Here are a few great questions that I thought I WOULD reply to, though. Read on as one of these folks needs your help!

Emily,

I kept a female dog that someone had dumped in my front yard. She was nursing her last pup who was about 6 or 7 wks. old. I took them both to the vet the next day. My sister took the pup. She wasn't even a yr old yet and now she is in heat again. The vet told me that she could be spayed in Nov. to Feb. Is it possible to have her spayed during her heat time? I know to protect her and such and to protect our furniture. But when can she spayed? I'm sorry I waited too long. but am going to get it done.

Thanks, Sue

E.C.: Hi Sue, Kudos for you for having the kind heart to take in a stray. Double kudos for having the forsight to take her to the vet right away to give her a health check up. Many times strays suffer from parasites, malnutrition and other health problems that your vet can help you remedy quickly.

I will have to offer my triple-kudos award (is that too many kudos?) for your committment to getting her spayed. Like Bob Barker always said on the "Price is Right" it's the best way to control the pet population and can also protect the health and longevity of your pet.

To the best of my knowledge, you can get your dog spayed any time after she has reached maturity, even as young as six months of age. Your vet may have advocated waiting to let your dog recover from her pregnancy. There's no reason to wait now, whether she's in heat or not go to your vet and get her spayed.

Then give her some special TLC and rest assured you did the right thing!

Emily

Emily, I have a friend in TN that just acquired a small (teacup Chihuahua) she said it is about three pounds. I have made other small sweaters but this is way small. Can you help? And thank you. Lynn

E.C.: You're right Lynn. Way small and way cute, I bet! :) I am putting this out there to our readers to help network and find you what you need. Readers, if you can help Lynn, please shoot her an email: Lynncarolr at aol.com (broken apart to prevent SPAMERS!) Emily

Hi Emily, I want to know if you can help me with some information. I have a friend who has a female boxer and I have the male. We both are first time breeders and have alot of questions. First, how do you know when the female is heat. Thanks, Hector

EC: Hector, first a warning... I am strongly against poorly-planned amatuer breeding programs. Just because you and your friend each own un-altered dogs of the same variety, that is not a reason in and of itself to embark on a breeding program.

Many breeds suffer a huge drop in the health, intelligence and personality once they become "popular" and everyone and their brother starts a backyard breeding program.

Let me ask you guys why you are planning to breed your dogs. Is it 1) To test out whether you can do it 2) To show your kids the miracle of birth 3) To make lots of money selling puppies in the newspaper 4) Because it will make your dogs happy

All of the above are BAD REASONS to breed. You only want to breed dogs in order to create higher-quality offspring. Caring for a pregnant mother and offering her and her puppies top of the line health care can be an expensive proposition, both in vet bills and time.

If you don't know when a dog is in heat, frankly, I don't think you have the expertise to embark on a breeding program. If you do decide to move forward on this venture, please consult with a vet and talk to a few professional breeders first so you can get a better sense of what you're up against. Then I may let you read my article about dogs in heat which will answer your question.

Fore-warned is Fore-armed. Emily

We'll end on a more positive note

My puppy Kera went off to guide dog school this month, and we're recieving periodic feedback from the school - she keeps getting good grades. I made a farewell video some months ago and Wendy wrote to me:

Emily, Your video touched my heart! Kera looks like a very happy, well adjusted girl. She will make someone a wonderful companion. You can be very proud of her & yourselves. Best wishes, Wendy

EC: Thanks a lot, Wendy, we all find little ways to make the world a better place each day, what a wonderful world it would be!

Emily

Go here http://www.gifts-for-dog-lovers.com/dog-video-kera.html to see the video she is referring to.

That's all for now, folks. Keep the emails coming.

Sincerely,

Emily Cressey

PS. Are you ready for tail-wagging fun this Halloween? You better be!

If not, check out these dog halloween costumes. and order yours today, or else!

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