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
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Monday, September 17, 2012
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
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
Friday, September 14, 2012
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
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
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
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
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
Monday, September 10, 2012
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/
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/
Friday, September 7, 2012
Talk to the Animals
The other day, Gracie and I were in a pet store. I picked up a winter coat and hold it up to Gracie, trying to determine if it would fit. I told her that I was not fond of the color but liked the style of the jacket. Since she would wear the coat on daily walkies, I surmised the color would be fine, very utilitarian. I asked her what she thought and discussed some other things about the coat.
When I looked up, I noticed the lady behind the counter was staring at me, trying to determine if I was talking to her. I told her Gracie and I was discussing the coat. She looked at me as if I had two heads. Whatever.
Rescue Daddy and I talk to Kiki and Gracie all the time. As a result, they understand a lot of what we say. I read a recent study that suggested dogs have the vocabulary of a two-year old human child. I believe it. Gracie definitely understands “porch,” “basement,” “goodie,” “walkie,” “tinkle,” and other words. Even though she joined our family when she was an adult dog, she learned these words because we talk to her all the time.
I encourage you to talk with your pet. (If you are too embarrassed, you do not have to do it in public.) They are little sponges. They will learn so much from you – and you will get a free therapist! If they tire of your endless prattling, trust me; they will walk away. Kiki does it all the time, usually after sighing heavily.
Rescue Mommy
When I looked up, I noticed the lady behind the counter was staring at me, trying to determine if I was talking to her. I told her Gracie and I was discussing the coat. She looked at me as if I had two heads. Whatever.
Rescue Daddy and I talk to Kiki and Gracie all the time. As a result, they understand a lot of what we say. I read a recent study that suggested dogs have the vocabulary of a two-year old human child. I believe it. Gracie definitely understands “porch,” “basement,” “goodie,” “walkie,” “tinkle,” and other words. Even though she joined our family when she was an adult dog, she learned these words because we talk to her all the time.
I encourage you to talk with your pet. (If you are too embarrassed, you do not have to do it in public.) They are little sponges. They will learn so much from you – and you will get a free therapist! If they tire of your endless prattling, trust me; they will walk away. Kiki does it all the time, usually after sighing heavily.
Rescue Mommy
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
A Tale of Two Vet Visits
As I wrote last week, we decided to give another vet a try. On Friday evening, I took Kiki for a checkup. What an interesting experience!
I confess that, like most cat parents, we have been remiss in regular visits for them. We have taken the cats about every three years or so, instead of annually as we have with the dogs. As a result, Kiki is not used to visiting the vet and tends to be a bit…well, you will see.
She was EVIL. They tried every trick they knew to calm her so they could perform the exam. They placed a blanket over her, attempting to sooth her while avoiding an attack. It was like tossing a rattlesnake in a bag. It just made her angrier. She emitted otherworldly noises that sounded like something from a horror movie about demonic possession. It was truly terrifying.
Despite my reluctance to sedate animals, I was the one who first brought up the subject. The vet agreed and prescribed a mild sedative for her. We will try a dose before the next visit because some cats actually become even more excitable with this drug. That’s the last thing we need! We will keep you posted about how that goes.
Gracie’s visit was the complete opposite. She was very nervous, even shaking a bit in the waiting room. She raced around the exam room. She leapt 4-feet into the air, trying to land on the exam table. She kissed the vet and the vet tech. In other words, typical Jack Russell behavior!
Overall, I was really pleased with the visits, even Kiki’s failed exam attempt. The staff was very nice. I appreciated that they discussed the charges in detail before we even started the exam. They tossed in some “free” tests if you did certain things. Yeah, I know the tests are not “free,” but other places would have charged for those tests as well as the ones we ordered.
When it comes to our furry kids, we must be open to trying to new things. So far, I am quite pleased with the change.
Rescue Mommy
I confess that, like most cat parents, we have been remiss in regular visits for them. We have taken the cats about every three years or so, instead of annually as we have with the dogs. As a result, Kiki is not used to visiting the vet and tends to be a bit…well, you will see.
She was EVIL. They tried every trick they knew to calm her so they could perform the exam. They placed a blanket over her, attempting to sooth her while avoiding an attack. It was like tossing a rattlesnake in a bag. It just made her angrier. She emitted otherworldly noises that sounded like something from a horror movie about demonic possession. It was truly terrifying.
Despite my reluctance to sedate animals, I was the one who first brought up the subject. The vet agreed and prescribed a mild sedative for her. We will try a dose before the next visit because some cats actually become even more excitable with this drug. That’s the last thing we need! We will keep you posted about how that goes.
Gracie’s visit was the complete opposite. She was very nervous, even shaking a bit in the waiting room. She raced around the exam room. She leapt 4-feet into the air, trying to land on the exam table. She kissed the vet and the vet tech. In other words, typical Jack Russell behavior!
Overall, I was really pleased with the visits, even Kiki’s failed exam attempt. The staff was very nice. I appreciated that they discussed the charges in detail before we even started the exam. They tossed in some “free” tests if you did certain things. Yeah, I know the tests are not “free,” but other places would have charged for those tests as well as the ones we ordered.
When it comes to our furry kids, we must be open to trying to new things. So far, I am quite pleased with the change.
Rescue Mommy
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