Famous Military Animals

Happy Memorial Day! Each year, we take today to remember all those who gave their lives in defense of our country. As brave as all of those men and women were, there were also some Furry Friends alongside them. We're here to give recognition to some of the most famous military animals in history.

Sefton, the Horse

Sefton the horse served 17 years of active military duty as a show horse and as one of the members of Buckingham Palace's Changing of the Guard. He was the first-ever British Horse of the Year, won numerous medals, and has a wing named after him in the Royal Veterinary College. He even survived a severed jugular along with 34 other wounds after his formation was hit by an IRA bomb during a trip to the Palace. It's safe to say, that's one tough horse.

Nemo A534, the German Shepherd

Nemo was a sentry dog during the Vietnam War, who was used to sniff out the enemy from a distance. On December 4, 1966, Nemo and his handler spotted hidden Viet Cong fighters, and after a fight, caused two enemy casualties. However, Nemo's handler was wounded, as was Nemo -- he lost an eye and was shot in the nose. With his Handler unable to move and backup not yet there, Nemo laid on top of his handler’s body and fought off anyone who approached them. By the time his own company arrived, Nemo was in such a defensive mindset, that he had to be sedated before he could be treated by a vet.  After that act of heroism, Nemo was given a permanent retirement kennel and worked as a recruiting dog for the rest of his days.

Wojtek, the Bear

Wojtek was adopted by a Polish Artillery Supply Company who was fighting in the Middle East in 1943. Since pets weren't allowed on transport ships, the Polish Force enlisted Wojtek as a private so he could travel with the company. Wojtek could perform a military salute and even carried munition during the Battle of Monte Cassino, never dropping a single crate.  After the war, Wojtek moved to the Edinburg Zoo, and his legacy lives on in the emblem of the Polish 22nd Transport Company —  a picture of a bear carrying and artillery shell.

At Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital, we strive to keep your pets in perfect health so they can be the heroes of your own home. We offer free vaccines or a free exam for new clients, as well as affordable veterinary care for all patients. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 908-464-0023.

Keeping Your Pet Safe During Memorial Day Weekend

It’s almost Memorial Day weekend, and you know what that means — BBQ's, fireworks, and plenty of outdoor fun. Since your pet is part of the family, you should want her to have just as much fun this weekend as you do. Part of keeping having fun is keeping her out of harm’s way, so follow these tips to making sure your pet stays safe this Memorial Day Weekend.

Keep Your Pet Out of the Picnic Basket

We know it’s tempting to share a snack with your pet, but a lot of the food you’re eating could be poisonous to her. Instead of feeding her human food, bring along some treats for her to munch on. Also, make sure to keep food scraps, like corn cobs and fruit pits, away from your pets, since they pose a choking hazard.

Protect Your Pet  from the Sun

If you’re outside in the heat, make sure you give your pet plenty of water. She could easily get dehydrated, resulting in a bunch of health problems. You should also talk to your vet about sunscreen from your pet, especially if she has a light-colored or short coat, because, yes, pets can get sunburned too. In general, it’s best to keep her in the shade as much as you can.

Leave the Leash On

Memorial Day is fun for everyone, but for your pet, it’s a day of unknown smells, sounds, and sights. She’ll probably be tempted to go adventuring, which could leave you with a missing pet. Always keep your pet on a leash and have her up-to-date ID tags on her collar.

Be Ready for Fireworks

To you, fireworks may be the best part of this weekend, but they could be terrifying to your pet. If you know she’s scared of fireworks, make plans to have to have your pet inside safely inside with someone to comfort her while they’re going off.

Important: If your pet really freaks out from fireworks, do not give her Benadryl or any human medications to relax her. Human medications can be lethal to pets. If you think your pet needs them, ask your vet about low-dose tranquilizers to calm her down.

Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital is committed to helping you keep your pet safe this Memorial Day weekend. We offer emergency veterinary care 24/7 by partnering with Newton Veterinary Hospital. If your pet needs emergency care, contact us right away for help at  908-464-0023.

How to Introduce Your Kids to a New Dog

How many of you remember the joy of growing up with a dog in your home? He was your best friend, so it’s no surprise that you’d want to give your child the same great experience. If you’re planning on bringing a new dog into your home, make sure you know the proper steps to take when introducing your kids to him.

Basics

• Make your kids understand that a dog is a living creature with feelings, not a toy. This means teaching them how to gently handle and interact with your dog and that things like tail-pulling aren’t allowed.
• Brief your kids on the signs to watch for in case your new dog becomes uncomfortable. Ensure they know that a lowered tail or growl is a sign to back away from the dog.

Introducing the Dog

• Let the dog come to your kids, not the other way around. This may be hard with younger children who will be excited to play with their new pooch, but it gives your dog enough time to get comfortable and approach his new family when he’s ready.
• Try the “time out” technique. If your new dog misbehaves, isolate him from your kids for 30 seconds, and then bring him back. Use repetition to teach your dog the right and wrong way to behave around your kids.

Moving Forward

• Involve your kids in your new dog’s training. Bring them on walks, and let them help take care of the dog. This teaches your children responsibility and teaches your dog that your child is someone to obey, too.
• Be patient. This is a learning experience for both your dog and your kid. Both of them are adjusting to having a new buddy, so let them become best friends at their own pace.

If you’re getting a new dog, you’ll need a trustworthy vet like the ones at Berkeley Heights Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital. We care for your pets as if they were our own, and even offer free vaccines or a free exam for new patients! Keep your pet healthy from day one, and call us at 908-464-0023 for more information or to schedule an appointment.

Star Wars Creatures We Wish We Could Have in Real Life

May the fourth be with you! Today we celebrate the fact that we can create a Star Wars pun out of a date on the calendar. Speaking of Star Wars, there are definitely creatures in those movies we bet you would have loved to have as pets. From animals that are cute and docile, to ones that we probably wouldn't go near in a thousand years,  there's no denying that George Lucas definitely had a creative imagination. For all of the Star Wars buffs out there, these are a few creatures we think it would be awesome to have in real life.

Banthas

These giant, furry creatures made plenty of appearances in the first trilogy and definitely seem like they would be fun ride. If they did exist, you would need a lot of land for them to wander,  but it might take you a while to get anywhere aboard one.  You also would probably have to consider getting more than one since they seeme to be pack animals.

Varactyls

Try telling us that you weren’t jealous of Obi-Wan Kenobi's ride in Utapau in Episode Two. The varactyl looks like a an iguana  with a bird's head and is able to scale walls and run at very fast speeds.  They’re also super obedient, so you'll never have to worry about it running off and leaving you.

Tauntauns

Hate having to drive your car during the snowy months? Adopt a Tauntaun! These adorable creatures from Episode Five are gentle and docile, so we're assuming they would be great with kids. The only downside is their smell, but we'd hope that regular baths would remedy that — we hope.

Reeks

Moving toward the more aggressive side of the scale, Reeks basically look like giant, muscular rhinos that also have two horns sticking out of either side of their faces. They were bred and fed  to be more aggressive, but with a little training, we're sure they could be tamed. Imagine taking one of those for a walk down your street!

Nexus

A nexu is not the kind of creature would want around your kids — or anyone for that matter. Wildly aggressive with razor-sharp claws and teeth and pointy quills along its back, a Nexu seems like the ultimate guard animal. But on second thought, since it could eat you in one swift motion, maybe you wouldn't want this one as a pet.

While we'll never see the day Star Wars animals exist and be pets in common households, let's be thankful for the pets that we do have. At Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital we care for your pets as if they were our own, and even offer free vaccines or a free exam for new patients! Call us at 908-464-0023 for more information or to schedule an appointment.