Prayer Pups! By Jeff Smith

© 2019, Prayer Pups, by Jeff Smith, Used by Written Permission 

I paw and bark my thanks to Prayer Pups by Jeff Smith for sharing their pawsome artistic talents with us.

All content and characters © 2019, Jeffrey Smith. All rights reserved. Used by Permission, Prayer Pups by Jeffrey Smith

Friday's Friend! Dog Adoption, Cat Adoption

WOOF! Samson and I hope you will join us next week for "Friday's Friend" when we paw about our friends in the Washington D.C. area who need "Forever Homes" and humans to love! See you next week!

Selecting a Dog Food

"Dog Food"
Photo by Daniel von Appen on Unsplash

WOOF! WOOF! At "from The Dog's Paw" we do not endorse or specifically recommend any brand of dog food for your pawsome companion. Why? Barks, there are pawlenty of great dog foods on the market these days ranging from very inexpensive kibbles found at non-pet specialty big box stores to food created for dogs which smell delicious enough that my human has wanted to take a taste! There are commercial brands and non-commercials brands. There is wet food and dry food.

Barkingly, there are many humans who highly recommend cooking meals for dogs and even feeding them raw foods.

Paws, our philosophy is that each dog is an individual. Each one requires different food to be the bestest-dog-that-can-be! WOOF! We highly recommend going past all the commercials, the glimmer, the excitement, the many words said by other humans to determine what is the best food for your dog.

Barks, we believe the humans need to consider what they can afford on an on-going basis too. If you have a great salary now and you are pretty sure, if not pawsitive, that you will have that good salary a few years from now then you should invest the best dog food. However, if you are not certain, maybe a less expensive food is best. Dogs generally require the same food consistently and do not usually change easily without some issues including upset stomachs and diarrhea.

Convenience is a factor too. My human knows of a great feed store across county which carries the bestest food he could find! WOOF! A great idea but it really wasn't convenient. WOOF! I know that may sound selfish but it really isn't. With the traffic congestion, responsibilities in life, it could become very difficult for him to drive across county to get my food. WOOF! And, since I only use the Forester when he's not around to stop me, I can't just take off when I want to either. Barks. For us, it turned out to be a good thing we did not use this resource or product because my human had to care for his parents and his in-laws over a period of time which would have made it almost impossible to drive across county. Barkingly, my human went with the best food he could afford at a local pet supply store.

Knowing the considerations I just pawed about, our most impawtant part of the food decision is consulting with the Veterinarian, doing pawlenty of internet research, reading dog magazines like Dogster and Whole Dog Journal and making a decision. Barks.

Recently, in discussion with my Veterinarian about some personal issues, she stated she wanted me to change my diet from my current delicious foods. Barkingly, this was around the time the Food and Drug Administration released a list of dog foods which may cause health problems. Barkingly, my humans are following the instructions of my Veterinarian. Paws, she recommends humans who have concerns about their dogs' food should call the company and ask questions. The company's who will take the time to answer your questions are genuinely concerned about your dog's health.

Saluting and Remembering 09/11

(C) Allen Pearson Photography

Living so close to Washington D.C. and having friends, family, and neighbors working for the federal, county, and state governments, September 11, 2001, is a day my humans will never forget. WOOF!

My humans made it through the day, safe and reasonably sound. Barks, the day had an effect on them which they will never forget. A nice quiet Tuesday morning turned into a horrible day when terrorists hit the World Trade Center in New York City, a field in Pennsylvania, and the Pentagon in Arlington, VA using airplanes.

For my humans, the Pentagon being hit not only caused worry and concern for my Mom getting to Dad safely, but for many of our friends. A young man who my father knew narrowly escaped out of the office when he saw the plane coming and a lady who waited for days for her husband to come out of the Pentagon. In Prince William County, VA, they lost more residents on that fateful day than any other county.

Today, I pawse to salute, honor, and remember those who lost their lives and their family members, the First Responders and others who sacrificed themselves for others on that fateful horrible day, September 11, 2001.

WOOF! MEOW!

Paws, Licks, and Purrs to All! 

Storms Emergency Preparedness for Dogs and Cats

"Hurricane"
(C) Flickr Creative Commons: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

WOOF! MEOW! Samson and I have been watching the news on television lately with Mom and keep hearing these weather updates about Hurricane Dorian and its stalling over the Bahamas! WOOF! When my humans and I were at Topsail Beach, North Carolina, we noticed the storm on a weather app off in the Atlantic Ocean. At the time, it appeared to be just another storm. Barkingly, it developed into one of the worst hurricanes in the recorded history of the Atlantic Ocean.

Paws. I came home and told Samson what we saw and how it's grown into a hurricane! Barks, and we got to thinking, are humans prepared WITH their pets for the storm? While Hurricane Dorian went off the East Coast further into the Atlantic Ocean not visiting Virginia, humans should prepare now for "Storm Emergency Preparedness."  Woofs, after all, it is only the beginning of September and who knows what may come our way in the next months. Barks, you do NOT want to leave your pets behind in an emergency so prepare now for the unexpected.

WOOF! Before a storm or emergency becomes a reality and you only have a few minutes to act:

NEVER leave your pets at home during an emergency-
WOOF! My humans would never leave me or Samson alone at the house in an emergency. We are an impawtent part of of the family! They have prepared items we might need so we can leave together.

Leaving your pets is never a good idea. Even if they survive a storm or another emergency, they could go days without food or water. Barkingly, they could escape a damaged home and end up wandering the area getting hurt!

Paws, if your pets go missing, it might impawssible to find them again. Barks, in some areas, there are laws against leaving, or abandoning, your pets during an emergency.

Get your pets vaccinated-
Barks, if you haven't already done so, get your pets updated with their vaccinations. After an emergency, infectious diseases can become quite a threat to your pets.

Obtain travel-size crates for each pet-
Travel-size crates should be easy for you to carry and transport in an emergency. They should be large enough for your pets to move around in but not have enough room to do their "business."

Barkingly, remember, in an emergency, you may have to carry the crate quickly and a long distance. Look for a practical easy-to-carry crate. 

Gather impawtent papers about your pet-
WOOF! My humans keep a notebook of our vaccination records in their vehicles. Though the Subaru Forester is the primary car we'd use in an emergency, should something happen and we cannot use it, the other car is ready!

In the notebooks, a copy of our rabies vaccination certificate, a list of vaccinations and photos of Samson and I. The photos allow for quick identification.

Update your pets collars, ID Tags, Vaccination Tags, and Microchips-
Now is great time to make certain your pet has a collar with which you can attach a leash! Barkingly, the collar and leash are ideally ones with which your pet is used to wearing with the leash being comfortable for you to use.

ID Tags, even with the use of microchipping, should be attached to the collar so other humans can easily read and know where the pet belongs. Woof, I like having two forms of ID on me. Should a human not be able to get to a Veterinarian's office to read the microchip, I have the ID collar too.

Prepare a Pet Disaster Relief Kit for each pet-
Keeping your pets safe and happy in an emergency is of utmost priority for pet parents. Prepare a special Pet Disaster Relief Kit with these items:

• Medications and important vaccination records paper in a water-proof bag.

• A blanket and favorite toy(s)

• Non-spill food and water dishes

• A 14-day supply of food, water in nonbreakable containers

• A manual can opener

• Grooming supplies

• And don't forget to bring the bestest-ever treats!

Make a list of local hotels and other places where you and your pets can go- 
WOOF! Check with family and friends about staying with them in an emergency.

Barkingly, create a list of local hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts where you can stay with your pets. While you are making your list, ask if they make exceptions and take pets during emergencies.

During a weather-related emergency, make a reservation in advance.

WOOF! Visit www.petswelcome.com to learn about hotels which accept pets.

Practice your evacuation plan-
MEOWS! We cats can be quite difficult at times and especially during times of stress. I highly recommend practicing your emergency evacuation with your cat and dog too. This way, you are prepared! Purrs!

Paws, should your pet go missing during an emergency, contact your local animal shelter and rescue organizations about your pets.

Friday's Friend! Dog Adoption, Lab Rescue of L.R.C.P., Inc.

Photo: Lab Rescue of L.R.C.P., Inc.
Creative: Allen Pearson

WOOF! WOOF! It's FRIDAY! WOOF! BARKS! And, on Friday's I get to catch up with my friend "Lab Lady" from Lab Rescue of L.R.C.P., Inc.! This week, she has brought a handsome debonair guy named Barney who is looking for his "Forever Home!"

Photo: Lab Rescue of L.R.C.P., Inc.
Creative: Allen Pearson

Barney has a few requirements for his new "Forever Home!" He would like a single-family home located in a rural or suburban setting with a fence. He will have a training addendum with his adoption since he's such a young pup! WOOF!

Paws, Barney is around 2-years-old.  He is fully house- and crate-trained and knows his basic commands! WOOF! BARK! Being a young energetic pup, he will require an appropriate amount of exercise! Barks!

Barney is a funny and goofy fella, yet, he tends to be more introverted and wary of new things! Barks! A bit shy at first but once he leans everything is okay, he is fine!

He will need a family who will show him the ropes and that life is fun! Barkingly, he would love on long hikes with another pup and a few days a week at doggie daycare! WOOF!

Barney is recommended for mini-humans ages 10 and older. He is friendly with other dogs he's met. He has no history with cats.

WOOF! To learn more about dog adoption, pawlease visit the Lab Rescue Dog Adoption Procedures!

If you would like to meet Barney or apply to pawssibly adopt him, pawlease complete the Lab Rescue Dog Adoption Application.

WOOF!! Do you love Labrador Retrievers, but, for whatever reason, are not able to adopt? Please consider supporting Barney financially. Donations will assist with his care. Any extra funds will be used to assist other Labrador Retrievers at Lab Rescue of L.R.C.P., Inc. Interested, pawlease donate HERE!

Photo: Lab Rescue of L.R.C.P., Inc.
Creative: Allen Pearson

Friday's Friend! Cat Adoption, Homeless Animals Rescue Team (HART)

Photo: Homeless Animals Rescue Team (HART)
Creative: Allen Pearson

MEOWS! MEOWS! Happy Friday! I am always a happy cat but I am especially happy on Fridays because I know my Mom will be home with me most of the day tomorrow and we can cuddle and snuggle and cuddle some more and snuggle some more.... oh, yeah, Dad will be home too - but my favorite to cuddle and snuggle with is Mom..... do you need a cat to keep you company? Meet my pawsome new friend Rose II from the Homeless Animals Rescue Team (HART)!

Rose II is around 1-year-old. She is not declawed but is cat-, dog-, and mini-human-friendly! She is a new arrival to Homeless Animals Rescue Team (HART) so she is teaching them all about her pawsome-self!

Paws, if you have questions about Rose II, pawlease contact Kim.

If you are interested in meeting Rose II or apply to adopt her, pawlease complete the Homeless Animals Rescue Team Cat Adoption Application.

MEOW! Paws, do you love cats but are not able to adopt? How about considering sponsoring Rose II? Sponsoring Rose II provides financial resources for his food, care, and Veterinary needs. Interested? Pawlease visit Sponsor!

Photo: Homeless Animals Rescue Team (HART)
Creative: Allen Pearson