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I try every day to find something to be grateful for, to be happy about.

Today, it's my little dog, Mitch. Mitch is a 13 yr old Shih Tzu rescue I adopted 9 years ago. He's had a bit of a tough life, due in large part to medical problems, but he just keeps going.

My recent move to our current residence came with a cost. In all the years I've had my two boys (Pepper, my other Shih Tzu, is 12 and I got him as a pup), they've never suffered flea problems. That changed when we moved.

Mitch was affected the most. They both, however, got inundated with fleas which I did not realize until I took them to the groomer a few days ago.

Mitch had been showing signs of great distress ; gnawing, scratching, and endlessly licking several areas of his body, and driving me up a wall in the meantime.

Once the groomer identified the problem, I got flea collars for both dogs, and immediately made an appointment with the vet who gave him a couple shots, and some prescription to deal with his sensitivity to fleas.

I'm happy to say today that Mitch is pretty much back to his old self and seems to be doing just fine, and that makes me smile. It's the little things that count. Thanks for listening.

#rescue #dogs
Condor5 8 July 29
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1

Level 7

Good job with the fleas. I have had them on my dog, but none for years. It is a good thing to be grateful for something every day. During these dark troubling times in America's history, I also find reasons to be grateful. My sweet dog, cat, my horse, my little house on the farm, and being able to go outside on my back porch every night and seeing millions of stars, the Milky Way, meteors, the moon, ( our beautiful sister in the sky), and hearing the horses softly huffing, and feet clopping as they walk around under the trees.

Sounds idyllic. I think the last time I saw stars, and the edge of the galaxy like that was in the late 70's. I sure do miss it. Lucky you. I love being around horses, having grown up around them.

@Condor5 I lived in town for many years. Now, I live out in the country, on a dirt road, so it is very dark at nigh. It is amazing how different the sky looks out in the country, away from lights. It is idyllic. I have always had to board my horses before I moved here. It is great to have them in my back yard.

@Wisewoman3 very nice. Horses are magnificent animals.
2

Level 7

I'm thinking of doing a daily gratitude post. Fantastic idea. I need more positivity in my life

It sure helps me keep going.

2

Level 8

Focusing on something to be grateful for is a wonderful idea. I think I will try that as well!

1

Level 7

Glad your having a good outcome so far. Never had a flea on dog up north but here in Florida they are so bad. I no longer have fur babies but have brought them inside on me on occasion.

Thanx.
1

Level 7

Fleas have gotten resistant to a lot of things that used to control them very well. When I moved from PA to Florida I found my old reliable Frontline was just something the fleas laughed at. So I went to Advantage and that only kept them down to a dull roar. I HATE fleas. I have FLEA SP! I can psychically SENSE I am in the presence of a single flea on any of my dogs. It was making me miserable. I switched to Comfortis and my flea problems are history (for now). Tried the Bravecto on two young ones and that is also working well. Eventually, resistant populations to these treatments will probably develop but for they work great in Florida where fleas are the very devil's spawn sent from the pits of hell (yes, I know this is Agnostic.com, so I'm speaking figuratively). Good luck!

Thanks. Yeah, I wish I'd known how severe the problem is here when/before I moved here. Live and learn, I guess. I've got very expensive flea collars on them that were recommended by the groomer. I'll see how those work.
1

Level 9

Fleas are the very devil. Glad your puppies are better.

In 1988 we moved to Hampton, VA with a 3 year old and a bald 3 month old baby. And two cats. So one day as I'm nursing the baby I notice a flea on her! I freaked! Soon after we spent some time on the patio with cats in their crates, baby in a play pen, and supplies for the day as I set flea bombs throughout the house. Cats got flea baths and combed as were out there. We did that about 2 weeks apart. The family that lived in the house before us had a huge shaggy dog and 4 boys that were constantly covered with fleas and poison ivy. Yes, the back fence was covered with poison ivy. That came down sometime after. That was before I knew how toxic Roundup was, but it solved the poison ivy issue.

2

Level 9

If you put certain herbs (lavender, peppermint etc, etc,) in his bed then it will take care of the problem.

I will consider that. The vet and the groomer both suggested I should also flea bomb my place.

@Condor5 That may be fine if you want to bred in chemicals. I would stick with natural stuff

@Jolanta if you live in or near a big city, you live in chemical residue, just a fact.

2

Level 9

So glad you're BOTH feeling better!!!

Thanks, it is such a relief to ease their suffering.
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