Canine circovirus infection

As a result of the outbreak in Michigan recently many people are searching for answers. Unfortunately there are no cut and dried answers.
Circovirus is usually limited to a small number of Dogs when it does appear, and is more prevalent in Pigs and birds than any other species. Here is what the American Veterinarian Medical Association has to say about it!

Circovirus in Dogs FAQ

Saying Good-bye

When it comes time to say good-bye to a dog you have had for as many as 15 years there are no comforting words to make it Easy.
Some of these dogs protected Family members  and some provided comfort on long lonely nights. Some were great hunting or working dogs over long week-ends and some were ALL OF THE ABOVE!

     No matter what, 15 years of devotion is a long time, and  accumulates a lot of memories. When it comes time to say good-bye time seems to slow down to a crawl and watching your beloved pet slowly deteriorate to the point that they struggle to stand up and stumble to the door when they do!
   
     Walks get shorter and can easily take twice as long. The  enthusiasm for the little things is diminished along with the spark in the eye. Many new attributes will surface such as lack of hearing and sight. This leads to confusion and frustration not only from the pets point of view, but some family members as well. Young children will not always understand the changes and must be cautioned when handling the pet since snapping at morsels and snapping from minor pains can progress as the pet ages.

     Coming home to the dog at the door will become a thing of the past since the pet can barely walk. The pet had an internal clock  that set the timing for everything from when you are arriving home to diner time to walk time and time to
Go outside.
     Their will be more accidents in the floor as well as meals may not settle properly and vomiting foam or entire stomach contents will become frequent! More time will be spent trying out Senior dog food brands your pet can keep down as well as Chew. The teeth are dull at this point and dogs struggle to devour food that just a few years ago were not an issue.

   When then do you say good-bye?

Unfortunately many people drop their pet at a local shelter complaining that they can't take care of it, or create other excuses. This Animal has 0 Chance of adoption to finish out it's final years and life ends right there for that Animal. One can only expect immediate Euthanizing.

If this is your choice, Please, think twice! Do not abandon this beloved creature to a cold damp concrete floor with strange dogs yelping and strangers everywhere. This Pet has has devoted every waking moment to loving you, and you should be the last face this Animal sees. Call a Home Service or make arrangements with your local  Veterinarian, but be there with them as they crossover.

Simply Google the word "euthanizing" and links will appear in your area that can provide Euthanizing services at home or within a vet's office with a sitting area for you to spend those final moments with your best friend.


   So when is a good time to say Good-bye?

There is no good time...The "TIME" is when you say it's time. You know your pet and you know your capabilities to take care of it! The Bottom line is that there is "NO Good Time"
I have heard many different reasons for ending a dogs life. Reasons vary from the city to countryside, and from one Mans opinion to one Womans opinion.
*I have seen dogs shot on the spot for killing chickens! Something that particular dog never did until it became Mentally diminished. But that was where the owner "Drew the Line"!
*I know of a woman that had her pet Euthanized when she passed away because the dog did not cope well with strangers. The pet was Euthanized, placed at her feet, and buried with her.

      What ever "YOU" decide is best for you and your friend is, "what is best"! Don't let other people influence you, demean your motives, or shame you into something you don't want to do. Don't let them jeopardize your satifactory departure with your pet. You made your decisions for the good of you and your pet based upon your life and no one  else's.
    Use a professional service and call references to ensure All cost associated with the disposal and the medical cost are included. Get feedback from the references to see it it was a good experience at their facility or a better experience in your own home.
     In the long run you will feel better for it. You will sleep better and you will have the peace of mind knowing that you took the entire journey from beginning to end with your furry friend and it was not only Enjoyable but Memorable to the very last day! You will recover faster and be better prepared when you bump into your next Furry Friend knowing you can carry them all the way to the end!

Happy Tails.
The Time has come! Good-Bye my Love. May the Rainbow lead you to Beautiful fields with lots of room to run!

USDA licensed Puppy mills

http://www.iowavca.org/puppyMills_breeders.html

State vs USDA 

In Iowa there are 2 different definitions for "licensed commercial breeders".

1. State-licensed commercial breeders are those breeders who keep more than 3 intact breeding dogs, any combination of males and females, and sell the offspring. These breeders sell their puppies directly to the public, through ads, the internet, etc.
2. USDA Class A licensed commercial breeders are those breeders who can also sell puppies wholesale through a pet store or a broker or dealer (Class B USDA-license holder). The broker/dealer then sells the puppies to another distributor such as Hunte Corporation based in Goodman, Missouri, or to a pet store such as Petland. 

Shock Treatment to dogs is still referred to in Todays lectures in Drug and Alcohol Addiction classes.

No. 4 of Top 10 Unethical Psychological Experiments involves the use of electrical shock to dogs. This example is currently still being used as a teaching aid in Teaching Drug and Alcohol  dependency classes to point out “Learned Helplessness“. This is not a lie.
     I recently sat in on a class for Repeat offender alcohol abuse and the Instructor read this out loud to the class. I was  Appalled and nearly fell out of my chair. I even asked out loud "Are you serious"? I had to investigate it as soon as I got home and sure enough this is what I found.

In 1965, psychologists Mark Seligman and Steve Maier conducted an experiment in which three groups of dogs were placed in harnesses. Dogs from group one were released after a certain amount of time, with no harm done. Dogs from group two were paired up and leashed together, and one from each pair was given electrical shocks that could be ended by pressing a lever. Dogs from group three were also paired up and leashed together, one receiving shocks, but the shocks didn’t end when the lever was pressed. Shocks came randomly and seemed inevitable, which caused “learned helplessness,” the dogs assuming that nothing could be done about the shocks. The dogs in group three ended up displaying symptoms of clinical depression.
Later, group three dogs were placed in a box with by themselves. They were again shocked, but they could easily end the shocks by jumping out of the box. These dogs simply “gave up,” again displaying learned helplessness. The image above is a healthy pet dog in a science lab, not an animal used in experimentation.


Credit; http://listverse.com/2008/09/07/top-10-unethical-psychological-experiments/

A compilation from various individuals whom subscribe to the Facebook Page "Remember in Fort Worth when?"

 

 

Who remembers that building, in the pasture, near that big intersection?

Yep. Now a parking lot.

Now that's pretty specific!

I heard they paved paradise, to put up a parking lot. haha!!

Wasn't that down the street past the old oak tree, near the creek?

You mean the one over the hill??

Out yonder?

I remember it! It was down the street from the guy that drove the 55 Chevy. 

Was it north or south of the intersection?????

But I thought it was west of that intersection!

By where that barn was that burned down in '46?

It was Southbound in the eastbound lane of NorthEast 28th street.

I think you're mistaken, that wasn't in Fort Worth. 

I know they had better BBQ than Railhead or Angelos...

Didn't that building have a parking lot right next to it?

It was over the river and through the woods.

Wasn't there a gas station near there somewhere?

On the way to Grandma's house, right?

Didn't they make barbwire there?

Wasn't there a Big Red Barn there and they raised those big horses that pulled those beer wagons?

Cullen Davis's house?

They had to tear it down to make extra lanes for the freeway!

When you get to the old wooden bridge you've gone too far!

As the Crow flys?

I just know they have that exact same thing in the Panhandles! I saw it just last time I was there!

Next to the house with the dog in the front yard?

I remember....In the winter we had to walk two miles up hill in the snow to get to that house!!!

Take the old side road up a ways past the Anderson’s farm and turn left when you see Smithy’s cow. After a while you’ll come to a broke-down truck, turn right and cut across the Kingses’ back lot to… Come to think of it, you can’t get there from here!

Yep. And the Government Land Office is selling it as we speak.

I was thinking it was in the red light district...wasn't that place originally the Chisholm brothel?

Definitely before the lake filled up!

It was south about as far as a crow could fly over yonder

Follow me down the road where the burned out tree is, and turn left about 5 miles before I do.

When you get to the fork in the road, take it!

Oh, yes, most definitely before the lake...

Your getting close when you come to the slight dip in the road!

Naw, naw, the lake filled up before then!

Nice place been thier done that

The dip in the road owned the place I think!

When you see a yellow ribbon tied around the old oak tree, you're about 5 miles from the Burma-shave sign that reads "Remember when". At that point you'll know that you're lost and you need to start all over again at "that building, in the pasture, near that big intersection." 

Along came Penny

I was driving to school each day during the next couple of Winter months when I spotted a horse standing under the same lone tree at the top of a hill in the distance. She was what seemed to be, at least a half mile away, and I couldn't see her very well, but she was there every day, morning and night. There was no grass on the property she shared with several hundred head of cattle. One evening my curiosity got the better of me and driven by some invisible force I made a point of circling that pasture by turning up a remote two track, dirt road for a closer look. I was horrified to discovered from a side view, that this mare was starving to death. Her head looked as though it was disproportional to the rest of her body because she was so thin. Her hip bones protruded profusely giving outline to a skeleton. I immediately turned around and drove up the drive past the home, directly towards the barns, where I spotted a rancher headed towards several long troughs designed to hold hay in the top and grain in the bottoms. He was filling them and the cattle were gathered for a feast. The mare slowly approached the feed trough’s and barely secured a nibble of the hay before she was forced away by the huge numbers and strength of the cattle.
At this time in my life I am 16 years old, and reflecting back on all of the animals I have raised, is far from my mind, I see a starving animal that needs immediate care. Sun a 21 year old Horse I was raised with, has been gone for about 3 months now, and while he is still on my mind, I don't care that I have more pets than any one boy should be allowed, all I see is an Animal in need. The mare approached the troughs first as quickly as her frail frame could carry her as the Rancher poured the feed. He then proceeded to blast the horn on the pick-up truck which is a familiar dinner bell for cattle. Within minutes there were several hundred head of cattle filling the area fighting there way to the troughs. The mare barely got two of three bites of the cotton seed hull mix down before the cattle utilizing there horns, started prying their way in closer and tighter to the trough. Within seconds the cattle had her backed away. They were on that feeding trough like fly's on a dead carcass.
A dead carcass is what I thought of as I stood there in awe looking at the mare. Her eyes were glazed over and streaks stained her face from the discharges. Every bone in her body tried to protrude through her skin, she was scared and her coat was dull and she was coated in mud from the knees down. Her hoofs were dry and splitting with chunks chiped away leaving gaps. As the Rancher approached me I contained my self enough to give a proper introduction and inquire about the possibility of buying the mare. (He apparently had no use for her). He promptly replied that “The mare is of no us because she threw his daughter the day he brought her home after being assured (by the seller) that the mare was "green broke".
He went on to explain to me how he had found her at the local horse auction, how much he paid, and that the mare was registered with papers; but that he saved several hundred dollars by not buying the papers. ( A common practice in horse trading at the time)
He replied that he returned to the horse auction barn where he had purchased the mare on the next Friday night, only to find that the seller wasn't there to give him his money back. The only reason he kept the mare was in the hopes that this daughter would change her attitude since her first riding attempt, and begin working with the mare again. I explained that by the looks of the mare, it didn't appear to be likely that anyone here was going to care for the animal. I moved the conversation forward and asked if he would sell the horse. His answer came as no surprise to me, when he asked for the $800.00 he had given for the mare at the auction. I responded that I could give him $800.00 for the mare if she were in the same condition as she was the day he bought her at auction, but in her present condition, she wasn't worth a plug nickel. I offered $175.00 for the mare. After 10 or so minutes of haggling I finally got down to brass tactics and assured him that I would not pay more than $250.00 today since I knew I could surely buy her for $175.00 tomorrow from the Humane society. What he didn't know, was that I had spent many Friday evenings in that same auction barn, with my dad, riding and demonstrating the reigning and handling characteristics of horses, for many sellers and buyers, both inside and outside of the "North Fort Worth Horse and Cattle Auction" where he had bought her, just a few months back. Probably around the same week-end as I was burying and mourning Sun's death. Sun was an American Standard the I had learned to ride on and enjoyed the pleasure of horsemanship and a special bond of friendship for the past 12 years.
In the mean time, the rancher refused my generous offer, resented my suggestions of reporting him to the authorities, and I was promptly dismissed from the property.
It was a hard thing to do, to leave there that day, without the mare, but I knew that while time was not on her side, it was on mine. I retreated to my uncles ranch a few miles away where by now I am assisting him with his daily milking chores each morning and evening to earn extra money and to pay for my room and board. Later that evening he could see that something was troubling me and I explained the mares dilemma. Due to the small world of Ranchers and Dairymen, my uncle new the gentleman. We picked up the mare the next day. I named her Penny since for all obvious reasons, she wasn't worth a nickel. It took almost an hour to coax her into the horse trailer even with feed, but it was well worth the wait. I drove her directly to the veterinarian and had her quarantined for two weeks to get her strength up before bring her home to the ranch.
Over a period of the next 6 months I kept her stabled but took her for stroll’s around the pasture daily so the other horses could see her closely and  become familiar with her on the property. I only haltered her and rubbed her down daily with small rags at first and eventually could approach her with items as large as a blanket. I began bringing a saddle to the scene and placing it near her but never on her. I rode another Horse and led her on occasion just so she could see the cooperation up close of the saddling and riding process. I walked her leading her in the barrel racing pattern in an arena setting several times a day letting her stop to smell the obstacles and reducing her fear. I even went so far as to kick the barrel’s so she could her the ringing and learn that there was nothing to fear. I always comforted her if she spooked and repeated the process each day testing her on many different obstacles as time passed.
By the 9th month her health improved tremendously and she gained back most of her lost weight. She now allowed me to saddle her and putting weight on her from a stirrup was no problem. Our first rides were limited to walking and as her strength improved we began to trot and lope without argument. The barrel pattern was always the last thing of the day, sometimes with saddle and sometimes on her cool down walk. Penny had never attempted to buck or display any argument at this point in her training and was released to the pasture to graze with the other horses after the morning feeding. She was always there at the fence waiting for me each evening and ready for a ride anytime I asked.
By now she was approximately 3 years old and had regained 100% of her weight and strength. She could not be recognized from the day she was brought home. she became the envy of everyone at the Playday’s and Penny participated in 10 of 10 event’s each week-end, placing first in 8 out of 10 consistently. She set new records in the arena and seemed to strive for a better record each time she entered the arena.
 Many horses argued at the gate and had to be led into the arena on foot, but Penny always entered through the narrow gate willingly and remained calm and confident until our name's were called. She was a full blooded Quarter horse and her take off was like a bolt of lightening and would leave the best of rider’s sitting on the ground if they weren’t totally prepared. She was in full stride by the third step and didn’t let off until told to do so. I sometimes feared that she would run herself to death if you let her. I never found a distance that exhausted her, or one that she wasn’t willing to go for me!

In Loving memory of “Penny” 1974-1997



How To Dump Your Dog!

When is it ok to dump a dog?

       An astronomical number of dogs are Dumped throughout this country, and every other country in the world. I think it's impossible to get any kind of an accurate count. Rescue shelters along with City Animal Control offices report the numbers to the ASPCA here in the US, and to the RSPCA in the United Kingdom.
       In the UK alone the RSPCA is contacted and given information about an abandoned dog on average of one every hour.  Between January and April of 2010, (just 4 months) 4,966 dogs were abandoned, an increase of 10.3 per cent from 2009. That's over 1000 a month! Last year authorities in Swindon and east London, picked up around 345 stray dogs, and 20 every day, had to be "put down", because they went unclaimed or could not be re-homed. The Dogs Trust, UK's largest dog welfare charity, revealed that the number of abandoned pets has reached an 11 year high - up by four per cent over the previous year.


Now let's take a close look at Abandoned dog's in the US! 


According to, IN Defense of Animals USA (IDAUSA), it is estimated that between six and eight million cats and dogs enter animal shelters every year! 
        Do you want to Know how many make it out alive?
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) estimates that approximately three to four million pets are killed yearly in shelters across the United States.

       Many dogs escape and wander off to the point of being lost, while others are deliberately being dropped off on the side of a county road. In past post I have discussed the need for Micro-chipping in order to locate a lost dog; but, here I discuss intentional Dog Dumping and the consequences if caught!
As a child who grew up on the edge of town on a small farm. I remember when there were as many as 6-10 dogs a month being dropped off on the side of the road in the woods across the street. I eye witnessed many of the drop off's and sometimes people barely slowed down as they tossed a single dog, or a box, of unwanted puppies or kitten's. If they weren't killed by passing motorist, we (my sister and brother included) would always take them home to the farm, and pass them on to friends or relatives. Our parent's made repeated trips to the local vet to drop off others.  The Veterinarian would then contact Animal control to come and get them. As children our parents would shied us from the painful truth, and assure us, that they would find good homes through the Vet clinic, for which we would learn the truth, later on.


With the current economic downturn's choking consumer budgets, people are beginning to realize that they can't feed or provide medical care for their pets. What many people don't realize is, that there is a right way of Dumping off an unwanted pet.


In Texas (Section 42.09 of the Texas Penal Code), abandoning an animal is punishable by a minimum of 180 days in jail, or up to a maximum of 2 years. There can also be a fine up to $10,000.

In Georgia it's illegal, except in the case that the dog is dead, then it must be dumped properly...§ 4-8-2. Dumping dead dog on public property or public right-of-way! "No person shall abandon a dead dog on any public property or public right of way unless the place in which the dog is being left is a public dump or other facility designed for receiving such and has been designated by the local governmental authorities as a public facility for receiving trash or refuse and the provisions of Code Section 4-5-3 are complied with in full."


In Wisconsin during May of 2011-A new law was Passed and "Dog Dumping" became an epidemic as the result of a new law passed affecting dog breeder's, often referred to as "Puppy Mill's"
"According to the new law, breeders who sell 25 or more dogs a year from more than three litters must apply for a license, and it’s quickly becoming apparent that a large number of them are not willing to subject to regulation as area shelters buckle under the weight of incoming abandoned purebreds.
 One week before the new law took effect regulating the number of dogs they are allowed to possess, breeders in Wisconsin were dumping dogs in record numbers – setting them loose to fend for themselves."

 Penalties for operating without a license included a fine up to $10,000 or nine months in jail, or both, while the penalty for abandoning animals starts at $500 but goes up, plus nine months in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both.
      A local newspaper quoted one breeder as saying "There is an awful lot of what we call dumping going on, and that’s just pulling along the side of the road and dumping them off, or throwing them over the wall at the local humane society.” A local shelter was trying to get the word out, saying " They don’t have to do that,” adding that, anyone can surrender an animal to the shelter, free of charge. “We want people to be comfortable bringing us a dog. We’re not going to judge you.”


 A spokesperson for the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection said the new law gave breeders time to sell their dogs and shut down their businesses.  “They didn't have to just set the dogs free, they had ample time to sell the dog's"

The bottom line here is that there are always humane options for the disposal of an unwanted pet!

Here at Pampered Pet's and Pal's we are not a 501c non profitable organization!  

We are a small group of concerned citizen's who saw a need and took action to correct an ongoing issue with the abandonment of pet's immediately following hurricane Katrina. It began with the simple act of dropping off food and shelter supplies to connecting potential adopter's with adoptee's to secure Forever homes. We work mainly with Dog's since it is our field of expertise. Through this task we are asked to assist with Cat's for the same service's, and have no issue's, "whenever possible", with the handling and transport of them as well. But; as one can assume, not all Dog's get along well with Cat's, and vise verse. However we do provide services for both species.

At Pampered Pet's and Pal's (since 2008), we have and will continue to rely solely upon private fund's and profits from our on-line store, and aggressive on line marketing campaign to cover all cost's associated with, and for, the purpose of improving the adoption chance's of abandoned pet's! 

     Through our network of  No-Kill shelters, Trucking company's, and other Established Non-profit organization's, in and around Texas (and, through the convenience of the web) our goal is to increase our Pet's voices, by providing solution's for educating and empowering the public toward's a solution to an ongoing problem. As one can imagine, this requires an enormous workforce and a larger budget than we can provide.  Pet shelter overpopulation and the unnecessary slaughter can be greatly reduced through Re-distribution, Education, and Proper Legislation!
Someone out there is a perfect fit for an Abandoned Pet. So the next time you hear of someone needing to get rid of that Critter, Contact us. We are just an email away!