The blog marches on. I do not look at these things very often, but the Google does, and they report that this blog had over 4,200 visitors yesterday, and over 104,000 last month, and over 4 million over time. In a world of more than 310 million Americans and 7 billion people beyond our borders that is not much, but compared to the AKC Gazette's total 40,000 monthly subscribers, after 100 years of publication, it's OK. Plus, this little blog costs readers nothing, so
value!
Of course, we miss a few things like catered lunches and that nice Madison Avenue address that the AKC has in New York City. And, because we do not subscribe to the notion that kickbacks for veterinary referrals are ethical, or that winking at puppy mill misery is proper, we do not have mahogany halls groaning with old doggy paintings.
But, I think we can live with that!
I have a question for you. Do you ever use your dogs for ratting? My 83 year old neighbor has wound up with a big rat problem in her yard. We are looking for an alternative to poison. Let me know if you or any other terriermen offer ratting services.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Kathleen
I have a whole section on ratting here >> http://www.terrierman.com/ratdog.htm
ReplyDeleteSerious rat control involves: control (elimination) of food, elimination of shelter (cut grass and weeds, remove boards and trash), control of water, ripping den holes and use of a multi-rodenticide bait stations. Dogs are fun, but if the problems above remain, so do the rats.
Do you worry about secondary poisoning with the rodenticide? We are talking with an exterminator about using Havahart traps and taking the rats elsewhere to be killed quickly. The weeds, trash, brush piles are in other yards and nothing can be done about that.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, thanks for the reply. The link is quite interesting.
You kill with snap traps or poison. Poison is put in bait stations not accessible to dogs. If you have an exterminator talking about Havahart traps, get rid of them and hire a REAL exterminator. You also need to have the County visit your neighbors
ReplyDeleteSee >> http://terriermandotcom.blogspot.com/2005/03/rat-poison-and-wildlife-conservation.html?m=1
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking the time to blog for all of us. Funny, often when I have a question about dogs, I do a search and look to see what was written here, not only by you but by those who have commented. Much of value and practiced wisdom (something that is sorely lacking on the AKC site.)
ReplyDelete