Local Chat

We're labeling this month's theme on the blog as Snake Awareness month and we will have a series of articles pertaining to this topic. If you have any specific questions or if you have valuable input, please let us know CLIPETS@live.com

There was no talk at the pot-luck assembly meeting on Wednesday April 29th pertaining to animal issues. Everything seems honky-dory. Do you have something you'd like to share with the community? Please say it here by clicking "comment" below this post.

On another note, since this is an internet blog, and 21st century internet access is critical, there was much talk about internet access for the town at the meeting: a Verizon tower will be installed shortly allowing those that want basic internet access that's faster than dial-up (please note - it will be faster than dial-up, but there are limits as to how much you will be able to upload and download. Those who have tried Verizon internet out here are still not able to use Skype or any VOIP); in terms of Qwest - there were apparently 3 T1 lines available .... but they were already taken before the town assembly was consulted about it; according to CCDC, Qwest has apparently agreed to dig up part of Vooscane to lay cable for basic DSL (which is faster than dial-up and better than satelite because there are no limitations in up/down load blocks) when exactly this will happen... there is no date .......as usual. Read more!

How Could You? -- By Jim Willis

Jim Willis is a fabulous author on

animal topics. He wrote, "How Could

You?" listed below. Take it to

heart and share it with those that

may benefit from it. We wrote

directly to him for permission to post his

writings, and his assistant, Don Dunnam wrote us

back with great information.

"How Could You?" has been pubished in over 50

foreign languages and is published in the 

current issue of The American Dog Magazine.

A fire destroyed Jim Willis' home and claimed

14 animal lives, yet he continues in his work 

for animals. He now supports a dozen rescued

animals, some with medical conditions and 

special needs.

Most of his book royalties go to support other

animal charities. Jim earns nothing from all his

volunteer activities, including as US ambassador

for World Animal Day:

http://www.worldanimalday.org.uk/Ambassadors/Webpages/USA.asp

If you'd like to make a donation, it is always

welcome - 100% of each goes to vet costs or 

animalcare. Please send any contributions through

PayPal directly to:

tiergartenmedialtd@gmail.com

Please visit Jim Willis' website ( http://www.crean.com/jimwillis )

to enjoy more of his writings and a look at his

new book, "Pieces of My Heart — Writings Inspired

By Animals and Nature" .

Here is Jim Willis' "How Could You?"

{Begin quote}
When I was a puppy, I entertained you with my

antics and made you laugh. You called me your 

child, and despite a number of chewed shoes and

a couple of murdered throw pillows, I became 

your best friend. Whenever I was "bad," you'd

shake your finger at me and ask "How could you?"

-- but then you'd relent and roll me over for

a belly rub.

My housebreaking took a little longer than 

expected, because you were terribly busy, but we

worked on that together. I remember those nights

of nuzzling you in bed and listening to your 

confidences and secret dreams, and I believed that

life could not be any more perfect. We went for 

long walks and runs in the park, car rides, stops

for ice cream (I only got the cone because "ice cream

is bad for dogs" you said), and I took long naps

in the sun waiting for you to come home at the end

of the day.

Gradually, you began spending more time at work

and on your career, and more time searching for 

a human mate. I waited for you patiently, comforted

you through heartbreaks and disappointments, 

never chided you about bad decisions, and romped

with glee at your homecomings, and when you 

fell in love.

She, now your wife, is not a "dog person" - - 

still I welcomed her into our home, tried to show 

her affection, and obeyed her.

I was happy because you were happy. Then the

human babies came along and I shared your excitement.

I was fascinated by their pinkness, how they 

smelled, and I wanted to mother them, too. Only

she and you worried that I might hurt them, and I

spent most of my time banished to another room, or

to a dog crate. Oh, how I wanted to love them, but

I became a "prisoner of love." 

As they began to grow, I became their friend. 

They clung to my fur and pulled themselves up

on wobbly legs, poked fingers in my eyes, 

investigated my ears, and gave me kisses on

my nose. I loved everything about them and their

touch – because your touch was now so infrequent --

and I would've defended them with my life if need

be. I would sneak into their beds and listen to

their worries and secret dreams, and together we

waited for the sound of your car in the driveway.

There had been a time, when others asked you if 

you had a dog, that you produced a photo of me 

from your wallet and told them stories about me.

These past few years, you just answered "yes" 

and changed the subject. I had gone from being

"your dog" to "just a dog ," and you resented 

every expenditure on my behalf. Now, you have a

new career opportunity in another city, and you

and they will be moving to an apartment that does

not allow pets. You've made the right decision

for your "family," but there was a time when I 

was your only family.

I was excited about the car ride until we 

arrived at the animal shelter. It smelled of dogs

and cats, of fear, of hopelessness. You filled out

the paperwork and said "I know you will find a 

good home for her." They shrugged and gave you

a pained look. They understand the realities 

facing a middle-aged dog, even one with "papers."

You had to pry your son's fingers loose from my

collar as he screamed "No, Daddy! Please don't

let them take my dog!" And I worried for him, 

and what lessons you had just taught him about

friendship and loyalty, about love and 

responsibility, and about respect for all life.

You gave me a good-bye pat on the head, 

avoided my eyes, and politely refused to take

my collar and leash with you. You had a deadline

to meet and now I have one, too. After you left,

the two nice ladies said you probably knew about

your upcoming move months ago and made no attempt

to find me another good home. They shook their 

heads and asked, "How could you?"

They are as attentive to us here in the shelter

as their busy schedules allow. They feed us, of

course, but I lost my appetite days ago. At first,

whenever anyone passed my pen, I rushed to the

front, hoping it was you that you had changed 

your mind -- that this was all a bad dream... or

I hoped it would at least be someone who cared, 

anyone who might save me. When I realized I 

could not compete with the frolicking for 

attention of happy puppies, oblivious to their

own fate, I retreated to a far corner and waited.

I heard her footsteps as she came for me at the

end of the day, and I padded along the aisle after

her to a separate room. A blissfully quiet room.

She placed me on the table and rubbed my ears,

and told me not to worry. My heart pounded in 

anticipation of what was to come, but there was

also a sense of relief. The prisoner of love had

run out of days.

As is my nature, I was more concerned about her.

The burden which she bears weighs heavily on her,

and I know that, the same way I knew your every

mood. She gently placed a tourniquet around my

foreleg as a tear ran down her cheek. I licked

her hand in the same way I used to comfort you 

so many years ago.

She expertly slid the hypodermic needle into my

vein. As I felt the sting and the cool liquid 

coursing through my body, I lay down sleepily,

looked into her kind eyes and murmured, "How

could you?"

Perhaps because she understood my dog speak,

she said, "I'm so sorry." She hugged me, and 

hurriedly explained it was her job to make 

sure I went to a better place, where I wouldn't

be ignored or abused or abandoned, or have to

fend for myself -- a place of love and light

so very different from this earthly place.

And with my last bit of energy, I tried to 

convey to her with a thump of my tail that

my "How could you?" was not directed at her.

It was directed at you, My Beloved Master,

I was thinking of you. I will think of you

and wait for you forever. May everyone in 

your life continue to show you so much 

loyalty.

{End Quote}

A Note from the Author:If "How Could You?" brought

tears to your eyes as you read it, as it did to 

mine as I wrote it, it is because it is the 

composite story of the millions of formerly 

"owned" pets who die each year in American 

& Canadian animal shelters. Please use this

to help educate, on your websites, in newsletters,

on animal shelter and vet office bulletin 

boards. Tell the public that the decision to

add a pet to the family is an important one for

life, that animals deserve our love and 

sensible care, that finding another appropriate

home for your animal is your responsibility 

and any local humane society or animal welfare

league can offer you good advice, and that all

life is precious. Please do your part to stop

the killing, and encourage all spay & neuter

campaigns in order to prevent unwanted animals.

Please pass this on to everyone, not to hurt 

them or make them sad, but it could save maybe,

even one, unwanted pet. Remember...

They love UNCONDITIONALLY.Now that the tears

are rolling down your face, pass it on! Send

to everyone in your address book and around 

the world! This IS the reality of dogs and cats

given up to shelters!

Read more!

Home on the Range - A Happy LIfe Begins

Just a quick update on the dog that was running around town - he has a wonderful "forever" home now out of town. He's quite happy with his new family. Thanks to all who helped and were patient as all efforts were put forth in keeping him safe and finding him the right home. A BIG round of applause to his doting foster Moms here in Cochiti Lake !
{End}. Read more!

Read to the Dogs! -- Sue Kinzie

Children and dogs! They just go together. However, did you know that a dog could help a child to read? It happens in schools and libraries throughout the country.

Children that have difficulty reading are hesitant to read aloud in the classroom. They are shy or are afraid of ridicule from their classmates. This prompted development of a program which uses therapy dogs. Dogs do not judge. They do not ridicule or turn their backs. Dogs sit calmly and quietly for a story. Children can practice reading aloud without fear. It's a great way for children to gain confidence in their reading skills.

Once a month in many of Albuquerque's libraries registered therapy dogs gather to listen to children as they read. This was one of those days:

I arrived with my therapy dog, Cody to join four other handlers with their dogs. The library supplies a large area so that we have room to spread out. That is important for a Great Pyrenees who weighs over one hundred and forty pounds!

So each dog has their own space, enough to lay down and for a child to sit beside them. The children choose a book to read. If the child is too young to read, they choose a picture book to show the dog.

Each child also gets a bookmark. Once they finish reading their book to a dog, they get a sticker of the dog which is placed on their bookmark. A bookmark has room for ten stickers and once it is full, the child gets to pick a prize. This day the children got stickers which featured Cody, Rufus the chihuahua, Annie the Cairn Terrier, Star the Golden Retriever, and an Australian Shepard named Zosia.

Parents bring their children and wait patiently as the child chooses their book and makes their stop to read to each dog. Two hours later each dog had heard stories of magical fairies, talking turtles, and helpful ghosts among many others. Each child went home proudly displaying their bookmarks with the pictures of five special dogs!

{End}. . Read more!

Heading to Santa Fe with Your Pup for A Bite to Eat?

Word has it that the following places will let you dine outdoors with your dog! (Of course your pup must behave and be on a leash).

* The Pink Adobe
* Santa Fe Baking Company
* Atomic Grill
* La Casa Sena
* Counter Culture

Do you know of any other places? Please post a comment and/or email us so the list can be updated.
{End}.. Read more!

The Cockatiel - Just A Small Parrot - by Donna Urnick

Good news for anyone thinking of getting a parrot, a Cockatiel is really the bird for you. They require much of the same care, but without a lot of the disadvantages.

My family and I adopted Rio, our awesome Cockatiel, about a year ago. Rio had been in several homes, so he is not as "sociable" as most .... but still loves attention and shows affectionate behaviors. Here are some things I have learned about our feathered friend:

• Rio is a joy to observe. He loves to be a clown and show off. We get lots of laugh-out-loud moments!


• Rio can say, "Whatcha doing - doing doing!" We are trying to teach him more little phrases.
  


• He trills a pretty song that usually ends with a couple of wolf whistles.


• Rio loves to be spritzed with his water bottle daily.


• Rio wants his cage covered at night ... helps him sleep better.


• He must have his night-light on at night to prevent night terrors. (Cockatiels are frightened by total darkness).

Rio is extremely smart and curious. We change his bird toys quite often to keep him from getting bored. He loves attention and being part of the family activities .... his cage is between the dining room and the kitchen. Quite often when we eat - Rio eats too ! He loves fresh seeds, nuts, vegetables, and treats. Rio is a very messy boy, so his cage is cleaned daily.

Little Rio can be demanding, noisy, playful, curios, funny, and at times, aggressive. Rio is a very precocious bird and we consider him not only our feathered friend, but part of our family .... he has stolen our hearts.

{End}. .

Read more!

Toxic "Human foods" That Can Kill Your Pets

Foods To Never Give:

Avocados
They contain a toxic component called persin, which can damage heart, lung and other tissue in many animals. This fruit is very toxic to dogs, cats and most animals.

Nuts
Walnuts and macadamia nuts are especially toxic. Effects can be anything from vomiting to paralysis to death. Within 12 hours of eating the nuts, pets start to develop symptoms such as an inability to stand or walk, vomiting, hypothermia (elevated body temperature), weakness, and an elevated heart rate. These symptoms can be even worse if your dog eats some chocolate with the nuts. The effect can cause kidney failure, often leading to death.

Chocolate
Chocolate contains theobromine, which can kill your pet if eaten in large quantities. Dark and unsweetened baking chocolates are especially dangerous. Giving your pup a piece of chocolate cake or even letting him lick the chocolate icing on the cake could cause him to become ill. Theobromine can also cause a dog or cat's heart to beat very rapidly or irregularly, which could result in death if the pet is exercising or overly active.

Candy
Candy or anything containing Xylitol (a common sweetener found in some diet products) can cause a sudden drop in an animal's blood sugar, loss of coordination and seizures. If left untreated, the animal could die.

Grapes and Raisins
Grapes and raisins can lead to kidney failure in dogs. As little as a single serving of raisins can kill them. And the effects are cumulative, which means that even if a dog eats just one or two grapes or raisins regularly, the toxin that builds in his system will eventually kill him/her.

Onions
Onions are another common food that can be highly toxic to pets. They can destroy an animal's red blood cells and lead to anemia, weakness and breathing difficulties. Their effects are also cumulative over time.

Beer
Alcoholic beverages can cause the same damage to an animal's liver and brain as they cause in humans. But the effects can be deadly on animals since they are much smaller than us. The smaller the animal, the more deadly the effects can be. Even a small amount of alcohol may cause vomiting and damage the liver and brain.

Caffeine
Coffee, tea or any product that contains caffeine stimulates an animal's central nervous and cardiac systems. This can lead to restlessness, heart palpitations and death, depending on how much the animal consumes.

Medicine
Hide medicine from your pets just like you would from your children. The most common cause of pet poisoning is from animals ingesting a medicine or drug normally prescribed for humans.

And this is not just because furry pals are getting into their pet parent's medicine cabinets. In many cases, pet owners give their feline and canine friends an over-the-counter medication to ease an animal's pain. But acetaminophen and ibuprofen, the active ingredients in many common pain relievers, are extremely toxic to dogs and cats. They can cause gastric ulcers, liver damage, kidney failure and sometimes death.

In case of emergency
Despite all the precautions you take to keep your pet pals safe, accidents do happen. That's why the ASPCA, Humane Society and animal advocates advise pet owners to keep the telephone numbers of their local veterinarian and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center — (888) 426-4435 — in a prominent location.

Common signs of poisoning include muscle tremors or seizures; vomiting and diarrhea; drooling; redness of skin, ears and eyes; and swelling and bleeding.

If you suspect your pet has consumed, inhaled or come in contact with a toxic substance, stay calm and call for help immediately. If you see your pet consuming anything you think might be toxic, seek emergency help immediately even if she or he is not exhibiting any symptoms.
{End}

. . Read more!

Garden Mulch Containing COCOA - Fair Warning

Back in 2003 an email started circulating about a particular garden mulch that was potentially bad for pets because it contained theobromine (found in chocolates). Depending on the weight of the pet, the type of chocolate, and the amount ingested, theobromine can cause seizures, arrhythmia, increased urination, and tremors. Death could occur in 12-24 hours. An internet search shows one death of a dog from eating 'cocoa mulch' and upon further investigation, there are another 3 confirmed dog deaths in the UK from cocoa shell ingestion.

Sunshine Garden Products produces a cocoa mulch made from cocoa shells. This is a commonly found product in popular stores such as Target, Home Depot, etc. We decided to contact Sunshine Garden Products directly and get their response. We just received a reply from managing director, Justin Brooking. Here is what he put together for us:

[begin quote]"

Information relating to ‘Dogs & Cocoa Shell’

Cocoa shell contains the naturally occurring substance Theobromine. It is an inherent part of most chocolate products. Being a natural plant material, concentrations of Theobromine vary. The highest concentration is found in the 'nib', which is the inner part of the cocoa bean and therefore the darker chocolates tend to contain the highest levels of Theobromine as they use the highest concentration of cocoa bean extracts. Cocoa shells, which are the outer part of the cocoa bean, contain varying amounts of Theobromine, this depends on the growing season, the variety of bean and the country of origin. Sunshine of Africa cocoa shell is sourced from a U.K. based chocolate manufacturer who in turn source their cocoa beans from growers and co-operatives all over the world.

It is fair to say that cocoa shell when freshly spread on the garden does often smell of chocolate (for many customers this is part of the appeal of the product). This can be attractive to dogs and many dogs will have eaten cocoa shell. However the vast majority of dogs do not find cocoa shell at all palatable, it is very dry and has an abrasive texture, it also contains natural mucilage that makes it very slimy and hard to swallow. Because of these factors, dogs tend not to eat very much, if any at all. Our experience shows that very few dogs will actually eat cocoa shell and of those that do, the vast majority have no adverse reaction whatsoever. However some may get an upset stomach and it can cause hyperactivity for a short period. In very, very rare occasions dogs have died from eating cocoa shell. The smell of chocolate disappears very quickly after the shell has been spread and watered as per the instructions on the bag. Cocoa shell begins its natural composting processes as soon as it becomes wet. This changes the smell to one of an earthy compost smell which is not at all attractive to dogs.

Sunshine Garden Products have supplied the retail garden market for 17 years with cocoa shell. Over this time there have been three reported incidents of dogs that have allegedly died from eating cocoa shell in the U.K. The most recent was in September 2002 when it was confirmed that a pedigree Weimaraner sadly died from eating cocoa shell. We take this very seriously indeed and have taken advice from the Trading Standards office over this issue. We first printed a warning on our bags in 1999 and have recently strengthened it to read as follows: N.B. Please note that cocoa shell contains the naturally occurring substance Theobromine. If eaten by dogs, this can be very harmful. Please keep your dog away from the treated area until the mulch has settled i.e. a couple of weeks. If concerned contact your local vet.

This warning was printed because we felt our customers should be aware of the potential danger, albeit very small. Our decision to print this warning was endorsed by Trading Standards, however we were, and still are, under no obligation to do so. The warning can found on the back of the bag in clear purple print on a white background. It is interesting to note that no chocolate manufacturers place any kind of warning on their products to keep them away from dogs.

Most vets will be familiar with the effects of Theobromine on dogs. There are numerous cases of dogs suffering from stealing chocolate bars and cakes etc each year. Most other animals are largely unaffected by Theobromine and in fact many cocoa bean processors in the U.K. supply the animal feeds market with ground cocoa shell for inclusion as a ruminant filler in livestock feeds.

It is worth noting that Sunshine Garden Products have sold several million bags of cocoa shell over the past 17 years. The product has not changed in any way during this time. If the product posed a serious threat to dogs it would have been withdrawn from the market. Trading standards have been aware of our products and its potential danger to dogs for many years. They would not hesitate to insist we withdraw cocoa shell form the market if they felt it posed a real threat to dogs.

Cocoa Shell & Cats. We at Sunshine Garden Products have never heard that cats are at all interested in eating cocoa shell and indeed a great many of our customers have reported that cats are often deterred from walking on gardens mulched with cocoa shell. This has proved to be very popular over the years by customers wishing to prevent cats from fouling their borders. We have had so many comments and letters from satisfied customers that we print "Helps to keep cats off your garden" on the bag and other promotional literature. We have never heard of any cat being ill or dying from eating cocoa shell.

Updated - 1^st January 2008"[end quote]

So that's the info folks - cocoa mulch is apparently a fantastic garden product, but please be very careful using it around animals, particularly curious dogs . If you suspect that your pet has eaten cocoa bean mulch (or any chocolate for that matter), immediately contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (1-888-426-4435). Recommended care may include placing your dog under veterinary observation, inducing vomiting, and/or controlling a rapid heart beat or seizures.
Read more!

Peanut Butter Dog Biscuits

Ingredients:

1 1/2 C water

1/2 C safflower or canola oil

2 med eggs

3 Tb peanut butter (sugar free, creamy)

2 tsp vanilla

1 1/2 C whole wheat flour

1 1/4 C unbleached white flour

1/2 C cornmeal

1/2 C rolled oats

Instructions:

.

Preheat oven to 400F. Mix water, oil, eggs, peanut butter and vanilla with a wire whisk. Add flours, cornmeal, and oats. Combine with a mixer. Take 1/3 of the dough and place on a floured surface. Flour top of dough. Gently knead, adding more flour as necessary to form a pliable dough (this will require a substantial amount of flour). Roll out to 1/2 - 3/4 inch thickness and cut shapes using cookie cutters. Repeat until all dough is used.

Place on ungreased baking sheet. Bake 400F, 20-25 min, depending on thickness of biscuits. Leave in oven 20 min after turning oven off to crisp. Store in airtight container.

{End}

Read more!

Let's Talk Claws this Month - by Sunny Thornton

Why do cats shed their claws? Well, cats are the only animals who walk directly on their claws and not on the pads of their feet. (Think of a ballerina balancing "en pointe" - without her toe shoes!)

Getting around on tiptoe is a very useful skill when moving at high speeds. Being the great hunters they are, cats need to keep this skill very sharp. Contrary to what you may think, your cat does not manicure its nails on your furniture out of spite....nor is he just "sharpening" his claws. Your cat is tearing off the ragged edges of the sheaths of his talons. All year long, he sheds the old claws, to expose new sharp claws underneath. These claws are not just for protection. They are responsible for the cat's perfect balance and for awesome feats of climbing, running, stretching & grooming.

Declawing not only causes physical affliction, but psychological anguish, as well. He is deprived of his only defense and also, his most versatile tool for survival. Cats pull their claws IN to protect the claw & keep it sharp. Claws need to be kept sharp, for all the reasons stated above. They are also needed to mark territory. When scratching, sweat glands between the paw pads transfer a scent to the tree trunk or other object being marked. In the case of your house cat, this can be your furniture. Your cat identifies the scratched area as his own.

To discourage scratching of your furniture, be sure that your cat has multiple scratching posts and scratching pads (sold at all pet stores and discount stores, such as Target) throughout your home. A squirt bottle filled with water works wonders too! Just spray your cat each time you see him scratching furniture, and redirect him to his post or pad. It won't take long to see a change!

Next month: Detailed information on the horrors of the de clawing surgery itself! {End}.

Read more!

The Chaining Issue

Animal Protection of NM is making a big push to educate people about the plight of chained dogs. The Humane Society is also putting the chain issue as a top priority calling it the 'most under-talked, over-used method of abuse'. Some cities, counties and/or states are now making tethering illegal.

Through years of domestication dogs have become naturally and strongly attached to their humans. They thrive on interaction with their human family counterparts. As the APNM states, keeping a dog on a chain means that the dog:
"

• is deprived of social contact with other dogs and humans
• sensory deprivation becomes the norm
• and boredom, frustration, anxiety, agitation, and aggression follow in rapid succession.

"
These organizations are promoting positive alternatives and information to help get dogs off chains and into the lives of family members. They need everyone's help in spreading the word. Here is a link to read a brief description about the topic from the APNM as well as the HSUS. There are also some positive video instructions on building fences and other alternatives to chaining: "Train Don't Chain". Another great website on this matter is UnchainYourDog.org {End}. . Read more!

Sat April 11 - Santa Fe Adoption Day

REMINDER

When: Saturday Apr. 11th Noon - 3PM
Where: Teca-Tu at 500 Montezuma St. Santa Fe
What: cats and dogs
Contact info: Bridging the Worlds - Beverley 505-501-1887 http://bridgingtheworlds.org/
{End}.. Read more!

Spring is Here ..... Get Your Dog Heartworm Tested in April ! - Raymond Sandor

What is heartworm?

The heartworm is a parasitic worm about the size of thin spaghetti. When an animal is infected with the worm, it lives free-floating in the right ventricle of the heart and nearby blood vessels. The parasites are transmitted from one animal to another by mosquitoes. The first written canine documentation was in the, “Western Journal of Medicine” in 1847. The first documented cat infection was in the early 1900’s. The normal host for heartworm are dogs. Heartworms can live in animals other than dogs, but often have a shorter life, vary in size, or end up in odd locations due to aberrant migration. This is true of heartworm infections in cats. Some of the other animals that can acquire heartworm include wolfs, coyotes, foxes, bobcats, mountain lions, tigers, muskrats, raccoons, ferrets, otters, bears, horses, orangutans, gibbons, sea lions, and also …....humans.

Heartworm is usually diagnosed through a blood test, but the worm needs to be mature (about 6 months after entering to the pet's body) to be detectable through antigen testing. Female worms must be present for accurate test results. Cats also can get infected with heartworm. Until about 5 years ago it was believed that cats infected with heartworm are rare, but new studies show that it's more common than previously believed. There is no accurate test yet for cats, but it is in the works. Unfortunately, many cat heartworm infections are overlooked since feline heartworm disease does not commonly present with the same symptoms as dogs and the signs and symptoms look and act like other cat diseases. One worm in the cat's heart can cause sudden cardiac death or sudden (acute) respiratory signs that are indistinguishable from asthma without a medical work up.

Preventative medications

Dogs 7 months and older should be tested each year with a simple blood test. Dogs younger than 7 months but older than 8 weeks can be put on a preventative medication without testing. The most common preventative medication is Heartguard, a once-a-month chewable pill. In heavily infested areas (i.e. parts of Texas, Florida etc.) veterinarians recommend using it all year around. In the northern states with shorter mosquito seasons and less reports, it is usually recommended to use Heartguard between April and October. Holistic veterinarians try to avoid animals ingesting chemicals so many recommend using Black Walnut capsules on a daily basis as a preventative and also in addition to Heartguard. Please ask your veterinarian about your best preventative options and have your dog tested every April.

There is a low-cost clinic held the first and third Friday of each month from 8 to 11:30am and 1 to 4pm in Santa Fe at the Santa Fe Animal Shelter's Spay/Neuter & Wellness Clinic (next to the Outback Steakhouse). Their contact info: 505-474-6422 at 2570-B Camino Entrada . No appointment is necessary, but please be on time. They charge $15 for a heartworm test.

{End}

. Read more!

"Leave It" - Dog Training Tips by Carol Tharnish

To teach the dog to, "Leave It!" (things he/she can't have):

1. Put the dog on a leash
2. Throw a treat on the ground
3. As you pass by, say "Leave It !"

Do this a few times a day for about a week. When the dog looks to you after hearing, "Leave It!", give him/her a treat from your hand.

At the end of the training session, be sure to pick up the 'no no' treat and praise the dog.

This exercise will come in handy for lots of things!

{End}. Read more!

Raffle Drawing April 7th 4pm

New Mexico's Animal Protection Voters will announce the winner of their raffle April 7th down at the Flying Star. Tickets are $10 and the prize: Cabo Azul Resort & Spa Three Nights/Four Days:
May 12-15th, 2009 Ocean View Penthouse. Click here for info {End} . Read more!

Sun. April 5 - ABQ - 2nd Chance Adoption Day

Where: Petco on the Westside. (Old Airport Road by the Loew's off Coors Blvd by Cottonwood Mall)
When: April 5th from 11 a.m. til 3 p.m. (that's this coming Sunday!)
What: Great dogs and cats available.

Message from Debbie at Second Chance:
We recently lost a couple of great foster homes (due to economic and housing issues) and we are desperate to find homes for our dogs! Please come check them out and even if you can foster for us, that would be so helpful!!

As always, we are very grateful for any help and can use donations towards our food and vet expenses. You can donate securely on our website home page via Paypal or JustGive or ChipIn.

Thank you all for your continued support - We couldn't do it without you!!

Other contact info where you can see pictures and descriptions of the pets: www.secondchancenm.petfinder.com
{End}. . Read more!

Top 10 Reasons to Love Your Pet - (From a Pet's Perspective)

Top TEN.....

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.
4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.
5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.
9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.
10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.
    

Take a moment today to be thankful for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them. Life would be a much duller, less joyful experience without life's little critters.

. Author Unknown Read more!

Snake Aversion Training

An important topic has been brought up by Freda Donica - snake aversion training. With snake season right around the corner this is a perfect time to discuss various methods of ensuring our pets' safety. Freda will be trying a method of snake proofing taught in Albuquerque and will update all of us. We will also be looking at other methods (ie vaccine, after-bite/antivenin therapy, keeping cortisone on hand, and the many different techniques of snake aversion training). We'll be getting the opinion of professionals and also hearing personal experiences. If you have tried any of these methods or have researched this topic, please email us at clipets@live.com . We would like to include your opinions and concerns and your experiences in an article that will be posted here during April for all to learn from and share.{End} . Read more!