I just returned from an Adoption Event for Last Day Dog Rescue, hosted by Wags to Wiskers Pet Supplies in Dexter...
I had the opportunity to get to know a few of the dogs, including a Bassett Hound/Spaniel mix talk with staff, including store owner Kristen Snyder and pick up some of our dogs' favorite food while I was there. It is a great day to attend an event like this so if you are at all interested, the event will be going on until 3:00 today. If you have more questions about any dog in Last Day's registry, you can contact them directly at:
I also learned that Wags to Wiskers is indeed planning holding more events like this in the future, so be sure to check back frequently for news on that front.
I was listening to Science Friday as I was driving home from a dog walking today, and one of the topics grabbed my attention and I wanted to share it. Imagine every pet owners nightmare... your pet is poking around outside and BAM! they get tangled up with a skunk who gets spooked! You've got one ticked off pup on your hands as well a smelly, awful mess. (Gosh, I hope this never happens on my watch, but if it does...)
According to Paul Krebaum, a chemist - a simple solution of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide, Baking Soda and liquid soap will neutralize the skunk spray. It's fascinating how it works. Thiols are the organic compounds responsible for the odor in skunk spray. The chemical composition in the following recipe changes the thiols ability to do their thing by oxidizing them:
Combine together in a large container,
If your pet gets skunked, simply combine the ingredients fresh and this is important... immediately bathe in a tub and let stand for 10 minutes or so before rinsing off well with lukewarm water. Use care when bathing and rinsing; this solution is a bit harsh and will irritate eyes. If your pet has been sprayed in the eyes, consult a vet as the spray can cause intense pain, although blindness is not cause for concern. 
Small dogs are more prone to more significant problems from being sprayed. In rare cases, the skunk spray can enter the lungs, causing death.
It's a great idea if you are a pet owner to have a quart or so of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide on hand - make sure that it is a sealed, fresh container; a previously opened container can break down and become ineffective.
When an oxidizing bath is required, be sure to combine the ingredients fresh, as it is necessary to do so to ensure that the ingredients interact actively. Also, DO NOT combine and put a lid on the container. The combined ingredients emit a gas and a closed container will burst.
For the record, tomato juice is not effective in resolving the issue - all that you end up with is frusteration and a humiliated, pink tinged pet. :(
Heartworm (HW) infection is caused by a filarial (worm-like) organism, Dirofilaria immiti. The carriers are nearly 70 species of mosquitoes. The mosquitoes hosts the worm in it's larval stage, where it then may transmit it to it's wild or companion animal victim. Ferrets and dogs are highly susceptible; cats are somewhat resistant (but not entirely immune).
Long story short, the larvae incubates in the mammalian host - and present themselves in the pulmonary arteries, typically. The chambers of the heart become impaired, affecting overall function. Symptoms include weight loss, shortness of breath, weakness, respiratory dysfunction (including cough) and death, possibly.
Only your vet can diagnose heartworm. An antigen test, which is the most effective way to diagnose heartworm, is administered in your vet's office via a blood sample. Test results are usually quick. (Tests are done in-office in my experience.)
Treatment options can only be determined by your vet due to the each animals level of infection.
Thankfully, heartworm is preventable! It is important that your pet be tested each year for the disease and be prescribed heartworn preventative per your veterinarians' recommendations.
I was just notified by Westarbor Animal Hospital about their promotion for new clients... check it out!
I watched a brief news article in Yahoo News video today, and it was so refreshing. Good to hear some positive news here in Southeast Michigan! The folks who were interviewed seemed so empowered, and renewed. Let's hope that the trend continues in other fields (hopefully more green collar industries!) - we need to attract and keep folks here in this region. It seems with folks living longer and even more technology proliferating like crazy, nurses will be even more in demand for many years to come.
Check this out...
Kudos to those in the nursing field. Where would we be without you?
I saw a new blurb on Twitter this morning. I love it! ExecTweets allows you check out what is on the mind of leaders in many industries. AA-maazing! I am always on the lookout for snippets of info, ideas and inspiration like this. It's like panning for gold and getting a little bit each time - I love this!
Regardless of what someone does in life, I know there is something to learn from them. One of my mantras is to never stop learning and wow, ExecTweets is a great tool.
Are you following me on Twitter?
I'm a professional pet sitter in the areas of W. Ann Arbor, Dexter & Chelsea. With many years of direct experience, I offer the compassionate care & attention needed to ensure your pets' well being.
Consider the following...
You can keep your critters happy in their own home & on
their own schedule while you travel or work long hours! Additionally, if you are considering a move to the area - or are already here, you might know how difficult it can be to have to leave town for a few days after a recent move & have to upset you pets' schedule by having to take them to a kennel. Keeping them in their new home is key to maintaining good behavior, their health and their routine.
Going on vacation? Why not have an apt caregiver on hand for your pets to take care of things while you're away? Your animals can stay in their own surroundings, where they are familiar and comfortable - and free from contagious disease. You will never have to make arrangements to take your pets to be boarded before you leave for your trip - or think about if you'll have to get back in time before the facility closes for pickup. My clients know that they can call anytime while they are away to check in to see how things are going. I know how difficult it can be for some pets when Mom and Dad need to go away for any length of time, so I try to make concessions to ensure the experience is fun and positive so that you can vacation - stress free!
The benefits...
*your pets remain in their own environment
*no risk of exposure to illness of other animals
*avoid the stress of kennels
*no need to ever plan vacation around kennel times
*pets get the individualized attention they deserve!
Are you considering a move to the Ann Arbor area? New to the area? You are probably aware of how stressful a move can be for your pets, too! It's important to establish a trusted individual who will be around to care for them who they know they - and you - can count on.
Do you have a very young pet who needs extra TLC in your absense and kenneling is not right for you? Or, if you have a pet who is advanced in age and would benefit from a familiar face checking in on them - taking the extra time to address their specific needs, then you're in luck.
I have expertise in animal health, nutrition and behavior. Mine is a holistic approach all the way around. Each pet is treated as an individual, and their specific needs are addressed accordingly. Bischons have different needs than Rottweilers, just as the needs of a Devon Rex differ from that of a Domestic Shorthair. As you will learn about me, I am a pet parent, first and foremost. I have the same concerns about the treatment and well-being of my pets as you do yours.
You get the benefits of a housesitter when you book my services as well, to give your home that 'lived-in' look while you are away. I bring in mail, water plants, alternate light, set sleep timers to radio/TV, shovel/salt walkways if needed and check your home for security and safety.
My business is not limited to cats and dogs. I also have experience with birds, like Cockatoos and Mustache Parakeets, too. Additionally, my experience extends into the arena of caring for frogs, anoles and the like. Have a pot bellied pig, rats/mice, pet snake or other 'unusual' pet? I welcome those on my schedule as well!
I am a fellow pet owner, first and foremost! I believe it takes a
village to raise healthy, well-adjusted animals. My partner
Chris Glahn and I own 2 large breed dogs - Gretchen, a St. 
Bernard/Shepard mix, who is 10 and Bruiser, a 7 year old
Lab/Rhodesian Ridgeback mix. Silver, a 11 year old domestic
shorthair cat rounds out the family.
I have owned my residential cleaning company for over 14
years and throughout that time, I have served as caregiver to
many of my clients pets - whether the pet parents were on
vacation or just away at work for long periods of time. Doggy
walks, potty breaks and even overnight visits and house sitting
have become a part of my role in my business. After some
time, I thought, 'Why not offer my services to everyone?' The
idea quickly took off and many pets and their families have
benefited.
I've helped pet parents attain peace of mind by scheduling
vacation visits 2-3 x per day. I work with dogs who need daily
30 minute playtime visits to help build confidence and proper
socialization - or to just be a dog and burn off a little of that
extra energy! I care for aging dogs who need that extra bit of
care when Mom and Dad can't be there. I've assisted families
with new puppies and kittens by scheduling regular visits for
potty breaks to facilitate easier housebreaking, and better
results with obedience training. Additionally, I have assisted
clients pets who are entering their end-of-life stage, with extra
care and attention, just when they need it. There are many
more benefits to implementing my services.
My philosophy as I said before is that it takes a village to raise
healthy, well-adjusted pets. The core of that is trust, a caring
attitude and being truly knowledgeable about our pets. The
pets that I care for are like an extension of my own family. I look
forward to welcoming yours as well.
-Lorrie
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