Run Free, Whitey.

Dear Friends,

Today, we buried Whitey in our backyard. We couldn't just bear tossing him in a place where he will be forgotten.

 He used the rest of his strength to stay near the pond that afternoon. We hesitated moving him even when it started to drizzle. 

Yesterday, he refused to drink or eat anything. He closed his mouth shut whenever we tried to force feed him. Night came, and he could barely swallow. I brought him to our door and told him it was okay if he left. 

Our poor senior crossed the rainbow bridge today, March 22, 2014 at the age of 10 (or 11).

Run free, Whitey. Run free!

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Dogs in Action: Ball Acrobats and Whitey Update

Whitey's update is at the bottom of this post.

Cheezy the Dog vs. Squeaking Ball in the Air

Coal vs. Puppy vs. Cheezy vs. PJ vs. Squeaker Ball.
Squeaker ball loses from the start.

*****

Thank you for all paws and prayers sent our way, everybody. We had Whitey admitted at the vetties for two days.

He's still emaciated and dehydrated, so we're taking care of him with round the clock care. He gets force-fed water 4 times a day (because he's not on IV drip), and he eats 3-4 times a day, too. You'd think he's just pretending to be sick because he's grown picky. He hates recovery food and will only eat liver, chicken meat or beef meat-- oh, and cream cheese, too!

The vet says he has Chronic Renal Failure. I'm still researching on ways to manage it. We're now on kidney care and iron supplements, diuretics, and Doxycycline. I'll be talking about this another time, though. 

For those who's dealt with kidney failure before, could you share your experiences with us.

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POTP for Whitey

After being away for a week, I'm afraid I have to ask for POTPs for Whitey.

He hasn't been eating well these days. 

At first, we just thought that he was getting picky again-- hoping he'd pick up on his appetite eventually.

Unfortunately, this hasn't been the case. I wasn't here to observe it first hand, so I didn't pick it up soon enough. It seems that his condition is worsening by the day.

Whitey, our Senior White Dog.

He's only consuming enough for him to have energy to wake up, walk a little and move a little. On the bright side, he still has enough spunk to get mad at the boys when they mess with him, but he's worryingly old. Also, because he's a senior (about 10 to 12 years of age), he has muscle atrophy, too. 

Should I be expecting his health to rapidly deteriorate like this? Two weeks ago, he was slowly but surely gaining weight. This week, he's just getting thinner by the day.

I'm started feeding him our recovery formula (Royal Canin's Recovery Food and Cerelac). We pray that he'll get better soon, but it'll really help if you could pray with us.

Update: We had Whitey admitted to the vetties today. He will be staying in their clinic for 24 hours with a drip.

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Confessions of a Dog Lover: I Have Crated My Dog for SO Long

First of all, I'd like to thank everyone who's sent their heartfelt condolences and comforting comments on Ginger's passing. We are blessed to have online friends like you.

Senior Dog with Aural Hematoma in Giant Crate

I've had Whitey on crate rest for a long time. Ever since he and Puppy have had major fights, I've had him crated on mornings and afternoons to avoid the usual blood shed and aural hematomas. Noon time and night time is break time from crating.

I thought crating my senior dog was the right thing, but I was wrong. 

Tiny Dog Bites and Teeth Scrapes from Buchi

These dog fights were often initiated by Whitey. In fact, he's bitten me twice because Puppy would go around us and taunt him (which I think was Puppy just being a playful and curious... puppy). To add more to the drama, Whitey had the flaps of his ear drained about 4 or 5 times because he kept on attacking Puppy, and Puppy would simply overpower him-- sending him ear first on the concrete floor. That's when I decided that these two should avoid contact as often as possible. 

But I was wrong.

Big Dog Bite from Whitey

By doing so, I think I've made the situation worse. 

I think I forgot to trust my dogs' intelligence in working as a pack-- in working things out.

I think... I've underestimated my dogs' social skills.

Of course, I preferred being safe.

Whitey, my senior love dog.

I'd rather have Whitey placed on scheduled crating than to see my senior badly injured again: the aural hematomas, the wound gashes, and the bloody bite injuries. 

But I was still wrong to crate him like this for so long.

He should have been with the others while they played.

Lounging on a cool sunny day, destroying their toys.

He should have been with them running or trying to catch up.

I was scared that he might get injured again that I have ended up isolating him from the rest of the pack. 

Even though he's free the entire evening, and it's only mornings and afternoons that he is crated, I could still see how much it has affected his muscles, his energy, and his life. 

Sometimes, I feel the people I live with are far better dog caretakers than I am. 

Yesterday, one of them decided to leave Whitey free. With a hose in one hand, she prepared herself to quench Whitey's possible rampage against the rambunctious pup.

Thankfully, there hasn't been any incidents yet. And hopefully, it remains that way for the rest of our happy dog days!

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Caring for Your Senior Pet Dog (Guest Post)

Today's guest post is brought to you by Ms. Felisa Marino. It's all about taking care of our seniors--something I am currently preoccupied with.

Whitey Update: Good news! Whitey's Aural Hematoma has healed. Surgery isn't necessary anymore. Unfortunately, he became really picky with his diet. He won't eat dog food anymore. He even starved himself for two straight days. I decided to change his diet to rice, Cerelac and Royal Canin's recovery food. To my relief, his appetite has been rekindled... but this dog food combination can be very expensive.

So with no further ado...

May pet owners are challenged with the realization that their pet is getting older. It is extremely important to know the different signs of aging in pets and to take necessary action to make sure the quality of life of your pet doesn’t change in any way. As pets get older, the amount of care and attention that is required grows even more, making them completely dependent on their owner. Let us take a look at some ways in which you can ensure that your pet leads a normal life even during old age.

Feed your pet a healthy and nutritious diet

Healthy nutrition is essential and very important for pets of all ages, but according to special health care experts and doctors, feeding your aging pet the proper food with the best nutrients is extremely critical as it would not only keep them fit and active, but it would also aid in fighting the signs of growing old. Deciding what would be the best diet for your pet should be left up to a vet. He or she can suggest and recommend quality branded food with the best ingredients and formulas that a senior dog requires to survive.

Daily exercise

By Teles (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Just because your dog is growing old and slowing down, it doesn’t mean that he or she should be curled up on his blanket on the floor in some corner. It is extremely essential for every pet to exercise and stay healthy. Daily activities would help the pet both physically as well as mentally. Going on long walks and hikes may not be possible for your aging dog, but short walks in the park would definitely keep him active and fit. Exercise is also another factor that prevents health issues, so it is very important to keep your pet fit and lean.

Regular Check ups There is a liability that a lot may happen to your pet in between visits to the vet. Senior and older aged dogs must visit the vet at least once in every 6 months to make sure if they have caught any diseases or have any serious health issues. If so, then these can be treated early. Kidney problems, arthritis, diabetes are different problems that can be faced by a senior dog. One should ensure to take their dog to the vet regularly to be on the constant lookout for such health issues. For any emergencies, if ever, the RSPCA phone number should be kept handy. Proper care of the teeth Senior dogs require a lot more can than younger dogs when it comes to their teeth. Neglecting aged dogs' teeth is like a ticking time bomb. Many experts and veterinarians have reported that the tartar that is formed can cause harmful bacteria to enter your pet’s blood stream, causing many problems on the dog’s organs. A great way to ensure your senior dog is taken care of properly is to make sure his teeth and gums are clean. Regular brushing at home and professional cleaning done by the vet are very important. Keep your pet at a proper weight Overweight older dogs would only mean stress and burden to their bodies. This would also lead to pains and aches in joints as well as the organs.

It is very important to keep your dog lean and fit to make sure his bones are sturdy and strong enough to carry him. Yes, older dogs do have less energy, but they can definitely be helped if their weight is kept in proportion.

Joseph Mischyshyn [CC-BY-SA-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

As our dogs age, they tend to need our attention much more. Proper monitoring of their health and proper care and safety measures must be taken to keep them happy and healthy. Special dog care is always there to help during emergencies with sick and ill pets, so it is very important to carry the RSPCA phone number at all times. After all, our pets are our best friend; it is our duty to keep them happy and well.

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Aural Hematoma or Ear Hematoma: POTP for Whitey

I've had enough with the dog fights! It's not they do it so often. It's just when Puppy decides to defend the scaredy dog Coal, he and Whitey end up in a fight.

Today, however, we ended up bringing Whitey to the vet. Why you may ask? Aural Hematoma or Ear Hematoma. It's like Buchi's Blood Blister but it's on his ear.

Whitey is grounded! He will be wearing the cone of shame this afternoon.

What is an aural hematoma?

An aural hematoma or ear hematoma is a type of swelling in the flaps of a dog's ear. The dog's ear is filled with fluids coming from ruptured tiny blood vessels. It's like a blood blister.

Note: Whitey's ear drooped and puffed up like it had air in it and he kept on shaking it. This occurred moments after he fell down, getting toppled by Puppy.

Causes of Aural Hematomas or Ear Hematoma:

1. Scratching caused by itchiness due to allergies, mites, infection, yeast and foreign objects in the ear canal

2. Shaking the head alot

4. Smacking the ears unto something hard like how Whitey landed on his ear on the ground.

If you want to learn more about Ear Hematomas, Mercola's video explains it pretty well.

Treatment of Aural Hematoma

On Whitey's case, his ear was drained of the fluid. It was also bandaged and pressure was applied so that it would stop. Prednisone was given as an anti-inflammatory drug and he is due for the cone of shame. The veterinarian charged us 250php (about $6 - $7) for the procedure.

POTP for Whitey

Although most hematomas usually resolve in time by being absorbed back into the body, there are instances that it may get worse. It can also rapture the skin because of the fluid build up(and the dog shaking his head).

The vet said that if it didn't heal within the next 7 days, Whitey might need surgery. This was really bad because Whitey is about 8 years old. Administering anesthesia on old dogs can pose a health risk.

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Dog Fights: What to Do When Dogs Fight

After the internet uproar of the unfair sentence on Dutch the Dog's case, I think it's just right that I make a post/ semi-rant on what to do during a heated dog fight.

Why? That's because most people, no matter how reputable or genuinely good they are, DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WHEN DOGS FIGHT. And in the end, they become victims of their own ignorance.

Things to Remember

1. Intact dogs are prone to fighting with each other than spayed/neutered ones.

These two dogs are intact. Buchi's constantly challenging Whitey when it comes to dominance.

2. Correction on bad behavior and constant reinforcement is important for your dog to have a structured life.

3. A well-exercised dog is a tired dog and a tired dog is a happy dog. You get it, right?

4. Just because someone is a great person, it doesn't mean he/she is a great dog owner.

5. It's our responsibility, as dog owners, to know our dog's temperament and behavior.

6. Non-dog owners should also know how to identify signs of a dominant, nervous or aggressive dog.

What to Expect While Stopping Two Dogs Fight

1. Battle Scars. It's not just them, but also YOU. If you intend to stop a dog fight with your bare hands, then you might as well prepare yourself for bite marks and probably worse.  

By choosing to go bare hands, people should know that this is like going in a war zone without any form of protection (not even a pair of combat boots).

2. Trauma and Possible Re-Occurence. There's a fat chance that dogs who've fought before will fight each other again.

Glad I didn't have to deal with Whitey's bite. I got Shih Tzu teeth scrapes from Buchi though.

3.  More Battle Scars. The two dogs may have stopped biting each other, but this doesn't mean you're safe. Get a muzzle or restrain each dog as soon as possible!

Tips on Abating Dog Fights or What to Do When Dogs Fight

1. NO HITTING. When dogs fight, it's in their instincts not to let go EVER.This means, it won't matter if you hit them with your hands or a stick, it probably won't work.

2. HOSE IT. If dogs fight and you have a water source available near you (preferably a hose), get a bucket full of water and throw it at them or HOSE THEM DOWN.

Note: Some dogs won't respond to hosing the second time around.

3. IT'S NOT OVER YET.  So you've hosed them down and managed to break the heated fight. Make sure you restrain one or the other first to control the situation. 

If you need to lock each one in a room in the mean time, do so. 

If you need to muzzle both of them, do so. 

If you need to tie each of them to a tree so you can catch your breath, do so.

These two aren't fighting. They're actually wrestling each other. Buchi is on an extended leash because this was back when he peed everywhere.

Note: If you're capable of carrying the big dog (versus a small dog), carry the bigger dog. I say this because when Buchi and Whitey fought, Whitey was dead serious about doing some serious Shih Tzu damage. I carried Whitey so Buchi can't reach him rather than have White jump all over me while he attempts to prey on Buchi.

4. MUZZLE BEFORE TREATMENT. Make sure you calm yourself first. Then, find a way to muzzle the dog before you start treating their wounds. After a heated dog fight, some dogs can still remain aggressive so be careful!

Note: I'm sure some will object with number 4 because there's tendency for dogs to associate tools with current emotions. Meaning dogs might associate the muzzle with aggression so I am open to better ideas, please feel free to comment.

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What Puppies Do...

That's simple... puppies play, feed, look cute and walk clumsily. I forgot to mention they poop and still look cute.

Update: I haven't done much blogging due to the busy schedule. I would like to thank everyone who have left me messages. I am hoping to have everyone vaccinated this month. Having 10 dogs to tend to is no easy business. Both adult and youngins are due for their vaccination except for Chooey.

Good news!I have found a cheap neutering and spaying program in our locality. I also asked permission from the real dog owners (my sister and BIL) if it were okay to have Whitey and the pups neutered (and Chooey and Rin spayed) and they said yes ^___^. But I  can't risk doing it along with the vaccination. I also read that spaying/ neutering should take place just before the 5th-6th month. I plan to finish the vaccination first... then we go Coney Island ^___^.

Puppies... wow, they're cute. They're clumsy and cute. I just had to share our puppy adventures.

WHAT DO PUPPIES DO....

1. Puppies eat.

Puppies eat... in some of the laziest positions.

More often than not, they exhibit "dog pack"sharing behaviors while eating... or maybe the other one has fallen asleep.

2. Puppies play.

Puppies play with toys you let them play with. Sometimes, you catch a glimpse of serenity amidst the puppy chaos. As you could see, Timothy the Turtle is still alive!

Other times, puppies play with something they're not suppose to play with. *Cough... whose slippers are those?!?

3. Puppies are innately curious.

Cherish the days a dog looks at your camera innocently because someday, you'll never get opportunities like these.

4. Puppies are smart!

Beneath that puppy facade is a cunning, sleuthing, super genius canine. So beware the days following their first "sit" trick!

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Puppy Deworming and Administering Medicine to Dogs

I just realize how much I admire people who provide the very best care for their special-needs dogs. Imagine how hard it is to deal with a puppy or dog who doesn't like to drink their medicine. Owners have to devise ingenious ways in order for these dogs to take it in.

Deworming China is effortless. He just loves seeing Albendazole Microzole's blue color being fed to him.

I am blessed to have pups that are quite cooperative when it comes to drinking vitamins and deworming medicine just like their mom.

Not only does PJ, Chooey's first born Shih Tzu mix, enjoy drinking from the syringe, but he expects to be given more. I guess Microzole (the dewormer I am using) does "taste" good.

Administering Medicines to Dogs Orally

 

Having problems with giving your dogs medicine? Here are some techniques you should try.

1. Putting the liquid solution in a syringe and injecting it inside the pocket of your dog's mouth slowly.

2. Slathering it with peanut butter or cheese spread to conceal the medicine's scent from your dog.

3. Putting it inside his food or doggy treat (*cough* hotdog) or sprinkling the crushed contents in your dog's food.

So which is it?

Older dogs require something more creative. I stuffed the Canex deworming tablet into a piece of hotdog. Whitey came back asking for more. ^____^

Deworming your pup or dog is very important. The first time I had Peanuts, I was really surprised how many canine worms she had. I can still recall how those little white things wriggled their way out. 

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Doggy Christmas Greetings from Us to You

We would like to greet everyone (dogs, cats and peeps alike) a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. May you and your family have a great 2013 ahead of you.

Once again, thank you for being part of our lives. We hope to spend another year with you in this wonderful community.

P.S. We have started our Christmas break early, so see you around after the 27th.

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Almost Wordless Wednesday: Doggy Hates Bath

P.S. We are done with our Christmas card exchange list. Hopefully, it will reach all 78 recipients in time ^^. Now, I can catch up with my online and offline duties again. See you in your blogs!




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Mischief Monday: If a Picture Paints a Thousand Words...

Then what in dog's name are you up to, Rin!

Just one of those Rin moments where Photoshop isn't necessary.

P.S. I was supposed to catch up with blogging but my tummy is really hurting bad so please don't think I have forgotten. I am just experiencing an unfortunate achy tummy.

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Dog Aggression: My Dogs Fought Again!

These past two weeks, I haven't been online much due to being busy with dog responsibilities and life in general. For starters, it's getting harder to carry three dogs to the third floor compared to what I'm used to which is two (Buchi who's 6kg and Chooey who's 3kg).

This is the stairs to the third floor.  Twice a day, we would go up there and Rin would wait for all of us to come  play with her.

Note: Please bear with this very long discussion/rant/where-the-hell-did-I-go-wrong experience. Apparently, I have to study one of my posts again entitled 8 Ways to Abate Dog Fighting.

The Stairs

Today, Whitey (weighing approximately 12 kg) decided to follow me while I was climbing up the flimsy wooden stairs towards the 2nd floor. We all know that some dogs can be acrobats in nature but Whitey was scared to death when he stopped on the 6th step. I didn't want to leave him there because it was already a long fall down. So with Buchi in one arm, I held Whitey's collar until we all got up to the 2nd floor.

The Prelude to the Fight

Two days ago, I left Whitey, Rin, Buchi and Chooey playing by themselves while I was cleaning their potty spots. A little while later, I heard growling and snarling from Buchi and he initiated what I call his "Death Sentence".  Buchi, whose aggressive issues I haven't fully addressed yet, began to growl at Whitey and bite him!

Whitey would rather stay away from Buchi than confront him.

Whitey, who did not want any part of this, tried running away but a persistent Buchi came attacking him. Eventually, the gentle giant (Whitey) let out his gladiator side and attacked Buchi- pinning him to the ground with his teeth firmly gripping Buchi's leg.

I hosed them both and Whitey took flight. But Buchi (one of the stupidest bully dog I have ever met) attacked Whitey again (even after he'd been whimpering in pain under Whitey's firm grip). Whitey was no longer playing games. He caught Buchi's neck between his jaws.

Note: It's not that I think Buchi is stupid, but he really outdid himself that day.

Hosing them again didn't work. I had to pull them apart and you'd imagine how hard that could have been with two dogs in a heated fight without having any assistance and in bare hands.

Buchi's Rehabilitation

I have been trying my best to address Buchi's aggression. And so far, a "Tsst" or me calling his name has had some positive outcome. I can stop him from peeing on every single pole he comes across, as well as his humping with those sounds. He also no longer growls at his "old enemies".

I trusted that all would go well with me introducing him and Whitey again. And it was, for more than a week, in fact. But this happened...

The Fight

I truly had no intention of bringing Whitey up the third floor, especially when Buchi was still recuperating from his limp leg. But he followed me up the flimsy wooden stairs which brought me no choice but to bring him up along with Chooey and Buchi. Rin was already in the third floor.

I have noticed Buchi's tension when Whitey's around. I should have checked and double-checked the signs he was showing. I even placed him on top of the table so as to avoid them from clashing since I didn't have anyone else there to help me if they fought again.

You could see that Whitey is all about the submission.

Feeling sorry for Buchi, I put him back down and watched them like a hawk- following Buchi's every move. It happened so quickly. Buchi lunged at Whitey again in an epic fight of David versus Goliath (where David gets eaten!).

This time, Whitey did not restrain himself at all. He fought back and attacked like a raging bull. I was able to pull them apart (with me raising Whitey's entire body from the ground like a mother carrying her pup and Buchi still struggling to bite the hand that was stopping him from attacking his mortal enemy). But Buchi  didn't give up so easily. While I had Whitey off the ground with one hand, Buchi took the opportunity to twist from my grip and bite Whitey again. In response, Whitey shifted his weight and once again PREYED on Buchi.

Without anyone on the third floor with me, I could only stop them from doing further damage but Buchi's skin was still on Whitey's jaws. Fortunately, my brother-in-law (bless his soul) heard the snarls and growls and came up to see me almost kneeling on the ground while trying to think of a way for Whitey to loosen his grip. I asked him to hose them and he did. The moment Whitey let go, I pulled them away from each other and my brother-in-law took Whitey back to the first floor. In the mean time, Buchi was trying to attack my hand for holding him.

And look who comes down with battle scars and teeth scrapes. This is the second time Buchi has ignored my presence in the fit of aggression.

Things I have learned today:

1. Stopping a dog fight takes a lot of physical energy. This said, I have great admiration for Cesar Millan who's done this with both big and small breeds.

2. Not all dogs respond to hosing. Whitey ran away the first time but he never did so again.

3. Buchi still has a very very long way to go. I will no longer risk having them together unless I am with someone who can assist me if I start correcting this behavior.

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