Pet Talk

By Cathy Davis
    If your dog is constantly making noises that make it sound like he’s choking on something, he may have kennel cough which is “canine infectious tracheobronchitis.” Although it sounds terrible, most of the time dogs recover without any lingering after effects; however, kennel cough is highly contagious and can include other symptoms such as sneezing, a runny nose or eye discharge.  Likely your dog will act normal otherwise, still have the same energy level and appetite, he’ll just have this distinct cough.
    At Houlton Humane, we have not seen a lot of cases of kennel cough, but there have been a few — enough to raise the question of whether or not we should vaccinate. Kennel cough can have multiple causes.
    One of the most common is a bacterium called Bordetella bronchisepticam, which is why kennel cough is often called Bordetella. Most dogs that have become infected with Bordetella are infected with a virus at the same time.
    Exposure to crowded conditions, cold temperatures, exposure to dust and/or cigarette smoke and stress can be factors in a dog coming down with kennel cough. 
    After exploring the cost versus benefits, the shelter director made a recommendation to the board that we begin vaccinating against kennel cough.
    There is a small cost for the vaccine, so the adoption fee will go up just $10 to cover this cost. We are pleased to be able to offer this additional protection for these pets.
    It is our goal at the Houlton Humane Society to adopt-out healthy animals, who have been vet checked and vaccinated. It is your responsibility, after you adopt, to follow up with your vet to make sure booster shots are given on schedule. During those scheduled visits, make sure to ask for a wellness check so your vet has the time to really do a thorough job of examining Fido from ears to tail.
    Shelter pets and rescue pets go through a rigorous examination and testing. I can remember many years ago being totally unaware of the quality of shelter animals and actually saying something like “I’d rather adopt a puppy because it doesn’t come with any bad habits.” Oh how dumb I was back then! Since then I have had the pleasure of an education, so to speak. My beloved sheltie mix Shannon was the best dog I ever had, adopted as an adult from the shelter, she was loyal, loving, kind, gentle and had no “bad habits” other than occasionally digging a hole in the back yard.   
    Shannon came to live with us when our shelter-adopted cat Elizabeth was in her golden years and Elizabeth and Shannon were inseparable. When Elizabeth died at the age of 18, Shannon would look for her for hours, finally settling down at my feet in sadness, missing her dear friend.
    When Ellie and Boo came to live with us, Boo decided that Shannon was her mother and would follow her everywhere.  
    Boo is a black and white cat that is afraid of everything (hence, the name Boo), but Shannon was what brought her out of her shell.
    Boo would follow Shannon everywhere, knead on her and purr at her and lay in her arms till Shannon would get tired of it and get up and walk away and then Boo would follow her and start all over again.
    Right before Christmas, almost four years ago now, I lost my Shannon to heart disease. Devastated, I drove around with her leash and collar in my car for months, missing her so bad I could literally feel it all over my body.
    It was two years before I was ready to finally move on and then one day Heather called from the shelter and suggested I might want to come see the new dog that had come in. 
    I took one look at Scruffy, and it was all over. He is a  Cairn terrier mix, as far as we can tell, and he was 2 years old or so and he has been the love of my life for two years now.
    There are no words to describe the unconditional love and joy that just screams from this dog. He is happy, he is crazy, and he loves his mommy. And yes, Boo has fallen in love with Scruffy too.
    Consider adoption. There are so many dogs and cats out there that are desperate for new homes.
    They don’t have to be puppies or kittens to be a great match for your family. Think about adopting an adult.
    The shelter opens at 11 a.m. every day but Sunday, stop by and visit.
    And if you would like to help with the funding of our rescue efforts, please join us Saturday, Dec. 1 for a spaghetti supper at the Shiretown banquet hall from 4-6 p.m. Thanks to all of you for all you do.