Big Paws Only Dog Forums

Well, I just finished Niki's vet check that she needed to be a therapy dog and it went well except for a few details.  First we ended up with a rabies shot that really wasn't due because the tech didn't read the chart that she wasn't needing another booster for a year.  Shot was given before I caught it.  The heartworm test with a stool sample (which I had to climb under an orange tree in the grove to get) cost $45 and, of course, was negative.  Other shots $20.  I opted out for heartworm meds because we do not have a very big problem down in the valley here only in the hills and mountains, that would have been another $40 and I know I can get it cheaper on PetMeds.  Grand total for vet $92.00.   Then there was a trip to Sonora for test $30 gas only.  $20 for tests.  Now $35 for TDI registration.  Then $45 to buy a large sized cape that says Therapy Dog.  $5 for CGC certificate.  Maybe EBAY has some used capes. hmm will try that. Then to work in a hospital I need a TB test for me and an orientation session with the hospital. Then I will even need a background check, I think compliments of the hospital   Being a therapy dog - priceless (I suppose). I was really excited, now I am wondering who is getting rich on my volunteer work.    What do you think?

The other day, I was relaxing on my patio (I do that a lot lately) and I heard lots of neighborhood dogs howling slowly.  I knew instinctively that there must be a fire or police siren nearby but I could not hear it at all.  Now, I live in the country so here when a siren comes along we all look around at the scenery to check out whats going on.  We have even been known to chase a fire truck or two to find out who's house is on fire.  Well, I waited and waited but no siren.  It was what seemed a huge amount of time before I finally heard the siren and the dogs had howled almost five minutes before this lowly human heard it.  Amazing how much their senses are superior to ours.  No wonder they are our best friends.  Anybody else notice this?

Peggy

This is Canuck.  She got that name because of the white marking on her chest that looks like a maple leaf, thus the Canadian name.  She is Rhodesian Ridgeback/Lab mix and is in foster. I found her in Petfinders.  I have been talking to the foster daddy and he says she is a great 18 month old that is very loving.  The only problem she has is that she is timid with strangers.  I am not sure yet, I don't mean to sound picky but this is a lifetime committment so it is a big deal.  Still working on it.

Peggy

Oh no now they are cloning dogs.  In the news today.   

We are trying to help these big guys get placed and they will be cloning them faster than we can neuter or spay them.  This is a crazy world, is it not? 

When Niki was working in our video store, we had to be licensed with the USDA APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service).  It seemed like a waste of money as the inspector drove for hours several times to inspect a backyard pet. It only cost me $35 per year for the service.  They left a booklet with me and after reviewing it, I will simplify part of the long descriptions of who must be licensed and who is exempt.  This is in regards to the recent PAWS legislation.

If you are a breeder selling at the wholesale level, you must be licensed.  If you are a breeder selling to other breeders you MAY have to be licensed.  If you are a retailer selling to the public and this includes all chain stores as well as small retailers then you are exempt.  Now wouldnt it make more sense just to require retailers to purchase from licensed breeders only?  If puppy mills did not have a market to sell their products then they would cease to exist.  I have always been puzzled that there is no legislation governing animal retailers while wholesalers are different.  This makes no sense and PAWS makes no sense.

Peggy

I just read on the internet that a state (I believe Maine) is trying to make it a law that a driver cannot allow his dog to stick his head out the window.  I don't need an arguement that it is not a safe thing to do - I believe that is probably true.  I just believe we do not need another law.  If this keeps up then there will be so many laws that you will be totally confused when you walk out the door with your dog.  (should I go down the blue path or the red one, hmmm red ones could damage the feet and I think it is illegal).  Silly I know but there is a little truth to it. 

Peggy

Since some of you said how you enjoy different stories, I have some cat stories that are true and since this is a dog board, I can probably get away with it.

When my kids were little and the fruit orchard was a bloomin, I would make freezer jam and store it in (guess what) my freezer in the garage.  We had baby kittens at the time and it was late at night when I opened the freezer door and pulled out a jar to thaw overnight.  I did not notice that one of the kittens climbed in (it was an upright freezer).  The next morning (really) I heard this faint meeewwwee coming from the garage.  I opened up the freezer and out popped this kitten but its tail was as straight as a board!!!!!!!!!!  It ran off and later the tail fell off so I got a home for it right away as a max!!!

I have more that I need strength or a few beers to tell.

Peggy