Tip of the Week:
Between grooming appointments refresh your dog by using baby powder. Sprinkle into the coat and brush out. I leaves a pleasant odor and helps with an oily coat . You can also use baby wipes . They work great for cleaning soiled feet, bottoms and ears.
Get your puppy vaccinations on time. Boosters are usually done annually. A puppy must have a full set of shots to be protected . Stopping your shots early may cause the puppy to come down with Parvo or Distemper . The puppy will have a 50/50 chance of dying a horrible death .
It is illegal in California to sell a puppy before 8 weeks of age . Most reputable breeders will not let them go until 10 weeks or older.
The breeder at the very least should have wormed the puppy (twice prior to vaccination ) and vaccinated once prior to a puppy leaving at 8 weeks. Usually it will be a combination shot called a DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvo and Para influenza) sometimes it will include Corona. I also give Distemper Measles and Parvo shots 2 weeks prior to the 8 weeks shot. After 8 weeks they should have at the very least additional DHPP shots at 11weeks , 14 weeks and 17 weeks . In some states it is also advised to have a Leptospirosis shot at 12 weeks on.
With young puppies I do not recommend going to vaccination clinics. They are cheaper than regular shots at the Vet but there are usually sick dogs standing in line with you . The cheap shot may cost you 1000s in Vet bills 5 days latter
Recycled Toys
Never throw out old socks. Tie them in to knots as a great soft toy. You can also put a used tennis ball into the toe and tie a knot above it. .
Dog also love to play with used plastic milk jugs . You can even put pebbles into the jug to make noise .
Remnants from sewing can be made into soft toys . Sew squares , circles or ?? and stuff with other remnants . If they start to tear up the "toys"
make sure you take them away. Any toy should be removed it they fall apart to keep it from injuring you pet .
Heat Stroke
Summer has arrived and so have high temperatures. Never leave your pet in your car. The temperature can soar to over 120 degrees within five minutes causing your dog to overheat and possibly die. Heat stroke is an emergency that requires immediate attention.
Heat stroke begins with heavy panting and difficulty breathing. The tongue and mucus membranes become red and the saliva is thick. They will often vomit and their temperature can rise to 110 degrees. When shock sets in the gums become gray and bloody diarrhea may occur . Soon after collapse, seizures, coma and death. A dog with heat stroke must be immediately cooled. In mild cases, taking him into an air-conditioned room can work. Take his temperature every 10 minutes, if it is over 104 put him into cold water to lower his temperature. Then transport him to your veterinarian. Complications from heat stroke are Laryngeal edema, kidney failure, spontaneous bleeding, cardiac arrhythmia, and seizures. These complications may not be apparent for hours or occur days later.
To prevent heat stroke keep older dogs or dogs with breathing or airway diseases indoors during high heat and humidity. Never leave your dog in the car with the windows closed, even in the shade. When traveling by car without air-conditioning put your dog in a wire crate with all windows open. Restrict exercise in hot weather, and always provide shade and water.
Ear infections
are common in dogs. The best prevention is keeping the ears clean. There are several ear cleaners on the market including C-Derm and Epi Otic . They are liquid and loosen wax and debris in the ear canal. If you have excess ear hair you will also need ear powder . If there are signs of ear infection take him to the Vet. Signs include redness, swelling, dark wax, foul odor , tilting the head to one side, scratching and shaking of the head. If there is no signs of infection you may now clean the ear. If there is hair in the canal, puff in ear powder. It will dry the hair and make it very easy to pluck out. Next squirt some of the ear cleaner into the ear canal and gently massage the ear . The wax will loosen and can be removed using a tissue or Q Tip. Do not poke inside the ear with the Q Tip . Clean the ears about once every couple of months. Sniff the ears weekly. If there is an odor , clean the ear and if it is still there have your Vet check the ears.
JUST A DOG
From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog," or, "that's a lot of money for just a dog." They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a dog."
Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog." Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog," but I did not once feel slighted.
Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.
If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand phases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise." "Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. "Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.
Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future. So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment.
"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.
I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a human."
So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog." just smile, because they "just don't understand."
Author Richard A Biby
ON THE LIGHTER SIDE I recently acquired a magazine called The Tailwagger Magazine published in Feb, 1945. There were two poems penned by "Archie the Wire Haired Terrier.
THE FLEA
I marvel at the jumpy flea,
A pal I seldom ever see,
As pesky as a little gnat,
I never know just where he's at.
For perseverance I can't match it
But only rise and try to scratch it.
THE ATOMIC AGE
There was a time when dogs just scratched
A time when doors were left unlatched
But now we stay at home at night
And never can concoct a fight
Our fleas have mostly disappeared
(This modern age is so high-geared!)
For what's the chance for just one flea
If we are doused with D D T?
CONSUMER TIPS
In our lagging economy some pet owners have needed to cut back in everyday expenses.
The following may help you when it comes to your furry family members
TOYS:
Recycle old socks You can tie them in a knot or you can put an old tennis ball inside and put the knot just above the ball
Cut up old T shirts into strips of use fabric remnants and tie them all together or braid them tying the ends.
Recycle your old plastic bottles. They love to play with them. You can add a few pebbles to add noise. If you pet is chewing them up discontinue using. That also applies to any toy pet shop or homemade.
Toys I DO NOT recommend : Booda velvets, Greenies, Harvest Chews , Rawhide chews that are compressed. It looks like many pieces fused together (mosaic look) I also don't recommend Kongs and Nyla type bones. I have found many dogs do not like them
FOOD AND TREATS :
Raw carrots make an excellent treat especially if you tend to have obese pets Other veggies such a lettuce. asparagus, broccoli and other non starchy vegetables also are good. Do not give onions .
Training treats. The only pet store treat I will use is Real Meat by the Wilderness company. It is real meat jerky for dogs, not like Pupparoni , Beganbits and other treats which are high in calories and sugar. The main "treat' I use is cheddar cheese or cheap hot dogs. Dogs love them and you can use a tiny amount for a reward. I freeze the hotdogs individually . If you have small dogs cut the in 1/2 or 1/4s. Defrost as needed. Do not overfeed as they do contain salt and calories.
If you have a dehydrator make "doggie" jerky out of left over meat, fish and chicken.
Use tap water for your pet. I cannot think of any reason for a healthy dog to drink expensive bottled water. If you pet has health issues check with your Veterinarian if bottled water is needed .
Food. There are dozens of brands of dog food on the market. If you have a healthy adult dog you do not always have to pay for top premium dog food. You can feed a maintenance food that is less expensive As long as it is a top brand such as Eukanuba or Iams and your dog is healthy you do not need vitamins or other supplements
All dry dog food should be kept in a bug/critter proof container.
If you have a growing puppy you do need a top quality puppy food such as Iams or Eukanuba puppy formulas .
I do not recommend any Breeders Choice, Flint River Ranch, Nutro, Pedigree or Natural Balance dog foods, canned dry or treats
GROOMING :
The best brush for almost any coated breed is a slicker brush. The best comb is a metal one and it is best to invest it a top quality comb with two course and medium size built into the comb.
Do not waste money on double sided brushes, pin brushes, cheap combs, boars hair or 100% plastic grooming tools .
For smooth coated dogs a good investment is a tool made for shedding dogs
Corn starch makes a good dry shampoo between grooming dates. Apply it to the coat and brush it out . If helps removed dirt and excess oil
Baby wipes work well to freshen up your pet, clean their bottoms and dirty feet.
Baby powder will work like corn starch with a pleasant odor
For fleas and ticks Bio Spot by the Farnam Co. is just as good as Advantic at fraction of the price. You can purchase it at any pet store. You need only to use these products if it is the flea and tick season and your pet has them