The Scientific community has been slow to recognize the possibility of adverse or negative reactions to vaccinations, and this holds true in the world of animal health as well. We have recently seen a shift to new and revised immunization protocols by many concerned veterinarians and I am heartened by both this and the trend towards pet owners who are becoming better educated regarding medical concerns and issues that involve their precious animal family members.

Please read the following report that gives some of the research data regarding vaccine damage.

A team at Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine conducted several studies (1,2) to determine if vaccines can cause changes in the immune system of dogs that might lead to life-threatening immune-mediated diseases. They obviously conducted this research because concern already existed. It was sponsored by the Haywood Foundation which itself was looking for evidence that such changes in the human immune system might also be vaccine induced. It found the evidence.

Living with a dog can be beneficial to children. Dogs can enhance children’s self-esteem, teach them responsibility and help them to learn empathy. However, children and dogs may not always automatically start off with a wonderful relationship. Parents must be willing to teach the dog and the child acceptable limits of behavior in order to make their interactions pleasant and safe.

If you are thinking of adopting a puppy, please consider the Important Information For Parents, as formulated by the Dumb Friends League of Denver.

This article, written by Loretta Baughan, was taken with permission from the SPANIEL JOURNAL and can be read in its entirety by clicking on this link.

” It always amazes me to see how many people fall prey to the slick photos of puppies and kittens national rights groups use to solicit donations. Too often, people who support these organizations are misled into thinking they are actually helping animals or their local humane societies. Despite having a name that suggests an active role in overseeing or operating local humane societies, in reality the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is little more than a $200 million dollar lobbying organization tirelessly working to ramrod their anti-animal, anti-people agenda into law….”

~What to do if your pet runs away~

DON’T HESITATE:
The minute you realize your pet is missing, start looking! The sooner you start, the better the chance of success.

START BY CALLING:
Your local animal shelter, humane society or animal control. Then check the point where the animal was last seen. Dogs are often drawn to parks, woods or schoolyards.

Talk to neighbors — describe your pet and ask them to be on the lookout. Be sure to talk to children too. They are likely to know all the hiding places and may have the time to help you search.

People who make regular deliveries in your area (postman, newpaper delivery people, UPS, FedEX) can be very helpful if you let them know what you’re looking for.

TELL THE WORLD
If an immediate search doesn’t bring results prepare a poster for mass distribution. Make it black ink on white paper, 8 1/2 x 11 inches or larger. Include a written description of color, size, weight, age, sex and other distinguishing features like scars and tattoos. Note whether the animal was wearing a collar and tags when lost.
Include a picture if possible.

Put your phone number along with the number of someone they could reach when you are not at home. Check with veterinarians in the vicinity where someone might have taken your pet if it were found injured. Put a lost and found ad in the daily newspapers. Try to run the ad everyday for the first 2 weeks. Be sure to check all the found ads in the weeklies and community newspapers as well as the dailies.

VISIT THE SHELTERS
In addition to calling all the animal shelters in your area an important step in your search for a lost pet is to visit the shelter. Unless you see the animals in person you cannot be 100% sure your pet is not at the shelter. Many animals look alike and it may be impossible for shelter personnel to know from your description whether or not they are holding your pet.

Visit every shelter at least once every 3 days. Overcrowding due to pet population forces shelters to impose minimum holding periods after which the animal becomes the responsibility of the shelter and can be euthanized. Check as frequently as possible.

DON’T GIVE UP
Many pets turn up weeks or months after they disappear, so keep checking shelters, classified ads, and keep people aware that your pet is still missing.

1. Remain calm upon arriving at a sighting location where the dog has been seen.
2. Don’t slam the door to your vehicle.
3. Don’t shout.
4. Don’t rush toward the dog.
5. Give the dog time to adjust to your presence.
6. Start talking, using positive familiar phrases such as “want to go for a ride? or “want a cookie?”
7. Never approach the dog head on. Turn, face sideways and walk very slowly with arms close to your sides. The dog must accept every step you take, even if it takes you a half hour or longer to advance 100 feet.
8. Never show your teeth if you smile – that’s the same as baring your teeth in canine language.
9. Never stare at the dog – that is a challenge and what a predator does before attacking.
10. Avoid sudden body movements. Stop moving and sit down if it looks like the dog is going to bolt.
11. Slowly lower yourself to the ground and assume a non-threatening position BELOW the dog’s eye level – on your belly, sitting, kneeling, or flat on your back. Higher than the dog and you will appear ‘dominant’.
12. Keep the dog’s attention focused on you by talking. Speak to it slowly, using soft and reassuring tones.
13. Use only positive, happy phrases such as “what a good boy” or “want a cookie” or “Quinlan’s gonna get the squirrel!”.
14. Try to get closer by crawling. Let the dog’s body language be the guide as to how fast and far you go.
15. Get within 40 feet or to a point where the dog will be able to see and smell the food you’re going to toss.
16. Whenever you move, do it slowly.
17. To help ease the dog’s anxiety, make submissive gestures every few minutes, such as closing your eyes for a few seconds and bowing your head down and off to one side, licking your lips.