May 2015 Newsletter - Poodle Rescue of New England

May 2015
Renaissance Poodles
The Newsletter of Poodle Rescue of New England
Welcome Note... by Mahala Beams
Now that spring has finally arrived in winter-battered New
England, how lovely it is to be able to get out in our yards
once again. And how reassuring to see signs of life all
around, magnolias in flower, various shoots poking up
from the ground, and birds busily collecting materials for
their nests.
As I work in my garden, I have a willing helper, Figaro,
my miniature poodle. Every time I pull a weed, he tugs it
enthusiastically from my hand. Frisking and bounding
through the yard, he shreds the weed, leaving a trail of
debris for me to clean up. When I dig a hole in hopes of
putting in a new plant, he digs enthusiastically also,
shooting dirt and mud in all directions. If I am lucky
enough to place my flower successfully in the hole, but
carelessly turn my back, he is likely to pull it up again
and, yes, to rip it to pieces. As I collect all the sticks that
litter the yard, Figaro is ready for a vigorous game of tugof-war, each stick an exciting possibility. Leaf clean-up
presents an even greater opportunity for adventure as he
lunges at the monstrous rake to subdue it.
Although I am able to accomplish very little in my garden
when Figaro is out with me, I am grateful for his company
and his mutual enjoyment of our gardening projects. And
how delightful it is to be out together in the sun and
breeze as springtime takes over once again.
.........
Lulu
Lulu... by Anne Aronson
To look at Lulu, you’d never know there’s anything really
wrong with her. She runs and plays with her brothers, eats
with gusto, and greets everyone with a jump and a kiss.
When she arrived in rescue at the age of 11 weeks, she
barely weighed two pounds and was having seizures.
Initially it was thought the seizures were due to
hypoglycemia. I, as her foster mom, was advised to feed
her four times daily, give her several holistic supplements
and keep a diary documenting her seizures. When the
seizures kept coming and became more frequent, I
Figaro with an unfortunate flower
In this issue:
Welcome Note ........................................page 1
Lulu......................................................... page 1
PRNE/PETCO Connection..................... page 3
Paws in the Park......................................page 4
Sweet Avril............................................. page 6
Continued on page 2
In Memory of Amelia...............................page 7
New Information about Jerky Treats........page 8
Mailbox.....................................................page 10
Spring Gallery...........................................page 12
Upcoming Events......................................page 13
The Newsletter of PRNE
May 2015
Lulu... continued from page 1
brought her to see a neurologist. After a very thorough
evaluation and a MRI, Lulu was diagnosed with severe,
bilateral hydrocephalus. Lowell Ackerman explains this
condition in the following excerpt from his book:
Hydrocephalus, commonly referred to as “water
on the brain” is an uncommon condition in which
cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) accumulates inside the
skull outside the brain. Dogs typically acquire the
defect that leads to this condition while in utero
but are not subject to the fluid accumulation until
after birth. Consequently, hydrocephalic animals
are born normal but eventually, when the
increased fluid pressure builds, it exerts damaging
pressure on the brain. The congenital form of
hydrocephalus is called primary hydrocephalus.
Once the puppy’s skull has reached its limit, the
fluid continues to build and a build-up of pressure
inside the skull leads to neurological symptoms,
usually beginning at around eight to 12 weeks.
Seizures, head-pressing, a characteristic position
of the eyes (down and sometimes outwards),
blindness, or sometimes (as happens most
commonly in milder cases) difficulty in training––
especially in house training. Over 75% of these
dogs have been reported to have housebreaking
difficulty. Milder cases will have symptoms that
tend to reach a plateau at about age 1 or 2 and
may lead near-normal lives but severe cases will
become unmanageably affected well before then.
Of the toy breeds, the Chihuahua, Maltese,
Pomeranian, Toy Poodle and Yorkshire Terrier are
especially affected. Most canine patients are never
definitively treated due to the expense and
specialized nature of hydrocephalus treatment.
Unfortunately, euthanasia is the most common
outcome for those who suffer anything but the
mildest symptoms of hydrocephalus.
Symptomatic treatment, however, can include
drug therapy to reduce seizure activity and/or
corticosteroids to relieve inflammation of the
brain. Omeprazole may also be employed. This is
an antacid drug that somehow also woks to reduce
CSF fluid pressure on the brain.”
(Ackerman, L. 1999. The Genetic Condition: A
Guide to Health Problems in Purebred Dogs. pp
135-136. AAHA Press. Lakewood, Colorado.)
Lulu and her foster siblings: Dallas (black), Charlee (white) and Ace (silver)
Reading and learning about hydrocephalus was very
upsetting. The prognosis seemed so grim. She was
placed on a medication (Zonisamide) to control her
seizures and Omeprazole to control the buildup of cerebral
fluids. Lulu has done quite well on both these meds.
Fast forward to today, 15 months later.
Lulu has
blossomed into a gorgeous silver, toy poodle. When she
first arrived, she was jet black with a silver face. She now
weighs four pounds. I am very proud of her
accomplishments: she sits on command, responds to her
name and walks beautifully on a leash. She has learned to
do her business outside. I keep her on a strict schedule
and she rarely has accidents in the house. She is very
loving and her tail couldn’t wag any faster when she sees
both my husband and me. She has some behavioral issues
seen in hydrocephalic dogs, but we tend to overlook them,
because we just love her to pieces. She is very busy,
constantly in motion, almost like a child with ADHD. She
loves to run laps around the kitchen island. She is easily
distracted and if she is doing something that she likes, i.e.
playing with a stuffed animal, chewing on a bully stick,
she behaves as if she doesn’t hear you speaking to her.
She can become overly excited when she sees unfamiliar
Continued on page 3
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The Newsletter of PRNE
May 2015
Lulu... continued from page 2
dogs, can bark incessantly at the smallest noise, and can
become reactive on a leash. She loves to chew toes, used
tissues and pant hems.
I want to thank PRNE for allowing me to foster/adopt
Lulu. We had recently lost another, very rambunctious
tiny toy to old age. Although Lulu will never replace
Lilee, she sure is a wonderful addition to our home.
Lulu just started obedience school, with mixed results.
Her first class, she was so excited by her classmates that
she could barely contain herself. Stay tuned to see how
she progresses….
.........
Lulu enjoys a recent outing
PRNE and PETCO
The Connection Continues!
PRNE received a very generous check from PETCO’s Tree of Hope
Campaign in the four locations where PRNE volunteers have been sitting.
Thank you to everyone who has been able to represent PRNE at PETCO.
Special commendations go to Arlowane, Susan and Marcella who consistently
promote PRNE’s message at PETCO in Needham, Topsfield and Hudson
respectively!
If you'd like to sign up to sit at PETCO, please contact Anne to get on the
schedule at:
volunteer@poodlerescuene.org
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The Newsletter of PRNE
May 2015
Paws in the Park 2015
On May 3, a beautiful spring Sunday, PRNE
volunteers represented PRNE at Paws in the
Park, Save a Dog’s 15th Annual Dog Walk, at
Longfellow’s Wayside Inn in Sudbury, MA.
All participants had a fine time working for
the worthy cause of raising money to save
dogs in need.
Anne with Charlee (a PRNE adoptee), Merrilea, and Bonnie
with Oscar (a PRNE adoptee)
Pooches model stylish
visors purchased from
PRNE
Al and Dom with visitor Frosty
Two cute visitors to PRNE’s booth
Neal and Marjorie with Slice and Maddox (both adopted from PRNE)
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Newsletter of PRNE
May 2015
Sweet Avril... by Mahala Beams
Avril
You followed me everywhere I went in the house, upstairs
and downstairs, and upstairs and downstairs again. I was
your food source, and like a hummingbird guarding a
feeder, you wanted me in your sight at all times. When we
packed to go to Vermont, you hovered around me
anxiously. Don’t forget me; don’t forget me!
I loved your sweet little face, your shiny black button
nose, your soft gently curling gray and white hair, your
big brown eyes and your sweet friendly personality. I
loved the way you lay on your tummy, feet stretched out
behind you, hips at 180 degrees, paws turned up in the
back. I loved the joyful way you tore out of the house
when the possibility of catching a squirrel sent you racing
down the back stairs. Once you even ran up one of the
elephantine roots of our gigantic copper beech, perching
in the crotch of the tree, but alas, not high up enough to
catch that squirrel.
You were stubborn. You refused to inhabit your special
bed on the floor when we retired. Finally, we gave in and
you took your place at my feet every night. Before lights
out though, you liked to nestle by my husband’s pillow,
but when he was ready to climb in, you obediently moved
to your place at the foot. Our wakeup call in the morning
was your rising and shaking your little head vigorously,
then cautiously stepping up to my husband’s pillow to
settle next to his head until we rose.
Was it the one-quarter beagle in you that gave you your
prodigious appetite? Did you think that if you didn’t
inhale your food, it would disappear? Or were you just
rushing to down your meal as fast as possible so that you
could clean up after Triton and Figaro or, better yet, steal
their food if given the opportunity? And it wasn’t just
food that you ate. When you were a puppy, you consumed
a box of staples and had to visit the vet. When you were
grown and should have known better, you climbed onto
the dining room table and broke into the Halloween candy
ready for trick-or-treaters. You devoured the candy wrappers, foil and all. When Kathy visited with a cooler
full of granola bars, you ate cloth and plastic off to get the
treats inside. You raided the purses of guests to find
possible hidden treats. Birdseed spilled on the ground
from the feeder in the yard drew you like a magnet. And
when the copper beech dropped its beechnuts in their
prickly pods, you scavenged for them vigilantly,
consuming prickly pods and all. In Vermont, bits off the
Avril in the copper beech
Continued on page 6
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The Newsletter of PRNE
May 2015
Sweet Avril... continued from page 5
logs in the wood nook were tempting fare as were sticks
and wood chips in our yard at home. Did your tendency
towards pica damage your GI track? Two years ago, when
you developed hemorrhagic gastroenteritis the first time, it
took you five days in the hospital to recover, when most
dogs recover in one to three days. The second time was
worse.
In the hospital you greeted me with sweet wags every time
I came, even as you got sicker and sicker. I never missed
the two daily visiting sessions, but I hope you knew you
were not abandoned. The caregivers were kind and
conscientious and your vet in charge was doing her best.
Would you have recovered if I had done something
differently? Did I make the right decisions? I keep asking
these questions, but you, my beloved dog, are gone and I
held you when you left.
The house is so empty now, even though your companions
Triton and Figaro are still here. Who will Figaro walk
with now? Trotting together ahead of me, eagerly pulling
me along, you in your little-girly flowered pink jacket and
he in his stylish red coat, the two of you were like a little
matched pair, just the same height although you were
almost twice his weight.
Where are you now? Are you walking down the dirt road
in Vermont as we did so many times together? Are you
under Andrew’s bed where you retreated if it thundered or
if the vacuum cleaner roared? Are you under my feet as I
work on the computer at my desk? Are you under the
dining room table or by the kitchen counter waiting
hopefully for some tidbit to drop? No, but you are in my
heart always.
.........
Avril in her pink flowered coat
Avril, Figaro and Triton walking the dirt road in Vermont
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The Newsletter of PRNE
May 2015
In Memory of Amelia
Those we love don’t go away,
They walk beside us every day,
Unseen, unheard, but always near,
Still loved, still missed and very dear.
~ Author unknown
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The Newsletter of PRNE
May 2015
New Information about Jerky Treats for Pets
by Nancy Kay, DVM © (April 13, 2015)
Dr. Kay, author of Speaking for Spot: Be the Advocate Your Dog Needs to Live a Happy, Healthy, Longer Life and of
Your Dog’s Best Health: A Dozen Reasonable Things to Expect of Your Vet has graciously granted permission for PRNE
to reprint one of her informative articles in each issue of Renaissance Poodles. Dr. Kay’s extensive credentials follow:
Dr. Kay
Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine; Recipient, Leo K. Bustad Companion Animal
Veterinarian of the Year Award; Recipient, American Animal Hospital Association Animal Welfare and Humane Ethics
Award; Recipient, Dog Writers Association of America Award for Best Blog; Recipient, Eukanuba Canine Health
Award; Recipient, AKC Club Publication Excellence Award. For more information, visit her website: http://
www.speakingforspot.com.
Since 2007, we’ve known that chicken jerky treats manufactured in China can cause gastrointestinal and/or kidney
issues in some dogs. Until recently, virtually all commercially sold jerky treats in the United States were manufactured in
China. Despite extensive investigations by numerous experts, the actual cause(s) of jerky-induced illnesses has not been
identified.
When jerky-associated problems were first documented, savvy proprietors of many independently owned pet stores quit
stocking Chinese-manufactured jerky treats. More recently, many of the big box stores have followed suit. These pet
store changes have seemingly produced positive results. According to a February 2015 Seattle Times article, “For the
first time in seven years, complaints that jerky pet treats made in China are sickening and killing America’s animals,
mostly dogs, have fallen sharply.” Food and Drug Administration spokeswoman, Siobhan DeLancey reasoned, “We’re
not sure if this is because the products are off the market, because people are more aware of the problem, or because
some of the products have been reformulated.”
New jerky-related problems
Ms. DeLancey was recently back in the news responding to reports of illnesses caused by jerky treats manufactured
within the United States. In response to these new claims filed by veterinarians Ms. DeLancey stated, “We have found
some of these products may contain ingredients from outside of the U.S. The FDA continues its investigation into these,
as well as other, jerky treats potentially linked to illnesses.” The implication is that jerky treats manufactured within the
United States don’t necessarily contain domestic ingredients. Whether or not the source of ingredients explains recently
reported illnesses remains anyone’s guess.
Some dogs who responded adversely to jerky treats manufactured within the United States experienced vomiting and
diarrhea. More seriously affected dogs developed kidney failure, and some developed Fanconi Syndrome, a rare form of
kidney disease seen primarily as an inherited disorder in the Basenji breed. Dr. Urs Giger, a veterinary geneticist,
professor at the University of Pennsylvania, and leading expert on Fanconi Syndrome, reported that his laboratory began
seeing many more non-Basenji cases of Fanconi Syndrome in or around 2007, all seemingly related to jerky
consumption. Four hundred Fanconi cases were identified between 2009 and 2012, and Giger reports that he continues
to see new cases weekly. The most recent cases are seemingly associated with consumption of jerky treats manufactured
within the United States.
Continued on page 9
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The Newsletter of PRNE
May 2015
New Information about Jerky Treats for Pets... continued from page 8
Jerky treats and your pet
What does this information mean in terms of your dog’s health? Jerky-induced illnesses remain a reality, and a
“Manufactured within the United States” product label is not a guarantee of safety. Until the actual cause(s) of jerkyrelated illness is identified, I strongly encourage you to avoid feeding jerky products to your dogs, regardless of where
they are manufactured. If your dog really loves jerky (can’t live without it!), consider making your own. Until further
notice, please stay away from the store bought stuff.
Based on this information, will you be altering your dog’s jerky habit?
If you would like to respond publicly, please visit: http://www.speakingforspot.com/blog/?p=4747.
Poodle Figurines
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The Newsletter of PRNE
May 2015
Mail Box
Hi Amy (Louie’s Foster Mother),
Belatedly, thank you very much for your note and the toy
you sent for Louie. He loves that toy. I estimate he has
killed it at least 100 times, but apparently it keeps coming
back to life and needs to be killed again :)
Louie is doing very well. He loves to be chased around the
house, to sit in my chair with me, to go for walks every
day, and to ride anywhere at all in the car. He's great
around other people and other dogs, and does pretty well
with most of the basic commands. We're working on
"stay" and "fetch."
He is eating well and seems to be back to a normal
weight, and his checkup went very well. He's very spry
for his age, so we're hoping he stays healthy and well for a
long time.
He does have some separation anxiety, and still howls
sometimes when we leave him alone, even for short
periods. I have been crating him, which does seem to be
gradually reducing his anxiety levels.
Thanks again,
Gail
------------
Louie
Dear PRNE,
Just a happy update on little Toto. We adopted him just
about one year ago and he is a happy and healthy 51/2
pound dog!!! We did change his name to MunchkinMunchie for short (funny-no teeth). Almost all of his
nervous habits are gone and he is now a pretty relaxed guy
who loves to lie in the sun with his family.
Thanks for rescuing him - he is really enjoying life,
making up for lost time!
Regards,
Donna and George D'Iorio
-----------Continued on page 11
Louie subduing his toy
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The Newsletter of PRNE
May 2015
Mail Box... continued from page 10
Greetings Amy and Kelly,
I can not express how much love and joy Miss Penelope
has brought to our lives. She has turned into quite a little
love bug.
This past weekend she spent a wonderful weekend at the
York Harbor Inn with me and my mother. She was the
center of attention everywhere we went in
Kennebunkport, Portland and York. I carried her around
everywhere in her little blanket. She would fall asleep half
the time but also enjoyed people watching. Maine is an
incredible place for pet lovers because dogs are allowed
everywhere! She was even allowed in restaurants with us.
Her favorite place to be is the beach. She has such a little
smile on her face the minute her paws touch the sand.
Amanda and Penelope
It has been so gratifying to see her evolve from a dog that
would jump when we touched her to one who loves to be
carried around like a baby for hours on end. She also has a
little bit of a sweet tooth like her mama!!
Amanda Borges
Penelope enjoys the beach
Penelope with Amanda and friends
Penelope indulges her sweet tooth
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The Newsletter of PRNE
May 2015
SPRING GALLERY
Bella Luna
Blooman
Parti Poodle Party! Edward (aka Raj, Jr.), Tequila and Scarlet (aka Emma Lee), all PRNE pups
Eddie and Dexter
Dexter goes to Ikea
Lorenzo
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The Newsletter of PRNE
May 2015
Upcoming Events
ANNUAL PRNE BARBECUE!
AUGUST 8, 2015
SAVE THE DATE
For more information, check PRNEʼs website:
www.poodlerescuenewengland.org
or visit PRNEʼs Facebook page
Baxter
WHO WE ARE
Newsletter: Mahala Beams, editing and layout; and Amanda Lion
Board of Directors: Merrilea Agostino, Anne Aronson, Amanda Lion, Amy Moore, and Gayle Morelli
For more information on Poodle Rescue of New England, please visit our website:
www.poodlerescuenewengland.org
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