Puppy or Rescue?

This is the first in a series of blogs all about being a first time dog owner ...

When you decide to bring a dog into the family it is very exciting. Especially if its the first time you have ever had a dog, it is really easy to be impulsive and go out and get the first puppy that you see but getting a dog is a huge decision and one which takes planning and preparation.

Throughout this series we will bring you information on lots of aspects of getting a dog, from choosing through to bringing him / her home, training, feeding ....

The first decision you have to make is whether to get a puppy or a rescue?

We have done both and I wouldn't change a thing about that, I love all three of mine and each one is very special to me, we welcomed 2 in as puppies and 1 as a rescue.

When we welcome more dogs into the family however I would only ever rescue, having a rescue dog is so special, the love they give you is amazing and the opportunity to give a dog a second chance just feels right.

Many people think rescue dogs are going to come with a whole host of problems whether physical or behavioural but the majority of dogs in rescues are normal, healthy dogs who have no home. They will come into your home, love you unconditionally and settle into their role as loved family pet.

There are some dogs out there who through abuse and neglect do have problems but if you are working with a good rescue then they will have assessed that dog and already started woring with it, they will be looking for the right home based on what that dog needs. They will discuss this with you, ensure you can give the dog what it needs and support you if you do take a dog like this.

Remember, if you get a dog with a problem that with hard work, stability and love that dog can learn new ways and change.

So. here are some things to think about when opening your heart to a rescue:

• Do your research first, think about what kind of breeds and size of dog will suit your family - its easy to fall in love with the wrong dog!
• Once you know what breed(s) you are interested in then go to rescues and look for that breed or similar
• Consider what age range you want - rescues often have puppies but there are also some wonderful older dogs who make wonderful pets and are often overlooked
• Good rescues will back you up, that means they will be there for advice, support and guidance throughout the dogs life if you need it
• Never feel sorry for a dog no matter what has happened, this is the start of a new life so focus on giving your dog the very best in care, training and love - your dog doesn't dwell on the past!
• Go and visit the dog and take all members of the household. Go for a walk, get to know the dog before making a decision and don't feel guilty if you meet a dog and its not for you. The best thing you can do is find the right dog for you, the rescue will find the right home for all the others.

In our next post we will look at picking the right breed of dog for you, what to consider and what to look for. In future posts we will also be looking at specific breeds such as The Staffordshire Bull Terrier as well as what to consider when rescuing a giant breed and an older dog.

Arthritis - what you need to know

Arthritis affects many dogs and their owners across the UK, particularly at this time of year when the weather is colder. It can be very painful, but with the right care can be managed and most dogs live with it for many years happily.

Arthritis is the inflammation of a joint, generally where there has been an injury or trauma, on an X-Ray you would see the joint looking fuzzy rather than clear bone definition. Its the inflammation that causes the pain and this can result in stiffness and slower movement.

So how can you help your dog if you suspect he or she has arthritis?

• Always see your vet to get this diagnosed, Arthritis can be secondary to other conditions which your vet can help you treat, or in fact it might not even be arthritis.
• If it is arthritis, ensure you keep your pet warm. If you keep your pet outside you might want to bring them into the home particularly in the winter
• Don’t over do it on walks, smaller more frequent walks are sometimes better. Your dog will let you know when he/she is struggling.
• Invest in a coat, something warm and thermal to keep your pet warm
• Often stiffness can be apparent after sleeping, ensure your pet has a comfortable bed. Orthopaedic with memory foam are better as they support the joints and allow your pet to get a good nights sleep
• Hydrotherapy is a great way to strengthen the joints and muscles, and the hydrostatic qualities of water can help with pain relief. Always pick a good, accredited therapist who is in the water with your pet
• Massage therapy is another great way to ensure your pets muscles are healthy, this allows the blood to flow to the bones and joints more efficiently therefore increasing movement. Again pick an accredited massage therapist
• Magnetic collars are a great way to help, the magnetic pulse aids healing and provides relief
• There are a range of holistic products on the market all of which are designed to help with conditions such as arthritis:
• Glucosamine Chondrotin helps maintain the health of the cartilage on the bones
• Devils Claw is natures anti inflammatory and can provide pain relief as a result

If in doubt always speak to your vet.

We provide a range of products and services to help dogs with arthritis. Please contact us to discuss your requirements.

Poor Neglected Blog!

We didn't get much time to update this blog in 2010 as we were still working full time however we are pleased to announce that this year we are full time.
We have had such fantastic support in 2010 to make this possible so thank you!

This is the first of many blog posts covering training tips, health information, book reviews, product reviews, rescue stories & special offers.

We are also delighted to announce that we are expanding, our website is being revamped for 2011 as we speak and we will be relaunching as a full e-commerce site stocking everything you need for your pet including food.

We wont just be offering dog products, look for our new ranges for cats, horses, fish and small furries. We will be launching our new site in early February!

So please let everyone know about us and remember to sign up for the newsletter on our website here

Until they all have a home ....

This weeks Blog is dedicated to the many dogs who are in kennels across the UK waiting for their forever home, every day a dog is put to sleep because noone wants it, it is so sad that we live in a society where a living being can be so disposable and it breaks my heart. That's why we set Bright Paws up, to give us a vehicle to be part of the dog world and help as many as we possibly can, we donate our time, expertise and money to help as many as we can - I only wish it was more. So today we dedicate this blog to every dog in the rescue system. Please please rescue, whilst there are so many dogs in need of loving homes :-)

Great North Dog Walk

Next Sunday, Mavis and me are doing the Great North Dog Walk - the largest of its kind and will be raising funds for the wonderful Oldies Club (www.oldies.org.uk) - we are hoping for a sunny but not too hot day - if it gets too hot we will be substituting Mavis with Oscar who can cope with the heat better :-) If you would like to sponsor us please go to the Oldies website and donate through paypal - please put Mavis and Becky GNDW in the comments box

Babe - Bullies In Need

Bullies in Need have taken in a wonderful young Bullie called Babe, who has stolen our heart here at Bright Paws. She was surrendered to BIN by her owner and went into foster with a lovely lady. It soon became apparent that she had a real problem with her hips and after x-rays it was discovered that one of her hip joints never developed, plus she had an untreated fracture of her leg. To start with it didn't seem to affect Babe and she didn't show any signs of pain, her gait was peculiar as her back legs crossed over one another as she walked and when she layed down they naturally were crossed, as you can see in the picture below.

As the weeks have gone on Babe's condition has worsened and now she can't even get around her garden and she is getting frustrated and shows signs of being in pain. Surgery is needed urgently but this of course in not cheap. It is going to cost at least £2000, but we can't let her go on much longer without.
It seems an impossible task, but if everyone pulls together I am sure we can do it. We HAVE to do it for this little girls sake.

We are helping by offering 20 animal communication sessions (normally £40) for a donation to BIN of £20 - the money goes directly to them and directly to helping this special little girl. Animal communication is a natural way of understanding your dog and exploring problems from their perspective so you can work with them to make it better - we do it over the phone using a photograph, so if you have always been curious why not give it a go and help us get Babe back on her feet and enjoying life. please email me if you would like to do this woof@brightpaws.co.uk

If you would like to make a donation to BIN in support of Babe, please go to www.bulliesinneed.info and donate through PayPal

A Final Thought

Dogs leave pawprints on our hearts, they don't ask to be bred and are at the mercy of humans for care, love and food. Please consider rescue dogs and help where you can .... heres a few reasons why we will never stop until they all have a home

I RESCUED A HUMAN TODAY.

Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her. I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid.

As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn't want her to know that I hadn't been walked today. Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn't want her to think poorly of them.

As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone's life.

She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship.

A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well. Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes. I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven't walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one.

I rescued a human today.

Dear Mom and Dad,

I died today. You got tired of me and took me to the shelter. They were overcrowded and I drew an unlucky number. I am in a black plastic bag in a landfill now. Some other puppy will get the barely used leash you left. My collar was dirty and too small, but the lady took it off before she sent me to the Rainbow Bridge.

Would I still be at home if I hadn't chewed your shoe? I didn't know what it was, but it was leather, and it was on the floor. I was just playing. You forgot to get puppy toys.

Would I still be at home if I had been housebroken? Rubbing my nose in what I did only made me ashamed that I had to go at all. There are books and obedience teachers that would have taught you how to teach me to go to the door.

Would I still be at home if I hadn't brought fleas into the house? Without anti-flea medicine, I couldn't get them off of me after you left me in the yard for days.

Would I still be at home if l hadn't barked? I was only saying, "I'm scared, I'm lonely, I'm here, I'm here! I want to be your best friend."

Would I still be at home if I had made you happy? Hitting me didn't make me learn how.

Would I still be at home if you had taken the time to care for me and to teach manners to me? You didn't pay attention to me after the first week or so, but I spent all my time waiting for you to love me.

I died today.

Love,
Your Puppy