Thank you for printing my story about my dog Sassy (“Adoptee Arrives With ‘Baggage,’ ” WDJ November 2000). I hope that it will help other people realize that, many time, they can work through the problems they have with their dogs, rather than simply “getting rid of” the problem dog.
Last month I called Premier for a catalog after reading your review of limited slip collars (“Slip-Sliding Away?” WDJ October 2000). I knew that Premier’s collars were of very high quality because I already had the “Gentle Leader,” Premier’s head halter. I received my order and I was very happy with the quality. The collars were also very attractive on my three “girls.” But would they work?
I was using conventional chain choke collars for Jasmine and Sassy’s walks. (Daisy doesn’t need one; she’s close to perfect.) Jasmine has a bad habit of lunging toward passing cars and I always worry about her slipping out of her collar. The choke collar worked but she was always gasping for air. Sassy is very good until a stray or loose dog runs up to her. I can’t take the chance of her slipping out of her collar, either.
I have to admit, I was a little nervous taking the dogs out with the new collars for the first time. If the collars didn’t work correctly, Jasmine could be under the tires of a passing car. Well, they worked great! Jasmine no longer sounds like she’s choking.
Then, last night, the collar passed the ultimate test. When we were walking, a neighbor’s dog came out of the sagebrush in the dark and ran right at us. It was not good. If my husband had lost control of the leash, there could have been a bad fight. I managed to chase the dog off. We had the Direct Stop spray with us, but I couldn’t get it to spray; it was jammed.
But anyway, the collar worked great. Neither of our “fighting dogs” was in danger of slipping out of her collar.
Thanks again for being such a great resource.
-Tina Diedrichsen
Elko, NV
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For several years I have researched human vaccines, and so I was concerned about canine vaccines as well. We have a three-year-old Beagle that was fully vaccinated for her first two years. Last summer, she had an allergic reaction to either a bee sting or insect bite. It was pretty frightening as she lost control of her bladder, bowels, and legs. The local vet put her on a steroid for a few days and she recovered completely. I decided to ignore the notice that she was due for shots until a notice for the rabies booster came. I did speak with a holistic vet and was advised that if the dog bit someone, without proof of a vaccination, the dog may have to be destroyed.
Well, within an hour of the booster shot, the poor thing was vomiting and swelling over her entire body. Back we go to the vet for additional treatment. Our poor dog was miserable for the rest of the day but has since recovered. I do not know if the vet reported the reaction but have done so myself. Thank you for providing the information on where to report adverse events (“Reporting Problems With Medications,” August 2000). The vet and I did discuss titer tests and we will do that next time the booster is due.
-Jacque Jones
Buffalo, WY
