Ruckus Rules
In this issue...
Rescue!
Ruckus Rulz!
Daily Dog Scoop!
OUR SUPPORTERS!
Fidos 2
 
Evengers 2
Evanger's Dog and Cat Food
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!
 
Darwins
Fences for Fido
Ben Wood
Mutt Gear
Vir-Chew-Ly Indestructible™ Dog Leash

 

 
Pets are talking
Daily dog scoop small

Green Tea
Green Tea Cat Litter
Kool Collar
KOOL COLLAR
chewber2
BARK LESS!
 
Oregon Dog Fence
 
 
Changeit
Sandy Cove
One of Ruckus' Favorite vacation spots! 
 
Ruckus'  Tips and Tid-Bits
Bulldog Tested, Labrador Approved!
December 2010
Ruck and Tuck
And to all a good night!

Welcome to December! 
Do you find yourself running around like a crazy person trying to get everything done?  The days are shorter and the demands longer.  Each year I tell myself that I won't get caught up in it, but each year somehow I get swept away.  I notice that the dogs don't really enjoy it either.  Sometimes they won't eat unless I sit with them, or won't go outside unless I go out with them.  Maybe they know better than I do when it is time for me to take a break.  And as flustered as I get when they are demanding of my time, that feeling quickly goes away when I just enjoy the time the are giving me.
As many of you know our sweet old man Tucker crossed over the rainbow bridge a few weeks ago.  The cancer he had was so fast growing that none of the measures we took did any thing for him.  It was one of those things that was hard to do but we had to put ourselves aside and think about him.  I just wanted to say thanks for all the support we received during this time with him, it was really appreciated.

With Tuckers passing Ruckus and Rocco have become new dogs.  Ruckus has always been a floor sleeper but now has taken to the bed. (I think he is trying to make me feel happy!) And he wants to be as close as possible.  This proved to be a challenge for staying warm during the sleeping hours, but we have found a solution for this and Ruckus will tell you all about it in his article below.  Rocco has always been a bed sleeper but opts for the foot.  He now stretches his entire body along the bottom of the bed where he once had to share with Tucker.  Interesting how dogs react to changes.

Pay close attention to the Vet Spotlight this month... as if chocolate this time of year wasn't enough to think about, the sugar substitute Xylitol has got it beat.

We hope you have an amazing holiday season!  Be warm and safe and enjoy the ones around you for as long as you can!

Thanks for spending this time with us, it is you that makes us do what we do!

NOW 
On to some amazing people, places and things! 
Mickie 

Rescue

 

OHS 

 

OHS Star

 

OHSTAR is a volunteer based group of animal rescuers trained in a variety of rescue disciplines. Members are able to respond to individual animals in danger as well as provide disaster relief and emergency animal sheltering in large scale incidents. OHSTAR members may also be called on to respond to national disasters to assist with locating, rescuing, and containing displaced animals, reuniting pets with owners, and providing relief and comfort to pet owners. OHS is a member of the Humane Society of the United States National Disaster Animal Rescue Team.

 

What does OHSTAR do?

 

OHSTAR is designed to respond to situations anywhere anytime in the tri-county area when an animal becomes trapped and is unable to extricate itself and needs human intervention. OHSTAR will assist in the evacuation of large and small animals during natural disasters. OHSTAR also provides education in disaster preparedness related to the care of animals. Members assist the humane investigators when requested, usually for cases involving large numbers of animals suffering from neglect or abuse.

 

What type of training do OHSTAR members have or receive?

 

OHSTAR members receive training directly related to the handling of animals in rescue situations. Members are also trained in the following areas: Rescue Fundamentals, Incident Command System, Compass & Navigation, Basic Vertical Rope Work, Basic Rock Climbing, Rigging, Water Rescue, Human and Animal First Aid & CPR, zoonotic diseases, and Animal Disaster Preparedness and Response.

 

How can you become involved?

 

All members serve on a voluntary basis and are required to complete the Oregon Humane Society's Volunteer Training and Orientation. Although it is highly desirable that members have technical rescue training prior to joining OHSTAR it is not required. We will provide you with the training you need. Watch our Website for postings of open application times. OHSTAR recruits new members when needed to fill vacancies, with preference given to OHS volunteers. Members that wish to have an active role as a rescuer need to be in good physical condition and may be required to complete a physical fitness test for some portions of training. Members must also pass a personal background investigation.

 

 Check out more about this amazing organization here 

 RUCKUS RULZ! TM

Bulldog Tested, Labrador Approved!
  Pleat Sheet

Hi, it is me Ruckus and this month we are talking about one of my favorite things, Sleeping!

As a dog I have come to realize that humans are cover hogs when it comes to the bedtime sleeping arrangements.  This month I put a new sheet to the test and low and behold it solved a few problems for me.  The new Pleat Sheet by Premier Pet Products is amazing.

At first I was skeptical, thinking that it might not be as comfortable as the nice flannel that usually sits on our family bed this time of year, but my mind was quickly changed.  The sheets are really soft and have a 300 thread count, but the real excitement comes with the secret extra 'V' of fabric that is built into the top portion of them.  That makes it so there is more room at the top and no one can complain about having cold shoulders.

I know you might have been thinking you needed a bigger bed, but you might  surprise yourself if you check out a 'better' sheet.  

They said 'We'll keep your covered!' and they sure made a believer out of me! 

 

 Just so you can see what I am talking about Click here to check it out!  On their website you can do a store locator to find someone near you that carries these amazing products!  And after you do send me a note and let me know what you thought about it!

 

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!

 

Sonja photo new Talking Spirit with Sonja Grace

 To all of the birds, goats, horses, dogs, cats , monkeys, reptiles, rabbits, bears, deer and turtles I have worked on and the rest of the four legged friends I send love and healing to you all.  It is always a privilege to speak with and work on my four legged friends and receive so much love in return.   May this New Year bring good health, happiness and prosperity to all of you and your beloved pets.  Happy Solstice!  
Many Blessings,
Sonja Grace
 
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

 VET SPOTLIGHT
 Preventive Health Care for your Pet!

Poisoning associated with Xylitol: More dangerous than chocolate


Xylitol

Xylitol is a sugar substitute sweetener that is used in many products. Its use in North America has increased rapidly in the past few years, and it is widely found in sugar-free gum, candy, low-carbohydrate foods, sugar-free toothpaste and other oral hygiene products. It is also available in granulated form for baking.

As a result of its increased availability in the home, veterinarians have seen an increase in the number of poisonings associated with xylitol, particularly in dogs. Xylitol is a problem in dogs because it is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, where it stimulates the release of insulin. This insulin release will then cause a hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) crisis. In higher doses, xylitol can also cause liver failure and death. Its effect on blood sugar and insulin in cats is not clear at this time.

Xylitol is over 100 times as toxic as chocolate to dogs. As little as 2 pieces of chewing gum could cause hypoglycemia in a 20-pound (9-kilogram) dog. The first symptom of xylitol toxicity is usually vomiting, but signs of low blood sugar such as lethargy or weakness, seizures or collapse occur quickly afterwards. Because of the rapidity with which toxicity develops, testing for xylitol in the blood is not realistic. Therefore, a presumptive diagnosis of xylitol toxicity is made if a dog has a history of eating a product containing xylitol, is showing symptoms, and has low blood sugar levels.

There is no antidote for xylitol toxicity, but if a dog is treated immediately with intravenous fluids, glucose supplementation and other supportive treatments the prognosis for recovery is good. The prognosis is worse if the dog becomes comatose, or if it develops liver failure or a bleeding disorder associated with the toxicity.

The number of products containing xylitol has been steadily rising over the last few years, with a resultant surge in xylitol cases reported to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Raising awareness of pet owners to the risk of serious illness or death from this apparently innocuous sugar substitute may help to decrease the threat to our precious dogs.


   

 Article provided by Dr. Yvonne Wikander
Frontier Veterinary Hospital

Daily dog scoop small

 News dogs can dig!

Family dogs: Something to be thankful for this holiday season!

Daily Dog DecemberThe holiday season can be a lot of fun, but it seems to cause a lot of stress for humans too.  This is when the important work of dogs comes in.  Sure, I do my part to help my person relax every day, but this work takes a little extra care during the hectic holiday season.  You may be stressed about who is able to make it this year.  You may worry if someone forgot the cranberry sauce or if the mac 'n cheese is not cheesy enough.  All the while, you can count on your dog to remind you that there is a whole turkey in the oven. Whole. Freakin. Turkey.

There are lots of other things dogs can do to help remind you of the joys of the holiday season.  Instead of just raking the leaves, spend a little time playing in them too.  Curl up with a loved one by the fireplace.  Sleep in.  Eat leftovers for breakfast.  Give lots of hugs.  Chase deer (ok, maybe you won't like the last one).

My person is a little stressed about sitting in traffic on I-95 all day today, but I keep reminding her that on the other side of that trip, we will get to spend some quality time playing with my cousin Lily (and the rest of the human family of course).  We are pictured above posing as two warm croissants snoozing in front of the fireplace last holiday season.  We are pictured below with the great family that we are lucky to be a part of.  How could you be stressed out about something like that?     

Your dog, who perhaps once knew life on the street or in a shelter like me, will be quick to remind people that most of us will be spending the holiday, and every day, in a place of abundance, peace, and love. Now, that is something to be thankful for.

Faye Inner Design

Faye Pietrokowsky

 

I love learning what my pets have to say to me.  There are a lot of people out there that look at me as if I am crazy, but I am a believer.

 

Recently I have the opportunity to meet with Faye of Inner Design.  She explained to me that animals don't hang onto life the way humans do and that it was we humans that cling to an animals life.  For weeks that thought ran through my head and one day it finally clicked.

 

Faye founded Inner Design in 1986 when she began helping individuals and businesses to developing intuition skills for personal enhancement and for professional development. Faye assists people in utilizing this asset in the marketplace for sales, customer service, hiring, and for overall decision-making. She has worked with various industries including computer, advertising, telecommunications, and with small businesses. Faye also offers classes to help children develop their sixth sense and classes to assist people in communicating with their animal friends. She also works with people and their pets to address attitude and behavior issues.

Faye draws from years of experience working with clients to problem solve business and personal concerns and from her formal education. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Communications from Cal State University and a Master of Science degree in Adult Education from the University of Wisconsin.

Faye also speaks to associations and organizations about using intuition in the marketplace for sales, customer service, for hiring and for overall decision-making. She also provides her listening audiences with suggestions about how to integrate intuition in the workplace in a tightening economy. Faye speaks about "The Hunch That Got Away","Using Intuition In A Tightening Economy" and "Being A Prophet In The Workplace."

 

You should check her website out and her blog is a must read.