Donations Desperately Needed For Rescue Dog

Rescue Dog Needs Your Help

This is Kiara, a senior dog that never managed to get a stable home---in/out of shelters her whole life.  Rhonda Hallden of Husky Haven of LA www.huskyhavenofla.org rescued her from euthanasia at a high kill shelter in the hopes of finding someone who might adopt this senior girl. Well....Kiara finally had her chance but the woman decided within a few hours that it wasn't a "good fit" AFTER she managed to accidentally step on Kiara's tail causing the poor dog to fall down a flight of stairs.  She  immediately returned an injured Kiara the following day.  Rhonda fortunately found a sweet elderly couple Janet and Mac,  (who have a tripod special needs dog Maddie adopted from Rhonda) who offered to nurse Kiara back to health temporarily.  Ask Ariel provided supplements and we got acuscope treatments (a wonderful physical therapy---please see picture of Kiara with Gina Goulde giving her acuscope therapy) which helped her immensely.  

Then, Janet  fell and broke her hip......but in spite of it all, the elderly couple were determined to continue to foster Kiara because she and Maddie (their tripod dog) were becoming good companions.   By the time Janet was able to get home and walk again, Kiara's health declined considerably.  Kiara was no longer able to walk and could not get up on her own (had to use a towel to help her stand).   Mac uses a walker and is unable to walk either of the dogs although both Janet and Mac sure do shower them with love and attention.

It has taken a "village" (volunteers, donations, time and energy) to get Kiara up and walking, but thanks to diet, acuscope therapy and a few supplements such as  Special SAMe,  Kiara has made a big comeback.  She is going on slow walks and gaining mobility. But donations are desperately needed to continue her special care.   

Please donate
This is a very tough situation and Husky Haven really needs donations. A donation in any amount will help!   Husky Haven of LA is a 501 (c)(3) public charity and donations can be made directly on the website www.huskyhavenofla.org or mailed to: AskAriel P.O. Box 723 Dana Point, CA 92629 (and we will forward to Husky Haven).  Husky Haven of LA's founder is Rhonda Hallden who has dedicated her life to serving animals and the community.

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The Important Role of Service Dogs

The ADA defines a service animal as any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to provide assistance to an individual with a disability.  Service animals perform some of the functions and tasks that the individual with a disability cannot perform for him or herself. You may initially think of people with a vision or hearing impairment, but it can also include,  seizure alert, psychiatric disorders support, retrieving objects, closing doors, turning light switches off and on, and barking to indicate that help is needed.  Another type of service dog are those used by the military, local police, fire departments, and federal and state law enforcement agencies for functions such as bomb sniffing, drug enforcement, search and rescue, and fire investigation.

Many programs will use Golden Retrievers and Labradors for services dogs. They have many of the characteristics that make for a good service dog, but many other breeds have unique characteristics that can be helpful to the needs of their owner or handler. The dog will undergo very extensive training in the desired area of expertise before being placed with an owner. Although the bond between the owner and dog will be very strong, it is important to realize that these dogs are doing a job.  Our hope is that when they are not working, they also are a "pet". We are so lucky o have these wonderful dogs give such a beautiful gift to people who desperately need and rely on them for their day to day activities.  For many disabled people, their service dog may be their closest partner and friend.

The Stray Dogs of Sochi

The Russian city of Sochi has a big problem with stray dogs, and leading up to the Olympics, the government instructed them to be moved or exterminated.  Shelter coordinator, Olga Melnikova, last week told the New York Times: “We were told, ‘Either you take all the dogs from the Olympic Village or we will shoot them’ Thankfully, with people like USA Olympic skier, Gus Kenworthy, and the Russian billionaire, Oleg Deripaska some of the homeless dogs will be spared.

Oleg Deripaska, stepped in and saved the stray dogs by setting up a shelter in the mountainside.  They are working with the Humane Society International to try and find new homes for the strays.  For more information, here is the link to their website http://www.hsi.org/issues/street_dog/factsheets/adopting-transporting-pets-internationally.html

The Olympic silver medalist, Gus Kenworthy, found a mother and  four pups in the Olympic Village and vowed to save them before their extermination.  He tweeted on February 12th "Also, for the people wondering, I've lined up kennels 4 the pups & made vaccination appointments. Doing all I can to bring them home w/ me!"  Keeping his promise, he even delayed his return to Colorado to await clearance to bring the family of dogs home.

However, homeless pets are not only a problem in Sochi, but here at home in the USA as well.  Many pets are sitting in shelters and being fostered by worthy rescues, awaiting a forever home.  We at AskAriel.com have partnered with Husky Haven of LA to try to place homeless Huskies in the Los Angeles area. We would also encourage you to visit your local shelters or visit petfinder.com. 

For articles and information about pet nutrition and holistic pet care, please visit www.AskAriel.com

Dog Nutritionist - Cat Nutritionist Orange County, CA

Nutrition Consultations Update!

Southern California Residents

Need help formulating the best diet for your cat or dog? Has your pet been diagnosed with cancer?  Is your pet getting chronic infections or scratching incessantly?  VCA Pet Nutritionist Susan Blake Davis offers compassionate, expert advice.  Please call the VCA animal hospital in your area to schedule an appointment! 

Inperson Appointment Times Available:

 Thursday 2/20 VCA Arroyo Animal Hospital

 Thursday 2/27 VCA Mission Viejo Animal Hospital

Visit www.AskAriel.com

Dog Anal Glands and Scooting Problems

Oh no, this page had meow-ved!

Visit the new page here: https://www.askariel.com/pet-allergies-s/1818.htm.

Cold Weather Safety for Your Pet

Winter is here and with it the cold weather. It also requires some special care and considerations for your pet's safety.  Here are some things to remember

• Preventive Care Exam-The cold weather can make certain conditions worse and they may need extra support during this time of year for example arthritis may be more painful.

• Cold Weather Tolerance- Be aware that each pet will have it's own tolerance for cold depending on coat, body fat, activity level,  age (puppies have a lower tolerance) and health. Diseases such as diabetes, heart and kidney disease may make it harder for them to regulate their body temperature and arthritis may be more painful.

• Grooming and Dressing-Keeping your pet's coat longer during the winter can help keep them warm. Also dressing them properly (coat and booties) can help them maintain their body temperature. 

• Avoid Over Exposure To the Cold - Even if they are dressed properly over exposure should be avoided.  This includes leaving your pet outside for long periods of time even in a car (just as in summer it can be dangerous) Frost-bite and Hypothermia can set in quickly.

• Ice- Be caution of frozen bodies of water and don't let your dog off their leash. It might be thinner than you think. It can also be slippery and injury can occur

• Wipe Their Paws and Coats- Paws can get dry and crack causing pain and infection. Wiping and check paws regularly can help. They may also come in contact with potentially hazardous substance (salt, antifreeze, deicers) and by wiping them down you can reduce the risk. 

• Warm Place-Provide a warm safe place (away from drafts) for your pet.  Consider moving your outdoor pets inside. 

• Plan Ahead- Be prepared for severe weather, blizzards, and power outages. Make sure you have enough supplies on hand in case of an emergency (food and medications).

Pasadena Bear Approaches Couple Standing on Porch

Bob and Irene McKeown don't see the bear on their porch!

Bear Approaches Couple Standing on Porch in Pasadena: When Bob and Irene McKeown return home to Scotland, they'll have quite a story to tell about their unexpected encounter in Southern California. While visiting the home of relatives in Pasadena on Tuesday morning, the couple was shocked to be approached by an unusual local resident.  Imagine how startled Bob McKeown must have been when he bent over to help his wife into the car and felt something brush up against his leg.  He turned around and what was there?  A bear cub!!!!  The baby bear is caught on video watching him leave his home following him to the car.  Must watch this video!  Chris Wolfe reports for the KTLA 5 News at 6:30 on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2014.