Life without Satchmo

Monday, May 10, 2010

Hey, Boys you wanna go OUTSIDE?

This is the response I get when I utter the WORD-------outside-----

Instantly, I have their undivided attention. They immediately go on ALERT!

This is my view of Satchmo when we go out. He rarely pays me any attention. Here he has picked up a "scent".

Now he realizes that I am talking to him and he thinks I want to play.

Austen is on the hunt for that "perfect" spot.

Satchmo can spend all day with his nose in the grass. What can he find there that is so interesting?

Here's a shot of Austen and the feral cat. We've named him KT and he really likes Austen. It looks like Austen wants to have nothing to do with the cat, though.

Friday, May 7, 2010

Austen went to the Pretty Parlor and now he is so cute!

Well, Austen's hair had gotten so long on his face that he could not see anymore. He also smelled to high heaven, so we took him today to get bathed and clipped. He also got his nails trimmed and painted. He cannot stand it and has been chewing the polish off since coming home.

The funniest thing about this was the "report card" that was sent with him home. He got good marks for his temperament, but he got "needs improvement" for following directions. I think it really says: We had some trouble with his feet!

Anyway, here are some pictures I took when he got home.

He does look better I think.

He went directly to his comfort spot under the table and began to chew off the nail polish!

This is his way of telling me he had a really bad day! Don't you just feel sorry for him?

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Wordless Wednesday

I found some old pictures of Satchmo that I had forgotten I had. It was fun looking back at his antics and the way he used to look.

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Six ways to find a lost dog

Here is a great article I found on my Linkedin group. This article gives specific steps you can do to find your lost pet. One thing that isn't mentioned, however, is the use of GPS collars and tags on your pets; also the use of microchips. I am not really big on putting a chip in my pet, but I have considered getting a GPS unit for his collar. The cost is not as bad as you might think, and if having it would bring him home, it would be money well spent.

Please read this article and send it to anyone you may know who has lost a pet. Maybe this will help bring their baby home.

______________________________________________________________________________
May 2, 2:52 PM

Dogs Examiner

Stephanie Modkins

Lost dog in Jamaica.

Sami Nutini @ Sxc.hu

According to FidoFinder.com, less than 16% of lost dogs are returned to their rightful owners. As a result, if your canine goes missing, it is important to act right away. You want to do whatever you can to find your lost dog and avoid becoming a statistic. Here's how. Just:

1- Post signs.
Let your neighbors and the general public knows you are trying to find a lost dog by posting signs. Place them in areas that everyone can see. Be sure to ask for permission to place them in storefronts and other venues owned by another party.

2- Use Facebook.
Sign onto Facebook and ask your contacts for help. Get them to spread the word. This socialite is proving to be an excellent way to find lost dogs that otherwise might remain a stray. Here's one success story: Family uses Facebook to find owner of lost dog.

3- Contact the police.
Use this method if you believe your dog's been stolen. Be prepared to answer a few questions and give a complete description of your pet. The police will need as much information as possible to find your pet.

4- Notify local shelters.
Call local shelters and file a lost pet report with them. This way, if one picks your dog, they will know he has an owner. This process may take some time, so you may want to enlist the aide of a family member or friend.

5- Place an ad in the paper.
Put an ad in your local paper with a description of your lost dog and your phone number. Leave out identifying descriptions so you can ask the caller. Also, understand that some people may use your loss as an opportunity to play a prank. Therefore, don't give out too much information without first finding out if the person is serious.

6- Hire a pet detective.
If you can afford it, hire a pet detective. These people are professionals and can put the time and effort into an effective search for your lost dog. Visit Missing Pet Partnership for a directory.

Try one or a few of these six ways to find a lost dog and you will increase your chances of bringing home your canine. Find out more about how to locate a lost dog by visiting FidoFinder.com.
Here is the original article.
You will also be able to find more and related articles at that site.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Supreme Court voids ban on cruel videos

This is an article I found on Dogtime.com. When I read this article I was sick. How can it be okay to make and sell dog fighting videos, yet dog fighting itself is illegal? If that holds water, then how can all the perverts get arrested for viewing kiddie porn videos on their own computers? Where exactly is the difference? In both cases, the innocent are damaged and others are profiting from said damage. Please click the link to go read the comments at the original site. This just makes no sense at all.
___________________________________________________________________________________

Dogtime editor rules on the Court's latest decision.

We live in a country in which our basic liberty is protected by law. And thanks to today's Supreme Court ruling, we can add one more freedom to the list that includes speech, religion, and assembly: We can legally profit from videos depicting people in spiked heels stomping on live animals until their bodies are pulverized. Crushed to death.
Thank you, Supreme Court justices (save Justice Alito), for upholding my right to sell footage showing the explicit maiming, torture, and killing of companion animals. I can now legally make money on dog fighting - or any other form of cruelty I happen to fancy.
"The First Amendment itself reflects a judgment by the American people that the benefits of its restrictions on the government outweigh its costs," said Chief Justice John Roberts.
According to cnn.com , "Roberts concluded Congress had not sufficiently shown 'depictions' of dog fighting enough to justify a special category of exclusion from free speech protection."
Just how many dogs should have to endure prolonged and intentional agony before the restrictions outweigh the costs? When does the scale tip away from depraved sadists in favor of a gentle and innocent animal?
In 1982, the Supreme Court ruled that the trafficking of child pornography does not fall under the protection of free speech. So the precedent is there. But the willingness of the Court to protect our dogs and cats is second to our right to produce images of bullfighting and deer hunting.
Roberts did concede one point. According to CNN, he "suggested a law specifically banning crush videos might be valid, since it was narrowly tailored to a specific type of commercial enterprise."
Might be valid? Your compassion is so overwhelming, Chief Justice Roberts, that I think I must now excuse myself to go be sick.
I love my American Pit Bull Terrier, but today, I certainly don't love being an American.
- Leslie Smith

The editor with her dog.

Here is the link to the original article and all the comments. Please visit the site.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Wordless Wednesday

I think I will begin using Wednesday's for pictures only. So, in that vein, here are some pictures of my Satchmo!

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Spring and summer also bring-----fleas!

For those of you who don't own Rat Terriers, you may not know that this breed is very sensitive to chemicals and has numerous allergies. I did not know this when I got my Satchmo, but I found out very soon afterward.

He is the only dog I've ever had that is allergic to his annual shots; he is allergic to topical flea medicines; he can only eat certain types of dry foods; and the list goes on and on.

Getting shots requires a preinjection of steriods and benadryl. It took me almost 8 years to find a topical flea medication I can apply without having him walk into walls and not be able to get back up. He throws up if I change his food or if I try new treats. This is just one of the downsides to this breed. The flipside is that Ratties are incredibly healthy and heal very fast. At 10 years old, his lab work is all within normal ranges just like a much younger dog. He still goes and goes and goes like the energizer bunny.

Ratties are also very independent, but that does not mean they are not loving and snuggle-buddies. Each rattie will have its own personality, but as a rule, these dogs are very loving and loyal and love to cuddle in the bed under the covers. I will say that housebreaking a rattie requires much patience and you have to develop a routine and then stick to it.

For more information about Rat Terriers, visit my site, Rat-Terrier-Information. You can get pointers on ways to train you rattie as well as watch some wonderful videos.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

The continuing saga of the feral cats.....

So, KT is finally becoming friendly enough that he wants to be scratched and petted. He even lets me pick him up occasionally. I want to take him to get fixed and his shots, but I am afraid that if I do, the other cat will freak out and leave.

Speaking of the other one. I have named her Ditto and she is definitely a she as I think she is pregnant. Great! More feral cats. She is still very skittish and bolts if you get too close. I am trying to find a place to fix her a box for birthing her babies, but I think she will just find another spot herself if I do. I have been feeding her extra to try to ensure the babies are healthy.

The surprise, however, is that there is a third cat. This litter originally was 4 kittens. One was run over in the apartment parking lot pretty soon after they were around. Then there were three. They played and slept and played some more, but one day there was just two, so I figured the third was run over too. I was wrong.

I don't know where this cat has been, but it is exactly the same age and size as the two I have been feeding. It even has the faint white spot on its neck that the other two have. So, I have decided it is the long lost litter-mate. It is really feral--hisses and bolts the minute it sees you, but it does come to eat at the bowl so I think I have a chance to calm it also. Don't know if it is male or female, but I would guess it is male if it has been able to fend alone so long.

Anyway, here are some new pics of the little feral kitties. Satchmo and Austen are enjoying KT, who goes on walks with us every morning and plays with the boys' leashes.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Spring brings squirrels!

Satchmo is a rat terrier and as such, he loves to hunt for "rats". Since he has never ever seen a real rat, he finds make-believe rats everywhere and chases them. Squirrels are his all time favorite prey. He loves to chase them and bark at them. What is even better is that they seem to love tormenting him just as much.

I live in an apartments complex that has numerous ancient oak trees. We probably have hundreds of squirrels, both old timers and newly born. Satch has developed a "second sight" about when a squirrel is in the tree next to him. He can find a squirrel in the highest branches and we all know that dogs don't have the best eyesight.

There is a big oak right in the middle of our yard and we have a large, fat, male squirrel that must winter over in that tree, because he has been there for the last two years. Now whenever I take Satch outside, he goes directly to the base of that tree and sniffs all around then he will look intently up at the branches until I have to drag him away. Heaven help us if he actually sees the squirrel. Then no pulling will get him away from the tree and he will bark until he is hoarse.

It's funny but really its pathetic. Here is a dog that wants to hunt and he lives in an apartment. So sad!

Monday, April 5, 2010

I just discovered the most wonderful rattie blog. It is about Yodi, the three-legged rat terrier. The pictures are delightful and the text is amusing. I highly recommend a visit just to see the antics of this feisty little dog.
He redefines the "feist" that denotes rat terriers.

To read more about him and see his antics, click here

I have posted the entry that describes how he became a three-legged dog. This is just after our recent brush with a loose and uncontrolled pit bull while we were out for a morning walk. Dog on dog violence is never okay. Do you suppose the owners of that dog helped pay for any of the care these pet owners gave to their precious little boy? I'm sure they did not, but I can also assure you that the total cost was large. Thank heavens we have people like Yodi's Mommy and Daddy in the world.
_________________________________________________________________________________
Yodi's Accident
On June 27, 2003, at about 9 months of age, our rat terrier Yodi (12 pounds) was attacked by a loose pit bull that ran onto my parents' property just as we got out of the car. Yodi had to have surgery at an emergency vet to repair several tears and bite wounds on his chest. A few days after that surgery, we brought him to our vet in Sarasota, who kept him for a few weeks for observation, pain control, and a few procedures. Yodi was very weak and tired and when we went to visit him, he was often just laying down; he could hardly move around and sometimes could barely lift his head. Yodi's red blood cell count dropped severely so he received a blood transfusion from one of the technician's dogs, a Weimaraner. (He got big doggie blood, which helped him feel a lot better.) Yodi's left front leg was swollen due to trauma and the vets applied heat and massaged it in hopes of getting the swelling to go down. A large patch of skin/tissue was dying on his chest (where he had been bitten) and he had to have surgery to remove the decaying tissue. Days later, we learned that his left front leg still wasn't doing much better and we were referred to an animal hospital in Tampa. We took him up there for a consultation and learned that the tissue in the leg was dying, which was sending toxins into Yodi's body; the toxins were making him sick and weak and were entering his body too fast for his body to be able to fight them and heal himself. This left us with the decision to either amputate the leg and save Yodi's life, or let our little puppy go. The obvious decision to us was to amputate the leg. We didn't have second thoughts about it. The amputation was done on July 10th. We couldn't believe it when the vet called and told us that Yodi was sitting up in his cage and had even walked outside - all by himself - to go to the bathroom. We saw him two days after the surgery, and we were allowed to take him outside for a walk. We couldn't believe how well he was getting around. Especially because the last time we saw him before the surgery, he coud barely lift his head. We saw him a second time, about a week later, and he was actually gobbling up his treats, giving lots of kisses, and running and jumping on and off the sidewalk. His final procedure, a skin flap (skin graft) was done on July 21st to cover the large patch where the tissue on his chest had died and been removed. The day after that, July 22nd, he came home with us.

July 5, 2003 - (Beneva Animal Hospital, Sarasota)
This was the first time we got to see the stitches and scars from Yodi's first surgery. He had two incisions which were stapled, and one area that was just stitched up. We could tell that he'd lost a lot of weight. In some of the pictures you can see how swollen and bruised his left front leg was. The area under his arm that is black and bruised is the area where the tissue would decay and need to be removed.

For a very close, detailed picture of Yodi's injuries, stitches, and staples, click here. (It's not pretty, and might be hard for some to look at.)

July 12, 2003 (Tampa)
This was the first time we saw Yodi with 3 legs. I don't think any of us really cared about how he looked or that he had 3 legs - we were all so amazed at the way his health turned around. He was kind of groggy that day because he still had a pain patch on, but we were thrilled to see him walking. What a tough little doggie.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

With Easter here remember--Dogs cannot eat Chocolate!!

Image by cliffandally via Flickr

Easter is here and that means lots of chocolate candy lying about. If you have dogs, please read this article below to learn why you must be careful with chocolate and dogs. There is also a video that explains this for those of you who learn better by hearing information. This is a serious risk for your beloved pet and I know I will be watchfull around the kids and look out for my best buddy, Satchmo!

Chocolate Toxicity in Dogs

We've all heard it, "Don't give your dog chocolate it will kill him". We'll how true is it you're probably wondering. Do I have to rush him to an emergency vet if he ate one of my M&M's?

The truth is chocolate contains theobromine that is toxic to dogs in sufficient quantities. This is a xanthine compound in the same family of caffeine, and theophylline.

Toxic Levels

The good news is that it takes, on average, a fairly large amount of theobromine 100-150 mg/kg to cause a toxic reaction. Although there are variables to consider like the individual sensitivity, animal size and chocolate concentration.

On average,
Milk chocolate contains 44 mg of theobromine per oz.
Semisweet chocolate contains 150mg/oz.
Baker's chocolate 390mg/oz.

Using a dose of 100 mg/kg as the toxic dose it comes out roughly as:
1 ounce per 1 pound of body weight for Milk chocolate
1 ounce per 3 pounds of body weight for Semisweet chocolate
1 ounce per 9 pounds of body weight for Baker's chocolate.

So, for example, 2 oz. of Baker's chocolate can cause great risk to an 15 lb. dog. Yet, 2 oz. of Milk chocolate usually will only cause digestive problems.

Clinical Signs

Xanthines affect the nervous system, cardiovascular system and peripheral nerves. It has a diuretic effect as well. Clinical signs:

Hyper excitability
Hyper irritability
Increased heart rate
Restlessness
Increased urination
Muscle tremors
Vomiting
Diarrhea

Treatment

There is no specific antidote for this poisoning. And the half life of the toxin is 17.5 hours in dogs. Induce vomiting in the first 1-2 hours if the quantity is unknown. Administering activated charcoal may inhibit absorption of the toxin. An anticonvulsant might be indicated if neurological signs are present and needs to be controlled. Oxygen therapy, intravenous medications, and fluids might be needed to protect the heart.

Milk chocolate will often cause diarrhea 12-24 hours after ingestion. This should be treated symptomatically (fluids, etc..) to prevent dehydration.

If you suspect your pet has ingested chocolate contact your Vet immediately! They can help you determine the the proper treatment for your pet.

Here's the link for this article

Monday, May 10, 2010

Friday, May 7, 2010

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

Sunday, May 2, 2010

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Thursday, April 29, 2010

Dogtime editor rules on the Court's latest decision.

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