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Poochy Doos, LLC: Posted on Monday, December 10, 2012 6:42 PM
Dog Rescued from Frigid Pond in North Fort Collins By: Mary Watterson, Dog Walker, Pet Sitter & Trail Guide
 Arriving home early this evening, around 4:30, I followed a Larimer County firetruck, dispatched from Country Club & Terry Lake Road, almost to my doorstep. They pulled in next door and were soon joined by two Sherriff's Department vehicles, another fire engine, and an ambulance. Everyone headed for the partially frozen pond next to my house, just East of Terry Lake.
Parking, I hurriedly walked back and arrived at the shore just in time to see a rescue worker sliding across the ice on his stomach, before plunging in to the icy water near a large, struggling dog.
After just a short while, the rescuer had the dog's front legs under his forearm, and rescuers on the shore began to pull both of them in using a safety line. Myself and a bystander both gasped, as the dogs head went under the water for approximately five seconds as it neared the shore.
With one final heave from rescuers on shore, they were safely out of the water! I went to the dog to try to get a feel for his body temperature. We were rubbing the dog and the poor thing was just ice, ice cold. It was soon apparent that the dog was hypothermic. The poor dog was shivering, seemed confused and had difficulty trying to stand.
 They rushed the dog to the CSU Emergency Vet Hospital. I gave them my card, as I believe the dog belongs to one of my neighbors behind the pond. I understood from a rescue worker who called me enroute to CSU that they didn't know who the dog's owner was. They said they would call CSU to inform them.
I sent a brief news release to Channel 9 News with photos in the hopes they would air pictures of the dog. Hopefully someone will see these pics and be able to notify the owner! The dog looked to be some sort of Pyrenees-cross.
Please pass this news on to your friends. Hopefully the community can help identify this poor dog! And a big, big "thank you" to all the rescuers! I had no idea the Fire Department came out to rescue dogs!
UPDATE: As of 7:30pm, sources at CSU Vet Hospital say her temperature is now up to 96 degrees, she has a small puncture wound, and they think she'll be just fine! Also, they found the owner! YAY!! Thanks to everyone who spread this story around!
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Poochy Doos, LLC: Posted on Sunday, October 28, 2012 1:17 PM
In Loving Memory of "Mr. Lincoln" By Mary Watterson, Dog Walker, Pet Sitter & Trail Guide
This month has been a terribly sad month for Poochy Doos, LLC. We lost a very old and dear friend, "Mr. Lincoln" to problems associated with NSAID usage. His owners were treating Lincoln as instructed by their vet and had not been informed of the dangers involved, or the signs of acute toxicity to look out for.
Our hearts go out to Mr. Lincoln's family in their time of grief! Lincoln was a great dog and we all loved him very much! So all of us, at one time or another, may be confronted with having to treat our four legged friends for pain or inflammation. In canines, this is probably most commonly done in order to treat Arthritis, a very common ailment. While there are supplements and wholistic treatments as well, controlling inflammation and pain management remains an important part in any treatment regimen.
There are various NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory) drugs on the market. generally speaking, they work by suppressing the enzyme prostaglandin. The problem is, when prostaglandin is inhibited, it can adversely affect blood circulation in the kidneys and the production of blood platelets.
As with any medication, your vet should always discuss potential side-effects with you prior to administering the drug. During the first 24-72 hours, it is important to keep a close eye on your dog to observe any adverse reactions.
For more information on this important topic, please see your vet or inquire at the CSU Veterinarian Teaching Hospital. You may also find helpful articles online by Googling "dangers of canine nsaids."
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Poochy Doos, LLC: Posted on Sunday, September 16, 2012 10:06 AM
Boarding Facility Under Investigation Puppy's Injuries Lead to Investigation of Facility by Mary Watterson, Fort Collins Dog Walker, Pet Sitter & Trail Guide
Another boarding facility is in our local headlines!
Animal Protection and Control has opened an investigation of the American Dog School after a Fort Collins family reported their 13-week purebred German Shepherd "Baron" suffered severe, blunt force trauma while being boarded.
CSU Vet Hospital performed surgery to remove Baron's damaged eye. A vet with the hospital commented that the trauma was severe and similar to what a dog would sustain if struck head-on by a car. Vets speculated that the injuries were a minimum of 24-hours old.
The owner of American Dog School, Tami Carrasco reportedly said she didn't notice anything was wrong with Baron until she returned him to the owners on Sunday night. The Coloradoan reports that Carrasco maintains her business is not at fault.
Everyone at Poochy Doos, LLC hopes Baron makes a complete and speedy recovery!
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Poochy Doos, LLC: Posted on Saturday, April 07, 2012 9:28 AM
CSU, PBS & Temple Grandin The World Needs All Kinds of Minds by: Mary Watterson, Fort Collins Dog Walker & Pet Sitter
 CSU is teaming up with Rocky Mountain PBS to put on yet another special documentary about our very own Temple Grandin. Ms. Grandin, the subject of the recent HBO biopic played by Claire Danes, is an esteemed, world-renowned professor at CSU.
Through her personal struggles with autism, Grandin's insights single-handedly ushered in humane practices for cattle and farm animals - turning the industry upside down. Simply put, Grandin's mind completely changed the mind of an entire industry.
The new documentary, entitled "Temple Grandin: The World Needs All Kinds of Minds," is set to air 4/15 @ 1:30 on Rocky Mountain PBS channels, just in time to mark National Autism Awareness Month in April. It can also be viewed after its debut by visiting www.colostate.edu/templegrandin.
Our hats off to Prof. Grandin for her tireless, humanitarian work in the field of education and animal welfare!
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