Heart of Texas Lab Rescue News Flash

A Boy & His Dog

2011-12-15T09:37:00.007-06:00

A few months ago, I took over the role of donor relations for Heart of Texas Lab Rescue. This means that I get to collect the data from the donations we receive and have the opportunity to send letters to our donors thanking them for their gifts.

After a few months, you become familiar with the names of regular donors. Our donations allow you to sponsor a current HOTLR rescue pup, or honor a person or pup special to you. We also get many donations in memory of pups and/or people who have passed.

While each of the specially designated donations make me wonder and think about the people or pups who are recognized, none has fascinated me more than a monthly donation in honor and memory of Army Corporal Kory Wiens and Military K9 Cooper.

As, I watched the news this morning, the biggest story of the day was that after nearly 9 years, the war with Iraq is over. I watched as the American flag was lowered in Baghdad during the closing ceremonies. I watched as the last of the American troops boarded the plane for home. I watched as the statistics of the nine year war were posted - 4,487 dead, over 32,000 wounded, $8 billion spent.

It got me thinking again about Kory and Cooper. So, I googled Kory Wiens, and I found his story. And I read it. And I saw a picture of him with his yellow Lab. He was stationed in Iraq. On July 6, 2007, he was 20 when an IED killed him and his dog Cooper. His plans were to stay in the army just long enough that when Cooper's bomb-sniffing days were over, he could adopt her. They were buried together. Then my eyes filled with tears and I wept. I was grateful that this boy and his dog gave their lives for this country. I was grateful that someone in Austin, TX has not forgotten them and honors them every single month with a donation to HOTLR.

Today, I made a donation to HOTLR in honor of A rmy Corporal Kory Wiens and Military K9 Cooper. Kory and Cooper, I thank you and salute you. May you both rest in peace together forever.

During the hubbub of the holiday season, please remember to embrace those you love. Each day, remember to appreciate the love and Labs in your life. Be grateful for freedom and a safe place to live. Keep in your memories, those that have given their lives to keep these things safe for us. Remember Kory & Cooper.

Happy Holidays to you all from the folks at Heart of Texas Lab Rescue!! We could not save as many Labs as we do without the time, support and dollars from our volunteers, supporters and donors. A heartfelt "thank you" to each and every one of you.

To Give or Not to Give......That is the Question.

2011-12-05T16:57:00.009-06:00

Many times during the gift giving season, dogs and cats are given to people as presents. Make sure the look of surprise on the face of your gift recipient is one of true pleasure and not horror. This can be a wonderful gift for the right person, but a terrible idea for someone else. Why wouldn't a pet be a perfect gift choice? Check out the reasons below to decide if your gift idea is really a good decision.

Consider that 5 million to 7 million cats and dogs enter into humane societies and shelters every year in the US. Of these, 60% are euthanized. Is the person you want to give a pet to really ready for the responsibility of pet ownership?

Anyone adopting a pet should first answer the questions below. If you are gifting a pet to someone, you must be able to answer these questions for them. Can you?

1) Is the person emotionally ready for the responsibility of a pet. Pets need a lot of care - every day for up to 15 - 17 years. Is the person you are considering giving a pet to ready to make sure that their new pet is fed and cared for every day for this period of time? Goes to the veterinarian for regular health checks? What about unexpected vet visits? Is the pet recipient ready to drop everything to rush to the emergency clinic on a Saturday night at midnight if necessary?

2) Along with the emotional responsibility of a pet, comes the financial obligation. Let's face it, caring for a pet can be expensive. There is of course the initial expense of pet ownership.....food, a bed, a kennel, a fenced yard or (safe place to stay when left alone), a health check, collar/leash/identification, spay/neutering of an intact dog, vaccinations. What about puppy behavior classes or adult dog training classes?

Then the ongoing costs. Annual vet visits, medications like heartworm preventative and flea and tick prevention, an emergency vet fund for unexpected illnesses or injuries. Consider that an ACL tear (a torn ligament in the knee), a common injury in young active dogs, can range from $1200 to $3000 to repair. If the dog has a complete tear of the ligament, the dog will be unable to bear weight on the leg and will be lame. Probably not an injury he/she should live with for the long term. Can the person you are considering afford the expense of a pet?

3) Time commitment. How much time does it take to care for an animal? It is recommended that a dog get at least an hour of exercise every day. How long will the dog be left alone during the day? Will there be sufficient opportunities for bathroom breaks? The days of happy hour after leaving the office are over once you bring a dog into your home. Animals left alone for hours on end can become destructive due to boredom, both to the home and the yard. Is your person ready to commit the time to a positive relationship with their pet?

What about vacation and travel? Where will the dog or cat go when people leave town? Pet-sitters, boarding facilities, family or friends that can "baby-sit". All of this must be taken into consideration when getting a pet.

4) Finally, do you want to rob somebody of choosing the perfect pet for themselves. HOTLR meet 'n greets are set up so that the whole family is required to be present. The look of joy when the right dog finds the right family is priceless. This is the best way we can insure that both the family and the animal is truly committed to each other. Can you really choose a forever companion for your friend or family member? It's kinda like choosing a spouse for them, don't you think? You wouldn't do that would you?

We think the best gift you can give this Christmas, is the opportunity for the pet lover in your life to choose their own pet. So, how about buying a dog bowl and wrapping it up as a gift for your friend? Create a little certificate or note in there to tell them you'd like to help them find a furry soul mate. Then let your friend or family member take it from there....

This week's blog is not meant to bring you down, or shoot a hole through a beautiful idea. It's just meant to give you some points to ponder. We know that you don't want your gift to be one of the 7 million that could end up in a shelter next year. So, think carefully before gifting a pet for the holidays.

If you know someone interested in adopting a Labrador, please refer them to Heart of Texas Lab Rescue. We have lots of wonderful dogs available and waiting for their forever homes.
Don't forget to join us at Barnes & Noble gift wrapping session. It's great fun and a wonderful way to spread the word about HOTLR. Sign up now!!!

Avoid Turkey Day Troubles

2011-11-20T10:05:00.008-06:00

So Thanksgiving is probably my favorite holiday. It's hard for me to say why exactly, but I suspect that it has to do with the quality and quantity of food, friends, family and football. There is nothing I like better than a day at home, yummy smells in the air, a guilt free 12 noon glass of wine, football on the tv, dogs relaxing at my feet, a post dinner nap. What could be better?

And then there is the dreaded day after....no such warm feelings for this day. By now, we all are familiar with the term "Black Friday" to describe the day after Thanksgiving. Stores opening at 12am on the Friday after Thanksgiving, people lined up for hours beforehand. I saw this guy on the news this week, that actually pitched his tent a week early in front of a Best Buy!!! Really???

But it's not only early bird holiday shoppers that think of the day after Thanksgiving as Black Friday. Often, veterinarians think the same thing. This is the day when multitudes of pets that have gotten into the wrong stuff on Turkey Day are presented to the vet for a cure of their holiday hangovers. How do you make sure you aren't one of those who spend their time and money in the vet's office instead of reaping the benefits of holiday sales? Check out these tips below:

1) First and foremost - Leave the people food for the people. Yes, it's tempting on this special day of thanking and feasting to be tempted to reward the pet in your life by adding some tasty tidbits to his food bowl. However, people food can spell disaster for dogs. A nasty bout of hemorrhagic gastroenteritis can put an end to your holiday fun pretty quickly. Dogs experience very painful abdomens and scary bloody diarrhea. Vomiting may also occur. Also, pancreatitis is a very common ailment associated with pets that eat the wrong thing. Dogs can become very sick from the "inflammation of the pancreas". Symptoms include, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and lethargy. Treatment for both is largely supportive only often requiring administration of IV fluids, special diets and hospital stays. This can become quite expensive at a time of year when the last thing you want to spend money on is your sick pet.

Even if your dog does not develop pancreatitis, eating food that your dog is not used to often times ends up in bouts of vomiting and diarrhea at the least. Who wants to spend their precious holiday time off cleaning up those messes? Not to mention that your pet will feel lousy too. Still feel bad? Consider a special treat such as a canned version of his regular kibble. Or add a little pumpkin puree to his regular food (not pumpkin pie filling, but real canned pumpkin).

2) Keep the trash picked up and secured in a safe place. With all the extra folks and garbage generated from a holiday feast, sometimes it's easy to have garbage overflow. There is nothing that a dog likes better than to go through the holiday leftovers from the garbage. Besides the fact that they may get sick from the food they eat, there is also the possibility of them getting into turkey bones. Turkey bones are a big no-no for dogs. As they travel through the digestive process they can splinter and break causing tears all the way from the esophagus to the rectum. Cooked turkey bones are even worse as the cooking process has relieved them of any moisture causing them to become even more brittle. This spells big trouble for your dogs intestines. Tears or perforations of the intestines can be a life-threatening situation. Also, obstructions and blockages can result from ingesting bones requiring your dog to have surgery. To avoid these horrible situations, ensure your garbage is secured away from your dogs sensitive snout and hungry belly.

3) Boarding Blues - many of us travel at Thanksgiving and board our dogs while we are gone. Although most reputable boarding facilities require their boarders to be up to date on vaccines, it's still a wonderful place for your pet to pick up an illness or disease. Even fleas can be a problem in the cleanest boarding facility. To make sure your dog stays safe while you are gone, thoroughly check out the boarding facility where you plan to leave your pup. Make your reservations early so that you aren't scrambling around at the last minute trying to find a place to leave your dog. Make an appointment at your veterinarian two weeks prior to leaving and get your pup up to date on his vaccinations and give him a full health check. Apply a topical flea product, such as Frontline on your dog prior to dropping him off to make sure he is protected from fleas. Or consider alternative solutions. Bring someone into your home to stay with your pet, or make arrangements to take your pet with you. Your doggy will love a good vacation!!

4) Pet ID - if you do travel with your pet, it's also wise to be sure he is up to date on his vaccinations and is healthy to travel. Also, be sure you bring the proper gear to make sure your pet stays safe. A collar, leash and/or harness are a must to guarantee you and your pet won't get separated in a strange place. Also, if you are driving, collapsible crates, a comfy dog bed or blanket and some favorite toys can make a strange place feel just like home. Last, please, please, please microchip your pet and make sure his/her collar has ID tags with current information on them. If your pet does become lost, this is the best way to ensure you will be reunited. Finally, think about hanging around the house for the first 24 hours after your arrival. Let your pup get used to his/her new surroundings before you take off. Take him for a long walk, introduce him to people he'll be spending time with. Also, find out where the best vet is in town in case there is an emergency.

Following these tips will hopefully allow you and your pet to have a stress free holiday. Stay safe and have a great holiday.

During this time of year, we are reminded again of all the HOTLR supporters and donors without whom this organization would not exist. All of us at HOTLR thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your donations, support and volunteer hours. 2011 has been one of our most successful years. Thank you for allowing us to save as many of these wonderful dogs as we can. Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at HOTLR!!!

For more information on Turkey Day safety for your pets, check out these links:

ASPCA Thanksgiving Safety Tips
Petfinder Thanksgiving Pet Care Tips
Guardian Pet Sitters Thanksgiving Pet Care Tips

Need a new friend this holiday season? How about adopting or fostering one of our adorable Labs? Check out who needs a home here: HOTLR Labs Available for Adoption.

Looking for a way to pump up your holiday spirit? Sign up for Gift Wrapping with HOTLR at a participating Barnes & Noble. Dogs, kids, gifts...it's the perfect way to get into the holiday swing of things!!! For more info and to sign up, click here: HOTLR Upcoming Events

Bring Out Your Inner Picasso and Paint Your Pet

2011-11-14T11:26:00.003-06:00

I have always wished that I could draw or paint or sculpt. Once I even tried my hand at clay. I thought I might become a potter. So I signed up with a friend to take an informal class. It was bad....really, bad. In fact, I left midway through the class and my friend had to finish the one and only pot I managed to "throw".

Then there was the time I thought I'd take a drawing class. Another epic fail...I only made it through one or two sessions before I sold my pens and ink.

But something keeps telling me, that if I want to bad enough, I should be able to create. I live amongst this amazing Labrador inspiration all the time. And I have been the very happy recipient of beautiful paintings and drawings of my canine kids from the amazing Sheila Wedegis to use as examples. So, when another friend (oblivious to my earlier artistic failures), invited me to attend a class to paint your pet, I decided to give it another try. Surely, the love I feel for my Labs will flow through my fingers onto the canvas.

Painting with a Twist is located behind the Trudy's on Burnet Road. The cost is $55 for a 3 hour class and you receive all the supplies - canvas, paints, brushes, etc. and step by step instruction on how to paint your very own pet portrait. Once you sign up for the class, you send a picture of your pet via email to an artist at the studio. The best pics are a full front headshot of your pet. Then an artist from the studio sketches your pet's picture on the canvas that you will then paint. When you arrive at class, you receive your canvas with the sketched pic as well as a color copy of the picture you sent in to use as a reference.

I chose the shot above of my beautiful yellow girl Susie. When I arrived and was handed my canvas at the front door. I couldn't wait to start.

The class is taught by an artist and teacher's assistant. They break the process down into four basic steps

1) painting the background,
2) filling in the sketch,
3) highlighting your sketch
4) adding detail.

During your class time, the artist/instructor also teaches you about combining colors, complementary colors, and helpful tips on how to make your painting look its best. The instructor and teacher's assistant also "float" through the classroom offering individual assistance, encouragement and occasionally fixing little "boo-boos".

Did I mention that the "twist" to this fun art class is that snacks and alcoholic beverages are permitted in class. My friend and I sipped a lovely Bogle Zin and munched on carrots, hummus, cheese and crackers while we let our inner artists express themselves.

Finally, at the end of your three hour session, you leave the studio with your painting, a touching and unique rendition of the love of your life. And, if you are not fully satisfied with your finished painting, an "SOS" class held is once a month at no charge. In this session, the artists will work with you to help you "fix" anything you may not like in your portrait. Although, I survived the entire class and was happy with the outcome of my portrait last night. In the light of day with a clear mind, I believe Susie's portrait and I will be attending an SOS session.

Talk about a fun night out with friends, or a cool Christmas present (either the class or the painting), Painting with a Twist is a definite must for any Lab lover!!!! Need inspiration, check out the Labs Available for Adoption at the HOTLR website!!!

Get the Foster Fever

2011-11-02T17:18:00.001-05:00

I would like to dedicate this blog to fostering. It may seem a bit hypocritical to you that I could write a blog on fostering when I'm not even a foster myself. Of course, I was......and I failed. I was a big, fat, hairy "foster failure". Sometimes when I tell people that, I think they think that I must have had really bad foster dogs.....Definitely not the case. In fact, just the opposite. For those of you unfamiliar to foster terminology, a "foster failure" is defined as one whose foster dog becomes adopted by the foster parent and/or family. I was so terrible at fostering, that I failed fostering not once, but twice. With my second foster failure, the dog population in my household outnumbered the human occupants 2 to 1. My husband and I suddenly went from a two Lab family to a four Lab family. Can you imagine how much dog food is required to properly feed four Labradors??? Are you aware that we are responsible for the invention of Dyson "Animal" vacuum cleaner?

But let me tell you something about fostering that I failed to understand from the beginning. As much as I love all my dogs including the ones I adopted, there is something special about fostering. The excitement and thrill that you get each time you get a new foster never fades. Observing the transformation of your foster dog during the time he/she lives with you and knowing that you are directly responsible for that transformation can move you to tears. The feeling you get from this transformation is indescribable. Learning about your foster dog's personality quirks and the special things that make your foster unique is heart-melting to discover and provides invaluable information to perspective adopters about the dog. Knowing that you are the most stable and dependable family your foster dog has or may have ever known is a vital part of our rescues' rehabilitation no matter the medical status. The time a rescue spends with the foster family teaches the dog how to behave in a loving home environment. Yes, it's true. You have to be a strong person to foster. After spending so much time loving a dog, it is hard to watch them go. But here's the cool part....the pain that you feel after losing your foster instantly fades as soon as a new one walks through your front door.

We would love to have all our dogs in foster homes, so they could learn how to be polite family members. This ensures that they become permanent members of their forever family once they are adopted. HOTLR foster dogs often do adopt more quickly then the HOTLR dogs that live at the kennel. But, don't get me wrong, we are so very lucky to have the Canine Hilton as a back up to our foster program. The people at Canine Hilton really love our dogs. The time that Tiffany McCalla, trainer for the Canine Hilton, spends with HOTLR recruits is priceless. They are all given individualized attention and that attention in addition to the training that Tiffany provides is a vital part to a HOTLR rescue's second chance at a good life.

This time of the year is hard on our foster families also as many travel for the holidays and need someplace to temporarily place their foster dog. However, this is a perfect time for you to try fostering. You have a dog already in a foster situation that needs a dog-sitter while the foster family is gone. You get a good taste of how wonderful fostering can be. You get to "practice", before you commit to your own foster. Are you ready for a trial run?

Fostering is pretty simple. HOTLR pays for all medical costs and any medications that your foster may need. The only thing that we ask of our foster families is that they provide shelter, food and love to their temporary family member. We do like to get monthly updates from our foster families to know how the foster dogs are doing, especially before a meet 'n greet where your foster dog may be shown. This information is used at the meet 'n greet to let prospective adopters know a little bit about your dog, especially if you cannot be there. If you can provide transportation to and from meet 'n greets that helps as well. It's nice for the families meeting the dogs to be able to talk with the foster family about the dogs they are meeting. However, we know people are busy and things can come up, so we can always arrange for transportation also.

If at anytime you have questions or problems you can give any board member a call or an email. All the board members have fostered in the past or are currently fostering. No question is ever too silly. Chances are we've probably had the same question ourselves. We know it takes time and dedication to foster, that's why we are here to help.

I would never trade my Labs for anything in this world. I am so very grateful for all the Labs that have come through my door. I remember each and every foster I've had and they have all been special. It's funny to me to hear my husband talk about fostering for HOTLR. He was not as excited about the prospect of fostering as I was, but when he talks to other people about our experiences, he is enthusiastic and positive. He tells people all that time that there wasn't one of our fosters that we wouldn't have kept. It makes me smile to hear him talk like that. As for me, I'm sad that I don't foster anymore. For now, I get my rescue fix by working at an animal hospital and occasionally participating in shelter checks. I truly miss is and look forward to a time when I can foster again. I miss making that much difference in a single dog's life. As of November 2nd, HOTLR currently has 10 dogs at the Canine Hilton. They are all waiting for foster families. Check out the HOTLR website to see all the dogs available for fostering. So,go ahead and give fostering a try.....It'll do a dog and your heart good.....

HOTLR Zephyr pictured above is currently looking for a foster home. For more information on Zephyr, go to http://www.hotlabrescue.org/hotlab/available.jsp

Halloween can mean Howl-o-Ween for You & Your Pets

2011-10-24T15:35:00.002-05:00

So picture it through a dog's eyes. The doorbell going off every five minutes for hours on end. Crazy looking creatures and people crowding around the door. Shouts of "Trick or Treat" screaming from tiny mouths. And nobody.....not one person comes in to stay and visit. Besides, maybe, just maybe, your owner whom you love and only want to please, has dressed you up as a butterfly, pumpkin, loaf of Wonder bread, or strapped a horse costume on you complete with a stuffed human being in a saddle on your back. Seriously??? If your people wanted a horse instead of a dog, they should have gone to the stable....

It makes perfect sense that your dog might be a bit overwhelmed by Halloween and all its festivities. So this little blog has been written to give you some tips to make sure that you and your dog stay safe through the holiday.

1) Leave candy and other people food for the kids - most of us know that chocolate can be dangerous to a dog. If it's ingested in sufficient quantities it can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, racing heartbeats, panting and even convulsions. Other Halloween goodies that might tempt your dog are sugarless gum that contains a dangerous chemical called xylitol that can lead to dangerous drops in blood sugar levels causing vomiting, lethargy and seizures. Another no-no on the people food list is raisins. Don't be fooled by the thought that raisins are "healthy". They can severely damage a dog's kidneys. Just keep in mind that foods safe for people, aren't always safe for your dog.

2) Disarm the doorbell. If your dog goes "Cujo" at the sound of a ringing doorbell, think about shutting out the lights and leaving for the evening. Put your dog in a secure quiet area such as his crate or the laundry room or a bathroom. Leave relaxing music playing to distract him from noise outside. Hang out at a neighbor's house to distribute candy or leave a bowl on the front porch with a sign that says, "Take one, please". Take your kids trick or treating instead and leave your pup in the security and safety of his own home. It is not recommended to leave him/her outside where scary sights and sounds could entice him to try to escape.

3) Use caution with costumes - If you want to dress up your dog in some Halloween finery, be sure the costume is safe for your pet. Make sure it fits properly and doesn't restrict his breathing or vision. Make sure that the costume is well constructed and doesn't have loose pieces or little parts that may prove to be a tempting treat for your pup. If you must use chemical products on your dog, make sure they are organic, non-toxic and easy to wash out. Bathe your dog immediately after your Halloween celebration has ended.

4) Decoration detours - Spooky Halloween decorations help to set the mood but also could prove dangerous to your pet. Many decorations may resemble pet toys that your dog has been allowed to play with in the past. Additionally, candles and lanterns could cause serious injury to your pet if they were to get too close. Make sure your decorations are out of the way and off limits to your pet. Keep a careful eye on your pup to make sure he doesn't get into trouble. If you do have a Halloween themed dog toy appropriate for your dog, be sure to always supervise while he/she plays to make sure they stay safe.

Here a few links to additional tips for pet safety for dogs and cats this Halloween.

ASPCA Halloween Safety Tips

Halloween Safety Guide

Tips for a Stress-Free Pet Halloween

Follow these recommendations and tips to make sure your Halloween holiday does not turn into a Halloween nightmare....

The author would like to thank HOTLR alum Susie for once again modeling for this blog and entertaining her owner by wearing this ridiculous witch's hat.....I love ya Susie Q!!! For all the HOTLR rescues currently available for adoption, please click here.

HOTLR Needs You for Dogtoberfest at the Domain

2011-10-17T17:00:00.000-05:00

Okay, all you hot weather warriors out there, it looks like we just might get our break. I am fresh from checking the KVUE weather forecast and it looks to me like there are no 90 degree days in the forecast for the next 7 days!!! Wahoo, we survived....even though sadly, our yards may not have.

With such magnificent weather on the way, I can't think of a better way to celebrate then to spend the day outside on Saturday October, 22 from 10am - 4pm attending the 2011 Dogtoberfest at the Domain. Events include a doggy costume contest, agility demonstrations, wiener dog races, raffles, a silent auction, a pet photo booth, food, drinks and locally-owned business booths with great products and more.

Dogtoberfest is an Austin based, non-profit organization, created for the purpose of instilling awareness about Dog rescue, as well as raising much needed moneys for local dog rescue organizations. Named "Most Awesome-ist Pet Related Event" in the 2010 Austin Pets Directory Annual Readers Poll, the annual event brings thousands of dog lovers together at the Domain for fun, food and dog related events such as a costume contest, pet demonstrations and more throughout the day. Last year approximately 2,500 people and their canine companions attended this one day event and we expect many more in 2011!!

Heart of Texas Lab Rescue is one of the 8 chosen rescue groups to benefit from this year's event. That's why it is so important that we have a good showing of Lab fans, volunteers, HOTLR alumni, and HOTLR fosters currently available for adoption. Don't worry, you won't have to stay all day. Go to the HOTLR website and sign up for a 1-2 hour time slot. Show off your beautiful adopted Lab or gorgeous foster dog. Don't be shy!!! We want HOTLR to have the best booth at the event! Bring the whole family, schmooze for an hour, show off your dog and enjoy the event. Maybe your husband will even agree to hold the leash while you sneak off to do a little shopping? What better way to spend the day with your dog and family??

Trailer Food Trailer Parks Cater to Dogs Too

2011-10-10T19:54:00.001-05:00

So looks like the weather has finally broken. What better time of year to think about dining out with your pooch? Austin's Food Trailers make dining with your dog especially easy. Check out this article from guest blogger Tiffany Harelik (above with daughter Callie and HOTLR Alum Bogey), HOTLR Adopter, Foster, and Volunteer and Author. Don't forget to check out Tiffany's tribute to Austin's Trailer Food Parks, the Trailer Food Diaries Cookbook. Buy a cookbook, email marcystellfox@gmail.com and 10% of the cookbook's proceeds go to HOTLR!! Tiffany will be appearing Wednesday, October 12th at Book People from 7pm until 9pm to sign autographed copies. Every real Austin "foodie" could use one of these cookbooks, and I can't think of a better holiday gift. So go down to Book People, buy a few copies. Support your local bookstore, local small food businesses, a local author and your favorite rescue group all in one night!!!!

Dining Out with your Dog: Trailer Food Parks

Austin is one of many cities that have supported ‘trailer food’ during it’s growing pains. Gourmet chefs have been serving their creative cuisine out of mobile trailers peppered throughout the city since 2006. If you haven’t been to eat trailer food yet, allow me to persuade you to give them a try (with your dog).

Trailer food parks are great dog-friendly destinations. Most food trailers offer dog treats and provide water bowls filled for dogs. Eating at the trailer parks is fun because they allow you to dine al fresco and be served by the chef themself. Because different vendors are parked next to each other in groups of 2-8 trailers, it gives you multiple choices of what to eat in one location. The prices are normally very reasonable, and many vendors offer seasonal menus. Plus, it just feels good to support a local business while sporting man’s best friend.

Suggested manners for taking your dog to the food trailers:

1. Keep your dog leashed at all times.

a. Don’t let your dog chase squirrels and/or birds in the trailer park.

b. Don’t let your dog mix and mingle freely with other dogs or people.

2. Bring your own bag to clean up any mess (and please no peeing on the trailers).

3. Be courteous of others who are dining – they don’t necessarily want a tail wagging in their plate or to listen to ongoing barking.

4. Don’t feed your dog ‘people food’ in the park – it encourages begging others.

5. Although most trailers provide water bowls, bring your own water bowl, just in case.

******Special trailer food offer to support HOTLR********

Buy the Trailer Food Diaries Cookbook for yourself or holiday gifts and 10% of sales will be donated to HOTLR!

1. Buy online at amazon.com
2. drop Marcy and email (marcystellfox@gmail.com) to let her know to count your purchase toward the HOTLR cookbook gifting program.

Check out the list below for some great choices!!

Ok, they aren’t quite dog parks, but they are dog-friendly. Before you head out, double check with eachtrailer’s social media page for updates on locations and hours. Do not rely on Yelp, blogs, or othercommentary. Here are a few pockets oftrailers to put on your radar. Theselists are not comprehensive:

East 6^th

1. The EastSide Drive In (East sixth between San Marcos St. and Medina)

· Pig Vicious: pork inspired grub

· the Local Yolk: egg sandwiches

· Bits and Druthers: fish and chips

· Pueblo Viejo: tacos

2. 6^thand Waller

· Lucky J’s: Chicken and Waffles

· Rockin Rolls: sandwiches, but in rolls

· Spartan Pizza: pizza

· Way South Philly: cheesesteaks

South First

1. BouldinCreek Food Court (1^st & Gibson)

· Soco to Go: home cooking

· Kat’s: Ice Cream

· Thai Trailer: Thai

2. SouthAustin Trailer Park and Eatery (1^st & Elizabeth)

· Torchy’s Tacos: Tacos

· Holy Cacao: Cakeballs

· Coming soon to this park: Conscious Cravings

· Note: This park has a unique barn for specialevents which you can book for parties

3. SoFi FoodCourt (1^st and Live Oak)

· Azafran: Venezuelan cuisine

· Arancini: Italian comfort food

· Grill Haven: Sandwiches and Wraps

· Heads Up Tacos: tacos

South Lamar

1. 1200 block:

· Gourdoughs: big fat doughnuts

· Odd Duck: Farm to Trailer

· Trey’s Cuisine: kabobs and more

2. between the Saxon Pub and the Highball:

· La Boite Café: local, bistro

· Texas Cuban: Cuban sandwiches

3. Hitched up to the Gibson bar:

· Luke’s Inside Out: Creative gourmet sandwiches

Downtown area

1. 2^ndand Congress

· Patika: Coffee

· Turf n Surf: Poboys

· Kebablicious: Kebabs

· Sushi Box: Sushi

2. LonghornFood Court (MLK and Rio Grande)

· Cajun food at Lee’s Hurricane Party,

· vegetarian cuisine at Conscious Cravings, or some

· Asian fusion options at Yummy Bowl.

3. South Congress (1800 block)

· Wurst Tex: gourmet sausages

· Hey Cupcake!: cupcakes

· Mighty Cone: their slant on tacos

Barton Springs, East Caesar Chavez, and the Rainey Districtall have notable trailers and food trailer parks. A list of Austin trailers along with storiesand recipes can be found online at www.trailerfooddiaries.com

From your HOTLR family we thank you, Tiffany!!!! HOTLR volunteers are the very best!!

Canine Influenza Virus H3N8

2011-10-07T18:39:00.003-05:00

Hello Lab Fans,

This is a follow up to a Facebook post that we sent out last night. This notification is not meant to send you into a panic, but is simply to introduce awareness. There is currently a "new" canine influenza virus that has been introduced to the dog population. Originally discovered in 2004, this virus known as Canine Influenza Virus H3N8 first showed up at a Greyhound racetrack in Florida. Because both horses and greyhounds shared the track, the virus is thought to have mutated from an equine virus. Since 2004, the virus has been positively identified in 38 states including Texas. Outbreaks have been recorded most recently in San Antonio, Texas, however positive cases have been identified in Austin as well.

Dogs that frequent dog parks, boarding facilities, dog shows, pet stores, humane societies/shelters, veterinary clinics, and doggy daycare centers are the most at risk, as well as older, infirm and those dogs with immune system deficiencies. Because this is a "new" virus, nearly all exposed animals will develop systems. There are two forms of the virus. The milder form is similar to the bordetella or kennel cough virus, however with the sever form some dogs develop a hemorrhagic pneumonia that often leads to death. The percentage of death that occurs with the virus is 8%. Further, it is impossible to predict whether a dog will develop hemorrhagic symptoms.

Symptoms include coughing, ocular and nasal discharge, fevers, lethargy, unwillingness to eat and sneezing. The disease can be transmitted via sneezing, coughing, toy sharing and also by people who carry the disease on their clothing from interacting with a positive patient. The most contagious period of the disease occurs in the first 48-72 hours prior to noticeable symptoms. Symptoms begin to manifest Day 3 - Day 7 and can last two to three weeks. Unfortunately, there is no distinguishing characteristic that sets this virus apart from other canine respiratory infections making it nearly impossible for a positive diagnoses without laboratory testing of a nasal swab. If your pet comes down with the virus, treatment is largely supportive as there is no antibiotic that will "cure" a virus. However, your vet may prescribe an antibiotic to combat secondary bacterial infections that may develop or accompany the virus.

The pharmaceutical company Pfizer has developed a vaccine against this virus. Much like human flu vaccines, this vaccine does not necessarily prevent the disease but decreases the contagion time and lessens the severity of symptoms. Currently, some veterinarians in the Austin area are recommending that your dog be vaccinated if it meets that of a high risk candidate. The vaccine is given under the skin (not in the muscle) and must be followed with a booster three weeks after the initial dose. After the initial dose and booster are given, annual vaccines are recommended.

To read more about Canine Influenza Virus H3N8 please click here.

Heart of Texas Lab Rescue encourages all dog owners to discuss this Canine Influenza Virus with their veterinarian and decide whether the vaccine is right for your dog. (Cats are not affected.)

Live Love Labs - Saturday, September 24, 2011

2011-09-20T17:43:00.001-05:00

The date is saved. There is no Texas football game. It's Saturday night. Time to bust out your glad rags and get on over to the Heart of Texas Lab Rescue "Live, Love, Labs" silent auction. River Place Country Club sets the stage for this amazing night of fun and festivity. The party begins this Saturday night, September 24 from 7pm - 10pm at 4207 River Place Blvd., Austin, TX 78730.

If you haven't heard about this event by now, then most likely you've been suffering from a summer heat stroke. We are stoked and ready. We've got light snacks provided by the fine folks of River Place and sweet treats from Sweetish Hill Bakery. There will be a large variety of wines to wet your whistle as well. In addition, a cash bar, iced tea and water will be provided for those preferring other beverage choices.

I suppose you might be wondering about the amazing items that we have available for auction. How about two three day passes to the 2012 ACL festival? Tickets to the Texas/OU football game sound like fun? What about Texas vs. Kansas? Are you a Joan Rivers fan? Go see her live at the Paramount Theatre.

Maybe you are in need of a little vacation? How about a two night stay at Decker Creek Bed & Biscuit and Breakfast - a B&B where your pet is welcome close to home. Or how about a couple of nights at the Red Corral Ranch B&B in Wimberley, TX? Looking for a destination a little further from home? How does a 4 day/3 night stay in Pagosa Springs, CO sound to you? Tickets to Disneyland in California? Sea World in San Antionio?

Is a trip to a spa more up your alley? Lake Austin Spa and Resort will pamper you with their "Half Day Away" packge. Don't forget that your pooches need pampering too. How about a massage from Christina at Skillful Paws or a beauty treatment from Midtown Groom & Board.

Are you a central Texas foodie? Is a good meal cooked by somebody else your idea of the perfect date. We've got you covered here as well. Gift certificates to Uchi/Uchiko, Eddie V's, Fonda San Miguel and Fogo de Chao to name a few. We've got some uniquely Austin activities on the auction block as well. How about a private sunset bat cruise for you and six guests on beautiful Lady Bird Lake, tickets on the Austin Steam Train, or Austin Toros tickets. Cycle away your blues with a pubcrawl on a Dutch bicycle or a Hill Country wine tasting.

And if all the above wasn't enough, we've got some great raffle items too. How about a Garmin GPS system with lifetime updates, Ruth Chris Steak House $100 Gift Card, and a Vivitar camera?

Have I got you interested yet? Are you excited? Do you need tickets? What are you waiting for??? Check out all the details on the HOTLR website or on HOTLR's Facebook Event Page. Purchase tickets on the HOTLR website by clicking on the PayPal button. Be sure to enter "Live, Love, Labs" in the description. You can also purchase tickets the night of the event at River Place. Don't be left behind......our dogs need you. And with an event like this.....it's a win-win for HOTLR, our dogs and of course, YOU!!!!

Heart of Texas Lab Rescue Gives Back

2011-08-31T11:53:00.009-05:00

Many of you are used to seeing Heart of Texas Lab Rescue in the community and are familiar with our mission. So you know that HOTLR is dedicated to saving, rehabilitating and rehoming Labradors left behind at kill shelters and other abandonment situations. HOTLR is also dedicated to educating the public about the plight of abandoned animals and the advantages of spaying and neutering your pet as well as providing early training and socialization to ensure that your pup becomes a welcome forever member of your home. Recently, however HOTLR gave back to the community in a different way.

Enter Ray Hebert. Long time supporter, foster and volunteer at HOTLR, there is no one who loves the Labrador breed more. A few seconds after meeting Ray you instantly understand how dedicated to the breed he is. Ray who is an amazing resource for all things Lab came upon a special Lab mix named Emma Zen. Emma Zen and her human Debra Jo Chiapuzio run a 501(c)3 non-profit called Team O2 Pet Oxygen Masks whose goal is to place pet oxygen masks and related equipment with fire departments, EMS teams, search and rescue and all first responders to aid in pet rescue situations. While these organizations are prepared to help humans suffering from breathing complications due to fire or other catastrophes, little can be done for our pet friends whose noses and heads are not shaped properly for human equipment. But thanks to Team O2, many rescue organizations are receiving donated equipment specifically designed for pets.

When Ray discovered that the community of Buda was not already equipped with this pet life-saving equipment (Round Rock and Austin already have the equipment), he decided to donate two sets of the equipment to the Buda Fire Department on behalf of Heart of Texas Lab Rescue. In total the Buda Fire Department received three sets of equipment with the help of Caju the Warrior Dog, Buddy's "Be the Dog" Life, HOTLR and the Emma Zen Foundation.

Ray was on hand for the presentation of the oxygen masks and brought along HOTLR's very own Cher as a demonstration dog to the event. Accompanying Ray was Snoco, a sweet little pup currently fostered by Guardian Angels for Soldiers Pets (a foster organization that fosters pets for those who are currently deployed). Ray and Cher trained the fire fighters on how to properly use the equipment on pets. Check out all the great pics taken at the event on Facebook. Talk about a win-win situation. HOTLR Cher is introduced to another part of our community, and pet safety awareness benefits to boot!! Research continues to show that people are spending more and more money on their pets, proving that now more than ever pets are considered priceless family members in many homes. The more resources we can provide the community on preparation and ways to save pets in the face of disaster, the more likely each family members chances for survival when disaster strikes.

Remember that you too can help first responders be aware of your pet. Get a safety sticker for your home that alerts emergency personnel to the number and type of pets you have. Check out the following link from the ASPCA on disaster preparedness for your pet to prepare your own emergency kit. Be sure to microchip your pets as well in case you are separated during an emergency.

HOTLR would like to thank Ray Hebert for his generous donation and his time to provide this important opportunity for awareness to the community all in the name of HOTLR. To learn more about Emma Zen, click here.

Kids and Labs - How to make It Work!!!

2011-08-23T17:43:00.005-05:00

Kids and dogs are like peanut butter and jelly. They are just good together. However, a large dog that is eye level with your toddler can be intimidating to a small child and scary for you. Check out these tips to make interactions between your Lab and toddler a breeze.

If possible, have two people available to help out with an introduction. One person should hold the dog on a leash a few feet from the child. Give the dog a "sit" command. The other person should guide the child to the dog. The child should be taught prior to the introduction about how to properly greet a dog. Do not allow the child to pet the dog on the head or face. Teach the child to approach the dog calmly and pet the dog gently on his back or neck.

In the event that the dog lunges or jumps, have the dog handler move between the dog and the child. Have the handler keep the dog behind him. This can be done by using the human body to block the dog. The dog handler can place both arms behind his back with the leash in hand. He can lock his arms by grabbing onto the wrist holding the leash to keep the dog behind him. He may also spread his legs to make his body bigger to prevent the dog from going around him. The handler should never use his knees or hands to discipline the dog. Body blocking the dog is the proper approach. The person with the child should step away until the dog calms down.

Repeat the process again. Give the dog the "sit" command and then have the child approach the dog slowly and calmly. Repeat the process until the dog sits willingly and allows the child to pet the dog.

Do not allow the child to give the dog a treat or a toy unless you are 1000% sure that the dog will not lunge, grab or accidentally bite the child offering the food/toy. Never allow a child to discipline a dog.

Always supervise interaction between your child and a dog. I remember watching my nephew crawl on top of my dog and peel his eyelid back, sticking his finger right into Cayman's eye. Nothing really phases Cayman, especially now in his old age, but had I believed for even a second that my nephew was in danger, obviously, I would not have allowed them to interact that closely. Cayman was lying in a relaxed position on a dog bed and had ample time to move away from my nephew's investigations. Never did he tense or did his body language indicate that he was anxious or upset. He never even lifted his head. Be sure to recognize body language in your dog that may indicate he is losing patience. Stop any inappropriate behavior from the child before the dog reacts.

In the beginning refrain from allowing the child to crawl on or grab the dog. Desensitize the dog by distracting him with a special treat. Begin to pull on the dog and poke him. See how he reacts. Begin gently at first and increase the intensity without hurting the dog.

Give your dog an escape hatch. Be sure your dog doesn't feel cornered. Allow him to be able to walk away from the child. Discourage the child from chasing after the dog. If the dog seems upset or irritated, place him in his crate and close the door. Allow him to take a break from the child. Distract the child's attention from the dog and let the "doggie take a nap".

Following these tips should help reduce the stress between introducing dogs and children. It is most important that the child understand how to approach and pet the dog in a calm and gentle manner. Once you know that you will be adding a canine family member to your pack, begin teaching the child immediately how to interact with the dog prior to your dog's arrival. Recruit friends and neighbors with friendly dogs to help out. Practicing prior to your dog's arrival will make the special day that your new dog arrives a happy and joyous occasion for all!!!

HOTLR Needs Fosters!!

2011-08-20T15:48:00.004-05:00

Heart of Texas Lab Rescue is looking for foster homes for several of our dogs. We find that dogs that dogs that are living in homes are more likely to be adopted then those at the kennel. The home environment is a golden opportunity for the HOTLR rescues to interact and learn to live in a family. This is an important first step in a rescue's recovery as it allows the pup to begin to rebuild their confidence and to begin to heal the wounds that have been left by abandonment.

We also are able to save critical dollars if we are able to keep the dogs at the kennel to minimum, giving us more opportunity to focus on medical expenses and rescuing other dogs. Please read the note below from Margaret Huston the President of Heart of Texas Lab Rescue. Please help, if you can.

I have run almost all of the meet and greets for the past 9 years and have observed one interesting fact. When an applicant meets dogs that are being fostered in a home, and also meets dogs that are at the boarding kennel, more often than not the applicant adopts the dog from the foster home, not the dog from the kennel. We are fortunate to have the kennel, because without it many of our dogs would have been put to sleep at the shelter for lack of space on our end, but the reality is that these dogs do better and show better when they have a person who can discuss all aspects of their lives, not just the obedience they know.

I know school is getting ready to start again. That means many of you are done with your summer travels. Don't you want to foster a dog for us? We'll work with you on getting you the right fit! Right now we have 9 dogs at the kennel, and I have an additional 6 with me (two of mine came from the kennel this week and are adopted).

The dogs in need of foster homes are Shari, Zumba, Rocky, Dionne, Cricket, Gouda, Gonzo, Gizmo, Guapo, and Izzy. There are a few others that are special cases, too.

Let me know if you'd like to give fostering a try, or if you're ready to get back into it. Thanks!

Please email hotlr@hotlabrescue.org if you are interesting in fostering an HOTLR dog.

A Veterinary Technician gets "Schooled" in Ears

2011-08-16T13:38:00.014-05:00

Last week, Susie and Tango (HOTLR alumni) had their annual check up. You know the routine, heartworm test, vaccination update if needed and since both of them are approaching senior status (8 and 6), I also opted for a senior profile blood panel. I'm happy to say that both of them were deemed in perfect health. But then we had yet to proceed to the official "physical exam".

Once again both dogs check out great.

Heart and lungs = normal.
Skin = normal
Weight = perfect
Nails = trimmed
Eyes = normal
Ears......

I must admit to you that both of my Labs received a "C-" grade on their ears.....and I am a veterinary technician....Oh, the shame.... (The picture is from my own dog, but was taken after 3 days of treatment..)

If you have Labs then you probably know about Otitis Externa (OE). And if you have Labs and you don't know about OE, you should learn about it immediately.

Have you ever noticed a foul, yeasty smell coming from your "beloved's" ears? Once you've begun to search out the source of the stench and you lift up one of your dog's silky ears, do you observe a brown chunky discharge. Are your pups ears red and inflamed inside instead of a healthy pink? Does your pup paw and scratch at his ears, shake his head, wipe his face on the rug even though you know that he cannot possibly have fleas???? Does he seem sensitive when you touch or rub him around the ears?

These signs, my friend, are the classic symptoms of Otitis Externa. Here is an important equation to keep in mind.....

Labs + a moist humid climate (+/- swimming) (+/- bacteria) = Otitis Externa

Otitis externa refers to inflammation of the skin and outer portions of the ear and ear canal. It can be as simple as inflammation caused by exposure to water or otitis externa may be a result of a bacterial, allergic or microbial infection. The condition can often occur overnight and as the inflammation and swelling continue can become incredibly painful quickly. Remember how painful the dreaded "swimmer's ear" was that you had as a child?

Treatment varies depending on the presence of bacteria or microbes. Different medications are prescribed to treat the underlying bacterial infection and will also reduce swelling and redness. The most common form of treatment is medicated ear drops that are administered daily for a certain number of days. Sometimes the ears will be "packed" with medication in the animal hospital and will need only be administered the one time. Pain medications are sometimes prescribed as well. If you believe that your dog is in pain, don't be afraid to request pain meds or ask if the prescribed medication has a pain reliever mixed in. It is usually best if you dog returns to the vet after completing treatment to make sure that the infection has indeed been cured.

Left uncured, Otitis Externa can lead to permanent damage to the ear and the sensitive mechanisms required for hearing. Hearing loss and damage to the ear drum can occur. The best preventative measure is to clean your dogs ears on a regular basis, especially after swimming. And yes, I am sad to say, that if they are swimming daily, cleaning their ears daily is probably best. Your veterinarian can recommend a gentle cleaning agent that also acts to "dry" any remaining water that may be trapped in your dogs ears. Prevention is the best medicine.

So, give your pups ears a quick check. If they seem a bit funky, schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. Follow his/her advice for the quickest and best outcome. I know I am. I've learned my lesson. For more information on Otitis Externa click here: PetEducation - Otitis Externa

Make Your HOTLR Dog a Therapy Dog

2011-08-09T16:02:00.006-05:00

I have two HOTLR alumni in my home. Susie came to us three years ago. And then, exactly, to the day, two years after Susie, Tango joined the Stellfox clan. At last count, that makes 4 Labradors and two humans living under my roof. And I love it!!!

Once you meet me, it takes about 10 seconds for you to find out that I love Labs and that I have four at my house. I am so proud of my canine kids. I can't help but talk about them all the time. I love to show them off on Facebook or at HOTLR events, or to my friends, or at my veterinary clinic. I can never get enough of showing them off and talking about HOTLR. Embarassingly, I often have to admit that the dogs I adopted from HOTLR are way better behaved than the two I've raised from pups. But, that simply helps to balance out my family and makes it even easier to brag about HOTLR.

But what if I could take the amazing animals that HOTLR has given to me, and give something back to the community? What if my HOTLR Labs could become Pet Therapy dogs? What a great way to share my dogs with people and also spread the word about HOTLR.

Therapy Pet Pals of Texas, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that began in 1984 with one small Pekingese pup and an owner who wanted to share this pup with those people unable to have pets. She contacted a nursing home that reluctantly agreed to have her pup come for an "interview". Once the dog visited the nursing home, the smiles and happiness that this little pup brought to the home's population sealed the deal and Therapy Pet Pals of Texas was born. Today, Therapy Pet Pals of Texas has over 200 trained volunteers and even more pets. They service over 90 institutions including nursing homes, hospitals and rehabilitation centers, but TPPT is still working to recruit new members.

Requirements for membership include attendance and completion of the TPPT Qualifying and Training class (2 hours) as well as a veterinarian's medical clearance. Once the class is completed, the prospective member and pup will attend three therapy visits along with an experienced TPPT trainer. After successful completion of the trial visits, you and your pup are ready for solo trips. Click here to find out all the details on qualifying your pup as a pet therapy volunteer.

As a volunteer team for TPPT, you will choose one institution to visit with your pup that will be come your "home" institution. TPPT asks for two visits per month to your chosen pet therapy site. TPPT believes in promoting the human animal bond by having regular visits by the same pet/human therapy team. Regular visits allow residents and the pet therapy team to foster friendships and relationships and allow patients to feel that they have their very own dog again. What better way to show off your HOTLR pride and joy!!

To find out more about Therapy Pet Pals of Texas, visit their website at: Therapy Pet Pals of Texas.

The Importance of Care for the Heartworm Treatment Dog

2011-08-01T15:35:00.006-05:00

This is Shadow. He is a member of the HOTLR family and is heartworm positive. He looks perfect on the outside, but on the inside heartworms have invaded his heart and lungs.

Heartworm disease comes with rescue. It’s a fact. The good news about heartworm disease is that it is preventable. It’s also treatable, but there are several downsides to treatment.

The disease is graded into categories. Category 1 is the least serious, while Category 4 is the most serious. To categorize the disease properly, xrays should be taken. Regardless of the stage of the disease, the treatment is the same. The heartworms must be killed in order to leave the dog’s body. Most dogs require 2 - 3 injections to rid the body completely of the worms. Complete treatment for heartworm disease is expensive. It can cost anywhere between $500 - $1000.

Killing the worms is not easy. Treatment is painful for the dogs as well. There is only one way at this time to effectively eliminate heartworms in a relatively safe and efficient manner. This treatment requires the dogs to be given a series of injections spaced 3 – 4 weeks apart. The medication that is used to treat the worms is called Immiticide. Immiticide contains arsenic. This is the active compound that kills only the adult heartworms. If taken in large enough doses, it is a drug that is fatal to humans as well as dogs. Immiticide is injected into the deep tissue muscles of the lumbar spine. It hurts….

Prior to treatment, dogs must be on antibiotics for 4 weeks. They must stay on these antibiotics through the duration of their treatment. They will also be treated with Heartgard. Heartgard or its generic form known as Triheart is used to kill any baby heartworms that the Immiticide can not. These dogs cannot take other heartworm preventatives during this time. Heartworm treatment dogs will also be prescribed a steroid. They must also stay on this steroid during the duration of their treatment. The steroid will cause them to drink more frequently and also need to urinate more frequently. They may have accidents in the house. It’s not their fault. It’s their illness.

In addition to the antibiotics and the steroids, the dog will require pain meds. Heavy duty pain meds known as Tramadol – a cousin to morphine will need to be given the first 3 – 5 days after each injection.

Now here’s the really important part….It is imperative that dogs undergoing heartworm treatment have no exercise or do not get overly excited. That means no ball playing, no swimming, no leash walks, no NASCAR in the backyard. The dog should be given cage rest if he is unable to stay quiet in the house, and should only go outside on leash for elimination walks.

Why? The dog undergoing heartworm treatment is at an increased risk of suffering a pulmonary thromboembolism. This is because the heartworms are breaking up into pieces as they die and begin to pass from the body. These bits can cause blockage of the primary arteries carrying blood between the heart and lungs. If these become blocked, the dog could die. So any increase in activity that requires the heart and lungs to work hard, can increase the chances that thromboembolism can occur. The steroids work to reduce the inflammation caused in the body as the heartworms die. That is why it is imperative that the dog stays on steroids throughout his treatment. In addition, the antibiotics will stop infection from developing in the lungs and throughout the body as the heatworms die. That’s why it’s imperative that the dog continue on antibiotics throughout the duration of his treatment. The Heartgard heartworm preventative will kill any baby worms in the dog’s body as well as keep him heartworm free as the adult worms die. That’s why it’s imperative to continue to give Heartgard to your dog during his heartworm treatment. The pain medication will aid in relieving pain at the injection site, as well as any pain associated with the worms as they die. In addition, it will help keep the dog quiet and comfortable so that he may rest more easily. That’s why it’s imperative to give your dog ALL of his pain meds.

This information is not meant to scare you. I have not known a dog in HOTLR to die because of heatworm treatment, but I have known other dogs that did. Heartworms dogs are “easy keepers”. You feed them, give them their meds, crate them and take them on elimination walks. Besides, lots of love, that’s all that’s really needed to care for one. HOTLR needs fosters that are willing to take on heartworm treatment dogs. They cannot be in a kennel environment during treatment. However, I cannot stress enough the importance to follow every direction to the “t” when recovering a heartworm dog.

HOTLR is so very appreciative of its foster families. We cannot thank you enough for the love and care you give to these beautiful dogs as they wait for their second chances. It is because of you that we are able to save as many dogs as we do, especially the heartworm positive kind. Dogs like Shadow deserve a second chance at a healthy long life just as much a rescue without heartworm disease, don’t you think? Thanks so much for all you do.

For more information regarding heartworm disease, check out:

http://www.heartwormsociety.org/

If you have any questions at all about caring for a heartworm dog, please feel free to contact Marcy Stellfox.

Email: marcystellfox@gmail.com

Cell: (512) 658-7355

Foster 101 Class to be offered Aug 7 and 21!!!

2011-07-14T17:09:00.011-05:00

Hey HOTLR fosters, this one's for you!! Heart of Texas Lab Rescue is proud to offer a two-part dog training class in August for those of you interested in learning more about the behavior of shelter dogs and how you can correct unwanted behavior in your foster dog based on their shelter experiences or lack of socialization.

These classes will focus on the unique characteristic that most HOTLR Labs share in common - life as a shelter dog. This class will help you understand the mindset that your dog has because of his shelter experience and will teach you how to recognize and correct any unwanted behavior.

Classes will be held on two Sundays in August. The first class will be August 7 and the following class will be August 21. Each class will begin at 11am and last approximately 1.5 hours. The first class will be an information session teaching us about the behavior of a shelter dog as a result of his/her time spent in the shelter. We'll start with a slide presentation and lecture that will be given by Tara Stermer of Training by Tara. We will also have two HOTLR demonstration dogs available during this class so that Tara can show us how to begin working with our own dogs to resolve behavioral issues. Please leave your dogs at home for the first session.

The second session will involve you and your dog and will be a "hands on" session that will allow you to work with your dog to correct unwanted behavior. Your dogs are welcome at the second session.

The classes will be held at Tara's Training classroom and directions will be sent separately when you sign up. Classes will be paid for by HOTLR, however donations to offset the cost will be accepted the day of each class. Class size is limited to 20.

Our fosters are a vital part of the HOTLR volunteer family. If you have reservations about fostering or are unsure of your foster dog, this is a class for you!!! Of course, all fosters are welcome to attend. FOSTERS MUST SIGN UP BY JULY 31, so that we can offer any remaining spaces to other HOTLR volunteers or HOTLR supporters. You can sign up now by emailing: marcystellfox@gmail.com. HOTLR really appreciates ALL of our volunteers!!!!

Does Your Dog Hate the 4th of July?

2011-06-26T13:27:00.009-05:00

It's that time of year again. Fourth of July is just days away, and with that, all the fun, food and fireworks that come with it. But what if you have a dog that's afraid of fireworks or thunderstorms?(although rare in central Texas, the ocassional thunderstorm does tend to pop up during our hottest months).

While everyone makes plans for their favorite summertime holiday, you sit there dreading the day because you know your dog will suffer. He'll tremble and shake, cower and tail tuck, hide and drool....in general have the equivalent of a complete nervous breakdown. So, what do you do? Sit home and watch your dog while others celebrate. Or just leave him for the day and hope that your house is still standing when you arrive home. Neither sound like a fun way to spend a holiday.

Luckily, there are a few tips that can make the Fourth of July more tolerable for you and your pet. The Whole Dog Journal has written a helpful article in this month's issue to address just this problem. The following are some of their suggestions for making fireworks, thunderstorms and other noise phobias a little less stressful for your dog.

1) Consider staying home. Don't abandon your dog in his hour of need. Just having you physically present may be all your dog needs to feel more calm. Invite some people over to your house and move the party to your place.

2) Make a soundproof place for your dog where he'll feel safe. My dog has recently become scared of thunderstorms. Even though he doesn't hear so well at 13, the lightening and vibration is enough to upset him. So, I put him in a crate in my bathroom, close all the doors and blinds. Cover his crate with a towel, turn on a fan and play relaxing music. (For a great cd recommendation specifically recorded to relieve dog stress, click here.) Once he's in his crate he feels safe. He is insulated from the lightening and distracted by noises other than the thunder. He settles down immediately.

3) Comforting your dog is okay, if done the right way. If your dog wants to be near you or lie next you, by all means let them. You can even practice canine massage or other "touch" methods to calm your dog. Do not show your dog that you are stressed or use words that would reinforce your dog's stressful behavior, such as "good dog" or "it's okay".

4) Practice counter conditioning. Buy a CD with sound recordings of thunderstorms. Or make your own CD of the sounds of fireworks. Play these CDs at the lowest possible volume when you can be home and be close to your dog. (For examples of sound CDs, click here.) Give your dog high value treats or play indoor games with him to make things as fun as possible. Gradually increase the volume. Remain calm and focus on acting normal while playing with your dog and treating him. As time goes by, your dog will begin to get used to the noises and may become less reactionary.

5) Speak to your vet about medication. There are different medications that can be given to your dog to help alleviate his stress. Be careful to use only those meds that work immediately and don't need time to "build up" in your dog's system. Acepromazine is a very popular tranquilizer given to dogs, but it's effects can last for a long time. In addition, it belongs to a class of drugs called "dissociative anesthetics" and instead of relaxing the animal, the drug actually "scrambles perceptions" that in turn can create even more stress for your dog. Drugs such as Xanax, a popular anti-anxiety medication can calm your dog and does not have the negative side effects of tranquilizers such as acepromazine.

Pets with noise phobias can be upsetting. Watching your dog "stress out" can be equally as stressful for you. Obviously, you cannot verbally reason with your dog and make him understand that you aren't going to let anything bad happen to him. However, if you practice the recommendations listed above, you may be able to alleviate his stress level when these events occur thereby alleviating your stress as well allowing the both of you to live happier healthier lives.

*These tips were summarized from an article in the June 2011 issue of the Whole Dog Journal. You can find the article in it's entirety here. If you want more information on noise phobias in pets, consider reading Dr. Foster's & Smith's article in the Pet Education section of their website here.

Be sure to visit the HOTLR website for all the latest happenings, new recruits and adoptions. Check out our volunteer opportunities while you're there and see if anything sounds fun. We love our volunteers and welcome new ones all the time. Feel free to email us or call us with any questions or if you need more information!!!

HOT Dog - It's Summertime!!!

2011-06-13T17:11:00.011-05:00

The dog days of summer have definitely arrived in central Texas and will be with us for some time to come. For that reason, there are some special precautions that we pet owners should take to make sure our pups stay healthy.

I'm a runner and one thing I find particularly difficult in the summer time is to keep up with my running. I have to get up really early to be able to complete even a short run. Even in the early mornings, the humidity can be exhausting and physically challenging. Things are no different for your dog. Walking/running with our dogs is one of the most rewarding parts of a human-Labrador relationship. It's perfect time to bond with our dogs and it's healthy for both of us. These simple tips should keep you and your pup logging the miles on even the hottest days.

1)Go early, go late. Pretty self explanatory. Try not to time your walks during the hottest part of the day. Get up early, watch the sun rise. Obviously, evening hours are good times for walks as well. If you go after sunset, make sure you and your pup are properly "lit up" with flashing collars or beacons that you can attach to your clothing so you are visible to passersby.

2)Bring along some water. There are many types of special water bottles designed especially for dogs that allow you to give your pup a drink along the way. Of course sharing your own water and providing you pet with a drink via a collapsible water bowl is also perfectly fine. The collapsible water bowls are lightweight and easy to carry or tuck away when you are finished using them.

3) Consider hiking in an area with water available for swimming. Lady Bird Lake, Red Bud Isle, and Lake Travis are all wonderful places for stroll with your pet. Not only is water plentiful for a frisky frolic, but shade trees are readily available too in areas with water. Be careful of allowing your pet to drink from stagnant streams or puddles of water. Your pup can pick up diseases such as leptospirosis or giardia from contaminated water. Your vet can tell if you a leptospirosis vaccine is a good idea for your dog. Always bring a fresh supply of water along with you to share with your pup.

4) Hose 'em down, Scotty!!! If a fresh water source in not readily available during your stroll, consider hosing your dog off prior to and after your walk to help their bodies stay cool. Luckily, you have chosen a Labrador retriever for your best friend. They shouldn't mind a little shower as long as you don't turn the hose on them full blast or squirt them right in the face. So, water your dog before you head out!!!

5) Don't leave your dog in the car. Certainly by now we've all heard the tragic stories of children who have died when left in a hot car. Once again, the same goes for your dog. A recent study showed that on a 100 degree day, temps inside a car reached a whopping 117 degrees. Even when temps were a milder 82 degrees outside, temperature readings inside a car still reached 109 degrees.

6) If it is all possible, keep your dog inside during the hottest parts of the day. Even with plenty of water and some shade, dogs can still suffer serious health issues if left outside all day. If your dog needs a break during the day, consider installing a doggie door or asking a friend or neighbor to stop by and let them out.

7) Age matters. If you have a very young or a senior Labrador you have to be even more careful. Keep in mind that their bodies have a tougher time regulating body temperature and are particularly susceptible to the heat. If your dog is panting heavily, head is lowered, tail tucked and has slowed his pace, chances are he may be suffering from heat exhaustion. Immediately stop your exercise, get your pet to a cool, shady spot, offer him water and submerge his body in lukewarm bath water, use a hose or allow him to swim. Get him into air conditioning and allow him to rest. Dogs can suffer heatstroke and the consequences can be lethal.

8) Go shopping!! Now more than ever there are special products on the market to help protect your dog from the effects of hot weather. Some of my favorite items to help keep your pup cool this summer include the following:

Doggles - Doggles will definitely keep your pup "hip" this summer. Made of a soft padded and flexible frame, Doggles offer adjustable chin and head straps and 100% UV protection. Think your pup won't wear them? Think again, you have a Lab. Check out the picture above and the pup on the Doggles Official website!!!

Doggy Cooling Vest - Ruffwear offers a doggy cooling vest that you fill with water. The vest's unique design allows the exchange of heat from your dog's body with the cooling effects of water that is carried inside the vest. The Swamp Cooler will definitely help your dog "weather" even the hottest days!!

Doggy Sunscreen - Even dogs need to be protected from the sun. Especially our lighter pigmented "Dudley" Labs. Check out this product that will protect your dog from sunburn.

We live in central Texas, and although our summers are hot, there are way too many fun things to do to stay inside all summer. Follow the tips above, and you and your dog will have a healthy and active summer filled with tons of fun!!!

HOTLR Gives Four Paws Up to the Schmitt Family

2011-06-07T16:35:00.005-05:00

Volunteering as a foster parent for HOTLR can be such a rewarding experience. If you love Labs, fostering is both easy and almost selfish. What could be more fun than to meet many happy, hopeful Labradors throughout the year, take care of them in your own home and see them safely into their forever homes?

Of course, it can be challenging as well. Putting your heart out there over and over for a new pup and all the while knowing that you are only his temporary family can make parting with your foster heartbreaking. Sometimes you may have a difficult pup that doesn't quite fit into your family dynamic. Maybe the dog has no house manners, or maybe he requires a lot of attention that you aren't able to give, maybe you are uncomfortable fostering a sick or injured dog. The good news is that just as each dog has the perfect forever family, we are fortunate that most of our rescue dogs also find the perfect foster family.

Such is the case with HOTLR's sweet boy Haden. Haden came to HOTLR in late January. As with a lot of our rescue's Haden was heartworm positive. Heartworm treatment takes approximately 8 weeks. Because of this, we knew that Haden would be around awhile. Enter the Schmitt family who became Haden's foster family.

Many of you may have heard of HOTLR's Haden (click on this link & scroll down to view his bio). The condition that caused him to have emergency surgery is one that is fairly common in large breed dogs. Bloat (gastric dilatation and volvulus) is the second leading killer in dogs after cancer. Bloat (gastric dilatation) occurs when the stomach becomes full of air and puts pressure on the diaphragm and other organs. Due to the amount of pressure in the stomach, the air cannot find an adequate way to escape. Normally burping relieves the air and pressure, but for some reason, dogs experiencing bloat cannot burp. As the pressure continues to build with no escape of air, the stomach can become twisted (volvulus) and cut off blood supply to the heart and vital organs making up the digestive process. If the stomach does not become untwisted and the pressure released, the lack of oxygen to the organs can result in the death of critical tissues of the stomach. When this happens, the dog has very little time for a corrective procedure. This is an extremely serious condition and can kill a dog within several hours if veterinary care and emergency surgery are not performed immediately. This is the scenario that happened to Haden not once, but twice in one week.

There are many situations that can cause bloat. Overeating or eating too rapidly, playing or exercising hard one hour before or within two hours after eating a meal, or ingesting large quantities of water immediately following a meal. Labradors are traditionally considered deep-chested dogs are more susceptible to bloat than smaller dogs. Other breeds that have a predilection to bloat are Great Danes, Saint Bernards and Weimaraners. Unfortunately, bloat can sometimes occur for no reason at all and may also occur in any breed, no matter the size.

Symptoms of bloat include, salivation, obvious signs of discomfort such as pacing, groaning or stretching. The dog may heave again and again, however is unable to vomit. Abdominal swelling and pain will also occur along with rapid shallow breathing. Once the belly twists, the animal will develop symptoms of shock including pale mucous membranes, weak pulses and eventual collapse.

Treatment includes IV fluids and attempts at relieving the pressure in the stomach via a tube passed through mouth and esophagus into the stomach or by inserting a large needle into the stomach. Once pressure is relieved, xrays will be taken to determine whether the stomach has twisted. If the stomach has twisted, abdominal surgery will be performed to assess the damage to the organs and to reposition the stomach. Because animals that experience bloat once are susceptible to developing the condition again, the stomach will also be "tacked" in such a way that will not allow the stomach to twist again, should another episode occur.

Unfortunately, for Haden although his stomach was tacked the first time, the tacking did not hold which allowed him to develop the condition again. If it weren't for the quick action on the part of Haden's foster parents Heather and Chris Schmitt, Haden most likely would not have survived either episode.

So, while volunteering as a foster parent 99% of the time results in a low stress friendship with a deserving rescue, sometimes unforeseen problems can occur. The foster packets and CDs that we provide to all foster parents and adopters have a wealth of information that has been carefully selected to alert our families of potential problems such as Haden's. If you haven't had the opportunity to look at your CD recently, bust it out and review it again. We all love the HOTLR dogs and know that they are special, but it's good to remember that even the most special dogs can develop serious problems while under even the best of care - just like any other dog. Although these situations are rare, it's good to be prepared.

HOTLR would like to take a moment to thank Heather and Chris Schmitt and their quick thinking that has saved Haden's life, not once but twice.... We are so grateful to our foster parents and all the volunteers for making our work such a success. Without you, we could not do the work we love to do and save as many Labrador lives.

Join HOTLR on a Historic Walking Tour of Austin

2011-04-07T10:46:00.003-05:00

Seriously, temperatures already hitting the 90's? Phew, it looks like we are in for a long hot summer. So my recommendation is that you cling on to the last few "cool" days of Spring, and spend as much time as you can outdoors with your canine companion.

Not sure where to go? How about spending some quality time with your pooch downtown? A leisurely Sunday afternoon stroll with your pup will not only be good for your dog, but it will be good for you too!! So, join Heart of Texas Lab Rescue (HOTLR) this Sunday for a walking tour of Congress Avenue and E. Sixth St. The tour departs from the south entrance of the Capitol Building at 2pm. This is a free guided tour of the Capital and E. Sixth Street area that will familiarize you with many of the historic buildings making up the heart of downtown Austin. You'll learn about the Old World architecture of a few churches and the histories behind some of Austin's oldest buildings. Want to know more about the sites you'll see on the tour? Click here for the walking tour brochure. For more on touring Austin by foot, click here. Be sure to sign up on our Events link on the HOTLR website so we know you're coming!! You'll sign up as a "volunteer" but there is no work involved at this event. Just head out and have a good time!!!

Afterwards, consider chilling out with your dog at one of the local downtown dog friendly restaurants. It may be necessary to load your dog up in the car and drive a little, but it will be well worth it. Opal Divine's is a great place for a post-walk bevvy and an early dinner. Scholz Beer Garten is another iconic Austin establishment that shouldn't be missed. Also, consider the Dog and Duck Pub a little further uptown. For a complete list of dog friendly restaurants, click here.

We Austinites are seriously lucky to be part of a town and community that is so dog friendly. Do your part and show these establishments your gratitude by visiting them frequently with your pet. It's a great way to meet new people and brag about Heart of Texas Lab Rescue too...You don't need no Mighty Texas Dog Walk to march the streets of downtown with your dog. Do it this Sunday. You'll be glad you did!!

Canine Vaccinations Decoded

2011-03-25T15:47:00.007-05:00

Do you ever feel confused when you take your dog to the vet and receive the news that he is due for his DAPP, Rabies and Bordetella booster? Do you wish that you knew what each of these vaccines protects against, whether they are necessary and how often you should give them? Well, at the end of this little article, I hope I will have uncovered some of the mystery surrounding canine vaccinations.

According to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), there are two types of vaccinations - those they consider core vaccines and those that are considered non-core. Core vaccines should be given to every dog no matter lifestyle or locations where the dog may live. These include rabies, distemper, adenovirus, and parvovirus. Non-core vaccines are given when and if a dog can become infected with a disease due to it's lifestyle or the area of the country where he/she lives or visits. These include bordetella (or kennel cough), Lyme disease, and leptospirosis. Other vaccines that may be given include parainfluenza, hepatitis, and coronavirus.

AAHA recommends that puppies receive an entire schedule of vaccines including boosters periodically during their first year of life to build the immune system. Your veterinarian can recommend the best vaccine schedule for your puppy.

After year one, AAHA recommends that all vaccines be repeated at the puppy's first annual checkup. Thereafter, vaccines for parvovirus, distemper, adenovirus, hepatitis, parainfluenza and coronavirus can be given every three years. Each city or state determines how often the rabies vaccine should be given. In the Austin area there are different rules depending on what city or county you live in. In Travis county, rabies vaccines can be given every 3 years, once it can be shown that a dog has received two rabies vaccines one year apart.

In other words, if you adopt an older dog with an unknown vaccine history, your dog will need to receive a rabies vaccine when he is adopted (if he hasn't already) and a another one a year later, before your dog can move to the 3 year schedule. It is recommended that this approach be taken for all of the remaining core vaccines as well. When you adopt a dog from HOTLR, you will receive a vaccination record for your new dog. Make an appointment with your veterinarian within the first few weeks of adopting to introduce your new dog to the vet and to transfer the medical records you have been given to your veterinarian. You may discuss with him/her at that time the approach you decide to take regarding your new dog's vaccination schedule.

Here is a short description of each of the canine diseases that most veterinarians vaccinate against:

Core Diseases:

Rabies - deadly virus that affects the nervous system and is fatal. Rabies is transmitted through the saliva and most often through bite wounds. Rabies causes paralysis, manic and aggressive behavior before death. Rabies can be transmitted to humans.

Distemper - also a deadly virus characterized by discharge from the nose and eyes, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, labored or difficult breathing, and seizures. Some dogs may develop hardened or thickened foot pads and chronic encephalitis Distemper is transferred through direct contact with secretions, urine or feces from an infected dog. There is known cure.

Adenovirus - Two strains CAV-1 and CAV-2. CAV-1 causes canine infectious hepatitis and attacks the liver. Symptoms include loss of appetite, lethargy, jaundice, coughing, fever and vomiting. The cornea of the eyes can become cloudy or "bluish". This disease attacks the liver and kidneys. It is spread through the nasal secretions, saliva, blood, urine and feces of an infected animal. CAV-2 presents as a respiratory infection. There is no cure and treatment is largely supportive. Death can occur without warning. Though dogs can recover from this disease, it can lead lesions on the kidneys and permanent damage to the cornea.

Parvovirus - is a virus found mostly in puppies although adult dogs can get it too. It is highly infectious. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea often with blood, high fever and dehydration. Again, treatment is supportive including 24 hospitalization with intravenous fluids. There is a high mortality rate in young puppies. The virus is spead through contact with feces and can survive on inanimate objects for months.

Coronavirus - another less serious virus that affects puppies. Coronavirus causes diarrhea, however vomiting is rarely associated with the disease. Because it is difficult to differentiate between parvovirus and coronavirus except through labratory testing, it is sometimes mistaken for parvo. While death may still occur, death rates are much lower than with parvo.

Canine Infectious Hepatitis - see adenovirus

Non Core:

Leptospirosis - This disease has recently reemerged after many years in the background of infectious diseases as populations have begun to move into former agricultural and forested areas. This disease is spread by contact with urine of an affected animal and can be transmitted through contaminated water sources including those where cattle or other animals may frequent. Dogs can get lepto through contact with urine from many wild animals including many of those that may visit your backyard (squirrels, raccoons, skunks, etc.) The disease attacks the liver and kidneys of the animal and while most dogs due recover within several days, the disease can continue to be shed in their urine for several weeks. This disease is contagious to humans. Dogs that camp, hike, swim or spend any amount of time outdoors are good candidates for this vaccine.

Parainfluenza - one of many viruses known to cause infectious tracheobronchitis or "kennel cough". Dogs may exhibit discharge from the nose and eyes as well as a dry, hacking cough. Sometimes a dog will gag from the force of the cough. This disease is highly infectious and while symptoms can disappear within 6 - 10 days, an infected dog can shed the virus for up to 14 weeks.

Bordetella (Kennel Cough) - highly contagious respiratory disease that can cause tracheitis, bronchitis, or laryngitis. It may be caused by a combination of bacteria and/or viruses and/or mycoplasms. Symptoms include discharge from the nose and eyes, a dry cough, swollen lymph nodes and possibly a fever. Dogs that are often in boarding kennels, dog shows or other places with a large dog population should be vaccinated regularly. Your vet can make the best recommendation for your dog and his/her lifestyle.

Lyme disease- tick borne disease caused by a bacteria carried by the common deer tick. Symptoms may not appear until 2 to 5 months after the infected tick bite. Symptoms include lethargy, loss of appetite, fever, lameness and joint swelling. Severe kidney disease appears in a few cases and can be fatal. This disease is usually treated with antibiotics although antibiotic treatment is recommended for up to 30 days. This vaccine is recommended for dogs that are exposed to areas with heavy infestations of the deer tick. These occur mostly in the northeast United States, however, cases have been reported in the Austin area.

Again, should you have questions regarding your dog's vaccinations, it is best to have a discussion with your veterinarian to understand which vaccines and how often your dog should be vaccinated.

Pain Management and Your Senior Pet

2011-03-18T11:02:00.008-05:00

I once read that pet owners are special people because they know that they will outlive their pets, and they accept the eventual sadness that will come with the loss of a pet, in exchange for the happiness and joy that they will give their pet and receive from their pet during the years they are together. If there was one thing I could change about my dogs, it would be that their lifespans could be lengthened. It is difficult to watch them grow old.

Probably one of the first signs that age is affecting your pet (besides the sweet grey whiskers that pop up on their chins), is the slowing of their movements. They are slow to get up from their beds, may avoid using the stairs, or may develop a limp. In early stages, they may seem more painful in the morning or late at night and behave relatively normal during the rest of the day. They may lack the same energy for a game of fetch, avoid jumping or choose to sleep rather than go for a walk. Chances are they are suffering from arthritis. Arthritis also known as degenerative joint disease, is a painful swelling and inflammation of the joints. This pain impacts the dog's mobility. If your dog has been diagnosed with a genetic orthopedic issue, or has injured himself in some way, he may show signs of arthritis at an earlier age. But by the age of 7, the number of cases of arthritis doubles.

What can you do to treat this condition? A trip to the veterinarian is a good place to start. A senior blood panel is a good idea to get a baseline of your pet's liver and kidney functions and overall health. Your vet will probably recommend xrays of some of your pet's suspect joints to determine if the degenerative process has begun. Once a diagnosis has been reached, your vet may recommend surgical, medicinal or physical therapy or a combination of all three. Fortunately, there are many types of drugs that act in a variety of ways, at a relatively low cost that will help you manage your pet's arthritis and allow him to remain active.

Cayman (pictured above) will be 13 at the end of May. He suffers from arthritis in his knees, hips and spine. Yet, every single day, around 4pm, he is at my desk asking to go out to play. He wants to chase his tennis ball and still feels well enough to tell me it's time to play. He is on some form of all the medications listed below. Although, at first, it may seem overwhelming, once you understand how each medication is relieving his suffering, and see the results of this treatment, then giving him his meds becomes as easy as feeding him his meals.

Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM - If your dog is suffering from mild or early stages of arthritis, your vet may simply recommend the natural supplements of glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM (methylsulfonylmethane). These supplements support joint health by acting to keep cartilage healthy as well as protecting cartilage from destructive enzymes. There are a number of products that your vet can recommend to ensure your dog gets the proper dosage of these supplements. It is important to keep in mind that these supplements are not pain relievers, but simply work to bolster joint health. I started all my pups on these treats around the age of 5. I use Joint Max Triple Strength Soft Chews. I follow the directions on the package based on my dog's weight and simply plop these treats into their dog bowls with their meals. Be sure to check with your veterinarian and go with the product that he/she recommends.

Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatories (NSAIDs) - NSAIDs work by reducing the inflammation and swelling at the joint. Think of these drugs as your doggy's "ibuprofen". You may be familiar with NSAIDs already if your dog has had any surgery, as these are most often given as take home meds post-operatively. Theses drugs require a prescription from your vet and are specially formulated for dogs. Drugs in this class include Rimadyl, Deramaxx, Etogesic, Metacam and Zubrin. It is important to discuss these drugs with your veterinarian and their potential side effects, as they have been known to cause stomach upset and occasionally stomach ulcers. For these reasons, be sure to follow your veterinarians instructions carefully, discontinue if vomiting occurs, and do not give in conjunction with corticosteroids. It is not recommended to ever give your pets the human forms of aspirin, ibuprofen or acteminophen due to the same concerns stated above.

Tramadol - If your dog has had surgery recently, you may also be familiar with the drug tramadol. Tramadol is a human medication used for pain and acts similar to an opioid (such as morphine). It works by helping to block pain signals to the brain. It is used extensively in veterinary medicine to treat post operative pain and chronic pain (such as cancer pain and arthritis). It can be used in conjunction with NSAIDs, but also alone. It has a wide window of dosage and can be adjusted to fit the needs of the patient. It can be given every 6 - 8 hours alone or with food. Tramadol is bitter to the taste and may need to be well hidden in food to be given. It can also cause mild sedation. If you think that your pet is "too sedate" on the drug, speak to your veterinarian and consider lessening the dose before discontinuing its use.

Gabapentin - Gabapentin is another human drug that is also useful for animal patients. This drug works primarily for neurological pain and is used most often in cases of chronic pain such as that associated with cancer and arthritis. If your pet has been diagnosed with arthritis in the spine, or seems weak in his back end, then gabapentin may be a good choice. When used in combination with NSAIDs, gabapentin can be effective at lower doses. Similar to Tramadol, it also has a wide window of dosage and can be adjusted to fit your pet's individual pain level.

Adequan - Adequan is an injectable drug that slows the progression of arthritis in the joint. It is manufactured by the drug company Novartis and was originally developed for horses. It helps keep the cartilage in the joint healthy and intact thus keeping the bones in the joint from rubbing together. It is administered by your veterinarian. Treatment involves two injections per week for four weeks and then a monthly maintenance injection after the first month. For the drug to work properly, it is important to keep up with this schedule.

If you aren't afraid of needles, ask your veterinarian about the possibility of learning to give the injections at home. I currently use Adequan for all four of my Labs. I can give the injections by myself. I find the best opportunity is to slip in the shot while they eating their meals. They don't even flinch because they are so engrossed in their food.

Again, do not be overwhelmed by the recommendations above. Once you begin a drug protocol for your pet, give it some time to work. Start small and add other medications slowly until you feel like your pet has reached a reasonable level of comfort. Don't give up until the pain stops.

Both tramadol and gabapentin can be called into a local pharamacy for very reasonable prices. Joint supplements can be purchased over-the-counter in many different forms also at reasonable prices. NSAIDs and Adequan are a little more expensive. Save money on Adequan by learning to give the injections at home. Talk to your vet about purchasing NSAIDs in bulk to see if you can receive a price break that way.

Last, medicinal therapy is not the only choice for pain management in our elder pets. Here are a few other tips to make sure your pet feels good well into his senior years.

1)Weight management is equally important. A lean weight will lessen the pressure and stress his/her aging joints need to support.

2)Feeding your dog a healthy diet is also important. There are a variety of senior diets available at retail stores that specifically address senior pet health issues. Ask your vet for a recommendation.

3) Moderate exercise. Let your dog tell you how he feels and judge the amount of exercise accordingly. Exercise helps to keep the joints mobile and lubricated. Moderate walks and swimming are wonderful ways to exercise your aging pet.

4) Holistic pet therapies. Don't forget to consider canine massage, physical therapy, acupressure and acupuncture. Remember your last massage? Didn't you feel fabulous afterward? Give your senior pet the same gift. Physical therapy exercises can also help keep your pet flexible and mobile. Ask the physical therapist about exercises you can do at home. Check with your vet for a recommendation for a physical therapist near you. Acupressure and acupuncture are also holistic alternatives that can help your pet feel better.

Unfortunately, we can't stop our pets from aging. But we can help them live a long, comfortable life. Is it all worth it???? Look at the face above....doesn't that say it all???

Keep the Grass Green and Your Pets Safe

2011-03-10T15:58:00.006-06:00

One of the best parts about living in central Texas is the beautiful springs that we enjoy. While big portions of the country continue to dig out of the snow, we Austinites are already busting out the shorts and flip-flops. After a record breaking cold winter, the sunshine is out, the breezes are blowing and blooms are bursting into color in every direction. Guess it's time to start the old yard work....

My yard looks mighty tired this spring compared to other years. My mulch has blown away, my plants are brown and kinda crunchy and some of my oldest plants may have succumbed to age and the multiple nights of freezing temps.

What can I do to make my yard healthy and beautiful while still keeping my dogs safe?

Mulch

First, pass on the cocoa mulch. Cocoa mulch is a fine, sweet smelling mulch that contains both theobromine and caffeine. Both chemicals are harmful to your pet. Because of the sweet smell (some say it smells like a chocolate Poptart), dogs may be inclined to try a bite. Even a few ounces of the mulch can be dangerous to your pet.

Dogs that ingest and become ill from eating cocoa mulch will show much the same symptoms of those that overdose on chocolate. Vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain are early symptoms, but higher does can produce restlessness, excitability, increased heart rates, tremors, shaking and even seizures. There are several varieties of mulch that can be used in place of cocoa mulch. For example, cedar or pine mulch provides a good substitute.

Compost

This next caution comes from personal experience. We all dream of a velvety green lawn to play in with our dogs. To get the beautiful green lawn that we all seek, some choose to toss around some compost. One popular brand of compost in central Texas is the beloved Dillo Dirt. Probably most famous for "subbing in" for mud at the ACL (Woodstock Wannabe) Rain Fest in Zilker Park a few years back, Dillo Dirt is made right here in Austin. According to the City of Austin, Dillo Dirt consists of "yard trimmings collected curbside and treated sewage sludge" which is cured at 170 degree Fahrenheit temperatures to kill all the plant and human pathogens it may contain.

It's not so much that ingesting Dillo Dirt is toxic to your pet, although the thought is not exactly pleasant. The problem with Dillo Dirt and all types of compost is that dogs that eat large quantities could develop a serious gastric obstruction. Large amounts of compost can become "wadded up" in the intestines causing a blockage. Once a blockage has occurred, surgery is the only treatment.

My 13 year old Lab ate loads of Dillo Dirt last year and developed a serious obstruction in several places in his bowel. Although his veterinarian was brilliant, at his age, the four hour surgery nearly killed him. For five days and nights, we transported him to the Emergency Clinic and his regular veterinarian. The toxicity released into his body from the blockage caused him to develop a heart arrhythmia. Even though my vet assured me that the arrhythmia would resolve itself (and it did), you certainly never want to hear that your "sweet old man" has any type of heart problem. The surgery took its toll on us as well as Cayman. Not only the emotional exhaustion that comes with a life threatening event, but the financial toll as well was considerable ( and I work for the animal hospital that performed the surgery and received a significant discount).

Natural compost made from your "leftovers" can also be harmful to pets. Moldy food, and certain fruits and vegetables, bacteria and other pathogens could cause your pet to become very sick.

So, my advice, steer clear of the Dillo Dirt and reserve your compost for a fenced in garden....

Plants

Thinking about sprucing up your flower beds? We highlighted the dangers of the Sago Palm which is used in lots of central Texas yards. Other common plants to our area that are toxic to dogs include the caladium, Elephant Ears, oleander, Lantana, and mushrooms. Symptoms vary in presentation and degree of seriousness. For a complete list of toxic plants, check out the ASPCAs Poisonous Plant list.

Pesticides and Insecticides

Most pet owners are aware of the dangers of insecticides and pesticides. The key is keeping our pets from coming into contact with them. Rat poison is by far, one of the most toxic poisons to dogs. Dogs that ingest rat poison suffer several types of neurological effects - the severity of which depends upon the amount eaten. Muscle tremors, seizures, paralysis and brain swelling can occur. Successful treatment is largely dependent on how much poison was eaten and how quickly treatment begins. Treatment includes administration of activated charcoal and induced vomiting to clear the system of the poison and hopefully block absorption, as well as IV fluids to keep the animal hydrated. A mutli-day hospital stay is probably necessary as well.

If you must use poisonous substances in your yard to control pests, be sure to read the cautionary statements on all packaging and supervise your pet when he/she is in the yard.

For more information on keeping your garden and yard safe for your pets, check out the ASPCA's article Pet-Safe Gardening.

New "Kids", Walks and Other Stuff

2011-03-04T11:06:00.011-06:00

New Kids on the Block - This past week HOTLR welcomed 3 new Labs into the adoption program. Sundance is a big yellow boy and his litter/housemate Moonshine is a sweet black girl. Ginger is a large yellow girl who was hit by a car and is currently undergoing veterinary care to fix her dislocated hip. If you are interested in fostering one of these beauties, email us at hotlr@hotlabrescue.org. To learn more about these pups and the other dogs in the HOTLR program, click here.

New Products for a Walk - Spring time is here and that means that you will be spending more time outside with your furry friend. Make sure you are prepared with all the proper gear.

Okay, so this first product is not new. We've talked about it before. But recently, we had someone inquire on our Facebook page about the Easy Walk Harnesses we use at HOTLR. I can't say enough about these harnesses. They work like magic. The difference between the Easy Walk Harness and other types of harnesses is that they attach to the leash in the front on the chest. This places pressure on the dog's chest when they pull and causes them to slow down. Other harnesses typically have leash attachment loops on the back. This creates pressure on the back and neck and could potentially hurt your dog. Additionally, with a leash attachment in the front, you can actually attach the leash to your dog's collar and to the harness simultaneously giving you extra control if you need it. They work even for the most challenging dog. Don't believe me? Give one a try. I bet you'll love it...The Easy Walk Harness is sold at most Petco and Petsmart locations. Also, check your local family owned pet store, or order on the Internet.

If you have multiple pets, sometimes it's a challenge to walk both at the same time. The leash coupler makes walking multiple dogs much easier. Two short extensions are connected by one main ring. Each of the leash extensions attach to the front ring of each of your dogs' harnesses. Then you attach one leash to the middle ring. Now you are able to walk two dogs at the same time with just one leash. Genius!! I actually have two couplers and walk three dogs at once!! So cool!! Available at Petsmart and Petco, you can also purchase your coupler here.
What about walking your dog at night? During the short days of winter and the hottest and most humid days of summer, it may make more sense to walk your dog after the sun goes down or before the sun comes up. Afraid that people may not see you? Check out the SeeSpot lighted dog collars. The dog collars contain LED lights and AAA batteries and are made of sturdy nylon. The collars are easily adjustable with velcro closures and come in both red and blue nylon.

Austinite Brad Beneski designed these collars after worrying about his deaf dog at night. Because his dog couldn't hear him, Brad wanted to make sure he could always see her. Hence, the SeeSpot collar was born. So not only do the collars alert other people to you and your pup, but they also allow you to keep a close eye on your dog at night.

On a recent walk at Turkey Creek dog park with Brad to demo the collars, I was surprised to discover that they are actually water resistant. Brad's dog, Sonny (a yellow Lab rescued from Town Lake Animal Shelter) had his on and was frolicking in the creek. The collar was completely submerged, but the lights kept on blinking. Brad did tell me that if the lights do go out if your dog overdoes it in the water, simply let the collar dry out over night.

These collars are not be used as a dog's main collar, but as a supplement to the collar he /she already has. There are no leash attachments or rings for identification tags. Also, the limited color selection may dissuade some designer dogs from their purchase. But remember, these collars are about safety and functionality....not fashion. To purchase your SeeSpot collar, click here.

Last, let's talk about the Chuck It Ball Launcher and the Chuck It Rubber Tennis Balls. If your retriever is an Olympic star (or maybe just a pup who enjoys a good chase), then these ball launchers are for you. They can launch the ball way further than this human arm can throw and there's a scoop at the end of the Chuck It launcher stick that keeps you from having to pick up a wet, slimy ball. The Chuck It used to come with tennis balls. As you know, tennis balls can hurt your dog's teeth as the outer covering of the ballacts as sand paper against tooth enamel. Recently, Chuck It started carrying their own brand of rubber ball that fits perfectly into the scoop. These rubber balls not only are better for your dog, but they last longer and float too! Perfect dog toy? You betcha!! The Chuck It ball launcher and Chuck It rubber balls can be found at any dog supply store including Petsmart, Petco and your local dog store. Of course, they can be purchased on-line as well.

California Pizza Kitchen - Don't forget it about the California Pizza Kitchen event that will be held March 9 and March 10. Both the Domain and Barton Creek Square Mall stores will give 20% of your purchases to Heart of Texas Lab Rescue. There is one small catch. You must show up with the HOTLR flyer. Think CPK is all about pizza? Not so fast, check out their menu of goodies here. Don't forget to Dine Out for HOTLR Dogs at CPK next week!!!

Leena and Elbow Dysplasia

2011-02-24T15:10:00.007-06:00

As most of us familiar with the Labrador retriever know, there are certain genetic traits that predispose them to unfortunate medical issues.

Almost everyone has heard of hip dysplasia, but do you know about elbow dysplasia? Elbow dysplasia is complicated to explain, but is essentially a malformation of the elbow joint most likely due to genetics or stress to the joint during growth, that can cause lameness and degenerative joint disease or arthritis in dogs. In general it affects the giant and larger breed dogs, but is also diagnosed in smaller dogs as well.

Treatment for elbow dysplasia varies. Depending on how quickly the disease is diagnosed, surgery can be performed to help correct the problems of the joint. However, surgery is not as successful once permanent changes or arthritis of the joint has set in. The best candidates for surgery are young dogs between 1 - 2 years of age. Surgery is expensive, must be done by a trained specialist and requires 6 - 8 weeks of post operative recovery including extremely limited activity, cage rest and physical therapy. Surgery does not guarantee against development of arthritis of the joint in the future. Even dogs who have had surgery often require the same type of pain management and anti-inflammatory medication that non-surgical patients receive.

In older dogs where permanent damage of the joint has already occurred, surgery is not as successful. In these cases, dogs are treated with NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), glucosamine and chondroitin supplements, and low impact exercise, such as swimming or walking. Weight control is also an important component of supportive treatment as overweight dogs will put additional stress on already sensitive joints. Although different degrees of severity occur, dogs with elbow dysplasia do not have a decreased life expectancy and when properly cared for, can live a normal relatively pain free life.

Many of you know Susie. I adopted her from HOTLR in 2008. Susie was diagnosed with elbow dysplasia in both elbows, arthritis in her spine, and a luxating patella in her left knee. Since her diagnosis, Susie has hiked numerous miles in Colorado, routinely does three to six mile hikes here in Austin with some pretty serious inclines, swims like an otter and loves to "tree" squirrels in the backyard. She is somewhere around 7-8 years old and the only treatment she currently receives for her medical problems are JointMax Triple Strength Chews (an over-the-counter joint supplement containing glucosamine, chondroitin, and other joint cartilage supplements) and Adequan (a monthly injectable medication that slows further degeneration of her joints). She does not limp or seem otherwise painful. Susie is probably not going to come in first place at any foot race, but her joy of life and spirit for play make her a perfect companion for me. I haven't regretted adopting her for one second.

Leena is a dog currently in the HOTLR program that has recently been diagnosed with elbow dysplasia. Her dysplasia is mild and only concerns one elbow. She does not limp and does not seem uncomfortable currently. The only indication that she has the condition is that she stands with one of her feet pointed outwards. Leena is 3 years old now and is most likely not a good candidate for surgery. However, Leena is still able to be a wonderful companion. She will probably not be able to run a marathon or be a frisbee champ, but there is no reason why Leena will not be able to go on long rambling walks with you, swim in any lake or stream you take her, and snuggle up with you at night to watch television. She is currently on no pain medication as she is not limping nor does she seem painful, however it is probably a good idea for her to receive joint supplements that a veterinarian can prescribe and that you can usually get over-the-counter.

Typically, any older Labrador regardless of whether he/she has ever been diagnosed with elbow or hip dysplasia will require some type of supportive joint treatment as they age. They are big dogs, they are often somewhat overweight and they have usually been very active throughout their lives. So, Leena, will be just like every other Labrador out there. Yes, she should be getting her joint supplements now and maybe she'll need anti-inflammatories before some of her older Lab friends, but she will live a very happy and healthy life.

So if you are considering adopting a Labrador, consider Leena. Don't let her condition scare you. This is a very, very common condition in the Labrador retriever and even the best breeder with the best pedigreed animals cannot guarantee a puppy that will be dysplasia free. Leena is ready and waiting and like every single dog in the HOTLR program she needs a forever home filled with forever love. Do you know someone that can give Leena a second chance at a beautiful life? Don't you think she deserves it? For more information on Leena, check her out on the HOTLR website!!

Doggy Diet Details

2011-02-15T15:55:00.004-06:00

After the pet food recall scare of 2007, many pet owners have become increasingly interested in just exactly what it is that they should feed their pets. Some pets owners are feeding homemade diets and raw food diets in an effort to have total control over the food their pets eat. Many books and articles have been written on how to better feed our pets, but one of the best resources for deciding what is right for your pet can be found using the Whole Dog Journal (WDJ).

Although WDJ is a huge proponent of homemade and raw food diets, they realize that this type of feeding may not be right for all people and their pets. So not only do they consistently review books on canine nutrition and offer advice for "at home" feeders, they also review both dry and wet dog food on an annual basis.

The February 2011 issue reviews dry dog foods and outlines the types of ingredients a pet owner wants to look for on the labels of the pet food they are considering.

First, a bit about labels. According to the FDA rules, ingredients must be listed in order by weight with the heaviest ingredient at the top of the list, and then the next heaviest and so on. Additionally, these ingredients must contain at least 95% of the meat ingredient that is named. For example, if the first ingredient on a dog food label reads chicken for dogs, then, 95% of this particular ingredient must be what it says it is before water or condiments are added. When water and condiments are added as part of processing, the main ingredient (in this case chicken) must still represent 70% of the named product. The rules grow more complex and complicated as you read on. Note that animal protein may not always be at the top of the food ingredient list. For more information about dog food labels click here:

According to the Whole Dog Journal the components that you should look for on a dog food label are as follows:

1) Named animal protein - look for a specific named animal protein such as beef, chicken, duck, veal, salmon, etc. Be wary of proteins with non-specific generic names, such as "meat" or when a specific animal protein is not on the top of the ingredient list.

2) A named animal meal is essential when the primary protein source is a fresh meat. Water that occurs naturally in fresh or frozen meat can make the product heavier, thereby driving the ingredient to the top of the dog food ingredients list due to its total weight. In contrast an animal meal contains very little water. Animal meal can be used in a secondary role, increasing the total protein content when taken together with the primary ingredient. Again, this animal protein meal should be "named", such as chicken meal or beef meal and should not have a non-specific name such as "meat" meal.

3) Vegetables, fruits and grains should be incorporated into the dog food in their "whole" or natural form with minimal processing. Keeping them in their natural state keeps the vitamins and nutrients found in the ingredients intact. Remember, that these ingredients should not come before the animal protein source on the dog food label, but should be used to supplement the protein source.

4) Next, WDJ recommends staying away from foods with meat by-products, added sweetners, artificial preservatives and artificial colors.

5) Pay attention to the best buy date on your pet's food. WDJ recommends looking for foods with best buy dates as much as 10 to 11 months from the date of purchase. This is a sign that the food is very recently made. Be careful to check for artificial preservatives such as BHA, BHT or ethoxyquin) which can extend the life of pet food for up to two years.

6) Finally, discuss your pet's nutritional requirements with a veterinarian. Nutrition has a huge impact on the health of your pet, so your veterinarian's input and understanding of your pet's nutrition is essential to the overall well-being of your furry friend. Certain foods or protein sources may not be the best for a pet suffering certain medical conditions such as diabetes kidney or bladder stones, irritable bowel syndrome or other chronic conditions, so make sure your vet is aware of the diet your pet is eating.

When switching to a new food, remember to do it slowly over the course of a few days to make sure that no stomach upset occurs. Also, remember that the amount you feed is important too. I've found that the amount I feed my dog varies based on the food my dog eats. I recently changed diets for my senior dog and went from feeding him 9 cups a day to 2 cups per day. No kidding!! So read the label, and use it as a guideline. Always feed for the weight your pet should be not the weight that he is (especially if he is overweight). Then, consider how much your pet exercises and his/her metabolism and adjust upward or downward in half cup increments (if you have a Lab) to find the amount that keeps your dog fit and at a lean body weight.

One of the most rewarding aspects of rescue work is watching the transformation that takes place in a dog once he or she is given proper nutrition. There is a noticeable difference in almost every physical aspect of the dog, so we can only imagine that good things are happening internally as well. It's that important.

Laugh for the Love of Labs

2011-02-07T15:22:00.008-06:00

So most of you probably know that Heart of Texas Lab Rescue is hosting a fundraiser at Capitol City Comedy Club this Friday. And since most of you share your life in the company of at least one Labrador....I know you like to laugh. So, why not join the HOTLR gang and head on out to Cap City this Friday February 11th at 8pm? Headliner is Jimmie Roulette. Here is a little snippet of what you can expect. What else do you get? Big laughs with a friendly audience of fellow Lab lovers. Feel even better about those gut busters when you realize that $9 of your $12 ticket goes directly to HOTLR to help us pay medical expenses and kenneling costs. (Cap City does require a two item menu purchase in addition to your ticket price - this could be drinks or food).

We could really use your help now too. Shari (scroll down the Labs Needing Homes page of our website to view Shari's story), a sweet yellow girl who is a recent addition to the HOTLR family has some significant health issues to overcome. Most likely used as a one dog puppy factory, Shari has a horrible bacterial skin infection and is heartworm positive. In addition to that, she's done a lot of damage to her teeth most likely from chewing the bars of the cage she was kept in. Whether it was from boredom or the desperate desire to be free and find people to play with, we can't know. Shari also needs to be spayed. Labrador Retrievers go into heat twice yearly. At approximately 6 years of age, Shari easily could have birthed between 100 and 120 puppies. Again we cannot know. One thing is for sure. This is definitely a sweet yellow girl who has more than paid her dues and is very definitely deserving of a second chance at a healthy life with a loving family.

Shari is one of our favorite kind of Labs. Her resilient personality is remarkable given the condition of her body. She is a very rewarding case to work. She is a great candidate for a successful outcome because her spirit for life doesn't allow her to get down just because she doesn't feel well. That same "joie de vivre" will be sure to reward the family that ultimately provides her a forever home. We know that Shari will be eternally grateful - making you smile and laugh and love will be her gift to you.

So don't go to Cap City for HOTLR, or for me. Go get your laugh on for sweet Shari....She'll be full of tail-waggin' thanks and so will we. Tickets must be bought prior to the night of the event. Email us at: hotlr@hotlabrescue.org for more information and to purchase tickets. I have my tickets, do you have yours?

The Reality of Rescue

2011-01-25T17:09:00.007-06:00

I am a volunteer for Heart of Texas Lab Rescue. I am the editor of the newsletter, and obviously, the HOTLR blogger. I have also fostered. You might see me at some community rescue events, usually showing off one of my own adopted HOTLR dogs, or you might find me at the vet clinic helping out with some new dogs just brought into the program. Occasionally, you might see me at a Meet 'n Greet.

I have discovered that volunteering for a rescue group is very rewarding. I remember thinking long and hard before I sent in my volunteer application, because I wanted to make sure I was really committed to the cause before I spent a good deal of my spare time working for it. Once I made the decision to push the "Enter" key, there was no turning back.

I am here to tell you that volunteering for Heart of Texas Lab Rescue has changed my life. First and foremost, I have met some amazing people that live and breath Labradors. These people are truly dedicated to rescuing and rehoming as many of these wonderful creatures as they can. I have learned so much about animal rescue and the blood, sweat and tears it takes to make a rescue work.

And then there are the dogs.....how many of these beautiful resilient dogs I have had the pleasure to meet, I cannot tell you. I want to take all of them home and have tried. I welcomed two of the most precious canine souls around into my home thanks to HOTLR, not to mention the sweet dogs that I happily fostered. I also visit animal shelters on occasion and have the honor of helping to choose the dogs that come into the program.

At this moment, HOTLR currently has around 20 dogs in our program. That's actually a lower number for us because we just had a massively successful Meet 'n Greet a few weekends ago where 5 lucky Labs got chosen by their forever families.

We are constantly bombarded with requests via email, Facebook, phone calls, etc. about dogs that need help. Most dogs come and go in a relatively short period of time from our program depending on medical or training issues that need to first be addressed before they meet families. However, currently, there are 3 dogs in our program we've had for over a year. Ruth is another one of our "long-timers" although she's been with us just 5 months. There were no medical issues with Ruth, she did not need much training. We don't know why she is still with us unless it is her age. But at nearly 9 years of age, she is, in my opinion, as sweet as a hot fudge sundae on a warm summer day and would make a perfect addition to any family. She is happy girl whose only wish in life is to be loved. She continues to patiently wait to be chosen by a loving family. (Please read Ruth's story on our Labs Available for Adoption page. She is one sweet girl that you will never regret giving a home, I promise. )

The reality is that for HOTLR to continue to exist, we have to take in dogs that are adoptable. The 3 dogs that we've had for over year are theoretically holding up space for approximately 36 other dogs that may have been rescued (if you consider 1 healthy dog per month for 12 months times 3 spots) if those dogs were not here. The money we take in for adoption fees helps us to maintain operations, mainly treating dogs for their medical problems and paying our bill at the kennel each month for those dogs that we do not have available foster families. That means that we sometimes have to leave dogs behind at shelters that are as deserving as the other dogs that we choose, so that we can be sure there are enough available dogs in the program that will easily adopt. Sounds cold-hearted, right? But it is reality. We have limited funds, limited foster families and limited space. So, yes, sometimes we have to leave an old, blind, deaf, heartworm positive dog behind because in the long run, we know that the opportunity for him to adopt is quite small, and the amount of time that we will have him keeps us from giving his space to other more easily adoptable dogs.

Believe me, as a person who has to look into his eyes, put him back into the cage, and leave him behind.....it really, really stinks. As a veterinary technician, a rescue volunteer, and a proud owner of a 13 year old Lab, every cell in my body screams for me to turn back, but I have to move forward to the next dog we can help.
Some people may not understand why we do not take "mixed breed" dogs. This one is also a "toughy" that can leave you teary-eyed at a shelter. When you walk aisle after aisle of beautiful, deserving dogs and look into those pleading eyes, it can be heartbreaking. Heart of Texas Lab Rescue has been around for 12 years. We have a certain reputation in the community as well as certain expectations that we seriously strive to meet. When someone comes to HOTLR for a Lab....that's what we try to give them. It's what we know best. That goofy energetic, fun-loving, people-oriented crowd pleaser that makes the Labrador Retriever the most popular dog in the United States. That's what we hope each family that comes to HOTLR gets. It's not that we try to discriminate against other breeds, it's just we know how Labs are supposed to behave. We know what to expect from them. Once they become mixed with other dog breeds, it's harder to predict their tendencies and behaviors, because we are not experts on those other breeds. To try to illustrate this point, it would be like going to buy a Ford at a Toyota dealership. Toyota knows Toyota, but they don't know Fords...

Lastly, the issue of strays comes up. When someone contacts us about a dog they have found, the very best thing they can do is take pictures. (A headshot and a side body shot work best.) Then, take the dog to their local shelter. Ask the shelter to notify us and also email us to let us know where the dog is and send us the pictures. The complicated Texas property laws keep us from simply picking up dogs that are found on the street and taking them into the program. They have to be legally released from their current ownership and that's most easily done by having the shelters transfer ownership to HOTLR after the dog spends the required amount of time in the shelter for the legal transfer of ownership to occur. Can you imagine how heart wrenching it would be if a dog has been placed in a family, but had not been legally transferred to HOTLR, and then we had to remove the dog from the adoptive family and give it back to its rightful owner? Not a situation we'd ever want to face.

I hope this clears up some of the mystery surrounding why some dogs make it into our program and others do not. We try the best we can to meet the expectations placed on us by the community while at the same time helping as many deserving Labs as we can. So when you volunteer for a rescue group that rescues the most popular breed in the US, the reality is that some Labs get left behind. That is the heartbreaking reality of rescue. So, I try to focus on the many Labs we've saved, and the many that will come in the future. It's hard, but we won't give up and the fight goes on. We are dedicated to placing as many Labs as we can into loving forever homes and giving these dogs the second chance they so deserve. We know we couldn't save as many Labs as we do without our volunteers and supporters, so thank you for helping us do what we can.

New Year's Resolutions for Your Lab. It's Not Too Late!!

2011-01-20T17:25:00.004-06:00

So, I realize I am chiming in a bit late here, but hey as they say, "Better late than never." Besides, it's been nearly a month since you made your New Year's Resolutions, so just think of this as a handy little check in to see how you are measuring up.

Well, maybe you've decided to punt your resolutions, but how about making a few for your dog??? Do you know that if you Google "New Year's Resolutions for Your Pets" that pages and pages of articles and suggestions come up??? Well, I've combed through many of these wonderful ideas and have come up with what I think is the All Around Best Labrador New Year's Resolutions of 2011 Even If It's A Bit Late List. So here goes:

1) Exercise - I saw a t-shirt once that said, "Life is short, play with your dog." No better advice can be followed. This one will actually do you and your Lab a lot of good. We all know the health implications of a dog that is overweight. But in case you've forgotten, let me remind you. Overweight dogs exhibit arthritis and other orthopedic issues, increased chances of diabetes and cancers, and respiratory and heart problems. This all means more frequent visits to the vet, more drugs and supplements prescribed for your dog and more dollars out of your wallet. And the one thing that should scare you the most about an overweight dog....a shortened life span. If you think your dog is overweight, schedule a visit to your vet, decide on a proper nutrition program and implement a vet recommended exercise program. This is the single most important thing you can do for your dog in 2011!!

2) Good Nutrition - Does your dogs haircoat look scruffy? Are you tired of picking up mounds and mounds of pooh from the backyard? Does it seem that every time you turn around, your dog is out of food? Then maybe it's time to look into a change of diet. Not only will your dog benefit from a healthier diet, you may find you actually save money by buying higher priced food. Sound crazy? Well, the high quality foods typically require you to feed less to maintain the same weight in your pet. That's because cheaper foods have an abundance of fillers and other added ingredients in them to help keep the cost of the food down. With higher quality ingredients, your dog doesn't need as much to get the calories he/she needs. So now for a little math, less food in, means less pooh out....Make sense? Your veterinarian can recommend a good food for your dog, or stop in to your local pet store. They have a variety of different foods you can choose from and knowledgeable staff that can help you pick the one that is best for you.

3) Health Check-Up - So, you can meet resolutions one and two with just a simple visit to the vet. Your vet can evaluate your pet's weight and recommend a good diet for your pet. In the meantime, you can also have the rest of your dog checked out. Talk to your vet about your lifestyle and the vaccines that are necessary for your dog. Have your vet determine whether your dog is showing signs of arthritis or if there is an underlying orthopedic issue going on. Lots of "old dog" problems can be resolved with daily dose of an anti-inflammatory allowing your senior dog to stay active and feel better.

Also, take the time to listen to what your vet has to say about your pet's teeth. If you'd never been to the dentist, I am quite sure that your teeth would need a good scrubbing. Just remember that the tartar and bacteria that collect in your pet's mouth is swallowed each time he eats and drinks. Over time, this bacteria can start to affect your dog's other organs as well. Also, broken teeth can cause abscesses that may make your dog very sick, not to mention the pain of a broken tooth can be excruciating.

Also, a good idea for Labs over the age of 5 is an across the board blood panel. This can alert you and your vet to problems with your dog before they become life threatening. Diseases like hypothyroidism and diabetes can be easily treated once they are identified.

Yes, I am aware that what I am suggesting is expensive. So think about setting up a savings account where you put a little money away each month in preparation for your dogs annual check up. I promise you, it will be money well spent.

4) Training - Make this year the year that you get rid of the one (or two) bad behaviors that keep you from having the World's Most Perfect Labrador. Check into a group training class or have a personal trainer come out and help your train those bad habits out of your dog. Then practice, practice, practice!! Once you can profess to all you know that you have "the truly perfect dog", it'll be worth all the money and practice.

And hey, if you already have the Truly Perfect Labrador, maybe it's time to show him off. Look into training him to become a therapy dog. There are also community programs for elementary schools, hospitals and elder care facilities. Now, we're talking about a win-win-win...you, your dog and the community!!

5) Love and Attention - here's an easy one that won't be hard to maintain at all....Make time for your dog. I don't mean brushing her while you watch American Idol, or petting her with one hand while you text your best friend with the other. I mean take her for a walk, get outside and throw the ball. Try to do this for 20 minutes every day. Spend a lazy Sunday morning having a love-in with your dog. Put on some relaxing music, lay down on the floor and rub your dog from head to toe. Don't use this time to trim her nails or clean her ears. Spend this time just petting and rubbing and touching and talking and loving her without interruption.

So, here is 5 to start. Choose one or two and make a real effort to stick with it. It's amazing how doing things for your dog can lift your spirits. It takes so little to make them happy, so start resolutin' for your dog today!!

A Lab Rescue Christmas Story

2010-12-20T16:31:00.009-06:00

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the pound

Not a creature was stirring, not even the hounds;

Except for some Labradors, their cage doors locked tight,

They paced and they shivered, it'd be a long chilly night;

Alone in their cages they dreamt of a day,
When they would have a home, and be no longer a stray;

With round, full bellies and people to love,
They each chose a star and made the wishes above,

But then in the parking lot arose such a clatter,
They watched from their cages to see what was the matter!

They looked to each other, now what could it be?
But it was too dark, and no one could see.

Then the moon came out and the wind did blow
The parking lot lit up and it began to glow,

When, what to their wondering eyes should appear,
But a woman and a green van she did steer,

Lots of kennels were in it, she intended to fill,
The Lab hearts beat loudly, and they grew very still.

More rapid than eagles she flew out the van,
And she whistled, and shouted, to the Lab cages she ran;

"You're Dasher! You're Dancer! You're Prancer and Vixen!
Come on, Comet! Your Cupid! You're Donder and Blitzen!

Those are your new names! Now come when I call!
Now dash to the van! To the van with you all!"

As fast as they could, they left their cement block,
They flew and they ran, not one of them did walk,

So into the van the Labradors did run,
A second chance at life, their shelter days were done.

And then, in a twinkling, Margaret did drive
The Labs they relaxed and they heaved a great sigh.

And she started to speak without turning around,

“You Labs are not lost, today you are found.”

“Tonight, the first night of the rest of your days,
You’ll be healed, you’ll be schooled with some "sits" and some "stays";

“You’ll eat healthy food and you’ll grow very strong,
“And then in some time, it won't be very long....”

“You’ll meet a nice family! And get a new home!”
“A family to love - one to call your very own!”

She talked and she calmed them in her nice way,
And the Labs they did settle and grew tired where they lay;

And Margaret she drove with the radio on,
And the Labs fell asleep to an old Christmas song;

And before they knew it, their dreams did come true,
Days of healing and learning, they went fast, man, they flew.

And soon they came to that special day,

They met forever families and picked one where they'd stay;

And they lived long lives, so happy and bright,
But none of them would ever forget that first night;

When that lady in the ugly green van did appear,
And gave them new life, took away their fear,

And forever they'd remember how lucky they were;
To have happy homes and to have clean fur,

And this is the wonderful things we can do,

With our supporters, volunteers and people like you,

And so we thank you with another year end in sight,

"Happy Holidays to all, and to all a good-night."

Heart of Texas Lab Rescue will be at Barnes & Noble for the rest of the week wrapping presents for donations. Please come see us. Check out our scheduled time on the HOTLR website!!

Do You Have a Toxic Household?

2010-12-13T15:36:00.003-06:00

Mesothelioma is a type of cancer that affects the pleural lining of the lung caused by "plaque" or thickening of the pleura due to asbestos exposure. Many people over the years have suffered from this disease. But people are not the only victims of this type of cancer. Dogs can be stricken with this disease as well.

Asbestos is a building material used from the 1930s to 1980s in many indoor structures and was a favorite among builders due to its low conductivity to heat and low incidences of burning or melting. Exposure to asbestos occurs when fibers are inhaled through the mouth and nose and settle in the lungs as a result of living or working in a building that was constructed using asbestos. Because of the strong link between asbestos and mesothelioma, asbestos is no longer used in building materials.

You and your pet could be at risk if you live or work in an affected building, or work or are exposed to demolition or repair of buildings containing asbestos. Your pet and family members are even at a high risk of exposure through "secondhand" asbestos exposure from fibers you may bring home with you.

Jackie Clark is an Outreach Coordinator with the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance and has kindly provided us with information about this toxic substance as well as other toxins that your pet may be exposed to in your homes. Please take a minute to review this important information:

Keeping Your Pet Safe: Hidden Danger of Household Toxins

Most of us know that exposure to household toxins like asbestos can lead to mesothelioma in humans; animals are just as susceptible to common hazards. Understanding that there are hidden dangers lurking around their house, pet owners can keep their furry friends safe, healthy and ultimately protected.

Most pet owners know to keep dangerous materials away from their animals such as cleaning supplies, people food and antifreeze, because any inquisitive pet easily ingests those items. However, there are more household items overlooked by pet owners that are equally as dangerous that a pet may ingest or inhale.

Household garbage poses the single, largest threat to any pets’ health. Animals are drawn to the smelly refuse, typically looking for delicious scraps of people food left over. Especially with dogs, picking through the trash to find the tastiest bits is not practical; instead, any trash that smells good is munched.

This is a terrible hazard since garbage cans hold a smorgasbord of household waste including medications, paper towels used for cleaning, and even batteries. Broken glass, say from a light bulb, can cut an animals’ gums or tongue, and can cause horrible damage to the esophagus or stomach if swallowed.

Many pet owners do not know the threat airborne toxins can have on their furry shadows. Inhalation of any toxin, like bleach vapors, secondhand smoke or paint fumes not only have damaging health risks for people, but also for pets. Animals are naturally curious, exploring the world through their sense of smell or taste, simply investigating what their owners are doing can be risky.

Though most pet owners understand the dangers cleaning supplies can pose for their animals, but what is often missed are the hazards of home renovations. Construction dust, insulation particles, asbestos or mold, common side effects of any renovation project, are also unsafe for animals.

Anything that is toxic for people is also toxic for pets. This overlooked hazard can often cause silent, yet deadly diseases in pets. Especially with inhaled toxins, animals can develop respiratory problems, circulatory disorders or cancer.

Ways to Keep Your Pet Safe

Simply, if it is unsafe or unhealthy for humans, it is also for animals. By following a few easy rules, any pet owner can keep their animals happy and healthy.

Keep trashcans securely covered.
Do not put unused or expired medications in the trash or down the drain. Many communities have safe ways to get rid of medications through local refuse collection sites.
For cleaning or renovation projects, wear a protective mask and coverings, have proper ventilation and keep pets away.
Do not leave any hazardous items on the floor, counters, tables or anywhere a pet can easily access.
Keep dangerous products, like cleaning supplies, renovation materials or unsafe people food in a locked cabinet. Since many pets are able to open cabinets easily, attach child locks.
For any extended home renovation including painting, tiling, wallpapering, sanding or refinishing surfaces, keep pets out of the house. If the renovation lasts more than a day, keep pets at a friend’s house or a kennel. Animals can not only ingest or inhale hazardous materials, there is also a threat of animals stepping on nails, glass, insulation or broken tile.
Always inspect pets’ mouths, eyes, ears and feet to see any telltale signs of naughty behavior.

The most important way pet owners can protect their furry friends is to use common sense. Remember “If it is dangerous for me, it is dangerous for them.” For many pet owners, having an inquisitive shadow is so common that sometimes they can forget what they are doing may not be healthy for their animals.

By keeping a watchful eye on your curious friend, you can keep them safe and healthy. If you suspect that your pet ingested or inhaled a toxin, seek immediate veterinary care.

Reference

ASPCA. Tobacco is Toxic for Toto, Too. Accessed on December 2, 2010. (http://www.aspca.org/pressroom/press-releases/041510.html)

ASPCA. Top 10 Pet Poisons of 2009. Accessed on December 2, 2010. (http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/top-10-pet-poisons-of-the-year.html)

HOTLR is grateful to Jackie Clark for providing us this important information. For more information on Mesothelioma please check out: http://www.mesothelioma.com/.

The Perfect Christmas Gift

2010-12-07T12:34:00.006-06:00

Giving the perfect gift. This time of year it can be all we think about. Getting that special someone the gift they've been wishing for for months or even years. What about a new pet as the perfect gift? Your child begs for a dog daily. Your girlfriend has been clamoring for one for months. Your husband is sure that a new dog is exactly what is needed to complete your family. But what about giving animals as pets for Christmas. It may seem like a great idea, but maybe there is a better way?

For me, part of the joy of adopting a new pet is finding the special something about a certain dog that speaks to me in a way that no other dog does. Take for instance my first Labrador. Long before I discovered my passion for animal rescue, I found an ad for Labrador puppies in my local newspaper. I had been begging my husband for months and so after work one day, he took me out to see the pups. Suddenly 12 puppies surrounded me...rolling pell mell all over each other in attempt to get to me first. I dropped to my knees and was instantly enveloped in Labrador puppy love. What an amazing feeling. With so many warm wiggling bodies surrounding me, it was hard for me to tell one from the other. So after many minutes of feeling like I was a pot full of honey surrounded by a bumbling mass of baby bees, I extracted myself from the puppy pile and began to walk away to try to get a better look.

At first nothing changed. The pups didn't seem to notice I had gone. They quickly merged into a roly poly Labrador snowball. But then one little pup disentangled himself from the fray and began to look around. He spotted me and seemed to sprout wings as he made a beeline directly for me!! Of course, we brought him home. There was no question that he was "the one". We named him Miko and although he has been gone for 13 years, that memory of him running as fast as his short little puppy legs could take his fat puppy body across the grass back to me has stayed with me like it all happened yesterday. That was the moment that my true love for this dog and the breed was born. My husband gave me the dog, but the true gift was what Miko gave to me.

Think about arranged marriages. Not exactly in vogue anymore. There is a reason for that. You don't want someone to choose the person with whom you spend the rest of your life. Neither should you choose a pet for someone else. I'm not saying that giving a pet to someone for Christmas is a bad idea. What I am suggesting is that you give the gift of the joy of that special connection - the gift that will be remembered for a lifetime. So you want to give someone a pet for Christmas? No problem, wrap up a dog bowl....or a leash and collar.... Your loved one will get the idea and then all of you can share in that beautiful moment when the perfect pet joins your family.

Paws Up for the DOOG Walkie Belt

2010-11-23T10:51:00.015-06:00

There are certain perks when your best friend is the Fit City column writer for the Austin American Statesman. You may get roped into running a marathon, or maybe you'll be asked to join her on a relaxing 100 mile mountain bike ride through the West Texas desert. You might find yourself on a 55 mile cruise on your road bike in Van Horn, TX with winds of 35mph and temps in the 40s. It's for sure always an adventure, and I am ALWAYS glad I took part.

The other great perk about your friend, the Fit City writer, is that people are always sending her free stuff in the hopes she will use it and review it. Lots of it is sports related apparel, or supplements, or gadgets. But this is a dog column, so back to the dog stuff. So here goes. Occasionally Pam receives stuff that you can use for your dog, in the hopes that people are actually exercising with their pets. Pam, who doesn't currently have a dog, but is well acquainted with my brood always forwards the dog stuff on to me. Free stuff for my dogs - YIPPEE!!

I received a package in the mail from Pam just the other day with some great stuff in it. When I opened the envelope, I pulled out a dog "walkie belt", a collapsible bowl and some biodegradable, scented d o g pooh bags. The company that makes this gear is called DOOG - Dog Owners Outdoor Gear. Started in 2007, by a husband and wife who had grown tired of all the accoutrements one must take when walking dogs (such as leashes, pooh bags, hand wipes, treats, keys, money, etc.), Jaime and Jessica Knight decided to design a product that would allow you to bring all the necessary items with you, but in a compact and organized way.

I had actually seen the "walkie belt" advertised somewhere before, but I thought I was managing fine without one, so didn't see the need to purchase one. But, now that I had one, I might as well try it. Well, let me tell you, I am sold. It is so much more convenient to be able to strap this belt around your waist and take off on your walk with all the things you need right at your fingertips. The belt design has a strap to clip your cell phone to, a velcro pouch with slit in it to easily access your pooh bags, and a zippered pocket for your keys and some cash, your license, etc. On the opposite end of the belt, an additional pouch with slit, makes handy wipes for messy jobs easily accessible. Finally, there is a carbineer attached to the belt for attaching leashes, or hanging your belt on a hook by your door when not in use.

While in general, I like the overall concept and the ease of all the necessary items close at hand, I did find a few flaws in the product. The pouches for holding the plastic pooh bags and handy wipes are small. This means that you must use the DOOG brand bags and wipes in order to reload your belt once you run out of the original supply. The slits in the pockets are small, and it can be a tight fit to get your fingers in there and pull out the bag or wipe that you need. Additionally, while the carbineer is a good idea, I think, I 'd hook a waterbowl or water bottle to it, rather than a leash. It would also be good to hook a bag of treats for those dogs that need to be distracted during a walk. Also, the foldable water bowl itself is a bit cheap and expensive at $12. I believe there are better collapsible water bowls out there for the money, such as those made by Ruff Wear or Planet Dog. However, even with these minor flaws, I do find myself reaching for the belt now each time I take my four pups for a stroll.

The "walkie belt" retails for around $35, but I found it for $17 on Amazon. Amazon also sells the handy wipe and doggy pooh bag refills. I personally think the "walkie belt" is a great deal at half the price and am considering purchasing a few for Christmas gifts. It comes in a variety of colors and styles and is sure to please anyone on your dog lover list.

Is this belt a necessity for a successful walk with your pooch? Surely not, but it does make life a bit easier and more organized. Try one and see if you like it. If you don't, just give it to your best friend!!

During this time of year, we are ever mindful and thankful of our wonderful volunteers and donors who give constantly of their personal time, money and dog supply donations. We have a lot of great dogs in our program right now, so be sure to check out our "Labs Needing Homes" list. If a special dog touches your heart, give a little gift and sponsor them this holiday season. Again, thanks for all you do for HOTLR!!!

A Kinder Gentler Way to Take a Walk

2010-11-16T15:21:00.006-06:00

Ahh, the cool, crisp days of autumn that I have been longing for have finally arrived. There is nothing I enjoy about autumn more than a steaming mug of coffee in the morning as the sun rises and then leashing up my dogs for a nice long walk.

But it hasn't always been that way. There was a time I dreaded walking my dog. The thought of it made me tremble and my hands began to sweat, and it wasn't because the weather was less than perfect. I hated walking my dog, because I just physically couldn't.

At the time, my 12 year old boy Cayman, was a strapping 2 year old and weighed around 90lbs. Those of you who have met him, know how tall he is (too tall for a "show quality" Lab) and how big he is. There wasn't an ounce of fat on him, not my boy, he was solid muscle. And then there was me. I am 5'1 1/2" on my best day. Being a lady, I won't mention my actual weight, but let's just say that the pounds that separate Cayman and me don't amount to much. Here I had this beautiful, gorgeous dog that I wanted to show off to the world, and yet, I found myself petrified to leave my house with him.

So we went to dog training classes. Those were fun. The first day I showed up with my metal pronged pinch collar and the dog trainer looked at me in disgust and told me not to come back with it. (Now, remember, this was 10 years ago and I didn't know then, what I know now. So please forgive me.) After the end of the first class, she asked me to stay late. She worked with Cayman and me for a few extra minutes, one on one. At the end of our extra session, she had changed her mind and told me to bring the pinch collar back with me to the next class.

Actually, the pinch collar never worked. If anything, it only made him fight me harder on the leash. And the issue, of course, was his pulling. It didn't matter where I wanted to go, we were going where he wanted to go. I always hated the thing anyway. It looked like a medieval torture device, it was hard to get on and off, and let's face it, it's prime objective was to cause him pain.

I was thrilled when Gentle Leader came out with the Halti product. Another dog trainer several years later turned me on to this little gem. I was skeptical at first. How could this little piece of nylon that fit over the nose and head of my dog allow me to walk him easily when a steel pronged pinch collar did not? The Halti is used in much the same way that a horse halter is used. The concept is that when you steer a dog's head, you steer the dog's body and the Gentle Leader Halti headcollar allows you to "steer" your dog. After the first try, I was sold, this product was brilliant and it worked great for me.

There was a bit of a downside however. First, Cayman hated it. Whenever I put it on him, he ran around the house rubbing his face on anything he could. Me, the furniture, the floor, other people, nothing was off limits. He clearly hated wearing the thing. Also, many people we saw on the street would hurry to cross to the other side when they saw us coming. It was only later after I heard someone whisper the word "muzzle" that I figured out that people thought that Cayman was a dangerous dog that required a muzzled to be walked. And last, whenever he went swimming, it seemed that the Halti would rub his nose in places and often leave marks or rub his hair off in spots as if the collar fit too tightly.

Finally, the good people at Premier Pet Products came up with an alternative to the Halti head collar that I believe works even better. The skies opened and the sun shone down on none other then the Gentle Leader Easy Walk Harness. Once again, a third dog trainer turned me on to this next generation product. It is by far, the easiest and best alternative I have ever found to walking a difficult dog and ALL four of my dogs have one even though two of them probably don't really need one. The concept behind the Easy Walk Harness is this: most harnesses attach to the leash on the back of the animal, but the Easy Walk is different as it attaches to the front. This puts gentle pressure on the chest and shoulder blades of your dog directing his/her attention back towards you should they begin to pull. I also like the stability of the product. There is always that chance, however, slight that your dog could slip out of it's collar and leash. Not so easy with the Easy Walk Harness. For me, it just adds an extra layer of stability between me and my dog should we come up on a difficult situation. It is a wonderful, magical, life saving device and I cannot tell you how much I love, love, love this product!!!

The Easy Walk Harness is a familiar site at Heart of Texas Lab Rescue Meet 'n Greets, or social events such as the Barnes and Noble gift wrapping sessions where HOLTLR dogs are invited. If you have trouble walking your Lab (or any dog) or know someone who does, get yourself or your friend an Easy Walk Harness. Either the Halti head collar or the Easy Walk Harness can be bought at your favorite pet supply store. You'll look forward to walks with your dog almost as much as he does, and your dog will thank you for it!!

A Day for Celebration!!

2010-11-09T15:39:00.012-06:00

There are 3 very important days in a HOTLR rescue dog's life. They are as follows:

1) The day they are pulled from the shelter and are officially accepted into the Heart of Texas Labrador adoption program.

2) The day they are chosen by their forever families and leave us for their new lives healthy, happy and whole.

3) The day they complete their heartworm treatment.

On each of these days, I find myself saying the same thing to each of them....."Today is the day you begin the rest of your life." And today is a very special day for me. Because my foster Tango, who is now my very own adopted boy, is finally free for the first time in his life. He is now considered "heartworm negative".

Every dog owner should know just how deadly heartworms can be. Their name alone can conjure up shivers of disgust and well it should. These worms that are carried by mosquitos live and breed inside the heart and lungs of the dog. Dogs with heartworms may have a mild cough, are exercise intolerant, and seem lethargic and unwilling to play, however, in early stages of the disease, dogs may exhibit no signs at all. The most critical aspect of heartworm disease is death of the infected animal.

Heartworm treatment is expensive (costing anywhere from $500 - $1000) and takes around 8 weeks to complete. It also is very hard on your dog. Your dog will undergo a series of chest xrays to determine the severity of the heartworm disease. He will also be placed on antibiotics and steroids to fight infection and inflammation for the duration of the eight week treatment period. Your dog will be administered an injection of an "adulticide" into the muscles surrounding his spine. The injection is very, very painful and as the medication begins to kill the worms your dog will feel very ill.

For the next four weeks, your dog will not be able to participate in any exercise and will be only allowed leash walks for "elimination" purposes. Should your dog participate in any cardiovascular exercise, the dying worms could potentially cause a clot in the heart or lungs which could be fatal to your dog.

After the first four week period, the process starts all over again, with back to back injections over a two day period to kill any remaining worms. Again, your dog will be required four weeks of steroids, antibiotics and cage rest as the remaining worms die. Because the injections only kill adult worms, in the meantime, you will also be required to give your dog heartworm preventative that will kill off any of the baby worms.

The only guaranteed way to prevent heartworm disease is to give your dog a monthly preventative prescribed by your veterinarian. There are a few different brands on the market. Some kill other parasites and/or fleas along with the heartworms. Your veterinarian will be best suited to recommend which preventative is right for your dog.

Many dog owners are under the false impression that during the winter months, it is not necessary to give dogs heartworm preventative as mosquitos seem to disappear. But we live in Texas with a mild temperate climate year around, that means heartworm preventative is a must year around. Your dog should receive heartworm preventative every single month of each year.

For more information on heartworm disease, treatment and prevention, check out the American Heartworm Society.

So, today was definitely a day of celebration for Tango. He had endured and survived heartworm treatment. I loaded him into the 4-Runner and took him to Bark 'n Purr on Burnet Rd. Once inside, we took our time..... we chatted with some other customers and we looked at EVERYTHING....TWICE....Tango became so exhausted from our shopping spree that he even decided to nap on the store floor while I sweated over just the right collar for him. (He has a matching handmade leash and collar coming from our friends at Lucky Fiona for special occasions, but he also needed a collar for everyday wear.) I finally decided on two different collars in shades of red. We'd let the cashier make the final choice. He also received his very own Huck ball by Westpaw Design. Now, and forever, he can chase all the balls he wants....

The Reason Heart Exists in Heart of Texas Lab Rescue

2010-11-02T17:09:00.010-05:00

Sometimes it's hard for me to write a blog every week. Sometimes I can't think about a good topic, or the words just don't come easily. Sometimes the happy, happy, joy, joy of rescue is tempered with the reality of why rescue exists. Today is one of those days.

I want to write about some of the dogs in our program that have been around for a while...for one reason or another....to update you and to ask you to think about them and to send hope for them, that we can find the right family for them soon. These are the days when I hope my blog can make a difference.....

This is Sedona. She was born about this time last year and is one of Eden's puppies...She has suffered from bouts of pneumonia since her birth. She was adopted twice, by two different families. And her familes loved her deeply, however, they could not cope with her constant illness. So she came back to us. She has new hope, however, a recent visit to the veterinarian shows that with the proper antibiotics her pneumonia is nearly gone. The vet is hopeful that 6 more weeks of antibiotics will have her healthy for the first time in her life. Look at that face. Look at those eyes. We want for her a healthy, happy life and a forever home. Do you know someone who would like to give her a chance?

This is Corona. Corona has been with us for over a year. He is a handsome, strong chocolate boy who simply loves people. But he has a hard time getting along with other dogs... This doesn't happen very often with Labs, but this is rescue. We don't know what Corona has had to face in his past. We haven't been able to identify what sets him off with other dogs. Did he have to defend himself just to survive? Is that why he is untrustworthy with other dogs? We simply don't know. However, what we do know, is that he deserves to have a chance to be in a forever home and be loved like every other Lab we rescue. But he will need a special home. Someone who doesn't mind skipping the dog park, and is happy showering him with love in a dog-free environment. Do you know anyone like that? If you do, Corona is waiting and he pledges to be a lifelong best friend....

Here we have Maris. She is a hard case too. We had high hopes for Maris when she was placed in the Alzheimer's wing of a local senior care facility. She did wonderfully there and loved her job as caretaker for her people. This is where the trouble began, she loved her people too much and didn't want to share them with other dogs who came to visit. After some time, sadly, Maris was asked to leave. She is at our boarding facility now, where she has been for a while. It is not a good place for her as she is overwhelmed by all the dogs and activity going on around her. She is not a young dog and just needs a place to lay her weary head to live out her days in safety, comfort and love. But she too needs to be in a home where she is the only animal. Do you know someone who could help?

Last, we have Zeke....Nothing wrong with Zeke except that he is one big, crazy Lab....He is strong and exuberant and can be quite the handful. We were hopeful that he would make it into a program to be trained as a drug dog, but sadly his ball drive is just not strong enough. He is a big, beautiful boy who needs a strong, dedicated hand for guidance. He would not do well in a family with young children, but this could be a very rewarding experience for a young person who is up for a challenge, loves exercise and would be willing to work with a trainer to help Zeke learn some rules and boundaries. Do you know anyone that might fit that bill?

At the end of the day, these dogs deserve a second chance at love just like every other dog we have in our program. Sometimes we need a unique individual or family to step up and help us meet the challenge. If you know anyone who can help any of these wonderful dogs find their forever homes, we would love to talk to you. Please contact us for more information.

Howl-o-Ween Safety Tips from HOTLR!!

2010-10-26T15:21:00.006-05:00

Put your seatbelts on, folks....it's that time of year again, the start of the holiday season....Halloween is this weekend, Thanksgiving is just around the corner and before you know it, Christmas bells will be ringing and Santa's bells will be jingling. Along with the chaos, excitement, joy and frenzy of the holidays, this time of year also presents unique opportunities for our pets to get injured and sick that we may not face during other times of the year.

There are lots of wonderful on-line resources posting information helping to remind us of the dangers to look out for during the holiday season. Below are a few links to some useful information and helpful reminders:

From rat poison, to poison mushrooms to snakes, find out what hidden dangers are more likely in the fall than during other seasons of the year in the ASPCA's article Autumn Safety Tips. Also, check out the Top Ten Pet Poisons of 2009 and know how to protect your pet.

The ASPCA even has a 24 hour, 365 days a year veterinarian staffed poison control hotline. Should you have a pet that has eaten something you may think poisonous and you cannot get your pet to his/her regular veterinarian, call the ASPCA Poison Control Hotline to find out your best line of defense. There is a $65 fee charged, but if you are in a life or death situation, the money is well spent. The fees charged allow the ASPCA to run the hotline and to keep a veterinarian on staff 24-7, 365 days a year. I recently used the hotline myself when my foster dog ate 40 antibiotic pills while we were on vacation. The ASPCA answered my questions, quickly and efficiently and let me know that my dog would suffer no long term health issues. What a great relief and wonderful resource!!

The Humane Society of the United States is another great resource offering lots of tips and info on good pet care. Check out their article on Halloween safety recommendations: Spare Your Pet the Spooks this Halloween.

So, remember, while it's a wonderful time of year to spend with family and friends including our four-legged furry ones, keep in mind the special considerations that come with the holiday season. We at HOTLR wish you a happy and healthy holiday season and ask you to look us up at your local Barnes & Noble starting in December. Come visit, chat, and get some Labrador love!!! We'll even wrap some gifts for you for free!!! Check out the HOTLR Events page to find out when we'll be at which B&N locations!! See you there!!

HOTLR Alum Dahlia (now Della) is a Rave Retriever

2010-10-18T14:55:00.015-05:00

We are a rescue group. Our dogs come from all over central Texas. Ninety-nine percent of our dogs come from animal shelters that practice euthanasia due to overpopulation. Sometimes we know a little of the history of our dogs. For instance, we might know that they were surrendered because their family was forced to move to a new place that didn't allow pets, or maybe the family that had them prior deemed them too "unruly" in the behavior department. Maybe they grew too big, too fast.

Lots of times our dogs are strays. We don't know anything except what the shelter can tell us based on the few minutes their volunteers spend with them each day. Lots of times we learn things about them when we visit with them at the shelter before bringing them into the program. Of course, even then, it's hard to tell. That's why our fosters are so important. In foster homes, these shelter dogs thrive in clean, stable, safe environments very much like the ones in which they will ultimately be placed. This is where their true personalities come out, where they really start to shine....

Sometimes I am amazed that some people think that rescue dogs can't do the things that other purebred dogs can do. That they are somehow a lesser representative of the breed. True, they may not all be "show ring ready", but they have the same ability and desire to live up to their "name". They can become drug dogs, or therapy dogs, or agility dogs, or hunting dogs. They can do what any other Lab can do with the proper care, love and training.

Most of you know this already. You've been following us a long time. And this blog is really about a success story. This is "the thing" that keeps volunteers and donors coming back...time after time...for more. This is the story of Dahlia. She was a one year old pup when she came to us. She did spend some time receiving formal training, but she was a dog that needed her puppy energy channeled in the right direction. She was known as a fence jumper if she was left alone too long. She got bored...and lonely. Dahlia needed a "job", like lots of Labs do.

Enter the LeLaurin family of San Antonio. They adopted Dahlia and renamed her Della and she found her perfect match. But her story doesn't end there. She has been attending training classes at RAVE Retrievers. RAVE Retrievers established in 1981 and serving the San Antonio/New Braunfels area, has been training retrievers as gun dogs and in obedience as well as providing boarding services ever since. Della is learning to be a hunting dog. She's got her puppy paws full of retrieving, sitting, waiting, listening, watching, and running. What more could a Labrador want? Della is even the star of her own short movie. Check her out: Della's Movie . Go Della!!!

To see her learn...to see her joy...to watch her be all she was meant to be...that is why we do what we do. That's why we keep coming back for more. Thanks to the LeLaurin Family for giving Della a chance and sharing Della's story. If you are interested in fostering, volunteering or donating to Heart of Texas Lab Rescue, visit our website: Heart of Texas Lab or email us at: hotlr@hotlabrescue.org . There are always other "Dellas" waiting in the wings...just for the chance...another chance to be all they were meant to be...

Wine, Food, Labs & Fun!! Come on Out to HOTLR's Evening of Giving

2010-10-04T13:14:00.014-05:00

If you are an avid HOTLR fan, I hope by now you know about the Evening of Giving Silent Auction and Wine Tasting Event in San Antonio on October 16th. If you don't....then's here's the scoop....

Where: T he Fai rmount Hotel, San Antonio, TX
When: October 16, 2010 from 6pm - 9pm
Why: Silent Auction and Wine Tasting Event to raise money for HOTLR
Tickets: $25 each, pay via PayPal or at the door

After the success of our first event last year, we are even more excited about the this year's event. We'll have a wide variety of silent auction items at all price levels including a stay at a dog friendly bed and breakfast, a stay in a Texas coast home and a Colorado mountain home. We'll have a beautiful hybrid bike donated by Mellow Johnny's, original works of art, wine tasting gift certificate at several local Texas wineries, restaurant gift certificates and nearly 100lbs of Wellness dog food. Raffle items include an IPOD shuffle and an Amazon Kindle.

Then of course there is the wine....we'll have a large variety of wines available for tasting, something tasty for everyone's palette. And don't worry, if wine is not your thing, you'll not go thirsty as we'll have beer and home brewed root beer from Blue Star Brewery of San Antonio. Nibbles will also be provided including, cheese, crackers, hummus, sandwiches, veggies and desserts. So no worries about going hungry.

Worried about driving in from Austin? Don't be. The Fairmount has graciously offered a reduced room rate for Saturday at $169. Across the street from the Riverwalk and within walking distance of the King William historic district, this is a hotel you don't want to miss. The largest building in the world ever moved from one location to another, the Fairmount was relocated to its current location in April 1985 when the city of San Antonio at a cost of $1 million opted to save the building rather than demolish it.

Resident La brador, Luke (a rescue dog himself) continues his work as the official hotel greeter and is still waiting to meet a guest he doesn't like. So, stay Saturday night and make a weekend of it. Play on the Riverwalk and check out the King Williams historic district on Sunday before you head home. Don't delay, purchase your ticket now via Paypal on the HOTLR website. Make sure you indicate the $25 is for the Evening of Giving in the description line of the Paypal payment form. You can also purchase tickets on the night of the event at the hotel. So, what're ya waiting for? Tickets are on sale now...get 'em while their hot!!! Luke's waiting for you!!

Food and Fits - What's a Dog Owner To Do??

2010-09-27T12:04:00.005-05:00

As a dog owner, I feel I'm bombarded with information every day on what and what not to feed my dogs, as well as numerous ideas on how to train them to behave. I am having a hard enough time trying to decide what's healthy for my own self (Adkins diet, low fat, the cabbage diet, red wine/no red wine?) let alone my dogs. However, with the recent tragic deaths of many pets linked to the food they ate, I know that this is one topic that is important to get right. Also, living in a multi-dog household, with new dogs coming in all the time as fosters, good behavior and training is also key.

The Whole Dog Journal is a wonderful resource for people trying to sort through these issues and hoping to do the best for their pet in the most natural and healthful way possible. The monthly guide is dedicated to providing the latest info on natural dog care and training. Regular articles in the journal include information on behavior and training, nutrition, health and care.

Supplementing the printed journal is a great website with even more information on the subjects found in the journal as well as topics ranging from puppies to senior dogs, problem solving and a blog.

The Whole Dog Journal advocates raw feeding, but realizes that this may not be the best answer for every family with a dog. Recently they mailed me a supplement to their journal entitled, "Top Dog Foods for Total Wellness". This mini-guide talks about the importance of food in relation to your dog's health, and also recommends the best foods available at local pet supply stores whether they eat kibble or soft food. (I was happy to find the kibble that I feed my canine kids listed!!)

Optionally, they offer several books for purchase on their website (both by hard copy and downloadable onto your computer) on subjects such as feeding your dog, puppy training, and solving such problems as separation anxiety or teaching your dog how to greet people properly.

Topics in this month's October issue include: senior dog hearing loss, bone marrow transplants in dogs, understanding canine aggression, and carbohydrates in kibble. A yearly subscription runs $20 with two years for $30. Since each individual issue is $5.95, then buying a subscription certainly makes sense. As a Whole Dog Journal subscriber, you are also entitled to all the back issues via the WDJ website for free. For me and my pack, I need all the help and advice I can get. Along with frequent consultation from my favorite veterinarian, this is definitely some quality reading that I don't want to miss!!!

Teeny's Friends Toy Drive Benefits HOTLR

2010-09-20T15:22:00.010-05:00

Teeny's Friends (logo on the right) is an Austin-based organization that holds monthly toy drives for needy dogs. Each month, Teeny's chooses an Austin based dog related business to place their "toy bin". The "host" of the toy drive for the month chooses a beneficiary and during two weeks of that month, toys are collected in the designated bin.

This month Heart of Texas Lab Rescue will be the recipient of the Teeny's Toy Drive thanks to Austin Canine Central who nominated HOTLR.

Austin Canine Central (logo on the left) is the home of Joyce Morgan Dog Training and is located in central Austin at 5402 Middle Fiskville Rd., Austin, TX 78751, (Phone 512-458-8800). ACC offers a variety of training, agility and conformation classes as well as doggy daycare, grooming services and rental facilties for dog-related activities or non-dog related activities. Make sure to visit their website to learn more.

Austin Canine Central makes it easy to donate to the Teeny's toy bin as you can shop the doggy boutique that carries a wonderful assortment of treats, food, collars and toys from the comfort of your home and of course, from their Middle Fiskville location. Stop in today, check out ACC's schedule of classes, get a tour of the facility. Stop by the boutique on your way out to buy a little special something for your canine companion and drop a little something in the Teeny's toy bin. Click here to shop on-line and have Austin Canine Central drop the toy in the bin for you.

Teeny's toy bin is waiting to be filled with lots of Lab-friendly goodies to help our rescue pups pass the time until they are ready to meet their forever families. The deadline for toy collection is this Saturday, September 25th, so don't waste time, donate a toy to Teeny's Friends and help HOTLR today!!! Loads of thanks and puppy love to Teeny's Friends and Austin Canine Central for dedicating this toy drive to HOTLR!!!

Join HOTLR for Pizza on the Patio with Pups

2010-08-17T16:42:00.005-05:00

Got plans for Saturday night??? Now you do. Come join us for Pizza with Pups at Austin Pizza's Westlake location from 4pm until 8pm. Austin's Pizza has a large covered deck, perfect for enjoying your favorite pie with your favorite pup just off Bee Caves Road.

Don't forget to tell your friends too. This party doesn't discriminate. Well behaved dogs of all breeds are welcome. Just tell your server you are there to support Heart of Texas Lab Rescue and 15% of all proceeds will be donated to HOTLR.

And if you've ever been interested in volunteering, come join us for our volunteer information session beginning at 6pm. Meet other volunteers and some of HOTLR's board members, and learn about all the cool things you can do for Lab rescue.

If you want to just hang out and eat pizza, that's okay too.....Here's a lil' somethin' somethin' to wet the whistle....the menu, of course. Plenty of yumminess here to warrant a Saturday night visit. So, don't be shy.....bring your dogs, bring your family, bring your friends and join HOTLR for a Pizza Party on the Patio!!! It'll be paw-sitively fantastic!!!

HOTLR gets Bucks from a Duck!!

2010-08-06T12:05:00.008-05:00

HOTLR's newest donor is not a human...nor does he have fur....and although he is a bird, he technically has no feathers. He is a rubber ducky - one dressed as the University of Oregon's mascot Donald Duck based on the cartoon character of the same name.

Round Rock Sertoma is an international volunteer service organization dedicated to SErvice TO MAnkind. For the last 35 years, the Round Rock chapter has dedicated itself to helping speech and hearing impaired children, as well as other charities. One of the charity's several fundraising events includes the Sertoma Central Texas Rubber Duck Race.

This highly anticipated event takes place during Round Rock's Frontier Days Festival held July 4 (although this year's race was postponed until July 16 due to weather). Donors assess many rubber duck specimens in an attempt to purchase the fastest duck. Once the donor has made his/her decision, the duck is dressed up and then the big race is on. Rubber duck owners sweat it out at the finish line, as their prized ducks madly paddle their way to victory. The Oregon Duck fought its way to a 3rd place finish. After much consultation with his human owner, Ken Scholz (pictured above with Donald and HOTLR President Margaret Huston), Donald decided to donate his $200 prize to none other than Heart of Texas Lab Rescue!!!

HOTLR would like to take this opportunity to give four paws up and a HUGE thank you to Donald and his human, Ken Scholz!!!

HOTLR Road Trips to San Antonio for Pet Expo 2010

2010-07-27T16:56:00.010-05:00

Looking for something to do this weekend? How about checking out the San Antonio Pet Expo? Indoors at the Freeman Coliseum (directions) in downtown San Antonio, you and your dog are welcome to attend this wonderful social event from 10am to 6pm on Saturday, July 31st.

There will be tons of activities including a Fashion Show, Pet Costume Contest, an Agility Ring, Smart Pet/Stupid Human Contest, and Pet Look Alike Contest. Several exhibitors are also attending including pet care and service companies, pet products companies, and several central Texas rescue groups. Services will also be provided for low cost vaccinations, low cost micro-chipping, free nail trims and free pet licensing for the city of San Antonio.

Heart of Texas Lab Rescue will be in a large double booth directly across from the agility ring with all kinds of furry Lab kids waiting for some attention. Come meet some of our rescue alumni as well as some canine kids we have currently available for adoption. So, come on over and hang with us awhile. We guarantee to bring a smile to your face.

Click on this flyer for all the fabulous details. Parking and admission are free and the air conditioning is cool. So are the HOTLR dogs....so come on in and check it out!!!

Dancin' for Donations

2010-07-22T14:02:00.008-05:00

When is the last time you headed out to do a little country 'n western dancing? I know for me it's been awhile.

That's why I am so excited about this weekend. The Midnight Rodeo is hosting a Heart of Texas Lab fundraising event this Saturday, July 24th from 7pm until the doors close.

Not only will you have a great time dancing to all of your country favorites, but raffles will be held every hour. You could win Lab-themed gift items, cd's, concert tickets and even VIP passes to Midnight Rodeo.

Midnight Rodeo is located just one block east off I-35 in south Austin on Ben White (Hwy. 71). Look for the giant, bright & flashing Midnight Rodeo information sign over 75′ high. Originally an 84 Lumber Company building on the outside, now a huge comfortable & warm honkey-tonk on the inside! The address is: 2201 East Ben White Blvd.

This is a human only event....so therefore, we ask you to leave your canine friends at home, so you can make the most of the great music and HUGE dance floor!!

So don't stay home and be a Snoozy Susie..... come on out of the heat, and cool off in a fun and festive atmosphere while raising money for your favorite charity!!! It'll be a howlin' good time!!!

A Labrador's New Clothes

2010-06-30T17:08:00.011-05:00

Many of you know Susie by now. She is my foster failure. For those of you not familiar with the term foster failure, let me define it for you. Foster Failure - n. one who moves into one's family temporarily with the purpose of being made ready for adoption, thereby eventually leaving temporary residence. Aforementioned temporary resident never leaves temporary residence and becomes permanent resident including, but not limited to, taking aforementioned temporary residence's family name permanently. Now all of you HOTLR foster families or foster wannabes beware of the foster failure phenomenon. Having experienced it myself I can honestly tell you that it does not cure you of the desire to foster. If anything, you realize what incredible dogs are out there and you just got to get your hands on more!!! Anyway, on with the blog......

Susie has been with us nearly two years. We are not sure of her birth date or her age. However, we have decided to make the first day that she came to live with us her birthday. That day was July 2, 2008. So, Susie's birthday is upon us.

One of the things that is so special about Susie is that you can take her anywhere, introduce her to anyone anyplace and her behavior is completely predictable. She is cool as a cucumber, loves to travel and is completely trustworthy in all situations. She has visited assisted living facilities, doubled as a jungle gym for my young nephews, and has been employed as a greeter in the lobby of the vet clinic where I work. It was high time this special girl received a special gift for her birthday. I thought it would be cool to get her a really nice matching collar and leash to wear when she goes visitin'.

I don't usually do product reviews on this blog. But sometimes when I find a unique pet product - something that really works, is creative and is of high quality, I like to talk about it. So, today, I'd like to talk about Lucky Fiona Retro Inspired Custom Dog and Cat Collars. I found out about Lucky Fiona through Kim Usey a repeat adopter and volunteer for HOTLR. At the time Lucky Fiona was running a special (a BOGO special we ladies like to call it). What better time to get Susie a new collar and leash, plus with the buy one, get one special on collars, Susie's sister Rio would get a little something out of the deal too.

So, I went to the Lucky Fiona website and began to shop. The great thing about Lucky Fiona is that each collar is custom made. You get to pick the fabric the collar is made from, the size of the collar and the style of collar. They have hardware to make collars as wide as 2 inches and can even create martingale collars which are the preferred style for HOTLR dogs. The same is true with the leashes. You choose the length of the leash and the fabric as well. There are tons of fabrics to choose from and paying is simple through PayPal. Prices are moderate at $16.99 for a collar and $27.99 for a leash, but keep in mind though you could find less expensive collars and leashes, these are one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted, made-in-Chicago, IL, USA-by-an-individual, unique items.

I was on pins and needles waiting for my special delivery. I received a notification via email once my special package was on its way. Yesterday, low and behold, there it was in the mailbox waiting for me. I rushed into the house and opened the envelope. Each item was packaged separately in a plastic bag covered in paw prints. Inside each item was wrapped with a sweet orange ribbon. Perfect birthday wrapping for the birthday pup.

The collars were beautiful. Stitched to perfection, padded and extra thick, there were no rough edges that might itch or irritate sensitive skin. The leash likewise, was beautifully tailored and perfectly matched Susie's new collar. I couldn't wait for Susie's actual birthday, but actually put the collar on her and Rio right away (hence, the pictures). I was thrilled and completely 100% satisfied!!

So, if you are looking for some new and unique "clothes" for your beloved pup, check out Lucky Fiona. You won't regret it and your pup will be sure to be the best dressed pup in town!!!

Chicken Wings and Labrador Things

2010-06-22T17:03:00.008-05:00

Heart of Texas Lab Rescue is excited to announce its first ever "Yappy Hour". This relaxing event will be held from 5-7pm on Saturday, June 26th at Pluckers Wing Bar located on So. Lamar. Click on this link for directons: Pluckers Directions

We will be on the cool and refreshing patio which is equipped with misting systems and fans to help relieve the heat. Dogs on leashes are more than welcome and don't forget to invite your friends. This event is not limited to Labradors only, so if you have other furry friends you'd like to invite, please feel free to bring them along. Of course humans without dogs are also welcome

We will raffle off a few baskets of Labrador themed goodies and be available to chat with you about everything HOTLR. If you've ever been interested in volunteering, fostering or adopting this is the perfect laid back event to have your questions answered. Get some hands on experience with Labrador love too.

So, come on and join us!! Who could resist a few Labradors, refreshing drinks and good friends on a warm Austin Saturday evening. Pluckers' cool, relaxing patio and chicken wings await you!!! Check out Pluckers menu for some other good eats too!!! Hope to see you there!!!

Summer Time is Vacation Time...Take Your Dog with You This Year

2010-06-17T15:52:00.006-05:00

Summer time is here again and that means it's time to catch up on some rest and relaxation. Vacation time!!! School is out, the heat it on. It's the perfect time for a change of scenery. The thought of leaving your furry friend behind got your draggin' your heels about making plans?

How about taking your dog with you this year? Might be cheaper than paying a dog-sitter or boarding your pet at a kennel. I bet your dog will certainly thank you. And think about how much lovelier your vacation photos will be with your four-legged friend in them. But how do you find out about dog friendly hotels, restaurants and beaches or walks?

Check out this website: bringfido.com. Launced in April 2005, BringFido claims to have helped over a half million pet owners travel with their pets. They have recommendations for pet friendly hotels, condos, restaurants, dog friendly events and attractions etc. You can choose any destination in the world, type in the number of adults, children and pets you are traveling with and a choice of accomodations will pop up. Simply click on the link of the suggested hotels to check out their amenities, prices and get further information.

Still need help? No worries, a pet friendly travel agent is available by phone to help you plan the perfect vacation for your family and your pet. You can even use this number for special services such as locating the closest dog-friendly hotel in the current area, recommendations for a vet hospital in an unfamiliar town, etc. Post your vacations photos on the photo page, chat on a forum with other vacationers that travel with their pets, and sign up to receive info on discounts and coupons for pet friendly deals.

A recent search in the Austin area turned up over 75 hotels and 225 restaurants with pet friendly policies. As always please phone the restaurant or hotel directly to confirm the latest pet friendly rules.

Not sure how your pet will do on a trip? Take a short vacation close to home as a trial run. If you enjoy traveling with your dogs as much as I do, you may soon find that you never want to leave them behind.

Stink, Stank, Skunk

2010-05-25T21:46:00.009-05:00

It was inevitable, it had to happen - an event to which I am no stranger. And as we begin to celebrate the glorious days of summer, I feel it is my duty to repeat some information I've shared before.

My husband and I are vacationing in beautiful Pagosa Springs, Colorado. If you have never been there, it is the ultimate destination for both man and beast if you are into the outdoors.

When we come to Pagosa, there is no question, our 3 Labs come with us. In fact, they should probably rename Pagosa to Doggy Heaven, Colorado. This time of year, temperatures are mild and the wind is breezy. There is little to no humidity and at 7500 feet above sea level the snows have already melted and the ground is dry. Public land abounds and dogs are welcome almost everywhere. The aspens are budding, wild flowers are blooming and the streams are flowing with snow melt from higher elevations. Evenings are cool and provide the perfect opportunity for you to snuggle with your special someone whether it be human, canine or both.

We are lucky enough to stay in a small house that backs up to the San Juan National Forest. Groomed trails right out the back door lead directly into the forest where it is easy to amble away the day. The dogs have a great time chasing sticks and scents and swimming in the cold mountain streams. Wildlife is abundant. Deer, squirrels, birds, raccoons, beavers and SKUNKS....

Late this afternoon, we stepped off the back porch and headed onto the trail. Up ahead I saw a small black and white pup that I pointed out to my husband. He didn't see it and felt quite sure that what I was seeing was really a pile of dirt. Well, piles of dirt don't move, but this black and white thing most certainly did. And I wasn't the only one who saw it. Susie Q, our yellow Lab, famous for her love of stuffed animals, was off like a silver bullet. She disappeared off to the right of the trail and then I heard a short bark....just one. She immediately returned to us. But Susie brought something along with her. A stink like none other. One that makes your eyes well with tears, your nose hairs burn and your face wrinkle in disgust. Susie had found herself one big, bad Colorado skunk.

We tried to carry on with our stroll but the stench was too much. Shortly, we turned and made our way back home. My husband and I like to think that we are professional de-skunkinators at this stage, having another yellow Lab who has been sprayed three times in our backyard in Austin. We knew exactly what must happen for us to be the big happy family we had started out as just 30 minutes before. I stayed outside with Susie under a tree while Daddy Mike hit the local grocery store to purchase hydrogen peroxide and baking soda. We needed dishwashing liquid too, but had that at the house already.

There are many solutions to get the skunk smell off a dog. There is a product called Skunk Off that lots of veterinarians sell and that you can find in pet stores and on the Internet. I've heard of a tomato juice concoction although I've personally never tried it. Limited research on the
Internet says that tomato juice does not work, nor does lemon or citrus, or "cover-ups" such as Febreeze or perfume. Check out this link for additional info: http://www.aaanimalcontrol.com/skunksmellremovalrid.htm

Below is a recipe that is tried and true. I used this very link to help me rid Miss Susie of her stink and get her to smelling like the Lab we love again - home remedy for de-skunking your dog. For me, this recipe is the most successful. This website is very informative as well, warning that the mixture breaks down almost immediately after mixing and is most effective when used as soon as possible. The website also recommends keeping these inexpensive and useful household items on hand for just such an event, but notes that mixing the ingredients together and storing them in a bottle or plastic tub is unsafe as pressure builds when the ingredients are mixed together and they will explode.

I hope you find this little tail, oops, I mean tale beneficial to you. While I can honestly say that I have never seen a skunk as big as the one I saw today, skunks are no strangers in Texas and you too may find that you and your beloved canine run up against one some day, though I hope for your sake, this never happens. Now you will be fully prepared to remedy this little calamity as cheaply and safely as possible and be free to wrap your arms around your faithful companion and shower them with all the love and attention they deserve in no time, even if they decide to pick a cute little skunk as their new best friend.

Beware of the Teddy Bear

2010-05-17T17:05:00.005-05:00

Susie is the yellow Labrador that I adopted from Heart of Texas Lab Rescue. Nothing brings a smile to my face more quickly than when I come home from work, and Susie greets me at the door with her stuffed bunny in her mouth, her entire body wiggling from head to toe. Susie takes pretty good care of her stuffed animals. She has a Santa that's still around from Christmas and now her "Easter" bunny has joined the family. Sure they get dirty, or may get a left in the yard over night. Sometimes they get a little ragged around the edges, but I wash them on the "delicate" cycle in my was machine and throw them in the dryer and soon they are as good as new.

It's amazing to me to think about all the money I've spent over the years on toys for my dogs. It adds up pretty quickly. Even the stuffed animals can be pricey. Sometimes I wonder if getting them at a garage sale or local Goodwill might save me a few dollars.

However, think all stuffed toys are created equal? Better think again. Recently, an article appeared in the Midwest Labrador Retriever Rescue newsletter cautioning pet owners about buying stuffed toys that are not specifically made for pets. The article tells how a child's stuffed teddy bear was given to a dog as a toy. The toy contained some materials that are not found in stuffed animals made for pets - specifically, a flame retardant gel and chemicals used to control mites. According to the article, the dog who ingested these toxins was not able to be saved.

To avoid a scary situation with your pet like that described above, follow these simple safety tips to ensure safe play:

Give you pet only toys specifically designed for pets

Ask your veterinarian for recommendations for safe toys for your pet

Purchase your toys from reputable pet stores or Internet sites that will accept returns for damaged toys or those that don't perform to specifications. Read the labels on all the toys you purchase to ensure the toys are made safely and are toxic free to your pet.

Use toys recommended that are appropriate for your pet's size

Always supervise your pets when they play with their toys

Throw away toys that break or have missing parts. In the case of stuffed animals, if the stuffing is coming out, repair the toy or throw it away. Watch for the "squeakers" in stuffed animals. Lots of dogs think it's a fun game to dig the squeaker out of the stuffed animal.

Should you become concerned that your pet has ingested a broken piece or part of a toy, call your veterinarian.

Should your pet destroy a "indestructible" toy that was played with by your pet as the directions recommend, return the toy to the store where you purchased it. Most reputable pet stores will take the item back and return your money.

For more information and recommendations on safe toys for your dog check out the Humane Society's article by clicking here.

Snake Safety 101

2010-05-10T16:20:00.012-05:00

Walking the dogs yesterday morning, I couldn't help but notice a couple of squished baby snakes on the road. And where there are baby snakes, bigger snakes must be close by as well. Warmer sunny weather brings some of central Texas's more unwanted guests to the forefront such as mosquitoes, fleas, ticks and snakes. We can easily protect our pets against mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks, but snakes are another matter altogether.

Central Texas is home to the rattlesnake, the coral snake, copperhead, cottonmouth water moccasin. These snakes can be deadly to your dog. Treatment is expensive, supportive, and not guaranteed plus timing is critical in improving the chances of a positive outcome. How can you make sure that your next hike through the Texas hill country doesn't become a nightmare?

How about enrolling your pet in a Snake Avoidance Clinic? As luck would have it, one is just around the corner. On May 22, 2010 Austin Canine Central will host a class in snake avoidance training. For over 20 years, instructor Harlen Winter of Winter Kennels has been teaching dogs around the Austin area how to avoid snakes. According to the Winter Kennel website, Winter suggests that even after a dog has been bitten by a snake, the dog does not normally connect the painful event to the snake. This is because the real pain from a snake bite comes much later than when the bite itself occurs.

However, Winter has devised a technique that uses real snakes that have had their venom permanently removed "to connect a snake with pain definitively in the dog’s mind". Training doesn't end when class finishes either. Winter offers "refresher" courses to students of his previous classes free twice yearly or you can enroll in a private refresher course for $40 per dog. Click here to view class flyer.

Details for the Snake Avoidance Clinic are below:

Cost: $70

Date: May 22, 2010

Time: 12:00pm - 3:00pm

Location: Austin Canine Central

Address: 5402 Middle Fiskville Road
Austin, TX 78751

Phone: (512) 458-8800

So don't delay. Sign up today and teach your dog to steer clear of these slithering, creepy and deadly varmints!!!

HOTLR to Paint the Town!! Come Out, Party with Us and Raise Money for Your Favorite Charity!!

2010-04-27T17:16:00.011-05:00

Can you think of anything better to do on a beautiful May Saturday then to leash up your best buddy and head out to a dog party?

We have just the thing for you. On Saturday May 1st, 2010 from 12 - 4pm, Cactus Pryor's Canine Hilton Kennel located at 7509 E. MLK Blvd. is hosting a big bash. And your good friends at HOTLR will be there. Along with several other local rescue groups, HOTLR will be competing for donations with all kinds of activities. Face painting, doggie kissing booths, food from Taco Deli, live music from several local bands, demonstrations, raffles and more will keep you and ALL members of your family entertained.

The HOTLR booth will offer nail trims, a "furmination station" and fresh baked dog cookies for sale. We'll also be showcasing Wanda and Wilma two of our dogs that are currently available for adoption. With so much to do make sure to arrive early and stay late. Admission is free so come on out to Canine Hilton's Rescue Roundup and get some Labrador love and help HOTLR win some much needed donations.

On another note, how do you feel about pizza? I've not met too many people who'd turn down a slice when one is offered up. If pizza and shopping are your thing, then join us at California Pizza Kitchen in Barton Creek Mall on Tuesday, May 4th. Print out the special coupon found below and enjoy your favorite pizza while donating to your favorite rescue. Twenty percent of all proceeds generated at California Pizza Kitchen using this coupon will be donated to HOTLR. So, remember donating doesn't just feel good, it can taste good too!!! Simply click on this link: CPK coupon, print and invite a friend to dine at California Pizza Kitchen on May 4th!!!

Words Unspoken, Stories Untold

2010-04-13T17:08:00.006-05:00

by Jo Albertson, HOTLR volunteer and guest blogger

After her first Web-Blast for help, Tracy Spader of Lambertville, Michigan was getting discouraged. No one was willing to help her get more information about a dog she was hoping to adopt. Desperate, she sent out a second message. This time Heart of Texas Lab Rescue answered her call for help. Serving Central Texas and the San Antonio area, Heart of Texas Lab (HOTLR) has volunteers experienced in evaluating dogs and was willing to provide this service for her. But even they weren’t quite prepared for the story that unfolded after contacting Tracy.

Imagine entering into our Armed Forces at age 14 and serving until age 70. That’s the story of Buddy, the Chesapeake Bay retriever. Entering the service in 2002 and completing extensive training, Buddy now had a job. He was a TSA trained dog to find bombs. In 2005, Buddy was deployed to San Juan, Puerto Rico to begin his assignment. Being a member of the Working Class dogs, he performed for years willingly, without fail….no questions asked. In February 2010, it became apparent the Buddy needed medical attention. He was flown to Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas where a state-of-the-art veterinary hospital is located. After a thorough examination, Buddy was diagnosed with Hip Dysplasia, (the single most common cause of arthritis in the hips due to malformation of the hip joint) and so he was retired immediately. No more job. No longer a working dog for the United States Military. He served his country like all of our soldiers, completing his tour of duty with respect and honor. But unlike many soldiers, there is no parade, no flying flags, or family awaiting him with smiles, hugs and kisses. Buddy may just silently slip away with a pat on the head and a few scratches behind his ears for a job well done. This is where people like Tracy are stepping in to bring awareness to the thousands of dogs like Buddy who are serving our country.

Hundreds of dogs come through Lackland AFB annually for medical examinations from all over the world. These canine soldiers are handled with the utmost care like any of our men and woman in the service. Many of these dogs will be retired due to age or medical reasons. What next? Lackland has a team of Adoption Coordinators working hard with people all over the country who have expressed an interest in adopting these dogs. Tracy has a son in the Air Force, and to her, Buddy is a veteran and deserves to live the rest of his life, comfortable, safe, and loved. She needed experienced individuals to evaluate Buddy because she has two dogs of her own and wanted to be sure that bringing Buddy into her home would not cause her dogs or Buddy any distress. Heart of Texas Lab Rescue volunteers, Jo Albertson and Karen Engelland, a certified Dog Trainer went to Lackland AFB to do just that. In a few weeks, Buddy will be on yet another plane, but this time he is not being deployed to another assignment, but rather flown to Detroit to meet his forever family and enjoy the rest of his life….as a Dog.

HOTLR would like to thank volunteers Jo Albertson, Karen Engelland, Onion Creek Kennels of Buda, Texas, the veterinary hospital at Lackland Air Force Base and of course, Tracy Spader for giving this deserving canine soldier the dignity and love he deserves.

Make Eating Doggy Do-Do A Doggy No-No

2010-04-06T17:42:00.005-05:00

So there you are. Out on a beautiful spring day, your faithful friend by your side. Big smiles on both your faces as you breathe in the clean fresh air. But unfortunately, this is not the path less traveled. In fact, there have been quite a few before you that have taken this very walk - both man and beast.

Suddenly, it's the moment you've been dreading. Your furry sidekick, nose to the ground has found a "treasure". A remnant of another dog's journey before yours. And before you can yank the leash to drag your dog away from this unsavory treat, he has scooped said remnant into this mouth and is happily munching away. Your shoulders sag and a chill runs down your spine as you wonder why in the world your beloved hound would find this unappetizing pile so tasty?

Enough with the imagery. Let's get serious. As disgusting as this habit may be to humans, it is not uncommon in dogs. But why do dogs eat poop? There are many reasons actually. An article on the website Pet Comfort Products.com lists 20 different reasons. This website is dedicated to reviewing pet products and relaying information on the good ones and the not-so-good products as well as other helpful information to pet owners. Here is a sampling of the list from their article "Why Dogs Eat Poop":

They are bored, anxious or lonely
They need more food or are not getting the proper nutrients from the food they are eating
They are "housekeeping" or cleaning up their living area
They may eat the poop of a more dominant dog living in their family
Different nutrients and additives in cat food may be appetizing to your dog therefore, they eat poop from the litter box
Attention getting behavior

Now, that we know some of the reasons why dogs eat poop, what can we do to stop it?

If they are bored or are seeking attention - spend more time with your dog. Take longer or more frequent walks. Teach them new tricks or increase the time you play fetch. Take them with you on short errands to the bank or cleaners, for instance.
Check with your veterinarian to see if they need to eat more, or have him prescribe another food.
Keep your pet's play areas clean and poop-free. Scoop the poop regularly.
Buy a "hooded litter box or move the litter box to a place inaccessible to your dog
Try adding For-Bid or other additives to your dog's food to make the taste unappetizing
Take your dog to your vet for a check-up. Discuss the situation with your vet and ask his/her advice. Make sure there are no underlying health issues that might be causing the behavior

Remember, if you have a poop eater, don't be too hard on yourself or your dog. It's a common behavior in dogs. Try to understand the underlying reasons your dog has developed this habit and what to do to discourage it. Above all, be patient and get additional help from a professional if needed.

Scoop the Poop Campaign

2010-03-22T16:54:00.010-05:00

So, the sun is out. The days are longer. The temperatures are warm and balmy. Your dog is bringing you his leash, begging for a nice long walk in the springtime sunshine. As most Austin dog owners are aware, this city has a multitude of parks and places you can play with your pet.

However, in recent years, the elevated bacteria levels in many creeks and lakes have been a cause for concern. Bacteria levels have reached such high levels that some parks have had to close temporarily for restoration and clean up. Bull Creek District Park an off-leash dog park is one such park currently closed. Although the primary reason for the park's closure is to restore natural vegetation to areas where excessive erosion has taken place, the park's water levels indicate significantly high levels of E. coli with dog waste thought to be the main contributor.

In June 2000, the Watershed Protection Department in conjunction with the Parks and Recreation Department began a pilot program to install 25 "Mutt Mitts" dispensers in various high traffic dog parks throughout the city. In 2001, 75,000 Mutt Mitt bags were distributed. By 2008, 115 Mutt Mitt dispensers were installed throughout Austin and over 2.8 million bags distributed. Experts estimate that there are 120,000 dogs in Austin each depositing on average 1/2 lb. of waste per load. With over 2.8 million bags distributed, that means the city has hauled away nearly 1.4 millions pounds of poop!!!

The City of Austin is kicking off an educational campaign to teach owners about the importance of waste removal. Television spots, a park sculpture and educational brochures will be made available to the public. For more information on the "Sccop the Poop" campaign as well as videos, television spots, and brochures, Mutt Mitt dispenser locations and dog-friendly park locations, click here: Scoop the Poop. So be sure to do your part to help keep Austin lakes, creeks and parks clean and safe. Don't forget to and Scoop the Poop!!!

Let's Hear it for the Seniors!!

2010-03-15T16:17:00.015-05:00

It's no secret that older dogs are often passed by at animal shelters by adopters that don't understand the value of a more mature dog. At HOTLR, we look beyond the age of the dogs we evaluate. In fact, it is impossible for us to know the real age of many of our dogs because often we don't have their full history. It's what we see in their heart and soul that bring them into the HOTLR family. Below we've listed a few reasons why we think more mature Labs make such great companions:

10) They already have manners.

9) They understand that "play time" has a definitive start and end.

8) They LOVE to take naps and watch really long, boring movies.

7) It is not necessary to train for a marathon or invest in a automated pitching machine to wear them out.

6) The white in their muzzles make them look distinguished and sophisticated.

5) They do not bark as much; they've learned to speak volumes with their eyes.

4) They have learned that your shoes, books and furniture are not chew toys.

3) "Going for a ride" does not always have to end at the park or the lake. They are perfectly happy going to the bank, grocery store or pretty much anywhere as long as it's with you.

2) They are great babysitters and teachers for younger dogs.

And the Number One Reason to Adopt an Older Dog:

1) They know they don't have the face of an 8 week old puppy. They know their chances are limited. They know what it's like to feel safe and loved and to lose it. So, they will bond to you faster and harder. They will never forget it was you that saved them. They will be loyal to you forever. That is their gift to you.

To learn more about the dogs pictured here as well as other senior members of the HOTLR family, please click here Labs Available for Adoption for more information.

And Baby Makes Four - How to Introduce Your Dog to the Newest Member of the Pack

2010-03-04T12:08:00.012-06:00

Congratulations!! You have a new baby. Not having a child myself, I can only imagine all the changes that take place in your life once your beautiful bundle of joy arrives. Although I am no expert at human "momminess", hopefully I can help shed some light on how to make the transition easier for your dog.

Unfortunately, sometimes when a new baby arrives, the pet who was formerly the "baby" may find his life has drastically altered. The house where he may have once enjoyed free reign suddenly has rooms that have become "off limits" or certain pieces of furniture where he may once have napped, are no longer allowed for peaceful slumber. Stuffed toys which have always been a favorite play toy, may no longer be appropriate toys for your pet. Daily walks or play sessions may be reduced or disappear altogether as new parents understandably, have less free time.

What's worse, is that many times dogs that have always been indoors are suddenly relegated to the backyard isolated from the family that once doted on him. This lack of attention and change in lifestyle while not meant to be hurtful, can cause the dog to become stressed and lead to the development of negative behavioral issues. Tragically, many pets are given up because of the arrival of a new baby.

The key to success is preparation. Just as you have had 9 months to prepare for the arrival of your baby, your dog is no different. He too should be a participant in the preparation with specific exercises designed for him so that when the baby arrives, you will be confident of the behavior you can expect from him and vice versa.

The Humane Society of the United States is a great resource for information regarding your pets. They have written an article entitled "Introducing Your Pet and New Baby" that is filled with great suggestions. Here are just a few examples:

1) Before the baby arrives, take you pet to the veterinarian. Have the vet give your dog a thorough check-up and make sure all vaccinations are up to date.

2) Focus on obedience in the time prior to the arrival of the baby. Practice having the dog lie calmly next to you. Teach him not to jump and curb any "mouthing" or "play biting" behavior.

3) If the mother-to-be is especially close with the pet, have someone else begin to spend more time with the dog. This way the dog will have an opportunity to bond with another person and not feel "lost" when the new mother is unable to spend as much time as she used to with the dog.

4) Set aside time each day to spend one on one with the pet - even if it's just a grooming session, a short walk, or some dedicated backyard ball time.

5) Have friends with babies and young children over to the house so that the dog gets used to babies.

6) If the baby's room will be off limits, start training the dog right away to stay out of the room. Or set aside a certain part of the room where the dog will be allowed to stay. Give him special toys and treats when he stays in his "part" of the room.

7) Once the mother has gone to the hospital, bring a blanket or some clothing with the baby's smell home for the dog to sniff so he becomes familiar with the baby's scent.

These are just a few of the tips that you will find in the Humane Society's article. To read the full article, please click here. Dogs and babies can live successfully together with each getting the proper attention they deserve, but it is important to prepare your pet for the arrival of their new "brother" or "sister", just as you prepare any other member of your family.

Road to Recovery - HOTLR's Malibu

2010-03-02T15:42:00.021-06:00

Whether it was blunt force trauma from an angry cow's hoof, or some other painful accident, only Malibu knows the real story. What we know at HOTLR is that Malibu is yet another reason why this rescue group exists. The heart and spirit of a Lab are second to none in my book, and Malibu is a great example of a Lab with both heart and spirit. Just one look at her biography and video on HOTLR's website and I am sure you will agree. See Malibu's bio here. Malibu is well on her way to recovery from the surgery that fused her shattered shoulder and front right leg back into place.

Physical therapy is vitally important to a dog recovering from serious orthopedic surgery just as it is for people. No one knows how long Malibu has been lame, but now that her leg is working again, she must learn how to use it again. We thought you'd like to see her in action during a recent physical therapy session at the Canine Rehabilitation and Conditioning Center. Sandra Hudson is a Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner and heads up the physical therapy program at CRCC located at 12419 Metric Blvd. Last Thursday Malibu visited Sandra for another session. It was her second week of PT.

The session began with cold laser therapy in which a laser is directed at the scar tissue and incision sites from Malibu's surgery. This type of therapy aids the healing process by entering the mitochondria (the energy power house of the cell) and helping remodel scar tissue. This therapy is also instrumental in relieving inflammation and pain.

Next, Malibu found herself on the balance board. The balance board is reminiscent of a see-saw and forces the dog to redistribute her weight to maintain balance. This exercise is helpful in reminding Malibu that she now has a fourth leg that is able to hold her weight and will teach her to trust in using the limb again.

After the balance board, Malibu found herself placed on top of a giant rubber ball. Although this type of exercise therapy also teaches her to redistribute her weight, this particular exercise is more about massaging Malibu's tired and overused back muscles. Malibu's other body parts have taken on the burden of supporting the weight that her unused right front leg should have been handling. Therefore, it's important to massage these overused muscles to prevent her from causing injury to other body parts. Malibu could could not have been more relaxed as Sandra manipulated the muscles of her back releasing tension and tightness.

Finally, the moment I had been waiting for arrived. Malibu was placed in the underwater treadmill tank. The water helps support her body weight as she becomes more buoyant in the water just as we do when we swim. She spent 20 minutes in the tank which really required her to work her leg. It was amazing to see her injured foot on the ground, supporting her weight, toes splayed out looking exactly like her left leg. The slow motion underwater resistance really allowed her to focus on using her leg. It was amazing to see her walking normally. In fact, during the treadmill session, her speed was increased numerous times as she kept placing her recovery leg on the latch to the door, attempting to escape. Each time the speed was increased, she responded until it was obvious that she was tired. Way to go Malibu!!

Malibu still has another six weeks before she is fully recovered. If you are interested in meeting her after her recovery, be sure to put in an application at our website. This is one pup that will go the last mile with you and will definitely be worth the wait. Click here to fill out an application to adopt Malibu.

Meet HOTLR's Scuba!!!

2010-02-23T12:49:00.010-06:00

On February 21st, I attended a meet 'n greet at President Margaret Huston's house. Most of you familiar with HOTLR know how a meet 'n greet works. Potential adoptive families are matched with 2 - 3 dogs available for adoption and hopefully find the perfect fit for their family.

We had 8 families meet about 10 different dogs on Sunday. Meet 'n greet's are fun, exhausting and chaotic, but I guarantee if you've ever been to one, you're pretty much smiling and laughing the whole day.

I've done several meet 'n greets as a volunteer. Sometimes I come because my foster is "showing" that day. Sometimes I come just to help out. It's another great way to get to know some of the dogs in the program too.

Everyone laughs at me, because I fall in love with all the dogs in the HOTLR program. Maybe it's because they each have a story to tell that we will never fully know. Maybe it's because I often participate in the shelter checks and I see the dogs in the cages at the shelters, how pitiful, broken and sad they seem. Then after entering the HOTLR program, I get to see how they come out of their shells and begin to trust in humans again, eventually becoming a part of a new wonderful family. Watching this change touches me every time no matter how many doggy success stories I witness.

Right now there is a little dude I can't get out of my mind. It's Scuba, so named because his shelter card said that he loves water. Scuba is probably a classic victim of "Black Dog Syndrome". Black dogs are routinely passed over at shelters and rescue programs in favor of lighter colored dogs. It's a real documented problem. We picked him up about a month ago at the Waco Animal Shelter. He'd been there since early November having been transferred in from another shelter. Who knows how long he'd been at the previous place. They had placed him in a back corner cage where he sort of melted into the shadows of his kennel.

He hardly greeted us and would not make eye contact. He was emaciated, probably the skinniest guy I'd seen. I knew we were his last chance. I knew he didn't have long. He was going to die of malnutrition or the shelter would soon deem him unadoptable because his spirit had been broken. He had quit trusting in humans and wouldn't engage with them even if they did stop by his cage.

We took him out and looked at him anyway. We pulled his tail, looked at his teeth, talked to him, petted him. Ultimately, we felt he would blossom in the right situation and we pulled him and added him to the program. He's at Canine Hilton right now. He's getting some training and he has started eating again. He's beginning to fill out from the neck down but it will take a little more time before he is fully fit. He has a gorgeous head and face. When he fills out, in my opinion he will be a truly beautiful Lab.

Yet, he still has some rough edges. He definitely needs to be potty trained. He's most likely never been in a house before. However, I believe he is a quick learner. As soon as he understands where it's appropriate to go, the problem will be solved. (Neutering will help too.)

He was shown to a large family of 7 on Sunday. He was not intimidated at all. We watched fascinated as he greeted and showed interest in every family member. He stopped in front of each one, sat, sniffed and licked each person, all the while loving the attention. After a few minutes, he moved on to the next family member, exhibiting the same behavior. It seemed he was giving each a chance to get to know him and he them. Later, after they left, he spent a few minutes pacing around the house, then laid his head in my lap for some more attention. Finally he collapsed on the floor next to me, paws crossed, completely relaxed and seemingly at peace with the world. It was a totally normal Lab thing to do. The very thing I'd seen my own dog do thousands of times. It was in that moment that I knew he was going to be okay and just needed a little more time to get things figured out.

Ultimately, the family that visited with Scuba chose another dog better matched to their family. I know it's just a matter of time for Scuba, that he needs to meet the right family, that we did the right thing pulling him from the shelter. It's this feeling, watching the changes that come over the broken souls that we find at the shelters that make me so thankful for this organization. I don't think this feeling will ever get old to me or that stories like Scuba's will ever stop touching me. I can't wait to see the next chapter in Scuba's life.

Right now, he could sure use a foster home. If you'd like to foster Scuba or are interested in adopting him, please visit the HOTLR website at hotlabresue.org.

Crate Advice from a Non-Believer

2010-02-17T16:47:00.012-06:00

Dog owners have mixed emotions about crating their dogs. You know what dog crates are (also known as kennels) - those giant boxes that may look to some like mini jail cells. I for one used to be a non-believer. However, years ago I flip-flopped my belief when my husband "won" custody of a Beagle version of "Dennis the Menace" from his previous marriage. The exploits of Bonnie (yes, she was a girl) deserve a blog all to themselves , but suffice it to say that Bonnie and I had many stand-offs in which I (and my house) came out the loser.

So, we had no choice but to use the crate. Since then I've crated my last four dogs and every foster that has come into my home. Cayman is my 12 year old yellow male. When he was a puppy he ate a garden hose, a tennis ball, the rubber rim from around his food bowl, numerous toys and some twine. He's had exploratory surgery 3 times to remove many of the items listed above from his stomach. Since using the crate, the incidences of surgery from ingesting foreign objects have decreased dramatically - like to zero. From my perspective, when the dog is in the crate, know that the dog is safe and my stuff is safe from the dog.

Crates are great for potty training dogs too. Dogs are pretty smart. They don't like to sit in their own mess. Just make sure that the crate is small enough that if they do "mess" in their crate, there isn't an easy way for them to get away from it. They learn pretty fast that "hey, if I 'go' in here, I'm stuck in here with this mess and it's stuck in here with me until my parents get home". I promise, it doesn't take long for them to learn there are better places to go.

You can buy crates at almost any pet supply store. They come in many shapes and sizes, and are made out of many different types of materials. Some are so nice that you might mistake them for an end table in someone's living room. Others are made from canvas and look like they came from REI or Orvis, complete with screened in doors and windows and stakes for planting them in the ground if you go camping. You want to make sure that your dog can stand up and turnaround in which ever size you choose.

Most recently I purchased two really nice crates from Costco. They came with nice padded beds that fit the floor inside. They also collapse so that when they aren't in use, you can hide them under a bed or in a closet. I won't lie, they aren't cheap. Especially when you are buying for a larger breed like a Labrador. But you can buy about 12 crates at Costco for the cost of one exploratory surgery. So, they might end up paying for themselves many times over.

Ideally, dogs shouldn't be left in crates for many hours day in and day out, so use your judgment and do the best you can based on your work schedule. Place a nice padded bed or blanket in the crate. Sometimes I sleep with a blanket or towel for a few nights and then put it in the crate with one of my new foster dogs, so it smells familiar.

Introduce your dog slowly by placing the crate in an active area of the home where he won't be alone. Leave the door open and let him investigate it. Feed him in there. After several days of feeding him in there, shut the door while he eats and open it after he finishes. After he gets used to eating in there, leave the door closed for longer and longer periods of time. Toss cookies or treats into the crate to encourage him to go in. Praise him like crazy if he goes in on his own or better yet, if he goes in and lays down.

Of course, there will be resistant craters. My favorite thing for resistant craters is to stuff a Kong with wet dog food (you can mix kibble in there too). Don't be shy. Get the biggest Kong you can find and buy the one made for the REALLY STRONG chewers. Really pack the wet food in there until there is no space to stuff any more. Freeze it and then before you leave, throw the frozen Kong into the crate with your dog. Because the food is frozen (and stuffed in the Kong), it will take a lot of time for your dog to get it all out. It will be challenging and keep him busy while in his crate, plus it provides him with a unique treat easing the discomfort of you leaving. It is important to save the Kong treat for this particular occasion so that your dog will associate this treat with the crate making the crate a more pleasant experience. The Kong can get funky with wet food leftovers, so just chuck it in the top rack of your dishwasher for quick and easy clean up.

Other options you can try for resistant craters are DAP(Dog Appeasing Phermone) available at Petsmart. Also Peaceful Paws is an essential oil that can help calm a dog with separation anxiety or crate anxiety. Last, patience and practice will help your dog become more relaxed and comfortable with crating.

So, give it try. I'm sure glad I did.

February is Doggy Dental Month

2010-02-05T14:25:00.008-06:00

Jupiter is a recent addition to the HOTLR family. Ain't he just gorgeous? This picture says to me that dogs most definitely smile. How can we as pet owners ensure that our dog's smile is as beautiful as Jupiter's?

How about giving your pet's mouth a good once over to determine if a tooth cleaning might be in order? Why clean your dog's teeth, do you ask? How about that stinky "doggy breath" just for starters. Wouldn't it be nice to be rid of that? That unpleasant condition is not the fault of your dog, or something you're doing wrong, but there is something you can do about it.

"Doggy breath" (aka "halitosis") is caused by the same exact things that cause bad breath in people. Bacteria, poor oral health or an oral infection can lead to the offensive odor. We have the luxury of brushing our teeth to help rid our mouths of the odor and to help eliminate the bacteria causing the bad breath. But although pet owners can brush their dog's teeth, few of us do.

How do you know if your dog might need a good teeth cleaning? Lift up your dog's lip, check out his teeth, especially the teeth in the back. Do you see any brown, sticky buildup, or worse yet, is one of your dog's teeth broken?

Dogs acquire plaque and tartar buildup just like people. It happens in the course of every day eating and drinking. After a few years, the tartar becomes evident on a dog's teeth by forming a barrier on the tooth and discoloring the tooth. Over time, the bacteria causing the tartar can effect your pet's kidneys, heart and liver. Each time your pet eats, drinks or swallows, they are swallowing some of this harmful bacteria.

Broken teeth can cause abscesses which can lead to infections in the mouth eroding the underlying gum tissue and bone structure. You can bet if your dog has a broken tooth, he is experiencing pain every time he eats or chews. Eating crunchy kibble and chewing on bones, ropes and other veterinarian approved chew toys aids in removing plaque from the teeth. Therefore, having a healthy pain-free mouth will also help to make sure it stays that way.

Well, what's a dog owner to do? Take him to the vet, of course and have an oral exam done by your veterinarian. Your vet can then recommend treatment and tell you if a teeth cleaning is in order. The beautiful thing about dental month is that many veterinary practitioners are offering discounts for dental cleaning this month. So give your vet a call, and check it out.

For more information on doggy dental disease check out February is Pet Dental Month at Petplace.com.

Four Paws Up for the Bow Wow Workout

2010-01-25T18:40:00.008-06:00

Those holiday pounds still hanging around? How about your canine partner? Could he/she stand to lose a few? Want to get fit before swimsuit season and need some company to help you out? Well, I've got the answer for you. Austin Dog Alliance, a 501(c)3 dedicated to training dogs to live harmoniously in the home and the community, has created a class called Bow Wow Workout. The dual purpose of the class is to provide a unique fun way to get fit with your dog and to "get the dog out of the backyard", according to President Debi Krakar.

The class is an hour long, meets three days a week and offers a Certified Personal Trainer and Certified Personal Dog Trainers to aid you in a variety of exercises designed to get you in tip top shape. Exercise classes include a cardio portion, strength training exercises, core strengthening session and a cool down/canine massage portion. Your pup will stay busy running from workout station to workout station with you. He can also cheer you on during your toughest challenges. He may even get some agility work in while you both dart in and out of cones, and throw and chase the medicine ball. Good behavior is reinforced as he sits and stays while you lift weights. Frequent treating and doggy water breaks help your pup re-energize.

Last Tuesday, I gave it a go, and both my dog and I were tired at the end of class. My muscles were sore from the squats and tricep workout. Medicine balls, oversized rubber bands, dumbbells and yoga mats are all provided to aid you in the exercises. All you need to bring for your pup is a leash, some treats and a closed bag to keep the treats in (so they don't pop out all over the ground during your jumping jacks). Don't forget that the trainers available to give you tips on performing the exercises in the safest and most effective manner and to advise you on how to keep your dog engaged.

So, if you're ready to work hard so you can strut your stuff this summer, check out the Austin Dog Alliance Bow Wow Workout. Both you and your pet will get healthy and have fun at the same time. Be sure to check the Austin American Statesman on Feb. 1 to see some HOTLR dogs in action at one of the training classes. Don't hesitate, sign up now. Check out this link for more information on how to get started: ADA Bow Wow Workout

New Faces at HOTLR

2010-01-22T14:44:00.006-06:00

Well, 2010 is already proving to be another busy year for Heart of Texas Lab Rescue, Inc. In the last two weeks, we've brought in 14 new dogs to the program. Most of our dogs come from area animal shelters and that means someone needs to visit these shelters on a regular basis to evaluate new dogs.

Often in the early morning, you might spot President of HOTLR, Margaret Huston in the green rescue van we affectionately refer to as "the Pickle" pulling out of Austin in search of more dogs for our program. It is indeed a rewarding trip when the empty "Pickle" returns to Austin in the late afternoon full of abandoned Labs ready to begin their journey to their forever homes. HOTLR would like to thank Margaret and Stefanie Dwyer for performing the time consuming task of shelter checks.

Now we'd like to introduce you to a few of our newest HOTLR family members.

From the animal shelter in Brownwood, Texas, we rescued these great dogs:

Miss Bubbles - Bubbles is a female yellow Lab approximately 2-3 years old. She gets her name from her happy go lucky personality. No matter what time of the day it is, Bubbles will greet you with a sweet smile and a happy tail wag. She loves to use her front paws to hold on to you while you pet her. She also loves to be outside. She would be a wonderful dog for an outdoor enthusiast. Bubbles is very interested in balls and is beginning to get the idea of fetch. She also loves to run and would probably happily hike or run with you wherever you'd like to take her. She is spayed, but sadly is heart worm positive, so it will be end of March before you can meet her.

Allie is a beautiful black girl who could stand to lose a few. All she needs is to cut back on her food intake a little, get some regular exercise and she'll be the perfect Labrador. Exercise will be easy with Allie as she loves to play fetch. Want a partner to help you get in shape this winter? Adopt Allie and the both of you have plenty of time to be slim and trim for summer.

We just couldn't get enough of those puppies, so we welcome Zippy, Jazz and Buzz into the HOTLR family. They are beautiful black puppies that were dumped at the animal shelter when they didn't sell for Christmas. Zippy and Buzz are little boys and Jazz is their sweet sister. They are around four months old and ready for their forever homes. If you missed out on our puppy mania in late 2009, it's not to late to get your fix!!!

After Brownwood, it was on to San Marcos where we found a wonderful dog that we call Jupiter. Jupiter is a gorgeous, yellow boy who is extremely affectionate, seems to know a few basic commands and likes to retrieve. Jupiter too, is heartworm positive so he will need to be treated before he can meet you. If you dream of a big yellow boy to fill your days and nights, stay tuned, Jupiter will be worth the wait.

Reebok is a special boy who came from Giddings. He is also a young yellow boy looking for a new home. He is working on learning to walk on a leash and does show interest in retrieving. He loves to carry stuffed animals around in his mouth and does well with other dogs.

The animal shelter in Waco always proves to have many Labs needing help. Just this past Wednesday, we brought home 7 dogs from Waco. We found a skinny Haynes dressed in a blue t-shirt that was put on him to try to help him stay warm during the cold snap we recently experienced. He is a shy yellow boy just waiting for the right family to give him the unconditional love he deserves. He is a total sweetheart that drinks in all the hugs and pets he can get. He will be a wonderful addition to any family.

If you are interested in a big chocolate bear, then Bogey is your dog. A BIG boy at 100+ pounds, Bogey was dumped at the shelter after living in the backyard of his former family for 7 years. Surprisingly, he seems to know some basic commands like sit and shake. Nothing puts a smile on your face more quickly than watching this big boy fetch a ball. He will need some training, however, to learn how to be an indoor dog. We have some time to train him as he is another heartworm positive dog. On the bright side, he should be trustworthy in the house, by the time his heartworm treatment is complete.

Both Nikki and Calla are young yellow girls who have both been mothers already. They are sweet and easy to work with and can't wait to meet you. If you are interested in a young yellow girl, then check out Nikki and Calla.

Pilot is a gorgeous black boy who could be a Labrador calendar model. He is VERY strong and appears to have spent a lot of time alone outside. He needs some leash work and needs to learn basic commands. He will be a L.I.T. (Lab In Training) for a short while before he can meet you.

Winchester also is a sweet young black boy in need of a good home. He has gorgeous light brown eyes, but needs to learn a few leash manners according to our trainer at Canine Hilton. No worries, we'll be working on that and have him behaving beautifully in no time.

Finally, little Scuba....He is a true heartbreaker and a good example of why HOTLR exists. Scuba had been at the Waco shelter since November 3. He is terribly emaciated most likely from the stress of being at the shelter for so long. He is also most likely a victim of "black dog syndrome", continuously passed over simply because he is black. Well, Wednesday was the start of the rest of his life. We are working with a veterinarian to get Scuba back to health as quickly as possible so that we can get him home to a forever family. This is a dog that will forever be grateful to the family that adopts him. He is definitely a special, special boy who needs lots of TLC.

To learn more about these dogs (as well as the other available dogs) and follow their progress, visit this link at Heart of Texas Lab - Dogs Available for Adoption.

Hike with your Dog in 2010 - Find out Where

2010-01-05T16:04:00.006-06:00

Taking your dog on a hike can be one of the most rewarding times you and your dog spend together. The relatively mild winter weather we experience in Austin can make it the best time of year to roam with your pup. However, it can be difficult to figure out where your four-legged friend is welcome and what rules you must play by to have him with you. Just where can you go to enjoy a long relaxing walk together?

Well, come with me to REI's North location next Tuesday, January 12th at 7pm and find out. Melissa Gaskill author of Best Hikes with Dogs: Texas Hill Country & Coast, will give a talk on the best hikes in the central Texas area including, Austin, San Antonio and Houston. Not only will she map out some of the best hiking spots for you and your canine buddy, she will also tell us how to prepare our dogs, what to pack and discuss overnight adventures with our furry friends.

Ms. Gaskill has spent lots of time hiking and camping around central Texas and has written several magazine articles about her adventures. She has also co-authored a book on lacrosse and authored a long-running parenting column. Best of all, she owns two dogs. One is a rescue dog named Max, a mixed breed rescued from an Austin shelter AND the other, a black Lab named Keeper. You know these guys are living the good life. Come find out more about how to give more of the good life to your special friend.

Who: Melissa Gaskill, Freelance Writer
Where: REI North Location - located at 9901 Capital of Texas Hwy
When: January 12th, 2010 at 7pm

Check out this link for more info: Melissa Gaskill & Hiking with your Dog

*pictured above - Melissa Gaskill with her rescue dog, Max

HOTLR and Barnes and Noble Team Up for the Holidays!!

2009-12-20T11:43:00.009-06:00

So here we are, T-minus 5 days....is your holiday shopping done? Well, if not, here is a last minute idea for you. How about heading to the nearest Barnes and Noble. Chances are not only will you be able to find a gift for everyone left on your Christmas list, but you'll probably run into a HOTLR Lab or two as well.

For the past few years, Barnes and Noble has been kind enough to invite HOTLR to participate in the charity gift wrapping event. Several of the stores in the Austin area have HOTLR dogs and people volunteer to wrap your Christmas presents. In the meantime, you get to watch someone else figure out how much paper you really need to wrap that book, watch someone else trim the edges when they figure out they have too much paper and watch someone else fold, crease and crinkle trying to get that book adequately covered. All the while, you stand back and chat with other Lab lovers or volunteers with a big smile on your face getting a dose of Labrador love from the participating Labassadors for good measure. How relaxing can gift giving get?

So come on and join us. Stop in and say "hi" and even if you don't have any presents for wrapping, be sure to stop by for a chat and a Labrador pat. There are always volunteers available to answer your questions about HOTLR or get you signed up to become a foster or a volunteer yourself. Listed below are the dates and locations where you can see us:

Barnes and Noble Brodie Lane location:
December20, 2009 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
December22, 2009 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM

Barnes and Noble La Frontera, Round Rock location:
December 20, 2009 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
December 21, 2009 6:00 PM - 11:00 PM
December 22, 2009 6:00 PM - 11:00 PM
December 23, 2009 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
December 24, 2009 9:00 AM - 1:00PM

Barnes and Noble Westlake location:
December 20, 2009 2:00 PM - 6:00PM

December 21, 2009 5:00 PM - 10:00PM