My Friendly Pets

In my last entry, I talked about the best practices when feeding your dog. Some of your dog’s eating habits are all his own and those habits can cause trouble. Dogs, by nature, usually eat very fast. According to the “Feeding Fido” report, available on www.dogpausebowl.com, if your dog eats his food in less than 5 minutes, the dog eats too fast. Eating this fast can cause your dog serious problems. The large intake of food at one time makes it difficult for the digestive system of the dog to react, thereby minimizing the nutritional benefit of the food. Based on a clinical study, research showes that pace at which a dog eats can increase the risk of the dog developing eating disorders such as bloat and megaesophogus.

If you have ever been around a dog who passes gas continuously, you know it is not a pleasant place to be. Dogs who eat very fast tend to gag, choke, pass gas and at times vomit. I can remember that my dog would almost inhale his food and then for a few moments afterward he would gag, trying to swallow pieces of food that did not go down smoothly because he didn’t take time to chew. Slowing down the eating process for your dog will prevent the dog from taking in too much air. This can hlep lessen the production of gas or flatulance. Dogs who gag and choke do so if they are taking large bites because they stretch the esophogas.

If you notice any of the events mentioned above, you should discuss it with your vet. A new type of food may be needed. However, you may need to teach your dog to eat slower. Since food intake is basically an primative action for the dog, it is difficult to formally train the dog to eat slower, however you can “teach” the dog to eat slower.

In my last entry of this series, I will discuss the most effective way to slow down your dogs’ eating and offer some other information about snacks and mealtime with your dog. I will also be announcing the contest that I spoke about, where your dog could win a prize that will help him/her change their bad eating habits forever!!! So keep reading!!

People are becoming very aware and concerned with the food they are feeding their dogs today. With the tainted dog food crisis last year which resulted in many dog deaths as well as hundreds of ill dogs, many dog owners are carefully researching the ingredients and source of the dog food while still others are making their own…a true labor of love. However, many of the digestive issues that dogs have are not with the food itself, but how the dog eats. There was a whitepaper recently published by dogpausebowl.com that discusses many issues regarding the meals of our pups. The publication is titled “Feeding Fido”. I’d like to offer some bits of information from the publication that may be helpful to you and your dog.

Dogs seem to have many of the same eating issues that their human owners have. Unfortunately many of our bad habits are passed on to our dogs and that has led to severe obesity in dogs, reflective of society as a whole. Portion size is a major issue for everyone and should be taken into consideration when feeding your dog. According to the publication, which was developed with the assistance of veterinary experts, most dogs require a maximum of two cups of food per feeding. A less active dog would require less. O.K, but how should I be feeding the dog? More and more information and recommendations are being made that states it is better to feed your dog 2 to 3 smaller meals throughout the day than one large feeding. It is better for the dog’s digestive system and will also allow for an equal distribution of caloric intake and usage throughout the day, giving your dog a more even keel energy level. It is better to take the total daily food amount for your dog and spread it out over the day. This gives the dog “special mealtime events”, while also allowing them to feel better. This is an excellent way to train your dog that when it is human mealtime for you, it is also dog mealtime for them, thereby eliminating or minimizing Fido’s table begging!!!!

In the next couple of entries, I will highlight some other dog eating issues, and will also be announcing a contest with a great doggie prize…so keep reading!!!

I know, its not Christmas or even your dog’s birthday, but you can and should get your dog new toys occasionally. Obviously, the ones in very bad shape should be replaced to avoid harm to your dog and variety in toys should be introduced to reduce and minimize boredom. This could help with separation anxiety and the dilemma of dogs chewing things that they shouldn’t.

The site that seems to offer the greatest variety of toys with the easiest ways to search is www.dogtoys.com You can search by breed and then based on the breed various types of toys will be offerred. You can also search by breed size and the results will include size specific toys for your particular dog. There are over 150 breeds of dogs listed and each breed is classified by breed size. There ave 9 breed size categories and within each breed size category are toys that work well with that specific breed and strength of dog.

The toys on this site are also grouped in other ways. If you have a favorite brand that you use for your dog, you can identify toys by the brand name. Also, there are toys that are grouped by type, meaning if you are looking for fetching toys, you can shop this way as well.

We know that there is little more satisfying to our dogs than the treats that they dream, beg and salivate for. There is an entire section of this website devoted to treats for your dog. There are Greenies, gravies and food sprays that add that gourmet taste to your dog’s dry food. An excellent benefit in this section is that ingredients in the products are listed with each product. From the brief look that I took, most products included only natural ingredients with few if any preservatives.

Take a few minutes and check out the site (click here). I guarantee you will find something (or many things) your dog will love….and there is free shipping for orders over $100.00

Happy Memorial Day!!! Memorial Day is the unofficial start to summer in the U.S. Many of us are enjoying outdoor activities like camping, hiking, or just a good old fashioned barbeque. We are now enjoying these outside activities because we have the beautiful late spring/early summer temperatures that make being outside a pleasure. But as the thermometer goes up, there are some really simple but important precautions to take with your dog, so that he/she enjoys the summer as much as you do.

Exercise is very important for all of us, including our dogs, however in high summer heat excessive exercise can be dangerous for EVERYONE! When walking or exercising your dog, try to do it in the morning or evening when the day is coolest. You will enjoy the experience more and so will your dog. Remember, while you have sneakers or sandals on, your dog doesn’t and hot asphalt can hurt and damage the pads of their feet.

It is always important to stay hydrated, but even more so in the heat of the summer. Your dog can get overheated and dehydrated very easily and it is necessary for you to recognize the signs of dehydration. Dogs don’t sweat as humans do, so an overheated dog will pant and drool in excess. The signs of dehydrations include bloodshot eyes, legarthy and a pale pallor to the skin. Keep fresh clean water for your dog and insure that they drink often.

Dogs love to romp in the grass. During the summer season, many mushrooms grow wild in our yards. Dogs find these mushrooms irresistible, but they are dangerous. Dogs can become very sick if they eat many of these mushrooms and in small dogs, it takes very few to make them sick. Pick the mushrooms and dispose of them so that the dog cannot get access to them as a late night snack.

And I can’t offer this summer dog safety tip enough. NEVER, NEVER leave your dog in the car for any reason in the summer. Even a few minutes in the sun, will cause temperatures in the car to rise very quickly. Many beloved pets are lost to people who thought they could keep their dog in their car - even if only for a few moments.

Be happy and be safe and enjoy a great Memorial Day.

Molly is a very special dog who does very special work. Molly is owned by the Browns and volunteers with them on search and rescue missions for the Newton County K-8 search-and-rescue unit which doesn’t have a budget. Molly, who is a five year old chocolate Labrador retreiver was diagnosed with complete electrical heart blockage. This past Thursday, veterinarian surgeons at the University of Missiouri College of Veterinary Medicine installed a pacemaker in the dog’s heart.

Molly, who had always been exceptionally energetic became lethargic and out of breath last month. Vets in their town believed that Molly had a heart attack. When the dog’s heart rate dropped from 80 to 38, the Brown’s rushed Molly to Columbia, where the University Veterinary hospital staff determined her fate. The surgery, travel and vet expenses totalled over $2500.00. The Browns were amazed at the outpouring of support they received after Molly’s story was reported in the Joplin Journal. The device itself has been donated and the other costs have been covered by fund raising efforts and anonymous donations.

Molly’s was scheduled to go home yesterday and would have to remain in her crate for 2 weeks. Then there will be about a two month recovery period which will involve limited activity. After that, hopefully, Molly will be able to return to the work she loves and does so well.

Molly is one of the five dogs owned by the Browns. Of the Browns’ five dogs, there is only one other dog besides Molly that is trained as a search and rescue dog. It can actually take about 2 years to train a dog to do what Molly does. If a town or municipality were to buy a dog for search and rescue purposes, it would cost about $20,000.

We wish Molly a good recovery. She is both loved and needed.

Most people are familiar with the website www.petfinder.com . This website is a product of Animal Planet and began in 1996. The purpose of the site is to try and match people with pets of any type. The animals to be adopted are mainly from rescue and shelter organizations, especially the dogs and cats. The database search website takes credit for the adoptions of over 12,000,000 animals over the past 13 years. On the website, there is also great information about adoption issues as well as tips for caring for many different types of pets. This site makes the search for a pet easy and fun. There is even a Petfinder.com Foundation, which raises money to help pet organizations and shelters around the country. For example, in the April 2008 newsletter, put out by Petfinder.com, Care and Feeder grants were awarded to animal shelters in six cities to purchase enough vaccines to inoculate all their incoming canines against kennel cough* for approximately one year. That is a phenomenal effort and one to be applauded!!

Now, on the television station Animal Planet, a new reality show has been developed that takes the Petfinder concept even further. The show, that has the same name as the site, matches shelter animals with families searching for their perfect pet. Of course it wouldn’t be a reality show without drama and that’s just what you get. Family members fight over which animal they believe is best and in most cases the family members have completely different ideas about what animal would make the perfect pet. That is where the hosts, Jarod Miller and Dina Zaphiris come in. They not only work to bring the best pet into the home but they also offer advice and guidance to viewers about how to pet proof your home so that it is safe and secure for the pet and family members alike. Both hosts, while very talented on camera are also educated and experienced in their fields of study. Miller has a degree in zoology and Zaphiris has her degree in psychology from University of California-Davis. The entertainment they provide is great and the information is even more valuable. The show is on Saturday nights at 9:30 e/p times. Check it out when you get a chance!

Many of us have had dogs that have chewed our favorite shoes or some other valued object. Usually our immediate response is anger, but the dog isn’t necessarily “bad” as dogs chew for a variety of reasons and their behavior can be curtailed if they are trained correctly.

Obviously puppies chew because they are teething and teething makes for some very sore gums. I remember when my daughter was teething and the doctor told me that the pain of teething is so intense that if adults had to experience it, we would commit suicide…not a pleasant thought, but it gives an indication of what teething for a child and/or dog must feel like. If your dog chews as a puppy, it is because his gums are sore and he/she is trying to sooth them. Make sure you have a variety of chew toys
available to help with the soreness of the gums. If your puppy is chewing on things that are off limits then this is the opportune time to train the dog as to what is acceptable and what is not. Don’t give your puppy an old shoe or sock to chew on and expect the dog to be able to later differentiate between old and new shoes or socks. Train your puppy to know what they are allowed to chew by giving them their allowable chew toy and scolding them if they get near something they are not supposed to do. You must be consistent and watch the dog constantly.

Dogs will also chew because they are lonely, bored or suffering from separation anxiety. Again, it is important to pay attention to your dog when you are home. Make sure you give the dog plenty of exercise and stimulation, so if the dog is left alone for an extended period of time, it will be their time to rest and relax. Also, it is advised to leave the dog with a variety of toys or bones and that doesn’t mean a basket full by their bed. Maybe, alternate the chew toys or bones, so that the dog doesn’t become bored and search for something new and interesting to chew.

As with any other behavior issue, chewing on unwanted items can be eliminated if dog owners take the time, effort and energy to train the dog with patience and compassion. Yelling at the dog many hours after the “chew incident” will do little to curb bad behavior. Spend time before to prevent bad behavior rather than taking your frustration out on the dog after their behavior angers you.

Every once in a while, I am privileged enough to come across a story and people in the story where the words, “thank you” aren’t enough. That is the case with people like Eddie Grinnell and his wife, Leslie DeGraff Grinnell. When a disability caused their 10 year old doberman to lose the use of her rear legs, Eddie Grinnell and his wife knew the dog needed time to heal from her illness and injuries. In order to help the dog be independent, while still healing, Eddie designed and built a wheelchair(cart as it was called then) that enabled Buddha to walk in the woods and resume a normal existence. The time that Buddha had to rely on her “cart” allowed her to heal to the point that within several months she was walking on her own again. That was 1989 and Buddha’s vet was so impressed with her recovery that he began referring people to Eddie for similar devices to help their dogs.

A few years later, Eddie decided to leave his full-time corporate career to devote himself to helping disabled animals full-time. He has worked with vets and animal surgeons to design and build wheelchairs for animals with various disabilities as each dog and their disability is unique. As a result, the organization known as “Eddie’s Wheels” was born and now hundreds of animals have been helped by Eddie’s creations.

Over the years the designs for the carts have been perfected by Eddie so that they can insure pet owners a couple of things. Each cart is custom designed for the size and type of dog as well as the type of disability. The carts are designed so that the dog can go to the bathroom on their own without the assistance of their owner. This helps the dog retain their independence. The carts are designed to prohibit damage to the dog’s feet and can be adjusted for height and length.

To devote your lives to helping the lives of disabled animals is a great thing. I think the efforts of Leslie and Eddie should be applauded and I would recommend checking out there site by clicking here to see the miraculous work that they do. As I said before, Leslie and Eddie, thank you!!!!

The loss of your pet dog brings a pain that few of us expect and none of us are ready to deal with. Very often decisions have to be made regarding the remains of our beloved dogs and without proper knowledge and preparation, the decisions can be made in haste.

Do you have the dog cremated? Should the dog be buried? And if buried, where should they be buried? There are over 600 pet cemeteries across the United States according to the International Association of Pet Cemeteries and Crematories. However, only about 400 of these establishments are considered good businesses by the IAOPCC.

Pet cemetaries are not a totally new phenomenon. In fact the oldest pet cemetery is located in Hartsdale, New York and began in 1896. The largest pet cemetery in the United States is also located in New York. The Bide-A-Wee Home Association has one cemetery site alone that has over 5000 pet burials.

For someone who wants to own and run a pet cemetery, they should insure that it is deeded for that purpose, so that the remains of peoples’ pets do not get moved or disturbed by future development.

When people are deciding upon the final resting place of their dog, they should consider various options, such as private burial, communal burial, private cremation or communal cremation.

More and more professionals are realizing that the pet/human bond is a sacred one and the grief experienced by the owners of these dogs upon their death is often unbearable. Some significant programs in various veterinarian colleges across the country are now helping pet owners deal with their grief. There are veterinary teaching institutions where pet grief counselors are trained to deal with people who are suffering from the loss of a pet. Some of the colleges offer this type of service to animal mourners. Some of these are Animal Medical Center in New York City, University of Pennsylvania, University of Colorado, University of California, and University of Florida.

If you are interested in information about pet loss, the IAOPCC is a great source to check out. Take a look by clicking here.

One of the most devastating diagnosis that someone can receive is hearing that you or a loved one has cancer. The diagnosis of cancer in your beloved dog can be just as horrible.

However, with the medical advances today for humans, many of the same treatments may be suitable for dogs. For example, a common cancer in dogs is melanoma. In dogs, it usually begins in the mouth and spreads very quickly. The dog usually dies in one to five months after the dog is diagnosed. A canine cancer vaccine is currently being developed and tested that could change the mortality rate for dogs with this disease. Stacy Santoro, a veterinary oncologist in Florida, says “Overall, it’s been shown to significantly prolong survival in dogs with oral melanoma.” Santoro adds, “The point of it is to stimulate their own immune system to recognize tumor cells and then kill those affected cells.” It is beleived that with the vaccine and follow up radiation, the dog’s life expectancy could increase three fold. However, the treatments are expensive. The vaccine with radiation runs between $4000 and $5000.

Dogs will also be able to recieve a treatment that humans have been receiving for years to treat the cancer known as lymphoma. The Vancouver Sun recently reported that a procedure for a bone marrow transplant will be available to dogs with the cancer mentioned above beginning this summer. For years, bone marrow transplants have been performed on dogs experimentally in the hopes of helping humans. Well, it has now come full circle and we are finally able to give this procedure to dogs to help increase their quality of life and increase the lifespan of the dog. Again, the treatment is expensive as it can cost up to $20,000. But for some dog owners, this would be a small price to pay for their dog to be a part of their lives for a longer time.

If you have not considered health care insurance for your pet, there are many companies that offer it at a nominal charge. It could save pet owners thousands of dollars, so take the time and look into it.

I know we all love our dogs to enjoy the treats and special things that we so enjoy. Today there are more and more ways to bring the delacacies of our taste buds to those of our pups. For example, Terrie Berenden, a pet store owner from the Netherlands decided to invent a beer for her dogs that she knew they would enjoy. The product called Kwispelbier is nonalcoholic and made from beef extract and malt. He cosigned a local brewery to make it and they advertise it as a “beer for your best friend”. So why would a woman like Terrie develop a beer for dogs? Terrie said, “Once a year we go to Austria to hunt with our dogs, and at the end of the day we sit on the verandah and drink a beer. So we thought, my dog also has earned it,” she said. And the name, Kwispelbier…well the dutch word kwispel, means wagging tail in Dutch..and there you have it. But before you buy it, check deeply in your pockets as the average price of a bottle of Kwispelbier costs about 4 times more than that of a Heinekin.

To get even funkier with the type of foods you can give your dog that are traditionally “people food”, you have to check out KoolDogKafe.com Check out the Yappy Hour Martinis below. It sounds like a great way to bring in the weekend with your pooch.

Perhaps you would like your dog to have some watermelon cookies, a birthday cake that comes with a rubber ball or hamburger and fries that are meant for your dog. You don’t have to go any further than the web address above. The products from Kool Dog Kafe are all natural contain ingredients such as whole-wheat flour, unbleached flour, cornmeal, cinnamon, honey, vanilla, canola oil, eggs, fructose and egg whites. The items are baked daily and the Kafe uses no preservatives. This food sounds better than many of the foods that you and I eat everyday!!

We all know there is little more gratifying that getting that wet mushy kiss from our dog upon our return home, or just for the heck of it because they love us. But do you know that the mushy kisses all over your face (and elsewhere) could actually make you sick? Now, I know none of us like to think like that because nuzzling, cuddling and kissing our dogs are some of our best pleasures. The benefits of petting a dog and getting close to your dog far out weigh the consequences that can occur, but you should still take heed. Let’s first put a myth to bed..you cannot give to your dog or recieve from him/her the rhino virus, otherwise known as the common cold.

However, there are other things you can get from your dog and hearing about them may be just a bit nauseating. Over 200,000 people a year are infected with a stomach flu that is caused by a bacteria called campylobacter. This bacteria is usually found at the tail end of dogs…ewwww! Everyone has heard of salmonella poisoning. Well, you can get that from your dog. They rub their noses everywhere…EVERYWHERE and some of the germs from everything they sniff settle on and around their nose. When they nuzzle you, they pass those pesky germs right over to you.

One of the best ways to avoid contacting some type of virus or bacteria, in addition to limiting the kisses, is to wash thoroughly after some heavy dog interaction. Soap and water will help protect you against one of the most transmitted skin infestations - ringworm. Ringworm is a fungus whose spores can exist on a dog’s coat or muzzle. These spores can jump from the dog to the closest “victim”, which may be you or a member of your family. Ringworm will cause circular, scaly red patches on the skin…again…ewwww!!! Always pet your dog..its good for them and good for you…but wash well afterwards!!! A little cleanliness can go a long long way!!!!

The picture above is Joanna Goriss and her dogs J.J. and Logan. Both dogs donate their blood to help other dogs in need. We know that blood donations are critical for humans. Well, canine blood donations are needed and critical as well. Both of Joanna’s healthy Labs have donated blood 12 times over the past three years. It is unknown how many dogs’ lives were saved because of this donation. In Florida, where Goriss lives there is a non-profit animal blood bank where she takes her two dogs to donate. The Sun States Animal Blood Bank serves all of Florida.

Dr. Andrew Mackin , an associate professor and service chief of Small Animal Internal Medicine at Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine says “Severe injuries occasionally need blood transfusions, but more often dogs commonly need transfusions for different reasons.” Some of the reasons that dogs need transfusions include illnesses involving chronic anemia, clotting disorders or bone marrow diseases. Dog owners want to treat their animals rather than euthanize them. This enhances the need for canine blood donation.

Just as the Red Cross solicits blood through local blood drives, animal blood banks have begun to do the same. Midwest Animal Blood Services in Michigan holds canine and feline blood drives once or twice a year. The ideal donor is a dog who is less than 8 years old, weighing at least 50 lbs. and has a good disposition. Dogs also must be tick and flea free and up to date on all of their vaccinations. For dog owners, donating blood can also alert them to any underlying illness that the dog has, as the blood is screened for disease and the dog is given an overall physical prior to donation.

So, I know you are all thinking “Doesn’t it hurt the dog?” No, it doesn’t, according to their human owners. It is a painless procedure and for the dog with the good temperament, the owner sits with them and pets and soothes the dog through the process. It is a blessing for those hundreds of dogs who will require the blood of another canine pal to survive. So donate (to a human blood bank), and have your dog do so as well. You won’t be sorry!!!!

It is one of those Hallmark holidays, but a very special day where moms, grandmothers, and anyone who closely resembles a mom, is honored for their love and devotion to their children.

Because it is such a special day, I thought I would dedicate to this entry to the dogs we love, who become moms. For a dog to go through gestation, it takes about 63 days, or approximately 9 weeks. Up to the 5th week, over 1/2 way through the pregnancy, there is little notice externally of the dog’s upcoming delivery. From the 5th week on, changes in the dog become apparent. The nipples and the mammary glands begin to enlarge, as they are getting ready to serve as the main source of nutrition for the soon to be born puppies. Dogs may become more quiet around this time, but it isn’t until their 7th week or beyond that the abdomen of the dog begins to get larger. Obviously, as the puppies begin to grow, there is more pressure on the bladder of the dog, which will cause the dog to have to urinate more than usual (very similar to human mother-to-bes).

Usually you don’t have to change the dog’s food as long as the dog has had good food with proper nutrition before and during the pregnancy. During this time the dog’s appetite will increase dramatically to meet the need of the growing pups inside of her. The type of food provided should be high in protien and the dog should be fed small meals several times a day.

Approximately two weeks before the birth, a place and equipment should be set up to insure smooth deliveries. The gestation period is fairly accurate and will probably only vary by 1 to 2 days. A calm place that is quiet where the Moma dog will feel comfortable and not distracted is very important.

All in all, this is a natural process that should go without complication. It is truly a miracle to see those puppies come into the world. So on this Mother’s Day, I would like to leave you with this video, so you too can see the birth of beautiful puppies.

While Virginia is for lovers, Vermont may well be for dog lovers. Dog lovers from far and near are arriving at St. Johnsbury, Vermont to visit Dog Mountain studio and dog chapel which is the workplace of Stephen Huneck. Huneck is a folk artist who’s works center around the lives of dogs. Huneck, who began by whittling out wooden scuptures of dogs now creates dog themed furniture, woodcut paintings and childrens’ books. His 175 acre farm where the studio and chapel are located may very well be the Disneyland for dogs.

Huneck feels a special connection to dogs and says, “I really believe they’re the great spirit’s special gift to mankind. Dogs teach us more than we teach them.” Huneck had always enjoyed collecting antiques, but started with his dog/art projects in the 1980’s. However, these creations of Huneck are not made with the modern tools of today. He uses classic woodworking tools like chisels, saws and planes. Much of the wood used for his creations come from his farm and can be made from basswood, maple, cherry or pine.

People love the uniqueness of his work. Many describe his furniture and sculptures as having the playfulness of a puppy in them and he captures the true spirit of wonder and fun that the dogs we love so often possess. His art has become very popular and many familiar names are true Huneck dog art collectors. For example Sandra Bullock, Dr. Phil and Senator Patrick Leahy are all collectors of Huneck’s dog art.

The chapel he created began as from an inspiration he had while hospitalized for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. He almost died and as he was beginning to get well, Huneck said he had a vision. He wanted to create a place where people not only mourned their dogs, but celebrated their lives and the relationships that we have for those beloved family members. He put several hundred dollars into this haven for pooch lovers and many come to share their loss as well as their joy for the love they shared with their dogs. There are tributes to the many dogs of those who have visited the chapel that now decorate the walls.

The sign on the outside of the chapel says it all, : “Welcome all creeds, all breeds. No dogmas allowed.” and Huneck sums it up best when he says, “I wanted the dogs to know this is their place.” So if you are ever near St. Johnsbury, Vermont, stop in the chapel, say hi to Stephen pay tribute to your dog, just as Huneck does each and every day.

If your weekend isn’t filled with Mother’s Day plans, check out Robert Downey, Jr. in Iron Man and read about it by fellow blogger, LiRa, by clicking here.