There is no faith, which has never yet been broken, except that of a truly faithful dog.
~Konrad Z. Lorenz
Pet Friendly Links
Bringing Your New Dog Home
So you have added a canine companion to your home. Congratulations! No doubt you are excited and looking forward to forging a lifelong friendship with your new buddy. But try to keep in mind the confusion he is feeling right now. He is likely to be a little disoriented, wondering where he is and who all these new people are.
The key to helping your new dog make a successful adjustment to your home is being prepared and being patient. It can take anywhere from two days to two months for you and your pet to adjust to each other.
The following tips can help ensure a smooth transition:
Supplies
Prepare the things your dog will need in advance. We usually supply you with a collar and leash and a small supply of food for the dog you adopt, but you will most often need to buy them food and water bowls, food and of course some toys. Don't forget to licence your dog as soon as possible.
Welcome Home
Try to arrange the arrival of your new dog for a weekend or when you can be home for a few days. Get to know each other and spend some quality time together. Don't forget the jealousy factor – make sure you don't neglect other pets and people in your household!
Health Care
Despite our best efforts, viruses can be spread and may occasionally go home with adopted animals. If you already have dogs or cats at home, make sure they are up to date on their shots and in good general health before introducing your new pet.
Take your new dog to the veterinarian within a week after adoption so you can receive confirmation that he is in good health. As per our adoption contract, any pet adopted that has not been spayed or neutered must be done when the pet comes of age and your vet will let you know at what age the pet should be altered. There are already far too many homeless puppies and dogs; don't let your pet add to the problem.
House Rules
Work out your dog care regimen in advance among the human members of your household. Who will walk the dog first thing in the morning? Who will feed him at night? Will your dog be allowed on the couch, or won't he? Where will he rest at night? Are there any rooms in the house that are off limits?
Training and Discipline
Dogs need order. Remember, they are pack animals, so make yourself the "pack leader". Let your pet know from the start who is boss. When you catch him doing something he shouldn't, don't lose your cool. Stay calm, and let him know immediately, in a loud and disapproving voice, that he has misbehaved. Reward him with praise when he does well, too! If need be, sign up for a local dog obedience class, and you'll learn what a joy it is to have a well-trained dog.
A Friend for Life
Finally, be reasonable in your expectations. Life with you is a different experience for your new companion, so give him time to adjust. You'll soon find out that you have made a friend for life. No one will ever greet you with as much enthusiasm or provide you with as much unqualified love and loyalty as your dog will. Be patient, and you will be amply rewarded.
Why You Should Spay and Neuter Your Pet
What do "spay" and "neuter" really mean?
Female dogs and cats are spayed by removing their reproductive organs, and male dogs and cats are neutered by removing their testicles. In both cases the operation is performed while the pet is under anesthesia. Depending on your pet's age, size and health, he or she will stay at your veterinarian's office for a few hours or a few days. Depending upon the procedure, your pet may need stiches removed after a few days. Your veterinarian can fully explain spay and neuter procedures to you and discuss with you the best age at which to sterilize your pet.
Spaying and Neutering is Good for Your Pet
• Spaying and neutering helps dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives.
• Spaying and neutering can eliminate or reduce the incidence of a number of health problems that can be very difficult or expensive to treat.
• Spaying eliminates the possibility of uterine or ovarian cancer and greatly reduces the incidence of breast cancer, particularly when your pet is spayed before her first estrous cycle.
• Neutering eliminates testicular cancer and decreases the incidence of prostate disease.
Spaying and Neutering is Good for You
• Spaying and neutering makes pets better, more affectionate companions.
• Neutering cats makes them less likely to spray and mark territory.
• Spaying a dog or cat eliminates her heat cycle. Estrus lasts an average of six to 12 days, often twice a year, in dogs and an average of six to seven days, three or more times a year, in cats. Females in heat can cry incessantly, show nervous behaviour, and attract unwanted male animals.
• Unsterilized animals often exhibit more behaviour and temperament problems than do those who have been spayed or neutered.
• Spaying and neutering can make pets less likely to bite.
• Neutering makes pets less likely to roam the neighbourhood, run away, or get into fights.
Spaying and Neutering Are Good for the Community
• Communities spend millions of dollars to control unwanted animals.
• Irresponsible breeding contributes to the problem of dog bites and attacks.
• Animal shelters are overburdened with surplus animals.
• Stray pets and homeless animals get into trash containers, defecate in public areas or on private lawns, and frighten or anger people who have no understanding of their misery or needs.
• Some stray animals also scare away or kill birds and wildlife.
Fix That Bunny!
When being conscientious about the pet overpopulation, don't forget to spay or neuter your pet rabbit. Altering rabbits can reduce hormone-driven behaviour such as lunging, mounting, spraying, and boxing. Spaying females can prevent ovarian, mammarian, and uterine cancers, which can be prevalent in mature does. Also, rabbits reproduce faster than dogs or cats and are the third-most surrendered animal to shelters.
Spay or neuter surgery carries a one-time cost that is relatively small when one considers its benefits. It's a small price to pay for the health of your pet and the prevention of more unwanted animals.
An unspayed female dog, her mate and all of their puppies and their puppies' puppies, if none are ever neutered or spayed, add up to:
1 year: 16
2 years: 128
3 years: 512
4 years: 2,048
5 years: 12,288
6 years: 67,000
Free to a Good Home ...
If you find yourself in a situation where you must find a home for your pet, and you decide you are going to place an ad in the local paper, please remember one thing - NEVER GIVE A PET AWAY FOR FREE!
Why? Because there are many unscrupulous people who use "free to good home" ads to collect free cats, kittens and dogs and then use them for many things other than companions.
Some sell your pets to research labs. They usually get about $20 dollars per pet, so $25 dollars is the least you should charge.
Even worse, there are people involved in dog fighting that will use other smaller dogs, cats or kittens to "train" dogs for pit fighting.
Other sick people just enjoy torturing animals, and even others are looking for a cheap meal.
As you can see, "Free to a good home" ads are a very bad idea!
If you are not comfortable charging a fee for your pet, then donate the money to an animal rescue.
Obviously you don't have to charge a close friend or family member, but if a stranger really wants your pet, they will be more than willing to pay you an adoption fee, allow you to ask personal information about their home and lifestyle, and allow you to see where the pet will be kept.
Holiday Hazards For Dogs
The holiday season is upon us and while most of us will be making merry, we wanted to remind everyone to be a little extra careful this year and help keep all our pets safe. The following is a partial list of things to watch out for and to keep curious pets away from.
Aluminium Foil
When ingested, aluminium foil can cut a dog's intestines causing internal bleeding and in some cases even death.
Anti-Freeze
If ingested, anti-freeze (ethylene glycol) is often lethal, even in very small quantities. Because many dogs and cats like its sweet taste, there are many animal fatalities each year from pets drinking anti-freeze. Poisoning from anti-freeze is considered a serious medical emergency which must be treated by a qualified veterinarian IMMEDIATELY.
Bones
Bones from steak, veal, pork, turkey or chicken, as well as ribs, can be hazardous to your dog and are not recommended.
Chocolate
Chocolate contains an element which is toxic to dogs called Theo bromine. Even an ounce or two of chocolate can be lethal to a small dog (10 lbs or less). Larger quantities of chocolate can poison or even kill a medium or large dog. Dark and unsweetened baking chocolate are especially dangerous. Symptoms of chocolate poisoning include: vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, hyperactivity and seizures. During many holidays such as Christmas, chocolate is often accessible to curious dogs and in some cases people unwittingly poison their dogs by offering them chocolate as a treat.
Electrocution
Christmas tree lights and electrical cords can be fatal if chewed on by a dog or cat. Whenever possible, keep electrical cords out of reach using pvc piping, placing cords under rugs or behind or under heavy furniture.
Hypothermia
When a dog's internal temperature drops below 36 degrees Celsius (by being exposed to cold weather for long periods, or getting both wet and cold) there is a serious risk to the dog's safety. Small and short haired dogs should wear sweaters when taken for walks during cold winter weather. Any sign that a dog is very cold, such a shivering, should signal the owner to bring the dog indoors immediately.
Ice Melting Chemicals and Salt
Ice melting chemicals and salt placed across sidewalks and roads can cause severe burning to your dog's footpads. Whenever possible, avoid walking your dog through these substances, and wash off his footpads when you return home.
Poisonous Plants
Dogs and cats can become extremely ill or even die from eating poisonous plants. Keep all unknown types of plants and any plants suspected of being poisonous out of reach of your pet and/or spray with Bitter Apple (for plants).
Plastic Food Wrap
Plastic food wrap can cause choking and intestinal obstruction. Some dogs will eat the plastic wrapping when there are food remnants left coating the surface.
Tinsel and Other Christmas Tree Ornaments
When ingested by a dog or cat, tinsel may cause obstruction of the intestines and the tinsel's sharp edges can even cut the intestines. Symptoms may include: decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, listlessness and weight loss. Treatment usually requires surgery.
"There is no psychiatrest in the world like a puppy licking your face"
~Ben Williams
