The lives of many animals have been lost and confused, homeless and starving animals are now wandering the streets of Haiti.

The Christian Veterinary Mission has been in Haiti for 30 years, and there were actually two vets on staff when the earthquake hit. They immediately began to help families and their pets. The HSUS has been monitoring the situation along with the AVMA to see where they need to go to be most effective.

Currently, the Animal Relief Coalition of Haiti is on ground in Haiti to help the animals as well as raising money for them.  Organizations that form this group are WSPA,  IFAW, AHA, ASPCA, Best Friends and United Animal Nations.

According to Best Friends website, at this time ARCH is no longer asking for donations to help the animals stating that they have effectively raised enough funds through peoples donations to contain the animal situation. They are gathering up the animals, vaccinating, applying flea control and restoring health to the animal victims.  They are currently seeing between 25 and 50 animals a day.

Scheduled to arrive  today  in the Dominican Republic is a mobile animal unit  which will then go on to Haiti  and should arrive in several days.

Dogs love squeaky toys, and as a parent, we love to watch them play with their squeaky toys. We laugh at their antics and delight in how much fun they are having, but, have you ever stopped to think what could happen if your dog gets the little squeaker out and swallows it.

The squeakers can get lodged in your dogs throat causing them to choke or even be swallowed causing gastric upset or even worse. 

So, now you ask why you should even let them have a squeaky toy. 

You all know dogs are natural hunters and prey on smaller animals. In the wild, the dogs would hunt down their prey, which were hiding and making little squeaky noises. This enabled the dogs to better find their prey and gave them much satisfaction after capturing it. 

To this day, the instinct is still within them, and that is why we think they love their squeaky toys so much. Not only does playing with the toy give them some self satisfaction, it also stimulates their brain and keeps them occupied for quite awhile while addressing their chewing instinct.  

One squeaky toy though that I have found to recommend is the Air Kong Squeaker Donut Toy. The squeaker is hidden. For some reason while dogs are playing with their squeaky toys, they seem to go right for the squeaker and pull it out. With the squeaker hidden, this certainly makes it more difficult and the donut is really pretty tough. 

While no squeaky toy is going to be completely indestructible, some are certainly made to with stand the vigorous exercise workout some dogs and puppies will give them like the Air Kong Squeaker Donut Toy. 

As an added precaution it’s just always best to let them play with their squeaky toy when you are around to watch them

Benadryl – Itching, scratching or allergy symptoms

Dogs- ½ to 1 mg per lb, max 2 mg per lb every 8 hrs

Cats – ½ mg per lb every 8 hrs

Buffered Aspirin (Ascriptin) – Pain relief, anti inflammatory

Dogs – 5 mg per lb every 8 hrs

Cats – do not use

Dramamine – For motion sickness

Dogs – 12.5 to 50 mg every 8 hrs

Cats – 12.5 mg every 8 hrs

Hydrogen Peroxide – Use 3% to induce vomiting

Dog and Cats – Use 10ml by mouth, repeat in 15 minutes if no vomiting

Imodium AD – For Diarrhea

Dogs – 1 ml per lb (liquid) or 1 mg per 20 lb of tablet

Cats – do not use

Kaopectate – For Diarrhea

Dogs and Cats – 1ml per lb every 2 hrs

Mineral Oil – For Constipation

Dogs – Up to 4TBS daily

Cats – Up to 2 TBS daily

Canned Pumpkin – For Constipation

Dogs – 2-3 tsp every 8 to 12 hrs

Cats – 1 -2 tsp every 8 to 12 hrs

Pepto Bismol – Gas, Diarrhea

Dogs – 1 tsp per 5 lb every 6 hrs

Cats – do not use

Robitussin DM – Coughing, Hacking

Dogs – 1 tsp per 20lbs every 8 to 10 hrs

Cats, do not use

In the Tampa Bay paper online today, I read an extremely disturbing article about the Tampa Bay SPCA passing themselves off as a no kill when in reality, they are killing baby kittens, dogs and adult cats at a higher rate then they are adopting them out. Their kennels are not filled, some of their cat cages are empty and volunteers are being asked to sign a confidentiality statement so that they can’t relay to anyone what they see going on there.

My guess is that the 3 million they take in every year from unsuspecting donors would not nearly be that much if they showed their real statistics of euthanasia. Sure, everyone that donates to a shelter doesn’t do so because its a no kill, but, I would suspect that the majority of their donors have also been misled, just like the public and those dropping off pets to be adopted out.

Now, you say, what kind of person drops off pets and should they even have a say if they drop them off. Yes, while I don’t always understand their reason for the abandonment of a pet you’ve had since it was a baby, I certainly can respect the fact that they are attempting to find it a home instead of just leaving it behind in an abandoned apartment or house or letting it loose on the streets like so many others are doing. They are doing so under the assumption that their pet will be given the chance to find another home.

Tampa Bay SPCA says they check the animals for health problems, aggressiveness or cats that won’t use litter boxes. These animals are euthanized. So, you are telling me that someone won’t take a chance on a dog that has a little medical problem or a cat that maybe doesn’t like the litter the SPCA uses? Obviously.

How many other "no kill" rescues are using this same facade to hide behind? It’s disturbing to me to know it’s going on in my hometown or anywhere for that matter.

If these shelters and rescues put as much effort into adopting out the animals as they do in hiding the truth of all the euthanasia, they would have a much higher adoption rate and much lower euthanasia rate. But, from what I’ve seen in the past,  for the most part, that’s not their goal. Their goal is to just run a shelter, dupe the public and hope that a few animals are adopted to at least show their feeble attempts at being a rescue shelter.

As a long time Steeler fan, I find the rumor to be quite upsetting. Why would such a hard working, moral team like the Steelers even consider this? What could Vick possibly bring to them that they don’t have? Oh ya, controversy. That’s about it. The team’s accomplishments would be so over shadowed by the ill feeling of decent Steeler fans towards Michael Vick that you wouldn’t even remember them for being the best  NFL team in football history.

Why would Tomlin even consider it, not to mention the Rooney’s? Some of the finest, most respected people to ever own a football franchise. Ya ya, forgive and give second chances and all that crap. It doesn’t cut it in the NFL. One strike and you are out. These players are the figureheads that our kids look up to. So, we tell our kids, go out, commit a felony, but that’s ok, cause you can always get a job in the NFL if the local trash company turns you down.

Come on folks, be realistic, not only does Michael Vick NOT belong in the NFL, he for sure does not deserve to be a Steeler. Let some other less fortunate, less talented, less moral team pick him up since the commish decided its ok to reinstate him (with conditions).

If you want your voice heard opposing the Steelers signing Michael Vick, here’s on online petition you can sign.

http://www.petitiononline.com/stlrs09/petition.html

Lets start with before baby is born

Set up the playpen, toys, crib etc. Let your pet get used to these items. That way, you aren’t introducing too much new stuff at one time. Let him smell the items.

Play baby crying noises, or invest in a baby doll that cries. Let him get familiar with that sound (and you, too).

Sprinkle baby powder around; the scent will become familiar also.

Have your friends and neighbors and relatives expose their baby to your pet so he can get used to those little people.

If your pet is a cat, you can purchase a mesh cover for the crib incase you plan on leaving the nursery door open so that the cat cannot jump into the crib on the baby. For that matter, it will keep those small bouncing dogs out of the inside of the crib also. If the nursery is going to be a pet free zone, close the door and whenever you do open it, make sure your pet understands not to enter. That way, he won’t associate not entering the room with the baby.

After the baby is born

Before bringing home baby, take home a blanket from the hospital with baby smells on it so your pet can familiarize himself with those smells and not be so curious.

When mom or dad walks through the door with baby, greet your pet, call his name, and let the introductions begin. Reward Fido for his good behavior with baby.

When singing songs to the baby, incorporate your pets name into the songs also.

Keep your pets routine as close as possible to the way it was before baby.

Play with your pet not only while baby is sleeping, but while baby is awake also. Reward your pet when it plays well with the baby.

.

Including your pet in the joy of having a new baby is the key. Do not make him feel like he is an outsider now. Reward, reward, reward.

Following these few simple lessons can make the difference between a smooth transition for your household or an upset one.

Pabst, a 4 year old mixed breed boxer was the recipient of the award. With his scrunched up face and under bite, he took the top honors beating out last years Chinese Crested, Rascal.

Pabst will receive $1600.00 in prize money, along with a modeling contract from House Of Dog and also pet supplies.

Miss Ellie, another Chinese Crested, took top honors in the pedigree category.

It’s best not to assume that all dogs can swim, or even if you know your dog swims that they may not get into a situation that they you can’t retrieve them from quickly enough. You would never put yourself or your family at risk, so you should never put your dog at risks either.

These Life preservers are designed especially for the comfort and safety of your dog. Ranging from extra small to extra large, there is a size specifically designed to fit your pet’s weight and length. These high performance jacketsprovide excellent flotation performance for your pet while keeping them comfortable.

Additionally, you should make sure you have plenty of fresh drinking water on board for your dog. Travel bowls are available in no spill bowls. These are also excellent for hiking and camping or just doggie walks to the park.

Also, be sure to have a place out of the sun on your boat for your dog to relax in. Excess sun can no only burn them, but can cause heat stroke and heat cramps. A nice covering for the pads of their feet while on deck is recommended. Boots for dogs come in various sizes and colors and can help protect their feet from getting burnt.

If your dog has not been boating before, let them get acquainted at first before taking off. Dogs normally like stable surfaces, so this could be quite a shock to them. Allow your pet to get off and on the boat quite a few times to get comfortable and assure him that he will be able to leave the boat at some point. Watch for signs of seasickness, it happens to dogs too.

For all your pet boating safety needs, visit PawsUpPetSupply and use code Cindy01 for your 10% off $50.00 savings.

I’m writing this blog because I am being faced with the decision of whether or not to have gold beads inserted into my dogs spinal pressure points. This is not a practice that I was familiar with until recently. I’ve spoken with many vets, did lots of research and have come to some conclusions about this type of therapy.

I’ve long known about acupuncture for animals and people, in fact, I’ve had relatives that did have acupuncture and swore that it worked quite well. I’ve now come to know of a neighbor’s dog that had the gold bead acupuncture that couldn’t even get up, and I’ve seen him running around like a puppy with my own eyes.

My dilemma is that my dog, a large Rottweiler, had a hemilaminectomy several years ago or in layman’s terms, surgical removal of a portion of the vertebrae lamina. The doctors did not think he would ever walk again. Through a rigorous physical therapy that I instituted with him, including hydrotherapy, he now walks. His gait is odd, he has trouble getting up on tile floors, and sort of bunny hops instead of running. Because of a toe that he jammed and will not heal, the toe will have to be removed and the Veterinarian is recommending the gold bead acupuncture at the time of toe removal. Not being very familiar with this procedure has left me a little leery since his hemilaminectomy was so long ago.

However, in researching this procedure, I have found it to be quite interesting and of a great help to dogs that suffer from epilepsy, Wobblers, spondylosis of the spine, and other musculo-skeletal diseases.

How this procedure works is tiny gold beads are inserted into pressure points, depending on the disease being treated, and the beads give off positive charges thereby normalizing dysplastic joints or desensitize the vertebrae. In spondylosis treatments, the beads tighten connective tissue and and give off positive charges that normalize ionic changes in tissue.    Endorphins are also released at this time giving the dog a more euphoric feeling.  Results can be seen immediately or take up to months. The beads remain in the pets body forever.

This procedure is no doubt costly, ranging from 800 to 2000 dollars, just depending on how large the animal is and how many beads need to be inserted. Research shows that it does help 75% of the animals that receive it. My vet says his results have been 100%.  

The HSUS maintains that the chain has duped its customers into buying unhealthy puppies from puppy mills without the consumers knowledge. In the complaint, it also states that Petland is the largest supporter of Puppy Mills in the US.

Many of these puppies are being sold with parvo or congenital defects that will impact them the rest of their lives, as well as high vet bills and heartbreak for their owners.

Petland Vice President maintains that each puppy is checked by a licensed veterinarian and comes with a health certificate prior to arriving at the stores. Petland has responded to the accusations claiming that the suit is nothing more then a smear campaign and full of false accusations.

Rallys were held on March 14th at several Petland stores by concerned consumers joining in with the HSUS to demand the stores to stop buying their puppies from Puppy Mills. Horns honked and people stopped by to tell of their nightmare with puppies they had purchased from Petland.

To get more information or if you have purchased a Petland puppy, you can contact the HSUS or visit http://www.stoppuppymills.org/ or to find out how you can help stop puppy mills.