When is the Right Time for a New Dog?

Losing a faithful dog is every bit as painful as long any other member of the family, so when is the time right to move on?

Run Free, Angel Rin. No more arthritis over the Rainbow Bridge.

Dogs are the finest life companion that anyone can hope for – they are always overjoyed to see you and shower you with unconditional love. When all else fails you always have a friend for life, except that life is considerably shorter for one party, leaving the other to pick up the pieces when the unthinkable does happen.

Mourning

When your best friend is in the twilight of his or her life and their legs aren’t quite what they used to be, you know deep down that sooner or later your dog’s health will decrease past the point where a vet can help. Unlike with humans, we have the power to decide when to take mercy and end a dog’s suffering and, as anyone who has ever had to go through the process, there is nothing that can prepare you.

While we keep hold of keepsakes such as dog tags, collars and leashes to remember them by, it is the memories that we hold that will last forever.

For many children, losing a family pet is the first experience of death and how to deal with the loss of a loved one. Unfortunately, it still doesn’t get any easier as an adult, but there is a time when you must move on and just be grateful for the time you had together instead of being sad it’s gone.

Time to Love Again

Different people take differing amounts of time before they feel that they can welcome another dog into their life. Some bring a new dog home within a few days, as this can help focus their mind, while others can take months or years before opening their heart once more.

A lot does depend on whether there are other dogs present in the household and how they would take to another dog entering their territory. If they have been used to being around other dogs for the majority of their life then there shouldn’t be any issues in introducing another pet.

Consult all members of the family that live in your home about their feelings towards a new pet. Others will feel ready sooner than others, so carefully consider whether your home is ready to welcome in a new dog to join the family. If the general consensus is yes, you can get the wheels in motion.

Stick With the Same Breed or Not?

Original Shih Tzu One a.k.a Buchi

Many dog lovers will already know the breeds of dogs that they prefer, and commonly will have more than one of the same breed. If, for example, you are a keen lover of Cocker Spaniels, and are perfectly equipped to meet the dog’s requirements, there is no reason to defer from your preference.

Look it's Shih Tzu 2 a.k.a MyDogsLove.Me CEO a.k.a Chooey

Some dog lovers will feel that electing for the same breed of dog just wouldn’t feel right and prefer a change, and that’s fine too. Different breeds require differing amounts of exercise and have their own unique traits – Labradors are famous for their love of water, while Bulldogs and Pugs are prone to overheating due to their small noses which make panting difficult.

A New Best Friend

Once you know what you are looking for from a new dog, do your research into different breeds’ behaviour and adaptability (do they need a lot of room? And are they generally child-friendly?).

Add this research to your personal preference and you will be sure to find the perfect new best friend for you and your family. All that is left is to put the time in to train them and enjoy years of love and affection!

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Pupdate! What's the pack up to?

The pack is fine.

Rin, as old as she is, is prancing like some happy horse.

She's old, but she's as lively as a puppy.

Uling (errr... Coal), the black one, seem to have grown a happy backbone, too.

Not dead. Just posing for some vet students. Please label my floppy ears, my cute black nose, and my squishy paws.

Cheezy, the evil one, has snapped at my Sensei twice. She ended up with bruises on her leg.

Chooey, my soul dog, pooped on the road! I had to run back to the house to get a plastic bag.

This dog knows... This dog knows she's too cute to resist when she does this.

Baby Girl, the small one, is already aware that she looks cute when she leans on the windowsill.

Puppy Brown, the handsome son, looks like he's going to the gym. He has this great body, despite his father's (Buchi's) genes.

The tireless fighters finally get tired of fighting.

Asti, the royal princess, has grown some wits, too. She barks at Puppy Brown until he leaves his bed, so she can steal her toys back.

Domex and Puppy, the third floor residents, receive sufficient hugs and cuddles from yours truly.

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The Peke, The Shih Tzu, and the Askals

A whole lot of dog luvin'...

The Canine Groomer by Rin and Domex

Rin and Domex are just fine. Rin is an amazing mom. She grooms Domex like crazy. We've never had tick infestations with her.

Waiting by the White Pekingese

This is one of Asti's favorite past time. Doesn't she look sad? She's actually waiting for Puppy, Coal, PJ, and Cheezy to show up so she can bark at them and drool on the windows.

Peked Curiosity by Puppy

Puppy (Yes, it's his freaking name. Blame it on my niece!) is Domex's twin brother. Although all of them have been neutered, we've separated the girls from the boys. Asti is harness because she's not accustomed to their presence yet. The boys are just dead curious about her.

Bloody Scratchies by Buchi

So I've already mentioned how Buchi is immunocompromised. Even the tiniest scratchies, will have him end up like this. Yes, this bloody mess happened in a single day. It's like everything in him is on haywire, so I end up getting asked if he picked a fight with a big dog.

The Doggy Stash by Haopee

Yet again, a brand new stash from Haopee's shopping spree. 

The orange squeaker bone is from Pawsize. I love their products because they're cheap, affordable, and very durable. Kongs get peeled and tortured in an hour. Pawsize squeakers live!

We use Advantix to quell the tick infestation. It's pretty effective, too.

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Keep Your Dog Smiling Pretty (Guest Post)

Your dog’s smile is an important part of her health. They need your help to keep their pearly whites, well – pearly. Not to mention the inevitable tartar build up and periodontal disease your dog will face if you neglect this important part of dog ownership.

If your dog is over five years old there is an 85% chance they will suffer from periodontal disease, which develops when food particles and bacteria collect along the gum line form plaque which turns into a harder substance known as tarter over time. If left untreated, the gums will become inflamed, separate from the teeth, which leave pockets for bacteria to grow – aka periodontal disease. If your poor pup gets to this stage she will feel intense pain, lose some teeth and gain mouth abscesses. Visit this website for a list of periodontal disease symptoms.

Rin's got chews... not the indestructible ones, though.

The bacterial infection can easily enter the blood stream and cause all sorts of problems, so it’s time to take an interest in the health of your dog’s smile. Here are some things you can do to help prevent the big-bad yourself: gum and teeth inspections, brushing, adequate chewable.

Gum and teeth inspections

Get your dog’s teeth inspected by your veterinarian and ask questions during your annual checkup. Get your dog used to you poking around his mouth with baby steps. Start by touching her lips for a moment, letting go and then giving a treat.

Work your way up to lifting up the lip, then lightly touching the teeth, but never push the dog past the point of comfort. Look for plaque and tartar, gum inflammation and abnormal gum lines (gums that have a slight wave or curve where they meet the tooth instead of a straight line). Once your dog is used to inspections, you are ready to move on to brushing.

Make sure you are brushing your dog’s teeth properly

· Use toothpaste made for dogs, NEVER human toothpaste!

· It’s best to start the healthy habit young, but it’s never too late.

· Brush every other day (at least three times a week), because plaque turns to tartar in just two days. If your dog has already developed periodontal disease then brush daily.

· Get the dog used to brushing in stages.

· Don’t punish the dog if they resist, but slowly allow your dog to get used to the necessary procedure.

Let your dog chew

Feeding dry kibble food, bones and rawhide naturally helps remove plaque and tartar. There are also some good toys and treats that will help with plaque, just make sure they are approved by the VOHC which means they are proven to reduce plaque by 20%.

Following these tips will help freshen your dog’s breath while improving your dog’s overall health. You classy canine companions don’t always know what’s good for them, but if you are gentle in your presentation of dental hygiene your dog will smile pretty for years to come!

Author's Bio:

I’m Cindy Romero, an animal rights activist and mother to two dogs who love to brush their teeth every day.

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Pet Dentistry: Do It For Your Best Friend's Health (Guest Post)

Most humans go to the dentist on a regular basis (or at least, know that they’re supposed to!) We know the importance of having our teeth cleaned and examined. However, many pet owners don't stop to think about the oral health of their animals. Just like humans, dogs develop plaque and tartar on their teeth. If these substances continue to build up over time, there can be some very serious consequences for your pet. These consequences don't just involve the teeth. There are several health problems that your pet can develop as a result of poor dental health.

Common Dental Problems in Dogs and Cats

The primary problem that dogs and cats will develop if their teeth are not kept clean is gum disease. This is a result of plaque and tartar that develops at or below the gum line. The first stage of gum disease is gingivitis characterized by red and inflamed gums. If left untreated, gingivitis can progress to periodontitis which causes an erosion of the bones supporting the teeth and can lead to tooth loss.

Rin, our resident senior, is all smiles!!!

Dogs are also susceptible to cavities. These can become very painful and lead to abscesses and tooth loss. Some dogs will have enormous jaw swellings from painful abscesses of the teeth.

General Health Problems Related to Gum Disease

Problems with the teeth and gums are bad enough for your pet. However, gum disease in dogs and cats can cause a host of general health problems for your friends. Abscesses in the upper teeth can lead to sinusitis and infection of the occipital region. These will require long courses of antibiotics for proper treatment.

Bacteria entering the bloodstream from infected gums have been proven to contribute to numerous problems in dogs and cats. In dogs, bacteria from the gums can cause problems with the heart including endocarditis. Liver disease in dogs has also been attributed to bacteria from gum disease. In cats, bacteria entering the bloodstream from the gums are believed to contribute to kidney disease.

Ways to Combat Pet Dental Problems

The first line of defense in combating pet dental problems begins at home. Pets should have their teeth brushed every day. There are special dog and cat toothpastes and toothbrushes on the market to make this job easier. Pet owners can also help keep tartar down by giving their dogs and cats high-quality kibble based food to eat. Animals given only a soft diet tend to develop more dental issues. Feed your dog crunchy biscuits designed to break down tartar as a treat.

*Image of a smiling a dog courtesy of Ms. Anderson.

As with humans, dogs and cats should have regular dental exams and cleanings provided by their veterinarian. Veterinarians have the tools to safely and effectively remove plaque and tartar deposits from the teeth of both dogs and cats. During this examination, the veterinarian will check for signs of cavities and other dental problems. Animals should have their teeth cleaned at least once a year. Some animals may require more frequent cleanings.

If pet owners will diligently clean their pet's teeth at home, many serious health problems will be avoided. Do what’s best for your best friend and don't neglect your pet's dental health.

Author's Bio:

Erica Anderson is a veterinary technician and writer from Arizona. She loves writing about parenting, gardening, and pets.

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POTP for Chooey

Dear friends,

We are once again riddled with a stressful problem. Chooey and Rin got into a fight. It was awful. I had isolated them from each other the night before, but it wasn't meant to be. This morning, Chooey was carried back to her area with really bad puncture wounds. Also, whenever she opened her mouth, she would tilt her head sideways. I was dead worried that I decided to bring her to the clinic immediately.

The lady vet removed the fur from the puncture wounds but while they were removing it and she was squirming. They accidentally held the area where her jaw was and she made a piercing scream.

We had her x-rayed to find out that Chooey's right mandible is broken. Of all the places, why should it have been there? The veterinarian said that it had probably been due to the impact of Rin's bite which was supposed to be a through and through (right directly below her eye). She also had two puncture wounds just above her brows and the area between her eyes. 

This is part of Chooey's medication and diet. Soft diet composed of Cerelac and Recovery Food. Tolfine 60mg for pain and Augmentin for infection.

The vet said that we would need a brace to repair her jaw and the surgery alone will cost 9,000 php. That's a lot of money and it just breaks my heart that this had to happen to her. 

I made sure to notify the household that Chooey was to remain at the bottom, but somebody had opened the hatch to which she bolted towards Rin. A fight commenced and I just found out of her wounds an hour later because it happened early in the morning. 

This is the best we could do in the mean time because of the inflammation.

Now, Chooey's not to open her right jaw which makes this even more unbearable.

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A Funny Dog Story: The Underwear Bandits

Breaking news! A number of underwear garments have gone missing ever since a group of settlers have invaded the MyDogsLove.Me pack habitat.

Translation: Our families and close relatives spent their vacation here because my sister and her husband we're about to get the house blessed. Some underwear garments have gone missing.

It was pandemonium! A chaos of of questions boggled the minds of these settlers. What have they done to have angered the gods?

Translation: They had no idea who the culprit was.

Wanted: Two Exposed Dogs Guilty of Stealing Underwear!

After fervently praying for some answers, a ray of light guided them to the truth they sought.

Translation: They caught two mischievous dogs lying comfortably on the clothes that came from the clothes line.

Tune in for more updates on the suspects that are on the run!

Translation: There's more of this story to come.

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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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Happy New Year, Cats and Dogs! Oh, And More Fireworks.

Happy New Year from Tiny Terror Shih Tzu.

The 31st was a busy day for us. Rin and Whitey are such scaredy cats that we had to take safety precautions so that they have safe houses during the fireworks. And as per my previous post, you already have an idea where Rin decided to take shelter from the fireworks.

All those preparations...from making sure that all the possible safe houses are clean to boarding up a doghouse in case we needed to confine them when they get too scared.

Yet all those contingency plans have not prepared me for this tiny dog's curiosity. Not only is Chooey fearless in the face of whistle bombs  but she also escorts anybody who lights them up and even comes close to it while sparks fly out of curiosity.

If I had 9 lives, Chooey probably had me shed 5 of them because of the many heart attacks I got from her messed up doggy instincts.

Next Agenda...

I was emailed recently by TheDogWalkingCo asking for help in sharing their new campaign. To give you guys a brief explanation of what this is, please play the Youtube video above. If you believe in their cause, kindly drop by their website (through the link above) and check it out.

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Fireworks, Dogs and Adaptil Guest Post

Today, we are featuring a two part special in our first 2013 post. So with no further ado, here's just one of the many pictures of doggie drama in our household. More to follow this January!

Chooey, the tiny terrorizing Shih Tzu, barking mad because Rin's in her dog house.

I decided to bring Chooey's dog house down to the second floor just in case she wanted to hide from the booming noise of the fireworks. I also placed a box in it because I know for a fact that Chooey likes boxes just like the Woos.

Rin hasn't been desensitized from the noise and she's such a scaredy cat. So, while trying look for a hiding place, she decides to seek shelter in Chooey's small dog house. And this drove Chooey crazy because it was her house! Fortunately for Rin, the tiny dog terror was preoccupied during the night's events.

Okay, for our second part... This post is brought to you by Vet Medic.

Adaptil For Dogs

Adaptil is simply a product that has been developed to help support dogs through various challenging situations. These challenges include fireworks, first night of puppies away from their mother, training; specifically puppy classes and agility. In addition, a dog or puppy travelling on a car for the first time, having to stay away from home,  and loud noise among other reasons. These factors can cause stress to the dogs. 

Most owners do not recognize these stresses and hence they worsen going unnoticed. This behavioral change can lead to a few problems which may become harder to deal with in the future. Your dog can, therefore,  stop playing, become more nervous, shaky or even hide.

Many dog organizations use Adaptil on their rescues. The product come with a money back-guarantee because of its effective and positive results. It is, however, not advisable to use this product on hyperactive dogs. It can be used under the advice of a vet or behaviorist alongside proper training so as to help in the management of the dog’s behavior  This management helps in clinical-behavioral problems like separation anxiety, fear, noise and many more.

The effects of Adaptil can be realized within 14 days for the Adaptil Diffuser and improve further over a month. The total duration for use depends mainly on the condition being treated but normally, it is up to a maximum of three months. It is easier to use Adaptil which is available in three common convenient forms. It is available in a diffuser, discrete plug-in which releases odorless pheromone, and a spray that can be applied directly to the object-areas. There is also an Adaptil collar that is normally used to encourage the diffusion of pheromones into the local environment and to help the dog adapt more comfortably.

Adaptil for dogs has no side effects. It has been scientifically proven that it is about 75% effective in dealing with problems that relate to behavioral changes such as anxiety, fear and help in establishing pets into a new home. However, despite these many advantages, Adaptil requires to be left in an active power point for about 24 hours a day and at least for a month to be effective. Pheromones are also always not a certain cure for some target behaviors. It is also a costly product and you will have to depart with some extra money.

Adaptil is a non-prescription product that has been proven to control signs of stress in dogs. It helps to reassure them comfort so that they are able to cope with the new changes of environment or hypersensitivity. Many trials have proven that Adaptil has positive results especially on helping puppies to settle into a new home, and more so in puppy socialization. For adult dogs, trials show that Adaptil helped adult dogs stay in kennels, settle in a new home,  deal with fireworks and during car travel. It is important to monitor your dog’s behavior so as to determine when to get Adaptil. This is especially important when you have recently relocated to a new area or are travelling with your dog among other signs.

Have a Happy New Year, everyone. We plan to see you in your bloggies very soon!

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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: Dog De-Stress Ball

Nowadays, both humans and canines find a common purpose for stress balls.

De-Stressing with a Stress Ball

The camera just loves Rin too much that it creates its own photo lighting.

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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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Mischief Monday on a Tuesday: A Rin-ny Day

Okay, so we haven't been around for some time. Busy, busy and all.

Before I start with anything, I'd like to warn you that this mischief isn't about the dogs but the CCTV company I talked with yesterday. So before anything else, let me showcase some solo pictures of Rin.

As you could see, Rin loves the camera. She doesn't avoid it like Peanuts or Chooey.

She even comes close to it and creates her own photo effects such as WARPING.

Her inquisitive side allows her to have me catch pictures like this. And no, we aren't promoting the beer bottles at the bottom.

This is her NOSE POSE. Are you guys familiar with this?

Rin hates the flashy beast but she's never experienced that from me, so even when I raise my phone's camera to catch her in action, she doesn't bother with it at all.

Now for the mischief part, have you ever experienced having your computer remotely accessed by tech support people because you couldn't fix the problem yourself?

Well, this was what happened to me yesterday. I was setting up the CCTV of my sister's home when I was stuck at logging into it. Without a manual to read or a software to install, I had to call their tech support.

While talking on the phone, the tech guy kept asking for my name and number. I didn't give my number because I didn't know them. I just wanted to know how to fix the problem. But they kept on insisting that they even messaged me in TeamViewer still asking for my number.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Note: TeamViewer is an application used to access a computer remotely with that same application in it installed.

Okay, now for the mischief part. These guys were very insistent that they still messaged me even after fixing my CCTV issue. And yet again, I tell them that I don't give my number to strangers. Trusting that they had the courtesy and respect of most technical support agents, I left TeamViewer on while I was talking to my sister.

The next thing I knew, they had activated the laptop's webcam without my consent and was watching our every move. THE NERVE!!!

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Almost Wordless Wednesday: Lights, Camera, ACTION!

Yes, we are guilty of being away for some time. My beau came to visit me at my sister's so I've been a bit occupied. Moreover, I was troubleshooting the newly built house's Ethernet network. 

In short, I was busy busy busy ^^. So enough of my whining and let me present to you our latest adventure shots.

You'd think Shih Tzus were bred to have the decency to respect the bigger dog. Buchi doesn't mind being toppled or trampled by Rin.

This is what play time is in the morning. Yes, we have morning and evening sessions.

Nope, I doubt Buchi understands the concept of "I, Big Dog, Squish Small Dog."

Morning playtime is right after potty time. Buchi is on a leash when he isn't done pottying because he will leave presents EVERYWHERE.

Good thing Rin is such a gentle giant. She puts up with the small annoyingly ambitious dog.

Have a great Wednesday. We promise to make it up to you guys as soon as I can find a longer time to sit in front of the computer other than my meal breaks.

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Not so Wordless Wednesday: Our First Kong Wubba

Just a couple of words before I go wordless... we would like to thank Ruthie (editor-in-chief of Blogville Chronicles and boss of K-9 Katastrophie) for our awesome new toys. We were hoping to showcase all of them but unfortunately, the Kong Air Dogs were heavily played with last night and due to my camera's lack of night vision, no shots were taken.

So with no further ado, here's our wordless Wednesday post.

Look who's got first dibs on Kong Wubba Blue. 

You're too late, Rin. My little niece (from Mischief Monday) over-squeaked it before you got your chance.

And here's Rin having one paw on Kong Wubba Blue while staking out the perimeter for  tiny dogs to wrestle with.

Chooey gets an opportunity to finally have some one on one time with Kong Wubba Blue and doesn't waste a minute to bond with it.

Satisfaction guaranteed!

Once again, thank you, Ruthie and staff. We are truly truly happy with our new Kong toys (we including me and my niece from mischief Monday who was guiltily caught on a squeak-a-thon the day before).

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