RV Hometown

Practical advice for the road
 from
 Miss Terrier

Miss Terrier barks her advice to her driver, cook and traveling companion, solo RVer Adrienne Kristine. Miss Terrier welcomes questions and comments. 

Watch for the best of Miss Terrier's advice each week on this page.

Dear Miss Terrier, 
I just saw some adorable kittens from the Humane Society in the San Francisco Macy’s window. I want to adopt one but I’ve never owned a cat before. Would you give me some advice on the best way to care for my new addition before I take one of the kittens home with me?  

Thank you.

Your expectant reader Diana

Dear Diana: 
I’m not an expert on kittens so I asked my friend David for his advice and here is what he recommends

Dear Readers,  
My owner, driver, cook and best buddy found out that her insurance company, Progressive Auto Insurance, the nation's third-largest auto insurance group, has introduced a coverage option that allows customers to insure any canine or feline pets injured or killed in a vehicle crash. The coverage is being offered at no additional charge to customers who have standard collision coverage.

If you have Progressive, please talk to your agent about adding your pet to the policy. If you have another insurance carrier, you might want to contact your agent and ask about your company’s coverage for pets. Who knows? You may start a trend throughout the insurance industry and all of us who travel can have protection.

Dear Readers: 
Since we’re sharing the holidays, I thought I would share this poem with you about a very special dog. 

CHRISTMAS DOG
By Shel Silverstein

Tonight's my first night as a watchdog,
And here it is Christmas Eve.
The children are sleeping all cozy upstairs,
While I'm guardin' the stockin's and tree.

What's that now---footsteps on the rooftop?
Could it be a cat or a mouse?
Who's this down the chimney?
A thief with a beard---
And a big sack for robbin' the house?

I'm barkin', I'm growlin', I'm bitin' his butt.
He howls and jumps back in his sleigh.
I scare his strange horses, they leap in the air.
I've frightened the whole bunch away.

Now the house is all peaceful and quiet again.
The stockin's are safe as can be.
Won't the kiddies be glad when they wake up tomorrow
And see how I've guarded the tree.

Dear Miss Terrier: 
My older dog Oswald is having some trouble with arthritis and joint pain when he gets up from his bed and walks. Is it all right to give him aspirin? 

Hugo 

Dear Hugo: 
Thank you for asking. I assume you’ve already taken Oswald to the veterinarian. What treatment did the vet recommend? NSAID (non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs) have been used successfully on many dogs with few side effects. You might ask him or her about them. 

Please don’t give aspirin to your dog. It could cause bleeding problems and might harm his stomach.

Dear Miss Terrier:
Would you tell your readers about my wonderful owner? She scolds me but never punishes me if I’ve been bad, even when I have an accident. When I’m good, she pets me and tells me I’ve been good. Then she gives me a treat. When I make a mistake like playing too rough, she sends me to the corner for a time out. She just leaves me alone and does her usual household chores. Maybe she wants me to think about what I did so I don’t do it again. 

My neighbor has a dog too, a puppy, and he isn’t very good about training her. When he gets home and she has made a mess, he puts her nose in it and spanks her, saying, “Bad dog!” I know what “bad dog” means, but my owner never hits me. 

I’ve talked to the puppy and she doesn’t understand why she is being punished now for what she did wrong in the past. Could you let your readers know that this isn’t the right way to train a puppy? If the puppy or dog is too rough and nips or bites too hard, send him or her to the corner for a time out. Depriving us of your company is tough enough since we’re social animals. 

Thank you. 

Your friend Lobo 

Dear Lobo, 
Thank you for your letter. You’re right: depriving us of social contact is punishment enough. You are fortunate to have an understanding owner and I hope all readers will try her methods.

Dear Miss Terrier: 
This Green Tip is also from our friends at the Sierra Club: If your furry friend has a case of the fleas, try a less-toxic method of flea control such as ANTidote or Bio Flea Halt. If fleas have already invaded your home, applying Borax to the carpet is a fairly low-risk way to kill them off. (But be careful: Borax can be an eye irritant and should not be ingested in large amounts by your pet.) Or replace the chemical flea dip with this natural recipe from Care2: Cut up four lemons and simmer for about an hour in one quart of water, adding more water if necessary. Cool and strain the mixture before rubbing it into your dog’s coat. Be sure to avoid your pet’s eyes and exercise appropriate caution—citrus-peel extract products like this one can be very strong. Ventilate the room properly and do not use this solution if you’re asthmatic. And do not use this flea bath on cats! 

Skippy, your healthy, happy and flea-free friend 

Dear Skippy 
Thank you! This smells much better than the flea dip from the bottle.

Dear Readers: 
You’ve been watching the news about the terrible fires in southern California and the evacuations of humans and pets. Does your family have a disaster plan? What about your dogs, cats and other animals? Do you have crates for them and does everyone know what to do? 

It might be a good idea to have a fire drill or other disaster plan. Someone needs to be in charge of the pet or pets. That means the person will need to know where the animals are and how to get them into a safe carrier. You should also have food and water in your vehicle to take with you in case you can’t go back home. Food and water should include supplies for pets and humans. 

Your pets will be scared, probably more afraid than you are because they won’t understand what is happening. They will panic and try to run away. All your training will be ignored and you’ll have a frightened pet you won’t be able to find. Lives have been lost because people go back to a dangerous situation to locate a beloved pet. 

Please sit down with your family as soon as possible and make a plan in case of emergency. We want you and your pets as readers for a long, long time. 

Thank you on behalf of animals everywhere. 

Dear Readers: 
For those of you traveling with your dogs to visit family and friends over the holidays, here are some helpful hints from my friends at PETA:

Dogs thrive on healthy routines. This doesn’t change just because you’re away from home. Provide regular walks, playtime, access to fresh water at all times, and food, preferably the kind they eat at home (if you need to switch, do it gradually to avoid upsetting your dog’s stomach). Wash bowls with soap and warm water daily. 

Help show that dogs make good guests by being one yourself. Follow leash laws. If your dog barks a lot, don’t leave him or her alone in a hotel room or your RV (if you do leave your dog in the room, for safety reasons, let the front desk know). 

Emergency: Illness or Injury

The American Animal Hospital Association (1-800-883-6301) can refer you to a local veterinarian. Better yet, be prepared by asking your dog’s veterinarian for a reference in that area before you go. Print a map from the Internet and take it on your trip so you can get there quickly in the event of an emergency.

If Your Dog Becomes Lost

1. File “missing” reports at veterinarians’ offices, the police department, and animal control. Follow up in person to make sure that a case of mistaken identity is not hampering a reunion with your dog. Give them several phone numbers, if necessary (e.g., your hotel phone number, the number of a friend or relative in the area, your home number, your office number, and your cell phone number).

2. Comb the area, paying special attention to spaces under porches, shrubs, and cars, as well as checking sheds, drainpipes, and other hiding places that might attract your frightened friend. Cover at least a 2-mile radius.

3. Ask delivery people, local restaurants, and offices if they have seen your dog running at large, and leave your name and phone numbers with them.

4. Post “missing” fliers, including a current photo that accurately portrays your dog. At the top of your flier, write “Reward,” and at the bottom, list your phone numbers (e.g., your hotel phone number, the number of a friend or relative in the area, your home number, your office number, and your cell phone number).

5. Visit the local animal shelter and animal control departments every day in person to see if your dog has been turned in. Do not be satisfied with telephone inquiries. Shelters receive dozens of animals every day, and the person who answers your phone call may have missed seeing your dog come into the facility.

6. Place “lost” advertisements in all the local and weekly newspapers. Many publications will place such ads free of charge. Check the “found” ads every day.

7. If two weeks pass, update your flier. A rain-soaked, tattered flier can look months old to someone who might think the animal on your flier is long gone and can’t be the same animal he or she has just rescued from busy traffic.

8. Don’t give up. It’s not uncommon for lost companion animals and their guardians to be reunited weeks or even months after becoming lost. It can be frustrating, but your perseverance will increase your chances of finding your lost friend.

Dear Readers: 
I have an important message for all of you.  

My driver and I were in the parking lot of a well-known RV supply store and we were enjoying a cool drink while watching people at the dump station. I saw something that made me very scared and I barked and barked. 

Suddenly, a big motorhome swung into the entrance and was going very fast. He pulled up behind the fifth wheel with screeching brakes. At the same time, the woman looked around and started yelling for the dog. 

The dog didn’t pay any attention but started wandering across the other side of the parking lot where the cars go. The woman kept yelling and the dog kept ignoring her. My driver was really angry when she got out and went over to the woman. 

I heard her say, “Where is the dog’s leash? You can’t have your dog wandering around the parking lot with all these vehicles. He’ll get hurt!” 

The woman said, “Well, he’s old and deaf and never really goes very far.” 

Do you believe this? My driver said, “Then why are you yelling at a dog that can’t hear you?” She walked over to the dog and stood in front of him so he could see her. He wagged his tail and she picked him up. She brought him back to the woman and put the dog in her arms. Then she said, “Put your dog in the truck or put a leash on him unless you want a dead dog. Shame on you!” Then she turned around and came back to the RV.

She hugged me and I knew she would be all right. 

Please, please pay attention to your dog and always have him or her on a leash when you’re outside with your pet. Thank you.

Dear Miss Terrier: 
I know your driver is a member of the Sierra Club so I thought I would share this Green Tip with both of you: 

Have you ever thought about your dog’s ecological foot -- er… pawprint? Your neighbors and the planet will thank you if you make sure to always scoop your pet’s poop when you take him or her on walks. Your pooch can impress the neighborhood dogs with a hemp leash and collar from Rawganique.com. And comfy pet beds with no harmful chemical additives can be found now at many pet retailers or online. (Of course, Fifi or Fido would likely be just as happy sleeping on a folded quilt or blanket.) 

Most importantly, make sure your dog eats healthy. Opt for organic brands such as Newman's Own or Nature's Variety. Or, once a week, make large batches of rice, steamed veggies and meat and dish out in appropriate serving sizes at mealtime. Just check with the vet to make sure your pet is getting all the nutrients she needs from the homemade food. 

Skippy, a healthy happy dog 

Dear Skippy: 
Thank you for the information. I’m sure all our readers will appreciate it too, especially the part about food!

Dear Miss Terrier: 
I’m a very lucky dog and I want to tell you how much fun I had. My owners are in an RV park and asked about a kennel for me so they could take a day trip. Normally, I don’t like kennels but this was different. 

The “pet resort” has two group social hours every day. The owners bring their dogs in and pay $15 for an evaluation to make sure all the dogs get along with one another. If they do, there is a morning session from 8 am to 11 am. Then we all take naps. I don’t know why; maybe the people who run the resort think we need a nap after all that playing. Of course, they have to clean up after us too. The naps last from 11 am to 2 pm. There is an afternoon session from 2 pm to 5 pm too. 

The cost? $15 for a half day and $25 for a full day. Isn’t that great? I wish all “pet resorts” or kennels had this program. 

Your buddy Bogart

Dear Bogart: 
That sounds like a wonderful place to spend a day. Kudos to the owners. Maybe readers will suggest the same kind of program to the managers of their local kennels. Thank you for letting us know about your day.

Dear Miss Terrier: 
You reminded your readers about foods that dogs should avoid. Knowing safe plants from dangerous ones can save your cat’s life. Here’s a list of some of the more popular but poisonous houseplants that all cat owners should banish from their homes and yards:

•American mistletoe
• Azalea
• Buttercup
• Ficus
• Foxglove
• Horse chestnut
• Hyacinth
• Hydrangea
• Iris
• Jack-in-the-pulpit
• Lily
• Lily of the valley
• Morning glory
• Nightshade
• Onions and chives
• Ornamental tobacco
• Poinsettia
• Poison hemlock
• Poppy
• Rhubarb
• Rubber plant
• Sweet pea
• Tomato vines
• Tulip

If your cat displays any of the following symptoms of poisoning, take her to the vet right away:

• No appetite
• Acute diarrhea
• Repeated vomiting
• Swollen tongue
• Tender or painful abdomen
• Convulsions

You didn’t leave your name but thank you very much for the information.

Dear Miss Terrier:
For your readers: Do you really pet your dog thoroughly on a weekly (or more regular) basis? What I mean by this is touching every part of the dog’s body. Many people pet their dog about the head or shoulders; and other parts of the dog’s body are an afterthought - and much less touched. Some dogs are very stoical. They hide their discomfort and pain very well. By touching the dog thoroughly on a regular basis, it is possible to find any new lumps and bumps that may be developing. You also may notice if the dog has developed any soreness that is unusual. Your curiosity should be elevated if the dog is unusually resistant about having you touch one area of its body. 

It is a good idea also to look in the dog’s mouth. A regular look at the gums will tell you if there are any changes. You will know then what normal is for your healthy dog. When you handle the dog’s ears, your nose may detect the onset of an ear infection. When you spend a few minutes with regular, casual hand inspections of the dog, it readily becomes apparent to you if something is abnormal. 

The best way to do this is for you to be on the floor with your dog. This can be done while you are watching television or something of that nature. The dog should view this as part of the weekly routine and accept this type of handling. These few minutes with your dog is preventative maintenance. It gives your veterinarian a better chance of giving the dog excellent care when anomalies are detected early. Besides, spending a few minutes on the floor with your dog will lower your blood pressure. 

Catherine Forsythe 

Dear Catherine, 
Thank you for your letter. I know you read my column and are concerned for the welfare of all animals. 

Whether you have a dog, a cat, a bird or some other pet, you might want to pay attention when you pet him or her. It will certainly help you make an early discovery of any bodily changes that could become critical health issues, and petting makes both you and your pet happy. I know I always feel wonderful when my owner pets me. She feeds me first and that’s even better!

Dear Miss Terrier: 
I have a collapsible dog pen that I carry with me in my RV. Some RV parks don’t allow them and require you to be outside with your pet at all times. Why is that? Suzanne

Dear Suzanne: 
Some pet owners are not as conscientious as others. They will set up the pen, put the dog inside with a bowl of water and then leave for the day. Anyone can walk up to the pen and cause the dog to bark or become alarmed. Don’t forget that we are protective of our owners and our territory, whether it’s inside the RV or within the fence. Some visitors may see us and think, “I’ve always wanted a dog” and take us away. 

Some pets are not as well behaved when our owners are away. We bark or try to escape our confinement so we can explore new areas. 

As a responsible pet owner, you will want to cooperate with whatever the campground rules specify. I’m sure the campground staff will appreciate it.

Dear Miss Terrier: 
I take care of Mikey, the slinky dog and stress relief at the RV Bookstore office. He has a habit of burying his bone under his blanket. That’s not the problem. When he “buries” it, he rubs his nose against the carpet and it has rug burns on it. What can I do to make his nose feel better? Zoey

Dear Zoey: 
It is safe to use Polysporin® or some other antibiotic since it shouldn’t affect his sense of smell. Be sure to keep an eye on him and when he tries to “bury” his bone, stop him from rubbing his nose against the carpet. 

And Mikey? Please stop rubbing your nose on the carpet. I know veterinarians say it’s safe to use an ointment, but I think it will affect your sense of smell.

Dear Miss Terrier: 
I just wanted to write to tell you that I’m a very lucky dog. My owner takes good care of me and when she is away at work. She makes sure that I have food, water, a way to get in and out of the motorhome in case it rains, and someone will check on me to see if I’m all right. She will often throw a tennis ball or a sock monkey. I really like that. 

I sometimes miss my owner but I know when she comes home, she will feed me, walk with me in the woods and play with me until she gets tired. Naturally, I never get tired. 

Shilo, a happy dog with Judi 

Dear Shilo: 
You are indeed a very lucky dog. I hope other owners read this and realize that their dogs and other pets are social animals. We like being with people (especially our owners who take good care of us and feed us treats). 

Dogs are very loyal and protective, and we will greet you the same way whether you’ve been gone for a minute, an hour or a day: with enthusiasm and joy at your return.

Dear Miss Terrier: 
My dog Blossom seems to choke every time I give her lamb. It’s fresh and I usually feed it to her when I cook it for myself. What could be the problem? 

Your avid reader Barbara 

Dear Barbara and Blossom: 
It just so happens I was reading an article in “Storey’s Country Wisdom” about this: 

Just like humans, dogs can have food allergies. If your dog has never been exposed to an ingredient in a recipe or store-made treat you want to try, introduce the treat very slowly. Start with a simple recipe that has few ingredients. (If you introduce many new ingredients at one time and your dog has a bad reaction, it will be hard to pinpoint which of them caused it.) 

1. Give your dog a small piece of the treat—less than half—and wait a few hours, watching the dog for any sign of allergic reaction. This can be as simple as scratching more than usual or as dramatic as vomiting, swelling of face and/or throat, and diarrhea. If any of these more dramatic symptoms develop, contact your vet immediately. 

2. If no reaction occurs, give your dog the rest of the treat and wait a few hours. If one does occur, make note of which ingredients were used in the treat, and try making and testing different versions, keeping track of which ingredients are used in each case and which recipes cause your dog to have a negative response. With time and patience, you should be able to isolate the ingredients to which your dog is allergic. 

In your case, Blossom has already shown signs of allergic reaction to lamb. Just remove it from her diet and be sure any commercial dog food you feed her has no lamb in the ingredients.

Dear Miss Terrier:
 I know you like food as much as I do. Did you know there are certain foods that dogs can’t (or shouldn’t) eat? I think many of your readers already know that chocolate and ice cream are really bad for us. Did you also know that avocados can make us sick? So can salt, onions, grapes, raisins and diet candy. Will you let your readers know? 

Your buddies Bear (and Terry who read this to me) 

Dear Bear and Terry: 
Thank you for reminding us about foods we should avoid and I hope our readers make a note about keeping the foods mentioned above on the people table, not under it for us.

Dear Miss Terrier: 
I really love my dog, an old coonhound named Rascal. But he has terrible bad breath. Every time he wants to give me a big, slobbery kiss, I have to back off and push him away. He doesn’t understand. 

I give him dry dog food every other day and bones to chew on sometimes, but he doesn’t seem interested. Is it because he’s getting older or is there something I can do? Frank

I know my breath smells bad and that’s why Frank won’t let me close to him. My right canine tooth hurts really bad. I can’t chew on bones like I used to. Could you tell Frank? Rascal

Dear Frank and Rascal: 
You two must have sent your letters on the same day. To answer your questions first, Frank, yes, giving Rascal dry dog food and bones to chew on does help. However, it doesn’t take care of the good dental hygiene your dog needs.  

There are toothpastes and brushes available at your pet store that you can use to keep Rascal’s teeth clean. His teeth should be brushed twice a week. Before you start his dental care, you should take him to the veterinarian and have his teeth checked. He might have a cavity or abscessed tooth. 

Rascal, Frank will be sure to take you to the vet and have your teeth checked. Then he will take care of your teeth for you. You’ll feel better, your breath will be better and both of you can enjoy your big, sloppy kisses.  

Dear Miss Terrier:
 I’ve been sick but now I’m feeling better. A tick bit me. By the time my owner found it and removed it, I was already infected. He’s usually very careful but we had a great time exploring the woods around our campsite. He didn’t know what was wrong until I started to feel bad. 

Please remind your readers to be extra careful when they walk their pets in the woods or fields where there could be a tick infestation. Ticks bite humans too and cause Lyme disease. Thank you. Your friends Dingo and Dave 

Dear Dingo and Dave, 
That must have been awful for you! Thank goodness you’re feeling better and your owner didn’t get bitten too. 

All responsible pet owners: please be careful when you’re walking outdoors this summer. Ticks are everywhere and you may not know you or your pet has been bitten. Examine your pet thoroughly after you return from your walk or hike. This would be an excellent time to brush your pet or give him or her a bath. 

Just as you would dress for poison ivy or oak, wear long sleeves, tuck your long pants into your socks and wear a hat. Those precautions will also prevent mosquitoes from making a meal out of you!

Dear Miss Terrier: 
My owner and I are in trouble at the RV park where we are staying and it is all our neighbor's fault. My owner has taught me to only bark when someone comes on our property or campsite. Also, he always walks me on a leash in the pet area and cleans up after me. 

Yesterday a nasty poodle came on our RV site and left a mess. I barked and barked, telling everyone about the trespasser. After we came back from an afternoon exploring, there was a note from the manager telling her that if I wasn't quiet and she didn't pick up after me we would be asked to leave! We like it here but that poodle comes over without his owner at least twice a day and leaves a mess. What can I do? Jason

Dear Jason: 
I feel your pain. My owner is always picking up messes from other dogs and their irresponsible owners. 

Maybe you could ask your owner to have her camera near the window when she is at home with you. Then she can take a picture of the offender and the owner. My owner did that at the other park where we stayed. As soon as the owner would start to walk away, she would lean out the doorway, give the owner a plastic sack with one hand while holding the camera in the other hand (she never took a picture), and say, “The trash can is right over there. Thank you for taking such good care of your dog.” No one ever refused.

Dear Miss Terrier: 
I have a lovely cat named Cleo but she has two habits that drive me crazy. When I open the door to the RV, she tries to bolt past me. If I don’t hold her collar, she runs outside and disappears after she looks back at me. I swear she smiles when she does that! Then she comes back when she feels like it, usually with something dead in her mouth, and drops it at my feet. Yuck. She doesn’t do this at home. What can I do?  

Nora

Dear Nora (and Cleo) 
Nora, if Cleo doesn’t do this at home, it’s probably because you have a fenced yard or there is nothing to entice her to go outdoors. What you need to do is make the interior of your RV more cat-friendly so Cleo won’t want to leave. 

First, I would harness-train Cleo so she can’t run outside. I would try some catnip toys or tasty treats to tempt her to stay indoors. A friend buys dried squid (now that’s really yucky) for his cat and since he’s an indoor cat, he’s very happy to stay inside the apartment. Maybe that will work for you. 

Second, Cleo dear, stop it. You don’t need to bring home dead birds, mice or other creatures. Your owner likes you just as you are. However, any mice you find inside the RV are fair game!

Dear Miss Terrier: 
I wrote to you before and I didn’t have a name yet. I’ve been adopted! A very nice lady picked me up and said, “What a cute puppy! What kind is she?” 

The man at the shelter said, “We’re not sure but they look like a mix of terrier and poodle.” 

The lady said, “They?”  

The man said, “There were five of them left in a box: three females and two males. We have two girls left.”  

Then the nice lady said something I will never forget. “Then I’ll take them both.”

My sister and I have a home now. We live in an RV. It’s a motorhome and our beds are under the dinette table (don’t tell anyone but we sleep in the same bed because we like to be together). Our owner takes us for walks at the same time and we each have leashes and toys and treats. We like rib bones to chew on. We’re very happy. 

Thank you for telling everyone about pound puppies and shelter animals. 

Your friends Topaz and Toffee (my sister is the sweet one) 

Dear Topaz and Toffee,
That’s wonderful news! I’m sure our readers are as happy as I am to know that you have a good home. It’s even better that you can share it with your sister. Congratulations!

Dear Miss Terrier: 
I wrote to you when my sister Kady arrived and now I have a problem. She’s nice and she follows me everywhere. That’s all right with me. But when we visit the dog walking area, she lifts her leg like I do. She’s a girl! Will the other dogs make fun of her? Your buddy, Rocky

Dear Rocky, 
That must have been a surprise for you. I would have laughed at her. 

See if you can get your owners to walk you when there are other female dogs around. That way, Kady will see how they take care of business and do the same.

Read more of Miss Terrier's advice here