Brother Wolf Ball

If you live in the Asheville area and are looking for something fun to do on New Year’s Eve, check out the Events Calendar.  Brother Wolf is having its annual masked ball. 

You can also check out www.bwar.org  for more information.  Be safe!

Rescue Mommy and Daddy

Holiday Hazards

Christmas is here.  Like all holidays, it is time to be hyper-vigilant about foods our pets might consume.  We all know that chocolate is highly toxic to pets.  Did you know that these foods are toxic too?

Coffee

Caffeine

Alcohol

Avocado

Macadamia Nuts

Grapes and Raisins

Yeast Dough

Raw/Undercooked Meat, Eggs, and Bones

Xylitol (artificial sweetener)

Onions, Garlic, Chives

Milk

Salt

*Source:  ASPCA website

If your pet eats any of these or other toxic items, call your vet immediately.  You can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435.  They charge a consulting fee for the call, though.

Stay calm.  Be sure to note what and how much your pet has consumed.  If you are not sure what it is, grab whatever is left and take it with you when you head to the vet’s office.

Rescue Mommy

P.S.  Watch out for those poinsettias too!  The plants are highly toxic to pets.  By now, the plants might be dropping leaves as they are slowly dying.  Keep a close eye on them. 

 

People Food Hazards

Christmas is just around the corner.  We all know that chocolate is highly toxic to pets.  Did you know that these foods are toxic too?

Coffee

Caffeine

Alcohol

Avocado

Macadamia Nuts

Grapes and Raisins

Yeast Dough

Raw/Undercooked Meat, Eggs, and Bones

Xylitol (artificial sweetener)

Onions, Garlic, Chives

Milk

Salt

*Source:  ASPCA website

If your pet eats any of these or other toxic items, call your vet immediately.  You can also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435.  They charge a consulting fee for the call, though.

Stay calm.  Be sure to note what and how much your pet has consumed.  If you are not sure what it is, grab whatever is left and take it with you when you head to the vet’s office.

Rescue Mommy

Reality vs. Fantasy

At this time of year, some of you may be thinking about giving a puppy or kitten as a Christmas present.  You picture the expression of sheer joy as your loved one discovers the furry ball of fur under the Christmas tree. You imagine the sweet puppy smell or kitten playfulness. 

That is a nice dream.  Unfortunately, the reality is not quite so cuddly.  Puppies will chew the new pair of socks Aunt Clara bought you.  Kittens will climb the new curtains you bought for the living room – or worse, decide the top of the Christmas tree looks like an excellent location from which to survey his/her new living quarters.

Now is not the best time to bring a pet into a home.  With all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it is really hard to devote enough attention to your new pet.  Experienced pet owners know how much work a new pet is, regardless of the age. 

I am a firm believer that you should never give a pet as a gift unless the person is 100 percent involved in the decision.  If that is the case, I have a suggestion.  Give your loved one a handmade gift certificate.  Offer to pay the adoption fee for the pet whenever the recipient is ready.  You can tuck the gift certificate inside a basket of toys and other goodies for the new pet. 

Also, if you know the person is a pet lover but not ready to add another pet, consider giving a donation to his or her favorite rescue group.  That is something we have on our Christmas list this year.  We have enough junk around the house.   The dogs and cats at Brother Wolf could use the funds much than we can. 

We hope you and your family (furry and human) have a safe and happy holiday season and a healthy, happy new year.

Rescue Mommy

Home for the Holidays Adopt-a-Thon

On Saturday, December 15 and Sunday, December 16, a special Home for the Holidays adoption event will be held at Brother Wolf’s adoption center on Glendale Avenue in Asheville.  Sponsored by Prestige Subaru and the ASPCA, Brother Wolf, Animal Compassion Network, and the Asheville Humane Society will have dogs and cats available for adoption.  The event is from noon until 4:00 p.m. each day.

If you have been thinking about adding a cat or dog to your family, this event gives you an opportunity to see wonderful pets from three rescue organizations.  They will also have a bake sale, so you can pick up some sweet treats while visiting the animals.

Rescue Mommy

Brother Wolf Gifts

Looking for gifts for an animal lover?  Brother Wolf has nice clothes, wine glasses, and pint glasses for sale.  All proceeds benefit Brother Wolf.

If you are interested, you can purchase the items at BWAR’s Re-Tail Store on Glendale Avenue or through their website at www.bwar.org.

Rescue Mommy

Update about Gus

Gus is the miniature Schnauzer we rescued Thanksgiving weekend.  His new parents have kept me up to date about him, so we thought we would share the stories with you.

Gus has been at their home for a week now.  He is adjusting well to his new life.  Within a couple of days, he became the lady’s lapdog.  He sleeps in a comfy crate.  He still whines a bit and scratches at the door, but his parents have noticed he does it less every day.

He has been neutered.  We really hope this helps with his restlessness. 

Gabi, the Schnauzer who already lived in the home, has not warmed to his presence yet.  They are not fighting, though.  She just needs time too. 

We are so happy that Gus found such a wonderful home.  We can tell from our conversations that his new pet parents will give him the home he always deserved.

Rescue Mommy and Daddy

Gold Party at Brother Wolf

Gold parties are somewhat popular, thanks to the economic downturn.  The idea is you take unwanted gold jewelry to a “party” where a jeweler offers to buy the gold from partygoers.  You walk away with a little extra cash and dispose of items you might not use.

I know one of those late-night news shows had a segment recently about how you might not get fair value for your gold jewelry.   Keep that in mind when you read the rest of this post.

This evening, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Brother Wolf Animal Rescue is hosting a gold party at the Second Chance Thrift Store.  The store is located beside their shelter at 49 Glendale Avenue, just off Swannanoa River Road in Asheville.

Laughter Jewelers will be on hand to appraise gold, silver, gemstones, and diamonds.  It does not matter if the item is broken.   If you decide to sell your items to the jeweler, 20 percent of the worth will go to Brother Wolf.  All donations are tax deductible; you will be given a receipt.

As with anything like this, do a little homework so that you know the rough value of your items before you go.  If you are interested in learning more, contact Brother Wolf at 828-505-2017.

Rescue Mommy

Home for the Holidays

Last week, we told you about a miniature Schnauzer we found in the neighborhood.  Long story short, he was bound for the pound.  We could not let that happen. 

We have debated adding another dog to the family for a really, really long time.  His arrival certainly gave us a taste of what that would be like.  What proved most surprising (for me anyway) was Kiki’s reaction.  She is around 15-16 years old.  She was seriously stressed at the new dog’s appearance.

Gracie would not play with him, despite his best attempts.  If he played with her toys, she would grab them from him.  She was distressed whenever he received any attention from me. 

In time, maybe weeks or months, everyone would probably have sorted through their issues.  We decided to quietly put out the word among our dog-loving friends that we found a Schnauzer.  Within an hour, we had a lead on a fantastic family. 

A retired couple had lost one of their Schnauzers to cancer in July.  They were devastated.   Their surviving Schnauzer was also lonely.  They were ecstatic at the opportunity to adopt another Schnauzer.

After talking for a week and making behind-the-scenes inquires about the couple, we decided that the Schnauzer (who we called George) would have a better shot at immediate happiness with them.  It would also restore harmony in our own household.  The only thing George and Gracie enjoyed doing together was chasing Kiki.

The couple will spoil George, who they have renamed Gus.  Before he arrived, they bought lots of things for him and made sure he had presents under the Christmas tree.  Gus seemed to warm right away to the husband.  He walked without hesitation beside him when I turned over the leash.

Just one week earlier, this little guy was roaming outside and days away from being deposited at the local kill shelter.  Now, he has a safe home and can spend this rest of his days indoors, being pampered and loved. 

If you have been thinking about adding a pet to your family, there are thousands of dogs and cats like George/Gus out there.  They are waiting in shelters and with rescue groups.  With love and patience, they will be wonderful additions to your family.

The new parents promised to stay in touch.  We will keep you posted too.  Good luck, Gus!  You deserve every bit of the pampering and love you are about to receive.

Rescue Mommy

Holiday Gift Guide

Hanukah is next week.  Christmas is a few weeks away.  Whatever your holiday preference, you might be looking for gift ideas for the pet lover.  Here are a few:

1.        Puppia harness.  This is the best harness!  I absolutely love it and own several.  You can find it online at Amazon.com.  Also, you can visit the company’s website and find local pet supply stores that carry the harness.

2.       Solve It Taglong Pet Booster Seat.  I bought the booster seat for Gracie when we travel.  She does better in the car with it and even sleeps in it when I bring into the house.

3.       Ruffwear hands-free leash.  Ruffwear makes really great stuff.  The hands-free leash is very durable, has a “no pull” feature that actually works, and can be converted to a standard leash with a few minor adjustments.

4.       Uggie:  My Story.  I wrote a review recently about this book.  It is a must-buy for any Jack Russell terrier lover on your list.

5.       Gift certificate to person’s favorite pet supply store.  Who doesn’t need food and gear for their furry friend?

6.       Brother Wolf Animal Rescue gifts.  They have really cute wine glasses, pint glasses, and shirts for sale at their Re-Tail store or via their website at www.bwar.org.  All proceeds benefit Brother Wolf.

7.       Martha Stewart grooming supplies at PetSmart.  She has a great line of grooming scissors.  I have a pair of facial hair trimmers  on my wish list.

8.       Dog Tag Art id tags.  The company is based in Asheville, NC.  They make a HUGE selection of dog tags.

9.       Dublin Dog collar.  They have a stink-free collar that is really nice.  I bought one for Gracie to wear at the beach.  It was cute, yet sturdy.

10.   Donation in person’s honor to local pet rescue group.

You can search this blog for product reviews for the Puppia harness, pet booster seat, Dog Tag Art id tags, Dublin Dog dog collar, and book review. 

Happy Holidays!

Rescue Mommy

Tips Would Be Appreciated!!

We were so fortunate that Gracie was already housetrained (or incredibly smart about it) when she arrived.  We could really use some housetraining tips if you have any to offer.

Also, please leave a comment if you have a Schnauzer and can tell us your experience with them.  We have no experience with Schnauzers and would love to learn more about the breed.

Patience, love, and information – that’s what this little guy needs!

Rescue Mommy and Daddy

New Addition

If you follow this blog, you know that we have thought for a really, really long time about adding another dog to our household.  We have had Gracie for three years now and questioned whether or not she would like a buddy.

Last week, we visited Brother Wolf a couple of times and found two prospects.  On Friday, we arranged for Gracie to meet one of them, a miniature Schnauzer.  She was completely uninterested.  We left Brother Wolf without the dog.  We wanted to think about it further.

On Saturday afternoon, I popped out for a quick errand.  I was not terribly far from the house when I spotted a Schnauzer trotting alongside the road.  Now, if you see a hound dog in the country, you think nothing of it.  A Schnauzer, though?  That’s rare.

I stopped the car and coaxed him to me.  He was dirty but had been recently groomed.  His collar did not have an identification or rabies tag.  I placed him in the car, convinced he was someone’s dog who had escaped.

I called around the neighborhood.  To make a long story short, it turns out his original owner was going to have him put to sleep because he was “too much trouble.”  The owner’s next-door neighbor had taken in the dog but had second thoughts.  Her Pomeranian did not like him, and she had already spoken with the local shelter.  So, he is now at our house.

The nice lady who took him in had taken him to the vet recently and made sure he had all his shots.  He was given a flea/heartworm preventative.  He has not been neutered, though, and does not appear to be housetrained.  He is used to roaming free as an outside dog so he does not like being inside.  He howls and cries when he cannot go outside – and then howls and cries when he is outside.  The poor guy seems really confused and depressed.

Gracie seems fine with him.  She growls occasionally but otherwise ignores him.  He will be spending his nights in a crate beside our bed while Gracie can continue to sleep on the bed.  Let’s hope that helps Gracie with the transition.

Kiki has been slinking around the house.  She has been face to face with him on a couple of occasions. 

This change is really discombobulating for all of us.  After all, we had not fully decided whether or not we would adopt another dog.  However, we could not let this poor guy end up in the local kill shelter.  We are hoping that, after he is neutered (ASAP!), he will settle down about the roaming thing.  And, when he has been here for more than 24 hours and becomes familiar with the daily routine, maybe his anxiousness will ease.  It will take time and patience.  Let’s all hope for the best!

Rescue Mommy

Deer Season is Here

Gracie and I were excited for a nice hike Sunday afternoon.  As she raced on the trail, we heard a gunshot that was REALLY close.  We both turned and ran toward the house.  Clearly, hunters were already out and about a day early.

On Monday, November 19, hunters can use guns now to hunt deer.  Archery season had been in effect since September, but it takes a lot more skill and deliberation to kill with a bow-and-arrow than it does with a gun.  In North Carolina, the “gun season” started Monday and ends December 8. 

It is time to break out the blaze orange.  Gracie has a little orange vest.  Last Christmas, Rescue Daddy bought me a very nice and bright orange vest like the ones used by hunters.  Hopefully, you can see both of us from miles around.

If you are out and about, trying to walk off all that pumpkin pie, be careful.  Accidents happen every year where hunters mistake people for deer.  Pull on the fluorescent clothes and make a lot of noise in the woods.  Be careful!

Rescue Mommy

Getting Ready for Thanksgiving

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving here in America.  We spend extra time cleaning the house.  We cram all the clutter into closets and hope no one opens the doors, lest everything spill out.  We spend hours and hours in the kitchen.  It is easy to forget our furry friends.  Here are three tips:

·        Be careful with the cleaning products.  A lot of them are toxic to pets.  For example, I use an eco-friendly floor cleaner because the cats vomited every time I used a particular, national brand I cannot name.  The eco brand cleans just as well as the other one, and the floors stay cleaner longer because the cats are not barfing on them!

·        Watch out for the little hoovers!  Gracie and Kiki stay in the kitchen when I am cooking.  I must be extra careful not to drop food onto the floor, or they will scoop it up in a flash.  (You can search this blog for a list of toxic foods.)

·        If crowds are a problem, give your buddy peace and quiet.  While it is important to give your pet opportunities to socialize, it is sometimes better to lock them in a room by themselves.  Socialization should be done before the holidays, when the situation is less stressful for both of you.  If your friend is too stressed by crowds, let them spend Thanksgiving dinner in a quiet room. 

Be safe if you are heading out today for Thanksgiving travels!

Rescue Mommy

Travelling with Your Pet

Thanksgiving week is upon us.  If you are heading out to Grandma’s house with your little buddy, here are a few travel tips:

·      Secure your pet.  Gracie has a car seat (see recent review) now.  Prior to this purchase, I used a safety harness.  Kiki has a crate.   Fortunately, we have lots of options nowadays for securing our furry family members.  It will give you peace of mind as you travel, and your buddy will have a safe place to chill during the journey.

·       Bring enough food for your friend.  Gracie’s food is hard to find.  Maybe your brand is too.  Don’t count on a local pet supply store having your buddy’s brand of food.  Plus, it will be one less hassle once you arrive.  Who wants to spend time driving all over town, looking for a special pet food?

·       Include things from home.  When you are packing for your pet, don’t forget to include a few items that will remind him or her of your home.  Familiar scents and items can ease some of the stress of being in a new situation.

Most important of all, take a deep breath and stay calm.  You travelled all that way to see those people so enjoy your time there.  And, if you get really stressed, take your buddy for a walk.  I am sure he or she will be as ready as you are to get away from all the family chaos.

Good luck!

Rescue Mommy and Daddy

Uggie: My Story

Book Review

Uggie:   My Story
As barked to Windy Holden

Did you see the movie “The Artist?”  I confess I did not see it until a couple of weeks ago.  What can I say?  A mostly silent, black-and-white movie that was an awards season favorite was not high on my “must see” list.  I really wanted to see it at some point, though, because of Uggie.  Yes, the dog, a Jack Russell terrier, is the sole reason I wanted to see this movie.  Big surprise.

Uggie was fantastic.  He took the movie to another level.  In case you are unfamiliar with the film, it is about George Valentin, a fictional silent film star, and his descent when “talkies” replaced silent films.  I will not give away all the details, in case you have not seen the film.  Suffice it to say, Uggie’s character, Jack, remains loyal to the very end.  He works so well with Jean Dujardin. 

They have a special bond, clearly evidenced in one scene of the movie.  You will read all about it in the book.  It is a shame that scene did not make it into the final film.  There would not have been a dry eye in the theatre – and you have no heart if you do not get a little choked up reading about it.

When I saw that Uggie released a memoir, I had to read it.  The book did not disappoint.  The book is about Uggie’s rough start as an out-of-control JRT who was bound for the pound and his journey in the world of show business. 

As a young dog, he committed a terrible sin.  It was the last straw for his owners – either they would find a home by the end of the week or take him to the pound.  Omar Von Muller is the animal trainer who adopted Uggie.  I love what he said about Uggie when he adopted him:  “Uggie only acts crazy because he’s so smart.”  If more people realized that before adopting JRTs and other active breeds, there would be less of these wonderful animals in shelters today.

The book contains great pictures of Uggie on movie sets, at play, et cetera.  He is head-over-heels in love with Reese Witherspoon, to whom he dedicated the book and spends some time pining over in the book.  One little note, Uggie – Reese is from Tennessee, not Louisiana.

You will laugh out loud at stories of Uggie’s misadventures.  These stories are especially meaningful if you have or have ever had a JRT.  I consider myself very lucky that Gracie was three when she joined our family.  If this is how young JRTs are, I missed out on a lot of mischief. 

The book also has a serious message.  Uggie and his dad are advocates for rescue adoption.  According to the book, approximately 80 percent of the cats and dogs we see on TV and in the movies are rescue pets (page 52).  I had no idea the percentage was so high.  It certainly emphasizes what most of us already know – rescue pets are the best!

I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves dogs.  It would make a great holiday gift, especially for someone who has a JRT.  You could also include a copy of the film too.  I actually want to see it again now that I know so much about Uggie.

Uggie, you have another fan!

Rescue Mommy

P.S.

Search “Uggie” on YouTube.  You can watch a bloopers reel from “The Artist” as well as see Uggie’s appearances on TV and watch him skateboard with his friend Dash. 

 

Martha Stewart's Website

I am not Martha Stewart.  I do not spend hours in the kitchen preparing elaborate meals.  I have never even made a whole turkey, much less put those little white booties on its wings.  I do not spend my weekends making ornate doilies from old candy wrappers.   I do not have all my cleaning supplies organized in alphabetical order, by room, by product, by anything. 

However, this Christmas, I am trying really hard to keep expenses low.  I am making a few Christmas gifts instead of buying them.  I had an idea for something and decided the doyenne of domesticity might be the person to help.  I headed to her website at www.marthastewart.com.

I was surprised to see a section for pets.  I really should not have been because she has a line of pet products at PetSmart.  (They are great!)  Curious, I clicked that section and found lots of great ideas.  She has patterns for dog coats that the average person could actually make.  She had a really cool idea for a simple cat toy – take a baby sock, fill it with catnip, and sew it shut.  How easy is that?

I was so distracted with the pet portion of her site that I never did look for my little craft idea.  Oh, well.  Maybe I will just make everyone cupcakes and call it a day.

Rescue Mommy

Life Long Friends Program at Brother Wolf

We have a local magazine called Critter (www.crittermagazine.com) that publishes articles about animal welfare and events happening in the community.  It has several advertisements for local rescue groups showcasing the wonderful animals available for adoption. 

While reading the November issue, I found an interesting article written by Denise Bitz, the executive director and co-founder of Brother Wolf Animal Rescue.  They have a program called “Life Long Friends.”  In a nutshell, the program “identifies a handful of special needs dogs or cats that have been at (our) shelter for longer than 6 months with no sight of a potential home on the horizon.”  According to Denise, these animals are eligible for free food, free veterinary care, and free training/behavior assistance for the life of the animal once he or she is adopted. 

Obviously, BWAR will be selective when choosing a home for these pets.  However, picking up the expenses for the animal’s care is simply amazing.  All you have to do is commit to providing the emotional support and physical care the animal will need.

One of my favorites, Festus, is on the cover of the Critter magazine this month.  He is a member of the Life Long Friends program.  He has been at the shelter for almost two years.  I have met him on several occasions.  He is a large dog who obviously has a lot of energy to burn.  If you were cooped up in a shelter for hours on end, wouldn’t you be a bit hyperactive too?  Since all the expenses for his care will be paid by BWAR , maybe you could find it in your heart to adopt him or one of the others in the program.

If you are like me, you may want to adopt every animal in the place but, for practical reasons, simply cannot.  You can help with the Life Long Friends program as well as Brother Wolf’s other endeavors.  Please donate money if you have some to spare.  If not, they have a wish list of inexpensive supplies on their website (www.bwar.org).  They could always use volunteers too.  No donation of time, supplies, or money is ever too small when your organization is solely dependent upon the community’s support for its survival.

Good luck to Festus and all the other animals waiting for loving homes!

Rescue Mommy

Asheville Bow-Wowhaus

The AIA Ashevile, Fine Arts Theatre, Asheville Art Museum, Aloft Downtown Asheville, and Brother Wolf Animal Rescue have teamed up for a design/build competition of dog houses.   The dog houses will be auctioned tomorrow (Saturday, November 10, 2012).

The event includes a screening of Michael Miner’s movie, “Romanza, the California Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright” at the Fine Arts Theatre.  After the movie, you can attend a reception and auction at the Asheville Art Museum.

The dog houses, which have been designed by local architects, will be on display from November 3^rd through the 10^th at Aloft Downtown Asheville.  Aloft is the huge (and controversial) new hotel on Biltmore Avenue, just down from Mast General Store.

Proceeds from the dog house auction will benefit Brother Wolf and Asheville Art Museum.  Tickets include heavy hors d’oeuvres, beer, and wine.  Call Brother Wolf at 828-505-3440 for more information.  You can purchase tickets by visiting their website at www.bwar.org/events.

Rescue Mommy

Full Throttle

When I adopted Gracie, I knew that Jack Russell terriers could be a handful.  She has been very sweet, though.  While she has had her rambunctious moments, she has not been full-on crazy as some JRTs can be.  Well, on Halloween evening, she decided to release all her hidden JRT tendencies.

My next-door neighbor has two horses and a pony.  Angel, their dog of whom we have spoken many times, considers it her duty to harass the horses at every opportunity.  Gracie desperately wants to join the fun but is restrained by either Rescue Daddy or me.  

Our walkie was nice.  I told Gracie about all the kids who would visit that evening and asked her to be on her best behavior.  As we returned to the house, Angel charged toward the horses.  In a shocking move that would make Houdini proud, Gracie whipped around and popped out of her loose harness.  Before I could think “What am I going to do??!” she barked wildly at the mustang horse who stomped the ground in irritation. 

It happened so fast.  I am not sure if the horse actually made contact or if Gracie simply tripped as she moved out of the way.  At any rate, she fell to the ground and rolled underneath the horse.  Properly chastised, she raced back to me.  She had mud on one side of her body.  She had not yelped.

I took her to the house and cleaned the mud from her fur.  We went outside where she “did her business.”  She ate a treat.  She furiously clawed at the ground, trying to catch vicious vermin who (thankfully) escaped.  I knew no harm was done.

Later that evening, one of the trick-or-treaters brought her little dog with her.  She wanted me to see their matching costumes.  Even though Gracie usually gets along well with small dogs, she went nuts.  She barked, growled, and lunged at the dog.  I placed her in the bedroom where she continued to bark and growl until they left.

Gracie ended the evening by scolding Kiki for jumping onto the bed.  Apparently, she felt invincible after the dustup with the horse and little dog who invaded our home. 

As I write this post, she is curled into a ball, asleep in her car seat in the living room.  They look so innocent when they are sleeping.

Rescue Mommy

NPR Interview

On Friday, NPR’s “Fresh Air” program re-broadcasted an interview from a few years ago with Bill Berloni who trains animals for the Broadway stage.   The interview was very interesting – and a little horrifying.  He told a story about how, in the 50s, one production will roast the lambs they used in the play when they became too old.  How barbaric!

Here’s a link if you would like to listen:

http://www.npr.org/player/v2/mediaPlayer.html?action=1&t=1&islist=false&id=164171555&m=164180222

Enjoy!

Rescue Mommy

Give If You Can

If you can spare a few dollars, the people impacted by Hurricane Sandy could use your help.  The American Red Cross is always in need of donations.

Charities in your area may be mobilizing to offer assistance so check around.  If you are familar with any charities in the areas impacted, they could use your donations too.  We love supporting local charities because who knows better what the people need than the people who live in the communities impacted.

We hope they get help soon.  Our thoughts and prayers are with them.

Rescue Mommy and Daddy

Dog House Drive

The local Petco is collecting clean, intact used and new dog houses and other supplies on Saturday, November 17 at their store on 825 Brevard Road in Asheville.  The drive is in memory of Peggy Irwin who founded ChainFree Asheville, a local group that aims to provide fencing and dog houses to needy families. 

I will have more information about the drive on the Event Calendar of www.rescuepetsrule.com.  I wanted to highlight it here because some of you may be reading this blog from other parts of the country.  Not all pets are indoor only.  With winter on the way, wouldn’t it be a great idea to have a similar drive in your area?  Food for thought….

Rescue Mommy

Halloween Safety Tips

Today is Halloween.  Here are a few safety tips to make the evening fun for you and your family, not a night spent at the emergency animal hospital:

·         Keep chocolate, raisins, and sugar-free gum out of reach.   Visit ww.aspca.org for more toxic foods.

·         Mind the candy wrappers too.  They smell great and could end up in your buddy’s mouth in the blink of an eye.

·         If you dress your pet in a costume, make sure it is not restrictive or prevents him or her from seeing clearly.  Remove it if your pet seems uncomfortable.

·         Taking a flashlight with you?  Make sure it does not end up in your dog’s mouth.  I cannot imagine the batteries would taste that great!

Have a safe evening!

Rescue Mommy

Help Me Heal Fund

Looking for a guaranteed way to double your money?  Thanks to a generous benefactor, contributions made to the “Help Me Heal Fund” will be matched up to $5,000.  So, your $20 donation becomes a $40 donation.

What is the “Help Me Heal Fund?”  Brother Wolf does not turn away any animal.  As a result, they frequently have animals in their care who have serious medical situations.  The cost of caring for these animals is very expensive.  The “Help Me Heal Fund” allows you to donate funds directly toward the care of these animals.

The matching period ends October 31, so get those donations to BWAR soon!  Be sure to note on your check that the donation is for the “Help Me Heal Fund.”  You can also donate online.  Visit their site at www.bwar.org.

Rescue Mommy

Looking for a Howling Good Time?

This weekend, there is no shortage of Halloween-themed events for your pooch if you are in the Asheville area.  I have detailed all of them on the Event Calendar page of our site, www.rescuepetsrule.com.

Happy Halloween (a few days early)!

Rescue Mommy 

Small Dog Info

I am a sucker for shows about dogs and cats.  Naturally, I like the Animal Planet channel. 

I found a section on their website that you might find interesting if you have a small dog:

http://animal.discovery.com/small-dogs/

I am not sure it will provide a lot of useful information about small dogs.  However, it is fun to see pictures and videos of small dogs, so enjoy!

Rescue Mommy

“Nature’s Recipe Oven Baked Biscuits with Real Chicken” treats have been recalled.  Here is a link to the FDA alert:

http://www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/ucm323823.htm

Please remember that it is important to wash your hands after handling pet food and treats.  Yes, we hate to see our pets get sick from bad food.  Did you know that you can be sickened too, simply from handling the treats?  Unfortunately, it takes someone (animal or human) getting sick before the recall is issued, so we have to take precautions. 

Rescue Mommy

Check the Event Calendar

This weekend brings you three pet-related opportunities for fun. I have also added a few other events that will be happening in the coming weeks. Please be sure to check the Events Calendar page of this website.


Rescue Mommy

Misbehaving

A few weeks ago, I reported that Gracie was doing well with off-leash work. Well, on Saturday, she was very rambunctious.
We were in the front yard, enjoying the sunshine. We had been out for awhile, and it was time to go inside. When I told Gracie to head for the door, she ran by me at full speed, growling. That was not a good sign. It meant she was feeling mischievous.

She made a sharp right and headed down the driveway. I tried to intercept her, but she has the advantage of being low to the ground and FAST. In a flash, she dashed past the gate and headed up “the holler.”

I know you non-Southerners will not know the meaning of “holler.” It does not mean “to yell.” In this case, I am referring to the section of land behind my house where no one lives. It is a little cove surrounded by mountains. Coyotes, stray dogs, deer, turkeys, and bears all enjoy the place. So does Gracie.

Despite my insistence that she return, she charged forward. She would sometimes run toward me. Then, just when she was ALMOST within reach, she would smirk (yes, smirk), wag her tail, and dash away.

Now, if you want to gauge the level of your fitness, try catching a determined Jack Russell terrier. It took awhile. I was gasping for air and sweating as if I just ran a marathon when I finally caught her. She stopped for a few seconds too long to investigate an interesting smell, giving me the opportunity I needed. Otherwise, we would still be running the hills!

Upon our return to the house, Gracie raided Kiki’s food bowl when no one was looking. My little angel has turned into a little devil!

Rescue Mommy

America's Pet Debate

While watching “Dogs 101,” a commercial aired for the “America’s Pet Debate.” Curious, I visited www.americaspetdebate.com  for more information.

Sponsored by Purina, the contest promises to settle “one and for all” the question: is America a cat or dog country? For every vote, Purina will give $1 toward Pet Partner’s Veteran Programs. (The maximum donation is $100,000.) According to the website, the donation will help fund visits to veterans from therapy animal teams. The contest ends November 9. You can vote daily for your preference – cat or dog.

Regardless of your political leanings, I am sure we can all agree that our veterans deserve support. As of yesterday afternoon, over $55,000 had been raised.

The contest is fun. You can see the preference for each state by clicking on the Current Results tab at the top. It was leaning more towards “Team Cat” yesterday afternoon, so all you dog lovers should log in and vote!

Rescue Mommy

Dublin Dog No-Stink Collar

Dublin Dog is a North Carolina-based company that makes dog collars, leashes, and tags. We recently ordered a no-stink collar for Gracie. We LOVE it!

When Gracie splashes in the ocean, her collar naturally is soaked. You must wash it and hope it dries by the next morning, or bring another collar for her to wear. We decided to give the no-stink collar a try.

The material appears to be rubber. After a romp in the surf, we simply wiped the collar clean. It held up well to the salt and sand of the beach.

If you are interested, check out their website at www.dublindog.com. They make really cute collars. We also ordered a Celtic cross dog tag that looks really cool. Enjoy!

Rescue Mommy

What Will You Pay?

During the month of October, Brother Wolf has a great deal for adoptions of cats or kittens. You can name your own price. That’s right. YOU determine what you want to pay for the adoption fee.

The fee is already a great deal, since your new friend has already been spayed/neutered and has received the necessary immunizations. They have a lot of cats and kittens, though, who really need homes. This promotion should help more of these animals find homes.

If you have been thinking about adopting a cat or kitten, give Brother Wolf a call. Their web address is www.bwar.org. You can take a peek at available cats and kittens. Keep in mind that they usually have even more animals that do not appear on the website.

Rescue Mommy

Big Adventure

We were in desperate need of a little break. The ragweed was in full bloom and making me completely miserable. We decided to spend a few days at Kiawah Island, SC.

We had a blast. Gracie did so well with the car rides. On the trip down, she was a little anxious. However, the return trip was a breeze. She really loves her new car seat.

The weather was hot, hot, hot! We spent some time splashing in the ocean. It is so nice to see Gracie enjoy splashing in the water as she chases birds and tries to get attention from anyone who passes by. We recorded some video of her ocean adventure. If we can figure out how to post it, we will share.

Unfortunately, all vacations must come to an end. Too bad we cannot win the lottery. Then, every day would be a vacation!

Rescue Mommy and Daddy

Carlson 0930PW Extra-Wide Walk-Thru Pet Gate with Pet Door

Sold at Amazon.com

About $40

29-44 inches wide, 30 inches high

I have one area of the house where Gracie is not allowed to visit: the hallway leading to the guest bathroom. Kiki’s litter box is in a nearby room. Her food is in the bathroom. Both places are highly tempting to Gracie. Whenever Gracie is upstairs unattended, I place a child’s gate in the hallway. Gracie could easily jump it, but she knows not to do it.

Climbing over the cheapo child’s gate is a pain, though. I spotted a very nice pet gate in a pet supply catalog. It had a door you could open as well as a little opening at the bottom. The idea was the little opening could be used by a smaller pet while the large door would be closed. It seemed like the perfect idea.

It was a bit expensive though. Then, I spotted a similar gate on Amazon.com. Priced at $40 and shipped for free, the Carlson pet gate seemed like the thing for me. Well, it was not.

For starters, it was a colossal pain to install. Rescue Daddy and I both walked away from it a few times lest our tempers get the better of us, and we sling it into the yard. The gate has pressure tension spring thingies that pin into the wall (think shower curtain rod). Well, if you overextend them as you try to get a tight fit, the springs eventually get to the point where they simply will not turn any further.

Supposedly, when the springs are properly extended, the gap between the gate’s door and the gate will close, allowing you to then use the gate properly. We cannot get the gap to close, so we use an old sock to secure the door. Classy.

As for that little opening for a small pet…even though I carefully measured Gracie, she must have either slipped through the opening or jumped the gate. I found her standing on the wrong side of the gate one evening, wagging her tail and smacking her lips after devouring Kiki’s cat food. (Thankfully, it was not the litter box.)

The next night, I tried closing the little door and tying the big door shut. I left Kiki in the bathroom to eat her food. When I returned from the laundry room, I found Kiki sitting in the bedroom. I examined the gate. Kiki had head-butted the gate until she could squeeze through the opening and escape. You cannot win with this gate.

I am glad I only spent $40. If I had paid full price for this thing, I would be seriously mad. I still use the gate because I paid money for the darn thing, and it would cost too much to send it back. I definitely would NOT recommend the gate to anyone else, though. You have been warned.

Rescue Mommy

Solvit Tagalong Pet Booster Seat Jumbo

Sold online at PetSmart, Amazon.com, Doctors Foster and Smith, other vendors

$50-$70, depending upon vendor and current sale

I have been thinking about this purchase for awhile. It is no secret that Gracie hates riding in a car, so I was afraid this would be a total waste of money. Lately, she has been peeping out the windows during car rides, though. I wondered if she might enjoy a better view.

I spotted this car seat on PetSmart’s website. That weekend, they offered free shipping and 20 percent off travel products. Purchases made through PetSmart.com can be returned at the store. I decided to gamble. I ordered the “jumbo” size after measuring both Gracie and the seat in my car.

To my surprise, Gracie actually likes the car seat. She hopped into the seat as soon as it was assembled. She has even slept in it after I removed it from the car. She thinks it makes a great bed.

How about in the car, though? Well, her first ride was as it normally is – she was nervous. The return trip, though, was a little better. I think she liked being able to snuggle into the car seat.

The “jumbo” size gave her plenty of room to stretch. Gracie weighs between 17 and 19 pounds, so take that into consideration when you see the pictures at the end of this post.

The seat itself seems very sturdy. It was not too terribly difficult to assemble if you carefully read the instructions. The framework is a thick plastic material that seems durable. The imitation sheepskin and canvas covers are nice, but the sheepskin-like material seems too thin. The cushion was thin as well and had a polyester bottom that meant the cushion slipped at the slightest twist from Gracie. Also, the strap that secures the dog to the car seat seemed too fragile.

I made some modifications. I bought a bed pillow, covered it with a pillow case, and placed that in the car seat. It does raise Gracie a tad higher than the other cushion, but she has better padding. I think she will be more comfortable on longer trips.

I also use my own safety harness. I thread it through the seat belt and extend it so it is long enough to secure Gracie to seat, yet not too long to be a safety hazard. (I purchased it at Petco ages ago; it has a loop through which you insert the seat belt and a hook to connect to Gracie’s harness on the other end.)

One last comment: I read a review somewhere that said the seat was difficult to install. Have you ever installed a car seat for a human child? Well, it is not quite that difficult but pretty close. You must thread the seat belt through the bottom of the car seat, which is a bit cumbersome. It secures the seat, though, so it is worth the effort.

I definitely recommend this seat if you are looking for this sort of thing. Oh, my goodness – does this mean I am officially a crazy dog person??

Rescue Mommy

I have added a new pillow to the car seat in the pic shown above.

Note difference in Gracie's position from this pic to the one on the bottom,

which has the original cushion in the seat.  As you can see, she

sits lower in the seat with the original cushion.

Ms. Gracie Goes to the Office

On Friday, Gracie became the first dog to stay all day at our office. We are in the midst of a big and very stressful software upgrade. We needed an infusion of fun, and Gracie certainly provided it.

I did not announce that she was there. I left people discover it on their own, usually by whistling for her. It is amazing how light the mood became when Gracie bounced into the room. Some people even made a point of dropping by a few times during the day just to pet her.

She did surprisingly well. She is sometimes nervous in unfamiliar situations. She was a little nervous when three people surrounded her, but that was the only time. She was even brave enough to venture to a couple of offices on her own and visit with my co-workers, even jumping into one person’s lap.

She has been invited back for future visits. Hopefully, she will be even more relaxed on the next visit. And, with any luck, she will bring the same feeling of happiness to the office again. We need it!

Rescue Mommy

P.S. Tune in tomorrow to the Rescue Pets blog, and read Gracie’s thoughts about the visit. She told me she will post some pictures too.

Puppia Dog Harness

Puppia Dog Harness


Sold in pet boutiques and at Amazon.com

Paid around $22 for medium size at a pet boutique, $17 at amazon.com

We had large dogs before Gracie came into our lives. As a result, all of my “equipment” was way too big for her. One of the first pieces of essential equipment I bought was a harness.

I purchased a basic, nylon harness. It worked fine and was made well. Gracie tends to pull on the lead, though, especially during the first part of the walk. I did not like the way it seemed to chafe underneath her front legs.

While browsing around the local Three Dog Bakery, I found the Puppia harness. I LOVE it!! It is the best harness.

The harness is made from a mesh material that seems to be very breathable. It has enough thickness to be sturdy yet not overheat the dog. The clips are plastic; however, it is tough, thick, durable plastic.

Gracie has used Puppia harnesses for 3 years now. I have not experienced any issues with breakage. I have noticed slight stretching, but nothing that makes the harness unsafe. I just tighten the straps a bit to compensate for stretching.

She wears a tan-colored harness nearly every day. I have replaced it once. It had started to fray around her chest. I suspect it was my fault because, when I clipped the tag for the harness, I cut the piping too. Despite several repairs, the fraying could not be mended permanently. The mesh and other parts of the harness were still in good shape, though.
As I mentioned, I found the first harness at Three Dog Bakery. I have spotted the harness at other pet boutiques; I have not seen the Puppia harness in national chains, though. I have even found it on Amazon.com, where it is much more affordable and in a wide variety of styles.

You can find a similar (and sometimes cheaper) style at national chain stores, including Wal-Mart. The imitation harnesses do not seem to be made as well as the Puppia harness. In one case, the fabric felt very stiff which would lead to chafing. In another, the fabric was too thin. I could easily see Gracie ripping it on the first walk.

Yes, it is a bit more expensive than a basic harness. I do not mind paying more, though, for quality, and that is what you get with a Puppia harness.

Rescue Mommy

Note: Gracie weighs about 19 pounds. I purchased a size medium harness for her. It would be a good idea to know your dog’s measurements before you shop for any harnesses or collars. The neck area is particularly important with this harness, as a size small was too narrow for her.

The front of the Puppia harness

The back of the harness

Ah, Nuts!!

My dad decided to try one of those health food cereals that resemble twigs, gravel, and tree bark. He hated it and gave the bag to me. He knows we try to eat a healthy diet.

As I transferred the cereal into the storage container, a few pieces of it fell onto the kitchen floor. Like a little vacuum, Gracie sucked up the pieces before I could stop her. I quickly inspected the cereal and was dismayed to see it contained slivers of almond.

I knew that certain nuts were toxic to pets. I also suspected she had only consumed one little sliver, so I doubted she would be harmed. For good measure, I hopped onto the computer and searched the Internet for information about toxicity. Here are the links I found:

http://www.petinsurance.com/healthzone/pet-articles/pet-health-toxins/Nut-Dangers-to-Dogs.aspx

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/211105.htm

http://ezinearticles.com/?Grapes,-Nuts,-and-Your-Dogs-Health---Foods-that-Fido-should-Avoid&id=20315

I also called REACH, the local emergency animal hospital. Since it was only one sliver, they were not concerned.

Some of you may think I am a nut myself. Yeah, I probably am overly cautious. However, it is important to remember that some nuts are highly toxic. As you will see from the links, macadamia nuts in particular are very, very dangerous.

I must also take Gracie’s size into consideration. Gracie is not a 100-pound Labrador Retriever. A little goes a long way with small dogs. Given the staggering financial and emotional costs of pet treatment, a little dose of caution is a good thing.

By the way, the cereal was HORRIBLE.

Rescue Mommy

Petco Stainless Steel Bowl Recall

I was browsing several pet supply websites on Saturday. I noticed a small notice about a recall of stainless steel bowls sold at Petco and wanted to alert you.

It seems the bowls could potentially contain radioactive material. The link below details which bowls are involved in the recall and tells you to return them to the store for a refund:

http://www.petco.com/petco_page_pc_stainlessbowlnotice.aspx

If you recently purchased a stainless steel bowl at Petco, you should definitely take a look at the link.

Rescue Mommy

Mega Adoption Weekend

If you are looking for the love of your life, plan to attend the Mega Adoption Weekend this Saturday and Sunday, September 15 and 16. Sponsored by PetSmart Charities, the event will be held at the PetSmart on Bleachery Boulevard, off Swannanoa River Road. The hours are 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Brother Wolf Animal Rescue and other animal rescue groups will be there with lots of dogs, puppies, cats, and kittens who are looking for their forever homes. In addition, a $20 micro-chippping service will be available. There will also be raffle prizes and other things.

Gracie and I have attended the event in the past. Usually, a local photographer takes photos of your pet for a donation to one of the rescue groups. We have also spotted booths from a few vendors.

You might see us there. Gracie will be the little JRT who is saying, “NO!! NO!!! NO!!!!”

Rescue Mommy

Let Go of the Dream

I read a really interesting article in The Bark magazine. Laurel Saville talks about how much fantasy and reality can differ when it comes to our furry friends:

http://thebark.com/content/waking-my-dream-dog

If you have followed my blog, you know I have struggled with some of the same issues she mentioned in her article. I bet some of you have as well. It is an interesting read. Enjoy!

Rescue Mommy

Veterans Need Your Help

It was a cold January morning three years ago. I was exhausted. My dog Dino had cancer and was having a bad episode. We spent Saturday night/Sunday morning at the emergency vet hospital. I was running late for the short walkie we took every morning.

When we stepped outside, I immediately smelled wood smoke. It was a bit unusual for someone to be burning that early or even in January, but you never know about people. As we approached the gate to our driveway, I looked up. Thick, black smoke billowed into the sky. My first thought was my parents’ house was on fire.

I could hear the sirens of the fire trucks. I returned Dino to the house, jumped in my car, and raced up the road. To my horror, I rounded the last curve before my parents’ driveway and saw my grandparents’ house on fire. It was too late for the fire department to save the house. It was fully involved – with my grandfather trapped inside. My grandmother had frantically tried to save him but could not.

Even though it has been three years, memories of that day haunt me. Every time I smell wood smoke, the images flash in my brain. When I am under a lot of stress, I become hyper-vigilant about little things, like whether or not I unplugged the coffee maker. It is getting better than it was three years ago, but I doubt you ever really recover from that kind of shock.

If I get that upset over one event in my otherwise blessed life, what must our soldiers feel? These brave men and women have witnessed unbelievable horrors in their service to the country. When they return, many of them struggle to cope. Some turn to therapy dogs to assist them with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Many stories have been written about how these dogs give soldiers a chance at regaining some small piece of their previous life.

Imagine my shock last week when I read that the Veterans Affairs Administration does not pay for dogs who assist patients with mental health issues. According to an article I read last week on CNN’s website, the VA is conducting a study to determine the efficacy of these dogs. What do the soldiers who are suffering now do while the government conducts the study?

Fortunately, organizations have taken it upon themselves to assist veterans by providing them with therapy dogs. Before donating or volunteering, be sure to research the organization. I have read that several inexperienced trainers have popped up offering therapy dogs, so do your homework.

At the end of this post, I have listed links to two stories about therapy dogs as well as a link to Puppies Behind Bars, an organization that trains service dogs. If you would like to help, I am sure they would appreciate your donation.

Rescue Mommy

Links:

http://www.apa.org/news/psycport/PsycPORTArticle.aspx?id=knightridder_2012_09_05__0000-4183-PM-VA-says-no-service-dogs-warranted-for-war-stress-sufferers-0905-20120905.xml

http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/01/health/mental-health-service-dogs/index.html?iref=allsearch
http://www.puppiesbehindbars.com/