It Takes A Village To Raise A Great Puppy

Your new puppy has arrived and has been christened with the fitting name “Baxter”. It just seemed to fit that fluffy little morsel of puppydom. The kids are over the moon with puppy joy and you seem to be making great strides in becoming rather an accomplished dog owner. It’s time to start putting together the resources that are going to make life with Baxter simpler, healthier and better for the whole family.Dogs require their own little support system just like kids do. As the days pass, burning questions arise:

• How do I find a great veterinarian?
• What about when it’s time to have Baxter groomed?
• Can I find his puppy food at the local Petsmart or do I need to order a supply?
• What about when we go out of town? Do we board or have a pet sitter?
• Do I need a dog walker?
• What about pet insurance?
• HELP!!!

FEAR NOT! I, the Puppy Diva am here to help you navigate the sometimes murky waters of building a doggie support system for your new four-footed canine companion.

Finding A Great Veterinarian

Because your relationship with Baxter’s veterinarian will likely be a long one, you’ll want to find a doctor who is a good fit for not only your new puppy but, also a great fit for you as well. After all, since Baxter can’t talk, you’ll be doing most of the communicating with his caregiver.Most importantly, you want a skilled practitioner. I’ve worked with many wonderful vets in my long and varied career in dogs. The best of them were veterinarians who had been out of school for some years and had enough experience to know when an issue was serious and worth looking into further. Perhaps just as important? The vets that knew when my concerns were minor and were confident enough to keep me steered on the right path medically.Over the years I’ve learned to appreciate the ones who were also a bit more conservative in their approach in regards to my pocketbook, while still giving excellent care to my beloved pets. 

What I’ve learned to avoid?

As I said, I’ve worked with some really great veterinarians over the years, I’ve also worked with more than a few who were a disappointment in any number of ways.Some simply lacked a real love for dogs.  That is the most important quality I look for.  After wisdom and great instincts medically, I want a doctor who really loves dogs, who really cares about my dogs.Some veterinarians can be too quick to go to great lengths to do unnecessary often extremely expensive testing.Others can insist or procedures that upon further inspection, may not have been necessary in the first place . This is where inexperience can play a role in Baxter not receiving the best care possible. If your practitioner is very young or fresh out of college, it’s likely that he or she simply hasn’t been in practice long enough to have seen a large number of pets and their dizzying array of varied conditions. A more experienced doctor will be less likely to spend thousands of dollars on testing or procedures unless he really feels confident that they are prudent and important for your dog’s well-being.I’ve known others who are anxious to medicate with all the nuclear weapons in their pharmaceutical toolbox at the first sign of a sniffle.  As I tend to prefer a cautious approach, and one that relies heavily on natural solutions and support to my dog’s health, I’ve had to be an advocate for what I did and didn’t want to do when it came to my dog’s care, you will need to do the same.You’ll want a veterinarian who is willing to listen to your concerns. Someone who is caring and compassionate, experienced and has a personality that’s a good fit with you and Baxter as well.  It sounds like a daunting task, finding your own perfect canine practitioner, but take heart!  There are shortcuts on every journey including this one.

My best advice?

 Seek out dog owning friends and family members and grill them extensively.  Ask which clinic they are using?  Are they happy with the care their pets have been given?  Have charges seemed excessive?  Do their pets receive kind treatment (huge!)?  Often word of mouth is the very best way to find a great vet, and perhaps avoid a not so wonderful one!One last thing, don’t be afraid to move on to another clinic if you find after the first visit that you and Baxter just didn’t “click” with your new doctor.  You’re not duty bound to stay with the first animal hospital you try.  Mark it up to experience learned and do a bit more asking around, a few more Google searches, and I’m confident you’ll find a dog-doctor that you’ll be happy to take Baxter to for the long-term.The next step on your dog owning journey?Finding the right DOG GROOMER!  Click HERE for my best tips on dog groomer delight or despair!

SAVING LITTLE PUPPY LIVES, ONE PUPPY AT A TIME...

How do you build a dream... What do you do when you know you have something almost miraculously beneficial to pets and yet have the overwhelming task of letting pet owners know it even exists?I had a sad phone call this morning,,one that not only grieved me, but also angered me. The anger I felt spurred me on to take the photos you see here, to move forward with a dream that from my vantage point in my farmhouse kitchen in Ohio, seems an almost impossible one to attain.The phone rang and balancing the little bottle of Elixir on the counter so it wouldn’t roll off, I answered the call. It was Margaret Adams, a long-time dog breeder friend, calling to tell me that a local Collie breeder in Charleston had contacted her after hearing about our Agatha’a Apothecary line of products. It seems this lady had a new litter of puppies and that she had been having problems keeping their blood sugar levels stable, a common issue in puppies. This lady has absolutely stunning Collies, and a few years ago had bred the #1 Rough Collie in the nation, obviously a knowledgeable woman, but like myself she had believed that a popular pet supplement was the only way to address the issues in her puppies. Margaret said the lady had been using it to try and stabilize them. I groaned inwardly knowing where she was going with her story.The puppies, though fussy eaters (a common side effect of this widely used product), had passed their 9 week puppy exam with her veterinarian, and had been released to new homes. As I waited for the story to unfold, I knew already that the outcome probably was a grim one. It seems that the first little girl puppy, a sweet baby called Molly, had been in her new home only 3 days when the owner called frantically to say that the puppy who just the evening before had been playing with her children, was limp and unresponsive and on her way to the emergency animal hospital.Even after spending almost a thousand dollars, little Molly was gone,,,A victim of her breeders good intentions and products that do more harm than good. Her lack of the right tools to keep her puppies healthy in that critical transition time of going to a new home resulted in the needless death of a beautiful puppy and a heartbroken family, not mention the financial losses incurred.In years past I too had used that same commonly available supplement, and similar products like it until I lost one too many little puppies. Determined to know why was I losing puppies, why the more I used the thick sugary paste, the less my puppies ate, the more difficult it became to keep their appetites stimulated. Why would some of them began to have wildly fluctuating blood sugar levels and repeatedly crash when I tried to wean them off the corn syrup laden gel. Eventually I realized that the product I was using to support them was instead contributing to their problems. This is probably one of the most frequently used products for raising puppies and kittens, and unfortunately, one that has damaging side affects that are often unnoticed until it's too late. Too late to stop the downhill slide little creatures can quickly make if there’s not swift intervention. Out of desperation, I began to search for a healthier alternative and finally found a product that had no less than amazing results when used not only for puppies like Molly, but for any time a pet needs extra immune system support. Working with a small private lab and a dog breeder of over 30 years, I’ve found a supplement we’ve christened Agatha’s Prebiotic Elixir.A nourishing blend of proprietary herbs, vitamins and minerals formulated in a delicious barley apple cider syrup. Dogs love the taste and Agatha's Elixir offers the happy benefit of gently stimulating appetites while normalizing and stabilizing blood sugar levels. This single item has been amazingly effective, quite easily one of the most beneficial I’ve found for animals who need extra calories and nutritional support during times of stress. CLICK HERE to purchase this product for your beloved furry friends, cats and dogs alike!The dream that looks so impossible?To help pet owners and dog breeders alike, find products that help their dogs live longer healthier lives and avoid costly vet bills.I hope to encourage dog owners to stop using products that do more harm than good, to avoid the heartbreak and expense that lack of proper supplementation can bring. To help owners of dogs of all ages give them the products they need, simply and inexpensively. As I boxed up a small order of my much loved little product “Agatha’s Elixir” to mail to our client Constance, I reflect on what this package will mean to her pets. She had emailed me to say that her 3 dogs are thriving on our products, and that she was especially delighted that her 14 year old Golden Retriever who has Cushings Disease showed a marked improvement after just two weeks of taking Agatha’a Apothecary Advanced Probiotics, our ultra-high potency probiotic. Now, a year later, Constance wants to keep plenty on hand. She wrote to thank me for how much the products have helped her dogs.It’s tough to start a small business in your kitchen, to build an online presence and community, to navigate social media and get the word out in the vast online world already teeming with other stories, to make the investments and find labs to produce my products, to do all it takes to help prevent such small tragedies like Molly’s.I’m grateful for my customers and puppy people who continue to help spread the word, but it seems such an enormous task… This story was in the back of my mind as I hung up the phone, the winter sun was shining on the counter where I had placed my small shipment and labels, I picked up my camera to try and capture the reality of the process, to help illustrate the smallness and the immensity of what I have endeavored to do. I took several random shots, grieving the loss of yet another baby puppy who very likely would have thrived on our nourishing little elixir.After I downloaded the first photos, I looked amazed at the first image, the little bottle of elixir on it’s side, dear Agatha gazing at me from the label, and unnoticed by me, as I’d taken the photo, a tiny rainbow shone across the counter where it lay, like a promise of good things to come.

Winning the War Against Tear Staining

“FDA Warns Makers Of Tear Stain Removers To Pull Products From The Market” Veterinary News. | “FDA Gets Tough On Tear Stain Removers” Seattle Times | FDA “Stop Marketing Unapproved Tear Stain Remover For Dogs And Cats” Dr Marty Becker “America’s Veterinarian”Pet owners were recently shocked, to find that Angel Eyes, a product many had been using for years to remove tear stains in their dogs, had received a stern warning from the FDA and is subsequently being removed from pet store shelves and online sources like Amazon.The controversy started over a year ago with this announcement from the FDA: ( Taken from the US Food and Drug Administration website)FDA Issues Warning Letters for Unapproved Tear Stain Removers Used in Dogs and CatsAugust 14 2014The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is issuing warning letters today to companies manufacturing unapproved animal drugs to remove tear stains in dogs and cats. These products, including Angels’ Eyes, Angels’ Glow, Pets’ Spark, and exported products Glow Groom and Health Glow, have not been reviewed by FDA for safety and effectiveness. These tear stain removers also contain the medically important antibiotic tylosin tartrate, which is not approved for use in dogs or cats, nor for the treatment of conditions associated with tear stains. Tear stain remover products are used to treat tear staining conditions around the eyes of animals, which, in particular, is associated with a condition called epiphora, mostly in cats and dogs.FDA has serious concerns about unapproved animal drugs. Unapproved animal drugs are not reviewed by FDA and may not meet FDA’s strict standards for safety and effectiveness.These tear stain drug products may be subject to additional enforcement action should the products continue to be marketed, such as seizure of violative products and/or injunction against the manufacturers and distributors of the violative products.”Here’s the letter sent to the firm which manufacturers Angel Eyes. The bad news? That not only have pet owners been unwittingly using a potentially harmful product, but that dogs and cats may have sustained long-term ill effects from indiscriminate antibiotic use, and now those pets owners are left without answers on how to safely treat the often disfiguring tear stains to which so many breeds are prone.Here’s a video on YouTube reviewing Dog Tear Stain Removers that is typical of the struggle of many dog and cat owners.Of course we love our pets regardless of their appearance, but let’s be honest, tear stains are not only unsightly, but they also make our pets look unkempt and unhealthy. If there’s a way to safely reduce or eliminate them, a vast number of pet owners would want to know.I’ve found that no single product is effective in 100% of cases, tear staining is a stubborn problem and will require treating your pet from the inside as well as outside. It’s not an issue that can be completely eliminated overnight, but if you are patient and implement a few critical steps to your pet’s routine, you’ll be rewarded with a dog whose face is clean and fresh as a puppy’s!

The first step I tell our clients to take is to add a high potency probiotic to your pet’s diet.

This single step can be amazingly effective, as a dog groomer and veterinary technician, I’ve seen many pet's tear stains disappear completely, simply with the addition of a quality probiotic.Probiotics can benefit your dog in profound ways, not only to aid in removing stains, but allergies to food & environment, chronic ear infections and yeast problems. Skin and coat ailments that have required oral medications and cortisone injections, irritable bowel and digestive upsets all can be improved by adding a high potency probiotic to your dog’s daily diet.“Probiotics, a microorganism introduced into the body for its beneficial qualities.” Webster’s Dictionary5 Tips To Keep In Mind:

1. Stained fur must be trimmed away; probiotics can’t remove the stains that are already absorbed into the hair shaft. They work internally to eliminate the cause naturally.
2. Probiotic therapy is not an overnight cure, expect to see results after the first 60 days. Giving your pet a quality probiotic will help support her entire system, including help reduce and often stop tear stains from forming.
3. Many pets have tear stains as a result of ear infections or allergies. High potency probiotics can help reduce these problems as well, which in turn aids in resolving what caused the tear stains in the first place.
4. Start slow, while probiotics are considered safe and beneficial, any change to your pet’s diet should occur gradually, for a dog under 50 pounds, start with a half capsule sprinkled once daily over your dog’s kibble. Increase to one capsule daily after the first week.
5. Some owners are reporting that putting ½ a capsule of probiotics in about a tablespoon of tepid water and applying it with a cotton ball can help treat the stains on the skin’s surface and can speed the stain removal process.

I’ve used probiotics with great success for almost a decade now. I even built this small company, Agatha’s Apothecary to offer quality products and supplements to support our dog’s healthy lives. My experience with dogs spans 30 years, including many years working as a veterinary technician, assisting in surgery and watching our clients struggle with a multitude of health problems. I even owned a popular boarding/grooming kennel for almost 20 years which added vastly to my pool of doggie experience.My journey with my own dogs, but especially my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel “Agatha”, led me on a search for the very best and most effective products, that really made a difference in the health of my dogs and those of my clients.Here’s what I believe is the best probiotic available on the market today for dogs. It’s called Agatha’s Apothecary Advanced Probiotic. It’s a great product, and one of the most effective that I could find. Agatha's Advanced Probiotic contains 10 different probiotic strains, ( a much wider spectrum than that of most products that are available for dogs ).It’s also a super high potency at 10 Billion CFU’s (colony forming units) per capsule which is what I’ve found are necessary to bring therapeutic results for issues like tear staining.Easy to use, simply open the capsule and sprinkle over kibble, my dogs love the taste.My next article will address the best options to add to your arsenal of weapons to return your pet to his beautiful best. My hope is that your dog will benefit and be helped by the recommendations in this series on helping your dog live a better life naturally!Pet Safety First: Always check with your veterinarian before making changes in your dog’s routine or diet. These suggestions are not intended to replace routine veterinary care for your pets.

The First 24 Hours

WHAT TO DO WHEN PUPPY COMES HOME.

Puppies grow up very quickly indeed, and the baby stage is gotten through very rapidly so take heart!

Here are pointers that should keep you and the new baby on track, I hope your little one will bring years of joy to all!

• We feed about 1/4 to 1/3 cup, three times a day for puppies up to 11 weeks, over 11 weeks feed twice daily.  I take away what puppy hasn't eaten in about 15 minutes, then offer a full feeding the next meal, always taking the food away after 15 minutes or so.  The goal is for your puppy to have a bit of extra food left over each meal.  They are real nibblers and some meals eat very little, some meals the whole bowl, this is perfectly normal.  Usually, a potty break is in order about 10 mins after she eats  : )  Note:  It helps to keep feeding times as distraction-free as possible, like kids they find it hard to focus and finish their dinner if there are more interesting things going on around them. Even sit on the floor beside baby for the first few feedings to encourage her to nibble a bit more readily.

• IMPORTANT: As your puppy grows, you will increase the amount of food per feeding. If she’s licking the dish and looking for more, it means her growing puppy body needs more calories.  Gradually increase the amount per feeding until she begins to leave a few kibbles at each meal.  The goal is for her to have a bit more to eat than she wants, until one year of age, then as your veterinarian advises to keep her fit (once grown typically an adult should have between 1 - 1  1/2 cups per day).
• At bedtime, even if she's asleep, wake her up and take her out one more time, then she should sleep through the night till around 7:00 or so.  If she fusses and cries, try to use a low, growly voice, and FIRMLY say "No NO! Quiet!", she's pretty good, but a baby, so she might miss us! If she persists more than 5 minutes refer to PUPPY MELTDOWN. 

A few potty time reminders (of course you've done your puppy homework and read my articles on how to get through house training located here: http://www.foxglovecavachonpuppies.com/blog-archive/potty-training 

Everyone needs to ready the Potty Training articles to help puppy navigate quickly through the housetraining process!

There are many tips, secrets, shortcuts and helps on the Puppy Training 101 link on Foxglove site, you'll save hours of frustration if you do your puppy homework and are knowledgeable before baby arrives.  For example, a tip found there: "The big thing is to CARRY puppy outside, whenever you think, she might have to go potty, they get lost on the way to the door, and it will avoid an accident."  Education is the key to a smart trained puppy! As for her name, it's perfectly OK to choose your own favorite, we don’t let babies get too used to my rather unique : ) name choices, so feel free to choose the perfect name for your new family member.  Sometimes it takes a day or two, don’t be afraid to narrow your list to a few favorites and give them a try when puppy arrives.  Sometimes the one  you thought was perfect just doesn’t “fit” and you’ll choose something totally different.Many of my puppy people know that I am also CEO & Founder of Agatha's Apothecary, and have spent years researching what the pet owner can take to help overcome the health challenges our dogs face.  From monthly applications of toxic flea preventatives to chemical-laced lawns, a few key supplements can help protect your puppy for the entire length of her life.There will be a puppy kit attached to the top of the kennel when your puppy arrives.  Inside you’ll find a large assortment of goodies to get your new baby off on the right paw!    

• A week’s supply of Agatha's Advanced Probiotics of course because I truly don't think there is a fresher or more potent one on the market today.  Whether or not you use Agatha's, do yourself and your new puppy a favor, keep them on a daily probiotic, it's such a simple but powerful step to have a long-lived healthy dog. They are in capsule form, simply pull open and sprinkle over breakfast or hide the capsule in a bit of cheese.  I take them every day and every puppy I raise is started on them as infants.  You can order them on Amazon here so you won't run out, pardon Amazon's rather cumbersome link:

Order 2 Month SupplyNote:  If you like an earlier caller I had this morning, have multiple dogs and want to use it for everyone, you can order the larger size that comes in a cool pouch with a nifty little scoop!  Amazon again you canOrder 4 + Month Supply 

• A sample bag of Natural Balance Lamb & Brown Rice Small Breed Bites  I've found it locally at most larger pet stores, you can use either the Small Breed Bites OR the Puppy Formula, both are for all life stages which I prefer.  You'll find only a tiny two-ounce size in your puppy kit by the way : (  the airlines have recently put a strict limit on the weight of puppy accessories.  To leave room for all the other goodies I send like a leash and collar, toys, baby blanket chewie etc, something had to be deleted,,, puppy food!  Just be sure to have your supply on hand.  SORRY I would send a BIG bag otherwise! grain-free, made in the USA and my puppies thrive on it.  If you have problems finding it, my favorite place to shop has it as well at Amazon, with free shipping for Prime members:

Order on Amazon Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Lamb & Brown Rice Small Breed Bites A week's supply of NuVet Plus, (this is part of your puppy's 5-year health guarantee so please keep her on this top quality supplement)  It comes in a chewable tablet or a chicken flavored powder to mix in food.  I use one tablet a day for my puppies and dogs alike. You'll need to order it directly from NuVet as it's not available in stores: http://www.nuvet.com/11982 Look in the large padded envelope atop your puppy's carrier, it will include many puppy pleasing goodies including a cute stuffed frog, elephant or bear, a polar fleece rope bone toy (made from puppy baby blanket) that works as a great Puppy Pacifier!  I’ll send along a sample of shampoo & coat conditioner for that first bath.  Also, vaccination & worming records are on top her kennel, along with a tiny collar and a bag of Nutro Ultra puppy food, and even a colorful bandana for dress up!

The Puppy Plunge

Well, you’ve finally done it! After searching the web for untold dozens of hours, peering at furry little puppy faces until you see them in your dreams, you’ve found YOUR puppy!Something about that tiny face just connected with you, and when you showed your husband and then the kids, there was puppy pandemonium and the choice was made.  Now with your new little bundle’s arrival scheduled in a few days, suddenly the panic sets in, and you find yourself lying wide awake at three a.m. wondering what in the world do you need to do before puppy arrives?As your puppy’s breeder it’s my job to make sure that you are on the right track and well prepared prior to your new family member’s arrival.That part about lying in bed in a pre-puppy panic?  I’ve heard so many of my puppy people describe just that sort of fretting, and I hope with a bit of direction and perhaps a small amount of hand-holding, you’ll begin to relax and enjoy what should be one of the most delightful experiences your family will ever have.FIRST THINGS FIRSTOf course, you’ll want to be sure before your puppy comes home that you have all necessary supplies on hand.

• Puppy Food (I’ll send a small bag along, but you’ll want to pick up a larger size of Balance Small Breed Bites (OR Puppy Formula they have both!) this is a lower protein than many foods on the market and much healthier in the long-term for growing puppies.  Please try not to change foods until after 6 months of age, the good news is that this food is perfect for all ages and you can use it indefinitely).              

• I'll send along a small bottle of Agatha's Elixir to keep your puppy on track and add that extra boost of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and prebiotics as an additional incentive to keep eating happily after the competition of her litter is gone.

• 4 foot lead (The width should be about ¼” to ½” anything wider will be too heavy on a small puppy’s neck)  I send along a tiny collar that will fit your puppy for a few months.

• A Flexi Lead or retractable lead for giving puppy room to run and play if your yard isn’t fenced.

• I like a puppy playpen for daytime use, I did a review of the Richell Pet Pen on my Agatha's Apothecary Blog, it’s a great tool, attractive and easy to set up, you can order it on Amazon, it’s one of the best things you can have to expedite house training.  

• The small crate your puppy arrives in is her night time sleeping spot with a soft fleecy bed. Your puppy will miss cuddling with her siblings and for example, a nice comfy bed in the family room will help her feel more at home.  That being said, keep just a small baby blanket or towel in her night time crate. Puppies are warm natured, and that will keep her cozy but cool enough. Think washable for now. 

• NO Over the top rawhides.  Avoid basted bones, rawhides drenched in chicken and other flavors.  Many reasons not to use them, puppies can ingest large pieces and choke, or worse still, they can become lodged in the intestinal tract.  My biggest reason is that most dogs can become very possessive about highly scented doggie delicious treats. Best to keep treats simple and avoid a tug-a-war with your little Fido.

• TREATS! I like the Nutro Blueberry Crunchy Treats (plus they help keep stains at bay). (amazon!) Cheerios on hand to use to reward good potty behavior. 

• TOYS TOYS TOYS!!!  (I’m sending along two to get you started, they smell like home and one is made from puppy baby blanket,,, awwww : )A good variety of toys will give your puppy good choices to play with.  I like an assortment of stuffed animal toys, small rigid Nylabone type chewing toys, toys that make a noise are fun.  Be a child, enjoy this part! 

• Two bowls, one for food & one for water. I like stainless or ceramic, cute is good.

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 TWO THINGS TO ORDER BEFORE PUPPY ARRIVESAs you know, to keep your health guarantee in effect, your puppy will need to stay on both the NuVet Plus as well as a daily probiotic.  I have found that taking these small steps helps ensure a healthy puppy and also a healthy adult dog.  While I hesitate to recommend our probiotics as there are many others on the market, I recommend ours because I feel they are the best quality, very broad spectrum, super fresh and very high potency.Nevertheless, as long as you use a probiotic, I’ll be happy.  If you do decide to try our products you can order them here on Amazon, there’s even an option to have them delivered automatically so you don’t run out, how great is that!?AGATHA’S APOTHECARY ADVANCED PROBIOTICEasy-peasy to use, just pull open the stay-fresh capsule for the perfect daily dose of powerful immune system building probiotic amazingness!   

NUVET PLUS

The second product NuVet Plus. Packed with essential antioxidants & nutrients needed to bridge the gap in what is often lacking in a dog’s diet, NuVet Plus is a yummy chewable liver flavored treat, loaded with enzymes, essential pure source vitamins and minerals and rounded out with a selection of natural herbs known to promote health and vitality in dogs.You can’t find NuVet Plus in stores, it can only be ordered direct from the website: https://www.nuvetlabs.com/11982 or you can call them at 1-800-474-7044 to order by phone.If you use this order code 11982, not only will it give you a 15% discount for auto-ship, the easiest way to be sure you’ll always have it on hand.

That should help you sleep a bit more soundly now that your supplies will be on hand before your new baby arrives!

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LOOK AROUND THE HOUSE AT PUPPY EYE LEVEL

Cavachons by nature are not terribly driven to chew and are fairly laid-back and content with their toys. But, nonetheless, have a walk through the house and make sure that in your puppy’s area of the home, there are no obvious items waiting to be tasted.  Electric cords, small rugs etc, you don’t need to be drastic, just apply a bit of common sense and keep temptations to a minimum.Remember to keep puppy very limited in her house privileges the first week especially.  She’ll be learning a new house, where your doors are, how to get outside to find her new potty spot, all things that you’ll have to teach her.  With a bit of diligence on your part you’ll be a expert puppy parent in no time!  Who knows?  You may even find yourself perusing the web for a second little creature one day. Two puppies are twice the fun they say!

Homeward Bound

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Fall is nearing it's last golden days, always a poignant time of year for me, my favorite in some ways, but a time that brings it's portion of sadness. Watching the leaves falling, falling, I realize that spring is still far far away, that many months of winter's cold are ahead. Winter with her own white beauty, an ambiguous time none-the-less.Agatha races up the long hill towards the house, far ahead of me. Her ears flying, her feet skimming the ground like those of a much younger dog. She dances to a halt halfway up to the top and turns facing me with eyes dancing with joy. She loves our evening walks, and as we get close to home she turns the last quarter mile into a self-appointed race to the kitchen door. She stands with plumed tail awag, panting a bit, as if to say "come on mom, isn't this fun, we're almost there!"I went to see mother at the nursing home today.  I've made her room as pleasant as pictures and cozy blankets, autumn flowers and a whole host of guilt-appeasing purchases can make it.  Outside her sunny window, I've placed feeders for her beloved birds, even a large window box (which I'm sure is not allowed) full of fall pansies, blooming.  Cheery orange and purple little faces all oblivious to the sadness within those walls.Mother's dementia and heart failure have made it out of the question for her to be anywhere but there in that place.  They are kind to her, I visit often, I come, always bearing gifts.  She finds forming a sentence nearly impossible these days, and I sit beside her, trying to make her laugh, trying to reach inside that crowding darkness.

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And so I walk up the long hill home, and I watch my good dog Agatha.  I think of life and how wonderful it is, how heartbreakingly beautiful, how full of sorrow.  I look at Agatha and childless, I mourn what I know will be the soon loss of my mother, I watch my little dog and wonder how many days I will have her at my feet for comfort.This isn't really the place for soul-searching perhaps, for such heartfelt ponderings.  But we all have our griefs don't we?  It is our human condition.  Oh, but I look toward the sky and as the sun sets in a blaze of purple-golden light, I think of Heaven.  I know mother will be freed soon from her sad time of waiting.  I know that I can trust Him with Agatha, with all the burdens of my heart. And I'm comforted, by the thought of mother tucked into her bed tonight with a cozy blanket, with her little stuffed dog at her side.  I'm comforted as my good dog, Agatha, dances with eyes alight, saying clearly that it's time to go back home.

Mercy Makes an Appearance

The sun went down this evening in a blaze of crimson across the early fall sky. I found myself hastily trying to find my camera to catch the last of beautiful amethyst and mauve clouds, breathing a prayer of thanks that this day had ended peacefully.It didn't for some and as an early morning email brought word of a young girl injured in a hiking accident and other of my prayers through this day were sent up for that hurting family, I wondered at what sorrow they must feel and chided myself for loving a mere dog as much as I do this latest in a lifetime of much-loved dogs, my Agatha.She was born on my birthday, many years after I had given up my dreams of children of my own, as each miscarriage took those hopes away, and as the years passed made me realize that those blessings were simply not going to be given in my life.But God has blessed John and I in so many ways, with loving friends and family and yes, given me small things to love as well, the four-footed ones that I've cared for over the years.I'm comforted that God Himself understands the love I have had for my dogs, the bond with this little Cavalier that brings so much enjoyment to my days. The Bible tells a story of a man that had a small lamb that he loved "like a daughter", and I'm comforted that He put that small story there, that He perhaps understands how our pets can sometimes help fill some of our empty places.So yes, my prayers this sunlit evening were of gratefulness, a small tragedy was averted yesterday when Agatha was accidentally closed on our side porch, an area that receives the full noon day sun. It had gotten over 90 degrees and the temperature where she was locked must have been well over a hundred.I was distracted with our new litter of puppies, engaging small folk indeed & thought Agatha had followed me back inside to the cool comfort of the air conditioning.A check in my spirit kept urging me to check on her & I dismissed it repeatedly, until it grew to a certainty that something was amiss with my little friend. Searching for her I finally backtracked my steps outside, and as I came around the side of the house heard a desperate scratching sound. Instantly I knew what had happened, I had accidentally closed the door thinking she was asleep in her basket when instead she was trapped in the broiling sun-filled space.Years working as a veterinary technician told me she was in the early stages of heat stroke and I raced to bring her temperature back down to normal, her tongue dry and already shaded with blue, her eyes frantic and afraid...Mercy appeared and grace made an entrance, her breathing soon was back to normal, and what could have been a heartache and loss ended with an exhausted but safe little dog asleep under my desk that evening. I of all people shouldn't have allowed such a thing to happen, I advise people every day on how to care for their pets, how to keep them well, keep them safe...I took a picture of the damage my poor little dog did the the door frame trying to tell me she was in trouble. The least destructive of creatures, I was shocked at the scratch marks, the vinyl torn from the frame around the door, though desperate, she must have waited long, reluctant to break "the rules" and tear at the door she'd known since puppyhood not to scratch.A mute reminder that we must have a care, slow down and pay attention, listen to those little warnings in our spirits to be sure all is well in our small worlds...But most of all, it'a reminder to send up thankful prayers that I'm granted more time with my dear little friend.

All Things Bright and Beautiful

Dear TerryI was thinking of you today when I took this picture of Tessie....We all love her so much and thought you would appreciate this sweet photo of her..Kindest Regards,KathleenIt's late night on an early October evening here in Ohio, the kind of evening that reminds one that winter is not far off, and that brisk night wind blowing through the orange and russet leaves will soon be howling round the windows of our snug little farmhouse, seeking it's chill way in through every crack and cranny.I take my good dog Agatha out for her evening constitutional, and as the wind blows scudding clouds past a weak quarter moon, not far off, down by the bottom pasture I hear it, an almost unearthly thin wavering cry and the hair stands up on the back of my neck. Instantly in my mind's eye I see the wistful little face of Tessie, now long gone and past any rescuing hand.I clutch Agatha's lead more tightly and cast a wary eye out through the darkness, gauging the closeness of the threats that occupy even the most residential and staid of our neighborhoods. The unseen dangers that stalk through our backyards long after we've gone to our beds every evening

I hope Kathleen doesn't see this post, if she does, though it will bring her pain to remember this sad episode,  I hope she'll forgive me the telling of Tessie's story if it saves even one other much loved little dog's life.

Kathleen had been a friend for years, she's from London and quite a dog lover as so many of the British are.  Her dogs, all Cavachons, Harley Tessie & Lola, were much adored and enjoyed a happy life with her husband and three children in a Columbus subdivision.  When she rang me one late fall day, a day much like this one I was totally unprepared for the story that her shaking voice unfolded.She had put the dogs out in the back garden as she called it, late the evening before.  She stood watching as they trotted about for one last sniff round before bed.  They were all moderately small, but not fragile or toy sized, and she wasn't particularly cautious, just waiting to wipe paws when they were ready to troop back in for bed.She turned away for just a few moments to answer a sleepy child's bedtime request, and when she returned to the door expecting to find her three little dogs impatiently waiting to be granted access to their beds for the night, instead to her dismay, only two frightened shaking dogs stood huddled close, scratching frantically for entrance.Hurriedly she opened the door and Lola and Harley rushed in, both trembling and obviously badly frightened.  Stunned, Katherine raced out into the dark yard, shouting Tessie's name, sweet Tessie whom she'd described to me just weeks before as her special darling."Terry, I love my dogs all of them so much, but Tessie, there is just something about her that is so special.  She's just the dearest dearest little thing, I love her so much I can't believe I could love a dog like this"Heartsick, she ran looking, calling for Tessie, the smallest, the gentlest of her little group.  The family roused, found flashlights, close neighbors called, urgently searching every part of the area. Repeatedly they scanned the back part of the lawn that reached down a small ravine to a park, their calls echoing on the empty air.The hours of searching turned into days and after learning to their horror and dismay that two dogs had been attacked and killed by coyotes the week before, a now frantic Katherine hired a professional wildlife tracker who grimly voiced the opinion that she was unlikely to ever see her beloved dog again.  Sadly, he was correct and no trace of small Tessie was ever found.And so I write this grim missive, on this frosty evening, as I listen for the predators that seek the small ones. The little ones that are unable to defend themselves against the dangers that can rob the unsuspecting of their much loved pets.The threat is all too real, reports of family pets being attacked and killed continue to rise, please take them to heart and find out if the place you call home has a coyote population.These animals are increasingly bold and opportunistic predators, though I love all animals, I love my dogs more and want those that belong my clients to be protected. Be especially cautious at night if your property borders a park or undeveloped area, remember the story of poor Tessie and keep your little ones safe.

The Rest of the Story

 I've heard it's National Dog Day and while I perhaps don't celebrate it as much as some might think, I am totally convinced that we all need a furry little someone at our heels.My dog's have added so much joy to my life, I've become passionate about convincing people that having a dog will really and truly make their lives better.  Many years ago I had a call from an older lady who had lost her husband and was contemplating dog ownership.I could hear the sadness in her voice and I began an animated attempt to convince her to take the puppy plunge, to get a dog and fill some of that emptiness with a small life that would make her the center of it's world.To make quite a long story a bit shorter, she decided that yes, getting a dog was indeed a good idea and a few days later she was the proud owner of a little blonde and white bundle of puppy bliss.  I didn't hear from her except for bits occasionally about life with her new dog and then one day I received the following letter."Thank you Thank you Thank you for MAKING me get a puppy!I was so afraid to take on the care of a dog, and you spent so much time with me and convinced me to take the plunge.  My life has so changed for the better, it's amazing!  I laugh at him, I have someone to talk to, I EXERCISE,,, I meet people in the neighborhood.  People stop their cars and tell me how adorable he is, I've made new friends because of this little dog,,, I cannot thank you enough for encouraging me to take this step, or tell you adequately how much joy Baxter has brought to my life.With sincere gratitude,Kathleen P.I often think of Kathleen, when I have a call from someone who's teetering on the fence about dog ownership, I wish I could read them her letter, I wish I could have them sit at my desk on a chilly early fall evening and have my good dog snuggle round their feet for a bit.Yes, I might not be celebrating National Dog Day on the outside, but in my heart I'm a fan...