ohmidog!

    Here are my favorite mispronunciations of dog breeds, all of which I’ve actually heard.

    1. Akeeter. Because of his curly tail, my dog Ace is often suspected to have some of this Japanese breed in his mix. As in, “He got any Akeeter in ‘em?”

    2. Burmese Mountain Dog. Alas, these behemoths are not from Burma, but a section of Switzerland that is also home to the Bernese Alps. Not the Alpos, the Alps.

    3. Datsun. A few months back I saw a sign posted on a light pole by a family that was having to find a new home for their “Datsun,” which was good with children and up to date on its shots.

    4. Great Dames. I’ve known a few, and none were dogs. I don’t think they were Danes, either.

     5. Rock Wilder. I’ve had several people tell me that my dog appears to have some “Rock Wilder” in him. They’re correct about that part, at least — if not the porn star-sounding name of the breed.

    6. Saint Barnyard. Protectors of all the cows, pigs, goats and chickens? Hay, that can’t be right. 

  7. Snoozers. You’ve got your standard Snoozers and your miniature Snoozers. Most of the miniature ones I’ve known, however, don’t snooze much, or allow anyone else to, either.

shih (long pause) tzu

   8. Sharpie. It’s Shar-Pei, not Sharpie. Make a note of it.

    9. Rhyme-a-whiner/Wisenheimer. I had one of these sleek, silver-grey, highstrung dogs while growing up, and while she did sometimes whine, she was, bless her heart, anything but wise.

    10. Welch Corky.  No, it’s not what keeps the grape juice in the bottle. It’s the dog breed that got short-changed when they were handing out the legs — the Welsh Corgi.

Monday: The hardest-to-pronounce dog breed of all.

News that the biggest dog in Britain needs an operation his owners can’t afford — and that the likely alternative will be euthanasia — has led to an generous outpouring from dog lovers.

According to a website set up to raise money for his operation, more than 2,000 of the needed 2,500 pounds has already been sent in — along with comments from dozens of well-wishers.

“Mr. & Mrs. Woods, you are super people and I hope our donation has helped toward the much-needed surgery for Samson,” said a message posted by “2 disabled pensioners.”

“Samson best of luck with the fund raising, I think your owners great for taking care of you. If everyone sends a little we can help.” read another comment. “Best of luck! Ireland.”

Then there was this: “Hi. My husband are the owners of 2 big dogs, both from rescue centres. We are not currently in a position to help financially. We live close by and this story brings me to tears … We are here thought to offer any other help which you need for Samson. We live 15 minutes away.”

It’s like I always say: Dogs bring out the best in people.

To see all the comments, click here.

Police went to the home of a South Baltimore man to seize his dog, under the impression it was being mistreated. Instead, they arrested and jailed the man when he protested, leading the dog to spend four days unattended.

Lance W. Martin, a self-employed plumber has filed a federal lawsuit against three city police officers — saying the encounter with police left him bruised, battered and jailed, and his dog neglected.

According to a story about the lawsuit in the Maryland Daily Record, the trouble began on a January morning last year when Martin put his white, pit bull type dog in his work van, as he did every morning, and went inside to gather some paperwork. Martin lives alone with the dog and brings her to jobs, leaving her in a van that has a bed, fan and water for the dog, according to the suit.

Police and an animal control officer knocked on his door, and accused him of abandoning his dog, saying said they planned to take it to the pound.

Martin, 52, objected and led the dog back into his home, according to the suit filed in U.S. District Court in Baltimore. One of the officers claimed Martin brushed against her and shut the door on her hand when he entered the house.

That officer called for back-up, and a second officer pulled Martin out of his doorway and threw him on the porch,” according to the suit. Two officers then kicked Mills, the suit states, handcuffed him and threw him off his porch, over a fence and onto the sidewalk. A third officer kicked him at that point, the suit says.

Anton L. Iamele, Martin’s attorney, said Martin suffered “lacerations and a couple boot marks to the face.”

Martin came up with bail after four days in jail and returned home to his dog. Prosecutors eventually dropped all charges — assault on a police officer, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest — against Martin.