Oh No, Another Birthday!

This is Louie's pal Elliot (see post dated Thurs. April 2nd). Elliot will be 9 years old on May 21st, but we goofed and gave him his party a month early. You can see Louie off to the left looking for his share of the birthday treat. And you know, Elliot never told us it's NEXT month, can you believe it? I suppose he expects us to do it again in May!

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3 More April Birthdays!

Callie is two years old this week. She's one of four beagles who frequent our play groups, and she's a real sweetie. She posed for her birthday picture, then tucked into her Frosty Paws treat in no uncertain terms. We thought it very considerate of her to take care of the picture first. Callie likes to play with the big dogs even though she's more medium sized herself.






Louie turned 6 on April 15. He's best friends with Eliot (see April 2nd post) who, sadly, couldn't come to Louie's birthday. But Susan sang to him and he seemed quite content to enjoy his Frosty Paws dixie cup on top of a crate where he could keep any potential intruders at bay.




Simon P. is one of a pair of Malteses at his house. You can check out his sister Samantha's birthday post on March 19th .
Simon was three on April 12th and he thoroughly enjoyed his birthday treat. Wouldn't look up for his photo - not even for a split second! He licked it like crazy, and when his tongue got cold he carried the dixie cup into the back of a crate where it was safe for him to take a break!

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Happy Birthday, Simon!

Simon is four years old today, and did he ever enjoy his Frosty Paws treat! He finished the whole thing before Susan could get a picture, but was willing to pose once he was done! He's a major sweetie, along with his sister, Olivia. When we sang happy birthday, Olivia pushed her way in and stared at us, like "What about me??"

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Beware of Household Hazards

Every year, hundreds of thousands of pets are exposed to toxic substances, many of which are included in everyday household products. Ann Gaynor Zapun, of Sturbridge (MA) Pet Services, suggests that you keep pets away from the following:

Human/veterinary medications
Prescription and over-the-counter drugs such as painkillers, cold medications, antidepressants and dietary supplements; also heartworm preventatives, de-wormers and antibiotics.

People Foods
Chocolate; coffee; alcoholic beverages; grapes and raisins; avocado and certain citrus fruit; macadamia nuts; candy containing the sweetener Xylitol; onions; apple seeds; walnuts; yeast dough; moldy foods; tea; apricot and cherry pits; and tomato leaves.

Insecticides, Fertilizers, Pest Control Substances
Any of the above in any quantity is highly toxic.

Household plants
Lilly of the valley, oleander, rhododendron, azalea; sago palm; kalanchoe; schefflera; yew and fox glove; rhubarb leaves and some types of lilies; mushrooms and cycads; mistletoe; geraniums; and poinsettias.

Chemical hazards
Anti-freeze; de-icing compounds; paint thinner; drain cleaners; and pool/spa chemicals.

Cleaners
Bleaches; detergents; disinfectants. These products, when inhaled, can cause serious gastrointestinal distress and irritation to the respiratory tract.

Heavy metals
Zinc and mercury. Lead is e specially pernicious, and pets are exposed to it through many sources, including paint chips, linoleum, and lead dust produced when surfaces in older homes are scraped or sanded.

If you suspect that your pet has ingested a poison, call the ASPCA animal poison control center, 1-888-426-4435. There is a consultation fee of $60 payable by credit card for each instance.

reprinted from an ASPCA Newsletter

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Teague the Irish Terrier and Cleo the Great Dane are still going steady. Teague gave Cleo his class ring and Cleo is very proud. We have noticed, however, that Cleo tends to eyeball other good-looking guys so we wonder about the future of this relationship!

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Doggie Den Best Friends

Meet Elliot the lhasa apso, and Louie the scottie/chin mix. They are all around inseparable friends, though from different owners. They play together, nap together, and (as you see) watch from the sidelines together. When others try to join in their romps, they continue what they were doing as if nothing had happened! A clique of two!

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Dog heaven

Angie has rarely met a dog she doesn't love... and vice versa! She came to The Doggie Den in October 2008. She supervises the daycare dogs in the afternoon, and there's serious competition for her attention. Her favorite part of the job is cuddling the pups. Her next favorite is ... cuddling the pups!

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Enjoying Dog Walks

Dog Walking 101: Tips to Make Your Outings Safe & Fun

It can be a job or a joy, pet parents, but we’ve all got to do it—yup, we’re talking about walking the dog! The beginning of spring is a great time to consider some ways to reinvent this daily ritual and make it more enjoyable for the both of you. Whether you’re a proud new pup parent or a long-time, experienced dog handler, our experts have got some advice for you. Who says you can’t teach an old owner new tricks?
Among the tips you’ll find in the complete article:- "Retractable leashes are best reserved for walks in the park, when it’s safe for a dog to explore a bit further away from her pet parent,” says the ASPCA Animal Behavior Center’s Kristen Collins, CPDT. NOT a good idea if you’re walking in an area with high foot traffic or off-leash dogs, as the long line may get wrapped around your dog, a person’s leg or another dog.
- Walk with buddies. If your dog likes other dogs, consider group walks. You can either borrow a friend’s dog to accompany you, or invite family and friends who have dogs to meet you somewhere.
- Even though popular spring plants like tulips and daffodils add much to our landscape, they can cause significant stomach problems for our furry friends. If your pooch likes to stop and smell—or nibble—the flowers, keep him on a short leash during walks.
Read the complete article Dog Walking 101.

Reprinted from an ASPCA newsletter

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Puppy Poisoned by Popular House Plant

It’s hard to believe a houseplant could harm a tough cookie like the Woytek family’s Lab mix, Amber. A survivor of Hurricane Ike, the young pup was diagnosed with distemper in the months after her adoption from the Houston SPCA in September 2008. But according to Laurie Woytek, Amber defeated the often fatal virus—and went on to form a tight bond with her canine “sister” and partner-in-crime, Scout, a one-year-old Rhodesian ridgeback mix.
Early last month, Laurie discovered that Amber had eaten parts of a sago palm plant. Sago palm—with its dark green leaves and hairy trunk—has become a popular houseplant in recent years, but unbeknownst to many green-thumbed pet parents, it’s also highly toxic to cats and dogs.
Immediately ill, Amber was hospitalized at a nearby emergency clinic. Says Laurie, “I was very scared, but thought, ‘She's tough—she'll make it through.’” After several days in the hospital, the emergency veterinarian delivered the heartbreaking news to the Woyteks—Amber had developed jaundice and life-threatening liver failure.
“We took Amber to our regular veterinarian to discuss our options with him,” explains Laurie. “She suffered seizures in the car on the way, and we ultimately made the very difficult, yet humane decision to let her go.”
Sadly, Amber’s story is all too common. Since 2003, the ASPCA has seen an increase by more than 200 percent of sago palm and cycad poisonings, and 50 to 75 percent of those ingestions resulted in fatalities. According to Dr. Sharon Gwaltney-Brant, veterinary toxicologist and vice president of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, all parts of the plant are toxic, not just the seeds or nuts, and common signs of ingestion include vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, depression, seizures and liver failure.
Before the Woytek family said their final goodbyes to Amber, they took her home to see her best buddy, Scout. “As Amber lay still on the floor, Scout kept nudging her as if to say, ‘C’mon, get up,’” Laurie says. “They weren’t just 'sissies'—as we referred to them—they were best friends.”
“It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do,” reflects Laurie. “Amber is truly missed and will forever be in our hearts. She was our little princess.”
In memory of Amber, and to mark the end of National Poison Prevention Week, March 15-21, the ASPCA reminds all pet parents to stay informed about protecting pets from accidental poisonings. Please read our poison prevention tips online.



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Happy Birthday, Samantha!

Samantha was three years old on March 19th! She was a little hesitant about her Frosty Paws birthday treat, taking only a few licks. Then her brother, Simon, helped her out by carrying the cup off into a corner and digging in. Samantha was not perturbed. She watches her girlish figure, and was delighted with the special attention. Simon and Samantha light up the small dog play area every Wednesday.

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Romance at The Doggie Den

It's early New England springtime and cupid's arrow has struck Cleo (Great Dane) and Teague (Irish Terrier). They're both very shy with others, but together... watch out! Lots of play and snuggles - and jealousy when anyone tries to butt in!


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Plants That Poison Your Dog

Mark your calendars, people! Sunday, March 15 kicks off National Poison Prevention Week—a perfect time to learn what’s poisonous to your pet. In 2008, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center handled more than 140,000 cases of pets exposed to toxins, many of which were everyday household items. Some of the worst offenders were those living things that keep your home fresh and green—household plants!In honor of National Poison Prevention Week, as the ASPCA, we put together a video of our top toxicologist, Dr. Steven Hansen, Senior Vice President, ASPCA Animal Health Services, discussing the dangers of 17 common plants that you may have in your homes right now, including lilies, chrysanthemum and sago palm. Dr. Hansen shows you examples of each plant, so you’ll know exactly what to look out for. To watch the video, go to www.aspca.org/news/national/03-13-09.html#1. Remember, if you suspect your pet has ingested something poisonous, please contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.P.S. Keep an eye on our website during National Poison Prevention Week, when you can ask ASPCA experts about potentially toxic plants and substances directly. Join our live “Ask the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center” chat from noon to 2:00 P.M. on Friday, March 20, in the ASPCA Online Community, and stay tuned for the relaunch of our popular Ask the APCC online column.



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Little Shepherd, Big Puggle

Meet Lenny and Tucker, otherwise known as Mutt and Jeff. They're constant companions because Lenny the shepherd thinks he's a little dog, and Tucker the puggle has the mind of a bull mastiff. They play for hours with Lenny usually on the floor and Tucker all over him. But sometimes Lenny gets scared and runs away, like in this picture. Tucker is looking at me like, "What is wrong with this guy?"


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Welcome Carolyn!

Carolyn came to The Doggie Den from Dirty Hairy's in Hudson, MA. The daycare dogs can't wait for her to finish her daily grooming work so they can play with her! She's a long-time dog lover - here she's died and gone to heaven!

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Happy Birthday Luke!

Luke was born on Valentine's Day so we had a special party for him and his puppy pals. Homemade dog cookies and Frosty Paws treats for everyone! Luke was a great host!

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Snow and ice getting your pup down??

Doggie Den pals are just what he or she needs! Safe from the soiled snow and ice that plague your yard, s/he can play all day long in our clean, cheerful environment with like-minded pals. Here, take a look!

Ringo the Australian Shep, Lily the Standard Poodle, Cody the lab mix, Fenway the beagle and Gunner the adorable bulldog hardly take breaks:















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Happy Valentine's Day!

Zack is our Valentine Boy - he's February Dog of the Month because he's the sweetest, most lovey guy we have. His favorite words are "cuddle" and "eat".
Isn't he a hunk??



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Puppy Mill Raid to the Rescue

February 2009

American Humane Provides Emergency Sheltering for Dogs Seized From a Tennessee Puppy Mill Today

Puppy mills are large-scale breeding operations where animals often live in filthy conditions that foster disease and frequently suffer from the absence of even basic veterinary care. That certainly describes the conditions in which more than 250 dogs were found this morning, when the White County, Tenn., sheriff’s department initiated a raid on a puppy mill.
Right now, a dozen of our Red Star Animal Emergency Services™ responders are in Tennessee, providing emergency sheltering for the seized animals. Several of our responders were on-site during the raid, while others prepared and staffed the emergency shelter to accommodate the dogs being transported to safety. The overall effort is being led by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), which is managing operations in the puppy mill investigation by the sheriff’s department. ASPCA disclosed that the dogs suffered from “...little to no food or water, lack of proper ventilation in enclosed areas, and feces encrusted pens. Conditions such as matting, sores, mange, poor teeth, abscesses, and a host of other medical conditions are prevalent.”
You Can Help!
Our highly trained staff and Red Star volunteer responders are working tirelessly to ensure that these poor animals are properly cared for in preparation for eventual adoption into safe, loving homes. Your donation today will help us continue these vital operations and prepare for our next animal emergency deployment. Please give what you can to stop the suffering of innocent animals!
Because this operation is a legal case, additional details are pending. However, a local newspaper, The Expositor, reported this afternoon: “The animals being rescued were housed in the residence and multiple buildings on the property. The dogs are small breed under 20 pounds, including Boston and Jack Russell terriers, Pomeranians, Shih Tzus, Chihuahuas, poodles, miniature Pinschers, and Schnauzers. The animals were examined immediately on the scene, with those needing emergency care transferred to White County veterinarians, who lent their services. The rest of the animals were transported to a temporary emergency shelter staffed by the American Humane Association.”
We’ll keep you updated as more details can be released!


Donate now to make a difference for helpless animal victims of disasters -- from puppy mills to hurricanes to wildfires.


All images courtesy of http://www.spartaexpositor.com/
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Play time for Gunner: Before and After

Gunner is our newest English bulldog. He's a terrific puppy - plays flat out yet doesn't get on the other pups' nerves. Gunner was made for doggie daycare! Check out these dog links!

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Help, it's a puppy invasion!

Here, some of our small dogs welcome Maria to their play area. The "danger" signs on the wall are to prevent humans from reaching over the plexiglass partition to touch the big dogs in their adjacent play area. The little ones have a couch, soft beds on top of crates and inside them, lots of toys and dishes of fresh, cool water on the floor. Best of all they have their very own cushioned windowseat! The crates stay open for optional breaks, but some of the pups play from dawn to dusk!

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