Events of Dog Sitting

I have been dog/puppy sitting for my friend who raises the Maltese.
They are so cuddly and sweet!

The first day, first thing in the morning, the Momma dog with three nursing puppies ran away.
She ran across the neighbors field, and up the next hill to the house on top. Ralph and I drove out around and over to that ridge. There she was. The couple that live there hadn't left for work
yet. He said I could move my car ahead and park,...and he would get his boots on and help catch her. By the time we did this, she was gone! She moves very fast, her little legs a churning.
Drove back home, stopping at a few places....asking them to call if they see this dog.
Went and got my daughter Alisa, so she could stay with Ralph. Got changed into proper clothes and shoes, and said I wasn't coming home until I found that dog.

Had to drive back over to where I had seen her and stopped at more houses along the way. Some folks said they would help me look. Another lady held my hand and prayed. Everyone said they would watch for her. One more trip up to that house....I could hear faint, squeeky barking way down in t he field. Looking down from where I was, it would be better to walk in from home.

Went back and ask my neighbor to call the folks that had offered to help, and tell them we heard barking down by the pond. Crossed the fence and walked down in there, no dog. Soon I could follow the barking. Went through three more fences....there she was, ....then off she went.
Then up the hill again! I could see her go to a metal shed behind a yellow house. The back of it was open all the way across and it was full of stuff. In she went.

All this time I was carrying a little plate of chicken bits and her squeeky toy. She wouldn't come out, but I'd toss her a bit of chicken from time to time. She was standing on a lawn mower. The shed was really full, so she was safely back in there. Soon I heard voices, and it was the couple that had offered to help. The man climbed in there and got behind the dog. She didn't like that, so came out for a bite of chicken and I grabbed her. Back down and through the fields....passing the dog back and forth as we came through the fences. At home she had the mud washed off, then back to her puppies. This all took about three hours!!

Here is a photo of one of my friend's Maltese.

We live and learn. I feel it is best to care for our pets in the most natural way we can and still have the best results.  I never want to put anything on my pet that I wouldn't want to use myself.  We never want to use too much of an oily product and have an oily dog.  It would get all over everything, and our dog if outdoors would get sunburned.  We want to use mild, gentle products overall.

The best way to help our pet keep free of fleas and itchy skin is to be sure they have a healthy immune system.  Good nutrition helps this to happen.  Exercise is also important.
When we got our Cairn Terrier she had a bad odor from a poor diet.  She had a serious skin/flea problem.   I felt she maybe also had fungus. She would lick and lick her feet. Some people feel this is emotional.

The vet checked her thoroughly and gave her flea medicine and a powerful shampoo. After reading the label I decided not to use the shampoo because of the chemicals. I did use the flea medicine, and then looked for more natural ways.

I had read articles on how Head and Shoulders shampoo had worked for people problems, and since we had some around, I used it to give the dog a bath. They do not recommend you use "people" shampoo for dogs, but this really worked! I gave her another bath the next day if still itching. I lathered her fur starting with a little on top of her head and around her ears, working down the neck and body, and leaving it on a few minutes, then rinsing well.Later when the fleas came back, a bath with Head and Shoulders washed them away. After this if there was any itchiness or fleas, out came the Head and Shoulders.

If the dog had broken skin, it needed to be treated with a tiny bit of salve(I use Bag Balm or vitamin E )to stop the need for more itching. Any patches of sparse fur, I treated with a cool green tea soaked cotton ball. Also dipped her feet in a cup of cool green tea, one to two times a day for 3 days. We changed her diet and she continued to improve and no fleas.
Sometimes I would use organic, mild dog shampoo and add a few drops of Young Living Lavender essential oil. It doesn,t take much as they are high quality oils.

Years ago I tried a herbal flea collar for small house dogs.  It was a tube of fabric, stuffed with lavender, and it just ties on.  From time to time you could dab a drop of essential oil on it to renew the fragrance. Just a little as it is close to the eyes and nose.  Not all dogs will tolerate the same thing. Some have allergies etc. just like people have their differences.
The sleeping area of the dog needs to be kept clean.  Wash all bedding and vacuum often. This gets any flea eggs if there are any, and it keeps everything smelling fresh. A mild scent can be used on bedding, like lavender water, but keep it light. Dogs don,t need that many baths after everything is under control.

Now I have a friend who raises Maltese dogs. You can go to her site at diamondjs.net to see these special little dogs.  Her site also links to a site that prepares dog and cat food in small fresh batches, to be sent out directly to your door, as often as you need it. This site has food and products developed by a holistic veterinarian.  I am very happy to have found these great products.   A strong healthy dog, means less money spent on a sick dog!