www.bluffcitybark.com
October/November 2014
Memphis, TN pet magazine
Halloween Pet Safety RESCUE ME... RESCUE YOU Pet Insurance Pro and Con’s Lunch with Sobee Bluff City Bark Magazine
Is Your Dog Obese? www.bluffcitybark.com
contents features 14 Lunch with Sobee
A Streetdog Foundation Rescue pup
16 Is Your Dog Obese?
Our pets may seemingly live a happy life and they could never tell you if they were too fat or too skinny because they have no concept of a ‘body image’.
14
22 RESCUE ME...RESCUE YOU A story of how pets help with PTSD
25 Pet Insurance Pro and Con’s Is it worth the money?
On the cover....
Everyone meet Sobee! Sobee was picked by Streetdog Foundaton to be on our cover dedicated to Pit Bull Awareness Month. Sobee is a female, young Pit Bull Terrier. She is current on shots, spayed, and have the sweetest heart! See her story on page 14. “like” us on facebook @Bluff City Bark
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On our site
departments 4
My Letter
6
Area Pet Events
7
Pet Holidays
8
Featured Rescue
18
Ask A Vet
29
Pet’s of Instagram
30
Maude’s News
interests 12 Halloween Pet Safety 31 Purrfect Recipes
Bluff City Bark Creator
Katey McCabe
Contributing Writer Tiffany Warmbrod Hana Meskovic
Copywriter Elise Starling
HOW TO CONTACT US
Info@bluffcitybark.com Website: bluffcitybark.com SUBMIT YOUR EVENT
Do you have a pet related event coming up? Email us at info@ bluffcitybark.com and submit your event. We want to share any pet related event in the Bluff City area.
DON’T MISS OUT Never miss an issue! Sign up for our newsletter and get the latest Bark News. Bluff City Bark is very excited to be Memphis, TN’s first pet magazine. We are very dedicated to publishing helpful and educational information to our community. We welcome submissions from writers and photographers anytime. Please email to bluffcitybark@gmail.com with questions and creative ideas for articles.
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My Letter
Buster the Wonder Dog!
As I was getting this issue together, I received the message that I had been dreading for months. My sweet loving Anton, aka Buster the Wonder dog had crossed over the rainbow bridge. The only thing I could do was stare at pictures of his sweet face and think of his journey in life. I feel we both have a chapter of each other in our life story. Anton was born 10/6/2003 at the rescue I worked at for years. He stole my heart instantly. Anton was a scared dog, nervous to meet new people, and preferred comfort over adventure. I spent a lot of time working with him to gain trust and allow him a person to open up to. Anton was at the rescue for five years until he was adopted in January of 2008, to the best family I could have ever asked for. They understood this wasn’t going to be an easy transition from shelter life to home life, but they were ready and willing for the challenge. Anton was always there when you needed a hug. It makes me happy to know that I get to have a dog as wonderful as him in my memories. I am, who I am because of the pups I have met in my life and Anton, aka Buster the Wonder dog was one of them.
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Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
October
4th Garage Sale to Benefit the Savior Foundation
The Savior Foundation will be having a yard sale to raise funds for their efforts to save abandoned and abused dogs in the Memphis, TN area. Location: 262 Shelley Renee Ln Cordova, TN 38018 Time: Saturday 8:00am
11th
DARS Walk for Wags n’ Whiskers
November
2nd
Harbor Town Dog Show
The Harbor Town Dog Show is a fun, dogfriendly event where canines are recognized for everything from best costume to most mysterious heritage! Online registration is now open!
8th
2nd Annual Howl at the Moon
Registration begins 10am Walk begins 11am. Cost $30 or $20 if you have adopted a DARS pet. Raffles, pet contests, and so much more. Location: Olive Branch City Park
The 2nd annual Howl at the Moon fundraiser Live music, great food, cocktails, live and silent auctions, and more. 6 PM at the Warehouse at 36 E GE Patterson. 100% of the proceeds go toward rescuing dogs! Advance tickets can be purchased for $35 (or $45 at the door).
1st Annual Hearts of Gold Golf Tournament
15th
11th
Registration begins at 11am, Shotgun Starts at 1pm. North Creek Golf Club Southaven, MS $75 per person (includes green fees, cart fees, prizes, and dinner)
18th
Fast and the Furiest 5k
Presented by Hollywood Feed is a 3.1 mile run/walk event benefiting the Humane Society of Memphis & Shelby County. Come enjoy one of the only dog-friendly races in Memphis!
18th
Puttin’ on the Dogs
Join HSMSC for our biggest party of the
year with a seated dinner, open bar, live music, and fabulous silent and live auctions! More information and tickets visit HSMSC website
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Sunny Meadows Adoption Reunion
All adopted pets from Sunny Meadows will meet at Overton Park Rainbow Lake Pavilion by Overton Bark Park from 12-4pm. This is free to all past Sunny Meadows adopters and their pets. Food, fun, and lots of hugs!
Make sure to visit our calender for more information on these events and more.
bluffcitybark.com/calendar
Have a pet event that you would like to bark about? Email info@bluffcitybark.com with information and we will add to our events page. www.bluffcitybark.com
Pet Holidays
Pet Holidays October
November
Adopt-a-Shelter Dog Month
Adopt a Senior Dog Month
National Pet Wellness Month
National Cancer Awareness Month
National Animal 1st Week of October National Shelter Appreciation Walk Your Dog Month Week Tag #bluffcitybark in your pups walks 2nd-8th
this month!
National Take A October 16th National Feral Hike Day Cat Day let's go 17th
National Pit Bull Awareness Day
let's go walking
walking
let's go walking
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Featured Rescue
Imagine
being on vacation and receiving a phone call that changes the path of your life. That is exactly what occurred for Melanie and Kent Pafford. These two didn’t set out in life to start a rescue, it happened mostly by the phone call and a visit to our Memphis Animal Shelter. They had every intention on helping another rescue save one dog, but with one visit to the shelter and a flashback of a movie Kent once saw, they were ready to start a new mission in life to save stray and abandoned animals in Shelby County. Thus, in 2013 this big hearted couple founded Streetdog Foundation. (Visit Streetdog’s website under Our Story to view the full heart wrenching story about their start.) The name, Streetdog, came from a conversation with Grace Animal Hospital’s and BCB’s Readers Choice of Best Vet, Dr. JD Williams. While he was giving advice of starting a rescue and what all is involved, he talked about all the “streetdogs” that are in the area. Right then and there they decided on the name of their new foundation that would rescue stray and abandoned dogs so they don’t end up at the shelter.
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The foundation is committed to finding and placing stray and abandoned dogs in forever homes in Memphis and the surrounding areas. Streetdog foundation is not a shelter and does not have a facility to keep stray dogs. This rescue has taken on the admirable job of educating the public to the beauty of misunderstood breeds. Streetdog Foundation has special experience with bully breeds. The foundation relies solely on volunteers, fosters, and donations.
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Featured Rescue The Paffords have a huge family of pitties in their home. One in particular is the pup featured on Streetdog’s logo, Stanley. Stanley and Stella are the Pafford’s first adopted pups. Stanley is the ruler of their house and Stella follows right behind. I was amazed at the sweetness and playfulness of these pups. During our interview with Melanie, she began to sing to a song and said, “Watch this!” One by one, each pup quietly walked into their kennels, grabbed a treat, and laid down for an afternoon nap. I was blown away by what she had just done. I can’t even get BCB mascot, Maude, to get her 110 pound behind to move when she is blocking the stairs! This was truly a demonstration of love and respect between pet and pet owner. Among the services Streetdog Foundation provides are volunteers that can assist through learning of the fostering process. Focus and care Stanley, Streetdog Foundation’s mascot for both pet and foster home are considered in assisting those in the Streetdog Foundation has many fostering program. fundraisers throughout the year. The
Philly, the Pafford’s adopted deaf pup.
biggest fundraiser, Howl at the MOON, is coming up, November 8th, at the Warehouse at 36 E. G E Patterson in downtown Memphis, TN. This is the second year for this event. One hundred percent of the proceeds will go towards rescuing more “streetdogs”. There will be music, great food, live and silent auctions. Visit their website, www. streetdogfoundation.com for tickets. This rescue is a great addition to the many rescues in the mid-south. The Pafford's have truly found their calling. Just like other rescues, they too need donations, volunteers, and fosters. Visit, www.streetdogfoundation.com, to see how you can help. Written and Photos by Katey McCabe
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WISH LIST They rely on your support and are grateful for donations — big or small. Collectively, donations allow them to run Streetdog Foundation. View their wish list on Amazon.com or read through the list of needed items below. Email them at streetdogfoundation@yahoo.com to arrange a drop off or pick up.
Dog/Puppy Items Crates (any size or type) Dog beds/fleece pads Dog Bowls Dog food (canned and dry) Peanut butter (for kong toys) Dog treats Bones/Rawhide chews Dog toys: Tennis balls Kong toys (all sizes, both adult and puppy) Easy-Walk harnesses
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Solid rubber balls Rope toys Squeaky toys (rubber or soft) Plush toys Dog leashes Dog collars General Items
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Streetdog’s Adoptable Dogs Dixie Blue
Dixie Blue is sweet, happy and healthy! She is great with kitties, dogs, people and children!! She is ready to find her perfect family to give all the love and affection you could ever need! From Dixie, “I was wondering around a gas station trying to find some food and water. I lived in some little shrubbery where I dragged trashed food boxes and treats in my den. I had been living at this gas station for about a week, when a young guy and girl approached me. I was apprehensive, but I went along with them, hoping to find myself in a better situation, they took me to a lady's house where I was finally warm and fed on a regular basis. Now I don’t even want to go outside I love the warmth so much! I get along with her dog and I even feel safe enough to curl up with her on my bed. I am about 3-4 years old and already picking up on good behavior so well! I am pretty reserved and easy going and just ready to find my forever home where I can love and be loved the rest of my days!”
Chattfield
I was trotting down Highway 50 in AR one fateful day, hungry, dirty and hot looking for some shade. A car passed me going the opposite direction, but then turned right around to come investigate me. It was my soon to be foster daddy! He scooped me up and put me in his backseat where I went right to sleep and had happy dreams for the first time in my whole life because I just knew I was safe. I have mastered the sit command and I’m potty and crate trained. I like to play with other dogs and children but not really sure about kitty cats yet. But I am a good boy ready to meet you today!!
Sarah
Once a homeless stray, now a valued member of my foster family, looking for my forever home! I was kept safe and fed by a kind homeless man in the Memphis area who treated me with so much kindness. He was my guardian angel who led me to the people of Streetdog Foundation. He gladly gave me to the kind people and my life has been wonderful ever since. I am happy and healthy in my foster home where I am learning all of the manners I need to succeed in my forever home! I am great with kids and other dogs and am going to make some family the perfect addition to their family!
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Keeping Fido safe on
1
Halloween
Halloween can be a lot of fun for people, but it can be scary, and sometimes even dangerous, for pets! Make sure that you celebrate Halloween in a way that is safe for your dog. Here are some tips to do that:
Keep all of the Halloween candy and treats far out of Fido’s reach.
2
At best, Halloween candy and other people foods will give your pet an upset stomach. At worst, your pet could ingest something that is truly harmful and can even be fatal in the right doses, such as dark chocolate and cocoa powder. Plus, some dogs will eat the wrapper right along with the candy, which could possibly cause an intestinal blockage or bowel obstruction.
Don’t force your dog to interact with scary things.
Sure, costumes are good fun to us, but to dogs, they can be truly scary. Even the most even-tempered, friendly dog can get spooked by something they’ve never seen before. Halloween is the second most common holiday for pets to get lost, and this is because you combine open doors with a stressful or scary environment that may make a pet feel uncomfortable. If you open the door for trick-or-treaters, avoid stressing your dog out by keeping them in another room or in their kennel. Another possibility people don’t like to think about is that, by exposing your dog to uncontrolled scary things, you could even be setting your dog up to bite someone. Keep everyone safe by not putting your dog in that situation.
3
Celebrate Halloween in a dog-friendly way
There are always fun dog-friendly Halloween events around town, such as dog trick-or-treating. It’s best to let your dog have fun at these events, and then keep him safe, confined, and busy during Halloween night (or whenever trick-ortreating or Halloween parties are happening).
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3
CONTINUED Be sure to follow dog-related pages on Facebook so you can stay current on what events are happening! Follow the Humane Society of Memphis & Shelby County, Bluff City Bark, Hollywood Feed, and join the Memphis Dog Lovers Facebook group to find out about fun Halloween and other events for your dog to enjoy.
4
Costumes aren’t for every pet! If your dog or cat is uncomfortable with a lot of handling or doesn’t like to wear clothes, don’t make them wear a costume, or keep it simple with a decorative collar and leash. Stressed dogs are more likely to run away or act aggressive. Have a fun, safe, and petfriendly Halloween!
Sobee, a Streetdog Rescue and our cover dog
Article Sponsored by:
Bluff City Bark Magazine
Tag #bluffcitybarkpets in your pets Halloween adventures. Your pet could be featured in our next issue!
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Cover Story
Meet
Written and Photos by Katey McCabe
Sobee
Every time I meet a new dog, my immediate instinct is to sit on the ground playing and talking to them as if we were five year olds becoming best friends. With Sobee, a Streetdog Foundation rescue, things were no different.
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Cover Story As soon as we locked eyes, I was on the ground asking her if we could be friends and what her favorite food was (She said chicken by the way). Once we got to know each other, I began to learn her story. Sobee got her name from her savior’s workplace, South of Beale and the place where Sobee, Melanie from Streetdog Foundation and I met for lunch. While a South of Beale employee was walking to work, he met Sobee wandering around. She followed him to work and stayed there until he finished his shift. At that time, the owner of the restaurant contact Streetdog Foundation and asked if they could help. Sobee was ecstatic to become a Streetdog pup! Sobee has the most sweet and soulful eyes and loves to meet new people and dogs. Because of her history, she is a bit of a celebrity at South of Beale. Just as any dog that visits SOB’s pet
friendly patio, Sobee was quickly greeted with a bowl of water and a hello from the staff. Sobee’s celebrity status of course garnered lots of attention, but she even scored her own bowl of popcorn!
Sobee is currently in foster care with a vet tech that is working on getting her in tip top shape. Contact streetdogfoundation@yahoo.com for more information on adopting Sobee.
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Health
Tubby Wubby
Pet?
Was your
There is this small square box in my bathroom. When you step on it numbers pop up and then crying commences. Jumping on the scale is so easy for us humans, but yet we would rather not be reminded of those extra pounds we put on at Thanksgiving...when it’s April! Our pets may seemingly live a happy life and they could never tell you if they were too fat or too skinny because they have no concept of a ‘body image’.
The winter months can be especially trying in the “weight” department. We (pets and Sure, Jake humans alike) are often less active and eating may look cute more often. In the winter months, you can assess with a plump your pet on your own by standing over them and little tummy, looking down. Ribs are the key – we don’t want but how do you to be able to see them, but we DO want to be know when your able to feel them. Visible ribs indicate a dog is dog has put too thin, while those ribs you can’t see? They’re on too much hiding under layers of fat, which indicates your weight and is pet is overweight. Other tell-tale signs are a low at a greater hanging belly, hip fat, or neck fat. risk for health problems? Luckily, if your dog is overweight their dieting strategy is much more effective than ours. Just like humans, pets that are overweight The same common concept of weight loss holds or obese are at risk for diabetes, cardiovascular true; less food, more exercise. It is important to disease, and arthritis just to name a few. With cut their food large breed dogs being prone to joint problems, intake by this adds more stress to their already vulnerable 25%. While and overworked joints. This in turn, places more they may emphasis on the importance of keeping your pet look at you healthy and exercising regularly. like you’ve completely First and foremost, you should be taking lost your your pet for regular vet visits. Your vet will weigh mind for your pet (a lot easier than you trying to do so at skimming home) and can express any concerns regarding on their their weight. They also, like our doctors, keep dinner in the great medical records and will be able to share if beginning, Jake’s weight has gone up or down since the last soon they will visit and if there is a need for concern. hardly know the difference.
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Health Couple this technique with additional exercise, and you should begin to see a difference. I recently added an extra twenty minutes to our “after work” exercise routine that involves a rope and a serious game of tug of war! Maddox doesn’t need to lose weight by any means, but it sure has helped keep him lean after a long summer of dropped hot dogs off the grill! It is essential to our pets’ health to pay such close attention to their needs. So many people assume their pets may not have a problem, but we must remember as responsible pet owners that our furry little friends are incapable of telling us what is wrong. Be alert, aware, and conscious of everything you are putting into your pet’s body and the visible results.
Feel free to write us in our Contact Us section for additional tips!
RIP Fat Mikey. You were a good dog and a great friend to Casey Hilder
Written by Tiffany Warmbrod
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Ask a Vet
4.
1.
At what age is a pet considered senior?
Even though different breeds have different life expectancies, it is generally accepted that cats and dogs over the age of seven are considered seniors.
2.
What type of exercise should my senior pet be doing?
That depends a little bit on your pet. I would allow them to have as much exercise as they can handle. Swimming is excellent exercise for older pets as it is low impact on the joints.
3.
How often should I take my senior pet to the vet?
Senior pets should visit the vet at least every six months. This allows health issues to be identified sooner. I also recommend that senior pets have blood work done ideally every six months or at least yearly if possible. Again, this can help pick up on underlying health issues early. Early recognition of disease can lead to more effective treatment or management, allowing for the potential for a longer, healthier life.
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by Quincy Kahn, D.V.M.
My senior pet has bad breath, what does this mean?
There are a number of potential causes for bad breath. The primary cause tends to be periodontal disease. The majority of cats and dogs already have periodontal disease by the age of three. A thorough dental examination with periodontal probing and dental radiographs can expose signs of bone loss and infection around the teeth. Sometimes the teeth can be salvaged, but with severe periodontal disease, the best course of action is often to remove the teeth. Other medical conditions like chronic kidney disease, diabetic ketoacidosis (a possible consequence of uncontrolled diabetes), or tumors in the mouth, to name a few, can also cause changes to the way the breath smells.
5.
When should I start feeding my pet a senior food?
That is a question that actually does not have a definitive answer. There are some pets who should probably never be transitioned to senior foods, including those with food allergies who are on a hypoallergenic diet or animals with a history of urinary issues that are on a diet designed to prevent bladder stone or urinary crystal formation. That being said, different food brands also have very different ways of formulating their senior diets. Some add protein to help decrease the loss of muscle mass that can occur in older pets, while others decrease the amount of protein in order to decrease the workload of the kidneys.
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Ask a Vet This decision should be made based on the individual pet’s needs. I would recommend talking to your veterinarian about which diet is best for your pet.
Common concerns and questions for senior pet owners I find that owners frequently
chalk up changes in their pet to “just getting old�. Weight loss, behavior changes, slowing down, lethargy, or changes in appetite or thirst should not be ignored. Often these can be symptoms of underlying illnesses. If you notice changes to your aging pet, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. Owners often do not want to put their pet under anesthesia simply because of advanced age. There is always a risk with any anesthetic procedure no matter what the age of a pet. If your pet is otherwise healthy (i.e. Normal blood work, no evidence of heart disease, etc), there is not necessarily an increased risk of anesthesia. Often times the benefits of a surgical or dental procedure far outweigh the risks of anesthesia.
If you have a question or topic you would like to ask our vet, email us at askthevet@bluffcitybark. com
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Around Town
HOLLYWOOD FEED HOSTS
BLOCK PARTY IN SUPPORT OF THE SAVIOR FOUNDATION
On the afternoon of Sunday, July 20, 2014, Hollywood Feed’s 5502 Poplar Avenue location hosted a block party benefiting The Savior Foundation, a local nonprofit committed to rescuing, rehabilitating and placing neglected and abused animals into loving homes. The event was attended by hundreds of supporters and their furry companions. “We’re thrilled with the support from the community and from Hollywood Feed,” said Mario Chiozza, founder of The Savior Foundation. “The funds raised will go directly to help pay medical bills and other critical expenses to save animals in need.” For information about The Savior Foundation, visit TheSaviorFoundation.org. Bluff City Bark Magazine
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Around Town
BROWNDOG LODGE Opens new location on Germanton Parkway
BrownDog Lodge, the premier luxury dog hotel, day care and spa in East Memphis, recently opened its newest location at 426 South Germantown Parkway. This location is the second for owner Chip Brown, who opened the original facility at 4953 Black Road in East Memphis in 2007. A couple of years after opening the East Memphis lodge, Brown was able to address increasing customer needs by leasing and renovating an adjacent building, thereby increasing the location’s capacity. More recently, Brown began to search for a second location more conveniently located for clients who live and work in areas that are farther east. The new location is next to Lowe’s on Germantown Parkway near Wolf River Boulevard and features all the same amenities as the East Memphis location including doggie daycare, boarding, grooming, live web cams, TV’s in suites, pickup and delivery service and indoor/ outdoor play areas. In addition, the Germantown Parkway location includes a covered front door drop-off area and canine turf play areas. Bluff City Bark Magazine
“While our East Memphis location is very convenient for nearby customers and will continue to serve that area, we have many customers that commute from further east,” said Brown. “The Germantown Parkway location is an effort to ensure that our customers in Germantown, Collierville, Cordova and the surrounding areas have easy access to BrownDog Lodge as well. Our new lodge was designed specifically around the needs of our customers and their dogs.”
For more information, visit www. browndoglodge.com or call 901-767-1187 (East Memphis lodge) or 901-266-9100 (Germantown lodge). www.bluffcitybark.com
Rescue Me... Rescue You By Brisa Samudio
F
Most of us reading this article have been fortunate enough to receive the unconditional affection of an animal or two (your recent bad break-up excluded). Support and affection from animals is given in many shapes and forms.
or instance, I have shared more than one or two special moments with a lovely goat near Santa Rosa, California. However, I would have to say that of all of the "furry friend" love I have received over the years, the comfort provided by my dogs takes precedent. A step further would be an attempt to explain the beautiful love story between myself and my Weimaraner, Vincent Vega. I was able to snag Vince when an acquaintance was no longer able to care for him and a dear person to me connected the dots. Since then, Vincent has roamed the country with me and shared many adventures. In all sincerity, Vincent has been my best friend in this life. He knows all my secrets and doesn’t judge. This, of course, is in no disrespect to the many dogs I have loved before – Rest in Peace, Fritzy, Mudflaps, Mr. Magoo, and so forth. While many of my friends have witnessed his fancy attitude and general awesomeness, Vincent is on his A-game the most when he is with the high-risk youth who I work with. In Los Angeles, during my stint at a shelter for homeless and abused youth, Vincent frequently accompanied my 6 group home kids and me on hikes around the city. I will not ever forget the relationship that he developed with a particularly vulnerable kid who had been horrifically mistreated and abused. Vincent would not let this kid out of his sight. If the kiddo was at the back of the line, Vincent waited on him. If this kid stopped, Vincent stopped. It was amazing to observe. The kids who were far too mistrusting of adults to even look at me initially had a much harder time telling Vincent to get lost. Vince helped our group develop trust for one another which ultimately led to a little bit of healing along the way.
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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, is defined in short, as exposure to an event or events that involved actual or threatened death or serious injury. This results in a response of intense horror, helplessness, or fear. According to a recent article published in the Army Times, an estimated one in five veterans deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan since 2001 has or will develop Post-traumatic Stress Disorder or major depression. However, the VA does not currently include PTSD under its service dogs program. This is highly disturbing, since according to the Department of Veteran Affairs Suicide Data Report 2012 (released in February 2013), 22 veterans commit suicide every day. Perhaps most mind-blowing is that these statistics do not reflect the roughly 50% of veterans who do not seek treatment. One has to consider the similarities between my darlings at the group home and our great veterans – would they, too, be more willing to receive care and concern from a dog than a treatment team? Our veterans are not the only ones in crisis around this city. It is difficult to miss the fact that shelter dogs in Memphis are being euthanized at alarming rates. According to the Memphis Animal Services 2014 Kennel Statistics, at least 332 dogs per month are euthanized in the city each month, with this number peaking at rates close to 900 during some months. Nina Wingfield, Director of the Collierville Animal Shelter and President of The Memphis Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), shared that many animals in her care would make great PTSD or other type services dogs but are not being linked to people in need. “We are disappointed that we have not connected with more veterans,” Wingfield said. Wingfield expressed gratitude for Amy Lear, a local trainer who volunteers her time to train service dogs and for businesses like Renaissance Bank who offer consistent financial support. Wingfield shared these facts:
• Service dog training to assist with PTSD is funded by donations so that the training is free of charge to each veteran. • Criteria for training to be funded is that each veteran volunteer first so that SPCA may determine the best match for each individual. • Wingfield and her team collaborate with Sedona Staffing in Collierville in order to provide work opportunities to veterans or others who love helping animals. • SPCA also funds a program that provides service dogs to
(Continued on page 28)
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PTSD service dogs are trained to provide a variety of supports including but not limited to waking owners from nightmares, creating a physical buffer in anxietyprovoking situations, and physically distracting the owner (leaning into, pulling toward open space, licking face) in order to disrupt the “fight or flight” mode. Local trainer Amy Lear shared that the average training for a PTSD service dog and veteran can be completed within 6 months. “We can save two: a dog and a warrior, and that is powerful.” Lear couldn’t be more correct. An emotionally stable veteran is a valuable asset to a city like Memphis, riddled with crime. Imagine the impact a veteran and his service dog could have by connecting with just one high-risk, misguided youth and relating to the trauma the youth has more than likely experienced at some point during childhood. If you know a veteran, youth, or dog, be brave enough to bring up this program during your next dialogue. It is the least we can do for all parties involved. If you decide to have this convo with a dog, please do so within earshot of someone who will pass the message forward.
If you would like to sponsor a service dog training, please mail your donation to SPCA P.O. Box 381435 Germantown, TN 38183 Or contact Blues City Animal Rescue at (901)277-7377
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Pet Insurance Pros and Cons
By Tiffany Warmbrod
Insurance has become a very controversial topic amongst the two legged folks in the past few years. Rising premiums, half rate coverage, and plenty of drama surrounding in/out of network providers have Americans wondering what the point or benefit of having insurance is. Which in turn may cause you to question why on earth you would ever get insurance for your pet. Pet insurance is "great if I have a pet that's constantly sick or has more serious health issues", you may be thinking. You're correct. Unfortunately, just like traditional health insurance, we can't just decide to purchase insurance once there is an issue.
Educate yourself. Take time to research your dog's breed and their breed specific common illnesses/issues. Being aware of your breed's potential health issues could be enough to make the decision on whether pet insurance is right for you or not. Of course, that doesn't mean an issue that isn't "common" for your breed isn't completely out of the realm of possibility. Also take time to research different plans, just as you would for your human family. Here are a few points to consider when deciding if pet insurance is right for you and your pet.
- If you own a large breed dog, the odds of hip dysplasia becoming an issue down the road in their senior years are significantly higher than that of a small breed. By enrolling in a plan while your pup is at a young age, you can save TONS of money on surgeries and other treatments in the future. -Some smaller breeds are prone to respiratory issues which can prove to be very costly on the back end. -Pet Insurance can be quite the numbers game. Calculate your annual vet bills and compare them to different premiums and coverage. If your dog is healthy, doesn't fall into a breed category where they are at high risk for multiple problems, and your vet bills are lower than expected premiums and coverage, it may be a good idea to forego the insurance. Of course, this can only be decided by you. -Some insurance policies have lifetime payouts that still leave you paying a hefty chunk out of pocket. For example: Certain policies may only cover $1000 for certain procedures, but your vet charges you nearly four times that amount, so you're left paying the remaining amount out of pocket. On top of your monthly premiums, this can be rather costly.
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In my opinion, it all boils down to personal preference and what your income allows. Our pets are our family members and definitely deserve proper health care. A suggestion I would make to anyone toying with the idea of pet insurance is to set up a separate savings account devoted solely to your pet. Consistently contribute to said account (maybe the amount your projected premiums would be) just as you would your personal emergency/rainy day fund, kids’ college fund, or other savings account and DON’T TOUCH IT. This way YOUR money is at YOUR disposal without plan exceptions/ stipulations if the time of need should ever arise. Plus, you stand to save a lot of money on paying premiums during your pets’ “healthy” days.
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Real Good Dog Party
Benefiting Real Good Dog Rescue
PHOTOS BY MONTY SHANE AND KATEY MCCABE
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On August 20th, Real Good Dog Rescue held it’s Real Good Dog Party to raise money for their rescue. The evening was held at Tower Center on Poplar Ave with live music from Good Company Trio, Hank and Nora, Chuck and Nora Retroactive, and Judith Johnstone. Their live and silent auction was huge hit with many items donated my local artists and businesses. Guest got to enjoyed an appetizer buffet and sweet bites by Wade and Company Catering. With a crowd of 300 they were able to raise $10,000 for Real Good Dog Rescue! www.bluffcitybark.com
A Few Pups that attended Dog Day at the Garden Sunday September 28, 2014 at the Memphis Botanic Gardens
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Saturday September 21, 2014
Minglewood Hall in Memphis
On September 21st, Bluff City Bark was out at the Best Memphis Burger Fest at Minglewood Hall for a fundraiser that helps raise funds for a Tunica Humane Society, Streetdog Foundation, and Fayette Co. Animal Rescue. Huge crowds got to enjoy live music, a cornhole tournament, eating contest, and lots more. This is Best Memphis Burger Fest’s second year raising funds for local animal rescues and humane societies in the mid-south area.
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Pets of Instagram #bluffcitybarkpets
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Maude’s New
News From Maude
Hey guys Maude here! I wanted to let everyone know about this great app that helps dogs like me find their forever homes and keeps rescues funded. Walk for a Dog is an app that your you can download on that thing they you are always playing on, I think it’s called a fone. IDK. Anyway you can support your local animal organization simply by walking your best friend! Just use the app each time you grab our leash. It’s healthy for you, your dog, and your favorite shelter or rescue. There are many rescues in the area that have signed up and ready for you to start using. It’s a free app, so that means you can spend more on bones and stuff for us. Sign up and raise money today! Thanks guys and remember to hug your pets everyday! -Maude BCB Mascot
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Pet Recipes
Purrfect Recipes Chewy Chews
Kitty Kiss
1 can of cat food Cat Nip (1-2 tsp) Place all ingredients in food processor until completely smooth. Place in plastic bag and cut a small hole in one corner. Gently squeeze a small amount onto a cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Cool and store in an airtight container.
Mousey Burger Bites 3 oz sausage meat or finely ground beef 2 tbl oatmeal 1 egg catnip, finely chopped Knead the ingredients together very thoroughly and form into a flat oval. Broil under a medium heat for 5-7 minutes, turning frequently, until the outside is crisp. Wait until cool, then slice into bite-sized chunks
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1 large egg 1 4-oz jar chicken and brown rice baby food 1/4 cup parsley, minced 2 teaspoons olive oil 2 tablespoons water 1 cup brown rice flour 1/2 cup cooked brown rice Place a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat oven to 325* F. Whisk egg, baby food, parsley, olive oil, and water together in a medium bowl. Then add brown rice flour and cooked rice. Stir until the mixture is thick but spreadable. Roll mixture to 1/3 inch thickness and slice into square pieces, depending on how large you want them for your cat. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and flip each piece over and place in oven to bake for another 8 minutes, or until hard. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
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Thank you for supporting Bluff City Bark and your local animal rescues and shelters.
Visit our site for more articles and a directory of Memphis area pet services. www.BluffCityBark.com Bluff City Bark Magazine
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