January 2014                                                                        

No.49   

Happy, happy New Year!! 

Hope your start to 2014 has been as good as ours! After the Christmas break, we received a huge number of applications for our adoptable dogs and are working on rehoming a number of them, and already we've been able to help two really needy dogs -- Barney, who was languishing in a kennel setting and losing both weight and spirit, and Nick, an emaciated GSP found wandering in the cold by a Connecticut ACO. Halfway through the month of January, we think we're doing pretty well!

But how about you? How do YOU think we're doing? Are there areas within GSP Rescue NE where you'd like to see improvement? Maybe on our Facebook page? On our website? Are there items you'd like to see added to our store? Anything?

Let us know. We not only want to make it better for our dogs, we want to make it better for you -- our readers, our transporters, our volunteers, our adopters, our supporters.

Click HERE to email Celeste and let us know what you think!

 Very best wishes for a continued happy New Year! 

 

Celeste,  Audrey,  and Mich

Lena now has angel wings of her own. 

Godspeed, sweet girl. 

Dog owners understandably fly into panic mode when their pup appears to be choking, but many are mistaking a common spasm for an emergency situation. Reverse sneezing, also known as pharyngeal gag reflex or paroxysmal respiration, often causes dogs to emit gasp-like sounds that make owners' hearts stop in fear.

When a dog reverse sneezes, he's forcefully inhaling to bring air in through the nose and move mucus into the pharynx, or throat. It can be accompanied by snorting or rattling sounds, and almost seems like they're trying to inhale while sneezing.

Before you rush Rocky to the ER, however, you should know that this is a common spasm that doesn't warrant medical attention. It's caused by irritation of the soft palate and throat, and can be a result of excitement, eating or drinking, exercise intolerance, pulling on a leash, mites, pollen, foreign bodies caught in the throat, perfumes, viruses, household chemicals, allergies or post-nasal drip. Small dogs are particularly prone to it, especially snub-nosed breeds, such as pugs, bulldogs and boxers.

The episode usually lasts for a minute or two, and is sometimes relieved by the owner gently - keyword being gently - massaging the dog's throat just under the angle of the jaw. The dog typically stands still, with his head and neck extended and his elbows spread apart. His eyes might bulge out a little. A few seconds later, he's back to his usual self and giving you a look like, "What? Why are you looking at me? Let's play."

If it's a persistent problem, you should speak to your veterinarian. It's possible the dog may need antihistamines or other medication for allergies. For most pooches, though, it's just a common spasm, as harmless as a normal sneeze, so don't panic. 

The videos below show what reverse sneezing can sound like in different dogs:

Dog Reverse Sneeze

Reverse Sneeze

Sparkey maltese reverse sneezing

 We've all heard common dog myths - dog mouths are cleaner than humans, or one human year is equal to seven dog years. Here are some of those myths - BUSTED! 

Myth: Dogs' mouths are cleaner than ours
Fact: Sadly, humans have nothing to brag about with regard to dental hygiene. Our mouths are petri dishes for bacteria, and an extraordinarily high percentage of human bites become infected. Most of us practice some form of dental prophylaxis-regular brushing, flossing, antibacterial 

dentifrices and mouthwashes, and regular dental care with a professional. Unfortunately, most owners do not consistently brush their dog's teeth, provide tooth-friendly foods, or schedule regular dental checkups or cleanings with their veterinarian. As a result, many dogs' mouths house a variety of potentially harmful bacteria. Dogs bitten by other dogs are at risk of not only serious damage from the bite itself but also a potentially life-threatening secondary bacterial infection. 

Compared with most people, a dog's mouth is not cleaner than a human's. In addition to less attention paid to oral hygiene, infrequency of regular brushing and dental cleaning, and a variety of unhygienic feeding and grooming practices, a dog's mouth harbors a large population of potentially dangerous organisms, including zoonotic organisms such as Giardia. So, any contact with dog mouths should be minimal. Any dog bite, whether to another dog or to a human being, holds the possibility of infection and should be examined by a trained health professional. 

Myth: Dogs eat grass because they are deficient in a nutrient in their diet or to make themselves vomit. 
Fact: Dogs on well-balanced rations and in remarkably good condition regularly eat grass, and many dogs can be observed to routinely eat grass and not vomit. Research has revealed most grass to be a relatively poor emetic, and other studies have documented several wild canid species who also commonly eat grass. So the idea that dogs eat grass because they are missing something in their diet does not stand up under scrutiny for a variety of reasons. Likewise, the notion that grass is used by dogs needing to vomit cannot be supported experimentally. Some dogs might just like the taste. Be careful, particularly in teething puppies-excessive ingestion of leaves, sticks, grass, and other plant material can lead to gastrointestinal obstruction. 

Myth: One human year is like seven to a dog.
Fact: For all living species, life expectancy is the result of several factors. Nutrition, exercise, availability of medical care, and genetics all play a major role in how long a dog lives. Generally speaking, a dog's size will influence how long he lives. Giant breeds and larger dogs appear to age faster, and many of the smaller dogs are incredibly long-lived. Research your breed of interest. Your breeder, people who own that breed, and your veterinarian can give you some idea about your dog's life expectancy.  

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 Start off the New Year with some new recipes!   

 If you've see a recipe in "Point to the Pantry" that needs a correction or clarification, email Celeste.  

Look Who's Been Adopted!

Donations

Thank You, Donors!

 Help Us With

Our Year-Round Fundraisers

Zeppa Studios designs and produces unique gifts for dog and other animal lovers. 

Their Project Rescue was specifically created to help rescue groups earn money and for customers to save money!

Enter the coupon code for German Shorthaired Pointer Rescue New England (GSPRNE) during your online check-out or mention it to the customer service rep when ordering by phone. Customers get 10 percent off their order, GSP Rescue NE will get 20 percent. 

For information or to see their product line, go to ZeppaStudios  

Dog Door Discount!

COMEDY CORNER