Christmas is a holiday filled with wonderful treats for people to share. However the holiday time can be dangerous for pets and care should be taken to ensure that your pet stays safe during the holiday season. Spending your time at a veterinary emergency clinic with a sick pet is the fastest way to ruin a good holiday. Pets are quick to take advantage of the lack of attention during a busy holiday and with all the hustle and bustle of the holidays even the most astute owner may miss little Fluffy sneaking a morsel out of the trash. Below is a list of some of the most common holiday dangers for pets as well as a list of tips to help prevent any pet mishaps from occurring.

Bones: What’s Christmas without the turkey? Ingestion of cooked turkey, chicken and ham bones is one of the most common holiday dangers. Bones are tantalizing for pets and with all the commotion of the holidays sneaky pets can quickly consume cooked bones without the owner’s knowledge. Cooked bones can splinter, and can cause significant damage to the gastrointestinal tract by causing obstructions, tears, punctures, gastric inflammation, vomiting, diarrhea and death. Be sure to have a nice RAW meaty bone on hand to keep your dog or cat out of the garbage. For more information on raw feeding go here RawFed.com

Chocolate: What holiday is complete without chocolate? And although chocolate is a wonderful treat for people it contains a substance called theobromine that is toxic and possibly fatal to animals. Milk chocolate contains the lowest amount of theobromine and pure unsweetened cocoa contains the highest amount. Be sure to keep those tempting chocolate treats well out of Fido and Fluffy’s reach.

Christmas Ornaments & Tinsel: We all know how beautiful those glass ornaments and strands of tinsel look hanging on the Christmas tree, but some of that beauty is a hidden health hazard for your pet. Cats LOVE to play with shiny objects. If you have a pet in your home they are likely to play with the Christmas tree. Broken glass ornaments on the floor can cause lacerations to your pets paw pads. Ingested strands of tinsel can play havock with your pets intestinal tract. For years now my husband and I have not allowed tinsel in our home during the holidays and we never place breakable ornaments near the bottom of the Christmas tree.

Unattended Drinks & Holiday Snacks: We all have the occasional get together with friends over the Christmas season, and we all share an alcoholic beverage or two with friends to toast the season. That means unattended glasses left on coffee and end tables where animals can sample their contents at will. Believe me until you have dealt with a drunken dog, you may think that feeding an animal a little alcohol is harmless fun.  Cleaning up after and nursing a drunken dog is no fun at all. Parties mean vegetable trays and fruit baskets, no problem there right? Wrong, certain fruits and vegetables are not good for your pet’s digestive system, and some are actually toxic to dogs and cats. For information on what fruits and vegetables are safe for your dog see here 25 Human Foods Toxic To Dogs

Containing Your Pet When Entertaining: We know you love your dog and your cat, but holiday parties and a house full of strangers can be upsetting to your pet. When we entertain during the holiday season we usually confine our pets to their “rooms” for the duration of the festivities. There they have comfortable beds to lie down on and nap, ample water and food and perhaps most importantly peace and quiet. Each pet is given some “visiting” time so guests can fuss over them and then they are returned to the safety and comfort of their “room.” Guests can enjoy themselves without animals pestering for constant attention, and pets can avoid the possible dangers of the holiday house party.

Last but not least, remember your pet still needs to go for walks and basic care can not be put off until the party is over. Make sure that if you can not tend to your pets needs yourself that you have made sure they will not get forgotten in all the holiday excitement. Have a family member assigned to make sure pets are walked and fed on time during the holiday festivities. Have a GREAT holiday season, and make sure it’s a SAFE season for your beloved furkids.

Until Tomorrow Remember

BE THE CHANGE YOU SEEK

Janette

On November 18, 2010, the Ontario Legislature debated and voted on a resolution by Newmarket-Aurora MPP Frank Klees, which urged the government to amend the OSPCA Act and reverse changes to that Act under Bill 50, which gave the OSPCA virtually unfettered powers of search, seizure and self-investigation.

They voted and dismissed M.P.P Klees’ bill, but the fact still remains that the OSPCA must be brought to account for their actions. They are a charity based agency, yet they have been given free reign to do as they please and when questioned may police themselves. A charity organization with rights of warrantless search and seizure? Is warrantless search and seizure of property not a violation of our rights? A police officer must obtain a warrant to search and seize property.

The OSPCA Act is a public statute, which a private agency has been given carte blanche to enforce. During the Committee hearings on Bill 50, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.) and several major agricultural organizations recommended against the virtually limitless powers being handed to the OSPCA, with no oversight by the government. Unfortunately, the Committee ignored the recommendation. Further compounding the problem is the fact that the OSPCA raises funds as a recognized charity, while at the same time exercising unprecedented powers as an enforcement agency that is engaged in warrantless searches, seizures and the laying of charges. At a bare minimum, the government should have ensured that the two functions were separated out, and that a stringent series of controls over the powers accorded to the OSPCA were put in place.”

It is clear politicians need to educate themselves to the evidence of the OSPCA abuse of power;

The OSPCA made an out-of-court settlement of $40,000 to an Elmvale hobby farmer whose pigs, emu, turkeys, chickens, ducks and guinea pigs it wrongfullly seized in 2007.

After a six-day trial in October 2008, the Ontario Superior Court, ruled that the evidence of the hobby farmer and his wife, and their witnesses was “much more credible” than the evidence of OSPCA agent who seized the animals.

The hobby farmer and his wife want their legal costs added to the settlement offer, and are contemplating a class-action suit against the OSPCA, which has a questionable record of persecuting people in rural Ontario, especially farmers.

A month after the OSPCA went to the farm without a warrant and seized the animals and free-ranging birds, the couple were billed by the OSPCA for the “cost of removal” of the livestock — $560 for 28 hours of work by inspectors, $445.60 veterinary costs, $1,590 boarding costs, $350 for trucking costs, $112.70 for mileage travelled and $31.55 for feed and straw. Total $3,089.85, to which was added the note: “To the above sum add $110 per day boarding costs.”

“That’s what the OSPCA does,” the hobby farmer says. “They charge huge amounts — extortion really — and force you to sign surrender documents for the animals when you can’t afford to pay.”

The fact that the OSPCA would settle for $40,000 is unusual, and further evidence that, as a charity, it shouldn’t have powers that exceed those of police.

The same sort of horror stories come from all over Ontario. People’s animals seized with no provocation or complaint, ridiculous sums levied against animal owners to extort them into surrendering their animals. The above is not an isolated case.

We can not continue to allow the OSPCA to enter people’s homes and seize their animals on trumped up and fabricated “evidence.” Controls must be placed on this “charity” agency, they can not be allowed to continue to persecute animal owners for the sake of their bottom line!

So where do Ontarian’s go from here? No one has really said anything yet the defeat is too fresh, but you can bet we will not give up! We’ll go back to the drawing board and start again. When I know you’ll know, and I hope you will show your support.

There is clearly one thing McGuinty’s government is missing, we are Ontarian’s, we are animal owners, and we have a VOTE!

Until Tomorrow Remember

BE THE CHANGE YOU SEEK

Janette

July 2008, Berwyn Heights, Maryland

- a package containing 32lbs. of marijuana is mailed to the Mayor’s home in his wife’s name.

- Mayor’s home is raided and his two black labs are shot by SWAT team officers.

- it later comes to light that the marijuana may have been delivered to the mayor’s home by undercover police officers.

December 2008, Gwynneth County, Georgia

- acting on a no knock warrant police raid a home and shoot a family’s dalmation

- the address they raided is not the address on the warrant

May 2010, Columbia, Missouri

-police raid a home in the middle of the night on a malicious tip from neighbors that there are drugs in the home

-no drugs are found, but police shoot the family’s two dogs both crated for the night

-the dogs were contained and no threat to anyone

June 2010, Washington State

-police acting on a warrant search the home of a 62 year old Grandmother

-the warrant pertains to drug charges against her Grandson who has not lived in her home for over 13 years.

-the woman asks that she be allowed to contain her pit bull in a bathroom and allows officers to search her home

-during the search an officer opens the bathroom door and shoots the dog dead claiming it tried to attack him

October 2010, Oakland, CA

-police responding to a burglar alarm shoot and kill the homeowners 11 year old arthritic dog claiming she was advancing on them in a threatening manner

-after removing the dog’s body from the premises they leave a note on the front door for the homeowner telling them they shot their dog

-it is later learned that the senior canine suffered from hip dysplasia and had restricted movement

Rosie was shot dead in a hail of gunfire November 7, 2010 while contained in the backyard of a neighbor.

November 7, 2010 DesMoines, WA

-a Newfoundland retriever escapes her back yard and runs lose

-police corner the dog in a neighbors back yard and shoot her four times claiming she was aggressive

-eye witnesses to the shooting say the dog was no threat and was cowering in the bushes when police opened fire

All of the above incidents have one thing in common, they were completely unwarranted shootings of innocent animals. All show complete ignorance on the part of law enforcement when dealing with family pets. Should our peace officers be schooled in dog behavior?   Or have they simply declared war on the family dog?

While most of these animals were killed during drug raids or searches pertaining to drug warrants, that is not always the case. There are many incidents that have taken place over the past couple of years in which dogs have been gunned down by police on public streets in full view of citizens, and without thought to the public safety. In all cases of canine shooting police use their famous fallback excuse “I felt my life was in imminent danger.” Really? An eleven year old arthritic dog with hip dysplasia is a threat? A crated dog is a threat? A dog cowering in the bushes makes you feel your life is in imminent danger? Perhaps you should choose a new profession!

Those of us who work with animals know there are humane ways to subdue them. Police officers are well aware that those methods exist, but more often than not resort to gunfire to “protect” themselves from allegedly dangerous dogs. In many of the incidents in which dogs have been shot by police doing so has endangered the lives of innocent bystanders. In most cases eye witnesses to these shootings disagree that the dog was acting aggressively toward police, and say that there are other ways the situation could have been contained.

Further tragedies of this nature must be prevented. Police officers must be taught to use humane methods to subdue potentially dangerous dogs, and be taught that a crated dog poses no threat. We must stand together and stop the slaughter of innocent family pets at the hands of overzealous law enforcement officers.

The latest shooting of Rosie the Newfoundland has sparked public outrage. A Facebbok group “Justice for Rosie” has reached over 1500 members since the shooting a week ago. A petition has been drafted and to date has over 3000 signatures. Speak up for those who can not speak for themselves;

Sign the petition here: Rosie’s Petition

Until Tomorrow Remember

BE THE CHANGE YOU SEEK!

Janette

Diva and Pebbles two of our rescues rest in their Moses basket safe now thanks to our members!

We slept soundly last night for the first time in about four months. Our sleep was peaceful because our dogs are safe! This of course means that we owe you all a huge THANK YOU! In August of this year I put out a blog posting concerning the city of Barrie, Ontario, Canada. I told you all about the city’s attempts to remove five of our dogs from our home and place them in the shelter system. In subsequent postings I introduced you to a couple of our rescues and told you their stories. I did all this because their lives were in danger and we needed your help to save them. You responded, many of you writing letters on our behalf to the city council and the mayor’s office. Those letters hit home, and the city backed down. The truth of the matter is the city made a political decision to leave me alone because they did not want to face the publicity that would result from their attempts to stop me from training and rehabilitating rescues. Your correspondence made them realize that they were not just fighting one person, but a whole country was watching, and ready to stand behind us. Seeing as it was a Municipal election year, and campaign time, the last thing the city wanted was negative media attention.

Yesterday we attended court for what was supposed to be our trial date. Having discovered during our preparation for trial that our neighbor to the south was the original complainant, we were surprised that when leaving the house to attend court we saw both the neighbors cars in the driveway. This seemed odd, after all my neighbor had a date with the judge this morning too, shouldn’t she be leaving for court?

After having had a disagreement with our counsel the day before that ended in his quitting the case, we were attending court without representation, and had decided to ask the court for a continuance in order to retain new counsel. Upon arriving in court and speaking with the prosecutor I was informed that the court would have to reset the date for trial as their witness could not make it to court that day. I thought this odd having seen that they were home, but of course said nothing secretly relieved that it was the court that would be requesting an adjournment, and not us.

When the case was called before the judge, I waited for the prosecution to request an adjournment, to my total amazement something completely unforeseen happened.  The court withdrew the charges, stating their witness had refused to testify and without her testimony they did not have a case. I walked out of the court room in shock. Had I really just heard what I thought I had heard? Were we really free to go about our business? Were our dogs safe? It seemed almost too good to believe, but it was true.

Today rested and refreshed for the first time in months, I thank you all profusely. You have been wonderful! You truly do care about these animals! To all of you who took the time to write to the mayor and city council, I thank you. Eight dogs can now stay together in the home that loves them because YOU stood behind us and refused to back down.  YOU took action! YOU were the change! We are grateful to all of you.

We have not changed our plans to move our rescue operation out to the country, and will be doing so before next summer arrives. Our hopes are to find a place where we can expand our rescue efforts. We hope to have a training and fostering facility for difficult animals, those who need more care and training than the average rescue. When the time comes we hope you will support us in that effort too!

Until Tomorrow Remember

BE THE CHANGE YOU SEEK!

Janette

Diva playing with her foster pack in the yard.

For just over a year now we have been personally fostering a little dog named Diva. Diva has just finished her rehabilitative training, and is now ready to find a forever home of her own. When she first came to us, Diva was a very shy and nervous little dog.  She had spent the first four years of her life with a woman who was fast becoming an animal hoarder. In a brief flash of clear thinking the woman had decided to give Diva up because she “didn’t have time for her.” I would later learn that this woman had picked up three puppies mere hours after leaving Diva with me.

Diva was underweight and her beautiful grey and white coat was matted, dull and lifeless, it was clear that she had not been properly groomed in quite some time. The first order of business was to get her cleaned up. I took her to see Amanda at The Urban Paw in my hometown of Barrie. Amanda always grooms my rescue dogs free of charge the first time they are groomed. She is a wonderful woman with a special touch when it comes to grooming rescues. I dropped off a sad forlorn little dog that hung her head and would barely look up at you. Two hours later I was ready to accuse poor Amanda of pulling a dog switch, because when I picked Diva up she walked out of the salon with her head held high and a bounce in her step! She was a completely different dog! It was the first step in a rehabilitation that would take over a year.

Today, Diva is a happy well adjusted little dog just waiting for a family and a home to call her own. She would like to go home for the holidays and celebrate the season with her new family. Wouldn’t you LOVE to give this gorgeous little girl the best Christmas present ever?

The Usual Let’s Adopt conditions apply:

1. MUST have at least one other animal.
2. Diva will have a family life inside the home not in the yard.
3. Diva will be fed a raw diet (www.rawfed.com)

Contact Janette Hamilton;  janettehamilton@bell.net

Until Tomorrow Remember

BE THE CHANGE YOU SEEK

Janette

Chloe before transport to her foster home.

When Chloe came to us she had behavioral problems. However, since Chloe was vetted and spayed, all her behavioral issues have disappeared. She no longer marks her territory by peeing in random spots around the house and she has begun to act like any other lovable feline companion. Chloe’s problem wasn’t behavioral, it was caused by a severe infection of the uterus which affected her bladder control. Since she has been given antibiotics and has had tender loving care from her new foster parents, Chloe is thriving. She will make a great addition to any cat loving home.

Chloe is still waiting for that special person who will take her home and love her unconditionally for the rest of her life. Perhaps Chloe is the right feline companion for your family.

Storm is shy and quiet.

This is Storm. Storm is approximately 3 years old. She was born in the street, and never knew a kind human touch until being rescued and taken into foster care. Storm is a very skittish kitty and will need patience and love to become all she can be. She is still learning to trust humans, and as such tends to be independent fending for herself until she requires your attention. She was found during a storm so that is what we named her. Storm enjoys the company of other cats but is not sure about dogs. She is healthy now although her life truly did not start out that way, somewhere along the line she lost her tail, we are not sure how this happened, but it gives her a little quirk of character that makes her all the more endearing. Storm has been in foster care for a very long time and patiently awaits the day that she can leave for her forever home. Will that home be yours? A foster or permanent home is needed for Storm.

These two need a forever home before the holidays. They do not have to be homed together, they just need their own family for Christmas, it is their only Christmas wish.  Can you make their wish come true?

All the usual Let’s Adopt Conditions apply:

1.) You must have another animal in the home.

2.) Chloe and Stormwill live inside the home not in the garden.

3.) Chloe and Storm will be fed a raw diet.  Information on raw feeding can be found here.

Until Tomorrow Remember

BE THE CHANGE YOU SEEK

Janette