Florida Keeshond Rescue Newsletter

As your dog ages, the likelihood of developing various changes in body function increases. Some of these will be normal changes due to the aging process, others may be indicative of disease. Consultation with your dog’s veterinarian is highly recommended if you suspect your older dog has any problems. Possible signs of disease:

· Monitor food consumption: how much is being eaten, what type of food is being eaten (e.g.; does your dog leave the hard kibble and only eat the canned), any difficulty eating or swallowing, any vomiting?

· Monitor urination and defecation: color, amount, consistency and frequency of stool; color and amount of urine; any signs of pain while urinating or defecating, any urinating or defecating in the house?

· Measure weight every 2 months: for small dogs use an infant or mail scale, or use the scale in your veterinarian's office; for medium-size dogs, weigh yourself holding the dog, then weigh yourself and subtract to find the difference; for larger dogs, you may need to use your veterinarian's scale.

· Groom, check and clip nails or have them clipped by a professional, look for any lumps, bumps, or non-healing sores; abnormal odors, change in size of abdomen, increased hair loss.

· Monitor behavior: sleep patterns, obeying commands, tendency to be around people; house soiling, easily startled, anxious when left alone.

· Monitor activity and mobility: difficulty with stairs, inability to exercise without tiring quickly, bumping into things, sudden collapses, twitches or seizures, loss of balance, lameness or change in gait.

· Provide home dental care: brush your dog’s teeth and regularly examine the inside of the mouth; watch for any excessive drooling, bad breath, yellow, light pink, or purplish gums.

· Monitor environmental temperature and the temperature at which your dog seems most comfortable.

Some of the more common signs indicative of diseases are shown in the table below. Remember, just because your dog has a sign of a disease does not necessarily mean that your dog has the disease. What it does mean, is that your dog should be examined by your veterinarian so a proper diagnosis can be made.

Responding to a Dog Bite

As dog caregivers it is important that we understand that while there is no way to guarantee that a dog will never bite someone, there are precautions we can take that may significantly reduce the risk. Here are some tips:

Spay or neuter your dog. This important and routine procedure will reduce your dog's desire to roam and fight with other dogs, making safe confinement an easier task. Spayed or neutered dogs are much less likely to bite.
Socialize your dog. Introduce your dog to many different types of people and situations so that he or she is not nervous or frightened under normal social circumstances.
Train your dog. Accompanying your dog to a training class is an excellent way to socialize him and to learn proper training techniques. Training your dog is a family matter. Every member of your household should learn the training techniques and participate in your dog's education. Never send your dog away to be trained; only you can teach your dog how to behave in your home. Note that training classes are a great investment even for experienced dog caregivers.
Teach your dog appropriate behavior. Don't teach your dog to chase after or attack others, even in fun. Your dog can't always understand the difference between play and real-life situations. Set appropriate limits for your dog's behavior. Don't wait for an accident. The first time he exhibits dangerous behavior toward any person, seek professional help from your veterinarian, an animal behaviorist, or a qualified dog trainer. Your community animal care and control agency or humane society may also offer helpful services. Dangerous behavior toward other animals may eventually lead to dangerous behavior toward people, and is also a reason to seek professional help.
Be a responsible dog owner. License your dog as required by law, and provide regular veterinary care, including rabies vaccinations. For everyone's safety, don't allow your dog to roam alone. Make your dog a member of your family: Dogs who spend a great deal of time alone in the backyard or tied on a chain often become dangerous. Dogs who are well-socialized and supervised are much less likely to bite.
Err on the safe side. If you don't know how your dog will react to a new situation, be cautious. If your dog may panic in crowds, leave him at home. If your dog overreacts to visitors or delivery or service personnel, keep him in another room. Work with professionals to help your dog become accustomed to these and other situations. Until you are confident of his behavior, however, avoid stressful settings.

Q: What should I do if my dog bites someone?

A: If your dog bites someone, act responsibly by taking these steps:

Confine your dog immediately and check on the victim's condition. If necessary, seek medical help.
Provide the victim with important information, such as the date of your dog's last rabies vaccination.
Cooperate with the animal control official responsible for acquiring information about your dog. If your dog must be quarantined for any length of time, ask whether he may be confined within your home or at your veterinarian's hospital. Strictly follow quarantine requirements for your dog.
Seek professional help to prevent your dog from biting again. Consult with your veterinarian, who may refer you to an animal behaviorist or a dog trainer. Your community animal care and control agency or humane society may also offer helpful services.
If your dog's dangerous behavior cannot be controlled, do not give him to someone else without carefully evaluating that person's ability to protect him and prevent him from biting. Because you know your dog is dangerous, you may be held liable for any damage he does even when he is given to someone else.
Don't give your dog to someone who wants a dangerous dog. "Mean" dogs are often forced to live miserable, isolated lives, and become even more likely to attack someone in the future. If you must give up your dog due to dangerous behavior, consult with your veterinarian and with your local animal care and control agency or humane society about your options.

Those of you who currently participate in iGive.com have done much to help Kees in our foster care program - thank you! Many of you already know this but for those who may not we felt it important to share with everyone that Florida Keeshond Rescue (FKR) depends on donations to provide vet care for dogs in our foster care program. To help provide funds for the increasing numbers of dogs needing our help we hope you will also remember you can help support Florida Keeshond Rescue (FKR) each time you shop. Just register with iGive.com and designate Florida Keeshond Rescue as your charity of choice. A percentage of each of your purchases made with participating stores will help raise additional funds for needy dogs in our foster care program. If you haven't already done so, please visit iGive.com, register and designate Florida Keeshond Rescue as your charity of choice - it's easy and takes very little of your time. You may also request that your place of employment register and designate FKR as their charity of choice to earn even more for the Kees each time office supplies are purchased from a participating store. Each and every time you shop, remember to go through iGive.com so that your purchase earns funds for Florida Keeshond Rescue. Almost all stores participate so each and every time you shop, remember to go through iGive.com. For those of you who have already registered - THANK YOU - we really appreciate all the help we can get. With over 650 stores now at iGive.com and new stores being added all the time, there really is something for everyone! On behalf of the Kees we serve -please accept our heartfelt gratitude for your continued support! Enjoy your shopping!

Florida Keeshond Rescue extends heartfelt sympathy to Dale, the Moore family of GA, J. Poteet, S. McCrory, the Harrington Family, the Alsobrook family, Dahlberg-Brown family and all who have lost a beloved fur child.

We hope you enjoy reading this issue of Fuzz Buzz and that the information is helpful to you and your Kees. We would like this to be your Newsletter and value your input and suggestions. So, get your thinking caps on now and tell us please: Have you attended a class on a topic related to animal welfare or animal health care and learned something valuable you can share with fellow Kees lovers? Do you have information on specific topics you would like to have published? Do you just want to share a story, poem or thoughts about your rescued Kees that you feel others would enjoy? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, please send your thoughts. Any format, printed, faxed, or e-mailed will do, but it would be easiest for Newsletter production if the article is sent either as an attached text or word processing file or as the body of an e-mail. Thank you for your consideration and contributions - we look forward to hearing from you.

Recently, we mailed packets containing Pet Emergency ID cards and a DVD training video to all the folks on our mailing list. If you would like to be included for future mailings, please send your information to us at: Hollikees@aol.com. Thank you for your interest in Florida Keeshond Rescue and the dogs we serve. We will let you know when we add you to our list.

2006 proved to be another very active year for us with about 40 dogs needing our assistance - we have already exceeded that number in 2007. Each dog is so special and deserving of respect and the love of a forever family. What a wonderful blessing our adopters are for these dogs and we thank each one of you for opening your hearts and home for a rescued Keeshond. We are in desperate need of loving foster caregivers and foster homes and hope you will consider becoming a foster caregiver - the dogs need you and so do we! We pay all approved expenses associated with the care of Keeshonden in our foster care program. Volunteer Application click here: Foster Application . If you would like more information, please contact us at: Hollikees@aol.com. On behalf of the dogs we serve, thank you.

In this Newsletter... Return to our Home Page

Responding to a Dog Bite

Please Remember the Shadow Fund

iGive.com - help Florida Keeshond Rescue help needy Keeshonden

In Loving Remembrance

You ought to be in Pictures - Featured Kees: "Sister Mary Sasha"

Mailing List

Congratulations

Foster Caregivers Needed

Assistance Requested