Do you feel comfortable letting your dog say "hello" to another leashed dog that you pass on a walk? Have you ever had a bad experience?

I used to allow it regularly, but I've had a number of bad experiences and now avoid it. For a reason I don't fully understand, dogs are more protective when they're on leash.

Use this space to discuss anything you'd like.

I've been in an especially sad mood today. Our little-dog group lost a member of our pack. Lucy, who has gone to just about every twice-weekly meetup we've had for the past two years, crossed over the Rainbow Bridge this morning.

Thirsty
Here's Anchorage Animal Care and Control's Adoption of the Week, courtesy of Brooke Taylor, AACCC public relations coordinator.

My apologies for the late "Monday" topic of the week. I don't know where the time goes.

This one came as a suggestion from Jerseygirl01:

What are the best kibbles for various issues (coat/digestion/arthritis/weight/behavior...)

Obviously, most of us will talk to our vets or a canine nutritionist when trying to come up with the best food. But with that said, what have you learned? What's worked for you?

<By JEFFREY COLLINS and HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH
Associated Press
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Fourteen people in at least nine states have been sickened by salmonella after handling tainted dog food from a South Carolina plant that a few years ago produced food contaminated by toxic mold that killed dozens of dogs, federal officials said Friday.

Use this space to discuss training issues -- brag about successes, lament setbacks, or bounce a question off the group.

I have a brag and a lament all wrapped into one: Eddie passed his therapy dog recertification test twice on Saturday (once with me, once with Kelly).

The lament is mine: My passing score was significantly lower than Kelly's. On a 2 is best, 1 is passing and 0 is fail basis, Kelly and Eddie got all but one 2. Eddie and I got 10 1's. She kicked my butt!

Moose dressed as a mounted moose

Here's Anchorage Animal Care and Control's Adoption of the Week, courtesy of Brooke Taylor, AACCC public relations coordinator.

This week's topic is courtesy of Brooke Taylor, animal lover and public relations coordinator for Anchorage Animal Care and Control Center.

What do you think of retractable "flexi" leashes? Do you use them? Do you despise them? Is there ever a situation where you would consider them?

Use this space to discuss training issues -- brag about successes, lament setbacks or bounce a question off the group.

EDDIE: He takes his therapy dog recertification test on Saturday, and I feel pretty good about it. I'm not as nervous as the two other times I took it with him, at least. And my nervousness and preparedness are really the only issues we've ever had.

Here are the things I've been criticized for before in passing the previous tests:

Bruno

Here's Anchorage Animal Care and Control's Adoption of the Week, courtesy of Brooke Taylor, AACCC public relations coordinator.

Get Real flier

Acatemy Awards

Anchorage Animal Care and Control Center recently launched a new campaign promoting responsible pet ownership. Check out these humorous video public service announcements below, and share the link or let them know what you think on AACCC's Facebook page.

Here's the text of their press release:

If you could have any dog from television or film as your pet, who would you pick?

My friend Jenifer, one of the original contributors to the Dog Blog who still visits from time to time, posted this on her Facebook page and gave me permission to use it. She said it could be any animal, but I'm limiting it to dogs for this discussion.

When: Saturday, April 21, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: University Lake and Connor's Bog off-leash dog parks.

The Anchorage Waterways Council's Scoop the Poop Committee has set Saturday, April 21, for its annual cleanup day.

Time will be 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the city's two most popular unleashed dog parks -- Connor's Bog and University Lake.

This week's topic is another great suggestion from findleylake. What strange kinds of things will your dog eat -- either by design or by accident?

Findleylake admits that Duncan will lap up coffee if a cup is within range.

Mine eat frozen veggies as treats when I'm watching their weight. Funny, they react to the frozen peas and carrots just as voraciously as they do other treats.

The strange things they eat mostly involve poop, but I won't go there here.

Anything your dog has eaten that makes you scratch your head?

Use this space to discuss anything you'd like.

I'm on furlough the rest of the week and will be out of commission until Monday, April 22.

Feel free to keep the conversation going here, and I'll be checking in in a week.

Dogblog note: Following is a press release from Canine Comfort, the grass-roots rescue group that has been operating in Aniak for the past three years. The problem of abandoned and neglected dogs in the Bush is huge, and this is one organization that is committed to finding homes for unwanted dogs.

Dear Friends,

SassyHere's Anchorage Animal Care and Control's Adoption of the Week, courtesy of Brooke Taylor, AACCC public relations coordinator.

This week's question is courtesy of Findleylake again. It's actually two questions: First, do you have a favorite pet mail order pharmacy? She uses Drs. Foster & Smith for Duncan's arthritis meds. And second, do you have favorite pet supply catalogs? Include online sites if you have a favorite.

I'm not a big catalog shopper, but I have purchased stuff from Drs. Foster & Smith before.

Anybody else have some favorites?

Use this space to discuss training issues -- brag about successes, lament setbacks, or bounce a question off the group.

I tried a couple new things with Eddie this week, but I think I've given up on both. Too off the wall, and I was confusing him.

In nosework, I tried tossing out about 20 plastic eggs, with just one having an odor in it. Eddie loves the challenge and frantically sniffs all the eggs, but the game confuses him. He'll occasionally just start batting at random eggs and looking to me to see if he's right.

GrizzHere's Anchorage Animal Care and Control's Adoption of the Week, courtesy of Brooke Taylor, AACCC public relations coordinator.

Update, 4/11/12: Grizz is still available but with the reduced adoption fee of $72. Ravenwood Veterinary Clinic donated the neuter surgery.