Humane Society of Elmore County News
Next Monday, 30 May, is Memorial Day and beside being a day off for many (Shelter will be closed), we do hope everyone will take some time today to pause and reflect on the true reason for this special day. So many brave men and women have given their lives for our freedom so please take time to reflect on the sacrifices they made for all of us.
Memorial Day also signifies the start of summer and time spent on the water of which Alabama is blessed with her many lakes, rivers and even the Gulf. Many families take their dogs along for fun on the water (not too many take kitties), and we implore you to plan for your dog’s safety just like your own. Dogs on boats presents some new challenges if you have never dealt with that as some will love it and some will be scared to death. So, if your dog has never been on a boat, waiting until the busy Memorial Day weekend might not be the best idea. While your boat is home on its trailer or tied up at the dock, perhaps put your dog on the boat to explore it a few days before your outing. If you can run the boat motor to let your dog get used to that sound that might also help your dog learn it won’t hurt him/her.
Just like you, your dog needs its own personal flotation device (PFD) which it should wear while aboard. You can find PFD’s for pets in area pet, sport and outdoor stores and on many on-line stores as well – make sure to get the correct size for your dog to ensure your dog’s safety. Do a bit of research, as well, as a poorly designed PFD can be worse than none at all. One feature to look for is a good ‘handle’ on the top of the PFD as getting a dog out of the water and into the boat can be challenging enough and a sturdy handle can make all the difference in lifting a dog out of the water. We have had dogs rescued from the middle of Lake Martin brought to our shelter and never reclaimed. When in a body of water as large as Lake Martin, if a dog falls overboard and is not noticed it might not be able to make it to shore before tiring out. Like getting used to the boat, let your dog get used to its PFD before heading out on the water.
Make sure to carefully supervise your dog and have a plan in mind for how you would retrieve your dog from the water (especially a larger dog) should you need to get him back into your boat. Give your dog a shady, secure spot to rest, and pack a dog first aid kit in the event of hazards from fishing gear and walking around unfamiliar shores. One last caution might be to not feed your dog too much before going out in case it is susceptible to motion sickness – smaller snacks might work better than a big breakfast.
Our dogs can get motion sickness just like we can so perhaps talk to your Vet for advice on what you can give your dog in the event it is exhibiting signs of sea sickness. Please also keep in mind that, just like people, not all dogs will enjoy being out on a boat all day, so, if you have one like that, let it chill at home in the air-conditioning.
Preparing for your pet’s safety at all times is important, but just in case it might be a good idea to know where the closest Emergency Vet Clinic is to your location. We hope you will have no need of an Emergency Vet visit but knowing where to go could save a lot of time and anguish if you have to.
We hope everyone has a safe Memorial Day weekend while also honoring all who gave so much to ensure the freedoms we embrace!
