We heart Pet Insurance!

Why does Pet Insurance make people laugh? It's like I'm telling a joke when I tell people that  my dog has insurance. I still can't figure out what's so funny about it.
Last year, after hearing a few people tell me the tragic stories about loosing their pets to horrible accidents I was always left with one thought: how horrible it was that money was a determining factor in saving the pets life.
And so began my search for Pet Insurance. I never wanted to say "I couldn't afford the surgery, so we had to put her down." What if my parents couldn't afford my surgery when I was a child, and that meant I had to be put down? (Okay, I know, I am anthropomorphizing here, and there were probably times when my parents did want to put me down, but I must stress my point). If Stella needed a $5,000 dollar emergency surgery I wouldn't be able to afford it, simple as that.
After looking at a few different options I came across Trupanion Pet Insurance. The one factor that separated them from the rest was that there was never any payout limits. They pay 90% of any claim, whether it is $1,000 dollars or $10,000. Peace of mind is what this gave me.
Setting it up was easy. The representative I spoke with was very knowledgeable and helped me pick a plan that was right for me. After answering some questions about Stella, I chose a monthly premium of $35.39 with a $250 deductible. Different monthly premiums are available to suit the deductible that is right for you. Covered in my plan is diagnostic tests, surgeries, medications, hospital stays, and other treatments that may arise from Stella getting sick. Of course, there were conditions to my approval. Trupanion would not cover any condition that was pre-existing, and they would not cover any illness that could have been prevented. IE: Stella gets heart worms because I didn't put her on heart worm medication= not covered. However, if Stella were to get heart worms, the cost would be covered because she is on preventative medication. These conditions seemed reasonable to me.
My first experience with Trupanion is what sparked my interest in writing about them. The service I received far exceeded my expectations. Stella recently developed a skin irritation, and after efforts on my behalf to help her heal I eventually decided that seeing Dr. Todd (our vet) was necessary. Dr. Todd was away on vacation, and we were referred to the Morgan Animal Hospital in Niagara Falls. I was unsure how my insurance policy would work with Stella's allergy, so I decided to call Trupanion. The rep was once again exceptionally knowledgeable and friendly, and explained to me how my deductible worked, and what they needed from me. When I got off the phone, I noticed that a claim form had already been emailed to me. Once again, excellent service. When I forgot to bring the claim form into the vets office, it wasn't a problem, they faxed one for me. Since it was Stella's first claim, they needed all of her medical records, and a rep personally sent me an email requesting these from Dr. Todd. I then received a thank you email after they had received all of her records.
I guess it now goes without saying that I am extremely happy with choosing Trupanion as my Pet Insurance provider. For more information, you can visit their website at: http://trupanion.com/

Here is a list of other Canadian Pet Insurance Providers:
Petsecure: http://www.petsecure.com/
PetCare: http://www.petcareinsurance.com/
Ontario SPCA: http://www.ospcainsurance.ca/
PC Financial: http://www.pcfinancial.ca/english/insurance/index
QuickCare: http://www.quickcarepetinsurance.com/can/index.asp?cuid=   

Toxic List: Foods

Okay, so as promised, here is the list of common foods that are toxic to our dogs. What I have found is that most of these items only pose a threat when consumed in large amounts, but should still be avoided. Our next post will include toxic chemicals and plants. Enjoy! 

Onion and Garlic (raw, cooked, or powder form): large amounts damage red blood cells and may lead to anemia *note: baby food often contains onion powder, so avoid feeding this to your dog

Fish bones: obstruct the digestive system

Chocolate and Cocoa Powder: caffeine and theobromine can cause problems with the nervous system and heart

Caffeine (coffee, tea): can cause problems to a dogs heart and nervous system

Citrus oil extracts: can cause vomiting 

Grapes and raisins: eaten in large quantities can lead to kidney failure and death

Too much cooked liver: vitamin a toxicity impacting the muscles and bones (liver in moderation is perfectly healthy for your dog)

Macadamia nuts: can cause muscle tremors, weakness or paralysis of the hindquarters, vomiting, elevated body temperature, and elevated heart rate

Raw eggs: risk of salmonella or E. coli, there is also an enzyme present in raw eggs which interferes with the absorption of a B vitamin causing skin problems

Mushrooms: amanita phalloides is the most common toxic mushroom to dogs and can lead to liver disease and neurological disorders

Alcohol: has the same effect on a dog`s liver as it does on a humans, but it takes a significantly less amount to cause damage including: vomiting, diarhea, central nervous system depression, problems with coordination, difficulty breathing, coma and death

Bread dough (yeast): uncooked bread dough, if ingested will rise in your dog`s stomach, causing swelling and stretching the abdomen causing severe pain

Xylitol (a sugar-alcohol sweetener contained in gum and candy): can be toxic if consumed in large amounts

Ibuprofen: causes ulceration and decreases blood flow to the kidneys 

Fat trimmings in excess: in excess, can cause pancreaitis    

Hops: a plant used in the making of beer, ingestion causes malignant hyperthermia in dogs

Nutmeg: causes seizures, tremors, and problems to the central nervous system

Potato & Rhubarb Leaves: Contain oxalates, which can affect the digestive, nervous, and urinary systems.

Tomato and tomato plants: I`ve read that ripe tomatoes are not toxic, but the green parts of the tomato plant can cause dilated pupils, tremors and irregular heartbeat

Avocado: contains persin and can damage the heart and lungs 

Peaches & Pears & Persimmons: the seeds and pits can cause inflammation of the small intestine in dogs, they can also cause intestinal obstruction. 

Raw salmon: can lead to Salmon Poisoning Disease (SPD). Symptoms may begin to occur 5-7 days after the dog has ingested an infected salmon and include lethargy, high temperature, vomiting, blood diarrhea, and enlarged lymph-nodes. Symptoms are similar to Parvo and Distemper and if left untreated have a mortality rate of 90%

Salt: large amounts of iodized salt and salty foods can lead to pancreatitis

Moldy or spoiled food: can contain multiple toxins causing vomiting and diarrhea 

Big word...Important lesson!

an·thro·po·mor·phize: to ascribe human characteristics to things not human.

Let me state, that I am fully aware that this contradicts almost everything I said in my last post. However, since that last post where I stated that dogs are no longer just dogs, I have come across a new wave of thinking. I say a wave of thinking because like a wave, thoughts gain form, they become an arch, which means that at some point a thought gains depth, and then that thought breaks off, and all you are left with is the memory of that wave-- that thought. Some people decide to ride waves, which offers them a challenge and often leads to experience and the thirst for more, while others fear the depth of a wave and may never experience the high involved in the ride.

Where am I going with this? And what on earth could this possibly have to do with dogs?

I assure you, I am getting to the point.

Like a wave, people take thoughts and either decide to turn them into something, or leave them alone, fearing the success that thought may have turned into.

While I am completely guilty of ascribing human characteristics to my dog, it wasn’t until the idea of anthropomorphizing was introduced to me by Dave the agility coach at Tee Creek Farms that I thought “hey, maybe there is another way of looking at the dog-human relationship outside of what I thought was good for me.” 

In reality, giving Stella human characteristics has no real benefit to me. They are not solving her canine-aggression issues, nor are they making her more obedient. It’s not Stella who is hurt and upset when she goes into psycho-dog mode every time we see a dog, it’s me, and it’s not Stella who is upset when she doesn’t bring the ball back, it’s me.

So, if a dog is really just a dog, then how do we make the human-canine relationship grow?

We understand that our relationship with our dog is more important than any relationship our dog shares with anyone else. At the end of the day we own our dog. We pay its bills, we feed it, we buy it what it needs, and we offer it our home. When we agreed to bring the dog into our lives, we should have agreed and understood that it was our job to protect that dog from the outside world, and not the other way around.

I have seen this first hand. Stella feels that it is her job to protect me. This means we cannot swim together anymore, because she associates that as a threat to me. It means we cannot let another dog peacefully walk by us, because she associates that as a threat to me."Don't F#$! with Stella.." is something I have heard one too many times.

What I took from my conversation with Dave is to stop feeling sorry for my dog, and start protecting it. On leash walks play a critical role in my relationship with my dog because it is something we are doing together. Dogs do not need to come greet Stella while she is on leash  because she needs to recognize that I am here to protect her, and while she is on that leash, we are not in harms way. She needs to understand that there are rules involved in everything we do. She must now sit and wait for her food until I say she may go eat. And I need to stop feeling like she needs independent time to run free. Off leash runs now involve stick throwing or fetch, because it is building the relationship between us, and when I have said enough is enough, it means, enough is enough. Sure your dog loves going to the dog park, but how is that strengthening your relationship?

Perhaps this sounds a bit military to you, because at first it did to me, too. But if I really look at this idea of "I am the leader, the rule maker, the protector," I realize that I am able to develop the thought into a new way of thinking which will forever change my actions and my relationship with Stella the Dog.

All in the Family!

Gone are the days when a dog was just a dog. Our pets are professionally photographed, wear clothes, drink purified water, have parks dedicated to them, enroll in school, attend family functions, and provide us with endless entertainment. And when we loose a dog? It's like loosing a member of the family. I've seen this effect first hand with Joseph the Cocker Spaniel who belonged to my Aunt and Uncle and was 18 years old when he passed away. I had known him longer than I had known my own brother. Stories of him are told jut as those of a friend would be.
Since our pets have become so integrated into our everyday lives, I think it is important to know the benefits our furry friends give to us (as I write this Stella attacks me with kisses, it's like she's saying "you're right mom, tell them how great we are").
Research has been able to prove that our pets help to lower our blood pressure, reduce anxiety, boost our immune systems, and can even help us find that special someone.
That's right, goodbye LavaLife, hello Dog Park! I believe that it is human nature to want to engage with other humans, and pet owners have a tendency to migrate to common places. Your dog is your key to conversation. Unlike the online dating world, visiting a dog park lets you get out into the world and socialize with others while also socializing your dog. And the type of dog a person has says a lot about their personality. This may help you when deciding who you are going to strike up a conversation with.
Maybe you are a fitness buff? Someone who loves the outdoors and keeps yourself in good physical shape? Well then look for someone with a medium-sized breed of dog. Of course, every dog loves to get outdoors for exercise, but certain dogs such as Shepherds, Rottweiler's, and Husky's often require a great deal of outdoor exercise from their owners. Or maybe you're a family man and are looking for a partner who shares that same quality? Although all dogs can be raised to be great family companions, certain breeds of dogs such as boxers and golden retrievers are known for their great temperament with children. Someone who has chosen a family-oriented dog is probably looking for the same thing you are!
Our pets also offer us a stronger immune system, at a young age. Researcher James E. Gern, MD, in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology states that "A growing number of studies have suggested that kids growing up in a home with furred animals-- whether it's a pet cat or dog, or on a farm and exposed to large animals-- will have less risk of asthma." If a dog lived in the home, infants were less likely to have eczema, a common allergy skin condition. In addition, they had higher levels of some immune system chemicals-- a sign of stronger immune system activation, which helps to keep us healthy as we grow older. 
I also mentioned that our pets are natural mood-enhancers and help to keep our blood pressure in check. It only takes 15 to 30 minutes to start feeling less anxious. How you ask? During that time, our bodies go through physical changes where the level of coritsol, a hormone associated with stress, is lowered, and the production of serotonin, a chemical associated with well-being, is increased. And of course, pets are good for our hearts, too. It has been proven that heart attack patients with pets have a greater survival rate than those without, and pet owners in general show lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels --than non-owners.
So get off this blog and go spend some time with your dog, because now you know the endless benefits making your dog a part of the family!!

Things that make no sense: Dog Edition

Okay, so if you really know me, you know I am always in favor of pointing out obvious, everyday things, which make no sense. SO, as per requested, I have titled this blog ‘Things that make no sense: Dog Edition.”  

Overweight dogs: 

My experience with this is quite interesting. Let’s first discuss Stella, and her weight issues. Stella is a high-energy dog and so by default, this makes her very active. Stella is also a mix of some sort of Shepherd, Labrador retriever, and Border Collie. The Labrador retriever gives her many good qualities, like her excellent ability to swim, but also makes her prone to weight-gain. So because she is so active, and because she generally appears to be fast, agile, and muscular, myself and others often had the misconception that she was at a healthy weight. However, if we have a bad spell of weather, and Stella doesn’t get out for a good workout, you can start to notice weight gain on her in about a week. She begins to look, sasuagey. 

Here is what I’ve learned:

1)      I was feeding her too much: As a general rule, take the recommended feeding guideline offered by your pet food supplier and reduce it by about a half a cup a day (for large breed dogs). Pet food suppliers are in the business of making pet food, so the more you feed your pet, the better for them.

2)      I like using this chart as a way to observe Stella’s weight-gain patterns. If your dog doesn’t look like the ideal dog in this chart, it’s time to change something. 

3)      Obese animals are likely to be less mobile, and may suffer a decline in their general well-being. The excess weight puts stress on the major weight-bearing joints which can potentially result in reduced mobility and energy expenditure. Here is a link to an article by Dr. Claire Todd, my veterinarian at the Fonthill Animal Hospital which offers simple and realistic guidelines to combating your pets obesity:

http://www.fonthillanimalhospital.com/index.php?view=pageView&docid=6036

  

Dog Clothes: 

I admit, I fall victim to this one. Stella has a wardrobe, but this doesn't mean it makes sense. Dogs don't actually like getting dressed up as pink unicorns or wearing argyle for the holidays, they would rather be rolling around in a dead fish somewhere. My only defense? Stella is my furchild, and seeing a large dog dressed up is ridiculously adorable. So, if it makes you happy, and it's not hurting anyone else, than really, what's the harm?

Buying a Puppy: 

I let out a big sigh as I say this one, because I know there are plenty of reputable breeders, who breed healthy puppies, who go to great homes and live great lives. However, I also know the implications of over-breeding, and I know that so many people fail to consider the responsibilities involved in owning a new puppy. Already overcrowded shelters are filled with dogs who have come from homes that ended up not having the time for the new puppy, or couldn't afford the dog past the puppy stage...the list of excuses goes on and on. So once again, consider adoption before you consider a breeder, and if you STILL insist on a new puppy, make sure you do your research and ensure that your breeder is a reputable one. 

Breed-Specific-Legislation:

As I write this, I let out another big sigh, but this time, it’s a sigh of disappointment.

On October 2, 2004 the Mcguinty government introduced Bill 132 to amend the Dog Owners’ Liability Act. The legislation bans pit bulls in Ontario, places restrictions on existing pit bulls, and toughens the penalties for the owners of any dog that poses a danger to the public. I was unable to locate any studies that could prove that certain dogs are more genetically prone to causing violent harm against another animal. What I could find however, was a vast resource of research proving that BSL is ineffective.

Here is just one piece of material I would suggest reading:

http://www.pitbullproject.ca/BreedSpecificLaws.pdf

Things I have learned and always try to remember:

1)     ADOPT! When considering a pet, please visit your local SPCA. You couldn’t possibly imagine how many good pets need homes. The benefit to this: Your new pet will come spayed or neutered, with its basic shots, and micro chipped, all for a much lower cost than a breeder would charge. Do you have allergy concerns? Or have a particular breed in mind? Breed specific adoption groups exist virtually everywhere, and are always run by dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers.

Here is a quick link to some great recommendations when looking into rescuing your next pet.
http://www.canadasguidetodogs.com/rescue.htm 

2)     Go for a walk. Even if you are exhausted from a long day, and can’t get your regular workout routine in, do it. A brisk walk will at least keep you in the habit of maintaining regular physical activity, will get you out in the fresh air, and will let your pooch explore the many scents outside has to offer.

3)     If you can’t pronounce it, it’s probably not good for you. This almost always holds true. There have, however, been times where I could not pronounce the name of a certain vitamin that had been added to certain dog foods and treats, and some plant based cleaning agents may be unrecognizable in certain cleaning products, but this doesn’t make them harmful. My suggestion? Google. Write down the name of the mysterious ingredient and do a Google search from a reputable source. Google Scholar offers peer-reviewed, reliable search results, so I often use this option when Googling something important.

4)     This brings me to my next reminder. What may be good for us may not be good for our pets. Case in point: Avocados. Stella LOVES avocado and I would always be sure to give her a slice when eating it myself. I later found out that avocado can be harmful to dogs. Many household cleaners are also extremely toxic to our furchildren. I have yet to find a list which covers everything, and so to the blog my own list will soon come. If in doubt, a little research can often go a long way.

5)     Cheat when you eat. Not always of course, but nobody is perfect, and this takes the pressure off. Indulging in a cheat meal, or cheat day is nothing to feel ashamed about. Everything in moderation. If I am cooking with something I know Stella really loves, I often try to throw a bit in her food dish for her as special snack. Brown rice and apples make a boring meal great for her.

6)     Try things. Maybe you are bored of your regular routine and are finding yourself in a rut. Why not try 4 different memberships throughout the year. 3 month memberships are a great way to try something out, without the large financial commitment. Maybe throughout the summer you are going to join a running or cycling club? And in the fall, a yoga membership? In the winter, why not try a kickboxing club? Or joining a gym with a pool? The same can apply for you and your dog. I recently enrolled Stella in agility lessons, and am trying out a few private lessons with some local dog trainers. It can never hurt to try and keep things exciting.

7)     Give back. Volunteer. This doesn’t mean giving up full days, or giving up hours of your time, but find some way to give back in a way that is fulfilling to you. A great way to volunteer with your pet is to enrol in Therapy Dog Certification.

Here are two links that may help:

http://www.therapytails.ca/

http://www.sja.ca/Canada/CommunityServices/Programs/Pages/TherapyDogServices.aspx