With my bare hands, I finished mounding the dirt over Pepsi's grave. Then I sat back, reflecting on the past and absorbing all that had happened.
As I stared at my dirt-stained hands, tears instantly welled in my eyes. These were the same hands that, as a veterinarian, had pulled Pepsi, a little miniature schnauzer, wiggling from his mother. Born the runt and only half-alive, I had literally breathed life into the dog that was destined to become my father's closest friend on earth. I didn't know then just how close.
Pepsi was my gift to Dad. My father always had big dogs on our farm in southern Idaho, but instantly, Pepsi and Dad formed an inseparable bond. For ten years, they shared the same food, the same chair, the same bed, the same everything. Wherever Dad was, Pepsi was. In town, on the farm or on the run . . . .they were always side-by-side. My mom accepted that Dad and the little dog had a marriage of sorts.
Now Pepsi was gone. And less than three months earlier we had buried my dad.
Dad had been depressed for a number of years. And one afternoon, just days after his eightieth birthday, Dad decided to take his own life in the basement of our old farmhouse. We were all shocked and devastated.
Family and friends gathered at the house that evening to comfort my mother and me. Later, after the police and all the others had left, I finally noticed Pepsi's frantic barking and let him into the house. I realized then that the little dog had been barking for hours. He had been the only one home that day when Dad decide to end his life. Like lightning bolt, Pepsi immediately ran down to the basement.
Earlier that evening, I had promised myself that I would never go back into that basement again. It was just too painful. But now, filled with fear and dread, I found myself heading down the basement stairs in hot pursuit of Pepsi.
When I go to the bottom of the stairs, I found Pepsi standing rigid as a statue, staring at the spot where Dad had lain dying just hours before. He was trembling and agitated. I picked him up gently and started back up the stairs. Once we reached the top, Pepsi went from rigid to limp in my arms and emitted an anguished moan. I placed him tenderly in Dad's bed, and he immediately closed his eyes and went to sleep.
When I told my mom what had happened, she was amazed. In the ten years Pepsi had lived in that house, the little dog had never once been in the basement. Mom reminded me that Pepsi Was scared to death of stairs and always had to be carried up even the lowest and broadest of steps.
Why, then had Pepsi charged down those narrow, steep basement steps? Had Dad cried out for help earlier that day? Had he called good-bye to his beloved companion? Or had Pepsi simply sensed that Dad was in trouble? What had called out to him so strongly that Pepsi was compelled to go down to the basement despite his fears?
The next morning when Pepsi awoke, he searched for my father. Distraught, the little dog continued looking for Dad for weeks.
Pepsi never recovered from my father's death. He became withdrawn and progressively weaker. Dozens of tests and a second opinion confirmed the diagnosis I knew to true ------- Pepsi was dying of a broken heart. Now, despite my years of training, I felt helpless to prevent the death of my father's cherished dog.
Sitting by Pepsi's freshly mounded grave, suddenly things became clear. Over the years, I'd marveled at the acute senses dogs possess. Their hearing, sight and smell are all superior to humans. Sadly, their life span is short in comparison, and I had counseled and comforted thousands of people grieving over the loss of their adored pets.
Never before, though, had I considered how it was for pets to say good-bye to their human companions. Having watched Pepsi's unflagging devotion to Dad and the dog's rapid decline after Dad's death, I realized that our pets' sense of loss was at least equal to our own.
I am grateful for the love Pepsi lavished on my father. And for his gift to me ---- a deeper compassion and understanding of pets, which has made me a better veterinarian. Pepsi's search for Dad is over now; together again, my father and his loyal little dog have finally found peace.
Marty Becker, D.V.M.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT DOG
by Jobeth Bridleman
Sponsored by the Barry County Humane Society
Dear JoBeth,
We want to get a dog, and have decided to get one from the shelter. But when we looked at them, there was no way we could agree on which one was the nicest, you know, the only one for us. Do you know what I mean? How can we tell which one has the nice temperament we need? What should we look for? We don't want to make a mistake.
Signed, the Family
Dear Family,
Good for you ! I'm pleased you're looking for a your new dog at the shelter. There are many nice dogs there, and I'm sure you'll find the one that's meant for you but you do have to look beyond that cute outward appearance, as the dog's general temperament can make or break an adoption. If you make your selection based on high behavioral standards, and general health, you are more likely to have a lasting relationship.
Determining a dog's real temperament is not easy, but there are some general personality indicators you will be able to see. Remember that few dogs behave normally under those kennel conditions.
First look for a dog that will come forward to greet you. A well-balanced dog is social. Then way it reacts to your approach will allow you to make preliminary judgements . Does the dog accept your casual visual examination? If simple eye contact draws a growl or a lunge at the gate, cross that dog off your list. You are looking at a dominant aggressive dog that will give your trouble. Any sign of aggression should instantly rule out a dog
Look for a dog that appears comfortable outgoing and friendly, even amid the din of the kennel. Avoid extremes on either end of the behavior spectrum. Select a dog that is interested in everyone passing by the cage, not only you. Be cautious about adopting a dog that appears fearful or shy. While some shy or fearful dogs may be perfectly normal when removed from a kennel, you have no way to prove it until after adoption.
A misconception persists that if you take a "less adaptable" dog, someone else will take the "more adaptable" ones. It's just not true. There are only so many good homes to go around and more dogs than can be accommodated. If you take a forlorn, fearful dog, chances are a normal, healthy, friendly dog might be destroyed.
The overly friendly, pushy dog may bot be your best choice either. A dog's frantic attempts to get attention may be the reason is was surrendered to the shelter. The average working person needs a dog that is comfortable with daily separations. Look for a dog that greets you in a relaxed but interested way. Such dogs enjoy human companionship but can handle the chaos of the kennel. In a shelter, this kind of dog usually stands comfortably close tot he gate, lazily wagging its tail with an open mouth. Consider this one seriously.
Ask the attendant to bring the dog up to the "get-acquainted" area. I like to have the attendant remain in the room while I check to see how the dog reacts to human handling. Will this dog accept the contact that goes along with walking on a leash? Next, ignore the dog for a while. Is it pushy and insistent when it doesn't get what it wants? An easy way to ignore the dog is to engage the attendant in conversation about the dog's history. If the dog refrains from pawing at you and jumping up, it has passed the test. Once the excitement of leaving the kennel has subsided, a well-adjusted dog will soon be relaxed but will remain attentive to you. In a normal tone of voice, say the dog's name (if it is known, or the one you have chosen) and see if it will look you in the eye. If it does, tell it to sit. If it does, praise it and move him to the top of your list. This dog wants to please you, and has been owned by someone who took the time to teach it at least one command, which it has remembered under stressful conditions. It will be a dog you can go on to teach many other things (think obedience class!).
You should avoid taking a dog based solely on information provided by the original owner. Remember, the original owner is unlikely to be truthful about behaviors that could prevent the dog from being adopted. Consider the information, but don't believe all of it. Most pet owners are poorly equipped to shape and maintain their dog's behavior and are often forced to give up the animal when a problem can't be solved (think obedience class!). The shelter attendant will be able to discuss with you how the dog has been behaving in the kennel setting.
Be willing to leave if you do not find exactly the animal you are looking for. The more time you invest in searching, the better your chance of finding just the right one. No adoption is guaranteed, but the more time you take selecting a dog, the better the chance you will have for a happy, long-term relationship. Good luck in your quest. Oh, I have I mentioned enrolling your new dog in an obedience class! Must have slipped my mind. Thanks for writing.
In memory of my cat Morris who died on Wednesday February 6, 2002.
Ruth
"Do not meddle in the affairs of cats, for they are subtle and will pee on
your computer." --Bruce Graham
"There is no snooze button on a cat who wants breakfast." --Unknown
"Thousands of years ago, cats were worshipped as gods. Cats have never
forgotten this." --Anonymous
"Cats are smarter than dogs. You can't get eight cats to pull a sled through
snow." --Jeff Valdez
"In a cat's eye, all things belong to cats." --English proverb
"As every cat owner knows, nobody owns a cat." --Ellen Perry Berkeley
"One cat just leads to another." --Ernest Hemingway
"Dogs come when they're called; cats take a message and get back to you
later." --Mary Bly
"Cats are rather delicate creatures and they are subject to a good many
ailments, but I never heard of one who suffered from insomnia." --
Joseph Wood Krutch
"People that hate cats will come back as mice in their next life." --Faith
Resnick
"There are many intelligent species in the universe. They are all owned by
cats." --Anonymous
"I have studied many philosophers and many cats. The wisdom of cats is
infinitely superior." --Hippolyte Taine
"No heaven will not ever Heaven be; Unless my cats are there to welcome me."
--Unknown
"There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats."
--Albert Schweitzer
"The cat has too much spirit to have no heart." --Ernest Menaul
"Dogs believe they are human. Cats believe they are God."
"Time spent with cats is never wasted." --Colette
"Some people say that cats are sneaky, evil, and cruel. True, and they have
many other fine qualities as well." --Missy Dizick
"You will always be lucky if you know how to make friends with strange cats."
--Colonial American proverb
"Cats seem to go on the principle that it never does any harm to ask for
what
you want." -Joseph Wood Krutch
"I got rid of my husband. The cat was allergic."
"My husband said it was him or the cat ... I miss him sometimes."
"Cats aren't clean, they're just covered with cat spit."
Sponsored by the BARRY COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY WRITTEN BY Jobeth Bridleman
Antifreeze Poisoning
One of the major dangers to all pets (and children, too) at this time of year is accidental antifreeze poisoning. The most dangerous times are in the winter when people are likely to change or add to their antifreeze, and on very hot summer days when radiators boil over.
Dogs and cats like the sweet taste of antifreeze, which is actually a chemical called ethylene glycol. Lapping up a spill on the garage floor can be lethal - as little as on tablespoon can kill a cat, and 1/2 cup can kill a 20-pound dog.
You can protect against any accidental poisonings by cleaning up any spills (kitty litter can be used as an absorbent) and disposing of the residue safely. When storing antifreeze, put it well out of reach. Also periodically check beneath your car: antifreeze leaking from a hose is just as dangerous as when it pours from a bottle. Or you may want to use one of the new, less toxic antifreezes. Poisonous ethylene glycol can be replaced with non-toxic propylene glycol, which is available at many stores. It's still poisonous, but no as much as the traditional kind.
There is treatment for antifreeze poisoning, but often the poison has done it damage by the time it becomes obvious. It doesn't take long for a small dog or cat to lap enough to cause death. The prognosis for recovery depends on the amount of antifreeze ingested, the size of the animal, and how quickly the pet receives treatment.
Signs of ethylene glycol poisoning, which can appear anywhere from 30 minutes to 10 hours or more after ingestion, include vomiting, confusion and loss of coordination (drunken behavior), and trouble breathing. Frequent urination (following a bout of excessive water drinking shortly after ingestion) is another sign. The symptoms will usually go away after a time, but meanwhile, the digested antifreeze travels to the liver, where it is broken down into toxic by-products. These toxic by-products travel to the kidneys, where they can cause a complete shut down, and the dog or cat will stop urinating. By this time, it is probably too late to reverse the damage, and your pet may go into a coma and die.
Again there is and antidote, but it must be given by your veterinarian within and hour or two of the poisoning. If you see your pet drink antifreeze, make him vomit, and then get him medical attention immediately. ( You can make a dog vomit by giving him 1 to 2 teaspoons of 3% hydrogen peroxide for every 10 pounds of body weight. The foaming action will trigger a gag reflex. You may repeat this procedure two or three times, waiting about 5 minutes between doses. The hydrogen peroxide may work better if there is a little food in you pet's stomach, so try offering a small meal beforehand.) If you did not see your pet at the antifreeze and symptoms are already obvious, forget trying to make him vomit and get him to your vet as quickly as possible.
As you have determined by now, prevention is the easiest way to keep this terrible event from happening in your family. Check your garage now to see that any antifreeze is stored correctly, and watch the floor for any leaks from your car.
