I'm not a dog person

I’m not a dog person.  I never had dogs growing up, and to tell the truth I never really got comfortable with them until I started working in rescue, just over four years ago.  Cats are my comfort zone.  But you can’t spend much time working in rescue before you meet a dog that changes all that.  For me, that dog was a Rottweiler/black lab mix named Rocco.  

When Rocco first came through our doors here at Woodford Humane, he didn’t seem like a dog who would ever find a home.  He was terrified of people; he couldn’t be handled, and it was all we could do to keep him as fed and happy as possible.  He was suffering from sarcoptic mange and severe hip dysplasia, despite being just a year old; that sort of ailment doesn’t often occur in such a young dog unless he’s spent far too much time penned in a tiny space while his bones and muscles are still developing.  The world had not done this dog any justice, and it showed through his fear.  

Rocco, during his wait for a home

And then, one week later, something happened: one of those small miracles that make this job so special.  When we walked in to bring Rocco his breakfast, he reached out a paw.  To this day, I don’t know what changed his mind so suddenly and completely, but Rocco became the best part of my day.  We would bring him up into the office, and his joy at the prospect of a little quality time with the people he loved was so great that he would barrel in, throw his front paws up on our laps to give us his big puppy hugs, and then push us around the office in our rolling chairs, to our (and his) endless amusement.  

Despite his love for the staff and volunteers he had come to know and trust, Rocco struggled at the adoption center.  It's a high-stress environment for any dog, with the constant stream of new sights, sounds, smells, and faces; for a dog with a background like Rocco's, for whom trust did not come easily, it was overwhelming.  He didn't show his true colors in the kennel; if you took him out for a little quality time, that big puppy shone through, but if you just walked up to take a look he would often respond by growling and pacing.  Not many people were interested in getting to know the puppy behind the growl.  By this point I was hopelessly in love with Rocco, and seeing him passed over for younger, happier, healthier dogs, when he needed a home so badly, was heartbreaking.  We did everything we could to make him comfortable, but I spent sleepless nights worrying that he wouldn't be able to cope, and his behavior would continue to deteriorate.  It seemed so unfair, after all that he had been through.

But there was another small miracle in store for Rocco: a family.  A family who didn't mind that he was big and shy, that he was black, that he wasn't a puppy, that he needed hip surgery.  That walked up to his run in the kennel, saw him pace and growl, and instead of walking away, gave him the chance to show them the puppy inside. 

Rocco's family already had a rottie/lab mix of their own who needed a playmate, so his new home hinged on him getting along with their dog.  The first introduction was shaky; Rocco was stiff and nervous, and the puppy hid behind the growl again for a moment.  I looked at the family.  

"Let's try it again."  

And this time, the growl was gone.  There was sniffing, and wagging, and suddenly I was watching 200 pounds of dog jumping, playing, and romping around the yard.  I could have cried right then, because I knew Rocco had found his home and his family.  That kind of joy only comes when you’ve officially turned into a dog lover, and I have Rocco to thank for that.

 

The dogs who come through our doors every year come from every walk of life; some are abused or neglected, but most are just the victims of unfortunate circumstance that they can neither understand nor control.  But there’s one thing that makes all of these dogs so special, and Rocco is a perfect example: give a rescue dog the time to realize that he is safe and loved, and his capacity to forgive any wrongs that humanity has dealt him in the past is bottomless.  He will love you in return, unconditionally, joyfully, and for the rest of his life.  If you're lucky and you have a rolling chair, you might even get to go for a ride now and then.

October is national Adopt-A-Dog Month, but in reality, that’s every month around here.  If you’re looking for canine companionship, I want to personally invite you to come and find your Rocco.  He’s here, waiting to share that joyful, unconditional love.  He might be the bouncy puppy you came looking for; he might be the dog pacing and growling in the kennel, unsure of himself and his surroundings.  You'll never know until you offer him that second chance...and you'll never regret it once you do. 

-Beth

Beating the back to school blues

It's that time of year again: back to school is upon us, whether we're ready for it or not.   If you live here in Woodford County, yesterday was the big day, and we're sure it went off with much excitement (and many groans).  But, whether it’s a dreaded or exciting event for the folks in your family, it definitely means a big change in your daily routine.  It also means a lot of time alone for your pets after a few months of constant attention, and that can be a tough switch for a dog or cat to make. 

Sir Pugglepants doesn't want you to go back to school, either.

Summer vacations are bliss for a family pet, because both kids and parents are spending more time at home.  In the hustle and bustle of a new school year, it’s easy to forget that your pets have become so accustomed to your presence that the sudden departure from their summer routine can leave them feeling lonely, bored, or even abandoned.  Changes in behavior often crop up around this time of year that can seem, on one end of the spectrum, like a lapse in training, or even an act of revenge – destructive chewing, potty accidents in the house or on your things, excessive barking and meowing – and on the other end of the spectrum, like a lack of interest in the usual joys of life – lethargy, inactivity, or just plain old depression.  This manifestation of separation anxiety doesn’t usually last long, but it’s just as important to help your pet through it as it is with more chronic cases.  The key is to know what’s coming, and help your pet weather the storm.

Routine is everything to your pet, so try to keep potty break and walk schedules as close to normal as possible, even though your schedule is on the move.  And, although it seems kind of counter-intuitive, it’s important to downplay departures and arrivals; it’s great to see a super-enthusiastic pet waiting to greet you when you come home, but by encouraging their behavior you’re just reinforcing the idea that departures and arrivals are a big deal…or that they’re permanent. When you first come home, the best thing is to just ignore that bouncy, hyper, excited pet for 10 minutes or so, and then greet them calmly and affectionately.  If your pet is really struggling with your departure in the morning, try and make it a positive experience; give a special treat every time you leave, like a stuffed, frozen Kong toy that is especially desirable and will keep your pet distracted for a little while after you're gone.  For kitties, a favorite catnip toy or a canned food treat can be good options; you can even try making kitty popsicles by freezing the water from a can of tuna, a little canned food, or a little chicken baby food in an ice cube tray.

Smells help, too, so little things like a shirt or blanket that smells like you can be enormously reassuring to a pet.  And don’t get so tied up in school and work that you cut back your pet’s exercise time: physical activity keeps your pet feeling content and happy, and that’s especially important when your kitty or pooch might be feeling a little neglected.  Plus, regardless of your schedule, exercise is important to your pet's mental and physical health.  Duh.  We all know this, but it can be easy to forget when we get busy, so a reminder never hurts.

If you've done all of these things, and your pet still seems to be struggling with your back to school schedule, just sit down with your pet and make a little time for extra snuggles.  Extra snuggles go a long way.

Head back to school or work this fall with the same gusto (or groans) as always, but remember your pets, too: they’re a part of the family and they miss you when you’re gone.

Have a happy (and safe) 4th of July

Woo hoo, the 4th of July is right around the corner!  For lots of us, the holiday means a day full of outdoor fun with the family, and we're willing to bet that lots of pets are included in the festivities.  After all, they're part of the family, too, right?  We all know the basics for keeping ourselves safe over the holiday, but we need to think about our pets' safety, too - here are some things to think about if Fido and Fluffy are joining in the fun next week.

1. It's hot out there.   You may have noticed.  If next week is anything like this week, the 4th of July is going to be a scorcher; you can bet it'll be over 90 degrees (although that'll feel downright brisk compared to the 100's we're looking at for the next few days).  Heat can be a dangerous thing for any pet, but the extra-fluffy, squashy-faced, and older ones are all at additional risk.  Just use some basic common sense heat-safety tactics: make sure there's shade (or better yet, somewhere indoors to go and cool off if your pet seems to be getting overheated) and plenty of fresh, cool water to drink.  Know your pet's limits and don't push it.  Whatever you do, do not leave your pet in your car; on a 90 degree day, temperatures in your car climb to 110 degrees in just 10 minutes.  And, know the signs of heatstroke: heavy, excessive panting; tongue and gums bright red or dark purple; vomiting and thick, mucusy saliva; loss of coordination or collapse.  Heat stroke is serious, and your normal vet probably will not be open on the 4th.  Do your homework ahead of time - just in case - and have contact info on hand for a nearby emergency vet clinic.  If your pet is exhibiting any of the symptoms of heat stroke, seek help immediately; move him indoors, and run cool (but not cold - cold can send him into shock) water over him to gradually lower his body temperature until you can get him to the vet. 

2. People food abounds.  What holiday would be complete without way too much food?  The 4th is full of burgers, hotdogs, and beer - all things your pet should not be eating.  Consider this: a 20lb dog eating a hotdog is the equivalent of a smallish person eating 3 hamburgers.  If there's a little cheese on there, you're talking about the equivalent of another 2 1/2 hamburgers.  In that one "treat," your dog is consuming a couple of days worth of calories.  Not healthy...and if you've ever had a dog get into something fatty and delicious and had to clean up after it, er, afterwards, you know it's not a pretty sight.  Plus, there are hidden hazards in giving your pet people food.  Like onions on your burger?  They're toxic to pets.  Think it's cute when your dog drinks a little beer?  Also toxic.  Set strict rules, and make sure any and all of your guests know it, too: No people food for the pets, and definitely no beer.  Trust us, it'll save you a mess, a vet bill, and it could save your pet's life.

3. Sunscreens and bug repellants aren't all pet-safe.  It's important to make sure your pet doesn't get crispy and chewed, but don't just put whatever you put on yourself on your pets.  First of all, DEET is very dangerous for pets; we're talking neurological effects.  And sunscreens are likely to get licked off and eaten, resulting in drooling, vomiting, diarrhea...all things you don't really want happening at your 4th of July party (or ever).  Think ahead: make sure the monthly flea and tick prevention you use on your pets also repels mosquitoes.  If it doesn't, ask your vet to recommend something that does.  Or, use natural alternatives like citronella candles - just make sure they're up out of reach where they can't be eaten.  The best way to keep your dog from getting sunburned is also part of the solution to the heat problem: make sure there's plenty of shade around, and put it to good use.

4. To quote the ever-popular Frankenstein's monster: "Fire, BAAAAD!"  This should go without saying, but fire, explosives, and pets do not and should not mix.  Keep matches, sparklers, grills and all other open fire sources away from your pets, and never leave an open flame unattended.  It's never safe to assume that your pet is smart and knows better than to stick his face in something that's on fire, because let's face it, he's probably not and probably doesn't.  Either way, you don't want to find out the hard way, so err on the side of caution.  As far as fireworks go, it's best that your pet is safely indoors before you start setting anything off.  Even small explosions are noisy, confusing, and scary to pets, and they may panic and wind up in the line of fire.  At the very least, have your pet leashed before anyone starts lighting any fuses, and be prepared to head inside the moment he seems fearful.  Also, keep in mind that it is very dry out there right now and the outdoors is more flammable than usual; you definitely don't want to be the person whose pet panics and starts the wildfire that burns down the neighborhood. 

5. The 5th of July is one of the busiest days of the year for humane societies and animal control agencies.  Why?  Because the 4th of July can be horrifying for pets.  Pets who are afraid of thunderstorms and other loud noises are especially vulnerable on the 4th; the sound of large-scale fireworks displays being set off is enough to send many pets into full-on panic mode.  Thousands of pets escape and become lost on the 4th of July every year in a desperate attempt to escape the noise, putting them at risk for injury or death; on the 5th, rescue organizations are inundated with calls about lost pets, calls about found pets, and reports of wandering animals in need of pick-up.  Don't put your pet in that position: keep him indoors during fireworks displays!  It is much harder to escape from a home than it is to escape from a yard.  If you have a Thundershirt, use it.  It may also help to turn on the TV or radio to further muffle the noise of the fireworks.  And take precautions, just in case: make sure that your pet is wearing a sturdy, reflective collar with current ID tags.  If he's microchipped, double-check your contact info with the microchip company ahead of time and make sure it's up-to-date; if he's not microchipped, get it done!  Collars can come off, but microchips can't, and they save thousands of lives every year.

This Easter, just stick to candy

Every Easter, pet stores send countless parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles home with that “perfect” Easter gift for the little ones: a chick, a duckling, a bunny, or maybe even a kitten or puppy. They’re awfully cute, and they get the “aww” factor going full-steam. But before you buy an Easter pet this year, think about this: a few weeks after Easter, most of those pets are abandoned, surrendered to humane societies, or worst of all, have died. Many pets purchased as gifts don’t get the care they need before or after purchase, or are just more of a commitment than the buyer realizes - do you know what goes into raising a healthy, tame duck? Because I don't, if we're being perfectly honest.

If you’re considering bringing home a pet for Easter (or any other day, for that matter), don’t just think about the present; think about the future, too. Do you know the nutritional, grooming, and attention requirements of a rabbit? Do you have the space and set-up to house an adult chicken? How about the cost involved in raising any animal? The ASPCA estimates that it costs $700 to $875 to provide the most basic care for a dog or cat for one year. And, if you bring home something like a duckling, that is going to grow up into a wild animal, and you find that you can't care for it after all...what the heck do you do with it? Most humane societies aren't going to be able to take on wildlife, and a hand-raised duck will have trouble surviving in the wild.

What it boils down to is this: If you’re not prepared to make the full commitment to a pet, it’s best not to bring one home at all. Don't fall victim to rampant adorability unless you're 100% ready for years of expense and effort. Visit a local rescue instead and share a little love with some pets in need! You can enjoy all of the fun aspects of spending time with a pet without taking on all of the responsibility, and you’ll make a homeless pet’s day a little brighter, too. We have plenty of homeless pets who would love a little of your love, and we even have a bunny you can play with.

If you are ready to become a pet owner this Easter, it’s a better idea to adopt from a humane society or shelter than to purchase a pet from a pet store. First of all, when you adopt you’re getting a pet that has already had basic veterinary care and is in good health; you get no such guarantee from a pet store. Secondly, you’re saving a pet that needs a home without encouraging irresponsible breeders or puppy mills to keep doing business at the expense of the animals. Puppies and kittens start showing up in big numbers at most adoption facilities in April, so there are almost always plenty of options available. And finally, when you adopt, a big chunk of that $700 to $875 total is already taken care of: most rescues provide vaccines, spay or neuter surgeries, microchips, and other essential veterinary care. When you adopt you can feel pretty darn good about yourself, and save a big chunk of change at the same time.

Whether you decide to spend your Easter with candy or a new four-legged friend this year, the important thing is to be prepared and make the best decision…not just for you, but for the pet. If you’re not ready for a pet this spring, well, there’s always next year! Or next month, or this summer...you get the idea. Until then, enjoy an abundance of chocolate and jelly beans, and we hope you’ll come visit our pets at the Woodford Humane Society to make their holiday weekend a little brighter.

Fact vs. Fiction: Black pets and Halloween

It's almost Halloween, and that means that the urban legend mill is churning out lots of stories about black pets and animal sacrifice. We want to set the record straight about our raven-furred friends and why we have no qualms about sending them home around this delightfully spooky holiday.

There are tons of myths about black pets, and black cats in particular. Black cats have long been maligned by an association with witchcraft and bad luck, but even the quickest of Google searches will show that these myths are not the same the world over; in fact, there are more superstitions that features black cats as good omens than bad. In Scotland, if a black cat sits on your porch, you'll soon be enjoying untold riches. In Italy, if a black cat sneezes, everyone who hears it will have good luck. French black cats are a little more picky; they only bring good luck to owners who are generous with the kibble and treat them with the respect they deserve. If that part about the kibble is true, Dax (pictured), my adopted black cat, ought to be making me the luckiest gal in the world.

The stories about animal sacrifice are myth, as well. There has never been any credible evidence that animals are tortured or killed more during the Halloween season than at any other time of the year, and that makes sense, if you think about it. For one, the idea that black cats are likely to be harmed by people practicing witchcraft is illogical; in witchcraft, black cats are seen as "familiars" - magical companions or servants - and a practicing witch would not harm a familiar. Secondly, the people who are likely to harm animals - people with sociopathic tendencies - do not act out at any one time of the year, nor do they have any particular preference about what the animals they harm look like.

There is one true story about black pets, though, and it's true all year 'round: black pets are not adopted as often as their more colorful counterparts. Whether it's because of superstition, or simply because they're easy to overlook in a rescue full of pets all waiting for homes, black pets - both cats and dogs - wait longer for a home to call their own. At Woodford Humane, where we have no time limit on any pet in our care, black pets can wait as long as it takes, but in many places they are not so lucky.

We screen adopters very carefully before sending any pet home, no matter what month it is. With so many black pets in our care, we won't pass up a good home simply because of an urban legend that lingers in the back of so many minds. So, this Halloween, if you really want to help out a black pet that is waiting for a home, why not adopt one? You can help us save lives and fight all the misconceptions about black pets, bad luck, and Halloween, all at once. Think of it as a good investment; adoptable Dessa (pictured) can't wait to bring you all those untold riches, if you'd just take her home.

Plus, if you feed that black cat really well and whisper a few sweet nothings to it en francais, you just might end up bringing home a little good luck, too.

Fashionable cruelty: Think twice before getting feather hair extensions

Celebrities (like Hilary Duff, right, and Steven Tyler, lower left) started it. It takes a while for fashions to make it to Kentucky, so I had a little time to do some research and stew over feather hair extensions before I started seeing them pop up around town. Now I see them on visitors, on random folks on the street, and in the salon when I go to get my hair cut, and every time, it makes me cringe. Here's why.

The feathers that are now used for hair extensions used to be feathers for fly fishing lures. The roosters they come from are specially bred to grow long, luxurious, beautiful feathers, like the black and white striped grizzly saddle (now the most popular feather for hair extensions). Before, a grizzly saddle would have retailed for $40-$60. Now, people are paying hundreds of dollars for them; a single grizzly saddle feather recently sold for $480 on eBay. I've seen prices quoted in the thousands for high-end feathers.

Like most things in life, this comes down to an issue of supply and demand: thousands of people are willing to pay hundreds of dollars for feather hair extensions, so production of feathers has skyrocketed. What most people don't ever think about is where those feathers come from.

These birds are raised solely for their feathers. It takes about a year for the long tail feathers to grow in, and then the birds are "harvested." Some companies euthanize the birds before plucking, but many do not; most of the birds that are plucked while alive do not survive the process. The meat isn't butchered for sale; the birds are just thrown away. While there are some organizations that collect feathers from molting birds or care for their birds humanely until they are plucked, that is not the status quo. The practices were the same when the feathers were just being used for fly fishing lures, but now that the demand is so high, countless hundreds of thousands of birds are dying each year for no other reason than to make us feel trendy.

As someone who works in the humane field, the weirdest part of this whole scenario is that there are companies who sell feather hair extensions for dogs. Humane practices should extend to all animals, not just the ones that we care for in our homes on a daily basis.

There are humane alternatives, so you fashionistas out there can breathe a sigh of relief - there are synthetic feathers available, and other, non-feather decorative extensions are on the market. If you absolutely must have feather extensions, please make sure that you're purchasing synthetic feathers, and do your part to change minds. When someone comments on that beautiful feather in your hair, tell them that it's not real, and tell them why.

I hope you all will share this with your friends, family, and stylists; sometimes all it takes to change the world is a little knowledge.

The dog (and cat) days of summer

Some of you may have already noticed, but it's hot outside. Like, really hot. Record-setting hot, in many parts of the country (and the world). And while we wish there was relief on the horizon, the fact of the matter is that we can probably expect a lot more of this kind of weather in our future. Summer is a great time to play with your pets outdoors, but heat like this can be dangerous...to you and your pets. We want you to enjoy your summer and stay safe while you do it, so we're gonna give you a few tips to do just that.

First off, know your pet. Certain pets are more susceptible to heat-related health concerns: overweight pets, dog breeds with short/wrinkly faces, long-coated pets, and older pets are all at greater risk. Exercise is just as important in the summer as it is in the winter, but you may need to take it easy if your pet falls into any of these groups. Watch for any signs of tiring or exhaustion: hard or difficult breathing, excessive panting, drooling, weakness, or lethargy. If your pet is starting to tire out, seek out shade immediately. Any more severe symptoms like vomiting, collapse, or seizure require immediate medical attention. Always have water on-hand, and bring enough for you and your pet. Pet supply stores sell fold-up water bowls for the pet on the go, which are light-weight and handy for any kind of outdoor activity.

A good rule of thumb for any pet, but especially for pets who are sensitive to heat, is to aim for lots of little activities instead of two or three big walks a day. Spend a few minutes in the back yard for a potty break and a quick jaunt, or take a walk around the block instead of a walk around the neighborhood. You'll have to go out more times a day, but you won't be making that call to the emergency vet clinic. And, as an added bonus, you can stay close to home; home, where you know there's plenty of shade, cool air, and water to go around in case you or your pet get a little too tired.

If you have a sprinkler handy, turn your back yard into a water park for your pet! Most dogs are absolutely nuts about sprinklers, and the water is a great way to keep them cool in the summer heat. Kiddie pools are fun, too, and they're a cheap, easy way to cool off a warm dog on a hot day...but if you have a big chewer, you might want to buy a couple of back-up pools. We're not sure what it is, but dogs just LOVE to put little tooth holes in kiddie pools. Make sure you dump and refill the pool every day or two, though: mosquito larvae thrive in stagnant water, and if you accidentally start a little mosquito farm you may end up with a case of heartworms on your hands.

If you've got fluffy pets, get 'em a nice haircut for the summer. A good grooming can go a long way, and although your pet may not enjoy the actual process of being groomed, they'll be a lot more comfortable after the fact - yes, cats too! You always want to leave 1/2 to 1 inch of fur to protect from sunburn, but a shorter 'do will help your pet get rid of body heat faster and that may make a big difference on a hot day.

Finally, and this one hopefully seems like common sense to most of us, never ever leave your pet in the car. It doesn't matter if it's 90 degrees or 70 degrees, and it doesn't matter if your windows are open a little. On a day when it's in the 70s, your car will top 116 degrees in less than an hour; on a 90 degree day, it only takes 20 minutes to push the mercury up to 125 degrees. Having all four windows open only makes a 5 degree difference; whether your car is 120 degrees or 125 degrees, a pet left inside for even a few minutes is in serious jeopardy. If you see a pet left in a car, your quick action may save a life: call your local animal control agency or non-emergency police number immediately. In Woodford County, you can reach animal control at 859.879.0598 between 8am and 4pm every day; our non-emergency police number is 859.873.3126 for after-hours calls or any time you can't reach an animal control officer.

Whew! We're getting a little sweaty just thinking about it, but that sums it up pretty well. Got any more tips for surviving summer? Leave 'em in the comments and join the discussion! But above all...stay cool!