Summer has come and gone. September and even October will give us glimpses of those carefree days, but face it.... time to grow my winter coat.

Soon we will be relishing in the holidays. For some of us it is a time to give back, to share in good fortune.

Each day I am reminded of what a lucky dog I am. I do spend a lot of time under my mom's desk at SAVES, in Lebanon, NH., but I wouldn't trade it for anything.

The hard part for me is watching the staff struggle with injured and ill patients, with families that can not afford their care. SAVES has some pretty incredible programs to help with economic hardship, community contacts, and rescue connections. But unfortunately it isn't enough.

With more and more local veterinary hospitals referring their hard luck cases to SAVES, we are constantly struggling to make the program work.

Why do other hospitals refer these patients to us?

Because they know SAVES is a compassionate group, we love pets and have taken the time to create some pretty incredible programs for these silent victims. They know we have incredible staff willing to explore every avenue, to leave no rock unturned. Sometimes it isn't enough. SAVES contributes hundreds of staff hours and procedures each year to help. But we can only do so much before we are in financial hardship ourselves.

So what happens if your pet is suddenly injured or ill and you have only enough money to buy groceries for your family? Hard choices must be made.

At SAVES we look at all your options.

We can help you qualify for a short term credit card called CareCredit. This unfortunately only works if you have a good credit history.

Sometimes we can set you up for a short term loan, this requires a 50% down payment. Regular payments are then collected each week directly from your bank account. This only works if you have the required percentage as a down payment.

The Brutus Fund- this fund is a rotating pool that if an applicant is eligible, they can borrow from until they are more financially stable again. The idea is the recipient repays the fund when times are better. Only owners that meet strict criteria are eligible for this fund. This fund is only available as long as there is cash in it.


Emergency and critical care can be extremely costly. We understand that not everyone can take on such unexpected costs. Our funding is very fragile. We need a constant replenishment in order to keep the fund viable. We rely on donations for this program.

Each week we will showcase the patients that have benefited from this fund. Visit our Facebook page
The Brutus Fund and witness how this fund is helping your neighbors. All of us can help these silent victims in our community. Thank you to everyone that has already donated to this incredible cause!

Food Recalls

food for thought..... should humans and their companions worry about food chain safety?

A rare strain of Salmonella has been identified at Diamond Pet Foods Plant in Gaston, S.C. 

Interesting to note that so far 14 people have been fallen ill. That is correct, 14 people not pets! Pets are less likely to get sick from Salmonella according to Dr. Casey Barton Behravesh, Veterinary Epidemiologist and leader of the response team investigating the contamination.

It seems that only one manufacturing plant is affected, but this particular plant produces quite a few different brands of dry dog and cat food. The brands being investigated are Diamond, Wellness, Chicken Soup for the Dog Lover's Soul, Canidae, Natural Balance, Apex Pet Foods and Kirkland.

Pet owners are being warned to wash your hands after handling pet food, beware of big wet sloppy kisses right after a meal, watch out for excreted feces, and pets that groom themselves can pass along bugs from their saliva when a family member touches them. Symptoms of infection in people and pets are similar such as nausea, vomiting, chills and fever, cramps, and diarrhea.

My family always play a silly game with me called "Poison". The idea of the game is they run around yelling "poison, poison" and I try and catch them. Whenever I get close they scream ewwww and try not to let me touch them! It is really a fun game but now it has a whole new meaning.....

So why does this happen. Dry pet food is susceptible to bacteria because it is very rich in protein, and treated with flavoring. The flavoring is often where the contamination occurs. West Lebanon Feed and Supply is our areas largest pet food retailer, and you can find a lot of helpful information and advice on their website about all the foods that are being recalled. The people at WLFS can help you find an alternative diet during this scary time, don't hesitate to stop in at 12 Railroad Ave., West Lebanon or give them a call at 603-298-8600.

To get more information and find out how to report suspected pet food related illnesses, check out the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Diamond's official recall website is Diamond Pet Food Recall, and they have listed production codes for those foods suspected of contamination. They can be reached for questions at 866-918-8756. They also show a map of the U.S. and where the pet food has been distributed. Our area is listed.
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what's in a name

We all have one, most of us answer to one, does it represent us, mold and determine us......

Oliver means "olive tree"..... pronounced "AHL-ə-vər" (not "oh-liv-ea" sister). Some sources I found also stated that the name signifies courage and athleticism, something I pride myself in. 
Some of us get labeled with names that make you wonder what their parents were thinking. I could have been named "Kennedy" meaning ugly head, or what about "Brendan" which means stinking hair!


Tigers die and leave their skins; people die and leave their names.  ~Japanese Proverb

My name was made popular by Charles Dickens novel "Oliver Twist" about a young poor orphan living on the streets of London. My mom named me Oliver because she loves olives (especially black ones), she loves the way you can play with my name, the perfect rhymes and songs she can make. Some days I am Olivia, the next day I am liver...... what ever makes her happy. I don't get confused because they all sound about the same. If one day she called me Oliver and the next Sam I am not quite sure what I would do......


Names are an important part of a dog and cats life though. If you want us to know our name and respond when you say it then pick one that is short and sweet, something your not embarrassed to scream out in a public place. We like one or two syllable words, especially if they end with a long vowel.

Try not to confuse us with names like May which sounds like stay, or Chum that sounds like come. A name like Stacy is way to close to stay..... talk about straining my brain. When we are babies reward us with treats when we respond to our names. It could save our lives someday!


So the most popular dog names today are Max and Molly, followed by Jake and Bella. Remember, when trying to chose a name for your new pet pick one that isn't as common. The worst scenario is living in a neighborhood and all the dogs are named Max! Try finding your lost dog yelling Max, here Max..... can you picture it?
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Judy Coates and Canine Physical Therapy

Wow wait until you see what one of my best human friend has been up to. Judy Coates is a movie star!!!

I always knew she was the best and now everyone gets to see what I am talking about. I am really proud to know her!
If you would like to meet her also, she can be found at SAVES during the week!

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exciting news

Exciting news for Stonecliff Animal Clinic of New Hampshire pets (and their owners of course)! Small Animal Veterinary Emergency Services is offering a discounted emergency fee.

I may not look excited but really I am! So what does this mean? It means that if you are a patient of Stonecliff Animal Clinic of New Hampshire and you are sick or have an emergency when their office is closed you will only be charged $55.00 for the emergency exam. That is amazing!

Well you may ask, "What was the old price", and I would reply "$85.00"!!! SAVES is also offering this new price to all networked veterinary hospitals!

So of course the next question must be what is networked? A networked hospital is one that sends all of their emergencies exclusively to SAVES. These hospitals trust SAVES to provide their patients with the very best care in the Upper Valley when they can't be there for them!

So day or night, rain, sleet, snow or.... sun. If your regular vet can't see you for what ever reason..... SAVES can! They will update your veterinarian on your pet's condition, give advice on aftercare, just like they always have! Give us a call to see if your regular veterinarian is networked!
Wow, that sure was a mouthful! I need a nap.
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wow, open house news

Hello everyone, the open house was a huge success. So many new and old friends stopped by to help us celebrate! Some were a little odd looking but like mom always says, it takes all kinds!

http://www.lucymac.org

Lots of pet people displayed their business stuff. Thank you so much to all of you that participated, we love what you do and support you 100%!

http://longtraildogs.org

Long Trail Rescue was on hand with a pen of puppies in need of a loving home! After a day of play, these guys really slept soundly.

The caricature artist and pet psychic were a huge hit! I even got my picture drawn!

Petunia had her picture drawn also, and my sisters, and even my little brother Bobby Hill!

Oh and can't forget Foxy, my very favorite little diabetic friend who comes and stays at SAVES when his father is away! He is lots of fun.

This lovely lady won the pet costume contest! She was styling beyond belief!!!

Thank you everyone for making this event such a huge success! Mountain View Pet Resort, Visiting Nurses Alliance, West Leb. Feed and Supply, Q106, Long Trail Rescue, Pug Rescue, Angels Among Us, Upper Valley Humane Society, Lake Morey Inn, Slick's Ice Cream, Vermont Small Batch, Lucy Mackenzie Humane Society, and so so so much more! We raised 1256.00 for the Brutus Fund to help people that are having short term financial difficulties pay for their pets emergency care. This can really make a difference for someone. Thank you!

patience, bugs, and backyard dangers

School is out.... that means more time for swimming, chasing my ball, frisbee lessons (mom thinks I'm going to be the next champion frisbee dog..... I'm scared of it hitting me.....) long walks... bugs.
My skin is sensitive. I hate bugs. Mom is trying a new product that is all natural from Vetri-science a local Vermont company. Vetri-Repel is a all natural repellent for dogs, cats and even horses. It is a blend of natural oils, citronella, lemongrass oil, cinnamon oil, sesame oil, and castor oil, all stuff mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas aren't suppose to like. Mom says it really seems to work.Unfortunately you do need to apply it frequently but it comes in a really easy to use spray and wipes (my sister pretends to spray me all the time, spritz...spritz she says... no wonder mom calls me her neuroses boy). This company also makes the thunderstorm medication that Petunia takes called Composure!

I've been getting into trouble for my over-zealous swimming behavior. Sometimes I just get so excited I don't listen very well. In the water I treat everyone like their my conquest (my world full of sitting ducks). When my mom tries to push me away so I don't scratch her I try to bite her.... I thought she was trying to drown me and I firmly believe in survival of the fittest. I scratched my brother on the back and man did he throw a fit... guess I did draw some blood. Now when their in the water I have to stay away or sit on the edge of the pond and wait until their done..... not fair.
My mom says once I learn some patience I will be a little easier to be around in the water.... gosh I hope I hurry up and learn some.....

When were all hanging out my sister likes to bug me. She says she is teaching me patience. I'm glad she is in Paris right now..... but actually I really miss her doing foolish things with me. I can balance just about anything on my nose thanks to her (not sure why they think this is so important... whatever, if it makes them happy).

Next week is the Furry Scurry fundraiser for the Hospice program in Vermont and New Hampshire. Lots of people have come into SAVES and pledged money for me to walk. If you want to join us on the walk or donate to a great cause come to White River Junction, VT. on Thursday June 30th around 5:30pm for registration and the walk starts at 6:00pm. The Hospice Program helps care for the pets of patients in the program. Much needed food, medications and other stuff that their owner is to sick to be able to deal with. SAVES and Stonecliff Animal Clinic of New Hampshire both provide discounted or free care for these patients.

Just about every day I hear people talk about how they can't imagine eating some of the things that dogs and cats manage to swallow. Personally, I have watched my people eat some things that truly resemble many things we eat that they are so grossed out about (only difference is they put it on a plate). Seriously though, with the summer season comes some real serious threats to our less particular palates. In the last two weeks alone we have had 4 cases of suspected mushroom poisonings. The summer has been sooo wet, and mushrooms thrive in this type of weather. Check your backyard, they seem to be popping up everywhere.

Ninety-eight percent of the mushrooms are non-toxic, but we can't tell the difference. Many of them smell fishy to us....yummmm. If we eat a poisonous one it could cause liver damage and death. If you suspect your pet has eaten a mushroom get them to the vets immediately. Signs include vomiting, diarrhea, twitching, drooling, wobbling, and seizures. Pets can also hallucinate from the toxin. Best safeguard, remove all mushrooms from your yard as they sprout up. Remember, if your pet has survived a mushroom poisoning, they don't learn to avoid them in the future (it's the fish man!). Time is of the essence! A couple other common plant poisonings for this time of year are tomato and rhubarb leaves, all lilies and Black Walnuts. If you have a Black Walnut tree the nuts, as they decompose, grow a mold that can cause serious sickness and seizures. Rake them up!

Well, hope to see you next week at the Furry Scurry....TaTa for now!

homeless, hugs, and hospice help

Meet my newest friends! Mew1 and Mew2. They were left on the side of road in a box filled with newspaper. Guess whom ever left them there thought if they got bored they could read the paper. Come on moron, they're a little young to read. A little food and water might have been a good thought!

A home and a hug, some food and some love. Do you know anyone that might be looking for a little girl and boy....... please give SAVES a call if you can help!

Talk about being on the road! Those two were some lucky, this guy not so much. My brother rescued this guy after being run over on Route 5 . SAVES has seen alot of different types of animals but this little Painted Turtle was a first. Strangest darn thing, when ever I look at him his head disappears! His shell is healing and his leg is getting stronger. He was very lucky!

I think the Spring makes all of us a little crazy. So many months indoors...... I almost didn't recognize my sister, she sure grew some hair over the winter!

On a more serious note, remember now that it is getting warmer.... heat can kill! Heat stroke is a real threat for us dogs, especially black ones like myself. I'm like many other dogs that don't know when to stop. I love to run and chase sticks or jog with my sister but sometimes it is just so hot and I can't cool myself like you humans can. Swimming can be a great way to keep cool this summer but please remember, not all dogs can swim and we should always be supervised in case we get into trouble. Swift moving water is dangerous to you as well as your dog. Pools are fun also but lead your pet to the stairs so he or she knows how to get out. Drowning risks are just as common for pets as they are for you humans.
Remember also that cars can be 20-40 degrees warmer then the outside temperature. It is better to leave us home (I can't believe I am saying this) when the temperature warms up then risk us overheating in the car.

Signs of heat stroke can be extreme panting, staggering, vomiting, and diarrhea. As the stroke progresses your pet could go into a coma and not survive. If you suspect your pet is coming down with heat stroke time is of the essence. Use cool towels to cover him on the way to your veterinarian. Be careful that you don't lower his temperature so far that you cause hypothermia though. Monitor his temperature with a digital rectal thermometer (pick one up at the drug store, the same as you would use but don't put it in our mouth) and don't let it get below 102 degree fahrenheit. Once he arrives at the veterinarian, intravenous fluids will be adminisitered and medications to help support his recovery. Heat can kill. Remember if you jog with your dog, do it early in the morning before the day heats up and feel the asphalt, many a dogs feet have been burned on hot pavement. All your pets should have easy access to nice cool water all the time.

So many fun events are coming up this summer. Next Saturday, June 11th, in Hartland is a Green Mountain Disc Dog Event. SAVES will be there watching these amazing dogs and their owners compete! At the end of the month is a fundraising event for the Visiting Nurses Alliance and Hospice of NH and VT called the Furry Scurry. This fun event will take place in White River Junction Vt. on June 30th at the Dothan Brook School. Registration begins at 5pm and the walk starts at 6pm. I'm going to be their along with the staff from SAVES and Stonecliff Animal Clinic of NH! This is going to benefit the Pet Peace of Mind Program that has been developed to help hospice patients care for their pets. Your participation in this walk will help raise funds to pay for food and veterinary care for some very deserving pets. Hope to see you there! I'm really going to try and behave myself so please stop and say hi!
SAVES is planning their 1 year anniversary with a grand open house!. We are hoping for the last weekend in July! Do you know anyone that has a pet related business or talent that would like to participate in this fun day. Please call SAVES and join the fun.
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blackflies laser therapy and will

Now that we are all spending more time outside there sure are a lot of new rules. No going to the pond by myself, no digging in the vegetable garden (why does she get to), I'm always being told not to poop in the flower garden.... geeez.
The bugs are starting to get to me though. I guess all of us are being bugged! The blackflies are out in full force and Mom says we will start getting telephone calls from concerned dog and cat owners about circular red spots on their pet's belly. She was right about that and boy some of us are REALLY sensitive to their bite

This poor guy really got eaten. Blackflies seem to especially like light colored dogs with bare bellies. Dad gave him an injection to help stop the itch and irritation (steroid) and some antibiotics to help with the infection. There are some great products out there for people but us poor guys are a little harder to help since we LOVE to lick off any ointment or salve put on. West Lebanon Feed and Supply has some great products such as citronella repellents that are natural products and dogs don't like the taste of.

So my face is slowly healing from the tick bite. If your pet comes down with a skin condition that looks like this, the best course is to take him to your veterinarian for treatment.
Guess I have really sensitive skin. Judy Coates, the rehabilitation guru at S.A.V.E.S. has been giving me laser treatments to help it heal. Laser therapy helps tissues heal faster and decreases swelling. This type of therapy is also used for degenerative joint disease, back pain, anal gland inflammation, you name it! Judy does laser therapy on all of my dad's bone surgeries.
There are two types of lasers used for this. Continuous laser therapy acts fast on inflammation, and stimulates circulation in the area which helps healing. Pulsed laser therapy has an immediate effect on pain since it interferes with the transmission of the pain message to the brain. Laser therapy has been around for something like 25 years and has no side effects. If it takes the pain away I'm all for it.

S.A.V.E.S is hopping! I have met so many new friends lately. With Stonecliff Animal Clinic of New Hampshire joining us in the 63 Evans Drive building I will meet even more new friends. This little guy stopped in to meet me just the other day. Wow he was really cute but the barking in my ear and jumping up at me was fun for a while but I was  ready for a nap. I do need to clarify that Stonecliff Animal Clinic is the hospital of my parents that was at West Lebanon Feed and Supply not the one in Bradford, Vermont. With the move into the Evans Drive building in Lebanon my dad will be freed up to see more annual visits and is excepting old patients as well as new ones that are in need of wellness care and don't have a vet yet! The building that S.A.V.E.S. is in. across from Lebanon High School and right next door to Nissan-Miller car dealership is becoming a one-stop mecca of all things four-legged. Starting in July Affecionate Pet Salon from the Miracle Mile in Lebanon will open their doors in part of the Evans Road building. Mom says maybe I won't smell so bad if Eve takes care of my hygiene!

And on a more serious note, the Hartford Police brought in a small cat this weekend that we presume is a stray. The poor little friendly guy had a terrible accident that dismembered one of his hind legs. This little cat is such an inspiration and a miracle. He survived for days wandering the streets of Hartford Vermont like this. The staff at S.A.V.E.S. are doing everything in their power to save this little guy, he deserves a chance having come this far on his own. A human plastic surgeon even stopped by to give advise. We are so lucky to be surrounded by such a dedicated medical community. Between the huge hospital up the road called Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, to the doctors of dentistry that have volunteered their expertise to help us four-legged ones, I feel so grateful to be living here. Thanks everyone, we will keep you posted on this little fighter. TaTa for now.

spring: porcupines, puppies and the easter bunny

Spring is finely here! The first true signs of the new season for SAVES is the arrival of patients covered in porcupine quills. Did you know a porcupine can have 30,000 quills. I think the dog that came in the other night had 29,000 quills in his mouth. The only place the porky lacks protection is on his belly. Wow I plan on keeping my distances. I heard once that they can throw their quills at enemies but I looked it up and that is an old  "wives tale". You actually have to touch them to get those quills stuck in you.

Spring brings babies.... lots and lots of babies. Baby birds, baby kittens, and baby puppies. Sadie stopped by SAVES the other day to meet her veterinarian! I gave her this little pink puppy, she loved it and wouldn't let it go for anything!

Soon we will be swimming and taking long walks.... I love warm weather. One thing I hate about when the weather turns nice out is all the bugs, especially fleas.

To all my cat friends out there, please tell your parents to watch out for some real common poisons that could kill you. The Pet Poison Helpline reported that in 2010 the most common emergency calls about cat poisoning were over the counter drugs such as Tylenol, Advil, Motrin, and chewable tablets like Rimadyl given to treat dog arthritis. One Tylenol tablet can kill a cat. Cats also seem to be attracted to antidepressants such as Effexor which has a coating that smells good to them.
Signs of poisoning can be vomiting, and increased thirst and urination. A swollen face is common with Tylenol ingestion as well as yellow gums, breathing difficulties and weakness. If you suspect poisoning call your veterinarian immediately. If you catch the poisoning before the signs begin to show your cat has an excellent chance of survival.

Happy Easter everyone! I can't wait to meet the Easter Bunny. I figured if I dressed up like him he wouldn't be afraid and would maybe stick around and chat with my awhile. Have a wonderful holiday and be safe!

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seniors and food, superstitions, and dumb tricks

Spring has come to the Upper Valley, the weather was warmer this weekend and my swimming pond is only covered by half with ice. My family is very backwards, they rake the leaves in the spring while other families rake them up in the fall!
The food drive at SAVES for Long Trail Canine Rescue and Meals for Paws, a Worthy Cause was unbelievable! Over 800lbs. of dry food and 360 cans were dropped off at the hospital on Saturday. The mound just kept growing. Mom says that everyone, but especially older people benefit so much from the companionship of dogs and cats. She also said that just petting one of us can lower your blood pressure! Seniors on fixed incomes have trouble finding money to feed their pets, so instead they sacrifice and feed them their own meals. Some interesting facts and links can be found at the Pet Project for Pets. Another cool site is the The Delta Society, improving human health through service and therapy animals.

I think I was put on this Earth to be my families source of amusement! First I get in trouble for digging a hole in the backyard, then they all laugh at me cause I'm covered in dirt! Humiliating!

Not sure what the big deal is, there is plenty of dirt for everyone! I read somewhere that some people eat dirt, maybe my mom should give it a try and she will get off my back!

The horses never get in trouble and they're always digging up the pasture. Geeez. My sister came home the other day and said she had heard a superstition that black dogs were bad luck! Well I may be bad luck but at least I'm not a grocery hog!

Not mentioning any names or anything.

Guess I don't mind being their source of humor. Each time they have me do this trick, I'm suppose to toss the bone in the air and catch it in my mouth, that's right, I miss and gobble it down and they get another bone and do it all over again. So whose the smart one?
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