November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month

If you are thinking of adopting a dog or cat, why not consider a senior pet?

A puppy or kitten can require constant attention. A puppy can hold his bladder just one hour for every month they've been alive. That means a 3-month-old puppy will need to empty his bladder every three hours! And yes, that does include the middle of the night! An adult dog's bladder is already fully developed. Shelter dogs are most often already house-trained and even if they have an “accident” in their new home, they usually are quick to remember that potty is outside. You also have the advantage of knowing that your dog is physically able to "hold it" for several hours at a stretch.

An adult pet’s personality is already developed, and you'll be able to spot the characteristics you're looking for. Shelters and rescue groups are able to assess the personality of each pet for adoption, and carefully match you up with the right dog or cat for your lifestyle.

Ask anybody who has adopted an adult dog or cat, and will tell you that they are the most grateful and loving pets.  When you open your heart and your home to an older dog or cat that needs help, they really do show their appreciation for the rest of their life! These pets, through no fault of their own, have been uprooted from their homes. Some have been dumped at a shelter because their owners have decided they want a younger pet, or have had difficult beginnings in life and are likely to bond completely and deeply with their new humans Pets who find themselves in the shelter or at a rescue group because of a death or other tragedy in their former human family usually go through a mourning period. Once they are adopted, however, they usually want nothing more than to please their new human! No matter what circumstances brought them to the shelter or rescue group, most older pets for adoption are exceptionally affectionate and attentive pets and extremely loyal companions.

When you adopt a senior dog or cat, you are doing the ultimate good deed. Let's face it: a lot of people think they want a puppy or kitten, but not everyone is lining up to adopt the great seniors! Did you know that every year, approximately 4 million adoptable animals are killed? You can be sure there are a LOT of dogs and cats for adoption out there. With such a huge overpopulation problem, buying a pet from a breeder or pet store contributes to this tragedy. More often than not, a puppy at a pet store came from a “puppy mill”, a horrible place where dogs are kept in cages with very little human contact, and are forced to have litter after litter until they are of no use anymore.  Many of these momma dogs are killed once their breeding time has run out.  Rescue groups that specialize in Senior Pet adoption work very, very hard to help adult dogs and cats find good homes. Rescues are almost always made up of a group of volunteers. They often keep their pets for adoption in their own homes while they assess their health and personalities. If a pet needs basic training, often the rescuer will provide it. If a pet needs medical treatment, many dedicated dog and cat rescuers pay for it out of their own pocket. These people are incredibly passionate about rescue, and they work tirelessly to make sure every pet finds a home. Nothing is as rewarding to these heroes as a successful adoption!

November is Adopt a Senior Pet Month.  If you have decided that it’s time for you to become a pet parent, please consider adopting one of the many senior dogs and cats that are available.  Senior pets deserve all the love and attention you can give them.

  This is Moose, my (almost) 10 year old dachshund.  I adopted him in January, 2012 after fostering him for a short time.  He had gone from a loving home with 3 dachshund sisters, to a shelter where he and his sisters were split up, to a foster home, then another foster home.  When I took him in and saw how sweet he was and that he fit right in with the rest of my crazy “zoo”, I decided he had been bounced around enough and made him part of our family.  He only has 8 teeth but that doesn’t slow him down at all.  He’s a super little dog.

Choking

Dogs are like babies – everything goes in their mouths.  They chew on toys, bones and sticks.  They pick up anything and everything they find lying on the floor or in the yard.  You cannot watch your dog 24/7. 

 

What would you do if your dog started to choke?  Give them a couple of minutes to dislodge the object themselves.  They may be able to cough it up without your help.  However, if your dog is pawing at its face and struggling to get air, there are a few things you can do yourself to help dislodge the object:

1.      Look in your dog’s mouth to see if the object is visible. If so, try reaching in with your fingers and pull it out.

2.     For smaller dogs, lift them by their hind legs off the ground and give them a few quick shakes.

3.     For larger dogs, basically do the same thing but keep the front legs on the ground and lift the back legs.  Make sure the head is pointed downwards and give the dog a few good shakes.

4.     The Heimlich Maneuver can be performed on dogs (and cats too!).  Again, make sure your dog’s head is pointed downwards. 

    Stand behind your dog and put one fist against the soft spot on its abdomen just below its rib cage.  Take your other hand and place it over your fist and push inwards and upwards a few times. Do this firmly but not too hard.

Here is a video that demonstrates all of these methods:

Once you have removed the object and your dog is still not breathing then begin artificial respiration and if it has no pulse CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation). Seek immediate medical attention.

Artificial Respiration for Dogs:

1.     Lay your dog on his right side on a flat, hard surface.

2.     Straighten out your dog’s neck.

3.     For a small dog, place your mouth around his nose and mouth, or just cup one hand around his muzzle and mouth to keep it shut and put your mouth completely around his nose.

4.     Begin to blow air gently into his nose until you see your dog’s chest rise or expand.

5.     Wait for the air to expel and then repeat blowing air back into your dog’s nose (one every three seconds).

6.     Once normal breathing begins, stop.

CPR for Dogs:

1.     Kneel down next to your dog with your arms extended out over him, cupping one hand on top of the other.

2.     Place your hands on your dog’s ribs just where his elbows meet his chest.

3.     Compress an inch and release quickly, about two compressions a second.

4.     After 15 compressions, lean forward and blow air into your dog’s nose using the respiratory assist method above.

5.     Continue alternating between each every 15 compressions to 2 rescue breaths, until your dog’s breathing and heartbeat return.

6.     Once your dog is breathing on his own, call your vet.  You will want him to examine your dog to be sure your dog suffered no internal injuries.

Here is an excellent video to demonstrate how to perform Artificial Respiration and CPR on your dog.

Remember, these techniques will work on cats, too!

Are Rawhide Chews Safe for Dogs?

One question that has been asked frequently is whether or not rawhide chews are safe to give to your dog. 

When giving your dog any type of chew bone it is always a good idea to monitor him while he has the treat.  Many dogs will tear off big chunks of the rawhide and swallow it, causing blockages in their intestinal tract.  Other dogs, like my pug  Hu-Mi, are gulpers and basically inhale anything put in front of them.  

Choking is another concern when giving rawhide and another reason to watch your dog while he enjoys his treat.

Rawhide dog chews are dried hypodermic interstitial tissue (second layer of the skin) from cattle raised for meat production. This hypodermic interstitial tissue is quite tough yet flexible, due to collagen fibers that link.

During processing the animal's skin is split into inner and outer layers. The tougher outer layer is used for leather shoes, garments, and upholstery, while the softer inner layer is cut and formed into different shapes for dog chews.

The first step in making rawhide chews is transportation of animal's hide to processing plants where it is split, washed with degreasers and detergents, and cleaned. The completely clean rawhide is then sterilized in hydrogen peroxide at the required temperature for the required amount of time. This also has a desired side effect of making the rawhide the yellow-white color with which you are familiar.

Every year, untold numbers of dogs suffer from a variety of digestive issues as a result of consuming rawhide. Not only that, but frequently rawhide is preserved with harmful chemicals.

Life’s Abundance has developed a line of chew treats made using pork products, which are much easier on your dog’s entire digestive system and are free from potentially harmful chemicals. Our pork treats are guaranteed to be safe and your dogs will love them!

Porky Puffs , our delicious pig snouts, are packed with high quality protein.  These chewable treats are non-greasy and contain no chemical preservatives or flavors and are easily digestible. They have no artificial colors, so you won’t have to worry about hard-to-remove stains in your carpet!

Here's a picture of one of my own dogs, Easter, enjoying Porky Puffs:

    

Porkhide Bones are a safe and healthy alternative to rawhide treats. Rawhides are cured with harsh chemicals (like ash-lye solutions and bleach).  

Our Porkhide Bones are gourmet chew treats made with 100% natural pork skin and have a lasting, mouth-watering flavor your dog will love! These yummy treats are naturally high in protein, low in fat and are highly digestible. 

The shape of the bone fits inside the mouth for maximum contact, which helps promote healthy teeth and gums. They come in sizes for small, medium and large dogs.  They are safe for dogs of all ages. Your dog will love these safe, healthy and yummy treats! 

These and all of Life’s Abundance’s delicious products are uniquely formulated by our company veterinarian, Dr. Jane Bicks, to support good health through wholesome and nutritious ingredients.

The Life's Abundance Business Opportunity

Life's Abundance has been helping people build financial freedom since 1999.  

This video will show you how building a Life's Abundance business can enable you to create a source of recurring income. Using the proven business model, many Life's Abundance field reps have been able to enjoy life on their own terms. Life's Abundance generous compensation plan is designed to reward you, whether you’re working part-time or full-time. The amount you make depends on how much time and energy you decide to devote to your home business.

Are you a pet professional?  Did you ever wonder if you could benefit from representing a pet product company whose primary focus is the long-term health and happiness of companion animals?  The answer is YES! 

Breeders, groomers, pet sitters, daycare operators, trainers and other pet care professionals owe it to themselves to learn about the extensive line of health-promoting foods, treats, supplements and care products provided by Life's Abundance.

This video will explain the seven reasons why promoting Life's Abundance products may be a very good decision for pet professionals and their clients!

Please take a moment to review all the information found on my website; http://HeresToHappierHealthierPets.com  I believe you will be impressed with our products, our compensation plan and everything else that Life's Abundance has to offer you as an individual pet owner or a pet professional.