Time for Work ~ Dog

Tracey Zysk

Wiggles & Jiggles Pet Care

 

 

Sgt Gray, his family and Kyzer courtesy photo D.Shultz

 

Last week was quite a week for one of our local   K-9 dogs.  As we all know, NAPD Kyzer won the 2011 National Working Dog Hero award.   But it leads to the question, what is a Working dog?  How is that different that a family pet?   The children at the award ceremony  asked some amazing questions that I thought I would share today.

Q:  What is a Working Dog?
A:  Well, first of all a Working Dog is not a family pet.   A Working Dog is an animal that performs a task or an assignment for his owner or handler.   For example, Kyzer is a Working Dog, although he goes home at night with Sgt Gray, he is property of the North Andover Police dept.  He is an employee whose task is to find narcotics or to help with search and rescue.

Q:  How many hours a week does a Working Dog work?
A:   A Working Dog always works.  His job is twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, and three hundred and sixty five days a week.

Q: Does a Working Dog go to school to learn how to do his job?
A: He sure does, it all depends what type of skill he will become specialized but he will go to a training school, work with a mentor and have to pass a series of tests too!    

Q:  What type of Working Dogs are there?
A:  There are several different types of Working Dogs.  It all depends on what you may need.  There are police, fire and military dogs, Seeing Eye dogs to help the blind, Hearing dogs to help the hearing impaired and dogs that are trained to help with everyday tasks.  There are even dogs that are being used by the medical world to help “sniff” cancerous cells and other potential diseases in humans.   Basically, any task a human may need assistance with a dog can be trained to do.  

Q:  Does a Working Dog retire?
A:  Yes, in time a Working Dog does retire.  When the dog has reached a certain age or is unable to perform his task, he will be replaced by a new dog.

Q: Then what happens to the dog?
A:  The Working dog becomes a Family Pet.  That’s right,  he will go  and live with his handler or another loving home and gets to hang out, play or even sleep all day.  Not a bad gig for a job well done!   

North Andover Rocks ! ~ National Night Out 2011

 

      

National Night Out 2011

Photos (1)

Photos

Credit Tracey Zysk

 

Seriously.. Could National Night Out have been any more fun?  Not even the rain (a brief 10 min down pour) could dampen the spirit of North Andover.
A carnival, a fair, and a circus all in one.    Infants, teens, young adults and seniors too.  Everyone was enjoying this event. 
People dancing to Zumba, kids riding Police ATV’s and climbing Fire truck ladders.  Not to mention, eating chicken to pizza and ice cream and treats.   Kyzer winning his National K-9 Hero award.  ( Yes I’m bragging about the NAPD K-9 unit again, I know I know…but it’s MY blog ! )    
I sat back and watched the residents.   The event was to start at 6:00PM.  People started entering the field at 5:30 and by 6:30 the parking lot was filled.   Balloons in hand, and bags filled with goodies.
Merchants, wow..what a turn out there.  I believe at last count we had registered almost 60 businesses from North Andover to participate in our day. 
Yes, but let’s remember this was a safety event.  As a CrimeWatch Block Captain reality hit when the Massachusetts Missing & Exploited Children board displayed 43 children missing from our State as recently as this past June or from the winners of the Take 25 poster contest that had their artwork on display.      
Crime is crime. It is ugly, it is hurtful, and it will be life changing.  Fortunately, police departments that encourage and support Neighborhood CrimeWatch programs are really taking the initiative to improve and protect their communities.  Most importantly, police departments that have Neighborhood CrimeWatch programs are saying to their community that they really do want to get to know their residents.  They want that relationship between town folk and law enforcement.
And by the turn out tonight, goal accomplished!

Gearing Up for a Night Out - North Andover MA

 

Credit Courtesy of National Night Out

 

It's that time of year again. North Andover will participate in the 28th Annual National Night Out on Aug. 2 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Hayes Stadium behind North Andover Middle School.
National Night Out was started in 1984 to promote crime prevention. It aims at increasing crime awareness, generating support for local crime prevention and neighborhood watch programs, strengthening the relationship between police and the community and showing criminals that their community is united against crime.
Last year, more than 15,000 communities -- more than 37 million people -- participated in the event nationwide.
In North Andover,the event is organized by the North Andover Police Department along with local Neighborhood Crime Watch members. There will be public safety vehicles on display, games and crafts for the kids, face painting, food and beverages, music and more.
There will also be many organizations and merchants with booths at the event. But the event is free, and no sales or sign-ups are allowed. There will be plenty of coupons and samples, though, and the event has served as a venue in which local businesses can promote their products.
About 2,500 people are expected to attend National Night Out in North Andover.

http://northandover.patch.com/articles/gearing-up-for-a-night-out

NAPD Kyzer wins National Award - Pet Sitter International - NA Patch

NAPD Dog Wins National Honor

Resident Tracey Zysk nominated Kyzer for the recognition.

    

Pet Sitters International, creators of Take Your Dog to Work Day, recently announced the 2011 winners of its new Working Class K-9 Hero Contest -- meant to honor dogs who work every day to improve the lives of others -- and the North Andover Police Department's Kyzer is among them.

Kyzer is an 8-year-old narcotics K-9 for the North Andover Police Department. He was nominated for the award by North Andover resident and professional pet sitter Tracey Zysk of Wiggles & Jiggles Pet Care.
"When I saw that Pet Sitter International was looking for nationwide Working Class K-9 Hero nominations, I knew immediately I was going to nominate Kyzer," Zysk said. "As a police dog Kyzer is trained to do specific task. He is not a family pet, he is a sworn in officer of the law."
Kyzer is credited with saving police officers' lives in 2007, when he accompanied his handler, Sgt. Charles Gray, to a shooting at a local business. Gray released the leash, and Kyzer bit the shooter's arm and knocked the gun away.
"Fortunately Kyzer was 100 percent on and did exactly what he was trained to do," Zysk said. "At that moment, although he did “his job”, doing his job accurately saved the community of North Andover from a heartbreaking tragedy."
Kyzer became a role model in the K-9 community and has been called to other communities to assist with search-and-rescues.
Recently, Kyzer's stomach flipped and he had to have stomach staple surgery.
"Most dogs don’t live through that, but Kyzer had surgery and a remarkably speedy recovery," Zysk said. "Not to mention he returned to work with little time out of service. I’m around hundreds of dogs all the time, both family pet and working dogs, and I can honestly say I have never in my career seen a dog as focused, determined and disciplined as Kyzer. He is one of a kind, and North Andover is very privileged to have him as our narcotics and tracking K-9 dog."
So North Andover can boast another hero in town, this one with four legs. Kyzer will have an award ceremony at 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, just before the National Night Out, at North Andover Middle School

http://northandover.patch.com/articles/napd-dog-wins-national-honor

The Events of an Overheated Dog

Yesterday was quite an eventful day.  As I was driving down Main Street going to one of my client’s houses, I saw another one of my clients running frantically up Main.  She had a child with her and a leash in hand.   Right at that moment I knew this wasn’t going to be good.  

My client saw me and immediately yelled over for help.  I jumped out of my car to find out what was going on.  Her dog had gotten loose and took off on her when she was at the park.  She was running home to get her car and to have someone watch her nephew so she could continue her search.

At that point I drove down to the park to look for Roxy.   I’m driving thinking, Roxy?  Take off? That is not like Roxy.   Roxy is one of my most disciplined dogs; she has been fully trained, listens to all her commands and never just takes off.  This is just not her character.

Luckily, having known this dog since she was a puppy I wasn’t too concerned that she ran too far, I was more concerned about her health.   At 9:45AM it was extremely hot, already 90.  We had just had a quick shower and it was getting very muggy.   I also know that the owner and this dog are very athletic and like to do fast paced, strong walks.   I know their routine and it is a physical one.

Fortunately, after driving around a couple of streets I found her!  She was exhausted, shaking and panting heavily.  I pulled my car over for her to get in my backseat, only to notice she couldn’t get up and her eyes were glossy.   I knew right there Ms. Roxy was starting to stroke.

Once I got her in my car I drove her home.   Roxy rolled out of the back of my car and collapsed onto the pavement.    I had the owner immediately get water, ice cubes and a cold face cloth.  As she was doing that I began some of my animal massage strokes that help with cooling the system.   I took some of the ice cubes and massaged them into Roxy’s pressure points and  let her drink a bowl of water.  It took a couple of minutes, which to the owner and I seemed like a life time but eventually Roxy was able to stand.  At that point Roxy was moved  inside the home to continue to cool down next to the air conditioner.

Roxy is fine…Roxy was very very lucky.

Please remember that an animal’s average body temperature is 101.  Once the temperature rises about 105 the animal can and probably will begin to stroke.  It happens quickly and can lead to a heart attack, stroke, coma or even death.   Animals by nature use panting as a way to cool their systems but sometimes, their bodies just can not endure the heat and humidity.   On extremely hot days please limit your pets exercise and keep a few extra bowls of water available to them.

A rule of thumb..If you’re hot, your pet is hotter. 

As always PLEASE KEEP YOUR PETS HYDRATED!!  

It's Hot..Drink Please

Summer is here…everyone is having cookouts, cooling off at their pools, kicking back and enjoying our nice summer weather.   With all this excitement are you remembering your pets?  As hot as you are, their body temperatures are higher and they can become dehydrated much quicker.  
Like humans, dog and cats bodies are made of 80 percent water. Having enough water in an animal's system determines the proper flow of nutrients needed for the functionality of the organs and helps prevent illness.

But more simply put…it’ HOT and your pet needs water.  He is thirsty!

As a rule of thumb, a dog needs approximately twice as much as its body weight to remain hydrated.  For example:  a dog that weighs 15lbs should have at least 30 oz of water a day.

Keep the water bowl full all day. This time of year keep multiple bowls in easy access places to where your pet may be.
 Keep the water bowl clean    I see so many of these water fountains for pets and owners fill them up thinking they don’t need to change the water until it is empty.  Hum… probably not one of my favorite pet inventions, people tend to forget it is “still” water in a container at room temperature.  It needs to be changed and the container needs to be cleaned.  If not, bacteria and mold will grow inside.  Once ingested by the pet, mold can lead to severe internal sickness.
 Ice Cubes   Dogs love chewing on ices cubes, it helps get fluids in their bodies and it is a fun interactive toy too!   
Dog pools, sprinkler or hose  Take the kiddy pool,  fill it up with water and let your dog jump around in it.  Oh my god, have you ever seen a dog in a kiddy pool?  They bounce all around and have a blast too.   If you don’t have a pool, a sprinkler or a garden hose can be just as effective.   
AC or Fan  Yup…spoil them a bit…my Lani, she loves her AC and ceiling fan as she lounges on her couch.

If you have concerns that your dog or cat may be dehydrated do the “scruff” test

• To determine the extent of your pet's dehydration a dehydrated dog or cat will lose skin elasticity.  Pull lightly on the skin at the scruff of the neck and note how quickly it returns to its normal location. The longer it takes, the more dehydrated your dog or cat is.

And as always, with any health questions or concerns please call your veterinarian immediately.

Now for this Friday, fill the ice cube trays in the freezer, buy some frosty paws treats and enjoy a happy and hydrated weekend with your pet.  Stay cool too !

More Fame for Michael Vick…Seriously?

Oh my...here we go again.   Mr. Vick seems to be coming around smelling like a rose.   Seriously, who gets away with brutally and tourchering innocent dogs?  Apparently the courts felt this gambling, greedy money maker murderer only needed a simple 20 month sentence in prison.  The NFL (another disappointment) was counting the days for this former top athlete to be released and immediately re- instated to the NFL.  Why?     

Have we forgotten the numerous animals that lost their lives to the hands of this cruel, evil , sociopath?  Or are we simply looking away?  What about  the 27 pit bulls that were able to be saved?  Have we not acknowledged these dogs will struggle with some form of PTSD for the rest of their lives?  These animals have been going through recovery for almost 4yrs now and some still haven’t been able to fully transition back into society.

Therefore, why is Michael Vick allowed back into society?  Why is he able to have a career making millions and as of last week resigns to his endorsement contract with Nike!

Nike, an athletic company that is known for promoting the most exciting athletes in the world, chose Michael Vick?  What is our media and corporate America doing?  Come on Nike…are you saying with all the sports and record breaking athletes in the world the best you could find as a representation of you and as a role model is Michael Vick?  Oh geez…

I honestly think with the 10yr anniversary of 911 approaching us in September,  I would have hoped Nike could have done a tribute campaign on all the heroes that lost their lives that day.  But what am I thinking?  That would only be the logical and respectful thing Nike could have done.  That doesn’t make sense.  Shame on you Nike ….

I have to ask?  What is next?  The Whitey Bugler running shoes?

Tracey Zysk, owner of Wiggles & Jiggles Pet Care in North Andover MA is a local pet care professional.  She has been featured on local radio, tv and newspapers educating the general public on animal care and animal health & wellness.  Tracey is a proud supporter of Police, Fire & Military K9 units. Tracey  may be reached at wigglewalk@comcast.net.  Become a fan on facebook at Wiggles & Jiggles Pet Care and follower of www.traceythedogwalker.blogs.com