Joanne Wannan is the author of New Lives: Stories of Rescued Dogs Helping, Healing and Giving Hope. Below is an excerpt from her chapter about Leo, a Pit Bull once owned by Michael Vick who became a therapy dog and Canine Good Citizen. Enjoy the story, and come back on Monday to find out about a chance to select your favorite shelter to receive 50% of the profits from the sale of New Lives for two months!

On April 25, 2007, Marthina McClay was relaxing in her living room watching television when a newsflash was broadcast. Property owned by NFL star Michael Vick had been raided, and approximately 50 Pit Bulls, allegedly part of a dog fighting operation, had been seized.

She sat bolt upright, stunned. “I don’t believe it,” she thought. And then: “I would really love to get one of those dogs and train it to do therapy work.”

Leo wearing his clown collar. (Photo: Stephanie Lam)Marthina is the founder and president of Our Pack, Inc., a Los Gatos, Calif. -based group that rescues and advocates for Pit Bulls. A certified dog trainer and animal behavior consultant, she is also involved in animal-assisted activities and has visited nursing homes with Hailey, her 5-year-old brindle Pit Bull, for the past several years.

On August 24, 2007, Vick entered into a plea agreement in which he admitted to taking part in a dog fighting operation and killing dogs who did not perform well in testing sessions, which were designed to determine whether the dogs were good fighters. In December, Vick was sentenced to 23 months in jail.

And for the first time in history, federal agents, the district attorney’s office, several animal shelters and animal-law experts worked together in what would become a landmark animal-welfare case.

Judge Henry E. Hudson ordered that each Pit Bull be evaluated individually, rather than being automatically destroyed. The cost of taking care of the dogs was to be covered by Vick. A few months after Vick’s arrest, Marthina read a newspaper article stating that many of the confiscated Pit Bulls would be saved. Rebecca Huss, a nationally recognized expert in animal law at the Valparaiso University School of Law in Indiana, was named guardian/special master to the dogs. Rebecca determined that the dogs should be placed with rescue organizations, which would provide rehabilitation and training with the possibility of future adoption.

Marthina was astonished. She immediately contacted Rebecca and went through an extensive screening process. Applicants needed to have insurance and prove they had a certain level of experience working with Pit Bulls, among other standards. Once Our Pack was approved, Marthina asked Rebecca if any of the dogs had the potential to do therapy work. There were several candidates; Rebecca sent her a video of Leo, a handsome, tan 2-year-old with deep brown eyes. “Leo looked so eager and friendly,” Marthina says. “I could imagine cartoon thought bubbles with him saying, ‘I’m the guy for you! Take me now.’ ”

Leo had not been socialized when he first came to live with Marthina. “I don’t think he’d ever seen a couch before. He didn’t understand what toys were, or a warm bed, or a bone,” she says. “It’s not that he wasn’t friendly; he just didn’t understand about love, or what he was here for.” Leo was “kennel crazy” from having been cooped up most his life. “He acted like a caveman at a tea party. He was like a 4-month-old puppy, jumping up on people and nipping their clothes. He had no manners or social skills and was literally bouncing off walls.”

Leo paced a lot to relieve anxiety. He traveled from the kitchen to the living room to the dining room, then back again. Marthina used calming techniques such as speaking to him in a low voice, putting on soft music and dimming the lights. She would sit beside Leo, petting him and trying to get him to relax. She kept a diary during this time, and about 10 days after she brought him home, she wrote: “Wow! A big win! He sat down beside me for the count of five.”

Marthina used positive reinforcement such as hugs, kisses and lots of praise; things that Leo had never experienced before. He loved training and quickly learned obedience skills and how to walk on a leash. “You could see the love, affection and intelligence while Leo was training. When he figured out how to do something, he’d have this expression on his face that seemed to be saying, ‘Hey! I get it!’ as if he were very proud.” All this hard work paid off: Leo aced his Canine Good Citizen test and was then tested and certified by Therapy Dogs Inc. And he accomplished all this in just five weeks. “It’s a testament to the breed,” Marthina tells me. “They bounce back. They don’t hold grudges. They’re not sitting on Jerry Springer, mopping their brow and saying, ‘Oh, I can’t move forward with my life.’ ”

These days “Dr. Leo,” as he is affectionately called, visits a number of different facilities. He approaches patients in a calm and gentle manner, expertly maneuvering around breathing tubes and IVs. Leo never jumps up on patients or puts up his paw. Instead, he waits patiently to be petted or for a lap on which to plunk down his big, friendly head. Leo often wears a clown collar when he visits because, as Marthina puts it, “Pit Bulls are clowns, they really are. They provide therapy for people who are ill or depressed. They want to be with somebody even if they’re scary looking.” Although some people are initially afraid of Pit Bulls, even if they have never met one, Leo quickly wins them over. “He is magnetic, a real Casanova. Leo is a darling, darling dog.”

One of the first places Marthina and Leo visited was a convalescent home for Alzheimer’s patients. When they arrived, patients were sitting around the fireplace in a big reception area. There was a lot of activity going on, yet Marthina noticed one woman sitting in the middle of the room, staring blankly at the wall. Leo was in the woman’s peripheral vision and she slowly turned her head, looked at him and gave a little smile. On the way out, a receptionist stopped Marthina to tell her this woman never responded to anything. This was the first time in years there had been a spark in her eyes.

Leo also visits patients undergoing chemotherapy at the Camino Medical Group in Mountain View, Calif. The staff take a “doggie break” instead of a coffee break when they see him coming down the hall, and the patients are always happy when Dr. Leo makes his rounds.

Marthina waits until patients get to know Leo before telling them about his past. It’s hard for them to reconcile a fighting dog image with the goofy dog sitting in front of them, wagging his tail and batting his big brown eyes. When they look closer at the scars behind Leo’s ears, they find the telltale signs of the abuse he endured.

This is often a pivotal moment for patients. One woman said she would never again feel sorry for herself after learning what Leo had been through. Other times, people reach out and hug the gentle dog. “There is a common bond between Leo and the patients,” Marthina says. “They are both survivors. They have both faced off against death. Leo lets them know that anything is possible. He gives them the strength to go on.”

Marthina often wonders if Michael Vick will ever see a picture of Leo wearing his clown collar. And if he does, will he even realize what a special dog Leo is? “Leo is a lover, not a fighter,” Marthina says. For Leo, the fact that he doesn’t have the chops for fighting means that, if not for that police raid, he likely would have died a cruel and painful death. Leo doesn’t worry about these things. He is too busy enjoying his new life. His days are filled with lots of love, toys and plenty of time for play. “He’s a clown. He’s probably the most clownish of all my dogs. It’s amazing, when you consider where he came from,” Marthina says. “He likes to clown around. He’ll jump halfway on the couch, miss, and fall backwards with his legs sticking straight in the air.” He thoroughly enjoys his work as a therapy dog. And at the end of the day, he loves nothing more than to put up his feet, conk out on the couch and snore!

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No matter how careful we are as pet owners, dogs and cats sometimes still manage to cut themselves, get overheated and eat things they really shouldn’t. Paw Nation wants to help you be prepared should trouble strike.

We asked Dr. Elisa Mazzaferro, Director of Emergency Services at Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital in Colorado, and the official veterinarian of Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl VI what she recommends you do in these five common situations:

1. Treating A Cut or Scratched Paw
“One of the most important things clients can do if injury is on the animal’s paw is to put pressure on it with a clean towel and bring the pet into the nearest veterinary hospital,” Dr. Mazzaferro tells Paw Nation. Don’t apply a tourniquet because it can decrease blood supply to the injured limb and be dangerous. And you should probably avoid rinsing a wounded paw in water. “Sometimes that will release a blood clot that’s formed.” says Dr. Mazzaferro.

2. Evaluating Vomiting and Diarrhea
“If your pet’s vomiting or diarrhea occurs more than just a couple of times, or if there is blood in it, or any suspicion of the dog or cat having gotten into a toxin, the pet needs to be seen by a veterinarian right away,” says Dr. Mazzaferro. Otherwise, if vomiting occurs just a couple of times, withhold food and water for at least six hours and see if the condition subsides. “If they continue to vomit or become lethargic, or if they’re a puppy or a very small, toy breed dog, I would bring them into a vet because they can dehydrate quickly,” says Dr. Mazzaferro

3. Dealing With Heatstroke
Heatstroke is especially a risk during summer months. Signs include panting, increased respiratory sounds, collapse, seizure, vomiting and bloody diarrhea. “Get the animal away from the heat immediately,” says Dr. Mazzaferro. “Soak towels in room temperature or tepid water — not cold water or ice – and place the wet towels over the dog and put a fan in the room to allow ambient cooling.” Put the towels over the dog’s torso, over their back, chest and abdomen. “The mistake people make is dousing the animal in ice-cold water, and that can actually cause the blood vessels in the skin to constrict and it could cause the animal’s core temperature to rise and make the temperature worse,” says Dr. Mazzaferro. “The most important thing is to get the animal to the vet. They may need intravenous fluids if they’re severely dehydrated.”

4. Handling Household Toxins
“Chocolates, onions, raisins, grapes, various plants, as well as household chemicals are commonly ingested by animals, or people give their pets over the counter medications, such as Tylenol or Advil or Aleve, and all of these can be very, very toxic or fatal to pets,” says Dr. Mazzaferro. If you suspect your pet may have ingested something toxic, the best thing to do is to call the ASPCA National Poison Control Center, a 24-hour hotline at (888) 426-4435 and take your pet immediately to a veterinary hospital. (FYI, a $65 consultation fee may be applied to your credit card for the ASPCA Poison Control service.) Don’t try to induce vomiting without professional advice, it can be dangerous.

5. Responding If Your Pet Is Hit By a Car
Quick thinking and knowing what to do can help save your pet after an accident. “If the injured animal is not able to move,” says Dr. Mazzaferro, “put them on an immobile surface, like a flat board or big, giant piece of plywood and strap them down so that if they have a spine injury or neck injury, they won’t further injure themselves.” Then get the pet to the nearest veterinary facility. “Even the nicest pet can lash out when they are injured and in pain,” says Dr. Mazzaferro. “People can use a towel over the animal’s head or use a pair of nylons to put around the animal’s muzzle and tie it shut, so that the person helping the pet keeps from getting bitten.”

In general, one of the best things you can do, says Dr. Mazzaferro, is to take a basic pet first-aid course. “I think every pet owner should know the Heimlech maneuver and that’s something you would learn in a first aid class,” she says. The American Red Cross offers Pet First Aid classes at their locations across the country, so check their Web site to find your local Red Cross chapter.

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First Annual “Dogs and Suds” Fundraiser

by Lisa on August 10, 2010

I just want to thank EVERYONE who participated in my First Annual Dogs and Suds Fundraiser. This means anyone who bought raffle tickets, came to it, purchased from my website, helped work the event, donated prizes, sponsored it, WREX TV for all the coverage, just ALL OF YOU wonderful people who made this day possible!

SaveAPett made over $1000.00 in the four hour event and was able to donate to three different local organizations. Winnebago County Animal Services (www.wcasrock.org), PAWS (pawshs.org) and Noah’s Ark (noahsarkanimals.org). All three of these animal organizations can always use more donations and help. Please visit each website to find out more.

We can’t wait till next year to do this again! Please visit my Product Page and see all the Adoption Wear Gear I have available. There is also a DONATE button on the top right hand side of the home page too. This event may be over, but the giving never ends! Proceeds of purchases and donations will continue to help needy animal organizations all over the United States. Let’s help give those a voice, who can’t speak for themselves!

With Love in my heart ~ Lisa Cain

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WOW, I have two of the most WONDERFUL prizes to raffle off to all of you. Both are valued at over $250.00. Each raffle ticket costs $10.00, and you can purchase them on here, just go to the “DONATE” button on the top right side of the home page. In the “Purpose” location put which raffle you want to purchase for, in the “Amount” button put your dollar amount. You can purchase a raffle for BOTH for $20.00, just put in purpose BOTH RAFFLES. If you would like more then 1 ticket for a raffle, just put the raffle that you want, and the amount in tens as 1 ticket $10.00, 3 tickets $30.00, etc. Once I get your money through paypal, I will email you with your Raffle ticket number! It’s as easy as that!!!! BOTH RAFFLE PRIZES WILL BE SHIPPED TO YOU AT NO ADDITIONAL COSTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now drum roll please…..First Raffle is for Kitty/Cat lovers! This painting is done by an artist named Barbara Matthews. She lives in Janesville, Wisconsin and is a watercolorist and teacher of watercolor. Barbara’s vivid paintings cover a wide variety of subject matter such as still life, animals, landscapes and portraits. Many of her paintings have been featured in gallerys. She painted this most beautiful painting with watercolors on a canvas and also framed it. This would go for WELL over $250.00 in any gallery.

The second raffle is for ALL PET LOVERS!! It is a certificate for one Oil Painting on canvas of your BELOVED PET done by Kathy Schumacher. She is an artist that lives in New Mexico, and originally from Beloit, Wisconsin. Kathy captures a unique portrait of your pet from your photos sent to her. As an avid pet lover and artist, the joy and inspiration behind her art is the happiness and comfort her paintings have provided to pet owners around the country. You can check out her website at www.petportraitsbykathy.com. She is donating a 9 x 12 painting that also retails for over $250.00. Who WOULDN’T LOVE an Oil painting of their furbaby for their home, to cherish forever!!

I am so excited and humbled to have these two TALENTED ladies donate their work for SaveAPett’s Fundraiser. Their styles are both unique and the difference of water colors and oils is an added plus! Please pass this site onto your friends so they can purchase a raffle ticket too. I only wish “I” could take part in it…but alas….that just wouldn’t be fair! haha….Good Luck To All….be sure and put your name, phone number and email on your purchase! Also, if you are not set up for paypal, and would still like to purchase raffle tickets, email me at Lcpooch1@aol.com and we can set something up!

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Dogs & Suds Fundraiser

by Lisa on June 25, 2010

Dog n Suds Back
Dog n Suds Front

SaveAPett is holding its FIRST ANNUAL Fundraiser, called “Dogs and Suds”. I am so fortunate to have so many wonderful, animal loving and supportive people in my life, that I thought it was time to GO BIG or GO HOME and put on my first fundraiser.

Below are the details of the fundraiser. I am also selling Tee Shirts for the event. (Click on the links above to see the logo’s) I’m hoping people will order ahead of time and help advertise it, and also wear them to the event. If you would like to order, please contact me at Lcpooch1@aol.com. The cost per shirt up to size XL is $17.00. Add $2.00 per size up. Colors come in any light color like White, pink, green, carolina blue etc. Order yours today! Hope to see all my hometown friends and meet new animal loving friends there!

JOIN SAVEAPETT &
2ND COUSINS BAR & GRILL
FOR “DOGS AND SUDS” FUNDRAISER!!!

Sunday, Aug. 8, 2010 from 1-5pm
2nd Cousins on Riverside in Rockford

BRING FRIENDS, FAMILY, CO-WORKERS!!!!

Proceeds will go to LOCAL needy animal organizations in the area. Beer will be provided, along with HOT DOGS/CHIPS for sale, raffles for great prizes, giveaways and more! Winnebago County Animal Services is bringing two ADOPTABLE DOGS out on the patio! Be sure and stop outside to see them! There will also be some Animal “Vendors” there so you can learn about their products and businesses. Questions: Contact Lisa at Lcpooch1@aol.com

We’ll have “Yappy Hour” and special drinks will be available. Proceeds from these drinks will go directly to SaveAPett, so come THIRSTY!! Come and support all those needy animals in the local area, while having fun and meeting lots of other Animal Loving People. Single? Don’t be afraid to come alone, you just may meet your furry loving soul mate. 2nd Cousins full menu will also be available for those interested.

This is a relaxed afternoon Meet & Greet
Lets Have Fun and Make Money To Help
Our Four Legged Friends!!!

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Dorm life..bring your pet or not?

by Lisa on June 15, 2010

Many college freshman bring family photos or a favorite blanket from home when they head off for school, but according to the New York Times, today’s freshman are ditching those inanimate objects in favor of something closer to their hearts: they’re bringing along the family pet now that more and more schools are allowing animals in the dorms. The Times reports that institutions that are allowing pets include including Stephens College in Missouri, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Eckerd College in South Florida.

As animal lovers, we understand the appeal of being allowed to bring a cherished pet to college. But as much as we love spending time with animals, we do see some potential hazards. Will the stress of sole pet ownership add to the pressures of college life? Will the dogs bark, for example, and disturb studying students? Will large numbers of loud students upset the animals?

The New York Times piece sparked so many questions about the logistics of allowing pets in dorms that they asked Deb Duren, the vice president for student services at Stephens College, to answer a few follow up questions, addressing many concerns, such as how the school plans to deal with the fur and poop that comes along with a building full of pets.

Duren explains that most of the campus is pet free, with the exception of two residence halls and a wing of a third so students with allergies don’t have to be affected by pets. There are special “poop dumpsters” for handling waste, and they offer doggie daycare to help keep the dogs happy while students are in class.

Even after reading Duren’s responses, we still aren’t sure how we feel about it. Some Paw Nation staffers think it’s a good idea to have pets on campus and others believe it is too problematic.

(repost from pawnation.com)

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Choosing the right Shelter Pet

by Lisa on June 9, 2010

Saving a dog from a shelter is one of the most soul-satisfying things a dog lover can do. But choosing the right one can be tough. Shelters are stressful places to visit, with lots of dogs jammed into small, harshly lit, noisy spaces. The surroundings can make dogs depressed, anxious, even manic, so it’s often hard to know what they’re really like.

Still, it’s possible–and so rewarding–to find your new best friend in one of those cages. Here’s how to go about it. Ask questions. Keep in mind that you won’t always get good answers. Shelters that focus more on animal control than adoption may know very little about the dogs. And an employee who hopes to save a dog who’s tugging on her heartstrings may not give you the full story.

Still, these are questions worth asking.

Why is the dog here? A stray is an unknown, but if a dog was given up, you’ll want to know why. It may have nothing to do with the dog–a move, a divorce, an allergy–or it may be a behavior problem. Behavior problems are often treatable, but it’s good to know about them up front.

Does the dog have any known medical issues? It’s better to know in advance if you’ll be facing large vet bills.

What’s the best thing about this dog? What’s the worst thing about this dog? You’ll learn more than if you simply ask if a dog is nice or well behaved.

Has the dog been temperament tested? Temperament tests try to gauge a dog’s personality and catch red flags such as object guarding and aggression. But take the results with a grain of salt: they’re more a snapshot of a dog’s behavior at the moment of the test than a lifetime guarantee.

Assess the dogs Even if the shelter doesn’t have much information to offer, try to spend as much time as possible with any dog you’re interested in.

1. Stand a few feet away and watch how the dog reacts to other people
Is the dog sitting quietly and watching the world?
Chances are you’ve found a calm dog.

Does he fail to react much, even when people approach?
This could signal a dog who isn’t people-friendly and may be aggressive. However, it could also mean he isn’t feeling well. So if the dog seems too quiet, ask if he’s sick or recovering from surgery.

Is he pacing and whining?
Shelters are stressful places for dogs, and this dog is worried. He may take a while to relax if you bring him home.

Is he jumping and barking?
He’s probably just excited to see people–a good sign–but you’ll need to do some training to teach him to chill out.

Does he lunge at the door, bark his head off, spin, and chase people’s feet as they walk by?
He may be aggressive, but he may also simply be feeling the stress of shelter life. If he calms down quickly after people pass, stress is the likely culprit.

Does he hang at the back of the kennel?
Worst case, the dog is scared of people. Fearful dogs take a lot of training and can bite or snap when they feel threatened. However, the dog could also be sick or depressed. Ask some questions of the shelter staff: Did the dog’s owner die? Has he been in the shelter a long time? If so, he may just be sad, and not unfriendly.

2. Walk up to the door of the kennel
Does he freeze in place, growl, move away from you, or does the hair on his back stand up?
If so, keep looking. These are all warning signs of an unfriendly dog.

Does he lick your hand, jump up, dance around, bow down with his rump in the air, show a relaxed, open mouth with a lolling tongue?
Great, these are all friendly, playful gestures.

3. Take the dog to a quiet room or yard
Can you get the dog to pay attention to you?
Just like us, dogs prefer some people over others. And shelters are distracting places. But if you can get his attention after a few minutes, that’s a good sign that the two of you click.

Is the dog comfortable with a gentle pat?
If he accepts it happily, it’s a good sign. If he moves away, freezes, or growls, he either doesn’t enjoy being touched or isn’t fond of people. Either way, it’s best to look elsewhere; you want a dog who’s safe to cuddle.

Is the dog interested in balls?
This is only a concern if you have fantasies of playing fetch with your new pooch. Many dogs can be taught to retrieve balls, but some just aren’t interested.

4.Take the dog for a short walk
Does the dog pull or jump up?
Don’t worry too much about these behaviors; you can train them out of a dog. Just make sure that you can at least hang on and control him.

Does he bark excessively, growl, or lunge at other people, dogs, or cars?
He probably hasn’t had enough exposure to the world. Once he’s out of the shelter, he may react aggressively to unfamiliar people or situations. Unless you’re up for a lot of training and socialization, keep looking.

Does the dog cower, hide, freeze and refuse to move?
Then he’s extremely shy and fearful. You can work with timid dogs, but they need lots of training. And, there’s a risk that a timid dog may bite or snap when frightened.

5.Finally, do a gut check
Does the dog seem comfortable with you, and are you comfortable with the dog? Does he give you a warm, fuzzy feeling, or a funny feeling?
You’ll be spending many years with your new dog, so it’s worth listening to your instincts as well doing your research.

(dogtime.com)

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As tempting as cool pool water is on a hot day, it can be dangerous for your dog. An estimated one out of every 1,027 pets drowns in swimming pools each year. But there are things you can do to make sure you all have fun.

Evaluate Your Pooch
Most dog breeds have the ability to swim, but that doesn’t mean yours can or will. Also, certain breeds such as bulldogs can’t swim at all, and other dogs have physical limitations that put them more at risk in the pool, so you may need to be extra careful.

“When you’ve got an older dog or a dog with a handicap, like a dog that can’t see well, definitely get a fence around the pool when you can’t watch them,” Shannon A. South, D.V.M., of Briarcliff Animal Clinic in Atlanta, Ga. tells Paw Nation. Even if the dog isn’t attracted to the pool, they could always fall in. So keep an eye out when you and your dog both are pool-side, and be wary of letting a non-swimmer in the yard near the pool without you.

Be Careful With “Protective” GearWhile items such as pool covers do have their purposes, they may not be the best option for your dog. South points out that sometimes, covers actually can be riskier. If a dog jumps onto the pool cover, it may cause the entire cover to sink, possibly trapping the dog underwater.

Displacement alarms, which measure the water levels in your pool and can be set to sound an alarm when a pet or child falls in, may be a good way to prevent against accidental drowning as long as someone is around to hear it.

Consider the Chlorine
Even dogs who love the water may not love chlorine. “Pets can get upset stomachs from drinking too much pool water,” South said. “Chlorine can irritate their eyes or their respiratory system. Remember, chlorine gives off vapors that will sometimes irritate their little lungs.” Also be sure to periodically check your dog’s ears and eyes for signs of irritation from the water.

If you’re concerned about chemicals, there are more natural ways of keeping your pool water clean that are not only more pet-friendly, but more eco-friendly too. According to GreenYour, ionization, oxidation and sonic wave pool cleaners are all able to keep your pool water pure in different hi-tech ways, but these systems can be expensive and require expert upkeep. Converting your pool to a saltwater pool or using purifying plants in the water are both natural ways to keep your pool fresh.

Work on Training
If your home layout increases the potential of your dog taking an unsupervised dip in your pool, make sure it knows how to exit the pool safely. It may take time to train it to find the shallow end and navigate the steps, but your peace of mind is worth the trouble. Some pet owners have added special pet pool stairs to make exiting easier.

Finally, remember that your pet is like one of your kids; it may not know when it should take a break from the pool and the sun. Be sure to call a time-out so your pooch can recover from its summertime adventures. At the end of the pool party, don’t forget to rinse the chlorine off your dog’s coat and dry its ears to protect from infection.

(A repost from pawnation.com)

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SaveAPett….Literally

by Lisa on May 20, 2010

Todays posts is from ME. Not a repost, or bits and peices from an article, but from me! And it has EVERYTHING to do with the name of my game!

Recently the house my daughter lives in caught on fire. First things first, everyone is fine, and all is well. My reason for writing is because their little puppy was in the house, in his kennel when the fire broke out. As the police and fireman came, the neighbors (who hardly know my daughter and her roomate) told the fireman “there’s a puppy inside, you have to rescue the puppy”. They tried to break down the door a few times, then ended up breaking the window on the door, opening it from the inside and rescuing dear ZEUS! They SAVEDAPETT! No harm was done to him (except being scared to death) due to their quick response.

They were lucky, that they have taken the puppy out both in front and in back of the house so the neighbors knew he was there. The neigbors also kept the puppy in their fenced in yard with food and water during the whole event of putting out the fire, investigations, going back into house etc.

What if the neighbors hadn’t seen the puppy. What if no one told the fireman. What if he hadn’t been rescued. That is my point. It made “me” aware that I need to put up a sign, or something that would alert the police/fireman that I have a dog if I wasn’t home. I’ve seen on www.theanimalrescuesite.com that they have stickers you can put on your windows, for a price of next to nothing. Besides, can you put a cost on something that would alert authority you have a dog? I’m sure you can get them other places too. I know this for sure, it’s made me aware of something I didn’t think of and I will be putting up stickers soon!

So, just a reminder to those who haven’t thought about it, or maybe have but put it off, that our animals are our lives…we need to make sure they are SAVED if were not there to save them ourselves!

God bless those neighbors and the fireman!

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There seems to be so many disaster’s going on in the world today. Ranging from floods, to hurricanes to earthquakes and more. Are YOU prepared on how to handle your beloved pet in case of a disaster? Here is an except from the ASPCA on some things you should do, BEFORE a disaster strikes. Being Prepared Can Save Your Pets Life!!!

Have an Evacuation Plan in Place
Plan for the worst-case scenario. Store an emergency kit and leashes as close to an exit as possible, make sure all your pets are wearing proper identification and consider your evacuation route ahead of time. Download our Ready Pets brochure (pdf) on pet-friendly evacuation for more information.

Arrange a Safe Haven
Don’t leave your pet behind if you’re forced to evacuate. Find out if there are emergency animal shelters in your area. If not, take these steps to keep your pet safe.

Pre-Pack an Emergency Kit Prepare a “go kit” of essential pet supplies before disaster strikes, and make sure that everyone in the family knows where it is. The kit should be clearly labeled, easy to carry and should include items such as a pet first aid kit, recent photos of your animal companion and any medications on which his health depends.

Choose a Designated Caregiver
Consider who you’d like to act as your pet’s temporary caregiver should you not make it home in time to retrieve your pet. Make sure the person you choose agrees to take on the responsibility, has a key to your residence and has spent time getting to know your animal companion.

Get a Rescue Alert Sticker
Affix these decals, available for free from the ASPCA website, to the windows of your home to alert rescue officials that a pet lives inside.

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