio, 58, an account executive with Fidelity National Title Co. in San Rafael, first spotted the pack of five coyotes on the dirt path popular with dog walkers, exercisers and people pushing strollers.

"I've seen them close to Embassy Suites, around behind Embassy Suites, occasionally one or two, but not really in our neighborhood," she said, adding that she had seen them before near her walking trail behind a big fence but never on the path.

"God, there were five of them on the actual dirt path," she recalled. "They were grouped together. Somebody goes 'act big like a bear and they will run.' They did not run. They stood their ground."

Coyotes have become a fixture in the county, with animal control officials reporting sightings on the rise in the past decade. Encounters have been reported in Hamilton, Terra Linda, China Camp, the Ross Valley, Mill Valley, Tam Valley, Fort Baker and Sausalito, among other places.

In November, a brazen coyote that enjoys frequenting popular gathering spots in Southern Marin generated more than 60 complaints to the Marin Humane Society.

The coyote, which has been spotted behind Best Buy in Marin City and on the bicycle path near the Holiday Inn in Tamalpais Valley, also
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has been seen in residential areas such as Bayvista Circle and Donahue Street in Marin City and on Tennessee Valley Road off of Shoreline Highway.

Wildlife experts say coyotes play an important role in the ecosystem, keeping rodents in check and preventing them from feasting on bird eggs. Humane society officials said there is little to fear from the doglike animals; still, people should use common sense.

In the Marin Lagoon area, others have seen them too. One woman with a stroller stood paralyzed in fear after an encounter one day. Gattuccio, seated in her car at the time, said she leaned on her horn to scare the pack away.

"She was just standing their frozen," Gattuccio said of the woman with the baby. "She obviously didn't know what to do."

Al Pasquale, 69, a marketing executive who lives on Lagoon Court, said, boy, do they have coyotes.

"We really do," he said. "I've seen them twice. I saw one about a month ago, two about two weeks ago and they were walking across McInnis just north of the Embassy Suites going into that company Autodesk and they went right in front of my car. They were healthy-looking coyotes."

He said he's not too worried, but does keep a close eye on his small Norfolk terrier when the dog goes out to do business at night.

"I don't want anything killed," he said of the pack. "Just capture them and put them up in the woods or something."

A tricky proposition, said Carrie Harrington, a spokeswoman for the Marin Humane Society. Because coyotes have a wide range, relocation is tough.

Still, residents should call when they spot the pack.

"If they haven't already, definitely call us," she said. "We'll send officers to the area to patrol. We'll post notices in the area. It's not easy to trap and relocate them. They tend to have quite a big radius they travel, so they might come back again, but definitely call us. That sounds like an area that we might want to post notices."

Gattuccio, who now only walks on the concrete path along McInnis Parkway and avoids the isolated dirt trail, said she thought she had a good strategy but has since abandoned it.

"I was going to get a foghorn," she said. "I looked it up in on the Internet. If you make it uncomfortable they'll probably go back up into the hills. My neighbor said, 'if you shoot a foghorn off at 6:30 in the morning we will evict you and keep the coyotes."

Contact Jennifer Upshaw Swartz via e-mail at jupshaw@marinij.com