Here is a press release about the book
Bridget, The Adventures of an English Shepherd Puppy
Written by Lisa Hasler

This 260-page book is the story of the busy first year that Bridget, an English Shepherd puppy from Arkansas, spends with her new human on a little farm in New Hampshire. The book is chocked full of traveling, hiking, backcountry skiing, training, and socializing adventures. Some are suspenseful and some comical. Some are joyful and some frustrating. All serve to forge a solid bond and common language between Bridget and her human, Lisa. Bridget attends contra dances and business meetings, takes an agility class, earns a therapy dog certification, swims a channel in Lake Winnipesaukee, and enjoys a wonderful road trip to the Rockies. The book includes lots of photos.

Anyone who knows working farm dog breeds will relate to the challenges that Lisa and Bridget face on their little farm where chasing livestock is not allowed. The book offers insights into the question of how a high drive dog with an instinctive passion for herding can settle happily into a life of guarding chickens, hiking, watching vegetables grow, and hanging out in the office. Lisa must dig deeply into the genetic makeup of her pup. Rather than asking Bridget to deny her natural instincts, Lisa learns, from Bridget, how to capitalize on them.

Bridget comes into Lisa’s life to be a traveling and hiking companion. Those who take pleasure in long road trips and treks into the mountains will be reminded of their own adventures when they read descriptions of rest stops off of I80 and scenic trails in several mountain ranges. Those who’d rather read about backcountry travel from the comfort of their armchairs can journey vicariously down the road and up the trail.

The book offers seasonal snapshots of homesteading in a close-knit, rural community in central New Hampshire. Bridget offers her own version of condolences to the little dog next door whose human passes away. She learns not to chase chickens and helps find lost cattle as well as hidden eggs. Together, Bridget and Lisa deal with snowstorms, power outages and an endless list of farm chores, as well as lovely morning walks in the woods. Country and city dwellers alike can spend a few chapters imaging life on Bridget’s farm.

Bridget follows in the paw prints of Cora, Lisa’s previous dog, who summited all 48 of New Hampshire’s 4000-foot mountain peaks. Honoring the dogs of our past is always part of bonding with a new pup. With Bridget’s help, Lisa finally finds a suitable tribute to Cora’s memory in a mystical scene on a windy mountaintop.

The book can be purchased directly from the author for $14.00 plus postage. ($2.41 book rate, $4.05 priority mail.) Local readers can arrange for delivery to Concord or Laconia, NH in order to save on postage.

Lisa Hasler, 19 Buzzell Rd, Gilmanton, NH 03237, (603) 267-7227 lisahasler@prodigy.net

http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/11/17/dog-defense-against-new-flu-virus.aspx

http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2011/11/15/declawing-torture-cats.aspx

Please share this information. These were all roping horses.
News Release from Southern Arkansas University
Between the hours of 10:30 p.m. on November 2, 2011, and 6:30 a.m. on November 3, 2011, 5 horses, a horse trailer and riding equipment were stolen from the Mulerider Stables on the campus of Southern Arkansas University located in Magnolia, Arkansas.
The suspect vehicle is reported to be a dark colored Ford truck. The horses stolen were described as follows:
1) American Quarter Horse, 16 years of age, gelding, black in color, bearing a rocking “M” brand on its left hind quarter.
2) American Quarter Horse, 7 years of age, female, gray in color.
3) Quarter Horse, 14 years of age, female, buckskin in color.
4) Quarter Horse, 15 years of age, gelding, Sorrell in color, bearing a rocking “V” brand on its left front quarter, as well as a “K” brand on its right hind quarter.
5) Quarter Horse, 12 years of age, female, black in color, bearing a circle “M” brand on its left hind quarter.
The horse trailer stolen is a 2003 Featherlite, silver in color, bearing Georgia License Plate TL7W102 and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) 4FGL020223C058456.
Various riding equipment was also stolen.
If anyone has any information regarding the theft please contact the Southern Arkansas University Police Department at 870-235-4100.

http://www.ygrr.org/doginfo/behavior-phobia.html

http://www.thundershirt.com/

Corn contaminated with aflatoxin is lethal to horses and will kill them. Aflatoxins are also toxic to dogs. Symptoms of the toxicity in dogs may include vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite and jaundice which indicated compromise of the liver. High levels of the toxin in dog food can kill dogs. In 2006 over 100 dogs died when several brands of dog food were tainted with this toxin.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CINCINNATI, Ohio, – December 18, 2010 – The Kroger Co. said today it is recalling select packages of pet food sold in some of its retail stores because the products may contain aflatoxin, which poses a health risk to pets.

Kroger stores in the following states are included in this recall: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.

The recall also includes Dillons and Gerbes stores in Kansas and Missouri; Baker’s stores in Nebraska; Food 4 Less stores in Nebraska, Illinois and Indiana (Chicago area); and Jay C, Hilander, Owen’s, Pay Less and Scott’s stores in Illinois and Indiana.

Kroger is recalling the following items:

* Pet Pride Cat Food sold in 3.5 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111088128
* Pet Pride Cat Food sold in 18 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111071357
* Pet Pride Tasty Blend Poultry & Seafood Cat Food sold in 3.5 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111088152
* Pet Pride Tasty Blend Poultry & Seafood Cat Food sold in 18 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111074580
* Pet Pride Kitten Formula Food sold in 3.5 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111071903
* Old Yeller Chunk Dog Food sold in 22 lb. packages with a sell by date of OCT 23 11 DP and OCT 24 11 DP under the following UPC code: 1111074566

PLEASE DO NOT FEED JUST ONE FOOD OR PRODUCT LINE THAT IS PRODUCED BY THE SAME COMPANY. Personally I try to feed 3 different product, mixing them together and watching for any product that the dogs refuse to eat.  If dogs refuse to eat dog food, do not force them to eat it.  They are telling you something.  It is not fit to eat.

Bane, Missing Police Dog

Bane, a 4 year old sable-colored German Shepherd working with the Michigan State Police, is missing. Bane disappeared on Nov 13 while searching for a dementia patient near Onaway in northeast lower Michigan. If you have seen this dog or have any information about him, please contact the Michigan State Police at 989-734-2204 or 989-354-4101.
The dog is a docile and will come if you call him. Hunters in the area have been asked to help located the dog. Word needs to be spread out from Michigan in case the dog was picked up as a stray and is now in another part of the country.
A facebook page has been created to help Find Bane

Update:  The area being searched is being enlarged.  Please help  find Bane.  There are flyers available on the facebook page.   Thousands are searching for Bane. Please help get the word out and Find Bane.

Dogs are hard on dog beds.  One way to get create a cheap new dog bed for your pet is to purchase a $3-$4 pillow from a discount store .  Be sure to put it in the dryer for about 20 minutes to kill any bed bugs that might be hitching a ride into your house.   For about a $1 at a local GoodWill store you can have your choice from lots of pillow shams.  Find one that matches your personality or that of your dog and “Presto” – new dog bed!

Susan Wagner is  veterinary neurologist and a pioneer in the area of human-animal bond. Through a Dog’s Ear is an  extremely interesting book explaining how dogs related to music.  In addition , the team has produced several CD designed to calm and relax dogs.

I have several of these CDs.  I play them for the pregnant moms  during delivery.  I play them for my pups in their crates.  I play them during road trips.  Bottom Line: my dogs love them.

Also, I usually have a CD playing in my lab where the dogs can come and go at will through a doggie dooor.  It is very common to walk in there and find several dogs sprawled out or rolled upside down chilling out to the music.

Perhaps the best time about all the interesting information available on the website is the section where you can download samples of the tracks from the CD.  I highly recommend that you take time to explore Music for your dog and download some sample tracks from:uhttp://throughadogsear.com/samples.htm

The Animal Rescue Site

According to the press release by Blue Buffalo Company

These are the ONLY code dates being recalled:

Product	Bag Size	Best Used By Dates
BLUE Wilderness Chicken (Dog)	4.5 lb., 11 lb., 24lb.	JUL1211B, JUL1311B, JUL2611Z, JUL2711Z, JUL2811Z
BLUE Basics Salmon (Dog)	11 lb., 24 lb.	AUG2111B, AUG2211B
BLUE Large Breed Adult Chicken	30 lb.	SEP 22 11 P, SEP 23 11 P, OCT 26 11 P

If you feed this product, please check to be sure  your bag.      If your dog is exhibiting any unusual symptoms, please notify your vet of this recall and the information available at the Michigan State University on Hypervitaminoisis D.

The vet was my vet and they recognized Puppy from her flyer.  They called me and we were reunited.  Miracles happen!

Disappeared Sunday, March 21, 2010 from farm in SW Arkansas between 3  -5:30 pm . She is one of  4 dogs that  disappeared at the same time.  3 older dogs returned in bad shape – exhausted early Tuesday morning.   One of the dogs that came home is a 9 year old English Shepherd – the Mom of the puppy.  She hasn’t moved in 24 hours.  Totally exhausted!  Strange circumstances.    Please email me with any information at mccall.lynda@gmail.com Reward!   Also here is a link to missing puppy flyer.

A buncher may get $25 for an animal.  The Class B dealer may get as much as $500 for a dog.

Are you upset yet?

One of the largest Class B dealers was in Willifore, Arkansas  lost  his license after being convicted of 100 counts of animal abuse  and neglect and for stealing of pets for laboratories and forging documentation.  You can google it for all the horrible details.

Here is a link to the people across the United States that hold a Class B dealers license.

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/efoia/downloads/reports/B_cert_holders.txt

A Class B license allows the person to buy animals from “random sources” and sell them to  research facilities.

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/downloads/manuals/dealer/requirements.pdf

Unfortunately, random sources may also include dogs stolen by bunchers.

We use to hang horse thieves.  We need to prosecute these people to the full extent of the law.

New information on bunchers in Mid-west: http://www.dogster.com/forums/Puppy_and_Puppies_Place/thread/666281

Sheriff in N. Minnesota reports dog thieves: http://www.sctimes.com/article/20100317/NEWS01/103170050/1 009/Dog-disappearances-reported–sheriff-says

One of the ladies that was waiting for a pocket beagle puppies called me over a month ago.  She was worried about her year old Boston Terrier.  He stunk!  Smelled awful.  She took him to the vet and the vet said he was fine.  Just go home and give him a bath.

She bathed him and bathed him and bathed him.  But he still stunk!  And he was not  really fond of eating!

I asked her what she was feeding him (Not a 5 or 6 star dog food).  She agreed to change his food and call me back in about month.    She ordered  food off the internet. (We don’t have good dog food in our rural area).

First report a week later:  her  puppy was eating normally.  2nd report about a month later.  The smell was gone from his coat.   His coat which was coarse and rough was much softer and silkier.

Could the smell have been a release of the toxins that were building up in his body?    How many toxins can a dog take before his liver and other organs quit on him?  I don’t know the answer to that.  But I do know that it takes some time to see the difference when you change the diet.  In most dogs, it takes about a month to see a marked improvement.  The faster the improvement. the less damage that needs to be repair.  The longer it takes for the change to be visible, the more damage needs to be repaired.

The same is true for horses.  Being a horse person, I love the smell of horses.  If a horse smells bad, it is sick.  Even the breathe coming out of their nose.  If the breathe smells good, the horse is fine.  If the odor is rotten,  so goes his gut.

1. Abnormal swellings that persist or continue to grow
2. Sores that do not heal
3. Weight loss
4. Loss of appetite
5. Bleeding or discharge from any body opening
6. Offensive odor
7. Difficulty eating or swallowing
8. Hesitation to exercise or loss of stamina
9. Persistent lameness or stiffness
10. Difficulty breathing, urinating, or defecating

Cancer is easier to prevent than cure.   Keep your dog’s diet as free as possible from toxins.  Read the ingredient label carefully.    There is only so much “crap” a body can handle before the system begins to deteriorate.    We are what we eat and drink.  The same is true for our dogs!

]]> http://blog.englishshepherdcentral.com/2010/01/cancer-signs-in-dogs/feed/ 0 http://blog.englishshepherdcentral.com/2009/11/pet-airline/ http://blog.englishshepherdcentral.com/2009/11/pet-airline/#comments Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:27:52 +0000 Lynda http://blog.englishshepherdcentral.com/?p=345 Have you heard about this?   Pet Airways is an airline that is devoted to flying pets in the cabin.  They have a limited number of flights and a limited number of destinations.  But what a good idea!

It costs $200-$350 to fly a pup one way in Cargo on most carrier.  Why can’t we buy a seat for them?  The airfare for a person one way is often less than the price of the pet in cargo.  Airlines who are experiencing problems filling the seats in flights might think outside the box.  Open up those seats to Furry Family Members!

The AKC has cracked opened its door to mixed breed dogs.  For $35, they will register your dog and allow the dog to compete in special mixed-breed classes at stand-alone Agility, Obedience and Rally events.

I believe this is a huge step for this association.  There are some amazing dogs produced from selectively crossing specific breeds. Go dogs!

To learn more about their new program visit the AKC.

Happy Birthday to the Queen Mum

My pug, Opie, usually waits till I get comfortable and then she joins us on the bed.  True to her routine, she jumped on the bed facing my pillow and you would have thought someone shot her.  She fell like a dead weight next to me.  I tried to move her and she acted like she was paralyzed.  I rolled her on her back and she just stayed in that position.

The only thing different.. the lavender.  I moved her to the bottom of the bed.  She barely moved all night and never snored which is a bit different for a pug.

Reading up on Aromatherapy for Dogs, I learned that lavender calms dogs. Imagine that!    There are lots of “recipes” the use of essential oils for dogs.    For example, here is a recipe for a massage oil to use on arthritic dogs or dogs with sore muscles.

Sounds good enough to try on myself

1 ounce of a light carrier oil (sweet almond or sunflower oil)
5 drops Chamomile
4 drops Lavender
3 drops Black Pepper

To use: massage directly into inflamed joints and stiff muscles. Store in a cool dark place or in the refrigerator.

A couple of days ago they started to peak out from under the building. Within a day or two, Gab had moved all nine to the time tested “puppy place” under the steps to the front porch.

I think that there are 9 puppies: 6 girls and 3 boys.

Click on the picture of the Puppy to see the Photo Album of the puppies.   All of the puppies are now with their new families.  We will have another litter of English Shepherds in November.  We are accepting deposits for this litter at this time.

English Shepherd Puppies 2009

These complaints were  reported at the  Consumer Complaints website.  Just like the dogs in China,  these dogs died a very unpleasant death.   Long term users of Nutro Dog Food report health issues with their dogs.

As a rule of  thumb, if your dog doesn’t want to eat a dog food, please don’t force him to eat it  with the philosophy of “if you get hungry enough, you will eat it”.     Listen to your dog.  If he doesn’t like it, maybe it is tainted.

Case in Point: My daughter feeds her 9 year old English Shepherd mostly homemade food but needed a back up kibble during a busy period.  She fed her one feeding of Pedigree.  Within about 6 hours, the dog was letharic and developed diarrhea.  She was crampy and obviously very uncomfortable.  After the symptoms subsided, the dog still absolutely refused to eat the Pedigree.  My daughter purchased another brand of food and her dog ate. 

Listen to your dog.   It may save their lifes.     And, please, don’t feed just one kind of dog dog.  Find a variety  of types of feeds by different manufacters that  appear to work for your dog. Either rotate between them or mix them together and provide the mixture to your dog.  Supplement with  raw hamburger and dog friendly fruits and  veggies.

The trust between dog food manufacters and consumers has been broken.  We can no longer assume all dog food manufacters are interested in the health and well-being of our dogs.   They are interested in money.

If you are not familiar with the brown recluse spider, she is one that should hit your “radar screen”.    The spider is light tan in color and has long legs. It likes dark, quiet spaces like under your bed, in the back of closets, in cupboards that are really used.  Fortunately, they are “RECLUSIVE”, meaning that they don’t like light and activity.

But they do move at night and they need to go to water which is probably why most folks are bitten in their beds as they sleep.

For me, the spider bite woke me up.  Not as intense a wasp sting but quick and sharp.  By morning the area was swelling and itchy.  By Noon, the wound had a small head on it and was feeling bad.  The pain at the site of the bite was beginning to get intense.

Not every is sensitive to the toxin from this spider but if you think you have been bitten by a spider and you start to have this reaction, it is wise to go immediately to the doctor.  Although there is no treatment to counteract the effect of the toxin, antiobiotics mya help keep down the secondary infections that can happen as your skin begins to die off.  Out of control, this toxin can lead to the need for surgery and skin grafts.

The same is true for our dogs.  The wound appears to have the same appearance and the dog gets very depressed. A vet should be in the loop for advise and support about how to help the dog through this “toxic event”

Outside these spiders like dark places like the inside of dog houses that haven’t been used in a while.  Or forgotten corners of the garden..

While there are “zillions” of these creatures out there, it is still a rare event when they bite a dog or a person but when they do, it can be a very dangerous health issue.  Be aware!