Your First Pet

So you think you are ready to adopt your first pet?? 

I can tell you from experience that come late winter, early spring, we will receive many requests from people who want to surrender the pets they received over the Holidays.  That cute puppy (or kitten) in the window will grow up.  It will also need training.  It takes a lot of work for someone who is not used to having a pet to take care of. 

 

 

Oh how I remember those days when Mirage first came into my life.  I had always been a cat person and when Merlin (my cat, I told you about him in a previous blog) died my husband decided Codie and I needed another furry friend.  We visited a local pet store, (these were the days before I knew about animal rescues and shelters), and looked around.  As my husband said hello to the puppies out front, I decided to venture in!  There were more puppies inside, along with birds, fish and other critters. I could hear a baby kitten crying and went the other way. I was too heartbroken to look at them.  

While wondering to the back of the shop, I came across 6 or so stalls.  Each stall had 10 to 15 puppies of all sizes. They were barking and jumping, all wanted to say hi to me. I pet a couple of them as I walked down the aisle.  Well in the last stall there were about 10 puppies jumping up trying to get my attention.  As I approached the last stall of puppies begging for my attention I noticed a little white ball of fluff just lying there ignoring the other puppies.

About this time the owner came through and tossed a large scoop of food into the floor of each stall. The puppies went crazy trying to gobble up all the food and anything else that was lying on the floor. I don't think the floors had been cleaned in quite some time.

During all this commotion, the little white ball of fluff just lifted its head and watched. I went to the as far down the aisle as I could to the back of that stall and called out "Hello baby. Aren't you hungry?"  Those little brown eyes locked onto mine and I gently called for her to come to me. She was very scared and tentative, but slowly walked over to me. I reached down to pet her and the next thing I knew she was in my arms!  I never put her back down. I went to find my husband and he said "I thought you were a cat person?"

As I was holding her, tears were just flowing down my face. My heart had started to heal the minute I picked her up! That little white ball of fluff was just too good to be true and so we named her Mirage.

 

Being a cat person, I had never had to train a puppy before.  Cats are pretty self-sufficient, independent, and don’t need to be taken outside several times a day to go potty.  The first few months were very stressful for all of us.  It is a lot for anyone to handle, especially someone who has never had pets before.  Remember this when you decide to get a pet for yourself or for your loved one.

Believe it or not, most purchases in pet stores or adoptions in shelters are impulse buys.  You didn’t go into the store or shelter to buy or adopt a pet, you just wanted to see what they had and then that one adorable little face catches your attention and the next thing you know you are walking out with your new pet.  You had no idea what that impulse would turn into. 

Now that you have your new pet you have to buy all the supplies that go with owning that pet.  This in itself can be quite an expensive procedure.  Kennel, food, bedding, potty training materials, food and water bowls, training, medical expenses (health check & vaccinations), spaying and/or neutering, grooming, etc…  The ASPCA has this chart on their website giving you the average cost for the first year of pet ownership for a variety of pets.

As I said earlier, we rescued Mirage from a pet store.  This was before we knew anything about animal rescues.  Because of Mirage, we learned a lot.  Mirage was from a commercial breeder and had some major long term health issues.  She was 8 months old when we found her. 

I say we rescued her, because if we had not bought her, she was going to be sent back to the commercial breeder to have more puppies.  This inspired us to do research on commercial breeders.  It was not pretty.  If you do get a dog from a breeder, do your research and visit their home and see if you can meet the mother and father if possible.  If a breeder won’t let you go to their home or meet the mother, then steer clear of them.  The American Kennel Club (AKC) can always give you a reference to a reputable breeder.

 

Got off topic again there…sorry about that.  One thing to consider before getting your first pet is the number of pets in shelters and rescues looking for new homes.  Think about fostering a pet so that you can see the amount of time and attention they will need before actually adopting one yourself.  This is especially beneficial if you are interested in a specific breed.  Most breed specific rescues are desperate for foster homes.  They can also educate you on the breed and help you find the perfect pet to join your family. 

 

By the way…this goes for dogs, cats and other animals.  Of course there are more breed specific rescues for dogs, but there are some for cats and other animals as well.  The American Kennel Club has a listing on their site for breed specific rescues.  They also have information on hundreds of breeds of dogs.  If there is a breed you are interested in, this is a great place to start.

Here are a couple links to cat rescues.  The Purebred Cat Breed Rescue  group and Fancy Cats are two that I have heard of.  If you are interested in a specific breed of cat, you could do a search.  For example Ragdoll cats…This is a wonderful breed and there is a rescue for them.  Then there is my personal favorite, Siamese Cat Rescue.  My Merlin was a Lynx Point Siamese.

There are also many other animal rescues out there.  Anything from birds, potbelly pigs, horses, and even reptiles…you can find a rescue for just about any type of animal.  Just search the net to find them.

I always recommend you do your research before getting a pet.  Make sure you know what kind of care they are going to need and what supplies you are going to need.  It will be an adjustment having this new life that you are responsible for.  I would say a good 6 months for an adjustment period.  At times it will be difficult, but oh so worth it in the end.

Be Well & Be Happy,

Pet~Pourri

Need a 2013 Reskie Tails Calendar??

Help Support American Eskimo Dog Rescue and Sanctuary of Iowa by purchasing a 2013 Reskie Tails Calendar.

 

 

Get them on eBay at this link:   http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=221166104189

On Etsy at this link:  https://www.etsy.com/listing/16229660/2013-american-eskimo-dog-calendar-aedrsi

Or on our website at this link:  http://www.eskiedog.org/2012_American_Eskimo_Dog_Calendar.htm

I know the eskiedog site says 2012 calendar, but the order will be for the 2013 calendar.  We have not had time to update it yet.  :)

Pet Gift Giving

 

 

Do you buy Christmas gifts for your pets?? 

Around the rescue our pups do get Christmas goodies every year.  They also get a special Christmas dinner that is sponsored by a couple different donors.  We video tape each dog eating their special Christmas dinner while we tell folks about that dog and what they have done since they have been with us.  We post them on YouTube for everyone to see.  People just love seeing the pups in the rescue being spoiled for one day.  They track the progress of each dog as the years go by.  It is really a fun tradition…and we have wonderful donors that sponsor this each year.

 

Well…that went off tangent.  J Back to my original question…do you buy holiday gifts for your pets??  Do you wrap them and put them under the tree or do you have a stocking for your pet??

Did you know that 7 out of 10 pet owners will buy gifts for their pets??  This percentage has risen from 66% to 78% in the last 10 years.  Most (70%) of those gifts purchased are for your pets stocking.  More women buy gifts for their pets than men and most of those are between the ages of 35 and 54.  Of course the most popular gifts are treats and toys. 

 

According to Time Magazine, Americans spend $5 Billion annually on gifts for their pets…an estimated $210 Million just during the Holiday season.  Our research has also found that most pet gift purchases are impulse buys and people spend an average of $10.  This article also mentions industry trends researched by the American Pet Products Association.  According to them, Americans will spend $52.9 Billion on their pets this year.  This includes food, supplies, vet care, etc…

More and more pets are becoming an important part of people’s lives.  More and more people are treating them as a part of the family.  I recently read an article about Fiona Apple.  She postponed the South American part of her tour just so that she could stay home with her dying pit-bull Janet.  She wrote a long letter to her fans that moved me to tears.  She stated ““I will not be the woman who puts her career ahead of love and friendship.” The singer asks her fans to understand, “I just can’t leave her now…If I go away again, I’m afraid she’ll die and I won’t have the honor of singing her to sleep, of escorting her out.”” 

 

Our pets help us in so many ways.  They listen with an unbiased ear, they show compassion, they keep our secrets, and they show us unconditional love.  Why not give them a little something to brighten up their lives and show them how much we love them?? 

Be Well & Be Happy,

Pet~Pourri

What Kind of Pet

So...I wanted to write some specialty posts...research...on specific pets.  If you could get any kind of pet you wanted...what would it be??  Is there any kind of pet you are curious about??  Let me know and I will do some research and post blogs about them.  I would like this blog to cover a wide variety of animals.  So let me know what you would like to see.

 

Pet Treats

 

 

There has been a lot of concern lately regarding imported pet treats.  I’ve been doing a little research on this issue.  Most of the concern is regarding chicken jerky treats processed overseas.  There have been thousands of pet illnesses reported after feeding these treats to pets.  Over 360 dogs and one cat have died.  The common factor in these illnesses and deaths is the fact that the owners fed their pets’ chicken jerky treats. 

The FDA was asked in 2007 to investigate the instances.  The most recent report published by the FDA states “No specific products have been recalled. However, if the FDA identifies the cause, or a recall is initiated, the Agency will notify the public.”  They also state “The FDA is reminding pet owners that jerky pet treats are not necessary for pets to have a fully balanced diet, so eliminating them will not harm pets. Commercially produced pet food, which is very safe, contains all of the nutrients that pets need.” 

I’ve also done some research on how products are labeled.  What are the requirements for something to be labeled as ‘Made in the USA’?  What does it mean when something is labeled as ‘Distributed by’ or ‘Manufactured by’??  Here is what I found out. 

 

In order to be labeled as ‘Made in the USA’, a product must be “all or virtually all” made in the U.S.  They must also be advertised or sold in the U.S.  The only products where the amount of the product that was made in the U.S. must be disclosed are automobiles, textile, wool, and fur products. 

Products labeled as ‘manufactured for’ or ‘distributed by’ are products made by one company for another company.  An example of this would be private label items, such as the Hy-Vee Brand dog treats.  The company listed on the label is the company that is responsible for any issues with that product.

Now what I think is of a great concern is that even if a product is manufactured in the U.S., not all ingredients have to come from the U.S.  The labeling rules do not say that country of origin for each ingredient must be listed.  Therefore, the ingredients could come from anywhere, but as long as the product is made in the U.S., it can be labeled as such.  So there is no guarantee that your treats are 100% free of foreign ingredients unless you find out who manufactures the treats and can find out from them where their ingredients come from.

Let me also state that foreign pet treats can come from many different countries, none of which have the strict quality standards of the FDA.  The US has also had its fair share of issues.  So…What can you do to make sure your pets are safe??  Be aware of where the treats you choose to give your pets are made…this means all ingredients. 

Seeing as I work for the company, I have to put in a plug for Hy-Vee Brand pet food and treats.  They are manufactured in the US by a company called Propet, LLC.  They use locally grown materials in their food and treats, so we can be assured that they are 100% Made in the USA.

 

 

One way to be absolutely sure that your pets are getting healthy treats is to make your own.  This is easier that it sounds, and really not that time consuming. 

We have a volunteer that makes Aunt Kat’s treats for our rescue dogs and as a fundraiser for our rescue.  She has experimented with making her own Chicken Jerky.  Here is her recipe:

Aunt Kat’s Chicken Jerky

·        Boneless chicken breast (wait for the big sale)

·        Slice about ¼” thick.
·        Place flat on cookie sheet that has been sprayed with nonstick product.
·        You can sprinkle with a little salt or spice that your dogs like.
·        Bake 200 -250 degrees for 2.5 – 3 hours.  Take out earlier if oven is cooking too fast.
·        Cool and place in container in refrigerator.  Will last 2 weeks if you are lucky. (depends on doggie dosage)

 

These have been tested and approved by our rescue & sanctuary dogs.  J

If you feel that the food or treat you have given your pet is responsible for causing their illness, the FDA has provided information on How to Report a Pet Food Complaint.  This page will tell you exactly what information the FDA will need in order to investigate your claim.

Always remember though…a Treat is just that…a Treat.  They are not meant to be the main staple of your pets diet and should be given out in moderation.

Be Well & Be Happy,

Pet~Pourri

Holiday Stress & Pets

 The Holidays are just around the corner.  The hustle and bustle of the season of shopping, wrapping, visiting, and eating will begin.  I thought this might be a good time to remind you to consider your pets during your holiday planning. 

The big one is….no matter just how cute that puppy (or kitten, or birdie, or bunny, etc…) in the window is…the holiday season is NOT the time to bring a new pet into your family.  If you really want to get your loved one a pet, get them a gift certificate for the value of the pet.  Then your loved one will be able to pick out exactly what they want.  You could also put together an ‘adoption kit’ with items a new pet owner will need. 

 

One thing to consider is the number of pets in shelters and rescues looking for new homes.  Many shelters and rescues offer gift certificates.  You could also think about fostering a pet.  That way you can see the amount of time and attention they will need before actually adopting one yourself. 

You should also wait till all the activity settles down so that the pet can be introduced into the home in a calm, normal situation.  Your new pet is already going to be stressed about being introduced into a new home, imagine the added stress of all the holiday activities in your home.  Don’t deny it, you are also stressed out during that time of year.  Wait to bring home your new bundle of joy until after the holidays are over.

 

If you already have pets in your home, you will also need to consider their safety and stress level the holidays provide for them.  I can’t tell you how many times Merlin, my cat, knocked over my Christmas tree before I finally bolted it to a board.  I lived in an apartment and only had a 4’ tree, but he loved to climb up inside the branches, which made it even more top heavy and over it would go.  I also had to keep my precious and fragile ornaments off the tree or they wouldn’t last. 

 

When we got a larger tree, after Merlin passed away, my rescue dogs loved to walk under it.  All the lower branches were covered with dog fur.  I had to make sure not to hang any of my fragile or precious ornaments on the lower branches because of this.  So my recommendation is to anchor your tree in some manner.

If you have cats, Do Not Put Tinsel on your tree.  Cats will play with it and eat it.  If they eat the tinsel, it could cause a blockage in their intestines.  I’ve heard many a horror story of cats and tinsel, so please if you have a cat, don’t use tinsel on your tree.  Imagine this getting caught up in your cats intestines…(caution…if this does happen to your cat, do not pull the tinsel out.  It could get tangled in their intestines.  Take your cat to the vet to have it removed safely).

If you will be having guests staying at your home, please ask them not to leave any kind of medication laying open in their suitcase or anywhere your pets can get into it.  There are many emergency vet visits over the holidays with pets having eaten a guests medication.  Also make sure you show them where you keep your pet approved treats and advise them how often your pets are given treats.  I told you in my Halloween Blog to make sure and keep any candy out of your pets reach.  Supervise children while they are eating candy to make sure your pet does not help themselves.  Also please advise your guests not to feed your pets from the table.  You can make sure your pet gets an extra treat for the holidays, but please ask your guests to refrain. 

 

If you decorate your house with real mistletoe and Holly, please make sure they are in places where your pets cannot get to them.  These are poisonous to pets.  Holly can cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.  Mistletoe can cause cardiovascular problems and gastrointestinal problems.  Lilies and Poinsettias are also toxic to your pets.

 

Remember the movie, Christmas Vacation??  Remember the cat that ate the Christmas tree lights??  Enough Said…

 

You should also watch alcoholic beverages around your pets.  One of my dogs, Mirage, actually got drunk at a party we attended one summer.  We were all sitting outside and I was drinking a glass of wine.  I would set it down beside my chair while eating and visiting.  I kept thinking, darn, I’m drinking this fast.  Then I notice Mirage helping herself to my glass.  She quite literally could not walk straight.  We carried her up the stairs and she wobbled around stumbling.  She had to lean on the wall to walk down the hallway.  We were laughing because it was so funny…until she got very sick.  Poor baby was sick the whole next day.  She couldn’t stand the smell of wine after that though.  Our vet told us she could have had alcohol poisoning.  So be very careful with your pets and alcohol.

 

It might also be helpful to have a room where you can put your pets when things get a little too stressful for them.  Give them some quiet time throughout the holiday season. 

Here’s hoping you have a very safe and happy Holiday Season.

Be Well & Be Happy,

Pet~Pourri

 

 

 

 

 

Halloween Fun

Are you dressing your four legged children up for Halloween this year?  What will they be??  Here are some of mine from past years.

Sophia as Marilyn Monroe

Jahmbi as a Witch

Little Maggie as a Princess

Sam E as Harry Potter

Lady Gwenivere as Lady Gwenivere

I did see some really cool costumes online.  I think this is my favorite and it just goes to show you that pet costumes are not limited to dogs and cats.  LOL

Here is another really good one.  Gives me the chills.

Be Well & Be Happy,
Pet~Pourri

The Great Iowa Pet Expo - A Review

This past weekend was the Great Iowa Pet Expo.  This is an event held annually to promote the health and well being of our companion animals.  The goal is to educate the public on the importance of spaying and neutering your pets and to provide regular veterinary care.  It also is a place to see all the new pet innovations, products, and services out there.  I arrived at 10am and stayed till 2pm and could have gone back to see more. 

 

The very first thing we smelled, err, I mean saw when we walked in were the Alpaca’s.  North River Alpacas were there with several of their herd.  They are located in Norwalk, IA and have a herd of about 33 Alpaca’s.  They raise Alpaca’s for their fleece or fiber which is spun into ‘wool’ and made into various products.  Their fiber is lighter and warmer than wool from sheep. 

Alpaca’s originally come from Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, and Chile in South America.  They are smaller than Llamas and are not ‘beasts of burden’ like Llama’s are.  They were bred specifically for their fiber.  Here is what they look like before and after shearing.

 

There is so much information I learned about them so I have included a link to their Wikipedia site.  Alpacas do not make good ‘pets’.  They don’t like to be touched unless there is food involved.  They are independent like cats and most prefer to be left alone with their heard mates. 

The next thing I saw was a young lady named Emily Freel giving a lecture on the joys of Skunks as Pets.  Meet Lily.

 

Lily was a lovely bashful little creature and her fur was extremely soft.  She smelled good too.  J  Pet skunks usually have their scent glands removed when they are about 4 weeks old…although not everyone agrees with this practice and it is illegal in the UK.  Believe it or not, there are folks out there who Love skunk odor.
 

Emily gave a wonderful talk about skunks as pets and answered several audience questions.  If you are interested in having a skunk as a pet here are some websites for you to look at:

www.skunkhaven.net

www.stripedbandits.com
www.petskunks.co.uk

And of course there were the most typical pets featured.  Dogs galore, cats, birds, and reptiles.  The two major rescues, Animal Rescue League, and Animal Lifeline were well represented.  There were also many other breed specific rescues represented.

 

·        Des Moines Dachshund Playgroup

·        Great Plains Pointer Rescue

·        Heartland Greyhound Adoption

·        Iowa Weimaraner Rescue

·        IA/NE Italian Greyhound Rescue

·        MidAmerican Boston Terrier Rescue

·        MidAmerican Rottweiler Rescue

·        Northern Plains Boxer Rescue

·        Retrieve a Golden of Minnesota

·        Upper Midwest Great Dane Rescue

Other animal rescues included were:

·        Iowa Friends of Companion Animals

·        Mid America Cage Bird Society

·        St. Francis Foundation for Pets

·        Heinz57 Rescue & Transport Services

And of course there was every product imaginable under the sun for you and your pets.  I got myself a new hat - Pink Camo, Leopard Print, and Rhinestone Paw prints.  What more could a girl ask for.  J  I got this from Witchwynds Designs.  They have all kinds of pet lovers apparel.

 

You can also dress your pet to the nines with Precious Petwear.  Handmade and embroidered items for your pets.  Interested, contact Joyce at jaappelgate@aol.com

A growing pet related industry is pet cemeteries, funeral homes and memorial services.  It seems that more and more people are having a hard time parting with their beloved pets and instead of burying them in the back yard are having them cremated and keeping the ashes.

A local company is called Loving Rest Pet Funeral Home.  This is where we have the pups that pass away here at the rescue cremated.  We always have a private cremation and bring their ashes home with us.

 

Another company that was featured at the Expo this year was Infinity Urns.  They offer many types of pet urns, portion urns, and urn jewelry for pet owners.  They offer some beautiful items

 

Then of course there are the pet services and supplies.  Scooper Troopers has their booth and their dog Cash there every year. 

They specialize in pet waste removal.  If you have more than one dog, you know removing their waste from your yard is a must.  Not just because you don’t want to step in land mines, but also because of health issues. 

Then there were the stain remover products.  Most of us have heard of Nature’s Miracle.  There was another product there called Urine Off.  From the tests they did there, it seemed to work.  A friend of mine purchased some of the product.  Once she uses it and can give me feedback, I will let you know how it works.

A couple other products I found interesting and useful were from the Essential Needs booth.  They had a “Cool Pooch” Water Bottle.  There is a ‘bowl’ at the top with a separate ‘straw’ for you.  You squeeze the bottle and water flows into the bowl for your dog to drink from.  No backwash into the bottle so the water you drink stays fresh and clean.

Then there was an all-natural pesticide for fleas and ticks called bugRIGHT.  It is made with diatomaceous earth and essential oils.  I know from my research on fleas that this combination of ingredients has is a natural and safe way to get rid of pests.  My friend also purchased some of this, so as soon as I get some feedback, I will let you know how well it works.

There was another vendor there selling all different kinds of Elk Antler Dog Treats.  All the reviews and feedback I’ve heard about Elk Antlers have been positive.  These are a safe and natural product to give your dogs to chew on.  Of course nothing beats a good old stick.  J

 

 

Here are some more photos I took at this event.  We really had a great time and hope to see you at next year’s Expo.