Thanksgiving Tips for Pet Owners

Every year the ASPCA puts out some very wise guidance for the holidays. Check it out so your Thanksgiving doesn't include a trip to the ER.

I'd also like to remind people to be cautious and mindful of your pets during the holidays. Its a busy time of the year, and you may have guests coming into and going out of your home that may not be mindful of your pet.

• Make sure your guests know the pet rules
• Make sure your guests are careful that no pets escape when they are going into or leaving your home
• Sometimes, if your pet is the nervous type, putting them in a quiet room or crated while your guests are around will help them feel more comfortable
• Make sure you are aware of all of the holiday decorations and other items that may be harmful or poisonous to your pet are out of their reach (the ASPCA has a great list here)
• Have your Emergency Vet number in a place where you can reach it quickly if you have to use it.
• The ASPCA poison control number should also be handy (remember, there may be a charge for using their service, but having used it in the past... its worth it, even if you just need it for peace of mind). The Poison control Web site also has a great list of bad items that may cause your pet distress.

Most of all, have a safe, and Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Gimpy Dogs!

New Book About Amputation

The Tripawds gang has been very helpful to the Gimpy Dogs gang and their friends, helping people understand that amputation is NOT a death sentence, actually for most dogs its a new leash on a pain free life.

Tripawds has just introduced their new book: "Three Legs & A Spare – a Canine Amputation Handbook" The new e-book is for anyone facing amputation for their canine companion. The interactive PDF is a comprehensive collection of the best tips and advice for a successful recovery and life on three legs.

I highly encourage anyone who is facing, has faced, or is just interested in reading about how a procedure that seems so radically intrusive can give your dog life!

Thanks Rene and Jim for your tireless efforts to educate the pet community on amputation, and for your good work!

The gimpy dogs gang!

Oakie Needs Some Help

This is cross posted with permission from Furry Friends.  Please contact them if you have any questions:

Some of you may remember that Rose Morrison stepped up to help Oakie the peke/pom mix at our local shelter.  For the past few weeks Oakie has had some blood in her urine which was being treated conservatively with antibiotics as it was though she had a UTI.

Friday Oakie had surgery  for pyometra as well as having a kidney stone removed ( the size of which I might add would bring a grown man to his knees). I am happy to report Oakie is doing well but we are in need of some help for  Oakies vet bill for Friday which was 258.00 ( this on top of Alvins 150.00 vet bill for the same day) I will post photos as soon as Rose is able to get them to me. Thanks~

We have established a chipin for Oakie for those who wish to make a tax deductible donation for her care:

http://savingfurryfriends.chipin.com/oakies-surgery

For those who wish to donate directly to the veterinarian his info is as follows:
Fisher Hollow Veterinary Clinic
Dr Mathew Garrett
(276) 475-5397
 21928 Jeb Stuart Hwy, Damascus, VA 24236

Oakie was waivered today by her owner ( as you can see by the photo she is not is a kennel yet, he brought her in just as I was leaving) who  sighted her nipping at his children for the reason he was giving her up.  This little gal is approx 10 lbs, I cant help but wonder what the children were doing to her to make her nip, after all they have had her for ten yrs so why an issue all of a sudden??I have no further information on Rina at the moment but will find out more in the am.


If you would like more info on Oakie or are interested in adopting her please email savingfurryfriends@yahoo.com