Name that Puppy!

Do you know who this famous pup is?
Dig deep down into your childhood to figure out how you may know this well-known formerly televised Jack Russell Terrier.
Here's a hint: It may help to picture him in silly costumes. Also, he loves literature.

Keep this in mind when exercising with your dog

According to the Los Angeles Times, it’s all about knowing your dog’s limitations when you exercise with him or her.

Jackie Epping, a public health scientist in the Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, says you should consider your dog’s fitness level and breed. Particular breeds need vigorous exercise over others and can keep up with owners better, but some can’t.

You may want to heed Epping’s advice the next time you want an exercise companion in the shape of four legs:

• Start slowly and work up to longer distances.


• Pay attention to warning signs from the dog: limping, lagging behind, or any sign of discomfort.


• Research the breed to see if they are typically fit for more invigorating exercise. In general, working class breeds make great exercise buddies.

Getting to Know the Eight Dog Groups

By Melissa Chan

Herding Group: Some of the most well-loved and intelligent dog breeds belong to this group, including the German Shepherd and the (unofficial) smartest dog in the world, the Border Collie. Although breeds in the herding group don’t do much herding now, in the past, they were very well known for effectively rounding up cattle and sheep by quick running, eye contact, and aggressive barking, according to Animal Planet. The American Kennel Club notes that although herding dogs now have probably never even seen a farm animal, their instincts to herd and keep together owners, and especially children, can be strong. Corgis and Old English Sheepdogs are prominent members of the herding group. Click here to see the full list.

Hound Group: Made of bloodhounds, beagles, and foxhounds, these pups are hunters and can range in sizes. Therefore, it’s clear that they have an excellent sense of smell and can run exceptionally fast. Today, they’re most commonly used by law enforcement to track fugitives or missing persons, according to Animal Planet. Notable about the hound group, certain breeds can produce a unique sound known as baying! Click here to see the full list.

Toy Group: Well, you guessed it. The dogs that make up this group are small. From the Chihuahua to the Pug, the size of these toy breeds can rage from 6 to 20 pounds, according to Animal Planet. Toy breeds like the miniature pinscher, the toy poodle and the English toy terrier also seem to be the smaller versions of the larger breeds. They’re main attributes are loyalty and obedience, and they’re great at learning tricks. Click here to see the full list.

Sporting Group: Members of the Sporting Group are naturally active and alert, and make likeable, well-rounded companions. That’s why it’s no wonder the fan-favorite Golden Retriever, and other very popular dogs like the Labrador Retriever, made the cut. In fact, according to Animal Planet, Goldens and Labs account for nearly one-quarter of the more than 1 million dogs registered with the AKC every year. Sporting Group canines are notable for their instincts in the water and woods, and many are even active hunters. Pointers, retrievers, setters, and spaniels fall under this group. Click here to see the full list.

Working Group: Working Group dogs are incredibly strong and intelligent. They’re highly valued for their ability to guard property, pull sleds, and perform water rescues. The Doberman Pinscher, Siberian Husky and Great Dane are among the dogs that fall into this group. Click here to see the full list.

Terrier Group: Terriers are usually described as feisty in nature, and incredibly energetic. Their sizes can range from fairly small, as in the Norfolk, Cairn or West Highland White Terrier, to the larger Airedale Terrier, according to the AKC. If you find yourself getting upset that your terrier doesn’t get along with other dogs, or seems to want to kill every animal in sight, don’t get too upset. It’s in their nature to typically have little tolerance for other animals, including other dogs, due to the fact that their ancestors were bred to hunt and kill vermin. But, of course, there are the exceptions to the stereotype and regardless, terriers can make excellent and caring pets. Click here to see the full list.

Non-Sporting Group: The title of the group is pretty vague, but so is the category itself. This group essentially encompasses the breeds that didn’t seem to fit in anywhere else. The Bichon Frise, Chow Chow, and even the popular Dalmatian and Poodle all belong to this group. According to Animal Planet, “their individual skills, original purposes and temperaments are almost as varied as their origins.” Sorry, Non-Sporting Groupees. But you don’t need to be in a special group to be loved. Click here to see the full list.

Mixed Breeds: The name says it all. Members in this group are those that are not purebreds. And although they don’t get a fancy name, they still get the title of the most popular breed group in America. According to the AKC, they make up the majority of the worldwide dog population! Dogs in this group include the American English Coonhound, the Chinook, and the Pumi. Click here to see the full list.

Photo Picks: "April Showers"

Remember Georgia? The last time we saw this 1-year-old mini-labradoodle, she was all decked out in winter gear and ready to play in the snow! See here.

We hope more flowers are headed your way, Georgia!

The Mastiff Doesn’t Belong! Sporting Group VS. Working Group

Which breed does not belong to the Sporting Group? It’s the Mastiff, who belongs in the Working Group!

According to the American Kennel Club, members of the Sporting Group are naturally active and alert, and make likeable, well-rounded companions. No offense, Mastiff. That’s why it’s no wonder the fan-favorite Golden Retriever, and other very popular dogs like the Labrador Retriever, made the cut. In fact, according to Animal Planet, Goldens and Labs account for nearly one-quarter of the more than 1 million dogs registered with the AKC every year!

But that’s not to undermine the Mastiff and those canines that fall under the Working Group. Working Group dogs are incredibly strong and intelligent. They’re highly valued for their ability to guard property, pull sleds, and perform water rescues. The Doberman Pinscher, Siberian Husky and Great Dane are among the dogs that fall into this group, whereas pointers, retrievers, setters, and spaniels fall under the Sporting Group.

Sporting Group canines are notable for their instincts in the water and woods, and many are even active hunters. With that said, it’s important both groups of dogs get a lot of regular, stimulating exercise.

To view the list of dogs in each group, click here.

Can you name all EIGHT dog groups? Check back soon for a description of each of them!

Take Your Dog Easter Egg Hunting!

You don’t have to leave your dog at home this year. Count your canine in for a good game of Easter egg hunting this Saturday, when you take the rest of your family out.

At Five Star Kennels, in Baldwin, the Easter Bunny will be there to take pictures with all your family members and pets. Maybe Fifi will even help you find an egg or two.

Date: Saturday, April 23
Time: 3 p.m.
Place: Five Star Kennels
1872 Grand Avenue
Baldwin, NY 11510
516-546-1258
Fee: Free!

Which of these breeds do not belong in the Sporting Group?

a) The Irish Setter
b) The Labrador Retriever
c) The Mastiff

Find out soon!

Best Long Island Dog Parks

It’s time to tell Fido to start stretching.

Home to dozens of dog parks, Long Island has acres upon acres of open field and woods, lakes and sand, and richly forested hills and valleys for you and your four-legged friend. With separate areas for large and small dogs, just about any dog can enjoy them. Here are just a few:

Nickerson Beach Dog Park

LIDO BEACH. 880 Lido Boulevard. 516-571-7700.

With separate large and small dog areas, this large Nassau County dog park is one of the busier runs on Long Island—despite the fact that dogs are strictly prohibited from entering the beach and the sand dune areas. The sand dunes serve as nesting areas for the Piping Plover, a federally protected bird. At this dog run, located on the southwest corner of the main parking lot, there is also a raised cement platform with seating and an agility area where dogs can try basic obstacles. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, it costs $8 for residents and $20 for nonresidents.

Old Bethpage Restoration Dog Run

OLD BETHPAGE. 1303 Round Swamp Road. 516-572-8400

With six dog runs and two separate areas for small and large dogs, the Old Bethpage Restoration Dog Run is home to the summer 2010 terrier trials. Not only does it provide dogs with drinking water, unlike many dog parks, it uniquely features a “green” water system that collects and filters rain water for the dogs to drink in style. Benches were also donated by the Boy Scouts for owners to rest. The dog run is open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and on Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The run is located near the entrance to the property and there is no fee.

Blydenburgh Dog Park

SMITHTOWN. Veterans Memorial Highway. 631-854-3713

At the Blydenburgh Dog Park, which officially opened in 2007, dogs have 1.8-acres of entirely fenced-in open field and woods to run around in. Located at the headwaters of the Nissequogue River, the beauty of the park lies in its richly forested hills, valleys, and man-made lake. The park has separate areas for small and large dogs and designated areas for leashed and unleashed dogs. And it’s high in pet-owner resources with water fountains in each area, double-gated entries, and several benches and waste bag dispensers. In the heat of the summer, owners and pets alike will be glad for the park’s abundance of shade. The park is open year-round from 8 a.m. to sunset. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, it costs $3 with a green key to enter or $10 without one.

Middle Island Dog Park

MIDDLE ISLAND. 1075 Middle Country Road.

Middle Island Dog Park may just be the safest dog park on Long Island. A “Pooch Pass” is required to enter, which ensures that all dogs have had their rabies shots and are spayed or neutered. Middle Island Dog Park, the first dog park in the town of Brookhaven, has four acres for your four-legged friend to romp around in. There are separate areas for large and small dogs, benches, water fountains in each area, and waste-bag dispensers. Next to agility areas, dogs can choose to play in the sand or shade.

Robinson Duck Farm Dog Park

BROOKHAVEN. 2903 Montauk Highway.

As part of a pilot program, this new, large dog park is now open year-round at the former Robinson Duck Farm on Montauk Highway in Brookhaven Hamlet. Its 2.6 acre land is surrounded by four-feet of high wooden-slat snow fencing and two double-gated entrances. But because it has “natural borders,” the park will not have the usual amenities associated with more traditional fenced dog parks, like waste-disposal bags and water. Also, although a request has been made, the Suffolk County park does not provide trash receptacles or waste removal at this time.

Note: This article was first published on Kioli.org by the Daily Paw's Melissa Chan. Click here to read it.

Hound Lovers in Headlines: Crowd of 200 Blocks Off Toll Booth, Saves 580 Dogs

A large crowd of 200 gathered in Beijing, Friday, to block a highway toll booth, preventing a driver with hundreds of crying dogs in the truck from passing, according to the Associated Press on Friday.

The dogs were crammed inside the truck and were sent off to be killed for food.

After a man called for help on the internet to stop the driver, about 200 people came to the rescue and blocked the truck for 15 hours until the dogs were finally released for $17,606. Most of the money came from animal protection foundations.

According to the Associated Press, many of the dogs were “dehydrated, injured and suffering from a potentially deadly virus.” At least 68 have been hospitalized in the Dongxing Animal Hospital. The rest of the dogs are being cared for.

To read the full article, click here.

Photo by the Associated Press and Capital Animals Welfare Association.

Favorite Canine Fiction Writer of the Week: Hans Wilhelm

Hans Wilhelm is the author and illustrator of a series of children's books that chronicle the adventures of Noodles, an occasionally grumpy, small pup that learns to overcome things that upset him like a new scratch, a bad haircut, stupid bows, thunderstorms, windy days, and a new pet sibling.

Although the series is written for young readers between the ages of 4 and 6, they’re truly meant for anyone who can relate to the silly things that dogs do like not sharing their toys, not wanting to be kissed, and even not wanting you to leave.

Noodles has been around since 1994 and the series is even available in over 20 languages.

For Wilhelm’s website and a list of Noodles’ books, click here.

Common Causes of Death in Certain Dog Breeds

After examining the deaths of more than 75,000 dogs, researchers at the University of Georgia have found the leading causes of death within 82 breeds, according to the Baltimore Sun.

Among many other things, the 20-year long study that was recently published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine discovered that small dogs live longer.

Larger Breeds mostly die from cancer, musculoskeletal disease, and gastrointestinal disease.

Smaller Breeds are more likely to suffer from metabolic diseases, such as diabetes and Cushing’s disease.

Toy Breeds typically die from cardiovascular disease.

Fox Terriers usually suffer from heart disease.

Golden retrievers and boxers mostly struggle with cancer.

To read the article, click here.

Hounds in Headlines: Military Dog Awarded Purple Cross

Sarbi, an explosives detection dog with the Austrian Army, was given the RSPCA’s Purple Cross, the highest award for animal bravery, after being declared missing in action in Afghanistan for more than a year.

The 10-year-old Labrador-Newfoundland mix was honored in ceremony at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra yesterday.

According to media reports, she was gone since September 2008 when “a convoy of Australian and Afghan soldiers was attacked by insurgents in Oruzgan province.”

Sarbi marks the ninth animal to win the award.

To read full coverage, click here.
Watch the video of brave Sarbi in the news!

Best Dog Movie: You Voted for Homeward Bound!

Airing in 1993, Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey features the dangerous adventure of three pets, as they journey into the rocky, mountainous wilderness to find their owners.

Chance, a rambunctious and young American Bulldog, Shadow, an older Golden Retriever, and Sassy, a snobby Himalayan cat are left behind as their human family members go on vacation. Thinking they were abandoned and fearing for the welfare of their owners, the trio boldly decides to save them.

They encounter and struggle with the fury of nature, including bears, mountain lions, and the wrath of roaring rivers, which almost drowns Sassy.

In one of the sadder scenes of the film, old Shadow falls through old boards and badly hurts his leg. He tries to climb out but gives up and says he is too old. He refuses to move and encourages the others to leave him.

Chance and Sassy finally reunite with their owners, including a very happy and relieved young boy, Peter. But when Peter looks around for Shadow, he is nowhere to be seen. Then to make for a truly happy ending, Shadow is found limping over the hill to rejoin his family that is now complete.

Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey is a remake of the 1963 film The Incredible Journey, which was based on a book by Sheila Burnford.

You can watch the full movie for free on Youtube here or own your own copy for $15 here.

Hounds in Headlines: Dog’s Body Warmth Saves Wandering Baby

Who needs a blanket when you have RC?

The Husky-German Shepherd mix saved a 2-year-old baby from freezing, in a 2007 story, by sitting on him and keeping him warm throughout an early March morning.

Temperatures chilled to 32 degrees, when the baby, Vincent Rhodey, wandered away from his home in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, wearing only a t-shirt. He found his way into RC’s neighboring outdoor house, where RC’s owner found the pair curled up together.

Although the baby’s mother regretted the incident, she faced child endangerment charges. The baby was checked out by doctors and said to be okay. He was placed in custody of his maternal grandparents.

Note: The story’s baby and dog are not represented in the photo displayed within this post.

It’s Snoopy from Peanuts!

But, of course you knew that.

Snoopy, the popular Peanuts pup, is Charlie Brown’s beagle!

Since the fan favorite comic strip first appeared in the year 1950, Snoopy has transcended from the black and white comics page to apparel, movies, and even as a float in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Created by Charles M. Schulz, Snoopy, who was initially supposed to be named Sniffy, even has a fictional birthday. You can blow out a candle for him on October 4.

And celebrate Easter early with Snoopy, as he dances around with bunnies in this cute scene.

SAVE LENNOX: The Injustice in Breed Bans

In Belfast, United Kingdom, a family dog of four years has been seized from his home and locked under deplorable conditions, simply because he is of a pit-bull type breed.

The 5-year-old American Bull dog and Labrador mix has no history of violence and has never had a complaint filed against him. Also, the family has completed everything required by law to be a responsible dog owner.

Yet, following the Breed-specific Legislation (BSL), the Belfast City Council determined that Lennox was a danger to society and sentenced him to death.

In the UK, Northern Ireland, and across the world, dogs are systematically misidentified and murdered under this legislation.

Almost 40,000 people have signed the petition to release him, including celebrities like “Dog Whisperer” Cesar Milan, who said he does not believe in breed bans like this.

Sign the petition to save him here.
Watch the video of Lennox and read his story here.

Paws Off: Putting the Seal on Hazardous Human Foods

By Melissa Chan

Dog owners who can’t seem to resist the big, brown, begging eyes of their insatiable canine companion may find themselves throwing their pooch more than a bone—and more than often.

But human food ranked as number four as part of the top 10 pet poisons of 2010, with over 15,000 cases, and can cause severe consequences that result in more than just a typical stomachache.


"In many cases, they actually end up throwing a lot of the food up, which is not a bad thing because that means it is no longer in the body,” says Sharon Gwaltney, DVM, Ph.D., Vice President of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ Animal Poison Control Center (APCC).

Depending on what your dog has eaten, dangerous human foods could affect different systems and organs of their body, including the nervous system, blood cells, heart, and kidney. The most common culprits include chocolate, grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, onions, garlic, and xylitol.

Grapes and Raisins: Many pet owners are not aware of the dangers of these tasty toxins. Although most fruits have been given the thumbs up by veterinarians as a healthy human food choice, grapes and raisins have not, as they have been shown to cause kidney failure in dogs, due to an unknown toxic substance.

Nuts: Nuts, which contain large amounts of fat, contain a different type of fat than carnivores are used to, causing dogs to react with mild vomiting and diarrhea. Symptoms may not be as severe and go away rather quickly. However, macadamia nuts, specifically, can make dogs feel pretty miserable for about three days, Gwaltney told The Daily Paw.

“It makes them feel very weak and uncomfortable and can lead to fevers and even difficulty walking,” she says.

According to the ASPCA, macadamia nuts have also caused tremors and hyperthermia in dogs. Signs usually appear within 12 hours of ingestion and last approximately 12 to 48 hours.

Onions and Garlic: Although you wouldn’t think to actually feed your dog onions and garlic, you should pay more attention to what you drop on your kitchen floor. Onion and garlic powder, especially, have higher concentrations of toxins and can cause gastrointestinal irritation in dogs, leading to red blood cell damage if large amounts are ingested, says Gwaltney.

This may also trigger hemolytic anemia, says Alice Blazer, DVM, of the National Veterinary Association. Ingestion of very small amounts of onions and garlic, such as what might be found in pet foods or treats, are relatively harmless.

Gwaltney says: “Dogs would need to eat approximately the equivalent of one large onion per pound of their body weight to really be affected.” However, veterinarians recommended keeping paws off this specific vegetable and herb.

Xylitol: More familiar to us as a product than an actual word, xylitol is used as a sweetener in many products and is found mostly in chewing gum, candy, baked goods and artificial sweeteners. It can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar level, says Blazer. More mild symptoms may include depression, vomiting, loss of coordination. According to the ASPCA, the sudden decrease in blood sugar causes an increase in insulin, which can lead to more severe symptoms like liver failure, hypoglycemia (lowered sugar levels), and seizures. Elevated liver enzymes and liver failure can be seen within a few days.

What to do in an emergency: If your pet ingests any of these foods, first contact your veterinarian. Don’t rely on the internet since information posted on the web may not always be credible. For emergencies, contact the Animal Poison Control Center (APCC), where experts are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, at (888) 426-4435. Although the call is toll-free, pet owners should be advised that a $60 consultation fee will be charged to their credit card. This includes follow-up consultation should you or your vet need further assistance with your pet’s case. Be ready to provide your pet’s species, breed, age, sex, weight, symptoms, information regarding the exposure, including the agent, amount ingested, and time elapsed since the ingestion. It is also helpful to have the product in a container for reference as well as anything collected in a sealable plastic bag of what your pet may have vomited or chewed.

How much do you know about this comic canine?

Who is he? Where is he from? What breed is he?

Send your answers to melissachan@mail.adelphi.edu.

This one's easy. But, check back in a little bit for a brief history of this fictional, famous pup.

Funfact: Did you know he was originally supposed to be named Sniffy?

Hounds in Headlines: Dog Performs Heimlich to Save Life

He’s a pet dog by day and EMT by night.

In a 2007 story, a woman in Maryland was rescued from a near death choking experience when her dog pushed her onto the floor and jumped up and down on her chest until she could breathe again.

Through his own modified version of the Heimlich maneuver, her 2-year-old Golden Retriever, Toby, was able to push out the piece of apple she was choking on.

Click here to see a short video of Toby and his owner, Debbie Parkhurst, in the news.

Over 100 Dogs Saved from Nightmare Puppy Mill: “Worst Conditions Ever Seen”

In Warren County, Tennessee, Wednesday, 120 dogs were rescued from appalling living conditions at an alleged puppy mill.

Wilma Jones is now under investigation on suspicion of animal cruelty and neglect, according to media reports.

Although seven other dogs have died since then, according to the Tennessean, no charges have been filed against her as investigators wait for results on the cause of death of the dogs.

PR News Wire reported: “Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, Brussels Griffons and other small breeds were found living in crowded, unsanitary conditions in small wire hutches outdoors and wooden crates in a basement. The dogs, some of whom had recently given birth, lacked proper socialization and veterinary care. Most were severely matted, living in enclosures encrusted with feces and urine; and, in at least one cage, a dog was found living with the remains of two dead dogs.”

Click here for a video of the conditions from the American Rescue Corps.

The Tennessean reports that they dogs will soon be released and turned over to placement partners for adoption, after they each receive an exam, vaccinations and any immediate medical care necessary by local veterinarians.

Photo Picks: "Is It Spring Yet?"

Spring has officially started, but don't tell this to 1-year old mini-labradoodle, Georgia.

After a snowier than usual winter, the pup preps for a depressingly cold start to April.

Earmuffs? Check. Next... tailmuffs!

Try to find an owner who loves her pooch more than Hannah Jupiter. There is no such thing.

Chocolate: A Canine's Sweet but Deadly Seducer

My good friend, Carol Pollack, once told me a story about the horrifying time she found her two Jack Russell Terriers hovering over a huge-- and empty --bitten up box of dark chocolate.

Panicking, she called the vet late at night and was told to give her dogs a little bit of hydrogen peroxide, and then have her son run the two pups down the street in order to induce vomiting.

Her husband came home to find his hysterical wife at the bottom of the stairs and his exhausted son, running the dogs down pitch black Syosset streets.

When he found out what happened, he cried: “I ate all those chocolates last week!”

Safe to say, the poor, innocent pups, with upset stomachs, were apologized to every day for the next week.

The Dangers of Chocolate and What to Do if Eaten

Chocolate makes up at least 75 percent or more of cases involving pet ingestion of dangerous human foods, said Sharon Gwaltney, DVM, Ph.D., Vice President of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ Animal Poison Control Center (APCC).

“It is, by far, the number one people food that we have issues with,” she told The Daily Paw, attributing this mostly to the fact that chocolate is found in most homes.

Typically, the darker the chocolate, the more harmful it is to dogs, with baking chocolate as the most lethal. And depending on how much and what type of chocolate was ingested, symptoms can range from vomiting, diarrhea, panting, excessive thirst, urination, hyperactivity, to abnormal heart rhythm, tremors and seizures. In a worst-case scenario, the sweet seducer could even lead to death.

What to do in an emergency:
If your pet ingests chocolate, or any other poison, first contact your veterinarian. Depending on how much chocolate the dog could have eaten, a vet may suggest that you give your dog a little amount of hydrogen peroxide in order to induce vomiting. Don’t rely on the internet since information posted on the web may not always be credible.

For emergencies, contact the Animal Poison Control Center (APCC), where experts are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, at (888) 426-4435. Although the call is toll-free, pet owners should be advised that a $60 consultation fee will be charged to their credit card. This includes follow-up consultation should you or your vet need further assistance with your pet’s case. Be ready to provide your pet’s species, breed, age, sex, weight, symptoms, information regarding the exposure, including the agent, amount ingested, and time elapsed since the ingestion. It is also helpful to have the product in a container for reference as well as anything collected in a sealable plastic bag of what your pet may have vomited or chewed.

Losing Man's Best Friend

We all think our dogs are invincible.

Well, they have to be, right? Because who else would be there to eagerly greet you at the door like you were the best thing since bacon strips, without fail, every single time?

I could never imagine losing my dog. The thought of not being able to see her sleepy, smushed up face first thing in the morning, even before slamming the snooze button, breaks my heart years before it even has to.

Because my dog is only three years ago. Three. Yet every birthday is more like a tragedy than a celebration. Maybe it's because I'm morbid. Or maybe it's because we all know dogs can't live as long as we do, which I believe to be an unbelievably cruel part of life.

I don't want her to get old.

And unless you've had a dog, you just don't get it. Because it's not "just a dog." And you can cry two hours into Marley & Me, but unless you've witnessed firsthand how truly deep a dog can love you, you just can't get it.

And that's why after I write and post this upcoming article about how owners have dealt with the pain and how vets say to handle it, I never want to have to imagine this again.

Because my dog is invincible.

She has to be.

Melissa Chan

Coming Soon: Better Beaches For Your Dog

Though Mud Creek County may not sound appealing at this time-- with its rampant poison ivy and stray glass shards-- there are several dog beaches on Long Island that are fun and safe enough for your favorite set of paws.

Coming soon.

Avoid this Suffolk County dog park for now

Although it may be tempting to visit Suffolk County’s first dog beach, the Mud Creek County Dog Park poses many dangers to you and your pooch.


In fact, warnings have been issued to locals around the area and are posted on their website. The park itself is extremely overrun with poison ivy and broken glass has been found scattered throughout the sand.


The dog park, which opens onto the Great South Bay, located on 450 Roe Avenue, in Patchogue, began as a pilot project under the Five New Dog Parks initiative, which LI-DOG signed into law in May 2007.


It is an off-leash beach, so dogs are welcome to run, swim and play, without any restrictions, on a sandy beach that runs approximately 300 feet long and 300 feet deep. But since the beach is surrounded by what officials call “natural borders,” this means that there is no protection of chain links or fences.


Unlike many dog parks, the Mud Creek County Dog Park does not offer water fountains, trash receptacles or dog waste bag dispensers.


Although it is set to reopen to unleashed dogs starting July 1, you may want to skip this park.


Melissa Chan

Photo Picks: "Doggy Dreamland"

Sweet dreams, One One! ... And try to keep it down!

This sleepy Yorkshire Terrier from Fresh Meadows just blew out her 11th birthday candle!

Owner, Annie, says she loves One's unbelievably loud but also cute snores when she sleeps.

Keep watch when your dog is in the yard

Even in the safety of your own home, you should always supervise your dog in case he swallows something harmful.

In a best-case scenario, your dog swallows some dirt and eats a tiny worm or two. You scrunch up your face but virtually, there’s no harm done.

But in a small neighborhood near downtown Colorado, several dogs have fallen prey to poison.

Award-winning pet journalist, Sharon L. Peters, reports in USA Today that two dogs have already died after eating poison that was thrown over the fence and into the yards. At least 10 similar incidents in the neighborhood have occurred since the beginning of March.

Even in Cumberland County, New Jersey, three dogs, including 5-year-old golden retriever, Raymond (shown in the picture), have died after eating poisoned, raw meatballs that were placed along hiking trails, according to NJ.com.

And in Schertz, Texas, early this month, poison as well as meatballs and sausages with medicinal pills inside were found in the yards. It has happened at least six times within a few weeks there.