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A Busy, Productive Winter
There's no lounging around for PoundHounds volunteers. It's been a busy winter so far and we have a lot to share with you in this issue.
Thanks to your generous donations during our annual campaign in December, we are pleased to report your dollars are already helping dogs in need. Check out the articles on Gizmo and Storm. With PoundHounds support, these two dogs are on track to find a home.
In our perpetual fund-raising efforts, we've decided to try something new this year. PoundHounds will be present at Whisker Walk, June 6, 2010, at the Lancaster Fairgrounds. We will hold a fund-raising walk and have an information booth--please hold this date on your calendar for a fun day with your dog--and your family and friends of course! In the coming weeks, keep an eye out for more information about our participation in Whisker Walk and how to sign-up to support PoundHounds.
We've also spent some time this winter researching new products, programs and resources available to help care for dogs, like the Tick Key tick removal device and Animal Rescue League of Boston's Spay Waggin' new route in the South Shore and Cape area. We'll continue to include this type of information in future issues of the e-NewsHound
I hope you enjoy this issue, and please, help us increase our subscribership by forwarding this e-Newsletter to your friends and family. The more awareness we build about what we do, the more dogs we can help. Warmest regards,
Seana Dowling
President, PoundHounds, Inc. |
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Health Check
Canine Cataracts
Does your senior dog have a grayish cast in her eyes? If so, the condition is most likely nuclear sclerosis, not cataracts. Nuclear sclerosis occurs in the lens of the dog's eyes, usually in both eyes at the same time. This condition is a normal part of the aging process and although it looks troublesome, nuclear sclerosis does not typically impact the dog's vision.
A cataract is a different story. Like humans, as dogs age, they can develop cataracts. A cataract can occur in one or both eyes. Cataracts can grow rapidly--in weeks--or slowly over time. It is important for your vet to monitor a dog with cataracts because the thicker and more dense the cateracts become, the more likely the dog will become blind.
A cataract is a breakdown of the normal, healthy arrangement of the lens fibers in the eye, causing reduced vision. A cataract is white or has a crushed-ice appearance.
Currently, surgery is the only treatment for a dog with cataracts. The surgery involves a small incision to the eye which allows the surgeon to remove the cataract and the entire lens. An artificial replacement, called an intraocular lens, is inserted and the eye is sutured closed.
Although a dog's vision will not be restored to normal with cataract surgery, most owners report a notable improvement.
Learn more about canine cataracts at PetWebMD. |
ACO Resources
SouthShore & Cape Spay Waggin' Available
The Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) is now making its mobile spay/neuter van available to shelters and pet owners in the South Shore and Cape area. It makes monthly stops, by appointment only, to perform spay/neuter procedures for clients in financial need.
The Spay Waggin' is staffed with an ARL veterinarian and two veterinary technicians. The van includes a preparation area, a fully equipped surgical suite and a recovery ward. Click to learn more about the Spay Waggin'.
Humane Dog Capture & Handling Course
On May 26-27, Global Wildlife Resources is holding a seminar on Humane Dog Capture and Handling. The objective of the course is to review techniques to 'maximize success and minimize the fight' of capturing dogs during the rescue process. The course will be held at the Thomas J. O'Connor Animal Shelter and is limited to 40 people. The fee for the course is $550. Click to view the Course Schedule section of the Global Wildlife Resources website.
Whisker Walk
ACOs: consider attending Whisker Walk, June 6, 2010 at the Lancaster Fairground in Lancaster, MA. It is a great opportunity to network and build awareness about your facility and all that you do to help dogs in need. You can recruit foster homes, showcase pets, auction or raffle items to raise funds and more. To learn more or sign-up, e-mail Leigh Grady at leigh13@ix.netcom.com. Be sure to let her know that you are an Animal Control Officer. |
Ask the Trainer
Counter Surfing
Counter surfing is one of the most frustrating and potentially dangerous problem behaviors. Dogs follow through with this behavior for various reasons. First, ask yourself if you have ever taught your dog not to counter surf. Some dogs just don't know better.
The main reason counter surfing can be an on-going problem is because the behavior is self-reinforcing. Each time a dog succeeds in grabbing something enjoyable off of a counter, it becomes even more worth it to try again. This behavior is similar to people who like to gamble--even if the prize is small--if you win, you want to play again.
Another reason for counter surfing is that the dog may truly be hungry and is scavenging. On the flip side, it is also possible that the behavior has nothing to do with 'winning' a treat or hunger, but instead is a result of anxiety.
To read the full article and understand the steps you can take to break the counter surfing habit, visit the PoundHounds website.
If you have a question about your dog's behavior that you would like to Ask the Trainer, please send your question to info@poundhounds.org put the word "TRAINER" in the subject line.
"Ask the Trainer" is written by Sonia Mullen of Canine Techniques. Please contact her if you would like to learn more about her training services. |
| Dog Quote of the Month
If you think dogs can't count, try putting 3 dog biscuits in your pocket and then give him only two."
--Phil Pastoret | |
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Featured Dog for Adoption
PoundHounds Pulls Some Strings for Puppet
Puppet is an irresistible, two and a half year old 30-pound Labradoodle who enjoys playing with small breed dogs. He is an absolute love, a fast learner, and he knows all his basic commands.
Puppet is looking for a home without a lot of daily change or commotion. He grew up with children, but he is doesn't do well with the inconsistency, noise and commotion that come with a high-energy household. He will thrive in a structured environment with a strong leader who will establish and maintain boundaries. When Puppet is not sure who is in charge, or when his environment becomes too chaotic, he gets stressed, protective and defensive.
PoundHounds is cross-posting Puppet to help him get adopted. He is currently staying with behaviorist and trainer Sonia Mullen of Canine Techniques and she is working with him on coping with his stress triggers.
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New Tick Removal Product
Now Available
Start thinking about tick season, it will be here in New England before you know it. Despite preventative treatments, it seems our pets still manage to pick up a tick here and there throughout the season. Removing them is a pain--for both owner and dog. If not removed properly, the tick may startle and regurgitate blood, potentially contaminated with Lyme disease, back into your dog. Additionally, improper removal can leave the head of the tick embedded, causing infection.
The Tick Key, invented and manufactured in Watertown, CT, is the only tick removal device on the market that uses a natural, forward leverage to remove the entire tick--head and all--quickly and safely. Unlike some tick removal products, Tick Key is made of anodized aluminum. Best of all, the product is flat and can be stored in a pocket, purse, wallet or on a key chain.
The US patent pending design has been tested over five years on thousands of pets. Good Morning America featured the Tick Key in a segment on Best Health Pet Products of 2009.
Visit the Tick Key website to find a retailer near you. |
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A Plan for Gizmo
Help for Sick, Abandoned Shih Tzu
Agawam, MA A Good Samaritan found a stray, un-neutered, male Shih Tzu wandering in the cold, and brought him to Agawam Animal Control Officer Allison Strong. Strong named him Gizmo and knew immediately that the dog wasn't feeling well. Sure enough, Gizmo had blood in his urine. Strong realized she had to get Gizmo to a veterinarian for tests right away because he could be suffering from any number of conditions: a bladder infection, kidney stones, even bladder cancer.
PoundHounds recently welcomed Agawam to the ACO Collaboration Program and Strong knew just whom to call for help. PoundHounds agreed to pick up expenses for Gizmo's trip to the vet, including the exam, diagnostic testing, and his treatment plan.
Fortunately, Gizmo's veterinarian had good news to report. Gizmo had an inflammation of the prostate, a treatable and relatively common condition for un-neutered males. PoundHounds was also able to pick up the tab for Gizmo's neuter procedure through a grant from the Massachusetts Animal Coalition (see article, below). Gizmo is safe and on the mend thanks to your donations to PoundHounds. He is currently recovering in a foster home and will be available for adoption very soon. If you are interested in learning more about Gizmo, e-mail Allison Strong at AStrong@agawam.ma.us. | |
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About MAC
Spay/Neuter License Plates
 The Massachusetts Animal Coalition (MAC) disburses grants to non-profit humane organizations and municipal animal control agencies. The grants are funded by the sale of the Massachusetts Spay/Neuter License Plate Program.
MAC has provided funds for PoundHounds to pay for spay/neuter procedures for PoundHounds sponsored dogs. In 2009, funding from MAC allowed PoundHounds to spay or neuter 50 dogs in 50 different town pounds across Massachusetts. Those procedures represent $7,500 in MAC support.
Please show your dedication to animals and help control over-population. Register your new car or swap your existing plates for spay/neuter plates.
The additional cost for special plates is $40 with every registration renewal. The first time, $12 covers the cost of making the plate and the remaining $28 goes to the program. At subsequent renewals, the entire $40 funds spay/neuter services. The standard registration charged by the registry to all drivers is $50 every two years, making the total for special plate holders $90.
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Thank you for your continued interest and support of the invisible dogs in town pounds. We can't do it without you! Please visit the PoundHounds website at: www.poundhounds.org for more information. Or, contact us directly:
Message Center: 508.435.5029
Address: PoundHounds, Inc. - P.O. Box 454 - Hopkinton, MA 01748
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