Come on down to the open house at the Islip Town Shelter (sponsored by ShelterLink)

210 S Denver Avenue ,Bayshore, NY

Saturday December 19

Lots of adorable ,adoptable, animals waiting for their forever home!

The holidays bring fun and excitement as we prepare by shopping and decorating. Unfortunately, pets may be exposed to hazards associated with the holiday season. As homes fill with holiday cheer, pets may be intrigued by the new sites, smells and tastes, and many things aren’t good for them. Here are some things to watch out for: Decorations Ribbons, wrapping paper, ornaments, and tinsel can cause problems if chewed on or ingested by your pet. Shiny strands of tinsel are pretty, but ingesting them be deadly. Eating tinsel or other holiday decorations can cause serious damage to an animals intestine. If you suspect your pet has ingested something they shouldn’t have, contact your veterinarian immediately. Signs of trouble include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, and a painful belly. Holiday lights can also be a problem. Dogs (and Cats!) often chew on electrical wires, so make sure that all light strands are out of reach of your pet. Clean up any broken glass or plastic pieces promptly. The Christmas Tree Pets love to drink out of the Christmas tree stand water holder, so be careful using additives to keep your tree fresh longer. If you do choose to add them, be sure to read the label to make sure it is safe for pets. And did I mention climbing? Cats and kittens just love to clamber up the branches of that new 6 foot scratching post your brought in just for them (and those shiny balls hung just within reach are lots of fun too!). Make sure your tree is stable so it wont be pulled down by an inquisitive kitty. If its difficult or impossible to curb your pet’s fascination with all those pretty decorations, consider using child safety gates across doorways, or strategically close doors to keep your pet away from the Christmas tree and accompanying decorations. Chocolate Chocolate is often a mainstay of our holiday celebrations. What would the holidays be without boxes of chocolate and warm cocoa in front of the fire? And don’t forgot those chocolate coins! Unfortunately, chocolate can be toxic or even fatal to dogs and cats, so it deserves a special mention. Make sure to keep all chocolates out of your pets reach, and supervise children to make sure they don’t drop or give it to your pet. Party Time Pets can eat too much during this season too! Well-intentioned family and friends may share holiday foods with pets causing them to develop a stomach upset or worse! To control excessive food intake by your pets dole out the treats your pets would normally receive and let your guests “treat” them. Don’t forget to watch those alcoholic beverages, dogs and pets may decide to help themselves to unattended drinks, and alcohol can make them very sick! Some pets thrive on the extra attention from visiting relatives and friends, while it’s a big source of stress to others. . Make sure your pets have their own place to go if they want to get away from the commotion. If you are expecting a lot of visitors be sure to keep your pets away from the open door so they don’t dart out when your visitors are coming in. With a little planning, your holiday celebrations can be safe for all your loved ones, including those with fur! Best Wishes for a Happy Healthy Holiday Season!

Audrey always loved dogs but until recently, never had the opportunity to have one. About 15 years ago Audrey, her husband Alen and their daughter Megan moved from a Queens apartment to a house on Long Island and Audrey thought the time was right. Not so fast…her daughter wanted cats so they ended up with 2 shelter kittens.

Fast forward to the present…Megan graduated from college and moved into the city. Maybe NOW was the time for a dog? Her husband was a little hesitant, but agreed to an adult, non shedding dog. Audrey searched the various rescues on line until she finally found a dog she thought was perfect. In the photo, the dog’s hair was tangled and matted, they couldn’t even see her face but something about the little Shih Tzu mix called out to her.

The dog was being fostered in upstate NY, a two hour drive away. Audrey and Alen took a ride one Saturday to see the dog. When they arrived, the foster “mom” called the dog by name and Audrey’s heart dropped. The dog had a 6 inch scar (“frankenstein stitches”), crusty eyes, and really looked pathetic. Audrey didn’t have the heart to reject her, so they took the dog and began the long trek home. All Audrey could think of was….”I’ve waited so long for a dog, how did I end up with this one?”

Lola (which is the name they gave her) curled up on Audrey’s lap in the car and she sat the whole two hours just gazing at Audrey with those crusty eyes as if to say “thank you for taking me.”  She walked into the house as if she had lived there forever. As Audrey tells it, “Lola turned out to be the best dog in the world. We had her groomed after her scar healed and her eyes are beautiful now ….you should never judge a book by its cover” …Turns out Alen loves Lola too!
 

Halloween is almost here… As we get ready to enjoy the festivities, here are some simple steps to take, (courtesy of the Suffolk County SPCA), to ensure that our pets have a safe Halloween too! Keep pets away from front doors. Dogs and cats are easily frightened by visitors/ commotion. The more adventurous pet may just take the opportunity to bolt. In particular, dogs may see costumed visitors as a threat, (even someone they know) so don’t take any chances. Never leave your pet outside on Halloween. They could easily be harmed or stolen. Black cats are particularly at risk this time of year. Do not allow your pets to eat trick-or-treat candies – many ingredients are toxic to dogs and cats. Be very careful with candles- pets may tip them over and cause a fire. Keep all holiday decorations out of your pets reach. Animals are inquisitive, and items like spider webbing and balloons can be deadly if swallowed. Don’t stress your animal if they really object to wearing a costume! Some pets are fine with it, others might really become anxious. If you do dress your pet, make sure the costume isn’t constricting or unsafe. Do not obstruct vision and check for strangulation hazards. Remember to remove costume from your pet when unattended. Always be sure your pet has proper identification on at all times. Know your veterinarian’s number and keep it listed with your other emergency numbers…being able to react quickly in an emergency could save your pets life! The Suffolk County SPCA reminds us to report any acts of cruelty or neglect to them 631 382-7722. All calls will be kept confidential.

With nearly 10 million animals entering local shelters across the country every year, Adopt -a -Shelter- Dog Month helps focus attention on the pet population problem we face in this country. Jeanette recently adopted Sparkles and Bear from the Town of Islip Animal Shelter, and asked me to share their story, in the hopes that others will consider adopting a shelter dog: Sparkles was 4 months old when they first saw him, one of several abandoned puppies (left in a Tupperware bowl in the rain!). For Jeanette and her family, it was love at first sight. They took their time getting to know him, and spent time in the viewing room interacting with him while asking lots of questions about his personality, temperament and needs. The shelter staff had questions for them as well- regarding small children, other pets, fenced yards- all these things are very important when matching up a potential adopter with a new pet. In the end, they decided to give him his forever home. They completed the required paperwork, paid the $55 adoption fee, and took him home. After adopting Sparkles they continued to go to the shelter every so often and soon noticed a 4 year old American Staffordshire Terrier named Bear who had the sweetest eyes. He weighed 90 lbs and because his ears were cropped people were hesitant to consider him for adoption. Jeanette and her family kept coming back to this friendly dog with his constantly wagging tail. After another carefully considered evaluation they were convinced that Bear would make a great addition to their household and they adopted him about a month ago. Jeanette credits the shelter staff for putting in a lot of time and effort evaluating and working with Bear (and all the other adoptable dogs): “This dog is well trained and is the sweetest, most intelligent dog you will ever meet…all because the shelter staff and team of great volunteers gave this dog so much love and care”.

For more information about Adopt-A Shelter-Dog Month, check out these websites: http://www.aspca.org/adoption http://www.americanhumane.org/protecting-animals/special-events/adopt-a-dog-month or contact the Town of Islip Animal Shelter at 631-224-5660.

Ok, so I’m ranting.  Its not something I usually do on this blog, but, here goes.

 On Saturday I was at the town animal shelter and I noticed a poor little beagle just laying there in his cage shaking like a leaf.  Turns out he was an owner surrender, seems to be elderly, and not in good physical condition.  The shelter is required by law to hold dogs that are brought in for the specified length of time, so there the poor dog sits (lays really, but you get the point) terrified out of his mind, with a really uncertain future.  What a horrible way to spend your last days.

 COME ON!!!!!   What on earth was the owner thinking?  You have a pet, your responsibility to it is from cradle to grave !!!!!!!!!   If your pet is old, and failing and it’s their time, do the right thing, which is NOT dumping him or her at a municipal shelter to become someone else’s problem

 I don’t care what the extenuating circumstances were , there is just no just excuse for this, if the dog needs to be put down, do it humanely , just DO THE RIGHT THING.    This dog was someone’s companion  loyal and trusting friend, stuff like this just makes me sick!!!!!!!!

H U M A N E 

1.  Characterized by kindness, mercy, or compassion:.

2. Marked by an emphasis on humanistic values and concerns

Duke is a 10 month old purebred Weimaraner puppy who lives with a great family on Long Island, but just a few short months ago, his future was not so secure. Duke was just another shelter dog, living in limbo. Here’s his story. Last April, Amy was browsing Craigslist’s pet section when she saw a posting for Suffolk County Unleashed (www.suffolkcountyunleashed.com) listing adoptable dogs. The photo of a 6 month old Weimaraner puppy caught her eye and tugged at her heartstrings. After a quick consult with her husband, they set off for the shelter, which was in Queens. Duke turned out to be a very large, lovable, energetic dog, and as Amy said : ”My husband and I looked at each other. .and we both knew we just could not leave him there” After filling out the required paperwork and being approved as adopters, the family was able to bring Duke home, where he settled in right away. Amy’s vet found that, in addition to having a respiratory infection (easily treated with antibiotics) Duke was underweight. With lots of love and extra food he is now thriving. According to his proud owners, he is well-behaved, and a real mush. He has learned basic obedience commands and goes out on the family boat, having already learned to swim ! Why was a great, purebred young dog like Duke found in a shelter? Amy thinks that, based on the timing, he may have been a Christmas present, perhaps the owners didn’t know enough about the breed and were not prepared to deal with an energetic, large dog. As any Weimaraner owner will tell you, this breed needs lots of room to run, and requires constant attention. Fortunately, Amy and her family had done their research and were familiar with Weinaraners. They knew what to expect and were prepared to devote the time and energy required. In return, they now have a wonderful, loyal canine companion who shares their active lifestyle. Every adopted dog’s story is unique, but there are some common themes. Most of the time, animals are surrendered through no fault of their own. Making a decision to have a companion animal is not to be taken lightly. It should be a commitment for the lifetime of the animal, and should never be a spur of the moment “whim” but rather a carefully thought out choice. If you are ready and able to add an animal to your life, please consider adoption first! There are so many great pets, like Duke, waiting for their forever home.

Many of us will be enjoying outdoor activities this weekend: barbeques… picnics… watching fireworks… When making your plans, its important to take a few minutes to consider how your pet will be spending their time. Even though your dog is a member of your family, it’s not always best to include them in your holiday celebrations. Fireworks are a major source of stress to dogs (and cats). Pet experts recommend keeping your pets indoors as much as possible during backyard parties and Fourth of July festivities. Neighborhood celebrations usually contain loud fireworks and sparklers, so you need to use the same caution for your pets as you would for human children. A frightened animal will act out of pure instinct, often behaving irrationally. Sudden, loud noises trigger an instinctive startle reaction, and the crack of thunder or boom of fireworks can make the most well behaved dog bolt in a frantic effort to reach safety. Plan ahead to create a safe haven for your pet so they’ll be less likely to panic and get hurt.

Here are some tips to minimize stress from fireworks and the summer thunderstorms we’ve already started to experience:

–Keep your pet safe from the noise in a quiet, sheltered and escape-proof area at home. This is especially important if you’ll be gone for the day and your pet is home alone.

–Turn on the air conditioning or radio to mask the noise –

–Provide a distraction. Most dogs love a hollow Kong or other hard rubber toy stuffed with peanut butter or cheese whiz. A new Nylabone chew (no rawhide, please) might also do the trick.

–Take an extra long walk or play an extended game of fetch early in the day. The extra exercise may help your dog to relax so they’ll be less stressed later on.

–Consider other options. Sometime pets can be calmed with pheromone-mimicking scents, available at most pet stores. If things get really bad you might need to consult your vet about giving your dog a sedative.

–Check their ID. If you’ve moved recently or changed your phone number, don’t forget to update your pet’s tags with current info.

Whatever you end up doing, hope you and your pets have an enjoyable and safe holiday weekend!

This Friday, June 26th is TAKE YOUR DOG TO WORK DAY (TYDTWD). Businesses, pet care professionals, and animal shelters around the work will work together to better the lives of shelter dogs everywhere by participating. Created in 1999 by Pet Sitters International, TYDTWD is designed to celebrate our canine companions and encourage the adoption of dogs from humane societies, animal shelters and rescue groups. This annual event allows employers to recognize a special day to promote pet adoptions. If you can, join us in celebrating dogs on their special day!

If bringing your dog to work is impossible, ask your employer if you can organize an off-hours event for the dog lovers in your group.

If you plan to participate in Take Your Dog to Work Day, there are a few steps you need to take to get ready.

1. Get Permission Unless you are the boss, get permission. In all cases, talk to co-workers to make sure that no one is allergic or has issues with dogs. Make sure that there is adequate room for your dog and those of others and that that everyone can get along. Assess your space- can you safely and responsibly keep your pet there during the work day? This is especially critical if you share space with others.

2. Is Your Dog a good Candidate? In order to participate in this event, your dog must be well behaved, socialized with both people and dogs, and able to deal with the stress of an unfamiliar environment. Knowledge of basic obedience commands is a must! Health is another important factor to consider…..make sure your dog is up to date on all vaccines, is in good health and well groomed. Don’t bring a puppy or very young dog. If in doubt……err on the side of caution. (You can always bring photos of your dog if you decide they’re better off at home) If you work close to home, you might want to consider bringing your dog in for a half day the first time to see how things go. Remember that one of the main purposes of this event is to encourage animal adoptions, so you want your dog you demonstrate his best qualities.

3. Be Prepared Make sure you have the right supplies for the comfort and safety of all. Make sure to have a leash and collar, water/food bowls, dog treats, and toys. Don’t forget to bring a bag for waste cleanup.

Hopefully you will have the opportunity to introduce your four legged “best friend” to your co-workers this Friday. For more information on this event, visit the PetSitters International website at www.takeyourdog.

With all this rain, it’s hard to think about gardening and outdoor fun, but please take a few minutes to check your yards and gardens for potential pet hazards.

Did you know that the leaves and stems of some common garden veggies are toxic? – Tomatoes, Onions, Rhubarb and Potatoes all have leaves and stems that are poisonous if ingested. Lillies, Rhododendrons, English Ivy, Foxglove, Tulip Bulbs and Japanese Yews are just a few of the literally hundreds of plants that can harm our pets. The ASPCA website lists over 380 plants that are toxic to dogs & cats! (For more info visit the ASPCA website at http://www.napcc.aspca.org/).

Chocolate appeals to dogs (and is poisonous) so its best to avoid those fragrant cocoa mulches commonly found at garden centers and supermarkets.

Finally, be sure to check your yard for chemicals such as fertilizer, pest control products , swimming pool treatment supplies and antifreeze a-make sure your pet is safe when they finally get to spend more time outdoors.

Clinical signs of poisoning in animals may vary greatly from extreme excitement to severe depression. If you suspect that your pet has been accidentally poisoned, phone your veterinarian and ask for emergency treatment advice. Try to determine what the poison is and how much the pet ingested.

You can also call the ASPCA 24 hour poison control hotline at (888) 426-4435 to speak with a veterinary professional specially trained in dealing with pet poisoning. ( There is a fee for this service)