The Cast Iron Stomach...

One of my dogs will puke at least once a week. I spend a lot of money on dog food and despite that my dogs prefer crap they find on their travels. I tell people all the time I wonder why I bother to buy good quality food when they prefer dirt and grass.

Not having the double stomach like most grazing animals the grass always finds itself back in the yard. And as I write I hear that well known sound and sure enough  Tipper just deposited a big pile of food on the rug.

So when Margaux's owner told me she had been puking once or twice a week for the past few months it didn't seem to be too much of a concern to me especially when she also mentions that she chews and eats everything she can find. Typical of a puppy and a lab. But her owner had decided to bring her to the vets. Margaux was diagnosed as probably being allergic to her food. Her food was changed and she was no longer puking. Seemed as though the vet was right.

Now I love my vet dearly but having multiple dogs it needs to be serious before I pick up the phone.

Being in dogs for multiple decades I trust my instincts when it come to a vet visit.

If a dog is limping but will put weight on a limb, I check the paw and put the dog on crate rest and leash walks.

If a dog has diarrhea and no fever I rest the gut for 24 hours and start a meal of oatmeal and chicken. Some people like the hamburg and rice but I prefer the oatmeal. if there's anything in the stomach it seems to bind to the oatmeal.

Same goes for vomiting.

For simple cuts and punctures, cleaning the wound , some antibiotic cream and just watching the wound usually does the trick.

Fevers, not drinking or eating, lethargy (after all the saying sick as a dog has some merit) and we are in the car.

Sunday morning rolled around and Margaux puked. Being a long time student of poop and puke I was intrigued by the small little currents in her puke. On further investigation I realized they were tiny pieces of black plastic. The same plastic that her crate tray was made of. The same crate tray that she has been snacking on for months. Her owner has purchased a new crate with a metal tray which hasn't arrived yet but I'm betting on Margaux being allergic to her crate tray rather than her food! 

Defying the Odds

Take a minute to watch this video......


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8zKndhTCy8

Wow...

I didn't realize how long it's been since I posted to the blog. This week is quiet at Sit Stay and Play with 4dogs on vacation.... like they aren't every day right!

anyway to fill in the gap I am posting a slideshow of the puppies when they were 7 weeks old. Friday they turned 3 months and their dad turned 2 years yesterday.

The Heat is On and...

you need to pay special attention to your dogs.
Once the temperature gets above 75 degrees you CAN NEVER LEAVE YOUR DOG IN THE CAR UNATTENDED. While you might think its cool enough with windows cracked or the sunroof open , it can still reach temps above 105 degrees in a matter of minutes.Temperatures this high will actually cook your dog! So you might think it would be nice to take your dog for a ride, but do them a favor and leave them home.
Water is very important...lots of cold fresh water. Once I hear the weather is getting warm, I start freezing big ice cubes. I use a 3 inch round tupperware container. The trick is keeping the dogs from removing the cube from the water bucket.

Bailey and Margaux...beating the heat.

Just like people exercise should be limited during the heat of the day. If your dog needs to run keep it to the early morning and late evening.
Dogs can suffer from heat stroke and it requires immediate emergency treatment. Dogs do not tolerate high temperatures as well as humans. Because dogs cool their body by panting, when the temperature is close to the thier body temperature it becomes difficult to cool their bodies.
Heat stroke begins with rapid, frantic , noisy breathing, the tongue is bright red, and saliva is thick. They will frequently vomit and their temperature can reach 106 degrees or higher. It is very important to cool your dog immediately and get them to a vet.
If possible keep your dog in a cool place. If your dog needs to stay outside, make sure he has shade all day and plenty of water that can't possibly be knocked over. If possible provide the dog with a pool of water.
Now if you should be crazy enough to exercise in 90 degree heat during the middle of the day, do your dog a favor and leave them home.

On our way....

Tomorrow Apple and Dazzle begin their new adventure as we travel to MD to their new temporary home. They will start their Therapy Dog training.
The Dalmatian Club of America supports the euthanizing of deaf puppies in their code of ethics. Another reason to not be a member! I am bringing 2 ten week old girls who you would never know, were deaf except for the fact, that when you call their name they don't come.
They are going to be two special girls who will have very important jobs. They already know sit, down, come, watch me, no, touch and yes.
How many other ten week OL hearing puppies could boast such accomplishments.
They will also be taught agility and with some luck they might be some of the first deaf dogs to compete in AKC performance events.
Much better alternative

I found an Angel!

By the time Apple and Razzle(Dazzle) were 15 days old, I knew in my heart they were deaf. I called my friend and co owner of the litter and sobbed my heart out. Giving her the news that I thought was a death sentence for these 2 beautiful babies.
I was committed to giving these 2 little girls the most love and the best life that could be packed into 7 or 8 weeks.As the days went by they seemed to show some signs of hearing, after all Apple was almost always awake standing alongside the other hearing puppies. On the other hand Razzle was often dead asleep in the crate. But many times when I went into the puppy room there they were sitting and staring at me waiting to be petted or fed or just picked up and loved.When I picked up Apple the tears would start to flow and she would look at me and lick them off my face, as if she was saying "it's okay, don't be sad.
After some research on the internet, I learned that deaf dogs can be trained and live very productive lives. After all if we could teach a gorilla to sign, why couldn't we teach a puppy the same thing. Yes it would be a lot of work but so is training a hearing puppy.
When the day came for the hearing test I handed off my babies to strangers and waited with tissue and a heavy heart, already knowing the results before they were confirmed. But I also knew that these babies would come home with me until I found them a home. The puppies and I started signing and after the first 10 minute lesson they knew the sit command! But would they remember it the next day? yes they did.
A week later and they are working on "yes" "sit""down" "watch me" and believe it or not "come"
And then an angel came into their lives.......SPOTTED DOG DALMATIAN RESCUE a non profit organization offered them a home where they will be trained as therapy dogs and placed in a forever home.
Support Spotted Dog Dalmatian Rescue with Spotted Dog Dalmatian Rescuedonatetab.firstgiving.comSpotted Dog Dalmatian Rescue is a great cause. You can show a little love by heading on over to the Facebook page titled "Spotted Dog Dalmatian Rescue" to help us spread awareness. You will make a huge difference by liking and sharing our message, or even just leaving a comment on our page.

Sizzle