THANKSGIVING PET SAFETY TIPS

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and it’s a great occasion to have your family join you in the kitchen for a fun day of food prep. When the enticing aromas of food start wafting through your house, it’s likely that your pets will want to get in on the action. However, the hectic environment in the kitchen on this food-filled holiday poses some potential health risks for your pets. Remember these safety tips as you whip up the perfect batch of mashed potatoes and gravy:

Let’s talk turkey: If you decide to give your pet a nibble of your Thanksgiving turkey, make sure it’s boneless and well-cooked—no raw or undercooked turkey, which may contain salmonella bacteria.

Sage advice: While sage can be a delicious addition to your Thanksgiving stuffing, it and many other herbs contain essential oils and resins that can cause gastrointestinal upset and central nervous system depression in pets. Cats are especially sensitive.

Doughy dangers: When an animal ingests raw bread dough, his body heat causes the dough to rise in his stomach. Ouch! This may cause vomiting, severe abdominal pain and bloating, which could become a life-threatening emergency. Cake batters made with raw eggs are also dangerous to pets.

Portion control, please: While it’s ok to share a bit of well-cooked turkey with your furry friend, it’s best to stick to your pet’s regular diet during the holidays. Allowing your pets to over indulge could cause stomach upset, diarrhea or pancreatitis.

Source: http://www.aspca.org/parents/term/its-turkey-time-check-out-our-thanksgiving-pet-safety-tips

November Pet of the Month: Muffins

Muffin is an 11 year old Border Collie and Lab mix from West Virginia.  She is a rescue dog from a shelter in Redmond.  Her owners found her on-line,  met her and fell in love.  She was about 7 months old when they picked her up on Halloween.  She has always been gentle and loving, loves to cuddle on the couch and leans into you like she’s giving you a hug. She loves the beach and will run happily on the sand.  She’s not too fond of the ocean however!  It took several trips before she ventured into the water, but only belly-deep!  She’s definitely a people dog who loves attention and is well-loved. She is a gift from God.

Featured Pet of the Month: Mollie

Mollie came to her owner as a four month old rescue puppy. It didn't take long to realize this adorable white blur of activity suffered from severe anxiety and was ill-equipped to deal with most social situations.

Mollie was a skittish, hyperactive, seemingly un-trainable ball of nerves. Mollie and her owner clashed from the beginning. She started fights at the dog beach, evening walks were punctuated by panic attack over cars, gates, and other dogs.

Her owner read everything about canine behavior and enrolled in obedience and socialization classes.
Mollie persevered.

It has taken years to build a trusting, working relationship with Mollie. Her walks are more calm and she has learned to tolerate other dogs.

Mollie has taught her owner about patience, boundaries, and trust. She's also taught her about unconditional love.

We are proud to honor Mollie this November!