Lebanon Dog Park

04/27/2024

What a cute idea to have photos at the gazebo! We wish them a wonderful evening!

04/08/2024

Stay safe out there! ☀️ 🌖 🕶️🙏

10/29/2023

Please share this and help us find their owners. 😞🐾😢

A concerned citizen picked up 2 deceased dogs north of 47 on 421. One is a chocolate lab with a R***r collar and the other is a German short-haired pointer. Both neutered.please call 765-249-7387

08/29/2023

This hits home…. 🐾💕🌈 let’s remember to celebrate each and every day with those we love, both 2 legged and 4 legged also. 💕🐾🌈

Today is . Though it’s never easy, they’re always in our hearts. In honor of all the best boys and girls that we’ve lost ❤️

08/22/2023

With our current heatwave, it is vital to be aware that our pets should NOT be in our cars unless it is with us and they are moving. A stationary car, even with the windows rolled down, can quickly become a perilous environment to a pet! A ‘quick trip’ or ‘a few minutes’ could be tragic. Please make sure to leave pets at home whenever possible, and keep outdoor time to a minimum, and limit strenuous activities. Plenty of fresh water and shade are critical to helping our pets maintain a proper body temperature, and they rely on us to plan ahead to be responsible and protect them! 🐾👍🏻

06/01/2023

Please keep an eye out for this new to the area pup! She is missing! Phone # of owner in the post! 🐾💕

05/06/2023

The spring weather is finally here to stay! 👀🌱☀️🤷🏻‍♀️ so don’t forget your 4-legged friend wants to visit the dog park!

02/28/2023

Anyone relate? 👀🐾🤷🏻‍♀️😂

📸credits to Off The Leash (Rupert Fawcett)

02/16/2023

02/14/2023

Happy Valentine’s Day! 🐾💕🐾

01/15/2023

Important read… especially when pets and children are inside more together over winter. ❄️ 🐾💕

“They aren’t dangerous if you raise them right.”

Not exactly true. Modoc is 7 years old and has been raised around kids and to not be food or toy aggressive. Harrison is being raised to be respectful to animals.

BUT Modoc is a dog and Harrison is a baby.

Babies need to be at all times around dogs, and not just watched. People need to understand a dog’s stress signals.

Modoc is a great dog but Harrison also isn’t allowed to on or the dogs, he’s not allowed to play with their or , he is not allowed near their ever and not allowed around them when they are .

My dogs are not expected to tolerate being annoyed. I can tell you from experience that EVERY DOG HAS A BREAKING POINT, and every dog WILL bite.

It is up to to to be safe and and to educate themselves on dog behaviour and body language and prevent what is usually 100% preventable." - Olivia Paige

07/30/2022

07/04/2022

Happy Independence Day! Let’s remember what this day means, and appreciate our freedoms and what It cost to secure, and what it might take to keep them in the future! 🇺🇸🎉

Let’s also remember to keep our pets indoors and safe tonight! A quick trip this morning or afternoon to the dog park, or brisk walk around your neighborhood or game of fetch in the backyard before your festivities might help your pup be able to relax and pass the time this evening better! 🐾💕🎉💥

YouTube has wonderful dog friendly programming that will go on for hours, or even a radio tuned into music or talk, will help keep your pet company if you are going to be leaving them home alone. Be safe everyone and let’s make this a happy celebration, which means thinking ahead for your pets! 💕🐾🙏🏻🇺🇸

06/10/2022

This is the next post in our series about weight related issues in dogs. Today we are talking about what the health consequences of an overweight pet are. Obesity isn’t just an epidemic for human beings. A recent study by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention found that 54 percent of our canine friends are now classified as overweight or obese, a substantial increase over less than a decade.

And just like in people, an overweight or obese dog will suffer more medical problems — often many of the same diseases as humans — as well as experience a reduced quality of life and decreased longevity. Here are five of the most common weight-related health conditions found in dogs.

1. Arthritis

Arthritis is inflammation of the joints. Inflamed joints can occur for many reasons such as underlying disease. Some dog breeds are more prone to developing arthritis, such as the popular Labrador and Golden Retriever.

But the primary causes of arthritis are the degenerative changes that occur as the dog ages and overuse or wear and tear on the joints. Excess weight exacerbates and accelerates both these changes because of the additional strain the extra weight puts on their joints.

In addition to excess weight straining the joints, it will also put extra tension on a dog’s ligaments, particularly the anterior cruciate ligament. This ligament is prone to tearing, which is painful to the dog and must be surgically corrected most of the time.

2. Bladder and Urinary Tract Disease

In humans, the incidence of bladder stones has risen along with increasing obesity rates. According to a recent study from the Morris Animal Foundation and the University of Minnesota, the same appears to be true in canines as well.

Urinary bladder stones, sometimes called uroliths,, are stone-like deposits that can develop in the bladders of many animals, including dogs. These stones are painful and increase the likelihood of urinary tract infections. Bladder stones can also block the flow of urine, which can become life-threatening if the problem is not corrected by a veterinarian.

3. Diabetes

As in humans, excess weight can cause increased insulin production in dogs. This is the body’s response to the increase of glucose, or sugar, in the blood. More insulin is also needed simply because the body is larger than normal.

The body can only produce so much insulin, however. When the body’s needs for insulin exceed the supply, diabetes results. Over time, because the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas are taxed, they eventually burn out. Just like the treatment routines in diabetic people, diet, exercise, and even insulin supplementation are used to treat and manage dogs with diabetes

4. High Blood Pressure and Heart Disease

In the past few decades, dogs have developed another problem common in humans — hypertension and heart disease. Excess weight causes the heart to have to work harder because it must pump more blood to the added tissue. Eventually, the chronically high blood pressure can lead to heart failure.

Overweight or obese dogs also suffer from other weight-related health issues, such as difficulty breathing, difficulty exercising, skin and coat problems, digestive issues, and increased risk of cancers.

5. Deceased Life Expectancy

Weight gain in dogs can also lead to decreased life expectancy. Some studies show that moderate weight gain can decrease a dog’s life span by as much as two years. Extra weight causes extra stress on an animal’s body in all aspects. It causes an animal’s organs and vital systems to have to work harder than they would otherwise, and this can have serious long term consequences.

Next time we will discuss how to gauge if your dog is overweight at home.

05/28/2022

Here’s wishing everyone a Happy & Safe Memorial Day weekend! Let’s remember those who gave their lives for our freedom and while we celebrate, protect the health and life of our pets. 💕

05/27/2022

This is the next installment in our series looking at the benefits of lean pet weight.

Dog owners don’t always recognize that their dog is out of shape. Maybe that’s why over 50% of pets in the US are overweight or obese.

However, an overweight dog can have serious health concerns. Even a few extra pounds can put him at risk for a number of health problems, including:

Pancreatitis
Shortened life expectancy
Skin diseases
Diabetes
Arthritis and reduced mobility

If you feel that your dog is severely overweight or obese be sure to see your vet so that you can work together on a safe solution for your pet.

Our next post will discuss how you can tell if your dog is truly overweight or just ‘big boned’.

05/18/2022

It’s clear how truly beloved our ‘fur babies’ are to us and most owners want to do the best they can for their dog. Keeping our furry friends happy, heathy and by our side as long as possible, is probably one thing that all pet owners can agree we have in common.

Several years ago Purina did a groundbreaking lifetime study tracking thousands upon thousands of dogs across the world. The startling results proved that lean dogs really do live longer, and dogs that are fed specifically to maintain a healthy lean weight lived, on average, 2 whole years longer!

There are many benefits to maintaining a lean, healthy weight on top of longevity! Feeding dogs quality food to specifically maintain a healthy lean weight is also almost guaranteed to reduce vet bills, save money on the reduced food purchases, and cutting out nutritionally damaging, high calorie, and often expensive treats, and reducing 💩cleanup! Less vet visits, More $ in our pocket$, and less 💩! 👀 I have yet to meet a dog owner that those things wouldn’t appeal to!

Sadly, we all see many overweight and even significantly overweight or obese dogs who's owners purport them to be "fluffy” or “solid muscle". We get so conditioned to seeing overweight pets in our culture that we go ‘weight blind’ and an overweight pet seems ‘normal’ and dogs that are at a healthy lean weight looks ’skinny’. So how are we supposed to identify what’s a healthy weight and what’s overweight?

Next time we will visit an easy way to track body condition without rushing out to buy a scale. ⚖️🐾

05/14/2022

One of the most impactful things you can do to keep your pet happy and healthy *longer* is to keep them at a nice, lean weight. Since we are a DOG Park, we will focus on canines, but the ideas will also apply to felines and other pets. Over the next few posts we will look at the research that has been done, why the problem starts and ends with the owner, the benefits of lean canines specifically, and how we can take steps to get there.

These posts are offered not to bring shame, but to increase awareness of the issue, offer concern, and help take proactive steps to help the dogs and pet owners in Boone County. 🐾💕🐾

05/10/2022

The weather is wonderful for a visit to the dog park, so if you haven’t joined yet, now is the perfect time!

The grass is cool & soft underfoot, canine friends are readily available, and the water fountains are back on, which is awesome!! But we do have some mud, in select places like near the benches, so towels might be a good addition to your trunk for a few weeks! 🐾🧻💦🐾

05/08/2022

Happy Mother’s Day! 🐾💕🐾

05/02/2022

We have been notified that this Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday (May 4-6) the drive that goes to the Lebanon Dog Park across from the Hot Pond will be closed for construction from 7am-4pm. The park will still be open during that time, but you will need to park in a different location & walk in. Thanks for your cooperation! 🐾🚧👍🏻

04/10/2022

Hazel is a 2 year old Chocolate Lab getting some sunshine today!

02/15/2022

Happy Valentine’s Day! From your dog 🐾💕

02/09/2022

Winter Rain Can Be Deadly

We all know that freezing rain and sleet lead to more car accidents and slippery roads, but did you ever think about what rain and sleet do to your pet? When temperatures hover around the freezing point, we often feel like the worst of winter has passed, but not so for our pets. There is very real danger is lurking in that winter rain.

Even if your pup is only outside for a few minutes to relieve itself, when their fur gets wet, their naturally warm body temp will cause the water to begin to evaporate. The cold air with even a slight wind will make the soaked fur freeze & hypothermia can set in very quickly, even when the actual air temperature is technically above freezing.

You see, even warm water lowers the body temperature which is why a tepid bath works to bring down a dangerous fever. The cooling action from the evaporation during winter, coupled with gusty winds & the notorious mid-western windchill, can leave your dog literally ‘chilled to the bone’ even after they return inside. When you multiply that by several trips out each day, or worse yet, dogs that remain outside to get soaked & then refreeze, it’s easy to see how this can rapidly become a dangerous situation.

Please monitor weather conditions outside & provide appropriate weather protection in the form of a raincoat or umbrella anytime winter rain is predicted. It’s also critical to remove your pet’s wet coat & boots as soon as they return indoors & to regularly check & replace bedding in a dog house or other enclosure to ensure it remains dry.

If a pet DOES get wet, warm dry towels should be used to remove as much water as possible. Do not just allow them to ‘air dry’ as remember, evaporation will result in lowering body temps & that can be a life threatening situation for young dogs & aging dogs as well. A blow dryer set on low, a few minutes in front of a safely placed space heater, or a nap in front of an active fireplace or in a sunny window will help your pet warm up after they are dried off completely. Microfiber towels remove the most water, and throwing a towel into a dryer for a few moments before drying your pet, will go a long way to increasing their comfort & guarding their health.

Winter Baths Only When Critical

If you are able, suspend routine bathing of your pet in the winter. This is because even bathing in warm water will make them colder when they exit the water. If you must give your dog a bath during the winter, do it in a small room, and keep the doors/windows closed to avoid drafts. Remember - being wet will make a dog cold quickly, so if a bath is required, it needs to be done with as much speed as possible. Once you're done with the bath, make sure your dog is completely dry before allowing him to go back outside. This includes making sure his paws and ears are completely dry as even damp skin will stick to frozen surfaces. Long haired dogs take a lot longer to dry thoroughly, so plan your schedule accordingly and NEVER put an already wet pet outside during winter! Even when it’s raining! ☔️

02/06/2022

Prevent poisoning: Most of us have heard that antifreeze is poisonous to pets, but this time of year, it’s a necessity to use. In order to keep pets and wildlife safe, clean up ANY antifreeze spills quickly, as even small amounts of antifreeze can be deadly if you spill some in the garage or driveway when filling up your car. That goes for Window Washer Fluid as well!

For cats & dogs one or two licks of antifreeze or washer fluid is all it takes for a lethal dose. Cats are four times as sensitive to the poison as dogs. If you suspect antifreeze ingestion, get to your Veterinarian’s office immediately.

Let me tell you why. The majority of antifreeze products on the market contain 95% Ethylene Glycol, a highly toxic chemical to all mammals and moderately toxic to aquatic animals. Ethylene glycol is also found in windshield washer fluid, brake fluid, hydraulic fluids, film processing solutions, paint solvents, and is used to de-ice airplanes and runways.

Animals are attracted to ethylene glycol because of the sweet taste. The poisoning happens in two stages. At first it may appear that “Spot” is drunk from the staggering, vomiting, falling down, excessive drinking and peeing, and acting dizzy. These signs usually manifest within the first three to six hours after ingestion and tend not to last long. Then “Spot” may seem normal and it may appear that you and your four-legged friend are out of the woods. Unfortunately, that is far from the truth. The second stage of poisoning happens when the body starts to break down the ethylene glycol into other chemicals such as aldehyde, glycolic acid, and oxalate. This stage is dangerous because it can cause severe to fatal damage to the kidneys.

Diagnosis for ethylene glycol poisoning can be tricky. There is a test that was designed specifically for determining ethylene glycol poisoning, but it must be used within 12 hours of ingestion for accurate results. Otherwise, the tests needed for diagnosis include a urinalysis to look for crystals in the urine, and a full blood chemistry panel to look at values related to renal (kidney) function.

Treatment for ethylene glycol poisoning has been helped tremendously with the introduction of 4-Methylpyrazole or 4-MP. 4-MP helps to prevent the second stage of poisoning allowing the animal’s body to eliminate the toxins without causing damage to the kidneys. Dosing for cats is much higher than for dogs and must be administered within 3 hours in order to be effective. For both dogs and cats dosing is usually done over a 36 hour period by IV. Treatment will also include IV fluids with continued monitoring of renal blood values. Prognosis for your animal can range from good to poor or even fatal depending on the amount of ethylene glycol consumed and the time elapsed between ingestion and commencement of treatment. Which is a very expensive and dangerous result from ‘a little spill’!

Of course the best treatment is prevention. Be sure to clean up spills or leaks and store the liquid securely out of reach of your pets.

There is an alternative antifreeze on the market that uses propylene glycol. Propylene glycol has a less pleasant taste, is biodegradable and does not cause the kidney damage like ethylene glycol. Large amounts of ingestion may still cause anemia and gastro-intestinal upset, but it does not appear to be as potentially fatal.

02/04/2022

Realize that staying home today for the snow doesn’t mean that tomorrow it’s safe to just jump in your car & start it up again!

Make some noise: An engine compartment whether in a warm or cold vehicle engine can be an appealing sheltered spot for outdoor and feral cats, but it can be deadly. Check underneath your car, bang on the hood, and honk the horn before starting the engine to encourage feline hitchhikers to abandon their roost under the hood. And once you drive somewhere the engine is warm and even more attractive. So let’s protect cats and make some noise every time we head out to the car before we start it. 🐈 🚙 🐈‍⬛ 🚗 💕

02/01/2022

Winter wellness: Has your pet had his/her preventive care exam (wellness exam) yet this year? Cold weather may worsen some medical conditions such as arthritis, diabetes and Cushings Disease. Your pet should be examined by a veterinarian at least once a year, and it's as good a time as any to get him/her checked out to make sure (s)he is as healthy as possible for this cold weather. 🥶❄️☃️

Provide choices: Just like you, pets prefer comfortable sleeping places and may change their location based on their need for more or less warmth. Give them some safe options to allow them to vary their sleeping place to adjust to their needs. Cave type beds provide extra warmth, especially for aging pets, and can be ordered with orthopedic bases to support joints and spine. Sunny windows also provide much needed change from the gray days ahead, so be aware of location for beds, blankets and crates as we move forward. If their crates are in a drafty location, a crate cover or draping in a blanket can keep the chill off. 🐾👍🏻

01/27/2022

Protect family: Odds are your pet will be spending more time inside these next few weeks due to extreme winter weather, so it's good to make sure your house is properly pet-proofed. Use space heaters with caution around pets, because they can burn or they can be knocked over, potentially starting a fire. Check your furnace to make sure it's working efficiently, and install carbon monoxide detectors & check batteries on smoke detectors to keep your entire family safe from harm. If you have a pet bird, make sure its cage is away from drafts. All pets are sensitive to temperature changes, so try to make sure you monitor cold spots inside your home and limit time out of doors.

Staying Safe Outdoors: Avoid ice whenever possible. When walking your dog, take your time when walking on any ice be that street, sidewalk, stairs, or porch, but also stay away from frozen ponds, lakes and other water. You don't know if the ice will support the weight, and if your dog breaks through the ice it could be deadly. If this happens and you instinctively try to save your dog, both of your lives could be in jeopardy. Drowning and hypothermia are both real winter dangers when you and your dog don’t avoid frozen bodies of water.

01/25/2022

🐾Check the paws: Check your dog's paws frequently for signs of cold-weather injury or damage, such as cracked paw pads or bleeding. During a walk, a sudden lameness may be due to an injury or may be due to ice accumulation between his/her toes. You may be able to reduce the chance of iceball accumulation by clipping the hair between your dog's toes. 🐾

🐾Wipe down: During walks, your dog's feet, legs and belly may pick up deicers, antifreeze, or other chemicals that could be toxic. When you get back inside, wipe down (or wash) your pet's feet, legs and belly to remove these chemicals and reduce the risk that your dog will be poisoned after (s)he licks them off of his/her feet or fur. Consider using pet-safe deicers on your property to protect your pets and the others in your neighborhood. 🐾

01/23/2022

Your pet’s size helps determine when it’s safe for them to play outside in the cold. To make your decision about outdoor fun easier, below is a Cold Weather Safety Chart.

Use caution anytime the temperature drops below 45 degrees for smaller pups. It’s potentially unsafe for little-or-medium-sized dogs with thin coats to be outside, but big dogs with heavier coats are probably OK. When the temperature drops to 20 degrees and below, all dogs are at a higher risk of hypothermia and frostbite, especially if their outdoor time is extended.

Provide shelter: we don't recommend keeping any pet outside for long periods of time in our Indiana winter weather, but if you are unable to keep your dog inside during cold weather, provide him/her with a warm, solid shelter against wind. Make sure that they have unlimited access to fresh, non-frozen water (by changing the water frequently or using a pet-safe, heated water bowl). The floor of the shelter should be off of the ground (to minimize heat loss into the ground) and the bedding should be thick, dry and changed regularly to provide a warm, dry environment. The door to the shelter should be positioned away from prevailing winds. Space heaters and heat lamps should be avoided because of the risk of burns or fire. Heated pet mats should also be used with caution because they are still capable of causing burns.

Don’t make the shelter too much larger than your pet, with an entrance just large enough for them to enter and exit easily. Utilize insulation and comfy bedding to help trap their body heat. Adding a door flap can help control hear loss and limit the air exchange. Even with a heavy coated breed with an appropriate shelter, your pets should come indoors when the temperature drops to uncomfortable or dangerous levels and especially with high winds and harsh winter storms. Watch the weather forecast and make appropriate plans ahead of time. They are relying on you! 🐾💕❄️🙏🏻👍🏻