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Doge Glow

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So, I was browsing online for dog products and came across a product called Doge Glow that seemed pretty cool.  The product comes in collars, harnesses, and leashes and feature LED lights that can be set on a steady or flashing mode.  These lights are very useful for safety reasons and the lights can be seen from 1000 feet away.  During the day, the gear can be turned off and the patterns still look fashionable without being lit up.  The products are weather resistant, so are perfect for people that get outside in rain or shine.  They run on batteries, so there are no cords or tangle to deal with.  I think this would be a great product for us at Gwinnett Pet Watchers to use at night or in the wee hours of the morning when we are doing our dog walks.  You wouldn’t be able to miss us!

Sponsor a Pet Friday

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Let’s make today Sponsor a Pet Friday!!! Here is just a couple you could choose from. Please send the money you would spend on a cup of coffee or a sandwich it would make such a difference to these animals in need.

Angels Among Us Pet Rescue
It is me Weddles presenting my 5 remaining babies. I gave birth to 11. I grieve for them but know I will see them at the rainbow bridge. I was very sick and my babies needed help. We had to be at a vet. If you can please help with my big vet bills. I didn’t want poor Angels to have to spend so much on me but they tell me I am worth it. All of us will be grateful to all of you who prayed, shared and donated to us. More doggies like me could be saved if fosters could be found for mom and babies. Sweet Andria Levine took my picture!!!! Angels will post her site. God bless and please donate to that bill. www.angelsrescue.org
IMOM (In Memory of Magic)
Sirocko is a 19 month old Persian cat sick with a partial urinary blockage. Sirocko is currently at home with his owner and is losing a lot of weight. He needs a perineal urethrostomy, to allow him to urinate on his own. He has had several obstructions and has been treated for this already. We are trying to raise $1359.80 before he blocks again. To donate, please visit http://tinyurl.com/79og6jd and mark your gift “Sirocko Adkins” or we also have paypal, our address is paypal@imom.org. To read more about Sirocko, visit his topic in our online community at http://bit.ly/Q6b0p8.
Angels Among Us Pet Rescue
These little Angels desperately need your help!!! Poor Momma Winnie developed mastitis and an awful ear infection 10 days ago and stopped nursing her babies. A wonderful foster has been bottle feeding the babies, but they have coccidia and are not absorbing nutrients, as they diarrhea continuously. If the foster falls asleep and doesn’t feed/medicate them every 2 hours, they will literally start dying and she has to revive them. They are so tiny and fragile and we are so afraid of losing them. We are wanting to take them to a 24 hour vet so that they can be monitored, medicated, and fed every 2 hours, but their care is going to be sooo expensive 🙁 Poor Momma Winnie needs to go to the vet too, as she hates getting her medication so much she spits out most of it and has basically stopped eating and drinking. We are begging you to help us pay for their care, they are all very pitiful and sick, when just 10 days ago they were happy healthy kitties. It’s so sad to see. Please donate at www.angelsrescue.org with Winnie and Sick Babies as subject line. We desperately need your help! Thank you and God Bless! ♥ ~R — Please Help Us Save Poor Winnie & Her Sick Babies!!
Angels Among Us Pet Rescue
Hi! I’m Flip Flop and I am so worried. I urgently need a foster or adoptive home. Yes, I know I am a pit mix, but I never asked to be born. I’m just a baby. Maybe 6-8 mos. I don’t deserve to die because my mom wasn’t spayed and because my owner didn’t love me and my sister, Mittie. Our time is up and luckily the shelter gave us a bit more time over the weekend . They believe in us despite our breed mix, but every day, dogs like me get dumped here at the pound or picked up as strays. Please sponsor me and Mittie, my twin sister, and most importantly consider fostering me to save my life. $150 each is needed for our vetting. Anything not needed goes to help another dog or cat in need. Please hurry. Applications and PayPal at www.angelsrescue.org
Foster@angelsrescue.org

Plants Poisonous to Dogs

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With spring here many of us are spending more time outside, and our dogs are outside with us.  If you have just gotten a protect you dog from poisonous plantsnew dog or puppy, or maybe  moved into a new home, take a look around for thing that  could be dangerous.

Some things you might want to look at are the plant life in your yard, especially if you have a puppy or young dog that loves to bite and chew.

Below is an article written by Jenna Stegowski, RVT

Many types of plants and flowers can be poisonous to your dog. Effects range from mild to severe depending on the type of plant and the quantity consumed. Some plants will only cause slight stomach upset, while others can cause seizures, coma or even death. Learn about the plants in your yard and neighborhood that are dangerous and be sure your dog does not have access to them. Ideally, toxic plants on your own property should be removed. Houseplants are a bit easier to control – simply do not keep toxic plants inside your home and you have removed the risk. If you are planning to get new plants or flowers, research them ahead of time to learn whether or not they are toxic.

Find out what plants and flowers may be poisonous to dogs with the following list of common toxic plants and flowers. Please note that this is not a complete list. If you have a particular plant in mind for your home or yard, you should thoroughly research it first. If you suspect your pet has come into contact with a potential toxin, please contact your vet or animal poison control immediately.

Plants Poisonous to Dogs

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME SYMPTOMS WHEN INGESTED
Aloe Aloe vera vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, depression, tremors, change in urine color
Amaryllis Amaryllis sp. vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, depression, abdominal pain, excessive salivation, tremors
Apple and Crabapple Malus sylvestrus seeds, stems and leaves can result in red mucous membranes, dilated pupils, difficulty breathing, panting and shock
Autumn Crocus/Meadow Saffron Colchicum autumnale oral irritation, bloody vomiting, diarrhea, shock, organ damage, bone marrow suppression
Azalea/Rhododendron Rhododendron spp. vomiting, diarrhea, excessive salivation, weakness, coma, death
Calla Lily/Trumpet Lily/Arum Lily Zantedeschia aethiopica oral irritation and pain, excessive salivation, vomiting, difficulty swallowing
Castor Bean/Castor Oil Plant Ricinus communis oral irritation and burning, increased thirst, vomiting, diarrhea, kidney failure, convulsions; Note: beans are highly toxic
Chrysanthemum/Mum/Daisy Chrysanthemum spp. vomiting, diarrhea, excessive salivation, loss of coordination, dermatitis
Cyclamen Cyclamen spp. excessive salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, heart arrhythmias, seizures, death
Daffodil/Narcissus Narcissus spp. vomiting, salvation, diarrhea, convulsions, low blood pressure, tremors, heart arrhythmias
Dumbcane Dieffenbachia oral irritation and burning, excessive salivation, vomiting, difficulty swallowing
Elephant Ears Caladium hortulanum and Colocasia esculenta oral irritation and burning, excessive salivation, vomiting, difficulty swallowing
English Ivy Hedera helix vomiting, abdominal pain, excessive salivation, diarrhea
Foxglove Digitalis purpurea heart arrhythmias, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, death
Hosta Hosta plataginea vomiting, diarrhea, depression
Hyacinth Hyacinthus orientalis vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors
Hydrangea Hydrangea arborescens vomiting, diarrhea, depression
Iris Iris species excessive salivation, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy
Lily of the Valley Convallaria majalis vomiting, irregular heart beat, low blood pressure, disorientation, coma, seizures
Marijuana/Hashish Cannabis sativa depression, vomiting, loss of coordination, excessive salivation, dilated pupils, low blood pressure, low body temperature, seizure, coma
Mistletoe/American Mistletoe Phoradendron flavescens gastrointestinal complications, cardiovascular collapse, difficulty breathing, slow heart rate, behavior changes, vomiting, diarrhea
Oleander Nerium oleander vomiting, diarrhea, loss of coordination, shallow/difficult breathing, muscle tremors, collapse, cardiac failure
Peace Lily Spathiphyllum oral irritation and burning, excessive salivation, vomiting, difficulty swallowing
Philodendron Philodendron spp oral irritation and burning, excessive salivation, vomiting, difficulty swallowing
Pothos/Devil’s Ivy Epipremnum aureum oral irritation and burning, excessive salivation, vomiting, difficulty swallowing
Sago Palm Cycas revoluta, zamia species vomiting, black (tarry) stools, jaundice, increased thirst, bruising, blood clotting problems, liver damage, death
Schefflera Schefflera oral irritation and burning, excessive salivation, vomiting, difficulty swallowing
Tobacco Nicotiana glauca hyperexcitability then depression, vomiting, loss of coordination, paralysis
Tulip Tulipa species vomiting, depression, diarrhea, excessive salivation
Yew/Japanese Yew Taxus sp. sudden death from acute cardiac failure (early signs include muscular tremors, difficulty breathing, seizures

IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION

In case of toxin exposure, keep a list of important phone numbers in a visible, easily accessible location. Be sure pet sitters and other people who might be in your home are aware of the location of the list. The following phone numbers should be included:

  1. Your primary veterinarian
  2. One or more nearby 24-hour veterinary emergency clinics
  3. ASPCA Poison Control: (888) 426-4435 ($50 fee)
  4. Animal Poison Hotline: 888-232-8870 ($35 fee)
  5. Pet Poison Hotline: 800-213-6680 ($35 fee)
  6. An emergency contact number for you and your dog’s co-owner (if applicable).

Are You Ready for a Rescue Dog?

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Lucy, Jake, George and I were at the park going for a walk today when we came upon a woman who had two small dogs. One of the dogs was barking and just uncontrollable, not behaving very well. We stopped to talk to the woman about it and her instant explanation was that he was a rescue. What a cliche that has become. It seems everywhere I go when a dog is misbehaving the owner says “She is a rescue,” and that is somehow supposed to excuse this bad behavior. Now we all understand that when we do take on a rescue dog sometimes there are some behavioral problems, but it’s not an excuse for a lifetime of this behavior. When we take on a new dog we take on the responsibility of training and spending time doing what you need to do to make that dog both a good companion and a good community dog.

I know this stance will not make me very popular, but if you’re not willing to take the time, or invest the money in training, then maybe a rescue is really not the type of dog you need. You might be better off going to a good breeder who has started the training for you; someone who has already done the beginning of socialization and has raised the puppy in a loving family environment that will fit in with your lifestyle. You will still need to invest time and money in training but you know you are not dealing with a dog that has been abused or mistreated.

A great article to read before going forward with pet adoption is this one from the Humane Society: Are You Ready To Adopt A Pet? Ten Questions

That said, there is no better feeling than taking a rescue dog and working with that animal to help it overcome its past — to watch an animal that has been abused learn how to be a dog, learn how to be a pet and learn how to be well behaved part of your family. What a wonderful feeling when you see this animal blossom; but don’t think that comes without a lot of work and money. Sometimes you will have to hire a private trainer or someone who specializes in animals with behavior problems. But being a rescue is not an excuse for animal to continue to misbehave.

Before you adopt a dog that has been abused or traumatized you need to take a good look at yourself and your family situation. You need to be honest. How much time are you willing to dedicate to this dog? How much money do you have to put into rehabilitation? How much experience do you have? One question that I think is overlooked most of the time is whether the whole family has agreed to be part of the rehabilitation of this animal. These are questions that should be answered before anyone takes on an animal that has behavioral problems.

If you don’t have the experience, the patience, or the money, then you need to give a second thought to rescuing a dog that has emotional problems. It does not make you a bad person or any less of a dog lover, it’s just a reality. The last thing we want is to add to the problems this animal already has. Try and make sure that the dog that you adopt does not have problems that you are not ready to handle. After all, it’s a lifetime commitment.

Here is a great website for training rescue dogs and a great place to start out: Rescue Doggie

Be safe and have fun!