7 Steps To Welcome Spring

The weather has been crazy, some days warm, some days wet, and some days with a cold bite. However, the calendar claims Spring has sprung here in Mississippi which means getting outside, sprucing up the yard, planting the beds, and firing up the grill.

Kirby loves the outdoors spending every chance he gets wandering around investigating new plants sprouting up from the ground and checking all the changes going on. Here are our tips and the guidelines we use for a happy, safe spring.

1. The weather is finally beginning to warm up from the cold winter so now is the time for Kirby's haircut. He gets regular trimming of his face and feet year round but that hair has grown into a curly thick coat. Much too hot for this boy. Over time I have perfected "The Kirby cut" to shorten the hair from his neck to his tail. Remember that cutting the coat too short can invite sunburn so don't let that trim turn into a shave. I'm very lucky Kirby doesn't shed but many breeds have an undercoat that begins to naturally shed. A really good brushing is essential to speed along its removal.  I have heard great results have been acheived using the furminator so if your dog has a double or thick coat this handy tool could be a lifesaver.

2. I love putting clothes on Kirby. He's just so darn cute in a polo or jammies! When it starts warming up those clothes are packed away. No amount of cuteness is worth a heat stroke. I do, however, pull out his EzyDog life vest. A quick wipe down and check for proper fit and any tears means he's ready for those swim events he dearly loves. I keep it in his travel bag because you just never know when an opportunity might present itself and I really hate when I have to say no to that earnest face. I swear I can see him go from a smile to total dejection.

3. We live in Mississippi so it's a year round battle against fleas for us.  I dont use the spot on products and flea collars on the market since they have been documented to cause potentially lethal harm which you can read about here.  In fact I am so afraid of them that I opt to let a vet student apply the required product to any foster we may be caring for. For Kirby, I choose to use natural products for both his safety and my peace of mind. We are currently using Sentry Natural Defense which has essential oils that repel those nasty creatures. I can recommend Tropiclean Neem shampoo which I bathe him with in the summer months.  I also sprinkle Diatomaceous earth in the flower beds and near the doorways. Another great weapon in this on going battle is Dawn dish detergent for killing present fleas on the dog and in the grass. We don't have a problem with ticks but I do check him regularly when bathing and brushing his coat. If you live near wooded areas check every day with a nice massage, a great bonding time for you and your dog.

4. Its time to clean up the yard which means cutting grass, trimming shrubs and preparing beds and gardens. Pet proofing the yard can mean the difference in having a fun time or racing to the vet because Kirby has ingested a poison or been injured. We do fun pictures of Kirby with lawn mowers, rakes, and such with a high level of security in place. We take precautions to guarantee his safety. Mowing or weeding requires he be inside. We don't use any chemicals in our beds which he could at some point ingest.  No plants known to be dangerous to dogs grow in our backyard except the tomatoes which are surrounded by wire caging.

5. Spring cleaning the home can also have dangerous outcomes so we stick with non-toxic products. I'll put together a list such as using clorox to knock down spider webs.  Keep any dangerous products out of harm's reach.

6. Allergies abound during spring for many pets causing watery eyes, sneezing, and itchy skin.  Its recommended to take walks in the early morning or late at night when pollen counts are at their lowest. A quick wipedown with a wet towel of the body, and especially the feet, can remove most of the pollen. One of the best remedies, or rather preventatives, is using locally harvested honey which helps build an immunity in the dogs system. Kirby enjoys his daily1/4 teaspoon.

7. My chunky monkey always gains some extra weight during the winter months but becomes more active as the days warm up and get longer.  We keep fresh water on the deck for him and engage him in short bursts of activity keeping an eye on his breathing. Panting is ok. Heavy panting means he needs to take a break inside with the air conditioner. Heat stroke can happen quickly so keep an eye out for the early signs. NEVER LEAVE YOUR DOG ALONE IN A CAR ON A HOT DAY - 15 MINUTES CAN MEAN A SLOW AGONIZING DEATH.

So there you have it. Our spring has sprung list. Let me know if I left off something or you have a better suggestion because inquiring minds really do want to know! 

Collars Can Prove Deadly

Anyone that knows me knows how protective I am of Kirby.  I make the majority of his meals and treats, I make him wear his harness while traveling in the car, he must wear a leash at all times when away from home, he wears a life vest in the water unless I am right there with him, and even then, he is attached to a leash so I can pull him to me if he gets into trouble.

The following excerpts from an article I just read in my latest Whole Dog Journal issue literally shocked me. Reading about this horrible event gave me pause about the collar Kirby wears 24/7. 

It was two young Lab-mixes in the front yard of a house down the street. One had grabbed his friend’s collar and then mostly likely rolled over, twisting his lower jaw in the collar. His tongue, trapped under the thick nylon, was being lacerated by his own lower teeth; he was the one making all the noise.

His buddy was not screaming; he was fighting for his life, and being choked to death by his own collar. Both dogs were thrashing in pain and fear. The owner of one dog was trying to get close enough to them to free them, and I tried to help.

I grabbed one dog by the scruff; she grabbed the other. I frantically ran my hands through the mass of writhing fur, trying to find a buckle on the collar. I felt a quick-release buckle and released it – but it was the wrong one, not the collar that was threatening their lives.Then I saw the other buckle; it was in the mouth of the dog whose jaw was trapped. And it was a standard metal buckle – the kind that you have to tighten slightly to free the metal prong from a hole punched in the nylon fabric. It was already so tight, there would be no way to tighten it enough to release it, if I even could get my hand in the dog’s mouth.

Just then, the owner of the other dog ran out of the house with a pair of scissors. I was doubtful that they could cut through the thick nylon, but they did. And in the nick of time! Even as the young woman worked, feverishly, the dog who was choking released his bowels. He was seconds from death.

Something I had never even considered could happen to Kirby because of his collar, something I deem a necessary item for identification in the event he were lost. It has two tags, one a simple tag with his name and my phone number, the other a blanket ID tag which links to vital information anyone who finds him can use to get him home to me.  He's also micro-chipped should he lose his collar or someone removes it.

So now I have to rethink what I thought because the very collar that could get him home to me is the very collar that could choke the life out of him. From now on, when we have a foster with us, I will be removing both dog's collars whenever they are safely inside my home or fenced backyard. When Kirby wants to play wth other dogs in a safe environment, I may choose to not let him play or decide if I'm willing to remove his collar with the risk of him getting lost. I do know we better start working on that recall command I've gotten very lax about.

The article ends by making the following recomendations to keep your dog safe when he’s playing with other dogs.

1.Play Naked! Remove your dog’s collar or harness. A harness may not present the same choking hazard as a collar if another dog got tangled in it, but on the other hand, a harness has many more straps to get caught in.

2.Use a Collar With a Quick-Release Buckle. If you’re nervous about having your dog naked (and without ID), use a collar with a buckle that can be released even under tension. Another option is a safety breakaway collar, such as Premier Pet Product’s KeepSafe Break-Away Collar (see premierpet.com or call 800-933-5595).

3. Don’t Allow Your Dog to Play With Dogs Who Are Wearing Gear. At times, this may mean your dog won’t be able to play at a dog park, because it’s nearly impossible to get everyone to comply with sensible rules at a dog park. If I had a young dog who really liked wrestling and mouthing other dogs, I just wouldn’t take him to a dog park that was crowded with collar- and harness-wearing dogs. Not after what I saw.

4. Spread The Word. I’m now telling every dog owner I know about the way, the truth, and the light. Many people have never considered this potential hazard and may be open to hearing about how they can prevent a tragedy happening to their dogs.

5. Keep Something Sharp Handy. This is quite a long shot – and yet, I now know a young woman who saved two dogs’ lives with sharp scissors. I now have a box cutter in my car, and another one on a shelf near my office door. I hope to never witness this again, but I feel a little better knowing that there would be more I could do to help.

Have you witnessed this happening? What would/will you do? Do you have any other suggestions?

Disclosure: The above excerpts appeared in Whole Dog Journal with full credit to Nancy Kerns. I am spreading the word so that owners can be aware and take proper precautions.

Buckle Up Your Furry Companions in Dog-Friendly Vehicles

By Guest Writer, Sonny Rodriguez

Dogs are people too. Well, we love them just the same. If you have dogs, it's important to have the right kind of vehicle and interior accessories in place to be safe. And the importance of getting your family from one place to another unharmed should be at the top of your radar.

To your dog, an open window is all they need to get a joy ride. But there are other important features that should be addressed when it comes to dog ownership and transportation. Whether going on a road trip or simply to the dog park everyday, safety comes first. Then cleanliness, I would guess. Here are some dog-friendly vehicles to consider if you're in the market for a new car. Also highlighted are a few necessary products that will keep your pup safe and sound and give you one less distraction while driving.

Toyota FJ Cruiser

The FJ Cruiser might bring you back to the days when you and your brother loaded his toy truck beds with rocks and marbles, or when you would put Barbie and Ken in the front seat of his Tonka toys (Barb in the driver's seat). The colors are playful primaries that include, but are not limited to, calvary blue and sun fusion yellow. The Jean Knows Cars Guide gives it an eight on their Fun-O-Meter. The retro rugged SUV starts at $26.8K MSRP. It's ideal for animals because it is water-resistant fabric on the seats and the floor is rubber so it's very easy to wipe down and hose out. With a decent size cargo (big enough for a crate) and fold down seats, Toyota's FJ Cruiser is fun for the whole family.

Ford Escape Hybrid

A greener option is the Escape Hybrid. With 22/31 mpg, this eco-friendly vehicle has the best automatic highway fuel economy in its class according to the Ford website. The interior seat cushion foam is derived from soybeans and the carpets are a blend that includes post-consumer fibers derived from recycled bottles. When it comes to taking your pooch for a cruise, there is room for a crate but you might consider getting a pet hammock to protect your back seats and a harness and tether so he/she can move around without the fear of a sudden stop throwing them to the car floor (or out of the window).

Mazda3 Hatchback

Do you have a little guy or older fellow that may need less room and an easier entry? In 2012, the Mazda3 Hatchback was named a top safety pick by IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety). It's a fun, zippy little thing at the same time. The fifth door opens up to 42 in. of total cargo room, which helps when you are toting a dog and his supplies around. The interior is comfortable and it has style. Plus you can give your doggie kisses when stopped at a light.

What's Inside

Some necessary accessories to keep your pet safe and comfortable include a tether and harness ($24), crate, crate pads, handi-drink pet water bottles ($7.99), or go big with a booster seat with safety tether and pet harness that is all held in place by the backseat seat belt. Lastly, help save their delicate joints by adding a portable pet ramp.

About the Author: Sonny loves living in the country where she cares for her menagerie of six chickens, two goats and three llamas. Being a freelance writer for environmentally friendly cars and smartphone apps, Sonny feels that she gets to experience the best of both worlds; living in nature and writing about nature friendly technology.