Pet Lovers

[KingstonsMom]

I know most pet lovers know these, but a reminder was put out by our rescue group:

Winter Pet Safety Tips

• Repeatedly coming out of the cold into the dry heat of your home can cause itchy, flaking skin. Keep your home humidified and towel dry your pet as soon as he comes inside.
• Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter, as a longer coat will provide more warmth. If your dog is short-haired, consider getting him a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck with coverage from the base of the tail to the belly.
• Bathe your pets as little as possible during cold spells. Washing too often can remove essential oils and increase the chance of developing dry, flaky skin.
• Massaging petroleum jelly or other paw protectants into paw pads before going outside can help protect from salt and chemical agents. Booties provide even more coverage.
• Pets burn extra energy by trying to stay warm in wintertime. Feeding your pet a little bit more during the cold weather months can provide much-needed calories.
• Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep, off the floor and away from all drafts. A cozy dog or cat bed with a warm blanket or pillow is perfect.
• Remember, if it’s too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your pet, so keep your animals inside. If left outdoors, pets can freeze, become disoriented, lost, stolen, injured or killed. In addition, don’t leave pets alone in a car during cold weather, as cars can act as refrigerators that hold in the cold and cause animals to freeze to death.

[fthunt]

Two dogs - 30 years total...............I've been aware

[MoonieBaby]

@KingstonsMom 

I've been thinking of Kingston - actually can't NOT think of him...I'm worried sick. Is there any updates you're comfortable sharing?

I feel as though he's a part of my heart, won over by your photos and his story....I'm beside myself with worry.  I pray he is going to get better.

Kiss him for me, tell him his Aunt Ko loves him from afar more than he could understand.

[KingstonsMom]

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@fthunt wrote:

Two dogs - 30 years total...............I've been aware

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@fthunt 

As I stated, most pet owners know this, but a reminder never hurts.....

[KingstonsMom]

@MoonieBaby 

No real updates, but further explanations on his 'prayer' thread:

Yes, his eating is fine. He had not shown any joint issues until all of a sudden with the limping in one rear leg.

Since he's only 6-7 years old the vet thought it was more likely an injury to that leg rather than arthritis, but a week later he started limping in both rear legs and having trouble jumping to the couch, beds.

His regular vet was unable to examine him, no one besides us can 'handle' him, due to his mistreatment and distrust of humans, we have to give him his shots, etc.

That's why we have to wait for a specialist, he will have to be sedated for diagnosis.

Don't get me wrong, Kingston loves people, as long as they don't try to 'do anything' to him.

His  burns required extensive treatment and to debride the burned skin for quite a while, which I'm sure was very painful, even with meds.

He's never shown aggression to other animals, he wants to play, but we don't let him, just in case.

At this point, we're most comfortable having an expert examine him for an accurate diagnosis, than try to self-treat.

[MoonieBaby]

@KingstonsMom 

I'm grateful for the update and the wonderful ways you parent him.

I think he is in the very best home he could ever have found. You put his needs first.

Thank you IG for loving him, understanding him and working within his best abilities - he could've been in a home that wouldn't understand his needs as a result of his past, and that would've been dreadful for him.

I'll keep up the prayers - I'm just very happy he is in the loving care of you and your husband.  Let's hope the specialist gives us a painless fix for this gorgeous boy.

[KingstonsMom]

@MoonieBaby 

Thank you sweet lady.

Actually, he was scheduled for euthanasia, since it would be too expensive for animal control to treat his burns, when we found him there.

We called our rescue group to have them pull him from animal control so that we could have him treated.

In our area, individuals cannot adopt dogs directly from animal control, because they don't have the budget to 'vet' acceptable homes, only a rescue group can adopt them.

This is due to animal abuse and dog fighting in some outlying rural areas, I applaud animal control for that decision.

That's something we do as part of our volunteer work with our rescue.

We scour 'death row' at animal control, looking for potentially adoptable pets (according to temperament and aggression), that our rescue group can save and find good families for.

We were in the right place at the right time and determined to show him that ALL humans are not vile, abusive beasts and that he was worth saving.

It's very rewarding.....

[Mz iMac]

I never knew this.....

"Massaging petroleum jelly or other paw protectants into paw pads before going outside can help protect from salt and chemical agents."

Interesting.   @KingstonsMom 

[FancyPhillyshopper]

THANKS FOR THE UPDATE!!

I always appreciate looking out for out animal companions, and helpful reminders!

(50 years total of pet ownership--5 dogs (1 puppy litter), 15 cats (2 kitten litters), 40 + parakeets, 10 fish, and 1 turtle).  Right now one cat 15 1/2 years old with cancer on chemotherapy!  He is anemic, so warmth is critical.)

[SilleeMee]

Thank you for that info. @KingstonsMom 

A few years ago we had below zero winter temps going for a few days in a row. About that time a new neighbor moved in next door to me and they had a large dog chained to one of those airline crates in their backyard where I saw the poor thing suffering. I immediately called the Humane Society and told them about it. It was 15 below zero that morning when I woke up. I have no idea how long the poor dog had been out there...could have been all night...I cried. The Humane Society was there in fifteen minutes and as they were leaving I shouted out my window: "Thank you angel!" After that I never saw that dog again.