Summer 2004 - San Francisco Samoyed Rescue

SAN FRANCISCO SAMOYED RESCUE
Volume 7, Issue 2
Serving Northern California for Over 25 Years
Summer 2004
Summertime Pet Care
Here are some tips for dealing with common summertime problems like fireworks, heat, travel, etc.
Fireworks
The week following the Fourth of July is always the busiest week for stray dogs at the animal shelters. Normally calm dogs who
would never think of trying to escape from a backyard can suddenly panic when faced with exploding fireworks. Dogs have been
known to chew through tie-ups, jump through screen windows, chew through wooden fences, and break chain collars in their attempts
to escape the sounds of fireworks. Even if your dog does not seem frightened by loud noises, it is not safe to assume he or she will be
just fine come July 4th. You never know who might set off a cherry bomb or an M-80 close enough to your house to frighten your dog.
If you plan to be away from home on the 4th of July, or the day before or day after, it would be best to keep your dog securely locked
in your house. Leave windows cracked a few inches if you like, but don’t leave them open enough that a dog could push out a screen
and escape. (Although closing windows completely would better block the noise.) If your dog is crate trained, securing her in her crate
in a cool location as far away from the noise as possible might help. You can also try putting on some other sounds to help drown out
the explosions—talk radio or TV, gentle instrumental music, etc. You might even want to hire a pet sitter for the evening. But the
sitter should not take the dog out of the house. And we definitely do not recommend bringing your dog to watch the pretty fireworks!
There are also herbal supplements you can give a dog that are supposed to help calm him. These are available from your vet, on the
internet, and at pet stores. Or your vet might be able to recommend a prescription medication for extreme cases.
Make sure your dog has identification on! If you’ve been thinking about getting your dog microchipped, now would be a good time.
At minimum, have a collar on your dog, with an ID tag giving your contact information. Do NOT leave your dog alone with a choke
chain on. In their panic, dogs can hook themselves by the collar and choke to death.
If your dog should escape, notify all public and private animal shelters within at least a 10-mile radius as soon as possible. Print up
flyers with your dog’s photo, a friendly description, and your contact information. Distribute these to the shelters, to neighbors, at
local areas where people congregate (parks, shopping centers, community centers, etc.). If your dog
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Meet Nina!
Name: Nina
Breed: Samoyed
Age: 1 year +/Kids: Good
Sex: Female
Size: Approx. 50 lbs.
Other Dogs: Good
Cats: Chases, but doesn’t hurt them
Nina came to SFSR from a Modesto-area shelter. She’s young and
energetic, playful and full of life. She is very affectionate and wants
to please, but still maintains a mind of her own.
Nina’s overall health is good. However, her teeth are very worn and
some are missing. As you can see in her photo, her tongue hangs out
the side of her mouth because of this—very cute and endearing! The
vet believes that either Nina, when a puppy, or her mother, when
pregnant, was given antibiotics, which can destroy the enamel on the
teeth in a growing puppy. But otherwise, Nina has received a clean
bi1ll of health from the vet and she’s waiting for a home of her own!
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Sammies Waiting for a Home
For the most up-to-date listing of available dogs, or for information about our rescue or our adoption process,
see our web site at http://www.sfsr.org. Or contact Paul Gamlin at [email protected] or 650-364-4462.
Name: Ginnie
Breed: Sam-Chow mix
Age: 18 months
Kids: Older
Sex: Female
Size: Approx. 40 lbs.
Other Dogs: Good
Cats: No
Ginnie (from “Ginger”, for her gorgeous coat coloring) is a real lovebug with the people she latches onto. However, it takes her a while to
warm up to and trust strangers—which does make her a good guard
dog. This is very much a Chow characteristic, as they were used as
guard dogs in ancient China. Being part Sammy, she can also be
strong-willed and stubborn! Ginnie is very playful and energetic, but
she is overly exuberant and nervous for young children —but she isn’t
hyper. If you’d like a dog to lay with her head in your lap, just enjoying
your attention and giving you kisses, Ginnie is the girl for you!
Name: Sophie
Breed: Samoyed
Age: 2-1/2 yrs
Kids: over 5
Sex: Female
Size: Approx. 50 lbs.
Other Dogs: Good
Cats: Good
Sophie is a loving and energetic young Samoyed female. She loves jogging
and rides in the car. Sophie is good with kids, although she can be a little
overly zealous for small toddlers. She is also fine with other dogs, and it
might be a good fit if she were to find a home with a young canine
playmate. Sophie has a wonderful “happy prance” to her gate. She is ok on
leash and knows basic obedience commands.
Name: Princess
Breed: Samoyed
Age: 5 yrs
Kids: Good
Sex: Female
Size: Approx. 45 lbs.
Other Dogs: Good
Cats: Good
Princess’ mom is very distressed at having to rehome Princess. But
changes in her life require that she find a new home for her furry
friend. Princess is very friendly and affectionate. She has a
congenitally small liver that limits her to a very low protein and low
fat, virtually vegetarian, diet. She would probably do best in a home
without other dogs or cats, whose food she could get into. Princess’
condition is in no way life threatening, but she will have digestive
upset if she goes off her diet. Princess is a quiet Sammy and seldom
barks, but she loves to sing along with Blues music!
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(continued from page 1)
is a rescue, immediately contact the rescue group from which you got the dog to alert them as well. Information about how to search
for a lost dog is available on the internet at sites such as www.petfinder.com, www.dogfind.com, dogdetective.com, among others.
Playing in the Heat
Do you like to jog with your dog? Take long walks in the park? Participate in lots of outdoor activities with your four-legged friend?
Summer heat can kill your dog. Literally. Just as humans can suddenly and unexpectedly succumb to the heat, so can your dog. So
how can you continue to enjoy fun in the sun without risking your dog’s health? Here are some tips:
1) You’ve heard it time and again, yet every year dogs are killed by being left in a car in the summer heat. Even in the shade
with the windows cracked, in mere minutes a car can reach temperatures dangerous for your dog. If you expect to have to
leave your dog in the car for more than a very few minutes, it might be safer for your dog to stay at home.
2) Hydrate your dog before doing any physical exercise. Add tasty flavoring, such as canned gravy or chicken broth, to a bowl
of water and have your drink it before leaving the house. And, of course, bring plenty of water for both you and your dog.
3) Never leave your dog tied outside. As the sun shifts, so can the shade, And dogs can easily wrap the rope or chain around
trees, posts, etc. and choke to death or be unable to reach shade or water.
4) Try to schedule activities for the early morning or in the evening when it’s cooler. Always keep an eye on your dog’s
behavior. If he’s panting heavily, slow down or stop. If she’s slowed down on her own, don’t try to force her to keep going.
5) Be careful about walking your dog on hot, sunny surfaces. On a 100 degree day, surface temperatures can get over 150
degrees, enough to cause second-degree burns on your dogs pads!
How Can I Keep My Sammy Cool at Home?
One of the most important things is to keep your Sammy’s coat brushed
out. Brushing out all the undercoat allows the skin to breathe. It also
allows air to get trapped between the skin and the longer outside guard
hairs. This keeps a layer of cooler air against the body, much as loosefitting clothes will do. It is not recommended to shave your Sammy in the
summer. Their skin is very light-colored and burns easily. As long as you
keep the undercoat brushed out, you can also mist your dog with water
on really hot days. (If the undercoat isn’t brushed out, it can cause mats
to “felt”, much as wool can do. It is almost impossible to brush out felted
fur.) Or you can provide a wading pool with a little water in it. Make sure
you have open-air shade. A dog house can trap heat and make it worse
for your dog. Frozen dog treats from the store, or made at home, can cool
down your friend as well. Ideas for some things to freeze:
• chicken broth in ice cube trays
• Kongs stuffed with peanut butter
• peas
• grapes (not too many—some dogs have a
Join SFSR or Renew
Your Membership!
Applications are available on our web site
at www.sfsr.org. Click on Forms and scroll
down to Membership Application.
Or you can request an application by
emailing [email protected] or calling
Beverley at 408-993-0877.
Memberships are annual and
renew each December.
$20.00 individual/$30.00 family
toxic reaction to grapes and raisins)
What Should I Do if My Dog Overheats?
Signs of heatstroke: heavy and rapid panting, lethargy, difficulty maintaining balance (dizzy), excessive drooling; possibly vomiting
and uncontrolled urination or defecation in more severe cases. If the dog’s mouth is dry and there is no drool, the dog is in
IMMINENT DANGER—cool the dog down and get to a vet immediately!!
Ways to cool down the body temperature if your dog is overheated:
• get out of the sun
• try to get the dog to drink a little water or an electrolyte beverage (Gatorade, Pedialyte, etc.)
• put wet towels on or hose down the dog
• rub the pads with rubbing alcohol
• put an ice pack wrapped in a thin towel on the groin area
For more information, you can search the internet or get books at your local library or bookstore. Some sites I found useful:
http://www.pettravel.com
http://www.akc.org/life/health/summer_safety.cfm
http://www.hsus.org/ace/21072
http://www.parrett.net/animalaid/summer.html
http://www.petplanet.co.uk/petplanet/health/dog_summer_safety.htm
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Adopted Dogs!
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Upcoming Events
All Sammies (and Sammy Wannabe’s) and Your Human Families Are Invited!
v San Francisco Samoyed Rescue Annual Picnic
Sunday, July 18
10:00 am until everyone leaves (usually about 3-4 pm)
Oracle Park in Redwood Shores
From Hwy 101, take the Ralston Ave/Marine World Parkway exit.
Go east.
Turn left on Oracle Parkway (1st stop light east of Hwy 101).
The park is to the left. Look for the Samoyed Rescue sign.
Limited parking is available at the park. Restrooms are also available.
Directions and map are posted on the web at http://www.sfsr.org/oracle.html
SFSR will supply hamburgers, hot dogs, rolls, condiments and non-alcoholic drinks.
Additional food contributions are welcomed, but not required. BYOB.
Join us for a fun day of socializing with other Sammies and the people they own!
Last year we had 45 dogs in attendance!
This year, in addition to the dog carting activities, we’re also hoping to have a dog agility
demonstration and the opportunity to try your Sammy on some agility equipment.
We’ll also be doing the awards again this year for some of our Sammies and Sammy
wannabe dogs (Most Obedient, Most Obnoxious Bark, Oldest Adopted Rescue, etc.)
What to bring: camera, jacket, sunscreen, hat, water bowl, pick-up bags, ex-pens, leash,
Although the park is dog-friendly, rules require that all dogs must be on a leash or in a pen.
PLEASE:
RSVP to Paul Gamlin at [email protected] or 650-364-4462,
so we can plan for food accordingly. Thanks!
Looking for a gift idea for the dog lover who has everything?
How about donating to SFSR in that person’s name?
Tired of receiving gifts you don’t know what to do with?
How about asking your friends and family to donate to SFSR in your name?
Thinking of getting a new car and don’t want to hassle with selling your old one?
How about donating it to SFSR? We’ll soon be accepting tax-deductible auto donations!
Need a tax write-off for the year?
How about making a tax-deductible donation to SFSR of cash or items from our Wish List?
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Rescue
Highlight:
Some of you may remember Taavi (formerly Cleo). She came into
SFSR two years ago from a local San Jose shelter. She was picked
up as a stray and was quite a mess, which made her unadoptable
from a shelter. She had a terrible skin infection with oozing sores.
Much of her fur was gone and what she had left was thin and
patchy. She had to be shaved and her foster dad, Dennis, had to
give her medicated baths several times a week. But Taavi recovered
quickly and was soon placed in a wonderful new home. Taavi’s new
family wrote us recently and sent a photo:
“I took this picture tonight and as I was sending it to my
parents and sister, I realized that SFSR hasn't seen a recent
picture of Taavi for quite a while! So here she is. Our
Princess on her throne. She's a happy, happy girl. She
views her primary job to be that of babysitter - she's
always with the kids. If they're being "rowdy", she tries to
get between them. If they're playing nicely together, she's
laying somewhere in the room.
Taavi
We still call her our "gift". Thank you!”
If you would like your SFSR rescue dog highlighted in The Bridge, send an email to Beverley
at [email protected]. Or you can call me at 408-993-0877. We will need a photo (digital or
paper) and a write-up about anything you want to tell us about how your fuzzy friend is doing.
Planning to do some summer planting? Are you sure the plants on your property are safe for your
animals? Here’s some information on dangerous plants from the UC Davis web site
http://wellness.ucdavis.edu/safety_info/poison_prevention/poison_book/know_your_plants.html.
What plants are dangerous?
The following is a list of plants that can be highly toxic:
Angel's trumpet (Brugmansia arborea)
Azalea (Rhododendron)
Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia)
Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
Carolina jasmine (Gelsemium)
Castor bean (Ricinus communis)
Christmas rose (Helleborus niger)
Common nightshade (Solanum nigrum)
Daphne
Deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna)
Delphinium
Gopher plant (Euphorbia lathyrus)
Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
Heliotrope (Heliotropium arborescens)
Jimson weed (Datura stramonium)
Lantana (Lantana camara)
Larkspur (Delphinium)
Lily-of-the-valley (Convallaria majalis)
Mistletoe
Mushrooms
Nicotiana
Oleander
Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum)
Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana)
Rosary bean (Abrus precatorius)
Stinking nightshade (Hyoscyamus niger)
Water hemlock (Cicuta maculata)
Wisteria
For a more complete plant list, contact the Poison Center Health Education line at (800) 582-3387. A
web search will locate other sources of information, including the following:
http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=apcc_nontoxicplants
http://health.ucsd.edu/poison/plants.asp
http://www.ansci.cornell.edu/plants/
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Donations to SFSR Are Tax-Deductible!
All of SFSR’s funding comes from donations from members and friends of our rescue group, from fundraising activities, and from
adoption fees. Please help us to continue saving Samoyeds. Any donation is greatly appreciated.
Enclosed is my donation check, made payable to SFSR in the amount of:
c $10.00
c $25.00
c $50.00
c $100.00
c Other __________
Name ___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Address _________________________________________________________________________________________________
City, State___________________________________________________________________ Zip Code_____________________
(Optional): Email _______________________________________________ Phone ____________________________________
This donation is made in memory of (person or pet)
________________________________________________________________________________________________
This donation is made in honor of (person or pet)
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Donations to SFSR are tax-deductible.
SFSR is an all-volunteer 501(c)3 nonprofit. At least 75% of donated funds are directly used for care, treatment, and upkeep of
rescued dogs. The remaining amount covers operating expenses, including printing and mailing of the quarterly newsletter, dog
transport, office supplies, literature printing, purchase of fundraising merchandise, web site costs, etc.
Give to the Future
Remember SFSR in your will—
Bequests can be made in cash, real
estate, securities, or personal property.
Remember SFSR in your Insurance
Policy—By naming SFSR as a
beneficiary of your life insurance
policy, you might qualify for an
income tax deduction now! Check
with your tax advisor for specific
rules and requirements.
Wish List
Laptop—PC or Mac
Foster homes
Dreamweaver software
Printing for newsletter
Foster Homes
Heartgard heartworm medication
Training sessions with rescued dogs & Foster homes
San Francisco Samoyed Rescue Newsletter
Who to Contact
For general email correspondence or questions
about dogs, contact [email protected].
If you would like to contact a specific person:
Paul Gamlin, Rescue Coordinator
[email protected]
650-364-4462
Beverley Andalora, President
[email protected]
408-993-0877
Ron Allen, Webmaster
[email protected]
Jeanne Foreman, Treasurer
[email protected]
Cari Baldwin, Membership Coordinator
[email protected]
Erica Veach, Fundraising
[email protected]
Lisa Paningsoro, Foster Home Coordinator
[email protected]
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SFSR ADOPTION INFO:
For information about dogs for adoption, or dogs you think
need SFSR’s assistance, contact our Rescue Coordinator, Paul
Gamlin. He can be reached at [email protected] or by calling
650-364-4462.
SFSR BRIDGE UPDATE:
Mailing Address:
San Francisco Samoyed Rescue, Inc.
P.O. Box 6852
San Carlos, California 94070
Electronic Mail: [email protected]
Telephone Number: (415) 451-7175
URL: http://www.sfsr.org
If you’d like to receive The Bridge via email, please send a
note with your email address to [email protected]. Indicate
whether you want to receive it in addition to or in place of
receiving one through the mail.
Please share your rescue stories with the rest of the organization.
To highlight your rescue success in The Bridge, please send your
story, with a picture of your Samoyed, to:
[email protected]
or
San Francisco Samoyed Rescue
Newsletter Editor
P.O. Box 6852
San Carlos, California 94070
Comments and suggestions about how we can improve the
newsletter are always welcome.
San Francisco Samoyed Rescue, Inc.
P.O. Box 6852
San Carlos, California 94070
More dogs are lost
on July 4th than on any
other day of the year.
Please—keep your dogs inside
during festivities and guard
them closely whenever
firecrackers and
fireworks are set off.
Annual SFSR picnic on July 18! Details inside.
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