10:00am | Talk about a mug shot—there’s something about a bulldog, isn’t there, and the attendance, both human and canine, at Haute Dogs’ sixth annual Bulldog Beauty Pageant was strong evidence that the squatty little smiling, gasping critters are irresistible. On Feb. 28, more than 400 dogs and about 1,000 fans crowded into the event, this year held near the duck pond at the Marketplace Shopping Center. A crowd of, say, Irish setters or border collies wouldn’t have had the same absurdly comic effect.
The event isn’t limited to bulldogs. Pugs—the other silly dog—have their own category, and all breeds and nonbreeds are happily welcome in the senior category (age 10 and over).
Senior winner Yoshi Peters, 12, with human companion Janet Peters and the Long Beach Royal Court, and during a pensive moment after having been declared the winner. Yoshi has three working legs. He was found running along the highway and was taken to Best Friends in Utah, where Janet discovered him. “They said that he likes cats, but he doesn’t,” Janet said in offhanded acceptance. Photos by Jim “Woody” Woods
The photo spreads in the local media and the Haute Dogs Web site went up, ran, and were archived over a week ago. We’re not going to give you another one—we’re opportunists for animals, and we have a different idea. It involves adoption, of course. For each of the bulldogs and other breeds waddling the narrow paths, there are at least six others abandoned or given up to shelters and rescues. The happy-looking guy at the top of the article comes from the all-volunteer Southern California Bulldog Rescue (SCBR), and he’s no doubt smiling big because he’s one of the lucky ones who got rehomed. But the Humane Society of the United States reports that bulldogs are one of the top 10 popular breeds left nationwide in shelters. Last we looked, Petfinder.com had 2,097 American and 415 English bulldogs in rescues and shelters across the country, and our ACS has housed a few of them in the past. Besides the often-mentioned economic reasons of people not being able to afford to care for their pets anymore, purebreds also enter shelters because their new owners haven’t considered health and behavior issues associated with breeds.
“People don’t realize the full maintenance and medical cost [when they decide to get a bulldog],” said Vicki Verona of SCBR. Among other conditions, bulldogs are susceptible to skin-fold dermatitis, and all wrinkles must be kept clean. The breed is prone to “cherry eye,” dysplasia of hip and other joints, and multiple breathing issues aggravated by their mouth structure. Bulldogs are also heat intolerant, and most of them cannot swim and must be kept away from the backyard pool and watched carefully at dog beaches. There is a high incidence of caesarean delivery for the breed, reportedly because of pelvic structure; this is easily avoided by spaying or neutering the dog. Breeding without a specific permit is illegal in Long Beach; furthermore, rescue and controlling pet overpopulation go paw in paw. Altering a bulldog is also better for the animal’s health.
And they wheeze, snore and slobber. On the other hand, they’re playful, affectionate, pretty mellow and funny as can be. They generally get along with children and other pets. They’re also good cuddlers. To be clear, speak to a veterinarian, preferably one referred to you who has treated your pets in the past, about bulldogs’ specific health issues. Then search shelters, or use Petfinder.com or Adoptapet.com.
“On Adopt a Pet, you can ask for an e-mail notification, and you’ll get an e-mail saying, ‘Hey, we got a bulldog named Fifi in your area,’” said SCBR’s Skip Van Der Marliere.
Bettis was rescued by SCBR in horrible condition—thin and frightened. The first adoptive parent had to give him up after her husband became ill, but the second and forever owners, Brook and Josh Tretter, took him right home and gave visiting rights to the first parent. “I’m the grandma,” she said.
Zoe, another SCBR rescue, had to be the “only dog,” and Crissa and Riego Vasquez’s home fit the bill. Always ask the rescue or shelter if the dog will accept other pets and children. Here, Zoe is being further spoiled by eventgoer Melissa Mendoza.
The bulldogs rescued by SCBR are often sick or have been victims of abuse or neglect. The volunteers take the ones rescued in shelters and from abusive situations and nurse them to health.
Spanky was brought to SCBR in 2009, undernourished and frightened, with multiple skin issues. He developed pneumonia and showed signs of neurological problems. After three months of intensive veterinary care, he was put up for adoption and was taken in by a couple in Santa Barbara, who renamed him Max. Today, he enjoys walking and riding in the car with his mom and dad.
“We got a dog surrendered for fight baiting just today,” Verona said during a recent interview.
Because of the situations in which SCBR volunteers find their rescues, Verona and Van Der Marliere make it clear that, no matter how many dogs are being fostered, they will not be adopted indiscriminately. A lengthy application and a home check are required before the prospective bulldog buddy is approved.
If you’ve considered everything and still really, really want that bulldog, adopting one is the best way to provide a loving home and to help curb pet overpopulation at the same time. Whatever you do, stay clear of online and newspaper ads, people on the street, pet stores and individuals who call themselves breeders but cannot prove themselves to be legitimate, responsible breeders. Maybe you’ll be parading your new best friend around next year’s Beautiful Bulldog Event, all soft, shiny and slobbering, and part of the happy crowd mugging for the camera.
To volunteer or foster one of the many bulldogs under SCBR’s guardianship, visit the organization’s Web site socalbulldogrescue.org.
Because a bulldog gives me such a thrill….”
—From a jingle we learned at camp
Virtually Pets
Bulldogs—what else? Vicki Verona sent us several candidates for adoption. To show you not only how far they’ve come but also why this special breed needs a capable loving home, she’s included a before and an after photo for each one. Contact SCBR on its Web site (above and in article).
Bella
Before
After
Bella’s smiling in the After photo for good reason. She was a mess when SCBR took her in as an owner surrender. She was suffering from mange and improperly treated. The owner paid cash for her—quite a bit of it—from an individual in a parking lot whom she contacted through Craig’s List. No papers for the dog, and the purchaser didn’t know where the “breeder” was located. She’s since been inoculated, spayed and professionally treated. She’s about a year old, loves people and deserves a home of her own.
Lovey
Before
After
Lovey, only around 3 years old, was used as a breeding machine and then cast away to the shelter. SCBR believes that she was crated and on cement her whole life. With the help of a groomer and a spaying, she feels just fine. She definitely needs to be the only dog!
And, if you want a dog but feel that a bulldog is not your type…
Bubbles
Bubbles is a sweet little 7-year-old fuzzface terrier mix who was turned in to ACS by an individual who couldn’t care for his elderly father and his dad’s dog at the same time. Bubbles is floating around the shelter at 7700 E. Spring St., Long Beach, 90815, (562) 570-7387. She’s in Kennel 705.
Pet Projects
March Is Litter-Free Long Beach for Animal Care
Animal Care Services estimates that there are over 103,000 dogs and 123,000 cats in Long Beach. In an effort to reduce the number of animals impounded each year, ACS is promoting spay and neuter in the month March as “Litter-Free Long Beach”. Residents are encouraged to get their animals—particularly cats—spayed or neutered to reduce the number of unwanted litters in 2010.
“We see the number of cat impounds triple, beginning in April of each year and lasting through the summer,” said Ron Arias, director of the Health and Human Services Department. Last year alone, over 6,000 cats were impounded at the local shelter.
A mandatory spay and neuter law exists for cats, and residents need a permit to breed dogs in the city or face citations. Spay/neuter vouchers help offset the costs of the procedure. Visit ACS to find out about obtaining a voucher.
Latest pelican deaths prompt urgent appeal
Since January, thousands of California brown pelicans have been showing up dead and starving to death from Oregon to San Diego, California. Officials indicate weather and a reduced food supply as the primary cause of this year’s surge in adult brown pelican deaths. This latest in a series of natural events killing thousands of otherwise healthy marine animals falls solely on the nonprofit rescue groups, which are limited in what they can do. Click here to see how you can help.
April 22, Annual Benefit for the Animals
For a fun and entertaining evening, join Friends of Long Beach Animals (FOLBA) for its Annual Benefit for the Animals at the Long Beach Playhouse. The reception begins at 6:30 and features a delicious selection of finger food by Pamlin Catering and music by pianist Ralph Brunson. You will have time to browse and bid on a wide selection of silent auction items and to purchase your tickets for the raffle. At 7:30, our Hero to Animals 2010 will be introduced, followed by a performance of Agatha Christie’s The Hollow. Tickets are $25 and are available at the following locations:
• Belmont Pets and Launderpet, 3429 E. Broadway
• Bixby Animal Clinic, 3938 Atlantic Avenue
• Bixby Knolls Launderpet, 4102 Orange Avenue, #113
• Chuck & Toby, 191 Park Avenue, Belmont Shore
• Go Dogs Go, 3440 N. Los Coyotes Diagonal