Follow My Lead

The Barbie Dog had her surgery yesterday and is doing great. Here are the before and after photos of her ears. She also had an o***y sparing spay to preserve her endocrine system as much as possible and hopefully avoid too many future health issues. Thank you to the brilliant Dr. Lazarus Rippowam Animal Hospital and his team, who did his usual magnificent surgical brilliance to make B.D. so much more comfortable and beautiful with her new princess ears!

Thousands of Banned Dogs Living in UK Homes

12/03/2023

This ban is monstrous. Having worked for over 20 years in rescue and training fearful dogs many wonderful dogs may have trouble passing their assessment just from the stress of being incarcerated and feeling their owners stress over the situation. These breed specific bans do not work. Educate the public. People are the problem!! Schools need programs to teach kids early how to respect and co-exist with the domestic animals we share our homes with or at the very least live in their neighborhood. I could go on and on about alternative fixes instead of a ban but im curious what everyone else thinks

Thousands of Banned Dogs Living in UK Homes Recent government data shows nearly 3,500 banned dog breeds in the United Kingdom are living legally in homes in Scotland, England, and Wales under an exemption scheme, BBC News reports. Currently, there are four breeds banned in the U.K. as per the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991: Pit Bull Terriers, the Ja...

11/29/2023

The latest studies are saying that its likely that a strain of mycoplasma is the culprit behind the mystery respiratory thing being seen in dogs. Mycoplasma is a bacteria that is difficult to treat with antibiotics.

So what is a pet parent to do? I picked up a few tips from Dr. Karen Becker on prevention and supportive care for dogs that may be sick.

For fresh feeders or kibble feeders, the first line of defense is food medicine. Increase or start adding polyphenols and antioxidants.

Blue, black, rasp or strawberries. Cooked yellow squash, carrots, sweet potatoes and steamed broccoli are a few.

I make a puree so it's easy for my dogs to digest.

For dogs that have congestion. Steam up a bathroom and diffuse 2 drops each eucalyptus, bergamot & melaleuca essential oils for 10-15 minutes twice a day to help open up airways.

Dr. Becker also has a respiratory protocol that she uses in her clinic which can be found in the Inside Scoop on the planet paws site.

The best way to keep our pets safe is prevention and a strong immune system!

11/28/2023

Best day ever! Got to see Mya! Clean, happy and enjoying foster life. I wish this for every shelter dog everywhere. Consider opening your heart and home to a shelter dog or cat or ferret or guinea pig etc. You are saving two dogs at once. Every time an animal leaves a shelter whether thru adoption or rescue another animal is bought one more day for their second chance. Let's make 2024 the year when we can close the shelters for good.

11/26/2023

Too much too soon WILL cause issues.
It is a really common occurrence with newly adopted dogs.

Congratulations on your new dog.
I know you want to take them to the beach, the pet store and your café....however can I ask for a few minutes so I can explain just what your dog has gone through.....and why you need to take the next few weeks SLOW.
Your new dog has had it's whole world turned upside down.
They don't know you.
They don't know if they can trust you.
They don't know if they are with you for an hour or forever.
They may have been in various scary places.
Other houses, rescues, the pound and likely ALL of these in the past few days or weeks.
Your dog has stress hormones surging through their brain, they are STRESSED....they need to decompress, they need STABILITY in their environment and from you.
They need time with you and their new environment.
They need to know that the tree outside may rustle against the house and that's OK.
They need to know that those normal creaky noises in your house are OK and that at 3.45 the neighbours bang their door shut.
They need to know when it rains that tapping sound is OK.
They need to know that when the door opens they won't be moved somewhere else again.
They need to trust that YOU are safe even when you have had a bad day, you will still give them food and that they can close their eyes around you.
You know what your good intentions are with your new dog, your dog however has NO idea what is happening.....only that everything has changed and it is scary.
They do NOT need other new environments yet. Take it SLOW.
Dogs that have just been adopted need TIME. There is no need to rush out the next day and take them to all the places you want to go with them.....They need the opposite.
Let them decompress, let them inspect a new area of your house or yard every day or two. Walk them up and down outside your house for a few days (and only there), let them sniff, and sniff some more. Let them p*e freely.....it may be boring for you, but not for your dog. They need to know what is happening around them and they learn that through their nose, eyes and ears.
They NEED this.
They need to learn to TRUST you.
The long walks can wait, the café will still be there in a few weeks and you can visit the pet shop alone until they are ready.
Your bond together is the MOST important thing to concentrate on right now.
You will never regret taking it slow and it can save your dog and yourself from making the very same mistakes that can lead to people rehoming in the first place.
All the very best with your new dog.

11/26/2023

enough said. if your dog is fearful you need to use non-aversive training to help them work through their fears

11/23/2023

Haven't posted a Barbie Dog update lately. Very excited about the progress her ears have made. Below each pic is an explanation. She has responded really well to the treatments. It was a relief to know both her ears are fungus and bacteria free and both ear canals are accessible. She will not require an ear canal ablation surgery just some cosmetic to remove the excess tissue.

11/23/2023

📣Friendly reminder, Garlic is not toxic!!

In Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, garlic is indicated for Food Stagnation, cancer, diabetes, and asthma. It is used to Warm the Middle and promote both digestion and healthy intestinal flora. Most commonly, garlic is used for natural prevention of parasites like fleas and ticks.

Garlic can be beneficial for both dogs and cats in appropriate doses. I use fresh crushed cloves to get the full benefits of garlic.
🐱 For cats: 1/4 clove (crushed) daily, 3-4 days per week.
🐶 For dogs: 1/2 clove (crushed) per 20 pounds of body weight daily, with a maximum of 3 cloves. Best to take at least 1 day per week off.
*Please make sure to note the difference between a clove and a bulb/head of garlic.

Not recommended for puppies and kittens. Long term use is contraindicated in pets with vision issues. If your pet has a history of hemolytic anemia, it would be safer to avoid use of garlic in any form.

11/22/2023

What We Know About the Mysterious Respiratory Illness Affecting Dogs Dogs in at least seven states have been infected. Symptoms include coughing, fever, lethargy and intermittent loss of appetite.

11/19/2023

Got to spend quality time with some of my favorites today Stamford Animal Control & Care Center Nina, Jet, Nova and Maya all had fun in the sun. Make adoption your first choice. Nina and Jet have been patiently waiting for a long time to find the perfect forever family. Maybe you can be the one to give them a Merry Christmas

11/05/2023

10/19/2023

Let's get ready for Howloween with some more Barbie Dog. BJ's Raw Pet Food

10/17/2023

Barbie D's ears are getting much better! No infections to be found so we work on the inflammation a bit more. The good news is the ear canals are open completely on one side and half open open on the other. This girl may only need minor corrective surgery instead of an ear canal ablation. Yay!! The spot on her leg is shrinking also and getting her hair back. We have come a long way and she is proof patience and time can heal alot along with alopathic and holistic modalities!

10/14/2023

when you know better you do better

10/13/2023

Here at last! Pretty fabulous view. Weather is amazing. Feed Real Conference here we come. Naja Muller Feed Real Institute

10/08/2023

The biggest Dill ever today! Chubbs got adopted!!! Red Leash Rescue Maria Cavaliere Lovello our handsomest boy is now the luckiest

10/07/2023

What kind of a person does this to a dog? For money? Breed aesthetics? Who mutilates an animal and can sleep at night? That puppy you bought for $3000. Because you believed the store owners lies. This is sadly a not so bad breeding mom that was tossed when they were done exploiting her uterus.

09/29/2023

Day one with the ozone ear drops from O3Vets hoping to avoid surgery on her ear canals. Trying CBD Dog Health Remedy salve on her rear foot. All these little things popping up since she stopped steroids.