| Caring for People Who Care for Pets | June 2010 |
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 Greetings!
Coco was the type of dog I refer to as a scamp.
She refused to play fetch but, with a glint in her eye, loved to play 'keep-away-from-Laurel'. She stalled each night when it was time to come inside for bed, lingering in our backyard, barking at the moon. She wouldn't come to the sound of my voice, but she'd race through the door the moment she heard me shaking a bag of dog treats as a lure to get her inside.
She was smart, goofy, strategic, and expensive. She blew out both of her knees chasing rabbits (not tennis balls, heaven forbid!) which required two TPLO surgeries and rehab. In her younger days, she chewed up a brand new stair banister, a wooden deck chair, a leather ottoman, several UPS deliveries, and too many gloves and shoes to count.
Adopting Coco was never our plan. We'd claimed her brother, the largest male in the litter of Chesapeake Bay retriever puppies but, during a visit with Bear, I made the mistake of picking up Coco. She put both her front paws around my neck in a big hug, looked me straight in the eyes, and laid her tiny head on my shoulder. Then she sighed. A big, truly contented sigh. I swear I heard her call me 'Mom'.
Well, that was it. We adopted two Chessie puppies and, for eight years, lived with what seemed like a wild pack of wolves. Bear and Coco joined our two cockapoos Sam and Beau and formed a furry unit that never seemed to stop barking or moving.
I found Coco last month on Mother's Day lying very still in our yard under our biggest cottonwood tree. She'd apparently died suddenly and quickly as she'd only been missing for about 10 minutes. We miss her every day, but I'm comforted by the fact that she died doing what she loved (chasing rabbits), in the yard she loved, after an entire day outside with the family she loved. A dog really couldn't have had a better life.
You are missed, Sweet Coquette!
Laurel
P.S. I know that you, dear reader, understand how helpful it is to write about and tell others about a pet who has died. Thanks for allowing me to tell you about my Coco memories.
Many people lose pets every day in our country and some in ways that are much more difficult to cope with than sudden death. If you have clients who are considering euthanasia due to pet's behavior problems, read this month's Veterinary Wisdom for Practice Teams article, " When Euthanasia is an Option for a Behavior Problem that Can't be Resolved." Perhaps it will spur some discussion among your staff about how you all can cope with these difficult cases. |
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Fort Collins, Colorado 80525
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Words of Wisdom
"A human being is a part of a whole, called by us the 'Universe', a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings, as something separated from the rest...Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circles of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty."
--Albert Einstein Many pet parents I know consider their pets to be even more than family members. They see their pets as literal extensions of themselves. Read the rest of Laurel's wisdom here. Or visit the archives to read past editions of Wednesday Wisdom.
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When Euthanasia is an Option for a Behavior Problem That
Can't Be Resolved
by Laurel Lagoni, MS
It's one of the most gut-wrenching situations in veterinary medicine... euthanasia due to a companion animal's aggression or misbehavior.
There are several circumstances that can lead to companion animal euthanasia related to misbehavior. These include:
Whatever behavior-related reasons lie beneath the decision to euthanize a pet, the consideration of this option is certain to trigger a variety of strong emotions...
If you'd like to discuss this article or other issues related to the family-pet bond, come blog with us at www.vetwisdomcafe.com
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Glazing, coating, or painting your ClayPaws® prints
by Tammy DurhamThe clay of your ClayPaws® print is a polymer type clay. Not all materials are compatible with this clay, such as spray paints or clear nail polish.
Your best choice for this type of clay is to use a glaze or protectant that is specifically made for polymer clay. We sell Sculpey® glaze, or you can find a different brand in your local craft store.
Whichever product you choose, you want a product that will dry clear, doesn't turn yellow after time, and doesn't stay tacky. Also be careful that the protectant you choose won't start to break down the clay after time.
Do NOT spray paint!
Spray painting your ClayPaws® print will cause you some headaches. Aerosol paint is not compatible with this type of clay (polymer).
Spray paint will start to break down the clay over time. You will also notice that spray paint never seems to dry and stays sticky.
If you have already used spray paint and have a sticky print, you can use rubbing alcohol to remove the already applied paint. Once removed, you should be able to apply a non-spray, acrylic paint that will dry properly.
The best paint to use is an acrylic, brush-on variety. Before painting, it helps to take a cotton ball and a small amount of rubbing alcohol and rub the print first. |
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Business Our mission at World by the Tail, Inc., is to "care for people who care for pets." This newsletter is a small part of our outreach efforts. If it's helpful to you, please use the link below to forward it on to your friends, family, and colleagues. Help us "care for people who care for pets" by building an ever-widening 'bond-centered circle' of support!
I write this newsletter with a sincere desire to help you--a compassionate pet care provider--deal more effectively with the human side of living and working with companion animals. I want you to feel confident as you face the emotional situations that arise as you care for ill, injured, or aging pets AND the people who love them. For more information about me or my company, read my bio Laurel Lagoni or visit the About Us page at www.veterinarywisdom.com
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