Reduce the Attention – Your pet is used to being the center of attention. If a pet is demanding, nudges, paws, or barks for attention, he could injure or frighten the baby. Get him used to sharing you.

The Baby’s Room – Before the baby comes, let him spend time in the room while you set up the crib, etc. Teach him to lie down in a specific place; if he doesn’t, remove him from the room and try again later. If the room is off limits, install a barrier/gate or a screen door, allowing him to see and hear what’s happening.

Check Up & Groom – Visit the vet for a routine exam and vaccinations. Make sure nails are trimmed and edges smoothed before the baby comes home.

Obedience – Your dog should respond to verbal commands (sit, stay, place, etc.) and remain calm when sitting next to you. Practice walking “nice” on a leash when pushing a stroller, in noisy, hectic and new situations. NO jumping on people, furniture, the baby’s crib or changing table; NO play-biting, this can cause serious injury.

Crate Training & Doggie Sitter – Crates provide a safe haven and a place that he can call his own; never crate more than a few hours. Establish a private spot for your dog; stock it with his favorite toys, blanket, food and water. Make plans for a “doggie” sitter; a friend/family member is perfect during the birthing time.

Sights, Smells and Sounds – Using a controlled process, expose your dog to as many babies as possible. Babies look, smell, sound and move differently than big humans. Use treats, toys and positive reinforcement to encourage good behavior. A doll can help them get used to the real thing; take a stroller when you walk your dog; sprinkle baby powder or baby oil on your skin to introduce new smells. Before the baby comes home from the hospital, bring home a blanket they have been wrapped in and present it to your dog. Let him smell it completely. After the blanket is received with good behavior have him “sit” and give praise/treats. Use your baby’s name often, socialize your dog, play a recording of baby sounds, toys, mobiles, etc.

Bringing the Baby Home – Have a neutral person carry the baby into the house while you do your normal “greeting,” and keep it brief and calm. Use a leash for better control during the first few encounters. It’s important that “new baby” and “first baby” have a chance to bond. Introduce him to the newest member of the family by holding the baby in your lap; let the dog “smell” but not touch the baby, and be careful that the dog does not nudge or paw the baby. If he misbehaves, remove him from the area, calmly and without emotion, and try again later.

Tending to the Baby – Don’t exclude your dog; instead, let him be part of the activity, allowing him to sit next to you while you are feeding or bathing. Never allow him to sleep or lie under the crib or cradle as they can easily be knocked down. Never leave your dog alone with your baby, make sure that they are supervised at all times.

Play Time – Reserve one-on-one doggie play time; incorporate the new baby at the end of that time. It’s important your dog maintains his position in the “pack.” It’s no longer the same, but he is still a member of the pack.

Remember that no matter how much you plan ahead, the addition of a new family member may be difficult for your pet so please remember patience and love go hand in hand!

•  Always check websites like petswelcome.com or pettravel.com before leaving to make sure your hotel accepts pets, and call the hotel to check on any restrictions or fees.

•  Make sure you keep a list of Emergency Veterinary Clinics in the areas you will be traveling.

•  Rabies vaccinations are a must and required for all travel local and abroad. Check with your vet for the complete range of vaccinations required, and of course, check with the airline and country that you might be visiting.

•  Unfortunately, if you’re not traveling by car, domestic travel in the US is problematic. While some local transportation businesses may allow pets, Amtrak and Greyhound buses do not.

•  Car trips can be hazardous to your pet. A sudden stop, or accident can send your pet flying, if they are sitting on your lap or seat. There are special harnesses for dogs like seatbelts, and a cat-carrier can always be used to transport your cat safely.

•  Some dogs and cats do not travel well in a car. Consider speaking with your vet about sedatives. If your pet gets car sick, consider travel-sickness pills. Check with your vet for recommendations and dosage.

•  There have been too many incidents of cats and dogs suffering from heatstroke after being left in a hot car. Leave at least two windows (for cross draft) open slightly to provide fresh air. However, we strongly recommend that you do not leave animals in the car in hot climates or during the warmer months, as even a short time in a hot vehicle can be injurious to your pet.

The Fourth of July and Your Pet

July 4th is filled with barbeques, loud music, and most of all, fireworks. As with every family gathering, your pet will want to take part! It is important to keep in mind that the festivities can present dangerous and stressful situations for your pet.

•  Resist the urge to take your pet to fireworks displays. This may sound like fun, but the loud noises and bright lights may aggravate even the most stable of pets.

•  If you know your pet is stressed by loud noises like thunder, consult your veterinarian for ways to help alleviate the fear and anxiety they experience during fireworks displays. Keep your pets indoors at home in a sheltered, quiet area. Leave a television or radio playing at normal volume to keep them company while you’re attending picnics or parades.

“This is the third year we have offered Friday night hours, which give some cooler hours of the day to attend the event, ” said Christine Gossett, co-director for the Dog Days of Denton Celebration.  “We also plan to have an expanded Invisible Fence of Greater Dallas Cool Zone area with misters and fans, offering a relaxing rest area for attendees.”

The celebration features the same traditional fun both Friday night and Saturday, with some activities and contests featured on Friday or Saturday only.  Attendees can see presentations about various breeds and pet care tips throughout the weekend, as well as “dancing with the dogs” performances by T.C. Cappel.  In the north field there will be dog’n disc demonstrations both days.  The “Heinz 57” Contest will be on Friday night this year, with several fun categories for any pooch to compete for curliest tail to longest tongues.  The “Glamfur” photos, arts/crafts booths, pet care information and adoptions, festival foods and more will also be featured both days.

Saturday’s schedule includes a Canine Couture Fashion Parade, more “dancing with the dogs” demonstrations, presentations, and the traditional canine contests like Pet Tricks, Dog Singing between the hours of 8:30 am and 2 pm.  Attendees can also try their dog’s skills on the agility course with a $5 donation on Saturday between 8:30 am and noon.  For spokesdog pageant entry guidelines and a complete schedule for contests, entertainment, agility course, dog ‘n disc and dancing demonstrations, please visit the website www.dogdaysdenton.com.

The celebration will be held in the north end of Quakertown Park at 321 E. McKinney Street in downtown Denton.  This year attendees are encouraged to bring pet food donations and/or gently used pet crates to donate to the City of Denton Animal Shelter. Please drop off donations at the City of Denton trailer.  General admission to the event is free.  Friendly, non-aggressive dogs are welcome, and it is required that ALL dogs be kept on a leash and controlled by their owners. Owners are responsible for their dogs’ behavior and must have current vaccinations.

Dog Days of Denton is made possible by the generous support of presenting sponsors Denton Record-Chronicle, Denton County Animal ER, Invisible Fence of Greater Dallas, City of Denton, Petco, with the support of Beau’s Bath House and Doggie Spa and Southridge Animal Hospital. Dog Days of Denton is a not for profit 501 (c) (3) organization.  For pet-friendly overnight accommodations, please check the www.dogdaysdenton.com website or call the visitor hotline toll-free at 866/DENTONTX or visit www.discoverdenton.com. Dog Days of Denton – where fun and responsible pet ownership and care come together.

What is Thermal Imaging?  Simply stated, Equine Thermography is a non-contacting tool that measures surface heat patterns on the body of the horse and produces a picture; a wonderfully bright colored picture, using an infrared imaging and measurement camera to “see” and “measure” thermal energy that is emitted from the animal.Thermal, or infrared energy, is light that is not visible because its wavelength is too long to be detected by the human eye; it’s the part of the electromagnetic spectrum that we perceive as heat. Unlike visible light, in the infrared world, everything with a temperature above absolute zero emits heat.   Infrared allows us to see what our eyes cannot.

The purpose of using thermal imaging in equine diagnosis is to pinpoint problems that may not always be indicated with other diagnostic tools. Additionally, many lameness issues can be diagnosed before any clinical signs are even apparent. For example, an ill fitted saddle can cause problems that may not be evident until damage is done to the horses back, shoulders, hips and legs. Horse saddle scans of the underside the horses back can help discover hot areas that lead to kissing spine or other suspensory problems.

Since animals can’t speak, it has been very difficult for owners and caretakers to truly identify hidden or masked conditions.  Before Equine Thermography, locating a horse’s health problem might have been limited to observation or palpation, but with Equine Thermography, an abnormality can show tissue that’s stressed before the affected tissue becomes damaged.

Applications
•  Localize hoof stress, bruising & abscess
•  See patterns of saddle fit and rider balance
•  Earlier recognition of training stress & injury
•  Clues to pain source

Benefits
•  Non-Invasive and completely safe (no harmful radiation)
•  Time Efficient – About 20-30 minutes for a full horse scan
•  Scans can be done at your location, you won’t have to trailer
the horse

Preventative Use
•  Great tool for pre purchase exams to confirm there are no “hidden”
problems
•  Check saddle fitting and rider balance
•  Monitoring horses in training to identify stressed areas that could cause potential injuries

Diagnostic
•  Identify damaged tendons, ligaments, Navicular, laminitis and the source of
non-pecific lameness
•  Musculoskeletal injuries
•  Locate the source of miscellaneous strains, sprains and injuries

Speed of action is increasingly important in the equine world these days. The ability to obtain vital information quickly; to actually “see” problems in their early stages, has proven to be a tremendous asset. The quality of thermal imaging cameras has reached the point where they can determine less that a 1/10th of a degree temperature difference on a surface such as a horses body.

Thermal images can help determine pathology and other conditions that can adversely affect your horse’s equine health. Thermography is used in conjunction with a veterinary exam and other imaging tools to determine overall health and health issues.

Denton Animal Shelter Foundation, Inc. (DASF) announced that the total funds raised toward the new Linda McNatt Animal Care and Adoption Center has reached $1.0 million.  “We are halfway to our capital campaign goal of $2.0 million,” said Bette Sherman, DASF Chairman and Co-Founder, “which is a significant accomplishment.”  The foundation must raise all of their goal before construction can begin on the new Denton facility.

Recently, Jim McNatt of Corinth gave DASF a $500,000 donation to name the new building in honor of his wife, Linda, which brought total donations up to over $900,000.  Then, an additional $100,000 donation was made by Don and Nancy Reed to name the Cat Adoption Room in memory of Nancy’s mother.  The Reed’s donation placed DASF over the $1.0 million mark.

The city has informally committed $3.0 million toward the project if DASF can raise the additional $2.0 million.  A target date has been set for January, 2012, to begin the construction process.  The new city facility would house Denton Animal Control as well as the adoption and care center funded by DASF.   Volunteers would continue to staff the adoption areas.

The current shelter at 300 Woodrow Lane was built in 1979 in a flood plain.  It will handle over 4,600 abandoned and abused pets in 2010 with a maximum capacity of 114 animals.  It serves Denton with two major universities, Corinth, Krum, Roanoke and all of unincorporated Denton County.  The total population served by the shelter is 250,000 people and still growing.

DASF has initiated and funded several new adoption programs, raised community awareness of the shelter, and provided volunteers.  However, further progress requires a new updated facility in an attractive location.  The city purchased six acres for the new shelter near North Lakes Park.

“The next $1.0 million will be a challenge to raise,” said Mayor Pro-Tem Pete Kamp, DASF Vice-Chairman and Co-Founder; “therefore, we are asking the community to consider this project in their holiday gift-giving.”  Tax-exempt donations can be made in honor or in memory of family, friends, business associates, pets, groups, or others.  An acknowledgment will be sent as specified by the donor.

Donations can be made online (credit cards accepted) or by mail.
For more information, or to donate:
DASF, PO Box 486, Denton 76202
www.dentonasf.com

What exactly happens when an animal is euthanized?
Your vet has special training to provide your pet a humane and gentle death. Most often, a two-step process is used. First, the pet is injected with a sedative to make him calm and comfortable, and then he is injected with a special medication that allows the animal no awareness of the end of life. The process is similar to general anesthesia, and takes about 10 to 20 seconds.

Is there a “right time” to euthanize an animal, and how will I know when that is?
If your pet has obvious episodes of suffering, it is appropriate to plan a euthanasia promptly. Sometimes your pet will continue to eat/drink in spite of pain or disorientation. If you are not sure how much your pet is suffering, keep a daily record of the good times versus bad times. Ask your vet for the exact signs of suffering likely to be associated with the condition or disease that your pet has.

Is it normal for me to feel so sad after my pet has died?
There are many forms of grief that are completely normal, just as you would mourn the loss of a human family member. Often, some pet owners feel guilty and confused about the choices they made regarding the end of their pet’s life. The most important thing to recognize is the loss of a beloved pet is a serious event, sometimes one that society does not always respect. Your first task is to take care of yourself, and make sure you get the rest and nutrition you need, even when you feel distracted, or sad. Grief is a normal process, and time really does heal.

Sometimes it helps to create a special place in your yard to which you can go when you want to remember your pet. Although remembering may be painful at first, eventually that pain will turn into sweet memories. Even though your house feels very empty, and your young children may be asking for a replacement pet right away, it is best to wait a few months before bringing home a new pet. When you’re ready, check out the pets at the Denton Animal Shelter or other rescue groups. If you find a new pet, don’t worry that it is a betrayal of the lost animal. Your ability to give a good home to a new pet is really a compliment to the previous relationship.

On Saturday, October 23rd, the North Texas State Fairgrounds will be the site of “Tails and Trails” 5K Run and 1K Pet Walk, an event that includes vendors, activities and entertainment for individuals, families and pets!  “All proceeds benefit the building fund for our new Denton Animal Care and Adoption Center,” Aleisha Mollen, Event Chairman; “and provides an opportunity for the community to come out and show support for the need for a new Denton shelter.”

Course certification and timing for the 5K is provided by Cadence Sports, Austin, TX.  The 1K Pet Walk is not timed; and owners are encouraged to bring their friendly pets.  Brian Burns will provide music from 10:00 to 11:30 am prior to the noon free live concert by Bone Doggie and His Junkyard Band.

Discounted pre-registration for the run and walk until September 30th.  The early registration fees include an event t-shirt and is $20/individual and $50/family of four.  Registration is available online at: www.dentonasf.com/5k , by mail or by calling 940-391-9626. Teams are encouraged to compete for prizes and traveling trophies in both the run and walk.  Individual prizes will also be awarded in a variety of categories for both the run and the walk.  Participants may, at their option, help raise additional funds by obtaining pledges.

Complete information on “Tails and Trails,” including the schedule, sponsors, vendors, activities and entertainment can be found online at www.dentonasf.com/5k. Admittance to the fairgrounds is free to the public from 8 am to 2 pm.  Food and other vendors, entertainment , activities and a silent auction will be available.  Low cost pet vaccinations will be provided at the event by Denton Low Cost Spay/Neuter Clinic from 10 am to noon.

“This fundraiser allows people and their pets to contribute to the new animal shelter in a variety of ways,” said Bette Sherman, DASF Chairman and Co-Founder.  “We expect the event to grow each year, providing vital ongoing funding for the Denton shelter.”   DASF is conducting a $2.0 million capital campaign to help fund the new city shelter.  The current shelter is 31 years old, out-of-date and inadequate. It serves both the city and Denton County.  “In 2009, the shelter handled almost 4,500 cats and dogs” said Sherman, “with a maximum capacity of 114 animals. Fortunately, dedicated shelter staff and volunteers, together with new DASF programs, achieved a record live exit rate,” continued Sherman. Perhaps as many as 1,300 more Denton area animals could be saved with a new shelter.

Protecting Pets in the Summer

It’s that dreaded time of year again.  Outdoor temps are climbing, moods are getting cranky, sometimes it’s too hot to even move.  Summers in North Texas can be brutal for all of us, including the animals who count on us for their care.   Keep the following tips in mind when making plans for your animal friends during this hot and steamy season.

•    Never leave an animal inside your vehicle while unattended.  Unlike humans, dogs and cats lack the ability to regulate body temperature through perspiration. A car parked in as low as 75 degrees can become a deadly trap for animals locked inside, where they can soon suffer heat exhaustion, stroke, brain damage, or death.  Cracking windows also does very little to provide relief from sweltering heat. Check out www.mydogiscool.com, a site dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers of leaving pets inside vehicles on warmer days.  There you can find out just how hot a parked car can become, download a printable flier to place on unattended vehicles with pets left inside. Note: Contact police immediately if you witness an animal in danger or child left unattended in a vehicle.

•    Always transport animals safely inside the cab of a truck, or inside a tethered kennel in the pick-up bed.  Each year countless pets are killed by riding in the back of trucks, due to flying debris, being tossed out inadvertently, or jumping out on their own.  Each year, local animal groups, newspapers, lost pet websites, and animal controls are contacted by those who have lost animals because they were thrown or bolted from the back of a truck.  In warm months, restrict animal transportation to the inside of cabs only, as a pick-up bed can become dangerously hot in a hurry.

•    Many dogs are terrified in thunderstorms and by July 4th fireworks.  Leave animals at home when attending summer celebrations, and whenever possible, bring them indoors when neighborhood fireworks and summer storms explode.

•    Lawn fertilizers and insecticides can be fatal for pets and children.  Take extreme caution when using them in your yard.  Also, there are over 700 plant varieties that can be toxic to animals and children.  To find a complete list, visit www.aspca.org.

•    Whether indoors or out, make sure animals have access to plenty of water, and change several times a day.  When possible, keep pets indoors.  If your animals must be kept outside, make sure to provide constant shade, as well as bowls of water and food that will not tip over.  While exercise remains important, limit daily walks and play sessions to early morning or evening hours.  In days of extreme heat, skip outdoor activities.  Apply sunscreen on light-colored ear tips and noses, and never have coats clipped shorter than one inch.  Cutting fur too short can lead to sunburn and overheating.

•    Most animal bites occur in summer months.  Spay or neuter pets to reduce negative behavior, such as aggression and anxiety, and to help prevent thousands of unwanted litters born each year.   For information about low cost spay/neuter, call the Denton Humane Society at 940-382-PETS.  The incidence of rabies rises in summer months, too., so make sure pets are current on vaccines.  Heartworm is spread through mosquito bites, which increase in summer as well.  Keep animals on heartworm preventative to keep this potentially fatal disease at bay.  Summertime is also flea season.  Maintain your animal’s health and comfort by using a flea/tick control product recommended by your vet.  Always make sure your pet has a collar and ID tag, or have your vet implant a microchip, to insure your pet can be found in the case she becomes lost.

•    Use caution when exposing pets to pools and lakes.  Don’t assume your dog will automatically know how to exit the pool if he happens to go in.  Teach him where the steps are and never leave him unattended.  When boating with your dog, always use a canine lifejacket.

•    Make yourself aware of the signs of heatstroke and know what to do if your pet is in danger.  According to www.peteducation.com, signs of a heatstroke include:  panting, bright red tongue, slobbering, thick and sticky saliva, depression, weakness, reluctance to move, convulsions, eventual death.   If you see any of these signs, it is vital to lower your pet’s body temperature immediately:  move your pet to the shade or air conditioning, place wet towels on his body (on head, neck, and chest only), provide cool (not cold) water and allow him to drink in small amounts, offer ice in small amounts for him to lick, and call your vet immediately.

Of all the reasons for not going out to your local animal shelter and adopting a new pet this weekend, your household budget constraints should be the last thing to get in the way of finding your furry forever friend.

While it is true that the recession and rising unemployment have placed a burden on animal rescue programs and shelters, for the average household, having a pet does not have to be as costly as a  trip to the mall or a daily Starbucks run.

If you’re a bottom-line consumer, consider this:
Annual costs for a small dog average around $420, medium $620 and large $780.  Annual cost for a cat is about $545.  With millions of adoptable animals available, there is no need to pay a breeder.  Be a hero instead – check with the Denton Humane Society about adoption fees at dentonhumanesociety.org.  They can also help you with low-cost spaying/neutering options.

Annual vet visits are a must, along with heartworm and flea prevention.  Many people spend extra on treats, training and toys.  But just as your family has had to cut back on some luxuries,  your pooch can probably live without that rhinestone-studded collar.  Never skimp on an animal’s basic needs, but dogs and cats require no more each day than food, clean fresh water, exercise and interaction with you.  Dry food is fine for Daisy, and in fact it is recommended that you limit people food to avoid vitamin and mineral imbalances, bone and teeth problems, obesity and plain-old pickiness.

Frequent brushing will reduce shedding and cut down on kitty hairballs.  Teeth cleaning can be done once a week with baking soda and water using a child’s soft toothbrush or nylon pantyhose stretched over your finger.  Your animal friend needs a clean, dry place to sleep with bedding that is washed regularly.  Spoiling and ear-scratching is completely optional.

Benefits of pet ownership are many.  Petting an animal can lower stress levels and promote a healthy sense of well-being.  During these economic struggles we are facing, it is good for your mental health and stability to have a pet around for love, companionship and stress-reducing qualities. Pets can decrease your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels, and feelings of loneliness.  They increase your opportunities for exercise and outdoor activities, and chances for socialization.  The affection and companionship of your dog or cat can take the place of bar-hopping, mate-chasing and assorted other expensive pursuits.  No need to join a gym, drive, park and climb on a treadmill when you can just grab a leash and take Buddy out for a walk. Cat couture and doggie divas may be all the rage in L.A., but here in Texas, you can tie on a bandanna and take Max to the park for free.

A lazy Sunday afternoon with a good book and a purring cat on the couch is much cheaper than an hour with a therapist.  Investing in a pet will guarantee greater returns than Wall Street ever could.   The price per lick is minimal, and having a furry pal to come home to at the end of the day is truly priceless.

2010 is here, and Old Man Winter has shown up in full force.  Don’t forget animal friends who depend on us to meet their needs for survival.  The Denton Humane Society and other animal rescue groups advocate indoor homes are better for pets and their people.  When included as part of a household, pets almost always prove to be happier and healthier, are better behaved, and both owners and pets enjoy relationships that are more rewarding.   Winter winds in North Texas are brutal for animals left outside, add to those dropping temperatures and a wet climate, and outdoor animals face a severe and bitter reality.

For pets who are kept outdoors, extra precautions must be taken to make their environment is as safe as possible.  Provide adequate shelter, which includes an insulated structure that has a firm ceiling, four walls, and is several inches off the ground.   Make sure the opening is one that will allow the animal access while keeping the space fully covered.  Fill with hay or cedar chips, and place in a sheltered area with the entrance facing away from the wind.  Keep water fresh and change several times daily to prevent freezing, or provide a heated bowl with a warming device, sold at pet stores.  According to the Humane Society of the United States, animals who are kept outside often need more food and water to sustain energy levels needed to stay warm.  Check with your veterinarian about the appropriate diet for outdoor animals in winter.  Keep food and water in plastic bowls.  Metal bowls can freeze and cause serious damage your animal’s mouth and tongue.  Don’t forget to provide shelter for horses and livestock in winter, too.  Make sure their water does not freeze, and supply a shelter that will allow animals to escape heavy snow, ice or rain, as well as severe winds.

Keep your environment free of dangerous toxins that are commonly used in winter.  Anti-freeze is a green liquid that is sweet-tasting and attractive to pets.  It is also a major cause of death in animals every year.  Keep driveways and garage floors clean from spills, or consider using propylene glycol in vehicles, which is a coolant/anti-freeze that is less toxic when swallowed by pets or wildlife.  Be careful about salt and sand used on the roads when conditions are icy.  These can burn and damage paws, so be sure to wipe your pet’s feet after walking in snow or ice.

If animals have access to your vehicles, be careful to check under your hood before turning the ignition each day.  Cats are especially drawn to engines as warm hiding places, and may crawl inside and stay for hours or even overnight.   Every year many cats are injured or killed when motors start and they are caught inside.  Tap on the hood before starting the car, and open if you hear something unexpected.

Help control the problem of animal over-population by having your pet spayed/neutered this winter.  Mating season will be in full swing in the spring, so get a head-start on decreasing the massive numbers of unwanted dogs and cats born each year.  For information on low cost spay/neuter, contact Texas Coalition for Animal Protection at www.texasforthem.org or The Denton Humane Society at www.dentonhumanesociety.org

During this economic downturn, charity groups are feeling the pinch.  2010 promises to be a challenge in terms of meeting the needs faced by animals in Denton County.  According to the Denton Humane Society, current donations are drastically down, while the need for assistance is greatly increased.  This is true for animal rescue groups nationwide.  If you have a little extra to give, donations by way of money, food, and supplies are greatly appreciated.

Mahatma Gandhi once said “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”  Let’s help care for the animals of Denton County this winter, and make a difference in the lives of our fellow furry citizens!