Granted probably an outrageously expensive one - and even the "poos" are overpriced mutts.
Sorry. They are cute. Yes. They are not a breed.
Mixing two breeds together and making up some name doesn't constitute a breed. Even if you add the word "designer."
What is a breed? It's a homogenous (same) group of animals with certain distinguishing characteristics that are genetically linked and can be reliably propagated. You take two x's and every time you get the same thing. You don't mate two Cocker Spaniels and some of the pups turn out to be Labradors!
Yes, there is variation in a breed. Example: I say Golden Retreiver. Hopefully you can picture one. But, you may picture a fluffy pale yellow and your friend may picture a more smooth coated red dog but I am sure you have the general head, body type and sizes on target. You don't picture a Standard Poodle do you? No, I say that, and you see a whole different set of dogs. But genetically they are distinct.
You mix them and you get an expensive mu...I mean..Goldendoodle. Where's the ketchup?
No really, they are all cute. They are. So are the thousands of shelter dogs that die every day or sit and sit and sit because someone had to breed cute sweet Fluffernutter.
Breeding is great - let's make a better, more beautiful, more SOUND (physically fit and healthy), and workable Golden.
Ok, so what got me on this topic. This article about a new breed that some want to bring over from Europe. That's fine.
This from the article:
...looks like any number of designer "doodle" dogs—a mix of a poodle and something else. The latter is a slam that gets Barbet owners like Doris Newkirk, a professor and retired psychologist in Greenbank, Wash., absolutely growling.
Um..well, then get into a breed that doesn't honey. Period.
Snow Leopard
Snow Leopard cub (7 mos old) - Cape May County Zoo
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Monday, May 21, 2012
River Rocks
...or bladder stones...
This morning, I took these out of this:
Notice this bladder has a red appearance and an "angrier" portion at the tip.
This was from a small dog that had 5 river rock like stones and about 15 smaller ones. The bladder wall was very thick. These factors left little room for urine, making the dog feel the urge to urinate all the time.
We will send the stones out for a mineral analysis to determine what they are composed of and help us change the diet to hopefully (not a GUARANTEE) prevent others from forming. There are some breeds more predisposed to stones and this one is among the top: the Bichon Frise.
This sweet girl only starting showing signs of bloody urine despite the fact that it probably took many months to form these stones. The owner feels guilty but should NOT. There is no way to "know" unless our pets let us know. Sometimes a physical exam can reveal these but not always.
She's recovering quite well!
This morning, I took these out of this:
Notice this bladder has a red appearance and an "angrier" portion at the tip.
This was from a small dog that had 5 river rock like stones and about 15 smaller ones. The bladder wall was very thick. These factors left little room for urine, making the dog feel the urge to urinate all the time.
We will send the stones out for a mineral analysis to determine what they are composed of and help us change the diet to hopefully (not a GUARANTEE) prevent others from forming. There are some breeds more predisposed to stones and this one is among the top: the Bichon Frise.
This sweet girl only starting showing signs of bloody urine despite the fact that it probably took many months to form these stones. The owner feels guilty but should NOT. There is no way to "know" unless our pets let us know. Sometimes a physical exam can reveal these but not always.
She's recovering quite well!
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Just a Quick Reminder
Today I killed a mosquito. In my bathroom. The windows weren't open recently but I suspect it got in with all the comings and goings of late.
My point?
Your cute little fluff ball dog who never touches the ground and doesn't even go out (uses "wee wee pads") CAN get heart worm disease.
All dogs should be on a monthly preventative, year round (the intestinal deworming is another wonderful benefit that protects your family's health too). It doesn't matter the breed or size of dog. It doesn't matter it we sometimes sort of have a winter.
It's just part of responsible pet ownership.
My point?
Your cute little fluff ball dog who never touches the ground and doesn't even go out (uses "wee wee pads") CAN get heart worm disease.
All dogs should be on a monthly preventative, year round (the intestinal deworming is another wonderful benefit that protects your family's health too). It doesn't matter the breed or size of dog. It doesn't matter it we sometimes sort of have a winter.
It's just part of responsible pet ownership.
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Gratuitous Cake
Sure this is animal related. It's a snow leopard. AND it was for a certain *cough cough* veterinarian's 40th birthday.
This delicious piece of art work is from The Pink Cake Box. The link is to the blog on MY special cake, and has a great picture of the back too, but please check out their other cakes. You will be impressed. They are all beautiful. I strongly urge you to consider them if you are in NJ, NY or PA for YOUR next special cake needs. THEY are amazing.
I am sure this is a one of a kind cake for them. Who asks for a snow leopard...AND a crab? A wild kitty like me, that's who! Actually my wonderful husband did this all behind my back..but he obviously knows me :) He and the wonderful folks at the pasticceria (my Rosetta stone lessons..love this word - Italian for pastry shop) came up with this design.
I'm an ailurophile (cat lover!). I have a passion for all things feline, love the big kitties and am enamored especially with the snow leopards. These gorgeous, elegant, secretive and elusive cats are in danger of extinction. I've been a big supporter of The Snow Leopard Trust as long as I have known about them.
And for those that really know me, I have been a bit of a Deadliest Catch groupie. I've met Captains Sig Hansen, Jonathan and Andy Hillstrand, Keith and Monte Colburn, and Phil Harris (RIP!) as well as a host of other crew members. I've had photos signed, pictures taken with them, partied with some in Philly and others in Seattle and got to be on the Northwestern and Wizard in Seattle a few years ago.
This cake was the true epitome of me in so many ways.
Thanks to the Stone Bar Inn for hosting this party. The owners are clients of mine and lovely and amazing people too - and boy can THEY make some amazingly delicious food!
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Awww
This adorable panther kitten is lucky that people stepped in and are going to try to nurse him back to health.
He's not out of the woods but at least he has a fighting chance.
Check out this link which includes a very short video clip
He's not out of the woods but at least he has a fighting chance.
Check out this link which includes a very short video clip
Sunday, May 6, 2012
It Doesn't Go Unnoticed
A client called me today on my cell phone. I don't give that number out to just anyone or offer being available to anyone, anytime without knowing the person.
This client has been someone that has taken good care of MY dog in another pet related industry. In any case, I saw one of her dogs recently for an illness and she was quite concerned about the progress of improvement. We talked a time or two during the week but I told her to call me if there were any questions over the weekends as well.
I can pretty well tell who would abuse the privilege at this stage in my career and she is not one of those people.
She called because another pet had stolen the treat containing the sick - but now significantly improved - dog's medications. This dog also is on some other medications for a chronic medical condition. In any case, I was able to reassure her that the pet was going to be fine. Fortunately these medications wouldn't pose a problem one time at that dose in this other dog.
In addition to expressing gratitude to be able to talk to me on a Sunday evening, she also told me about how a few other clients of mine from a previous job have spoken of me. One was eager to find me and see me with her pets again but was taken quickly by aggressive cancer. Her husband told my client that she would be upset if her pets saw anyone other than me, so I apparently will be seeing them soon.
My client told me that I am a compassionate vet who always FIRST gives kisses and love to the pets and that THAT is so important to so many pets owners and that I am also a smart cookie.
I say this NOT to toot MY horn, but simply to say that all the "little" things we do, day in and day out, in our daily jobs and in our meetings with people in everyday life, makes more of an impact that we often know. A kind word like that, while maybe seemingly not a big deal or simply the "truth" to the speaker, can impart such a boost to the heart of the receiver. It only encourages me to not to FAIL to tell someone when they do a good job, go the extra mile, look nice, etc. You really never how much that person may need to hear that AT that time.
This client has been someone that has taken good care of MY dog in another pet related industry. In any case, I saw one of her dogs recently for an illness and she was quite concerned about the progress of improvement. We talked a time or two during the week but I told her to call me if there were any questions over the weekends as well.
I can pretty well tell who would abuse the privilege at this stage in my career and she is not one of those people.
She called because another pet had stolen the treat containing the sick - but now significantly improved - dog's medications. This dog also is on some other medications for a chronic medical condition. In any case, I was able to reassure her that the pet was going to be fine. Fortunately these medications wouldn't pose a problem one time at that dose in this other dog.
In addition to expressing gratitude to be able to talk to me on a Sunday evening, she also told me about how a few other clients of mine from a previous job have spoken of me. One was eager to find me and see me with her pets again but was taken quickly by aggressive cancer. Her husband told my client that she would be upset if her pets saw anyone other than me, so I apparently will be seeing them soon.
My client told me that I am a compassionate vet who always FIRST gives kisses and love to the pets and that THAT is so important to so many pets owners and that I am also a smart cookie.
I say this NOT to toot MY horn, but simply to say that all the "little" things we do, day in and day out, in our daily jobs and in our meetings with people in everyday life, makes more of an impact that we often know. A kind word like that, while maybe seemingly not a big deal or simply the "truth" to the speaker, can impart such a boost to the heart of the receiver. It only encourages me to not to FAIL to tell someone when they do a good job, go the extra mile, look nice, etc. You really never how much that person may need to hear that AT that time.
Friday, May 4, 2012
Cool Kitty Story
If you spend anytime with me, you'll eventually hear me tell you that cats are amazing. They are. They prove time and again they are survivors. Even when I count them out..and after 14 years in practice, I simply VERY RARELY do.
We had a kitten come a few weeks ago, that had lost part of both her back legs because the umbilical cord from her and her sister had wrapped around her legs, cutting off the blood supply. Once freed from this, all she had left of her back legs stopped just below the knee. The bones were sticking out slightly but it was clean and not infected. And she didn't know or care.
She was very tiny and needed to be bottle fed. One of our health care team members took her home and did all she could, but as is the case with many even "normal" very young kittens, she faded and passed away. It is possible she was becoming septic despite antibiotics. Still, I think she also had a chance of making it. Cat and kitties do that.
Here's a story with a happier ending (at least thus far!):
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/2012/04/kitten-gets-new-legs-and-lease-on-life/
We had a kitten come a few weeks ago, that had lost part of both her back legs because the umbilical cord from her and her sister had wrapped around her legs, cutting off the blood supply. Once freed from this, all she had left of her back legs stopped just below the knee. The bones were sticking out slightly but it was clean and not infected. And she didn't know or care.
She was very tiny and needed to be bottle fed. One of our health care team members took her home and did all she could, but as is the case with many even "normal" very young kittens, she faded and passed away. It is possible she was becoming septic despite antibiotics. Still, I think she also had a chance of making it. Cat and kitties do that.
Here's a story with a happier ending (at least thus far!):
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/lifestyle/2012/04/kitten-gets-new-legs-and-lease-on-life/
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