Dog Clothes make Great Gifts
May 23, 2007
When it comes to the art of giving, a gift of clothes is fraught with peril. We all have stories to tell, and if you don’t, you will. Just give it time.
Mine started early. My grandmother, having survived the Depression, knew how to stretch a dollar. Clothes for her grandkids were always purchased 3 or 4 sizes too big so we could “grow into them”. And she passed this charming trait on to my mother. So, we endured our baggy clothes, with the sleeves and pant legs rolled up, until we were finally big enough to wear them with dignity. By which time they were ready for donation.
Then there’s my husband. Heaven forbid I should try to give the man a Polo shirt with an uneven hemline. Most Polos are made longer in the back to help them stay “tucked”, but hubby goes un-tucked — always. He rejects any polo that breaks the rule, no matter how subtly. For an otherwise easy-going guy, his behavior is almost perverse.
If you must give clothes this season, there’s one giftee on your list who’s sure to look great in any outfit you buy him. He’ll wear your gift with pride and appreciation, head held high and tail wagging.
Charming Trends in Dog Jewelry
May 22, 2007
The wearing of charms dates back to 400 or 500 BC, when they were believed to hold special powers — particularly the power of protection. By the 1890’s charms had evolved into a fashion statement and a popular keepsake.
Now, as then, charms are often given by mothers to their daughters as gifts or family heirlooms. Many women start collecting them as pre-teens and continue adding to the collection as they mature. Charm bracelets make an ideal gift because of their broad appeal.
Italian charms are the hottest trend right now and show no signs of slowing down. Silver, gold, and non-precious charms snap into place onto a bracelet similar to a watch band. The charms are like the “links” on the band. They’re decorated with pictures, letters, symbols and designs that can be combined to create a message or theme. Which reminds me of a great thing about charm bracelets — you can add to them. That means future gift giving opportunities!
Another growing trend in modern jewelry is “theme” bracelets. If you’re looking for the ideal dog jewelry gift, a dog-themed charm bracelet could be your answer and a dog themed Italian charm bracelet might just be a slam dunk! Want to coordinate your accessories with your dog’s? Buy her a branklet®, the doggie version of a bracelet or anklet.
Give a Homeless Cat or Dog a Gift of Good Cheer
May 21, 2007
The holidays are a wonderful time of year, full of excitement , expectation, and celebration.
But for many it’s also a difficult time. This is especially true for anyone not blessed with a close, supportive family, or those physically separated from loved ones.
Consider, among these unlucky souls, the four legged ones who have to spend their holidays–all of their days, in fact–at the local ASPCA or animal shelter. These poor creatures have little to look forward to besides hoping that some nice family will adopt them some day.
Pets need new games, new toys, new smells and experiences, and above all, exercise to be happy. Dogs and cats in shelters can get depressed, lose their appetites, and become more susceptible to illness.
I was pondering this recently, when a light bulb turned on in my head (figuratively, not literally). “Why not get all these lonely and stressed-out souls together?”, I thought.
Now, I’m not implying that everyone who’s feeling a little despondent or stressed during the holidays should run out and adopt a pet. Bringing home a new dog or cat is a serious commitment and should be done for the right reasons, and with plenty of forethought. But there are other ways to bring the gift of good cheer.
Five Snake Care Tips for Beginners
May 20, 2007
If you’re looking for an unusual, eye-catching pet, it’s hard to go wrong with a snake. They’re exotic enough to catch people’s interest, yet hardy enough to require minimal care. Nevertheless, uninformed first-time owners tend to make some basic mistakes, some of which can be quite costly. Here are some simple tips that can help ensure the health of the snake and prevent a lot of aggravation as well.
1. First, take note of how large your snake can grow to be. Most North American varieties only grown to be about four feet long, which is a reasonable size. Don’t let a pet store employee talk you into buying a Burmese python, since these critters can grow to be over thirty feet long, and will require huge cages and tremendous amounts of food. (And before you ask? No, most zoos will not accept these as donations.)
2. Don’t scrimp on cage size. A cage that is too small can be very stressful and unhealthy to your pet. Pet store clerks will sometimes try to sell you caging that is inadequate in size, so don’t fall into this trap. For adequate comfort, the combined length and width of the cage should at least match the snake’s length. Snakes can grow fairly quickly, so don’t forget to take that into account as well!
A Dogs Tale
May 20, 2007
My name is Shadrach, and I am a dog - a BIG, handsome, elegant, and intelligent dog. No, I am not vain at all, that is just what my mom always tells me so I assume it’s true. I am now 4 ˝ years old and live a great dog’s life! I get exceptional quality food ? my mom and dad believe in giving me organic food, with fresh vegetables and meat every day ? so I can’t complain. They’re always buying me toys which I LOVE to terrorize, because that’s what dogs do. I have my own big bed in my own bedroom and I love that. I have a big yard and I like to bark at and chase the pigeons and cats who dare to tread into my space.
The only thing I don’t like is having to take a bath UNLESS it with the garden hose in the yard ? that is great fun! The best thing is I get LOTS and LOTS of love with hugs and kisses from my mom everyday. My favorite games are tug-o-war and chase. I am the champion of tug-o-war in my house. Chase is so much fun because I am very fast and my people rarely can catch me!
Rimadyl the Wonder Drug - Or Is It?
May 19, 2007
If Your Dog Suffers From Arthritis, Consider The Natural Alternative:
Rimadyl was hailed as a wonder arthritis treatment for pets when it came on the market in 1997. Over the next 3 years, due largely to an aggressive marketing campaign by the manufacturer, Pfizer, Rimadyl was prescribed for 5 million dogs.
But it hadn’t been thoroughly tested. According to statistics compiled by the FDA (Food And Drug Administration), in 1997 alone, Rimadyl was implicated in 30 per cent of all veterinary adverse drug reaction reports received! Side effects included gastrointestinal, renal and liver problems, and death. Within those first three years, 10,000 dog owners had reported an adverse reaction to Rimadyl, and there were at least 1,500 deaths or euthanasias attributed to the drug. And it is generally accepted that many adverse reactions are not reported, so the real statistics are likely to be significantly higher.
You may remember the Rimadyl ads depicting older dogs bouncing around like puppies. Those dogs were the lucky ones. And of course, the success stories were many, and they were amazing. But you no longer see those Rimadyl ads, do you?
Canine Diabetes - Does Your Dog Have it?
May 18, 2007
Canine Diabetes: A Serious Dog Disease That is Completely Manageable
Canine diabetes is a serious disease that causes there to be too much glucose in the blood. If your pet has any of the signs, a dog health exam will help you find out with certainty. Canine diabetes symptoms usually include the following:
- drinking excessive amounts of water - frequent urination - weight gain (or weight loss in some cases) - increased lethargy during the day
A simple blood test can tell the vet if the glucose counts look suspicious. You should have a full physical exam done on your dog annually, even if he seems perfectly healthy. Be sure to ask your vet to include a full blood work-up, to rule out diabetes (as well as many other diseases). It’s well worth the added cost!
If your pet has been diagnosed with canine diabetes, don’t panic. While it is a ’special needs’ issue that will influence many daily decisions, it is a manageable disease in dogs. You just have to learn some simple steps and stick to a schedule.
Things You Should Never Feed Your Dog
May 17, 2007
Sadly, there are several household items which we tend to take for granted that are potentially very hazardous to your dog’s health. It is especially important to be aware of this because as you know, dogs are very much scavengers and will often eat whatever they can sink their fangs into. I would say that may own dog is more like a mobile garbage disposal. It is also very important to be aware of these items since their sense of smell is so well developed that your pooch will be able to find what you may think is well hidden.
One of these dangerous household items, it turns out, is simple chocolate. While chocolate has been reported recently to be high in human-friendly antioxidants, it appears to be potentially lethal for our pets, and particularly for our dogs. Cats are mostly unaffected since they do not care for the taste of chocolate, but dogs tend to be crazy about it. Certain breeds of dogs react indifferently to chocolate. The root of the problem is that chocolate contains various chemicals which are called methylxanthine alkaloids(sometypes have more of these chemicals than others)
Cushings Disease
May 16, 2007
As our horses enjoy a longer life and many live well into old age so the number of horses with Cushing increases as its more common in older horses especially ponies. It can however affect all breeds and ages. Cushing is caused by an abnormality of the pituitary gland that is situated at the base of the brain. This causes it to produce excessive amount of a hormone called cortisone, which is the body’s natural steroid hormone.
Signs of Cushing
· Long thick curly coat, which may not shred.
· They may grow their winter coat very early or shred it early as the swelling at the gland puts pressure on the part of the brain that is responsible for seasonal hair loss
· An increase risk of laminitis
· Excessive drinking and urinating
· Increase appetite
· Raised heart rate
· Muscle wasting
· In mares their cycle may be abnormal · Mare may not be able to conceive
· Lethargy
· Weight loss
Over a period of time an affected horse will show some or all of the above signs which are listed.
Treatment
Training Your Dog?Is It Worth The Effort Or Is It Just A Waste Of Time?
May 15, 2007
Many people feel that taking the time to train their puppy or dog isn’t worth the effort. What with everything else we have to do these days in our busy lives, whose got the time?
Kimberley was just like that. She’d never bothered training Jack?but then, one day?
Kimberly and Jack ran excitedly up to the top of the escarpment and gazed out over the deep blue ocean waves as they rolled in from the east. The sun was just appearing over the horizon, the cool sea breeze on her face made her feel completely alive, and Kimberley was as contented as she had ever been.
The time she spent with Jack, the 3 year old German shepherd she had rescued from the animal shelter a few months earlier, was the most precious part of her life. He seemed to know just what she was thinking and was devoted to Kim to the point of being a fanatic.
He wouldn’t leave her side?unlike most of the other male companions she had previously had in her life.
Jack was the perfect companion.
