"That dog sure is spoiled!"

I don't get a comment like that a lot, once in awhile, in casual conversation, somebody refers to Elka as "spoiled". Arguably, that's a pretty rude thing to say, but she's just a dog, right?

Anyway. Is Elka spoiled? I think it's kind of in the eye of the beholder.

Wordless Wednesday January 29 2014

Madison is safe and found, but you can still help her out!

Madison the Doberman mix (I think I saw somebody speculate the might be a Doberman-Kelpie cross?) is going to be staying with Illinois Doberman Rescue for the time being.

She was due to continue transport to Doberman Rescue Alliance Wisconsin, but in her veterinary checkup after she was found, the vet was concerned about her traveling any more. You see, the back injury they knew she had is apparently a broken L-7 vertebrae (like, literally in two pieces broken), and it could be considered a miracle that she still has continence and control of her tail.

Madison is also apparently heartworm positive and their vet has detected which might be an additional murmur. I've written about Doberman heart problems before; being a mix doesn't exempt her from such possibilities, unfortunately.

(picture from IDR Facebook page)

Donations for Madison can be made on her page on the Illinois Doberman Rescue Plus web page, via PayPal. She'll be staying in Illinois, as the vets think she's an excellent candidate for surgery, and they have access to good specialists that work with the rescue.

Good news! Madison was found!

Good news!

Madison has been found. I'd heard earlier, on Doberman Talk, but wanted it to hit the news before it happened. Somebody found Madison and managed to coax her indoors last night, then saw a flyer and called the number. Now she is safe and sound!

(picture from Doberman Talk thread)

Wordless Wednesday January 22 2014

Obie for adoption Pennsylvania

Blue is no longer listed on the Distinguished Doberman Rescue website, which per usual, I will take it to mean she's found a home. Is optimism a bad thing? I hesitate to judge it so, in cases such as these.

So today we're going to talk about Obie, who is for adoption through Dreaming of Better Endings Rescue, inc.

(picture from Doberman Talk thread on Obie)

Arthritis and Supplements for Dogs , sponsored by Lintbells

How to spot the 7 visible signs of ageing

We don’t like to think that our dog is getting older but it is important to recognise the signs and remember that some signs of ageing are not always visible. Many of the following can be seen simply as ‘old age’ however many of these problems are treatable and your dog can still live an enjoyable life:

Stiffness and joint pain

Does your dog:

• Appear reluctant to walk, jump, or play?

• Limp? 

• Lag behind on walks? 

• Have difficulty rising from a resting position? 

• Yelp when touched?

• Sleep more?

If you answered YES to any of the above signs your dog could be suffering from joint stiffness and pain. This can occur as your dog gets older, a long walk may have strained their muscles or joints or, as in humans, joints can deteriorate over time (osteoarthritis).

To help your dog with their joint issues find out more about the UKs fastest selling joint supplement - YUMOVE

Change in coat colour and appearance

As a dog gets older more white hair will appear in their coat especially around the muzzle. The body also finds it harder to produce the natural oils needed to keep their coat healthy. Ask your vet or vet nurse to suggest an Omega 3 & 6 supplement to help your dog’s skin and coat restore its natural beauty.

Change in toilet frequency

Muscles in older dogs can weaken causing them to need the toilet more often. Let them out more frequently to prevent any accidents in the house.

Loss of sight or hearing

Older dogs can begin to lose their sight, you may notice they bump into things that have moved in the home. Try not to make any big changes in room layouts as this can be stressful for them. Dogs losing their hearing can often be mistaken for being old and stubborn so we shout instead. Why not try to retrain them with hand signals – old dogs CAN learn new tricks!

Losing or gaining weight

Older dogs have different nutritional needs to younger dogs. You may notice that your dog has started to gain or lose weight. Feed them a diet tailored to their needs, and take your dog in to see your vet nurse for regular weight checks to monitor any changes in weight and catch any problems early on.

Plaque build-up & eating less

You may notice that the smell of your dog’s breath has changed. If caught early enough, dental problems may be able to be managed at home with a dental diet or tooth cleaning so it is better to catch the problem sooner rather than later to prolong the need for full dental treatment.

Drinking more

An increase in thirst can be due to many conditions. It is best to discuss with your vet, or vet nurse if you have noticed your dog drinking more, as to what the cause could be.

It is still very important to go for regular checks at your vet practice during your dog's senior life to spot any underlying problems and keep them at them at their best.

Source: Lintbells.com and this page about supplement for dogs