Happy Tails Updates!

It is always wonderful to hear from previous adopters with updates on their dogs! Here are three we got last week!

BEAU


Kristie writes:
Beau is such an amazing dog we love him so much. Last week he made it all the way to Lake Ontario, and up to the top of Chimney Bluffs, he sure is a great climber! Thank you for bringing him in our lives!

Kerry/Luna

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2WeTY1VKCs8&feature=youtu.be

Karen writes:

Hi Hope,

You may remember Kerry, the dog we adopted from you back in December. We renamed her Luna. Luna just got her Therapy Dog certification and this weekend she just competed in her first agility trial! Here is a link to a YouTube page where you can see her first qualifying run with my husband, Eric.

We are so proud of her- she is an amazing dog and we are thrilled in every way with her! Thanks for rescuing her and allowing us to adopt her!

And finally

Benry/Grover


Teri writes:Hi Hope,



In May , my family and I adopted "Benry", now known as Grover. I just want you to know that he is a fantastic puppy. He and my daughter are in love :) He has made friends with some of the other dogs in the neighborhood. His trainer tells us that not only is he a good boy, but very bright as well. We are really enjoying him, and he is one happy little boy. Thank you so much for allowing us to adopt Grover, who has enriched our lives greatly.

Parvo? Whats that?

The first time I fostered a puppy the rescue told me not to put it on the ground until I got her home, not expose her to any other dogs, and not put her on the floor when I took her to the vets. I was like "whats up with that?". The rescue explained that Parvo was going around and I needed to be very, very careful. Huh. I had previously adoped thru Griffin Pond, and brought home an 8 week old male puppy and I didn't get any kind of warning like that. Maybe because he was born there and fully utd on his shots and had already got a parvo shot at that point.

Anyway, after receiving my first rescue from a high kill shelter down south, I came home and looked up parvo on the internet. And WOW. Scary stuff this parvo. I would like to highlight the important points so everyone is aware of exactly what it is, who is at risk, and what you can do to prevent the spread of this deadly canine disease.


1. Parvo is NOT transmitted thru the air. It is only transmitted thru the feces of an infected dog.
2. Parvo is a hardy little bugger. The ONLY thing that kills it is CLOROX BLEACH.
3. The clorox has to be left on the infected area for TEN MINUTES to fully kill the virus.
4. You must disenfect not only the crate and any surfaces the infected pet has come in contact with, but also disenfect bowls, toys, clothing you wore while handling the pet AND YOUR YARD if the pet has defacated in it.
5. The signs of parvo include not eating or drinking, extreme lathargy, diahrrea that stinks to high heaven, and vomiting.
6. Puppies and unvaccinated dogs are at risk.
7. Death occurs from massive dehydration
8. A dog that successfully recovers from parvo generally remains contagious for up to three weeks, but it is possible they may remain contagious for up to six.
9. Untreated cases of parvo have a mortality rate approaching 91%. With aggressive therapy, survival rates may approach 80-95%.
10. It can take 7-14 days for an exposed dog to show symptoms of parvo.

So what can you do to help stop spread this deadly disease that is killing so many puppies?

VACCINATE!!!!!!!!!!!!
Vets reccomend vaccinating every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks old, and then getting a booster every year.

Great Tool for finding the right dog for your family

Do you want a puppy, but don't know how to choose the right dog breed? Well, fear not. Our custom built dog breed selector quiz will help you find the best dog breed to fit your family. We have compiled eight different dog breed characteristics that help choose the best breed of dog for you. Simply choose the most desired attribute for each category. Then choose the importance level for that breed characteristic. We automatically calculate the best dog breeds for you. Enjoy!




http://www.doggiedealer.com/dog_breed_selector.php

Facts and Myths of Heartworm Infection

Myth:
Heartworms live for 5 years, at least that is what you read in online information
Fact:
Heartworms live for TWO years
A veterinarians's information, read all the way to the last section:
http://www.2ndchance.info/heartworm.htm : The normal life span of a heartworm is about 2 years - possibly shorter when the dog receives monthly or twice-a-month ivermectin.

Myth:
Dogs who carry heartworms and are on heartworm prevention such as Ivermectin can transmit the heartworm larvae to other animals through moscito bites, so they-are infectious
Fact: Heartguard (Ivermectin) and other forms of hw larva killing drugs kill the larvae (baby heartworms) who cause the disease once they mature to adult worms in the infected dog. An animal who is treated with monthly Heartguard cannot transmit the larvae because there are no living larvae, they have been killed by the Ivermectin (Heartguard etc)

Myth:
Dogs who test positive for heartworms MUST be treated immediately or they will not survive for long.
Fact:
Older dogs who have been infested by heartworms for many years and carry a huge load of worms in their heart are at risk, but that risk is just as high or higher if they are aggressively treated at that late stage. The sudden death of those masses of worms can clog their bloodvessels and cause pulmonary embolism and death within days or weeks after the injections. "Slow kill" with monthy Heartguard is the gentle choice of treatment for them. The adult heartworms die off slowly by attrition, but no new larvae survive.
Unfortunately there is not a lot of "public" literature about this on the Internet, but it is widely available and known to veterinarians.
Here is the link to an exceptional vet's website, read especially the LAST paragraph: http://www.2ndchance.info/heartworm.htm

Please use your best judgement, question what you read and hear, and act in the dog's (and your or a potential adopter's) best interest.

TRUST BUT VERIFY

Recently Adopted

Please check out the list of recently adopted animals who have found their FUR EVER home. TWO PAWS UP!!!

http://www.petfinder.com/pet-search?shelterid=PA714&status=X

New Rescues Coming in!

Please take a moment to check out our new rescues. All ready and waiting for their new homes
http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/PA714.html

July 4th..Keeping your pets safe and Calm

It's 4th of July weekend and many cities and municipalities are having their fireworks displays. The weekend will be filled with picnics and parties too. All that excitement adds up to a lot of fun - but it also represents a lot of potential dangers for your dog.
The most common dog owner complaint during the 4th of July weekend is their dog's reaction to fireworks. The combination of loud noises and bright lights can scare dogs that don't normally have a history of noise phobias.
Some dogs will exhibit signs of fear that can include pacing, panting, trembling, salivating, trying to escape and/or barking. Many dogs will actually injure themselves when trying to escape. (I've even seen dogs that had been hit by a car trying to flee from noises.)
What can you do to help keep your dog calm during the fireworks? Here are some tips.
1. Don't take your dog to the fireworks. Make sure he or she is calm at home. Or stay home with your dog during the fireworks. Keep your dog confined in a comfortable location if possible.
2. Don't try too hard to reassure your dog during a fearful event with petting, soothing words, or extra attention as this can sometimes exacerbate the problem by reinforcing your dog's fearful response.
3. Some dogs are very sensitive to peoples' moods, so they may be influenced by the way that you react to the noise. It is best to act happy and upbeat or to redirect your dog's attention to some absorbing activity.
4. If you must leave your dog alone, consider what would make your dog most comfortable. Bring your dog indoors. Would your dog feel safest in a crate? Turn on the radio/television/fan/air conditioner as ("white noise"). Make sure you provide a comfortable hiding place or "safe place" in case your dog is scared during the fireworks.