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Time to Go to the Dentist

February 20, 2012

Imagine going years without brushing your teeth. Imagine you have a cracked tooth and it splits apart every time you chew with it. Imagine another tooth is broken off at the gum line and only the root remains. Imagine yet another tooth has a cavity with an abscess in it and is draining pus into your mouth.  None of these scenarios sound like much fun do they? Yet this is what many pets go through every day due to lack of proper dental care.

Dogs and cats both need dental care just as people do. While dogs and cats are not prone to the same types of cavities as people, they do have other dental issues to worry about. Cracked

teeth and tooth fractures are common in dogs. Fractures can lead to painful root exposure and abscesses. Cats are also prone to their own type of tooth problems, called resorptive lesions. These can cause cavity-like areas on the tooth, most commonly along the gum line. They can be hard to spot, but can be extremely painful for the cat. Both dogs and cats can also get gingivitis, which is an inflammation of the gums. Gingivitis can lead to infection, periodontal disease and eventual tooth loss.

Depending on the condition of your pet’s teeth, your pet may need to have his teeth professionally cleaned. The cleaning is done under a general anesthetic at the veterinary hospital. It’s recommended that preanesthetic blood tests be done for all pets to uncover hidden health problems before your pet is anesthetized. They will be given a complete physical exam as well. Dental radiographs may be performed to check the condition of the tooth roots and underlying bone. Your pet may need to have teeth extracted if a tooth is damaged or if they have severe gum disease. Pain medication will be given to your pet to help ease any discomfort and pets normally go home the same day.

After having your pet’s teeth cleaned, you may wish to consider brushing your pet’s teeth daily, or several times weekly. Your veterinarian can help show you how to do this. The AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) also has an informative video covering pet dental care and brushing at Dental Health: How to Brush Your Pet’s Teeth

Dogs and cats depend on us to keep them healthy and happy. Proper dental care is an important part of caring for your pet and your pet will appreciate being able to eat and “smile” without pain.

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Our Furry and Feathered Valentines

February 14, 2012

That we love our pets is a given for many people, but some may wonder if their pets love them. While there is no way for us to know what another species of animal is thinking or feeling, and there are some who may argue that animals don’t have emotions in the same way as people, there is no doubt for most pet lovers that our pets do care for us in their own ways.

Dog owners only have to walk in their front doors to the smiling faces and wagging tails of their canine friends to know that they were missed. It’s good to know that no matter how bad or long your day was that it seems to make your dog’s entire day when you get home. Dogs often follow their owners from room to room and enjoy snuggling up beside us on beds and couches. Many dog owners can attest to the fact that their dogs often know when they’re upset and try to comfort them. Even some behaviors that on the surface don’t seem quite as friendly are born out of our dog’s attachment to us. Dogs often jump up on us because they’re trying to get face to face contact and dogs will often chew up your shoes because they smell like you.

While cats are generally less demonstrative than dogs with their affection, they have their own ways of showing attachment. Anyone who has had a purring cat sitting on their lap knows what it means to have a cat love you. Cats will often lick or groom their owners, just as they would a feline friend. Weaving in and out of your legs with their tail wrapping about you is a sure sign of affection as well. And though humans see it as less than flattering, a cat that is stressed by your absence on vacation may urinate on your items, not out of spite, but because it finds having its scent mixed with yours comforting.

Pet birds, such as the many parrot species, also show affection. Parrots live in large flocks in the wild and can form strong pair bonds. A cockatiel sitting on your shoulder playing with your hair or earring is preening you as he would a bird buddy. Birds that are used to being handled will often lower their head asking for a scratch in return. And while not to be confused with vomiting when they’re ill, birds can voluntarily regurgitate food to those they love.

Even rabbits can show their owners affection. Bunnies will often lick those whom they like and if a rabbit is willing to stretch contentedly beside you then he trusts you a lot. Anyone who has seen a bunny zipping around and kicking its heels in the air has seen a happy bunny.

So as you celebrate Valentine’s Day this year with your human loved ones, be sure to give a pat on the head or a scratch behind the ear to our furry and feathered ones too.

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Antifreeze Poisoning

February 7, 2012

This time of year, keeping sufficient antifreeze in your car is important to prevent problems. If you’re not careful though, you could create serious problems for your pets or other animals in your neighborhood. We sadly have already seen one fatality this year in a pet from antifreeze poisoning.

Antifreeze is usually described as having a sweet taste, something many animals will readily consume. As little as one teaspoon of antifreeze is a lethal amount for an average sized cat. Dogs are susceptible as well, the smaller the dog, the less it needs to ingest. If you are adding antifreeze to your radiator and spill some, your pet may lap it up off the ground, or could be poisoned by walking through it and then licking the antifreeze off its paws later.

The signs seen with antifreeze poisoning vary depending on how much time has passed since your pet consumed it. Shortly after ingesting it, your pet may appear as if it’s inebriated or drunk, or it may seem depressed or lethargic. It is not uncommon for pets to become thirsty and drink and urinate more than is usual for them. They may also start vomiting.  After this stage, your pet can appear to be feeling better, the antifreeze however is being metabolized in your pet’s body and will eventually lead to kidney failure, usually within one to two days.

The sooner treatment is started, the better your pet’s chances. If it’s not caught until after it’s already started to damage the kidneys, the prognosis is quite poor, so if you at all suspect that your pet has gotten into antifreeze it’s important that you get them in as soon as possible so that treatment can be started before permanent damage occurs. Waiting even more than a few hours can lead to a greatly decreased chance of survival.

If you do spill antifreeze, be sure to clean it up properly. Sprinkle kitty litter or sand over it to absorb the spill. Wear gloves when cleaning to avoid any chance of it being absorbed by your skin and use disposable towels to scoop it into a garbage bag. Use soapy water to clean up the area where it spilled and then be sure to rinse it well afterwards. You should check your local ordinances to see if you can throw the antifreeze soaked litter out with your regular trash or if you need to take it elsewhere for proper disposal.

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Why You Should Consider Spaying or Neutering Your Pet

January 31, 2012

Most of us have heard that we should have our pet spayed or neutered. What you may not have heard though, are the benefits of having this done for your pet. Here are some reasons that might convince you.

  • You can avoid or prevent health problems, some of which can be quite serious. A spayed cat or dog will not have to worry about having uterine infections and the incidence of breast cancer, especially if your pet is spayed by six months of age, is considerably less. Male pets will also not have to worry about developing testicular cancer.
  • If you have a female pet, you won’t have to worry about it going into heat. Female dogs go through a heat cycle twice yearly and female cats can have a heat cycle lasting several days and reoccurring every couple of weeks. Being around a female cat in heat can be no fun either as most tend to roam around the house crying loudly. We’ve had female cats brought into the hospital that the owners thought were in terrible pain, only to find out that they were really just in heat. Female dogs in heat can also leave “messes” around the house for you to clean up as well.
  • Unneutered male cats are much more likely to “spray” or urinate throughout your house and unneutered male dogs are more likely to mark territory as well.
  • Neutered male cats and dogs are much less likely to roam.  Male dogs have been known to dig under or climb fences to get out to find a female in heat.
  • Last, but certainly not least, is to prevent pet overpopulation.  There is no shortage of dogs and cats in need of homes. All you have to do is stroll through your local shelter to see them. And while many people think that the puppies and kittens from their purebred dog or cat are not at risk of ever being homeless, sadly the shelters have no shortage of purebred pets as well as mixed breeds. Pregnancy and delivery are also not without their risk for your female pet. Puppies and kittens need veterinary care, worming and vaccinations, so it can be far from an inexpensive endeavor even if there are no complications. Raising those puppies and kittens until they’re old enough to go to new homes and then finding good homes for them can be a stressful experience as well.

Spaying and neutering is done under a general anesthetic and most dogs and cats, especially when they are neutered at six months of age, have an uneventful recovery. Pets will stay overnight at the hospital after surgery and have their stitches removed ten days later.  Spaying and neutering will not change your pet’s personality and most are their usual happy selves within a day or two of surgery.  If you have any more questions about spaying or neutering your pet, please give us a call, we’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have.

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Getting to Know Us

January 23, 2012

I’d like to introduce one of our newest staff members, April, who is currently finishing up her degree in Veterinary Technology from Miami-Jacobs Career College. April started with us in June of 2011. She’d been looking for a new career after being laid off during the economic downturn.  A love of animals led her back to college to earn a degree in Veterinary Technology. Of course an animal lover has to have pets of her own, and April currently lives with her six dogs, two cats and also a duck, chickens and bunny.

April has been a wonderful addition to our staff, and says two of her favorite things are helping with surgery and dentistry. Here’s what April had to say about joining us.

I started working at Troy Animal Hospital last June, while finishing my degree at school in veterinary technology. Since then I have been able to apply my skills I have learned while going to school, in many ways. I have always enjoyed being around animals, and getting to help them feel better when they are sick and come into the clinic is a very rewarding experience. The team here at Troy Animal Hospital is very dedicated to giving the best quality care to every pet that walks through the door. It is a very rewarding experience to get to work with such a great team, and I can say that what I didn’t learn in school I have been able to learn here from the other staff members and their experience. I will be graduating from school this spring, and I feel that what I have learned from attending classes and from working has greatly prepared me for this career. I enjoy getting up and coming to work each day and I wouldn’t trade this job for any other.

We at Troy Animal Hospital look forward to getting to know you and your pet and hope that you get to know us as well!

Penny and Parker, two of April's pets

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Is Your Dog Overdue for his Vaccinations?

January 16, 2012

Many people today are looking for ways to save money, and wisely so. With the recent downturn in the economy the past few years, saving money has become a priority and trying to decide what you can do without and where you can cut back are important decisions.

When it comes to our pets, some owners have decided to forgo their pet’s annual checkup and vaccinations. If your pet seems otherwise healthy, this may seem like a good money saving decision.  It may however end up costing you a great deal more in the long run, or even end up costing your pet its life.

A recent outbreak of distemper at a humane society in Clark County led to the shelter closing for a week and sadly, at least 20 dogs had to be euthanized. The disease is extremely contagious, with symptoms including: discharge from the eyes and nose, coughing, congestion of the lungs, and diarrhea and vomiting. As many as one half of infected dogs will die, with puppies being more susceptible. The virus can be airborne, or passed by direct contact with contaminated stool, urine or other secretions from infected dogs.

Distemper, however, is easily preventable. Vaccination for distemper is included in the first vaccinations that a puppy receives, usually starting at 6 weeks, and is then part of an adult dog’s routine vaccinations. If your dog is overdue for her vaccinations, you should get her caught up as soon as possible. Everyone wants to save money where they can, but saving your pet from suffering and yourself from heartbreak is even more important in the long run.

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Diabetes in Dogs and Cats

January 9, 2012

Most people know or have an idea of what diabetes is, a disorder where the body doesn’t produce or utilize insulin properly, which causes blood sugar levels to become too high. Not everyone is aware that disease can also affect dogs and cats. As in people though, diabetes in dogs and cats can be treated.

What are some signs that your pet may have diabetes? The first signs you as an owner may notice are that your pet is drinking an excessive amount of water and urinating excessively. They may also be losing weight although they are eating normally or even eating more than usual. It is more common in older, overweight pets.  As with most diseases, the earlier it is diagnosed the better the long term outcome. Your veterinarian will give your pet a thorough exam and run blood work and possibly a urinalysis to determine if diabetes is the cause. Left untreated, diabetes is fatal.

Pup doesn't let diabetes get in the way of nap time.

Although hearing that your pet is diabetic can be frightening, keep in mind that diabetes can be treated and many pets go on to live a normal, happy life. You will have a big part in the care and treatment of your pet though, so it’s good to have an idea of what will be involved in keeping your diabetic pet happy and healthy.

“Consistency” probably best describes what is involved in caring for a diabetic pet.  Mealtimes, amount of food and treats fed, exercise and insulin injections will all need to be given at roughly the same time every day.  The more consistent you are the better for your pet.
So what exactly is involved?

1. Diet-It’s important to feed a high quality diet to your diabetic pet. Your veterinarian may recommend a particular diet. It’s also important that you feed a consistent amount, at the same time every day. Most diabetics will need two meals a day, and are usually fed before being given their insulin injections. You also need to be careful not to give too many treats in between meals, as regulating your pet’s glucose (sugar) level is very dependent on how many calories it takes in. A wide fluctuation of calories can make it harder to regulate.

2. Exercise-Just as in providing consistent amounts of food is important, providing the same amount of exercise everyday is also important for keeping your pet’s glucose levels consistent. Strenuous exercise, especially for a pet that’s not accustomed to it, should be avoided.

3. Insulin-This is the part most owners dread. Yes, you will have to give your pet injections every day.  Most people find that this is not as bad as they had feared it wou

ld be. Your veterinarian or vet tech will show you how to draw up and administer the injections. If you have any questions be sure to ask! There are ways you can make this easier f

or you and your pet. Having someone else to hold your pet when you’re first learning how can help. They can often give a small treat to distract your pet while you give them the injection.  If given extra attention or a special treat, many pets will not even notice the injection as the needle used is very small.

There are a few other things you should know. When your pet is first diagnosed, it will usually have to stay at the hospital to have what is known as a “glucose curve” done. This is how your veterinarian finds out how much insulin your pet will need. For the first month or two, you will probably have to make a weekly trip to the vet so that we can monitor its glucose levels to see how it is responding to treatment. It’s not uncommon for the amount of insulin given to be adjusted over the first couple of months till we find the right amount for your pet. After that, if your pet is responding well to treatment, the amount of time between glucose checks can be lengthened. Your vet will also go over the signs of hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, some of which are lethargy, confusion, loss of coordination and vomiting. Hypoglycemia can be very serious if it occurs. Keeping a bottle of corn syrup on hand, that you can use to spoon into your pet, or rub on his gums if he is unconscious is a good idea. If your pet becomes ill, especially if it is not eating, you should have it checked right away. Illness can affect insulin levels, so it’s important to have your pet seen promptly.

As with any medical issue or disease that involves your pet we are here to help. Learning to care for your diabetic pet can seem overwhelming at first, so you may want to write down any questions you have to be sure you get all the answers you need. Commitment is needed, but diabetes can be treated, and the level of care you give your pet can be very rewarding in the long run for both of you.

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New Year Resolutions

January 3, 2012

If you’ve sat down to make your resolutions for the New Year, you ought to include your pet as well. There are things you can do to make the coming year a good one for both you and your pet.

  • Get more exercise. This is a fairly easy one if you own a dog. Going for a walk? Take your canine friend with you! Dogs benefit from regular exercise just as much as people do. Have a cat? There are several things you can do to help exercise your kitty.  Cat fishing poles with toys on the end can get your cat up and moving, as well as balls that they can bat around. Perhaps your cat would like a new cat tree to run up and down.  Cats are harder to exercise than dogs, but it can be done.

 

  • Regular checkups. Just as it’s a good idea to see your doctor once a year for a physical exam, it’s a good idea for your pet to get an annual checkup as well.  The sooner a medical issue is diagnosed, the more likely it can be treated successfully. Also be sure to stay up to date on your pet’s vaccinations, heartworm tests and stool checks.

 

  • Flea prevention starts now.  Flea infestations tend to be seen more in the warm summer months, starting monthly flea treatments now can help prevent having a problem this summer.

 

  • If you’ve added a new puppy or kitten to your family this year, resolve to make sure you have them spayed or neutered when they’re six months old. You’ll be helping to prevent medical and behavioral issues that can arise in unaltered pets and also help prevent more homeless animals in the future.

 

  • Feed a quality diet. While the initial cost may seem to be more, high quality diets can help lead to healthier pets.  Also, you often need to feed your pet a smaller amount of food than you would if they ate a lower quality diet to get the same level of nutrition, which can make the higher quality food cheaper in the long run. Also less food eaten daily means less to clean up in the litter box or in the yard!

 

  • Good grooming. If you have a long haired dog or cat, resolving to make sure you keep it brushed out or taken to the groomer on a regular basis will make its life a lot easier than waiting till it’s full of mats to be cut out. If you have a bird or rabbit, make sure you keep their nails properly trimmed.

 

  • A clean home with room to run. Birds and small animals often spend most of their time in some type of cage. Make sure you set a regular cleaning schedule for it and if needed, perhaps this is the year that they move up to larger accommodations.

 

  • Good dental care. Pets need dental care just as much as people do, perhaps even more since they don’t brush every day. If your pet’s teeth need cleaned, but you’ve been putting it off, resolve to have it done this year.  Not only can poor dental hygiene cause your pet to have teeth and gum issues, bacteria from your pet’s mouth can enter its bloodstream and attack other major organs.

Resolving to make 2012 a happy and healthy year for the pets in our lives will help make our year a better one as well!

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Adding a New Dog to your Family: Part 2

December 26, 2011

Last week we discussed some of the things you should consider before adding a canine family member and where was the best place to find a purebred dog. Some though prefer a little mystery in their lives and for them, only a mixed breed will do.

Just as you first need to decide whether to get a puppy or an adult when considering a purebred, the same holds true for adopting a mixed breed dog. The main difference is that if you adopt a mixed breed puppy, you can’t be certain of how large it will be as an adult. If size is an issue for you, but you still want to adopt a puppy, there are some things you can do to help guesstimate your new pup’s potential size when grown. If the parents were different purebred dogs, odds are the puppies will be similar in size to one of them. If just the mother is known, her size can be used as an estimate of how big the puppies will be. Keep in mind though that there is always the chance that even though mom is small, without knowing how big the father was, there is a chance the puppies could be quite a bit larger.

Sometimes though, there is no way of knowing how big either a pup’s mom or dad were. If your heart is set on a puppy, and size is a major concern, your best bet is probably to adopt a slightly older puppy. A general rule of thumb is that a puppy’s adult weight will often be twice its weight at four months of age. While not a guarantee, you should at least be able to get an idea of whether your puppy will grow up to be a small, medium or large dog.

So where are some good places to find a mixed breed dog? There are several. Animal shelters and humane societies are the most common source, but mixed breed dogs can also be found from private owners, and there are people who breed “designer” mixed breed dogs.

“Designer” mutts are usually dogs that have been bred from two different breeds of purebred parents. Some examples are many of the poodle mixes, such as cockapoos, schnoodles, labradoodles, and goldendoodles. Some more recent ones are puggles, a pug/beagle mix and jackchis, a Jack Russell/Chihuahua cross. There are many more to be sure. You will often pay as much as you would for a purebred dog for many of these mixes. Since they are mixes of only two breeds though, you will have a better idea of what size they will be and of what their temperament and activity level will be like, although again, there is no guarantee.

Private owners are also a common source for mixed breed dogs. Accidents happen, and if a female dog isn’t spayed and happens to get out when in heat, puppies are usually the result. Some advantages of getting a puppy from a private owner is that you can often meet the mother, which may help you judge your future dog’s size or temperament. Also someone may have an adult dog that for a variety of reasons they may no longer be able to keep. You can often get a full history, and these dogs are usually already spayed/neutered and vaccinated.

Suppose you’re interested in a pound puppy though. There are no shortage of wonderful dogs at local animal shelters and humane societies in need of homes. If a dog was turned in by its former owner, you may be able to get a history on your future pet. Many dogs there will have been picked up or brought in as a stray though, and little is known about their background. If you’re interested in a dog with no known background, talk with the shelter personnel, they may be able to give you a general idea of the dog’s temperament. Often times they may also have seen some indications of prior training or whether the dog may already be housebroken. See if they have a separate area, be it another room or outside for a walk on a leash, where you can take the dog you’re interested in. A shelter can be a noisy, stressful place for a dog and spending some time with them in a quieter setting may help you get a true feel for the dog’s personality. Everyone in your family should get the opportunity to meet the dog you’re interested in, but be careful you don’t overwhelm them with too many people at once. Adopting a dog from a shelter can be a truly rewarding experience, but take your time to make sure you get the right dog for you.

Whether you decide to get a purebred or a mutt, puppy or adult, adding a dog to your family is a commitment, so be sure to take the time to pick the right canine companion for you and you both will have many happy years together.

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Adding a New Dog to your Family

December 19, 2011

Moses is a former shelter dog.

So, your family has talked about it and decided that what you want for Christmas is a new best friend for everyone, a cute adorable puppy or dog. But where do you begin looking for one and more importantly finding the right one? There are a few questions you need to answer first. Keep in mind there are no wrong or right answers to these questions, they’ll differ for everyone.

Probably the first decision to make when adding a new dog to the family is purebred or mix breed? Purebred dogs have the advantage of knowing exactly how big your doggie friend will be and what they’ll look like when grown. You’ll also be more likely to have an idea of what type of temperament it will have and what type of activity level as well. If you need a dog for a specific job, such as search and rescue or obedience shows, a purebred might be a better choice. So what are the advantages of mixed breeds? Since most mixed breeds often come from shelters or humane societies, odds are you will literally be saving your dog’s life. Mixed breeds are unique. Except for color variations, most pure breeds of dog look exactly like every other dog of the same breed. Your mixed breed will stand out in a crowd. The initial cost of a mixed breed dog is often considerably less than that of a purebred dog as well. This week we’ll concentrate on how to find the best purebred dog for your family and next week we’ll talk about some of the ways to find a good mix breed family member.

Before you go about deciding which breed of purebred dog might be best for you, first take a moment and decide whether you are interested in a puppy or an adult dog. Both have advantages and disadvantages. There’s not much cuter or many things more fun than playing with your new puppy.  If you pick a puppy, you can have more of an influence over its socialization as it grows.  A puppy is a clean slate, you won’t have to worry about retraining any bad habits or behaviors as you might in an adult dog. You can meet (and should meet) your future puppy’s parents. This is one of the best ways to get an idea of your new puppy’s temperament. There’s also more of a chance that you will have a puppy longer than an adult dog, since you’re getting him as a baby.

And what are the advantages of an adult dog? Many adult dogs will come already housebroken, you won’t have to worry about cleaning up puddles or where you step in the morning and if you work long hours an adult dog can “hold it” all day long, where as a puppy might not be able to. Adult dogs are usually calmer and more settled than a puppy as well, the chewing and destruction stages of puppyhood are in the past. Adult dogs are just as trainable as puppies and often learn faster as they’re less distractible and tend to have longer attention spans.

Next of course, you need to decide on a breed! There are numerous books and websites that describe the different breeds available. Considerations of course are size, hair coat, energy level and compatibility with other animals. There are numerous dog selectors online that you can check into if you’re not sure where to start.The Dog Breed Selector at Animal Planet is just one.

So, you’ve decided to get a purebred dog and have chosen whether to get a puppy or an adult, now you just need to know where to look. There are three main options; breeders, rescue groups and animal shelters. Let’s look at breeders first.

Purchasing your dog from a reliable breeder will almost certainly cost you more initially than the other two options, but from a good breeder, you’ll be getting what you pay for. What should you look for in a breeder? They should be knowledgeable about the breed. They should not only be willing to educate you on the good points of their particular breed but also on some of the negatives as well. A good breeder may have as many questions for you as you have for them. They love their dogs and want to make sure they get into good, forever homes. You should be able to meet your puppy’s mother and possibly the father.  If you are buying an adult dog, they should be able to fill you in on the dog’s history. Your puppy should have already had its initial vaccinations and been checked by a veterinarian. Adult dogs will be up to date on their shots and will often already be spayed or neutered. Their dogs will have been screened for any genetic diseases that their breed suffers from and they’ll often be willing to accept your puppy or dog back if for some reason it doesn’t work out, often for the life of your dog.

What about rescue groups? Breed rescue groups are usually started by a group of people who have a love for a particular breed. They are almost always nonprofit and any adoption fee you pay will go to helping other dogs in the future. The dogs in rescue can come from a variety of backgrounds. Some have come into rescue when their former owners were no longer able to keep them. Some are strays or gotten from animal shelters or humane societies. The rescue may be able to provide you with the dog’s complete history or know nothing at all about his background.  Most dogs in rescues stay in foster homes. There the dogs can be screened for any obvious behavioral issues, they can start housebreaking if the dog isn’t already, and they can often find out how the dog gets along with other pets and children. Most dogs from rescues will be checked by a vet and vaccinated and spay or neutered before being available for adoption. Rescues often require you to sign an adoption contract and usually require that the dog be returned to them if you are unable to keep it for any reason. You can search on the web to find different breed rescues or Petfinder is a good resource for finding rescue groups.

Finally, we come to the third way to find a purebred dog: local animal shelters and humane societies. Many people think of animal shelters having only mixed breed dogs, but purebred dogs are to be found there as well. The more common the breed of dog, the more likely you are to find it in a shelter. Even some of the less common breeds can be found in shelters, you just have to be willing to wait. Shelters may have little to no information on a dog if it was found running stray, or they may have its history if it was turned in by its former owner. Depending on the shelter, the dog may come already spayed/neutered and vaccinated, or it may not have had any medical care at all. While not knowing a dog’s behavioral or medical history should definitely be a consideration, it can often be balanced out by knowing that you literally saved your dog’s life. Petfinder is a good resource if you are looking to adopt a dog from a shelter.

Whatever breed you decide on, puppy or adult dog, taking your time to research your breed and considering all your options as to where to get your pet from will help insure that you have many happy years with your new best friend.  And for those of you who are considering a mixed breed dog, we’ll have more to talk about next week!

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