THE TILLY & TOMMY  REPORT

By “Rebecca”

 

tommyIjust read your column and am delighted to hear the Tilly and Tommy got good “forever” home.

I currently have 4 dogs, one of which I rescued here in Mexico. But a few weeks ago I got a call from a friend asking for help with a litter of puppies whose mother had been poisoned. They were 10-12 days old and couldn’t possibly survive without bottle feeding and a lot of love. My partner and I agreed to foster 2 of them. Alice and Ralph are now in need of permanent homes (or better yet one home).

They are 8 weeks old, have been raised with 4 dogs and 2 cats and lots of love and attention. They will be approximately 60 lbs (according to my vet) and they are very confident, social and smart. Ralph is a short haired funny charmer colored like a German Shepherd with an adorable clown face. Alice is a glamorous furry bunny and a cuddler with a coat the color and feel of a Keeshound, black mask and all.

They are very smart...are learning to “come” and are starting to understand “no!” They only poop in the yard and have very few pee accidents in the house. They know what grass is for and can use the doggy door. They sleep from sundown to 7:30AM with nary a peep out of them. That might change if they are separated, so they would make a very good low maintenance pair if someone wants 2 dogs. They keep each other busy and out of trouble. If anyone would like to take a look, please ask them to call Diane or Ellen at 766-1395.
Thanks

Diane Goldstein

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DEAR TIMMY AND TOMMY

(Addressed to your “parents”)

What may be good for you--is not fine for your cat or dog.

By Jackie Kellum

Most pet owners love their cats and dogs and there are very few who would want to do anything to their pet that would cause them harm.   However, there are some people, who, out of lack of knowledge or out of misplaced love, tend to feed their pets almost everything that they eat themselves. If you are a pet owner, keep in mind that the food you eat which might be good and nutritious, may not necessarily be good for your cat or dog.

In fact, feeding your pet the wrong “people food” can be disastrous. The metabolism of cats and dogs are quite different than those of humans. There are some foods that could end up being toxic for your beloved pet. Being informed about the foods that are bad for pets and avoiding those foods, is one of the best ways that you can show how much you love them. The easiest way to avoid any food errors is to truly feed your cat, cat food and your dog, dog food.

As there is limited space for this column, I will not go into any details explaining the specifics of how or why the food has a negative effect on the animals – sufficient to say, depending on the size of the animals and the quantity of the food item ingested, it could prove fatal.

Common human foods poisonous for cats and dogs: Chocolate, cocoa, coffee, items with caffeine, spices: garlic, onion and nutmeg fresh, cooked, powder, or as a food item ingredient, salty foods, pits or seeds of most fruits, nuts, raisins and grapes, avocados/guacamole, raw mushrooms, potatoes that are raw or green, tomatoes: raw, green and the plant itself, raw eggs, turkey skin, uncooked bread or cookie dough, alcohol beverages especially beer, sugarless items with Xylitol—this is a sugar substitute found in many types of sugarless candy, chewable vitamins, baked goods, and in sugarless gums like “Trident” and “Orbit.” As little as three grams (5 five pieces of gum) can kill a 65-pound dog, with smaller dogs succumbing to just one or two sticks. Human medications such as pain medications, including Voltarin for arthritis that are left out on a counter in reach of a dog can be fatal. Human vitamins with iron are harmful to pets.

For some adult dogs and cats that do not have sufficient amounts of the enzyme lactase, milk can cause severe digestive problems. Cooked bones can be very hazardous for your cat or dog. Cooking bones causes them to become brittle and splinter with sharp edges when broken. These can become stuck in the mouth, caught in the throat, or cause a rupture or puncture of the stomach lining or intestinal tract. Bones especially bad are turkey and chicken legs, ham, pork chop, and veal. Cigarettes and cigarette butts, nicotine patches or gum, cigars, pipe tobacco, etc. can be fatal if ingested.

Since many of the signs of toxicity are similar, consult your veterinarian without delay if your pet appears distressed, listless or in pain. Bloody stools or vomiting are also possible signs of toxic poisoning. Gastro-intestinal problems can lead to gas build-up, causing distension or bloating and pain that can cause the stomach to burst if not treated. The good news is that in most cases, treatment for toxic poisoning can be successful if veterinary help is sought in a timely manner.

The best action is prevention, and feeding your pet appropriately.

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