Tonight!

Hello!
   
    Well, it's been a hectic few months here. Tia went to visit her family and left me here...in a boarding kennel! The horror! Actually, it wasn't that bad. I just miss sleeping in her bed and watching TV. Then she had surgery. Nothing too serious. It was Gastric Bypass and I am very proud of her for taking control of her health and making sure she's going to be healthy and happy. Now she and Dave are in the states for 'block leave' and I'm hanging out with her friend. Much better than the kennel!

  I do have exciting news! Tonight, at 8pm EST Tia will be featured on Army Wife Network Blog Radio! They are going to interview her about all my writing and her life as an Army Spouse. I'm very excited! You can listen live here. For those who can't catch it live, you can also hear it as a playback at the same link.

Alright, Ciao!
Toby

Spring Cleaning!

5 Steps to Spring Cleaning for Dogs

  

     There is some sort of strange compulsion that comes over humans once the last frost has thawed and the sun comes out again. Just like clockwork, once the first tulip has bloomed there is a mad dash to throw open all the windows and begin the ritual. This occurred in our little German home last week. I was temporarily kicked outside for an afternoon while she did ‘Spring Cleaning’. She took out all the rugs and hung them on the fence and the vacuum ran all afternoon. By the time I finished my afternoon nap, the house was sparkling clean. Too clean if you ask me…those rugs were just starting to smell good. I don’t really care about the rest of the house, but there were a few things that Tia did just for me.

1. Toss. It’s time to empty out that kitchen drawer or pantry shelf were you keep all the dog medicines and treats. You know the place I mean…with a half-eaten bag of treats that your pet doesn't like anymore and that toothpaste and finger brush you tried to use one time.  Just dump it all on the table and grab the trash bin. Gather all the medicine in there because it’s time to sort through that pile and throw out those medicines that are expired. This includes old dog treats that are past their prime (those chew sticks that fell out of the package months ago and are now the consistency of fossils).Trust me, we’re not going to eat them. Gross.

2. Organize. Every time we go to the vet or move it seems that the paperwork multiplies. There are so many things to keep track of! Tia keeps all my vet records and paperwork in an accordion file in the kitchen drawer with my medicine, food, and treats. That way it’s easy to find and all in one place. If you've ever done an OCONUS military move then you know why it’s important to have all those papers.  Especially when there is an emergency, you can grab that folder and know that all the information you’ll need is in there such as shot records, lab results, and past treatment records. Just in case Dave is left to take care of me while Tia is on a trip or sick, she labels my daily medications with specific instructions and divides them into Ziploc bags to keep them separate and easy to reach.

3. Wash.  I hate baths just as much as the next dog, but I know that I need them sometimes. After countless walks and rolling in various patches of grass, my body isn't the only thing that is dirty. It’s time to fill up the sink with warm soapy water and give those collars and leashes a good scrubbing too.  (You’ll probably gag when you see all the filthy water!) How about those towels and blankets you keep in the car for your pets? Yeah, I bet they smell pretty ripe by now too. Not that I mind, but you humans seem to think wet dog is not an alluring odor. If you have any winter coats or snow boots, they should be washed and dried before putting them away for the season. Tia also washes my bed by taking off the outer cover and following the directions on the tags. A fresh and fluffy bed is always nice to plop into after a long day of napping and bird chasing.

4. Check . After all the vet records have been organized you can tell now what shots your little furry friend is up to date on or needs to get. I know things get crazy in your human lives and sometimes remembering when our rabies shots are due just isn’t at the top of the list. If you’re not sure or don’t have the records, call you vet since they should have them on file in the computer. I can’t believe I’m advocating that you drag us furry friends to the vet, but once you see what shots your pet needs you should make that appointment and re-order my flea and heartworm medicine while you’re at it.

5. Double Check .  I never turn down a good body rub so this one is easy, but very important. Preferably once a month, you should do a full body check of your fur baby. This means running your hands all over us and looking for abnormalities such as warts, bumps, sores or tender spots. Look inside our ears and mouth and check our paws and nails. This should also be done after any walks in areas you may encounter ticks. Finding and removing them early is the best way to keep your pet from contracting any illness from those nasty little blood suckers. If your pet is accommodating it’s also a good time to trim their nails. I am not so fond of this and Tia usually lets the groomer or vet do that job. If you find anything unusual, make a note of it and call your vet to have it checked up. If it is bleeding, swollen, oozing or showing signs of infection, call the vet immediately!

                I’m actually really glad that Tia does this on a regular basis. I knew something was wrong but it was hard for me to tell what was going on. This month she found a small tumor in my…um…nether regions. She immediately took me to the vet and thankfully its nothing life threatening  They are still running tests and by the time you read this I will already have had the offending lump removed.

                Owning a pet is a huge responsibility but with it comes lots of love and joy. So while you’re dusting the cobwebs and putting away the winter coats, take a little extra time this spring to get your pet’s things in order. It can save you headache later on this year and if you follow through and check your pet and their things often…Who knows? You just might save your pet’s life too.

Toby the Army Woof

Top Five Things to Remeber about PCSing with Pets

Five Things to Remember when PCSing with a pet

PCSing is stressful enough on its own, but throw a pet into the mix and it can be quite a daunting task. Luckily, you have Toby the Army Woof here with some advice on making it as hassle-free as possible. With help from my owners, Dave and Tia, I successfully made it over to Germany over a year and a half ago and I’m ready to share my experience.

5. We may be part of the family but we’re not dependents.

                Although Tia and Dave sometimes treat me like I’m their human child, the Army does not consider me a dependent. I could certainly argue that I am VERY dependent of my owners but legally this means that the Army does not cover any of the costs associated with PCSing with a pet. This includes airline tickets, hotel pet fees, food, medical expenses, lost chew toys and peanut butter flavored treats. As soon as you know where you’re going, start researching the costs asscociated with bringing a pet. Shipping a pet can cost over $2,000 in some cases and as little as $200 in others, therefore, it’s important to budget for your pets when planning your PCS. It all depends on where you’re going, when you’re going, and your pet’s size. There are now fees for bringing a pet into Germany that must be paid when you land and those are in addition to whatever your airline may charge. So, just like when you go on vacation, having a credit card and extra cash on hand is a good idea to avoid delays and complications.

4. Double check the pet policy.

                Tia has a funny saying that goes “You know what assuming does?”….apparently it has something to do with turning people into donkeys. Anyway, assuming that you know the airline’s pet policy that you’re booked on is not a good way to start a trip. Airlines change their policies all the time and even have rules about the time of year pets can fly. I was lucky and fit into a carrier that Tia could bring into the cabin and put under the seat. Some of my larger friends could only fly in the cargo hold and had to have different cages than me. Tia likes to check the airline’s website but even then things can be confusing so she always calls to double check and to be sure that I’m booked on the flight too. Arriving at the airport all packed and ready, only to find that your airline has different requirements than you thought would really put a damper on the day.

3. Pick up the phone.

                My memory isn’t that great and I rely on Tia to plan out my days but I can be sure that she is always planning ahead for any trip or PCS. Every installation has rules regarding pets. These can include leash laws, housing regulations, micro chipping, and breed restrictions. Bringing me from Tennessee to Oklahoma wasn’t very complicated and only required Tia to make sure I was registered with the new post’s veterinary office. However, it’s really good to contact the vet office to see what the requirements are in your new home. Unfortunately there are many places that have outlawed certain breeds of dogs. I have a friend who is a pit bull and she is really sweet and good natured, however she would not be allowed to come to Germany because of the laws here. It’s also important to call ahead because certain breeds are allowed if they can pass a temperament test. Also, all pets are required to be up to date on their vaccinations and have a clean bill of health so it’s a good idea to keep copies of your pet’s records at home.

2. Be ready for anything.             

                When we moved to Germany, Tia joked that I had more things in her suit case than she did! I have to say that I’m glad she packed for me. She made sure that she had multiple copies of all my vet records, a month’s supply of my medication, extra food, toys, and a coat. She even packed me some puppy pads and baby wipes in case we got stuck somewhere and I had to ‘go’. She also had a huge packet labeled TOBY that she put in her carry on. This contained my vet records and my paperwork that allowed me to enter Germany. Since we move so much and I see different vets in each place, Tia keeps a folder of all my vet records. It comes in handy when the new vet wants to know what medication I take and if I’m up to date on my shots. It’s much easier than trying to call five different vets and having them fax my files all over the place. She also wasn’t sure if she would be able to buy my food where we were going so she made sure she had enough to last me long enough to gradually switch to a different food if we needed to. That was good because we did have to switch and being able to do it gradually was much easier on my stomach. She also planned ahead by having a month’s supply of my meds on hand so that there would be no rush on getting me into the vet for a refill once we landed.

1. Lawn chairs are disposable, pets are not.

                There are only a few cases where it is impossible to bring your pet with you for a PCS. “It’s too hard” is not a valid excuse for dumping your dog or cat at the shelter or worse just leaving them behind. I know that I cost Dave and Tia at least $300 to get me over to Germany with them and even more in hotel pet fees. However, they knew that when they adopted me that they made a commitment to me for the rest of my life…not just until ‘it got too hard’. If you know that you cannot afford to ship your pet to your next duty station, then ask a family member to care for them until you return or until you can afford to bring them over. While she volunteered at the shelter, Tia says she saw families bring pets that they had owned for 7 years to the shelter because ‘we have kids and I can’t deal with cats and kids while moving’. I’d bite their ankle if I could! As a military family you know that you’ll be moving a lot and having a pet is a big responsibility. You can’t dispose of us and replace us at each new home like lawn furniture.

I guess in the end the best advice I can give you pet owners facing a PCS is to be prepared. If you plan ahead and plan for the unexpected (as best you can) then you’re sure to have a successful PCS and your furry friend will be happy too!

                

Winter in Brrr-varia

           Snow, or as the Germans say 'schnee', has become my arch nemesis. Tia has let me get extra fluffy over the past few months in an effort to keep me warm on our walks but when its 19 degrees outside nothing really helps. However, she has purchased snow shoes and a waterproof coat for me. I look ridiculous walking down the street in this getup. Even the Germans point and giggle at me. I've tried to tell Tia how embarrassing it is but she still insists every time it snows to hold me down and put on my boots. I have to admit...despite the constant humiliation they do keep the salt and gravel from getting into my paws and the ice from freezing my toes. I guess I'll let her keep putting them on...not like I have a choice.

    We are still expecting 3-4 more inches of snow over the next day. I plan on holding in my business for as long as possible. I may even be really bad and sneak into the hallway and relieve myself. I know its bad and I really shouldn't but come on! It's freeeeezing out there! 

In other news, I am finally a published author! Thanks to the team at baseguide.com, I was a featured article this week. Check it out: The four-legged side of military life