Many photographers do not like to work with animals; I prefer it! For the month of August, my sitting fee for a 30 minute photography session with your furry friend is $30! That covers 30 minutes at the location of your choice within 15 miles of Smyrna, TN; all of the pictures are then yours to print wherever you want!
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Today, for some reason only known to God, I decided to walk the mile to the convenience store with my hubby. Did I mention it was 95 degrees? He chose his favorite puppy to walk with us. And so we went. Me, the man of my dreams, and a dog named Shadow. I've started working out again so I was in a determined mood for this exercise. The view was magnificent; the greens like Emeralds, the clouds like cotton balls, the brown with the tail, oh....It's only Shadow. Yep, almost 5-month-old Shadow is walking sans leash with us thanks to On The Fifth Day's Handler, Ken, my hubster.
Now before I get letters/emails (and from the one person reading this, I probably won't), I'd like to explain. 1) We train dogs to walk off-leash with their Guardian(s) 2) We live in the country. So maybe my derrier is covered since I've explained. But I digress. Ken let me use his "walking cane" that he normally takes on these walks to the store. It's taller than me and looks cool. When he's carrying it. I was so excited, but when I realized I looked like Phyllis Diller with a stick, you could almost hear the cool-ness being sucked out from around me like a balloon losing air.
We had gone just a little ways when I realized that with every car that passed, Ken was going to have a geographic switching of everyone. Um, for no reason. And suddenly, another one of our dogs (this one adoptable) named Dori had followed us and so I hooked her up with my lead/leash. She was a dream on the leash. 'Course, the walker gets some credit. So we're just about there when my 46-year-old hips started singing. Just a little tune. It went something like this....
(Sing to the tune of The Beverly Hillbillies)
Just stay inside in the middle of the day,
It's close to a hundred and you know you're gonna pay.
So grit your teeth and take it in the gut,
Then your man will be proud and your mutt 'il have a strut.
Spoken: (Proud walkin' that is.......think Lassie.......Eddie)
At the same time, my left knee - from an old injury - started to sing. But we were almost there! When we arrived, both dogs stayed outside as everyone fawned over them. Everyone knows everybody there so there was no fear of anything happening. We picked up our items, stuffed 'em in my husband's backpack and away we went. Now, there's something to be said about "going downhill" which we were now doing. I felt like running and crying at the same time. But it was so hot, my teeth were sweating. So now we're walking (the other mile) back and Ken asked if I wanted to take the creek. My initial reaction was, "No", which in 20 seconds switched to a "Yes."
Getting into the creek was no problem. There was a little path right up to it and the rocks were smooth on the bottom. The brush grew up around the creek as we walked and the coolness of fresh water washing over our legs made us laugh. Shadow and Dori were fine because they were loving it. At once, it all came together - the brilliant sky, the greens, gorgeous Ken, and seeing two of our dogs having a most excellent time - and my glasses were now rose-colored. Suddenly, the cane looked really cool.
Hopefully, somewhere along life's journey, we find our mission. My lightbulb went off in my (very) late 30's. Slow learner. But it was then that I knew my forever-vocation would be to rescue homeless and abused animals. So here we are, seven years later, doing just that. Located in the beautiful country in Beech Grove, TN, we have the wildlife: Deer, rabbits, snakes, cicadas (joy joy) and the like. And we have our rescued animals: Dogs, cats and those glorious beings called "Puppies". Now who doesn't love a puppy. Even Scrooge would crack a smile at those adorable faces and frantic licking.
We saw our first litter when one of our own became, oops, pregnant. As staunch supporters of spaying and neutering, it wasn't our proudest moment, but we embraced the responsibility head-on. Roxy/Roxanne had eight perfect puppies and oh, what a great mom she was. On The Fifth Day's handler - my husband, Ken - and I threw ourselves into loving, socializing and training these wonders of the world. What we didn't expect were the wonderful people who came into our lives, from all walks of life, to adopt that certain special pup not realizing that, in fact, puppies choose us. Even 200-lb men would rub noses with the wiggly and often wobbly little cuties. Puppy love does that to a person.
In no time at all, all eight of those incredible creatures were gone, but (unbeknownst to us) we were just getting warmed up. Shortly after the final adoption, the sanctuary was called upon to help a pregnant dog named Angel. In a blink, there were nine new mouths to feed. The "runt" of the litter truly deserved the moniker. She just wouldn't eat. After all our efforts were exhausted, she died peacefully at her mother's side. The morning I found her, I gently picked her up and promptly began bawling like a baby. Our 6-yr-old daughter wrapped her arms around my waist, consoling and comforting me saying everything was going to be alright. I knew it was, but I also knew I had to just let it flow. After a couple of minutes, our exasperated little girl - with a heart of gold, I might add - said, "Mom. We live on a sanctuary. Suck it up!"
And so it was. Our first loss of a puppy. And then there were eight. About a week later, the sanctuary was asked again to step in and save the lives of sweet Maggie and her ten (huh?) puppies. We had just had nine, my mind reasoned, so why not ten more. So we hunkered down, put our seatbelts on and prepared ourselves for the ride.
"Oh my goodness," "There's so many!" and "How do you do it?" accompany looks of sympathy and outright horror. We don't mind because along with the twice-a-day feedings, the training and the puppy run upkeep comes the good stuff....Watching eighteen nine- and ten-week-old puppies run all at once, the incredible bond, formed so quickly, between Ken and one of the pups that it moved him to call her "Shadow", seeing a 4-lb. puppy stare down a 5-lb. Teacup Chihuahua, now that's a hoot....we only feel blessed as we begin the process of adoptions all over again. In fact, a father and daughter are visiting today to choose just the right one for their own family. And even though we'll miss him, we also realize that it is in the best interest of the animal and that comes first around here.
I know we'll see many, many more puppies ahead and that we'll welcome them with open hearts. After all, if it weren't for puppies, we wouldn't have that famous breath!
Whew. We just adopted out the final pup in a litter of eight. Having no idea we'd have litters of nine and ten right behind them, we were on a high. How did we get 30 puppies at our animal sanctuary? Well, the first one was a mis-step on our part, two of the dogs got together, and the rest is history. (We are staunch believers in Spaying and Neutering; however, if a mistake does happen, the babies will be eaten up with spoons. Um, sorry, loved and cared for.) Fortunately, these pups were da' bomb - perfect little heads, nice pretty colors, would lick your nose on cue, we couldn't have had a better bunch. And apparently, everyone else wanted them, too. In those five months, we had them crate- and potty-trained, staying together as a pack until they got a little older and then they still remained close, and responding to commands at a very young age. After all was said and done, all eight puppies were adopted into remarkable homes within five months. Mission accomplished.
The second mom and pups were rescued from the SPCA of TN. On The Fifth Day rescued Angel who was pregnant upon arriving at the sanctuary. After several weeks, she started pacing and getting that look on her face like, "I'm gonna have double-digits babies". We knew the time was near. When she began having her puppies, we didn't even hear her. Then, as we stayed by her side like a nosy teacher trying to see your paper while you're writing it, she quietly gave birth to nine perfect puppies.
Now, all Moms are not made from the same mold. We have seen it up close and personal. But the thing is, dogs don't take things personally so they just do their best and move along. Roxy, the mother of eight, was just about the perfect mom. Knew when to feed, how much, whey they needed her, when they didn't, it was a beautiful thing. Angel, on the other hand, was not-so-much into her puppies. Yes, she fed them, but she longed for and made time alone for herself much more so than Roxy. And could this bunch actually be cuter than the 8-pack?
And finally, Maggie-May; rescued from a town near Nashville, the day before she and her ten puppies would have died. All together. We'd not be having that, so On The Fifth Day admitted her along with her puppies, all of 2-weeks-old. Maggie is quite the mommy. She's exhausted, running around with that stuff you get in the corner of your eyes (ladies, you know), lean as a gazelle 'cause they're suckin' the life right outta her, constantly hungry, really, kinda like most moms.
We'll be a-okay and have many, many adoptions over the coming months. These three moms were very different and this blog made me think about the pressure we put on moms to be alike; to drive the same vehicles, to sign up every year for the same sports, to look and feel good with the same potions, and make it all look easy. And some moms (um, hello, can you say fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants) just aren't like that. I realized the many differences in moms in different cultures and different lifestyles, I celebrate the different choices we make for our children, the puppies made me see that whether hovering over your kids or giving them a little too much space is okay. We're all doing our best.
Internet shopping has made pretty much anything possible, and Kathy Daniel has found a way to make the most of that. With four different websites, Kathy sells a variety of products from jewelry for people to stuffed animals to jewelry for animals!
Kathy first started her beaded jewelry business, Kathy’s Kreations, and sold pieces at craft shows. She knew she had a good thing going and wanted to make items available all year. “From there it just grew,” said Kathy of her three sister sites. You can still find Kathy’s jewelry at MyKathysKreations.etsy.com.
Each site is distinctly different from the others. If you are looking to make a personalized gift for someone special, check out CarePackageToGo.com. They have gift baskets, care packages, and more. These are great for special occasions like baby showers or graduations or simply just to tell someone how much you care. Customized items are even available.
Looking for a way to make your furry friend stand out? How about a little bling for your little loved one? DogCatJewelry.com has a variety of items for pets and pet lovers alike. You can choose from collar charms, id safety supplies, and puppy quilts or anything that a pet lover might want to add to their collection.
Kathy even offers something for the kids. PlushPuppyToGo.com carries high quality and unique stuffed animals. With a variety of name brands to choose from even adults can find something to cuddle with.
“I am just so glad that I have found a way to let other people enjoy my hobbies,” said Kathy. All four of her sites can be found under the business directory at HobNobMurfreesboro.com.
Kathy's Kreations
Care Package To Go
Dog Cat Jewelry
Plush Puppy To Go
(ARA) - To his owners, Moby, a 4-year-old Australian Shepherd, was a very healthy, spry dog, so when his veterinarian told them that beneath his thick, reddish-brown coat he had a weight problem, they were a bit shocked.
Apparently, all that baby food licked off the floor, and the lack of activity that came with the two toddlers who had recently joined the family, added about 10 extra pounds on a normally 65-pound dog. The good news is the veterinarian was able to put Moby on a program of diet and exercise, and he was back in perfect shape within a year.
Studies show that pet obesity is an epidemic in this country. According to a 2005 study, approximately 35 percent of American dogs and cats are obese or overweight, and some veterinarians report that they see even higher percentages now.
"I would say that probably more than 50 percent of the animals that we see are overweight," says Dr. Larry R. Corry, a companion animal practitioner in Georgia and president of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). "We say that people are 'killing their pets with caring.' They want to give too much food, table scraps and too many treats. They simply don't realize how unhealthy that can be."
Obesity can cause a number of health problems, including diabetes and heart problems. Diabetes in animals can be treated successfully with diet and insulin, but treatments are expensive and difficult to undertake successfully with cats. Diabetes treatments require animals to eat on a consistent basis, and cats don't often enjoy following a schedule. Treating obesity before the animal becomes diabetic is a far simpler solution, Dr. Corry says.
"If we can get pet owners to comply with weight-loss plans, usually we don't have any problem getting the animal's weight under control,"Corry says. "Weight-loss diets generally involve specially formulated pet foods or simply a reduction of the amount of food the animal receives.
"Every member of the family has to be in agreement, because if one person is slipping the dog scraps under the table, the program won't work," he continues.
For dogs and cats on a diet, one little treat can truly be a diet buster. For example, giving a cat one potato chip may not seem like an extravagant snack, but it's equivalent to giving an adult human half a cheeseburger or half a candy bar. And giving your cat an ounce of milk is equivalent to eating four and a half cheeseburgers. Giving your pet pooch one hot dog is equivalent to you eating two cheeseburgers. Needless to say, giving a pet table scraps is a sure ticket to pet obesity.
The AVMA has partnered with Hill's Pet Nutrition Inc. to combat obesity by sponsoring the Alliance for Healthier Pets - Obesity Awareness and Prevention Program. The initiative's primary goal is to educate the public on how to recognize obesity and to suggest simple solutions. Visit www.petfit.com to see examples of how common pet treats translate into major calories. Watch as personal trainer Gunnar Petersen teaches pet owners how to exercise with their pets and then take the "Pet Fit" Challenge.
For more information about animal health, visit www.avma.org and visit www.avmatv.org for an informative video about pet obesity.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
(ARA) - Feeding wild birds is an easy way to add a splash of color and song to your outdoor living space this winter, plus help the birds thrive through the toughest season for them. Attracting birds to your backyard is as easy as setting out bird feeders filled with quality food.
In fact, winter is a perfect time to feed wild birds, as a variety of species, including dark-eyed juncos and native sparrows, migrate south. Other species such as cardinals, woodpeckers and goldfinches will stay around through the winter and will be eager to frequent feeders where they find a ready, steady supply of food. Feeding wild birds not only brings a little life to your backyard during the cooler months, but also helps the birds thrive through the winter, so they - like you - will be ready to enjoy spring when it arrives.
Getting started is simple:
* Offer a feeding station that consists of a birdfeeder filled with a quality seed mix. Choose a blend that is specially formulated to attract a variety of birds. Ingredients should include bird favorites like black oil sunflower, thistle and peanuts, which are attractive to a wide range of birds including cardinals, chickadees, finches, native sparrows and more. Feeding a premium wild bird food like Scotts Songbird Selections ensures birds will get adequate energy and nutrition to help weather the winter. Visit www.scottswildbirdfood.com to learn more about feeding wild birds.
* Choose a feeder appropriate for the type of seed blend you are feeding. Common types include covered or open platforms for any size seed blend, cylinders or tubes for small seeds, and a hopper or "house" style to hold larger seeds like sunflower. You can easily make your own bird feeder, or purchase one of the many types available in home improvement, hardware and other mass retail stores.
To attract even more birds:
* Offer more than one feeder with different foods to give birds with varying feeding preferences options and ensure you attract a variety of species.
* In addition to a variety of quality seed blends, consider offering suet as well. Birds use a lot of energy, especially in the winter, and suet is the high-energy snack that can help keep them going through the tough times. Rich in calories because it's primarily made of fat, suet attracts woodpeckers, chickadees and many other species. Some suet, like Scotts Songbird Selections Multi-Bird Suet with Fruit and Nuts, is embedded with other treats birds love, such as seeds, nuts or dried fruit. Present the suet in a wire cage. The birds will cling to the cage and peck at the suet through the gaps.
Other tips for winter feeding:
* If you live in a region that receives significant snow accumulation, make sure feeders are raised high enough off the ground to escape the snow buildup. Place feeders close to the house in locations with a good view from a favorite window. If possible, keep feeders a short bird's flight from the cover of protective trees, to help birds feel more secure when feeding.
* Wild birds have a particularly hard time finding fresh water in the winter. Consider adding a few heated birdbaths to your backyard landscape. Heated baths, many with thermostatic controls, are available in most home improvement, hardware and bird specialty stores.
* If you're worried about squirrels raiding and damaging your feeder, consider feeding them too. Offer something the squirrels will find even more enticing than bird food - like corn - and they'll be less inclined to visit your birdfeeder.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
(ARA) - Few things stir raw human emotions as much as the loss of a cherished pet or livestock that may represent a family's livelihood. For many, healing just won't happen until they understand the "why."
When an animal dies, it's the veterinary pathologist who helps families answer the "why" ... and find some sense of closure after their loss.
"I think that veterinary pathologists provide invaluable services to the practicing veterinary clinicians and their clientele, by offering answers or solutions to herd health issues or individual animal problems," says Dr. Leah A. Kuhnt, a veterinarian and Diplomate American College of Veterinary Pathologists. Dr. Kuhnt is a Veterinary Diagnostic Specialist with Thompson Bishop Sparks State Diagnostic Laboratory in Auburn, Ala.
Very few people actually interact directly with those veterinary pathologists who focus their careers on diagnostics. Day in and day out, they generally work with veterinarians who refer special cases to them.
So what does a veterinary diagnostic pathologist actually do? If an animal is ill or has died, veterinary diagnostic pathologists examine blood, tissues and fluids to understand what caused the disease or death. You'll find veterinary pathologists in diagnostic labs, like Dr. Kuhnt, or at universities where they teach, conduct research and provide clinical service for their area.
Most days are a bustle of activity, Kuhnt says. Interesting and unusual cases provide a constant source of education. "A good day involves collaboration and teamwork, sharing of ideas and problems, so that the best solutions are found," she continues. "And at the end of that day, we've helped a veterinarian, pet owner or farmer understand more about the disease that impacted their animal, and in some cases, understand how to help prevent future disease outbreaks."
Why would anyone consider this as a potential career? Well most have great passion for caring for animals. For Kuhnt, it started at an early age in Western Kentucky. "I knew that veterinary medicine was where my career interests were," she recalls. "Veterinary pathology allowed me to combine my enthusiasm for science and medicine with my fascination of the complexities of the body and its workings, which normally seem to run so smoothly and naturally, but so often and unfortunately go awry."
Veterinary diagnostic pathology is a rapidly expanding field, with growing career opportunities and expanded laboratory testing options for the diagnosis and monitoring of disease. They are also watching closely for signs of foreign or zoonotic diseases.
Kuhnt offers some practical advice for those who want to pursue a similar career path. "Study hard. Focus on science and math courses, but be sure to round out your curriculum and expand your horizons, because the medical world is global and multicultural, and often relies on a multi-faceted approach. Learn to study effectively and hone time management skills. But most importantly, enjoy your educational experience."
Diagnostic testing has become an important market sector in veterinary medicine, and the American College of Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP) provides guidelines on quality and standards, and helps ensure adequate training opportunities that provide qualified veterinary clinical pathologists for the future.
For more on veterinary diagnostic pathology, and all fields associated with veterinary pathology, be sure to check out the careers section of www.acvp.org.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
(ARA) - Jack Frost is nipping at your pet's nose. Winter is here again, and cold weather can be uncomfortable and dangerous to your pet.
"In colder regions of the country, pet owners should already know that they need to make accommodations for their pets, but winter can be hard on a pet even in warmer states, like Georgia, where I work," says Dr. Larry R. Corry, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). "While we don't get a lot of snow, it does get cold in the winter, and when it gets below freezing, our recommendation is that pet owners get their pets inside."
Here are the AVMA's top 10 winter tips for pet owners:
* Even if you own a sled dog, living outside during the depths of winter is very difficult. If you must keep your dog outside year round, remember that dogs must be allowed time to get acclimated to the cold with the change of the seasons. This builds up a winter coat they will need to survive. Corry recommends that dog owners with outside dogs double check to make sure their dog's housing is well insulated, including straw or padding to sleep on.
"If you want to heat a doghouse, be careful to ensure that the heat source is installed properly so that the animal cannot be hurt," he says. "If you can't or won't bring the animal into your home, consider bringing it inside a garage on bitter cold days."
* Corry also advises pet owners to refrain from taking their pets near frozen ponds. Many dogs and cats fall through or sometimes are cast adrift on an ice float.
* Keep your pet away from antifreeze with ethylene glycol. It's sweet and extremely lethal, even in small doses. The AVMA provides a brochure and video on this and other household hazards and poisons.
* Honk your horn or pound on the hood before starting your car on cold days. To a cat, a warm engine block can seem like a nice escape from cold winter winds.
* Carbon monoxide is just as lethal to pets as it is for people. Make sure your home has a carbon monoxide detector, and, if you bring your pet from the outdoors into a garage during the winter, make sure exhaust fumes from your car aren't allowed to build up inside.
* Cold air is dry air, so your pet can become dehydrated easily in the winter. Give him plenty of fresh water. If the bowl of water you put outside for your dog or cat freezes, it's of no use to the animal.
* Road salt and ice melting products are not only irritating to the pads on your pet's feet, but when your pet cleans itself by licking off these chemicals and ingesting them, they can cause gastrointestinal problems. Wash your pet's feet after she's been outdoors.
* Consider booties for your dog's feet. Booties help prevent ice balls between the toes that can be both painful and do damage to the toe pads.
* Be careful about candles, space heaters and fireplaces - pets can get burned and even set the house on fire.
* Pay close attention to your older pet in winter, especially if he suffers from arthritis. Arthritic pain is even worse in icy winds and cold temperatures. Seek the advice of your veterinarian to help your pet cope with arthritis.
For more information about animal health, visit www.avma.org. of ARAcontent
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