In Memory of a Girl Named Pokey

Three years ago, a little Boston Terrier girl named Pokey found her way into my arms after one of my customers found her wondering on the side of Newman Springs Road in Holmdel on her way home from a doctors appointment Knowing I had Boston Terriers already, she called me immediately as she could not take a strange dog into her home. I picked up this beautiful girl, which I temporary called "Daisy" as she had no collar or identification tags on her. I brought her to my home and after her shoving herself through the front door and bypassing 3 eager other dogs wanting to sniff her, she ran up the stairs into the master bedroom, jumped on the bed, nestled herself on a pillow and went to bed (and too boot, laying on her back with all four paws up!) She never sniffed or looked back at the other dog's following her through the house. It was like she knew the layout of the house, where to go and to say "awww, I'm finally home ".

Although I felt like I found a treasure, I knew in my heart I had to find this girl her real home (although I didn't want to). I just couldn't bear the fact that a little girl may be crying that her dog was lost or perhaps a childless family was missing their fur baby. The next morning I called the SPCA and asked if anyone reported a missing Boston Terrier in the Holmdel area. To my surprise, someone did and was forwarded the contact information.

Because it was only 24 hours that I had this girl in my custody, it seemed like we knew each other for years. She followed me everywhere, knew all commands, had the best manners, didn't bark, show any signs of aggression toward my other dogs, but just wanted to snuggle next to my feet while I worked. She was the perfect dog anyone could ask for. That afternoon, I reluctantly called the phone number provided by the SPCA volunteer and a woman answered the phone. When I asked her if she was missing a Boston Terrier - she said "ooh yes - that's my Pokey girl. She gets out once in a while when she gets frightened by something on the farm." That evening, Pokey went back to her home.

However, 3 months later, Pokey's mom called me. She wanted to let me know that she didn't want Pokey anymore. Pokey was approaching 10 years old and she was planning on moving. Although I never imagine that being the actual reason to give up such a great dog because of a move, I really believe it was Pokey's age that was getting to her and some medical issues that were present. Well, without any hesitation, I told her YES, I WILL TAKE POKEY - MOST CERTAINLY! I couldn't wait to get "my girl" back.

That evening, Pokey showed up at my door step with a major eye infection and a lump on her head. After confronting the previous owner, it was apparent that Pokey was either not a priority or she was not financially able to care for this dog anymore. The next morning, Pokey was rushed to my vet to be treated. It turns out that Pokey had a major ulcer behind her eye that was pushing her eye outward and she was in terrible pain. The doctor's prognosis was bad - Pokey was more than likely going to lose her eye. But, I told the doctor let's try some heavy duty antibiotics and hope for the best. Two weeks later, her eye was back to normal. The ulcer shrank! It was then at this time I decided to have the lump on her head removed, have her spayed (which I later found out she was used as a breeding dog) and have two breast glands removed as it started to appear they were becoming infected. Pokey recovered successfully and by this time, you would have thought this dog was no more than 5 years old!

The next year passed and old age started creeping on my girl again. More breast tissue and glands had to be removed and pallups removed from her rectum. My girl was going through allot, but holding up like a fighting champ. She always pulled through her surgeries with flying colors and never showed any signs of pain following her medical "episodes".

However, two days before Thanksgiving of this year something started to happen. Pokey starting painting heavy. Because it was out of the blue, I didn't feel the need to be overly concerned until she could not stop doing it a few hours later. Her breathing rate was up to 140 breaths per minute. The next morning, we were at the vet's office. Thinking I was going to walk away with a bottle of medication and we would be all fine - this day was different. By the looks of her chest x-ray, the vet could not determine if her lungs were completely filled with fluid or cancer cells. In complete shock, I cried the entire way home while my Pokey girl just sat in the passenger side - looking out the window and enjoying her car ride as she normally did. Reality sat in - I wasn't going to have a long time with her. I was sent home with not one med, but a ton of meds to help treat fluid in the lungs and also a steroid commonly used in cancer patients to help stabilize them. I went to bed with my girl that night hoping and praying it was the lesser of the two and it was only fluid. Within two days, Pokey bounced back. She was back to her same, happy girl self.

Unfortunately, two weeks went by and Pokey's health started to decline FAST! I rushed her to the 24 hour emergency hospital at 2am and my worst nightmare was confirmed. Pokey had lung cancer and was dying. Pokey was put to sleep in the early morning hours that day. It was one of the saddest days of my life.

I got to spend a glorious three years with my girl. She slept with me every night on my pillow, on her back with her legs up - nestled/sandwiched between two pillows. She did this little "hokey pokey" dance every time she seen her harness pulled out from the closet. She loved car rides, was an excellent listener, the best dog to snuggle with and got along with any animal or person she met. She was an angel in my eyes.

Pokey's private remains now rest on my office shelf with my two other beloved boxers that I also lost to cancer years ago. What makes this girl so special is that she found me and even when I thought I found her home when she got lost, she knew where she belonged. She spent her last three retirement years with me and I provided her with all the love and care this sweet girl needed. Pokey now runs on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge; playing with all the other pets that have passed. I know in my heart she will be at the light when it's my time to go. She was truly a special soul!

FREE Puppy Report Available To You

So, you purchase a puppy from a pet store or a "so-called" breeder. Your puppy dealer swears up and down that your puppy is NOT from a puppy mill, but rather, a reputable, "hand selected" or responsible breeder. You believe them and purchase the puppy anyway. The information given to you states where your puppy was born, to whom and the name and address of the breeder. Problem is that your puppy came from out west. Chances are, you won't be visiting there anytime soon for any family "doggy" reunions to say hello.

Being inquisitive, you may have tried researching more information on your puppy's breeder via the web; perhaps to say "Hi! I'm the proud owner of one of your fur baby's". However, came up short on any valuable information. But, there is a great resource available to you now and best yet, it's FREE OF CHARGE! It's a Puppy Report complimentary from PetShopPuppies.org - a non profit organization whose objective is to inform you of the actual truth of "commercial" breeders (a/k/a puppy mills) and will provide you with all the details of where your puppy came from plus....

• USDA licensing information on your puppy's breeder
• Actual physical address (if different than on paperwork)
• Results on their annual USDA kennel inspection
• Number of pets on the breeders premises at the time of inspection (please note, the higher the number, the bigger of a "mill" it actually is)
• AKC revocations & suspensions (if any)
• Media reports or articles that the breeder (or broker) has been mentioned in (kennel raids by humane societies, breeding license suspections, etc.)
• The number of dog auctions the breeder has participated in (very common in the "mill" world")
• Misc other reports that the organization will dig up. This may be cross referenced from other consumer complaints of sick, diseased or dogs acquiring genetic defects which links your puppy to the same dog parents, etc..

Although some of the information that will be forwarded to you may be hard to read, the reality is that you will now know the TRUTH of where you puppy really came from and will be more educated the next time you want to purchase a puppy. Furthermore, it will also enable you to be proactive with any medical testings with regards to genetic defects that are linked to your puppy.

NJ Puppy Lemon Laws - Resources That Help Those With A Sick Puppy

Perhaps you've been there or know of someone who has. After spending a fortune on a puppy that you dreamed of having, you are forced to take on the financial and emotional hardship of trying to get a puppy well instead. The person that sold you the pet may tell you it's "normal" or "common" and not to worry. But, you may be put on the spot and told "should you not want that sick puppy, just return it back and we will give you another". Well, as nice as this sounds that they are "standing behind their sale", this is an unfortuante but common tatic that most puppy stores, dealers, and bad backyard breeders do. Knowing that you are most likey (emotionally) attached to that pet, they take the chance that you will not return that sick puppy back to them.

However, you bought a puppy with all intentions of having a healthy one. Should it be your liability to pay for all the medical costs associated in getting that puppy healthy because you choose to keep that puppy instead? Absolutely not! The good news is that NJ Puppy Lemon Law clearly defines regulations that protect consumers who find themselves in this unfortunatete circumstance and getting restitution owed to them. However, the key is to start your claim as soon as possible. Make sure to record all expenses paid out related to getting the puppy well again. In additon, it is wise not to use the same veterinarian who signed off on the "fit for sale" certificate that is "working with" the pet store, dealer, etc..!

Here are some valuable resources to help those with getting their money back related to medical costs on their sick puppy -

NJCAPSA.org
>> Compliant Form

NJ Division of Consumer Affairs (pdf flyer w/ contact info)

Apple Cider Vinegar - A Must Have With Pets

Did you know that apple cider vinegar is like a little medicine cabinet in a bottle? Here are a few tried and true benefits to giving a little dose to your pet a day! (Dosage: 20 lb dog - 1 teaspoon, 50 lb dog - 1 tablespoon; diluted with water twice daily on each feeding - if spraying on coat/skin - dilute 1/2 and 1/2 in spray bottle)

• Aides in helping stubborn pets eat
• Restores acid/alkaline balance in the digestive tract and bladder
• Aides in the prevention of kidney and bladder stones/crystals from forming
• Aides in getting rid of internal & external parasites
• Restore luster and shine to coat. Also wards off fleas & ticks naturally.
• Aides in relieving dogs with runny eyes, noses or ear infections
• Helps with minor hot spots
• Helps rid tear stains

For additional reading, Click Here

Crap in a Bag - Dog Food Review: PEDIGREE

I can't express enough how important it is to feed your dog with a proper, well balanced, HEALTHY food now a days, especially if you want your dog to live a healthier lifestyle, despite what some vets and breeders will recommend. Surprisingly, I'm astounded by how many consumers still really have not clue to what is considered HEALTHY for their pet even with so much information that is accessible through the internet. Perhaps it's the manipulation by the marketing objectives by commercial dog food companies or moreover, the recommendation or suggestion of their vet because he/she said so. (Note: Although vets go to medical school for approximately six years - there is very minimal education on animal nutrition unless further education is personally sought by the individual themselves outside of Science Diet Research. This is why you will find vets highly recommending or pushing the prescription foods of Science Diet, which I also consider a very poor diet as well because of many poor ingredients they also use. Read some information on how Science Diet provides kick backs and bonuses to vets who "push" their foods.)

Because there are hundreds of crappy brands and formulas on the market, here is my first review on a national recognized brand of what I call "crap in a bag". Although this, as with many other brands, are associated with having different formulas (puppy, adult, large breed, small breed, senior), their MAIN FORMULAS consist of basically the SAME INGREDIENTS across the board but will slightly differ in one or two ingredients to accommodate each specific formula (added vitamins/minerals or different use of one protein source). However, the rating will ultimately stay the same.

BRAND: PEDIGREE

INGREDIENTS: Ground Whole Corn, Meat and Bone Meal (Natural Source of Calcium), Chicken By-product Meal (Natural Source of Glucosamine†), Corn Gluten Meal, Rice, Animal Fat (Preserved with BHA/BHT), Wheat Flour, Dried Beet Pulp, Natural Flavor, Salt, Potassium Chloride, Wheat Mill Run, Caramel Color, Vegetable Oil (Source of Linoleic Acid), Vitamins (Choline Chloride, dl-alpha Tocopherol Acetate [Source of Vitamin E], L-ascorbyl-2-polyphosphate [Source of Vitamin C†], Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate [Vitamin B1], Biotin, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Riboflavin Supplement [Vitamin B2], Vitamin D3 Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement), Minerals (Zinc Sulfate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Sulfate, Copper Proteinate, Manganese Proteinate, Potassium Iodide), Iron Oxide, Added FD&C and Lake Colors (Yellow 6, Yellow 5, Blue 2, Red 40).

OUR RATING: Very Poor - Not Recommended.

ACTUAL ANALYSIS: Dogs are carnivores (meat eaters), however, no where do I see any wholesome and actual MEAT proteins in this food of which dogs need based on their genetic makeup. Let's start with the breakdown by the first 8 listed ingredients in the order they appear:

1. Main ingredient - CORN - Corn is a cheap grain filler which really does not have a high nutritional value to it nor is fully digestible - even in human consumption. Moreover, it is known to cause allergies in dogs.


2. MEAT & BONE MEAL - This is an inexpensive, cheap form of protein and highly consists of grounded up bone fragments (with minimal meat) which additionally does not provide adequate protein, thus is why it is indicated as being a natural source of calcium instead.


3. CHICKEN BY PRODUCT MEAL - By products consist of the "after parts", which in this case is the chicken. This consists of parts that are the "leftovers" that are banned from the human food chain. In plain English - it's simply garbage.


4. CORN GLUTEN MEAL - Derived from corn, the gluten meal is an cheap protein source; often used to feed "livestock". Again, with the use of corn listed as the 1st and 4th ingredient, it is again a cheap grain "filler" to formulate this food and known to cause allergies in dogs.


5. RICE - Although considered a safe but cheap "grain" for dog consumption, the fact that this is the third grain out of five ingredients so far (which not to mention, has more after the 8th ingredient) but yet has any good protein sources listed which should have been already. If this food contained actual and wholesome protein sources (deboned chicken, fish, beef, etc...) with rice being mentioned as either the 3rd or 5th only grain ingredient, then the food's rating would have been much higher (with the exception of what other ingredients are listed).


6. ANIMAL FAT (preserved with BHA/BHT) - Animal fat is a "generic" fat source that is most often made up of rendered animal fat, rancid restaurant grease or other oils that are deemed inedible for humans consumption. In addition, it is also preserved with a chemical called BHA/BHT that is banned in many countries, but still known to be used within the US (which the FDA still allows) in pet and human foods although research shows a link between the use of them and cancer. Read More Here


7. WHEAT FLOUR -In dog food products, this is commonly a by-product (think floor sweepings) of human food production and is a grain fragment we consider primarily a cheap filler. Wheat is believed by many to be the leading cause of food allergies in dogs . Wheat mill run is a further grain by-product (listed as the 12th listed ingredient).


8. BEEP PULP - Beet pulp is a controversial filler. It is a by-product, being dried residue from sugar beets which has been cleaned and extracted in the process of manufacturing sugar. It is a controversial ingredient in dog food, claimed by some manufacturers to be a good source of fiber, and derided by others as an ingredient added to slow down the transition of rancid animal fats and causing stress to kidney and liver in the process. However, research shows that beet pulp is an ingredient that commonly causes problems for dogs, including allergies and ear infections. There are more natural ingredients around if additional fiber is required such as apples, pumpkin, sweet potatos, etc..

It is also noted on the ingredient list of Pedigree, that various artificial food colorings are also used. As mentioned above about the consumption of BHA/BHT , many various forms of artificial food colorings are also banned in other countries due to the fact they are also linking many health issues & certain cancers associated with the consumption of them (although the FDA still allows human food companies to also use it). Therefore, since Pedigree continues to use these DANGEROUS INGREDIENTS, despite what research shows, in the manufacturing of their dog foods - I highly suggest not choosing any of their brands. In addition, please check your own foods ingredient lists and stop supporting companies who continue to jeopardize people and animals lives.

CLOSING NOTES: Premium, quality dog foods DO NOT CONTAIN corn, wheat, soy, by-products, sugars or any artificial preservatives and additives. Look for top listed ingredients such as wholesome & actual protein sources such as de-boned chicken, fish, beef which should then be followed with fruits, vegetables, herbs, etc. Also, a good quality food will not have to use "natural flavors" as an ingredient such as with poor quality foods do. Corn, wheat, bone meals, etc.. do not have any appealing smells unless natural flavors are used to help attract a dog to eat it. Just remember, you get what you pay for and you may save yourself $10 on a 30 lb bag of food when choosing a cheap brand, but in the long run, it can potentially cost you hundreds to thousands of dollars in medical bills (not to mention risking your pet's health) down the road!

Lastly, just because a vet or your dog's breeder recommends a food, it does not validate it to be a QUALITY FOOD! Please do your own research and by your dog's own advocate! Moreover, if your dog is getting frequent allergy shots but your vet has yet to ask you what kind of food you're feeding your pet or perhaps, didn't tell you that your pet's current food contains allergy producing ingredients , I suggest it's time to change your pet's doctor immediately because it's quite obvious your vet really does not care about the welfare of your pet but his pockets instead.

For more information on rating dog foods, you may also reference:

Healthy Dog Experts

Dog Food Analysis

Vet Balance

Let your pet eat well & live happy!