The Fur (& Feather!) Flyer

This time of year we receive MANY phone calls here at HAWS from people asking for help with dogs and fireworks.  Seems lots of our canine companions don't enjoy the sounds of summer quite like we humans do!  (And we would also like to decrease the number of strays that come in who have run away from home because of the noise.)

HAWS business partner and animal behaviorist Claudeen McAuliffe, M.Ed. offers these suggestions for helping your pet deal with "The Big Bang."

About Fear
Those of us who live with dogs know that fireworks and thunderstorms can stress some animals to the point of panic.  Some simply retreat to a dark place such as under a bed or in the bathtub.  Others are so terror-stricken that they injure themselves by jumping through screen doors or windows.  Lest we think ill of our fur kids, understanding the nature of the problem may not only improve our opinion of their behavior.  It may also give us hope in a toolbox full of options to improve it.

Some fears, such as those toward strangers, children, boxes and ceiling fans, are learned through association with upsetting situations.  But in some individuals fear may occur with no conditioning or learning whatsoever, because the brain already contains the circuits that respond to a limited spectrum of stimuli, such as the loud and sudden crack of a lightning bolt.  As our dogs get older, their sensitivity to storms and other loud, sudden sounds may increase. 

While some fears may be linked to a past event, such as being tied out during a storm, or taken to a Fourth of July event during a critical fear period, often there is no such connection.  Some breeds, such as Border Collies, German Shepherds, and Labrador and Golden Retrievers seems to have a genetic predisposition to develop noise phobias, although it's possible we just see more storm and noise phobias in these breeds because they are more popular than other breeds.

What You Can Do to Help Your Dog
Besides behavior modification, the best results for helping dogs with sound sensitivity are obtained by simultaneously teaching the dog self-control and coping skills, such as running to get a tennis ball when a storm approaches, or using bodywork techniques like The Tellington Method® to facilitate a learned response to a word like "easy."  And as alternative and complementary treatments become more mainstream, we find there are actually quite a few things we can do to help our dogs.  Though they may never be completely calm at the approach of a storm, they may be content to lie at our feet rather than exploding through a screen door. 

There are many other things you can try, including flower remedies, aromatherapy, herbs, homeopathy, pheromones, and pharmaceuticals.  For more information see the booklet "The Big Bang: How You Can Help Your Dog Cope with Storm and Noise Fears" (Mc Auliffe, 2006).

By the way - Claudeen's book, "The Big Bang," is available at HAWS - stop by today and pick up your copy, so you're prepared before the fireworks start - and before that next round of thunderstorms sweeps through!

This particular edition of "Sandy's Stories" reminds us at HAWS of the importance of properly dealing with the local wildlife.

From spring through summer, young wildlife are born and learning to venture out on their own.  Often when we spot young ones, mom is closeby, watching from a safe distance - but definitely watching.  When you find a baby bunny, small bird or other species, before doing anything be sure to survey the situation.  Allow for nature to do its thing - and keep at a safe distance yourself!  (This, of course, includes keeping your pets away from them, too!)

If you have any questions about the wildlife in your area or what to do with wildlife you may find, call us here at HAWS or contact the Wildlife in Need Center.  Having wildlife around us is a wonderful way to learn - please respect them.

SAM THE GOPHER
"Sam" is the name we gave to a gopher that lived by a large, beautiful tree in our backyard.  He delighted in running up to our dog fence and causing our two Airedales to go absolutely wild - it made his day.

The dogs would be motionless, and then tails began to quiver, and then loud barking ensued, followed by frantic jumping and general chaos.  It was better entertainment than any movie you could go to.  Of course, when the dogs finally calmed down, Sam would come right back and it all started again....

One day Sam even brought his wife along - this time coming through the fence to harass the dogs who were inside in our family room at the time.  Sam and Mrs. Sam both sat up and chirped right by the window, which resulted in the dogs heads being plastered against the glass, slobbering everywhere, bodies shaking with every sound a dog could make coming from them.  We had great time - and still laugh thinking about that day!

This went on for years, with Sam becoming part of our family.  When we moved we told the new owners "Sam comes with the house!"

By the way - you can c'mon in through our shelter front door now, and we even have a fresh new lot to park in!  Stop by and see the construction progress, join us for a class or seminar and, as always, maybe you'll find a new best friend to bring home...

Maybe "construction" isn't the term we should use for the progress on our building expansion this week....

Before the new areas of HAWS can be built, some of the old areas need to make way - including our parking lot and the outdoor runs and offices on the west side of our building.

There's a hole in the wall as I write this.  Actually, the wall is mostly gone.  Thank goodness it's a beautiful day outside! 

This week we're also getting a trial by fire in how to operate under less-than-ideal circumstances.  With our driveway and parking lot gone, and those areas now occupied by backhoes, dumptrucks and dumpsters, it is pretty hard for someone to get to us for assistance.  Thank goodness for the volunteers who are set up at the end of our former driveway, ready to direct people to our Mobile Adoption center and temporary hub over at Petlicious Dog Bakery and Spa.  Rule of thumb this week:  CALL AHEAD!  (We've got it figured out, just tell us what you need and we'll be there for you:  262-542-8851.)

As the saws and airhammers become background noise, and we deal with interruptions in electricity, we are reminded this is really going to be worth it when it is all done for all the paws at HAWS.

Jackson, who is currently gnawing on a rawhide under my desk, couldn't agree more!

By the way - we're still "fully operational" during our construction and remodeling.  And, we have a complete slate of activities, programs and seminars going on - so don't miss out!  As our building project progresses, we'll keep everyone updated on what's up, and we'll let you know what to do when accessibility to our shelter is limited.  We're still here - and we're ready to help!!

Thanks to Fox 6 and Jennifer Reyes for helping us get the word out!

Maybe it's the construction dust getting to us, but we got to wondering around here...what or who would our pets be if they were people? 

Seriously, we really do have these conversations at HAWS.  And mostly, we've come up with alternate realities for our cats because our dogs aren't nearly as secretive...score one for the dogs.

For example, one HAWS staffer is sure her cat is British.  "Beaker" is quite polite and very thoughtful/cerebral, and probably has the secret to cold fusion drawn up in a series of schematics, which she'd be delighted to share if asked.  She is also a financial guru and surely has  an entire plan figured out to allow our staff member to pay off all debt within a year.  Beaker would most likely drive a Camry - something sensible - in light grey or beige so as not so show dust.

Another anthropomorphic staff pet is "Linx."  Linx's prior name was Bruce, and he can be pictured wearing a workshirt with a name patch on it.  Linx has an affinity for home improvement - he has even saved his family more than a few dollars (and averted many mistakes) by meowing loudly during the various projects...or throwing up on the different supplies/components.  His interruptions have caused the worker (husband) to review the directions and realize "oh, wait, we don't need to do that!"  Uncanny.

Next time you're petting your dog, or watching your cat snooze, think about it.  Along with unconditional love and companionship, they might have even more to offer!  Now THERE'S a reason to bring home your new best friend!

By the way - one week from today, Tuesday, June 9th, is HAWS fundraising nite at Culver's of Sussex.  Our Mobile Adoptions unit will be on hand with coupons to ensure 10% of your food purchase price goes to HAWS.  Fundraising couldn't taste any better!!

By the way, part 2 - our parking lot is ground up, and the walls are scheduled to be knocked down/framed up/moved....  Stay tuned to our website, this blog, our Facebook page, etc., and we'll keep you informed on the progress.  We'll have to do some improvising on the way, but we will remain open throughout our construction and continue to provide all the services you rely on us to provide.