MoShiorgrha Irish Wolfhounds

06/28/2023

Just as the storm rolls through and the room gets dark it has made me think about storm preparation for pets.

HURRICANE SEASON IS UPON US.

As dedicated pet owners, we know the importance of keeping our furry loved ones safe and comfortable during storms. With storm season upon us, I want to share some valuable tips to help ensure the well-being of our beloved pets when the thunder rolls and the rain pours.

🏠 Create a safe and comfortable space for your pet.
🌩️ Keep your pet indoors and away from storm dangers.
🎵 Provide calming and soothing elements to ease their anxiety.
🚪 Secure outdoor areas to prevent escapes or accidents.
🧘 Stay calm and offer reassurance to your pet during storms.
🐾 Keep a list of the closest locations of pet-friendly shelters and regional animal emergency centers. Know Your Pet-Friendly Evacuation Center. Not all evacuation centers accept pets. FEMA offers an app that shows locations of nearby pet-friendly shelters. Don’t assume that all shelters will let you bring in your pet. Know before you go!

Things to consider when preparing for a hurricane with pets include:

A list of miscellaneous supplies you and your pet might need at home or at a shelter in case you need to evacuate.

A “bug-out bag” for your pet, or a bag of survival supplies with food, water, and medications.

Ensure your pet is microchipped, and double check your contact information to make sure it’s up to date with the microchip company. This will ensure that you are reunited with your animal(s) in case of separation during a hurricane.

Make Sure Your Pet Is Current on Vaccinations
During a hurricane, your pet might be exposed to contaminated flood waters and diseases such as leptospirosis or respiratory diseases such as Bordetella. Make sure your pets are up to date on annual vaccinations—especially during hurricane season.

Ask your veterinarian if there are any additional vaccines that may be appropriate for your pet, especially if you live in an area where natural disasters are more common.

Make Sure You Have Enough Pet Medications
Veterinary clinics may be closed after a storm, and delivery may be interrupted. Make sure your bug-out bag includes a 1- to 2-month supply of your pet’s medications, especially if you must spend an extended period of time away from home. Don’t forget your pet’s routine preventative medications for heartworm prevention and fleas and ticks.

Prepare for Possible Injuries
Unfortunately, injuries often occur during natural disasters, both to people and pets. Make sure you have a well-stocked first-aid kit and identify local veterinary emergency offices, in case your pet is injured and needs medical attention.

Keep in mind that clinics will likely be overwhelmed with caring for other animals injured in the storm, so be prepared to wait.

Fill Out a Pet Emergency Sticker for Your Front Door.

After a natural disaster, it’s common for rescuers to go door-to-door looking for people and pets in need of help. If you make it clear to rescuers that pets live inside your home—especially if for any reason you evacuated without them—this may ensure they receive help more quickly.

Please keep this important fact in mind: If it’s not safe for you to stay in your home, it’s not safe for your pets either. So, make every possible effort not to leave them behind.

11/12/2022

The Author: George A. Padgett, DVM, professor of pathology at Michigan State University, is one of the world''s most celebrated researchers, writers and lecturers on the entire subject of canine genetic diseases. He has published numerous papers and has appeared before close to 100 breed clubs, speaking on this specialty.

This is from the website Canismajor.com: "It is not true that mixed breed dogs are free of genetic diseases due to “hybrid vigor,” a benefit of first-generation crosses between breeds that is lost in subsequent generations. Dr. George Padgett, a leading canine geneticist, wrote in Dog World in January 1997 that mixed breed dogs can have the same genetic diseases as the breeds crossed to produce them. Padgett said that his files include information on 102 genetic defects identified in mongrel dogs, more than double the number identified in the Cocker Spaniel, one of the country’s most popular breeds."

There are a lot of great mixed breed dogs out there. But no-one should justify mix-breed litters on the grounds that they are genetically healthier or hybrid vigor. When it comes to dogs, those arguments have been disproven by research in the field by credible individuals using the scientific method.

10/17/2022

EXTREMELY IMPORTANT INFORMATION

A friend of mine has had the scary experience of treating her furry babies for toad poisoning of the bufo marinus or cane toad. Because of this I have decided I need to share this protocol so that you may be able to save your furry loved one's life.

Note: my friend uses peroxide to wipe mouth

FIRST AND MOST IMPORTANT:
KEEP YOUR SURROUNDING AREA CLEAR AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE OF ANY HAZARDS.
SECONDLY: NEVER LEAVE YOUR PET UNATTENDED FOR VERY LONG.
THIRDLY: BE IN TUNE WITH YOUR OET. WATCH THEIR NORMAL BEHAVIOR TO KNOW WHAT CAN BE DIFFERENT. DOING SO MAY SAVE YOUR BABIES LIFE.

What are the clinical signs of toad poisoning?
Within minutes of licking or ingesting a toad, drooling and frothing at the mouth occur. The gums may become very red and signs of pain, including pawing at the mouth or vocalizing, may be seen. Vomiting and diarrhea are common. Signs typically progress rapidly to include stumbling, tremors, seizures, abnormal eye movements, difficulty breathing, increased or decreased heart rate and abnormal heart rhythms. Without rapid treatment, death may occur.

How is toad poisoning diagnosed?
Most cases of toad poisoning in dogs are diagnosed when a pet has the expected signs and a known or suspected exposure to poisonous toads. No specific test is available to confirm toad poisoning. Blood work, radiographs (x-rays) of the chest or abdomen and ECG may be helpful to determine the severity of poisoning and necessary supportive care.

How is toad poisoning treated?
One of the most important treatments for toad poisoning is immediate flushing of the mouth with large amounts of running water. This decreases the amount of poison absorbed and the severity of signs. A garden hose or sink sprayer can be used. If the hose has been out in the sun, assure water is cool prior to rinsing. Aim the hose or sprayer forward, pointing out of the dog's mouth. Try to point the dog's head downward to decrease the chances of water being swallowed or inhaled. Make sure to rinse the mouth, face, and eyes thoroughly.

Further treatment will vary depending upon the signs that develop. Intravenous fluids, anti-nausea medications, medications to control the heart rate, muscle relaxants, medications to control seizures and medications to treat abnormal heart rhythms may be necessary. A medication, Digibind, that specifically reverses the effects on the heart may be considered in severe cases. Administration of intravenous lipid (fat) solution can also be considered to treat the effects of toad poisoning. Surgery or endoscopy may be necessary to remove ingested toads.

What is the prognosis for toad poisoning?
The outcome depends upon the species of toad, geographic location of exposure and how rapidly care is provided. Quick decontamination and treatment are necessary for a good outcome. Severe poisoning is more likely in Florida, where death is common if immediate care is not provided. No long-term effects are expected if the dog survives the initial poisoning.

10/16/2022

Training your wolfhound:
Wolfhounds are super smart! I mean really smart… BUT they are free thinkers. They won’t do what they think is unworthy or unnecessary. They ‘work’ for love. My guys will do most anything for kisses and a good hug.
If a wolfhound is food driven you’re lucky.
They want to please but are not fans of repetition. They bore easily and once they shut down NOTHING will get them to do what you ask....as for food they will literally be nice and take it when offered and spit it right back at you.
Just like any dog, every Irish wolfhound is different.
Best advice I can give as both a dog trainer and Irish wolfhound human, is work out what motivates your individual dog.
They aren’t overly keen on repetition, so ask for a behaviour once or twice, then change. Make it fun and different. Don’t expect to do long sessions with multiple repeats. No more than 10 minutes for a pup and no more than 30 minutes for a maturing adult. Keep it fun with an upbeat and different. Look for things that make them smile and you will see a smile on your hound if you pay attention.
I advise 100% positive reinforcement and give them time to process what you are asking.
Ensure that everything you are asking is appropriate for their age and size. We tend to forget how big they are or that because of their size they are still young puppies.
And most if all.....remember they are smart enough to figure YOU out and soon you will find that they have trained you instead of you training them.... 😂

10/16/2022

Should have made this a video....the fan is actually running and the babies are cool with it.....I firmly believe putting things into their environment helps them to get desensitized in their own time.

10/16/2022

Mine, mine ...all mine

10/16/2022

Puppies getting used to their new area and feeder. Hope is such a silly messy girl she still wants to climb into her bowl

10/13/2022

Velvet waiting on her daddy to come home and I get a big ol' hug in the third video ♥️♥️♥️

10/12/2022

Food for thought....PUPPY VISION....
Even though those little eyes are peeping through did you know that...

For the first two weeks of their lives, puppies can't see their worlds. Their eyes open when they are 14-to-21 days old, but their sight is still limited. When you see them in my video going topsy turvy and hitting walls....remember these little guys are only 4 weeks old. A puppy's vision and ability to see continues until 8 weeks of age and by 16 weeks, a puppy's eyesight is fully developed for distance.

09/25/2022

This has helped with every litter I have raised...as well as my foals. The room has been freshened up as well as toenails are dremelled AGAIN! LOL....I swear their nails grow like the weeds in my yard...DAILY!!!
Note: in my guest rooms I have carpet so I place down under the traffic areas and birthing bed a tarp, then linoleum. Under the bed as well I place 2 carpets which will come up today and be replaced with an indoor outdoor carpet because the babies and momma no longer require us in the birthing bed.

09/23/2022

Bath, nails and pamper time part 2

09/23/2022

Bath, nails and pamper time

09/23/2022

09/23/2022

My how fast they grow

09/23/2022

Beautiful at 3 days old

09/23/2022

I have tried numerous times to share my personal posts to this page and I just can't get it to work. Because I have a personal page, its so much easier to just post there when I open my fb. I am going to post all the videos I can. I am really busy and tired and I may not be able to describe each video but I will do my best.

09/22/2022

09/16/2022

1st pedicure

09/15/2022

For your viewing pleasure while we have time

09/13/2022

Note: you may not want to see this pic.
Today Velvet's temp is 100.1 and it looks like she is losing her plug. We are getting closer.

09/09/2022

So we definately have seven beautifully formed babies....maybe 1 or two hiding.....time will tell.

09/07/2022

Learn from Lana Bowes how to use a baby doppler to learn how many puppies your pregnant dog may have. When you are breeding and whelping dogs, this tip can h...

09/05/2022

Velvet had three special visitors and they came bearing gifts....she definitely was excited to get them

09/04/2022

For sure! I hate seeing my little ones go but ai love knowing they will weave strings around their new owner's hearts

09/04/2022

I have been active with dogs in the show world since I was 15 years old. At that time I was showing Chihuahuas and a dalmatian in both confirmation and obedience.

In 1998 I had a friend in the horse world that bought an Irish Wolfhound from an individual in the Tampa area. She thought the bitch was good enough to be shown. I thought otherwise. So we went on an adventure and we co-owned a dog that we purchased from Arizona.

He was massive reminded me of a polar bear at times. Although he was not black, we named him gentle Ben

Little did I know the impact that this hound would have on my heart and in my soul...deep deep deep in my soul. I had shown him for about 6 months and had an onset of breast cancer to hit me. At that time I decided to take a hiatus in order to get my health back. During this time I would wake in the evening to go to the restroom and have a chat with the porcelain goddess and my Irish wolfhound Benjamin would follow me and diligently watch over me once I would stand up he would back up, let me pass, let me crawl in bed and then he would lay down beside me and sigh until my hand would reach down to touch his side as he lie still beside my side of the bed. This particular hound and I had a great bond from day one however before the radiation and chemo he would always lay right by my side touching me ever so gently, He would always lay his head on my lap for long caresses and kisses on his big black nose. He would lay his head on my shoulder when I would drive or if I was sitting there he would lay his head on my shoulder to get a big hug and kiss, But during the time that I was going through chemo and radiation he would only lay next to me not even ouching me or he would smell me to check on me early in the mornings and nudge me to make sure I was alive and then lay down but he would never hug me again...Until one day....when we were sitting in the backyard on top of the green grassy hill overlooking the horses in the pasture while he was lying next to me, I looked down at him and I had tears in my eyes as I said Ben what has happened to you You used to snuggle me and hug me and kiss me and now you just lie next to me barely touching me, Don't you love me anymore? A normal person would not understand this but a wolfhound owner would totally get it. Benjamin stood up leaned into me put his head on my shoulder tightly in the crick of my neck, I reached up grabbed him ever so close, hugged him and cried the hardest I had cried since finding out I had cancer. When I lost Benjamin at 10 and 1/2 years old My husband and I both said said we would not get another hound in my life because it was too hard and heartbreaking. Like others out there one of my mentors told me you need to get another hound and I kept telling her No that I couldn't do that I did not want to break my heart again. My husband and I would go on long rides and we would say that something seemed to be missing because Benjamin was not there with us This went on for about 2 years. Then I ran into a breeder and friend in the area who once again said I needed to have a wolfhound in my life and that she had the perfect one for me. Would I be interested. I told her I would come over to see her but I couldn't guarantee anything. I went to see this hound and this girl was like Benjamin reincarnated and she came over and gave me butterfly kisses and put her head on my neck and I hugged her and knew she was to come home with me. After that sweet butterfly kiss she bestowed on me I knew she was going to be my next heart hound. From that moment on I decided we would not be without another hound in my life. When I came home with her and my husband opened up the door to let her out his first comment was oh my God this is Benjamin all over again.

At one point in time I stepped out of the box with what was supposed to be a reputable breeder. Huge lesson learned one that I never want to inflict on anyone. I learnt from that person that although all I personally wanted was acceptance and understanding that I was doing the right thing for this hound they only wanted to make themselves look good and would blacklist me per say. Not once did anyone ever ask me for my side of the story. If they had they would know that this hound broke my heart dearly and no one deserves to be treated that way. EVER!!!!

So our journey in the Wolfhound world began and has not stopped.

I did not breed until I got two of the finest hounds. I have bred three times in 28 years.

I will be honest and tell you that one breeding I am not very happy with was a recommendation by my breeder. We all make mistakes but whether or not we choose to learn by those mistakes is crucial although the hounds are healthy they are not what I want in my lines. I wasn't happy with the bites and tailsets of that litter. I strive for beauty, standard, health and longevity and the curves without losing the commanding appearance our hounds are known for. My most important goal is health and longevity because as I am sure other wolfhound owners feel as I do, I don't like losing a family member and my hounds are family. I personally do not think we have our hounds in our lives long enough and I don't want other people to go through the heartache as well.

My biggest concern is that we don't have enough people in our breed to mentor the newbies with gentle hands in the way that they should be mentored. When you criticize and ridicule you will push people away. Some will actually rebel against you. We need to help guide and teach wolfhound owners. We should ALL be working together for the good of the breed.

GRCHB Avoglia's Smooth As Velvet MoShiorgrha CGC, CGCA, CGCU, ATT, TKN, FDC, BCAT as well as a Royal International Champion and being number 1 bitch in 2020 and 2021 as well as still number 1 bitch in Florida.

Howie Huber III sorry it took so long to get the IWCA Specialty pic up. Velvet made the cut out of 46+ specials. You know how proud I am of our girl and all of her accomplishments. Thankyou for being on that road with us and here's to hopefully another beautiful upcoming prodigy.

The Gay Paree litter which consists of Velvet & her siblings in my opinion is my greatest attribute to the breeding of our Wolfhounds that I have done so far and to be given the chance to breed with Blackwing's Starkeeper Tegann is a great chance and blessing. Sue McClure myself and Jocelyne Gagne are all excited to see the results of putting Velvet and Tegann's attributes together. Much thought and study went into finding a nicely bred male that could compliment her strengths and where she could be stronger, and Jocelyn, who was kind enough to critique her, allowed us to use what she had frozen of Tegann. He wasn't shown as much as some of her other males, mostly just in Canada, but when he did, he showed his promise.

So here is to carrying on and making a good impact on our beloved gentle Giants.