summertime, fireworks, phobias and celebrations

July is really heating up! Some of the wildest storms. On July 4th a storm rolled into the area like I had never witnessed. The lightening was everywhere, thunder came in bangs. Mom said it was a "man-made" storm of sorts.... fireworks.

Petunia was very scared, I don't know what the big deal was. My parents always talk about how they hope I don't learn from Petunia. My mom says it's kind of like once when she was on an airplane flight over Canada. Mom always loved to fly and as a kid her family traveled around the world by plane. Well one particular flight didn't go so well. Thunder and lightening crashed around the plane and a young actress from Montreal sat next to mom digging her fingernails into mom's arm and screaming "were going to die". Mom told dad that it suddenly dawned on her that maybe they WERE about to die and actually mom was the numb one. For a long time after that mom was afraid of flying. She luckily got over that and travels any chance she gets.

I really don't want to be afraid like Petunia is. Thunderstorm phobia in dogs is a very real thing. Some people give their pet a sedative, a drug that makes them relax and not care about the storms. My sister gives Petunia a natural supplement called Composure made by a Vermont company called Vetri-science. Composure comes as a liquid or a little chew treat and you give it about a half hour before a storm hits. This company also makes some natural supplements for arthritis and all sorts of other conditions. My sister also wraps Petunia up in a blanket snugly. She really calms down when she's all wrapped up! My mom also believes that dogs with thunderstorm phobias may have a bad tooth bothering them. Dad always smiles when she says this because when she first told him she had read an article once about thunderstorm phobias and the correlation with bad teeth he rolled his eyes. Mom has pointed out a number of dogs that have come in for a dental that also have thunderstorm problems and low and behold they have also had a fractured or rotten tooth! Something about the air pressure changes or something.

My sister got back from Paris and all she brought me was this lousy airplane blanket. ( I actually really love the blanket but my brother said he saw a t-shirt once that said something about that on it). She told us all about her trip and showed lots of pictures of her frolicking in France. I think I would like to go there, they have outdoor cafes where people can bring their dogs! Petairways is a pet only airline that fly to many major U.S. cities. Maybe someday they'll fly to Europe, I'm so on there!

Until then I'm gonna just hang out under my hammock, enjoying what ever the summer brings! My friend Bailey gets to go to the ocean in Maine. My mom says I can go someday. There are lots of beaches in Maine that let dogs visit. On Dogfriendly.com they list all the beaches and hotels and campgrounds and lots of other cool stuff that dogs are allowed to do.

The Furry Scurry was so much fun. Petunia needed to be carried that last bit. I keep telling her if she would stop sneaking the cat food she would lose some weight and not feel so tired. She is obsessive! Our next big event is scheduled for July 30th. Mark your calendar, SAVES open house and first birthday celebration is sure to be lots of fun. We will have food, prizes, demonstrations, tours, and did I say food! If you would like to be a part of this day please give us a call at SAVES 603.306.0007, we would love to have you join  us. We have room for vendors, artists, educational displays. July 30th, 10am-2pm, 63 Evans Drive, Lebanon, NH. Be there or be square!

Tata for now!

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.
Tata for now!