Play Dates are Fun for Assistance Dogs Too!
I have always felt guilty that my assistance dogs have been the sole dog in our house with the exception of the times when there has been an overlap with my retired assistance dog. However during those times, my retired dogs have been older, physically challenged and uninterested in playing with a younger dog.
For the past five months now, Whistle has been the sole dog in our house after my retired dog, Morgan, passed away. Whistle is one of those dogs who is full of energy. After working with me all day, Whistle still demands to go for a long walk around the neighborhood. When we return, Whistle grabs his toy and insists that my husband, Franz, and I play retrieving games with his favorite toys until bedtime.
I really felt Whistle needed some canine interaction and I was considering taking him to the local dog park so he could have some social engagement with other dogs. However, I had heard from acquaintances of their experiences that made me reluctant to do so.
Seeking a more controlled situation, I asked a friend I know and trust who has a rescue dog similar to Whistle’s age and athletic drive to bring him over to my house for a play date with Whistle.
She brought him over to meet Whistle one Saturday afternoon. At first, they seemed a little awkward and too energetic, but with a little supervision, they became fast friends. Now the two look forward to seeing each other and they both get to run and play in a safe environment.
We decided to schedule some regular play dates so Whistle and his new friend, Bueno, could spend more time together. Now, when Bueno’s mom and dad want to travel or go on an outing, Bueno comes over for a visit.
It’s so nice to see Whistle run around and chase Bueno like an average dog. And, it is amazing to see Bueno, who has had no formal obedience training, try to sit by my wheelchair and act like my assistance dog!
It’s a match made in heaven for everyone involved!
The Importance of Blood Work
As Whistle turned six this year, he is graying around his eyes and muzzle and I can definitely tell my athletic service dog is getting older. I recently took Whistle to see our veterinarian, Dr. Murt Byrne, for a wellness check. I try to take him to see Dr. Murt about every six months.
In talking with Dr. Murt, he thought it was a good time to do some basic blood work along with his regular physical examination. To date, Whistle has been very healthy and I have not had the need to do a Complete Blood Count (CBC) and chemistry panel on him.
However, since he is over six now, Dr. Murt and I agreed that it was important to establish a baseline as a preventative measure. With his blood work information on file, Dr. Murt and his staff can refer to it as Whistle ages and his medical needs change.
Using a small amount of his blood, the laboratory was able to measure Whistle’s white blood cells, red cells, platelets and plasma. The chemistry panel focused on the chemical components in the blood. All of these ingredients provided Dr. Murt with an internal picture of Whistle’s overall health and wellness.
I am happy to report that Whistle’s blood work was normal. However, Dr. Murt did note that his cholesterol was slightly elevated and he had gained 5 pounds. The weight gain was a wake-up call for me to lay off some of the high fat treats that I had been giving Whistle lately.
It also reminded me that I need to be mindful about how much Whistle consumes each day. Even though Whistle is active and healthy now, how I monitor and care for him on a daily basis will have a tremendous impact on his working life span and his quality of life during his senior years.
Have you done any blood work on your assistance dog lately? Do you think this information will be helpful as your dog ages?
Whistle is my third service dog and I am still learning how to care for him to ensure that he has a long and healthy working life and retirement. I would love to hear what lessons you’ve learned.
War Dogs Remembered – Recognizing Our Unsung Canine Heroes
I recently had the pleasure of visiting with veteran military dog handler, Larry Chilcoat on Working Like Dogs at www.PetLifeRadio.com. Larry, a member of the Vietnam Dog Handlers Association, stopped by to visit with me about the ongoing efforts to build a Military Working Dogs National Monument.
It is amazing the amount of work and dedication that a group of individuals led by John Burnham and Larry have contributed to erect the Military Working Dogs National Monument. Through their efforts, they have designed and secured a space for this national monument at Fort Belvoir, Virginia that will honor the heroic past, present and future United States military dog handlers and their incredible working dogs.
Larry explained the difference between a national monument (a living representation that can honor military dogs both past, present and future which requires Senate, Congressional and Presidential approval) and a memorial (a tombstone for people or dogs that are deceased). Larry and his team members gained a Congressional Sponsor in Congressman Walter B. Jones of North Carolina. With his help, they have completed the approval process which was signed into law by President Bush in 2008. Now, the group has to raise the more than $900,000 to pay for the construction and placement.
I could still hear the love in Larry’s voice as he talked about his 85-pound German shepherd, Military Police Dog, Gisha. He served with Gisha for one year in Vietnam and the impact this dog had on his life could be felt in the way he reminisced about her.
As Larry so eloquently said, she has lived in his heart for over 40 years.
Larry believes that he and other fellow veterans are now in a position to make a difference, to have a something permanent to honor these dogs for all time and to make a united statement that they are an important part of the U.S. Military. Larry said passionately, “The memories don’t go away, which is why it is so exciting to do something that will benefit a lot of handlers that don’t have this opportunity… we’ll put something out there for the nation to know what role these dogs play and how long they have sacrificed for our country and how many lives they’ve saved.”
These military working dogs do so much to save and to protect our country and the lives of their military handlers. The men and women who serve bravely beside their canine partners are the unsung heroes that provide us with the freedom we too often take for granted. Tentatively, a dedication date has been scheduled for Veteran’s Day 2012. If you would like to contribute a tax deductible donation to the Military Working Dogs National Monument, please visit their web site at www.jbmf.us. To hear more about the efforts to build this worthy Military Working Dogs National Monument, tune in to Working Like Dogs’ Episode 46 – War Dogs Remembered at www.petliferadio.com.
How to Choose the Best Chew Toy for Your Assistance Dog
Toys are an important part of your assistance dog’s overall health and well-being. Having appropriate, engaging chew toys is important not only for entertainment but it can also support their dental health and ease anxiety.
I don’t know about you but when I got my first assistance dog, I did not have much experience with highly trained dogs and I was unsure about what were the best chew toys on the market.
Over the years, I have learned the hard way but I came across an article about chew toys this year in the Cornell University DOG Watch publication. The article provides an array of information about selecting the best chew toy.
As we all know, there are an endless variety of dog toys on the market but not all toys are right for your dog. Every dog has his or her own preference in toys. However, the key thing you need to keep in mind is safety first.
When choosing a toy best suited for your dog, you want to think about:
- Is your dog young or extremely active?
- Does he have any food allergies?
- What size is your dog?
- Is he a dedicated chewer or does he prefer to carry around a stuffed toy?
Most chew toys fall into the following categories:
- Rawhide
- Dental Chews
- Nylabones and Kongs
- Puzzle Toys
- Stuffed Toys and Rope Toys
Rawhides are just like it sounds, cured animal hide shaped into strips or bones. Most dogs love them and gobble them up. Be aware that rawhides soften when chewed and can become lodged in your dog’s throat. You need to be cautious and monitor your dog as they enjoy a rawhide.
Dental Chews can help to prevent periodontal disease by helping to clean your dog’s teeth and freshen their breath. They certainly do not replace brushing your dog’s teeth but they can play an important part in a healthy dental routine. CET chews, Hextra chews, DentaBones, and Greenies are just a few on the market.
Nylabones and Kongs – Nylabones are made from nylon, resins, hard-packed rubber and other synthetic materials. They are similar to regular bones but they won’t usually splinter or break as easily. Kongs are extremely durable toys made of hard rubber. You can even insert your dog’s favorite treat into some kongs such peanut butter, cream cheese, dog toothpaste, etc. Kongs stuffed with a special treat are great to encourage your dog to lick and chew. This oral stimulation will hopefully help them to relax and rest.
Puzzle Toys engage your dog’s mind, paws, nose and teeth. It will depend on your dog’s preference whether or not he appreciates the stimulation or if he simply gets frustrated and becomes uninterested.
Stuffed Toys and Rope Toys are best for gentler dogs. These types of stuffed toys can be very dangerous for dogs with a strong prey drive. Keep a close eye on the squeaker inside these types of toys. It can become a choking hazard for your dog. Rope toys can be fun but be sure to keep the ends knotted. If it becomes untied, your dog may shred and ingest it, resulting in digestive problems.
It is best to have a variety of all of these types of toys available for your dog. Whistle has to pick up his toys and store them in one of two toy boxes in our house. We regularly go through his toy boxes and donate any toys that he no longer seems interested in to our local animal shelter.
As Cornell University’s article stated, the two key things that I need to remember when selecting a chew toy for my assistance dog are:
- Everything in moderation…and with supervision.
- There is no substitute for human interaction.
Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. (February 2011) “How to Choose the Best Chew Toy”. DOG Watch. 15(2): 1.
HBO Documentary on Dog Bereavement
As many of you know, I lost my retired service dog, Morgan, on March 12, 2011. It continues to be a painful process for me as I am striving to come to terms with his absence.
I thought it was ironic that I received a call today from documentary filmmaker Amanda Micheli’s representative. Amanda is an Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker who is currently working on an HBO documentary regarding dog bereavement.
Amanda recently lost her dog of many years and as a result of her loss, she has embarked on a new documentary film exploring the bonds we share with our dogs. The documentary focuses on pet loss and bereavement from the perspective of the special role and meaning dogs have for their human counterparts.
Amanda filmed with Betty Carmack’s pet loss group at the SPCA in San Francisco, and she is now looking to speak to people in other parts of the country who are facing end-of-life decisions for their long-time friends. She is particularly interested in talking with someone who is in the process of losing their working dog in order to explore this unique human-animal relationship.
I know firsthand what a sensitive issue this is but I thought I would share it with you and see if anyone might be interested. If you are, please contact me and I will put you in touch with Amanda’s representative.
