N. writes: >My only concern is that ... heartworm
infestation of a dog sounds like an almost impossibly unlikely event
even during periods of sustained warm temps.<
Reply:
Well, down here in Texas, whenever a dog comes into rescue, the first thing we test for is heartworms -- you can just about assume that a dog that's been out and about, no matter the weather, is going to be infested, some of them just horribly. Way too few people know or care about protecting their dogs (and outdoor cats). Even when we get a good freeze, you can bet that, when the next warm day comes around, we'll be plagued by skeeters again. There are just too many hidey-holes for them to be killed off. The times I've spent in upstate NY, I didn't notice any marked lack of skeeters either, despite the harsh winters ... Heartworm treatment often just has to be part of the foster/rescue process, and one of the reasons we work so hard to raise money ... believe me, prevention is a lot cheaper, and a LOT less hard on the dog!
My depreciated $.02 ...
Monday, June 09, 2008
This Economy & Pets: Demand spikes at pet food banks, discount vets
http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifFrom http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24936402/
Demand spikes at pet food banks, discount vets
Some pantries see 50 percent increase in need for free dog, cat food
The Associated Press updated 3:18 p.m. CT, Mon., June. 2, 2008
FRANKLIN, Mass. - Diana Bardsley wiped tears from her eyes as she recalled taking food off her plate to feed her beloved spaniel Hunter and two Siamese cats.
Her greatest fear: that she could be forced to surrender the animals as she struggled to stretch her food stamps and Social Security income to meet the escalating cost of living.
Some hope was restored after she visited a local food pantry, which has started offering free pet food to help owners keep their animals out of shelters.
"I know a lot of people will probably say, 'Well, if you don't have enough money to be able to feed your animals, that you shouldn't have pets,''' said Bardsley, 53, of Franklin, as Hunter played in the living room with three of her grandchildren.
But, "Just because financially you may go downhill a little or a lot, doesn't necessarily mean you have to give up the part of your family that you love,'' she said.
For some pet owners, though, there is little choice.
The rising costs of fuel, food and housing — and the rising tide of foreclosures — have generated a surge in requests for pet food from traditional food pantries and prompted some pet owners to give up their animals. Others are trying to save money by forgoing veterinary care.
>snip< -- read complete article at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24936402/
© 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24936402/
MSN Privacy . Legal
© 2008 MSNBC.com
Demand spikes at pet food banks, discount vets
Some pantries see 50 percent increase in need for free dog, cat food
The Associated Press updated 3:18 p.m. CT, Mon., June. 2, 2008
FRANKLIN, Mass. - Diana Bardsley wiped tears from her eyes as she recalled taking food off her plate to feed her beloved spaniel Hunter and two Siamese cats.
Her greatest fear: that she could be forced to surrender the animals as she struggled to stretch her food stamps and Social Security income to meet the escalating cost of living.
Some hope was restored after she visited a local food pantry, which has started offering free pet food to help owners keep their animals out of shelters.
"I know a lot of people will probably say, 'Well, if you don't have enough money to be able to feed your animals, that you shouldn't have pets,''' said Bardsley, 53, of Franklin, as Hunter played in the living room with three of her grandchildren.
But, "Just because financially you may go downhill a little or a lot, doesn't necessarily mean you have to give up the part of your family that you love,'' she said.
For some pet owners, though, there is little choice.
The rising costs of fuel, food and housing — and the rising tide of foreclosures — have generated a surge in requests for pet food from traditional food pantries and prompted some pet owners to give up their animals. Others are trying to save money by forgoing veterinary care.
>snip< -- read complete article at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24936402/
© 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24936402/
MSN Privacy . Legal
© 2008 MSNBC.com
Saturday, June 07, 2008
ALERT: New scam 'adopters'
Post to austinrescue:
Just received this info from an affiliated rescue in San Antonio --
very disturbing that this is going on under our noses! We try so hard
to screen, but sometimes the baddies do slip through the cracks.
Importance of microchipping!!
"These people adopted a dog from us and turned around and "rehomed"
it for more money...they seem very great, nice house/ family but as
always looks can be decieving... how did we find out? the new adopter
found our name in the microchip and called us... I called to confront
the adopter and she claimed that the dog was too hyper for their
family. They had only had the dog for three days!"
Permission to pass on to other rescue groups in Texas area. We don't
know if these people target only Northern breeds, or much else about
them.
Editorial comment: it's great that the media and celebrities are
getting behind the pet adoption movement, but since it isn't very
homogeneous, people easily get confused, and a puppy miller or thief
can easily pass themselves off as a shelter or adoption center --
there's a pretty fine line with some of the groups that "adopt" at
Petsmart, for example, already. TV shows often say, "this cute
puppy/kitten is up for adoption, call now," without further info,
giving an unfortunate impression. Potential adopters often don't know
what to look for, and buzz words like "rehoming" and "adoption" can
easily mask unscrupulous behavior.
Perhaps recourse to the media might help clarify? If rescues &
shelters were to agree on a certain minimum level of standards such
as:
- no "impulse" adoptions on-site or before an application is processed
- no adoptions before home check and vet check, landlord letter
- mandatory s/n, vax & registration, chip in rescue's/shelter's name
- either adoption counseling, watch adoption video, training,
certificate for training, or some other retention behavior
- ??
Maybe couched as a cute acronym or something? Then potential adopters
would be able to identify a non-legitimate "rescue" more easily.
Just my $.02 ...
Cheers
Connie
Just received this info from an affiliated rescue in San Antonio --
very disturbing that this is going on under our noses! We try so hard
to screen, but sometimes the baddies do slip through the cracks.
Importance of microchipping!!
"These people adopted a dog from us and turned around and "rehomed"
it for more money...they seem very great, nice house/ family but as
always looks can be decieving... how did we find out? the new adopter
found our name in the microchip and called us... I called to confront
the adopter and she claimed that the dog was too hyper for their
family. They had only had the dog for three days!"
Permission to pass on to other rescue groups in Texas area. We don't
know if these people target only Northern breeds, or much else about
them.
Editorial comment: it's great that the media and celebrities are
getting behind the pet adoption movement, but since it isn't very
homogeneous, people easily get confused, and a puppy miller or thief
can easily pass themselves off as a shelter or adoption center --
there's a pretty fine line with some of the groups that "adopt" at
Petsmart, for example, already. TV shows often say, "this cute
puppy/kitten is up for adoption, call now," without further info,
giving an unfortunate impression. Potential adopters often don't know
what to look for, and buzz words like "rehoming" and "adoption" can
easily mask unscrupulous behavior.
Perhaps recourse to the media might help clarify? If rescues &
shelters were to agree on a certain minimum level of standards such
as:
- no "impulse" adoptions on-site or before an application is processed
- no adoptions before home check and vet check, landlord letter
- mandatory s/n, vax & registration, chip in rescue's/shelter's name
- either adoption counseling, watch adoption video, training,
certificate for training, or some other retention behavior
- ??
Maybe couched as a cute acronym or something? Then potential adopters
would be able to identify a non-legitimate "rescue" more easily.
Just my $.02 ...
Cheers
Connie
Thursday, June 05, 2008
How to photograph a Malamute
TxMals:
We all know that our dogs are the most beautiful in the world. Then why is it so hard to get a good picture?? I have more shots of Mallie rear ends or of a Mallie tongue licking the lens than I know what to do with ...
Here is a variation on the professional photographer's advice on how to photograph a puppy -- adjusted for Mallies!
cheers
connie
*Have Mallie professionally groomed.
*Take out second mortgage on home.
*Remove memory chip from plastic and insert in camera.
*Stanch blood flow from plastic packaging and call carpet cleaning service.
*Remove packaging material from Mallie's mouth and throw in trash.
*Remove Mallie from trash and brush coffee grounds from front end.
*Discover that Vetrap works well on wrist sprained removing bone from Mallie's mouth.
*Discover that your battery is low and postpone shoot.
>recharge battery and self-confidence<
*Successfully pull battery charger back out of Mallie's esophagus.
*Choose a suitable background for photo.
*Discard suitable background after Mallie lifts leg on it. Call carpet cleaning service again.
*Mount camera on tripod and focus.
*Find Mallie and take dirty sock from mouth.
*Re-groom Mallie to remove random tufts of undercoat suddenly sprouting everywhere.
*Place Mallie in pre-focused spot, say "Mallie, STAY" in a commanding voice and return to camera.
*Attempt to persuade Mallie to display other than rear end to camera.
*Sprint after escaping Mallie and beg to return.
*Place Mallie using barbecue chicken, the neighborhood kids, and industrial-strength tie-downs.
*Call kids' parents to apologize, offer to pay hospital bills.
*Set focus while fending off Mallie's friendly advances.
*Remove tripod from between Mallie's teeth.
*Get tissue and clean nose prints from lens.
*Get towel and remove Mallie tongue slime.
*Threaten spouse with violence for laughing.
*Put cat outside and put peroxide on the scratches on Mallie's nose.
*Put magazines back on coffee table. Discard shattered antiques.
*Promise to buy spouse a new TV.
*Try to get Mallie's attention by squeaking toy over your head.
*Duct-tape your glasses and check camera for damage.
*Jump up in time to grab Mallie and say, "No, outside! No, outside!"
*Call carpet cleaning service again.
*Fix a drink.
*Sit back in Lazy Boy with drink, pop in a DVD of "White Fang" (the TV show) and resolve to teach Mallie "sit" and "stay."
*DECIDE TO CALL PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS FIRST THING IN THE MORNING.
We all know that our dogs are the most beautiful in the world. Then why is it so hard to get a good picture?? I have more shots of Mallie rear ends or of a Mallie tongue licking the lens than I know what to do with ...
Here is a variation on the professional photographer's advice on how to photograph a puppy -- adjusted for Mallies!
cheers
connie
*Have Mallie professionally groomed.
*Take out second mortgage on home.
*Remove memory chip from plastic and insert in camera.
*Stanch blood flow from plastic packaging and call carpet cleaning service.
*Remove packaging material from Mallie's mouth and throw in trash.
*Remove Mallie from trash and brush coffee grounds from front end.
*Discover that Vetrap works well on wrist sprained removing bone from Mallie's mouth.
*Discover that your battery is low and postpone shoot.
>recharge battery and self-confidence<
*Successfully pull battery charger back out of Mallie's esophagus.
*Choose a suitable background for photo.
*Discard suitable background after Mallie lifts leg on it. Call carpet cleaning service again.
*Mount camera on tripod and focus.
*Find Mallie and take dirty sock from mouth.
*Re-groom Mallie to remove random tufts of undercoat suddenly sprouting everywhere.
*Place Mallie in pre-focused spot, say "Mallie, STAY" in a commanding voice and return to camera.
*Attempt to persuade Mallie to display other than rear end to camera.
*Sprint after escaping Mallie and beg to return.
*Place Mallie using barbecue chicken, the neighborhood kids, and industrial-strength tie-downs.
*Call kids' parents to apologize, offer to pay hospital bills.
*Set focus while fending off Mallie's friendly advances.
*Remove tripod from between Mallie's teeth.
*Get tissue and clean nose prints from lens.
*Get towel and remove Mallie tongue slime.
*Threaten spouse with violence for laughing.
*Put cat outside and put peroxide on the scratches on Mallie's nose.
*Put magazines back on coffee table. Discard shattered antiques.
*Promise to buy spouse a new TV.
*Try to get Mallie's attention by squeaking toy over your head.
*Duct-tape your glasses and check camera for damage.
*Jump up in time to grab Mallie and say, "No, outside! No, outside!"
*Call carpet cleaning service again.
*Fix a drink.
*Sit back in Lazy Boy with drink, pop in a DVD of "White Fang" (the TV show) and resolve to teach Mallie "sit" and "stay."
*DECIDE TO CALL PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHERS FIRST THING IN THE MORNING.
Monday, June 02, 2008
Bathing Mallies
TxMals:
one word -- Groomer!
I truck my stinkers down to the Petsmart groomer every time they get up close and personal with something ever so dead, petrochemicals under the car, or the local insect population. Rowan also specializes in: in-coat algae growth after pond swims, and a world-class briar collection.
The back of the car is lined with one of those rubber-based out-door carpet rugs that can just be hosed down. The Baaaad Boys, of course, compete in overmarking against the back door -- still looking for enzyme? or other cleaner that will deodorize without melting the plastic. Everyone at the groomer comes out to woooo at the husky (sic), and their favorite guy saves the clouds of undercoat to show me proudly... It's a fun outing for the pups, and saves my aching back! Well worth the $$!
one word -- Groomer!
I truck my stinkers down to the Petsmart groomer every time they get up close and personal with something ever so dead, petrochemicals under the car, or the local insect population. Rowan also specializes in: in-coat algae growth after pond swims, and a world-class briar collection.
The back of the car is lined with one of those rubber-based out-door carpet rugs that can just be hosed down. The Baaaad Boys, of course, compete in overmarking against the back door -- still looking for enzyme? or other cleaner that will deodorize without melting the plastic. Everyone at the groomer comes out to woooo at the husky (sic), and their favorite guy saves the clouds of undercoat to show me proudly... It's a fun outing for the pups, and saves my aching back! Well worth the $$!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Lady Mals
Oh, D., your mail made me cry! Your gal sounds so special and wonderful! I'm sure you miss her terribly ...
My darling Guerillera Alexandria (Allie) died at 13 last fall. She was in kidney failure and on a home-cooked diet and subq fluids for 2.5 years. I got her from TAMR when she was ca. 6, so I was owned by her for a horribly short time! But I would not have survived her puppyhood (although she must have been irresistibly cute).
Allie was a true alpha and a true Mal bitch. Not only was she a mighty huntress, but she was also WAY more intelligent than me and all the other critters put together. She and my Ridgeback started out as best buds, but after I took in Ghost (a rescue with serious emotional issues), the girls started trying to kill each other. Allie adopted Ghost and helped him get over a lot of his panics -- lots of tough love ... She got along with my big red Rowan, who also came from a horrible situation and is chondrodysplastic. She did make friends with the cats -- let them swat her tail, and if she could corner one, she would give it a thorough sliming with the long Mallie tongue.
We did lots of obedience together (essential! she was unquestionably the Queen of the Universe ...), an agility course, where she was quite creative ;-), and performed on a drill team. She was always perfect in rehearsal, but in performance, would get that gleam in her eye and pull off some outrageous stunt ... Given half a chance, she could clear a countertop or empty the fridge in seconds flat. Her judgment of humans was always spot-on, and she wasn't subtle about it ;-).
Ms Allie basically got me to cater to her every whim and very much enjoyed being a "stealth" hellraiser for the short time that she had me. I miss her every day. I now have another wonderful Mallie lady, Miss Congeniality, and love her to pieces, but she doesn't have that mischievous sparkle, that "go ahead, get into bed, see what I've left between the sheets" look (disgusting bones, usually). I could very easily imagine why her owners gave Allie up for adoption -- she was quite the handful, but I adored and miss that about her.
Thank you for letting me vent! ;-)
We must find you another wonderful Mal bitch. I'll keep my ears to the ground and see if I hear about one.
Best
Connie
Re: "I actually prefer a female – I have had both males and females and I really prefer the females – especially the ones that are alpha. The last one we had was so remarkable – she was a shelter dog from Fort Worth that a friend found for us – it later turned out that she was an escaped show dog but the lady no longer was interested in getting her back since she had been spayed. From the beginning we knew she was special because she loved being brushed – even her tail. She was 16 when she passed away – the oldest one I have ever had. ..."
My darling Guerillera Alexandria (Allie) died at 13 last fall. She was in kidney failure and on a home-cooked diet and subq fluids for 2.5 years. I got her from TAMR when she was ca. 6, so I was owned by her for a horribly short time! But I would not have survived her puppyhood (although she must have been irresistibly cute).
Allie was a true alpha and a true Mal bitch. Not only was she a mighty huntress, but she was also WAY more intelligent than me and all the other critters put together. She and my Ridgeback started out as best buds, but after I took in Ghost (a rescue with serious emotional issues), the girls started trying to kill each other. Allie adopted Ghost and helped him get over a lot of his panics -- lots of tough love ... She got along with my big red Rowan, who also came from a horrible situation and is chondrodysplastic. She did make friends with the cats -- let them swat her tail, and if she could corner one, she would give it a thorough sliming with the long Mallie tongue.
We did lots of obedience together (essential! she was unquestionably the Queen of the Universe ...), an agility course, where she was quite creative ;-), and performed on a drill team. She was always perfect in rehearsal, but in performance, would get that gleam in her eye and pull off some outrageous stunt ... Given half a chance, she could clear a countertop or empty the fridge in seconds flat. Her judgment of humans was always spot-on, and she wasn't subtle about it ;-).
Ms Allie basically got me to cater to her every whim and very much enjoyed being a "stealth" hellraiser for the short time that she had me. I miss her every day. I now have another wonderful Mallie lady, Miss Congeniality, and love her to pieces, but she doesn't have that mischievous sparkle, that "go ahead, get into bed, see what I've left between the sheets" look (disgusting bones, usually). I could very easily imagine why her owners gave Allie up for adoption -- she was quite the handful, but I adored and miss that about her.
Thank you for letting me vent! ;-)
We must find you another wonderful Mal bitch. I'll keep my ears to the ground and see if I hear about one.
Best
Connie
Re: "I actually prefer a female – I have had both males and females and I really prefer the females – especially the ones that are alpha. The last one we had was so remarkable – she was a shelter dog from Fort Worth that a friend found for us – it later turned out that she was an escaped show dog but the lady no longer was interested in getting her back since she had been spayed. From the beginning we knew she was special because she loved being brushed – even her tail. She was 16 when she passed away – the oldest one I have ever had. ..."
Monday, May 05, 2008
Austin: Perception Modification Workshop
Post to TxMals:
Hi, C.
Re: "aversives" -- is that like spraying bitter apple on a table leg to indicate Don't Chew Here? or is that like a collar pop correction? or more like me bellowing "No! Go Home!" to the pesky off-leash chih-rat-min-terrier that's making a beeline for Missy's belly? Hmm, I bet pepper spray would be an "aversive" ;-) ...
I get confused by the terminology, because normally you hear "negative feedback" and that means pop the collar or raise your eyebrow at him. But in operant conditioning, if I remember correctly, negative feedback means do absolutely nothing. So "aversive" would mean do something actively unpleasant, like punishment?
The Classicist in me notes: Latin aversus (adj) from avertere, to turn away ;-)
Cheers
connie
Hi, C.
Re: "aversives" -- is that like spraying bitter apple on a table leg to indicate Don't Chew Here? or is that like a collar pop correction? or more like me bellowing "No! Go Home!" to the pesky off-leash chih-rat-min-terrier that's making a beeline for Missy's belly? Hmm, I bet pepper spray would be an "aversive" ;-) ...
I get confused by the terminology, because normally you hear "negative feedback" and that means pop the collar or raise your eyebrow at him. But in operant conditioning, if I remember correctly, negative feedback means do absolutely nothing. So "aversive" would mean do something actively unpleasant, like punishment?
The Classicist in me notes: Latin aversus (adj) from avertere, to turn away ;-)
Cheers
connie
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