Dogz Blog

Looking back, my puppyhood is just a distant dream-like memory. My first fuzzy memory is, well, of fuzzy fur, warmth & a feeling of all encompassing love.
However, I was awakened from that lovely dream at about 6 weeks old, when I was taken away, very frightened & put in a cage & loaded onto an airplane.
I remember the roaring loudness and the cold...and the loneliness.
But soon I was in the sunlight & there was a rain of warm kisses from a young woman who smelled like flowers. She and her deep-voiced man took me in a car through alot of other noises & smells. When we got out of the car, I hid my face against the woman's arm to block out the scariness all around.
Inside, it was quieter & warm. There was a good smell like sweet food. I was placed on a soft pillow & soon fell asleep....I dreamed of my mother & my warm little brothers & sisters.

.So, I somehow adapted to my new home, or at least I thought I did. At first it was easy, lots of cuddling from my new "mom" & plenty of food. The sights & sounds soon became more familiar and fear started to subside. Now I was on a mission! Everything was to be investigated, especially those things I saw my people trying to hide (something has to be really good if you go through the trouble to "bury" it!) Once found, the new item needs to be thoroughly chewed to be fully appreciated...a fact that seemed to have escaped my now often frowning "parents". I suppose I was growing into quite a handful!

The days were very, very lonely & too quiet in my first apartment home. If I got up on the bed (my humans' bed) I could see things moving way, way down below, and that only made me feel more alone.
The home that felt so secure when my people were there, instead felt like a trap with no way out. I'd feel so panicked sometimes that I'd try to dig out through the door. Another time I pulled the drapes off the window. Then I'd try calling my people as loud as I could bark & howl. Usually, I'd fall into an exhausted sleep & wake up in the dark. Then I'd be really scared and very hungry, which made me howl again. Then, suddenly I'd hear the footsteps & the door would open with the hall light streaming in....
THEY'RE HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'd be so frantically excited that my relief would often uncontrollably turn into "relief"....all over the entry floor!
I'd be so happy to see them....but why were they frowning again?

So now I will tell of the worst time of my life, but also the events that would eventually bring me to where I am today.
One day when I was about 5 months old, my human parents put on my leash. "Hurray!" I thought, "they are taking me out for a walk, and maybe it will be a long, smell-everything, see-other-dogs type of walk." (instead of the run-to-the-curb-and-back type we more often took).
But after we took a brief 'business-only' walk, we turned down a narrow little side street to where their car was parked. I jumped in the backseat with equal excitement and anxiety. Most of the time, the car meant the vet's office, either for shots or a bath. Neither was so bad, but I would get nervous when the vet put those shiny metal snippers near my paws, then after alot of fuss and a little scolding, the vet nurses would pat me and give me a treat. The vet people were pretty nice, but would tell my humans that I needed something called 'training'. My humans usually responded that they didn't have time, and that I was too naughty to train anyway.
But on this particular day, we didn't drive to the usual vet's place. Instead we went into a very big building and up alot of stairs. Then my humans talked to a lady for what seemed like a very long time. While they were talking, I started to feel very nervous, but I didn't know why. There was something about the way they were talking and about the smells in the air. The mixed-up smells were from other dogs....alot of anxious dogs. I wanted to leave this place in a hurry, but instead my leash was handed over to the new lady. My 'mom' patted my head as a little sadness crossed over her face, and then she and her man were gone out the door.
For the second time in my life, I was placed into a cage, feeling very scared and very alone in the midst of a hundred other lonely dogs.

BARKING...barking...BaRkInG..Baarrrkkiingg!!!!!!!!!
Hoooooowwwwllliiinnnggg!!!!!!!!!whimpering............
yelping.....BARKING.........BARKING....BARKING........
That's pretty much all you hear, all day, everyday and sometimes into the nights. The barking echoes through the sanitized halls & bounces off the stainless steel of the kennel walls.
Then in the wee hours in the middle of the darkest part of the night everything gets very, very quiet...
a quiet that is so deafening to your soul that you long for the cacophony of the day. Most often the loneliness becomes a palpable aching burden of the heart that can only be released in a long, mournful prayer........h....o...w...llllllllllllllllllllllll
Soon, from the darkness,others join in the sorrowful,
wistful chorus, linking you all for a moment in a primal song and a common wish of the heart.

It's difficult to make dog-friends at the shelter.
We were all separated into individual kennels and our exercise time was brief and usually on lead. When you did manage to become friendly, or at least familiar, it wasn't long before your new buddy was gone, you just hoped it was to a better place.........
wherever that could be..........as time went by the outside world & connections faded into something like a dream....only less real.

My cute puppyhood had long faded, along with my spirit. I realize now that any potential adopters
who observed me in those days were quickly rebuked by my resonant, practiced bark and my downcast, distrustful eyes. The shelter staff was nice and we all got fed well, but it's just not the best thing for a dog to be caged up for most of the day. It makes a dog feel quite restless, so that when you do get out so much energy spills out at once that you appear "uncontrollable" to most humans. Also, seeing alot of dogs without being able to practice your canine etiquette (you know, sniffing, play bowing & all the other subtle posturing) can bring out defensiveness in some dogs, especially those who had not met alot of other dogs previously (like me, I'll admit it).
A couple of attempts at a foster home failed quickly, due to my nervous habits & complete ignorance of manners prefered by humans.
Just when events pushed me past the point of bleakness and near to the edge of oblivion, there entered the one who would guide my journey back towards life. She entered quietly, calmly, almost without notice at first. As I grew aware of the gentle presence of this rescue volunteer, she gradually gained my trust. Somehow, she saw past my fearfulness, beyond the pretense of ferocity. She acted confidently that I would live up to her expectations for me; never scolding me, instead just patiently reaffirming her request & then waiting expectantly for me to accomplish it and receive my reward.
We spent time together everyday, walking outside, getting me groomed, playing ball and fun new games like "sit", "stay", "drop-it" . In these new games I could win lots of treats if I played right and followed the rules. It turned out that I was alot smarter than I thought! When praise & treats were the prize, I would give any challenge my all.
My spirit freed from it's prison of despair, I was transforming back into a loving, sociable dog.

So I have recounted the story of my long, difficult journey from lonely puppyhood to misunderstood adolescent, through the trials of shelter life and finally my rehabilitation with my "angel" ASPCA volunteer.
Even with my renewed spirit, I didn't expect anything more than my routine shelter life, which had become quite familiar. I only felt lonely when my volunteer left for the day, and I wanted to go with her.
Then one day, quite by surprise, some people stopped by my kennel to look at me. It had been so long since anyone gave me a second look, that I almost didn't know what to do. But their look was so kind and friendly, and my "angel" volunteer happened to come by just then, that I started to wag my tail & then my whole body! Then we all went into the exercise room together and the new people joined in playing with me for a while. It was so much fun that I forgot myself and actually jumped up on the new lady & "kissed" her!
"We are still working on not jumping up!" my volunteer apologized to the new lady who just laughed and didn't seem to care that she had pawprints on her blouse.
Well, I wouldn't have believed it, but those nice new people actually took me home with them! First I got lots of hugs from my "angel" and she promised to check on me soon, and I have seen her a few times since then.
It turned out, my new people had another dog and two cats at home, and I was quite unsure of myself at first. There were some rough spots here and there for all of us, however, these new people did not give up on me. In fact, one day my new "mom" actually looked into my eyes, her hand gently under my chin, and told me I would never be alone again........and this time I believed it.

Just a word to the humans who hope to be wise,
DOGS NEED TO RUN, or at least walk, everyday, a couple of times a day. If you think about it, our (dogs) ancestors, like our contemporary wild cousins, were on the move quite a bit. Now-a-days,
we don't need to hunt for our food further than our paw-print bowls, but believe me, the urge to run and chase is still very much inside us. So, do yourselves and us a big favor & allow us to work off all that primal driven energy everyday! As a bonus, you will get really fit as well & there are no gym membership fees involved! (you can save all that money to spend on more important things, like toys & treats)

Although most dogs like to chew, some dogs LOVE to chew and some dogs HAVE to chew. I am a member of the latter group, being of herding class lineage, from a breed of dog who actually makes a living by biting at cattles' ankles (yes, it's a crazy job, but someone has to do it!)
Additionally, our wild ancestory designed us to be able to tear our meals from bone... a far cry from inhaling some pate & kibble off a "Bone-Appetite" plastic plate.
So, in other words, the chewing impulse is not an aberration, but rather an expression of our canine nature! So, why do the humans persist in trying to
eradicate this natural behavior. Why do some of us get scolded repeatedly, banished to the backyard, sprayed with water, zinged with shock collars, soured with bitter apple....or worse, sent to the shelter????
Canines, it's our ignorance of proper chewing choices, rather than the act itself, that is causing all our misery! Unfortunately, some humans think we automatically know that a shoe is different from a rawhide, or that a toy rope is different from an expensive embroidered handtowel(or, in my case, a plush toy is different from a couch cushion).
Now, the more insightful humans will take the extra time to teach us and will invest a few dollars in some really great chew toys. But until all humans gain this insight, please heed my advice....only chew on an object that a human actually handed to you at some point! Everything else is off-limits!!!
Another word of advice, if it's not actually food then don't eat it! I've heard of a number of dogs who
stayed at the vet's for a real long time to have some
toy squeaker or a shoelace or a battery removed from their stomach. Some of these dogs, especially the battery-eating dog, almost didn't make it. So, buddies, think before you chew, and if in doubt just take a nap instead.
Here's a list of some of my favorite chewing toys:
*Kong (except no substitutes, and if you're like me, then get the ultra tough black Kong, and sometimes my humans put some treats or peanut butter inside!)
*Nylabone (again, I need the super-durable kind)
*Booda Rope Toy (large for me)

PS: Do not, under any circumstances, chew on a real cooked bone. Yeah, I know, you say our ancestors ate bones....sure they did, but they didn't cook them!!!
Cooking makes bones very brittle and believe me, that can wreak havoc in your throat and digestive system...again leading to another long, expensive vet stay!

Hey, Buddies, Stay Safe & Well
Do Not Ever eat any of the following items & don't let your feline companions near them either!
(info copied from ASPCA Poison Control website)
But in case of accidental ingestion then have your humans call this number, or your vet immediately:

Call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center
The telephone number is (888) 426-4435. There is a $55 consultation fee for this service.

Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pet
- Alcoholic beverages
- Avocado
- Chocolate (all forms)
- Coffee (all forms)
- Fatty foods
- Macadamia nuts
- Moldy or spoiled foods
- Onions, onion powder
- Raisins and grapes
- Salt
- Yeast dough
- Garlic
- Products sweetened with xylitol
Warm Weather Hazards
- Animal toxins-toads, insects, spiders, snakes and scorpions
- Blue-green algae in ponds
- Citronella candles
- Cocoa mulch
- Compost piles Fertilizers
- Compost piles Fertilizers
- Flea products
- Outdoor plants and plant bulbs
- Swimming-pool treatment supplies
- Fly baits containing methomyl
- Slug and snail baits containing metaldehyde

Medication
Common examples of human medications that can be potentially lethal to pets, even in small doses, include:
- Pain killers
- Cold medicines
- Anti-cancer drugs
- Antidepressants
- Vitamins
- Diet Pills

Cold Weather Hazards
- Antifreeze
- Liquid potpourri
- Ice melting products
- Rat and mouse bait

Common Household Hazards
- Fabric softener sheets
- Mothballs
- Post-1982 pennies (due to high concentration of zinc)

Holiday Hazards
- Christmas tree water (may contain fertilizers and bacteria, which, if ingested, can upset the stomach.
- Electrical cords
- Ribbons or tinsel (can become lodged in the intestines and cause intestinal obstruction-most often occurs with kittens!)
- Batteries
- Glass ornaments

Ten Most Common Poisonous Plants
Marijuana
Ingestion of Cannabis sativa by companion animals can result in depression of the central nervous system and incoordination, as well as vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, increased heart rate, and even seizures and coma.
Sago Palm
All parts of Cycas Revoluta are poisonous, but the seeds or "nuts" contain the largest amount of toxin. The ingestion of just one or two seeds can result in very serious effects, which include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, seizures and liver failure.
Lilies
Members of the Lilium spp. are considered to be highly toxic to cats. While the poisonous component has not yet been identified, it is clear that with even ingestions of very small amounts of the plant, severe kidney damage could result.

Tulip/Narcissus bulbs
The bulb portions of Tulipa/Narcissus spp. contain toxins that can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation, drooling, loss of appetite, depression of the central nervous system, convulsions and cardiac abnormalities.

Azalea/Rhododendron
Members of the Rhododenron spp. contain substances known as grayantoxins, which can produce vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, weakness and depression of the central nervous system in animals. Severe azalea poisoning could ultimately lead to coma and death from cardiovascular collapse.

Oleander
All parts of Nerium oleander are considered to be toxic, as they contain cardiac glycosides that have the potential to cause serious effects-including gastrointestinal tract irritation, abnormal heart function, hypothermia and even death.

Castor Bean
The poisonous principle in Ricinus communis is ricin, a highly toxic protein that can produce severe abdominal pain, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst, weakness and loss of appetite. Severe cases of poisoning can result in dehydration, muscle twitching, tremors, seizures, coma and death.

Cyclamen
Cylamen species contain cyclamine, but the highest concentration of this toxic component is typically located in the root portion of the plant. If consumed, Cylamen can produce significant gastrointestinal irritation, including intense vomiting. Fatalities have also been reported in some cases.
Kalanchoe
This plant contains components that can produce gastrointestinal irritation, as well as those that are toxic to the heart, and can seriously affect cardiac rhythm and rate.

Yew
Taxus spp. contains a toxic component known as taxine, which causes central nervous system effects such as trembling, incoordination, and difficulty breathing. It can also cause significant gastrointestinal irritation and cardiac failure, which can result in death.

What To Do If Your Pet Is Poisoned

Don't panic. Rapid response is important, but panicking can interfere with the process of helping your pet.
- Take 30 to 60 seconds to safely collect and have at hand any material involved. This may be of great benefit to your vet and/or APCC toxicologists, as they determine what poison or poisons are involved. In the event that you need to take your pet to a local veterinarian, be sure to take the product's container with you. Also, collect in a sealable plastic bag any material your pet may have vomited or chewed.

- If you witness your pet consuming material that you suspect might be toxic, do not hesitate to seek emergency assistance, even if you do not notice any adverse effects. Sometimes, even if poisoned, an animal may appear normal for several hours or for days after the incident.

Call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center

The telephone number is (888) 426-4435. There is a $55 consultation fee for this service.

Be ready with the following information:
- the species, breed, age, sex, weight and number of animals involved
- the animal's symptoms
- information regarding the exposure, including the agent (if known), the amount of the agent involved and the time elapsed since the time of exposure.

Have the product container/packaging available for reference.

Please note: If your animal is having seizures, losing consciousness, is unconscious or is having difficulty breathing, telephone ahead and bring your pet immediately to your local veterinarian or emergency veterinary clinic. If necessary, he or she may call the APCC.

Be Prepared
Keep the telephone number of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center-(888) 426-4435-as well as that of your local veterinarian, in a prominent location.
Invest in an emergency first-aid kit for your pet. The kit should contain:
- a fresh bottle of hydrogen peroxide, 3 percent USP (to induce vomiting)
- a turkey baster, bulb syringe or large medicine syringe (to administer peroxide)
- saline eye solution
- artificial tear gel (to lubricate eyes after flushing)
- mild grease-cutting dishwashing liquid (for bathing an animal after skin contamination)
- forceps (to remove stingers)
- a muzzle (to protect against fear- or excitement-induced biting)
- a can of your pet's favorite wet food
-a pet carrier

Always consult a veterinarian or the APCC for directions on how and when to use any emergency first-aid item.