Heat Stroke in Animals

With all the posts out there about animals being left in cars or outside in the heat of the day,  I thought posting this would be a good idea.  Enjoy.....

Non-Toxic Household Cleaning Spray Safe for Pets

  Found this on Facebook,, Thought I would share on my Blog.  I personally would use more holistic things such as these, because I am what one would call a treehugger lol I love the environment as much as I love animals.

Know Your Toxins: Animal Safety By: Sara Jackson As seen in: AWM Vol. 12 Issue 2

Hello As I said I was hoping to start posting more .  This is a site that I have found a plethora of information about animals and pets, that have been truly awesome.  The site is: http://www.animalwellnessmagazine.com/articles/is-his-environment-toxic/

I would like to post this and share it to everyone that reads this.   Again got this from the website above this is not my work.

Like it or not, our world is filled with chemicals and toxins that can harm your dog or cat. It’s impossible to eliminate them all, but there are plenty of ways you can reduce his exposure and preserve his wellness.

How can you protect your animal companion from today’s toxic world?  It’s not as difficult as you think. Keep all toxic items out of your animal’s reach and follow these tips for a healthier environment:

Remove poisonous plants and flowers –

• Amaryllis  • Crocus  • Buttercup  • Calla lily  • Christmas rose  • Chrysanthemum  • Daffodil bulbs  • Easter lily  • Foxglove  • Hyacinth bulbs  • Iris roots  • Jessamine  • Morning glory  • Peony  • Periwinkle  • Primrose  • Tulip bulbs

and replace with these non-toxic varieties:

• African violet  • Wandering Jew  • Peperonias  • Jade plant  • Christmas cactus

Foods they should avoid:

• Grapes and raisins – cause irreversible damage to a dog’s kidneys

• Onions – causes a condition called Heinz body anemia, which damages red blood cells

• Chocolate – damaging to the dog’s heart, lungs, kidneys and central nervous system

• Caffeine – causes the same type of damage as chocolate; is most toxic in the form of pills, coffee, coffee beans and large amounts of tea

• Macadamia nuts – cause severe illness

• Alcohol and yeast dough – both contain ethanol, which causes nervous system and respiratory depression

• Fruit pits and seeds – the pits found in apples, cherries and plums contain cyanide

Medications:

Any medication can be poisonous so make sure all pills are kept in a secure cabinet. The following veterinary medications can be harmful if the correct dosages aren’t followed:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS)

• Heartworm preventatives

• De-wormers

• Antibiotics

and you should never give the following human medications to your dog or cat:

• Tylenol

• Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, etc)

• All prescription drugs

Non-toxic human medications include aspirin, Pepto Bismol, kaopectate, Imodium AD and Pepcid AC – however, even these are not meant to be given to a dog or cat on a regular basis and should be administered according to a veterinarian’s dosing instructions.

Household cleaning et al

Animals not only get ill by ingesting poisons, but by absorbing them through their noses or skin. Some of these toxins include chemical cleaning products, insecticides, fertilizers and many commercial flea controls.

Toxic household cleaners can be replaced with baking soda, Borax (sodium borate), lemon, white vinegar and cornstarch. Corn meal and Epsom salts can be used in place of lawn and plant fertilizers. Make sure to keep any rodent poisons away from your animal, and don’t spray for insects near his favorite hangouts.

Many popular flea products contain ingredients such as carbaryl and DDVP, which can paralyze your dog’s nerves. These ingredients can be found in commercial flea powders, sprays, collars, shampoos and dips. The best way to naturally protect your dog or cat from fleas is to help him build a strong healthy immune system. Start by feeding him a natural diet that doesn’t contain chemical preservatives, artificial coloring or by-products. Along with a good diet, be sure to bathe your companion with natural non-medicated shampoo and groom him regularly.

Beyond your control — air and water

You can’t completely shield your companion from contaminants found in our air and water, but there are steps you can take to enhance his safety.

Air:

1. Keep your dog or cat inside on bad air days.

2. Use an indoor air filter.

3. Avoid strenuous exercise on really hot days.

4. Don’t use your fireplace on bad air days.

Water:

1. Invest in a water purifier.

2. Don’t let your animal drink from lakes, streams, creeks

or puddles.

3. Always carry bottled water on hikes.

4. Keep water bowls clean.

Business is Picking up

So I took the plunge and went out and started my own pet sitting business........I have a Facebook and also a website.  Both I will post.  I am really going to start blogging on a daily basis if not at least a weekly basis.  I am finding some great things on Facebook that I would love to share here and until I can figure that out, you are more then welcome to visit my Facebook page.  Visit our Facebook Page, I am also going to work on an Instagram page, so keep an eye out.  You can also check out our website here Sunshine Stokes Pet Sitting

Fiesta Pooch 2014!!!!!!!!

Saturday April 26, 2014
8am to 11 am
Alamo Heights Swimming Pool
250 Viesca, San Antonio, TX

Calling all pooches!! Come to a howling good time...walking, sniffing and otherwise cavorting with fellow pooches. Oh, bring your humans, too! Therapy Animals of San Antonio proudly presents its 16th annual Fiesta Pooch Parade! If you love your dog, this event is for you. Come early for special exhibits and educational presentations that you and your furry friend can enjoy! Does your pooch like to dress up? There will be a costume contest.

Pre-registration postmarked by 04/19:

• $20 per one human and pooch.
• $25 per family and all family dogs.

Registration day on 04/26 starts 8 a.m.

• $25 per one human and pooch.

• $30 per family and all family dogs.
Course: 3 miles through the Alamo Heights neighborhood. Paved streets lined with trees, water stations, and stroller friendly.
You can register and pay via PayPal or a credit card atwww.TherapyAnimalsSA.org or send your check to Therapy Animals of San Antonio, P.O. Box 690221, San Antonio, TX 78269.
For more information and the registration form visitwww.TherapyAnimalsSA.org or call 614-6734. Limited parking.
All proceeds benefit the Therapy Animals of SA. Your dogs should be comfortable with large crowds. Please use a leash no longer than 6 feet, and no flexi-leads.

Therapy Dogs / Service Dogs

Just want to give a shout out to the people out there that work with their pets for Therapy and Service.   There has been a lot of talk out there about animals (dogs mostly) helping veterans/soldiers returning from overseas with PTSD.  Pet Therapy is near and dear to my heart, because my big girl Abbie (the Saint Bernard) is going through training to become a therapy dog.  I have friends that are either in need of a service dog or already have a service dog.  The power that these precious animals hold is most amazing and they have absolutely no clue they hold this power.  No do they abuse it.  No matter what they are always there to greet you happily, all the more reason they make the most perfect companion in life and therapy.

I have attached a link on an article about how animals are helping soldiers with PTSD.

http://www.animalwellnessmagazine.com/articles/soldiering-on/

Coming Along Beautifully.....Valentines Day Safety.........

Hello All,

Hope all is well in your neck of the woods.  I myself have been working out getting my pet sitting business out there and getting it known.  If you know anyone in the market for a pet sitter in the San Antonio, Texas area, then by all means give them my information.  My email is forpawspet@gmail.com

On another note, business is picking up now that the holidays are over and new holidays are beginning.  Valentines day is just around the corner, and I wanted to blog about chocolates and babies.  Thanks to the Big Bang Theory episode that I recently watched in my DVR.  As you all know Chocolate is not good for animals, so please keep your chocolates out of reach of your fur babies.   I am attaching a pretty cool website about why chocolate is bad for your dogs, as well symptoms to look for when your baby does get ahold of some of the human yummy choco stuff.   Enjoy......http://www.dogownersdigest.com/news/library/chocolate-dog-poisoning.shtml

Approaching a dogs that is stressed

Good evening everyone,

I came across this and thought I would share.  This is for anyone but mostly for those people out there that try to help animals physically.  Just wanted to share a chart about approaching a dog that is stressed.  I found this pretty informative.  Hope you guys enjoy.

New fad for people who like dog fighting

Happy New Year!!! Hope everyone had a safe and good New Year's Eve, I have come across something that I wanted to share.  Apparently there is a new things going around that people are stealing animals from their own backyards to use in the aspect of selling, fighting, abusing, or just wanting to make money. Just wanted to share this. Please help keep animals safe.