|
|
The Poochy Blog
Pet Community News
|
Posted on Sunday, February 17, 2013 1:10 PM
Shameless Cones Rehab in Style by Mary Watterson, Fort Collins Pet Sitter, Dog Walker & Trail Guide
 Bella, being highly interested in fashion, was recently searching her Haute Couture Haunts on Twitter, when she was introduced to Shameless Cones. Having had to wear an appalling plastic cone herself after an accident at the pedicurists, she immediately started Following them and they soon became friends.
Shameless Cones is a family-owned business that was bright enough to ask the question: "Why do e-collars have to be so butt ugly?" Soon afterward, their newly launched R & D Department (comprised of various and sundry dogs) came back with the answer: "They don't."
And so they launched an e-collar business they aptly named "Shameless Cones." Bella's favorite is the Sunflower design, featured below on a very happy dog!
Why, you may ask (besides them looking so cool) are colorful e-collars a plus for your dog? Well, that again, goes back to the genius of Shameless. You see, knowing both dog behavior and dog-owner behavior, they knew that owners respond emotionally to their pets. Seeing your beloved pet in an ugly, e-collar may illicit such thoughts as: "Man, you poor pathetic dog!" or "I'm so sorry I have to do this to you!" or, worse still: "It must suck to be you!" Needless to say, they were right! Our energy translates directly to our dogs.
 I guarantee if you put your dog (or cat) in one of these cool cones you'll have nothing but smiles and positive energy oozing from your body. In fact, you may even start to wag!
We hope you support our good friends at Shameless Cones. Please visit their great website to see all of their cool products. Personally, we can't wait to see what they come up with next. Bella is hoping to see a Court Jester line. Bailey wants an NFL line...
Be sure to forward this post to your vet so they too can spread the happiness. Rehab does not have to be a bummer when you accessorize it with a Sunflower Cone!
|
|
|
Poochy Doos, LLC: Posted on Wednesday, February 13, 2013 10:31 AM
The Yellow Dog Project Respecting a Dog's Space By: Mary Watterson, Fort Collins Pet Sitter, Dog Walker & Trail Guide
You've heard the adage: "A picture's worth a thousand words." How about seven?
Please be sure and spread the news by forwarding this post to your friends and Vet's office to post!
I'm thinking a yellow poop bag would make a nice "ribbon."
|
|
|
Poochy Doos, LLC: Posted on Saturday, February 09, 2013 1:12 PM
Spot's Light Lighted Collars & Leashes By Mary Watterson, Fort Collins Dog Walker, Pet Sitter & Trail Guide
And God said: "Let there be light." And Spot said: "Make mine neon!"
 So, as many of you know, Bella handles our Twitter account here at The Poochy. The other day, she was minding her own business, when a dog named Honey started following her.
Being the friendly pooch she is, she stopped what she was doing and made friends. It turns out Honey is the R & D Director for a very cool family-owned company named Spot's Light. So, after passing some Tweets back and forth, Honey beamed Bella a package of light containing an awesome collar and leash - that light up. Too cool!
Bella, being a tiny dog of large character, gave it to her friend Bailey...a much bigger pooch, and Bailey has been sporting it ever since!
Here at Poochy Doos, LLC, we've found Spot's Light to be an invaluable tool and way over due! The collar and leash are constructed of sturdy nylon with a swivel clip and they light-up for night-time walking.
I can't tell you all the close calls we've had at Poochy Doos walking dogs at night with good drivers (or bikers) who just didn't see us or were distracted. That being said, we're not your average dog walkers. Our dog walkers are trained to be "actively scanning the horizon" for potential hazards that can threaten a dog's safety. We don't chat on cell phones, listen to i-pods or walk and chat with friends along the way. We're simply there, walking our client's dog, and paying attention to our surroundings.
This product is perfect for the average dog owner who frequently walks their dog around the neighborhood or bike trails at dusk (perhaps the poorest lighting of all) or at night. It provides a six foot lead lit-up with very bright, neon-color lights that projects your presence from several yards away. It is also reasonably priced. In fact, for the same price you'd pay for a regular collar and lead, you could purchase the added security of Spot's Light!
Used correctly, the visibility this product provides could easily help avert accidents that could otherwise occur from distracted drivers, bikers (and dog owners)!
We hope you check them out and support their great products!
|
|
|
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!
|
|
|
Poochy Doos, LLC: Posted on Thursday, November 15, 2012 11:27 AM
What Santa Shouldn't Put in Fido's Stocking: Rope Toys Can Kill Your Dog By Mary Watterson, Fort Collins Dog Walker, Pet Sitter & Trail Guide
Rope toys have become very popular of late. Go to any pet store, and you'll see a variety of shapes, sizes and styles to choose from. They are even touted by many vets as great "natural flossing" tools for your dogs. While that may be the case, we're hoping that this year Santa's Workshop doesn't make any. We all know that dog's have a tendency, just like kids, to put things in their mouths. Dogs will chew and swallow just about anything, given the opportunity. We also know that it's unwise to let your dog chew on string, fishing line, yarn, tinsel, etc. But we nevertheless allow them to chew on rope toys or even play tug-of-war with them. Why is that? Is it because we trust that whatever is brought to the marketplace is safe? Is it safe because vets have recommended it?
Clearly we have every reason to trust our vet. But what if some veterinarians are misinformed? What if a potential danger simply hasn't occurred to them? Well, there's one dog lover in San Antonio who will be much more careful next time around. 'Next time around' because her dog recently suffered an agonizing death after playing with a rope toy. And now she wants them pulled off the market.
Lea Robinson lost her one-year-old, pug-beagle mix "Perry" after two unsuccessful surgeries to fix severe internal injuries. You can read her story here. According to Jaie Avila of WAOI, Robinson said: "she bought a rope toy for Perry and within minutes he tore it apart." Robinson then disposed of the ruined toy and only later discovered Perry had ingested a large amount of string. According to Robinson, the toy got tangled up in Perry's intestines and acted like "a saw."
Unfortunately, Robinson's dog is not the only dog who has died after playing with rope toys. The Internet is strewn with similar tragedies related to this seemingly innocuous toys.
Mina Youssef, a vet at Becker Animal Hospital, (unrelated to Perry's death) commented on similar incidences saying: “It is very common to see that. What it does, it can cause a lot of damage and it can cause a blockage in the intestine which basically makes the intestine twist like an accordion.”
And what makes it worse, is it is not easily detectible. According to Avila: "not only can string or strands of rope cause severe internal damage to a dog, they don't show up on x-rays. Often an ultra-sound must be performed, which can make the problem difficult and costly to detect."
As with all toys we give our dogs, we have to continue doing everything in our power to make sure they are safe and harmless for them to play with. Please help spread the news that rope toys can be very dangerous.
In the meantime, please be sure to keep your pets away from all your Christmas decorations. Turning your back, even for a minute can be disastrous! From all your friends at Poochy Doos, LLC, we wish everyone a very merry (and safe) Christmas and New Year!
|
|
|
|
|
