Puppy Parenting Guest Post By Haopee of My Dogs Love Me

Who doesn't love puppies? They're cute, adorable and funny. Who doesn't love puppy parenting? Well, I'm pretty sure not all of us does. 

The Perks of Puppy Parenting

A true puppy parent will experience getting tested in areas such as patience, alertness and discipline before rearing one's fur baby is done. Crate training and potty training can be a hassle to the uninformed so brace yourselves for painful cuteness and sleepless nights.

A Puppy's Growth

The life of a puppy has certain stages. Here's a summary to give one a brief idea of it.

Puppy's First Two Weeks: Puppies can't see or hear yet. They will rely on their mom and littermates' presence. Often times, they'll be huddled up together for warmth.

Puppies Huddling for Warmth

Puppy's Next Two Weeks (3rd-4th Week): They'll begin exploring their environment. Now, their eyes and ears start to open.

5th to 7th Week:  They begin to act more like dogs- smaller, cuter and clumsier versions of what they will become. They start interacting with their littermates and the mom teaches them the basic ways of the dog. Bite inhibition is also learned during this stage.

Puppy's 2nd to 4th Month: This is the time reputable breeder send their charges to their new homes. Owners should cherish this stage because curiosity will be at its peak within the next four to six months.

Within the 8th to 11th week, some puppies experience a "fear period". They can end up getting frightened by things they weren't scared of before. Be aware that this fear can impact their lives forever.

Puppy's 4th to 6th Month: Teething and challenging you will happen during this stage. A supply of chew toys will help deterring him from going straight for your furniture... I hope.

Reference: Your Outta Control Puppy by Teoti Anderson

Choosing a Puppy

Although adoption from your local shelter is the best way to get a new addition to the family, I understand that others would rather have a pup whose breeding history they are sure of. Checking out  a reputable breeder in your area is a great way to find one.

Before picking your puppy, here are several things you should remember. I acronymed it the "EEEMPC" Test.

Eyes: should be clean, clear and bright.

Ears: should be clean and parasite -free, without foul smelling odor.

Energy: should not be lethargic.  A puppy's energy can indicate his health. A weak puppy in stress can have all sorts of issues once introduced into a new environment.

Mouth: should be free of sores and gums (and all mouth areas) should be pinkish in color. Teeth should be free of plaque.

Paws: should be free from injury and intact. The puppy shouldn't be limping either.

Coat: should be fluffy and soft. Oh wait, I was just kidding. It should be clean and not dull-looking.

Reference: Puppy Parenting by Dr. Scott Miller

Vaccinations

This is an interesting topic since some of us have already followed the recently approved 3-year gap in dog vaccination. Either way, always remember that vaccinations are important because it's our dog's primary protection when they are introduced to the world.

Wrong thought bubble... Bath be gone... bath be gone... sounds more appropriate.

Assuming we, as disciplined owners, stuck to the original vaccination schedule, our pups should be done with his within the 16th week. This is the time that taking him with us to public places is advisable.

This is just the tip of the iceberg in puppy parenting. Information (and a whole lot of it) is the key to make puppy parenting a more enjoyable and less stressful task to tackle with our furry friend. I hope this helps.

Huggies and Cheese,

Haopee
My Dogs Love Me

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Set Sail With Your Pet ~ Guest Post

Set Sail with your Pet By Karolina Shenton 

For pet lovers looking for a special experience to share with their dog or cat, Cunard Line, offers cruises from New York to London and vice versa where you can bring your furry friend along with you.

Photo courtesy of Cunard

Cunard has its own kennel onboard the Queen Mary 2, one of their three fantastic ships. This ship has lots of great amenities like a grand ballroom, relaxing spa and even a planetarium. The Queen Mary 2 primarily travels across the Atlantic Ocean, a service this line has been providing since the 1800s. The onboard kennel is a nod to the past when Cunard would transport travelers immigrating to the New World, or returning to the Old World, with all their worldly possessions, including their beloved pets.

The kennel can accommodate up to 12 pets per sailing. While onboard you can visit with your pet during specified hours and even take your dog on a walk in the kennel’s indoor and outdoor walking areas. Helpful staff that feed, clean and care for your pet during the sailing manage the kennel.

Photo courtesy of Cunard

However the cruise line does have some requirements, to ensure the safety of your pet and the others onboard. Those requirements include the limited size of your pet, vaccination records and proof that a microchip has been implanted in your pet. For more information on the requirements and to find a sailing that you and your pet would enjoy together contact a cruise specific travel agency.

A qualified travel agent, like those at The Cruise Web, will be able to find sailings with availability in the kennel, which fills up fast, and work with you to make sure you and your pet meet all the requirements before sailing.

Karolina Shenton is a cruise consultant at The Cruise Web. The Cruise Web is a travel agency that specializes in cruising. The expert cruise consultants focus on providing travelers with the best value for their time and money in finding and booking a cruise vacation!

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Staying Fit With Your Pet ~ Guest Post

When I grew tired of my usual morning indoor run, I decided to explore alternative, more visually stimulating environments. I realized even if you use the best elliptical on the market, sometimes it helps to change-up the scenery from time to time. So I set out on a mission to find something that would simultaneously hold my interest and provide me with a great workout.

After doing some research, I discovered a few articles written about exercising with your pets. I thought to myself, “Hmm I own two Golden Retrievers (Cooper & Hannah) who need the exercise just as much as I do. Plus, they would love the extra bonding time outside.” Cooper and Hannah typically spend time playing in our backyard but this seemed like a great opportunity for all of us to reap the benefits of extra exercise. So, we gave it a shot!

Initially, we started with walks through our neighborhood, but I soon noticed a problem -- I wasn’t able to gain speed and keep my momentum while trying to control two large dogs. I think they enjoyed the scenery more so than myself, stopping every minute to sniff each and every fire hydrant, stop sign, and random patch of grass along the way.

It was back to the computer for another search. I truly enjoyed the idea of including Cooper and Hannah in my workouts but needed to find something all three of us could do together. Then it hit me. I live in Arizona; a state with hiking trails everywhere.

Hiking would offer the workout I wanted and present the opportunity for Cooper and Hannah to explore a variety of more “natural” objects with their noses. Still, before jumping to conclusions, I knew I better test this perceivably brilliant hypothesis. So off we went on our first hike, a moderately difficult trail just outside our neighborhood.

Cooper and Hannah started off a little bumpy, their limited experience with rocky terrain required acclimation as they began a bit unsteady. However, as we continued along the trail, they adjusted to the rugged ground quite naturally. I could see they were enjoying the smells floating through the surrounding fresh mountain air. They particularly fancied chasing the lizards that scurried across the path from time to time.

Once we made our way back down the mountain, I could tell I made the right choice for all of us. However, I would recommend looking into pet insurance prior to journeying into the wilderness with your canine companion. As much as Hannah and Cooper appreciate their freedom during our hikes, I want to stay prepared in case an accident requiring medical attention occurs.

Anyways, after a month of morning hikes, I started noticing greater weight-loss and an enhancement in my mood. Relevant to mention, incorporating my pets improved my dedication to the workout; I wasn't the only one depending on it. They looked forward to it every morning just as much as myself – if not more.

Hannah and Cooper, too, started to benefit and see results from our hikes. They shed a few pounds and are in the best shape of their doggy lives. Even our vet noticed the difference in their health and musculature. She positively supports our hiking routine, recommending the idea to other dog owners.

If you’re growing tired of your usual routine, maybe it’s time to include your pet(s) and find a more rewarding exercise practice? If hiking isn't for you, try a causal walk around the neighborhood or check your area for local dog parks (great for canine socializing). By keeping the health of your pets in mind, the whole family can benefit!

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There A Lot to Cluck About at Two Bostons! Guest Post

There has been a ton of conversation recently about chicken jerky treats sourced in China. There have been 361 confirmed deaths as a result of contaminated chicken and over 2,200 confirmed illnesses. At Two Bostons, we strive to bring your pooch THE BEST treats available...that is why we are so happy to show you these clucktacular treats from the makers of Charki-O's and Charki Puffs:

Our favorite thing about these treats is that they are made in the U.S.A.! No worries about contaminated chicken in these babies. Why are we so worried about where the treats come from? Read this article and you will understand.

There is a treat for just about every pooch too.

Take the Clucks N' Gobbles for instance:

Made with USDA chicken & turkey, they kind of look like a potato chip (about the size of a quarter actually) and are great for training or just as a small treat for all size dogs. The bag is full to the brim and there are no fillers, preservatives or mystery ingredients. Just chicken and turkey charki (jerky). Click here to check them out on our website.

Then you have the Clucks N' Moos:

Another chip type of treat, the Clucks N' Moos are made with USDA chicken and beef...and swirled into Diggin Your Dogs' Charki Liver Sauce. Again, no fillers, preservatives or mystery ingredients. If your dog likes Charki-O's or Charki Puffs, the Clucks N' Moos are a sure fire hit!

And finally the Strippin' Chicks:

These are strips of chicken charki (jerky) made of 100% USDA chicken breast! Yes, you heard that. Home grown chicken breast meat for your pooch! Vitamin E has been added for a boost to your best friend's skin and coat but that is it...no mystery ingredients or mystery chicken. Click here to check them out on our website.

Here is AdreAnne, owner of Two Bostons, talking about some other great options we have too.


So head on over to our online store today and check out this awesome line of treats and you'll have no surprises and no worries. We ship anywhere and will provide you with simply best chicken treat options out there today. And, be sure to join us on Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter to stay connected with us.

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A Great Horse Documentary Project, Guest Post bySarah "B.ee"

Hello animal lovers.

My name is Sarah and I'm here to introduce a fundraising project I have in the works, but first I'd like to tell you a little about myself.

I grew up on the West Coast and recently graduated with a degree in journalism (it only took me 18 years, but that just shows my persistence). During my education, I had to create a video for a class. It wasn't long before I was hooked on filmmaking. I bought a small camera and started filming the dogs and cats at my local shelter to help "sell" them to the public.

In my final semester, I took a documentary class and had to produce a 10-minute film for a class project. My team and I chose to do a documentary on a local horse rescue shelter. However, there is so much more to the story than 10 minutes can fit.

Until recently, it has been illegal to slaughter horses in the U.S. for human consumption. That didn't stop people from selling horses to slaughterhouses in Canada and Mexico, though. So California created a state law in which it is a felony to even knowingly transport horses on the way to slaughter. It still happens anyway, and most of these horses end up in this slaughter system. The worst part is the condition these horses are subject to on the way to their death. It's nothing less than those sickly images you see on TV about factory farming. They are treated as a product with no regard to the suffering they endure.

And that is what my fundraising project is about. I want to complete a feature-length documentary about this system and a shelter that saves these horses, and I need help with the production costs.

To learn more, you can find my project at my Kickstarter page. You can also find my class film and other videos on my YouTube page.

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Is Your Dog Destructive?

My friend over at Indestructible Dog Toys is having a cool contest & the prize is an Unbreakoball.  Here's what she's got to say about the giveaway:

Can you remember a time where your dog did something so unbelievably destructive that you couldn't be mad at him due to your admiration of the skill it took to do such a thing? If you have a memory of your dog doing something destructive, Indestructible Dog Toys wants to hear about it. They are building the largest compilation of doggie destruction tales on the internet and they need your help.

For your participation, Indestructible Dog Toys has teamed up with UnbreakOBall to offer one ball every month to the dog with the best story. If your dog doesn't win one month, submit again to be considered for the next month! Although photographhic evidence is nice, it is not required. The only thing that is required is a picture of your dog and a story to go with it. We will do the rest. Submit your story at Indestructible Dog Gear.

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I'm A Guest Poster At Two Bostons

I had the opportunity to do a product review for the store Two Bostons and they put the review in their store blog.

Two Bostons has both brick & mortar stores and a wonderful online store.  In fact Meg from Two Bostons is going to be doing a guest blog for us about the hottest trend in dog toys & accessories soon.

I reviewed the Star Mark Bob-A-Lot treat dispensing toy and the Cloud Star Tricky Trainers treats.  Hop over to the Two Bostons Blog to find out how the Bob-A-Lot held up against Oskar's jaws of steel and pick your dog up a treat or two while you're there!

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Lemon The Duck, Guest Post

I admit it. A duck runs my life---and I love it!

Lemon the Duck lives in my house. She bosses me around, keeps me in line, and always gets the last quack in a conversation. When I need to leave Lemon at home for awhile, she lets me know: This is not egg-ceptable. As soon as she hears my car pull into the driveway she’s calling for me---loudly, as if to say, “Where the quackers have YOU been?”

At the quack of dawn, Lemon demands her bath and in the summer she insists I take her swimming in the river behind my house. Her egg-citement is unmistakable. She wags her tail feathers and quacks at the sight of water, urging me to hurry and catch up. How do I know all this? Over the years I’ve become fluent in “Pekin duck.”

In many ways Lemon is like other ducks, but she’s also very different. In 2006, she hatched in my Kindergarten classroom with neurological symptoms similar to my father’s Multiple Sclerosis.
 
Lemon is unable to balance or waddle like her other feathered friends, but this duck doesn’t let her disability keep her down. Named for her soft yellow down that reminded me of my grandmother's lemon meringue pie, Lemon has always had a spunkiness about her and a desire to live life to the fullest, no matter what the challenges may be.

Lemon lives with me in my house and comes to school with me each day. As a duckling I kept her snuggly warm in a fanny pack, her little head poking out ,watching my students. Lemon imprinted on me and the children. Today, she thinks of me as her “mate” and children as her ducklings.
 
You might wonder, what kind of life could a disabled duck have? Well, Lemon is loving life. She oozes spunk and zestiness. Yes, she needs a lot of help, but she’s far from helpless. Caring for my dad taught me that being disabled does not mean misery. It’s allowed me to “tune in” and give Lemon the highest quality of life possible---the life she deserves.

It’s important to me that my little duck has a happy, stimulating life. I take Lemon just about everywhere. When we go for walks, she rides in a baby carriage so she can see everything.
 
Some people do a double take and ask, “Is that a real duck?”

“Of course!” I tell them, “A fake duck in a baby stroller would just be silly.”

Determined to do things her way, Lemon uses any leverage she can to try and stand. When she does prop herself up, a few seconds later she’s down again. But it’s never stopped her from trying.

How do you get a duck to stand up? It’s not easy. But we found a way with a dog life vest and a homemade stand. With her feet firmly on the ground, her body language said it all--This is egg-cellent! She could preen her feathers, muck around in the grass, and strengthen her legs.

Soon, standing wasn’t enough. She wanted to walk. A duck scooter is what she needed, but no one makes wheels for ducks. We made our own: PVC piping, coaster wheels, a mesh sling, and suddenly, Voila! You’ve got yourself a Lemobile! Now, Lemon zooms around and demands attention from her human flock, all on her own. She’s a ducky Diva.
 
Out of respect for people with disabilities, children are often encouraged not to stare or ask questions. Lemon provides a safe way for kids to explore and talk about what they might not understand; to connect with someone (even a duck) with a disability. Lemon shows those around her that we’re all unique and special in our own way and we all deserve to have the highest quality of life possible---no matter what our challenges may be.

Lemon’s interest in people is what first catches their attention, not her disability. They get right down on the floor next to her in her Lemobile. They talk to her and gently stroke her feathers. She tilts her head, softly quacks her replies. She peers right into their eyes as if she understands. Lemon is even a natural for pet assisted therapy.

My children’s book, Lemon the Duck, allows me to share Lemon’s story and honor my father, in my own way. Lemon the Duck is dedicated to him. I donate all of my proceeds to the MS Society and Majestic Waterfowl Sanctuary.

Lemon’s neurological disorder is progressive, like my father’s MS. There is no cure. Someday she won’t be able to swim on her own and I’ll need to hold her in the water. But as long as Lemon’s willing, so am I.
 
I often hear, “Lemon is lucky to have you.” And yes, she’s alive and happy, in part because of me. But truly I’m the lucky one to have her in my life. I get to see how just by being herself Lemon touches people’s lives and inspires them.

We’ve met thousands of people, many with special needs of their own. Lemon connects with every one of them. We visited with one child who was born without arms. I held Lemon up to his cheek so he could feel her fluffy feathers, then he petted Lemon with his bare feet.

There are numerous occations where Lemon has touched the lives of thoose she meets. I’ve gotten to experienced all those amazing little moments---all because of a little duck, named Lemon.

You can learn more about Ellen on the following sites:

Lemon The Duck

Lemon on Youtube

Lemon's Blog

Lemon on Facebook

You can even listen to Lemon the Duck read aloud.

Oskar & I think that Lemon & Laura are some  super cool peeps.  Stop by Lemon The Duck to learn more.

If you have a guest post that you are interested sharing with the Pet Blogs United audience, drop me a line at PBU at comcast dot net.

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All About DogTipper.com and CatTipper.com Guest Post

Paris Permenter and John Bigley of DogTipper.com and CatTipper.com

Hi, we're Paris Permenter and John Bigley, a husband-wife team of writers and the publishers of DogTipper.com and CatTipper.com.  Both our pet sites focus on daily tips for dog and cat lovers but we also feature product reviews, giveaways, news, and more. 

We're both full-time bloggers.  We began blogging professionally in 2000 when we launched our first travel website, but we've been writing together since our marriage in 1986.  Originally we were travel writers, writing guidebooks and magazine articles.  For over a decade, we wrote the Jamaica guidebooks for Fodor's (Random House) as well as other Caribbean guides and Texas travel guides.

In 2008, we adopted two young shelter dogs, Irie and Tiki. Between adolescent dogs and the changing economy, we decided to shift our writing focus. We’ve both been lifetime pet owners, and we decided to give pet blogging a try. We launched DogTipper.com in August of that year and there’s been no looking back!

Today, DogTipper spans over 6,000 pages. The site has changed somewhat since it first began. Whereas we took a more journalistic approach in the early days, today we write more personally about topics and enjoy sharing experiences and photos of Irie and Tiki. We live in a very remote area and enjoy taking photos of our hikes with the dogs and sharing more of our life with them. We’ve been using our photo skills that we relied on for many years when taking photos on assignment for our articles and guidebooks. We’ve enjoyed transitioning our photography from hotels and beaches to pets and pet products. On January 1 of this year we started a 365 Photo Project to share a daily photo and a tip on dog photography.

Other regular features in DogTipper include our Dog of the Day, featuring a reader’s dog, and Adoptable Dog of the Day, showcasing a dog looking for a forever home. We’ve had great feedback on both these features and have enjoyed hearing from several rescues that dogs profiled on DogTipper have found loving homes.

Last year, our four cats demanded equal time, and we launched CatTipper.com. Our rescue cats Felix (a former feral cat), Linus, Inca, and Coco are the stars of the show, and we enjoy photographing them to illustrate tips, product reviews and giveaways and more.
 

Within the last year, we’ve also started doing more social media work thanks to our association with Event Barkers, a partnership with All Things Dog Blog. We’ve hosted several Twitter parties and a large charitable event, Super Dog Sunday™, that benefited the Petfinder Foundation. In the coming months, we have a blog-based social media event and another Twitter party scheduled.

After over two dozen guidebooks, we were ready to take a break from the book publishing world but a year ago we authored Barkonomics: Tips for Frugal Fidos, a book on money-saving tips for dog lovers. Currently we’re working on a dog cookbook as well as a feline version of Barkonomics.

We love to hear from fellow pet lovers, and we’ve enjoyed getting to meet so many people on our Facebook pages for DogTipper (http://www.facebook.com/dogtipper) and CatTipper (http://www.facebook.com/cattipper) as well as on our Twitter accounts for @dogtipper (http://twitter.com/dogtipper) and @cattipper (http://twitter.com/cattipper). We feel so lucky to have joined such an enthusiastic community of pet lovers!

*Pam here to tell you that I have had the privilege of getting to know Paris and John over the past year and they are two of the nicest people you would ever want to meet.  DogTipper & CatTipper are fantastic resources for pet lovers and Paris and John are fantastic examples of pet writers doing what they love & loving what they do.

Again I'm sorry about the goofy way the text looks in this post.  Blogger is not being our friend these days.

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The Blessings of a Dachshund on Wheels

We are very proud to share the story of Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Dog with you.  Keep reading to find out how you can win a set of Frankie Magnets!

When I brought home my dachshund, Frankie, as a pup in November 1999 I had no clue of a disease that the breed is prone to called Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD). I knew they had back issues, but didn’t take the time to educate myself on exactly what that meant.

On Easter Sunday 2006 I would come to learn exactly what it meant. While vacationing in Florida, I got a call that Frankie had fallen and ruptured a disc in her back while at the kennel she was staying at. She needed to be rushed into surgery as soon as possible. My sister-in-law was my emergency contact so she immediately whisked Frankie to a nearby animal clinic after having her at my vet who diagnosed her with IVDD. Being so far away from Frankie was hard, but I knew she was in good hands. Frankie was given a 10-30% chance of walking even with the surgery. The odds were not great. The fact I was uneducated about IVDD left me feeling very fearful of what her life would look like if she didn’t walk again. I almost made the terrible mistake of having her put to sleep.

Fortunately with the help of the surgeon, my mom (who I was staying with) and my husband, John, I went ahead and gave my consent for the surgery. I was assured that if Frankie did not gain full use of her hind legs after the surgery and healing, she could be fitted for a dog wheelchair and resume a happy, healthy, quality life. Dog wheelchairs were new to me also. But once it was explained to me how they worked I was hopeful that no matter what, Frankie would live a long, good life.

The surgery was not successful in helping Frankie walk on her own again so she was custom-fitted for a dog wheelchair from Eddie’s Wheels in the summer of 2006. Watching Frankie never feel sorry for herself through her ordeal, as well as persevere despite now having wheels as hind legs, I knew I was being given an opportunity to educate others about IVDD. Since 2007 it has become a passionate mission of mine to share Frankie’s story with others and give other pet owners hope whose dogs are diagnosed with IVDD.

Too often dogs are put to sleep because owners were not educated about the options available. IVDD is not a death sentence and dogs can, and do, live quality lives if given a chance. Frankie, as well as many others, are shining examples of this.

I truly believe that if we look for the blessings in our challenges our life will take on new meaning and we can make a positive difference in the world. I realized as I started taking Frankie out in my little town of 1,100 residents that people were fascinated by her and wanted to know her story. Even more amazing was how children responded to her in such a positive way.

One big blessing from all of this is that I’ve been able to share Frankie’s story with thousands of children through a book series I wrote about Frankie called, Frankie the Walk ‘N Roll Dog. To date we have done over 325 personal appearances to classrooms and libraries, as well as visits via Skype. Our message to children is, “Always be positive, make a difference, and keep on rolling.”

In 2008 Frankie became a registered therapy dog with Therapy Dogs Incorporated after a third grade teacher noticed how well Frankie is around children. She encouraged us to become a therapy dog team. For over three years, Frankie and I regularly volunteer at Libby’s House, Senior Assisted Living (which the second book in my series is about) as well as Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice.

When Frankie was first diagnosed with IVDD, I couldn’t imagine how I would take care of a special needs pet. I went through a period of feeling sorry for myself and having a big pity party. But some of my greatest life lessons have come from observing Frankie go on with her life, living it to the fullest. She is my biggest inspiration!

She has taught me to be more patient and compassionate. She has also helped build my confidence in myself. I always used worry what others thought of me and the choices I made, but that no longer gets in my way of living the life that is right for me. She has also taught me that we always have choices—and choosing to live positive despite our challenges will open doors to opportunities we never expected enriching our lives in ways we could have never dreamed of.

Frankie and Barbara have been featured in Woman’s World, The American Dog Magazine, Doxie Digest, USA Today and AOL Paw Nation. They are also featured in three books: Dogs and the Women Who Love Them, recommended by Oprah’s O Magazine, Animals and the Kids Who Love Them, and Every Dog Has a Gift. Barbara is currently working on her first adult nonfiction book about her journey with Frankie titled, Through the Eyes of Frankie, Lessons Learned from a Dachshund on Wheels. Be sure to watch her blog for updates and release date.



To learn more about Frankie and Barbara, their books, and their mission, you can find them several places on the internet:
http://www.joyfulpaws.com/
http://www.frankiethewalknrolldog.com/
http://www.facebook.com/frankiethewalknrolldog
http://www.facebook.com/barbaratechel
http://www.twitter.com/joyfulpaws
http://www.twitter.com/walknrolldog
http://www.youtube.com/user/barbtechel?feature=mhee

One lucky Pet Blogs United winner will receive a set of Frankie magnets pictured below:

All you have to do for a chance to win these magnets is leave a comment on this blog post.  Be sure to include your e-mail address so that I can contact you if you win.  Contest is open to residents of the US and Canada only.  Entries will be accepted until Midnight EST on Wednesday, 3/7.

We'd like to thank Barbara & Frankie for sharing this inspiring story with us.
 

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An Upside Down World For Jake, Guest Post



~Jake~

In my experience I have found that people give up their pets for the most trivial of reasons. I have also found that they give them up because they feel they have no other choice. Financial hardship, working two jobs, Jake alone for about 15 hours a day, and a daughter requiring medical care all contributed to the reasons why Jake's former owner felt like she couldn't keep him. She had asked everyone she knew if they could take Jake and as a last resort, contacted our county animal shelter. They were honest with her, and told her that because Jake is 13 years old, he probably would not be adopted and would be euthanized. They provided her with the rescues number and she contacted them.

This brought me into the picture on Wednesday when I was asked by the rescue if we had room for him. The owner was getting ready to go out of town, so a quick decision had to be made. Where Jake lived was practically around the corner from my office, so using that flimsy reason to justify taking him in, I agreed and picked him up after work. I felt very sad for the owner and we both cried as she said good-bye to him. I didn't tell her that I was the one who would be caring for Jake, but I did promise to let her know how he was doing.


~Jake's Paw~

As I mentioned on Thursday, Jake is not the most handsome of Goldens and his care has been neglected. He is tall, lanky and thin. His nails are really long and curled under, looking more like talons than nails. Added to that, there is a problem with his feet and he walks on his wrists. He has a very thin coat and his skin is visible in places including on his tail. There is also a large cyst over his eye. 

~The Trouble Maker~

Meeting our crew did not go as smoothly as it has in the past. For some reason Todd had an issue with Jake. He meets new dogs practically each time he goes to day care, and I can only guess that the problem started because he was crated when I picked up Jake, and couldn't meet him on equal ground. The 'hostility' from Todd continued even after he was let out of the crate, fed his dinner, and played with. Of course all of this upset the entire household, making it chaotic and very stressful for everyone. I finally made Todd a 'Kong' and put him to bed.

Even with Todd out of the picture, Jake continued to be a nervous wreck. His entire 13 years of life had been turned upside down. He paced, panted and had several accidents. Jake had always lived as an only dog, walking on wood floors and not being allowed in the kitchen and never having to do steps. Our house is full of area rugs, dogs and he has to walk through the kitchen to get outside and down two steps. You can see why he was so upset and confused about what was happening to him.


~Jake~

Worn out and tired, we all went to bed. I'm not sure where Jake slept that first night. But the last couple of days have been better ones, and even Todd has gotten over his issue with him. We're working on getting Jake to feel more comfortable coming into the kitchen. He's still reluctant to walk on the rugs, and learning the steps is going to take some time. But he comes to us for attention and will sit next to me and and we're seeing tail-wags more and more. The last two nights he has slept on a blanket next to the bed--I think we're headed in the right direction.

*This guest post is from Kim of Life At Golden Pines.  I thought it was such a wonderful love story that I had to share it.

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Nathan's Journey With IVDD

March 26, 2011 is a day I will never forget. That was the day Nathan, my 5-yr old dachshund, ruptured a disk in his back. IVDD would become a permanent word in my vocabulary.  I've documented Nathan's journey from injury to recovery in his blog, Nathan's Journey.

In a nutshell, I learned a few valuable lessons:

1. If you have a dachshund, research in your area who the IVDD experts are AHEAD of time.   After all this happened, we found out that one of the best spine surgeons in the state of Florida was only 1 hour away from us.  Instead, we went to the nearby emergency hospital and errors there led us to where we are today.
2. Therapy, Therapy, Therapy.  There's no getting around this.  Speak to vets in your area and find out who the rehab experts are.  There are vets who are certified to be rehab vets.  They may specialize in water therapy, acupuncture, laser therapy or even stem cell therapy (don't panic - its platelets taken from your own dog's body).  Don't forget home therapy.  Nathan got his "Jane Fonda" at home 4 times a day, everyday.
3. For acupuncture, find the teaching institute in your state (eg. Chi Institute in Florida).  Their website will likely have info on the experts in your area.  Some of their teachers are also practicing vets.  Who better to do your dog's acupuncture than someone who actually teaches and practices this?

4. HOPE.  So many days seem hopeless during the recovery.  Do not focus on day-to-day improvements (or lack of).  Instead, look at improvements week over week.  Take videos to remind yourself of the improvements. 

Nathan may not be able to do all the things he used to be able to do, but he is as goofy and affectionate as ever. And, he is still improving after almost 7 months.

-Heidi Davis

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