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I've Done It All Now!   

While we were in Novi, Michigan my husband told me that there was the possibility that I would have to take one of our girls into the ring.  Believe me, I can speak to an audience of 10,000 people, so being shy isn't one of the adjectives that most people would use to describe me. However, I don’t handle dogs.  I think it is important that we all recognize our talents and limitations.  I work hard to groom my girls and get them ready for the show ring.  I watch my husband very carefully to offer my advice about movement in the ring and areas he may want to pay special attention. 

To be a good handler, you must be able to move around the ring, effortlessly.  If you have a small dog, like Dachshunds you must be able to get down to stack them and be able to lift them onto the examination table.  Believe me, my running, trotting and skipping days are long over.  I prefer to not breathe heavy.  I would struggle to get down on the floor and it would be impossible for me to get back up. I’m not certain what the rules say about asking the Judge to give you a hand up.   I had a doctor tell me once after surgery that I could not lift anything heavier than a frying pan.  I have lived by that advice for many years with no intention of changing.

So the day came.  Looked like we were going to have our class dog and bitch both need to go back into the ring.  That didn't include having to take our Special girl in. Lyle was the only person that could really handle our young dog, so he would have to take him in.   I enlisted another Dachshund person to take Cara in.  Cara is pretty much automatic and should be easy.  Oh man!  Looks like I will have to take Abby in.  At least she has had plenty of experience and she loves me.  So maybe this will work.

Time comes and I gather up all my courage.  Abby and I enter the ring.  That is all I remember until I got to the examination table.  My mouth was so dry that I couldn't work up a spit.  Nervous?   Heck yeah!  I go to pick up Abby and she has hunkered to the floor and wasn't going to give me any help.  I pick her up and I can feel the judge’s eyes on me while I stack her.  The judge comes around to Abby’s head and as he is petting her, he asked me how I was doing.  I took this opportunity to explain my predicament and said, “ I’m not a handler.  I was needed to show, and oh by-the-way, I am supposed to tell you she is in heat.”  He chuckled and told me I was doing fine.  He instructed me to go down ¾ way on the down and back.  I am thinking about all the advice I had given Lyle about handling her and the things he should be doing.  Now, I can’t remember should she be on a loose lead, move moderately fast and did the judge say ¾ way?  Holy crap....remember to stop and free stack her.  Expression is important and it isn't the look on my face of a deer caught in headlights.  The judge says take her around.  I am last in line and I bend over in the most feminine and graceful way possible and still not blackout the entire ringside view.  I get her stacked and I try to look at the judge demurely as to say, Pick Me PLEASE!

We didn't win anything that day.  It wasn't Abby’s fault.  She is a champion in two countries.  I hugged her and told her I was sorry.  The judge on the way out of the ring, tapped me on the arm and said, “ You did a really nice job for your first time.”   What a nice guy!   No worries.  I will do better planning and lining up folks to handle in the future.  As we say in Georgia,  This ain't my thang!

ASK THE EXPERTS

This is a regular feature of my blog.  I will be asking a question to a cross-section of Canadian experts involved in various areas of the dog world.  If you would like to participate or have a question you would like to have asked or have an expert you would like to answer a question, feel free to contact me.

Dr. Karen Becker

Dr. Becker is a licensed veterinarian in Illinois. Voted one of Chicago's top 10 veterinarians, she is certified in veterinary acupuncture and homeopathy, and opened her clinic, the Natural Pet Animal Hospital, in 1999.

Some good news for a change from the pet poisoning front.

U.S. manufacturers of antifreeze and engine coolant have agreed to voluntarily begin adding bittering agents to their products to discourage pets, children and wildlife from sampling the sweet-tasting liquid.

The estimates are that from 10,000 to 90,000 animals are poisoned each year by antifreeze spills in driveways or garages, or from products left in open containers.  Only one teaspoon of antifreeze or engine coolant can kill an average-sized cat.

Manufacturers will add bitter-tasting denatonium benzoate to antifreeze and coolant products sold throughout the U.S. Denatonium benzoate has been used in common household products and as an anti-nail biting formula in the U.S. for decades.

Ethylene Glycol Toxicity

Ethylene glycol is the problem ingredient in antifreeze. What many people don’t realize is that it is also found in relatively high concentrations in brake fluid, condensers, heat exchangers, home solar units, and the bases of portable basketball goals. It is also used to winterize toilets in recreational vehicles and summer homes in colder climates.

Ethylene glycol is also found in much lower concentrations in household paints, inks, ink pads, polishes, finger moistening compounds (e.g. Tacky Finger), and other office supplies.|

Ethylene glycol is highly toxic, with a sweet smell and taste that attracts both animals and children. It is rapidly absorbed, which leads to systemic poisoning that starts with the central nervous system. Symptoms may be less obvious in animals than humans.

No toxic doses of ethylene glycol have been established for dogs and cats. Most of the data available is based on instances of acute toxicity that resulted in death. The data doesn’t take into account pets that survive the initial poisoning but die of kidney failure within a few days.

It’s important to note that ethylene glycol is a very potent form of alcohol, so many of the symptoms of a potential poisoning will be similar to those of severe alcohol intoxication. There are typically three stages of symptoms:

·        Neurologic, in the form of “drunk behavior” from the effects of the alcohol

·        Cardiopulmonary, as the result of severe acidosis and electrolyte disturbances

·        Renal, due to renal tubular injury from calcium oxalate crystals

Since no “survivable” exposure levels of ethylene glycol have been established, if you suspect your pet has ingested antifreeze or another of the substances that potentially contain the toxin, you should seek immediate veterinary care.

You should also carefully inspect the labels on all antifreeze and automotive coolant products in your home and follow instructions on how to use, store and dispose of them.

  

Reducing the Risk

To avoid the risk of poisoning animals a few basic safety measures are required:

1. When changing antifreeze keep your pets indoors.
2. Avoid spilling antifreeze on the ground and don't drain radiators into ditches or storm drains.
3. Keep the new antifreeze in its original container.
4. To store used antifreeze before disposal, put it into a clearly labelled, sealed container. Recycle or dispose of it at a garage with appropriate facilities for disposing of antifreeze. Keep antifreeze off the floor and away from pets.
5. Wipe up and wash away any spills.
6. If your pet returns home covered with an unknown substance, wash it off immediately.
7. Winter automobile window washing fluids and products to prevent freezing in plumbing can also contain ethylene glycol. Check the ingredients, and if it contains EG, treat it the same as antifreeze.
8. There is a safe alternative - switch to non-toxic Propylene Glycol formulated antifreeze.

I like to see people do nice things for others.  If someone does something nice for you at a show or you see or hear about something nice being done, please send me an email at djenkins@shaw.ca.   Be sure to put in the subject: Nice

We will mention that person by name in the blog.

Spotlighted this week is: Helene Belanger, Sassy Tails Crested; Christine Warden, Kristari Poms; Myara Harris Savant; Barbara Bond; Pierry McLean; Cathy Siverns;
 Janet Levans and Rebecca Stanley

Deborah, BabyDoll Poms, called Helene Belanger at Sassy Tails Chinese Cresteds nearly in tears to ask if Helene had a lactating bitch.  Deborah’s bitch had a C-section the week before, and she had three puppies, but had already lost one.  The two remaining puppies were trying to feed but they were not getting enough milk, and they were not gaining weight despite Deb’s best efforts to tube feed them.  She was exhausted, desperate and didn't know who to turn to.

Helen recommended that Deborah go on the Myra Harris Savant’s Yahoo Group, Canine Repro Care, and post for help. Meanwhile, Helen sent out the alarm on Facebook and ShowDogsOntario.  Deborah sent a message to Myra on Facebook, who answered immediately.  Then Barbara Bond posted on the CanadianShowDogs list the call for help, and literally within minutes, messages via Facebook and e-mail started to come in.  Pierry McLean had some Royal Canin Baby Dog and was willing to deliver it to Deborah and help feed.  Cathy Siverns, who breeds toy poodles, was suggesting feed mom vanilla ice cream to help milk production.  Janet Levans has a friend whose Westie bitch had a litter the previous week that might be able to help.  Rebecca Stanley responded that she had 7 week old Havanese puppies and the mother was still producing a lot of milk.

Deborah called Helene back in tears saying a wonderful pom breeder, Christine Warden from Kristari Poms  in Caledon told her she had one week old puppies that were round and fat, and to bring her two babies.  She also had another bitch due to whelp the next week so plenty of milk to go around.  Last word was the babies were accepted by the surrogate and she loved them up and was feeding them like they belonged to her.  Deborah reported by to Helene that Christine Warden’s operation has  immaculate dogs in immaculate bedding and playpens. You would not even know a dog was in the house, there was NO smell of ANY dog there. Her setup was geared so she can cater to her dogs all the time. Her commitment was so evident the minute she took the babies to the surrogate mom. The Surrogate had 3 babies and they looked HUMONGOUS next to the adopted babies.  Christine said she would separate the bigger kids and put on the two new ones, allow them to eat and then when they are done, put them on heat, and give the other babies their turn.  Seymour and Lacey, the little babies, are in paradise, lapping up the attention and being served high up on the silver platter.

Deborah says that she is so indebted to Helene and Christine. “I am overwhelmed at all the outpouring of people wanting to help me. I am so touched beyond whatever you can imagine. I want to say Thank You to Helene who facilitated getting me the help and to Christine for being the help that saved my two puppies.”

You have to admit, that when the going gets tough, you can count on people in the dog world to come to the rescue.   

Remember to watch for "Nice Deeds".  They are happening all around us.  Let's talk about the people helping others.

Be sure to go to Canuck Dogs, http://www.canuckdogs.com, to see all the upcoming events and to check stats.  You should  bookmark it.  That's where you will find my blog. 

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