Pet Warning: Watch Out for Foxtails

July 14, 2008 by 1 Comment

This warning about foxtails is from Beach Drive neighbor, Sandi:200pxhordeum_murinum_in_voorhis_eco

Last Friday our dog Tazi got into the foxtail plants across from La Rustica and got covered with Foxtail "spikelets". One of the "spikelets" got into his ear canal. He went absolutely CRAZY !!!

We didn’t know what was wrong as there was nothing visibly wrong so we initially thought he had been stung by a wasp or something. Then he went into a state where he just kept shaking his head and crying. We still thought it might be a bee or wasp sting. By about 5 pm, we decided to take him to the Vet and found out it was a Foxtail Spikelet that had worked it’s way down so far that the sharp "point" had contacted his ear drum. If we hadn’t gotten it removed it would have punctured his ear drum. It ended up costing over $350 to get it out of his ear and he had to be sedated because the pain was so bad and it was so close to his ear drum !!!! $85 of the cost was because we took him up Friday night to have it checked AFTER he had eaten, so we couldn’t get it removed that night because the wouldn’t sedate him with food in his stomach. We had to wait until the next day, 120pxhordeum_murinum_spikelet_clustso there was an additional charge as well as the anti-inflammatory and pain killer medicine to get him through the night before we could take him back to the vet on Saturday Morning.

All Pet owners should be aware that this is a VERY DANGEROUS plant and it can KILL a dog or cat if it the spikelet gets into the wrong orifice (and Tazi is short hair). Sandi

Photos from Wikipedia.  Click here for more information about Foxtails.

Filed Under: Pets, Safety

Gizmo — Beach Drive Blog’s Pet of the Week

July 10, 2008 by Leave a Comment

If you live on Beach Drive, odds are you’ve seen (or heard) Gizmo.    He’s a mild mannered sweet dog unless you’re walking by the gate to his yard…a loud series of warning barks just may startle you! 

Dsc_0083_2

We think Gizmo is G-rrrrific!

Do you have a favorite photo or story about your Beach Drive pet?   Please send it to me and we’ll feature your furry friend on a Beach Drive Blog "Pet of the Week".

Filed Under: Pets

A Huge Thanks to Everyone Who Help Find Orson

July 4, 2008 by Leave a Comment

Dsc_0119 A huge thank you to the couple who found my old pug, Orson, last night.   I had thought I had our house locked up when I went next door to the neighbors to watch last nights sunset while our two fools husbands were boating.   

When I returned home, Orson was no where to be found.   I began to walk up and down Beach Drive calling for my dog with no luck…my neighbor (aka Beach Drive Babbler) had a couple in a car drive by ask what the commotion about.   The Babbler asked them to keep a look out for an old pug wander the streets.    By now I’m pretty upset because Orson has more heart than brains and very poor vision with his one "good eye".  While I was searching for him I saw raccoon a running down Jacobson–Dsc_0109bigger and meaner than my dog…definitely more "street savvy".  I’m panicked.

Just as I began to fall apart, the car pulls up and out jumps a very excited Orson.  Apparently he had made it all the way to La Rustica (it figures he’d search out food).   I’m so sorry that I don’t remember the nice couple’s names–I was pretty emotional.    

Orson now thinks he’s a "super dog" or at least a puppy again after his late night adventure.    He’s barking and growling (feeling tough) more than usual and keeps looking at me like he should have constant treats.   

A big heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped find my old friend, Orson.

Filed Under: Pets, Sunrise & Sunset

Chihuahua heading towards SW Dawson

May 8, 2008 by Leave a Comment

I just returned home from grocery shopping and received this email from Delores:

"I was walking my dog on 50th and Jacobson/Hudson, and heading south on 50th when I saw a sandy colored Chihuahua heading to Jacobson/Hudson. It is an older, male Chihuahua, sandy colored, with white fur on head. It never let me get close to him to check his tags. He has a blue collar and I tried to get him but he kept running away. Last seen heading east on SW Dawson Street. I tried to get a look at his tags to call the owner, and other folks tried to get him, including a really nice Comcast employee, but to no avail.

I am worried for this little guy. He appears to be an older dog, and was clearly distressed.

I didn’t have a camera so I couldn’t take a picture.

Can you please post this anyway?"

Thanks to the neighbor for sending me the email.  Hopefully we can connect the owner and pet.  I did forward this to West Seattle Blog as well (they have a page set up just for missing/found pets).

Filed Under: Lost and Found, Pets

Buffy the Coyote Slayer

April 22, 2008 by 6 Comments

Buffy_the_coyote_slayer_2

My neighbors and I call this the "Buffy the Coyote Slayer" picture. It was taken with a motion-detection video camera on April 18, 2008. The coyote is reportedly part of a family of four (two adults and two pups) who make Lincoln Park their home, according to Animal Control employees.

There have been many reports of sightings, including daylight sightings.

This one occurred at 10:30 p.m. Yes, is the cat’s real name.

We have many feral or outdoor cats in our area just north of Lincoln Park. It appears the coyote was scavenging for food that may have been left-over from the outdoor cats being fed outdoors, AND NOT attempting to capture any outdoor pets, although they are apparently known for that. The video revealed a submissive posture from the coyote to the cat, but when a second coyote showed up, Buffy took off. I chased them off. Generally, a single coyote won’t go after a cat, but they will team up on cats, so Buffy had the right intuition.

There is a Northwest Coyote tracking website which I reported two sightings to. It is an interesting site, but does not seem to be maintained since mid-2007.  The Seattle Times has a 2007 article on coyotes here.

It’s a jungle out there!

Thanks to Ron Sterling for this contribution!

Filed Under: Pets, Wildlife

Missing Pet–Have You Seen Daisy?

April 15, 2008 by Leave a Comment

Missingpet

Daisy’s poster must be on every pole in West Seattle.   If you’ve found or seen this missing Boston Terrier, please contact the owners at 935-1865.  There is a reward.

Filed Under: Lost and Found, Pets

To the Owner of the Brown Dog

March 7, 2008 by 1 Comment

I am thankful your pup had a phone number that I could call to find you this morning.  Dsc_0001_3

I don’t know what we would have done since I had an appointment I was getting ready for this morning (sorry I didn’t have time to chat).   

Our pug really enjoyed your pup and our cats were properly freaked out.  🙂   It was a very fun way to start our Friday (seriously). 

It all worked out well.  Score another one for BDB helping to connect humans back to their pets.

Just a reminder, if you’re missing or found a pet, please send a photo with your contact info.  We’re happy to post it here.

Filed Under: Pets

Local Author in Seattle Metropolitan Magazine

December 28, 2007 by 1 Comment

Cover_0108

Our very own Suky Hutton has a terrific article in the January 2008 issue of Seattle Metropolitan Magazine about the mysterious white rooster who was also featured on Beach Drive Blog.

It’s a very enjoyable read and I highly recommend you pick your copy today and check out the SeaTown Diary section with Suky’s article and learn more about Coner the white rooster of Mee Kwa Mooks Park.

Hat tip to Larry for giving me a heads up about our Beach Drive Neighbor.

Filed Under: Books, Just for fun, Parks, People, Pets, Wildlife

Merry Christmas from Beach Drive Blog and Orson

December 25, 2007 by Leave a Comment

Dsc_0050

Filed Under: Holidays, Pets

A Good Reason for Pet Tags: Gretta

December 3, 2007 by Leave a Comment

On our way to check out the mudslide, we saw this dog who seemed a bit lost (and very wet).   Thankfully, Gretta had a name tag on with phone numbers and her address so we were able to return her where she belongs.    Her humans were glad to know she was out and made arrangements to for someone to meet her and get her inside her home.

Dsc_0049_2

Filed Under: Pets
« Previous Page
Next Page »