Dogcharmer: Potcake is great
Dear Dogcharmer,
We adopted a Lab mix named Potcake six months ago. She's now 9 months old, and fine in every way, except for her constant chewing on furniture — wood and cloth. Her favorites...
Visiting Vet: Gemma’s dilemma
Thursday is my day providing “Urgent Veterinary Care” on the Vineyard. Despite the fact that I haven’t taken on new clients in years, for a 24-hour period each week, I try to assist anyone...
Dogcharmer: ‘Go find!’
Dear Dogcharmer,
If I wanted to get a puppy into search and rescue, how would I start? And how great are their noses, really? Your answer to my questions will really be appreciated!
Martin
Dear Martin,
As to...
Visiting Vet: The saga of heartworm meds
In 1977, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the first canine heartworm preventive medication. I was just starting veterinary school. The drug was diethylcarbamazine, known simply as DEC, and it had to be...
Visiting Vet: A heart murmur can mean many things
Smurf is a classic example of what veterinarians call an LWD. That’s a Little White Dog. He happens to be a Maltese–toy poodle cross, but LWDs can be any pup fitting the description: bichon...
Dogcharmer: Learn to use your retractable leash
Dear Dogcharmer,
What are your thoughts about retractable leashes? I keep getting rope burns!
Scalded Hand
Dear Scalded Hand,
I've been asked your question many times. First things first — a retractable leash is a one-hand device. Period....
Visiting Vet: On call
I wasn’t too concerned about being short-staffed, even though it was my turn on call for “urgent care.” A small group of veterinary practices here rotate providing basic emergency services the best we can....
Dogcharmer: The Sheltie puppy and the cats
Dear Dogcharmer:
We have a new 3-month-old Sheltie, Michael, we rescued, and while he's a sweet boy, our two cats haven't warmed up to him yet. He seems to think they make great toys, but...
Visiting Vet: Let’s try happy
It’s January. I’m not a big fan of New Year’s resolutions, but if I had to pick one for 2024, it’s simply this: Happy New Year. Happy.
I come from a family and a culture...
Visiting Vet: Onions and garlic are toxic for cats and dogs
Every time my friend Gail brings her pup for a veterinary visit, she also brings me a little bag. Usually when clients do this, it’s a bag of poop. Not Gail. Her bag contains...
Dogcharmer: He hates the car
Dear Dogcharmer,
Our dog Carlos absolutely hates to go anywhere in the car. He paces, whines, and barks continuously, whether it's a five-minute or two-hour ride. It's really put a constraint on our lives. Any...
Visiting Vet: Aging gracefully
I only met my little friend Beulah two years ago. She was already a senior citizen, with bilateral cataracts (meaning both eyes were affected), causing vision loss. As many visually impaired dogs do, she...
Dogcharmer: A traumatic search
Dear Dogcharmer,
I would love to hear about a K-9 search and rescue experience.
Arnold
Dear Arnold,
My wife often tells me to relate this story, because of the role she played in this one. It was late...
Furry favorites
From the schedule changes, missed walks, fewer snuggles, and the continuous visits of the UPS driver around the holidays our pets don’t always get the attention they typically do. The Island has a number...
Visiting Vet: Cats in the cradle?
I’ve been watching with both empathy and amusement the trials and tribulations of Facebook friends with their various cats and kittens. I wish all of them could have joined me and my staff at...
Dogcharmer: Barking Bessie
Dear Dogcharmer,
When we have visitors over, Bessie, our Aussie, barks incessantly, and follows them barking if they move about. She's not aggressive, but nonetheless her constant barking makes it virtually impossible to have company...
Visiting Vet: Dog behavior
“When you walk your dog, you are on a date with him,” the speaker said in his charming Italian accent. “You wouldn’t like it if you had a date and the person ignored you.”...
Dogcharmer: Meeting the cousins
Trainer Tom,
Our female 4-month-old puppy toy poodle, Cutie, is soon to meet our daughter's 4-year-old male Doberman, named Spoiler. My daughter says he's friendly with other dogs. How would you suggest we introduce them?
Judy
Dear...
Visiting Vet: Helping Geezer get around
My recent articles have been about depressing topics. Sudden death. Home burials. Constipation. I promised my editor I would write something more cheerful soon. So here it is. There is a new medication now...
Dogcharmer: Tricks and costumes?
To my readers,
When people find out I'm a dog trainer, many of them will invariably throw in a couple of questions in the course of our conversation. "Is it OK to teach my dogs...