Baark! On ...Hot Weather Tips for Dogs

Bahamas Alliance for Animal Rights and Kindness

 

Hot weather tips for Dogs

 

Hot weather can be dangerous for our dogs. Dogs lack the ability to cool off as effectively as is often required. Since we live in the Bahamas, known for our often soaring temperatures we dedicate this column to helping our canine friends stay safe in the heat.

Dogs cooling off in the shade after a long walk.

1.       Water, water and more water.  Dogs can dehydrate very quickly. In the hot weather dogs need access to plenty of water. Be sure to check the bowls a few times a day to ensure a constant supply of fresh water.

2.       Shade, shade and more shade. Think about it, if you get hot while in the sun what do you do? Chances are you seek shade and feel the instant difference. Dogs require the same thing and need access to a shaded and ventilated area if they are kept outside.

3.       Limit your dog’s exercise to cooler portions of the day.

4.       Remember dogs are much closer to the ground than we are, standing on the hot asphalt street will heat up the dog faster than it does us. Be mindful and if choose grassy areas over the pavement to stop during your walk.

5.       Groom your dog regularly. This not only helps prevent flea and tick problems but it helps thin out the dogs hair which can trap heat. Dogs can get sunburn so avoid shaving off their hair; instead keep their coat shorter in the hotter months.

6.       Bring your dog inside your home during the hottest hours of the day.

 

 

 

Please spay and neuter your animals, this simple procedure saves lives and decreases the suffering of unwanted animals.

This column is proudly brought to you by BAARK! the Bahamas Alliance for Animal Rights and Kindness.

For more information contact us at info@baarkbahamas.org, (427.SPAY) or visit our website www.baarkbahamas.com

 

 

 

 

 

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Baark! On Writing contest runner up!

Writing Contest runner up.

This beautiful adoption story came to us through our writing contest. We were so thrilled to hear that even after writing her story, there was a part two to the adoption. Read and enjoy. Thank you to Chiara Anderson for lending her writing skills and adoption tales to us!

 

I first met Meowth when she wondered into our front yard hungry and lonely. She was so thin and frail-looking. I fed her, gave her a drink and a rub. The next day, she pounced her way into my heart and has been a part of my family ever since. Life has certainly changed since meeting Meowth.

 

 

About two months after Meowth adopted us, we adopted Tink . I found Tink through BAARK as a result of entering this essay competition and decided to adopt him since Meowth started to get bored with her wrestling buddy (my arm). Tink had been hit by a car and broken his hip. As a result, he was extremely timid but needed a lot of TLC.

 

Tink and Meowth did not get on well at first. Meowth was aggressive and playful while Tink was shy and still trying to recover from his injuries. Those first days and nights were really draining as I didn't want Meowth to further injure Tink, but I learnt that they needed to figure out their relationship. To make matters worse, Meowth started ignoring and avoiding me. I felt like I was the mother of a rebellious teenager! Not to mention that Tink became very clingy towards me.

Meowth’s attitude ended the night Tink snuck outside and didn't return home. Meowth whined and couldn't nap. She missed her little bro. The next afternoon we went on a hunt and found him hidden really well. He was a little cold and frightened but felt better as soon has he got inside. Meowth began grooming him right away and started to play instead of swatting. That's when I started to breathe a sigh of relief.

Today, Meowth is part big sis, part mom and part best friend to Tink. Meowth is now teaching him how to hunt and Tink goes outside but can now find his way back home.

Tink's hip also healed pretty quickly after getting out and becoming more active. He's still a bit timid but is slowly coming around. It helps that Meowth is around to teach him the ropes - she isn't afraid of anything.

 

Please spay and neuter your animals, this simple procedure saves lives and decreases the suffering of unwanted animals.

This column is proudly brought to you by BAARK! the Bahamas Alliance for Animal Rights and Kindness.

For more information contact us at info@baarkbahamas.org, (427.SPAY) or visit our website www.baarkbahamas.com

 

 

 

Baark! on: Disposable pets

Disposable pets

Excuse this bit of a rant but there is something that has to be said. There is a disturbing mindset, all too common in our country, that animals are disposable. There is a habit of throwing away our animals when their age or infirmities become more of a hassle to the owner than is desired.

This has to stop.

Puppies and kittens they are cute, but for most, the aging dog or cat is just a nuisance and consequently many aging animals are neglected or let loose on the streets. There was an initial attraction to the animal but obviously, at some point, the family lost an interest or compassion on this poor animal and decided to dispose of it or let is suffer without care right before their eyes.

Our stance is that you not take in an animal if you are not prepared to care for it properly. This will a topic of a future column.

During our  spay and neutering campaigns, we go out to streets and neighborhoods we come across many dogs and cats who have been left neglected and mistreated all because they are no longer wanted.  We come across people who tell us to just take their animals, they are too old to be of use or too sick to care for. It breaks our hearts for the animal that is discarded with such little concern. Old dogs are left to starve; sick animals remain untreated and suffer intensely. All because the animal is no longer what they want or need. This is unacceptable. Taking ownership of an animal is a lifelong commitment, you are promising to care for the needs of this animal because you value its life, NOT because it looks cool or can benefit you in some way.

Baark!’s efforts with our spay and neutering campaigns are making a huge difference in the animal population here in the Bahamas. We are working towards and making great strides in helping to eliminate the needless suffering of unwanted and homeless animals. But we are not done, our mandate is to help create a more humane Bahamas, our spay and neutering campaigns are just the start, we need to educate and enable more responsible animal owners. Please consider helping to change the mindset of animal owners all across Bahamas, speak up for the wrongs you are seeing and be an advocate for those voiceless animals.

The dog that inspired this column is pictured here. His name is Lover Boy, he was given away because he was too old, he obviously had been left unattended for a long time. He is still awaiting his furever home. Please consider helping this beautiful animal. Contact us for more information.

Please spay and neuter your animals.

By ensuring your animal cannot produce more litters you are saving lives and decreasing the suffering of unwanted animals.  Please consider donating or helping with Baark!’s efforts to improve animal welfare in the Bahamas.

For more information contact us at info@baarkbahamas.org or (427-SPAY) or visit our website http://www.baarkbahamas.com/

Baark! On: What catches your attention?

Baark On ! What catches your attention?

It was a shivering puppy that caught your attention; he was huddled far into the corner of a box on a side street in Nassau. From a distance it looked like a pile of trash, up close it looked like desperation; there can be no other word to describe this scene. People were milling all around the street and had they looked closely they would have seen this, perhaps they did and chose not to take action. Whatever the case, this poor desperate puppy had made its way into a broken down cardboard box and was clinging to whatever bit of life it had left in its body. Unloved, unkempt and unwanted this small puppy was undecided if it was going to live or die and you seemed to be the only witness to this scene.

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His life now depends on your actions. Do you walk away hoping it miraculously gets better, naively hope his end is near and that will be quick, or do you take action and seek to save this suffering soul. This was a decision that was not to be taken lightly and one we all wish could be avoided. But what if this scene could have been prevented? What if we could end the needless suffering before it started? This is something you CAN do.

This is the goal of Baark!’s spay and neuter campaigns, preventing the addition of unwanted animals into the already full streets of Nassau.  Ensuring a more humane Bahamas for animals, that is our focus. Let’s help prevent suffering, together.

Please spay and neuter your animals, this simple procedure saves lives and decreases the suffering of unwanted animals.

This column is proudly brought to you by BAARK! the Bahamas Alliance for Animal Rights and Kindness.

For more information contact us at info@baarkbahamas.org, (427.SPAY) or visit our website www.baarkbahamas.com

Baark! On : Dog Bite Prevention

Dog Bite Prevention: Simple behaviors to keep your children (and you) safe

It’s a vicious cycle. You’re scared of dogs, you see a stray dog, you tense up, when you are fearful, and this makes the dog fearful. When dogs become fearful, they either ‘fight’ to defend themselves or take ‘flight’ from the situation. This happens quickly, leaving the observer thinking the dog has instantly gone into attack mode.

used with permission

So how can we break this cycle and keep ourselves and more importantly, our children, safe? Your children mimic exactly what they see you do, if you are afraid of dogs, there is a good chance that they will be too.  There is a group of volunteers who visit Nassau’s primary schools, showing children how to be safe around animals. Here are a few points that are given to the children during this presentation.

1. If a strange dog approaches them that they don’t know, they should stand very still like a tree, with their arms crossed and fingers tucked away, and be very quiet

2. Look upwards, as dogs can perceive direct eye contact as a challenge, which we want to avoid

3. If the dog knocks the child to the floor, roll up like a ball, all limbs tucked in, and stay still and quiet

4. If the child is on a bike, dismount and put the bike between them and the dog, wait until the dog has passed, then quietly WALK on.

5. They can carry food in their pockets, like cheese cubes or kibble, and throw it on the ground to distract the dog.

 The key elements of our “stay safe” message are staying still and being quiet. Running or screaming could lead to a dog bite, as friendly dogs may think it’s a game and get too excited whereas other dogs may perceive the shrieking, fleeing object as prey.

It is very rare that dogs do bite for no reason. Recognizing when a when a dog may bite is very important any time that dogs are protecting something, be it food, toys, puppies, property, even the friendliest dogs may bite, because they are doing their job. Dogs may also bite if they are sick.  We do want to remind you that most barking dogs are just scared or being protective and are not being aggressive. The majority of dogs will not want to bite you. If we can break the cycle of fearing dogs in future generations, people will be safer and the dogs of the Bahamas will have much better lives. 

Please spay and neuter your animals, this simple procedure saves lives and decreases the suffering of unwanted animals.

This column is proudly brought to you by BAARK! the Bahamas Alliance for Animal Rights and Kindness.

For more information contact us at info@baarkbahamas.org, (427.SPAY) or visit our website www.baarkbahamas.com

Thanks to Shelley Hardman for submitting this article to our column and blog!