|
Gina Marie: The Healing Dog 
We wanted to share a little bit about Gina Marie and her healing paws. Gina is a service dog for the handicapped qualified to assist the mobility impaired. She is registered with the United States Service Dog Registry and Childrens Hospital of the King's Daughters as a therapy dog, along with being certified as a member of the TDI disaster Stress Relief Dog Team.
She has made a difference in so many human lives, we would like to share a couple of her stories.
One day when Tom (owner and Muddy Paws client) and Gina were on duty at Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters, two nurses approached Tom and explained that a young girl had been severely burned over her entire body; only a portion of her face remained unbandaged. The nurses called, "Oh, Tom, bring Gina into the room". The tiny child could barely move, but turned her head at the sight of the large, beautiful dog. As Gina steadily looked at her the girl slowly and quietly smiled. Tom remembers that "Tears filled my eyes as I saw the smile Gina brought to the face of that suffering child".
Another day at the hospital, Tom recalls that "Gina and I were walking by the nurses' station on 7th floor when I heard one of the nurses speak out: "There is that dog!" I stopped immediately and walked back to the nurses' station: 'Do you mean my dog?' and she replied 'Yes!'" The nurse continued to explain to Tom: "A couple of weeks ago you and Gina visited a patient while his parents were in the room. After you left the parents came to us with joy on their faces saying 'Our son is speaking!'" At the time of the visit Tom was not aware that the eight-year-old boy was unable to communicate, a dysfunction resulting from a condition related to his emotional health. During the visit he enjoyed playing with Gina and petting her soft coat. It was not long after Gina and Tom left the room that the child began speaking.
Gina is now working in the child abuse treatment program at CHKD. She is called to visit a victim of abuse in a playroom setting one hour before the child's interview by a staff member. Tom is not briefed with any information about the child, but waits with Gina as her loving presence calms and relaxes the child. The child is then taken to the interview and promised that new friend Gina will be waiting to see the young patient after the interview.
If you like these stories and want to read more about Gina Marie, please click on her picture, it is linked to this article.
|
|
Dogs Gone Swimming
Join Muddy Paws and many other local organizations Saturday, September 15th from 11- 4 PM in supporting Friends of Norfolk Animal Care Center at their 4th annual Dogs Gone Swimming Event.
With the city's pools closing for the season, the day is going to the dogs - literally! For a small admission fee, your dog/s can enjoy an "end-of-season swim" at the city's recreation center. Join with other parents of "fur-kids" to celebrate a day where no one will say "No Dogs Allowed"! All proceeds to benefit animals at the Norfolk Animal Care Center.
For location, prices, and more, see link below:
|
|
FREE Bag of Blue Buffalo
If you buy 10 bags of Blue Buffalo (any size) receive the 11th bag completely FREE of charge!
|
Back to School Daycare Specials
For the entire month of September, buy a 10 day daycare pass (half day or full day) and receive 10 days FREE!
|
Grooming & Bathing Specials
Monday, September 10th
Wednesday, September 18th
Monday, September 24th Mention this add and receive 40% off baths or 10% off grooms for these selected dates. Only one date per customer per month and space is limited so book early!
|
|
|
Dear Friend,
Muddy Paws has a lot of great specials for you this month, so be sure to check out our upcoming sales and events! We are getting rid of some familiar dog food brands due to a company buyout leading to the new parent company being one that utilizes animal testing in their product development...and we just can't support that kind of cruelty. If you are currently using one of the brands listed our knowledgeable staff memebers will be happy to assist you in making the switch. We hope you have a smooth transition back into the school season and enjoy this month's newsletter. We are always happy to hear any feedback, questions, or suggestions you might have, so please don't hesitate to email or call us!
|
| Bad Food News, Now You Must Chose! |
|
Are You Buying These Brands?
Please Reconsider!
If you are buying CALIFORNIA NATURAL, EVO, or INNOVA, please reconsider! These brands have been bought out by Proctor and Gamble, one of the largest companies that still performs cruel and unnecessary tests on animals.
We are transitioning these brands out of our store and will only continue to carry them through the end of September to allow our customers time to switch brands. We recognize this will be a slow process as proper transitioning requires about a week of gradually increasing the ratio of new food to the old until the old has been completely phased out. Otherwise vomiting, diahreah and a possible trip to the vet could occur from a sudden switch. Please don't let this deter you from changing brands however; it is a very easy, smooth process as long as it is a gradual one. Adding a couple tablespoons of canned pumpkin can also help but is not a cure-all.
 For more information on animal testing please see the links below and feel free to do your own research about this company. Thanks for continuing to shop at Muddy Paws and we hope you understand that we simply cannot support animal cruelty. Sites to check out: Natural News on Proctor and Gamble www.iamscruelty.com http://www.uncaged.co.uk/pgtesting.htm |
| The Healing Power of Animal Companions |
Caring for Companion Animals
is caring for yourself..
Did you know that caring for animal companions is good for your health? Being in the pressense of an animal companion has the ability to lower or raise blood pressure to a healthy rate, trigger endorphins (your brain's "feel good serum"), lower stress levels, and increase physical activity and social interaction. For children and adolesents caring for companion animals teaches responsiblity and creates a special bond which is essential to healthy developement. Elderly persons most especially benefit from time spent with companion animals not only regarding physical ailments but also the way they think about life and death. Anim  als think in the present, they don't plan for or worry about the future, which many of us can't help but do an which causes an intense amount of stress to most people. Bonding with a companion animal can encourage a person to also think in the present and focus on the joy of life. |
| Vaccine Clinic At Muddy Paws |
|
September 16th & October 6th
With Dr. Dragon
|
Natural Disaster Preparation for Companion Animals
1 - Have at least 5-10 days worth of food stored in waterproof container (dry food is better in case you are seperated as it lasts much longer than canned food, when open or left out).
2. Make sure you have multiple sources of water available, fill all plastic containers you have and put them in different places around the house, leave the toilet seat open, and fill up the sink and the tub. This is important in case one gets knocked over or if you have to leave them alone for longer than expected.
3 - Place a Rescue Sticker on your front door (contact PETA for FREE companion animal care packet including rescue stickers and care instructions) detailing how many pets and what kind of pets you have in your house. (example 2 dogs 2 cats) This will help rescue workers save all your pets should the worst happen
...
4 - Have current photographs of all your pets depicting what they look like in case you are seperated and need to make flyers, emails, etc.. 
5 - Make sure each of your pets has a collar on with identification and your phone number/contact information. If you have not yet microchipped your animals, do so now before the disaster hits and it is too late
6 - Locate and safely store all of your pets medical records in a waterproof container and have a pet first aid kit on hand. Have detailed insructions for feeding, giving medications, how your companion animal might react in certain circumstances. This will be very helpful to anyone taking care of your animals as well as help your animals feel as comfortable as possible.
7 - Bring all your pets inside as soon as bad weather begins, and never release your animals thinking that they have a better chance of surviving on their own. Our companion animals do not have survival instincts like those in the wild, they rely on humans for most of their basic needs (it is a complete misconception that they will do better on their own)
8 - Plan an evacuation route and destination that takes into account boarding kennels at your destination 
9 - Make sure that you have a crate for each of your pets for safe handling if transportation is required (NEVER lock your animals up with no chance of escaping). It is best to have an extra crate or rescue box in case you come into contact with any loose animals along the way. Keep a leash, can of food and water source in case it is needed in a rescue situation.
10 - Have feeding dishes, blankets and a portable kitty litter box if applicable
|
|
