Your Dog Is Going Off By Itself - Should You Worry?

Anytime you see your dog exhibiting behavior that is outside their normal activity you should be concerned.  Quite a while back we posted that I had become sick and was going off to be by myself in another room of the house - this was the clue to my Momma that I wasn't feeling well.  Normally, I follow Momma around and even get upset and paw at a door and cry if I am not let into a room she is in.  I insist to be in her presence and will not let up until I am with her. 

We recently went to local Mexican restaurant and the waitress began to share stories about her wonderful little maltese.  She asked my Momma if she was going to give me some of her leftover steak, and Momma said no.  Reason being she said is because there are all sorts of seasonings on it and that is the meat's fat.  The woman laughed and she said that she gives the fat off meat to her dog all the time.  And then the conversation began about pancreatitis and how fatty food can cause this, especially meat fat.  She also said her dog once ate a lot of chocolate and nothing happened.  After talking further she admitted that yes, her dog had gotten sick off some of these foods, but she thought it was just a one time thing and her dog would be Ok.  She did notice her dog going off by itself or becoming listless.  We explained about foods that could be toxic to dogs listed by WebMD and ASPCA and why they are bad for a dog, especially a 5lb dog like a maltese.  She certainly was lucky her dog had not become any sicker than it had when she took it to the vet.  We're not talking about commercial dog foods or what to feed one's dog, we're talking about items that are especially toxic to dogs that people may not know are.  

To all - I say, don't just assume your dog can eat something because they 'like' it.  Always check up on it.   I'd like to start a movement with all shelters that they provide anyone who adopts a pet a 'do not feed' list with the top ten foods not to feed (and why) and along with that, things to watch out for (antifreeze, unsupervised rawhide chewing, salt on snow, etc.). I often wonder why these places do not give out a simple list.  I have met so many people that feed their dogs avocadoes or grapes or fat pieces off meats.  If people only knew how dangerous they can be, especially more so if a dog is small, they may avoid it and take action and let family and friends know too. 

Here is a list with some details I posted in our socialization group.  You are welcome to Take it. Print it. Share it.

Link: http://www.meetup.com/SouthSuburbanChihuahua/messages/boards/thread/8562032#33784217

No, I am not hiding because I am sick, I am just trying to take a nap. ZZzzzz

I'm A Teddy-Chihuahua

Yep. (Momma's gone loco!)

Wordless Wednesday: Ready For My Close Up!

WW: Enjoying the Last Bit of Summer Gladness

WW: Who Says Chihuahuas Don't Like Baseball?

Piranha Banana and friends from South Suburban Chihuahua attended the Chicago White Sox's Dog Day baseball game on Sept. 16th.

Yep.  I am clearly watching the game (or someone eating a hot dog) - WOOF!

With one of my  friends from the chihuahua group - Belle. 

Crazed Monkey Attacks Piranha

Just sitting here minding my own business modeling my brand new Andy Bow Tie Collar and Leash set from Sophisticated Pup.  When I was suddenly attacked by a crazed Monkey.  

Suddenly...

Monkey: Hey, What are you doing?   Me: What does it look like I am doing? 

Monkey: Looks like you're doing girly modeling stuff again - HA HA!   Me:Oh yeah? What of it?

Monkey:  You look like a girl, You look like a girll! (singsong-y)    Me: LA LA LA LA LA (not listening)

Monkey:  I'm just kidding, let's play!   Me:  No! not listening - you're mean, la, la, la, la la... 

Monkey: Ah come on!   Me;  LA, LA, LA, LA, LA 

Monkey: Com'on big brother from another mother, let's play! Puhhhleeeze?       Me: Ok - but no more name calling, OK?
Monkey: Promise! Now, Let's Play!

Monkey:  You still look like a girl, even without the harness- BOL!
Me: Watch out!  I might be able to wrap this leash around you!

Wordless Wednesday: The Piranha Strut

Do I See Carrots Over There?

WW: Sunshine Bliss

Piranha Devours Carrot!

WW: Piranha Gets Ambushed By Monkey

I was resting comfortably all by myself when... 

Seriously?

 (note the smug look on Monkey's little face)

It's Friday!

WW: Piranha In A Pool Keeping Cool

Thank You Oz The Terrier's Mama

A great big thanks to great and powerful  Oz the Terrier's Mama  for helping fix a problem I've had with my blog the past three weeks.   We were besides ourselves trying to solve the issue and we reached out to them because we learned through Blogpaws that they were helpful experts!  Lo and behold  within minutes we were back to sharing with the world.  We are forever grateful!   We're sending big woofs and many thanks your way Gina Caballero!

WOOF!  WOOF!

It Took Me A While To Write This...

Sadly, my friend and playmate, Weasel has passed away.  He was only 15 years old.  In the past year he was sleeping a lot more than ever.  But at times still wanted to play each chance he could, we would play, but not so much noticing that afterwards he would walk a lot slower.  Weasel would sleep so deeply, we often had to nudge him awake.  He would bark at nothing at times seemingly because he could not hear.  We would have to signal to him to come in or touch him so that he could follow us.  Weasel only seemed to slow down more and not eat as much, but not  stopping completely like our other dogs.  The Friday before he passed was like any other, he went outside, enjoyed the sunshine and did not want to eat.  We picked up some things he loved, hamburger and hot dog  - and he ate it all!  The next day we added water to his food and he ate most of it.  Back to normal, we thought.  In the past year, some people we spoke to told us that we should put him down because he was so old.  That he was suffering.  That there was no reason to let him 'go on' like this.  To some people, seeing an animal they've loved and cared for age is painful, and perhaps they themselves suffer to see their beloved pet not be so young anymore or playful.  Maybe they are really projecting and putting an animal down would end their own suffering - but they would never say that.  Taking longer to walk, get up, go out or play or all those things that signal 'old age.' Everyone takes care of their pets the best they know how, and for us, we believe in letting a pet live out their life fully through old age. The only exception to this would be if they had been severely injured beyond hope.  We don't want to choose.  Who is to say an animal is suffering from being old -- something that occurs naturally?  There are a lot of people who go to the vet to end their pet's 'suffering.'  In our eyes, it  does not seem right for a pet  to go to a place they absolutely hated as the last place they go.  Though not for everyone, we believe a pet should pass at home, surrounded by those who loved him, with their things, their bedding, their warm comforts and sounds of their family and home.  This to us is dying peacefully, without pain and suffering.  Just like Weasel did, in his bed while sleeping.  We miss him immensely.