<![CDATA[2 CUTE HAVANESE - Our Blog: Kiwi's Korner]]>Mon, 29 Apr 2024 11:49:32 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day]]>Mon, 08 May 2023 07:00:00 GMThttp://2cutehavanese.net/our-blog-kiwis-korner/national-animal-disaster-preparedness-day
The 2023 Hurricane season begins May 1st on the Pacific coast and June 1st on the Atlantic coast so be prepared to batten down the hatches at some point this year. 

​Although the peak time along the Texas coast is between August and September, historically hurricanes have struck the coast throughout hurricane season. 

​Since 1851, hurricanes hit the coast averaging once every 3 years. The Atlantic Hurricane Season lasts until Nov 30. Franklin was the most recent hurricane (Feb.26, 2023).
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IMAGE COURTESY OF NOLA NEWS
National Animal Disaster Preparedness Day is a reminder for us to have a pet 'Grab and Go' bag prepared in the unlikely event we would ever need one. It’s not just about hurricanes. Floods, tornadoes, fire and any other emergency you can imagine where you have to grab your pet and leave. 

This is your reminder to plan out your grab bag and where you would keep it.  If you have one already it is the opportunity to update your bag and check for anything out-of-date.
 
Plan Things Today: 
  • Microchip your pets if they have not been.
  • ​Gather your supplies, and identifiable pictures. Make sure documentation is sealed in waterproof bags
  • Locate a vet and pet friendly hotel away from you. If you had to evacuate, where would you go? 
  • Specify a meeting place if separated, and your exit plan. 

Please, consider in a quiet time, what you need to take care of or transport your four-legged family in a natural disaster or fire. Talk through your exit plan with your family. Put together your own emergency kit today.

Here is a Packing List for your Dogs
 
7 Day Perishable: 
  • Bottled water
  • Dog food (food is #1 underestimated item),
  • Treats

Gear: 
  • Leash
  • Collar
  • Tags 
  • Pet Life Vest (A Harvey survivor)
  • Crate
  • Crate Pad
  • Towel
  • Muzzle: A muzzle will insure your pet is safe from a biting incident when he is scared, in an uncertain environment, possibly injured and/or surrounded by strangers.
  • Wipes
  • Sealable baggies
  • Towels
  • Scissors
  • Chew toy
  • Records: Vaccination records, picture(s) in waterproof bag
  • 1st Aid Kit: Gauze, Hydrogen Peroxide, ACE bandage, Eye dropper, Antibacterial wash, Bottle of Dawn, Calming Tablets, Eye wash, Listerine, small spray bottle (50/50 water/Listerine*), any medicine, Air  freshener, can of pumpkin (plain), medical spool tape, burn dressing 4x4, nitrile gloves. Bandana, thermal blanket, Hema-Seal Blood-stopper Trauma Dressing, Commercial 1st Aid kits are good, but incomplete 

Why pumpkin? Pumpkin can settle an upset stomach. Helps with liquid stools. Calming treats help ease anxiety and other stress related issues. When our show dogs were exposed to a new virus the vet told us to spray them down with 50/50 Listerine and water to kill the germs. Then they were quarantined. If your pet has been soaked in flood water, it is filthy and contaminated.  After the storm is notably a very dangerous time as well.
 
Take a Red Cross Pet First Aid Class online.  It is a 35-minute course about the basics for caring for a hurt pet from vital signs to CPR and more.  I have used this information to save puppy lives and care for injuries. Well worth it. https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/first-aid/cat-dog-first-aid
How would you and your pet fare? Take care. Be prepared.
 
*50/50 Listerine was directed by a vet when we were exposed to air borne dog flu virus.  It can be sprayed on the dog, car, clothes, etc., as an antibacterial agent.    ​   

REFERENCES:
CARLIE KOLLATH WELLS | Staff writer. “A Cat 4+ Hurricane Has Touched Almost Every Part of the Gulf Coast in Last 5 Years; See Map.” NOLA.Com, 29 Sept. 2022, www.nola.com/news/hurricane/a-cat-4-hurricane-has-touched-almost-every-part-of-the-gulf-coast-in-last/article_705d9f3e-400c-11ed-88bf-0f82e72c0797.html. 
]]><![CDATA[National Purebred Dog Day]]>Mon, 01 May 2023 07:00:00 GMThttp://2cutehavanese.net/our-blog-kiwis-korner/national-purebred-dog-day
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What is ‘dog fancy’?
​It is really about dog fanciers who are a group of people with a common interest (dog fancy) in showing dogs.  This group includes professionals, such as judges or handlers, and hobbyists who enjoy their dog and want to compete in conformation or other events showcasing their dog. 

Their interest in their dog takes them to shows, dog clubs, and other dog people. As put in the article “The Story Told by a Button” by National Purebred Dog states,  “As we see it, the fancy is a good example of a group of people who have a common interest that others in the dominating culture around them don’t have or understand.”  

Dog Fanciers include a subculture of people found around the world.  This culture encompasses all details worthy or not about their dog.  In fact, I can attest to a time when the things I willingly and enthusiastically discuss now would have embarrassed me to the point of muteness a few years ago. Breedings, side-by-sides, butt-first puppies, paraphimosis, and more have become common knowledge for me with experience and conversation.   

What does all this have to do with National Purebred Dog Day? 
It is part of the world of people who want to see their purebred breed continue into the future. The Havanese breed may be growing in numbers but that does not mean it is growing in healthy ways. 

It is through genetic diversity tests and more, disease and other breed problems can be solved or improved. Only verifiable testing can be proof for healthy, selective breeding. We test for other anomalies as well.  Some things cannot be tested for because of a variety of reasons like the test doesn’t exist.  Many of our purebred dogs are going to be lost over the next few years or are on an endangered list.  Britain’s Kennel Club is very proactive about looking out for these dwindling breeds or “vulnerable native breeds” they put on a list. 

Purebred means, in part, that a buyer should be getting a healthy dog with an established history and the traits (physically and emotionally) that attracted them to it in the first place.  It is a selective choice the same as going to an animal shelter and getting a pet there.  The pets are loved and cherished from either place.  I am very tired of attempts to guilt buyers about preferring purebred dogs when it is simply a choice that allows the buyer to look at a selective breeding program and all that goes with it and a particular type of dog or puppy.  It is their choice.

Good breeders protect their puppies and future puppies by putting the adults through various tests to achieve the highest possible quality outcome to ensure healthy puppies and provide a well-rounded start in life.  They are somewhat fanatical about their breed and what is best in their programs for superb puppies.  I can honestly say the breeders I know, each believe their program is the best.  

Some of the responsible purebred breeders, known as Preservationists, are trying to protect the heritage, traits, and health of the dogs they love knowing as conscientious breeders, that they are in the minority.  They struggle with rising costs, and with well-funded national groups working very hard to legislate their rights away that will negatively affect an array of consequences for private breeding programs and impact the buyer’s choices. 
]]><![CDATA[NAtional Lost Dog Awareness]]>Sun, 23 Apr 2023 07:00:00 GMThttp://2cutehavanese.net/our-blog-kiwis-korner/national-lost-dog-awarenessWithout a doubt one of the scariest and very upsetting facts for pet owners is when a beloved pet is missing.   Rather than sitting around fretting, it is a call-to-arms to get moving to get your pet back as quickly as possible. 
​
Lost Pet Facts: 
  • 1 in 3 pets will become lost during their lifetime.
  • 6% of lost dogs were found in a shelter
  • Just because a dog is a stray does not mean it isn’t lost
  • Having a chip, tag or tattoo does not guarantee the dog will be returned but improves the odds of coming home

​What to Do if Your Pet Is Lost:
  • Don’t Panic. Take a Breath
  • Time to Act Quickly with a Plan
  • Double check your home and yard
  • Search nearby calling your pet’s name (daylight)/take treats with you/multiple blocks
  • Repeat with a flashlight at night
  • Call and report your missing pet to your local animal shelter, vet, and other microchip service 
  • Report your lost dog to your neighborhood hotline if you have one
  • Look for a Picture of your dog - crop it to give the best identifying appearance
  • Fliers - with picture. Keep it neat. Yellow paper works well.
  • Use a sealable gallon bag or page protector.  Don’t tell all.
  • Draw Attention. Make a few posters bigger or more colorful for special or high traffic places. Post everywhere. Pet stores, schools, animal shelter and local vet etc, Nextdoor and Facebook.  
  • Be sure to identify your pet as a Havanese and tell the identifiable breed qualities such as the tail curls over the back when happy, body shape, eye shape, markings. One shelter could not identify a Bichon versus a poodle.
  • After 4 days go beyond a mile radius.

​Making a Flier: 

Information, Keep it Simple & Brief with picture
Bold Lettering for Lost Dog. Have your phone number clearly presented. Letter carefully and clearly. Tear off phone number tabs are good.
Pet's Name.
Brief description, keep something back from the public for you to know if scam or not. 
Give the location and date last seen.  Most of the time rewards are unnecessary.  If you choose to offer a reward just say, "REWARD"
Ads - local papers
Communicate -social network/media, neighbors - fliers in
mailboxes
Post on Craig’s List
Leave a smelly article of clothing outside nearby the farthest on record of a dog being able to scent is 40 ft underground, 80 ft underwater and more than a mile away! No kidding.

SCAMS
There are also unscrupulous people out there, rehearse what you will say when a caller calls. Think about a meeting place, etc. If a reward is offered. Think about how it is handled. Never wire money. There is a lot of text scamming. Don’t be a victim of a
scam. Ask them to identify your pet or send a picture.

Don't offer info. Ask them for their number and call them back. One scam is when the caller says the pet is injured and he needs money to take the pet to the vet. Don’t fall for this.

Don’t give up! Check and recheck. 
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