Ten Tips on Coping with Pet Loss

by Moira Anderson Allen, M.Ed.

Anyone who considers a pet a beloved friend, companion, or family member knows the intense pain that accompanies the loss of that friend. Following are some tips on coping with that grief, and with the difficult decisions one faces upon the loss of a pet.

1. Am I crazy to hurt so much? Intense grief over the loss of a pet is normal and natural. Don't let anyone tell you that it's silly, crazy, or overly sentimental to grieve!

During the years you spent with your pet (even if they were few), it became a significant and constant part of your life. It was a source of comfort and companionship, of unconditional love and acceptance, of fun and joy. So don't be surprised if you feel devastated by the loss of such a relationship.

People who don't understand the pet/owner bond may not understand your pain. All that matters, however, is how you feel. Don't let others dictate your feelings: They are valid, and may be extremely painful. But remember, you are not alone: Thousands of pet owners have gone through the same feelings.

2. What Can I Expect to Feel?

 Read more....... http://www.pet-loss.net/

ABC News' Dan Harris and Natasha Singh report:

A Connecticut shelter dog is being credited with saving the life of an infant who had stopped breathing.

The dog, named Duke, alerted the baby's parents that something was amiss by jumping into their bed in the middle of the night. The dog was shaking uncontrollably.

"He's insanely obedient so this was extremely bizarre," Jenna Brousseau, speaking in an interview with WFSB-TV, said of Duke's Oct. 7 behavior.

She and her husband decided to check on their daughter, 9-week-old Harper. They found that she wasn't breathing.

"My husband called 911 and the ambulance came here and it was because of our Dukie dog, who alerted us," Brousseau of Portland, Conn., said, according to WFSB-TV. "If Duke hadn't, you know, been so scared, then we would have just gone to sleep."

Doctors aren't sure what caused Harper to stop breathing, but have said it could possibly have been because of acid reflux.

The Brousseaus adopted Duke from a shelter six years ago.

"He's the perfect dog," Brousseau said. "He was meant to be ours, and meant to be hers."

Harper is apparently doing well now.

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/connecticut-shelter-dog-returns-favor-saving-baby-122121822--abc-news-topstories.html

Research shows that much of a dog's personality is determined by its genes.

Published on April 17, 2013 by Stanley Coren, Ph.D., F.R.S.C. in Canine Corner

Psychologists use the word “personality” to mean those characteristics a person displays that allow us to predict how they will behave, react and feel in various situations. Some scientists, however, are uncomfortable about using the word personality when talking about non-human animals. They use the word “temperament” instead. Although the average person will see little difference between the two terms, using a different label allows the scientist to suggest that there are still significant qualitative differences between the behaviours of people and animals.

But what is personality? What leads to personality differences among breeds? What leads to differences in personality even among individuals within the same breed? Biology teaches us that there are two main ingredients that contribute to making all of us what we are: genetics (“nature”) and the environment (“nurture”). In dogs a large proportion of their personality is due to their inherited genes.

Consider, for example, the group of breeds that we call Spaniels. Most dog breeds are named after the place that they originated or the person who created the breed. Spaniels are named after Spain (español) yet none of the Spaniel breeds were created there. So where does the name come from? One aspect of the behavior of Spaniels that particularly impressed people who encountered these dogs was their temperament. In general members of the Spaniel breeds are much friendlier and more "kissy-faced" than many other breeds. At the time these breeds were first becoming well known, it was believed that the greatest lovers and most romantic people in the world were the Spanish. So to highlight that loving temperament, which is a genetically transmitted aspect of all of these breeds, these dogs were given a label recognizing what was perceived as their Spanish temperament, if not their actual Spanish origin.

 Of course the case in Spaniels deals with popular ....read more

Adoptions at Mall-based Stores ExpandA new concept in pet adoption brings rescued dogs and cats to a store located in an upscale mall in the Los Angeles area.

http://www.dogchannel.com/dog-news/2013/05/15/adoptions-at-mall-based-pet-stores-expand.aspx

The staff of DogChannel.com and DOG FANCY magazine got a sneak peek today at the new Los Angeles-area location of Adopt & Shop, a new concept in adoption in which rescued dogs and cats are made available at a store located in an upscale mall.

Building on the success of the first Adopt & Shop, which opened in 2011 at Lakewood Center Mall in Lakewood, Calif., the new store, in Mission Viejo, Calif., lets potential adopters shop for a pet in an upscale retail environment, while also reducing the number of animals in shelters.

"We are so excited to introduce Adopt & Shop to the Mission Viejo community,” says Aimee Gilbreath, Found Animals executive director. "By showcasing amazing shelter pets in an upscale pet store setting, we hope to encourage shoppers to adopt, rather than purchase, their new furry family member.”

Having an adoption center at a mall gives the dogs and cats more of an audience, with lots of shoppers passing by. Providing a wide array of essential pet products lets adopters leave not only with a pet but also with all the gear and food they need for their new dog or cat.

Since opening, the Lakewood store has found homes for over 1,500 cats and dogs. Both Adopt & Shop locations are not-for-profit. Proceeds from each sale directly support animal initiatives in local communities such as adoption promotions, spay and neuter surgeries and low cost veterinary services.

The new 2,300 square foot retail shop will have its grand opening on Tuesday, May 21, 2013. All of the animals at the new location come from a partnership with the Orange County Animal Care public shelter.

For more information on Adopt & Shop Mission Viejo employment and volunteer opportunities, click here.

The Found Animals Foundation is a privately-funded nonprofit organization dedicated to animal welfare issues. Led by business and medical professionals, the Foundation works directly within the animal welfare community to reduce the use of euthanasia in shelters by supporting programs including: pet adoption, spay and neuter services, pet identification, and sterilization research. For more info, please see FoundAnimals.org.

by LORIE HUSTON, DVM

Are mixed breed dogs inherently more healthy than purebred dogs? Do mixed breed dogs suffer from genetic (inherited) diseases at the same rate that purebreds do? This is a question that was recently addressed by Dr. Mary Fuller in a post entitled Mixed Mutts and Designer Crosses: Healthier than Purebred Pets? Her conclusion is no, mixed breeds, particularly the so-called “designer breeds”, may not necessarily be healthier or less likely to inherit genetic conditions than a purebred dog.

In fact, Dr. Fuller mentions a study that looked at this question more closely.

“In a five-year study of veterinary cases at the University of California-Davis, there was no difference between mixed-breed and purebred dogs in the prevalence of common inherited disorders. Even designer-bred dogs were being seen with hereditary conditions that it was assumed crossbreeding would eliminate: hip dysplasia, epilepsy, cancer, hypothyroidism, eye disorders and more.”

I do believe there is some credibility to the theory of “hybrid vigor”. However, there are mixed breeds and then there are mixed breeds. My grandmother used to refer to many of the mixed breed dogs around their neighborhood as “Heinz 57 dogs”, meaning that they had genetic makeup from many different and totally unrelated sources. Though these dogs can still have genetic disorders, that’s still a far cry from the “designer breeds” where both dogs (dam and sire), though of different breeds, are often still very highly crossbred or inbred within their breeds, concentrating the genetic makeup of those lines in their pedigrees. Obviously, the entire concept is much more complicated but, as Dr. Fuller says in her post, “If you cross a Labrador Retriever that has hip dysplasia with a Poodle that has hip dysplasia, what do you get? Chances are, a Labradoodle with hip dysplasia.”

That brings me to my next point. If you’re breeding a pet of any species responsibly (whether dog, cat, horse or other type of animal), you should be doing all you can to remove undesirable genetic traits from the gene pool. That means that you probably shouldn’t be breeding one dog with hip dysplasia to another dog with hip dysplasia anyway. This is true whether you’re breeding purebreds or “designer dogs”. Breeding for improvement means choosing animals that are good examples of the breed they represent both phenotypically (the way they look) and genotypically (their genetic makeup). It also means planning a mating between compatible animals with traits that complement or improve on each other.

Unfortunately, what is happening with “designer breeds” is not much different than what is happening with purebreds. There are too few responsible breeders and too many “backyard” breeders who see these animals as a means of making money. Worse yet, puppy mills have jumped on the “designer breed” bandwagon as well. These breeders are breeding animals that are not the best representatives of their breeds and, as a result, creating puppies (and kittens) that are genetically flawed as well. I take my hat off to responsible breeders but not so much to the others.

As Dr. Fuller (correctly) asserts in her post:

“Before breeding, all animals be tested for heritable conditions such as hip dysplasia, deafness and eye disorders, as determined by....READ MORE

Thanks to Eugenie from TTouch for sharing - really brilliant!

Pavlov: we fed the chicken on the opposite side of the road each day at 4 p.m. until the chicken’s autonomic system actually began causing the
chicken to cross the road at 4 p.m. without even questioning the “why.”

B.F. Skinner: on prior occasions when the chicken voluntarily crossed the road, this behavior was followed immediately by a reinforcing consequence.

Cesar Milan: I bullied, chased, poked, and intimidated the chicken until it raced across the road, because I am a strong leader…

Barbara Woodhouse: You just say, “Walkies” with the right accent and place a crumpet on the other side of the road…

Karen Pryor: by associating R+ with road crossing and P+ with standing
still, with a VR schedule, and offering a reward in keeping with the Premack principle, we increased the intensity and frequency of the road crossing
behavior.

Pat Miller: I look forward to the day chickens can cross the road without having their motives questioned.

Kathy Sdao: Chickens should be able to cross the road without having to earn the privilege - crossing the road in life is free!

Bill Koehler: a few well-timed pops on the choke chain and the chicken was
happy to cross the road.

Nicholas Dodman: I gave the chicken fluoxetine, sertraline, paroxetine,
carbamazepine, and azapirone and then it was happy to cross the road.

Patti Ruzzo: I crossed the road, pausing every step to spit a treat out of
my mouth like a human pez dispenser and the chicken followed along
catching the treats.

Electric Collar Advocate: whenever the chicken does not cross the road I
give it an electric shock. But do not worry, the shock is no more than you
would feel if you walked on a carpet wearing socks and it does not bother
the chicken at all. The feathers standing up and the smell of burning
flesh mean nothing. In fact, they are happier having nice clear communication
than they would be otherwise.

Yuppie: chickens are just like little people in feather jackets, and if
you love them and give them diamonds and feel sorry for them all the time,
they will be happy to cross the road for you.

Paris Hilton: Because I put it in a Gucci bag and carried it.

Shelter director: Any chickens that do not cross the road will be
euthanized for their own good, and the others we will “adopt” out tomorrow for only
$200 each. Please send us money so we can keep doing more of this
important work!

HSUS member: I do not know anything about animals, I have never been
around animals and am not really fond of animals, but we passed a law mandating
that chickens be kept without cages because animals belong only in the
wild and cannot be happy coexisting with man, so now they are walking wherever
they want.

PETA member: chickens have the right to live in world without roads. Any
chicken that lives within a hundred miles of a road is suffering an
inhumane existence and might eventually be hit by a car so we should kill it today
to ensure that it does not die tomorrow.

 "The most difficult part of getting to the top of ladder is getting through the crowd at the bottom."

  I thought this bit of history is quite interesting.


SGT . STUBBY
W AR DOG HERO !
Meet America 's first war dog, a stray Pit Bull/Terrier mix, named Stubby. He became Sgt. Stubby, was the most decorated war dog of World War I and the only dog to be promoted to sergeant through combat.

One day he appeared at Yale Field in New Haven, Connecticut; while a group of soldiers were training, stopping to make friends with soldiers as they drilled. One soldier, Corporal Robert Conroy, developed a fondness for the dog. He named him Stubby because of his short legs. When it became time for the outfit to ship out, Conroy hid Stubby on board the troop ship.  to keep the dog, the private taught him to salute his commanding officers warming their hearts to him

By: Dr. Nicholas Dodman

I was sent this some time ago and cannot find the original source although written by Dr. Nicolas Dodman. Both his books and articles are really fantastic and do visit his site below to find more articles (this one not on it) and look at what books he has written. These should all be available at Khalari. http://www.thepetdocs.com/

In the English language, we have just one word to describe the different types of love. The ancient Greeks were a bit smarter in this respect; they used different words to describe the love for a spouse, a sibling, a parent or a friend.

You have to wonder which word they used to describe the love between pets and people. We know how we feel towards our pets, but do they experience the same emotions toward us? Or is the bond simply a mixture of instinct, dependence and social role?

In short, do our pets really "love" us, as we understand it? In a word, the answer is yes, according to clinical evidence. Food does play a large role in feelings of affection between pet and owner. But dog does not live by biscuit alone – and neither does a cat's affection depend solely on treats. The mere presence and/or touch of a preferred person has been shown to reduce the heart rate of these animals – a sign of bonding. (The same is true with horses.)

Puppy Love

Like people, dogs don't simply like or love someone just because they are there. The personality of the pet and the person makes a large difference. A dominant or independent dog, for instance, is less likely to become enamored with a submissive owner. But he may become attached to someone who is a strong leader. This same person may terrify a dog that has endured hard times. A dog like this is more likely to adore a comparatively gentle owner.

In his book, Dogs Don't Lie About Love, Jeffrey Masson wrote about his relationship with three rescued dogs. Presuming that these dogs were needy, and he is a kind person, the title makes sense. These dogs very likely wear their adoring hearts on their sleeves, so to speak. In my first book, The Dog Who Loved Too Much, I wrote about a needy, hyper-attached dog with separation anxiety. It was the dog's owner who came up with the title to describe her dog's apparent, total devotion and intolerance of separation.

Some dogs do become hopelessly devoted to their owners, greeting them so exuberantly that the owner has no doubt he or she is the center of the dog's universe. But this kind of love is fawning, pathetic and, in a way, self-serving to the dog. It is certainly not a healthy sort of love.

At the other end is a very dominant, confident and independent dog. These dogs may border on indifference, and their feelings are along the lines of tolerance than attachment. They tolerate the owners simply because they are fed.

What is far better is the love in which a dog has learned to trust and respect his owner without abject humility, fear or desperate need to be around all the time. The image this brings to mind is that of a mature Labrador or golden retriever, walking beside his beloved owners, perhaps on the beach. Such dogs have enough confidence to run off and play in the ocean, but enjoy returning to the social group that is the family. This can be described as a healthy love.

Of course, there are those special bonds we have all heard about – when an owner dies, but his or her dog waits patiently for their return. Such was the case of Greyfriars Bobby, an Edinburg dog who sat by his master's grave for many years, until his death, waiting for his master's return. If that is not love, I don't know what is.

Keeping an adult dog entertained during the day when you are at work can go a long way to preventing behaviour problems, especially if combined with daily exercise and human socialization. 

As we all know, pups are busy, busy, busy and have an absolute need to chew! Here are some ideas on how to fill Kong's to give hours of chewing fun and we have put in a link at the end to another 50 Ways with Kongs on our website. I know your dogs will enjoy this, so do make the effort and remember that you can make Kong's in advance and just pop them in the freezer for easy access - Dr. Dunbar says this is called a 'Konsicle'!

 this was forwarded to us and was appartently first sent by Heather Le Plongeon and was originally sourced from a Kong newsletter in 2007


The following Kong stuffings are made with one or more human food ingredients:

CHEESY ELVIS: Combine a ripe banana, 3 spoonfuls of peanut butter, and a slice of cheese. Mix until blended well. Fill the Kong and freeze.

MONSTER MASH: Instant mashed potatoes (without the salt) — or leftover mashed potatoes from dinner — mixed with crushed dog biscuits.

DOGGIE OMLET: Combine a scrambled egg, some beef, yogurt, cheese and mashed potatoes all together

FIBER CRUNCH: Combine bran cereal with some peanut butter.

KONGSICLE JERKY POPS: The equivalent of a popsicle… Seal the small hole of the Kong toy with peanut butter. Fill to the rim with water and a pinch of bouillon (or just use chicken broth instead). Place a stick or two of beef jerky inside. Freeze. (This one gets messy in a hurry, so it’s recommended only for outdoor use.)

GOOEY CHEERIOS: Combine cheerios and peanut butter. Freeze.

FRUIT KITTY NOODLES: Mix together some dried fruit, cooked pasta, banana and dry cat food.

BANANA YOGURT: Plain yogurt and mashed bananas. (You can also add a little peanut butter or other fruits.) Then freeze it.

PEANUT BUTTER GLUE: Fill Kong 1/3rd full of dog food. Pour in melted peanut butter (after it has cooled from microwaving). Add more dog food, followed by more melted peanut butter until the Kong toy is full. Freeze until solid.

ROCK-HARD KIBBLE: Combine some of your dog’s regular food with cream cheese, which acts as a cement, keeping everything inside.

STICKY BREAD: Smear peanut butter on a piece of bread. Fold it over and stuff inside the Kong. Mix together plain yogurt with some fruits or vegetables (carrots, celery) and pour inside. Freeze. The yogurt sticks to the bread holding everything together.

APPLE PIE: Squeeze a small piece of apple into the tiny hole. Fill the Kong with a small amount of plain yogurt. Add a few slices of mashed banana, more apple, yogurt, banana. End with a slice of banana and chunk of peanut butter on the top.

CRUNCH ‘N MUNCH: Combine crumbled rice cakes and dried fruit with some cream cheese and plain croutons.

PUMPKIN PIECES: Combine some plain yogurt, canned pumpkin, and cooked rice in a small baggie. Mix well inside the bag, then snip off a corner of the bag and squeeze it into the Kong toy. Freeze.

KIBBLE-SICLE: Put a glob of peanut butter into the Kong first. Then add some dry dog food. Pour in some chicken broth. Add some more peanut butter, followed by more dry dogfood. End with another glob of peanut butter at the very top. Freeze until solid.

OLD STANDBY: Soak some of your dog’s regular food in water (or chicken broth) for a brief time before placing it inside a Kong, then freeze.
MUTT & CHEESE: Melt a cube of Velveeta cheese in the microwave, until it’s gooey — not runny. Fill the Kong toy with cooked noodles. Pour cheese over noodles.

FROZEN BONZ: Mix up some bananas, unsweetened applesauce, oatmeal, peanut butter, and plain yogurt. Freeze.

CHEEZY DELIGHT: Combine small chunks of cheese (or cheese spread) with some dry dogfood and microwave until the cheese melts. Let it cool completely, then pour into the Kong toy. Freeze thoroughly.

CARB DELIGHT: Combine some canned dogfood with pasta noodles, rice, mashed potatoes, and some of your dog’s dry dog food. Freeze.

NUT CRUNCH: Take 2-3 dog biscuits and crunch them a bit into very tiny bite-sized pieces. Add a couple spoonfuls of peanut butter. Then add a couple spoonfuls of plain yogurt. Mix in bowl until soft, but not runny. Stuff inside Kong.

BABYLICIOUS: Mix together some fat-free cream cheese, peanut butter, and either sugarfree applesauce or a jar of baby food (like bananas, carrots). Cram a solid food item into the small hole at the end of the Kong, then fill with the mixture. Seal the large hole with either more cream cheese or peanut butter.

FRUITOPIA: Combine applesauce with chunks of fruit. Freeze.

PUPPY TRAIL: Fill the Kong with some cashews (unsalted) and freeze-dried liver bits. Add some dry dog food and/or dog crushed dog biscuits and some Cheerios. Drop in a spoonful of peanut butter, followed by some dried fruit. Finally, top it off by using a piece of ravioli or tortellini to close the large opening.

RED ROVER: Smear the inside of the Kong toy with peanut butter. Put a tiny piece of apple into the small hole, then drop some more apple pieces in next. Drop in a scoop of peanut butter (or cream cheese), then drop in some dogfood or broken dog treats. Add another scoop of peanut butter (or cream cheese), then more apples. Plug the large opening with a final scoop of peanut butter (or cream cheese) and freeze.

FROZEN TUNA SALAD: Mix together well: 1 6oz can of light tuna, 2 T. plain yogurt, and 1/4 C. grated carrot. Spoon into KONG toy. Freeze. 

50 WAYS WITH A KONG

Rainbow Day Care Centre is the only facility of its kind on the West Rand. It is a community development project which provides day care services to 40 mentally and physically challenged children from Mohlakeng, Toekomsrus and Kagiso. Amongst other things, Rainbow provides the children with two nutritionally balanced meals and transportation. There are social work and rehabilitation services and a program of stimulation is being implemented for the children. As a non-profit welfare organization (003-969 NPO) Rainbow depends heavily on the generosity of individuals, organizations and corporates in order to continue helping these very special children. They invite the public to visit the centre at the JCI Transport building on Main Reef Road Randfontein. Donations are always very much needed and appreciated, either a cash donation or please speak to Mrs Tatum Solomons (Social Worker & Project Manager) with regards to their Wish List on 011 6936841 or Download document for more on Rainbow Day Care Centre or contact Mrs Tatum Solomons (Social Worker/Project Manager) on 011 693-6841 or 072 732 1059 or contact the West Rand Association for Persons with Disabilities janette@wrapd.co.za

Tel: 011 660 7964/5 www.wrapd.org.za Facebook: West Rand Association for Persons with Disabilities

To find out more about Paws for People, visit www.pawsforpeople.co.za or contact Lesley de Klerk on 082 901 8267 

or e-mail lesley.deklerk@pixie.co.za