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I was delighted to see that she reminds people that many breeders want the dog or cat back.
“Where There’s a Will” discusses the other side of the pet-owning covenant—the one most of us don’t want to think about, although we should. Allen discusses a number of steps we need to take to ensure that our pets are cared for if we are unable to do so because we die or are disabled. Again, the author balances a highly emo- tional topic with highly practical advice.
Which leads us to the other book of interest this time around. The fourth edition of attorney Mary Randolph’s Dog Law: A Plain-English Guide for Dog Owners & Their Neighbors (Nolo, 1998) isn’t brand new, but it’s still timely. And of course Randolph discusses “Providing for Pets,” including the use of wills, trusts, and other legal arrangements, and explains when provisions will and will not protect our dogs and other pets in our absence.
Dog Law covers a wide range of other topics as well, and anyone who owns, breeds, shows, trains, or lives near dogs really should have a look at this book. We live in a time of ever-increasing laws that affect the way we are permitted to live with pets, particularly dogs, and being uninformed is the best way to lose the rights and privileges many of us take for granted.
Randolph begins with a mini-history of dogs and people and how laws affecting dogs developed (interest- ingly, at one time dogs were considered to be without monetary value and therefore not covered by laws
against theft). She moves on to state and local laws on everything from scooping poop to number limits to killing a dog. The chapter on buying and selling dogs should interest anyone who is serious about purebred (or other saleable) dogs, as this is an area in which much misguided legislation has been passed and is being pro- posed and passed all over the country.
Consumer rights of dog owners are the primary focus of chapters focusing on landlord and renter rights, and veterinarians and other professionals who work with dogs, as well as a chapter on possible recourse if your dog is injured or killed by someone else. Liability and nuisance laws are covered in other parts of the book, including barking and other behaviors, bites, and dan- gerous dog laws. There’s even a chapter on “Traveling with Dogs” for those of us who are often on the road with a car full of canines. All in all, Dog Law is an excel- lent resource and I’d recommend it for any serious dog- owner’s book shelf.
I hope you don’t need either of these books very often, but it’s good to know where to look if we need guidance. Until next time, I wish you a straight and bump-free path and happy, healthy dogs.
Sheila W. Boneham, Ph.D., has temporarily jumped ship— her new book, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Getting and Owning a Cat, was released in April. Your dogs will love it.
2004 Year End Awards!
This issue will have the full January 1 –December 31, 2004, standings for Obedience, Herding and Agility. If you find any errors in your standing, please report them to Judy Norris (Obed/Herding) or Cindy Alison (Agility) as soon as possible.
The person owning the number one dog in each class should send a photo of the dog (and handler if desired) to Art Director Kathy Glaes (address on p.10), by July 15 so we can publish it in the Year-End Awards issue (Sept/Oct).You must have three (3) scores to be eligible for a year-end award.
Congratulations to all top 10 teams!
Dog & Handler COVERING SPORTS FOR ALL DOGS
Agility, Flyball, Freestyle,Frisbee, Herding, Obedience, Rally, Skijoring, Big Air, Tracking, Therapy Dogs, Junior Handlers & more!
Exciting event coverage! Insightful editorials!
Fabulous photos! Inspiring features!
Entertaining profiles! Enlightening training ideas!
Sample Issue $6 - One year subscription $24
Dog & Handler
234 Butternut Hill Road / Guilford, VT 05301 802-254-1209
www.dogandhandler.com
38 The Australian Shepherd Journal May/June 2005