Dogs are Different than Cats!

 

My spouse and I do cat rescue and over the years have learned some valuable information when it comes to cats. Like how to give assess hydration, give subcutanious fluids, give medication to even the most grumpy cats, give vaccinations, know when polysporin and antibiotics will do the trick, and when it's time to see the vet.

However, we have NO experience with dogs...

So we rescued a lovely dog (Bailey) who is still a puppy. Long story short: Bailey was on the side of a highway in the middle of a blizzard at 3 a.m. We took her in the car (she jumped in) and tried to contact the owner (from her dog tag) multiple times. We offered to drive Bailey back (8 hour drive for us). No go.

So Bailey is part of our family and we are learning SO MUCH along the way. Like...

* Some dogs (like Bailey) like to eat cat poo. And then lick our face.

* Bailey likes pill bottles because they are plastic. That has already led to an emergency vet visit (Delton Veterinary Hospital in Edmonton RULES!) and subsequent child proof locks installed.

* Bailey needs constant stimulation. Like treats inside a ball, and treats well tied up in cloth.

* Bailey (and us) may have benefitted from some boundaries about sleeping on the bed. Her grooming at 2 a.m. bounces the bed, and she hits the cats (and us) with her tail when she moves.

In fact, here she is when we first should have set bed boundaries, slinking onto the bed...

 * Bones and antler ears (the latter of which you can buy from people who collect them when antlers naturally shed) are noisy on hard wood floors. Especially at night.

* Some dogs, like Bailey, will chew anything and everything. Bailey likes shoes, pencils, socks and remote controls.

* According to our vet, having dozens of toys is too much when training her not to eat the forementioned yummies.

*If you leave Bailey in the car for a second, she will jump in the front.

 *And sniffing out the window is yummy

* Egalitarian approaches don't work. It turns out dogs like a pack leader. And they can't be "soothed" when they are engaging in inappropriate behaviour, such as growling, but need to be "corrected".

So, we are learning as we go along. Thank you for teaching us, Bailey.