As you can see, Tip doesn't think the weather is a problem :)
Friday, April 24, 2009
Our good friend in the north!
This is Tip, one of our adoption alumni and a resident of Alaska. We're so lucky to have folks to do home visits for us in the wintery north because we've been able to place some wonderful dogs in truly fantastic homes!
As you can see, Tip doesn't think the weather is a problem :)
As you can see, Tip doesn't think the weather is a problem :)
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Time to hit the road
With the weather improving by leaps and bounds many will start thinking about taking their dogs on trips with them. Most will travel by car because it is convenient and allows for more frequent stops. There are many things to think about before taking a trip with your best friend.
1. Does your dog have much travel experience? Do they do well in the car or is it stressful for them? If you are unsure it is best to start with a few short rides to get them acclimated to being in the car, the sights and sounds and other stimulus so they are less likely to find travel upsetting. Dogs that pant or drool in the car will need more time to adjust and if you're on a tight schedule it may be best to find a boarding kennel rather than having a sick and stressed pup in the back seat.
2. Do you have a way to keep your dog from distracting you? Ideally, your dog should have some kind of restraint because the last thing you or anyone else on the road needs if a greyhound in your lap. A lapse in concentration could be fatal so find a way to keep your dog under control in the car.
3. Identification! Make sure that you have current identification on your dog. It is important every day but even more so when you are in an unfamiliar place. If you have had your dog microchipped, double check to ensure that all of your information is accurate before you leave town.
4. Think about where you are staying. If you're going to be stopping at a hotel ask if your dog is welcome, if they have a weight limit and what extra costs there are for bringing your best friend. There are lot of dog-friendly places to stay throughout the NW but you may have to do a little more research. For those who will be staying with friend or family, make sure that they don't mind if you leave a greyhound-shaped impression on their sofa. Do they have pets? Have your respective pets been introduced? It is likely that the travel will have cause some stress in your dog, DO NOT leave your dog unsupervised with your hosts pets. We all want to get settled in but nothing ruins a vacation more than a trip to the emergency vet.
5. Vaccination and veterinary care are important. While heartworm is still uncommon from Portland on north if you are traveling south you should put Fido on heartworm preventative. Heartworm is a nasty parasite and it can be expensive to treat (requires months of medication and restricted activity). Make sure vaccinations are current and keep a copy of their vaccination records with your travel documents, you may need them. It is also advisable to locate a regular and emergency vet at your destination. The last thing you want is to be in a strange place with a veterinary emergency and have no idea where to go.
6. Have you planned stops along the way? It is recommended that you stop every two hours to stretch your legs and let your dog have a little reprieve from the car. You may be able to push the time between stops but be mindful of your friend in the back seat. Also, beware of dog parks when you're travelling. We think dog parks are an accident waiting to happen under most circumstances but if you frequent one now chances are you see the same people and the same dogs but if you have a pup who is out-of-sorts because of the trip and a bunch of strange dogs trouble could be close at hand. Instead, consider just pulling off at a rest stop, most in Oregon and Washington are dog friendly and the facilities are well maintained.
7. Suds up you bud! You're going to be in a confined space so give your dog a bath before you leave.
8. Don't forget to pack for the dog too! They will need food, bedding, bowls, leashes, medication and a first-aid kit. Remember to bring water so that if there isn't a ready supply when you make your rest stops you can still get your dog hydrated.
9. Have fun and take pictures of your adventures with you greyhound so you can share them with us!
If you have any additional tips or trick that you want to share about traveling with your dog please feel free to email us! We would love to share your experiences with everyone!
1. Does your dog have much travel experience? Do they do well in the car or is it stressful for them? If you are unsure it is best to start with a few short rides to get them acclimated to being in the car, the sights and sounds and other stimulus so they are less likely to find travel upsetting. Dogs that pant or drool in the car will need more time to adjust and if you're on a tight schedule it may be best to find a boarding kennel rather than having a sick and stressed pup in the back seat.
2. Do you have a way to keep your dog from distracting you? Ideally, your dog should have some kind of restraint because the last thing you or anyone else on the road needs if a greyhound in your lap. A lapse in concentration could be fatal so find a way to keep your dog under control in the car.
3. Identification! Make sure that you have current identification on your dog. It is important every day but even more so when you are in an unfamiliar place. If you have had your dog microchipped, double check to ensure that all of your information is accurate before you leave town.
4. Think about where you are staying. If you're going to be stopping at a hotel ask if your dog is welcome, if they have a weight limit and what extra costs there are for bringing your best friend. There are lot of dog-friendly places to stay throughout the NW but you may have to do a little more research. For those who will be staying with friend or family, make sure that they don't mind if you leave a greyhound-shaped impression on their sofa. Do they have pets? Have your respective pets been introduced? It is likely that the travel will have cause some stress in your dog, DO NOT leave your dog unsupervised with your hosts pets. We all want to get settled in but nothing ruins a vacation more than a trip to the emergency vet.
5. Vaccination and veterinary care are important. While heartworm is still uncommon from Portland on north if you are traveling south you should put Fido on heartworm preventative. Heartworm is a nasty parasite and it can be expensive to treat (requires months of medication and restricted activity). Make sure vaccinations are current and keep a copy of their vaccination records with your travel documents, you may need them. It is also advisable to locate a regular and emergency vet at your destination. The last thing you want is to be in a strange place with a veterinary emergency and have no idea where to go.
6. Have you planned stops along the way? It is recommended that you stop every two hours to stretch your legs and let your dog have a little reprieve from the car. You may be able to push the time between stops but be mindful of your friend in the back seat. Also, beware of dog parks when you're travelling. We think dog parks are an accident waiting to happen under most circumstances but if you frequent one now chances are you see the same people and the same dogs but if you have a pup who is out-of-sorts because of the trip and a bunch of strange dogs trouble could be close at hand. Instead, consider just pulling off at a rest stop, most in Oregon and Washington are dog friendly and the facilities are well maintained.
7. Suds up you bud! You're going to be in a confined space so give your dog a bath before you leave.
8. Don't forget to pack for the dog too! They will need food, bedding, bowls, leashes, medication and a first-aid kit. Remember to bring water so that if there isn't a ready supply when you make your rest stops you can still get your dog hydrated.
9. Have fun and take pictures of your adventures with you greyhound so you can share them with us!
If you have any additional tips or trick that you want to share about traveling with your dog please feel free to email us! We would love to share your experiences with everyone!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Thanks Green Dog!
Thank you to Green Dog Pet Supply and all the folks who came out to visit! It was another incredible event and the hospitality was superb. We saw some familiar faces and met many potential adopters, it was so much fun and it seemed like we were packing up in no time. Plus Green Dog had a great sale so we stocked up on supplements, beds, bowls and treats for our pups who graciously allow us to cheat on them and go out with other dogs ;)
If you missed the event and are interested in adopting a greyhound give us a call or send us an email, otherwise we will catch you at next month's event!
If you missed the event and are interested in adopting a greyhound give us a call or send us an email, otherwise we will catch you at next month's event!
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