Preparing Fido and Fifi for a new baby

(NC)—Its official, you’re going to be a parent. The lengthy checklist has already started as you prepare for the arrival of your baby. While baby names, colour themes and pregnancy books are top of mind, be sure to include an existing family member through this important time—your pet.

The addition of a new family member means that your four-legged companion will no longer receive the same amount of attention as before. They will be sensitive to any changes in routine and environment in the coming months. You can help your dog or cat cope with this big change well in advance of baby’s arrival.

Here are some tips to prepare your pet for a healthy transition:

• Address any behaviour concerns your pet has going forward. If your dog has bad habits such as jumping on people or exhibiting aggressive behaviour, it would be especially important to correct this to avoid any danger around your baby.

• Take your dog or cat for a check up to ensure your pet has a clean bill of health. Consult with a veterinarian about using a preventative treatment like Revolution to protect against fleas, ticks, and other unwanted parasites that can infest your pet and home.

• Pets thrive when they have consistency. Try to create a new routine to alleviate the stress your dog or cat will feel while adjusting to having a new family member. This includes making time for the one-on-one quality time with your pet.

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Do not feed me sugarless candy!

My husband and I have a hand booklet that we often refer to regarding common food, plants and household items that can harm or even kill our pups.  We have three pups:  A pug, a French bulldog & a shih tzu.  Needless to say, our house is always a bit chaotic!  The list of poisonous foods and items applies to all dogs.  Since most dog lovers often have more than one pooch around, the list of no no’s is important to keep in mind for all our furry friends!

Foods to NEVER feed a Dog:

• Chocolate – the darker the chocolate the more dangerous!  Bakers chocolate is the worst because it contains the highest amount of theobromine (also known as xantheose) and that ingredient is deadly to dogs.
• Coffee beans – not only coffee beans but anything with caffeine
• Alcohol – enough said!
• Grapes – experts say only in large quantities, but why risk it!  Dogs do not need grapes. One time a grape rolled off the counter, and fell onto the floor.  My French bulldog, Bardot, who will eat ANYTHING, would not eat the grape.  Maybe she knew it was bad for her?  Maybe not, but I thought it was cute.
• Raisins – who eats raisins anyway?
• Onions – onions can cause hemolytic anemia in our furry friends which is a potentially deadly autoimmune disorder.  Symptoms of AIHA include fatigue, fever, depression, weakness and even seizures.
• Broccoli – in small amounts broccoli can be okay, but in large amounts it can cause gastrointestinal irritation.
• Garlic – can cause the same problems as onions.
• Castor beans – Luckily, I don’t think I have ever had a castor bean!
• Fruit pits and seeds - plum pits, peach pits, apple seeds and apricot seeds.  Stone fruit pits in general do not seem to be safe.
• Sugarless candies – anything containing Xylitol .  Xylitol can be found in candy and chewing gum.  Only three grams of Xylitol can kill a 65 lb dog!
• Nutmeg

Harmful Plants – indoor and outdoor:

• Aloe Vera
• Asparagus fern
• Azalea
• Cactus
• Daffodil
• Deadly nightshade
• Dumbcane
• Elephant’s ear
• Ficus
• Foxglove
• Holly
• Honeysuckle
• Horse chestnut
• Ivy
• Japanese Yew
• Jasmine
• Lilies
• Lilly of the valley
• Marijuana
• Mistletoe
• Morning glory
• Mums
• Oak
• Oleander
• Philodendron
• Poinsettias
• Poppies
• Rhododendron
• Rhubarb
• Skunk cabbage
• Tobacco
• Tulip bulbs
• Virginia creeper
• Wild mushrooms

Common household items that can be deadly:

• Antifreeze – even very small amounts can be deadly!
• Any household cleansers or cleaners
• Bleach
• Toilet bowl cleaners
• Drain openers
• Soap
• Insecticides
• Mothballs
• Polishes
• Rodent Poisons
• Sunscreen
• Ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen, acetominophen, human antidepressants, multivitamins (especially with iron), supplements and antibiotics
• Gasoline
• Motor Oil
• Transmission Fluid

This list is not definitive so be sure to keep your local poision control center’s telephone number handy at all times for emergencies!

The Brachycephalic Sisters

I adore Brachycephalic dogs.  They are so sweet and cute, but unfortunately because they are so cute, they typically have more health problems due to their adorable “smooshed-in” faces.

A brachycephalic skull is relatively broad and short. Dog breeds such as the Pug are sometimes classified as “Extreme Brachycephalic”. Brachycephalic dogs are very sensitive to high temperatures, as they cannot cool themselves like other dogs; therefore, extra care and attention is needed.

Some issues with Brachycephalic Dogs:

ELONGATED SOFT PALATE – Since the heads of a Brachycephalic pup are so small and short, it is difficult to fit the soft tissues of the canine mouth and throat into the short face. As a result, the soft palate, which separates nasal passage from oral cavity, flaps loosely down into the throat creating sometimes alarming snorting sounds. Virtually all brachycephalics suffer from this but actual respiratory distress is rare. I have three brachycephalic dogs and they all do this trademark snorting sounds.  It sounds uncomfortable for them, but typically never lasts long.  Excess barking or panting may lead to swelling in the throat which can, in turn, lead to trouble. Sometimes, the soft palate needs to be surgically trimmed.  Luckily, I have not had to have this surgery with any of my dogs.

STENOTIC NARES – This is basically a fancy name for teeny, tiny nostrils. The brachycephalic dogs begins by having very small nasal openings for breathing. If this is severe, surgical correction is neccessary. Our Vet suggested this for our French Bulldog, Bardot, and she had the surgery.  I think it helped with her breathing and after the surgery, her nostrils actually looked bigger.  Of course, this is not advised if you are going to “show” your dog, however, we have rescue dogs and that is not an issue.  To me it is more important for the dog to be happy, than pretty.

HEAT STRESS - The Brachycephalic dog is an inefficient panter. A dog with a more “normal” face and throat is able to pass air quickly over the tongue through panting – which in turn cools the body down. We take extra care to never leave our pups out when it is even slightly warm!  Honestly, in 70 – 80* temps the dogs get way too overheated.

WALKING- Since Brachycephalic dogs already have trouble breathing it is important to always walk them on a harness – a leash can shatter their trachea and harm the puppies severely.  I cannot stress this enough – these dogs need a harness!  Also, they truly cannot handle long walks.

Here is a list of Brachycephalic Dogs:

• Affenpinscher
• American Bulldog
• Boston Terrier
• Boxer
• Brussels Griffon
• Bulldog
• Bullmastiff
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
• Chihuahua
• Cane Corso
• Dogo Argentino
• Dogue de Bordeaux
• English Mastiff
• English Toy Spaniel
• French Bulldog
• Japanese Chin
• Lhasa Apso
• Neapolitan Mastiff
• Pekingese
• Presa Canario
• Pug
• Shih Tzu
• Tibetan Spaniel
• Valley Bulldog

Don’t let this deter you from owning and loving a Brachycephalic dog! Personally, I have three: a Pug, a French Bulldog, and a Shih Tzu.  The most important thing is they are all INDOOR DOGS.  These breeds of dogs can not live outside.  They are too sensitive to the elements, and must be treated as an indoor family member.  Believe me, with a lot of love, and care, they make the most wonderful children around!

Christmas Shih Tzus!

While on youtube today I came across this adorable video full of cute Christmas dog clips.  I’m so easy to please when it comes to dogs, but this is just too cute.  I’m especially partial to the Shih Tzus by the snowman and outside, and the adorable black pugs that are dressed up like Santa Claus.  As it is the holiday season, I thought a little fun from a Christmas dog video would be perfectly appropriate. Merry Christmas!

Tips for fun, safe winter frolics with Fido

(ARA) – Even the best behaved-dog can temporarily forget his manners when faced with the many distractions of going on a walk. When the ground is covered with snow and ice, Fido’s momentary lapse can mean a nasty fall for you. Properly equipping yourself – and taking some safety precautions – can help ensure you stay on your feet, and that your walk remains enjoyable for both you and your best friend.

Here are some tips for walking your dog in wintery weather:

* Don’t stay home – Both you and your dog need exercise, and just letting Fido out into the backyard to do his business doesn’t help your health. A daily walk helps to provide both of you with excellent cardiovascular exercise, and also gets you out into the fresh air. So even as the weather gets colder, help keep you and your dog healthy with daily walks.

* Leash training – Larger dogs make great pets, especially for seniors who struggle to bend over to pet smaller breeds. But if your dog isn’t leash trained, he could give you great difficulty in managing him and the winter elements. Take him to obedience classes and work with him so he knows not to pull when you’re out for short and long walks. As the weather chills and snow and ice build up on your traditional walking routes, you’ll be able to carefully negotiate tricky spots without having to worry about being pulled off balance.

* Dress for the weather – You’re probably already going to be layering up to stay warm, but don’t forget proper footwear – for both you and your dog. Dog booties can help protect your pet’s feet from the deicer chemicals that can hurt and crack the pads of his feet. Booties also help prevent ice from building up in the fur around his toes.

For your feet, you need gear to keep you from sliding around on the ice. STABILicers ice cleats go on over your shoes or boots, providing you super traction – and even better footing than your dog. Sold by retailers nationwide including L.L. Bean and Cabela’s, these ice cleats are durable and light, and can fit easily in a pocket or glove compartment for easy transport. For Scott Kelley of Peaks Island, Maine, STABILicers allowed him to walk his dog even after shoulder surgery and physical therapy.

“The idea of falling on the ice after surgery and all that physical therapy was too much to bear,” Kelley says. “So I put STABILicers on my boots and wore them all winter, even if the roads and sidewalks were clear, because the dog still needs to be walked, and there is always that one rogue patch of ice lurking in the shadows.”

* Practice safety – Since the daylight hours are shorter during the winter months, make sure you wear light clothing with reflective material, and carry a flashlight during your walks to help drivers see you in the dark. Also let someone know where you’re going on your walk, and your anticipated time of return.

Getting out of the house, breathing in the fresh air and seeing the sun reflecting off the glittering snow – the winter months can bring so much enjoyment to you and your dog on your daily walks. And since, with STABILicers on your feet, you don’t have to worry about falling down, you may soon find yourself joining Fido in chasing squirrels, just for the fun of it.

French Bulldog and Adorable Baby!

I have a white French Bulldog named Bardot.  She is the love of my life.  My husband and I have been obsessed with her since we got her a year and a half ago.  She is not perfect by any means, but she is our little angel!

A while back my husband showed me this video and I just loved it!  I don’t know which is cuter in the video, the French Bulldog or the baby?  Considering I have a French Bulldog, that I love very much, I’m pretty impartial to the dog.  Maybe if I had a baby it would be different?  I’m not sure, but without further adieu here is the video:

My French Bulldog, Bardot, dressed up like a blowfish

I have three dogs: a pug, a shih tzu and a French bulldog.  They came in that order.  The picture above is of my Frenchie, Bardot.  Until recently I hadn’t really seen many French Bulldogs.  They are a less common breed to many due to the fact it is very hard for the breed to procreate.  In fact all French Bulldogs have to be artificially inseminated! That in turn makes them very expensive as their litters are typically quite small.

French bulldogs are stocky and muscular and comically called the “Frog Dogs” because they jump around like frogs.  They are of small size and fall into the Non-Sporting group of dog breeds.  They were first bred for fighting and that is why they have the wrinkles on their faces – to help the blood run down from their eyes.  That is so sad and I can’t imagine the horror of watching a dog fight!

My French bulldog has had some aggression issues.  We recently put Bardot in dog training classes and she is doing much better!  We learned we have to be the pack leaders and set boundaries for her.  Seems so simple but it takes quite a bit of work; however, with a lot of love and patience she is truly one of the most wonderful things in my life!

My Pug, Martini.

I adore pugs.  I think they are the cutest little dogs in the world.  Full of personality and energy my pug is far from a couch potato!

I have a very sweet little pug named Martini. Martini is a fawn pug with a black mask and weighs around 12 pounds.  She is quite small for her breed size.  Pugs are from the Toy breed of dogs with a wrinkly face and curly tail. My Pug, Martini, has a double-curled tail which is coveted in the breeding world.  I don’t care though.  I didn’t get her for breeding or showing, I adopted her from the Humane Society.  The Humane Society has many wonderful companions from all kinds of breeds!

While looking around on youtube I found the most adorable video that must be viewed by all pug-lovers!  Of course it just happened to be filmed in Portland – my favorite city in the United States.  So without further adieu here is “Pug pushes stroller” – enjoy!!

Adaptive physical education teacher Andrea Bazer says that as soon as this young student met Sunny, she was eager to take Sunny for a walk — first with the help of her walker, then with Bazer helping, and finally without any assistance. This transformation took several months, but once the student knew she could walk Sunny without the walker, she realized she didn’t need a walker at all.

“She walks all over school now,” says Bazer, who has worked as an adaptive physical education teacher for the district for six years. “It’s amazing to see. Sunny gets the kids to do many things that they won’t do for me. When they’re working with Sunny, they forget they can’t do things.”

Therapy animals like Sunny are highly trained and play very active roles in the educational or therapy program they’re involved in. Sunny helps by playing fetch and other interactive games with the students. Children in therapy with horses benefit through interacting with the animals and riding them. A client must be confident to lead and/or train a therapy animal, and this provides an opportunity for growth.

Today, animals help out in educational and health care settings so often that the wide array of roles they play can be a bit confusing. For example, within the ranks of assistance animals, there are therapy dogs like Sunny and also visiting animals, which visit the sick in hospitals or nursing homes, providing a warm, soft head to pat.

Bazer works with about 45 preschool to sixth grade children with disabilities at five schools, and she said that Sunny is an asset in her class. Sunny recently helped Bazer achieve a breakthrough with a preschool-aged child who was refusing to open up when faced with a stranger – Bazer. “The child’s first word during the assessment was ‘dog,’ as soon as he saw Sunny,” Bazer explains.

Sunny is a hard worker as well; she works 40 hours a week at schools, and then Bazer regularly takes her to the Naval Medical Center in San Diego to give a psychological boost to wounded soldiers receiving treatment.

Dr. Hayden Sears, vice chairman of the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) Committee on Human-Animal Bond says the impact animals can have on hospital and nursing home patients, people with disabilities, children and the elderly in therapy situations is remarkable to witness. Dr. Sears worked with therapy animals prior to becoming a veterinarian.

“I have also done a lot with horses and people,” Dr. Sears explains. “People with multiple sclerosis, people with broken backs, all the way down to children with cerebral palsy, really benefit from working with a therapy horse.”

Dr. Sears says that while most people associate therapy animals with a psychological boost for patients, the impact can also be very physical. For example, horseback riding is known to stimulate the nervous system and offer strengthening and mobility therapy for the disabled. Research consistently shows that therapy animals are helpful with multiple conditions, including heart disease, substance abuse, schizophrenia and dementia.

The active ingredient in animal therapy is a little-understood concept called the human-animal bond. The AVMA has officially recognized the existence of the human-animal bond since 1982. And the AVMA states that this bond has existed for thousands of years. “Interactions with animals can provide emotional and physical health benefits for diverse human populations, including the elderly, children, physically disabled, deaf, blind, emotionally or physically ill, and the incarcerated,” AVMA policy states.

Therapy animals have a long history, as well. Florence Nightingale recommended the use of a small pet to provide companionship to the sick, and ancient Greeks believed dogs had healing powers.

While most therapy animals are dogs and cats, therapists have found success using chickens and even small ruminants like goats.

“There have been therapy programs that have worked with cattle,” says Carol Davis, executive director of Paws’itive Teams, a California organization that trains both therapy and service animals. Paws’itive Teams is the organization that trained Sunny.

Davis says that over the past decade she’s seen the demand for her animals increase and more diversity in the work these animals are asked to do. Today, therapy animals trained by Paws’itive Teams work with foster children during evaluation sessions and with children who have been victimized.

“We have one dog that works at a county courthouse with children who have been abused and will have to testify against their abuser,” Davis says. “In some cases, the judge will allow the children to take the dog with them onto the stand for support.”

The AVMA policy on therapy animals suggests that the relationship between therapy animals and their human clients must be mutually beneficial, explains Dr. Emily Patterson-Kane of the AVMA Animal Welfare Division.

“People experience great benefits from living or working with therapy animals, and we must make sure that the animals benefit from working with us,” Patterson-Kane says. “The real power of the human-animal bond is that people and animals can make each others’ lives richer and more meaningful.”

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Jack Frost is nipping at your pet’s nose. Winter is here again, and cold weather can be uncomfortable and dangerous to your pet.

“In colder regions of the country, pet owners should already know that they need to make accommodations for their pets, but winter can be hard on a pet even in warmer states, like Georgia, where I work,” says Dr. Larry R. Corry, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). “While we don’t get a lot of snow, it does get cold in the winter, and when it gets below freezing, our recommendation is that pet owners get their pets inside.”

Here are the AVMA’s top 10 winter tips for pet owners:

* Even if you own a sled dog, living outside during the depths of winter is very difficult. If you must keep your dog outside year round, remember that dogs must be allowed time to get acclimated to the cold with the change of the seasons. This builds up a winter coat they will need to survive. Corry recommends that dog owners with outside dogs double check to make sure their dog’s housing is well insulated, including straw or padding to sleep on.

“If you want to heat a doghouse, be careful to ensure that the heat source is installed properly so that the animal cannot be hurt,” he says. “If you can’t or won’t bring the animal into your home, consider bringing it inside a garage on bitter cold days.”

* Corry also advises pet owners to refrain from taking their pets near frozen ponds. Many dogs and cats fall through or sometimes are cast adrift on an ice float.

* Keep your pet away from antifreeze with ethylene glycol. It’s sweet and extremely lethal, even in small doses. The AVMA provides a brochure and video on this and other household hazards and poisons.

* Honk your horn or pound on the hood before starting your car on cold days. To a cat, a warm engine block can seem like a nice escape from cold winter winds.

* Carbon monoxide is just as lethal to pets as it is for people. Make sure your home has a carbon monoxide detector, and, if you bring your pet from the outdoors into a garage during the winter, make sure exhaust fumes from your car aren’t allowed to build up inside.

* Cold air is dry air, so your pet can become dehydrated easily in the winter. Give him plenty of fresh water. If the bowl of water you put outside for your dog or cat freezes, it’s of no use to the animal.

* Road salt and ice melting products are not only irritating to the pads on your pet’s feet, but when your pet cleans itself by licking off these chemicals and ingesting them, they can cause gastrointestinal problems. Wash your pet’s feet after she’s been outdoors.

* Consider booties for your dog’s feet. Booties help prevent ice balls between the toes that can be both painful and do damage to the toe pads.

* Be careful about candles, space heaters and fireplaces – pets can get burned and even set the house on fire.

* Pay close attention to your older pet in winter, especially if he suffers from arthritis. Arthritic pain is even worse in icy winds and cold temperatures. Seek the advice of your veterinarian to help your pet cope with arthritis.

For more information about animal health, visit www.avma.org.

Courtesy of ARAcontent