Helping an Adult Dog Adapt After Moving (A Guest Post)

Recently, we've been busy with offline life. One of my friends asked if I could help him find a dog for his kids. To my luck and surprise, I was able to find a juvenile dog from a good breeder. Unlike puppies, they're a little more challenging to transport from one place to another. We've had obstacles like ship travel cancellations, pet embargo issues with plane (Shih Tzus are no longer allowed to ride the plane, by the way), and other hiccups like the pup's absence of anti-rabies vaccination. Since Benjie, the Shih Tzu, was registered here in our city, anti-rabies shots are free. However, the sticker for the Rabisin vaccine was not given to us by the City Veterinary Officer. We had to go back and ask for it, so Benjie (along with his quarantine papers) is given a shipping permit and can travel along with other doggies.

Just relaxing with his new owner on the bunk bed...

Moving house is never easy, not for humans and not for dogs either. If you've got a pet pooch and are planning to take him – and everything else – to some place new, then we’ve got the low down on how to help him adjust to his new environment in the most painless way possible. Read on to find out more.

Plan Ahead

To ensure your dog adapts to moving house, there are a number of things you should do before the big move. Plan ahead, and you will avoid unwelcome surprises later on down the line. Check the local laws in your new area: if there are any breed bans, different leash laws, what licenses you need to own and so on. Also make sure your landlord or neighborhood associations will accept your breed of dog. Make sure your dog has I.D and is microchipped, in case he runs away from (his new) home. Organize a new vet, and do your research into whether your dog will need any new vaccinations or preventative medication.

Shih Tzu Travelling by Ship in the Philippines

Prepare your beloved canine for the big move by crate training him in advance! You can easily do that by first utilizing a puppy playpen to get your dog used to crating and then moving on to using an actual crate. Because your pup won't be too keen if he's forced to go in a crate for the very first time on moving day. Also start packing and putting boxes out ahead of time, so that by the time the big day arrives he is used to it. Again, you don't want to put your dog in a tizz by packing up the whole house right before you go. If you are down-sizing to a smaller home or apartment (or doing the opposite), your dog will probably have to play by a different set of rules once you move. For example, you might be living closer to neighbors now, in which case your dog won't be allowed to make as much noise. So you should start training him for that well in advance.

Also check with your vet to see if he can give your dog any anti-anxiety medications during the big move: you will probably want to trial one or several of these beforehand.

On moving day

Once moving day itself comes round, it may be a good idea to have your pet absent from proceedings. Boarding your dog with a good pet sitter is a good way of shielding him from the chaos of the move. He will have to be packed eventually though, and when doing that, try to make the experience as painless and as comfortable as possible for him. Pack plenty of towels, treats, bedding and his favorite toys. A good idea is to bring the smell of the old, familiar house with him using these items. Make sure your dog's cage or container is properly ventilated and secure, in order to prevent the possibility of any escapes. Try to feed your dog lightly on the big day so that he doesn't get sick during the journey.

Adjusting to the new home

Phew! Moving to a new home made some doggy so tired.

Immediately after arriving at your new home - this is the time that a dog is most likely to escape. So make sure escape is impossible, first by locking all the gates and ensuring the fences surrounding your home are secure, and by keeping your dog on a leash when exploring his new territory. Re-create as much as you can the set-up at your old house, so that the new living space is still somewhat familiar to your pet. Retain the old walking and feeding schedules. When getting to know the new neighborhood, broaden your dog's horizons very gradually, so that he is not overwhelmed. And make your dog's new life fun! Be sure to reward him with plenty of treats, snacks and games: before long he will not miss his old life at all, because the new one is so enjoyable.

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Like- Suki (Learning Japanese with Dogs)

Today's word is suki. It's pronounced as "ski".

According to JED (Android's Japanese-English Dictionary), the term suki means fondness, love, or liking. So, if you've come across a few Japanese drama or anime  series, when a person is in-love with another, he/she says "Daisuki desu" (silent u) or "Suki desu" (again, with a silent u). The term love is barely used.

 マンゴ が すき です。 - Mango ga suki desu.- I like mango. More correctly put, I like mangoes.

Unlike the English language, suki is used as noun rather than a verb. So, when they say Inu ga suki desu (いぬ が すき です), it roughly translates to "I like a dog." or "I like dogs." It can also mean "I love dogs!"

Breakdown of Definitions:

Inu (いぬ) -dog

ga (が)- particle used to denote ability or preference.

suki (すき)- like

desu (です)- is/are/be/am; polite filler

So, to create a sentence where you want to express liking/ loving something, just pick a word and add "ga suki desu" after it.

Example:

バナナ が すき です。- Banana ga suki desu. I like banana(s).

チョウィ-ちゃん が すき です。-Chooey-chan ga suki desu. I like/love Chooey. 

Note: The suffix -chan or -san is added after a name just like Mr. and Ms. is added before a name in the English language. However, chan is added after a child's name while san is added to an adult's name.

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Puppy Brown's Castration: Our Experience, Our Understanding, and Our Decision

The Funny...

I finally took the time to contact Dr. M for our neutering schedule. Officially, the medical term used for the surgical procedure of removing the dog's testicles is castration.

Puppy Brown resting at the vetties...Ready to go home.

Poor Puppy Brown must have felt the heavy loss of his balls because he came home like this.

"You stole my balls," says Puppy Brown with a vengeful glare.

This is probably the after-effect of the anesthesia given to him while his little boy part was incised to remove the you-know-what. The poor little guy hung his head like an injured soldier.

In this procedure, Dr. M did three tiny stitches to close the exit point.

Our next visit is due on the 21st to have the stitches removed. Hopefully, within that said period, the antibiotics and Betadine will do its charm on keeping him infection-free.

The Serious...

First of all, it's not as bad as it sounds. I know there are still dog lovers out there who don't understand why my purebred dogs don't get bred.

My answer is simple: I don't believe it's necessary. I used to think it was a great money-making scheme. Then, I got myself educated and realized that I'd be a hypocrite if I said I would be a good breeder and dog-lover if my purpose was to mainly earn from it.

Even though we've been bringing him to the vet constantly, changing his diet to our best capacity, and providing him with all his physical needs, we still lost him to a condition we still don't understand.

Also, given Buchi's history, I'd be damned if I allowed his hereditary issues to transfer from one generation to another.

A lot of people are saying, "Sayang" which means "It's such a waste."

I beg to differ. Puppy Brown lives with Asti. All our female dogs are intact and I want to keep them that way for now. Perhaps my main reason for choosing to have him castrated was convenience, but I would rather be safe than sorry.  Raising puppies to dogs--ensuring they're well taken care of--is  a big responsibility. I don't want to end up with puppies whose futures aren't secure. 

To Neuter or not to Neuter...

Victoria Stilwell discusses facts about spaying and neutering...

In contradiction to neutering and spaying, I also want to share this video from Dr. Karen Becker to keep people informed of both sides...

Bottom line, whatever you choose, don't just choose for yourself--for your convenience, but also for the betterment of your dog. Research on neutering, spaying, and castration.

As for this pack, those balls have to go.

"But I love every part of me," says my cute little Shih Tzu boy.

You'll be better off without them, sweety.

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Run Free, Buchi!

Dear Friends,

These past days (and weeks), I have been busy tending to Buchi's health needs.  It has taken so much of my time that I didn't have time to blog. To put it more simply, wound creams turn into lotions because Buchi's skin breaks out into lesions with the lightest touch.

Believe it or not, this is one of his "normal" days. This picture was taken last September 29, 2014. 

Since last year,  Buchi has been battling an ailment we still don't understand. There were days he was completely healthy, and there were days that he was in terrible shape. At first, it was mange, Then, there was bacterial infection. Then, his eyes were too dry because of the bi-monthly Ivermectin shots the vet gave him.

Taken last October 8, 2014. He became excessively oily and smelly, but it was a normal episode in our household. We were waiting for a next vet visit since it was just a couple of days later.  It was a typical cycle for him to become worse, then real better, then worse, then better.

Last month, I was so happy to tell the vet that we hadn't dealt with any oily or smelly conditions for an entire month. The vet was relieved that she told us that we could go a month without having the shot. 

Our relief was however short-lived.

This month, Buchi was getting thinner, even when he was eating so well. Then, these past three days, he lost his appetite, and I was hoping that it was simply an upset stomach for all the licking--which is also normal. 

Today, we were planning to give our vet a visit, but he decided to take an earlier flight to the rainbow bridge.

This picture was taken last August 23, 2014. Run Free, Buchi! No more itchies and oily skin for you.

I'm really sorry I haven't visited anyone's blog recently. Buchi has been an integral part of my life that somehow, it felt right that I spent most of my time with him.

Thank you so much for your caring and understanding. 

Sincerely,

Haopee and the My Dogs Love Me Pack

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4 Tips in Caring for Long-Haired Dog Breeds

Before we start with our local program, let me just share this amazing person whose technique in dog grooming I truly admire.

This Youtuber is an amazing groomer. I like his approach with scared dogs.

There's a downside in caring for a long-haired dog. Shih Tzus and Pekingeses need constant grooming. Some owners take it to themselves to do the grooming. And it's fine. Just remember, it's not just the normal bathing and clipping that they need. 

Asti, the majestic, white lion! Just see how floofy she is.

Most long-haired dog breeds require... 

1. Daily brushing. If you don't have the time to brush your dog's hair daily, you should at least spend 30 minutes a week to ensure that all matted fur is removed.

See how thick her fur is. We have to brush her hair everyday to keep it from forming lumps.

2. Nail clipping. Forget about the challenge of clipping dogs with black nails. Now, you also have to deal with nails surrounded by fur.

This is what groomer's call the Puppy Cut. It's cropped short, about half an inch thick.

3. Clipping/cutting of fur in sensitive areas. Scared of holding your dog's muzzle while placing the scissors in front of his face? Scared nicking your dog's skin or scratching his eye with your scissors? This is just one of the many things you will have to deal with long-haired dogs.

Dogs with long hair need to have the fur between their toes and paw pads trimmed on a weekly or monthly basis. This goes for the hair/fur on their butts and on their abdomens.

Semi-bald cut. We had to cut Asti's hair this short so that treating her fungal infection would be easier.

4. Longer bathing and grooming time. Because of their long fur, breeds like Yorkies, Shih Tzus, and Pekes require more than just a towel to dry off. They need a blower to ensure that their double coats are completely dry.

Our new groomer is amazing. The dogs love him. His grooming skills are superb, and he's very tidy. 

*Pekingeses don't have double coats. They just have a really thick one.

Update: Haopee is a little under the weather. She's wallowing in bed like a sick pig. BOL!

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Busy, Busy, Busy. Busy Little Shih Tzu

Dear Bloggy Friends,

So sorry for not having visited your blogs recently. I was so tired last night that I fell asleep before posting our supposed comeback update.

Ironically speaking, I was just about to post another picture of some cute shih tzu sleeping.

For the last six or so seven hours, the computer has been stuck with a blank template, hoping I'd wake up in the middle of the night to finally put something in this blog.

P.S. I have learned only recently of Whisky's passing. For those who do not know their pack, the Furries of Whisppy are just amazing friends. Whisky has always brought smiles to me and my nieces. Please find some time to visit their blog if you haven't yet.

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A Special Type of Shih Tzu

Meet my dirty little Shih Tzu... She's adorable;she's cute; and she's a messy little thing.

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Canidae
Genus: Canis
Species: Flatypus (it's lupus, actually)

Presenting... The Canine Flatypus

"Yes, Haopee. I love you, too!"

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Mischief Monday: Shih Tzus in Crime

Shih Tzus Together Forever!!!

We

Sleep together

Eat together

Play together

Drink our vitamins together

Go to the vet together

Get crated together (only on vet visits!)

Mischief Monday is brought to us by the infamous Monday Mischief Crew including Snoopy, My Brown Newfies, Alfie and Luna Dogs Life!

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A Funny Dog Story: The Continuation of the Underwear Bandit

Remember when I talked about the two mischievous dogs who stole the guests' underwear... Well, a hero arose from all the mayhem.

Her name...CHOOEY, Warrior Princess. 

Two white ogre puppies stole the underwear. Shih Tzu Princess Chooey to the rescue!!!

Not only is the Shih Tzu princess loved by her people (peepz) but she is also relied upon for her courage and bravery in the face of underwear chaos.

Translation: She literally took the underwear from the two cream-colored hyperactive dogs and returned it to the owner. And yes, I am one proud mama.

One of the guest who had just hung her underwear on the clothesline had to chase the sneaky dog bandits (err... puppy ogres) for hours. 

Fortunately, Princess Chooey was on the watch. She took the underwear from their canine clutches and strutted down the castle grounds carrying the prized underwear towards her people (our female human guest).

"Here's your treasure. They won't bother you again." 

Translation: She gave the underwear back to the owner. LITERALLY!

By the way, I almost forgot to post about the giveaway Ms. Peggy Frezon sent me through my sister in the US. 

The Secret of Happy Ever After by Lucy Dillon

Thanks, Peggy. My sister told me that after you emailed me about the book, she got it in the mail the day after. I read some parts of The Secret of Happy Ever After and am awed by how well written it is. Can't wait to finish it.

Just click on the button to drop by Peggy's blog.

And that's the end of my Mischief Monday post.

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