1/18/12
2/3/12
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Birthday Greetings Kennel Name
Call Name
DOB
ShoGun's Stella D'oro ShoGun's Facinating Rhythm Shogun's Dawn's Early Light Shogun's Proudly We Hail Shogun's Gloria Hallelujah Shogun's No Guts No Gloria Shogun's Blaze of Glory Quigley
Stella Henry Libby Noel Maggie T Oliver Quigley
1/31/2011 2/23/2001 3/15/2002 3/15/2002 3/25/2004 3/25/2004 3/25/2004
Remy is looking for a home Remy is ShoGun’s Sure Shot. She was returned to us with a problem with her stride which a vet thought was caused by an inoperable luxating hock. Our vet diagnosed her with luxating patellas, no hock problem. He could pop her patellas out by forcing them, but they pop back in by themselves. He graded them as between grade 1 and 2. He said that she is not a candidate for surgery, or even for therapy, as it is not needed. She has been here since Nov 26 and her patellas have not popped out even once. Our vet has recommended keeping her weight 2
down, giving her a joint supplement, and providing her with exercise. Since she has been back, her muscles in the rear have strengthened and it is hard to tell there is any problem there. Remy is a sweet girl, 19 months old, very needy so probably should be with someone who is at home most of the time. We haven't made a concerted effort to find a home for her , hopefully one of our “family� will know of someone willing to adopt this lovely girl. For info on luxating patellas visit: http://tinyurl.com/LuxatingPatellas .
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While Strolling Down the Beach One Day On last December 22, this is the scene John and Elizabeth Moran came upon during their morning walk.
A World War II-era Chinese Trainer single-engine airplane made an emergency landing on the beach. The pilot and his passenger were not hurt during the landing, but declined to comment about the incident. The plane’s pilot took off from Myrtle Beach International Airport’s general aviation facility about 11 a.m. later declared an emergency with engine failure. A helicopter pilot flying nearby at the time of the incident kept watch on the plane until it landed. As news spread about a World War II-era type plane on the beach, people came to the location and posed for photos next to the plane on the beach. Mechanics tried to restart the plane, but were not successful, so with a police escort the plane was towed from the beach through the campground to the general aviation facility. The plane appears to be the CJ-6 which is a Chinese version of the Soviet made Yakovlev Yak-18A. A total production run estimated at more than 3,000 CJ-6 planes since 1960 were supplied for Chinese military training, as well as for export to countries including Albania, Bangladesh, Cambodia, North Korea, Tanzania, and Sri Lanka, according to Wikipedia. 4
In December Pip left us for his new home with Lorri and Bill Oliver of Montello, WI. Pip joins a household consisting of Labrador Retrievers, a bulldog, and various other animals on 80 acres of farmland. Pip will be active in conformation and several performance events.
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Thanks for this cute card Wilson. We’re glad you had a great birthday. Looks like your mom and dad are taking loving care of you.
Here is Gracie trying out the new ramp Chic bought for Gracie and Lucy so they can get into the Jeep easier. I think Gracie would like to keep it on the chair.
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Here we see Bishop baby sitting Craig and Jenifer’s granddaughter, Piper. I understand his fee is reasonable.
Ana Claire, Nonsuch Vivacissimo This is a photo of Rob Copeland, Ana Claire’s dad ,during a visit to Susan Ipsen, a former Clumber owner. The dogs are a Cocker Spaniel and a Cavalier Spaniel.
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Our best wishes to all who will be attending the National in Kerrville, Texas next month. Helen will be there without any dogs as her heel is still on the mend. Here is an Ad you won’t see in the catalog.
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We couldn’t let an issue go by without a mention of Emmet. In the last issue we spotlighted Emmet’s daughter MeMe, Moonrysn’s Its All About MeMe. This issue we are proud to introduce MeMe’s littermate Marlo, Moonrysn’s That Girl. Both girls had their majors by 7 months of age and are well on their ways to earning their Ch titles.
On 12/20/11 Little Helen gave birth to 3 puppies; 2 boys and 1 girl. Photo of Little Helen’s litter may be seen on her gallery at http://www.pbase.com/owahl/little_helen 9
Message from the Editors We hope you like our little publication. We love putting it together for you and we’d like to hear what you like/dislike about it, so don’t be afraid to let us know. Just call (262-9654963) or email us ( hmarshall@wi.rr.com ). One thing is for sure, we depend on you for items to publish, so lets hear from you about what you and your dogs are doing. Thank you, Helen and Otto
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Video on cutting nails: http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/ 2011/11/01/stress-free-dog-nail-trimming.aspx What Happens When Dogs Get Car-Sick?: http://tinyurl.com/7pv6u9w Top Puppy Problems and How To Solve Them! http://tinyurl.com/PuppyProblems Stem Cell Therapy in Dogs: What You Need to Know: http://tinyurl.com/7up5kxl Understanding Dogs and Seizures: http://tinyurl.com/DogsSeizures Is Your Dog Paranoid? http://tinyurl.com/DogsParanoid Anal Gland Video: http://tinyurl.com/AnalGlandVideo 11
Ear infections-What You Should Know: http://tinyurl.com/6qaghr6 Home Alone Again? Try This Secret Calming Tool for Dogs: http://tinyurl.com/CalmingTool This Dog Disease Affects Thousands - What Is It? http://tinyurl.com/7hpa5gs What Can Your Puppy See?: http://tinyurl.com/DogsSee How to Treat a Torn Nail: http://tinyurl.com/TornNail 5 Easy Steps to Housebreaking Your Puppy http://tinyurl.com/74n2exq Why is Lyme Disease Not JUST a Tick-Borne Disease Any More? http://tinyurl.com/Lymes
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Why Veterinarians Love Lists BY DR. PATTY KHULY | DECEMBER 15, 2011
In case you haven’t already noticed from my frequent application of the top-ten format in my posts, I love lists — all kinds of lists. I wouldn’t think of going to the market without a checklist nor would I plan my day sans bullet-pointed itinerary, so why wouldn’t I take a list along when I go to the doctor? Yes, I always take a list when I go see my GP to make sure my memory doesn’t fail me. And you should take a list when it’s time to hit the vet’s. Veterinarians love lists. Well visits, sick visits, whatever. We love 'em. Why? For a few reasons I’ll outline below — in a list, of course. 1. A List Helps Us Cover All The Bases Having a list allows us to proceed stepwise and logically through a process that might otherwise happen in a more disorderly fashion (as you haphazardly recall the items you really should have included on a list). Not only does it simply make more sense to do it this way from your vet’s POV (Do her teeth need cleaning? Are those cataracts I’m noticing? Am I cleaning her ears right? Is that too much shedding?), but it also means you’ll be less likely to forget items — and more likely to remember the answers, too. 2. A List Helps The Vet Prioritize What’s on your list allows us to home in on issues that are important to you as a pet owner. Not only does that help us 13
treat your pet exactly as you expect us to, it gives us tons of information about you so that we can make better decisions for all your pets in the future. 3. A List Helps Us Manage Our Time The reality is that veterinarians have only so much undivided time to offer you. Having a list means it can all get covered efficiently. 4. A List Helps Your Vet Help You During the course of any office visit there are plenty of ways in which a veterinarian can fail to focus on items you might’ve wanted her to cover. We’re only human, you know. Having a list means your vet is much less likely to disappoint you — and your pets. 5. A List Makes Your Appointment Cost Effective What’s worse than getting home from the vet and remembering that you needed to mention the occasional head shaking thing your cat does? Having to return a couple of weeks later because the head shaking has become persistent. Not only is an extra visit more expensive, but think of the two weeks of discomfort your cat has suffered. 6. A List Helps Keep Your Pets Healthy Lists help keep potentially important issues from slipping through the cracks during a routine — or any — vet appointment. Healthier pets are invariably the outcome. By the way, lists are extremely useful for medical providers for this very reason. Interested in hearing more about how lists can help your veterinarian become a better practitioner? 14
Reference Dr. Atul Gawande’s excellent book on this subject, The Checklist Manifesto. 7. A List Will Earn You the Vet's Respect And then there’s the issue of all that respect you’ll get from your vet for caring enough to make a list. This strategy truly speaks volumes about how much you care for your pets. Sure, it might also say lots of nasty things about your memory, but who cares? As long as your pets get great care, what does it matter?
Q: Ever since I got a new puppy, my house has been a disaster zone! How do I keep him from chewing everything in sight? A: Although puppies epitomize cuteness, they can also symbolize destruction, particularly when they are teething. In the same way that teething is painful for babies, it's also uncomfortable for puppies, who respond by doing anything they can to alleviate the discomfort with chewing. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to curb inappropriate chewing while still providing your puppy with some relief. Provide Appropriate Chews Puppy toys are designed to be a little softer than adult dog toys, but they are tough enough to withstand the needle-like teeth of puppies. Toys that can be stuffed with food work well to encourage them to chew on appropriate toys instead of 15
items in the home. To further soothe gums, many toys can be filled with water and then frozen. My favorites are puppy Kong toys (they can be stuffed and frozen), Orbee-Tuff toys for puppies, Premier's puppy toys (Biscuit block, Puppy Waggle, Squirrel Dude), the freezable Pet Stages Puppy Cool Teether, Nylabone puppy toys designed for teething and the Multipet Chilly bone dog toy, which can be filled with water and frozen to relieve aching teeth and gums. You can also use dog-friendly frozen foods, like apples, carrots, green beans and blueberries. Ideally, you should keep an eye on your puppy when he's chewing toys or food items, especially if large pieces can be broken off or swallowed and cause choking. Be Vigilant About Supervision Whenever your puppy is free in the home, direct him to play with approved chew toys. If you catch your puppy chewing on the furniture, avoid harsh verbal or physical punishment, which can cause a puppy to hide from you and make the habit even harder to break. Instead, interrupt your dog with an “oops� and immediately show him an appropriate toy. And be sure to reward your puppy with praise and treats when he chews on the correct toys. Dog-Proof the Premises When your puppy can't be supervised, he should be in a dog-proofed area. Crates, baby or dog fencing and baby gates are all essential tools to protect your house from destruction. When you leave your puppy, be sure to give him a stuffed
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Kong and a variety of food puzzles for him to work on while you’re away. Teething
doesn’t last forever — the process should be over when your puppy is 7 to 8 months old — although it can last a couple of months longer for some dogs. By using enticing dog chews, supervision and dog proofing, you can survive the teething time frame.
When it is time to say goodbye… Nobody likes to talk about it. Once we realize that our pets are, after all, not immortal, we may hope that they will just “go” in their sleep. Well, that almost never happens. Most of the time, we have to help them. Euthanasia is a very personal, heart-breaking, grueling decision. Let’s go over 15 common concerns. 1. What is euthanasia? According to the American Heritage Science Dictionary, euthanasia is “the act of painlessly ending the life of an animal who has a terminal illness or incurable condition, as by giving a lethal drug”. I would say that euthanasia, or “putting a pet to sleep”, is the humane way to end a pet’s life when their quality of life 17
is no longer acceptable. Euthanasia should never be a convenience when a pet becomes, well, an inconvenience. 2. When is euthanasia appropriate? It’s all about quality of life. We have discussed this topic before. For our new readers, the “Quality of life scale” (found on my web site under “Links”) helps you assess various criteria such as pain level, appetite, hygiene, happiness, mobility etc in an OBJECTIVE manner. Basically, are there more good days or bad days? The challenge is that you need to try to look at the situation from your pet’s standpoint, - not yours. This is often difficult, because it is a very emotional situation that tends to make you lose your objectivity. In other words, if the same situation happened to your best friend’s pet, you probably would know exactly what to do. But because you are dealing with your own pet and your own emotions, you cannot see the situation as objectively. Sometimes, denial makes things even worse… 3. When will I know it’s time? Some people say “You’ll know in your heart when it’s time.” I’m not so sure it that’s easy. Sometimes, you just don’t know. Again, you are so emotionally close to the situation, that you often can’t reason with a clear mind. Therefore, some clients just don’t know when it’s time. It is a vet’s job and ethical responsibility to make the owner aware of the situation. It is however not a vet’s job to make the decision for a pet’s owner. So asking “What would you 18
do if it were your pet” is usually not a fair question: it’s a personal decision. The vet’s job is to explain the facts, describe the medical situation, and present options. Only you can (and should) make the final decision. Again, you can use the “Quality of life scale” to guide your decision. If the numbers keep decreasing, you need to realize that your pet’s quality of life is also diminishing. 4. How is euthanasia performed? Each vet has his or her own protocol, so the description below is only one way to do things. Let’s try to forget emotions for a minute, and let’s try to focus on the scientific or medical aspect of euthanasia, so that you know what to expect. An IV catheter is placed. Most veterinarians will give a sedative or tranquilizer IV first, to relax the patient, or even make them sleepy. Then, the euthanasia drug, -an overdose of barbiturates-, is given IV. This is a pain free, almost instant procedure. The heart and lungs stop. And it’s over. I think most pets owners are surprised how quickly euthanasia happens. It’s over in less than a second… You may then want to spend some time alone with your pet to say goodbye. Although not exactly glamorous, it is important to mention a few things that may or may not happen during euthanasia. For example, your pet may or may not have one last deep breath (called an agonal breath). Eyes typically don’t close. This is not Hollywood. 19
There may be noises or vocalizations, or muscle spasms, or urination and defecation as the body relaxes. These are just possible, physiological, medical things that can happen and may be traumatizing if you are not prepared or warned. Regardless, euthanasia is overall a very quick and smooth process. 5. What do I do at the animal hospital? An experienced team will guide you through the different steps. Here are two important suggestions: * Ask if you can take care of all the paperwork and financial stuff BEFORE proceeding with the euthanasia. The last thing you want to do is stand at the front desk after the euthanasia, in tears, in the middle of a full waiting room. A good receptionist should spontaneously suggest this option. * Have a friend or family member drive for you since you will probably have difficulty driving safely after it’s all over. Now is not the time to get teary-eyed and get into an accident! 6. Should I be present? This is one of the most difficult questions to answer. There is no right or wrong answer. There are several options. You can say goodbye, leave the room, and let the doctor proceed. You may or may not want to visit afterwards. Or you can be present, start to finish. Here is a testimonial from a friend and former client in beautiful Cincinnati, OH: 20
“My daughter and son-in-law had to euthanize Banshee, their Bernese mountain dog. They had had his leg amputated, but the cancer progressed. In the end, they had to put him to sleep. It is always sad to lose a pet. Even though it wasn't our dog, he was one of the sweetest dogs I've ever known, and even in his illness, he kept his sweet disposition. My son-in-law and daughter were both with him at the end. That is something I would encourage pet owners to do. It is a comfort to see how peacefully your pet can go, and for me their loyalty demands your presence. I recognize that some people may not be able to do it.” 7. A very special situation: In my surgical practice, there is another situation. We are occasionally faced with an incurable condition during a surgery. I will then call the owner on the phone during the surgery, discuss the situation, and if we both agree, humanely euthanize the patient “on the table.” In this situation, the patient goes from anesthesia to euthanasia with no awareness and no pain whatsoever. 8. What happens with the remains? There are several options. Some people elect to bury their pet. This may be illegal where you live, so it is important to check. It you can’t, there are memorial gardens and cemeteries for pets throughout the country. Most owners elect cremation. I suspect most readers are familiar with the concept. However, I just learned about a new option soon to be available in the Lehigh Valley (in PA), and it may be 21
available in your area. It is not called cremation, but “water resolution” or “alkaline hydrolysis.” This “green alternative” only uses water, potassium hydroxide and heat. No need to go over all the details, let’s just say that we end up with remains just the same. In either case, you then have 2 options: you may get remains back, or not. Here is what a pet owner wrote after receiving her pet’s ashes. Cookie, a 1 year old female Boston terrier, had abdominal surgery that revealed a terrible condition called intestinal volvulus: 90% of her small intestine had twisted onto itself, which is a deadly finding. The owners, VL and ML, were called during the surgery, and reluctantly elected the only reasonable choice: euthanasia. Later, they wrote: “(…) Cookies’ ashes now sit on our mantle in the beautiful box with her name on it. (…) Cookie has come home in style.” Some people save the remains. Some bury them. Others sprinkle the ashes somewhere, such as the pet’s favorite place in the back yard. Again, this is a very personal decision. 9. What can I do to get through this? Here are a few things you can do to help you heal. * Allow yourself to cry. It’s okay, - really. * Put your pet’s belongings (water bowl, food bowl, bed, leash and collar or harness, toys etc.) in a big box and store it away for the time being. 22
* Talk about it – to other sensitive pet owners, probably not to non-pet owners. * Write in a journal. * Depending on your artistic talents, you could draw or paint a picture of your pet, write a poem, create a scrapbook with memorabilia and pictures… * Create a memorial in your garden or your balcony. * Join a pet loss support group. More on this below. 11. How else can I get closure? Another vastly personal topic. Although it is difficult to believe it at the time of euthanasia, time heals all wounds. Eventually, you will get over your sorrow. Getting closure requires going through the flow of the various stages of grieving, which we discussed last week. Getting your pet’s ashes may also help with closure, as this typically happens after a week or so. 12. When should I get a new pet? Most people recommend waiting until you achieve complete closure before getting a new pet. Adopting a new pet too soon may lead to bad decisions that you might regret, which is not fair to the new pet (or you and your family). 13. What do I tell my kids? This is another very complicated topic. I would rather direct you to web sites (mentioned below) that explain things very well depending on the age of the child. You just don’t 23
explain things to a 3 year old the same way as you would a 13 year old. There are many things to be aware of. For example, it may be inappropriate to say that your pet “went to sleep” or was “put to sleep” and will never come back, as this may traumatize a child at bed time for years. After all, their buddy is never going to wake up… 14. How can I help my grieving elderly parents? Again, a touchy topic… Please refer to the web site referenced below. Sometimes, a pet is the last link an elderly person has to the world. If grandma cannot walk Fluffy in the neighborhood, a whole part of her social interactions may vanish all of a sudden. A pet acts as “social lubricant” which is going to he hard to replace… 15. Where can I get help? Support is crucial to get over a pet’s loss. It can require finding a friendly ear: a friend, a family member, a receptionist or a nurse you developed a good relationship with, or your vet. If you have other pets, they can also provide a support system, as you will need to redirect your attention to their needs. Actually, your other pet(s) will “feel” that their buddy is missing, and they will feel your sorrow. Now is the time to provide some extra TLC. They may become lethargic or have a poor appetite. Your other pets may actually help you grieve, so you can actually help each other. 24
There are also some web sites where you can share your feelings (at http://www.drphilzeltzman.com/ under “Pawspice and pet loss”). I hope that this newsletter helps you understand the process of euthanasia. In a sense, euthanasia is an act of love. You will rarely see it that way the day you lose your pet. But after your grieving period, I hope you will understand that you made the right decision. If you are completely overwhelmed, or you feel that you are grieving for an unusually long time, you may need counseling. This is now available through several vet schools (again on my web site).
©2012 SgoGunDogs 25