Every time we exited my front gate, Cassie headed south, towards McDonald’s, the pier, and other goodies tossed out – treasures to a perpetually hungry dog. She always looked disappointed when I turned north for our usual walk, but when I turned south, she raised her wagging tail and quickened her gait, often barking and turning towards me as if to say “Really? We’re going this way?”
Leptospirosis
Does your vet ask you if your dog drinks out of puddles and streams? I discourage puddles, but lying in a stream and gulping cool water on a hot summer day, now that’s a water dog, or at least a hot dog trying to cool off.
The Decision
Deciding if it is time to put your best friend down has to be one of the hardest decisions to make.
- Is it too soon?
- Will the dog get better?
- What is her quality of life?
Is it Time to say Goodbye?
My good friend and work partner for the past 11 ½ years, Cassie, can no longer walk. She leans hard to the left and falls down if she can’t manage to get her left rear leg under her.
Dog Flu Epidemic in Chicago
Many living near the Chicago area are thinking twice before they load their dog in the car and head over to the dog park, or even doggie daycare. As of early last week over 1,300 dogs have been infected, the largest epidemic ever, and with a strain never seen in this area.
Homemade Dog Food Recipe
About six months ago, my husband, Mitch, ran across a recipe for making our own dog food. It included kale, which he had a lot of from our garden last fall, so he gave it a try. With three dogs, we can really go through the dog food.
Sebaceous Cysts
A large hard scab stuck to the fur on Cassie’s back for over a month. We thought it was from rolling on rigid sharp crusts of ice and snow. A routine visit to the vet revealed the scab was harboring a sebaceous cyst. Several more occurred on her right leg and ear. The vet shaved her fur and exposed a raw, oozing wound.
Probiotics
I opened the kitchen door after returning home from work. Buffy and Chipper gathered by the door, wiggling their stumpy tails. They ran out the door as a familiar raunchy odor greeted me. Brown drippings and piles were all over the kitchen floor. “Not again,” I moaned as I grabbed paper towels and a plastic grocery bag and started whipping up diarrhea.
