Dogs On A Mission Of Hope

By

Miriam Wiegel, Publisher, Pet Companion Magazine

-

March 23, 2016

In July, 2015, City of Hope launched their “Animal Assisted Therapy Program” as a part of their Recreation Therapy program. Partnering with Love On 4 Paws, a nonprofit, volunteer based organization committed to making a positive difference for those in need through animal assisted therapy, this program is now offered to patients twice a month.

City of Hope has been treating cancer patients since 1913. As both innovators and instigators of treating the whole person, COH understands the benefits of having a pet therapy program as part of their rehabilitation services. Their desire is to continue to enhance the level of quality of programs that are offered to patients, treating the whole person and their needs. City of Hope is aware that many patients have to come in for treatment and be away from their animals. Offering them a program which increases their mood and gets them talking about their own furry family members seems to really brighten their hospital stay. This program gives the patients something to look forward to during their visit.

Every other Tuesday of the month, Love On 4 Paws brings their certified volunteers to visit patients at City of Hope to share the joy, comfort and healing power of their pet’s unconditional love. They leave a unique memento of each visit—an instant Polaroid picture of the patient with the dog. These pictures provide comfort long after the visit ends, and can even become treasured mementos. Many times the patients are continuing to show their hospital staff, family and friends their pictures, as well as display them in their rooms.

Numerous scientific research studies have proven that interactions with animals increases feelings of acceptance and reduces loneliness, reduces stress levels and promotes a greater sense of well-being, lessens anxiety and distress, increases motivation to participate in treatment protocols, has positive physiological effects, decreases heart rate and blood pressure and decreases perceptions of pain.

Michelle, a patient, said, “It just made my heart feel so warm to see the dogs. When you’re in the hospital so sick, you sometimes lose hope. I felt so down, and when I got to see these dogs and knew the visit was coming, it gave me motivation to get out of bed and walk to the location. The little doggies made me feel so, so good. They gave me good energy … positive energy!”

As Pam Hardin, Founder of Paws on a Mission puts it, “Therapy dogs provide unconditional love and acceptance. They do not care that your hair is gone from chemotherapy, that a stroke has left you confused and speechless, or that you have a physical or mental disability. With the facilitation of their human handlers, they create a unique bond with patients and visitors that has a very real healing dimension.”

What Is An Emotional Support Animal?

By

Miriam Wiegel, Publisher, Pet Companion Magazine

-

March 23, 2016

Have you ever wondered how some people can have their animal on a plane, on their lap and out of a carrier? How do residents in “no pet” housing still have a dog or cat? They have an Emotional Support Animal (ESA).

Emotional Support Animals are not service animals or therapy animals, nor are they ordinary pets. An ESA is an animal that provides a therapeutic benefit to a person with a psychiatric or mental disability by helping to mitigate or alleviate some symptoms of the disability.

To qualify for an ESA, a licensed mental health professional must verify your diagnosis based on a federal definition of disability. The condition must significantly limit at least one of life’s basic activities, including emotional, social or work functioning. The ESA is usually a cat or dog but may include other animals. They do not need specific training to become an ESA.

Federal laws require airlines and housing to modify their pet policies to allow ESAs. However, documentation is required in the form of a letter from a qualified mental health professional stating that the person has a disability and the ESA provides a benefit for that disability.

At my psychological private practice, I find that most people do not understand the federal laws or what it really means for people with a psychological diagnosis to have an ESA with them—it can be life changing. I understand the laws and how to help people get the additional rights to have their ESA with them. If you take medication for depression, anxiety or ADD, you would qualify. If you have symptoms of anxiety in social situations, in crowds, or going on planes or being in enclosed places, you may qualify.

I do phone evaluations and have helped countless people have their furry friend beside them on planes and keep them in “no pet” housing. Otherwise, you may have to give up your animal to a shelter. Now you can fly to see family, because you can have your animal with you and it can be on your lap to calm you. It is up to the individual how they feel calmed, comforted and emotionally supported to lower their symptoms. If you would like more information or an evaluation, you can email: ESA@ESAevaluation.com. Call Joanne S. Williams 760-485-6784, go to www.NextGenPsychology.com.

Size Matters!

By

Miriam Wiegel, Publisher, Pet Companion Magazine

-

March 23, 2016

Your Chihuahua may love Boxers and your Rottie mix may adore Dachshunds, but when little and big play together, keep close watch. Big dogs can unintentionally harm small dogs—and on the rare occasions when friendly play escalates into a scuffle, the smaller dog is at risk for serious injury or death. If you let your dog play with very differently sized dogs, you must supervise vigilantly.

No chasing

Don’t allow chase or wrestle games between a very large and a very small dog. If you see this happening, call your dog away with a treat. At the park, seek out areas with more dogs its own size.

Why is this important? Dogs love to chase things—balls, cats, sticks, Frisbees, and other dogs. They get this love from their wolf ancestry, along with the instincts to stalk, grab and shake small prey animals. But wolves are all about the same size and live in the same social group their entire lives. Dogs, by contrast, have been bred into a staggering variety of sizes, and regularly meet dogs that are new to them. When dogs chase each other or wrestle, one dog may panic and begin to shriek or struggle like a prey animal. If that happens, a predatory reflex in the other dog may kick in.

Instincts are instincts

Even dogs not usually into huntingtype activities can have their predatory reflexes triggered if the situation resembles a predator-prey interaction. A good example is when one dog flees from another in a good, old-fashioned game of chase. The rapidly retreating dog suddenly looks like prey. The risk of predatory reflexes being triggered is much greater when there’s a big size difference between two dogs.

Safety first

So, be vigilant and supervise your dog’s play sessions. Be prepared to break up interactions with much larger or much smaller dogs. It’s safer for everyone.

Lori Wainio-Carman, VSPDT, professional dog trainer and owner of Dream Dogs, has been successfully training for over 20 years. 760-899-7272, www.dreamdogs.com, www.Positively.com

The Sun Shines Bright for Gizmo

By

Miriam Wiegel, Publisher, Pet Companion Magazine

-

March 23, 2016

Sometimes, just when you least expect it, your life turns a corner, and it’s as if the sun starts shining a little brighter. That’s how it was for my husband John and me, when Gizmo came into our lives when we were living full time back in New England. Back in 2010, we got Gizmo as a companion for my dad, but he didn’t feel he could keep up with his needs, and he insisted that we keep Gizmo as our own.

John and I have always been big hikers and campers, and we were afraid a Shih Tzu might not be able to keep up with us. But for the first three years we had him, we hiked all 48 mountains in New Hampshire that are over 4,000 feet high—anyone who hikes all 48 becomes a member of the 4,000-footer club, dogs included.

Gizmo went on to hike the Belknap Range mountains (14 mountains) and all the fire towers of New Hampshire. He has a total of 3 patches on his Ruffwear hiking harness for all of these accomplishments. Gizmo has hiked many more mountains than the ones on these lists. He has completed most of the mountains in Acadia National Park and many others in Maine. In addition to camping and hiking, Gizmo comes along with us when we kayak and when we are out on our bicycles.

This past fall, John and I decided it was time to take some time off from work and explore the country with Gizmo. John is retired from law enforcement after 30 years, and I “pretired” from my full-time job as director of the emergency department in Brunswick, Maine. I continue to work summers when we’re back in New England.

Gizmo biking with John

Last October 1st, we headed west. We decided to document our trip with a blog, “Gizmo Goes West,” so everyone could follow our adventures. When we left, we really didn’t have a final destination in mind, but we knew our first big stop would be in California. We had planned to spend a couple of weeks seeing sights along highway 395. We Met lots of people along the way who suggested we check out Palm Springs. We had a couple of months booked for travel, and then we were planning to move on to Arizona. But once we got to Palm Springs, we fell in love with the area and cancelled our Arizona plans.

Relaxing on inner tubes

We have enjoyed the desert with all of the surrounding mountains. We love that you can be warm and in shorts in Palm Desert and, a little over an hour later, you can be hiking in snow, surrounded by pine trees instead of palms. We initially struggled to find hikes to do with Gizmo, but one day we picked up a copy of Desert Pet Companion and found a list of great dog-friendly hikes! We posted the list on our refrigerator and began working our way through.

For all his athleticism, Gizmo is a lap dog extraordinaire when he’s not hiking. Shortly after my dad died, John and Gizmo attended therapy dog training. When we are back in New England, Gizmo loves coming into the hospital to visit me at work. The nurses and doctors think his visits are the best therapy for recovering from a stressful day. When he visits the hospital, everyone knows and loves him, from the custodians to the CEO. He has quite a following.

Gizmo and Lori hiking up Black Mountain

And he’s making fast friends in the desert, too, with every new adventure, just as John and I are. The three of us are already planning our return for next year. We have been won over by the sense of the community, the fun activities, and the perfect weather here in the desert. Gizmo is so happy we’ve made it our second home!

Fearless on the front of a kayak

DPC met Lori, John and Gizmo at the Strut Your Mutt in La Quinta in February. After hearing their story and meeting Gizmo, we knew he should be our cover dog. If you think your dog or cat should be on the cover, e-mail (editor@desertpetcompanion.com) a photo and a brief paragraph about what makes your companion the perfect DPC cover model. If it is chosen, we’ll contact you for more information.

Rattlesnake Season

By

Miriam Wiegel, Publisher, Pet Companion Magazine

-

March 23, 2016

Spring is here and, with the change of the season, our snake popultion becomes more active. Here are some quick tips:

Spring is the breeding season for rattlesnakes. It is also their time of greatest activity. Their drive to reproduce and feed can cause aggressive behavior. Rattlesnake bites occur frequently during this time of year and well into the summer. In the warmer parts of California, bites can occur year round.
A dead rattlesnake can still inject venom for an hour or more by reflex action.
Rattlesnake bite wounds vary from dry (no venom injected) to full envenomation. The venom contains proteins that disrupt the pet’s blood clotting abilities and damages blood vessels.
Immediate veterinary attention is required with all bites, no matter how negligible they seem. The sooner treatment is started, the more effective it will be.
Treatment for rattlesnake bites consists of intravenous fluids to prevent circulatory collapse, antibiotics, pain medication and antivenin. Antivenin contains antibodies to multiple rattlesnake venoms. This helps the pet fight the effects of the venom. Antivenin is very expensive, often costing more than $700.00 per vial, but frequently decreases severity of symptoms and length of hospital stay. (Check with your veterinarian to see if they carry antivenin.)

So, what can you do to protect your pet? The best way to do this is to avoid encounters between the pet and the snake. Safe practices include:

Stick to cleared areas or open paths when hiking.
Keep your dog on a leash at all times.
Don’t let your dog explore holes, logs, or dig under rocks.
Hike during the day instead of early morning or evening.
Cats are just better left indoors at all times. If you let your cat outside, only do so during the day.
You may want to consider the rattlesnake vaccine. This vaccine is for dogs only and is made specifically for the venom of the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake, though it reportedly cross-protects against multiple species of other rattlesnakes.

HOT CAR REMINDER

Your vehicle can quickly reach a temperature that puts your pet, when left in a parked car, at risk of serious illness and even death, even on a day that doesn’t seem hot to you. And cracking the windows makes no difference. The chart shows how quickly the temperature can rise in a parked vehicle.

ESTIMATED VEHICLE INTERIOR AIR TEMPERATURE V. ELAPSED TIME

Courtesy Jan Null, CCM; Department of Geosciences, San Francisco State University

Pharmaceutical Compounding Can Help The Medicine Go Down

By

Miriam Wiegel, Publisher, Pet Companion Magazine

-

March 23, 2016

Picky pets can be more easily medicated through compounding

Finicky dogs, cats, birds, and pets of all types can be difficult to medicate, but you have Town Center Compounding Pharmacy nearby, and the pharmacist may be able to help.

Compounding is the creation of a pharmaceutical preparation—a drug —by a licensed pharmacist to meet the unique needs of an individual patient when commercially available drugs do not meet those needs. In the world of pets, a patient may simply refuse to take the commercially available drug in its prescribed form, it may require a drug that is currently in shortage or discontinued, or it may need the drug to be compounded into a more palatable or easily administered form.

Our compounding pharmacists can customize medications with a veterinarian’s prescription to meet a pet’s needs in various ways, including:

Pharmaceutical Compounding Can Help The Medicine Go Down 1

Adjusting strength or dosage.
Flavoring a medication to suit the particular pet’s flavor preferences.
Reformulating the drug to exclude an unwanted, nonessential ingredient, such as gluten or a dye that a pet is allergic to.
Changing the form of the medication for pets who, for example, have difficulty swallowing or experience stomach upset when taking oral medication.
Putting drugs into specially flavored liquids, topical creams, suppositories, or other dosage forms suitable for a pet’s unique needs.

Compounding does not replicate commercially available drug products; rather, it is the preparation of an individual drug to meet the prescriber’s exact specifications and to be dispensed directly to the pet or, sometimes, to the prescriber, the veterinarian. Some veterinarians are limited in their access to medications by the suppliers they do business with, so they may need to consult a compound pharmacist for a special need such as those just described. And sometimes, veterinarians will find, when they are are prescribing a drug, such as an antibiotic, that the veterinary form of that drug is not readily available, and the formula given to humans is not safe or appropriate for a pet. The compounding pharmacist can prepare a pet-safe form of that drug, usually at a lower cost than purchasing a ready-made veterinary version of the drug.

While all pharmacies do some types of compounding, true compounding pharmacies make up a small portion of American pharmacies—Town Center Compunding Pharmacy in Palm Desert is one. The preparations offered by these compounding pharmacies can be nonsterile (ointments, creams, liquids, or capsules that are used in areas of the body where absolute sterility is not necessary) or sterile (usually intended for injection into body tissues or the blood).

Town Center Compounding Pharmacy has the unique distinction of serving the compounded pharmaceutical needs of many of the 600 animals from 145 species housed on the 1200- acre Palm Desert wilderness preserve dedicated to desert ecosystems, known as The Living Desert.

If your pet has special needs that make administering medications difficult, come see us to find out what options may be available to you to help make that medicine go down!

Christianne Claude, Pharm.D., practices at Town Center Compounding Pharmacy, 72-624 El Paseo in Palm Desert. (760) 341-3984

JetBlue Touches Down in Palm Springs

By

Miriam Wiegel, Publisher, Pet Companion Magazine

-

January 14, 2016

JetBlue Touches Down in Palm Springs

When JetBlue’s inaugural flight between New York (JFK) and Palm Springs (PSP) landed on January 14th around 10 pm, there was a slight chill in the air, due in part to a theatrical “water cannon” welcome choreographed by the Palm Springs Fire Department. A welcome reception at the Palm Springs Airport was in full swing by the time Palm Springs Mayor Robert Moon deplaned, accompanied by city officials and JetBlue executives. It was at this moment that Henri, a Jack Russell terrier, accompanied by Boston Herald journalist, Erica Corsano, was in the limelight.

Henri in his JetBlue JetPaws carrier.

Photo, top, left: Henri accompanied by Boston Herald journalist, Erica Corsano

Henri was the real scene stealer and, in my opinion, the ideal representative for JetBlue’s “JetPaws” program. As Henri comfortably rested in his fashionable JetBlue Carrier, leaving Ms. Corsano’s hands free to deal with travel details, I had just enough time to find out about Henri’s journey. I discovered that JetBlue is savvy in welcoming pets that are twenty pounds and under aboard their aircraft. Their nonrefundable one-way pet fee is $100, one pet per passenger. Each TrueBlue member traveling with a pet earns an additional 300 TrueBlue Points. The fee is waived for emotional support and service dogs (again, under twenty pounds).

Pets must remain in their carriers throughout the flight, with exceptions for emotional support and service dogs. JetBlue’s concern for pet safety and comfort are demonstrated by their custom pet travel products for purchase, such as their pet carrier co-designed by JetBlue and designer Cindy Adams of 1 Jazzy Couture, a stylish Jet-Paws Travel Kit, a JetBlue retractable pet leash and more. A JetBlue bag tag is attached to your pet carrier at checkin so that everyone knows you are ready to fly. Add to this a JetBlue dog collar or a personalized pet waste bag dispenser, which are available for sale on their website. Their official Jet Blue pet logo, a paw with wings on either side, is equally impressive. Currently, no health/veterinarian or vaccination documents are requirements for pets on domestic flights.

While in Palm Springs…

Henri hanging out at the Parker Palm Springs

Henri in a Mr. Turk Bowtie at the Trina Turk Boutique.

Henri at the Frederick Loewe Estate.

Here’s a tip from Ms. Corsano, whose cuddly Henri had a smooth-as-silk experience touring pet-friendly Palm Springs: “Henri has been a frequent flier on flights between Boston and Palm Beach, Florida, so he is accustomed to a carrier and my being hands free. I recommend a body purse for personal items, so you are better able to manage the dog carrier, which is counted as a carry-on item. The focus is to keep your pet calm and relaxed, reducing the chance of his barking. The JetBlue carrier bag is well ventilated, and Henri is used to it and it makes him feel safe and secure.” Seating with your pet should also be taken into consideration. JetBlue says, “You will not be assigned an exit row bulkhead seat, Mint seat, or any seat restricted for underseat stowage. A window or aisle seat is highly recommended.”

Purchase the right sized container for your animal — ensure that your animal has enough space to turn about normally while standing, to stand and sit erect, and to lie in a natural position.

JetBlue now welcomes pets with five flights weekly, Thursday through Monday, between Palm Springs and New York. Details at www.jetblue.com.

Pam Price reports on the Coachella Valley at www.Forbes. com/sites/PamPrice/

Veterinary Resources

By

Miriam Wiegel, Publisher, Pet Companion Magazine

-

September 7, 2015

Cathedral City – Rancho Mirage

The Cat Clinic
67870 Vista Chino, Cathedral City, 760-325-3400
www.catcitycat.com
A feline only veterinary clinic dedicated to keeping your cats and kittens healthy with quality care in a stress-free environment.

VCA – Rancho Mirage Animal Hospital
71-075 Highway 111
Rancho Mirage, 760-346-6103
www.vcahospitals.com/rancho-mirage
Your pet’s health is our top priority.

Carter Animal Hospital
760-324-8811

Southwest Veterinary Clinic
760-770-3380

El Segundo

El Segundo Animal Hospital
240 Center St, El Segundo, CA 90245, (310) 606-8811

Banfield Pet Hospital
730 S Sepulveda Blvd, El Segundo, CA 90245, (310) 333-0620
www.banfield.com

Indian Wells to Indio

Village Park Animal Hospital
51-230 Eisenhower Dr., La Quinta, 760-564-3833
www.VillageParkAnimalHospital.com
A full-service, small animal veterinary hospital providing comprehensive medical, surgical and dental care for the life of your pet.

VCA All Creatures Animal Hospital
78-267 Highway 111, La Quinta, 760-564-1154,
www.vcahospitals.com/all-creatures-ca
We provide comprehensive veterinary care for all species of critter.

VCA – Valley Animal Medical Center
46920 Jefferson St., Indio, 760-342-4711
www.vcavalleyemergency.com
We are a 24-hour, full-service veterinary hospital and emergency animal medical center in Indio.

Animal Samaritans
760-343-3477

Desert Dunes Animal Hospital
760-345-8227

Lake Arrowhead area

Rimforest Animal Hospital, 1299 Bear Springs Road, Rimforest, CA 92378
www.rimforestanimalhospital.com
(909) 337-8589

Arrowhead Animal Hospital
27244 Highway 189, Blue Jay, CA 92317
www.arrowheadanimalhospital.com
(909) 336-6800

Manhattan Beach

Manhattan Beach Animal Hospital
1590 Rosecrans Ave, Suite A, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266, (310) 536-9654
www.manhattanbeach animalhospital.com

Animal Medical Group
1401 N Sepulveda Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266, (310) 546-5731
www.amgvets.com

Marina Del Rey

Animal Wellness Center
4053 Lincoln Blvd, Marina del Rey, CA 90292, (310) 450– 7387
animalwellnesscenters.com/

VCA Bay Cities Animal Hospital
13476 W Washington Blvd, Marina del Rey, CA 90292, (310) 821-4967
vcahospitals.com/bay-cities

Cat Practice
4716 Lincoln Blvd # B, Marina del Rey, CA 90292, (310) 773-9286
www.thecatpracticela.com/

Palm Desert

Country Club Animal Clinic
36869 Cook St., Palm Desert, 760-776-7555
www.countryclubdvm.com
Independently owned by Dr. Lillian Roberts, Country Club Animal Clinic sets the pace for exceptional care and service to our patients and their people.

Animal Hospital Of Desert
760-568-5151

Palm Desert Pet Hospital
760-568-9377

Palm Springs

VCA – Desert Animal Hospital
4299 E. Ramon Road, Palm Springs, 760-778-9999
www.vcahospitals.com/desert

Palm Springs Animal Hospital
(760) 324-0450

Banfield Pet Hospital
(760) 778-2714

Yucca Valley

Companion Animal Clinic
7332 Pioneertown Rd, Yucca Valley, 760-228-1474
www.companionanimalclinicca.com

VCA Yucca Valley Animal Hospital
57185 Twentynine Palms Highway, Yucca Valley, 760-365-0641
www.vcahospitals.com/yucca-valley

WEST HOLLYWOOD

VCA Miller-Robertson Animal Hopital
8807 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA90069, (310) 657-7050
vcahospitals.com/

West Hollywood Animal Hospital
9000 Santa Monica Blvd , West Hollywood, CA 90069, (310) 275-0055
www.wh-ah.com/index.htm

Building A Lifelong Relationship

By

Miriam Wiegel, Publisher, Pet Companion Magazine

-

September 7, 2015

by Lori Carman, VSPDT, Dream Dogs

The American Veterinary Medical Association defines the human-animal bond as “a mutually beneficial and dynamic relationship between people and animals that is influenced by behaviors that are essential to the health and well-being of both.” So, what are the behaviors in question? Being a responsible caretaker is at the foundation, of course, and includes providing food, water, shelter, and safety, as well as medical care when needed. But aside from that, what influences a person’s relationship with her dog? What takes it from good to great? In the human world, psychologist John Gottman spent four decades studying couples to find out what makes marriages happy and lasting. His major takeaway was that a deep sense of connection and trust is built between couples that make many “bids”—verbal or nonverbal requests for attention and connection—and offer positive responses to those bids.

Positive reinforcement training shows us that the same principles apply to dog-human relationship building. If you like something and reward it, not only will it be more likely to happen again, but everyone involved in the interaction feels better about each other. More connected, more trusting. The one caveat is that it’s important not to reinforce behavior we don’t like (with any kind of attention, positive or negative) and that we should therefore ignore whining, jumping up, nudging, and so on. Beyond that, though, any time spent with dogs offers opportunities to extend and respond to bids.

For example, just looking at a dog with a happy or playful expression qualifies as positive attention and therefore a bid for connection. Ditto saying “what a good dog you are…” in a soft voice for no particular reason. The same goes for reaching over to a dog lying quietly on or beside the couch to scratch a belly or neck, depending on the dog’s preference. Have three minutes to spare? Play a quick game. Get out a treat and practice a fun trick. What’s the lesson? Never think you’re spoiling your dog with these kindnesses. They are tiny investments in a lifelong, loving relationship. Every time we remember to stop to give our dogs affection and attention, we are making deposits on a richer and ever-deepening bond.

Yoga for Dogs

Like cats, dogs seem to have a built-in understanding of the healing and wellness-boosting properties of stretching. It is a priority to them and most stretch thoroughly several times a day. Yoga for dogs can be a natural extension of this stretching habit—a fun, healthful, and relaxing activity you can share with your dog, whether at a neighborhood yoga studio (some offer doga classes), with a group of friends, or in your own living room. For dogs that get into the practice, yoga can promote flexibility, increased blood circulation, and quicker recovery from strenuous walks or play sessions. And for dogs that don’t quite catch on, yoga sessions mean spending enjoyable time with you.

To explore yoga with your dog, check out some of the many videos on YouTube on the topic, or invest in a DVD or book. And if you are a yoga enthusiast already, do a little research online for inspiration on how to include your dog in your favorite workout and then get stretching.

This article appeared in the Summer 2016 issue, page 56.

Lori Wainio-Carman, VSPDT, professional dog trainer and owner of Dream Dogs, has been successfully training for over 20 years. 760-899-7272, www.dreamdogs.com, www.Positively.com

Pool Safety

By

Miriam Wiegel, Publisher, Pet Companion Magazine

-

September 7, 2015

For some dogs (and cats) the pool is a refreshing way to cool down during the hot summer months. It can also be great exercise and an enjoyable way of staying active when the sidewalks are too hot for a run. Keeping the pool as a safe and enjoyable environment requires a little planning and attention to possible hazards.

When you open your pool for the season, it’s a good time to review the pet safety of your pool area.

– Pets should not have access to the pool unless supervised. A pet proof fence can be installed to limit access to the pool. Is
the fence pet-proof and gate in working order?
– If a fence is not an option, consider using a pool alarm system. If you have one installed, confirm that the batteries are fresh and you can hear/see the alarm no matter where you are in your house or yard.
– Check the pet ramps or pet ladders installed in your pool to make sure they are in good working order. Does your pet know where they are and how to use them? Add a visual marker to help your pet recognize where the steps, pet ladder or pet ramp is located.
– Is your pool cover pet-safe? Floating covers can trap pets if they accidentally fall in a pool and are normally not recommended for use in households with pets or children.
– Keep pool chemicals safely stored and out of pets’ reach. Undiluted pool chemicals can be toxic for your pet.
– Check your pool chemistry before letting your dog go for a swim.
– Pool decks can be extremely hot. If the deck is too hot for you to walk on, it is too hot for your pet. Wet the deck down before you allow your pet to walk on it.
– Remind gardeners, pool cleaners and anyone who works in your home that pets live in your home and gates must be securely latched.

It is estimated that several thousand pets die annually by drowning. Don’t let your pet be a statistic. Practice water and pool safety.

HOT CAR REMINDER

JetBlue Touches Down in Palm Springs

While in Palm Springs…

Cathedral City – Rancho Mirage

El Segundo

Indian Wells to Indio

Lake Arrowhead area

Manhattan Beach

Marina Del Rey

Palm Desert

Palm Springs

Yucca Valley

WEST HOLLYWOOD

by Lori Carman, VSPDT, Dream Dogs

Yoga for Dogs

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