Clean Up

After my daughter completed a year long project on the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) I learned quite a bit. One thing I found interesting is how dog waste contaminates the IRL. It is often found in storm water runoff, which enters local canals, is not treated and ends in the IRL. The bacteria found in the waste can cause algae to bloom and kill fish…just another reason to clean up after your dog.

Wickham Park in Melbourne

Wickham Park is a public county park located at 2500 Parkway Drive, in Melbourne. It offers a variety of things to do outdoors including 2 softball fields, a soccor field (home of the Space Coast United Soccor), an exercise trail, paved roads for walking, running clubs meet here, dog park, camping, freesbie golf, horse shoes, volleyball, pavaillians, 2 lakes, equestrian facilities, archery, and many annual events including the Light Fest, Oktoberfest and Vietnam Veterans Moving Wall Memorial among others. I love Wickham Park and go there weekly, whether to hang out and play a game or walk with the girls in my family. We have spent every Easter since 1996 there with a huge egg hunt and yearly game of kick ball. Grills and table are placed throughout the park randomly but you can rent a pavillian for a fee to host a larger gathering. Currently they are building a Senior Center on the west side of the park which will be a nice addition. The park closes at dark unless you are camping. You almost always can see gopher tortises eating in the mid day sun but watch out for geese, ducks and peacocks, they own the place.
http://www.campingspacecoast.com/wickham/index.php a site for more information on camping at Wickham Park
http://www.brevardparks.com/dogs/index.php more information on dog parks in our area including Wickham Park


Took this pic in Dec 08

Living in Florida with a Dog

I have never been an adult dog owner in any other state, as a kid I don’t remember doing any kind of flea or heartguard type of treatments. But to be responsible make sure you have your dog checked annually and keep them current on all the things they need. In Florida with the temperature you need to be proactive with fleas, and since we have mosquitoes much longer than most places heartguard is a must. I will say that since we started using Front Line or Advantage I have not seen a flea on my dog now or my past dogs – for at least 10 years. It works.
Heartguard is given monthly; well that is how I do it. I write in on the calendar for they year so I do not forget. Obliviously the heavier the dog the more it cost. In 1995 mosquitoes swarmed the Space Coast and were thick well past October. The following January with a new born our dog Lady tested positive for heartworms. We paid for the procedure, that wasn’t cheap, and thought life would go on. Within a week of her treatment she was so ill and had to be put to sleep…in our home no less because she was too ill to be taken into the Vet. So remember to continue giving that pill, it’s such a small price to pay for you pet. http://heartgard.us.merial.com/home/
While I’m bloggin about taking care of your dog, get the Parvo shot as well. My Neeko was just about 9 months old when he tested positive for this new, at the time, disease. It affects puppies more than adult dogs. It can be contracted through feces, so remember to clean up after you dog. Neeko was thrilled to have 3 dogs in the neighborhood visit his yard, and very often at that, but I think that is where he ended up getting it. Read more at http://workingdogs.com/parvofaq.htm


Marley @ Christmas

Think Ahead

My Marley, God bless him, is a pure Yellow Lab…no I didn’t get the name from “Marley & me”. We got him just before the book came out, and yes I did read it – it was good.
Labs are prone to some illness, just as any breed is. We soon realized that Marley had severe allergies…a very long list. The symptoms didn’t start until he was almost 2 but when they hit, they were terrible for him. Test after test, vet appointments and lots of money we finally found out the many things he could not longer have or be around, including many food items and trees in Florida. He ended up on a costly dry food but is so worth it. He is such a great dog.
Now the purpose is not to brag about my allergic K9 but to say, if you are going to get a pure breed, which tends to have more health issues than a mutt, look into pet insurance. Be responsible no matter what and make sure you get all the shots and other things needed to be a pet owner.

K9 Picking

K9’s
Becoming a dog owner should be on a whim. Most of us dog lovers grew up with a favorite Fido and may remember a particular breed. Just keep in mind you also need to remember that you were a kid and you may only remember the good. When choosing a breed you need to look into it completely because you are making a commitment for at least 10 years. I have always been a medium to large size dog lover but my husband and I almost changed that one year. We already had a Rottweiler and were looking for a 2nd dog. Miniature Pinschers seems cute and even close in color to Rotts. We had our next family member picked out when all of sudden the most ear piercing noise came from outside. It was the mom of the puppies and she was going crazy, but not as crazy as I would have owning one like her. We quickly changed our mind and left empty handed. I like the deep bark the larger dog makes and others love the small breeds. Either way remember you will have the dog awhile.

Dogs cannot eat grapes! Why? I don’t know but they can’t!

Mosquitoes

Who doesn’t know mosquitoes are a pest? In Florida they can swarm, and should be our state bird. They are pesky bloodsuckers that can ruin a good gathering in a matter of minutes. I don’t know what attracts them to some people and not others, I tend to think it’s the sweeter people and that is why I’m a target all the time. They seem to be the worst at dusk, so wear clothing that covers your body (my husband has a great mosquito hunting jacket) helps and don’t forget repellent. Avon Skin So Soft is a great alternative to bug spray. Help control their population by eliminating standing water.

Please if you have a dog use heartworm preventive. Every dog is at risk for contracting heartworm disease which is transmitted through mosquitoes. In 1996 1 month after having my daughter we had to put our “Lady” to sleep following a heartworm treatment that did not work. The year prior was one of the worst for mosquitoes and the city was spraying nightly. Events were cancelled and people were staying in. Although she was given a preventative it was too late. These pills are given monthly and come with reminder stickers so you never forget.

K9's

Dogs – Wickham Park is a great place and now you can take your K9 companion. The have an area that dogs run free with others, as long as you provide a shot record. Also many people walk their dogs there…just don’t forget to clean up after them. Our local shelter is on the west end of Eau Gallie Blvd.

My Penny...she is in Heaven