As the owner of a large, deaf Great Dane, I'm constantly paranoid about the possibility of her running off and not being able to find me. She's deaf, so I can't simply call her name. Fortunately, I have not had to deal with her getting loose, but I have taken steps to make sure we're prepared if it happens.
To minimize the risk of losing her, I always make sure to keep her on a leash when she's not inside the house or under supervision at the dog park. I've also had her microchipped and I always make sure her collar is secure and the tags are up-to-date. The tags contain her name, my phone number, and a special website address so anyone who finds her can get more information about how to get her back to me. If you'd like to take a look at her site, surf over to bigdixiedog.com.
I think the website component is important for a few good reasons. First, it allows the person who finds her to get more information in the event I'm not available by phone. The website also contains information regarding her disposition, special needs, and an authorization to provide medical care in the event she's injured. Finally, the site's a good way to share photos of your "furbaby" with friends and family. Creating a website is remarkably easy, with the right tools.
First, you'll need to register a domain name for your dog. Most website hosting companies offer domain registration and can host the site for pennies a day (or, in some cases, even free). Next, you'll create the website. If you're on a Mac, pick up a copy of iWeb or Coffee Cup HTML Editor for Windows. Both of these programs are fairly inexpensive and make creating web pages easy for beginners. Many hosting companies even offer the ability to create your site online without a stand-alone program.
Keep in mind that the site doesn't have to look pretty, but it does need to contain the basic information like contact info, pet profile, special needs info, emergency care authorization, and photos. Don't worry too much about aesthetics, the information is the crucial element.
Setting up the site should be fairly easy and take just a few hours. I created bigdixiedog.com in about two hours using iWeb for the Mac and it costs under $20 per year to host. I hope no one ever needs to go to the site because my dog is lost, but having the website gives me some peace of mind.
Dave Alexander is the Men's Hair Guide for About.com and the proud "daddy" to Dixie, a gorgeous deaf Great Dane.
