[gemy]

Well the first story hit the news 2 days ago. In North Vancouver, on a hiking trail a young Golden Retreiver got ensnared in a man made trap. Nasty trap business, hid on the trail, covered in barb wire and hooks, the dogs owner was frantic because the more the dog struggled the deeper the barbs went in. That one is bad! The dog survived, but a sign of a very deranged mind.

Seriously folks there are very nasty ppl out there. Here in Toronto we are due for the whats seems annually now, the tales of dogs eating poisoned food, left deliberately out in the parks and walkways.

So I think keep alert, for news of where the latest atrocities are happening.

1. Teach your dog drop it, or leave it. The life it saves will be your dogs!

2. Carefull around water. Spring often brings high water levels. We have already had one incident of a dog accidentally slipping into a fast running river.
Water temps are very cool right now, so hypothermia is also a possibility especially with our small breed, and even if your dog is a keen swimmer.

3. More on swimming. Build your dog back up to swim times. I usually always start out with life vests on the boys in the early summer, because we don't go swimming much in the winter.
Life vests for all strange water. Water you don't know. Life vests on all boats!

4. Once temps are higher, and you walk your dog, carry water with you, both for you and your pup. Watch out for that searing hot pavement. There are ointments you can put of the pups feet prior to walking that will help to protect the pawpads.

5. Grass eating and quite simply running on the grass. Sorry to say this but with all the chemical fertilizers and things getting sprayed in spring and so on,can be problematic. Some ideas, if you use your toys as rewards outside, wash toys thoroughly in soapy water afterwards, and you can even wash the pups feet after walks. You can also use booties. See member All Dog Boots, she sells them. Also try to stay away from the beds of flower plants, they are much more likely to be more heavily fertilized and as you know some plants are quite poisonous to pets.

6. Leaving Pets in Cars ? DON;T DO IT.

That is it for now. Feel free to add to this list.