Safety Tips For Families with Dogs

Bring Your Dog Indoors
Even if your yard is fenced Halloween can be very overwhelming and it is your dogs natural instinct to protect the family from strangers.

Keep your dog restrained
If your dog is timid or scared or begins to get very excited put your dog into another room especially away from the front door to limit his excitement, aggression or chance of running out and getting lost or injured.

Reassure your Dog
Just act like everything is normal. Do not over -reassure or give your dog extra attention because you can inadvertently communicate there must be something to worry about.

Have Your Dog Get Used to Costumes
Let your dog sniff the costume. Keep masks off while the dog is around.

Keep Candy Away Your Dog
Many Candies-especially those containing chocolate or xylitol, an artificial sweetener-are toxic to dogs. Problems can range from a mild upset tummy to vomiting and diarrhea, or even death. For your dog's safety, be sure to keep all sweets and their wrappers well away from him.

Protect Dogs from Candles and Pumpkins
Agitated or excited dogs (and their swinging ) can easily knock over a lit candle or pumpkin. Keep such items out of your dog's reach, or consider using a battery-powered candle that does not burn.

Think Twice about dressing Your dog in a Costume
While some dogs enjoy being dressed up, many don't. Experiment first to see if your dog likes being ina costume. If he shows any resistance, don't do it. Tie a fun bandana around his neck and he'll be happier and safer.

Consider Carefully and Be Prepared
Think carefully about taking your dog with you on trick or treat rounds. You may unintentionally instill a new fear of strangers in him, creating a wariness that could last long past the holiday. If you do take your dog keep a firm grip on the leash. Dogs do not understand that the person jumping out at yo will not hurt you;they often think they can only help you by acting aggressively. Neither children nor adults in costumes should approach a dog without the owners consent.

November is Pet Cancer Awareness Month in the United States.
Here are some dog cancer facts:
• Dogs get cancer at the roughly the same rate as humans.
• Approximately 1 in 4 dogs will develop a tumor of some kind during his lifetime.
• Over half the dogs currently aged over 10 years old will die of cancer.
• Fifteen years ago there was virtually no pet oncology; now the level of dog cancer treatment is similar to human oncology.
• Available surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatment is successful in treating many canine cancers.
• Early detection and effective treatment is essential to give your dog the best possible prognoses.
• Cancer treatment is expensive; seriously consider starting a pet insurance policy whilst your dog is healthy.
• On August 10th 2007, an initiative was launched by the Morris Animal Foundation to eliminate cancer in the canine population in 20 years.
The Morris Animal Foundation
www.morrisanimalfoundation.org
By funding more than 100 canine cancer studies, they have helped veterinarians better detect and treat the disease. Their Canine Cancer Campaign is a global effort to prevent, treat and cure cancer.

The National Canine Cancer Foundation
http://www.wearethecure.org
The National Canine Cancer Foundation is a nationwide, contribution funded, 501 (c)(3) non-profit corporation dedicated to eliminating Cancer as a major health issue in dogs by funding grants directly to Cancer researchers who are working to save lives, find cures, better treatments and accurate, cost effective diagnostic methods in dealing with canine Cancer.
The purpose of the Foundation’s Research Grant Program is to encourage and provide grant support for basic, pre-clinical and clinical research in high impact and innovative cancer research, which is intended to develop innovative approaches to a cure, treatment, diagnosis or prevention of cancers in dogs. The program fosters collaboration between basic and clinical scientists with the intent of enhancing the transfer of basic research findings to clinical usefulness.

Please take some time in your practice to educate the public on canine cancer. I’d love to do a little piece for my video blog so if you have an opinion email me at clenz@mac.com.

Here is a link to My Dog Casey Lenz getting radiation therapy
http://www.justnews.com/video/21301115/index.html

http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h3501/show
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.3501:
$3,500 annual tax deduction for “qualified pet care expenses" That includes trips to the veterinarian’s office. Rep. Thaddeus McCotter sponsors the resolution, commonly called the Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years, or HAPPY Act. On July 31, it was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
If passed, the amendment would apply as early as the 2010 taxable year.

Just reporting back on
PARTY WITH THE BIG DOG WITH THE FRIENDS OF JUPITER BEACH

was a wonderful success!

You can view the video here on UVU

http://ka.uvuvideo.org/_Party-Like-the- ... 86294.html

Saturday, August 8
Party Like the Big Dogs at the Square Grouper Tiki Bar, Jupiter inlet. Dogs are usually not allowed, so this is a very special occasion and benefits Friends of Jupiter Beach.

If the Square Grouper sounds familiar, it is the site that inspired Alan Jackson for "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere", which was shot partially, there http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ib8nH4kHjxk

Two exciting events, overlooking the sparkling inlet and lighthouse await those for the $10/pp donation/admission (day & night).

Square Grouper's Dog Wash & Tiki Towel Off is
10 am - 2 pm, with dogs welcome inside the Square Grouper until 4 pm.
For everyone's safety:
Well-socialized dogs. No flexi/retractable leads, please. One dog per handler. No pups under four months old, no females in season.
In the evening, Party Like the Big Dogs (humans only) 7 pm - 10 pm . Enjoy drink specials, giveaways, live music by Vanilla Monk, a tremendous silent auction and more. Proceeds benefit Friends of Jupiter Beach, the volunteer group with 15 years of dedication, in keeping Jupiter Beach clean and dog-friendly.


Award-winning photographer Tina Valant will be snapping photos. Community support is needed with dog-wash teams, event volunteers, auction items, supplies, and sponsorship. Donations of towels for the dog wash are needed; even better, BYOT !
more info: www.friendsofjupiterbeach.com

photo caption:
Riley, Mickey, Kaira, Murphy & Lucy are ready to party!
photo: Tina Valant www.HaveDog.com