Dogster

return to top

Yes, I Truly Am a Princess... Just Ask My Humans!

More About Cotons

We receive notifications from PetFinder when new Cotons are rescued and put up for adoption. On one of the newest entries, the Rescue Organization posted some new information about the Coton de Tulear. I thought it was interesting and wanted to share more about this remarkable little dog with you all:

"Bichon dogs from Tenerife were brought to Madagascar and nearby islands on trade ships, probably before the 17th century. From these original imports came the Colon de Reunion, an extinct breed once known on Reunion Island. The descendants of the Coton de Reunion became established near the city of Tulear, Madagascar, and developed into the breed known as the Coton de Tulear.

The Coton (French for cotton) became a favorite of the merina, the French nobility on the island during the colonial days. In fact, prior to the 20th century, it was considered criminal for a commoner to own a Coton. This canine social climber soon took on the title of the 'Dog of Royalty' and, even today, only socially prominent Malagasy own a Tulear.


This breed is devoted to its masters, wanting always to be in their presence and trying its best to please. Because of these traits, the Coton requires little in the way of discipline to create a fine companion. He is a dog only for a house pet, as he is so happy and friendly that he will not defend himself. Like the other bichon dogs,-however, he is alert and intelligent and will inform his master of unusual events. As long as he is primarily a house dog, he adapts well to almost any environment or climate. The breed is healthy and vigorous despite its small size, and requires only a bit of regular brushing to keep it handsome. One of their most endearing traits is a tendency to jump and walk on their hind legs.

Like the other bichons, the hair needs regular grooming to keep the dogs looking their cuddly best. Shedding on all the bichons is minimal and an advantage to allergic owners. The Coton's expression is ''enquiring and adoring.'

They achieved FCI recognition in 1970 and are being fostered by the Coton de Tulear Club of America. They are still rare throughout the world."

A New Leash on Life, Olmsted Falls, OH

They have a website if you want to take a look. And of course PetFinder is all about rescue, so I'd encourage you to check there and of course, here on Dogster if you are looking for a forever friend to adopt and love. Shalom to you all this holiday season.

LUMPS & BUMPS CAN BE DEADLY... PLEASE BE VIGILANT!

The week before last I'd taken our dog, Princess Pickachu, to the Vet to have him look at a small lump that just showed up her neck area (in the same general area as our collar bone.) Due to another friend's experience with her dog, I didn't waste anytime taking Princess to the Vet and he said he was glad that I hadn't waited.

The Vet sent the biopsy to the lab in Jacksonville and on Tuesday (3/25/2008) of last week he called to tell us he had received the results from the lab. They determined that Princess had a Type 1 mast cell tumor, which would require a much larger tissue sample than the one sent the week before last. In fact the Vet said he would need to take a square inch of tissue from around the original sample!!!

It has scared our horses pretty good, I have to say...

We were also told that if the lab finds any abnormal cells at the edges of the second tissue sample, that Princess will have to have chemo or radiation therapy!

Our vet performed the surgery Wednesday (3/26/2008) and we had a very miserable little girl on our hands for a few days. Princess reacted badly to some drug concoction they had given her to help with the pain and to keep her calm.

The pain seemed to be in check, sort of, but staying calm was out of the question. I know very little about drugs, but it seemed to make her manic... she never stopped moving... she would sit down in exhaustion, but within a few minutes she would bolt up and run a short distance as if she was trying to run away from herself and the pain... My husband thought she was acting like she was on speed...

She finally seemed more like herself by Saturday and the horrendous looking place on her neck has been healing nicely. I will take her in this week Friday (4/4/2008) to get the stitches out and hopefully the lab results will be ready then as well...

So the morale of this diary entry is: PLEASE MAKE SURE TO CHECK YOUR PETS SKIN REGULARY FOR LUMPS AND BUMPS THAT JUST SEEM TO APPEAR!

THEN DON'T DELAY... TAKE YOUR PRECIOUS LITTLE FRIEND TO THE VET AND HAVE IT CHECKED OUT...

It could make the difference between several more years of love and companionship with your little furry friend and a life over much too soon and in misery.

Peace to all from Princess Pickachu and her human pack who adore her. :o)

Mum Sharing Info About Pet Partners & Pine Ridge Children- Sponsorship

My Mum was asked to share information about two organizations close to her heart, Delta Society Certified Pet Partners Program and the Pine Ridge Children Sponsorship Program. The event was called "The Gathering" and it was to help the American Indian Ministries in Michigan restore an old Catholic Church donated to them by the Michigan Catholic Dioceses. The weekend was set up with speakers that provided information about ways people could improve their communittee through various volunteer efforts and organizations.

I was supposed to go along with my Mum to demonstrate some of the basic obedience and social skills a dog, cat, or other domestic animal must have in order for them to become Pet Partners and work in various Pet Assisted Activities in their area.

But when Mum found out the drive from home to Michigan was 1100 miles!!!! Well she decided to fly and I'm not used to my air carrier at all. Mum thought I'd be better off looking after my other three family members, my Dad, their son, and my cat, Milo. (I love to call him my cat, it bugs the puddin' out of him... :o)

Mum and I just became certified with an affiliate of Delta Society organization called R.E.A.D. (Reading Education Assisted by Dogs). We thought this would be a very good thing to get involved in not only in the area we live in, but also at Pine Ridge Lakota Indian Reservation in South Dakota.

Pine Ridge is the largest Indian Reservation in the US and it is also the poorest. Alcoholism and drug use are rampant. Many children suffer from Fetal Alcohol Syndrome which includes learning disabilities. We are hoping that through our involvement in Child S ponsorship (my Mum is a Sponsorship coordinator) that we may not only help children with the very basic needs of food and clothing, but also introduce the R.E.A.D. Program to some of the reservation schools. As most everyone knows, reading is the key that unlocks the world for many children... that without the ability to read life offers little hope for ever improving and breaking out of the destructive cycles that now are causing many Native American tribes to implode on themselves.

Oh and just this week my Mum and I were informed of another door that has just been opened to certified Pet Partners in this area of the country! The county court system is now allowing Pet Partners to come to the courthouse and spend time with children, in particular, that are called to testify regarding some crime they were victimized by or observed. We pets tend to ease a child's anxiety and get their minds off of the ordeal coming up. We are also to stay if possible to further comfort the child after they have testified. It requires additional training, but my Mum and I see this as another excellent opportunity to introduce people to the "healing power of pets."

On Pine Ridge where poverty and unemployment is staggering there is a lot of domestc violence that occurs daily. Again the Pet Partner Program can offer much needed calm and quiet acceptance of these children; especially if they must testify against their own parents.

So to all the pet owners and pet lovers out there, know that you are blessed to have us in your lives. And if you treat us with kindness and respect we will pay you back with interest a million-fold.

This is Princess Pickachu sending all kisses and tail wags of love and greetings. Cheers! :o)