“A Letter from God”

This was sent to me from a very good friend named Diane Reilly. Diane new how much I loved my little Bichon Frise’ named Madelaine.

I loved her so much, that I wrote the last song on our A Touch of Love® – For Charities C.D.

Diane works closely with a wonderful charity called Helping Homeless Pets Rescue and Adoption. They can be found by visiting their website at www.helpinghomelesspets.com

 

Carl:
Someone should have sent you a package from God.  Madelaine is being well cared for and all of her pain is gone.  One day you and Shane will rejoin your beloved girl.  She went from rags (rescue) to riches (living with you and Shane) and enjoyed a really blessed life while on earth thanks to both of you.
Thank you so much for your eternal kindness and looking after our beloved children.
Diane

 

It is not known who replied, but there is a beautiful soul working in the dead letter office of the  US postal service.

 

Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey.. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could so she dictated these words:

Dear God,
Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick.
I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her You will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.
Love, Meredith

We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.

Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, ‘To Meredith’ in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, ‘When a Pet Dies..’ Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey &Meredith and this note:

Dear Meredith,
Abbey arrived safely in heaven.
Having the picture was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away.
Abbey isn’t sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don’t need our bodies in heaven, I don’t have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by..
Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me… What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you.
I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much.
By the way, I’m easy to find, I am wherever there is love.

Love,
God

Share the Love with “A Touch of Love®” on Valentines Weekend at “Pet Fun Fest” Charity Fundraiser

Join A Touch of Love® for a Very Special Valentails Weekend!
Please read on our pet blog for the details of this worthy cause….

Pet Fun Fest and Adopt A Pet-a-thon, a groundbreaking public event bringing together animal lovers and pet welfare communities for a tail-wagging and illuminating experience.

Meet and learn about small pets (guinea pigs, rats, rabbits, ferrets, etc.), cats and dogs of different sizes, shapes and colours, all waiting for someone with a big heart to bring them home.

Also featured: Guest speakers, demos, seminars, vendors and “speed-dating” sessions. PLUS – with an eye on the Guinness Book – there’ll be an attempt at the Canadian record for the largest simultaneous mass “Stay,” with some 200 dogs.

ADMISSION: Both ends of the leash are invited to the FIRST indoor pet show that allows dogs, a must-go event for all pet lovers.

$5.00 per human | $2.00 per dog | $15.00 per family
(Family maximum: 6 humans, dogs) Note: Each dog must have one handler.
Advance online tickets $3.00: www.petfunfest.ca/tickets

Show Hours :: Sat. Feb. 13 -10:00 am to 6:00 pm :: Sun. Feb. 14 -10:00 am to 5:00 pm

50% of ticket sales at the gate will be donated to:

Helping Homeless Pets (www.helpinghomelesspets.com)
charitable organization No. 84972 2954 RR0001

 

What to do when your pets Tear Ducts are Blocked?

Visit our Pet Blog for information from Dr. Danny DeRose on advice for blocked tear ducts.

Janna Holford asks A Touch of Love®-Pawzzz for Health Tips!

I’ve been told that my little one Roxy needs her tear ducts operated on. I’m nervous about this, and I would like a second opinion? Can you help me out at all?

A Touch of Love® – Answer:
Janna, my dear friend. This is a medical question that we will need to outreach to Dr. Danny DeRose for his suggestions and advice.
We wish we could help, but this not our expertise.

Dr. Danny DeRose, Please help us answer Janna’s Question?

Dr. Danny’s Answer for Janna:
Blocked Tear Ducts:

In dogs with blocked tear ducts, the duct should be flushed – either with a nasolacrimal cannula or a suitable catheter.
These ducts can be flushed with the dog awake after topical local anesthesia in very still dogs or more usually it is done under sedation or general anesthetic. 
If flushing does not correct the problem, it usually means there is a developmental problem in which case a more involved procedure may need to be done; in this case I would strongly advise visiting a veterinary ophthalmologist. These are veterinarians who have spent an extra 3-4 years of training specifically in diseases and conditions of the eye.

If anyone else has any feedback on this issue that they wish to share with us, please help us out on our Pet Blog link.

Tear Staining-What to do? Advice from A Touch of Love® and Dr. Danny

Tear Staining problem? Visit our Pet Blog for advice from A Touch of Love®-Pawzzz for Health Tips!
Please also see what Dr. Danny has to say on this topic.

Monica writes: to A Touch of Love®-Pawzzz for Health Tips!

What can I do about all this tear staining on my little guy Bichon Angus?

Thank you for writing to us Monica.

This is a common problem with some breeds such as Angus and others like Maltese, cockerspaniels, shih-tzu’s etc…
Sometimes it’s from the dye within a pets diet, or not being consistent with regular cleaning of the eye area.
Dr. Danny has some comments on this issue that you may want to read on our Pet Blog as well.

At A Touch of Love® we do promote some home remedies such as using baby wipes which are hypo-allergenic and are safe to use around the eye area.
You would be required to rub the eye area each morning and evening with a baby wet wipe.
Please be cautious of using some products on the retailers shelves with promoting the removal of tear stain.
The eye ball is classified as being an organ of the body, and you must be careful with using liquids that have not been approved by Health Canada. You may in actual fact cause damage to the eyes if your not careful with the product that you are using.
Using Saline solution to rinse the eye may be another alternative prior to wiping the eye with a baby wet wipe.

In most cases it’s not as bad as what Angus has on his face.
If the tear stain is not removed regularly you may also find the skin under the eye where the staining is located will become irritated and raw.

The attached picture of Angus is an extreme example of tear staining.

The benefit of using the baby wet wipes as well is that it’s easier to rap around your finger, and it’s only moist.
You don’t want to have the area saturated. If you use a cotton ball, you may find the fine fibers from the cotton ball left near the eye, which can contaminate the eye with the fibers and cause eye irritation.

We hope that this has been a little bit of help, now we would like to gather Dr. Danny’s advice and you decide for the best care of your pet.
Either it be from A Touch of Love® or Dr. Danny or both types of advice you may find us helpful.

Dr. Danny DeRose suggests:

Tear Staining:

A very common problem encountered by both groomers and veterinarians. 
This may be due to blocked tear ducts which just need flushing, or the signs can be alleviated with over the counter products which simply change the colour of the stain, making it clear so you don’t have that brown staining on the face. 
Your veterinarian or groomer will be able to recommend a product that can change the colour of the stain so it is not so noticeable. We usually place 1/8 of a teaspoon of Tylosin powder in the food every 24hours. It works wonderfully.
Many board certified ophthalmologists advocate using this Tylosin powder which is a very low dose antibiotic with very little chance of long-term adverse side effects such as antibiotic resistance because the dosage is so small. 
But always speak with your veterinarian before starting such products.

Please give us your feedback on this topic by visiting our Pet Blog.

We look forward to others suggestions on this topic as well.

Renowned and Friend Dr. Danny’s comment on debarking your pet

Debarking: Advice from Dr. Danny,

The first step is to find all the triggers and remove/isolate as much as possible. Then see if they can train the “quiet” cue.
Consider clicker training to reinforce long period of silence. Make sure the owners are not punishing her for the undesired behavior.
Citronella collar alone, without behavior modification, is not that likely to work well.
I do not recommend debarking; however, during the last AVMA in Seattle the issue was discussed and some recommend it if the alternative is euthanasia.
Keeping the dog occupied in positive behaviors is also helpful.
Make sure the owner establish daily routine and provide enrichment. During the times when she is most likely to bark they should provide her with feeding and chew toys that she is not getting at other times.
They should not feed her during the day to increase her motivation to use the feeding toys.
They should also provide good exercise and training before or during the times when she is likely to bark. If you do suspect anxiety rather than excitement or normal, yet excessive, behavior you can try Clomipramine (Clomicalm) or Fluoxetine (Prozac).
Although I would not say I am eager to advise debarking, if you are truly doing everything, then I would say that debarking is better than re-homing, eviction, or euthanasia.
Please go to our Pet Blog to review the issue on debarking your pet and Dr. Danny’s suggestions.

Meet our Guest Medical Advisor – Renowned Veterinarian Dr. Danny DeRose

Dr. Danny DeRose: An honors graduate from the Ontario Veterinary College from the University of Guelph.
Where he also earned a Bachelors Degree in Biological Sciences.
Dr. DeRose worked in several different clinics from large busy hospitals, to small clinics to emergency hospitals.
It was in 2009 Dr. DeRose finally opened his own hospital in Markham Ontario, Cachet Village Animal Hospital.
The hospital has tried to focus on practicing state of the art medicine as well as alternative approaches, practicing laser surgery and laser therapy something that is very new to the field of veterinary medicine.
Dr. DeRose is known for his kind demeanor and attention to detail as well as being an accomplished surgeon.
Dr. DeRose is very approachable and is always glad to speak with his clients through phone, email or even through the clinics facebook page.

Please read Dr. Danny’s comments on the De-Barking Issue for Nadia Bongelli and Luna. Please visit our Pet Blog under our Blog Link.

To Bark or NOT to Bark – Controversial Topic!

Nadia Bongelli – pet owner of Luna asks:
A Touch of Love® – Pawzzz for Health Tips!
“I have a one year old miniature poodle that I adopted from an animal rescue. From the first day that I brought her home there was something different about her?
She was, and still is a very nervous dog.
I am not sure of the abuse she was forced to succumb too before I adopted her?
I am sure it is to blame for her issues of barking.
Even in the comfort of her own home, she is always by my side, refusing to stay away from me for only moments.
If she is unsure of where I am, she will run through the condo barking, and urinating as she frantically searches for me.
I have been to several dog trainers who have told me that she has a mental problem that “they cannot help me!”

I love my Luna soooo much and she loves me even more! I’ve tried everything on the market! Sadly, I’m considering de-barking her.
Can you please give us your opinion?
I may be kicked out of my condo and my neighbors refuse to speak to us now. We think the condo corporation is going to force us to move.

My friends and family have requested that I give up Luna to someone else or have her de-barked. I remember hearing about de-barking a pet, and my first reaction was “How Cruel!”

Now I am in a position I understand more and I would be doing this for the love of Luna. Am I NOT a responsible pet owner? I have explored and attempted every training method to no avail!

I wouldn’t be making this decision for my own satisfaction, but I am doing what I have to do for the love of Luna. Luna is my best friend and I will “NOT ABONDONE” her like she was abandoned before, I will only do what I feel is best for her and our life together.

Although I have NOT made up my mind yet, about which route we will take next?
I will make my decision with my friends’ (Luna’s) best interests in mind and we will go down that road together.”

 

A Touch of Love® Answer:

In today’s society there are so many cases of this as houses are becoming tall sky scrapers of condo homes. WE need to respect our neighbors and just not give up on Luna who you love so much.

Thanks for your question Nadia. Shane and I had a similar problem with our Schnauzer Angel.

The first year of her life she continuously barked at everyone and anyone. Angel was always by my side and it was liked she was attached at my hip. Where I go Angel Goes!
I love her so much, and I have to admit that friends who came to visit would leave  shortly after because they could not handle all the barking in the background.
Angel would hide under the bed where I could not reach her and she just kept barking until the people left our home.

Luckily her first and few years of life were at our Muskoka home where we own a 1.5 acre property on the lake. The neighbors’ are not close by, nor did we have neighbor’s complaints.

Over the years of being in our business we have met pets that were de-barked. Instead of a loud bark that comes out of them it sounds more like a cough.

Carl notes:
I was considering the same procedure, or giving her to someone that may better control the matter.
But I thought if I can’t handle the barking and I’m in the Pet Industry who else possibly could have handled the persistent barking of my little girl.

I felt that if I gave her to anyone else?
She may become abused and her spirit broken from her inappropriate behavior with others.
I loved her too much and I would constantly worry about her if I gave her up.

I came to realize that this was her little personality and I needed to accept Angel for who and what she was. I just dealt with it, and kept apologizing for my Angels’ behavior. She came first to me, and if someone didn’t like it than they could leave.

Angel is now 9 years old as of Sept. 09. Her barking is very mild to others, and far from what I endured during her first year and probably up to about 5 years of age.

Your situation is different because I live in a house. You live in a Condo and might have to move.

I really want Dr. Danny’s opinion on this and we look forward to any comments that our readers may have on this issue.

Please review Dr. Danny’s comments next following this blog post.
Please provide your comments on this Controversial Topic!

Special Introductory Edition with Carl and Shane

Pawzzz For Health Tips! Informative newsletter created and written by Carl and Shane. Learn more about the dynamic duo via their blog and New Newsletter of informative tips for our pets.

Through a life long journey of more than a quarter century of devotion towards pets Carl and Shane have been recognized as leading edge within the Pet Industry.

Who is Carl and Shane?

 

Newsletter – Introductory Issue – Pawzzz for Health Tips!

For the Love of our Pets!
Shane and Carl announce their Introductory Issue of Pawzzz for Health Tips!
*Newsletter*
Interactive by clicking on our blog to discuss the topic of DE-BARKING your pet. Is this wrong or right?
We have expert advice from our friend and Prominent Veterinarian Dr. Danny DeRose.
Tear Staining? What to do!
Blocked Tear Ducts! Surgery or no surgery?
Share the Love with A Touch of Love® on Valentines Weekend at “PET FUN FEST”  Charity Fundraiser. Feb.13th and 14th

Click here to read the full newsletter and blog…..

Homeless yet Not Alone!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sometimes in life all we have left is our companion. Can you see the love between the two of them? Let us know your thoughts.

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