Sadly, too many of these high-energy pets end up in shelters, abandoned through no fault of their own, because the owners weren’t aware of this simple issue: high energy in pets, just like in kids, must be managed/burned off first in order for the pet to be able to focus, listen to you, and behave. Without this simple management tool, you fail your pet and put his life in jeopardy if you end up surrendering him to a shelter. Shelters typically classify high-energy pets as unadoptable and end up euthanizing them. So listen up – the fix is simple and immediate and makes everyone’s life better!

It’s so simple and easy to manage your pet’s high energy, if you understand the difference between “suppressing” your pet’s high energy and “burning it off.” Consider this — have you traveled on a really long flight, and well into the flight you find yourself getting antsy? Your legs begin to twitch, your feet tap, you constantly shift position in your seat? That’s built-up energy, an actual physical thing, not a made-up saying. Can you convince yourself to ignore the twitching and just sit still? Of course not. Built-up energy needs to be managed, not ignored or suppressed. You have to get up and move around, shake it off, literally burn it off, before you can go back to your seat and sit quietly, comfortably, and focused.

Look at young kids – without regular exercise and physical activity, they get antsy, wiggly, and what happens then? Well, if the parents just order them to “sit still” or “be quiet,” they can’t. The kids begin to act out and get into trouble. It’s not because they want to get into trouble; it’s because they are being controlled by pent-up, unmanaged energy. It’s actually not their fault. It’s the parents’ job to help manage/diffuse their kids’ pent-up energy. And, generally, drugs are not the answer. It’s a simple biological issue — just get them active and burn off the energy. Likewise, for pets, it’s the owners’ job to manage the pets’ level of energy to keep the pet in a better state of behavior, focus, and comfort.

The body’s energy cannot be just ignored; the body continues producing more and more energy, and the energy keeps piling up inside, energy on top of energy. The ONLY way to eliminate all this increasing energy is to physically work it off. It’s the same with animals; except animals can’t rationalize that, so it’s all on the owners to take charge of this issue.

Regular small bursts of exercise is the answer. One or two or more times a day, 20-30 minute bursts of activity are all that’s needed to diffuse excess built-up energy. With the excess high energy burned away, you and your pet can both relax and de-stress better. Your pet becomes more focused and trainable, and you become more at ease and patient.

Another benefit of managing your pet’s energy is that, once the built-up energy is diffused, your pet will be able to focus better on you and actually hear you and absorb training. You’ll have an infinitely better behaved pet if you make exercise a regular part of your routine. And not just a leisurely stroll down the driveway or a quick pottie break in the back yard, but an actual 20-30 minutes of vibrant activity – a run around the block, fetch with his favorite kong toy, swimming in the pool, etc.

Or, if weather prevents you from getting outside, you can still play inside – tag up and down the halls, wrestling on the bed, tug of war with a rope toy, climbing up and down the stairs, etc. Get creative – whatever gets his heart rate up and circulation going for 20-30 minutes will help burn off the energy. One, two, even three or more times a day depending on your pet’s energy level. No big marathon runs or workouts needed. You’ll find these daily little bursts of activity are lifesavers – you and your pet will both be so much happier and relaxed. Burning off energy also burns off tension, stress, and anxiety. Everyone wins!

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God Bless and Happy Pet Parenting!

With love and good wishes,
jeannie.   

About jeannie:  I’ve been pro-actively involved in pet rescue all of my life. I founded Milagro Senior Pet Refuge© (Phoenix) in 1998, and BareFootPets (TM) in 2008.  Animal welfare has always been and will always be my heart’s work. If my only legacy is that I save a handful of precious souls that would not survive otherwise, I’m good with that.

The post Take Control Of Your Pet’s High Energy appeared first on BareFootPets.

Too Hot For Your Feet? Then It’s Too Hot For Hers Too.

Don’t make your dog walk on it. Simple as that.

Avoid Midday and Evening Walks When The Pavement Is Most Hot.

While we’re on the subject of “too hot,” you also should be very careful about what time of day you walk your pooch. In the heat of Summer, your little Precious can suffer heat stroke very quickly if you’re not paying attention. Get in the habit of waking a half hour earlier in the mornings so you can walk her before the sun is all the way up. Early morning is WAY better than evenings because the pavement has cooled down overnight and won’t scorch her little paws. If you walk in the evenings, don’t be fooled. Sure, the sun’s not bearing down on you, but the pavement hasn’t cooled down yet. It’s still giving off all the day’s heat and her little feet can still be burned. To know for sure, test your own bare foot. A good tip to know–asphalt can be way hotter than cement. Stay on the sidewalks or grass and avoid asphalt at all costs. Always take water with you and give her some as often as she’ll take it.

Booties ~ What A Great Idea!

A novel and very effective idea to protect your lovebug’s feet from hot or cold pavement is booties ~ you can buy them online or at any pet supply store; a great, fun little investment in your pet’s good health. Check out little Layla’s pink booties above. Adorable or what! The bottoms are a good solid rubber that doesn’t let heat or cold through.   🙂

Alternative To Walking Outdoors.

The best way to protect your pet’s health is to find somewhere INDOORS to walk her when the weather is too hot or too cold. Lowes, Home Depot, Petsmart, Petco for example. These are all ideal pet-friendly places – temperature controlled, safe from outdoor natural predators, and they encourage your pooch to interact with people and socialize. Your dog will LOVE you for it.  🙂

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God Bless and Happy Pet Parenting!

With love and good wishes,
jeannie.   ?

About jeannie:  I’ve been pro-actively involved in pet rescue all of my life. I founded Milagro Senior Pet Refuge© (Phoenix) in 1998, and BareFootPets (TM) in 2008.  Animal welfare has always been and will always be my heart’s work. If my only legacy is that I save a handful of precious souls that would not survive otherwise, I’m good with that.

The post Pavement Too Hot For Her Tootsies? appeared first on BareFootPets.

Foxtail Plants: How to Find Them on Dogs and Why They’re So Dangerous

By Christina Fernandez, DVM, DACVECC on Jun. 30, 2020

Foxtail plants are a weed-type grass that can cause serious problems for dogs.

Flourishing in the summer months, the seeds from these annoying weeds are designed to burrow into the ground. If they attach to your pet’s coat and burrow into the skin, this can lead to pain, infection, and sometimes more serious issues. Foxtails can also be inhaled, lodged in the ears, swallowed, and embedded in the paws.

Luckily, there are things you can do to try to keep your dog safe from the dangers of foxtails. Here’s a breakdown of what the foxtail plant is and why it’s dangerous for your dog.

What Is a Foxtail? What Do Foxtails Look Like?

Foxtails—also called grass seed awns, mean seeds, timothy, cheatgrass, June grass, Downy Brome, or other local names—are an annual summer grass. They start growing in spring and are in full bloom by summer. They will then die during the winter.

Shaped like the tail of a fox, the tip has seeds arranged in spikey clusters with backward-facing barbs.¹ The spikes and barbs allow for one-way burrowing, which is great news for the foxtail but bad news for dogs.

Here are some pictures of a foxtail plant:

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Here are pictures of the dangerous foxtail awns:

_{Shown: Common wheat grass awns / Image credit: Smith Veterinary Hospital} 

_{Shown: Brittle grass awn breaking into smaller pieces / Image credit: FloridaGrasses.org}

Where Are Foxtails Found?

Foxtails can be found anywhere in the United States but are most common in the West. They are most often found in these places:

• Hiking trails
• Parks
• Flatlands
• Meadows
• Open grassy fields

While they are less common in urban areas, they can still be found in areas where grass is allowed to grow uncontrolled.

When the weather is warm, the foxtail dries out and hitches a ride on anything passing by, including dogs. This hitchhiking behavior is important for foxtail seed dispersal.¹

Why Are Foxtails Dangerous for Dogs?

Foxtails can attach to any part of your dog’s body and start the burrowing process. This commonly includes:²

• Eyes
• Eyelids
• Ears
• Nostrils
• Mouth
• Spaces between the toes (in the paw pads)

In some cases, foxtails can burrow through the skin, finding their way into the spine or chest and belly cavities. Once inside, the foxtail continues to burrow, bringing bacteria and dirt along with it.

This can lead to much more serious conditions because internal organs may be affected. The foxtail will continue to cause problems until it is removed.

In some cases, advanced diagnostic tests and procedures may be required to identify and remove the foxtail.

What Are the Signs That a Dog Has Foxtails on Them?

If you live in an area where foxtails are abundant, here are some signs you can look for:

• Head shaking
• Limping
• Pawing at the face
• Snorting
• Sneezing
• Bloody nose
• Excessive licking of an area on the body

Other signs can show up one to several days later. These may include:

• Lumps
• Bumps
• Draining tracts
• Areas of redness or tenderness
• Inflammation
• Lethargy
• Depression
• Decreased appetite

In the worst case scenarios, an embedded foxtail can make it to vital organs, including the lungs, spinal cord or brain, heart, and abdominal organs, causing symptoms specific to that organ. In very bad cases, surgery may be required to remove foxtails or treat infection resulting from embedded foxtails.

How to Remove Foxtails From a Dog

Early removal of the foxtail is important. If you live in a foxtail-prone area, ALWAYS check your dog after being outside.

If you see a foxtail on your dog’s fur or skin, you can attempt to remove it with tweezers.

If you are seeing any of the signs listed above or signs that a foxtail has penetrated the skin or entered an opening on your dog’s body, bring your dog to the vet. This includes the ears, nose, or mouth.

Trying to remove the foxtail yourself from a body cavity may result in an incomplete removal, with pieces of the foxtail still embedded in your dog’s skin and ready to burrow deeper. Foxtails can travel a great distance through body cavities, so it’s important that the full foxtail is removed.

How to Prevent Foxtails From Injuring Your Dog

There are a few ways you can avoid foxtails and keep your dog safe.

• Dogs with long coats are more likely to pick up these annoying hitchhikers. Consider a trim for the summer to reduce the likelihood of attachment.
• Working dogs, or dogs that spend a lot of time in tall grass, may be outfitted with a commercially available vest that covers and protects the chest and abdomen.
• Avoid foxtail-prone areas to prevent injury to your dog.
• Use a short leash when walking your dog.
• If foxtails grow in your yard, make plans to remove them or call a landscaper for assistance. 
• Check for foxtails frequently and after periods of outdoor play, especially if you hike or spend time in foxtail-prone areas.

References:

1. Foxtail (diaspore). (2019, June 2). In Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foxtail_(diaspore)
2. Brennan KE, Ihrke PJ. Grass awn migration in dogs and cats: A retrospective study of 182 cases. Am Vet Med Assoc. 1983.182(11):1201-1204

WRITTEN BY

Christina Fernandez, DVM, DACVECC, Veterinarian

Dr. Christina Fernandez obtained her DVM degree from St. George’s University in 2007 and membership with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2008. She completed a three-year residency training program and obtained board certification with the American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care in 2013. Dr. Christina has a background in veterinary academia, private specialty practice, and more recently in the animal health industry. She has practiced in both the USA and abroad.

Dr. Christina is a published author and her veterinary interests include supportive care of the critically ill patient and management of complex diseases. She lives in FL with her husband (also a veterinarian), their two daughters, three dogs, one cat and guinea pig named Herman. Dr. Christina enjoys all things CrossFit and spending time outdoors with her family.

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God Bless and Happy Pet Parenting!

With love and good wishes,
jeannie. 

About jeannie:  I’ve been pro-actively involved in pet rescue all of my life. I founded Milagro Senior Pet Refuge© (Phoenix) in 1998, and BareFootPets (TM) in 2008.  Animal welfare has always been and will always be my heart’s work. If my only legacy is that I save a handful of precious souls that would not survive otherwise, I’m good with that.

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The post Danger of the Foxtail Plant appeared first on BareFootPets.

Okay, How Do I Begin?

I know it’s tough to carve out time in your already hectic day to brush Fido’s teeth, every day after day no less. You already dread it, don’t you. Let’s make it easy then. First step–whenever you find little moments and you’re sitting around snuggling with Fluffy, massage her gums at the same time. See–no extra time needed. Massage very lightly, ok, don’t get all invasive on her like the bathroom scene with Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill in 21 Jump Street. At this point, you’re just getting her used to your fingers in her mouth, like it’s no big deal. I introduce my kitties and pups to gum massage by hand-feeding them cat kibble one piece at a time. They love being hand-fed so, when i start checking out their gums, they’re pretty much okay with it. Massage her gums lightly and very briefly, then stop, before she has a chance to object. Go on your merry way like it was no big deal. [TIP: Knowing when to ignore your pet is a tremendously effective training and handling tool ~ more on that later.] By making gum massage part of snuggle time and creating a positive experience instead of a dreaded chore, she’ll come to associate it with pleasure. Keep this tip in your memory bank.

Baby Steps … You’re Getting There

Once you’ve got your pet feeling okay about having her teeth and gums handled, you can introduce a toothbrush or rubber thumb. I prefer the rubber thumb because it’s similar to your finger and seems less foreign to the pet. Before you go shoving them in her mouth, tho, let her sniff them and get familiar, even batting them around like toys. Remember, baby steps. Use the brush to massage her teeth without paste for the first few times. Once she’s comfortable with the toothbrush or rubber thumb, then try adding a tiny dab of flavored pet toothpaste. She may not be sold right away–don’t force it. Never force it. But definitely keep the massaging in your routine and eventually try adding toothpaste again. You’ll get there eventually.

Here is a really good pet toothpaste I like to recommend for you. It’s popular because it’s made in the USA, it’s safe, pets like it, and it works!

In the meantime, stimulating her gums is a good thing. If, however, you have a pet who just refuses to warm up to a toothbrush, no worries. There are options. There are some great dental washes for pets that you put in their drinking water. Can’t get any easier than that!  Here’s a good one. Completely odorless/tasteless so your pet won’t detect it and get all fussy. It’s made in the USA and completely safe for your pet.

I also found this product below that you spray right onto their teeth and gums and, as the pet licks his lips and sloshes it around, it begins to reduce plaque and heal his mouth. It’s all organic, no chemicals to create allergies or inflammation, and makes your pet’s breath very fresh and sweet so you just want to get all up in his face and snuggle with him!  🙂  Give it a try!

It’s NEVER Too Late.

Ideally, you want to start your pet’s dental care when she’s a puppy or kitten. If she’s older, tho, no worries. Always better late than never at all. Just remind yourself how important dental care is to her overall health.

Bottom line is you may have to try a few approaches to your pet’s dental care before you find the one your pet responds to, and that’s ok, because there are many products of all kinds out there to choose from. One of them will work for you. As long as you’re patient and consistent, you’ll get there. Just keep your eye on the prize–longterm good health and protection for your beloved furbaby.

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God Bless and Happy Pet Parenting!

With love and good wishes,
jeannie.   ?

About jeannie:  I’ve been pro-actively involved in pet rescue all of my life. I founded Milagro Senior Pet Refuge© (Phoenix) in 1998, and BareFootPets (TM) in 2008.  Animal welfare has always been and will always be my heart’s work. If my only legacy is that I save a handful of precious souls that would not survive otherwise, I’m good with that.

The post Ignore Your Pet’s Teeth … They’ll Go Away. appeared first on BareFootPets.

First Make A List

Consider what should be done before the actual move, like installing a dog door in the new house, constructing a new enclosure, blocking off rooms in your new house that will be off-limits to the pets, etc. Below is a sample list for ideas to help you plan. For me, it was extra important to plan ahead and have a list because we were moving cross country. Packing up a whole house, two vehicles, six cats, and a dog. It was going to be a two-day drive straight through, roughly 36 hours, longer if we stopped overnight at a hotel. The animals’ mental and physical comfort for such a long drive depended heavily on my being diligent to consider all details and scenarios before potential situations arose.

• Make certain all pets are current on licensing and vaccinations before the move
• Stock the car with ample food, water, pee pads, and wet wipes for the trip
• Hire builder to install pet enclosure and dog door at new home before moving date
• Locate new veterinarian in new neighborhood and gives heads-up records are coming
• Ask current veterinarian to send records to new veterinarian and print a copy for yourself
• Have crates clean and ready with food, water, and pee pads, to load pets before movers arrive
• Cover pets’ crates with lightweight sheet to remove visual stimulation – will help to calm them
• Move pets/crates to a place where they can’t see or hear the house being packed up
• Harness pets before movers arrive and keep harnesses on at all times till move is complete
• Be sure harnesses have name tags with phone number(s) in case pet should bolt
• Keep crates covered with a lightweight sheet during travel to prevent panic or motion sickness
• Put pets/crates in a quiet room with door closed at new house during unloading
• Anchor crates in car so they don’t shift and toss pets about
• Put pets in same crate only if they get along and won’t fight

Start Your List Early

I’m a Type A personality when it comes to preparations, so probably you’ll look at my list and think – wow, is that overkill! And that’s cool. Make your list your own – whatever details are unique and important to you and your pet family. The important thing is to do as much as possible before moving day, and to minimize the chaos and stress for your pets through the whole process. These little details, like covering the crate with a light sheet, can make all the difference to keeping your pet calm. They’ll fall in love with your new home much more easily and quickly if you can prevent as much trauma as possible beforehand. And don’t forget – the better prepared you are ahead of moving day, the less stress you’ll be putting on yourself, so the better it is for you, too!

Good Luck and Happy Trails!

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God Bless and Happy Pet Parenting!

With love and good wishes,
jeannie. 

About jeannie:  I’ve been pro-actively involved in pet rescue all of my life. I founded Milagro Senior Pet Refuge© (Phoenix) in 1998, and BareFootPets (TM) in 2008. Animal welfare has always been and will always be my heart’s work. If my only legacy is that I save a handful of precious souls that would not survive otherwise, I’m good with that.

The post Moving With Pets appeared first on BareFootPets.

Remember — chocolate can be FATAL to a pet!  Keep a close watch on the candy that comes into your house around Halloween.  No candy or even candy wrappers on the floor.  Containers and candy up high and totally out of reach from your pets.  It’s easy to keep a close eye out, and may save your sweet pet’s life!

Any time is a dangerous time for pets to be left outside.  But Halloween is even more dangerous for pets to be outside, more than other holidays, and especially for black cats.  Sadly, there are nasty people lurking about, waiting and watching for animals to abuse, and even kill.  Don’t let your pet become a statistic!  Keep them safely indoors the whole week before Halloween, and don’t let them outside again till after Halloween has passed.  No matter how much they fuss!  You are their protector — be strong and don’t give in till after the day passes.

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God Bless and Happy Pet Parenting!

With love and good wishes,
jeannie.   ?

About jeannie:  I’ve been pro-actively involved in pet rescue all of my life. I founded Milagro Senior Pet Refuge© (Phoenix) in 1998, and BareFootPets (TM) in 2008. Animal welfare has always been and will always be my heart’s work. If my only legacy is that I save a handful of precious souls that would not survive otherwise, I’m good with that.

The post Trick or Treat! appeared first on BareFootPets.

Life got you stressed out?  Too busy?  Need a nap?  Take a cue from your pets.  It’s not that hard.  All you have to do is watch them.  Here are some sweet samples from my house.

. . . And Finally . . . These Right Here Below – This Is What You Call A Lonnnng Nap.

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God Bless and Happy Pet Parenting!

With love and good wishes,
jeannie.   ?

About jeannie:  I’ve been pro-actively involved in pet rescue all of my life. I founded Milagro Senior Pet Refuge© (Phoenix) in 1998, and BareFootPets (TM) in 2008. Animal welfare has always been and will always be my heart’s work. If my only legacy is that I save a handful of precious souls that would not survive otherwise, I’m good with that.

The post Lazy Is An Art Form appeared first on BareFootPets.

The article below is republished, with permission by its author, in its entirety to underscore the absolute critical importance of not leaving animals in cars.  Fortunately, this story has a happy ending.  Sadly, that’s not always the case.  Please take a few minutes to read and lock this information away in your brain so that you will always be mindful and protective of your own beloved pet.  Remember, at best your pet has the mental capacity of a two-year-old child.  He can’t save himself — he needs you to watch over him at all times. And if you get it wrong, there aren’t always do-overs.  Gratitude to Amy McGorry, Fox News, for this very important reminder.

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This lucky dog in New York City has now found a loving home

A dog that had been trapped inside a hot car this summer in New York City for as long as 24 hours now has a new home — thanks to the police officers who rescued him from the dire situation and the officer who then took him into her heart.

An official from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) told Fox News Digital that New York City Police Department officers rescued the fluffy white dog — an American Eskimo dog whose name is now Snow — and brought him to the ASPCA Animal Recovery Center on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.

There, the dog was given medical care and behavioral treatment until he was ready for adoption.

AS MORE FRENCH BULLDOGS ARE STOLEN, PET LOVERS WANT TO KNOW: WHAT’S GOING ON WITH THIS BREED?

Last month, the NYPD tweeted about the rescue as it was happening. It said police responded to calls from “caring New Yorkers” who notified them about a dog locked in a hot car in the heat of the summer.

The responding police officers discovered the car was off, the windows were closed and the distressed dog was inside, according to the NYPD 19th Precinct’s tweet.

Police tweeted that the dog was locked inside the car for two hours; the ASPCA confirmed afterward that the dog was trapped inside the car for at least 24 hours.

The officers broke through one of the car’s windows, removed the suffering pup from the car once they were able to open the door — and brought the animal to the ASPCA for treatment.

A criminal investigation was underway at that time, according to the June 18 social media post.

On an 85-degree day, it only takes 10 minutes for the inside of a car to reach a deadly 102 degrees, the NYPD said.

Another tweet shared by the NYPD 19th Precinct said the temperatures that hot summer June day were in the mid-80s.

CATS CLASSIFIED AS ‘INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES’ BY POLISH SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTE

The precinct said that on an 85-degree day, it only takes 10 minutes for the inside of a car to reach a deadly 102 degrees.

This sweet dog — an American Eskimo dog — was trapped in a hot car in Manhattan for approximately 24 hours. It took the dog a month to recover and to be available for adoption. (ASPCA)

The NYPD social media post also said the law prohibits leaving “an animal unattended in a car under these dangerous conditions — thankfully the pup was rescued & is being cared for.”

Officer Aruna Maharaj, one of the NYPD rescuers, remained in touch with the ASPCA during Snow’s month-long recovery, a media spokesperson for the ASPCA told Fox News Digital.

This dog — rescued from a hot car — has now been adopted. The dog’s new name is Snow. The officer who adopted the pet “knew Snow was special.” (ASPCA)

The ASPCA also confirmed that the officer and her fiancé made the adoption official just last week.

“From the moment Officer Maharaj was involved in this case, she knew Snow was special,” the ASPCA official told Fox Digital News.

“When [the officer] rescued Snow from the car, she instantly fell in love.”

The spokesperson said that the officer was not looking to adopt a pet — but when she rescued Snow from the car, she instantly fell in love.

82% OF AMERICANS FELL IN LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT WITH THEIR DOGS, SURVEY FINDS

“She immediately brought him into her car with the air conditioner blasting, where he sat on her lap, licked her face and wouldn’t move from her company,” the ASPCA spokesperson added.

Officer Aruna Maharaj, one of the NYPD rescuers, holds Snow, who was removed from a hot car in June. Maharaj has since adopted Snow. (ASPCA)

The ASPCA official said the dog’s adoption was delayed for several weeks because Snow needed to receive medical care and behavioral care.

Officer Maharaj officially adopted Snow once the dog was cleared.

She brought him to her home, where he now enjoys a large backyard and walks to a nearby park, according to an emailed statement from the ASPCA.

Snow is enjoying a large backyard and regular walks to a nearby park.

The official also said Snow has been adjusting well to his new family and to having a cat sibling.

This pup rescued by officers with the NYPD is now enjoying himself again. (ASPCA)

Fox News Digital reached out to the NYPD, who said the officer was not available for comment; the department did not comment on the case.

As the summer continues, the ASPCA shared the following tips and advice for everyone when dealing with pets and the heat. 

Never leave pets alone in a parked car

A car can overheat even when the window has been left cracked an inch or two.

PENNSYLVANIA BABY BOY DIES IN HOT CAR INCIDENT: WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOW NOW

The temperature inside a parked car may be as much as 20 degrees hotter than the temperature outside.

Not only can it lead to a fatal heat stroke — it is also illegal in many states.

Know the signs of overheating in pets

The signs that an animal is overheated include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, bright red gums, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, stupor — or even collapse.

Symptoms can also include seizures, bloody diarrhea and vomiting, along with an elevated body temperature of over 104 degrees.

Heat stroke can be life-threatening.

PIGS AND A PLAYLIST? FARMER FINDS HIS PIGS ARE HAPPIER WHEN THEY HEAR MUSIC

It can cause permanent damage or death.

If you’re worried a pet might be experiencing a heat stroke, immediately remove your dog from the environment

Let your dog pant out excessive heat in a controlled and cooler space, such as an air-conditioned room, the ASPCA advises.

During very hot weather, use good judgment about keeping pets indoors

Also, when walking dogs in hot weather, never let them linger on hot asphalt — which can burn their sensitive paw pads.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Since pets are close to the ground, the hot asphalt can also contribute to their body heating up very quickly.

Amy McGorry is a contributing health reporter for Fox News Digital. Follow her on Twitter @amymcgorry.

The post Pets And Hot Cars appeared first on BareFootPets.

It’s about Johnny, my neighbors’ beautiful young German Shepherd.  When the neighbors moved in next door to me several years ago, they brought along their two dogs — Alabaster, a petite, pretty, white Pittie, and Johnny, a magnificent young German Shepherd.  I was happy to meet the young couple and befriend their pets.  But the couple weren’t as excited to get to know their neighbors, which of course is their choice, obviously, but disappointing nonetheless.  Our properties are divided by concrete block privacy walls, so once Johnny and Alabaster were ushered into their new backyard, I was never able to interact with them again …

… Until Johnny began jumping the wall into my back yard.  The first time he came over was quite the surprise.  I happened to walk past my patio door and glance out to see this big guy standing there staring back in at me.  I marveled at his size — large, muscular, a real specimen dog.  Johnny, however, was not trained, even basics like walking on a lead.  He was a good-natured boy, but had lots of nervous energy, making him unable to focus or respond to commands.  It only took a minute or two to recognize that his owners were not invested in managing his behavior.

His owners were away that first time, so I kept Johnny with me in my yard till they returned home a few hours later.  We had fun.  Turns out Johnny loves water — loves it!  The more I sprayed the garden hose for him to chase, the more he loved it.  I loved his child-like joy!  And the more he ran and chased the water spray, the more relaxed he became.  I could see his nerves and anxieties melt away as he played and burned off all his built-up toxic energy.  It was a great time, and I could tell he was relieved.

Our New Normal.

And so began the next three years living next to Johnny.  He jumped the fence on a frequent basis.  I was always finding him in my yard running around.  I adored Johnny but, even tho he was welcome at my home, I couldn’t allow him to keep coming over unannounced.  My own pets were outside with me every day enjoying our yard, and I had no idea if Johnny could be trusted with them.  My dog Bandit is only 11 pounds, and my two cats are quite small as well, especially compared to a 150-pound hyper-active German Shepherd.  I couldn’t put them at risk by allowing Johnny free run of my property.  Johnny might have been friendly and non-threatening, but his size and nervous energy alone could hurt them.  We never knew when he would come over the fence — we just knew that he was always pacing on his side of the fence, and that he would surprise us at any moment.

Johnny’s back yard is higher than mine because we live on the foothills of a mountain range.  So he was never able to jump back over the fence to go home on his own.  And he would freak out — running, crying, pacing, barking, tearing up my grass, my window screens, etc.  I was never angry at Johnny for his anxieties and poor behavior, because it was never his fault.  I knew he was a good dog, who just needed some attention and training.  So I tried to take advantage of the times he was in my yard, and help him burn off pent-up energy so he could learn some commands.  He liked that.  But then the owners would come get him and he’d go back to being ignored and misbehaved.  It was a sad and unfortunate cycle.

Sad Intentions.

It became apparent that Johnny’s time living next door to me was coming to an end.  The neighbors were growing frustrated at having to come get him from my yard so often, and they commented on occasion that they needed to find him a new home.  They listed the typical reasons that people give:  he’s badly behaved, he’s too much work, we have a new baby, etc.  I could tell they were looking for a quick and easy way to unload him, so I began reaching out to people I knew to see if we could get him re-homed safely.  Before I got any takers, tho, the big escape happened.

The Big Escape.

One day last month, I got a notice on NextDoor.com about two dogs wandering a nearby neighborhood.  I pulled up the photo and saw that it was Alabaster and Johnny.  I quickly texted my neighbors that their dogs were loose and the finder had already taken the dogs to the county shelter.  I knew the danger they were in there, and my heart was racing.  The neighbors eventually texted back saying they would go retrieve them.  I texted them again and gave them the two kennel numbers to help quickly identify the dogs and get them safely out.  They texted back saying they were on their way to the shelter.

Later that evening, another post came through on NextDoor.com about Johnny and Alabaster.  It said Alabaster had been picked up by the owners, but Johnny was still at the shelter.  I was shocked to realize the owners had recovered Alabaster but had deliberately left Johnny behind at the shelter.  My heart sank.

Heartbroken But Hopeful.

Posts on NextDoor.com were swirling about trying to get Johnny out of the shelter to safety.  I called everyone I could think of.  Folks were even visiting Johnny at the shelter to be sure he was doing okay and posting status reports on any possible adoptions.  Three days later, the posts stopped.  No more updates on Johnny.  The shelter folks would not let us know if Johnny had been adopted or if they had killed him.

It’s been a few months now, and I still think of Johnny every day.  I fight the urge to judge his owners and be angry with them.  But it’s hard.  Johnny deserved so much better than he got from them.  My heart will always hurt for Johnny knowing he got cheated … and it wasn’t his fault.  I can only pray our networking helped and that he was adopted and is now in the care of loving, diligent folks who prioritize his wellbeing and happiness.  Miracles do happen.

If you don’t have the time or attitude to invest in training a dog, . . .

                                                              . . .   please don’t get a dog.

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God Bless and Happy Pet Parenting!

With love and good wishes,
jeannie.   ?

About jeannie:  I’ve been pro-actively involved in pet rescue all of my life. I founded Milagro Senior Pet Refuge© (Phoenix) in 1998, and BareFootPets (TM) in 2008. Animal welfare has always been and will always be my heart’s work. If my only legacy is that I save a handful of precious souls that would not survive otherwise, I’m good with that.

The post And Another Good Dog Is Ruined. appeared first on BareFootPets.

And you find yourself chasing him all over the park?  Frustrating, right.  Well, I discovered a fool-proof correction for that problem totally by accident recently, and it seems to have a 100% success rate!

My little sidekick Bandit is super focused and insanely driven about his Kong toy, and he used to fetch it like a champ.  But somewhere along the way, he decided it would be really cute to make me chase him instead of returning the toy to me like he had once been doing so well.  I’ll admit it was cute, but for only a minute.  I didn’t want to fall into that bad habit, so I tried to correct him right away to reinforce the right behavior.  But Bandit wasn’t having it.

The Back Story.

A few months ago, Bandit hid his Kong ball in the house so well that neither of us could find it.  After spending too much time searching, I thought it easier to just go buy a new one.  So I did.  A few days later, we found the original Kong toy.

That afternoon, I took Bandit outside to place fetch, and I took along both Kongs.  He went after the first throw with a vengeance as usual.  But, instead of bringing the Kong back, he sat down where he was at the other end of the yard, and totally teased me, little scamp, expecting me to chase him.  Instead, without moving, I held up the second Kong and said “Look what I’ve got.”  Oh boy, did that get his attention fast!  He came flying back across the yard to me, first Kong still in his mouth, jumping up and down to get at the second Kong in my hand.

Score!

I told Bandit to “drop it” and he laid his first Kong at my feet, then jumped up and down to grab the second Kong in my hand.  I threw the second Kong, and he beat it to the other end of the yard.  But then he laid down again instead of bringing it back to me.  So I repeated again what had just happened a moment before — I held up the first Kong in my hand and said “Look what I’ve got.”  Here he came, roaring down the yard again with the second Kong in his mouth, to get the first Kong in my hand — a relay, or trade-off of sorts.  And that was all it took — only two times to make the correction and reinforce it.  Problem totally solved, and in a positive, happy way for him.

Out of simple dumb luck, I had discovered how to “fix the fetch.”  🙂   And it works for us every single time.  If your dog is as toy-driven as my Bandit, you probably can expect this trick to work for you as well.  Happy Fetching Like A Rock Star!

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God Bless and Happy Pet Parenting!

With love and good wishes,
jeannie.   ?

About jeannie:  I’ve been pro-actively involved in pet rescue all of my life. I founded Milagro Senior Pet Refuge© (Phoenix) in 1998, and BareFootPets (TM) in 2008. Animal welfare has always been and will always be my heart’s work. If my only legacy is that I save a handful of precious souls that would not survive otherwise, I’m good with that.

The post Fix The Fetch. appeared first on BareFootPets.