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The Cavalry Group Report
June 16, 2025
bureaucracies. Marc Morano, Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow (CFACT), who debunked the “green” energy agenda and its dangerous implications for American food and fuel policy. Karen Budd-Falen, Associate Deputy Secretary at the Department of the Interior, who emphasized the urgent need to defend private landowners and ranchers from regulatory threats to grazing and property rights.
management—including boosting timber production—is critical for wildfire prevention. Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-WY) reiterated her commitment to protecting land ownership and reforming the Endangered Species Act, while exposing how USDA funding is being weaponized to stop grazing and energy development. Tuesday, June 10 – Friday, June 13: Focused Advocacy on Capitol Hill On Tuesday I spent the morning at USDA with American Agri-women listening to various department heads discuss their key roles at USDA. After lunch, and for the remainder of the day, I met with key members from the House Energy & Commerce Committee to oppose the P.A.S.T. Act (H.R.1684). From Wednesday through Friday, I met with numerous Congressional offices—primarily on the House side—to express our opposition to five dangerous pieces of legislation driven by animal rights ideologues: The PAST Act (H.R.1684) – With 195 co-sponsors, this bill remains a top priority for radical animal rights groups. I met with key members of the House Energy & Commerce Committee to urge opposition.
Dear Members,
I’m writing to share highlights from my most recent trip to Washington, D.C., where I spent a week lobbying on behalf of The Cavalry Group and our members’ interests. The trip, held June 8–13, coincided with American Agri-Women’s annual Fly-In and included meetings at USDA, EPA, and on Capitol Hill. It was an eventful and productive week, reinforcing our ongoing commitment to defend animal enterprise, private property rights, and lawful animal ownership from regulatory overreach.
Monday, June 9: USDA Symposium on Public Land Management
Held at the USDA Whitten Building, Monday’s symposium focused on “A New Era in Public Land Management.” Key presentations
Sunday, June 8: A Powerful Start with American Agri-Women
I joined American Agri-Women (AAW) at the outset of their Fly-In, which brings together members of American Agri-women who are made up of boots on the ground farmers, ranchers, producers, and agriculture advocates from across the country to influence federal agricultural policy. AAW has been a steadfast, non-partisan voice for American agriculture since 1974. Accordingly, AAW’s Sunday policy briefings set the tone with thought- provoking speakers, including: Jonathan Alexandre, Liberty Counsel attorney, who warned of the quiet tyranny of federal Missouri Pet Breeders Association | Page 4
addressed the intersection of agriculture, energy, and land stewardship: Rep. Cliff Bentz (R-OR) spoke
candidly about Biden’s 30x30 land grab and its impact on dam removal currently underway in the West. He highlighted the irony of removing vital water infrastructure just as AI and data centers are dramatically increasing our demand for water and electricity. Kristin Sleeper, Deputy Undersecretary for USDA’s Natural Resources and Environment, led an excellent discussion on forest policy. She emphasized that active forest
Meeting with Congresswoman Harriet Hageman (R-WY)
Without intentional oversight and structural reform, we fear the Animal Care Department will continue to operate with little accountability, putting the future of responsible animal ownership and enterprise at serious risk. Congresswoman Hageman expressed strong concern and a commitment to act. We are actively working with her office to press for meaningful changes, oversight, and accountability. I will report to you about our progress in the weeks ahead. This trip was both educational and impactful. As the PAST Act, the Puppy Protection Act, and Goldie’s Act continue to gain traction, our fight is far from over. Accordingly, I will be returning to Washington, D.C. soon to maintain our momentum and ensure your voices are heard and work to prevent these bills from passing. Thank you for standing with The Cavalry Group as we defend your rights and your businesses. Your continued membership makes our work in our nation’s Capitol possible. With gratitude, Mindy Patterson President, The Cavalry Group
The Puppy Protection Act (H.R.2253) – Now with 95 co-sponsors, this bill would impose sweeping, one-size-fits- all mandates on dog breeders designed to put them out of business. Goldie’s Act (H.R.349) – With 54 co-sponsors, this measure would give USDA broad new enforcement powers without addressing the agency’s existing abuse of authority. Goldie’s Act shifts USDA’s role to aggressive enforcement rooted in animal rights ideology. It threatens due process and empowers activist- driven complaints to trigger federal action. Animal Cruelty Enforcement (ACE) Act (H.R.1477) - Proposes the creation of a new enforcement unit within the U.S. Department of Justice to prosecute animal cruelty as a federal crime. This bill would expand federal jurisdiction into what has historically been state and local law enforcement territory, setting a dangerous precedent that could impact farmers, hunters, animal breeders, and property owners. Fighting Inhumane Gambling and High-Risk Trafficking (FIGHT) Act (H.R.2742) - Marketed as a bill to combat animal fighting, this legislation significantly expands surveillance and seizure authority, including civil asset forfeiture— raising major Fourth and Fifth Amendment concerns. Its overly broad language could entrap innocent rural citizens and hunters under suspicion-based enforcement under the umbrella of “animal fighting” which is already illegal.
One of my most productive meetings of the week was with Congresswoman Harriet Hageman (R-WY) and her Chief of Staff. I presented detailed evidence of misconduct within the USDA’s Animal Care Division under APHIS, highlighting: Documented cases of overreach and retaliatory inspections. Inconsistent enforcement harming law-abiding animal businesses required to be licensed by USDA. Prior communications to USDA leadership and Inspector General Phyllis Fong—none of which received a response under the Obama or Biden administrations. Documented concerns about animal activist-driven Rule promulgation under the Animal Welfare Act and Horse Protection Act at APHIS. I also conveyed The Cavalry Group’s ongoing concerns about embedded animal rights ideologues as bureaucrats within APHIS and the Animal Care Division who remain unaccountable. Their unchecked power continues to jeopardize our members and the integrity of federal law. I further explained that over the past 15 years, many of our members—law-abiding animal professionals, many of whom are USDA licensed—have experienced harassment, intimidation, and inconsistent enforcement practices from this division. Some have been regulated out of business entirely, losing not only their livelihoods but also decades of work dedicated to responsible breeding and the preservation of genetic diversity.
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NUTRITION FOR PUPPIES THE BUILDING BLOCKS OF
A hallmark of puppyhood is rapid growth. In just the first 10 days, puppies nearly double their birth weight. By 6 months of age, puppies often need two times the amount of nutrients and calories per pound of body weight compared to adult dogs. The rapid growth that is unique to the puppy life stage benefits from nutritional support from a complete and balanced puppy food or an all life stages food that has been validated in feeding trials for growing puppies. Setting puppies up for success in life begins with optimal nutrition that nourishes their developing bodies. “Puppies, in general, have a higher nutrient requirement than adult dogs,” says Martha G. Cline, DVM, DACVIM (Nutrition), Senior Manager for Veterinary Technical Communications at Purina. “Their bodies are rapidly growing and developing, so they need the nutritional building blocks to support that rapid growth,” Dr. Cline says. “Higher levels of minerals, protein, amino acids and essential fatty acids are really important. They also require more calories per their body weight than an adult dog. This gradually decreases as they approach adulthood and maturity.” The AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for growth (puppies) and reproduction (gestation and lactation) reflect the higher key nutrients needed compared to adult mainte- nance. The requirements for calcium and phosphorus, which aid in bone development, are more than double. Higher protein is needed for building new tissue and
supporting muscle, skin and coat, and organ development. DHA and EPA from omega-3 fatty acids, which are impor- tant in brain and vision development for puppies, are conditionally essential for adult dogs. A plethora of pet food options can make it challenging for breeders and pet owners to choose the best puppy food. Here, Dr. Cline, a board-certified veterinary nutri- tionist, offers tips to help you decide the best food to feed your puppies. FEEDING FOR STEADY GROWTH Managing puppies’ transition from roly-poly 8-week- olds to the desired lean body condition of adult dogs Feeding a complete and balanced puppy food, such as one of these Purina Pro Plan puppy foods, is ideal for optimal growth in puppies. Pro Plan puppy foods are made with chicken, beef, lamb or salmon as the No. 1 ingredient. They are available in diets for all puppies as well as for toy-, small- and large-breed puppies.
requires being mindful of differences among individual dogs. Adjustments along the way are to be expected to promote steady growth. “Both puppy and all life stages foods contain all essential nutrients in the proper amounts to support puppies during growth,” Dr. Cline explains. “If you are feeding an all life stages food, you can feed that into adulthood. However, breeders should be aware that all life stages foods are calorie dense, which may not be the best option for animals prone to excess weight at maturity. “A better choice for dogs prone to excess body weight might be to feed a puppy food and then segue to a less calorie dense adult mainte- nance food to make sure we are
AAFCO REQUIREMENTS OF KEY NUTRIENTS FOR PUPPIES VERSUS ADULT DOGS
Nutrient
Growth & Reproduction — Per 1,000 calories —
Adult Maintenance — Per 1,000 calories —
Calcium
3 grams
1.25 grams
Phosphorus
2.5 grams
1 gram
Protein
56.3 grams
45 grams
DHA/EPA essential fatty acids
100 milligrams
N/A
*Based on the 2023 Association of American Feed Control Officials Dog Food Nutrient Profile standards for growth and reproduction (gestation and lactation) and adult maintenance foods.
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promoting ideal body weight. While an all life stages food provides optimal nutrition for puppies and hard- working adult dogs, they are not necessarily ideal for individual adult dogs or less active breeds.” Ultimately, a primary goal is to feed puppies to achieve ideal body condition as adult dogs, Dr. Cline says. The Purina Body Condition System, published in 1993, is a tool to help breeders and veterinarians evaluate an adult dog’s body fat mass on a 9-point scale. A dog in ideal body condition has palpable ribs without excess fat covering. The waist is observed behind the ribs when viewed from above, and the abdomen is tucked up when viewed from the side. Go to this link to view the Purina Body Condition System: https://www.purinainstitute.com/sites/default/ files/2023-09/body-condition-system-dog.pdf “While the body condition score system was developed for adult dogs, we can use this as a guide for puppies,” Dr. Cline says. “As puppies grow through the first year of life, we should keep them on track to have ideal body condition, especially as they are becoming more mature. You may follow the feeding guidelines on the pet food package in the beginning, but we want to adjust the calories as needed to make sure we are feeding to an ideal body condition score. “This also will help them be more successful at breeding when they are adult dogs. Stud dogs and brood females should be in ideal body condition for optimal reproductive health. Females in ideal body condition are more likely to achieve optimal conception, pregnancy, whelping and lactation.” Breeders generally transition puppies to an adult food around 1 year of age, though the timing varies depending on when the breed of dog or an individual dog reaches maturity. Toy- and small-breed dogs mature faster, and large- and giant-breed dogs tend to take longer to mature. Overfeeding large- and giant-breed puppies is partic- ularly concerning. If these large dogs grow too quickly, it could lead to developmental orthopedic diseases. Large- and giant-breeds should be fed targeted levels of calories and minerals to support a moderate growth rate throughout growth and development and even into adulthood, Dr. Cline says.
CAUTION NEEDED WHEN ADDING SUPPLEMENTS TO A COMPLETE & BALANCED PUPPY FOOD
In contrast, some toy- and small-breed dogs reach maturity before 1 year of age. Taking these puppies off a calorie-dense puppy food or all life stages food as they reach maturity to switch to an adult maintenance food may help them maintain ideal body condition, especially if they are experiencing excess body weight. “The good news is that as puppies grow and mature, you’re going to meet their nutritional needs whether you feed a puppy food or an all life stages food,” Dr. Cline says. “Keeping in mind the importance of feeding to ideal body weight will help set up puppies for optimal growth and a lifetime of good nutrition.” ■ Likewise, adding training treats or rewards could upset a dog food’s energy balance. “The goal of ideal body condition can be sidelined with too many treats,” Dr. Cline says. “Treats should be no more than 10 percent of a dog’s total caloric intake.” The nutritional risks associated with adding vitamins and minerals to a complete and balanced puppy food or all life stages food warrant caution. “When you add vitamins and minerals to a growth food, especially when supplementing with minerals, there are risks of throwing off the balance of the food,” Dr. Cline says. “There is no need to supplement a complete and balanced food with additional vitamins or minerals. Balanced diets provide the appropriate levels of nutrients that are crucial to get puppies off to a good start in life.” It is particularly important to avoid excess calcium in large and giant breeds. “More harm than good comes if large and giant breeds get too much calcium,” Dr. Cline says. “Increasing their dietary intake of calcium and altering the ratio of calcium to phos- phorus in the diet, which are important for bone development, puts these breeds at risk of develop- mental orthopedic diseases.”
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Missouri State Wonder Dog
By Mandy Griffiths, MPBA Publicity Director
retrieving the bird upon command. Jim’s remarkable
on specific characteristics (e.g., a mother with a baby, a man with a mustache). He even responded to abstract queries such as identifying a doctor and associating Henry Ford with his automobile. Furthermore, Jim displayed proficiency in identifying vehicles with particular license plates and even demonstrated spelling abilities. As you might expect, my initial reaction mirrored yours. This individual trained his canine companion at home and afterwards showcased its abilities to an audience, eliciting considerable amazement. However, it was revealed that other audience members also issued commands to Sam’s dog, which it successfully executed, to the surprise of all present. Multilingual inquiries were posed in Spanish, Italian, German, and Greek, under the assumption that this would confound the canine subject. However, this proved ineffective; the dog successfully responded to each request. Sam and Jim received numerous engagements throughout Missouri and other states, with observers carefully scrutinizing their interactions for any covert commands or signals. None were detected. Jim was regarded as an exceptionally intelligent canine. The concept of Jim’s potential for future prediction was explored. Initial
Canines possess an extraordinary olfactory perception, but to what extent does their cognitive capacity extend? Are they capable of accurately predicting the outcome of sporting events? Do they have the ability to perform mathematical calculations? In the state of Missouri, we have designated symbols such as a state bird and flower. However, it may surprise you to learn that we also have a state Wonder dog. This distinction is not bestowed upon a specific breed, but rather an exceptional individual canine. His name is Jim. Jim, a Llewellyn setter and the smallest of a seven-puppy litter, was given to renowned hunter Sam Van Arsdale by his friends. Although Sam intended to train Jim as a hunting dog and entrusted him to a professional trainer in West Plains, the trainer reported Jim’s lack of training engagement, noting his preference for passive observation. After an unsuccessful training period, Sam brought Jim home, where he enjoyed tenure as a beloved house pet. While considering rehoming Jim, Sam ultimately decided against it and took him hunting, where Jim immediately demonstrated exceptional skill by locating and pointing quail, flawlessly
performance solidified his role as Sam’s hunting companion, leading to extensive hunting trips across various states. Sam estimates Jim retrieved over 5,000 birds before he ceased counting. The Missouri Conservation magazine and Missouri Life magazine have labeled him as the Hunting Dog of the Century. Now that you have a little background on Jim, let’s get back to the questions and the great talent that Jim had. With advancing age, Sam observed an unexpected intellectual capacity in Jim. During a hunting excursion on a warm day, Sam suggested seeking shade under a hickory tree for respite. Remarkably, Jim immediately located a hickory tree and rested. Intrigued by this, Sam conducted further tests. Jim successfully identified oak, cedar, and a tree stump on command. This prompted Sam to test Jim’s abilities in a more populated setting. In town, Jim accurately identified a red car and a woman in a blue dress. News of Jim’s abilities spread, attracting onlookers who posed increasingly complex challenges. Jim consistently demonstrated his capacity to locate individuals based
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explained his reasons for seeking an examination of his dog, and Dr. Durant expressed interest, believing that he and his staff could expose any deception. On the day of Jim’s examination, Dr. Durant invited Dr. Sherman Dickinson, two psychiatrists from Washington University, his staff, and students to observe. Dr. Durant initially performed a physical examination, noting that Jim presented as a typical Llewellyn setter. Following the examination, the assembled doctors, students, and invited guests convened in the veterinary school courtyard, where Jim was made available for observation and requests. Medical professionals directed Jim to perform a series of tasks, including identifying individuals with specific traits and pointing out particular vehicles, utilizing multiple languages in their instructions. Simultaneously, they requested that Sam remain stationary and visible to the observers, minimizing even eye movement, to determine if Jim was receiving any form of communication or cues. However, no interaction occurred between Sam and the canine subject; following each instruction, Jim returned to Sam’s side and assumed a recumbent position. His achievements were exceptional. The sole mission he did not complete involved identifying a
might never come again to a dog in many generations.” In March 1937, twelve-year-old Jim accompanied Sam on a hunting trip. Upon arriving at a wooded area near the lake, Jim exited the vehicle and shortly thereafter collapsed. Sam immediately transported Jim to the Sedalia Animal Hospital; however, resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful. Sam, considering Jim a cherished member of their family, desired to inter him in their family plot at Ridge Park Cemetery in Marshall, Missouri. However, cemetery administration denied this request due to their policy prohibiting animal burials. An adjacent landowner, a farmer, learned of the Sam’s interment request and proposed an alternative burial site on his property, contiguous to the cemetery. Sam accepted this offer. The family, and Jim, ultimately prevailed. Cemetery expansion necessitated the acquisition of the farmer’s land, thereby incorporating Jim’s gravesite within the cemetery boundaries. Even now, decades later, cemetery personnel confirm frequent
inquiries involved straightforward questions such as, “Will our baby be a boy or a girl?” (Sam facilitated this by providing Jim with written options.) However, the complexity of the questions escalated to include queries such as, “Who will win the World Series?” and, “Who will be our next president?” Beginning in 1930, Sam initiated a practice of soliciting Jim’s predictions for the Kentucky Derby winner. Sam prepared slips of paper listing the anticipated contenders. These slips were presented to Jim, and the question, “Which horse will win the Kentucky Derby this year?” was posed. Jim would then select a slip by placing his paw upon it. This chosen slip was subsequently sealed in an envelope and secured in a safe. This procedure was replicated for seven years. Remarkably, upon opening each year’s sealed prediction, Jim’s selection proved accurate. This phenomenon remains unexplained. Numerous business propositions were received. Nevertheless, Sam, like everyone else, was perplexed by Jim’s apparent ability to understand conversations. Sam contacted Dr. A.J. Durant, head of the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Missouri. Sam
visits to Jim’s grave, marked by offerings of coins and flowers.
A museum dedicated to Jim the Wonder Dog is situated in Marshall, MO.
boy with a recent permanent wave; the boy was quite distressed and departed before identification could be made. Dr. Durant and the faculty convened to review their findings. Ultimately, Dr. Durant came out and announced their conclusion: that Jim “possessed an occult power that
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Hot Weather Hacks: Smart Ways to Help Your Pets Stay Cool in Summer Heat
The “Dog Days” of summer aren’t quite here yet, but it sure feels like it. Although many of us love to spend sunny days outside with our furry friends, the summer heat can pose some risks to your pet. In some cases, hot weather can be downright dangerous. We have some simple hot weather hacks you can take to prevent your dog from overheating this summer. Keep reading to learn how to keep your pet cool all summer long. Change your Walking Schedule You may enjoy a nice long walk on a warm day, but it can be risky for your dog. The ground and hot pavements can burn paws, and this will cause severe pain for your pet. Even short walks could be unpleasant if it’s too hot outside. Grab the leash and harness, and take your dog for a walk earlier or later in the day when the temps are a bit cooler. Provide Plenty of Water Pets can get dehydrated fast, so give your dog lots of clean, fresh water. You may notice lots of drinking, which may result in dirty water. Changing the water frequently and washing the water bowl will help it stay cleaner for better hydration.
the morning or later in the evening. Watch your dog closely for signs of overheating, as heat strokes are common problems for pets during the summer. That’s especially true for dogs with shorter snouts, like bulldogs or boxers. If you have an overweight pet, the warmer temperatures can also be hard.
Use Dog-Friendly Sunscreen Many pet parents don’t realize that dogs can get sunburned, too. It’s most common in areas where the hair is thin or skin pigmentation is low. White and cream-colored animals may get burned under their fur. Applying dog-friendly sunscreen may prevent your pet from getting burned while you’re on an outdoor adventure. Know the Symptoms of Overheating It’s a good idea to stay informed and know how your dog is handling the heat. If you notice symptoms like excessive panting, drooling, difficulty breathing, diarrhea, or vomiting, your dog may be in distress. These are signs of overheating, and you should act quickly, moving your dog to a cool place and spraying cool water on the coat. Use a fan to draw the heat away from your dog, and wipe the muzzle with cool water. It’s best to visit the vet to ensure your pet is okay. Limit Exercise You may love to run with your dog, but activity should be limited during hot weather. Exercising your pet should be done early in
Get an Early Summer Checkup
When summer is getting started, it’s a great time to get your dog tested for heartworms and other issues. Ask your vet for any other precautions you should take with your dog. Never leave your pet in a hot car. The temperature in your vehicle will be much higher than the temperature outside after only thirty minutes. Even if you think you won’t be long, your dog can suffer a potentially fatal heatstroke. We know that when summer kicks in, there’s lots of fun to be had. If you follow these tips, you and your dog will have a season neither of you will forget. Article gathered from https://www. lambertvetsupply.com/blogs/ news/hot-weather-hacks-smart- ways-to-help-your-pets-stay-cool- in-summer-heat
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10 Pet Nutritional Facts For You To Remember
1. Water is the most essential nutrient. Pets can survive weeks without eating but soon die of dehydration. 2. Dogs prefer meat-based diets but are capable of surviving on plant protein as long as nutritional supplements are added.
7. Lack of sufficient vitamins can cause disease in pets. On the other end of the spectrum over supplementing vitamins can also lead to disease.
8. Fats, carbohydrates, and protein all
provide energy. Basic functions such as growth, lactation, pregnancy,
3. Contrary to people, smells take precedence over visual appearance. Studies show that dogs prefer uncooked chicken innards to a perfectly grilled sirloin steak. 4. Nutrients are proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and water. All are necessary. 5. Puppies and kittens require about twice the caloric
and exercise all require the energy that comes from a well-balanced diet. 9. Older dogs need 20% fewer total calories than middle-aged dogs. Because so many people do not
“Good nutrition
is one of the most important parts of your pet’s health.”
realize this many senior dogs are overweight or obese.
10. There is no such thing as an average dog and dietary averages are only a starting point
content daily than that of their adult counterparts. Related Article: Good, Quality Canine Nutrition Makes a Difference
to base an individual diet. Dietary guidelines need to be tailored to meet each individual animal’s needs.
6. Dogs eat less often than cats but they ingest larger quantities of food at each sitting.
Article gathered from https://www.lambertvetsupply. com/blogs/news/10-pet-nutritional-facts-to-remember
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From Babies to Boxers: Constance Bannister and the Art of Photographing Dogs By Denise Flaim
T hat great comedian and curmudgeon, W.C. Fields, warned of the perils of sharing the stage with animals or children. Both, he said, are unrepentant scene- stealers. But for the late photographer Constance Bannister, the gravitational pull to children and animals led her to a body of work that many people enjoy viewing to this day. Even if you didn’t know who took the photographs, chances are you would recognize Bannister’s iconic shots of chubby- cheeked babies as they giggle, pout, splash, and cry. Bannister shot an estimated 100,000 baby photos – many of which appeared in books, calendars, billboards, and magazines.
the last century, Bannister was one of 17 children in her family. When she moved to New York City in the 1930s, she enrolled in the School of Modern Photography and got her first job as a society photographer for the Associated Press. She eventually made a name for herself photographing socialites, Broadway stars, the New York City Ballet, and the Ice Capades. One day, on a stroll through Central Park, she started taking photographs of children, returning the next day with prints to sell to their mothers. Soon, a thriving cottage industry was born. AKC is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to akc.org. If you purchase a product through this article, we may receive a portion of the sale. “Parents just flocked to her,” says the photographer’s daughter, Lynda Bannister, of Littleton, Colorado, who inherited file cabinets filled with her mother’s sprawling collection of images and negatives. “Her love of babies just rolled into dogs. I don’t know who approached her or how
it started, but she photographed quite a collection of dogs. It just consumed her.”
Photographing Many Breeds Most of Bannister’s canine compositions were shot in the
She was also a talented photographer of animals, in
1940s, before waves of returning veterans triggered a Baby Boom that cemented her fascination with the high chair set. To ensure she had a steady stream of canine subjects, the photographer often borrowed dogs from local breeders. While Boxers were one of Bannister’s favorite subjects, she photographed a wide spectrum of breeds, from lamblike Bedlington Terriers to cuddly Cocker Spaniels.
particular dogs. A Boxer owner and, briefly, a breeder of Boxers, Bannister delighted in documenting the breed’s often human-like expressions, sometimes decking the dogs out in clothing and adding accessories, from eyeglasses to cigars.
Born on a Tennessee farm early in
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In 1949, Bannister bought a dog of her own, a female Boxer whose name was Deerecrest Fawn-Dawn, aka Duchess, bred by Marie L. Hosford of Greenwich, Connecticut. Bannister eventually bought a male Boxer and bred Duchess to him, and then gave the puppies away. Daughter Lynda Bannister says that after her mother died in 2005, some of those long-ago Boxer puppy owners sent emails, gushing and saying how much they loved those dogs. Whether she was photographing babies or Boxers, Bannister employed similar techniques. In her slim 1958 book, “How I Photograph Babies and Pets,” she outlined six “simple secrets” for landing the perfect shot: • Prepare well in advance to ensure you and your camera are at the ready. • Get in very close on the subject, so it fills the screen. • Keep things plain and simple, with no distracting patterns or cluttered backgrounds. • Try to capture action, without too much posing or artificial orchestration. • Give yourself lots of time. • And be sure to
enjoy the process.
Tricks of the Trade In one of the book’s
chapters devoted to pets, Bannister reiterates these six keywords – “ready,” “close,” “plain,” “action,” “time,” and “fun” – along with some of her tricks of the trade. Elicit expression by clucking or snapping your fingers. And, of course, have a deep reservoir of patience. “Even the tone and inflection of your voice are important in working
with dogs,” Bannister advised her readers.
career. She marketed a line of Bannister Baby dolls, responded to requests to photograph the children of celebrities such as Grace Kelly, and was also a World War II pinup girl. However, the photographer dropped out of public view in the mid-1970s. Retiring to Long Island, “she became a recluse,” Lynda Bannister says, “living on her little compound.” But today her vision lives on, in thousands of impossibly precious photographs that capture exactly what we love about babies and dogs – their innocence, their magic, and their insistence on staying resolutely in the here and now.
“She just had a knack, a way with babies, and animals, and people, to get them to do what she wanted them to do,” says Lynda Bannister, who recently retouched a photo of her mother’s that drove that point home. In it, a young boy of about seven years of age is contemplating trying to pull a tooth out of a dog’s mouth with a pair of pliers. The younger Bannister was struck by her mother’s impeccable timing in getting the complex – to say nothing of potentially disastrous – shot. “There was absolutely
no contact – she got the shot just before the little boy got hold of the tooth. And I thought to myself, ‘How did you do that?’” Bannister had a full, fascinating, and high-profile
All photos courtesy of Constance Bannister/Getty Images
Article gathered from https://www. akc.org/expert-advice/news/ constance-bannister-and-the-art- of-photographing-dogs/
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Cleaning and Disinfection Procedures
Keeping animals’ environments clean and free of germs is essential to their health and well-being. Follow these steps to make sure your cleaning practices are effective in keeping your animals healthy and happy. Cleaning Process Perform ALL steps to thoroughly clean and sanitize: 1. Physically remove gross contamination and organic material (visible dirt, grime, or feces). This is the most important step! Soap and disinfectants will only clean the top layer of dirt on a surface, not what lies beneath.
Sanitization Methods There are many ways to effectively sanitize animal facilities. Talk with your veterinarian to choose the right option(s) for you: ● Washing with appropriate detergent and disinfectant solutions ● Washing with hot water (at least 180° F or 82.2° C) and soap or detergent (as most dishwasher or cage washer machines do) ● Live steam under pressure (at least 225° F or 107.2° C) What’s in a Word? While these terms are often used interchange- ably, they refer to different degrees of cleanliness: Cleaning simply means removing gross (visible) dirt from an object or surface. Decontamination is a broad term for making an object safe to handle. Sanitizing reduces the number of germs on an object or surface but doesn’t get rid of them all. Disinfection removes most ‘live’ germs like bacteria and viruses. It may not kill cysts or spores that, under the right conditions, can mature and cause infections. Sterilization kills or deactivates all micro- organisms including bacteria, viruses, cysts, and spores.
DID YOU KNOW? Rust, chew, or scratch damage, and permeable surfaces like bare wood, unsealed concrete, foam, or fabric prevent thorough disinfection. Solid or liquid matter that contains germs can “hide” in tiny cracks and crevices where the soap and disinfectants cannot reach. Allow proper cleaning and sanitization by removing, repairing, or replacing these surfaces frequently. PRACTICAL TIP Disinfectants need sufficient contact time , or time in contact with an object or surface, to effectively kill germs. A product’s contact time is printed on the manufacturer’s label. Be sure to allow the full contact time to elapse before rinsing or wiping the disinfectant away.
Physically remove gross contamination and organic material 2. Use detergent (soap) and water to thoroughly clean surfaces of invisible dirt; rinse away all soap suds. 3. Apply disinfectant or sanitizing method (top right), following all product label instructions including contact time . 4. Thoroughly rinse or wipe away disinfectant. 5. Squeegee or dry surfaces before allowing animals back in.
Be sure your cleaning products are effective by carefully following all label instructions for mixing, diluting, and storage.
Learn more at www.aphis.usda.gov/animalwelfare/aids The U.S. Department of Agriculture is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
Animal Care APHIS-23-016 • Revised November 2023
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The Story of Aura K9 Military Dog & Heroine By Ranny Green
center during the ceremony? That’s right: Aura, a galvanizing force and familial artery for Team Daniels that includes daughters, Aurora, 6, and Annalily, 5. “Originally, she was just going to be standing with us, but the day of the wedding I was
Mark Daniels and Aura after he was awarded a Purple Heart for his service in Afghanistan in 2013. Credit: CherryBlossoms Photography.
“What oxygen is to the lungs, such is hope to the meaning of life.” — Emil Brunner, Swiss theologian Hope has been an important ingredient in the lives of San Diego-based Marine Staff Sgt. Mark Daniels and his wife Jesca Daniels’ life since June 8, 2013, when Mark and Aura, his K9 military companion, were injured in Afghanistan while returning from patrol as their vehicle struck an improvised explosive device (IED). Daniels suffered a traumatic brain injury, and the 55-pound Belgian Malinois, a patrol and explosive detection dog, had a collapsed lung and heart arrhythmia. The Marines awarded Daniels a Purple Heart. They also offered him a medical retirement, which he declined. Exactly four years later, the resilient couple renewed their vows during a fairy tale Missouri wedding, thanks to “A Warrior’s Wish” granted by
Hope For the Warriors. The national nonprofit is dedicated to restoring a sense of self, family, and hope to service members and their families, and to helping families of service members who died.
taking her outside,” explains Jesca, “and a short time later when it was time to walk down the aisle, she just heeled alongside me all the way. I wasn’t going to proceed at first but when she wouldn’t leave my side, I knew she was meant to walk me down the aisle.” The Daniels applied online last year for A Warrior’s Wish. Those who meet the program’s parameters are presented to a selection committee for consideration. “The committee considers each wish and its long- term impact on the applicant,” says Chrystal Keilers, a Hope For the Warriors community development official. “The Daniels received rave remarks from the committee, specifically regarding their strength and resiliency.” Thus far, the organization has granted 168 wishes. Hope For The Warriors paid for the ceremony venue, reception/wedding package, and lodging for the family’s destination celebration, as
And guess who was front and
After all this time? The Daniels enjoy a first kiss following the renewal of their vows, with Aura as the Pup of Honors. Credit: Vintage Lens Photography.
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well as airfare and lodging for three wedding attendants. Private firms donated Jesca’s wedding dress, the formal-wear rentals, and flowers. “We are eternally grateful and humbled for the opportunity to celebrate our love and life with the people who we love,” Jesca says. “This whole experience will be one our family will cherish for the rest of our lives.”
Daniels, in his twelfth year as an active-duty Marine, has seen two tours of duty in Iraq and one in Afghanistan and Japan. Aura is his strongest link to his past tours and has become the center of attention for the active family. “The girls absolutely love her,” says Jesca, “and the feeling is mutual. Aura covets snuggling with Rory (Aurora), keeping her from emotional meltdowns, and loves to play fetch with Nilly (Annalily). They are all peas in a pod.” Jesca laughs when recalling one tender incident. “Aura is quite the comedian. Rory was put in timeout, and Aura was so bothered that she had to go lie down with her. I looked over about three minutes later to see them snuggling, asleep together.”
active handler until she was retired after twice injuring her cruciate ligaments in 2014 training incidents stateside. At that point, Jesca started preparing mentally to take Aura. “I was kind of nervous because Mark left for Japan, and I had never interacted with her without Mark,” she recalls. Jesca visited the kennels weekly to build a relationship and comfort zone with Aura, whose retirement paperwork was being processed. Their first meeting was entertaining and engaging. “She buried her face in my chest and smothered me in kisses. At that point I knew we were good to go. I got the call on my birthday (May 22) to come get her. I couldn’t get there fast enough.” Any apprehension Jesca had about Aura’s interaction with the girls were relieved within five minutes. “Aura jumped on the couch (they refer to it as Camp Couch) and immediately cuddled with the two girls. And she has been doing so ever since.” Daniels returned stateside about one month later for training, and thanks to Mission K9 Rescue, he and Aura enjoyed a sugary, heartwarming reunion for a short time before he returned to Japan. “That’s when she, the girls, and I really bonded,” explains Jesca. “In his absence for that year we held each other up. Aura represented a piece of him to physically love. So instead of feeling like his dog lives with us now, it was more like our dog came home.”
The importance of the date and the ceremony was, Jesca emphasizes, a chance to celebrate her husband’s life, the gift of family and friends, and a “new normal.” Aura waits with Daniels to get a first glimpse of Jesca in her wedding dress at the special Missouri ceremony in June, funded by Hope For the Warriors. Credit: Vintage Lens Photography The Daniels originally married in May 2009, just a month after losing their first-born child, Jaxon. But that ceremony was without family or friends. “That’s why this one (attended by 60 family members and friends) was very special,” she says.
Aura enjoys her ninth birthday this year with Dad and daughters, Rory, left, and Nilly.
But making Aura a full-fledged member of the household was not easy. Daniels was paired with the dog in 2010 and was her only
Daniels, a Military Working Dog handler and kennel master, adds,
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In retirement, Aura is a volunteer for the Military Working Dog Team Support Association, attending West Coast fundraisers and social functions, in addition to being a toy tester (her favorite part!) for items being sent overseas to K9 teams.
best thing to happen to me.”
Article gathered from https://www. akc.org/expert-advice/news/ story-aura-k9-military-dog-and- heroine/
Newly retired Military Dog Aura welcomes her Dad home for short visit in Texas, from deployment in Japan. This was his first time seeing her retired. Credit: LSCS
While Aura came
“I’ve worked with many dogs, but Aura is different. From day 1 we just clicked. I picked her up as a new dog and had the pleasure of being her sole handler for five years. We’ve been through a lot. While she’s our family dog today, any time I’m feeling down or stressed, I can always rely on her to even me out. And likewise, me to her.”
to Daniels with her name, it’s a perfect fit. She embodies the definition: a luminous radiation. “She is our soul dog,” concludes Jesca. Adds Daniels, “Aside from my wife and kids, she’s the
Daniels and Aura, a Patrol and Explosives Detection Dog, take a break while deployed in Afghanistan in 2013.
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By Mary Robins Updated: May 20, 2021
Dog Cognition: Dogs Are Even Smarter Than You Think
H ow much do you know about what goes on in your pup’s head? Do you believe it’s all pretty simple in there? Just thoughts about dinner, the cat next door, and more dinner? Think again. Dogs have been known to learn hundred of words, do arithmetic, and guess what people and other dogs are thinking. We know all this and more, thanks to the growing number of scientists around the country and the world who have, since the beginning of this century, been turning their attention to the burgeoning field of dog cognition. So what do you need to know about your dog’s know-how? And how can you nurture that brilliant brain of his? All Dogs Are Different The first thing to note is: there’s no such thing as “the dog.” Just like
humans, each dog is different. So while scientists are working hard on collecting data about the way dogs experience the world, it’s important to remember that their findings aren’t designed to give you a blueprint to your particular pet. The studies can be interesting, useful guides, but the real joy of dog cognition is in getting curious about the way your own dog thinks. While you get to know your dog’s mind, remember that there are many different kinds of intelligence. Some dogs might excel at gauging social situations, others might be adept at learning words, while still others might have great problem-solving abilities — or your dog might have some other cognitive skill entirely. Dogs: Super-Savvy, Socially Although every dog is unique, there is enough evidence to indicate that species-wide one of the really
special things about dogs is how well they understand humans. “They are very attentive to and responsive to us, which is a great social cognitive skill,” Dr. Alexandra Horowitz, head of the Dog Cognition Lab at Barnard College, Columbia University, told me. Researchers don’t entirely agree on why dogs are so socially savvy. The prevailing view is that their social intelligence is evolutionary: that over the thousands of years since wolves entered the human sphere and started to morph into the pets we know today, breeding has favored qualities that make dogs good companions to humans, such as friendliness and an affinity for us, which make them good at reading our behavior. There’s also a theory that each dog simply acquires his or her social intelligence through the
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sheer amount of time spent around humans – that’s why puppy socialization is so important. The answer might be a combination of these two factors – of evolution and socialization. Either way, the result is a species with a remarkable fondness for and understanding of humans. This manifests in many ways. Zachary Silver, a Ph.D. student in the Comparative Cognition Lab at Yale University, studies the way dogs interpret the social world. “They’re extremely skillful at following our communicative cues, especially our points and our gazes,” he told me. “But it even goes a step further: they pay really close attention to how we interact with each other.” For instance, there’s evidence to suggest that, in some contexts, dogs will notice whether a human is helpful or unhelpful, and favor the helpful person.
dogs’ understanding of humans’ perspectives: he’s working to build on previous findings indicating that, in some contexts, if food is hidden such that a dog sees one person observe the hiding and one miss it, they are more likely to take a hint about its whereabouts from the person who watched it being hidden. This suggests that dogs might be drawing all sorts of complex conclusions about what we know and feel. As Silver observes, “Dogs do pretty sophisticated things regarding understanding our own perspective.” The Dog’s Nose Knows If humans want to understand what it’s like to be a dog, the nose is an excellent place to start. It’s well known that dogs have a much more powerful sense of smell than humans, but did you know just how much more powerful? As Alexandra Horowitz outlines in her New York
Times bestselling book “Being a Dog: Following the Dog Into a World of Smell”: Explosives-detection dogs smell as little as a picogram—a trillionth of a gram— of TNT or other explosive. What might it be like to notice a picogram of an odor? … The average cinnamon roll has about a gram of cinnamon in it. Sure, the human nose is on it, from the moment we open the door of the house. Now imagine the smell of one trillion cinnamon rolls. That’s what the dog coming in with us smells when we enter.
This sense of smell gives dogs remarkable insights into their
environment. Horowitz notes that a tracking dog can tell which direction someone is moving in from smelling just five of their footprints. And in some European countries, dogs’ noses now have the legal seal of approval: if a dog is able to identify a suspect based on smells left at the crime scene, that evidence is admissible in court.
Silver’s current research focuses on
This sensory difference is
important because it gives us information about how dogs experience and interpret the world. Humans are primarily visual creatures, navigating by sight. Dogs, by contrast, process the world through their noses, and thus have all kinds of scent skills that are difficult for humans to conceive of.
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