Posts from — March 2012
Annual Check Up
Three of my guys are getting ready for annual check up time at the vet. Fortunately, I don’t get too much pressure to over vaccinate my pups at St Mary’s Animal Hospital which is where we go. I’ll have them titer parts of the distemper vaccination and I have to give the required rabies, no Lymes, no Lepto, no Canine Flu, no bordetella.
Also, if your dog is microchipped, my aren’t, you may want to ensure the chip is still placed where it was inserted when you go in for your annual check up. Apparently chips have been found to migrate around a dog’s body. If that happens they recommend inserting another chip and hoping that doesn’t float around.
Here’s an interesting article that was posted on my Facebook page.
March 30, 2012 No Comments
Bummer! Little Holly is Heartworm Positive
It takes heartworms 6 months to develop into adult worms and little Miss Holly is guessed to be only 6 or 7 months old which means she had to be bitten by a mosquito when she was just a tiny pup. Poor thing goes in for xrays next week and then will start heart worm treatment which is a series of painful injections of an arsenic-based drug called Immiticide into the back muscles that will kill the worms.
Dogs have to be quiet for 30 – 60 days post treatment as the injections kill the worms that break off and dissolve in the bloodstream. Chunks of worms could break off and block a blood vessel causing death. Keeping Holly quiet, leash walks only, will minimize this possibility.
We are chuckling as Holly currently refuses to walk on leash. She lays flat like a dog rug when you try to get her to walk on the leash. Fortunately, she weighs only 29 pounds so we’ve just been picking her up and carrying her to the vet, the van, in the house, etc.
She’s starting to feel a bit more comfortable living here now as last night we noticed she was laying tummy up on her dog bed—she’s great with other dogs and looks to them for guidance, but I think she is beginning to trust me and Joe.
March 30, 2012 2 Comments
Dog Park at our House!
We used to read a counting book to our daughter when she was little.
High in the sky, in the shape of a vee, how many wild geese do you see? Hurry and county them as they fly by, you will see nine geese and so will I”
With two young foster dogs in addition to my four goldens, it’s kind of felt like a doggie day care center or dog park at our house the past couple of weeks. I spend a fair ammount of time counting to make sure I have enough bowls, bones, kongs, dogs in the house or van. It’s also been surprisingly easy. Everyone is getting along great. The two young pups, following the lead of the resident dogs, were house trained in just a couple of days.
We have a routine which is comforting to our dogs as well as to guest dogs. They know what to expect and when to expect it. We eat around the same time, in the same place each day. Everyone has their spot in the bedroom. It’s very cute to see a couple of dogs snuggle together on a bed. It’s bone time now, so I have time to write. Either a bone, bully stick or a frozen peanut butter kong is lunch each day. They run like crazy in the morning. Take a nap while I run errands mid morning. Hang out and do chores in the afternoon. Play ball when Joe gets home; have dinner, and then go for a walk; play some more and then get their teeth brushed, their body brushed, their ears cleaned if needed and go to bed.
March 30, 2012 No Comments
March 29, 2012 No Comments
Super Seven Turn Two
Happy Birthday to:
1. Moochie
2. Kramer
3. Schroeder
4. Ryley
5. Addie
6. Lucy
7. LeeDee
The first, and only, litter of pups taken into the rescue. We were contacted by a vet’s office when one of the litter had parvo. The breeder could not afford the expensive treatment and was going to let “the strong survive.”
We rescued the pups. They were quarantined at a vet’s office, and NONE of them came down with parvo…..parasites galore, but no parvo.
Happy birthday Super Seven.
March 29, 2012 3 Comments
Canine Cancer Info
Over half of us will learn that our golden has cancer at some point in their life. It’s the only reason I buy health insurance for my dogs as treatment can be expensive. Here is a good web site with videos about different types of cancer and treatment options. One thing I’ve taken to heart is that our dog picks up on our emotional response and attitude towards a cancer diagnosis, so after the initial shock, it’s in your dog’s best interest if you arm yourself with info to help you make good choices about your dog’s physical care.
March 28, 2012 No Comments
Meet Macy
Macy is almost 6 months old and was pulled from a “pound.” Apparently, in the South there is a difference between “pounds” and “shelters.” A pound is where dogs are taken to be euthanized. They get no medical care and rarely come out, BUT Macy WAS rescued by us.
We got an email about a petite (30 lbs) golden mix who needed rescue. A foster home was available, but a rescue needed to pay for vetting/transport. We said “yes” as I knew we have families interested in adopting petite females and Miss Macy is a very dark, almost Irish setter red, and I knew someone was looking for a girl just like Miss Macy.
Macy became very ill a couple of days after leaving “the pound” and was taken to the ER vet. Apparently, the local vet had not treated for the right type of internal parasites. Macy had a very high fever and was spewing from both ends. After some fluids, antibiotics and the proper dewormer Macy was as good as new.
Macy is friendly, gets along with other dogs and lives with a houseful of kids. She was spay last week and will be coming from Tennesee the first week in April ready for her furever family.
March 28, 2012 1 Comment
A Good Life
Posted for Kristi
Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish
Wolfhound named Belker. The dog’s owners, Ron, his wife Melanie, and their
little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping
for a miracle.
I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we
couldn’t do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia
procedure for the old dog in their home.
As we made arrangements, Ron and Melanie told me they thought it would be
good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though
Shane might learn something from the experience.
The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker ‘s family
surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last
time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few
minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.
The little boy seemed to accept Belker’s transition without any
difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker’s
Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter
than human lives.
Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ”I know why.”
Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned
me. I’d never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way
I try and live.
He said,” People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life
like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?” The
Six-year-old continued,
”Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t have to stay as
long.”
Since that day as a vetenarian, and just a person I have added some lengthy adult words to help me remember the lessons that Belker lived, and Shane had learned from.
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure
Ecstasy.
Take naps.
Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you’re not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle
them gently.
There comes a time in life, when you walk away from all the drama and
people who create it. You surround yourself with people who make you
laugh, forget the bad, and focus on the good. So, love the people who treat you right. Think good thoughts for the ones who don’t. Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling down is part of LIFE…Getting back up is the biggest part of LIVING…
I try to remember Shane’s simple all understanding sentence every day.
March 28, 2012 No Comments
This Season’s Ticking Bomb
March 28, 2012 2 Comments
Another quick update on Tanner
He is so wonderful, wagging his tail and following us all over the house every time we move. He did not bother our cat when they met. The cat wasn’t happy 
. He finally settled down after eating to take a nap.
Here is a picture of all three getting a treat. He sits on command! Tanner will make a wonderful family member once he is neutered and his skin issues have been treated.
March 27, 2012 2 Comments