How to make a Pet First Aid Kit

With the summer months arriving, your dogs may spend more time running and playing outside.  It is always good to be prepared ahead of time for accidents.

Below is a list of items that are essential to have on hand to treat your dog for many accidents that may occur:

Absorbent compresses in various sizes (gauze sponges)
Adhesive tape – hypoallergenic
Antibiotic Ointment- triple
Blanket
Clean cloth
Cold Compress
Dephenydramine (Benadryl) – appropriate dose for pets size, if approved by a vet (check expiration date)
Dog First Aid book
Expired credit card (to scrape awaystingers)
Epsom salt (to make saline solution)
Gloves – disposable, nonlatex, powder free)
Glucose paste or corn syrup
Grooming clippers
Hydrogen peroxide – 3% (check expiration date)
List of emergency telephone numbers – vet, emergency clinic, poison control center
Muzzle – soft collapsible, or gauze to use as muzzle
Nail clippers
Needle-nose pliers
Nylon leash
Petroleum Jelly
Penlight
Rectal thermometer – non mercury/non glass
Roll cohesive wrap – 3 inch width
Roll gauze – 2 inch width, cotton
Rubbin alcohol (isopropyl)
Scissors – small with blunt end
Sterile gauze pads –  non-adherent, assorted sizes
Sterile, water-based lubricant – such as KY Jelly
Syringe – baby dose size
Sterile eye lubricant
Sterile saline eye wash
Styptic powder
Towel
Tweezers
Water proof container to place all of the item in
Wire cutters – small
Vitamin B Gel

Source:  American Red Cross, Dog First Aid, Be Red Cross Ready, Safety Series Vol. 2

Yellow vs Chocolate vs Black Lab Dog Best and Worst

If you were looking to adopt a Lab, would you want a Chocolate Lab (seems to be the favorite), or a Yellow Lab, or a Black Lab?  Are you one of those that believe one is better than the other? Well, it’s not true! Differences in Labs; (yes, there are nice ones and not so nice ones out there, which comes from the way they were raised, and sometimes from the lines they were bred from, or puppy mills that just didn’t care). There is NO difference by color. Look at the pictures above. Which would you adopt first? Eli, the yellow Lab (who is owned by one of the Brew City volunteers), or Velvet, the black Lab? What on earth is with the litter on the right? Believe it or not, Eli, the yellow Lab is the son of Velvet the Black Lab. On the right is Velvet’s litter, of which Eli was one of the puppies. How does this happen? Enjoy a short explanation of “how to make a Lab” Further scientific explanations can be found at www.vetgen.com.

1. Color genes – black Labs have four color genes, chocolate Labs have two color genes, yellow Labs (with a black nose) have two color genes, and yellow Labs (with a liver nose) have one gene. All this means is the combination of genes are numerous! Some top of line breeders do use tests to determine which genes their Labs have, in which case, they can more closely determine the colors.

2. Mix a black Lab, with a black Lab, what do you get? No, you can’t guarantee an all black litter! Combinations anywhere from all black (remember there are four different color genes in both Mom and Dad), to several combinations, but never more than 1/4 yellow, or 3/16th’s chocolate.

3. Mix a black Lab, with a chocolate, or yellow (either nose color), and you can go anywhere from all black (even with a different colored mate), to not more than 1/2 yellow or 1/2 chocolate. All chocolate, or yellow would be considered close to impossible. (Velvet’s litter was 1/2 yellow and 1/2 black, not all black ones are in the picture).

4. A yellow Lab mated with a yellow Lab will give you a yellow Lab, right? Actually, it will. On the other hand, if you mate a yellow with a black of the right genes, you can end up with an all black litter! The same with a chocolate Lab of the right genes, can produce an all chocolate litter. Mixing a yellow with a chocolate or black will usually bring you a combination litter of two or three colors.

5. If you mix a chocolate with a chocolate, do you get a chocolate litter? Usually, but there is a gene combination that can give you a 1/4 yellow litter. If you mix a chocolate with a yellow or black, you can end up with a combination of all three colors, or a litter with NO chocolate!

6. There are only these three colors of Labs. Sometimes there are variations on the yellow, and some might be considered white or silver, and there are a very rare shades of chocolate, but all in all, there are just three colors.

This all goes to prove, all the colors are equal. Please note that we do not breed dogs in rescue. Any litters are from pregnant Moms that were taken into rescue, and all our dogs are neutered or spayed as soon as possible!

My Foster Dog is Beautiful

My foster dog stinks to high heaven. I don’t know for sure what
breed he is.  Hi0s eyes are blank and hard.  He won’t let me pet
him, and growls when I reach for him.  He has ragged scars and
crusty sores on his skin. His nails are long and his teeth, which he
showed me, are stained. I sigh.I drove two hours for this. I
carefully maneuver him so that I can stuff him in the crate. Then I
lift the crate and put it in the car. I am going home with my new
foster dog.

At home I leave him in the crate till all the other dogs are in the
yard. I get him out of the crate and ask him if he wants ‘outside.’
As I lead him to the door he hikes his leg on the wall and shows
me his stained teeth again. When we come in he goes to the
crate, because that’s the only safe place he sees. I offer him food,
but he won’t eat it if I look at him; so, I turn my back. When I come
back the food is gone. I ask again about ‘outside.’ When we come
back, I pat him before I let him in the crate; he jerks away and runs
into the crate to show me his teeth.

The next day I decide I can’t stand the stink any longer. I lead
him into the bath with cheese in my hand. His fear of me is not
quite overcome by his wish for the cheese. And well he should
fear me, for I will give him a bath. After an attempt or two to bail
out, he is defeated and stands there. I have bathed four-legged
bath squirters for more dog years than he has been alive. His only
defense was a show of his stained teeth that did not hold up to a
face full of water. As I wash him it is almost as if I wash not only the
stink and dirt away, but also some of his hardness. His eyes look
full of sadness now. And he looks completely pitiful as only a
soap-covered dog can. I tell him that he will feel better when he is
cleaned.

After the soap, the towels are not too bad; so, he lets me rub him
dry. I take him outside. He runs for joy: the joy of not being in the
tub and the joy of being clean. I, the bath giver, am allowed to
share the joy. He comes to me and lets me pet him.
One week later I have a vet bill. His skin is healing. He likes for
me to pet him. I think I know what color he will be when his hair
grows in. I have found out he is terrified of other dogs. So I
carefully introduce him to my mildest four legged brat. It doesn’t
go well.  Two weeks later there is a new vet bill for an infection
that was missed on the first visit. He plays with the other dogs.
Three weeks later he asks to be petted. He chewed up part of the
rug.

Eight weeks later his coat shines, and he has gained weight. He
shows his clean teeth when his tongue lolls out after he plays
chase in the yard with the gang. His eyes are soft and filled with
life. He loves hugs and likes to show off his tricks, if you have the
cheese.  Someone called today and asked about him; they saw
the picture I took the first week. They asked about his personality,
his history, his breed. They asked if he was pretty. I asked them
lots of questions. I checked up on them. I prayed. I said yes. When
they saw him the first time, they said he was the most beautiful
dog they had ever seen.

Six months later I got a call from his new family. He is wonderful,
smart, well-behaved and very loving. How could someone not want
him?  I told them I didn’t know.
He is beautiful.
They all are.

Written by
Martha O’Connor

I Rescued A Human Today

Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering
apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew
I had to help her. I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she
wouldn’t be afraid.

As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little
accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn’t want her to know
that I hadn’t been walked today. Sometimes the shelter keepers get
too busy and I didn’t want her to think poorly of them.

As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn’t feel sad about
my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make
a difference in someone’s life. She got down on her knees and made
little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head
up against the bars to comfort her.

Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for
companionship. A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to
assure her that all would be well.

Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I
instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I
would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do
everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her
eyes. I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many
more are out there who haven’t walked the corridors. So many more to
be saved. At least I could save one.

I rescued a human today.
_________________________
“Saving just one dog won’t change the world… but, surely, the world will change for that one dog” ~ unknown.

The Loss of a Heart-Dog

I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep.
I could see that you were crying, You found it hard to sleep.
I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear,
“It’s me, I haven’t left you, I’m well, I’m fine, I’m here.”
I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea,
You were thinking of the many times, your hands reached down to
me.
I was with you at the shops today, Your arms were getting sore.
I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.
I was with you at my grave today, You tend it with such care.
I want to reassure you, that I’m not lying there.
I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key.
I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said “it’s me.”
You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair.
I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there.
It’s possible for me, to be so near you everyday.
To say to you with certainty, “I never went away.”
You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew … in the
stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.
The day is over… I smile and watch you yawning
and say “goodnight, God bless, I’ll see you in the morning.”
And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,
I’ll rush across to greet you and we’ll stand, side by side.
I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see.
Be patient, live your journey out … then come home to be with me.

–Author Unknown

A Stump for a Tail

You can’t buy loyalty, they say
I bought it though, the other day;
You can’t buy friendship, tried and true,
Well just the same, I bought that too.
I made my bid, and on the spot
Bought love and faith and a whole job lot
Of happiness, so all in all
The purchase price was pretty small.
I bought a single trusting heart,
That gave devotion from the start.
If you think these things are not
for sale, Buy a brown-eyed puppy with
a stump for a tail.

— author unknown —

A Dog’s Prayer

Treat me kindly , my beloved master,
for no heart in all the world is more
grateful for kindness than the loving
heart of me.

Do not break my spirit with a stick,
for although I should lick your hand between blows, your patience and
understanding will more quickly teach
me the things you would have be do.

Speak to me often, for your voice is
world’s sweetest music, as you must know
by the fierce wagging of my tail when your
footstep falls upon my waiting ear.

When it is cold and wet, please take me
inside, for I am now a domesticated animal,
no longer used to bitter elements.
And I ask no greater glory than the
privilege of sitting at your feet beside
the hearth. Though had you no home,
I would rather follow you through ice and
snow than rest upon the softest pillow in
the warmest home in the land, for you are
my god and I am your devoted worshipper.

Keep my pan filled with fresh water,
for although I should not reproach you
were it dry, I cannot tell you when I
suffer thirst. Feed me clean food so
that I may stay well to romp and play
and do your bidding, to walk by your
side, and stand ready willing and able
to protect you with my life should your
life be in danger.

And beloved master, should the Great Master
see fit to deprive me of my health or sight,
do not turn me away from you. Rather,
hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands
grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest…
and I will leave you knowing with the last
breath I draw, my fate was every safest
in your hands.

— Beth Norman Harris —

One By One

One by One, they pass by my cage,
Too old, too worn, too broken, no way.
Way past his time, he can’t run and play.
Then they shake their heads slowly and go on their way.
A little old dog, arthritic and sore,
It seems I am not wanted anymore.
I once had a home, I once had a bed,
A place that was warm, and where I was fed.
Now my muzzle is gray, and my eyes slowly fail.
Who wants a dog so old and so frail?
My family decided I didn’t belong,
I got in their way, my attitude was wrong.
Whatever excuse they made in their head,
Can’t justify how they left me for dead.
Now I sit in this cage, where day after day,
The younger dogs get adopted away.
When I had almost come to the end of my rope,
You saw my face, and I finally had hope.
You saw thru the gray, and the legs bent with age,
And felt I still had life beyond this cage.
You took me home, gave me food and a bed,
And shared your own pillow with my poor tired head.
We snuggle and play, and you talk to me low,
You love me so dearly, you want me to know.
I may have lived most of my life with another,
But you outshine them with a love so much stronger.
And I promise to return all the love I can give,
To you, my dear person, as long as I live.
I may be with you for a week, or for years,
We will share many smiles, you will no doubt shed tears.
And when the time comes that God deems I must leave,
I know you will cry and your heart, it will grieve.
And when I arrive at the Bridge, all brand new,
My thoughts and my heart will still be with you.
And I will brag to all who will hear,
Of the person who made my last days so dear.
~Author Unknown~