Pets 1st Presents
Naturally Saving Lives
(narrated by Danielle, Pet Wellness Consultant)
Saving a pet's life is an easy concept, yet can be difficult in reality. There are so many variables to deal with, such as breed, age, a shelter dog or a pure bred, size, temperament. Then there are considerations such as choosing the veterinarian and finding a qualified training resource. Last, but not least, what diet should the new addition be fed?
To help literally save a life is an awesome experience, and we at Pets 1st would like to help make it a reality for some lucky dog. We will chose a dog that needs a home, feed him/her one of the natural foods that we carry based on his/her needs, give him/her holistic veterinary care, use 100% positive training methods, and then place this very lucky dog in a forever home that fits him/her best.
We invite you, our customers, friends, and families, to join us in this very rewarding experience by checking out our website for details on the progress of this very lucky dog.
November 11, 2008
Shannon speaks with Monica Freeman at Evansville Animal Care and Control. A little while later, Shannon asks me to check out the options. So I go scope out the possibilities. After discussing a few of the choices, two special dogs arose as the likely candidate. Both arrived as strays, and sadly, both of the dogs' time had expired. So which do I choose? I know that whichever one I don't pick WILL be euthanized. How can a person choose one life to live and one to die? I was unable to make a decision. I didn't have the heart, and so Shannon AND I will both have a special place in our homes for a little extra guy to cuddle.
Welcome Cassidy and Sundance -- both saved from death row! These are the TWO lucky dogs that have been selected for the Pets 1st Naturally Saving Lives project.
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Cassidy, an 8-10 month old male Mixed breed, was hit by a car and has a broken leg. He is a very friendly guy and I was told by the Animal Control folks he is house trained! Sundance, a 1 year old or so male Mixed breed, was actually going to be euthanized this day! He is skinny and has a little upper respitory infection, but he takes his medications like a champ. Both dogs are doing well, given cats in their space. This picture was taken in my son's room, where the "boys" were hanging out while I was busy on the computer. Ironically, both dogs weigh exactly the same - 18.6 pounds. |
So, both dogs have already gone to Dr. Garrett at ARK Veterinary Services for their initial visit. Since both Shannon and I have our own dogs, we needed to have Cassidy and Sundance checked out prior to going home. Both dogs are getting an herbal Recovery formula, and Sundance is getting a Chinese herbal called Huey's Formula to help his cold. Their first meal tonight consisted of Fruitables Pumpkin & Cinnamon Mixer (to aid their GI and digestion), brown rice, and some kibble. Kibble at our home currently is Taste of The Wild. Cassidy got a partial bath and wasn't very happy about it at ALL, but tolerated the humility. It wasn't easy for me either -- I was so concerned about trying to keep the splint dry, and with the plastic bags over it, I had difficulty washing him. I wasn't able to get his head but will just have to use a washcloth for his face. I thought Sundance would have been easier, but he hated the bath worse! I really think that both dogs just hadn't really had much experience with baths and should be more agreeable to them in the future. But they both needed it to get rid of the fleas and stinky smell.
So, as both dogs snuggle in for their first night in a real home in weeks, I think about what my husband is going to say about TWO dogs this time. At least Shannon is taking one, so it won't be so bad. Funny thing is, I just placed my last foster Saturday, and my husband's comment was, "Let's see how long until the next one arrives?" Not long honey!
With hope, Danielle
For information about helping or adopting these dogs, please contact Danielle at danielle.park@pets1stdelivery.com or call (812) 205-7248.
For more information about adopting a pet from Evansville Animal Care and Control, please call (812) 435-6015 or Click Here to visit their website.
November 14, 2008
Cassidy is such a sweetie and loves to chew on my big dog Eggnogs' legs. Poor Eggy just tolerates it to no end. Cassidy has an appointment at Highland Veterinarian Clinic (they originally treated him) Monday to have his leg radiographed again and to check if the breaks are healing. Both his radius and ulna are/were broken mid shaft. Hopefully, he is healing well with just the splint, or we are in for a long recovery with casting. The infection from the road rash isn't as angry looking, because the antibiotics are doing their job. Because he can't bend his leg I don't crate him. He is such a good boy; he doesn't potty or chew on anything.
Sundance (who has now been renamed Dax) is settling in at Shannons. He thought he could be boss, but Shannon's Boxer, Hubble, gently gave him the facts of life, and balance has once again been restored, thankfully. So Hubble has a new playmate, and they seem to be getting along famously now! Shannon will be entering her own log on her experiences with Dax soon, so check back often.
Thanks to Brian at Aquatic Dreamworld for helping to sponsor our Pets 1st Naturally Saving Lives project! If you would like to help sponsor one or both dogs, please let us know!
November 17, 2008
I picked up Cassidy and Dax from Shannon this morning, and what a zoo! You really have to give it up to the people that foster and rescue full time!
Cassidy had an appointment at Highland this morning, and Dax went for moral support. Cassidy's leg isn't as tender, and Dr. Gormley added more stability with more tape. He says next week we will have to sedate him and see how things are going. Cassidy also got his vaccinations today and was an angel. He never even whimpered or moved. He will be back with Shannon for awhile since his personality seems to fit better at her house.
I will be working with Dax on a little dominance quirk. He is feeling better but still a little snotty. He is currently curled up on my bed and snoring. The natural food is really making an impact on his skin and coat. You can see the old skin shedding off and it looks like he has a horrible case of dandruff. This is common as the body works out the toxins and generates a new, healthy layer of skin.
If you have any questions about anything you have read, please email us and we will get back with you quickly. I hope that these two wonderful dogs will be adopted and have a home waiting for them after they have completed our program.
Again, with hope and a true desire to Naturally Save Lives, Danielle
Dr. Gormley at Highland Veterinary Clinic (867-6651) finishing with Cassidy.
November 21, 2008
Well the gang is settling in and learning the schedules of their foster homes. Both are starting to relax and let their true personalities shine through. Cassidy, nicknamed Cuddles, likes to "flea bite" the legs of any dog towering over him. When Shannon's Boxers get all wound up and a little crazy playing because of this, he just looks up as if to say, "What did I do?" He is too cute to get angry at and looks like a perfect angel.
Dax is starting to feel even better, now that he has blown most of the nasty green snot all over the couch, the bed, pillows, the floor, himself, the other dogs, the cat and me! It is getting a refill on the antibiotics and plenty of probiotic to go with it, of course.
He and my Powder Puff, TJ, have started to play, and Dax is an excellent cat herder! The best darn cat herder I have ever seen, I might add! The cat finally gave up trying to go anywhere and just sat down. He is also really good at jumping on the bed. I don't mean jumping UP on the bed-----I mean actually jumping up and down on the mattress. I will have to get video of him jumping and herding so you can see it for yourselves.
When we have enough sponsors for the medical care, both boys will be neutered and will then be ready to start their training. Also, it won't be long before Cassidy/Cuddles will be hobbling into the store on occasion to continue socialization. Dax will be there ONLY after we are certain he is no longer contagious! Nobody wants a cold!
Shannon and I like to bring one of our pets with us to the store every once in a while, so don't be too surprised to be greeted at the door by one of our four legged family members! The best part for them is the endless visitors, and that they get to try all the new stuff!
See you soon, Danielle
December 09, 2008
I know it has been a little while since I have written, but we were busy with turkey day, and then the flu came to visit at my house.
Dax's cold is almost totally gone; he is finished with the antibiotics and can almost bark a little without choking. His skin has improved and is no longer flaking and peeling. However, I would like to see his hair coat thicken up a bit more. I know it will come, but as Shannon says "You have the patience of a gnat." True.
He is very gentle, especially when taking a treat or eating from your hand. He has learned "sit", but it has been a task to find some "alone time" with him having all the other dogs in the house at the same time. Oh yeah, he also has learned what "kennel" means. Sometimes he hides behind the computer chair (like I can't see him) and I have to give him a moment to contemplate the situation. Usually he will resign himself to the den.
He continues to "hike" in a few places, and I have been using the Urine Off from the store. It works well, but nothing is as strong as testosterone! LOL Neutering will help that little problem. Of course, that is if we ever get enough sponsors or donations to have that procedure done. Hint, Hint.
On a serious note, we have received ONE very small sponsorship, and I am losing faith that this will be an ongoing program with the lack of community support. Shannon and I actually pay for their food, supplements, and treats. I have personally paid for the veterinarian visits up until now, including vaccinations for Cassidy. He now needs to have his broken (hopefully healed) leg re-radiographed and possibly rewrapped. The estimate is around $160.00 if the doctor has to sedate him to remove and reapply the splint.
I know I took the responsibility for them, but as you know, had I just chose one of them, the other would die. What would you have done? I couldn't walk out those doors knowing I was leaving behind a wonderful dog to die.
I am hoping that those who complain about kill-facilities would help us in saving at least these two great dogs from dying needless deaths. As the old addage goes, "put your money where their mouth is" - please? Complaining about something you refuse to do anything about won't change a thing - and here is the perfect opportunity! Good food, good training, and a chance at a GREAT life - please help these two dogs get the treatment they so deserve! 100% of the donations will be for veterinarian care!
This is a story every rescue and shelter worker knows. While we may be helping only two dogs out of the hundreds killed daily in our state, we ARE helping these two dogs.
Well Cassidy had radiographs. The breaks have healed totally and his splint was removed! Shannon was able to give him a much-needed, full body bath! Now when he goes to sleep, he won't have his leg sticking straight up in the air. It was very sweet, but when he was fast asleep it would fall over. How cute!
When viewing the radiographs, it was hard to tell his leg was ever broken. I know part of the quick healing was from being on a GREAT natural food diet and getting the beneficial supplement from Nupro!! Eating fast food doesn't do much for a body and healing. So, thankfully he was getting what he really needed. We would like to thank Dr. Gormley and the staff at Highland Veterinary Clinic for all the wonderful work they do for our community's pets!
Cassidy had been at Pets 1st the day his splint was removed, and although still limping, got around very well. Today he would hop, hop, put leg down and hop, hop again. He is learning to use it and the muscle will begin to build up again.
Harmony and her owner came the same day to see Janoche, a 2 year old Shih Tzu/Maltese cross (a rescue up for adoption) and all three played! It was a fun time for all. Wish you could have been there, Danielle
December 12, 2008
Today a family (including their puppy, Luna) came to visit Cassidy, and he has been adopted!!!! We are all very excited for him and proud that we were able to save his life! What a shame it would have been to have him put down for a broken leg.
Dax also came to Pets 1st for an extended time today and had a BLAST! He was a very good boy and played hard. Cassidy and Dax even got to play with Luna, a very cute, well-behaved Westie.
He is scheduled to be neutered on Monday with Dr. Wagner at McCutchanville Animal Hospital, and he will be microchipped as well. We are all very excited for him and his new home!
Yahoo, Danielle
CASSIDY'S BIG DAY
Here is Cassidy and new friend Luna doing hot laps around the store. The next pic is of Cassidy and Luna having a moment of quiet.
Cassidy is tired from all the running. The person is the new owner's mom and a Pets 1st customer. She is the one who found Cassidy for them!
December 30, 2008
Update from the family: "It has been so wonderful. The kids are doing very well with him and were so excited. It has been a fairy tail experience for everyone." That was an excerpt from a phone message we received the next day after Cassidy's adoption. We are very happy for him and his new family.
January 12, 2009
Dax had his first official day at the store on Saturday and was a very good boy. He greeted everyone he could and was a complete gentleman. Of course, he wants to jump up to say hello, and I tell him "off." The visitors are happy to see him and don't make him mind at all! He just loves it!
He picked out a "Go Dog" cow toy that has five squeakers -- without permission, but he has so much fun with it, you just can't be upset at him. Plus, he doesn' squeak the squeakers. He also likes the Merrick "Tank", which is fine by me since it is only $4.99 and HUGE!
He is a very good boy at home and knows "kennel," "off", "sit" and "bang." We are working on hitting a set of bells to alert us when he wants to go outside to potty. Since he was just recently neutered he still has the bad habit of hicking his leg on occassion. We continue to work on that.....
He is currently eating Fromm's Pork and Applesauce. Yum-Yum. And, of course, getting his Nupro supplement. If you haven't tried this product, your pet is really missing out, so stop by and get a free sample to try.
Dax shows a little more of the Jack Russell personality each day: energetic (but not overly), ability to bounce (probably over tall buildings), and fearless (like those Chihuahuas that think they are Rotts). All in all he will make an experianced owner a wonderful pet. One of the best things is that, while he is a lover and will give kisses, he isn't one of those dogs that licks constantly. He will take naps with you and doesn't move around a lot in bed, and he isn't a messy eater.
Also, I wanted to thank all the people that have donated to the Naturally Saving Lives Program donation box. We cannot begin tell you how much it is appreciated. Thank you.
Hope to see you at Pets 1st,
Danielle
SPECIAL THANK YOU TO DIANE DOUGLAS AT WIKY FOR HER HELP IN FINDING A HOME FOR DAX!
January 17, 2009
Dax has been at the store several days and has been trying his best to find a way into the hearts of many of our pet-loving customers.
He met 3 Yorkies and a Chihuahua today and was a very good boy! I don't think he was sure of what to make of the gang of little ones running around, but he handled it well.
Several people have been interested in Dax and would make great owners, however we need to find the right fit for him. A home that has had a dog with energy and smarts before would be optimal. He needs a job or an active family to live with and thrive.
Here are some photos to help you see the big personality and love that Dax has to give the right home.
What intensity! Plays well with others. Still a puppy! AAAHHHH, Dax and my son Alex.
May 2009
It has been sometime since my last entry and I have great news. Dax has been adopted!!!! I am so very glad that I waited for the perfect home and match for Dax. He is very happy, thriving and his family couldn't be more pleased!
Dax actually came for a visit today and he looks fabulous. His coat is even softer and shineir than before. Just FYI he is eating Fromm Pork and Applesauce in the morning and Taste of the Wild in the evening. It suits him from the health of his skin, coat, teeth, and temperment.
He brings a lot of joy and laugher to his new home. The antics in the backyard are great to watch according to his family. The part they liked best was when Dax attepmted to take a rather large stick thru the doggie door. It didn't fit!
