askollie
Ask Ollie
Ollie was born in Hattiesburg, Miss. In September 2005 he was rescued from Hurricane Katrina by a delegation from the Humane Society of Northwest Indiana …
Read More-
Beware of bait hunters
Dear Ollie: Throughout most of my adult life I have helped unwanted dogs. I try to set a good example with how I treat my dogs and still I see people chain their puppy or full-grown dog outside all the time. What are they thinking? …Read More
-
Shih tzu worries about future
Dear Ollie: I am a small, male gray and white shih tzu found April 27 by Katherine, a caring vet tech who works at the Gast Animal Hospital in Valparaiso. Here’s the story. I was sitting in the middle of Indiana 149 in Valparaiso counting …Read More
-
Plus-sized dog finds home with miniature schnauzers
Dear Ollie: I am writing this letter to tell you how much I enjoyed your article about the “Plus-sized dog making a good addition to family.” My name is Lucky, but it has not always been nor have I always been Lucky. Today, I am …Read More
Search recent columns
More Columns
Ollie: Shih tzu — sniff — drops in popularity
Dear Readers: I’m depressed. My self-esteem has flown quite out of the window because the American Kennel Club celebrated its 128th anniversary in 2012 and for 21 years running the Labrador retriever is once again America’s favorite purebred dog. AKC registration figures confirm that the …
Watch small pets outdoors, but don’t obsess about predators
Dear Ollie: My pet mom read a story on the Internet about a cute dog being attacked by a bird of prey and now I can’t go anywhere at all without supervision. What can I do? Cassie,The cute toy terrier from Munster Dear Cassie: Sure, …
Area numbers to call for animal assistance
Dear Ollie: For the last couple of days, we have seen a peahen in our Gary neighborhood at 44th and Adams. I was concerned about its safety since it seemed to be out of place. After work, I called animal control and their mail box …
Puppies need guidance
Dear Ollie: Hi, it’s Lydia again, and I’m now 6 months old. My woman human reads your column to me each week and is now going to get me that Lyme disease vaccination you recommended to your readers. But, Ollie, shame on you for “dissing” …
Plus-size dogs give owners more to love
Dear Ollie: My pet mom read the March 4 letter from Sue Fike about how the size and color of a dog can be deceiving. My name is Shiloh and I am a black Newfoundland/Labrador. My current weight is 88 pounds and since I am …
Foster parents need to know when to let go
Dear Ollie: I wish I could say “Enough” with all this puppy business but unfortunately I have my own temporary-pup-in-the-house problem. My sister brought home a Chiweeny (Ginger) who is almost full grown but she is nearly twice my size. And kitty-sister and I are …
Black dog is grateful for adoptions
Hello Ollie: I know what you mean about people being afraid of big dogs. My name is Casey. I am a very loving, fun, 80-pound black puppy that is still growing. Of course, I am a hyper dog, which does not help the matter. When …
Ollie: ‘The Grey’ doesn’t accurately depict wolf behavior
Dear Ollie: Dogs have enough trouble with bad press. Every time a dog bites a human, it becomes front-page news. Not only do we have to endure people discrediting some of our breeds, we have to fight the ridiculous ideas put forth in films. Recently, …
Pet ownership can improve humans’ lives
Dear Ollie: This is the season that humans begin to read magazines about losing weight, becoming better persons and living longer. My pet mom left an article written by George E. Valliant, psychiatrist and director for the Harvard Study of Adult Development at Brigham and …
OK, so puppies are just dogs in progress
Dear Readers: Thank you for your concern about my canine Lyme disease. No, I’m not turning green because I don’t have lime disease, it’s Lyme. I never had any symptoms like lameness or fever or, God forbid, loss of appetite. When I went for my …
Animal lovers help dogs in need
Dear Ollie: Well, my pet mom really did it this time. The Lakeshore Paws group was looking for puppy foster parents and guess who volunteered? No, it wasn’t me. She thought taking care of two 4-week-old puppies was no big deal. It is a very …
Beagle declares ‘It’s all mine’
Dear Ollie, Here are a few things I need to get off my chest. There are kids and other dogs in my house and they are clueless to my special rules of possession. The rules are simple and must be obeyed by everyone. Here they …
Ollie: Animals are not for ‘collections’
Dear Ollie, What is an animal hoarder? Isn’t it the same as an animal lover? I was wondering because my pet parents were talking about the huge number of animals seized by the Porter County Animal Control officers Jan. 11 and 12 at a raid …
Bad dogs can become better with training
Dear Ollie: I’m a blue-eyed, medium-size Siberian husky weighing in at 50 pounds. Ollie, I am a bad dog and everyone says so. I’m bad because I’m hyperactive, and eat and scratch interior doors and knock people down who visit me at my house. When …
Shelter dog finds a forever home
Dear Readers, I think every December is a time for miracles. Last month was no exception. On Dec. 21, the winter solstice features the longest and darkest night of the year, and dogs love this seasonal miracle because the opportunity for howling is just that …
Skunks can be tamed, housebroken
Dear Ollie: I am a dachshund-terrier mix that was bought at the Hobart Humane Society and if there is one thing I absolutely hate, it is four-legged critters. Last week, I had an adventure with a skunk. I have a reputation for chasing four-legged intruders …
