The ABCs of Cruelty-Free Flea Control

The ABCs of Cruelty-Free Flea Control

PETA's latest undercover investigation, which took place inside Professional Laboratory and Research Services (PLRS), a North Carolina lab that tests products on dogs, cats, and rabbits, has upset a lot of animal lovers―and not just because of the sadistic behavior of the employees at the facility. Some of the products tested there were topical flea treatments, which are viewed by many as absolutely essential to the well-being of our animal companions. If we want to boycott such products, what are we supposed to do? We can't let our animals become flea-bitten and miserable. Anyone who has ever had poison ivy or hives or any kind of allergic reaction that causes itching knows how torturous it can be when your whole body is itchy.

Let me just say right up front that unfortunately, in some cases, you might not be able to boycott these products, even though they are animal-tested, without making your own dog or cat miserable, and that is not acceptable. I'm speaking of dogs and cats with flea allergies. A flea allergy changes the whole equation, because animals with flea allergies are so sensitive that they will break out in hotspots if even one flea gets on them. The flea may not even need to bite them to cause an extreme reaction. Holistic measures are unlikely to create an environment that is 100 percent flea-free (although it's not impossible), so in households with allergic animals, you may need to bite the bullet and stick with the chemical flea treatments, which, sadly, are all animal-tested.

However, for people whose animals are not allergic to fleas, using holistic flea-control measures is a great idea because not only do you avoid supporting animal testing, you also provide your animal companions with a healthier environment by preventing them from absorbing harsh chemicals through their skin. Admittedly, holistic flea control is more time-consuming and labor-intensive than simply applying a topical chemical treatment, but it's well worth it for the sake of your animal companions' health and for the sake of the animals suffering inside the laboratories that test the products.

Here is a solid 10-point cruelty-free action plan for ridding your home and animal companions of fleas (you probably won't need to take all 10 actions, but the more you do, the more successful your flea-elimination program will be―just see what works for you):

1. Purchase a good flea comb and use it every day to remove adult fleas from your animals' coats. This will provide instant relief as well as helping you keep tabs on the flea population.

2. Bathe your animals with a gentle shampoo containing calendula, oatmeal, or aloe once every week or two. Throw their bedding into the washer while you're at it.

3. Vacuum your house as frequently as possible, and stow the vacuum bag inside a plastic bag in your freezer to kill any fleas or flea eggs that you happened to vacuum up.

4. Give your animals a B-complex vitamin supplement every day to boost the health of their coat.

5. Make a natural flea repellent by adding six or seven drops of the essential oils of rosemary, peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree, and citronella to a cup of water and shaking well. Use a spray bottle to apply the solution to your dog's coat every other day. (Do not use this on cats―they are too sensitive to essential oils.)

6. Black walnut capsules are a good flea repellent for dogs―adjust the dosage by bodyweight and give several times a week.

7. Diatomaceous earth, which consists of fossilized algae, will kill fleas by causing them to dehydrate. It is very important that you buy the natural diatomaceous earth sold in gardening centers rather than the kind that is used in pools. The latter has been treated and contains dangerous chemicals. Spread diatomaceous earth on your carpets and hardwood flooring and leave it down as long as possible, then vacuum it up along with the dead fleas. It's a very light powder, so be sure not to let your animals (or children) breathe it in while it is being applied.

8. Your yard can also be treated for fleas. Keep your grass cut short, and try dousing it with beneficial nematodes―these are roundworms who are more than happy to dine on flea larvae. You can purchase them online. Fleabusters has them (see below), as do many other companies.

9. Fleabusters/Rx for Fleas is a cruelty-free professional flea-control company that will treat your home for you or sell you the products to do so yourself.

10. Here are some additional cruelty-free flea-control products that you might want to consider: Rosie's Remedies, Natural Animal Health Products for dogs and for cats, Great Life Performance Pet Products flea spray, and Dr. Goodpet products.

Good luck!

Courtesy of peta.com

Brody Our Pup of the week.

Brody is the most amazing doggie you’ll ever meet, a blind 3-legged girl with a boy’s name! Brody does EVERYTHING any other doggie can do, including running, going up and down stairs, playing, and always and forever wagging her thick beautiful tail in happiness.



Brody is truly always, every single minute, happy, especially when she gets to spend time with her humans. She likes laying and/or playing with you on the floor, couch, bed or outside in the grass. Brody enjoys chewies and her stuffed animals and works on getting the squeakies out of them!



Brody is very intelligent and aware of her surroundings. She has excellent hearing and smell and maps out her surroundings so you’d never know she’s blind. Brody is totally healthy with beautiful thick, rich fur that is a pleasure to pet. Brody likes her doggie bed though would prefer to sleep beside you. Brody does not care for other animals, much preferring the company of her people.



Brody’s dream family would be any number of humans, one or many, and she would be happy spending as much time with you as you’d like, and - though she does well on her own also – Brody would be happy being near the family action offering her happy companionship that will keep you smiling and feeling loved.

Excessive licking

Are you frustrated with excessive licking in dogs? Although licking is a normal behavior in dogs, it can become one of many bad dog habits. In this article, we'll learn why dogs lick, and what you can do to stop dog licking.

Canine Licking Is A Natural Behavior For Dogs

Licking is a way for dogs to communicate with each other, and with you. In the wild, dogs will lick the pack leader when he returns after an absence. This is a greeting ritual that reinforces the pack social order. Your dog will probably engage in this same greeting ritual when you get up in the morning or return home from work in the evening. You should let your dog lick your hands so he can reassure himself that nothing in his world has changed.

Canine licking is also a way for your pup to express his affection for you. This is how he tells you that he's happy to see you, he loves you, and he wants to be with you. So allow your dog this normal outlet for his affection, but don't let him overdo it, or it can become one of many bad dog habits.

A less desirable reason for excessive licking in dogs is that your dog is anxious or stressed about something. Licking himself or you can become an obsessive behavior. Licking himself too much can lead to hair loss and bald spots. If he licks you too much, a slobbering dog can get old pretty fast. You'll need to do some detective work to figure out why he's anxious.

Your dog could also be licking himself simply because he's itchy due to allergies or dry skin. If he's licking his feet all the time, the pads on his paws may be irritated, especially in the winter months, due to snow, ice, and road salt.

Skin allergies or fleas also cause intense itching, which leads to excessive canine licking. An older dog may be in pain from arthritis. It's always a good idea to take your dog in for a vet check if he seems to be spending licking himself too much.

It's always possible that you've accidentally trained your dog to lick you too much by giving him attention every time he licks you. Your attention is very important to your dog, and he'll do whatever it takes to get it.

How To Stop Dog Licking

If you've ruled out medical or emotional issues, you can quickly stop excessive licking in dogs. Allow your dog to engage in his greeting rituals, but if he overdoes the licking, say "no licking" very firmly and walk away from him. Don't talk to him or even look in his direction for a minute or two. Don't give him any attention at all.

Your slobbering dog will probably probably be very persistent, but you just need to be more persistent. Don't give up, and he'll eventually get the idea.

Need more dog training tips? A good dog behavior course that includes a consultation with an experienced dog trainer, and that has a forum where you can get advice from other dog owners should be your next step.

What are you waiting for? Take the next step now to stop excessive dog licking.

Darlene Norris has worked at a vet clinic and an animal shelter, and has had lots of experience with dogs. If you're dealing with excessive canine licking, visit No More Bad Dogs at http://NoMoreBadDogs.com to learn about a dog training course that will help to solve your problem.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Darlene_L._Norris

I Rescued A Human

Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her. I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn’t be afraid.

As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn’t want her to know that I hadn’t been walked today. Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn’t want her to think poorly of them.

As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn’t feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone’s life.

She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship.

A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes. I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven’t walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one.

I rescued a human today.

Source: Rescue Me Dog, Janine Allen,
Via Ed Miller
Written by Janine Allen CPDT, Rescue Me Dog’s professional dog trainer. Janine’s passion is working with people and their dogs. She provides demonstrations for those who have adopted shelter dogs, lends email support to adopted dog owners that need information beyond our Training Support Pages, and aids shelter staff and volunteers in understanding dog behavior to increase their adoptability. Copyright 2010 Rescue Me Dog

Raw food diet basics

Raw Diet: The Basics

After losing our 2.5 year old Dogue De Bordeaux to GDV (commonly called bloat), we began searching for information on how to prevent this condition. By the time our new pup arrived we had settled on a raw diet for our little giant. While I have been in the animal field for over 7 years and have owned dogs for 11, this is my first raw fed puppy. Of course, starting something so new and different (and time-consuming!) can be daunting, so I'd like to help answer some of the most common questions posed to us about raw diets. There are many ways to feed raw, and even more opinions about what is good and what isn’t; this information is based on our personal education and experience.
What is raw feeding?

When raw feeding, what you see is what you get. There are no hidden ingredients, no fillers. All the mystery is taken out of your dog’s meals. A raw diet is composed of the same food you eat, but as it suggests, nothing is cooked. Well, I don’t know many people who eat bones, but for the most part, raw food is human food.
Why feed raw?

Dogs in the wild did not have little cooked pellets that contained cooked vegetables and grains (or cooked meat, for that matter), thus their systems are not made for digesting these ingredients. A raw diet is a direct evolution of what dogs ate before they became our pets.

Some pet owners who have made the switch have noticed drastic changes in their pets, including:

* Shinier, healthier skin
* Fresher breath/cleaner teeth
* Improved digestion
* Improvement with allergy symptoms
* Decreased shedding
* Increased stamina
* Firmer, smaller stools
* A general increase in overall health


What can I feed?

When discussing raw feeding you'll often hear people talking about RMB's, which stands for Raw Meaty Bones. A raw meaty bone is a bone with a *lot* of meat on it that is consumable. Yes, a dog can eat (and will enjoy eating) the entire bone. No, the bone is not going to splinter; those canines will be put to good use grinding bones up.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Cooked bones run the risk of splintering- NEVER feed cooked bones!

A dog on a raw diet will need a variety of different meats in order to reap the benefits that each protein provides; for example one type of meat may be higher in iron, while another may be higher in vitamin A. This is why a rotating diet is recommended in order to maintain a healthy raw diet.

Here is a list of some items your dog can try:

* Chicken - whole or any parts! (backs, necks, wings, etc.)
* Turkey - whole or any parts (wings, necks, etc.)
* Cornish game hens (whole)
* Beef (any cuts)
* Oxtail
* Pork (necks, ribs, any cuts)
* Rabbit
* Fish (canned sardines in WATER, not oil, or Jack mackerel)
* Quail
* Buffalo, kangaroo- almost anything you can think of!

Also, your dog does need organ meat, for its high nutrient content- feed liver or kidney as 10% of their diet.

When you first start your dog on raw, introduce one protein source at a time. Feed chicken for a week, then beef for a week, and so on, to introduce these foods to your pet’s system. This way you can easily detect a protein allergy. Once the food is introduced you should have no problem varying meat daily during normal weeks.

A note on bacteria: This was one of my concerns when we starting looking into the raw option. Raw meat is not safe for humans because of bacteria like e-coli and Salmonella. But, canine digestive systems are have some natural immunity to bacteria, and can handle the bacteria in meat without issue, when in good overall health.

In addition to meat, include vegetables, eggs, fruit, yogurt, etc. Eggs, like bones, are a good source of calcium, so are good to use when you don’t have bones. Pumpkin is a good system regulator, so we keep that on hand for most meals. There are countless good foods to give your dog, once you start looking! Grains, however, are completely unnecessary- since commercial pet foods are always grain-based diets, many people are used to the idea that their dogs need grain. It’s just not true. Some of the positive effects of feeding raw are related to eliminating grain from your dog’s diet.
How much does my dog need to eat?

The general rule is to feed a healthy adult dog between 2-4% of its weight daily, and then adjust as needed. If you have an overweight dog, start on the lower end of the spectrum, if you have a dog who needs to gain a little bit of weight, start closer to 4%. You will also be able to judge by looking at your dog- if he is looking a little thin, bump up his meat intake. Puppies may require up to 10% of their weight daily during growth. Raw diets are ideal for growing puppies, too, but they can’t eat all the same bones an adult dog can. Give puppies non-weight-bearing bones, as their young teeth can’t handle thicker bones.
Where do I find raw food?

Raw diets are catching on as a viable and healthy alternative to commercial pet food, and so there are some brands of packaged raw food. While those are a step up from kibble, they are very expensive and you still don’t have the advantage of knowing exactly what your dog eats at each meal. We recommend finding a good butcher or local farmer for your meat source. If you have some extra freezer space, you’ll probably be able to work out good deals buying in larger quantities. As far as cost goes, raw is less expensive than kibble. Kibble has filler in it, while a raw diet is 100% food a dog will benefit from eating. People feeding kibble need to feed more of it to satisfy a dog’s dietary needs; raw food is more cost effective in that sense.

www. Dogguide.com

Yankee Candles and Puppy Pretzels

Remember our Yankee candle Event! BDRA gets 40% of the proceeds! The sale ends soon. So get yours now,just in time for the holidays!


Puppy Pretzels: A Nice Treat for Winter Days
by K-9 Health Solutions on Thursday February 04, 2010.

Have you ever wanted to give your pet some of your hot cocoa while you’re curling up on a winter’s day? Well, hot chocolate isn’t great for your pet, but there is indeed something you can treat him with when you’re both watching the snow fall outside. Puppy pretzels are an easy to make and hearty treat that any dog will love and can be a great comfort food when the weather outside gets frightful. Try out this yummy recipe the next time you’re expecting a snow day.

Ingredients:
1 teaspoon brown sugar
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
2/3 cup water
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
3 tablespoons soy flour, low fat
1/4 cup nonfat dry milk
1 tablespoon dried liver powder
1 tablespoon bone meal flour
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg – beaten, divided (1/2 in recipe, 1/2 in glaze)
2 tablespoons cooking oil
3 tablespoons wheat germ

Directions
First, dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water. Then, in a separate bowl, combine the rest of the dry ingredients. To the dry ingredients, add half of the beaten egg, oil, and then the yeast mixture. Mix well until a dough forms.

Remove dough from bowl and knead on a well-floured surface until the dough is firm. Add dough to an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise until it nearly doubles in size. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. After the dough has risen, roll out and shape into pretzels. Place the pretzels on a greased cookie sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and brush them with the remainder of the beaten egg. Sprinkle with wheat germ. Return to oven and bake at 300 degrees for about 15 minutes or until they are nicely browned and firm.

Harmony- Our Pup of the week.

Name: Harmony

Breed: Miniature Pinscher

Sex: Female

Age: 6-7 +/-

Level of blindness: total

Cause of eye issues: diabetes

Health issues: diabetes

Weight: 14

Good with dogs: yes

Good with cats: unknown

Good with children: yes

Currently being fostered in: Tennessee


Information:

Harmony is a Miniature Pinscher, blind and diabetic and a very happy girl! Harmony is energetic, loves giving kisses, curling up with you (or in a blanket or her kennel) and enjoys her walks. She gets along well with our entire pack and is a pleasure. Harmony has tons of personality and is a positive and happy girl.

Harmony was nearly euthanized by her past human, then our vet's office called and asked if we could take her in. She's been fully vetted, on HW preentative and her diabetes is completely under control and requires 2 shots daily. Harmony is completely blind yet is very smart and has mapped our home and yard out, goes up and down stairs easily and travels about comfortably.

Harmony seeks a Forever Home. In return Harmony will be a loyal, devout and loving friend. Harmony will win your heart, forever.

:-)





Update: August 9, 2010


This little ball of dynamite is totally positive, gentle yet assertive and loves cuddling with her humans especially under the blanket. Harmony maps out everything, is extremely intelligent and otherwise healthy and gets along with the pack well.





If you are interested in adopting Harmony, please fill out our adoption application, on our website; www.blinddogrescue.com

If you would like to donate to Harmony's care, please send to:

BDRA
PO Box 63401
Philadelphia, PA 19114

Don't protect puppy mills--All Pa readers

Don't Protect Puppy Mills--Call Your Senator Now!
by Amber Lynn Raup on Monday, September 20, 2010 at 11:07am

All Pa members please call Senator Greenleaf and ask him to vote no on this bill. His phone # is



(717) 787-6599



Thanks for not protecting puppy mills.





Dear Pennsylvania Animal Advocates,



This morning (Monday, Sept. 20), the PA Senate Agriculture Committee will vote on House Bill 511, legislation to protect factory farms and puppy mills. This harmful legislation has already passed the PA House, so making an immediate phone call to your state senator is especially critical!



HB 511 would criminalize trespass that compromises the “biosecurity” of any farm or animal confinement facility. In reality, it would be a crime, subject to harsh punishment, merely to enter such a property and “damage” a plant. Under current law, trespass for much more sinister purposes such as "terrorizing" the property owner is subject to far less severe punishment.



The thinly disguised purpose of this proposed law is to chill advocacy efforts on behalf of the farm and companion animals confined on Pennsylvania’s factory farms and puppy mills.



What You Can Do If your state senator is an Agriculture Committee member, please call to urge him or her to vote “no” on HB 511—and if your state senator is not a committee member, please call to urge him or her to speak to committee members this morning to request that they vote “no” on HB 511.



Visit the ASPCA Advocacy Center to find out which senators are on the committee and to find your state senator’s number.

Thank you, Pennsylvania, for speaking up for animals.

Happily Ever Afer

Nikita has been adopted and is settling well into her new home. Here she is with her new siblings.

Furmanator

I bought a knock off brands "Furmanator" called "Groomanator". At a fraction of the price. This brands comb only comes in one size,medium. Which is a little big for the tiny dogs. But it still does the job. After using it for 4 days,I am totally in love.
If you have pets you need this comb!
It gets all the extra hair and then some. My Blind dog Bacon leaves blankets of hair where ever she goes. And has a nasty cough due to her fur getting caught in her throat. But today she barely coughed. Gone are the blankets of dog hair.
And our clothes,have little to no dog hair on them. This product is simply amazing!
Well worth the price. If you purchase the original product-the small combs start at close to 30 dollars online.
I bought Sergents brand comb for only ten dollars,at my local grocery store.

Furmanator

I bought a knock off brands "Furmanator" called "Groomanator". At a fraction of the price. This brands comb only comes in one size,medium. Which is a little big for the tiny dogs. But it still does the job. After using it for 4 days,I am totally in love.
If you have pets you need this comb!
It gets all the extra hair and then some. My Blind dog Bacon leaves blankets of hair where ever she goes. And has a nasty cough due to her fur getting caught in her throat. But today she barely coughed. Gone are the blankets of dog hair.
And our clothes,have little to no dog hair on them. This product is simply amazing!
Well worth the price. If you purchase the original product-the small combs start at close to 30 dollars online.
I bought Sergents brand comb for only ten dollars,at my local grocery store.

Reiki for pets

Reiki for Pets

Reiki is a hands-on healing method that originated in Japan. The practitioner channels healing energy through her hands to the animal through a light touch either directly on the body or from a distance. The word Reiki (pronounced "ray-key") is a Japanese composite word usually translated as "universal life energy". It is based on the idea that all living beings have life energy flowing through them. When life energy is high, your pets are healthy and balanced, more relaxed and less likely to get sick. When it is low, they'll often be more easily affected by stress and less resistant to illness. Reiki is a safe complement to conventional Western medicine, Chinese medicine, herbal medicine, homeopathy and all other forms of healing.

Animals, especially cats, are naturally receptive to the Reiki energy and tend to gravitate towards it readily (some people even say cats invented Reiki). Some pets may initially prefer to experience the energy from a slight distance, rather than having the practitioner's hands directly on them.

Reiki sessions for pets typically last 20-30 minutes. The frequency of sessions depends entirely on each individual animal's health status and needs. Some health issues can be resolved in two or three sessions, others may take ongoing sessions on a recurring basis. As with all services Healing Hands provides, frequency of sessions will be tailored to your pet's individual needs.



Benefits of Reiki for pets:

* Enhances overall well-being.

Just like people, even healthy pets can have occasional physical, emotional and mental imbalances that, if left untreated, can manifest as illness. Periodic Reiki treatments can help maintain your pet's natural state of well-being and balance.

* Strengthens the immune system for cancer therapies.

Cancer therapies such as chemotherapy and radiation present stress to an already compromised immune system. Reiki strengthens the immune system to better deal with this additional stress. It helps alleviate or prevent the side effects of conventional cancer treatments and provides pain relief.

* Accelerates healing following surgery or illness.

Reiki can alleviate and prevent side effects of conventional medications such as pain killers and antibiotics, and provides pain relief and relaxation to facilitate and enhance the body's natural healing response.

* Increases trust and bonding between you and your pet.

People and pets often mirror each others' physical and emotional states. Animals are natural healers and sometimes take on their person's problems, often in an attempt to heal them. This happens because of the deep bond shared between a pet and his or her person. Because of the shared energy in such a close relationship, energetic imbalances are shared as well. For optimum healing, joint treatments for people and their pets can often be beneficial.

* Can help with behavior issues by promoting relaxation and stress reduction.

Many behavior issues are caused by stress. Reiki has a calming effect on the pet and may help make the pet more receptive to training and behavior modification. Reiki is extremely beneficial for animals with a history of abuse. The gentle touch and the energy can help restore trust in animals who have learned to associate touch with being hurt.

* Provides comfort and relieves pain, anxiety and fear for terminally ill animals.

Reiki is a wonderful way to facilitate the transition for terminally ill animals and their owners. Often, animals will not allow themselves to transition because they intuitively feel that their person is not ready to let them go. Joint Reiki treatments for the pet and his or her person can help both through this difficult time by enhancing the bond and allowing a gentle transition.

http://www.pethealing.net/reiki_for_pets_1.html

Cat Stevens "I Love My Dog"

Wally “Bear” Erickson

Wally Bear (or Wally Lion as our son, Jon refers to him sometimes) is living the life at our home in Pinckney, Michigan. We refer to him (and yes, his middle name is Bear) and he lives up to the name because he is such a teddy bear.

When he first came into our house, there was a rawhide under the table from Lady, he just laid down and started chewing. From that point on, we knew he WAS HOME TO STAY. He was also heart-worm positive and we didn’t know the extent of his blindness. We have since got him care, where he loves the techs and the vet. We have him treated and he is almost positively cured from the heart-worm. We also found out that Wally has cateracts quite badly (which we aren’t sure what is beyond that and don’t want to do surgery which could cause more harm than good). However, we have found that he can see light and shapes, which benefit him well when Grandma is around with treats!

He is a good boy and loves to run and play in our front yard while being on his lead. His new big sister, Lady Grace or E, goes outside with him and is his seeing-eye -dog and protects him from anything that comes up to scare him. He loves to chew on bones, pig snots and Bully sticks for hours to entertain himself. He loves to be scratched in front of his ears, loves to get hugs and kisses from us (especially our son) and puts his cute head up on the bed to wake you up in the morning. Being with Lady, he has learned that he has a voice and needs to be heard. Once she starts barking, he chimes in, and always get the last word (bark). Which is definitely a trait in this family!

This summer, we visited our family cottage. Wally at first wasn’t to sure of the water and we really had to coax him in (with the help of a lead). But after a couple of times, he loved to walk and wade around in the cool water, especially on the hot days. We could take him in the shallow water and walk along the shore a bit down from the cottage.

We want to thank all those (way to may to name) for bringing Wally Bear into our life. He has definitely become part of OUR family. If we have a chance to adopt another one in the future, we will! You are all special and part of our family too. We will make sure to send pictures and update you all on his life with us!

Brain Food

· 70,000 puppies and kittens are born every day in the U.S.
Between 4 million and 6 million pets are euthanized every year because they are homeless. That means between 11,000 and 16,000 pets are euthanized every day simply because they are homeless. An animal in a shelter is killed every 1.5 seconds.

Come Visit Us in PA!

BDRA will be at the Montgomery County Scottish Irish Festival in Green Lane PA!

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2010

EVENT: Montgomery County Scottish Irish Festival

PLACE: Green Lane Park

2144 Snyder Rd.

Green Lane, Pa

TIME: 10am – 10pm

Newest BDRA Addition!

Meet Lambchop..

She will be traveling from Georgia to her new BDRA foster home in South Carolina this Saturday!

She will soon have her name changed and be available for adoption.

BDRA Dog "Bon Jovi" Update

Just wanted to let everyone know that Bon Jovi is doing great, is completely house
broken now. And has a new name. He never answered to Bon Jovi at all. So his
new name is Ami, as in Mon Ami, which means my friend in French, correct
me if I'm wrong our French speaking volunteers, or in Hebrew Ami means my
people, so either way, he's my friend and I'm his people. And he answered to
it right away.

He just absolutely loves my gang, he's very gentle with them and never
pounces on them or slaps them, which is normal behavior for Sibes.

He would make a great therapy dog, go visiting the elderly in nursing homes
or assisted living homes. He's so gentle and so sweet.

- Ami (Bon Jovi) 's Mom

Traveling with pets.

Thanks to American Humane for these wonderful holiday travel with pets tips.

Some pets love traveling — while others find it extremely stressful. However, with increased awareness of the risks inherent in traveling with animals, owners can prepare and minimize undue stress on their pets. These travel tips from the American Humane Association can help ensure that holiday trips, and travels year-round, are safe and enjoyable for people and their pets.

1. Properly identify pets with ID tags and microchips — Make sure your pets have ID and current rabies tags and are microchipped. To be extra cautious, give your pets an additional tag with the address and phone number of where you will be staying for the duration of the trip, in case they get lost after you arrive.

2. Train pets to travel in their crates — Whether you’re heading to your holiday destination by plane, train or automobile, getting your pets used to their crates will make the entire traveling experience less stressful. Even when away from home, pets still view their crates as a safe haven from stressful situations.

3. With a crate, size does matter — Crates should be large enough for pets to stand and turn around in comfortably. Remember to keep water inside the crate or allow for breaks every three hours so that your pets can drink and stretch.

4. Never leave your pets unattended — Just as you would never leave a child unattended, never leave your pets alone in a car.

5. Be prepared — Take your pets’ health records with you, just in case they need to see a veterinarian during your trip. Be sure to ask your veterinarian if she recommends heartworm prevention or treatment for fleas or ticks for the area in which you are traveling. Keep pet dishes in your car, as well as extra water and pet food, in case of car trouble or bad weather.

6. To fly or not to fly — As a rule, puppies and kittens, sick animals, animals in heat, and frail or pregnant animals should not travel by air. If a pet is too large to fly in the cabin with you, perhaps a stay at a boarding kennel would be a safer choice. You should also plan ahead because many airlines have restrictions regarding pets, and your pets may need a health certificate to fly.

7. Visit your veterinarian — Your vet may prescribe a sedative to help reduce your pet’s stress level while traveling. However, sedatives are not always safe for pets so be sure to give your vet the details of how your pet will be traveling and how long the trip will take.

8. Boarding is an option — If your pets are too large to fly in the cabin with you, or if a long car ride might be too stressful for them, boarding your pets at a kennel may be a safer choice. Or you could hire a licensed pet sitter to take care of your pets in the comfort of your own home.

9. Try to keep pets on the same “schedule” — Stop when you would normally let your pets out at home and at feeding times.

10. Plan lodging ahead — Research your route, make reservations and carry a list of pet-friendly lodging along the way. Also, ask for a room on the ground floor so it is easier to walk your pets. Don’t let your pets stay in the car.

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Jack the Ripper

Pete mutilating some fuzzies!

He can Yodel too!

BDRA foster failure Kazoo is practicing to be a mountain climber.

Now that's the life....

Here's BDRA foster failure Pete, just being cute!

What a MOOCH!!

Foster Nikita is always looking for something to munch. You'd think we never feed her or something!

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Myths and facts about spaying and neutering

MYTH: My dog will get fat and lazy.

FACT: The only way your dog will get fat and lazy is if you do not provide enough exercise and feed him too much.

MYTH: It's better for my dog to have one litter before I spay her.

FACT: Medical evidence has shown that a dog who is spayed before her first heat cycle is typically healthier than dogs spayed after the first heat cycle or after having a litter of puppies. Most animal shelters and adoption facilities, as well as many veterinarians, now sterilize dogs as young as eight weeks of age. You should consult your veterinarian about the appropriate time to spay or neuter your dog.

MYTH: Children should experience the miracle of birth.

FACT: The likelihood of a child actually seeing a dog give birth is slim. Most births occur at night and in a secluded area. The only lesson the child learns is that dogs can be created and discarded as humans see fit. The real miracle your child should experience is the knowledge that by preventing your dog from having babies, you are potentially saving the lives of hundreds of other dogs.

MYTH: My dog is a purebred.

FACT: At least one out of every four dogs turned in to animal shelters around the country are purebred. There are just too many dogs bred, both mixed breed and purebred.

MYTH: My dog will not be protective if I neuter him.

FACT: A dog's natural instinct to protect his home and family is not affected by spaying or neutering. A dog's personality owes much more to genetics and environment than sex hormones.

MYTH: I don't want my male dog to feel like less of a male.

FACT: Dogs have no concept of sexual identity or ego and neutering does not change a dog's basic personality. He doesn't suffer in any way when neutered.

MYTH: My dog is so special; I want a puppy just like her.

FACT: A professional dog breeder, whose bloodlines stretch back for generations, has no guarantee of getting a particular characteristic from a litter. The dog owner's chances are even slimmer. In fact, a whole litter of puppies might wind up getting only the worst characteristics of your pet dog and her mate.

MYTH: Spaying and neutering is too expensive.

FACT: The cost of spaying or neutering is based on the age, size, and sex of the dog, your veterinarian's fees, and other variables. However, spay or neuter surgery is a one-time cost, and if you factor in the many benefits, such as improved health throughout your dog's lifetime, it is a relatively small charge. It's a bargain compared to the costs associated with raising a litter of puppies, such as exams for the mother dog, puppy checks and vaccinations, the extra food you need, etc. If complications arise and you need emergency veterinary services, the costs could rise into the thousands. There is also the amount of time you will need to devote to the mother dog and her babies; two months of pregnancy followed by two more months before the puppies are weaned and ready to go to new homes. Most importantly, the price is small when compared to the satisfaction of knowing that you are not contributing to the very real problem of too many dogs and too few homes available for them. You can also check with your local animal welfare organizations. Many of them offer low-cost spay and neuter services.

MYTH: I have good homes available for all of the puppies.

FACT: True, you may have homes for your puppies, but for every home you find, there is one less home available for a shelter dog. Moreover, do you have guarantees that the people who take your puppies will not breed them and thus add even more dogs to the problem? Remember, the dog overpopulation problem is created and perpetuated one litter at a time.

Source: Adapted from the Humane Society of the United States