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DOGPATCH HAS FOUND A PRODUCT THEY CAN GIVE FIVE WOOFS...

9/15/2018

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 Cooper  and I have some things we would like to share with you.  I have been in business long enough that I have many seniors that I care for, as well as a houseful of my own. Along with that we have quite a few members of our pack that have anxiety ranging from a little nervous to extreme problem behavior.  For a couple of years I have been using CBD products with my own dogs and recommending it to all of you.  I have seen amazing effects of true CBD products for  the joint pain issues inherent in older dogs, the confusion brought on by cognitive disorder in seniors, and to a certain extent anxiety in the younger dogs.  Relief from anxiety is very subjective so it is hard for me to speak on that issue although for my own dogs as well as several rescues I have worked with I have seen good results.  What makes me a true advocate of CBD is what I have seen time after time with inflammation and pain relief in older dogs.  Very simply said, it is incredible to see.  I struggled with finding a product that I could recommend across the board  to anyone and everyone.  The first issue is that there needs to be standardization in the product so that you can ensure that your dog is indeed getting the proper amount of CBD to get results.  Because this is not yet a FDA approved substance Veterinarians are not allowed to speak on its effectiveness.  So as consumers and pet lovers we are left to research it on our own, and with all of the products out there it is a daunting task.  There is also the fear that this is the "snake oil" of this decade and that by touting its success with everything it discounts its effectiveness for anything. 
I considered partnering with a reputable company and selling it retail at Dogpatch, but decided against that route as I believe that my credibility in recommending it may be compromised by profiting from providing it.  
My dilemma was unravelled pleasantly when through networking with friends I came upon a company that deals in CBD.  They are an Oregon based company that only deals in CBD products from seed to usable products.  They test each batch of their product for purity and to provide a standard so that you can be consistent on dosing your dog and knowing that they are getting the real "stuff".  Perhaps as important as the standardization is they give a recommended dosage based on your pets weight so that you know where to start when beginning.  This was a real struggle for me when I was first trying it on my own pack.  To seal the deal, it is one of the more affordable pet targeted tinctures that I was able to find.
ALL of my own dogs are currently on Lazarus CBD pet tincture.  Cooper is 14, Tina Turner is 16 give or take, Sirius and Daisy are 14+ they all run around Dogpatch like puppies.  My young Howard is a Corgi mix.  With his "long short " body style he is a candidate for back and leg problems.  I give him CBD proactively just in case his little joints are sore from all of his play with the pack.  I should add  that I too use CBD and have found not only relief from the pain of arthritis, but from the tenseness and insomnia that often accompanies the pain. 
I am happy to have finally found this company which I can stand behind to recommend to all of you.
Follow along with Dogpatch on this journey and please lets start a conversation and pass on this information to any and everyone with older animals or those with any type of anxiety.  I can think of no better way to show our love for them than to give them this option for health and comfort.  
Here is the link 
www.lazarusnaturals.com


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LUCK AND LOVE TO KATIE, HELLO LITTLE PRINCE ( or the more things change the more they remain the same)

7/29/2018

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This summer has brought us some big changes here at Dogpatch.  I could say it is with sadness that we say farewell to our Katie, the Pied Piper of the Rat Pack but Katie doesn't part with us in a cloud of sadness, but rather chasing a rainbow of dreams.  Priorities change and Katie has decided to prioritize her family and home life.  As much as we hate to see her go, we certainly support this decision.  They live just  a short way down the road from Dogpatch so I am certain that her and young Grace will be visiting often.  
With Katies departure, we moved Alesha up from Chief in Charge of Cleaning to Dog Cuddler and Handler.  As any of you who have been part of our pack know I have set a high bar of standards for anyone that works with our Pack here at Dogpatch.  Alesha has been with us over a year and been in training all of that time.  If I needed something to seal the deal, this week she did a small thing that confirmed I had made the  right choice in promoting her.  We watch a big number of geriatric dogs as we have been in business for many years.  These Honored Citizens absolutely OWN my heart and I am very particular about their needs.  As we were discussing the dogs at the end of the day Alesha told me that one of my dearest four legged friends was a little sore each morning, but if she massaged the little dogs hips and legs she felt better. I also often "catch" her cuddling when she is supposed to be cleaning, so her promotion is a natural transition...she will get paid for what she does naturally.The dogs follow her around even when she doesn't have pockets full of treats. She packs a lot of positive energy in her somewhat diminutive body
  Welcome to the Pack Alesha....you have what it takes .  We also welcome a new friend Lara Bushue.  Her experience at the family farm with every type of animal, her attention to detail as a teacher, and her love of dogs ( she has given her heart away to her girl Cassie) makes me confident she will fit right in with the Pack. Right now she is helping us out on the weekends, but who knows where that will lead. 
Katie helped us to see that small dogs are just big dogs in tiny suits, so Dogpatch itself is now accepting small dog boarding as well.  The tiny set will still play separately from the "Party Animals" and will have their own Clubhouse to protect them from big paws and rowdy behavior.  Any of you that have fallen in love with Katies care for your dog, please book through Dogpatchresort@gmail.com and request that they be booked with Katie...She is still watching a limited number of dogs at her home in Eagle Creek.   
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SUPER STEW

7/18/2017

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Tips for Happiness and Health 

I have had so many of you ask about nutrition and/or supplements to help with some of the issues that our best friends have, especially as they age.  I turned around yesterday, and Cooper was 12...with a lump in my throat I notice that my long legged Beast can no longer get into the van by himself, and as he comes up the driveway, his gait is a little stiff and slow. I want the boy to last forever, but the facts are he isn't going to.  My mission in life is to make sure that he feels as good physically and mentally as possible for as long as I can.  Here at Dogpatch we have had the honor to provide hospice for several deserving dogs.  Also, I have been in business for over 15 years now and many of my friends have entered into honored guest status.  I want to state up front that I don't have any training in the veterinary field and my suggestions should be run by your vet to make sure that they are a good fit for your dog. But...these are some of the things we do here at Dogpatch for our own dogs as they turn to us to ease both their aging bodies, and their brains as they lose a little in the cognitive department. There is information on helping with allergies as well.

First I would like to say that I am a firm believer in CBD oil.  You will find an amazing amount of information by searching the web.  I know that they are touting it as the newest "snake oil" that it cures everything from bi-polar to shingles BUT for both anxiety and inflammation I recommend it without reservation.  I first studied its use for dogs and then actually started using it for my own pain ( some of you may notice that I am not limping nearly as much as 6 months ago) For me, the pain was frustrating and caused some mental anxiety from that pain.  WIth the use of the CBD oil I still have some discomfort, but not the frustration nor the insomnia that it was causing.  Understanding what CBD oil does and its application is a difficult thing to wade through on your own.  I recommend MEAT www.meatforcatsanddogs.com The staff there is well versed in its dosage and application for your pets needs, etc.  Please purchase your cbd oil from a reputable dispensary or from MEAT....it seems that several businesses are taking advantage of the "snake oil" reputation and manufacturing items aimed at pets that are not regulated. ie:they do not actually have a significant amount of cbd .  At an actual dispensary the State of Oregon requires that the product be tested and labeled.  The owner of MEAT has had the products she provides tested as well to ensure proper dosage.
Please be aware that CBD is non-physcoactive so there is no element of sedation or "high" for your dog.  

The next thing that is running rampant especially right now is itch scratch scratch itch drive dog and owner crazy.  We have all tried benedryl and chased our tails trying new diets.  Many of us have gone through allergy testing only to find out that our dogs are allergic to pollen, mold, dust, fleas ( in other words everything.) Sometimes I believe that it is better to treat the symptoms rather than to spend years chasing down the root of the problem.  A little fish oil and coconut oil go a long way with flaky dry skin.  Benydryl at the dosage of 1 mg per pound of body weight twice a day is also helpful ( again check with your vet on this).  When our own dogs have reactions we start with a spoon full of locally sourced honey a day in their food.  This builds their immune system up to the local allergens and can help.  Speaking of reactions, if your dog gets stung by a bee ( or you even suspect that is the case) get some antihistamine into them right away.  The dosage is the same as above, but I give a little extra if I think that a reaction is imminent.  Watch closely as they can get the same reaction to stings or bites as humans and if their throats swell it can be dangerous.  
If your dog gets a hot spot it is important to clip the hair back completely from the spot, leaving a margin of good skin around the area.  Then clean it completely and treat much like you would a wound of your own.  If it is a moist area the key is to dry it up.  If the area is scabbed and dry, you want to soak it and keep it moist.  Things to watch for are odor, odd color, warmth or swelling...then it needs to be attended to by a vet. If your dog has long hair, (the goldens, bernese, etc) it may be a good idea to get them trimmed in the areas that tend to matt up.  Matts in their coats are not simply ugly, but they can be very uncomfortable to the dog and cause it to pull and create a "hot spot" Also if your dog spends a lot of time in the water, the area of the matt does not dry and can cause extreme irritation.  We often perform "hair ball ectomys" here where we get out the scissors and off go the matts.  


Now for the most important recipes....what I give to my seniors to help with their inflammation.  There are many that don't believe in special "human" food for their dogs.  None of the things I recommend here have excess sodium or ingredients that would be harmful to my friends.  I know that dogs have amazing olfactory glands.  Giving them a little tasty treat makes me happy...I salivate when entering a bread store, can you imagine what a little "super stew" smells and tastes like to them.  
I put chicken, turkey, lean pork or beef into a crock pot with a big clump of coconut oil. To this I add a pretty good amount of powdered tumeric. I season this with Italian seasoning ( for some reason most dogs love this, even when illness makes them turn away from most foods)  I add low sodium chicken broth and cook it on low until it is half way done, then add carrots, green beans, celery and cook that until they are tender.  ( at this point, if there are bones remove them) The dogs don't mind if the meat is overcooked....I then pour in brown rice cover and let that cook until done.  Sorry that my amounts are not exact....and the dogs don't care that it is different each time.  At the end I stir in a can of pumpkin.

I make a huge amount of this and put it into freezer bags in about 5 day portions.  This is not an actual food, but what I supplement their normal food with.  So they each get a glop of it on their food dishes at night.  For some of our seniors that had no appetite at all, I would cook two eggs in a little oil and add a glop of this to it each morning.  ( and sprinkling it with a little parmesan doesn't hurt)
The tumeric coupled with the coconut oil is amazing for inflammation.  The rest can entice a dog with low appetite to keep up their weight.  
I don't have a problem with Coopers appetite ( quite the contrary with him) He is getting the stew now simply because of my love for him.  He goes at the plain kibble just as much as when I put his special stew on.  However I want every day of his life to be the best ever.  This stew is the equivalent of me having an ice cream sundae for desert each meal, which I intend to do when I am over 80 as Cooper is.

Please if you have any questions at all, shoot us an email or give me a call and we can chat about personalizing "super stew" for your dog.
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November 22nd, 2015

11/22/2015

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Those of you who follow our Pack know that none of us take for granted all that we have to be thankful for.  As we prepare for our wonderful Howl A Day party this week we are ever mindful of having a roof over our heads and a substantial pack of friends to share our feast with this year.  It bears repeating that we are indeed grateful to all of you who trust us with the care of the pets you are Thankful for this season.  I am particularly thankful for Katie who was able to hold it all together while my ankle was holding me down.  Her and Rick stepped up in an amazing way and I appreciate all of you for being patient as I am getting back up and around.
Katies Rat Pack has grown and watching her with the little terrors as well as the Party Animals makes me realize what a magical place we provide for our guests.  The Dogpark at Dogpatch takes constant management of personalities, but here it seems that the dogs are able to let loose of their responsibilities and rip it up.  While they may come home carrying a little of our Dogpatch Mud they enjoy pleasant dreams of their next visit with our pack.
You may have noticed that recently we have had to decrease our home pick up and drop off and utilize our Northwest Portland "bus stop".  As Dogpatch and the Rat Pack have grown we have found that is going to have to be more and more necessary.  Less time on the road means that we are able to ensure the quality of care that is provided at Dogpatch.  We thank you for understanding that while this change may be a little less convenient for you, it is, as always the quality of the care for your dog that is our primary concern.
I could go on about each and every dog that we entertain here and what we love about them as individuals and as members of our pack, but that would fill a book ( which, when I get around to it....)  I am going to leave you now with a bittersweet farewell.  I have always felt that one of the only things that justifies dogs living such a relatively short time is that it means we get to love and share our lives with another friend.  The hardest part of loving so many dogs as we do here at Dogpatch is the inevitable loss.  Do not think for a moment that it gets easier.  It doesn't .  The fact that they are not "our" dogs is a very minor detail.  This year there will be two empty spots at our Howl A Day tables.  Both Zipper and Baxter joined us for most of our Thanksgiving and or Christmas festivities since they were puppies.  Baxter was one of the very first Dogpatch Dogs, and Zipper was not far behind.  This last month they went ahead to wait for us.  They are in good company where they are running now, but it is a lonesome pack they leave behind.  The slideshow is a few of the many happy memories shared with them through the years.....
Remember to hold close, for in the blink of an eye, or the wag of a tail time goes by
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November 22nd, 2015

11/22/2015

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Happy Tails to You, Until We Meet Again

4/24/2014

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As I live this amazing life loving and being loved by so many, far too often my friends go on ahead to wait. They have a new pack to run with, and new paths to follow. I only hope that when I arrive, each and every one is there to greet me. This month was a particularly difficult one...three old friends ran ahead, tails wagging to a new adventure. Those of us left behind are sad indeed. Good bye Lexi, Presley and Kobo
In the words of the great Will Rogers “If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.”
 
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Cooper and Daisy are changing it up

4/23/2014

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Things have been a bit crazy around Dogpatch this last month or so.  Who would have thought that 30 seconds of Daisy and one second of Cooper would be going all over the world.  With that, I think that we are outgrowing the facebook format.  I want an easy way for all of our friends to check out the goings on here at Dogpatch without sorting through political commentaries or what someone had for dinner and also without having to "sign up" for an account.  We will still be posting our pictures and various Friday Fun Quotes to Facebook for you die hards, but we are hoping you will subscribe to this blog and grow with us.  I also am wanting to make this blog interactive, so please feel free to post questions, comments and fun  stories about your dogs.
  As with most things not directly related to the dogs, I am muddling through this and would 
appreciate ANY and ALL input. 
just one more thing....we really want to meet all of our "pack" members so  have created a flickr "group" for you to post pictures of your own to share with Cooper and his pack
check out this link
https://www.flickr.com/groups/coopersdogpatch/ 
Woof
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Cooper Goes Viral!!!!!

4/23/2014

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February 19th, 2013

2/19/2013

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Happy Valentines from The Pack at Dogpatch

2/14/2013

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This morning my favorite Valentine nuzzled me at 430 am, and said "Lets get this day started" At 18, sometimes Sammy the Weasle doesn't understand the quality of life that is enhanced by sleep. Every night after his supper he leads the Dogpatch dogs in a little happy dance, letting us know that he has had the best day ever, and can he have another please. We should all live like Sammy and his friends. 
These dogs are the diamonds I don't wear on my fingers, the gold trinkets that I pass by in lieu of vet bills. I love them more than Life, for life without dogs, would be no life at all. I offer you these pictures of my Valentines and send out a heart felt thank you for being part of our pack. The dogs you send to me, make my life full. Thank you for letting me feel, as Sammy has taught me, that every day is "The best day ever", and "Can I have another, Please"
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