Tarazet

The Dog Scouts of America!

I didn't know there was such a thing but yes indeed! And they have meetings, too. From the Macomb Daily:

When Chris Kloski's dogs join their canine friends for a meeting of Troop 104 of the Dog Scouts of America, no one says raise your right paw and repeat after me. But the dogs are so willing and well trained you almost expect them to do it.

The Kloski family's dogs are Trixie, a 4-year-old Australian shepherd; Happy, a female Jack Russell terrier who is 8 years old; and Maverick, a year-old papillon.

Troop 104 also includes mixed breeds, Chihuahuas, a Rottweiler, a Lhasa apso, a Shetland sheepdog and a St. Bernard, about a dozen dogs in all, and their owners, who get together for fun and service.

They earn DSA merit badges. The latest effort is learning to accept money from people and dropping it in Salvation Army kettles.

Shoppers at the Macomb Mall entrance north of the Sears store Dec. 17 can donate to the Salvation Army of Warren through the efforts of the Dog Scouts. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., dogs dress for the occasion in Santa caps, top hats and reindeer antlers. The command to the dogs: "Show me the money."

Dogs must obey the Dog Scout Laws to be accepted into the group. They have to be OK with friendly strangers, be safe around other dogs and be well mannered.

Anyone with a socialized dog can apply to join. Dogs do not have to know all the obedience routines to join. Badges are displayed on the DSA uniform, a cape-type garment that buckles under the dog's stomach.

A dog must heel on a leash, sit and lie down on command, and come when called. When told, it must stay sitting or lying when the owner walks away.

"You have to pass the test," said Kloski of Fraser. "You have to show you're the smart end of the leash."

The Dog Scout motto is "Let us learn all that we can, so that we may become more helpful."

Dog Scouts have raised money for humane societies, participated in CROP walks to feed hungry humans and helped with community cleanups. Many scouts make therapy visits at hospitals.

This is absolutely wonderful. What a terrific opportunity for your dogs AND (if you have) for your children or, by golly, you. Socialize your dogs, meet with others, have fun, and do good works. Sounds like a great program to me!

The article fails to mention it but thanks to a quick google search, I found the home of the Dog Scouts of America. Check it out and join in!

Posted by Jeff Soyer at December 13, 2004 12:30 PM