Happy New Year! Any Canine-Related Resolutions?

It’s officially 2011. A new year. A new start. Every year, I try to make resolutions, but rarely stick to them. I think it’s because I set my goals way too high. I set myself up for failure. So, this year, instead of trying to achieve something virtually impossible, I’m going to improve upon the things I’m already doing. Here are a few of my non-canine resolutions:

• Eat more dinners together as a family
• Add more healthy options to our meals
• Replace some of the sweets in our house with healthy treats like fruit

As for resolutions related to my dog and other dogs out there:

• Add an extra 15 minutes to my walks with Toby
• Start making homemade dog treats – my friend made them once for Toby and he LOVED them!
• Visit the local dog park once a week from May through November (We live in Wisconsin and Toby’s not fond of the cold)
• Adopt another shelter dog
• Volunteer at Bichon and Little Buddies Rescue at least three times a month all year
• Work hard on my classes at the Animal Behavior College so I can start my Veterinary Assistant internship in the Spring of 2012

How about you? What are your canine-related resolutions for 2011?

Home for the Holidays

Are you thinking of adopting a dog this holiday season? There are several things to consider before you bring a new pet home.

First of all, the holidays are a hectic time and most people have had their regular routines derailed by parties, shopping and the typical holiday hoopla. Will you have time to properly introduce a dog into your household? What about effectively housebreaking a puppy? Can you commit to taking a dog out every couple of hours to do its business? Not to mention, the temptation of Christmas trees, ornaments and miscellaneous decorations, as well as the confusion of new people and interesting smells venturing into and throughout your home.

There are costs to consider as well.  Adoption fees, vet visits, dog food, chew toys, bedding, crates – these all add up and many costs are incurred on a monthly basis after you finalize your adoption.  Can you manage these additional costs at this time?

Do you have other dogs? Adding a new pet to the household means adjustment for everyone. Your existing pet will need time to adjust to its new housemate, and your new pet will need time to acclimate to its new role in your family’s pack. Will a busy holiday season allow that to happen?

Right now, the ASPCA, the Humane Society, and dog food companies are all running public service announcements about their holiday campaigns, bringing a shelter pet home for the holidays,  adopting an animal in need. As a firm believer in adoption and someone whose heartstrings are pulled ruthlessly with these PSAs, I also know that a dog adopted without the proper forethought, is a dog that ends up being returned to a shelter shortly after the holidays are over. Not only is this hard on the family that had its heart set on a new dog, but it is heartbreaking and confusing for a dog that just wants to find its forever home.

If you are seriously considering adoption during this holiday season, talk to one of the experts at your local dog shelter or rescue organization. They can help you determine if the timing is right for you, as well as help you find a pet that is the perfect fit for you and your family.

If you can’t adopt a pet, but would like to help, consider donating to a local shelter. In addition to cash donations, items like newspaper, puppy pads, blankets, dog beds and dog food are welcome and much needed. If you can’t offer a forever home, but can do something temporarily, consider fostering a pet. This helps with socialization, training and allows the pet a chance to live in a homey environment until they are adopted.

Shelter animals don’t know that the holidays are upon us, but they do know when they find their forever homes – which is the greatest gift you could ever give them.

Our Favorite Toys

Toby is quite the chewer. Every stuffed or plastic toy we’ve ever given him has been gutted or chewed to bits. We’ve found stuffing hidden all over the house and Toby has tried to eat the little pieces of plastic. After searching high and low for something indestructible, we came across these http://www.godogfun.com/. The Go DogTM mini-dragon and mini-dinos are his favorite. Go Dog Products come in a variety of shapes and sizes and have Chew Guard TechnologyTM which is chew and tug resistant – literally. Toby can NOT tear these little guys apart.

They have a squeaker inside that Toby can’t get to and crinkly tails that make fun noises. We play fetch with them and Toby loves to cuddle with them – and they have remained fully in tact. I highly recommend these little guys! They make great puppy stocking stuffers!

Baby, It’s Cold Outside!

Temperatures are dropping and soon the snow will start flying. Holiday decorations are starting to appear and preparation is underway. With all of these changes just around the corner, remember to take the steps to keep your canine family member safe and happy this Holiday season.

1. Oh, Christmas Tree – keep your tree safe and your pet safer but placing family heirlooms and valuable ornaments out of the way of curious pups and wagging tails. Avoid the tinsel if you can. If eaten, the thin strands can get caught in the intestines and cause serious damage, if not death. Keep light strands and extension cords out of reach, as some dogs like to chew the cords, putting themselves as risk of electrical shock or burns. Unplug lights when not in use and keep an eye on your pets at all times. In addition, holly, mistletoe and poinsettia’s are poisonous to pets, so keep them out of reach or avoid them all together.

2. When the weather outside is frightful – purchase a doggie jacket or sweater for your pup. Some pets do not tolerate the cold very well and a cozy cover up may help keep out the chill. In addition, icy sidewalks and sidewalk salt can irritate a dog’s paws. Rinse your dog’s paws when you come in from the cold or invest in some puppy booties. One more thing, antifreeze is deadly for pets, so keep it away from your pets on a high shelf with the cap tightly closed. If you think your dog has ingested some, take him to the vet immediately.

3. Over the river and through the woods – don’t forget to exercise your furry friend. Even though you’re busy with holiday preparation, remember that Fido would still like his daily walk. Daily exercise can help keep your pup calm, cool and collected during the hectic hustle and bustle of the days ahead.

4. Fill up the stockings – but leave your pet at home. A cold car is not a pleasant place for your pup. If your engine is left on, carbon monoxide can endanger your pet’s life. If the engine is left off, the temperature inside the car can fall quickly and put your pet at risk.

So make this holiday season a safe and happy one for you and your pets. It’s one of the greatest gifts you can give!

So thankful…

It’s the week of Thanksgiving and I’m excited. Thanksgiving and Christmas are my two favorite holidays. I especially like Thanksgiving because it’s a chance for people to get together without the pressure of gift giving and just enjoy each others’ company. It’s an opportunity to appreciate the ones you love, show gratitude, and reflect on the blessings and challenges the last year has offered.

I really enjoy the tradition of a full table, a beautifully displayed turkey, and a circle of smiles surrounding it. I always envision the famous Norman Rockwell painting when I’m setting my table.

This year, I’m grateful for the new opportunities opening up around me. Volunteering at the Bichon and Little Buddies Rescue, enrolling at the Animal Behavior College, starting this blog, and meeting new animal lovers every day. I’m grateful for my loving, beautiful family, who has been so supportive of my passion, and for my dog, Toby, who still lights up when I walk in the door even if I’m covered with the smells of other dogs. He has shown myself and my family unconditional love and I’m so thankful for him and the joy he has brought us.

Treat, Don’t Trick Your Pet this Halloween

Goblins, ghouls, ghosts. Kids running this way and that. Doorbells ringing and doors a-knockin’. That’s a lot of stimulation for your pet. And while it’s cute to dress them up in the spirit of the holiday, remember that for your pet’s comfort and safety, it’s best to provide them with a nice quiet place to relax.

The Human Society of the United States suggests several tips for a stress-free Halloween, including:

• Keep your pets inside and away from trick-or-treaters and other Halloween activities
• Make sure your pet is wearing the appropriate tags and ID in case they escape as doors are being opened and closed
• Keep candy out of their reach as it can be toxic to them
• If you decide to dress up your pet, think safety and comfort. Consider forgoing a mask
• Keep decorations away from pets – especially candles and hanging or dangling decorations
• Use fake cobwebs sparingly as pets can choke on them. In addition, if used outdoors, wildlife can be put in harm’s way if they ingest or become tangled in them
• When trick-or-treating, leave your dog at home. Dogs can easily be excited by all of the Halloween activity and no one wants to run the risk of a lost pet or a potential bite
• Keep an eye out for wildlife, especially when out at night, as animals such as raccoons, opossums and foxes may be hunting for food. Keep your distance and keep your pet out of harm’s way

For the complete article and the comprehensive list of tips, visit The Humane Society of the United States.

Happy Halloween!