by Margaret | Feb 3, 2021
No, this is not a new soap. This is a very serious matter.
I learned about this for the first time sadly when the lovely Electra died suddenly.
We had all been out for a walk with her and some other dogs in the evening. All was well.
The next day I received a call to tell me she was at the vets and would likely not make it. She died on the operating table that morning.
This was the dog that turned me into a true dog lover. I was devastated that such a beautiful creature could be taken away with no warning. She was in good health and was only 8 years old. She was a beautiful grey ghost. That is the name for the Weimaraner.
The Weimeraner is a large, deep chested dog. Like many other deep chested dogs, she was more susceptible to this horrible thing, called bloat by the layman. The technical name for it is gastric torsion.
You don’t see it coming. It is not preventable. One day a dog is healthy. In what could be a matter of minutes, it can be fatal. What happens is that gas forms in the dog’s stomach and the stomach twists. Blood flow to the stomach becomes blocked. The gas and fluid become trapped in the stomach with no way out. This is an emergency situation. A dog’s life is at stake.
There are signs and stages, yet it can happen so fast that the average dog owner will not see it or even think to look for such a thing. The signs can be, in the early stage, the dog may pant and drool. Dogs do that when they are hot, and that might go unnoticed. The dog’s abdomen may look enlarged, but in a large chested dog you may not see it, and in a coated dog you definitely would not see it. If this horrible thing is happening the dog will pant and drool more and may show sign of discomfort by whining. There will be attempts to vomit. The abdomen will be more enlarged. The gums will be dark red. The dog’s heart beat will be racing. Unless you are checking these things regularly, you would not notice.
It can happen so quickly.
In the most dangerous stage the dog will not be able to stand up. The abdomen will be even more enlarged. The gums will be white or blue. This can all happened in a matter of minutes, and too late for the dog.
It can also happen over a longer period, perhaps an hour or so.
At any stage this is an absolute no question about it emergency situation.
We did not know about Electra. We did not know why, what, or how this happened and we never will.
I was not with her through it, but her owner did all he could do. He took her to the vet the first sign. They tried to save the lovely girl, but she did not make it through the operation.
And yes, I am crying now as I write this.
What causes this? Well, there are different opinions on it, but what does seem to be consistent is that no one knows for sure. Some of the risk factors are mentioned as -first, the breed of the dog. Large breeds with deep and narrow chests. The weimeraner is on this list. Some other breeds with this type of chest are the German shorthaired pointer, the Doberman, and the Great Dane. You can see by the look of the dog. Built for sport! Some of the other dogs said to be at risk are the St Bernard, Newfoundland, and English sheepdog. These are obviously the very large breed dogs.
Another mention is the way dogs eat. Some dogs gulp down their food. I know my Dalmatian used to do that. I would put down her plate and it was gone before I could blink. Eating fast and large amounts is a risk factor many experts say. Just like us, when we gulp our food, we can get gas trapped. We have a different structure and the release of the gas for us can be easier. If you have ever suffered from heartburn, trapped gas, you will know what I am talking about. This can be an extremely painful thing. If you have had it, first time, you think you are going to die as it feels like you are having a heart attack. I don’t know if a dog suffering feels this pain. I hope not.
The food itself is also mentioned as a risk factor. Studies have found that kibble with a high content of fat and kibble with citric acid, if the food was moistened, increased the risk. Most experts will also say to not feed your dog beans, or any food that is known to produce gas.
What can we do? Be aware. That is the most important thing. Now that I am aware of it, even though technically I do not have a dog on the risk list, my dog has a structure similar to the large chested dog and for that reason I am more aware and observant of any unusual signs.
Feed your dog more often, and in smaller meals. Put something in the food to slow the eating down.
There are even dog bowls designed to slow the dog down) sort of like a TV tray (come on I can’t be the only one who has eaten a meal from a TV dinner tray!
Here is a company that sells such a bowl.
Platinumpets
by Margaret | Oct 14, 2020
Over 100 faces on fences, Dog and cat faces have been painted on 2 back lane fences in New Westminster from 2015 to 2019 and they are proudly there, looking out at all that pass by. They were painted for the love of the dog, to raise awareness of its importance, and also to raise money for the BC and Alberta Guide Dogs and Dogs for Autism support puppy raising program . While you are doing the cultural crawl this year,October 17 and 18 2020, come by and see them, They are located along the lane that runs east and west beside 805 Cherry, and along the lane behind the house. and along the lane that runs east and west beside the last house on 6th ave east as the street curls up to meet 8th ave. They are both very close to 8th ave. between Cumberland and Richmond you are on the right track. one is on the north side, the other on the south. ask someone- if you can’t find them, the neighbourhood loves them. I am the artist, Margaret Halsey. also, I am looking for a new fence to paint dog and cat faces on. do you have one, know of one. contact me at clephadij@shaw.ca. You can also buy books of the fences. contact me for that too. they are $30 and $20.
by Margaret | Oct 28, 2018
On Saturday Oct 27, 2018 at the BC and Alberta Guide Dogs and Autism Support Dogs (BCAGD & ASD) puppy raising party I gave a cheque for $ 2,500 to bring the donation to the goal of $5,000 from the fence projects. This $5,000 gives me the opportunity to name a puppy after my dad. And a puppy has been named. Little Bertie.(My dad was Herbert (Bert) Joseph Halsey)My dad said I capture the spirit of the dog in their eyes. He was my biggest fan.He will be very happy smiling down on me . .I also have a great niece who is on the autism spectrum and the family will be happy that we are supporting this cause.The fence not only helps raise money for puppy sponsorship it also brings more awareness to the importance of BCAGD and ASD and the puppy raising program.The fence also promotes the importance of all dogs in our lives. People love it. Dog people love cats too and cats became included.Because of the fence, I started my own society called Citizen Canine Companion (CCC). The purpose of this society is to promote the importance of dogs (and cats too) in our lives and for our well being. Love on Paws. My paintings hang in many homes, and make many people happy. I saw a long red fence while walking my dog Smyth in my neigbourhood. And now there are over 100 faces on two long fences in New Westminster, all painted by me, as if they were on canvas hanging in homes. The fences have raised more than $7,800 as of October 28, 2018.80% of net funds raised is for the BC and Alberta Guide dogs and Autism Support Dogs. 20% will help Citizen Canine Companion continue to promote the importance of dogs (and cats) in our society. Thank you to everyone who participated and to everyone that enjoys my fences on their walks. I have more than reached my first goal, and started on the next one.I will continue with more fences and continue to donate to dog and cat related charities and societies. I have a small fence with room for 10 on it ready to start. Just up from Cherry lane. As some of you know I have also written a book about the first fence. I plan to write another book about the second. Stay tuned for more, including a picture of the puppy named Bertie.
by Margaret | Sep 3, 2014
I was on edge. The trial had been 3 days. The judge had said he would decide as soon as he could.
My birthday came and went, and no decision was made.
Then, on July 29 2010, the judge came out with his decision. It was posted on line in the court system, in the small claims court of BC, and the lawyer for the other side contacted me to inform me the decision was out.
I opened the email not knowing how it would read.
I then opened the decision.
The judge did not give his decision until the last page.
At first he referred to the emotion in the court case. As he has been a family court judge mostly he compared it to the emotion that is in the court over child custody. He said it in his statement, in the most positive way that the emotion in the courtroom was similar to that of child custody.
After summarizing in his statement the positions and points that both sides took and made, (you can read the judgment if you like it is public), he went on to give his decision. I read the multi page report with anticipation. You can imagine!!
I knew I had presented myself well, yet I also knew this was a delicate issue, and there was not much in the way of precedent for the judge to go on.
In the court, a dog is property. The laws of property would apply.
A contract is a contract, whether it is in writing or verbal. The law of contacts would apply.
He was a gift; I paid no money for him. The laws of gifts would apply.
It was a balance of facts.
The decision in small claims in such cases does not come down to “reasonable doubt”
It is the “Balance of probabilities”. This is the burden of proof in civil trials. It also known as “preponderance of evidence.” In a civil trial, one party’s case need only be more probable than the other.
When the evidence is equally balanced, victory goes to the defendant as the burden of proof is with the plaintiff, the one who initiates legal proceedings. (That being me in this case)
To win this I needed clear and convincing evidence.
So, did have it?
Well, I thought I did.
I had witnesses that had heard the women agree to give the dog to me.
I had witnesses that could say he lived with me for over a year at that point, as they had seen him on many occasions.
I had lots of pictures of him at my house. I had character witnesses.
She, the other party- i.e. the defendant- was claiming she did not just give him to me, and she had the right to take him back, at her call at any time. She was claiming we had a co ownership agreement, a verbal agreement that gave her ultimate control of the destiny of my dog.
She had witnesses that said they had such as agreement with her, regarding a dog. Yet they could not say they were aware of what the agreement was I had with her.
I was concerned, as I could not prove that I did not have such an agreement, I just knew that I did not. What person in their right mind would agree to an arrangement where, at the whim of another, your dog could be taken from you?
(Another story about rescue contracts one should be aware of- later- that is a different situation)
I was also concerned, as she had a lawyer representing her, and I was representing myself.
I had done my homework though and felt that if I was heard, that I should win.
But this was one individual, saying she had a verbal agreement with another, to give up her dog, for whatever reason, at any time.
Who is right and who is wrong, when neither has absolute proof.
I had taken the dog to her to see, after it was found. If you have read the first story you will know that my dog got out of an open gate, and ran (as whippets will) and was found the next day. I picked him up, and as this lady had been his previous owner, and had given him to me, and we walked together often, I took him to see her. I won’t get into the long details of the situation as it is private and over. I only know that I am a rational person who would not agree to such a crazy thing.
As the dog was with her, how could I now prove I did not take him back to her for her to keep, when all I was doing was being kind and allowing her to see he was OK too?
The judge in my attempt for custody until the trial could decide by the court, the ownership, ruled that he stay with her, as all the judge had was her word against mine, that I just did not give him back to her.
How could he know?
I could not see that at the time, but I do see t now. The judge, while he may have wanted to rule in my favour, was stuck and so I had to go the entire time, the 8 months it took to get the trial, without my dog.
Yes, the question is- Who is right and who is wrong, when neither has absolute proof.
In the end that is what the judged made his decision on.
Rational
Believable
I was believable. My evidence was believable.
I was rational.
She, in his opinion, simply was not.
His decision was. The dog, my dog, should be returned to me immediately.
I was ecstatic. I went to collect him that day.
A happy reunion it was. He was away from me for 8 months.
I did not know what to expect with the reunion, would he remember me. He appeared to.
And he settled in back home in no time at all.
It is four years and more ago. Yet I still get very emotional when I think about it, and I sometimes wonder how I had the strength to fight for him, and to win.
Yet when I look at him, I know.
He has been with me ever since and is a part the inspiration for this web site.
If there is anyone out there reading this that has a question or an issue please let me know as perhaps I can be of help.
I am not a lawyer, or an expert in dogs. I can only tell you what I have learned, and perhaps give you some suggestions in directions to go.
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