All the Creatures

Posted by Animals at 5:42 PM Tuesday, March 2, 2010

All the Creatures

Posted: 02 Mar 2010 08:09 AM PST

Today’s horse owners have it so easy when it comes to ridding their horse of worms. Just a simple paste wormer given orally once every 2-3 months and they are done. Some horse owners even use the pelleted type you add to the horses’ feed. Both of those methods are a far cry from what [...]

Scratchings-and-Sniffings

Posted by Animals at 5:20 PM

Scratchings-and-Sniffings

For Chai and Pam

Posted: 02 Mar 2010 01:39 PM PST

I received a sad e-mail over the weekend. Pam wrote to tell me that Chai, her Chesapeake Bay Retriever with degenerative myelopathy, had died. It was sad, but not surprising considering the progressive nature of this nasty disease. I was surprised though by the last few posts on Pam's blog about Chai. It's remarkable how devoted some people are when it comes to their dogs.

I often get questions from people with older or sick pets about euthanasia. Mainly they want to know how they can tell when it is time, if all else fails, to end their pet's life in a humane way.

I think some people are looking for permission to do something they really don't want to do. They need a little help with the decision. We struggled with the same issues with Darcie at the end and it seems there's always some lingering guilt. "We could have held out a little longer," the thinking goes. "It would have been nice to have another week or even a weekend." But eventually the time comes when the inevitable is inescapable.

So it was with Pam and Chai. In the end Chai was totally incontinent. She couldn't control her bowel movements or her bladder. The smell of pee was a constant for Pam in the last year. She handled that with courage and a smile. She even tells of taking Chai into our local bike shop to get the tire on his wheeled cart fixed. Chai let go with a big puddle of pee right there in the shop.

I know the boys at the shop well. I spend most of my disposable income there. I was happy with the way they handled the situation. No rancor, just a smile and a wad of paper towels. They had repaired the tires on Chai's cart before and they knew that if Chai and Pam could put up with all this, they could handle a little pee.

Pam intimates that her local vet had recommended euthanasia early on in the disease process. I get the feeling from Pam that the vet didn't understand that Pam was more than willing to do whatever it took to keep Chai around. After all, he was still happy and with the help of his cart and other tools, he could still go for walks.

Pam bought her cart from a place called Doggon Wheels. They make a line of products for people like Pam. People with dogs that are either permanently or temporarily unable to get around on their own. I came across another outfit like this recently. Pet MRC or Pet Mobility Rehab Center, makes carts and a host of accessories for dogs and cats with injuries or illnesses that make normal walking impossible. I spoke with the owner and she had plenty of stories like Pam's. They tell of a Chihuahua named Wheely Willy that lived 18 years with hind limb paralysis, thanks to his special cart.

Unlike Pam's Vet I try not to make judgments about other people and their personal decisions. The end of life decision is highly personal and has to be made by those closest to the pet. I was inspired by Chai. The first time I saw him walking around the camp ground at Chaco Canyon I thought that's an amazing dog. That's a happy dog. I'd like to meet the person walking with him. I wasn't disappointed after a few minutes chatting with Pam. Caring for Chai's special needs was a no brainer for her.

In the end though, Pam knew it was time. Chai had bladder infections and stones due to her loss of bladder function. She was developing dementia and she had stopped drinking. She was no longer happy. She was suffering. It was time.

Chai had lived a great life and Pam had given him an extra couple of years. My guess is that Pam wouldn't trade the last year for anything.

Pam entered Chai's photo in a contest at our local humane society. You can vote for Chai here. It costs a buck a vote and it goes to a good cause. I voted this morning.

Scratchings-and-Sniffings

Posted by Animals at 6:30 PM Monday, March 1, 2010

Scratchings-and-Sniffings

Yes, you can come to BlogPaws! BlogPaws or Bust!

Posted: 01 Mar 2010 07:32 AM PST

For regular readers, this announcement will spark LOTS MORE excitement. For new readers, this announcement will spark TANTILIZING NEW excitement. Either way, you'll be excited! How could you not be?

Over at BlogPaws, my other pet project, we're preparing for the first and best pet blogger conference on the planet. We have a fantastic line-up of speakers and sponsors, and our committee members are busy tweeting about the event every day. One thing we've discovered is that this kind of came about rather quickly (it did - we thought about it, created it, and hit the ground running just a few months ago) and some people are dying to come but need a little help.

So, to help folks make it to the best pet blogger conference on the planet - where you will meet hundreds of other pet bloggers, where you will rub shoulders with the executives of major pet brands (like Dr. Larry, who shares his stories and more right here on Scatchings & Sniffings) and of some new, fun pet brands you didn't know about - and where you will learn how to be a better blogger a our educational sessions, we've launched a Sweepstakes. You-looking-at-me

It's BlogPaws or Bust! Yes, YOU could win a trip to BlogPaws, all expenses (except incidentals) paid! We have two grand prizes and...three second place prizes. If you don't win the grand prize, you can win one of three opportunities to have your registration covered.

Hop over to the sweepstakes and join the fun! And stay tuned...we have something else fun to announce later this week. Oh, ok...I'll give you a hint - anyone up for a pawparty? On twitter? OMG! We're going to rock and roll and have a ball! Join us in our fun, online events...and be sure to check out the blog and blogsite and register today! Or get over to the sweepstakes and enter to win! Then, share with all your pet friends.

BlogPaws wants YOU to be in Columbus, OH on April 9th-10th. Be there! (hey, Columbus is the new Vegas - just ask resident kitties, Romeo and Wabby - they'll give you the Top 10 reasons to come to BlogPaws!) Oh we are just having so much fun! We hope you'll join us.

Lots About Dogs

Posted by Animals at 3:16 PM

Lots About Dogs

How to Teach Your Dog to Use a Leash – Part 3

Posted: 01 Mar 2010 05:00 AM PST

Things to Remember Remember to be patient! Don’t attempt to rush your dog’s progress: using force is counterproductive to your end goal. You’re teaching him to relax and be calm around the leash – if you get stressed or frustrated with his lack of progress, he’ll be able to tell, and his anxiety levels will increase, [...]

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