| |
To honor those pets we hold in our hearts forever…
The Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water, and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the pets who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing: they each miss someone very special, someone who was left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. Their bright eyes are intent. Their eager body begins to quiver.  Suddenly they break from the group, flying over the green grass, faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into those trusting eyes, so long gone from your life, but never from your heart. Then you cross the Rainbow Bridge together…
Do you need help dealing with pet loss?
Coping effectively with grief..."is not the process of forgetting, it is the process of remembering with less pain and more joy.” – Author unknown
Sometimes dealing with the loss of a beloved pet is just too hard to deal with on your own. Non-pet owners often don't understand the bond between you and your pet and can't understand your grief, making it even harder for you to heal. Please don't hesitate to use one or more of these resources.
Pet Loss Support Group
614-895-3416 (Dorothy Hall)
This group meets twice monthly at the Quest Business Center off Polaris Parkway.
Delta Society Pet Loss and Bereavement
Pet Loss Hotlines
The Ohio State University
School of Veterinary Medicine
614-292-1823
Michigan State University
College of Veterinary Medicine
Tues, Wed, Thurs 6:30-9:30 PM Eastern Time
517-432-2696
Cornell University
College of Veterinary Medicine
Tues, Wed, Thurs 6-9 PM Eastern Time
607-253-3932
Reading list for Pet Loss
This list is lengthy as there are many informative books available to help you and your family through this difficult time. There are many more listed on pet loss websites. 
- Because of Flowers and Dancers - Sandra Brackenridge (age 5-11)
- Jim's Dog Muffins - Miriam Cohen (age 4-6)
- Rosalie - Joan Hewett (age 4-8)
- The Black Dog Who Went into the Woods - Edith Thatcher Hurd (age 5-10)
- When a Pet Dies - Fred Rogers (age 3-8)
- Growing Time - Sandal Warburg (age 8-10)
- I'll Always Love You - Hans Wilhelm (age 4-8)
- The Tenth Good Thing About Barney - Judith Viorst - (age 5-adult)
- The Fall of Freddie the Leaf - Leo Buscaglia (all ages)
- Charlotte's Web - E.B. White
- Mustard - Charlotte Graeber
- Goodbye My Friend - Mary Ann Montgomery
- Pet Loss: A Thoughtful Guide for Parents and Children - Herbert Neiburg (all ages)
- When Your Pet Dies, How to Cope With Your Feelings - Jamie Quackenbush and Denise Graveline in association with the American Animal Hospital Association (age 11-adult)
- Chicken Soup for the Pet Lover's Soul - Jack Canfield, Editor
 New Year Resolutions for our pets
Every year millions of people make New Year resolutions, however, many of them have been forgotten by January 15th. This year, how about resolving to make your best friends happier and healthier? Here are some ideas for New Year resolutions for your pet:
- Have your pet spayed or neutered – Theoretically, according to the Humane Society of the United States, a cat and her offspring can produce 420,000 babies in seven years, and a dog and all of her offspring can produce 67,000 puppies in a six-year period. Millions of unwanted dogs and cats are euthanized every year at humane societies around the United States.
- Spend more time with your pets – Boredom is a big reason for behavioral problems. Spend time every day walking and playing with your pets. Daily exercise is good for their physical and mental health.
- Help your pet maintain a healthy weight. It has been shown that dogs and cats live longer if they are not overweight. It is very important that you work with your veterinarian to plan a weight loss program. Maintaining proper nutrition for your pet’s age and health status, and strict monitoring of the amount and rate of weight loss are of utmost importance.
- Schedule your annual veterinary visit. Keeping your pet current on health maintenance programs will result in happier, healthier pets. What more could you ask for?
- Comprehensive examinations – Your veterinarian will do a “tip of the nose to tip of the tail” examination. Sometimes conditions are noted that the owner has not yet recognized.
- Vaccinations – There are new vaccine protocols now for our dogs and cats. Please speak with your veterinarian regarding a vaccine schedule that best fits your pets’ needs.
- Annual blood and fecal tests
- There is a potential for infection with intestinal parasites every time your pet goes out of the house. We recommend annual testing (stool/fecal check) for intestinal parasites.
- Heartworm disease is endemic in most states in the United States. It is a fatal disease if undiagnosed, so early detection by way of an annual blood test provides the best chance for successful treatment.
- Annual Wellness Screening – Since our pets age so much faster than humans, it is a great idea to do an annual workup (usually blood and urine tests) to monitor organ function (liver, kidneys, etc.). Early detection of decreasing organ function due to age or breed specific conditions can help the veterinarian make recommendations for treatment that could keep your pet healthy longer. Sometimes simple changes in diet are all that's needed to help inprove the function of failing organs.
- Annual dental cleanings – 85% of our pets have some degree of periodontal disease. Annual cleanings keep your pet’s mouth healthy and their breath fresh. More importantly, periodontal disease, if left untreated, will damage your pet’s internal organs. This damage is caused by the trillions and trillions of bacteria living in the plaque and tartar on your pet’s teeth. These bacteria are constantly being shed into the bloodstream and will attack the heart, liver and kidneys as they circulate throughout your pet's body. It has been shown that pets receiving regular dental care live up to five years longer!
- Giving up smoking is certainly a great resolution for you, but did you know it could help your pet too? Second hand smoke affects your pet’s respiratory system also!
- Don’t buy or adopt a pet on a whim. Do your homework! Pet ownership is a responsibility not to be taken lightly. Research the breed (and breeder) thoroughly. Is this the right pet for you and your family? Consider your home situation. Is this a good time and place to have a pet? Consider your financial situation. Can you afford routine medical care? What would you do if your pet were injured or became seriously ill?
- Have your pet microchipped. Thousands of lost pets have found their way back home only because they were microchipped. It is a quick and easy procedure. The registries are national and nearly all humane organizations scan found pets for microchips when they come into their facilities.
Welcome Liz Ryan
Liz Ryan joined the staff of East Hilliard Veterinary Services in the fall of 2009. She received her technician degree in 2006 from Columbus State Community College's School of Veterinary Technology. She also has a degree in Animal Sciences from the Ohio State University. Liz lives in Columbus with her Australain Cattle Dog, Jessie, and her cat, Dante.
Farewell Audra
The doctors and staff at East Hilliard Veterinary Services want to wish a fond farewell to Audra Hanthorn. Audra has returned home to Toledo Ohio and will be working in a veterinary clinic there. She is applying to veterinary school at both OSU and University of Tennesee. We wish her the best of luck. Audra will be missed.
Thanks Everyone!!
The clients and staff of East Hilliard Veterinary Services donated $1,062.01 to the Military Working Dogs Cooling Vest Project. Our sincere thanks to all who participated.
 Operation Baghdad Pups
Our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan often look after dogs and cats they’ve found while out on patrol. These animals are living on the edge. Malnutrition, parasites, and deplorable living conditions all combine to put these animals at extreme risk. When the soldiers take them in they are paid back with love and entertainment. The men and women that care for these strays are knowingly breaking military regulations, but the needs of these animals and the rewards the soldiers receive from the animals far outweigh the risk. The relationship forged between the animal and the soldier (or soldiers) provide a real morale boost. According to one soldier, “When all the guys got to playing with Charlie, we’d forget where we were, at least temporarily. During those moments you could almost imagine being home.”
When the soldiers end their deployment and return home, having to leave these pets behind has been extremely difficult. There was absolutely no way they could take these pets home with them until Sgt. Edward Watson contacted Terri Crisp of the SPCAI (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals - International). The SPCAI set up Operation Baghdad Pups, a program to assist in arranging transportation and coordinating the complicated logistics of getting these animals to the United States, and to provide veterinary care for these animals. The adopted animal must have been with the military personnel in Iraq or Afghanistan for at least two months to qualify for the program. The SPCAI tries to get the animal shipped home before their caregiver so they’ll be there to welcome them home and, once home, they work with the animal on basic training (including housetraining) and getting them  accustomed to their new surroundings.
For our soldiers, fitting back into family and civilian life may not be easy. Now, many soldiers coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan will have a special friend to welcome them home.
Please visit Operation Baghdad Pups website to learn more about the program and to make a donation to help rescue more dogs and cats. Here are two videos about Operation Baghdad Pups also. Military channel video You tube video
Visit the Newsletter Archive
|
