Dogtopia of San Marcos, CA Blog

Pooltime in November

We have had such warm weather here that we are still putting the bone pool up almost everyday.  So many of the dogs just wait for their chance to be able to play in the pool.  The labs go crazy whenever the pool comes out, and when they don’t have the pool, they will try and swim in the water dishes!  We are so lucky to have a great outdoor space for the dogs, and the weather that allows us to use it and the pool almost all year round.

Fun in the pool!

I received this information on cocoa mulch after a local agility dog  died tragically as a result of eating this yard material.

Cocoa Mulch, which is sold by Home Depot, Foreman’s Garden Supply and other Garden supply stores, contains a lethal ingredient called ‘Theobromine‘. It is lethal to dogs and cats. It smells like chocolate and it really attracts dogs.  They will ingest this stuff and die. Several deaths already  occurred in the last 2-3 weeks. Just a word of caution, check what you are using in your gardens and be aware of what your
gardeners are using in your gardens.

Theobromine is in all chocolate, especially dark or baker’s chocolate which is toxic to dogs.  Cocoa bean shells contain potentially toxic quantities of theobromine, a xanthine compound similar in effects to caffeine and theophylline. A dog that ingested a lethal quantity of garden mulch made from cacao bean shells developed severe convulsions and died 17 hours later.  Analysis of the stomach contents and the ingested cacao bean shells revealed the presence of lethal amounts of theobromine.

Skye

Dogtopia of San Marcos has now been open for 2-1/2 months, and already 9 of the dogs that we have fostered for the Escondido Humane Society have been adopted www.escondidohumanesociety.org.  We become so attached to these little guys, and are so happy when they find a home.  Dogtopia is a nice atmosphere for people considering adopting a dog as it allows them to see the dogs playing and interacting with other dogs.   

Tyler and Skye are 2 of the cutest dogs we have had since we first started fostering in mid September, and for some reason they are still here.  It is hard for me to understand why these wonderful little dogs have not found permanent homes.  They love kids, get along with other dogs, and both of them just love to sit on laps and be loved.  Hopefully they will also find a home soon! 

Each time a dog gets adopted, I bring in another new dog to our Dogtopia family.  It has been such a joy to meet all these beautiful dogs, and it still amazes me that there are so many in need of homes!  But it is also wonderful to see how many people are adopting dogs rather than purchasing from stores.  I thank each of them for adopting a pet in need and giving them a good life!