New Orleans Lab Rescue

Transcription

1 New Orleans Lab Rescue Finding permanent adoptive homes for homeless Labs A Celebration for the Dogs Hey South Louisiana dog lovers! Join us for a Halloween Costume Party (Humans only please) / Fundraiser at Southport Music Hall on Saturday October 21 from 7:00pm - 11pm. Your ticket will include an open PREMIUM bar, excellent New Orleans food...real food! Fried seafood, gumbo, pasta, roast beef debris, salad and so much more! So make sure you attend hungry and thirsty. Get in the Halloween mood and dress up! There will be a costume contest with an amazing prize! We have many door prizes and giveaways. At the event you can purchase tickets for the many raffle baskets and bid on the silent auction items. No one should leave empty handed! Joining us again is the live band, Faith Becnel and the Music Krewe. They are GREAT! New this year we have a special guest, Comedian Cathy...Dirty Dog Comedy. You will be rolling!!!! We are offering an early bird ticket of $ Tickets purchased after 10/1/2017 and at the door will be $ Get your tickets early and save! Can't wait to see everyone there! Tickets are available through Eventbrite Hurricanes Harvey and Irma Update NOLA Lab Rescue has been very busy. We have found homes for many of our existing foster dogs which has freed up space for more incoming dogs. We have been able to pull more preflood dogs from shelters which in turn has helped eased the burden on shelters that are housing flood dogs with the hopes of uniting them with their owners. Our volunteers have been working overtime transporting animals of all types (prairie dog?) along with supplies to assist with rescue efforts. They are also diligently processing paper work, taking photos, doing vet visits, home visits, and offering loving homes with a belly rub to the homeless. Some new foster families have joined our group and are greatly appreciated. These tragic events will take some time and tears to resolve. Let us know if you would like to help. Freedom Ride Foster families are always needed and are essential in getting our dogs ready for their forever homes. The majority of the dogs we save are heartworm positive and require treatment. Many have medical issues such as tumors, skin conditions, etc. that must be resolved. All of our adult dogs are spayed or neutered prior to adoption. We also have the expenses of basic vet care, vaccinations, heartworm prevention, and food. If you can t foster, perhaps consider a monetary donation. No amount is too small. Paypal to NolaLabRescue@gmail.com

2 Ask the Vet FITNESS FOR DOGS According to a 2012 survey by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 53% of dogs are overweight or obese. Excess weight can cause many medical issues such as arthritis, joint pain, ligament injuries, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Pets that are overweight or obese usually have a shorter lifespan than pets that are fit and trim. Weight loss in pets happens with a two-pronged approach: exercise and watching caloric intake. Does this sound familiar? An exercise plan must of course fit both the pet s ability and the owner s lifestyle. This can be anything from a 15 or 30 minute walk to a session playing fetch with a ball. When walking your dog during the warm months, remember to avoid pavement during the hottest parts of the day. It actually gets hot enough to become uncomfortable for your pet. Also, always be a conscientious dog owner and bring a bag to pick up your pet s waste products. When adjusting your pet s caloric intake, always talk to your veterinarian first to set a weight loss goal. Cutting back calories can be as easy as discontinuing the feeding of people food. Another problem area to address is the feeding of excess treats. Most people equate feeding their pets with love. Unfortunately, this is how we kill them with kindness. Many pets receive as many calories a day from treats as they do from their regular dog food. Treats should be given only once or twice a day. Feeding a treat that can be easily broken into very small pieces is another good idea. One small piece at any given time is plenty to reinforce good behavior. Instead of keeping your pet s food bowl down at all times, have set feeding times (up to 2 times daily), where food is given and left down for 30 minutes. The bowl is then picked up until the next feeding time. Even a pet that is used to free choice feedings will eventually get used to having discrete feeding times and will eat right away when trained to do so. You will find that this type of feeding plan also helps with housetraining issues. Always talk to your veterinarian about proper choices for your pet s food. Some pets may require a light food or even a prescription diet that is specially formulated for weight loss. Others may be able to eat their regular diets, although the amount may need to be reduced. Our dogs don t understand that their excess weight is killing them. It s up to us to protect them from harm and not contribute to their premature death or development of life shortening diseases. With your veterinarian s help, you can help them achieve fitness goals that will result in a happy, healthy, energetic family pet.

3 The Toy Review Would you like your furry companion to be the toy tester in our next newsletter? Send us an at put Toy Tester in the subject. We will do a random drawing on October 31st and send a new toy to the winner. All the human has to do is write the review in time for the December newsletter. The Toy Fat Cat Incredible Strapping Yankers Dog Toy The Tester Ernie Ernie The toy does not bounce or roll like my favorite green ball does. I was able to fling it about and smack my mom on the legs with it and even tossed it in the air a few times. Then I decided to test its chewability. I found the canvas material to be quite pleasing and it only took about 15 minutes to reach the wonderful fluffy stuff inside. NOLA What did you like best about this toy? Ernie Waggling it in my sister s face and getting her to play tug with me. NOLA We thank you for your time Ernie and hope our next tester has as much fun as you did. NOLA Ernie, what was your initial reaction to the toy? Ernie Oh oh oh oh oh a new toy! Gimmee gimme gimme! Then I was told to sit and smile. NOLA Did you play with the toy? Tell us about the durability.

4 Adopt a Dog 101 Are You Really Ready? Danielle Cecchine Before you adopt a dog, make sure you are ready for a dog. That sounds blindingly obvious, but it still bears repeating. Think about why are you adopting a dog? Are you making a purely emotional decision? You might be like me and walk past a group of puppies that need homes, so you grab one (Ollie) and bring it home with you without much thought*. I don t recommend this, even if it did work out for my family (mostly because my wonderful husband did all of the thinking about consequences). Impulsively adopting a puppy is how I started out in rescue, and it was a great experience. However, I ve seen a lot of dogs that this didn t work out for, dogs that were subsequently abandoned, given away, or dropped off at a shelter when things didn t work out. If you let emotions make the decision, you very well might adopt a dog that isn t right for you or your family. Save yourself, and the poor dog, from an unhappy ending by thoroughly thinking ahead now. *I have changed my ways. I carefully consider the addition of each dog that comes into our home now. If I didn t, we would have 37 puppies, 3 pregnant dogs, 7 seniors, 2 blind and deaf dogs, and a mini pig at The Cecchine Hotel for Dogs. Adopt a Dog 101 there are some important questions to ask yourself: Is the whole family on board? -Do you or any of your household/family members have allergies or health issues that may be negatively affected by a dog? -Is anyone in the home intolerant of potty accidents, shedding, barking, muddy paws, wet-dog smell? Stress in the home can exacerbate health and behavior problems in a dog. Dogs are very perceptive. If there is resentment, they will feel it. -Is there an adult in your family who is willing to be responsible for the dog s care? Ask yourself who is going to do the dog walking, feeding, and taking the dog to vet appointments? Seriously, who is going to scoop the poop? -Do you have any other dogs or cats or pigs and how will they react to a new pet? Which dog should you adopt? This is really important. Somewhere out there is the perfect dog for you, (or at least one whose flaws you can tolerate with a smile). If you are lucky enough to be adopting a dog from a foster home, you can find out a lot about the dog before you even meet it. Yay for fosters! Please, please ask yourself What are you hoping to get from the dog? In other words, why do you want to adopt? -What do you expect the dog to contribute to your life? Are you looking for an easy-going couch potato buddy, or do you want a running/ hiking buddy? Long, ambling walks on the beach? Or fetch in the backyard? My advice: choose a dog with an energy level equal to or lower than your own. If you generally just want to chill in front of the tv, and you have a dog that wants to run and play, you will have a frustrated dog. A bored dog can be destructive. Then again, if you are very active, and you get a dog that just wants to lie around all day, you are going to be frustrated. You want to find a dog that fits you and your life. The breed is not the dog, but do consider the characteristics of the breed. Do a little research; what breed of dog would be the best fit with your lifestyle.

5 -Do you need a dog who will be gentle with and tolerant of small children? Some dogs are better with littles than others. training? -Would a younger or older dog be a better match for you? If you are thinking of adopting a puppy, do you have the time and patience to work with the dog through potty training, teething and chewing, and basic obedience Would you consider a senior dog? Seniors dogs in a shelter are just so sad. Maybe their owner died, or maybe they were given up by an owner that cannot afford their health care needs. In the shelter they get overlooked for the cute little puppies. I love puppies, but puppies can be a real pain in the ass. A senior dog is often calm and easy going. They may need less exercise, but can be great couch buddies. They will almost certainly need more health care than a younger dog and purchasing new insurance for an older dog can be cost prohibitive. Once you know the dog that you are looking for, breed, age, size, etc., consider fostering a dog. That way if a dog is perfect, you foster fail and adopt it. YAY! If you decide that this particular dog isn t a match for you, you have learned more about what will and will not work for you and you try another one. Your foster will be the perfect dog for someone else, and you will feel great about helping the dog and its new family connect. Fostering is a wonderfully rewarding way to find whether you re ready to take on a new dog, without fully committing. The Cecchine Hotel for Dogs has had 25 foster dogs so far, and now I know all about different breeds and temperaments, what I can live with, and what drives me crazy. There was one that I couldn t live without (Bailey), so we adopted him. So, now that you have an idea of which dog might be right for you and your family, consider how well you can schedule a dog into your life? -How will your work obligations and your social life affect your ability to care for a dog? -Dogs need to be fed two to three times a day, and need to be routinely let outside for potty breaks and play/exercise. A puppy can t hang out in a crate for 8 or more hours without a potty break. You will need someone to let the puppy out often. A young dog with an abundance of energy requires more exercise and training than an older more sedentary couch potato dog. -Dogs with long coats may need 15 to 20 minutes a day of brushing to prevent matting. You can count on a lot more time spent vacuuming a home with a long haired breed. A single Siberian husky blew my mind when it came to shedding. I loved Sasha dearly, but her shedding was a lot of work! -You should plan to spend at least one hour per day giving direct attention (training, exercising, grooming, and playing) to your dog(s). If your life is so over-scheduled with work and kids that you don t have an hour to spare, then you do not have time for a new dog. -Puppies adjust to a new home rather easily, but older adopted dogs may need additional bonding and reassurance time in the early weeks or months in their new home. -Do you travel for work? Vacation often? Will you take the dog with you when you travel? How big of a dog can you travel comfortably with?

6 If you are thinking of adopting a dog, think of it like adding a family member. Adopting a puppy = having a baby. Adopting an adult dog = maybe your friendly mother-in-law is moving in. Adopting a senior = welcome grandma! It means your life priorities are going to need some adjustments. Puppies have potty accidents, dogs bark, seniors have vet bills, etc, etc. If you are about to welcome a new family member, and you have a beach trip coming up but grandma isn t welcome, then no beach trip. You are going on a cruise in a few weeks? Nope, not a good time to leave grandma in a cage with a stranger feeding her. Do you get my subtle point here? I see this all too often. People make a snap decision to adopt a dog, but they haven t thought about all of the other stuff going on in their lives and the fact that the new family member needs to be considered. Whether you are welcoming a puppy or a 4 year old or a senior dog into your home, the dog needs time to adjust, feel safe, and learn your rules. I have seen a puppy returned because it peed on the floor and a dog left at a shelter because the family got a new sofa. The puppy just needed patience and more training. If your dog is chewing furniture, it needs training, not euthanization. Whether a dog is coming from a shelter, or has been through a shelter and then a foster home, they need a calm and consistent environment after you bring them into your home. They need time to decompress. They also need for you to teach them the rules of the house. If you fail to do that, the dog will ultimately fail you, (and maybe chew your couch). The environment we bring a dog into is very important for a successful experience. Are you prepared to provide a dog with a structured life that has rules, and consistent boundaries? This is important. Dogs do not often come to you pre-trained. Can you train and handle a dog with behavior issues? Are you willing to take the dog to a trainer if necessary. Can you afford that? What does it cost to have a dog? Adopting a dog requires a financial commitment to the animal s health and well-being. Please, sit down and think about what a dog is going to cost. Its not just food and toys, there are vet bills, and yes, the cost of boarding a dog while you are on vacation (at some point in the future, when your dog is fully adjusted to your home). There seem to be a lot of costs that people overlook or do not expect. I ve tried to provide a comprehensive list for you. This is taken from Petfinder.com Expenses in the first year *estimates based on a survey of pet parents around the country-may be higher/lower depending on where you live and the dog you adopt. Adoption $ The rescue or shelter will charge a fee to help defray the cost of taking in homeless animals. The dog will be up to date on immunizations and neutered or spayed if it is old enough. Food $ Nutritional Supplements $0-100 Food/water bowls $10-40 Treats $ Dental/chew toys $ Routine veterinary exam $ Vaccinations $ Emergency veterinary care $0-2,000+ -These are unexpected costs: Accidents and illness can result in costly emergency veterinary care. Consider pet insurance. Heartworm test $0-35 Heart worm prevention $ Fecal exams $10-30 Worming $10-25 Flea/Tick prevention $ Spaying/neutering $ Professional teeth cleaning $ Collar(s) $7-50 Leash(es) $10-50 Training $ Grooming tools $ Professional grooming $0-1,200 Shampoo $5-50 Fence $ Stain/odor removers $ Doggy bed(s) $ Crate(s) $ Toys $ Boarding, per day $15-50 TOTAL IN THE 1st YEAR: $766-$10,350

7 Are there things in this list that you hadn t considered? It all adds up. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Blend the broth, pumpkin, oil, syrup, and egg in a blender or food processor. Add blended mixture to dry ingredients, mix well to form dough. Roll out to ½ inch thickness and use cookie cutter to cut out biscuits. Place on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper. Bake minutes or until brown. Store biscuits in a refrigerator in an airtight container. Why Join NOLA? Ok, now that I've said all of that, please adopt a dog. It is a wonderful experience - Just do it in an informed way. Here is a link to Danielle s original article and blog where you can read about NOLA rescue dogs as well as other rescues she fosters for. -you-really-ready/ Cooking For Your Furry Friend Deirdra Romano Pumpkin Dog Cookies 1 ½ cups whole wheat flour 2 cups all-purpose flour ½ cup rolled oats 1 tsp. cinnamon ½ tsp. nutmeg ½ cup reduced sodium chicken broth ¾ cup canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix) 1 tbs. oil 1 tbs. maple syrup 1 egg Our mission is to provide: Permanent adoptive homes for unwanted, abandoned or abused labs. Medical care and foster homes for rescued dogs. Education to pet owners regarding spaying/ neutering and responsible pet ownership. Public information about irresponsible breeding practices and animal abuse in an effort to end both. Your Membership Supports: Vaccination, sterilization, heartworm prevention, and veterinary services for all dogs. Heartworm treatment. Rescue of canine seniors with high expenses. Orthopedic surgery for rescued dogs in need. Transportation of HW neg., fully vetted dogs from the overpopulated South to pre-approved foster and forever homes.

8 You can make a difference! Contact us at : nolalabrescue@gmail.com Donations are accepted through PayPal at: nolalabrescue@gmail.com We are always looking for fosters to join the team.