living with canine addison's disease: kermit's story, part three (the diagnosis)

We're an active family, and we like to include our pets in the fun when we can. One of our favorite activities to do is a family is to hike in the local mountains. There are trails within walking distance from our house, and even more just minutes away by car. Our local hiking trails are totally dog-friendly. People are awesome about keeping their pets on leashes, and there is an unspoken poop pick-up policy that I love. You know how your dog will poop within five minutes of the start of a walk or hike, and then you have to carry the shit around for the duration? In our local mountains, dog owners pick up the poop, tie off the bag, then leave it on the side of the trail. Then we just pick it up after the hike on the way out. I always try to pick up a couple of extra, just to be nice. I also like the fact that there are trails for all skills of people and pooches. When we hike without the dogs, we head for the more challenging trails, but with our little pups, we head for the flatlands. Something for everyone!

The day we knew something was wrong with Kermit was a hiking day. We took him and N.A.S.H.A. on a flat hike, about two miles round-trip. It was something they had done many times before. Kermit loved the hike, as always, and did great. It was when we returned home that the trouble started. About ten minutes after we got home, he collapsed. 

He came-to fairly quickly, and we felt terribly guilty. Had we pushed him too hard?

We took him to the vet, and when his blood work came back, the vet had a diagnosis: Addison's Disease. I had never heard of it. The vet explained that it is pretty rare in dogs, and it is something humans can have, as well, though it's not contagious. In fact, JFK had Addison's Disease. 

So what is  Addison's Disease, and what did that mean for Kermit?

Addison's Disease means that your adrenal glands are not functioning properly. It is hard to diagnose because symptoms can point to other things. In Kermit's case, to put it in layman's terms (which I desperately needed), his body was not producing the hormones necessary to deal with physical or emotional stress. So when we took him on that hike, his body wasn't able to deal with the exertion. Symptoms can be sudden or gradual and can stop and start, another factor that makes diagnosis difficult. 

Common symptoms include: lethargy, depression, vomiting & diarrhea, decreased appetite, shaking, and muscle weakness. 

Kermit's collapse was an acute episode known as an "Adisonian crisis." This occurs when the blood pressure drops dangerously low. There is no cure for Addison's Disease, but it can be managed with medication so that additional crises can be prevented and the dog can live a relatively normal life. 

Kermit often had a far-away look.

Kermit was prescribed a daily dose of fludrocortisone, a medication that had to be taken daily for the rest of his life and adjusted based on regular blood test results. Kermit was helped by the medication, and his Addison's seemed under control. We made sure he ate a healthy diet, gave him natural supplements, and made sure he got regular, moderate, exercise. 

And plenty of love. 

We were heartbroken. We knew he would eventually succumb to the disease, but it was our job to keep him as healthy and happy as possible. It was our responsibility to make sure his quality of life was maintained. Over the next few years, this became increasingly difficult. 

Further reading:

living with canine addison's disease: kermit's story, part one (the adoption)

living with canine addison's disease: kermit's story, part two (our lives before the disease)

living with canine addison's disease: kermit's story, part four (the disease and the end)

ThunderLeash: the simpler "no pull" solution has become our "no choke" solution

My dog, N.A.S.H.A., totally looks like the anxious type, but she's cool as a cucumber. Unless a butterfly tries to invade our home, and, then, she goes ballistic. So though I've worked with ThunderShirt and done several product reviews, I've always given the shirts they send me to clients who can really use them. It's awesome to be able to that, and I highly recommend the ThunderShirt as a natural remedy for many types of canine anxiety. So when ThunderShirt asked if I'd like to try out their newest product, the ThunderLeash, I was intrigued. After checking it out online, I knew that N.A.S.H.A. and I would be trying this one, ourselves. The ThunderLeash is described as "the simpler 'no pull'" solution.

Though only eleven or so pounds and eight years old, when it's time to go for a walk, N.A.S.H.A. thinks she's part of the Iditarod. She has other weird habits on a leash, too. Like she won't go potty on one. So after our walks, she rushes in the house and to the backyard so she can relieve herself. I don't think ThunderLeash can help with that issue, but I was hopeful it might finally be a solution for N.A.S.H.A.'s constant pulling on a traditional leash.

We'd tried other "no pull" products with little or no success. Our family loves to hike, and we love to take N.A.S.H.A. with us, but sometimes we leave her behind, just because we don't want to deal with her. She's too light to pull us along, and even the kids can hold the leash when she's pulling. Her problem is different. She chokes. Over and over. And over. And over. It's quite irritating to listen to, and it can't be healthy for her. Ah...the intelligence of dogs, ever in question.

So here she is, choking and walking in all her glory with her regular leash:

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I was pretty excited when our ThunderLeash arrived.

I loved how the instructions were right on the front. So simple!

The ThunderLeash is a full leash, just like it says. It can be used as a regular leash when your dog isn't pulling, and can quickly be converted while it's on your dog, should your dog start pulling. The patent-pending "harness slot" allows you to simply wrap the leash around your dog's torso, just under his "arm pits."

ThunderShirt describes it best:

ThunderLeash is the simpler "no pull" solution. The innovative hardware turns a leash into a "no pull" harness instantly. The safe pressure greatly reduces pulling with no need for a harness. Professional dog trainer recommended. 100% satisfaction guarantee.

ThunderLeash will help make walking your dog a hassle free, positive experience for both you and your dog. Dog harnesses can be great tools for many dogs, but not everyone wants to make the effort to get one onto their dog or to have extra stuff to carry around. ThunderLeash is the perfect combination of simplicity and functionality. For those times you just need a standard leash for a quick walk or for times when your dog is well behaved, simply connect the ThunderLeash to your dog's collar just like any other leash. But for times when pulling might be a problem, simply wrap ThunderLeash around your dog's torso and slide it into the harness slot. Now whenever your dog pulls, a mild pressure is applied to his torso, and the pulling will quickly cease. Which the ThunderLeash, you will finally be able to walk your dog, instead of being walked by your dog.

Since we already experienced what N.A.S.H.A. does on a regular leash, we jumped right ahead to the harness slot.

Physics has never been my strong point, but I could tell that the configuration would not encourage pulling, as a traditional harness often does. It is also equipped with a safety stopper (which is hidden by fur) so the harness won't squeeze too tight.

Before we headed out the door, I hooked the clip to N.A.S.H.A.'s collar, then wrapped the leash around her as the directions showed, then easily slipped the leash into the harness slot. Just as easily, N.A.S.H.A. bucked and twisted and–voilá–we were back to the regular leash configuration. Sigh. It was a new sensation for her, so we tried again, and this time she wasn't so wiggly. So we set off...

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Do you hear anything? Me neither! She still pulled, but not as hard, and the best part is that she stopped choking completely. That's a win for her and a win for our whole family!

The ThunderSeash Web site offers free shipping  and a full refund within forty-five days, if the ThunderLeash doesn't work out for you, so there's really no risk.

As the weather cools in Arizona and we're able to venture out on more hikes, I think N.A.S.H.A. will be able to join us more often! I'm really excited about that.

Disclaimer: ThunderShirt provided me with a ThunderLeash in exchange for my honest opinion. 

too hot for tootsies

As we Phoenicians brave today's high temps–threatening 119°–I am inspired to plead the masses not to walk a dog in the middle of the day. I mean, please. I can't believe how many dogs I saw out for a walk when driving home from my mid-day visits today. Really? Would you want to walk on the scorching asphalt with your bare feet? Try it.

Dogs' paws can burn, and burn bad. They are a bit more tolerant of the immediate sensation when walking on a hot surface because their paws are pretty tough, but damage is done. The dog may limp, lick their paws, or show other signs of distress several hours after the burn occurs.

My rule of thumb is to never walk a dog when the temperature is over 100°. I let my clients know that I'll be happy to do some rigorous indoor play, or a nice game of fetch in the grass if it's not too hot out.

Instead of walking your dog at noon, consider a early-morning or late-evening stroll. Be aware that concrete and asphalt can hold heat well past sundown, so test it with your own bare foot before proceeding. If you can comfortably stand, you're good to go.

You can also try dog booties for protection.

Simple solutions.

So if you don't want the insanely angry gal in the pooch wagon screaming at you to get your mutt off the street during your lunch break, please consider the benefits of the siesta, instead.

keeping the pups hydrated

Temps are on the rise, especially here in Phoenix. Everyone in our family carries a water bottle everywhere, and it's just as important to keep our pooches from becoming dehydrated. I use a foldable bowl by Outward Hound. I love the convenience of the foldable bowl because it weighs next to nothing and folds down so small that I can easily fit it in my pocket or purse, and, of course, my hiking backpack for our family or Tails on Trails hikes. Though lightweight, the bowl can withstand a beating because it's made of heavy-duty canvas. Though the pups prefer it when I hold the water for them, catering to their every whim, our bowl has been in dirt and on rocks and the like countless times and doesn't look at all worse for the wear.

The bowls come in different sizes, but I got a fairly small one so that it would be most portable. It just means that sometimes the lager dogs ask for seconds, which I'm happy to provide.

The bowl was particularly helpful when we went to the Phoenix Pet Expo and our canine companion refused to drink out of the community dog bowls that were placed around the event. Who could blame her? I think the ratio of drool to water was off the charts.

I also love the collapsable, reusable bowls because they help us keep things green. Instead of using store-bought water bottles, we fill our reusable bottles and, in turn, refill the dog bowl. Again and again!

Cheers!

the green side of well minded

Happy Earth Day! As a family and as a business (yes, lines get blurred), we've been "going green" for many years. It's a never-ending, evolving process that we love to educate ourselves about and improve upon.

Why do we consider ourselves a green company?

• We are nearly paperless. We do jot things down and ask for a few old-fashioned signatures with brand-new clients, but once our initial consultation is over, all confirmations and invoicing is done online. We take booking requests online and are able to send confirmations and invoices online, as well.

• We use biodegradable bags for waste cleanups on walks, in yards, and when scooping litter. If our clients leave us biodegradable bags, we credit their account $1 per day. So, if you're traveling for seven days, and we pick up your doggy droppings and kitty litter every day you're gone (which we do), when you leave us biodegradable bags to use, you'll automatically see a $7 credit on your invoice. That probably covers the whole month's supply of bags, right? Easy!

• We walk a lot. And we hike. Traveling by foot is super eco-friendly. And since we live in the desert, we drink a lot of water when we're exercising. So we use reusable water bottles for both humans and animals, and we use reusable, collapsable pet bowls when we're on the go.

• In our home/office, we haven't purchased paper towels for over three years. HUH? It's TRUE! We use cloth rags for everything, even pet messes! Yes, it CAN be done. We first tried it as a challenge, and it became second nature–part of our lifestyle. What do we do if an animal barfs on the rug? Well, we get out a few rags, then throw them in the washer. It works!

• We use non-toxic, ecofriendly cleaners. Not only do our animals breathe easier, our whole family does. And no one has to worry about the scary stuff in bleach, disinfectants, and the like. Feel free to lick your paws!

• We're making more vegan choices, which impacts our earth every single day. We're learning and striving as a family business to get there 100%.

• When we go on our lunch break, we use reusable containers to hold our grub.

• Porter, our six-year-old junior pet sitter, is in the Save the Earth Club at his school. He comes home with ideas for us to discuss and helps our family business stay on an earth-friendly path.

• We recycle everything we can. And we use reusable bags when we shop. That's not very impressive, hopefully. Shouldn't we all be doing this by now?

What will we do next?

• We're researching taking online payments, so you won't have to send a paper check anymore. Just blame my slight fear of figuring it all out for the delay.

• We've been doing lots of research on composting, but haven't taken the plunge, yet. We're excited to start!

Being "green" is not black or white. It's a process, and it's about making gradual changes that fit into your family's life. It's about being the best you can be, and being better than you were yesterday. It's a family affair, including your pets. Think about how you and your pet can be just a little bit friendlier to the earth tomorrow. Maybe you use biodegradable waste bags, or clean up that pet mess with natural cleaners. Or maybe you walk instead of drive, and dispose of a piece of trash someone else left along the way.