A sad story for today. A client called to say that his 2 female dogs got into another big fight. This is the 3^rd, maybe 4^th time in the last year when jealousy or the fight over being the Alpha female has caused one dog to attack the other. It’s never really clear how they start or which dog initiated the fight, but they both end up having major lesions, trips to the vet, stitches, those big plastic collars to wear, and a high price tag for it all. Then, of course, they have to be physically separated and nursed along until they’re well enough to be on their own again. And, just when you think they’ve learned their lesson and are getting along well enough, they do it again. This client has talked to pet psychologists and even a pet psychic. At least one has come out to try and find a way that the dogs can co-exist, but nothing has worked.

The last time it happened, the client decided to give one of the dogs away. That seemed like a good solution – each dog could then have her own space and family to love. He put up posters at vets, pet stores, and other dog friendly places. You would think a pretty, friendly black lab would win lots of hearts, but he got no calls. He hoped maybe things would work themselves out and as time went on, it seemed that maybe the dogs had finally learned to tolerate one another.  But last weekend, after a trip to the grocery store, he came home to find the dogs locked onto each other and again, deeply injured. This time, it became clear – if the dogs stayed together, one or both could end up dead. And could he really afford to keep paying unlimited vet bills?

What a dilemma. He is really struggling – he loves both dogs deeply, but things can’t go on. What to do?

Houdini, Doody First’s lovable canine mascot, makes things go away…almost like magic! Our mascot is all about service with a friendly wag. Wherever you see this happy pooch on a Doody First truck or worn proudly on a uniform, you know that fresh air and clean grass is sure to follow.

10. Let’s face it! You, your spouse, and your kids all find it disgusting!
9. You can actually enjoy using your backyard again.
8. You can spend more time playing with your dog.
7. You can go someplace fun with your family.
6. Your friends won’t have to tell you about the dog doody on your shoe.
5. You’ll have less embarrassing situations when friends come over to visit.
4. You won’t have to blame the neighbor’s dog for the dead spot on your grass.
3. Your kids and dogs won’t get infected with those nasty parasites that linger in the
yard.
2. You don’t have to make excuses anymore why the doody doesn’t get picked up.
1. No more tracking doody into the house!

Many common diseases can be transmitted from dog feces to dogs, cats and humans.
These include Giardia, roundworms, hookworms, Salmonell, and E. coli. A dog can
spread parvovirus and coronavirus through infected feces. An infected dog can pass over
a million roundworm eggs everyday. All these diseases can be serious and common,
making it especially important to keep family and pets from any potentially infected
feces. Read more »

According to the Washington State Department of Ecology, stormwater from runoff is a major threat to the state’s urban waters. It carries a toxic stew of pollution downstream into the state’s lakes, rivers, and marine waters. Dog waste is a large component of what is essentially raw sewage than can affect public health and water quality. When it rains, dog waste gets washed down the storm drain and into the nearest stream or lake. The organisms in dog waste then harm water quality. Children or pets that drink or play in the water can become sick; wildlife and fish are also affected.

A King county study found that nearly all fecal coliform bacteria in Juanita Creek was of animal origin, with dog waste as a major source. Pet waste also adds nitrogen and phosphorus to the water encouraging rapid growth of algae and aquatic weeds.  Watch the State Department of Ecology public service announcement.