Oh Soooooo True

A dear friend sent this to me and after I had dried my eyes – just had to share it with you all!

 

The Old Man and the Dog
By Catherine Moore

'Watch out!  You nearly broad sided that car!' My father yelled at me. 'Can't you do anything right?' Those words hurt far worse, than any physical blows. I turned my head toward the elderly man in the seat beside me, daring me to,
as it were, to challenge him.

A lump rose in my throat as I averted my eyes, I wasn't prepared for another battle. 'I saw the car, Dad. Please don't yell at me when I'm driving.' My voice was measured and steady, sounding far calmer than I really felt. Dad glared at me, then turned away and settled back.

At home I left Dad in front of the television and went outside to collect my thoughts. Dark, heavy clouds hung in the air with a promise of rain, and the rumble of distant thunder seemed to echo my inner turmoil. What could I do about  him?

Dad had been a lumberjack in the North Western States of Washington and Oregon. He had enjoyed being outdoors and had revelled in pitting his strength against the forces of nature. He had entered gruelling lumberjack competitions, and was often highly placed. The shelves in his house were filled with the trophies that attested to his
prowess. The years marched on relentlessly.

The first time he couldn't lift a heavy log, he joked about it; but later that same day I saw him outside alone, straining to lift it. He became irritable whenever anyone teased him about his advancing age, or when he couldn't do something he had done as a younger man. Four days after his sixty-seventh birthday, he had a heart attack.

An ambulance sped him to the hospital, whilst a paramedic administered CPR to keep blood and oxygen flowing. At the hospital, Dad was rushed into an operating room, he was lucky; he survived. But something inside Dad died, his zest for life was gone. He obstinately refused to follow doctor's orders. Suggestions and offers of help were turned aside with sarcasm and insults. The number of visitors thinned, then finally stopped altogether, and Dad was
left alone.

My husband, Dick, and I asked Dad to come live with us on our small farm. We hoped the fresh air and rustic atmosphere would help him adjust. Within a week after he moved in, I regretted having offered the invitation. It seemed nothing was satisfactory, and he criticized everything I did. I became frustrated and moody, soon I was taking my pent-up anger out on Dick. We began to bicker and argue. Alarmed, Dick sought out our Pastor and explained the situation. The clergyman set up weekly counselling appointments for us. At the close of each session he prayed, asking God to soothe Dad's troubled mind. But the months wore on and God was apparently silent.

Something had to be done, and it was up to me to do it. The next day I sat down with the phone book and methodically called every mental health clinic listed in the Yellow Pages. I explained my problem to each of the sympathetic voices that answered, but in vain. Just when I was giving up hope, one of the voices suddenly exclaimed, 'I've just read something that might help you! Let me go get the article.' I listened as she
read.

The article described a remarkable study, done at a particular nursing home. All of the patients were under treatment for chronic depression. Yet their attitudes had improved dramatically, when given responsibility for
a dog. So I drove to the animal shelter that afternoon. After I had filled out the questionnaire, a uniformed officer led me to the kennels. The odour of disinfectant stung my nostrils as I moved down the row of pens. Each contained five to seven dogs. Long-haired dogs, curly-haired dogs, black dogs, spotted dogs, trying  to
reach me. I studied each one, rejecting one after the other for various reasons, too
much hair, too big, too small.

As I neared the last pen, a dog in the shadows of the far corner struggled to his feet, he walked to the front of the pen and sat down. It was a pointer, one of the dog world's aristocrats. But this was a caricature of the breed. The years had etched his face and muzzle with shades of gray, his hipbones jutted out in lopsided triangles. But it was his eyes that caught and held my attention. Calm and clear, they beheld me unwaveringly.

I pointed to the dog. 'Can you tell me something about him?' The officer  looked, then shook his head in puzzlement. 'He's a funny one, appeared out of nowhere two weeks ago and sat in front of the gate. We brought him in, figuring someone would be right down to claim him. To date we've heard nothing, so his time is up tomorrow.' He  gestured
helplessly.

As the words sank in I turned to the man in horror. 'You mean you're going to kill him?' 'Ma'am,' he said gently, 'that's our policy, we don't have room for every unclaimed dog.' I looked at the pointer again. The calm brown eyes awaited my decision, 'I'll take him,' I said. I drove home with the dog on the front seat beside me. When I reached the house, I honked the horn twice.

I was helping my prize out of the car when Dad shuffled onto the front porch. 'Ta-da! Look what I got for you, Dad!' I said excitedly. Dad looked, wrinkled his face in disgust. 'If I wanted a dog I would have gotten one'. And I would have picked out a better specimen than that bag of bones, you Keep it! I don't want it'! Dad waved his arm scornfully and turned back toward the house.

Anger rose inside me. my throat became dry and with a pounding into my temples I said; 'You'd better get used to him, Dad. He's staying!', but he ignored me. 'Did you hear me, Dad?' I screamed. Dad whirled angrily, his hands clenched at his sides, his eyes blazing with anger, and we stood glaring at each other like duellists, when suddenly the pointer broke free of my grip. He ambled toward my dad, sat down in front of him, then slowly, carefully,
raised his paw. Dad's lower jaw trembled as he stared at the uplifted paw. Confusion replaced the anger in his eyes.

The pointer waited patiently. Then Dad was on his knees hugging the animal. It was the beginning of an intimate friendship, and Dad named the pointer, Cheyenne. Together he and Cheyenne explored the community, hours spent walking down dusty lanes. They spent many reflective moments on the banks of streams, angling for tasty trout. They even started to attend Sunday services together, Dad sitting in a pew and Cheyenne lying quietly at his feet. Dad and Cheyenne were inseparable throughout the next three years.

Dad's bitterness faded, and he and Cheyenne made many friends. Then late one night I was startled as I felt Cheyenne's cold nose under our bed covers. He had never before come into our bedroom at night. I woke Dick, put on my robe and ran into my father's room. Dad lay in his bed, his face serene. But his spirit had left quietly sometime during the night.

Two days later my shock and grief deepened, when I found Cheyenne lying dead beside Dad's bed. I wrapped his still form in the rag rug he had slept on. As Dick and I buried him near a favourite fishing hole, I silently thanked
the dog for the help he had given me in restoring Dad's peace of mind. The morning of Dad's funeral dawned, overcast and dreary. This day looks like the way I feel, I thought, as I walked down the aisle to
the pews reserved for  family.

I was surprised to see the many friends Dad and Cheyenne had made, filling the church. The pastor began his eulogy. It was a tribute to both Dad and the dog who had changed his life. And then the pastor turned to Hebrews 13:2. 'Be not forgetful to entertain strangers.'

'I've often thanked God for sending that angel,' he said. For me, the past dropped into place, completing a puzzle that I had not seen before: through the sympathetic voice that had just read the right article... Cheyenne's unexpected appearance at the animal shelter ....... his calm acceptance and complete devotion to my father....... and the proximity of their deaths.

And suddenly, I understood, I knew now that God had answered my prayer after all.

Life is too short for drama and petty things, so laugh hard, love truly and forgive quickly. Live while you are still alive.
Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity. Forgive now, those who made you cry, you might not get a second chance.

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF SPCA'S NEWSLETTER

E-NEWSLETTER 18 FEBRUARY 2010 EDUCATION It is heartening that the N SPCA is receiving requests from outside the SPCA movement for copies of our worksheets. This is a pleasing development as other organisations working in schools can also promote the welfare of animals. One example is the AVPFS (Alternatives to Violence Project Free State) with whom we have just met. They have access to all Free State high schools and would like to utilise our materials. We were also very gratified to receive a very generous donation of R9 000 recently from the Interact Club of Roedean School, representing an enormous amount of effort and commitment bearing in mind that three other Non Governmental Organisations received the same. Well done Roedean Interact.   TWITTER Are you following us on Twitter yet? If not, please consider linking up with us. We won't overload you with irrelevant information and you will know what we are doing every day - go to http://twitter.com/NSPCA_SA.   RESEARCH ETHICS UNIT According to the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics, it is: - Inspired by the work of ethicists and philosophers who have pioneered new perspectives on animals; Informed by scientific work indicating that animals are sentient and possess complex systems of awareness; Seeking to relate these insights to how we treat animals today; Questioning the 'old view' of animals as simply things, machines, tools, commodities, or resources, put here for our use, and Holding that all sentient beings have intrinsic value and should be treated with respect. "Ask the experimenters why they experiment on animals, and the answer is: "Because the animals are like us." Ask the experimenters why it is morally okay to experiment on animals, and the answer is: "Because the animals are not like us." Animal experimentation rests on a logical contradiction. ~ Charles R. Magel   WILDLIFE UNIT Every year millions of Rands are spent on curios, décor and fashion items made of wild animal products. It is not only the overseas tourist who buys these products but also the local market. The market even extends to cultural and traditional supplies with bits and pieces of animals being sold in places from exclusive boutiques to street-side vendors. It is amazing how many people don't consider that they or their homes are adorned with parts of dead animals and accept that these pieces are just decoration, almost factory made. Little thought is given to the previous life of the animal. With the advent of the FIFA World Cup and a dramatic increase in the number of tourists about to visit our country one wonders how many more animals will have to lose their feathers and quills. The Wildlife Unit appeals to readers to act thoughtfully and ensure that you are not responsible for the suffering of animals because you purchased the trinkets or added porcupine quills for your African themed table setting. "The earth has music for those who will listen."   FARM ANIMAL UNIT Personnel from the NSPCA's Farm Animal Unit had a positive meeting with GDARD (Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development) regarding the lack of welfare taught to the officials in teaching and mentorship positions. This will hopefully lead to the development and subsequent inclusion of "welfare" as a specific subject in their training programme. An additional significant item covered in this meeting was the inclusion of the SPCA at grass roots level for the emerging farming projects.   PRO-ACTIVE AND REACTIVE WORK It may appear to be a case of being in the right place at the right time but we see the moral as being "out there" to help animals - including in remote areas. An inspector responding to a call in the Amersfoort area regarding a horse with an injury to its leg came upon another case: - a stray horse with such severe injuries that we had to put her to sleep to end her suffering. Sometimes we are sent to areas for good reason.   SALEYARDS Readers will share our frustration on the issue of saleyards where animals are traded. In terms of basic welfare standards and minimum legal requirements, backward steps seem to be the norm. To give an example, we are currently finding that fundamentals such as provision of water and using loading ramps (that are there for use) have become things of the past. We are quite aghast and taken aback by this. Apart from the legal requirements, is it really so much to ask from a moral standpoint to provide these animals with water? After all it is these same animals that are providing these auctioneers and farmers with their income! The Farm Animal Unit advises that we have exhausted all avenues trying to resolve this issue in an amicable manner. We shall now issue one warning to give them an opportunity to conform to legal standards, failing which we will prosecute. NEWS FROM THE ADVERTISING STANDARDS AUTHORITY The N SPCA keeps abreast of trends and developments in advertising. We note an interesting case at the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) relating to a print advertisement featured in SAA's (South African Airways) in-flight magazine. Promoting hunting trips, it showed photographs of killed animals including elephant and buffalo plus an image of two dead lions with pictures of their hunters standing next to them. The wording, "Pride in the quality of our game" appeared below. It is pertinent that the ASA took the publication itself to task not only the advertiser. Attorneys acted on behalf of SAA stating that no advertising regulation had been contravened. Yet the SAA requested its client to use a different advertisement and confirmed that the advertisement complained of will not be used again. The Advertising Standards Authority stated that " The undertaking is therefore accepted on condition that the advertising is withdrawn in its current format and is not used again in future." The moral of the story is not to be afraid of raising concerns with the appropriate authority. The N SPCA experience over the years has been that the Advertising Standards Authority is fair, thorough and respected. Interesting too that in this instance the publication itself was taken to task which may create greater caution and more responsibility in future when advertisements are accepted.   "REALITY" TELEVISION SERIES Late last week a media statement was placed on www.nspca.co.za headed "Reality TV - Precedent Set" which related to ITV being fined in an Australian Court for the killing of a rat in the "reality" series I'M A CELEBRITY . GET ME OUT OF HERE.   SPONSORSHIP MADE EASY Individuals often take part in sporting events or fun challenges and at the same time benefit charity. We are pleased to announce that the N SPCA is registered with www.backabuddy.co.za and www.doit4charity.co.za which makes the whole process easy. The individual can direct potential donors to either of these web sites and money can be paid in: - including by credit card. Please pass on the message. Even if events are small, it all adds up and helps animals. Until next time With kind regards Chris Kuch

 

THE AGING DOG

Hi Everyone

Came across this interesting article the other day and thought I would share it with you all.

Enjoy!

 

Your dog's body takes a beating throughout his life. Muscles are pulled, joints stressed, and organs scarred by infection. Cell structure breaks down, decreasing the efficacy of organs and tissues. All of these traumas cause abnormal cell development, which in turn create tumors and arthritic conditions. On the outside, he can appear as healthy and active as any younger dog, but inside his organs are not functioning as efficiently as when he was younger.

For example, if the kidneys begin to deteriorate, they can continue to function with only 40 percent of the tubules (the part of the kidney that breaks down nutrients from urea) working. Your aging dog will continue feeling fine and behaving normally. However, this can take a quick turn for the worse if a kidney disease continues to deteriorate. This can happen slowly or what seems like overnight. Until this happens, the only difference in your dog will be his need to urinate more often. Otherwise, there is no sign of a problem. As he ages, you need to ensure his complete health by adjusting his diet, exercise, and by keeping a close watch on his behaviour. In fact, you'll notice many problems first through behavioural changes before his body shows the outward signs.

Changes in appetite, a lack of desire to move about, or overall grouchiness are usually symptoms of a deeper problem. Your dog's muscles will remain strong, provided he exercises. The more he does as a youngster, the more he can do as an oldster. You must keep in mind, however, that he cannot tell you he doesn't want to go those extra miles with you. All he wants is to be with you and please you, regardless of how he feels. His muscles may still be strong at this point, but his internal workings are no longer operating in prime condition.

Your dog can still remain physically healthy with a little less exercise - maybe two or three miles instead of five or maybe you can do the run on softer ground instead of hard concrete. The musculoskeletal system will usually exhibit arthritic changes as he turns into a senior dog. Arthritis is formed through changes in the joint bones, a reduction of cartilage, and a thickening of the synovial fluid between the joints. Often, inflammation can cause more irritation and lameness. Not only will the arthritic changes cause pain in the joints, but they will also cause atrophy in the muscles because your dog will not want to move around. The muscles begin to get loose and hang off the bones. This is most obvious along the spine, chest, and hind legs.

As the muscles atrophy, the skin will appear looser or baggy. Overall, your dog becomes a different dog as his senior years take over. He moves more slowly, picks at his meals, and may bump into things that he can't see. However, the biggest change will be in his behavior. As he ages, he may not only slow down, he will also become less excitable in general. He will still greet you with a wagging tail, but not jump on you or perform aerial leaps when you come home. When going out, he'll walk to the door and wait patiently as you search for his leash - no more racing in circles, barking excitedly, and jumping about.

 

Well done National Council (NSPCA)

Hi everyone. I received this letter from Louise Bennet with regards to the banning of fireworks! All I can say is hear hear and agree with her sentiments wholeheartedly - and think we should all be far more pro active in reporting unlicensed dealers, and users! We can make a difference!

Louise from Paws Abilities

 

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Morning all

 

Firstly, thank you Marcelle (from NSPCA) for your letters to the newspaper – they obviously felt them worthwhile as they printed them in every newspaper.

 

Folks, in case you didn’t see them, Marcelle’s letter highlighted another growing deadly menace i.e. the panic-stricken animals run into the road trying to escape the fireworks, thus causing accidents.

 

I quote from Marcelle’s letter:  “In Australia, the sale of fireworks to the man in the street is banned, as it should be here.  To cater for certain religious beliefs, only the sale of non lethal and pretty fireworks should be allowed.  I call on our municipality to act and keep the promises that the use of these ghastly bombs be stopped.  So far nothing has happened”

 

It would be most appreciated if we, as a body, write in and, especially if you have contacts in the Arrive Alive section, please contact them and let us know their reaction.  I will then forward to everyone.

 

Many thanks

Louise Bennett

 

 

NSPCA NEWSLETTER

RESEARCH ETHICS UNIT

The N SPCA actively encourages the development of alternative techniques for research and teaching purposes - ones that do not involve live animals! We strongly support the role of institutional Animal Ethics Committees which have both scientific and independent members to ensure that any use of animals is justified and provides for the welfare of those animals. Of paramount importance are the principles of Replacement, Reduction and Refinement (the 3Rs).

All research or teaching using live animals must be carried out in accordance with the South African National Standard for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes. This requires a proposal to be assessed and endorsed by an Animal Ethics Committee. The N SPCA is currently represented on 36 Animal Ethics Committees or institutional bodies nationally. 117 Animal Ethics Committee meetings have been scheduled for 2010 to be attended by the N SPCA Research Ethics representatives. It will be a busy year!

 

WILDLIFE UNIT

Threatened or Protected Species Regulations and Captive Lions

Following the unsuccessful court action by the SA Predator Breeders Association against the Minister in 2009, the Department of Environmental Affairs stated that it would focus on achieving the original intention of listing lions as large predators subject to the Threatened or Protected Species Regulations. On 12 January 2010 the Supreme Court of Appeal agreed to hear the appeal by the SA Predator Breeders Association on hunting captive-bred lions in South Africa. A Supreme Court of Appeal official has indicated that the matter could be heard in September or November 2010. Further delays before regulations relating to lions are implemented are therefore anticipated and the fate of more than 3 500 lions in captivity continues to hang in the balance.

The Threatened or Protected Species Regulations initially stipulated that lions raised in captivity must be allowed to range free for two years before being hunted. The SA Predator Breeders Association argues that the clauses concerning lions would make it impossible for predator breeders to make a living and said that this would also have a negative impact on employment in some rural areas and deprive the local economies of significant revenue brought into the country by foreign hunters. The Wildlife Unit will continue in discussions with the Department of Environmental Affairs on this issue.

 

GUARDIANS OF WILDLIFE

The Wildlife Unit has been active in preparing "inspection and care" guidelines for use by SPCAs around the country. These documents will serve as working tools to assist the inspectors in assessing the welfare of various species of wildlife being held in captivity.

The SPCA movement is committed to the protection of all animals and this includes wildlife. Equipping inspectors with knowledge and the confidence to handle wildlife issues in their respective areas is a necessary part of the Wildlife Unit's functioning. It is important to monitor situations within the wildlife industry that may affect the welfare of our country's wild animals, offer advice, and step in if there is exploitation, suffering or cruelty.

Nature will bear the closest inspection. She invites us to lay our eye level with her smallest leaf, and take an insect view of its plain.
~Henry David Thoreau

WORKSHOP ATTENDED

Inspectors from the Equine and Farm Animal Units attended a "Hoof-care for Donkeys" workshop at the Ondesterpoort Faculty of Veterinary Science on 15 and 16 January. The workshop was sponsored and presented by The Donkey Sanctuary. A farrier from Mexico was present and he gave practical demonstrations before participants were taken to a local township where they were able to assist local animals by practising (under supervision) their new found skills.

The N SPCA inspectors will utilise these skills in the many outreach and community projects involving equine which are conducted throughout the country. During these projects the N SPCA donates new harnessing and bridles to the owners of donkeys. Old tack is always replaced to prevent these old and potentially harmful items from being used on donkeys or horses again.

 

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

The education department has developed and presented two workshops to SPCA animal welfare educators on how to teach interactively. The workshops were well received.

The education department has additional portfolios which include the monitoring and evaluation of welfare standards for pigeon racing, accepting former SAPS dogs for rehoming through individual SPCAs, assessing applications for Performing Animals Protection Act licences relating to the use of dogs for safeguarding as well as monitoring and evaluating field dog trials and providing ethology guidance to SPCAs.

 

PIGEON RACING

Inspection of national lofts is in progress as well as monitoring a long distance race from Gariep Dam which starts on Saturday. Reasons why pigeon racing is a concern are illustrated below in an article from a " bird fancy" website written by racing pigeon "expert", Mr J Barkel.

"There are several tricks that are used to increase the urge to return home during these periods. When the pair have been sitting about fourteen plus days and no sign of hatching, you can hole out one end of an egg, and insert a live cricket or something similar, (jumping beans have been used) and seal the end. The parents will feel the movement and presume that the baby pigeon is about to hatch, this can produce a fast return home, for the bird has a retentive memory. If the eggs are chipping and you have babies hatched elsewhere in the loft, you can borrow that baby and slip it under the pigeon to go to the race about a half an hour before you basket. This will also bring results for a quick return".

So even parental emotions and instincts are not exempt from manipulation and exploitation by those who advocate that the only way is the winning way!

 

SANLAM TELEVISION ADVERTISEMENT

Complaints continue to be received regarding a television advertisement for Sanlam featuring an elephant. Concerns include how elephants are trained and also that it is inappropriate to touch/handle elephants or "tame" them as tourist attractions.

We agree. Contact has been made with Sanlam who were sympathetic to these issues.

 

It would add support if individuals contacted Sanlam directly too. This would add weight and convince the company that members of the public (and not just the N SPCA) felt this way.

www.sanlam.co.za carries contact details. Please note that the advertisement does not breach the Advertising Standards Authority Code. The footage was taken by a staff member of Sanlam whilst on holiday in the far east. That is, filmed in a documentary manner and outside our country.

 

HAITI

The N SPCA is a member of the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA). This organisation is mindful that the earthquake tragedy in Haiti has impacted on animals as well as people. Please go to www.wspa-international.org for an overview of the "disaster liaison team" being sent to assist and for daily updates on the situation.

Until next time

With best regards

Chris Kuch

9 Tips to Help Your Older Dog Live Longer!

Hi Everyone,

Received this useful piece of common sense and thought I would pass it on.

 

Your dog may live between ten and fifteen years depending in part on the breed, with an average of twelve years longevity. Aging is a natural process and results in changes in your dog's metabolism, hormone balance, and sensory perception.

A dog is considered to be a senior at the age of seven or eight. Your aging dog will sleep more and experience degeneration of his body systems and internal organs. Expect him, as he gets older, to have less tolerance of extremes in heat or cold, decreased immunity to disease and infection, and a decline in his metabolism. Older dogs may lose their vision
and hearing.

So as you can clearly see, it takes a lot of attention and care when your family pet reaches his golden years. Below are 9 tips that will help you and your dog adjust to old age:

1. Because the older dog is generally less active, he requires fewer calories. If you have children in the house, make certain that they understand that your family dog is elderly and requires more careful and sensitive handling.

2. As your dog grows older, have your veterinarian run appropriate tests to detect any illness or degenerative condition early so he can be treated. Pay attention to any changes in your dog's habits, behavior, or appearance and report them to your veterinarian.

3. Learn the symptoms of some of the more common problems that afflict the older dog, such as diabetes, kidney and thyroid problems, and heart conditions. If you notice any symptoms, contact your veterinarian right away.

4. Discuss with your veterinarian feeding your geriatric dog a diet formulated specifically for the needs of older animals.

5. As your dog ages, look for signs of dental problems. Clean your dog's teeth regularly and have your veterinarian professionally clean them when necessary.

6. Pets become more creatures of habit as they age. If you are planning any environmental changes, do so gradually and pay special attention to your dog's needs to minimize any stress he experiences.

7. When you groom your geriatric dog, look for lumps and bumps under the skin and report them to your veterinarian.

8. Engage your older dog in moderate play to promote muscle tone, increase circulation, and aid digestion.

9. Have your dog leashed when he is outside to keep him safe and help him live longer.

 

 

Until Next Time,

 

Lou

 

 

WHAT to do if your pet has eaten any toxic foods

Found this useful advice – whilst surfing the other night – thought I would share it with you. Any veterinary input would be welcome!

 

TO YOUR VETERINARIAN. If your pet is showing signs of ingesting a poison, it is important that your veterinarian examines her and treated appropriately. Some toxins can progress and lead to severe seizures. If you suspect antifreeze poisoning, it must be treated within 4-6 hours, before irreversible kidney damage occurs.

 

PURGE THE POISON. In most cases of poisoning, getting your pet to vomit is the most important thing that you can do.

 

DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING if something caustic has been consumed (such as drain cleaner or bleach).

 

To induce vomiting, give hydrogen peroxide at 1 teaspoon per 10 lbs of body weight. If your pet doesn't vomit in 10 minutes, repeat again. NEVER do more than 2 treatments of peroxide. You can also try salt: dilute 1 teaspoon of salt in a tablespoon of water per every 10lbs of body weight.

 

NEUTRALIZE THE TOXIN. If a caustic substance has been ingested, DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING, rather give something to neutralize it. An alkaline toxin such as drain cleaner is neutralized by something acidic such as vinegar: give 1 tsp per 10 lbs of body weight. An acidic toxin, such as battery acid, is best neutralized with something alkaline such as Milk of Magnesia: give 1 tsp per 10lbs of body weight.

 

DELAY ABSORPTION. Activated charcoal is readily available at most pharmacies. It delays absorption of any toxin by binding to the toxic compound in the stomach. The easiest way is to give the capsule form. For those garbage-eating dogs (such as my own dog) it is a good idea to have hydrogen peroxide and activated charcoal always on hand.

 

TOPICAL TOXINS. If your pet is having a reaction to something on the skin, such as flea medications, or oil on the skin, then you want to remove it as soon as possible. Dish soap works well - lather  it up, then rinse your pet thoroughly. Thick tarry substances that you can't wash off can be first covered in flour, as the flour absorbs some of the oil, then washed off with dish soap.

 

PREVENTION. Ensure medications are always out of mouth's reach.

Become familiar with toxic plants (visit http://www.aspca.org/toxicplants for a complete list) and remove those from your house, if your pet is a plant-eater.

 

ALSO.  Remember to keep your compost covered.

 

 

Clicker Tips

Would non-human animals ever do something like that? KPA graduate and Certified Training Partner Dan De La Rosa asked me, “Can a punisher also be a reinforcer?”

Dan says that Shutzhund working dogs take stick hits from the target person they are attacking, and come back fighting for more. It seems that they do not see the stick hits as punishment. Some world-class trainers describe these dogs as adrenalin addicts.

Choose your words carefully

The short answer to Dan's question: don’t equate an aversive stimulus with a punishment. A punishment, technically, is anything that shortens or stops a behavior. If someone hit you or me with a stick, we might do less of whatever we did that triggered an adversary to strike at us; however, a fighter might do more. I shrink at the very thought of swimming in freezing water; Karl jumps in, once a year.

Don’t equate an aversive stimulus with a punishment.

An aversive stimulus is not necessarily punishing, it depends on circumstances and on the recipient. Rain is punishing to cats, who might respond by going inside, reinforcing to ducks, who might respond by going outside, and a matter of indifference to cows, who stay where they are. And circumstances can change one’s view of what’s punishing. We primates generally seek shelter in a downpour, but Gene Kelly, having just fallen in love, famously sang and danced in the rain.

We need to separate the “thing”—the cookie or the stick or the click or the cold water or whatever—from its outcome. What defines its function is not what it looks like to common sense, but how it changes the behavior. If that stick doesn't slow the dog down, then no matter how scary it looks to us, it's not functioning as a punisher.

It’s the same with reinforcers. If the dog won't take the treat, no matter how delicious it looks to us, then in that situation the treat is not a reinforcer. I see people petting dogs effusively, under the assumption that they are giving the dog pleasure. If you look at the dog, though, it’s showing an eye white or ducking away from the pat or shaking off the unwanted contact. At that moment, with that dog, your effusiveness is definitely not a positive experience.

Technically, a reward or a punisher has no specific definition; it’s just anything we’ve chosen that we think our learner might like or might avoid. Only the individual doing the behavior can truly tell what sort of “postcedent” or subsequent event any particular item might be.

The behaviors of seeking apparent aversives or avoiding apparent rewards illustrate the often-misunderstood subtleties of B.F. Skinner’s thinking. His vocabulary deals with processes and outcomes, not with specific items or events.

Technically, a reward or a punisher has no specific definition; it’s just anything we’ve chosen that we think our learner might like or might avoid.

Find out more

Want to delve deeper? I recommend a new textbook, Behavior Analysis for Effective Teaching, by Julie Skinner Vargas. It’s the best explication I’ve ever read of operant conditioning. It goes back to Skinner’s first discoveries. It goes forward to modern training by integrating throughout the text the uses and functions of secondary reinforcers as used in clicker training and TAGteaching (technologies that previous behavior analysis textbooks either get wrong or ignore). The book is aimed at grade school teachers, but it serves any of us who teach anyone or anything. It is a college textbook—long, complex, expensive—but worth having on your shelf and dipping into often. There’s enlightenment on every page.

Happy clicking,

 

Dog or Bitch - which to choose?

Male Or Female: Which Dog Is Better?

Which dog makes a better pet, a male dog or a female? The answer to this question depends on what you're looking for. On one level, if you care about the personality and character of the dog more than anything else, the gender shouldn't matter. Your decision will be based mainly on how the puppy behaves and acts towards you and other people when you are looking at the litter.

On another level, if you want to find out whether a male dog or a female dog would generally make an overall better pet, then you'll have to take in other factors, such as the size, temperament, and level of care.

Choosing A Female Dog

Generally speaking, female dogs are relatively smaller in size and warmer in temperaments. There are, however, some male dogs that are just as affectionate as female dogs. Many dog trainers and breeders recommend a female dog to homes with small children. Some believe that there is some type of maternal instinct that exists in female dogs, a quality that makes them amiable and ideal for a household with children.

Do not let feminine problems such as heat cycles and bleeding steer you away from getting a female dog. If you are worried that she will bleed all over your house when that time comes, consider getting her spayed, which is the ideal thing to do anyway. Once spayed, rest assured that she will not bleed a single drop. And with regards to behavior, female dogs can be just as challenging as male dogs, sometimes even more so.

Choosing A Male Dog

Male dogs are a bit more difficult to care for at times than females. For instance, they are quite good at performing a disappearing act when a nearby female dog is in heat. This can be dangerous to the dog as well as create problems for you. Many male dogs have been injured or even killed when escaping their homes to search for a female in heat. Between moving vehicles and fights with other male dogs, it makes sense to also have male dogs fixed.

Male dogs are also very territorial over their property, including any of his "stuff" inside the house, his bathroom area, or even a female dog. He tends to get very aggressive when he thinks that his property is being taken over by another dog and is willing to fight to defend it.

Male dogs also display territorial urination by lifting its leg up as high as possible while urinating. This leg-lifting behavior is not a problem unless it occurs inside the house.

On the other hand, male dogs have tons of energy and a lot of fun to play with. They are more active and have better endurance than female dogs. This is probably why male dogs are usually chosen for jobs in law enforcement.

 

 

NSPCA Newsletter

E-NEWSLETTER

13 JANUARY 2010

WILDLIFE UNIT

The Draft Norms and Standards for the Regulation of the Hunting Industry in South Africa (published in terms of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act 10 of 2005) were circulated for public comment by the Department of Environmental Affairs. The Wildlife Unit has provided welfare input into these Norms and Standards as with other pieces of legislation promulgated by the Department of Environmental Affairs. This is an important part of the Unit's functioning because of the long-term impact this has on the welfare of animals.

 

WARNING - INTERNET TRADE IN ANIMALS

The N SPCA continues to receive calls from individuals who have responded to advertisements for animals on various web sites. These may involve the offer of a free animal or the sale of animals (including wildlife) at a ludicrously low price. Once an individual is in communication with the people who placed the advertisement, "unexpected expenses" suddenly appear such as customs duties, transport fees or whatever the latest excuse may be. The animals do not exist.

 

Interpol is aware of the scam and has advised us that the people involved are dangerous and have not as yet been traced. Their advertisements vary and tend to move from web site to web site.

 

The N SPCA finds it difficult to understand how anyone would order a pet over the Internet. Surely when adopting an animal, you would want to meet it, check the conditions where it was born etc. The official policy of the SPCA movement in South Africa is to oppose the trade of animals on the Internet - for good reason.

 

Please be warned for the animals' sake and also to take away the opportunities currently being taken advantage of by exploiters.

 

FAROESE WHALE HUNT/S

The N SPCA continues to receive mails regarding the Faroese pilot whale hunts. The number of whales being killed has reduced over the last decade and between August 2007 and January 2009 no hunts took place at all. But the hunts have not stopped.

 

The N SPCA is a member of the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) and we have given formal support to WSPA for a meeting with the Faroese authorities noting however that Faroese people are resistant to being told what to do by foreigners. The meeting would be between welfare organisations and the Faroese home rule government to explain to them the volume of letters and emails received on this subject, including many people who have said they would like to go on holiday there but chose not to because of the risk of seeing a hunt. Please note that this issue is ongoing and long-term.

 

JUST FOR INTEREST

The name Bernice Dyer may be familiar to you as the Chairman of the SPCA in Zimbabwe. She has now moved to South Africa and is the Society Liaison Unit's Manager at the N SPCA.

 

She's also an amateur archaeology sleuth and her most recent find is a lead dog tag dated 1899 (badge number 1313) with the old coat of arms and "Municipality Port Elizabeth" on it. The dog tag was found in the dunes in Port Elizabeth. There's a moral here too. We continue to promote identification and here is evidence that back in the 18^th century Port Elizabeth's residents were already doing just that!

SUGGESTION
Please remember that lemons make lemonade! Unwanted or unsuitable Christmas gifts can be sold or raffled by your local SPCA to raise valuable funds to help animals.

When clearing out items such as toys, clothing, household goods, CDs, gardening tools (even plants and seedlings), please don't forget your local SPCA. These items can be turned into useful income.

 

Just imagine ~ if everyone donated a single carrier bag of goods, what a difference it would make. My fussy pets turned up their spoilt noses at their pre-packaged Christmas "treats" so guess who is going to benefit from these items?

Until next time

With kind regards

Chris Kuch