Regression

If you follow this blog, you know that Gracie is a little bundle of anxiety.  She has lived with us for over three years now.  Just when we thought we had rounded a corner and removed some of her trust issues, she threw us a curveball.

Last Monday, she had another encounter with the electric fence our neighbors use with their horses.  The electric jolt seems to have short-circuited her motherboard or something because she has been odd ever since it happened.  She does not want to take her usual walkie route.  She prefers to stay on our property, only venturing a few feet away from our property line.

I took her to my parents’ house to see if she behaved normally in different surroundings.  She was fine.  She ran around their yard and race through a trail in the woods.  She even seemed to enjoy the ride in the car.

I observed that she shook violently when she spotted Angel.  I wonder if some of the problem is that tiresome dog?  She has so much puppy energy and is larger than Gracie.  Maybe Gracie does not want to be bothered during her walkies?  Maybe she associates Angel with the electric fence, since she was standing nearby both times Gracie has been jolted?

Unfortunately, Gracie cannot tell me what is wrong.  It will take patience to move forward.  It is just such a shame that we must start over again.

Rescue Mommy

Just Say No

As much as I believe animals can bring great joy and love into our lives, I have counseled some people NOT to adopt.  I would like to take a few moments to talk about that.

In the few cases where I have done this, the people were not in a good place in their lives for a pet.  They were all good people who will make great pet parents one day – just not today. 

When you look into a puppy or kitten’s eyes, it is very difficult to resist.  You want to take that cuddly bundle of fur home and play, play, play!  Well, what happens next? 

Pets require a lot of work.  Are you prepared to walk that dog when it is 5 below zero outside and blowing snow?  Will you religiously clean the litter box, because your cat will punish you if you do not?  Will you groom your cat or dog?  Will you take it to the vet at least once per year?

After we discuss the time commitment, I run through the costs.  Sure, I know all the affordable care options in the area, yet none of them are free.  Are you willing to spend money for even the basics?  What are you going to do when the animal is seriously sick – and it WILL happen? 

You are a pet lover like me, or you would not be reading this blog every week.  Everyone probably knows they can ask you for advice.  Well, this is your opportunity to do a truly great thing.  If you know someone is not ready for a pet, do not stay silent.  You are doing a great disservice to the animal and to your friend.  Try to find a way to encourage your friend to consider the good, bad, and ugly parts of spending your life with animals. 

The trick is to find a way to do it without sounding like an insufferable know-it-all.  I tend to pose questions like “Well, have you thought about this…” or “You do know that puppy will grow into a 100-pound dog, right?”  I present the facts, point out what should be obvious (i.e. you are severely allergic to cats so don’t adopt a cat), and let the person reach the decision.  If anyone went ahead with the adoption, well, I would have been right there to support him or her. 

Good luck to you if you attempt to do the same thing!

Rescue Mommy

Allergy Season

Are you sneezing and coughing as pollen fills the air?  Odds are, your little buddy is suffering too. 

Environmental allergies are very common in pets.  You may find your pet is itching and sneezing more so than normal.  There are a few things you can do to help your buddy.

I recommend wiping your pet’s fur with a wipe or damp cloth every time he or she returns from outside.  You also might consider increasing the number of baths during allergy season.  Both will help you to reduce the amount of pollen your furry friend brings into the house, which should reduce sneezing for both of you.

Just as with us humans, limit outdoor exposure whenever pollen counts are high.  Some animals are more sensitive to outdoor allergens than others, so this might be particularly helpful for them. 

In some cases, you may need to visit the vet.  Believe it or not, some allergy treatments are not expensive.  Your vet can help you find the right medicine to help your buddy.

Hang in there!  The pollen levels will eventually stabilize so we can all breathe a little easier.

Rescue Mommy

Confessions of an Analytical Mind

Bless Rescue Daddy’s heart.  He endures many an analysis of the slightest animal event.  I have a confession:  I analyze EVERYTHING with my furry children.

My grandmother inspected parachutes for the military so being analytical is in my DNA.  Losing two dogs to cancer only drove me harder to accumulate a database of pet facts, behaviors, and other oddities.  I contend this is not necessarily a bad thing.

It is easy to fly off the deep end if, say, your pet vomits.  Well, I should amend that.  If your dog vomits, it is a big deal.  For most cats, vomiting seems to be a hobby.

When something out of the ordinary happens, I immediately start queries in the pet database stored in my brain.  (SQL has nothing on me.)  I take into account what the pet ate, how much activity she had, the weather and pollen levels (yes, that makes a difference), et cetera.  I analyze all of this information to determine whether or not we are dealing with a serious issue or a routine event.  Careful thinking has kept me from rushing to the emergency vet on many an occasion.

Here are the things that run through my head whenever something goes awry:

1. Has she eaten something that is not part of her normal diet?
2.  Has she been exposed to something new in her environment?  This could range from a new animal to chemicals.
3. Has her activity level changed?  This could include an increase in activity, which might have resulted in an injury.
4. Have you adjusted her diet?  Switched food?
5. Has her routine changed? 
6. Is she pooping, peeing, and drinking water?
7. Has her appetite changed – either increased or decreased?
8. Does she seem to be urinating more frequently or in larger quantities?
9. Is she having “accidents” in the house, even though she is house trained?
10. This one is gross but necessary – how’s her poop?
11. Does she seem interested in food, particularly if you are preparing food in the kitchen?  If I  wanted to remove all doubt, I could fry bacon.  Both Kiki and Gracie are there in seconds.  If they did not appear, it would be time for a vet visit ASAP.

Pay particular attention to #2.  My next-door neighbors use a weed killer that makes Gracie sick every time she is exposed to it.  I have asked them numerous times to alert me before they use it; they never do.  My cats also became sick from a floor cleaner I once used.  I switched to an eco-friendly brand and never had problems with the floor cleaner again.

Observation and knowledge of your pet’s habits is beneficial.  It can help you to put things into the proper prospective and make less emotional decisions.  Then, if you do determine that a trip to the vet is needed, you will have a wealth of information to share.  The doctor does not have the same day-to-day experience with your pet.  Providing as much information as possible can assist him or her with the diagnosis.

Now, if you will excuse me, Kiki and Gracie are sleeping on the couch.  I need to count the number of breaths per minute.  I am joking.

Rescue Mommy

P.S. from Rescue Daddy – not really

Gardening Hazards

Last weekend, we did some long overdue yard work.  With warmer weather finally here, lots of people are doing the same thing.  It is important to remember our pets when we begin our outdoor projects.

Keep in mind that some chemicals in fertilizer and pest treatments are highly toxic to pets.  For more information about bad toxins, visit the ASPCA’s website.   Here is a link to safe gardening suggestions:  http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/pet-care-tips/pet-safe-gardening.aspx.  You will find other information if you search the site for “pesticides.” 

Happy gardening!

Rescue Mommy

Paws on a MIssion

It is that time of year.  All around the Asheville area, it seems there is a walk or 5K on the weekends that raises money for charity.  Swimsuit season is upon us, so what better way to whip into shape?

On Saturday, April 27, Mission Hospital will hold its annual Paws on Parade Walk-a-Thon.  The event will be from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Carrier Park on Amboy Road in Asheville.

It benefits the pet therapy program at the Mission Health hospital system.  This year’s goal is to raise $10,000.

To learn more, contact Pam Hardin at 828-213-9272 or pam.hardin@msj.org.

 

Adopting Older Dogs

With their cute, wiggly bodies, natural inquisitiveness, and penchant for mischief, puppies are almost irresistible.  Almost.

Puppies are also a huge challenge.  They need house training.  They must learn that “no” means “stop it,” not “keep going!”  As they teeth, they chew everything – your furniture, your favorite shoes, even you – with their super sharp, needle-like teeth. 

If you are ready to do the work and prepared for many setbacks and frustrations, a puppy is right for you.  Some of us are not so adopting an older dog is the way to go.

Gracie was three (we think) when we adopted her.  She was already housetrained.  That was about the extent of her training, though.  She has her own set of challenges which have been chronicled in great detail in this blog.

Brianna, the dog on the front page of our website this week, was adopted by a friend when she was 10 years old.  She had horrible dental issues and has some challenges with housetraining from time to time, given her age.  However, she is a sweet dog who has brought a lot of happiness to our friend.

Adopting an older dog can help you to skip the worst of the puppy behavior.  It is not smooth sailing, though.  You may have behavioral issues to overcome.  You still may need to address the housebreaking issue, although it might be a tad easier.  Dogs older than 1 year have the physical capability to “hold it,” unlike a puppy’s small bladder. 

If you are an active person, you have an almost instant companion.  Depending upon the health of your older dog, he or she may be able to join you on long hikes or runs right away.  Puppies usually are not physically capable of long hikes.  They tire quickly.  As I learned with my Dalmatian, you will then be forced to carry your little buddy back to your house or car.

When you think about adopting your next best friend, consider an older pet.  Unfortunately, a lot of the dogs and cats in shelters are older than one year.  Often, it is not their fault.  Maybe they lost that “cuteness” factor when they were no longer puppies or kittens.  Maybe the family decided to get a puppy, so the 10-year old was kicked to curb.  Whatever the reason, they deserve a second look.  An older dog might fit perfectly into your lifestyle.  Adopt the older dog – and go back to the shelter from time to time and play with the puppies to get your fix.

Rescue Mommy

Feel the Burn

Gracie is a master at interval training.  From what I understand about it, this form of training involves doing some things at a fast place, other things at a slower pace.  Walking with Gracie also improves your coordination as you try to come to a complete stop in two seconds after running full tilt, simply because a smell caught her nose.

We all know that walking our buddies is an excellent form of exercise.  I found an article on the Whole Dog Journal website that provides great information about turning those walks into a great way to get into shape:

http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/16_4/features/Fitness-together_20728-1.html?pg=1

Heaven knows we have all put on a few pounds over the winter and could use the exercise!  I hope you find some useful information.  Lace up those sneakers and start walking!

Rescue Mommy

Training Small Dogs

Throughout my life, I have been surrounded, for the most part, by medium-sized dogs.  They weighed from 50 to 65 pounds, excluding my father’s huge Rottie.    When my beloved Dino passed away, I decided I wanted a smaller dog with a large dog personality.  Gracie perfectly fits that description.

Training a small dog is different from a large dog.  I really wish I had the training article for which I provide a link below much sooner.  It has a lot of tips that I should have realized, yet did not.  Even if you do not have a small dog, you might pick up a few tricks.  Enjoy!

Rescue Mommy

http://www.whole-dog-journal.com/issues/15_12/features/Training-Tiny-Dogs_20654-1.html

Run for the Paws a Huge Success

Congratulations to Brother Wolf Animal Rescue! 

Yesterday afternoon, they held the 4^th annual “Run for the Paws” at Fletcher Community Park in Fletcher, NC.  The event offered participants to either run in a 5K race or walk in a 1-mile fun walk.  You could bring along your canine companion for either event.

From both entry faces and individual fundraising efforts by participants, Brother Wolf raised more than $15,000 for its shelter.  The money will be put to good use as they are a no-kill shelter who does not turn away any pet. 

Congratulations!

Rescue Mommy

AHS Trivia Night

If you do not have any plans tomorrow night, the Asheville Humane Society is hosting another of its popular trivia nights.  Proceeds from the event help with expenses for their foster program.

For more information, check out this link:

http://www.ashevillehumane.org/trivia-night.php

Rescue Mommy

Run for the Paws is Sunday

Brother Wolf’s “Run for the Paws” event is coming up soon.  It is not too late to register!

The event will be held Sunday, April 7.  You can run a 5K race or participate in a 1-mile walk.  Proceeds from the race benefit Brother Wolf.  After the run/walk, they will have a pet wellness fair. 

For more information, check out Brother Wolf’s website at www.bwar.org.

Rescue Mommy

Pet Planning Workshop on Wednesday

This Wednesday, April 6, Brother Wolf will hold a pet planning workshop at their Re-Tail Store on 38 Glendale Avenue in Asheville.  The workshop is presented by a local attorney, Dennis Gibson.  The time is from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

We spend a lot of time creating wills and ensuring that our physical property will be disposed of as we wish when we pass away.  What happens to your pets?  So many animals end up in shelters every year because their pet parents did not have adequate arrangements in place.

Also, don’t forget that a serious illness could also create problems.  Recently, I have read a few very sad stories on BWAR’s website because owners fell ill unexpectedly and could no longer care for their beloved pets. 

If you are interested in attending the workshop, you must reserve a spot.  Contact Mr. Gibson at dennis.gibson@bellsouth.net or call 828-669-0375. 

Rescue Mommy