Happy Adoption Story From The San Diego Humane Society

Do you have a happy success story about a pet you adopted? Comment on our blog!

The San Diego Humane Society recently posted a success story about a recent adoption. Check out Chloe and her story:

Chloe (aka Loki)

About a week after we had to put down our sweet 12-year old lab (that we had adopted from the Gaines Street shelter 4 years ago) we all had broken hearts and decided to start looking for a new dog.  We live in the Clairemont area and went back to the Gaines St campus, although we didn’t seem to connect with any of the animals currently there.

We checked the website every day, and when we saw Loki’s picture we couldn’t wait to meet her.  We drove up to Oceanside and then stood in front of her kennel until we were called.   She had some behavioral issues and severe dog reactivity, and the counselor actually suggested we choose a different dog.  We still insisted that we wanted to see her. After interacting we fell in love, but had to wait until the trainer could meet with us, which was THREE DAYS AWAY. With sad hearts we went home and counted the minutes until we could go back to get her.

It’s now almost 2 months later…we have renamed her Chloe and she has settled right into our home and our hearts. We have had major breakthroughs with the dog reactivity and she now ENJOYS the dog park!  She loves to swim and we couldn’t imagine our lives without her. She has been a perfect pet in every way!  Thank you to the Oceanside staff for taking such good care of her until her forever family could find her.

Melissa T.

How To Trim Your Dog’s Nails

Routine nail clipping is important for your dog.

If your dog’s nails get too long, they could splinter or snap. This is uncomfortable for the dog and can lead to infection. You should make nail clipping part of your dog’s regular grooming process.

If your dog isn’t used to getting his nails trimmed, the last thing you want to do is frighten and overwhelm him by rushing the process. Take a little extra time to slowly introduce the nail clippers, as well as the sensations involved in trimming. The first time you use the clippers, don’t plan on giving your dog a full pedicure. Instead, just clip one or two nails, and remember to give your dog treats or play a game right after trimming.

Here’s an informational guide to help you trim your dog’s nails:

1. Choose a time your dog is mellow and relaxed. Most dogs do not enjoy having their nails trimmed so finding a time he is calm will be to your best advantage. Position your dog so you have a good view of the paw you need to clip.
2. Hold your dog’s paw firmly in one hand and the clippers in the other.
3. Find the vein inside your dog’s nail, also known as the “quick”, before you start clipping. For dogs with lighter nails it is easy to see. If your dog has darker nails, you may not be able to detect it.
4. Clip off a small end of the nail and gradually work towards the quick making sure you do not cut too close. If you do cut into the quick hold a piece of tissue on the nail for a few minutes. You can also use a powder that will stop the bleeding that you can find at your local pet store.
5. File any rough ends of the nail if necessary. Praise your dog for letting him or her cut their nails so if feels like they have done a good job for sitting still for you.

Pew! Do You Have Doggy Odor In Your Home??

If you have dogs, you know about that “doggy odor”.

Even the cleanest of dogs can get doggy odor and it can be markedly present in dog beds and blankets along with couches and human beds (if your doggies get to sleep with you).

If you want to try and eliminate that doggy odor, Clear The Air can do it for you! Our Odor Eliminators can eliminate doggy odor from pretty much any source, big or small, seen or unseen.

If you want to eliminate doggy odor from your home, here is how:

If you have doggy odor in your carpet: Simply sprinkle Earth Care Clear The Air granules on the carpet and hang Earth Care Odor Remover Bags to eliminate doggy odors from the carpet. Wait for 24 hours to vacuum up the granules from the carpet.

If you have doggy odor in your dog beds: Take the dog beds outside where there is plenty of air circulation and sprinkle our Earth Care Clear The Air granules all over the beds. Allow 24 hours for the granules to stay on the dog beds. You can then shake off the granules and your odor will be eliminated. If the odor is extremely strong, you may want to wash the bed first, let it dry then apply the granules to the bed.

If you have doggy odor in your car: If your car smells like your dog’s bed, it’s time to use our product! Simply hang or place two of our Earth Care Odor Remover Bags in your car. Our product works best when there is air flow in your vehicle. We recommend rolling down the windows when your car is parked and not in use. If the odor is extremely strong, sprinkle some of our Earth Care Clear The Air granules on the floor boards of your vehicle. Leave the granules for 24 hours then you may vacuum them up.

This unique form of Earth Care Products Mineral does not have to come into contact with the odor producer; it will pull the odors from the entire area.

Have questions about eliminating a pesky odor? Please comment on our blog or contact our customer service agent, Pat.

Why Does My Dog Bark So Much?

Dog barking can turn into a problem if it continues incessantly.

Clear The Air would like to share some information from the Animals Friends of the Valleys about the various reasons your dog barks and what you can do to stop incessant barking.

The first thing you need to do in order to quiet a chronic barker is to figure out why he’s barking in the first place. Is he lonely or bored? Do you spend enough time with him? Remember that dogs are pack animals and prefer the company of other animals and/or humans.

Most dogs will not be happy sitting by themselves in the backyard with nothing to do (except bark!) Make sure your dog has plenty of toys to occupy his mind and his need to chew. And make sure you spend quality time with him. Take him for walks and bring him inside the house every day for some “family” time. Dogs really love being with their people!

If your dog barks at night, bring him inside the house or garage. Most dogs prefer sleeping inside anyway (remember, dogs are not solitary creatures by nature.)  Relocating your dog away from immediate neighbors to another area of your yard might eliminate barking. Another good solution is to adopt another animal so your dog will have a companion.

Bark collars are a wonderful tool in training your dog not to bark. They can be purchased at pet stores or can be ordered online for a lower price. These new age collars do not hurt your dog in any way, they simply reprimand the bark. This may startle your dog at first but after a few times they associate the reprimand with the bark and learn to do their everyday activities without barking.

In extreme cases, you might consider having your dog “de-barked.” De-barking is a procedure in which the vocal cords are surgically removed. In most cases, the dog will come home the day of the procedure. The barking sound will still be audible but will be more like a whisper. Consult your veterinarian for more information about de-barking.

Barking is the number one cause of neighbor disputes. Remember, it is unlawful to allow your dog to become a public nuisance. Chronic barking is a serious problem but there are many possible solutions. Investing some time, money, and energy to solving the problem will be well worth the effort, for you and your dog

For more information visit Animal Friends of the Valleys website.

Proper Brushing Tips For Dogs

Do you groom your dog?

Clear The Air would like to share some helpful grooming tips from the ASPCA. Does your dog love being brushed?

Article taken from the ASPCA –

Regular grooming with a brush or comb will help keep your pet’s hair in good condition by removing dirt, spreading natural oils throughout her coat, preventing tangles and keeping her skin clean and irritant-free. And grooming time’s a great time to check for fleas and flea dirt–those little black specks that indicate your pet is playing host to a flea family.

If your dog has a smooth, short coat (like that of a Chihuahua, boxer or basset hound), you only need to brush once a week:

• First, use a rubber brush to loosen dead skin and dirt.
• Next, use a bristle brush to remove dead hair.
• Now, polish your low-maintenance pooch with a chamois cloth and she’s ready to shine!

If your dog has short, dense fur that’s prone to matting, like that of a retriever, here’s your weekly routine:

• Use a slicker brush to remove tangles.
• Next, catch dead hair with a bristle brush.
• Don’t forget to comb her tail.

If your dog has a long, luxurious coat, such as that of a Yorkshire terrier, she’ll need daily attention:

• Every day you’ll need to remove tangles with a slicker brush.
• Gently tease mats out with a slicker brush.
• Next, brush her coat with a bristle brush.
• If you have a long-haired dog with a coat like a collie’s or an Afghan hound’s, follow the steps above, and also be sure to comb through the fur and trim the hair around the hocks and feet.

Sweet Dog Looking For A Home

Mutt Monday’s pick of the week.

The San Diego Humane Society is featuring Luda, a sweet dog looking for her forever home. Find out why Luda is an employee pick:

A beloved Canine Companion who has been volunteering at our North Campus for quite some time, Dana O., simply loves Luda! And she has selected this adorable pooch as her volunteer pick:

What do you like best about your pick’s personality? “She is very laid back, smart and affectionate.”

What first drew you to your pick? “Her wiggly butt greeting!”

Is there something special about the way your pick looks? “She has a white hourglass-shaped pattern from her nose to the back of her head.”

What is your pick’s coolest/silliest/most fun trait? “After a game of fetch she likes to come and sit on the bench with me (sometimes in my lap) and watch the world go by.”

Anything else? “She is super smart and willing to learn anything you want to teach her.  She knows all the basic commands with shake and roll over thrown in for good measure.”

Pet: Luda (132249)

Volunteer: Dana O.

Meet Hercules At The San Diego Humane Society

Hercules…a Dog of Mythical Proportions!!

We love sharing stories about animals looking for their forever homes. Today we would like to share a story for Mutt Monday about Hercules. Do you have it in your heart to give him a forever loving home?

For most, the name “Hercules” brings to mind images of a certain Greek god.

…Well, around here, the name “Hercules” instead brings to mind images of a certainly Great dog!

Yes, my friends, it’s true. Be it the mythical or canine Hercules to whom you are referring, either way – the subject is indisputably divine! And, like his namesake, the 1 & 1/2-year old American Pit Bull Terrier is a pillar of strength and has a most adventurous spirit!

Always at the ready should he hear the cry of a damsel in distress, Hercules is eager for action! His enthusiasm knows no bounds!

His playfulness? Contagious!

His spirit? Courageous!

His athleticism? Outrageous!

It’s true, this energetic doggie is full of the kind of personality, handsomeness, and charm that myths are made of!! All who encounter this canine king are quick to see that they are indeed in the presence of greatness.

Are you looking for a strapping young dog with whom you can pursue outdoor adventures?? Well, look no further!!

Are you ready for a pooch who is full of life and, I daresay, gusto?? Ummm…look to the photos on the right and just try to tell me that Hercules doesn’t fit the bill!!

He’s handsome, he’s energetic, he’s just so darn lovable, …he’s Hercules! And he is ready to become the hero of YOUR story!

To meet this awesome guy, give us a call at (619) 299-7012 to arrange an introduction!

San Diego Humane Society Success Story

We love hearing success stories!

As we usually do every Monday, we would like to share a wonderful success story from the San Diego Humane Society. Ruth, aka Elsa, was adopted by a sweet family and they think the world of her:

“…the sweetest dog in the world. We love her so much.”

Dear Humane Society,

I’d like to update you on the wonderful dog we adopted from you on Gaines St. on Nov. 24th 2012.  She was named Elsa while in your excellent care & is a pit bull mix & the sweetest dog in the world.  We love her so much.

I sent a few pictures shortly after we adopted her & here are a few more. We renamed her Ruth after Ruth 1:16 in the Bible where Ruth is speaking to her mother-in-law, Naomi.  “Don’t make me leave you, for I want to go wherever you go, & to live wherever you live; your people will be my people, & your God shall be my God.”  That scripture seemed to fit so Ruth or Ruthie she is & we are her people!

Thank you to all the folks at your place for caring for her so lovingly until we came along.  God bless you all.

Shari & Richard H.
June 2013

A Happy Dog Adopted From The SD Humane Society

We love stories with a happy ending!

Especially when it involves animals! Check out this great happy ending story from the San Diego Humane Society about a dog, Milo, who was adopted by a sweet and loving family…he even has his own Facebook Page!

“He is my inspiration and gives me more joy then anyone could ever imagine!”

We adopted Milo a pug/ Chow Chow mix  in 2008 from SD (Gaines Street) location and he has been the smartest most loving dog we have ever had.

He loves to go with us everywhere we go including our office. He goes to work every day.Milo even has his own tie for the office, but usually wears a simple bandana for a more casual look!

He enjoys just sitting in the car, thinks he is a pug and will try to climb on your lap. He has learned many tricks but his best trick is just the fact he loves to cuddle!

He was a groomsman in my sons wedding last year and even danced with guests at the reception. He is “The boss” like all the staff at the office like to call him and he loves every minute of it.

One of the artists at Kess Inhouse in Oceanside (Where Milo Works ) even created an Art piece of him and now others can enjoy his sweet face because you can buy it on home goods on Kess inhouse website and even direct from Amazon.

He is my inspiration and gives me more joy then anyone could ever imagine!

Here is Milo’s facebook page
facebook.com/MILODOGPAGE

The Gupta Family
October 2013

Mutt Monday’s Pet Of The Week

Check Out April!

April is available for adoption and is one of the San Diego Humane Society’s employee picks. Find out why:

Pat R., one of our wonderful Central Campus Canine Companions, adores the 10-year old Border Collie/Spaniel Mix, April, and has chosen her as her pick:

What do you like best about your pick’s personality? “She’s ADORABLE! Lots of spunk for an ol’ dog! April loves to run around and play.”

What first drew you to your pick? “I love Border Collies!”

Is there something special about the way
your pick looks? “Her cute ‘old soul’ mug and fluffy ‘always-wagging’ tail!”

What is your pick’s coolest/silliest/most fun trait? “She insists on taking her toy from the agility yard back to her crate! I wish I had a video of it!”

Anything else? “Look at that face! What’s not to love?!”

April’s intake number is 131412. She is looking for her forever home…come check her out!