Happy Tails Furever!

As you may or may not know, I'm moving out of the St. Petersburg area and, unfortunately, will no longer be volunteering at Pet Pal Animal Shelter.  But no worries, Happy Tails isn't going anywhere!  I'll still be keeping in touch with Pet Pal and writing blogs about all the happenings there as well as many other topics about pet adoption, responsible pet parenting, important pet awareness events, and of course fun facts about our favorite furry friends! 

 

For today's blog, I want to give a huge shout out and congratulations to Gracie Grieshop and all the staff and volunteers who have been working sooooo very hard for sooooo many months on Pet Pal's annual Puppy Love benefit.  Since I'm in the middle of moving, I was unable to attend the event this year, but it seems to get bigger and better every year and I'm sure 2016 was no exception.  I'm truly amazed at just how much planning and preparation is involved with a fund raiser of this size and, despite all the craziness they go through, Gracie and her team always manage to pull it all together and make it a terrific success.  You guys totally rock!  Keep up the awesome work! 

 

Anyway, I hope this year's 14th annual Puppy Love turns out to be everything Pet Pal needs it to be and much, much more.  I also hope everyone had a really great time and is now getting some much needed rest before looking ahead to next year's event.  Speaking of next year, here's my challenge to you for Puppy Love 2017.  Let's make a goal of raising enough money to move Pet Pal into a bigger facility so they can save more animals!  OK, so maybe that's a little out of reach but it doesn't hurt to dream, right? 

 

Stay tuned for lots more Happy Tails, including my long-awaited search for my own rescue dog!  Yes, once we get ALL the renovations done on our house in NC and settle in there, I can FINALLY have a dog!  We're also planning to have a few goats, maybe some chickens, and who knows what else.  One thing is for sure though, there will be plenty of happy tails to come!    .    

 

Happy tails to you until we meet again! 

Bark Your Calenders!

Sorry it's been a little while since my last post, but I'm back now and ready to share some more PUPular and CATastic trivia with all of you!  Get ready to "bark" your calendars because there are a few very special pet dates you should be aware of this coming week. 

 

First, National Kids and Pets Day is on Tuesday, April 26, 2016.  This day of recognition originated in 2005 and was set up by Colleen Paige who is a mother and pet lover herself.  This day is dedicated to furthering the relationship between children and animals, raising awareness about shelter animals, and educating parents and children about pet safety.  Children and pets naturally go together, especially dogs, and as with adults, dogs can be fantastic teachers for children.  By learning how our dogs communicate and then listening, we can improve ourselves, and there’s no better time to start doing that than as a child.  Here are just three of the valuable lessons dogs can teach our children.

 
Self-confidence:  Dogs accept us for who we are and are non-judgmental.  They can’t tell the difference between a homeless man and a billionaire because all they’re looking at is energy.  Because of this, dogs are often used to help children become comfortable with reading out loud.  In this situation, if the child makes a mistake or stumbles over a word, the dog isn’t going to laugh.  It’s just going to sit there and listen quietly.  Without the possibility of embarrassing themselves in front of a dog, children learn to trust their own abilities.  Once they’re reading out loud in front of other kids, their skills continue to develop and self-confidence helps to build self-esteem.  Dogs give this to children just by being dogs and quietly listening. 

 
Empathy:  Very young children are naturally self-centered because they don’t know any better.  The world revolves around them and their needs.  This leads to problems as soon as they encounter another child with their own conflicting needs; for example, both of them want the same toy.  When children get older, the ones who don’t develop empathy become the bullies.  They aren’t aware of or don’t care about other people’s feelings.  By teaching children how to treat animals with compassion, we also teach them how to do the same for other human beings. 

 
Responsibility:  Pet ownership in general is one of those experiences many of us go through as kids.  Dogs are probably the best at teaching responsibility because they're the ones most emotionally attached to their human.  If you aren’t fulfilling a dog’s needs, she’ll let you know through her behavior.  Forget to fill the water bowl?  Expect her to start bothering you when she gets thirsty.  Not giving her enough exercise?  Her over-excitement will remind you that it’s time for a walk.  Neglect to provide a mentally challenging environment?  That’s when you come home to find your shoes in pieces.  It’s also the emotional connection that humans have with dogs that makes them great teachers of responsibility.  We consider them members of our families, and we like to see them happy.  It’s this happy-go-lucky side of a balanced dog that makes children want to remember to do what they're supposed to do in order to keep the dog fulfilled.

 

So let us all remember  the important values dogs can teach our children, not just on National Kids and Pets Day, but every single day of the year. 

 

Second, Wednesday, April 27, 2016 is International Guide Dogs Day.  Although my own personal experience with a guide dog was not a great one (that's a story for another blog), I will always believe that guide dogs are amongst the most phenomenal animals on the planet.  It's impossible to feel anything but pure love and awe when you witness just how dedicated these animals are to their owners and how precious and adorable the bond the two of them have is.  International Guide Dogs Day is a day to celebrate these dogs as well as the patient and talented people who train them and pay tribute to the important role they each play in our society.  The crucial work they do is recognized by everyone and, on International Guide Dogs Day, people go out of their way to honor and express their gratitude to these dogs who have impacted the day-to-day lives of so many.

 

Third, and probably most important, is National Adopt A Shelter Pet Day which is celebrated annually on April 30th.  Thinking about getting a pet?  Well, there’s no better day than this day!  There are millions of animals in shelters across the country waiting to go home with you, but you don’t have to adopt a million of them – just one would make a big difference.  Here are some facts about animal homelessness that may surprise you.

 

1.  Only 1 out of every 10 dogs born will find a permanent home.

2.  The main reasons animals are in shelters: owners give them up or animal control finds them on the street.

3.  Homeless animals outnumber homeless people 5 to 1.

4.  Each year, approximately 2.7 million dogs and cats are killed every year because shelters are too full and there aren’t enough adoptive homes. 

5.  Approximately 7.6 million companion animals enter animal shelters nationwide every year.  Of those, approximately 3.9 million are dogs and 3.4 million are cats.

6.  According to the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy (NCPPSP), less than 2% of lost cats and only 15 to 20% of lost dogs are returned to their owners.

7.  About twice as many animals enter shelters as strays compared to the number that are relinquished by their owners.

8.  It’s impossible to determine how many stray dogs and cats live in the United States.  Estimates for cats alone range up to 70 million.

9.  Only 10% of the animals received by shelters have been spayed or neutered.  Overpopulation, due to owners letting their pets accidentally or intentionally reproduce, leads to millions of these “excess” animals being killed every year.

10.  Many strays are lost pets that were not kept properly indoors or provided with identification.

 

Animals impact our lives in so many ways without question or hesitation.  They save lives, keep us healthy, guide our blind and disabled, protect our neighborhoods, teach our children important life lessons, and bring joy to our families.  They do so much good for the world, yet too many of them end up neglected, abandoned, and abused.  There are so many  extremely cute and loving animals out there who are just waiting to become part of a family!  So what do you say...until there are none, adopt one!  Not quite ready to adopt?  You can still make a difference.  Consider donating supplies, money, or your time to a local animal shelter and maybe even look into becoming a foster home for animals in need.

 

Whatever you do, remember to celebrate and show your appreciation for all the amazing things animals   do for us each and every day!

 

Happy tails to you until we meet again!

A Voice for the "Right" Choice

Every day, families all around the world spend hundreds or maybe even thousands of dollars on designer pedigree pets.  We're all looking for that perfect furry companion who will grow old with us and spend its entire life by our side.  But isn't it possible to develop the same strong bonds and friendships with an animal from a shelter?

 

Statistics show that approximately 7.6 million abandoned animals enter shelters nationwide every year but, unfortunately, there are only about 2.7 million pet adoptions annually.  Although this fact makes it seem as though there is a fairly large percentage of pet adoptions, about 2.7 million animals are euthanized each year because animal shelters are just too full.  With so many animals being euthanized, it's pretty clear that there are not nearly enough adoptions taking place.

 

Many people still choose to get their dogs or cats from breeders or pet stores because they have very specific qualities and characteristics they're looking for in a family pet.  Of course there are certain things that should definitely be taken into consideration such as an animal's size and activity level to be sure it will be a good match.  You wouldn't want to bring a Great Dane into a studio apartment or give your 95-year-old grandmother an active Jack Russell Terrier!  On the other hand, some of the most friendly and adorable shelter animals are overlooked simply because their coat isn't the right color, their tail is too long or short, they're the wrong sex, etc.  Are we really that narrow-minded?  Do we think that way about our children when they're born?  Of course not...we love and accept them unconditionally.  Can't we do the same for these poor animals who are desperate to share their love with us?    

 

Browsing the internet for adoptable pets is a great way to see the wide range of animals waiting for their furever homes; however, it's also a good idea to keep an open mind as you look at the listings.  While you might immediately fall in love with a photo or story of your ideal dog or cat and get your mind set on that particular one, it's wise to wait until you can meet the animal in person.  Spend some time interacting with them and  learning their temperament, energy level, and personality before making any commitment.  Online adoption sites are useful tools to help you see what's out there, but don't be surprised if you end up bringing home a completely different furever friend than  the one who first caught your eye.  Sometimes we don't even have to make the choice ourselves...sometimes the animals choose us instead!  In either case, just be patient and your heart will tell you when you've found your four-legged soulmate! 

 

By keeping an open mind and an open heart about your next family pet, you can save another innocent life!  Don’t just make the popular choice...make the right one!

 

Happy tails to you until we meet again!

Doggy Dates To Celebrate!

When we think about holidays that evoke feelings of love and remind us to focus on our family relationships, we generally think of the major holidays like Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, and even Grandparents Day.  But what about the unique bond between humans and their pets?  Yep, there's a special day of recognition  for that too, and it's just around the corner.

 

Love Your Pet Day is observed worldwide on February 20th each year.  There is no record as to the origin or history of this fun day, but its purpose is to remind us to show our appreciation through a day dedicated to our cuddly companions.  This special day gives us the purfect excuse to take a break from our hectic daily routine and focus our time and attention on our pets' needs.  In return for their loyalty and unconditional love, we might choose this day to give our furry friends gifts such as a special yummy cookie or a new toy.  Another idea is to take them for a professional grooming.  Taking a long walk or spending the day at a dog park would be fun too.  Taking our pets for their vaccinations or a check-up at the local vet clinic is another way to honor the day...although our pets might not get too excited about that one!   

 

For those who have no pets, don't feel left out...there are still many ways you can celebrate Love Your Pet Day.  This might be the purfect time to adopt a pet of your own from a local animal shelter or rescue group.  If you're not quite ready for that commitment, making donations to animal shelters and/or rescues would also be appropriate.  Another idea is to help spread the awareness for this special day by sharing it on social media or sending friends E-cards. 

 

Now here's a little food for thought.  Did you know that there's also a day that recognizes our dogs' favorite treats?  Yep, it's true...National Dog Biscuit Day is on February 23rd.  So here's a simple recipe for a peanut butter cookie you can make for your pampered pooch.  And with only four ingredients, one of which is water, you're likely to have everything you need already on hand.

 

Ingredients

*  2 cups whole wheat flour (you can use another type of flour if your dog is sensitive to wheat)

*  1 cup rolled oats

*  1/3 cup peanut butter (chunky or smooth)

*  1 1/4 cups hot water

 

Instructions

1.  Preheat oven to 350° F.

2.  Mix dry ingredients together.

3.  Mix in the peanut butter and hot water (you may need to add more flour if the dough is too sticky).

4.  Knead the dough well.

5.  Roll out the dough into 1/4" thickness and cut into fun shapes with doggy cookie cutters.

6.  Bake on a lightly greased cookie sheet for 40 minutes. Turn off the oven and let them cool overnight.  If your dog can't wait that long, cool them completely on a wire rack before serving.  The cookies get very hard, just the way dogs like them! 

 
TIPS: 

*  Instead of cutting out more shapes with the left over peanut butter and oatmeal dough, you can roll it into balls.  Then make a cross hatch fork mark on the dog cookies.  This is the same way you would do for human peanut butter cookies. 

*  This peanut butter dog biscuit recipe makes biscuits that will last in a sealed air tight container at room temperature for 1 week. You can store them in the refrigerator for 3 weeks and in the freezer for up to 6 months. 

*  The dough for these dog treats can be sticky to work with.  If your dough is very sticky you will need to do one, or both, of the following steps.  First, continue kneading the dough as this will help it to become less sticky.  Second, add more flour to the dough and continue to knead.

 
I hope this post has inspired you to do something extraordinary to celebrate the extraordinary relationship between you and your pet.  Show how much you love your pet because they are your true, one of a kind valentine every day of the year! 

 
Happy Tails to you until we meet again!

Starting Off On The Right Paw

One of the many things I've learned in my time volunteering at Pet Pal Animal Shelter is that EVERYONE goes crazy when word gets out that there are puppies available for adoption.  I guess this is because puppies are so irresistibly cute!  The other thing I've learned is that these innocent bundles of cuteness sometimes wind up back at the shelter because their families don't fully realize what they're getting into when they adopt a youngster.  

 

Bringing home a new puppy might seem like a dream come true, especially for young children, but it can quickly turn into a nightmare if not carefully planned and prepared for in advance. .  Just think about it for a moment...would you bring your newborn child home without making all sorts of preparations; setting up a room for the nursery, filling the pantry with a supply of formula, purchasing baby bottles and diapers in huge quantities, picking out toys and pacifiers, selecting the baby's doctor, etc.? You need to make similar preparations for your new puppy and think about the supplies you will need, the car ride home, and the puppy's activities, feeding, and veterinary check-up.  February is "Responsible Pet Owner Month" so I thought this would be a good time to review some of the things you can and should expect when adopting a puppy.   

 

First and foremost, you and your family should have extensive discussions regarding EVERYTHING involved in raising a puppy and be sure EVERYONE is in agreement to proceed.  Next, you will need to write a list and get your supplies ahead of time.  Pre-puppy shopping allows you to take your time without the pressure of the pup needing it right now.  The puppy is going to need a room or at least a place he/she can call his/her own, and a cage or crate will work great.  You are better off getting one that is big enough for him/her to use as an adult.  The pup will need food and water bowls, toys to chew on and play with, a collar and leash, a bag of a good quality dry puppy food, and plenty of newspapers or training pads if you are going to house-train inside.

 
You'll need to puppy-proof the area where the youngster will spend most of his/her time in the beginning.  This may mean taping loose electrical cords to baseboards, storing household chemicals on high shelves, removing plants and breakables, setting up the crate, and installing gates.  Once you think you've completely puppy-proofed, lie on the floor and look around once more to get a puppy's-eye view.  If you have children, hold a family meeting to lay down the rules.  Don't overwhelm the new pup the first day, and don't fight over him/her or create mob scenes showing him/her to the neighborhood.  

 

When you adopt your puppy, be sure to find out what and when he/she was fed and stick to that schedule at home for at least the first few days to avoid a puppy with an upset tummy.  If you want to switch to a different brand, do so gradually over a period of about a week by mixing the old food and the new food.  Consistency is important right from the start.

 

Coming home will start out with a car ride from the shelter.  Try to keep this from being an overly stressful experience for the pup.  The main problem dogs can have with car rides is usually not what we humans refer to as motion sickness, but simple anxiety about the vibrations and sounds as well as the movement.  Many dogs that have developed problems with car rides get nervous or even nauseated before the engine is even started.  It is important that this first trip not be a bad experience that becomes a repetitious behavioral pattern.  Before you leave the shelter, try to get the pup to go to the bathroom so there are no floods or surprises caused by all the excitement of the ride.

 

Leaving the familiar people and surroundings of the shelter will probably bring about some puppy anxiety; however, this can be greatly diminished if you plan your schedules so that there's someone home with the puppy the first few days.  Plan for this introductory period by keeping the puppy involved with plenty of attention from children and other family members.  If the children are young or are not familiar with how to handle puppies, you should spend some time with them during these first few days explaining common sense rules on how to play with the puppy.

 
Once home, folks who plop the excited newcomer on the sofa and let the kids smother it with hugs and kisses will be mopping up in no time-and regretting the lesson they taught their new pup.  Instead, take him/her to his toileting area immediately.  From there, carry out your schedule for feeding, toileting, napping, and play/exercise.  From Day One, your pup will need lots of family time but also brief periods of alone time.  Solitude may be new to the pup, so he/she may vocalize concern.  Don't give in and comfort him/her or you may end up creating a monster!  "Gee, if making noise brought them running once, maybe more whimpering is needed to get their attention again," reasons the puppy.  Give him/her lots of positive attention for good behaviors such as chewing on a toy or resting quietly.

Of course one of the most important things you need to do for your new puppy is get him/her to a veterinarian for an initial exam.  You will want to make sure the puppy is free of any congenital traits or other medical conditions.  Of course all animals adopted from Pet Pal leave the shelter in good health, but it's crucial that all vaccinations are kept current and heartworm preventative is maintained regularly. 

 
Being a responsible pet owner and doing things correctly from the start prevents a lot of confusion for both you and the puppy.  With a little puppy preparedness, you will be one step closer to your dream dog!

 

Happy tails to you until we meet again! 

From A Dog's Perspective

Ever wonder what our dogs think of our busy, stress-filled lives?  Do they understand why we sometimes don't have time to take them on a long walk or that we're too tired to play ball with them?  They're always so excited to see us after a long day and yet all we do is yell at them for tearing up the house in our absence.  Do we stop to think about how that makes them feel?  Here's a little story about the life of a human as seen through a dog's eyes.  Don't be surprised if you find yourself reaching for your favorite pup with one hand and a tissue with the other! 

 
"It must be morning...I'm hungry.  Then again, I’m always hungry so it could really be any time!  I can hear the shower, so I’m guessing my human is awake.  I lift my head off my bed and look down the passage .  I want a shower too.  Sometimes I try and get in but he won’t let me.  Boring!  He’s not very happy in the mornings anymore.  He used to be, but things have changed.  I think it’s stress.  Not really sure what that is, but I know it’s not good.  It’s a human thing.  I’ve heard him talk about it on the phone.  Don’t really know what a phone is either, but I know they’re good to chew!  Chewing is one of my favorite things!" 

 
"In the good old days, we wrestled and played every morning.  These days though, not so much.  We would play ball before he went to work and again after work too.  He’d throw, I’d fetch...he’d throw, I’d fetch...forever!  What a game!  So much fun!  He’d laugh and talk human. I’d growl.  I’d laugh if I could but mostly I’d just wag my tail!  I think it’s sad that humans don’t have tails!  Sometimes he’d lose focus, so I would nudge him.  Maybe a little nip on the hand just to keep his head in the game!  How much fun can one dog and one human have?  But lately he seems grumpy.  Sometimes, I wonder if he still loves me.  I lick him anyway because he’s my favorite human in the world!  I get so excited to see him!  When he hugs me, my tail wags all by itself!  I wonder why my kisses don’t make him happy like they used to." 

 
"I liked it more when we lived in the first house...the little one.  That was 3 houses ago.  He played with me the most in that house.  He was happier and he didn’t yell at me for getting on the couch or chewing his expensive shoes.  We used to watch TV together on the couch every night.  Well, I slept...he watched!  He would rest his hand on my head.  I love that!  Now we live in a big house with a big dumb couch.  A dumb couch for humans only...not dogs!  I don’t like the big house or the dumb couch!  He makes me stay down on the stupid slippery polished floor.  The other day I slid into the table and hurt my nose.  Stupid floor!" 

 
"When I was a puppy, we went everywhere together.  We used to walk to the park every day.  We’d hang out with other dogs and their humans.  We don’t walk together much these days and, when we do, he talks on the phone.  I hate that stupid phone!  I’m gonna eat it when he’s not looking!  We would also go for long drives in the old station wagon and I would put my head out the window or on his lap.  It was the most fun ever!  No more head out the window action for me these days though.  Mr Serious has a new fancy schmancy car.  Apparently, it’s a dog-free zone too.  On the rare occasion that I do get a ride, I have to lie on 3 blankets with no wind in my face.  What’s the point of that?  Like having a bone you can’t chew!  Stupid!"

 
"We used to go to the beach every weekend in that old station wagon too.  We surfed together.  Well, he surfed and I chased seagulls, played in the waves and rolled in the sand!  He liked talking to the lady humans who wanted to play with me.  They only talked to him because I was there!  Sometimes he got kisses but I always got more!  On the way home I would put my wet, sandy, hairy body on the front seat and he was happy I was next to him.  I loved that car too!  Those were the days!" 

 
"We haven’t done anything like that in years.  He's just too busy now.  Too busy being successful and important to have fun with me.  Glad I’m not successful...it doesn’t look like much fun!  I’m so adorable...I don’t understand why he doesn’t miss me!  In fact, I don’t really understand him much at all anymore!  He’s supposed to be smarter than me but I’m not so sure about that these days!" 

 
"I used to sleep along side him in his big comfy bed.  Used to (heavy sigh) but now he has a new dog-free bed too.  Of course!  I hate that bed!  I chew the legs when he’s not around!  Next year we’re moving to yet another house...an even bigger one.  Maybe that will make him happy.  Hope so but I doubt it.  If I could speak, I’d tell him that too!  I don’t get the big house thing...us dogs don’t really care how big our kennel is, we just want to be near our human!" 

 
"I know I’m just a dog and I don’t really understand a lot of human stuff, but I do
know about fun and happiness!  He’s rarely happy these days and he’s always too tired to do anything fun...even when I pull his sleeve or lick his face!  If he got rid of the stupid slippery floor, the dumb couch, the fancy car and just played with me more, then perhaps he would be happy!  Me too!"

 
I hope this serves as a reminder to us all that our pets have feelings too, and they deserve to be treated in the same way we would treat our closest human companions.  So the next time  you're not really feeling the puppy love, take a moment to put yourself in your dog's paws and think about this touching "tail"!  Wag-wag!   

 
Happy tails to you until we meet again!

Lesson Learned From A Lost Dog

Happy New Year!  I hope you and your furry friends all had a nice holiday filled with fun times and great memories that will last throughout the year.  I know my family and I will probably never forget this Christmas and our unexpected four-legged visitor. 

 

It was early Christmas Eve morning when an unknown  dog showed up in my parents' yard.  Because they have a yellow lab of their own, my mom initially tried yelling at the stray animal until it wandered on down the road.  A few hours later, however, we looked outside and the dog was back, just hanging around the fenced-in backyard and looking like all it wanted was to play with their yellow lab.  Eventually, the lost dog took up residency right outside the front door as if to say, "please, please, please let me in". 

 

The dog appeared to be healthy and well cared for but didn't have a collar to help us find it's owner.  Not knowing what else to do, we called the local animal control but, because of the holiday, they were short-staffed and could only send someone out if it was an emergency.  We then placed an ad on Craigslist as well as Facebook for anyone looking for their lost dog.  Realizing that there wasn't much more we could do and that the dog was obviously not leaving on it's own, my husband and I decided to give it some food and water late that evening as it hadn't had anything all day.  Up to this point, no one had been able to get close enough to pet the dog but after some food and water, it came right up to us and was quite friendly and sweet.  We eventually figured out that it was a female and she appeared to be a pit bull and/or boxer mix.

 

The next day was Christmas and we awoke to the sound of a howling dog...yep, she was still there at the front door.  My husband and I continued feeding her, giving her treats, and I even started calling her Eve since she had come to us on Christmas Eve.  Kind of silly, right?  Anyway, we gave her as much love and attention as possible because we felt soooo bad for her and her family missing each other on Christmas.  By the next day, Saturday, we managed to find a veterinary clinic that was open and took her there to see if, by chance, she had a microchip.  The good news is that she did have a chip but the bad news is that the chip was not registered so there was no way to contact her owner. 

 

At this point, we were really at a loss.  Craigslist and Facebook didn't yield any viable leads and now even the microchip seemed like a dead-end.  My husband and I toyed with the idea of keeping the dog ourselves, but this just wouldn't be feasible as we live in a very small condo.  By Saturday night, we decided to put another ad on Craigslist and Facebook to try to find a new home for the dog.  After only a couple of hours and lengthy text/phone conversations, we found a nice lady who had recently moved to the area, was missing her family, and had been looking for a "best buddy".  She came to see the dog early Sunday morning and we could tell right away that she was an animal lover as she had a paw print collar and plenty of treats already in hand.  Needless to say, they immediately hit it off.  I texted her a day or two later to see how things were going and she said, "Fabulous.  She's housebroken and spayed.  She's great!  Everybody loves her!  Thank you Santa Clause!"  She named the dog "BB" for "best buddy" and sent a picture of the dog all cuddled up next to her in bed.  I guess you could call this a Christmas miracle!   

 

It's more than a week later now and I still find myself thinking of our little Christmas visitor often and wondering how she's doing in her new home.  Hopefully it was a happy ending for this lovable doggy who got lost on Christmas Eve.  Unfortunately, there are many more lost pets roaming the streets all alone out there who may not be as lucky as this one.  The truly sad part is that this whole situation could probably have been avoided if the dog's microchip had been registered and kept up-to-date, so let this be a lesson to all of us.  Make a New Year's resolution to have your pets microchipped and, if they're already chipped, check to be sure the contact information associated with it is current.  My family never fully understood just how important this is until they went through this experience.  Protect your pets in 2016!   

 

Happy tails to you until we meet again!