July 4th Holiday Concerns.
For
many people, nothing beats lounging in the backyard on the Fourth of
July with good friends and family-including the four-legged members of
the household. However, for many of our four-legged friends, these
holidays are not fun for them. We need to use precautions for several
days prior to the holiday and a few days after, as many individuals are
using fireworks during this time.
Our
dogs have very good hearing that allows them to hear with much more
intensity then us. With all of the unpredictable and sudden noise of
fireworks, this holiday is one that can cause dog's great anxiety. In
addition, the anxiety can cause even the most mild-mannered pet to bite
out of fear.
When
you go to the holiday fireworks show, we recommend you leave your pet
at home, and while they are at home leave the television or radio on so
it can help to mask the noise. If you are enjoying a day and evening at
home, don't let your dog run loose in the yard once the fireworks
begin. The sudden noise can cause them to bolt and injure themselves.
Keep them safe inside your home - either in their crate or locked in a
room where they can't injure themselves. Or if they are with you
visiting, please keep them on a leash so they are controlled.
Dogs
have been known to jump through windows, over fences or begin to shake
uncontrollably. If you already know your dog is anxiety ridden during
this time, check with your veterinarian in prescribing some medication
to help ease their anxiety for the short term.
Cats
should not be allowed outdoors for several days prior and a few days
after. Make sure your pet is wearing an ID tag should he get out and
need to be returned.
For all animal lovers, be on the look out for dogs or cats running loose that may have escaped their yard/house.
If
you have an extra leash in your car and you are comfortable approaching
a loose dog and he is willing to accompany you, most times you can get
them back to the safety of their own home. |
Car Travel TipsFor some pet parents, a trip's no fun if the four-legged members of
the family can't come. But traveling can be highly stressful, both for
you and your animal companions. With thoughtful preparation, you can
ensure a safe and comfortable trip for everyone.
Planning a road trip? Traveling with a pet involves more than just
loading the animal in the back seat and motoring off-especially if you
will be driving long distances or plan to be away for a long time. The
ASPCA offers the following tips to help you prepare for a safe and
smooth car trip: Please visit this link for their top ten tips.
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Guide Dogs of the Desert move update
Dear Friends, We have been planning over the past two years to make a major move of our training facility to a beautiful ranch in the San Jacinto Valley. Unfortunately, the buyers of our property suddenly cancelled escrow.
Since the purchase of the new property was contingent upon the sale of our current property, we will continue to conduct our work out of our current location.
The sale of our property was not only going to give us a year-round training facility for our clients, but it also would have allowed financial flexibility in these still economically-trying times. However, we are thrilled to be able to keep our training facility in the Coachella Valley, where our supporters can tour our facility and view our work up close.
As always, the staff, Board of Directors, and I join together in thanking you deeply for all you do for Guide Dogs of the Desert: without your time and support, we would not be able to do the work we do to the standard that we do it.
Sincerely,
Roccie Hill, Executive Director
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Our recent July Standard Poodle litter
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Be sure to send us your new email address if it changes so you can be updated in our database, and please pass our newsletter on to friends and family who may be interested.
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If you know of someone who is blind, please tell them about Guide Dogs of the Desert.
Under
the ADA, businesses that serve the public must allow access to people
with disabilities using service animals. A Guide Dog wearing a harness
is at work. Please allow them to do their job! Go here for a business brief from the ADA.
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Guide Dogs of the Desert
would like to thank our sponsors for their support.
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