With Easter upon us, keep that Easter Bunny Basket of goodies away from your dog. Chocolate bunnies and chocolate eggs are a sweet treats for people, but could be deadly to your dog. Play it safe and keep your Easter candy well out of reach of your pets. Chocolate is extremely dangerous to our pets so please be informed.

Why is Chocolate Lethal?
Chocolate contains theobromine. A naturally occurring stimulant found in the cocoa bean, theobromine increases urination and affects the central nervous system as well as heart muscle. While amounts vary by type of chocolate, it's the theobromine that is poisonous to dogs.

Symptoms of Chocolate Ingestion and Poisoning.
You can recognize that your dog has eaten a toxic dose of chocolate from the symptoms. Within the first few hours, the evidence includes vomiting, diarrhea or hyperactivity. As time passes and there's increased absorption of the toxic substance, you'll see an increase in the dog's heart rate, which can cause arrhythmia, restlessness, hyperactivity, muscle twitching, increased urination or excessive panting. This can lead to hyperthermia, muscle tremors, seizures, coma and even death.

How Much Chocolate Is Deadly?
If a 50-pound dog eats a teaspoonful of milk chocolate, it's not going to cause serious problems. However, if that same dog gorges himself on a two- layer chocolate cake, his stomach will feel more than upset and soon it's likely he'll be vomiting or experiencing diarrhea. To answer the question "How much is too much" is not simple. The health and age of your dog must be considered. Another fact that must be considered is this: Not all chocolate is the same. Below is a guideline to the toxicity of chocolate for dogs:

• Baking chocolate: 0.1 ounce per pound body weight. Two one-ounce squares of bakers' chocolate is toxic to a 20-pound dog; one ounce for a 10-pound dog.

• Sweet cocoa: 0.3 ounces per pound of body weight. One-third of a pound of sweet cocoa is toxic to a 20- pound dog; 1/6 pound for a 10-pound dog.

• Milk chocolate: 1 ounce per pound of body weight. Approximately one pound of milk chocolate is poisonous to a 20-pound dog; one-half pound for a 10-pound dog. The average chocolate bar contains 2 to 3 ounces of milk chocolate. It would take 2-3 candy bars to poison a 10 pound dog. Semi-sweet chocolate has a similar toxic level.

• White chocolate: 200 ounces per pound of body weight. It takes 250 pounds of white chocolate to cause signs of poisoning in a 20-pound dog, 125 pounds for a 10- pound dog.

What to do if your dog eats chocolate.
Consult your veterinarian immediately.
Induce vomiting (2-3 tsp 3% hydrogen peroxide)
Give activated charcoal mixed with water to a slurry consistency. (2 tsp for dogs over 25 lbs.)

By no means is this meant to be medical advise. Consider all chocolates out of bounds for dogs and have a great holiday.

With any dog rescued from the street, the origin of their injury is pure speculation. If only dogs could talk: October, a tiny young female would have a long tale to tell. This rescue was truly a team effort involving many BRLA volunteers, numerous surgical vets and a very generous donor.

October probably ended up under a moving vehicle where part of the car sliced the flesh off her thigh, leg and shin right down to the bone. She was then on her own for some time, allowing a severe infection with maggots to take hold. Once brought in by Animal Control, she was disposed to General Animal Hospital to be euthanized as her injuries were too extensive. (we spared you the gruesome photos)

October’s will to live was strong and her spirit inspired the staff at General to contact BRLA supporter Trudy Self. Trudy sponsored October’s numerous surgeries costing over $5000 An enormous part of the treatment was the twice daily lavage and the numerous deep wound cleansing.

October progressed and was placed in a foster home . Brenda took wonderful care of October. It was while in foster care that another woman learned about October. She told her son and daughter-in-law, who lived in Arizona, about October. The love affair began from afar.

October needed one final surgical procedure. BRLA’s Dr Fahie, of City of Angels Animal Surgical Center, performed the needed operation. October bounced back quickly, as she had so many times before. Her fan club in Arizona was kept informed via frequent emails as they were anxious for October to be ready for adoption.

After her final surgical procedure, October went to Lillian, BRLA's critical caregiver who works closely with Dr. Fahie. for her final days of observation and care. After a few weeks, Dr. Fahie gave the okay for October to be adopted.

You could hear the shouts of excitement from Arizona from Shawn and Kelly Murphy and their boxer Rocky. They had been following October’s story and progress for months and they could finally pack up the truck to come and meet her. They had loved her from afar and when they met in person it was magic. She fit right in and was going home to Arizona.

October, now called Toby for short, lives the life of luxury in Prescott AZ. Rocky, their 8 year old boxer, loves his little sister and Shawn and Kelly could not be happier with their special girl. Toby touched many hearts, traveled many miles and found help all along her journey of survival. She lives a blessed life thanks to so many involved in this rescue.

Special note: Since Toby's arrival in AZ, she has been leaking urine. Even with vet prescribed DES, she continues to leak. If you have experience with this condition and have suggestions, Kelly and Shawn would appreciate your help. email suggestions.

Last month we discussed the important considerations before you select a rescue dog. We now take the next step, once you have adopted, to establish a healthy relationship with your new rescue dog.

Joe Ramirez

The 10 Commandments of Bringing a New Dog Home:

1. Walk your dog and allow them to relax before going into your home. Rescue dogs are often temporarily traumatized from loosing everything familiar to them. They then spend, days or weeks confined in a stressful kennel environment. Now adopted, they are going to a nicer, but still unfamiliar, confinement.

2. Do not assume your rescue dog is housebroken. Even if a dog came from a home where they were 100% housebroken, a new home can be confusing. Take your dog straight to the backyard and allow them to explore. If your dog eliminates, praise them. Then, back on the leash for a tour of the house.

3. Do not give your new dog free run of the house, nurture unwanted behaviors or shower them with excessive affection (because you feel sorry for them). Your dog could view this as a sign of weakness and lack of leadership on your part. Give them boundaries and confinement. Using a crate is the simplest way to achieve this and can also assist in housebreaking.

4. Get to know your dog’s temperament before you decide the best approach to a healthy relationship. Are they friendly, shy, dominate or what. Know what you are dealing with so you can deal appropriately.

5. Establish your leadership role using positive reinforcement. Leaders are firm not mean. Dogs are pack animals and packs require a leader, they do not respect a subordinate. Be a leader to your dog or your dog will become your leader.

6. Pack leaders control the resources. There are 4 things that you, the pack leader, should control in your dog’s life: Food, Space, Games and Grooming.

7. Provide your dog’s daily basic needs. All dogs have different traits and personalities but all have the same basic needs: Exercise, Food, Grooming and Fun. Depending on age and breed, exercise could vary from 40 minutes to 2 hours per day starting with the morning walk.

8. Basic obedience training reinforces you as the pack leader. If you are not an experienced handler, hire a professional to assist you. Even one or two sessions will make a huge difference. It is your best investment as you will be starting off on the right foot with your new dog.

9. Do not expect a humanistic relationship with your dog. Do not get frustrated if your dog does not understand you in the beginning. Even though they are capable of learning many words, they immediately understand and respond to our body language and expressions. Be aware that once your dog gets to know you, your moods will have an impact on their state of mind.

10. Make an appointment with your Vet. It is important to visit your vet for a check up and to have your dog become familiar with the staff. Use lots of praise and treats to make it a pleasant experience. This will also give you a professional view of your new dogs overall heath.

There were 62 BRLA dogs that found permanent homes in March 2006.
You Lucky Dogs!

Baby, Bake, Baker, Bambi, Bear, Beatrice, Bon Jovi, Bosco, Boxer, Bruiser, Brutus, Bubba, Calloway, Chula, Cookie, Caisy, Dora, Fred Friendly, Gaylord, George, Hotrod Doggie, Igor, J.D., Jack, Jeep, Jill, Layla, Leia, Lennon, Lisa, Luke, Marty, Matteo, Megan, Mike Mellow, Mugsy, Otis, Pasha, Pearl, Pixie, Prieto, Rocky, Rozzie, Rufus, Rumba, Sadie, Sammy, Sara Lee, Sasha, Selena, Sherman, Sissy, Sonny, Tigar, Tiny, Trampas, Tuff Muffin, Turbo, Tyson, Willow, Winnie, Zack/Cee, and Zoe.

Dear Sarah,
I have a question about my two dogs: I have a nearly 2 year old now (Tess). We have just bought 2 month old (Abbey) and introduced them carefully in a neutral environment. They did well at first; however they have also been chewing on each other’s faces a lot and snapping at each other. I am concerned that it might make Abbey aggressive towards other dogs if this is the only way she is being "greeted" by Tess.

Thanks in advance,
Alison.

PS. Your website is great - it is very informative and has helped me understand dog behavior very well.

Hi Alison,
Yes, face and neck biting is all perfectly normal and generally playful behavior. When dogs play, there is snapping, growling, snarling, barking, biting – even grabbing onto a hind leg and chewing on it like a chicken wing! The easiest way to differentiate play from aggression is the body language of the dogs involved.

Generally, dogs’ bodies are loose, relaxed and bouncy when they play. If the dogs keep coming back for more, they’re having a great time! If one dog is trying to get away from the others, curled up into a ball with their tail tucked between its legs, or is yelping or crying, then you should intervene.

If you are worried about your puppies socialization with other dogs, I would strongly recommend enrolling her in a puppy class to help her learn to play appropriately with dogs her own age. Most puppy classes start training at 8 weeks old.

Sarah Anderson
K9 West

by Lillian Davis

Miracles happen every month at Boxer Rescue LA. Dogs are rescued, provided care, fed, kept warm and find their new permanent home. This miraculous process is made possible entirely from the financial support of private donations. While every donation is a miracle and appreciated, we would like to recognize those who are monthly contributors to BRLA

Our Monthly Miracle Makers include:
Geannie Acherson
Gillian Bonner Caine
Juliet Curtis
Sherry Grant
Jeff Hill
Becky Howery
Petra Jones
Dean Marolla
Gregory Morris
Robert Rien
Lillian Sedlak
George & Sharry Taylorson

My wife and I have been fans of Boxer Rescue for years. Ever since we found out about BRLA and adopted our first rescue dog. Recently we visited the facility and spent the morning walking dogs. It was a joyous experience that ended in sadness as we realized so many boxers do not have homes yet. We knew we could not visit every month but we felt we had to do something to help. We decided to make a generous monthly donation to BRLA. It was easy and we feel great knowing those magnificent animals are being cared for.
George & Sharry Taylorson

Monthly donations provide BRLA with a predictable financial base for costs of operation. Becoming a monthly donor is easy: you designate the amount and it is automatically deducted from your credit card. By spreading your donation over 12 months, everyone can afford to save a life. Consider becoming a BRLA Monthly Miracle Maker.