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Bulldog Spotlight--

Meet Blu Bayou

From Blue Bayou: Hey all you bulldog lovers: Blu Bayou here! I am going to let everyone know that I am breathing heavy in some photo’s, tongue hanging out in some photos and in a dead run in some. And I am a fat girl. But fat girls can run.

When the rescue wagon rolled up for Lilly Pad I was watching out the door. I thought to myself “Oh nooooo you don’t, you are not leaving here without me.” I pushed my face out the door and off I ran with my Mama trying to catch me. It was a hot pursuit but, in my mind, I was going to win. And I did. I made it to the floorboard of the rescue wagon, and nothing was going to pry me out.

I had plenty of babies in my day and it was my turn to be in a home with a couch and a big TV. So there was no pulling me out of the floorboard and stopping me now. Finally, after a battle of wits I won and here I am. I went to see Dr. Larsen and guess what she said about me? She said “Blu Bayou you are beautiful as can be. I would love for you to sit with me, but first off we need to talk about a weight loss plan for you and me.” I was like oh no, not me! I am only three years old! I am too young for a d - - -!

From Foster Mom: Blu is really coming out of her shell each day! She has the sassy, spunk of a puppy and the best hugs and kisses of a sage.

Her skin has improved so much since Dr. Larsen started her on Apoquel. She doesn’t scratch herself raw or use the furniture as a scratching post anymore.

She is loving playtime! Nanny B (my mom) got her a pint-sized soccer ball! She was skeptical at first, but after I kicked it around a few times, she caught on quickly. Now, we have to have designated soccer time so she won’t overheat.

She got her first buffalo bone too from the best babysitter EVER! She gnawed that thing for two solid hours.

Now, we just need to find her furever home! She will be such a sweet and entertaining companion.

For more information on Blu Bayou, check out her page on our website.

Training Bullytin #9:

Hi-Ho, Hi-Ho,

It’s Off to Work We Go. . .

We’ve all seen the pictures of the “guilty dog” posing with a supposed confession note and had a giggle. There is the dog next to the shredded mini blinds with a sign reading, “But I thought you were never coming home.” Or the dog looking through the hole he made in the garage door, “I wanted to go with you!” And the dog posing next to a mangled wire crate with, “No regrets!”

While I can still get a laugh out of a good dog shaming note I know there is often a sad story behind some of them. What you don’t see in those posed pictures is a dog who was panting, pacing, drooling, whining, and in such a panic he couldn’t even hold his bowels. This is separation anxiety.

What is Separation Anxiety?

Separation Anxiety is a clinical term describing a dog who is stressed when separated from a particular person he has bonded with. Isolation distress is when a dog is content as long as someone, any human will do, is left with him- most dogs fall in this category. Confinement anxiety refers to dogs who become stressed when restricted to small spaces such as a crates.

With any of these diagnoses the dog is experiencing extreme stress that could be compared to a human having a panic attack. Lack of control of your body, sickened feeling, feelings of helplessness, not knowing what to do to help yourself, unable to enjoy relax; it’s an overwhelming experience.

What are the signs?

Some symptoms like destructive behaviors, escape attempts, barking, and house training accidents can be mistaken for a dog who is being naughty or “punishing” the owner for leaving him alone. But others like panting, shaking, vomiting, drooling, pacing, refusing to eat or drink, and self injury are clear signs the dog is in extreme stress.

What causes Separation Anxiety?

While the cause of separation anxiety is still unknown we do know what does not cause separation issues. Sleeping in owner’s bed, babying, spoiling, comforting, hand feeding, treats, carrying, petting, or otherwise showing affection to a dog does not cause separation anxiety. The best information indicates separation issues are genetic or tend to occur after a major life change or stressful event such as a move or a car accident.

How do you treat Separation Anxiety?

First, let’s go over the things we know do not help a dog with separation anxiety. Stronger crates, getting another dog, withholding affection, food stuffed toys, being a “pack leader,” leaving the TV on, building confidence, lots of exercise, or any form of punishment do not lessen a dog’s fear of being left alone. In recent years there has been a good amount of research begun on how best to treat separation related behaviors. The best information tells us that systematic desensitization and/or medications have the best history of lessening a dog’s reaction to being left alone. Current research also indicates that any kind of punishment or other aversive treatments do not solve behaviors related to separation and could actually make them worse.

How can I help my dog?

Consider that your pandemic puppy may never have been left alone and after enjoying your constant company for the last 16 months your bully may need to get ready to experience a major change. As offices open and travel gets underway family pets will again be left alone for long stretches of time. Some will be able to seamlessly make the adjustment while others will truly struggle.

Before you trade your sweatpants for work clothes you need to do a mental health check on your best friend. How long has he been left alone in the last year? How did he handle it? Can he handle a whole work day? To find out set your pup up for a practice run. Rise and shine as if it is the good old days when you actually got dressed and went to work. Set up a camera where you can see and hear what your dog is doing during the day. Does he chew a bully stick or go take a nap? Does he bark for a bit but then settle on his own? Or does he struggle to settle, pacing, whining, panting?

If your bully is struggling there is help for you both. Separation anxiety is treatable. It takes time. It takes patience. But it is treatable. Check out the resources listed below or share them with a friend who can use the help.

• Vice Article https://www.vice.com/en/article/wx5485/a-wave-of-dogs-with-severe-behavior- problems-has-trainers-seriously-alarmed

• Avoiding Separation Anxiety When Returning to Work https://malenademartini.com/avoiding-separation-anxiety-when-you-go-back-to-work- start-now/

• Online Treatment Course and Trainers Who Can Help

https://malenademartini.com/for-owners/separation-anxiety-training-programs/

And, of course, I am happy to help any way I can.

Jenelle Bell, CTC, CPDT-KA

Your Dog’s Champion 214-215-3464

yourdogschampion@gmail.com

www.yourdogschampion.com

Dogma of Doggy Dignity

Authored by Gabby, LSBCR alumna, and frequent contributor to this newsletter.

The dogma of doggy dignity binds our species. Folks of the LSBCR persuasion cherish the value, sanctity, and dignity of each Bulldog life.

Before rescue, some of us wore a number or bore a dollar sign. Others of us suffered inhumanely, starving, sleeping amidst waste on concrete floors, or worse. I arrived with crate scars. Such cruelties deprive us of the majesty of God’s creation.

When LSBCR first saves us, you tend to our physical ealth with medical care and nutrition. Mysteriously, an erstwhile unknown commodity seeps into our unsuspecting souls – love. Unexpectedly, love clasps hands with dignity. We warm to affectionate names, savor delicious food, and thrill to your touch.

At this BBnB, honorifics bestow Bullie cred. For ladies, the title “Miss” precedes our name. Males sport the designation of “Mister.” Dignity requires respect. Each Bulldog has multiple bed choices, day mats, and she sheds or man caves to honor our importance.

Food = love = dignity. We enjoy sumptuous meals in the Main Bulldog Dining salon. As chattel, we never imagined feasting on nutrient dense commercial food. But wait, there’s more!

Into each bowl, the culinary staff introduces meats, fowl, fish, cheese, veggies, broth, and our dietary supplements and meds. They then warm the mixture to pour a finishing sauce over our dinner.

You also dignify us by Bulldog Happy Hour. The menu du jour includes omnivorous treats from the left-over shelf, mark down aisles, viands, charcuterie, pastry… oh dear me, the dignity. As you, we are omnivores. Skip the manufactured doggie treats; feed us meat, berries, melons, cheeses, you get the idea…

The dogma of doggy dignity indeed binds our species. We will ever bless you for this dignity.

What to Do If You See a Dog in a Hot Car

Edited from an article by Sheila Goffe, vice president of government relations for the American Kennel Club. July 20, 2021

You’re walking through a parking lot and you hear a dog barking frantically. A couple of rows over, a dog is pacing and pawing inside a car. It’s a hot day, and your instincts as a responsible dog owner kick in. You rush over while searching for something to break a window.

Before you pick up a rock, stop and think. By breaking that window, you may be breaking a law. Even worse, your well-meaning action may do more harm than good.

It’s just not as simple as putting on your superhero cape and freeing a pup in peril. Good Samaritan laws vary across jurisdictions. Acting without understanding the law could leave you liable for property damages and the safety of the dog and the community.

Over a dozen states have recently enacted Good Samaritan laws limiting liability for individuals who remove a dog from a car, but details vary widely, according to Michigan State University’s Animal Legal and Historical Center.

Indiana, for example, makes rescuers liable for half the damage to the car. Delaware requires rescuers to leave a note. In Arizona and California, you are required to stay with the dog until authorities arrive. Some allow only first responders to remove an animal. Other state laws provide little guidance, so breaking into car—especially if the animal wasn’t in danger—could leave you subject to vandalism, theft, or other criminal charges.

There’s also the issue of unintended consequences that may not be covered by Good Samaritan liability provisions. For example, what if the released dog bites somebody—is the person who released the dog liable for damages? What if the dog escapes, runs into traffic, and is hit by a car or causes a wreck?

A Step Back

So, what can you do? While nothing in this article should be construed as legal advice, there are some commonsense actions that you should consider before attempting a rescue.

First of all, as a dog owner, never leave a dog in a vehicle where his health and safety could be compromised. It’s also wise to avoid the appearance of doing this, even if you believe the situation is safe.

If you see a dog in a troubling situation, consider the following:

Does the dog show physical signs of being in immediate danger?
Is the air-conditioning on or is the vehicle otherwise ventilated?
Is it in the shade where it is not experiencing significant heat gain?
Is the driver present, perhaps standing nearby locked out by her own dog, with a locksmith on the way?
Is there a law enforcement official on the scene or did another concerned person already call for help?

After a quick assessment, if you still have a reasonable belief that the dog is in immediate danger and no one else has taken action, think about how you can safely and lawfully proceed. Good Samaritan laws in many jurisdictions require you to call law enforcement and follow instructions. If you don’t know whom to call, dial 911.

If instructed by law enforcement to enter the car, consider how you will safely secure the dog. Do you have a leash, belt, or purse strap? Do you have water for the dog? What will you do if a panicked or defensive dog comes out struggling or biting?

Check first for an open door. If you must break a window, choose one that will cause the least risk of harm to yourself, the dog, and the vehicle.

After you free the dog, be responsible for his safety until authorities arrive. If you remove the dog from the immediate area to take him to a vet or animal control, contact authorities and leave a note on the vehicle with your name, contact information, and specifically where you are taking the dog. You may also be responsible for securing the vehicle and its contents.

For more information about this important dog-safety issue, read here or email AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.

Sheila Goffe is vice president of government relations for the American Kennel Club.

Amazon Wish List

Our standard Amazon Wish List is still active as well. Check out http://amzn.to/2dUQRXL. Items purchased through that list will ship directly to us. This is a great way to donate items to our fosters and their foster dogs during the year.

Ways You Too Can Help Rescue!

DONATE NOW!

There are a host of Volunteer Opportunities.

Attend one of our Events.

Make a purchase from our Online Store.

Make a Donation.

Purchase something on our Amazon Wish List.

Upcoming Events . . .

Summer Lovin' Online Auction for the Bulldogs

August 5-8

We're planning to host a Facebook auction Aug. 5-8, 2021 to benefit Lone Star Bulldog Club Rescue and we want you to join us! The Texas summer heat will be here, so this will give us a chance to still "get together" while in the comfort of our own air conditioned homes.

We're gathering our items for the auction block now and we know that some of you would like to donate services and goodies too, which is AWESOME!

If so, please send us an email to info@dfwbulldogrescue.org. We'll need to have your donation IN HANDS by July 22.

Please Note: We will have a limited number of items in the auction to help us better manage it. If your contribution does not make it into this auction, it will be used in a silent auction at a future fundraiser or in a future online auction.

All funds raised through this event will help offset the vet bills we incur while helping Bulldogs in need. Every dollar raised is important to us because we constantly have a number of dogs to treat. In fact, we tend to have more than 70 dogs in our care at any given time. In 2020, we brought in 165 Bulldogs, adopted out 163 Bulldogs and spent $298,434.80 on vet bills.

To learn more about Lone Star Bulldog Club Rescue's lifesaving work, please visit our website or visit our Facebook page.

Help us help the Bulldogs by inviting all your friends and family to be part of the fun!