I recently had the pleasure of watching My Bionic Pet, a heartwarming documentary from PBS that is sure to bring a smile to anyone in need.  This documentary sheds light on the issue of animals with missing limbs.

Right away, we meet a handful of sweet pets, ranging from dogs to horses and alligators to pigs. These characters including Driftwood and Crisp P. Bacon (I’m sure you can deduce what kind of animal he is). Day to day life is hard for them; they all need a lot of help from their human counterparts.

Through various innovations, such as molding a beak with clay and forming a wheelchair out of LEGOs, we see these animals change before our eyes. These animals don’t let their lack of limbs stop them from doing anything. They begin to run, play, and hunt like any other animal would. We see them inspiring others.

Journey, a golden retriever missing his front left leg, works as a therapy dog. Every animal assisting therapy visit is amazing, but Journey can form a special bond with the patients with similar circumstances. They see that he is handicapped, but has adapted, and is no way letting his disability slow him down. He teaches people a lesson that we can all learn: we can’t get rid our burdens, but we can accept them and live truly amazing lives.

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Many people complain about seasonal allergies. Pollen is flying through the air, people are relying on allergy meds to get them through the day. The same scene plays over and over again, each spring, for those unfortunate enough to suffer from seasonal allergies I’m sure it does not surprise you that some dogs suffer from the same fate. However, we often don’t notice that our dogs have seasonal allergies.

Symptoms

No one’s puppy has hay fever, because these allergies develop later in life, typically between one and three years. All dogs can have allergies, but some breeds are predisposed to have allergies. It is common for terriers, retrievers, pugs, bulldogs, and setters to have allergies. I spoke with Jessica Kunz, whose seven year old terrier/setter/dalmatian mix, Chino, suffers from a myriad of allergies. She has tried many tactics, including  “He’s allergic to everything.” Kunz jokes, “What kind of dog is allergic to cockroaches?” Dogs may be allergic to trees, grass, wheat, dander, dust, or household cleaning products.

Dog allergies also manifest in different ways than their human counterparts. While humans are sneezing and their noses are running, dogs are covered in hotspots and ear infections. Your dog may even start sneezing excessively which, while adorable, can cause irritation to their eyes and nose. Seasonal allergies affect your pet’s quality of life.  Though your dog’s allergies may make them miserable, there are plenty of solutions worth a shot.

“He is constantly itchy. If he is not on meds, he’s an incessant paw licker and gets many paw and ear infections as a result of his allergies,” says Jessica Kunz, who is studying to be a biology teacher, about Chino (in picture).

Possible Treatments

If you see these symptoms, be sure to consult your vet. Some dogs benefit from small dosages of Benadryl. “I tried to give him regular Benadryl, but it did nothing to help,” says Kunz. This remedy is effective in only 40% of dogs. Other options include giving your dog frequent baths or anti-allergy supplements. Helpful supplements include Omega-3 fatty acids, coconut oils, Quercetin, and Cytopoint. These remedies should not be used until you consult your vet. Most supplements are not meant to be taken long term, because they can have bad effects on your pup’s kidney, so it’s good to have your vet in the loop.

There are many possible treatments, but most cannot be taken long-term or are quite expensive. For students like Kunz, getting her dog the relief from constant itching and infections is going to cost an arm and a leg. Jessica hopes to get Chino hyposensetization, once she raises the funds via other’s generosity. That would involve putting medicine under his tongue everyday that includes a little bit of what hes allergic to so that he can becomes tolerant. Seasonal allergies get worse with every passing year, so it is important to notice their symptoms and talk to a specialist to see what treatment is right for your little ball of joy.

Take Your Dog to Work Day is this Friday, June 26th. Before you get too excited about bringing your dog to work, there are a few things you need to know. Read these dog tips, and think it through before you decide to bring Scooby to the office.

Most businesses have strict guidelines about bringing your dog into work. If these rules aren’t followed, it could result in having to bring your dog home or having an awkward meeting with your boss. If your job doesn’t recognize this seventeen year old holiday, consider talking to your boss and coworkers about the benefits of spending the day with your dog, such as increased productivity, lowered blood pressure, and improved mood. I spoke with Kelly Pakula, Director of Communications at Zynga, about bringing her French Bulldog, Goose, to work with her everyday. “Being able to bring Goose into the office definitely increases my productivity,” said Pakula. “Having her in the office is also a nice reminder to take a 10-15 minute break every once in a while to take her out and get some fresh air. It’s a nice way to reset before I move on to the next project or meeting.” Pet Sitters International, who created the event in 1999, even created a handy dandy action pack that walks you through all parts of this holiday.

• Dog owners need to be aware that not everyone wants to be around their fluffy companions. Be sure to talk to your coworkers to make sure that they’re comfortable with your dog being around all day. Pakula agrees that it’s important to be “extremely mindful of everyone’s comfort level with dogs at work. To that end, Goose and all other dogs at the office are always on leashes, even when at desks, and we regularly get the carpets cleaned to make sure there are no issues with allergies.”
• Make sure to keep your dog on a leash or in your office the entire time they’re at work with you. I know if I brought my dog to work, she would head straight to the food in the break room if I didn’t keep her under close supervision.
• Bring everything your dog will need for the day. Be sure to have a water bowl, leash, collar, and things to keep your dog busy. She’ll probably want her favorite toys when she’s feeling energetic and her bed when she’s feeling tired. Having these things in the office will keep her from distracting you when you’re working on an important project.
• Figure out a back-up plan. Your dog may become possessive, overly energetic, or feel the need to eat everything in sight. Make sure you have someone who could come pick up the dog in case something goes wrong. It’s always good to have a dog walker come and take your dog out for an hour or so, letting your dog have some fresh air so they’re not feeling cooped up all day.
• Focus on the greater good. Take Your Pet to Work Day was created to shed light on the dogs who are in need of forever homes. Make sure your coworkers are aware of the plight of homeless pets. There are shelters all over the country full of adorable pets who would love to have a caring owner. Consider reaching out to local shelters when planning Take Your Pet to Work Day.
• Have fun! If you’re stressed the entire day about how Fido will behave, he’ll pick up on that and become anxious or unruly. (However, studies have shown that owners who bring their pups to work tend to be more mellow, so I’m sure you won’t have a problem there.) Be sure to relax and enjoy this extra time spent with your pup. But remember: be productive at work so you can celebrate Take Your Dog to Work Day next year!

Not a dog owner? Have no fear! The entire week of June 22-26 is Take Your Pet to Work Week, with special days for bringing your cat, lizard, or hamster to work with you. Talk to your boss about these so no pet owner is left out of the fun.

While cats have always been popular pets, they have arguably exploded in popularity due to their cute antics being shared in photos and videos on the Internet. In honor of National Cat Adoption Month, I caught up with my friend Caleb Peng of Caleb Peng Productions and chatted with him about his cats Cheggy and Cranberry. His Instagram @calebpeng boasts over 6,000 followers and pictures and videos of his cats have been featured by Cats of Instagram and Delightibles cat treats. So how did Cheggy and Cranberry go from homeless kittens to picture-purrfect selfie stars? Let’s find out:

What initially prompted you to adopt a pet? And why did you choose cats, specifically?

I never really liked cats until the summer of 2011. My roommate was house sitting her friend’s cat for two weeks and I was sleeping on the futon in the living room at the time. My friend was gone for most of the two weeks due to her internship so the kitten spent most of her time with me. I used to think that cats were unfriendly and easily irritated (not to mention their sharp teeth and claws!). However, this kitten was quite playful and cuddly. She slept with me on the futon every night and gave me some affectionate licks every day. This kitten changed how I thought of cats. Cats may not swarm strangers with excitement likes dogs usually do, but they also have the capacity for love and companionship.

I’ve never had any pets, outside of fish, prior to Cheggy and Cranberry. I wasn’t anticipating adopting any pets this past year until my friend, Neil, found four kittens abandoned behind a warehouse.

Long story short, the two female kittens of the litter needed to be adopted so I gladly took them in. I like dogs as well but these two kittens happened to be the ones that needed a home at the time. That is how I started to became “the guy obsessed with his cats.”

What was it about Cheggy and Cranberry that initially drew you to them?

Besides a photo of Cheggy and Cranberry when they were only about a week old (Editor’s note: pictured above), I never saw or met them prior to adopting them. I guess you can say I took a gamble on adopting kittens I never met before, but I believe that I would have loved them regardless of their looks and personalities.

How did you get in with the Instagram cat community? Were you surprised when Cheggy and Cranberry gained a large following?

Prior to having Cheggy and Cranberry, I mostly just Instagrammed about my personal life and my hobbies. I followed a bunch of pet owners prior to being one myself and had a general idea of how they got their following. I knew that posting photos and videos frequently would definitely increase my chances of having more followers. In addition, I submitted cat photos to various users that were featuring photos they liked.

The biggest features we received were the two times Cats of Instagram featured Cheggy and Cranberry. Cats of Instagram has 3.4 million followers, resulting in a couple hundred new followers for my Instagram whenever a photo of Cheggy and Cranberry was featured. I was also contacted by a marketing agent commissioned by Delightables, a company that sells cat treats, to host a contest. I selected a winner out of those that entered the contest and Delightables sent the winner and me a bundle of their treats.

In addition to connecting with others on Instagram, it is important to remember that the quality of the photos and videos matter. My mom purchased me a Nikon DSLR for my Christmas present and I believe the increased quality of my photos and videos has really helped Cheggy and Cranberry shine.

Tell us about one of your favorite fan interactions on Instagram.

I had a conversation through the Direct Message feature of Instagram with @momomony, who has 18 cats. I was fascinated with the fact that she was able to maintain such a large family of cats. She explained to me how she took care of her cats and the initial difficulties of raising that many. I will likely adopt more pets in the feature so it was a very informative and interesting conversation.

One hashtag you use a lot in your pictures is “#AdoptDontShop.” Why do you feel that it’s important for people to adopt and not “shop?”

In all honestly, I used to want a bred cat (specifically a Savannah Cat). I watched videos of bred cats and thought that I’d be missing out if I had an “ordinary” cat. However, I have learned that all animals are deserving of a safe and comfortable home, especially those that are abandoned. I’m not sure what would have happened to Cheggy, Cranberry, and their two brothers if Neil didn’t find them in time. All I know is that there are so many more cats outside that don’t have a home and may never have a home.

At the end of the day, I cannot support breeders while there are countless starving and dying cats outside. Like many other cats, Cheggy and Cranberry may not remember being hungry, cold, rained on, infested with fleas, etc. I’m grateful for the chance to make sure that they’ll never have to experience that again. And I thank everyone else who have chosen to adopt over shop for pets.

And we thank you, Caleb, for taking the time to answer our questions. He documents Cheggy and Cranberry’s daily kitty antics @calebpeng on Instagram.

Dog Days of Summer: Fun Activities

As you’re gearing up for summer, planning adventures with your closest friends, remember to take some time to think about Fido. He doesn’t want to be stuck at home all day while you’re off having beach days. There are plenty of things you can do together.

For Athletes

Many hiking trails are dog friendly, allowing you to bring your dog either off-leash or on. Make sure your dog comes when you call before allowing her off-leash in a new area. Hiking together will allow you to enjoy the beautiful places around your neighborhood. Even if you don’t feel like exercising, you can tire her out by going to a dog park, where she can play with other dogs to her heart’s content. Bonus: she’ll be tired and ready to cuddle when you get home.

For Movie Lovers

Many outdoor movie theaters allow dogs. Now the two of you can watch Annie Hall or the Goonies under the stars, switching up the usual Netflix routine. Outdoor movies are popular in Los Angeles, Seattle,  New York City, Chicago, and cities near you. If you feel so inclined, you can even set up a movie theater in your backyard to enjoy the hot summer nights.

For Jet Setters

If you plan on traveling, many hotels allow dogs, which lets you and your dogs enjoy sightseeing together. Whether you are seeing a new part of the world or simply seeing old friends and family, there is lodging available anywhere you go.

For Everyone Else

If none of these activities seem interesting, you can always check Trips With Pets for pet-friendly restaurants and events near you. Dog-friendly activities are happening all over the country; all they’re missing is you and your dog. As always, animal-assisted activities and animal-assisted therapy are viable options if the two of you want to spend time together.

For Hot Summer Days

There is a cold treat both of you can enjoy. You no longer have to feel guilty about enjoying fro yo while your pups out on their cutest faces to beg for it. Choose ice cream formulated for your doggie, without any nasty preservatives, artificial colors, flavors, or thickeners. Shop your local pet store current options.

June 14, 2015 marked the end of the World Dog Show in Milan, Italy.  The winner was a bearded collie named “Ops I Did It Again Del Cuore Impavido,” (fans of Britney Spears: yes, the dog was named after her 2000 song “Oops, I Did It Again”) owned by Olga Klimova of Russia. Judges praised the dog’s silky coat and sunny disposition, two notable traits of the bearded collie breed that originated from England.

The Best Italian Dog award went to an Italian Greyhound named Lady Godiva dei Raggi di Luna. The dog and her owner originated from Lombardy, a province in northern Italy of which Milan is the capital. The Lombardian president, Roberto Maroni, personally gave Lady Godiva her award.

The most popular breeds at the World Dog Show were also the most popular breeds at American dog shows: German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Labrador retriever, Jack Russel terrier, Chihuahua and Cavalier King Charles spaniel. Italian dog breeds such as the Maltese and Italian Greyhound got their own category, hence why there was a special award for Lady Godiva.

This was the first time in 15 years that the World Dog Show was hosted by Milan, and the coordinators consider it to be one of the most successful World Dog Shows in years. In addition to the presentation of dogs, there were performances by the world-renowned dance troupe Kataklò and a Junior Handler competition open to children ages 6 through 17.

Next year’s World Dog Show will be in Moscow. There was a special ceremony where the President of the FCI (Fèdèration cynologique international) passed the World Dog Show flag to the President of Russian Kennel Federation.

 

This week is Animal Rights Awareness Week. Everyday, countless animals have their rights infringed upon. Whether it be through puppy mills, dog fights, hoarding, or one of the many other despicable acts, the perpetrators of these crimes need to be stopped.

Fortunately, many states have enacted legislature to prevent these abuses and punish those who commit crimes. Animal rights laws have been in effect since the 1960s. Enacted in 1964, this law, nicknamed the Animal Welfare Act, talked only about animals in a research setting, never referencing companion animals.

Later laws talked about dogfighting, cockfighting, hoarding, and physical and sexual abuse of these animals. These deeds would go unpunished if it were not for animal-loving individuals who pushed for this legislature. Those individuals include District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett, Deputy District Attorney Belinda Smith, and Jane Velez-Mitchell.

Their tireless work, along with the support from their constituents, has helped to shape the laws in effect today. Now there are laws protecting pets and animal living at farm animals, labs, and zoos. However, the dog adoption business is in need of updated laws.

All over the world, there are puppy mills, which force mother dogs to produce as many litters as possible, all the while living in horrible conditions. Puppy mills exist solely for profit. These animals need our support. We must be their voices. Humans need to continue to push for legislature, donate to worthy non-profits, and help the homeless and neglected animals in our neighborhoods.

If you see animal cruelty happening, be sure to report it to save the animal(s) from further mistreatment. Celebrate this year’s Animal Rights Awareness Week with your furry friend, but don’t forget about the less fortunate animals that need us to continue to fight for them.

 

With tornado season well underway in the midwest and southeast and hurricane season about to begin, now is the perfect time to discuss pet preparedness for natural disasters. June is National Pet Preparedness Month, and though we at 1FUR1 hope you never have to use this information, here are some tips to keep you and your pet safe should the worst happen.

1. Prepare an emergency kit.

In a gallon-sized plastic ziploc bag, pack the following things:

• Copies of your medical records and your pet’s medical records, especially immunization records or prescriptions
• Contact information for your vet, local pet-friendly hotels and shelters, your doctor, and out-of-town family and friends who would be willing to take in you and your pet (an address book might be the most organized way to keep this information)
• Your pet’s and your medications (be sure to check this bag regularly and replace the medications if they’ve expired)
• Recent photos of you, your pet, and you with your pet in case “lost” posters have to be made
• Flashlight and batteries

2.  Pack the following things in a sturdy duffel bag

• Put the gallon-sized emergency kit plastic bag
• Seven days’ worth of food and water for you and your pet (as with medications, rotate these regularly if they’ve expired)
• A bowl
• A can opener
• A human-oriented first aid kit with pet painkillers, anti-diarrheal medicine, and antibiotic ointment in it as well (your vet’s office should have these things)
• Leash and collar/cat carrier
• A blanket
• Pet waste collection supplies, such as a disposable aluminum baking pan for a cat litter tray and several plastic bags for collecting dog waste.

Keep the emergency kit in a place in your home where the temperature or moisture doesn’t fluctuate much (so, not the laundry room). Discuss with your family where your home’s “safe space” should be. Ready.gov recommends a small, but large enough to comfortably accommodate your family and pets, room in your home that is on the ground floor and windowless.

Should disaster strike, stay as calm as possible, because pets mirror their humans’ anxiety. Separate cats and dogs, even if they normally get along, because the stress of the situation might cause them to lash out at each other. Post-disaster, try to re-establish your normal routine to ease your pet’s anxiety, as disasters disrupt the familiar sights, sounds and smells of your environment. It is a good idea to keep your pet’s “normal” food in the emergency kit for this reason. From all of us at 1FUR1, stay safe!

 

Animal assisted therapy is not exclusive to dogs and cats. One little goat is making a big difference is many lives of Nebraska residents as one of the first goats involved in therapy.  Three days a week, a 20 pound goat named Gigi, visits the residents of Gateway Senior Living Center in Lincoln, NE.  Gigi helps the residents with depression, memory, and improves their moods overall. Data from multiple studies have shown that goats, dogs and other therapy animals can ease feelings of separation from loved ones, and reduce aggression and rage in Alzheimer’s patients (-via Laukaitis).

Gigi is one of seven goats owned by Jen Schurman, all who are trained as therapy animals. Schurman has been involved with animal assisted therapy for 12 years, training goats to be therapy animals for more than three years. She has been the activity director at Gateway since February 2012.  Like many other great discoveries, using goats as therapy animals began as an accident. Schurman, helping at a local fair, encouraged children who owned goats to bring the goats to the senior living center. When a goat was introduced, the residents of Gateway had a neutral response to the goats, with no fears or expectations of this cuddly farm animal. The goats were calm, and willing to sit in laps for hours on end. Since they have an internal temperature of 103 degrees, Schurman jokes that the goats are ‘like nice four-legged lap warmers”.

Though Gigi is very different from a therapy dog, there are a few similarities. She can easily fit in someone’s lap and petting her soft fur helps to lower blood pressure, heart rate, and stress levels. She might be the start of goat assisted therapy. No matter what furry creature is assisting the therapy, the results are all pretty much the same: happy patients participating in inexpensive, effective therapy.

Last week we looked at animal-assisted therapy (AAT) in the rising field of therapy programs that involve animal participation. This week we will discuss animal-assisted activities (AAA), another branch of these therapy programs.

AAA (not to be confused with the American Automobile Association) is where animals visit with residents and/or patients in nursing homes, hospitals, and other environments just like AAT animals, but what sets them apart is that there are no specific therapeutic goals laid out such as; improving social skills or motor functions.  An AAA dog will visit a nursing home and cheer up patients, but a licensed therapist is not required to supervise the interactions, a staff member or the animal’s handler can conduct the visit and be responsible for the animal’s care and well-being.

1FUR1 grantee, Tree House Humane Society, has such AAA program that is beneficial for both the humans and cats involved. According to their website, “Every week there are Volunteers that take adoptable Tree House cats to visit the elderly in nursing homes, patients in hospitals, and even residents of women’s shelters, just to name a few.” Humans get the well-documented benefits of AAA in that their blood pressure lowers, “happy” and “relaxation” chemicals of dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphins are released by the brain, and a lower, “resting” heart rate. The cats, meanwhile, get “socialized,” which is crucial for their adopt-ability. They get used to traveling in cat carriers and cars, getting their nails clipped, and seeing new faces, which will help them adjust to new environments.

Another widely reported instance of AAA is the emerging trend of bringing dogs to schools and colleges to cheer up students who feel stressed about finals. Skeptics warn about AAA animals being a “temporary fix” in this situation, but students, teachers, and parents who have had such programs installed in their schools praise them. They say seeing stressed-out students interact with the dogs relaxes them for a moment in this “go-go-go world” and they are better at focusing on their schoolwork rather than if they had just worked on schoolwork the whole time without taking such a break. Dr. Julie Paradise found in her research that students who worked with dogs in the classroom “demonstrated more reading growth than their peers, had a more positive attitude toward schoolwork, were more willing to participate in classroom activities, were more successful with higher level thinking skills, and were more self-confident.”

In addition to the more popular pets like cats and dogs, more unconventional animals can be part of a AAA program. Horses, miniature horses, llamas and alpacas, dolphins, elephants, guinea pigs, monkeys, rabbits, goats, pigs, kangaroos, parrots, ferrets, chickens, and ducks have all been documented to be AAA animals, and the list is only growing. AAA animals just have to be calm and friendly, not rigorously trained like AAT animals and service animals. No matter the animal, the snuggles seem to be worth it for human and animal alike.