May our Heavenly Father's blessings be with you as
we thank Him for His grace given to us through
the birth of His Son Christ Jesus.
CRITTERS OF LOVE DOG RESCUE & OWNER: Sara J. Cullum
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Merry Christmas from Critters Of Love & Sara
May our Heavenly Father's blessings be with you as
we thank Him for His grace given to us through
the birth of His Son Christ Jesus.
CRITTERS OF LOVE DOG RESCUE & OWNER: Sara J. Cullum
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Seizures in Dogs
Here are some tips on what to do to help your dog after the seizure:
Observe your dog's post-seizure behavior.
Do not allow your dog access to the stairs until he is fully recovered.
Offer water if he wishes to drink.
Be prepared for vocalization and stumbling after the seizure ends.
You need to be strong and offer support and comfort to your dog.
He will be confused and may feel as though he did something wrong.
Speak softly and with a soothing voice.
Always call or see your veterinarian if you witness your dog having a seizure.
Observe your dog's post-seizure behavior.
Do not allow your dog access to the stairs until he is fully recovered.
Offer water if he wishes to drink.
Be prepared for vocalization and stumbling after the seizure ends.
You need to be strong and offer support and comfort to your dog.
He will be confused and may feel as though he did something wrong.
Speak softly and with a soothing voice.
Always call or see your veterinarian if you witness your dog having a seizure.
Is Chewing Gum Toxic To Dogs?
The answer is yes - some of it is! It is actually the sweetener used in some chewing gum products that can be toxic to dogs. The toxic ingredient is called xylitol. Many pet owners have no idea about this, but if you chew this type of gum and your dog happens to ingest it, the consequences could be quite serious. I first found out about this several years ago when I treated a dog that got into his owner's purse and ate some different vitamins and medications. There were several different pills with complex combinations of minerals and herbs, and as well as some heart medications. We were not sure if this particular mix of ingredients was toxic. The owner thought the dog was acting a little "funny", so she called to say that she was on her way to the clinic. Before she arrived, we called poison control. They handle tons of calls about dogs ingesting substances which may or may not be toxic. I told them about the drug combination and asked for their best treatment recommendation for the dog. Luckily, the dog hadn't ingested enough of the medications for them to become toxic. The toxicologist had answered all my questions, but fortunately he probed a litter further asking if there had been any chewing gum in the owner's purse. I put the toxicologist on hold, called the owner and asked about the chewing gum. She told me that she carried sugar-free gum in her purse. Some sugar-free gum contains xylitol, an ingredient that can be toxic to. When the owner arrived at the clinic, the dog was indeed acting a little lethargic. We checked his blood sugar and it was low. This is a common side effect from the xylitol. I had never heard of this before that phone call to poison control. They had seen only one or two cases before this, so they were on the lookout for this problem. Luckily for us the toxicologist asked the question and as a result we were able to help the dog. That was several years ago. However, since that time, they have documented several more cases and have also found that xylitol can also cause liver problems. Xylitol is commonly found in sugar-free products like gum, candies and baked goods. It seems that some pets are more sensitive to it than others. The exact amount that needs to be ingested to cause problems is still being determined. Signs can develop quickly. So yes, something as simple as your dog eating a piece of your gum can lead to a critical emergency and a costly vet bill. Many of you have told me that you thought pet insurance might be too expensive for you. Please do not make assumptions - get the facts. I encourage you to take a minute to educate yourself about pet insurance and understand the costs. Find out how pet insurance can save you money and give you peace of mind, knowing that you will be able to provide the best medical care for your dog in case of emergency. This is so important because as well all know, dogs are way too curious and they are always getting into things they shouldn't.So take a few minutes to get the facts about pet insurance and to get a free personalized price quote. Go to: purinacare.comFinally, it is best not to feed your dog anything but dog food. If you must feed a human treat, avoid all treats with artificial sweeteners. If you want to give your dog a treat - stick with dog treats! Until next time, Dr. Jon
Monday, September 7, 2009
Puppy Mills and Backyard Breeders vs Responsible Breeders
Does it really make a difference where you get puppy, provided you find the breed you want? Yes, absolutely. If you're not planning to breed the dog to produce winning show dogs or dependable working dogs, it might seem unimportant to seek out a breeder who strives to improve the breed with each litter. Actually, it's vitally important, and ignoring this concern can lead to sad times in your home. What Is a Puppy Mill? The term puppy mill is a label that every breeder denies applies to them. Every pet shop denies that their puppies come from puppy mills. So what exactly is a puppy mill? Other names for this type of breeding operation might be puppy farm (sounds idyllic, doesn't it?) and commercial breeder (sounds professional). Wherever dogs are produced for profit, the animals are at risk. It's seldom profitable to breed dogs humanely and responsibly. The profit comes when dogs live their lives in cages, rather than with human companionship. The profit comes when commercial operations provide only the minimum requirements to keep a dog alive and able to breed. Filth, loneliness, fear and pain constitute the typical life these dogs know. Puppies produced in this situation have the wrong start in life. Experiences in the early weeks are critical to a dog's development. Commercially bred puppies miss vital experiences they need during this time, and they are exposed to experiences that harm their emotional stability for later. One experience many of them have is to leave the mother and littermates far too early in order to be in the pet shop on display for sale at the "cutest" time. Behavior problems you may experience with a puppy from this source include housetraining issues because the puppy has been confined too close to feces and urine. This causes damage to the pup's natural instincts to keep the den area clean. These pups have also typically missed important conditioning to appropriate surfaces for defecation and urination. They may never have even been on grass. A frightened mother dog can transmit her fears to her pups. Leaving the mother and littermates too early can result later in biting problems, since the pup has missed early bite inhibition that needs to happen in the litter. Breeding dogs who have lived normal lives will have been observed around children, men, other dogs, cats, strangers, unexpected situations and other things that some dogs cannot handle. If the temperament of either parent isn't safe around humans, a responsible breeder will not use that dog for breeding. Dogs in a commercial breeding operation do not live normal lives, so the breeders do not know whether the dogs they use for breeding have reliable temperaments for family life. Decisions about which male to use with which female are based on profitability (how many puppies they can get in how short a time), leaving genetic issues for the unsuspecting puppy buyers to worry about later. The physical problems that result from a poor start in life as well as poor genetic selection of the parent dogs can also profoundly affect the behavior of a puppy bred by a commercial breeder. Pain and fear cause dogs to react defensively. Dogs don't show their pain in the same ways that people do, and often a change in behavior is the first sign-sometimes the only sign-that the dog is ill or has a genetically based health issue. Responsible breeders make their breeding choices based on producing puppies with the genetics for both good health and good temperament. Responsible breeders will be there for you later if there are problems. A responsible breeder will place each pup personally, not through a third party such as a pet shop or dog broker. The commercial breeder is not interested in any problems you have beyond the time your purchase check has been cashed.
What Does the Term Backyard Breeder Mean? Another attempt to define various kinds of breeders results in the term backyard breeder. This term is used to describe people who breed dogs without knowing what they are doing. The motive may be profit, and occasionally someone of this sort will make a tidy profit from turning out puppies without spending the money to provide them with good care. More typically they'll produce one litter, find out how expensive, exhausting and heartbreaking it is to breed dogs, and have their female spayed. The American Kennel Club estimated in 1996 that about 70 percent of purebred, AKC-registered puppies were from this source. The backyard-bred puppy may make an all right companion dog, if the parents were good companion dogs. Genetic health and temperament problems may be waiting to emerge as the pup matures, since this type of breeder isn't likely to have done the appropriate testing of both parents to make a good genetic pairing. It's completely a gamble as to how things will turn out with a puppy you acquire from this type of breeder. You should expect that these pups will have missed early experiences that a responsible and knowledgeable breeder would have provided. It's also likely some things will have been done that were not good for the future temperament of the pups, such as mishandling by children. These puppies are probably the cheapest pups to purchase, especially the ones the breeder can't sell at the most profitable "cute" age. Responsible breeders have homes lined up for their puppies in advance. They have acquired reputable credentials on the appropriateness of the parent dogs before breeding, in the form of testing for genetic problems common in their breeds as well as titles or other verification that the dogs are good examples of their breed. As a result, their puppies are in demand. The unprepared, uninformed person who decides to give breeding a try is surprised to find there's no demand for carelessly bred pups, especially at high prices. Without care for making good genetic matches between purebred dogs, it's the nature of breeding for the healthiness of the breed to deteriorate. Only a strenuous effort to maintain good health in the breed prevents this natural effect. In the wild, survival of the fittest works to preserve a species. Unlike wild canines, dogs who live with people don't have to be able to hunt for their food, and they can live with severe disabilities. As a result, there is no survival of the fittest among purebred dogs unless breeders make responsible decisions to remove the less fit from the gene pool. Unlike nature wherein these dogs would die, in our homes they only need be spayed and neutered and then live out happy lives with loving people. What's Best for You? If we were to discuss what's best for the dogs, it's certainly for them to be bred only by people who will take excellent care of parents and pups. Great suffering in dogs is alleviated when breeders refrain from reproducing genetic problems. Only breeders who put the welfare of the dogs ahead of profit make these difficult decisions. To learn how to make the right decisions, responsible breeders work with experienced mentors and do a great deal of study. Such a discussion would also include the inhumanity of keeping a dog in a cage for a life whose sole purpose is to produce puppies for human profit. Every puppy purchased from such a source is a powerful vote. That purchase makes it profitable to breed the parent dogs again, and the cycle of suffering continues. When you see a puppy, you don't see that suffering. It's easy to think that suffering that happens in commercial breeding has nothing to do with you. Sadly, chances are good that you and the puppy will become part of the sad cycle of suffering. Genetics play a huge role in dog temperament, as do the experiences of the first several weeks of life. Getting your puppy from a responsible breeder is not only a socially responsible thing to do, but also the best way to wind up with a healthy puppy who grows into a healthy and happy dog.
Date Published: 5/25/2003 12:36:00 PM
Permission to share, for education purposes only
By Kathy Diamond Davis
What Does the Term Backyard Breeder Mean? Another attempt to define various kinds of breeders results in the term backyard breeder. This term is used to describe people who breed dogs without knowing what they are doing. The motive may be profit, and occasionally someone of this sort will make a tidy profit from turning out puppies without spending the money to provide them with good care. More typically they'll produce one litter, find out how expensive, exhausting and heartbreaking it is to breed dogs, and have their female spayed. The American Kennel Club estimated in 1996 that about 70 percent of purebred, AKC-registered puppies were from this source. The backyard-bred puppy may make an all right companion dog, if the parents were good companion dogs. Genetic health and temperament problems may be waiting to emerge as the pup matures, since this type of breeder isn't likely to have done the appropriate testing of both parents to make a good genetic pairing. It's completely a gamble as to how things will turn out with a puppy you acquire from this type of breeder. You should expect that these pups will have missed early experiences that a responsible and knowledgeable breeder would have provided. It's also likely some things will have been done that were not good for the future temperament of the pups, such as mishandling by children. These puppies are probably the cheapest pups to purchase, especially the ones the breeder can't sell at the most profitable "cute" age. Responsible breeders have homes lined up for their puppies in advance. They have acquired reputable credentials on the appropriateness of the parent dogs before breeding, in the form of testing for genetic problems common in their breeds as well as titles or other verification that the dogs are good examples of their breed. As a result, their puppies are in demand. The unprepared, uninformed person who decides to give breeding a try is surprised to find there's no demand for carelessly bred pups, especially at high prices. Without care for making good genetic matches between purebred dogs, it's the nature of breeding for the healthiness of the breed to deteriorate. Only a strenuous effort to maintain good health in the breed prevents this natural effect. In the wild, survival of the fittest works to preserve a species. Unlike wild canines, dogs who live with people don't have to be able to hunt for their food, and they can live with severe disabilities. As a result, there is no survival of the fittest among purebred dogs unless breeders make responsible decisions to remove the less fit from the gene pool. Unlike nature wherein these dogs would die, in our homes they only need be spayed and neutered and then live out happy lives with loving people. What's Best for You? If we were to discuss what's best for the dogs, it's certainly for them to be bred only by people who will take excellent care of parents and pups. Great suffering in dogs is alleviated when breeders refrain from reproducing genetic problems. Only breeders who put the welfare of the dogs ahead of profit make these difficult decisions. To learn how to make the right decisions, responsible breeders work with experienced mentors and do a great deal of study. Such a discussion would also include the inhumanity of keeping a dog in a cage for a life whose sole purpose is to produce puppies for human profit. Every puppy purchased from such a source is a powerful vote. That purchase makes it profitable to breed the parent dogs again, and the cycle of suffering continues. When you see a puppy, you don't see that suffering. It's easy to think that suffering that happens in commercial breeding has nothing to do with you. Sadly, chances are good that you and the puppy will become part of the sad cycle of suffering. Genetics play a huge role in dog temperament, as do the experiences of the first several weeks of life. Getting your puppy from a responsible breeder is not only a socially responsible thing to do, but also the best way to wind up with a healthy puppy who grows into a healthy and happy dog.
Date Published: 5/25/2003 12:36:00 PM
Permission to share, for education purposes only
By Kathy Diamond Davis
Friday, July 17, 2009
Beyond The Rainbow
As much as I loved the life we had and all the times we played,
I was so very tired and knew my time on earth would fade.
I saw a wonderous image then of a place that's trouble-free
Where all of us can meet again to spend eternity.
I saw the most beautiful Rainbow, and on the other side
Were meadows rich and beautiful -- lush and green and wide!
And running through the meadows as far as the eye could see
Were animals of every sort as healthy as could be!
My own tired, failing body was fresh and healed and new
And I wanted to go run with them, but I had something left to do.
I needed to reach out to you, to tell you I'm alright
That this place is truly wonderful, then a bright Glow pierced the night.
'Twas the Glow of many Candles shining bright and strong and bold
And I knew then that it held your love in its brilliant shades of gold.
For although we may not be together in the way we used to be,
We are still connected by a cord no eye can see.
So whenever you need to find me, we're never far apart
If you look beyond the Rainbow and listen with your heart.
DON'T BE CRUEL!
On this page you will find some interesting data that I have ran across while researching animal cruelty.
Are you aware that in 2007, 64.5% of all cruelty cases in the media were dogs?
18% were cats, and 25% involved other animals.
Some cases involved multiple species. In the media reported cases,dogs are the most common victims of cruelty.
Pitt Bulls,in particular, constitute an increasingly percentage of the victims.
In 2000-2001 Pitt Bulls were victims in 13% of reported dog abuse cases.
In 2007, Pitt Bulls were victims in 25% of reported dog abuse cases.
Pitt's represent an increasing percentage of total animal cruelty cases.
Did you also know that an estimated 75 million dogs and 90 million cats are living in households in the United States. These animals are companions and family members. Won't you help us to show all animals the kind of love that these animals feel?
45 states currently have felony provisions for animal cruelty.
Those without are Arkansas, Idaho, Mississippi, North Dakota,and South Dakota.
Before 1986 only 4 states had felony cruelty laws.
Did you know that the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) offers a reward of up to $5000.00 for information leading to arrest and conviction fo anyone involved in dog fighting or cock fighting?
Just call your local police department or animal control agency, give as many details as you can about the situation. You do not need to give your name to law enforcement to report animal fighting.
Tell law enforcement about HSUS's reward program.
Get a letter from law enforcement. If the suspected animal fighter is convicted, ask law enforcement to write a letter to HSUS. The letter should state that your tip lead to the arrest and prosecution of the convicted fighter.
The letter should be mailed or faxed to:
Animal Fighting Reward Program
c/o Ann Chynoweth
The Humane Society of the United States
2100 L St. N.W.
Washington,D.C. 20037
Fax: 301-721-6414 or call for more info.
202-452-1100 or go to :
http://www.humanesociety.org.
Are you aware that in 2007, 64.5% of all cruelty cases in the media were dogs?
18% were cats, and 25% involved other animals.
Some cases involved multiple species. In the media reported cases,dogs are the most common victims of cruelty.
Pitt Bulls,in particular, constitute an increasingly percentage of the victims.
In 2000-2001 Pitt Bulls were victims in 13% of reported dog abuse cases.
In 2007, Pitt Bulls were victims in 25% of reported dog abuse cases.
Pitt's represent an increasing percentage of total animal cruelty cases.
Did you also know that an estimated 75 million dogs and 90 million cats are living in households in the United States. These animals are companions and family members. Won't you help us to show all animals the kind of love that these animals feel?
45 states currently have felony provisions for animal cruelty.
Those without are Arkansas, Idaho, Mississippi, North Dakota,and South Dakota.
Before 1986 only 4 states had felony cruelty laws.
Did you know that the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) offers a reward of up to $5000.00 for information leading to arrest and conviction fo anyone involved in dog fighting or cock fighting?
Just call your local police department or animal control agency, give as many details as you can about the situation. You do not need to give your name to law enforcement to report animal fighting.
Tell law enforcement about HSUS's reward program.
Get a letter from law enforcement. If the suspected animal fighter is convicted, ask law enforcement to write a letter to HSUS. The letter should state that your tip lead to the arrest and prosecution of the convicted fighter.
The letter should be mailed or faxed to:
Animal Fighting Reward Program
c/o Ann Chynoweth
The Humane Society of the United States
2100 L St. N.W.
Washington,D.C. 20037
Fax: 301-721-6414 or call for more info.
202-452-1100 or go to :
http://www.humanesociety.org.
My Mission Statement:
Our services are offered to any animal out there that needs our help. If they can get to us they know they will be taken care of. God has sent me on a mission since I was very young. And I intend to carry on until I am very old.
I know that there's nothing out there that we can't accomplish together. By together, I mean that we can all do our parts. I can't stamp out the unhumane treatment that these animals have endured. But I can try to raise awareness to it. And if I can make a difference to even just a few, then it was all worth it.
I guess you could say our Mission statement is to save as many animals as humanly possible. To make each animal's life a little better. Our goal is to show them that there are people out there who care, and that not everyone is out to hurt them. To show them the love and respect that they show us. The unconditional love that comes from the heart of someone who cares.
I know that there's nothing out there that we can't accomplish together. By together, I mean that we can all do our parts. I can't stamp out the unhumane treatment that these animals have endured. But I can try to raise awareness to it. And if I can make a difference to even just a few, then it was all worth it.
I guess you could say our Mission statement is to save as many animals as humanly possible. To make each animal's life a little better. Our goal is to show them that there are people out there who care, and that not everyone is out to hurt them. To show them the love and respect that they show us. The unconditional love that comes from the heart of someone who cares.
Welcome To Critters Of Love
Hello my name is Sara Cullum I live in southeat Alabama in a small town called Opp.I been rescuing dogs and puppies now for a little over 3 years.We are not a non profit place which this causes problems to us but I can`t become one due to I am disabled and draw a check for the government .Under their rules and laws for me to become a non profit place I will lose my check.
So I still rescue the dogs and puppies out of my love to save them and give them the second chance to a better life and to adopt them out to a loving home.
I been selling on eBay trying to raise and get the much needed funds I need each month to help support my cause in the rescue I do.I do know the economy is bad but has to be some that still care enough to try to help in what ever ways they can.
We have bills too and to rescue these dogs and puppies that most just toss out like trash we need the funds to feed them and get them to the vet for the care they need.
I do have a pay pal account and do take in donations this way too.
which you need to know since I am not a non profit place I can`t give you a write off for your taxes .We are sorry but sometimes life is not only hard on us humans but it is real hard on the animals.
If you like to donate here is the email address you would use on pay pal :
lazyrfarm.sara@gmail.com
We have a small wish list of items needed for the dogs:
Crates of all sizes
blankets for winter
collars all sizes
leashes [for small and heavey made for large dogs]
food bowls
Dog food : Puppy Chow and Purina Dog Chow [dry food small bites] can food :Mighty Dog
Puppy Pads to help in house breaking them
Dog Houses all sizes
Fencing to help make more room to separte the dogs outside
Fans to place inside the dog kennels during the summer months
Dog Shampoo for fleas and skin problems
And money to help with the vet bills
Plus ink for printer to help make more business cards and business card blanks
My Id name on eBay is : lrfncritters
I use this veterinarn office here in the town I live in and they do take credit card`s over the phone for donations to help under my account name: Sara J. Cullum
Boothe Veterinary Clinic PC.
Dr. Misty Walters, DVM
1010 Elba Highway 84 East
Opp , Alabama 36467
334-493-7616
Business Hours:
M. T, TH,F 8 am to 5 pm
Wednesday`s and Saturday`s 8am to 12 noon
Every 3rd Wednesday they are closed
Any amount placed on this accout is very welcome to help any of the rescue dogs out I take in.
And if you like to order us anything and send to my home for the rescue dogs.this is very welcome too.
Here is the mailing address for this:
Ms. Sara J. Cullum
300 Abby Lane Lot 16
Opp , Alabama 36467
We have plans in the near future about a raffle on line.Keep checking back with us on this too.
Also we have items for sale too.Coming up in the near future.
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