Pets in holiday costumes to parade in Pet Parade and Festival
December 2, 2009
Bar-S Foods Co. sponsors pet walk to support Animal Guardian Network
Cave Creek – On Saturday, Dec. 5, the Animal Guardian Network debuts its first annual pets in holiday costumes parade and festival in Cave Creek to benefit animals in need and disadvantaged pet guardians.
Key events during the three-hour event include:
• Pet parade down Cave Creek Road
• Contests
• Blessing of the Animals
• Pet photos with Santa Paws
• Artisans and vendors
• Cookout
The festival includes one-of-a-kind artisans and vendors, a Blessing of the Animals by two ordained pet chaplains, contests, photos with Santa Paws, live music, raffles, a western style cookout and more.
The parade begins at 10 a.m., (with registration at 8:30 a.m.) on the southwest corner of School House and Cave Creek Roads and continues east to the Buffalo Chip Saloon where the other festivities get underway at 11 a.m. The public can pre-register online at www.AGNpetParade.org or during registration at the event. General admission, which is $25 (VIP admission is $50), includes lunch. The pet parade is limited to dogs.
The Animal Guardian Network, based in Cave Creek, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides a lifeline to animals in need and for disadvantaged pet guardians. To make a tax-deductible donation, contact Carrie Singer at 602-568-5636 or visit www.animalguardiannetwork.org.
Pet Health Education: Pet toxins in the holiday kitchen
November 18, 2009
Over the next month, not only will we be enjoying cooler weather, but we will also be celebrating one favorite holiday, Thanksgiving. Before everyone becomes busy with seasonal preparations, we’d like to offer a few reminders about some unexpected dangers our pets may face in the most unlikely of places; “The Holiday Kitchen.”
As we are all aware there are obvious toxins located in the home such as pesticides, cleaning products and rodent poisons, however, there are many items for humconsumption that can be toxic-even deadly-to dogs and cats.
Not only does Thanksgiving food pose the threat of Pancreatitis, which results in severe vomiting, diarrhea, and intense abdominal pain, but many human safe foods can be toxic to pets. Not many people realize foods such as onions, garlic, trail mix and yeast dough can pose life-threatening problems when consumed by pets.
Onions and garlic, even when powdered, can cause severe gastrointestinal problems even anemia. Trail mixes, because they usually contain raisins can cause kidney failure leading to death. When mixing those Thanksgiving yeast rolls, watch out to make sure Fido doesn’t sneak a pinch. The unbaked yeast in the raw dough can expand and release gases in your dog’s stomach or intestines, resulting in nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and even life-threatening bloat and twisted stomach. Some yeast dough also ferments into alcohol, which can cause alcohol toxicity.
Sweeteners can also pose a toxic threat for pets. Many sugarless gums and candy contain xylitol, a sweetener that is acutely toxic to dogs. Ingestion can cause vomiting, weakness, a life-threatening drop in blood sugar, loss of muscle control, seizures and liver failure.
So, when you are preparing your Thanksgiving meal, keep Fido away from the kitchen! Remember it is always easier to prevent a disaster than to react to one. Keep danger out of your pet’s reach.
For more information on poisons/toxins dangerous to pets visit www.ahsvet.com and click on emergencies.
