No reason to not get your fuzzy companions fixed

Free and low cost spay neuter clinics all over town. Check SNAP, Man and Beast, Animal Control, Windcrest Animal Hosp etc..

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From:
Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:35:26 -0000
To: <AAPAW@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [AAPAW] Special Spay/Neuter clinics @ACS in July

Animal Care Services is hosting eight low cost cat spay/neuter clinics in the month of July. Both cats and dogs can be scheduled for low cost surgery in the ACS Veterinary clinic and residents will be able to get their pets sterilized, vaccinated and micro-chipped for a special rate of just $10. Clinic dates are as follows:

July 6th- cat neuter day

July 7th- cat spay day

July 8th- dog neuter day (in honor of Dog Awareness Week)

July 13th-cat spay day

July 14th- cat neuter day

July 20th- cat neuter day

July 21st- cat spay day

July 27th cat spay day

All clinics will be held at the ACS shelter located at 4710 State Highway 151 and are open to Bexar County residents only. Ferals and owned cats will be accepted on cat clinic days but each clinic is limited to three animals per household in order to offer these services to as many residents as possible. Space is limited and some restrictions apply so residents should call ACS at 207-6652 to reserve a spot today!

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If you think your dog has been stolen

Saw this post on a group site. I have helped look for lost dogs and always thought a healthy reward would help stolen pets get back home. I never thought pretending you are a buyer. Great idea! See below

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From:
Date: Fri, 26 Jun 2009 06:08:09 -0700 (PDT)
To: <AAPAW@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: [AAPAW] ....

.... Also, a few tricks of the trade I've used when trying to track down lost dogs for those who contact us with stolen/lost pets... go to cl, oodle, backpage, kijiji and post a want to buy ad, people who steal dogs often sell them... also I found a stolen dog, nearly a YEAR after the fact at a flea market near Austin... flea markets are a good place to check often for lost/stolen pets... it's quick cash and no paper trail sort of thing. That's why people still "in demand " breeds... I hope this helps your Tech....let me know if I can assist you any further! ....

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Animal Care Giver Manual

Click here for link to a manual that you can use for those who take care of fuzzy companions.

Check out my main blog at http://latrenda.blogspot.com/

Foods that are bad for your pets

Most people know by now that chocolate can kill a dog. Grapes can also kill - dogs have died of renal failure after consuming grapes or rasins.
Other things to keep away from your fuzzy children:
Oleander
Poinsetia
Onions
Macadamia nuts

See my main blog at http://latrenda.blogspot.com
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Dog Walking Devices

See my document here

माय Lupe

Yawning

Did you know that when a dog yawns, it doesn't always mean she/he is tired or sleepy? In dog language, a yawn is often a pacifying gesture.
The dog might be trying to say - "no need to be afraid of me. I mean you no harm."

Lupe's. Story

Lupe's Story

A couple saw a starving dog in a humane trap out in the country. They were concerned about her so they kept checking on her. They saw her in the trap for 3 days straight. On the 3rd day, she had 7 puppies in the trap. They couple then brought the whole thing (the trap containing all 8 animals) into the ADL on a Friday after hours. The following Saturday I was asked to foster her and her babies. The plan was that while the puppies were growing up, the adult dog would get some socialization then I could return all to the shelter. I said hello to the mama dog Saturday afternoon – went home and got my house ready and picked up everyone to take home on Sunday (March 19th, 2006). Lupe didn't know how to walk on a leash and she was so afraid of me that she urinated and defecated on me when I picked her up. She was frightened but very docile.

I set up Lupe and her puppies in my spare hallway bathroom. Although the door was left wide open, Lupe was too afraid to leave the room. Whenever I left the house, or went to sleep, she would come out and potty in the dining room (the furthest point from the bathroom). Not only did she stay in the bathroom, but whenever she wasn't feeding her puppies, she would stay in the bathtub.

Her socialization was slow. I had to carry her outside. She was so frightened, she either sat in a corner of the yard or ran back into the house. She would only go potty inside the house. Never outside. Like I said, the first time I picked her up, she urinated and deficated on me. The 2nd time I picked her up, she only urinated on me. The third time I carried her, I didn't get soiled. But for months afterwards, whenever she met someone new, she would defecate.

It took her about 2 months to come out of the bathroom and she slowly started moving out of the bathroom and into the bedroom with me over the course of a couple of months. She kept all her toys in the bathtub. When she decided to start moving into the bedroom with me, every morning when I awoke, I would find a new toy in my bedroom. After another month or two, all her toys were in the bedroom and she was sleeping in the bed with me.

After about 4 months, she finally started going potty outside but only in select places. In the beginning, I had to drive her to the shelter or to the vet to get her to go potty.

After about another month, she would also potty if I walked her all the way outside the subdivision – only to the left – not the right side of the subdivision.

After about anther month, she finally started going potty in the neighborhood but at the far end of the neighborhood so finally after 6 months, she stopped going potty in the house.

She wouldn't potty in the back yard until Matt-Matt moved in with us. Matt-Matt is another story.

After about 8 months or so, she finally stopped defacating when she would meet someone new but she still is very afraid of new people.

All of her puppies came back to the shelter at 6 weeks old and were quickly adopted. I felt that Lupe would probably always be a special needs dog so I adopted her. I couldn't bring myself to put her in the kennel were she would cowering in a corner.

All her babies would be adults now. I think about them all the time.

See Lupe pictures and videos here

"Lupe's Story" slide show chronology

"Free Range Puppies" – video of Lupe's puppies

Lupe's Puppies 24 April 2006" – video of Lupe's puppies

http://briefcase.yahoo.com/bc/latrenda.walker@sbcglobal.net/lst?.dir=/Lupe&.order=&.view=l&.src=bc&.done=http%3a//briefcase.yahoo.com/

Fw: MattMattArticleUpdated

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Hi, my name is Matt. My friends call me Matt-Matt. I got that name because a kennel worker said that when I bark, I sound like I’m saying “Matt-Matt.”

I was found as a stray and brought to a shelter back in March 2003. I was about 2 years old back then. I was nervous and scared and found solace within the confines of my kennel. Because I was so scared, I began lashing out at anyone who tried to enter my personal space (my kennel). I soon gained a reputation of being aggressive. Nevertheless, some kennel workers didn’t let that deter them. They looked past my aggressive reputation and saw a sweet, scared dog. One kennel worker helped a volunteer realize that if people got to know Matt outside of his kennel first, he would quickly warm up and allow those folks into his kennel later. One volunteer made friends with Matt and introduced him to other volunteers. Although Matt still has an “aggressive” reputation, he has made friends with several volunteers at the shelter who are able to easily enter his kennel. That first volunteer who got to know Matt later became a staff member and thought that after 3 and half years in the kennel barking at people Matt could use a little break. So she introduced Matt to her dog Lupe (another special needs dog who came from the same shelter). They both got along, so Matt started spending nights at home with the staff member and Lupe.

Matt was very nervous at first, but he quickly settled in to the house environment. He loves to sleep on the bed and hang out on piles of blankets and towels. He tries very hard to be a good boy. He has already learned sit and lay down (who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks) and he always comes running when his name is called. He walks very well on the leash whenever he goes away from the house. One the way back to the house, he pulls hard because he is nervous. But he is getting some help with that

Matt’s foster Mom tried hard to find Matt a permanent home. But no one came in asking about the cute little red heeler. So after 6 months, Matt made his foster home a permanent home.

How To Make a Slip Leash

Occasionally, my blogs as well as my interests will overlap. For example, I love dogs and I also like to save money (so I can work less and spend more time walking dogs). Therefore I came up with a cheap way to make my own slip leashes.

Please see my YouTube videos on how to make a slip leash. This information is also linked to my money blog

You can make these yourself, purchase them online or at a store or you can purchase from me.

My no-frills leash goes for 10 dollars and my crocheted leash sells for 20 dollars. Any money made will go back to the shelter where I volunteer - in the form of treats, collars, leashes, etc... for the dogs and cats at the shelter.

YouTube will only allow videos of 10 minutes max so I broke this down into segments.

To view the videos, click on one of the little arrows. To view a full size video, click on the little square at the bottom right.

Caution - never leave a dog unattended wearing a slip leash. Be careful not to damage a dog's trachea while using a slip leash. Be careful not to injure yourself or others when using sharp objects such as the scissors and needles you will be using to make your slip leash.

The first segment is mostly cautions and introductions.



This second section finishes up making what I call a "no-frills" slip leash. Coming later, how to make a fancier leash and other slip leash resources if you don't want to make your own or purchase one of mine.




Other Slip Leash Resources



Next are some videos on making a fancier slip leash - with crochet and more details. The instructions are more detailed and take much longer. It will take me a few days to get all the video loaded. I'm posting here as the video is uploaded to Youtube. I'm going to look into sharing playlist.

How to make a slip leash with crochet - part one



How to make a slip leash with crochet - part two


For part three of how to make a slip leash with crochet, I'm going to attempt to make a playlist in Youtube (the slideshow in photbucket didn't work out)and share it here. I have about 50 more clips to load so it might take a few days. Hopefully, they will become viewable here as I load them onto YouTube. Please note that there will be a delay between each video clip.


To return to my main blog, go to http://latrenda.blogspot.com/

This post will also be linked in my Money Matters Blog at http://latrenda-money.blogspot.com/

My Lupe

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Shy or Unsocialized Dogs - Approaching, Socializing

Unsocialized Dog Tips
(These tips also apply to well-adjusted, happy, friendly dogs)

Applies to your own shy dog, a shy dog you meet on the street or volunteering at a shelter.
* Caution - although a shy dog's first response is mostly likely to run away when frightened, a shy dog can and will bite if she or he feels cornered or trapped. Give yourself and the dog an escape route when socializing.

How do you recognize an unsocialized dog? One, some or all of the below:
Tail tucked
Eyes darting and/or wide open
Cowering, ducking
Trembling
Heavy panting
Excessive licking
Backing away from you
When the kennel worker takes me out of my kennel and hands me to you, please just let me walk. The first thing I want to do is go potty. Then I want to smell where everyone else has pottied, then I want to stretch my legs and get used to the idea that a stranger is walking me. If you try to pet me as soon as I come out of the kennel, you will probably frighten me; I will feel trapped and forced into getting petted. Also if you try to comfort me when I’m scared you only reinforce my timid behavior.

Please realize that we don’t have to do anything when we are together. I’m just happy to get out and about. Don’t feel bad if I don’t want to play fetch or jump in the pool or talk to you right away.

If we are in a play area together or a kennel or a house, please give me plenty of space and allow me to come up to you when I’m ready. I’m much more comfortable meeting you on my own terms. I will warm up to you much faster if our meeting isn’t forced. Let me come to you when I’m ready.

Please don’t make any sudden movements. All movements should be slow, flowing and deliberate. Let me know what you are doing at all times.

I feel much more comfortable when we are on the same level. I would really appreciate it if you would sit on the ground or floor for me. Then you don’t look so big and you look much less frightening.

Please don’t look directly at me. Use your peripheral vision if possible. In doggie language, a direct stare means that you are challenging me and looking for a confrontation. Try to keep your side to my side.

Please don’t try to pet me on my head. This can be frightening to me. Once I’m ready to get petted, I will approach you. When I do this, then slowly raise your cupped hand (no straight fingers) towards my chest or shoulder and give me a little scritch. If I don’t cower, then you can try scratching my back. If I try to run off while you are petting me, please let me. I’ll come back when I feel more comfortable.

If I'm frightened, it's best to leave my leash on at all time when we are outside. Even in an enclosed area like a yard. If not, you might have a hard time releashing me or getting me back inside.

What happens if you can’t pick up my leash or get my leash back on?
Please don’t chase or corner me. This will only frighten me more and I might try to bite you
You might want to try hiding the leash and just petting me first; then slip the leash on when I’m not expecting it (slow and deliberate movements)

Since I’m so timid, I might try to escape the first chance I get. If I get loose, please don’t chase me or corner me. This will only frighten me more. Call softly if it doesn't seem to bother. Try walking or crawling backwards towards me. This make me more comfortable.
o

An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure

This is an old cliche but it is so relevant today. Especially with pet care in todays economic times.
Spend 5 dollars a month on Heartworm preventative and avoid a 400- 1,000 dollar bill for treating heartworms. Can't afford 5 dollas a month you say? I think most people could. Look at where you can cut back? Do you really need those 100 cable channels? That McDonald's breatkfast before work? Even if you never eat out, could you eat little less? Give up meat for a day or two. A bean and brown rice dinners if pack full of protein, fiber, and vitamins.

Another way to save on vet bills is to keep your fuzzy companion safe. Can't afford a super expensive emergency vet bill? Never ever let you dog or cat run loose where he or she could get run over by a car, attacked by another animals or shot or injured by another human.

Flexi leads are probably quite fun for your dog but humans have sustained serious digit injuries from these things (causing human emergency room bills) and dogs are also in serious danger because humans can't maintain control or gain quick control in an emergency situation. What if your dog is 20 feet in front of you and an aggressive dog runs out of nowhere (it happens!). How long will it take you to regain control?
Check out this posting: http://www.dogforums.com/2-general-dog-forum/52327-i-hit-dog-flexi.html

Tails

Did you know a tucked tail means that a dog is shy or frightened. Although a tucked tails doens't mean aggression, be very cautious. A frightened dog will bite if she or he fills cornered or trapped.

Next, how to approach a shy dog

Tails

Did you know that a dog's wagging tail doesn't always mean "I'm happy" or "I'm friendly". A wagging tail can also mean, "I'm the dominate dog and if you don't submit to me, I might have to bite you". Usually, a dominate tail wag is high and stiff.
Also watch out for tails that stand straight up. If two dogs meet and both their tails are high and tight, watch out! A fight might just be imminent.