Tara's Dog Services

Hi everyone!  Another sad post this week.  I just found out today that a dog I knew from a client of mine passed away.  I didn’t get to spend a lot of time with this specific dog, but the time I did spend with her was wonderful.  I love this dog even though I barely knew her.

I think…no I know that’s what makes dogs so amazing.  All they have to do is show up, and they’ve got me forever.  I have yet to meet anyone or anything else that can do that amazing feat.

As fantastic as all this is…I’d be lying if I said it also didn’t scare me and sadden me because the fact of life is that nothing on this Earth is forever.  It hurts so much when someone or something is gone, especially when dogs go.  They are the most loving, compassionate, and the closest thing to God I know of here on this Earth, and I never want them to leave.

Aww…I had to pause for a minute because one of the loves of my life, Momo, wanted to come up on my lap.  See…these are the moments I love, and I hope I NEVER LOSE.

Until next week…have a dogriffic day!  Aloha.

~*Tara, Momo, and MJ*~

Hello everyone!  So this week I just wanted to update you all on MJ.  He is doing well.  He is at 25 lbs., so 3 lbs. over his target weight, but hey I’m so happy that he’s even at 25 lbs.  I’m continuing to help him and Momo lose more weight though, so both will have happier healthier lives. 

Starting next week we are starting to see if MJ can go without his last medicine, which are steriods.  I’m nervous, but also hopeful because MJ has been doing so well.  I don’t want MJ or Momo to have to depend on any type of medicine for the rest of their lives if they don’t have to, so I’m hoping and praying that MJ will continue to do well.  I’m confident in MJ, but I don’t want to push him too much.

The vet said he is very pleased with MJ’s progress, and that MJ is very blessed because it’s only been about 2 1/2 months, and MJ is doing so well.  Most of the other dogs he’s seen with MJ’s case aren’t even walking by this time or are only like 50% better.  I don’t know those other dogs or their owners, but I do know me and MJ, and MJ is a strong strong fighter dog who has God on his side.  God is the true reason why MJ is doing so well because He directed me to go to Dr. Lau, He heard and answered my prayers, and He made MJ a strong, courageous, and amazing dog.  (Don’t get me wrong…Momo is pretty amazing in his own right as well    I love ‘em both!)

Alright guys I gotta go.  Until next week…have a good one.  Aloha.

~*Tara, Momo, and MJ*~

Hi everyone!  I’m really upset right now because I just saw a story and a picture of baby elephants being violently taken from their mothers, tied up, and beaten in order to perform tricks.  WHY?  PLEASE STOP.  http://www.ringlingbeatsanimals.com/bound-babies.asp?c=rbajjba0810&s_src=padba_rba 

We ALL need to do something.  This is unacceptable and cannot happen anymore!  I don’t ever want to see another circus, especially a Ringling Brothers Circus if this is how they treat their animals.  I wish these animals were able to escape and live happy lives in their natural habitat.  We do not need entertainment like this.  Why aren’t the police or law enforcement doing anything to stop this?  You have pictures right there!  Ask whoever took the pictures to show you how they were able to do that, so you can go and arrest everyone involved in this horrific training.  AAAHHHH…I cannot stand these people.  Who the heck do they think they are?  Do they have hearts? 

Everyone should protest the Ringling Brothers Circus, so they’ll go out of business and will stop torturing animals.  Tell everyone you know to protest the Ringling Brothers Circus. 

Until next time…have a good one, and treat every living creature kindly.  Aloha.

~*Tara, Momo, and MJ*~

Hello everyone!  So I am feeling much better.  My hand does not hurt as much as it did earlier this week.  It’s still a little tender and bruised, but much better.  I won’t go into detail about who’s dogs or what happened, but I will say that 2 male dogs got into a fight, and I was trying to break them up when one or both of them accidentally bit me during this scuffle.  Please be careful when trying to break up a dog fight as they can be dangerous.  It’s best to have at least 2 people break up a dog fight, but 2 people are not always available, so just be careful.

In the unfortunate case you do get bitten by a dog and there is a puncture wound please go to a doctor immediately because a dog bite will always be infected with bacteria, and you need to get antibiotics and a tetanus shot.  Also, a doctor will need to check out your wounds and soak your wound in antibacterial soap and water to get out the pus, blood, and bacteria.

So an update on my previous blog post a couple of weeks ago…remember that neighbor’s dog who came running after me, Momo, and MJ?  Well, I’ve learned from there, and I am more cautious when walking Momo and MJ, especially around that neighbor’s house.  As I was walking Momo and MJ earlier tonight I saw that that neighbor’s daughter has not learned her lesson.  I saw her walking to her car, and her dog running to her car without a leash on.  In fact, she was walking to the passenger’s side, and she had the driver’s side back door open for her dog to jump in.  That is probably what she did the last time, which is how her dog got loose to chase us.  Fortunately, we were walking across the street because I saw her car in the driveway, and the dog did not see/hear us until after she was already in the car.  Please please people be smart and responsible, especially with your pets.  Keep your dog under your control and or supervision when outside.

Alright, until next week…have a good one.  Aloha.

~*Tara, Momo, and MJ*~

Hi everyone!  Sorry, I didn’t get a chance to post a new blog post last week.  I usually write one up on Saturdays, but yesterday I didn’t get to it because I had to go to the ER.  2 dogs were fighting, and I was trying to break them up, and one of them bit me on accident.  The cut was an open wound and hurt really really bad, so I had to go to the ER immediately to get a tetanus shot, get it cleaned out, checked out by a doctor, and to get a prescription for anti-biotics.  It’s a lot better now…still pretyt sore, but now my arm with the tetanus shot hurts too, which is why this post will be short.  It’s hard for me to type for too long, and I just need to rest.  I will post another post later on this week.  Have a  great week and be safe.  Aloha.

~*Tara, Momo, and MJ*~

Hi everyone!  Hope everyone has been having a great week!

So this week I want to talk about some chicken skin stuff I experienced this week while doing a few visits and my own walk.  The first gross experience was with one of my favorite clients, Hercules, who is a 13 year old Golden Retriever.  He is such a well-behaved dog, and usually eats right away after I put his food in his bowl.  However, on my last visit with him he was preoccupied with something behind a table in his house.  Thus, I moved the table forward to see what he was so engrossed with, and I had this feeling it was going to be something I wouldn’t like.  Well, I was right.  Next thing I knew Hercules had a dead mouse in his mouth, and he took it to his favorite spot.  Of course I told him to drop it and go away, which he did.  Then I had to find something to get rid of this disturbing sight, so I found some wooden chopsticks and put the critter in a bag and threw it away outside.  OMG!   I’m not usually easily squirmish, but this was disgusting.  I’m just glad Hercules is okay, and that Momo and MJ don’t do that.  Whew!  Oh, but we’re not done for that day yet.

On that same day, but at night time, I was taking Momo and MJ out for a walk, and we were walking by our neighbor’s house when they started barking.  I asked them what they were barking at, and when I looked up I saw the neighbor’s German Shepherd, Lilikoi, 2 doors down from us running towards us barking.  MJ was in his stroller, so I turned him, and I saw Lilikoi close to Momo, so I pulled Momo up to safety.  Then the neighbor’s daughter came and took Lilikoi away and drove off without even checking to see how we were or apologizing.  I’m sorry, but I don’t care if you’re embarrassed, you still have no right to be rude.  I understand things happen, and dogs get loose sometimes, and fortunately we were not hurt, but you can still rectify the situation and make sure everyone’s ok.  There is a lesson in that story for everyone, please always be aware of your surroundings, and carry protection for you and your dogs, and take responsibility for you and your dog’s actions.

Anyways, the next day came along, and I was hoping I wouldn’t be experiencing anything else unusual.  However, that was not going to be the case.  The next day I went to do a visit for these 2 dogs and some fish.  When I go to feed the fish I notice 2 fish right up at the top of the aquarium upside down.  I am so disturbed and saddened by this sight.  Death freaks me out, including the deaths of fish.  I don’t know what happened.  Maybe I fed them too much, or something happened to their filter, or they were sick.  I don’t know because the other fish in that tank was fine, and the other fishes in the other tank were fine.

So then later on that day I went to do another visit with one of my regulars, and I take her outside in the front to play each time I visit.  I notice every now and then dead centipides in the grass.  Just the look of any insect freaks me out, and especially the look of centipides.  Plus, I don’t want them to hurt any of the dogs that play in the front, so I usually get a stick and get rid of them.  Anyways, this day I noticed 2 centipides, and it just freaked me out that they are becoming more consistent and increasing in number.  It makes me not want to go outside or to always wear shoes when going outside there.  EWWWW….

Well, that was my week full of rodents, canines, amphibians, and insects.  AAAHHH….Gross.

Until next week…have a good one.  Aloha.

~*Tara, Momo, and MJ*~

Hi everyone!  So let’s get to it…

I just made an interesting observation right now while loving on Momo and MJ.  They are like children in that they want our attention so badly, and they play up their cuteness when humans are around.  For example, while I was busy working on the computer I glanced over at them a few times and saw them just lying on my bed looking bored.  In fact, that is what they are doing right now.

However, when I went over to my bed to play with them a little before I started writing this blog post they suddenly looked like they had life breathed back into them.  Momo rolled over to get belly rubs, and shook his tail vigorously, while MJ started to play with one of his toys that a few minutes ago he completely ignored.  And once I got off the bed they both went back to moping around.

They are so funny like that.  They’re like those kids that are like “look at me, look at me mommy!”  And then when you don’t look at them they get grumpy and sad, but they are so excited when you pay them even a little bit of attention.

Alright, I better go back to my babies because they are telling me, “look at me, look at me sister!”  So, until next week…have a good one, and pay attention to your doggies!  Aloha.

~*Tara, Momo, and MJ*~

Hi everyone!  Had some time tonight, so thought I’d get started on this week’s blog post.

So today is the 4th of July.  Great day.  However, I have to admit that I’m not big on fireworks, which as we all know is associated with the 4th of July.   As I’m writing this blog post I hear fireworks in the background.

Even as a kid I was never really a big fan of fireworks because of all the danger, loud noises, and they just never really excited me.  I still feel that way, except now I’m not a big fan of fireworks mostly because Momo is terrified of them.  He hides under the bed and shakes.  Starting this year I decided to give him tranquilizers to help alleviate some of the stress, and I think it’s helping him a little.  However, he is still scared and that makes me sad.  How do other dog owners handle their scared dogs during fireworks/other loud noises?

Fortunately, MJ is fine with the fireworks, but I’m still upset about Momo.  No parent or compassionate human being likes to see another creature in distress.  I know there will be some controversy surrounding my next statement, but this is how I feel.  I support the proposed bill allowing Hawaii to ban fireworks.  I don’t like the loud noises, I don’t like how scared Momo gets, I don’t  like how it’s so hard to drive because of the fireworks, I don’t like the mess left by the fireworks, and I don’t like the smoke from the fireworks.

People can still go watch the fireworks display at various sites around the island, but there is no need for individuals to play with fireworks in neighborhoods around the island.  The best part of fireworks anyway are the shows and displays in the sky.  Might as well leave it to the professionals, and be safe and watch other people light up the fireworks.

Just my opinions.  Please feel free to express your opinions.

Until next time…Have a good one.  Aloha.

~*Tara, Momo, and MJ*~

Hello everyone!  Sorry for not writing for a while.  I’m going to try to be more consistent with my goal of writing one blog post per week.  Fortunately, I’ve been really busy because a lot of people are going on trips and need me to visit their pets/water their plants/grass.  I am very grateful for each and every opportunity I have thus far received.  Thank you all!

So in recent weeks something has been brought to my attention through multiple people around me…the dangers surrounding puppies and actually even dogs in general.

A friend of mine’s puppy unfortunately passed away because of a freak accident.  Her puppy somehow got into a bag and suffocated.  I don’t even want to imagine ever having to see that.

I know it may sound silly, but before that I never really thought about bags being dangerous to puppies/dogs.  I know they have warnings about bags for children, but for some reason it just never dawned on me that the warnings should also be for puppies as well.

Puppies are very similar to children/babies/infants in which they have to be watched pretty much all the time or be contained in a safe area, so that they will not be in any danger…we can’t prevent everything, but what we can do, we should do.  Puppies are very curious about everything around them, and they can be very mischievious.  Thus, we as adults/humans need to keep a close eye on them.

After hearing my friend’s sad story I have become even more aware of what’s around Momo and MJ.  They don’t usually play around in bags and such, but you just never know.

The point of this post is to make people more aware.  More aware of their surroundings, and the surroundings of their animals/children.  Just like you can baby proof your house, please puppy proof your house.  It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Until next time…have a great 4th of July.  Aloha.

~*Tara, Momo, and MJ*~

P.S. Momo and MJ are doing great.  MJ is getting stronger everyday.  He is such a trooper, and Momo has been so great with his brother.  Please continue to pray and keep us in your thoughts though because we’re not completely out of the woods yet.  Bye.

Hey Everyone!  I am in a much better mood than I was in my last post.  MJ is back. He’s been back now for almost 3 weeks, and he is doing fantastic.  He is slowly but surely losing weight, he’s able to walk again (though he’s on a restricted walking regimen for at least a month), he can pee and poop on his own again, he can wag his tail, and he seems to be overall doing well.  :)

Thanks a bunch goes out to Dr. Bertram Lau at Island Veterinary Care and his staff for rehabbing MJ back to health.  When MJ went in his hind legs were paralyzed, and when MJ came out he could walk and stand on his hind legs.  Dr. Lau said MJ was a level 5, which is the highest risk category so it is a miracle that MJ healed so fast and healed at all.

Everyday so far I’ve had to give MJ about 7 different medicines/supplements to help MJ.  He’s been such a trooper during this all.  Not sure how much longer MJ has to be on the medications/supplements, but hopefully not for much longer.

He also cannot walk around except to use the bathroom, which I also hope isn’t for much longer because he LOVES to walk around.  However, I want him to get better, and I don’t want him to relapse, so I need to follow Dr. Lau’s orders.  If I’m at home MJ stays on my bed with me.  Otherwise he stays in his crate, which he hates.  He cries so loudly when I leave him in the crate.

Because of the steriods MJ’s on he drinks a lot of water, which results in a lot of pee, so I have to make sure to let MJ use the bathroom before I leave the house. Otherwise he’ll pee in the house because he has a hard time holding it in.

I am so grateful MJ is doing well.  He has about 4 more pounds to go in order to reach his weight loss goal, and every time I take MJ in to Dr. Lau he seems to be getting better.  I will continue to keep you all updated.

Please everyone remember to be careful when it comes to your pets.  Dogs are very good at hiding their pain, so even if you think your dog might be in pain it is a wise idea to take him to the vet asap.

Until next time…have a great day!  Aloha.

~*Tara, Momo, and MJ*~