Newbie News by Erin Weiss

Pet First Aid & CPR Seminar

When I was first asked if I would like to attend a pet first aid and CPR seminar, I have to admit my first reaction was to laugh.  I could not imagine a scenario where I would need to perform CPR on a dog and when I pictured it, well, it looked a little silly.  After giving it some more thought I realized that as a dog walker and pet sitter, emergency situations can and do arise and I need to be prepared for when they do.  

The seminar took place on a Sunday afternoon with Dr. Brian Lapham, a veterinarian with Southpoint Animal Hospital.  I recognized most of the attendees as fellow Pack Leaders of All Breed Care, all eager to learn and stay ahead of the game with useful pet-related information.  Dr. Lapham dove right in with an excellent presentation on general first aid, including topics such as heat stroke, seizures, snake bites, and burns.  I was surprised and a little ashamed that I hadn’t even considered the possibility of dealing with a heat stroke or a snake bite; these are very real problems that can occur at any time while walking someone’s dog, and I would need to know how to handle them.

Pack Leader Patty Jones learning how to find a heartbeat

The second part of the workshop focused entirely on pet CPR.  The first thing we learned was the “ABC’s” – Airway, Breathing, and Circulation.  Using a rubber dog (specifically designed for CPR practice), Dr. Lapham demonstrated the best way to check for a breath by watching the chest rise and fall, and listening/feeling with your hand.  He also showed us how to do to “Mouth-to-Snout resuscitation” by breathing into the animal’s nose.  We learned how and where to check for a heartbeat by finding the Femoral and Apical Pulse, as well as the proper location and technique for doing the compressions.  The rubber dog proved to be an excellent tool for hands-on instruction, and those of us who were new to the workshop were given an opportunity to practice the whole process!  I am happy to report that each of us was able to successfully resuscitate the rubber dog.

 

            Dr. Lapham closed the seminar with a review of his favorite first-aid kit supplies, and a diagram depicting proper tick removal (this came in handy sooner than I expected when I found one on myself yesterday!).  I have always carried a simple first aid kit in my car, but now I can add things to it (such as tick removers) that I would never have thought of before.  We learned how to make and secure a muzzle, including tips for approaching the dog if it appears hostile. 

Dr. Lapham demonstrating how to muzzle a dog

            Attending the workshop has made me a more confident pet care provider.  I now have the safety knowledge and skills necessary to provide first aid in the event of an injury.  In a true emergency situation, I will always remember to remain calm, be aware of my surroundings, and call for help. Whether you attend a workshop or simply browse a pet first-aid website, I believe every pet owner should take the time to familiarize themselves with this information. I’m so glad that I did.

Dog Diaries by Laurie Gayle

North Raleigh has a developing trail system that’s impressive for it’s
beauty, variety and distances.

Lil' Buddy distracted by some movement across the creek.

I can enjoy walking a variety of dogs from the dawdlers to the athletes on these trails. The dawdlers give me time to look around and identify plants and wildlife, do a little deep breathing and stretching, eat the wild blueberries, blackberries and grapes and enjoy relaxing by the Neuse River while my dawdler dogs are on their Great Expedition for the day:  exploring, scenting, marking and being on high alert to flush a bird or cottontail.

Stitch is ready to head out for some doggie exercise.

The athletic dogs help me burn those calories and get my muscles fired up, feel the air on my face and the ground under my feet as I race to keep up. We get our blood flowing and I clear my brain cobwebs. My athletes are in their “Release the Hounds” frame of mind, sprinting effortlessly, light on their feet with intent and focus in their eyes. The sun spatters on and off their coats as we cut in and out of the shade from the big oaks along the path. They are like well oiled machines, but alive with muscle and heart, doing what they love and were born to do.

Being with dogs in nature is such a great “way to be”. It’s a way to contemplate, work through issues, observe my canine partners that I’m with and it allows me to be a part of the landscape that I love so much.

I draw and paint animals and landscapes when I’m not working for All Breed Care. I have a passion for “the scene” that I’m in with my dogs. When I’m walking dogs in nature, watching them live their lives, observing their shape, color, light and shadow, anatomy and coat texture, I’m seeing compositions and painting with my eyes, trying to place these images in my mind so I can open the memories later when I’m staring at a blank canvas. www.lauriegayle.com

Did I mention in my previous entry how much I love being a dog walker? 

Whether I want to stroll, walk, jog or sprint, Jasmine is always up to the task. One of my athletes from our All Breed Care pack.

Newbie News by Erin Weiss

Newbie News is a working title, so bear with me! Here you will find regular postings of pictures, videos, and stories from a newbie Pack Leader with All Breed Care.

My first subjects are my very first daily dog walking clients: Kenda & Maxxis.

 

Kenda (bottom right) & Maxxis (top left)

I am lucky enough to get to visit these two several times a week for daily walks. The first thing they do when I let them out of their crates is ATTACK!! I always let Kenda out first (impossible to get her collar on her if I don't - learned this from trial and error!) and she yells and pleads with me to free her brother from his cell. As soon as I open the door for Maxxis, it's game on. Their energy and playfulness never cease to amaze me - Kenda especially, she is a wild girl!

After they calm down a little I saddle them up and we head out on our walks. These are usually fairly uneventful, but last week we had a bit of excitement - an encounter with a frog! I normally forget to take my camera with me to document my visits, but for once I had it ready to go! I managed to capture a video of K & M 'playing' with the frog. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did (as evidenced by my giggling in the background)

[No frogs were harmed in the making of this film]

It was quite the juggling act holding their leashes and filming the frog - I must have looked pretty ridiculous but capturing this adorable moment was certainly worth it! I quickly decided that it was in the frogs best interest if we kept moving, so we said goodbye (before Maxxis could sink his teeth in) and continued on our way.

When we get back home, Maxxis usually heads for the water bowl while Kenda rolls around on the floor - I never get tired of watching her do this! Then depending on how exhausted they are, they either play some more or find a cozy spot to sit while I write my notes. Maxxis is fond of the sunny spots on the floor while Kenda prefers the comfort of the couch.

We lounge around for the last few minutes of our visit while I give them the All Breed Care signature "Shower of Affection".  As soon as I open the jar of treats, they take off running for their crates and hop right in - I would be slightly offended at their eagerness for me to leave, but I know I can't compete with a tasty treat! And after all, one of the best parts of my job is knowing that I get to come back and see them again the next day. I hope they enjoy my company as much as I enjoy theirs! 

ASK PACHOO

Fenway "Pachoo" Hodjat, K9phd
ABC Advice Columnist

Dear Pachoo,

My mom and dad say that I’m not getting enough exercise. What kind of exercises do you recommend I try?   

From Oliver in North Raleigh

Dear Oliver,

Find a nice comfy spot in the house and enjoy a snoozie doozie!  That’s what I would do.  My sister Pumpkin, who is a boxer, enjoys sunbathing.  Neither of those options is considered exercise though.  My brother Prince, who’s a border collie, loves to chase birds, rabbits and squirrels.  Sometimes, my dad takes us out and throws a ball for us.  The most fun thing my mom and dad do with us is taking us for a walk.  Sometimes our friend Laurie comes over and takes us on walks too.  Sometimes my brother and sister go for runs with my mom and dad, but I can’t keep up, so I stay home and watch the house.  Prince and Pumpkin always come back huffing and puffing after going for a run.  They say it helps relax them.  I’ve never had a problem relaxing, but to each his/her own, I guess.  Our vet tells us that running is the best form of exercise for a dog.   He tells my dad that there are a lot of benefits of running with a dog (see his article, Born to Run).  Sometimes moms and dads don’t have enough time to take us for walks or runs.  They have to take care of human responsibilities, so they hire my dad, Laurie, and other really cool friends from All Breed Care to help.  I’ve met them all, and I can tell you that they are all super awesome walking/running buddies. Go grab your leash and ask your mom or dad to take you for a walk or run.  If they’re busy, ask them to call my dad.

Sincerely,

Fenway “Pachoo” Hodjat, K9phd
ABC Advice Columnist

Dog Diaries by Laurie Gayle

 Springtime in the South. What a great time of year to be a dog walker.
I arrive at Sammy and Charlie's place, two long time Dachshund friends of mine.

 Charlie greets me at the door in usual fashion with his little welcome jig and then his standard roll over belly rub move. Sammy is lounging in the bed, swaddled in blankets, resting before he attempts to keep up with his tireless brother on our walk. After Sammy gets his belly rub, we head out.

 Charlie announces our arrival in the backyard garden with a woof or two, his warning to the squirrels, rabbits and other dogs that we are on the beat.
I pause to admire all the beautiful flowers and plants in the garden and Charlie sniffs around, hoping to flush a baby rabbit or force a bullfrog to dive into the pond. Sammy looks up at me as if he is thinking "let's roll, I have a warm spot in the covers calling my name".

 We head out the garden gate and onto the nature trail. The boys sniff, root around and then proceed with their regular little Dachshund swagger down the trail, interrupted only once by some dogs that had to be told that this is Dachshund Land... Charlie tells them to get their paws in gear and there isn't room enough on the trail for all of us. Satisfied with the results of his bravado, Charlie lets us know that it's safe for us to keep walking. Sammy would roll his eyes if he could.

Sammy

Charlie

The boys are ready to head for home, anxious for their treat, kiss on the nose and afternoon nap.

What a perfect day... in Dachshund Land