Callie loves the snow! Even though it has been a long cold winter, our furry loves act like new snow is the best thing EVER. Below is a video of one of our Dog House Kennel guests, Callie.
February is National Pet Dental Health Month, but good dental health for your pets should be a daily ritual for owners all
year long.
The Facts About Gum Disease and Tooth Decay for Dogs
According to the AVMA , "more than 85% of dogs and cats that are at least 4 years old have a condition in which
bacteria attack the soft gum tissue”. This condition is called periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is the final stage in a
process that begins with plaque, or a bacterial film on the surface of the teeth. In early stages, plaque can be easily
dislodged when you brush your dog’s teeth or when he chews on hard toys or food. If the plaque is not removed the
bacteria will attach to the teeth and become calcified through the calcium in your dog’s saliva. The hard surface becomes
tartar and more plaque will accumulate. Once this stage of plaque has occurred, it will take a professional cleaning to get
the tartar off the teeth and heal the gums. If the plaque is not removed, infection by the root of the tooth can occur.
Progression could include the deterioration of the tissue surrounding the tooth, the erosion of the tooth socket, and a
loose tooth.
Warning Signs
The warning signs of gum disease include:
bad breath, red and swollen gums
yellow-brown crusts of tartar
along the gum lines
bleeding or pain when the gums or mouth are touched
Pets with developing gingivitis and
periodontal diseases often:
paw at their face or mouth frequently
have excessive drool
may exhibit an unwillingness
to eat harder foods.
See your Veterinarian
Because dental problems can affect other areas of your dog’s body, including the lungs, kidneys, and
heart, it is essential that you care for your pet’s teeth right from the start of his life.
Your veterinarian may recommend a professional teeth-cleaning for your dog or cat once a year or as needed. Performing
a thorough oral exam requires the use of general anesthesia, so your vet will first give Fido or Fluffy a pre-anesthetic exam.
Once the anesthesia is administered your pet’s vitals, including respiration,
temperature and heart rate, will be monitored while the veterinarian takes
dental radiographs and uses instruments to scale and polish your pet’s teeth,
removing tartar and plaque build up that could otherwise lead to dental
issues. In cases of serious oral disease, your veterinarian may recommend a
tooth extraction.
The Positives of Good Canine Dental Health
Keeping on top of your pet’s dental health has lasting
positive effects — some studies suggest that maintaining oral health can add
up to five years to your pet’s life.
February is National Pet Dental Health Month, so now is the perfect time to
call your veterinarian and schedule a dental check up for your furry family
member. While nothing can take the place of regular visits to the
veterinarian for checkups and cleaning, ongoing follow-up oral care at home
can include brushing your dog’s teeth. Be sure to check with your veterinarian for more information on what you can do to
control the buildup of plague on your dog’s teeth.
You step outside into freshly fallen snow and your dog starts going bananas. Running in circles and having the time of her life. Most dogs love snow and do very well in cold weather. There are some things to keep in mind if you want to enjoy the winter wonderland with your furry love.
Here are 7 tips for keeping your dog happy and healthy this winter.
1. In extreme cold, short haired dogs and elderly dogs should wear a coat or sweater.
Most double coated dogs do not need any additional protection from the cold. If your dog appears to be cold or the temperatures are very low, limit outside time.
Here are a few DIY dog coat ideas we found on Pinterest
The snowballs attach themselves between the toes and can cause cracking, bleeding and hair pulling. This is very uncomfortable for your pet and he will start licking the paws, which makes more snow and ice form. If you notice that your dog has developed the snowballs it's best to end your outdoor activity and head inside to remedy the problem. Our Bark Park crew recommends using warm water to melt the snow.
5. Avoid contact with anti-freeze, which may be found on driveways, garage floors, etc.
Anti-freeze is highly poisonous. 1-2 teaspoons can be lethal to a small animal. If the paws come in contact with anti-freeze, licking of paws with anti-freeze on them can cause kidney damage.
6. Rock salt can irritate footpads
Buy pet safe rock salt if it is used near dog areas. Some owners place boots on the dogs to avoid contact with rock salt used when walking outside. Be sure to rinse off the dog’s paws when coming inside to avoid problems with rock salt.
7. If your dog must stay outdoors
Provide a good dog house, not too large, (stand, turn, lie down) preferably straw for bedding,
Elevate the house off the ground.
Secure a flap across the opening
Provide water. Electric water dishes are best so the contents do not freeze.
Please check your outside dog when the temperatures become extremely low. A night or two in the basement or garage can't be that bad if it means saving your dog's life.
Conneaut Lake Bark Park will again offer educational seminars for dog owners. Seminars are open to the public and are held at the Dog House at the Bark Park. Seminars give the pet owner an opportunity to better understand the commitment and responsibility of owning a dog. Information about the seminars in January, February and March is listed below. Because of limited space, pre-registration is required. Seminars are held on the Bark Park property at the new Dog House. To register call the Dog House at 814-382-2267, or Sue at 814-382-2478 or email petcem23@windstream.net. All Bark Park seminars are open to the public
Popular Doggie Massage Seminar Returns January 17th
The first Bark Park seminar for 2015 will be held on Saturday, January 17th , and is entitled Doggie Massage. This seminar is appropriate for pets of all ages. Pet massage promotes socialization, trust and bonding between the owner and the dog. Pup-pies learn owners can touch all parts of the body in a gentle way. Older pets often benefit from the relaxation and muscle warming. Athletic pets can enjoy a sports massage before and after exercise. The sessions will be given by Carol Redlawski from Erie. There will be two identical sessions, each 1 ½ hour long, one beginning at 9:00 am and the other at 10:30 am. Each session is limited to 10 participants with their dog. The cost for the seminar is $9.00 and includes coffee and donuts with lots of fun and laughter. Dogs are definitely invited to attend this seminar.
Dogs 101, Bark Park Seminar February 28th
The seminar offers a great opportunity for the dog owner to find out answers to those puzzling problems on dog ownership. Topics will include curbing bad doggie behavior, crate issues, behavior warning signs, proper play, leash aggression, socializing your dog, and most any other questions presented by those in attendance. This is a two hour seminar, 9:00 am – 11:00 am. and will be held at the Dog House at the Bark Park on Foust Road. The cost is $9.00 and includes plenty of coffee and donuts.
First Aid for Dogs, a Practical Approach, March 21st
First Aid for Dogs, a basic first aid class for dog owners, will be held at the Bark Park on Saturday, March 21st, from 9:00 am – 12:00. Coffee and donuts will be provided. This class will give the dog owner some basic information on dealing with various medical emergencies including CPR, bleeding, poisoning, respiration, pulse, temperature, etc. Class participants will receive the Dog First Aid Book which includes a reference guide and CD. Cost of the class which includes the book is $28.00 and will be taught by an American Red Cross instructor but will not include certification for participants.
It seems impossible that a whole year has passed. Looking through all the photos from our page on Facebook reminded us of how much fun we've had. What a wonderful thing to meet so many great dogs and their humans. It is our honor to have a small part in your lives.
We want you and your dog to enjoy the holiday season. The availability of food, especially for the counter surfing expert (aka your canine), can make your dog very sick and possibly kill him.
Keep a supply of vomit inducing medicine on hand if your dog eats items from our list or anything else that could harm them. I had a black Lab mix who ate an entire bottle of ibuprofen once, it happens.
Dogs and your guests
Educate your guests and think clearly when hosting company to avoid mishaps. These tips may help.
●Secure your pet in another room if you have concerns over how they will respond to people in the house. Some dogs may feel threatened and others so excited that they can't contain themselves (literally). Nothing says "Happy Holidays" like cleaning up a pee puddle in front of company.
●Set up guidelines of kids around the pets. Let's not let any bites happen. Children need to be taught how to interact with dogs.
●Instruct guest on not leaving doors open , leaving gates open outside. Don't let the family bonding activity be scouring the neighborhood for a runaway. It would be awful to remember the day because your dog got hit by a car.
●Do not give table scraps to the pets. See the list of bad foods. Also, in addition to pee puddles, you'll be cleaning up Doggy puke ... or you know something nasty from his other end.
●Don't pick up the food that might drop near the dog. Your dog may already feel uncomfortable with all the company. Your normally happy guy may snap or bite. Try to distract him away with a safe treat or toy, then have someone pick up the food.
One day while i was just browsing my face book page
the story of Loco appeared on the Lumberjack Rescue site in Louisiana. Loco was
found by Mark who works for an oil/gas company in Shreveport, LA. . Mark
was checking well sights when he came upon Loco on the railroad tracks, curled
up, starved and alone. The local
veterinarian believed Loco would not have
lasted another day if Mark had not had the compassion to scoop up the pup into
his jacket and take him home. Mark
took photos that day of the pup knowing people would not believe what he found
on those tracks that day, July 16th.
Mark contacted Cora, his
co-worker, who is now fostering Loco, and Cora contacted Justin , who is the
head of the Lumberjack Rescue. Justin
agreed to bring the pup into the rescue.
Loco was immediately taken to the local vet where Loco was diagnosed
with Parvo and spent approx a week
receiving iv antibiotics and iv fluids. After some extended medical care, Loco
was finally released to Cora and was given his name, Loco, because he was
found on the RR tracks for the
locomotive. The story of Loco caught my eye
and my heart and soul, but Louisiana? I
talked to my sister who told me to go with my heart. I posted daily to the rescue sight, (as many
others, Loco had a huge following) and shared
my adventures of my two other dogs Hermie and Nellie and their
adventures at the Bark Park.
I found out Loco had a scheduled adopter but that the
adoption had not occurred. I scrambled
and started making contacts with the rescue and knew i had to put an
application in immediately. I sent a quick bio to the rescue stating what an
awesome home Loco would have here My
heart sank when i was told that another application had arrived prior to mine
and with a rescue sight it is first come
first serve, but that if for some reason it did not work out they would notify
me. I continued to post on the rescue
site sharing pictures and stories of my pups and their adventures at the Bark
Park and posted to the rescue that
i had to admit i was sad for myself, but
happy for Loco and the new adopter, and that as long as Loco was going to a
wonderful forever home, that is what rescuing is all about, and i had to put my
sadness aside.
But miracles can happen. A week later I received a private
message from Cora stating Justin wanted to talk to me. I quickly called Justin and was told that the
second adoption was not going to happen, the lady was heart- broken but asked
if Loco would be able to come to me since she had seen all my post of Nellie
and Hermie at the Bark Park. I believe
Justin could have heard me without a phone all the way to Louisiana when I heard Loco was mine.
It has been a month now and the rescue has been
over flowing down south with new dogs
coming in daily which has taken up a lot of their time. They have been working
with Pilots for Paws trying to get Loco
home to me, but cannot fill all the legs
of the trip. Other avenues have been
looked at and unfortunately there is always a missing link. I reached out to the place that I call a
piece of heaven, stating I needed angels to help me get my baby home. Thanks to
the support and love at Conneaut Lake Bark Park Loco will make it home to
Meadville. The Bark Park has decided to
initiate a new program The Lucky Loco
Foundation that will not only help my
baby boy, but other rescues in the future.
God bless the rescuers for all
they do, the volunteers and for Conneaut Lake Bark Park …….for bringing my baby
home.
Kelly Potter with her two canine loves Hermie and Nellie. We look forward to future photos of the whole family once Loco arrives!
According to the AVMA , "more than 85% of dogs and cats that are at least 4 years old have a condition in which
bacteria attack the soft gum tissue”. This condition is called periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is the final stage in a
process that begins with plaque, or a bacterial film on the surface of the teeth. In early stages, plaque can be easily
dislodged when you brush your dog’s teeth or when he chews on hard toys or food. If the plaque is not removed the
bacteria will attach to the teeth and become calcified through the calcium in your dog’s saliva. The hard surface becomes
tartar and more plaque will accumulate. Once this stage of plaque has occurred, it will take a professional cleaning to get
the tartar off the teeth and heal the gums. If the plaque is not removed, infection by the root of the tooth can occur.
Progression could include the deterioration of the tissue surrounding the tooth, the erosion of the tooth socket, and a
loose tooth.
The first Bark Park seminar for 2015 will be held on Saturday, January 17th , and is entitled Doggie Massage. This seminar is appropriate for pets of all ages. Pet massage promotes socialization, trust and bonding between the owner and the dog. Pup-pies learn owners can touch all parts of the body in a gentle way. Older pets often benefit from the relaxation and muscle warming. Athletic pets can enjoy a sports massage before and after exercise. The sessions will be given by Carol Redlawski from Erie. There will be two identical sessions, each 1 ½ hour long, one beginning at 9:00 am and the other at 10:30 am. Each session is limited to 10 participants with their dog. The cost for the seminar is $9.00 and includes coffee and donuts with lots of fun and laughter. Dogs are definitely invited to attend this seminar.
First Aid for Dogs, a basic first aid class for dog owners, will be held at the Bark Park on Saturday, March 21st, from 9:00 am – 12:00. Coffee and donuts will be provided. This class will give the dog owner some basic information on dealing with various medical emergencies including CPR, bleeding, poisoning, respiration, pulse, temperature, etc. Class participants will receive the Dog First Aid Book which includes a reference guide and CD. Cost of the class which includes the book is $28.00 and will be taught by an American Red Cross instructor but will not include certification for participants. 
