Puppies have needles for teeth. Angel is killing us!
We found an article about bite inhibition on the Whole Dog Journal website:
http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/13_6/features/Bite-Inhibition_16232-1.html
We look forward to trying some of these tips with Angel. She is shredding all of us!
Rescue Mommy
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
Stay! No, SERIOUSLY, stay!!
Angel is a handful. While she is not my dog, I still have a lot of interaction with her on a daily basis. She follows Gracie and me when we take our daily walkies. I always must take her back to her house; she is too small to return on her own. Once there, she wants to return with me, so I am trying to teach her the “stay” command.
I found this article on the Whole Dog Journal website:
http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/12_4/features/Train-A-Dog-To-Stay_16115-1.html
It offers some good tips that I will try with Angel. Since she is so young, I am not expecting a great deal of success now. It will be a work in progress.
I also want to use some of these tips with Gracie. Fortunately, Gracie is great listener and does well with “stay” the majority of the time.
I hope you enjoy the article!
Rescue Mommy
I found this article on the Whole Dog Journal website:
http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/12_4/features/Train-A-Dog-To-Stay_16115-1.html
It offers some good tips that I will try with Angel. Since she is so young, I am not expecting a great deal of success now. It will be a work in progress.
I also want to use some of these tips with Gracie. Fortunately, Gracie is great listener and does well with “stay” the majority of the time.
I hope you enjoy the article!
Rescue Mommy
Friday, February 24, 2012
Flea and Tick Medicine Search
Ever heard the expression, “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing”? Well, I have been reading a lot of articles lately about how toxic flea and tick medicines are. With flea/tick season just around the corner, I have decided to dig a little deeper.
I found the following websites in my search:
http://www.consumersearch.com/flea-control/review
http://www.simplesteps.org/greenpaws-products
I will continue to post information as I find it. Frankly, reading all the various reviews on the Internet has spooked me quite a bit. I need to find something, though, because ticks are a big problem in our area.
If you have a recommendation, please post a comment. I am sure others would be just as interested as I am.
Rescue Mommy
I found the following websites in my search:
http://www.consumersearch.com/flea-control/review
http://www.simplesteps.org/greenpaws-products
I will continue to post information as I find it. Frankly, reading all the various reviews on the Internet has spooked me quite a bit. I need to find something, though, because ticks are a big problem in our area.
If you have a recommendation, please post a comment. I am sure others would be just as interested as I am.
Rescue Mommy
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
A New Phobia
Over the weekend, I had a little mishap in the kitchen. I burned something in the oven, not badly but just enough to make the house stink. Gracie LOST it. She shook violently as she begged me to hold her. I managed to calm her by offering her treats. Then, when I lit a soy candle to combat the stench, she began to shake again.
The next day, I tried to light the candle again. She was not in the room. She heard the scratch of the match, though, and that was enough. She raced into the bedroom and hid behind the curtains.
She has never acted this way before this weekend. It is so sad to think what may have prompted this reaction. What did her former owner do to this poor dog??
Have any of you encountered this type of behavior? If you have, I would love to hear your suggestions. In the meantime, I will be a little more careful in the kitchen for Gracie’s sake. Of course, Rescue Daddy’s stomach will appreciate it too!
Rescue Mommy
The next day, I tried to light the candle again. She was not in the room. She heard the scratch of the match, though, and that was enough. She raced into the bedroom and hid behind the curtains.
She has never acted this way before this weekend. It is so sad to think what may have prompted this reaction. What did her former owner do to this poor dog??
Have any of you encountered this type of behavior? If you have, I would love to hear your suggestions. In the meantime, I will be a little more careful in the kitchen for Gracie’s sake. Of course, Rescue Daddy’s stomach will appreciate it too!
Rescue Mommy
Monday, February 20, 2012
Pet Care Expenses: A NPR Story
While listening to NPR this weekend, I heard a fascinating discussion about pet expenses on “Marketplace Money.” Here is the link:
http://www.marketplace.org/topics/your-money/putting-price-your-pets-health
I had my own taste of “how much would you spend?” with my beloved Dino. While cancer took Perdy within two months of her diagnosis, Dino survived for over a year. We spent a lot of money. We do not regret a penny. The whole point was to provide him with a good quality of life as long as possible.
We were very fortunate that we could afford to provide him with the care he needed. That being said, we did say no to some things. When we first learned of his diagnosis, we were given the option of taking him to a fancy pet hospital out of state. They could attempt to remove the tumor that was wrapped around his adrenal glands. The chances of a successful operation were slim. Even if he survived, the best we could hope for was another year or two. We decided against the operation. The risk was not worth the reward.
His vet worked with us too, prescribing affordable medicine when he could. His staff also showed me how to administer subcutaneous fluid infusions that kept him hydrated. This saved us expensive vet visits since he needed these infusions every other day.
Unfortunately, we must consider these issues when we adopt our furry friends. The NPR story did a great job discussing those issues. Enjoy!
Rescue Mommy
http://www.marketplace.org/topics/your-money/putting-price-your-pets-health
I had my own taste of “how much would you spend?” with my beloved Dino. While cancer took Perdy within two months of her diagnosis, Dino survived for over a year. We spent a lot of money. We do not regret a penny. The whole point was to provide him with a good quality of life as long as possible.
We were very fortunate that we could afford to provide him with the care he needed. That being said, we did say no to some things. When we first learned of his diagnosis, we were given the option of taking him to a fancy pet hospital out of state. They could attempt to remove the tumor that was wrapped around his adrenal glands. The chances of a successful operation were slim. Even if he survived, the best we could hope for was another year or two. We decided against the operation. The risk was not worth the reward.
His vet worked with us too, prescribing affordable medicine when he could. His staff also showed me how to administer subcutaneous fluid infusions that kept him hydrated. This saved us expensive vet visits since he needed these infusions every other day.
Unfortunately, we must consider these issues when we adopt our furry friends. The NPR story did a great job discussing those issues. Enjoy!
Rescue Mommy
Friday, February 17, 2012
Mystery Wrapped in a Bundle of Fur
I have always said that a rescued pet is a mystery wrapped in a bundle of fur. You will spend the rest of your buddy’s life discovering all the wonderful (and sometimes not-so-wonderful) parts of his or her personality.
I recently read a great article in the Whole Dog Journal. I thought you might like to take a look:
http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/15_01/features/Dog-Adoption-Stories_20437-1.html
I especially like the story about Scooter, the dog who seemed to have a housetraining problem. Whenever someone asks me for advice about a behavior problem, my first tip is to take the pet to the vet. Scooter’s story affirms that, sometimes, an underlying medical condition is the problem, not your buddy being difficult.
Rescue Mommy
I recently read a great article in the Whole Dog Journal. I thought you might like to take a look:
http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/15_01/features/Dog-Adoption-Stories_20437-1.html
I especially like the story about Scooter, the dog who seemed to have a housetraining problem. Whenever someone asks me for advice about a behavior problem, my first tip is to take the pet to the vet. Scooter’s story affirms that, sometimes, an underlying medical condition is the problem, not your buddy being difficult.
Rescue Mommy
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
$4 Pet Medicines
I spotted a segment of Clark Howard’s show on CNN. He reported that Kroger and Target have added pet medicines to their list of $4 generic medicines. I thought you might like to learn more:
http://www.clarkhoward.com/news/clark-howard/family-lifestyle/4-generic-meds-pets-kroger-and-target/nHSzD/
Kudos to Kroger and Target for providing this valuable service. Having our furry friends can be expensive sometimes, so it is great to see a retailer provide a way assist with that expense.
Rescue Mommy
http://www.clarkhoward.com/news/clark-howard/family-lifestyle/4-generic-meds-pets-kroger-and-target/nHSzD/
Kudos to Kroger and Target for providing this valuable service. Having our furry friends can be expensive sometimes, so it is great to see a retailer provide a way assist with that expense.
Rescue Mommy
Monday, February 13, 2012
Not Too Late for a Puppygram!
Today is your last day to sign up for a puppygram from Brother Wolf. Here are the details, in case you missed last week's post:
Each Valentine’s Day, Brother Wolf offers the cutest gift ever: a puppygram. For a donation of $45, Brother Wolf will bring a dog or puppy to your sweetheart’s home or workplace. Your sweetie will receive a flower, card, balloon, and sweet treat in addition to lots of doggie kisses. Who wants flowers that will day when you can have a few moments of absolute cuteness??
Your gift will be unforgettable and who knows? Maybe your sweetie will meet the furry love of his/her life? Or you will at least score major points for originality.
For more information, visit bwar.org. You must sign up by February 13. You can e-mail volunteer@bwar.org or call 828-808-9435. Deliveries will be made within 15 miles of Asheville.
Don’t live that close to Asheville? Here’s an idea. Why not stop by Brother Wolf’s shelter on Valentine’s Day and spend some one-on-one time with the dogs who are there? They will love the attention, and you and your sweetie can walk/pet as many dogs (and cats) as you want.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Rescue Mommy and Daddy
Each Valentine’s Day, Brother Wolf offers the cutest gift ever: a puppygram. For a donation of $45, Brother Wolf will bring a dog or puppy to your sweetheart’s home or workplace. Your sweetie will receive a flower, card, balloon, and sweet treat in addition to lots of doggie kisses. Who wants flowers that will day when you can have a few moments of absolute cuteness??
Your gift will be unforgettable and who knows? Maybe your sweetie will meet the furry love of his/her life? Or you will at least score major points for originality.
For more information, visit bwar.org. You must sign up by February 13. You can e-mail volunteer@bwar.org or call 828-808-9435. Deliveries will be made within 15 miles of Asheville.
Don’t live that close to Asheville? Here’s an idea. Why not stop by Brother Wolf’s shelter on Valentine’s Day and spend some one-on-one time with the dogs who are there? They will love the attention, and you and your sweetie can walk/pet as many dogs (and cats) as you want.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Rescue Mommy and Daddy
Friday, February 10, 2012
Valentine's Day Puppygrams
Each Valentine’s Day, Brother Wolf offers the cutest gift ever: a puppygram. For a donation of $45, Brother Wolf will bring a dog or puppy to your sweetheart’s home or workplace. Your sweetie will receive a flower, card, balloon, and sweet treat in addition to lots of doggie kisses. Who wants flowers that will day when you can have a few moments of absolute cuteness??
Your gift will be unforgettable and who knows? Maybe your sweetie will meet the furry love of his/her life? Or you will at least score major points for originality.
For more information, visit bwar.org. You must sign up by February 13. You can e-mail volunteer@bwar.org or call 828-808-9435. Deliveries will be made within 15 miles of Asheville.
Don’t live that close to Asheville? Here’s an idea. Why not stop by Brother Wolf’s shelter on Valentine’s Day and spend some one-on-one time with the dogs who are there? They will love the attention, and you and your sweetie can walk/pet as many dogs (and cats) as you want.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Rescue Mommy and Daddy
Your gift will be unforgettable and who knows? Maybe your sweetie will meet the furry love of his/her life? Or you will at least score major points for originality.
For more information, visit bwar.org. You must sign up by February 13. You can e-mail volunteer@bwar.org or call 828-808-9435. Deliveries will be made within 15 miles of Asheville.
Don’t live that close to Asheville? Here’s an idea. Why not stop by Brother Wolf’s shelter on Valentine’s Day and spend some one-on-one time with the dogs who are there? They will love the attention, and you and your sweetie can walk/pet as many dogs (and cats) as you want.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Rescue Mommy and Daddy
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Angel Experiment Continues
Things are going well with Angel. I am really surprised how well Gracie behaves around her. Past experiences with other dogs have not gone well.
The other dogs we have tried to adopt were males, whereas Angel is a female. I wonder if that has anything to do with it? Conventional advice is never to mix sexes; it should be a male and a female together. Maybe Gracie was a breeding dog and is will rid of males? With a rescue dog, you never know what happened.
While she still growls at Angel, I can tell it is more of a corrective growl than an angry growl. Corrective growls are the kind that dogs use to signal “back off.” Think of how you would react if someone invaded your personal space. As long as the growl is corrective and does not escalate to a violent reaction, I do not correct it. Gracie is teaching Angel manners.
Well, Gracie is looking out the window, anxious for her walkie. Maybe we will meet Angel on our walkie today….
Rescue Mommy
The other dogs we have tried to adopt were males, whereas Angel is a female. I wonder if that has anything to do with it? Conventional advice is never to mix sexes; it should be a male and a female together. Maybe Gracie was a breeding dog and is will rid of males? With a rescue dog, you never know what happened.
While she still growls at Angel, I can tell it is more of a corrective growl than an angry growl. Corrective growls are the kind that dogs use to signal “back off.” Think of how you would react if someone invaded your personal space. As long as the growl is corrective and does not escalate to a violent reaction, I do not correct it. Gracie is teaching Angel manners.
Well, Gracie is looking out the window, anxious for her walkie. Maybe we will meet Angel on our walkie today….
Rescue Mommy
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Puppy Bowl VIII
For the eighth year, Animal Planet is hosting its answer to the Super Bowl: the Puppy Bowl. It is on all night tonight. If you grow tired of the human game, flip over to Animal Planet.
They also have some cute pet-related commercials, particularly the Subaru commercials. Enjoy!
Rescue Daddy
They also have some cute pet-related commercials, particularly the Subaru commercials. Enjoy!
Rescue Daddy
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Adventures in Puppy Sitting Part III
Saturday night passed better for Angel. She slept all through the night and was ready for a potty break Sunday morning. She even decided to try walking on a leash during the morning walkie. She did pretty well for a beginner.
We had a bit of excitement in the afternoon. It was a sunny day so we decided to spend some time outside. Gracie stretched out for some sunbathing. Angel bounced around the yard, grabbing leaves and chewing on sticks. Suddenly, Gracie sprang to her feet, barking and growling as she looked at the sky. I looked up and was shocked to see a hawk circling us. I quickly grabbed Angel and moved closer to Gracie. From that moment forward, Angel was on a leash.
When it came time to take the puppy home, Gracie was not upset. Angel wiggled in my arms when she saw her parents. She licked the husband’s face and was overjoyed. It was so wonderful! Gracie, on the hand, was ready to go for a run.
In the end, the experience gave Gracie and Angel an opportunity to get rid of the animosity they felt toward each other. I was really thrilled to see Gracie get along with another dog. Sure, she had some corrective growls, but none of them were aggressive.
Has this experience convinced me we can adopt another dog? No. Gracie was so thrilled when I took the puppy home. She literally jumped for joy. While she may enjoy a visit, she prefers to live alone.
The cats were also stressed. Maddy was barfing. Kiki did not eat much. They both hid underneath the bed most of the time. Now, they are running around the house and eating. They might adjust but why force it? Why make my three buddies miserable for who knows how long?
Of course, if my neighbors said they did not want Angel...well, all bets are off.
Rescue Mommy
We had a bit of excitement in the afternoon. It was a sunny day so we decided to spend some time outside. Gracie stretched out for some sunbathing. Angel bounced around the yard, grabbing leaves and chewing on sticks. Suddenly, Gracie sprang to her feet, barking and growling as she looked at the sky. I looked up and was shocked to see a hawk circling us. I quickly grabbed Angel and moved closer to Gracie. From that moment forward, Angel was on a leash.
When it came time to take the puppy home, Gracie was not upset. Angel wiggled in my arms when she saw her parents. She licked the husband’s face and was overjoyed. It was so wonderful! Gracie, on the hand, was ready to go for a run.
In the end, the experience gave Gracie and Angel an opportunity to get rid of the animosity they felt toward each other. I was really thrilled to see Gracie get along with another dog. Sure, she had some corrective growls, but none of them were aggressive.
Has this experience convinced me we can adopt another dog? No. Gracie was so thrilled when I took the puppy home. She literally jumped for joy. While she may enjoy a visit, she prefers to live alone.
The cats were also stressed. Maddy was barfing. Kiki did not eat much. They both hid underneath the bed most of the time. Now, they are running around the house and eating. They might adjust but why force it? Why make my three buddies miserable for who knows how long?
Of course, if my neighbors said they did not want Angel...well, all bets are off.
Rescue Mommy
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Adventures in Puppy Sitting Part II
Angel’s first night at our house was fair. We placed her in a crate beside our bed. Gracie slept on the bed with us, which seemed to pacify her. She acted as if the puppy was upstaging her so this concession made her happy.
Angel whimpered a few times during the night. Finally, at 5:00 a.m., I took her out of the crate and went outside. She promptly “did her business.” I returned her to the crate for a couple of extra hours of sleep. She was quiet.
The rest of Saturday went well. Gracie seemed to relax a bit as the day progressed. The best thing was Angel’s attitude. While she wanted to play with Gracie, she was content to play alone. She would take toys from Gracie’s basket and play all by herself.
The two dogs we had tried to adopt in the past did not possess this attitude. They wanted to be involved with her. Gracie likes her space, and Angel was happy to give it to her.
As Gracie continued to relax, she actually tried to play with the puppy. She did a few “play bows.” She bounced around the living room. Gracie and Angel even engaged in a noisy barking session for several minutes. Here are some pictures:
Tune in on Friday for the wrap-up.
Rescue Mommy
Angel whimpered a few times during the night. Finally, at 5:00 a.m., I took her out of the crate and went outside. She promptly “did her business.” I returned her to the crate for a couple of extra hours of sleep. She was quiet.
The rest of Saturday went well. Gracie seemed to relax a bit as the day progressed. The best thing was Angel’s attitude. While she wanted to play with Gracie, she was content to play alone. She would take toys from Gracie’s basket and play all by herself.
The two dogs we had tried to adopt in the past did not possess this attitude. They wanted to be involved with her. Gracie likes her space, and Angel was happy to give it to her.
As Gracie continued to relax, she actually tried to play with the puppy. She did a few “play bows.” She bounced around the living room. Gracie and Angel even engaged in a noisy barking session for several minutes. Here are some pictures:
Tune in on Friday for the wrap-up.
Rescue Mommy
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