As my late dog Nikki started to age, it really made me appreciate the time I had with her and just how much I loved her.  There’s something about a senior dog that just makes my heart grow 3 sizes larger just like the Grinch.  They seem to occupy a special place in my heart like no other.

After his heart grew

From the arthritic limp to the sad eyes that are turning white due to cataracts, they bring out the best in me.  Though they may be slower and can’t hear very well, my memories float back to just how feisty she was, or the times I came through the door and she jumped up and down like I was the most awesome person in the world.

Or  the time we took her to the snow and the ice was sticking to her legs, but she just kept running and having a great time.  And all those times when she looked at me with so much love and devotion that I swear I could see into her soul.

It’s these kinds of memories that make me want to give back as much as she gave me.  If I wasn’t boarding dogs, I’d love to foster senior dogs and care for them until they go over the Rainbow Bridge (Get your tissues handy.) It would take a lot of strength to see them pass, and I applaud those wonderful people that care for senior dogs every day.  They are the best of us.

Next time you find yourself wanting to add a new dog to your family, please consider a senior dog.  Click on Senior Dog Rescues to find information and a rescue group near you.

Since they tend to have more medical problems, you can avoid unnecessary Veterinarian bills by feeding them holistic pet food as nutrition is the key to keeping them healthy and happy for years to come.  

My dog Nikki in her last years

Of course you have to be prepared for what medically comes with an older dog such as:

Arthritis

Cataracts or losing their site

Loss of hearing

Graying and coat may become dull

Muscle mass loss

Slowing down,

and other medical conditions.

However, the good far outweigh the bad.  You just needs a little more patience and a whole lot of love.

Please view this video from the Petfinder Foundation to see all the wonderful qualities senior dogs have and they are just waiting for you to take them into your heart!

School’s almost out and everyone’s gearing up for their Summer vacation!  For me, I’ll be here watching your dogs while your on the beach having a great time.  Don’t worry, we still get our vacation too. Besides I love what I do and I love that I can help my clients have a stress free vacation.

My family on vacation in Montana a couple of years ago

What about those pets that can’t board and need  a pet sitter to visit them at their house? Having a plan will save the pet sitter a lot time which gives them more time to have fun with your pets.

Here’s  a few suggestions that can help you prepare your pets and your home.  Most of these topics should be covered in the pet sitting forms you filled out

Planning for your pooch and other creatures

Call your vet ahead of time and leave a credit card number with them just in case of an emergency.  Most reputable pet sitters will have a Vet Release form for you to sign.  The pet sitter will bring this form to the Vet if something should happen to one of your pets.  The Release informs the vet that the sitter has authorization to care for your pets.

Let your pet sitter know where all the shut off valves are for gas, water etc.  If you have a water pipe burst, at least they can shut it off and reduce the damage.

Give the sitter a list of important phone numbers. For instances, a neighbor  – leaving a key with the neighbor is also a good idea, Vet ( this should be with the paperwork), maybe a name of a handyman or electrician, locksmith, and the name of your “emergency contact” should the sitter not be able to get a hold of you.  This too, should be in the paperwork.

Have their favorite toys handy

Provide towels or rags to wipe dirty paws

If your pets are crated, have extra bedding or blankets in case they have an accident.

Put lights on a timer and please leave the front light on. Reptile lights should be on a timer.  The most important light for your sitter is the front porch light.  This is a must for a few reasons:  1) Safety of the sitter.  It makes it harder for “would be” criminals to hide, 2) so the sitter can see the keyhole and not have to fumble with the keys, and 3) it’s really scary to go up to a dark house!  I’ve been freaked out a couple of times.

Leave supplies in one general area. Your kitchen counter is a good place to leave your supplies. This can include a leash, medications (unless they have to be refrigerated), any additional notes, mailbox key, can opener, food and treats, etc.

Have extra supplies on hand.  Sometimes flights are delayed or canceled.  There’s a million reasons why you  may not be able to return when expected.  Always have enough food for the entire service and then a little more.  Same goes for treats and medications.

Make sure the extra key works. Usually when a pet sitter comes to your home, you need to give them a  key to get in.  You don’t want the sitter going to your home and finding out that they can’t get in and the dogs can’t get out!    That’s why you leave a number of a good locksmith – preferably one that works 24/7.

Have caged pet supplies nearby.  If you have a hamster, guinea pig, mouse, bird or any other pet that needs to have their cages cleaned, please have all the bedding, scoops and waste bags near their cage.

Leave cleaning supplies in plain sight.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve searched high and low for either a vacuum cleaner, broom or dust pan.  Please put them where your sitter can easily find them.  If you’re hiring a professional pet sitter all this should be covered in the paperwork.

Notify your alarm company and tell them your pet sitter’s name and the duration they’ll be coming to your home.  Also let your sitter know the password in case the alarm goes off.  The alarm company will call your home to ask for a password to reset the system.  I know this because it’s happened to me.

Make sure your outside sprinklers are properly adjusted and on a timer. If you want your sitter to water potted plants, put them in one area so that the sitter doesn’t have to go around the yard watering.  Remember, this is all time taken away from your pets.

Make sure your pets are wearing all their identification. If you’re using a Citronella bark collar or an electronic collar, make sure they have fresh batteries.

Secure all outside gates and fences. If your pets have access to the backyard, they might get itchy to escape.  Check your fences for holes and make sure the gates are closed and secured properly.

Other little extra tips for your home

Adjust your thermostat to a comfortable temperature for your pets.

Empty all your indoor trash and put in the outside bins.  Your pet sitter should put out the bins on the appropriate trash pickup days.

Put your toilet lids down.  Just saying.

Close all the doors to rooms that are off limits.  It’s also a good idea to close cabinet doors.

Empty out your refrigerator of food that will spoil

If you’re going away for a long period of time, have the Post Office hold the mail for you.  However your pet sitter can get the mail if you chose not to put it on hold.

Have checks ready for your sitter, housekeeper and/or gardener if appropriate.

Close and lock doors and windows

Clean your house and mow the lawn.  I love coming home to a clean home.  A good pet sitter will clean up after herself and pick up your “doggies presents” before she leaves.

I’m sure there are a thousand other things that could be done, but I think this is a good start.  Now that you have a plan, you can have a stress and worry free vacation!

In my world, everyday is Be Kind to Animals week.  As a pet sitter it’s my job – that’s why I became a pet sitter.  I’ve always had a special relationship with dogs and feel that we need them as much as they need us.

Annie and Tommy

Be Kind to Animals Week was started in 1915 by American Humane to celebrate the relationship we have with our pets and to educated people on how to treat them with kindness and love.  I couldn’t image a world without pets. The joy and love they bring to our lives everyday can’t be measured.  It’s constant and so complete.  You can always count on a dog to lift your spirits and fill your heart with so much love that you think it’s going to burst!

It’s only right that we help other people who may not feel the same way to treat our furry friends with kindness.

As my part for this week, I devoted my ezine to adopting or getting a new dog.  If you want to do your part, here’s what American Humane suggests.  They also instruct you on how to accomplish these suggestions when you click on the learn more button.

Speak out for the animals:  This can be done through legislation, reporting animal abuse (see my prior post about animal abuse) or just speaking out on animal issues that you’re passionate about.  They have an Action Alert if your interested in knowing more about policies and legislation.

Respect wildlife in your own backyard: I know there are lots of pests that eat gardens and plants such as rabbits and deer, but there are humane ways to deter them from your door.  The American Humane has lots of suggestion how to humanely get rid of unwanted animals in your yard.  Or, how about starting a butterfly garden or have bird houses so they have a safe place to live.

Rescue of pet from a shelter: In my opinion, this should always be your first choice when getting a new pet.  Not only are you being kind, but in some cases, you’re saving their life.  All they want is someone to take them home and give them the love they deserve.  It’s a win-win situation. 

Taking care of your pet: Once you get your pet from the shelter, you have to give them the very best.  Number one on that list is nutritional pet food.  This is the foundation of their health and you can avoid costly vet bills if they are getting the proper nutrition.  Get a soft, warm pet bed, brush their teeth on a regular basis, give their coat a good brushing, bathe them, take them on daily walks, provide them with adequate shelter, shade and water, make sure they have their identification including getting them micro chipped and get them the vaccinations they need to keep them healthy and happy.

Most of all love them with all your heart and the love they give back to you is nothing short of miraculous.

Chris L Wagner

Spring is here and the flowers are blooming and the plants are coming to life.  Are you enjoying it or are your eyes watering and you’re sneezing?  Yes, allergy season is upon us.  Luckily, I only get mild symptoms, but for some, it’s a miserable time.

How about your pets – do they get allergies?  Of course they do.  Grasses, insects, molds and weeds to name a few can lead your pet to scratch, bite and sometimes cause open sores on their bodies.

When my  late dog Nikki was little, she used to scratch all the time and get hot spots.  I was a new dog owner and would literally follow her around to see where she was scratching and spray some medicine on it.  It got to the point that she would stop scratching when she saw me coming or would go out of site to scratch!  I was very annoying .  Around 4 years of age, she grew out of it and didn’t have any more problems with the hot spots.

My little Nikki in her later years

The most common types of allergies in dogs are Food, Contact, Inhalant , Bacterial, and Flea Allergies.

Food Allergy

Pet food has come a long way to removing ingredients that pets can be allergic to such as corn, wheat and grains.  It is believed that if they are introduced to these too early of an age they may always be allergic to it.  Mold is sometime inherited with grains because they are stored for long periods of time in grain silos.  The symptoms from food allergies usually manifest themselves as digestive problems or skin problems.

To treat food allergies, you have to start by eliminating the food they’re eating and give them a chicken and rice diets (or whatever your vet recommends).  Vets can also prescribe hypoallergenic packaged dog food.  Slowly, one by one start adding in other foods.  Starting your pet out in life with  a nutrient rich, holistic pet food may be your best defense to food allergies.

Contact Allergy

Contact Allergies are the least common type of allergies.  This is usually caused by a chemical such as  flea products, disinfectants and even types of bedding such as beds filled with cedar.  To treat  a contact allergy is to remove the substance that’s causing it.  However, if it’s not readily apparent what the substance is, you might have to do some detective work.

Flea - A face only a mother could love

Inhalant Allergy

Inhalant Allergies are triggered by the things we get allergies from, pollen from trees, grasses and weeds, mold, mildew and dust mites.  Instead of getting a runny nose and sneezing, dogs manifest their symptoms through their skin.  This can cause itching, scratching, shaking their heads or rubbing their ears or muzzle and licking.  Depending on what they are allergic to, symptoms could last for a few weeks for seasonal allergies or longer.

To find out what is causing the allergy, your pet can go through testing by injecting possible allergens, or do a blood test and send it to a lab so they determine what your pet is allergic to.

Treatments for Inhalant allergies  are:

Anti-Inflammatory therapy using steroids/cortisone.  This will block the allergic reaction in most cases.

Flea Free Shampoo

Shampoo Therapy: Shampooing frequently with a hypo allergic or natural dog shampoo made for this reason can help considerably.  Antigens can be absorbed through the skin and it is thought that frequent shampooing can lessen the absorption and also quickly relieve the itching by removing surface antigens.

Hypo sensitization is basically allergy shots.  By giving your pet small amounts of the antigen, it’s hoped that weekly shots can retrain the body’s immune system to become desensitized and lessening the effects of the allergy substance.

Flea Allergy

By far flea allergies are the most common type.  To most dogs fleas are just a pain in the rump, but for some, it can cause intense itching and cause them to scratch until they have an open sore.  This in turn can cause other secondary infections.  If your dog in severely allergic by the fleas saliva, it’s best to remove all fleas.  Easier said than done.  There are several spot on medications you can purchase such as Frontline, however spot on flea medication has come under some scrutiny in the past months.  There are natural flea shampoos,  and Diatomaceous Earth.   In some cases steroids can be prescribed.

Bacterial Allergy

Staph bacteria is common in dogs.  For some it’s not a problem, but if their immune system is comprised, it can become a severe problem and invade the deeper layers of the skin.  This infection is called pyoderma.  The symptoms are hair loss, raised circular lesions, flaky skin.  This staph infection can occur as a secondary infection from the scratching and itching from other allergic reactions.

The treatment is usually antibiotics, topical and oral medications.  Providing a natural, holistic pet food can bolster the immune system so that a staph infection can’t escalate.

Chris L Wagner

From One Pet Lover to Another

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In my recent travels through social media, especially in the LinkedIn groups, I have become aware of alternative treatments for animals.  I was familiar with Canine Massage, but not some of the other natural therapies.

We were having a discussion in one of my groups about whether or not they actually work.  Many of the practitioners have seen firsthand the wonderful healings of their companion pets.  Some were not so convinced.  I think that if it works for your pet, then it works!  It doesn’t matter how you heal your pet, it just matters that your pet gets healed.

OOOMMMM

I believe that preventative medicine is the first course of action and of course that means feeding your pet a nutrient rich holistic pet food.  So many allergies and other illnesses come from what you put in your dog.  Read my post on What you don’t want in your dog food.  That can get you started in the right direction.  Learn to read the labels and know exactly what they mean.

There are too many alternative treatments to put in one post. Please go to the Full directory of alternative treatments for animals.  I do not condone or condemn any of these practices.  This is just to let you know what’s out there to help your pet in need.  Please consult your Veterinarian before trying any of these therapies.

Here’s a brief description some of the alternative treatments for your pets.

Canine/Equine Massage:  This is the manipulation of the soft tissue of your pet.  Can be used as a preventative or for injuries.  Also, helps agility or sports dogs.

That feels soooo good!

Reiki: Reiki is Japanese for ‘universal life force energy’, the word can be split into 2 parts – ‘Rei’ meaning universal and ‘Ki’ meaning energy.  The practitioner uses energy transference and touches the animal in different parts of his body.

Acupuncture: Practiced for thousands of years in China and now has become more mainstream here in America, is used for both humans and animals.  The acupuncture needles, used along meridian lines, are meant to unblock the bodies energy lines to redirect the energy and rebalance your body.  Shiatsu is a kin to acupuncture, but using the hands along the meridian lines instead of needles.

Animal Communication:  is the ability of the practitioner to use telepathy to interpret the animals thoughts, feeling, words and mental images.  Telepathy means “feeling across a distance”. This can be used to find out why your pet is doing a certain unwanted behavior, or to get a better understanding of their feelings.

This is supposed to help me!!

Aromatherapy, Flower Essences and Herbal Remedies:   Taking their cue from nature, practitioners use herbs, oils from plants and flower essences to treat ailments or alter moods such as anxiety.  These therapies are nothing new and have been around since the dawn of time.  Animals in the wild learned how to self-medicate and early humans have been using plants and flowers for injuries and sickness since the beginning.  Read my prior post about Essential Oils for Pets.

Magnotherapy: uses magnetic energy fields to speed up the blood supply allowing more oxygen to flow providing more absorption of nutrients.

There are many others and if you would like to investigate these natural therapies more or find a school in your area, here are some links that can help you:   Natural Healers, Alternative Medicine, Natural Animal Health, Naturally Complementary.

Chris L Wagner

From One Pet Lover To Another

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