Author: Lea

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The Best Things In Life Are Rescued

This is Lazarus.
Lazarus is a Boston Terrier.
We rescued Lazarus from a backyard breeder; she was breeding dogs to sell as show dogs.
She considered Lazarus a defective dog because he wasn’t the ideal show dog.
Lazarus was neglected, and living outside.
Through intense heat, rain, sleet, snow, wind, thunder and lightning.
Lazarus was very scared.
When informed of the circumstances we drove 6 hours away to aid in rescue efforts.
We pulled Lazarus to safety.
Lazarus arrived at Paws Give Me Purpose very fearful of many things, including humans.
We never gave up on Lazarus!
Lazarus lives in sanctuary and has learned to trust.
Lazarus has learned that humans can love.
Lazarus has learned to be less afraid, but still has some issues.
We never gave up on Lazarus.
Lazarus never gave up on us.
Lazarus has regained faith in humans,
help us save other dogs like Lazarus!

https://www.paypal.me/pawsgivemepurposeinc

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Halloween Safety

Trick-or Treat! Halloween is here, and though you might get a kick out of the adorable witches and ghosts who come to your door, your dog may not be as thrilled. Halloween can be a fun time for children and families, but what about your dog?

Halloween is usually pretty loud and chaotic, much different from any other “normal” day of the year. Be aware that all those fun Halloween activities we enjoy might be stressful for your dog. Unusual activities like constant doorbell ringing and costumed visitors can all pose threats, causing your dog anxiety whether they are usually prone to it or not. Dogs are creatures of habit, and when their normal routine is interrupted they can feel uncomfortable and even agitated – Halloween is no exception. Keep your pets safe this year by following these easy tips.


1 – TRICK-OR-TREAT CANDY IS NOT FOR DOGS

ALL forms of chocolate can be dangerous, even lethal, for dogs. Symptoms of chocolate poisoning may include vomiting, diarrhea, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, and seizures. There are also many candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol which is also poisonous to dogs; even small amounts of xylitol can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar and subsequent loss of coordination and seizures.

2 – DON’T LEAVE YOUR DOG OUT IN THE YARD

Vicious pranksters have been known to tease, injure, steal, and even kill pets on Halloween night. Inexcusable, yes! But preventable nonetheless.

3 – KEEP YOUR PUP CONFINED, BUSY AND AWAY FROM THE DOOR

Your door will be constantly opening and closing, and your doorbell with ringing constantly.  Strangers will also be on your doorstep dressed in unusual costumes, this can be scary for our furry friends, which can result in escape attempts or unexpected aggression. Putting your dog in a secure crate or room away from the front door will reduce stress and prevent issues. Give them a toy, chew, bone or activity to keep them busy during this time.

For nervous animals, the screams of kids and the endless chiming of doorbells can become overwhelming. You can use calming products like those you might use during a thunderstorm or fireworks to bring your dog some relaxation and relief during Halloween as well.

4 – KEEP HALLOWEEN PLANTS SUCH AS PUMPKINS AND CORN OUT OF REACH

Although pumpkin is a wonderful super-food for your pup, the potentially moldy Halloween pumpkins or corn display that has been sitting out can cause big problems. Gastrointestinal upset is a possibility whenever pets eat something they aren’t used to, and intestinal blockage can occur if large pieces are swallowed. So, keep the pumpkins and corn away from your pups.

5 – KEEP YOUR DOG AWAY FROM LIT PUMPKINS

If you are using candles to light your jack-o-lanterns or other Halloween decorations, be sure to place them well out of reach. Should your dog get too close, they run the risk of burning themselves or causing a fire.

6 – KEEP ELECTRIC AND BATTERY-POWERED DECORATIONS OUT OF REACH

As with any holiday decorations, electric and battery-powered decorations are certainly safer than candles, but they still can present a risk. Dogs who chew on electrical cords can receive a possibly life-threatening electrical shock or burn. Batteries can cause chemical burns when chewed open or gastrointestinal blockage if swallowed. Glass or plastic if chewed and swallowed can cause lacerations anywhere on the body and within the gastrointestinal tract.

7 – DON’T DRESS YOUR PET UP UNLESS YOU ARE CERTAIN THEY’LL LOVE IT

Not all dogs are comfortable wearing costumes. If you do decide to dress up your pup, make sure the costume does not restrict movement, hearing, eyesight, or the ability to breathe. Always supervise your dog while they are wearing a costume so that if something goes wrong, it can be addressed immediately.

Additionally, don’t wait until Halloween night to put your pet in a costume for the first time. Any time you introduce your pup to something new, it’s best to go slow. Get your costume early, and put them on for short periods of time and make it a positive experience by offering lots of praise and treats.

8 – PLEASE! MAKE SURE YOUR DOG IS WEARING AN ID

If your dog could escape and become lost, having the proper identification will increase the chances that he or she will be returned. Collars and tags are ideal if a Good Samaritan finds your pup, but microchips offer a permanent identification should the collar or tag fall off. Please be sure the information is up-to-date.

Halloween can be a little intimidating for a dog who doesn’t understand all the hoopla. When it comes to your furry friend, be mindful of where you put the chocolate, exercise him early to drain his energy, and reward him with dog-safe treats when he is non-reactive to trick-or-treaters. Above all else, Halloween should be fun for the whole family including your furry friends. Keep these tips in mind during your festivities to ensure everyone stays safe and have a wonderful time.

Happy Halloween! 

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Happiness Is A Warm Puppy

I’m sure you’ve all hear people say that their dog doesn’t get cold, but in reality, if you’re chilly or cold, your dog most likely is too. With the weather starting to get cooler, warming foods just sound good, like a cozy sweater for our insides. I know my mind thinks of a steaming cup of soup or perhaps a warm casserole on a cold day. So I’m sure tons of you are wondering, can warm foods also help your dog beat the chill?

Dogs actually digest food in a very similar manner as we do, so we can surmise that warm foods benefit them the same way they would benefit us. There are actually many benefits to heating up your dog’s food during colder months, so let’s talk about them.

Certain dogs, such as seniors or even flat-furred breeds, such as Chihuahuas, Weimaraner, Chinese Cresteds, Greyhounds, and German Pointers, are more susceptible to the chilling effect of cold temperatures. These dogs may benefit even more from consuming warm foods on chilly days.

Warm foods actually work their magic in a couple of ways, providing an immediate sense of internal warmth and also help to increase blood circulation. When we are cold, everything in the body constricts, and the blood concentrates in the body’s trunk to warm and protect your internal organs. Eating warm food helps to reduce constriction, enabling the blood to flow away from the core to the extremities, creating a sense of warmth.

According to traditional Chinese medicine, warm foods are also quicker and easier to digest than cold foods. The body needs to bring the temperature of food closer to its own internal temperature in order to efficiently digest it. If the food is already warm, the body does not need to expend as much energy heating it and can get right down to the business of digestion and absorption.

I’m sure you’ve all walked into a bakery and began salivating due to the aroma of freshly baked bread and cookies in the air; scent, plays a powerful role in inducing appetite for us as well as our furry friends. A dog’s sense of smell is tens of thousands of times more sensitive than a human’s. So the better food smells to a dog, the more appetizing it becomes. Warm foods release aromatic vapors, which stimulate a dog’s desire to eat.

The simplest way to feed your dog a warm meal is by simply heating up commercial canned or kibble dog food by mixing some gently warmed water to create an enticing cold-weather stew. If you feed dehydrated or freeze-dried food, simply re-hydrate the with warmer water than usual.

Here at Paws Give Me Purpose, we have many dogs of different breeds, ages and different nutritional requirements. We do make many homemade meals and treats, and at least one meal a day is a warm one. Some of our recipes are even human friendly.

Want to share a warm meal with your dog? Try this delicious Butternut Squash Soup recipe, it will have you both licking the bowl clean!

Butternut Squash Soup:

Ingredients:

  • 1 10-ounce bag frozen butternut squash
  • 1⁄4 cup canned, unsweetened light coconut milk
  • 1 tablespoon natural maple syrup
  • 1 1⁄4 cups water
  • 1⁄8 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1⁄8 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1⁄8 teaspoon ginger

Instructions:

  • place squash into a medium-sized saucepan
  • add 1⁄4 cup of the water
  • bring to a boil, and reduce the heat to medium
  • cook until the squash is completely tender, stirring frequently and breaking up the chunks, about 10 minutes
  • once the squash is fully cooked, stir in the coconut milk, maple syrup, and remaining water
  • add cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, and stir.

*If you prefer a smoother consistency, use an immersion blender to puree the mixture or transfer the soup to a blender, puree, and return to the pot.

Most important to note, please be certain that the temperature of your dog’s portion is warm but not hot. You can use it as gravy on their meal or just offer a warm bowl of delicious soup.

There are many benefits to heating up your dog’s food during colder months. According to traditional Chinese medicine, every food possesses an energetic quality that makes it either warming or cooling. Dog-friendly foods to warm include gluten-free oats, quinoa, rice, kale, squash, and coconut. How can you tell if your dog feels toasty after having a warm meal? Observe his/her body posture. A dog will curl up to keep warm just as we do, so if your pup sprawls out after a warm meal, they are not cold.

Give this recipe a try, and let us know what you and your pup think.