North County Pet

14 Common Dog Myths Debunked - A Good Read

2012-04-07T21:36:00.000-07:00

By Mikkel Becker, vetstreet.com

Although dog training has become more of a science than a craft in recent years, some persistent myths still mislead us when reading canine behavior. Don't let a myth harm your relationship with your pooch. Here, we dispel 14 common myths and look at the facts.

1. An old dog can't learn new tricks.
False. Old dogs not only learn new tricks but they thrive when trained. My late Pomeranian, Mr. Teddy, who was adopted at an estimated 10 to 13 years of age, was a training superstar in Vetstreet videos, which were filmed two weeks before he passed away. By the same token, older dogs without housetraining experience as puppies can successfully be housetrained. As long as a dog is mentally and physically capable of learning to perform a behavior and is properly motivated, it's entirely possible to train her. While intense agility training for Teddy was not realistic, teaching basic commands was.

2. A dog shouldn't sleep with you or be allowed on furniture, or she'll think she's the boss and will misbehave.
False. Just like humans, dogs simply want a comfortable place to lie down. If comfort can be combined with being next to their beloved human, whether it's right next to you on the couch, or even on top of your lap, then they're all for it. In rare cases, dogs will guard their sleeping and resting areas, and will show aggression when humans approach these sacred areas. This type of behavior will require remedial training. But for the average Rover, sleeping in bed or resting on the couch has no adverse behavioral effects.

3. When your dog has a potty accident, it's important to rub her nose in it to let her know what she did.
False. When you rub a dog's nose in her own mess, she often sees no association between that and her having had a potty accident. Nor does rubbing her nose in her accident teach her not to potty on the floor again. Instead, rubbing her nose in her accident teaches her that humans are dangerous and unpredictable, and she will likely begin to hide in safety by sneaking into another room to go to the bathroom, making housebreaking even more difficult.

4. A dog who cowers from people was likely abused in the past.
False. There are various reasons for dogs cowering, and not all of them are because a dog was abused. Commonly, the dog was not properly socialized or had negative experiences during her prime socialization period as a puppy. Genetics also play a role in the fearful dog. Other reasons for a dog to duck away might be that she has learned to dodge people who try to grab her collar, or she is uncomfortable with petting, such as having her ears handled. Unfortunately, well-meaning strangers often approach dogs by bending over the top of their heads and reaching down to pet, which will send timid dogs into a cowering position. A better way to approach is by getting into a kneeling position, with your body turned toward the side, and then inviting the dog to approach you. If you practice this method, it will be less likely to cause a canine to cower.

5. Shelter dogs have too much baggage. It's better to adopt a puppy to start with a clean slate.
False. Many shelter dogs are well-behaved pooches who, for an endless list of possible reasons, could not be kept by their original owners. Older shelter dogs make ideal candidates for people wanting to skip the puppy stages of chewing, potty training and mouthing. The interview process at most shelters also pairs canine candidates with the family setting that will best suit the dog's temperament, which can create cohesion from the beginning.

6. All dogs should enjoy being around other dogs. It's essential for dogs to go on outings with other dogs, such as at the dog park. If a dog doesn't enjoy other dogs, there is something wrong with her.
False. Not all people are social butterflies and neither are all dogs. Some dogs may prefer solitude and only a small, select group of people. Dogs also have their own preferences when it comes to other canines. Breeding can play a big role in their sociability, with terriers being notorious for contentiousness with other pooches. Other times, whether from lack of socialization as a puppy or simply an individual preference, dogs may not enjoy canine comradery. Even though plenty of dogs enjoy the dog park, not all of them enjoy the idea of dozens of other dogs frolicking around them and would instead prefer a quiet walk with their owners.

7. You should let dogs just fight it out when they get into a scuffle.
False (well, at least partly false). It's true that you should never get into the middle of a dog fight, because some of the most damaging dog bites occur when owners try to separate fighting dogs. There are some tactics you can use to break up the scuffle without actually getting in the middle of the fray. Try using water, a really loud noise, or even a distraction like grabbing a treat bag or using voice to direct them to do something else. Owners should do everything they can to prevent another fight in the future. Often dogs don't settle matters on their own, and fighting intensifies over time, especially with dogs in the same home. This calls for advanced training with the help of an animal behaviorist or a certified professional trainer.

8. My dog is trying to show she's in charge when she doesn't listen to me.
False. It's easy to attribute human motives like "getting even" or "being spiteful" to our dogs, but dogs don't have the same complex emotions as humans. The more realistic reasons why a dog doesn't do what's being asked is either because she doesn't understand what she's being asked to do, or the dog doesn't have the proper motivation to want to perform the behavior. For example, most dogs don't come when called because the payoff isn't worth it. When they do, they usually are put on a leash or taken into the house when they'd rather stay outside.

9. My dog knows she was bad after she goes potty in the house. Her guilty face says it all.
False. Dogs show a perceived "guilty face" not because they feel an actual emotion of guilt, but they are actually showing appeasement behaviors in response to their owners intimidating body language. Whether we want to or not, it's difficult not to display negative body language when we're upset with our pets. A 2009 study by researcher Alexandra Horowitz at Barnard College in New York revealed that the "guilty look" dogs display is solely attributed by humans and has no relation to whether the dog is actually responsible for an offense. The study found that dogs who had not actually eaten the forbidden treat, but were scolded by their misinformed owners for eating a treat, showed guiltier-looking body language than dogs who had actually eaten the forbidden treat. The guilty look is simply a response of the dog to her owner's behavior.

10. It's always the owner's fault when a dog misbehaves.
False. Most owners are well-meaning, but are simply misinformed or lack knowledge on how to train their dogs effectively. Blaming the owner for all of a dog's problems makes for good TV, but there are a myriad of reasons why a dog misbehaves, including lack of proper socialization or preventive training, or even the genetic tendencies of the dog. It's important for pet parents to push past feelings of shame or guilt; instead get started in the right direction with help from a pet professional using positive reinforcement methods.

11. Using treats for training is bribery, and the dog won't do the behavior later if you don't give her a treat.
False. It's true that dogs need motivation to perform a behavior. That said, the motivation doesn't always have to be a food-based reward. Dogs can be rewarded in many other ways. Reward them with playing, petting or getting to go outside. They can also be put on a random schedule of rewards with a lottery-ticket-like system so they never know when the payout will come. This system helps keep them motivated. For example: learning to walk on a loose leash may be taught in the beginning by using treats, but once the behavior is learned, treats can be phased out so that the only reward becomes getting to go on the walk itself.

12. When a dog chews up shoes or destroys furniture it's because she's punishing the owner.
False. Dogs chew on shoes, furniture and other human items not to punish their owners, but simply because it feels good on their teeth, it relieves boredom, releases energy and, in some cases, may indicate separation anxiety.

13. A dog can't really be happy unless she can run off-leash.
False. Leashes are made for a dog's safety. They should be perceived as tools that keep your dog from running into oncoming traffic, going up to unknown dogs or people, and prevent them from running way. Although regular off-leash play in a fenced area is essential for a dog's well-being, while out in public, dogs can learn to be perfectly content on a leash at their owner's side.

14. Dogs are great judges of people, so if a dog doesn't like someone, it must mean there is something wrong with that person.
False. In the majority of cases, dogs who react aggressively or fearfully to a person are not doing so out of a negative moral evaluation of the individual, but are responding out of their own self-preservation. With that said, there have been plenty of circumstances where pets have used an apparent sixth sense to pick up on cues that went unseen by their human and actually saved their human's life. However, the majority of dogs I see in my training practice are unfriendly with a person because they are reacting out of fear to a certain physical attribute, movement or the physical proximity of a person, and are not reacting based on any moral evaluation of the individual

What Breed of Dog is Best for Me?

2012-02-12T09:47:00.000-08:00

What breed of dog is best for me?

Safety – Some breeds of dogs are thought to be dangerous when in reality, any dog can be a danger to you and your family if the situation is right or they are provoked. A Denver news anchor was recently bitten in the face by an Argentine Mastiff. Does that make all mastiff’s dangerous? No. The various mastiff breeds are often referred to as gentle giants. The pit bull has been given a bad rap for years because of their use in dog-fighting rings, but those that are bred as pets can be just as loving as any Cocker Spaniel. Ignorance of the breed perpetuates the myth, as evidenced by a recent McDonald’s ad.

Don’t dismiss any breed on the basis of media hype only. If you’re concerned that a breed you’re considering might not be good with kids, do your research and talk to other owners to get the straight scoop. If you do decide on a particular breed, be aware that each dog will still have an individual personality and temperament. Not every dog from a breed that’s considered friendly will be good with children. Get to know the dog and his history before bringing him home, and never leave any dog alone with a young child.

Cost - Even a dog that starts out free or cheap can be costly to keep. Some dogs will bite you in the pocketbook more than others, and those prone to health problems can send you to the poorhouse quickly. Less than desirous qualities aren't limited to purebreds; my Molly is a mix of Golden Retriever, German Shepherd Dog and St. Bernard, three breeds that are known to have hip dysplasia. Guess what $240 worth of x-rays diagnosed Molly with at her first birthday? Don't overlook other health issues predominant in some breeds, such as respiratory problems with dogs with pushed-in noses.
Beyond health issues that can keep your veterinarian in new golf clubs, dogs that destroy your clothing and furniture can eat up your budget (and your sanity) too. Some breeds of dogs tend to settle down after the initial chewing stage that most puppies go through, but others are notorious for tearing a house apart because they don't like to be left alone. Look for breeds that are more laid back if you'd have to leave your dog while you go to work.

Size - Yes, size does matter. I've always loved the larger breeds, and while most are generally good with kids, they can be intimidating to those who are fearful of dogs. If you're looking for a large dog, make sure the entire family is on board so that your pre-teen daughter doesn't stay locked in her room because she's afraid of your behemoth buddy.
Some small or toy breeds are prone to being nervous and yap a lot, which would be extremely irritating to me. If you don't mind that they need a lot of attention and are constantly underfoot, you might be satisfied with a purse-puppy -- but be careful that you don't step on him.

Space - Whether you live in a studio apartment or have a large fenced-in yard can help determine which dog is best for you. Surprisingly, some large dogs adapt very well to apartment life (the Great Dane is one), as long as they are walked daily. Even so, a giant of a dog might do better with a bit more room to turn around (think bull in a china shop).
Having a small dog doesn't necessarily mean you don't need space, however. The Jack Russell Terrier, for instance, is diminutive in size, but makes up for it in temperament. This feisty little fella is a very high energy dog and daily walks aren't enough to keep him busy. He needs a place where he can run and explore, and to hinder him from that is asking for trouble.

Grooming - With few exceptions, all dogs shed, but some more than others. Anyone with a German Shepherd Dog will tell you that it's almost impossible to keep up with their shedding, but many think it's a small price to pay for such a loving companion (myself included). If you can't stand dog hair on your furniture or clothing, look for a Poodle or Poodle-mix.
Many breeds can get by with a simple brushing a few times a week, but others require more extensive primping that might include a trip to a professional groomer every month. Be aware of grooming requirements before you fall in love with a dog whose haircut will cost more than your own.
Several dog breeds are notorious for drooling. If a slobbering dog is a turn-off, you won't want to share your home with any of the Bulldog and Mastiff breeds.

Activity - Some breeds need a job and will make up their own if you don't give them one. Terriers were bred to dig, and dig they will if not kept occupied. Beagles are known escape artists and won't let anything get in the way of their nose on a scent (I had a Beagle who would walk into a tree because he 'looked' with his nose rather than his eyes). All hounds will howl or bay in excitement when they catch sight or whiff of any small critter in their territory, no matter the time of day or night.
You might be able to tolerate any or all of these activities, but consider how they might affect your neighbors too.

What about a mutt?
Mixed breed dogs can take on the characteristics - both good and bad -- of any breed in their genetic makeup. If you're considering a hybrid dog, make sure that you're acquainted with the qualities associated with both breeds. Better yet, for a loving dog with fewer genetic predispositions, head to your local shelter to adopt another of my favorites - the Heinz 57.

5 Ways to Dog-Proof Your Home

2012-01-30T15:44:00.000-08:00

One of the saddest stories I’ve ever heard is about a Dalmatian who chewed open a brand-new bottle of Advil, ate most of the pills and subsequently died. Although my first response was compassion for my friend who had lost her dog, a part of me wanted to know why the dog had access to medicine in the first place. If the owner had made it impossible for the dog to get to the bathroom cabinets, he’d be alive today.

Another story, still sad but a little amusing, involved a friend’s golden retriever eating a stack of money she’d left on her nightstand while she was taking a shower. She was leaving on a trip the next day — hence the pile of cash — and her dog had eaten half her traveling money. Had she kept the door closed, as this incident caused her to do in the future, she’d have been flush for her trip.
Keeping your dog safe — and your possessions intact — is quite simple to do, provided you know a few tricks and follow these easy steps. Here’s how to dog-proof your home.

1. Baby-Proof the House

Years ago, the rescue I worked with launched a massive fundraising campaign for a dachshund who had chewed through electrical cords and burned out all the skin and flesh of her upper palate. She eventually recovered — after wracking up a ten-thousand dollar vet bill. Had the owners ensured the cords were unreachable, the doxie wouldn’t have injured herself.
Dogs may not be human children, but the same devices we use to keep kids safe also work well for keeping our dogs out of trouble. If you have small children, you’re probably already familiar with the plethora of baby-proofing items that are easy to install and cost relatively little cash. If you don’t have kids, take a trip to your local Target or baby store and check out your options:

Baby gates that limit access to rooms you use frequently
Covers for electrical outlets
Power-strip covers
Safety locks for your kitchen and bathroom cabinets
A containment system for your electrical cords

Although not made for babies, a dog-food vault is also essential if you have large or crafty dogs. However, even the most dog-proof lid won’t keep your pup out of the food unless you shut it tight! Before we got smart, our dachshunds foiled our two-foot high vault by knocking it over and working the lid off. Now we turn it until our arms hurt. No more bloated bellies!

2. Buy a Trashcan Your Dog Can’t Open

Most dogs love to root around in the trash for delicious treats, like pizza crust, fast-food wrappers and used tissues. Unfortunately, this behavior has two unpleasant consequences: garbage strewn on the floor and/or a sick dog who vomits, leaves piles of diarrhea in unexpected places or develops an expensive intestinal blockage your vet will charge $$$$ to remove.
The most effective solution is a pull-out trashcan, but they can be horrifically expensive, and you’ll need enough under-counter space to install one. But if you have a large, extremely food-motivated dog, one who is obsessed with digging through the trash (Labrador retriever, anyone?), a pull-out can might be your best option.
For smaller dogs or those who aren’t as interested in plowing through garbage, a sturdy metal trashcan with a step-on lid is the way to go. Although these nifty cans can run you $150 or more, discount stores, like Target, Marshall’s or TJ Max, often carry them at much lower prices. I scored mine for $40 from Home Goods!

3. Close the Doors

I have dachshunds, which means my house almost always contains at least one cleverly hidden pile of poop or lake of pee. After a few months of these fun discoveries, we got smart and limited their access to our bedrooms and bathroom. Although we still find our dachshunds’ special presents, at least we don’t collapse into a wet bed at the end of the night.
If your dog pees on your bed, shreds your linens or otherwise behaves badly in the bathroom or bedrooms, keep the doors to those rooms closed when you aren’t in them. Voila! The same is true for other rooms you don’t spend a lot of your waking hours in, keep those doors closed, too. Basic rule: If you aren’t in a room that has a door, your dogs aren’t in there, either.

4. Banish Clutter

The old saw “a place for everything, and everything in its place” is especially apt for homes with puppies and adult dogs who like to chew things. Those brand-new $500 designer glasses? Mangled. Your beloved Prada shoes? Eaten. The spray bottle of Tilex? Let’s not go there…
Dogs love to chew; if they destroy your possessions, it’s your fault for allowing your them access to your stuff. Get smart, and put your things away when you aren’t using them, especially any kind of medication or cleaning products. If you’ve been meaning to organize your home, now is the time. Check out one of the bazillion websites that teach you how to manage clutter, and make sure your family knows where household items belong.

5. Crate the Beast

Left alone in an empty house, dogs can create a great deal of mischief. I’ve heard horror stories about destroyed sofas, shredded door jambs, half-eaten dog beds and clawed-up carpet. My dog, Miller, even eats books!
The single-best (and easiest!) way to keep your pup out of trouble is to crate train him and keep him confined when you aren’t home. Crate training can be a royal pain in the butt if your dog puts his paw down at spending time in his kennel, but the effort is worth having an intact home and a couch you can sit on.
Although this list of tips might seem daunting (and expensive!), dog-proofing your home is definitely worth the time and expense. Take things one step at a time, and make sure you follow through with behaviors that will keep your dog safe. All the safety devices in the world won’t work if you don’t use them!

Rainy Days: Indoor Activities for You and Your Dog

2012-01-23T15:31:00.000-08:00

Playing Tug of War With Your Dog

Many dogs love to play tug of war - it is a healthy display of their predatory nature. There has been some debate over tug of war and dogs. Some feel the game causes aggressive behavior and dominance. However, the tug of war is actually mental and physical exercise for your dog. It is also a great way to reinforce the human-canine bond. The most important thing to remember is that there are rules that should be followed to keep the game from going overboard.

Before you begin playing tug of war with your dog, you should teach a release command, like drop it. This will help you stop the game if necessary.
Choose a dog toy that is designed for tugging. The toy should be durable and flexible. The best tug toys are typically made out of rubber or a similar material and have a comfortable handle that keeps your hand away from the dog's mouth. Here are two good choices:
Kong Tug
Orbee-Tuff Tug
Play in a large area without distractions, clutter or dangerous objects. Outdoors is great, but the beauty of tug of war is that it can be safely played indoors if you have a bit of space. Make sure there is room for you both to move about and that there is nothing in the way should one of you back up.
While playing tug of war, your dog might get excited and begin growling. This is normal, as the game itself is predatory behavior. However, it is important to keep your dog from becoming overly excited. A low mild growl with tail still wagging is probably okay, but anything more warrants a break. Or, if you are in doubt an any point, take a break.
To take a break, stop tugging and use the release command. Take 30 seconds or so to go through basic commands like sit and down. Once your dog seems more relaxed, the game may resume.
If your dog's teeth come into contact with you at any point, play should stop immediately. Let out a yelp, say "drop it," then take the toy and walk away for 30 seconds. If your dog seems relatively calm, you can go through the break with commands, then begin the game again. If your dog makes the same mistake two or three times, tug of war should be ended for the day. This is just to remind your dog to be extra careful with her teeth. It is likely that teeth might graze you from time to time due to the nature of the game, but once your dog understands the rules, she will be much more careful.
While playing tug of war, it is okay to let your dog win! This builds her confidence and rewards her. However, if she misbehaves, you should be the one who ends up with the toy.
Two dogs can play tug of war with one another - if they get along on a normal basis. The game should be supervised and the same rules apply. This will help keep it from getting out of hand.

Playing tug of war with your dog can be a quite rewarding experience. It is mentally and physically stimulating for your dog, and pretty good exercise for you, too. Have fun and be safe!

Dog People vs. Cat People

2011-12-05T17:50:00.000-08:00

Dog People vs. Cat People: The Surprising Differences

By Reader's Digest Magazine | Pets – Fri, Dec 2, 2011 4:48 PM EST

(l): © Jupiterimages/Polka Dot/Thinkstock (r): © Pixland/Thinkstock

Hunch.com recently polled more than 200,000 pet owners to find out if they were dog people or cat people. The site then crossed those responses with lifestyle surveys and arrived at the following conclusions. Anything sound familiar?

Dog people: 15% more likely to be extroverts
Cat people: 11% more likely to be introverts

(l): © Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Thinkstock (r): © Dynamic Graphics/Creatas/Thinkstock

Dog people: 36% more likely to use a pop song as a ringtone
Cat people: 14% more likely to cling to friends at a party

Dog people: 67% more likely to call animal control if they happen upon stray kittens
Cat people: 21% more likely to try to rescue stray kittens

(l): © Thomas Northcut/Lifesize/Thinkstock (r): © iStockphoto/Thinkstock

Dog people: 11% more likely to say they'd support cloning, but only for animals or pets
Cat people: 17% more likely to have completed a graduate degree

Dog people: 18% more likely to consider Paul McCartney their favorite Beatle
Cat people: 25% more likely to consider George Harrison their favorite Beatle

(l): © iStockphoto/Thinkstock (r): © Goodshoot/Thinkstock

Dog people: 9% more likely to think of zoos as happy place
Cat people: 10% more likely to send messages on Twitter

(l): © iStockphoto/Thinkstock (r): © Jupiterimages/Polka Dot/Thinkstock

Dog people: 30% more likely to enjoy slapstick humor and impressions
Cat people: 21% more likely to enjoy ironic humor and puns

©iStockphoto/Thinkstock

Both dog and cat people:
- Talk to animals of all kinds
- Are equally likely to have a four-year degree
- Dislike animal-print clothing

You don't have to look like your friends, to be friends!

2011-11-29T16:23:00.000-08:00

5 Ways to help your pet live longer!

2011-11-11T11:53:00.000-08:00

We all want our pets to live long, healthy lives, and we'd all do just about anything to ensure that our cats and dogs can stay with us as long as possible. What five things can you do to keep your pet safe, happy, and by your side longer? We've listed them below, and chances are, you're probably on top of them already.

But one hint may surprise you…

Keep your furry friend indoors
Staying inside, or at least on a leash, protects your pet from all kinds of dangers. Indoor living shields cats from infectious diseases; digestive upset caused by snacking on poisonous plants or other foreign objects; fights with other cats, dogs, wild animals, or mean humans; and speeding cars.

And as pets age, they can't regulate their body temperatures as effectively, making them more prone to serious weather-related ailments like heat stroke if they're outdoors too long.

Of course it's fine to walk your dog, and the occasional (closely supervised) feline foray into the yard isn't the end of the world. But it's particularly important for cats to do their toileting inside; that way, the humans can monitor them for signs of tummy upset, urinary-tract issues, and so on.

Putting a "catio" in your window for bird-watching purposes, and planting cat grass in pots, can bring the outside in, without compromising Fluffy's health.

Watch his weightObesity in dogs and cats causes the same serious health problems that it does in humans. High blood pressure, breathing problems, diabetes, and joint pain. It's not easy to put a portly pet on a diet, but NOT doing so could shorten his lifespan (and from a practical – and more selfish – standpoint, you really don't want to have to give a cat daily insulin injections).

If your dog or cat is on the spherical side, enlist your vet's help to change his diet. Invest in new toys for your cat that will get him more active, and try switching from "free feeding" to controlled portions at specific meal times. Take dogs for longer or more frequent walks, and get strict about table scraps and extra biscuits.

Aging pets who have maintained normal weights for years may start to plump up as their metabolisms slow down. Changing your senior dog or cat's regular food to a formula that's higher in protein and lower in fat may help, and dogs may benefit from "nutriceutical" supplements. Again, consult with your vet.

Don't skip vet appointmentsIt's tempting to bail on the vet if your pet seems healthy, the exams, shots, and treatments can add up to a big yearly bill if you don't have pet insurance. But our pets can't tell us when they don't feel quite right, or whether that diarrhea is a passing thing or a symptom of something more serious. The vet CAN tell you – sometimes just by looking into your dog's eyes!

As your pet ages, you may need to bring her in more frequently. Every six months, instead of every year for senior-wellness check-ups. Your vet is trained to spot conditions and concerns you can't see, and catching geriatric diseases or cancer early is the best way to find a treatment that time - quality time – to your pet's life.

Dental health is overall healthMost of these tips are common sense, but the importance of taking care of your pet's teeth may come as a surprise. It's the most common major health problem affecting cats and dogs, actually; the bacteria from dental and gum disease can travel elsewhere in their bodies, causing more serious issues.

With that said, we understand that you feel ridiculous brushing your cat's teeth. (And your cat feels even more ridiculous.) But it might seem less absurd if it adds years to your kitty's life. Check your pet's teeth and gums about once a week, if you can. Feed kibble and treats that promote dental health, and keep an eye out for signs of dental or gum disease, including bad breath, lethargy, decreased appetite, weight loss, and facial swelling. Call the vet if you think your cat or dog is having trouble eating due to mouth or tooth pain.

And yes, brush your pet's teet h using specially formulated brushes and pastes, not "people products." Some pets grow to love the fish-flavored toothpaste; others will fight you tooth and nail. (Forgive the pun.) Even if it's a battle, remind yourself that it's worth fighting bad teeth can reduce your dog's lifespan 2-4 years in some cases.

Spay and neuter your petsSpaying or neutering your pet doesn't just prevent overpopulation. It can protect your pet down the line from various reproductive cancers of the prostate and ovaries, for instance. And some studies have shown that fixed pets live longer than "intact" pets, although scientists aren't quite sure why.

We all love an adorable pile of puppies, but coo at pictures online, and get your pet spayed or neutered.

UPDATE: Coyote Attack

2011-09-27T09:07:00.000-07:00

The chipin has been lowered from the $2,200 we were originally quoted by the California Veterinary Specialist, down to $400 which all we could afford (not really), to pay out for treatment, and hope she would recover on her own. Thanks to ABC Veterinary, we have been given peace of mind...

http://northcountypet.chipin.com/daisy-was-attacked-by-a-coyote

Please click the link above to read the latest progress on Daisy's attack. Whether you find it in your heart to contribute or not, this has a journal attached within the link that gives you all the update since this traumatic incident took place last Thursday. At least give yourself the peace of mind knowing a little feisty dachsund named Daisy had the guts in her to bite back and escape the jaws of her demise!

UPDATE: I would say Daisy is about 95% healed, and I know she is ready to play! Dr. Lerras at ABC Vet said she is very impressed with the healing of her attack! She was only concerned about a swollen spot on her side that needed further diagnosis, so an x-ray was taken and determined it is air bubbles under the skin, and not to worry. A warm compress will help swelling go down, she is to stay on meds, and keep confined for 2 weeks! (impossible).

Coyote Attack in Neighborhood! Dog in Need of Medical Treatment!

2011-09-23T22:30:00.000-07:00

http://northcountypet.chipin.com/daisy-was-attacked-by-a-coyote

It happened late last night just before midnight. No signs of coyote close by, no howls in the night which we often do hear when they are chanting over a feast... Just another routine potty break for Daisy, the mini-dachsund just before bed....
I feel responsible for the actions that took place, soley due to the fact that I rarely leave her alone at night to do her business. It's not uncommon for sightings of coyotes trotting up and down our streets in the wee hours of the night, so why did I think it would never happen to us? The front door was open, the porch lights were on, and I only left for a split second... ATTACK!!!
Within a matter of moments, I hear a screech, and I fly out the door screaming Daisy's name, still unclear what just had taken place. She comes running down the driveway with her tail tucked, yelping all the way, jumps into my arms, and just as I stand up with her in my arms, I see it! A larger than average coyyote watching us as it runs across the street directly in fornt of our house, and disappears into the dark. I was only hoping it reall did not grab ahold of my little baby girl. I brought her into the light of the bathroom, and sure enough, two puncture wounds across her ribcage on the left side. Another mark on the top of her head, and grazed teeth marks on her under belly. Poor little girl, she is just about the size of a large white rabbit!

Now I know you're thinking, how did she get away? Here's my thought: Daisy is a scrapper when it comes to unfamiliar noses up in her business, so I think the coyote took her by surprise from the side, when it grabbed her, she snarled and bit back, as soon as she yelped, I came running caling her name, and my 3 big dogs heard the commotion and were standing at the gate growling, barking, and making a fuss! This 'Wylie Coyote' got caught with his paws in the prize! I'm sure he wasn't expecting hs dinner to bite back and cause such a ruckous, so like any busted criminal he fled the scene!

I am fortunate to have my baby still with me, alive, and in one piece for the most part. I just feel awful that I don't have the necessary funds to cover all her expenses. I paid what I could to get her through the night painlessly. Who knows, maybe she will recover by the grace of the dog gods, but she really could use proper medical treatment. I created a chipin fund just for the recovery occassion! Our goal is $600 to get her more sub-Q fluids, anesthesia, and drains inserted. Any contribution is greatly appreciated, and would really make a world of difference in this little dog's life! http://northcountypet.chipin.com/daisy-was-attacked-by-a-coyote

Below, are the journal entries we have been periodically updating on the chipin site. It starts with the most recent progress report. THANK YOU. Dog Bless!

8:47 p.m.

Update for the evening - 9/23/11

Daisy is resting, and has been most of the day. She has found herself a comfort spot in the hallway, wrapped in her blanket and remained there until about 6:00 p.m. this evening.

At that point, I fed her again and gave her the last dose of Tramadol, and another Clavamox which she will remain on for the rest of next week. A couple friends decided to visit, and that perked Daisy up a bit. Her little tail wagging happily, and lovingly, she gave kisses to them both and followed us around the house. Just after they left, Daisy acted as if she needed to potty, and finally after much anticipaion she found her sweet spot and got it all out! This was a relief for me... She has been eating ALL day, but not drinking water, and had not gone potty since the incident happened late last night.

She only weighs 9lbs., so I was wondering where she was storing it all. She actually got a few barks in at the neighbors dogs, and then came back inside the house. She ate some more food, and then back to rest mode. This is excellent news!

I had to leave her alone for an hour or so, and when I returned home, she was sleeping. Even now, she is half awake, alert, but wanting to crash out again, and I hope she does. I anticipate tonight being much better than last night. Perhaps she'll sleep through the night without making a sound... I'll keep you posted.

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR SUPPORT

Posted today 9:14pm

12:39 p.m.

Update on Daisy - 9/23/11

She actually had her appetite back this morning, which I was concerned about since she turned her nose up at everything I was trying to give her once we returned hom from the vet... If anyone knows Daisy, food is her life, and she never says NO.

She cries continuously as if she is a lost child, and from the aches of her body. I am feeding her cooked checken right off the bone, and she seems to like that very well. So, I slip Tramadol (capsule) powder into it and add just a splash of chicken broth. I gave her the first Clavamx of the day and she seems okay.

I went and bought some more gauze pads and Iodine to keep the wounds as clean as possible. I picked her up gently and she began tremoring which tells me her body hurts and she's scared... I rinsed her punctures wounds with warm water, a mild soap, and then flushed it out with diluted Peroxide. After a pat-dry down, I dripped the Iodine all over the bite marks, in hopes this keeps them from getting infected.

As I write, this very moment she finds comfort in the middle of the hallway with her blanket wrapped partially around her body. I gave her a small bowl of water, and some more chicken tidbits. Ate a little, still not drinking water, and she won't go outside to potty. She's scared to go out... But for now, she is not whining, or whimpering, and seems to be content for now.

My biggest worry is still how deep that bite puncture is, and wonder if indeed it has penetrated deep enough to cause iternal damage. This is what I had to decline at the vet because it was too expensive. She needs Bloodwork, x-rays, thorough cleaning and cliping of wound and wound tissue, anesthesia, drains inserted, more pain meds and fluids... Thus costing upwards of $2,200.

I have another $200 coming to me today from a lady; I feed her horses while she is away, and though only for the weekend, this will be money put towards this fund for Daisy! THANK YOU EVERYONE who has helped with a contribution!!!!! Dog Bless!!!!

Posted today 12:56pm

3:18 a.m.

At this moment, she is sleeping. Must be re-living the moment she was attacked, as she cries and moans every so often :( I HAD to remove the cone they had on her, because she was whining louder while trying to sleep than she is now... either way, it's heart-breaking to hear! I gave her a Tramadol, and fed her some special tidbits to make her feel better! After many tears, and lots of kisses, I was able to say goodnight, and leave her be in her crate.

Here it is, almost 4 in the morning (PST), and I am wide awake with guilt that I could not leave her with the vet staff for proper treatment. Just too much at once. I gave them an amount I could squeeze tonight to do what they could to make her comfortable. All that included was a cleaning of the puncture wounds, fluids, a shot of antibiotics, and meds to come home with (Clavamox).

With wounds open, and exposed, I am so very concerned about the risk of infection!!!! She needs drains for it to heal properly after they treat her... of course I know this NEEDS to be done, that's not the problem, the issue is MONEY.... I feel horrible. I wish I could slap a credit card down and be done with it, unfortunately my life is complicated beyond normal, and that is not an option for me. Please lord, let my baby girl recover wthout pain, and give her peace while she sleeps tonight and through tomorrow.... I need a miracle!

Posted today 3:33am

First Three Winners Sunday At Belmont: 9-1-1

2011-09-12T19:52:00.000-07:00

Call it eerie, call it coincidental, but I say it's kind of awesome! Where else has something with such significance ever happened liek this, and what better place than in the state where the incident took place. Maybe you could also call it some kind of miracle as a tribute had taken place just moments before. Another way to remind America to remember when to stand together! We shall never forget. I know I never will.

First Three Winners Sunday At Belmont: 9-1-1

Tweet Tweet Test

2011-07-12T12:37:00.001-07:00

Grace Avila (@northcountypet) has shared a Tweet with you: "NorthCountyPet: Another day, another dog! We love our extended family!" --http://twitter.com/NorthCountyPet/status/90864489221718016

Yes, my friends we have finally upped our social network status to Twitter! Our feed runs live on our website, as well as being posted on facebook directly! Pretty cool. We could have it run live here on blogger, but I figured that would be pushing the envelope! We have something to say every 10 minutes! I don't want to drive my fans away, we in fact want to gain more!

As we try to keep Twitter fun and factual, or with uplifting news, we still need more followers on all our sites! Give us the good word, and we'll keep the prizes flowing! At least that's our new incentive! If we can get 500 fans on our FB page, we'll be giving away a $100 dollar gift certificate to one lucky person! As added bonus to make it more challenging, we figured throwing an incentive such as "see how many people you can refer" into the mix would sincerely boost our numbers! It has given us a few more fans, but not likely the numbers we were hoping for, so as another instrument of competition, we have given the contest a deadline!
August 5th at midnight is when we'll end the contest, in hope by then we will have fulfilled our goal of 500 loyal followers. If you rather follow us on Twitter, same contest rules, same incentive, but I figured facebook would be much easier since it already has roughly 250 fans!

Give a shout out, whether or not you really want to know more about our fabulous arganization, or just like the concept, hit 'LIKE' and make it simple for everyone! Peace. Love. and Paws!

American Families and their pets! Tips for Happy Tails on July 4th!

2011-07-01T11:55:00.000-07:00

We want everyone, including your pets to enjoy the holiday weekend!

From of all us here at North County Pet, we'd like to wish everyone a very Happy 4th of July! And we'd also like to give a sincere thanks to all of our service men and women who have given us our freedom and helped keep our country safe! As I remember my father whom served 20 years as a proud marine, and retired a few years before his passing, his words on this day would be, "Let's celebrate", and with a salute to the flag, he'd shout, "Semper Fidelis!"

In honor of this blessed day, NCP saluted the troops this morning as we crossed over onto U.S. Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton. We have several clients that are active in the military and we are proud to help care for their pets, as any! Thank you again, for all that you do!

Now down to the serious business of the weekend ahead! Many of the celebrations nationwide will inevitably showcase a beautiful display of fireworks to the awesome instrumental sounds of our nation's anthem and other songs related to this great country we call home! But let's not forget our beloved pets this weekend...they don't appreciate the awe inspiring sparks of fire crackling in the air high above, lighting our skies to almost daylight. They don't understand, and often this causes problems for owners and animal control everywhere. Take precaution and please consider some of the simple steps below to help prevent a serious situation:

1. If you have pets that are not used to loud noises like pops, and bangs, then consider sheltering them from these booming sounds. Especially if you have plans on going out and leaving them home. If your dogs and cats are outdoors, bring them inside for the night. You may even have to go as far as crating, or keeping them in a more confined space since fireworks can still be heard inside a house. You may even turn on a radio with soothing music to distort the sounds of "gunfire". This will ultimately help reduce the stress caused by unfamiliar noises.

2. If your dogs and cats are indoors already, again you may have to confine them. If you stay home, and you can hear fireworks, you may notice odd behavior. Dogs will often try to squeeze into tight places they normally would ignore, and cats will hide as usual, or possibly not be bothered at all by the strange sounds. Dogs may start to shake (as if they're scared), pant heavily (nervously), whine (confused), and even shed tufts of hair quickly; these are signs of stress and should not be ignored. Comfort your pets as you would a crying baby. Reassure them that all is okay and that it will pass.

July 4th is the busiest time of year for Animal Control and Law Enforcement, mostly do to an over abundance of calls about missing pets, lost pets wandering and straying away from home, and injured animals. Some of the calls could be prevented if responsible pet owners followed the guidelines above! Please share and pass along to others to help spread the word.

In order to escape the stress, dogs will often dig out of yards, or jump fences they normally are confined by, but as an act of desperation adrenaline kicks in similar to how it does for people and next thing you know that 6 foot fence becomes an easy challenge. Dogs will often even chew their way through objects to get out! Thus, causing injury to themselves, or if after escaping there is the possibility of being hit by a car! You should understand your animals behavior and not reprimand them for doing something that comes natural. This will ultimately upset them more.

We hope this helps you prepare for a wonderful weekend! Stay safe and God Bless!

Leadership Skills 101, even a Pet Sitter knows business!

2011-06-29T10:19:00.000-07:00

I thought after having dealing with some recent events of my own, these tips could help future business owners deal with the struggles of everyday life. It's ineviteable that mistakes will happen, you will often be faced with making quick executive decisions, and later be faced with unexpected consequences. We are only human. Take it in stride, one day at a time, and never give up!
Effective leadership is what determines whether a business achieves, struggles or falls by the wayside. There are reams of articles, books, and audios available. For me, there are at least 8 qualities that successful leaders have.

1. Responsibility
The best leaders take responsibility for making things happen. We all know just how easy it is to blame external factors and we probably all have done this at some time. You know the scenario. If only accounts, purchasing, sales and marketing, customer services, etc would do this everything would be okay. We might even blame the economy, the weather or even the competition. If you want to excel as a leader take responsibility for making things happen.

2. Integrity
Your success depends on others following. People will only follow if they believe they can rely on you to demonstrate high standards, be open, honest and truthful with them. They also expect consistency. When you are consistent (no matter what your leadership style is) people know what to expect.

3. Decision takers
We all have fears and doubts when it comes to taking decisions. Will it be the right one, what happens if it goes wrong, how will I look or be perceived by others? These are just a few of the questions and dilemmas faced or going through their head. What sets successful leaders apart is their willingness to face fears and take decisions rather than procrastinate. They know that they will get their fair share of decisions wrong and will learn from them.

4. Deal with facts
Realism is essential if you are to be a successful leader. Realism is about facing up to whatever is going on, rather than expending energy wishing it was different. When faced with decisions, the best leaders will focus on the facts to determine what is realistic. Imagine you are faced with a poorly performing organisation. You might wish it could be fixed next month or next week, but the reality might be that it will take months and maybe years.

5. Vision and inspiration
The most successful leaders have the ability not just to create a vision but to communicate it in an inspiring way. They see the big picture and inspire others to work together to make it happen.

6. Optimism
There are some who are naturally pessimistic, while others are naturally optimistic. Successful leaders are part of the second group. They know that they cannot control every eventuality but they can control how they respond. They focus on solutions, not problems.

7. Resilient
No matter what you set out to as a leader, there will be set backs, disappointments and failures along the way. The most successful leaders are extremely resilient and when things do not work out as they hoped, they bounce back.

8. Excellence
Excellence in what they do is one of the defining qualities of successful leaders. They have a mindset of continuous improvement. They look for better, smarter ways of doing things. They are continual learners.

While leaders have numerous qualities, making a start on these 8 can get you off to a flying start.

Back to the Basics! Q&A about choosing your sitter!

2011-06-22T12:53:00.000-07:00

First off, we would like to express a big sincere "Thank You" to all of our loyal clients that have helped make North County Pet Pawsitive Watch so successful over the last few months! We thrive on the unconditional love your pets have shown us, and we'll continue to grow with your families, as well as our community for many years to come! We are honored you have chosen us to be your professional pet care provider!

As a new client in search of a pet sitter, you can expect overwhelming responses, and a lot to consider before choosing whom might be best for your needs! Generally speaking, you must consider your precious pet's best interest. Ask yourself questions about his/her behavior, reactions to strangers coming in or around the house, and how long he/she can be left alone. Stress levels are very important to think about, and ultimatley can lead to depression, bad behavior, poor habits, and eating disorders in a short period of time.

At NCP, we understand the changes in diet and behavior, and that is why we specialize at in-home care for your pets! Not having to hassle with crates and car drives, or boarding facilities that keep them in kennels or small rooms without the freedom they deserve. Not to mention, your companion may come home with an unforseen illness due to a high stress environment. We do our best in keeping them comfortable and happy at home! However, before choosing just any pet sitter, there are necessary steps, and things to consider:
- Most places need to set up a meeting to meet before hand. It's importnat that your pet gets the opportunity to check us out too! As much as we all claim to love animals, some pets may not love us back! For this reason, you may end up having to interview a few people before making the correct decision. This is also the time for you to ask questions, show us around, and let us help you in any way we can.
- Also, schedules are apart of our daily life, so make sure your pet sitters are available at the times you request! If your pet is on a schedule for feeding and potty breaks, the sitter needs to be flexible and able to complete the job without conflict. NCP treats your pet as if they are one of our own, and we never cheat our clients the time they deserve! In fact, more often than not, we extend our stays at no extra charge! We love our job!
- Planned trips and advanced notice is always ideal, but only in a perfect world! If you have an emergency, or last minute request, the Pawsitive Watch Team is always on-call and available! Life happens, and so we understand the last minute stress this may cause, and so we are as flexible as you can get! Others may require a minimum of 24-hour notice, and that can be an inconvenience. Make sure your sitters are readily available and reliable!
- Lastly, before making the important decision of who gets to hang out in your house, and play with your pets, is trust! Look for testimonials, recommendations, and references on websites, and/or ask for verifications through email or at the initial meet and greet. You have to have a good sense of intuition to know whom you can trust before handing over the keys to your home. We are confident at NCP that you will find us to have the highest standards in trust and integrity. And we also boast animal information that will put us above and beyond what you are looking for! Having the knowledge of animal behavior, reading signs of illness/injury, and offering our advice in basic obedience and other training, gives us recognition over others!

Our services are designed with you and your pet in mind! We are open to comments and suggestions, and value the input of our clients to help serve you, and our community better!
From the staff, and pooches here at North County Pet, we say thanks for stopping by and visiting, and we look forward to hearing from you and your pet soon!

Pawsitive Watch Team
(760) 533-6944www.northcountypet.com

Fun Fact: Insight to a Dog's Motion

2011-06-22T10:50:00.000-07:00

Cleverly, we found an interesting article on a dog's mobility. Fun to read about the study, and ponder the movement between a Great Dane and a Chihuahua...they are one in the same! Please enjoy this find, and share with the rest of the dog world out there!

How does a dog run? Until now even experts found it nearly impossible to answer this simple sounding question. "We simply didn't know," says Professor Dr. Martin S. Fischer from the Friedrich Schiller University Jena (Germany). A dog moves on four legs, in pacing, trotting or galloping. But so far, scientists could only guess at the exact motion sequence within the locomotor system. The reason being: "So far scientific studies were limited mostly to the movement of sick animals or to single aspects of locomotion," says Fischer, Professor of Systematic Zoology and Evolutionary Biology. To change this, Fischer and his team started a comprehensive study about the locomotion of healthy dogs in 2006 and have now presented the results.

With enormous technical effort the scientists measured, documented and compared the motion sequences of 327 dogs from 32 different breeds. The dogs were filmed by two high speed cameras in different gaits from the front and from the side. "In addition we analysed the movements three-dimensionally," Dr. Karin Lilje explains. For this, the zoologist glued reflecting markers on the skin of the animals and filmed their movements with infrared cameras. These sent out short flashes and registered their reflections. Up to 1.000 images per second went into these analyses. "As the reflections were being recorded from several cameras we could assess the position of the markers in the room from the data," Dr. Lilje continues. Additionally, the movements of the dogs were recorded with a high speed X-ray video system. The University Institute for Systematic Zoology and Evolutionary Biology, which the Phyletisches Museum is also part of, owns one of the most modern and efficient systems of this type. "By combining these three methods data about the movement of dogs are available now in a precision so far unknown," says Fischer.
Numerous displays and preparations of skeletons in today's schoolbooks and museums show how patchy and in some aspects fundamentally incorrect the knowledge about the locomotor system was until now: The displays position the hip and shoulder joint of the animals on the same level. "However this implies that these two joints correlate with each other and that they are the centre of rotation in the movement -- which is wrong as we could now prove with the help of our analyses," Professor Fischer points out. According to this in the course of the evolution limbs with three -- formerly two -- segments each developed from the legs. "And so the shoulder blade is added to the forelegs as a segment close to the body while the middle foot of the hind leg is being rebuilt," explains evolutionary biologist Fischer. Therefore it is not thigh and upper arm and lower leg and forearm that are correlated but the shoulder blade and the thigh, the upper arm and lower leg and forearm and middle foot. The centre of rotation of the front legs is the shoulder blade which is only connected to the skeleton through the musculature. The actual shoulder joint stays nearly immobile in the dogs' process of movement.
"These findings will alter the academic teaching," Professor Fischer is convinced. For this zoologists present comprehensive material with their scientific results: With the help of high definition X-ray and position data the scientists animated the course of motion into video sequences. Thus not only the dogs' skeletons can be viewed from all sides, the corresponding patterns of musculature and activity can also be studied in detail according to the gait and the phase of the movement. "In contrast to previous animations our video sequences are based on exact measurements. With this we are setting new standards," Fischer believes.
The Jena study provides another astonishing insight into the locomotion of dogs regarding the proportions of the front legs of the dog breeds examined. These were nearly identical in all dog breeds -- although, according to Fischer "it is clear that the upper arm of a Schnauzer is shorter than that of a Great Dane." Regarding the total length of a foreleg its length is always exactly 27 percent. Whereas the relative length of the shoulder blade varies between 24 and 34 percent. "The shoulder blade of short legged dogs is relatively long and that of greyhounds is relatively short. But the length of the upper arm always stays the same."
Moreover the zoologists owe the discovery that the shoulder blade and forearm and the thigh and the middle foot are moving in matched motion -- as if linked -- to the X-ray view. "If the forearm is in a vertical position, then the shoulder blade will be in the same position," the Jena scientist explains. In its motion sequence this principle of a 'pantograph leg' is highly dependent on the length of the segment in between. "And that is the upper arm that is exactly the same length in every dog." From this can be concluded that all dogs run very similarly, no matter if they weigh two or eighty kilograms.

Another day, another dog! (and ultimately, another dollar)!

2011-06-17T15:39:00.000-07:00

NCP is proud to announce that we an finally be found on the google search engine! And not just our website, but full description of services, hours, contact info, and most important a map of where are located and the areas we serve!! It's a very exciting day! This week alone we obtained 3 new clients, one of which found us using google! We hope our ratings will help keep NCP at the top of the list and w're eager to grow within our community!

Many hours have been spent over the last several months since returning home from Miami, networking on facebook, linking our blog to our web pages, setting up with multiple search engines, and updating our website! Finally, it has all come together, and we feel very blessed to be doing a job we love in San Diego County! Over the next few months as we continue to grow, we hope the future of NCP allows us to support more rescue groups by donation, and start doing fundraisers at local events around town! This last week alone we have attended the soft opening of the new SPCA - San Diego Humane Society North Campus as a business guest and it was fabulous! Wine and cheese tastings, viewing of the facility with a few pets already up for adoption and mixing and mingling with Oceanside's finest, like the Mayor who personally greeted us with a kiss! The Chamber of Commerce was also represented by some fine folks who asked for a few of our business cards, and got some insight of the charity events coming up where we can solicit our business and help it grow!!! I would like to thank everyone that participated at the SPCA teaser, and we look forward to seeing you again!

With much anticipation of the vacation season ahead, we have already begun to fill our calendar with jobs! Ultimately this means another day, another dog, and another dollar! Business will be boming and we can continue to offer great services at affordable prices! And we are happy to have a staff ready and waiting! The Pawsitive Watch Team has some fresh, and friendly faces happy to help our future clients with their needs! Give us a call, or shoot us an email today! We look forward to hearing from you!

Thanks everyone!

More cute pics for the dog lovers out there!

2011-06-12T21:16:00.000-07:00

For all the dog lovers and even if you are not....
this is such a good way to start your day !

DOGS ARE OUR WHOLE LIFE,
BECAUSE THEY MAKE OUR LIVES WHOLE :)

Please help save a life by adopting from your local animal shelter or rescue group! Help keep pet population under control by having your pets spayed and neutered! Together we can make a difference! If you would like to help by making a donation, scroll down our blog and find the paypal button. Any amount can help a pet in need. Thank you for your continued support! Dog bless!

Talking Dog

2011-06-11T16:56:00.000-07:00

Traditionally, blogs are public diaries and talk of whatever the author decides to ramble on about, but I like to find unique post to keep everyone entertained. I admit, I am not a "super blogger" as I find myself with more of a real life aside from sitting at a PC all day to type jibberish. So, as I inconsistently continue to post whatever tickles my fancy, I at least hope you utterly enjoy what you read. Thanks everyone for your continued support! And remember, please spay/neuter your pets!

A guy is driving around and he sees a sign in front of a
house: "Talking Dog For Sale."

He rings the bell, and the owner tells him the dog is in the
backyard. The guy goes into the backyard and sees a Labrador
retriever sitting there.

"You talk?" he asks.

"Yep," the lab replies.

"So, what's your story?"

The lab looks up and says, "Well, I discovered that I could
talk when I was pretty young. I wanted to help the
government, so I told the CIA about my gift, and in no time
at all they had me jetting from country to country, sitting
in rooms with spies and world leaders, because no one
figured a dog would be eavesdropping. I was one of their
most valuable spies for eight years running.

"But the jetting around really tired me out, and I knew I
wasn't getting any younger, so I wanted to settle down. I
signed up for a job at the airport to do some undercover
security work, mostly wandering near suspicious characters
and listening in. I uncovered some incredible dealings and
was awarded a batch of medals. I got married, had a mess of
puppies, and now I'm just retired."

The guy is amazed. He goes back in and asks the owner what
he wants for the dog.

"Ten dollars."

The guy says, "This dog is amazing. Why on earth are you
selling him so cheap?"

"Because he's a liar. He didn't do any of that stuff!"

Worth at least One Smile

2011-05-31T11:37:00.000-07:00

Worth at least one smile...

If you didn't smile at least once, I've failed my mission.

Let's Stop Neglect, Abuse at Animal Shelters

2011-05-25T22:42:00.001-07:00

Let's stop neglect, abuse at animal shelters

By Christie Keith, Special to SF Gate, Special to SF Gate

Nathan Winograd

Under proposed legislation called the Companion Animal Protection Act, shelters and animal control agencies would be prohibited from killing kittens like these if a lifesaving alternative exists.

It's more than a little disturbing to consider how little actual "shelter" homeless pets receive in some agencies bearing that name. Take Tennessee's Memphis Animal Shelter, for example. Conditions there were so bad that they prompted a high-profile sheriff's raid on the facility in 2009. Investigators found animals starving to death and going without water; there were even allegations of dog-fighting going on at the agency.
After the raid, the city installed webcams inside the facility so citizens could see what was going on behind the scenes, but even then, conditions didn't improve all that much.
Blogger Shirley Thistlewaite, who has been covering the situation in the Memphis shelter for more than a year, posts webcam images from MAS several times a month.
Some of the images show dogs being dragged, terrified, to the kill room. Others show cats being poked with sticks by staff members. There are examples of workers violating city policies, of pets escaping from kennels and cages, even of a puppy being hauled to his death, dangling from a worker's hand that was holding a fistful of the loose skin on the puppy's back.
If you're tempted to dismiss the situation at MAS as an aberration, think again. Other animal control facilities may not have webcams in their backrooms, but volunteers and animal rescuers frequently report abuse and neglect in shelters all over the country.
For example, in Chesterfield County, N.C., horrific abuse at the county-run animal control facility was brought to light by whistleblowing volunteers.
Dogs and puppies were brutally shot in violation of state law, then buried -- at least one still alive -- in a mass landfill on the shelter property. North Carolina law enforcement officials are investigating, but no arrests have been made since the incident was discovered in March, and all personnel under investigation are on paid administrative leave.
Nightmares like this don't just happen in other states, either. They happen right here in California.
Zephyr was a 10-month-old puppy in a Los Angeles County shelter who slowly sickened, starved and died of a respiratory infection in a kennel without receiving medical care in 2009. (Note: Disturbing images.)
Zephyr's story came to light when shelter volunteer Cathy Nguyen, with the help of the No-Kill Advocacy Center filed a lawsuit accusing the agency of retaliating against her by dismissing her as a volunteer for speaking out about Zephyr's story and others she witnessed at the shelter.
Her case was successful. The judge issued a stipulated order that the county shelters comply with legally mandated hold periods for animals, provide veterinary care to ill and injured animals, comply with the law that requires all shelters in the state to release animals to rescue groups instead of killing them, not to retaliate against whistleblowers, and to provide access to shelter records.
The court also ordered the re-instatement of Nguyen as a volunteer.
The details of Zephyr's death bring despair to the heart of any animal lover. But it's in the details of Nguyen's court case that animal advocates have identified a strategy that might help pets not only in California, but in every other community in the country.
Nathan Winograd, director of the No-Kill Advocacy Center, the organization that assisted Nguyen with her case, and No-Kill Nation, a Florida-based national group working to end the killing of homeless pets, have launched a campaign to introduce shelter regulation legislation nationwide.
Dubbed Rescue-50, the group's website serves as a clearinghouse for grassroots activists and legislators on how to institute shelter regulation in their states. Central to their effort is a piece of model legislation known as the "Companion Animal Protection Act" (CAPA).
Far from some sort of rainbows-and-unicorns fantasy version of animal sheltering, CAPA has already been passed in one state (Delaware) and introduced in four others -- Rhode Island, Minnesota, Texas, and New York.
CAPA's provisions are meant to protect animals from abuse and death with a set of regulatory guidelines including the requirement that shelters and animal control agencies provide animals with basic care such as regular food and water, as well as necessary medical treatment.
CAPA also mandates that agencies work with rescue groups, rather than leaving the decision to the discretion of shelter management.
This provision addresses one of the main reasons that conditions in badly-run shelters often persist for so long: Rescue groups and volunteers become afraid to speak out for fear of losing access to the animals they're trying to help. With their right of access guaranteed by law, whistleblowers can speak without fear of reprisal.
Mandating collaboration with rescue groups also saves shelters money, one of the reasons CAPA typically enjoys bipartisan support. Dogs and cats will no longer have to be housed for more than the legally required minimum before they can be transferred to private rescue organizations. This also spares agencies the cost of killing and disposing of pets.
Cost savings also come from a requirement to make greater efforts to return lost and stray pets to their owners, since such reunions usually involve some kind of fee or penalty.
Passage of CAPA would also mean shelters would have to publicly report their statistics, including how many pets they take in and how many die in the facility. They'd also be prohibited from killing animals when there are rescue groups, foster homes or other shelters that would be willing and able to take them.
And it would ban particularly inhumane methods of killing, including the gas chamber and so-called "heartstick," a painful direct injection into the heart.
I don't normally get on board the legislative express when it comes to reform. I think that education and advocacy are the best approaches to take when trying to change things. In fact, when Winograd proposed that San Francisco adopt its own version of CAPA at a meeting of the city's Animal Welfare Commission two years ago, I didn't agree. I thought it was micromanagement. I thought it was government run amuck.
I've changed my mind. There are simply too many abuses going on in too many shelters, and too many of them are going unpunished or even uninvestigated. The provisions of CAPA are not outrageous, and most of them are being used already by the best shelters in the country, including animal control agencies in Reno, Nev., Charlottesville, N.C., and Ithaca, N.Y.
Debi Day of No-Kill Nation agrees. "We have been educating and advocating for a long time now," she told me. "Too long, in fact. Really progressive-minded, humane lawmakers, shelter directors and activists all know that it's possible to save and protect the lives of our country's homeless companion animals, and they know how. It's time, that's all."

Lack of spaying, neutering is at root of high death rates, experts say

2011-04-13T11:48:00.000-07:00

By Lisa O'Donnell
Published: March 31, 2011

Upon learning that 90 percent of the cats and 68 percent of the dogs taken to the Forsyth County Animal Shelter, N.C., were euthanized in 2010, Stephanie Belcher repeated a statement that she has uttered countless times over the past few years.

"The spaying and neutering of pets is the most important thing anyone can do to cut down on the euthanization of cats and dogs," she said.
The shelter killed 3,103 dogs out of 4,560 taken in, and 2,997 cats were killed out of 3,346 taken in.
Belcher, a former president and current board member of the Humane Society of Forsyth County, said she and others with the organization have made educating the public about spaying and neutering their top priority for years.
The importance of these procedures was underscored this week when the state's Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services released its annual report on euthanizations at public animal shelters around the state.
Cats, which are less likely to be adopted than dogs, were euthanized at a higher rate. In Davidson County, for example, 96 percent of the 4,133 cats taken in were killed, compared with 78 percent of the 3,625 dogs, according to the report.
Davie County officials, who did not report their numbers to the state, could not be reached for comment.
In Surry County, 1,713 dogs were killed of 1,982 taken in, or 86 percent, and 1,835 cats were killed of 1,951 taken in, or 94 percent.
"The numbers are alarming," Belcher said. "It's so sad to see so many adoptable pets that have to be euthanized because the majority of these are perfectly healthy and have wonderful personalities. The shelters just don't have the room for them."
In Forsyth County, the sluggish economy has resulted in fewer people adopting pets from the shelter.
At any given time in the past year, adoptions of cats and dogs have been down 16 percent to 25 percent from the previous year, according to Matt Smith, manager of the animal shelter.
Carolyn Roby, the manager of the Forsyth Spay Neuter Clinic in Kernersville, said she is not surprised that so many cats and dogs are dying in shelters.
The clinic, a nonprofit organization, offers low-cost spaying and neutering to anyone. The Humane Society offers vouchers for people who need assistance paying for the procedures.
Roby and Belcher said they hear all kinds of reasons people don't spay and neuter.
"Some people still don't believe in them," Roby said. "They think the animal was put here to continue to have little ones. And a lot of it is money. So many people adopt for their children and can't afford it. People don't realize how expensive pets can be."
Spaying and neutering prices are typically determined by the pet's weight. Spaying a dog less than 40 pounds will cost about $75 at the clinic; neutering a dog of the same weight will cost about $65, Roby said.
Neutering a cat may cost about $55, while spaying will run about $90.
Debbie Cowan, a veterinarian at the Animal Hospital of Walnut Cove, gives discounts to people in Stokes County who adopt from the county's shelter. The euthanization rate there was 66 percent for dogs, or 908 dogs out of 1,378, and 82 percent for cats, or 1,056 out of 1,284.
Cowan said she's disappointed that more people don't take advantage of the program.
"We're trying to give people as many breaks as possible," Cowan said.

lo'donnell@wsjournal.com

(336) 727-7420

NUMBERS BY COUNTY

Forsyth

Dogs taken in: 4,560
Dogs euthanized: 3,103
Cats taken in: 3,346
Cats euthanized: 2,997

Alleghany

Dogs taken in: 412
Dogs euthanized: 94
Cats taken in: 210
Cats euthanized: 16

Ashe

Failed to report

Davidson

Dogs taken in: 3,625
Dogs euthanized: 2,846
Cats taken in: 4,133
Cats euthanized: 3,984

Davie

Failed to report

Stokes

Dogs taken in: 1,378
Dogs euthanized: 908
Cats taken in: 1,284
Cats euthanized: 1,056

Surry

Dogs taken in: 1,982
Dogs euthanized: 1,713
Cats taken in: 1,951
Cats euthanized: 1,835

Watauga

Dogs taken in: 448
Dogs euthanized: 61
Cats taken in: 510
Cats euthanized: 251

Wilkes

Dogs taken in: 2,739
Dogs euthanized: 1,903
Cats taken in: 2,803
Cats euthanized: 2,536

Yadkin

Dogs taken in: 1,055
Dogs euthanized: 894
Cats taken in: 1,361
Cats euthanized: 1,340

N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service

Original article:
Lack of spaying, neutering is at root of high death rates, experts say JournalNow.com

I am a dog, not a thing!

2011-04-13T11:34:00.000-07:00

I am a dog. I am a living, breathing animal. I feel pain, joy, love, fear and pleasure.
I am not a thing. If I am hit - I will bruise, I will bleed, I will break. I will feel pain. I am not a thing.
I am a dog. I enjoy playtime, walk time, but more than anything, I enjoy time with my pack - my family - my people. I want nothing more than to be by the side of my human. I want to sleep where you sleep and walk where you walk. I am a dog and I feel love...I crave companionship.
I enjoy the touch of a kind hand and the softness of a good bed. I want to be inside of the home with my family, not stuck on the end of a chain or alone in a kennel or fenced yard for hours on end. I was born to be a companion, not to live a life of solitude.
I get too cold and I get too hot. I experience hunger and thirst. I am a living creature, not a thing.
When you leave, I want to go with you. If I stay behind, I will eagerly await your return. I long for the sound of your voice. I will do most anything to please you. I live to be your treasured companion.
I am a dog. My actions are not dictated by money, greed, or hatred. I do not know prejudice. I live in the moment and am ruled by love and loyalty.
Do not mistake me for a mindless object. I can feel and I can think. I can experience more than physical pain, I can feel fear and joy. I can feel love and confusion. I have emotions. I understand perhaps more than you do. I am able to comprehend the words you speak to me, but you are not always able to understand me.
I am a dog. I am not able to care for myself without your help. If you choose to tie me up and refuse to feed me, I will starve. If you abandon me on a rural road, I will experience fear and loneliness. I will search for you and wonder why I have been left behind. I am not a piece of property to be dumped and forgotten.

If you choose to leave me at a shelter, I will be frightened and bewildered. I will watch for your return with every footfall that approaches my kennel run.

I am a dog - a living, breathing creature. If you choose to take me home, please provide me with the things that I need to keep me healthy and happy.
Provide me with good food, clean water, warm shelter and your love. Do not abandon me. Do not kick me. Do not dump me when your life gets too busy. Make a commitment to me for the entirety of my life, or do not take me home in the first place.
If you desert me, I do not have the means to care for myself. I am at the mercy of the kindness of people - if I fall into the wrong hands, my life will be ruined.
I will experience pain, fear and loneliness. If I wind up in an animal shelter, I have only my eyes to implore someone to save me, and my tail to show you that I am a friend. If that is not good enough, I will die.
I am a dog. I want to give and receive love. I want to live. I am not a thing. I am not a piece of property. Please do not discard me. Please treat me with kindness, love and respect. I promise to repay you with unconditional love for as long as I live.
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Original link to article:
http://www.examiner.com/dogs-in-national/i-am-a-dog-not-a-thing

Crisis at MDAS - Urgent!!!

2011-03-25T17:02:00.000-07:00

Okay, by now you may have heard the "state of emergency" of Miami Dade Animal Services, the county shelter that has been the target of many news releases lately. This would only add to that long list of issues that concern the citizens of Miami, and outrage the local animal advocate groups that have been targeting the shelter director, Sara Pizano.

On March 24th, a press release from the shelter manager, Xiomara Mordcovich hit the news, and circulated the web, about an epidemic of distemper, a disease found in dogs, and often cats, that is highly contagious, and left untreated, deadly! It effects the neurological system of the animals and cause them epilepsy, seizures, and it makes them very ill. They begin losing motor skills, run high fevers, and it causes them to oddly twitch. In essence, often the best thing to do for the animal showing signs of the disease, is humane euthanasia, but as I mentioned it can be treated.

In the press release, studies showed more than 50 dogs tested positive for distemper! The best thing that the shelter could do is close it's doors! People cannot contract the illness, but they can carry the disease on their clothes and transfer it to other pets. The best preventative, is of course early vaccinations, and annual boosters are a good way to keep your beloved pet from harvesting the disease. Other ways to safeguard them against distemper, is quarantine new pets you welcome into your home! As an extra precaution, you can always have your veterinarian do a blood panel to test for it as well. Plain and simple, be a responsible dog owner!

Unfortunately, the downside to closing the shelter is that the animals left inside have been potentially exposed! The thoughts of the director reflect that she will euthanize them all to rid the shelter of the disease, and then completely disinfect the shelter walls in it's entirety! How many animals might that be? 250 dogs, 60 cats, give or take. Wow! That seem like an extreme measure for so many to be culled. No one wants to hear of a "mass-killing" taking place within their community, especially of cute puppies! So of course, this started a media frenzy! Rescue groups have stepped up their efforts in order to save some lives! Calling upon the public to help in any way possible, whether it be through donations, fostering temporarily, or just plain adopting them once they are pulled from MDAS. This again, is good and bad...

I am all for saving animals lives, but does the average person really know what they might be getting into when caring for a sick pet? Minus the expenses that could easily accumulate, what about the tireless efforts of keeping this dog alive? It goes beyond your basic TLC, and there are no guarantees. So what about the heartache after weeks of vet care and love, when the animals weak body still succumbs to the illness? It's devastating. I hate to sound like I am on the side of the shelter, but I hate even more, hearing of the heart-breaking stories of someone who tried so hard and feels like a failure because the animal didn't survive. In this particular case, it would be only be the fault of the Sara Pizano for releasing these infected pets back out into the community!

She should close the shelter doors to quarantine the dogs and cats inside, but not order to euthanize them while being there. In fact, this would give them sufficient time to thoroughly clean, sanitize, disinfect, and kill the bacteria, germs, and viral diseases lurking in the cracks and crevices of the facility; but in this same time they should also stop all euthanasia unless it deemed necessary. This would allow for the disease to break if found in certain dogs, treat them, and keep them isolated. Not every dog will be positive, so why is Pizano so quick to kill? One will never know.

If you would like to help in any way, shape, or form, please contact us as soon as possible! As I will post this on our FB page too, we encourage all the sharing, cross-posting, and exposure about the subject at hand to get the word out!! We have many rescue partnerships in Miami, so as quick as the touch of a button, funds can be shared and transferred to cover the vetting expenses, and pull fees to help the ones left behind. At least with rescue groups, I can trust they are familiar with distemper and know the procedures in handling each case individually.

Together we can save one life at a time! Help make the difference before it's too late, please donate! Thank you!

Animal Rescue Directory on Facebook - Great Resource

2011-03-21T19:05:00.000-07:00

http://www.lacroixtees.com/fb_directory/animal-rescue/

For all those rescue groups and organizations that are looking to get more exposure, what better way than through facebook? It's a great networking system, and most of us nowadays have a profile set up, and browse ocassionally to find the latest updates! I know that we (NCP), has a page setup to share news, crosspost for other rescues, and to accept more donations.

The link above will direct you to a facebook directory for rescues nationwide! Sign up and let them add you to their list, so when people search by region/state, it will pop up! Easy, and a fantastic idea! We are always trying to help fellow groups, especially when it come to the animals! Remember, one person can make a difference! Together, we can create a force, and save one life (or more) at a time! Thank you for helping us all make a difference! Please share, thank you!

"Make adoption, your first option!"

The Three Little Bears

2011-03-19T06:59:00.000-07:00

Ever heard the story of the three little bears? Well this may be a different version than what you expect!

To start, I have to tell you that my email inbox is full and overflowing! I get flooded with emails and often time I have to pick and choose which ones I open. With spring approaching, I felt some "spring cleaning" was in order, and so this morning I felt it appropriate to tackle my email account! I started scrolling along and I came across one titled "Bear Country". Well being the animal lover, I decided to find out what it was all about, and I'm so glad that I did!

Ironically, it let to another blogger page under the name Proppe's Paddles. I joined his blog, and thanked him for sharing, and so I share it with you! Comical, yet educational, this would be a dream come true for most people! All I have to say is, I'm jealous, but what an experience!

Please share and have a wonderful day everyone!