Forgotten Dog's Christmas

Here's a great poem that I thought I would pass on... Merry Christmas! –Kim

A Forgotten Dog's Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house,
  Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
  In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds
  With no thought of the dog filling their head.

And mamma in her 'kerchief and I in my cap
  Knew he was cold, but didn't care about that.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
  I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,
  Figuring the dog was free of his chain and into the trash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
  Gave the luster of mid-day to objects below.

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
  But Santa Claus – with eyes full of tears.

He un-chained the dog, once so lively and quick –
  Last year's Christmas present, now painfully thin and sick.

More rapid than eagles he called the dog's name
  And the dog ran to him, despite all his pain.

"Now, DASHER! Now, DANCER! Now, PRANCER and VIXEN!
  On, COMET! On CUPID! On, DONNER and BLITZEN!

To the top of the porch! To the top of the wall!
  Let's find this dog a home where he'll be loved by all."

I knew in an instant there would be no gifts this year,
  For Santa Claus had made one thing quite clear.

The gift of a dog is not just for the season;
  We had gotten the pup for all the wrong reasons.

In our haste to think of the kids a gift,
  There was one important thing that we missed.

A dog should be family, and cared for the same;
  You don't give a gift, then put it on a chain.

And I heard him exclaim as he rode out of sight,
  "You weren't given a gift! You were given a LIFE!"

– Author Unknown

Source: Furry Friends Rescue
© 1998-2012 Furry Friends Rescue

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Also, see:

• Christmas Gift Ideas???
• A Shelter Dog's Christmas Poem
• 10 Compelling Reasons to Add a Shelter Dog to Your Life

Here's another cute video that I thought I would pass on for Christmas. –Kim

Puppy Christmas

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Also, see: Sleep in Heavenly Peace

Top 10 Plants Poisonous to Pets

Here's a great article that I thought I would pass on...hope you find it helpful! –Kim

The 10 Most Poisonous Plants to Your Pet

Dr. Justine Lee, Associate Director of Veterinary Services, explains what plants could be a potential danger to your dog or cat.

Every day, Pet Poison Helpline receives dozens of phone calls from dog owners and cat owners saying "My cat ate a lily!" or "My dog ate a plant. Is it poisonous?" Some of the most poisonous plants for dogs and cats are reviewed below.

While there are thousands of species of plants and flowers, only a small percentage of plants are truly dangerous and poisonous to your pet. Make sure you know which plants are most deadly to avoid your dog or cat from getting into these poisonous flowers and poisonous plants!

Autumn Crocus

There are two Crocus plants: one that blooms in the spring (Crocus species) and the other in the autumn (Colchicum autumnale). The spring plants are more common and are part of the Iridaceae family. These ingestions can cause general gastrointestinal upset including vomiting and diarrhea. These should not be mistaken for Autumn Crocus, part of the Liliaceae family, which contain colchicine. The Autumn Crocus is highly toxic and can cause severe vomiting, gastrointestinal bleeding, liver and kidney damage, and respiratory failure. If you're not sure what plant it is, bring your pet to your veterinarian immediately for care. Signs may be seen immediately, but can be delayed for days.

Azalea

In the same family as rhododendrons, azaleas can have serious effects on pets. Eating even a few leaves can result in vomiting, diarrhea and excessive drooling; without immediate veterinary attention, the pet could fall into a coma and possibly die.

Cyclamen

The roots of this seasonal flowering plant are especially dangerous to pets. If ingested, cyclamen can cause severe vomiting and even death.

Kalanchoe

This popular flowering succulent plant can cause vomiting, diarrhea and heart arrhythmias if ingested by pets.

Lilies

There are dangerous and benign lilies out there, and it's important to know the difference. Peace, Peruvian, and Calla lilies contain oxalate crystals that cause minor signs, such as tissue irritation to the mouth, tongue, pharynx and esophagus – this results in minor drooling. The more dangerous, potentially fatal lilies are true lilies, and these include Tiger, Day, Asiatic, Easter and Japanese Show lilies – all of which are highly toxic to cats! Even small ingestions (such as 2-3 petals or leaves) can result in severe kidney failure. If your cat is seen consuming any part of a lily, bring your cat (and the plant) immediately to a veterinarian for medical care. The sooner you bring in your cat, the better and more efficiently we can treat the poisoning. Decontamination (like inducing vomiting and giving binders like activated charcoal) are imperative in the early toxic stage, while aggressive intravenous fluid therapy, kidney function monitoring tests, and supportive care can greatly improve the prognosis.

Oleander

Oleander is an outdoor shrub, popular for its evergreen qualities and delicate flowers. However, the leaves and flowers are extremely toxic if ingested and can cause severe vomiting, slow the heart rate and possibly even cause death.

Dieffenbachia

Popular in many homes and offices, dieffenbachia can cause intense oral irritation, drooling, nausea, vomiting and difficulty swallowing if ingested.

Daffodils

These flowers contain lycorine, an alkaloid with strong emetic properties (something that triggers vomiting). Ingestion of the bulb, plant or flower can cause severe vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and even possible cardiac arrhythmias or respiratory depression. Crystals are found in the outer layer of the bulbs, similar to hyacinths, which cause severe tissue irritation and secondary drooling. Daffodil ingestions can result in more severe symptoms so if an exposure is witnessed or symptoms are seen, we recommend seeking veterinary care for further supportive care.

Lily of the Valley

The Convallaria majalis plant contains cardiac glycosides which will cause symptoms similar to digitalis (foxglove) ingestion. These symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, a drop in heart rate, severe cardiac arrhythmias and possibly seizures. Pets with any known exposure to this plant should be examined and evaluated by a veterinarian and treated symptomatically.

Sago Palm

Very popular in warmer climates, this household and outdoor plant can be very harmful to pets. If ingested, the leaves and seeds can cause vomiting, bloody stools, damage to the stomach lining, severe liver failure and, in some cases, death.

Tulips and Hyacinths

Tulips contain allergenic lactones while hyacinths contain similar alkaloids. The toxic principle of these plants is very concentrated in the bulbs (versus the leaf or flower), so make sure your dog isn't digging up the bulbs in the garden. When the plant parts or bulbs are chewed or ingested, it can result in tissue irritation to the mouth and esophagus. Typical signs include profuse drooling, vomiting or even diarrhea, depending on the amount consumed. There's no specific antidote, but with supportive care from the veterinarian (including rinsing the mouth, anti-vomiting medication, and possibly subcutaneous fluids), animals do quite well. With large ingestions of the bulb, more severe symptoms such as an increase in heart rate and changes in respiration can be seen, and should be treated by a veterinarian. These more severe signs are seen in cattle or our overzealous, chowhound Labradors.

This is only a partial list of poisonous plants. For a more complete list of plants poisonous to dogs and cats, visit our Poison List.

If you suspect your pet has ingested any of these items or any other questionable substance, call Pet Poison Helpline (800-213-6680) or your veterinarian for assistance. Accurate and timely identification of the suspected substance is very important. Having the container, package or label in hand will save valuable time and may save the life of your pet.

NOTE: In order to provide this critical service, please be advised that there is a $39 per incident fee, payable by credit card to Pet Poison Helpline. This fee covers the initial consultation as well as all follow-up calls associated with the management of the case.

Source: http://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/pet-owners/basics/top-10-plants-poisonous-to-pets/
©2012 Pet Poison Helpline

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Also, see:

• Are Tomatoes Poisonous to Dogs?
• Veterinarian Approved Pet Insurance!
• AGILA Hundehalter-Haftpflicht
• Helpline Poison List

An Incredible Journey!

Long-lost Virginia Dog Reappears Eight Years Later...

3,000 MILES Away on Other Side of America

By Daily Mail Reporter
3 December 2011

It must have been an incredible journey, with all the makings of a holiday blockbuster.

But the family of Petunia, a dog that went missing from in Virginia, reappearing eight years later 3000 miles away in California, will never know how or why she made the voyage.

Now, the Virginia family should have their long-lost dog back in time for Christmas.

Meg Eden was in a wildlife area near Beale Air Force Base, Yuba County on Wednesday when she saw what appeared to be a stray dog.

The animal seemed to be an American Staffordshire terrier and pit bull mix, according to the Yuba County Sheriff's Department.

"She was very thirsty and very hungry when I found her," Eden told CBS13.

"I'm just happy she took the right fork in the road and found me."

Eden looked after the dog overnight then brought it to animal welfare officials.

After scanning the pet for a microchip, staff were amazed to find she was registered, as an American Staffordshire terrier, to a clinic in Virginia.

The Virginia clinic then made contact with the dogs owners. Kristen Pruitt of Fredericksburg, Virginia, confirmed that her family dog, Petunia, had been missing since 2003. She also recognised Petunia from photographs.

"It was just amazing to me," said Animal Care Service's Deborah Lewis. "I kept saying, ‘You're in Virginia? Because we're in California.'"

Pruitt and her family are keen that the reunion take place soon.

"I'm curious if she'll remember us," Pruitt told CBS13. "She was my husband's dog."

"It brings tears to your eyes, it really does. I'll give her a kiss and a hug."

Petunia, then 3 years old, went missing from the family farm almost exactly eight years ago.

Pruitt said they searched far and wide for the much-loved Petunia but never found her.

The couple have an 8-year-old daughter who was a baby of 5 months old when the pet disappeared, and so cannot remember her family pet.

The dog is set to fly home this week.

Source: Daily Mail Online
© Associated Newspapers Ltd

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Also, see:

• If Your Dog is Lost
• Tips on How to Find a Lost Pet
• Dog Tags, Pet IDs
• Pet IDs, Stuff for Dogs
• GPS Tracking for Dogs

Winter Fun for Snow Dogs

Oh, what fun! –Kim

The True Meaning of Dog Sledding

Source: http://www.flixxy.com/snow-dogs.htm

Nativity Scene & a Dog

What an amazing picture! –Kim

Sleep in Heavenly Peace

A Nativity Scene was erected in a church yard. During the night, the folks came across this scene.

An abandoned dog was looking for a comfortable, protected place to sleep. He chose baby Jesus as his comfort. No one had the heart to send him away, so he was there all night.

Maybe we should all have the good sense of this dog and curl up in Jesus' lap from time to time.... Not to mention the dog's breed was a "shepherd!"

Merry Christmas!

Source: http://puppycam.yuku.com/reply/193005/t/Re-Holiday-Photos.html

8 Ways to Train Dogs Who Mark the Christmas Tree

Here's a great article that I thought I would pass on...hope you find it helpful! –Kim

What to Do if Your Dog Likes to Pee on the Christmas Tree

Your tree is up. It is an absolutely magnificent tree, covered in ornaments which hold great sentimental value or financial value (like my ridiculously expensive but oh-so-necessary pirate Santa ornament). The house smells like pine...and dog pee?!

It is not uncommon for pet owners to find that male dogs have a tendency to mark the family Christmas tree, particularly when a real tree is brought into the home. The people in the house "get" that it's a Christmas tree. The dog in the house thinks you just got him his own indoor potty for Christmas. This culture clash creates stress for both humans and dogs during the holiday season.

With the exception of working with dogs which are medically incontinent or with those who suffer from severe separation anxiety, the techniques used to address potty training deficiencies are all the same. Dealing with a dog that pees on the Christmas tree requires the exact same type of management, redirection and reinforcement that potty training a new puppy requires. Here is a protocol for managing and training the dog that marks on Christmas trees:

1. Management and supervision – Your dog should never have unsupervised access to the Christmas tree. If you are unable to supervise him in the presence of the tree, he must be crated or gated elsewhere in the house. Do not hesitate to go back to the potty training basics you learned of crating, gating and tethering when you are not able to train or supervise.
2. Know the signs – Many dogs offer "pre-indicator behaviors" – behaviors that are offered consistently before the event as a kind of "tell" that the dog needs to eliminate. This can be sniffing around, scratching at the ground, turning in circles or even approaching the tree. If you notice any indicator behaviors from your dog, get him out for a potty break right away!
3. Reinforce success – While you're working on this, build a strong reinforcement history (with toys, food, and/or life rewards) for appropriate elimination outside.
4. Click and treat the absence of the behavior. If your dog approaches the tree, sniffs it, and walks away, click and treat him! This is the behavior we want!
5. Consider keeping your dog on a "traffic lead." A traffic lead is a very short leash, basically just a handle with a clasp. If your dog will not recall reliably under every conceivable circumstance, a traffic lead may not be a bad idea. It will ensure you are able to get your dog out quickly if you DO notice him going toward the tree as if to mark.
6. Find out your dog's schedule. What times of the day does your dog normally eliminate? Provide plenty of opportunities for outside potty breaks during this time.
7. Remember what events might trigger a dog's need to relieve himself – In general, dogs tend to eliminate after: naps, playtime, eating and/or drinking.
8. Consider use of a Belly Band – Belly Bands are snug fitting fabric doggie wraps that are wrapped around a dog's lower torso. They are fitted with absorbent pads so that if your dog does mark, the liquid will be absorbed by the pad and not the beautiful, pristine white beard of your favorite pirate Santa ornament. You can make Belly Bands or purchase them online. A search for "dog Belly Band" should bring up all the information you need. Belly Bands are certainly management tools more than anything, they will not train your dog to avoid peeing on the tree but they will ensure that if management slips up, your tree remains pristine.

Click HERE and HERE for more potty training tips.

Click HERE and HERE for pet urine neutralizer, cat & dog urination deterrents.

Click HERE and HERE for indoor potties for dogs.

Source: http://blogs.dogster.com/dog-training/what-to-do-if-your-dog-is-a-christmas-tree-pee-r/2010/12/

Copyright 2003-2010 Dogster, Inc.

Getting Ready for Christmas

This is cute! –Kim

It's a Jolly Holi-dog Celebration!

Source: http://www.youtube.com/v/KG3O6UBLGbA

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Also, see:

• Best Friends Animal Society
• List of No-kill Shelters and Rescues

Christmas Gift Ideas?

Here's a great article that I thought I would pass on...hope you find it interesting! –Kim

"I Want a Puppy for Christmas!" and Other Dumb Holiday Ideas

By Carole Raphaelle Davis

Someone you know wants to buy a puppy for Christmas and I am here to talk them out of it because the truth must be told. It's a typically dumb holiday impulse. Yes it's true, puppies are adorable, but one should think before one hands over their credit card.

I don't mean to be all bah-humbuggish about it, but puppies become dogs in a few months. If you have room in your heart for a new four-legged friend this holiday season, wouldn't it be the ethical choice to refrain from buying a puppy and consider adopting an adult dog instead? Isn't that really more in line with the holiday spirit? After all, while families are decorating their trees, dogs are being euthanized by the thousands at the pound.

Why are adorable, pure-bred puppies brought to the pound after the newness wears off? Because puppies are a lot of work! Puppies are infant dogs and need constant care. They pee, they poop, they chew, break things, throw up and cry, just like babies do. They have tiny bladders and bottomless tummies and don't sleep through the night. Unless you're rich and have full-time help, you're in for a tremendous amount of sleeplessness and work.

I want you to count to ten and consider this before buying a puppy: Did you choose all your good friends when they were drooling, pooping-in-their-pants infants? Or did you pick your friends because you like them and feel good about them? Aren't most of the friends you've made adults? Does the fact that you didn't know your friends when they weren't even able to hold up their own head impede your friendship in any way?

Really, did you meet your good friend and say, "Ooh! How cute that drooling toothless little girl is! Wow, that baby with the poop-filled diapers is going to help me move. I can't wait 'til we can hang out together and I can tell her all about my problems with my job and my marriage!"

For every puppy bought at the store, there is another one just like him at the pound, just months older, getting ready to say goodbye to the world. Why? The answer is simple and sad. The person paying $1,500 at a pet shop for a puppy mill Dachshund won't go to the pound and rescue one.

If someone you know is thinking of buying a pooping, whining, peeing, chewing, destroying-everything-in-the-house, little furry creature this holiday season, please consider adopting an adult pet.

You want a designer dog? No problem. The shelters and rescue organizations are full of them. PETFINDER.COM can help you find even the rarest of breeds. You can probably find a Brussels Griffin or a Briard within your zip code. Every single breed of dog is a click away.

On PETFINDER.COM, you get individual stories about the pets, like where they came from and why they ended up in foster homes or at a shelter. Foster care-givers know the personality of the animal and how he interacts with others, including children. You can even go and meet the animal with your other pets or your children to see how they all get along.

The fact is you simply know more about an animal when you meet him as an adult. You actually don't know what you're getting in a puppy. All you know at eight weeks old is what it might look like. And looks shouldn't be a criterion for picking a best friend anyway. We don't pick our friends for their looks do we? Well, maybe in Hollywood....

Be logical. You can interview an adult person to judge if he's intelligent, well adjusted, mentally normal and friendly. You can get a feeling if he is a thief or a liar or a murderer. You can't interview a ten-week old baby. You have no idea if that baby will grow up to rob you and burn your house down.

Using the same logic, you can interview an adult dog. You can get a sense of his personality, if he seems well adjusted, mentally normal, intelligent, open or friendly. You know he won't rob you and burn your house down. You can't interview a puppy. Every puppy has only two wriggling motivations – worming its squirmy little cuteness to the food and then emptying it out at the other end.

Training an adult dog is much easier than training a puppy. Believe me, a rescued dog wants to learn how get along in your house. All he needs is some exercise, patience, understanding and a little time. Even an older dog will be so grateful you took him in, as long as you show him the ropes, with kindness and understanding, he will gladly learn what he needs to in order to fit in. The job of helping an adult dog or cat to assimilate is far easier than the job of training a puppy.

So this holiday season, don't go to the pet shop. Adopt an adult dog. You'll save a lot of money. You'll be able to think more highly of yourself. Now that's a gift! Real status is not about what rare breed you bought, but about what kind of person you are. By giving money to the puppy mill industry, you are putting money directly into the hands of a business that perpetuates misery for profit. They deserve to be put out of business.

The real joy of Christmas is in giving – and what better gift to yourself than giving a home to a lonely dog. It's the gift that keeps on giving, with gratitude, loyalty and love. Participate in the solution. Let's spread the Christmas spirit and help empty out some of those cages.

Save a life. Adopt.

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Carole Raphaelle Davis is an actress and author of "The Diary of Jinky, Dog of a Hollywood Wife," just released by Andrews McMeel Publishing. (Also, see Jinky's Blog.)

Source: http://hollywoodjinky.newsvine.com/_news/2007/11/23/1117942-i-want-a-puppy-for-christmas-and-other-dumb-holiday-ideas

©2010 Newsvine, Inc.

A Watchdog on Christmas

Here's a cute poem that I thought you would enjoy! –Kim

Christmas Dog
By Shel Silverstein

Tonight's my first night as a watchdog,
And here it is Christmas Eve.
The children are sleeping all cozy upstairs,
While I'm guardin' the stockin's and tree.

What's that now – footsteps on the rooftop?
Could it be a cat or a mouse?
Who's this down the chimney?
A thief with a beard –
And a big sack for robbin' the house?

I'm barkin', I'm growlin', I'm bitin' his butt.
He howls and jumps back in his sleigh.
I scare his strange horses, they leap in the air.
I've frightened the whole bunch away.

Now the house is all peaceful and quiet again.
The stockin's are safe as can be.
Won't the kiddies be glad when they wake up tomorrow
And see how I've guarded the tree.

Source: http://home.att.net/~scorh3/ChristmasDog.html

A Shelter Dog's Christmas Poem

Here's a great post that I thought I would share...hope you give it some thought! –Kim

Remember the Shelter Dogs This Christmas
December 16, 2009
By Deanna Raeke

As you gather this holiday season to spend time with friends and family and your own beloved furry family members, take just a moment to think of those dogs and cats who sit alone and unwanted, with just the barest of necessities.

Gather up some old blankets and towels, maybe grab an extra bag of treats or food or a few toys when you're out shopping and take that few extra minutes to drop them at your local shelter. [Note: Scroll all the way down to the bottom of this blog to see a good list of no-kill shelters and rescues, or CLICK HERE.] You can donate anytime of the year, but at this special time of love and caring and sharing, please, take just those few extra minutes and make this holiday a little more special for a few lonely shelter animals.

A dear friend recently sent me an email. She's unemployed and struggling like so many of us right now, but dearly loves animals. Her family includes not only a beautiful chocolate lab, but also a cat and horse. And one of the things she's done to make things easier and more special for shelter animals near her is to ask for donations at a local pet store who graciously donated. So, for those of you who cannot afford money or gifts, take the time to visit a local pet store or two and ask if they would be willing to donate – you might be surprised. Thanks so much my dear friend and special thanks to the kind store owner who opened their heart!

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A Shelter Dog's Christmas Poem

'Tis the night before Christmas and all through the town,
every shelter is full – we are lost, but not found.

Our numbers are hung on our kennels so bare,
we hope every minute that someone will care.

They'll come to adopt us and give us the call,
"Come here, Max and Sparkie – come fetch your new ball!"

But now we sit here and think of the days
we were treated so fondly – we had cute, baby ways.

Once we were little, then we grew and we grew.
Now we're no longer young and we're no longer new.

So out the back door we were thrown like the trash.
They reacted so quickly – why were they so rash?

We "jump on the children," "don't come when they call,"
we "bark when they leave us," "climb over the wall."

We should have been neutered, we should have been spayed,
now we suffer the consequence of the errors THEY made.

If only they'd trained us, if only we knew,
we'd have done what they asked us and worshiped them, too.

We were left in the backyard, or worse, let to roam.
Now we're tired and lonely and out of a home.

They dropped us off here and they kissed us goodbye...
"Maybe someone else will give you a try."

So now here we are, all confused and alone
in a shelter with others who long for a home.

The kind workers come through with a meal and a pat,
with so many to care for, they can't stay to chat.

They move to the next kennel, giving each of us cheer...
we know that they wonder how long we'll be here.

We lay down to sleep and sweet dreams fill our heads
of a home filled with love and our own cozy beds.

Then we wake to see sad eyes, brimming with tears –
our friends filled with emptiness, worry and fear.

If you can't adopt us and there's no room at the inn –
could you help with the bills and fill our food bin?

We count on your kindness each day of the year –
can you give more than hope to everyone here?

Please make a donation to pay for the heat...
and help get us something special to eat.

The shelter that cares for us wants us to live,
and more of us will, if more people will give.

–Author Unknown

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Take a minute or two to share this with friends and family, spread the word, spread the message. Every little bit of help counts! Share the love every day, but most especially, now!

Source: For the Love of the Dog
Copyright ©2009 For the Love of the Dog