A Dog is for Life, Not Just for Christmas

Seasonal Tips A Dog is for Life Not Just for Christmas JUST like a new baby, bringing a new puppy into your home is very demanding and requires alot of hard work. New pets must become part of the family because they are not disposable. Every year thousand of puppies are thrown out on the streets because people have bought them as gifts on an act of impulse in the cheery festive season. Then sadly the novelty wears away and the reality dawns upon them, that poor innocent little puppy is now unwanted, it wasn't his fault, now he must brave the streets and try to survive alone. Please stop and think long and hard about buying a puppy at christmas. Christmas can be a very hectic time of year, this isn’t the best time to introduce your new dog to the house. Dogs will rely on you for walks, feeds, baths, training and healthcare. Everyone in the family must want the pet. It's no use if dad wants a dog and mum doesn't. That won't work. Before bringing a pet into your home, you need a heart but you also need your head. Please Remember: Dogs don’t come fully trained. They can cause a lot of damage to your possessions through chewing and accidents. How committed are you to training your dog? Puppies can be extremely hard work for an owner, particularly if there are young children in the house – do you have enough time to spend with your pup? INSTEAD of giving a pet as a gift this Christmas, why not donate to a national or a local dog rescue charity. If you really think a puppy is right for you why not wait until the new year. The new year is the busiest times for dog rescue centers as they become overwhelmed with both new puppies and also older dogs who have now been replaced by irresponsible owners and are now unwanted. If you are a true dog lover you will understand that waiting a few more weeks past christmas would truly be the right decision, especially seen as though you will be given an unwanted dog a new loving home.

Building Confidence In Your Dog

Firstly understand that this won't happen overnight. Be patient. Little and often is the key to slowly building up your dogs confidence.

To begin with start obedience training. It's the first step in helping to socialise your dog as it will help them to feel comfortable in their body. The better they become at understanding and obeying commands the stronger their confidence will grow. You will praise them when they get something right and that too will develop their feeling of self worth. Physically doing jumps, tricks and runs, will give them a positive sense of their own body as well as strengthen them and keeping them fit. All of this is helpful in building up their self esteem. Teaching them to weave, play fetch and other tricks are fun for both of you as well as exercise and technique learning for your pet. Do not baby them when they are learning. If they need to be corrected because they got something wrong, do it. They will feel confident if they know their boundaries.

Dog socialisation means that your dog is taught (hopefully from a young age) how to feel comfortable with themselves around humans, other dogs and different environments regardless of their breeds and characters. Mixing them in as many different circles of people and pets is the best start. After the age of 4 months, if you have socialised your puppy correctly he should be very confident in new surroundings and company. If you haven't done this from a young age or you've taken on an older dog, then the above obedience training will be a step in the right direction.

Take your dog to the park where you can both sit and watch other owners and dogs. Believe me it will help your dog to get used to being around others without having to interact at this stage. You need to do this as regularly as possible.

You could be unwittingly encouraging your dogs fear by your own behaviour.

Next time you're walking your dog pay attention to how you react when another dog approaches. Do you immediately tighten the lead or guide your dog away from interacting? Do you talk to him and pat him as they draw closer? You may think this is a good way of reassuring him but your dog will pick up very quickly on your reactions and take being cautious as the normal thing to do when they see a new dog. Keeping quiet and calmly walking ahead without quickening your pace will not alert your dog to any problems. When your dog is scared the first thing you want to do is pet him to reassure him. Don't, he will think you are encouraging his nervous behaviour as the correct way to feel.

Fear aggression is a state you do not want your dog getting to. This is very hard to correct. It is exactly as it sounds, aggressive behaviour produced as a result of fear. Basically a dog will attack or become aggressive first so that the other dog doesn't. If you find yours has gone too far down this road then you really should invest in a dog behavioural expert. No amount of obedience training will change the underlying problems. I say "problems" because it is quite a complex issue. Fear, a lack of early socialisation, abuse and possible genetic conditions could all be contributing to this problem.

It may be that you never fully train your dog to change this problem as it is so deeply embedded, but with a behavioural expert and plenty of patience you can definitely help to alleviate it.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6741604

Holiday Time: Your Dog and You

By Joy Randel

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Navigate a potentially dangerous holiday season with your dog by watching your surroundings. Dogs like spending time with their owners; keep the holidays safe and less stressful by knowing what puts your dog at risk.

The Trouble With All That Food

Holidays and food go hand in hand. But with all that temptation you have to be vigilant about what your dog has access too. When you have family and friends around you also usually have some of the big problems foods and drinks around.

• Chocolate: Chocolate, and coffee, contain xanthines. In dogs this causes damage in the nervous and urinary systems, and can cause excessive stimulation of the heart. Dark chocolate and baking chocolate are the most dangerous for your dog, but you'll want to keep all chocolate out of your dog's reach. Even if your pet doesn't suffer any of the more serious affects you may still have to take care of a dog with diarrhea. And who wants that!

• Alcohol: When friends and family are around for holiday gatherings there will also be drinks around. Alcohol and pets don't mix. Dogs are drawn to the sweet taste of mixed drinks and holiday specialties like eggnog, but they can be lethal. Keep an eye on drinks set on easily accessible coffee tables. After the party resist the urge to wait to clean up, clear leftover drinks up right away.

Be careful what goes under your tree. You may want to wrap up a treat for your special pup. Don't put it under the tree, at least not unattended! Your dog will smell something yummy under there and you risk him eating more than just his present. Trees and holiday plants can cause upset stomachs and irritation. Don't tempt your puppy by putting treats next to them. If you want a package under the tree for your favorite pup choose from a selection of favorite dog toys. Or get your dog some aromatherapy shampoos to enjoy after the holidays to help relax. You can look up dog shampoo reviews to choose the best one.

Shiny Shimmering Ornaments

Holiday decorations are shiny, shimmery, and sooooo tempting for a dog to play with. There are two major concerns when it comes to holiday decorations.

• Intestinal Blockage. This happens when your dog eats strings, ribbons, bows, yarn, or Christmas decorations like tinsel. When your dog eats these things they can become stuck in their intestines requiring surgery to heal.

• Cuts and other lacerations. Dogs love to play with balls or other things that may look like favorite dog toys. And they will use their mouths to explore them. Glass decorations can easily break and cut your pooch.

Adding to the Family

A new puppy needs all of your love and attention. They are full of energy and can easily find trouble. The holidays are a far from an ideal time to add a new puppy to your home. If you had been planning on giving a dog as a gift consider alternative options. Put together a basket of favorite dog toys. Or a basket of all the things they'll need like brushes, jackets, or organic dog shampoo. You can choose the shampoo using dog shampoo reviews. Then when things calm down after the holiday you'll be ready for your new pet.

After the Holiday Stress

Now that the holidays are through give a treat to your dog. Aromatherapy is a great choice. Look at the dog shampoo reviews to find just the right one for your pet.

Stay out of urgent care over the holidays by watching your pet and keeping them out of potential trouble.

Joy Randel is the owner of Dazzle Dog Delight, an online store that offers a variety of high quality dog products and accessories from funny dog stuff to designer dog supplies. We are passionate about dogs and would love to send you a FREE e-Guide on how to solve barking problems and other great info. Get your FREE e-Guide now at http://www.DazzleDogDelight.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joy_Randel

"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion."

~ Author Unknown

A Journey of Love and More

When you bring a pet into your life, you begin a journey - a journey that will bring you more love and devotion than you have ever known, yet also test your strength and courage. If you allow, the journey will teach you many things, about life, about yourself, and most of all, about love. You will come away changed forever, for one soul cannot touch another without leaving its mark.

Along the way, you will learn much about savoring life's simple pleasures - jumping leaves, snoozing in the sun, the joys of puddles, and even the satisfaction of a good scratch behind the ears. Your house will become muddier and hairier. You will wear less dark clothing and buy more lint rollers. You may find dog biscuits in your pocket or purse, and feel the need to explain that an old plastic shopping bag adorns your living room rug because your cat loves the crinkly sound.

You will learn the true measure of love - the steadfast, undying kind that says, "It doesn't matter where we are or what we do, or how life treats us as long as we are together." Respect this always. It is the most precious gift any living soul can give another. You will not find it often among the human race.

And you will learn humility. The look in my dog's eyes often made me feel ashamed. Such joy and love at my presence. She saw not some flawed human who could be cross and stubborn, moody or rude, but only her wonderful companion. Or maybe she saw those things and dismissed them as mere human foibles, not worth considering, and so chose to love me anyway.

If you pay attention and learn well, when the journey is done, you will be not just a better person, but the person your pet always knew you to be - the one they were proud to call beloved friend.

I must caution you that this journey is not without pain. Like all paths of true love, the pain is part of loving. For as surely as the sun sets, one day your dear animal companion will follow a trail you cannot yet go down. And you will have to find the strength and love to let them go.

A pet's time on earth is far too short - especially for those that love them. We borrow them, really, just for awhile, and during these brief years they are generous enough to give us all their love, every inch of their spirit and heart, until one day there is nothing left.

The cat that only yesterday was a kitten is all too soon old and frail and sleeping in the sun. The young pup of boundless energy wakes up stiff and lame, the muzzle now gray.

Deep down we somehow always knew that this journey would end. We knew that if we gave our hearts they would be broken. But give them we must for it is all they ask in return.

When the time comes, and the road curves ahead to a place we cannot see, we give one final gift and let them run on ahead - young and whole once more. "Godspeed, good friend," we say, until our journey comes full circle and our paths cross again.

Dogs as Teachers

Dogs as Teachers
If a dog were your teacher you'd learn stuff like:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure
ecstasy.
When it's in your best interest--practice obedience.
Let others know when they've invaded your territory.
Take naps and stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
On hot days, drink lots of water and flop under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
No matter how often you're scolded, don't buy into the guilt thing and
pout. Run right back and make friends.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle
them gently.

A Poem on Adopting an Older Dog.

ONE BY ONE ...

One by One, they pass by my cage,
Too old, too worn, too broken, no way.
Way past his time, he can't run and play.
Then they shake their heads slowly and go on their way.
A little old man, arthritic and sore,
It seems I am not wanted anymore.
I once had a home, I once had a bed,
A place that was warm, and where I was fed.
Now my muzzle is grey, and my eyes slowly fail.
Who wants a dog so old and so frail?
My family decided I didn't belong,
I got in their way, my attitude was wrong.
Whatever excuse they made in their head,
Can't justify how they left me for dead.
Now I sit in this cage, where day after day,
The younger dogs get adopted away.
When I had almost come to the end of my rope,
You saw my face, and I finally had hope.
You saw thru the grey, and the legs bent with age,
And felt I still had life beyond this cage.
You took me home, gave me food and a bed,
And shared your own pillow with my poor tired head.
We snuggle and play, and you talk to me low,
You love me so dearly, you want me to know.
I may have lived most of my life with another,
But you outshine them with a love so much stronger.
And I promise to return all the love I can give,
To you, my dear person, as long as I live.
I may be with you for a week, or for years,
We will share many smiles, you will no doubt shed tears.
And when the time comes that God deems I must leave, I know you will
cry and your heart, it will grieve.

And when I arrive at the Bridge, all brand new,
My thoughts and my heart will still be with you.
And I will brag to all who will hear,
Of the person who made my last days so dear.

Best Friends Animal Society - Take Action

Best Friends Animal Society - Take Action

Getting a new dog? Create a Calming Environment

Be prepared.  Before bringing your new dog home have the basics already on hand so there are no frantic trips to the store.  Food and water bowls (try to use the food your dog has been eating and you can change foods later if you want) crate and bed, collar and leash, toys and treats for training, and an ID tag.  

Keep it pleasant but low-key at first. For a puppy or dog, being taken to a new home and then deluged with lots of loud, lively strangers can be really overwhelming.  The first day or two, keep the mood mellow and calm.  Set up your dogs crate and bed in a quiet but well used area of your house so they do not feel isolated.  You may want to plan on a quiet weekend at home with your new dog.  

Set a routine. Dogs, like children, love a routine.  Decide on feeding times, house rules, times for a walk, and times for playing.   Be a nice boss, but a boss.  Decide on a walking route that is fairly quiet, without many other dogs and people.  Use this route for the first week or so.  This will help build the bond between you and give you a chance to get to know one another.  

Veterinarian.  Set up an appointment for your new dog to visit the vet for a wellness check.

Introductions. Keep the introductions to a minimum when you first bring your dog home. If you must have people come over to meet the new dog only have one or two people over at a time.  After a week or so (or after your new dog is fully vaccinated) you can allow people and other dogs to meet your new arrival.  

Training.  Start training your new dog using positive reinforcement to teach manners.  For instance, have your dog sit before you pet them, before they get fed, and at the door before going out for a walk or playtime.

Enjoy!

Dog Language is Easier Than You Think

If you can read a persons feelings or attitude through body language you can certainly learn about dog body language.  The main reason for this is -- dogs are not deceptive.  They will readily show you how they are through their body language.  Body Language for dogs is very natural and  they use it almost exclusively for communication.

And when you start to learn more about of the cues that dogs give, it would be to your benefit to go to a dog park without your dogs just to sit and observe the dogs as they interact with one another.  You will find that they have a lot to reveal. Have fun with it!

I will use this picture below as an example.  Now, seeing a still picture does not show as much as live action, but it gives you a chance to actually see what I am talking about.

I would consider this dog as potentially aggressive.

When trying to interpret canine body language it is important to look at as much of the information as possible.  What I mean by this, is you have to look at the whole picture to get a good idea of what this dog is saying.  You have to look at the Eyes, Ears, Mouth, Tail and Body Posture. 

The eyes are generally categorized as either 'hard' or 'soft' eyes.  You know a hard stare when you see one. They are the eyes that are staring right through you. This is a very intense stare and the dog will not break eye contact despite other distractions.  Soft eyes are just that, soft.  There will be blinking or looking away after a few seconds of eye contact.  

Ears are sometimes a bit more difficult to interpret because of the different kinds of ear structure; erect, or droopy, or cropped.  With that in mind, try to look at the actual position of the ears; whether they are forward and alert, in the middle and relaxed, back and pinned to the head. These different positions of the ears can give you an indication of the dogs intentions.

Mouth - there are many different nuances of the dogs mouth that can be misinterpreted. A dog with a closed mouth can indicate that the dog is listening to what is going on around him.  A dog with an open mouth, panting and tongue lolling to one side indicates relaxation.  An open mouth with the tongue not outside of the mouth can indicate tension/ anxiety.

A dog's tail position can speak volumes.  Generally speaking, a tail that is held erect and curled over the back says that the dog is in a dominant posture.  This is especially true if the tail is not wagging or is stiff, short wave back and forth.  A tail held at or below the level of the spine indicates the dog is comfortable.  A tail held tucked close or between the legs tells me the dog is frightened, anxious, or intimidated.

Body Posture - there are 3 main body postures.  Standing - in looking at the stance of a dog you must look at where the majority of their weight is placed on the legs.  If the weight is set on the front legs or the appears to be leaning forward this is something to be wary of.  If the dog has much of its weight toward the rear he is looking for a possible retreat and non-threatening.  Sitting - a sitting dog is rarely a threat; it is difficult for the dog to launch an attack in this posture. This posture gives an indication of' relaxed', especially if  the dog is sitting on one side or another in a leaning fashion. Laying - If a dog is lying down on its side it is also unlikely to attack or act aggressively. Though lying down in a more alert position can indicate otherwise.

Again I must reiterate that it is very important that you look at the whole picture when trying to interpret dog body language.  Those things listed above should not be taken individually assess a dogs temperament. I will describe what I see in the dog pictured above:

The dog is leaning forward, tail is held erect and curled over the body, the ears are held forward, the eyes are intent and the mouth is closed.  All of this taken as a whole tells me that this dog has a high potential for aggressiveness. I will explain:  The eyes are hard and intent on a target.  The ears are erect and listening intently, the mouth is closed allowing that dog to concentrate and better hear things, his tail is high above the body and curled over the back and the body posture is leaning forward; clearly indicating a dominant stance. 

I hope you found this information useful.  Please remember, this is not a complete tutorial into interpreting dog body language.  This is meant to give you a starting point in recognizing what dogs can tell you without saying a word.  Enjoy what you have learned and stop back for more posts on the subject.

All Animal Rescue Center

Exciting news in the animal welfare industry in Wisconsin.  An experienced group of people have formed the newest rescue organization right here in Sheboygan County.  All Animal Rescue Center is intending on providing valuable services to our community as well as surrounding communities by providing much needed services.

• Providing a safe outdoor canine recreational area (dog park).  A fenced area for a general population of dogs who get along well with others and an area for dogs that are not as well socialized.  Both areas will be secured, and admittance is only allowed with a pass key.  In doing so, this will ensure that all dogs coming into the area are properly licensed and vaccinated. If your dog prefers people to other pooches a separate fenced area for these dogs will be available on an 'appointment' type basis allowing only one dog or dog family in the area at a time without worrying about an unexpected encounter with another dog. Therefore, allowing all dogs a chance to get out and exercise.  Fenced areas will be separated by a double fence; putting a 'buffer zone' in between so there is no chance of fence fighting or unwanted encounters with other dogs.  Also, there are plans for paths and trails throughout the surrounding area to allow for fantastic casual walks  on leash with your dog through open fields and wooded lanes.  This will be the first canine recreational area that provides a safe place for ALL dogs to run around and have fun with their people without the fear of running across another dog off leash.  
• A new Adoption Center is planned as well.  AARC will be opening its doors to the area strays, providing them with the needed care and keeping until they can find their forever homes or be claimed by their owners.  In addition, AARC will provide pets of victims of domestic abuse emergency housing and care so all potential victims are safe and secure. One less thing for these families to worry about and they will know their beloved family pet is being taken care of allowing them the time to heal and secure safe housing for themselves. Area rescues are always in need of space to showcase their animals; AARC wishes to provide this to them.  Instead of having to get limited space at the local pet stores and events, we would provide them with kennel space as well as a safe place for the public to meet their new family members.  In doing so we can increase their adoption rates by offering more exposure.

This describes the first phase of development and requires a lot of community support and cooperation.  ALL ANIMAL RESCUE CENTER will continue to strive to provide services that exceed expectations.
Please join us and help to make this a reality.  Make your tax deductible donation today!

Winter Safety Tips for Fido or Fluffy

With winter fast approaching I thought it would be a good idea to mention some tips on keeping our dogs safe in cold weather.

1. When out walking your dog please be aware that his paws can become irritated by the ice melting salt thrown on sidewalks. When you return home please check your dogs pads and wipe them clean so he cannot lick any of the salt off the paws which can make him sick.  Further it is important to remove this salt on the feet as it can cause irritation to his pads.

2. As always, be watchful of antifreeze.  Engine coolant is toxic to dogs and cats.

3. Make sure your dog is properly protected from the elements when outside in cold weather.  Remember that Windchill Factors apply to all living things. And frostbite is a real danger for your pets.  If you have a short haired breed of dog that is not as well protected from the cold perhaps a coat or sweater is in order.  Even if you have a breed of dog that is protected don't leave them outside.

4. Your dog needs fresh water to drink at all times.  Snow is not acceptable as a source of water.  The simple act of eating snow lowers the core body temperature and can be dangerous to your dog in cold weather.

5. Make sure your dog has a cozy place to sleep off the floor and away from drafts.

6. If you have a dog that enjoys spending time outside in the cold weather make sure to increase their food intake with a good protein source.

An Old Soul With a Kind Heart

My introduction to the wonderful world of pitbulls, what a wonderful guy he was.  So glad that he came into our lives.  So sad that it was such a short time. He touched so many hearts.  Hard to believe somebody abandoned this guy.  He was old and just need a warm loving home to live out the rest of his days. I was proud to give that to him. He brought so much to us for a year and asked so little in return.  A body to snuggle with, a blanket to cuddle under, a sunbeam to lay in, a kind word, regular meals, love and companionship.  All for the low low price of unconditional love.

Duke was well known in the shelter and loved by all that met him. This old soul with a kind heart spent many days in the shelter office keeping the staff company during the day and saying hello to clients who would come to visit. He greeted everyone with such trust even though he was hard of hearing and partially blind from age.  I met him one day when I came to volunteer I was told of his wonderful personality and some of his health issues and told his story.  Somebody abandoned this guy in cold weather probably because he had some health issues and nobody wanted to adopt him because of his age/health.  I was asked to foster him until he passed.  The staff did not expect him to live longer than 3-6 months. I decided that I was going to try and give this guy the best home I could possibly provide and give him the love and attention he deserved in his final days. 

Our family was blessed with his company for one year and one month.  As you can see in the above picture he is with my daughter; they adored each other.  We frequently lament his absence and talk about the his quirky little habits.  His snoring when he slept and the fact that he slept so soundly because he was hard of hearing.  His "wind up" to a bark, bark. You always knew when he was getting ready to bark because he would lower his head very slowly then his head would raise up quickly as he would let out two barks while kind of hopping on his front legs.  It is all those wonderful little things that we cherish most.

Enjoy those moments with the ones you love.

Training and Living with a Deaf Dog

Training and Living with a Deaf Dog

Raising a deaf dog can be both challenging and very rewarding.  Having both hearing and deaf dogs living with me it seems there is a very special bond that develops with the deaf dog. Here are a few tips if you are considering taking one of these wonderful dogs into your home.

Eye Contact:  This is crucial in communicating with your deaf dog. So this is something that you will want to teach early on.  What I am about to share may sound very strange but it works very well in getting your dog to look at you without any verbal cues.  This requires using people food that both you and your dog like. Take the food (hotdog, string cheese, steak etc) cubed into small pieces.  Put 4-5 pieces in your mouth and hold them there. Now just hang out with your dog.  Anytime the dog even glances at you spit a piece of food at her.  Once she realizes that anytime she looks at you tasty treats come flying out of your mouth she will look at faces a lot more. (One note on this excercise don’t do this at the dinner table) this exercise will facilitate future communication.

Talking: Do continue to talk to your dog even though he cannot hear you.  They do understand facial expressions overtime just as you can tell if someone appears angry, happy,or scared through their facial expressions, so does your dog.  They actually seem to be more in tune to those facial expressions so keep that in mind if you are upset.

Sign Language/Hand Signals: You will have to learn sign language or hand signals to communicate with your dog.  This is only limited by how much you want to work with your dog. But basic obedience is a must; sit, down, stay, come etc. Using American Sign Language is good if you would like to expand on your dogs ”vocabulary” such as ball, bone, bear, rollover and so on.

Training Aids & Safety:  There are vibration collars on the market now to aid with deaf dogs, this will aid in recalls or at least getting your dogs attention.  This is only an aid and still requires training.  Nothing replaces the safety of having your dog on leash, you must also remember that your dog is unable to hear clues given by other dogs as well so please be careful when allowing your dog to greet new dogs.  Also understand that sometimes the nonhearing dog may play a little rougher than the hearing dog again because they don’t dear the cues that play may be getting too rough for the other dog.  So you as a responsible owner need to aware of these things and maybe interupt playtime if it becomes necessary.

I will be adding more to training and living with a deaf dog in future posts. Please check back there is so much to learn.

Pumpkin To Settle A Queasy Stomach

Our beloved dogs and cats can sometimes get a little queasy due to car sickness, medications, food intolerance, or any number of other reasons. One of my dogs happens to have a food intolerance (wheat) in which he gets very nauseated and vomits frequently if he eats large quantities.  For example, stealing a loaf of bread off the counter and eating it will cause him to projectile vomit for the entire day.  Now rather than face the prospect of cleaning up after my boy all day  (at the most inconvenient times) I give him  a tablespoon of canned pumpkin (no spices or sweeteners added) either alone or with his food.  The pumpkin settles his stomach immediately.  And because pumpkin can be used to treat constipation and diarrhea too you don't have to worry about any adverse effects on his digestive tract.

So this Holiday season when you are out shopping for your groceries, pick up a couple of extra cans of plain canned pumpkin to keep on hand.  And, to avoid waste, once the can is opened I recommend freezing the remaining pumpkin in portions for easy use next time.  You can use an ice cube tray to freeze the portions or just drop portions onto a cookie sheet.  Once frozen put the portions into a Ziploc bag for easy storage.

Please note that this is not meant to replace a trip to the vet for your friends.  If after a day or two the vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation does not resolve please consult with your veterinarian.

All Animal Rescue Center

I am proud to be a part of a new rescue center that is forming in Plymouth Wisconsin.  All Animal Rescue Center is going to be a rescue for all species of domestic animals. In our geographical area we have found that there are large gaps in the services provided. We intend to fill those gaps. Currently the humane society in our area no longer houses pets of victims of domestic violence. The humane society is also unable to house large animals with that in mind these are two areas that we will be focusing on initially, as well as offering adoption space to any local and reputable rescue that does not have an adoption facility of their own.

There are many exciting things planned for the Center and I hope to share that all with you here.

First snow for the season

Today is our first snowfall for the season and I am trying (in vain) to convince my Pitbull Terrier, Gotti that it is o.k. to go outside. Even with his jacket on I lead him outside and he immediately turns around to head back for the door. His only interest is to do his business and get back into the house. So we decided to try him with a new hat to go with his new jacket.

He doesn't mind the hat at all and I think he looks kind of cute in it too.