For Those Who Open Their Hearts & Homes To Foster Dogs...

A POEM TO MY FOSTER DOG
by Diane Morgan

I am the bridge
Between what was and what can be.
I am the pathway to a new life.

I am made of mush,
Because my heart melted when I saw you,
Matted and sore, limping, depressed,
Lonely, unwanted, afraid to love.

For one little time you are mine.
I will feed you with my own hand,
I will love you with my whole heart,
I will make you whole.

I am made of steel.
Because when the time comes,
When you are well, and sleek,
When your eyes shine,
And your tail wags with joy,
Then comes the hard part.
I will let you go - not without a tear,
But without a regret.
For you are safe forever -
A new dog needs me now.

Avocados: Poisonous For Dogs Or Nutritious Treat?

Are avocados poisonous for dogs or a healthy and nutritious treat? That is the day's question. Last week we wrote a post about National Poison Prevention Week that included information about avocados being toxic for dogs. After reader Adri commented that her two Dachshunds eat avocados on a regular basis and that she was not aware of possible negative effects, I decided that a follow up post was in order.

First, let me stress that Adri is not alone. A lot of pet guardians allow their pups to have avocados. Some lucky California folks just have an excess of them in their yards. Others intentionally incorporate the fruit into their dogs' diets to enhance their coats. There is even a popular brand of pet food called AvoDerm. All this would lead people to believe that avocados are fine for dogs.

The experts, however, tend to disagree. The ASPCA maintains that they are dangerous for dogs. "Avocado leaves, fruit, seeds and bark contain a toxic principle known as persin,” according to Dana Farbman, CVT, of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. “The Guatemalan variety, which is the most common variety found in stores, appears to be the most problematic.”

In addition, the ASPCA includes avocados on the list of people foods that are unsafe for pets, with this warning, "The leaves, fruit, seeds and bark of avocados contain Persin, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea in dogs. Birds and rodents are especially sensitive to avocado poisoning, and can develop congestion, difficulty breathing and fluid accumulation around the heart. Some ingestions may even be fatal."

With this in mind, many pet parents may wonder why avocados are sometimes included in commercial dog food. This very question was recently addressed on the ASPCA website: "The safety profile of foods and other products formulated with avocado is a difficult question for us to answer definitively, because we do not know specifically how avocados are processed for these foods, what types of avocados are used, or what minimum dose of the toxic principle results in clinical effects. Therefore, we have refrained from making an overall assessment of the safety or toxicity of products that contain avocado."

To add to the confusion, there are animal experts who believe that fears about avocados are overblown. For some vets the main concern is not poisoning, but potential weight gain due to the fruit's high fat content and the chocking hazard posed by the large seed.

So, what's a dog guardian to do? I would suggest discussing the avocado conundrum with your own vet. Personally, I do not feed them to Greta and Dewey - partially because Greta had an allergic reaction once, and also because I try to ere on the side of caution. Although many pet parents report no negative side effects from their pooches' avocado consumption, it's important to recognize that all dogs are different. For more perspectives on the avocado dilemma, check out this story.

Bark All About Tripods

Hop on over to The Bark magazine website for a great article on tripods called Three Legs to Stand On by our fellow Seattleite Dana Standish. It includes interviews with veterinarians, a list of resources, and some great tips for keeping your tripod dog healthy.

DIY Wheels For Dogs!

When Greta injured her back in 2007, we were introduced to the world of canine carts and wheelchairs. For many dogs suffering from arthritis, intervertebral disc disease, degenerative myelopathy, and back injuries, carts and wheelchairs are essential for continued mobility. Although there are some wonderful companies that create excellent custom carts, they can be prohibitively expensive, especially when pet guardians are facing astronomical vet bills. That's why it's great to have a few DIY options!

My endlessly resourceful friend Addie provided us with a homemade cart template shortly after Greta ruptured a disc, and Michael and I went ahead and cobbled together a set of wheels for our invalid. As it turned out, Greta regained a great deal of mobility and didn't need a wheelchair after all (she also complained mightily every time we put her in the cart, but that's another story!). It never hurts to try, though, right?

If you are searching for instructions to make a canine cart, check out these templates at www.handicappedpets.com. There are all kinds of ideas for dogs of different sizes. There's even a template for cats!

Sanctuary Spotlight: Old Dog Haven

Not far from our home in Western Washington, there is special sanctuary that's devoted exclusively to senior dogs. Fittingly, this organization is called Old Dog Haven and it offers rescue and hospice for elderly canines. Several years ago, founder Judith Piper was compelled to create Old Dog Haven after a friend asked her to take in a senior pooch named Liza. Piper recognized that Liza was just one among many aged dogs that end up abandoned in shelters at the end of their lives. On the Old Dog Haven website, Piper explains the rationale behind her organization:

"All too many dogs of advanced years find themselves terrified and confused at shelters, where their chances of adoption are almost zero. Others are desperate for a new home because of a move, owners working much longer hours, trouble with small children in the home, a death in the family, or bad financial circumstances. Many of these dogs are in poor physical condition as well, making them even less appealing to others. Helping them is sometimes challenging, is often expensive, but is very very rewarding."

Old Dog Haven does not operate a traditional shelter. Instead, the group's canine charges reside in dozens of foster homes throughout Western Washington. Last year 60+ volunteers cared for 400 dogs, providing hospice for approximately 85 percent of them, including little Shawnee - the 14 year old Yorkie pictured above. As heart wrenching as it might sound, hospice care is a wonderful gift for a dog who would otherwise die afraid and alone in a shelter. The Old Dog Haven website puts it this way: "Our goal is that their last years are happy and that they die safe and at peace, knowing they are loved. Wouldn't we all wish this for our own pets, and for ourselves?"

In addition to providing "final refuge" for senior pooches in need, Old Dog Haven also places dogs for adoption. Many of them have age related ailments like vision impairment, deafness, hip dysplasia, etc. Still, the folks at Old Dog Haven recognize the value in these sweet seniors and they provide a compelling list of reasons to adopt an elderly pooch:

-Older dogs, especially those that come to us, settle in easily and are more than ready and willing to bond with you and your family.

-What you see is what you get with older dogs. They've already grown into themselves in all ways.

-An older dog probably won't need a great deal of exercise, and will really appreciate quality time with you and a good nap. And of course, your socks and underwear will remain intact.

-Older dogs generally like to watch the same TV programs that you do, so you won't have to learn to enjoy cartoons.

-Many older dogs have already experiences rides in the car and walking on leash, so they're instant companions and ready to continue those activities with you.

-Older dogs have figured out what humans are all about and are willing and eager to add new information to their knowledge of human behavior. Old dogs can absolutely learn new tricks!

-Older dogs are very grateful for the second chance they've been given and they are very good and giving and receiving love.

-There's absolutely nothing like the smile you get from older dogs - especially dogs that haven't felt like smiling in a while, but now have reasons to smile because you love them.

-Older dogs are looking for human companions who will value their wisdom and their slow pace. They have their very own special appeal.

-When you adopt older dogs, you can erase any unpleasant past experiences that they've had by loving them and caring for them. It doesn't get any better than that!

What a great list! With these wonderful sentiments in mind, I highly recommend a visit to the Old Dog Haven website. I should warn you in advance, though - your heart might just be stolen by one of the precious adoptable seniors you see. I'm currently in love with Natasha, a 12 year old mini Dachshund who looks so much like Greta...

Greta & Dewey Would Like To Remind You About National Poison Prevention Week

The blog has been a bit neglected since I was out of town for the better part of a week. Greta and Dewey stayed behind with dad while I traveled to the East Coast to see Grandma Willy (and her dog, Kalika!). I returned yesterday evening bearing bandannas and treats, but I'm still getting the cold shoulder for being away...

Anyhow, it's National Poison Prevention Week here in the states. The ASPCA runs a 24 hour poison control center out of Illinois and provides a wealth of information about veterinary toxins. According to their website, the most common household hazards include human medications such as painkillers and antidepressants, insecticides, rat and mouse poisons, certain varieties of houseplants, heavy metals in the form of paint chips, linoleum, and lead, chemicals like antifreeze, paint thinner, etc., household cleaners, fertilizer, and human foods such as grapes, raisins, avocados, chocolate, and macadamia nuts.

Take it from me: there's nothing worse than a poisoned dog. After Dewey's chocolate truffle binge last December, I have been extra vigilant about keeping toxic substances out of reach. Even something as seemingly innocuous as an onion can make your pooch sick. I learned this the hard way when I once gave Greta some avocado and she had an allergic reaction - poor girl. These days, I often consult the ASPCA website to double check a food that I'm unsure about, and their poison control hotline is one number that all pet guardians should have handy:

1-888-426-4435

Although a $60.00 consultation fee is usually charged, it's nice just to that there's a 24-hour resource for emergencies. Another good tip is keep some hydrogen peroxide handy. If your dog ingests something toxic, you can administer a small amount to induce vomiting. It's also a good idea to have Benadryl on hand for allergic reactions that your pup may have (be sure to consult your veterinarian first, though, about proper dosage). In the end, prevention is key!

Sunbathers

Greta and Dewey are little sun worshipers and they are loving the increased basking opportunities that come with longer days. They will go to great lengths for a prime sunbathing spot, and we even caught Mister Dewey catching some rays on top of our coffee table the other week!

Tripod To The Rescue!

An unlikely hero recently saved a Texas family from a group of armed robbers. Calamity Jane, a three-legged Golden Retriever, had already survived being shot herself. Perhaps that's why she sensed that something was wrong at her neighbors' house one night in late January. As the Koleman family was being held at gunpoint, Calamity Jane began barking urgently in the yard next door. The startled intruders fled - with the brave tripod at their heels.

The Kolemans credit Calamity Jane with saving their lives. "Things could have turned out a lot different had it not been for her," Steven Koleman told a local TV station.

Incredibly, this tripod hero had been hurt and abandoned just weeks before. Calamity Jane was discovered by the side of the road with a bullet wound. Her left front leg had to be amputated in order to save her life, and during the emergency surgery it was discovered that the poor pooch was also pregnant.

Calamity Jane was transferred to the care of Golden Retriever Rescue of North Texas where she adjusted to life on three legs and gave birth to seven healthy pups: Cat Ballou, Belle Starr, Rose Morgan, Pearl Hart, Butch Cassidy, Wild Bill, and Jesse James. The puppies were just a few weeks old when their brave mama leapt into action to help the Koleman family. What a gal!

Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Expressing Your Dog's Bladder (But Were Afraid To Ask)

If you have a dog that has recently sustained a back injury or been diagnosed with IVDD (intervertebral disc disease), you're probably thinking about pee - specifically, how to help your pooch pee. Expressing a dog's bladder is actually pretty simple (and not even that gross), it just takes some practice.

I got a crash course in bladder expression after our Dachshund, Greta, ruptured a disc in her back. After a year and a half, I can confidently say that I'm pretty pro! Although Greta has bladder control, the problem is that she can't really stand up long enough to go potty on her own. So, my husband and I roll up our sleeves about five times a day to help her out...

Here's our technique: With my right hand, I support Greta's body by gripping her abdomen (underhand). I cup my left hand over her lower back, just before her legs (overhand). With my hands lined up (right and left thumb touching on her right side and my right and left fingers touching on her left side), I squeeze firmly up and back toward the hips, and voila - Greta pees!

Since I'm so accustomed to this routine, I no longer have to locate her bladder by touch anymore, but I used to. With little pups like Doxies, the bladder can be tricky to find. As you palpate the abdomen with your fingers, be alert to something that feels like a small water balloon. Also, don't underestimate how far back you need to go. As you can see in the diagram above, the canine bladder is much closer to the tail bone than the chest and ribs, etc.

So, that's it in a nutshell. To the uninitiated, canine bladder expression can be a terrifying prospect, but I promise that it's not half as gross as changing a baby's diaper! You basically just have to squeeze your dog's stomach, and nature will do the rest. (Poop, by the way, comes out all on its own because of reflex - even if a dog is completely paralyzed. Many times they will poop at the same time their bladder is expressed.)

For more details, check out this informative page over at Dodger's List. It includes photos and instructions for expressing a male dog - something that I'm not yet familiar with.

Dr. Seuss & His Tripod Dog

Today marks the birthday of Theodor Seuss Geisel, AKA Dr. Seuss! The fanciful author who gave us many memorable tongue twisters such as Horton Hears A Who, Green Eggs And Ham, and The Cat In The Hat would have been 105 years old today. Interestingly, Dr. Seuss had a three-legged dog as a child. Rex, a Bulldog, was his faithful companion during his childhood in Springfield, Massachusetts. Perhaps Rex provided inspiration for some of Seuss' unique canine characters... Go, Dog. Go!

Sign Language For Deaf Dogs

A few weeks ago I had a gathering at my house and the guests included a friend of a friend who is in training to become an American Sign Language interpreter. When the topic turned to dogs (as it often does around here!), she mentioned that deaf dogs are entirely capable of learning to understand sign language. Of course this makes perfect sense, but I just hadn't considered the possibility of ASL for dogs until that point - what a revelation!

As it turns out, our furry friends are far more attuned to body movement than they are to verbal cues. The Deaf Dog Education Action Fund website explains it this way: "Dogs do not understand English (or any other language). Because we depend so much on speech, we tend to think that dogs communicate that way too, when in fact, they don't." This means that hand signals are actually easier for dogs to learn, and makes training a deaf pooch nearly as easy as training a hearing one - it just requires the use of a nonverbal language.

There are limitless options when it comes to utilizing hand signs. Many people choose to employ ASL or a variant of it. Some elect to make up their own vocabulary of gestures. Ultimately, guardians of deaf dogs have as much liberty with their choice of commands as those with hearing pups. For an illustrated guide of basic hand signs, click here.

Over in the U.K. many folks who work with deaf dogs are using sign language as well. At an animal shelter in England, little Snowy - the Jack Russell pictured above - was surrendered because of her inability to hear. Fortunately, the staff recognized her potential to learn and began teaching her hand signs. The five month old pup now responds to over ten commands including "quiet" (index finger to lips), "stop" (arm extended forward to display palm), and "walk" (fists rotated). And since all dogs need positive reinforcement, Snowy gets a smile and a thumbs up to know that she's a good girl for a job well done!