Subscriber Archive

Biting – Can You Ever Trust Again?

September 25, 2023
Scared dog

First in a series Folks like you and I are tethered to our pets by an emotional commitment to their well-being. If they have symptoms from any body part, including their brains, we want them to get well fast. The Internet offers prodigious quantities of quack remedies, especially for behavior disorders. Think twice about quick and dirty corrections. People do dumb stuff. Mistakes are part of life but ‘first do no harm’ should apply to everybody. Stimpy was a 3 year old terrier mix I saw for his worsening aggression toward visitors. He wasn’t always that way. He had been only nervous when guests breezed through the door but when one well-intentioned pet lover rushed toward him with arms outstretched, singing his name, the poor guy ran under the bed and trembled like a leaf. Amy, Stimpy’s committed person, was advised to “socialize” her dog by exposing him to as…

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My Cat Defecates While Running Away from My Other Cat

September 25, 2023
cat

A cat parent is concerned about her cat who is fearful of using the litter box.  

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Rock Eating – Not a Healthy Diet

September 18, 2023
goat

Question: I am worried that my inside Chihuahuas and my Pug/Pekingese dogs eat rocks and if the rocks will hurt them? How can I stop them from eating the rocks? Dr. Nichol: I worry about anybody who eats rocks. Rather than a You Tube challenge to boost their middle school cred (cq) or a display of inner toughness, your dogs are actually trying to feel better. But the risk of a bowel obstruction is serious business. I’ve removed rocks, toys, and other swallowed junk by endoscope and by surgery. We treat these as emergencies. Without speedy intervention the resulting loss of blood supply to the intestinal wall leads to tissue breakdown, leakage of bacteria and even death from septic peritonitis. Basket muzzles for your pupsters are in order starting today but they would only be a short-term solution. Preventing internal blockage is mighty important but your dogs will feel a…

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Elk on the Run

September 18, 2023
elk

Remember the Paul McCartney tune Band on the Run? Well, this isn’t it. But I caught myself singing as I watched, at a great distance, as this herd with youngsters, galloped across the vast Valles Caldera in Northern New Mexico. They clearly didn’t see us. And that is as it should be. We were visiting their rightful home. We left no trace.

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Tricks instead of Exercise? A Good Trade-Off?

September 11, 2023
Heart and Soul Animal Sanctuary

Question: As a 76 year old single woman I have adopted a wonderful sheltie/shepherd mix female, very active 15 week old puppy. Arthritis and age have begun to make 2 hour, twice a day walks detrimental for me. Would it be healthy for her if I replace exercise with tricks that she and I would do together? I work at Heart & Soul Animal Sanctuary. Dr. Nichol: Your shiny new puppy sounds like a delightful bundle of excitement and mischief, a lot like my family’s amped-up young herding dog. Mick (Jagger) Nichol requires full time employment. Dogs are highly social creatures with an essential need for jaunts off-territory. Their sniffing and urine-marking is all about reading the bulletin boards and posting messages. But unless a dog is elderly or has 3 inch legs, a leash walk won’t provide significant exercise. They need to run long and hard every day. Off-leash…

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Too Squirrely for Hungry Coyote

September 11, 2023
squirrel

I spied this wily golden mantled ground squirrel while hiking in the Valles Caldera of Northern New Mexico. He noticed me and Mick, the Nichol family Border collie but wasn’t worried. Check out what he did see in the video called Hungry Coyote- Big & Too Well Fed

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Hungry Coyote- Big & Too Well Fed

September 11, 2023
hungry coyote

This healthy guy was so big that at first I thought was seeing a wolf. But Ranger Dean at the Valles Caldera Ranger Station confirmed that he was, in fact, a coyote. Theirs grow taller and beefier than the scrawny variety we have in Albuquerque. If you watch this video you’ll notice his gender affirming behavior. He must not have been quite hungry enough to catch the little rascal who saw him first in my video titled Too Squirrely for Hungry Coyote.

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Cat Parent as Mouse – Don’t Fight Nature

September 4, 2023
angry cat

Question: Russ, neutered, age 2 years, was rescued with his mum and siblings. I adopted him at 14 weeks. He was crazier than any kitten I’ve ever known. His aggression started at age 10 months. He stalks me when we’re playing and lunges and attacks several times a day, grabbing and biting my legs and sometimes my head. He has a large cat tree, food puzzles and access to the outdoors during the day; he’s inside at night. I play with him daily. Dr. Nichol: You’ve done an excellent job of enriching Russ’s life but, sadly, he has directed his aggression toward you so many times that you have become the mouse in his life. So, of course, he stalks and mangles you. You could spray him with water but punishment won’t change who he is. Only hose him down if he catches fire. Purchase a Clik Stik online. Smear…

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Puppy House Training – In 1 Day? Really?

September 4, 2023
housetraining

Housetraining can feel like such a challenge that many people just give up and mop up. You can get so completely flummoxed and frustrated that you lose their patience. You can teach your spiffy new puppy – in just one day – where to find the dog bathroom. He’ll learn that all good things come from you. Get ready to be the benevolent and loving head honcho who controls the resources that you will be delighted to help your puppy learn to earn. I hope you find this information useful. You’re welcome to share this video with any of your dog-loving friends. If they’re considering a new puppy or if they’re already struggling with house soiling they’ll be glad for the advice.

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