Pet First Aid course saves the day!

[Diane CBPFC]

It was my six year old dog Gemma?s birthday yesterday. She was so excited with the fuss that she choked on a mini  biscuit bone in her cake (made of canned dog food and a bit of oatmeal to keep it in shape).

Thank goodness I went to the 4H pet first aid course a few years ago when my boys were in the 4H and had a few spots open for adults.

Step one didn?t work! (That was putting your hand in to see if you can grab the obstruction) Step two did the trick :-) (This is where you hold small animals by the thighs head down and gently swing them back and forward) ? thank goodness as step three is the Heimlich Manoeuvre. The whole process must have only been about five minutes but it felt like half an hour.

Gem is such a little trouper  and was still happy to get a pressie after the ordeal.

I highly recommend taking a pet first aid course. 

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

Remarkable, Diane! I'm awe-struck. You know and celebrate the birthdays of all fifteen of your dogs? I have one cat. I haven't a clue...   

[The Peepmaster]

I'm full of admiration for you, Diane. Well done.

I remember when Mince was trying to resuscitate a pet fish once. A passer-bye commented "Fancy giving the kiss-of-life to a pilchard", and the fish replied, "Well, someone had to".

[Diane CBPFC]

Tarks,

Dog birthday cakes are pretty easy if you have a nine year old daughter. She shapes canned dog food with a little oatmeal or breadcrumbs mixed in to hold it all together and pats it into a cake shape - then we decorate with milkbones or whatever we have around - sometimes steamed carrots, egg slices etc. We put it in the freezer for about five mins so it is easier to slice. You could easily do something like that for your cat and buy a toy.

Peeps,

You should have saved that story for Valentine's Day.

[Diane CBPFC]

Gemma on the left with her daughter Ruby and my daughter Kate

[The Peepmaster]

I'd have thought they'd have difficulty blowing the candles out, myself.

Lovely photo, Diane.

[Zesty White]

I'm sure I've asked this before, but seriously, is there no end to your talents?? 

[The Peepmaster]

I'm sure I've asked this before, but seriously, is there no end to your talents?? 

I'll second that. Not just anybody can make a cake that looks like a cow-pat.

[Diane CBPFC]

I have few talents Zesty - I just am good at promoting the ones I do.  Good grief, look at that - I'm good at advertising too!

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

I'm sorry, Diane, but those dogs don't look very interested in their cake. I have had dogs before - there'd have been nothing left to photograph, possibly including your delightful daughter, had my old hounds been in their place.

Mind you, my old hounds would've polished off your delightful Westies an' all. There is something to be said for cats.

[Diane CBPFC]

I wonder how excited Gemma will be next year when getting presented with a cake ? after this year being held upside down and swung through the air ? the poor little bugger will probably run and hide.

We have a hound (a beagle) too and she is very bossy when it comes to food - the Westies will back off but I wonder what two hounds would be like sharing food. Most of the time she has the energy and the personality of a velvet stuffed toy. She is so laid back she even lets my son use her to put his head on as a pillow when they watch TV with him laying on the couch.