I'm Back and So is Kanji and Summer

Had a great week off in Michigan with good friends. Had my dog fix by going to a parade in Northport, MI - dubbed the Kentucky Dogby. Lots of dogs with little saddles and "jockeys" on their backs and others with roses around their necks. For a small town in northern Michigan they put on quite a shindig - their local celebrity turned out to march as well - Mario Batali - a great chef - wonder if he cooks for his dog(s)?

It was obvious when I went to pick up Kanji he was ready to come home and rest. He ran right to the car and wanted to get in (made me feel good!). I know he had a great time while he was at "summer camp" but I think he was exhausted from all the activity - he is not use to that much fun - 24/7 .

It is a scorcher out there today - Summer has decided to arrive in August - so make sure you continue to keep your pets hydrated and cool. It's a real hot one today. Make sure you keep your dog cool - Forget about leaving the dog in the car and cracking the window - check out http://www.mydogiscool.com/ for lots of great information.

Off on Vacation - Leaving Kanji Behind

I am off for a much needed vacation but I am depressed that I have to leave Kanji behind. The good news is he is staying with friends - whom he loves very much. He is basically going to summer camp. It's great to have a trusted friend with a great location (3 acres all surrounded by water). Kanji is free to run around with their Chocolate Lab - Woody basically 24/7.

Not everyone can be this lucky. If you need to leave your pet behind there are various options available - Kennels, Vets, Pet Sitters (in your home or theirs), Pet Hotels, etc. Whatever you do it is important to make sure you get references and check the places out. We have a lot of people coming into the store offering services - we tell them unless we have experience with them or know of customers that use them we can not really recommend them. We do have a list of "trusted" sitters, walkers, and places we feel comfortable recommending.

Whatever you do make sure you provide your pet with some comforts of home - their toys, bed, blankets, food, treats - and things with your scent on them. And when you come back make sure you bring them a special treat or toy so they know you were thinking about them while you were gone.

Feel free to come in and talk about your needs - we would love to help you out.

Squirt Bottles may be the answer

Squirt control: A bottle of water can break up a dog fight
by B.L. Ochman, Blogger, Pawfun.com


Always carry a bottle of water to the dog park or run. You can often break up a fight by squirting the two dogs. They'll stop long enough for you to pull your dog out of harm's way. It also works when dogs get nuts while playing and need a quick time out to keep the play from escalating.

Just came across this tip from Dogster - I was at a meeting of liaisons from the Green Dog Program in Brookline (an off leash program sponsored by the town) last night and a lot of the conversation had to do with aggressive dog behavior and what to do to help control the dogs. One person suggested Mace and the whole group erupted in rage with the consensus being to use a water bottle to squirt the dog - the shock factor does the job. Then today I found this tip and thought it was a good one to share with everyone. Hopefully you don't run into a lot of aggressive dogs - but just in case. If you have an aggressive dog this may just be the answer for you.

Hot weather tips from The Animal Rescue League

In addition to making sure you keep your dog well hydrated in warm/hot weather here are some additional tips I found on the Animal Rescue League site - check it out and keep your pets safe!

• Never leave your dog in the car even with the windows cracked. Although it may seem cool outside, the temperature inside your car can easily rise as high as 150 degrees in a matter of minutes. If you’re planning to run a few errands, it’s best to leave the pets at home.
• Make a point of keeping your pet on a leash to ensure that they don’t get lost and/or ingest anything that could make them sick.
• If your pet has light skin or hair, apply sunscreen to the animal’s ears and nose and allow them to rest in a shady spot regularly.
• Hot weather may encourage pets to drink from puddles, so be sure that your driveway and yard are free of any potential toxins. After a heavy rain, fertilizer, weed killer and other common lawn chemicals can contaminate puddles, and antifreeze poses specific hazards due to its sweet taste. Even small doses of these chemicals can be fatal. Puddles can also contain deadly bacteria called leptospirosis.
• Check your pet for insect stings and bites. Typically the affected area will be swollen, but take note of any other symptoms and monitor them. If the animal seems especially uncomfortable or if the swelling is excessive, consult your veterinarian to ensure that your pet isn’t having an allergic reaction.

Have fun but be careful on the 4th - Take care of the Dogs

We recently held a seminar presented by Vera Wilkinson on helping dogs who have issues with Fireworks, Thunder and Lightening. The 4th of July is right around the corner and it is the day that many dog owners fear. I recently came across a great write up that can help you (and your dog) better cope with the Firework issues. It's the biggest day for dogs to run away - the loud noises puts a lot of stress on some dogs.



I suggest that you check out the full article which provides lots of tips and ideas to keep them safe - especially if you're not going to be home with them.



http://www.dogtipper.com/tip/2009/06/keeping-your-dogs-safe-secure-on-july.html.

Summer is coming - Keep your dog well hydrated

Take it slow.

It is important for your dog to get daily exercise. But in the Summer you have to be very careful about the weather. Summer heat and dogs are not necessarily a good mix. Dogs aren't that efficient in cooling themselves. The dogs only option is panting and sweating through their paw pads. If you can, try taking your dog out in the early morning or evening when temperatures are cooler. Like people, dogs can suffer from heatstroke, so make sure your dog is not overwhelmed on hot days. Try starting with slower, shorter walks and gradually increase according to your pet's ability and health. Older dogs, along with dogs with short, pushed in faces, like Pugs, Bull dogs, Boxers and those dogs with dark coats, have a higher risk of suffering from heat stroke.

What else can you do?
It's also important to keep your dog hydrated. Bring plenty of water. There are lots of portable bowls and other water carrying approaches you can get to make this easier for you and your dog. It's good to be prepared. At Cause to Paws we carry a variety of options, one is sure to meet your needs (and your dogs)

MSPCA Walk for Animals

MSPCA-Angell Walk for Animals Sunday, September 13, 2009

Kanji and I will be participating in this years Boston MSPCA Walk. Help us AND the animals by going to http://www.mspca.org/goto/causetopaws

and donating to this great cause. Or you might want to consider starting your own team and joining us in the walk.