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Written by: DJ Geribo

Category: Our Pack

From the time she was a puppy, Meko has had an unusual relationship with, in particular, vacuum cleaners, brooms, dust busters, and bug vacuums. The more noise the cleaner makes, the more evil it is. The only thing we can think is that when she was very young, in the two months before she came to live with us, she must have been swept out of the way and out from under-foot by brooms and other sweeping items. Therefore, she has developed a lack of tolerance for any such item. She just hates them and has to attack whenever I take them out of their hiding places in closets. She will follow me around when I vacuum and she'll bite at the hose, barking non-stop.

Although it is adorable to watch her attacking the vacuum, broom, etc., after awhile, the barking is too much and I have to either put her outside for a short time-out, or put her upstairs, away from where I am vacuuming. Either way, I have no doubt she believes that once again, she did her job to protect us from the evil appliances!

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Written by: DJ Geribo

Category: Our Pack

Two of our girls, Meko and Jacqs, understand that we occasionally have to go out and they need to stay home. They don't like it, but they have come to accept our way of life and usually relax and sleep while we are out.

Our newest girl, Kitsune, who we have had for a little over a year now, was six years old when we got her. We don't know a lot about her but we were told some of the circumstances that led her to us. She had an owner who died and then she lived for a year, before coming to us, with a foster-care woman who also had a 2-year-old grandson around a lot and a few other small dogs. Kitsu spent most of her day under a bed.

I think she is very happy living with Jim and I, our other two dogs, Kameko and Jacquay, and our cockatoo, Coco. She seems to be fitting in just fine, until we go out.

Jim has told me that when I go out for the day, she spends most of her time barking until I return home. I think she does that, also, when he and I both go out together and leave the pets at home.

And when we return, she barks and gets very excited, jumping at me for attention. I believe this is 'separation anxiety' behavior. I ignore her barking until she calms down, then I give her attention. But I don't know how to keep her calm when I am not home and somehow reassure her that we will be back.

I did my usual research on the internet but found most of the situations around separation anxiety dealt with people who had a dog from the time it was a puppy and they usually went off to work for the day. The recommendations were to take the dog for a walk before you leave for the day. Since Jim and I are both self-employed, we don't have a regular work schedule and don't always know when we will be going out and for how long. I also read to leave your pet with a piece of clothing that you recently wore that has your smell on it. This may reassure your pet somewhat. I have not tried this but don't have many articles of clothing that I would wear and also let my dogs lay on (they are very hairy!)

Another thing to do, that I do make a habit of saying to my dogs, is that I'll be back in a little bit. They know, then, that I won't be long. I'm not sure Kitsu is paying attention when I say that and has made a connection to what it means.

These are a few tips to use. I have no interest in other suggestions I've read to use drugs to reduce anxiety when we go out. I prefer to try all other natural solutions first and never consider medication a viable solution. Hopefully some of these suggestions will help with your anxious pet.

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Written by: DJ Geribo

Category: Our Pack

When our little Meko was diagnosed with IMHA and in the hospital for a week, she received 4 blood transfusions. I have no doubt that with her blood count around 17 (normal is between 35 - 55) that she would not have lived if she didn't receive the transfusions. I remember wondering, where do they get the blood from?

Just like people donating blood during blood drives, dogs and cats need to donate blood to help save the lives of dogs and cats when they are in need. Dog plasma can be stored frozen for up to a year and red blood cells can be stored in a fridge for up to five weeks. With cats it's a little different - it is taken directly from one cat and given to another when it is needed in an emergency.

And who are these heros who give their blood to save others? It can be your dog or cat. If they are between one and seven years old, they can donate blood once every two months.

And remember, while helping to save another dog's life, you may need blood for you own dog sometime in the future. And isn't it great that the blood is there to save your pet's life!