Animal advocates will tell you firmly that you should never buy a dog from a breeder or a pet store. Why? There are between 6 and 8 million new dogs and cats admitted to shelters each year, and sadly, 3 to 4 million of them are euthanized [source: Humane Society].
On the bright side, the other 3 to 4 million are adopted by families looking for a loyal and loving new member. Rescued pets can be great additions to your family and you can teach your children a valuable lesson in helping to take care of those that need it. You might literally be saving a dog from certain death when you adopt from a shelter. And if you're into specific breeds, take heart in knowing that 25 percent of dogs available in shelters are pure bred.

Buying a puppy, or even an older dog from a breeder does not make you evil and against rescue. It makes you an individual, and even though rescuing a dog is seen as the true dog lover's way of acquisition, the fact remains that buying from a responsible breeder is a personal choice and not a reflection on a dog owner's morals. Responsible dog breeders do not cause pet overpopulation. Irresponsible dog owners do, whether they breed their dogs deliberately, or don't bother to spay/neuter their dogs in the first place.

Do you have children, want children in the next 10-15 years, or have children who frequent your home? If so, then you’ll need a kid-friendly pooch. Your kids will also have to be dog-friendly.  Prepare for the extra steps it takes to teach them to train the dog & to respect the dog's space.  Other pets already a part of your family? Introducing a new pet will involve some additional steps, too. Watch your prospective puppy/dog at the shelter to see how they gets along with the other dogs. If they are combative there, they are not going to turn into a pacifist when they gets to their new home.  If you live in a 1000 sq foot apartment & have your eye on that little puppy who is likely to grow into a 120# adult, maybe you should rethink your dream breed (or wait until you have sufficient space). Remember, though, that some smaller, more active dogs can take up a lot of space (and energy) in their own way.

Once you decide the best size dog for your family, think about the type of coat you prefer. This may sound like a cosmetic decision but it is really about grooming and maintance. Long-haired dogs need to be brushed regularly to prevent tangles and mats. Some breeds like Bichons and Poodle mixes require professional grooming. Are you willing to do this? Or would a dog with short hair and less maintenance be better for you? Keep in mind grooming doesn’t just involve hair brushing, many dogs require regular ear and skin cleaning. For example, certain breeds like Basset Hounds and Cocker Spaniels are prone to ear infections and benefit from regular ear cleanings. Breeds with prominent skin folds, like Bulldogs and Shar Peis also require regular facial fold cleaning to prevent skin infections.  If you can’t imagine having to clean your dog’s ears or facial folds, one of these breeds may not be the best dog for you.  Are you someone who craves affection or who longs for more personal space? Companion and working breeds crave social interaction and rarely make a decision without weighing our opinion. If you don’t train these dogs, they will pester you at every turn, and may destroy your furnishings if you’re delayed. Other breeds, like terriers and hound breeds, are more independent and self-directed.

Take your time when choosing a dog and avoid impulsive decisions. Make sure you do your homework so you know what type of dog will be a good fit when you go to the shelter, or contact breeders or breed rescue groups. ​

Rabies remains a major concern worldwide, killing tens of thousands of people every year.  The most affected countries are in Africa and Asia, and almost half of the victims are children under the age of 15. In the United States, one to two people die annually, and there were more than 4,900 reported cases of animal rabies in the U.S. in 2016.

In the United States, rabies deaths are very rare thanks to successful animal control and vaccination programs.The good news is that rabies can be prevented through vaccination of both animals and people.

1. Vaccinate your pets & keep their shots up-to-date
Rabies vaccine can be administered as early as 8 weeks old, but is usually done at 16 weeks along with final boosters & spay/neuter surgery. 

In dogs, this first Rabies vaccine is considered good for 1 year, but subsequent re vaccinations of the Rabies vaccine are good for 3 years in dogs. 

In cats, unfortunately, the Rabies vaccine is always only good for one year. 
2. Protect Your Home
There are several things you can do to protect your home & limit the possibility of contact with wildlife/possibely infected animals.  Keep all trash & food outside limited to decrease attracting wildlife or stray animals to your yard.  If at all possible, only allow your pets outside when supervised.  Keep ALL pets, including indoor cats up to date on Rabies vaccine in case a bat enters your home.  If a bat does enter your home, I have included a link to directions on how to handle that situation. Click the button below.

What does Rabies look like?  How do I know if wildlife or a pet has it?  Look for the following signs & ALWAYS report any suspicious animals/wildlife to animal control or your local health department for further investigation.

• General sickness
• Problems swallowing
• Lots of drool or saliva
• An animal that appears more tame than you would expect
• An animal that bites at everything

Don't forget, Rabies is preventable!!! To recap, I have included the AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) video on Rabies Day.

One of the biggest complaints I get at the clinic is owners who aren't sure how to cut their pet's nails or they are afraid of cutting the nail too short to make it bleed, OR their pet acts out & won't let them cut their nails.  My goal for this article is to address all of these concerns in photo & video form.  

Another common concern I see at the clinic is owners not knowing the correct way to clean their pet's ears.  I am here to provide a step by step instruction along with some tips & tricks that I have learned over the past 5 years of being a furry mama to a Spring Spaniel mix & the last 3 years being an LVT.

Step 1: Have your pet lie on one side.  You can also have someone else helping you keep them laying down.  Standing is ok too, but they tend to wander if they are standing.  Reinforce with positive words & treats that this is good behavior.  Overtime, your pet will accept ear cleaning with little to no argument if you make it a positive experience.

Step 2: Squeeze a good amount of ear cleaning solution in the ear facing up & gently massage at the base of the ear.  You will hear a "squish" sound as the liquid moves around the ear.

Step 3: Your pet may need/want to shake their head to get rid some of the cleaning solution -> totally ok, just have them lay back down afterwards.  Wipe the ear out with a soft tissue or makeup pad.

Step 4: Gently clean all ear crevices with a Q-tip.  Best rule of thumb with Q-tips is to ONLY use Q-tips in the ear where you can see the tip of the Q-tip -> this way, you will never go too deep into the ear.

Step 5: Repeat Steps 1-4 on the other ear.

Step 2: Start each nail by taking the tip off.  If there is a large hook (picture seen below) you should be able to take the entire thing off without coming close to the quik, but whenever in doubt take smaller cuts.

Step 3: Continue cutting each nail back until you see the quik. I have inserted a photo below of both dark nails & clear nails so you can see what the quik looks like.  The trick here is taking SMALL CUTS.  

Try your best not to cut the quik since that will make their nails bleed & is painful for your pet, but if you do accidentally cut your pet's nail, you can use flour, corn starch, or pet grade clotting powder to stop the bleeding. Apply gentle but firm pressure to the nail to stop the bleeding.

Step 4: I have found that most dog tolerate their back nails being cut better then fron nails.  Test out cutting the front nails first then next time try cutting the back nails first.  See which way your pet tolerates it better.

Step 5: Practice practice practice.  A good rule of thumb is to cut your pet's nails every 2-3 weeks.  You will find by keeping with a good schedule of nail trimming, your pet will keep shorter nails which are more manageable & better for their long term health.  When you first start cutting nails, you may only be able to get your pet to sit still for one paw...or maybe two. That is ok...make it a positive experience & work on getting the remaining paws done the same day.  Practice makes perfect and eventually your pet will tolerate nail trims well.

Cat Nails: Cat nails are formed differently than dog nails. They still have a quik but you won't trim them with the same method.  For cats, usually all that is required is to take the hook off each nail (see below in the picture) & that will keep them short enough to not catch on the carpet or furniture.

Pro Tip: Do cats with another person unless your cat is well behaved. Sit them in your lap like a toddler.  This allow you to cut their nails quickly with hopefully minimal resistance.  Be purposeful in your actions when cutting cat nails...they can sense if you are nervous. Be confident & get those nails done!!

If you are flying, most airlines have requirements & guidelines available on their website. As before, I have taken all those websites & left quick links below.

If you are driving, make sure you have researched any paperwork requirements for the state or country you are traveling to. Some states require just a Rabies Certificate while others require a full Health Certificate.  Having all your necessary documents in a folder or other organization binder will keep any trip/travel stress free & easily accessible.

This list can vary depending on your pet's needs & mode of transportation, but it's a good starting list.  
1. Pet food
2. Small collapsible bowl
3. Medications & pet first aid items
4. Any required travel documents
5. Pet's favorite toy/blanket
6. Treats 
7. Your vet's contact information

Maybe not always a necessity, but taking a quick trip to your vet's office prior to a trip allows you to get any paperwork needed like Health Certificates, Rabies Certificate, & also update any lapsing vaccinations, & purchase more Heartworm, Flea & Tick prevention for your pet to keep them safe on your travels.

There is an app/website that now allows you to hire a dog sitter to either house sit/pet sit for you while you are on vacation & also allows you to become a pet sitter if you so desire. I have linked their website below in addition to copying their website description below.  You can find pet sitters for both dogs & cats so make sure to check them out if you are looking for a boarding alternative.

I hope that this article has given you a little more information for your next adventure with or without your pet(s).