Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Comments Off on HEAT WAVE – HOT WEATHER TIPS
07 Jun 10

HEAT WAVE – HOT WEATHER TIPS ...

July 7, 2010
By Pamela Fitzpatrick, of YourDogWalkers, shihtzu58@optonline.net
HEAT WAVE – HOT WEATHER TIPS

For pet owners, a heat wave like the one we’re currently experiencing requires taking extra care to ensure pet safety. NEVER leave any animal inside a parked car during the summer- a car can heat up to 120 degrees in just a matter of minutes even on a much cooler day than today. Leaving car windows open wont help! Pets can quickly suffer heatstroke, brain damage, and death if left trapped in high temperatures.

Make sure your dog or cat has plenty of fresh, clean water at all times. Consider floating ice cubes in water bowls to help keep the water cool. Keep animals inside, in air conditioning if possible. If you don’t have air conditioning, try placing a large bowl of ice in front of a fan to circulate cooler air.

Dogs are particularly susceptible to heat related problems, in part because they can only cool themselves by panting and sweating through their paw pads. Short nosed breeds, (Boxers, Pugs, Pekinese, Shih Tzu’s etc) and well as longhaired, overweight, and very young or old animals are especially at risk

Signs of heat stress in dogs include:

  • Heavy Panting
  • Glazed Eyes
  • Rapid Pulse
  • Unsteadiness
  • Vomiting
  • Deep red or purple tongue

If your pet does become overheated, you must act quickly to lower their body temperature!

Move the animal into the shade and immediately apply cool (not cold) water over their body to gradually lower the temperature The dog should be taken to the veterinarian’s office or to an emergency veterinary clinic immediately. Most dogs will not drink water at this stage of heat stroke, so don’t waste time trying to get them to drink. Get to the vet’s as quickly as possible.

Remember, if it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for your pet!

Comments Off on Go Fly a Kite
26 May 10

Go Fly a Kite ...

May 26, 2010
By Nancy E. Hassel, LIPetPlace.com

Go Fly a Kite

Wait, what? Kites for a Cure? What does Kites have to do with pets? Okay, I know what you are thinking, you can’t take your pet to the beach to fly a kite – well you would be correct. So how does the best event of the Hamptons summer season, “Kites for a Cure” tie in with pets? Let me tell you a story. As some of you know I used to own a Doberman, Shanna who lived until she was 12.5 years old, was a two-time cancer survivor and an amazing dog. But what you may not know is I got Shanna just two weeks after my dad passed away from his battle with Lung Cancer. He was just 52 and I was just 22. I was fortunate enough to have really good friends chip in so I could purchase, (simmer down rescue folks, all my pets have been rescues except her!), her from a local breeder. A puppy was indeed perfect timing, at such a difficult time for our family. A good friend of mine who is Doberman savvy went with me to look at a few different litters, the first place we went, well let’s just say, not so much, 2nd place, on the other side of the Island – had just what we were looking for. There were 3 puppies left, 2 boys and a girl. The boys were picking on her and she stood her ground and defended herself, I looked at my friend and said, “that’s my dog!” (I have two older brothers – so you can get the picture now!)

So we drove home and I can tell you my mother wasn’t too pleased when I came at midnight with my bundle of joy, plopped her down and said, “Mom, I got a puppy!”

How cute, my mom wanted to resist, but she just couldn’t. We did have much older dog at the time – who passed away from cancer 6 months later. So a puppy was just what we needed to help us pour our energy into. And it didn’t hurt that Dobies are naturally protective, a built in security system – thank you very much. The landscapers made fun of her goofiness when she was a pup, but when she got big, it was pretty funny to see how scared they were of her. (evil grin!)

Shanna was an amazing dog, had a spoiled life, went most places with me (Ocean Beach, Parks, Hamptons, Horse shows, you name it, I took her). She accepted her puppy brother Max (my pit bull), when I brought him home, acted like a momma dog to him, oh and didn’t take any crap from him either. But she loved him too:

I have always been involved with pets or in the pet industry one way or another, but Shanna really steered me more in this direction – Max helped too, but 2nd child syndrome! When Shanna was 8 years old, she had to have her leg amputated due to freaking Cancer – but she kicked Cancer’s butt, hopped all over the place on her 3 legs, and adapted so fast. She was an inspiration everywhere she went. She also earned her CGC (Canine Good Citizen award) and was a registered therapy dog.

Okay, so really how does this tie in with Kites? Well the second summer after I moved myself and the dogs (after a 5-yr stint in Lindy), to the East End, I saw in the local paper an ad for “Kites for a Cure” benefiting Joan’s Legacy Lung Cancer Foundation, now called Uniting Against Lung Cancer. This was incredible as I had never seen an event like this to raise awareness and funds to fight Lung Cancer. (The most under funded and stigmatized cancer of them all). This event was in Southampton and didn’t cost $500 to attend ($25 donation & Free Parking!). I was there! (And yes I left the dogs at home!) I was totally blown away (ok, pun intended, but really), this event was just incredible, hundreds of kites in the sky, beautiful, so much fun, and come on you’re on the beach! It was fantastic. So the following year, I contacted them to be involved. I have been working with the most amazing team, Uniting Against Lung Cancer and Great Ink ever since. Joan’s Legacy still lives on, as Uniting Against Lung Cancer and was founded in 2001 in memory of Joan Scarangello, a Southampton resident and non-smoker who lost her battle with lung cancer. In just seven years, the foundation has awarded more than $10 million in research grants to find a cure for the disease that will claim an estimated 160,000 lives in the U.S. this year. Joan was the reason for this beautiful group of people who started what is now a nationwide Kite flying phenomenon and more – to help fight Lung Cancer, whether you smoked a day in your life or not.

My dad went to the beach with us as kids, but he preferred the being on the boat fishing or golfing. He also liked cats better than dogs, but think he would have loved Shanna! Shanna was an inspiration, Kites is an inspiration. If you have yet to come to this event, you are seriously missing out! Where else can you act like a kid, color in a kite, (yes people there are literally art stations on the beach to decorate your kite!), and then go and fly on a kite on one of the most beautiful beaches?

I am telling you this is the best event of the Hamptons summer season – and there is no traffic anymore to get to Southampton – the made the road bigger a few years ago. So really you have no excuse! Oh and you never know you might just rub elbows with a celeb or two.

The event is from 4pm – 6pm, is $25 in advance, register here: http://www.unitingagainstlungcancer.org/events/SHKites10

or $30 day of. Parking is still FREE. So who’s coming? I would suggest getting there by 4pm so you can take your time coloring in your kite. Here is one I did three years ago, don’t be jealous you can show me up!

If you look closely on the bottom there is also a paw print on that kite.

“Kites for a Cure” Saturday, May 29th, 4pm – 6pm, Coopers Beach, 268 Meadow Lane, Southampton, NY. www.UnitingAgainstLungCancer.org See you there, and oh yea, please leave your pets at home!

Comments Off on Bark for Life
25 May 10

Bark for Life ...

May 25, 2010
By Nancy Hassel, LIPetPlace.com

On Saturday, June 12th at 5pm, Long Island’s first ever ‘Bark for Life’ will be held at Stotzky Park in Riverhead, NY to benefit the American Cancer Society (ACS). ‘Bark for Life’ will be a tail wagging good time for dogs and their owners alike. Based on the ACS’s ‘Relay for Life’ events, ‘Bark for Life’ will be a family fun event all about your pooch! So many people have participated in Relay for Life events, but really wanted to bring their dogs, especially Cancer survivors – who have felt their dogs have been a natural part of their healing therapy. So at the suggestion of many, Bark for Life was born, the event originally started in Pennsylvania, and now is debuting on LI!

“We are thrilled to present ‘Bark for Life’ as the premiere event here on Long Island, in Riverhead. So often, our dogs help us through our darkest hours-they support those who are battling this dreadful disease. ‘Bark for Life’ will celebrate our canine caregivers, honor those canines and humans who have survived and remember all those with whom we have lost. This event filled four-hour non-competitive walk for canines and their owners to Celebrate, Remember and Fight Back and to raise funds and awareness in the fight against cancer. We hope many people and their dogs will join us,” said Dawn M. Tropeano, the Director of Special Events for the Long Island Chapter.

To attend the event, registration is at 5 pm, and for a $20 donation per dog attending, (or per person if not bringing a dog), the event runs to approximately 9:30pm. – with many activities leading up to and during the relay walk. Similar to a Relay for Life event, but this event is catered to our furry four-legged canines, participants are welcome without a dog as well. The event will host a slew of canine activities that dogs will be pawing to take part in. From contests like dog-owner Look-a-like contests, best costume, musical sit, minute to win-it, best tail wagger and so many more. For a howling good time all while raising funds to fight cancer, bring your well behaved pup and join the other top dogs who will be barking for life!

For a complete list of the doggie activities, how to register ahead of tiBark for Life me and collect donations, form a team or additional information go to:

For more information contact Dawn Tropeano via email at dawn.tropeano@cancer.org.

Comments Off on How Your Dog Speaks for You
20 May 10

How Your Dog Speaks for You ...

May 20, 2010
By Sheryl Matthys of www.LeashesandLovers.com

How Your Dog Speaks for You
In our fast paced world, did you ever stop and think how your dog speaks for you? Your dog may be representing you more than you realize personally and professionally. Here are some tips and putting the Dog-O-Meter to the test to improve your business.

The Dog-O-Meter

Okay, so it’s a figurative meter but it’s very powerful. You may have your dog in your business with you and/or may take your dog along with you as you meet new potential clients or could just coincidentally make new contacts while out walking your dog. Well, your dog can send a potent message to others about who you are, how you conduct business, and what you deem important.

So, what is YOUR dog saying about YOU? Have you ever looked at your dog and actually noticed a physical or personality resemblance to yourself?

If you’re in the market for new business clients, let’s take a check up of how you treat and speak to your dog, how much care you give him and the time you spend with him. How you are with your dog sends out many messages, both verbal and non-verbal.

Five Tips for Keeping an Eye on Your Dog-O-Meter:

1. Dog talk: You’ve probably heard someone yell at their dog or yank the leash; it’s not very appealing and may be an indicator of how you may treat humans.

2. Grooming is as grooming does: Are you a slob? Is your dog? Depending on what you see, it may be time for an adjustment!

3. Time is money, but money isn’t time: We spend a lot of money on our pets, but money doesn’t build relationships – time does. Do you spend more money or time on your dog? When you make more time for your dog, all of a sudden you may have time for your clients and work as well.

4. Keeping it real: We may know dog owners who are more in love with the access their dog gives them. It’s easy to see how treating your new client might turn out in the same manner.

5. The “Mini Me Syndrome”: Some people may treat their dogs like extensions of themselves– and end up wanting their mate to be a mirror as well. Enjoy the difference of someone else’s thoughts and ideas.

To learn more about what your dog can teach you for all your human relationships – get the new best seller, Leashes and Lovers – by Long Island author Sheryl Matthys.
http://LeashesandLovers.com/thebook

Comments Off on Bandit’s Great Adventure
20 May 10

Bandit’s Great Adventure ...

May 20, 2010
By Pamela Fitzpatrick of YourDogWalkers, shihtzu58@optonline.net
Bandit’s Great Adventure

One day last week, Bandit, an elderly, much loved female Jack Russell, managed to slip between two loose boards in her fenced yard and wandered off into the early morning. Her frantic owners immediately searched the surrounding area, but there was no sight of her. Fortunately, this tale has a happy ending…….. Bandit was found more than 24 hours later, several miles away from her house running down a major thoroughfare! She was brought to the town animal shelter, where she was reunited with her grateful family. Although luck certainly played a big part in Bandit’s safe return home, the actions of her quick thinking owners made a big difference. They did all the rights things, quickly, got information about their missing pet out throughout the neighborhood, notifying local vets and shelters, and networking for results. Ultimately, they were contacted by the shelter when Bandit was brought in.

When a pet is lost, it’s a terrifying experience, but you need to ACT FAST!! Here are some things you can do right away:

  • Contact local animal shelters and animal control agencies. Immediately file a lost pet report with the local shelter and visit them daily, if possible. Let them know if your pet is microchipped. Most shelters won’t give information over the phone, so you may need to go in person! If your pet is a purebred, contact breeders and breed rescue groups in the area. Check with your local police precinct (do not call 911) – police officers often find stray animals. Stop in at the local firehouse too.
  • Search the neighborhood. Walk or drive slowly through your neighborhood, at least several times a day. Enlist friends and family members to help! Call your pet’s name and then listen and look. (Try to remain in place long enough for your dog to have a chance to hear your call and find you). Ask everyone you come across- neighbors, crossing guards, letter carriers, landscapers and delivery people if they have seen your pet. Have a flyer with a recent photograph and information on how you can be reached ready to hand out.
  • Notify local vets. Many times people will bring a found pet to their vet, so contact all vets and animal hospitals in your area and put the word out. Follow-up with a flyer if they agree to post it for you.
  • Post Notices. Make up lots of flyers with a photo (preferably color), and use plastic sleeves to protect them if the weather is bad. Post them everywhere you can think of….start with pet stores, groomers, grocery stores, community centers, the library, churches, karate and dance schools, laundromats, convenience stores , soccer fields, anywhere people will see them. Contact the schools in your community and ask if you can post info in common areas. Include some details about your pet’s sex, age, weight, breed, color and any special markings. To protect yourself, consider leaving out one identifying characteristic so you can ask anyone who finds your pet to describe it.
  • Use the power of Social Media Spread the word quickly any way you can!! Text, tweet, blog, anything you can think of. If you don’t have a Facebook account or don’t know how to use social media, ask your kids, (or your neighbors kids) to help. Ask friends to help spread the word. Don’t forget free community internet sites- if there’s a local website post in the lost and found section. Consider publishing paid advertisements in newspapers, and online papers. Use Craigslist (in the community/pets section) as a resource- you can post a notice and search for your pet at the same time! You never know- someone may have already found your pet and listed it on Craigslist so be sure to scroll before you post. (You can post anonymously on Craigslist if you prefer not to give your phone number- people can respond by email).
  • Change the message on your answering machine asking for the date, time, and location when the caller may have seen your missing animal, as well as the caller’s name and phone number in case you have questions
  • Consider a professional petfinding service. You may want to consider bringing in a petfinding service. There are companies which will autodial houses in your neighborhood broadcasting a message about your pet (www.findtoto.com is one of them). To take it further than that, there are a number of pet finding services advertised on the internet, but like anything else, there are also a lot of scams. If possible, check with the Better Business Bureau, and ask for references before you contract with them.
  • Be cautious If a stranger claims to have found your pet, make sure they describe him thoroughly before you offer any personal information. If they can’t provide that identifying characteristic not included in your posting, they might not really have your pet. Don’t ever wire money to anyone insisting on that as a condition of returning your pet.

Don’t give up your search! Animals that have been lost for months have been reunited with their owners.