Kiss-A-Bull Benefit for Asheville Humane Society

Unfortunately, I learned too late about an interesting fundraiser for the Asheville Humane Society.  I have provided a link below:

http://www.ashevillehumane.org/kiss-a-bull.php

I guess the Humane Society recognized how popular Brother Wolf’s puppygram program was, so they decided to offer a similar fundraiser.  If you would like more information, please contact Joey at 828-681-9902.

Rescue Mommy

Dine to be Kind Tomorrow

Tomorrow is World Spay Day.  A local pet rescue group, Animal Compassion Network, is hosting its 10^th annual “Dine to be Kind” event to benefit its spay/neuter assistance and other programs.  Over 50 local restaurants will donate a portion of their proceeds to these programs. 

The legendary 12 Bones will participate too.  The restaurant is a favorite of the Obamas.  In fact, he was just here for a quick speech a few weeks ago.  I think he just used it as an excuse to get some great barbeque.

If you would like to see a complete list of participating restaurants, check out Animal Compassion Network’s website at www.animalcompassionnetwork.org. 

Rescue Mommy

Grain-Free Diet: Is It Right for Us?

If you walk down the aisle at your local pet supply store, you will no doubt see several foods labeled “grain free.”  It seems to be the big trend in pet food today.  Is it really right for your pet?

First, if your cat or dog is on a special diet for a medical condition, you should never switch the food without first speaking with your veterinarian.  Certain conditions require careful monitoring, so do not mess with the food.

As everyone knows, Gracie had had challenges in the past with skin irritation.  I found a good brand of food, Castor & Pollux organic dog food,  that seems to calm her skin and give her a nice coat.  I noticed that Castor & Pollux offers a grain-free dog food now.

According to the lady at the pet supply store, grain-free diets are meant to be more natural for the cat or dog.  After all, how often does your dog nibble on wheat growing in a field?

I did a bit of digging on the web and found numerous articles on the topic.  Obviously, animals with allergies to wheat and other grains could benefit from a grain-free diet.  I am not sure about animals who do not have these conditions, though.  If you read the articles, you will understand my confusion.

Some of the articles hint that the substitutions for grain can be high in carbs.  Gracie eats grain-free wet food, and I have noticed a pound or two of weight gain since the switch.  Maybe it is due to the winter weather and less activity.  Or maybe it is the food.  It is tough to say.

I plan to have a talk with my vet during Gracie’s next check-up.  This topic is too confusing, and I do not want to do more damage than good by adjusting her diet.  I will continue to read articles and pass them on to you if I find anything interesting.  Then, we can all be armed with the right questions when we see the vet.

Please leave a comment if you have anything to add to the discussion.  I would love to know how a switch to a grain-free diet worked (or did not work) for your furry friend.

Rescue Mommy

P.S.

We have no plans to switch Kiki's food.  She is 18-years old and healthy and happy.  Her coat looks great.  We are not going to take a chance with our sweet old lady.  As the saying goes, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"

Links:

http://www.ahna.net/deciphering-pet-food-labels

http://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/best-dog-foods/best-grain-free-dog-foods/best-grain-free-dog-foods-dry/

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/cat-care-flatulence.aspx

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/dog-care-allergies.aspx

http://animal.discovery.com/guides/dogs/dog-food/should-i-buy-grain-free-dog-food.html

Artificial Sweeteners

Xylitol is a popular sugar substitute found in everything from baked goods to chewing gum and breath mints.  Did you know it is highly toxic to dogs?

Go to Google and type “artificial sweetener toxicity for dogs,” and you will see numerous links.  I found a very interesting article on the ASPCA website:

www.aspcapro.org/mydocuments/ze-vetm0207f_095-100_.pdf

The article is from the December 2006 issue of Veterinary Medicine magazine.  As a result, it is pretty technical in spots.  However, it is worth the read.  I knew ingestion of the sweetener was bad; I did not know it was THAT bad.  According to the article, dogs can have life-threatening liver disease and other horrible side effects from eating anything that contains Xylitol.

Look around your house and read the labels of things within reach of your baby.  Be sure to look at everything, because xylitol can even pop up in oral care products.  Then, secure all those products from curious noses.  Good luck!

Rescue Mommy

Earthbath Pet Products

www.earthbath.com

When I adopted Gracie, her skin and coat was not in the best condition. She had just had a litter of puppies. She had spent the last month in the shelter. Who knows what sort of conditions she had before she came to the shelter? After experimenting with different foods, I found an organic food that eased her inflamed skin and gave her coat a nice sheen. (She eats Castor & Pollux organic food, by the way.)

Next, I looked at the shampoos and wipes I used. Some of the products out there contain harsh chemicals that will create skin problems. I found Earthbath pet products and have been very pleased.

The products are mild and do not contain harsh chemicals. When you read the label on the products, you actually recognize the ingredients. And, the ingredients do not interfere with any topical flea treatments you are using.

I enjoy the smell, particularly crème rinse and conditioner. In fact, my hands are always so soft after I use it on Gracie.

I also like the grooming wipes. I use them whenever Gracie returns from a muddy walk. The wipes are a decent size. Since Gracie is a small dog, I can use one wipe for all four paws.

The products are not inexpensive. Depending upon where you find them, you will pay from $10-$15 for a bottle of shampoo or conditioner and $15 for the paw wipes. Here’s a tip, though: check out T.J. Maxx. I found the puppy shampoo and grooming wipes there for half of the normal price.

The company makes products for cats and even horses. I have not tried the cat products. Kiki is not the bathing type. And, I do not own a horse, so I cannot offer a review there.

I have listed the company’s web address at the top. If you are looking for a natural product, check it out.

Rescue Mommy

Brother Wolf Tips

If you are expecting a juicy piece of gossip, I hate to disappoint you.  It is no secret that I am a great supporter –and frequent visitor – of Brother Wolf.  Over the years, I have learned a few tips when visiting the shelter and want to share them with you.

When you visit the shelter, do not expect all the animals on the website to be at the shelter.  (Ok, maybe this is not a big secret, since they disclose it on the website.)  The shelter environment is very stressful.  The dogs and cats are confused about their noisy surroundings, the change in routine, the loss of the family, et cetera.  Brother Wolf has foster families who take some of the animals for a night or a long-term visit.  If you are interested in a particular animal, it is best to call the shelter first and see if he or she is at the shelter.  The staff can provide you with contact information if the animal is in foster care.

The next tip is that there are better times than others to visit.  Look on the website before you go.  On Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, some of the dogs are out for hikes with Outward Hounds.  They seem to be gone for a couple of hours when they do.  A particular dog in which you might be interested may be out on a hike, so call before you visit.

The hikes are great for two reasons.  If the dog is not on the hike, you will find the shelter to be much quieter while the other dogs are gone.  On the other hand, if your dog is on a hike, find out when he/she will be back.  The dog should be much more relaxed after all that exercise.

Also, if you are counting on meeting dogs at an adoption event, consider the weather.  They tend to send fewer dogs, if any at all, on cold, snowy, or rainy days.  It might be better to visit the shelter instead.  This seems to be more of an issue in the winter time, as you would expect.

The last tip involves your interaction with the animals there.  They have hand sanitizer everywhere; use it after touching every animal and/or surface.  You will help prevent the spread of disease between animals.

You will see treat buckets attached to some kennels.  Even if you are not interested in a particular dog, it teaches the dog manners so give him/her a goodie.  The dogs know that they are supposed to sit for the treat and will oftentimes do it without you having to ask.  A gorgeous pit bull named Miss Piggy will even stare at the bucket, reminding you to give her a goodie.

I hope these tips help you find your buddy.  Good luck!

Rescue Mommy

Valentine's Day is Tomorrow

If you are looking for a last-minute gift and live in the Asheville area, check out Brother Wolf’s website.  Once again, they offer Puppy Grams.  They will take a puppy to your sweetie for a few minutes of cuddling, along with a flower, card, and some chocolate.  Their website is www.bwar.org.

Another reminder – keep the candy out of reach of your furry friend.  Chocolate is highly toxic.  You would not want to spend Valentine’s Day (and a small fortune) at the emergency animal hospital because your buddy decided the heart-shaped box was meant for her.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Rescue Mommy

Westminster Dog Show Returns

Forget the Super Bowl.  This time of year brings two things we love at our house – the Puppy Bowl and Westminster Dog Show.

I know, I know – we promote adoption of rescue pets on this website.  Keep in mind that a lot of purebred dogs end up in shelters too.  Right now at Brother Wolf, they have a bona fide St. Bernard and dachshund along with pit bull terriers galore.  I saw a mastiff and Doberman Pincher at another shelter.  If you want a purebred dog, you can find one at a shelter or through a breed rescue group.

OK – enough preaching.  The show is very interesting if you are a dog lover.  It is fun to see all the different breeds.  The commercials are usually good too, because companies have rightly learned that we pet owners spend money on our furry children.

If you would like to watch, the show begins tonight on CNC at 8:00 p.m. EST.  Tonight’s show will feature dogs from the hound, toy, non-sporting, and herding groups.

Tomorrow night, the show begins again at 8:00 p.m. EST, this time on the USA Network.  The sporting, working, and terrier groups are features.  The show closes with Best in Show. 

Gracie hopes that a rough-and-tumble dog likes her wins this year, instead of a fluffy, fancy-pants dog.  We agree.

Rescue Mommy

Puppy Gram

Don’t forget – Valentine’s Day is next Thursday, February 14.  Once again, Brother Wolf Animal Rescue is selling “puppy grams.”  Your sweetie will receive a visit from a cute puppy (or adult dog, by request) at the time of your choosing.  He or she will also receive a flower, card, and chocolate.   It is all about the dog, though; who are we kidding?

You will definitely score points for originality.  Flowers die.  Chocolate makes us fat.  Puppy breath and sloppy dog kisses are unforgettable!  Make sure someone snaps a pic with your sweetie and the dog.  You may need it in the future during an argument.  ;-) 

Reserve your Puppy Gram early.  For more information, visit www.bwar.org.

Rescue Mommy

Kiki is an Old Lady

We know Kiki is old.  It seems she has been a part of our household forever.  She is so active, though.  Unlike a lot of old kitties, she does not spend the entire day sleeping.  She will patrol the house.  She will snuggle in your lap if Gracie is not being too difficult about it.  She carries around her “baby,” a little stuffed toy that she has always regarded as a kitten.  She still jumps onto the kitchen counter, albeit via the bar stool and then onto the counter. 

Her coat is black on top, with white underneath.  She is a walking Oreo cookie.  Over the last few months, we have noticed more gray hair in her face.  That’s it.  Otherwise, you would not guess she is an old cat.

I finally decided to look up Kiki’s medical records.  Because she is a rescue kitty, we do not know her exact age.  When we adopted her, the vet estimated she was about two or three years old.  We thought she was 1.5 years old.  If we use our guess, then Kiki is 18 years old.  We were stunned. 

We hope we are not jinxing ourselves by talking about how fit and healthy she is at 18.  The point of this post is simple.  If you are thinking about adopting an older cat, consider Kiki’s case.  Just because a cat is 10 years old, it does not mean that you will enjoy the kitty’s presence for only a couple of years.  That senior cat could live many, many more years.

As always, we want our furry children to live forever.  We wish Kiki continued health and hope we can look forward to more years with our feisty grand dame. 

Rescue Mommy

Book Review: Comet's Tale

Comet’s Tale:  How the Dog I Rescued Saved My Life by Steven D. Wolf with Lynette Padwa

A friend of mine gave me this book for Christmas.  I immediately asked, “Does the dog die at the end?”  He was somewhat confident that the dog did not but was not sure.  I flipped open the book and saw the story began in 2000.  It is now 2013.  I bet that dog dies, I thought.

I hesitated for weeks to read the book.  After losing three pets in four years, I cannot stand to read a “dog book” with a negative outcome.  I do not think I will spoil the story by telling you it is safe to read the book.  Comet does not die at the end.

The book begins with Steven Wolf being fired from his job as a lawyer.   His partners feel his medical condition make him unpredictable, a liability.  Then, he moves to Sedona, Arizona to escape the brutal Nebraska winters that make his debilitating back condition even more painful.  His wife and daughters remain behind in Nebraska.  Mr. Wolf is now alone and in pain.  The life he knew is gone.  The future he must have imagined – continued professional success, happy children, thriving marriage – is now just a dream.  He must have felt incredible isolation and hopelessness.

Then, he has the good fortune to meet a lady from a local Greyhound rescue group.  Some weeks later, he adopts Comet, a beautiful greyhound who transforms his life.

What follows is a tale of quiet courage from a dog who was left behind at a race track.  We learn a little bit about the deplorable conditions these elegant creatures endure in the name of “sport.”  The main focus of the story, though, is the relationship between Steven Wolf and Comet.  The dog goes from pet to caregiver with ease.  Mr. Wolf describes many situations in which Comet’s devotion to him outweighed the fear she must have felt.

I really liked this book.  Mr. Wolf does a great job in describing Comet’s quiet dignity.  He is also blunt about how his medical problems pulled him away from those he loved.  He is candid when discussing the relationships with his wife and daughters. 

As I read the book, I often thought that Comet saved his life.  She provided more than physical support.  At times, I got the impression that she was his only link to the outside world.  Without her, I question whether or not Mr. Wolf could have kept on living.

On the dust jacket, Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson says the book makes him want to adopt a greyhound.  He is right.  After you read this book, you want to know more about this elegant breed.

The only criticism I have is the book lacks pictures.  I want to see Comet!  I suppose the dog on the dust jacket is her.  Frankly, I do not have the courage to scour the Internet for photos.  I am afraid I will learn the inevitable has happened – and I do not want to think about that.  I prefer to hang onto the happy story of a dog who saved the life of a grateful man.

Rescue Mommy

Puppy Bowl is Back!

Forget the Super Bowl.  At our house, we watch the Puppy Bowl.

Each year, Animal Planet presents its solution to that tedious sports event that occurs on the same day.  Starting at 3:00 p.m. EST, you can watch puppies play on a miniature football field.  All of the puppies are rescues.  From what I have heard, they are all adopted.

Hamsters (or some sort of furry rodent) provide analysis from a blimp hovering over the field.  Yeah, it is not really hovering over the field, but it is a cute idea.

At “half time,” they bring cute kittens to run around the field.  Even though I am not a cat lover, I admit the kittys are adorable.

They change the puppies during the game, so you have the opportunity to see just about every breed.  The puppies look as if they are having a blast.

Check your local listings.  If nothing else, you can cycle between the human and canine versions of the big game.  It is super cute!

Rescue Mommy