The Dog Journal

DOG SAVES PUPPY FROM COYOTE ATTACK- “The dog’s family said that they heard a cry and ran out to see Sophie step in front the family puppy to protect it from the coyote.”

A 2-year-old Poodle/Maltese mix named Sophie saved a puppy from a coyote attack in the family’s yard in California. Sophie stepped in between the coyote and puppy and protected the puppy.  She was treated for her injuries and is now up for adoption because the family gave her up (they feel that they live in an area too dangerous for dogs) to the Helen Woodward Animal Center. Here’s more from NBC San Diego:

The Helen Woodward Animal Center said the 2-year-old poodle-Maltese mix dog named Sophie was injured after she spotted coyote in the family’s backyard in East County. The dog’s family said that they heard a cry and ran out to see Sophie step in front the family puppy to protect it from the coyote.

The family told the animal center than they were able to scare the coyote away, but Sophie sustained bites to the neck, shoulder and side. The puppy was unharmed.

A veterinarian stitched Sophie’s wounds and gave her medicine. The family then decided that their home’s location near wildlife might be a threat to the dog and puppy’s safety, so they surrendered the animals to the Helen Woodward Animal Center last week.

Sophie is a very brave little dog. Let’s hope she is adopted into a safe and loving home soon. Click here for the full story and here to learn more about the Helen Woodward Animal Center.

VEGETARIAN DOG REFUSES TO EAT MEAT - “…Theodor’s adorable 10-pound pup has been turning his nose up to filet mignon, fresh roasted turkey and chicken breasts — even the highest-grade dog chow and fancy kibble.”

A Maltese named Wall-e has unusual tastes for a canine.  Wall-e refuses to eat all forms of meat and his owner feeds him vegetables supplemented with vitamins.  His favorite meal is a mixture of carrots, broccoli and lettuce. Read more from nydailynews.com:

But Wall-e goes wild for his daily medley of carrots, broccoli and lettuce, with a side of potato slices or brown rice and the occasional skim mozzarella cheese added into the plant-based mix.

The Romanian-born stylist always tries to balance his meals with nutritional supplements that provide his essential proteins and vitamins…Despite the widespread belief that dogs are strict carnivores, canines are omnivores and do not “need” meat to survive.

“Dogs can do just fine on a carefully balanced vegetarian or vegan diet,” said Ernie Ward, a West Coast veterinarian who specializes in canine nutrition. He notes that there is little scientific data to determine whether a meat or vegetarian-based diet is healthier than the other.

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Most scientists do agree that, anatomically, the dog is still a carnivore and requires a high protein diet.

But unlike cats — who cannot survive without ingesting nutrients derived from other animals — dogs are not “obligate” carnivores that must consume essential nutrients found only in meat.

I know that each dog has their own preferences, but this is the first I have heard of a dog refusing to eat meat. Wall-e seems to truly be a vegetarian dog by his own choice. Click here for the full story.

Submission by vondrac.  Looks like Genie grew up wonderfully (and colorfully).  Thanks for sharing.  

This is my Maltese, his name is Genie. I got him when he was 7 weeks old which in retrospect was way too young. He weighed 1.5lb, didn’t have his puppy teeth, and could only eat condensed milk and scrambled eggs. We were so worried he wouldn’t pull through but now he’s almost 1 and a half, 8lb and healthy as a horse.

He loves toast and Care Bears and he seems to have the world’s first case of Rapid-Cycling Phobias- he’s scared of something different every day. And he’s such a bigmouth, his big brother Poopy always has to bail him out!