US National Whitewater Center

I want to apologize for missing the July newsletter and not updating the blog. I have been out of town for several weeks and I have not had access to the Internet. It was so hard without email and Internet status that I don't know how we used to survive. I was able to go on a few times but even when I came back my computer was broken. Anyway I have a lot of catching up to do and hopefully will have a newsletter for September. Enough about me let's talk Cavaliers!!

I think one of my previous blogs about fun summer activities with your Cavalier in the summer. Now that summer is over and I am back in Charlotte, I thought about one thing to do for the fall. It would have been too hot in the summer for Cavaliers since they get hot too easily but will be fun when it cools down.

My cousin took her dog to the Whitewater Center last weekend and had a great time. You can walk, hike (which I don't know but my Cavalier is a little lazy) our just enjoy the outdoors with your precious pooch. There are beginner/easy and mostly flat trails to advanced. You may want to call for the trail status because sometimes they are closed due to weather.

At the top is a map of where the Center is if you have not been there already.

Every Thursday there is a River Jam where you can relax and listen to music which I heard was tons of fun.

The Animal Kneads Day Event

The Animal Kneads Day event started in 2007 at Great Harvest Bread Company. The bakery opens on a Sunday (which is not a regular business day), the owners and staff donate their time and the ingredients to make hundreds of loaves of bread. Volunteers from Animal Care & Control staff the counter and offer the bread to the public for a donation of $10.00 a loaf. 100% of the proceeds go directly to the Animal Care and Control Free Public Spay & Neuter Fund.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg is one of the top 10 fastest-growing US metro areas. As the Charlotte area continues to grow, so does its animal population. It is estimated that there 400,000 cats and dogs in the metro area. As a municipal shelter, Animal Care & Control can not turn away any animal, regardless of how full the shelter is. Last year alone, due to severe overpopulation of unwanted animals, the shelter had to euthanize 12,632 cats and dogs (in FY09), many of whom would have been adoptable. To help reduce the number of animals that come to the shelter the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Animal Care & Control Division (CMPD-ACCD) instituted a Free Public Spay and Neuter Assistance Program. This program is completely donation and grant funded. The spay/neuter program was able to sterilize 1,228 animals in FY09.

Event Information:
Sunday, August 23, 2009 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Great Harvest Bread Company
6420 Rea Road (Shops at Piper Glen)

How can you help? Support the event by stopping by and making a donation, and tell your friends, family, neighbors about the event.

• Become an event sponsor
• Participate in the event with a booth
• Match donations made during certain hours of the event
• Advertise the event
• Distribute posters and flyers

Contact Melissa Knicely at 704-336-3627 if you are interested in participating.

July 2009 Meet Up

Vacation

I am sorry for the lack of posts but I have been on vacation for the 4th! Do you have any 4th of July pictures you want to share? If so email me at anniemacmac@gmail.com. I had a lot of fun playing dress up with Ella for my 2 year old niece and it reminded me of the photo contest. I keep waiting for new photo's but I think I will move the deadline to Friday. I will gather all of the photo's and we can vote on the best summer photo, cutest face, overall best photo at our meet up this Saturday!! Please send me some pictures!

Meet Cory. An Irish Ruby!!

Meet Corey!

Corey was born in September 28, 2007 in Ireland. Yess Ireland! We fell in love with him at the first time we saw him despite his overbite ;). And he’s been the best dog ever since then. When we take him for a walk people would stop us and say hi to him or just smile at him, because he always gives that “smile” face at you. His best buddy is our Siamese cat Honey Bunny. They get along very well and often sleep together in our bed. It is absolutely our best decision in our life to get Corey and we just can’t get enough of him.

8 things about Corey:

1. His favorite places are our lap and our bed.
2. His favorite things to do are walking, playing with daddy and doing tricks to get treats.
3. He has an overbite.
4. He snores when he is sleeping.
5. He likes to crawl on carpet. (funny!)
6. He gets over excited when we come home and we need to give him his toy or he’ll jump and grab our clothes.
7. He scared of water, but will do his business in the rain (strange boy!)
8. He loves car rides.

Summer Pictures

Thanks to those sending summer pictures!!! I will have a photo contest so the deadline will be June 30th. Here are some pictures I have so far.

Meet Tommy

Our cavalier’s name is Tommy. He was born on October 4th, 2008 in Lexington, NC. Tommy, who is the only dog on our block, (a 55 and older development in SC) is loved by all our neighbors many of whom have treats for him whenever he visits. Lots of folks get around here on golf carts and Tommy has to have at least one ride a day to be happy. We often ride to the dog park where he goes to meet and play with other dogs in the small dog area.
Our house in Venice, Florida holds a different attraction. There he loves kissing all the people on the dog beach and digging in the sand. Sometimes he runs and plays with the other dogs, but the people are definitely his first choice. He also loves walking along the streets of downtown Venice where people stop to pet him and ask about him.
Tommy is a loveable and much loved part of our lives.

Adrienne and Martin Cohen

Welcome

This blog is new so it is a work in progress just like the newsletter. These posts are from the newsletter but we are going to continually add new things. Any pictures or posts you would like to add to the newsletter or blog, you can email Anne at anniemacmac@gmail.com. I hope you enjoy this site and can keep up to date on our Queen City Cavaliers!!

Book Suggestion- "For the Love of Ollie"

"“For the Love of Ollie” is a story of a cavalier’s fight against syringomyelia. The book is to raise awareness of the disease and fund research for a cure.


The following quote is from Sandy Smith the author of the book.

"It is essential for all of us involved in the life of a Cavalier to recognize and treat this painful, debilitating condition as early as possible in order to minimize spinal cord damage and to increase the chances of a reasonable quality of life. This is not a rare condition in this breed anymore and it is extremely important at this critical time to promote awareness and support gene research endeavours.
Breeders are encouraged to follow the breeding guidelines for SM and safeguard future generations of Cavaliers by continuing to acknowledge the prevalence of the disease and by providing MRIs for all breeding dogs until such time as research provides more definitive answers with regard to the mode of inheritance. They should breed with the utmost compassion and knowledge.
Pet owners of Cavaliers should gather as much information as possible and understand that when they acquire one of these precious pets, they must be prepared to care for and absorb the expense that the treatment for this disease is likely to incur, should it be necessary. Hopefully, breed clubs will consider the importance of educating members and set up programs for cost-effective diagnostic imaging and raise funds for research. A combined and cooperative effort from all concerned will minimize the numbers of affected dogs and help to keep this beautiful breed healthy for generations to come. Hopefully, this will not be construed as an alarmist point of view, but a realistic one.
All of our dedicated and caring veterinarians should be aware of and able to diagnose this disease correctly and quickly in order to reduce unnecessary suffering and expense. For the researchers, neurologists and surgeons, it is through your commitment and untiring efforts that we can go on with hope and optimism.
The facts are disappointing and heartbreaking, but cannot be ignored. For the love of Ollie and for the love of the breed, I hope that the choice will be to breed cautiously, to purchase informatively, to treat aggressively and to love unconditionally. Good luck, my sweet Cavaliers. We understand now that you are not so “wimpy” after all. You are, in fact, one of the most courageous, stoic and loyal little companions we have ever had. "

Ella's Birthday Pictures

Meet Waldo

Meet Waldo!!

Waldo was the first Ruby Cavalier I have seen and he made quite an impression on me.

Waldo’s birthdate: 9/21/08

Five things about him:
1– He was born in upstate NY, and shipped to Ohio where he was rescued from being sold into stud at an Amish puppy mill auction

2- He learned to ring his bell to go outside after only two weeks with us, so clearly he’s a genius!

3- His favorite place to visit is the Davie dog park

4 – He loves boating on Lake Norman
5- He enjoys taking hot showers after an afternoon romping with

Photo Contest!!!

I did not get many photo’s for the summertime photo contest. The adorable picture of Waldo the Sailor was the only photo I got last month. Even though it is perfect, it is not a contest with only one entry. I thought that maybe if there was a PRIZE more people would enter. The winner will be able to register for a gift at http://www.pawpalaceonline.com/. The deadline will be June 30th for entries.

Yummy Treats for those with a Bigger Tummy

Low Fat Chicken & Bean Cookies

Ingredients
3 ½ cups- Whole wheat flower
¼ cup- skim milk
½ cup-Green bean puree
½ cup-Cornmeal
¾ cup-Chicken stock

Directions
Blend the wheat flour and cornmeal together and set aside.
Whisk together the skim milk, chicken stock, and green bean puree.
Slowly add the flour mix to the bean mix until you have formed a stiff dough.
Place the dough on a floured surface and roll out 1 inch thick and cut into shapes with cookie cutters and place them on an ungreased cookie sheet.
Bake at 350F for 35 minutes or until the cookies are crisp.

Taken from http://www.palmettockcsc.org/

Blenheim Brownies

BLENHEIM BROWNIES

1/2 cup shortening1/8 cup honey 4 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/4 cup carob powder 1 cup whole wheat flour 1/2 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 cup carob chips
Cream shortening and honey together thoroughly. Add the rest of the ingredients and beat well. Bake in a well greased 15 by 10 baking sheet at 350 for 25 minutes.
Frosting:12 ounces cream cheese (non fat) room temperature 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 teaspoon honey In a small mixer, add all ingredients and blend. Spread frosting over cooled brownies. Cut into 3-inch squares. Cut out a paw print out of paper. Hold pawprint over each square and sprinkle with carob powder. Remove stencil carefully. (We can supply the stencil for you) Yield: 12 pieces
A cavalier forum :http://board.cavaliertalk.com/index.php

Newsletter- Traveling with your Cavalier

I came across an article on www.i-love-cavaliers.com about traveling with your King Charles Spaniel and I thought since it is summertime and many people may be taking vacations, this would be great information to pass on. Ella’s favorite thing to do is to ride in the car with her paws out the window or just sit in my lap. Although I like to have her close to me, it is not the safest thing to do. It is dangerous because it is a distraction from my driving and if there was a wreck the airbags would cause her harm. Like the person in the article, I also had bought a car seat from www.gwlittle.com. Ella loves her car seat because it is high enough for her to look out the window and it is cozy for her. There even is a drawer underneath so you can store treats, a leash, water or any other supplies.

The following tips are from the article:

Tips for Pet Travels:
· Let new pets become accustomed to the car gradually. Start by putting your Cavalier Spaniel in the car with the motor off. Let him wander around and get familiar with all those "car smells." Next time, let your pet get used to being in the car with the motor running. Work up slowly to actually driving down with street with your Cavalier by your side.
· Always keep your dog's collar and ID tags on him when riding in the car. Particularly until you've fully trained your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel on how to behave in the car, there's always a chance you might be separated in an unfamiliar neighborhood.
· Pack a "Pet Emergency Travel Kit". Include a bottle of water,perhaps a water dish, some treats (in case your dog gets loose, you may need to lure him back to the car), and an extra leash.
· Never leave your best friend in a parked car! Even with the windows slightly open, it's amazing how quickly a parked car can heat up to the point where it can be fatal to a small dog.
· On long trips, try not to feed your pet for several hours before traveling to avoid upset stomaches. Bring ice cubes to quench your pet's thirst. Consider adding sun shades to your car windows to keep your dog cool and comfortable while traveling. Bring a copy of your pet's Health Record in case you need to seek veterinary assistance out of town. Consider adding a temporary ID tag to your pet's collar with the phone number where you can be reached at your destination.

The article also has some useful tips for airline travel. It said to never put your pet in the plane’s cargo hold because many animals have been lost, injured or killed during travel.

Newsletter- Dog Dictonary

Dog Dictionary

LEASH: A strap which attaches to your collar, enabling you to lead your person where you want him/her to go.

DOG BED: Any soft, clean surface, such as the white bedspread in the guest room or the newly upholstered couch in the living room.

DROOL: What to do when your persons have food and you don't. To do this properly you must sit as close as you can and look sad and let the drool fall to the floor or, better yet, on their laps.

SNIFF: A social custom to use when you greet other dogs. Place your nose as close as you can to the other dog's rear end and inhale deeply. Repeat several times, or until your person makes you stop.

GARBAGE CAN: A container which your neighbors put out once a week to test your ingenuity. You must stand on your hind legs and try to push the lid off with your nose. If you do it right you are rewarded with margarine wrappers to shred, beef bones to consume and moldy crusts of bread.

BICYCLES: Two-wheeled exercise machines, invented for dogs to control body fat. To get maximum aerobic benefit, you must hide behind a bush and dash out, bark loudly and run alongside for a few yards; the person then swerves and falls into the bushes, and you prance away.

DEAFNESS: A malady which affects a dog when its person wants it in and the dog wants to stay out. Symptoms include staring blankly at the person, then running in the opposite direction, or lying down.

THUNDER: A signal that the world is coming to an end. Humans remain amazingly calm during thunderstorms, so it is necessary to warn them of the danger by trembling uncontrollably, panting, rolling your eyes wildly, and following at their heels.

WASTEBASKET: A dog toy filled with paper, envelopes, and old candy wrappers. When you get bored, turn over the basket and strew the papers all over the house until your person comes home.

SOFAS: Are to dogs like napkins are to people. After eating it is polite to run up and down the front of the sofa and wipe your whiskers clean.

BATH: A process by which the humans drench the floor, walls and themselves. You can help by shaking vigorously and frequently.

LEAN: Every good dog's response to the command "sit!" -- especially if your person is dressed for an evening out. Incredibly effective before black-tie events.

BUMP: The best way to get your human's attention when they are drinking a fresh cup of coffee or tea.

GOOSE BUMP: A last-resort maneuver used when the Regular Bump doesn't get the attention you require. Especially effective when combined with The Sniff (see above).

LOVE: A feeling of intense affection, given freely and without restriction. To show your love, wag your tail and gaze adoringly. If you're lucky, a human will love you in return. Author Unknown

Newsletter- Heat Concerns

Why Does Your Dog Snore? Is There More to be Concerned About Other Than Your Hearing?

Adrienne sent an email about that included a post about the dangers of heat strokes. One thing that was shocking to me was that the temperature outside was not hot but warm only 80 degrees. This is something everyone should be aware of especially since it is the beginning of summer and also since Cavaliers are especially prone to heat strokes. Cavaliers are a short faced (brachycephalic) which are breed to have a rounded flat faces with prominent eyes and a compact body to make them more appealing. However the cute faces can cause major health problems. In mild cases you may notice your dog snoring. Not every brachycephalic dog will develop respiratory problems but because of there features they could suffer heat stress and heat stroke because they are not efficient panters, which is the only way dogs have to cool themselves.

Factors that increase the risk of a heat stroke are:
Water deprevation Exercise
Enclosed space Age
Excessive humidity Cardiovascular disease
Obesity Lack of acclimatization

Please be careful in the summer heat! My trainer recommended to only walk your dog in hot weather for no more than five minutes. You know how hot dark pavement gets when we step on it but dog’s paws are just as sensitive. Try to avoid dark pavement in the summer heat.

If you are going to be outside in the heat for a longer walk or long period of time, you may want to look into a cool vest
for your dog. I got one for my dog and even though it may not look “cool”, I know she is better off than without it. I found
mine in a store out of town but they are available on the Internet. I found one at http://www.dbdogshop.com/

Newsletter- Cavalier Health Article

Thanks Gemma for creating this blog. I am goingto add some posts with information that was on the June newsletter.

Like other breeds, the King Charles Spaniel can have potential health problems. Some genetic conditions to be aware of are Patellar Luxation, Mitral Valve Disease, Syringomyelia, and eye disease. Mitral Valve Disease (MVD) and Syringomyelia (SM) are both severe and very common. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club, USA (CKCSC) has a strict code of ethics and believe that breeding from less than the best can result in serious health problems. Most responsible breeders with screen their breeding dogs for heart, syringomyelia, hip, eye, hearing and patella problems and follow the recommended breeding protocols to try and reduce the incidence of all these defects in the breed. Although screening lessens the chance your dog will develop problems it is not a guarantee that your dog will never develop a problem during its lifetime. This month I want to focus on Syringomyelia which along with Mitral Valve Disease is a big concern for Cavalier owners.

What is Syringomyelia?- It is a condition where fluid filled cavities develop within the spinal cord. Also known as ‘neck scratcher’s disease’ because scratching in the air near the neck is a common sign.
SM is rare in most breeds but has become widespread in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. It is estimated that as many as 50% of Cavaliers have syringomyelia (SM).

Symptoms- The earliest sign is that the dog is hypersensitive around the neck causing an urge to scratch at its neck and shoulders. As the pain progresses it may cause the dog to yelp. The dog may experience pain that it may sleep and eat with their head elevated.

Diagnosis- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI is the most accurate way of diagnosing the disease. The cost for an MRI can range from $900 to over $2000. Other methods are computed tomography (CT), thermography, ultrasound, and brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER).

Treatment- The options for treatment are limited and consist of drugs and surgery.
You can get more information about SM at www.cavalierhealth.org and also at http://www.fortheloveofollie.com/

Cavie lovers

Hi guys, we are a group of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel lovers that lives around Charlotte, NC area. We just love this breed and we would like to find more people that loves this breed too. Either you have one or are going to have one in the future, please feel free to join our blog. We are trying to find as many people as possible to gather once a month to have a doggie play date and share our knowledge about this breed. We are looking forward to see you here and spread the words. Cavaliers ROCK!! :)