#animeals

What a whirlwind things have become over the course of almost a month and a half! Things are going crazy as the World works to combat this virus that continues to linger. Hopefully things start to get back to normal soon enough. I’ve already been hearing news that possibly Georgia is trying to start reopening soon. At least some of the more essential businesses as I assume there will be phases in terms of opening. Unfortunately during this time of crisis, people are struggling to not only put food on the table, but feed their pets.

Today we will be highlighting the story of gentlemen named Richard Wright. He worked as a heavy equipment mechanic at Fort Bragg back in the 70’s. Unfortunately during his time there he developed a “double hernia in his stomach which required immediate surgery and a colostomy bag.” It is a permanent disability which has truly affected his daily life. That’s where Animeals on Wheels steps in as he is super grateful for the program. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the only tragic thing that happened to him. 

Like many of us have unfortunately been through, Hurricane Harvey deeply affected him and his life. The hurricane flooded his home in a trailer park in Humble. Because of that, he ended up having to move to a nearby elementary school until things got better. Unfortunately while at the school, his dog which was a Dachshund contracted a disease called parvo virus and passed away. 

While he had definitely hit a big roadblock in his life, he wasn’t going to let everything bring him down. Thankfully he was able to adopt a terrier puppy by the name of Mary Lou. He was also able to thankfully get a volunteer driver who looks after him as well. He can’t drive because of his condition which makes him use a walker, so his church helped build a ramp to his trailer’s door so that he has easy access. He gets nutritious meals brought to him as it is hard for him to cook. It really saves him time as he has trouble walking already. He really thanks Animeals on Wheels as they really have done so much to make his life easier. 

During this time of Coronavirus, this is a time where we really need to step up and donate. Without Animeals on Wheels, Richard Wright would have a difficult time and I assume things are even tougher now with everything going on. He isn’t the only one that depends on Animeals on Wheels. Meals on Wheels serves roughly 4,000 seniors, disabled and veteran clients. That also includes 1,200 pets. 

They have a lot of ways to donate as you can visit their wish list on amazon and enter “Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston.”

You can also make a donation online at their website 

www.imgh.org/donateanimeals

They also have a physical donation location as you can visit: 

3202 San Jacinto St, Houston, TX 77004

Anything helps and can make a difference.

        Today, unfortunately, it is inevitable that from the moment we wake up, to the moment we fall asleep all we hear about is the COVID-19 virus, our brains are constantly raided with updates about how many more people are getting infected and dying on a local, national, and international level and it is hard not to feel low when all we are getting is bad news. We are pretty much subjected to a precautionary quarantine which has us stuck at home due to many people being laid off due to their job being deemed nonessential. While for some the thought of not being able to interact with other people is a blessing in disguise, for others it’s a blow that can cause many psychological effects that may lead to depression, anxiety, or stress.

         How are we supposed to cope with that lonely feeling that may invade us in times of self-isolation? Well the answer, according to many experts is right at home! Yes, our furry little friends, whether it be dogs, cats, bunnies, or any other pet, whether they are feathery or scaly. It is well documented that dogs in particular help cope with stress and anxiety, and not just in times of uncertainty, they constantly demand our attention and affection, which if even for a moment can help us forget about what is going on in the outside world. It is hard not to crack a smile when you see your furry companion rolling around on the grass cracking a smile as they demand you run after them. They provide us a sense of longing and even entertainment during these daunting times and the truth is that it’s a win-win situation as man’s best friend finally gets to enjoy the almost undivided attention from their owner while we bask in having at least someone to care for.

         The sentiment that pets are fundamental in times of uncertainty is backed up by the report generated by the organization Dogtrust that found that dog adoptions have increased by 25% since the outbreak of the virus. The fact that we are turning to pets in times of need really illustrates the value that they bring to our daily lives. To a lot of people, myself included, our pets were already highly valuable and indispensable, and now even more so to a chunk of people who before the pandemic may not have even considered adopting a pet. It is in times of crisis that we see what truly adds value to our existence and really there is nothing more loyal to ask for than a canine companion who will be by your side crisis or no crisis, through thick and thin. Hopefully, this growing trend of adoptions continues post-Covid-19 and that we continue to help these animals in shelters by providing them with a caring and loving home.

          Of course, if you don’t feel like you are ready to adopt a pet or simply have one too many there are still ways you can help these furry companions, the best of which being by donating to various local and national organizations so they can continue to operate and care for these animals.

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https://www.imgh.org/donate-now/operation-impact/

https://www.houstonhumane.org/giving/wish-list

https://www.spca.org/shelterwishlist

http://www.houstontx.gov/barc/donate_to_barc.html

As the world has been taken over by Corona virus (COVID-19), pet owners everywhere want to know how this will affect their beloved pets. One of the most at risk groups for not only catching the virus but dying from it is the senior citizen community. Their isolation and health precautions are essential to their safety. First thing to know is that dogs and cats can contract the Coronavirus, it is not a rumor. 

Though it is rare, some coronaviruses that infect animals can be spread to humans and then spread between people but cases as such have only been found outside of the United States. A tiger at New York’s Bronx Zoo is the first known case of COVID-19 in an animal in the United States. Just as humans the tiger showed all the symptoms of the virus. Including dry cough, wheezing, and loss of appetite. The CDC is in close communication with human and animal health partners to monitor this situation and will continue to provide updates as information becomes available. More research is needed to understand if and how different animals could be affected by COVID-19.

If you are infected with COVID-19 and are symptomatic or asymptomatic with suspicions, you should completely avoid contact with pets and other animals; just as you would around other people. Though as of now it is believed to be highly unlikely of the passage of the virus between pets and humans, it is better to be safe than sorry until more information is confirmed and distributed. 

To be safe,if possible, have someone else who lives in your house care for your animals while you are sick. While you are home, restrict interactions with your pet including petting, snuggling, being kissed or licked, and sharing food .Lastly, if you must care for your pet or be around animals while you are sick, wash your hands before and after you interact with them.

Since this is a rapidly developing situation and information is limited, it is best that you operate off of the information we do have. We do know that all animals can carry germs that can make people sick, so it’s always a good idea to practice healthy habits around pets and other animals. Wash your hands after handling animals, their food, waste, or supplies. Practice good pet hygiene and clean up after pets properly to prevent any other illnesses. If you have any other questions talk to your veterinarian, as false information may be spread online.

 We have defined that our mission is to help a cause that tries to ensure that no pet goes hungry due to their owner having the unnecessary resources to feed them and that got us thinking. How much food is enough to feed various types of dogs based on size, breed, age, and other variables? As a result, that has led us to come up with a guide based on previous studies to determine the needs for each type of animal, what it would take to properly feed them and what options are available when it comes to dog food.

 Further research indicates, not every dog will have the same diet as there are anywhere from 150-340 dog breeds in the world (depending on what source you are looking at) and like us, humans, not all of them will eat the same type of dog food, nor the same portions. But taking into account the size of a canine and age we can get a very brief and general idea of the number of recommended portions a dog should be given daily to ensure they are adequate without going into the specifics for each type of food which we will get into later.  

FACTORS AND TIPS TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT WHEN FEEDING A DOG:

Do not over supplement!- This can be harmful to your dog, so unless instructed to do so by your vet, it is best to stick to one variety of good quality “complete balanced” dog food.

Beware of overfeeding - Not all dogs can tolerate the amount recommended by manufacturers. The texture and color of the stool are a good indicator if a dog has been overfed or not.

Never change your dog’s diet abruptly - do it gradually over a period of 7-10 days.

Medium to large dogs should be fed from a raised bowl to prevent them from swallowing air while they eat - this can contribute to bloating.

Leave your dog in peace while it is eating from its bowl - Messing with and taking your dog’s bowl away while it eats can cause anxiety which can lead to aggressive behavior. Instead, try adding a bit of food to its plate while it eats as this will make it comfortable and it will see you as a friend rather than a foe.

Never feed your dog from the table or your plate!- This will just encourage attention-seeking and cause repetitive behavior that it may never break out of.

Other factors to consider when feeding your pet:

Actual calorie content of the food

The activity level of your dog (low/moderate/high)

Any additional calories from treats or table food.

Climate factors (weather affects dogs moods/behaviors)

Guide to feeding your dog based on its age

Puppy (0- 18 months of age)

Puppies are growing and need all the nutrients they can get to grow healthy and strong. Because of this, it is normally recommended for them to eat twice as much as the serving size for adult dogs.

Puppies should be fed three to five times a day. This is because puppies have an abundant amount of energy—they will burn off a lot of calories throughout the day requiring them to need more fuel.  

It is recommended ½-¾ cups of dog depending on the number of times you are feeding them.

First six to eight weeks the puppy should stay with the mother and be allowed to nurse ad-lib.

Adulthood (18 months - 8 years of age)

 **Adult dogs should be fed depending on their weight and level of activity. Assuming your dog has a typical activity level**

Toy breeds should have about ¼ cups to 1 cup 

Small breeds should have about 1 cup to 1 2/5 cup

Medium breeds should have about 2 cups to 2 2/3 cups

Large breeds should have about 2 4/5 cups to 3 cups.

Seniority (8 years - death) 

Senior dogs should be fed slightly less than adult dogs. Because they have lower energy levels, lessening the amount of food should be taken seriosuly to keep your dog at a healthy weight.

Adult dogs and senior dogs should be fed two times daily.

Special Cases

Pregnant dogs during their first 6 weeks of pregnancy should see a minimal increase in food intake. You should start to increase the food by 20% during week 7 to 9.

Lactating dogs are a special case as well. Immediately after giving birth, you should feed your dog up to 50% more dog food than her normal amount. During the peak lactation, which is around 4 to 5 weeks, you can feed your dog up to 30% more food than her normal amount.

should be fed three equal meals a day. 

TYPES OF DOG FOOD

In case you did not know, there are five types of dog foods that you can feed your dog which we will list below with information about each one:

Kibble/Dry - The most economical type of commercial dry food.  It does not need to be dried and it can help keep your dog’s teeth healthy by helping to reduce tartar build-up.

Canned - Tends to be the most loved and preferred by dogs and is easily located at the supermarket, but it’s often not the most protein-heavy.  

Semi-moist - Commercial dog foods shaped like pork chops, burgers, or other meaty foods. They can be given to your dog as a treat, but should not be considered their main diet as they do not often provide the nutritional value your dog requires.

Home-cooked - Allows the owner to have complete control over their canine’s diet and to ensure that they are meeting their nutritional value.

Raw - Consists of raw meat, often with some bones and organs mixed in as bones are a natural source of phosphorus and calcium

THE HUMAN FOOD QUESTION

It’s no secret that a lot of us love to feed our furry friends scraps of our food because how can we not? When they so helplessly stare at us with their sad eyes, we’d feel like the worst human being at the very thought that our canines are going to go hungry because we did not give them some of our food. After all, sharing is caring, right? Well, as true as that sentiment is, we often don’t pay attention to what we are feeding our dogs and this can come to their detriment as we end up feeding them foods that are not healthy to them. 

Below we have compiled a table graph of human food to feed and not to feed your canine.

Sources 

https://www.medicanimal.com/10-FAQs-about-dog-feeding-guidelines/a/ART111512

https://zignature.com/dog-feeding-schedule-how-much-and-how-often/

https://www.cesarsway.com/puppy-feeding-guidelines/

https://www.nylabone.com/dog101/types-of-dog-food

Honey’s Story-

They found her living on the floorboards of a truck when they pulled the driver over for a DUI. She was paralyzed from the waist down with a broken tail, two broken legs, and a broken pelvis. It seemed that the only thing that wasn’t broken on this little girl was her spirit. Everyone who met her fell in love, and that is what saved her life.

Pigs Peace Sanctuary in Stanwood, Washington was her ultimate destination, but they needed help getting her there. One hour after the call came in, we were on the road to Gillette, Wyoming to pick up our precious cargo. Little did we know that we were driving into the storm of the century. Gale force winds raged for hundreds of miles, lightning lit up the night sky, and hail the size of golf balls pounded the countryside. But we were on a mission, and not even the wrath of Mother Nature was going to stop us.

When Cliff, our driver, met Honey, she dragged her little body as fast as she could towards him. Once again, it was love at first sight. After a yummy breakfast of apple juice and oatmeal, they began the eleven hundred mile journey home, to what was going to be heaven on earth for this sweet and very lucky little pig. They arrived in Missoula at 11:00 P.M., exhausted but elated that the next transfer would be to Judy, the Founder and Director of Pigs Peace Sanctuary.

Two weeks later, we visited Honey in her forever home. She was lounging in a deep bed of hay with her new best friend, Otis.

Life has never been better.