Saturday, October 20, 2012

Is it Halloween Again Already?

It seems like only yesterday, but here it is, another year gone by and we're shopping for costumes for the kids, and maybe even for the dogs, too.

Remember these few pointers for a successful Halloween:
  • Costumes should be comfortable and loose enough to allow movement without getting tangled.
  • Many candies are toxic for dogs and should be kept out of reach, especially chocolate.
  • Electric cords and candles should be placed safely to avoid tripping on them and causing a fire.
  • Keep your dog inside all evening. It's potentially hazardous outside, so just avoid it.
  • Even a normally calm dog could get agitated or excited when the front door opens to strangers every few moments, so either keep him on a leash or in another room until the Trick-or-Treating is over.
  • That said, don't just leave him alone in a back bedroom. He can hear the commotion out front and may go bananas by himself. It might work better to crate him where he can see you.
  • If your dog is still a puppy, keep him with you, leashed, and include him in your activities so he can learn new things.
 Be sure your dog is wearing a collar and ID tag just in case he gets excited and darts out the door when it is opened for visitors.

Enjoy your Halloween!

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Disturbing List of Dog Heatstroke Deaths

Should you call the police when you see a dog locked in a car on a hot day?

Well, yes. But who should you call when it IS the police?

Follow these links to stories about dogs who died this year as a result of being left in a vehicle in hot weather. There are far more dog deaths than these, but there is something unique about this list. They are all police dogs who were left in a hot patrol car.
(This list is current as of today, but most news agencies remove stories after a certain length of time, so some of these may expire over time.)

http://www.topix.com/forum/news/obits/T3AOFVVPJOAKHCMAB

http://fetch6.arsalon.net/blogs/nosetotheground/General/tragic_trend_of_police_dogs

http://www.i4u.com/2012/07/chevrolet-tahoe/texas-die-suv-police-hot-dogs-2

http://www.examiner.com/article/two-bexter-county-sheriff-s-k-9-s-perish-after-forgotten-patrol-car-overnight


http://www.topix.com/forum/city/lake-city-fl/T4P9ARGMMHIP97BTT


http://www.topix.com/forum/city/fort-lauderdale-fl/T4TS6IK22GSF3FT8Q

http://www.topix.com/forum/phoenix/T3IE05IUCV1KC77I0


http://www.topix.com/forum/news/obits/T3AOFVVPJOAKHCMAB

http://www.topix.com/forum/city/bartow-fl/TDE299FO5DRIOU65T

http://forums.prosportsdaily.com/showthread.php?t=741084
 

http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/oceanside/article_6d05ff25-3b9e-50f1-bdb1-1a5bae7ae862.html#.UBQ5UyLR9jI.email

http://fox8.com/2012/07/27/police-dogs-die-after-being-left-in-hot-patrol-car/