Mochi was one of our first clients in Lefferts Gardens and she remains the littlest, most affectionate chihuahua we have ever met. She lived with her mom, Katie, on Winthrop street for a good stretch (she is 5 1/2 years old), but now they have moved into a new place. Katie works over 60 hours a week, leaving Mochi home alone most of the time. With tremendous sadness, Katie is looking for a loving home where Mochi can be held, played with and snuggled.

As her dog walker, I can tell you that this is one easy and affectionate pup. She does not yip (!), does not nip, and she loves to sit in your lap. Mochi is up to date on her shots, healthy, spayed and friendly toward small animals and calm children. Rambunctious kids, hyper puppies and the like make her nervous, so she wouldn’t do well in a house with them. I cannot bear the thought of Mochi sitting home alone, which is why her mom has made this difficult decision, and why ProspectBArk is donating a month of free dog walks to the lucky person who adopts her. Do you – or anyone in your network – have room in your life for a little more love?

Please spread the word about Mochilla on your facebook, twitter-tweets and blogs. You can link to this post! Interested people can call me directly or email Katie: katie2483 [at] hotmail [dot com].

MOCHI COMES WITH A MONTH OF FREE DOG WALKS (donated by ProspectBArk) and a huge supply of dog food, wee wee pads, toys, blankets, doggie couture etc. There’s no adoption fee, and nothing to buy for a long time, just a sweet pup waiting by the door when you come home.

I am guilty of considering some ‘therapy’ dogs as a bogus way for the privileged to bring their tea-cup purse dogs into restaurants, movie theaters, and stores. But seeing this changed my mind. There is validity to the case that these animals offer comfort, companionship, and courage when needed. Instead of a stressed-out lawyer coaxing the child into cooperating, it only took a gentle nudge from a cold wet nose to instill the courage needed to face her attacker.

A survey conducted by Kal Kan pet foods showed that

“57% of psychiatrists, 48% of psychologists, and 40% of family practice physicians reported recommending animals, to provide unconditional affection and companionship, to provide a focus or perspective on a daily basis, surmounted by amusement and a feeling of being needed.”

Therapy animals are even being used to comfort patients suffering from Alzheimer’s and Dementia;  A study performed by the Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions concluded that the presence of therapy dogs reduced the need for psychoactive medications in a study of 50 patients. Amazing what these honest, loving animals are capable of inspiring in us complex humans.

And there are new ways emerging every year for our canine friends to work alongside us. Guide dogs remain a mainstay of service animals, search-and-rescue dogs have saved countless lives during disasters, FBI dogs are finding weapons and drugs being smuggled into the country; there are dogs trained to smell the chemicals emitted when a diabetic is slipping into hypoglycemia. There are even dogs who are trained to find bed bugs. If my Bichon could sniff out NYC’s most dreaded house pest, I could make a fortune in the real estate business.

But the greatest contribution our dogs offer us is truly unconditional love. And all they ask in return is clean water, plenty of food, a few walks every day, and the occasional tummy rub.

While there are very few things cooler than a Frenchie named Gizmo in a SuperGirl costume, sometimes being metaphorically cool just isn’t enough.  Having access to plenty of clean drinking water is a great way to prevent doggie-dehydration, but it is not the only way to help our beloved beasts stay cool in the summer: 

1. AC or Fans – while you are away, make sure the temp is comfortable – remember, they are wearing fur coats
2. Summer cut – shave that fur coat off! (Remember, dogs’ skin is just as vulnerable as ours to sunburn, so leave plenty of fur on their heads, necks, and backs.)
3. Take swimming – there is a dogs-only swimming pond at Prospect Park, but be advised: dogs MUST be kept on leash except for designated off-leash hours.  And algae and microbes make a post swimming bath a necessity.  If you are looking for a more controlled environment, Water4Dogs in Tribeca provides an indoor swimming environment year-round, though reservations are required.
4. Carry a water bowl: there are many collapsible bowls which easily fit in your purse or pocket, but a bottle can be just as useful: you can just squeeze a quick drink into your dog’s mouth and also squirt on their fur.
5. Before going out: (especially for heavy dogs or breeds that overheat easily) pat some cool water on underside – belly, inner thighs, behind ears, armpits – this will help keep them cool for the duration of the walk as dogs do not have sweat glands.
6. Dog cooling bandana – sure they look good, but does anyone know if they actually work? Leave a comment below if you have any experience with this odd but stylish phenomenon.

Special tip for cats:

The “Hand Bath” – no, it’s not a euphemism for something untoward
In the hot months, it’s best to give your cats (and dogs) a daily brushing to help them keep their fur thin and skin healthy. However, many cats detest the brush. Yes, it’s true. For this trick, wash your hands normally and with lots of cool, water on them, pet your cats from forehead down to their tail. this will wet their fur at first, then keep petting until your hands and your cat are dry. You will pull tons of loose fur off her. Reapply water and repeat, massaging her as you go, and offering little scratched under the chin, etc. all the while administering cool water and helping her to lose the excess fur. Think of this as a daily snuggle session that will keep the sheds down, cool her off (get water on her tummy, forehead and inner thighs too) and increase your cat / food-bringer bond. You know that’s how she sees you, right? Only now, you can be the food-bringer AND daily masseuse!

Yep, the DOG DAYS of SUMMER are here!

It’s easy to tell when you’re dehydrated: dry mouth, thirst, headache, nausea; but your pets can be a bit harder to read.  While you’re sitting at a sidewalk cafe, sipping a nice refreshing Cucumber-Elderflower-Watermelon Mojito your dog might be suffering under the table. Remember: we can sport breezy summer clothes while our dogs and cats wear fur.

Here are 4 easy ways to tell if your dog is dehydrated:

• The Pinch: Gently pull the skin on the back of your dog’s neck upward and release. If properly hydrated, the skin will immediately return to its starting position.
• The Poke: Gently press your thumb or finger against a pink portion of your dog’s gums and release; if properly hydrated,  the blood quickly returns to the area where the pressure was applied (turns from pale back to the original color).
• The Rub: A dry, warm nose is a sure sign of doggie dehydration.
• Lethargy: No cute term for this one; a dog who is typically rambunctious & energetic who stops responding to play stimuli can absolutely be exhibiting a sign of dehydration.

Having access to a steady supply of clean water is the best way to prevent dehydration in your dog.  In extreme cases, an IV will be necessary to replenish the fluids lost in this intense summer heat.  If your dog refuses to drink, or exhibits any of the above signs for an extended period, seek professional medical care immediately.

This adorable little pitbull, Walter, was found in Park Slope on Easter Sunday by Alex Darsey. Alex, who lives in the neighborhood, noticed the forlorn pup at 15th Street and Third Avenue. He had an extreme case of mange and was severely malnourished and dehydrated.  And that’s not all, the previous owners (who, according to a witness, dropped Walter out of a car and sped away) had used some chemical – bleach or ammonia – in a “cruel and misguided attempt” to get rid of the disease.  Darsey took the hairless and frightened animal to the emergency room and then the vet.  The vet estimated that Walter is between two- and three-months-old and says that he may get better if treated very carefully.  Alex, along with four of his friends made a pact to watch over Walter.  Currently, he’s still very sick and undergoing in-patient treatment  at the veterinary emergency clinic on Warren Street between Smith and Court Streets.  Alex and friends plan to keep him there until he gets better, but unfortunately, pet medical bills are extremely high at $2000 for just two days.  Walter’s five new parents have started a blog asking for donations to help get him healthy and out of the hospital.  It states, “We wouldn’t want to make a decision about this little guy’s future based on an inability to continue to pay for medical care. We are all doing our best to come up with whatever we can, but our pockets are only so deep.  Though Walter has only been on this earth a few months, he has suffered greatly and had only known a life of pain, neglect, and abuse until he found us. Please help us give Walter a new start and a chance to live the life he deserves, one filled with love, and happiness (and lots of treats!)”  If you’d like to make a donation (any amount will help), you can click here. For more pictures, updates, and to become a fan of Walter please visit his Facebook page.

This month, we continue our TeamBArk MVP tradition with none other than Heidi, on whom many of you have come to rely for your pet’s most intimate needs. Heidi came to us as the Mover & Shaker of Petato Pet Services, who we merged with back in January. She’s not only the superb field manager who conducts our barking, purring orchestra with skill and aplomb, but she is also a highly adept dog trainer who helps us with our “special needs” clients.

pB: Heidi, you started out walking dogs for Petato and then, a few months into that, you took over as their manager. This was three years ago? How was that transition for you?

Heidi:  The transition was rough for me in the beginning because there was so much to learn about the dogs, cats, and about how to keep the business running efficiently.  I suddenly became very aware of what it takes behind the scenes to keep so many schedules organized.  But the previous owner of Petato was very helpful.  He was there to answer all of my questions whenever I needed.  And the clients and walkers were great as well.  They were patient with me as I took a bit more time to answer questions and requests for service in the beginning.  And I appreciated that.

Heidi:  YES!  I do miss the dogs.  I surprise myself with how much I talk about them with friends and family.  I love those opportunities when I get to visit them.  I might need to meet up with one of our team members for something or another and they are usually with one of our pups.  I always say hello to the dogs first.  Pets, hugs, kisses, treats.  And the dogs always seem happy to see me.  I love that about dogs.  And I’m always just as happy to see them.  I wish I had time to visit with them more often.

Heidi:  To be completely honest, I have seen only good changes.  And other than some procedural differences such as a different billing system, I think the Petato/Prospect Bark merger only helped to improve the service that Petato originally provided.  We provided the very best care for our doggie and kitty friends that we possibly could.  The only difference now is that we have more doggie and kitty friends, and more team members to help provide the care that our dogs and kitties deserve.

Heidi:  Yes I do.  This happened back when I was walking a full route of my own.  It was pretty late in the day and I was just leaving a walk on 5th street and 5th avenue in Park Slope.  I was locking up the gate when I heard a whimper from a dog.  I stepped out onto the sidewalk and noticed a small dog shivering on top of the stoop next door.  It was one of those cold, wet days in winter and I am sure she was freezing.  Of course I knocked on the door to see if the owner of the dog happened to live in that brownstone.  The person who lived there came out and she said that the dog was not hers and that she had never seen this dog on the block before.  I myself had been walking on that block twice a day for several months and had never seen this dog either.  The dog was friendly but obviously terrified.  So I took her with me.  My intention was to take her on my last walk and then try and find her owner somehow (she didn’t have tags on her collar).  As luck would have it, I saw a flyer as I was walking down 5th avenue.  It was a missing dog flyer and I happened to be carrying the dog that they were looking for!  I called the number immediately and the owner came to pick up the dog right away.  It turns out that the owner lived a few blocks away and the dog had become frightened of a noise and managed to wiggled out of her harness and run off.  The owner was extremely thankful.  And I felt great that I helped this dog find her home again.

Heidi:   Oh, I could go on and on here.  I feel very strongly about every animal rights issue.  I have no tolerance for animal abuse in any form.  But if i had to choose what issue I feel most strongly about, it would have to be domestic animal abuse.

Heidi:  I am a firm believer in positive reinforcement training only.  I believe that positive reinforcement is the only method one can use to ensure that a pup has zero chance of developing any negative associations.  With other methods, a dog runs a risk of developing fearful or aggressive behaviors.  Training should always remain fun for a dog and the owner.  I am constantly amazed at how smart dogs are and with just a bit of guidance, dogs can learn very quickly.  I see no need to punish a dog for being a dog.  The trick is to teach the dog how to live in a human world through positive associations and reinforcement, not to physically or mentally frighten the dog into submission.  My golden rule is to always reinforce and reward dogs for behavior that you want by giving them treats, toys, verbal praise, or pets.  And at the same time, work with the dog to extinguish behaviors that you do not want (barking, pulling, jumping).  If any of our doggie owner friends out there have any questions, feel free to shoot me an email at heidi.ryti@gmail.com.