canada – My Cocker Spaniel

Cocker spaniel dies in neighbor’s trap

A Dorintosh, Saskatchewan family is morning the loss of their dog. On April 24, Barb Heaver and her cocker spaniel Cocoa were out visiting a friend in town when Cocoa wandered off onto Paul Strelezki’s property. Strelezki had baited a Conibear trap with sardines. Cocoa was found dead in the trap. Strelezki placed the traps on his property to protect his chickens from skunks and foxes. Strelezki says he never intended the trap for Cocoa. “I like dogs…I didn’t set a trap for it. I set it for the skunks.”

Police were called to the scene however Strelezki’s traps were legally set and no charges were filed. Conibear traps are a type of body gripping trap which forcefully snaps around the animal’s neck causing death by either severing the spinal cord or causing asphyxiation. However, the animal may only be caught by a limb and be left to die. Conibear traps are legal in most states however there are rules regarding their use (i.e. location and size). If your pet becomes ensnared in a Conibear trap here are instructions how to free it: TrapFree Oregon: Conibear traps and how to release them.

Canada curbs U.S. cocker spaniel euthanasia

High kill rates in U.S. animal shelters have always been a problem. The recession which began in 2008 added to the problem. A Canadian cocker spaniel rescue is lending a hand to California which has one of the highest pet euthanasia rates in the nation. Angels Under Our Wings Cocker Spaniel Rescue (AUOWCSR) of Victoria, British Columbia is rescuing cocker spaniels from the Los Angeles area at risk of euthanasia. “We rescue abandoned Cocker Spaniels mostly from high kill shelters in Los Angeles that through no fault of their own have ended up in the shelter in danger of euthanasia,” says volunteer Sarah Drader.

AUOWCSR Spends on average $700 – 900 caring for each rescue. “Some have cost us thousands of dollars,” says Drader. If you would like to donate or are interested in fostering please visit www.angelsunderourwings.com

Canadian Cockerfest this July 24th

The Cocker Spaniel Rescue of British Columbia (CSRBC) will hold its eighth
annual Cockerfest this Sunday. Cocker spaniels and cocker spaniel owners alike are welcomed to attend. This year’s event will be held in Langley’s Derby Reach Park along the Fraser River. It sounds beautiful. 🙂 A raffle will be held for select items raising money for CSRBC.

Cocker and owner wear team colors

Mylo and Diane Fontaine — Cocker and owner wear team colors. Photo Ken Kidd/Toronto Star

Diana Fontaine and her 13 year-old buff male cocker spaniel named Mylo are best buddies. They’ve been best friends for the past seven years ever since he was given to her from a breeder. They’ve become inseparable over the years. “If he loses sight of me, he panics,” says Fontaine.

Apparently, Fontaine and Mylo are also Vancouver Canucks fans. Both can be spotted in their home town of Vancouver, Canada wearing Canuck jerseys. Fontaine dresses him up with various team colored outfits but ensures it’s nothing too feminine. “I don’t put anything frou-frou on him. It’s got to be boyish,” says Fontaine. Dogs wearing team colors is a growing trend in Vancouver. Owners make outfits for their dogs or purchase them in town. Ultimately, it’s a sign of affection Vancouver has for their canine companions.

Calla’s All Bets On KLAD earns title

Calla’s All Bets On KLAD who goes by the call name Jack Jack earned his championship in conformation last month at a Canadian Kennel Club sponsored event in Camrose, Alberta, Canada. The event was the Battle River Canine Association’s All-breed Conformation and Obedience Dog Show held March 25th-27th, 2011. Jack Jack advanced to Winners Dog and on to Best of Winners with handler Lori Gauvin.

Three-year-old Jack Jack is owned by Kelly Ladouceur and lives with his cocker companions Grace and Farley. He was bred by Jackie Forchuk and Donna Kjorsvik and has roots in Korea–both parents title winners as well. Kelly loves photographing her cocker spaniels and takes amazing pictures.