We just adopted Tiny Tears a few weeks ago and would like to take her to the dog park on Hwy 6 North.  Can anyone give me some advice?  Has anyone been there before?  I even thought maybe I could meet an experienced greyhound owner there to help us through our first visit.  Tiny desperately wants to swim in our neighborhood lakes but her leash doesn't allow that.  She learned that very quickly and now just puts her feet in.  Is the dog park safe for greyhounds or does anyone advise against it?

Now that Hurricane Season is upon us, I am just beginning to organize a Basic Pet First Aid & Disaster Response Workshop 3-1/2 hour Certification Program and want to know if you are interested in attending such an event.

The dates currently set for the Workshop(s) are Saturday, August 9 in the afternoon and Sunday, August 10 in the morning.  Depending on the level of interest, we can possibly add another Workshop.  Workshops are limited to 16 people.

I want to get an idea of how many people would like to attend so please let me know either through here or email me at keepersquilts@comcast.net. 

The Workshop will most likely be in central Houston at a place yet to be determined.  If your company would let us use a conference room with enough space for 16 people, a projector/screen and enough room to practice our skills (i.e. CPR on dog dummies), please let me know.

The Workshop is taught by a Pet First Aid Instructor from Pets America.  Pets America saves the lives of pets and the people who love them by providing educational programs about emergency preparedness and resources for disaster response.

Basic Pet First Aid & Disaster Response Workshop

3-1/2 hour Certification Program

With input from more than 400 U.S. Veterinarians, Pets America has developed a comprehensive Pet First Aid & Disaster Response Workshop that offers expert guidance on everyday pet emergencies as well as how to prepare for and respond to disaster situations.

This 31/2 hour certification course teaches CPR, the Heimlich maneuver for pets, and how to deal with the most common pet emergencies such as bite wounds, cuts to pads, and sudden illnesses. Participants learn to recognize early warning signs of illness, tips on preventing health problems, how to stay safe while helping an injured pet, and how to assemble pet first aid and disaster kits. There are also opportunities to practice CPR skills on life-like pet mannequins.

Unfortunately, the greys will have to stay at home but we can still have greyt fun.

Cost: $40 Per Person (Pets America will probably set up a Pay Pal button on their website, but we’ll see)

Now that Hurricane Season is here, it’s essential that you make a disaster plan for your entire family, including pets. These questions and lists are from Pets America and will jumpstart your planning process.  Let’s all learn together.

• What disasters are likely in my area?

• What supplies will I need?

• Are there friends, family members or neighbors I can count on to help me with my pets?

• In the event of an evacuation, where will I go with my pets?

• What are the best evacuation routes?

• What will happen if I’m not home when an emergency arises?

• Can my pet be identified if we’re separated? (Consider a microchip and make sure all ID tags and registrations are up to date.)

Pack your Pet’s Disaster Kit

Your pet’s disaster kit must contain the essentials, which may vary, depending upon whether your best friend is a dog, cat, gecko, or mouse. But there are a few things that are relatively common to all animals. It’s up to you to make sure you have the supplies on hand to keep your pets healthy and safe.

❑ Crate or carrier (one for each animal)

❑ Food & water

❑ Emergency contact information

❑ Pet first aid kit & the Pet First Aid & Disaster Response Guide

❑ Medications, prescriptions, flea, & heartworm treatments

❑ Favorite toys, treats, & bedding

❑ Leash, collar or harness, & spare identification tags

❑ Kitty litter, pan, & scoop

❑ Muzzles (dogs & cats)

❑ Newspaper

❑ Food & water dishes

❑ Paper towels & cleaning supplies

❑ Sealable bags for disposing of solid waste (picking up poop)

❑ Stakes & tie-outs

❑ Trash bags

❑ Instructions (information about diet & medications)

❑ Documentation (vaccination & ownership records)

❑ Optional-but-useful items (flashlight, batteries, radio, & wipes)

Don’t forget to rotate all supplies at least twice a year. And, be sure to practice with your pets. When pets will readily load into crates or allow you to use a muzzle, the easier it will be to manage an emergency!

Pat