Ruckus Rules
In this issue...
Rescue!
Ruckus Rulz!
Vet Spotlight!
Daily Dog Scoop!
OUR SUPPORTERS!
Ben Wood
Fidos 2
 
Darwins
Mutt Gear
Vir-Chew-Ly Indestructible™ Dog Leash
Fences for Fido
Kool Collar
KOOL COLLAR
Daily dog scoop small

chewber2
Changeit

 

 
Pets are talking
dermagic
Amazing Pet skin care!
 

cbrr 2 logo
If you are looking for a bulldog to adopt, check here first!
 
 
four legged
The official Photographer of Ruckus and his family!
 
BARK LESS!
 
Oregon Dog Fence
 
 
Sandy Cove
One of Ruckus' Favorite vacation spots! 
 
Ruckus'  Tips and Tid-Bits
Bulldog Tested, Labrador Approved!
September 2010
Ruck and Tuck
Quiet Time!
 
Well the kids are all back in school, the mornings are cool and the house is quiet once again.  All of these things make it perfect for some down time or perhaps a nice morning stroll with the dogs.  Check out the Scrambler ball in  Ruckus' column, which is anything but calm BUT it will have you laughing like a child watching them play.
 
Isn't it funny how some times things just 'come' to you?  Take this months 'Vet Spotlight'.  For a while now we have been wondering why our sweet man Tucker has been doing things out of his norm, and a trip to the vet answered the question.  Poor Tucker had an infection in places un-seen by the normal eye.  A few antibiotics and wala, he is almost back to his sweet ole self!
 
And while we are keeping a watchful eye, check out with Sonja has to say... Cat got your tounge? 
 
NOW 
On to some amazing people, places and things! 
Mickie 

Rescue

Bella's Story 

Bellas story

Oregon Dog Rescue often gets calls from the local shelters who ask them to Oregon Dog Rescue often gets calls from the local shelters who ask them to take in dogs who are in need physical or mental rehabilitation and who would do better in a home environment. Stella was one of those dogs. Here is her story.

My name is Stella and I'm an 11 mo. old female lab mix. I only weigh 38 lbs And I am the victim of neglect. I was found as a stray with an embedded collar. This means that my former owners mainly left me in a yard or tied somewhere And did not notice that the puppy collar they put on me when I was new and fun, Was slicing my neck open. The nice vet had removed the collar surgically and my wounds are healing now. It's too soon to tell if I will ever be able to wear a collar, but I will be just as happy with a nice harness. Don't worry; I am not bitter at all! In fact I am quite happy now. I am ready for someone who will spend time with me and love me forever. Is that you?

Stella was a bright and intelligent dog and was quickly adopted. At that moment her name changed along with her future. She was now going to be called Bella and her new owners Michelle and Josh Rogers who work as physical therapists had plans for her. Every day Bella would accompany them to work at the Clatsop Care Center. Maybe Bella's own rough start sealed her future as a therapy dog. Still wearing the scars from that early ordeal, Bella seems to sympathize with what physical therapy clients are going through.

Now at 3 years old, Bella can be found spreading happiness up and down the hall at the care center. She will often stick her nose in a resident's door just to say hi. She waggingly greets all visitors, offering them her chew bone toy while she waits to be petted and have her ears scratched.

Michelle said once the administration met Bella they all agreed having a dog like Bella makes the care center a less stressful place to be. Michelle is to be credited with Bella's success as he makes sure Bella has her basic commands like Sit, stay and come down pat. "Bella is a good listener" and seems to have a keen savvy for when she is needed and when to stay out of the way.

Affectionate and sweet-natured, Bella always has a smile on her face and a wag for everyone. The Rogers say she is part coach, part cheerleader, part clown and part comforter. In addition to helping the challenges of having to go through physical therapy a little more tolerable, the Rogers says it makes going to work fun for them and Bella.

Oregon Dog Rescue is an all-breed, no-kill shelter. It is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. You can read all about them and see Photos and descriptions of each dog on their website www.oregondogrescue.org

 RUCKUS RULZ! TM

Bulldog Tested, Labrador Approved!
 
Scrambler 
 
 

Hi, it is me Ruckus and I have an addiction to all things round!

 
 So to challenge me mom gets a Scrambler ball and throws me off with this 'egg' shapped thing that won't hold still for even a moment!  Don't get me wrong, this is about the coolest thing I have chased down in a long time, but it is defenantly going to keep me in shape.

They are made of hard plastic and its size, smooth surface and egg shape make it virtually impossible to pin and almost indestructible.  It's lightweight and loves to be herded, rolled, tossed and bounced!  Perfect for high-energy dogs, especially the herding breeds!

There are two sizes: Small (approximately 8" long and 14" circumference at the widest point) and Large (14.5" long and 22" circumference at the widest point).  When in doubt about size GO BIG as the idea is to have it large enough that your dog can't pin it with their body!  It is so light even a small energetic dog can tackle the Large!

Just so you can see what I am talking about here is a link to a cute video I found.  Click here to check it out!

Smell you soon,
Love Ruckus

 Don't forget that if you have a favorite person, place or thing that your pet can't live without you can email me at [email protected] and maybe I can check it out. Even as picky as a Bulldog is, you never know, it could be my favorite!
 VET SPOTLIGHT
 Preventive Health Care for your Pet!
 

Five signs that your animal might be in pain


Animal SickIn a world of 'kill or be killed', even predatory animals have evolved to hide signs of pain. This sometimes makes it very difficult for us to tell when our furry or feathered companions are in distress.

Certainly, when an animal has suffered a serious injury, the signs of pain are clear. However, for a lot of chronic conditions, the only indication may be subtle telltale signs or peculiar body language that you might or might not notice.

Today, veterinarians are able to manage pain in pet animals using several different approaches, including medical or surgical interventions, appropriate medications, diet, and judicious exercise. 

During your pet's routine annual or semi-annual examinations, your veterinarian will be looking for little clues that your pet may be suffering needlessly.

One or more of the following five symptoms may be signs that your animal is in pain:

1. House soiling accidents - if an animal is normally housebroken and fastidious in its elimination habits, having accidents in the house can be an indication of a problem such as a urinary tract infection, kidney disease, a bowel disorder, arthritis, or other painful diseases. Animals with sore joints may not be able to maneuver the stairs, while animals with an inflammatory condition of an internal organ may experience 'urge incontinence', where the urge to eliminate comes on so suddenly that they are unable to control it.

2. Inactivity or decreased desire to exercise - a lack of desire to go for a walk is often an obvious sign of discomfort in dogs, but cats often will sleep more or spend more time sitting or lying around.

The most common cause of inactivity in animals is degenerative joint disease; pets with joint problems will be reluctant to climb stairs, play or exercise. Since degenerative joint disease is often an age related problem, we often assume that the inactivity is related to age rather than pain

3. Avoidance of petting or handling - if your pet avoids being picked up or petted, especially if your pet used to be a cuddler, it might mean that she feels pain when she is touched or handled in a certain part of her body, or that she is uncomfortable in general. The problem could be arthritis, tooth pain, ear pain, intestinal pain, nerve pain, etc.

4. Sudden weight change - pain can directly influence your pet's eating habits and thus its weight. An animal that is in pain may not be able to comfortably bend down to eat and will therefore lose weight through lack of calories.

Conversely, an animal that is reluctant to move because of pain may gain weight due to lack of exercise if it continues to eat the same amount of food.

5. Abnormal behavior at the food dish - a pet that acts hungry by going over to the food dish, but then drops food out of its mouth or suddenly stops eating and walks away may have something wrong in the mouth. In these cases, the most common problem is dental disease, which is estimated to afflict over 2/3 of dogs and cats over the age of 3.

Other problems that could cause this sort of symptom include oral tumors and foreign material such as sticks or hair trapped between or around the teeth. Symptoms of oral cavity disease also include weight loss, bad breath, or rubbing the face along the carpet or furniture.

In most households, our pets are part of the family. Simply by being aware of what is normal for your pet, and observing when there are abnormal changes in habits or behavior, you can help ensure that your pet leads a happy life that is free of pain.

If you notice any of the above symptoms, arrange an appointment with your veterinarian.  


 Article provided by Dr. Yvonne Wikander
 
Frontier Veterinary Hospital

Sonja photo new Talking Spirit with Sonja Grace

Is you cat a good watch dog?  Yes I know most cats would be offended by that question but my client has a cat that tells me what is going on in their neighborhood.   'This person keeps walking past the house and the umbrella wasn't set up right at the front door and there is a lump under the rug someone might trip!  Did you know the work crew out side is there again today and one of these guys looked through the downstairs windows?'  I must say this cat gets a gold star for keeping an eye on the house!  She gave a clear warning about the man looking into the windows and my client took action and activated their alarm system.   The next day their neighbor's house was robbed.   Let's not under estimate the dog in our cats!  And realize that through animal communication you can learn much more than the daily issues of tuna or beef... you can learn where your pet is feeling pain, problems with eyes, ears, nose and throat and digestion.  There are so many things that you pet wants you to know...  Plus you might learn what is going on in your neighborhood!
 
 
To learn more about Sonja Grace visit: www.sonjagrace.com
Her new book Angels in the 21st Century A New Perspective on Death and Dying is now available on Amazon
 

Daily dog scoop small

 News dogs can dig!
 
How rare is the rarest dog on earth?  Apparently there are just 200 New Guinea Singing Dogs in the world, most of of which are in captivity.  Two of these very special dogs, Lexie and Marley, were living in Illinois, but have since been moved to a shared habitat at the Cohanzick Zoo in Vineland New Jersey.
These dogs are so special because they have unique genetic differences, which means they evolved separately from all other dogs in the world.  They also have a very special howl--which earns them them the appropriate name.  Some still do exist in the wild in New Guinea, but the folks at the Cohanzick Zoo are not leaving the survival of this rare breed up to nature. 
 
If you are interested in learning more about this breed, also check out this 4 minute Animal Planet's Dogs 101 video on the New Guinea Singing dog--where you can see Lexie and Marley in action, hear the singing, and even see a few in the wild.