Joyleih, the "Legal Beagle Assistant"

Joyleih

Commentary by Joyleih

Canine Cancer

Bailley and I have taken a couple of weeks off from our columns to take a respite and to attend to chores around the house. You should know, however, that Bob Meisner had the carpet cleaned, which was due primarily to Joyleih’s indiscretions, but she is still only a year old.

Back to business: We notice that in the August 25, 2010 edition of USA Today there was an extensive article entitled “Stepping up vs. canine cancer.” In that regard, we note that a non-profit organization called Morris Animal Foundation finances all types of animal health research including many studies support through its Canine Center Campaign. The foundation is sponsoring walks in various places around the country to raise money and to create further awareness of the plight of so many of our fellow dogs that suffer from cancer. The article mentioned that you can read more on the cancer walk in Sharon Peter’s Pet Talk column at life.usatoday.com and with pet owners in the “Living with Cancer forum” at cancerforum.usatoday.com.

Take Your Dog to Dinner!

Gosh, I am not that old, but I am really excited about reading the article in USA Today for Thursday, July 22, 2010, on page 4D “Take Your Dog to Dinner.” Art Smith, of the Art and Soul restaurant in Washington D.C. says “to appreciate food and life is to appreciate animals, too.” Obviously, more restaurants are opening their doors to us and it is about time. I am tired of having to wait in the car or stay home and get stuck with dog bones when I could be eating at a first class restaurant, particularly, in Florida or California where they welcome us with more frequency and gratitude than some other places such as here in Michigan. On the other hand, I just learned that a mall in Bloomfield Township has seats outdoors in the hallway and now invites dogs to come for lunch and dinner. That is a great improvement and I also recognize a recent article in Travel & Leisure which speaks about dog hotels, spas and canine cooking. Again, it is about time, and congratulations to USA Today for being progressive and dog worldly.

Greyhounds Provide Comfort to Victims of Tragedies

One of my favorite things to do when I get up on a Wednesday morning is to read, generally, Section D of USA Today that has a page devoted to dogs and other pets. I noticed in the June 30, 2010 edition, that my brethren, the Greyhounds, are being used by an organization to help persons who have been subjected to tragedies in order to take their mind off the tragedy for a period of time by bringing the Greyhounds to visit the victims and their helpers. I don’t have any personal friends that are Greyhounds who do this, but I know that they are great dogs for this kind of activity, and, I know that dogs, in general, can divert the attention of humans from the everyday rigors and stresses of working and living by giving us a pat on the back, taking us for a walk, playing with us, giving us big hugs and kisses and by us providing a good lick or two in return. Congratulations to those humans who allow us to bring rest and comfort to those who have been subjected to tragedy such as Hurricane Katrina, and similar disasters.

P.S. If I could lick up the oil in the Gulf of Mexico, I would.

Hurrah, Doggie Bathrooms in Airports!

Well I can’t believe how much USA Today is speaking about our issues this week. For example, in the Tuesday, July 20, 2010 edition, it was reported that “New rule gets more airports to install doggie bathrooms.” Now I for one do not understand why we haven’t had doggie bathrooms in airports before now since lots of us traverse the airport to go from place to place. The article points out that airports enhanced with pet relief areas improve customer service, and, they are also being “nudged by a federal rule that orders airlines to work with airports to install facilities for travelers who have service dogs.” Congratulations to the airports with new dog bathrooms in Atlanta, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Washington Dulles, Washington National, Chicago O’Hare and Phoenix. What about the other airports, including Detroit Metro, where I reside. Sure there may be maintenance issues, but they will be lessened by allowing doggie bathrooms just like humans have.

Independence Day for 118 Beagles

I am so excited about the USA Today article which appeared on Monday, July 19, 2010, entitled “Independence Day for 118 Beagles Used in Lab Tests.” I direct your attention to that article because we beagles have long been mistreated by drug companies for tests. Now admittedly, the article does suggest that we are a breed which has a “much acclaimed breed characteristics: joyful, noisy and curious. Yup, that is who we are. The article goes on to say that “beagles being beagles (and that is why they’re favored for research - they’re generally cheerful, easy to manage and adaptable).” That is great for our personalities and our reputations, but we don’t like being guinea pigs for research. Fortunately, the 118 beagles that were released are finding new homes. I applaud the agencies and persons who have helped to find homes for these beagles. I think all of us beagles should be concerned about the fact that while our personalities are so wonderful, we end up in research labs.

Pet Policies at Hotels

While I see our fellow dogs on almost every commercial on TV, irrespective of the nature of the commercial, the hotel industry doesn’t seem to be recognizing our need to stay in decent accommodations as much as they should. USA Today says that about twenty-nine million Americans travel with their pets every year, but “rules vary from hotel to hotel”-(and they are subject to change). Boohoo to the Four Points by Sheraton at the Kansas City Airport that used to allow pets but changed its policy. I am advised that for pet policies, or any other special requests, you shouldn’t rely on information from third party sites or even the hotel chain’s central booking system, but, rather, to contact the property directly and ask for specifics. Some hotels charge a fee or damage deposit for us while others will only assign smoking rooms to travelers with animals, which makes me sick. Some properties even have pet weight restrictions, a limited number of pet designated rooms, or, prohibit you from leaving us alone at any time. I normally like to be with Bailley when we travel and I don’t always have to be with humans. I think it is about time that hotels treated us with more respect and became more accommodating.

PUPPY LOVE

Since I am a puppy, I am always interested in reading articles about “puppy love.” A recent article by Sharon L. Peters for U.S.A. Today, points out that puppy love is regularly available to “folks who live in and around Palmetto, Florida, even if they own only older dogs-or no dogs at all.” Apparently, a golden retriever, Labrador retriever and collie pups are let loose most mornings for a couple of hours of cuddle and playtime with anyone who shows up. It is particularly good for people who live in condos that unfortunately, don’t allow pets, and the program allows them puppy contact. Now I am an eleven (11) month old puppy and I think that puppy love is wonderful, and, anyone who wants should be able to pet me. I think it is a great idea for us puppies to be available for hugging and, perhaps, an occasional snack. I am advised that these dogs also go to various events and facilities including nursing homes, schools and hospitals. I would frankly like to sit on the lap of a judge or two before they make some of their decisions to see if I can clear their head and calm them down. In any event, bonding with people is what we are all about. I applaud the dogs in Florida as well as any other puppies that want to join me in a similar vocation here in Michigan.

This is my first commentary and I am real excited about doing it.

I have been chasing my tail for a long time with some boredom and now that I am a Legal Beagle Assistant, I can comment on some of the important issues relating to dogs and society. I for one am willing to be trained to detect various cancers as was described in an article in Sunday’s Detroit Free Press of June 6, 2010. In that regard, Dr. Jean-Nicolas Cornu of Tenon Hospital in Paris and his colleagues trained a shepherd breed that had already been used to detect bombs, and, was used in other cancer tests to identify urine from patients with confirmed prostate cancer and then to differentiate those samples from urine in healthy persons. I am advised that in sixty-six (66) tests, the dog was correct sixty-three (63) times. If I got those kind of grades in school, I would be more than happy. I am hopeful that my fellow brethren in the dog community will volunteer to get involved in these research activities, which, obviously, benefit everyone.

Good Licks to All,

Joyleih “The Legal Beagle Assistant”

Hello All

I am just getting involved in this commentary but I sadly noted in the Detroit Free Press of June 14, 2010 an Associated Press-Petside.com poll conducted by GfK Roper Public Affairs & Media. It said that most pet owners would likely get vet care if the bill was $500.00, but the percentage drops remarkably if it is a $1,000.00 or more, and, of course, the alternative is the despicable term “euthanasia.” I, for one, being nearly a year old, am in good health but I think that people being able to save their pets is very important. The national health insurance bill should have dealt with it as well. I also think that some of the stimulus money, even if you don’t think it was a good idea, should have been directed towards pet health care particularly for those that can’t afford it. I hope that those readers of our column will join with me and Bailley in getting our political leaders to give more consideration to America’s pets in terms of their health and welfare, and, that those politicians who happen to have pets are in a position to have to explain to their pets why they have not protected pets in general through financial assistance.

Good Licks to All!