#pethelp

So we found a little salamander last night in our garage, obviously not the normal place you would expect to see one. We wanna do the right thing and truth him back to the appropriate habitat, we don’t believe in keeping wild caught animals, and have made him a temporary hole in the meantime till we an find that place. I did call my local fish and game and was told “a ditch with some rainwater would work just fine, they just need water,” which doesn’t really sound true to me given that amphibians require certain conditions like any other animal. Do any of you have any helpful information on salamanders and where they come from (I googled but just found pet shops) and how to spot the perfect place to release this guy back into the wild? Pretty sure he’s a western tiger salamander? (at least that’s the closest he looks like to the ones native to my area)

DO NOT SHAVE YOUR DOUBLE COAT DOGS.

I know it's going to get hot out. And you'll worry about your babies getting too hot but here is some info for you!

A double coat actually acts like insulation and will help to keep your pupper cool to some degree

Shaving them increases their risk of heatstroke and sunburn from the direct contact of sun rays

If you're shaving them because they're shedding too much:

Brush them???????

their shedding issues will get even WORSE (meaning there will be more hair all over the place) as the new coat tries to grow back in and the new coat will likely be patchy

Here's some solutions!!:

Pools: a little kiddy pool or a trip to the lake will help keep your doggo cool and provide fun and excersise!

Dog pops: there's tons of recipies for dog friendly popsicles you can make! You can also soak and freeze rope toys for some cool fun.

Hydration: make sure fresh water is present at all times! Changing the water frequently will help encourage drinking. Also bringing a collapsible bowl and water to the park will let your dog play normally and still be able to stay cool.

What’s Really Causing It? Lack of Clear Signals

Some dogs aren’t sure how to tell you they need to go out. If they were never taught to signal like scratching the door or whining they may just go wherever they are.

Holding It Too Long

If your dog is left alone for extended periods, they may not physically be able to hold their bladder. Even well-trained dogs have limits.

Submissive or Excitement Urination

Some dogs pee when they’re overly excited or feeling intimidated. This often happens during greetings, scolding, or loud interactions.

Age-Related Issues

Senior dogs can develop weaker bladder control or cognitive decline, which leads to more frequent accidents indoors.

How to Fix It (Step-by-Step)

Teach a Bathroom Signal

Train your dog to clearly tell you they need to go out:

Hang a bell by the door and teach them to tap it Reward every successful signal + outdoor pee

This removes the guesswork completely.

Tighten the Schedule

A predictable routine helps regulate your dog’s body:

Same feeding times daily Scheduled potty breaks (morning, after meals, before bed)

Dogs thrive on repetition it builds habit fast.

Manage Greetings Calmly

If your dog pees when excited:

Keep greetings low-key Ignore them for a minute, then calmly say hello Take them outside before high-energy interactions

Use Supervised Freedom

Until the issue is fully fixed:

Keep your dog in the same room as you Interrupt and redirect if they start sniffing or circling

Catching it before it happens is a game-changer.

Support Senior Dogs

For older dogs:

Increase potty breaks Consider vet-approved support if needed Be patient—this is often not fully controllable Small Changes That Make a Big Difference Feed on a schedule (not free-feeding) Pick up water 1–2 hours before bedtime Praise like crazy when they get it right

These simple tweaks often speed up progress more than anything else.

Bottom Line

helloooo I haven’t posted anything on here in awhile but my kitten is in desperate need of liver shunt repair surgery. I simply cannot afford it on my own  and just found out it will be much more expensive than I originally thought it would be. She is truly the sweetest cat I have ever met and she has really helped me heal from the death of my last cat, who I grew up with and had for 17 years.

She will die without this surgery and I am truly desperate for help.

Even reflagging would mean the world to me.