The Experiment was a Success!

Using Melatonin really works.  Satch was able to weather those numerous thunderstorms without even waking up.  He did not shake or pace and he slept through the worst storm!

I will certainly be using Melatonin for his storm phobia in the future.  I hope you can benefit from this information.  Research online at veterinary sites about using melatonin for fears and phobias in dogs.

Hopefully, since Satch developed this phobia later in his life, he will now be able to return to the happy and fearless dog he always was before.

We're having Thunderstorms and Heavy Rain -- Uh Oh! Satch is in the tub again!

Image by ConnieG via Flickr

My dog is deathly afraid of thunder.  He becomes a pitiful, shaking, quaking mess when storms roll in.  I have tried all different ways to relieve his anxiety and pain, to no avail.  He will pace and hide and pace and hide, all while shaking violently and whining.  It hurts me to watch him.  I recently read an article about using Melatonin to deal with this problem.  Below is an article I found, which is just one of many available, that talks about using Melatonin.  I found it on OhMyDogSupplies.com.

The first time I tried this was in the middle of the night when Satch's severe shaking woke me up from a sound sleep.  He was finally able to calm down and go back to sleep, but it took a while for the effect to occur.  Today, however, the storms arrived before I realized it and he was in full-blown panic.  I gave him a dose but so far no effect.  I will have to wait and see if I will need to do something else.  The last time he went into a panic, he jumped into the bathtub and howled.  I want no repeat of that, please.

So, here's the article I'm talking about:

Melatonin: Used To Treat Fear Of Thunderstorms

December 15, 2008

Dogs are often scared of loud noises, not all dogs, but many.  And of those who do have a noise sensitivity,  thunderstorms  and other similar, unexpected sounds, are often the culprits of  their fears. Fear of thunder or other loud noises is very common.  This is often true for puppies and older dogs. Dealing with the possibility of having a panic stricken, nervous  dog, many owners resort to tranquilizers whenever alerted to an  impending thunderstorm. This is an extreme treatment that is  often recommended, but seldom needed. I would like to now  introduce you to a new alternative should you ever need it for  your own scared dog the next time a storm comes through your  area. It is a safe, drug-free, over-the-counter supplement that is  easily available to to any dogs with these anxiety problems. It is  called melatonin. You have probably heard of melatonin before. It is a naturally  occurring hormone that is secreted by a small endocrine gland  called the pineal gland, located at the base of the brain. It helps  to regulate and maintain the body’s circadian rhythm (the body’s  internal clock that tells mammals when to fall asleep and when to  wake up). Melatonin, in humans, is often used as a natural  sleeping aid. For dogs, melatonin is often administered to  alleviate their fear of thunder and other loud noises. I have read studies that melatonin has a positive result with at least  75% of dogs who take the supplement. When do you administer  melatonin, you may be wondering? With some dogs, melatonin is  most effective when it is given just before the storm hits.  In other  dogs, it is best when this supplement is given just as they are  starting to show signs of stress, anxiety and fear so you may have  to experiment over the course of a few storms before you find the  perfect application time for your own dog. Melatonin is said to work in the dogs body for about eight hours or  so. One important note: do not use melatonin on any pregnant dogs  or very young puppies. The best advice I can give you is to check with your veterinarian prior to using melatonin to make sure there  will be no problems with pre-existing health problems or medications  that your dog currently has (or is on) and also for the recommended  dosage for your own pet. By: Debbie Ray Need German Shepherd or Purebred dog information  (http://www.pedigreedpups.com) ? Check us out if you have other  dog related questions!

http://www.ohmydogsupplies.com/xnews.php?newsid=160

How To Make Sure Your Dog Has Healthy Teeth

Search Amazon.com for dog teeth care

As you know from reading this blog, Satchmo has terrible trouble with his teeth.  Some of it is my fault, I'm sure, but some of it is his genetics.  I thought I would post an article here about ways to help your dog have a nice clean mouth to give lots of doggy kisses to you without cringing from the odor.

This is from a website called Our Dogs Food.  Please visit the site and there you will find a veritable source of information and videos that cover just about any issue known in the care of your pets.  I know I will be bookmarking this site and returning frequently, so I hope you enjoy it also.

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How To Make sure your Dog has Healthy Teeth

By the time your dog matures, he’ll have 42 teeth (twenty on top and twenty-two on the bottom). All of them will need proper care throughout his life. It is estimated that four out of five canines experience some form of dental problem by three years of age. The side effects extend much further than a lost tooth or discomfort along the gum line. Bacteria can potentially enter your pooch’s bloodstream, leading to problems with his kidneys and heart.
Oral disease is one of the most prevalent medical issues suffered by pets throughout the country. For this reason, we’ll take a closer look at common dental problems experienced by dogs and the steps you can take to prevent them. We’ll explain why regular trips to your veterinarian are critical and describe how to care for your canine’s teeth at home.
Common Types Of Dental Problems
While cavities are rare among canines, plaque buildup is common. It typically forms as the result of small bits of food that accumulate between the teeth and gum line. If the food is allowed to remain there for prolonged periods, plaque will eventually form.
Over time, minerals in your canine’s saliva will transform the plaque into tartar. Tartar is a bigger problem because it is much more difficult to correct. Moreover, unlike plaque, tartar causes inflammation to the gums, a condition known as gingivitis.
If your dog develops gingivitis, you’ll noticed the gum line next to his teeth becoming red. You’ll also notice that his breath is bad. If the tartar is allowed to remain, it will continue to build underneath your pooch’s gums. Small spaces will eventually form between the gum line and teeth, which promote the growth of bacteria. This is the onset of periodontitis; it cannot be reversed. Your dog will likely begin to develop abscesses, infection, and other problems, including lost teeth.
It’s worth noting the factors that contribute to periodontal disease. First, some breeds are more susceptible to developing the problem than others. Second, genetics play a part. Third, your canine’s diet, age, and the dental care you provide for him at home also have a significant influence. Many owners would be surprised to learn that even the manner in which they groom their dogs can promote the accumulation of tartar.
Regular Trips To The Veterinarian
Proper dental care for your pooch should involve a two-pronged approach. You should make regular appointments with his [...]

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Wordless Wednesday

This is Maggie, a dog I currently foster online at Save A  Dog.

From RiverRidge Rat Terriers, one of the best breeders around

This is Sissy, another rattie I foster online at Save A Dog

Tuesday's True Stories -- Lucas: Love Champion

Image via Wikipedia

Tuesday's will now be dedicated to telling true stories about dogs all over the world.  Rescues, strays, pets, etc.; you name it and I will post it.  As a true dog lover, I always enjoy good stories about man's best friend.  It seems that our world is getting meaner and meaner (people-wise) so to find balance I need to read about the unconditional love and loyalty freely given to us by our four-legged pets.

Here is an article I found on For Your Entertainment about the meanest of the Vick pit bulls.  This is a great story and it will make you smile.  Enjoy!  Please check out some of the other hilarious posts at that blog site and leave them a comment.
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In my time as a caregiver at Best Friends I've worked with all kinds of dogs with all sorts of temperaments, but I haven't had too much contact with the Vicktory dogs, the pit bulls that were formerly owned by Michael Vick. There are a few I say hello to that live in staff offices and whom I see fairly often, but just haven't had the opportunity to get to know any of them too well... until a few weeks ago!

I was helping out with a transport of two dogs that needed to see medical specialists in Las Vegas. When I got in the van along with ace BF Lead Dog Tech Sarah Kubacki I discovered that we'd be transporting two dogs: Jingles, an awesomely friendly little pit bull with a mysterious eye issue, and Lucas, one of the most legendary of the Vicktory dogs. Thought by investigators to be Vick's champion fighter, this large brown pit bull has quite the impressive scar collection, particularly around his face and muzzle, and is one of two dogs compelled to live out his life here at Best Friends by order of the court. He also has a reputation for being an all-around sweetheart and nice guy and I'd met him a few times in an office where he visits sometimes and greets staff and visitors to BF. My time at Best Friends has only deepened my love for pit bulls and I was quite happy to be spending time with Lucas and Jingles!

The ride down to Vegas was uneventful and Jingles went to her ophthalmologist appointment, where she needed to stay for a while, so we continued on with Lucas for his cardiologist appointment. He's one of the BEST dogs for medical handling I've ever seen and was open and friendly as the vet did his physical exam... and then his two vet students repeated the exam, with Lucas smiling the whole time! He got the same excellent reviews from the techs who escorted him into a private room for his echocardiogram. Lucas is being monitored for an enlarged heart caused by heartworm, which was treated when he arrived at Best Friends. I'm happy to say that the cardiologist was very pleased.

We got some news about Jingles, too: she was going to have to stay overnight for a minor surgical procedure in the morning. It didn't make sense to drive all the way back to Best Friends only to have to return to Las Vegas in the morning, so we made some phone calls and came up with a plan: we would stay in Las Vegas overnight... and take Lucas on his very first sleepover outside of Best Friends! Once we were out of the vet's office with Lucas I made some reservations and found a dog-friendly hotel for the evening.

Lucas remained friendly at the hotel, but at first he didn't want to leave the bathroom! He was fascinated by the shower stall and wanted to hang out in there - obviously a little intimidated by the brand new environment. We gave him a little while to decompress and get comfy and gave him some water, and after a bit encouraged him to come out and explore... which eventually, he did. When we made it clear that he was welcome to come up onto the bed if he wanted, he did... and plopped himself down between us to watch some TV. We petted him as he watched, transfixed by the antics of Steve Carell, a real couch potato! As he grew more comfortable with his surroundings he rolled on his back for belly scratches and occasionally wandered up to give us some kisses. He was also fascinated by the pizza that was delivered! (Of course, I would never give a dog people food... y'know, except a little crust...)

We wandered out for his evening walk - he was amiable and curious and accepted the extremely blustery winds and the sights and sounds of a bustling city, so unlike what he is used to, with admirable ease. When bedtime came, he stretched out between us and slept soundly while snoring lightly, waking us in the morning with happy kisses and a wagging tail.

We had some time in the morning before we had to pick up Jingles, so Lucas came with us on an outing to the park. He did great and enjoyed himself immensely - he was particularly interested in the duck pond and was very curious about the ducks and geese! We saw some other leashed dogs at a distance and while he was curious about them, he didn't show any sign of aggression. He was loose and happy and loved walking on grass, something he doesn't have much of at the desert sanctuary! After our park outing we picked Jingles up from the vet and headed home to Utah.

Lucas is one of the most well-known of a group of dogs whom some leaders in animal welfare thought - and some still think - should be killed. They were called "ticking time bombs" and "some of the most aggressively trained pit bulls in the country". "Rehabilitating fighting dogs", one animal group opined, "is not in the cards." As I woke up in that hotel room with a scarred, battered, happy, silly, joyous pit bull licking my face, I had only one thought: I wish that people who truly love animals but believe that pit bulls or fighting victims are somehow different or irredeemable could have the same experience I had, to spend an evening in a hotel room with Lucas and a night with him rolling over for scratches, being silly, investigating new things, and sleeping peacefully by your side - and wake up to this incredibly resilient, affectionate and forgiving animal licking your face. Lucas is a wonderful dog on his own merits, and I very much hope that one day the court will allow him to be adopted so he may have people of his own. He deserves it.


Here's the link to the original posting......click here

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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.

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?