In our search for snort nosed dogs who live  unusual lives we  recently were introduced to Maddie.

While most of our friends have dogs who live normal dog lives, there are a few that have chosen a different path to sniff out… Maddie is one.

Photo of Maddie provided by Stephanie Caputa

Not only is she a therapy dog, but as if that was not enough, she has a sideline of helping her owner in some unexpected ways. In fact Maddie is the first dog I have ever had the pleasure of learning about first hand.

Maddie is a 2yr old English Bulldog who has been with her owner since she was 10 weeks old,
“I'm a C.N.A at Assisted living Home. I have been bringing Maddie in as a therapy dog for the Residents, weekly.”

Stephanie Caputa, Maddie’s owner shares with us.  “I now own SnL Paranormal investigations. Maddie has joined us on a few investigations in private homes. And a few that are public.  She will always walk with me or ahead of me. If she stops and stares at something, I start taking pictures. Usually when we go over the pictures the next day, we see a lot of orbs right next to Maddie.  I posted them on my site you are welcome to see them, SnL Paranormal.”

 Photo of Maddie dressed for work  provided by Stephanie Caputa

How we became involved in the Paranormal?  I worked over nights in an assistant living home.  I have seen a lot of apparitions, heard voices when no one was there. I have seen a chair move, etc.

Over the years, My Fiancé at the time and I were investigating a private home. The owners had a male bulldog. The family are very good friends of ours that recommended us to them. 

After a while we became close to the family (and) invited them to our wedding.  Their wedding gift to us was Maddie.

That’s how Maddie became part of our family. When Maddie was 10 weeks, she was very sick.  She had a cherry eye and Pneumonia.

WRITTEN BY: Stephanie Caputa

NOTE FROM BTN:  We want to thank Robert Coriat and his companion dog  Ozzy for introducing us to Stephanie Caputa and Maddie.

 We are pleased to add this video  link from Robert Coriat on Maddie.

https://youtu.be/u8aAzXwwqKM

 My name is Pink. I am a service dog, and this is my story.
 

I have very important work.  I a very busy hardworking dog.

Case in point:  I  have introduced you previously to Tammy who shared her story and how Pink (That is me!) a very special Bulldog has helped her with her PTSD. In case you missed Tammy’s story here is the link.  Tammy and Pink; A True Story.

I have more to share with you.... There is first some things you need to know about me.


EDITOR REMARKS: My curiosity was peeked about the special qualities of Pink. So I ask her owner for a little more background. “Yes” I replied, I was eager to learn more about this special dog. I have never heard of a Bulldog as a Service Dog. Have you?

It turns out Pink’s owner is a nurse, and she takes Pink to work at the hospital. I was told that Pink has trained to help with Patients with cancer. And Pink also helps with PTSD.

I had to know more. You know there are not many Bullys that do this.  So we ask Pink through her owner some questions.

Q: Is your name really Pink?
A: Yes My name Pink. My official name is ROGAN's PINK DIAMOND. I was actually called ‘Whitey’, but there was some concern over that name. So We change my name to Pink.

Q: So Pink when you meet a patient what normally happens? How long do you stay with a patient?
A: Depends, if patient is having treatment. It can be a weekly visit, or even overnight sometimes.

Q: What would your owner like others to know about a service dog that helps PTSD patients?
A: I can help with a 75 percent reductions in symptoms.

Q: What happens when the patient is released? Is there additional service dog support?
A: The hospital has a program, but not with me.

PINK IN HER WORKING UNIFORM TAKING A NAP        

Q: What do you do to relieve stress?

A: Well that is a simple question to answer ... Here let me just show you.

Pinks owner brings Pink independently to patient’s homes. That is how Tammy happened to be introduced to Pink.

It turns out that Pinks parents were both service dogs. She was bred by lady to be a service dog. These dogs alert for changes in vital signs, odors, change in mood, pre-seizure activity. She alerts for high stress. About changes in odor, pink and other dogs can smell infections before fevers start. They can smell high blood sugar. Pink senses stress on people. Pink’s owner has a theory, that she smells cortisol, a stress hormone.

“Tammy’s vital signs improve while pink is there and the effects last about three days. This varies per patient. Tammy’s blood pressure reduces 20 mmhg systolic without medication. Theoretically patients with hypertension alone would benefit from emotional support dog services.” You medical informed types may understand the technical stuff, All I know is it sounded like Pink can really help relieve many of the stress symptoms that some PTSD patients experience and thereby at least for a short time lessen the amount of medications needed.

It turns out the Pinks owner also has PTSD so she has experienced firsthand the power of Pinks attention and focus in helping the humans in need.. “I have post-traumatic stress disorder and Pink is my service dog. She licks a lot of tears. She snuggles special. She can find the most stressed person in the room.”

Now there is more to the amazing Pink we are working on a very special follow-up on another of Pink’s special friends… A 13 year old cancer survivor named JO…. So do not go far. Pink has more magic to share with you…. 

As the weather turns colder mice and rats seek shelter in warm locations. In other words, they relocate to your house!  Unfortunately, the start of autumn also means the start of mouse and rat poisoning, putting your dog and cat at risk.

Catching a mouse or a rat may be a natural pastime activity for cats and in most cases dogs, but eating rodents can have undesirable consequences.Dangers include infection of intestinal worms and toxoplasmosis as well as the possibility of suffering from secondary rat bait poisoning.  


The dangers of ingesting rodents

Toxoplasmosis

Cats and dogs can become infected with the protozoan organism toxoplasma by eating rodents or rabbits that have the toxoplasmosis cysts developing in their muscles. Toxoplasma may make dogs quite ill and can cause various symptoms ranging from diarrhea, pneumonia, liver disease, or diseases of the nervous system. In cats, the parasite lives in the intestinal cells, usually causing little harm. The adult parasite produces cysts that are passed out in the feces of cats. It is these cysts that can cause harm if ingested by dogs, humans or cats with a weakened immune system.

Intestinal worms

Cats and dogs can become infected with roundworm by eating mice or rats infected with roundworm larvae. Roundworm can infect cats and dogs when they eat rodents infected with roundworm larvae. These worms feed upon the contents of the intestines and therefore compete for nutrients a dog or cat would normally ingest. Roundworms are approximately 8-12cm long and are spaghetti-like in appearance.



Secondary poisoning

A small risk of secondary poisoning exists if a rodent has ingested rat bait and a pet then eats the rodent. The level of toxicity your pet will experience depends on the timing, amount and type of poison the rodent has consumed and the number of rodents your pet eats. For example, if a Jack Russell Terrier consume one to two rats, this may cause symptoms. Cats, however, may need to consume many more rodents to be affected.

What you can do to protect your pet and family





Obviously cats are natural hunters. If your cat is an outdoor cat consider installing a enclosure. This will not stop rodents entering the enclosure, but it will prevent normal hunting activities.

Finally, to help protect you and your family, worm your pet on a regular basis. In most cases, treatment in adult pets should be done once every three months and more often for younger pets.

Related
         

• Rat bait toxicity - poisoning
• Poisons in the household - toxic food, medications, baits and more
• Poisons in the garden - poisonous plants and garden dangers