Dogs and Fireworks - Chris` Rescue Angels

Volume 13
June 2009
Chris' Rescue Angels is a non-profit rescue group that helps dogs from a variety of situations, including:
puppy mills, auctions, owner turn-ins, shelters and street strays. Upon entering the CRA family, each
dog is fully vetted, including vaccinations, spay/neuter surgeries, dentals, heartworm preventative, and
any other medical needs the dog may have. Then the search for a new forever family begins.
The Fourth of July has me thinking about freedom and independence.
At our house, these topics are close to our hearts throughout the year.
Don't worry; I'm not going to discuss politics. I’m thinking about rescue.
Many of the Chris' Rescue Angels foster dogs are "free" for the first
time in their lives. We take in dogs from a variety of backgrounds and
situations. Many start their lives as breeding stock in commercial
kennels and puppy mills. They spend all day, every day, living in small
wire cages producing litter after litter of puppies. Living in a CRA
foster home is their first taste of freedom and independence. The
freedom to lie in a soft bed or in a cool spot on the kitchen floor is
brand new to these little ones. The freedom to interact and play with
other dogs in the home throughout the day is also a new and welcome
experience.
With freedom and independence comes responsibility. The CRA foster
moms take their responsibility seriously. When you welcome a new
foster dog into your home, you accept responsibility for that dog for as
long as the dog needs you. While some dogs are adopted soon after
their arrival, many wait a year or longer before being chosen by a
forever family for adoption. Some spend the rest of their lives in their
foster home. For as long as it takes, CRA accepts responsibility for the
care and training of each dog we foster. We pay the vet bills, make the
vet appointments, provide collars, leashes and other supplies and teach
each dog proper social skills. Each dog becomes a member of the family
and the family provides for each dog's needs.
Freedom is not free, even in dog rescue. Each dog we take in requires
vet care, food, shelter, training and more. As individuals and as a
rescue, we too feel the strain of the economy, but we choose to set
aside a portion of what we have in order to rescue. Because others have
chosen not to provide basic medical care, we bear the costs of providing
expensive medical treatment and nurse them through those treatments.
Because others have chosen to discard their pets, we accept the
responsibility for restoring health and happiness to sad and confused
dogs who do not understand why they've been abandoned. Because
others decided to leave their pets behind when they moved, our homes
become a little more crowded as we make room for one more to love.
While it can be expensive, challenging and costly, freedom is a beautiful
thing. Because we rescue, we daily see sick dogs restored to good
health, some for the first time in their lives. Because we rescue, we
daily see empty eyes begin to shine with love and excitement and
curiosity. Because we rescue, we daily earn the trust of dogs who have
never before been shown kindness by a human. Because we rescue, we
daily witness the transformation of the dogs we rescue as they grow and
learn and love and make the most of every opportunity they are given.
And, you can't put a price on that, my friends, because it is truly
priceless and it is worth every hardship, every tear and every drop of
sweat.
So to all the dogs I have had the honor and privilege of sharing my home
with and to all my fellow rescue volunteers, HAPPY INDEPENDENCE
DAY!
May God bless America and keep her free.
Dogs and Fireworks
By Peggy Seiler
It’s that time of year again!
Many of us have the difficult task of dealing with pups that have the all too
common fear of loud noises. This time of year is one of the worst. Not
only do we have thunderstorms, but many areas still allow fireworks.
Around the San Antonio area, the fireworks stands open at the end of
June and many kids can’t wait for the 4th of July. I have two dogs who
get very anxious about loud noises, so I would like to share some tips that
have helped. These may not work the same for everyone, but maybe a
combination will.
I’m going to start with the easiest methods. It’s helpful to start these
methods BEFORE they are needed, so your little ones have time to
associate them with quiet times. I do these if storms are expected,
especially if I have to be away from home. I put on some calming music
(my dogs particularly like classical piano), with the volume at a moderate
level. If it’s too quiet, it won’t help drown out the thunder. Then, I put a
snug, heavy sweatshirt on everyone. This seems to help them feel
surrounded by comfort. I have a friend who purchased one of those
jackets which are specially designed to calm pets. We find that anything
which fits snugly provides comfort, and the heavier the better. So, a
sweatshirt usually works better than a T-shirt. It seems to simulate our
arms holding them close. Also available at many pet stores is a calming
fragrance plug-in device called DAP.
The next methods involve over the counter calming medication. These
are usually helpful in small doses, and only need to be given about an
hour or so ahead of time. They are available at most stores which sell
herbal or specialty supplements and vitamins such as Whole Foods.
They are designed for this purpose and are safe. The two most common
are: Bach's Rescue Remedy (1/2 of a dropper per 10 pounds) and
Hyland’s Calm's Forte for Kids (1/2 pellet per 10 pounds).
There are also medications that your vet can prescribe. Many of these
can have side effects, such as a couple of days with extreme drowsiness
or lethargy, so I only use these for very serious cases.
The best and most effective method of easing the anxiety caused by loud
noises is your calm, loving presence. For many of our pups, that’s all
they need. If you have to be away during stressful times, I hope some of
these suggestions help make this time of year better for both you and
your little one.
Do you know someone who would enjoy reading
this newsletter? Feel free to share a copy!
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Our Newest Fosters
Since our last newsletter, CRA foster homes have welcomed seven new dogs.
Say hello to Hannah, Marleigh, Montie, Mya, Riley, Lucy and Macaroni
(Macs)! If you know a family that would be a good fit for any of our wonderful
dogs, help that family find their way to the CRA adoption gallery so they can get
acquainted with the CRA foster dogs. www.chrisrescueangels.com
Hannah
Montie
Marleigh
Macs
Mya
Riley
Lucy
Each month, we celebrate the arrival of several new foster
dogs, but for each new arrival, there are others we were
forced to turn away for lack of space. We are in
desperate need of more homes, both adoptive and foster.
You don’t need to foster a bunch of dogs at once to make
a big difference. I am asking each person reading this to
consider fostering one dog – just one. We will commit to
helping you limit yourself to only one foster at a time.
Nobody will be pressured to take in more than one foster.
If you can find room in your heart and in your home for
one little dog in need, please contact the Chris’ Rescue
Angels board of directors and ask for information about
fostering, or visit our website. Thank you.
board@chrisrescueanges.com www.chrisrescueangels.com
3
by Jeff Drier
Master Dog Behavioral Therapist and Trainer
OH MY GOSH! The doorbell rings and pandemonium follows. Rover is at the front door, barking, jumping and going
nuts. I can't stand it! I can't talk to anyone on the other side of the door and Rover is even worse if I actually try
to let the person in.
We hear this, or variations of this regularly. To us it's just a door, no big deal, but Rover sees it differently. To him
it's the whole big and sometimes scary world. The door is the entry to the den where your family, which is his pack,
lives. Someone needs to guard the den and keep everyone safe. There are only two choices for this job, you or
Rover.
job on your own. Or maybe you've done some things that have taught him to get excited when someone comes and
rings the bell or knocks on the door.
Dogs do view the world through dog colored glasses. They have a different tint than our human ones. Dogs do things
for dog reasons, not people reasons. Understanding his point of view is helpful when working or teaching Rover. He's
Rover doesn't necessarily want the job, it's stressful, at least for him, but maybe you aren't showing him that you
can handle the never going to understand our point of view and, to be honest, we have to work at understanding his.
We often meet dogs that are hyperactive. They go into a frenzy of jumping, barking, and running around with just
the slightest stimulus. This is common with dogs who think they need to be in charge. Dogs with leadership are calm;
dogs without leadership are over excited.
We met a very nice couple the other day with three dogs. All three barked at dogs and people walking by the house,
even if they were across the street. We were greeted by the dogs barking at us and jumping on us. We were told
the dogs never settle down. They could be walked for over an hour and not show any signs of tiring. The couple even
ran wind sprints until they were exhausted but that did nothing to slow down their dogs.
Physical exercise, while necessary, is not going to tire a dog for long if the dog feels that he needs to be on guard.
We worked with a family whose dog was awake all night pacing and patrolling the house. The only time he rested was
if all the family was in together in one room. He was exhausted but kept up the vigil because he thought he had to.
He was only sleeping about one or two hours a day. Calm, relaxed dogs will sleep up to sixteen hours a day.
It takes very little physical effort to tire a dog if you make him use his brain and think about what he's doing. I
can exhaust a high energy dog in five minutes or so. Our Rover is a five year old Golden Retriever. He has an
abundance of energy and will play with his friends for hours or swim and play fetch in the pool until my arm is ready
to fall off. But after a walk to the end of our driveway, which is probably about thirty feet long, he's ready for a
nap. Why? I make him think about every step. The slower I go, the more he has to think.
Hyperactivity in a dog is usually a sign that the dog is stressed. Stress can take many forms but just as in people,
stress is not healthy for dogs. We've worked with dogs who have had stomach disorders, including ulcers, skin
problems, problems sleeping and who have shown aggression due to stress. Dogs typically are calm and relaxed, even
high energy dogs. If your dog is not calm and relaxed most of the time, find out why. \When you relieve Rover's
stress a transformation takes place. We often see dogs visibly relax as if a great weight has been lifted from their
backs. When Rover relaxes, so can you. It's so worth the effort and you know the results. . .
Happy Dogs = Happy Families
Sincerely,
Jeff Drier
Master Dog Behavioral Therapist and Trainer
4
by Dr. Anna Maria Gardner
MA Vet. MB
In another section we have dealt with flea and tick
control and I am sure that we are all having to deal with the
various problems that these irritable little parasites cause, and
the often distressing skin problems that are all too often
associated with them. A lot of cats and dogs are allergic to
fleas and develop an intensely itchy rash when they are bitten
by even a single flea and this can lead to chronic and serious
skin problems. The signs of flea allergy in the dog is hair loss
on the back, and thickened reddened skin in these areas; the
animal will itch and chew themselves and lick their sores and
make themselves raw. This is an all too familiar problem in
the warm summer months.
Cats tend to develop small scabs all over, and the hair will fall
out or be chewed and licked out, especially over the hind
quarters. This is often known as miliary dermatitis. In addition
to flea allergies, other skin problems include mange, both
sarcoptic and demodectic and other kinds of allergies. When
allergy tests are done, these often reveal that the poor animal
is allergic to many things, such as house mites or grasses, or
other miscellaneous pollens, that just cannot be avoided in
the environment. The traditional treatments include
antihistamines, corticosteroid and hyposensitization shots to
varying degrees of success. However, the side-effects of
corticosteroid can be serious when used long term, thus a lot
of caring pet owners become concerned about the long term
use of such drugs.
However, skin problems are the tip of the iceberg, and
represent a body that is overstressed by the accumulation of
years of toxins, vaccinations and poor diet. The problem is
really an immune system that just cannot cope with the
environment we are living in. I believe that vaccinations,
especially the rabies vaccines, rabies vaccines, are
contributing to a lot of the "allergic" skin problems seen today,
leading to a problem known as vaccinosis, which is
characterized by itchy, dark, thickened skin; especially over
the abdomen and under the legs. It is seen in both dogs and
cats, but is more obvious in the dog. While we have to
continue to vaccinate our dogs and cats against rabies for
public health reasons, there are things we can do to at least
minimize the effects of the vaccine on the body.
One thing is to give a dose of the homeopathy remedy Lyssin
30 C, which is made from the saliva of a rabid dog, using the
premise that like treats like, which is the basis of homeopathy.
This should be given as soon as possible after the rabies shot
to try and prevent the development of any reactions to the
shot. Once the skin problems are evident, it is worth trying a
dose of Thuja 6 C every day to also remove the effects of the
vaccine from the body, as this is very often needed before
other homeopathic treatment can be started. Other
homeopathic remedies may be needed, as prescribed by a
licensed veterinarian, and are very often helpful in cases of
chronic allergies, and can replace the use of steroids in many
cases.
A good general approach to skin problems is therefore to
consider them the results of a body loaded with toxins, and
anything that can be done to reduce this load will help the
animal. So a good natural diet is often the single most useful
thing that can be done, as discussed in an earlier edition of
this magazine. This will often make a big difference and is
well worth trying before resorting to steroids, or other drugs.
The use of a good filtered water source or high quality spring
water can also help, as can purifying the air in the home your
pet lives in. Replace the use of dips, sprays and all strong
chemicals to control fleas and ticks with natural flea control. It
is a fact that when your pet becomes healthier, and on a
better diet and preventative health regime, they will be better
able to repel the fleas and not become totally infested. If we
can strengthen the immune system, then we can help the
body to heal itself, not suppress it further with steroids and
strong drugs.
The addition of supplements to the diet is also necessary to
also enhance immune function. And, apart from a good multivitamin and mineral supplement, it is helpful to add extra
garlic and brewers yeast, which helps skin condition. Extra
vitamin A, C and E can also help as these are important antioxidants that will help keep the body healthy as a whole and
improve skin and coat condition in your pet. Flax seed oil
added to the food according to the weight of the animal will
also help as well as other oils, but it is best to get a good book
or seek professional advise about the quantities of
supplements to add, as overdosage is possible, especially of
vitamins A and D. Regular bathing and grooming increases
the circulation to the skin, and the use of a massage glove on
your pet is beneficial to both them and you as you will both
find it incredibly soothing and relaxing!
Continued on Page 8
Dr. Anna Maria Gardner MA Vet. MB is a Holistic Veterinarian. Her services include acupuncture, homeopathy, nutrition,
flower remedies and herbs, as well as reiki and other holistic modalities. She is based on the Olympic Peninsula, Washington
State, and is available for house calls locally and phone consultations. She was born in Sheffield, England, and studied at
Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge University, UK from 1982 to 1985, graduating with a Master of Arts degree in Medical
Sciences June 1985. She continued her veterinary studies at Darwin College, Cambridge University from 1985 to 1988 and
graduated June 1988 with a Veterinary degree, Vet. MB and a distinction in Surgery and Pathology.
She worked in Hong Kong from January 1989 to April 1992, when she became interested in complementary medicine and was able to
study Bach Flower Remedies, Reiki, Homeopathy and Nutritional Therapy with a holistic healer. She also completed her Reiki, Level II,
certification in Hong Kong. Dr. Gardner has worked as a holistic veterinarian since 1993, and became certified in Veterinary
Homeopathy and Acupuncture in 1995.
5
We love happy endings around here. Each time we are able to help a loving family find their new
family member, we are reminded why we do this. Few things can put a smile in a foster mom’s heart
like seeing a former foster dog happy in their new home. Congratulations to Rory, Deliah, Montie,
Chester, Hailey, Mya, Happy Jack, Lucy, Honey and their new forever families! We wish
you all many happy, healthy years.
Candi is a 6½ year-old female Maltese. She
weighs just under 9 pounds and was born on
April 29, 2002.
She has beautiful
curls.
Candi is was rescued from a dog
auction, so this Fourth of July she truly is
celebrating her independence.
Candi is
learning to enjoy life outside of a cage in a
real home. Candi craves attention. She wags
her tail and gives finger kisses.
Before
coming to CRA, Candi spent her entire life
living in a cage having litter after litter of
puppies. She is ready to join her forever
family and celebrate life and love.
Candi's adoption fee is $275.
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The Shabby Pups Boutique is full of
beautiful and functional items handmade
and/or donated by CRA volunteers. New
items, many of them one of a kind, are
added weekly. You will find the sought after
items for both dogs and dog lovers at
reasonable prices. All proceeds from sales
are used to pay for the care and support of
the Chris’ Rescue Angels’ foster dogs. Our
inventory includes clothing for dogs, jewelry
and accessories for dogs, humans and the
home, gift items and more.
Please visit the store and see our Fourth of July
section featuring dog clothing with a patriotic
theme. http://www.ShabbyPups.com/ The boutique
is also accessible through the CRA website.
http://www.ChrisRescueAngels.com Thank you to
all the wonderful volunteers who have been
working hard to make the boutique possible.
Comments and Suggestions
We welcome your comments and suggestions for upcoming editions of the CRA newsletter. Please
send them via e-mail to CRAnews@yahoo.com. Let us know what you would like to see. We welcome
articles, photos, updates on your adopted dogs, tips and suggestions.
7
Vaccines have become controversial, whether for people, dogs, cats or other animals; both sides of this debate are passionate to a fault. Many of us remember the horrible parvovirus outbreaks of the 1980’s, but also have concerns about the increasing numbers of auto‐immune diseases. Some veterinarians (especially some large corporate hospital chains) vehemently believe every animal
should be vaccinated for every disease every year. Other “naturalists” believe that all vaccines are unnecessary and toxic, causing more harm then good. Both extremes play a little loose with the facts.
Vaccines work by giving the immune system “practice” against bacteria or viruses. This practice gives the immune system a head start fighting pathogens, such as viruses and bacteria, which would otherwise normally quickly overwhelm the body’s defenses. Vaccines therefore do nothing to defend against disease on their
own, but only assist an individual’s own immune system.
Misconception #1: All vaccines are necessary every year. Nearly every university study has shown that the vaccines for canine parvovirus, distemper, hepatitis last for longer than a year. While there are vaccines specifically labeled for a 3 year duration, most of the “one year” vaccines for these diseases last longer than their label. Vaccine manufactures are not legally allowed to change their label without resubmitting the vaccine to the FDA, which requires a large amount of time, money and effort.
Misconception #2: Most puppy vaccines provide a lifetime of immunity This argument usually stems from the vaccines that some children
receive, which are not boostered as adults. While this may be true for some viruses, such as coronavirus in puppies, it is a specifically disease dependent quality. Some vaccines in humans, such as tetanus and rabies, have to be regularly boostered in human adults. With parvovirus for example, there have been many reported cases of dogs who were vaccinated properly as puppies, then skipped vaccines as they aged, only to catch clinical parvovirus.
In the 1990’s in Finland, it was assumed that the distemper vaccine commonly used would have a 5 to 7 year duration, and this protocol was adopted nearly country‐wide. Since there had been no cases of distemper in Finland for a decade, this was believed to be risk free. In 1994, an outbreak did occur, and nearly 5000 dogs became sick, with thousands of deaths. Many of the affected dogs
had been previously vaccinated as puppies. [1] Immunologists state that the “herd immunity” of the dogs of Finland had finally been reduced to a level where an outbreak could occur.
Misconception #3: As long as your dog stays away from other dogs, there is no need for vaccines.
Unfortunately, the viruses which cause distemper and parvo are very hardy, and can last longer than 6 to 9 months in the environment. This means that if an owner goes someplace where there was a sick dog 6 months ago, they can bring the virus home
on their shoes or hands.
Other diseases, such as bordetella, require close dog to dog contact. There is no risk if a dog is isolated from other dogs.
Dr. Rumoer
Lake Seminole Animal Hospital
www.LakeSeminoleAH.com
Seminole, Fl. 33777
Misconception #4: Vaccines are completely harmless.
Vaccines stimulate the immune system, which is how they provide immunity. If the system is over stimulated, reactions can occur.
These reactions can include facial swelling, hives and local pain. Vaccines have also been implicated as a contributing cause of autoimmune diseases, when the dog’s own immune system begins to attack its own body. Autoimmune diseases can affect any organ, and be potentially fatal. While vaccines may increase the risk of these diseases, they are not the only cause; there are genetic and environmental components as well. Some dogs are genetically predisposed to autoimmune disease, in which case vaccines, foods, allergies, supplements, infections, or anything in the environment has the potential to be a predisposing cause.
Misconception #5: A healthy dog will have no need for vaccines.
This concept is based on the “wild canine resistance” theory, that wild populations of dogs have some innate resistance to these viruses. This immunity is genetic; a known genetic resistance or
lack thereof has been documented among dog breeds, such as the susceptibility of Rottweilers to parvovirus. Unfortunately, this
resistance is purely genetic, and not related to a more natural environment, raw food or other external factors. Wolf packs have
an increased resistance to these diseases because those individuals which are more susceptible die off before they have a chance to produce offspring. Most people would not tolerate this with their personal pets.
Misconception #6: All diseases are present through the entire country.
Many diseases have different prevalence rates in different parts of the country. Leptospirosis is common in Florida and Hawaii, and less prevalent in northern climates. Lyme disease is common in the northeast, and more rare in Florida. Misconception #7: Measuring titers are a great alternative to vaccination.
Titers measure the level of antibodies to certain diseases, and in some cases this can be a relative measure of the remaining immunity. For some diseases, antibodies are not the primary means of defense, but rather cellular or humoral immunity. This is the ability of the white blood cells to recognize the virus, and is a very difficult thing to measure. This means that some dogs with low antibody titers will have significant resistance, and some dogs with high titers will still be susceptible.
Misconception #8: Rabies, Distemper and Parvovirus have been eradicated, so there is no more risk.
While “Canine Rabies” has been eradicated from the U.S., dogs can unfortunately catch other forms of the virus from other animals[2]. There are many different “species” of the rabies virus, which are all incurable and fatal. Distemper and Parvovirus are still very common in a vast majority of communities.
Continued on Page 8
[1]
[2]
The Veterinary Record, Vol 141, Issue 15, 380-383
http://www.cdc.gov/news/2007/09/canine_rabies.html
8
Continued from Page 7
Dr. Rumoer
Lake Seminole Animal Hospital
Misconception #9: All vaccines are equally efficacious and safe.
Vaccine technology has progressed significantly over the years. In the past, vaccines worked by mixing killed viruses or bacteria with adjuvants (immune stimulants) or used live viruses which had been attenuated (made weaker so as not to cause disease.) Newer vaccines use small pieces of the outside surface of viruses or bacteria (subunits), or organisms which have been genetically modified (modified live) so as not to cause disease. These modified live vaccines tend to be “more gentle” on the immune system, since they don’t stimulate the entire immune system. The subunit vaccines tend to be less reactive, but may not cross‐protect if the organism changes or has different forms (as has happened with parvovirus, or with the large number of leptospirosis species.) For some diseases, the newer style of vaccines may not be available at all; each disease causing organism is different.
Misconception #10: Vaccines guarantee against disease.
Since vaccines rely on an individual’s immune system, there is always a chance of vaccine failure. Underlying disease, immuno‐
suppressive drugs (such as cortisones or prednisone) all have the potential to weaken the immune system, and allow disease to take hold despite vaccination. Some dogs also lack the ability to react to the vaccine at all; there have been reported lines of Rottweilers who never develop an immunity to parvovirus no matter how many vaccines are given.
Misconception #11: The fact that some dogs are never vaccinated and survive proves that they are unnecessary. Natural immunity to disease does occur in some individuals; if only this was predictable, who specifically needs vaccinating could be precisely determined. Unfortunately, since this is not predictable, who needs vaccines and who does not cannot be determined until it is too late.
Facts we do know.
Used judiciously, the benefits of disease protection outweigh the risk of side effects.
The American Animal Hospital Association came out with a consensus report on vaccine recommendations. They recommended that dogs be vaccinated with the core vaccines (distemper virus, parvovirus and canine hepatitis) as puppies, at one year of age, then every three years, since this is the proven duration of immunity so far. Other vaccines should be given yearly based on your local disease prevalence and your dogs lifestyle. For example, dogs exposed to other dogs would be vaccinated for bordetella (kennel cough) or
vaccinated for leptospirosis in endemic areas. This means that which vaccines will be given, and how often, should be a discussion between a pet owner and a veterinarian, tailored to each individual pet, taking into account the risks present in their community.
I think that vaccines should be viewed the same way as seat‐belts. You don’t need your seat‐belt a vast majority of the time while driving, but unfortunately at which moment you will need your seat‐belt is not known until it is too late. Seat belts also have risks; in some accidents involving fire or water, there is a chance that a seat‐belt could trap you in the car and cause your death. But statistically, since when and what type of accident will occur is unknown, the odds are in your favor if you wear your seatbelt when driving. The seatbelt, like vaccines, has a much greater chance of saving you than causing harm. Like any tool, if used properly, vaccines are a valuable resource in giving your pet the longest and happiest life possible. Frosty Paws Dog Ice Cream Recipe
32 oz. plain yogurt
1 mashed banana
2 T p'nut butter
2 T honey
It’s true dairy products aren’t good for dogs, but yogurt
contains much less lactase than regular milk and the live
cultures are great for your dog’s digestive system. This
dog ice cream recipe is delicious and good for your pet!
1. Mix all these ingredients in your blender, then dump
into ice cube trays, paper cups, or even a kong toy to
freeze and serve.
2. If you want to go all out for your mutt you can freeze
these homemade frosty paws just like you would
homemade ice cream. A salt-less automatic ice cream
maker makes this as easy as using any other appliance in
your home and the frosty paws will be ready to serve in
10 minutes.
For the ultimate treat, appropriate for desert at a doggy
birthday party, follow steps one and two, then take the
mostly frozen dog ice cream product of number two and
spread it 1” to 1½” thick on wax paper. Freeze for five
minutes and then remove dog ice cream from freezer.
Next, use a paw shaped cookie cutter to cut a paw
shaped “frosty paws”, remove ice cream around edges,
and return paw shapes to the freezer to freeze solid.
Continued from Page 4
by Dr. Anna Maria Gardner
MA Vet. MB
The Tellington-Touch method of gentle touch to the body can
also help to break the stressful itch-scratch cycle seen in
these animals. We will be covering that in the next edition, as
it is a wonderful healing tool that is becoming increasingly
popular. Skin problems are deeper seated than many people
realize and homeopathy and even acupuncture may often
help over time to get to the source of the problem and make
your pet strong and healthy again and increase both the
quality and length of life. And, the earlier you begin, the better
and faster results you can expect. It isn't always easy, but you
will be rewarded by a glowing healthy pet that is not
depressed and miserable from continual drug use. What a joy
that can be!!
This article may also be viewed on Dr. Gardner’s
web site by clicking on the following link.
http://www.petsynergy.com/skin.html
9
Several CRA volunteers will host a booth at this year’s Riverfest in Beloit, Wisconsin.
Meet some of the CRA foster dogs. Shop in the Shabby Pups Boutique. Visit with some
of the CRA foster moms. Enjoy a wonderful time. We look forward to seeing you there!
For more information about the festival, visit http://www.beloitriverfest.com.
To My CRA Family,
One year ago, June 17, 2008, I adopted Sadie. I picked her up from Toni in Charlottesville, Virginia and it was love at first sight. Sadie
adjusted to my home immediately but did cause me some grief. I have a completely fenced in yard and a doggie door to a doggie run that is
enclosed by a chain link fence. After only 3 days she learned to use the doggie door. I was so proud of her since she had never used one
before. Unfortunately one day she used the doggie door and after 20 minutes I went outside to see why it was taking her so long. To my
horror, Sadie was not in the doggie run so I thought she had come into the house without me realizing it. I looked all over the house and
could not find her. I started crying and I thought “CRA trusted me to be a good doggie mom and I failed!” A few minutes later my next-door
neighbor rang my doorbell. I opened it to find him holding Sadie. She had dug a hole under the chain link fence and then dug a hole under
my 6-foot privacy fence. My neighbor found her walking on the highway. I think Sadie realized how upset I was because she has never tried
to leave the yard again. In fact Sadie follows me wherever I go. Sadie goes with me whenever I visit my mom in a nursing home. Everyone
knows her by name and can't wait to see what she is wearing. (She has a very large wardrobe.)
Nine months after adopting Sadie, I thought it was time for her to have a sister. I told Toni that I wanted a small Yorkie since Sadie weighed
8 pounds, and I wanted to be able to carry both of them. Toni told me about a Yorkie that was in Florida that might have “issues”. She told
me this Yorkie had a horrible life. Toni called me when she picked her up and told me that this Yorkie might not be for me. The dog could
not stand up and slid on the floor to get from one place to another. She looked like an anteater. Her rear was up in the air and her face was
near the ground. She also kept her neck turned to the right side of her body. Her head constantly bobbed up and down and it didn’t take
much for her to lose her balance and fall down. It was obvious that she had severe neck and spinal injuries. Toni took her to her vet and he
informed Toni that the dog also had 5 large bladder stones and horrible teeth. The vet said she would need bladder and dental surgery as
soon as possible but that even after surgery she would never be “normal”. I asked Toni to send me a picture of her and just like Sadie, it was
love at first sight. Toni and Andy had fallen in love with her and named her Tia. I truly think that if I didn’t adopt Tia, Toni and Andy would
have 11 dogs! No matter what I was told about her prognosis, I knew Tia would be mine.
Several weeks later on March 17, I met Toni in Virginia and knew in my heart that this little dog belonged to me. I took Tia immediately to my
vet who informed me that Tia had numerous problems and that she would never be able to walk, run, jump, or act like a “normal” dog. My
vet also told me that taking Tia to a chiropractor and an acupuncturist might help Tia a little. I decided that I would do anything to improve
her life. She goes every week for her treatments. Three months later, Tia has improved greatly. She is truly a miracle! Her rear is not up in
the air and she walks with her head off the ground. Two weeks ago, Tia jumped on the couch which all the doctors said she would never be
able to do. She even runs with Sadie in the backyard. Sadie was not thrilled at all having a sister but now Sadie constantly gives her
kisses. Sadie does not give kisses to any humans. Tia is definitely the dominant Yorkie in my household. Sadie moves when Tia wants to sit
next to me. Toni refers to them as the princesses because they are spoiled rotten. They stick to me like velcro and Tia “cries” when I don’t
hold her. I also dress them up in identical dresses, panties, and bows. My girls have brought me such joy. I could not imagine my life without
them. I know they are a gift from G-d because the other day a dying patient and her family thanked me for allowing the girls to visit her.
Thank you CRA family, and especially Toni, for enriching my life. You all are a gift from G-d!
10
By Dana Bates
Summer is here, and that means warmer weather. Many of us stay cool and active with the help of an in-ground pool. Perhaps your dogs
also enjoy swimming. Most of us realize the importance of keeping our smaller family members safe at all times around the pool. Sadly,
many people and pets die each year from accidental drowning. There are some simple things we can do to help prevent such a tragedy.
There is no substitute for good, old fashioned common sense and preparation. Don’t wait until after there is an accident to practice pool
safety.
Building a sturdy fence around your pool, with a lock on the gate, is a great way to limit access to small children and pets
when they cannot be properly supervised. In fact, some city ordinances require it. Some states require that in ground
pools be enclosed by a fence in order to get a homeowner’s insurance policy. Whether or not it is required by law a fence
is a wonderful idea. Removable fencing and barriers are available for purchase if you do not have a permanent fence
around your pool. Some barriers effectively block access to the pool, while others sound an alarm if the perimeter is
breached. Alarms are another very helpful safety device. You can purchase a pool alarm that will alert you when the
water's surface is disturbed. (http://www.poolcenter.com/alarms_poolstor.htm) Some models attach to the pool's edge,
some float and still others attach to the individual needing extra supervision or protection. The Safety Turtle alarm system
is a personal alarm system that attaches to your dog (on a collar) or child (on a wristband). The instant the device is
submerged in water, an alarm sounds. (http://www.safetyturtle.com/) When it comes to alarms and barriers, there are a
variety of models and brands available. I found the sites listed above by doing a quick search on the internet. You can
also purchase a life vest for your dog. It is not practical to have your dog wear a life vest 24 hours a day, but it is a viable
extra safety precaution when you know your dog is going to be in or near the water.
As stated earlier, supervision and preparation are among the best safety measures you can apply. It is important
to work with your children and pets under close supervision and gain a firm understanding of just what their
capabilities are with respect to swimming. Contrary to what you may think, not all dogs can swim. For instance,
English bulldogs typically sink to the bottom like a rock. Their heavy, stocky bodies weight them down. Making
sure that your children and your pets know how to swim and respect the water is another way to increase their
level of safety. If they are familiar and comfortable with the pool and proper pool safety, they are less likely to
panic if they fall in. The downside to this is that they may show less respect for the water. It is important to find
the proper balance between comfort and a healthy dose of respect. To a small child or a dog, even the shallow
end is deep. Dogs with long hair often get weighted down quickly. So, while your Yorkie may know how to swim,
and even enjoy it, he or she may tire quickly. While you’re teaching them to swim, make sure they are familiar
with the location of stairs and ledges as their small size will likely make it difficult or impossible for them to pull
themselves out over the side of the pool. They need to be comfortable and familiar with where to find safe exits,
so that they can get to them even during an emergency when they may be feeling panicked.
You can purchase affordable floating ramps such as the Skamper-Ramp (http://www.skamper-ramp.com) that can be easily seen and
used by small and large dogs. It would be a good idea to provide multiple strategically placed safe exit points around the pool. Dogs in
the water have limited sight, so they may not be able to see over the edge of the pool. A ramp that is visible at the water's level makes it
easier for your dog to quickly see and recognize the ramp as a point of entry. Often, dogs who find themselves in the water will simply
start to swim in whatever direction they are facing, even if it isn't the closest distance to the side of the pool. They may also start to swim
to the side of the pool closest to them. In either circumstance, the direction they are swimming may not lead them to a safe exit. Even
dogs who were "good swimmers" have drowned after succumbing to exhaustion when they were unable to find a way out of the pool.
Increasing your dog's comfort level with swimming and the pool as well as their familiarity with the location of safe exit points will greatly
increase your dog's chance of survival if he accidently falls into the pool when you're not there to help.
Another important consideration is keeping all chemicals safely stored and out of reach of
curious children and pets. Even though chlorine is a common additive in public tap water, it is
highly toxic in larger doses. Be sure to closely monitor the chemical levels in your pool’s
water, and safely store all chemicals on hand where children and pets cannot get to them.
Swimming is an enjoyable and healthy summer activity. It is a great way for families to spend
quality time together. Be safe and teach your children and pets to be safe around the pool.
Supervision is the best safety measure. Like fire, water has many uses and benefits, but this
life giving substance can quickly become deadly when used irresponsibly. Protect your loved
ones.
11
BarkBusters SUMMERTIME Care and Safety Tips
Beat the Heat
Remember that a parked car can become dangerously hot in only a few minutes. Dogs are not efficient at cooling themselves. They cannot perspire and
can only dispel heat by panting and through the pads of their feet. Panting and drinking water helps to cool them, but if they have only overheated air to
breathe in a parked car, dogs can suffer brain and organ damage after just 15 minutes.
Your light-colored dog's coat can invite damage from the sun's ultraviolet rays, leading to sunburn and possible skin cancer. If your dog is light colored
and/or he lacks black pigment around the eyes, ears and nose, keep him out of the bright sun. Ask your veterinarian about sun block for your dog,
preferably in a formula he can't lick off.
Dogs should always have access to cool shade and fresh water in the summer heat.
Rules of the Road
An unrestrained dog in a vehicle is dangerous to everyone in the car, including the dog himself. Secure your dog in the back seat with a safety harness or
in a pet carrier fastened to a seatbelt. Another option is to install a pet barrier to keep the dog in the back area of your vehicle. Dogs riding in the front can
be seriously hurt if the airbags deploy.
If you must transport your dog in the bed of a pickup, be sure he is restrained, preferably in a crate or carrier secured to the truck.
Avoid allowing your dog to hang his head out the car window -- he could suffer eye injury from flying debris.
When stopping the car along the way, attach a leash to the dog's collar before opening the door so he can't escape. Use a leash to walk your dog.
Waterproof Your Dog
Many dogs enjoy swimming, no matter how clean or dirty the water. If your dog has had a dip in a lake or river, rinse him off to avoid ear mites, eye
infections and pesky clingy insects which can imbed themselves into his fur.
If your dog loves to jump into your swimming pool, make sure he knows how to get out safely. When a dog falls into a lake or river, his instinct tells him to
turn around and get out from the point at which he fell in. However, in a suburban swimming pool, a dog may drown if he follows this instinctive action.
Therefore, teach your dog where and how to get out of the pool regardless of where he went in.
Not all dogs like or know how to swim. If your dog appears eager to give swimming a try, let him get used to it gradually. Refrain from throwing a nervous,
inexperienced swimmer into the water.
Fear of Thunderstorms
Fear of thunderstorms is common in dogs. Many dogs can sense a storm coming from the rapidly falling barometric pressure. Thus, your dog may show
anxiety even before the storm can be heard.
Dogs can sense fear or discomfort from people, so it is important you develop a calm attitude toward storms. Let your dog stay close, and try to distract
him with play. Do not try to comfort him in a sympathetic voice; this will sound like praise and may increase his nervousness and confusion.
Keep windows and curtains closed to reduce noise and bright flashes. Turn on a TV or radio at normal volume to distract your dog from loud noises and
help him to relax.
Provide your dog with a safe place to be during storms, whether inside or out. Create a special den-like area in your home where your dog always feels
safe and secure. If a storm is brewing, lead your dog to his special place to help him feel calm and protected. If you cannot bring your dog inside, cover his
doghouse with a blanket to offer some protection from the bursts of lightning and thunder.
Keep windows and curtains closed to reduce noise and bright flashes. Turn on a TV or radio at normal volume to distract your dog from loud noises and
help him to relax.
Dogs that continue to panic when a storm approaches may have to be reconditioned by creating an artificial storm with environmental recordings. While
reconditioning can be a time-consuming procedure, it can have a high success rate. A qualified dog behavioral therapist such as a Bark Busters trainer
can help your dog be calmer during thunderstorms. In some cases, medication may be the best solution to help your dog cope with his fear of storms.
Consult with your veterinarian about possible treatments, in conjunction with training.
By taking these precautions, you and your dog can enjoy a healthier, fun-filled summertime.