PetFolio Praises the Pumpkin for Pets!

Yes, you heard us correctly! For a quick read, check out this link:

http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/1817/
 
Pumpkins are not harmful and actually beneficial for dogs and cats!

Check out this link for the an in-depth article on the best treat you can give your pet at Halloween!

Guide Dogs of America Helps Animals & People

BLACK DOG DOWN

MY GUIDE DOG’S LIFE HUNG IN THE BALANCE: WE NEEDED HELP, NOW!

Byline: What do you do when your precious canine companion’s survival requires critical care and trained specialists?

By William F. Schley

Bio: His text book on weather forecasting, "Forecasting", marketed by Perfection Learning Co., has sold world wide for almost seven years. His novel "Clancy's World" is nearly finished, but he's been saying that for about four years now, which means he needs to drink more coffee and quit stalling.

“Bill, Benny is so week he’ll have less than a 50% chance of surviving surgery; if you need to get a ride down here, so you can come say goodbye, well . . . I mean, the surgery will cost you over $4,000.000.”

The veterinary nurse held her breath, and I fought back waves of nausea as I brushed the tears from my eyes. If I’d ever needed strength to fight for my dog, it was now.

“No!” I said. “Do everything! Do everything to save my Ben!”

For several months a growing lethargy had affected Benny, my nine year old black Labrador guide. The malaise did not match anything we were taught to look for at Guide Dogs of America during our training. Benny had complained about a sore shoulder joint. Dr. Tom Knoffel of Alpine Veterinary in Reno was out on sick leave, but we met with Dr. Queke. They found Ben had infected anal glands, so the staff gave him a small dose of sedative to calm him while they treated his rear end. They were astonished when Benny collapsed. Blood and urine were drawn. His blood pressure had bottomed out; blood protein and blood cell count were likewise at critical levels. An ultra-sound specialist could not find the cancer they originally suspected, but saw two bleeding ulcers in Ben’s stomach. Dr. Cortney Williams from Veterinary Specialists of Nevada rushed Benny off to emergency abdomenal surgery.

“We knew Benny was a guide dog, but even during the ambulance ride I could see he was a very special patient each time I reached back to pet him,” Williams said.

Benny’s life was being measured in minutes and ounces of blood lost at that point. Dr. Pelsu opened

Ben’s abdomen. They suctioned large quantities of blood from the peritoneum and removed the ulcerated material for biopsy. Pelsu carefully probed for hidden tumors. When Dr. Williams closed the suture it measured 13.5 inches. After more than two hours under the minutely professional eye and care of the VSN team, Benny was driven to Animal Emergency Center for the night.

Dr. Pelsu called me sometime after 5:00 p.m. “Bill, he still has only about a 50% chance here, because he’s very weak; still, this dog displays tremendous spirit, and if he makes it through the night I feel he stands a more than even chance of regaining his normal lifestyle.”

During the surgery I called trusted friends and church members to lift our situation. The prayer chain burned up phone lines from Reno as far away as Michigan, and emails zipped the request for prayer to England, Moscow, and to other believers in 12 states.

Benny had already needed blood protein and plasma prior to and during surgery. During the night at AEC he received a unit of whole canine blood. As the sun dropped behind the Sierras I began the long night watch.

At 6:00 a.m. the crew at Animal Emmergency Center in Reno let me know that Ben was lifting his head and, through eyes blurred by pain meds, scoping out the clinic. He registered his strange surroundings and relaxed, drifting back into a restorative sleep.

Two days later I arrived at VSN’s clinic at 932 Ryeland in Reno. Ben had been away from me for almost 72 hours. Out of the rear hospital area Dr. Williams came, and Benny’s characteristic houl split the quiet of the offices. We hugged, and then  he greeted my pastor’s wife with a very good imppression of human joy despite his discomfort. With dozens of staples holding his tummy together, and with a tehnsion bandage holding a surgically implanted throat tube in his neck, Benny even rolled over to expose his wite shaved hide to Leigh.

“Bill, he’s going to be okay; he’s milking this for all it’s worth!” she assured me.

After a few minutes of training from Dr. Williams we headed home with bags of gelled prescription food and several huge syringes to medicate and feed Ben through his throat tube. My transformation into Dr. Dad began. Four days of setting the alarm for every two hours meant loss of sleep and complete exhaustion during the day. Feedings of 600 milliliters of pureed gelatinous dog food made my kitchen smell like Hannibal Lector’s breath. Hot water and bleach twice daily was the prescription that cured the sinks, blender, and counters of the vile stink. Ben had to expell lots of fluid from the edema caused by anesthesia, and my newly shampooed carpets were soon riddled with piddle spots.

Benny’s aftercare has shown that the ulcers may have been caused or exascervated by use of a prescribed pet analgesic. The biopsy on the ulcers showed negative for cancer and irritable bowel. No symptoms linger one month after his surgery.

As Benny’s owner I applaud the professionalism demonstrated by the staff of Alpine Veterinarian at 7689 South Virginia, Reno. Dr. Queke’s rapid response to Benny’s weakness surely saved his life. Drs. Pelsu and Williams at Veterinary Specialists of Nevada at 932 Ryeland, Reno were the consummate professionals, the best surgical team my boy could have. That sleepless first night of recovery was overseen by trained vets at Animal Emergency Center at 6425 South Virginia in Reno. These professionals monitored Benny’s progress, maintained his vital fluids, and gave him the occasional reassuring pat he desperately needed. I am thankful to God for each and all of these vets, assistants, med techs, and office staff, more than 20 individuals who will always have my deepest respect. Because of their skill, care, and concern Benny will likely be back in harness soon.

For more information on guide dogs, visit Guide Dogs of America at www.guidedogsofamerica.org.

PetFolio Celebrates Those Who dress Up Their Dogs for Halloween

YAPPY HOWL-O-WEEN PARTY!!



SATURDAY, OCTOBER 30TH, 2--4PM


Boxers & Buddies dog rescue group plans a family Canine Halloween fun day Saturday with tons of activities.

The event is 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 30 at Dogz Inc., 1855 E. Peckham Lane, Suite D in Reno.
There will be a Howl-o-ween costume contest ($1 per dog), along with raffles for a years worth of dog food from Scrap's, dog training classes and dog daydare, an agility course ($1 per turn), games and AKC Canine Good Citizen tests ($15 per dog).
A raffle with prices is planned, plus dog treats, food, toys and gift baskets. If that weren't enough, there will be a boxer kissing booth and dogs available for adoption.

The public is invited. All sizes and breeds of dogs are welcome, too.

For more information, call 775-250-0228 or email sarah@boxersandbuddies.com.www.boxersandbuddies.com

Horse Lovers' Contest for Halloween Makes PetFolio Readers Laugh

http://www.facebook.com/pages/HORSELOVERZCOM/72627600681

Wanna see a horse look like a giraffe?  Think a horse can't wear scuba gear?  Can a galloping horse wear a cowboy hat? 

If you answered any of the above questions, then you gotta see this site with equines dressed up for Halloween. Vote now for your favorite!

PetFolio Wants You to Help the Mustangs

The Mustangs of America Foundation (MAF) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, volunteer organization dedicated to promoting mustang and burro adoption and/or training, and facilitating public education, rescue and prevention of cruelty to animals. In the past three years, MAF funding and volunteer efforts have assisted in over 2,000 mustang adoptions.
MAF is collaborating with Susan G. Komen for the Cure to bring attention, education and funding to breast cancer and mustangs with a Mustangs for the Cure campaign. Because mustangs and breast cancer patients have the commonality of survival, both organizations believe they can fulfill the promise to save lives.
Saturday, November 13, is the group's first annual dinner, auction and live country music fundraiser benefiting the Mustangs of America Foundation and the Northern Nevada Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Limited tickets are available for $45. Please contact Lynda Sanford at 775-465-1333.

PetFolio Honors Danish Equestrian's Olympic Accomplishments

 Animals help people.  PetFolio helps people!  Long ago the first woman Olympic equestrian championed the therapeutic benefits of horses.  Here is a short story of her amazing life's accomplishments.

http://simplymarvelous.wordpress.com/2009/02/23/lis-hartel-danish-equestrian-legend-dies/

PetFolio Salutes Life-saving Dog in Duluth

Pooch named Clyde named a hero for saving the Arnold family from a serious house fire. Pup woke up the couple and alerted them to the impending doom.  The couple fled using the get-away through the chain-link fence.  It took more than 18 firemen and several hours to put out the fire.  Thank goodness for Clyde--give that dog a bone!

Reno Pet Symposium Attracts New Pet Lovers

November 26-28 marks Reno's first collaboration of pet lovers, rescuers, and pet demonstrations at The Saddlery, Virginia Street. stop by anytime from 10am to 4pm to join in on the fun.  PetFolio is proud to present this as a community event for everyone; FREE!

We will be open Thanksgiving Weekend!
Friday and Saturday, November 26-27 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

If you are not wild about hitting the malls for the annual holiday shopping frenzy after Thanksgiving, why not drive out to the Animal Ark and get wild with the animals?

This year we will be open during the Thanksgiving weekend (Friday and Saturday, November 26-27) so that you can enjoy our animals in the cooler temperatures of late fall, when they are active and frisky. The coyotes and bobcats are putting on their gorgeous winter coats, while the bears are gorging themselves in preparation for their long winter hibernation.


Do you have any raw turkey necks and gizzards that you did not use for your holiday meal? They make marvelous treats for our carnivores. If you are feeling extra generous, we would be very grateful for your donation of an uncooked low-sodium turkey to supplement our big cats’ regular diets. Our animals love raw poultry and we sincerely appreciate any help towards our winter feed bills!


The Ark is situated at 6,000 feet of altitude, so dress for outdoor fun in changeable autumn weather – anything from brisk and beautiful to snow showers. We encourage you to call on event days prior to your departure, as severe weather or unsafe facility conditions may cancel the festivities.


Admission: $10 for Adults, $8 for Children & Seniors, free for 2 & under Directions: From Reno, take Highway 395 North, right on Red Rock Road, go 11.5 miles, then right onto Deerlodge Road to1265.

Phone: 1-775-970-3111 (area code required when dialing from Reno).
Website: http://www.animalark.org/

The Animal Ark has been selected as a “Best of the Road” destination by Rand McNally!

Animal Ark is a nonprofit organization that houses animals which cannot be released back into the wild. Glass viewing areas offer visitors a window into nature as they see wildlife in natural habitat exhibits. Educational programming is scheduled for Washoe County schools throughout the year, and special events offer recreation education for all ages during our open season, April 1 through October 31st, Tuesday – Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.


We hope to see you this Thanksgiving!
Our gift shop will be open for your holiday shopping.

Help your community's ailing, homeless cats

This is really a great idea..your ol' purses and quirky jewelry can help our community's ailing, homeless cats...REALLY! Why wouldn't you help? I will even pick up your donation and hand it to the folks that need your help...
Jewelry Boutique Fundraiser:
Sat. Dec. 4, 12-4pm at FRONN's Feline Sanctuary, 2805 W. Old Hwy 4...0, Verdi Email: felinerescue@sbcglobal.net or call 775-544-4475 today!

Blue Buffalo Dog Food Recalled