Pet of the week | Veterinarian Frederick MD

The pet of the week this week is Jefferson Veterinary Hospital veterinarian, Dr. Ahalt's dog, Chug!  Chug is a samoyed, which is a high energy breed, intelligent breed of dog and a member of the spitz family.   Samoyeds were bred to pull sleds, but had to have a good temperament and were often considered extended members of the family.  Samoyeds are famous not only for their beautiful full white coats of fur, but the sammy smile, a natural expression that looks like the dog is sat happily smiling.  

As this is a high energy breed, they require a lot of exercise, and their intelligence means that they also need to have things to stay occupied.   As with most breeds, a bored samoyed is a destructive samoyed, and they will entertain themselves by chewing up whatever might be nearby.   Negative aspects of the breed include a penchant for landscaping, which verges on borderline excavation.  Their coat requires constant maintenance and "blows" out twice yearly, leaving enough fur behind to easily make two more dogs.  This undercoat can be spun into yarn, but Mrs. Dr. A puts some of it outside and the birds find it and use it to line their nests.  They are good alert dogs and will bark when someone comes onto what they perceive to be their territory, which isn't so good if you live in a house with a sidewalk that is used in front. 

Overall, samoyeds are a loving breed, and Mrs. Dr. A is very taken by them.        

Caption This! | Frederick MD Veterinarians

The veterinary technicians and receptionists at Jefferson Veterinary Hospital have some great helpers.   We have been having fun with this image of Malinda and her dog over on the Veterinary Hospital's Facebook page.  

Here are a few of our favorite captions: 

Renee: I'll keep an eye out for the doc....you go ahead and change that word "neuter" to "cuddles & treats!"

Martha: No, no, not the kibble! Order the Beggin' Strips! I'd do it myself but I don't have thumbs!

Christa: If you could get those TPS reports to me that would be just great.

Donna: No no no, you add 6 and carry the 1.

Dana: "Your total today comes to six dog treats. No, don't give them to Malinda, I'll take them."

Robert: "What time is Susie's appointment? I don't want to miss her this time like I did the last!"

National Puppy Day! | Frederick County Maryland Veterinarian

It's National Puppy Day!!!!  We would love to see pictures of your dogs over on our Facebook page when they were puppies, when butter wouldn't melt in their mouths, before they chewed the leg on the dining room table chair or ate the couch, or, well ... did a whole number of destructive things that puppies can sometimes do!  Extra brownie points if you include details and/or a picture of the worst thing your dog did as a puppy!!! We will go first with Chug - he's been a wonderful puppy and avoided most of the typical things puppies do, but recently he's started stealing shoes (nothing like only being able to find one shoe) and decided that our garden needs a little work and has begun excavating. 

Part of national puppy day is encouraging pet adoption - if you are looking to add a new furry family member, consider checking out the local animal shelters and rescues!  You could save a life and find a wonderful companion!