Hogan’s Hope for a Safe Thanksgiving with our Deaf Dogs -- All Our Dogs

More warnings below.

Much appreciation to the person or organization that designed this wonderful picture!

Thanksgiving is less than a week away and holiday guests might want to slip treats to our pets. Not only that, but holiday leftovers might be tempting for our precious animals to steal. Fatty and spicy foods, bones, raw bread dough, alcoholic beverages, onions/ garlic, chocolate, grapes, and raisins are on the please do not feed list!

A well-intended treat could trigger intestinal upset, diarrhea, or even pancreatitis. Sugar-free sweets could contain xylitol that can be lethal to pets. If guests want to give some extra attention to our pets, they can provide a walk or some extra cuddle time. As the human caretakers, we are responsible for our precious pups’ needs and safety. We can provide healthy and safe alternatives that our animals will love, and our guests will feel happier being able to spoil a loving, warm, and furry family member who is insisting on getting a treat as everyone else.

Please be extra diligent during this festive season when our parties and gatherings can turn upside-down if our beloved pets become ill or even worse. Let everyone know that positive reinforcement is the only option and each person must know how to approach, get attention, and how to handle situations, even if that means getting you to take care of things.

Be sure to have special treats on hand like baby carrots, small pieces of apple, or special dog treats.

Keep food up where our four-legged family members can’t reach. Our deaf pups can’t hear us telling them from behind that their behavior isn’t appropriate.

Instruct children, seniors, and guests on what not to feed our pets. Humans need to be diligent to keep our deaf dogs’ attention focused and our communication visible.

Tethering your pup to your side is a great way to keep them close and under a watchful eye. This practice also helps keep negative correction out of the equation because our pups have to pay much closer attention.

Happy Thanksgiving, and let’s make certain that it’s all happy for everyone!

Another list helps list dangerous items:

Always nice to end with something positive! Have a blessed, safe celebration.

Halloween and Our Dogs - Our Deaf Dogs as well

Halloween is fast approaching and attention must be given to our precious pets. For me, that means that I must focus on what my deaf dog, Elsie, needs, wants, likes, and dislikes. Precautions need to be recognized for all our animals but especially those who are deaf or have other special needs.

First, Elsie is deaf and can’t hear treat-or-treaters approaching. I don’t want her to be startled even though she has been desensitized to sudden movements, appearances, or vibrations. I always sign for her to “look” as people arrive. I also pay attention in the event that other animals are walking the trail with their families.

She also loves to run after flashing lights in hopes of “catching” these beams in her teeth. Paying particular attention to these sudden bursts of light from the flashlights carried by our two-legged, costumed visitors is mandatory. She just might go chasing after the light, following them down a long driveway or road. Believe me, it would be a very funny sight watching me, arms waving hysterically above my head, trying to catch Elsie’s peripheral vision in order to beckon her to return.

The remainder of the article is from a blog that I posted last year. It warrants repeating. Please take good care of our deaf dogs, other pets, and visitors so no undesired events occur. Make it a fun evening - IF your neighborhood is still able to have Halloween amidst all the changes. These important guidelines apply to parties or other celebratory, candy-gathering times.

Clarence, my amazing service dog

Halloween is holiday that can be great fun for our trick-or-treaters but can be the source of stress for our pups.  And, keeping our pets safe is important and actually quite easy if we keep their needs in mind.  The ASPCA makes some simple recommendations for keeping them safe and happy. 

Number 1 on their list is the candy:
Candy is for the human trick-or-treaters and can be toxic to our pets. "Chocolate in all forms—especially dark or baking chocolate—can be very dangerous for cats and dogs, and sugar-free candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can cause serious problems in pets. If you suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 immediately."  Candy wrappers are a threat as well, causing stomach upset and even deadly blockages.

Heidi (Beagle) and Judea (deaf Dalmatian) love greeting the visitors, but they have been desensitized to children wearing masks.

Number 2 is the decorations
Keep decorations out of reach.  While things like pumpkins, corn, glow sticks, etc. aren't big threats, they can cause severe stomach upset. 

Hogan (deaf Dalmatian) and India (Black Lab). Hogan wasn’t ready to tolerate anything but a scarf during his first Halloween. After lots of play and rewards, he eagerly looked forward to dressing up. India always loved a new costume.

Number 3 is costumes
I love to dress my pups up for most holidays BUT I watch closely for any indications that they don't like the costume.  We do not want to cause unnecessary stress.  Costumes should never cause risk or infringe on eyesight, breathing, movement, or being able to express themselves with a bark or meow.  Keep it simple.  I use a headband or just a holiday scarf for one of my pups.

Number 4 is safety
I always make sure that I have an identification collar or tag on my pups before the visitors of Halloween arrive.  I even have reflecting collars on them so they are more visible in the darkness.  If they do escape, they can be returned to me more easily.  One of my pups needs to be kept in a completely separate part of the house because the costumes are a bit too overwhelming.  NO STRESS!  NO WORRIES!  Our pups depend on us to provide safety, security, and well-being. 

If your dog has any potential to jump up, nip, or bite, PLEASE secure him or her in another room.  We must not only consider the safety of our visitors, but we don't want to encounter the slightest chance of losing our dog in a legal suit.

Remember

If you suspect that something is going to create an unsafe or stressful situation, please provide your wonderful and loving pet an alternative.  Remember, too, that our deaf dogs need extra security!