Posts in category: Dog Rescue

Christmas Celebrations Around Northeast Alabama

by

Nova Sisk

Several unique Christmas traditions will be celebrated around the northeast Alabama region this season. Visitors will find a variety of activities including a lighted harbor spectacle on Lake Guntersville, a tour of homes, an underground nativity, and small town parades. Bring the family and enjoy the holiday fun.

Guntersville, Alabama will celebrate ‘A Storybook Christmas’ on December 10. The event kicks off with a Christmas parade downtown at 5pm. The parade will include marching bands and decorated floats, with Santa making his appearance at the finale. The celebration continues at 6:30pm with the Stars in the Harbor Festival of Lights. Head down to Guntersville Harbor on Lake Guntersville where a flotilla of boats will be lit up with Christmas displays. Spectators can vote on their favorites, and prizes will be awarded. This is a unique way to enjoy holiday lights. More than 5,000 luminaries will light up the streets of the Twickenham Historic District of Huntsville, Alabama on December 10. Some of the beautifully decorated homes in this historic neighborhood will be open for the 2011 Spirit of Christmas Past Homes Tour. The 1819 Federal style Weeden House Museum at 300 Gates Avenue will be part of the tour. The home contains the paintings of artist Maria Howard Weeden. Tickets to the Christmas Tour of Homes are $15 for adults and $5 for ages 12 and under. Homes are open from 5-9pm. Sequoyah Caverns in Valley Head, Alabama is the setting for a unique Christmas celebration. A live nativity is held underground in the caverns on December 21-24. Live animals are part of the program, and a choir performs seasonal music. Visitors may also tour the caverns. Sequoyah Caverns is located off I-59 at Exit 239. Admission is $15.95 for adults and $8.95 for ages 4-12. For an old fashioned small town Christmas celebration, visit Rainsville, Alabama, atop Sand Mountain. The 52nd annual Christmas at the Crossroads is scheduled for December 10. There will be a parade down Main Street at 4pm, followed by Christmas in the Park. Enjoy holiday music, the lighting of the town Christmas tree, and free hot dogs and hot chocolate. Some additional activities will be held at the Tom Bevill Enrichment Center on the campus of Northeast Alabama Community College. Several other small towns in the region have also scheduled Christmas parades on December 10. The parade in Dutton begins at 11am, the one in Skyline starts at 1pm, and the Hollywood, Alabama Christmas Parade begins at 5pm. These community events are fun for the whole family. Visitors are sure to enjoy the Christmas celebrations in northeast Alabama. These festivities are a great way to celebrate the holiday season.

Nova Sisk is the General Manager for Hampton Inn & Suites

Scottsboro Alabama Hotel

. The Hampton Inn & Suites Scottsboro hotel in Alabama is located in the mountain/lakes region of northern Alabama surrounded by majestic mountains and rich valleys, located minutes from Lake Guntersville.

For more information visit: http://www.scottsboroalabamahotel.com

Article Source:

Christmas Celebrations Around Northeast Alabama

Submitted by: Dr. Douglas Stewart

Although some horses (like some people) have the good fortune to die peacefully in their sleep of old age, most horses will eventually reach a stage (due to severe injury, disease or incapacity) where the most humane action is to put them down. For the horse owner, this can be a very difficult and painful decision, in terms of when a horse should be put down, as well as how. This article is the personal view of one horse owner on this subject.

Is Now the Time?

If a horse is in a lot of pain and distress, due to an incurable injury or disease, the only correct action is to put it down as quickly and as humanely as possible. However, in some cases the decision is not as clear.

For example, a horse may be in permanent pain but quite capable of happily living with it. This was the case of a draft horse pensioned with us, who had a chronic case of laminitis which made walking painful (especially over hard surfaces). As an elderly horse, he also had dental issues which made chewing uncomfortable. However, by supplementing his diet with soft food and giving him maximum time on soft pasture, his discomfort was minimised. He was a stoic horse, who seemed little bothered by pain, and obviously enjoyed life. He would trot around the pasture with his head held high and come to us for cuddles. Although retired, he was active in the pasture and obviously enjoyed life despite the constant pain in his feet and when he ate.

For me, the question is not how much pain the horse is in, but rather is he still happy and enjoying life. One can tell this not only by how the horse behaves at the moment, but also how his behavior has changed in response to injury or illness. When life changes from a pleasure to a burden, that is the time for the horse to be put down.

Economic Constraints

Aside from illness and disease, many horses are put down for financial reasons, such as:

–

Competitive Horses

. Many horses are bred and raised for competitions (e.g. racing), with the vast majority of these not making the grade. The ones which are not fast enough are often either put down, or sold for slaughter, or sold into questionable circumstances.

–

Elderly Horses

. Older horses, having reached the end of their productive life (e.g. riding), leave the owner with a decision between puting the horse down or paying for an expensive (and potentially lengthy) retirement.

–

Medical Costs

. Injuries and illnesses can be very expensive. For example, a severe case of colic which requires surgery can cost $10 000, with no guarantee that the treatment will be successful. With the average horse costing $3000 or less (in many cases, much less), horse owners of limited financial resources face a difficult decision.

Although the economic pressures are real, there are alternatives:

–

Rescue Organisations

. There are numerous horse rescue organisations, which will find new homes for horses young and old. Some of them will even take on medical costs. Your local veterinarian is a good source to ask, not only for the large organisations but also for the smaller ones and the local private activities.

–

New Owners

. Although a horse may have no apparent economic value, there may still be many potential alternative owners that would be happy to provide it a new home. For example, people which have purchased a horse for their private use recognise that they need a second horse as a companion to the first. For this purpose, even an old or unusable horse may be perfectly suitable. There are a number of websites where one can advertise horses for this and similar purposes, often free of charge.

One may not always be able to find a solution for every horse. However, before putting down a horse which is still enjoying its life, remember that there are alternatives.

How

When your horse has reached the point where it needs to be put down, the question is no longer ‘when’ but rather ‘how’.

The normal methods are by injection (sedative overdose) or by a slaughter gun which fires a bolt directly into the brain. In both cases, this should be done by a professional. In particular, the use of a slaughter gun should be done by an experienced person, as inexperienced people have been known to shoot the horse without killing it on first attempt, resulting in terrible pain until the mistake can be corrected. Whatever one might see in western movies, the use of a hunting gun is highly questionable, due to the risk that the bullet may not penetrate the thick skill and immediately end the horse’s life.

If the horse is at home when the decision is make, it is kindest to the horse to put it down there (e.g. have a veterinarian come out and give a lethal injection). If the horse is severely injured or ill, transport to another location adds to its suffering. Furthermore, unfamiliar surroundings may cause it distress (particularly if taken to a slaughterhouse, where the horse may panic in response to the smell of blood). The main obstacle to this approach is the difficulty of transporting the body afterwards, so prior to putting a horse down one needs to consider whether it is necessary to first move it to a more practical location.

For personal safety, if the horse is standing up, one needs to either lie it down prior to euthanasia or be careful that nobody becomes trapped under the horse if it falls while being euthanized. Professionals (e.g. a veterinarian) should have the experience and sufficient detachment to consider such practicalities.

Unless one personally knows and trusts the person performing the euthanasia, one should remain with the horse until the end, to ensure that your wishes in this regard are properly carried out. For example, it has been known for professional slaughter staff to transport horses to the location which is most convenient for them, even though it meant additional suffering for the animal. Staying with your horse allows you to ensure that your horse ends its life with minimum distress.

About the Author: This

Horse Care

article was written by Doug Stewart, owner of

Horse Sale

and breeder of Appaloosas.

Source:

isnare.com

Permanent Link:

isnare.com/?aid=444108&ca=Pets}

byAlma Abell

Individuals who have dogs often forgo going on vacation because they don’t have anyone to take care of their pets while they’re gone. Dog owners can quickly resolve this problem by contacting an experienced company that provides Dog Sitting in Omaha NE. Read the questions and answers below to learn information about professional pet boarding services.

What types of accommodations for dogs do pet boarding facilities offer?

Many pet boarding facilities offer a variety of accommodations to meet the needs of all pets and the budgets of all dog owners. Individuals can choose from various suite sizes with complete or partial privacy. Other options include suites with a television set, exercise yards with artificial grass and a full or partial outdoor patio. Individuals can also bring special treats, toys and blankets for their dogs when they stay at the boarding facility.

Can dogs that need regular medications also stay at a boarding facility?

Dogs that have to take prescription medications are also welcome at a boarding facility. The staff will administer any needed medications to the pets that stay at the facility at no extra charge. Individuals should bring the medications to the facility in clearly marked containers that specify the dosage amounts and the times that the medication should be given.

What are some of the most important benefits of taking a dog to a boarding facility?

Dogs that stay at a boarding facility will have excellent care and they’ll be safe during their stay. Since all of the suites are climate controlled, the dogs are comfortable while they’re at the boarding facility. Since exercise is very important for the health and well-being of every dog, boarding facilities exercise the dogs several times throughout the day. Dog Sitting in Omaha NE is also beneficial for dog owners because they can enjoy their vacation without worrying about their dogs while they’re away.

Individuals who are planning a vacation can book a stay for their dogs at Cottonwood Pet Resort. This facility offers dog boarding, daycare, grooming and training services for dogs of any age. Visit their website at Cottonwoodpetresort.com for their pricing information for the various suite sizes and additional amenities.

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