Pink Ribbon Pooches for Breast-Cancer Patients

With an eye and heart turned toward those diagnosed with – and in treatment for – breast cancer, the co-writer of this blog recently created a Facebook portal to assist patients who may need help with their dogs and also to share pertinent news, research, and info.

Pink Ribbon Pooches – found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PinkRibbonPooches – was created as a service for women diagnosed with breast cancer who have dogs, and particularly single women who have no family or other household members to help during this stressful time. The network's three primary goals are to help find temporary foster homes or a pet-sitter for dogs during surgeries and procedures as needed, to match rescued dogs with breast-cancer survivors who can benefit during the healing process by having a canine companion, and to assist in finding homes for dogs whose owners may not have survived.

On the page, you also will find the latest breast-cancer news of the day in addition to the mission to help breast-cancer patients with dogs.

Please check out the page and support with a “like”; don’t forget to share with your friends, family, and colleagues who may be fighting breast cancer or perhaps know someone who is. Many thanks!

Written by Dee Hopkins in collaboration with Ginger Sprinkle at nine dots branding & marketing company (ginger@ninedotsbranding.com).

Set Your Dog Up for Good Holiday Behavior

Most of us are guilty of occasionally sneaking our dog a table scrap as a treat. While never a great idea, with the holidays coming up rest assured dogs will be salivating over all the delicious scents wafting out of the kitchen and off the dining table. Sad, hopeful eyes might just get him a bite of food that will make him ill as dogs are sensitive to a wide variety of foods from garlic and onions to grapes. Also beware there’s always the chance he’ll help himself to something off the table that will make him sick.

Unfortunately, once a dog starts to beg, it will become non-stop unless steps are taken to discourage the behavior. The key is to be consistent. Research has shown if you reward him even once, the bad habit will become even harder to break.

Make sure everyone in the family knows and follows the training rules. If a child is sneaking your pet a treat, the dog is going to soon learn which family member to sit by under the table. If you don't notice the sneaking and reprimand the dog, he’s going to have no clue what is wrong because as far as he knows he's asking for something politely and getting it. So, it’s imperative not to give any treats from the dinner table.

Next, teach your dog to sit or lie down instead of trying to discreetly get into someone’s lap or nudge a leg. Make it clear pushy behavior is a no-no; if he rises, respond with a firm “no” and place him back in the proper position. Remember to always praise and reward him for good behavior.

Aside from issuing commands, ignore your dog. Don't pet him or offer comfort as positive reinforcement can also encourage begging. A few dinner nights of “tough love” will result in a much more well-behaved dog.

• Until your dog's table manners are up to par – meaning no begging – you may also want to try the following steps:
    If your dog refuses to comply with your commands, simply have him stay in another room. Do not respond to his barks. By keeping him isolated while you eat, he may eventually associate begging with being sent away. 
The caveat: of course this disrupts a nice dining experience for you and your guests.

•  Feed your dog prior to your meal, or try giving your dog a toy that dispenses treats just prior to your meal. Make sure you do not give it after he starts begging, or he will perceive it as a reward. 


After dinner is finished, give your dog one of his favorite treats or perhaps a special leftover such as turkey. Once he realizes he'll get something sooner or later, he'll be much more likely to wait it out. This can be reinforced at every meal or snack time; never feed your dog until you’re finished, showing your role as both alpha and provider. But do remember to always acknowledge his good behavior with praise and a goody!

Bone appetit!

For pet-sitting with a personal touch, contact Dee Hopkins at 517.546.0439 and visit http://www.ddspetpatrol.com.

Written by Dee Hopkins in collaboration with Ginger Sprinkle at nine dots branding & marketing company (ginger@ninedotsbranding.com).

Tips for Giving Your Dog a B-A-T-H

Does the spoken word “bath” send your dog scampering under the sofa? Does it bring dread to you knowing when they're finally free they will charge -- soaking wet -- onto your bed – damp-dog smell and all?

Many challenges result from dogs being afraid of the noise, disliking a soap scent, or simply not caring for the feel of water on their skin. Nevertheless, when your dog starts to smell like a dog, it’s bath time. Regardless of how you do it, dog baths need to be a regular event in your home, no matter how messy or unpleasant the job can be. Whether you are able to bathe your dog outdoors in warm weather or need to give baths indoors in a tub, we will offer some pointers here to help make your job as a fur parent a bit easier.

Start When They’re Young

It’s easier to get a puppy adjusted to being bathed and having nail trims and grooming than it is for an older pet. If you do adopt an older dog, present grooming as a fun part of your routine. Select a special treat for after-the-bath time and perhaps let them take a favorite water toy in the tub during the rub-a-dub-dub.

Brush First

For dogs with long hair that easily mats and tangles, purchase a commercial conditioner readily available at your local pet store. Apply and gently work out mats to prevent your dog from fearing the brush. Cornstarch or baby oil can also be applied to stubborn mats to help smooth fur and work out tangles prior to brushing.

Tangled wet fur is to be avoided. Brush your dog before bathing so fur is smooth and mat-free. Prep by spraying your dog with a light coat of water or conditioner to smooth the fur and make brushing more pleasant.

Gentleness is Key

Dogs have sensitive areas, too, and generally don't like water in their eyes and ears; use a damp cloth to clean the face while keeping the shampoo and conditioner away from the area.

If grooming is problematic for your pet, make sure there's no medical reason for the discomfort such as raw or itchy patches of skin that can be irritated by brushing too hard or that result from using a harsh shampoo.

Be Fast and Efficient

Bathe your dog as quickly as possible to make the process less stressful for both of you. Be thorough and do a good cleaning, but whether you're using an indoor tub or shower or bathing in the yard, do it as quickly as you can. Dry your dog immediately using a pet chamois, lots of big soft towels, or a hair dryer set to a low setting.

Dogs Will Be Dogs

At some point in their lives even the perfect dog will get into something incredibly sticky like tar or sap. Removing this from fur can hurt, but most sticky spots can be softened by applying peanut butter or shortening and working the mat loose with your fingers; olive oil can also be used to loosen the mat. For more solid masses like gum, try freezing the mat with an ice cube and breaking it loose from the fur.

Rest assured, your pet will be a lot happier – after the fact – when he or she is nice and clean. And, believe it or not, with a little preparation and the right tools it can actually be fun for both of you after you get used to the process.

For pet-sitting with a personal touch, contact Dee Hopkins at 517.546.0439 and visit http://www.ddspetpatrol.com.

Written by Dee Hopkins in collaboration with Ginger Sprinkle at nine dots branding & marketing company (ginger@ninedotsbranding.com).

Soaring Temperatures Require Special Pet Care

With this summer’s temperatures hitting 100-degrees-plus across the US, it’s time for a reminder on how to keep your pets safe and cool. Basically, anything a human needs a pet needs in these heatwaves. Just be mindful of the major mistakes pet owners make and don’t be guilty of making them. Irreversible damage can be done in seconds, in some cases.

We all know leaving a pet in a parked car can be a deadly mistake. The interior temperature easily can reach 120 degrees in a few minutes. Don’t think partially open windows will protect your pet from heatstroke -- or worse. When temperatures are on the rise, please keep your pet at home.

When exercising your dog, do so in the morning or evening when temperatures and pavement are cool.
 Better yet, simply stay off concrete and asphalt. Your dog's feet should be safe on grass while you exercise together. Summer heat can turn a road as hot as a frying pan. Even though your dog's feet are tougher than yours, the scorching surface of the road or sidewalk can do serious damage in no time flat.

Dogs should NEVER be in truck beds, but if they are they can suffer serious injury or heatstroke. Debris from the road damages eyes, not to mention they can easily jump or fall out of the truck bed. Think about their feet, too. If you cannot touch the hot truck bed with your bare hand, your dog should not be suffering on the hot metal. It’s also not a good idea to let dogs hang their head out of open car windows at any time because, again, they can get debris in their eyes.

If your pet is outside during the day for any reason, remember to provide shady protection from the sun and plenty of fresh water. Keep in mind older, short muzzled, and overweight dogs are more likely to overheat during hot weather.

Comfort pets during a thunderstorm or fireworks’ event. Make sure every animal, including livestock, has current and legible identification tags or a microchip ID. Keep your pet/s indoors in a safe area and never leave them unattended outside.

Pets can get sunburns so they should have sunblock applied to sun-sensitive areas such as tips of ears, nose, the belly, and groin areas that typically have sparse hair coverage and thinner skin. Cats love to sunbathe and dogs often will belly up for some sunning as well. Think about getting season-appropriate groomings for cats and dogs to reduce matting and keep them comfortable in the heat. What products are safe to use for pets? Remember dogs -- and especially cats -- are adept at licking off topical lotions, sprays, and creams. These substances can be toxic for dogs and more so for cats. It was once recommended that anything safe for human babies would be OK to use on pets with supervision (let the lotion soak in before licking can occur); this is a guideline, but with the following considerations in mind. 
Using products on a species not covered by product usage guidelines is off-label usage. Please consult with your veterinarian prior to using any human products or medications on your pet.

If traveling with your pet, add these to your vacation checklist: current ID tags and vaccines, copies of health records and medications, your pet’s regular food and water, and don’t forget a leash.

For pet-sitting with a personal touch, contact Dee Hopkins at 517.546.0439 and Like us on Facebook at DD’s Pet Patrol LLC.

Written by Dee Hopkins in collaboration with Ginger Sprinkle at nine dots branding & marketing company (ginger@ninedotsbranding.com).

Toxic Human Items for Pets

When it comes to a list of human foods you should not feed your pets nor allow them to accidentally get into, we all know chocolate is the most notorious; it doesn’t stop there by any means. Let’s take a look at other fatal foods, plants, and household items that can be deadly for your pets. Make sure even when putting the remnants of these in your trash that your four-legged babies cannot gain access to them.

The following foods may be dangerous to your pet: 

·         Alcoholic beverages 

·         Apple seeds 

·         Apricot pits 

·         Avocados

·         Baby food (can contain onion powder)

·         Bones from fish, poultry, or other meat sources (can splinter and rupture their organs on the interior or cause obstruction or laceration of the digestive system)

·         Canned tuna (large amounts can cause malnutrition since it lacks proper levels of vitamins and minerals. It can also lead to thiamine deficiency.)

·         Cherry pits

·         Candy (particularly chocolate, which is toxic to dogs, cats and ferrets, and any candy)

·         Coffee (grounds, beans, chocolate-covered espresso beans) 

·         Fat trimmings

·         Garlic and garlic powder

·         Grapes, raisins and currants (As few as seven grapes can be fatal to a dog)

·         Hops (used in home beer brewing) 

·         Macadamia nuts 

·         Marijuana or remnants – cooking or otherwise

·         Milk or other dairy products (some adult cats and dogs may develop diarrhea if given large amounts of dairy products)

·         Moldy foods 

·         Mushrooms and mushroom plants 

·         Mustard seeds 

·         Onions and onion powder 

·         Persimmons

·         Potato leaves and stems (green parts) 

·         Raw eggs

·         Raw meat

·         Rhubarb leaves 

·         Salt 

·         Sugary foods

·         Table scraps (Table scraps are not nutritionally balanced. They should never be more than 10% of the diet. Fat should be trimmed from meat; bones should not be fed.)

·         Tea (caffeine) and tea bags

·         Tobacco

·         Walnuts 

·         Xylitol 

·         Yeast dough

Of course, keep your household cleaners and products safely locked away or out of reach. Here are a few, in particular, to keep away from your pets:

·         Antifreeze

·         Liquid potpourri

·         Polyurethane glue

·         Pennies

·         Pine-oil cleaners

·         String

A recent list of the top pet-poisoning claims in, according to VPI, a pet health insurance company comprises:

·         Raisins/Grapes

·         Mushrooms

·         Marijuana

·         Lily flowers

·         Walnuts

·         Onion

·         Sago Palm

·         Macadamia nuts

·         Azalea flowers

·         Hydrangea flowers

For poison-related emergencies, call the Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435. If in doubt, take your pet to your emergency veterinarian clinic immediately!

For pet-sitting with a personal touch, contact Dee Hopkins at 517.546.0439 and visit http://www.ddspetpatrol.com.

Written by Dee Hopkins in collaboration with Ginger Sprinkle @ nine dots branding & marketing company (ginger@ninedotsbranding.com).