My Friendly Pets

In an entry a couple of days back, I spoke about an “Amber alert” system for dogs. Check it out here. This may become an necessity for many dog owners as it appears that dog snatching is on the rise. The number of dogs that are now stolen has increased dramatically and there are several reasons for this fact. The value of pets in the lives of their owners is extremely high. In fact, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC), 88% of American families consider their pets as family members. Pets can now be taken and held for ransom, and many people are willing to pay what is asked, just to get their beloved pooch back.

Also, similar to car thiefs, these dognappers know what breeds are worth and will focus on stealing those that will provide them with the highest rate of return. Dogs with a high value that are also more easily stolen are usually the small (toy) dogs that are now so popular with celebreties. Dogs like Chihuahuas, Yorkshire terriers and Maltese are especially vulnerable to the actions of dog thieves. Some of these dogs are in such high demand that a stolen dog could be worth $2500 or more to the dognappers. Most will not steal to breed the dogs because the dollar value of the dog is greatly reduced with out all of the necessary
AKC paperwork which legitmizes the dog and its bloodline.

One of the increasingly popular tactics that is being used to steal these poor pups is that dognappers respond to advertisements about puppies for sale and make their move then. Breeders should take notice of whom they are allowing into their homes to view and/or purchase their puppies. No one should be allowed in without detailed information and identification and never meet with a potential buyer alone. Make sure that there is at least one other person in the home at the time of the visit.

Some additional tips that can help your dog remain safe and at home include:
Never leave your dog unattended outside
Never ever leave your dog unattended in the car even if it is locked
Make sure your dog has proper identification, preferably a tatoo or microchip that can be read with a scanner
When walking, keep your dog on a leash
And if buying a dog, make sure you are not buying someone else’s pup…in other words make sure the dog isn’t stolen goods. ASK FOR PROOF OF OWNERSHIP!!!!

For those looking for some wholesome nutrition without the meat, check out the great vegan pizza pie by Shelly Andersen.

I have some interesting products that you dog lovers might love. You’ll have to try them out and comment to me to let me know.
First off, there are few people who dislike the Febreze products that are out there. Now, I don’t think I’d be on the floor smelling the carpets, as some of the advertisements suggest, but I do think that Febreze has a nice light scent that helps defray certain smells in the home. The new product introduced by the people at Febreze is called the Febreze Air Effects Pet Odor Eliminator. This product comes in a kit with a spray pet odor eliminator as well as a Pet Odor Fabric Refresher. From some of the forums I have read, the comments are very positive about this product.

An additional product that might help with those dog grooming chores is the Fur-Buster De-Shedding Tool and Blade. This new grooming tool is said to do a great job at a low cost. There are three various sizes, small, medium and large. The FurBuster has a stainless steel blade that removes excess hair and undercoat without a great deal of work, harm to the dog or a trip to the groomer. The blades are replaceable and interchangeable, so its not a tool you have to discard after several uses.

And now for the pet lover who has everything. Check out the picture below:

That is some cool stuff up there. There’s the hound lounge, which is said to be used best as an indoor doghouse. Let’s not forget the braided fisherman’s collar and matching leash. They make a great set and of course the chocolate bone is a necessity. Also important is the messenger pouch. All of these little treats for you and your pet don’t come cheap. For the entire group of items as seen, it would set you back $368.00, but you can get it all on sale now for a mere $157.00. Check out the website by clicking here.

How many of you love to read? How would you feel about reviewing books or interviewing authors? Check out more by clicking here.

Some dogs are just too cute for words!!! I think the West Highland White Terriers, also known as Westies are really one of the most adorable dogs around. But there is a lot more to this dog than just their visual persona. This dog was officially listed in 1907. It is said that Colonel Edward Donald Malcolm of Scotland started the breeding of these white balls of fire. He did so, because on a particular hunting outing, one of his red terriers was killed because the dog was mistaken for a fox. At that point, Malcolm wanted to create a breed that would stand out and be easily identified. These dogs are a tough little breed and have a lifespan of between 12 - 16 years, so keep in mind when you bring your Westie home, he/she will most likely be with you for a good long while.

Now is this the dog for everyone. Those who know Westies well, say this might not necessarily be the breed for homes with small children. As cute as the Westie is, remember that it is a terrier and originally was used as a hunting dog. Westies have what is known as high “prey drive”, meaning that the original hunting instinct of the dog was to hunt down small prey and confine that prey to small dens until they had the prey caught in their jaws. The squeal of childrens’ voices resemble the sounds of prey trying to escape and heighten the “prey drive” Westie. Also, children running look like prey escaping and it is natural for the Westie to nip and chase the running child. This is not saying that you can’t have a Westie in your home with small children. It just means you have to understand the breed and train both the child and the dog to respect each other.

Again, as a terrier, they are known for their obstinate personality. But they are dogs that are easy to care for and are very protective and what they lack in size, they make up for in determination to keep their “pack” safe.

From much of the literature I have read, deciding on a Westie as a pet should be a careful choice and significant time should be spent finding just the right one. However, that being said, once the “right one” is found, this sweet looking, determined ball of white fur will bring you joy, love, entertainment and long lasting companionship.

O.K., I’m not a country music fan, but if anyone has been watching Celebrity Apprentice, Trace Adkins losing to Piers Morgan was a bitter pill to swallow. Read more about it here in an entry by Heather Scoville.

Through my readings and research, I always try to find interesting pieces of dog information to share. I want to pass on information that can be used to improve the quality of life for the dog and dog owner alike.

One of the most recent things that I have found is the website of a woman who has recorded CD’s for dogs to keep them calm, cool and collected, especially those dogs who suffer from separation anxiety.

Debi Weldon is a dog lover and becasue of her love for dogs, she sought to create something that would make their lives better. When she was at home one day listening to classical music, she noticed how her dog seemed to truly enjoy the music, watching the CD player to insure that the pleasure wouldn’t end. Ms. Weldon began to leave music on for her dog when she wasn’t home and noticed her dog was relaxed and happy when she returned. Debi also talked to her dogs as many of us do, but in addition to conversation, Debi would engage in storytelling to her dogs. She decided to combine her storytelling with classical music to create the company your dog needs when you are not there.

Titles of some of the “song stories” include “My Favorite Foods”, “Tails at the Fire Hydrant”, “My Favorite Foods”, “I Love My House” and several others. Ms. Weldon’s CD, “Soothing Stories and Music for the Solo Dog” has received some wonderful reviews coming from noted publications such as, Vanity Fair, Modern Dog, and the website, Bowzer.biz. The reviewer from bowzer.biz said he tried it on his own dog and was thrilled with the results. The dog, Bowzer was entranced with “My Favorite Foods” set to Mozart and the author feels your dog will be too.

To learn more about Debi Weldon, her life with her dogs and her very popular CD, check out her website at www.dogstoriesandmusic.com

To learn a bit more on separation anxiety in dogs, refer to one of my prior entries by clicking here.

Do you know what that picture is? Well, its the newest of dog gadgets available to meet the exercise needs for your dog. the picture above is a doggie treadmill. That’s right!!! For $599.00, your pooch can get some extra exercise. According to Geoff Mott, president of PetGadgets.com, www.petgadgets.com, people have very busy lifestyles and cannot always accomodate the exercise needs of their dog. There are also pet owners who may not live in areas that are condusive to walking their dogs or they might own a high energy dog that needs a bit more exercise that what a standard “walk” delivers. Mott feels that the doggie treadmill should not be a replacement for the walk you take with your dog, but rather should supplement your regular exercise regime.

In addition to the doggie treadmill, there are other practical gadgets that help the dog owner and the dog. Again, consider your busy lifestyle. Wouldn’t it be great to know that if you were running late, or wanted to stop off for a drink with friends after work, your dog wouldn’t go hungry? Well how about the Le Bistro Electronic portion control feeder that can be programmed to release a certain amount of food at a certain time, so your pooch doesn’t miss feeding time? This convenient gadget goes for $50.00. If you have ever wondered what your dog is doing while you are away, get your own electronic eye by purchasing Panasonic’s Network Camera for $85.00. It is the pet version of the “Nanny cam”.

Well, if all of these gadgets are a bit too practical, don’t hesitate to shop for something fun….say a talking canvas bone for $21.00. The cool thing about this toy is that the owners record their own voices into the device…imagine what you would say to your dog???!!!! There are also retractable ball throwers and frisbees that light up. We had a glow-in-the-dark frisbee that was very cool and my dog loved chasing it at night. It seems that at www.petgadgets.com, there is something for everyone, dog and dog owner alike!!

For those of you who are recycle addicts, check out fellow blogger, Shelly’s entry about reusable shoes by Nike.

There is little more distressing to a dog owner than your dog going missing and few ways to get information out about the missing pooch make it even more frustrating. However thanks to Stryker Lampe, the website creator of Dognamic.com, online dog Amber Alerts are now available. Lampe has great sympathy for those who have lost a dog and feels this way,”I wanted to come up with a system that was able, simple and completely free that allowed people that if their dog became missing, they would be able to help each other maybe in the search and try to find the lost animal,” Lampe said.

However, Dognamic.com is not just a site to help locate a lost dog..it is much much more. First of all, it is free and its line on the webpage states that Dognamic is the most advanced FREE social network for dogs and their owners. So what can you do on a social network for dogs? It is a place where dog owner and dog care takers from all over the world can communicate about anything dog related. They can share training ideas, dog food recipes, discuss dog behavioral issues, share pictures and anything else that they might want to talk about.

Now how does that Amber Alert work? Very simply, according to Lampe. As a member of the site you can create a profile for one or more of your dogs. You can create a Vflyer (Virtual Flyer) that will members can view and print out in an attempt to help locate the dog. The profile of the dog can go into the “Missing Mode” and for a specific mileage radius, people within that mode will be notified via a ticker tape device on the site that a dog in their area has gone missing.

In addition to this great new site that helps locate missing dogs, refer to a prior entry, where I discussed gadgets to help you speak and keep track of your dog.

Whether you are a news geek like I am or just a casual observer and listener, no one can ignore the news of last week reminding the country that we have been at war in Iraq for 5 years. The stories of loved ones lost or injured are heartbreaking. However, there are a few good stories that come out of war and I will share one with you today.

In several entries, I have written about military dogs and the great job they do assisting our service personnel and the critical roles they serve. Check here to see a prior entry. However, not all of the dogs over in Iraq are military dogs. Chaos breeds chaos and for the many dogs that wander in Iraq, they often assume their own societal role out of the chaotic environment in which they live.

In the picture above is Marine Major Brian Dennis and a dog named Nubs. Major Dennis is a fighter pilot, but when given the opportunity to work on a ground operation trying to build up the infrastructure along the Syria-Iraq border, he quickly volunteered for the assignment. Dennis would write home and tell his family and friends about the desert dogs - strays that wander the desert getting scraps of food from the Iraqis and also guarding the borders by barking like crazy when danger was approaching. They could hear for miles and would warn the people through their barks if sounds were heard.

One dog in particular became attached to Major Dennis and his unit. They called the dog Nubs, because someone had cut off the top of the dog’s ears to probably try and make it more aggressive. Nubs would greet Dennis during patrols and it was hard for Dennis to watch the way this difficult life was wearing on the dog. One day Dennis found Nubs near death with a stab wound from a screwdriver in his side. It was near freezing and Major Dennis didn’t believe the dog would survive the night. He applied medication to the wound and slept next to the dog to keep him warm. The dog did survive, but Major Dennis had to leave and he was forced to leave Nubs behind. Two days and 65 miles later, Major Dennis was working on a humvee and looked up and there was Nubs …he had tracked down the man who had saved his life. Non military dogs are not allowed with a unit, but Major Dennis was determined to save this dog.

With the help of friends and family raising $3500 in the U.S. and much transportation wrangling in the middle east, Nubs was delivered to a friend of Dennis’ in San Diego. The dog will be trained just to be a dog and is anxiously awaiting the arrival of the man who saved his life. Major Dennis is due home sometime this month.

I believe Marsha Cargo, Major Dennis’ mother said it best, “I just can’t believe it. Out there in the middle of nowhere these two find each otherâ€?

As promised, I told you I would be back with more information about the Kimpton Hotel’s pet friendly services. I hope you have had a chance to check out the hotels via their website. Click here to see.

One of the unique attributes about this website and the services offered are the clever podcasts available which discuss the hotels and Kimpton’s broad varieties of amenities and services available. I listened to the podcast on the pet friendly services which you can listen to by clicking here. The podcast is extremely entertaining as it is presented from the perspective of one of the Kimpton dogs. The dog discusses the hotels and then goes on to express the beliefs and attitudes of the Kimpton Hotel organization and how they feel about the animals who are part of the lives of their guests and their employees. In fact, employees of the Kimpton Hotels are provided with pet insurance coverage for their own pets. What a wonderful benefit!!! Anyone who has had an emergency visit to the vet or even some routine pet checkups knows how costly that can be. The Kimpton Hotels located in particular areas usually adopt or sponsor local animal shelters in those areas to aid with funding or assist with other needs of the shelter.

Both of the Kimpton Hotels that are located in my area are found in New York City. I’m a mere 90 miles from the Big Apple and can be there in a hop, skip and jump by train. One of the Kimpton Hotels is located at 70 Park Avenue and the other, the Muse Hotel is located near Times Square in the heart of the theatre district. Both of course are pet friendly and welcome dogs, cats, and other pets regardless of size (oh my!)! The pampered pooch package offered at the Muse Hotel presents its guests with a beautiful room and a basket full of pet treats including delicious snacks for the pup as well as their own special food and water bowls. Don’t forget about the luxury bed you heard about in the podcast.

While the Kimpton Hotels are warm and welcoming to any type of dog, please keep in mind that there are certain guidelines for all guests and some specific to the canines. Up to date veterinary records are a requirement. Dogs must be on a leash in common areas. You cannot leave your dog unattended in the room, and why would you? The reason you brought your dog was to spend quality time together!!! There are some other contingencies that guests with pups must agree to when checking in. They are common sense and common courtesy stipulations and you wouldn’t expect anything less of an upscale establishment such as the Muse!!!

In the near future, I hope to provide you with an on-site review of one of the Kimpton Hotels in New York City, as the managment has been gracious enough to offer me a tour of their facility and a dog’s eye view of all that they have to offer to both their two-legged and four-legged guests!!! So stay tuned!!!

There is a beautiful Kimpton Hotel in Seattle, WA. Check out more info on Seattle, WA, by fellow blogger, Kyla Myers.

As we get closer to the vacation season, gas prices or not, people are going to want to get away. There is nothing like a trip where you stay at a luxury hotel with your family and I mean your whole family….Fido included. We all need to relax and to feel pampered. Kimpton Hotels seek to do just that. But in addition to taking care of our every need, they welcome the dogs in our lives with open paws(oh I mean open arms)!!!

Kimpton Hotels was founded in 1981 and it currently operates 38 hotels worldwide that are “known for its collection of stylish independent lifestyle hotels that are coupled with fine chef-driven restaurants”. Kimpton prides itself on what they call their “signature elements” which include, care, comfort, style, flavor and fun!! Kimpton Hotels embrace the concept of “pet friendly”. As with the other first class amenities offered at Kimpton Hotels, their pet friendly accomodations are more than pet friendly, they are pet adoring.

Years ago when hotels or motels said that they were “pet friendly”, it usually meant that the hotel was low quality and really didn’t care about the guests at their establishment. The people at the Kimpton Hotels understand the family concept of the “family pet” and work hard to insure that dogs that are guests in their hotel are treated just as well as the family members of those dogs.

The concept of being “pet friendly” was so important to the management of Kimpton Hotels that in their hotels, they utilize the services of canine helpers as ambassadors to the many guests that come to visit. These pet ambassadors welcome new guests, greet returning guests and boost the morale of employees and management alike. These “Directors of Pet Relations” set the tone for pet acceptance in luxury hotels. Guest dogs can have their pictures taken with the ambassador dogs. The ambassador dogs also participate in many of the hotel activities, adding the fun and spontaneity to things that only a loveable pooch can do.

In an additional weekend entry, I will be detailing some of the pet special things that occur at the Kimpton Hotels. Please come back and check it out and in the mean time check out the website at www.kimptonhotels.com

If you plan on doing some baking for Easter, check out these Ricotta cookies by Jackie!!

You can tell from the picture above, that this is a terrible scene. In 2006, over 50,000 dogs were slaughtered in the hopes of preventing the spread of rabies in China. China is a country that is quickly developing western ways and growing economically because of western products and money from the western countries. However, due to a lack of support in the health care infrastructure in China, the spread of rabies has been touted as one of the top health problems facing this country. In China, only about 3% of the dogs are vaccinated against rabies and in 2005 there were over 2000 deaths from this disease.

As a result of the growing concern of this disease, Chinese authorities have allowed the brutal and cruel slayings of these dogs to take place. These dogs were not euthanized, so that they would go into a peaceful slumber resulting in their death. No, they were taken and beaten with clubs until they not longer moved. Some dogs were taken directly from their owners while on a leash and beat until they dropped and died. Most commoners in China condemned this practice for its brutality. They felt that it was the government’s fault for not taking more preventative measures against the outbreak of this disease.

While dogs are revered and respected in countries in the West, dogs have struggled and had a difficult time surviving in China. Dogs have long been eaten in China; hence chinese food jokes. In 1949, when the communists siezed power in China, dogs were seen as symbols of the buorgeois and became objects of disdain. In fact, they were treated as pests to be hunted and killed. Although these attitudes have softened a bit, dogs are still not held in the same regard that they are here in the states. People who own dogs in Chinese cities are held to very strict rules and regulations about the size and number of dogs allowed. They are also subject to large registration fees as a means of limiting dog ownership. Dogs in rural Chinese households now top 70%, but this fact is linked directly to the increase in rabies found in this country. Human health and especially animal health have not been priorities held by the Chinese government. Only when they recognize that the quality of life for all, man and beast alike is of utmost importance will the barbaric practices of the Chinese government against dogs come to a halt.

Check out a previous entry where I wrote about World Rabies Day and its impact on the world.

I feel it is my role as your blogger to provide you, my readers, with as much great information as possible regarding dogs and any thing related to dogs, directly or indirectly. I am always looking for quality, legitimate material to pass on to you, so that you may learn more about the dogs you love.

There is a certain irony in the information I am going to provide to you in this entry. As I mentioned a couple of entries back, I had to travel recently to a funeral which was held in Florida, south Florida to be specific. The family who lost their loved one resides in Boca Raton, Florida. Upon my arrival home, I began to ponder about material for entries that I would share with you. As I did, I came across a website that I have mentioned in previous entries called www.petplace.com

The irony of this story relates to the fact that Dr. Jon Rappaport is the founder and CEO of PetPlace.com. He is a veterinarian and owns several animal hospitals in South Florida. In fact, when I subscribed to the “Crazy Dog Newsletter”, I received an e-mail about it and noticed that the address from which the website originates is very close to where I was in Boca Raton, just last week. I found this coincidence very interesting.

Dr. Rappaport as described here is extremely qualified to provide us with the information he does. Please read below:
“Dr. Jon Rappaport, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, and Founder – Dr. Jon Rappaport, is the founder, CEO, and Chairman of the Board of Intelligent Content Corp. He received his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine in 1982. In 1983, he completed an internship at Angell Memorial Animal Hospital focusing on small animal medicine and surgery and in 1985 he completed a residency at Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine in small animal internal medicine specializing in fiber optic scoping and ultra-sound. Since 1985, Dr. Rappaport has developed a number of state-of-the-art animal hospitals in the South Florida area. His clinics are among the largest providers of quality veterinary care in the Southeast and have succeeded through a combination of quality, trust, ethics and understanding the human-animal bond coupled with the highest degree of customer service, convenience, and one-stop shopping.”

With his team of over 80 veterinarian contributors, Dr. Jon provides his readers (over 1,000,000 per month) with the most up to date verterinary information. His site encourages interaction with readers by allowing dog picture posting and submission of wonderful dog stories. As a proactive animal health care specialist, Dr. Jon uses his website to warn dog owners of the dangers that face our beloved 4 legged friends. Articles that discuss toxins for dogs, obesity and Dr. Jon’s most recent warning about the danger of paper shredders for dogs (Licking the shredder can cause and “auto” shredder to severely injure the dog) are readily available on this web-site.

I recommend sites where information is accurate and useful for my readers. I hope that you continue to come here and gather information that is in your best interest and more importantly, in the best interest of your dog.

For anyone who is a Dr. Seuss fan (and who isn’t?) check out the review of “Horton Hears a Who” by Keith, a fellow blogger.

As I mentioned sadly in my last entry, I had to leave the area to attend a funeral in Florida. I apologize for my lack of entries between then and now, but I didn’t have the access or the time to be near a computer. And although it was a difficult trip, the sun and warmth of the Florida skies let me know that spring will bloom soon in the northeast and life will begin again!!

One of the many things I noticed about Palm Beach County in Florida was the time and attention devoted to dogs. There was never a day in the 4 that I was there where there wasn’t a story about dogs, activities related to dogs or information regarding dogs. This is a very “dog active” area of the country.

Reported in the Sun-Sentinel Times (a major newspaper in southern Florida) was a story of a tragic event that occurred early morning on Friday, 3/14. At about 3:30 in the morning, the founder of the Safe Harbor Animal Sanctuary and Hospital was called to let her know that a fire had started at the facility and that she should get there as soon as possible. When she arrived, the structure was engulfed in flames and the area surrounding the facility was swarming with firefighters and police officers.

The Safe Harbor Animal Sanctuary and Hospital, which is located in Jupiter, Florida, lost 14 cats in that fire. Police and firefighters rescued 38 other dogs and cats from that building with some being treated at a local animal emergency clinic. Kay-Lynette Roca, the founder of this 22 year old, no-kill shelter, was devastated by the loss, but overcome by the generosity of friends, neighbors and strangers who have donated over $142,000 to help with the rebuilding of the shelter-hospital. Youngsters set up lemonade and cookie stands with all of the proceeds donated to this cause. Roca is extemely concerned with the loss of $5000 -$6000 daily that is generated from the animal clinic. This helps to support the efforts of the shelter and allows the shelter to remain operational for those animals who have yet to find homes.

Roca encourages anyone to donate, not only money, but they need basic supplies such as rubbing alcohol and gauze. According to Roca, they will be putting together a temporary clinic which she hopes will be operational this week. This facility is well known and liked by members of the community. The shelter founder and personnel support town animal projects and offer neuter and spaying services at reduced rates to help with animal control issues.
Check out the story by video here.

With much baseball news happening in Florida and the Yankees spring training going on as we speak, check out what Anthony Amobi has to say about the Steinbrenner legacy.

After this entry, I will be leaving to get on a plane for a trip to Florida. But this is not a pleasure trip. Unfortunately one of my cousins, at age 40 passed away from ovarian cancer leaving a husband and 4 children under the age of 14. The trip is for her funeral service and I’m sure it will be difficult for all involved.

I was thinking about how we all handle grief differently and that includes dogs. I am of the firm belief that animals, while not understanding the true concept of death, are aware of loss and grieve as humans do.

Because dogs can’t speak, we may think they don’t experience grief, but most believe that the dogs show their grief by their behavior and actions, or lack of actions. Some believe what the dog is actually feeling is separation anxiety, because they sense the person or animal missing and are more anxious about it, rather than sad.

I truly feel that dogs experience the sense of loss that we all feel when someone is missing from our lives and there are definite behaviors that help to identify this grief. Many dogs will be depressed and may exhibit this behavior by being lethargic or show a loss of appetite or disinterest in usual activities.

Sometimes dogs will demonstrate their grief physically by whining or barking. You should try and distract the dog from this behavior, but don’t do so with treats. This could actually encourage the negative behavior by rewarding he/she with treats. Distract the dog with activities when your dog is behaving with positive actions such as laying quietly and give some attention to help the dog deal with the pain. It is said that “time heals all wounds”. Meaning dogs need time to adjust to the loss of in their lives just as you and I would.

In some cases drug therapy or anti anxiety medication may be needed. This should be a decision between you and your veterinarian. Also don’t jump into getting a new dog as “company” or to replace their loss. Wait for a time when you feel your dog is emotionally ready to welcome another dog into the home. It will be a better experience for all.

I know most of my readers are not New Yorkers, so if you haven’t heard, our governer has resigned as a result of his sexual indiscretions and the potential illegality he used to conduct these acts. Read more about it in a blog by fellow blogger, Jean Lockwood.

Its been a long time since I shared information on dog shopping. In fact, I believe that it was probably around the holiday season when I focused on all the great gear that is out there for your pooch.

Well I have a treat for you today. It is one of the most complete dog shopping sites I have seen. For a quick look, check out www.dog.com I’ll highlight some of the items that I feel are exceptionally cool and useful.

In addition to the normal things you would see on a site like this such as doggie treats, doggie food items and puppy training goods, they also have some wonderful specialty items. For example, there is an entire section on dog beds and these are no simple fleece rugs you throw on the floor for your dog. There are dog designer beds, orthopedic beds for dog, and even heated dog beds, that I’m sure help with the dog with that bit of arthritis.

In addition to the designer beds, how about the very cool and unique dog houses. There are some very unique designs that I thing most dogs and dog owners would enjoy. Check it out here. These houses go from the very simple “A-Frame” houses to the more sophisticated insulated duplex dog houses.

I also really like their elevated dog feeders. I know with my dog, he would try and get every last crumb to the point where he would be moving the bowl all over the kitchen floor just to capture the last morsel. For those that utilize crates either for training or set it up as the dog’s “den”, there is a great selection.

When you purchase items at www.dog.com, there is a 150% price guarantee, which means, “If you find our item at a lower price on another site, we will refund 150% of the difference between our price and the lower one.” In addition, if you spend over $49.99, the shipping on the items you offered will be free. That’s a great deal.

The final thing I liked about this website, is that they are not commited to sales, they have a mission that includes doing things that are right by dogs. For example, there is an area on their website where you can do breed research and also join a dog community where you will speak and share with other people anything you want about dogs. Also, they feature dog adoption through www.1-800-save-a-pet.com Check the site out…a lot of great stuff and great information.

Check out this blog, by fellow blogger Shelly about herbs that are good for your dog and their skin!!!

Few people realize that dogs can get lung cancer and it is just as devastating for them as it is for humans. Lung cancer in dogs is not breed specific, but dogs can be genetically predisposed to it or put into environments where there are factors that would increase the dogs likelihood of becoming ill.

The type of lung cancer to be discussed in this entry will be carcinoma. Carcinoma lung cancer is usually malignant, meaning that it will spread to other areas of the dog’s body if not treated and sometimes treatment does not stop the spread of this terrible disease which will lead ultimately to the dog’s death. The cause of this type of cancer in dogs is most linked to second hand smoke. Smoking, as we know is the leading cause of lung cancer in humans. It is also the leading cause of lung cancer in dogs. If you smoke, QUIT and if you don’t want to quit, smoke outside away from your dog.

Carcinoma of the lung will usually begin as a small mass and with symptoms so vague, it may be difficult to identify. However, some of the symptoms your dog may experience in the beginning of the disease is some trouble breathing and a little cough. As the mass in the dog’s lung begins to grow, the symptoms will worsen. You might notice some blood in the dog’s saliva. This is a sign that the lung is beginning to deteriorate. The dog’s coughing will get worse. He/she will be lethargic, lose weight and have increased trouble breathing.

Many of the same treatments that are available to humans are available to dogs for lung cancer. If the mass is small enough, surgery might be the first option. If it is too large, radiation or chemotherapy might be used to shrink the mass and then surgery and further treatments might be used.

It is of utmost importance to get your dog treated as promptly as possible when you see symptoms occur that were described above. And secondly, when diagnosed, look at the treatments versus your dog’s quality of life. If your dog is going to continue to suffer without much hope of regaining good health, you may have to consider a difficult decision. Always keep your dog’s needs rather than your own as primary consideration.

Read about the latest political scandal in my state, NY, by Mark Jabo!!! Our state’s highest leader caught in a prostitution ring. And they wonder why so many people are cynical towards government.