Keeping Your Fur Baby Safe

While I was contacting animal shelters last week to see if there were any small dogs who needed rescuing I heard a story about a lost dog who had been turned in to an animal control shelter with a tag with her name on it. When the dog was taken to the vet and scanned, they found a microchip, but the company that the microchip was registered with was no longer in business. So even though they could retrieve the number from the microchip, it was not possible to connect the number with the owners. This was the first time that I had heard of or thought about a microchip becoming ineffective in helping a lost pet become reunited with it’s owners because the company who the microchip was registered with wasn't in business anymore. Thankfully in this case the dog was reunited with her family through other means. This made me think that even though one of my fur babies has a microchip, that both of them should also have a tag with a phone number to call in case one of them should somehow get separated from us.

I wanted to share this story because I now think it is a very good idea for a pet to have both a microchip and a tag with a phone number to call in order to increase the chance of your pet being returned safely.

Concerning the microchip, there are three things to do to ensure that it remains able to help reunite you with your pet:

1. Have your vet check the microchip occasionally to verify it is still electronically readable. Most pet microchips are estimated to remain functional for 12 to 20 years, but some pets have lived longer than their microchip remained functional or the microchip simply quits working.

2. Check yearly to confirm that the company that your pet’s microchip is registered with is still in business.  A shelter or animal control agency would use the ID number read out of the microchip to contact that company, who will then connect you with whoever found your pet.

3. Make sure the information you have registered is up to date.  Phone numbers and emails change, households move.

Lucy's House Event This Sunday at the Champlain Valley Fairgrounds

Hello Everyone,

I hope you are enjoying the beautiful summer with your fur babies.

As some of you know I have attended the Lucy's House Event for the past two years and raised a sizable amount of money and food to donate to Lucy's House with your generous support. This year I will have a booth for our newly formed rescue, Little Woof Small Dog Rescue, and be selling dog treats and people goodies to benefit both Lucy's House and Little Woof Small Dog Rescue. Our current rescue dog, Finney, will be with me. Finney and I would love to have you stop by and see us this Sunday, June 14th, anytime between 10 - 3 at the Champlain Valley Fairgrounds.   

Craft Show Fundraiser for Dog Rescue

Good Morning Everyone,

Some of you know that at the end of last year I decided to form a small dog rescue, Little Woof Small Dog Rescue Inc. I am grateful for everyone who is helping with this new venture. On March 14th I will have a booth at the 10th Annual beCAUSE craft show at the Ross Sports Center at St. Michael's College from 9:30 am - 4:00pm. I will be selling pet blankets, pet pillow beds, jewelry, and homemade dog treats. All the proceeds will go directly toward the rescue. At this point I am raising money to apply for 501(c)3 non-profit status and to pull and transport dogs from a high-kill shelter to Vermont. I am looking forward to seeing everyone on the 14th. If you have any questions about the craft show or the rescue please feel free to email me at furbabyvt@gmail.com or call 338-1610. Hopefully we will be having some warm spring days soon to enjoy outside with our fur babies. Have a Woofderful Day!

Lucy's House & Pet Expo

On Sunday Queenie, our current foster dog, and I went to the Pet Expo to benefit Lucy's House for the Prevention of Homeless Pets. Queenie & I joined about 5 other dogs and their owners to walk and participate in a costume contest. Although the day was gloomy outside we were all having fun. An 8 week old chihuahua dressed up as a dragon won the cutest and one of my furry friends and her owner won most creative for their matching denim outfits. And I would like to say thank you very much to all of those who donated money, over a thousand dollars total, for a very worthy cause. And if you didn't get a chance to see us over the weekend, but would still like to make a donation to Lucy's House I am planning on collecting food and money again for the holidays or you can send a check directly to Lucy's House at 21 Foster Rd. Essex Jct, VT 05452.

If Adding a New Furry Family Member Please Adopt

 

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer. Spring and summer are traditionally when people consider adding a new furry family member. If you are considering getting a dog please consider adopting. There are lots of wonderful dogs of all ages and sizes waiting for their forever homes in shelters and foster homes throughout the country. Climate change in warmer areas of the United States is allowing dogs to have more litters of puppies than usual and is increasing the number of lovable dogs needing a home.

I have heard and understand that sometimes rescue groups can be difficult to work with or have very long waiting periods to be eligible to adopt a dog. I encourage you to contact several shelters or rescue groups until you find one that wants to find a dog a forever home and is concerned about your needs as well. Your next forever friend is waiting for you.

Have a Woofderful Day!

New Year, New Fostering Opportunity

I hope everyone is enjoying the new year. We started out the new year by welcoming a foster dog. It was the first time in a while that we had fostered a dog. Mouse was adopted last Friday and I am looking forward to fostering more dogs as I had missed fostering. Fostering is a wonderful gift to give a dog in need. It is also very rewarding for you when the dog finds a new forever home and you know you made a difference in whether he has a second chance at living a wonderful life as well as enriching the lives of his new family. I will post new photos of foster dogs as they arrive for anyone looking for a new furry loved one. Also if anyone is interested in fostering please let me know. There is always a need for foster homes. Remember bark less and wag your tail more. Have a Woofderful Day!

Lucy's House for the Prevention of Homeless Pets Dog Walk

Come visit us on Saturday September 28, 2013 at Bombardier Park in Milton. I will be participating in the First Annual Dog Walk to benefit Lucy's House for the Prevention of Homeless Pets. Weather permitting Xc or CII will be joining me. I will also have a booth and be handing out dog treats. Hope to see you there.

Spring Time Checklist

Spring is finally here and it is time to get outside and enjoy some time with your furry friend. I made a checklist of things to remember to keep your dog healthy while enjoying the outdoors.

1. Make sure your dog has been checked for heartworms and is taking heartworm medication to prevent contracting heartworm disease.

2. Make sure your dog is protected against fleas and ticks.

3. Make sure to carry water so your dog doesn't get too hot or dehydrated on long walks on hot days.

4. And in case your dog has an unpleasant encounter with a skunk in the backyard apply a mixture of the following solution : 1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide, 1/4 cup of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of liquid hand soap. Apply immediately after mixing and rinse thoroughly with water. Avoid getting any of the solution in your dog's eyes or ears and don't let your dog drink any of the solution because hydrogen peroxide can cause vomiting. You will probably have to increase the amount of the solution for a large dog.

I hope you all enjoy a Woofderful spring and summer outside with your furry friends.

Canine Influenza

Since we received a reminder from our veterinarian and I have had a client ask me whether I will be requiring the new canine influenza vaccine I thought it was a good time to talk about canine influenza and my thoughts about the vaccine.

According to Wikipedia canine influenza was discovered in 2004. While listening to a program on NPR I discovered it is a form of highly contagious influenza that may have originally been transferred to dogs via feeding Greyhounds in Florida raw horse meat. Because it is a relatively new virus the dog population in our area will have no natural immunity to it and because it is highly contagious I suggest vaccinating your dog.

The symptoms of canine influenza are similar to kennel cough. They include a cough, a greenish nasal discharge, and in severe cases, a high fever or pneumonia caused by a secondary infection. Symptoms can last from ten to thirty days.

Petitions To Remove Unsafe Dog Treats From Stores

I mentioned in a previous post that certain dog treats made in China have been linked to the deaths of several dogs and one cat. Since then I have discovered two petitions demanding that the dangerous treats be removed from store shelves so that no more beloved pets are harmed. I have already signed the petitions to try to keep all of our pets safe.  If you would like to show your support you can sign the petitions using the following links.

http://www.change.org/petitions/restore-our-trust-take-dangerous-dog-treats-off-the-shelves
http://www.change.org/petitions/nestle-purina-recall-chicken-jerky-treats-made-in-china

Thank you and have a Woofderful day!

Happy New Year

I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays. I was very busy with boarding dogs and started the new year off with four new furry friends joining us for daycare and boarding. I would like to say Happy New Year and Thank You to all of my awesome dog clients who trust me with the care of their precious fur babies and to the continuing support of my friend Katie with my website and my husband for helping me when we have a house full of dogs and keeping the driveway free of snow and a path plowed for the dogs to walk around the yard. And of course I would like to thank the dogs for making every day they are here Woofderful!  

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.