Tuesday, 9 July 2013

Summer Heat

With the temperatures soaring and summer in full swing, I thought I would send out a reminder that Staffys are IDIOTS when it comes to taking care of themselves in the heat!  
During the SBW a white staffy was over heating, and the owners had to pour cold water on him and keep in in the shade for the second half of the afternoon.
And even more scary was the story I heard about Bubba...He had been playing with a Whippit on a cool day at around 8pm, I guess he just wouldn't stop (like all of our dogs).  Margaret noticed he started to vomit white foam, but we have all seen our dogs vomit, No Big Deal (NBD), time for a chill out perhaps.  But then he started to foam, and then his tongue and mouth started to turn purple.  Margaret knew something was really wrong, so she rushed him to the closest animal hospital.  The vet told her, that had she waited another 15 minutes he would have died. His lungs were failing, filling with mucus, and he was suffocating.  He had to spend 2 nights in the vets getting fluids.  The vet told her that......
Bubba almost played himself to death!!  
We sure are glad he survived, and that he made it to the SBW!

Sometimes we forget that our dogs aren't invincible, because they sure seem like they are!!  Keep an eye on your dog in the heat, always have water near by and a leash to put them on when its time for a  cool down.  And remember....yes, your dog is an idiot too (especially Nugget)!!
I just think this picture is sooooo funny!

Sunday, 7 July 2013

Growing up together

 Clovers 1st STB Walk 2010
Clovers 3rd STB Walk 2013

SBT walk

A gang of staffys got together in Alex Hope Park this weekend for the 28th Annual SBT Walk.  Most of the Tuff Love pack had to sit it out because of stupid Kennel Cough.  Clover (because she is in White Rock right now), Bubba, and Lincoln got to hang out.  Dune and Rufus were there in spirit because their owners made the trip dogless.  Bummer, if not for KC, Ares, Sunni, Nugget, Frisco, Dune and Rufus would have been there too. Would have been awesome...we would have had 9 Tuff Loves there.  Next year!  And the 30th Annual will be amazing!
And just so everyone knows.  All proceeds from hotdogs donations and raffle tickets goes towards lifting the BSL (Breed Specific Legislation) in Ontario.
Ok now here are the pics...

 Old Staffy

 Bubba (litter #1)

 Lincoln (litter #2)


Clover and Bubba



 Clover and Bubba



Kenny, Kinley, Anna and Anna with only bbq hotDogs

 Clover had an amazing time

Tuesday, 2 July 2013

Kennel Cough...Shitty

Well I have finally had to figure out what exactly it is.  I have never had a dog who had it, I'd never seen/heard it, and I was starting to think that it wasn't real....but of course it is, it's essentially a dog cold!
Frisco started coughing a couple of days ago, and now Nugget has got the hack (Clover is in White Rock as she is in heat).
No park time for these guys, not for awhile anyways.  Which also means no StaffyBull walk next weekend.  I will be there regardless, so if anyone wants a ride, get ahold of me!
Alright, so here is some info on Kennel Cough....


Kennel cough

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kennel cough is an upper respiratory infection affecting dogs.[1] It is caused by a combination of the canine parainfluenza virus and the bacteria Bordetella bronchiseptica. It is highly contagious.[2] Kennel cough is so named because the infection can spread quickly among dogs in the close quarters of a kennel or animal shelter.
Viral and bacterial causes of canine cough are spread through airborne droplets produced by sneezing and coughing. These agents also spread through contact with contaminated surfaces. Most causes of kennel cough are highly contagious, even days or weeks after symptoms disappear. Symptoms usually begin two to three days after exposure,[2] and can progress to lower respiratory infections such as pneumonia. This disease is not a zoonose, it can not be transmitted to humans.

Symptoms[edit]

Incubation period is 3–4 days. Symptoms can include a harsh, dry cough, retching, sneezing, snorting, gagging or vomiting in response to light pressing of the trachea or after excitement or exercise. The presence of a fever varies from case to case. The disease can last initially from 10 to 20 days and can rebreak when the dog is put into a stressful situation which puts stress on the dog's immune system.

Treatment and prevention[edit]

Antibiotics are given to treat any bacterial infection present. Cough suppressants are used if the cough is not productive. Prevention is by vaccinating for canine adenovirus,distemper, parainfluenza, and Bordetella. In kennels, the best prevention is to keep all the cages disinfected. In some cases, such as Doggie Daycares or Non-Traditional Playcare type boarding environments, it is usually not a cleaning or disinfecting issue, but rather an airborne issue, as the dogs are in contact with each other's saliva and breath. Although most kennels require proof of vaccination, the vaccination is not a fail-safe preventative. Just like human influenza, even after receiving the vaccination, a dog can still contract mutated strains or less severe cases.




Saturday, 22 June 2013

Stoking you for the Staffordshire Bull Terrier Walk (July 6th)

Happy 4 year anniversary Clover
Cousin Sylvia arrives from Washington

4 Dogs 1 Ball in Strathcona Park

Clover and Nugget pooped after camping

Arlene got a visit with Rufus

Dune comes by for a beer


28th Annual StaffordshireBull Terrier Walk

Get ahold of me for more details....


Tuesday, 4 June 2013

TuffLove Lineage

Ares (Bear) has the classic slouch sit (litter #2)
 And the frog legs
Nugget as a Puppy, I should have known we were gonna keep her (litter #1)
 Clover and Nugget snuggle bears...makes you guys want 2 doesn't it!
 Dune pops in for another visit (litter #2)
 Family photo....Nugget cracks me up....so funny
 Supermodel Jersey is doing great (litter #2)
 Rufus is definitely a Doofus (litter #2)
 Rufus and Dune make 5 staffys in the yard...Friday night Dojo
 Lincoln the little stud...handsome boy on the beach (litter #2)
 We have been puppy sitting Sunni on rainy days...she is so sweet! (litter #1)
 Had to use this picture again....Bubba is such a handsome boy (litter #1)
 Dune in the car, looking all grown up! (litter #2)