Tis the Second Season

It's that time of year again when we get super busy with all the FUNdraisers and events. We get to meet new people and see new places and we all act like puppies at the park for the first time.

 

 I'm so excited that our first event is the 

for Monty's Home, this group does a lot of great things and it's something fun to be part of.

Feb 16, 2014 11-4

Coastline Convention Center

533 Nutt Street, Wilmington, NC

 

This will be CCBTR’s 2^nd year at the pet expo and we do hope you will join us.  We need volunteers to make this event a huge success for the dogs!

 
Barbara Raab is one of those people who turned a heartbreaking experience, the death of her beloved dog Monty, into a positive experience for hundreds of people and dogs. Barbara opened Monty’s home which provides service to human and canine alike. 

 

For pet owners losing a dog is losing a family member, dogs provide love and comfort that can’t be equaled. Volunteers with the Rainbow Bridge Journey services help people through pet illness, end of life issues and the grieving process. 

 
In 2008 Monty’s home started Pawsitive Partners Prison Program the first companion dog prison training program in Southeastern North Carolina. Prisoners and shelter dogs alike are screened for the program, through different screening methods I assure you.  The prisoners are not evaluated for food and toy aggression.  The dogs then live at the prison and receive training daily using only positive reinforcement. This program has proven many times over to be hugely beneficial to both human and canine alike who may have felt that they were thrown away.  After graduation the dogs are available for adoption.

 

 

 

How dogs prepare you for parenthood

I once saw in a movie how people in 12-step programs are told to get a plant, keep it alive for 6 months, then get a dog; after another 6 months they can start dating. Why, because dogs prepare you for parenthood the way no other creature can.

The typical day in the life of a pet parent starts early: let the dog out to go pee. If they happen to be puppies or a new dog, this can also involve following them around waiting for them to do their business in the wee hours of the morning so that you can give them praise in the hopes they won’t perform the same act in the house.

Then you make yourself a cup of coffee or tea, or some other caffeinated beverage to jump-start your brain. While you fix your cup, you wonder why you didn’t do this before you went outside with the dog.

You manage to feed the dog while not spilling your coffee into their food bowl, because heaven knows the dog has enough energy first thing in the morning and should be sharing it with you.

You attempt to dress for work and let dog outside to run one more time before attempting to crate it and bolting out the door.

Remember to buy lots of lint removers, or like one friend does, buy clothes the color of your dog; she wears a lot of beige to match her golden retrievers hair.










Where are the dog treats?

Who would take the dog treats off the counter? What is the box doing in the bathroom? Oh yeah, that’s right, you had to bathe it last night after a run-in with something smelly.

The box is empty, but that was a brand new box, as you feel eyes upon you and see a droopy head and guilty expression. Yes, you know what I’m talking about, those sad eyes that promise with so much emotion to never do “that” again.

Cursing all the way to the kitchen, you throw the box in the trash and reach for lunchmeat or a cheese slice to tempt the guilty dog into crate. Finally, you lock the crate, grab your keys, and run for the door. STOP, you forgot to turn on the TV so he’ll have something to listen to while you are gone. Okay, now you head for the car. WAIT! You forgot your lunch and more coffee.

Finally out of the driveway and on to work… Yeah! You made it through another morning.

When you return home after a long day, you take a deep breath as you walk to your door. Did he escape? Is there a mess? What will you find behind that door? You slowly open the door, He is still in his crate and very happy to see you.No mess to clean up today.










As your puppy follows your every step in the kitchen, waiting for anything to fall to the floor, you go through the list of what you’re cooking so you know what he can have when it hits the floor and what you have to stop him from grabbing.

 

 

Dinner time. There are two schools of thought on this: one is to feed your dog while you are eating and the other is to feed your dog after. The reasons vary, but if you eat first then feed your dog, that establishes the pack order that dogs need. This is one philosophy I buy into wholeheartedly. I have seen many foster puppies do wonderfully as soon as they realize where they fit in the pack order. But while your dog waits to be fed, he will once again give you those sad eyes and stare at every bite you take or lie under the table hoping you forget he is there so he can grab anything that falls. All that staring and drooling is really tough work.

Walking is a great way to bond and relax with your dog. Plus it has the added benefit of exercise for both of you. Walking is also a great to teach your puppy, just remember, you are in charge, not the dog.

Ahhh, the dog has been fed, walked, gone outside, rewarded, and now you’re ready to relax. Now you can curl up on the couch and watch TV while your pooch plays with a toy. Nope, you are the toy. The next thing you know you’ve missed your favorite show crawling around on the floor to get the toy out from under the table or couch, playing tug or fetch, giving belly rubs, cleaning ears, clipping toenails, or putting the stuffing back into his favorite toy.

Think a shower will be relaxing? Not with him scratching at the door. He wants in. He doesn’t want a bath, he’s just wondering what you’re doing and why you aren’t paying attention to him. And it’s not just when you are taking a shower.






Finally, you hit the couch for some TV for real this time and he curls up next to you in a ball and falls asleep. And you realize there is nothing better than a sleeping dog. How could you not love the little guy? And then he farts.

Binx

Meet Binx, a senior dog that seems to have been through it all. Now, the only thing this sweet senior guy wants is a forever home to call his own.

 

Binx was picked up as a stray in Eastern North Carolina. When the shelter called CCBTR they told us that this guy seemed to be in pretty rough shape. He had a hole in his ear the size of a pencil hole. His teeth were ground down close to his gums. His face and head were covered in injuries that appeared to be from fighting. His right eye had been surgically removed and he doesn’t seem to see very well out of the left eye.

 

Everyone assumed that he would also have a “bad” attitude. Not so. Binx is a loving, sweet dog that really wants to please his people. He is fine with female dogs but is apprehensive about male dogs. These attributes make us think that, at some time in his life, Binx lived with people who loved him and cared for him.

 

So what happened to this boy? We just don’t know. Was he a bait dog? His fear or apprehension with male dogs makes this seem likely. Did he get lost from his people? Did he get stolen from his people? We just don’t know.

 

 

 

 

 

 

What we do know about Binx is that he is a good, good boy. He has adjusted well to foster care. His foster Mom says that he has learned his routine very well and even “puts himself to bed” (in his crate) at the same time each evening.

 

 

 

 

Binx is house trained but still requires guidance. He keeps his bed dry all night, he knows how to use the doggie door in his foster home, and if taken out on a consistent basis he does not have accidents in the house.

 

 

Do you, or someone you know, have the love and compassion to give this guy a chance at happiness for the rest of his life? If you do, please fill out an adoption application for Binx. He’s waiting to hear all about you.

Bryce

Bryce is a beautiful 8 yr old Boston terrier that was turned into the shelter by his family.



Did you have bacon?
 

Bryce loves his people and has a strong desire to please them.  He is tolerant and playful with subtle, submissive dogs that do not challenge him.  He prefers female dogs to males.  What we have learned about Bryce while he has been in foster dog care is that he is fearful of dogs that challenge him or try to engage him.  He is fearful of dogs that are excited or display dominant behaviors. 

 

Bryce is currently undergoing professional behavior training on site at a training facility.  This training will help alleviate his fear of other dogs and enable him to live peacefully in a forever home with a human that acts as his pack-leader.  

 

Although Bryce is a normal, playful and loving BT in all other ways, he will never be the dog that does well at a dog park or enjoys shopping in Petsmart.  However, Bryce IS the dog that will love his family and be loyal to them forever.  Bryce would love a fenced yard where he can wander peacefully enjoying the sun knowing that his yard is his safe place.    

We are looking for a very special home for Bryce.  ARE YOU this home?

Ty, the adorable adoptable retriever mix.

Yea he's definitely not a Boston but he needs a home and who am I to be turn down a dog in need. 

Ty is a very sweet dog, came right too my friend and hopped right up into the car. He does great with other dogs, good with kids, is calm but loves to give kisses and stand on his hind legs to say hello.

He does have separation anxiety and is currently trying out meds ($32/mo) to help calm him down when his people leave. Only gets into trouble when he is left alone, then he becomes a professional escape artist. He absolutely does not like to be locked in small spaces.

 He will need someone who can spend a lot of time with him. When he's around his people he has wonderful manners and is a very good boy. He will not run away off leash but he will wander when curious. He will be neutered on August 19th, is currently taking Trifexis, and was treated for round worms.

He is also being treated for ehrlichia, which is a tick born illness. If money permits, we will be doing a blood panel to make sure it hasn't affected his kidneys or other organs. Also, the vet says he's approximately two years old.

Are you ready for the storm?

Yea this one is loooooong but we have seen so many cries for help after devastating weather events that I had to say something. Here on the east coast we watch the weather men make fools of themselves as soon as there's a swirl in the Atlantic, other parts of the country don't have the advance warning.
Here's a list of things that will help us all no matter where we live, we just adapt to our own unique part of the country. 

PREPARE:

A basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items:
Printable Emergency Plans

• Water; one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days for drinking and sanitation
• Store drinking water in clean bathtubs, jugs, bottles and cooking utensils.

• Food; at least a three day supply of non-perishable food

• Battery-powered radio and extra batteries

• Flashlight and extra batteries

• First aid kit

• Whistle to signal for help

• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation

• Manual can opener for food

• Local maps

• Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger

To Do For Your Fur Babies as soon as you gather your emergency kits.

•Contact multiple hotels within a targeted safe zone and find out their pet policy.  Be sure to ask about their policies in evacuation situations.

•Ask about any restrictions on number, size, and species.

•Inquire if the "no pet" policies would be waived in an emergency.

•Keep a list of animal-friendly places handy, and call ahead for a reservation as soon as you think you might have to leave your home.

•Online resources for pet-friendly hotels:

      Doginmysuitcase.com

      Pet-friendly-hotels.net

      Pets-allowed-hotels.com

      Petswelcome.com

  

Additional items to gather as storm grows closer include

• Prescription medications and glasses

•Write down your pets’ feeding schedules, medical conditions and behavior issues in case you need to board them.

•Keep your veterinarian’s name and number with you.  A business card works great.

•Make sure to have photos of you and your pets, to help identify them in case of separation and to prove ownership.  Microchips are still the best method of permanent identification.

• Infant formula and diapers

• Pet food and extra water for your pet

5 days worth of food for each pet, bowls and a can opener if you are using canned food.

Dry food – 1 cup per 20-25 lbs of pet is a rough estimate.

Water: (per day amounts)

                   Dog                                                         Cats

30 lbs  ¼ gallon    (4 cups),                Small Cats       1 cup

60 lbs  ½ gallon    (8 cups),               Medium Cat    2 cups

90 lbs  ¾ gallon  (12 cups)                Large Cat         3 cups

• Cash or traveler’s checks and change

• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container.  I have a 3 ring binder with page protectors that stays in my safe unless I evacuate.

• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person

•   Comfort items - blankets bed and toys if convenient, to reduce stress for each pet

• Carriers – for safe transport of pets and to prevent escape.

•   Pillowcases - you should have a pillowcase for each cat and small dog to aid in capture and control.

•Leashes and harnesses – to maintain control of your pets when they are under stress.

• Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes

• Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted, nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant.

• Fire extinguisher

• Matches in a waterproof container

• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items

• Paper cups, plates, paper towels and plastic utensils

• Paper and pencil

• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

Stocking up now on emergency supplies can add to your family’s safety and comfort during and after a disaster. Store enough supplies for at least three days, preferably seven days, in one place.

If You Evacuate:

Take your emergency supplies kit.

DON’T DRIVE ON FLOODED ROADS.

TURN AROUND - DON’T DROWN!

Have a place to go, such as the home of a family member or friend, motel or shelter. When possible, evacuating within your county reduces the chance of being stranded in traffic and shortens your time to return home. Notify family or friends of your plans, when you are leaving and where your are going.

Fill your car with gas. Take only the vehicle you will need to get you and your family to safety. This helps to reduce the amount of traffic on the roads.

Bring extra cash. Banks may be closed, ATMs may not work.

Enact your pet plan.

Bring important family documents in a waterproof container.

Secure your home.

Bring toys, books and games for entertainment.

Bring pillows and blankets. Also, bring rain gear and sturdy shoes.

Map out your route. Be familiar with your area’s evacuation routes.

Don’t panic, arrive safely at your destination.

After the storm is over, listen to local officials for further instructions.

Take care even after the disaster.

•   There are many dangers following a disaster, some of which are on the ground and in locations our pets are more likely to visit than us.  Be sure to scout out any area your pet will be investigating.

•Don't allow your pets to roam loose. Familiar landmarks and smells might be gone, and your pet may be disoriented.

•While you assess the damage, keep dogs on leashes and cats in carriers inside the house. If your house is damaged, your pets could escape.

•Be patient with your pets after a disaster. Try to get them back into their normal routines as soon as possible. Be ready for behavioral problems caused by the stress of the situation. If these problems persist, or if your pet seems to be having any health problems, talk to your veterinarian.

•If your community has been flooded, search your home and yard for wild animals who may have sought refuge there. Stressed wildlife can pose a threat to you and your pet.

PetMD What is it?

 What is Pet MD



  Pet news and recall alerts

The recall section shows chronological list of pet (not just dog) food and treat recalls. If you click on any of them you get a detailed list of what was recalled, by whom, why and contact information for questions and concerns.

Blogs

The Daily Vet is a blog featuring veterinarians from all walks of life. Every week they will tackle entertaining, interesting, and sometimes difficult topics in the world of animal medicine – all in the hopes that their unique insights and personal experiences will help you to better understand your pets.

Purely Puppy featuring Dr. Lisa Radosta is the perfect blog for puppy parents.

Dog and Cat Nutrition Nuggets  are the newest offshoot of petMD’s Nutrition Center, a joint venture made up of the talents behind Hill’s Pet Nutrition and the medical information authorities of PetMD.

Healthy Assurance’s mission, featuring Dr. Doug Kenney,  is simple: To provide pet owners with unbiased, reliable, helpful, and timely information on pet insurance from a veterinarian’s perspective.


 Symptom checkers (just like WebMD)

 I did this with the symptoms of my Mollie's incident. Drooling, trouble eating and lack of appetite. I got a range of possibilities that could make the sanest pet parent a quasi hypochondriac. Not that it's a bad thing but, like with the WebMD symptom checker, use your knowledge of your dog to go with the information.

Online pet parenting classes
                                                                              
There are about 15 different classes listed that range from nutrition to training to exercise and socialization.  These are all great for first time pet owners or as refresher courses where even experienced owners can learn new tricks.

Health Articles
On the main page is a few of the most common pet health articles on the site with a list of thousands more. You can look them up by condition or name and there are more listed than a pet parent would need to read at once.

I really like the layout and information that is available, I think  pet parents will really like this site.
 

Dogs truly are our best friends.

Even when they are bad or sick there is nothing that most of us wouldn't do for our dogs. We love them, spoil them and do our best to take care of them.  However some dogs, like my Mollie are more difficult. Mollie has two habits I have never been able to break: trash and toads.

Mollie is my special girl/best friend for one reason, her always being there for me is why I am still a live functioning person and not an alcoholic or worse.
Like many of us, I came back from Iraq a different person with my own perspective on the war and my own experiences, not all pleasant. I'm not going to delve into them because the blog is about the dogs not me.
Mollie didn't care that I was different when I came back, she didn't judge she just listened and was there. She snuggled up with me on the couch, ran errands or went running with me. When I was overwhelmed she sat with me as I pet her and organized my thoughts in order to get through my day.

That is why me and so may others can function, shes not a certified service dog but she is my dog and she takes care of me.
That's why this week was hard on my heart at the thought that something was terrible wrong and I might lose my Mollie.

Last Monday I fussed at her cause I thought she ate a toad, she was drooling everywhere, listless and wouldn't eat. I got her to drink some milk but even that didn't go far.  On Wednesday she could barely walk and my husband would lift her into the bed to sleep at night  I made her an appointment with the vet for Fri and that day was not coming soon enough.

Friday my husband took her in and the vet said they would have to sedate her and do x-rays that it looked like arthritis or hip dysplasia. That didn't explain the eating thing but we were starting on what we could do.
He left her there since the x-rays weren't going to be done for a few more hours.  That was a long 5 hours and I'm glad that Fridays are busy at work for me.

They returned home shortly after I did with good news. Mollie did not have hip dysplasia and her arthritis is very mild , for an eleven yr old dog she is doing well.

What happened was not a toad but the trash, at some point Mollie tried to eat a rubber-band of some kind and it wrapped around the base of her tongue. It cut the sides of her tongue and caused the drooling I usually associate with her snacking on a toad. It also blocked her from swallowing food leaving her hungry and weak. I have never felt like such a bad Mom in all my life.  The vet found it when he tried to administer the anesthesia.

She is on soft food rest and antibiotics for a while till it heals.
This morning after two filling meals of chicken and rice she was up running and jumping much more like her old self. She is napping more today but that's just fine, she can nap all she wants as long as she's here and healthy withe me.

Because of this every year I participate in the Walk For Those Who Can't for Canines for Service who raise money for service dogs for veterans. With everything my dog gave me please help me share that with others.
Please join CCBTR in Wilmington on March 23, 2013 to help raise money for service dogs.

*Some resources for veterans, their friends and family.
Marine Corps DSTRESS 1-877-476-7734
Veterans Crisis Line 1-800-273-8255
Wounded Warrior Project

And in this corner...... Ginger!

In the beginning.

Ginger arrived from a shelter in SC courtesy of foster mom Tiffin. Ginger loves to accompany her people when they are running errands and she loves, loves, loves long car rides. She was a champ on the 13 hour ride to her foster home.

  

She plays well with her extended family Rat Terrier, Great Dane and Golden Doodle.  Ginger is a healthy, high energy, and loving girl. She loves to play with the resident BT, Doberman, and cat in her foster home. She can play for hours in the back yard with her dog friends and does very well on leash.

Resting after playing with Pork Chop

She would also love to have a fun loving, playful dog like herself and a fenced back yard. However, active people and access to a dog park would be fine with her.

A month later….

All- we have a very sick dog in the ER today-Please keep Ginger in your
thoughts.

Day 1-- Ginger received her annual vaccines when we rescued her unknown to anyone; her body was fighting very hard to metabolize the vaccines. We had no indication that she was ill until she became lethargic. Although Ginger had been under a vet's care since that morning she was not doing well. She was admitted to the ER and had to undergo a blood transfusion and a regiment of medications. The goal is to restore her red blood cell count and get her healthy enough produce and maintain an acceptable level of red blood cells on her own.

They found that Ginger has Hemolytic Anemia. In very rare instances- it is hard for the dog's body to metabolize the vaccines and Hemolytic Anemia results. This is a dangerous condition that left untreated will result in death, but there is no conclusive link between the vaccines and hemolytic anemia.

 Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia

 
This is the most common cause of hemolysis in adult dogs. Red blood cell destruction is caused by auto-antibodies that attack antigens present on the surface of the cells, or by antigens from medications or organisms attached to the red blood cell walls.
 
According to WebMD for dogs, anemia is defined as a deficiency of red blood cells in the circulatory system. Adult dogs are anemic when the concentration of red cells in the whole blood is less than 37% by volume. The normal range is 39-60%. Red cells are produced by the bone marrow and have an average life span of 110 to 120 days; the old red cells are trapped by the spleen and removed from circulation. So, that’s what the spleen does!  The iron they contain is recycled to make new red blood cells, who knew red blood cells were so “green”.

The purpose of red blood cells is to carry oxygen. Thus, the symptoms of anemia are caused by insufficient oxygen in the organs and muscles. Signs include lack of appetite, lethargy and weakness. The mucous membranes of the gums and tongue become pale pink to white. In dogs with severe anemia, the pulse and respiratory rate are rapid and the dog may collapse from exertion.

Day 3-- Ginger had one transfusion and is feeling better.  She is eating well and it show already.  Her foster family met with her primary vet that evening to find out the next step.

I love you

Ginger required a 2nd transfusion since her RBC levels had dropped. Although this is disappointing and not what we hoped for, the doc said it is very common that 2 transfusions are needed. We just hoped that #2 did the trick and she could maintain her levels after this.

Her family visited her around 9 pm while she was in the middle of transfusion #2. Her energy and appetite was still good. Ginger was one of the few dogs in ICU that did NOT have a "will bite" sticker on her nametag.

Her RBC went from 24 that morning to 17 that evening- 30 is the goal. The vet was still hopeful that she would stabilize the following day and that he would call in the morning with an update.  

Oh yea, we snuck treats in with permission, she only took the treats from Turbo. Typical-he is the doggie magnet.

I got an IV and TREATS!

                Day 4— That afternoon Ginger's RBC count was holding at 26% for 12 hours straight!  This great news!  They also said she was eating with "gusto".  The vet said “They will draw blood again around 6pm and if it maintains, she may be released tonight.”

Ginger was holding her own, with a red blood count of 31 that evening, and she got to go home.

Walking out after being carried in

Late night snacks

The last bandage being removed.

The vet on duty tonight had a great name, Dr. Merlo, who told us there is no follow up necessary unless she loses color or gets lethargic again. She is still on a heavy dose of steroids, an immune suppressant and finishes her antibiotics. She may be on medication for the rest of her life.

        Day 5-- Ginger was doing great; her energy, appetite and outgoing personality were restored as before.

I'm home

Day 6-- Ginger went back to the vet this morning to get her blood checked. It is holding steady between 29-30 which is normal. She was doing fine, her stomach was a little upset yesterday, so we tried some canned food and that seemed to work better

Happy in the human bed

Notes:

 Our vet is optimistic that she is young and healthy and IF her RBC drops into the teens again, to try one more transfusion and have the internist take over her case to see if the internist can find the root cause of the auto-immune disorder.  Some tests the internist may do is an ultrasound or a bone marrow test.

         Would Ginger be at risk coming home with all the immune suppressors?   NO, she is not at risk, her platelets are normal and her blood is clotting normally.

For more information on Ginger check out CCBTR.ORG