Sweet Pea Settles In

Sweet Pea has been living with us for six months now, since the day a young woman with kids in tow handed her to me outside the El Cajon Petco. She has made our house her home, and its people her servants. Sweet Pea has a charming personality, excellent manners, and has reminded me of how much I missed having kitty whiskers in the house. Here are some of Sweet Pea's favorite activities.

1. Sleeping on my computer chair. This is her favorite spot in the whole house, despite the availability of beds, couches, and a comfortable overstuffed La-Z-Boy. If I need to use the computer, Sweet Pea will begrudgingly let me perch on the edge of the chair. Sometimes she will sit on the floor below the chair, glaring at me with her ears to the side and a very annoyed expression. This is HER chair.

2. Lounging on her cat tree. My roommate, who is an excellent woodworker, made the cat tree from scratch. He used Sisal rope for two of the legs and covered two of the perches in fleece. At first, Sweet Pea was not at all aware that the cat tree was for her. She was scratching on the carpet until we started sprinkling dried catnip on the perches. Now she spends a great deal of time there. And since the cat tree is located directly behind the computer chair, it provides a great place from which to glare at me while I am typing.

By the way, if you would like a custom cat tree, email us at sdfurrypeople@gmail.com.

3. Hanging out with B.B. Sweet Pea is not the least bit afraid of our 90-pound Lab and has made it known that he is not to enter her comfort zone. B.B. respects the cat's authority and wisely keeps his distance. We think they enjoy the company, and they can often be seen sharing the sunny patch that comes through our screen door in the afternoons. They don't exactly cuddle up together, but they co-exist peacefully and respectfully.

4. Communing with Spike. Spike is one of our guinea pigs. He is a big tough guy and doesn't care for other guinea pigs. Spike is not afraid of the cat. So they get "floor time" together in the hallway, and Sometimes wind up sleeping about a foot apart. Spike has learned that as long as he stays about one foot away from Sweet Pea, she will largely ignore him. If he comes to close, she swats the air with her paw and he runs away. They are an odd couple. The other guinea pigs do not enjoy her company, and run and hide if she comes to visit.

5. Lap time. Like most cats, Sweet Pea chooses when and with whom she wishes to be affectionate. Usually in the evenings (around feeding time), Sweet Pea finds the warmest lap and politely parks her fluffy self. This is her lounging half on the couch and half on my chest. She loves back scratches, head scratches, and hugs.

We are really glad that Sweet Pea came into our life and it looks like she is too!

October 2012 Fun for Pet Lovers!

Looking for some fun, pet-themed activities in October? San Diego has a wide array of events designed for animal lovers, starting this weekend with the San Diego Pet Expo:

San Diego Pet Expo ---- Hundreds of pet product vendors will be showcased at the annual festival, which will include round-the-clock animal entertainment, speakers, pet adoptions and more. Location: Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar Time: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. October 13 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 14 Admission: $6, adults; $5, seniors; $3, juniors (6-16); free, 5 and under; $10 parking For more info check out the website at sandiegopetexpo.net or download a program here.

Looking for a more exclusive  evening uptown with your well-dressed pet ? The Escondido Humane Society’s dog-friendly Tails at Twilight Gala features hosted wine and beer, delectable dining, and a lively auction benefiting the shelter.

Location:
Vintana at Lexus Escondido, 1205 Auto Park Way
Time:  5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Admission:  Ranging from $125 for individual tickets to $2,250 for a VIP table for 10.

Read more about the event here.

For active pets and owners who would like to support charity as well, Leash Your Fitness is holding its third annual breast cancer fund raiser on Sunday, October 14. It features a stair climbing challenge between teams of different levels formed for easy, moderate and all out climbing followed by a relaxing yoga stretch. Dogs are welcomed and encouraged to attend the event as are spectators. There will be a large raffle of some great prizes and homemade doggy and human treats on sale.

Location: The San Diego Convention Center 111 W. Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101
Time: 8:00am to 9:30am October 14
Admission:  $30 per person. 100% of the proceeds will go to the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.

Read more about the event here.

Looking for even more exercise? Try the iSweat4Pets™ Nature Dog Walk. This unique, dog-friendly walk will feature multiple trails for every fitness level and an exciting pet-friendly vendor village. Festivities also include a raffle drawing with multiple prizes up for grabs, and cute doggie costumes are encouraged. Sponsored by the FACE Foundation, which is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charity that provides financial assistance for San Diego pets in need of life-saving veterinary care.

Location:  San Dieguito County ParkTime: Saturday, October 27th from 10am-1pm
Admission: Varies from $35 to $1,000 depending on level of sponsorship desired.

Read more about the event here.

On October 28, that Kiwanis Club of Ocean Beach will hold its Seventh Annual Ocean Beach Canine Carnival. It’s a free party for the dog-loving community featuring games, costume prizes, and a doggie costume parade plus food and a street fair with goodies for pets and people.

Location: Dusty Rhodes Park – west side across from Robb Field
(Sunset Cliffs Blvd. at Nimitz Blvd.)
Time: 10 am to 4 pm
Admission:  Admission to the canine carnival is free, but dogs must register to take part in the contest/parade. Registration fee: $7 for a single dog, $10 for groups of dogs, $10 for floats

Read more about the event here.

For more information call 619-225-8705, or e-mail oceanbeachkiwanis@gmail.com

Of course, there will be many Halloween-themed celebrations throughout San Diego with pet costume contests and parades. Click the links for dates and more information:

Muttropolis is holding a costume contest at each store location (Solana Beach, Newport Beach, La Jolla);
Seaport Village welcomes pets to its second annual Halloween Bash on the Bay;
The Hornblower will host its 4th Annual Bow Wow Brunch Cruise and Halloween Dog Costume Contest;

Check out even more pet events listed at the San Diego Dog Training Blog's events calendar. 

If your pet-friendly event isn't listed, feel free to email details to sdfurrypeople@gmail.com

Happy October!

The Yellow Dog Project

Since its founding a little over two weeks ago, The Yellow Dog Project has collected more than 2600 "likes" on its Facebook page. Described as " a global movement for parents of dogs that need space (aka DINOS, Dogs In Need Of Space)," The Yellow Dog Project raises awareness on behalf of dog owners whose pets may have health or behavioral issues that prevent them from freely mingling with other dogs or strangers. The public's reception has been overwhelmingly positive, and the YDP is now bringing out a product line to help further their mission.

As a professional dog walker, the idea of tying a yellow ribbon around a dog's leash is immensely appealing. When I am walking a dog that is not my own, I am responsible for the safety of that dog as well as the safety of other dogs and people with whom we might come in contact. As a rule, I don't allow strangers or strange dogs to approach the dogs walking with me.

As the owner of a reactive dog, I would be delighted to see the yellow ribbons gain recognition. B.B. weighs 90 lbs and is very strong. Since I have had spinal fusion surgery, it hurts when he darts full-force at a dog that has come too close. If dog owners will recognize the yellow ribbon, it would save me a lot of pain and from having to argue with other dog owners about whether or not "it's o.k." for their dog to come too close to mine.

Some may ask why yellow ribbons are necessary. Shouldn't people always ask before petting a strange dog? Shouldn't they keep their leashed dogs under control? In a perfect world, yes. However, there are many parents who neglect to instruct their children in pet safety. In addition, differing views of pet ownership  affect how people interact with pets. Someone with a "dogs will be dogs" mindset may not understand another person's structured approach to the dog-human relationship. Some of the comments on the YDP Facebook page reflect a belief that dogs who need space should simply be kept at home. Yet the owners of these dogs see a walk in public as a necessary training activity.

I hope that the Yellow Dog Project gains momentum and the yellow ribbon becomes a universally recognized symbol that a dog needs space. There is immense opportunity for education, and the Project has already offered some posters which would be useful for pet stores, public parks, veterinary offices and other places where dogs might have an opportunity to mingle. Keep checking their website and Facebook page for updates and more cool products!
 

Think of your pets before the 4th of July

Dozens of blogs and news sources are promoting 4th of July safety awareness for pet owners. Many are focusing on keeping pets calm and bringing them inside when fireworks begin. Yet there are ways we can protect our pets, and others, by preparing in advance with responsible pet ownership.

This week will be the busiest time of the year for local animal shelters, as hundreds of frightened pets escape and roam the streets for animal control to find and rescue. The arrival of these new animals in the shelter will cause overcrowding, and pets who once had a chance at adoption may be euthanized. In addition, pet owners will pay a heavy fines to reclaim their pets and in some cases update their expired licenses. Couldn't we save ourselves some trouble if we took some precautions with our pets before the 4th of July?  

Many of the pets who land in shelters will not be microchipped. This will make it very difficult for owners to find them, as frightened dogs and cats can travel far from home. One glance through the San Diego County animal control's lost and found website should demonstrate the challenges of picking your pet out of the crowd, Especially when he or she may be dirty, matted, or injured. It may also take some time for animal control to upload photos of all the lost pets resulting from 4th of July fireworks. Please save the county, and yourselves some time and anguish by microchipping your pets before the 4th of July. Here's how:

The county of San Diego will microchip your dog, cat or rabbit for $20.00 at any of their clinics. Here is a clinic schedule:

http://www.sddac.com/clinics.asp

The Humane Society of San Diego will also microchip your pet at their Oceanside campus for $25.00 . For further information, click the link below:

http://www.sdhumane.org/site/PageServer?pagename=res_microchip_nc

If you are not sure if your pet is microchipped, or if you have lost the number, most veterinarians can scan the pet and give you the microchip ID number.

Another important point to remember is that many of 4th of July revelers start their partying early in the day. Our neighbors will begin testing fireworks as early as July 1. Do not underestimate the cultural tendency to "get this party started" a little bit before schedule. If you plan on beginning the search for your outdoor cat on the afternoon of July 4th, you may be surprised when you do not find him. Be proactive and bring your cat inside at least a day before the fireworks begin.

If you normally leave your dog in the yard while you are at work, you may want to make other arrangements this week. Frightened dogs often gain extraordinary jumping ability and manage to hurl themselves over fences that they have never surmounted before. Tying your dog out is not a good option, as 4th of July reports of dogs strangling themselves on tethers are very common. Keep your dog in the house if you have to work on the fourth, and find a licensed pet sitter, doggie day care facility, or close family friend or relative who can let the dog out for exercise and potty time. The cost of this will be far less than the potential cost of retrieving your dog from the animal shelter and tending to whatever injuries he may have incurred on his travels.

Finally, please spay and neuter your pets so that if they do escape during the 4th of July festivities, you are not contributing to the pet overpopulation problem. The United States kills 4 to 5 million cats and dogs in shelters per year, largely as a result of accidental breeding. SNAP San Diego has low cost spay and neuter options for pet owners. Responsible pet ownership starts here, and now is a great time to talk about it. Keep your pets secure by thinking ahead, and have a safe and happy 4th of July.            

Mast Park, Santee

Mast Park is a great place for a long or short dog walk and even a little run time in the off-leash area. Located on Carlton Hills Drive, the park has a shaded cement walkway as well as an asphalt path that goes around the park. It is not as crowded as Lake Murray or Lindo Lake yet it has ample amenities for family entertainment, including a basketball court, sand volleyball court, playground, and picnic area with barbecues.

On a hot day, we take the cement path and stay under the trees. The park is a quiet place on weekdays where people come to read or walk their dogs. A few things to keep in mind if you walk at Mast Park:

Off-Leash Dog Park

• Unlike Harry Griffin Park, many people seem to think the presence of an off-leash dog area means that they can let their dogs run along the trails without a lead. If you are walking dogs, be alert for dogs on the loose and act safely. 

• The asphalt can heat up during summer, so check the temperature with your bare hand before walking your dog on this path. A dog's foot pad is not as sensitive as our bare feet, but they can be burned. If it is over 80 degrees, it might be best to walk on the pavement or grass.

• The parking lot is small so you may need to find additional parking in the neighboring strip mall or along the street. Be careful entering and exiting the narrow driveway in the parking lot.

Mast Park is conveniently adjacent to a shopping center where you can eat lunch, get coffee, cupcakes, or check out a library book. The Santee Public Library, Janet's Cafe and Deli, and Essential Grooming are also located in this shopping center.

 
And of course, just around the corner on Mission Gorge Road is the Santee shopping district, which boasts everything from Lowe's Home Improvement to the Olive Garden. If you walk on Wednesday afternoons, stop by the Certified Farmer's Market just west of Magnolia.

Santee is a booming area. Some are calling it "East County's La Jolla." The yearly street fair draws as many as 50,000 people to listen to live music, enjoy carnival rides, and indulge in the decadent offerings from the many food vendors. Time will tell if Mast Park becomes more populated or if it stays a quiet oasis.

Guinea Pigs: What is an Emergency?

I spent most of yesterday helping a fellow guinea pig owner through a health crisis that ended badly. It was very sad to watch the owner struggle with the life and death decisions for a pet she had not owned for very long. She is still mystified by the speed with which the illness attacked her pet and how helpless she was to stop its progression, even after an emergency room visit, a pocket full of meds and round the clock hand feeding. This is a story I hear all too often.

As an adoptions counselor for a guinea pig rescue, it is my job to prepare new owners for what it is like to own a guinea pig. I do send them links to care pages and guinea pig forums, and a pre-adoption reference email that contains important links to bookmark. It is a fine line to walk between alerting the new owner to guinea pigs' fragility and frightening them away from having guinea pigs. Keeping a guinea pig healthy requires vigilance. Here are a few things to bear in mind: 

• Guinea pigs are not like cats and dogs. They are much more fragile, prone to illness, and have more difficulty recovering from illnesses.  

• Anything different is bad.  Guinea pigs are creatures of habit. Have you ever noticed how they seem to sleep at the same time of day, eat only foods they know, and expect treats at the same time every day? Any change in your guinea pig's behavior or eating habits is a red flag to you that something is wrong. 

• Guinea pigs need to eat constantly.  Unlike cats and dogs, guinea pigs need to continually keep their G.I. tract moving. If they refuse food that they regularly eat, they are ill. If your guinea pig is not eating today, by tomorrow they will be very sick -- and the side effects of the G.I. stasis, where the gut stops moving and causes bloat, may be more life-threatening than the original illness.

• Don't wait to get care.  By the time most owners notice their guinea pig sick, they are really sick, possibly dying. If you wait to ask for help, the chances of bringing your guinea pig back are going to be slim. The cost of medical care will increase in direct proportion to the length of time the owner waited to get help.

• Medical care for guinea pigs is expensive.  Because they are considered "exotics," guinea pigs should only be treated by an exotics vet who has been trained in their care. If you use a 'dog and cat vet' who claims that they "see" guinea pigs, you will waste more time, money, and your guinea pig's health status will dwindle away while the vet untrained in exotics medicine runs expensive, meaningless tests. Do it the right way the first time, and choose a vet who knows what they are doing.

Here is a link that describes the common mistakes guinea pig owners make when dealing with illnesses: 

Common Mistakes in Treating Sick Cavies

Even to the trained eye, some illnesses will go unnoticed. This is why you should weigh your guinea pig weekly, using a gram scale, so that you notice any drop in weight that may signify an illness they are hiding. Here is a great place to start reading about basic guinea pig care and how to prevent diseases:

The Guinea Lynx Care Guide

Sometimes, despite the best care, prompt veterinary attention, and diligent home management of illnesses, a guinea pig will not survive. Their extreme fragility when ill belies the popular notion that these are good 'starter pets' (read: 'throwaway pets') for kids. However, sometimes they can remarkably beat the odds and recover. Our rescue has dozens of stories of guinea pigs who came in seriously ill yet recovered. They have tremendous spirit and can overcome illnesses, especially if they see that someone is caring for them and trying to help them not give up. It is very inspiring to watch them rebound from past neglect, abuse, or injury and turn into beautiful animals.

Short Scenic Dog Walks in East County

Sometimes parading your dog around the block gets a little boring. Of course, B.B. loves neighborhood walks. There are plenty of things to smell and urinate upon; and the narrow walkways provide ample opportunities for crotch sniffing of any passersby. However, B.B. is kind enough to accompany us to walking venues where there are interesting things for humans, too. Because Furry People has a busy schedule, we prefer these nearby scenic parks where we can take a thirty minute to sixty minute walk.

Lake Murray. We have been coming to Lake Murray since I was a child in the 1970s.

My grandfather used to take a large bag of peanuts and feed the squirrels. After he passed away, my grandmother would walk there every day. Many of us attributed her longevity to the daily "lakey-walkin'" as she called it.

A popular site for walking, cycling, jogging, rollerblading, and picnicking, Lake Murray is also open for fishing. Fishing permits are available and the lake is stocked with bass, bluegill, catfish, and trout. An asphalt walking path runs 3.2 miles from the entrance to the dam gate. The path is wide, with plenty of room for all kinds of activities.

In addition to the squirrels and rabbits,  many ducks, geese, and other birds call Lake Murray home. One can even spy the occasional Heron or White Pelican. Parking can be an issue; however, there is an elevated lot located on the slope above the main parking lot. For more information, visit:  http://www.mtrp.org/lake_murray.asp

Harry Griffin Park. Located behind Grossmont High School, Harry Griffin Park boasts a playground, an amphitheater, an off leash dog park, and gravel trails below the main grassy park. A popular dog park, the fenced-off area has separate enclosures for large and small dogs. 

The park is a favorite place for family activities, and the amphitheater is available for rental.  A series of free summer concerts starts on June 10. There is plenty of parking available. For more information visit the City of La Mesa website.

Lindo Lake.  A recent addition to our walking favorites, Lindo Lake provides an excellent opportunity for a short stroll along a lake brimming with wildlife. An asphalt trail around the lake stretches 1.5 miles. The recreation area includes an outdoor gym, ball fields, tennis courts, horseshoe pits, and a recreation center.  Also located on the grounds is the Lakeside Community Center and library.

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Great Blue Heron

Harlequin Duck

Here are just two of the lovely birds we spotted recently at Lindo Lake. There were also many duck and geese families as well as seagulls and a beautiful Snowy Egret. Squirrels are plentiful among the rocks that border the lake.

Throughout the year Lindo Lake has various community events. It is a great place for a relaxing stroll, a fitness walk, or a picnic and bird-watching. For more information visit http://www.co.san-diego.ca.us/parks/picnic /lindolake.html
 
East County contains a number of other small parks, including more off-leash dog areas at Wells Park in El Cajon and Mast Park in Santee. For more information on off-leash dog parks and reviews, visit http://www.dogpark.com.

Would you like to send your dog on a scenic walk? Contact us at sdfurrypeople@gmail.com or call/text 619-322-0133.

Learn more on our Website!