Bradenton Dog

Mary Lou Davidson

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DogOlympics to Benefit Local Shelter Pets at Bayside Pet Resort

The second annual DogOlympics will be held tomorrow, Saturday October 25th, 2014  at Bayside Pet Resort 8154 N. Tamiami Trail from 10-2.   Dogs are invited to participate in a variety of contests from Smallest Dog,  Red Light, Green Light (a call and return trial), Shedding Contest, and the popular competition of The Longest Tail.

2013 Smallest Dog Winners

Contest registration fees are $3.00 each or you may purchase a bandana for $15.00 which will allow you unlimited access to competitions.

 

The mission of the DogOlympics it to bring together more than 9 local rescue groups and local pet lovers to help raise awareness for shelter pets and increase adoptions.   Shelter pets are often victims of families in financial crisis, divorce or relocation and deserve not only a second chance but real families that they can love and be loved by.   It’s fun for the family and supports a cause that is close to our hearts.  Stop by with your dog for chance to win, and a tail-waggin’ good time.

Never been to Bayside? Check it out on the map here:

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Pet Fair and Blessing at Church of the Trinity MCC

Wet weather did not dampen the spirit today at Church of the Trinity’s Pet Fair and Blessing.   Dozens of beautiful dogs and their people participated in the event including a  Person-Pup Look-Alike Contest.

Diva and Daddy

Vendors serving the local pet community were hand, including Good Citizen Dog Training’s Andy Sand’s who conducted a socialization class with adoptable pets from the Humane Society of Manatee County and other pets with their owners.

Local rescue organization, Satchel’s Last Resort Founders Mike Giblen and Page Knoebel brought their good cheer and
and some adorable, adoptable dogs looking for permanent loving homes.

We think this little guy definitely had a good time, while enjoying his very own massage from Sue Redfield.

A big thanks to MCC Trinity, Cheryl Brady and all of the volunteers who contributed to helping provide a Blessing for Pet in Bradenton!   Here are some other pictures of this fun morning!

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Beating the Summer Heat!

By:  Marilee Namaka

Florida is definitely the “Sunshine State”, but this year’s sun and hot weather seems more punishing than ever!  With such high humidity, and high temperatures the days seem longer and hotter.   Always keep in mind that no matter how many times you hear your weatherman complain about the heat, your pets can’t tell you how hot they feel!

During the hottest part of the day, the best place for your pet is to be safe inside, in the air conditioning.  We want to include our pets in our busy everyday routines, but sometimes they are best left at home.  Even a quick stop at the store, “just for a few minutes” can turn into a catastrophe.  A hot car can climb to 102 degrees within 10 minutes and to 120 degrees within 30 minutes.  Dogs can suffer from heat stroke causing irreversible organ damage and can be fatal.

Does your dog fetch the ball no matter how many times you throw it?  Many dogs don’t have self-preservation and will willingly walk, run and play with no regard to their own well being. They will even happily walk beside you on hot concrete or asphalt, burning the pads of their feet.  Just like the parents of little children, it’s our job to see what the risks are for our pets and make sure they don’t “over-do it”.

There are some fun ways to safely keep your pet active, but try to keep activity during the early morning or late at night where temperatures  are the coolest.  Small children’s pools and sprinklers can be a ton of fun and great exercise for dogs who love water.  Some dogs can be trained to use a treadmill inside in the air-conditioning.  Be sure talk to your vet and check out some training basics for this before your start this doggie work-out regime.

It’s very important to keep your pets well hydrated by providing fresh water for them at all times.  Even a walk around the block in this heat might call for a water stop.  Bring along a collapsible bowl and a bottle of water to ensure your dog is getting the water he or she needs. If you have a fenced yard and your dog goes out to play, keep a bowl by your hose and make a point to check it a few times a day.

Always keep an eye out for symptoms of heat stroke such as vomiting, excessive panting, difficulty breathing, salivation, bloody diarrhea, seizures or coma.  If your pet is showing symptoms of heat stroke, call your veterinarian immediately for critical steps in treating your pet.  Stay Cool!!!

Marilee Namaka is the General Manager of Bayside Pet Resort in Sarasota,Florida.  Bayside Pet Resort | Bradenton Dog

 

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Breed Profile: Goldendoodle

Goldendoodles get their names from their mixed heritage of Golden Retriever and Poodle parents. First bred in the early 1990’s as allergy-friendly seeing-eye dogs, Goldendoodles have now become just as popular as family companions and embody the best personality traits of both of their highly popular parent breeds.

Physical Traits

Size & Weight: Goldendoodles are a range of sizes including standard, medium, and miniature (if the Poodle parent was a miniature). Standard Goldendoodles stand at 22-26 inches at the shoulder and weigh between 45-70 pounds. Medium Goldendoodles weigh between 30-45 pounds, and miniatures weigh between 15-30 pounds.

Coat & Color: Goldendoodles can be any mix of cream, gold, tan, brown, grey, or black. Many Goldendoodles inherit the fur qualities of their Poodle parent, but not the texture, so they shed very little, if at all.

Life Expectancy: 15 years

Temperament

Golden Retrievers and Poodles have much in common temperament-wise—both are great family dogs, friendly, highly intelligent, affectionate, and easy to train. With these overlapping character traits, you can see why the Goldendoodle makes such a great companion. Because the Goldendoodle is a very human-orientated dog, they develop strong bonds with their human companions and show lots of affection. They are also very calm and patient dogs, which makes them great with children.

Something to Bark About: Poodles are ranked as the 2nd smartest dog breed in the world, and Golden Retrievers are ranked 4th. With those genes, you could say the Goldendoodle is one of the great intellectuals of the dog world!

Wags

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Paws in Motion!

The Bradenton-Sarasota area hosts lots of great pet events each year but this week’s Paws in Motion for the Humane Society of Manatee flowed more like poetry in motion.

More than three hundred people and their pups turned out for the even, each dog more well behaved than the next.

Ted and Beau

The walk itself took place on the Bradenton Riverwalk.  A cool, crisp morning

provided the ideal conditions with the Manatee River rocking serenely in the background.   Just a one mile walk, most people finished in 20 minutes or so with ample time to  sniff the fresh air.

Walkers enjoyed a free pass to the Doggie Fun Zone.   A combination agility, lure course extravaganza.

It was great day for friends and families to spend some downtime with people they love.

Many thanks to the organizers and participants of this important event to help homeless pets.   The Humane Society of Manatee offers low-cost spay and neuter services to area residents regardless of income.  Spay and neuter is the first step in reducing our pet population. 

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Paws in Motion – Manatee County Humane Society

By now, you’ve heard the story and seen the pictures from the raid on Napier’s Animal Sanctuary.   While the situation was bracing and conditions horrific, the good news is that thanks to the people committed to animal rescue – those cats, horses and dogs and other animals are now out.   They are being treated with love and kindness and much needed medical care.

The damage caused primarily caused by just two people affecting hundreds of defenseless animals will now take hundreds of hours and hundreds of people to make right.  For some of the pets it is too late.

But for those pets who survived, they are now in limbo.  As evidence in a court case, they can not be adopted but will be cared for until a legal resolution is found.  The thanks spans across our counties to the shelters and rescues leading the charge, Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue, Florida Boxer Rescue,  Manatee County Animal Services and the many others who swung into action when they got the call.

In an effort to support the local rescue groups, we’ve organized a team to walk in support of  Humane Society of Manatee’s Paws in Motion on March 8th at the Bradenton River Walk.   If you’d like to walk with us, the fee is $25.00 with funds going to the medical treatment, food and housing for pets.   If you’d like to walk with us click here to join the team.   If you are busy that day – or just don’t want to commit to walking you can still help by donating to the cause – click here, and then the donate button.   You will know that you helped, and naturally no amount is too small.   Five dollars can mean several meals for a dog or a cat.

The situation is dire, and it’s only our community and the unbelievable commitment of animal loving citizens, rescue workers and volunteers that are holding this all together.

Many Wags to All,

 

Mary Lou Davidson