Sometimes we might think feeding our pets a little bit of what we are eating couldn't possibly harm them, but our meals may contain some ingredients that could have adverse effects if consumed by pets (like garlic or onion).  

Stick to food specifically designed for your pet to ensure their safety! Refrain from feeding your pet human food. It might be boring and your pet might not be as excited about it, but it is always better to err on the side of caution. 

If your pet accidentally ingests toxic food, please consult with your veterinarian as soon as possible. Your pet may or may not show any symptoms or signs of distress immediately but may be in danger nonetheless   -- like vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, blood in stool. 

If in doubt, give your vet a shout! 
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​We all respond favorably to the ability to communicate. As pet owners, we can benefit from teaching our dogs to understand what we ask of them. 

If commands like “sit, stay, heel and come” make an evening walk in the neighborhood more pleasant for dog owners, it probably makes it more enjoyable for your dog, too. Plus, many unwanted behaviors like jumping on guests and separation anxiety may be improved with proper training techniques.

​Additionally, spending one-on-one time with your dog is a fun way to bond with your pet, socialize your new pup, get some exercise for the both of you and make new friends with people you already have something in common with—the love of an animal.

Unfortunately, according to the American Kennel Club, dog training is an unregulated industry. Anybody can print business cards and charge for his or her services, regardless of background, education, or experience. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate potential trainers before trusting them with your hard-earned money and your precious pet.

Don’t simply pick the closest training school. Do your research to determine if a potential trainer is the right fit for you and your dog.

Here are some tips on what to look for when choosing a class or trainer:

• Speak with the trainer to get a feel for personality and people skills. It’s not enough to read the brochure or website. In truth, dog trainers teach people, and the dog’s owner trains the pet, so you need to feel comfortable being his or her student.
• Just like you were selecting a school or day care for your child, get references from other dog owners and visit the class to see first-hand if the participants (human and canine) seen to be enjoying the experience. Like a school field trip, everyone should look forward to attending and to having a good time.
• Certification with an organization like the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers is not mandatory for trainers, but it shows dedication to the profession and an interest in continuing education. 
• If you have a special problem with your dog that needs attention, ask if the trainer offers private lessons to help you address that behavior. 

Once you have found the best school for your pet, be sure to maximize the experience by practicing all the methods you've learned. 

Do your homework to get off to a good start. Learn the trainer’s philosophy and methods. Dogs, like people, respond to praise and positive reinforcement. Those training techniques are based on the science of animal learning and have the bonus of strengthening the dog-owner bond and fostering a love of learning in dogs.

Looking to be “teacher’s pet?” Set a few minutes aside each day for you and your dog to practice what you learned in class. Repetition and practice are key to success.

Now, off to school and have fun!
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We quickly took Churro in and are still trying to find his owners. If owners do not show up, we will vet him and he will be available for adoption at a later date. 

​​We have learned Churro is deaf. Despite this, he is an adorable and gentle dog who loves being around people, playing and having a good time.

We are hoping for the best outcome for Churro -- whether he ends up back with owners or in a new home who will provide him with the care he needs. 

Stay tuned for updates! 

Vanessa Medina, MHC Executive Director 

 Coco was a dog adopted from MHC 9 years ago as a young puppy.

In September 2020, Coco found herself back at MHC as a 10.5 year old dog  surrendered by her owners. 
 
We took her in without hesitation, thinking we'd find her a new forever home very quickly.  

While she was at the Adoption Center, staff noticed a growth on Coco’s stomach. We took her to the vet to get it checked and found out that it was an aggressive growth that needed to be removed. 

During this check up, the vet also found that Coco has a cancerous tumor on her spleen. She had no symptoms. Unfortunately, this couldn't be removed surgically.

Despite this, our plans for Coco did not change. We wanted her to find a home where she can spend her last days with people who care about her -- not cooped up in a kennel. 

The stars aligned and a wonderful foster stepped up to make Coco's last wish come true -- have a home & a family to love. 

Knowing everything about Coco's background and condition, the foster wholeheartedly (and courageously) opened up their hearts and home to this sweet dog to willingly provide the necessary hospice care. They would make Coco comfortable and happy for as long as she needs. 

Coco stayed happily in foster care for half a year. We kept in touch to check in on her status throughout, making sure Coco had everything she needed and the foster had no issues.