If a storm hits at night with lightning and thunder he is scratching at the bed and trembling. I do my best to make him feel safe and protected by creating a small, tight space between the bed and a table where he can lay with my hand on him. During the day I will turn on music, tv, extra lights anything to dull out the noise and light. I even tried the Thundershirt. I don’t remember him always being afraid of storms.Why are dogs afraid and what can you do?

It actually appears to be a common problem in dogs to be afraid of loud noises such as thunder, fireworks, guns etc. In Holly Nash’s article on Doctors Foster and Smith peteducation.com website, she noted that a recent study conducted showed “certain breeds of dogs have an above average risk of developing noise phobias” like “Collies, German Shepherds, Beagles, and Basset Hounds.” “The study also found that dogs who had separation anxiety were more likely to also have noise and thunderstorm phobias.”

Patty Khuly, a vet in Miami wrote an article for USA Today called “10 Steps to calm dogs during lightning storms.” I was doing some of the things she suggested as well as others intuitively:

Few tips to help your pet during storms:

1-Create a safe place for your pet. It could be a crate, closet, some interior space that feels safe and is comfortable.

2-Try and mute the noise-move to a quieter location and add other calming noises-music, fan etc.

3- “Counter the effects of electromagnetism” “Though it may sound like voodoo, your dog can also become sensitized to the electromagnetic radiation caused by lightning strikes. One great way to shield your dog from these potentially fear-provoking waves is to cover her crate with a double layer of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Another method involves clothing her in a commercially available “Storm Defender” cape that does the same work. If she hides under the bed, consider slipping a layer of aluminum foil between the box-spring and mattress.”

4- “Offer treats, cuddlings and other good stuff when storms happen.” “This method is best employed before the phobia sets in –– as pups. Associating loud booms with treats is never a bad thing, right?”

5- “Desensitize him.” “Sometimes it’s possible to allay the fears by using thunderstorm sound CDs when it’s not raging outside. Play it at a low volume while plying him with positive stimuli (like treats and pettings). Increase the volume all the while, getting to those uncomfortable booming sounds over a period of weeks. It works well for some.”

If nothing is working, talk to your vet about possible medication or a referral for a veterinary behaviorist.

I am thankful Winston’s response seems minor in comparison to others. Nash’s article  offers an extensive list of noise phobia signs including: “Hiding (most common sign in cats), Urinating, Defecating, Chewing, Panting, Pacing, Trying to escape (digging, jumping through windows or going through walls, running away), Drooling, Seeking the owner, Expressing anal glands, Not eating, Not listening to commands, Trembling or shaking, Dilated pupils, Vocalizing (barking or meowing).”

My sister in law, who is a vet, rescued a Border Collie when he was two. After years of enduring bad storms in southern Florida and heightened stress, anxiety and destruction she choose to let her parents, who lived in the midwest, care for him. While it was incredibly sad to not have him around daily, he was much happier in an environment that was less stressful.

Other helpful articles:
“Fear of Thunder and Other Loud Noises” Adapted from material originally developed by applied animal behavorists at teh Dumb Friends League, Dencer, Colo featured on The Humane Society of The United States

“Thunderstorms: Help Your Pet Conquer Fear” Drs. Foster & Smith Educational Staff

The post Why do some dogs fear storms? appeared first on Stray Magnet | Helping Lost, Stray, and Abandoned Pets.

We live on an incredibly busy street and immediately the head thinks of all the bad things that can happen while the heart speeds up rapidly.

The second time it happened, I was at home alone with the kids and we were actually playing in the backyard while he was with us and then he was gone. I yelled at them to get in the car, grabbed my car keys and we jumped in the car to start canvasing the area. Thankfully, we found him fairly quickly as he had run to the street behind our house and was in a neighbor’s yard a few houses down.

Fence, microchip, collar, you can have all the precautions in place and still most everyone has experienced the horrifying scare of a missing pet.

The uncertainty, the complete lack of control, the worry it’s almost paralyzing. BUT the quicker you can respond and the faster you can start the search process the more likely you will have a happy reunification.

Stray Magnet strives to be a helpful resource if you ever lose or find a pet.
The best NEWER RESCOURCE around is NEXTDOOR. It’s an online neighborhood bulletin board. We highly recommend you post pictures and information immediately on the website through your computer or the NextDoor App.

We have helpful resource section (tips and phone numbers to call), a bulletin board to post the pets picture and information and we will post the information on facebook, twitter and send out an email alert for your county. Consider helping others, by signing up to receive lost/found pet alerts for your county.

Click Here for some helpful steps if you lose your dog.

Click Here for some helpful steps if you lose your cat.

On the other side of things, you can be instrumental in helping a lost pet reunite with their owner.

Click Here for some helpful steps if you find a dog.

Click Here for some helpful steps if you find a cat.

The post Help We Lost Our Dog appeared first on Stray Magnet | Helping Lost, Stray, and Abandoned Pets.

Stationary Card Sets Available: (Cats, Flowers, Animals, Scenic and Travel)

Cat Set

-12 cards (6 different cards with 2 copies each) $15
-18 cards (6 different cards with 3 copies each) $20

This set is titled “family” and is a part of our family. We rescued the stray pregnant female May of 2015 and she is now our Mama June, a wonderful mother and sweet cat. Having just days before lost our cat of 15 years it was an incredible experience to watch the kittens grow. Want to read more about the rescue story, click here.

Flower Set

-12 cards (6 different cards with 2 copies each) $15
-18 cards (6 different cards with 3 copies each) $20

This flower set is from different areas of Nashville, Huntsville and St. Louis.

Animal Set

-12 cards (6 different cards with 2 copies each) $15
-18 cards (6 different cards with 3 copies each) $20

These animal pictures were taken on different trips from Alabama to Hawaii. There is so much beauty and strength in these amazing creatures.

Scenic Set

-12 cards (4 different cards with 3 copies each) $15

These pictures were taken from left to right (Kauai, Hawaii, Kennebunkport, Maine, Bald Head Island, NC, and the Bahamas).

Travel Set

-12 cards (4 different cards with 3 copies each) $15

All four of these photographs were taken on the beautiful island of Santorini, Greece. An unforgettable spot especially as there were community dogs lying around everywhere.

If you want to purchase cards, you may do so through our Etsy shop https://www.etsy.com/shop/StrayMagnet. Prefer to cut down on fees and have more go to the animals, just email us at contact@straymagnet.com. You can designate which animal organization your proceeds go to from our list or choose your own.

Nashville Organizations that we support:

Nashville Cat Rescue
website: http://awos.petfinder.com

Nashville Humane Association
website: www.nashvillehumane.org

Happy Tales Humane
website: happytaleshumane.com

New Leash on Life
website: newleashonline.org

Humane Society of Sumner County
website: www.sumnerhumane.org

Agape Animal Rescue
website: www.agaperescue.org

Music City Animal Rescue
website: www.MusicCityAnimalRescue.com

Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue
website: proverbs1210.rescuegroups.org

Walden’s Puddle Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
website: www.waldenspuddle.org

National Organizations:

ASPCA
website: https://www.aspca.org

Best Friends Animal Sanctuary
website: http://bestfriends.org

Humane Society of the United States
website: http://www.humanesociety.org

Photographs taken by Brooke Schroeder.

The post Stationery Cards For Sale To Benefit Animal Shelters, Humane Societies and Rescue Groups appeared first on Stray Magnet | Helping Lost, Stray, and Abandoned Pets.

One featured animal in the show is the Eastern Box Turtle, which is actually “the official state reptile of both North Carolina and Tennessee,” (http://www.boxturtles.com).

Did you know that it is illegal to have a turtle as a pet in Tennessee?

Eastern Box turtles are considered a threatened species (step prior to endangered) and thrive in their natural forest habitat filled with dense leaf cover. “Their territory consists of an area less than 200m in diameter,” (http://www.bio.davidson.edu) but their survival is threatened with urban development. The loss of rich habitat and an increasing number of accidents (hit by cars, trains, lawnmowers etc.) are greatly affecting their lifespan and ultimately their future.

If you find a turtle, what should you do?

Eastern Box Turtles were created with an amazing homing sense. This is especially important if you find a turtle crossing a busy street and want to help. Make sure you pick up the turtle and place him/her across the road in the direction he/she was heading. If you take him/her backwards, he/she will just try to cross the street again. If you just spot a turtle in the wilderness, leave him/her alone. If you find an injured turtle, contact our local wildlife center, Walden’s Puddle,  and record the “EXACT location where it was found so it can be returned there when it has recovered,” (http://www.waldenspuddle.org).

Other fun facts:
They are “The only turtle in Tennessee that can completely close itself in its shell (and very tightly) due to its broad hinged lower shell.” (http://www.tnwatchablewildlife.org)

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

The post Tennessee’s state reptile is the Eastern Box Turtle- LEARN MORE! appeared first on Stray Magnet | Helping Lost, Stray, and Abandoned Pets.

Jasper

Brief Description:
-Border Collie
-Adult
-Male
-Neutered
-Up-To Date on shots
-House trained

For more information on Jasper visit or contact the Humane Society of Sumner County.

Full listing, www.petfinder.com.

For information regarding adoption requirements please visit SumnerHumane.org.

To view all their adoptable pets, click www.petfinder.com.

Humane Society of Sumner County
16 Volunteer Drive
Hendersonville, TN 37075
Phone: (615) 822-0061
email: info@sumnerhumane.org

Hours:
Wednesday-Friday: 12PM- 5PM
Saturdays: 10AM-4PM

About The Humane Society of Sumner County (HSSC):
“The Humane Society of Sumner County (HSSC) is a small, private, non-profit (501c3) service organization that promotes the humane treatment of abandoned, lost, and displaced animals. HSSC provides temporary shelter, necessary medical attention and mandatory vaccinations, and sterilization to aid in population control. Our adoption staff joins loving, qualified and responsible people with these animals and works diligently to re-unite incoming lost animals with their people. HSSC encourages the public to help control the over-pet population through spay and neuter awareness and offers assistance to people who qualify. HSSC has diligently served this community since 1974 and is solely supported by donations.”

The post Featured Pet: Jasper appeared first on Stray Magnet | Helping Lost, Stray, and Abandoned Pets.

Brief Description:

-Domestic Short Hair
-Black/Tan/White
-Spayed Female
-7 years old
-9 lbs
-Up to date on shots

Hi! I’m Madison Grace and I am a sweet, older girl who is looking for my forever home. I love to watch birds out the window and enjoy just hanging out with you and being a lap cat.” I would love a good home to call my own. Please visit me soon!

For more information or his full listing visit Nashville Humane Association.

View other adoptable cats, adoptable dogs.

Nashville Humane Association
213 Oceola Avenue
Nashville, TN 37209
Phone: (615) 352-1010
Website: http://www.nashvillehumane.org

Hours:
Monday-Tuesday 10AM–5PM
Closed Wednesday
Thursday-Saturday 10AM-5PM
Sunday 12PM-5PM

The post Past Featured Pet: Madison Grace appeared first on Stray Magnet | Helping Lost, Stray, and Abandoned Pets.

This week’s pick is Alex from the Nashville Humane Association

Brief Description:
-Domestic Short Hair
-Orange/White
-2 year old
-Neutered Male
-10 lbs
-Up to date on shots

“Hi! I’m Alex and I am shy at first but I warm up pretty quickly. I love to play fetch with cat toys. I have lived with another cat and a dog and seem to do well with them. I would love a good home to call my own. Please visit me soon!”

For more information or his full listing visit Nashville Humane Association.

View other adoptable cats, adoptable dogs.

Nashville Humane Association
213 Oceola Avenue
Nashville, TN 37209
Phone: (615) 352-1010

Hours:
Monday-Tuesday 10AM–5PM
Closed Wednesday
Thursday-Saturday 10AM-5PM
Sunday 12PM-5PM

The post Past Featured Pet: Alex appeared first on Stray Magnet | Helping Lost, Stray, and Abandoned Pets.

Oct. 3

Second Annual Paws in the Park
10a.m.-2p.m.
Charlie Daniels Park
Benefiting the Mt. Juliet Animal Shelter
Food, music games, silent auction, vendors and more!
For more info call 615-773-5533 or visit their Facebook Page.

Oct. 3

Second Annual Balls to the Wall
12-4p.m.
3660 Bear Creek Rd, Thompson’s Station
Benefiting Snooty Giggles Dog Rescue “saving dogs of all kinds, and properly matching them with their forever families and our passion lies in special needs, medical cases, seniors, and hospice” and “Micah Ralston, a local 10 year old boy with a condition called Craniopharyngioma.”
Entrance $5 a car
For more info visit http://snootygiggles.com

Oct. 4

Pitbull Awareness Day
11a.m.-4p.m.
Centennial Park
Food trucks, live music pittie parade, auction, free vaccines and microchips and more!
For more info visit http://www.nashvillepittie.org

Oct. 17

7th Annual Barktoberfest hosted by Nashville Paw Magazine
12-5p.m.
The Park at Harlinsdale Farm
Food trucks, live music, fun activities for children, adult and dogs! Costume Contests with lots of prizes!
For more info visit http://www.tnbarktoberfest.com

Oct. 26

Witches and Wine at the Manor
6-8:30p.m.
Monell’s Manor (1400 Murfreesboro Road)
Benefiting the Cat Shoppe Rescue
Tickets: $20
Music, Food and Auction
For more information, please call (615) 297-PURR (7877) or visit http://www.thecatshoppedogstore.com

October 31

Bark For Life
10a.m.-1p.m.
Red Caboose Park, Bellevue
Live Music, Costume Contest,  Magic Show, Fun and Games for people and pets, Food and Vendors
Sponsored by Music City Animal Rescue (MCAR), Granite Regen Tax and the American Cancer Society
For more information, visit http://main.acsevents.org

The post October Events appeared first on Stray Magnet | Helping Lost, Stray, and Abandoned Pets.

This week’s pick is Creamsicle from New Leash on Life.

Brief Description:
-Domestic Short hair/Siamese
-Female
-7 years
-White/Cream
-Spayed
-Microchipped
-Up to date on vaccinations
-Adoption Fee $85

Animal ID 24660860

“Creamsicle is a 7 year old, 8 pound, blue eyed, cream point Siamese mix. She was found as a stray and came to New Leash to find her forever inside home. Creamsicle is friendly and likes having her head and ears scratched. She loves sleeping on her back with her belly exposed but she doesn’t like her belly rubbed! Creamsicle would be best as the only cat as she does NOT care for other cats. She was picked on by the cats at the finder’s home and therefore she hid all the time. She has an old corneal ulcer in her right eye, but it doesn’t appear to bother her except she will squint periodically. With all of this said, Creamsicle is a wonderful cat that deserves a loving forever home. Come to the PetSmart in Mt. Juliet’s Providence Marketplace and meet Creamsicle and adopt her for $85.00. Creamsicle is litter box trained, spayed, microchipped and current on vaccinations. Adoption Center Policy: All cats must be INDOOR ONLY and shall NOT be declawed.”

Visit Creamsicle at Petsmart in Mt. Juliet
PetSmart in Providence Marketplace
401 South Mount Juliet Road Suite 645
Mount Juliet, TN 37122
(615) 773-2175

Hours:
Monday-Saturdays 9a.m.-9p.m.
Sundays 10a.m.-6p.m.

View all adoptable cats at: http://newleashonline.org/index.php/adoption/cats

New Leash on Life
Phone: (615) 444-1144
507
Jim Draper Blvd (off Baddour Parkway behind Pro Bowl West – for mapquest use 507 W. Baddour Pkwy)
Lebanon, TN 37087
Phone: (615) 444-1144
email: info@newleashonline.com

Hours:

Tuesday – Friday 12PM – 5PM
Saturday 11AM – 6PM

The post Past Featured Pet: Creamsicle appeared first on Stray Magnet | Helping Lost, Stray, and Abandoned Pets.

This week’s pick is Bear from the Nashville Humane Association.

Brief Description:
-Golden Retriever Mix
-Gold/Red
-4 years old
-Neutered Male
-80 lbs
-Up to date on shots

“Hi! My name is Bear and I am a huge cuddle bug! I am very sweet and calm. I will need a big yard to play in. I came to NHA from another shelter so it is recommended that I meet any children or other dogs that I will be living with. Please come visit me soon!”

For more information or his full listing visit Nashville Humane Association.

View other adoptable dogs, or adoptable cats.

Nashville Humane Association
213 Oceola Avenue
Nashville, TN 37209
Phone: (615) 352-1010

Hours:
Monday-Tuesday 10AM–5PM
Closed Wednesday
Thursday-Saturday 10AM-5PM
Sunday 12PM-5PM

The post Past Featured Pet: Bear appeared first on Stray Magnet | Helping Lost, Stray, and Abandoned Pets.