Cloe

We Adopted Cloe a couple of weeks ago and she is doing great with our other dog and cats. Thanks Erika :-)

We brought Cloe a crate for her self and she refuses to stay in it, she sleeps with Reeko and is beside him all day and night.

Dogs can suffer from season allergies too

The weather is changing and if you’re like me, you suffer from seasonal allergies. But did you know that your best friend could be suffering from allergies too? Dogs can suffer from seasonal allergies just like we do. They can also have allergies to foods, medications, and can even go into anaphylactic shock.



Signs and symptoms that your dog may be suffering from seasonal allergies:

Nasal discharge
Ocular (eye) discharge
Difficulty breathing/wheezing
Itchy skin
Dry flaky skin
Red, swollen skin
Welts or hives
Biting or chewing at feet and paws
Swollen face

If you see any of these symptoms in your dog, call your vet right away. While true allergies can be difficult to accurately diagnose, it is important to talk to your vet at the first sign of these symptoms. He may recommend that you keep a daily log of your pet’s symptoms along with the corresponding weather for the day. He may also recommend a blood test to determine if there are other underlying conditions. If your dog is diagnosed with seasonal allergies, the treatment is usually simple. Your vet may prescribe an antihistamine, or, if the symptoms include secondary infections, he may also prescribe an antibiotic and a steroid.

Since we know how poorly we feel when we suffer from our seasonal allergies, we can imagine how our dogs must feel. It’s important to talk to your vet and get your dog on the appropriate treatment so that the two of you can enjoy the outdoors again.

Introducing Ms Farrah Fawcett

I didn't expect to fall in love with Farrah. I mean, I knew - as a new foster - that I would love whatever dog came into my home, but I was also looking forward to getting to have friendships with pups that would go out into the world. Also - I'm a senior, crotchety dachshund kind of person - this chihuahua/jack russell/fox terrier un-toilet trained 6mo old couldn't be the one to captivate my heart could she?

But Farrah didn't live up to her breed stereotype - she was quiet when I picked her up from Hopalong but quickly gave her trust to me and fell asleep in my lap on the long drive over the bay bridge. Me and my friend desperately scrambled to rename her - under the threat of my housemate suggesting the name 'Cordelia' - no, no - she was too young and sweet and flirty - Farrah Fawcett she was dubbed before we exited the highway.

I was warned that she would take a while to make friends - seperated from her two brothers - she'd been in the shelter by herself. However, Farrah it quickly became apparent - was a social butterfly! She was enthusiastic but courteous to everyone she met - even the downstairs cat! Everyone was captivated by her - and kept asking me if I was going to adopt. I admitted she was the cutest pup I'd ever met but was holding out in my heart. After all, if you adopt you can save one dog but fostering you can help many more!

However I dreamed of Farrah every night, tucked underneath my arm - together we adventured in a dream scape. Unconsciously I sorted through all the things in my life I could shift to make this work - to make her permanently mine. I tried to imagine not coming home to her, not sleeping next to her and the sadness I felt was not about not having a dog companion but about not having her. In a couple weeks I'd become so attached to her, all her funny noises and manic evening periods, the way she climbed up me in excitement when I got home, the feel of her head flopped over my arm to sleep.

When I took her in for her parvo shot I knew I wanted to adopt her - but I felt so nervous. I was a failure as a foster parent! A sucker on my first go! The Hopalong team made sure that I understood what a commitment this was, after all the difference between 2 weeks and 15ish years is a whole lot. But I knew I was in love and wanted Farrah to be mine forever.

A week later I signed the adoption papers and I'm so happy I did so. I'm so thankful to Hopalong for introducing me to Farrah - and I hope that other people will step in to become foster parents and maybe meet their own life companion!