Happy 4th of Scare My Pet to Death

            Happy 4th of Scare My Pet to Death

    Well, it is almost here. One of the most dreaded holidays for pet parents everywhere. The 4th of July is upon us my friends! And no, we can't stop the festivities even if we really wanted to...but it is still essential to remember that the sounds that come with this fun holiday can also scare the bejezus out of our animals. That being said, here is a nice, user friendly, 

"How to keep your pet safe on the 4th of July"

 blog just for you!!

    The super sassy, super smart poodle we had when I lived at home didn't mind the fireworks in the least! Why?! How is that possible? I have no idea. But trust me, she just didn't care. Then, when we brought out first pooch home (The amazing Presley) he didn't really seem to mind the fireworks either. **Sigh of relief** But as we began adding more furry friends to our family we quickly learned that the FEAR IS REAL.

I am talking panting, screaming, shaking, hiding, pacing...you name it. And instantly our hearts break because while our friends, neighbors, and community are celebrating our freedom and enjoying themselves, our poor animals are living in absolute TERROR.

**Pardon the 'WTF' implication but lets be serious here...we know this look all too well**

So what am I supposed to do then? 

Well, the 4th of July is one of the most dangerous holidays for pets for obvious reasons. 

 Shelters are completely overwhelmed on July 5th..like they already don't have enough on their shoulders as it is! Don't let you animal become a statistic! It is your only life duty  your responsibility  to keep them safe after all!

TIPS TO KEEP EM' SAFE!

Here is some more info on that thanks to the good people at petfinder.com  

 

 

 

There you have it.  Do everything in your power to make sure those furry friends are safe this holiday! The best option is really to just keep your animal indoors. This pretty much ensures that they won't use their FLIGHT mode and run. I have a runner and know exactly how the world is going to end and I'll never be able to live if I don't find my dog terrifying that can be. 

A Little Extra

Some other things that I have found helpful for little scaredy dogs:

 .

  

              

 While I don't have one of these...I have SEVERAL friends that do and love them.

.

                          

Being Young Living obsessed   fan, I diffuse lavender in my home or even make a calming cream for my animals that is not only SAFE for them but also helps to ease the shaking, panting, pacing, flight mode that they often suffer through during storms and/or fireworks.

.

I always stay home with my animals as much as I possibly can. Unfortunately, the firework celebrations often last more than just the actual July 4th...but I arrange my schedule so that I can be at home with them.

Happy 4th of July!

Safety, tail wags, and meows,

WPEL

All Natural Part 2: Because I Want the Best for Them

All Natural Part 2: 

Because I want the best for them

   The All Natural Part 1 blog covered the benefits and uses for the amazing coconut oil! It is still one of my very favorite things in the world..and in fact, my dogs had some sprinkled onto their food this morning and LOVED it! I try to do this at least a few times a week..and it even serves as a special little treat for them. All natural, organic, no chemicals, you can't really ask for more than that! Feel free to go back and view that blog if you'd like! All Natrual Part 1 - Blog

 For years I have been trying to help animals..from rescue, to going vegetarian, to trying to rid my home of products that get tested on animals. I'll be honest, this has been no easy task! A couple of years ago I also noticed a change in one of my dogs that scared the bejeezus out of me and made me really think about the chemicals I was using every day in my home. 

Now, I am not here to bash products sold in stores but I am here to tell my personal story. I have dogs...so of course I am completely aware and concerned with how my home smells. 

 

Even the best house keepers can have issues when they have so many pooches. So, I did what anyone else would do..I bought an automatic air freshener that sprayed my house on a timer. Great and convenient right? Well it seemed that way! Right up to the moment that one of my dogs had a seizure. What?! I know...

So of course I panic and rush him to the vet

 ...he had never shown any signs of seizures or epilepsy before and we had, had him for two years at this point. His blood work came back totally normal and the veterinarian told me to carefully think about any changes that may have occurred; different flea/heartworm meds, change in routine, change in shampoo...and then it hit me; the air freshener. Needless to say, that was the only thing that I could think of that could possibly be different..and so I turned it off and put it away. Episode over.

Well, several months later we bought a house and were super excited to get moved in. The former tenants had already moved out of state and we were anxious to have people over..and I did the unthinkable..company was coming and I wanted to make sure the place smelled nice..so I put up the air freshener thinking that maybe I had been wrong before....

Nope...he started acting weird all over again.

This time I didn't rethink or hesitate..I took that thing down and haven't touched it since. 

So what does this mean? Well it really had me reevaluate my thinking.  If the chemicals in an air freshener can be harmful to your pet..imagine what the chemicals in your mopping solution, cleaning products, and even pet products could do. 

Here were my thoughts:

1. I have two dogs that constantly lick their paws..which means not only are the mopping chemicals soaking through the pads of their paws (which are incredibly sensitive) but they are getting all of those chemicals in their mouth also. Even if you wait and let the floor dry before they walk on it..if their paws get wet it can reopen those chemicals. 

   Read more about caring for your pups paws here: ASPCA - Dog Paws

.

2. I have just cleaned off the kitchen counter tops using a typical cleaner with lots of chemicals that kill germs. A piece of stray food accidentally falls of the counter and one of my dogs eats it before I can get to them. Eek. I would panic..this is a genuine fear that I have! 

3. I put my dogs flea/heartworm pill into peanut butter. One of my dogs goes bananas over the PB and accidentally gets two doses of her monthly medication. Yes, this did in fact happen because of my negligence. I panic, call the vet, who informs me that it is fine..they test the meds on animals and give them 4-5 at a time before putting them on the market. Um..what!?!

 In addition..I have a foster dog that is having seizures...a lot..6 or more a week. After much research and vet visits we find that her flea medication warns against giving to dogs with epilepsy...now we are still trying to determine if the medication was the one causing the seizures in the first place. Now, I am sorry but this freaked me out big time!

4.I have foster dogs. I have my own dogs that are anxiety ridden when it comes to storms & loud noises to the point that he becomes overheated and pants, shakes. Terrified he may have heart attack. 

 

5. Have you ever tried to find products that DO NOT test on animals?? I'll just leave you with that thought.

Okay, so I know what you are thinking! Wow, this lady worries too much. And maybe that is true. However, I am just trying to 1) do the very best for my animals, 2) leave the smallest environmental foot print that I can, and 3) do what is best for my family.

So, then I see someone that I know really, really well..and have for years, start posting about these all natural, organic, oils that have helped her family. Of course I am intrigued but I don't buy into that kind of thing so I ignore it...until I see her post again about a different oil and how it has helped her child...again, I am intrigued but come on..really?? Then she posts about how these oils can be used to make an all natural flea spray..how a couple of the oils can be used to calm children to sleep or animals during storms..and that was all it took for me. I sent her a message asking LOTS of questions.

 

They sale oils in the whole foods stores and Walmart..why not try those for myself? So I did, and guess what!? They didn't work. Not only did they not work but there were so many CAUTION and safety warnings on there that I knew I had made the wrong choice.

A month later..yes it took me an entire month of question asking and I ordered ONE oil from this 'organic' company haha. This poor lady! I used it on MYSELF and continued my research. A couple of weeks later I ordered the set of oils that also came with a diffuser for my home and I couldn't be happier! 

Okay, there is a TON of information that I could give you about these oils. But I'll spare you the info on how they have helped with the stuffiness and headaches that allergy season brings, how they have helped to comfort my digestive issues, and how wonderful the creams are that I can make from body butter to pain cream...

What I will do is tell you about how I have used them for my dogs! and other dogs!

1. Lavender in the diffuser has worked amazing wonders for my anxiety ridden Zander. WONDERS! He is calm and collective now even with the thunder rolling! As soon as that lavender fills the room he curls up and usually sleeps right through the storm. I have also made calming creams with lavender and coconut oil!

2. My house smells great and I haven't used a single candle or air freshener since I got my diffuser. A couple of drops of purification and lemon and it smells fresh and clean. Some days I'll add some stress away or lavender to relax, or some citrus fresh for a nice summer smell. AND my dogs have had no reactions to it. They can move from room to room easily and I have seen no signs of discomfort. ***Do NOT diffuse Tea Tree Oil around cats** 

PLEASE READ THIS BLOG TO FIND OUT MORE AWESOME INFO ABOUT ESSENTIAL OILS AND PETS...Young Living Essential Oils - Pets - A Quick How To

A few more things...

 From anxiety, to injuries, to arthritis, to flea/ticks, to even shampoo! They even have an entire Animal Scents Line! YL gives you an alternative to using harmful, chemical products on your precious animals. It is my hope to eliminate medications for them (EXCEPT heart worm) and use the oils for fleas, ticks, and more! I know I sound like a crazy advertisement at this point but I can't help my excitement. Finally I have found a company that is safe for me and my family...AND they DO NOT test on animals! Win, win, win! 

Now, I know you are probably a bit overwhelmed at this point..I get it..been there. But I did the research, and I took the plunge and I am grateful for the benefits of these oils.

 **I do not claim that they cure anything, this is simply my experience with them that I am sharing**

How do I find out more?? 

I encourage you to email us woofpacked@gmail.com

Message us via facebook: WPEL Facebook 

 

 

Also take the time to view the following websites on more YL information:

Young Living Oils 

YL Seed to Seal 

YL Blog 

 

Is this a sales pitch?

I decided (Christina) not WPEL, to become a YL distributor ONLY because I want people to feel comfortable ordering from someone they know and trust. But at the end of the day I am spreading this message because I want pet parents everywhere to be aware of the organic, no chemical products that YL provides. Should you use these in place of a vet visit? No, of course not! Should you stop using your pets flea/heart worm medications? No, of course not! Should you research and do your homework to find products that are non harming for you, your family, and your pets?? Yes! Most definitely. 

How do I order? What does this stuff cost?

You will be surprised at how easy this part is. I was hesitant at first, but when I started doing the calculations and determining how long the oils last..I really got an incredible deal for the price. So if you are interested in these details please contact me, I would be glad to answer all of your questions. 

Meows & Woofs,

WPEL 

 

For more information on this blog, other blogs, or to suggest blog ideas please CONTACT US!

Email: woofpacked@gmail.com

WPEL Facebook Page

  

WPEL : An Introduction

WPEL: An Introduction

      

How did WPEL get started?

So, we have been at this educational league thing for a few months now...have posted a few dogs, worked with some partnering rescues, and even helped a few dogs...but we failed to properly introduce ourselves. We failed to tell you OUR story and how WPEL came about in the first place and to explain the heart of what we do. Of course we have our mission statement on our website: Woof Pack Educational League Website, and a few words on our WPEL Facebook but thought maybe we needed more...so here  ya go!

    Our founders/volunteers/fosters/members (which currently only consists of 2!) are rescuers will many years of experience under their belt; from having their own animals to helping animal shelters, to helping rescues, we had been a part of the "animal world" for quite some time. And just like many rescue volunteers and fosters we found ourselves burdened by the undeniable fact that overpopulation is a SERIOUS, SERIOUS issue in our area. Thus...the hamster wheel....

Well we were hustlin' all right! Networking all hours of the day/night, sharing, cross-posting, praying for answers, speaking with rescues, running to shelters, running to the vets office, taking in fosters, going to adoption events, setting up crates, cleaning kennels, arranging transports, caring for our own animals, crying, crying, and crying. 

we LOVED it! 

Saving animals is just what we do, it is a part of who we are and we loved working in rescue, still do! But we found ourselves saying a lot of the same;

         *Ah! What is wrong with people?!

         *Why don't people get their pets spayed/neutered???

         *Why don't people take responsibility and care for their dogs like they are supposed to?

         *Why? Why? Why?

And then one of us got a phone call that really hit home.

This is not to make anyone feel bad, to call anyone out..but this was a game changer on how we saw things. The person calling was interested in adopting an animal..they had never owned a pet before and had decided that it was something they really wanted. Awesome, there are lots of pups/cats out there in need of a home! But at the same time, said person didn't know that animals needed yearly vaccinations (to be in compliance with KY law as well for the well being of said animal) they didn't understand that food quality, water quality, and adequate shelter was an absolute must to provide a stable environment for an animal, they didn't even know what spay/neuter meant. This is not an exaggeration...this is simply the truth.

Then it hit us....

Sure some people know and just don't care enough to make things better. But then there are some that TRULY, HONESTLY, just don't know...just don't understand. Thus, we decided then and there that it was crucial to the animals of this area to educate citizens of proper pet care, the importance of spaying/neutering, the overwhelming reality of the overpopulation problem, and more. We were already rescuing and loving it..but we wanted to do more...with a little time & thought Woof Pack Educational League was created.

What does WPEL do??

Glad you asked! We are here for several reasons..but our main focus is education and letting people know that there are cheaper ways to keep your pet safe, healthy, and up to date! So here is a quick list of some of the things we do/offer!

1. Educational classes about routine pet care, spay/neuter (and the overpopulation problem), bully breeds, choosing adoption, saying no to puppy mills, and more. (WE WOULD LOVE TO SPEAK A CLASS FOR YOU AT ANY TIME! JUST CONTACT US!)

2. We work with other rescues and our partner rescues to help dogs/cats that we are contacted about that may be in need...from medical issues, to strays...we get lots of calls. And though we ARE NOT a rescue, we do want to help animals in any way we can! We will not just turn someone away..we will do our best to attempt to give them reasonable alternatives if we can't help directly. After all, rescue requires TEAMWORK..we all must work together for the good of the animals! ***and no worries! We make sure (ourselves) that any and all rescues we work with, transport for, or recommend is a reputable rescue!***

3. Offer information for low cost vaccination clinics as well as spay/neuter clinics as they become available in our area.

4. We have in some cases helped with animals when we were able to. We have helped to reunite lost dogs with owners and helped strays on the street. We usually fund the vetting ourselves or through donations when possible. We are in hopes to do a little fundraising so that we are able to set money aside to help those like this in need in the future.

Again, we are not a rescue but do everything we can to help when there is an animal in need. We also work to support and promote reputable rescues, shelters, and organizations that work for the good of the animals. 


WPEL just like many others, need volunteers & fosters to help us continue our mission. Please visit our website, facebook, and contact us if you are interested in helping in any way! We look forward to speaking with you!!

woofpacked@gmail.com 

HW - The Wormy Truth About Heartworm

The Wormy Truth About Heartworm 

     I will be honest from the start...when I first got my very own dog and the vet suggested that it was time to think about what I would like to use for flea and heartworm prevention, I looked at him confused. What on Earth was a heartworm? We had, had dogs my entire life and I knew that they received their flea medicine but I had never heard of the term "heartworm" before. Needless to say, I also made a quick call to my parents after my vet explained the term to me. (No worries! All of my pups growing up got their monthly heartworm preventative also..it seems as though I was the only who didn't know what heartworms were.)  .....Then I started in rescue and it became inevitably clear that I was not the only person that didn't know what a heartworm was. 

 As a matter of fact, it seemed as though many of the dogs that came into rescue tested heartworm positive. I was shocked, and I am sure that many readers will feel the same. Truth of the matter is, people in this area (and many areas) simply do not know about these types of things or their importance because they've never really been given the information. Here I was, a BIG dog lover, rescuing my first pup, and then realizing that I really didn't have a clue as to what I was actually doing...and that's totally okay! Luckily, there are others out there that do know (thankfully I am one of those now) and WANT to help you understand these things too! 

What is heartworm?

This seems like a great starting point. First of all, what is heartworm? Glad you asked!!

 **Pets Avenue Vet Clinic - Singapore**

Heartworm is a disease that is carried and transmitted by mosquitoes. (EEK!) They bite your pet and BAM there it is. Heartworm can cause a lot of health issues and can even be fatal for your pet. Here is a nice diagram showing how the heartworm life cycle is carried out in your dog(s)...

 Sounds pretty awful huh? Well it definitely is...and our area, Kentucky, is known for dogs that are tested positive for heartworm. EVEN if your dog is an INSIDE dog...it still NEEDS to be protected from heartworm! Here's more information:

 I hope you caught that---heartworms can be PREVENTED!

But before we get to that..I want to share something else also....

     

Yep, that's right..though cats are not as prone to getting heartworm as dogs, they can still get it! 

 

  Double EEK!

Let's Review

So...lets see what we have established so far...

1. heartworms are a disease that are carried and spread by mosquitos

2. Both dogs and cats can get heartworm

3. Kentucky animals are definitely at risk for HW

4. Heartworm can make your pet very sick and even be fatal 

5. There are ways to prevent your pet from getting HW

 

What can I do to prevent this??

Okay..so lets move on to the good part..prevention, prevention, prevention! It is likely that you already give your cat/dog a pill or topical solution each month to help prevent fleas. Well, preventing heartworm is also that easy!

You pretty much have 2 options!

#1 - buy a heartworm pill each month to go along with your already established flea prevention.

#2 - buy a HW/flea combo so that you're only giving your pet one medication monthly.

 Here is an EXAMPLE of different medications that are out there. (WPEL is  NOT suggesting, promoting, or advertising for these companies)

 (Again, WPEL is not suggesting, promotoing, or advertising for these companies)

How do I start my animals on HW prevention? 

 In order to start your dog/cat on heartworm prevention you MUST speak with your veterinarian. The first thing your vet will do is perform a heartworm test on your animal. This is done with a blood sample and really isn't expensive at all. He/she will be able to give you the results of the test within minutes.

If your animal is heartworm negative then your veterinarian will be able to help you decide on the best medication for them. If your pet is heartworm positive then another process must be followed.

What if my animal is heartworm positive?

In most instances heartworm is treatable..depending on the stage (how long your pet has been carrying it). Heartworm treatment can be costly depending on the severity. Your vet will be able to go over all treatment options with you. Just because the test comes back positive doesn't mean it is all over. There are many, many animals who get treatment by simply taking a pill every month for a specific amount of time and then retesting is done. Don't give up on your pet...this is a treatable disease!

 Sadly, many people are either unaware of the importance of heartworm prevention or are unmotivated to make sure their animals receive the prevention they need. It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY as a pet owner to ensure that your animal receives the care that they need...this prevention is very, very necessary and isn't expensive. Don't let your pet become a statistic! 

 

To learn more about heartworm, prevention, statistics and more please visit the following website:

Heartworm Society - Heartworm Basics 

If you have any questions about Heartworms, preventatives, treatments, or about WPEL please contact us at woofpacked@gmail.com or on our WPEL Facebook page! We look forward to hearing from you!

                                                                       Fur & Belly Rubs,

                                                                                        WPEL