Dogs and Boyfriends

A while back I shared in a blog how Brinkley and Ginger met or how Jayme and Brian met.

Balancing the most important relationships in our lives can often be a bit hectic. Whether your parents like him is one thing, but if your dog and your boyfriend do not get along it can make the relationship rocky. I found seven tips for making the perfect introduction and fostering a dog-boyfriend bond that will last as long as he does.

1. Choose Wisely

Let's face it. There are dog people, dog tolerant people and dog despisers. Making an educated choice in your significant other will involve an endless number of variables. However, if you are a dog person and he is not, the likelihood that things will workout without hesitation is probably a bit far fetched.

2. Baby Steps

No matter how you cut it, having a boyfriend is going to cut in on the quality time you once spent with your pooch. While some relationships may spark an instant connection, being conscious of the necessity to remain a devoted dog mom will go a long way. Dogs can be quite perceptive, so when your new boyfriend comes over and takes you away from Fido for extended periods of time, he is not making friends fast. It is a good idea to tailor your new dating itinerary to maintain the schedule your dog is used to, gradually working up to extended away periods if needed.

3. Honesty is the Best Policy

There are times when too much information can send a potential boyfriend running. Talking about past relationships is certainly off limits, but your pet companion is not only a great conversation starter, but a good idea for letting Mr. Right get prepared to share your attention.

4. Know Your Dog

Each dog personality is a bit different and each will handle a major life change, like the addition of your new boyfriend, in their own special way. For example, skittish dogs that do not typically enjoy visitors, will require a slow and steady introduction plan that might even take weeks to months before they are comfortable with one another. Other happy go lucky pooches will bond to anyone that has a pulse. These dogs require far less planning and perhaps even a single meeting will establish a strong bond. In most cases, the typical dog-boyfriend introduction period will fall somewhere in between these extremes.

5. The Way to the Heart

For many dogs, the way to their heart appears to lie in their stomach. If your pooch is treat responsive and loves special treats or toys, this is a great tactic for bonding your boyfriend and pup. A can of special treats close to the door, or even in the most cooperative boyfriend's car, is a great idea. Each time your new love interest comes to visit, Fido gets a special treat and presto, boyfriend visits are now a super exciting event.

6. Making Magic Happen

If you are looking to make them inseparable, here is a foolproof plan. Incorporate your dog as an integral part of date night. Taking Fido and your new man to the lake for a picnic, going for a hike together and even brief games of Frisbee are great ways to interact with these two. In the process of spending quality time with your favorites, they will be forming a bond that lasts and lasts.

7. Take Advantage of a Girls' Night Out

While time together is great, there is nothing like one on one time for your boyfriend and pooch to truly bond. So the next time a girls' night out presents itself, take the opportunity to leave and have your guy come over to keep your pup company.

These seven steps are great ways to ensure you will never hear the ultimatum, "It's me or the dog". However dogs are consistently considered good judges of character so if Rover refuses to play nice, pay attention.

Up A Tree

My dog, Ebony, keeps daily vigilance for critters which might infiltrate the yard. She sits on the deck staring up the tree at squirrels for hours.

Recently she got extremely excited and I went out to see what all the commotion was about. Apparently she had treed a mama racoon and her four babies.

Here is mama.....



Can you see all four babies?


I was glad there is a fence which kept Ebony from following the family when they had enough of watching Ebony bounce around.

Dogs Can Get Sunburn

Although they do not sunburn as easily as people, dogs can suffer from sunburn. Most often, dogs sustain a superficial partial thickness burn. At worst, sunburns may result in deep partial thickness burns. Full thickness burns are rare.

Immediately after the burn, the skin may look like leather or the surface of the burn may appear white.

Sunburn usually occurs in the summer months when at-risk animals (such as white dogs and hairless breeds) spend too much time in the sun.

Types of Burns

Superficial partial thickness burns are similar to first-degree burns. Only the top layer of skin is involved. The hair (if present) may still be attached to the skin. The skin appears red and no blisters are seen.

Deep partial thickness burns are similar to second-degree burns. The surface layer and some deeper layers of skin are involved. Unlike in humans, these burns usually do not have blisters. The skin is red and some layers of the skin may be exposed.

Full thickness burns are similar to third-degree burns. The burn extends through all layers of skin and may even include tissue beneath the skin.


Treatment

Treatment of sunburn is based on the severity of the burn.

Superficial Partial Thickness

For these burns, the hair is carefully shaved from the burned area in order to ease treatment and better monitor healing.
The wound is gently cleaned with povidone iodine or chlorhexidine.
Topical creams such as silver sulfadiazine are quite effective in burns.
Most superficial partial thickness burns can be treated on an outpatient basis with the remainder of treatment and care done by the owner.

Deep Partial Thickness

For these burns, hospitalization is necessary.
Intravenous fluids are necessary to provide hydration and needed electrolytes.
Daily wound cleaning with povidone iodine or chlorhexidine.
Daily bandage changes.
Topical cream such as silver sulfadiazine.
If over 15 percent of the body is burned, skin grafts may eventually be required.

Home Care

If you suspect your pet has a sunburn, veterinary care is recommended. Dogs do not burn as easily as people, so more damage has occurred to the skin than you may be able to initially see. After diagnosis and initial treatment, daily treatment with wound cleaning and topical medication may be necessary.

Preventative Care

For dogs at risk, apply sunscreen before spending time outdoors. As in humans, it is suspected that repeated sunburns may result in permanent skin damage and even possible skin cancer.

"Run Like A Dog"

This morning on the Chehalis Western Trail, Ebony and I were surprised by all the people and dogs we encountered.

It was the 5th Annual "Run Like A Dog" Event at the South Bay Veterinary Hospital with proceeds benefiting the Thurston County Humane Society.

Trail running athletes and dog lovers from around the Northwest convene for this opportunity to compete with their dogs or just for their love of dogs. "Run Like a Dog" is a 5k run/walk with all proceeds benefiting the Thurston County Humane Society. Competitors, participants and spectators are encouraged to bring their well behaved and physically fit dogs on a leash for either the race or just to visit the several sponsor booths and support this community event.

Here is the website for more information

Looks like fun......





Next year, Ebony and I will participate. Wonder if I can skate?

Another How To......

Do you know how to give liquid medication to your dog?

I came across this short video that makes it look easy.

Hope it is helpful!

National Dog Day

It's National Dog Day! (There is a holiday for everything, isn't there?)

August 26th marks the nation's annual celebration of dogs. It is a way to show public recognition for all of the wonderful things about our dogs and to celebrate their love, companionship, loyalty, patience and their amazing capacity to change our everyday lives.

When I think about dogs, I think about certain moments in my life where a dog has really touched me. There are lots of moments. Times when maybe you are a bit down, having a bad day or just touched by your dog's loyalty and compassion.

DOGS I HAVE LOVED

I thought the ideal life would be to live on a farm. Unusual thought for a girl growing up in LA. From an early age I have had a love of animals. Robert Caras said "Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole." How many of you would agree? Five dogs have graced my life and in my speech I will share the highlights.

After one early dog disaster, I was persistent in begging my “non-animal person” mom for a dog. I was in 7th grade when Mickey (named after Mickey Mouse) entered my life. He was about pocket size as a pup and did not grow much bigger for Mickey was a Toy Manchester. The most unusual thing Mickey did was to curl himself up in his blanket. It was a systemized technique he developed. First he bunched up the blanket with his front paws and push his nose underneath as he threw the covers up over his body. Then he would walk around in circles with his blanket over himself until he was satisfied and lay down in a manner that where the blanket would wrap around him. The funniest part was when someone came to the house. Mickey would bark and you would see this blanket moving across the floor until his head finally popped out.

Pookie was a stray from the pound and a gift from my brother when Mickey died. The poor pup spent the weekend with my brother and his college friends before he was delivered to me. Need I say, he was a bit wild? Pookie became my dad’s dog when I left for Colorado. He brought out my father’s inner child. They were a cute pair.

Sterling Way was named after a Colorado legendary hero who rode a snow shovel down the mountain side to get help for the stranded Moffat Train which was the first train over the Continental Divide. Sterling was a gorgeous Irish Setter and lived up to her crazy namesake. She and I were inseparable pals as we hiked the mountains of Colorado and Oregon. Sterling loved to run through the woods as I rode my mountain bike, and she chased sticks tirelessly on land or in water. I was heartbroken when she died at age 15.

It was nearly two years before I was ready to love another dog. I chose a golden retriever which is very similar in disposition to an Irish Setter, but not as hyper. Lacey was named for the FIRST thing she chewed up. The local vet dubbed her the “miracle dog.” Lacey took head on an automobile at less than one year old. Whenever she did goofy things, which she did often, we blamed the head injury for her limited brain functions. Lacey was the soccer dog and never missed a game or all the attention she received. The hardest thing I have ever done was to put Lacey to sleep at age 13.

A couple of months later both of my children came to visit at Christmas. They decided Mom was too lonely. Do you know that you can dog shop on the internet? Yes! You can search all the animal shelters and rescue organizations and they include photographs. After several phone calls we drove a mere 90 miles just to LOOK at a sister trio of Black Lab/Border Collie pups.

Meet Ebony!


She is incredibly sweet and mischievous. The LAST puppy I raise. If I named her after the items she chewed up her name would wrap around the world! Ebony has cured my SAD. I began taking her on 2-3 mile walks everyday to wear her out so that she would nap and I could get something accomplished. It has now turned into a daily ritual providing me with rays of light physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I no longer need my lightbox. Look at those eyes! She lets me know if we have not had our walk for the day.

I know that a dog will always be a companion of mine. Five dogs have truly graced my life and made my life whole.

How To Trim Your Dog's Nails

Do you trim your dog's nails?

I have a unique situation. My dog, Ebony, has not had her nails trimmed since she was a pup which was very traumatic for her. The woman at the rescue center accidentally clipped Ebony's nail too short causing it to bleed. After that, it was impossible to even hold her paw, let alone try to cut her nails. But, for some reason, Ebony's nails do not grow? Is it because she walks daily on hard surfaces? I do not know.

Here is a "how to" video that will help you in trimming your dog's nails. The best idea is to start young. I cannot believe how docile this dog is in the video.

Home Care For Dogs

I came across a veterinarian site with recommendations for home care for dogs if they are vomiting or have diarrhea and you cannot get them to a vet. I thought this was helpful information.

Vomiting and diarrhea are the most common symptoms seen in dogs. They can occur alone or together. It can be a very minor self-limiting problem or a very significant major problem.

Home treatment of vomiting and diarrhea:

If your pet vomits once and/or has a small amount of diarrhea then eats normally with no further vomiting, has a normal bowel movement and is acting playful, then the problem may resolve on its own.

If you discover any predisposing cause such as exposure to trash, change in diet or plants your dog may be eating, always eliminate that cause.

If your dog vomits several times, has diarrhea and you cannot take your dog to your veterinarian (which is recommended), then you may try the following:

- Do not give any medications without consulting your veterinarian. Some medications can be toxic.

- Dealing with both vomiting and diarrhea can be difficult. Often with Vomiting we hold food for 2 to 4 hours – with Diarrhea sometimes is it longer – even 24 hours. These are general guidelines trying to treat both conditions. If your dog is acting sick, lethargic or the vomiting and/or diarrhea continues – PLEASE see your veterinarian.

- Withhold food and water for four to six hours. Oftentimes, the stomach lining may be very irritated. Some dogs will want to eat and continue vomiting. Give the stomach "time to rest" for a few hours.

- If your pet has not vomited by the end of this time, offer small amounts of water (a few tablespoons at a time). Continue to offer small amounts of water ever 20 minutes or so until your pet is hydrated. Don't allow your dog to over drink as this may lead to vomiting.

- If there has been no vomiting after the small increments of water are offered, then you may gradually offer a bland diet.

- Small frequent feedings of a bland digestible diet such as Hill's Prescription Diet i/d, Iams Recovery Diet, Provision EN or Waltham Low Fat, are usually recommended. You can make a homemade diet of boiled rice or potatoes (as the carbohydrate source) and lean hamburger, skinless chicken or low-fat cottage cheese (as the protein source), Feed small amounts at a time. Don't over feed as your dog may eat the entire bowl and vomit. Feed a meatball size portion and if there is no vomiting, offer a small amount more about 1 hour later. Give small amounts frequently – every 3 to 4 hours – for the first day. You can gradually increase the amount and decrease the frequency as your dog tolerates.

- Many veterinarians recommend Pepcid AC® (generic name is Famotidine) to decrease stomach acid. This helps many pets. The dosage most commonly used is 0.25 to 0.5 mg per pound (0.5 to 1.0 mg/kg) every 12 to 24 hours. A 20-pound dog should get about 5 to 10 mg (total dose) once to twice daily. This is an oral medication, which can be found at most pharmacies in the antacid section. Pepcid (Famotidine) does not require a prescription. It is often used for 3 to 5 days.

- Some veterinarians recommend Pepto-Bismol or Kaopectate® (for dogs only!). The active ingredients are generally subsalicylate and Bismuth. Two tablespoons of Pepto-Bismol contain almost as much salicylate as one aspirin tablet (which is toxic to cats). Do NOT give cats Pepto-Bismol or Kaopectate! The subsalicylate, an aspirin-like compound, can decrease diarrhea caused by intestinal infections. The bismuth agent is a chalk-like compound designed to coat the lining of the stomach and intestines. This helps some pets with diarrhea. The typical daily dose administered to dogs amounts to approximately 2 teaspoons (10 ml total) per 10-pounds, ideally split between two to four doses. This be found at most pharmacies and does not require a prescription. It is often used for 1 to 2 days. DO NOT USE IN CATS.

- Feed a bland diet for 2 days.

- The return to regular dog food should be gradual over a period of one to two days. At first, mix in a little of your dog's food into the bland diet. Feed that for one meal. Then feed a 50/50 mix for one meal. Then feed ¾ dog food and ¼ bland diet for a meal – then feed your dog's regular food.

- Leash-walk your pet to allow observation of bowel movements, observe for normal urinations and note any additional vomiting that may otherwise occur without your knowledge.

- Administer only prescribed medications.


This is important! If the vomiting and/or diarrhea continue or worsen, if you note blood in the vomit or feces, or if other symptoms appear, call your veterinarian promptly. If your pet is not eating, if he acts lethargic, if the vomiting continues or if any other physical abnormalities mentioned above begin, it is important to see your veterinarian. Your pet needs the professional care your veterinarian can provide. If your pet is having the clinical signs mentioned above expect your veterinarian to perform some diagnostic tests and to make treatment recommendations dependent upon the severity and the nature of the clinical signs.

When are vomiting and diarrhea an emergency?

If the vomiting and/or diarrhea continue after your pet eats, if your pet doesn't want to eat or if your pet acts lethargic, medical attention is warranted. Please see your veterinarian.

Ten Ways To Keep Your Dog "Forever Young"

Lacey at 12 Years Old
There is a large disparity between the life span of a dog and our life span. The best we can do is to keep our friends as healthy as possible and "forever young." Several factors have been shown to increase the life span of pets. A veterinary textbook, Geriatrics and Gerontology of the Dog and Cat, by Drs. Johnny Hoskins and Richard Goldston, indicates some of these factors.

Ten tips to help keep your pet healthy and young for as long as possible include:

1. Know When Your Pet is "Old." When pets are considered "senior" depends largely on their breed and size. According to Dr. Johnny Hoskins in Geriatrics and Gerontology of the Dog and Cat, small breed dogs (less than 20 pounds) are in their senior years around nine to 13 years of age. Medium sized dogs (21 to 50 pounds) around nine to 11.5 years; large breed dogs (51 to 90 pounds) around 7.5 to 10.5 years and giant dogs (more than 90 pounds) between six and nine years. In general, smaller breed dogs live longer.

2. Wellness Exams. Geriatric examinations are recommended by many veterinarians when your pet is considered a senior. These examinations help identify early diseases or problems in older pets. Exams should include a history and physical examination with evaluation of the teeth, listening to the heart and lungs (by stethoscope), abdominal palpation (feeling of the abdomen) and inspection of the ear and eyes. Weight monitoring, parasite check (fecal examination) and blood work and urine tests are also often recommended. Other tests may be indicated depending on your pet's clinical signs (symptoms).

3. Watch for Illness. Careful observation at home is extremely important. By nature of survival, pets are very good at hiding their illness until it is often very late. Take time to examine your pet. Feel him or her for masses and indications of weight loss or loss of musculature. Things to watch for at home include changes in water consumption or patterns of urination, poor appetite, weight loss or gain, coughing or difficulty breathing, changes in activity level, vomiting, diarrhea and skin lumps or masses. If you have questions or concerns about your pet – play it safe and have him or her evaluated by your veterinarian. Early diagnosis is vital to the success of treatment.

4. Weight Control. "Obese pets have shorter life spans than non-obese pets," according to Dr. Richard T. Goldston from Geriatrics and Gerontology of the Dog and Cat. Obesity may lead to a number of health problems. Excess weight puts excess stress on your pet's heart. When the heart doesn't function properly, other organs may suffer including the brain, lungs, liver and kidneys. Over time, these problems may become severe enough to cause life-threatening conditions.

5. Keep Close Tabs. In general, "outdoor" free roaming pets have shorter lives than indoor animals. Infectious diseases, poisonings and trauma are common killers. Senior pets have decreased reflexes and may not see and hear as well as they used to. This makes them vulnerable to outside dangers such as predators or cars. Keep dogs on leashes or in fenced-in yards.

6. Monitor Your Environment. Keep poisons up and out of the reach of pets. Common toxins include antifreeze, rat poison and slug bait. Keep trash out of reach. Don't count on your pet to "know better." It doesn't take a large amount of a dangerous substance to make them seriously ill.

7. Nutrition. Feed your pet a premium high quality diet. Feed low fat and high fiber since high fat and/or low fiber are thought to decrease life expectancy. With your veterinarian, discuss the merits of a diet formulation for "senior" pets. Minimize treats, and if you do give them, make them nutritious and low in calories. Air-popped popcorn is often a good treat for dogs.

8. Exercise. Exercise helps to maintain a healthy body weight, strengthens joints and muscles and provides mental stimulation for your pet.

9. Spay and Neuter. Spayed and neutered pets tend to have fewer health problems. Without the ovaries and uterus, ovarian cysts, uterine infections and cancer of the reproductive tract are no longer a concern. Studies have shown that dogs spayed before puberty have a significantly lower chance of developing breast cancer than unspayed dogs, or dogs spayed later in life. Health problems that can be associated with birthing are also eliminated with spaying. Without the testicles, testicular cancer is no longer a concern and the risk of prostate problems is reduced. In addition, the desire to "wander" is diminished, which lowers the chance of your dog running away (and suffering trauma, such as being hit by a car).

10. Mental Stimulation. Provide your pet with toys, games and quality time. Most pets are never too old to play. Encourage mental stimulation. It is never too late to teach old dogs new tricks.

Dog Yoga

I admire my dog's ease at doing "downward facing dog" yoga pose, but I did not know that dog and yoga has become a popular practice.

Here is Brenda Bryan, yoga and doga instructor and author of Barking Buddha: Simple Soul Stretches for Yogi and Dogi, demonstrating doga in this video.

Similar to traditional yoga, doga (dog yoga) moves mimic those of the human yoga practice with the exception of limb flexibility. Dogs naturally exhibit many of the same moves done in yoga through their everyday stretching and movement.


It is interesting to note that Yoga means "union" and dogs being pack animals are definitely versed in the idea of union.

International Homeless Animals Day

“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”                             Ghandi

August 21, 2010 marks the 19th Annual International Homeless Animals Day. In an effort to raise awareness about the extreme overpopulation affecting animal shelters, The International Society for Animal Rights (ISAR)will hold events and candlelight vigils across the world in honor of those animals that have lost their lives due to overpopulation.

Every year more than 4.5 million dogs and cats die in local animal shelters due to a lack of space. For the past 19 years, organizations such as ISAR have promoted new ideas and efforts to maintain the pet population with spay and neuter programs. One of the kindest acts people can perform to save the lives of animals is to spay or neuter their pet, which prevents homeless animals from ever being born in the first place.

From a simple spread of the message, to attending fundraisers for shelters to help keep their spay/neuter programs thriving, we all can help the cause in keeping shelter populations at a minimum.

Part of the problem stems from the way people choose to adopt a dog in the first place and many dogs end up right back in the shelter when the owner cannot properly fulfill that dog’s needs. They choose a dog that does not fit their energy or lifestyle.

If you would like to attend a vigil in your area,
check out the event listings.

You can also participate in an online Virtual Vigil.

National Smile Week

Did you know this week is National Smile Week?



Why do dogs smile?

Ask an expert on dog behavior why dogs smile, and you may get a somewhat complicated answer involving submissive behavior, automatic responses, etc. They often ruefully conclude, "But dogs don't really smile, at least, not for the same reasons we do."

Ask the average dog owner the same question, and he will respond indignantly: "Of course he smiles! Just look at that face; he's smiling right now – you can't say that's not a smile!"

In wolves, the expression we take for a smile indicates nervousness or submission to another wolf. Dogs also are hard-wired to interpret the expression this way. To signal that he accepts his subordinate position, a subordinate dog retracts the corner of his lips, which pulls the mouth into that happy face we recognize as a smile.

In reality, the "smile" is indicating that the dog is not threatening to overturn the status quo.

Confident alpha dogs rarely smile. They think of themselves as our equals and have no need or desire to signal their deference to us.

An exception is the "smile" that comes with teeth bared – a smile that decidedly does not indicate submissiveness. A dog that lifts his lip to show his fangs is giving a signal to an encroacher to back off ... NOW!

But dogs are, if nothing else, extremely astute observers. An owner sees his dog "smiling" at him without fangs showing. The owner, touched by this adorable face, rewards the dog with a belly rub, a pat on the head, treats, or some other form of positive attention. The dog notices that when he performs this submissive gesture, he gets something desirable in return. So in a way, the dog's "smile" may become genuine, because he associates the expression with something that makes him happy.

This also helps explain why dogs roll on their backs for those treasured belly rubs. Rolling onto the back normally indicates submission, which the dog is happy to concede because of all the perks that come with it. For the dog, acting submissively is a pretty good deal.

More Dog and Cat Friends

I could not resist posting these two friends especially after writing yesterday's blog.

Dog and Cat
Layne Koina
metal sculpture

These two whimsical metal sculptures were created by Layne Koina of Enumclaw, Washington. Unfortunately, he does not have a website where you can see more of his creative sculptures. I met him at the annual Arts in the Garden show which happens one August weekend in a beautiful garden.

Fun event!

Can Dogs and Cats Be Friends?

Do you think dogs and cats can really be friends?

I think that some dogs and cats can be great friends. I think there are some dogs that hate cats and I would never trust them around a cat in a million years. Then there are other dogs that really love cats. It just depends.

Here is a sweet video of very close relationship between a dog and cat.

My dog and cats have been together for seven years and it is still a chase game whenever possible.

Dog Buddies

I believe dogs have best friends.

Ginger and Brinkley, Golden Retrievers, met at Marymoor Dog Park in Seattle, Washington when they were six and seven months old. Jayme and Brian had a hard time separating them when it was time to go home. They decided to have doggie play dates.

As the story goes, the doggie play dates then turned into Jayme and Brian dates. It is a fact, proven here, that dogs are attractors for partners of the opposite sex.

Now Ginger and Brinkley get to play together when ever they want!

Ginger and Brinkley
Best Friends
Step-Sister and Step-Brother

Dog Burps

Does your dog burp?



According to Wickipedia, a burp (also known as belch, rectus or erucation) is the release of gas from the digestive tract. It most commonly comes from the esophagus (the tube that takes food from the mouth to the stomach) or the stomach. It is accompanied with a typical sound and occasionally that sound (air) can be accompanied by an odor.

Most interesting according to Wickipedia, "burping" is significantly quieter and much more subtle than "belching." Did you know that!

Anyway - can dogs burp?

Yes, you bet they can.

Burping occurs when there is swallowed air in the esophagus or stomach. It is common for some dogs to swallow air when eating or drinking - especially when they eat too quickly.

My Golden Retreiver would burp shortly after every meal. It was a given. Sometimes she would burp right in your face!

Dogs are funny, aren't they?

So, what can you do about your dog's burping?

The best thing you can do is to encourage your dog to eat slower (easier said than done if your dog is one of those that "inhales" his food). You can often feed smaller portions more frequently and some people even place an object in the bowl (such as a baseball) so that the dog has to keep moving the object to eat around it (thus forcing the dog to eat slower).