Those who love their pets tend to enjoy all animals. Our animal owners are no different. Check in on News-Herald staffers Robin Palmer and Cheryl Sadler as they share their own animal tales and announce upcoming events in Lake and Geauga counties.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Tips for dogs and cold weather
It has been pretty cold in Northeast Ohio, and us humans aren't the only ones dealing with the frigid air. Check out these tips for taking care of dogs in cold weather from Heidi Ganahl, CEO and founder of Camp Bow Wow:
1) Never let your dog off the leash in snow or ice. Although it may seem like a fun option to let your pup frolic in the snow, it can prove to be extremely dangerous. Dogs tend to lose their sense of smell in extremely cold weather and become lost. Believe it or not, winter has the highest rates for lost dogs!
2) Thoroughly wipe down your dog when he comes back into the house after being in the snow. It is common for dogs to ingest salts for melting ice as well as anti-freeze, which can prove to be very toxic.
3) Similar to how you should never leave your dog in the car during the summer, the same goes for the winter; a car can act almost like a freezer in the winter, trapping heat outside and causing your pet to freeze to death.
4) Fresh water is a must at all times, as your dog may be more likely to lick ice and eat snow if he/she is thirsty from lack of water. Similar to the above point, it is common for dogs to ingest snow-melting-salts and antifreeze.
I've heard that having a furry (or scaly or feathery) friend can improve your health, but I wasn't aware of all the reasons why until I read the infographic below:
What's the difference between a human and a dog? Plenty. If you want to know more about the differences in anatomy beyond the number of legs, check out the infographic below. (My favorite fact is the difference in the visual field.)
Haystack is a 4 1/2-month-old female large breed mix that might be part great Dane. She is sweet and needs a nice home because she does not want to grow up at the shelter.
Haystack
George is a 5- to 6-month-old Lab/border collie mix. He was dumped with his sister, who has been adopted. He is good with dogs, cats, kids, etc.
George
For more information on Haystack or George, contact the Geauga County Dog Warden at 440-286-8135, or 12513 Merritt Road, Chardon, OH 44024.
-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl Make your day a little more bearable with a weekly feature on Pets Unleashed: Animal Crackers. Think of it as a mid-week snack that just might crack you up. Send an email or tweet with your suggestions for future Animal Crackers.
Geauga Humane Society's Rescue Village will help you do just that. This month, the agency is featuring certain dogs for a special adoption fee of $25.75. (This does not include puppies, and dogs with a reduced adoption fee will be clearly marked.)
The shelter is at 15463 Chillicothe Road, Russell Township. Shelter hours are noon to 7 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Friday and Sunday. Adoptions stop 45 minutes before closing.
Lake Humane Society’s 17th annual Mutt Strut steps off at 10 a.m. Aug. 27 at Penitentiary Glen in Kirtland.
It is the shelter’s annual pledge walk that benefits the homeless, injured and abandoned animals that make their way to the Mentor-based facility. The event is a 1-mile walk people can do with their dogs.
Dogs must be up to date on shots, leashed and friendly with other dogs.
Admission is $15 for adults and children older than 12, and $10 for children 12 and younger.
Admission will be waived for those who raise pledges. Pledge forms can be found on the humane society’s website, www.lakehumane.org.
Participants will receive a goodie bag and Mutt Strut T-shirt.
The event will include vendors selling products and services in the “Mutt Mall.” There will be games, contests, an agility course, a microchip clinic, face painting for children, food and prizes.
There will be dogs from the shelter, information on the humane society’s services and programs, interactive demonstrations and contests.
The event will be held rain or shine.
For more information, visit the website or call 440-951-6122.
I'm sure you've seen this already, but we here at The News-Herald love it so much that I just had to share it anyway.
-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl Make your day a little more bearable with a weekly feature on Pets Unleashed: Animal Crackers. Think of it as a mid-week snack that just might crack you up. Send an e-mail or tweet with your suggestions for future Animal Crackers.
Some sweet, sorry-looking pets were entered in the World's Ugliest Dog Contest on Friday in Petaluma, Calif.
From The Associated Press:
PETALUMA, Calif. (AP) — Yoda’s short tufts of hair, protruding tongue, and long, seemingly hairless legs were enough to earn it the World’s Ugliest Dog title at a Northern California fair.
The 14-year-old Chinese crested and Chihuahua mix won the honor Friday night at the 23rd annual contest at the Sonoma Marin Fair.
Owner Terry Schumacher of Hanford, Calif., says the 2-pound dog has come a long way since she was found abandoned behind an apartment building. Schumacher says she first thought the pooch was a rat.
Yoda’s distinction comes a year after a one-eyed Chihuahua named Princess Abby claimed victory. A pedigree Chinese crested won in 2008 and another Chinese crested and Chihuahua mix was the ugliest in 2007.
In past years, the winner’s owner has received a $1,000 check.
Some of the contestants:
A judge evaluates Yoga, who won the contest. (Noah Berger/AP)
This dog has learned to play fetch with himself. All he needs is a tennis ball and a hill.
-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl Make your day a little more bearable with a weekly feature on Pets Unleashed: Animal Crackers. Think of it as a mid-week snack that just might crack you up. Send an e-mail or tweet with your suggestions for future Animal Crackers.
Mentor Recreation is offering Canine Education, a fun, educational, basic canine training class to help your dog evolve into an obedient member of the family by mastering commands using positive reinforcement training. The next six-week series of classes begins at 2 p.m. April 30 or 2 p.m. May 1.
Basic Canine Education classes are for dogs ages 6 months and older. Pet parents should bring a choke chain or flat collar and leash, soft training treats, and a copy of the dog's current vaccination record. No prong collars or retractable leashes, please.
Instructor Kristen Hasasneh-Polsner has been a certified dog trainer for more than four years. She volunteers and has participated in training dogs at the Lake Humane Society.
Register online at cityofmentor.com/play, or call the Mentor Recreation Department at 440-974-5720. Cost is $25 for residents and $36 for nonresidents.
These pets are good enough buddies that they can share a snack.
-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl Make your day a little more bearable with a weekly feature on Pets Unleashed: Animal Crackers. Think of it as a mid-week snack that just might crack you up. Send an e-mail or tweet with your suggestions for future Animal Crackers.
Rosie and Bella were both surrendered by their owners because they could no longer care for them. They are about 6 months old and available for adoption at the Lake Humane Society, 7564-E Tyler Blvd., Mentor.
Rosie is a pit bull mix.
Rosie
Bella is a Lab mix.
Bella
Each enjoy walks and playing outside, so they wouldn’t mind a fenced-in backyard. They have been at the shelter since January. For more information on these dogs, visit the humane society’s website at www.lakehumane.org or stop in the shelter to visit them. For more information, call 440-951-6122.
Something tells me that one of these dogs is guilty of getting into the cat's treats:
-- Cheryl Sadler | CSadler@News-Herald.com | @nhcheryl Make your day a little more bearable with a weekly feature on Pets Unleashed: Animal Crackers. Think of it as a mid-week snack that just might crack you up. Send an e-mail or tweet with your suggestions for future Animal Crackers.
The News-Herald features animals from area shelters and rescue groups that are in need of homes. If today's animal looks familiar, it's because he's been looking for a home for a while.
This is Dawson, a young hound mix available for adoption at the Geauga County Dog Warden shelter. If Dawson could talk, he would ask why a fully trained, well-mannered dog like him is still looking for a home after all these months.
He is up-to-date on shots and he even gets along with other dogs and cats.
Stop by the shelter at 12513 Merritt Road in Claridon Township, just outside of Chardon, or call 440-286-8135.
The News-Herald features animals from area shelters and rescue groups that are in need of homes. This is Belle Star, a Foxhound (possibly purebred) that was rescued from an overcrowded pound. She is available for adoption through Animal Rescue Center. Belle Star is about 2 years old, very calm and friendly. She is doing well in her foster home. She gets along with other dogs, cats and children. She has been vet-checked, spayed, updated on shots, is heartworm negative, and was dewormed and flea treated. Her adoption fee is $140. If you are interested in Belle Star, email the Animal Rescue Center at animalrescuecenter@yahoo.com, call 440-942-1753, or stop in to see her at The Animal Rescue Center, 36370 Vine St., Eastlake, from 3:30 to 8 p.m. on Fridays or noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays.
Make your day a little more bearable with a weekly feature on Pets Unleashed: Animal Crackers. Think of it as a mid-week snack that just might crack you up. Send an e-mail or tweet with your suggestions for future Animal Crackers.
The News-Herald features animals from area shelters and rescue groups that are in need of homes. This week, three dogs at the Lake Humane Society are featured.
Cullen is a 11⁄2-year-old pit bull mix. He came to the shelter as a stray in early January. According to shelter officials, he is very loving, friendly and playful.
Duke is a 11⁄2-year-old hound mix. He was surrendered by his owners in December. He is very playful, silly and friendly. Duke has a great personality that everyone falls in love with. He recently hurt his foot, so he needed a little extra TLC, but now he is happy and healthy.
Zhaka is almost 2 years old. She is a beautiful hound mix. Zhaka was returned by her owner in January and since then has been waiting for her forever home. She is very sweet and makes a great companion.
For more information on these dogs or any of the animals available for adoption, visit Lake Humane Society’s website at www.lakehumane.org or visit the shelter located at 7564 Tyler Blvd., Mentor.
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