Author Archives: fetchmin

  1. Sherman: From Chained and Forgotten to Lovable Rascal

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    Sherman: From Chained and Forgotten to Lovable Rascal

    Sherman Enjoying His New BackyardIn early March 2016, Sherman, a 3 year old, 16lb Norfolk/Yorkshire Terrier mix came into Pixie’s Pen Pals from our friends at the Southside SPCA. His arrival was unusual because he was what we in the biz call a “small, special breed dog” with no medical or significant behavioral issues; he was “super adoptable” and we hadn’t had a Yorkie mix since I came into the program in September 2014. However, Sherman had been adopted and returned twice:  one home didn’t have the time to train and work with him and the other home had a dog that wasn’t a huge fan of Sherman. Anyone who has known a terrier knows that they are very smart and energetic and need to stay busy. So, he came to us to channel that energy and intelligence into good behavior, obedience training, and socialization with people and other dogs.

     

    Sherman ChainedSherman is amazingly social and playful despite the first few years of his life. He was originally seized by Lunenburg Animal Control with about a dozen other neglected dogs. Sherman was found in a backyard, chained up to a stationary tractor trailer. After he was seized, he made his way over to the Southside SPCA where he began to learn what it’s like to be a pet and not just someone left out in the yard, forgotten.

     

    When you aren’t being taken care of, resources can become valuable. Sherman suddenly had regular access to water and food and beds and people and toys. Sherman loves his toys and needed to work through toy guarding from other dogs so that he could find his forever home. Through our program, Sherman learned quickly that he was safe and loved. He was quickly house-trained, crate-trained, and learning all of his cues, especially if his trainer had his favorite toys in hand. He learned how to share, he learned to expect to be cared for.

     

    A cutie like Sherman had a lot of interest, but luckily, one of the early applicants turned out to be a great family with experience with terriers. In fact, their current dog, Chyna, was a rescue who had a rough start as well and learned to like people and other dogs over time. When Chyna and Sherman met, they got along right away, and once they were in the home together, they bonded quickly.

     

    Sherman’s mom, Melinda, had this to say about Sherman after about a month in the home:

    “Sherman is finding his way. He is a rascal that deserves considerable watching. He is now sharing toys with Chyna, and they are like two toddlers: if one has a toy, the other immediately wants it. Sherman is learning about sharing and is less guarded about toys in just two weeks. They start their day with an early morning wrestle, and pretty much end the day in the race up the stairs to bed.  Sherman has trained Gary and I [to pick our] things up. He steals socks, shoes, underwear, and then does victory laps around the house while we try to catch him! Best game ever!  He is a joy and a pain, but he seems so happy. He loves the backyard, but not so keen on tall grass. A few days after he came home he was lying on the deck, and I watched him just looking up at the blue sky. I swear he was just soaking in the ‘goodness’ of the day.

     

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    Sherman and Chyna Being Nosy Neighbors

    In another update last month, Sherman’s mom let us know that he had, with the help of training and medication, become a more loving, bonded, and connected dog with his people. Being chained for most of his life had stunted his emotional development, which is fairly common with dogs who come out of hoarding or puppy mill situations. While Pen Pals gives a dog the foundation they need to find their forever homes, we also give the adopters the tools they need to continue with their dog’s education. Sherman’s parents have been wonderful enough to continue to develop Sherman’s emotional and behavioral intelligence.

     

     

    This is what the Pen Pals program is all about: rehabilitation. For Sherman, rehabilitation meant learning how to be a pet instead of forgotten on a chain. For our Pen Pals inmate handlers, rehabilitation means education, unconditional love from their canine charges, and redemption.

    If you’re interested in helping dogs like Sherman through adoption, donations, or volunteering, you can find out more about our program at www.fetchacure.org/pen-pals.

  2. Keeping Your Dog Safe When the Fireworks Start

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    How-to-keep-your-dog-safe-and-at-ease-when-the-fireworks-start

    By Cesar Millan; courtesy of – https://www.cesarsway.com/dog-behavior/hyperactivity-overexcitement/how-to-keep-your-dog-safe-and-calm-during-fireworks

    Some dogs have no problem with the sight and sound of fireworks if they’ve been desensitized — hunting dogs, for example, grow used to the sounds and smells of hunting rifles and gun powder. Most dogs, however, are not used to these things, so the Fourth of July can be a particularly stressful holiday for dogs and their humans alike.

    More pets run away on the Fourth of July than any other day, so you should take extra steps to ensure their safety. Keep a keen eye on your dog during the commotion, and make sure your pet is wearing proper identification.

    It is natural for dogs to be afraid of loud noises. The sounds trigger their nervous systems, and they can become anxious or afraid. Running away from the noise is a survival instinct.

    Remember, to your dog, the experience of fireworks is different than other natural loud noises, like thunder. Fireworks are closer to the ground, more vibrant, and are accompanied by sudden booms, flashes and burning smells. Dogs experience the world through their senses — nose, eyes, ears. The typical Fourth of July celebration can be overwhelming to them.

    Here are some tips to help keep your dog calm, making for an easier holiday for both of you.

    1. Preparation

    Arrange to have your dog in a place where there won’t be loud fireworks displays — a friend’s or relative’s home or a doggie day care with which your dog is familiar. If it’s an unfamiliar place for your dog, take him over there a few times in the days before the holiday so that it won’t be a surprise when you take him there on the Fourth.

    2. Accommodation

    If you cannot take your dog to a place away from fireworks, then have a travel kennel at home for her to feel safe in. if you’re not going to be home, have a friend or sitter there to keep your dog company and take her out to relieve herself every four hours.

    3. Acclimation

    The best way to prepare your dog for fireworks is to make sure he’s comfortable with the sound in advance. While this is a simple process, it can take time — possibly three or four months of playing the recorded sound of fireworks for your dog at an increasingly louder volume before he eats, before a walk, and before affection and play.

    This will condition him by association to hear the sound and interpret it as something good. While you can try this method over only a week or two, in such a short time span it should only be used in conjunction with one or more of the other tips. In any case, play the firework sounds.

    4. Sedation

    If you do find it necessary to use medication or a thundershirt to calm your dog during the fireworks, remember that you must introduce any such tool at the right time, conditioning your dog to understand that the medication or thundershirt is there to bring them to a calm state.

    This means that you must bring your dog to that calm state first, then introduce the tool — before the fireworks and the anxiety begin. If she is already at an anxiety level of 8 or 9, then her mental state will overrule the medication. If she is already breathing heavily, then the thundershirt, which is designed to slow her breathing, won’t work. A tool is an intellectual thing we use with a dog’s instincts. The challenge is knowing how and when to connect the two.

    5. Communication

    If you are going to be with your dog during the fireworks, sending the calming message that they are nothing to worry about will also help him to relax. Remember, though, while humans communicate with words, dogs communicate with energy, and will look to their pack leader for clues on how they should behave. If you’re not making a big deal or showing excitement about the fireworks, then he will learn to be less concerned as well.

    In all cases above, expend your dog’s excess energy first, before the fireworks start, by taking her on a very long walk to tire her out and put her in a calm state.

    Most importantly, don’t think of this in terms of your dog as your child who is missing out on a great, fun time. That’s human guilt. Your dog won’t know what she’s missing. You’re being a good pack leader by not exposing her to a situation that will trigger her flight instinct in a negative way. When the booms and bangs of Independence Day are over, your dog will be grateful to you for having made it a less stressful experience!

    Source: https://www.cesarsway.com/dog-behavior/hyperactivity-overexcitement/how-to-keep-your-dog-safe-and-calm-during-fireworks

    for additional information, visit: https://www.labradortraininghq.com/labrador-behavior/help-dog-scared-of-fireworks/

     

  3. 6 Ways to Protect Your Dog from Summer Heat and Heat Stroke

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    6 WAYS TO PROTECT YOUR DOG FROM SUMMER HEAT AND HEAT STROKE

    By Vicki Clinebell, courtesy of: Dogtime.com

    shepherd in the sun with bowl

    Protect your pets like they protect you. (Photo Credit: Shutterstock)

    As warmer summertime temperatures approach, it’s important to remember that dogs are vulnerable to injuries and illnesses related to hot weather including heat stroke, sunburn, and foot pad burns. The most dangerous condition is heat stroke, which can cause organ failure, seizures, brain damage, hemorrhages, blindness, convulsions and even death.

    Heat stroke and heat exhaustion are dangerous situations for any dog. Heat exhaustion is generally the early stages when a dog begins overheating. You can often remedy the effects by taking immediate action to reduce the animals’ body temperature and prevent the more deadly heat stroke. Heat exhaustion symptoms can include diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, rapid panting, and the skin inside the ears reddening. Get your dog inside quickly to a cooler area like a basement or near a fan, and offer fresh water. Dampen the skin with lukewarm water and allow it to air-dry.

    dog drinking water

    Don’t use cold water, room temperature water is better. (Photo Credit: Shutterstock)

    Heatstroke occurs when the dogs’ normal body mechanisms cannot keep body temperature in a safe range. Dogs don’t have the ability to sweat, and panting can’t fully cool a dog down when they are overheated. A dogs’ normal body temperature is 100-102.5 degrees, a body temperature over 106 degrees is deadly and calls for immediate veterinary assistance. Signs of heat stroke include rapid panting, a bright red tongue, red or pale gums, and thick, sticky saliva. The dog may show depression, weakness and dizziness, vomiting – sometimes with blood, diarrhea, shock, and coma.

    Any pet that cannot cool himself off is at risk for heat stroke, but some breeds and dogs with certain conditions are more susceptible. Heart disease, obesity, older age, or breathing problems put the dog at higher risk, and for these animals even normal activities in intense heat can be harmful. Dogs with shorter snouts – like Pugs or Bulldogs – have a harder time panting out their body heat, and certain breeds don’t tolerate the heat as well as others. This group includes English and French Bulldogs, Boxers, the Saint Bernard, Pugs, and Shih Tzu.

    dog drinking water 2

    Always make sure your dog has plenty of water. (Photo Credit: Shutterstock)

    What can a pet-parent do to prevent heat stroke danger? Be smart and proactive!

    1. When the temperature is high, don’t let your dog linger on hot surfaces like asphalt and cement. Being so close to the ground can heat their body quickly and is also an invitation to burns on sensitive paw pads. Keep walks to a minimum.
    2. Giving your dog a lightweight summer haircut can help prevent overheating, but never shave to the skin, the dog needs one-inch of protection to avoid getting sunburned.
    3. Provide access to fresh water at all times. Make certain an outside dog has access to shade and plenty of cool water.
    4. Restrict exercise when temperatures soar, and do not muzzle the dog because it inhibits their ability to pant.
    5. Many dogs enjoy a swim, splashing in a wading pool, or a run through a sprinkler in warmer weather can help bring body temperatures down.
    6. Never leave your pet in a parked car, not even if you park in the shade or plan to be gone for only a few minutes. The temperature inside of a car can reach oven-like temperatures in just minutes, often in excess of 140 degrees. That quick errand can turn into a disaster and could be fatal for your pet.

    If you suspect your dog is suffering from heat stroke, fast action might save their life. Remove the dog from the hot area immediately. Wet him thoroughly with cool to room temperature water and increase air movement around him with a fan. Do not use ice or very cold water: it can be counterproductive since cooling too quickly can trigger other life-threatening conditions. Allow free access to water, but don’t force the animal to drink: they may inhale it or choke.

    Even if the dog seems to be recovering, take him to the veterinarian as soon as possible. Dehydration is just one complication of heat stroke that the veterinarian will need to address. The first priority will be lowering the body temperature to a safe range, and the animal may be given fluids and/or oxygen. A pet brought in for heat stroke should be monitored for shock, respiratory distress, kidney failure and heart abnormalities, and treated accordingly. Your doctor may take blood samples, since clotting problems are a common complication of heat stroke. Dogs who have suffered from heat stroke once increase their risk of getting it again, so steps to prevent it must be taken. For them, hot and humid days will always pose a greater danger.

    If any of the organs such as the heart, lungs, liver, or kidneys have been severely harmed during the heat stroke, the consequences may be irreversible.

    Dogs are by nature protective of their owners. Responsible owners must return the favor by protecting their pets from the dangers of excessive heat so they can safely enjoy the welcome warmth of the new outdoor season.

    Read more at http://dogtime.com/dog-health/general/21665-protect-your-dog-from-summer-heat-and-heat-stroke#v6dshYyuuzsalrmy.99

  4. Quen Needs a Home

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    Quen is a sweet, 2.5 year old, 55lb pittie mix who is seeking a foster, foster-to-adopt, or forever home.  Quen loves spending time with people:  he is game for cuddling and watching TV, going running, or even hiking; as long as you’re with him, he’s very happy.  Quen is crate- and house-trained, and Canine Good Citizen trained.  He has worked especially hard on his impulse and excitement control.  Quen loves chewing on his own toys and will leave your things alone.  Quen doesn’t mind being left alone while you’re at work, in the crate or out of it, and can go without a bathroom break during a standard work day.  Quen is very vocal–not with barking, but with a range of rumbling-type noises–they can sound scary to some people, but for the people who know him, he’s usually expressing that he wants to get in your lap, wants you to pet him, or needs help getting a toy he knocked under the couch.  Once Quen bonds with you, he will pretty much let you do anything–put him in sweaters, carry him to the bathtub, trim his nails.  Quen is great at the vet, does well when boarded, and is good in the car.

    Quen is doing very well in his current foster home, but another dog in the home has become ill, so Quen needs to find another foster home so the other dog can recover.  Quen is very much a dog who needs time and space, but once he becomes accustomed to a routine or is exposed to things enough, he usually gets used to them and will at least ignore them.

    A video posted by FETCH a Cure (@fetchacure) on

     

    Quen has some special needs.  First, he has environmental allergies that wIMAG5772e are working on controlling with immunotherapy.  Every now and then, these allergies flare up due to stress or environmental factors, and he will need additional medication.  This can be a costly medical condition, but while he is in FETCH a Cure’s care (via foster), his medical bills are covered by the organization.

    Second, Quen has fear of most strange dogs, and does not do well meeting them–he can eventually get used to some dogs, but only with careful, slow introductions.  His fear instincts are to go on the offensive and to lunge and growl; he’s never done anything more than scratch another dog.  He particularly dislikes high energy dogs.  Quen does best with similarly scared dogs and has made quite a few friends with calm dogs or very submissive dogs in the prisons.  Quen’s fear of dogs is not typically disruptive on walks–he is fine with most dogs at a distance and will continue on his way.

    Third, Quen Quen Snowballis frightened of some people who are intimidating or people who are scared and hesitant around dogs.  Quen has never harmed a person, but can seem scary when he’s scared.  He also feels the need to protect some of his friends from strangers.  With appropriate introductions to people who may be less experienced, he does very well–whoever takes Quen home will be trained on how to introduce him to people and help Quen make the right decisions.

    Quen comes with a ton of support:  one-on-one and group training with a professional trainer, free petsitting for life from his current foster mom, and a Pen Pals Coordinator who is available via phone 24/7.  If you have a home available for Quen, even just as a foster parent, we would all be over the moon.  Quen needs a home with no other pets and with kids teen and up.  He has done well in the city, the suburbs, and rural areas.  Quen would love a home with an experienced, confident handler who is willing to continue his training.

  5. Pet Loss Support Resources

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    Working at an organization that financially assists with pet cancer treatment and education regarding pet cancer, the FETCH team sees a lot of loss and grief. It comes with the territory. Anyone who has experienced a significant loss knows that our feelings and actions can be mixed and irrational—we can be sad and relieved and angry, we can throw ourselves into our work or just lay in bed, unable to do anything; we sometimes go right out and adopt another pet because we can’t stand not hearing the shake of a collar or the click-clack of nails across the kitchen floor. Sometimes we don’t want to talk about it at all and just keep it bottled inside to deal with ourselves, to mourn privately.

    But sometimes we do want to talk to someone about it. Sometimes we need someone to listen. Sometimes, we want to hear from someone with a similar experience, someone who may not know exactly how we feel, but has come close to it.

      Bean 037     Bean 007

    Rachel and Butterbean

    Rachel Friedman found us when her cat, Butterbean, was out of options. Rachel and Butterbean’s bond ran deep:   “His litter was born at my parent’s house and I witnessed his birth,” writes Rachel. Butterbean followed Rachel to college and stuck by her side. “Butterbean went everywhere with me.  He was with me through all of my adult relationships and through a marriage and divorce. I consider him my best friend because he has been with me through just about everything and has always remained my loyal sidekick. We had a strong bond and everyone knew we were two peas in a pod.”

    With FETCH a Cure, Rachel not only found financial assistance for Butterbean’s lymphoma, she received emotional support. “Not only did they provide financial assistance for Butterbean’s medical expenses, I felt like everyone there really cared about him and wanted updates on how he was doing.”

    After Butterbean succumbed to his illness, says Rachel, “I continued volunteering for FETCH a Cure when I could and became active with the Pen Pals program, fostering dogs and taking them to adoption and awareness events on the weekends. I also had the opportunity to participate in planning meetings of the annual fundraising gala as well as film a small segment for a fundraising video with Butterbean’s handsome picture in the background. Every time I work an event, it’s another chance to talk about Butterbean to others who are going through the same process. And even though his treatment wasn’t successful, I still feel a connection with other owners who are currently going through it. It’s like a secret club that no one wishes they were a member of, but are grateful that they aren’t alone in it.

    There are many resources available for those of us grieving for pets. We have listed just a few that may help you or someone you love get through the loss of a beloved pet.

     

    FETCH a Cure’s Pet Loss Support Group: This complimentary group, led by experienced psychologist Dr. Leslie Greenberg, meets twice a month. Families (including children) are invited to attend these support sessions to help work through the pain of losing a beloved companion.

    FETCH a Cure’s Pet Cancer Support Group: This complimentary group meets on the third Thursday of the month to give participants the opportunity to share their experience with others who are pursuing treatment for their pet or have been through the pet cancer journey in the past.

    FETCH a Cure’s Pet Cancer Support Facebook Group:  This closed Facebook group was started to have experienced parents of pets affected by cancer to give advice and guidance to pet parents who are going through similar situations. Loss and grief can begin with a diagnosis and speaking with people who have gone through the same thing can be very helpful.

    VCU Pet Loss Support: This page provides resources for those who are experiencing the loss of a pet, including telephone support for participating organization and clinics. Companions in Crisis recipients can receive telephone support from mental health professionals.

    The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement offers chat rooms, articles, and other resources on pet loss.

    PetLossHelp.org offers memorial pages and blog posts, as well as the post Ten Common Questions about Pet Loss.

    American Humane Association offers resources on pet loss and grieving, including resources for kids and teachers, as well as a comprehensive list of external resources.