Home To Stay Dog Rescue

**** Courtesy Post. We haven’t met this lovely girl. If you think you may be her perfect adoptive match, please contact Silvia Jay, as noted in the write up. Otherwise please share on to help Mia find her new loving home. ****

“ Mia needs new digs because of her people’s life circumstances. She is in NB, in the Moncton area.

Her breeder was contacted and is not in the business of breeding any longer. ( There is no contract that stipulates that Mia has to go back to the breeder as is sometimes the case. )

Mia is six years old, spayed, up to date on vaccinations, no present health issues and no allergies.
She is crate trained, and goes to the groomer fine.

Likes people and lives with two small children, but breed-typically barks when a visitor arrives. It can be intimidating but she does like people. Reportedly, but also when I last saw her.

Mia is reactive to dogs. Can go to small daycare where she is occasionally boarded, but is bossy there too. All I know. But it again sounds very breed typical.

If you know someone who might be interested, please pm Silvia Jay or email at [email protected]. I will privately forward the owner’s contact info. “

Let’s talk Lepto!

There has been a recent influx of Leptospirosis cases in Nova Scotia, specifically the HRM.
Let’s talk about what Lepto is and how to keep your dog (and yourself) safe!

Leptospirosis is a bacteria that is often contracted from swimming, drinking or walking through stagnant water.

The bacteria gets into the water through the urine of an infected animal. Here in Nova Scotia this is commonly wildlife and rodents (raccoons, deer, foxes, rats).

The good news is that there is a preventative vaccine for this bacteria in dogs. This vaccine is given initially as 2 boosters 4 weeks apart, and then it is a yearly vaccine.

Here at AprilVets Bayers Lake, we take your furry friend’s well-being very seriously, so we offer the Lepto vaccine as part of our core vaccines for dogs.

Call us today to ensure your pet is protected!
☎️ 902-536-3436
💻 www.aprilvets.com/bayerslake

🐶💚

Congrats to Rose who has found her new home and thanks to everyone who helped out along the way by sharing her info!!

We received a few additional photos of this beautiful girl named Rose!! She is not with Home to stay but we are showcasing her as a courtesy post to help try to find her her a new home.
Rose is a very intelligent and loyal mixed breed of St. Bernard and Poodle.
She is happy to be active and hike but also loves to curl up and cuddle on rainy days.
She is very sweet and gentle and loves her owners but has to find a new home due to the current housing crisis. Do you have a safe place for her to land and call home? Are you currently looking for a bestie to hang out with and give a second chance? If so please contact us and we will
Send you an application to see you if you are the right person or family for this long legged beauty!
Thank you to all those who have shared Rose’s posts previously, we know there is someone out there that will be the perfect match!

Penhorn Lake is the most recent to have blue green algae reported.

The warm weather means that it is time once again to be aware of blue- green algae ( cyanobacteria) and the threat it poses to our pets - specifically, dogs that enjoy swimming or water play. Symptoms can arise quickly - just 15 minutes after exposure- or take up to several days to become apparent. They can include some or all of the following :

-hypersalivation (heavy drooling)
-seizures
-panting
-respiratory distress
-diarrhea
-vomiting
-ataxia (lack of coordination/clumsy movements)
-collapse

Although blue- green algae can occur in all water, it is more common in fresh, calm water.

If you suspect your pet has been exposed to blue- green algae: rinse well with clean water and seek veterinary care without delay. Blue-green algae can be fatal to pets and time is critical.

This doesn't mean your dog can't enjoy their summer fun! But be diligent, observe and respect posted signs of reports, use caution and check the Government of Nova Scotia website for information.

https://novascotia.ca/blue-green-algae/

The Metro Animal Emergency Clinic is open Thursday 8am until Monday 4pm.

Dogs, like many other animals, have instinctual responses to stressful or threatening situations. These responses are commonly known as the , , , , responses, which describe different ways dogs may react when faced with danger or perceived threats.

‼️🚨 Keep in mind the dog decides what he/she perceived as danger!

‼️🚨 The dog decides if he/she feels safe or intimidated or insecure!

: The fight response is characterized by the dog's inclination to confront and engage with the perceived threat. When a dog feels cornered or believes that aggression is necessary for self-defence, it may choose to fight back. This can involve barking, lunging, growling, snarling, or biting. , .

: The flight response is when a dog decides to retreat or escape from a threatening situation. Dogs that choose flight as their primary response may try to run away, hide, or seek shelter in a safe place. They may display signs of fear, anxiety, or panic, such as tail tucking, lowered body posture, cowering, or attempting to flee. , , Keep in mind that we take the flight option away with having the dog leashed up!
: The fidget response is seen in dogs exhibiting restlessness or agitation in stressful situations. Instead of immediately resorting to fight or flight, these dogs may display behaviours such as pacing, whining, panting, excessive drooling, or restless movements. , , Fidgeting can indicate that the dog is uncomfortable or anxious and is seeking a way to cope with the situation.
: The freeze response is when a dog becomes completely still and motionless in the face of a perceived threat. It is an instinctive reaction to avoid drawing attention or potentially appear less threatening. A dog in a freeze response may hold its body tense, maintain direct , and may not respond to commands or stimuli. It's important to note that freezing does not necessarily mean a dog is calm; it can indicate fear or anxiety. Keep in mind if we stop and stare, our dogs will perceive this as us freezing! Don’t face and stare at what your dog is worried about, turn your side to the dog or person and look at them from over your shoulder while moving from one foot to the other. This will help you dog be less worried as the “threat” is not worth your full attention.

: The fawn response is when a dog tries to appease or placate a perceived threat by displaying submissive behaviour. This can include actions like lowering the body, avoiding eye contact, licking the lips, or showing the belly. Dogs that fawn are attempting to signal that they are not a threat, aiming to reduce the tension and avoid conflict. This behaviour is often seen in dogs that are socially sensitive and aim to mitigate stress through pacification. 🐾👇, 😌 Remember, recognizing and understanding the fawn response is essential in supporting dogs to feel more secure and preventing misunderstandings in their behaviour.

Understanding that these responses are innate survival mechanisms deeply rooted in a dog's evolutionary history is crucial. Each dog may have a different tendency towards these responses based on temperament, past experiences, and genetic predisposition. Additionally, a dog's response can be influenced by the specific circumstances and perceived threat level in a given situation.

If you notice these behaviours in your dog, especially during interactions with you, other people (notably children), or other pets, recognizing and addressing their needs is paramount. Ensuring safety and cautiously managing the situation by providing your dog with the necessary space is vital. If these reactions occur in the presence of another person, child, or dog, it's important to ask for more space to prevent stress. Consulting a professional dog trainer or behaviour consultant can offer guidance on understanding, managing these reactions, and teaching your dog new ways to cope. Adjusting the environments or activities to cater to your dog's well-being and that of others around them is essential. Recognizing our dogs' stress signals and appropriately responding helps meet their needs and ensures a positive environment for everyone.

COURTESY POST ONLY

This lovely lady is Rose, she is a 6 year old St.Berdoodle (St Bernard/Doodle mix). The owner needs to relocate and is unable to take her with them. She is a sweet natured long legged girl that is looking for a new home without cats as she did like to chase them in her former home. She does have some doggy friends and gets along well with dogs when introduced properly but can be a little leash reactive on walks. She would prefer older kids as she has not been around little ones previously and she is a bit cautious around new men. Rose has been spayed but will need to get caught up on her vaccinations.

If you are interested in adopting this beautiful girl please let us know and we can send you an application to see if you are a good match!

Pet owners always do their best to keep their pets safe, but animals tend to explore the world with their mouths and can accidentally ingest poisonous substances. The ASPCA compiled a list of the top pet toxins with a few examples:

⚠ Over the counter medications: Ibuprofen, naproxen, cold medications, and herbal supplements
⚠ Prescription medications: ADHD medication, antidepressants, and heart medication
⚠ Food: Xylitol (artificial sweetener), grapes, raisins, onions, chocolate, macadamia nuts, and garlic
⚠ Veterinary products: Animal medications - especially ones with added flavor that could be mistaken for a treat
⚠ Household Items: Paint, glue, and cleaning products (even natural products)
⚠ Rodenticides: Another toxin that could be mistaken for a treat - never leave rodenticides out where your pet can find them
⚠ Insecticides: Ant bait, bug spray, and foggers
⚠ Indoor & Outdoor Plants: Autumn crocus, azalea, lilies, sago palms, tulips - to name a few
⚠ Garden Products: Fertilizers, herbicides, and soil enhancements

Be sure to take precautions around your home to ensure pet safety.

Keeping Pets Safe Fireworks hurt. ​ Here's how to help keep your companion animals safe.

One of our team members has participated with one of her dogs 💜 in a previous sensory room offered by Silvia Jay, and it was an amazing experience❣️Highly recommend 😊

We are super excited to announce that we're partnering with Silvia Jay and Sue Chisholm as we offer a day of private dog scent room experiences!

Smell-o-ween will be a Halloween themed scent room hosted at Bide Awhile where your canine companion will be free to explore the enrichment environment in a safe and calm space. Silvia, a behaviour consultant, and Sue from Bowsers Buddies Dog Training Service will be present to observe with the owner and provide insight to their dog's behaviour.

*𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘯𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘴, 𝘴𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘴, 𝘰𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘶𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘥𝘰𝘨𝘴/𝘩𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘴*

Smell-oween will take place at the Bide Awhile Animal Shelter on October 29th with 30-minute timeslots from 10am – 5pm.

To register for the event and book your timeslot, please call the shelter at 902-469-9578. Registration fee of $30 is due upon booking and is NON-REFUNDABLE.

Important Thanksgiving info:

Interested in planting a tree on your property? Join us for an upcoming tree giveaway. A selection of trees will be available in various sizes, including a limited number of edible fruit trees. You can walk, roll, cycle, or take Halifax Transit to pick up your tree at either of our two events:

Saturday, Aug. 19 at Mackintosh Depot (3800 Mackintosh Street, Halifax)

Saturday Aug. 26 at Stone Ridge Fellowship parking lot (85 Temple Terrace, Sackville)

Both giveaways will begin at 9 a.m. and continue while supplies last. For details, visit halifax.ca/treegiveaway

***We are very surprised that Duke hasn’t yet found his forever, and we are posting him once again; this time also alternatively seeking a pet and child free Foster Home for Duke ❤️ His current Foster Home has an incumbent HTS senior corgi x alumnus, who Duke tends to bully when wanting human attention. ***
Your sharing of this post is very much appreciated 😊❣️

Duke is a 3 year old, active and cuddly 45lb springer-doodle looking for a child and pet-free home to call his forever own. For much of his life Duke has participated in weekly group hikes with a wonderful professional dog walker and her canine crew; having no issues with other dogs on the hikes, we’ve been told. But in the home he seeks to claim all the human attention and will tend to bully other animals. He is neutered, highly intelligent, housetrained and very curious, with a devoted passion for his favourite ball. Duke can be uncomfortable in new situations and welcomes cues from his human to help him feel safe. Transition time to his forever home would be ideal and a wonderful local ( to HRM ) trainer has agreed to support Duke and his new family. Duke has shown some signs of potential allergies via recurring ear infections, and we now have him on a chicken and corn free diet. He is otherwise happy and healthy. Like all poodle mixes, Duke’s coat needs to be maintained ( regular brushing and grooming ) to avoid matting. He has had two grooming sessions with his regular groomer since coming into rescue, and does very well in that setting. He sheds very little, if at all, which for many is a bonus. Duke enjoys using his chatty vocabulary to communicate with his humans, and will often show off his favourite toys. Admiring them makes him very happy 😊. When he is at home alone, Duke prefers to have access to a window or two in order to survey the outside world. 🙂 If you think you may be the perfect forever human (s) for Duke, please message us for an adoption application. ( We’ve recently edited and updated our adoption application, and updating the link is currently giving us issues. ) “

Please read and share ❤️🐾

Vet hospital says dog died from blue-green algae exposure after 5 minutes in Halifax's Long Lake | CBC News Halifax Veterinary Hospital announced in a statement released Wednesday that on June 16, a dog suddenly died after spending about five minutes in the water at Long Lake.

With Canada Day celebrations on the horizon, we hope that you enjoy the long weekend, and remind you to keep your furry friends safe and happy!

The loud noises and lights of fireworks can be scary to many pets and result in them running away or accidentally harming themselves. Here are some tips to help keep your pets safe this holiday during fireworks:

🎆 Keep your pet on a leash and be sure that they have proper ID tags and current microchip information.

🎆 Keep pets inside, away from the fireworks, and create a cozy place for them to feel comforted. Pets have been known to leap through windows or eat through crates, harming themselves, to get away from the noise of fireworks. If your pet has historically been anxious on this holiday, consult your veterinarian about behavioral therapy options to desensitize your pet and reduce the risk of problems.

🎆 You might be outside awaiting fireworks for a long period of time and too much heat can be dangerous to pets. If your pet must be outside with you, ensure they can take frequent breaks from the heat and have plenty of fresh water.

Did you know 6 minutes is all it takes for a dog to overheat in a hot vehicle and face lifelong or fatal consequences? ☀️🥵 Pets can still overheat even when the windows are down, or if the car is parked in a shaded area.

Our best advice is to not leave your dog in the car - take them with you or leave them at home with plenty of water and shade. They will happily greet you when you return! 😊

Duke is a 3 year old, active and cuddly 45lb springer-doodle looking for a child and pet-free home to call his forever own. For much of his life Duke has participated in weekly group hikes with a wonderful professional dog walker and her canine crew, with no issues in that setting, we’ve been told. But in the home he seeks to claim all the human attention and will tend to bully other animals. He is neutered, highly intelligent, housetrained and very curious, with a devoted passion for his favourite ball. Duke can be uncomfortable in new situations and welcomes cues from his human to help him feel safe. Transition time to his forever home would be ideal and a wonderful local ( to HRM ) trainer has agreed to support Duke and his new family. Duke has shown some signs of potential allergies via recurring ear infections, and we now have him on a chicken and corn free diet. He is otherwise happy and healthy. Like all poodle mixes, Duke’s coat needs to be maintained ( regular brushing and grooming ) to avoid matting. He sheds very little, which for many is a bonus. Duke enjoys using his chatty vocabulary to communicate with his humans, and will often show off his favourite toys. Admiring them makes him very happy 😊. When he is at home alone, Duke prefers to have access to a window or two in order to survey the outside world. 🙂 If you think you may be the perfect forever human (s) for Duke, please message us for an adoption application. ( We’ve recently edited and updated our adoption application, and updating the link is currently giving us issues. )

Courtesy post for Fusion, in rescue with Misfit Manor Dog Rescue, and lovingly fostered by Elaine DeBoer and Ken DeBoer ❤️ Please contact Misfit Manor to apply to adopt Fusion, if you think you may be her perfect human. Otherwise, please share 🙂

“ This beautiful smile comes very naturally to this gorgeous girl. Fusion is a great gal - and just 9 years young! She came to stay at the Manor needing cruciate surgery after a very long time of having to manage the pain on her own. Fortunately after her surgery and months of rehab, this delightful girl is healthy, happy and looking for her forever family!
She is a dream in the house - she snoozes like a champ, amuses herself with her toys, or will sit nearby her person in case belly rubs are being given out. Being the thoughtful girl she is, she will lean right into you so you don't need to reach too far to give her a pat. She's rock solid on letting you know when she needs to go outside, and is happily willing to accompany you on walks, car rides, or just hanging out with you in the yard.
Even though she has fully recovered from her surgery, she won't be trying out for the frisbee team or sign up for any 5K runs. But leash walks and low key activities are right up her alley. And through no fault of her own she came into care after having been exposed to laser light games and has developed the habit of chasing lights and shadows and quick movements. However, by redirecting her with something more appropriate she can easily be refocused. While she is not aggressive and enjoys playing with other dogs, for this reason we think she would do best as the only animal in the home.
This deeply charming and loyal girl would love a home where she is truly valued for the kind and loving soul she is. “

Thanks and warmest hugs to Ali Kearnes PV , Maddy and team at Fall River PetValu 💗😊for their very timely and generous donations ( first two photos ) which yesterday went to Shelburne with a wonderful group of Heart and Soil Dogs’ volunteers who delivered multiple vehicles of supplies for pets of families evacuated and displaced due to wildfires 💞

Do you know what's lurking in puddles? Download my FREE Perils of Puddles poster here: https://redandhowling.com/2023/04/20/perils-of-puddles-why-drinking-from-puddles-is-not-safe-for-your-dogs-and-other-fur-kids/

We all want to keep our fur kids safe and healthy. One of the biggest ways to do this is through awareness and education, so please share my poster. Also, you can read the full post at the link above :). Be prepared, be aware, be safe! xoAmy

A little word about porcupines!

Porcupines are a part of life in Nova Scotia, but there are a few old wives tales about these gentle creatures that just won't go away. So today we're going to dispel a few myths!

Most popular myths about porcupines and quills:

1) A porcupine can aim and shoot quills.

Porcupines CANNOT shoot their quills. Contact has to happen, either with the porcupine itself ( alive or deceased) or very occasionally, with a few quills on the ground. There is no malice involved ...if a dog gets quilled it is because it touched someone who did not want to be touched.

2) A dog will learn from getting quills, especially in the face.

This one is a bit trickier, because it depends on the dog. Your dog *might* learn, but they also might not. The higher the prey drive, the less likely they are to remember in the moment.

3) Cutting the tips of quills will deflate them, allowing them to fall out naturally. Or, cutting them near the skin will make them fall out.

STOP!!!!! PUT DOWN THOSE SCISSORS!!!

Cutting the quills does absolutely nothing except make them much harder to remove.
Quills are barbed: this means their natural trajectory is to go forward, not backwards. If you cut them, it may certainly look like they fell out but this is only because they have now slipped fully under the skin or into tissue. They are still there - but now they are a much bigger problem. Never cut them and do not believe people who tell you to do so.

4) Porcupines quills are uncomfortable but not dangerous.

Untrue. Porcupine quills in the chest, abdomen, or quills that have been swallowed can all be life threatening. As stated above, due to design a quill naturally moves forward. Quills in these spots can migrate to vital organs causing death.

A few other points of note :

It's easy to say " A dog should be on a leash" but a lot of quill accidents happen in the dog's own yard, often late at night or early morning. Porcupines can easily climb fences or trees with overhanging branches.

Porcupines are here all year but become a lot more active in the spring. April, May and June are busy busy busy with quill removals - these can vary from a dozen quills to the nose to thousands of quills all over.

Pulling quills is painful for the dog and even the gentlest and kindest will object to more than a few being removed - not unreasonably! Sedation is used for both comfort and safety.

And it's not only dogs...curious cats and even horses will get quills now and then. Many animals just go over for a little friendly sniff and then...oops.

And finally : your veterinary team will do everything they can to remove all the quills, but due to many factors some may be left behind. Once the quills have moved under the skin or into tissue, there is simply no way to find them. If they can still be felt a small incision can be made to extract them, but often they cannot be seen, felt or found. It is not uncommon for quills to slowly migrate and then emerge weeks or even months after the initial incident.

How can you prevent hidden or " buried" quills? You might not be able to, but the best course of action is seek veterinary care quickly - the longer they stay in and the more your dog moves, the more likely it is that some quills will slip under the skin. This is especially true if your dog is very agitated and upset or if you try to remove them without proper technique.

So happy spring! Be sure to do a quick check of your yard before letting your dog out at night or early morning, be aware of your surroundings on walks, keep practicing good recall and remember...it's not anyone's fault, especially the porcupine! 🙂

***Please note, this is a courtesy post made at the request of Cassie’s people. We haven’t met Cassie. If you believe you may be able to provide her the type of home she needs, please message us and we will pass on your contact info to her people. ***

“ Calling all dog lovers!

We have come to the difficult decision to rehome or loving pup Cassie. She is a 6 year old spayed Boxer/Husky mix with the energy of a 2 year old. She is up to date on all of her vaccines and a clean record of health! She does have an allergy to chicken and grain and will need a food that doesn't contain either. She gets along well with children but unfortunately doesn't understand their size and will knock them over. She has lived with cats her entire life and does well with cats who do well with dogs. Cassie LOVES the car, a good sun lounge or the beach and is a fiend for doggie daycare. Her biggest stressors are being alone or thunderstorms. Her favorite snacks are red bell peppers and peanut butter

Unfortunately we have had some life changes and are no longer the right environment for her. Cassie needs a very specific home as she has separation anxiety and cannot be left alone without destruction. Cassie needs a paw-rent that works from home, is retired, can enroll her in daycare or can take her wherever they go! If you think you can provide this type of home for we would be beyond grateful as lack of love has nothing to do with her needing a new home 💔 “

*** Update: Applications are now closed for Lily. Thank you so much to all those who have shown their caring interest in providing her a loving forever home by applying to adopt her, and warm thanks to those who have shared this post 💞🐾. ***

Lily would like to announce that she is accepting adoption applications. 😊 Lily’s dental surgery is now behind her; she is up to date on vaccinations, and is microchipped and spayed. Next up is helping this sweet honey seek her forever home. Lily is a 5kg long haired mixed breed, which likely includes Pomeranian. ( She is currently clipped short.) Lily will be 7 years old in June, and has contentedly lived with cats, other small dogs and children. Her main focus is the person she chooses as her own, and being a cuddly lap dog for her person even surpasses her love of walks. Lily is perfectly house trained, and though her foster sister sometimes prefers to use p*e pads, Lily always performs her toilette in the back yard or on walks ❤️. She is a gentle, non destructive, dainty, intelligent, and affectionate girl, who would prefer a home where she doesn’t spend long days alone. Lily is generally quiet, but will bark when her person leaves the home, and takes a while to settle. For this reason we feel that apartment living wouldn’t be a good setting for her. From Lily’s foster mom: “ As Lily’s foster Mom, I find it fascinating that I haven’t seen any indication of shedding over the month that she has graced our home. And her dainty little kisses are heart-melting. She is an incredible sweetheart! “ 💖 Please use the link to apply to adopt Lily if you think you might be her perfect person.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdyiriPA41s_S8NYNwvxx3LoJZ8BB7CGpLXs-rEWTEl7Axj-A/viewform?fbzx=-7611970026506581958

Lily is back with her foster Mom, Carol after multiple extractions and a thorough cleaning for her remaining teeth. Vet assistant Claudia is shown giving drowsy Lily some loving snuggles 😊💖🐾 . We would like to thank Claudia and all the awesome team at Burnside Veterinary Hospital for their wonderful care of Lily !