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Saturday, Sep. 05, 2009

The Old Trainer: Dogs eating grass is no big deal

Dear Old Trainer: I took your advice and now walk my King Charles spaniel, Lizzy, every day. It is the best thing I ever did, but she eats grass the whole walk. Sometimes it makes her sick. What should I do?

Worried, Merced

A: Just keep walking Lizzy and don't worry, Worried. Just about every dog eats grass, and some eat it all the time.

Some people are convinced that they eat grass when they are sick.

Others are just as convinced that they eat grass to keep from getting sick.

A musician friend claims that his English bulldog, Tug, never ate grass until she heard Jerry Lee Lewis sing "Green Green Grass of Home," then she ate it every day.

The fact is that no one knows why dogs eat grass, but it does serve the purpose of helping them throw up when they decide they need to. As long as a dog is not eating grass that has been treated with herbicide or dangerous chemicals, there is no reason to worry.

Dear Old Trainer: Like you, I am involved with dog rescue, and I wondered if you are familiar with an organization called Pilots And Paws, and whether you recommend them.

Curious, Denver

A: The Old Trainer is familiar with them, Curious, and recommends them without reservation. The name is actually Pilots N Paws. They provide a terrific addition to animal rescue efforts, and it is all free.

If you have a pet needing transport, go to the Web site and join at no cost. Enter the ZIP codes of the cities where the flight will originate and where the pet will be delivered. The Web site plots a flight path and lists the e-mail address of every pilot along the path. Send them the request and post it on a central board.

Pilots join, also for free, and they post the leg of the flight they can fly. Because Pilots N Paws is nonprofit, the cost of the rescue flight is tax-deductible.

I posted on a Saturday afternoon, and by Tuesday had all the details worked out to fly a border collie from Truckee to Sedona, Ariz.

So, at least as far as animal rescue and Pilots N Paws are concerned, Curious, there is such a thing as a free lunch.

Dear Old Trainer: I run about five miles a day. What breed would make a good companion for a runner, and can I find one in the shelter?

Runner, Santa Barbara

A: You are in for a treat, Runner. Few things are more enjoyable than running with a good dog, and there is nothing that dogs love more than a good run.

There are dozens of breeds that are bred specifically to run -- Aussies, heelers, border collies, Goldens, Belgians, Labs (a yellow Lab named Bertha ran every step of the way with Bruce Jenner the year he won his Gold Medal).

Samoyeds, huskies, malamutes and elk hounds are legendary runners and can cover 50 miles a day with ease.

Contact your local rescue organizations and explain what you are looking for. You will find a running companion with ease.

Once you find one, start slowly while he gets in shape and make sure the dog gets a drink every time you do.

You will soon learn that dogs have nothing in common with the NBA's Alan Iverson, "Practice? We talkin' practice..." Within a few days the dog will know what time you run and will force you to get going. That means every day, rain or shine.

Send Questions for The Old Trainer to: theoldtrainer711@yahoo.com.