Rebel Blog

A couple of months ago we attended the Finding Rover San Diego Launch Party for the Finding Rover app and were blown away at how advanced (and awesome) technology has become for useful things like getting lost pets home. San Diego County Animal Services became the first shelter in the nation to begin using Finding Rover’s revolutionary facial recognition app to help reunite lost dogs with their families.

So what is Finding Rover?

The Finding Rover app uses facial recognition technology, a data base of pictures, and a powerful network of social media to locate lost pets and return them to their owners.

1. Easily register your dogs online or on their app with a picture of your dog. Using revolutionary technology, they scan the unique features of your dog's face and keep it on file in case he or she ever gets lost. The app even comes with a handy bark button to help you snap an accurate picture of your dog.
2. Should your dog get lost, you can easily search the database of found dogs online or via the app.
3. If you find a stray dog, simply scan their picture and if the dog is registered with Finding Rover, the app will match your picture to the database of pictures and pull up their owners contact information.

The Finding Rover facial recognition technology is 98% accurate in matching lost and found dog posters and has already helped owners find their missing dogs in no time at all.

How awesome is that?! So what are you waiting for, get your pets protected… sign up here.

Today our Dakoda turns three! We love this sweet, stoic girl and all the joy, fun, and affection she has brought to us and our pack in the last three years. Happy birthday baby girl!

Bloat is the second leading cause of death for dogs. 50% of dogs who get bloat will die from it.

Often times we don’t think to prepare for deadly situations until after the tragedy has occurred. Bloat is one of those things that most dog owners don’t necessarily plan for but is deadly if not immediately addressed.

What is Bloat?

Bloat is a serious condition that affects dogs and can kill them if quick action is not taken. The medical term for bloat is gastric-dilatation-volvulus, meaning the stomach has filled with gas and fluid, and then twisted. As the stomach swells and rotates, it causes a decrease in the amount of blood going to the stomach and back to the heart, which can lead to shock, possible abnormal heart beats, and decreased oxygen to the stomach as well as other organs, which is why it is fatal if not treated immediately.

What are the Symptoms of Bloat in Dogs?

• Swollen abdomen
• Unsuccessful attempts to burp or throw-up
• Gagging or heaving without anything coming up
• Weakness
• Excessive salivation
• Shortness of breath
• Cold body temperature
• Pale gums
• Rapid heartbeat
• Pacing
• Restlessness
• Collapse

A dog may exhibit one to a few of these symptoms so it’s important to know them all but not necessarily expect your dog to show them all at once.

Is My Dog at Risk?

Any dog can get bloat but it is more common in deep chested breeds including: Boxers, Dobermans, Great Danes, Grand Pyranees’, German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers, Irish Setters, Labrador Retrievers, Newfoundlands, Afghans, Akitas, Alaskan Malamutes, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Bloodhounds, Rottweilers, Standard Poodles, St. Bernards and Weimaraners.

What Should I do If I Think My Dog Has Bloat?

If you think your dog has bloat the only thing to do is to get to your vet, or any vet, as quickly as possible. Bloat requires emergency action and usually surgery to untwist the stomach.

Know where the nearest 24-hour Emergency Vet is and what their contact number is at all times. This can be the difference between life and death for your dog.

How to prevent bloat:

• If you feed kibble, feed smaller meals more frequently throughout the day rather than one or two large meals.
• Do not feed from a raised bowl as this causes the dog to gulp in excess air.
• Avoid the consumption of large volumes of water at once, especially right before or after exercise and exertion. Wait at least an hour after exercise to feed your dogs, and likewise let your dogs rest at least an hour after eating before exercise or strenuous play. After exercise limit the dogs intake of water, do not let them drink an entire bowl of water all at once.

Sources: 1, 2

With the changing of seasons there are new dangers for dogs and pets, that we need to remember to take in to consideration. While you may love the heat, a dogs cooling mechanisms are very different from ours so the heat affects them in more drastic ways. One thing that seems common knowledge but often gets overlooked is how hot the ground can become when the sun is out. We have shoes, dogs don't so their paw pads will burn before we even realize how hot it is for them.

A simple rule to remember is if it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for them. If you wouldn’t walk barefoot on the asphalt, sidewalk, and even the sand or dirt, your dogs shouldn’t either. Instead of slipping off your shoes, a good way to test the temperature is to press the back of your hand to the ground: if it’s too hot to hold your hand against, it’s definitely too hot for your dog’s paws.

Hot surfaces to be aware of:

Asphalt, cement, sand, dirt, boat docks, anything metal, the bed of a truck, and even leather seats in your car. 

Ways to beat the heat: 

Walk your dogs early in the morning before the sun has had the chance to heat the ground all day. 

A small wading pool filled with just several inches of water provides hours of summer fun for canine friends. 

Bring a towel for them to stand on when grass is not available. 

 Keep those pups cool and walk safely!

Every day is take your dog to work day at Crazy Rebels headquarters, but today is officially Take Your Dog To Work Day in office places all over! Pet Sitters International started TYDTWDay in 1999 as a way to celebrate dogs and promote dog adoptions. Today their website, TakeYourDog.com, offers up helpful tips to working side by side with your canine companion while maintaining a conducive work environment, here's what they suggest:

Is your dog working hard with you today?