Rufus | June 2011. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels

This is a public service announcement. Many folks may associate tetanus with rusty nails, but the tetanus bacteria can also be carried in a dog’s saliva. I know many of us don’t like to think about it, but trafficking in the dog community – visiting dog parks, hiking canyon trails or walking in the neighborhood, we’re all at some risk for a possible dog bite.

Yesterday was my annual physical, and my doctor’s office reminded me it was probably time to get a tetanus shot. In the event that you are bitten, it’s critical that you receive a tetanus shot within 72 hours. I’m not an expert on the matter so if you want to learn more about the topic please talk to your doctor, but I figured it was good information to pass along. Knowledge is power. I’m around dogs all the time – which includes photographing rescues with an unknown, checkered past sometimes – so for me it just made good sense.  Special thanks to our doxie models doing their best to appear ominous: Rufus & Cricket.

Cricket | May 2011. Photo by: Johnny Ortez-Tibbels