Second Annual Pet Photo Contest!

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1 Humane Happenings H u m a n e S o c i e t y o f C i t r u s C o u n t y F L O R I D A I N C. Volume 2, Issue 2 March 2008 Second Annual Pet Photo Contest! The Humane Society of Citrus County is sponsoring our Second Annual Pet Photo Contest to give pet owners a chance to show off their pets. If you haven t already, go to our website at etycitrus.com and take a look at all the great photos that have been submitted. We are accepting photos until March 17. Votes are $1.00 per vote and will be accepted until midnight on March 24. The top 3 vote getters will receive a trophy and top pet will receive a gift basket, donated by our sponsors, worth over $500. So visit our site to support your favorite pet and help support our efforts to rescue abused, neglected, abandoned pets. OUR SPONSORS Applebee s Restaurant Blue Iguana Family Restaurant Bow Wow Boutique Our Mission: THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF CITRUS COUNTY FL INC IS A 501(C)3 CORPORATION DEDICATED TO THE PROTECTION OF ALL ANIMALS. IT IS OUR GOAL TO RESCUE AND FIND FOREVER HOMES FOR AS MANY ABANDONED, ABUSED PETS AS POSSIBLE AND TO TRY TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC TO THE IMPORTANCE OF SPAY/NEUTER TO ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM OF THE OVER-POPULATION OF UNWANTED, ABUSED, ABANDONED PETS.. Inside this issue: WHAT IF CATS AND DOGS HAD THUMBS? MEMBERSHIP FORM 2 HAPPY TAILS 3 WHEN A LOVING PET DIES 4 PET TIP OF THE MONTH 5 LOOKING FOR FOREVER HOME 2 5 Citrus County Chroni- UPCOMING EVENTS 6 TIME TO RENEW! cle Become a member or renew your membership if you are already a member. To become a member or to renew your membership, complete the form on page 2 and mail it in. We will send you a membership card and continue you on our mailing list. Countryside Animal Hospital Humane Society of Inverness K-9 Coiffures Midway Animal Clinic Mudd Puppy Mobile Grooming Outback Steak House Reminder! Renew Your Membership Now! See Page 2

2 YOUR DOG OWNS YOU IF: ALL DATES MUST PASS YOUR DOG S INSPECTION Humane Happenings What If Cats and Dogs Had Thumbs Day! ALL OF YOUR CLOTHES HAVE DOG HAIR ON THEM, EVEN AFTER CLEANING YOU GET BIRTHDAY CARDS FOR YOUR DOG March 3 is celebrated as What If Cats and Dogs Had Opposable Thumbs Day. What if our food, turn on the oven or open the refrigerator. How about taking and hiding your keys so you can t take them to the vet! Just think about all the mis- FROM THE VET, FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND YOU KEEP THEM ON THE cats and dogs could really get a grip on things! We can be chief they could get into! I know my re- REFRIGERATOR ALL YOUR NON-DOG FRIENDS KNOW TO DRESS DOWN WHEN thankful that Fluffy and Fido can t open their own can of f r i g e r a t o r would be empty! COMING TO YOUR HOUSE IF YOU ARE COLD, YOU PUT A SWEATER ON YOUR DOG YOU HAVE PICTURES OF YOUR DOG IN YOUR WALLET ANY CONVERSATION YOU HAVE IS EFFORTLESSLY DIRECTED BACK TO DOGS ALL OF YOUR CHARITABLE DONATIONS GO TO DOG RELATED AND HUMANE SOCIETY GROUPS YOUR VOICE IS RECOGNIZED BY YOUR VETS RECEPTIONIST Please join The Humane Society of Citrus County, Florida, Inc. today. Together we can continue our programs to make Citrus County a great place to live for people and animals. PLEASE PRINT Name: Phone # Address: City: State: Zip: address: SELECT MEMBERSHIP CATEGORY: Single - $15.00 Family - $25.00 Life Member - $ Donation Renewal Your support is deeply appreciated and we thank you. Sign and date below. FIRST TIME VISITORS WONDER ALOUD DO Signature Date YOU SMELL SOMETHING? AND YOU DON T Page 2

3 Volume 2, Issue 2 ANNIE & NEW MOM BOOKER & NEW MOM & DAD CAIN & NEW DAD CASEY & NEW FAMILY CERCIE & NEW DAD CHICO & NEW FAMILY CHIN CHIN & NEW BEST FRIEND COASTER & NEW MOM ELLIE MAE & NEW FAMILY GYPSY & NEW MOM & DAD HEIDI & NEW MOM TECO & NEW MOM LEIDER & NEW MOM & DAD NIKKI & KATY & NEW MOM & DAD PONCHO & NEW FAMILY TRAPPER & NEW MOM & DAD RUFF & NEW BEST FRIEND VELVET & NEW MOM & DAD Page 3

4 EUTHANASIA PART 2 Knowing what happens during euthanasia may help you and your family decide if you want to be present. To perform the euthanasia, first a catheter or needle is inserted into a vein in your pet s leg. It may take a little time for your vet to find the best location. Some vets may then inject a drug into the vein which will place your pet in a state of relaxation. The actual drug used to perform the euthanasia is a concentrated solution of pentobarbital, which will also be injected into the vein. In most cases, the injection works very rapidly (5 seconds). The injection causes the pet s heart to stop beating. In some cases, the pet s muscles may relax or contract after the pet has died. This can be very disconcerting if you are not aware of this possibility ahead of time. Your pet may void urine and stool. Involuntary contractions of muscles may result in the pet appearing to gasp or move a leg. Remember, your pet is not aware of these things since they occur after death. In almost all cases, the pet s eyes will not close after death. WHO SHOULD BE PRESENT? Many people wish to be present during their pet s euthanasia to say good-bye, to prevent feeling guilty for abandoning their pet, and to know what it was like so they don t wonder about it in the future. Each individual needs to decide for themselves whether they want to be present. If you choose not to be present, please do not feel you are abandoning your pet. Your pet has experienced your love throughout his life and if he could talk, you can imagine him saying he understands. Your pet will not be alone. The vet and staff will be there, talking to him and petting him during the procedure. SAYING GOOD-BYE TO YOUR PET People say good-bye to their pet in many ways and at different times during the euthanasia. You may say good-bye before your pet enters the exam room. You may accompany your pet into the exam room, say good-bye, then leave before the euthanasia takes place. If you want, you can accompany your pet into the exam room, leave during the procedure, and then return to say your final good-byes or you may choose to stay during the whole procedure. You need to do what is best for you. AUTOPSY In some instances, it may be necessary for you and your vet to know how your pet died. Knowing what caused the death of the pet may help the owner recover from the loss and relieve uncertainty. CARE FOR YOURSELF AFTERWARD It is helpful to have plans for the rest of the day after the euthanasia. Spend time with someone who understands your grief. Understanding the grieving process and having various resources available such as a grief hotline or books on pet loss can be beneficial. The decision to euthanize a pet is a difficult one. It is helpful to prepare yourself for it and to make choices ahead of time. Page 4

5 Volume 2, Issue 2 PET TIP OF THE MONTH GASTROINTESTINAL FOREIGN BODIES IN DOGS Dogs, like children, are curious and love to play. They also like to chew on their toys and, as a result, sometimes swallow harmful objects that can affect their health. It is important that you protect your dog from ingesting dangerous foreign bodies. A gastrointestinal foreign body refers to any material other than food that is eaten and that results in serious digestive problems. Foreign bodies can become lodged in the stomach and intestines creating an obstruction. Commonly ingested non-food items include toys, string, clothing and plastic. In fact, any household item your dog chews on can become a foreign body problem. Dogs of any age are susceptible to developing foreign body problems but this is most commonly seen in young dogs under 2 years old. These youngsters are naturally curious and enjoy playing. Popular chew toys for dogs are socks, shoes, pantyhose and underware. Safeguard your dog by making sure these and other harmful items are out of the reach of your dog. WE RE ON THE WEB AT: citrus.com IMPORTANT: Be sure to keep your pets inside on cold nights! Looking For Their Forever Homes VALENTINO SCRIBBLES CHELSEA Page 5 ROCCO BOSCO ERIN

6 The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil but because of those who look on and do nothing. H u m a n e S o c i e t y o f C i t r u s C o u n t y 751 S Smith Avenue Inverness FL Phone: bonniea15@yahoo.com If you would prefer we e -mail your newsletter, please let us know. NEXT GENERAL MEETING: VOLUNTEERS: THOUGHT FOR TODAY PAWS-ITIVELY PETS ADOPTION CENTER April 5, :00 AM New Members, Volunteers and guests are always welcome to join us at our monthly meetings. We are always looking for new ideas to help rescue more of the many pets who find our door. Please join us! If you re looking for a rewarding endeavor, consider giving a couple of hours a week to spend time with the many babies waiting for a forever home at Paws-itively Pets Adoption Center. They love the attention and you ll find spending time with them makes you feel good as well! Thousands of years ago, cats were worshipped as gods. They have never forgotten it. Anonymous OUR LEGAL STATUS: Doc # issued December 12, 1978 on file in Tallahassee. Registered with Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Affairs. Copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free within the state. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval or recommendation by the State. All dues and contributions are tax exempt to the full extent allowed by law. Our registration number issued by Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services is CH % of all contributions are retained by Humane Society of Citrus County, FL, Inc. No percentage is retained by any professional solicitor.