A Girl and Her Dogs

For dog owners, few things are scarier than Canine Parvovirus (parvo). Parvo is a extremely transmittable virus that affects dogs of all ages, but it’s especially common in puppies, and if not medicated immediately, it can lead to their death. Parvo is transmitted through direct or indirect connection with canine feces.

But don’t think that your dog is only at risk if he breathes in or licks or eats another dog’s feces……parvo can be transmitted by the trails of feces on the soles of your shoes which your dog may come in contact with.

The best method to cure a dog which contracted such a virus is by early intervention, and this can only be done by knowing the most common parvo symptoms.

Below are the 5 most common parvo symptoms every dog owners should be cautious about and know to watch out for:

- Is your dog suddenly showing signs of lethargy? Is he lazy all of a sudden, as if all the energy he once possessed has just been zapped off out him?

- Does your dog have diarrhea? Is his feces filled with blood, or noticeable trails of blood?

- Is your dog suffering an unusually high fever? If so, is it coupled with two or more of the other parvo symptoms pointed out in this list?

- Is your dog vomiting more than five times every day? Is the throwing up accompanied by a sudden loss of appetite?

- Does your dog produce an unexpected or strong oder a week or so after demonstrating any of the parvo symptoms pointed out above?

The likelihood of your pet’s continued existence depends on how early you can provide treatment. Therefore, you should know identify these parvo symptoms by heart, so that you can find out - at the earliest possible stage - when your dog needs expert remedial help.

This can truly save his life.

I know, I know! Like we need MORE!

But it wasn’t planned (we tried *very* hard to keep her separated during her heat) and we didn’t want to get her fixed (we want to breed her with a specific breed when we get to Czech)…..sooooo…..puppies it is!!!

Since we didn’t plan it, we’re not really sure when it happened, so we don’t really have a date for the pups yet. Though by looking at her ever-growing tummy and noonies, and the almost-milk substance leaking from them, it won’t be long - maybe 1 - 2 more weeks?

But we are ready this time!!! Instead of using our traditional cardboard box for a whelping pen, we decided to get all fancy-schmancy (nothing’s to good for Bikit!) and get her the real thing!

Check this out:

Glendale Farms Whelping Boxes

This is by far one of the best whelping boxes/dens I’ve ever seen (read more about this company and my experience with them in a separate post!)

Anyway, here are some shots of the whelping den, of Bikit (Sibby) and her tummy, and of Bikit in her whelping den - enjoy!

(oh - sorry about the crappy pic quality - our pro digital camera died on us last weekend at a photo shoot and so all we have is a rinky-dink digital from Wal-Mart to shoot on until our Nikon D200 gets back from the doctor’s, so please bear with us!)

My Labrador retriever had a nervous breakdown. I kept throwing him a boomerang.

Nick Arnette

I have a dog so mean, he ate the neighbor’s weenie dog. Now he’s a bratweiler.

Nick Arnette

MY PUPPY

It’s funny
my puppy
knows just how I feel.

When I’m happy
he’s yappy
and squirms like an eel.

When I’m grumpy
and stays at my heel.

It’s funny
my puppy
knows such a great deal.

-Aileen Fisher

Old Mother Hubbard

Old Mother Hubbard
Went to the cupboard,
To fetch her poor dog a bone,
But when she came there
The cupboard was bare
And so the poor dog had none.

Nursery Rhyme

There Was a Little Dog

There was a little dog and he had a little tail
And he used to wag, wag, wag it!
But when he was sad, because he had been bad,
On the ground he would drag, drag, drag it!

Nursery Rhyme

When I Got My New Dog

I asked for strength that I might rear her perfectly;
I was given weakness that I might feed her more treats.

I asked for good health that I might rest easy;
I was given a “special needs” dog that I might know nurturing.

I asked for an obedient dog that I might feel proud;
I was given stubbornness that I might feel humble.

I asked for compliance that I might feel masterful;
I was given a clown that I might laugh.

I asked for a companion that I might not feel lonely;
I was given a best friend that I would feel loved.

I got nothing I asked for,
But everything that I needed.

Unknown

BYE BABY

No more lonely cold nights or hearing that I’m bad
No more growling belly from the meals I never had.
No more scorching sunshine with a water bowl that’s dry.
No more complaining neighbors about the noise when I cry.

No more hearing “shut up”, “get down” or “get out of here”!
No more feeling disliked, only peace is in the air.
Euthanasia is a blessing, though some still can’t see
why I was ever born If I weren’t meant to be.

My last day of living was the best I ever had.
Someone held me very close, I could see she was very sad.
I kissed the lady’s face, and she hugged me as she cried.
I wagged my tail to thank her, then I closed my eyes and died.

Written by an Animal shelter volunteer in Massena, NY

Tray’s Poem
Written by: Leslie Whalen 2/01

One by One, they pass by my cage,
Too old, too worn, too broken, no way.
Way past his time, he can’t run and play.
Then they shake their heads slowly and go on their way.

A little old man, arthritic and sore,
It seems I am not wanted anymore.
I once had a home, I once had a bed,
A place that was warm, and where I was fed.

Now my muzzle is gray, and my eyes slowly fail.
Who wants a dog so old and so frail?
My family decided I didn’t belong,
I got in their way, my attitude was wrong.

Whatever excuse they made in their head,
Can’t justify how they left me for dead.
Now I sit in this cage, where day after day,
The younger dogs get adopted away.

When I had almost come to the end of my rope,
You saw my face, and I finally had hope.
You saw thru the grey, and the legs bent with age,
And felt I still had life beyond this cage.

You took me home, gave me food and a bed,
And shared your own pillow with my poor tired head.
We snuggle and play, and you talk to me low,
You love me so dearly, you want me to know.

I may have lived most of my life with another,
But you outshine them with a love so much stronger.
And I promise to return all the love I can give,
To you, my dear person, as long as I live.

I may be with you for a week, or for years,
We will share many smiles, you will no doubt shed tears.
And when the time comes that God deems I must leave,
I know you will cry and your heart, it will grieve.

And when I arrive at the Bridge, all brand new,
My thoughts and my heart will still be with you.
And I will brag to all who will hear,
Of the person who made my last days so dear.