SPAY/NEUTER: Facts to Share

SPAY/NEUTER FACTS:

You should have your pet spay/neutered before 6 months of age.

You can spay/neuter your pet as young as 8 weeks with NO ill or adverse effects.

It reduces the amount of unwanted litters, strays, and abandoned animals.

It is estimated 70,000 in pets the KC area and 5-8 million pets nationwide are euthanized each year for lack of homes.

It decreases the chances of three types of cancer in males and two types in females.

At least one (if not more) of every litter will be abandoned, abused or euthanized no matter how hard you try to find and place them in a good home.

Reduces aggression, roaming, fighting behaviors, and unwanted suitors visiting.

Reduces marking by males.

Virtually eliminates the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.

Eliminates the messy heat cycle in females.

All low-kill or no-kill shelters have a waiting list that are months long.

Many shelters are at an 80% kill rate, so abandoning them at an area shelter is not the answer.

Litters are expensive. Costs include, food, medical, shots, worming and a lot of time. And just hope one doesn't become sick that requires extensive medical treatment, or having to deal with its death.

It is estimated that if no cat or dog gave birth for seven years, only then would we empty our shelters.

FALSE:

It is natural and better for a female if she has one litter. (Truth: giving birth is stressful to the pet and extreme caution should be used when they are pregnant and when they are with pups/kittens. It can actually make them more aggressive. Greatly increase the chances of breast cancer in females.)

My pet will get fat. (Truth: there is a hormone change, but overweight is caused by over feeding).

They will get lazy. (Truth: It does calm an animal down but that doesn't mean they lose all their energy.)

The majority of pets euthanized in shelters are mixed breeds. (Truth: at least 50% are pure breeds, and the majorities are young animals.)

All shelter pets have behavior problems. (Truth: the number one reason for relinquishing a pet to a shelter is because the humans were moving and didn't take their companion(s) not because of behavior problems.)

It is un-natural to neuter a male. (Truth: They don't notice or miss it. It does allow them to be a more social animal by lessoning aggressive behavior.)

My pet is so good; I want to pass on these traits. (Truth: Personalities are usually NOT "passed" on, and without extensive lineage and genetic knowledge, you could be passing on faulty genes such as cancer, aggression, and accidentally inbreeding your pet.)

CHILDREN AND LITTERS:

Letting your children experience the birth process might seem like a good idea, but females become aggressive during this time, and the heat cycle is messy.

If you feel it is a learning process you want them to experience, then first take them to an area shelter and let them experience where one from your litter will end up and be euthanized. That breeding and having to give away the litter is upsetting, and breeding for a profit is a poor example to set.

Wouldn't it be better to teach your child about giving, caring and responsibility instead of breeding?

Offer to foster a pregnant pet from a shelter instead of adding to the over population.

An un-neutered male or un-spay female is more likely to be aggressive which is not a positive trait to have around children.

Courtesy of the Pet Connection:
http://www.pet-connection.com/TPC_SpayNeuter.ht m

Getting Off On the Wrong Foot:

I have been being a very good dog lately. The weather has been nice and warm, I've been able to be outside playing with my sticks (Yea sticks!) and I have been happy, happy, happy and good, good, good. Well... I was getting bored with all that goodness and happiness so, this morning, I bit Dad on his big toe. I caught him right at the nail line too -- and right after he got out of the shower so the skin was nice and soft. Dad said I started the week off on the wrong foot. But I got the right one. And that was the one I was aiming for.

-- Little Otto, currently not in good standing

More Sticks News:

Can I stand up, scratch my forehead with my hind leg while chewing on a stick? Yes, I can. Can I do it without falling over? No, I cannot. -- Little Otto

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I'm not sure I adequately conveyed just how fun sticks are and how much I love them. I really, really, really, really love sticks! REALLY! I love them so much I can hardly stand myself. Are you convinced? I highly recommend sticks as the funnest thing on the planet.

-- Little Otto, the 1/8 wonder of the world

"Sticks are great, Sticks are good. Let us thank him for our sticks." -- Otto's Prayer

Pick-up Sticks:

I want to share my new discovery with everyone. They are called "sticks." I don't know where they all come from but they are an endless supply of backyard fun. I love to find them, run with them, toss them, chase them, chew on them and steal them from Ticker. I love great big ones, little tiny ones, straight ones and bushy ones. I have collected a secret stash of sticks in one corner of my yard so I always have a supply of sticks on hand. When I go outside, I will go pick a stick out of my secret stash and take it to the patio in front of the shed. Then I sit in the sun and chew on it. They taste great. Sometimes I get so caught up in my fun stick activities that I forget to go to the bathroom outside like I'm suppose to. (You know what this means. Sorry, Dad!)

If you want to have some FREE good old fashion backyard fun, pick up some sticks today!

– Little Otto, the 1/8 wonder of the world

Telling on Rupert:

OK. I am constantly getting a bad rap for biting, barking, howling, growling and going to the bathroom in the house. (I do it and I admit it.) And while everyone seems to just LOVE Rupert, (Rupert, Rupert, Rupert) I just wanted to point out that it was HE (perfect little Rupert) and not I (naughty little Otto) who peed in Dad’s chair this weekend. Not just on the leg – I’m talking up on the cushion. Rupert was taking a nap in Dad’s chair -- he woke up and just lifted his leg right there where he stood. You can imagine that Dad was NOT happy. (But I secretly enjoyed it.)

– Little Otto, finally the one NOT in trouble

Over the River and Through the Woods:

TO GRANDMOTHER'S HOUSE WE GO:
We went to Grandma's to visit and, according to Dad's casualty report, I was a little bit bad. I may have even been the stinker of the trip. Although, in my defense, I was also pretty darn good most of the time. I did poop and potty on the floor. I was busted doing it, so I may as well admit it. And I did bite my aunt which, looking back, was very, very bad of me because she was just letting me sit on her lap and she wasn't even touching me. But my worst behavior had to have been just before bath time...

BATH TIME FOR OTTO:
Dad was determined I was going to have a full bath, complete with shampoo. This is something I have never had before due to my biting. Dad says the last thing he wants to do is soften his hands in water and then have me bite him. So, in the past, he has just hosed me off with water in the sink and never soaped me up and rinsed me off before. This time it was a different story. He came prepared with his leather gloves AND a tiny little muzzle. I'll tell you what, I did NOT want that thing on my face. I squirmed like an eel and snapped like a trapped badger trying to keep that thing away from me. And you know what, I lost the battle and I got a bath complete with shampoo anyways. I even got towel dried afterwards which I hate.

I think it is safe to say that neither one of us is looking forward to my next bath. But for now, I am clean, clean, clean -- and oh so soft. And that is the story of my trip to Grandma's and my first "real" big time bath experience.

– Little Otto, the 1/8 wonder of the world

PS: Rupert was very good. Everyone loved, loved, loved Rupert. Rupert, Rupert, Rupert. Baa-humbug!

PPS: There is a picture of me getting my bath in my muzzle -- but I buried it in the back of my Dogster photo album so you will have to hunt for it. You can tell I am not a happy camper.

Feeling Frustrated:

It had been three months (on Christmas day) since Otto had bitten me. But, sadly, today the streak was broken. And right after I had bragged to Poquito about how good Otto has been doing lately. The bite came out of the blue, caught me completely by surprise and drew blood. I must say, I'm not feeling very optomistic about this situation. Behavior bootcamp for Otto begins today!

– Otto's foster dad

My Sister Snappy: Dearly Loved – Deeply Missed

I lost my sister Snappy to cancer on January 3, 2006. She was quite a girl and I can't begin to say how sad I am and how much we all miss her. A memorial fund has been established in her honor through the rescue group that saved her – with the proceeds going to help other dogs, like Snappy, find health and happiness. If you would like to help save another little soul, like my sister, get the help they so richly deserve – please send a small donation to:

LL Dog Rescue | The Snappy Memorial Fund | PO Box 8545 | Shawnee Mission, KS | 66208

LLDR is a 501 (c)(3), non-profit, volunteer, dog rescue organization licensed in the states of Kansas and Missouri. Your donation is tax-deductible and would be greatly appreciated. Your contribution would mean a lot to me and my family and it is for the best cause... helping out dogs in need.

– Little Otto, the 1/8 wonder of the world
"CURRENT Dogster dogs helping out FUTURE Dogster dogs"

PS: To leave a message for us or for more information, visit Snappy and Ojo's Dogster forum page.

Little Otto: Voted "Hottie Chi Boy for 2005" by Chi Girl- Magazine

Pebbles just started a new Dogster magazine in her Diary section called Chi Girl Magazine. And I, Little Otto, was voted as one of the "Hottie Chi Boys for 2005" in the first issue. (She must like the bad boy type.)

I must say, my angry little heart is currently all a flutter. Thank you, Pebbles. I am honored. And the best of luck to you on your new publication.

– Little Otto, "Hottie at Large"

A New Year's Resolution: SUPPORT RESCUE

PLEASE HELP:
This is the time of year that people make their new year's resolutions. I have one I would like you to please consider. Why not make supporting a rescue group or shelter in your area something YOU resolve to do in 2006. I'm telling you – they need your help, it is a great cause and they would be so appreciative.

MONEY:
You don't have to break the bank, just send in $5.00. As of this moment, if everyone on Dogster would donate $5.00 to help homeless dogs, that would be over $640,000 going to help the cause.

PET SUPPLIES:
Or they always need pet supplies, things you may already have around the house and aren't using. Do you have old dog collars, leashes, bowels, bedding, blankets or towels? Those would be great things to donate.

OFFICE SUPPLIES:
You could also donate office supplies. Things like copy paper, file folders or postage stamps.

CLEANING SUPPLIES:
This is a great thing to donate. The next time you go to a Costco or Sam's Club, why not pick up an extra case of paper towels to donate. They need things like bleach, clean wipes, carpet cleaner and trash bags.

YOUR TIME, SERVICES OR TALENTS:
Man power is always needed and always appreciated. Make a phone call and find out what you can do to help a group in your area.

There are lots of organizations out there and lots of ways to help. Just please consider doing something, somewhere for someone. (Please.) And if you want to contribute and don't know who to give to, here's the address of the rescue group who helped save my life. You can tell them Otto sent you.

LL Dog Rescue, PO Box 8545, Shawnee Mission, KS 66208.

They are a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization licensed in Kansas and Missouri and your donation is tax-deductible.

Thank you and bless you and have a great year. – Little Otto and company