Dog Rescue Story: Lucky

We are proud to share Lucky's dog rescue story!

Here is what Lucky's mom Melania has to say about Lucky:

I came home late in the day on Tuesday, and walked into the backyard to take care of the animals. I saw a beige blur moving in the wildflower garden and thought the chickens were out again. I checked the coop, saw they were all locked in, then got busy gathering eggs, filling water and food, and forgot all about the beige blur.

The next morning I had an early meeting, so I put our five dogs into their yard and went to open the greenhouse for the day. This time of year we leave the door open a foot or so, and as I walked toward it I saw a bundle of yarn piled on top of my plant blankets. "What the...," I thought as I walked closer. The bundle jumped off the blankets and cowered under a table. It was a very matted little dog, clearly scared. I had found my beige blur.

I brought him a bowl of food, opened the greenhouse, made sure he had water, and rushed to my meeting. I called Fred and updated him on my morning. Neither one of us could figure out how a little dog found its way into our quite secure yard. That afternoon we met in the backyard and searched for the little dog. No dog anywhere. Fred went inside (I assume thinking I had lost my mind), and I went through the gate into our garden area, even though I really didn't think a dog could fit between the gate and fence. He was curled in the soft dirt under a juniper tree and wouldn't come out. I retrieved Fred and some sliced ham from the kitchen and went back to the dog. He would eat my ham, but not let me touch him , and when I moved too fast he ran in the other direction. Fred waited until he stopped then crawled on his belly until he could pet the dog. The dog let Fred pick him up. I held the little dog, more matted smelly shaking fur than dog, while Fred made a bed in the garage.

Once the little dog stopped trembling, I held him on my lap while Fred trimmed the worst of his mats from around a very runny eye. We settled him into a bundle of blankets, with food and water nearby, and checked on him off and on throughout the evening. He became more used to us, until he didn't even jump up when we entered the garage. Neither one of us know much about toy breeds, so we kept running Google searches on every toy breed name trying to guess what he was. Pekingese? Pomeranian? some sort of toy terrier?

Fred took him to San Juan Vet in the morning, where he had a thorough exam, blood and stool tests, vaccinations, and a gentle shave. He appeared to be a four to five year old Yorkshire Terrier, had heartworm (luckily heart looked normal on X-ray), Giardia, fleas, an infected eye, sore spots on his skin, and a rotten tooth. He came home with a bright red bandana, lots of pills, and eye drops. He met our seven cats, five dogs, and two ducks, then took a nap on the couch.

He still needs a full dental with extractions and a neuter, but can't have them until he finishes his heartworm treatment. I think this story will have a happy ending! One of the ladies in my office has a young daughter who has been asking for a little dog that can come into the house. Once they get their yard little dog proof, and we make sure they are ready for his medical needs, he will move in with his own family.

Thanks for taking such good care of him.

-Melania

World Pet Memorial Day

Today is World Pet Memorial Day. The benefits of having pets are too numerous to count. They are our companions, our friends, and to some they are even considered family, but the one downfall of being a pet owner is that a vast majority of pets have a much shorter lifespan than their human companions. Today is a day to remember those departed pets and celebrate the time you had with them. What is the happiest memory you have of a departed pet?

Top 10 Things To Do Before Bringing Home Your New Cat

Congratulations, the cat's out of the bag! You've just entered into a wonderful relationship that's bound to be filled with fun and affection. By starting off on the right foot—that is, by being well-prepared for your new arrival—you can move through that rocky adjustment period most new relationships go through and get right down to the lovin'!

1. Make Sure Everyone In The House Is Prepared To Have A Cat

Talk to your family members before bringing a new cat home. Make sure everyone knows that the fun begins only after kitty feels safe and her needs are met. Once you're sure everyone is ready for feeding, litter changing and grooming, you can divvy up chores among family members so everyone is prepared to care for kitty before she arrives.

2. Do You Know What Your Cat Is Trying To Tell You?

The average cat has a vocabulary of more than 16 different sounds, including purring, howling, hissing and meowing—not to mention a wide-range of playful and serious body language. Taking a glance at our Cat Care section will help you understand your cat's behavior before you're faced with her mysterious cat calls, pouncing and nocturnal romps.

3. Stock Up On Supplies Before Kitty Arrives

Have all of your cat's needs ready so she can get right down to the business of making herself at home. Kitty will need:

• A litter box and the brand of litter she's been using
• Food and water bowls and the food she's used to eating
• A sturdy, rough-textured scratching post—at least three feet high—that allows her to stretch completely while scratching
• Safe, stimulating toys. Hint: If you give her toys that make noises, you'll know when she's playing.
• A bed lined with a soft, warm blanket or towel
• Grooming tools: a high-quality brush and nail clipper are a good start

4. Identity Is Key

Proper identification is a necessity. If your kitty is indoors-only, an ID tag or implanted microchip will help ensure she'll be returned to you if she gets out and can't find her way home. A safety collar with an elastic panel will allow your cat to break loose if the collar gets caught on something. We caution against letting cats outdoors, but if you do—or if a window or door is left open—a safety collar and an ID tag may be what bring your missing cat home.

5. A Room Of One's Own

Choose a low-traffic room your kids and other pets don't frequent—this will be your cat's safe space to sniff, eat, scratch and play while she gets her bearings. Arrange her food and water bowls, bed and litter box—and scatter her toys around. You can even clean off a windowsill for her and have soft music playing. She'll appreciate the chance to feel out her new family from inside her haven.

6. Routine Behavior

Give your cat a little structure to lean on. For the first few weeks, provide him with the same kind of food and feeding schedule he had before living with you—and give him the same brand of litter, too, for a familiar scent and feel on his paws. Later on, if you wish to switch to different products, you can make a slow transition.

7. What's New, Pussycat?

With a whole new life in store for her, Kitty will need some time and space to check out her surroundings and all of her new play things. Give her time alone in her room to get comfortable before you come in to play with her. If you have other pets, it's a good idea to leave your new cat in her own room for a few days will allow the other animals in the house to get used to her sounds and scent. (Hint: Watch from the door to see how she leaves her carrier. Whether she pussyfoots into a dark corner or zooms out into the room, you'll know how she feels about her new surroundings.)

8. Introducing Kitty To The Pack

Go slow at first. A cat may need seven to fourteen days to relax into her new environment. If you have kids, let them introduce themselves one at a time. Hold up on the meet-and-greets with friends, neighbors and relatives until your kitty is eating and eliminating on a normal schedule. If you have other pets, don't let your new addition have free run of the house. This is the territory of the animals who have lived with you already. Allow all of your pets to meet in the new cat's territory—and make sure you're there to supervise.

9. Cat-Proof Your Home

When your cat is ready to explore the rest of her new home (for short excursions at first), be sure to get rid of stray items she might chew on or swallow, like toilet paper, tissues and paper towels. Pens and pencils may need to be kept in drawers. You may also have to tape wires to baseboards and put caps on outlets.
Put away harsh cleaning products, human medications and household poisons, and rehome any houseplants that might be toxic to her. Make sure foods that aren't healthy for a cat's tummy are placed securely out of reach.

10. Visit The Vet Within Her First Week

Last but not least, bring your new feline to a caring veterinarian for a wellness exam within one week after adoption. Make this appointment even before you bring your kitty home.