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Show DAVIS COUNTY CLIPPER, DAVIS REFLEX JOURNAL, MARCH 27, 1985 Wednesdays woman FAMILIES A By Texe W. Morrs was a sweet n ohn 6 who loved boy of dogs. He I I always showered them I I with affection and never abused them. Today John has horrible scars on his face, neck and arms the result of a vicious dog attack. Tragically, it was Johns own family dog that savaged him. Karen was only 3 when her parents took her to a city park on a picnic outing. She was frolicking about chasing a ball thrown by her father when, suddenly, the family pet, a large and husky boxer, lunged at her 1 1 fj J throat. It happened in an instant and her parents were unable to prevent the attack. Rushed to a nearby hospital, little Karen was given a blood transfusion. Like John, she survived, but today Karen still carries with her the and emotional physical scars suffered that day at the park. The cases of John and Karen are not unusual. Dog bites are among the most common childhood injuries. According to the U.S. Public Health Service, as many as one million children are bitten annually by dogs. The majority are kids younger than 5, and many of the bites they suffered caused bruises, punctures and deep wounds. And contrary to expectations, it is usually a dog from the childs own family who is the attacker. Sometimes a dog attack is fatal. An example is the horrible story of a mother in New York City who left her baby unattended while she went on an errand. When the mother returned, she found her baby mangled and dead, a tragic victim of her German Shepherd dog. While death from a dog attack is unusual, it is by no means a rare event. A recent survey in the American Journal of Diseases of Children found several fatalities resulting from dog bites. It is hard to imagine a normal, friendly dog attacking a defenseless child and inflicting wounds so severe that death occurs, but the reality is there in the statistics and in the lives of families who have unexpectedly suffered loss. Why would an otherwise lovable and affectionate family dog aggressively turn on a child? Animal behavioral experts offer several reasons. Veterinary doctor Cathy Nairn of Austin, Texas, says that dogs often dont perceive The body kids as people. shape of an infant or a child, Dr. Nairn explains, is different the than that of an adult head is large and disproportionate to the body. Sometimes this will frighten a dog unaccustomed to having a new baby or a small child in the household. Dr. Daniel Tortora, a psychologist from Spring Valley, N.Y., and author of several books on dog behavior (The Dog Right For You, Simon & Schuster), states that many dog attacks occur because of the bad behavior of a child. Children often dont realize that dogs are not stuffed toys. They are living creatures who feel pain and hurt. A child who know that both it and the baby are loved. Pets can become ver jealous if they are neglected and left out of the family relationship. If this happens, theyre likely to feel it is the new arrival who is responsible and they will grow angry. The answer is to reassure the pet and include the dog in activities with the growing child. Dr. Nairn warns, however, that until the child is old enough both to protect itself and understand the dog, its best not to leave the child alone with the dog. A parent who is negligent Dog bites are among the most common childhood injuries, but many can be prevented. pulls a dogs hair or tail, yanks ears or tries to stuff something down its throat is likely to be bitten by a frustrated and agitated dog, or a dog that is actually biting out of fear for its own safety. There are, however, several things concerned parents can do to prevent the trauma and injury of a dog assault. Dr. Tortora recommends that parents not acquire a pet for a child who is either too young to take care of it or too immature to recognize that the pet can be hurt. The age of 12 or 13 years old is ideal, says Dr. Tortora, who would consider lowering the age for an especially mature Dr. Lucy Marrero, a psychologist who has her own practice in Austin, Texas, agrees with Dr. Tortora that a child should be of sufficient maturity to respect and care for the familys dog. Age 4 or would be 5 minimum, remarks Marrero. However, Marrero would advise parents who already own a dog when the child arrives to keep the dog. Usually a dog raised with a child from birth wont attack the child, she explains. However, it is imperative that the parents correct children who' abuse the dog. Failure to do so could mean tragedy, and due to no fault of the canine. Veterinarian Nairn concurs. Parents should introduce the infant to the dog and let the dog about supervising the baby when the dog is around is insane, says the veterinarian. Dr. Nairn has two children of her own ages 4 and 10 five plus dogs. She reports that shes never had a problem with either her children or her dogs. But Ive had to do a lot of correcting and training of both the children and the dogs. Dr. Tortora, who is a specialist in training supposedly untrainable dogs, adds that a properly trained dog is a far less menacing animal, and he suggests that in many cases it is the parents fault when animosity erupts between a dog and a child. Childless couples will treat their dog like its another person, remarked Dr. Tortora, making the pet the center of attention, and actually overattending the dog. Then, a baby comes and they devote all their attention to the baby. Fido feeis left out and he blames the new little one. The dogs jealousy can be easily dealt with by paying the proper amount of attention to the dog and weaning it away from its previous state of overattention. Unfortunately, says Dr. Tortora, parents become overconcerned that the dog may harm the child. The first time the dog even approaches the baby, they start screaming at the poor dog and talking harshly to it. Naturally the dog attributes this bad treatment to the baby. Like Drs. Nairn and Marrero, Dr. Tortora recommends that both the child and the dog receive a measure of love by parents and that they be trained to tolerate and respect one another. Unfortunately, authorities caution that occasionally a dog cannot be trained. This is a rare circumstance, but it does happen. It is more likely to happen when a normally healthy dog grows mentally ill. Such a pet may become incapable of responding to positive training. Animal psychologists and veterinarians say that, like people, dogs are subject to mental stress and sickness. Dogs can become neurotic, even psychotic. An otherwise lovable canine whose mind snaps may strike out at a child. Dogs are by nature not vicious and will often tolerate bad behavior toward them by a child without complaint. Even German Shepherds and Dobermans, noted for their aggressiveness, must be taught to attack and bite. But a mentally ill dog can bite without warning and without provocation. If they were human, such dogs could plead innocent by reason of insanity in court. And theyd be acquitted! However, the experts emphasize that cases of mentally unbalanced dogs are few. Just because a dog growls or snaps at a child doesnt make the pet a candidate to be put away. But it does signal a warning for the parents to take corrective 75 E. action, either with the dog or, if provoked by a child, the guilty child. Drs. Nairn and Tortora advise the acquisition of a large, gentle dog for children. Some of the more gentle breeds are the Irish Setters, Laboradors and Golden Retrievers. Small breeds like terriers are intelligent, but g and theyre also In addition, the unpredictable. large breeds have the advantage of size. A kid can pull on an Irish Setters neck and the dog will just shrug it off, says Dr. Nairn. But the same degree of tugging on the neck of a small dog could cause it to snap. Dr. Nairn recommends that the dog always be large enough that the child cant pick it up high-strun- bodily. There is no reason why dogs cannot be endearing companions to kids. In fact, the experts say that a dog, with its capacity to give unconditional love, is a real inspiration to a child. And a child who is given responsibility for the care and feeding of a dog learns the valuable traits of dependability and nurture. As long as parents tend to the needs of both the child and the dog and closely supervise the relationship during the early, critical period, a dog is really a blessing to the child; indeed to the whole household. and all kids As dog lovers know, dogs are meant to be companions and not enemies. After all, where would Little Orphan Annie be without her loyal mutt, Sandy? And wouldnt it be a sad world for kids without such friends as Lassie, Benji, Boomer and other four-legge- d entertainers? State Street, Farmington Prices Effective March 2nd Jennie Benton Is A Modeling Mother continued from pg. 1 The petite brunette is also an excellent seamstress and designs dresses for her family and herself in the Kate Greenaway tradition. She also designs clothes for people who want to buy them and adds that her specialty is mixing plaids, prints and checks. Her children are David, James, Julie, Tim, Marcella, Charissa, Jasen, Anna Marie, Charity, Mary Elizabeth and Joshua. The oldest is 25 and the youngest is 6. All six of her daughters and two of her sons also model. Marcella has the most modeling experience among her children, although her youngest child, Joshua, is known as the Northland Mall boy in Appleton. He is sometimes pictured in television commercials with his teddy bear and has modeled for two years. Joshua also has done television commercials with his sister, Charissa. Jennie says the family likes modeling, too. What is a typical day like when she and the family are modeling? They take turns showering, bathing and shampooing. The older siblings help the younger ones get ready and then get ready themselves. They apply all their makeup at home using regular cosmetics on the set. and have touch-up- s Their credits include modeling for stories and flyers for companies. Benton has also appeared in a bicycle advertisment and in a national assignment for the Wilson Foods Co. of Dallas, Texas. She says, I dont have tame children. Theyre all very energetic and used to hard work. She describes herself as being an energetic, hearty person who enjoys chopping wood and helping her husband bale hay. Shes and always believes in living life to the fullest. Having a big family is something Benton is used to. She has four brothers and four sisters. Of her husband and children, she says, They are all my very best friends. She adds, We have mutual respect and excellent communication. Jennie has respect of the way her parents raised her. She says, My family and I believe in the work ethic. I belive God comes first, family and friends second, and then work. My personal faith in God has been my strength. With Jennies positive attitude and interest in others, its no small wonder why shes had such a successful and interesting life. Be sure and pick up our ueekly (Iyer at all checkstands y |