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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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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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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'Coz You're Beautiful, No Matter What They Say!

 Summer time calls for summer cuts. All the Shih Tzus (and Peke) are ready for the heat.

Before Grooming: Fluffy Shih Tzu

After Grooming: Hairless Mole Rat!

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The Stitches are Off

The stitches are off! Dog Neutering Vet Bill Cost edition.

Not the vetties again. I know the vets are real pretty, but I've been put to shame more than enough.

Yes, after one week of feeling down and lonely for having lost his balls, Puppy Brown is now a bonafide offspring-less bachelor.

Warning: Do not try this at home. Dr. M is a licensed vet with a few years of experience under her belt.

Dr. M snipped the stitches as quickly as possible. No more E-collars for us! Of course, he still had to deal with a few hands restraining him on the vet's metal table during the process.

Not all hands were there to restrain him. One was just keeping him distracted. Puppy Brown is a sucker for chin scratches.

Castration Costs:

Procedure: 2,500 php (roughly $70)
Antibiotics: 4.50 php x 2 capsules/day  x 7 days= 63 php (less than $2)
E-colllar: Free (but if you need one, shih tzu sized e-collars cost around 200-350 php)
Betadine (for wound application): 100 php ($2.5)
Cotton: 15 php (less than $0.50)
Transportation: Location dependent.

Approximately, $75. Not bad. We're so lucky Dr. M didn't charge us for having the stitches removed.

Some things to consider:

Bloodworks: 900 php (roughly $23)
Additional Medication and Recovery food: 500-1000 php ($12 - $24)
Additional Vet Check-ups: 250 php/visit ($7/check-up)

How much was your vet bill when you got your dog neutered?

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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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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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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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Oh, Bloody Poop!

I just hate it... I just hate dealing with bloody poop.

 

First, it was Shark with Parvo... Then, it was China and PJ with Parvo. This time, it's Buchi with bloody stool.

Warning: The image you're about to see will scar you for life!

I blurred it, but be warned! The actual non-pixelated photo is directly at the bottom. Time to close your eyes. 

Now that that's out of the way, let me tell you the story of Buchi's bloody dog poop. Yesterday, one of our housemates called me to check where Buchi was. And she starts the conversation with something like this, "don't get worried, okay?"

Seriously?!? If it's something about the dogs, I get all ballistic and insanely worried. So, I follow her downstairs and she presents me with the bloody mucoidal stool of the evil Shih Tzu who's full sickies (just kidding on the evil part)!

Lo and behold, a new present in the form of feces with blood and mucus. (Apologies for my bluntness. I just too stressed at the moment).

Actual photo. Sorry for grossing anybody out.

I immediately take a sample of the messy thing, place it on a container, take its picture, and have Buchi taken to the vet.

Bad News: It got me worried sick (especially since we've been having the bi-monthly vet check-up  since June 2013). I've considered a number of things: from the meds his taking tirelessly and his current lifestyle because of the E-collar.

Good News: The vet says she couldn't find anything on the sample. However, she did mention that Buchi had an upset stomach due to overeating. Yes, thin dogs DO overeat. 

Nonetheless, Doctor M prescribed Vibravet (Doxycycline monohydrate) for Buchi's stool problem. 

Treatment: Just to follow our new medication and keep a close eye on the culprit (*cough* evil little Shih Tzu with skin and poop problems).

And the usual Dextrose Powder.

Has anybody ever experienced dealing with so many problems at one time?

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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 Puppy Story... Some Thoughts on Raising a Puppy

Who doesn't love puppies? Don't we all just love how their big eyes stare at us? Don't we all laugh at their clumsiness and playful attitude? 

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Well, here's the thing, before you get a puppy, please remember that puppies take up a lot of work, especially if you want them to grow into refined canine citizens. Also, there are a lot of puppies and dogs in shelters and pounds. So... before you decide on buying one, consider adopting a homeless dog. As for owners who prefer less energetic dogs, adopting a senior dog should be at the top of your list.

Now, back to the puppy story.

A one day old puppy.  And no, those aren't my hands.

During Puppy's first day, he can't see or hear anything. His ears and eyes will open in the days to come, but for now, he'll simply have to rely on scent.

They'll be sleeping most of the time at this stage.

This puppy is learning social gestures. I think he thinks he's going to receive regurgitated food by licking the big dog's muzzle.

Once he learns to walk, he'll play with others and get a first-hand lesson on how dogs communicate. In a family environment, this includes bite inhibition, respecting the elders and knowing how to deal with annoying humans.

This turtle toy or any dog-safe stuffed animal can serve as a great chew toy.

They become very curious of their surroundings and are usually impulsive chewers. Toys can save your furniture. It is important to keep a puppy's mental state stimulated with toys and play dates with other littermates.  Remember, a tired puppy is a happy puppy. 

During this time, puppies can begin learning about potty training and crate training.

Poor puppy hates his first bath.

With a new environment comes new challenges for the puppy. There will be vaccinations, vet visits, neutering/spaying, dog registration (depending on where you live), obedience classes and puppy's dreaded bath!

Cute puppy hiding behind the potted plants.

Often times, they will hide from you just to avoid baths and vet visits (assuming they already have an idea on how these events happen e.g. human holding a leash, human turning the car on, human bringing in the crate).

Once they're vaccinated, exposing a puppy to different environments and characters can help in honing their behavior. 

Exposing puppies to different people, dogs and environments, desensitizes them from potential foreign objects/being that they may fear. It's a great way to teach them to restrain anger and aggression towards nuisances such as roughhousing and territorial behaviors from other dogs.

Here's a good example of puppy toy guarding.

Some dogs tend to be aggressive if behaviors such as extreme toy and food bowl guarding aren't corrected. It is important for owners to understand that even when it looks cute and adorable, puppies are still dogs and like babies are needed to be taught proper behavior so the grow up into good dogs.

Additional Notes:

-If you want a dog, adopt one from your local pound or shelter.

-If you prefer a puppy, still check out your local pound or shelter.

-If you don't want to adopt a puppy, make sure to buy one from a reputable breeder.

-A puppy, when raised right, is a great companion. 

-Dogs have a long lifespan (more or less). Be sure you are ready for a 8-18 year commitment.

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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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