Prayer of Saint Francis for Animals

God Our Heavenly Father, 

You created the world

to serve humanity's needs 

and to lead them to You.

By our own fault 

we have lost the beautiful relationship

which we once had with all your creation.

Help us to see

that by restoring our relationship with You

we will also restore it

with all Your creation.

Give us the grace 

to see all animals as gifts from You

and to treat them with respect

for they are Your creation.

We pray for all animals

who are suffering as a result of our neglect.

May the order You originally established

be once again restored to the whole world

through the intercession of the Glorious Virgin Mary,

the prayers of Saint Francis

and the merits of Your Son,

Our Lord Jesus Christ

Who lives and reigns with You

now and forever. Amen.

St. Francis of Assisi

 

Dog Vaccinations: What’s The Difference Between The 3-Year Rabies Shot And The 1-Year Rabies Shot?

All states in the U.S. have laws in place requiring dogs to be immunized to prevent the spread of Rabies.

As of March 2009 Alabama is the one last remaining state requiring an annual Rabies shot.  However, there is a proposed rewrite of their law in process now to remove the 1-year requirement there as well. All other states require the 3-year Rabies vaccination instead.

The convenience of taking your dog to the vet for a Rabies shot only once every 3 years offers a nice savings, as veterinarian office visits are rapidly approaching the cost of taking your own kids in for a doctor’s visit.

The big question is which Rabies injection is better for your dog? Is there a different formula used in the 3-year Rabies vaccination? Is the quantity of drug being injected larger and, therefore, potentially more dangerous for your dog?

These are all legitimate concerns that we will explore…

Any Differences?

Here’s a shocker for you: the actual 3-year Rabies shot contains the same drug and is given in the same amount as the 1-year Rabies shot. 

The only difference is the label on the bottle indicating 1-year vs. 3-year.

Rabies Vaccination Schedules

For the purpose of convincing pet owners to return for a booster shot with young dogs, the first Rabies vaccinationshould take place at 4 to 6 months, followed by an annual Rabies booster.  This will build up antibodies to protect the dog quickly. After that first annual shot, you can then move on to a 3-year Rabies vaccination schedule.

Even though the Rabies shots are essentially the same, simply being labeled a 1-year shot will place the animal in a noncompliant status as far as the state is concerned (when that year has passed). To again be considered protected (according to the state), your dog will need another Rabies vaccination, and then repeated Rabies vaccinations every 3 years thereafter.

Is The Rabies Vaccination Safe?

The Rabies vaccine does come with some risks. There is a potential for serious life-threatening allergic reactions that you should be aware of.

If your dog is breathing heavily, his face is swelling, his eyes are watering, or he’s vomiting, your vet should be notified immediately.  These reactions to the Rabies vaccine are indicative of a medical emergency for your dog. Fast action is imperative, as immediate treatment is critical for your dog’s survival.

Other common reactions include agitation or aggressive behavior, skin rashes, digestive disorders and muscle weakness.

Your Dog’s Chances Of Getting Rabies

Did you know the Rabies vaccine is the only immunization that is required by law for pets in the United States?

Because of the extensive Rabies vaccination program, as of 2007 Canine Rabies no longer exists in the U.S.  Of course, dogs can still contract Rabies from other animals living in the wild though.

Because there is a known chance of some dogs having a severe reaction to the Rabies vaccine, you should be aware that you do have the option of obtaining an exemption from the procedure. You see, veterinarians are authorized to exempt animals from the inoculation in cases where an animal’s current medical condition would indicate a risk to their well-being.

http://dogs.thefuntimesguide.com/2009/07/dog_rabies_vaccine.php 

Who's in the lead?

The biggest mistake many people make in their relationship with their dog is that they don't "take the lead". Dog's in general are GREAT followers. Most don't want to be in charge, they just want to get through the day with minimum conflict and maintain their personal safety...just like most people. They are happy to be led as long as they trust the person making the decisions. The problem is lots of people are not clear about making decisions and thus their "leading" leads to much confusion for the dog. People generally are not clear about showing their dog what the expectations are. Often people don't follow through. They simply don't bother to say what they mean and then mean what they say.

For example, you ask your dog to sit and the dog does not comply. What you do next will determine your leadership skills. Do you keep repeating the command while the dog continues to ignore it? Or do you insist the dog follow through?  If you keep repeating yourself over and over the consequence is that the dog learns to tune you out while doing whatever he so desires. A leader would take the time to insist the dog follow through. This may mean taking a hold of the dog’s collar or leash and simply holding it steady UNTIL the dog puts his butt to the ground. It might mean lightly touching his rear end and exerting slight pressure until he sits...but for certain a good leader would not have ignored the dog’s non-response to a known behavior. Nor would a good leader yell or lose his/her temper. That does not help to create a strong, respectful relationship with the dog. Anger has no place in training; instilling fear is not leadership. 

Implicit in leadership is a congruency between words and action. I often speculate about a nervous or shy dog's thought process when the human on the end of the leash says, "let's go" but is obviously apprehensive and uncertain about how to get the dog to follow. I think the dog must look up and think, "if you don't know where we're going, there's no way I'm following you!" To face forward, look straight ahead and just walk is a far more confident action. There is truth to the old saying, "fake it, till you make it". At least 'act' like you believe your dog will follow you! Calm and assertive guidance is the essence of leadership. No one wants to follow a wimp or a bully. Keep that in mind as you interact with your dog. 

Lisa's Handsome Boo

How to change dog foods quickly when your brand is recalled

Ain't Misbehavin' recommends Fromm Family Foods because it is a small, family owned company that has never had a recall. It is a bit pricey but our dogs thrive on it. It is well worth the cost!

When your brand of pet food is recalled you have to quickly take your pet off that food, unlike the gradual process of transitioning your pet from one food to another. As your dog’s digestive system is used to a specific formula of food, you have to take precautionary steps to ensure a smooth, quick transition.

Steps to Take When Switching Pet Food Immediately:

Find a Similar Formula

Choose a food that closely matches your pet’s previous food formula. For instance, if your pet was on a lamb and rice diet, switch to a pet food that uses lamb and rice in the formula. The new food should be mixed with one of the following to ease the switch on your pet’s digestive system.

Mix With Chicken & Rice

Make your own mixture of 20% chicken and 80% rice. Cut chicken breast meat into bite-sized pieces and cook. Then cook the rice and mix it with the cooked chicken. Use this mixture in combination with the new food you are transitioning your pet to.

Pumpkin

Purchase canned pumpkin—not pie mix—and mix with the new pet food. The fiber content in pumpkin is very effective in the treatment and maintenance of digestive health for pets and can ease the quick transition in foods. Mixing a small amount of pumpkin with your pet’s new food (1/4 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon, depending on the pet's weight) can help to ensure your dog or car doesn’t experience a case of diarrhea. In fact, often a veterinarian will prescribe pumpkin as part of the treatment for intestinal malady, as well as simply a healthful dietary supplement.

Plain Yogurt

The active cultures in yogurt will repopulate your pet’s digestive system with healthy and soothing bacterial flora. Mix a small amount of plain yogurt with your pet’s new food to ease in the transition on his or her digestive system. If you have any further questions or concerns contact your veterinarian for further information.