Yearly Archives: 2008

Welcome

What Are Cats For?

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The most important things in my life, not necessarily in order, are my family, my health, my work, my dog, my friends and my yoga. Yes, yoga. It keeps me in touch with my body and mind, slows down the aging process, and is just plain good for you. I heartily recommend it to everyone.

You may have noticed that I didn’t include the cat in my list. I guess he’s OK, but I’m afraid I’m just not a cat person. Or maybe it’s this cat. I dunno, but we just don’t see eye to eye. Nevertheless, I feed him twice a day, let him in when he wants in, let him out when he wants out, make sure his water dish is full, worry about him when there are coyotes around, and enjoy the absence of mice in the basement. So it goes.

Behavior and Psychology, Dog News, Doggies Point Of View, Human or Doggy Nature

Dog Nurses Tiger Triplets in China!

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The Associated Press reports that newborn tiger triplets in eastern China are being nursed by a dog after their mother rejected them.

Officials at the Jinan Paomaling Wild Animal World in Shandong province are calling the cubs “One,” “Two” and “Three.”

They have been nursed by a dog since they were rejected by their mother shortly after birth 10 days ago, said Paomaling manager Chen Yucai.
Continue reading Dog Nurses Tiger Triplets in China! →

Behavior and Psychology, First Time Owners, Human or Doggy Nature, Training

Five Easy P’s of Puppy Potty Training

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Keep these 5 “P’s” in mind as you approach the job of housetraining your puppy… you’ll wonder why it used to be such a challenge.

  1. Prediction: Learn to look for the signs… walking around with nose to the floor, just finished eating, just woke up, just finished playing, any other pattern you might notice.
  2. Place: Pick a place where you want puppy to go and always take him/her there
  3. Persistence: Do it regularly, without fail. Yes, it might be too hot, too cold, too windy, too wet, too early, too late… these are all LAME EXCUSES!
  4. Patience: Wait until puppy has done her/his stuff… it may take a while. Relax, breathe some fresh air… it’ll do you some good.
  5. Praise: When puppy has done her/his stuff, let puppy know s/he is the best puppy that ever lived… go a little crazy! Puppy won’t laugh at you for acting foolish, and it’ll really help puppy understand what you want. And remember, puppy’s great goal in life is to make you happy!

That’s it! 5 easy P’s! Prediction, Place, Persistence, Patience and Praise. And you’ll have a happy dog and a clean floor!

Dog Fun, Grooming, Health

Going Green: Skin Care for Dogs

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Jana Ballinger over at care2.com lists recipes for a variety of healthy, holistic dog shampoos tacking a variety of skin conditions for your pup from dry skin to flea and tick repellents.  Here’s the concoction for itchy skin and dogs with allergies.  See the full cookbook here.

Skin Soothing Shampoo for Dogs with Itchy Skin and Allergies

  • 2 drops Geranium
  • 6 drops Rosewood
  • 6 drops Lavender
  • 1 drop Roman Chamomile
  • 2 drops Carrot Seed
  • 1 tablespoon of finely ground oatmeal can be blended in to provide further relief.

 

Dog News

8 Days Trapped in Rubble, Dog Survives

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A Springer Spaniel named Lucy was thought lost after an explosion at her owner’s snowboarding and dog sledding business left behind nothing but a pile of rubble.  

The AP reports her owner, left critically wounded in a Denver hospital was happy when friends brought Lulu for a visit.  She was found laying in a crawl space beneath 15 feet of the demolished building.  Veterinarian Christine Murphy suspects the pup survived by drinking melting snow.  Full story here.

Health, Welcome

Xylitol Warning

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My local news last night reported on a pet ferret that got into a pack of sugar-free gum and died from eating the Xylitol it contained.  This seemed kind of far-fetched to me, so I checked it out.  Turns out this very common sugar-substitute is indeed fatal to animals.  I know my dogs have gotten into my purse to pull out gum before, but they are so big, I guess it wasn’t enough to hurt them. 

The Knowles Animal Clinic in Miami has this to say on the subject:

“Xylitol is a sugar alcohol that is used in sugar-free products such as gum and candy, as well as for baking and is used in the production of certain low-carbohydrate products now on the market.

As early as the 1960’s, experiments indicated a link between the ingestion of xylitol
and hypoglycemia in dogs. However, it has only been recently that the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center has begun to receive reports of xylitol toxicosis in dogs. It is believed that this recent rise is likely due to the increased use of products containing xylitol in the United States.”

 

When a dog eats Xylitol, it causes a huge insulin rush, throwing the dog into a coma similar to how a diabetic ends up when his blood sugar gets too low.  In as little as 30 minutes, your dog may begin to show the symptoms such as : 

  •  

    • Weakness

    • Vomiting

    • Ataxia (uncoordinated movements)

    • Depression

    • Hypokalemia (decreased potassium)

    • Seizures

    • Coma

    • Liver dysfunction and/or failure

                              Pretty scary stuff!

  

So, until next time, keep that sugar-free candy and gum away from all of your pets.

 

Good day, and good dog!

Dog Accessories

The World of Dog Fashion

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This is Baron, all dressed and ready for his close-up, but he’s not exactly what I had in mind when I thought I’d write about dog fashion.

I remember when it used to be considered humiliating to dress your dog up, but now dog fashion is big business.  No more homemade knit sweaters from Grandma!  You can buy everything from jewel-encrusted collars to hoodies to holiday gear to hats for your favorite four-legged friend.  And really, who doesn’t look good in a hat?

Below are just a few of the over 1 million pages dedicated to the dog who has the right outfit for every occasion (and the owner who has way too much disposable income!)

http://www.kooldawgtees.com/

http://www.doggiedesigner.com/

http://www.downtowndoggy.com/

http://www.platinumpuppycouture.com/

Most of these sites have figured out that no wedding is complete without dogs (perish the thought!).  With June fast approaching, they are featuring tuxedoes, veils, and even gowns for Your Big Fat Greek Wedding.  No word yet on matching shoes.

If you aren’t planning a walk down the aisle anytime soon, maybe you’d prefer some “everyday” clothes.  My favorite pick?  The rose and lace biker dress that all the girls will be wearing in Sturgis, featured here:  http://www.kooldawgtees.com/images/BlkLeatherDress_1_.jpg

 

Now, I love shopping as well as the next girl, but I really never knew I could spend this much money dressing my dogs!  Live and learn.

Until next time,

Good day, and good dog!

Doggies Point Of View

The Ups and Downs of Being a Dog

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Can you imagine the roller coaster of emotions a dog goes through on a daily basis?

Oh, boy! Oh, boy! Bacon! It smells so good! I just know that plate’s for me!

Wait! What’s she doing giving it to him? And he put it on the table where I can’t reach it. That is absolutely not fair!

There goes the squeak of the back door! Must be time to go outside! Smell those good smells! I smell a bunny! Where is he? Where is he? There he goes across the neighbor’s yard! I know I can catch him this time!

What is this metal thing blocking my way? Here, bunny, bunny, bunny. Damn! He’s going the other direction.

I’ll just lay here in the sunshine and wait for him to come back. Loving the hot sunshine!

Where’d it go? The sun was just here a minute ago. What’s that fluffy white thing in the sky?

Where is she? I’ve been scratching on this door forever! Or at least for 3 whole seconds. Why can’t she let me in? I know she loves me! She must be making a big surprise breakfast for me!

Dry kibble again. Thanks for nuttin’.

Nap time! I’ll just lay here in my cozy bed and wait for the kid to come home from school. Such a nice dream. I know I’m going to catch up with that squirrel this time!

What is that awful noise? Can’t a dog get a little shut-eye around here? I hate that thing. Every week it’s the same – she tries to suck up my tail in it, and I have to hide under the bed until she puts it away. Even if I just back up, she keeps chasing me across the carpet with it.

What’s that I hear? Is it my leash coming off the hook? Oh, boy! A walk! I can smell the whole neighborhood! I love walks! There goes the squirrel! I’m getting up to a good run!

YANK!

What is this thing squeezing my neck? Why can’t I go see the squirrel? He went up that darn tree again!

Oooohhhh! What’s this building? Boy does it smell good. Let’s see, Rex has been here, and Spot, and maybe even LuLu, that silly-looking poodle from down the block. Oh, boy! She’s opening the door! We’re going in.

SCREECH!

No way! This is that guy who stole my manhood! What is it this time? Does he want a leg? And what is that long skinny silver… OUCH! What was that for? I didn’t tell him he could have some of my blood!

Glad to be out of there! Just get me home. Can’t even enjoy my walk, I’m so upset.

Good! Here comes the kid! He always spills some of his snack! I’ll have me some good eats today!

What? Yogurt! What kind of a snack is that? It’s just not my day.

Finally, supper time! Smell that canned food! I love canned food! Can’t wait! Here it comes! Lower, lower, there! Finally on the floor. GULP!

Where’d it go? I know she gave me some food, but I sure didn’t taste anything.

And so it goes in a dog’s life.

Good day, and good dog!

Dog News

A sad tail…er…tale

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Have you been following the news of pets that are being abandoned at record rates due to the economy?   Seems that those who have lost their jobs can’t afford to keep their pets, which makes sense, but boy what a hard choice to make.  I know, you have to feed your kids and pay your electric bill, but it sure would be hard to have to give up Fido just to make it through.  Continue reading A sad tail…er…tale →