My Fire Hydrant

This week, in support of Petfinder‘s Adopt a Less Adoptable Pet Week, I am posting adoptable Small Paws Rescue pooches every day. Don’t you need a Fluffy Friend?

Meet Rocky. He’s a sweet 7-year old boy who just wants to be loved. He’s a happy little guy who gets along well with other dogs, but would also do well as an only dog. He love to snuggle and cuddle.

He has a frozen knee due to an old injury but it doesn’t bother him and doesn’t require medical attention. And he’s also diabetic. He gets 2 insulin shots a day–and he doesn’t mind getting them one bit.

Rocky also has diabetes and receives 2 insulin injections per day. The cost of his insulin and syringes per month is approximately $25-30 dollars. Syringes cost about $10 per month and the insulin is $50 per bottle but it lasts a long time! (2 months or more) He is not bothered by this routine at all. In fact, when you say come and get your medicine, he runs down the hallway like he is going to get a big, juicy hamburger!

Rocky is fully house trained and crate trained–which is an advantage of adopting an adult dog. When he needs to be taken outside he goes to the door and gives it a little tap. If you don’t respond, he’ll lay down in front of you and STARE at you until you let him out!

He’s a cleaver little gentleman, and would be a wonderful addition to your home.

Cooper and Mason

Since this is Adopt a Less Adoptable Pet Week AND ALSO Deaf Pet Awareness Week, it seemed appropriate to check in with my friend, Michele–who shares her life with less adoptable pets, deaf Boxers.

Last year, Michele was dealing with the news that her Boxer, Cooper, had been diagnosed with Stage III Mast Cell Cancer. And also adjusting to adding a 4th Boxer to her pack — Mason — because Michele failed Foster 101. Both Cooper and Mason are deaf.

Michele tells me, “In the past year, Mason has learned over 20 signs but his favorite sign is ‘good boy.’ People who see us walking always ask about him and his deafness when we sign; they say they would have never thought a dog could communicate through sign. I also still get calls from people who have deaf dogs. And also from people who realize their old dogs are going deaf. And I think my old girl is losing her hearing some too — she startles a lot more as she is getting older — but she knows the signs, so we communicate.”

Michele goes on,

Geddy, Mama Michele, and Mason

So a little over a year has passed since our lives were touched by a new Boxer in the house, can I just say it’s been a whirlwind!

Bailey, Cooper, Geddy and Mason are all sleeping on my bed as I write this update.  Sleep is what Cooper does most of his days now.  The vet is completely astonished that we still have him in our lives and he is doing as well as he can.  The cancer has spread to some organs but he seems to be still happy when he’s awake and will take any opportunity to lie on my lap…. Which of course no matter what weight loss he has had, he’s still a BIG boy!

Our Bailey has had two tumors removed from her this past year, both were benign which is a blessing, however she had her shoulder injured last fall with a run in with our crazy pup and her arthritis has really kicked in.  She still runs the roost and is the Queen around this house!

Geddy is still our sweet boy and has enjoyed Mason the most since we got him.  They are the best and worst of friends… we call it the love hate relationship as Mason gets the most pleasure out of torturing Geddy!

Then there is Mason…. Or as we like to say, the DEMON SPAWN!  Oh yes, I have to say he’s tested my patience this past year!  He’s every Boxer owners nightmare with bad behaviors… he’s mouthy, he loves to destroy toys… he’s torn up any toy I can find, which includes the ones that say SUPER TOUGH or UNCHEWABLE!  That makes me laugh when I bring them back the next day.  He was a challenge to get him crate trained, to not chew on everything he could in our house and walk on a leash without wanting to chew it up also!

He also is my youngest son’s best friend, who will wait by the window every day without fail 5 minutes before he gets off the bus.  He will fall asleep with him at night and slowly creep out of his bed once he’s asleep as to not wake him up and he has the sweetest face anyone could imagine. He has a special sense about him when the older dogs are not feeling good, always “trying” to be on is best behavior or giving them extra kisses on the head when they are laying down.  He is so smart, sometimes too much for his own good, but he has learned so many signs, he knows the routines when we leave or go to bed and although he was this little guy when we got him, he towers over all the other dogs with his gangly “pup” legs!  He is a blessing and as I look over on the bed, his head resting on the back of my Cooper, I realize he’s brought new life into Cooper as well and may just be what’s helping us keep our house full of Boxers!

Mason

Both Mason and Cooper were classified early on as “less adoptable dogs.” How lucky for them that Michele saw their potential. And how lucky for Michele and her family. These two sweet boys are well-loved members of Michele’s family. They just communicate with their human pack members in a slightly different way.

Not less adoptable. Totally more adaptable.

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If you’re interested in more information on what great pets deaf dogs can make,
visit Deaf Dogs Rock.

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This week, in support of Petfinder‘s Adopt a Less Adoptable Pet Week, I am posting adoptable Small Paws Rescue pooches every day. Don’t you need a Fluffy Friend?

Gentle Petunia

I featured Little Petunia last year during Adopt a Less Adoptable Pet Week. She is a sugar-challenged dog: She’s diabetic and gets one injection each morning.

She’s a very clever older girl. Her eyesight is not so good, but once she learns her way around the house it’s not a problem.

Like many older dogs, she comes to you already housetrained. She likes her crate. She enjoys riding in the car and walking on her leash. She enjoys the company of other dogs. She’s also gentle and loving. She’s a blend of Bichon and Maltese. And (added bonus!) she knows how to stand on her hind legs and do the Bichon wave!

This little girl enjoys people. She’s and affectionate bundle of fluff who only wants to be petted and loved. Seriously, how can you resist that sweet face? Is Petunia the dog for you?

This week, in support of Petfinder‘s Adopt a Less Adoptable Pet Week, I am posting adoptable Small Paws Rescue pooches every day. Don’t you need a Fluffy Friend?

OK, so this little guy has a small problem with his liver–so his condition is managed with medication and a special diet. Not to difficult to handle because the medication is not expensive, and Cole likes the special diet he needs to eat.

Cole is a kisser and a lover. He likes women, but he loves men. He gets along very well with other dogs, and will need another socialized dog in the family. He’s only 2 years old–so he’s still very young. To be honest, his foster family is still working on his housetraining.

Even though Cole has some challenges, he will make someone a very wonderful furbaby. Maybe that someone is YOU!

Ms. Snowball 6

This week, in support of Petfinder‘s Adopt a Less Adoptable Pet Week, I am posting adoptable Small Paws Rescue pooches every day. Don’t you need a Fluffy Friend?

Snowball is another little Fluff who has been on the Petfinder wall for over a year. She’s a special girl. She’s blind. She’s just a bit shy, until she gets to know you. She needs for someone to schedule her potty times, because she doesn’t know how to ask to go out.

And she’s also known as Snowball6–Bichons, being white and fluffy, can be commonly mistaken for snowballs.

Snowball used to have a family, but they had to give her up for adoption. While she waits for her new home, Snowball is being fostered in Colorado with a Small Paws volunteer family.

Snowball knows how to walk on a leash, but she also enjoys a fenced-in yard. She is house-trained. She’s very loving. And because she’s a senior gal, she’s very mellow.

Do you like to stay at home? Snowball will be very happy to keep you company! This sweet girl is just waiting for you to fill out the adoption form and bring her home to become part of your family!

This week, in support of Petfinder‘s Adopt a Less Adoptable Pet Week, I am posting adoptable Small Paws Rescue pooches every day. Don’t you need a Fluffy Friend?

I mentioned Southpaw last year–and he’s still on the Petfinder board looking for a home!

SouthPaw

This sweet boy is very playful and an excellent snuggler. He enjoys playing with his toys. His blindness does not stand in the way of a walk on a leash, if you will help to guide him. He has a HUGE personality! He enjoys the company of other dogs–but he needs to get comfortable with them first due to his blindness. And play, play, PLAY! This little man is a playboy!!

He is quite simply the most adorable gentleman pooch you may ever meet. He’s a little tiger in a Bichon/Poodle body, with peach-tinged hair and a delightful face.

Southpaw is sight-challenged: he has cataracts. But the dogtors say that this can be fixed with surgery. This has not stopped Southpaw from learning his way around his foster home and having a good time. You’ll notice in his photo that he also wears a belly band. Southpaw is slightly incontinent.

He loves to snuggle with his human, but he also will play or nap by himself. He enjoys sleeping under the covers! This boy has got it all!

Don’t you need a playful cuddler?

How can a pet be less adoptable? They’re old; the wrong breed; have special needs; they’re not as pretty; or they’re simply different or the wrong color.

Next week, the good folks at Petfinder are devoting the entire week to celebrate less adoptable pets, to bring attention to these sweet furbabies, and to encourage pet parents to think about adopting a special needs furkid. And to do my part to encourage adoption, I’m going to feature a “special needs” Fluff from Small Paws Rescue–and you will see just how adoptable a “less adoptable pet” can be!

But what if you can’t adopt? You can still help! If you’re a blogger or a tweeter, make a post about adopting. If you’re on Facebook, “like” Petfinder and tell your friends about Adopt a Less Adoptable Pet Week. You can go to a shelter or animal center and volunteer or donate money or goods. Or give your neighbor a phone call–anything to spread the word!

What will you do to celebrate less adoptable pets?

I’m reusing an old post–but it’s very timely and still useful. Hurricane Irene is about to hit the east coast of the United States, and people are getting into evacuation mode.

IS YOUR PET READY FOR EVACUATION?
A few years ago, a chemical plant not too far from my house had an explosion, and my neighborhood had to quickly evacuate the area. We went first to a friend’s house, but ended up in a motel overnight. It was inconvenient, but more important, it was a frightening eye-opener.

We live in a scary world. Between the weather (Katrina/Irene) and terrorism (9/11) it seems to be wise to prepare and plan for the day you may need to evacuate and seek shelter away from your home. In the past few years, one of the most important things we’ve learned is DON’T LEAVE YOUR PET BEHIND.

This may seem like common sense, but it may not be as easy as you think. In an evacuation situation, it will probably be too dangerous to simply camp out in your car. Will the shelter in your area allow pets? Or can you find a motel that will also let you bring in your Great Dane? What if you have very limited time to evacuate–will you remember to grab your dog’s arthritis meds so that she can be comfortable?

You need to prepare. You need a plan, a kit, and some lists.

MAKE A PLAN
Sit down with your family members and think this through. Imagine all the possible things that might happen–both man-made and natural. Be overly cautious, and think of the worse possible scenarios. Imagine that you must vacate your home for a couple of weeks. Here are some questions to get you thinking about how your pets fit into your plan:

• What kind of disasters might effect you? Tornadoes? Hurricanes? Flooding? Chemical spills or explosions?
• Where will you go if you have to leave home?
• Has your regional emergency preparedness authorities designated in their planning which shelters will accept pets?
• Does your local animal shelter/SPCA, or local animal control office have any information on how to plan for your pet’s evacuation in your area?
• What if you’re not home–is there a neighbor who can evacuate your pets? Where will you meet up with them and your other family members?
• What about boarding your pet at a pet hotel, your local shelter, or your veterinarians?
• What supplies does your pet need during an evacuation? What are the bare essentials you need?
• What steps can you take to keep your pet calm? What if your pet panics and runs away?
• Can you rehearse your evacuation so that your four-legged family members become familiar with the actions you will need to take?
• What if the type of disaster restricts you to hour home–where is the safest place in your house? Is there room for your four-legged family along side your two-legged family?
• Do you have other animals like horses, goats, or cows? What happens to them?

Write your plan down–either on a legal pad on on your laptop. Consult with your veterinarian and your local emergency preparedness team. Refine your plan to account for as many variables as possible. Make sure everybody in the family knows what to do.

MAKE A KIT
Think of the things your pet needs each day. This list is just the bare minimum to get you thinking.

• Pet food
• Bottled water
• Medications
• Paperwork:
  • Veterinary records, including significant medical history, rabies certificate and vaccination record.
  • Proof of ownership.
  • Current photos of your pets (include some with you in the photo too) for identification purposes
• Cat litter/pan
• Food dishes
• First aid kit
• Crate/carrier/cage labeled with your contact information
• Comfort items
  • Toys
  • Treats
  • Blankets
• Leashes, harnesses, collars, muzzles
• Up-to-date ID tags, rabies tags securely attached to pet’s collar
• Stakes and tie-outs
• Paper towel and garbage bags (to clean up after your pet)

This kit list is not complete and focuses on dogs and cats. Birds, reptiles, small rodents like guinea pigs, horses, goats, sheep and other domesticated animals will have different needs.

MAKE SOME LISTS
Again, this is just to get you thinking. It’s not complete.

• Motels/hotels within a 90-mile radius that will take pets–include directions, address, phone number.
• Emergency phone numbers, like your veterinarian, your local police department, local fire department, local animal control, your insurance agent.
• Other phone numbers: Local shelters/rescue groups; friends and family who would be unaffected by an emergency in your region.

THE UNTHINKABLE HAPPENS!
Don’t wait. If an evacuation order has been issued, get moving. If it’s the type of emergency that will restrict you to your home, bring your animals inside and move to your home’s safe area. Don’t delay. Even just a couple of minutes can make a difference in your pet’s survival.

RESOURCES
I’ve barely scratched the surface! In researching this article, two sites were incredible information sources.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has a very complete disaster preparedness site which includes information not just for consumers, but also for veterinarians. The site is easy-to-understand and there’s an FAQ about the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act, a bill signed into law by President Bush in 2006 to require the inclusion of companion animals in disaster planning at state and local levels.

The second site you will want to get familiar with is FEMA’s (Federal Emergency Management Agency)–not just for your pets, but also for your family. The FEMA site also offers some free-of-charge web-enabled training, including Animals in Disaster, for which you can receive college credit.

Do it now. Make your plan, make your kit, make your lists before you need them.

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