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ISSUE
40
Gouves Club members’ monthly e-mag
PAWS FOR
THOUGHT
July 2021
How to make yor
dog smell better!
News from
the shelter
What you need to
know about snake
bites
Fresh Breath
Treats Recipe
Dogs in History:
Bobbie the wonder
dog
…plus all our regular features and
more!
2
CONTENTS
REGULAR FEATURES
Cover Story
This month our cover
story …
Shelter Situation
Nefeli’s Corner
Member Offers
Membership Update
& Our Mission
Dog of the Month
Cat Corner
Yappy Ever After
4
12
14
22
24
28
31
Features
3
How to make
your dog smell
better!
What you need
to know about
snake bites
Fresh breath
treats recipe
Dogs in history:
Bobbie the
wonder dog
8
10
16
18
We’re so happy to have you in
the Gouves Shelter Members’
Club! You’re support will
make a real difference.
The aim of the club is to build
up a regular income so that our
volunteers are able to focus on
the well-being of the animals
and the long term improvement
of the shelter facilities.
Anyone sponsoring one of our
dogs or cats is automatically
enrolled in our club, but it’s
also open to anyone else who
can contribute a minimum of 5
Euros per month.
In return, you receive our
monthly online magazine,
packed full of news and
information from the shelter,
interesting articles and
members offers.
Six reasons to
adopt a rescue
dog 30
Because the magazine is
created by volunteers – and
with zero costs - we can
guarantee that 100% of your
donation goes directly to the
shelter.
From everyone at the shelter, –
THANK YOU!
4
SHELTER
SITUATION
In normal years August would be the start of many internships and although
we have had many applications from students all over Europe, most have
been cancelled due to the current situation. We still have hope that we
can arrange some of the internships in the fall and we are expecting few
interns to start at the end of August.
Internships are extremely valuable for both the students and the shelter as
it give so much to both sides. The students get to see a completely
different working environment from what they are used to and they get a
lot of hands on experience, which might not be possible in all internship
places. The shelter benefits a lot as well, we get new and passionate
people to volunteer at the shelter, we get new ideas from different
countries and most of all, our animals get new friends who will activate
and pamper them.
We have been extremely satisfied with the schools and students we
co-operate with and the quality of interns has always been high. The
passion and love these young people feel for the animals can be seen in
everything they do and we hope their experiences here will motivate them
to help homeless animals in future too.
THE SHELTER IN NUMBERS
• 148 dogs currently at the shelter
• 74 cats currently at the shelter
• More than 28 dogs rescued last month
• More than 40 emergency treatments at the vet
• 200 dogs and 250 cats fed, and taken care of,
every single day!
5
While we hope that the internships will start we are busy preparing for
our plans for the fall. One of the biggest goals we have is to finish our TNR
(Trap, Neuter, Release) plan and as our volunteers have noticed, it’s not a
small thing to accomplish.
This program won’t be for a one time neutering campaign, but a long term
plan to reduce the amount of stray animals, especially cats, in an
organized way. We will start with the areas around the shelter and when
resources and funding allows, widen the program.
Introducing the long term TNR program to one area takes a lot, because
it’s not only about neutering the current population, it’s also about
monitoring it. New animals that appear in the area need to be neutered as
well, or the population starts growing again and all the previous work goes
down the drain. Of course every neutered animal helps the situation, but
if we want to create lasting change, we have to have plans for years to
come.
There are some big challenges we are still working through, but the
benefits are worth it. The hundreds of kittens we have seen struggling at
the street just this summer has broken our hearts and we know these
animals deserve better. We will work hard to make sure that in the area
where we can help, as few helpless souls are born to the streets to have a
life filled with hunger, fear and pain.
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SHELTER
With the internships still unclear and the TNR program on the planning
face, the shelter it self is running as always. We are enduring high
temperutes which create it’s own issues and dangers, as could be seen in
the mainland and islands, with heavier greenery. Fires devastated the
whole country and once again reminded everyone about how important it
is to be prepared and careful.
Some of our volunteers and friends were in the front lines saving and
helping the animals and people who were trapped in the danger zones
and the videos and photos we have seen from their efforts move us
deeply. Although these events were extremely tragic, it also showed
some of the best sides humanity has. People coming together, helping
and supporting each others and animals in danger. People putting their
lives at risk to save those who need it and opening their homes to the
ones that had lost theirs. We are humbled and proud to have a group of
people with this kind of dedication around us and it once more shows
how much people with the same goal and good heart can accomplish.
SITUATION 7
Like us, dogs naturally have their own smell which is perfectly normal. But if
their odor becomes abnormally strong or fishy – it’s a good idea to find the
cause of the bad dog smell before choosing a treatment. Possible reasons why
your dog stinks include…
Poor grooming : Older dogs or dogs in poor health may stop self-grooming. This can cause
them to develop a bad smell as oils, dander and dirt builds up. Pay attention to your dog’s
grooming habits to see if this is the culprit.
Environment: When your dog goes outside, they’re exposed to all the (possibly smelly) things
out there (like skunks). And many dogs love to roll around in mud, dirty water, or even other
dog’s poo! So yes, this could be one reason why your dog stinks.
Gas: Aka dog farts – a common reason why dogs smell! This could be a sign that your dog has
eaten something that’s difficult to digest. Or if serious bouts of gas occur more often, your dog
may have a food allergy or bowel disease. See a vet if you suspect that your dog farts more
than normal.
Dental disease or halitosis: Halitosis is another name for bad breath in dogs, and it may be
caused by bacteria caused by plaque buildup, tartar, decomposing food, bleeding or oral
tumors. Brush your dog’s teeth regularly to prevent odor and check for any oral health issues.
Ear infection: If your dog has a strong smell coming from the ear, it may be a sign of an ear
infection. See a vet as soon as possible for treatment.
Atopy or allergies: Atopy is a skin condition caused by environmental allergies and can lead to
other issues including odor in dogs. Learn more about seasonal allergies in dogs.
Wet dog: A dog’s skin is filled with glands which excrete liquids. Those are meant to protect
the dog’s skin. The composition of these liquids is often the reason why your dog smells. As
the fur gets wet, more particles are spilled out and the unpleasant smell increases.
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So, what can you do about it?
1. Feed a high-quality diet
Diet is one factor that affects your dog’s
smell. So if you want to improve your
dog’s smell naturally, avoid feeding them
low-quality food. Instead, add more raw
meat and dog-friendly fruits and
vegetables to your dog’s diet. Some fresh
herbs like parsley will also help to the
neutralize your dog’s smell.
2. Keep up with grooming
Dogs groom themselves, but that doesn’t
need mean they don’t need your help.
Help your dog stay clean (and healthy)
by doing the following:
• Brush your dog’s coat regularly to
prevent unpleasant odours and manage
shedding.
• Gently rinse your dog’s coat and feet
after they get dirty from playing outside.
• Bathe your dog as needed (talk to your
vet for recommendations).
• Gently remove dirt and crust from
around your dog’s eyes with a soft damp
cloth anytime you notice it.
• Wipe the fold and flaps of dog ears with
a clean damp cloth every few weeks.
• Trim the coat, and hair between your
dog’s paw pads, as needed.
• Clip dog nails regularly and take good
care of paws.
3. Wash bedding regularly
Bedding should be cleaned regularly to
avoid odor. Dirt, bacteria, dust mites, skin
cells, hair, environmental debris, and
even parasites can accumulate in a dirty
dog bed. Dogs can also bring fungal
organisms into bed with you – like the
kind that cause scabies
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4. Brush your dog’s teeth!
Brushing your dog’s teeth regularly is
another way to avoid an unpleasant dog
smell.
It will prevent the build-up of plaque and
tartar, not to mention gingivitis and gum
disease. You can simply use water to
brush your dog’s teeth, or a special dog
toothpaste.
5. Get a check-up at the vet
Sometimes, a smelly dog can point to an
underlying health condition that may
need treatment, so if your dog really
stinks, it’s a wise idea to bring your dog
to the vet for a full check-up.
They will likely be able to tell you the
reason, run further tests, and provide
recommendations, treatment, or
medication if necessary.
If your dog does have a health
issue which is making them smell
bad, early detection and
treatment is key to a long and
healthy life together!
Article courtesy of
What you need to know
about snake bites
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All dogs are at risk of snake bites
because they’re curious and try to
play with them. When a dog is too
curious, or too hardheaded, to leave a
snake alone, the dog may be bitten.
Non-poisonous snake bites are painful
and can cause infection, but
venomous snake bites can kill a dog
within an hour unless you seek
veterinary medical attention for the
snake bite, so it’s good to know for
dog owners to know a bit more on this
topic…
Symptoms or Signs of a Snake Bite on Dogs
Thick fur helps protect the dog from body
injuries, and bites most often occur on the
face or neck when the dog tries to catch the
snake. A non-poisonous snake bite will leave
tiny horseshoe-shaped teeth marks.
The severity of a venomous bite depends on
the size of the dog in relation to the snake,
the number of bites inflicted, and how much
venom is injected.
Some kinds of venom affect the central
nervous system and make the dog appear
drunk, have seizures, or stop breathing.
There may be redness or bleeding and first
signs of a snakebite usually include agitation,
excessive panting and drooling, and
weakness. Vomiting, diarrhea, collapsing,
seizures, shock, leading to coma and
potentially death may follow. The most
common sign is a sudden and severe swelling
at the bite location that typically hides the
bite wounds. You might mistake the swelling
to be caused by a spider bite or bug sting.
The venom from pit vipers like rattlesnakes
discolors the flesh within minutes because it
digests the flesh. Even if the bite isn’t
life-threatening, it needs immediate
veterinary medical care because it can cause
irreversible damage. If you see discolored
flesh surrounding the bite mark, head to the
vet's office immediately.
Treatment
GET TO THE VET! If you suspect your dog has been bitten by a poisonous snake, get to an
emergency veterinary hospital immediately. If you can do so safely, bring the snake for possible
identification – or take photos of it. Snake bites are diagnosed by identification of the snake, 11
characteristics of the wound, and symptoms/signs noted in the dog. They are treated with
antivenin given within four to eight hours after the bite.
HELP WITH BREATHING: The poison can cause shock, paralyse, or make the nostrils or windpipe
swell shut. Remove the dog's collar or harness so that if it's body swells, the airways remain
unrestricted. Be prepared to give your dog rescue breathing.
KEEP IT QUIET: Keep your dog as quiet as possible on the way to the vet. Any movement can
speed up the poison’s spread through the blood circulation.
KEEP COOL: Turn up the aircon in the car to help slow down circulation. Apply an ice pack
directly to the wound, even a package of frozen vegetables will work. Keep the ice on until you
reach the vet's office.
RINSE THE BITE: If you can see bite marks, rinse the wounds with water or a baby wipe to get
the venom off the dog's body. If you live in a snake-endemic region in America, invest in a
vacuum pump for snake bites (included in snakebite kits) that have been shown to remove 30
percent of the venom when used promptly.
Once you arrive at the vet's office, they will examine your dog and likely treat it with antivenin,
which is a commercially made serum that neutralizes the effects of the snake venom.1 Some
antivenin is specific to the type of snake that bit the dog, so the more information you have, the
vet will be better able to treat your dog.
Common Poisonous Snakes include:
Copperheads, cottonmouths (water moccasins), rattlesnakes
(or pit vipers), coral snakes: found in America.
Common European Adder (also known as European Viper or
Vipera berus): found widely throughout most of Western
Europe and as far as East Asia.
European Asp (also known as asp, asp viper or vipera aspis):
southwestern Europe
How to Prevent Snake Bites
There is no easy way to prevent snake bites in dogs. The best method is to supervise your
dog, especially in areas where snakes are present and if bitten take immediate action.
Nefeli’s Corner
Words of wisdom from a chubby and happy
rescue
The Greek country lady
Last month we were preparing
for the big move to the
countryside and this month I can
proudly tell, that I am now
officially a Greek country lady! I
love the new place and the peace
and quiet it offers - or offered
until the rest of the pack joined
us. The two terror twins alone
could wake the dead with the
ruckus they make, but adding the
rest of the pack to the mix and
you get a lively bunch.
But as mom promised, out here
nobody cares and she has
outdone herself with the place. If
I thought we were isolated during
Corona, now we dropped off the
map completely. The only
company we have out here are
the deers, cranes, owls, bats,
foxes, bunnies and mooses.
The endless fields and forests
that surround us are wonderful
places to have adventures and
the river that works as a
boundary for the land is a nice
place to take a cooling dip or
chance some fish and crabs.
Of course I had to get to know
every corner of the new place
and there are two things i follow
mostly in this life - my nose and
my tummy. During the first
weeks my nose would take me
to the most curious situations.
I would follow it until I noticed i
was kilometers away from the
main house and my tummy would
remind me to get back home
soon. I would follow my nose until
I was face to face with a deer,
that seemed as surprised and
curious about the encounter as I
was. I would follow it until I found
a pheasant nest and the hen
would chance me off.
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Born: 2013
Time at shelter: 6 months
Adopted: 2013
Passion: Food
Goals in life: To spread
happiness and love and to kiss
as many noses as possible.
Nefeli is a full breed Greek Tail
Wagger, and the most positive
dog you could wish to meet.
She has travelled to more than
10 countries doing tricks in dog
shows and expos, spreading the
sentiment:
“Adopt, don’t shop”
Because of my always curious nose every day has been an
adventure and it has caused an alarming change. I once more have a
waist! I have been happy and chubby for so long, that seeing the new
figure is kind of alarming, but I’m sure my tummy will catch up at
some point and I will be back to myself. Or then I will need to change
my slogan “Words of wisdom from a fit and happy rescue”.
You will rarely be wrong to follow your nose
and your tummy
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16
Fresh Breath Treats
Recipe
This treat is a great breath freshener for your pooch since
it contains parsley and mint. These herby-licious
ingredients also have many other surprising health
benefits, too. Parsley aids digestion, can reduce
inflammation and is even thought to have cancer
preventing properties. Mint is a powerful antibacterial,
antifungal and antiviral herb that will help prevent
bacteria developing in your dog’s mouth. Whoever said
treats had to be naughty?
You will need:
• 1 cup of plain or Greek
yogurt
• Small handful of fresh
parsley leaves
• Small handful of fresh
mint leaves
Instructions
1. Scoop your yogurt into a blender and add your parsley and
mint leaves.
2. Blend until the herbs are evenly spread throughout the
mixture. At this point you can add a splash of water if you want
to thin out your mixture to create a better pouring consistency.
3. Fill your ice cube trays to the brim and pop them in the freezer.
4. Freeze until solid and serve.
Can you give a dog Greek yogurt?
Greek yogurt is safe and healthy for your dog
to enjoy unless they’re lactose intolerant. It’s
higher in protein than regular yogurts and has
probiotic qualities. With modest but regular
doses it can improve your dog’s digestion and
strengthen their immune system. But as it’s a
dairy product and dog’s can sometimes be
intolerant to dairy, it may still upset your
dog’s tummy. Feed in small quantities and note
any signs of stomach upset. If it doesn’t agree
with your pooch, you may need to stick to
non-yogurt summer treats.
Dogs in history:
Bobbie the Wonder Dog
Bobbie was a dog who covered 2,551 miles (4,105 km) on his own to
return home to Silverton, Oregon, United States, after he was lost
while his owners were visiting family in Wolcott, Indiana.
In August 1923, Frank and Elizabeth Brazier, with their daughters Leona
and Nova, were visiting relatives in Wolcott, Indiana. Their two-year-old
Scotch Collie/English Shepherd mix dog Bobbie, was attacked by three
other dogs and ran away. After an exhaustive search, the heartbroken
family were unable to find Bobbie and continued their trip before returning
home to Oregon, expecting never to see their dog again.
In February 1924, six months later, Bobbie returned to Silverton mangy,
dirty, and scrawny, with his toenails worn down to nothing. He showed all
the signs of having walked the entire distance, including swimming rivers
and crossing the Continental Divide during the coldest part of winter.
During his ordeal, he crossed
plains, desert, and mountains in
the winter to return home, an
average of approximately 14
miles (23 km) per day!
After his return to Silverton, he
experienced a meteoric rise to
fame. His story drew national
attention and was featured in
numerous newspapers and
even a film. Bobbie played
himself in the 1924 silent film
‘The Call of the West’.
He received hundreds of letters
from people around the world
and was honored with a
jewel-studded harness and
collar, ribbons, and keys to
cities.
Bobbie the wonder dog
1921-1927
People who had fed and sheltered Bobbie on his journey wrote the family to
tell them about their time with Bobbie. The Humane Society of Portland was
able to use these stories to assemble a relatively precise description of the
route Bobbie took.
The society concluded that after returning to Wolcott and unable to find his
owners, Bobbie initially followed their further travels into northeast Indiana.
He then struck out in several directions, apparently seeking their scent. He
eventually headed west.
During their original trip, the Braziers had parked their car in a service
station each night. Their dog visited each of these stops on his journey,
along with a number of homes, and a homeless camp.
In Portland, an Irish woman took care of him for a period of time, helping
him recover from serious injuries to his legs and paws.[
Death and legacy
Upon his death in 1927, he was buried with honors at the Oregon Humane
Society's pet cemetery in Portland. Bobbie's demonstration of loyalty is
celebrated during Silverton's annual children's pet parade that serves as a
reminder of the special place animals and pets have in people's lives. The
event was started several years after Bobbie's death and the first parade
was led by his son, Pal.
A huge outdoor painting featuring Bobbie's story is part of a series of murals
that decorate the walls of businesses in Silverton.
When you read a story of the pure love and dedication demonstrated by a
dog, is it any wonder we love our dogs the way we do?
The direct walking route would
look like this. Bobbies route was
far more complex!
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ESSENTIAL SOUL FOOD
AN EXCLUSIVE MEMBERS ONLY OFFER!
WHAT’S YOUR DOG’S BREED?
Many rescue dog owners would love to know what kind of mix
created their beloved friend – and now with this fabulous
members-only offer, we can help!
Embark, the leading dog DNA testing company, has agreed to
cooperate with us and give all our club members a fantastic
discount!
To claim your $20 discount, use voucher code PUPS20 at
checkout.
We’re sure you’ll be fascinated by the results. If you have a
dog from our shelter, please share your results with us. We’d
be fascinated too!
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MEMBERSHIP
UPDATE
Currently we have 189 Club Members, bringing us in
1567 Euros per month. This amount of money
enables us to feed around 104 dogs!
To run the shelter costs around 4000 Euros each
month and this year we’d really like to gain as many
members as possible, since it is the best way to
provide a steady income.
Many dogs have sponsors, but for those that don’t,
your support makes is possible to feed more of
those waiting for sponsors and homes.
Thank you
for
supporting
Gouves
Shelter!
OUR MISSION &
2021 GOALS
The long term goal of any animal shelter should be
to close down. Our dream is to live in a world
where all pets have responsible owners who neuter
them so that one day, there will be no more strays.
We believe that the key lies in educating the
current and the next generation of pet owners, and
in neutering programs.
Until we reach that goal, our aim is to be financially
secure enough to be able to help every sick, injured
or abandoned animal that finds it’s way to our gate
and to provide the best care possible to all animals
at the shelter until we can find them the good
homes that they all deserve.
OUR 2021 PLANS FOR THE SHELTER ARE:
Due to the current financial situation, our 2021
improvement plans are on hold and we hope to
restart them once we are in better financial shape.
DOG OF THE MONTH
LIO
Sex:
Age:
Humans:
Dogs:
Cats:
Male
Around 1-2 years old
Amazing
Great
Great
Anything living: Also great
Health issues:
No issues as fas as we can tell!
Lio is a young and energetic boy, who came to the shelter in the summer
of 2021. Although he is extremely friendly with people and very good with
other animals, he can be a bit timid in new situations and needs a family
that will give this young boy time to explore the world and gain
confidence through positive experiences.
Lio is not a small dog but he does love to spend time on your lap, so he
would be ideal in a home that wants a bigger dog that has still that puppy
side very much alive. He won’t be growing anymore, except in weight, so
he will be around the size of a collie or a small german shepherd.
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Because of his lively and energetic
personality we hope to find him a
home that loves to go out for long
walks or that has a big garden where
he can play and chase toys. Lio would
be probably an amazing friend for
any hobbies as well and because he is
a smart boy we don’t think teaching
him some tricks would be an issue at
all.
A social dog or few furry friends
would be also good, as Lio enjoys
playing with others and could gain
confidence from an older and more
experienced dog.
If you can find a place in your home
for Lio, or know anyone who would
be interested in him, please send us
a message and lets get this happy
and loving boy to a family he
deserves!
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KEEP TRACK OF YOUR DOG WITH OUR
FANTASTIC MEMBERS ONLY OFFER!
We’re delighted that Gouves Shelter Club members are eligible for a
whopping 15% discount off Tractive GPS tracking devices!
Never worry about your dog getting lost again, since you can track
their every movement! With Tractive you can see immediately where
your dog is going with your smartphone!
I can honestly say that since we got our tracker for our Cretan rescue
dog, Rozi, we have been so much more relaxed with her on her walks.
Even when she catches the scent of something and disappears, we
know we will find her using the really user-friendly app.
It even lets us see where she is when we’re not at home – just to
make sure she’s still there – and there’s a handy buzzer you can
activate to help locate your dog when you can’t see them.
Just go to tractive.com and use the voucher code GSCP15 to get your
15% discount – and some peace of mind.
Rozi the rescue dog
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Tractive offer - Lisa
Raki deserves to find a loving
home as she is a perfect
example of a stray cat that
still loves people and would
be the happiest lap cat. We
want the best for her and
that’s why it breaks our
hearts to see her in the
shelter when all she wants to
do is spend time with you
Six reasons to adopt a
rescue dog
We’re sure we don’t need to tell you, our supporters, this – but just
in case you’re ever trying to convince a friend or family member to
adopt a rescue dog – or cat – here’s some good points!
There's more variety. When visiting
a shelter, you will be met by dogs of
all shapes, sizes and ages so you
will have far more choice than if you
were to go to a breeder. Carers at
the shelter can offer you information
on the dog’s character to help you
find the right fit for you.
Important life lessons for children.
Most rescue dogs have had a bad
start in life and can provide an
opportunity to teach your children
some life lessons. Rescuing will also
help show your child responsibility
and the importance of learning to
respect and care for animals.
Support, training and advice. Most
shelters will be happy to provide you
with support after you adopt so can
help you with advice and training
tips to ensure your new pet gets the
best start.
There are too many unwanted
dogs. In fact, there are more than
600 million stray dogs across the
world! Adopting strays reduces the
demand on dreadful puppy farms.
They can be healthier. When you
rehome a dog from a shelter, you
can be sure that the dog is healthy
and usually they are neutered,
microchipped and fully vaccinated
and treated for fleas and worms.
Stories about sick pups that sadly
die within days of going to their new
homes are all too common these
days.
It’s soooo rewarding! Rehoming an
unwanted dog is an amazing thing to
do. It gives a dog a second chance at
a happy life, and they will repay you
with love and kisses for the rest of
their lives. Who on earth wouldn’t
want that!?
I’m Bella, rescued
from the streets. I’m
learning to trust
humans and I’m
available!
YAPPY EVER AFTER!
Louis!
Louis was the last of our old
timers, now that Morgan is
reserved as well. Louis spent
years at the shelter and
finally found his forever
home this month! We could
not be happier for our sweet
boy and we hope his new life
will be filled with love and
joy, just as he deserves!
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THANK YOU
FOR YOUR
SUPPORT
Stay Safe
CONTACT US
gouvesshelter@gmail.com
www.gouvesshelter.com
Facebook.com/gouvesanimalshelter
PayPal: gouvesshelter@gmail.com
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