Gracie's Delicate Matter

The most perplexing thing happened recently. I bought Gracie a round dog bed for our car rides. I thought it might protect the seat and give her a little extra comfort.

The bed was one of those eco beds. The stuffing was made from recycled bottles or something. It had a rubber bottom that would be great for cleanup and little grippy things on the bottom to keep the bed from sliding about in the car. Sounds perfect, right?

Well, how can I put this delicately? Gracie…ah, made the bed her boyfriend? Understand what I mean? She would exhibit this strange behavior and then urinate on it. I washed the bed, thinking some phantom scent was causing the problem. It did not matter. She did it again.

A friend of mine said that his cat would urinate on bathroom rugs with no-slip latex backing. The cat never urinated on any other rugs. When he removed all rugs with that type of backing, the urination stopped.

The same applies with Gracie. She has never done this with any other dog bed I have bought or made for her. Why am I telling you this? Dogs have extraordinarily sensitive noses. Rather than being cross at her for ruining the new bed, I simply removed it. There must be something in that eco material, fabric, rubber backing – who knows – that disagrees with her. I am not saying that all eco materials will evoke this reaction. I just thought it was strange and wondered if anyone else has experienced this sort of problem with their pet.

Rescue Mommy

The Whole Dog Journal

While cruising around on the Internet, I found the following website:

http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/

It has some interesting articles about selecting good dog food, training, and other dog-related issues. Some of the articles are free. You must be subscriber to access other articles. The annual subscription rate is $20. Take a peek when you get a chance.

Rescue Mommy

Car Therapy

Now that it is not snowing every other day, I am making a concerted effort to reduce Gracie’s fear of riding in the car. As the trainer suggested, I am moving very, very slowly.

About two weeks ago, I began by taking Gracie to the car for her evening snack. We would sit in the back seat and have our little snack. After about a week, she began to explore around the car. I took this as a sign to move up the training.

Next, we tried eating the kibble with the car running. She was a bit upset at first. She calmed in a bit once she started nibbling on the kibble.

We have now advanced to driving to the end of the driveway and back. (We live in the country; it is a long driveway.) Last Friday, we made it to the end with only one whimper, which is progress.

At this rate, I realize it is going to take awhile to help her. I would be happy if she would just stop shaking and relax in the seat. That would be my definition of success. Please share any tips you have if you have experienced this too. I will keep you posted.

Rescue Mommy

Step Away from the Terrier

On Saturday, I dropped by a Brother Wolf Animal Rescue adoption event. I immediately zoomed to the Jack Russell Terrier mix. He was so cute! His name was Skippy. (See "Adopt Me" page for details.)

He was energetic. He really enjoyed playing with a mini tennis ball. He was curious about his reflection in a store’s glass window. He was not troubled by traffic. He had concerns about larger dogs who approached him, just like Gracie. I suspect this a little dog thing, as I have heard lots of other people say their small dogs exhibit the same behavior around larger dogs.

What kept me from adopting him on the spot? I could hear a voice inside, the collective voice of the trainers I have visited, shouting, “NO TERRIERS!!!”

I cannot help myself. Now that I have experienced life with a terrier, I love them. They have so much spirit and intelligence. I must consider Gracie’s needs too. She still has anxiety issues that we have not totally conquered. Would another terrier make her more anxious, as the Jack Russell puppy did? Or would a balanced dog ease her anxiety? Was Skippy the balanced dog I needed, or is he too energetic for her? If only dogs could talk!!!

The friendly lady from Brother Wolf said Gracie and I could come to the shelter for a proper visit. I did not go, though. The more I thought about it, the more concerned I became about pairing Gracie with another high energy dog. I have a feeling the trainers might be right. If Gracie was a balanced dog, it would probably be fine. With her anxiety issues, though, I just do not think it is a good idea. So, I should enjoy the terrier I have and admire others from afar.

Rescue Mommy

ASPCA Virtual Pet

While preparing last week’s article about household toxins, I noticed the ASPCA website gives you the opportunity to adopt a virtual pet. I thought it might be a cool thing for kids to try. Apparently, you must care for it just like a real furry friend. Here is the link to their website:  http://www.aspca.org/

Enjoy!

Rescue Mommy

Noise Phobias

Gracie is big bundle of anxiety wrapped in a Jack Russell suit. As I have mentioned in the past, she hates car rides, motorcycles, gun shots, and pretty much any loud noise. While flipping through the latest Drs. Foster and Smith pet supply catalog, I spotted an article about dealing with pet phobias. I found the link on their Pet Education site:

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+2085&aid=2545

The article was very interesting. It mentions the usual tactics of desensitization as a means of alleviating the fear. It offers other tips too and includes a discussion about medical treatment available.

The article also offers links to three websites who sell CDs to aid in desensitization. I took a peek at the sites. One company lets you listen to part of the CD. Gracie’s ears perked up when I played it, which was interesting. You can even download the “songs” from that particular company’s site right away. With the other sites, you must order a CD and wait.

If your pet has phobias, the above article is worth a look. You never know. They may have a suggestion you have not tried. Please feel free to share any tips you have found to be useful. We could all use some help!

Rescue Mommy

A Clean House is Making Me Sick!

A few years ago,we noticed that the cats would always vomit after we mopped the floors. We figured it was Murphy’s Law. Then, one day, it occurred to us that maybe the floor cleaner we used might be the real culprit. We tried an eco-friendly, plant-based product, and the vomitting stopped.

Just as it affects us humans, chemicals in household cleaners impact the health of our furry friends. The ASPCA has a very interesting area on their website that provides information about household cleaners:

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/ask-the-expert/ask-the-expert-poison-control/cleaning-products-2.aspx

(In case the link is inactive sometime in the future, just go to aspca.org and look for information about their poison control center.)

For example, did you know that the fabric softener sheets we sometimes toss in the dryer can be toxic to our cats? On the ASPCA site, they state dryer sheets can cause gastrointestinal distress, among other things.

You can also obtain a free safety packet from the ASPCA. It includes a magnet that lists their poison control center number. Unfortunately, their poison control center is not free; you must pay a consultation fee. Of course, who wouldn’t gladly pay a fee if your pet is in distress?

We hope you find this website as usual as we did.

Rescue Mommy and Daddy

Protect Mama...to the Extreme

As I recently wrote, the flu paid a visit to our house. Gracie was very protective of me when I was sick. She charged in front of me whenever Kiki approached. She blocked nearly every attempt Kiki made to come near me.

Unfortunately, this behavior has continued. Kiki and Gracie have had some nasty fights as a result. It is very strange. She does not react this way when Maddy comes around. In fact, Maddy routinely sashays into the room when Gracie is eating and rubs her head against my arm. Gracie does not have any problems with Maddy.

I suspect we have a battle for head of the household. Kiki has been the chief long before Gracie’s arrival. Gracie, feeling superior to a cat, has finally had enough of Kiki’s bullying. Regardless of the cause, it cannot continue. If you have had experiences like this and can offer advice, it would be much appreciated.

Rescue Mommy

P.S.  She does not exhibit these behaviors around Rescue Daddy.  She knows he is a cat lover and does not waste her energy.

RELOAD: Shirts, Smells, & Supplements

I wanted to revisit an earlier post I made about various items I have tried to alleviate Gracie's anxiety.  I have added an update about the Thundershirt at the end.

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

Update about the Thundershirt:  It is hit-and-miss with this product.  She shakes violently whenever I bring it out.  She now associates the Thundershirt with the car ride.  However, the last time she wore it, her anxiety seemed to lessen a little.  I am not sure if it was the Thundershirt, the TTouch massage I gave her, the DAP, or the position of the moon that day.  It is tough to say with Gracie. 

RELOAD: 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 about after the 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

RELOAD: Help! Heartworm and Flea Meds are Draining my Wallet!

With spring hopefully on the way, it is time to use flea meds again (if you do not use them year-round, like me).  I thought you might like to read this post for tips on saving some money:

Routine medicines like heartworm and flea preventatives are expensive. Here are some ways I save money on these medicines.

With the flea medicine, I do not apply the medicine year-round. In our area, the peak season seems to be the most critical time. Ticks are a bigger problem than fleas.

I only apply flea medicine to Gracie. The cats are strictly indoor and do not need it. As long as Gracie’s flea and tick issues are under control, the cats have been protected. You may not be so lucky. It is just something to consider.

I also buy a good quality flea medicine. Years ago, I tried the cheaper brands. They were not effective with my pets. If the product does not work for your pet, you are not saving money.

With heartworm medicine, I asked my vet if he would match the price offered by Doctors Foster and Smith. He did. The savings paid for a few extra months of medicine.

Speaking of Doctors Foster and Smith, they offer free shipping on all healthcare items such as flea, heartworm, and other medicines. Their prices seem to be competitive. They do require a prescription for some of the medicines. Details about their requirements can be found in their catalog or on their website, drsfostersmith.com.

I am sure other websites are out there too. I just like this particular site because they ship items quickly and have good prices. No, they did not offer me an endorsement deal…but we are open to it. Hey, as I said, the meds drain the wallet!

Rescue Mommy

Pet Obesity

We found another interesting article. This one appeared in the Wall Street Journal, of all places, on February 22, 2011. Here is the link:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704476604576158372088195308.html?KEYWORDS=pet+obesity

Even if your buddy is not overweight, you should check out the article. They have some rather amusing pictures of dogs on specially designed treadmills. Have we really come to that?? We would rather put our dog on a treadmill than get off the sofa and take him/her for a proper walk?

Rescue Mommy and Daddy

Pets and Alzheimer’s

Catching the flu has given us some time to read. We spotted an article in Sunday’s paper about ways to protect your pet from Alzheimer’s disease as well as the link between animals and humans. Here is a link to the article:

http://www.usaweekend.com/article/20110225/HOME05/110224003/Pets-and-Alzheimer-s-More-ways-to-help-your-dog

Happy reading!

Rescue Mommy and Daddy