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Stuff the Turkey Not the Dog

Posted on July 25, 2010 by Jenn
Posted in Health & Wellness, Nutrition, Paws for Thought

It is so tempting to “give a dog a bone”…or a piece of juicy turkey, or, gravy covered mashed potatoes or….you get the point. They look at you with those sad, sad eyes and there is absolutely food everywhere! I know! Although the average American gains a pound or two over the holidays, that shouldn’t hold true for our canines and felines.

The fresh aroma of turkey basting in the oven, along with creamy gravy simmering on the stove and pies on the table will have your dog drooling. During this month and the next, it is important to watch the health and safety of our pets. Here are a few tips to help avoid an unwanted trip to the emergency vet or a sick pet at the party.

Keep your pet on their standard diet. Avoid giving them turkey or other meats, since this can cause an upset stomach, vomiting, or diarrhea, all of which can ruin the celebration.
Keep aluminum foil, plastic wrap, plastic bags and wax paper away from pets. Disposing of these items properly can prevent accidental intestinal blockage while trying to lick the last morsel of gravy from the cover.
While a wishbone may bring you a great wish, it can bring your dog an unwanted problem. Any brittle or splintering bone, wish or otherwise, can become lodged in their esophagus as well as puncture a hole in their intestines.
Discourage friends and family from feeding your dog extra snacks and scraps. Snacks that are high in salt (chips and peanuts) and other fatty foods can cause Pancreatitis, which is a life-threatening condition.
While chocolates may taste great, they contain theobromine which can be hazardous to your pet’s health. Baker’s chocolate is the highest in theobromine and can cause the most problems.
As with any holiday, see that your pet has a safe haven to move to…away from the festivities. This will give your pet a much needed “Time-Out” from the hustle of the holiday.
Make sure that your pet has their identification tags on during all parties or get togethers. With people coming in and out of the house it is very easy for your pet to wander through and open door. It is also helpful to get your pet micro-chipped. Most animal shelters have devices to scan for these chips and to identify the owner quickly.

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Dogs in History

Posted on July 25, 2010 by Jenn
Posted in Lifestyle, Paws for Thought

Our pets have made a significant impact on our lives and we know that just like the famous German Shepherd star, Rin Tin Tin, they should all have their own paw print on the Hollywood Walk of Fame!

I have heard remarkable stories from many of you over the years… of your dogs helping when you were ill, alerting you of an unsafe situation, being featured in a movie or commercial, participating in pet therapy at local hospitals and nursing homes or simply having wiggled their way into your heart.

I thought for this month it would be nice to highlight a few pets that have made history. Some impressed us early on as our favorite childhood TV. icons. Others we have heard about on the news or read about in the paper. You may have not heard about a few of them…but they are all extraordinary.

Beginning with a dog we all know and love….Lassie. Lassie was originally a short story created for the Saturday Evening Post in 1938. The first major motion picture was produced in 1943 and Lassie hit the small screen in 1954. Who can forget the heart warming story of Lassie and her owner Timmy? Lassie, the Collie star, was a prime example of Sunday night wholesome family entertainment. A few interesting facts: There have been nine dogs that have played Lassie over the years….and they have all been male! Male dogs were used because of their thicker coats. During shedding season, male dogs retain a thicker coat than females therefore looking better on camera!!

Moving on to a very famous animated dog….Snoopy. Snoopy has certainly evolved over the years from his first appearance in the famous comic strip Peanuts in 1950. Did you know that he was a silent character for the first two years and uttered his first word via a thought balloon in 1952? He also started out on all fours and in 1956 began walking upright like a human. This soon became commonplace. Snoopy moved out of his doghouse to the top of his doghouse in 1958. From then on he rarely ventured back inside.

He is arguably the most identified character of the comic strip Peanuts and the following animated films. I read Snoopy’s wikipedia site to learn more about his history and I have to admit it brought back very fond memories and a ton of laughs. It is definitely worth a read: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snoopy.

You may have heard the story about an Australian canine, Leo. This terrier mix saved a litter of kittens from being lost in a house fire just last month. A fire broke out in the home and Leo refused to leave the building. Firefighters found him guarding the kittens until help arrived and they were taken safely away from the building. Both the kittens and Leo lived and are back in their home. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27381659/

How about the Miracle dog, Isabella, that adopted three tiger cubs that were rejected by their mother earlier this year? This happened at the Safari Zoological Park in Kansas. According to an interview conducted by CBS News, Isabella, the Golden Retriever, doesn’t know the difference between her puppies and the cubs. She licks, cleans and feeds them as it they are her own. Amazing! http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/07/30/ap/strange/main4309195.shtml

One of the best stories of this year had to have been the story of Willie, a Quaker Parrot, who saved a toddler from choking. The child’s babysitter was in the other room when the toddler began choking on a pop tart. Willie began screaming and flapping his wings…saying Momma Baby Momma Baby over and over again. The babysitter thought that the cat must be after Willie, but upon entering the room realized it was the baby. She performed the Heimlich maneuver and the situation turned out fine. Willie had his 15 minutes of national fame! http://www.necn.com/Boston/Nation/Unlikely-hero-saves-toddlers-life-/1226511087.html

Interested to know who many consider the “Most Famous” dogs in recent history? If you are…read on! The list of the 10 Most Famous Dogs of the 20^th Century include:

Fala- the beloved Scottish Terrier belonging to FDR

Togo- the famous sled dog who is responsible for Siberian Huskies being established as an official dog breed in the U.S.

Snoopy- famous comic strip character, “Yesterday I was a dog. Today I’m a dog. Tomorrow I’ll probably still be a dog. Sigh! There’s so little hope for advancement.”

Rin Tin Tin- the German Shepherd star of the big screen

Lassie- Of all of the fictional dogs in history, Lassie has probably had the longest run

Scooby Doo- everyone’s favorite Great Dane

Balto- the Alaskan Malamute sled dog that was part of the 1925 serum run from Nome to Anchorage

Eddie- the hit of the sitcom Frasier

Old Yeller- one of Walt Disney’s best loved films

Gidget- “¡Yo quiero Taco Bell!”

Even if your pet hasn’t performed an amazing feat to make the papers or even to get him off of the couch…he is terrific anyway and deserving of a lot of love this holiday season and in the new year ahead!

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Fido’s Top Five

Posted on July 25, 2010 by Jenn
Posted in Paws for Thought, Training

So it’s January 1^st and you are probably still recouping from weeks of holiday parties and over a month of too much of this and too little of that. You most likely have made your list of resolutions for the year ahead or at least have thought about what you would like to get out of 2010. I know I have. Get back to the gym, limit desserts, lose at least two inches from my waistline…the list goes on and on. Baking a bag of cookies for each of my customers resulted in me eating all imperfect cookies and lots and LOTS of raw cookie dough. Yes, GROSS is right!

Well, I can tell you that your pet has his or her own ideas to kick off the New Year. I like to think that Fido’s top five go something like this:

I resolve to make counter surfing an Olympic sport.
I resolve to deconstruct every new toy…the stuffing is supposed to be on the outside right?
I resolve to pull on every walk. C’mon…this helps build your muscles. Less gym time for you and more time for MEEE!!
I resolve to welcome each person that visits our home by trying to lick them on the nose and sniffing them in all of the “right” places.
I resolve to keep the furniture warm while you are away. I really like how my hair adds to the décor. It’s the furry look you’re going for…right?

If this resembles your dog take heart…there is help. Or, if you have brought a new puppy into your home over the holidays…this top five list probably feels more like a top twenty five. Puppies bring even more to the table including: puppy biting, potty training, socializing, sleeping through the night, learning their NAME, coming when YOU call them…etc.

There is a variety of training options out there but I encourage you to pick one and get to it! No dog is too old to train but the sooner you start the easier it is. Your training options are:

Read a book- there are plenty of them out there…just choose your style and get reading!

Group Class- classes are offered at large “box” pet stores, pet neighborhood specialty stores and trainers who use outdoor space e.g. a vet’s parking lot, etc. Classes can range in size from three dogs to fifteen or more.

Private Lessons- these can be done in your home or at a training facility. These are classes where your dog is the star student…because he is the only student.

Boot Camp- this is literally a doggie sleep away camp. You drop your pooch off and a couple of weeks later pick up a dog that has skills under his belt.

Whatever you decide to do, the most important thing is to be consistent, spend time practicing with your pooch and let others know that your dog is in training…so they won’t enable bad behaviors.

Prices range! You can spend a $100 or more for a session of group classes to a couple of thousand for a boot camp. Do a bit of research and decide what is right for you and your dog!

Need a recommendation? Please feel free to contact me at jennfadal@yahoo.com and we can discuss your pet’s particular needs.

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A Look Inside Foster Rescue

Posted on July 25, 2010 by Jenn
Posted in Animal Rescue, Paws for Thought

There are pet people and then there are PET people. I am so fortunate to work with some of the most amazing pet people in my line of work. Men and women that give not a second thought to rescuing one, two, three or more strays. Individuals that spend their weekends not lunching, golfing or resting but at adoption events talking up their brood to passersby.

The job that these dedicated folks do is called fostering. Or, the keeping of dogs or cats in need of adoption in homes rather than at a shelter until a permanent family is found.

Typically, fostered animals make wonderful pets. Issues, if any, are usually worked out while in their temporary home. This makes sense…they are living with other animals, learning to follow a routine and are handled by many at adoption events.

Sharon Espinola, the president of St. Francis Society Animal Rescue has been involved with rescue for years. She says that she has been with St. Francis so long that she can not remember how she learned about it originally.

How does St. Francis differ from other rescue organizations? According to Sharon, her group is the only rescue group in the area that cares for and adopts out dogs AND cats. Sharon says “We’ve been around a long time, since 1997, and we were the first organization that focused on no-kill, as the history goes.” In fact St. Francis found permanent homes for 904 cats and dogs in 2009 and early 2010!

A few important facts:

Today, all foster groups in our area focus on no-kill
Foster dogs come from shelters, owner surrenders and are often found abandoned on the side of the road
Most groups work together to network dogs and find a good permanent fit
Area veterinarians provide discounted rates to foster groups oftentimes
Foster rescue organizations are run 100% by volunteers
These groups are funded by donations and private grants

Dogma Rescue is a newer rescue organization founded by three young women who had been involved with other groups in the past. They decided to take everything they learned, put their own twist on it and see what happened.

Currently, 30 dogs are in foster care and Dogma has had great success adopting out their dogs on a weekly basis.

Amy Howland, one of the rescue’s founders, explains Dogma as an all-breed, all-shape and all-size dog rescue. They do not discriminate. She says that she and co-founders Melissa Weitzenfeld and Ann-Marie Pearson never really made a conscious decision to become foster parents to dogs in need but all had a life-long knack of finding and caring for strays. This eventually led to each woman getting involved with a reputable foster organization, learning the ropes and starting their own.

Amy has a message for anyone considering fostering: “The thing we hear people say most is that they are afraid to foster because they would keep the dog. But when you see a dog go to not just a “good” home, but an AMAZING home, where you know that dog is going to be the Center of the Household Universe, you really can do it! The family is forever grateful to us for their dog and we are forever grateful to them for opening up their hearts and home to a rescue dog.”

When you speak to either Sharon from St. Francis, Amy from Dogma or the men and women from any other rescue organization, the heart warming stories abound. At the same time, their needs are great. EVERY rescue group needs foster parents; EVERY group needs funds to operate.

To get involved with either of these wonderful organizations, whether as a volunteer, foster parent or to financially support, please see their contact information below:

St. Francis Society Animal Rescue

PO Box 261614

Tampa, FL 33685-1614

813-830-7251

www.luvamutt.org

Dogma Rescue

533 S. Howard Ave, Ste 8

PMB 42

Tampa, FL 33606

www.dogmarescue.org

info@dogmarescue.org

I’d like to leave you with this sentiment:

“I’ve been involved with the organization eight plus years….I love the work. It’s the eyes of the dogs and cats we care for…that’s what gets me and has kept me involved. When I stare into the eyes of a homeless dog or cat I see something that is hard to put into words, but I’ve often said it’s in those eyes that I see hope. There are no judgments, only the desire to be loved,” Sharon Espinola, St. Francis Society Animal Rescue.

Won’t you consider fostering?

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Bite Me Once Shame on You, Bite Me Twice Shame on Me

Posted on July 25, 2010 by Jenn
Posted in Health & Wellness, Paws for Thought, Safety

Each May, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) sponsors National Dog Bite Prevention Week. This year, May 16-22, marks the date. According to the Center for Disease control, over 4.5 million people a year fall victim to dog bites. Approximately 800,000 of them are severe enough to require medical attention but the rest go unreported.

Who is typically bitten? Considering the numbers above, nearly 2% of the US population. You won’t be surprised to learn that the vast majority are children. Other front runners are the elderly and service providers such as postal employees.

On a weekly basis, I hear stories of dogs biting adults, children and other dogs. The biting typically occurs in the home or yard by a dog that the person/child/dog knows…i.e. a family or neighborhood pet. People are upset, angry and questioning what to do with the aggressor. If the bite was imposed on a child and not severe, the dog is typically re-homed. In more serious cases, like the stories we hear about on the news, the dog is euthanized.

The reality? In most cases, the bite was 100% preventable.

How can you protect your family…including your dog? Let’s start with the first step, Reduce the Risk of Your Dog Biting. I know that for many of you, I am preaching to the choir. But for those who are unaware of how to prevent your dog from biting…this is worth the read.

Be a responsible pet owner- as the saying goes: love, license and LEASH your dog. I know many people who don’t believe in the last part of that phrase. They let their dog roam off leash as much as possible and enjoy giving him that freedom.

Even if your dog is the most non aggressive dog on the planet, he could try to interact with a dog aggressive dog being walked on leash… an altercation ensues and someone gets bit. OR, your unleashed dog, roaming around your front yard, becomes protective of his territory, and decides to chase and/or bite two and four legged passersby.

These situations are completely avoidable simply by leashing your dog while walking and letting your dog have free range of their fenced and gated backyard.

Spay or neuter your dog- Having your dog altered will reduce their desire to roam and act aggressively. Altered dogs are three times less likely to bite than non altered dogs. Spaying/neutering also promotes a healthier lifestyle for your pet.

Socialize your dog- Introduce your puppy to many types of people, animals and situations so they are at ease when a new or strange situation occurs. If you have an older dog that needs to beef up his social skills try a training class or work one on one with a training professional.

Train your dog- Enrolling your dog into a training class at an early age is the best choice, but older dogs can do well to take a refresher course.

Pet selection and timing- Dogs should never be obtained on impulse. Research the type of dog that will blend well with your family and lifestyle. Since so many bites happen to children, make sure it is the right time for you and your kids. It is recommended to wait until children are over four years of age.

Most importantly, ALWAYS monitor your dog while with children. Never let children and dogs have alone time. As we all know, children love to play, tug at and chase dogs oftentimes. They also don’t know better than to interrupt a dog while he is eating, snacking on a treat or sleeping. These are all potential situations for a nip.

Keep your dog healthy- A healthy dog is a happy dog and the way a dog feels directly affects his actions. Have your dog vaccinated against rabies and other infectious diseases and ensure comfort by using parasite control.

If your dog exhibits aggressive behavior towards people, children or animals contact your veterinarian ASAP to rule out a health related issue. If your Sophie or Tucker checks out with a clean bill of health it is time to check him or her into a dog training class to address your concerns.

There is so much to say on this topic and to learn more please visit the following sites:

Dog Body Language: http://www.pawsacrossamerica.com/interpret.html

Teaching Kid’s: www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/dog-care-dog-bite-prevention.html

A little bit of common sense will go a long way to keeping your family and pet safe!

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Pet Food Facts

Posted on March 1, 2010 by Jenn
Posted in Health & Wellness, Paws for Thought

Feeding a nutritionally sound diet to your pet will promote overall health. Benefits can include:

Longevity
Weight Management
Healthy Skin & Coat
Disease Prevention
Proper Bone and Joint Development

Dogs and Cats are carnivores and therefore should have high quality meat and meat meal as the majority of their food.

What is a Carnivore? A carnivore, meaning ‘meat eater’ (Latin carne meaning ‘flesh’ and vorare meaning ‘to devour’), is an animal that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of vertebrate and/or invertebrate animal tissue, whether through predation or scavenging. …
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnivore

Read your pet food ingredient labels! This will give you a clear picture of what your pet is eating. The first FIVE ingredients are the most important and the first TEN ingredients will tell you everything you need to know. Ingredients are weighed prior to being cooked and the heaviest ingredients are listed first.

Good Ingredients include:

Chicken, Beef, Salmon, Herring, Duck, Turkey, or any other whole protein source

Chicken Meal, Beef Meal, Salmon Meal, Herring Meal, Duck Meal, Turkey Meal or other high quality meal source

Brown Rice, Barley, Oats, Oatmeal, Quinoa or other whole grain

Fruits, Vegetables, Vitamins and Supplements such as Glucosamine and Chondroitin

Bad Ingredients include:

Corn

Wheat

Soy

Gluten

Meat (unspecified)

By-products

By-product Meal

Animal Fat (unspecified)

Salt

Sugar

Artificial Colors and Flavors

*Corn, Wheat and Soy are common causes of pet allergies.

The first two to three ingredients in a pet food should be whole meats or high quality meat meals. Whole meat followed by a meat meal is the best situation. Since a whole fresh meat will lose most of its water weight after being cooked, a meat meal will ensure that a good portion of the final weight is derived from meat.

Corn and Corn Gluten Meal have high protein counts. Many commercial pet foods use corn products to bump up the protein count in pet food to inexpensively meet AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) Standards. As carnivores, dogs and cats do not need corn for protein but high quality MEAT!

So, what do all of these terms mean?

Click here for AAFCO definitions of pet food ingredients: http://www.braypets.com/FRR/aafcodef.htm

Interested in knowing how your pet’s food stacks up? Visit www.dogfoodanalysis.com and find out!

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Facebook Gives Dog a New Leash on Life

Posted on January 16, 2010 by Jenn
Posted in Animal Rescue, Paws for Thought

Those of us on Facebook, Twitter or any of the other popular social networking sites have most likely caught up with old friends, established new business connections, snuck a peek at pictures of an old fl ame or have even avoided a friend request from someone we just didn’t know…or let’s be honest knew all too well! But we are also very aware of the power of the repost and how fast a story can circulate. Hence the story of Chunk, a little brown and white Boston Terrier who captured my heart in less than 24 hours. I first learned about Chunk via an email from St. Francis Society Animal Rescue in late October. Chunk’s bio was emailed along with a few other dogs who had limited time left at Polk County Animal Services. I scrolled down the list of dogs and promptly hit forward and typed in all of my “dog” friends and customers who I knew would forward the email along. Typically, someone in the litany of forwarded emails is touched by a dog’s plight and volunteers to be a foster parent or guardian angel. So, I was hopeful. The first week of November, I received another SOS on Chunk. This time he was the only dog in the email. For some reason, this little guy had not had anyone come to his rescue. His days were numbered. After an hour or so of attempting to send another group email blast, Yahoo decided to halt all sent email from my account. They thought I was sending Spam!! What to do? O.k. I thought, I am posting this guy on both of my Facebook accounts and Twitter and let’s see what happens. I typed in his bio, attached his picture and hit Share. Amazingly, in less than 3 hours, one of my long time friends, who now lives in Orlando, replied to my Facebook post offering a glimmer of hope. She said the owners of Pookies Bow Wow Bakery in Orlando were looking for another Boston to add to their pack. She would get back to me the next day.

Oh, the time crept by… the next morning couldn’t arrive fast enough. I couldn’t sleep, continued to check my Blackberry to see if a Facebook message had come through…had somehow snuck up in the last 30 seconds…but time and again nothing. Finally, the next morning at 8am the message from my friend said Yes, they are very interested in Chunk. Here is their number. YES! This was the first step he needed. Next was to organize the logistics, Chunk had to be “sprung” from Polk County Animal Services, brought to the vet in Tampa, then if he checked out o.k. he would be off to Orlando to meet his new foster parents. A lot to do in a couple of days. I had come this far, so I decided I would see this rescue to the end. On November 9, I drove to Polk County Animal Services to pick up this little guy. I found Chunk in the quarantine ward as he had been pulled out of an animal hoarder’s home (he was there with 67 other animals!!!) He had Demodex, which is a treatable skin condition and was receiving the most minimal vet care. When I approached his cage, he was immediately at the gate licking my fi ngers and looking at me with hopeful eyes. Is she here for me? Really me? After about 30 minutes of paperwork and speaking with Animal Services officials, I walked Chunk out of his concrete jungle and to my car. As soon as I opened the car door he was ready to launch his compact 20lb body right in. His crate was set up with comfy blankets and a furry toy which he immediately began to love, shake and paw. As I started the car, he was nuzzling his bedding and getting comfortable for the ride. As we headed West on I-4 with the windows rolled down, I couldn’t help but stare at him through my rearview mirror. What he was thinking as the wind whipped across his face and he watched the scenery fl y by. Did he know this was his chance? His second chance at life? We pulled in to Bayshore Animal Clinic that afternoon and I left him there for a few hours. After a great report he came to my home for a night of playing, walking, eating, snacking and overall good snuggling. A bath was certainly on the agenda. He was a joy to have around. Chunk loved our yard and the walks around the neighborhood, but he most loved hanging out in his bed gnawing on a turkey patty.

The next morning we hopped back on I-4 and headed east to Orlando. This time, Chunk was snoozing in the back seat…I mean really sleeping, head thrown back, mouth open and peeking at me with bleary eyes every once in awhile. A lump was building in my throat the entire drive. How did this little dog, skin infection and all, touch my heart so quickly? I wished for more miles between Davis Islands and Winter Gardens. We made it to our destination, the West Orange Veterinary Hospital where Chunk met his new moms, Melissa and Marcia. It was love at fi rst site. After a quick once over by Doctor Fink, she asked Melissa and Marcia if they were in fact going to move forward and foster Chunk….Marcia quickly said, I think we are keeping him. It was time to say goodbye and I cried like a baby all over Chunk’s head. Melissa and Marcia couldn’t have been any happier and Chunk, the little boy who had been in a 5’x5’ cage at a shelter for three weeks, looked right at home. A simple post on Facebook brought him from Pasco County, to Tampa, then to Orlando…his fi nal destination. I received my fi rst Chunk report on November 14 and learned that Chunk has a new lab mix girlfriend, loves his new raw food diet and most importantly has been accepted by the family matriarch, the house cat! Success!

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To Board or Not to Board

Posted on January 16, 2010 by Jenn
Posted in Lifestyle, Paws for Thought, Travel

Oh, the holidays. Ready or not, they have arrived. Turkey dinners are forecasted, suitcases are dusted off and it all begins! Many of you are planning your holiday travels…to see Grandma Millie in New York, Mom and Dad in Atlanta or you may just want to get away to an island in the Caribbean and escape the chaos! What about your four legged family member? Who will care for them while you are away? Instead of visions of sugar plums dancing in your head, are you having visions of Macaulay Culkin in the movie Home Alone? If you have used your last I.O.U. and your trusted neighbor, friend or family member just can’t care for Fido this time around…you do have options.

Pet Boarding. There are wonderful facilities in the area that will house your pet while you are gone and offer many packages from which you can choose. Your dog can stay in a higher end facility with indoor “suites,” outdoor playtimes, daycare and grooming… the list of add on’s is extensive. Or, you can board at a facility that has traditional kennels which typically offer outdoor and indoor space and a couple of walks a day. Nowadays, pet resorts, as they’re often called offer a wide variety of options, all safe and secure, giving you peace of mind while you are away. Before you decide if this is the route you should take, go visit a few boarding facilities, take a tour, learn their policies and prices, meet the managers and note how you feel when you are there. Rates for cats and dogs can start anywhere from $20 a day and go up from there. Don’t be surprised that if you choose a top of the line package with a large suite, many play times, extra cuddling, treat before bed, etc. that your price per night could be upwards of $50. Most facilities offer multiple pet discounts. Look for a place that allows your dog to eat his own food, not food provided by the facility. Your dog might be a nervous boarder, so any change in his diet might impact his digestive wellness. Also, your buddy will need to be up to date on the following vaccinations: DHLPP, Bordetellaand Rabies. Once you have decided on a facility, have your dog or cat visit and spend the night prior to your trip. This way, he will be familiar with his home away from home and have an idea of the routine, smells, sounds and staff. The goal is for your pet to feel like he is on a vacation while you are on yours!

Pet Sitter – Pet sitters are a dedicated group of men and women that will take care of your pet in the comfort of your home. You can choose how many times a day they come to visit your pet and what they will do with Fifi or Fido while they are there. If your dog loves to play ball in the back yard, they will incorporate that during their visit time. If your dog is a dog park regular he can certainly enjoy this routine with his sitter. Pet sitters can also take your pet to the vet or grooming appointments and will keep a close eye on their health and behavior while you are away. Some sitters will spend the night at your home if you so desire. Upon your return you will fi nd notes written after each pet sitter visit so you will get a clear snapshot of how Fido spent his days while you were gone. They will let you know how often Fido did his “business” and how he behaved on his walks. Pet sitting costs range from about $18-$20 per visit per day. As with boarding facilities, most sitters offer multi pet discounts. Before making the decision to go the pet sitter route, assess whether or not your dog is well suited to be home alone for several hours a day. If your dog has severe separation anxiety or has destructive habits like chewing items, walls, furniture, etc, this might not be the best option for you. On the other hand, if your dog has no separation issues and is quite calm and happy in his own space this might just be perfect. Always have a new pet sitter come for a meet and greet prior to your trip…just to make sure their personality and Fido’s are a match. Visit www.petsitters.com to find a pet sitter or to find out if your pet sitter belongs to the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters. Or, visit www.petcareservices.org to find a boarding facility that is part of the Pet Care Services Association. There is nothing better than having the peace of mind that your pet is safe and well cared for while you are enjoying your holidays. Best wishes on finding the most sensible solution for you and your pet and happy travel.

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Houndsight is 20-20

Posted on January 15, 2010 by Jenn
Posted in Health & Wellness, Paws for Thought

My eyesight is horrible…I mean bad… really, really bad. At my last eye exam the doctor displayed the largest E on the brightly lit screen and I couldn’t decipher what it was. Sadly, I couldn’t read anything on the screen at all. Thank God for corrective lenses!

Have you ever thought about what your dog sees and doesn’t see? Is Fido’s vision 20/20? In one simple word, no. His vision is more like 20/75! What a person can see from 75 ft away a dog can only see at 20 ft.

You probably have heard that dogs are color blind. That their world view is in black and white. The latest research has shown that this is not the case. Because the retina in a dog’s eye contains about 1/10 the amount of cones (cones provide color perception and detailed sight) as a human’s eye their vision is more like someone who is color blind. Distinguishing red, green, orange and yellow is impossible for dogs. Studies have shown that they can pick out blue/violet and yellow, however. They can also differentiate between shades of gray.

Don’t feel too bad for them though. Dog’s can see much better in dim light than their two legged parents. They are also excellent at seeing things in M O T I O N. For all of you who have dogs that can run down a Frisbee and pluck it out of mid air or whose dog can catch a ball at any angle and height…or have witnessed your pooch chase down a lizard across the yard at dusk…you know what I mean. Why is this possible? A dog’s retina may be lacking in the cone department but it is rod dominant. Rods provide the ability to detect motion and to see things in dim light. AHA! This explanation makes perfect sense when you think of dog’s evolution. Our pet’s wild ancestors were hunters and predators chasing prey at dusk or at night.

Night vision and detection of movement was crucial for survival of the species. Let’s apply this knowledge to our modern dog’s life. Think about training your dog. If you have taken a training class in the past you most likely were taught hand signals as well as voice commands. Your movement reinforces your voice and satisfies your dog’s sense of sight. Even more innate is a dog’s ability to distinguish even the slightest movement in other dogs. This is how they understand the hierarchy of the pack, the messages being relayed and how they should respond. In fact, this is how they learn about us…their humans. They are very tuned in to our body language and take their cues from our actions. Don’t expect your dog to know who you are from a distance but as soon as you make one of your characteristic moves they will realize who you are.

A dog’s sight or lack of vision in bright light…is supplemented by their other, stronger senses of smell and sound. Going back to our ball example, a dog can follow the ball as it fl ies through the air, but as soon as it hits the ground and stops rolling, their sense of smell kicks in and they “sniff out” their round prize. Or, our other example of knowing you from a distance…as soon as you use your voice they will identify you and of course they intimately know your scent.

So, even though Fido’s sight may not be 20/20 it is perfectly made to suit his needs and has worked for his species for millions of years!

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Pilots N Paws

Posted on August 4, 2009 by Jenn
Posted in Animal Rescue, Lifestyle, Paws for Thought Tagged cats, dogs, paws, pet adoptions, pets, pilots

Pilots_Paws Altruism is defined as an unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others. In this economy I am certain that we have seen altruistic behavior at its best. Neighbors helping neighbors and people stepping up to make life just a bit easier for others in need.

The story I am about to tell you takes Animal Rescue to another level…like 10,000 feet to be exact! Consider this, pilots donating their time, planes, gas and miles to transport animals in jeopardy to a safe house in another city or state. Sound unlikely? Meet Pilots N Paws.

This amazing effort, started by Debi Boies and her partner Jon Wehrenberg, began in February 2008…just a little over one year ago. Since then, over 1,000 animals have been air lifted out of precarious situations and flown to a forever home, foster home or non kill shelter. The website, www.pilotsnpaws.org, provides an online meeting space for pilots to connect with animal rescue volunteers and help to transport animals by air.

Debi, cofounder of Pilots N Paws (a 501c3), is extremely low key. You will not find her story or her name on the Pilots N Paws website. And that’s how she likes it. During our interview, she made it clear, that it is not about her or what she does, but about the animals whose lives are saved on a daily basis.

Debi founded Pilots N Paws after her adoption experience with Doberman Pinscher, Brock. Brock was in a Tallahassee shelter and had been used as a “bait” dog in the past. Debi (who lives in South Carolina) and her husband Bob were preparing to drive to Tallahassee to pull Brock out of his situation. This is where cofounder Jon comes in. Jon, a family friend, is an avid pilot living in Tennessee. He volunteered to fly to South Carolina, pick up Debi and Bob, and then fly to Brock in Tallahassee. He did and the rescue happened in just a couple of hours rather than in a couple of days! Thus, Pilots N Paws was born.

As you can imagine, the heart warming stories abound and I was fortunate enough to speak with two pilots in between flights. It is clear that they love what they do and have a deep passion for saving animals in their own special way.

Jeff Bennett, a pilot out of Big Pine Key, has rescued 81 animals since October of 2008. He doesn’t limit his rescue missions to dogs and cats however. Jeff’s count includes pythons, pigs and even a baby chick! Jeff says that the best part of his job is saving lives. His fondest memories are of animals that were on death’s door, next in line for euthanasia, and through his efforts are now protected.

His farthest flight involved many legs…literally. From the Keys to Lakeland, Lakeland to Bambridge, GA, from Georgia to Alabama…and in Alabama he rescued 19 puppies. Seventeen of the puppies were flown to a rescue group in Tampa and two returned to the Keys.

I asked Jeff if he receives feedback from adoptive families, shelters or rescue groups. He said occasionally… like the shepherd mix that he flew from Islamorada, FL to Philly. His owner contacted Jeff to let him know that the rescued dog was thriving. But, for Jeff, the stories are written in his heart and in the memory book he has made which contains each and every rescued animal’s picture and story.

Nancy Moore, a pilot out of Ft. Lauderdale, sums up her experience in these words, “Ellen Herr and I became involved with Pilots N Paws about 5 months ago. I think, as I believe most pilots do, that we are very lucky to be able to do what we love to do – fly. Being part of Pilots N Paws allows us to combine two passions – our love for flying and our love for animals. Especially in these hard economic times, when more animals are being abandoned or given up because of their owners’ inability to care for them, it is very gratifying to be able to use our flying to assist them in finding new homes. “

If you are a pilot and would like to get involved like Jeff and Nancy and many others have, please visit the website http://www.pilotsnpaws.org/. There is especially a need for pilots in the Southern and Midwestern regions of the country. Your flights are tax-deductible and quite possibly might be the most rewarding flights you will ever make.

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