August 2022.pptx

ISSUE
49
Gouves Club members’ monthly e-mag
PAWS FOR
THOUGHT
August 2022
Dog bites and
children: what you
need to know.
Dogs in history:
Bluey, the oldest
recorded dog!
Shelter
situation
Save money
with our
crockpot dog
food
…plus all our regular features…
and more!

Features
3
Dog bites and
children
6
We’re so happy to have you in
the Gouves Shelter Members’
Club! You’re support will
make a real difference.
Easy crockpot
dog food
Dogs in history:
Bluey, the
oldest dog in
the world
Someday
(a poem)
14
18
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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.
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!

THE SHELTER IN NUMBERS
• 180 dogs currently at the shelter
• 90 cats currently at the shelter
• More than 40 dogs rescued last month
• More than 58 emergency treatments at the vet
• 200 dogs and 250 cats fed, and taken care of,
every single day!
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We hope that with our new contacts with the police
department and the government we can make some headway
into the adoption process.
Thirdly and this is something that makes us incredibly happy,
since the covid situation is better the municipality is once
more starting to help us. We will get a set number or
neutering that they will finance and in addition we will get
some free food, that can be used for the dogs that are in good
condition. Of course the sick and weak animals still need
special care and there are way more strays waiting to be
neutered that we can help, but its a step to the right
direction. Hopefully with time the help will be even bigger
and we can start to concentrate more and more on the actions
that would change the mindset of people and relieve the
issues that cause the stray animal situation.
For now we keep on fighting and coming up with ways to make
things better. You, our supporters, are very much the fuel and
air we need for the spark to flame and without you we could
do very little. So thank you for making it possible for us all to
change things!

Cute pics – or an accident
waiting to happen?
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT DOG BITES AND
CHILDREN
We’d probably all agree that at first glance the photos below are super cute
photos that any parent would be proud to show off. But take a closer look at the
dogs in the photos – and you can see that they are not comfortable in these
situations.
It’s not a pleasant topic, but may be important to know a bit about dog bites,
and especially involving children.
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Dog Bite Facts
• On average, one in four people have been bitten by a dog in their life
time.
• 30% of those bitten seek medical attention
• Less then 1% of dog bites lead to hospitalisation
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• Males are more likely than females to be bitten.
• Peak ages for dog bites in children are aged under 2 and aged 9 to 12
years old.
• Dog bites to toddlers are usually to the head and neck area.
• Older children are usually bitten on the hand/arms.
• Dog bites peak in the summer months; a combination of warm
weather and children at home.
• Peak time for dog bites is early evening (mealtime)
• Dog bites to children are usually sustained at home.
• Dogs that bit children are usually owned by the family.
• Half of dog bites to children by their own dog is due to food
guarding.
• There are two types of bite: Snap and release & grip and retain.
• A snap release bite usually results in puncture wounds that should be
thoroughly cleaned, and medical attention sought.
• A grip and retain can cause more extensive injuries as the dog will
often shake it’s head also, causing soft tissue, bone or organ damage.

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How should dogs be introduced to children?
• Never leave young children and infants alone with any dog.
• Muzzle dogs when around children if they have shown any aggression in the
past.
• An adult should closely supervise all introductions between children and dogs.
• Use of a head-halter and leash can be helpful for maintaining control of the dog
and in preventing aggressive behavior.
• Do not use punishment for bad behavior or disobedience as this can greatly
increase a dog’s fear and make them more aggressive.
• If the dog finds the situation stressful or shows unwanted responses they should
calmly and immediately be removed from the situation.
• Make sure you have good verbal control of your dog (sit, down, come, drop it).
• Have children give known commands to the dog if the encounter is going well.
Ideally, these commands have been taught by positive reinforcement training
which allows the dog to generalize and comply with commands given by a
variety of adults and children.
• Keep aggressive dogs safely separated from children.
Children should be taught proper conduct around dogs starting as early as
18 months of age. Children should be positively rewarded for good
interaction and immediately stopped if they are acting inappropriately. All
interactions between children and unfamiliar, fearful or aggressive dogs
should be monitored.

How can I prevent my dog from being aggressive toward
children?
The best way to address aggression toward children is to prevent it. During
their socialization period (6 to 14 weeks of age), puppies are highly curious and
impressionable. Making sure that puppies have numerous positive encounters
with children of all ages during this period can help them cultivate a positive 9
attitude towards children later on in life.
Desensitizing them to being touched around the face and head and even tugged
on gently will prepare them for the ways that they are touched by children.
After 14 weeks of age, puppies become considerably more apprehensive of
their surroundings and react more fearfully to threatening stimuli.
It is important to avoid negative experiences during this time as much as
possible. Do not use punishment techniques to make sure that dogs do not
become fearful. Striking a dog can specifically cause a fear of being touched
and may put children at a greater risk. Keep in mind that interactions with
children outside of the home are not necessarily protective against fear and
anxiety when later children occupy the home with the dog.
When choosing a dog for a family with children, take several factors into
account. Consider breed and family history as well as the dog’s history of
behavior around children. Try to spend time with the dog before adopting the
dog into a house with children. Look for signs of fear, apprehension, or
avoidance in the dog or in the children.
• Make sure to have your dog spayed or neutered.
• Avoid interacting with your dog in any manner that you would not want
him/her to interact with a child (wrestling, rough-housing).
• If your dog shows any signs of aggression, seek professional help
immediately before these habits become ingrained.

Nefeli’s Story
…
New friends
Summer is coming to an end
and we are enjoying the last
warm days in Finland.
Since I am from the sunny
and warm Greece, one of my
favorite things is to lay in the
sun, no matter how hot it
gets, and just nap in the
warmth.
During one of my lazy naps an
unexpected newcomer
popped in, right at the edge
of our land. Since I have
extremely good hearing and
senses, I was the only one
from the dogs that noticed
the two curious eyes
watching us from the bushes.
I jumped up and rushed to
the edge of the bushes,
carefully smelling. This was
something I hadnt smelled
before, weird musky and a
bit vet smell. At this point the
bushes rustled and the
newcomer disappeared into
the small river that is one
of our lands borders.
Mom noticed something was
happened and asked the rest
of the pack to go inside.
But I stayed outside and
together we went to
investigate. We sat at the
edge of the river, quietly
waiting. After a bit of time
a young otter emerged
from the water, popping its
head just a bit over the
surface.
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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”
Although I like to investigate and go after things, I have no
f
need to actually hunt. I just want to make new friends. So I
stood up over the water, and smelled the little thing once
more. It quickly disappeared under water again, but it has
come back every day since and every day we sniff each
other a bit longer. Its almost as it’s waiting for me, since it
refuses to come out if any of the other dogs are with us.
But with me, it slowly approaches, curiosity winning over fear.
This just might be the start of a friendship
.
Friends can be found anywhere. Even
emerging from the river
Fiete, you stole many hearts and left a big
paw mark on all of them. We miss you so
much. 11

You will need:
• 2 1/2 pounds ground beef
• 1 1/2 cups brown rice
• 1 (15-ounce) can kidney
beans, drained and
rinsed
• 1 1/2 cups chopped
butternut squash
• 1 1/2 cups chopped
carrots
• 1/2 cup peas, frozen or
canned
Instructions
• Stir in ground beef, brown rice, kidney beans, butternut
squash, carrots, peas and 4 cups water into a 6-qt slow
cooker.
• Cover and cook on low heat for 5-6 hours or high heat for 2-3
hours, stirring as needed.
• Let cool completely.
The recipe makes about twelve servings and you can portion it up
and freeze it once cool!
For small portions, use an ice cream scoop and place the balls on
a parchment lined cookie sheet for freezing.

DOGS IN HISTORY:
Bluey: the oldest recorded dog in
the world
Born: 7 th June 1910
Died: 14 th November 1939
Bluey was a female Australian cattle
dog owned by Les and Esma Hall of
Rochester, Victoria, Australia.
According to Guinness World
Records, Bluey lived 29 years, 5
months, and is the oldest dog ever
verified.
Bluey was an Australian Cattle Dog,
like the one pictured here
Anyone who has had a dog pass away knows that it’s the hardest
part of dog ownership. Most dogs live on average ten to fifteen
years. However, some dogs live to be much older than that.
In fact, one dog has lived to be double that. Bluey the Australian
cattle dog is the oldest recorded dog. It’s almost hard to believe that
a dog would live to be almost thirty, but that’s just what Bluey did.
Bluey is officially the oldest dog ever recorded and verified. He lived
to be 29 years and 5 months.
Bluey lived between 1910 and 1939. Not a lot is known about Bluey
since it wasn’t very common to keep records for a dog back then.
We do know that Bluey was a blue speckled Australian cattle dog
and he was owned by Les and Esma Hall. We also know that his
age was verified by Guinness World Records.

Bluey continues to be a part of the Australian identity, and
today, a famous children’s TV show with the same name has
gained popularity worldwide.
Doggy years:
To fully comprehend a dog’s age, one must apply the “dog years”
formula. However, the old theory that one dog year = 7 human years
is no longer supported by scientific research. Different dog breeds
age differently, and small dogs typically live longer than large ones.
The original formula was based on a ratio that assumes the average
human lives to 70 and the average dog lives to 10. Based on current
research, the American Kennel Club offers these formulas for
calculating a dog’s age:
• 15 human years equals the first year of a medium-sized dog’s life.
• Year two for a dog equals about nine years for a human.
• And after that, each human year would be approximately five
years for a dog.
While there are certain factors that can make one breed last longer
than others on average, the fact of the matter is that a little bit of luck
and the right conditions can make animals from many breeds live for
decades.

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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 278 Club Members, bringing us in
2555 Euros per month. This amount of money enables
us to feed around 170 animals!
To feed 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 &
2022 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 2022 PLANS FOR THE SHELTER ARE:
Secure finances for the animals that are in our care, so
that when the time comes to move, we can afford to
keep helping as many as possible.

DOG OF THE MONTH
xxx
Sex:
Age:
Humans:
Dogs:
Cats:
Male
3 years
Great
Energetic but friendly
Energetic but friendly
Health issues:
Leishmania
Rocco is one of our big boys and a stunning dog in general. His
big size, posture and loving eyes make him turn heads every
time hes on a walk, but where this boy really shines is the
personality. While Rocco is gorgeous, hes also funny and goofy,
a complete softy!
Rocco was originally found in the streets by a vet, who decided
to help him. The vet did all the needed checks on him and it
turned out he was positive to Leishmania. Rocco started to
react to treatment very quickly and since the treatment was
started so quickly he got excellent results from the next blood
tests. He is completely fine at this moment and just needs a
pill per day to stay healthy.
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Rocco is a typical
German Shepherd, he is
loving but has a lot of
energy. He would do
best in an active home,
that wants a playful and
funny dog.
Of course he will need
some time to get to
know house rules and
how to behave in
different situations, but
with his open and happy
personality it should not
be a huge issue. Hes
already quite good on
the leash so we know he
does learn very quickly.
Rocco is also okay with other animals, all he wants to do is
play. This might be a bit much for older or smaller dogs,
since he is a bit on the large side. We also suspect that
smaller animals might not appreciate his “I want to jump to
your lap” attitude.
But he would be wonderful best friend to a family looking for
active dog and we know his loyalty knows now boundaries
Please give Rocco a little bit of a push and share him with
your family and friends. He is truly one of a kind boy who
would be so happy to find a loving family
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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

Someday…
Sometimes when you’re feeling sad,
When all you want is me,
I softly sit and gently put
My head on your knee.
Some nights when your heart does ache,
Worn out by tears you weep,
I quietly lie beside your bed and
Guard you as you sleep.
Somewhere far beyond this place,
A land where all run free,
I’m calmly watching over you,
And waiting patiently.
Someday when the time is right,
Your voice will call to me
And I’ll come running like the wind,
Someday…wait and see.

YAPPY EVER AFTER!
Our beautiful Ruska has
been reserved for
adoption quite a long time
but finally it was his time
to leave. Now he is
enjoying his new life and
we want to thank the
family to giving a home to
the best of dogs!
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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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