[Dailydrool] paying it forward

[Dale Rutz]

Hi all, it's the clueless momPerson here,

I owe a lot to the daily drool.  I'm not sure Snoopy (or the rest of us) would 
have survived that first year without it.  Who would have ever thought a dog 
that was ahhrrooooing his fool head off and lunging like a creaton only wanted 
to play?  Not I, surely, I'm the clueless momPerson.  But Bev and Debbie 
Winchester and Anita and countless others have taken me under their virtual 
wings and everything is wonderful at our house.

So, I decided maybe I could pay it forward.  Now, if you ARE Debbie or Bev or 
Anita you can probably delete this post right now unless you want to augment it 
or correct my mistakes.  But for the rest of you I thought to take a minute to 
tell you what my mom taught me (may her memory be for blessing).  If it helps 
just one dog, it'll be worth it.  Now remember, my mom always had HUGE dogs (110 
lb plus) so some of it might not make sense to you, but I really believe it's 
critical to know this stuff.

1).  ALWAYS have a dog first aid kit.  Keep it in ONE bag in the SAME place.  
Don't raid it and don't move it.  It should have in it
    a)  Ascriptin (buffered aspirin) -- for pain
    b)  Hydrogen peroxide ... and perhaps an oral syringe if your dog isn't 
cooperative and/or might nip.  Turkey baster is ok too -- to make them puke
    c)  Clean rags and a rod (to make a turniquite (sp)
    d)  Gas X (yes, she knew) -- 
    e)  Thermometer (to communicate accurately with the vet)
    f)  benedryl (to stop an allergic reaction)

2)  If you have an emergency call the vet or the emergency vet and you will very 
likely need one or all of the above ... and least you'll have it an won't need 
to hunt

3)  A stretcher.  SERIOUSLY how are you going to carry that 110 lb dog to the 
car?  OK, so Cyrus is 110 lbs, Snoopy is only 75 but still if he's hurt you 
can't just do a basset lift you need something stiff so you don't hurt him 
worse.  A ramp works well and it folds and won't collapse in the middle.  You 
CAN use two poles and a big beach towl.  Whatever it is, get it NOW and store it 
readily accessable.

4)  Put your vet AND the 24 hr emergency vet in your cell phone NOW.  the phone 
number AND the address.  If Dog forbid your baby is hit by a car you can grab 
the stretcher, get him in the car and figure out the directions on your phone as 
your drive.  G-d forbid you should loose time trying to figure out where the 
emergency vets office is.

5) Keep a short (2 ft) lead on your inside door knob for when someone knocks and 
you need to open and the dog is right there and yeah ....

6)  Don't run low on kibble or gas, ever.  We live in earth quake country and 
you just never know.

OK, my mother taught me all that.  I've used each and every one of the above for 
my (or my neighbor's) dog at one point or another.  I hope it saves someone some 
trouble at some point.

Clueless momPerson ... aka Dale
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