Happy 4th of July!

I know that this is a national holiday, but with a dog who has a noise phobia, it is very difficult to enjoy all the fireworks.  Where I live, there are many families setting off fireworks and firecrackers, even though we live in city limits.  My poor Satchmo is about to have a nervous breakdown!

On another note, I have been worried about Austen.  He has been really sick with diarrhea and vomiting for the last two days.  I've been afraid he would get dehydrated, so I started giving him Pepto Bismol and that seemed to help him just a little.  Today, he has finally stopped having the squirts, but now he has a sick stomach and lays around looking miserable.  What to do?

Thursday's issues --Your Dog's Medicine Cabinet

Everyone who owns a pet needs to stock certain items for pet emergencies.  Usually, if your pet gets sick, it will almost always be in the night, on the weekend, or on a holiday.  You will need to learn some type of pet First Aid and have a first aid kit for your pets.  You need to educate yourself on signs and symptoms of pet illness and what you can do to help. 

Here is an article I found that lists some of the items you need to have on hand:
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Your Dog's Medicine Cabinet

By: Dr. Amy Wolff

Hydrogen peroxide should be in every dog's medicine cabinet.

For Minor Illnesses
Most of us keep a variety of medicines at home for those occasions when we are sick or injured, but did you know there are some important medicines to keep on hand if your dog is not well? Here are some of the commonly used items you should have on hand in your dog's medicine chest. Be sure to check with your veterinarian before giving any medicines to your dog.

3% Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide should be in every dog's medicine cabinet. Although most commonly thought of as a way to clean a wound, another important use is to induce vomiting when your dog has ingested toxins, foreign objects, drugs or spoiled food. However, check with your veterinarian first because there are times when it is best not to induce vomiting. Dogs won't drink peroxide willingly so buy an oral dose syringe or keep a turkey baster on hand to help administer the liquid. Also check the expiration date; expired peroxide is not as effective.

Diphenhydramine

Benadryl® (diphenhydramine) is an antihistamine that is commonly used for itching and allergic reactions. Dogs that have had a bee sting, insect bite or vaccination reaction often need a dose of Benadryl® to calm itchiness, facial swelling or hives. The dose is based on your dog's weight, so check with your veterinarian; he or she can tell you how much Benadryl® you can give and how often.

Pepto-Bismol/Kaopectate

Every dog owner knows about vomiting, diarrhea and gas. Sometimes a dose of Pepto-Bismol or Kaopectate can solve a mild case of stomach or intestinal upset. However, Pepto-Bismol contains salicylates, the active ingredient in aspirin, so dogs that are aspirin sensitive should be given Kaopectate. Any vomiting or diarrhea that persists for more than 24 hours needs your veterinarian's attention. Be sure to mention if you have given any Pepto-Bismol to your dog; the tablet form of Pepto-Bismol looks just like a quarter on X-rays.

Triple Antibiotic Ointment

Topical antibacterial ointment is great for superficial wounds, such as cuts and scratches. It works best when the wound is located where the dog can't lick it since most dogs will lick off any salve you apply. It is not a good treatment for deep wounds, especially if they are dirty or bleeding, or the result of a bite. These need veterinary attention.

Alcohol

Isopropyl alcohol is often a good drying agent for ears. Many dogs that have recurring ear infections can use a solution of alcohol mixed with vinegar to dry up a wet ear. Alcohol should never be used in an ear that is inflamed or infected, or on a wound, as it burns when applied to damaged tissues. It can also be used in cases where your dog is overheated. Heat stroke is a life threatening situation that requires immediate veterinary attention, but alcohol applied to the pad of your dog's feet can provide some cooling while you are getting your pet to the vet.

Bandages and Tape

It can be challenging to bandage a bleeding wound on your pet. Most often an old sock and electrical tape are cleverly used as bandages when an emergency arises. Keep a pack of clean or sterile gauze and some medical tape handy. Most bleeding wounds require pressure and tape will help keep the gauze in place.

Oral Dose Syringe/Pill Gun/Pill Splitter

Your veterinarian can supply you with a handy little item called a pill gun. It is a long plastic tube with a plunger used to deliver pills to our less cooperative friends. Some dogs just aren't fooled by that little meatball with the pill in the middle. The pill gun keeps you from having to stick your hand/fingers into your dog's mouth when medicating him. An oral dose syringe will help you give liquid medications accurately. A pill splitter will help you cut large tablets into equal portions if your pet requires a smaller dose.

Having these medications on hand is only half the job. Calling your pet's doctor for proper instructions and potential side effects is the other. Never give your pet any medicine prescribed for people unless instructed by your veterinarian.

Please visit the site for more information about pet health.

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Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday True Stories -- Faith Walks

This is just absolutely too awesome for words!  Just watching this happy hound makes me happy.  For all of us who like to roll in our own misery, I recommend watching these videos.  Shame on us if a dog can out do us in the happiness area and can overcome massive adversity with a cheerful attitude!  Please watch these incredible videos.  You will be amazed.

Thursday's issues -- service dog training

Dogs Help Wounded Soldiers Heal

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have left many of our soldiers with wounds, both visible and invisible.  But now, service dogs are working to help our men and women in uniform overcome their injuries.  And, in turn, wounded soldiers are training the dogs for future service people returning from battle.  Trained dogs are able to aid the injured in numerous ways.

"They can open refrigerator doors, pick up fallen items unreachable by wheelchair-bound humans and even create hedges of protection around handlers who struggle with anxiety in public places or are easily startled because of symptoms associated with post- traumatic stress disorder.

Some dogs can even read.

And by age 2, they have mastered between 90 and 130 different verbal commands."

The pilot program at Fort Stewart in Georgia is producing "phenomenal" results, according to participants, helping amputees, those afflicted with PTSD, and other disorders.

This article is from Dog News Daily.   This is a great site to find articles about dogs in the news and to research ongoing issues for dogs around the world.  Join them when you are there, won't you?

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday True Stories -- Dog survives desert ordeal

Dog survives desert ordeal

A small dog lost in the desert for nearly six weeks is back home again, a little skinnier for the experience but otherwise healthy.

Tamara Martin of Beaver Dam said TJ, a rat terrier/chihuahua mix belonging to her extended family, ran away from the veterinarian’s kennel in Mesquite on May 7. The dog had been let out into an enclosed yard for exercise, but managed to get through the fence.


“We forgot to tell them TJ is an escape artist,” said Barbara Lefler, Tamara’s grandmother who cares for the dog. “He just took off.”

The veterinarian’s staff hunted for hours for the dog, than called the family the next morning. The family and friends began searching, but they too were unsuccessful.

“We kept looking, put up posters, asked people to look,” Tamara said.

She did get calls that TJ had been spotted, but no one was able to get near the little dog.
“At first he was hanging out by the new houses they’re building on Hardy Way,” said Tamara.
Then for a while, she received no reports about the missing dog.

“After a couple of weeks, people said, ‘You might as well give up,’” she said. “It was hot, over 100 degrees, and there’s no water out there. And then there’s the foxes and the coyotes.”

But she said the family didn’t want to give up.

“We would still drive up there looking for him,” she said. “He’s been part of our family for four years. My aunt, Julie (Lefler) took a lot of time off to go looking for him.”

Barbara said another family dog, Chiquito, clearly missed TJ.

“He’d be sitting on the arm of my chair looking out the window,” she said. “When he heard other dogs bark, he’d go crazy, thinking it was TJ.”

The loss of the dog was especially difficult for Tamara’s daughter, Chyanne, 11, who was close to TJ [...read more...]

Here's an email I received that I felt was important ---

Sweet little Cassidy's owner never really cared. He turned his back on this wonderful little dog that was already at a disadvantage. He left him in a Georgia kill shelter where Cassidy really didn't stand much of a chance because of a birth defect that left him without a right front paw. But even in this hellish Southern shelter, a Bideawee Volunteer learned of Cassidy's plight and came to his rescue. Cassidy's defect isn't painful, just challenging. It causes him to walk slowly and with a noticeable hop. He also suffers from a permanently collapsing trachea, which results in excessive coughing when he's excited or over exerted. But this sweet little dog was definitely worth saving. When Cassidy was rescued and brought into Bideawee's caring hands, our veterinarians found that he was also suffering from a host of other ailments, including a bad case of fleas, ear mites and bouts of vomiting and diarrhea. Our staff acted quickly and Cassidy soon started feeling and looking better. His missing front paw plus his other health issue make this wonderful pet very difficult to place. Still, Bideawee is committed to doing what it takes to spiff him up and find someone who sees past his missing paw and makes Cassidy a permanent part of their family. While it may take Cassidy longer to find his new home, Bideawee will give him the loving care, attention and medical assistance he so deserves despite the high cost. But we need your help to make this possible. Your generous donations will keep Cassidy happy and healthy during his stay at Bideawee...and it will help find him a new family. Regardless of all Cassidy has been through he continues to display a loving nature toward other dogs, cats, and kids. He's a friendly, well behaved and kennel trained guy that just loves a warm lap to sit on. Please help us care for Cassidy as we search for his new forever home. Please donate now to enable Bideawee to care for Cassidy and all of the hard-to-adopt wonderful pets we have in our care. No matter what they may look like on the outside - Bideawee helps all pets with loving and expert care. Please donate today.

To contact us, please send us an email: Bideawee@bideawee.org.

Bideawee is funded 100% by private contributions. To help us continue our vital work to help animals, please donate today.

'Every dog has his day' at Snout by Snoutwest

Here's a little news from my area.  Austin is well known as an animal-friendly place, but now the city is getting into the rescue business.  I just love when things like this happen, don't you?

By: News 8 Austin Staff

Snout by Snoutwest featured contests, a doggy water park, free K9 snacks and pet services, all for man's best friend.All the proceeds from Snout by Snoutwest went to the Town Lake Animal Shelter and the Austin Humane Society. The event took place at the Dell Jewish Community Campus in northwest Austin.
There was even a contest to see who looked the most like their pet.
Those who didn't have a puppy to spoil could find one there. Several rescue groups brought out some pooches that were looking for permanent homes.
"We hope that some people will go home with a new dog, a new family friend and adopt a dog. But we also hope they will learn something about pets--how to care for them, how to advocate for pets, and dogs. And also get familiar with our campus as a resource for the general community," Shelly Prant, with the Dell Jewish Community Center, said.

My boys are too cute!

I really don't have much to say that is new about my wonderful Satchmo or the sweet Austen.  They are both doing okay, except I think I will take them in for a vet check this week.  Satch is overly grouchy and touchy, so I think something is hurting him; Austen is constipated.  I've never encountered constipation in a dog before so I am at a loss as to how to relieve him.  We walk and walk.  I have added oil to his food.  I put out another water dish and keep clean water available.  So, off to the vet we will go very soon.  In the meantime, here is a really cute picture of the two boys.

‘World’s Ugliest Dog’ Miss Ellie dies at 17

This is so sad.  It's sad to know that humans got entertained by the sight of a not too pretty dog.  The only good thing to come out of this is the money she helped to raise for other homeless animals.  God Bless, Miss Ellie.


By Dr Andrew | June 4, 2010

In this June 26, 2009 file photo, Miss Ellie celebrates her win in the “World’s Ugliest Dog Contest” at the Sonoma-Marin Fair, in Petaluma, Cal

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. – Miss Ellie, a small, bug-eyed Chinese Crested Hairless dog whose pimples and lolling tongue helped her win Animal Planet’s “World’s Ugliest Dog” contest in 2009, has died at age 17 after a career in resort show business in the Smoky Mountains.

The Mountain Press reported Thursday that Ellie starred in shows at the Comedy Barn in Pigeon Forge.
She also appeared on The Animal Planet cable show “Dogs 101″ and was on billboards and in a commercial.

Pigeon Forge Mayor Keith Whaley proclaimed Nov. 12 as “Miss Ellie Day” for her owner’s efforts to raise money for the local humane society. Over the years, Ellie helped raise more than $100,000 for the Sevier County Humane Society.

She will be cremated.