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Charlottesville, VA 22911
One of our first responses to “The Paw Report” was a question from Kathleen Valenzi, owner of Karma. Her dog suffers from anxiety during thunderstorms and Kathleen asks: Do you know why some dogs are affected by storms this way, and are there things one can do (besides getting tranquilizers from your vet) to put them at ease?
Archived from “The Paw Report:” Issue #2, August
Basics
Country of origin: Scotland
Group: Sporting
Lifespan: 10-12 years
Color: Varying shades of gold
Archived from “The Paw Report:” Issue #2, August
I have recently been watching a great show called “Dog Whisperer” starring Cesar Millan. I was really amazed at how well-versed in animal behavior he is since he has no formal education—his philosophy comes instead from first-hand, on-the-job training. Initially he worked in a veterinarian’s clinic, then later as a dog groomer’s assistant. After my own 31 years of dog boarding and grooming, I can really endorse much of his teaching. Whereas he works with dogs that already have problems, I prefer that the dog-owner relationship be established before problems arise.
Archived from “The Paw Report:” Issue #2, August
Basics
Country of origin: England
Group: Sporting
Lifespan: 12-14 years
Height: 13-15 inches
Weight: 24-28 lbs
AKC Rank 2006: 16
Archived from “The Paw Report:” Issue #1, July
Archived from “The Paw Report:” Issue #1, July
We’re going to take a moment here to discuss our feelings on a recent incident you may have already heard about in “The Hook” or other nearby newspapers. For those of you who don’t know, a cat strayed into a man’s yard and not knowing whose cat it was (or whether it might be feral) the man shot the cat.
Archived from “The Paw Report:” Issue #14, August
On top of the heat advisory, watch that humidity too. High humidity and moderate temperatures can stress a dog as much as a midday sun. Obese dogs, flat-faced dogs and the combination of both run an even higher risk of heat stress and/or heat stroke. Pay attention to the weather and what your dog can handle. Right now, it’s best to exercise your dog in the cooler air of dawn and dusk only.
Archived from “The Paw Report:” Issue #13, July
Dogs need water but keeping your dog hydrated is not a complete solution—neither is a short haircut. Left to their own accord, dogs will seek out shade and dig holes in the earth to avoid midday heat. Most wild animals do. Hunting usually takes place at night and very little activity goes on during the day. Even the birds in my backyard disappear and are most active at dusk and dawn.
My Golden, Lizzie, pants to stay cool even when she’s in the shade. To beat the heat, we only exercise in the morning—5:45am! It is dangerous to do otherwise.
For more information about haircut styles and keeping cool read our Brushout, Short cut or Something in Between article.
To read our past story about health care in the heat, continue reading below.
Archived from “The Paw Report:” Issue #1, July
My Great Dane Molly was almost 8 years old last summer (for a member of a giant breed, she was getting up there in years). At least five days a week, the first thing we did in the morning was go on a three mile walk. Finished walking, she would accompany me to work (or to Lowe’s or on any other trip I needed to make). She was my “bud” and I think my wife Loretta was jealous! At any rate, when I would head for the door she was following right behind, happy to go anywhere with me.