  Animal Care - Dog Care Fundamentals |
Dogs on Kind Planet? Well, sort of. Though Sequoia and Marty have done their part to educate people about dogs and other animals, Kind Planet does not engage in canine rescue. However, dogs are a big part of our life and family. Recently Smokey and Buddy came to live at The Sanctuary. These two pure bred Great Pyrenees were in need of a forever home. The Sanctuary had space at our facility and in our hearts for the boys.Pictured outside the new rabbit yard, they live to bark at intruders. However, we had to make sure we could provide them with the care they deserve. So we turned to the director of Kind Planets’ Animal Care Education Program, Susie Stice. In addition to being an educator and running a rabbit rescue facility in Kansas, Susie also does Doberman rescue. Here’s her response. Dear Kind People, People with canine companions don't usually need to much info on care of their friends, but Chloe, Shadow, and friends thought there were a few pointers worth going over. Mind you, these are just the tip of the iceberg. Yearly vet visits are a must. Your Dogs should be given a physical exam yearly, along with yearly required shots. Most vets do not require yearly heartworm tests as long as your dog has been on year round preventative, however, vets in areas where heartworm has shown up in significant numbers will ask that you allow a yearly test. Don't argue. A yearly test saved Shadow's life. He developed heartworm even though he was on yearly heartworm preventative. This is a good time to discuss any concerns you have about your dog's health. Don't wait for the vet to ask questions or hope that s/he will guess when something is not right. You are the one who spends time with your canine day to day. You are the most knowledgeable about changes in behavior. Put as much thought into what your canine eats as you put into what you eat. Not all dog foods are "great" no matter what the advertisements say. Check with your dog's vet to see what types of food are best for him or her to maintain good health and a good weight. A fat dog is not a healthy dog any more than an extremely thin dog is a healthy dog. Snacks are wonderful, (as far as the canine is concerned), but are best given sparingly. Some dogs like raw vegetables. In fact, vets tell us that raw vegetables are actually good for your dog. Exercise is a regular part of your dog's routine. Not all dogs are prone to be active, so it’s up to you to get up, get that leash with your friend, and take that walk. This isn't all bad. This can be a great time to bond. And it’s good for you too! A dog is a dog is a dog unless he or she is your dog. A dog will always be only what you make him or her. A smart dog is a smarter dog because you helped develop that intelligence. A loving dog is a dog that feels that love being returned by his or her human. Your companion depends on you for affection and caring. That doesn't mean that you shouldn't discipline your dog when he or she needs it. It means that you should always remember to greet your dog when you come home. It means making sure your dog has everything that he or she needs to be healthy; healthy food, good exercise, a sense of security. It means not allowing your dog to run at large and be in danger of being picked up or, even worse, run over by a vehicle. When you are there for your canine companion your canine companion will be there for you. Whether you depend on your canine for companionship, protection, or both, the closer you are, the better off both of you’ll both be. As a final caring and sharing, we would like to remind everyone that rescued canines are best. Your local shelter, humane society or rescue group will appreciate the chance to save a life. Before you get a canine companion, give one of them a call. You won't be sorry. For Kind Planet Dogs Everywhere, Chloe, Shadow, Benjamin, and Phoebe, (the Doberman Gang), and Susie |
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