Etiquette Classes Exclusively for Bully Breeds

Treat ’em Right Rescue is hosting a series of good manners classes specifically designed for bully breeds–AmStaffs, pits, English and American bulldogs, bull terriers and mixes of those types of breeds. Classes start February 4, 2010, at 7:00 p.m. and will be held every Thursday night. And the best part?! It’s only 5 bucks per class! Best value in the city!

Register online and see the gear you need to bring.

Free Puppy Training Workshop

Both Houston Rover Oaks locations are holding a puppy workshop to address some typically puppy issues. And they’re free! But you do have to RSVP. Info below.

Did the holidays bring a new bundle of joy into your home?  New puppies are a wonderful addition….especially if they grow up to be well-mannered, obedient and social companions. Rover Oaks Pet Resort is delighted to offer a free Puppy Workshop on January 23 at both of our locations to help you and your new puppy start off on the right foot (or paw). 
 
The workshop will present important information on topics such as:
Successful potty training
Crate training for your puppy
Preventing or solving bad behaviors (chewing, biting, excessive barking)
When and how to begin basic obedience skills
Socialization with other dogs
Getting your puppy comfortable with grooming
 
The Puppy Workshop will be held at both Rover Oaks locations on January 23 from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m.  Most important, these workshops are free!  So don’t miss this opportunity. And you can bring a friend (or send them this email) if they have a new puppy, too.  However, please note that this workshop is only for pet owners — not your cute puppies — since some pets may not have completed the appropriate level of vaccinations.
 
RSVP TODAY since space is limited.  Call Rover Oaks Houston at (713) 662-2119 or Rover Oaks Katy at (281) 693-7687 and select option 4 to reach the Training Department.

I’ve worked with the trainers at the Houston location. Good experience. Visit the Rover Oaks Pet Resort web site.

Red or Blue–There’s One for You

I was looking at my blog stats and one of the biggest drivers of traffic are the search terms related to heeler/Australian Cattle Dog rescue.

It just so happens, I have connections! Texas Cattle Dog Rescue (TCDR) rescues and adopts out blue heelers, red heelers, Queensland heelers and Australian Cattle Dogs. TCDR rescues dogs from city and county shelters throughout Texas. They find new, loving homes all across the state for these incredibly loyal and intelligent dogs.

If you’re a heeler fan, this is a great resource. Check out the TCDR brochure.

Dealing with Emergency Vet Bills

This Thanksgiving, through the tears, I gave thanks for having my wonderful rescued golden retriever, Bailey, in my life for the past nine years. Sadly, she died suddenly from cancer.

The end for Bailey was at an emergency hospital after exams, procedures and ultrasounds. (Program the name/number of a 24/7 pet hospital into your phone. Seriously, you never know when you may need it. The one I’ve used is VERGI.) Emergency hospitals are not cheap. Fortunately, I had the money to cover these expenses, but I’m sure many would not.

There are some things you can do to better prepare for emergencies. I came across an article today about dealing with unexpected vet expenses. One idea mentioned is pet health insurance. This was not something I had for Bailey. After incurring expenses for her care over her life, I decided pet health insurance would be a good move for my younger dog. I did a lot of comparisons and selected Embrace Pet Insurance. (Some day I’ll do a post specifically dedicated to pet care costs and insurance!) I haven’t had to use it yet, but like my own health insurance–it’s good to know it’s there.

Costs can be managed. Make sure you have a good relationship with a quality veterinarian. Also, take a look at my list of Houston-area low-cost vet clinics and financial assistance for petcare emergencies.

Get this Soldier’s Dog Home

I’ve seen several stories like this–a dog befriended by a soldier. This dog is name Delilah and this soldier is from Houston and part of the Texas National Guard. They’re so lose to their goal of just $4200 to get Delilah to Houston. Five bucks. It’ll make a difference. Let’s bring them home!

Proof that Shelter Dogs Rule

Here I am, sitting in front of my computer researching. Researching any possible opportunity for my shelter foster dog, Raleigh. She’s a wonderful house dog and fun companion—that is until you introduce a cat, go on a walk or see a squirrel. Then she becomes a tornadic terror. Yeah, she has an issue or two. But one on one—what a great dog.

So I’m belaboring this problem and the possible solutions and I came across this wonderful story about shelter dogs and people dedicated to them. I think I’ll stop bitching about Raleigh for a while.

Milk Replacement, Bottles Needed at BARC

I just received an email from a fellow BARC volunteer. BARC‘s volunteers and fosters need dog and cat milk replacement and bottles for some of the shelter’s bottle babies. Here are the details from her email:

BARC needs a supply of cat milk and dog milk replacement and appropriate bottles for feeding kittens and puppies.  BARC employees and some non-employee, new fosters have been stepping up to foster bottle feeder puppies and kittens for a few days (sometimes much longer) to give the rest of us a little time to try to find them a longer-term foster situation.  We need to be able to hand the caretaker a few cans or cartons of ready-to-use (not powdered) milk replacement, a bottle, and nipples to get them started.

So, here is what is needed:

1.  Cartons or cans of ready-to-use cat milk replacement for kittens with expiration dates as far out as possible.  Please, no powdered milk replacement because much of it is wasted when the foster is only fostering one or two animals.  Also, no Whiskas brand since that is advertised as a treat for cats, not as a nutritional substitute for mom’s milk. 

2.  Small, plastic bottles like those sold at Petco, Petsmarts, feed stores, etc. specifically for feeding small animals such as kittens.  Please do not bring used bottles/nipples.

3.  Cartons or cans of ready-to-use dog milk replacement for puppies with expiration dates as far out as possible.  Please, no powdered milk replacement because much of it is wasted when the foster is only fostering one or two animals.

4.  Plastic baby bottles and nipples to use with puppies.  Experienced puppy fosters tell me that human baby bottles are better than those marketed specifically as bottles for puppies.  Please do not bring used bottles/nipples.

BARC is also in need of hand and bath towels, dog shampoo and litter trays for cats (cardboard box bottoms–like what cat food comes in).

Can you help? If so, please take these items to BARC at 3200 Carr St., Houston, TX 77026. Public hours are Monday through Friday 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday noon-4:00 p.m.

Save 2 Bucks on Nylabones

Just found this coupon for $2 off Nylabone. My dogs love the “Souper” size–they chew then down to a small nub with a sharp point. I always wonder if they’re trying to make weapons…

Taking Responsibility

I’m used to people asking me for help about what to do with a stray animal. I do what I can to provide resources and options.

But WTF is up with this? A woman I work with came to me “because I like dogs” to ask what her son should do with his pit bull he doesn’t want anymore. (BTW–her son is a college educated kid and she’s a professional.) Apparently the dog is chewing everything up and is about to go into heat and they can’t take it. But she added that the dog is really nice and not vicious. I told her they could take the the dog to the shelter, but she’ll likely be euthanized, if they’re OK with that. She said “You know, it’s funny, last night I took her out beyond our neighborhood and dumped her. But this morning, there she was in the driveway. Can you believe that?” Uh, yeah, I can.

I’m so mad I think I could throw up. I can’t even look at her but feel inclined to email her the definition of responsibility.

Fuck, people! Does no one have the balls to deal with the problems they create?! If you don’t provide the proper care and attention to your pets, there’s no one to blame for their behavior other than you. So that means it’s your responsibility to deal with it. And if that means you have to turn them over to a shelter, then grow a pair and do it. There are consequences for every action. Take responsibility.

The Hairless Dog

Do dogs just seek me out? I was fixing my fence that had been tagged over the weekend when a dog walked up and stared at me. He has less than half his hair, isn’t neutered, has several sores and is underweight. Dammit.

I’d seen him in the neighborhood over a week ago—but at that time he wanted nothing to do with me. Well, not yesterday. Yesterday, I was his best friend. He gladly let me put a leash on him, feed and water him, and put him in the garage.

After about an hour, I went out to check on him and he’d busted out of the garage (if you saw my crappy-ass garage, you’d see just how easy that would be). I walked down the street and found him and he happily followed me back home. I put him in a crate in the garage, gave him more food, a treat and a Benedryl and went to bed—thinking about what I’d do in the morning.

Well, morning came and I decided to take him to my vet. If mange was his only issue (and likely heartworms) and he was young, I’d treat him and try to find him a home. If he was an old dog and had a long list of ailments, I decided I’d put him down and end what must be pure agony.

Well, other than being extremely unattractive, he’s a nice boy and young and in pretty OK shape. He has demodectic mange, which I’ve read about but don’t really have experience with. So the vet is treating his mange and hanging on to him for now.

He looks like he’s probably mostly black with white feet. He’s tall and maybe a lab/pit mix, but even the vet couldn’t tell. Because of the hair loss, he just looks like a really wrinkly, old fart dog. We’ll see how he progresses.