Hallowag is upon us and you know what that means! Candy, costumes, parties and fun! Let’s make sure it’s a safe one for both you and your pet.
Question – Do you know what are we celebrating?

Halloween dates back to Celtic times (about 2000 years ago!). October 31st marked the end of summer and harvest and the beginning of winter. The day was believed to represent the boundary of life(spring, summer and fall) and death (winter). Celts celebrated with great fires and costumes, sort-of like the celebrations we have now.

Now that you are up to date with your history, let’s review how to keep your pets safe this Halloween:

o Make sure your pet is wearing an up-to-date tag. Whether you are out and about or home handing out candy, there will be many chances for your pet to run off or try to! Your dog may be startled by the costumes and constant knocking, or perhaps your cat will want to check out some colorful attire. Either way, should your pet be lost, a tag will increase the chances of you two meeting up again.

o Is your dog aggressive? Curious? Easily frightened? Make sure you know how your pet reacts to strangers and plan ahead for the appropriate accommodations. You may crate your pet, put up a pet gate, or simply keep your pet as far as possible from your home’s main entrance.

o Wag'N tails...can sometimes knock over candles! Keep candles, jack-o-lanterns, decorations and ornaments out of reach for both your pets and small children. Halloween lights can cause digestive upsets or electrocution if swallowed, while electrical cords can cause electrocution if chewed. Finally, batteries (you know, the other way to power your lights) can cause electrocution and poses a fire hazard if chewed.

o Ensure that everyone in your household understands how dangerous candy and chocolate can be to pets. Bromamine, found in chocolate, and Xylitol, found in candy and gum are EXTREMELY toxic to dogs. Keep an eye on your dog to make sure he doesn’t sneak any goodies past you! Here are some other food and food related items to be wary of:

+ Tin foil and cellophane candy wrappers (choking hazard or may cause intestinal blockage)
+ Meat strings
+ Toothpicks
+ Cookie dough (can expand in stomachs – ouch!)
o The following are symptoms of chocolate poisoning – should your pet be experiencing any of these during Halloween get help quick!
+ Excessive drooling
+ Excessive urination
+ Pupil dilation
+ Rapid heartbeat
+ Vomiting and diarrhea
+ Hyperactivity
+ Muscle tremors and seizures
+ Coma

o Candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can be poisonous to dogs. Even small amounts of Xylitol sweetener can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar, which leads to depression, lack of coordination and seizures. In cases of significantly low blood sugar, liver failure has been known to occur. For more on the threat of xylitol read our sister blog post Xylitol May Kill Your Dog!

o Trick or treating with your dog? While not recommended for most pet owners, some sociable pets make Pawsome partners. If you choose to dress up your pet, make sure it is comfortable and able to breathe well and bark. Ensure that there are no loose pieces that may be ingested by your pet. If you elect to use face masks or costumes that cover your pet's face, make sure they can breathe easily and that the eye holes are large enough to allow for peripheral vision. Pets depend on their peripheral vision. With the activity level make sure they can see everything. After all- spooking the dog might get you, someone else or the pet in trouble

o When opening the door for trick-or-treaters, make sure to keep your pets away from the front door. Pets may be scared or spooked by the noise and strange looks of your guests and may choose to bark aggressively, jump on, bite or bolt out the front door. All that while trying to defend you or simply out of fear. No matter where you keep your pet, make sure you ID your pet before guests and/or trick-or-treaters start showing up. If for any reason your pet escapes and become lost, a collar and tags and/or a microchip can increase the chances that he or she will be returned to you.

o On the trick-or-treaters are gone, reward your dog with a long walk and a treat. While you are out, keep an eye out for what he or she might pick up and choke on. It’s very likely that neighborhood kids will leave some “trail” as they collect goodies – make sure your pet doesn't eat anything left behind.

Use your good judgment this Halloween. If you feel that any situation may get out of control get your pet out of there! In hectic holidays such as Halloween, it is best to be remain cautious. Unlike many other holidays, Halloween exerts a lot of strange, non-natural/normal behavior, attitude, smells, food and clothing. Because the change is sudden (normal afternoon walk in the park to strange evening occurrences coming to their den) make no assumption that "it will be just fine". You just don't know. There is nothing NATURAL or logical about dressing up funny. Remember that our logic is not common pet sense!

Gypsy and Mayday wish you and yours a happy, safe Halloween!

Through the main Wagn4u blog, Twitter, LinkedIn and informational videos we compile our findings and share them with you, our dear readers/viewers, followers and dedicated clients.

Wag'N is the pet safety leading authority. As our O2 Fur Life Program has grown from its puppy stage to full maturity, we are dedicating an entire blog to this very important cause, namely pet oxygen masks. Through the pet oxygen mask blog we are raising awareness, inviting discussion, and providing information on these life-saving devices. The success of the program has been exponential. Please visit this new blog at http://www.petoxygenmask.blogspot.com/ for up-to-date pet oxygen mask information!

WagN's reputation as an outstanding pet first aid kit and service provider has lead us to create a dedicated pet first aid blog, with special coverage of pet first aid issues that impact pet safety and health. Pet first aid is an intricate skill that all responsible pet parents should be trained in to a minimum. It is our responsibility to raise awareness on the various topics that can impact your pet's well being.

Here you will find insight on possible pet hazards, evacuation tips, the Wag'N methodology on pet first aid teaching, class details and updates. This blog will keep you informed whether you've just gotten your first puppy/kitten, or if you are a seasoned pet parent. That is our Wag to You. Click HERE to visit the blog.

Do you have a topic you'd like to see on our blogs? Let us know - we can make it happen!

About the Event

On the weekend of September 12th and 13th, Wag'N and Dogma Bakery partnered up to raise awareness and funds for the Morris Animal Foundation's Canine Cancer Campaign through "Wag'N 4 The Cure 2009". The event, which took place at Dogma's Arlington location, featured an array of pet health discussions, events and speakers, as well as a visit from 2 Dogs 2000 Miles' Luke, Hudson and Murphy. We celebrated Hudson's birthday with a lovely cake courtesy of Dogma Bakery and the fun didn't stop there! The "Wagger" Contest was great fun, and we met a great variety of dog lovers and their companions. Thanks for making the event a success - see you next year!

For pictures of the event click here.

2K Walk

Luke	QUESTION 1: Name at least 1 risk factor that causes K9 Cancer ANSWER 1: Environmental pollution, excessive exposure to strong sunlight, Carcinogens agents from herbicides and pesticides, Trauma or previous injury sites (bone fractures), chronic inflammations, genetics, dog’s diet, unspayed and un-neutered, immune system and hormonal imbalances, over exposure to sunlight.
QUESTION 2: One in how many dogs suffer from Canine Cancer? ANSWER 2: 1 in 4
	QUESTION 3: All breeds are at risk. Name at least 1 dog breed that is more likely to get cancer ANSWER 3: Golden retriever, Labrador retriever, Boxer, Cocker spaniel, Scottish terrier, Pug, Shar-pei, Chow Chow, Collie, Bernese mountain dog, Rottweiler, Greyhound, English Springer Spaniel, Flat Coated Retriever
QUESTION 4: Name at least one method known to mitigate canine cancer Answer 4: Spaying and neutering, Daily exercise, Proper Nutrition, Vaccinations (Rabies must be given separate from other vaccines); Use of holistic tick & flea preventatives; Clean living and avoidance of environmental pollutants (indoor & outdoor); Not smoking around dog; Let dog drink purified water (if system in place); Control dog’s weight (prevent obesity), keep dog out of sun in summer
	QUESTION 5: Name at least one K9 Cancer Treatment Method Answer 5: Surgery to remove or de-bulk the tumor mass; Ionizing Radiation to expose the tumor to lethal doses radiation, minimizing radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue; Chemotherapy to poison the rapidly growing cancer cells without poisoning the rest of the body; Holistic treatments can be used alone or alongside regular treatments to boost your dog's quality of life and improve the immune system.
QUESTION 6: True or False Should something happen, pet insurance can help me cover costs of canine cancer treatment Answer 6: TRUE	Sarah B. from Lost Dog Rescue
Ines de Pablo from Wag'N	QUESTION 7B: Name at least one canine cancer warning sign Answer 7B: Abnormal swellings that persist or continue to grow; Sores that do not heal; Weight loss; Loss of appetite, Bleeding or discharge from any body opening; Offensive odor; Difficulty eating or swallowing; Hesitance to exercise or loss of stamina; Persistent lameness or stiffness; Difficulty breathing, urinating or defecating.

Raffle Winners

A big "Thank you!" to all participants! We have a bunch of winners!

2K Arlington Walk 4 The Cure

336245	Won The Paws & Claws Photography Gift Basket	Beth K.
336258	Won The autographed Daily Coyote Book by Shreve Stockton	Bekye E.
336253	Won The Wagatha Cookie Gift Basket	Elisabeth P.
336249	Won The Brown GUND toy named "Ramone"	Janet B.

K9 Helper Raffle Ticket

384350	Won the Dogma T-Shirt	Eileen P.
384338	Won Woofs Dog Training Certificate	Cindy G.
384341	Won the Fundamentally Dog T-shirt (Dark Blue)	Andrea
384344	Won the white "Norton Jr" GUND Toy	Katie VD
384326	Won the Fundamentally Dog T-shirt (Baby Blue)	Helene W.
384345	Won the Fundamentally Dog Cards	Missy S.
384347	Won the NoVa Dog T-shirt	Elmer B.
384328	Won the NoVa Dog 1 Year Subscription	Lynn G.
384334	Won the Coco Therapy Oil & Chips	Betty P.
384339	Won the NoVa Dog Bandana	Kathy L.

To redeem your prize please go to Dogma Bakery and present your raffle ticket.

LAST NAME MUST BE PROVIDED FOR REDEMPTION.