Three Birthdays This Week

We've had a busy week partying! Lucy the chihuahua mix, Cody the labrador retriever and Houdini the beagle all had birthdays. As you can see, all three tucked into their Frosty Paws treats as though they hadn't eaten in weeks. Lucy only weighs a couple of pounds, but she made the contents of her dixie cup disappear in minutes. Her tongue must have been frozen. Houdini ate the treat then started in on the cup itself. Had to pick pieces out of his teeth! Fortunately we got to him before he swallowed any.

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Olivia's 3rd Birthday

Olivia loves the whole birthday schtick: the hat, the singing, the attention, the treat. Even the having to warn fellow party hounds about poaching her treat! Her brother Simon had his birthday on April 13th (see post for that date). Olivia managed to respect his Frosty Paws cup that day, so today he did the same for her. He's right there, off-stage left but he's just staring hopefully.

Olivia and Simon always come to The Doggie Den together, and sometimes they play with each other, but often they play with other dogs. We refer to Simon as "the old soul" since he has an ageless wisdom about him. Olivia is Miss Center Stage - always eager to be her humans' primary focus. She does share though. We think Simon taught her that.

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Dog Tips for 4th of July

Fourth of July Festivities: Should You Bring Your Pet?

As the country dons its red, white and blue to celebrate Independence Day, nothing says patriotism like a good old-fashioned barbecue with a side of fireworks. But beware dog parents, what's fun for people can be frightening and painful for our furry friends!

The ASPCA recommends keeping your pooch indoors as much as possible during backyard parties and Fourth of July festivities, even if s/he is a pro picnicker. From toxic food and beverages to raucous guests and fireworks, the holiday weekend is a minefield of potential pet problems.

"Even the most timid dog can leap a six-foot fence if he's spooked by loud noises," says Dr. Pamela Reid, Vice President of the ASPCA Animal Behavior Center. If your dog shows signs of distress from fireworks or boisterous revelers, Dr. Reid suggests giving him a Kong toy stuffed with peanut butter. "The persistent licking should calm his nerves," she says.

The ASPCA offers some more expert advice to keep your pet singing, "Oh Say Can You See," all the way to the fifth and beyond:

- Keep your pet on the wagon. Since alcohol is potentially poisonous to pets, place all wine, beer and spirits well out of paws' way.

- Avoid scraps from the grill. Stick with your pet's normal diet--any change, even for a day, can result in stomach upset. Certain foods like onions, avocado, chocolate, grapes and raisins are especially toxic to pets.

- Skip the sunscreen. Avoid lathering your pet with any insect repellent or sunscreen not intended for the four-legged kind. Ingestion can result in drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive thirst and lethargy.

- Stay fire-smart. Keep your pet away from fireworks, matches, citronella candles and lighter fluid, which if eaten can irritate the stomach, lungs and central nervous system.

- Be cool near the pool. Don't leave pets unsupervised around a pool or lake--not all dogs are expert swimmers! Also, pools aren't large water bowls--they contain chlorine and other toxic chemicals that can cause stomach problems.

As always, if you suspect your pet has ingested something poisonous from the picnic table, please contact your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.


Reprinted from the ASPCA website: www.aspca.org

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A Study in Contrasts

Little Mackie Mix and Big Bailey Rottweiler are The Doggie Den's best examples of "opposites attract". They LOVE to play together and have two basic strategies to compensate for the difference in their sizes. Either Bailey lies down and the floor and Mackie jumps all over him; or Mackie jumps up on the couch to be more at Bailey's level. In the latter case, Bailey pushes Mack around with his head, while Mack bears his teeth with great bravado!

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Luke and Molly Take a Break

Luke (in foreground) and Molly share the same household. Both were adopted

by their family, though Luke came home quite a few months

before Molly. And what nice temperments! Luke loved being an

only child but he has been tireless in his patience with his

baby sister, who can be quite rambunctious. Here they have

decided to take a break together and have claimed front row center on the windowseat. The nap lasted about 10 minutes, then they were out and about again.

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Zack the Handsomest Golden

Zack was 8 years old on Saturday and he's been coming to The Doggie Den since he was a puppy. He's the friendliest, most cuddly boy you can imagine. He was so happy to have his birthday Frosty Paws treat that he put up with the party hat without a single complaint! Zack loves everybody, plays with everybody and generally enjoys life to the fullest. We are so grateful to have him in our big dog play group!

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Happy 1st Birthday to Murphy!

Not only is Murphy the June dog of the month, but June 5th is also his first birthday! Fortunately no one has told him he has to grow up yet, so he's pretty much still a 6 mo. old puppy. He wasted no time eating his peanut butter banana frozen Yogihund birthday treat. He was so busy slurping, he forgot to fight with us about wearing a party hat!

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Cleo the Great (Dane) Turns Two

Happy Birthday Cleo! Cleo is a discerning diner - she doesn't eat just anything. So Angie had to tempt her to get her interested in her Yogihund Peanut Butter Frozen Yogurt. But once she tasted it... WOW! She dug the treat out of the cup with her tongue and woofed it in one bite. What two-year old doesn't like ice cream?

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Black and White Symphony

Murphy the westie and Raven the labradoodle

love to play all the day long

and fall down exhausted at night!

THE END

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Two May 1st birthdays

Okemo was 1 year old on May 1st and is he ever a handsome boy! He LOVES his windowseat even though it's getting pretty warm in the sun (we do have central AC). For his treat Okemo had a banana/peanut butter organic Yoghund - it's frozen yoghurt for dogs! He was a bit cautious with it. Maybe not a health food type guy?

Benny, on the other hand, is a pig that barks. He hated his party hat, but that wasn't nearly as important as getting his Yoghund treat down his throat in record time! He would have eaten the cup if we'd let him. Benny is Susan's cocker spaniel, a rescue from Save A Dog in Sudbury. He was 6 years old on May 1st.

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Watch that arm!

Crosby the puggle: Hey, watch it!

Lilly the standard poodle: Huh? Wha? Wanna play, cutie? Play now, yes?

Crosby: What's with the arm action?

Lilly: Whoopeeeee!

Crosby: BACK OFF, missus.

Lilly: C'mon les' play!

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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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In love with cold weather

Now, here's a dog who loves winter! Even the frigid temps in New England (rarely gets into high 20's and is often below 0!) don't discourage her. She's Bounce, a Bernese Mountain dog and January is her favorite month. Of course, she lives indoors so even she can't endure these temps for long periods of time, but for 10 or 15 minutes she runs around like a delirious puppy!

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Cleo the Great (Dane)

Cleo is one sweet Dane! She's taller than most kids, and has a deep, serious bark.. but she's a wuss. She loves leaning up against you and gazing into your eyes as you give her a good rub. Cody (the yellow lab behind her) is one of her pals because, like her, he prefers people and easy-going canines. Both are terrified of the little ones, especially if they yap. Cleo does think it's strange that Cody likes to retrieve toys, though. If you throw a toy for her, she just looks at you as if you'd taken leave of your senses.

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Gabe enjoys the sun and the view and Murphy and Sam Become New Friends

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New Doggie Den puppies

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!

It's a time for new beginnings!

It's the dawn of a New Year!

HAPPY 2009!

Congratulations to all you new puppy owners out there! May your days with your adorable new family member be long and happy!

Susan, Jennifer, Maria and Angie send warm good wishes to dog lovers everywhere for a healthy, successful 2009. Special thanks to our loyal customers who send their wonderful pups to us for baths and makeovers and for play-filled days in our daycare center. We appreciate you entrusting your beloved companions to us time after time.

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Watch out for frostbite!

See these puppies all cuddled up on the sofa? This is most likely how you're dog has lived all of his/her life. Even if you adopted a stray who has lived on the street, he or she has adapted to life in warm temperatures. So be careful when your dog is outside in below freezing weather. PUP IS NOT PROTECTED FROM COLD AIR, COLD SURFACES OR WIND! Even if he or she might have been in a different life. A huskey who has worked as a sled dog in Alaska since puppyhood is protected and can endure extreme cold. A huskey who has lived in a centrally heated environment is NOT!



If, while outdoors, pup lifts or licks a paw, stops walking, whines, limps or look imploringly at you, he or she is probably in danger of frostbite. Don't assume it's just the sting of salt on the roads. And DON'T RUB THE PAD SURFACE as this can damage frostbitten skin. Get the dog to a heated area as quickly as possible. If s/he's small enough, carry him/her. If not coax pup to walk with you even if s/he limps. Sometimes overly cold dogs will lie down on a frozen road or snow path and refuse to move. In this case, if the dog's too large to carry, whip out your cell phone and call for help in the form of a heated automobile.



Sometimes putting the most painful pad next to your skin helps. Like slipping a paw into your glove or mitten, but don't rub! Your warm breath on the pads can also help. But main, get the dog's feet out of contact with the cold as quickly as possible.



Once your dog is back in a warm space, keep an eye out to see if licking, lifting or limping continues. If it does, consult a vet immediately.


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Dog Ownership is a HANDS-ON Job!!

It never ceases to amaze me the problems dogs can have without their owners noticing. I know people who aren't doggie fanatics don't fuss over their pups the way we do at The Doggie Den, but what comes into our grooming shop boggles the mind. It's now the busy holiday season, and many people who come in only get their dog groomed once or twice a year. In those cases, skin and coat problems tend to be well entrenched.

Day before yesterday, an owner brought us his bichon complaining that the dog scratched constantly. Maria (our groomer) turned him over and his belly was literally ALIVE! It was moving in a truly creepy way. Hundreds of thousands of fleas infested his belly, chest and bum. And who knows how many elsewhere? We soaped him up 3 times with our strongest flea shampoo, then disinfected the entire shop, especially the tub where we bathed him. I simply could not believe that anyone touching him would not have noticed the zillions of creatures moving around in his coat! We sent him home with Frontline and did our best to convince the owner to flea-bomb his home.

Shortly before that, a lab owner came in complaining that his dog stank. We also smelled the "dead things" odor. The owner thought pup must have rolled on a dead animal in the woods. When Maria went to take off his collar there was a wide band of horribly diseased skin and surface tissue underneath with no coat covering it at all. LOTS of dead tissue, which is what was causing the odor. Furious, Maria did manage not to turn to the owner and smack him upside the head. Imagine the suffering that poor lab endured while his family saw him as "fine!" Maria bathed and debrided the area with a medicinal shampoo. The odor went away and the dog looked as though he'd died and gone to heaven. Now you tell me, how the hell did no one in his family ever look under his collar in all those weeks?? Because it took weeks (if not longer) for the problem to reach this point. Was no one giving him an occasional scratch behind the ears??

Well, we rinsed and dried the dog and exacted a promise from the owner that he would take him to a vet immediately. Who knows if he did.

So, please, GET YOUR HANDS INTO YOUR DOG'S COAT! Often and everywhere. Scratch the area under his collar (it itches even if there are no skin problems; it ALWAYS itches). Give his ears a good, gentle rub. Put her on her belly and rub her chest and abdomen. Scratch the area on the inside of her back legs/haunches. Examine his bum for fecal staining or deposits and cut them out carefully with scissors if necessary. Give his underarms (front legs) a good scratch. And if you only have a second, well, scratch her back!!

Dogs need contact! They do it for each other in the wild. They often reciprocate by licking (grooming) your face. You think it's kisses, but for her, it's simply returning a favor. When I give my sheltie, Shuki, a good head and shoulders scratch she gets up on the back of the couch and cleans behind my ears! I have to remember to take my earrings off or she'll chew them!

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