Caring for a senior dog: What you need to know

By Juliana Weiss-Roessler
Cesar's Way

Senior dogs are often overlooked at rescues and shelters in favor of the next generation of bouncy, yappy puppies. But if you’re a pack leader to a pup in his golden years, you know that’s a shame, because older dogs still have a lot of love to give — and they can still have lots of personality and spunk even if they don’t have as much energy as they did in their younger years.

Senior dogs also typically require less exercise, suffer from fewer behavioral issues, and come to you already potty trained. For these reasons, they are a particularly good choice for those adopting their first dog.

But just because senior dogs are easier in many ways doesn’t mean that they don’t also have some special care requirements that younger dogs don’t. Here are a few senior dog care tips if you’re a first-timer at adopting or fostering one of these old-timers.

Rule out medical causes for behavioral problems
Senior dogs are less likely to suffer from many issues caused by pent-up energy since they have less to expend. But that doesn’t mean they never experience behavioral issues. The first place to start with a behavior issue, though, especially if it has a sudden onset, is at the vet. It may be an early sign of a medical issue, and catching it faster can make a big difference for your pup.

Read more: http://www.cesarsway.com/dog-care/senior-dog/Caring-for-a-senior-dog-What-you-need-to-know#ixzz3QDykaxBZ

Stress Busters

 Why it's good to be tall...

Are you sure this is my bed?

Can I keep it?

I can't wait till they deliver the new stove.
We need a new box!

Bake for 20 minutes, then turn over...

Everybody needs a good sleep toy...

Frankly, I don't think it's funny...

I'm ready for my walk...

I love my new human.  I think I'll keep it...

Always check before putting on your shoes...

Afghanistan Veteran Reunited With Bulldog After She Was Given Away

December 8, 2014
Good Morning America

Sometimes true love trumps all, as was the case with John Russo and his beloved American bulldog Bones.

Given to Russo as a Christmas present in 2008 from his mother, Bones stayed with Russo’s ex-girlfriend when he joined the Army and left for basic training and a deployment to Afghanistan in 2009.

“We were broken up before I left, but she was taking care of her [Bones], so I thought,” Russo told ABC News. “Then I got home and realized she had surrendered her.”

Russo attempted to contact his ex, but found out her number and address had changed. Russo tried to find Bones, but didn't have any luck. As an animal lover, he often checks humane society websites just to see the animals there, and he had an unbelievable spotting last week.

“I had a feeling that day and I went on the website and there she was,” Russo said of Bones.

The 5-year-old bulldog had been safely sheltered and up for adoption at the Flagler Humane Society in Palm Coast, Florida.

Read the full story on Yahoo News.

Lucca - Meet One of America's Furry War Heroes

From Yahoo! News

What has three legs, a Purple Heart, and fur all over?

Meet German Shepard mix Lucca, a Marine Corps veteran and Purple Heart recipient (albeit unofficial) credited as a war hero for her work sniffing out IEDs in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Lucca, who lost a front paw while serving on the front lines, is the subject of new book “Top Dog: The Story of Marine Hero Lucca.” And along with her first handler and current owner, Gunnery Sgt. Chris Willingham, this furry war hero recently sat down for an interview with “Power Players.”

Willingham is part of a special unit of dog handlers within the Marine Corps and was first assigned to be Lucca’s handler when she was still a young, untrained dog. The two quickly became a pair and trained together for a year before being deployed to Iraq, where Lucca quickly put her sniffing skills into action.

“In our first week in our first big mission … Lucca went up and indicated there was an explosive there and that was the first time she saved my life,” Willingham said. “It was a really validating moment from all the hard work and training we put in together, to the moment she actually found an IED on an operation, so it was a great, great day."

While active in the Marine Corps, Lucca was identified as a piece of equipment would be, with the ID designation K458. But to the troops she protected, she was known as “Mama Lucca.”

“She is a Marine,” Willingham said. “She's treated just like a Marine. When she got injured, she was medevac’d just like a Marine. They get top notch veterinary treatment -- their medical care, their health care, their dental care -- it's top notch. We treat these dogs outstanding, their part of our team, and Lucca probably knows more about me than anybody else, except my wife."

Click here to watch the video interview or read the full article.

Humans Rescuing Animals - Restore Your Faith in Humanity

Restore your faith in humanity in four minutes!

Samantha Valle & Her Incredible Dogs Playing Frisbee

Dog trainer Samantha Valle and her amazing dogs at the 2014 Eagle's game halftime show. Enjoy!

Baby, 10-Year-Old Pit Bull, Saves Family And Its Dogs From Fire

BABY IS A HERO!  This is an incredible story!

A 10-year-old pit bull named Baby rescued a family and its dogs not once, but twice, during a house fire.

On Tuesday, Rhonda Westenberger and her sister, Evelyn, were sleeping when their Wellston, Okla., home of 17 years began filling with smoke and flames, KOCO reports.

Immediately, their pit bull, Baby, began barking and pounced on them until they woke up.

"There were flames shooting down the hallway," Westenberger told KOCO in the video above. "If Baby hadn't woken Evelyn up, I don't think either one of us would have come out of it."

Read the full story:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/14/baby-pitbull-fire_n_2688270.html

KERMIT NEEDS RESCUE! GETTING URGENT NOW! (Logan, OH)

UPDATE 11/10/2014:  KERMIT HAS BEEN RESCUED!!!

HOCKING COUNTY DOG SHELTER, LOGAN, OH

CONTACT: beougher76 [at] yahoo.com

Kermit hasn't had any adoption interest at the shelter. We don't get a lot of adoption traffic here. :(

Kermit has served his time, and now needs a rescue to help get him the life he deserves. He is approximately 9-12 months old & weighs 40 lbs. Kermit is a mixed breed and has a wonderful temperament and personality.  He does get along with others.  He would like nothing more than to get out of his concrete cell. Kermit is still a pup and desperately wants to play.

Can anyone please help Kermit?

UPDATE 11/10/2014:  KERMIT HAS BEEN RESCUED!!!

It's Just a Dog

From time to time people tell me, "Lighten up, it's just a dog," or, "That's a lot of money for just a dog." They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent or the costs involved for "just a dog."

Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog."

Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog," but I did not once feel slighted.

Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog," and, in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.

If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand phases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise."

"Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy.

"Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that makes me a better person.

Because of "just a dog" I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future.

So for me, and folks like me, it's not "just a dog" but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past and the pure joy of the moment.

"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.

I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog" but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a human."

So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog" just smile....because they "just don't understand."

- Anonymous

10 Cat Behavior Myths That Cause Problems

From Care2.com

Cats are the most popular pet in the United States; they are intelligent, affectionate and mysterious creatures. Despite this popularity — and perhaps because of their air of mystery — there are many misconceptions about cats that cause both social and physical problems for these animals.

Here are 10 common-but-false assumptions about felines — and the truth behind them.

1. Cats are solitary animals and like to be home alone.
False. Separation can be stressful for cats. Specifically, separation anxiety may manifest in behaviors such as urination and defecation outside of the litterbox, vocalization, vomiting, excessive grooming, lack of appetite, anxiety at departure or an exuberant greeting when you return. To keep your cat happy, it is essential to limit their time alone and provide them with stimulation and interaction in the form of play, petting, food toys and perches. If you have an extremely stressed cat, it’s essential to make an appointment with your veterinarian to further address the problem.

2. Cat litterbox issues are always a behavior problem and can‘t be fixed.
False. Failing to use the litterbox may be linked to a medical issue or may be caused by stress or anxiety, so start with a visit to your veterinarian. Once you identify the cause, there are various methods for retraining your cat to go inside the box, including the use of feline pheromones, changing the type of litter and box used, increasing the number of litterboxes and strategizing the placement of boxes around your home.

3. Cats scratch because they are mean.
False. Cats may claw human skin for various reasons. Sometimes cats claw to express irritation — for example, if they are not being held or petted in the proper way. Some cats scratch in play; if this happens, freeze in place and redirect your cat to a toy. An underlying medical issue, such as arthritis, may also be the culprit, causing your cat to feel uncomfortable and making him more likely to lash out.  If this is a recurring issue, a visit to your veterinarian is a must.

4. Cats will suck the life out of a newborn baby.
False. The belief that a cat will suck the air out of a baby’s lungs is an urban legend; there has never been one medically proven incident of this happening. In truth, cats and babies can grow deep bonds and get along well if their interactions are always supervised by adults and behavior concerns are addressed early on.

5. Cats never need special playtime — they entertain themselves.
False. Cats thrive when they are given daily activities. Sharing playtime with your cat for a few minutes several times a day will cut down on nuisance behavior such as your cat waking you up early in the morning. Many cats even enjoy going out on walks and can be taught to walk on a leash.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/10-cat-behavior-myths-that-cause-problems.html#ixzz3I6pOsOJb

Woman Rescues Burned Puppy and He Grows Up to Save Her Life

From Care2.com

Anyone who has ever saved an animal will tell you that its the kind of experience that shakes up your DNA. You won’t regrow hair on a balding head or suddenly run a four-minute-mile, but there is a pulse of positive energy that churns through the human body much like a twister. In some cases, fragments of that emotional explosion are powerful enough to be credited with modern medical miracles. And for one Texas woman, the experience was profound enough to help wake her from a coma.

My Name is Danielle…
“My name is Danielle and it’s been over a year since something terrible happened to me. I am ready now to share my story,” explained the letter we received recently from veterinary technician Danielle Torgerson of Killeen, Texas. ”Four years ago somebody brought a puppy to the clinic. I was not assigned to that room but I was in the second room when I felt something pull me into the hallway. It was strange, but I glanced into the other exam room and saw a puppy on the table. He looked at me with so much pain and despair. A man had brought him in for a ‘sting’ but I knew instantly that was not the case. The puppy was horribly burned on the head like somebody had poured gasoline over him and set him on fire. He was there to be euthanized.”

Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/woman-rescues-burned-puppy-and-he-grows-up-to-save-her-life.html#ixzz3GslfJEfi

5 Simple Ways to Cope With Pet Allergies

Ah, yes … how many times have I answered my phone with someone wanting to surrender a pet due to allergies.  Over the years, I’ve lost count as the number is overwhelming.

Now, being one of those persons who also suffers with allergies (pet dander included), I’ve learned how to deal with them which has allowed me to continue my 50 years of dedication to animal rescue.  With a house full of dogs, cats, and the occasional fostered Parrot, you quickly learn how to survive.

Pet allergies are no different than outside allergens that gives unpleasant symptoms. However, people with these issues don’t lock themselves in the house, refusing to go outside until the season is over. They learn how to manage the allergy and then get on with their life. The same should be true with those who opted to become a pet parent only to find that they’ve developed watery eyes, itchy skin and a stuffy nose. That also implies to those who become new parents or already have children that, all of a sudden, develop some type of sensitivity to a pet who has also been a family member for many years.

Dumping the old dog or cat at the pound should be your last resort. There ARE alternatives.

By just following a few simple rules, you, your family and your pet should be able to coexist, within the same household, for many pleasant, enjoyable years together. So, I hope you find the below article by Care2 informative and helpful in resolving any allergy issues you may have with a pet.

As always… thank you for following mypetrescueblog.com and comments are always welcome. Any more tips or suggestions on how to help those who suffer from pet allergies would be greatly appreciated. Let’s help keep all of those furry pets in their homes.

5 Simple Ways to Cope With Pet Allergies

You’re no stranger to a stuffy nose, itchy eyes, rashes and welts. You’re one of more than 60 million Americans the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America estimates are affected by allergies in general, but your symptoms always seem to show up when one of man’s furry friends — a pet — comes around. This may not be the most convenient of allergies you could have, especially if you’re an animal lover, but at least you know you’re in good company: Up to a third of all allergies are animal-related, and, according to the Humane Society of the United States, there are approximately 77.5 million dogs and 93.6 million cats owned as pets. This means there are many people out there experiencing at least a few of these symptoms when they’re in the presence of a furry friend:

• Stuffy or runny nose
• Red, itchy eyes
• Coughing
• Excessive sneezing
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

If you count yourself among this group, check out these five methods for finding some relief.

Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/5-simple-ways-to-cope-with-pet-allergies.html#ixzz3F7fVLQZh

Duke n' Matt: Rescue Road Warriors

Duke, a friendly red beagle, was rescued by Matt in 2009. Now Duke and Matt are a team.  They volunteer to help transport rescue dogs from puppy mills and other places around the United States. They are RESCUE ROAD WARRIORS! They set out with many other volunteers to drive their canine "passengers" to safe shelters, foster homes, and adoptive families. Kids will meet Duke ‘n’ Matt, learn what it's like to be a Rescue Road Warrior, and find out why these volunteers help rescue dogs and puppies in this new Grammy Pags Story. Special "Learn More" and "Fun Stuff" pages included.  Available at Amazon in print and Kindle versions.

Note from Jo Ann:

Since I’m part of the Rescue Road Warriors team, this book is a wonderful opportunity to introduce children to the rescue world and help them understand just how important these volunteer transport drivers really are.  Without their dedication and selflessness, a lot of dogs and cats would die because they had no ride to a rescue that had room for them.

Some of these animals travel hundreds, even thousands of miles to reach a foster home or, hopefully, their forever homes.

So, the next time you’re out on the road and happen upon a caravan of mini vans, SUV’s, or maybe just those ordinary automobiles, that are loaded down with doggies, puppies, cats and kittens, be sure to honk your horn, give them a BIG THUMBS UPS, and wish them a safe journey.
 
They truly are amazing people who freely give of their time and gasoline to save as many lives as possible.

And please let me know how you enjoyed the book.  Your comments are always welcome!

Pet Fire Safety - Do You Have a Plan?

The following was sent to me by Protect America Home Security.  I think it is a helpful reference and checklist for pet fire safety.  Clicking on the picture below will open a printable PDF.  You can also visit the page by clicking on this link:  http://www.protectamerica.com/static/pdf/pet-fire-safety.pdf



Dolphin Rescues Dog

This is a heart-warming scene of a dog being rescued by a dolphin from the movie "Zeus and Roxanne" from 1997.  Enjoy!

Grieving Goat Transforms After Sweet Reunion With His Best Friend

Australian Magpie Playing

5 Smart Ways to Prevent Dog Bites

 

National Dog Bite Prevention Week is May 18-24th. You may have seen the Care2 post last week about the little boy who was attacked by a dog when he was on his bike, but his cat came to the rescue and chased away the dog. The ASPCA predicts that 50 percent of children will be bitten before they turn 12-years-old.

According to the National Center for Injury Prevention and the Center for Disease Control, dog bites were the 11th leading cause of nonfatal injury to children ages 1 to 4, 9th for ages 5 to 9 and 11th for ages 10 to 14 from 2003 to 2012.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) offers these dog bite facts:

• Each year, more than 4.5 million people in the U.S. are bitten by dogs.
• Almost 1 in 5 people bitten by dogs require medical attention.
• Every year, more than 800,000 Americans receive medical attention for dog bites; at least half of them are children.
• Children are, by far, the most common victims of dog bites and are far more likely to be severely injured.
• Most dog bites affecting young children occur during everyday activities and while interacting with familiar dogs.
• Senior citizens are the second most common dog bite victims.

Internationally renowned dog trainer Victoria Stilwell is a spokesperson for National Dog Bite Prevention Week. She says, “Most dog bites are preventable and are a perfect situation of circumstance, situation and environment. If we learn to understand dogs, learn their body language, and empower children with that knowledge, there will be less dog bites.” She offers these tips to help prevent dog bites:

Read more: http://www.care2.com/greenliving/5-smart-ways-to-prevent-dog-bites.html#ixzz338cro94o

Disallow Michael Vick from the Cortland Campus

Please consider signing the following petition on Change.org

Michael Vick has recently become a member of the New York Jets football team, which practices on the SUNY Cortland campus.  Vick has served a short sentence for bankrolling a dogfighting conspiracy, but animal cruelty charges were dropped in return for his guilty plea.  This does not mean, however, that his crimes should be forgotten-  He tortured more than fifty dogs, attaching them to car batteries via jumper cables and throwing them into water to watch them drown, beating and hanging them, slamming their heads and spines into the ground until they died, setting them against each other in brutal fights, rendering them defenseless and using them as bait for training, and more.  He is a monster and a disgrace, and has never once apologized.  He has even admitted that he would continue to fight dogs if given the chance.

I love SUNY Cortland, and cannot abide welcoming this sociopath onto our campus with open arms.  We need to stand by what is right as a university by barring him from the grounds.  I don't want him anywhere near my beloved college or community.  We MUST send the message that we won't be party to the torture of animals by conveniently forgetting what he has done.  If we welcome Vick onto our campus, we are complicit in his crimes.

If you agree and think that Michael Vick should not be allowed on SUNY Cortland property, please sign this petition and share it with your friends.

Chinese Dogs at Meal Time

What a well-mannered bunch!