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April 1st Kicks Off
National Pet First-Aid Awareness Month
Read article in the Spring 2008 issue of DOG'S LIFE MAGAZINE!
www.dogslifemagazine.com
Are You Prepared To Help Your Pet?
By Denise Fleck
Has your four-legged friends tail ever been closed in a door, or have you discovered ticks on your gorgeous long-haired cat? What would you do if you find a dog left in a parked car or your pooch gets bitten by a rattlesnake or stung by a bee? Bandaging, removing parasites and treating heat stroke and stings are basic Pet First-Aid skills every pet parent should possess. Did Rover vomit from too many table scraps over the holidays? How about car rideshumans buckle up, but do your pets get the same attention? An unrestrained pet can be thrown from a vehicle when brakes are applied or cars collide, so dogs must be fastened with seat belts or ride in crates that are secured. Never let your pet sit in the front passenger seat where a deployed air bag could prove deadly, and never leave your pet alone in a parked car!
Statistics show that preventable accidents are the leading cause of death among our pets, and according to the American Animal Hospital Association, 25% more pets could be saved if just one Pet First-Aid technique is applied prior to getting veterinary care, so dont delay! Let National Pet First-Aid Awareness Month motivate you to learn the skills and acquire the tools (in the form of a Pet First-Aid Kit) you need to help your dog should trouble arise. Knowing what to do during those first few moments can mean the difference between life and death or temporary and permanent disability for your dog.
Pet First-Aid is the immediate care given to a pet that has been injured or suddenly become ill. It is the first and often most critical step to getting him well again. The most competent Veterinarian cannot bring your furry friend back to life once his heart and lungs have stopped, but by knowing rescue breathing and CPR, you can keep your dog alive until professional medical help is available; by knowing how to stop bleeding and bandaging a wound, you can prevent your pet from great blood loss and keep infection at bay; if you can reduce your dogs body temperature, you can prevent brain damage and death. Pet First-Aid is not a replacement for veterinary care. Together you and your Veterinarian should work as a team for the well-being of your pet.
Pet sitters, groomers and boarding attendants should also know these life-saving skills since they are your dogs guardian when you are away. "One day after learning pet first-aid, I saved a little dog from choking," asserts Pet Sitter Tina Kenny. Sid Shapiro came to the rescue of a dog that had been hit by a car only weeks after taking a Pet First-Aid Class. Many students report having used Heimlich-like thrusts taught in class to save choking animals, and Pet Mom Heidi Fielding contests that the biggest benefit of taking a Pet CPR Class is that it gave her "confidence to deal with any situation." Knowing what to do is of no use if you dont have the confidence to react.
Classes are readily available throughout Southern California, so in the words of Dog Mom Kate Ahrens, "Dont wish you HAD learned Pet First-Aid." Your pets are counting on you!
Watch for Denise on Animal Planet's new show this Spring..."Groomer Has It" Episode #5
OTHER ARTICLES/INTERVIEWS BY DENISE TO CHECK OUT:
"The Importance of Learning Pet First-Aid"
Animal Rescue: Where to go, What to do, How to Help
http://www.bigmediausa.com/archive.asp?aid=10781
"Bone Up on Pet First Aid"
Dog Fancy Magazine (April 2008 issue) Page 37
"You Want Me to Brush My Dog's Teeth"
Dogs For Kids Magazine (February/March 2008 issue) Pages 46-49
"Everyday Emergency Solutions"
2008 Annual Issue of Dogs USA Magazine Pages 55-61
www.dogchannel.com
"How to Keep Your Pet Safe from Household Poisons"
Paw Print Magazine (Spring 2008 issue) Pages 38-39
www.pawprintmag.com
Denise & Mr. Rico, her senior Black Lab, on "Lassie's Pet Vet"
www.lassiespetvet.com
 
Denise demonstrates RESCUE BREATHING MR. RICO -- Ready for his Close-up!
as the cameras roll!
MEET THE SUNNY-DOG...
For our first wedding anniversary, my husband and I “became a family” by adopting a dog from the local animal shelter. As we passed Cage #31, a yellow dog with a tail wagging faster than an out-of-control windshield wiper was pressing the side of her face against the metal rungs eagerly trying to be noticed. Her gentle cry and soft brown eyes drew us in while her excitement for life won us over the moment we saw her. We stood there wondering how such a loving canine could have ended up in such a predicament – it was her last day at the shelter before being euthanized. We adopted that yellow Labrador Retriever, named her “Sunny” for her color and disposition, and she quickly became the sunshine of our lives.
Sunny went everywhere with us, and we'd regularly treat her to mornings at the local dog park followed by breakfast at one of her favorite outdoor cafes. Together we participated in dog walks raising money for less fortunate animals, explored the local hillsides and vacationed at dog-friendly locales, but mostly...we just lived our lives grateful we had been brought us together. All our friends knew "The Sunny-dog" (as we affectionately called her), and she loved everyone.
The morning of February 14, 1997 began a harrowing day for Sunny. Waking on her bed next to ours, our precious girl was unable to move and was in agonizing pain. We sat on the floor petting and trying to comfort her as she began to tremble; hoping beyond hope that someone would come into the Veterinarians office extra early that morning and return our call. For the most easy-going of Labs who never complained about anything, every movement, no matter how slight, seemed to cause Sunny great distress. As the morning progressed, we tried to coax her outside, and she seemed willing but quickly alerted us that something was seriously wrong. As she got up and frantically dashed for the outdoors, Sunny let out a blood-curdling scream that echoed through the canyons around our home. She answered natures call and then collapsed on the ground. Our hearts broke in two.
Although we didn't know what was wrong, we deduced some sort of back or neck injury had befallen our furry child, and we feared picking her up could make it worse, especially since we lived in the hills several hundred feet uphill from our car. So we waited for a Veterinary Technician to come to our house, put Sunny on a stretcher and quickly get her the medical care she so desperately needed.
In the midst of this great distress, I will never forget the concern exhibited by our doggie friend and neighbor Pooches. It was as touching a moment as I have ever experienced and proved beyond the shadow of a doubt that humans are not the only life form to possess emotions (as if I ever doubted it). The Vet Tech was strapping Sunny to the stretcher while I stroked her head trying to reassure her that all would be okay. Pooches wandered into our yard through the open gate and with such a look of concern in her graying face, licked Sunny's cheek. She then nudged Sunny's ear several times with her nose to comfort her and whimpered a gentle sigh. As we lifted the stretcher, the small black dog stood back to clear the way and then let out a sharp and forceful bark addressed to Sunny as if to say, "Don't worry pal. You'll be alright, and I'll keep watch until you get back." Pooches paced self-confidently back and forth at the top of the hillside as we carried the ailing Sunny-dog down the long and winding steps.
Numerous tests, including blood analysis, x-rays and an MRI scan revealed the existence of several spinal disc deformities, apparently present from birth but that had chose this morning to rear their ugly heads and cause our dog such pain. After 3 hours of surgery in which three discs were removed from her spine, Sunny's prognosis was deemed excellent. For quite sometime after her surgery our Sunny returned to her refrigerator-opening self (anyone who has ever had a Labrador Retriever knows they love to eat and will do anything to get an extra meal) and continued to heal with Pooches often by her side. Sunny once again would stomp her paws for her 4 o'clock "crunchies," do a backwards "bunny-hop" when her daddy arrived home from work and would find pleasure in laying belly-up on the deck during the sunny parts of the day.
Six months into her recuperative efforts, The Sunny-dog suffered a setback. One day she lost the ability to use her right leg. On our hardwood floors it would slip out from under her causing her to collapse. She didn't appear to be in pain, but obviously something was again wrong. More defective discs (spondylosis) were discovered, this time pressing dangerously against nerve endings in her upper back. According to her veterinary surgeon, the herniated discs were just too close to her spinal cord to remove without the risk of paralysis and that a regimen of medication and limited activity would be best. So we took his advice and explored other options to keep our doggie as comfortable as possible. As the months progressed our Sunny-girl had some super good days where she'd be a bouncy and playful puppy (even at age 10) and then some bad days where she was noticeably in pain. Through it all, we were amazed by her happy-go-lucky attitude. A lesson us humans should duly note. It was as if Sunny was thinking, "Don't worry Mommy & Daddy. I'll be okay. I'm just happy to be here with you!" And we were thrilled to have Sunny as a part of our family until April 30th, 2000 when she lost her battle with Cancer.
Sunny's misfortunes compelled me to learn whatever I could should I again face a difficult situation with a pet or other animal. Shortly following Sunny's spinal incident, when I learned there was such a thing as PET FIRST AID & CPR, I immediately jumped on the bandwagon and changed my direction in life. Leaving my job as a Publicist at a Movie Studio, I yearned to do something that could make a difference. I continue to take classes, research and volunteer at various shelters and train with a disaster response team. These skills and experiences combined with my own as a Dog Mom to eleven and Cat Mom to one continue to test, and hopefully improve, my abilities which I share with you for the benefit of your furry kids,
And this is what SUNNY-DOG INK is all about...
HELPING YOU TO HELP YOUR PET
through our
PET FIRST-AID KITS & CLASSES
Check out the Instructor's Bio & Credits on the "ABOUT US" page of this website and find a schedule of classes on the "ANIMAL CARE CLASSES" page...
  
Thanks to Denise and her incredibly informative class, there's a beautiful, healthy Rottweiler running around his family's backyard in New York. Sid Shapiro
I was impressed with how Denise communicates her knowledge in an entertaining and organized manner. I learned so much valuable information on how to help animals. I highly recommend this class to my own obedience students. Caryl Wolff www.doggiemanners.com
The last thing you want is to wish you HAD taken Denise's Class. Kate Ahrens
PET CARE TIPS
New ones each month on the "PET CARE TIPS" Page of this website.
WRITING ON ANIMAL CARE & ISSUES
Check out the "ABOUT SUNNY-DOG INK" Page for a list of writing credits.
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS - Please contact us for speaking fees and availabilities
60 - 90 Minute Presentations on:
An Introduction to Pet First-Aid
How to Use The Items in Your Pet First-Aid Kit
Senior Pet Care
Disaster Preparedness for Pets
Traveling With Your Pet
Seasonal/Holiday Pet Care Tips
or any animal care topic your group is interested in learning more about.
HAND-PAINTED CERAMICS AS SEEN ON THE CBS-TV Comedy "The Class"
Go to "Products" Page and Check out our Hand-painted Pet-Themed bowls, treat jars, clocks, coffee mugs and more!
  
 
  
Personalized for your pet
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