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Nana's Newsletter
May 2014
Our Dogs of War
 
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Nana and Sophie
Memorial Day...as a child, I remember Memorial Day was big in the town I grew up in! Red, white and blue was always everywhere! Wreaths on the doors of people's homes and flags in their yards...it was a day for the beach and a day for family picnics! It was a day to remember heroes! We had a parade every year and I usually marched in it with the brownies and then the girl scouts and I think one year it was with 4-H. I loved marching in the Memorial Day parade. My father marched in it every year, too, because he was a volunteer fireman and I remember being so proud that my daddy marched in the Memorial Day parade!!! He was definitely my hero! I think this is a great time to think of the heroes in our country and the heroes in our lives! The dictionary defines the word hero as "a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities". I hope you take a moment this Memorial Day weekend to remember the heroes in our country and the heroes in your life and enjoy the official start of summer!
Warmest woofs and meows,
Nana and Sophie
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I really want to go with you
But if you can't take me, then please
email Nana
your holiday and summer vacation dates for pet sitting as soon as possible.
Nana's calendar is filling up fast through Labor Day!
We always want to be prepared to take care of your pets while you are away. So please give us plenty of time to schedule your visits. It's never too early to get on our calendar!
Thank You!
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For those pets who are enduring and overcoming the odds, in the memory of a brave kitty named Isaac who will always remain in my heart...
Moose
(Nana's customer since February 2008)
Moose, an awesome German Shepherd, is our choice for Isaac's Bravery List this time. Moose is already very special because he had an accident several years back which left him with three legs. He gets around like this and appears just normal! He is happy and friendly and just a great dog to be with. Moose was recently diagnosed with cancer and this is the second time for him. We want Moose and his family to know that they are all in our thoughts and prayers! We love you, Moose! Isaac would be very proud of you! Stay strong!
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Nana's Short Course on Pet First Aid & CPR
Today's Topic: Choking in Dogs
Almost any small object can cause choking, though the most common are hard rubber balls, lumps of gristle, chew toys and rawhide chews.
Today, let's narrow our focus to rawhide chews. For years rawhides were the preferred chew treat among dog owners. That is until it became clear that these were very dangerous for dogs. The reason a rawhide is so dangerous is because when it is soaked in your dog's saliva it becomes soggy and super flexible. At this point it also expands somewhat and if your dog should accidentally swallow a piece, there is a good possibility it could become wedged in his throat.
If you want to provide your dog with a safer, chewy treat there are alternatives. Try bone-shaped salmon skins, which are high in Omega 3 fatty acids, sweet potato chews, rich in beta carotene and antioxidants, or KongŪ toys, which are durable rubber toys that can be stuffed with soft treat material.
Choking leading to lack of sufficient oxygen is a medical emergency but there are first aid procedures that you can do to immediately help your pet until you can get to a veterinarian. Nana teaches this and much more on lifesaving procedures for your pets in her Pet First Aid and CPR classes held twice a month. Please see schedule below.
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Contact us today to reserve your space in one of the
2014 classes:
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Wednesday, July 16
Saturday, July 26
Wednesday, August 6
*Thursday, August 7
*Friday, August 8
*Instructor classes 3 days to complete
Please visit our website for more information!
GROUP DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE
SPECIAL RATES FOR
RESCUES AND SHELTERS
ALL CLASSES HELD @ PHILLIPS PLACE IN SOUTH PARK
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We hope to see you
May 31 at Pet Expo!
CLICK HERE
for more information
Charlotte Pet Expo
Free Parking
Rescues, Exhibitors, Prize Giveaways, Discounted Services, Vet FAQ and More
Saturday, May 31, 2013
Bring your pet!
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MEGA ADOPTION
Animal Care & Control
&
Charlotte Humane Society
Saturday, May 31 &
Sunday, June 1
9am - 9pm
Charlotte-Meck Police Dept
8315 Byrum Drive
Charlotte, NC 28217
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Is Your Dog Eating
C-R-A-P?
In our last newsletter this was a funny title and picture. This month it leads us into a more serious discussion about the ingredients list for dog food kibble.
There are many variables to consider when choosing a healthy, balanced kibble for your dog. Is the brand healthy, practical and economical?
Healthy choices for kibble will promote lots of good things like shiny coats, removing dental plaque (along with brushing) and helping to soothe allergies (dogs are carnivores, not grain eaters and many dogs are allergic to wheat and corn and its many variations used in kibble).
Not only are grains not a species appropriate food for a dog, the digestibility and nutrition available from many grain products is negligible. Your dog ends up consuming a lot of filler with very little nutrient value. This is very deceptive as you think you are feeding your dog enough and his stools are sizable (due to the high filler indigestible fibre content), but his nutrient intake is low.
Here is a list of some of these low nutrient, cheap fillers... brewers rice, cereal food fines (leftovers from human grade cereal production - junk), feeding oat meal, grain fermentation soluble, maltodextrins, fermentation solubles, potato product (leftovers from human grade potato product production - nutritional value, nil), soy flour, corn bran, corn cellulose, oat hulls, peanut hulls, rice hulls, soybean and wheat mill run (wheat middlings), corn germ meal, corn gluten meal, soybean meal (these last three ingredients are often included as a source of protein - very poor quality protein!).
A kibble that provides poor nutritional value, contains cancer causing and otherwise toxic ingredients provides little hope of attaining and maintaining day-to-day energy and health. In addition, toxins will build-up in a dog's body overtime. This puts great strain on the organs - such as the liver and will eventually cause organ damage and failure. Poor quality nutrition can also lead to either being underweight or overweight / obese - either of which can also trigger the onset of disease.
Please evaluate what you are feeding your dogs and do your homework. If you decide it's time to change to a healthier kibble, remember to make the change slowly. Start adding a small amount of the new food mixed in with the old food until you've gradually increased the amount of the new food and decreased the amount of the old food until it is phased out completely. This process could take several days to several weeks depending on the hardiness of your dog's digestive system. As always, consult your veterinarian for advice.
Check out this
INDEPENDENT
website to see if your dog's dry food is
good or not so good.
This website provides the contents of 1500+ dry dog foods along with
ratings and reviews.
Know what you're really feeding your best friend for a happier, healthier and longer life!
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Funnies to make you smile! :-)
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Have you "Liked" our pages on FACEBOOK yet?
Nana's Pet Sitting
Nana's Pet First Aid & CPR
Thank You!
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Check out the latest Sophie tested and approved pet products
Sophie gives the
GREEN SLOW FEEDER
5 gold stars!
Green is a revolutionary way to turn your dog's meal into a challenging game by mentally stimulating your dog with their own food allowance.
It is like tossing their kibble out into the yard and watching them sniff around for every last piece among the blades of grass. Scatter the desired amount of food across the Green and watch your dog 'work' to push the food out between the many blades of grass.
Another important feature of Green is that it prolongs eating time, which is proven to significantly reduce the risk of vomiting, gagging, gas and belching and also decrease the risk of bloat, a potentially fatal disease for dogs.
 | | GREEN. Interactive Feeder Video |
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Mountain Dog Leashes
have a LIFETIME guarantee!
Mountain Dog leashes are made of repurposed climbing rope and have a lifetime guarantee. These leashes are stronger, more durable and more comfortable than any other leash on the market today. Mountain Dog is an earth friendly company that believes in sustainability. By using repurposed climbing rope, there is a reduction in landfills and these leashes are made by hand. All packaging and paper contains recycled materials. You and your dog will love your new Mountain Dog leash.
You'll wonder how you ever managed without it! Six foot length available for a one dog lead and seven foot two clip available for a two dog or a versatile hands free lead or tether.
NEW SHIPMENT HAS ARRIVED! We just can't say enough good things about this leash, and everyone else thinks so too! This leash was our
MOST POPULAR
item item sold at Bark in the Park festival last month. Get your new leash now. Why wait? You can order yours from
NANA'S PET STORE
or
visit Nana's Tents at Pet Expo
on May 31
or
call or email Nana
704-302-6171
to arrange a local pickup from the South Park area or a personal delivery if you're currently a Nana's Pet Sitting customer.
item sold at Bark in the Park festival last month. Get your new leash now!
Sophie approves the Mountain Dog leash because she owns one and loves it!
Display of Mountain Dog Leashes always at Nana's Tents
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What do you get for the pet lover who has everything?
NANA'S GIFT CERTIFICATES!
Gift certificates for
Pet Visits/Walks OR
a Pet Care and First Aid/CPR Class!
Call Nana at
704-302-6171
or email at
Keep checking back with us
as we are frequently adding new products &
are excited about the new products arriving daily!
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Bark in the Park
Reflections
April 26, 2014
Nana's won first place for Most Interactive Booth!!
Nana's friend Buddy and his human. Buddy can walk but never has to because he has a human limo! He attends all the local pet shows and always stops by Nana'sTents to say hi. His human has really strong shoulders and a big heart!
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My owner, Nana, is really concerned about the quality of my food. I know this because she is spending a LOT of time researching the ingredients list of many dog foods and talking to veterinarians.
She has found that if a dry food ingredient list says anything about "by-products" it is not the best healthy choice. I don't know what by-products are and thank goodness I don't have to eat them!
This month she has added an article about kibble in our newsletter. If you skipped over this article, please scroll back up and read it. It will make you think twice if you're doing the best you can for your canine kids when it comes to their kibble!
Thanks for all the special attention and care you give me, Nana. I love you too!
Paws Up!
Sophie
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Click
to find a GREAT new friend!
Great Dane Friends of Ruff Love was started by a group of volunteers dedicated to saving Danes and other dogs, especially one's that may be passed up by other rescues due to special needs. We are an extension of Ruff Love Rescue, a 501 c (3) non profit based in Thomasville NC.
Brax came into rescue when we heard about him being at a local shelter. He is about 3 yrs old and a very sweet boy that loves to lean in for love and give his paw for you to hold. He has been great with the female Dane in his foster home and has met other dogs out in public well. He is house trained and LOVES to ride in the car! He attaches quickly and will lean into you hard and give love.
Brax is such a sweetheart! He's looking for his forever home.
Could it be with you?
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