Green Gift Giving Season

With another gift giving season quickly approaching I wanted to mention my favorite gift giving ideas for a dog lover this holiday season or any time of the year.

1. Make a donation in someone's name to your local humane society or animal rescue group. The Humane Society of Chittenden County has a Guardian Angel program that sponsors the home of an animal of your choice for six or twelve months. For more information visit www.chittendenhumane.org/get-involved/guardian-angel.

2. Sponsor a wolf or wolf-dog in someone's name at Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary. Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary is a wonderful organization that rescues wolves who can no longer live in the wild and dogs which can be adopted. They also provide education programs about wolves. For more information visit wildspiritwolfsanctuary.org. 

2. Bake some homemade dog treats and package them in a decorative reusable container.

3. Instead of using wrapping paper wrap a present with a  reusable item such as a dog blanket and use a dog toy as a bow.

For more tips on celebrating a greener holiday season visit http://www.nature.org.

Have a Woofderful Day!

Beware of Chinese Chicken Jerky

For those of you who may not be aware of it chicken jerky treats, particularly Waggin' Train and Canyon Creek Ranch, have been linked to the deaths of at least 360 dogs and one cat. Both brands were made in China. The FDA has issued three warnings about the products but not a recall and retailers are still selling the treats despite the warnings. So for now it is up to all of us as loving pet parents to know where our pet food and treats are made and avoid products made in China in order to keep our pets healthy and hope that retailers will soon get the message and quit selling treats that are harming pets.

November is National Pet Diabetes Awareness Month

November is National Pet Diabetes Awareness Month. Diabetes is a relatively common disease in which the body doesn't use glucose properly. If left untreated diabetes can be life-threatening. If treated and medicated pets can live a normal life. Symptoms include the following:

    an increase in water consumption  
    an increase in urination
    an increase in appetite
    weight loss
    cataracts

One of the risk factors of diabetes in pets is being overweight. Recently as the number of overweight pets has increased to the point that now approximately half of all dogs and cats in the United States are overweight the rate of diabetes has also increased. For more information on diabetes in pets read
http://www.catchannel.com/news/2011/05/02/cat-diabetes-rises.aspx. If you suspect your pet may have diabetes or need help managing your pet's weight consult your veterinarian.

Acid Reflux

Gastroesophageal reflux or acid reflux is a condition characterized by stomach acids leaking into the esophagus, throat and mouth causing inflammation. The most common symptom is excessive salivation. Other symptoms include regurgitation of food, howling or whining while swallowing, loss of appetite and loss of weight. Acid reflux can have many causes. Some of the common causes are anesthesia,  persistent severe vomiting, congenital hiatal hernia, food poisoning and indigestion. A young dog whose sphincters are still forming is at a greater risk of developing acid reflux than a mature dog. Acid reflux is diagnosed by a procedure called esophagoscopy which involves inserting a camera down the dog's esophagus to look for any abnormalities. Treatment of acid reflux is a strict low fat, low protein diet given in small amounts spread throughout the day. In severe cases medication may also be required.

Loss of a Furry Best Friend

I am sad to announce that earlier this week one of our lovable, playful furry friends left us unexpectedly due to a medical emergency. He will be greatly missed by us and all of his furry friends. In light of the situation it seemed like an appropriate time to discuss the seldom mentioned topic of losing a pet. A pet is a friend, companion and beloved member of your family and it is normal to grieve when you lose him or her. To help with the healing process you may want to perform a ceremony in memory of your fur baby. It can be a simple burial in the backyard or a more formal memorial service that includes extended family or friends. The important functions of the ceremony are to allow you to express your feelings, pay tribute to your pet and give you social support. There are a number of online support groups, such as petloss.com, which offer candle light ceremonies, chat rooms and other tips for dealing with the loss of your pet. If you have any further questions, would like help with a formal ceremony or would like to talk to someone about the loss of your pet feel free to give us a call.
  
                   "In the Candle's Glow"

Warm light coming from far below,
Twinkling, sparkling is the candle's glow.
All is well up on the ridge,
The place we know as Rainbow Bridge.
Furbabies sleeping in heaven's light,
Tended by candles in the night.
Peaceful dreams be theirs to keep,
As they slumber in this night so deep.
Hearts on earth that miss them so,
Take comfort in the candle's glow.
Watching for them in skies above,
Bound eternally by a cord of love.

Laura Hickman

 

Finding a New Home For Your Dog

Sometimes circumstances occur in life that we have no control over, such as a change in health or living arrangements, and you find yourself with the difficult task of needing to find a new home for your dog. If you ever need help finding a new home for your dog for whatever reason please give us a call. If possible we will keep your dog, care for him and find him a new forever home. If we are not able to keep your dog in our home we will find a safe loving temporary home for your dog until a new permanent home is found. 

Compost is Dangerous for Your Dog

 I didn't realize that consuming compost could be harmful to a dog until one of our dogs ate a micro amount of compost yesterday that was on the ground after our compost bin had been moved. CII came up to me acting confused, scared and trembling intensely like he had the chills. He was suffering from tremorgenic mycotoxin intoxication. The toxins from the decomposing food affect the central nervous system and can be fatal. The main symptom of tremorgenic mycotoxin intoxication is tremors. Other symptoms include drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, hallucinations, and seizures. If you suspect your dog has eaten any compost or garbage and is exhibiting any of the symptoms listed above take your dog to the veterinarian immediately. Early treatment is very important.  Today, after three doses of activated charcoal and some i/d canine gastrointestinal health canned food to eat, CII is feeling much better.   

Caring for a New Puppy

Since we have an adorable three month old puppy coming for daycare now I thought this would be a good time to mention two of the issues most people have questions about after bringing their new puppy home.  The first issue is housebreaking. When housebreaking your puppy take the puppy to the same area outside immediately in the morning, after eating each meal, after awakening from a nap and after playing for a long time. If the puppy has an accident inside do not punish the puppy by yelling at him, swatting him or rubbing his nose in any excrement. This will only teach the puppy to fear you and your objective is to teach the puppy the appropriate location to relieve himself. If you catch the puppy in the act of relieving himself inside calmly take him outside to finish. Make sure you praise the puppy immediately when he relieves himself outside. Remember that praise doesn't always have to be a treat. It can be a look or word of approval. Finally be consistent and patient. The second issue is chewing. One of the ways a young puppy explores his world is by sticking everything in his mouth and chewing on it. Your job is to teach him what he can and can't chew on. Every time your puppy is chewing on something he shouldn't be chewing on like your brand new shoes it is important not only to stop the unwanted behavior but also to direct the puppy toward an acceptable behavior such as giving the puppy a toy to chew on. I have covered the two most common issues people encounter when bringing a new puppy home. For further information about raising a happy healthy well balanced dog I recommend reading How to Raise the Perfect Dog Through Puppyhood and Beyond by Cesar Millan.

Keeping Your Dog Safe in Summer

Hopefully everyone is enjoying the beautiful long summer days outside with their dogs. Just a few reminders about keeping your dog safe while enjoying time together outdoors. Always carry water with you and try to avoid exercising your dog in the hottest part of the day. Reserve the hottest part of the day for lounging in a kiddie pool or a nap in a cool room. Also remember to be ecologically friendly and use biodegradable bags to pick up your dog's waste. To avoid gastric dilatation, swelling of the stomach caused when the stomach fills with gas or fluid, and volvulus, twisting of the stomach, do not exercise your dog a half hour before or after meals. Do a tick check after being in heavily wooded areas. Enjoy some sunshine with your best friend today. 

HSCC Walk for the Animals

I would like to thank Lori & Bill Hume & Max & Gidget, Andrea & Sandler Lambesis and Meghan, Travis & Lily Corbett for their generous support and Mother Nature for giving us an absolutely gorgeous day to meet some new friends and raise money for a very worthy cause.

It was Xc's first walk. She enjoyed the walk and loved jumping in the pool for a swim after we crossed the finish line and she relished all the attention lavished on her by people stopping at our booth to say hi. She even had her photo taken giving an adorable little girl kisses. 

I enjoyed talking to everyone who stopped by our booth, listening to the live music, and watching all the people and dogs having a good time.

We were all there to help the HSCC and thanks to everyone who donated as of yesterday afternoon the HSCC had raised $63,000 with some donations still coming in. It was an awesome day.

Join Xc & I at the 18th Annual Walk for the Animals to Benefit the Chittenden County Humane Society

Xc & I will be walking in the 18th Annual Walk for the Animals to benefit the Chittenden County Humane Society on June 10th in Battery Park in Burlington. If you would like to donate online please visit http://www.firstgiving.com/hscc/18th-annual-walk-for-the-animals and search for Brigett Warner on the donor list or you can also give donations to me directly. The walk begins at 11:00am and the festivities continue until 3:00pm. In addition to participating in the walk Fur Baby Doggy Daycare will have a booth at the event as well. Hope to see everyone there.

Pet Lover's Expo

If you are considering adopting a new furry friend head down to the Pet Lover's Expo this Saturday, April 28th, from 9am-4pm at Our Lady of Angels Parrish in Randolph, VT. Our Lady of Angels Parrish is located at the corner of Route 66 & Heberd Hill Rd. which is just off of Exit 4 on I-89.  The Central Valley Humane Society and other animal rescue groups will be there with dogs and cats who are looking for forever homes. For more information please contact Carmella at 802-431-3540.

Protect Your Dog From Ticks

The days are getting longer and warmer and you can't wait to spend more time outside with your furry four-legged best friend. Before you head outside make sure your dog is protected from ticks and the diseases they can transmit. In our area the three types of ticks you are most likely to find on your dog are either the American Dog Tick (Dermacentor variabilis), the Black-legged or Deer Tick (Ixodex scapularis) or the Woodchuck Tick (Ixodex cookei).
  The adult American Dog Tick is whitish gray in color and has a more elongated body than the Deer or Woodchuck Tick. It can transmit Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Ehrlichiosis. The adult Deer Tick has a rounded reddish brown body and is the tick most people have heard of because it can transmit Lyme's Disease to both dogs and people. The Woodchuck Tick looks a lot like the Deer Tick, but unlike the Deer Tick which waits on vegetation for a host to come along the Woodchuck Tick lives in the burrow of it's host. The Woodchuck Tick can transmit the Powassan virus which is a form of encephalitis.
  How can you protect your dog from ticks and the diseases they transmit? You can apply a once-a-month topical such as Frontline Plus which will kill the ticks before they have a chance to transmit any diseases or use a tick collar which usually kills ticks within 24 hours. The downside of the collar is that the tick has to come in contact with the collar in order for it to be killed. There is also a vaccine for dogs for Lyme's Disease available from your veterinarian. In addition to these measures it is a good idea to check your dog for ticks after being outside. If you do find any ticks remove them using a tick removing tool such as the Tick Twister or Ticked Off. For more information about ticks visit www.vermontagriculture.com. Enjoy a long tick free summer!  

Many Thanks To Everyone Who Donated To February Food Drive

 

 Many Thanks to Lori and Bill Hume, Derek and Kathy Pratt, and Anna and Kyle McDonald for generously donating food in our February food drive to benefit Lucy's House for the Prevention of Homeless Pets. Jan Ellis-Clements, who runs the organization, was very appreciative of the food. I am looking forward to doing more food and/or toy drives in the future. Have a Woofderful Day!

Buy Dog Treats Made in US to Avoid Potentially Toxic Treats

One would think that after the large amount of dogs and cats that were sickened and died due to melamine contaminated pet food in 2007 pet food companies would be testing the safety of any pet food products that they sell that are made overseas. According to an article I read recently, Toxic Treats from China Killing US Dogs, Say Pet Owners by Cindy Galli, that is not the case. In the past 4 months the FDA has received 530 complaints from pet owners claiming their dogs were sickened or died after eating jerky treats made in China. Since none of the companies selling the treats or the FDA will issue a recall of any of the potentially hazardous treats it is up to pet owners to read the labels carefully on all food products and select treats made in the US.

National Pet Adoption Month

February is National Pet Adoption Month. If you are looking to add a furry companion to your family please consider adopting a dog and give one of the three to four million dogs that are euthanized each year a second chance at a happy life.

Food Drive for February

I always think of Valentine's Day when I think of February and this year to celebrate Valentine's Day Fur Baby Doggy Daycare will be having a food drive to benefit Lucy's House for the Prevention of Homeless Pets. Lucy's House for the Prevention of Homeless Pets helps pet owners who are experiencing financial difficulties by providing food to 26 food shelves statewide and directly to pet owners and helps to promote spaying and neutering to reduce the number of unwanted pets. Dog food will be collected during the month of February.