Ready, Set...

... Contest!

But first, let's congratulate Yvonne on her new blog. Please don't forget to let us know if you move so we can update our links.

Also, Nichole has a review up on some NuHemp products your dogs might enjoy.

Ah yes, I did say contest. We're approaching a blogging milestone here at Dogs on Thursday, so we thought we'd celebrate. Post #100 is coming on April 23rd, and we hope each of you will help us spread the doggy love.

Here are the rules:

• Donate to your favorite pet cause and document said donation somehow on your blog, then email Natalie with a link to your post. (See the top right side bar for her email address.)


• ANY donation qualifies. Time, money, food, snuggles... whatever you want to give and your charity will accept.


• Donations AND blog posts must be made before midnight on April 20th so we can announce the winners in the 100th post.


• Four winners will be randomly selected. Since we're a diverse group, prizes will be selected for each winner. (Non-knitters don't want yarn, for example.) We have a really cute plan for selecting the winners, but you'll just have to come back to see what that is!


• Any questions? Contact one of the moderators - Natalie, Nichole, Sue or Chan.

Let's make this fun! Get creative when you document your donations. We want to make sure dogs all over know about Dogs on Thursday and the good people involved in it.

Happy Dogs on Thursday to you!

A Friend In Need

It's Dogs On Thursday again. We have some new members to greet this week. Gwen and her big dog Faith, Ruth and her baby Misty, Elaine and her fur baby Patrick, Mo and her co-writers Murphy and Dolby and Renna and her little ones Leyna and Pepper. Everyone drop by and give them a big welcome to DOT.

We all have dogs that are members of our families, but do we know what to do in an emergency? Are we prepared to help if they suddenly become sick or injured? What if there's a natural disaster? Dogs, like children, seem to get sick on holidays, weekends or during the night when veterinary help may be hard to find. We need to be able to stabilize them until we can reach medical help.


Do you know how to take the animal's temperature? What is a normal temperature? How to give medicine, both tablets and liquid? How to create a makeshift muzzle? Can you recognize the signs of poisoning or shock?
The American Red Cross has a book available on their website called 'Dog First Aid', It sells for $16.95. There's also one for cats. The Red Cross also gives pet first aid classes. Contact your local chapter to see when they are scheduled in your area. Some dog training groups and breed groups sponsor first aid classes. Also some vets offer classes. A good place to start is with your vet. He or she may know what classes are available in your area.


Keep the phone numbers of your vet, the nearest emergency vet and poison control posted where you can find them quickly. The time it takes to look them up in the phone book can make the difference between life and death.

Until Samba became pregnant, my first aid supplies were scattered all over the house. Then I realized that in an emergency I'd be wasting precious time running around looking for things. I put everything in one plastic box with a lid and a handle. Now I can grab it quickly and even stick it in the car when we travel.

You can find information online about what items you need in a canine first aid kit. Dog Owners Guide, An Online Magazine for All Pet Owners has a good list. I asked Dr Nicki to give me a list and here's what she came up with.
Gauze
Triple antibiotic ointment
Betadine or iodine solution for cleaning wounds
Eye wash ( a sterile saline solution)
Telfa pads (non-adhesive dressing)
Benadryl ( 1 mg per lb every 8 hours)
Cortisone cream
Bandage tape
Hydrogen peroxide (1/4 - 1/3 cup will usually induce vomiting)

Can of i/d (withholding food for 24 hours then offering i/d is probably more effective in mild GI cases than Pepto or other OTC meds)

Scissors
Vetwrap
Muzzle
Hemostats
Thermometer
Nail trimmers and styptic powder
The pet's records

She also offered this advice: "Although it's appropriate to clean and lightly bandage a wound before seeking help, I generally don't recommend anyone try to apply a heavy bandage or splint without special training as more damage than good can be done with too tight a wrap - even caution must be used with vetwrap. I also wouldn't advocate giving aspirin as it can have adverse effects if given with some of the meds the vet might want to use. Also it might mask the pain and not allow the owner to realize there may be a serious problem."

Another situation that too many of us have been in is a natural disaster. Are you ready for a tornado, hurricane, flood, fire, earthquake? Have your pets been tattooed or microchipped for identification in case they become separated from you? You'll need your first aid kit, but there are some additional items you want to think about.
Extra leashes
Bottled water for several days
Enough food for several days
Their meds for several days
Copies of their vaccination records, license, health records in a zip lock bag
Blankets
Extra crate if the animal is small


Be prepared to help yourself, your family and your pets in an emergency. Planning ahead can save their lives.

DogTown is back March 20th

Hey everyone, its Nichole here once again... bringing you this week's installment of Dogs on Thursday! Before I beging, please join me in giving a 2-paws-up welcome to our newest member Rose!

This week is all about one of my personal favorite shows, DogTown on the NatGeo channel. I was very excited when DOT received the following press release and wanted to share it with all of you. The new episodes are slated to start next Friday, March 20th. I just can not wait to see the updates on the Vicktory Dogs... and yes, I do believe that Miss Ellen DeGeneres has stollen my quote! hee hee

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“One of My Favorite TV Shows!”
― Ellen DeGeneres

A SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL’S HIT SERIES DOGTOWN FOLLOWS DESPERATE DOGS AND THEIR DEDICATED CAREGIVERS

Misfit and Traumatized Dogs; Puppy Mill Rescues; War-Zone Trauma Cases;
Lovable But Leaky Bladders ― Are All Transformed Into Adoptable Pets

10 New Episodes Begin Friday, March 20, 2009, at 10 PM ET/PT

(WASHINGTON, D.C. — MARCH 2, 2009) National Geographic Channel’s hit series DogTown is back with 10 new episodes following the transformation of rejected, misfit dogs into adoptable pets with a second chance at life.

Last season, viewers watched the amazing rehabilitation of the Michael Vick dogs at Dogtown, the last-hope shelter that’s part of the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, the largest facility for homeless animals in the country. Here, dedicated vets, caregivers and trainers tackle cases most deem too difficult. “It just takes a lot of patience, a lot of TLC ... and a pocket full of chicken!” says dog care manager and trainer John Garcia.

Starting Friday, March 20 at 10 p.m. ET/PT, meet some of DogTown’s most challenging cases yet — Aristotle, a scab-covered terrier mix rescued from a hoarding situation; Waylon, an aggressive chow mix who lashes out unpredictably; Rush, a traumatized shepherd mix airlifted from a Middle Eastern war zone; and Gertie, a bulgy-eyed puppy mill shih tzu who snorts. Plus, later this season we’ll see how the Michael Vick dogs are progressing. On the front lines along with Garcia are dog care manager Michelle Besmehn; veterinarians Dr. Michael Dix and Dr. Patti Iampietro; and trainers Sherry Woodard, Pat Whitacre and Ann Allums.

It’s the series that has won the hearts of animal lovers everywhere, including Ellen DeGeneres, who calls it one of her favorite shows and tells viewers, “You have to please, PLEASE watch this show!” DogTown has also been nominated for a 2009 Genesis® Award as best “Unscripted Television Series” for the Michael Vick Dogs episode.

New episodes this season include:

Dogtown: The Survivors
Friday, March 20, 2009 at 10 PM ET/PT
Aristotle, a terrier mix rescued from a hoarding situation, comes to Dogtown with a skin condition that is one of the worst cases Dr. Mike Dix has ever seen. His hair has fallen out and his skin is covered in scabs. But with special meds and extra care, watch this shy puppy transform into a “bouncing not-itching monkey” with a bright future. Then, behavior consultant Sherry Woodard rescues eight beagles from euthanasia. While most of the pooches are healthy, one, named Electra, has a potentially fatal illness caused by parasitic worms. Later, an aggressive chow mix named Waylon lashes out unpredictably, but trainer Pat Whitacre is hoping to find an endearing personality waiting to come out.

Dogtown: Against the Odds
Friday, March 27, 2009 at 10 PM ET/PT
Dog care manager Michelle Besmehn travels to Los Angeles to rescue several older dogs from an overcrowded puppy mill. Many have severe medical issues and haven’t seen a vet before. One younger dog, a Chihuahua named Mei Mei, likely spent her life in a cage, and needs Michelle’s training to become house-trained; and Gertie, a bulgy-eyed shih tzu, requires the right home for her special needs. Then, Charro, an adult Lab mix with a persistent cough, is rescued from a neglectful home by an animal welfare group. Dr. Mike performs a risky lung surgery on Charro that he’s never done before.

Dogtown: Starting Over
Friday, April 3, 2009 at 10 PM ET/PT
Two homeless dogs named Haley and Hana are rescued from an underground cave in Ethiopia, where it is believed they survived for more than two months after being dumped there by locals. Can behavior consultant Sherry Woodard help the street dogs overcome their fears and improve their social skills in order to take on a domestic world? Hugo, a 100-pound bloodhound, is returned to Dogtown after seriously biting a family member. Trainer Pat Whitacre teaches him a safer way to interact. And a golden retriever, Ava, has just arrived with a paw ripped apart by a coyote trap. Dr. Patti Iampietro will take a chance and remove just two of Ava’s toes in an attempt to save the leg. Will this playful dog get back her full and active life?

Dogtown: New Hope
Friday, April 10, 2009 at 10 PM ET/PT
Rush, a shepherd mix airlifted from a Middle East war zone, is withdrawn and frightened of loud noises — a suspected canine case of post-traumatic stress. After being bitten by the dog, trainer John Garcia begins to work with Rush so that he can teach him to trust. Then, adoption specialist Kristi Litrell meets a rejected beagle named Jasmine who stumbles when she walks and can’t control her bladder. Kristi test-drives a possible solution — doggy diapers. And Scruffy, a terrier mix, managed to survive Hurricane Katrina but is now petrified of new situations, from walking through doorways and onto floor surfaces to getting into cars.

Dogtown: A Fighting Chance
Friday, April 17, 2009 at 10 PM ET/PT
Music star Emmylou Harris calls for help with a vicious shepherd mix named Gunnar, leaving animal behavior specialist Sherry Woodard only a few days to come up with a plan to overcome his aggression. Theresa, an abandoned pit bull, has a mysterious mass in her belly. The dog has a history of skin cancer, so vet Dr. Patti Iampietro must do exploratory surgery to see if the cancer has spread internally. The unlikely combination of boisterous trainer John Garcia and painfully shy Little Girl proves rewarding for both, as John teaches the Catahoula leopard dog mix to trust the world — one person at a time.

DogTown is produced by National Geographic Television for the National Geographic Channel. For National Geographic Television, executive producer is Kim Woodard, and series producer is Darcy Dennett. For the National Geographic Channel, executive producer is Chris Valentini, senior vice president, production and development is Juliet Blake and executive vice president of content is Steve Burns.

Dogtown, a shelter for lost canine souls, is part of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, one of the largest no-kill animal facilities in the country. Located on 33,000 acres of southern Utah canyon country, the sanctuary hosts hundreds of dogs from all around the country, along with cats, horses, rabbits, goats and various other farm animals — about 2,000 animals at any one time. For the animals that find a home here, a huge staff oversees their every need — including medical attention, training and rehabilitation — with the eventual hope of placing as many as possible with loving owners. Dogtown is often the last hope for dogs requiring specialized or urgent medical attention or for abused and neglected animals.

Germs, Germs, Gersms, who's to blame.

Sorry today's post is a bit late. I hope everyone has been having a great week and your pups are all getting loads of love. Today's post is actually by Yvonne of Purlin Goldens. Enjoy!

Gnat

Many, or most, of us who closely share our lives with our dogs, wonder at one time or another about germs being passed back and forth between us and our canine friends. We share living spaces, utensils, flatware, dishes; sometimes food or drink. Don’t tell me your dog never drank out of your glass or licked your ice cream cone, by accident or by design. They ‘never’ get on the sofa or the bed or ride in our car. Ha! Our less “canine enamored” friends and family think we are nuts for having such close living arrangements. Nevertheless, we share our lives with our dogs and thus share the germs.

This article from ScienceDaily (Jan. 30, 2009) brings the subject into a totally different perspective. I thought I would share it and would enjoy your thoughts and comments.

Have a great Dogs On Thursday.

Dog Owners More Likely To Share Germs With Pets By Not Washing Hands Than By Sleeping With Dog

ScienceDaily (Jan. 30, 2009) — Dog owners who sleep with their pet or permit licks on the face are in good company. Surveys show that more than half of owners bond with their pets in these ways.

Research done by a veterinarian at Kansas State University found that these dog owners are no more likely to share the same strains of E. coli bacteria with their pets than are other dog owners.

Dr. Kate Stenske, a clinical assistant professor at K-State’s College of Veterinary Medicine, studied this association as part of her doctoral research at the University of Tennessee. The research is scheduled to appear in an upcoming issue of the American Journal of Veterinary Research.

Stenske said the finding that these human-animal bonding behaviors aren’t more likely to spread germs is good news because there are physical and psychological benefits of pet ownership.

“I became interested in the topic because there is such a strong bond between dogs and their owners,” Stenske said. “If you look at one study, 84 percent of people say their dog is like a child to them.”

Stenske said surveys also show that nearly half of all dog owners share food with their dogs, and more than half allow the dog to sleep in the bed and lick them on the face.

“We also know diseases can be shared between dogs and people,” Stenske said. “About 75 percent of emerging diseases are zoonotic, meaning they are transferrable between humans and other animals. With these two pieces of knowledge, I wanted to examine the public health aspects of such activities.”

Stenske’s study centered on E. coli bacteria, which is common in the gastrointestinal tracts of both dogs and humans.

“People have it, dogs have it, and it normally doesn’t cause any problems,” she said. “But it can acquire genes to make it antibiotic resistant.”

The study examined fecal samples from dogs and their owners and looked at the bacteria’s DNA fingerprints. Stenske found that 10 percent of dog-human pairs shared the same E. coli strains. She also found that the E. coli had more resistance to common antibiotics than expected, although the owners had more multiple-drug resistant strains than their pets.

“This make us think that dogs are not likely to spread multiple drug-resistant E. coli to their owners, but perhaps owners may spread them to their dogs,” Stenske said. “What we learn from this is that antibiotics really do affect the bacteria within our gastrointestinal tract, and we should only take them when we really need to -- and always finish the entire prescription as directed.”

The research showed that bonding behaviors like sharing the bed or allowing licks on the face had no association to an increase in shared E. coli. However, Stenske said the research did show an association between antibiotic-resistant E. coli and owners who didn’t wash their hands after petting their dogs or before cooking meals.

“We should use common sense and practice good general hygiene,” she said.

From: Kansas State University. http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2009/01/

090127131652.htm

Yvonne