Check out some of photos from PPAC 911’s latest adopt-a-thon in Chandler. There are some great dogs out there looking for homes in metro Phoenix

In honor of Sunday’s Oscars, I remembered some of my favorite dog movies. It’s funny how seeing how dogs act in these movies influences our perceptions of how dogs should act — you know, I’m not so sure the Beagle would be as brave around the Wicked Witch as Toto was.

What a gorgeous Arizona day!

This morning was a perfect time to get the pooch and hit the hiking trails around metro Phoenix.  It’s unclear what kind of wildflower season this is going to be (rainy November and December but not so much in January) but already you see sprigs of lupine, brittlebush and desert marigolds popping up.

And as much as you want to, be careful not to go off trail to get the perfect of photo of the dog with the wildflowers – gotta leave the scenery beautiful for everyone else! Another good reason to keep your dog on the leash: where there’s wildflowers, there can be cactus.

A tip from the Arizona State Parks department:  if you are craving seeing golden Mexican poppies,  get out between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on a sunny day –but make sure to bring plenty of water for you and the dog.

Here are some very helpful up-to-date links to show you where to see the best wildflowers in Arizona:

• Wildflower report at Boyce Thompson (a dog-friendly place) : http://ag.arizona.edu/bta/events/wildflowers.html
• Beautiful book and blog: http://wildinarizona.com/wordpress/
• http://azstateparks.com/rangercam/index.html
• http://www.desertusa.com/wildflo/az.html

One of the best things about writing Happy Dog Phoenix was that I got to research some Arizona history. Believe me, stories about dogs in Arizona history are few and I think I got all of them!

Here’s one of my favorites and it comes from the Medicine in Territorial Arizona.

How did they treat rabies around the time of Arizona statehood?

Put the rabies patients on the first train for Chicago. Thirty-three patients from Arizona made the trip to the Pasteur Institute of Chicago for 18 injections each of rabies vaccine. Some people could not afford the trip; others simply refused. There was no record of how they fared.

While rabid dogs were to be feared; rabid skunks were more deadly.

Going cross country for medical care – a good reminder of how tough our Arizona pioneers really were.

This is my most controversial blog entry yet, so here goes.

Last year about this time, I met a woman passionate about the welfare of dogs. To break the ice,
I asked her if she had watched the Westminster dog show (which this year starts Monday).

She gave me a hard look and said if that was what Happy Dog Phoenix was going to be about, then count her out.

She believes dog shows like Westminster and dog breeders help cause dog overpopulation and it is all just for the almighty dollar.

Her adamancy caught me off guard and has caused me to rethink my enjoyment of Westminster. Then came articles like “Can the Bulldog Be Saved?’’, a heart-breaking look at how the overbreeding of English bulldogs to get a certain “look’’ has caused many of them to have severe breathing problems. Those genetically manufactured short noses can cause them to suffer in the heat because they can’t cool down properly.

After reading that and other articles, does that mean I am going to turn off Westminster?

No. I think my friend, the New York Times writer and other thoughtful people have excellent points but I also believe there’s a place for a show that celebrates well-cared-for, well-exercised dogs and their fascinating history.

I think Westminster should focus more on dogs’ ability and overall looks, rather than specifics like how close their eyes are together or who their parents were.

Or perhaps Westminster judges could take into account a dog’s particular history as well as the breed’s history, like this rescued Weimaraner.

So yes, Monday, I am going to be turning into Westminster but I am going to thinking about how all dogs can be helped — not just the purebreds.

What do you think?

Have you heard about the Glendale Schnauzer who saved a woman’s life?

Happy Dog Phoenix profiled several hero dogs like this one and Friends of Animal Care and Control every year salute dogs in metro Phoenix who perform heroic deeds.

The Arizona Humane Society is warning about distemper in the metro Phoenix area:

• Animal advocates warn of fatal dog disease
• Link to the press release

Happy Dog Phoenix profiled the town of Gilbert’s moves to install dog-poop-fueled lights at Cosmo Park.

Here’s an update: Dog waste digester won’t be a light show

Sounds like a prototype could be up and running as early as May; they are still looking for funds to complete the whole project

It’s supposed to be another beautiful weekend so why not hit the trail with your best friend?

Mark Troester and Lynn Neakrans, who lead Maricopa County’s Tails on Trails program, give some tips on hiking with your dog :

• Dogs need at least one ounce of water per pound when they are NOT active; they are going to need a lot more than that on the trail.
• Dogs who lap their water get cooled down faster; collapsible bowls work the best.
• Your dog should pee at least twice a hour on the trail; less than that can be a sign of dehydration.
• Hiking far away from home? Know where the nearest emergency vet is and if they carry rattlesnake treatments.

The next Tails on Trails program is Jan. 28. Check it out!