My Fire Hydrant

For the past few years, we’ve used the same PSAs with a new voice-over at the end to advertise Iams Home 4 the Holidays–and frankly, these PSAs are classics! Unlike other TV ads that make you cry because they’re so sad, these PSAs make you cry because they’re so happy! It has become a tradition for me to celebrate these ads. Please grab a tissue and watch how the real reward in adopting a pet, is when the pet adopts you!

Ah! and now I’m misty-eyed! I love happy endings!

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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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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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This weekend, July 15-17, Petfinder is joining with over 1,500 rescue groups and shelters across North America for what could be the largest adoption event in Petfinder history. This is in honor of Petfinder’s 15th Birthday! And they want to get 15,000 pets into furever homes THIS WEEKEND! Whew!

What can you do to participate and help? If you can’t adopt a pet, you can:

1. Add Petfinder’s free 15th Birthday PicBadge to your Facebook and/or Twitter profile.
2. RSVP “Yes” to Petfinder’s Big Birthday Adoption Event invitation on Facebook and on Tweetvite to show your support. Then share the invitation with your friends.
3. Share a shelter-nominated pet from Petfinder’s Big Birthday Adoption Weekend photo gallery on your blog, Facebook, or Twitter.
4. Download, print and post Petfinder’s customizable birthday flier around  your neighborhood and ask local businesses to display Petfinder’s customizable birthday cards.
5. Sign the online birthday card and add your pet’s picture (Tyler is there!)
6. Write a blog post or op-ed about the value of pet adoption and link back to the Petfinder Birthday page.
7. Contact your local shelter and volunteer for their big event.

Cast your vote to name this adorable puppy by going to our photo album on Facebook.

What’s this all about? The V.P. of Canine Communications for The Iams Company, Euka, has submitted her letter of resignation effective later this year. We have done a massive search to find her replacement, and this puppy is the one! So now we need to name him, and we asked our Facebook community to help. Did I mention that he’s seriously cute?

Digging? Naw! I'm just having a rest here by this hole that will eventually go under the fence...

Hey! I wasn't the one who left that used tissue sitting on top of the table just waiting for some enterprising young pup to turn it into artificial snow....

Hogging the AC vent

Tyler, at his work station.

This year was Tyler’s first opportunity to participate in Take Your Dog to Work Day, and he had a great time! So many folks brought their dogs into the office at P&G Pet Care’s headquarters in Mason that I wonder [[whisper]] just how much work got done that day? Doesn’t matter though–bonding with our dogs at the office just emphasizes who we really work for.

We had some fund doggie contests in our dog park, located just outside the building. And luckily the weather smiled on us.

The Potato and Spoon Race
This game is run in heats.  Chairs are placed a little way away from the wall at one end of the hall while the handlers and their dogs line up at the other end.  Each handler is given a spoon in which they have to carry a potato.  The spoon can only be carried in the hand that is holding the dog’s lead.  Handlers have to race from to the far end of the hall, go round the chair and back to the start.  If they drop the potato they have to stop while they put it back in the spoon.

Doggie Musical Paws (Musical Chairs)
Dog handlers and dogs walk around in a big circle of white paw prints while music is playing.  When the music stops the dog must sit on one of the white paw prints. The dog without a paw print drops out and a paw print is taken away.  The game continues until you are left with a winner.  This game is just like musical chairs.

We also had a contest for the Best Sit Stay and the Longest Commute to Work. These contest were topped off with a Canine Yappy Hour and Bark-n-Play where Frosty Paws and Iams and Eukanuba biscuits were served (the humans had to find their own treats!), and the pooches spent pack time running and playing in the dog park.

For photos, click Read more…

This is one cute pooch! Please meet our new VP of Canine Communications (in training):

He is a 6 month old Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen (PBGV). And here’s where it gets fun: we’re asking for help naming him! Go to the Iams Facebook wall and tell us what you think we should name him. And in honor of the 4th of July weekend, P&G Pet Care will donate $1 to America’s Vet Dogs (up to $10,000) for each name suggested on our Facebook page.

Pet people are so clever and witty–I know that one of you will come up with a brilliant name!

(In case you want to read the Press Release.)

Euka, and the pup that must be named!