Love this picture even thought ‘Happy National Pet Day’ was yesterday!
The Las Vegas Police Department honoured K9 Officer Nicky with a funeral service on Wednesday, April 6.
Nicky was killed in the line of duty on March 31 while pursuing a homicide suspect.
The eight-year-old Belgian Malinois had worked with the Las Vegas Police Department for six years.
Sgt. Eric Kerns, who spoke at the funeral and received Nicky’s coffin flag, had been his handler for the last three years.
Several other K9 officers paid tribute to the fallen dog at the service, which can be see in this video.
On March 31, James Craig Simpson, 31, was shot and wounded by police, and Nicky was killed in the exchange of bullets.
Police said earlier this week that Nicky was struck by a single bullet from one of the officers.
Local reports state Simpson had killed two people before police arrived after his mother alerted them to her son’s erratic behavior.
Brandon Hughes and his mother, Felecia Wimberly-Hughes, were found dead at the scene.
Nicky had been back to duty since the beginning of March.
He had been wounded when a suspect slashed the dog during a standoff with police in February.
Visit the Daily Telegraph website to watch video of the service.
Watch out, ducklings about …
It’s that time of year when mother ducks lead their ducklings to water, sometimes across busy roads. So over keep an eye out for mother duck and her young crossing the roads.
‘Abandoned’ baby birds.
Please leave ‘abandoned’ baby birds alone. If you find a young bird out of its nest it is probably a fledgling.
Young garden birds usually leave the nest about two weeks after hatching – just before they can fly. They will have grown all or most of their feathers, are very mobile and can walk, run and hop onto low branches.
Fledglings are fed by their parents – the parents are rarely far away and are probably collecting food. However, they will not return to the fledglings until you have gone.
Eye Injuries.
If the eye is bulging or has come out of the socket, apply a cold compress.
I recently made my first visit to Upton Country Park’s new Parland designated ‘off lead’ dog area and was suitably impressed.
I went with my Four Paws Dog Raffles and his lovely owner Liz to help with some recall training.
Raffles was a Star and had a wonderful time despite the pouring rain! Well done Raffles and Liz too!
There is a car park for approx 24 cars situated just past the entrance to Upton Contry Park and heading towards Upton on the left. Map at the entrance to Upton Country Park.
‘New for 2015 is our large enclosed Dog Training Area, which can be found in the new area of parkland’.
The Parkland is 11 hectares (25 acres) of new grassland, woodland and water meadow has been created, ideal for wildlife, dog walkers and park visitors alike.
Whether you want to train your new puppy in a secure space or just give your dog some off-lead time knowing it won’t run off, this is the perfect place to come to exercise and train your dog. The surrounding area has also been designated as “off-lead” for when you and your dog feel more confident about being free to run in a wide open space.
Two dogs rescued from cliffs near Swanage by coastguards RESCUE: Coastguard teams were able to rescue four dogs at South Beach.
One of them was injured after falling down the cliff, another was stuck on the cliff and two others were able to make their own way to safety.
A spokesman for the Swanage Coastguard Rescue Team said: “The Swanage Coastguard Rescue Team and St Albans Coastguard Rescue attended.
“There were two dogs mainly that were in some difficulty.
“One had fallen and was badly injured and another was stuck halfway down the cliff.
“St Albans managed to rescue the dog on the cliff with cover from the Dorset Police rigid inflatable boat.
“It was stuck only a couple of feet down the cliff.
“The dogs were taken to the vet.”
The incident happened close to Studland, near Swanage.
A spokeswoman for Heathlands Veterinary Centre in Dorchester confirmed that the injured dog was still in their care.
She said: “It is comfortable at the moment and awaiting treatment, with pain relief.
“We will be doing X-rays later.”
It’s that time of year when Adders start their sunbathing.
So please be extra careful when out walking your dog or dogs.
Symptoms can include …
Swelling at the point of the bite (usually dark), you may be able to see two puncture wounds.
Signs of pain, pale gums, drooling, bruising, vomiting, diarrhoea and lethargy.
Bite wounds.
Bathe the wound in saline solution and keep it clean and dry. Ensure your Vet sees the wound as the risk of infection is high.
Here are seven steps to help your senior pet age gracefully and comfortably.
Is your companion slowing down? Are his senses not as sharp as they used to be? Maybe he’s eating less and is no longer meticulous about grooming. He might be struggling with the stairs, or having a few accidents in the house. If your dog or cat is older than seven, he is a senior now, and may simply be showing signs of aging.
The average canine lifespan is 13 years. This varies depending on the dog’s size, with many small breeds living well into their teens. Cats live 14 to 16 years on average. Cats and medium to large dogs generally start to show signs of aging between the ages of seven and 11, while small dogs may not show any visible signs until they’re ten. Whatever the case, as your animal companion gets older, you should be on the alert for symptoms that could indicate a health problem. At the same time, you should also look for ways to maintain his quality of life and help him adapt by keeping him as safe and comfortable as possible.
1. MOBILITY
Exercise wards off obesity in older animals and helps them stay limber and maintain their muscle mass. For dogs, veterinarian Dr. Thomas Bankstahl recommends activities like walking and swimming. He adds it’s often better to take several short walks through the day rather than a single long one. Swimming relieves the dog’s weight while giving his joints a better range of motion. You can also do gentle range of motion exercises with your dog or cat’s legs.
• Senior dogs and cats can benefit from a little help getting to high places such as furniture and beds. Use a pet ramp to help him get up to your lap or access his favorite spots.
• If you have a two-storey home, have a litter box available on each floor so your older cat doesn’t have to navigate stairs.
• A baby gate can keep older arthritic dogs from tackling the stairs.
• Dr. Bankstahl recommends an orthopedic bed or other padding to increase comfort while your dog or cat is resting.
• Slippery floor surfaces or rugs that slide easily underfoot can cause an older animal (or person!) to fall and injure himself. Rugs should have a rubber backing that prevents slippage. • Make sure your animal’s bed provides adequate protection from hard floor surfaces and is away from cold drafts.
2. HEARING
If your animal is losing his hearing, be careful not to startle him. Warn other people, especially children, not to approach him from behind or touch him while he is sleeping. This reduces the risk of getting bitten or scratched by an inadvertently frightened animal.
3. VISION
As sight declines, try to avoid making any big changes in your household environment. Blind cats and dogs can maneuver quite well as long as they remain in familiar surroundings. If you go away on vacation, have a pet sitter come to your home rather than take your dog or cat into a new environment. If you have an older dog, bring along a flashlight when you’re out with him at night, or use a leash with a built-in light.
4. NUTRITION
Obesity can worsen other aging problems, advises Dr. Bankstahl. A high quality diet made from lean, whole meat-based ingredients is best. Avoid low end foods filled with grains and carbohydrates – these can put on weight and may exacerbate other health problems. A holistic veterinarian can help you choose the right food for your senior based on his current condition and test results. All cats, especially older ones, benefit from eating a high quality canned food because its higher water content helps flush the kidneys.
Older cats can lose their sense of smell, which may cut down their enthusiasm for eating. Heating the food in the microwave for 20 seconds can bring out the fragrance and make it more appealing.
5. COAT AND SKIN
Groom your older animal regularly, especially if he is not able to do it himself anymore. This will help prevent mats and keep his coat in good condition. It also gives you a chance to check for any lumps, sores or other potential problems that may need to be examined and treated by a vet.
6. TEETH AND GUMS
All cats and dogs should have their teeth brushed daily throughout their lives, advises veterinarian Dr. Michelle Jack. This is especially important as they age. Proper dental care prevents bacteria from entering through the gums and potentially causing organ damage. A high quality diet also helps prevent dental problems as an animal ages.
7. MENTAL HEALTH
Mental exercise is just as important as physical activity, says Dr. Bankstahl. “Teach your old dog new tricks,” he says. Besides learning new commands, senior dogs can benefit from going to training classes. Both cats and dogs enjoy puzzle toys. If your canine friend is alone for much of the day, doggie daycare can offer a fun and stimulating environment.
Animals give you many years of companionship and unconditional love. You can repay this devotion by minimizing the effects of aging and giving your older companion the best possible quality of life for as long as he’s with you.
SENIOR HEALTH ISSUES
Kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, heart disease, arthritis, cancer and painful dental infections are most common medical issues in older cats, says Dr. Jack. Cats are also prone to certain cancers and may develop a thickened heart muscle. She adds that elderly dogs suffer from most of the same problems. They also tend to get hypothyroidism, in which thyroid function decreases. Leaky heart valves are another common problem in older canines.
Many of these problems are treatable, especially if caught early. Be alert for physical and behavioral changes. For example, stiffness going up and down stairs can signal arthritis, while acting “lost,” inappropriate vocalization, and not recognizing commands can indicate senility.
Dr. Bankstahl recommends you watch for these important physical signs: weight loss, changes in appetite, increased thirst or urination, breathing problems, coughing, difficulty getting up, weakness, and an unpleasant mouth odor. Also be alert for behavioral changes like accidents in the house, changes in sleep patterns, abnormal vocalizing, irritability, unresponsiveness and staring off into space.
If you observe any of these signs in your dog or cat, make an appointment with your veterinarian. Even if you don’t notice any symptoms, it’s a good idea to have senior animals examined every six months.
