Charlotte's Corner

15/12/2024

Charlotte and Layla here, to remind all of their friends to make safe choices this holiday season!

Thanksgiving is over and it may be tempting to share your leftovers with your pets, but high fat foods can be extra difficult to digest - just ask Layla!

Did you know a dog's pancreas has two main functions?

1)Endocrine: to produce the hormones insulin and glucagon, which regulate blood sugar levels, often related to Diabetes.

2) Exocrine: to produce digestive enzymes into the digestive system to digest fats, carbohydrates and proteins, which is related to Laylas disorder - Exocrine Pancreatic Disorder.

Now when it comes to Pancreatitis, this is caused by foods high in fats that cause the pancreas to essentially excrete too much of the Lipase enzyme that breaks down healthy fats. Too much of this basically causes the enzymes to start to break down the pancreas itself and causes inflammation.

Sounds painful, doesn't it?! So it's incredibly important to watch those foods, as tempting as it is to share!

Want to read more? Great information found here:

https://sfraw.blog/2017/11/23/avoiding-pancreatitis-in-dogs-on-thanksgiving-day-from-ketopet/amp/

14/11/2024

I don't think I could love a topic more than this! 🙌🏼

Despite popular opinion, it IS OK to crate and rotate dogs if you have some that are struggling to be friends. You don't have to re-home a dog, you can put in a little more effort and make it work! Your dog would so much rather stay with you than be shuffled to a new home or shelter. ✌🏼

For years, I've used the crate & rotate method for personals and fosters. Kenneling a dog isn't a bad thing, it's not torture and it's not going to hurt them. This technique can also be utilized when you have dogs with food based resource guarding.

P.S. you can also crate rotate with your cats! Gasp! 🫢 This is why rescuers are so irritated sometimes with owner surrenders and the general public. If we can pack our houses full and make it work, so can you! ✌🏼
https://badrap.org/keep-em-home/crate-rotate/?fbclid=IwY2xjawGjJmxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHcO4xkGsdLwynvPJEaU6BXokrPLUdoYOi7_Dbyqzfe4pIqX3LL0oEztqXw_aem_gOM91SBFZ-FomH73nRx2og

Hello Helper Angels. Some of you are quoted in this popular info-page on Crate/Rotate (thank you!) Would love to add a few more voices to round this advice out. It's an all-breed-types kinda thing and we tend to share this page a LOT ... for all the reasons.

Care to add your 2cents? Link to page in comments. Thanks again!

05/11/2024

Custom Photo Calendars For Sale | Create Photo Calendars Store

28/10/2024

There are 3 days left until Halloween! 🎃👻

Here are a few simple tips to help keep your dog safe. Have you made Halloween plans yet?

🎃 Halloween Safety Tips for Your Pup! 🦇

Halloween can be fun, but it’s important to keep our dogs safe during the festivities! Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

👻 Keep Candy Out of Reach – Chocolate, xylitol, and candy wrappers can be toxic to dogs.

🎃 Watch Those Decorations – Keep candles, glow sticks, and small decorations away from curious noses and paws.

🧙‍♀️ Costume Comfort is Key – If your dog isn’t used to costumes, make sure they feel comfortable and can move freely. No pressure to dress them up if it stresses them out!

🍬 Limit Door Time – With the doorbell ringing all night, create a quiet space for your dog to relax and avoid potential escape risks.

Stay safe and enjoy a spooky and dog-friendly Halloween! 👇 Share your pet’s cute costume or cozy setup with us in the comments!

26/10/2024

Miss Charlotte wishes all of her friends a Happy Pitbull Awareness Day! 🥳

National Pitbull Awareness Day/Month began in 2007 all thanks to Bless the Bully's, a Put Bull focused rescue in Tennessee. Though, my love for the bully breeds spans decades and dare I say - even as an infant! (We had a family friend who brought their Staffordshire Bull Terrier over regularly to play!)

Charlotte fits among the looks of a stocky build, with a blocky head.....a stereotype that is thrown around far too often. Which really, creates a wide umbrella for bully breeds that are categorized as a 'Pit Bull' type.

If I have learned anything over years and years of rescuing, training and evaluating dogs; it's that each dog truly needs to be treated and seen as an individual.

No two dogs are alike, neither is their genetic makeup or development from the environment they may have lived in. Really, many do not realize that there is more to a dogs behavior than meets the eye - especially breed.

This breed is terribly over- bred, abused and neglected by pretty crummy people. Yet, so many of them remain devoted to their humans and are loyal to a fault. Filling shelters and rescues, thanks to irresponsible people.
Often these dogs experience their own version of PTSD or come out resilient. ❤️‍🩹

In a personal post, I compared two dogs I had in years past. A super social- empathetic and all around rock star male Pitty, who was certified as a Therapy Dog in his life time. Mikey also was used regularly while working in rescue. Then I had sweet- sassy Pantera - with her less than desirable aberrant behaviors. Extreme resource guarding and dog aggression, that we worked on continuously throughout her 7 years with me. Both great dogs - both had different needs in terms of training. All of this comes down to taking ownership of responsibility.

That's just it, responsibility and open mindedness. Two skills that are a valuable part of critical thinking, with humans who are often filled with racial prejudice towards this underrated breed. We throw around that term often enough with humans....

The stigma ends with us as a society, by encouraging responsible ownership. Spaying/neutering our dogs - Lord knows there isn't a shortage of dogs in rescues/shelters. We're in crisis mode, if I'm being honest.

Take the time to train your dog, not just basic commands; but manners to help keep them safe and out of trouble. Provide exercise and enrichment for a healthy body and mind. Even if it's 20 minutes a day, it's better than nothing......and it's better for your overall health than doom scrolling on your phone. 😘

If you are looking for a new companion, these Luv a Bullies deserve a chance. 🐾💕 They won't disappoint with their goofy antics and loving personalities. If you can't adopt, please consider fostering. Our rescues/shelters are drowning and need our help. Even if it's just walking shelter dogs, taking them on field trips out of boarding/the shelter and taking pictures to share. Change starts with us. 💖

26/10/2024

Check this out! 🧐

Did you know there is a dog enrichment subscription box?!

Saw this post from a member of a Facebook group and looks interesting!

Scoped out their site and they do a great job breaking down the benefits of canine enrichment.

It appears that they have two sign up options, for bi-monthly subscribers; pay as you go for $73 a month or 3 boxes for $65 each.

If you're like me and a bargain hunter, this may seem a bit high priced. But it does look as though they give you some pretty durable and high quality items.

If anyone is interested in learning more, visit their website here:
https://www.caninebraingames.dog/getstarted

12/10/2024

Need ideas for a busy pup? Here are a few non-food ideas for enrichment, without needing to spend a ton.

Winter is just around the corner and I know outdoor exercise is going to difficult. Check out Chelsea Barstow on TikTok for more ideas.

Do you have a favorite enrichment game you play with your dogs? Comment below and share your ideas! 🐾💕

02/10/2024

Super special guy ready for foster or Forever home! 😍😍

30/09/2024

27/09/2024

Many of you that follow me personally, know that one of my foster dogs through The Good Life Rescue was rescued from being euthanized in a small BSL town.

It had been a struggle trying to figure out why she wouldn't gain weight and ended up loosing more - other than the fact she had a rough life and her digestive system was trashed. After wracking my brain, endless research and working with Animal Medical Clinic-Grand Island, NE , we finally pin pointed Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency as a diagnosis and she began to thrive from there!!!

Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) essentially means that her Pancreas does not work properly and is unable to produce the enzymes needed to breakdown and absorb what she eats. It's a lifelong disorder and there is no cure - but she has made drastic improvements since March!!! 🥳🥳

One of the organizations I credit to helping me navigate her care and needs is Epi4Dogs Foundation, Inc. . Where they have files upon files and case studies regarding Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency.
Their site essentially became my Bible!

The Epi 4 Dogs Foundation is a non-profit whose sole purpose is to help better the lives of chronically ill dogs like Layla and they are currently selling calendars as a fundraiser!

Miss Layla is currently featured not only on the cover of one, but also as Miss Feb and July! 💃🏼
If you are in need of a calendar - especially for a great cause, please consider supporting our new friends with their mission!!

Layla and friends calendar:
https://www.createphotocalendars.com/Store/Epi4Dogs+2025+Cal+LL1-120363594

24/09/2024

Our dear friends over at Major League Kennels have some treats available for your pups! Purchase at doggy daycare/boarding drop off or pick up 🐶

09/08/2024

Ruby hung out with us as a temp foster for the past month! Super smart and sweet girl!

She is looking for her forever home through The Good Life Rescue

Share to help Ruby! 🐾💕🐾💕

42 likes, 9 comments. “Ruby's adventure with us has come to an end, after she was with us for the last month. This girl is a Cattle Dog mix just under a year and definitely classifies as a spice girl! Sugar, spice and full of energy! Ruby does come with a grade 5 heart murmur, that's easily manage...