There was a lot of thought and discussion in our home before becoming a foster family for Short Mugs Rescue Squad. Could we handle another dog in our home? What if we fell in love with the dog? How much will this really cost us? What if the dog doesn't get along with our dogs? And the biggest question out there was...what does being a foster family really mean? At the end of the day, the positives seemed to outweighed the negatives and we decided to plunge headfirst into fostering.
What I found out about fostering is that it is one of the
most fulfilling endeavors I have ever taken on. I loved it. I loved
everything about it. And not all of it was what I had expected. I've
had sick dogs. I've had a dog that was dog aggressive. I've had a
fearful dog. I've been through heartworm treatment and the dreaded
crate rest that follows. I've had a long-term foster dog, and two
foster dogs that were just passing through before being placed with
other foster families. And through it all, it seems that these dogs
have brought me as much joy as I have them, possibly more.
Being a foster family isn't easy, but it wasn't hard either. All it takes is a little bit of time, and a little bit of patience, and determination. These foster dogs want to make you happy, but they need you to show them how. As a foster family, I have kept in my mind that it's my job to give this dog the skills necessary to go out and be successful in another home. A home that could be completely different from ours. So what basic skills does a dog need for that? Well, they're going to need to be able to be crate trained, potty trained, follow basic commands, ride in a car, and walk on a leash. And while the dog doesn't have to be 100% on all of these points, the dog needs to be worked with and well on its way. It takes a very special person to be happy with a dog that is constantly using their house as their personal latrine.
I've had to learn to crate my resident dogs to spend some much needed alone time with my foster dog. Even if it's just for 10 minutes, the foster dogs need that time to bond with their families. It also makes it easier to train them with just a little bit of alone time. It really allows the dog time to focus on you as the person doing the talking, and not the rest of the gang running around and showing off their skills for treats or attention.
Short Mugs has been easy to work with. I've never had to wait to take my fosters to the vet. I've had a great group of experienced fosters and volunteers to connect with on various questions. I'm as involved with that group as I can be, and it helps us out immensely. And the odd thing about all of this is, that I'm the only foster in my city! I'm approximately 2 hours away from any other fosters, but I'm able to get assistance from any number of people when I need help. I'm not located in a metro area, but I'm not made to feel like I'm the odd man out. On the contrary, I feel very connected with the other fosters.
Our biggest concern at becoming a foster family was that we wouldn't have enough time. That it would be hard to balance between work demands and family demands. The opposite of this has actually occurred. I became more focused in my work and was able to accomplish more at home also. I was able to let go of petty things that bothered me, because I was a lot happier. I wasn't bringing home stress with me, and I was a much more enjoyable person to be around. I love fostering and I am so happy we took this leap of faith. There is no feeling that compares to seeing a dog who's life you've touched in even the smallest way grow, and move forward to be happy in their forever home.
If you are interested in becoming a foster family with Short Mugs Rescue Squad, just fill out our online application. The link is available below. We are always looking for new foster families. They are so important to the rescue effort and allow us to do what we do best, and that's placing smush faces in great places!
Short Mugs Rescue Squad Foster Application
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Thursday, May 29, 2014
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Beat the Summer Heat. Safety Tips for You and Your Dog.
As the weather heats up many of us head outdoors to enjoy fun in the sun with our furry family members. At our house we have two personal rescue frenchies. Both are very different in build and physical activity. But they both have one thing in common, they are a brachycephalic breed and do not tolerate heat well. It is important to also remind ourselves of the dangers that heat can
cause to our dogs. Here in Texas, we have sweltering heat and humidity
throughout the summer months. Here are a few tips to keep your furkids
safe this summer.
As the temperature rise, enjoy your outside activity time early in the morning or later in the evening. Since it stays light outside until close to 8pm here, we love to take walks and play in the backyard at these times. It's important to keep your pets indoors during the hottest times of the day and always have cool water available whether indoors or outside. And if your furkids enjoy playing in the water always make sure they are supervised. Frenchies are not great swimmers so make sure they are wearing a life jacket in swimming pools and on boats.
When we take the dogs down the trail we always make sure it's not during the heat of the day. Any surface which is concrete or asphalt is much hotter than grass. Why is this important? It's important because a dog's main cooling device is their paws. If their paws are too hot, then the dog will surely have issues regulating their temperature. Paws are also very sensitive. An easy test is to place the palm of your hand on the surface in question for about 30 seconds. If it's too hot for that, find a grassy area to exercise your dog.
Water is another important thing to remember during hot months. When walking we always carry water. Even a simple water bottle can be used to provide your dogs a cool drink during hot months. We use a special water bottle that comes with a convenient water tray. It's made by PAWS and is a portable water dish that comes with a convenient strap and belt clip. I purchased this on Groupon for about $8 with tax and shipping. It's important when introducing your dog to a new water drinking device to do this in the safety of your home so they aren't scared of it when you need them to drink from it.
Leaving a dog in a vehicle during warmer weather is never a good idea. Even with an outside temperature of 84 degrees a parked car has an inside temperature of 98 degrees with all 4 windows cracked. When outside temperatures reach 95 degrees the inside of a car is 113 degrees with all 4 windows cracked. If you see an animal inside a parked car during hot weather contact the business and make them aware of the situation and also call the local police department or animal control. Be sure to let them know the location of the vehicle and provide the vehicle description and license plate number. It is very likely that the owner isn't aware of the dangers they are putting their dog in.
How do you know if your dog is suffering from overheating or heat stroke? Below are some signs of heat stroke. If you find a dog suffering from these signs get the dog inside immediately and give them small amounts of cool water. You can also place cool water on the dogs head, neck and chest area. This can be done with wet towels or in a bath tub. Take the dogs temperature if possible and call your vet to seek assistance.
Symptoms of overheating or heat stroke:
The most important thing to remember is, know your pets and their limitations. Even an extremely healthy and fit dog can suffer from heat related illnesses. Have fun with your pets this summer and be safe.
As the temperature rise, enjoy your outside activity time early in the morning or later in the evening. Since it stays light outside until close to 8pm here, we love to take walks and play in the backyard at these times. It's important to keep your pets indoors during the hottest times of the day and always have cool water available whether indoors or outside. And if your furkids enjoy playing in the water always make sure they are supervised. Frenchies are not great swimmers so make sure they are wearing a life jacket in swimming pools and on boats.
 |
| Short Mugs foster Bandit enjoys playing in the water sprinkler. |
Water is another important thing to remember during hot months. When walking we always carry water. Even a simple water bottle can be used to provide your dogs a cool drink during hot months. We use a special water bottle that comes with a convenient water tray. It's made by PAWS and is a portable water dish that comes with a convenient strap and belt clip. I purchased this on Groupon for about $8 with tax and shipping. It's important when introducing your dog to a new water drinking device to do this in the safety of your home so they aren't scared of it when you need them to drink from it.
 |
| PAWS Portable Dog Water On-the-Go Pet Dish |
Leaving a dog in a vehicle during warmer weather is never a good idea. Even with an outside temperature of 84 degrees a parked car has an inside temperature of 98 degrees with all 4 windows cracked. When outside temperatures reach 95 degrees the inside of a car is 113 degrees with all 4 windows cracked. If you see an animal inside a parked car during hot weather contact the business and make them aware of the situation and also call the local police department or animal control. Be sure to let them know the location of the vehicle and provide the vehicle description and license plate number. It is very likely that the owner isn't aware of the dangers they are putting their dog in.
How do you know if your dog is suffering from overheating or heat stroke? Below are some signs of heat stroke. If you find a dog suffering from these signs get the dog inside immediately and give them small amounts of cool water. You can also place cool water on the dogs head, neck and chest area. This can be done with wet towels or in a bath tub. Take the dogs temperature if possible and call your vet to seek assistance.
Symptoms of overheating or heat stroke:
- Excessive panting
- Excessive drooling
- Glazed eyes
- Staggering/Cannot stand
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea (sometimes contains blood)
- Gums are bright red or pale
The most important thing to remember is, know your pets and their limitations. Even an extremely healthy and fit dog can suffer from heat related illnesses. Have fun with your pets this summer and be safe.
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Swimmer Puppy Syndrome? Frenchies can't swim.
Many of you have seen the pictures and videos of Xena, the swimmer puppy taken in by Short Mugs Rescue Squad this past weekend. As suspected, Xena has been diagnosed with swimmers syndrome. But what is swimmers syndrome and what is the path that Xena "Warrior Princess" will have to travel to gain full mobility? I will answer these and several other questions along the way.
Swimmers syndrome is simply a puppy with a flattened chest and sternum. They look kind of like a turtle when you view them from the top. A swimmer puppies legs are out stretched and they swim around, similar to the breast stroke, instead of crawling like a puppy who is developing normally. Puppies learn to stand at about 2 weeks and should be walking at 3 weeks. Due to this development of being flat and the internal complications that come with it, many swimmer puppies will die within the first few weeks of life. Those who do survive, like our little Xena, take longer to learn how to walk.
Why did Xena become a swimmer? We may never really know. Some puppies are born swimmers and some puppies become swimmers. When puppies are very young their bones are like rubber bands. If they feed and sleep only on their stomachs they can become swimmers. They should be encouraged to lay on their sides instead. If they eat too much and are too hot causing them to be lazy, they can become swimmers. When puppies are cold they tend to move around looking for warm spots. If the whelping box is flat and the puppies have no traction, they can become swimmers. There are numerous scenarios as to how a puppy ends up as a swimmer.
The good thing is it can be fixed. Professional help needs to be sought, but the puppies also need to be reinforced and worked with at home. Variation in surfaces for walking that create traction needs to be provided along with a sleeping area that promotes side sleep. Massaging the puppies and using hobbles that tape their legs into the correct position also helps. Imagine the tape as old time prison shackles on the puppies legs. This helps them learn how to correctly stand and walk. Remember, the bones are still very easy to manipulate. Xena will be going to physical therapy twice a week over the next 8 weeks. She will also be worked with in foster care.
If you'd like to sponsor Xena's "Warrior Rehab" efforts please use the link below. The cost of quality rehabilitation is not cheap, but as with all our dogs we believe she is worth all the time and effort this takes. SMRS is excited about helping this little princess get on the road to living a healthy happy life. Come along with us and follow us on this amazing journey.
http://www.shortmugsrescuesquad.org/animals/detail?AnimalID=6854064
Swimmers syndrome is simply a puppy with a flattened chest and sternum. They look kind of like a turtle when you view them from the top. A swimmer puppies legs are out stretched and they swim around, similar to the breast stroke, instead of crawling like a puppy who is developing normally. Puppies learn to stand at about 2 weeks and should be walking at 3 weeks. Due to this development of being flat and the internal complications that come with it, many swimmer puppies will die within the first few weeks of life. Those who do survive, like our little Xena, take longer to learn how to walk.
Why did Xena become a swimmer? We may never really know. Some puppies are born swimmers and some puppies become swimmers. When puppies are very young their bones are like rubber bands. If they feed and sleep only on their stomachs they can become swimmers. They should be encouraged to lay on their sides instead. If they eat too much and are too hot causing them to be lazy, they can become swimmers. When puppies are cold they tend to move around looking for warm spots. If the whelping box is flat and the puppies have no traction, they can become swimmers. There are numerous scenarios as to how a puppy ends up as a swimmer.
The good thing is it can be fixed. Professional help needs to be sought, but the puppies also need to be reinforced and worked with at home. Variation in surfaces for walking that create traction needs to be provided along with a sleeping area that promotes side sleep. Massaging the puppies and using hobbles that tape their legs into the correct position also helps. Imagine the tape as old time prison shackles on the puppies legs. This helps them learn how to correctly stand and walk. Remember, the bones are still very easy to manipulate. Xena will be going to physical therapy twice a week over the next 8 weeks. She will also be worked with in foster care.
 | ||
| Xena's first session at Gulf Coast Animal Rehab and Fitness. |
If you'd like to sponsor Xena's "Warrior Rehab" efforts please use the link below. The cost of quality rehabilitation is not cheap, but as with all our dogs we believe she is worth all the time and effort this takes. SMRS is excited about helping this little princess get on the road to living a healthy happy life. Come along with us and follow us on this amazing journey.
http://www.shortmugsrescuesquad.org/animals/detail?AnimalID=6854064
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Frenchies with allergies? Try a foot soak.
As many of you know, frenchies are prone to allergy problems. With springtime at hand there are numerous outside substances that can aggravate your dog. If your dogs are licking or chewing on their feet, you may want to consider a foot soak.
Harley is my personal rescue frenchie who suffers from food allergies and outside allergies. This is something we have been doing at our house to keep her foot chewing under control and it has seemed to work. Not only has her foot chewing decreased, but her facial irritation from the foot chewing has also subsided, and she is no longer coughing. She was in-taking all those nasty external substances that she's allergic to and coughing as a result.
I found the foot soak recipe at Healthy Pets by Mercola.com. I was able to get the povidone iodine at my local HEB for only a few dollars. It is also available at CVS and Walgreen's. I used a small reusable plastic food container to soak Harley's paws. This allows me to use a small amount of the iodine and easily store the mixture for a couple of days afterwards.
The container is large enough for me to soak two paws at a time. I mix the foot soak just as instructed in the video and fill the container with just enough water to cover her paws fully. Then I add the povidone iodine until it resembles the color of tea.
I soak her front paws for a few minutes (the video suggests between 2-5 minutes) and then switch to her rear paws and soak those for a few minutes. I dry her paws in between the soaking. She seems to tolerate it just fine, and it does not stain her paws. I do not rinse her feet afterwards, I only pat them dry with a towel.
I had previously used Malacetic wipes on her paws to clean her feet. Not only are these much more expensive, but they didn't do the job that this simple foot soak does. A foot soak really cleans the allergens and toxins your dog picks up in the yard everyday. Harley seems to be happier and isn't chewing on her feet as much.
http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/10/25/dog-foot-bath.aspx
Harley is my personal rescue frenchie who suffers from food allergies and outside allergies. This is something we have been doing at our house to keep her foot chewing under control and it has seemed to work. Not only has her foot chewing decreased, but her facial irritation from the foot chewing has also subsided, and she is no longer coughing. She was in-taking all those nasty external substances that she's allergic to and coughing as a result.
I found the foot soak recipe at Healthy Pets by Mercola.com. I was able to get the povidone iodine at my local HEB for only a few dollars. It is also available at CVS and Walgreen's. I used a small reusable plastic food container to soak Harley's paws. This allows me to use a small amount of the iodine and easily store the mixture for a couple of days afterwards.
The container is large enough for me to soak two paws at a time. I mix the foot soak just as instructed in the video and fill the container with just enough water to cover her paws fully. Then I add the povidone iodine until it resembles the color of tea.
I soak her front paws for a few minutes (the video suggests between 2-5 minutes) and then switch to her rear paws and soak those for a few minutes. I dry her paws in between the soaking. She seems to tolerate it just fine, and it does not stain her paws. I do not rinse her feet afterwards, I only pat them dry with a towel.
I had previously used Malacetic wipes on her paws to clean her feet. Not only are these much more expensive, but they didn't do the job that this simple foot soak does. A foot soak really cleans the allergens and toxins your dog picks up in the yard everyday. Harley seems to be happier and isn't chewing on her feet as much.
http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/10/25/dog-foot-bath.aspx
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
Monday, April 14, 2014
Kroger Neighbor to Neighbor program
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS PROGRAM IN GENERAL:
After I enroll my Kroger Plus Card with an organization, how long before my purchases start
counting towards the rewards?
Your purchases will begin earning rewards for your designated organization within 7 to 10
business days of registering your Kroger Plus Card online (after the program’s official start date
of September 1, 2013).
How do I know if my Kroger Plus Card is enrolled?
Within 7 to 10 business days of successfully enrolling your Kroger Plus Card, you will see at the
bottom of your Kroger receipt: “At your request, Kroger is donating to “your organization name”.
Does everything in my shopping cart count towards my donation to my organization?
Supporters can earn rewards on almost anything, every time they shop. However there are
specific purchases that cannot be included: Alcohol, Tobacco, Government Assisted Pharmacy
Expenses, Postage Stamps, All Gift Cards, Bottle Deposits, Lottery and Promotional tickets,
Money Orders, Western Union, Fuel and, Sales Tax are excluded from eligible purchases.
Eligible pharmacy purchases include out of pocket co-pays for non-government assisted
pharmacy programs.
Can I give to more than one organization?
No. Your Kroger Plus Card can be linked to only one organization at a time. However, you may
change your nonprofit organization designation online by going to
www.krogercommunityrewards.com
Have questions not answered here?
Please contact Kroger Gift Services office, Monday through Friday at 1-866-995-7643
counting towards the rewards?
Your purchases will begin earning rewards for your designated organization within 7 to 10
business days of registering your Kroger Plus Card online (after the program’s official start date
of September 1, 2013).
How do I know if my Kroger Plus Card is enrolled?
Within 7 to 10 business days of successfully enrolling your Kroger Plus Card, you will see at the
bottom of your Kroger receipt: “At your request, Kroger is donating to “your organization name”.
Does everything in my shopping cart count towards my donation to my organization?
Supporters can earn rewards on almost anything, every time they shop. However there are
specific purchases that cannot be included: Alcohol, Tobacco, Government Assisted Pharmacy
Expenses, Postage Stamps, All Gift Cards, Bottle Deposits, Lottery and Promotional tickets,
Money Orders, Western Union, Fuel and, Sales Tax are excluded from eligible purchases.
Eligible pharmacy purchases include out of pocket co-pays for non-government assisted
pharmacy programs.
Can I give to more than one organization?
No. Your Kroger Plus Card can be linked to only one organization at a time. However, you may
change your nonprofit organization designation online by going to
www.krogercommunityrewards.com
Have questions not answered here?
Please contact Kroger Gift Services office, Monday through Friday at 1-866-995-7643
Sunday, November 17, 2013
Benefit Wines for SMRS
Share A Bottle of Wine and Share Our Story...
Each purchase sends a donation to SMRS and our rescue dogs!!
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