Sticks

Why are sticks the topic of their own blog post?

Because they are dangerous, and I want everyone to know it!

In our world, sticks are ONLY used for water retrieves if there are no toys around (i.e. our ball has floated downstream.)  When used for retrieving on land, they bounce off the ground and can cause poking injuries as well as mouth injuries if the dog is carrying it and bangs into the ground or a tree or rock.  We even read about one dog in Calgary's paper who ended up with a stick caught in her throat while 'playing' at the park. 

They are also a tempting chew for a bored, stressed or over-zealous dog.  They are NOT a good substitute for a bone because they are not meant to be digested.  How would you like splinters in your digestive system and mouth?  Yeah, I thought not.

Throwing sticks in water tends to be safe, as they float and can't easily bounce if the water is deep enough.  We just need to watch the chewing when they come back. 

Topaz loves sticks, the bigger the better.

Here is a video of him getting a little too excited over a log on the Pacific Coast around Victoria, BC.

 

Tongue-in-Cheek article about naming your dog.

Click Here for full article, it's worth it

HER STREET name is Sadie. But among the canine elite, the Scottish terrier who won last week's Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is known as Roundtown Mercedes of Maryscot.

You have to say that in sort of a nasally British accent to get the full effect.

In any case, I'm thrilled for Sadie, who overcame an embarrassing potty accident in the ring last year to win this year's title.

But her creative legal name--and that of her fellow competitors--makes my husband and me feel a bit inadequate about our own dog-naming skills.

Why is it unnecessary and unethical to vaccinate our pets annually?

Well-respected and widely revered Homeopathic Veterinarian Don Hamilton has written this article on pet vaccinations, and in my opinion it is one every pet owner should read.

The gist:

“A practice that was started many years ago and that lacks scientific validity or verification is annual revaccinations. Almost without exception there is no immunologic requirement for annual revaccinations. Immunity to viruses persists for years or for the life of the animal. Successful vaccination to most bacterial pathogens produces an immunologic memory that remains for years, allowing an animal to develop a protective anamnestic (secondary) response when exposed to virulent organisms.”
— Don Hamilton, DVM
  • there is some argument that vaccinating across the board allows those pets with weaker immune systems who would otherwise have succombed to disease (survival of the fittest) are now protected from them, and thus contributing weaker immune systems to the overall population
  • studies are being conducted to identify if the increase in behaviour problems in dogs is related to the increase in regular vaccinations
  • booster (annual) vaccines are completely unnecessary.  Increased exposure to the disease causes increased risk of problems and side effects
  • There are 4 rules which vets should be following.  

            Only give vaccinations to an animal if:

  1. the disease is serious or life-threatening
  2. the animal is likely to be exposed to the disease
  3. the vaccine is known to be effective
  4. the vaccine is considered safe
  • vaccinations should NEVER be given to unhealthy or stressed animals
  • an unvaccinated animal is far less likely to suffer from allergies and chronic skin problems
  • vaccinations are often administered directly into body tissue, getting a 'jump start' on the immune system and causing it to react with a delayed response (Diseases usually enter the animal's sytem through oral and nasal passages, giving the bloodstream and internal organs much lead time, often as many as several days to form a defense, by comparison.)
  • vaccinations commonly contain dangerous and harmful materials which can cause other health problems and disease, but often taking years to manifest so correlation is difficult to fathom
  • fear-mongering in the traditional pet medicine circles
  • guilt feelings associated with peer and societal fear of disease and expectations of what makes up competent, loving animal care