EDITOR'S MESSAGE
NEWS FROM GEORGIA CANINE COALITION
David Knight Presented with AKC Legislator of the Year Award at Club Show
The American Kennel Club (AKC) honored Georgia Representative David Knight on May 19 with an AKC Legislator of the Year award.
The award was presented by Gail LaBerge, AKC Delegate and President of the Georgia Canine Coalition. Knight was accompanied by his son, John David. Members of the Griffin Kennel Club and Police Officer Jordan with his dog, Jake, were also on hand to congratulate Rep. Knight for this honor.
“It’s an honor to be recognized once again as Legislator of the Year by the American Kennel Club. I care deeply about the issue of responsible dog ownership in our communities. Our local dog clubs, such as the Griffin Kennel Club, are a great resource for all dog owners,” stated Rep. Knight
The Griffin Kennel Club’s community service activities have included donating the canine bulletproof vest worn by K9 Jake, and donating and raising funds for the AKC Reunite Disaster Relief trailer (pictured) which can be deployed to provide emergency shelter for pets in the case of a disaster such as a hurricane. AKC Reunite, the Dog Judges Association of America and American Whippet Club also contributed to the gift of the trailer.
“Representative Knight has been a leader in advocating for policies that promote responsible dog ownership, support the rights of responsible dog owners, oppose arbitrary limit laws and breed-specific bans, and protect the wellbeing of all dogs”, said Sheila Goffe, AKC Vice President, Government
Relations. “He has demonstrated a strong dedication to the care and welfare of animals and promoting responsible dog ownership throughout his tenure.”
Representative Knight is an enthusiastic sportsman and the proud owners of an AKC field champion Vizsla and an English Cocker Spaniel.
Representative Knight previously received the award in 2015.
NEXT MEETING
2018-2019 BOARD ELECTIONS
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
IS THERE A DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE?
We are so proud of our fellow member Holly Mijka Brookins, soon to be known as Dr. Holly Mijka Brookins. After four years and hundreds of hours, Holly has successfully defended her dissertation. She won’t officially be Dr. Brookins until graduation in December. We all send very special CONGRATULATIONS to Holly. Job very well done!
SPECIALTY SHOW JUDGES
ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS
WATER INTOXICATION
With the increase in water exposure which comes along with warm weather, everyone needs to be well informed on the subject of water intoxication, also known as dry drowning. This also happens with human children. Every summer many children and dogs drown hours after time spent in the pool.
Water intoxication happens when a dog ingests too much water. Most owners are aware this can happen in hot weather when a dog may be more likely to ingest a larger than normal amount of water. What most owners don't realize is how easily it can occur, or that it most often occurs when a dog is playing in water. Common scenarios include a dog fetching an object (ball, stick, etc.) from a body of water, or a dog playing with a water hose. Water intoxication can happen while the owner is watching and even while actively playing with the dog. Dogs may be ingesting the water unintentionally while playing, not while drinking.
In the case of the tragic incident this weekend, the dog was playing with a hose poolside, fully supervised, and did not appear to be drinking the water, she was simply biting at the water coming from the hose while playing, something she had done many times before. This was a responsible pet home and they were doing everything right: Their dog was actively playing with the whole family, she was supervised, being kept cool, and very much a beloved member of the family. How many of you let your dogs play with the water hose? We do!
Please be cautious whenever your dog is swimming, playing in water, playing with a hose or even with the water toys specifically manufactured for dogs. Ingesting too much water causes electrolyte levels to drop, which thins the blood plasma which leads to swelling of the brain and other organs.
Symptoms include: lack of coordination, lethargy, nausea, bloating, vomiting, dilated pupils, glazed eyes, light gum color, and excessive salivation. Advanced symptoms include difficulty breathing, collapsing, loss of consciousness, and seizures.
Water intoxication progresses VERY QUICKLY and can be very serious.
If you think your dog may be showing signs of water intoxication: Call your veterinarian immediately, ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center, or your nearest Animal Emergency Clinic.
NATURAL REMEDIES
6 Ways to Naturally Prevent and Get Rid of Fleas on Dogs
I share my life with many four-legged friends, owning 2 dogs and fostering at least 2 others at any given time. My canine companions make up a huge part of my life so, naturally, I want to care for them…naturally. Like human medications popular dog medications, such as flea and tick preventatives, are full of strange chemicals that could have potentially harmful side effects. If you have little ones running around the house, you don’t want them getting into the medication or touching the dog after it’s applied. Since I foster and have rescues coming in from all kinds of places, I have to be up on the flea care year round. Instead of constantly applying synthetic repellents, there are natural substitutes I can turn to that can help keep the little beasties at bay.
Why the ingredients: The essential oils/ingredients used here are all natural insecticide/pesticides, shown to either kill or deter the pests due to their various compounds/naturally occurring chemicals. Indeed, many of them are found in commercial flea/tick preventative.
1. Flea collar
A flea collar is a great way to ward off fleas without always having to reapply something topically, and it keeps the flea control constant and steady.
You will need…
-3-5 drops of cedar oil or lavender oil
- 1-3 tablespoons of water
-Bandana OR your dog’s collar
-an eyedropper (optional)
Directions
Dilute 2-3 drops of your chosen oil in 1-3 tablespoons of water. Some people use the oil undiluted, but I personally feel it should always be diluted, even if it’s only by a little. Next, pick out a bandana to be the flea collar-I think a bandana is preferable because you can take it on and off and your dog’s collar won’t smell. It’s always fun to get creative with patterns and colors here. If you go up to ½ teaspoon you can use up to 5 drops of the liquid. Using an eyedropper or other similar means, apply 5-10 drops of the mixture to the bandana and rub the sides of the fabric together, and then tie it about your dog’s neck in a snazzy way. Reapply oil mixture to the collar once a week. In conjunction with this, 1 or 2 drops of oil diluted with at least 1 tablespoon of olive oil can be placed at the base of your dog’s tail.
2. Flea deterring drink- can be used alongside any of these remedies.
You will need…
-1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar or apple cider vinegar
Directions
For every 40 pound dog add 1 teaspoon of white distilled vinegar or apple cider vinegar to 1 quart of their drinking water. We highly recommend using Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar. Not only does it deter fleas, it improves a pups skin and coat condition from the inside-out.
3. Flea comb
This contains lemon and lemon contains something called limonene, which is a chemical that kills and repels fleas but is harmless to us or our pets.
You will need…
-1 freshly sliced up lemon
-1 pot of fresh water
-a comb, sponge, or brush
Directions
Boil a pot of water and add the slices of a freshly cut lemon to it. Turn off the heat after the lemons has been added and cover the pot, letting the mixture steep overnight. The next day dip a comb or your pets brush in the liquid (make sure it’s sufficiently cool) and run it through their hair. A sponge works as well, especially if you have a very short haired breed. A quick version is to bring water to a vigorous boil and then pour over a freshly sliced lemon. Then just dip the comb, let it cool, and use as above.
4. Flea spray
As a bonus, your pup will get a nice gleaming finish to their coat after using this flea spray.
You will need…
-1 cup white distilled vinegar OR 1 cup apple cider vinegar OR a 50/50 blend of both
-1 quart fresh water
-2-3 drops of lavender or cedar oil
-a decent sized spray bottle
Directions
The essential oil isn’t vital, but it certainly gives the spray an extra edge (and a nice smell.) If you’re using it, add 2-3 drops as you add 1 cup of white distilled vinegar/apple cider vinegar/both to 1 quart of fresh water. Fill your spray bottle, and mist your dog, being careful not to get it in their eyes, nose, or ears-aka avoid spraying near the face. To get up around the neck and behind the ears/their chin area, dampen a soft cloth with the mixture and wipe it on. Spray your pets bedding and around it with this mixture lightly as well.
5. Flea (be-gone) bag
This little sachet contains things that smell pleasant to us, but that drive pests away from your pet.
You will need…
-Two 6 inch squares of breathable fabric (such as muslin)
-a rough handful of cedar chips
-1-2 teaspoons of dried lavender buds
-the peel of 1 lemon
Directions
Follow the instructions on how to make a sachet here if you need more detail. Cut 2 6 inch squares of fabric and place them together inside out. Sew all but 1 side and turn inside out. Fill with a rough handful of fragrant cedar chips, 1-2 teaspoons of lavender, and 1 lemon peel. Leave enough room at the top so you can tie it off with a ribbon or sew it shut (tying allows you to reuse it when the contents lose their potency.) Place under your pets bed/bedding or near it to ward off fleas. Change the mixture every month or so.
6. Flea bath- wash your pup with this weekly to deter fleas.
You will need…
-A half a cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice*
-1 ½ – 2 cups of fresh water
-1/4 –1/2 cup of mild pet-friendly soap or shampoo
Directions
Stir together a half a cup of lemon juice, 1 ½ cups of water, and ¼ cup of mild pet-friendly shampoo or soap. Bottle and label and bathe weekly to keep fleas away.
*amounts will vary depending on the size of your dog. As a general rule of thumb, use 2 parts water to every ½ cup of soap and lemon juice.
NOTE: You must always dilute essential oil before using them. Pay attention to and read and respect your dog’s body language. It may sound odd, but let them sniff the different scents and see how they react. Whichever one you think they “like” the most, or will tolerate should be the one you use. It is estimated that dogs can identify scents 1,000-10,000 times better than humans. Imagine something you hate the smell of, and then imagine it being rubbed all over your body and smelling it 1,000 times stronger!
I cannot begin to say how engrained into my life dogs are. Their wellbeing is of the utmost importance to me, and if I can avoid strange chemicals, I will do so in the same way I avoid them myself. Dogs are natural beings, just as we are, and should rightly be treated as such.
Shared from www.EverydayRoots.com
RECIPE OF THE MONTH
Blueberry Frozen Yogurt Dog Treats
Ingredients
- Low-fat plain yogurt
- Blueberries
Directions
- Use an ice cube tray (or several, depending on how many treats you want to make). You can get ice cube trays at the Dollar Store or any grocery store.
- Put two blueberries in each cube compartment.
- Spoon some yogurt into each compartment over the blueberries.
- Put two more blueberries on top of the yogurt. You can either leave those blueberries uncovered or you can add another layer of yogurt.
- Freeze 2-3 hours then let your dogs enjoy!
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Mark Fitchpatrick, editor