Pet Bulletin Board

• Pet Connection,Inc. is a non-profit no-kill cat and dog rescue organization located in Avonmore,PA. We are unique in that we cage no animal that is brought into our care, to avoid unnecessary stress. All our funding comes from donations by animal lovers. We would love to be linked to your site as we are new to the Internet and need exposure. Thanks for your time in considering our site for a possible link! Pet Connection Sincerely yours, Kathy - E-mail kgeltz@nb.net

• Arthritis in Dogs -- A year ago, I thought I was going to have to have my 12-year old "mutt" put down. He was so disabled with arthritis, he couldn't walk up the stairs. He weighed over a hundred pounds, so I couldn't very well carry him up. This evening when I was out cutting flowers and watering, my dog was bounding up and down the driveway, jumping, barking, having the time of his life. What caused this change?

  He has been having acupuncture treatments for 11 months and is on a specially prepared diet that I cook for him, using only fresh, healthy ingredients. My heart leaps every time I see him jump and play. It is worth all the dedication on my part -- the least I could do for him. If anyone has a dog with arthritis and is interested in more details, feel free to e-mail me. Eveanna eveanna@gte.net

• Dog needs Surgery -- My 75 year old mother has just found out she has major liver damage and is quite down about it. The one saving grace is her dog, who has been with her for 10 years. She is low income and cannot afford the eye surgery her dog desperately needs. Do you know of any programs that could pay the vet bill ? Sincerely, Shana Lipsker rjb@olywa.net

• Pet Stories -- My name is Jerry Roundtree. I am a veterinarian and am writing a book on the benefits of pets to people. I am looking for personal stories to add to my book to illustrate the principles that I am trying to convey to the public. There are innumerable stories of pets helping people to recover from illnesses, to overcome loneli- ness or boredom or depression, to be a companion after a spouse has passed away, etc... If you have had a personal experience that you would like to share in my book, I would be delighted to hear from you. It would be especially nice to have a picture to go along with the story. My address is P.O. Box 1315 Page, Arizona 86040. You will receive full credit and recognition in the book if your story is used. Thank you. I look forward to hearing from you. P.S. If you know where I might inquire about such stories, please let me know. Jerry Roundtree jmroundt@dcaccess.com

• My Congo African Grey - My 5 year old African Grey has a growth between his nostrals. It resembles a wart, but I am not sure. Is there any danger? Should it be removed? I live 86 miles away from the nearest avian vet. Is there anything I can put on it? Beings he is an African Grey I am the only one that can handle him. e-mail me at cagranny@psin.com - Madeline Nicholas.

  RESPONSE by Veterinarian Jill Crabtree D.V.M. - Madeline: I do not do avian medicine myself-am strictly internal medicine for dogs and cats, but will consult with some of my colleages who are avian practictioners and get back to you in a few days. Jill Crabtree D.V.M.

  Dear Madeline: The growth on your parrot's nares is more likely to be benign than something malignant. However in that area if it gets to be any size at all, it could easily interfere with the nasal opening. It is apparently not bothering him now or you would probably have mentioned it. Watch carefully and notice if it is getting larger. If it is growing don't wait too long to have it removed because in that area it becomes much more difficult to remove the growth as it becomes larger. Hope this helps. Jill

• Bad Breath & Feet Smell - We have a minature Schnauzer who we dearly love, and is twelve years old. We feed her FitNTrim, and some milk bones, we rarely vary from her diet. She is very healthy and playful. The problem is that her breath smells like bad fish and her feet smell terrible. Is there anything we could do to correct the problem. Kona would appreciate it as much as the whole family would to. Sincerely Mr. & Mrs. D.W.

  RESPONSE by our our Veterinarian Advisor Jill Crabtree -- Dear Mr. and Mrs. D. W, At the risk of not being very helpful-I would recommend that you have Kona examined by a veterinarian. Has she had her teeth cleaned recently? Most small breed dogs her age will need a dental cleaning about once a year. She may have infected teeth or gingivitis. It is unusual for a dog's feet to have an odor (since they dont wear tennis shoes). Perhaps she has a skin infection. Sounds like she needs a good examination. Like older people, older dogs need regular medical care. Good luck! Jill.

• Hello! We are Marlee Animal Rescue. We hope seniors in our area (Southern Maine/N.H.) will take advantage of our Foster Care for Pets of Seniors Program. Through this program, if you become temporarily incapacitated or hospitalized, we will care for your pet at no charge. We also offer through our Pet Pantry, pet food for those temporarily in need. We feel that the best medicine for anyone is their pet, so we offer these services. If you would like to know more about us please visit our site at: http://www.cyberTours.com/~marlee/home.html - Joe & Debby E-mail spaulding@cybertours.com - Thank You

• Euthanizing Your PetHi, I hope you can help me. I have a 14 year old dog who has cancer and is terminal. The dog is VERY frightened of the vet. She shakes uncontrollably and her temperature rises about 2 degrees over normal while waiting for the doctor. How do I euthanize the dog without putting her through the normal terror of going to the vet??? Can I use a strong tranquilizer and heavily sedate the dog prior to taking her to the vet? Your thoughts are greatly appreciated. I searched the net for other people that may have had the same problem, but was unable to find anything. Perhaps you might post your answer, so others could benefit. Thank you, Bob Karrow rkarrow@adnc.com

  RESPONSE by our Veterinarian Advisor Jill Crabtree - Hi Bob, Your idea of giving the dog a tranquilizer at home before taking her to the vet is the standard approach for that situation. However there are vets who make housecalls. If you do not know of any in your area ask your regular vet if he can recommend someone who can come to the house. For this procedure even a large animal vet who has a mobile unit might do it if you explained the situation-that he would not be expected to diagnose or treat the dog. Good luck. J.

• Therapy Dogs - I am looking for some information on volunteering mine and my dog's services. Please e-mail me any information you may have. I live in Westchester County New York. Thanks, Erika and Kelly STANLEYCUP@prodigy.net

• The Americans With Disabilities Act protects the rights of certain disabled persons (physically and/or mentially) to keep their animals, if the animal is somehow, medically speaking a facilitator of somesort such as a seeing eye dog, or other animal trained to perform various tasks for the disabled person. I do not know if this would apply to the elderly in general, though the presence of animals have been shown to be of aid to people in managing blood pressue and their systemic conditons. thanks to Gerald W. Livingston, gliving@onramp.net -- Webmaster: If anyone has information on the legal rights the elderly have regarding their pets I would appreciate hearing of them and I will post them.

• Cat Bathing as a Martial Art --

• Rosie's Dogma
  • Carry your food into the middle of the room before you eat it.
    
  • Leave nothing unmarked (females do this too)
    
  • Don't come when called (especially on a cold winter day)
    
  • Dig holes anywhere you can
    
  • Take time to dig up the flowers too
    
  • Overturn the garbage, even when they're home
    
  • Nap on the warm clean laundry but only after you have helped sort the dirty stuff
    
  • Make use of that sad, puppydog face when being chastised
    
  • Give them sooo much affection they put you outside, where you really wanted to be
    
  • Act surprised when you break things and make them think it wasn't you
    
  • Only drink water from the toilet
    
  • Guard EVERYTHING in your house, yard and car by barking loudly
    
  • Make sure that you lick every spot on a face when greeting
    
  • Be a good listener whenever your master is feeling down and out and needs a shoulder to cry on.

• Ferret Rescue needs help -- Hi, I'm Jackie, with the South Florida Ferret Club & Rescue. There's probably many seniors who have never seen a ferret. I hadn't until a little over 3 years ago when someone offered to give me 3 of them. Not knowing anything about them, I turned them down. But, each time I went to the pet store for dog food, I found I was spending more and more time playing with the ferrets. Had gotten a couple of books about them and they really captured my interest. Needless to say, I brought two home one night and a month later, got a third.

  They have been the most delightful pet I've ever had. They seem to be somewhere between a cat and a dog. They play like kittens all their lives, are extremely curious and take such a joy of just being. No matter what kind of day I've had, they always manage to make me laugh. Shortly after these three, I found out about our local shelter, started volunteering and had many calls to go on rescues.

  These little furry critters have totally captured my heart to the extent that all my spare time is devoted to helping care and/or raise funds for their care. I now have 11 of my own and am fostering another three for a total of 14 ferrets and a Pom who loves them also.

  They are ideal for seniors because they only need to be out to play a couple of hours a day. They do need companionship and someone to love them. They're very social little guys and are so much fun.

  One of our members has recently put up a web page requesting help for our shelter due to a terrible virus that only ferrets get. It has left us devastated financially, unable to adopt any of the ferrets out to anyone that already has ferrets because they remain carriers of the virus for an unknown period of time. We have over 150 at the shelter now.

  Please take a look at our page: http://www.bridge.net/~mjanke to see some of our loving babies and see why we need help so urgently. If anyone is interested in knowing more about these wonderful pets, please just email me. I'll be happy to answer any questions. Jackie Hawley -- e-mail ferret1@newworld.bridge.net

• The Morris Animal Shelter in Philadelphia has a special program for seniors. We reduce the adoption fee, take telephone applications, and provide helpful services to seniors willing to consider opening their hearts and homes to animals in need. We do not place kittens and puppies but instead choose house broken adults that match the needs and energy level of the senior. You can get more information by calling us at 215-731-0548. PASS THE WORD!!! Animal companions BENEFIT seniors! -- E-mail LABranes@aol.com

• Dear Groomer, I am writing this on behalf of a close friend of mine who is a pet groomer (Linda at Lindašs Doggone Beautiful Pet Grooming Salon in Keene NH) She has been asked to put an ad on the net for Peruvian groomers who are trying to start up. The groomer asking for this is trying to help people get started. He wonšt be making any money on it. Wanted: used or new clippers, blades, shears, or epuipment to help the pet stylists in Peru get started. All donations will be deeply appreciated. Please send them to: The Dog From Ipanema; 4015 Laguna St.; Coral Gables, FL 33146; Attn. Jarbas Godoy; Thanks, Gracias, Merci! -- I am actually a classical guitarist, but I am quickly learning about the world of pet styling. thanks again. Sincerely yours, Rob Phelps E-mail rphelps@javanet.com

• Laws to Keep Pets? -- I am trying to locate information regarding the rights of senior citizens to keep a pet. My mother lives in an apartment complex that is subsidized federally and they tell her she is not permitted to keep a cat. Hasn't there been a law passed that allows Seniors to keep pets? If so, where can I get a copy? -- Thanks, Nancy T (ntucker@cetlink.net)

  Nancy: According to my information, David Smith, a researcher with the Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill stated, "federal law prohibits discrimination against elderly and disabled pet owners in federally assisted housing, but the law as been little implemented." I have been unable to find the law but will continue trying as it is important to senior citizens. If anyone out there know about this law please e-mail me Walter so I can let others know about it.

• Marlee Animal Rescue for Southern Maine -- We are a small Animal Rescue in southern Maine. We are dedicated to helping keep pets and owners together-we have a Pet Pantry that will help provide pet food for people in hard times, we also care for pets of women in Battered Woman's Shelters until they are able to find a SAFE, suitable home for themselves, children and pets. We are also a rescue for homeless, abandoned and abused pets. Our adoption rate is over 90%. Animals are only destroyed if it is in their best interest. We have many that spend their "old age" with us as our pets!! Our newest program is dedicated to helping seniors with their pets during temporary hospital stays (average of 1-2 weeks) or in time of hardship. We feel that there is NO better medicine for a senior than their beloved pet!! This is still a very new program that we are hoping will catch on everywhere so that seniors anywhere will no longer have to worry about loosing their pets during time of illiness or crisis!! For more information write us at Marlee Animal Rescue for Southern Maine P.O. Box 552 Boyd Road North Berwick, Maine 03906 or checking our our Home Page (which is still under construction-SORRY) at our web site http://www.biddeford.com/marlee. We are a Non-profit organization so donations are always welcomed and appreciated! Thank You, Debby Correspondence Secretary -- from: Joseph & Debby Spaulding <" spauld"@waveinter.com>

• Pets-earthquake early warning -- I am currently working for Dr. Rupert Sheldrake Biologist/Author in UK. We are interested in hearing from any senior citizens in the USA who have experienced their pet alerting them, in advance of any earthquake activity. This pioneering research could save lives. E-mail Pam Smart pam@telepet.demon.co.uk

• Volunteers of America Pet Assistance Program -- Hi. My name is Diana Perkins, and I am the owner of The Master's Helper, which provides pet sitting & pet taxi service in the Long Beach, CA area. I feed, water, and provide play time and exercise for people's pets in their own homes while they are gone on business trips, vacations, or work late, and charge a fee for that service. Other things I do involve taking in their mail/newspapers, water plants, pick up the yard, and take out the trash. I also do this in cooperation with the Volunteers of America Senior Citizen Pet Assistance Program, a program that provides free pet care for senior citizens. This includes trips to the Vet, groomer, and whatever their animals need! The Volunteers of America hires me to provide transportation to Vets/groomers for the elderly who cannot take their pets to where they need to be! The senior citizens get this service for free, and the Volunteers of America pays me a fee (I keep my fee as low as possible, as these people are in need of any help they can get). To contact e-mail Diana Perkins perkinet@ptconnect.infi.net

If you would like to post news or a bulletin about a pet please send us an e-mail.

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