Categories
Health

A pup with allergies needs your help!

Hello Golden lovers!

Miley, one of the pups from a Wednesday Friendsday feature, is having some allergy issues and she needs your help! Her mom Jen wants to know if anyone else is having the same problems with their dog. Please read about the allergy issues Miley is having below, and comment on this post if you have had the same experience or have any advice for her. Thanks for your help!

Here’s what Jen wrote me:

Miley started itching about 6-7 months ago. Our normal Vet gave her a steroid injection and started her on Benadryl daily. This resolved her itching for about 2 months until one day we ran out of Benadryl and couldn’t get to the store. In that one day her allergies caught up to her and we could never get it under control again with just Benadryl (or any other antihistamine available over the counter). The Vet was reluctant to do another steroid injection due to the side effects of excessive steroid use.

This is when we took her to the Dermatologist. She had itched herself so badly that she had the red, pimple type bumps on her tummy (his was a Staph infection on her skin that was treated with antibiotics). The itching and licking had gotten so extreme that she was bleeding between her paws, under her armpits and on her belly.

The dermatologist started her on a low allergen diet to rule out a food allergy. For 6 weeks all she was allowed to eat was Rabbit and Potato (brutally painful for Miley who was accustomed to treats and bones on a regular basis).

She has now finished the diet and a food allergy has been ruled out because she is still extremely itchy. Miley was also treated for parasites with an antibiotic to rule out a parasite allergy. So now we are left with environmental allergies…

My question, and point in rambling on, is…Has anyone ever had their dog allergy tested? If so I’d love to hear from someone who has. I’m wondering if it is worth it? Not only from a financial aspect but also from the results aspect. Has anyone been successful in pinpointing an actual allergen in the environment and treating for this specific allergen?

It sounds like the allergy testing and desensitizing is a long drawn out process (sometimes 1-2 years to actually see results). Are long term steroids a better option? I’ve heard that the steroids have horrible long term consequences…

We want to make the most informed decision possible and do what is right for Miley so any input is appreciated!

Categories
Cute photos

Costume Parade

So sad to pack up the pups’ costumes.. but before I do – just had to share some more fun photos!

Let’s check out some pugs (our Featured Breed of the Month) in costume!

The next two are my friend Alysha’s little pug, Jade – too cute!

Categories
Friends

Wednesday Friendsday

Meet Riley Hammerle – today’s Wednesday Friendsday pup! Riley’s proud owners are Katie and Brian Hemmerle. Isn’t he such happy pup? I love the spot on his tongue!

Riley’s absolute favorite toy is a tennis ball. He’ll play fetch for hours on end! His favorite trick is to slide down the hallway tile to catch it. Since Riley is an Arizona pup, he also LOVES to swim. So, you can just imagine how much fun he has when he gets to play with his favorite toy (the tennis ball) in his favorite place (the pool!). He really likes to blow bubbles under the water. Riley has gotten so good at the tennis ball that his dad, Brian, recently introduced him to the frisbee. Riley can catch the frisbee mid-air just about every time! Riley, you sure are a talented pooch – that’s tricky to do!

I love this shot of Riley as a little puppy. Don’t you wish they could stay this little forever?

Katie’s parents actually got a puppy (a boy named Keegan) from the same litter that Riley came from. I love that – such a fun way for a pup to grow up with a sibling. However, these pups don’t see eye to eye when it comes to college athletics. Riley is a die hard Wildcat fan, and loves to root for the University of Arizona. After all, Riley’s parents are UofA Alumni. (Sidenote: Katie is my Chi-O sister!). On the other hand, Keegan is an Oregon Ducks fan and roots for the U of O. Come football and basketball games, both dogs sport their favorite teams’ bandana. Who will be the champ this season? Sorry Keegan, but I’m with Riley – BEARDOWN ARIZONA! 🙂

Katie & Brian, thank you for sharing your photos and all of the fun facts about Riley. What a beautiful family you all make together! I look forward to keeping in touch over our love for all things golden.

Categories
Friends

Wednesday Friendsday

Today I’m featuring Roxy’s parents for Wednesday Friendsday! Hard to believe that it’s already been a year since we brought Roxy home for the first time – she has grown up so fast! When puppy shopping, Brad and I knew Roxy was ours because we also fell in love her her parents – they were both so sweet and well mannered. Who do you think Roxy looks more like – her mom or dad?

Roxy's Mama
Roxy's Daddy
Roxy

 

Categories
Friends

Wednesday Friendsday

Happy Wednesday Friendsay everyone! Today’s pup is Miley Halland – isn’t she a blonde beauty?

Miley was born September 25, 2009 so she is still just a pup. Her awesome mama is my friend Jen Halland. Like us, Jen loves to travel with her Golden. She recently took her to Dog Beach in San Diego – looks like Miley had a great time! I love this one of her enjoying the sunset on a lifeguard tower.

Adorable surfer pup! Love her big smile.

When she’s not at the beach, Miley also loves to swim in swimming pools!

Her favorite toy is her squeaky chicken (although it’s not Jen’s favorite because it’s so loud!). She also loves all of her KONG Wubba friends!

I’m convinced Miley is our Roxy’s long lost cousin – they look so similar! Maybe one day they can go for a swim together 🙂 Thanks for sharing your story and photos Jen – we love Miley!

Categories
Friends

Wednesday Friendsday

Today on Wednesday Friendsay we have Ben & Tanner – the Pahl’s family pups!

Ben (with the white face) is eight years old, and Tanner is four. As you can see, they are the best of friends and are wonderful with children! It doesn’t get much better than adorable photo of a little child cuddling with a Golden. Enjoy the photos of this dynamic duo!


Categories
Friends

Wednesday Friendsday

Our Wednesday Friendsday pup this week is Lucy Noonan! Isn’t she adorable? Lucy’s awesome dog daddy is my friend Bryan Noonan. I always see fun pics of Bryan and Lucy on Facebook – she is one lucky pup! Lucy has a lot of toys, but her favorite is the frisbee.

Lucy also loves stuffed animals, including her pig, bunny, rooster, chick, platypus and hippo. She loved them a little too much though, and ripped them all to shreds (including the voice box inside!). Lucy also loves to swim! I love this photo of Lucy jumping into the pool (while Bryan enjoys a cold beer) 🙂 Great action shot!

Lucy enjoys playing with her cousins Tucker, Opi & Sadie. Tucker is a Russian Whitehaired Golden Retriever – so perhaps a possible future Wednesday Friendsday! When she’s not in the pool, you can usually find Lucy sleeping, taking car rides, playing in the snow up north, or watching the golf channel or football with Bryan.

I can’t wait to meet this angel in person, such a beautiful pup! Happy Wednesday Friendsday Lucy & Bryan!

Categories
Friends

Wednesday Friendsday

Happy Wednesday Friendsday! Today we are featuring Lizzie Sherman – isn’t she a sweetheart?

Lizzie is the family dog of my good friend Sydney Sherman. Sydney’s parents adopted Lizzie 3 years ago, and she has been a joy to her family ever since. She is 8 years old and has a very calm, quiet and sweet personality. Sydney grew up having Goldens and has never met a dog that is more sweet and gentle than Lizzie. Sydney says “if Lizzie were a human, she’d be a yoga instructor.” 🙂 This lucky pup lives on a golf course, and many times gets to go swimming at the course’s lake. Lizzie also loves chasing desert bunnies and taking naps on her bed. Her favorite toys are stuffed animals.

Sydney, her mom Rita, and friend Heather are the most talented photographers I know! If you need a photographer, look no further than Captured Moments by Rita Sherman & Company. Be sure to check out their “Furry Ones” Gallery – lots of great pup shots. Here’s one of my favorites!

Categories
Friends

Wednesday Friendsday

This week for Wednesday Friendsday I’m so excited to introduce you all to Bentley Hutkowski. We met Bentley and his mamma Jenna through this blog – and have loved sharing stories and photos ever since! Bentley lives in Columbus, OH and he just turned 2 last week (Happy Birthday Bentley!!). Isn’t he so adorable?

Bentley’s favorite toy to play with is a ball – any kind! Every time he goes to the dog park he is in doggy heaven because there are balls to play with everywhere. He also likes to play with a rubber stick and a stuffed “Christmas Turtle.” No matter the toy, if you throw it he’ll fetch it all day long. His newest hobby is swimming – Jenna is teaching him to paddle really well 🙂

Bentley is also a die hard Buckeye’s basketball fan!! He’ll watch the entire game (preferably on the furniture with mom and dad if he’s allowed) – too cute.

Jenna, thank you for all of your support with i heart golden retrievers, and thank you for sharing your story and pictures of Bentley. I look forward to keeping in touch!

Categories
Friends

Wednesday Friendsday

Nala Tussing is today’s Wednesday Friendsday pup – isn’t she beautiful?? Nala is one lucky pup, not only does she get to live in Napa Valley, but she has the world’s most amazing mommy! I met Karen (aka “KT”) when working for E&J Gallo Winery, we had so much together at the Louis M. Martini tasting room in St. Helena. I am so blessed to have her in my life, she is such a beautiful person inside and out!I miss her dearly, but it’s great to keep in touch now over our love of golden retrievers (and animals in general)!

Nala is quite tech-saavy, she even has her own facebook account! I find myself stalking her page quite frequently, because she has the cutest pictures and hilarious wall posts. Quincey also checks out her pics quite a bit (they have been in a long-distance relationship for over a year now!). Quincey snagged a good one, Nala is one beautiful pup. He loves his girlfriend 🙂