If your pet has been bothered in the past by fleas and/or ticks you may want to prepare for the upcoming flea and tick season.
Fleas are very small, six legged jumping parasites that depend on a blood meal from their host for their survival. Fleas are much more than just a nuisance for you and your pet they are also disease-transmitters. Fleas cause irritation for the pet when they deposit saliva while taking a blood meal. Allergy to these mouth juices develops in many dogs causing great discomfort and potential infections of the skin. For the dog and a somewhat lesser degree for the cat the flea serves as an intermediate host for heartworm disease. The flea passes the larval form - the microfilaria - to the dog host during the process of obtaining the blood meal. I have seen severely infested dogs suffering from anemia due to the volume of blood taken by the fleas. The host dog becomes weakened and is therefore an easy target for other parasites and generalized infections. Another factor to consider is that you and I are potential hosts for this pest, the flea, and can contract such dreaded diseases as typhus, tapeworms, bubonic plague and even tetanus.
The tick is a round bodied, eight legged parasite who, like the flea, depends on the blood of the host animal for survival. The tick, unlike the flea, burrows it's head into the skin of the host and after a several day feeding period drops off the host to find a place to deposit eggs thus completing the life cycle. Ticks generally flourish in wooded or brushy areas where they can easily "hop" on their next meal ticket as it walks by. Ticks can transmit a number of diseases to their host including Rocky Mountain Spotted fever, tularemia and Q-fever. The deer tick transmits Lyme Disease to domestic animals and man.
How can you determine if your pet is having a problem with one or more of these pests?
When you groom your dog or cat periodically part the hair and look for the fleas. This can be a little difficult because of their size so I recommend looking for "flea-dirt", black deposits of digested blood left on the dog's skin by the flea droppings. Good places to look are in and around the ears and the groin area. A simpler way is to stand your pet on some dampened paper towels and brush or comb vigorously. The action of combing or brushing will loosen the "flea-dirt" which falls on the dampened cloth. The otherwise black specks on the skin turn reddish brown color indicating digested blood and the fact that fleas are present or have been present.
Ticks are pretty easy to identify as by the time you see them they have burrowed their head into the skin and are taking a blood meal causing their body to enlarge.
DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT PULL THE TICK OFF THE DOG as this will more than likely leave the head in the skin and an infection will result. Take a cotton swab, put some petroleum jelly on the cotton and then put the jelly around the head of the tick. After a few minutes light a match then blow it out and immediately touch the hot end of the match to the rear of the tick. May take a couple of tries but the tick will let go. Clean the wound with alcohol or disinfectant and apply a triple antibiotic ointment.
If you identify that there is a problem contact your veterinarian for recommendations on a total environmental control program along with preventative measures for your pet. I personally have my dog Wilson on monthly heartworm/other parasite preventative year round AND a flea/tick preventative.
If your home environment has been invaded there are professional treatments available that are non-toxic to pets and people and they work.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Mosquitoes in April?
Well, if you own a dog and haven't thought much about mosquitoes and heartworm disease it is not too late to do something about them.
Heartworm disease can be serious and potentially fatal to the infected dog. The adult worm of Dirofilaria immitus lives in the heart and adjacent blood vessels. The dog does not generally show signs of the disease until some damage has been done. This is the reason an annual checkup is important to the long term health and well being of your friend. Fortunately the veterinary profession has a simple and accurate technique to diagnose the condition, ways to treat the infected dog, and for the dog that is free of heartworms and their offspring, there is a simple was to prevent infection.
Mosquitoes are the varmints that actually transit the disease from one animal to another. Animal to animal transmission does no occur. Adult heartworms have offspring called microfilaria that circulate in the bloodstream. A mosquito lights on the dog, bites, takes a blood meal which includes the immature microfilaria. The larvae mature in the body of the mosquito eventually winding up in the mosquito's saliva. The infected mosquito finds a dog, lights, bites and in the process passes microfilaria into that new dog. It is only after some additional maturing that the microfilaria can grow to adults which find their way to the new hosts heart.
Up to this point the newly infected dog has the worms but until such time as the adult females have offspring, a positive diagnosis can only be made by special antibody detection tests. Once there a microfilaria in the blood stream then a microscopic evaluation of that blood would reveal the infection.
Why the concern over the adult heartworm? Since the adults live in the heart and adjacent vessels, damage occurs by interfering with the action of the heart valves and by making the heart work harder. If present in large numbers, the adults can actually clog the vessels, reducing blood flow to the major organs, particularly the kidneys, lungs and liver causing them to malfunction.
One of the major problems with the disease is that most dogs generally show no signs until they are in the advanced stages. Obvious signs are related to the dog's stamina and are especially evident following exercise. Other signs include a soft nonproductive (dry) cough, weakness, shortness of breath and in very advanced cases, fluid retention in the legs and abdomen (giving a pot bellied appearance).
What can you do? At the time you get booster immunizations or rabies vaccine you can have your veterinarian check for heartworms and intestinal parasites.
If your pet tests positive then treatment to kill the adult worms and microfilaria can commence. Because of the location of the adults, there can be some side effects so your veterinarian will conduct some tests to evaluate the function of the liver and kidneys and may hospitalize you pet for a few days. Follow up medication may include antibiotics and will include a period of home rest for 4 to 6 weeks.
Should the test be negative you can prevent the possibility of future infection by using a once a month preventative. I like the products that also include preventing intestinal parasites. While most products suggest that you use the preventative until after the first killing frost I find it easier to continue the product monthly year around. I definitely suggest the monthly treatment in the south regions. Go with your veterinarians advice on how often to do the antigen blood test to make sure that your pet is still free of the disease. Giving the preventative without a negative test can lead to a severe and often fatal reaction.
Other aspects of control and prevention are to spray the environment to reduce the mosquito population and using a once a month topical to get rid of fleas, ticks and repel mosquitoes.
Remember that prevention of heartworm disease is an ongoing effort on your part.
What about cats? They too are affected by the disease so talk to your veterinarian about the problem in your area, testing and prevention.
What about people? There have been a few cases of heartworm disease in man BUT your chances of being hit by lightening are greater than contraction heartworm disease.
Heartworm disease can be serious and potentially fatal to the infected dog. The adult worm of Dirofilaria immitus lives in the heart and adjacent blood vessels. The dog does not generally show signs of the disease until some damage has been done. This is the reason an annual checkup is important to the long term health and well being of your friend. Fortunately the veterinary profession has a simple and accurate technique to diagnose the condition, ways to treat the infected dog, and for the dog that is free of heartworms and their offspring, there is a simple was to prevent infection.
Mosquitoes are the varmints that actually transit the disease from one animal to another. Animal to animal transmission does no occur. Adult heartworms have offspring called microfilaria that circulate in the bloodstream. A mosquito lights on the dog, bites, takes a blood meal which includes the immature microfilaria. The larvae mature in the body of the mosquito eventually winding up in the mosquito's saliva. The infected mosquito finds a dog, lights, bites and in the process passes microfilaria into that new dog. It is only after some additional maturing that the microfilaria can grow to adults which find their way to the new hosts heart.
Up to this point the newly infected dog has the worms but until such time as the adult females have offspring, a positive diagnosis can only be made by special antibody detection tests. Once there a microfilaria in the blood stream then a microscopic evaluation of that blood would reveal the infection.
Why the concern over the adult heartworm? Since the adults live in the heart and adjacent vessels, damage occurs by interfering with the action of the heart valves and by making the heart work harder. If present in large numbers, the adults can actually clog the vessels, reducing blood flow to the major organs, particularly the kidneys, lungs and liver causing them to malfunction.
One of the major problems with the disease is that most dogs generally show no signs until they are in the advanced stages. Obvious signs are related to the dog's stamina and are especially evident following exercise. Other signs include a soft nonproductive (dry) cough, weakness, shortness of breath and in very advanced cases, fluid retention in the legs and abdomen (giving a pot bellied appearance).
What can you do? At the time you get booster immunizations or rabies vaccine you can have your veterinarian check for heartworms and intestinal parasites.
If your pet tests positive then treatment to kill the adult worms and microfilaria can commence. Because of the location of the adults, there can be some side effects so your veterinarian will conduct some tests to evaluate the function of the liver and kidneys and may hospitalize you pet for a few days. Follow up medication may include antibiotics and will include a period of home rest for 4 to 6 weeks.
Should the test be negative you can prevent the possibility of future infection by using a once a month preventative. I like the products that also include preventing intestinal parasites. While most products suggest that you use the preventative until after the first killing frost I find it easier to continue the product monthly year around. I definitely suggest the monthly treatment in the south regions. Go with your veterinarians advice on how often to do the antigen blood test to make sure that your pet is still free of the disease. Giving the preventative without a negative test can lead to a severe and often fatal reaction.
Other aspects of control and prevention are to spray the environment to reduce the mosquito population and using a once a month topical to get rid of fleas, ticks and repel mosquitoes.
Remember that prevention of heartworm disease is an ongoing effort on your part.
What about cats? They too are affected by the disease so talk to your veterinarian about the problem in your area, testing and prevention.
What about people? There have been a few cases of heartworm disease in man BUT your chances of being hit by lightening are greater than contraction heartworm disease.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Friday, February 29, 2008
Pet Diseases - Prevention is the answer
The veterinary profession along with the manufacturers of pharmaceutical products and vaccines have during the past 40 years taken a giant step toward wiping out many common pet illnesses. Canine distemper was the absolute scourge of dogdom not too many years ago resulting in many deaths and for those that survived they had a life filled with nervous disorders and bad teeth. Through the use of super vaccines and constant reminders to pet owners we have reduced the incidence of canine distemper to the point of near non-existence. As is often the case, only man's neglect as a pet owner keeps diseases like canine distemper off the extinct list.
Prevention of disease - it is so easy to do. Simply take your pet in for an annual checkup and booster vaccines that for dogs can ward off up to six, yes six, deadly diseases. Preventative vaccines are also available for cats, ferrets and some other species. Different localities may have different prevalence of some diseases so it is very important to follow your veterinarians recommendations for your area.
General Tips - Preventative health care requires some common sense on your p
art and observation of your pet. The following are some tips that apply across the board and can help you recognize pending illness:
- changes in behavior such reduced level of activity, ruffed feathers or hair coat
- changes in elimination behavior including consistency and color of droppings and for dogs and cats difficult or painful urination
-changes in breathing be it slower or more rapid than usual, coughs or sneezing
-any discharges, like from eyes, ears, or external genitalia
-change in eating habits
-change in consumption of water, more or less than usual
The forgoing list applies pretty much across the board for all pets, but there are some specifics I would like to discuss.
Dogs - The annual visit to your veterinarian can go a long was toward preventing some common disease problems. Vaccination boosters help prevent some potentially life threatening conditions.
Rabies immunization is required by law. Not only does the vaccine protect the dog but also the rest of the family. Rabies vaccines that are given once every three years are available.
Other conditions that are preventable include heart worm disease, many internal parasites and malnutrition. A spring check
up should include a blood sample to screen for heartworm disease. This is important for any dog living in an area with mosquitoes, which includes most areas. The condition is transmitted when a mosquito takes a blood meal from an infected dog and then takes a blood meal from another dog. The larvae are passed from the infected to the uninfected dog when the mosquito bites. Monthly tablets not only prevent the disease from developing but can also prevent development of many common internal parasites.
You are probably thing, malnutrition as a disease to prevent? Malnutrition along with over nutrition are preventable conditions in all pets, not just dogs. The use of a good national brand of dog food following the manufacturers recommended feeding guide lines will go along way towards preventing these conditions. The pet that receives all the nutrients they require and in a palatable form will be better able to ward off disease effects and even reduce the effects of parasitism. Saving a few dollars on that low cost generic dog food may be doing more harm than you can believe. remember - vaccinations, heartworm prevention, good quality national brand of dog food and adequate fresh clean water for a healthier pet.
Cats - Our feline friends should also be taken to the veterinarian for an annual checkup. Many feline diseases can be prevented by immunization. Your veterinarian can tell you which ones are needed and how often the booster is needed. If your cat has access to the out doors then a rabies vaccination would be a good investment.
Cats are susceptible to heartworm disease just like dogs and just like dogs the condition can be prevented by once a month treatment. An annual blood exam can determine if your cat has and active infestation.
Unlike dogs, cats because of their self grooming habits are prone to developing hair balls in the stomach. You can help prevent the problem from developing by regularly brushing your cat to remove dead hair and by placing hairball remedy or just some petroleum jelly placed on the top of the front feet about once a week helps the cat pass the hair/hairball through the digestive tract.
Ear mites can wreck havoc with a cats ears causing inflammation, infection, a sometimes deformity of the ear itself. Damage can be prevented or reduced by periodic inspection and cleaning of the ear canal. If you find a dark brown waxy material in the ear canal your cat may have mites. Have your cats ears cleaned by your veterinarian and use the medication prescribed to kill the mites and to prevent infection. Over-the-counter preparations for ear mites often do not contain materials to prevent secondary infection of the ear canal.
Feline lower urinary tract disease, also called FUS or feline urological syndrome is a common disease that can become life threatening. Basically crystals form in the urine that then develop into stones called uroliths. Signs are generally straining to urinate, blood in the urine, and in the extreme cases the stones/calculi prevent passing of urine and then the cat needs emergency treatment and surgery. Two major kinds of uroliths/stones occur, one kind can be treated with medication and dietary change while the other kind can only be removed surgically. Follow your veterinarians advice on the kind of food to feed and make sure that plenty of fresh clean water is always available.
Prevention of disease - it is so easy to do. Simply take your pet in for an annual checkup and booster vaccines that for dogs can ward off up to six, yes six, deadly diseases. Preventative vaccines are also available for cats, ferrets and some other species. Different localities may have different prevalence of some diseases so it is very important to follow your veterinarians recommendations for your area.
General Tips - Preventative health care requires some common sense on your p
art and observation of your pet. The following are some tips that apply across the board and can help you recognize pending illness:
- changes in behavior such reduced level of activity, ruffed feathers or hair coat
- changes in elimination behavior including consistency and color of droppings and for dogs and cats difficult or painful urination
-changes in breathing be it slower or more rapid than usual, coughs or sneezing
-any discharges, like from eyes, ears, or external genitalia
-change in eating habits
-change in consumption of water, more or less than usual
The forgoing list applies pretty much across the board for all pets, but there are some specifics I would like to discuss.
Dogs - The annual visit to your veterinarian can go a long was toward preventing some common disease problems. Vaccination boosters help prevent some potentially life threatening conditions.
Rabies immunization is required by law. Not only does the vaccine protect the dog but also the rest of the family. Rabies vaccines that are given once every three years are available.
Other conditions that are preventable include heart worm disease, many internal parasites and malnutrition. A spring check
up should include a blood sample to screen for heartworm disease. This is important for any dog living in an area with mosquitoes, which includes most areas. The condition is transmitted when a mosquito takes a blood meal from an infected dog and then takes a blood meal from another dog. The larvae are passed from the infected to the uninfected dog when the mosquito bites. Monthly tablets not only prevent the disease from developing but can also prevent development of many common internal parasites.
You are probably thing, malnutrition as a disease to prevent? Malnutrition along with over nutrition are preventable conditions in all pets, not just dogs. The use of a good national brand of dog food following the manufacturers recommended feeding guide lines will go along way towards preventing these conditions. The pet that receives all the nutrients they require and in a palatable form will be better able to ward off disease effects and even reduce the effects of parasitism. Saving a few dollars on that low cost generic dog food may be doing more harm than you can believe. remember - vaccinations, heartworm prevention, good quality national brand of dog food and adequate fresh clean water for a healthier pet.
Cats - Our feline friends should also be taken to the veterinarian for an annual checkup. Many feline diseases can be prevented by immunization. Your veterinarian can tell you which ones are needed and how often the booster is needed. If your cat has access to the out doors then a rabies vaccination would be a good investment.
Cats are susceptible to heartworm disease just like dogs and just like dogs the condition can be prevented by once a month treatment. An annual blood exam can determine if your cat has and active infestation.
Unlike dogs, cats because of their self grooming habits are prone to developing hair balls in the stomach. You can help prevent the problem from developing by regularly brushing your cat to remove dead hair and by placing hairball remedy or just some petroleum jelly placed on the top of the front feet about once a week helps the cat pass the hair/hairball through the digestive tract.
Ear mites can wreck havoc with a cats ears causing inflammation, infection, a sometimes deformity of the ear itself. Damage can be prevented or reduced by periodic inspection and cleaning of the ear canal. If you find a dark brown waxy material in the ear canal your cat may have mites. Have your cats ears cleaned by your veterinarian and use the medication prescribed to kill the mites and to prevent infection. Over-the-counter preparations for ear mites often do not contain materials to prevent secondary infection of the ear canal.
Feline lower urinary tract disease, also called FUS or feline urological syndrome is a common disease that can become life threatening. Basically crystals form in the urine that then develop into stones called uroliths. Signs are generally straining to urinate, blood in the urine, and in the extreme cases the stones/calculi prevent passing of urine and then the cat needs emergency treatment and surgery. Two major kinds of uroliths/stones occur, one kind can be treated with medication and dietary change while the other kind can only be removed surgically. Follow your veterinarians advice on the kind of food to feed and make sure that plenty of fresh clean water is always available.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
Dog Got Some Ugly Black Stuff on the Elbows?
Many dogs develop ugly, usually black, calluses on their "elbows". The areas are the result of pressure on the body caused by the the surfaces your pet lays on, a hard surface like concrete or even tile. If not cared for these thickened areas may develop cracks that can then become infected. Get your friend an orthopedic pet mattress to lay on. This will reduce the chance of pressure points and it also retains body heat to help relieve aching joints. Get the kind with the egg-carton shaped foam covered with fabric, usually a washable cotton or synthetic fleece.
To help with the calluses I like to use a product called "Bag Balm", found at farm and sewing supply stores. Originally used to "calm" the chaffed udder of dairy cows it is also used by quilters and other sewers to soften the calluses they develop on their sewing finger.
This is a lanolin based ointment that you rub into the affected areas. THIS STUFF IS GREASY so wipe off the excess otherwise you will have nice greasy spots wherever your pet lays. You might be able to slip a cotton sock with the end cut off to keep the greasy spots away. The ointment will soften the areas and prevent cracking.
To help with the calluses I like to use a product called "Bag Balm", found at farm and sewing supply stores. Originally used to "calm" the chaffed udder of dairy cows it is also used by quilters and other sewers to soften the calluses they develop on their sewing finger.
This is a lanolin based ointment that you rub into the affected areas. THIS STUFF IS GREASY so wipe off the excess otherwise you will have nice greasy spots wherever your pet lays. You might be able to slip a cotton sock with the end cut off to keep the greasy spots away. The ointment will soften the areas and prevent cracking.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Did He Really Plan It? a real life dog story
We were living in a small community in the farmland of North Central Illinois at the time. While surrounded by houses typical of suburbia, we were only a few blocks from acres and acres of corn and soybean fields and about one mile as the crow flies, to the Illinois River. Our eldest daughter had asked to leave her 8 year old black Labrador retriever, our grand dog Bear, with us for a while(at the time, and even today, our family pets were and are referred to as our grand dog, grand cat, etc). Bear had stayed with us on other occasions and we found the big guy to be a pleasant, though temporary, additions to our household. Bear alternately had use of the fenced back yard or would be tethered on a long lead, which gave him a wide range of the front yard, during his multiple trips to the out of doors each day.
The neighborhood was generally quiet with the occasional car, person walking or bike going by. However, when late afternoon arrived, the activity level increased with cars, delivery trucks and kids coming home from school creating an interesting diversion and entertainment for Bear.
Now Bear was not your ordinary dog! He was on of those once in a lifetime animal companions that embodied intelligence, sense of humor (yes, a dog with a sense of humor), loyalty and adaptability in to his very large and powerful frame. When Bear reached his adult years he weighed in a just under 100 pounds, not fat pounds but BIG dog pounds. The pup that had been originally plucked from a box of puppies that were destined for doggy heaven had come to share our lives for the next 16 1/2 years. That was Bear, - that was back in Michigan- , and that was another story.
It was the kids. The school bus would let them out at the corner, just up the street, and they came by our house on their way home. It was during that time, and apparently at other times as well that that theses kids had, unbeknownst to us, been teasing Bear. They had figured out that the cable that tethered him in the front yard only allowed him to make it to the curbing and not into the street. They also had figured out that he was firmly attached and was unable to get at them. They were safe, and so, time after time the kids would come by the front of our house to get Bear's attention and to tease him.
Now Bear was never vicious. Protective yes, but not vicious. I had only witnessed him "go", that is seemingly go to attack a human being on only one occasion and that was one evening while he and I were out for a run. It was dusk, though really getting dark and, although the street lights were on their amber glow did not provide a great deal of illumination. As Bear and I jogged up the street another runner, going in the opposite direction, raised his hand as if to to wave while passing us. Well Bear apparently thought that an attack was at hand and was going to have no part of it. He growled using what was probably his best and deepest growl, reared up on his hind legs, rising to a standing height as tall as myself. I'll confess that he scared me and scared the other guy even more! The other guy had a few choice words for us as Bear and I continued on our run.
Anyway, back to my story. One evening I had opened the front door and locked the screen door so Bear could look out over his domain. He seemed to enjoy this little time by himself, with time to see what was going on in his little part of the world. We alternated letting him view the world from the back sliding door and the front, basically for our convenience, as the front door was near my den and the sliding door near the family room. On this evening all of a sudden I heard this shrill yell followed by deep growling and crying all intermixed. I immediately ran from the den to the front door. The screen from the door was gone and so was Bear. There in front I found Bear standing over a little girl who obviously was frightened beyond belief. Bear had her shoulder in his mount and and was emitting a low growl. I immediately commanded Bear to sit, which he did with his usual obedience, and checked the little girl to see if she was OK, which she appeared to be. So much for her attempt to sell tickets to the local school function at our house!
By this time my wife and other family members were at the door showing great concern over what happened and wondering what to do next. I talked to the little girl and tried to determine if she was really injured, which fortunately she was not, and escorted her home. Going through my mind as we walked down the street was how I was going to explain what had happened and to determine what they would demand as a result of the seemingly unprovoked attack on their child. As I nervously waited for someone to answer the door all those thoughts of police, quarantine, liability, lawyers and other thoughts raced through my mind.
The door finally opened and a woman, who turned out to be the girl"s mother, was in front of me. I explained what I had observed and speculated as to what happened - our dog sitting inside our house was surprised by the girl, jumped through the screen at the girl, knocked her down and prevented her from getting up until I arrived and ordered him to sit.
"So, he finally got in his say", were the words from the mother's mouth. "I hope that he has taught her a lesson". Well, needless to say, I was nearly speechless having expected the worst as a result of this little incident. The woman went on to apologize for the way her daughter and the other children had pestered the dog and for the fact that she had not come to tell us what was happening. She was certain that her daughter had learned a lesson and hoped that our dog would not hold a grudge.
Now I've told you that Bear was an exceptional dog. I've thought on many occasions about this event and to this day wonder -- did he just react to a situation at hand or did he seize on an opportunity? Did he or didn't he plan this attack, knowing that she was coming to the door, just to frighten her and get even for the tauntings. Or was he simply protecting his family and even in the heat of the moment his training and his love of people resulted in restraint so as not to injure.
My guess is that Bear seized on an opportunity to get even!
The neighborhood was generally quiet with the occasional car, person walking or bike going by. However, when late afternoon arrived, the activity level increased with cars, delivery trucks and kids coming home from school creating an interesting diversion and entertainment for Bear.
Now Bear was not your ordinary dog! He was on of those once in a lifetime animal companions that embodied intelligence, sense of humor (yes, a dog with a sense of humor), loyalty and adaptability in to his very large and powerful frame. When Bear reached his adult years he weighed in a just under 100 pounds, not fat pounds but BIG dog pounds. The pup that had been originally plucked from a box of puppies that were destined for doggy heaven had come to share our lives for the next 16 1/2 years. That was Bear, - that was back in Michigan- , and that was another story.
It was the kids. The school bus would let them out at the corner, just up the street, and they came by our house on their way home. It was during that time, and apparently at other times as well that that theses kids had, unbeknownst to us, been teasing Bear. They had figured out that the cable that tethered him in the front yard only allowed him to make it to the curbing and not into the street. They also had figured out that he was firmly attached and was unable to get at them. They were safe, and so, time after time the kids would come by the front of our house to get Bear's attention and to tease him.
Now Bear was never vicious. Protective yes, but not vicious. I had only witnessed him "go", that is seemingly go to attack a human being on only one occasion and that was one evening while he and I were out for a run. It was dusk, though really getting dark and, although the street lights were on their amber glow did not provide a great deal of illumination. As Bear and I jogged up the street another runner, going in the opposite direction, raised his hand as if to to wave while passing us. Well Bear apparently thought that an attack was at hand and was going to have no part of it. He growled using what was probably his best and deepest growl, reared up on his hind legs, rising to a standing height as tall as myself. I'll confess that he scared me and scared the other guy even more! The other guy had a few choice words for us as Bear and I continued on our run.
Anyway, back to my story. One evening I had opened the front door and locked the screen door so Bear could look out over his domain. He seemed to enjoy this little time by himself, with time to see what was going on in his little part of the world. We alternated letting him view the world from the back sliding door and the front, basically for our convenience, as the front door was near my den and the sliding door near the family room. On this evening all of a sudden I heard this shrill yell followed by deep growling and crying all intermixed. I immediately ran from the den to the front door. The screen from the door was gone and so was Bear. There in front I found Bear standing over a little girl who obviously was frightened beyond belief. Bear had her shoulder in his mount and and was emitting a low growl. I immediately commanded Bear to sit, which he did with his usual obedience, and checked the little girl to see if she was OK, which she appeared to be. So much for her attempt to sell tickets to the local school function at our house!
By this time my wife and other family members were at the door showing great concern over what happened and wondering what to do next. I talked to the little girl and tried to determine if she was really injured, which fortunately she was not, and escorted her home. Going through my mind as we walked down the street was how I was going to explain what had happened and to determine what they would demand as a result of the seemingly unprovoked attack on their child. As I nervously waited for someone to answer the door all those thoughts of police, quarantine, liability, lawyers and other thoughts raced through my mind.
The door finally opened and a woman, who turned out to be the girl"s mother, was in front of me. I explained what I had observed and speculated as to what happened - our dog sitting inside our house was surprised by the girl, jumped through the screen at the girl, knocked her down and prevented her from getting up until I arrived and ordered him to sit.
"So, he finally got in his say", were the words from the mother's mouth. "I hope that he has taught her a lesson". Well, needless to say, I was nearly speechless having expected the worst as a result of this little incident. The woman went on to apologize for the way her daughter and the other children had pestered the dog and for the fact that she had not come to tell us what was happening. She was certain that her daughter had learned a lesson and hoped that our dog would not hold a grudge.
Now I've told you that Bear was an exceptional dog. I've thought on many occasions about this event and to this day wonder -- did he just react to a situation at hand or did he seize on an opportunity? Did he or didn't he plan this attack, knowing that she was coming to the door, just to frighten her and get even for the tauntings. Or was he simply protecting his family and even in the heat of the moment his training and his love of people resulted in restraint so as not to injure.
My guess is that Bear seized on an opportunity to get even!
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Heating Season Itching and Scratching
It's getting colder. The furnace runs more often. The air in the house is dry and that is creating a problem for your pets --dry skin equals itching and scratching. One simple solution is to add a little vegetable oil to your pets daily diet. Not a lot, in fact for a small dog a teaspoon a day generally helps and for larger dogs a tablespoon a day. I like sunflower oil as it has the right kind of fatty acids to help the skin and keep the hair coat shiny. Don't over do it as the oil has calories and too much can result in digestive upset.
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