Book Review: Puppy Chow is Better Than Prozac by Bruce Goldstein

Book Review: Puppy Chow is Better Than Prozac: The True Story of a Man and the Dog Who Saved His Life. Bruce Goldstein, 2008.


If you ever wondered what it would be like to descend into the depths of depression or suffer extreme manic behavior, Mr. Goldstein succeeds in taking you to that dark place. Diagnosed with manic depression and suffering from a broken heart, Mr. Goldstein’s life is pure misery. The knives in his kitchen are telling him to kill himself. He sees Satan at a park.

During a weekend with friends, he has a severe episode. Alone in his room, a friend’s dog comes to him. The dog does not judge. The dog is not afraid of him. In desperation, Mr. Goldstein decides maybe a dog would help him regain his life.

He adopts a black Labrador Retriever who he names Ozzy. You will laugh out loud as he describes the first harrowing night with a puppy, the first poop-scoop, the first bath. I particularly loved the puppy diaper bag he packed. For example, he carries a spray bottle to cool Ozzy's feet; who would think of that?

Ozzy transforms his life. Mr. Goldstein must now focus on something other than his lost love or other problems. He also introduces Mr. Goldstein to lots of different people. After all, who can resist a puppy?

Mr. Goldstein has a great way of describing his journey. It is heavy subject matter. Stick with it. When Ozzy enters Mr. Goldstein’s life, you will be inspired by how much the dog transforms his life. No, Ozzy does not cure Mr. Goldstein’s mental illness. He helps him to find balance, though.

As an aside, thank you to Mr. Goldstein for the rant about KFC. I agree wholeheartedly and laughed out loud when you described what “KFC” really means.

If you want to know what that comment was all about as well as read a truly inspirational story, I suggest picking up a copy of this book. The dog DOES NOT die at the end, so don’t worry about that. And, the closing line is excellent: “I thank God this book was written by Bruce Goldstein. Not in memory of.” Good boy, Ozzy.

Rescue Mommy

Preparing for Puppy

Gracie is an angel. Her damage total is very light. She shredded a piddle pad. She tore holes into the little bag in which they stuff newspapers when it rains. That’s about it.

A puppy, on the other hand, can be a little whirlwind. I spent the weekend puppy proofing the house. Fortunately, I already had cabinet locks and outlet covers in case the nephews and niece visit. I added a few extra throw rugs in the basement. Since the little guy has a bum leg, slippery floors would exacerbate the problem. I still have more things to do. I have a few low-lying things that will definitely be plundered if not properly stowed.

I also bought a tiny harness and collar for him. It is not fancy stuff. I could not resist. I bought a little sweater too to keep him warm, but I think it is too big. He is a tiny fellow.

I received a status report from his foster mom. She said he was neutered last week. The surgery went well. She also said his leg seems to be getting better. The muscle tone is showing an improvement. Let’s hope the improvements continue. It would be great if the leg could be saved. No offense to tripods!

I am still waiting for the all clear for the puppy slumber party. As soon as I have a date, I will let you know. For now, I need to pay attention to Ms. Gracie. Because of the heavy rain, she was deprived of her twice daily speed runs. She is feeling feisty.

Rescue Mommy

Is He The One?

On Sunday, we met a puppy named Jack who is available for adoption. He is a 9-week old Jack Russell Terrier who was found hiding underneath a parked car. One of his legs was in bad shape. The folks at the rescue group are not sure if he was hit by a car or otherwise injured and abandoned. He has had surgery to correct the damage. We will have to take it month-by-month to see if the leg can be saved.

We were a little nervous about meeting a terrier. After all, the trainer had warned that another terrier with high energy could be trouble. We had to meet him, though, after we spotted his picture and heard his story.

Little Jack was surprisingly mellow. He was a little feisty when he first met Gracie. He wanted to play with her; she was not interested. Then, he strolled around the park, putting things in his mouth (as puppies do) and checking out the area.

He did not fidget when I held him. More importantly, Gracie did not have a problem with me giving him affection. She usually barks whenever I pet Kiki, so this was interesting. Of course, Kiki picks on Gracie quite a bit, so I can understand the annoyance.

Will he be the one? We do not know yet. It will be at least two weeks before we can bring him home for a slumber party. Yes, I said slumber party. The rescue group will let us bring him home for a weekend to make sure Gracie likes him before we make a permanent commitment. We will let you know when that day comes and tell you how it works out. Stay tuned!

Rescue Mommy

Book Review Coming: Puppy Chow is Better Than Prozac by Bruce Goldstein

I have not quite finished Puppy Chow is Better Than Prozac by Bruce Goldstein.  I hoped to finish it in time for this week’s blog posting.

I am about halfway through the book. I have really enjoyed it thus far, even though the subject matter is a bit heavy. It is the story of a man diagnosed with manic depression and his horrible struggles with the illness. In desperation, he decides a dog might help. I have reached the section where he has just adopted a black Lab puppy. His description of the first night with his new friend is laugh out loud funny in parts.

Stay tuned for the full review later….

Rescue Mommy

Protect Mama!

As I have mentioned in the past, Gracie does her best imitation of a Rottweiler whenever she sees a larger dog. From what I have heard, this is very common among smaller dogs. It is still unacceptable, though, regardless of the dog’s size.

I have tried different tricks recommended by trainers. Nothing seemed to click with her. Then, while reading a JRT breed book, I got an idea. The book mentioned that Jack Russells are protective. Why not work with the instinct instead of against it?

Gracie runs to me whenever I crouch down to her level. She wants to be petted and to give kisses. For the last several days, I have tried using her desire for affection to correct aggression.

We routinely encounter two very mean dogs on our daily walk. When we approach the house, Gracie goes into full-on Rottie mode. When she does this, I crouch to the ground. I say, “Gracie, protect Mama!!”

The first time I tried this, I had to say the command a few times. She finally turned, saw that I was down on her level, and ran to me. She then stood beside me as I repeated “protect Mama.” (By the way, I would NEVER try this if the dogs were actually charging us. I only do it when I know the dogs are securely restrained in their yard.)

My ultimate goal is to teach Gracie to come to my side whenever she is in a stressful situation. The “protect Mama” command will be the initial queue. I plan to continue this little exercise and hope to reach a point where I no longer have to bend to her level or issue a command. I want her to automatically come to me. She is a very smart dog. With repetition, I think I can get there.

When you are trying to correct an undesired behavior in your dog, I recommend looking at the dog’s natural behaviors. Then, try to think of a way you can use that behavior to accomplish what you want. Don’t give up!

Rescue Mommy

More Stuff

We have decided to broaden the subject matter for the Rescue Pets Review blog. We plan to spend a little more time discussing training challenges and progress and other issues that pop up when you have furry companions. We will still offer reviews about books and products.

We want to offer more content, though. Let’s face it. Being a responsible pet owner is about more than the gear you buy. We hope you like the direction we are taking. Stay tuned!

Rescue Mommy and Daddy

Wacky Walkr Leash

Cost around $22, depending upon size
Website listed below shows retailers who sell this leash.
Website:  https://wackywalkr.websitesource.net/

This leash is the trick! I used it this past weekend when Gracie and I visited the vet and ran errands. During previous excursions “in public,” I felt as if my shoulder would be dislocated whenever Gracie spotted something of interest. As advertised, the Wacky Walkr leash restricts pulling.

When she charged forward, the leash absorbed the impact. I only felt a slight tug. Gracie did not seem bothered. This will be the shortest product review ever – buy this leash if you have a dog who loves to tug!  It is amazing!

Rescue Mommy

The Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook & The Cat Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook

Book review: The Dog Owner’s Home Veterinary Handbook and The Cat Owner’s Home Veterinary Handbook, Drs. Debra M. Eldredge, Liisa D. Carlson, Delbert G. Carlson, and James M. Giffin, 2007.

I bought the handbooks around the time that I learned my first dog had cancer. Since that time, I have referred to the dog handbook too many times to count. It is filled with useful, detailed information every pet owner should have at his or her fingertips.

The inside front cover contains an index of signs and symptoms that is very helpful. The book itself has pictures for certain conditions and anatomical diagrams for others. I especially like that it describes in detail which conditions should prompt an immediate vet visit and offers practical advice for those conditions that do not. For example, the authors have a detailed explanation of various forms of diarrhea, offer home remedies, and discuss various causes beyond the usual food intolerance. Yes, it is a bit gross, but that’s life!

I am sure the cat handbook is just as helpful. Thankfully, I have not needed it – yet. I highly recommend adding these books to your library.

Rescue Mommy

Gracie's Latest "Trick"

She likes to eat her dry food in the evenings.  She wants me to hold the bowl, tilted, while she eats upstairs.  Tonight, she growled softly when I ignored her.  Spoiled much?

Rescue Mommy

Who is the Trainer?

As I mentioned in earlier posts, we have been thinking about adding another dog to our furry family. We have met with a trainer. During Saturday’s visit to the vet, we got her thoughts about the situation. We want to share our thought process in case you too are thinking about either bringing your first pet into your home or adding another to your brood.

On Saturday, I visited a pet adoption fair with Gracie. I was not seriously interested in finding a pet that day. I wanted to use the experience as a training exercise. What could be more chaotic that a bunch of dogs and cats at an adoption fair?

It turned out to be a great training exercise for me too. When you see a dog in a cage, who does not want to take it home, especially if the dog in question is super cute and whimpering? Plus, I absolutely love dogs as much as Rescue Daddy loves cats. If I could, I would take every single one of those dogs home with me. However, I have a responsibility to find a dog that will be a good match for Gracie, Kiki, and Maddy.

I forced aside those emotions and seriously evaluated what traits would be best for them. It was an important exercise. I strongly urge you to be as objective as possible. Take a friend with you when you look, if you do not think you can be objective. You are about to make a serious commitment to care for another life.

Gracie growled at the big dogs, as she always does (so much for that gorgeous yellow Lab). She was less threatened by dogs in her size range. She was inquisitive but not aggressive, an appropriate reaction. “Yappers” made her anxious. Even though she is a terrier, she is mellow at home. The trainer had advised that a high energy dog might amp up Gracie. It would certainly terrify the cats.

I left the fair with more ideas of what my work with our family. I had also gained valuable information from one of the rescue groups. It turns out that they will let you take a dog home for the weekend, so you can see if all the family members are happy together. Then, if all goes well, you can finalize the adoption.

I also have reconciled myself to the fact that Gracie may not find someone she likes. She may prefer to be the only dog. I will continue to update this blog as we determine what to do.

Rescue Mommy

Book Review: The Loved Dog by Tamar Geller

The Loved Dog: The Playful, Non Aggressive Way to Teach Your Dog Good Behavior, Tamar Geller with Andrea Cagan, 2007.

I raised my two previous dogs from puppyhood. Since Gracie was three when I adopted her, I knew training her would be a completely different experience. What had her previous owner(s) instilled in her? Did she have any doggie manners? Would she try to attack the cats? Was she properly socialized?

The Loved Dog was one of the first books I read after Gracie joined our family. Ms. Geller is a former Israeli intelligence officer who founded the first cage-free doggy boarding and daycare center in southern California. She developed cruelty-free training techniques based upon her experiences from a troubled childhood and the abusive training methods she witnessed while serving in the military.

I really enjoyed this book. Ms. Geller’s approach is gentle and methodical. I felt her techniques were geared more toward gradually building a bond with your dog than mastering dominance over him or her. In fact, it seems to me that “gentle leader” would be the role she wants you to have, not domineering master.

Her methods are logical. For example, she notes that we often ramble on and on when giving a command to our dog: “Now, Gracie, I want you to be a good girl and potty as soon as we go outside because Mommy is tired and wants to go to bed.” So, what exactly did you want me to do, Mommy?? She recommends that you say the word “good” and add the command – “good walk,” “good sit,” et cetera. It builds the dog’s vocabulary and gives him/her a better chance at success.

Another technique I liked was her rewards system. She recommends having three levels of treats: gold, silver, and bronze. The higher the treat value (i.e. gold), the more complicated the behavior. I tried this technique early on with the car-riding phobia. Unfortunately, Gracie had completely shut down by then. No treat in the world would bring her back. I still think the system could be very effective, though. In my situation, I feel it would be better to try it when Gracie and I are learning other obedience commands, not trying to conquer fear.

Overall, I have found that her non-aggressive methods are effective with Gracie. I do not want Gracie to do something because she fears me. I want her to do it because she is having fun. You will find lots of great tips in the book. I would definitely recommend adding The Loved Dog to your training library.

Rescue Mommy

How to Select a Leash

Go into any pet store (or even retail store, for that matter), and you will be astonished at the variety of leashes available. Back in the day, you had a choice between either a nylon leash in primary colors or a leather leash. Today, you have endless choices – leashes made from eco-friendly hemp, leashes that resemble tattoo designs, leashes in nearly every color and pattern imaginable. If you are a new pet companion, how do you choose the right leash for you?

At minimum, you need a basic, 6-foot nylon leash. Most leashes come in 3 widths – 5/8 inch, 3/4 inch, and 1 inch. The wider the width, the bigger the dog. If you have a larger dog, the theory is a wider width gives you a bit of leverage. (Having owned two dogs who weighed 70 pounds each in their prime, I can say that it helps a little.) A 6-ft. leash is a good length for everyday use and essential for urban environments. In fact, I have seen signs at some dog-friendly beaches stating the leash can be no longer than 6 feet.

You will see longer lengths in leashes. You can find anything from 25 to 100 feet. Keep in mind that these leashes are intended for training purposes, not daily walks. In my experience, the farther your dog is from you, the harder it is to control him or her. Unless your dog is perfect little citizen, you want him or her close by. You would not want your friend to dart in front of a car.

What about retractable leashes? I do not like them. A lot of trainers agree. I tried one with Gracie. I did not feel as if I had control. Plus, the leash’s width is so small. I envisioned it snapping at the first hard tug.

Speaking of tugging, I just bought a special leash called a “Wacky Walkr.” The leash bit is a piece of latex that looks and feels like an exercise band. The idea is the leash will offer some resistance when the dog pulls. The leash does the work, not you. I have heard that this type of leash is a great training tool if you need to address pulling issues. I will update you after I have had a chance to fully test the leash.

These are just a few of the leash options. Remember, you do not need a fancy leash. Your dog is more interested in the walk than a $150 Gucci leash. Good luck!

Rescue Mommy

Patience is Rewarded

We had two training breakthroughs over the weekend. They may seem minor to you. They were major for our little furry family.

The first breakthrough involves Maddy. Gracie has been a part of our family for almost eleven months now. For the entire time, Maddy has hidden under the bed whenever Gracie is upstairs. Over the weekend, Maddy crept from her hideaway a few times while Gracie was upstairs. She even came face to face with Gracie on a few occasions. She did not run. She stood her ground. She hissed at Gracie a couple of times. It was a miracle.

The next breakthrough came from Miss Gracie. From Day One, I have asked her to sit before she is allowed outside. I am happy to say that, within her first 24 hours here, she mastered that command. However, there is one time when she refuses to do it – the bedtime potty break. She looks at me sideways and pretends not to hear me.

It is frustrating. On Saturday night, she plopped down on command and happily waited to go outside. It was amazing.

Will these little miracles continue? Who knows? The important thing to remember when you are training your pets is that it is an ongoing battle. Rejoice when it goes well. Continue to be patient when it does not.

Happy Labor Day holiday to our readers in the States and Canada!

Rescue Mommy

Good Shake! Good Shake!!

The following training techniques were recommended specifically for Gracie. If your dog is experiencing problems, we strongly recommend that you pay a visit to a good trainer in your area. And, please, please do not scold or physically punish your dog. You are only making the situation worse.


The first step is to revisit obedience training. For example, Gracie needs to learn to say “please” for almost everything. She says “please” by sitting.

The key with training is to teach her to look for us for direction. At present, Gracie’s anxiety reaches crisis levels because she does not know what to do. It is “fight or flight.” Once she learns to look to us, her anxiety should ease.

The trainer mentioned we should encourage the “shake” calming signal by saying “good shake!” If Gracie feels better by having a good shake, she can use that as a tool to calm herself. Plus, think of all the loose hair we will not have to comb!

We should also use the Thundershirt and DAP mentioned in the previous post whenever she exhibits anxiety (during a thunderstorm, for example) or when we know she will be in a situation that typically causes stress. Then, the trainer advised that we introduce Gracie to the least-stressful events first and slowly build to more stressful things.

For example, we should take her to a small town that has some street traffic but not as much as a busy city street. Go to a pet store early in the morning or late in the day. Take short car rides, building up to longer rides. We had been doing this already but not recognizing the improvements we wanted. As she becomes more comfortable in these situations, her anxiety should lessen.

We hope to have a better chance to modify the stressed behavior. The trainer emphasized that Gracie needs to see us as the leaders. She needs to feel secure. In her present, high anxiety state, she does not feel confident. We need to instill that confidence in her, let her know that Rescue Mommy and Rescue Daddy will protect her from all the things that are scaring her. We will keep you posted on her progress.

Rescue Mommy and Daddy

Shirts, Smells, and Supplements

Before our visit with the trainer, I had tried several different techniques and remedies. I have created a list of some of them so that you can consider them for your anxious pet.

Disclaimer: Before you try any technique/remedy/et cetera, please consult with your veterinarian. Your pet may have a medical reason for his or her anxiety, may be using a medicine that could cause an adverse reaction with the remedy, or have a medical condition that would be exacerbated by alternative medicines.

Now that we have that out of the way, let’s review:

Bach Rescue Remedy.  It is a homeopathic remedy that contains herbal ingredients. It is advertised as a natural way to relive stress for your pet. It can be used on both cats and dogs. You administer 4 drops of the remedy in whatever way you can get your pet to consume it – on a treat, mixed in water, et cetera. (TIP: A colleague of mine uses chicken broth.)

I have heard some people say it works well for them. I suppose it depends upon how stressed your pet is. In Gracie’s case, I noticed zero improvement.

Lavender essential oil. This scent is soothing to both humans and animals. You put a few drops in water and mix well. You can then apply it to the underside of bedding, spritz it in the air, et cetera. It made Gracie sneeze.

NutriCalm for Dogs by Rx Vitamins. I purchased this through my vet’s office. It is a natural supplement that contains tryptophan, the substance that makes us snooze after Thanksgiving turkey. (Honestly, Uncle Bud, it is the turkey, not your boring conversation, that made me fall asleep.)

The capsules are HUGE for a little dog. I broke open a capsule and shoveled the powder into a treat. Then, Gracie and I wrestled a bit before she finally ate the treat.

I saw very, very little change in Gracie. I first gave it to her at home. She yawned a bit more frequently than normal. I then gave it to her before a long car ride, which causes the highest level of stress for her. I did not see an appreciable improvement. She could have been so overwrought, though, that it did not have a chance to work.

A colleague of mine gives this supplement to her arthritic dog. She swears by it. She said her dog used to be extremely restless at bedtime and did not sleep well. Since her dog has been taking NutriCalm, she rests much better at night.

UltraCalm tablets by Drs. Foster and Smith. These supplements are similar to NutriCalm. They had no effect on Gracie.

Dog Appeasing Pheromone (DAP). The concept behind DAP is mother dogs secrete pheromones that calm their puppies. DAP mimics those pheromones. It is available in travel wipes, sprays, and a plug-in device (similar to those stinky air fresheners you see on TV).

I tried the wipes. They had a strong alcohol smell that faded after a few minutes. I saw no change at all. I have since learned that I may have picked the wrong delivery system.

The trainer said you must use the appropriate dosage, or it may not work well. She used the spray. She applied 10 sprays to a bandana and tied it around Gracie’s neck. Gracie was also wearing a Thundershirt (more on that in a bit). I saw a gradual calming effect on Gracie. She did not completely chill, but you could see the anxiety easing.

Thundershirt.  It looks like a simple jersey shirt. You almost expect to see a cute message to be printed on the back.
The Thundershirt swaddles your dog. It applies pressure that is meant to have a calming effect. I had read about it but was hesitant to try yet another thing that might not work.

The trainer and I wrestled Gracie into the shirt. With both DAP and the Thundershirt, I noticed an improvement. Again, I want to emphasize that she did not completely relax. However, she began to relax. That is the first step in addressing the problem. She began to respond to training, which was my ultimate goal. I could work with her now.

You can get more information about the Thundershirt at their website – http://www.thundershirt.com/. Pay close attention to the chest measurements. The shirt is meant to fit snugly.


I know now that it sometimes takes a combination of things to ease tension in highly-stressed pets. Yes, I realize that I could ask the vet for the doggy equivalent of Prozac. I prefer to use natural methods whenever possible, though. Gracie’s anxiety is not so intense or life threatening that strong drugs are necessary.

We plan to use DAP and the Thundershirt whenever we approach situations that traditionally create stress. Tomorrow, we will discuss how training is used in the next component of our behavior modification project.

Rescue Mommy

Under Pressure

Gracie is a sweet, mellow dog at home, unlike your typical impression of a terrier. She rarely barks. She does not chase cats – well, only when they run from her. She learns new commands very quickly. She is content to sit in your lap.

However, loud noises such as cars, thunderstorms, motorcycles, et cetera scare her. A visit to the vet’s office, pet store, or a busy city presents her with so many stimuli that she is overwhelmed. While she now joyfully hops into the car, she curls into a ball as soon as she realizes we are not going to grandma’s house. Does any of this sound like behaviors you see in your dog?
We all recognize the laid-back ears, panting, and trembling as signs of stress and anxiety. I learned that dogs can present other signs:

• Shaking vigorously (think after a bath)
• Refuses to eat special treat
• Does not respond to training
• Nuzzles you for comfort

Gracie exhibited all of these behaviors during our recent visit with the trainer. She explained to me that dogs use these signals to calm themselves in stressful situations.

When Gracie gets to this stage, she shuts down. The only thing you can do is remove her from the situation. This is not a solution to the problem.

The trick is to find something that lowers her anxiety. Then, you can begin to address the issue. In tomorrow’s post, we will discuss some of the various products on the market that claim to reduce your pet’s anxiety. Stay tuned!

Rescue Mommy