PetLvr.com - [The Blog] - We Moved - see http://www.PetLvr.com/blog/

YES!!! WE REALLY MOVED!!

2005-07-14T02:05:00.000-05:00

PLEASE GO TO http://PetLvr.com/blog/ - Our New Blog Site ... We are not posting here anymore. The feed below is showing the headines from entries in our "REAL" blog at the above address.

Our new RSS Syndication url .. http://feeds.feedburner.com/Petlvrcom-theBlog

We hope you drop by!

WE HAVE MOVED!

2005-07-08T03:02:00.000-05:00

PLEASE UPDATE YOUR BOOKMARKS ....

Our New Blog is Located on our own server now ...

PetLvr.com - [The NEW Blog] - http://www.PetLvr.com/blog/

Our New RSS/XML feed can be copied/pasted into your newsfeeder ...

OUR NEW FEED URL FOR PETLVR.COM - [THE BLOG] - http://feeds.feedburner.com/Petlvrcom-theBlog

PLEASE NOTE:
===========

All entries and comments found in this blogspot site has been imported into the new website, so there will be no reason to switch back and forth.

We thank-you for your co-operation and understanding and hope you enjoy our new site!

Take care.
HART
PetLvr.com

==================================
FROM: OUR NEW LOCATION - http://www.petlvr.com/blog/2005/07/we-have-moved-welcome-to-our-new-url/
=================================

Have Moved … WELCOME TO OUR NEW URL!
I hope we haven’t inconvenienced you in anyway.

I have converted our old http://PetLvr.blogspot.com to our new location here at http://www.PetLvr.com/blog. I hope you like the new look.

I actually didn’t want to move. But, I should have created this blog on our Domain PETLVR.COM right from the start. I have been experimenting over the last few weeks trying to get BLOGGER.COM to FTP publish the old template into our domain, but for the life of me .. I couldn’t figure this out and was kept on receiving errors.

So, I downloaded WORDPRESS which is this blog program, and I have made the switch effective today – Friday July 8, 2005.

I hope you bear with me while I am rechecking all of my links and URL’s that are part of this PetLvr.com website.

For now – those of you linking our RSS/XML Atom feeds .. here are the new links…

For Our Entries:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/Petlvrcom-theBlog

All entries up to Thursday July 7, 2005 have been imported successfully into this new Blog, including comments.

I hope you all bear with us … as for myself, I have not only created the extra work in switching everything but, I have to learn a whole new program as well. And, our great Contributors have to learn how to use this new program as well.

The good news is, though, that WORDPRESS is much more flexible in the archiving and sorting of information, and that our information is much easier to find under [THE CATEGORIES] heading on the right side of this page.

Oh well .. I am going to miss my Google ToolBar … sniffles

If you have any comments about this new blog site, feel free to add your comments or email me directly at hart@PetLvr.com.

Take care.
HART
PetLvr.com

The Older Pet Health Status Evaluation

2005-07-06T23:38:00.000-05:00

The Older Pet Health Status Evaluation at ThePetCenter.com

The Older Pet Health Status Evaluation

Introduction: Preventive medicine, whether for yourself or your family pet, has been a long established method of improving health. Essentially, it means early detection of those factors that may progress to disease. In addition, preventative medicine loosely defined may cross over into the realm of restorative medicine... that is discovering a malady in its early stages and correcting the disease process before it becomes a serious health risk.

Older dogs and cats have special problems easily overlooked even by conscientious owners. Dental and oral problems, kidney and bladder infections, diabetes, tumors and nearly any disorder common in humans is a possibility in our pet companions.

Goal: The ultimate objective of the "Older Pet Health Evaluation" is to assist patients in achieving a longer, healthier life. At many animal hospitals the veterinarians have developed an Older Pet Health Evaluation protocol that provides a very careful physical exam coordinated with a comprehensive laboratory analysis. The goal of this analysis is threefold:
1. To define areas of potential health risk.
2. To detect and correct existing health problems.
3. To encourage the pet owners to continue with health enhancing procedures.

PROCEDURE

Admission: The pet is admitted to the hospital in the morning and the veterinarian who is in charge of the case takes a thorough history (called anamnesis) and pays close attention to any major health impacting events in the pet's life. Current activity levels, nutritional factors and medications being administered are some of the topics discussed with the pet's caretaker. Vaccination status and recent health factors are also assessed.

Physical Exam: The veterinarian performs a thorough physical exam in the presence of the pet's caretaker, encouraging the pet's caretaker to make any comments that may prompt the veterinarian's information gathering so that any subtle or forgotten aspects of the pet's body condition can be evaluated. The weight is recorded (and should be recorded every time the pet is brought to the hospital) and any deviations from normal are noted on the health chart.

Routine Lab Checks: Blood is drawn for a basic Chemistry Panel and a CBC (Complete Blood Count) and a urine sample is collected. Usually the owner can obtain the urine at home in a clean container before the appointment. Take a look at common laboratory tests that are included in a Chemistry Panel and an example of a real urinalysis below.

X-rays (Radiographs): If there is any indication of arthritis, abnormal aspects of the physical exam, or other suspicious elements in the history or physical exam, radiographs are taken to gather more data on the patient.

Evaluation: When all laboratory test results are available, x-ray films have been read and the data gathering process is complete, the veterinarian will make an evaluation. If there are any substantial deviations from normal for a pet of this age, the veterinarian may suggest further tests be done. For example, if the patient is evaluated as being healthy but the history indicates a lack of energy or enthusiasm and the physical exam displays an overweight pet with some deficiencies in the coat condition... the veterinarian may suspect Hypothyroidism. Further blood testing with emphasis on the thyroid function will be suggested. Another example would be the suggestion of bone marrow biopsy if there seems to be a significant lack of platelets and white blood cells, or the biopsy of a lymph node if far too many lymphocytes are noted on the CBC (Complete Blood Count).

Action: The veterinarian will discuss the results of the entire "Older Pet Health Evaluation" with the pet caretaker and suggest actions that should be taken. If a biopsy or further blood or urine tests are indicated, permission is obtained from the owner to proceed with additional tests and the next steps are taken. If the pet is healthy, another "Older Pet Health Evaluation" is scheduled for the following year and the owner is encouraged to contact the veterinarian if anything suspicious develops in the interim.

SUMMARY

The pet is admitted to the animal hospital for a preliminary discussion between the veterinarian and owner and a thorough physical exam is performed. Special attention is paid to dental health, presence of arthritis, abnormal growths, cardiac and ocular function, prostate and colon abnormalities and more. It is important for the owner to be present for the physical exam because the owner can provide important suggestions and answer pertinent questions at this time. The exam and medical history discussion may take somewhere between ten and thirty minutes and covers such topics as previous medical problems, dietary considerations, individual habits of the pet and how the pet relates to its environment. The patient is kept in the hospital for part of the day during which time blood and urine samples are procured for analysis.

Some of the laboratory work is done "in house" at the animal hospital and some analyses are performed by local specialized medical labs that pick up specimens on a daily routine basis. The blood analysis includes what is commonly called a CBC and a CHEMISTRY PANEL. This is a very comprehensive hematological exam. The urine analysis checks for the presence of blood or bacteria in the urine and cultures can be done to grow any bacteria in order to determine the best antibiotic to use in therapy. Additionally, the urine density, protein level, acidity and other very important aspects of urinary tract health are evaluated.

When the pet is discharged later in the day, the veterinarian will discuss the findings with the owner. The pet may need dental care, or have a growth removed before it gets unmanageable, or have an x-ray taken to evaluate a painful joint. At discharge from the hospital, the pet is scheduled for any follow-up work that the thorough physical exam revealed is needed. In addition, the owner receives a copy of the physical exam report and a copy of the laboratory analysis. Especially in the older dog or cat, periodic, thorough health evaluation is very important in maintaining an optimum "quality of life".

*****************************************

The Urinalysis: The following tests are generally performed on a urine sample, and the urine from an interesting case is documented that display some abnormal results...

Specific Gravity... 1.005 This measures how concentrated or dilute the urine is so this is very dilute!
Protein... +1 (This is not very significant. +3 or +4 would be remarkable.)
Blood... Trace This is noteworthy but not alarming.
pH 5... This means that the urine is very acid. Urine almost never is this acid normally!
Bilirubin...None (This means the liver's internal bile channels are not obstructed.)
Ketones... None (This would be positive in diabetics and starving animals.)
Sediment (This displays any solids that are a part of the urine sample. The solids settle to the bottom of a test tube that is spun in a centrifuge. The fluid portion is poured off leaving the solids for microscopic exam.)
White Blood Cells: 50+ per HPF This means High Power Field: The microscope is getting a really close look! Fifty white blood cells per HPF is significant and indicates inflammation or infection and possibly leukemia.
RBCs: 5 per HPF This refers to Red Blood Cells and there should be none seen in a normal urine sample.
Bacteria: 2+ (0 to 4+ scale) Rods Rods are a type of bacteria and a normal urine sample should have no bacteria present.
Epi cells: 2+ (0 to 4+ scale) Epi (epithelial) cells are cells that line the inside of the urinary tract. 2+ epi cells may or may not be significant.

*****************************************

The Chemistry Panel: Some typical tests routinely included in a Chemistry Panel are displayed below. Each laboratory will provide the veterinarian a range of values that represent likely normal parameters. These "normal values" often will vary from lab to lab; there are good reasons to pick a reliable, professional laboratory that has a database of animal values against which abnormal values can be contrasted. Most veterinarians will suggest repeating a test if any values fall just out of the normal range because there may be transient abnormal values in a healthy pet, so if a value falls out of the "normal" range repeating the test in a few days will indicate if the suspect value truly is abnormal or if it has presently fallen back into the "normal" range.

Sodium
Glucose
Total Protein
Alkaline Phosphatase
Amylase
Potassium
BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen)
Albumin
Alanine Amino- transferase (ALT)
Total Bilirubin
Calcium
Creatinine
Albumin/Globulin Ratio
Amylase
Total Cholesterol

*****************************************

The CBC: The Complete Blood Count is a highly important aspect of a complete "Older Pet Health Evaluation" because of the insight it provides into the invisible world of the individual's cellular environment. Even small deviations from normal should be followed by repeat tests to see if a pattern of higher or lower values are occurring. The usual parameters that are included in a CBC are the following:

White Blood Cell Count (WBC)
Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV)
Red Blood Cell Count (RBC)
Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin (MCH)
Packed Cell Volume (PCV or Hematocrit)
Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC)
Hemoglobin
Platelets
Segmented Neutrophils
Lymphocytes
Immature Neutrophils (Band cells)
Monocytes
Basophils
Myelocytes
Reticulocytes
Eosinophils

*****************************************

Most animal hospitals will suggest a Geriatric Workup for older pets as an important aspect of preventative veterinary medicine... "It is better to prevent disease than to have to cure it". The age at which a pet could be classified as a "Older Pet" is quite subjective. For example a Bull Mastiff may be considered geriatric at age 7 and at the same age a miniature poodle is just getting warmed up! Some cats live into their twenties and might be considered an "older pet beginning around twelve years of age. The effects of age on any individual are determined by a number of factors including environmental impacts, diet, activity levels, weight control and especially genetic predispositions. You, your pet and your veterinarian form a unit which, if all parts are in close integration with one another, can promote a lasting and rewarding "full life" experience for each individual. Consider asking your veterinarian about an "Older Pet Health Evaluation".

~~~~~~~~~~

Click on the link at the beginning of this article...

ThePetCenter.com
"The Internet Animal Hospital"

From MyDoghouse, My New Ebook Guide to Pets

2005-07-06T12:15:00.000-05:00

The
E Book Index Guide to Pets.: Learn and Study all about your Pet. Be an informed Pet Owner. For the Love of YOUR Pets

Posted By Ruth
http://www.happypetstop.com

Rabbit As Pet

2005-07-05T03:25:00.000-05:00

Rabbit As Pet

Rabbit As Pet
By Amanda Gates

Rabbits are one of the most popular pets, apart from dogs and cats. They look attractive, lovely, gentle, friendly and cute. They are easy to take care and undemanding in terms of care and housing. They will settle well either indoor or outdoor, at home.

There are 40 species of rabbits and hares worldwide. All domesticated rabbits are originated from European rabbits. The scientific name for domestic rabbit is Oryctolagus cuniculus.

Typically, domesticated rabbits weigh between 2.2-221lb (1-10kg). The domesticated rabbits can be fed on commercially produced rabbit food, pellets, hay, green food, root vegetables, tree bark, herbs and apple.

The gestation period of a rabbit is 31 days and the typical litter size ranges from 6-8 young. The lifespan varies with breed.

Keeping a rabbit as pet requires a good training system to prevent unnecessary destructions or hassle. For example, furniture and carpet chewing problems, pseudo pregnancy symptoms, litter problems, fights, behavioral problems, rabbit-house worries, sickness, fleas, predators and etc. Nevertheless, these challenges can be overcome when the owners have the knowledge and experience to deal with them. Thus, one of the recommended ways to acquire the important knowledge is to read widely and exchange practical information with experienced rabbit owners.

It is important to watch out for any abnormalities in your rabbits as rabbits are susceptible to various digestive ailments and other life-threatening diseases. For example, rabbits are vulnerable to myxomatosis and VHD viruses. These are the killer viruses!

There is no universal system of classification for rabbit breeds. Some popular breeds of rabbits include:

· Alaska
· American Fuzzy Lop
· American Sable
· Angora
· Belgian Hare
· Beveren
· Californian
· Champagne D’Argent
· Checkered Giant
· Chinchilla
· Dutch
· Dwarf Hotot
· English Lop
· Flemish Giant
· Florida White
· Harlequin
· Havana
· Himalayan
· Hotot
· Jersey Wooly
· Lilac
· Holland Lop
· Mini Lop
· Mini Rex
· Netherland Dwarf
· New Zealand
· Palomino
· Polish
· Rex
· Rhinelander
· Satin
· Silver
· Silver Fox
· Silver Marten
· Tan

Yours Sincerely,
Amanda Gates,
http://www.rabbitinfo.careforpet-rabbit.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Lion cubs make appearance at city zoo

2005-07-05T03:20:00.000-05:00

CBC Manitoba - Lion cubs make appearance at city zoo

Lion cubs make appearance at city zoo
Last Updated Jul 4 2005 01:54 PM CDT
CBC News

For the first time in 25 years, visitors to Winnipeg's Assiniboine Park Zoo can see lion cubs.

The cubs were born at the end of April to a pair of lions on loan to the zoo. In fact, the zoo did not confirm the female, Savannah, was pregnant until the two male cubs were born.

The cubs were kept in seclusion until they were old enough to be vaccinated. They and their mother have just begun venturing into their outer enclosure, next to the enclosure for their father, Vince.

Zoo officials say the two cubs have "big feet and charming faces."

The zoo is launching a "name the lion cubs" contest. Entries must be made by visiting the zoo before closing on Aug. 2. The winner, who will receive a lion-themed gift basket, will be chosen by a team of zoo staff and children who attend the zoo's camp.

The Assiniboine Park Zoo hasn't had lions since 1982. The lion family is on loan for the summer through the zoo's Animal Encounters program.

The zoo plans to give up the animals when cold weather returns this fall, since it doesn't have the facilities to keep them year-round.

Links related to this story:

ASSINIBOINE ZOO: More on the zoo

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Name the two male lion cubs" contest? I would name them .. ZEUSSIE and MAXXIE .. of course! I plan to visit the zoo before the August 2, 2005 deadline.

HART
PetLvr.com

On The Road With Your Cat

2005-07-03T00:51:00.000-05:00

TRAVELING WITH YOUR PET: On The Road With Your Cat to ThePetCenter.com

On The Road With Your Cat!

Maybe you’ll be lucky and your kitty will be a “Napper”. On the other hand your feline car companion could be the embodiment of Feline Road Rage. You won’t know until you try.

Cats!! These little creatures always seem to be a challenge when it comes to transporting them from one place to another. If you have never listened to the forlorn yodeling of a terrified cat on its way to the veterinarian you have missed a true spectacle of nature. And if you have heard these shrieks and cries from a panicked cat you’d be very thankful you did not experience it while out camping some dark night.

Only one cat in a hundred will curl up contentedly on the car seat next to you while on a trip. Nobody knows for sure why the other ninety-nine totally loose it and think they’re falling into outer space. Accept the fact that traveling with a cat may require a few preliminary preparations in order to make the experience at least tolerable for you and your little feline friend.

First… invest in some sort of crate or fabric containment. If you can get your cat into one of these portable products (that could be the subject of an entire article all by itself!) the cat will be much more secure physically and psychologically. Cats go into a sort of “I’m safe in here” mode when they find themselves enclosed within a crate. They still may yowl and cry but if that does occur, at least they won’t be able to use your forehead as a springboard to the ceiling of the car!

Once you have a travel crate, place it in the house with the door open, put a little treat and a small litter box in it, and then ignore it. Do not put the cat into it because the kitty will immediately understand what you are up to and won’t go near it again. They’re not dumb! Here’s what the cat would say to itself… “Hmmm, might have to urinate on that thing just to show it who’s boss around here”.

NOTE: Many veterinarians and pet owners believe strongly in buckling up pets in a car just as you would a child. There are many types of restraining devices for dogs BUT FEW FOR CATS. You might consider using a padded fabric type of crate for your cat instead of the plastic or wire crates in order to keep your cat in place during a trip and to ensure additional safety in case of an accident. Collars, harnesses and leashes are a must for any travelin' cat. The bottom line? Be prepared.

On the other hand if you allow the cat to discover this neat little den/crate right in its own house, you may find the kitty hangin’ out in it. Then someday when you need to capture the feline trickster to transport it to the veterinary hospital all you’ll have to do is keep an eye out for when the kitty is inside the crate and slam the door on your way by. Now a trip in the car will be safe for you and the cat. Don’t worry about putting food and water in the crate; healthy cats can go without food and water for many hours.

Do some occasional trial runs prior to any long trip you need to take so that you know what to expect when you have to be your cat’s driver on a cross-country escapade. If your cat really seems uncomfortable and cries like a banshee for any longer than twenty minutes, you may need to contact your veterinarian about using a tranquilizer prior to a long trip. It can be difficult to discern whether your cat is displaying Hyperactivity or is in the throws of Motion sickness. Describe what your cat is doing in the crate (quiet and drooling or going bonkers and screaming) and your veterinarian will be able to prescribe appropriate medication to allow the kitty to be comfortable.

For you folks who are really opposed to medicating your pet, be assured that the medications are very helpful in providing the least amount of stress on your cat while it is going through an experience it finds horrific and unexplainable. A terrified cat is probably thinking along these lines…“Thunder!!” when the engine turns on. “Earthquake!!” when the car starts to move or bounces over bumps. “Hydrocarbon fumes!!” when it smells auto, bus and truck exhaust. “I’m falling sideways!!” when it glances out the window and those trees are whizzing by. Can you blame the cat for feeling disoriented? Medication may be a very humane choice for your kitty.

Never open a crate with a cat inside unless you are prepared for the cat to spring out of the crate and make a dash for freedom! One of the most dangerous and embarrassing events you will encounter with your cat is trying to retrieve it from the rafters of the building you are in. And the odds are overwhelming stacked in favor of someone innocently opening the front door of the animal hospital just at the moment your kitty spies the tallest pine tree across the parking lot of the animal hospital. “What was that!” the innocent door opener says as you and half the animal hospital staff file out the door in hot pursuit of the escapee.

It can be dangerous, too, in the enclosed exam room when the veterinarian opens the crate or travel container. Some cats are wound as tight as a miser just waiting for their chance to escape. The natural tendency is to climb to safety… and injury will result if the kitty uses a person for a tree. You need to go slowly when removing the cat from the container; let the cat orient a bit before trying to get your hands on the kitty. It may be best to open the crate or container and allow the cat to amble out on its own. Be careful.

A healthy cat may not move an inch for six to eight hours at a time. Allow a little food and water but don’t expect the cat to even glance at the feast you’ve provided. At your motel sometime during the night, when everyone is sound asleep, the kitty will use the litter box and have a private banquet on its own terms. Your cat may use the litter box once, eat oncee and drink once every twenty-four hours when on a long trip. The odds are you will be worrying more about these behaviors than the cat.

Never, ever, let your cat loose when on a trip. It makes no difference how “good” your cat is at walking with you at home. On a trip you and your cat are in a different world and if your cat, for any number of reasons, “takes off” you may never see it again. Some sort of an ID tag is always a good idea. If your cat simply will not wear a collar, here’s an idea: Have a groomer or your veterinarian shave some fur from the cat’s belly. Using a Magic Marker write your name and phone number on the kitty. Eventually the fur will grow back and the marking will fade but this little trick may just save your lost cat’s life.

If you are like most cat owners, you will not look forward to traveling in the car with your little pal. Nevertheless, if done often enough, maybe you will be one of those lucky 1% whose cat thinks a ride in the car is a human invention designed specifically for cats to see the world much more efficiently.

ON THE ROAD
The very first rule of traveling with your cat is to have an ID tag or other means of identification securely affixed to the kitty. Thousands of dogs and cats end up in shelters simply because the owners never dreamed the pet would get loose or become lost while on a trip. There are few disasters in a person’s life that are worse than having to drive off without a pet because all means of locating and recovery have failed. This kind of tragedy will haunt you for the rest of your life; don’t let it happen. Get an ID tag!

Before you leave make sure you consider the option of leaving your cat in a hometown boarding facility Many are just for cats and do not board dogs. Others have the cats well away from any sight, sound or smell of a canine. Visit the local boarding facility and see what goes on. Also there may be a Pet Sitter in your area who would tend your pets in your own home. With a Pet Sitter you can even call home and tell your cat how much fun you’re having… Oh, and also how much you miss the rascal. In this section we’ll sample a few ideas that will help to facilitate a safe and enjoyable road trip. Make sure you know how your cat reacts to trips by taking a number of local short trips, then if you need to take an “all-dayer” you’ll have a good idea of what to expect. Any “all-dayer” is just a bunch of short trips anyway. So, before you set off on that cross country trip be sure that you are confident that you can predict how your pet will behave.

MOTION SICKNESS
Vomit happens. Sometimes even humans get carsick. Most cats can overcome motion sickness through desensitizing them by repeat short, uneventful trips. Gradually accustom the cat to spending time in the car with the engine off, then with the engine on, then short trips, then the cross-country adventure. Prior to a trip be sure the cat has had food and water available, then remove food and water at least three hours before you set off. You can also use anti-motion sickness medications to help settle the stomach and prevent the sometimes prolific drooling that occurs in a nauseous cat. Most medications used to prevent motion sickness are very safe antihistamines and many cats eventually will travel without the aid of medical assistance. Just in case, bring a roll of paper towels.

Note: Motion sickness or hyperactivity? Here’s the difference… cats with motion sickness are generally quiet and even a little depressed because they feel awful. They will drool all over the place, maybe even pass stool, and eventually start vomiting. The forlorn howling you might hear reminds one of a dark, creepy Halloween night! Even with an empty stomach the vomiting reflex can be very strong. These cats will greatly benefit from anti-motion sickness medication if it is given long enough in advance of the trip to be working by the time you start the journey.

The cat that goes bonkers when in a vehicle demonstrates hyperactivity. These cats aren’t sick, they’re possessed! Salivating, panting, whining, jumping from front seat to back, swatting at non existent butterflies and trying to cling upside down to the roof of the car are common characteristics of the hyperactive feline traveler. If you must bring the hyperactive cat with you, medication to sedate the kitty will surely make the trip safer, easier and less stressful for both you and the cat.

THIS CAT’S HYPER!
The key to successful use of pretrip medication is to administer it well before the trip starts. Some cats start their Tae Bo routine as soon as they HEAR the word car! Be nonchalant, sneak a little medication in a treat, and don’t mention the c a r anywhere near the cat prior to your trip. If you believe your cat may be a candidate for medication, be sure to do a leisurely pretrip trial well ahead of the time you REALLY need it. About one cat out of ten will not respond in the common way to a particular medication or a particular dose. You do not want to find this out the morning of an eight-hour, midwinter trip through the Rockies to accept that national writing award you won for the article on "Logical Steps To Effective Planning".

ATTENTION!
Yours should always be on the traffic, not on the cat!. If your traveling pal is a good traveler, it might curl up next to you on the seat and, ah... well, take a cat nap. (Sorry, had to say it.) Do not ever allow a pet to go near the driver side floor where the brake and gas pedals are located. And the dashboard must be out of bounds for safety sake.

TRAVEL CRATES
These inventions are very handy. Your cat, if happy and comfortable in a crate, will be safer and you will have the peace of mind knowing it is secure when you must leave your friend alone for short periods. If you do use a crate, be certain that the cat is totally accustomed to it well prior to the trip. PetFoodDirect.com has an assortment of crates, leashes and other restraining devices that will add to the safety and enjoyment of traveling with your pet.

PLAN AHEAD
Plan ahead… well ahead. If you know you will be staying overnight somewhere, be sure to have reservations at an establishment that welcomes pets. A handy list of “Pet Friendly” motels/hotels can be found if you do a little searching. Don’t even think about it if you hope to hide your cat in your room or think you will launch a successful appeal to the motel owner’s sense of sympathy if you show up with an 25 pound Maine Coon! And don't forget to bring along some disposable "Scoop n Toss Bags"; you must be socially conscious about where your kitty chooses to relieve itself. Your portable litter box may not be the cat's first choice. Be prepared!

FOOD AND WATER
It wouldn’t hurt to pamper your pal… bring along your cat’s own food and drinking water from home and you will be better off. Not that you’re fussy, right? And a few old towels or rags will make good cleanup devices if the cat happens to discover a mud puddle or contacts something nasty like spilled ice cream sundaes! Emergency first aid kits are very handy for you and the cat if a sudden cut, sliver or rash intrudes upon your day. Anti-itch medication, bandages, and antibiotic ointments may save the day when you least expect something will go wrong. It is a good idea to have your veterinarian give you a copy of the cat’s medical history to take with you just in case a visit to a veterinarian along the way becomes necessary.

LEASHES
Here’s a safety tip… Bring two leashes. That way you’ll have a spare when you misplace one. Cats are notorious for doing Houdini-like escapes from their collars. A harness is much more secure, especially the ones that will adjust according to the amount of tension placed against it. The harder a cat pulls the tighter and more secure the slip harness becomes. Travel crates human versions of dens, make great containment devices and many cats enjoy hiding out in them while traveling.

HEAT STROKE!
Leaving a pet alone in a car has a number of potential risks. Always be conscious of the effects of heat buildup in a parked car. It only takes a few minutes for the internal heat to build up forty degrees above the outside air temperature especially if direct sunlight bakes the car. Even the cat’s body heat (expired air in the cat’s breath is 102 degrees!) will act like a heater inside the car. Leaving windows open slightly at the top surely helps IF there is a breeze. Be very cautious about leaving pets unattended in parked cars. Heat stroke is a dire emergency and one from which many pets do not recover. And you'd be shocked to find out just how fast it can happen.

HAVE FUN!
Don’t forget to bring along some fun toys and tasty treats... just so the kitty knows that this traveling stuff is really fun! Don’t forget the camera! Visit PetFoodDirect.com for lots of treats and toys to entertain your cat while on the go!

~~~~~~~~~~

Click on the link at the beginning of this article...

ThePetCenter.com
"The Internet Animal Hospital"

On The Road With Your Dog

2005-07-03T00:48:00.000-05:00

TRAVELING WITH YOUR PET: On The Road With Your Dog To ThePetCenter.com

On The Road With Your Dog

Maybe you’ll be lucky and your dog will be a “Napper”. On the other hand your canine car companion could be the embodiment of Rover Road Rage. You won’t know until you try.

TRAINING THE NEW PUP
Let’s start out on our own literary journey down this freeway of discovery and try to understand the many facets of successful traveling with a dog. And the best place for us to start is with a puppy. If you have an adult dog that has not traveled before, skip this puppy class and proceed to ON THE ROAD.

Puppies are smart. They just don’t know it yet. So you’ve got to show them how smart they are by putting them through a few little practice sessions prior to show time. Soon after you have that new pup home, spend some time in the car with it while the engine is off and the car is parked. Tiny tidbits of treats will assure the little rascal that cars are a neat place for snacking. After a few practice sessions, do the same routine with the engine running in a well-ventilated area (NOT in the garage!) Do not get all excited about how great the puppy is doing and be overly praising, if you do, your smart little pup will think this car stuff is a big deal and we don’t want that. To a dog, cars are just another area for snoozing or introspective world watching. If you are quiet and passive the pup will take your lead and learn to relaxed.

Gently speak to the pup. Sit quietly and try to show the pup that being in the car is normal and not a place for rope tugging, barking or games of “betcha-can’t-catch-me”. You set the tone. If you have to assert yourself, do so. Command the pup to sit and stay… then offering tiny rewards for being good will reinforce the self-control. That smart little pup will begin to understand what YOU want and expect. Remember that what you do now will set the stage for years of happy traveling together.

NOTE: Many veterinarians and pet owners believe strongly in buckling up pets in a car just as you would a child. There are many types of restraining devices for dogs that could significantly add to the safety of travel and you should seriously consider using such a device to keep your dog in place during a trip and to ensure additional safety in case of an accident.

Ok… so now after a few days of sitting in the parked car with the engine running, it’s time to strike out on that long ribbon of highway that leads right around the block and back into the driveway. The same rules apply: Calmness and control shall prevail. This is a good time to get the pup used to a restraining device that will secure the pup comfortably in the seat and yet will allow adequate mobility. Any signs that the pup wants to bark or climb through the window (they are closed, right?) to greet those moving trees, busses and other living creatures should be met with a firm command to "sit" and "stay". Reward with a tiny treat. In the beginning keep the trips short and be firm with your control of the situation. (Did I mention that this takes two people? It’s preferable to have a licensed driver at the wheel while you conduct riding etiquette school.) If you have more than one puppy, do not try to teach them both at the same time. Their attention will be directed toward each other and not on you.

As the schooling progresses the pup will get the idea that trips in the car are normal occurrences and are not constructed for the pup’s amusement. You will find your puppy pal will be a pleasure to have in the car with you and that it won’t tell anyone about your off key sing-alongs to the “Oldies”.

ON THE ROAD

The very first rule of traveling with your pet is to have an ID tag or other means of identification securely affixed to the dog. Thousands of dogs end up in shelters simply because the owners never dreamed the dog would get loose or become lost while on a trip. There are few disasters in a person’s life that are worse than having to drive off without a pet because every means of locating and recovery have failed. This kind of tragedy will haunt you for the rest of your life; don’t let it happen. Get an ID tag!

Before you leave make sure you consider the option of leaving your dog in a hometown kennel. Most dogs love being in a kennel; there’s lots of activity, they get special attention and in most cases consider a stay in the kennel like we would a stay at the beach. Visit the local kennel and see what goes on. Also there may be a Pet Sitter in your area who would tend your pets in your own home. With a Pet Sitter you can even call home and tell your dog how much fun you’re having... oh, yes, and also how much you miss the rascal.

In the following section we’ll sample a few ideas that will help facilitate a safe and enjoyable road trip. Make sure you know how your dog reacts to trips by taking a number of local short trips, then if you need to take an “all-dayer” you’ll have a good idea of what to expect. Any “all-dayer” is just a bunch of short trips anyway. So, before you set off on that cross country trip be sure that you are confident that you can predict how your dog will behave.

MOTION SICKNESS
Vomit happens. Sometimes even humans get carsick. Most dogs can overcome motion sickness through desensitizing them by using the same training sequences of steps as described above in the puppy training. Gradually accustom the dog to spending time in the car with the engine off, then with the engine on, then short trips, then the cross-country adventure. Prior to a trip be sure the dog has been fed at least three hours before you set off. You can also use anti-motion sickness medications to help settle the stomach and prevent the sometimes prolific drooling that occurs in a nauseous dog. Most medications are very safe antihistamines and many dogs eventually can travel without the aid of medical assistance. Just in case, bring a roll of paper towels.

Note: Motion sickness or hyperactivity? Here’s the difference… dogs with motion sickness are generally quiet and even a little depressed because they feel awful. They will drool all over the place, maybe even pass stool, and eventually start vomiting. Even with an empty stomach the vomiting reflex can be very strong. These dogs will greatly benefit from anti-motion sickness medication if it is given long enough in advance of the trip to be working before the dog even suspects that a ride in the car is imminent.

The dog that goes bonkers when in a vehicle demonstrates hyperactivity. These dogs aren’t sick, they’re possessed! Salivating, panting, whining, jumping from front seat to back, barking at butterflies and trying to sit on the steering wheel are common characteristics of the hyperactive canine traveler. If you must bring the hyperactive dog with you, medication to sedate the dog will surely make the trip safer, easier and less stressful for both the dog and the human.

THIS DOG’S HYPER!
What do you do with the dog that simply cannot control itself once that engine starts and the wheels begin to roll? If you have really tried to train the dog to do as it is told but the motion and noise of traveling are simply overpowering and turn your dog into a slathering, panting, barking demonstration of a Tae Bo exercise, there’s hope! Call your veterinarian and describe the demonstration. Then request medication that will “take the Tae out of the Bo”. There are a number of safe medications that will allow your dog to travel without all that stress, noise and confusion. It will be a safer trip for both of you, not to mention less stressful.

The key to successful use of pretrip medication is to administer it well before the trip starts. Some dogs start their Tae Bo routine as soon as they HEAR the word car! Be nonchalant, sneak a little medication in a treat, and don’t mention the c a r anywhere near the dog prior to your trip. If you believe your dog may be a candidate for medication, be sure to do a leisurely pretrip trial well ahead of the time you REALLY need it. About one dog out of ten will not respond well to a particular medication or a particular dose. You do not want to find this out the morning of an eight-hour, midwinter trip through the Rockies to accept that national writing award you won for the article on "Logical Steps To Effective Planning".

ATTENTION!
Yours should always be on the traffic, not on the dog. If your traveling pal is a little dog, they usually will curl up next to you on the seat and catch up on some sleep. Do not ever allow them to go near the driver side floor where the brake and gas pedals are located. Big dogs may be best situated in the back seat and then you can legally refer to the dog as your navigator. If you choose not to use a seat restraint a gate type barrier between the front and the back seats is a good idea to prevent an unexpected visit from your traveling companion.

TRAVEL CRATES
These inventions are very handy. Your dog, if happy and comfortable in a crate, will be safer and you will have the peace of mind knowing it is secure when you must leave your dog alone for short periods. If you do use a crate, be certain that the dog is totally accustomed to it well prior to the trip. PetFoodDirect.com has an assortment of crates, leashes and other restraining devices that will add to the safety and enjoyment of traveling with your pet.

PLAN AHEAD
Plan ahead… well ahead. If you know you will be staying overnight somewhere, be sure to have reservations at an establishment that welcomes pets. A handy list of “Pet Friendly” motels/hotels can be found if you do a little searching.. Don’t even think about it if you hope to hide your dog in your room or think you will launch a successful appeal to the motel owner’s sense of sympathy if you show up with an unannounced Great Pyrenees. And don't forget to bring along some disposable "Scoop n Toss Bags"; you must be socially conscious about where your dog chooses to relieve itself. Be prepared!

REST AREAS
Make your timetable consistent with occasional stops along a side road where your leashed dog can find relief. Many veterinarians do not think the Rest Stations along the Interstates are a particularly sanitary area for your dog. Not that you have to be fussy but why not select an area that avoids conditions where dozens of dogs have already baptized the environment? And be sure to have some “Pooper Pick-Ups” with you so that in the event of an unexpected deposit in a public area, you can perform the courteous cleanup immediately.

FOOD AND WATER
It wouldn’t hurt to pamper your pal… bring along your dog’s own food and water from home and you will be better off. Not that you’re fussy, right? And a few old towels or rags will make good cleanup devices if the dog happens to discover a mud puddle or contacts something nasty like spilled ice cream sundaes! Emergency first aid kits are very handy for you and the dog if a sudden cut, sliver or rash intrudes upon your day. Anti-itch medication, bandages, and antibiotic ointments may save the day when you least expect something will go wrong. It is a good idea to have your veterinarian give you a copy of the dog’s medical history to take with you just in case a visit to a veterinarian along the way becomes necessary.

LEASHES
Here’s a safety tip… Bring two leashes. That way you’ll have a spare when you misplace one. Your dog MUST be on a leash whenever you are in unfamiliar surroundings. All it takes is a split second for a disaster to start its fateful chain of events. There are hundreds of reasons why your dog has to be on a leash whenever you are not in your own back yard. Travel crates, human versions of dens, make great containment devices and many dogs enjoy hiding out in them while traveling; bring one if your dog likes the security of a crate.

HEAT STROKE!
Leaving a dog alone in a car has a number of potential risks. Always be conscious of the effects of heat buildup in a parked car. It only takes a few minutes for the internal heat to build up forty degrees above the outside air temperature especially if direct sunlight bakes the car. Even the dog’s body heat (expired air in the dog’s breath is 102 degrees!) will act like a heater inside the car. Leaving windows open slightly at the top surely helps IF there is a breeze. However, that opening also invites children to poke their fingers in or unkind folks to tease the dog with sticks. Be very cautious about leaving dogs unattended in parked cars. Heat stroke is a dire emergency and one from which many pets do not recover. And you'd be shocked to find out just how fast it can occur. If you ever find your pet distressed from overheating in a vehicle, get to the nearest animal hospital immediately... don't even call first; just GO! For minor mishaps, having a First Aid Kit on hand for your journey may be your wisest investment. And keep the phone number of your veterinarian accessible just in case you need to refill a lost prescription or need quick advice. Sadly, many pets are harmed every summer by inattention to the very real dangers of heat stroke. Look at more info on heatstroke in pets.

HAVE FUN!
Don’t forget to bring along some fun toys and tasty treats. These will keep the dog contented for hours while you enjoy your trip. And bring the camera! Visit PetFoodDirect.com for lots of treats and toys to entertain your dog while on the go!

~~~~~~~~~~

Click on the link at the beginning of this article...

ThePetCenter.com
"The Internet Animal Hospital"

Welcome to PetLvr.com - [The Blog] - Introduction

2005-07-02T18:22:00.000-05:00

Welcome to PetLvr.com - [The Blog]. For those new to the blogging world, this will be your "BLOGGING-101" course and an introduction to our website. I plan to repost this entry at the beginning of every new month.

Blog Entries

This is a blog entry. While it looks like a normal website, really it is a series of website pages pulled together in one website. If you are familiar with our Tag-Board and other real-time chat programs like Tag-Board, the latest post is always on top. This is different from the Forums, where new posts are usually added to the bottom of the topic. You should be able to see the date of each blog entry at the beginning of each entry. At the end of each blog entry, you will see the link "Comments" just to the left of a caricature of my two Papillon Dogs. If you click this, you will expand the blog entry. While only myself, and the other contributors are allowed to post Blog Entries ... everyone is allowed to post a comment to our blog entry. So, if you feel like responding to what was published, feel free to do so.

Linking Inside this Blog Website

At the beginning of each entry, you will see a group of links that may or may not change in the future. It looks like this:

| Home | Top | About | Authors | Archives | Affiliates | Newsletter | Links |
Tag-Board | Site Feed | Utilities | News Feeds | The Cutest Pet! | Daily Cartoon | PetLvr Polls |

These are "Hot Links" to sections within this blog site. "TOP" will always get you to the top of the current page, and if you are on a sub-page, "HOME" will return you to the main start page. Feel free to experiment by clicking on each link to find out where you are transported to.

Archive Blog Entries

I have set this blog to display only the blog entries from the last 14 days. So, you may scroll down the page to view these entries. If you click on the hot link "Archives", you may click on any of the displayed months and this will display 100% of the blog entries created in that month, along with its comments.

Linking Outside this Blog Website

All links within blogs to either the source reference article or to other websites, will open up in a new window. There are "professional" blogger-geeks out there who think that this is a terrible crime to do this, because I must assume that the reader has no intelligence to Right-Click and select Open in New Window if they wanted to, or hit their Back button to return to their original position in our blog website.

And to the professional bloggers out there - :Ptftftffftt . Not because you think you can dictate to me how to design my website, that because of this one issue you would boycott my website altogether because of design, without consideration of the content. Shame on you.

PetLvr Community Corner ...

I have added this script to be used by all PetLvrs out there as you seem desire. You can have a Lost and Found ... add jokes, poems, and stories ... you can publicize current events that might be happening in your area or with your organization .. you can promote your pet-related website ... I don't care. All I ask is that you realize this is a general rated website and kids can be watching. At the current time, you will be required to create a Login Id and password to post contributions.

PetLvr Greeting E-Cards...

I have added this script to allow you to send anyone a picture from our PetLvr Picture Gallery ... to anyone or a series of people. There is no registration required. I will be periodically adding new pictures to the website. I might be adding new background music as well. Currently, I have included a bunch of TV Theme songs.

PetLvr Blog Pictures...

I have added this script to allow you to permanently upload your pet picture to our website and other PetLvr's may come and rate the picture. You will be required to create a Login ID to add your pet picture. If you just want to add your pet picture to our Gallery, without creating a Login Id, so you can send out Greeting E-Cards with your favorite pet picture .. use this "Cutest PetLvr Wars" instead.

Contributors Wanted

PetLvr.com is looking for contributors of content to this blog. All that is required is that the topic be "Pet Related". Do you have any expertise? Do you have any tips? Do you have cute pet stories? Do you have news of upcoming events? If you wish to become a CONTRIBUTOR to this blog, please contact hart@PetLvr.com.

We will display as many text links (in reason) to your own websites, and up to two logo/graphic links (125 pixel wide) that gets displayed on the left side of every page, and in the PetLvr Corner.

Once a contributor, you will have access to this blog to publish entries as you wish, or be able to email directly to this blog your content.

Please Support our Contributors

This is a small website, and each contributor is taking the time to help make this blogsite better. Please support their efforts by clicking on their Logo/Graphic banners that link to their website and browse around. Are you looking for something in particular? It's probably found in one of these sites!

Thank-You.
Take care.
HART
PetLvr.com

PetLvr.com - [The Blog]
"A Website For All Earthlings, Who Love Animals"
http://PetLvr.blogspot.com

PetLvr.com wishes everybody a Happy Holiday!

2005-07-01T13:46:00.000-05:00

If you are celebrating the festivities with your pet, here is a good article to read and to consider:

..... Fear of fireworks and other loud noises is not uncommon in pets. In the animal world, fear is a normal response to a threatening situation or aversive stimulus and is designed to protect the animal from harm. A phobia is a persistent excessive and irrational fear response. Fears and phobias can develop at any age and in any breed.

PetPlace.com - Fear of Fireworks

Click on the above link for the rest of this article ...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~``

To my fellow PETLVRs ...

July 1, 2005
HAPPY CANADA DAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!

July 4, 2005
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!

HART
PetLvr.com

"PETLVR COMMUNITY CORNER" created by PetLvr.com

2005-06-30T05:13:00.000-05:00

Here's your chance to BLOG back!

PETLVRs are invited to visit PetLvr.com - [The Blog Corner]

Today I have added another new script to [The Blog]. It allows the community to join in together and post entries in a spot I call the "PETLVR CORNER". Originally, I was intent on creating a place where poets can come to upload their poems and other pet related work, but it is now expanded to include more.

Readers are invited to participate and add to [The Blog Corner] ...

Their own Training Tips

Upcoming pet related publicity and events

Your favorite pet pictures

Lost and Found - Pets

Poetry inspired by your pet

Pet Jokes

Recipes for your pet

Breeders are welcome to advertise in here

Groomers are welcome to advertise in here

Shelters and adoption agency updates

For sale

Wanted

Post your favorite pet website and why

Dedication to the Working Animals, and ...

More! If you want your own topic, suggest a new one!

To access this script, click the graphic on the side of the page at the top, that looks like this:

Enjoy!

Take care.
HART
PetLvr.com

Aggression and Fear Behavior In Dogs and Cats

2005-06-30T00:34:00.000-05:00

Aggression and Fear Behavior In Dogs and Cats

The following essay is based upon thirty years of personal experiences working with dogs, cats and their caretakers. It is not intended to be a scholarly dissertation of psychological, sociological, or ethical foundations for behavioral modification. The views expressed here are my opinions... you may have a different opinion based upon YOUR life experiences. You are welcome to and I will respect your opinion about this very difficult and emotionally charged topic. While reading this essay please keep in mind that EVERY case of fear/aggression in dogs and cats is unique. No two animals or situations are exactly alike. Nevertheless certain predictable patterns are recognizable, and good judgment based upon informed and thoughtful introspection will lead you to your own best answers.
T. J. Dunn, Jr. DVM

Aggressive Behavior In Dogs and Cats

Aggressive behavior in dogs and cats can, unfortunately, be a source of conflict for humans. A certain percentage of dogs cats will display aggressive behavior toward their owners/caretakers or other humans. In the feline the aggressive mode may come upon the cat for unknown reasons. The cat will seem to be in a play mode, then the playing turns to more serious stalking, with ears held back and back arched, and often they will growl softly. You can see the fear/anger in their eyes. Or the behavior starts out while the cat is being gently stroked by the owner and the cat begins to become annoyed, then more defensive, then outright aggressive to the innocent owner.

In the canine the fear and aggression occasionally seems to "come on out of the blue" but more often is triggered by getting into the dog's "space" or protective territory. This unsocial behavior, while it may be "normal" if the dog or cat were interacting with another dog or cat to defend territory or signal "leave me alone", can be dangerous to people. Cats in this fear/aggression mode will bite and scratch...sometimes really terrorizing the owners. And dogs, with eyes glazed, teeth bared and with fearful barking and growling, will back owners into a corner or up onto a kitchen counter! In dogs this is often referred to as RAGE SYNDROME and can be a very shocking event for the owner (and I suspect, for the dog as well).

The only way I know to defuse the aggression is to leave the pet's area, just get out of eyesight. Trying to calm the dog or cat, or restraining and disciplining it will simply make the dog or cat even more fearful and aggressive. What is the cause of this aggressive/anger state? It probably stems from very early personality/behavioral development experiences in the pet's life. Events such as deliberate abuse, accidental trauma from objects falling on the pet, scary stimuli such as thunder and lightning, or other animals frightening the puppy or kitty may make a permanent impression on it regarding the world around it. More aggressive littermates can have detrimental effects, too. The critical age range that these events permanently make their impressions generally is from about four to twelve weeks of age; whatever is programmed into the brain's "personality structure" during that time span will then be set for life.

As we all know, there are humans with personality disorders...and outright sociopaths who are a danger to others...and so it is in the dog and cat world. And as difficult as it is to "pacify" the behavior of maladjusted humans who have the benefit of counseling, therapy and medications, and the love and sympathy of family and friends, much more so is the difficulty in modifying the behavior of dogs and cats who pose a threat to their caretakers. Lets face it, these dogs and cats cannot help being who they are; their impressions of the world have been shaped by events not of their choosing. (Can we say the same for human behavior?) Nevertheless when living and closely interacting with humans (and innocent children) daily, any behavior that endangers human health and safety is unacceptable.

My experience during thirty years of working with dogs and cats has taught me that many well intentioned people, certain that their gentle and loving ways will modify the behavior of the fearful/aggressive dog or cat, have learned a hard lesson in animal behavior. Often the "saviors" of these animals have been injured and even psychologically harmed when they learn that all their love and understanding will not correct the aggressive animal's behavior.

I am not saying that all cats and dogs with fear/aggression are lost causes; I am saying that a great percentage of them will continue to be a danger to human health and safety no matter who or what attempts to modify the behavior.

So...what is an owner to do? Consult with your DVM, breeders, and animal shelter personnel about your particular dog or cat, maybe even spend a little money on consultation with a professional animal behaviorist about your pet. If you choose to keep the pet and attempt behavior modification, be prepared for the experience to dominate your entire home life. Every family member will have to contribute to the plan of action and it will be a 24 hour-a-day experience; that dog or cat will be the focal point of your thoughts and activities. Are you willing to do that? Should you do that? I have witnessed many sincere and vigorous attempts to modify fear/aggression in dogs and cats that have left the animal's caretakers frustrated, demoralized and injured in their failed attempts to pacify the pet.

At the heart of the problem is the fact that the animal CAN'T HELP being who it is! It can't reason that the owners do not represent a threat or that the stimulus triggering the fear/aggression is not a real danger ...it simply acts and responds as ordered to by a brain that was imprinted with certain directions that the animal will never be able to modify.

January, 1998

More than four-million Americans are bitten by dogs each year, with more than 750,000 requiring medical attention, says an article in this week's issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). Every day, dog bites send 914 people to the emergency room. According to Harold B. Weiss, M.S., M.P.H., and colleagues, the estimated 50 million domesticated dogs in the U.S. still retain many of their wild instincts. It is these instincts that all too often lead to human attacks.

Dr. Weiss studied data from the National Center for Health Statistics National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey for 1992-1994 and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. He found that each year dog bites are responsible for:
* Nearly 4.5 million injuries and 20 deaths!
* Nearly 334,000 visits to hospital emergency departments
* More than 21,000 visits to medical offices and clinics
* About 3.73 million injuries that aren't treated medically.

They also found that males were more likely than females to be bitten by dogs and that children had the highest rate of emergency room visits for dog bites. Young children were more likely than adults to be bitten in the head, neck and face area.

Many, many times I have been a part of counseling owners about this fear/aggression problem. If we can rule out and are certain that the animal does not have anything physically wrong that may be triggering pain or discomfort, such as bladder stones, gastrointestinal foreign bodies, tumors or infections, and we are certain that the behavior is personality based, the choice may be to euthanize the unfortunate pet. Even if the pet is "OK most of the time" and only a threat two per cent of the time...is that an acceptable risk for the family to take? If the cat only scratches someone's eye occasionally or only bites severely once in a while, is that acceptable? If the dog only attacks "certain" people or gets frightened only by small children necessitating the continuous separation of small children from the dog...is that an acceptable risk to have living in your home all the time?
Regrettably, I have seen far too many empathetic and sincerely-intentioned pet owners make excuses for their dog or cat's harmful behavior. I have seen children scarred from dog bites that have occurred well after the dog has bitten the child or others in the past. Some pet owners really go too far in excusing the dangerous behavior of their dog or cat, blaming everything but the dog or cat, and these owners fail to see the improper and dangerous priorities they have set. In the case of a dog or cat being a real threat to human safety, you must set aside emotional attachment and look at the situation objectively. You must ask "No matter how much I love this animal, is it a danger to human health? Am I, as the caretaker and person responsible for this animal, willing to gamble that it won't ever tear out someone's eye, bite off someone's nose, scar someone's face...or even worse?" YOU be the judge...and then YOU live with the consequences of your choices.

I have had entire families come with their pet to my animal hospital where everyone is crying and completely emotionally drained by the absolute necessity of euthanizing their pet simply because the dog or cat has demonstrated itself to be a danger to them and others. NOBODY wins in these situations...not the family members, not the pet, not the veterinarian. Simply put, the animal cannot help being who it is. Unfortunately, who it is can be a danger to human health. It's a NO WIN situation for all involved.

And to give away a pet with fear/aggression personality traits to someone else is NOT a solution. The innate tendencies of the animal evolved from genetic predispositions and early brain/sensory inputs. YOU can't help that and neither can the dog or cat.

Below is an email I received from a saddened dog owner who went the extra mile in trying to solve a fear/aggression problem in an adopted dog. This case had an unfortunate conclusion for the dog... however, the family's decision to euthanize the dog most certainly avoided what was certain, inevitable injury to a family member or neighbor. My personal feeling is that when faced with certain harm to a human or euthanasia for a pet... the human health and safety considerations take precedence. It is a "no win" situation for the family and the dog; but living in constant fear of injury from an unprovoked and unpredictable attack by an animal truly diminishes anyone's quality of life.
T. J. Dunn, Jr. DVM

QUESTION:
Dear Dr. Dunn,
Our family recently went through a horrible experience with a Siberian Husky that we purchased. The long and short of it is when the puppy was 7 months old she attacked me unprovoked. We took her to the vet to have her checked... physically she was ok and the veterinarian recommended a behavior specialist. We paid a lot of money for her services, which were very professional, and I believe she tried as hard as we did with the dog. We had the puppy spayed and 4 days later the dog went completely crazy, attacking me, my son, and husband over a few hour span. We got her calmed down and took her to the vet. They recommended euthanasia for her and we had to agree. Over two months she "attacked" us four times, not to mention all the growling etc. episodes. I just saw your article about this Aggressive Behavior. I felt like you wrote it for ME!!! I have a question though. I guess am still suffering from guilt and missing her. The vet said that expensive brain scans and tests really wouldn't be worth it since in such a young dog of 10 months of age it would be highly improbable that structural changes would show up. Being distraught at the time and knowing the outcome wouldn't change what we needed to do, we agreed not to test the brain. What are the congenital or inherited traits and could they be definitely diagnosed in a puppy that young? I appreciate your help. Great website. Thank you, Mary Ann B.

REPLY:
Hello MaryAnn,
You and your family surely went farther than most in trying to understand and correct the dog's behavioral problems. Your question regarding having the brain checked is understandable, too, but I would concur with your veterinarian that the chances that the dog's behavior would have physical signs detectable via autopsy, MRI or CT Scan are almost zero.
Some dogs, and humans, too, simply have inappropriate reactions to their environment. Think of it as schizophrenia in humans where no amount of counseling or "understanding compassion" will change what the patient perceives as reality. Your dog was acting in a manner that the dog thought was appropriate for a perceived threat... even though no threat existed; to the dog there was a real threat and an equally real and dangerous response. Don't fight or try to deny the sadness and dismay at the final outcome... it is perfectly natural to feel how you are feeling. But take pride that you were strong enough to make the only decision that a rational human can make in the light of the potential serious and permanent harm the dog could have caused. The fact is that in these situations human welfare must take priority over the dog's when there are no more options.

You might like to read an article in ThePetCenter.com... A LETTER FROM ANNIE.
Best wishes,
and take solace in the fact that you have averted an eventual tragic injury that certainly would have occurred.
Dr. Dunn

~~~~~~~~~~

Click on the link at the beginning of this article...

ThePetCenter.com
"The Internet Animal Hospital"

Tough Guys Talking Plush Dog Toys

2005-06-29T22:42:00.000-05:00

GoArticles.com - "Tough Guys Talking Plush Dog Toys"

Tough Guys Talking Plush Dog Toys
by Shannon Weidemann

Recently Camille Tapp with Alpha Pet Products sent me a Billy the Duck Tough Guys Talking Plush Toy. My dog Kelly can be a destroyer of plush toys, ripping them apart and pulling the stuffing out, so I was unsure how long this toy would last.

Billy the Duck is dressed in a suit with bow tie and smoking a cigar. To further enhance the tough guy image he says “Do you think I’m funny? What am I, a clown?” when squeezed. Casino Cat, Dapper Dog, Stogie, and Lyin’ Lion are also available, each with a unique phrase. They are all around 11 inches tall.

Kelly was super excited when the box arrived. It had been packaged with some Buddy Biscuits Liver Treats and the box must have smelt very good. I got the toy out of the box, tossed it and away she went. She smelled the toy all over and then picked it up. She was able to get the toy to “talk” just by biting it. The first time it spoke, she dropped it. Then she quickly picked it back up again and bit it to make it speak again and again.

We have now had this toy for over a week and she loves to play tug of war with it, tossing it in the air and just laying down to chew on it. Billy the Duck has held up really well and is not missing any of his parts or fluff. This would be a great toy for any dog that loves to hear their toys talk.

You can find the Alpha Pets online catalog at http://camilletapp.alphapetproducts.biz They sell items for dogs, cats and people too.

~~~~~~~~~~

About the Author

Shannon Weidemann is a Consultant with Watkins, a company specializing in items for your Pantry, Medicine Chest, and Environmentally Friendly Cleaners. She is married to a wonderful husband and mom to one child and two furbabies. Learn more about Watkins and sign up for her monthly newsletter at http://www.greatvanilla.com

Drive-thru washing for dirty dogs

2005-06-29T20:51:00.000-05:00

BBC NEWS | England | West Midlands | Drive-thru washing for dirty dogs

Drive-thru washing for dirty dogs

Unloved mutts in a West Midlands dog home are being spruced up for potential owners thanks to two newly installed automatic dog washes. The Birmingham Dogs Home charity, which looks after 7,000 dogs, says they will save staff valuable time when it comes to washing the unwanted pets.

Dogs are put through the wash at the same time as the family car.

Staff put the dogs inside and then set the machines to shampoo, rinse or blow dry so the dogs can wash and go.

A Shropshire garage also has a dog wash machine which is proving popular.

Shampoo and rinse

Chris Evans, of the 24-hour BP Garage in Trench Lock, Telford, says he has even seen people arriving to wash their pets during the early hours of the morning.

Sunday afternoons are popular with families.

He said: "People go out for the day and their pets come back muddy and they put their dogs through the wash while putting their cars through the car wash."

The coin-operated machine has a bench which the dog can sit or stand on.

"The dog jumps on and the owners use a sort of hose-pipe which is a bit like a power shower," Mr Evans said.

"The dog gets a shampoo and a rinse and most people will give them a blow-dry too.

"Most dogs love it and it saves the owners from bending over when washing them in the bath."

BBC NEWS | England | Garage's automatic 'dogwash'

Garage's automatic 'dogwash'

The devices are popular in Spain

A Herefordshire garage is offering its customers the chance to clean their dogs at the same time as their cars. Stephen Morgan, the proprietor of Newtown Cross Garage, Lower Egleton, Ledbury, has installed an automatic "dogwash" after spotting the devices while on holiday in Spain.

The £15,000 system has a 12-minute cycle and four programmes, including shampoo, rinse, delousing and blow-dry.

Mr Morgan said the facility, which boasts a height-adjustable platform, had attracted about 30 canine customers since its installation last Friday.

"I first saw them when I was on holiday in Spain, where most forecourts have them, and they seem to be very popular," he said.

"Washing a dog at home can be a nightmare and this is proving to be a popular alternative."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I think that's a winner!

HART
PetLvr.com

Purina 'Em-barks' on Forefront of Download Technology

2005-06-29T20:50:00.000-05:00

WSFA TV Montgomery, AL - Purina 'Em-barks' on Forefront of Download Technology

Purina 'Em-barks' on Forefront of Download Technology

ST. LOUIS, June 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Move over Will Smith and Jennifer Lopez, barking dogs and meowing cats are making their way into mobile phone ringtones -- and with pets in 63-percent of American homes(2), "woof" and "meow" might become more popular than "Switch" and "Hold You Down."

Today, Nestle Purina PetCare announced the introduction of free, pet-related downloadable ringtones and screens, or "wallpaper," for all wireless phone-owning animal lovers to get their paws on. Owners of the 140 million cats and dogs(3) can also manage their pets' happiness purr-fectly by downloading pet advice podcasts or signing up to receive helpful tips delivered directly to their phones -- all for zero bones. Purina is one of the first U.S. consumer packaged goods companies to pioneer this type of free, direct-to-consumer service.

The dowloadable podcasts will give pet-loving audiophiles access to Purina's Animal Advice radio program. New shows will be published every other week and discuss topics such as animal training, pet surgery, behavioral theories and pet insurance. Podcasting allows listeners to download digital audio files, or MP3s, to their computers or portable media players to enjoy whenever and wherever they want. In fact, Steve Jobs recently called podcasting, "the hottest thing going in radio."

Purina's wireless offerings allow people to download pet-related content by visiting Purina's Web site, http://www.purina.com/download , through their mobile phones. There will be an initial offering of five ringtones. Cat lovers, for instance, can select a meowing cat, the Friskies(R) brand "Feelin' Alright" jingle, or the Fancy Feast(R) brand "ping-ping-ping" of a fork on a crystal goblet that is the hallmark of the brand's advertising. Consumers can easily complement their favorite ringtone by decorating their phone screens with one of five wallpapers of adorable cats or vivacious, floppy-eared dogs.

"As one of the leaders in dog and cat science and nutrition, we're excited to continue our commitment to developing and strengthening the relationship between people and their pets by being one of the first to use this technology to offer free, valuable information to pet lovers," said Michael Moore, director of interactive marketing at Purina. "Given the increased popularity in mobile technology, our latest offering is yet another way for people to showcase their love of animals."

How Wireless Works

Purina's wireless communications are available to consumers with AT and T, Cingular, Sprint and T-Mobile carriers, as long as their phones have text messaging (SMS) capabilities. Major brands including Audiovox, LG, Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, Sanyo, Siemens and Sony People are also compatible with the wireless downloads, available at http://www.purina.com/download . With a few additional clicks, they can request to have the pet-care tips sent to their phones.

The content of these helpful cat and dog tips will cover nutrition, health and behavior subjects such as how to help ensure a pet isn't lonely or what a wagging tail really implies. The tips will be sent weekly through a text message and will help owners improve their pets' health and lifestyles.

"Ultimately, this capability allows people to foster healthy relationships and express their passion for their pets," said Moore. "As we continue to improve our site, we will add new and exciting features for cat and dog owners to experience."

Site Renovation

The new wireless download offerings are part of an overall renovation to http://www.purina.com . The renovation will streamline the site's navigation and provide additional resources, such as a Purina activity calendar. The site will continue to feature direct links to Purina's portfolio of brands, supply an expansive collection of pet care information and offer prospective pet owners the opportunity to find the best dog or cat breed for their lifestyle through a breed selector.

In addition, the renovated site will continue to provide links to other sites sponsored by Purina, including http://www.PetFinder.com , which last year was responsible for over 1.5 million pet adoptions, and http://www.DogAge.com , which helps dogs live younger, healthier lives.

To learn more about Purina's wireless downloads visit http://purina.com/download .

(1) The Purina application, ring tones and wallpapers are available from Purina at no charge. However, wireless carriers/service providers may charge a fee for the download or for using the application, depending on the service plan. Interested parties should contact their wireless carriers/service providers for details. (2) APPMA 2005-2006 National Pet Owner Survey. (3) Ibid. CONTACT: Chris O'Donoghue: 312/729-4309 GolinHarris or Kerry Lyman: 314/982-2094 Nestle Purina PetCare Company

CONTACT: Chris O'Donoghue of GolinHarris, +1-312-729-4309, or Kerry Lymanof Nestle Purina PetCare Company, +1-314-982-2094

Web site: http://www.purina.com/http://www.purina.com/download/

Disclaimer: Information contained on this page is provided by companies featured through PR Newswire. PR Newswire, WorldNow and this Station cannot confirm the accuracy of this information and make no warranties or representations in connection therewith.

Pet Projects; Keep Your Animals in Mind When Choosing Furnishings

2005-06-28T12:00:00.000-05:00

Times Community Newspapers - National News - Pet Projects; Keep Your Animals in Mind When Choosing Furnishings

Pet Projects; Keep Your Animals in Mind When Choosing Furnishings
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
06/26/2005

Close your eyes and there it is, the home of your dreams: welcoming, comfortable, a house beautiful with an easy sense of style. This is a place you can be proud of.

Nowhere in this picture do you see mounds of hair, muddy paw prints, tattered sofa cushions, perhaps an unsettling odor.

Is it possible, you may wonder, to make room for animal companions without alienating the humans in your life?

Julia Szabo knows it is. "That's my mission," says Szabo, author of "Animal House Style" (Bullfinch Press, paperback, $19.95). A lover of both pets and good design, she writes the weekly "Pets" column for the Sunday New York Post and has written about style and interior design for the New York Times, House Beautiful and other publications. ...... (continued)

~~~~~~~~~~

Click on the link at the beginning of this article for the full story...

This really is a great article with lots of great sounding advice. You should read it.

HART
PetLvr.com

It's a brand-savvy dog's life for retail licensing

2005-06-28T11:53:00.000-05:00

Reuters | Latest Financial News / Full News Coverage - It's a brand-savvy dog's life for retail licensing

It's a brand-savvy dog's life for retail licensing

Mon June 27, 2005 7:12 AM GMT+05:30
By Angela Moore

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Fido might seem just as happy drinking his water out of your toilet as he would a Homer Simpson water bowl.

But retailers are betting pet owners are a bit more finicky -- and fashionable -- and willing to pay for new lines of pet products from well-known brand names.

Dog owners now can indulge their inner fashion stylists by outfitting their pets in SpongeBob SquarePants dog collars or Elvis dog sweaters, for example, rather than no-name items.

At the International Licensing Show in New York last week, leading dog brands like the American Kennel Club and Milk-Bone, and entertainment companies like Fox and Nickelodeon were banking that the growing pet products industry will end up being a gold mine.

"This is a huge untapped market," said Virginia King, executive director for Fox licensing and merchandising. "Whether it's a collar or a leash or a T-shirt or a sweater, it's probably one of the biggest potential growth areas for retailers."

Part of this growing trend is the humanization of pets.

People see companion animals as extensions of themselves, which has led to an explosion in designer pet clothing, high-end accessories, swanky carriers and toys based on familiar characters.

Americans will spend more than $35.9 billion -- which includes food, vet care and services like grooming -- on pet-related products in 2005, according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association.

In contrast, the U.S. toy industry rang up $20 billion in sales last year.

"If we buy kids a licensed product because we think it's cute, we might do the same for pets," said Sean McGowan, an analyst with Harris Nesbitt.

"But kids are not indifferent to brands, and pets largely are," McGowan said. "If you buy the licensed product, you're really buying it for yourself. So there's a limit to how far you're going to go with it."

FROM KING KONG TO CLIFFORD

Fox is developing a line of pet accessories with licenses from both the animated television show "Family Guy" and last year's teen nerd movie "Napoleon Dynamite."

It's a natural evolution from the lucrative licensing deals associated with the Fox network's long-running animated hit TV show "The Simpsons," whose characters' likenesses -- including pot-bellied dad Homer Simpson and underachieving son Bart Simpson -- appear on everything from underwear to backpacks.

Universal Studio's consumer products group is working on pet accessories licensed under the "Curious George," "King Kong" and "Scarface" brands. And it is looking for pet product opportunities with retro movie and TV brands such as "Animal House," "American Graffiti" and "The Munsters."

Fox is a unit of publishing giant News Corp.; Universal Studios is a division of media company NBC Universal, a unit of conglomerate General Electric Co.; and Nickelodeon is part of Viacom Inc.

Scholastic Corp., best known for its children's books, is pairing its popular "Clifford the Big Red Dog" character with dog food.

"There is a tremendous market in pets. For many people, their pets are like their children," said Al Kahn, chief executive of 4Kids Entertainment, which is the licensing agent for the American Kennel Club brand.

"I don't think the growth has even started. We are just in preliminary stages. Many more pet products are going to be introduced, but like anything else, this, too, can be overdone."

YES -- DOGS WEARING BOOTS

JAKKS Pacific, which makes Cabbage Patch Kids and Care Bears for human kids, recently bought a line of pet toys and treats with licenses such as "Shrek," "SpongeBob SquarePants" and Barbie.

Even corporate brands are getting a piece of the action.

DaimlerChrysler unit Jeep makes pet crates and plans to move into pet carriers.

"Pet products have become such a popular category," said Debra Joester, chief executive of The Joester Loria Group, a licensing agency representing Jeep. "I'm seeing more and more pet owners buying toys, clothing, even boots and Halloween costumes. It's an emerging market, and we'll explore any legitimate opportunity."

Radio frequency ID tags subject of conference tomorrow

2005-06-28T11:46:00.000-05:00

Radio frequency ID tags subject of conference tomorrow

Radio frequency ID tags subject of conference tomorrow
Monday, June 27, 2005

Radio frequency identification, or RFID, tags are already changing the way companies keep track of inventory, how owners keep track of pets and how turnpikes collect tolls. But what lies in the future?

"RFID: Hype, Reality and Hope," a daylong conference tomorrow at the University of Pittsburgh, will assess this developing technology. Marlin Mickle, an RFID researcher and Pitt electrical engineering professor, will be the featured speaker of the program, which is sponsored by Pitt's Swanson Institute for Technical Excellence.

The conference is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow on the 5th floor of Pitt's Alumni Hall, 4227 Fifth Ave., Oakland. To register or view an agenda, visit
www.engr.pitt.edu/SITE/rfid.

For seniors, pets are more than pretty faces

2005-06-28T11:34:00.000-05:00

KSL NewsRadio 1160 - For seniors, pets are more than pretty faces

For seniors, pets are more than pretty faces
Jun. 27, 2005

(HealthNewsDigest.com)-To say that a pet can be an important part of a senior's life is no shaggy-dog story. Dogs, cats, rabbits, birds and other companion animals are considered by many to be "members of the family." Many people talk to their pets, travel with them, buy them holiday gifts and even celebrate their birthdays.

The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) estimates that there are 65 million dogs and 77 million cats kept as pets in America-many by seniors.

According to Kelly Connolly of the HSUS, animals can contribute to a senior's life in a number of ways.

Said Connolly, "By now just about everyone knows that an elderly person who has a companion animal in his or her life can expect to enjoy many physical and emotional benefits, including lower blood pressure, improved social skills, reduced stress and increased physical activity."

Older Americans can have a special bond with their pets, particularly if the senior lives alone or far from loved ones.

For example, adopting a dog was the last thing on Sadae Walters' mind five months after her stroke. She'd recently regained the mobility in her left arm, but her doctor said a dog would get her out walking more, while providing a living companion to nurture. A long search led her to Princess, a medium mixed breed from the Caroline County Humane Society.

Sadae and Princess bonded instantly. On just their second day together, Sadae tripped and fell. Princess immediately pressed close to her side, planting her legs and stiffening her body so that Sadae could reach around Princess's neck and pull herself up. Sadae calls Princess her "treasure," a sweet angel who has enriched her entire family's life.

In addition to their endearing qualities, some companion animals can also play important roles in their owners' lives as "service animals."

Service animals fall into two categories-assistance animals who are trained to provide a specific service, and therapy animals who interact with people in health care, social, educational and recreational settings. These are most commonly dogs and cats, but fish, birds, rabbits and other animals can also be used for service.

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization, representing more than nine million members and constituents.

To learn more, visit the Web site at www.hsus.org/therapypets

© Health News Digest.com 2004 All Rights Reserved.

New pet toilets debut in Beijing

2005-06-28T11:23:00.000-05:00

New pet toilets debut in Beijing

New pet toilets debut in Beijing
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-06-28 16:08

A new type of pet toilets that lure dogs with scents will make debut in Beijing.

A pet dog is seen beside a pet toilet which will make debut in Beijing soon. [baidu]

In July Beijing citizens will be able to bring their pets to experience them.

Sources said the pet toilets developed by a company in Zhejiang were designed to address the environmental problem of the excrement and urine left by pets outdoors.

They function by luring pets into the toilets with scents and are water efficient.

Excrement and urine of pets is automatically packaged with degradable plastic with no odor leakage so that it won't pollute the environment and is easy to handle and utilize.

©Copyright 2005 Chinadaily.com.cn All rights reserved. Registered Number: 20100000002731

"FREE GREETING E-CARDS" from PetLvr.com - [The Blog]

2005-06-27T04:53:00.000-05:00

Online Greeting Cards should be free, and PETLVRs are invited to send a free greeting card from PetLvr.com

Today I have added another new script to [The Blog]. It allows you to send anyone a FREE greeting E-card.

I will be adding new pictures to the greeting E-Card database every week. All pictures are taken from PetLvr.com - [The Blog Gallery]. Hopefully there is a picture that suits your needs.

If there is no picture you like .. don't fret! This is what you can do:

(1) Upload a picture to the Cutest PetLvr War section or upload a picture to the PetLvr Picture Club section, then

(2) Email me at info@PetLvr.com to let me know you want to use your picture as a Greeting E-Card, I will have to manually add your picture to the Greeting E-Card database,

(3) Alternatively, you can just email me your picture as an attachment and ask me to add the picture to the Greeting E-Card database. Don't forget to let me know what your Pet's name is!

Please note that if you upload a picture, it will be permanently available for use by other PETLVRs to send as an online Greeting E-Card, and will appear in our Gallery.

With every sent E-Card, you are able to choose a background "TV Theme" song for your message.

To access this script, click the graphic on the side of the page at the top, that looks like this:

Enjoy!

Take care.
HART
PetLvr.com

Why Use TTouch in Animal Facilitated Human Development

2005-06-26T21:35:00.000-05:00

Why Use TTouch in Animal Facilitated Human Development or Therapy Programs by Dr. Tom Beckett, DVM TTEAM? News International Volume 9 Number 3 October 1989 Pp.8-9. TTouch, at its simplest,is the use of a few easily taught but specific finger and hand touches rather than aimless or unstructured stroking or petting.

The Tellington Method for Companion Animals

Learn how the Tellington TTouch and the Tellington Touch EquineAwareness Method (TTEAM) can help you create a more wonderful partnership with your horse, dog, cat, bird, bunny or another animal companion. Visit: www:TellingtonTTouch.com

Posted by Ruth Bird

http://www.mimfreedom.com/dogtherapy.htm

Dear TTouch Friends, you are cordially invited ...

2005-06-26T16:32:00.000-05:00

Dear TTouch Friends,

Scottsdale, Arizona November 3-5, 2006 You are cordially invited to join me with Roland, Robyn and Phil along with our brilliant instructors, and TTouch and TTEAM practitioners from around the world. Come for 3 days of sharing, learning and reconnecting at the luxurious ResortSuites in Scottsdale, AZ, November 3-5, 2006.

We have an outstanding line-up of speakers presenting the most interesting, thought provoking and exciting topics you will find anywhere. And if the weekend Cell-ebration isn't enough to quench your thirst, come a few days early to attend Advanced Trainings for Companion Animals and Horses, October 31-November 2, 2006. Whether you are a Practitioner, a Practitioner-in-Training, or just love TTouch and want to celebrate with us, this event is THE PLACE TO BE to refresh your skills, renew your spirit, catch up on the latest TTouch tools and techniques, and connect with friends both old and new.

The Cell-ebration will feature timely topics including Sensory Integration, Evaluating Tension, TTouch in Shelters, TTouch for Kids at Risk, and the Use of TTouch in Veterinary Practice, TTouch for You, TTACT and TTEAM Updates - just to name a few. There will also be Breakfast Roundtable discussions daily to give you a chance to brainstorm with your peers about everyday issues such as Creative TTEAM and TTouch classes, Building a Practice, Marketing and Promotion, Liability and Legal Issues, Creating a Website, and for Friends of TTouch join Linda to share your stories and experiences. But it's not all work and no play. We're planning a ride in the desert. We'll gather for a poolside, Hawaiian style reception on Friday and enjoy a gala Cell-ebration dinner on Saturday.

The ResortSuites is a lovely property located in North Scottsdale. Accommodations feature generous 2 and 4 bedroom suites with kitchen, dining area and living area. We will try to accommodate roomate and "suite-mate" requests so you have a chance to spend time and reconnect with special TTouch friends and classmates. Rooms at the ResortSuites start at $150 single/$75 double. For the budget minded participants, rooms are available at a nearby property starting at $104 single/$52 double.

Did you know that the 30th anniversary gift is the pearl? The pearl is a remarkable, luminescent gift from nature. The 30 Year Anniversary also symbolizes transformation. Therefore it is only fitting that the pearl is integral to our gathering. Each of you is a precious pearl in your own way. Strung together you illuminate the path around the world with a glowing light that transcends the ordinary. So while the occasion of the 30th anniversary of TTEAM is the catalyst for this cell-ebration, we are really gathering to honor each of you for your brilliance, your gifts and the love and light you bring to your corner of the world.

Blessings and Aloha,
Linda

For more information:

Call 800-854-8326 or visit the website at www.ttouch.com
Watch your mail, email and our website for more details and registration information.

Important: Please let us know whether you hope to attend and whether you'd prefer to reside at the ResortSuites or an offsite property. Send your feedback to Jan Robinson at
trainings@tellingtontraining.com. You will be under no obligation but your input will help us with our planning.

Learn more...

30 Year TTEAM & TTouch Cell-ebration Conference

November 3-5, 2006
Tuition: $350 (Travel and accommodations not included.)

Advanced Training - Companion Animals and Equine

October 31-November 2, 2006
Early Registration: $295 per person ($150 deposit due 4/15/2006)
Regular Registration: $350 per person (4/16/06- 9/30/06)
Late Registration: $400 per person (after 10/1/06)
Take $50 off your total registration fee if you attend both an Advanced Training AND the Cellebration.
All registrations due in full by October 1, 2006.

Tellington Training Worldwide

email: info@tellingtontraining.com

phone: 800-854-8326

Posted by Ruth,

http://www.happypetstop.com

Maxxie and Sophie - Red & Green Eyed Dogs

2005-06-26T11:42:00.000-05:00

I work out of my home, with my two dogs and a cat, and they are quite familiar with my work habits and schedule.

For instance: I have three types of work days that my dogs can recognize..

(1) There are days when I'm really on the go. The phone is ringing off the hook, I'm up the stairs, down the stairs, out for meetings with clients, or clients are meeting me here, or I'm out to the bank, or out to the post office or even lunch.

>> What this means for Maxxie and Sophie is .... is he going out? YAAYY!! A Milky Bone! .. If they keep barking while a client is here?? YAAAY!! A Milky Bone! .. If I go out again?? YAAY!! Another Milky Bone!!

(2) There are days that I am quite busy, and thankfully, the phone is not ringing, and I have no deposits to make, or there is no outgoing mail. These are actually my most productive work days, and I get a lot or work done.

>> What this means for Maxxie and Sophie is .... is he getting another cup of coffee?? YAAY!! Maybe he'll make some toast and give us a piece! is he snacking on some peppers or carrots?? YAAAY!! Maybe he'll give us some vegetables!! Is he moving in his chair? YAAAY!! Maybe he is going to take another break and play with us and beat us up!!!

(3) There are days that I am super busy, and often on the brink of 'stressdom', I'm super busy, the phones can't stop ringing, I'm probably out of supplies and have to go out to get them, I still have stuff to mail or banking requirements, and everything should have been done yesterday!

>> What this means for Maxxie and Sophie is .... UTOH! Better get out of his way!! He doesn't like us anymore and doesn't want to play with us!! We'll just lie here and wait for you to pay attention to us..

Well that's what happened last Friday ... (3) - I went downstairs for my 3rd cup of coffee for the day and saw the cutest picture. Maxxie was lying on a green pillow, and Sophie was sharing that pillow with him. The were keeping each other company, because I was ignoring them.

I had to stop and go 'awwwwwwww', and told them both to wait because I wanted to take a picture of them together like that!

So, I ran to the back room, where my camera has been sitting in its box for weeks now, and ran back to the dogs to take a picture - but - A Dead Battery!! Grrrrr.. Don't you hate that? Well, fortunately I always keep a spare battery charged in the box, so I went back to get it and put it in the camera so I can take another picture, turned around and .. and do you know what I found? Maxxie and Sophie.

The were both quietly following me, keeping within two feet behind me probably wondering what I was doing .. wondering if
(a) they were going to be involved in my plans
(b) it involved Milky Bones or toast or
(c) I was playing a game with them.

I took a picture anyway .. here it is:

This picture is typical of all my non-professional picture taking of Maxxie and Sophie. For some reason, Maxxie always has RED-EYE and Sophie always has GREEN-EYE.

Isn't that weird?

Later on in the day, I did find Sophie back on a similar yellow pillow, trying to catch up on her sleep. One day I will have to make a pictorial blog entry of "HART's Day with Maxxie and Sophie"

Take care.
HART
PetLvr.com

PET SITTING .... A SENSIBLE ALTERNATIVE FOR YOU AND YOUR PETS

2005-06-26T02:21:00.000-05:00

PET SITTING - A SENSIBLE ALTERNATIVE FOR YOU AND YOUR PETS at ThePetCenter.com

PET SITTING - A SENSIBLE ALTERNATIVE FOR YOU AND YOUR PETS at ThePetCenter.com

Pet sitting services have really taken its place as an excellent way to have your pets taken care of right in their... 'er, YOUR own home. If you do not have a certified pet sitter near you, it may not be long and you will. There is a Pet Sitters Forum and many websites introducing individual pet sitters' businesses. The information below will introduce you to just what this Pet Sitting concept is all about. It is taken from their website with permission.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Patti Moran is considered the "guru" of pet sitting and some credit her with the creation of an industry. For over 10 years she was the owner and operator of Crazy 'Bout Critters, a pet sitting firm in Winston-Salem, NC. Patti grew her company from 2 to 41 sitters over those years.

She is the author of Pet Sitting For Profit, considered by many to be the "bible" of the pet sitting industry. Pet Sitting For Profit was first published in 1987, revised in 1991 and 1997. Today there are more than 50,000 copies in print.

Patti is the founder and president of Pet Sitters International, an educational organization "Run BY Pet Sitters, FOR Pet Sitters." Through PSI, Patti is a tireless promoter of excellence in pet sitting. Today Pet Sitters International has 2700+ members.

What's involved in becoming a certified PetSitter?

Working with International Correspondence Schools (ICS), Pet Sitters International has created voluntary accreditation standards at four levels:

* Pet Sitting Technician
* Advanced Pet Sitting Technician
* Master Professional Pet Sitter
* Accredited Pet Sitting Service

Through accreditation you can:

* Raise awareness among your customers about what it takes to be a qualified professional pet sitter
* Distinguish yourself as a true professional
* Sharpen your knowledge, skills and competitive edge
* Earn formal recognition for your commitment to excellence

The PSI accreditation programs are designed expressly for professional pet sitters, with self-paced home study courses to fit into your busy schedules. Depending upon the accreditation sought, subjects covered include:

* Pet Sitting Office Procedures
* Staff Management
* Company Expansion
* Animal First Aid
* Care of Older Pets
* Animal Nutrition
* And Many, Many More

Recommended Quality Standards for Excellence in Pet Sitting

The sitter has a veterinarian on call for emergency services.

All dealings with staff members, customers and industry colleagues are conducted so as to present the pet sitter and the pet sitting industry favorably and positively.

The sitter keeps regular office hours and answers clients inquiries and complaints promptly. The sitter provides references.

The sitter has experience in caring for pets and is clearly mindful of their safety and well-being.

The sitter provides written literature describing services and stating fees.

The sitter visits the client's home before the first pet sitting assignment to meet the pets and get detailed information about their care.

The sitter is courteous, interested and well informed.

The sitter takes precautions to make sure a client's absence from home is not detected because of any careless actions or disclosures by the sitter.

The sitter conducts business with honesty and integrity and observes all federal, state and local laws pertaining to business operations and animal care.

The sitter has a contingency plan for pet care in case of inclement weather or personal illness.

The sitting services provides initial and ongoing training for it's sitters.

The sitter provides a service contract which specifies services and fees. The sitter provides a service rating form for clients.

The sitter refrains from criticizing competitors.

The sitter calls to confirm or has the client call to confirm the client has returned home as scheduled.

The sitter wants to learn as much as possible about the animals in his or her care.

The sitter shows a positive attitude during the initial meeting and seems comfortable and competent dealing with animals.

The sitting service screens applicants for employment carefully.

Why Use a Professional Pet Sitter?

Advantages for your pet:

Reduced stress because of remaining in a familiar, secure environment where all the sights, smells and sounds are familiar.

Following a customary diet and exercise routine.

Not being traumatized by travel to the boarding destination.

Minimal exposure to illnesses of other animals.

Most important, the pet receives love and personal attention while the owner is away.

Advantages for you:

You won’t be inconvenienced or upset by transporting your pet.

You don’t have to impose on a friend, neighbor or relative who may forget to care for your pet.

Your home is made more secure by the crime-deterrent measures provided by most pet sitting services.

While you are away, you can feel confident your pet is in capable, caring hands.

You can use other special services, such as watering plants and bringing in mail.

~~~~~~~~~~

Click on the link at the beginning of this article...

ThePetCenter.com
"The Internet Animal Hospital"

Good Samaritans Help Protect Dog

2005-06-25T13:55:00.000-05:00

The City of Akron, Ohio, as covered by Leader Publications - Good Samaritans help protect dog

Good Samaritans help protect dog

To the editor:

So many letters to editors these days regard themes of a negative tone. I wanted to send one to the West Side Leader regarding a recent experience which took place in the Akron area of a more positive, uplifting theme.

On Memorial Day, I came upon a frightened dog in the middle of Quick Road in Peninsula as I was driving past the Humane Society of Greater Akron (HSGA). The dog apparently had been abandoned near the facility earlier in the day.

As I began to follow the dog, I came upon a couple in their vehicle, and we agreed to use their Jeep Cherokee and my Escort station wagon to, more or less, block traffic from hitting the dog. Together, we three coaxed the poor pooch to one of the waiting vehicles using a borrowed bowl of dog food from nearby HSGA.

It worked! We were able to save him from a sure demise on Quick Road that day. He is probably ready for adoption at HSGA now.

I want to thank that nameless couple for helping me to catch that abandoned dog on Memorial Day and do, indeed, hope that they find my letter here in the West Side Leader.

Thanks also to the countless numbers of other anonymous folks who have performed similarly in order to help the abandoned and abused animals in our community.

As a devoted dog lover, I was honored to have been a part of this rescue. Thanks so much again to the folks who assisted me in the effort.

Nancy Kist,
West Akron

Leader Publications
EMAIL
you@akron.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Good Job!

HART
PetLvr.com

New law gives Hawaiian pets right of inheritance

2005-06-25T13:38:00.000-05:00

CTV.ca | New law gives Hawaiian pets right of inheritance

New law gives Hawaiian pets right of inheritance
Associated Press

HONOLULU — The audience was eager for the governor to put pen to paper. Some drooled. Catching the spirit of excitement, a few even lost control and barked.

Canines of all sizes and a spotted rabbit named Roxy were among those gathered Friday at the Capitol to watch Gov. Linda Lingle sign into law a measure that allows residents to leave a trust for the care of their dog, cat, or other domestic animal.

Lingle's two cats, Nani Girl and Stripes, were not in attendance.

"As you know cats don't do as well in public settings like this as dogs do," Lingle said.

Friday also marked National "Take Your Pet to Work Day." Several legislators and a number of other workers showed off their four-legged friends, who mostly behaved.

"These aren't just pets. These are a part of the family. You miss them when you're away. You worry about them. They really are important parts of your life," Lingle said.

Animal law attorney Emily Gardner helped draft the original bill. Garner became attracted to the issue while visiting elderly long-term care patients at St. Francis Hospital with her dog, Toby, who works as a therapy dog.

Some of the residents told her they were concerned about their animals and wanted to be able to provide for them after they died.

"I had to tell them that, unfortunately, that the way the law was currently written there was no legally enforceable means for them to do that," said Gardner, as she cradled Toby.

Researching the state's options, Gardner said she found 20 states had legally enforceable trust laws for pets.

"So why not Hawaii? And now Hawaii does," she said.

But for those concerned that the new law might mean their rich, slightly daffy uncle might now leave his empire to his beloved little Fifi, the law has attempted to address those fears.

A court can reduce the amount transferred to a trust "if it determines that the amount substantially exceeds the amount required for the intended use and the court finds that there will be no substantial adverse impact in the care, maintenance, health, or appearance of the designated domestic or pet animal."

But it might also help to be a trustee.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

© 2005 Bell Globemedia Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Five Things You Should Know About Boston Terriers

2005-06-25T13:32:00.000-05:00

GoArticles.com - Five Things You Should Know About Boston Terriers

Five Things you Should Know About Boston Terriers
by Katelyn Thomas

1. Bostons love to snuggle and cuddle. They want to sit in your lap if they are on the floor. If they’re already in your lap, they want to curl around your neck or burrow into your chest.

2. Just because they’re cuddle bugs, don’t think Boston Terriers are low energy dogs. These dogs need to run and play and run some more. They love to chase after butterflies and bugs and can keep up with much larger dogs.

3. For a little dog, the Boston is a big chewer. Your puppy is going to need plenty of chew toys. If you don’t provide toys, he will find his own. Your furniture, shoes, and even your feet will fall prey to his sharp little teeth.

4. Rotten eggs have nothing on a Boston with gas. These guys seem prone to odorous bouts of gas passing. Avoid changing their diets suddenly and do not feed table scraps to cut down on this smelly problem.

5.Bostons are very smart. Your dog will learn quickly and will enjoy doing obedience and agility. In fact, most Boston Terriers are even willing to do a few stupid pet tricks, especially if you pull out the clicker.

~~~~~~~~~~

About the Author

Katelyn Thomas is the webmaster for www.aboutbostons.com and the owner of the outspoken Betsy, the Boston Terrier who writes Betsy's Blog.

Cats and Their Nutritional Needs - Cats Are Different

2005-06-25T13:03:00.000-05:00

Cats and Their Nutritional Needs - Cats Are Different

Cats Are Different
by T. J. Dunn, Jr. DVM

Our wonderful life-supporting planet is home to a remarkably diverse and complex spectrum of living organisms. And although all living things do share some common traits and similar biochemical pathways and cellular functions, there are many notable differences that make each creature stand out from the crowd. So even with the thread of sameness joining all the planets’ life forms, diversity and difference makes us take note of each creature’s uniqueness. Maybe that’s why the cat is America’s favorite housepet . . .cats are different!

This extraordinary four-legged feline has, for all of recorded time, evoked wonder and surprise, superstition and affection, damnation and deification. From pharaohs to philosophers to paupers, the companionship of and affection for cats has been a result of the cat’s unique ability to make us humans gaze in awe and admiration.

Eons of special environmental circumstances have forced the cat to evolve some interesting and individualized biochemical activities. Let’s take a peek at how unique the cat is inside, in that mysterious universe of liver and kidneys and glands and fluids where a million chemical reactions are going about their biological business in silent obscurity. And to make our little peek at the inner workings of the cat more interesting, let’s contrast a few of the cat’s biological activities to those of our next most favorite companion the dog.

In so many obvious ways, cats look, act, react, and respond differently than dogs. You never see a cat happily wag its tail; a dog’s reflexes are quick, a cat’s reflexes are incredible; dogs are doers, cats are watchers. These differences are easily noted by simple observation. Now let’s explore some of the unseen microscopic world of the cat – the invisible world of metabolism and chemistry that is just as real as those traits we can see with our eyes.

To begin with we must get a good grip on two terms . . . carnivore and omnivore. The cat is considered by scientists to be a strict carnivore and the dog is considered to be an omnivore. Both species are in the Class Mammalia and the Order Carnivora, but here’s the difference: The cat cannot sustain its life unless it consumes meat in some form. Dogs, however, are able to survive on plant material alone; they do not have to consume meat. But always keep in mind that dogs do best and by nature are primarily meat-eaters. Just because by definition they are omnivores (can digest and utilize plant and animal food sources) does not mean that plant material alone makes a good source of nutrition for the dog. Far too many dogs have been undernourished by those cheap grain-based dog foods. And grain-based cat foods are even worse!

So a good way to think of it is that cats are carnivores, dogs are omnivores, but they both have evolved as hunters of other animals in keeping with their nature as meat-eaters.

There are numerous chemical substances that are required for a cat to remain alive. These substances, some very complex chemical molecules and some very basic and simple, must be provided along the internal chemical reaction pathways at all times. Like other living plants and animals, the cat can manufacture most of its own required substances within its own body’s chemical factory. For example, Vitamin C is a requirement for life sustaining processes for us Mammalia, and dogs and cats make plenty of their own within their body’s chemical factory – the liver. We humans don’t make enough within our body chemical factory... so to keep ourselves alive we have to find some Vitamin C already made (preformed) somewhere in our environment, gather or capture it, then eat it. Without the Vitamin C, we’d die.

Dogs and cats don’t have to worry about gathering, capturing, and eating other preformed Vitamin C. They don’t care where their next grapefruit will come from because they make all the Vitamin C they need inside their own personal chemical factory.

On the other hand, there are numerous nutrients and chemicals that cats need that they can only acquire if they eat animal-derived tissues. That is, they need to prey on other living creatures that do make the essential chemicals that cats don’t! Out of necessity, the cat has evolved ways to hunt down, capture and eat this prey in order to "borrow" the prey's nutrients.

Outlined below are just a few of the unseen, but still very real biochemical differences between cats and dogs. Look these over and you will be even more convinced that cats are different!

Vitamin A... Also called retinol, is required at the cellular level by both cats and dogs.
Cats – Process little or no enzymes that will break down the plant-produced carotenoids. Must eat preformed active Vitamin A (that is, Vitamin A that already has been converted from carotenoids to its active form by some other creature such as a mouse or rabbit). Here’s a good example of why cats are called strict carnivores . . . they need to eat some other animal in order to "borrow" its active Vitamin A!
Dogs – Have enzymes in the lining of the intestine that can break down plant carotenoids and convert these into active Vitamin A.

Niacin... An essential B vitamin (essential means must be eaten, can’t be made inside the body’s chemical factory.)
Cats – Can obtain Niacin only by eating the preformed vitamin. Cannot convert Tryptophan to niacin.
Dogs – Obtain Niacin in two ways. One is by converting a dietary amino acid call Tryptophan into Niacin and the other way is by eating preformed Niacin.

Arginine... Is a building block for proteins, called an amino acid. Arginine is vital to many of the animal’s internal chemical factory’s functions. No Arginine and the entire factory goes on strike!
Cats – Are extremely sensitive to even a single meal deficient in Arginine and are unable to make their own Arginine within their chemical factory. Cats need lots of protein, and Arginine is involved in aiding the elimination of the protein waste products so the wastes don’t pollute the whole factory!
Dogs - Are not very sensitive to low levels of Arginine in their diets and produce enzymes internally that can aid production of Arginine.

Taurine... An amino acid that is not built into proteins, but is distributed throughout most body tissues. Taurine is important for healthy functioning of the heart, retina, bile fluid and certain aspects of reproduction.
Cats – Must eat preformed Taurine and since Taurine is not found in plant tissues, cats must consume meat to obtain Taurine. Cats can’t make their own, therefore, Taurine is essential in the diets of cats. Here again, meat has to be supplied to the factory so the Taurine can be extracted for its many uses.
Dogs – Make their own in their internal chemical factory.

Felinine... Is a compound made from a sulfur amino acid (SAA) called Cysteine.
Cats – Have a much higher requirement for SAA than other Mammalia and are the only creatures to manufacture the Felinine chemical. Felinine’s role in the overall function of the chemical factory is unknown, but like most factories whose wastes generate offensive odors, any Felinine present in the male cat’s urine alerts the neighbors that the factory is up and runnin’!
Dogs – Don’t know and don’t care what this stuff is.

Dietary Protein...
Cats – If fed a perfectly balanced and 100% digestible protein in a diet, the cat will use 20% of that protein for growth metabolism and 12% for maintenance. Here’s any easy way to say it . . . cats need more protein in their diets than dogs do.
Dogs – If fed a perfectly balanced and 100% digestible protein in a diet, the dog will use 12% of that protein for growth metabolism and only 4% of that protein for maintenance. Here's an easy way to say this...dogs need less protein in their diets than cats.

Arachidonic Acid... An essential fatty acid that plays a vital role in fat utilization and energy production.
Cats – Cannot make their own Arachidonic Acid even in the presence of adequate linoleic acid. The reason cats can’t make Arachidonic Acid from linoleic acid is because the cat’s chemical factory (liver) contains no delta-6-desaturase enzyme to convert linoleic to Arachidonic. Tell your cat owning friends about this one. Tell ‘em about the cat’s lack of liver delta-6-desaturase enzyme and they’ll think you’ve got a Ph.D. in biochemistry!
Dogs – Can make their own Arachidonic Acid if they consume enough linoleic acid by eating proper fats. Therefore, we can say that Arachidonic Acid is not an essential fatty acid for dogs.

Fasting and Starvation...
Cats – Do not mobilize fat reserves for energy very efficiently and, in fact, break down non-fatty body tissues for energy. This upsets the internal chemical factory and can lead to a very dangerous feline disorder called hepatic lipidosis. Never put a fat cat on a starvation diet, it might just put the entire factory out of business. (I’ve had occasion to relate this personal fact to my wife!)
Dogs – Can tolerate prolonged fasts and utilize fat reserves for energy.

So, there you have an insight into some of the invisible goings-on in our friend the cat. It should be obvious that a high quality, meat-based diet is imperative to a cat's wellness. There are no vegetarian diets for cats! And feeding your cat a homemade concoction of meat may be a disaster. There are a few good quality meat-based diets available to cat owners. PetFoodDirect.com, America's Pet Store on the Web, ships quality feline diets direct to your door. Take a look at their selection of cat foods. Commercial diets based on corn, wheat, rice and other grains are not a good choice for our meat-eating felines.

The next time you admire a cat's unique personality and behavior, and watch the way they egocentrically carry themselves for anyone to see, remember...hidden beneath that furry skin is another unique and vast universe. There is a veritable chemical cosmos inside your cat that's just as wondrous and magnificent as the cosmos above. You can't see it, but it's there, silently following the rules of nature to sustain our unique and valued feline friends. And it's that complex chemical cosmos, working it's fantastic magic, that prompts us cat lovers to say, truly...cats are different!

~~~~~~~~~~

Click on the link at the beginning of this article...

ThePetCenter.com
"The Internet Animal Hospital"

Horse Show Gets Rolling

2005-06-24T20:04:00.000-05:00

Brookings Register Online - Horse Show Gets Rolling

Horse show gets rolling
BY JOHN ANDREWS

Championship competition in the Arabian Horse Association's 2005 Region 6 Arabian Horse Show officially is under way today at the Larson Ice Center.
Hundreds of horses and handlers from across Region 6 (which includes Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota and South Dakota) have been in town since Tuesday, taking part in the pre-show competition. Those who earned enough points to qualify for the regional competition get started today.

Winners in the youth portion qualify for nationals, held in Tulsa, Okla., in July. Adult winners advance to nationals in Louisville, Ky., in November.
While the show draws people young and old from many places across the Upper Midwest, there seems to be one constant among them. Arabian horses have been a part of their lives for as long as they can remember.

Gail Jensen, from Blair, Neb., has one English horse, "Just Breezin,'" competing this weekend. She got heavily involved in Arabians after getting married. Her husband had two Arabian mares at the time, she says.
"So that's how I got into it, and I was always a horse lover," Jensen says. "I've been raising and showing Arabians for 40 years plus. I'm what you call an 'old timer.'"

Jensen says she has horses in Kansas City, Georgia and Arizona. Because of that, she typically competes in between two and four regional shows each year. This weekend's show is her third regional so far in 2005.
"I get to a lot of regionals that are close to those areas," Jensen says. "We like coming up here. Because I'm from a small town, I like the flavor of Brookings. I like coming here. It's a great city, the people are friendly and we have a great time. It's nice and relaxed."

She said Wednesday her horse had a good pre-show, and was ready to begin championship competition.

And her goal? Probably the same for everybody else in town this week.
"I'd like to win a regional championship," she said with a laugh. "Or two."
Deb McGuire's association with Arabians started when she was a child. Riding lessons got it all started for McGuire, a Sioux Falls woman who now serves as the Region 6 director.

"That got me interested in the horses. I ended up buying a horse; there were people who had Arabians. I ended up showing other people's Arabians. I started training my own horses when I was 14."

She doesn't have any of her own horses competing this week, but is showing horses for many of her clients.

Showing in the youth portion of the competition is 8-year-old Hayley Haertel, of Sioux Falls. Haertel's mother, Denise, got Hayley interested in Arabians.
"It's me," Denise says. "I've been showing horses for 20 years, and now she's just following in my footsteps."

Hayley's horse is called "Justi." They compete in a walk/trot class.
"They show in walk/trot application, which is judged on how well she rides the horse, and then they show in walk/trot pleasure, which is judged on how she makes the horse perform," Denise explained. "They have, really, two classes she can ride in."

Hayley says one of the things she enjoys about working with horses is the comfort they can provide.

"Sometimes it's fun because if you're sad, you just talk to your horse and they make you feel better," she says.

Hayley and Justi had a good pre-show, getting four thirds and a second.
"I've never been to anything like this before," Hayley said. "I'm nervous."
She said her goal is to finish in the top five in her class this weekend.

Send us your comments about this article.
The Brookings Register - Online Edition
Brookings, SD

Take Your Dog To Work Day® ... Did you?

2005-06-24T19:49:00.000-05:00

Take Your Dog to Work Day!!

Take Your Dog To Work Day®: June 24, 2005

Take Your Dog To Work Day® is an event so big and so important that more than 10,000 companies from around the world will be celebrating along with you. It was created to help homeless dogs find good homes and lifelong companionship. These dogs have great personalities and a lot of unconditional love to give.

The idea behind Take Your Dog To Work Day® is simple—encourage businesses to devote one special day to dogs and their owners as a means of spreading the word about what great companions dogs truly make.

As the creator of this annual event, Pet Sitters International believes that by allowing dogs in the workplace, co-workers who have never before experienced the love and companionship of a dog, or have forgotten the joy that a pet can bring to their lives, will be motivated to adopt dogs from their local shelters, humane societies or rescue groups.

~~~~~~~~~

Did you take your dog to work today?

HART

Nikki, in training.

2005-06-24T14:20:00.000-05:00

My Nikki in training at our nursing home. She is with one of my dearest friends here.

Posted by Ruth

http://www.mimfreedom.com/dogtherapy.htm

J-Lo designs bling for pets

2005-06-24T12:06:00.000-05:00

Ananova - J-Lo designs bling for pets

J-Lo designs bling for pets

Jennifer Lopez is designing a range of jewellery - for dogs. J-Lo already has her own fashion label.

An insider said: "Jennifer just got creative and wanted to extend the range of jewels for animals. She has always found it somewhat frustrating that there are limited accessories available for them."

~~~~~~~~~

Okay then.

HART

An Ode To Tasha, A Working Dog

2005-06-24T07:52:00.000-05:00

And ode to Tasha, a working dog.

Click on this page and read a wonderful poem written by Tasha's owner.

Posted by Ruth

http://www.happypetstop.com

"JOIN THE PETLVR PICTURE CLUB" at PetLvr.com - [The Blog]

2005-06-24T05:23:00.000-05:00

Readers are invited to upload their favorite pet picture and join the "PetLvr Picture Club!"

Today I have added a new script to [The Blog]. It allows you to upload your favorite PET picture to our blogsite. It is an alternative to our 'Cutest Pet' and 'PetLvr Wars' link on every blog entry previously mentioned in our Who's The Cutest Pet At the PetLvr.com - [The Blog].

To access this script, click the graphic on the side of the page at the top, that looks like this:

Just sign up your pet and upload his/her picture to this site and you can rate other people's pet pictures too. This script is a little more stable than our "Cutest Pet" Voting War link on every post. Sometimes, if one loads up a picture with incorrect extensions or spaces in the filename, the script adds a few blank entries into the database. It shows up as a dead/missing picture. It should work fine once more pictures are added however.

Regardless of which script you prefer .. the FREE ANONYMOUS "Cutest Pet" PetLvr Wars script or the FREE MEMBERSHIP "PetLvr Picture Club" script ... pictures from both scripts will be combined and be available for view in a combined gallery format.

To access this galley, click the graphic on the side of the page at the top, that looks like this:

Take care.
HART
PetLvr.com

Dog Therapy and Training.

2005-06-23T20:40:00.000-05:00

More Golden Moments: It is a very beautiful, perfect morning here. The sun
is already out, the sky is an unusual clear blue and there is a breeze. It is a
perfect day to take my two dogs, Nikki and Benny for a walk in the park. Now, to
tell you a little about my two dogs, they are friends with all the neighborhood
children; as is my third dog Dukie, who is blind. I know exactly when it is 4:00
p.m., and when school is out. Why? Because I hear loud shouts at my gate: NIKKI,
DUKIE, BENNY! And the shouts keep coming till the dogs show up at the gate. And
of course, none of the kids know my name, nope, just my dogs names.

So, back to the walk in the park this morning, what do I hear? NIKKI,
BENNY! The kids were having an outing in the park, and of course recognized
Nikki and Benny. My point being? It is amazing how many conversations I have
with the kids, because of the dogs. The kids are great conversationalists with
Nikki and Benny around. Its amazing what wonderful stories I hear. And when I
talk to them about dogs, about how to care for dogs, about how to behave around
dogs, they are always open to listen to me.

Except one winter when the kids were not so happy with my Golden Retriever.
My Katie Bear, she is not with me anymore, got loose. And, full speed ahead, she
ran down the street, into the front yard of a home day care. There she spotted a
snowman, grabbed the carrot nose, and ran back home with it. Well, the little
ones were not impressed, and cried and cried because my Katie stole their
snowmans nose. Ah, those golden moments.

That very same Katie, while we were visiting the seniors, very quietly
stuck her head into one seniors purse, and stole a muffin. That senior was not
impressed either. Goldens indeed can be thieves.

But, they are great visitors to those who are lonely, sad; maybe those who
need company, but do not want to talk with a person. So many wonderful stories
and events come about when sharing your dog.

Check into dog therapy. It is a very worthwhile cause. And, on another
note, as always, I am a great promoter of dog training. It is so important for
your own enjoyment, for the safety of your dog and for the safety of those who
would like to spend time with your dog. I never tire of teaching this. And
remember, for dog therapy, your dog does not need obedience training, your dog
just needs to be obedient, courteous, and friendly, and safe. Working dogs
require good premium dog food and nutrition. Make it a habit to study what is
available for your pets.

Let me end with a rather sad, but nevertheless very meaningful example. (I
still cry when I tell this story).

I listen to a radio station that once a year has a big blitz to collect
money for the Sick Childrens Hospital. This year the radio station interviewed a
lady with her therapy dog. This dog visits in the hospital. And one day one
young child, about 5 years old was dying. That child requested in her last
moments to have her therapy dog by her side. And of course, the dog did come,
after cutting through some red tape to be allowed in the room. Therapy dogs make
a difference; and you can let it happen too. "Its probably the most rewarding
volunteer thing I can do."

There are sample evaluations available on most dog therapy institution
websites. Also, you can prepare and train the dog yourself. Your dog does not
require any special training certificate. Posted by Ruth

Posted by Ruth

http://www.mimfreedom.com/dogtherapy.htm

http://www.happypetstop.com/

Animals in Nanjing relieve summer heat

2005-06-23T16:25:00.000-05:00

Animals in Nanjing relieve summer heat

35c ... it's hot in Nanjing June 20, 2005

Click on above link for more pictures and related stories...

~~~~~~~

Animals in Nanjing relieve summer heat
Last Updated(Beijing Time):2005-06-21 09:36

A giant panda lies beside ice blocks to cool itself down at the Hongshan Zoo in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, June 20, 2005. The highest temperature stood at 35 degrees centigrade in Nanjing on June 20.

A worker sprays water onto an elephant to help it cool down at the Hongshan Zoo in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, June 20, 2005. The highest temperature stood at 35 degrees centigrade in Nanjing on June 20.

Source:People's Daily

Goldfish Tips - Choosing The Right One

2005-06-23T02:38:00.000-05:00

Goldfish Tips - Choosing The Right One: "Choose the right pet shop. Ask people you know who are committed fish "

Goldfish Tips - Choosing The Right One
By Dane Stanton

Tips to getting the right Goldfish

Goldfish are a temperate breed that can be found in cool streams, lakes, and ponds throughout Asia and part of Eastern Europe. However, the ones you will buy for your tank have been bred in captivity. Once you’ve decided that the Goldfish is the right one for you – you will need to find the right kind of goldfish. Take your time and find out more, rather than just rush out and buy the first goldfish you find in the first pet store you come by. Decide on how many you want to buy. If you really want just a single Goldfish, please do a re-think on the issue because it can get lonely and boring for a lone ranger in a tank! Once you’ve though it out, here are some of the things you must keep in mind:

• Choose the right pet shop. Ask people you know who are committed fish keepers for reputed goldfish dealers. These are the people who care and would have professional knowledge of breeding and nurturing goldfish. See if they give a proper fish guarantee. When you enter the shop, look around at all the tanks. Make sure that the tanks are not overcrowded with fish. See if all kinds of fish are thrown together in one tank or care is taken to separate the various species. Look out for dead floating fish. The dead fish could have spread an infection to the other fish.

• Question the Goldfish Dealer. If the dealer claims that the goldfish are imported, then find out which country they are from and when they arrived. Ask him or her is the correct quarantine procedures have been adopted before putting up the goldfish for sale. If they were bred, find out when they were bred and how the fish have been kept till now as in what kind of medications if any has been used and for how long. Find out if the dealer has used salt in the water.

• Observe how the fish swims. This is a good gauge to identify healthy fish. A fish should be active, swimming with ease and style and poking around curiously at nooks and corners. Choose a goldfish that looks active and doesn’t wobble or tilt to one side or just rest at the bottom. Tap the tank and see how the goldfish reacts. A fish that is slow in its reaction might be a sick one. Make sure that it’s not opening its mouth too much for air, as it might be an indication of problems with the gills.

• Check out the fins. Make sure that the dorsal fin is straight and stands up. The backs of the goldfish should be smooth, without unsightly bumps. Also check that all the fins are healthy, even and are not rotted away or damaged. In all, a Goldfish should have a dorsal fin (unless it is a goldfish without a dorsal fin), pectoral fins that extend out on sides, two anal fins or one right in the middle. Beware a goldfish with just one anal fin that’s placed kind of off to one side. It could mean that the other anal fin is growing inwards and that could be fatal to the goldfish.

• Inspect the looks. Make sure that you give the goldfish you are choosing a thorough look over. See that the fish has a nice symmetrical shape and make sure they don’t have large heads compared to their body. It would do good to feel the fish to check if the skin is too slimy or too dry but at least ensure that the skin is free of spots and odd bumps and that the gills are red. There should be no redness in the anal region and definitely nothing sticking out or leaking out. The outside of the mouth should be free from redness and white strings and the eyes free from white flecks.

• Bag ‘em right. Where you’re buying goldfish, you will have to put them in the ubiquitous plastic bag, but do so with care. Make sure that the dealer leaves enough space on top for the oxygen and the right amount of water. The right amount of the water is that which covers the fish. Do not allow the dealer to add any medicine or drops or anything else. Don’t make the bag too tight and avoid a big bag that might lead to too many folds in which the fish could get trapped and hurt. The bag should be tied till it is adequately taut.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

Dane Stanton is an expert on Goldfish Health Care. For more information about buying the right Goldfish, visit his site at - http://www.infotrate.com/goldfish.htm

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Understanding the Language & Behavior of a Pet Bird

2005-06-23T02:10:00.000-05:00

GoArticles.com - Understanding the Language & Behavior of a Pet Bird

Understanding the Language & Behavior of a Pet Bird
by Tippy & Alfred

Birds, just like other pets, have their own ways of
Communicating, or Bird Language.

Birds communicate to other birds and also communicate
to their owners, in a variety of ways. While all species
have their own unique methods of bird language, there
are many generalities.

Birds use their body, body parts and voices to express a
wide range of emotions.

Ways Birds Communicate

Barking
Some birds give out a type of bark when excited or when
trying to prove their dominance.

Beak Clicking
When a bird is clicking it's beak, it is trying to tell
others it is threatened or that it is protecting something.

Beak Grinding
When a bird grinds it's beak the bird is trying to communicate
it is feeling secure and content.

Beak Wiping
When a bird wipes it's beak the bird is trying to communicate
that he is aggravated or upset about something. Beak wiping
is also typically normal behavior for birds when they
are trying to clean the beak or dislodge something stuck
in it.

See Also Why Bird's Bite
http://petcaretips.net/bird-biting.html

Chattering
Some birds just like to talk, talk about anything; their
environment, how they feel, the state of the union....
so to communicate their thoughts, they chatter, sometimes
incessantly, sometimes loud, sometimes soft.

Young birds chirp or chatter when they want fed. Birds in
the wild often chatter as a warning sign to other birds that
something is not right in their environment, or as a call
to attract another bird's attention.

Crouching
If the bird is crouching with it's head toward the owner,
the birds wants to be petted or scratched.

If crouching with head down, relaxed body and raised wings,
the bird wants attention.

If crouching with head down, eyes pinning, flared tail feathers,
ruffled feathers, and a rigid body, the bird is giving
a warning to back off.

Flashing or Dilating Pupils
Flashing or dilating pupils the bird may be trying to communicate
aggression, excitement, nervousness, or pleasure.

Growling
Some birds communicate with a type of growl that means
back off mister and leave me alone.

Head Snaking
A bird that is shaking it's head from side to side means it is
excited.

Panting
A panting bird is overheated, overexerted and uncomfortable.

Purring
A bird can give a type of purr communicating the bird is
relaxed and content.

Singing
A bird sings when it is communicating a message to another
bird, perhaps as a mating call, or when it is content and
happy.

See Also: Why Birds Sing
http://petcaretips.net/why-bird-sings.html

Talking
A Bird talks when it is content and happy and wants to
send a message to the another bird or it's owner.

Tail Bobbing
When a bird bobs it's tail that may mean it's sick, but also
some birds bob their tails when they are talking or singing.

Tail Fanning
Tail fanning by a bird indicates it's unhappy about something
and may become aggressive

Tail Wagging
Just like dogs, tail wagging communicates that a bird is
content or happy.

Tongue Clicking
When a bird gives a rapid clicking of their tongue they
are trying to communicate friendliness or an invitation to be
friends.

Wing Drooping
A Bird will droop it's wings for several reasons.
It may have just taken a bath and it's holding the wings
down while drying. It may happen in young birds who have
not learned how to hold their wings. The bird may be
overheated and wanting to cool itself. The bird may be sick.

Wing Flipping
If a caged bird is flicking it's wings sharply, it is
communicating annoyance or fear. It could also mean the
bird has lost it's balance and is trying to correct itself,
if this is the case the wing flipping won't last long.

Wing and Body Quivering
Quivering wings and body means the bird is fearful of
something in it's immediate environment.

Wing Drumming
Birds drum their wings when they need exercise or out of
boredom. It may also communicate the bird is protecting it's
territory.

Whistling
When a bird whistles it is communicating that the bird feels
content, safe and is at ease in it's world.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

About the Author
Tippy & Alfred
Copyright ©

For more really cool info on all aspects of Dog, Cat,
Horse & Bird Care visit our site and take advantage
of our extensive library of f r e e pet care tips &
fun info.

http://petcaretips.net

Horse racing 101- what you absolutely need to know

2005-06-23T02:07:00.000-05:00

GoArticles.com - Horse racing 101- what you absolutely need to know

Horse racing 101- what you absolutely need to know
by Mansi gupta

Horse racing is perhaps one of the oldest sports in America. The charisma and aura of the game is such that it refreshes and revitalizes your spirits. If taken in the right sense i.e. not as a gamble with your limited money, horse racing is one of the best and conspicuous sports to play.

Before taking on to this game, one needs to have a very lucid idea of the entire chemistry of this game. This includes a proper knowledge of different strategies and rules of the game. Since you will be betting on horses taking part in the race, your primary knowledge should comprise which horse will take you to victory. The best means to educate your self about the horses is to pick up two three latest good magazines on horse racing. The statistics in there reveal which horse is by far the most wanted one and also the reasons for it. Read the average winnings of different horses and why some horses fail to make it to the list of favorable ones. Make an appropriate assessment in your mind about the horses on the basis of your readings.

The best you can do after that is to visit the race course if it is thrown open to public to attend morning sessions. If not, don’t be disheartened. Just try to make it a little early to the ground on the event day. For that will give an opportunity to read the track and perceive various horses to make your observations. Try to match your readings with your perception. Based on a survey of the track (if the track is dry, wet etc.) there are several parameters to decide the winning chances of the horse on that very day. With a hawk’s eye scrutinize the behavior of the horses as they march past to the stands before commencement of the race. If the horse is sweating, limping, walking with head down, or seems inattentive, weary and distracted then there are less chances to its win. Bet on the horse with an adequately sturdy built and fluent gait keeping in mind your analysis of the track and what your intuition says.

The horses are even categorized as- Front Runners, Closers and Morning Glories. The front runners occupy the front stage throughout the race. The closers are close chasers since beginning and can be effective winners in the end. The case is different with morning glories that shine brightly like the sun initially but die out soon, leaving at an unsatisfactory note. If two horses simultaneously reach the end, it is a tie case known as dead heat in the language of this sport. A finish is termed as blanket finish when two horses end up so closely that there is a negligible difference between them.
If you are new to this sport, you are advised not to take any risk of betting on a horse that has more odds. The more are the odds, the least are the chances of winning. For instance if the odds are 10:1 then for every 1 dollar you bet in return you will get 10 dollars back which is not considered to be a good deal. A fair adjudication of the odds on the basis of kind of field, past record and type of the horse and the jockey who takes on the horse is made by the odds makers on the field. This calculative efficiency gradually sweeps in with experience.

But one thing should always be categorically borne in mind that you should wager on the horse only when the money you bet is the one you can contentedly afford to lose. Never make it an addiction that makes you bet the money meant for your child’s education or household work i.e. any basic, important necessity of life. An addiction to any thing is fatal in the end. So let horse racing be a pleasure in leisure.

~~~~~~~~~~~

About the Author
Mansi gupta writes about horse racing topics.

Retired racers looking for homes

2005-06-23T01:37:00.000-05:00

The Dothan Eagle | Retired racers looking for homes

Retired racers looking for homes
Greyhounds not as hyper active as many think, group says

Jill Nolin / Eagle Staff Writer
June 5, 2005

Jill Nolin / Eagle Staff Writer
June 5, 2005

Sprawled out lazily on the tiled floor, Donna Your Right didn't look like the type to go anywhere at 45 mph. But Donna, her glory days passed, actually has an exciting race history tucked under her bandanna.

During her 88-race career, she won nine, and in one race she blew away her competitors.

But after more than two years on the track, it's time for Donna to go into retirement.

She is one of the Greyhounds up for adoption right now through the Emerald Coast chapter of Greyhound Pets of America. The organization set up at Petsmart in an effort to better educate the public about a generally misunderstood breed.

For one, they are not as hyper active as most people tend to think, with them often even compared to house cats.

"They're 45 mile-per-hour couch potatoes," said Charlie Tuller, a board member with the volunteer-based, non-profit group.

Elegant and suave, the dogs are also intelligent and loving. Tuller has gotten one of his three Greyhounds certified as a therapy dog. His dog, Chief, is a regular at veterans hospitals.

"They have quick bursts of energy and then they just pass out," said Jennifer Greenley, a Panama City resident with the group.

Just don't try to take them outside in a non-fenced area without a leash.

A bag crossing a parking lot can set the sight-geared dogs into race mode.

And a firm grip on the leash is a must when going for walks, since the dogs tend to be strong.

And for those owners who would like to see the dogs in action, there is a fun run every March called Howliday. The retired racers get together during this time for a more laid back version of what they once did.

The dogs are raised to race, with them going to puppy school before being trained. They're usually around 2 years old when they "hit the board," as they say in the racing circle. They then race for two to five years.

Once their racing careers are over, they become eligible for adoption. They are not euthanized today as they were in the past, according Greenley

Not all of the Greyhounds come with racing backgrounds, since some of the dogs are simply not interested in racing.

Those, the group members said, are simply better pets than racers.

It costs $175 to adopt a Greyhound through the organization. The money collected covers veterinarian fees.

For more information, visit www.greyhoundgang.com or www.adopt-a-greyhound.org.

Dothan Eagle staff writer Jill Nolin can be reached at jnolin@dothaneagle.com or (334) 712-7969. Information about Donna Your Right obtained through www.greyhound-data.com.

© 2005 Media General
Terms & Conditions

Globetechnology: Doctor uses animal scanner on infants

2005-06-23T01:16:00.000-05:00

Globetechnology: Doctor uses animal scanner on infants

Doctor uses animal scanner on infants
Tuesday, June 21, 2005 Updated at 3:37 PM EDT
Associated Press

....... The process, called micro positron emissions tomography (PET), had long been used only on animals.

....... the tests allow doctors to pinpoint problems that can show the source of epileptic seizures or signs of cerebral palsy and other brain diseases.

~~~~~~~~
Click on the link at the beginning of these quotes...

I just was wondering what came first the name? ... Positron emissions tomography (PET) or it's use only on animals?

HART
PetLvr.com

Why Should I Train My Dog Anyway?

2005-06-23T00:18:00.000-05:00

Why Should I Train My Dog Anyway?

Why Should I Train My Dog Anyway?
By Gisela Eggleston

Good question. I guess most dog owners never think of training their dogs ... or why it's so important. After all, you don't own vicious pit bulls and you find it highly unlikely your St. Bernard, Cujo, will be bitten by a rabid bat, go insane, and attack you and your child anytime soon. In fact, your dog simply lays around the house sleeping lazily for 10-12 hours or so. Every once in a while, he might muster up the energy to get up and drink some water or eat or something. And the bottom line is ... your dog LOOKS happy and even ACTS happy, so why SHOULD you train your dog?

The truth is this ...

#1 Dogs are ANIMALS - Sure, your poodle Fifi may not be a wild untamed killer canine ... but that doesn't mean she isn't capable of aggressive behavior. Fifi may look sweet and innocent in her little red pullover sweater and have a cute little excited bark she reserves only for you when you come home from work ... but she is STILL AN ANIMAL. All to often, I hear dog owners talk about how SHOCKED they were when their lovable laid-back pooch attacked and bit their neighbor's six-year old child. And they actually seem SURPRISED that Fifi would do such an awful thing ...

Newsflash. Your dog is an ANIMAL. They act differently than humans, and always will. Today, most dog owners treat their dog like one of their kids. They love them dearly, take pride in them, and even spoil them rotten at times. I completely understand this too ... dogs ARE treasured members of the family and are probably one of the most lovable little creatures on the planet. But they are still animals folks.

A friend of mine has a two year old son who he took over to his parents house to visit. The grandparents have a small schnauzer who they cherish, but today they were playing with their grandson and didn't have time for their pup. Eventually, the child crawled off into the other room while my friend was talking with his folks. The child laid down in the dog's bed. Well, this sweet, docile little dog saw the child climb into his bed ... and quickly proceeded to attack and bite the child in the face repeatedly until my friend pulled the pooch away. But the damage was already done.

The child was taken to the hospital and the grandparents were apologizing profusely ... SHOCKED at their dog's behavior. Unbelievable. I know those grandparents may have thought of their dog as one of their children, but I'm sure the reality of this situation helped them to change their way of thinking ... to say the least.

#2 Dogs NEED instruction - Believe me, I know your dog may even act exactly like children ... a little lazy and unmotivated at times, naive but curious, and even causing a little mischief (when they think they can get away with it of course ;) But you still have to teach your kids, right? "NO", "put that down", "be home by 11:00", "do your chores", "clean your room", "just say no to drugs", "stop kicking your sister in the head" ...

Why do you teach your children these things and set a few rules for them? First, you want them to grow up and become responsible adults. Second, because your child needs to learn boundaries and the difference between right and wrong. And most importantly because you don't want to be down at the jailhouse at 3:00 AM posting bail for your son or daughter ...

In this case, your dog is NO different. Leave your dog to his own devices and he will act a lot like a child. Innocent when you are around, but raising cain when you're gone. I can't count how many times I've heard folks talk about how quiet and unassuming their dogs are when they are at home. But when they leave, they come home to find the garbage can overturned, their running shoes chewed up, and fresh new bite marks on the cat.

Listen ... I'm sure you're not going to find your dog sitting around lazily playing PS2 video games in the living room with his friends like your teenager might be. And Fifi may not be interested doing drugs, engaging in petty vandalism around town, or throwing wild keg parties like kids do ... but make no mistake, your dog does need a little training and a few boundaries around the house.

Like kids, they have no training or experience to draw upon. Your dog learns the same way your child does ... they do what they want, whenever they want, until someone tells them to stop. It's that simple.

But here's the best part ...

#3 Dogs WANT to learn - So, your child may hate school. Hey, YOU hated school too as I recall ;) But your dog is DIFFERENT. Dogs love to please and more importantly, they want to communicate with you. And that takes a little dog training. I know you probably think your dog will be reluctant to learn or get frustrated when they don't understand something ... kinda like you were in Advanced Algebra class, right? Truth is, your dog WANTS to learn. He knows when you are training him that you are spending all this extra time with him for a REASON. He loves the attention of course and desperately wants to please you ... so if he has any reluctance to begin with, it will soon fade and your dog will actually look FORWARD to his training in the future! Sounds crazy, but it's true :)

So, try and spend some time training your dog. Not because you are afraid he will unexpectedly attack passerbys in the neighborhood ... but because you truly want a better relationship with your dog. Spend time teaching your dog ... and he will love you for it. I know it may require a little effort on your part, but I guarantee you ... it's worth it!

Until next time, Happy Dog Training!

Gisela Eggleston

=================================================
To Discover The Top 5 Home Dog Training Course On The Internet, check out http://www.4-paws-dog-training.com right now!

Copyright 2005 Gisela Eggleston. All rights reserved.

*You may use this article on your website provided you include the byline, copyright notice, and the links back to http://www.4-paws-dog-training.com. Thanks!

Safely Introducing One Dog To Another

2005-06-22T19:14:00.000-05:00

Scent Training Dogs: Safely Introducing One Dog To Another at ThePetCenter.com.

Introducing a New Dog to Your Resident Dog
Training Tips... by Ken Piening

For the sake of this article your new dog coming into the home will be referred to as the "New Dog". The resident dog will be referred to as the "Old Dog."

The introduction of unfamiliar dogs to other dogs may be a perilous journey. This can be very stressful for the dogs and the owners. To help alleviate this stress, we must understand why the introduction is difficult for our dogs...

When the new dog enters the home, territorial instincts tell the old dog that he is to defend his home. These territorial feelings are the reason why dogs can not meet "the wrong way." To understand the proper introduction, we must know that dogs live in a world of scent. Dogs rely on their keen sense of smell to introduce themselves to their surroundings. Therefore, training is based on their highly developed sense of smell. This is a difficult concept to grasp because humans depend on sight more than smell. With this in mind, the home must be set up in a way that separates the two dogs so there is no visual contact. Visual contact creates posturing (a cold stare, growling and hackles raised). Dominant or submissive posturing immediately triggers a reaction in a the other dog and often leads to stress and tension between the two.

Introducing two dogs to each other...

Our FIRST STEP is to have two cages in separate areas of the home (or one cage and a laundry room); this is vital in allowing for a stress free meeting. The reason we allow both of the dogs to have their own cage is for the feeling of comfort and security. We use the cage as a training tool; the dog however uses it for security. It is very important that the dogs do not make visual contact during this sensitive FIRST STEP. We cannot let them see one another, but we will let them smell each other. This will be done by simply placing a toy, tug, or even a blanket in their cages. These toys are called "scent articles". The switching of these scent articles alone will allow a deeper relationship between the dogs. We are completely communicating to the dogs by the way they understand... through their nose!

The SECOND STEP we will be to let our new dog roam around the house. He will be getting accustomed to his new home and his new owners. Your older dog should be out of harms way (under your control and out of sight) when the new dog is out of his cage. The newcomer will be exploring your home while leaving his scent on a territory that is not initially his. The new dog should only be out of his cage for fifteen to twenty minutes, several times a day. This is plenty of time for him to check out his new environment and leave his own scent about the house. ( As you will see, later on after the introduction period is over and the dogs are comfortable with each other's scent, they no longer have to be separated. The new dog might need his own cage for other behavioral training not associated with the introduction period, for example, housebreaking a younger dog.) When the new dog goes back in his cage place the old dog's scent articles with him.

When playtime is over for the new dog, The THIRD STEP is to switch the dogs. This means that the new dog goes to a confined area and the old dog is allowed to play. The old dog comes out of the hidden crate and the new dog goes into his own cage (or room). The first time the old dog goes exploring he will vigorously explore the scent left around the home by the new dog until he is satisfied the intruder has "escaped". Your older dog might be overwhelmed and confused and now needs your comfort. Allowing him to sit on your lap or by your side through a good book or a rerun of Lassie will serve as the quality time he needs during this scent discovery period. For the old dog to understand the new smell, he should be let out of the cage as many times a day as possible. The old dog should only be let out after the new dog has played, and has been put away. With these short routines, both dogs are familiarizing each other at a faster rate. Actually, the concept is quite simple. The more times you let your new then old dog out, the quicker they will be acquainted. Your older dog will display his permission as to when the two should meet. When he comes out of the cage and does not follow the scent of the new dog, your older dog has given his permission. NOW THE NEW DOGS CAN MEET FACE TO FACE, since they are familiar and comfortable with one another's scent. Read on...

The FOURTH STEP is to introduce the dogs face to face. For territorial reasons, when introducing the dogs it should not be on your property. A neighbors fenced in yard, a fenced in ball field (when no other dogs or people might interfere), or any other fenced in area will be an appropriate meeting ground. Leashes may not take the place of a fenced in area; holding the leashes may potentially bring out aggression. If possible, let the old dog run around the field, while the new dog is out of sight. The old dog is laying the now familiar scent. Now it is time for the new dog to play in the field. The old dog is out of sight and the new dog also smells the familiar old dog's scent. They will both detect the familiar scent just like in the home. Since the dogs have already been formally introduced via each other's scent, they are ready to meet face to face. The area is safe because they are confined and can not run away. The dogs will run over to greet each other, smell, posture... and they will not have any inclination to fight.

This outlined routine has demonstrated a stress free and safe way to introduce new dogs. A dog's sense of smell is considered by many as its primary sense. Therefore, this training is based entirely upon the scent. This method will easily work with trained or misbehaved dogs. We are working hand in hand with the dog's natural instincts. Allowing the dog's instincts to teach the lesson will make learning simple yet efficient.

~~~~~~~~~~

Click on the link at the beginning of this article...

ThePetCenter.com
"The Internet Animal Hospital"

Little Things Mean A Lot To Our Pets

2005-06-22T13:43:00.000-05:00

Critter Corner - Little Things Mean A Lot To Our Pets

Critter Corner
Little things mean a lot to our pets
by Frances Goodman

"Little things mean a lot," as the oldies song goes.

It's a concept that applies to pets as well as people. But sometimes we are so busy, we overlook the small stuff.

Beyond a pet's basic need for food, water, exercise and medical care, there are little attentions that can have a big effect on their quality of life.

Here are some things they might list:

Six small things to do for your dog:

1. Check to be sure the collar is not too tight. Is it comfy to wear 24 hours a day, every day, and for sleeping? (This is especially important to watch closely on growing puppies);

2. Check daily to be sure water bowl is clean, water is fresh;

3. Brush coat regularly with a comfortable brush (note comfortable) to remove loose fur and distribute the natural oils. Many dog owners overlook brushing and instead tend to overbathe, which can cause dry skin and itchiness. Regular brushing can also strengthen the bond between dog and owner;

4. Talk to your dog while taking walks together;

5. Take time to teach her a trick — sit for a treat, catch a food kibble, or shake. When she does it, tell her how smart she is.

6. Touch your dog frequently. Research has shown that for many dogs, being touched by their human is just as rewarding as receiving a food treat.

Six small things to do for your cat:

1. Check to be sure cat's break-away collar is not too tight (comfy for sleeping?);

2. Keep water bowl clean and water fresh daily;

3. Sing to your cat while petting her;

4. Give cat an outside view-- a perch by a window or a cat window-bench;

5. On tile or hard floors, toss a few dry food kibbles, one at a time, for cat to chase, "catch," and eat. This can be great fun and fulfills the natural prey drive;

6. Buy pet grass at the pet supply store for kitty to nibble on for nutrients and fiber.

Little things can mean a lot.

~~~~~~

We heard it through the Grapevine

Pet lovers have their own round of Internet jokes going, and here's a cute one that came our way:

"A man who was a little behind schedule arrived at a theater and went in to watch the movie that had already started. As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he was surprised to see a dog sitting beside its master in the row ahead, intently watching the movie.

"The dog even seemed to be enjoying the show: wagging its tail at the happy bits, drooping its ears at the sad bits, and covering its eyes with its paws at the scary bits.

"After the movie, the man approached the dog's owner: "Wow, man, your dog really seemed to enjoy the movie. I'm amazed'! 'Yes, I'm amazed too,' came the reply. 'He hated the book.'"

See you next time. Thanks for caring about animals!

For questions, comments or news items, e-mail Frances Goodman at crittercorner@highdesert.com.

A Freedom Communications Newspaper
Copyright © 1996-2005 Daily Press

My Nikki and Benny, Walking in the park.

2005-06-22T08:00:00.000-05:00

Introducing my Nikki and Benny. My two Therapy Dogs.

posted by Ruth,

http://www.happypetstop.com

Picture Gallery added to PetLvr.com - [The Blog]

2005-06-21T12:37:00.000-05:00

Readers are invited to upload their favorite pet picture and join the "PetLvr Wars!" at PetLvr.com - [The Blog]

Today I have added a new script to complement our "PetLvr War!" Cutest Pet script. All entries uploaded by PetLvr's can now be viewed in a gallery format at the following location:

http://www.PetLvr.com/gallery/

Take care.
HART
PetLvr.com

Understanding Psychology of Dog Training

2005-06-21T12:23:00.000-05:00

GoArticles.com - Understanding Psychology of Dog Training: Pack Behavior & Etablishing Control

Understanding Psychology of Dog Training: Pack Behavior & Establishing Control
by Moses Chia

Dogs are descendent of wolves. To study the psychology of dog training and understand the pack hierarchal system of dogs, we must go back and examine their ancestor - wolves.

Wolves live naturally in packs of at least 2 and more... They live in a dictatorship system with strictly defined hierarchies of males and females. In their system, a leader - usually always a male, the biggest and toughest wolf also known as alpha leader would be in charge of the pack and will have the right to everything. The rest of the dogs in the pack would be followers and follow their leader willingly. This hierarchy system is not static and would change when another dominant member challenge the leader's authority and win.

For your dog, your family is the pack and every member is part of the hierarchy system. From the moment a new puppy or dog is introduce to the family, the new dog will start to pick up signals and indicators to figure out his own status in the family and who’s in charge. If your dog see you as a "alpha leader", he will follow your commands willingly and this will allows you to train him easily.

On the other hand, if your dog is very dominant (because you allow him to pick up the wrong signals) and starts to challenge your "alpha leader" position, he may refuse to follow your command and turn aggressive against you easily. This situation usually happens in children where dogs see their chain of command higher than that of them. This also explains why children suffer more dog bites than adults do.

If you would prefer to own an obedient dog that pay attention to your command, assuming the role of the “alpha leader’ and establishing control over your dog is extremely important!

Your dog must learn that he is the lowest ranking in the family, subordinate to you, to the children, and must recognize you to be the leader. If such hierarchy is not set up properly, the dog will try to take charge and assume the role of the leader. This’ll eventually lead the dog to turn into “dominant dog” and thus tend to misbehave. If this happens, you’ll face an uphill task to properly train your dog.

As we live in a democratic society, most of us will find it hard to understand the dog’s concept of dictatorship. Nevertheless, it is necessary that we adjust ourselves to understand how the dog live and think. By being dictating, you would think that this is cruel or even inhumane to the dog. If you think so, you are very wrong!

In fact, dogs are more than happy to be a follower and taking instructions from a leader. You have to give your dog directions, organize his space and activities for him, and he’ll be more clued-up and know his boundaries of life, which means knowing what is expected of him when he’s indoor or outdoor.

Your dog will be able to lead a less stressful and happy life and so will you.

~~~~~~~~~

About the Author
Moses Chia is a dog lover and owner of http://DogsObedienceTraining.com – The dog training resource site for a happier and healthier dog. You are welcome to reprint this article if you keep the content and live link intact.

Sugar glider, Pocket Pet with attitude.

2005-06-20T21:31:00.000-05:00

I have always been fascinated by these pocket creatures, so here is some information.

It is around 16 to 20 cm (6.3 to 7.5 in) in length, with a slightly longer tail, and weighs between 90 and 150 grams (3 to 5.3 oz). The fur is generally pearl grey, with black and cream patches at the base of the pink ears. The tail tapers only moderately and the last quarter of it is black, often with a white tip. The muzzle is short and rounded. Northern forms tend to be brown coloured rather than grey and, as predicted by Bergmann's Rule, smaller.

The most noticeable features of its anatomy, however, are the twin skin membranes called "patagium"s which extend from the fifth finger of the forelimb back to the first toe of the hind foot. These are inconspicuous when the Sugar Glider is at rest it merely looks a little flabby, as though it had lost a lot of weight recently but immediately obvious when it takes flight. The membranes are used to glide between trees: when fully extended they form an aerodynamic surface the size of a large handkerchief.

Sugar Gliders can occupy any area where there are tree hollows for shelter and sufficient food. Their diet varies considerably with both geography and the changing seasons, but the main items are the sap of acacias and certain eucalupts, nectar, pollen, and arthropods. They are difficult to see in the wild, being small, wary, and nocturnal, but a sure sign of their presence is the stripping of bark and tooth marks left in the soft, green shoots of acacia trees.

The gliding membranes are primarily used as an efficient way to get to food resources. They may also, as a secondary function, help the Sugar Glider escape predators like goannas, introduced foxes and cats, and the marsupial carnivores that foxes, cats, and Dingos largely supplanted. The ability to glide from tree to tree is clearly of little value with regard to the Sugar Glider's avian predators, however, in particular owls and kookaburras.

Although their aerial adaptation looks rather clumsy and primitive by comparison with the highly specialised limbs of birds and bats, Sugar Gliders can volplane for a surprisingly long distance flights have been measured at over 50 meters (55 yd) and steer effectively by curving one or other of the gliding membranes (patagium). They use their hind legs to thrust powerfully away from a tree, and when about 3 meters (3 yd) from the destination tree trunk, bring their hind legs up close to the body and swoop upwards to make contact with all four limbs together.

In suitable habitats, they are common, often reaching densities of 1 per 1,000 square meters provided that there are tree hollows available for shelter. They live in groups of up to 7 adults, plus the current season's young, all sharing a nest and defending their territory. Adult males mark the territory with saliva and with scent glands, and also mark members of the group with the scent produced by separate glands on the forehead and chest. Visitors which lack the appropriate scent marking are expelled violently. The dominant male mates more frequently with the female of the group than the other males, and does most of the scent marking. When an adult member of the group dies, it is normally replaced: by one of the group's own offspring if female, but by an outsider if male.

In the more temperate south, breeding starts in mid-winter (June or July). In the north, there seems to be no particular breeding season. Two young per female is typical; they remain in the pouch for about 70 days, and after leaving it stay inside the nest for another 40 or 50 days, then begin to forage outside, usually under the care of the mother. The young are normally ejected from the group territory at 7 to 10 months of age. Sometimes they form new groups if an area is vacant, but competition for territory is fierce and not many survive the first months of independent life. In captivity, they may live up to fifteen years.

Unlike many native animals, particularly smaller ones, Sugar Gliders are not endangered. Despite the massive loss of natural habitat in Australia over the last 200 years, they are adaptable and capable of living in surprisingly small patches of remnant bush, particularly if they do not have to cross large expanses of clear-felled land to reach them. Several close relatives, however, are endangered, particularly Leadbeater's Possum and the Mahogany Glider (which, to the non-expert, looks almost exactly like a Sugar Glider).

Like all native creatures they protected by law in Australia where it is illegal to keep them as pets, or to capture or sell them without a licence (which is usually only issued for bona-fide research). However, they are not difficult to breed in captivity under the right conditions, and small numbers have been legally exported to America where they have formed a breeding population for sale as pets. The Sugar Glider is a popular pet because of its sweet, lively, inquisitive nature, but is illegal in certain jurisdictions, such as California.

Posted by Ruth

www.happypetstop.com

Dedication to all our companion dogs!

2005-06-20T18:45:00.000-05:00

When God had made the earth and sky,
the flowers and the trees,
He then made all the animals,
the fish, the birds and bees.

And when at last He'd finished
not one was quite the same.
He said I'll walk this world of mine
and give each one a name.

And so He traveled far and wide
and everywhere He went,
A little creature followed Him
until it's strength was spent.

When all were named upon the earth
and in the sky and sea,
The little creature said, "Dear Lord,
there's no name left for me."

Kindly, the Father said to him,
"I've left you to the end.
I've turned my own name back to front
and called you DOG, my friend."

Author Unknown

~~~~~~~~

posted by Ruth,
http://www.happypetstop.com

Six-legged puppy dumped at temple

2005-06-20T18:42:00.000-05:00

Six-legged puppy dumped at temple

The Star Online > News >
Sunday June 19, 2005
Six-legged puppy dumped at temple

SPECIAL CANINE: The puppy with two extra legs and a second penis is currently being taken care of by the caretaker of the Kwang Sung Temple in Pandamaran. The puppy, found by a temple caretaker at the entrance on Thursday morning, is being cared for by the temple committee.

Click on the link at the beginning of the article ....

~~~~~~~~~~

Well, I guess if you have six legs ... you ~deserve~ to have two penises.

HART
PetLvr.com

Common Foods Harmful To Your Pet

2005-06-20T05:11:00.000-05:00

Article Search Engine: GoArticles.com - Common Foods Harmful To Your Pet

Common Foods Harmful To Your Pet
by Michele Webb

You may be surprised to find out which common foods we use almost daily can be harmful to your pet. It is important that you keep these foods away from your pet to ensure that they remain healthy and well. The challenge, of course, is to “pet-proof” your home, family, children or guests, to ensure that these foods are not made accessible to your pet. If your household is like mine, that can be a challenge from time to time! Here is a list of potentially harmful, but commonly used foods, to your pet:

•Alcoholic beverages
•Apple seeds
•Apricot pits
•Avocados
•Cherry pits
•Chocolate (all kinds)
•Coffee (all kinds)
•Grapes (recently found to contribute to kidney failure)
•Hops (used in home beer brewing)
•Macadamia nuts
•Moldy foods
•Mushroom plants
•Mustard seeds
•Onions and onion powder
•Peach pits
•Potato leaves and stems (green parts)
•Raisins
•Rhubarb leaves
•Salt
•Tea (caffeinated)
•Tomato leaves and stems (green parts)
•Walnuts
•Yeast dough

As a dog owner, after learning that my pet has consumed some sort of commonly used food or product in my household, have wondered what it’s potential for harm or toxicity might be, this list helps to resolve some of the mystery. There are numerous Internet resources with more information about harmful foods or plants, but these should not be consulted if your pet has already eaten something potentially harmful. It is important that if you find your pet has consumed something harmful that you contact your veterinarian or animal emergency services as quickly as possible to get instructions and care where needed.

Copyright 2005, Michele Webb. All Rights Reserved.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

About the Author

The author manages five websites and eCommerce businesses and is a member of a number of organizations for women Netpreneurs and business owners. She lives in Las Vegas, Nevada USA with her two Australian Shepherd dogs. You can contact Michele at michele@michelewebb.com or visit her websites at: http://www.ebooksnstuff.com, http://www.estudy4u.com, http://www.cancerregistrytraining.com, or http://www.registryads.com

"WHO's THE CUTEST PET?" at PetLvr.com - [The Blog]

2005-06-19T03:50:00.000-05:00

Readers are invited to upload their favorite pet picture and join the "PetLvr Wars!"

Today I have added a new script to [The Blog]. It allows you to upload your favorite PET picture to our blogsite. The script randomly selects two images from the database of all picture entries, and lets YOU choose the Pet that you think is the cutest. The votes are instantly tabulated. You can vote as many times as you want and upload as many pictures that you want. The "Top-Ten" cutest pictures with the most votes will be displayed.

Okay. I should remind everyone that this is a 'G-rated' website and the only NAKED pictures we should be witness to .. are naked pictures of your pets! Please be responsible! Well, I suppose you could go in reverse, and dress up your pet and upload that picture..... Hmmm..

I would also like to mention, that this is "A Website For All Earthlings, Who Love Animals". As such, all animal pictures should qualify, even if they are not your pet ... so don't be shy! Cats, dogs, mice, horses, lizards, goldfish, elephants, tigers, ant farms, .. and others .. Qualifies!!

By the way, on every picture that you can view here at PetLvr is eligible to be emailed as a link to all your friends and relatives so they can come help vote for your choice. Eventually we will all know the answer to that burning question that is in everybody's mind.....

"Who's The Cutest Pet?" at PetLvr.com - [The Blog]

Take care.
HART
PetLvr.com

Snake Bites and Dogs at ThePetCenter.com

2005-06-19T03:23:00.000-05:00

Snake Bites and Dogs at ThePetCenter.com

Snake Bites Dog!
This article by T. J. Dunn, Jr. DVM
appeared in the January, 2002 issue of Dog World Magazine

We are all familiar with situations where a dog happens to bite another dog or even a human. These occurrences are always scary. For me, the most heart-stimulating bite cases are the ones where the headline might read “Dog Bites Vet”.

Did you know that each year in the United States, over one million animal-bite wounds are reported? Dogs and cats inflict the vast majority. On occasion the tables get turned on our canine friends though, and without warning they are recoiling from the pain inflicted by sharp, poison-injecting fangs. Caught off guard, it is a moment you will never forget if you and your dog encounter a poisonous snake while simply taking a pleasant walk in the outdoors.

Snakebites are a fact of life for dogs and humans in a wide area of North America. Venomous snakes bite about 8,000 people annually in the USA, but according to most estimates, only 12 to 15 of these bites are fatal. You won’t find details on the numbers of dogs bitten, or killed, by venomous snakes, though. I asked Michael Schaer, DVM, Professor of Veterinary Internal Medicine at the University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine, about the numbers of dogs bitten or killed by snakes in the USA. He responded “I don't believe we have a valid source of information on the actual numbers of dogs bitten or killed by snakes annually in the United States because there is no central data resource for this.” In his twenty-two years as the lead clinician handling snake bites at the veterinary school, Dr. Schaer estimates about a 20 percent fatality rate for dogs bitten by the Eastern Diamondback and the Eastern Coral snakes.

Although there surely are isolated areas of the United States where venomous snakes are not plentiful, their range spreads all across the country with only Alaska and Hawaii reporting no species of the poisonous kind. Many cases of snakebite occur in dogs that are “just visiting” a part of the country where poisonous snakes are plentiful. It has happened that dog owners who reside in an area devoid of poisonous snakes are shocked into reality when visiting an area where venomous snakes reside!

TYPES OF POISONOUS SNAKES

The Unites States has fifteen species of rattlesnakes; two kinds of water moccasins, the copperhead and cottonmouth; and two kinds of coral snakes. The six types described here make a good representation of the venomous snakes present in the USA.

Copperhead
Average adult size is 22-36 inches and up to 53 inches has been reported.
Range: Northern Florida up to Massachusetts, west to Texas and southeastern Nebraska.

Cottonmouth (Water Moccasin)
Average adult size is 20-48 inches but over 70 inches has been reported.
Range: From Florida all the way north to Virginia and west to Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
Average adult size is 36-72 inches; the longest reported was 96 inches.
Range: All through Florida and several offshore islands and keys, north to southeastern North Carolina and west to southern Mississippi and parts of Louisiana.

Timber Rattlesnake
Average adult size is 36-60 inches; over 70 inches have been reported.
Range: This is an endangered specie; its range is limited to small areas of the eastern US.

Dusky Pygmy Rattlesnake
Average adult size is 12-24 inches; the longest was recorded at 31 inches.
Range: Throughout Florida, eastern North Carolina and west to parts of Missouri and Texas

Eastern Coral Snake
Average adult size is 20-30 inches; some exceed 40 inches.
Range: All of Florida and north to parts of North Carolina and west to eastern Texas and northeastern Mexico.

Fortunately, if your dog happens to be bitten by a poisonous snake the odds are in favor of a complete recovery. The degree of damage inflicted by a venomous snake is determined by a wide variety of variables. The age and species of snake, the intensity and depth of the fang penetration, the amount of venom injected, the location of the bite, and the size of the dog are just a few of the variables. In general, snakes want to be left alone. But along comes an inquisitive dog probing every mysterious hole in the ground, sniffing under downed logs, slogging along the riverbank, and digging up leafy patches on the forest floor... and a lightening strike of the serpentine kind may be the result!

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO in the event a snake bites your dog?

First, let me tell you what not to do. Do not take out your pocketknife and cut Xs over the fang marks! Do not attempt to suck venom through those X marks. Do not grab the snake in a fit of anger and attempt to choke it to death. You may be bitten yourself.

PLEASE DO...

* Try to identify the snake by taking note of its size, color patterns and the presence or absence of a rattle at the end of the tail.
* Look the dog over carefully for fang marks, noting that there may be more than one bite wound.
* If bitten on a leg, wrap a constricting band on the affected limb snugly at a level just above the bite wound (on the body side of the wound). This band could be fashioned of a shirtsleeve or other fabric and should be snug but not excessively tight.
* Start your journey to the nearest animal hospital while trying to keep the dog as quiet as possible.

PREVENTING SNAKE BITES

* While out walking, controlling your dog with a leash may be your best safety device.
* Do not allow your dog to explore holes in the ground or dig under logs, flat rocks or planks.
* Stay on open paths where there is an opportunity for snakes to be visible.
* Keep nighttime walks to a minimum; rattlers are nocturnal most of the year.
* If you hear a rattlesnake, keep your dog at your side until you locate the snake; then move away.
* Off-trail hiking with an unleashed dog may stir up a snake and you may be as likely a victim as your dog.
* If your dog seems unusually curious about “something” hidden in the grass, back off immediately until you know what it is.

WHAT IS VENOM?

Venom is a toxic fluid created in specialized oral glands related to salivary glands, and the toxic component is composed of an array of complex proteins. Every snake’s venom contains more than one toxin, and in combination the toxins have a more potent effect than the sum of their individual effects. Most of the toxic effects are due to the enzymes in the venom and there have been about twenty-five enzymes discovered so far. Venoms are of two types, either neurotoxic (affecting the nervous system) or hemotoxic (affecting the blood and vessels). The venom of many snakes contain both neurotoxic and hemotoxic components.

WHAT DOES VENOM DO?

Venomous snakebites cause severe pain, cell death, numbness, diminished function and, occasionally, loss of a limb. Snake venoms inflict local effects such as inflammation, damage to blood vessel lining, clotting defects and localized tissue destruction. Some venom can also cause neurotoxicity and interfere with nerve transmission resulting in paralysis.

WHAT IS ANTIVENIN?

Antivenin is a serum that is commercially produced to neutralize the effects of the injected venom. At special laboratories healthy horses are injected with increasing amounts of selected snake venom (non-fatal, of course), gradually challenging the horse to make more antibodies. To obtain these antibodies, a small amount of blood is later removed from the horse and the protein antibodies are separated out and purified. A specific antibody is produced for each type of snake. According the Dr. Schaer the newer antivenins are ovine derived and very expensive at $1500 per 2 vials. Severe envenomations might require as many as 10 vials.

SNAKE BITE KITS

Should dog owners carry antivenin kits with them routinely while outside with their dogs? Probably not says Dr. Schaer. “An antivenin kit probably wouldn't be that practical because of expense, routes of administration and other important reasons.” Most antivenin products are targeted for a particular species of snake and may have no effect on the snake that bites your dog.

Vigilance and keeping control of your dog when walking in areas inhabited by poisonous snakes will be your best deterrent to a snake encounter. It’s not a bad idea to memorize your veterinarian’s emergency phone number, too!

~~~~~~~~~~

Click on the link at the beginning of this article...

ThePetCenter.com
"The Internet Animal Hospital"

Eye Problems In Dogs, Explained in ThePetCenter.com

2005-06-19T03:21:00.000-05:00

Eye Problems In Dogs, Explained in ThePetCenter.com

EYE PROBLEMS IN DOGS… DON’T BE FOOLED
by T. J. Dunn, Jr. DVM
This article appeared in Dog World Magazine

Almost daily every animal hospital receives a call about canine eye problems; and the diversity of concern expressed by the dog’s caretaker runs a wide spectrum. There are times when veterinarians will check a frantic and anxious client’s dog only to discover an insignificant soreness in the dog’s supporting tissues around the eye (called conjunctiva). The very next “eye case” may be an advanced corneal ulcer that has allowed internal contents of the eye to actually protrude through the corneal surface! And that client might calmly state, “It’s been like that for two weeks but we though it would clear up”.

Fortunately in most veterinary practices the entire staff has been directed to prioritize all calls that express concern about a potential ocular difficulty. The reason for expediting the evaluation of any case relating to eye difficulties is that there is no way for verbal description to convey the true nature or severity of the problem. Seemingly innocent conditions can fool you… and result in an ocular emergency rather rapidly. These cases simply must be seen right away.

Let’s take the “squinting dog” as an example. Surely any dog might develop a mild irritation in an eye and squint for a few moments, and extra tear production would be expected, too. But without direct examination of the eye and attendant structures, no one (not even a Specialist in Veterinary Ophthalmology) would know if the squinting is due to a tiny scratch on the cornea, a cinder hiding beneath the third eyelid or a penetrating wound from a carelessly aimed BB gun! And one of the very first signs of systemic diseases such as Blastomycosis or cancer could be an innocent looking squint.

I asked a Specialist in Veterinary Ophthalmology, Deborah S. Friedman, D.V.M., of Animal Eye Care, in Fremont, California what the most common eye condition might be that could potentially fool the dog’s caretaker into delaying an eye exam. Her reply was… “Glaucoma comes immediately to mind. In many cases owners delay treatment of glaucoma until it is far too late. If the intraocular pressure in the eye is elevated for more than 24-48 hours, permanent damage is the usual outcome and this usually means blindness and sometimes loss of the eye. Signs of glaucoma can be very subtle at first and could include a dilated pupil that responds poorly or not at all to light, a cloudy cornea, a red appearance to the eye, and poor vision. Glaucoma can be dangerous because many of the signs of glaucoma are similar to simple conjunctivitis.”

A good general rule for all dog owners to follow is to have any eye or adjacent tissue dysfunction evaluated by a veterinarian without delay. As Friedman states “In my opinion, any injury to the eye (from cat fight, thorn, foxtail, BB gun, caustic substance etc.) should be brought to the attention of a veterinarian immediately (within 12 hours if possible). With eye injuries, the sooner the specific problems are identified and treated the better the chance of saving eye function”.

During routine physical exams internal disorders are often first recognized by subtle changes in the normal appearance of eye structures. A yellowish appearance of the normally white sclera, undetected by the pet ‘s caretaker, signals to the veterinarian that there is likely to be a liver or red blood cell dysfunction. And a faint haziness in the normally transparent cornea can prompt the need to evaluate liver or pancreas function. Tumors of any of the eye structures can occur and need to be addressed at the earliest possible time in their development.

Puppies and Eye Disorders

If you are about to acquire a new pup be sure to become informed about common eye disorders for the breed of interest. For example, Friedman states “Cocker Spaniels frequently develop dry eye (see photo: Dry Eye) and glaucoma. Bichon Frise, Cocker Spaniels, Poodles, and Boston Terriers among other breeds often develop cataracts (see photo: Cataracts). If a potential owner is aware that the breed they are interested in has inherited eye problems the buyer can educate themselves about what to look for.” The more you know about your preferred breed the better your chances of obtaining a healthy dog. One commonly seen condition in pups, called entropion, is readily seen upon close inspection. This rolling inward of an eyelid will surely require surgery to eliminate the corrosive action of the lid hairs on the cornea; and potentially the condition could be passed on to any future offspring.

Patricia J. Smith, MS, D.V.M., Ph. D., Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists and a colleague of Dr. Friedman at Animal Eye Care lists some common ocular problems in puppies. Become familiar with these disorders and be prepared to closely scrutinize any new pup for signs of these common difficulties:

Common Ocular Disorders In Puppies

1.Entropion… inward folding of an eyelid where lid hairs contact the cornea (Shar Pei, Cocker Spaniel, Rottweiler, Labrador Retriever, etc.)
2. Cherry Eye… prolapsed gland of the third eyelid. (Bulldogs, Cocker Spaniels, Poodles, etc.) (See photo: Cherry Eye)
3. Ectopic Cilia… an abnormal eyelash that grows through the conjunctiva and is usually very painful and almost always causes an ulcer. (See Photo: Corneal Ulcer)
4. Distichiasis… abnormal position of eyelashes on a lid margin that result in irritation of the eye.
5. Dermoid…congenital defect where haired skin is located in an abnormal place on an eye and will often irritate the cornea and can cause ulcers.
6. Cataracts… opacity of the lens. Inherited cataracts can often appear in young dogs, in most cases a veterinarian or veterinary ophthalmologist will have to make this diagnosis; owners are often unaware of small focal cataracts. There are also late onset cataracts that may not show up until middle or older age.
7. Follicular Conjunctivitis… itchy, reddened conjunctival tissues, tearing, squinting, often related to allergies.
8. Puppy Pyoderma or Puppy Strangles… eyelid abscesses associated with generalized skin pustules.
9. Dry Eye (Keratoconjunctivitis sicca or KCS)… lack of or inadequate production of tears. Sometimes this can be congenital in which case it is often very serious. Pug, Lhasa Apso, Shih Tzu are some of the breeds that may be born with dry eyes.

When you visit a breeder and evaluate pups for purchase it is best to do a careful and critical evaluation of any pup’s eyes before you make that purchase decision. Bring a penlight along and shine it directly into and at an angle to each eye. There should be no specks in the cornea, the pupil should be dark, the iris should constrict when the light enters the eye, and there should be no tiny stray eyelashes directed from the lids toward the cornea (Distichiasis).

As Friedman says “Conditions that the owner may think are trivial, may in fact be the early stages of something more serious. Often dogs are stoic and do not exhibit blatant signs of pain.” So don’t be fooled by subtle eye problems… they may not be so innocent after all. Do a thorough inspection of any new pup’s eyes and associated structures before you decide to make it a part of your “family” or breeding stock. And in any dog, if ordinary first aid provides no improvement in eye discomfort within 12 hours, be sure to obtain a veterinarian’s evaluation.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Common Home Remedies Suggested by Dr. Smith…

Ordinary Eye Wash (Sterile Buffered Saline) is proper to use in a dog’s eye to clean the eye but it will not be helpful for an inflamed, sore eye. For a red, sore eye seek veterinary attention immediately. Visine should not be used. It is not therapeutic; it merely makes the eyes less red for a short time. It can be potentially harmful in some conditions. Artificial tear drops or ointments are usually not harmful and may be soothing for some dry eye conditions, but advice of a veterinarian is urged in any case.

CERF (Canine Eye Registration Foundation) is a foundation that certifies dogs to be free of inherited eye problems. A reputable breeder would have both the sire and dam “CERFed” before every breeding. CERF certification numbers are only good for one year since there are many late-onset diseases such as retinal atrophy and cataracts. If someone is buying a purebred dog of a breed with inherited eye problems, they should ask to see the CERF number and examination forms. Genetic testing is available for several of the inherited and blinding retinal atrophies. Some breeders may have this genetic information about their line if they have had the dogs DNA tested.

Veterinary attention should be sought for any of the following conditions:

red eye
painful eye (squinting, pawing, rubbing, tearing, decreased appetite)
tearing
cloudy eye
blood in or around eye
suddenly blind eye
dilated pupil
swollen eye

View information about Specialists in Veterinary Ophthalmology

~~~~~~~~~~

Click on the link at the beginning of this article...

ThePetCenter.com
"The Internet Animal Hospital"

Russian scientific research satellite returns to Earth

2005-06-18T00:07:00.000-05:00

Tehrantimes.com - Russian scientific research satellite returns to Earth

Russian scientific research satellite returns to Earth

MOSCOW (AFP) - Russia's Photon scientific research satellite, laden with lizards, snails and scorpions, landed safely in the Kazakh steppes, Russian mission control said.

The satellite conducted various chemistry, physics and biotechnology experiments for 16 days in orbit, and carried living organisms to see how stress and weightlessness affected them, scientists quoted by the ITAR-TASS news agency said.

"Calcium circulation in lizards is very close to that of humans, and studying the changes effected in these animals in weightlessness will let us decrypt problems with calcium circulation in humans," deputy chief of Russia's medical-biological problems institute, Yevgeny Ilyin, said.

Tritons, molluscs which were also part of the satellite's cargo, would help scientists understand mechanisms of regeneration.

Other experiments were aimed at getting ultra-clear medicine for treating various viruses, cancer and HIV

Bear Cub Makes Unusual Pet

2005-06-17T23:59:00.000-05:00

Bear Cub Makes Unusual Pet

June 16, 2005
Bear Cub Makes Unusual Pet

Lions, tigers and bears, oh my! They're animals you expect to only see in the zoo. But more and more Iowans are keeping them as pets.

It takes 20 bottles of milk a day to feed Boo-Boo the bear cub. Boo-Boo is like a baby to her caregiver, Roberta James. James says, "She'll cuddle up to you and pet you and the curiosity --everything to her is new. Something that young exploring the world, it's fun."

Exotic pets like Boo-Boo are becoming more popular in Iowa. It's legal, so long as you get a permit from the county where you live or from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Roberta bought Boo-Boo from a registered breeder in Minnesota. For the permit and delivery, Boo-Boo only cost $500."

Linda Nebbe with the Black Hawk Wildlife Rehabilitation project doesn't agree with owning exotic pets. That's because she's had to find homes for many animals once they grow out of the baby stage. Nebbe says, "They're going to want to territory, mate, to have young and all of those are points where they're going to have to defend that part of their life."

Nebbe says santuaries that house unwanted exoctic pets are full all across the nation. And many times, veterinarians have to euthenize the animals. Roberta says her family has experience dealing with extremely large animals and plans to give Boo-Boo to her son once she grows. Roberta plans to raise Boo-Boo right.

"I think if you acquire them from domestic stock and work with them from a young age, you shouldn't have a problem. But it's anybody's guess. You can raise a child and have a problem with a child, so it's a roll of the dice," says Roberta.

Cities and counties can ban exotic pets. The cities of Waterloo, Dubuque, Iowa City, and Cedar Rapids already have. Roberta feels lucky to take care of Boo-Boo now, and she's confident her son can care for the bear when she's all grown up.

All content © Copyright 2001 - 2005 WorldNow and KWWL, a Raycom Media Station. All Rights Reserved.

Animal Shelter hopes Internet can save pets' lives

2005-06-17T23:48:00.000-05:00

Murray Ledger & Times Your Home Town News Source - Animal Shelter hopes Internet can save pets' lives

Animal Shelter hopes Internet can save pets' lives

By TOM BERRY
Staff Writer

Murray-Calloway County Animal Shelter staff and volunteers are always looking for ways to avoid euthanizing an animal when they can't find an owner, but now they are trying something radically different - the Internet.

Pamela Paps, an adult volunteer at the shelter when she's not teaching elementary school art classes, said she is hoping that the shelter's new arrangement with Petfinder.com will help save the lives of dozens of animals that pass through the shelter each month.

"This is the first time that we have been on the Petfinder program and we really have high hopes for it," Paps said. "On Petfinder, people from around the country can plug in what type of animal they are looking for and then they can access the shelter where the animal is located."

According to Linda Cherry, another volunteer working with Paps and Shelter manager Darla Jackson, the shelter is inundated with unwanted or stray animals and, tragically, many of them have to be put to death because homes cannot be found.

"A lot of our animals have to be euthanized because we are just so over-burdened by the sheer numbers," Cherry said. "Sadly, a lot of them are people's pets."

Some animals that are brought to the shelter by individuals or captured by animal control officers don't have homes, but many of them do. Cherry said too many times pet owners allow their pet to run loose and they wind up in captured when neighbors report them as a nuisance.

"If you have a pet and you love it, put a collar on it with an address and phone number. That way we can call and help to locate the owner," she said.

The deployment of soldiers to Iraq has also added to the burden of caring for unwanted animals. "They often have no one here in town, such as a mother, a mother in law, or a friend to leave their dog with," Cherry said. "They're not from around here, they're from all over the country, and they have no where to leave their dog. That's very traumatic for the owner as well as for the dog."

However, Paps pointed out that there are a lot of high-quality dogs and cats available for adoption at the shelter. "We're getting some people from out of state that are coming in to look at our animals because we've got such a large number of even pure-bred dogs," she said.

To help deal with the needs of impounded animals, Paps said they are looking for volunteers to come in occasionally for just a few minutes each day to play with an animal or take it for a walk. "That includes coming down to bathe or walk a dog. When we get them they're put in a cage and not really able to move around much, so it would be great if they had somebody just to take them out on the grass," Paps said. "Young people can come and play with the puppies or the kittens.

"That's a great thing for the kids to come and do in the summer and it's very rewarding."

For complete story, see Friday's Ledger & Times

Story created Jun 17, 2005 - 11:35:17 EDT.

Live Feeds Added to PetLvr.com - [The Blog]

2005-06-17T03:39:00.000-05:00

I modify the design of [The Blog] practically every day now, to make it user friendly. I hope that I have been accomplishing this goal. I would like to let everybody know that I am not 100% complete yet, and may never be. This site, like any website, will always be subject to constant revision and change. So, please feel free to give me feedback to let me know how I'm doing.

Do you like the changes? Do you hate the changes? Have you noticed any changes? Do you have any suggestions? You can email me at hart@PetLvr.com or you can enter a comment in the Tag-Board down the left side (please do not spam me or the Tag-Board) ... I will get your message or come chat with you in Real-Time. You are also welcome to click on the comments link to the right of the mini Papillon icon to post a comment and permanently contribute your thoughts to this blogsite.

I was online today with a 'chat buddy' on MSN Messenger, and I typed the URL for this website so the person can bookmark it. I was asked ..

"How come the page is so long?"

"Well, I will tell you why" I said...

Everybody hates to scroll left to right with their mouse but they don't really mind scrolling up and down. My Logitech Cordless Click! optical mouse has that center roller button and even if you don't use one, if you click above or below the scrolling bar on the right it will advance by a page screen view. Really .. the page has to load anyway ... why not load all of the pages into memory all at once while you are reading? or while you get a cup of coffee before reading?

That's why!

Of course, that's how I like it when I read other people's blogs. I really don't know why some blogs have their settings set at 1 post per page. I have to go through the archives to figure out what the blog was talking about. Is this where the future of blogs is going? I hope not. That's silly! You don't have time to hunt down every article or service or product or price list in a blog or website ... it's the same for me. Time is money.

So, my settings, here in blogspot, is set to list 100 posts upon loading. Besides loading up everything into memory, there is a dual reason. I do it for the section called ARCHIVES - BY POST so it will list down the left side column a 100 headlines to choose from. If I had my settings for only 5 posts, only 5 headlines would show up. The archives "BY POST" and "BY MONTH" are created automatically. The Menu drop-down links are not. With these links I am periodically updating the link (the human way) and sorting them out by topic. While this is a relatively easy thing to do, I am noticing how much bigger my template file is becoming and wonder if I might have to drop this feature in the future, to save the template.

But, you can be assured that if I do drop one feature or design, I will come up with another to replace it. For instance, I have added a new link today, which you will see at the top of every blog entry and looks like this:

| News Feeds |.

If you click on this "hot" link, you will jump directly to the top of the new LIVE FEEDS section. I am now linking up with CatNews.com to automatically retrieve the top 10 cat stories of the day. And, if you are not a cat lover, I have also linked, separately, a feed of 10 miscellaneous animal stories from around the world. If I find any more news feeds, this is the section that I will place it in. I might even pull in some headlines from other blogs.

I don't know. What do you think? Let me know.

Take care.
HART
PetLvr.com

MICHAEL FUMENTO: PETA must be stopped

2005-06-17T03:06:00.000-05:00

MICHAEL FUMENTO: PETA must be stopped | TheNewsTribune.com | Tacoma, WA

MICHAEL FUMENTO: PETA must be stopped
Scripps Howard News Service
Thursday, June 16th, 2005 01:44 PM (PDT)

(SH) - The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals say they're just animal lovers. In reality, they call humans a "cancer" and demand we all become vegetarians. They also say that all animal testing - necessary for discovering new drugs and critically important treatments - be eliminated.
"Even if animal research resulted in a cure for AIDS, we'd be against it," says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk.

Indeed, PETA's latest target is the world's largest medical research contracting lab, Covance, which has a facility in Vienna, Va. They've accused the company of committing horrors with laboratory monkeys, claiming they have video footage to prove it. Yet bizarrely what they've released shows no such thing - making a monkey out of PETA.

A PETA infiltrator made secret tapes of the animals and their handling over an 11-month period. The group chopped that to a select 28 minutes, and then cut it further to just a few minutes that is displayed on its Web site - presumably "the worst of the worst." Yet other than a tap on the head, we see nothing more beastly than cursing at some unruly animals. One clip depicts a monkey pacing in its cage. Oh, my!

Apparently PETA hopes you'll pay more attention to its captions supposedly explaining what's going on than you will to the actual video - and that you'll be shocked that lab animals are actually used in experiments rather than treated as pets. But that's not abuse.

"If that's the worst they've been able to find," says Foundation for Biomedical Research President Franki Trull, "I'd have to guess Covance has a first-class facility." Certainly nobody has a greater interest in protecting those animals than Covance. Real abuse would also violate the Animal Welfare Act and the USDA Animal Welfare Regulations and Standards - and send drug companies to other labs.

Despite this backfiring stunt, however, PETA remains both savvy and dangerous. Fortunately, lawmakers and PETA targets - including Covance - seem to be finally realizing how serious the PETA and animal rights problem is.

Last month the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives told the Senate that animal rights extremists, along with eco-terrorists, pose one of the most serious and fastest-growing national terrorist threats. Unlike such organizations as the Animal Liberation Front (ALF), PETA takes no credit for such actions as torching laboratories. But it does support them both vocally and financially.

"Would I rather the research lab that tests animals is reduced to a bunch of cinders? Yes," Newkirk has said. "I will be the last person to condemn ALF." PETA vegetarian campaign coordinator Bruce Friedrich says "blowing stuff up and smashing windows" is something PETA doesn't do "but I do advocate it."

PETA has donated to the Earth Liberation Front, a certified terrorist group that, according to the FBI, along with the ALF and other ecoterror groups has committed more than 1,200 criminal acts causing more than $110 million in damage. It paid $70,200 to an ALF activist convicted of burning down a university research laboratory. During sentencing, the federal judge implicated Newkirk in the crime.

Individual victims of PETA campaigns have usually been afraid to fight back, lest they draw more attention to the charges against them. But Covance may be setting a new trend.

Its initial reaction to the allegation was anything but denial. Rather, "If and when we receive these materials, we will immediately review the allegations" it said, and "thoroughly examine the complaint to determine if there are any credible issues we need to address."

Only after this review did the company file suit against PETA for fraud and conspiring to harm its business. The suit also demands that PETA and its infiltrator hand over the full set of tapes, so we can see what was left on the cutting room floor.

It's about time that somebody hit back at these fanatics who compare the deaths of broiler chickens to the Holocaust. "I'm getting a sense that institutions that chose not to sue in the past because didn't want to draw attention to themselves are really saying now, 'Enough already!'"

Trull told me. "That's encouraging because bullies only pick on you if you think they won't fight back."

Michael Fumento is author of "BioEvolution: How Biotechnology is Changing Our World." He is also a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute. E-mail fumento@pobox.com.

Mushrooms Poisoning Pets

2005-06-16T23:20:00.000-05:00

Mushrooms Poisoning Pets

Mushrooms Poisoning Pets
Posted on June 16, 2005 (PST)

Our wet weather and the mushrooms it’s spawning prompt a warning from the Humane Society of Central Oregon. The animal welfare agency says those mushrooms can poison your dog or cat. Veterinary clinics in Bend, LaPine, Redmond, Sisters and Terrebonne have all reported an increased number of mushroom toxicity cases. Officials recommend you remove any mushrooms that come up in your yard immediately. If you see your pet eat one, bring it and a piece of the mushroom to the vet.

From News/Talk
Radio 1110 KBND
Bend, OR

MSNBC - Animal Tracks Slide Show

2005-06-16T12:25:00.000-05:00

MSNBC - Animal Tracks Slide Show Archive Front Page

Animal Tracks

See images of creatures great and small ....

SEE THE SLIDE SHOW .. Click on the above link

At 'Groovy' Fete, cool cats dig the antics of disc dogs

2005-06-15T21:31:00.000-05:00

PACKETONLINE News Classifieds Entertainment Business - Princeton and Central New Jersey - The Princeton Packet - 06/14/2005 - At 'Groovy' Fete, cool cats dig the antics of disc dogs

Lovin' Spoonful may have been the headliner, but for some, the legendary group was upstaged by a pack of talented dogs.

The Lovin' Spoonful may have been the headliner at Saturday's "Groovy" Fete, but the band members were not necessarily the biggest celebrities at the event.

Ballistic Belle, a 4-year-old Texas heeler, is ranked sixth in the world in the disc dog championship. The 2003 and 2004 world finalist has appeared on the Disney Channel and the Discovery Channel, among others, and as part of the halftime show for NFL games. Saturday, she — along with her fellow disc dogs — brought the gig to Princeton Stadium.

Belle, as part of the America's Best Frisbee Dogs show, was just one of the entertainers at the 52nd annual Fete, sponsored by the auxiliary of University Medical Center at Princeton.

Roughly 10,000 people attended this year's Fete, said Barbara Allen, auxiliary liaison. Fete Co-Chair Christine Calandra said more people attended this year's gala than in several years, in part because of the weather. Though it was hot, it didn't rain — as it had the past three years.

"For three years, I've been here and the weather's not cooperated," said Barry Rabner, president and CEO of Princeton HealthCare System. "This year, I understand how spectacular it really can be."

Belle basked in the sunlight and showed off for the crowd of pets and people who turned out for the dog performance. She walked on her hind legs, did back flips as she caught Frisbees, and made a hurdle of her trainer, Bill Camp, in pursuit of a Frisbee disc, all to the Jennifer Lopez song "Let's Get Loud."

She was joined by black Labradors Jumpin' Jack the Maniac and Jumpin' Jack Jr., both dressed in Superman outfits. As the older Jack pursued the Frisbees, he began to tire. After Jack missed several discs, Mr. Camp noted that the dog — who was rescued in 1997 — is now 11½ years old — close to 80 in dog years.

"That's why he's retired," Mr. Camp quipped. "I'll probably be in a rest home when I'm that old."

A younger, larger Jack look-alike, named Jack Jr., came out later. Mr. Camp said the 2-year-old is halfway through his training as a disc dog; previously he was a duck-hunting dog. Smokin' Smokey, an Australian shepherd, demonstrated to the crowd how to train a dog to catch a Frisbee.

The dogs performed at Clark Field three times Saturday. At 1 p.m., The Lovin' Spoonful, the headlining band, took the stage at Weaver Track.

"All my life, I wanted to be in a rock band," said Mr. Rabner, who introduced the band. "But I couldn't play an instrument and I couldn't sing, so that was the closest I've gotten. It was wonderful."

The Lovin' Spoonful played its own hit songs, such as "Summer in the City" and "Do You Believe in Magic?" as well as several other hit songs from the period, such as the Mamas and the Papas' "California Dreamin'."

Ms. Calandra said about 2,000 people watched from Weaver Track's bleachers as the band performed. She said she was impressed and proud to see that, even during that concert, other areas of the Fete remained crowded.

On stages around the stadium, musical groups — as well as local organizations — had their opportunities to shine.

Ed Szemis and Dennis Reisert fenced using epees as part of the showcase of the Call to Arms Fencing Club. Mr. Reisert, who runs the club and is one of the instructors, defeated Mr. Szemis. He said the club has attended the Fete for many years.

"I like the crowds," Mr. Reisert said. "I enjoy introducing fencing to people in the community who've never seen it before."

The Fete also featured games and crafts for children, such as sand art, bean bag toss and paint twirl. Local restaurants and organizations sold a variety of food, and doctors were on hand to provide free medical advice.

The proceeds will benefit the establishment of a breast health center and the Princeton HealthCare System Foundation.

©PACKETONLINE News Classifieds Entertainment Business - Princeton and Central New Jersey 2005

"Bionic" Car Fueled by Fishy Ideas

2005-06-15T19:47:00.000-05:00

Photo in the News: "Bionic" Car Fueled by Fishy Ideas

** For All You Fish Lvr's out There....
Here is a car for you.
HART

Photo in the News: "Bionic" Car Fueled by Fishy Ideas

Photographs courtesy DaimlerChrysler

June 15, 2005—Lots of cars have been named after creatures of the sea, from the Corvette Stingray to the Plymouth Barracuda. But Mercedes-Benz's new Bionic Car was actually made to look like one. At a DaimlerChrysler car exposition last week in Washington, D.C., the automaker unveiled the concept vehicle, whose sloping nose and trim silhouette were modeled directly after the small tropical boxfish (inset).
Engineers patterned the vehicle on the boxfish's unique features, mimicking the fish's streamlined profile to improve the car's aerodynamics, while adopting the animal's boxy frame to increase strength and stability. Drawing on biology to develop new technology—a concept known as bionics—enabled the designers to create a diesel-powered prototype that can achieve speeds of up to 188 miles an hour (190 kilometers an hour) and boasts fuel economy of 70 miles a gallon (30 kilometers per liter).

Boxfish, also known as trunkfish or cowfish, can be found in warm ocean waters, where they linger near the seafloor to hunt for burrowing invertebrates. The fish are easily identified by their distinctive profiles as well as by the bonelike, six-sided plates that cover much of their bodies and help protect them from predators.

Acknowledging the fish as the inspiration for the Bionic Car, Mercedes-Benz issued a statement calling the boxfish "a prime example of the ingenious inventions developed by nature over millions of years of evolution."

—Blake de Pastino

Iams Donates Millionth Dollar to C.C.I.

2005-06-15T16:46:00.000-05:00

Iams Donates Millionth Dollar to Canine Companions for Independence (C.C.I.):: PNNOnline :: the nonprofit news and information resource

Iams Donates Millionth Dollar to Canine Companions for Independence
Posted by: laurakujawski on Wednesday, June 15, 2005

Topic Human Services

Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) announced that it has received its millionth dollar in support from The Iams Company. Iams' support of the Healthy Canine Initiative goes towards medical supplies, heart and eye exams, medical treatment, external lab fees, imaging and surgical fees, and extraordinary veterinary care for CCI's highly-trained assistance dogs for people with disabilities.

To help CCI meet the increasing demand for service dogs, The Iams Company has also sponsored 30 Canine Companion Teams all over the United States. A Canine Companion Team consists of a fully-trained Canine Companion and a person who has completed CCI's team training program.

"It's natural for Iams to want to support Canine Companions for Independence," said Connie McKamey, manager of Iams corporate contributions. "Iams' mission is to enhance the well-being of dogs and cats, and CCI's mission is to enhance the lives of people with disabilities by providing these very special assistance dogs."

Iams also provides Starter Kits to all CCI's graduating teams and to volunteer puppy raisers when they pick up their seven-week-old pups. (CCI depends on teams of puppy raisers for housing, obedience training, and socialization until the dogs are 13 to 18-months-old and ready for advanced training.)

"Iams' continuing generosity gives us the highest quality healthcare for these highly valuable dogs," reported Corey Hudson, CCI's executive director. "And by sponsoring six teams in each of our five regions, Iams is giving nationwide support to what we think is the perfect example of the human-animal bond."

Canine Companions for Independence is a provider of assistance dogs in the United States for people with disabilities other than blindness. CCI offers four categories of dogs that serve a wide range of people with disabilities, including those with multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, hearing loss and developmental delay. Service Dogs are trained to perform physical tasks such as pulling a wheelchair, retrieving dropped objects, opening doors and drawers, and flipping switches for lights or automatic doors. Skilled Companion Dogs assist children with disabilities and adults with severe disabilities under the supervision of a facilitator-a parent, spouse or caregiver. Hearing Dogs help people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing by alerting them to key sounds such as a knock at the door, a smoke alarm, or someone addressing them by name. Facility Dogs work alongside healthcare and educational professionals in settings such as rehabilitation centers, hospitals, and special education classrooms. There is no charge for the dog, its training or ongoing follow-up services. To learn more about the organization or to find out about local chapters, please visit the CCI Web site.

What To Look For In A Groomer

2005-06-15T11:29:00.000-05:00

What To Look For In A Groomer at ThePetCenter.com

How To Evaluate A Groomer
by Sharon Larson

"Muffin" is a valued part of the family. How do we find a competent person to approach her with dangerous, sharp implements like scissors and electric clippers? As well a groomer may be dipping or bathing her in insect repelling chemicals and soapy water. We surely aren't going to trust her to "just anybody". Here is what I would advise anyone to do who is seeking a careful and competent groomer.

1) First of all... ask around. Every time a dog leaves the groomer, it is a walking advertisement. Talk to your veterinarian, your kennel manager, your neighbor. If you see a dog on the street with a style you like, stop the owner and ask where the dog was groomed. People are usually very willing to talk about their pets, especially their new "do". Some veterinary offices have policies not to refer clients to any certain groomer or breeder. Don't despair; ask more specific questions like "Have you treated any problems from this groomer, such as cuts or clipper abrasions? Have you had any complaints about this groomer?"

2) Call the groomer you are interested in using. Ask him/her questions. "Did you go to grooming school or apprentice with a professional groomer?" "How long have you been grooming?" "Do you have much experience with {insert your breed here}?". "Do you have a problem putting poodle feet on a cocker? {Or some other non-standard clip} "Are you a member of any professional grooming organization?" There is a national organization called National Dog Groomers of America Association and many states have their own groomers' organizations.

3) Some states require that groomers are licensed and certified in flea/tick applications. Ask if she or he is properly certified. Keep in mind that groomers are usually on an extremely tight schedule. Ask him/her if they would be able to call you back to answer these questions when they have ample time to talk. It's hard to answer questions while fluff drying a dog. You should be able to develop a rapport with the potential groomer that will give you an overall impression. Hopefully it will be a good impression.

4) Then trust your intuition. Just by asking around you will be able find answers to most of your questions. Using a groomer for the first time can be a disconcerting experience. If you've done some research by asking around and then place your trust in your groomer and then see a good result... then you can pamper yourself, too, like "Muffin" was pampered.

Sharon Larson has been involved in animal health care since 1979. She attended the Wisconsin School of Professional Dog Grooming & has been grooming professionally since 1986.

******************************************************************************

Puppies And Grooming:

BATHING

So you just brought that new family member home and you are wondering about bathing it. Maybe it smells a little like... well, like puppy smell ! Yes you can bathe even a very young pup and often a good bath really perks them up and helps to rid them of any dirt, stool or food that has hidden itself in the puppy's coat.

You can purchase puppy shampoo (get the tearless kind, it doesn't sting if it gets in the eyes) and wet the pup down completely. Lather up the shampoo all over. When you rinse the shampoo off, be sure that you get all of it off! Even a little shampoo left on the coat can irritate the skin later on. Rinse twice as long as you think you need to. You do not have to put anything in the eyes prior to the bath... just try not to get any soap in the eyes.

You can put little cotton plugs in the ear canals to help keep the water and shampoo out of the ear canals, but this isn't absolutely necessary. When you rinse be sure the water is warm and comfortable. The surest way to make the pup hate a bath is to use water that is too cold or too hot.

Now that the pup has been rinsed off well, just wrap the little rascal in a big towel and gently rub the puppy dry. You can also use a blow dryer but try not to scare the heck out of the pup if you are going to use one. If it is warm outside a good run after a bath is an absolute delight for a dog. Watch out, though, they usually head straight for the dirt or mud to roll around in! (All dogs have been born with some sort of agreement among themselves to do this!)

HOW OFTEN? You can bathe a dog whenever it really needs to be cleaned up. In general, though, a bath every three weeks is about right. And some breeds like Dobes, Boston Terriers and others with short coats may rarely need a bath. Old English Sheepdogs and Collies are a different story!

WHAT KIND? In general just use a mild dog/puppy shampoo. A professional groomer can tell you if your dog needs a special formula to alleviate dry skin, allergic dermatitis or very sensitive skin. (The first thing to do if your dog does have dry skin is evaluate the diet! See ThePetCenter's articles on Nutrition.)

GROOMING
In short haired dogs just use a soft brush and sweep it over the coat in the direction of hair growth. Long haired dogs and dogs with a double coat (short fuzzy hairs underneath long coarse hairs) can tolerate short wire brushes and steel combs. Always be certain that when using the wire brushes that you are not scratching the dog's skin! Some dogs really need to be brushed out every day. Others may never need a brushing because their coats are so short and tight to the skin.

Are you thinking about becoming a pet groomer?
Take a look at this for a good overview of what you will need to know.

When in doubt... call your local professional groomer!

Pet Food and Supplies: Great prices and selections at
PetFoodDirect.com, America's Pet Store On The Web

~~~~~~~~~~

Click on the link at the beginning of this article...

ThePetCenter.com
"The Internet Animal Hospital"

How To Setup A Freshwater Tropical Fish Tank

2005-06-15T10:55:00.000-05:00

How To Setup A Freshwater Tropical Fish Tank
by Mike Magnum
FishLore.com Editor

This is an 11 step guide to setting up a freshwater aquarium in your home.

Equipment you will need:
Aquarium
Aquarium gravel
Aquarium filter
Replacement filter media
Heater
Other decorations (such as plants)
Chemical test kits
Fish food
Aquarium vacuum
Fish net
Glass Scrubber
5-gallon bucket
Pasta strainer

STEP 1: Realize the responsibility involved. A tropical fish tank is just like having a dog or a cat when it comes to the amount of effort on your part. In order to have a successful fish tank you will have to work at it. Once a week, or at most once every two weeks, you will need to perform some kind of maintenance on the tank. Most of the time you will be performing water changes. You will also have to feed your tropical fish at least once a day. If you are up to the challenge, please proceed!

STEP 2: Decide on an aquarium size. It’s a good idea to have in mind what kind of tropical fish you want to keep before you purchase an aquarium. Some tropical fish only grow to be an inch or two, whereas other types of tropical fish can grow 12 or 13 inches in length! Knowing what kind of tropical fish you want will help you decide the size of the tank they will need. If this is your first time with an aquarium, I would recommend going with a 10 or 20 gallon aquarium for now.

STEP 3: Decide on the aquarium's location. Place your aquarium in an area where the light and temperature of the tank won’t be affected by external sources such as windows and heater vents. You will want to place your aquarium on a stand that will be able to hold its total weight. A good rule of thumb for determining the total weight of a full aquarium is 10 pounds per gallon of water. For example, a 55-gallon tank will weigh approximately 550 pounds when filled with water!

STEP 4: Buy your aquarium and equipment. Now is the time to decide on the type of filtration you will want to use. You will also need to purchase a heater capable of heating the tank size you have. Buy the gravel, plants, a power strip and other decorations. A good rule of thumb for the amount of gravel that you will need is 1 to 1.5 pounds of gravel per gallon of water.

STEP 5: Set up your aquarium and stand. Wash out your tank with water only! Do not use soap or detergents. Soap residue left behind will be harmful for your tropical fish. If you are going to use an under gravel filter (not recommended) now would be the time to set it up as well.

STEP 6: Wash Gravel, plants and decorations. Be sure to wash the gravel thoroughly before adding it to your tank. An easy way to do this is to put some of the rocks in a pasta strainer and wash them out in your bathtub. Then place the clean gravel in a clean 5-gallon bucket for transport to the aquarium. After adding the gravel you can place your plants and decorations.

STEP 7: Add water to the aquarium. To avoid messing up your gravel and plants, you can place a plate or saucer in the middle of your aquarium and direct the water flow onto the plate. Use room temperature water when filling. To remove the chlorine and chloramine, use something like Tetra AquaSafe for Aquariums. Don’t completely fill up the aquarium until you are sure of the layout of your decorations. Otherwise, when you place your arm in to move stuff around water is going to spill over. Doh!

STEP 8: Set up equipment. Install your heater but don’t plug it in until the thermostat in the heater has adjusted to the water temperature. This usually takes about 15 minutes or so. Hook up your filter and any other equipment you have, then top off the aquarium water to just under the hood lip. Place your hood and light on the aquarium and then check your power cords to be sure that they are free of water. I would also recommend using a drip loop on all of the power cords to be extra cautious. Plug all of the equipment into a power strip and then “turn on” the aquarium.

STEP 9. Wait, wait, wait and then wait some more. I know, you want to add some tropical fish. But, in order to do this right you must wait until your aquarium has cycled before adding any fish. There are ways of speeding up this process. Check out the nitrogen cycle page to learn more. If you must use fish to cycle, try to get a hardier species like the zebra danio or cherry barb.

STEP 10. Add tropical fish. Only add one or two fish at a time. Adding a couple tropical fish at a time gives your filtration system the time needed to take on the increased biological load that the new fish introduce. When you bring the fish home let the bag float in the tank for about 15 minutes so that the fish can become acclimated to the temperature and pH of the aquarium water. After 5 minutes of floating the bag you should add some of the aquarium water to the bag so that the fish can become acclimated to the pH level in the aquarium. This will help reduce the amount of stress imposed on the tropical fish. Stressed tropical fish often leads to dead tropical fish! Don’t feed your tropical fish on the first day. They probably wouldn’t eat any food on the first day anyway. Let them get acquainted with their new home.

STEP 11. Get ready for regular maintenance. Be prepared to spend some time once every week or two to clean your tank. Performing regular water changes will reduce the nitrate levels and keep your tropical fish happy and healthy.

For more tropical fish and aquarium information, please visit FishLore.com - Tropical Fish & Aquarium Information.

~~~~~~~~~~~

About the Author
Mike is an editor at FishLore.com. Designed for beginners, FishLore.com provides tropical fish information, how-to guides, articles, fish profiles, FAQs, forums and more! www.FishLore.com - Tropical Fish & Aquarium Information

Dogs and kids .. Sit! Stay! Read!

2005-06-15T09:09:00.000-05:00

Dogs and kids sit! Stay! Read!
Program gets pupils pumped about learning

By GREGORY ROBERTS
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER

The picture is my Nikki, a therapy dog.

BOTHELL -- In Room C3 at Woodmoor Elementary School, fourth-grader Andres Barrientos read aloud from the book "Who Wants Arthur?" to an audience of two: adult volunteer Karen Yuckert and Bourbon, her golden retriever.

As Andres carefully sounded out each word, Yuckert listened attentively, willing him on; Bourbon, snuggled in the corner bench seat between them, mostly just listened.

When Andres finished the story, he popped a dog biscuit in Bourbon's mouth.

"He's fun, nice, kind and kind of funny," Andres, 9, said.

Yuckert and Bourbon are regulars at Woodmoor, dropping in weekly to listen to Andres read.

"I always think, 'Tomorrow's going to be Thursday, I'm going to be with Bourbon,' " Andres said.

Bourbon is one of eight dogs that visit Woodmoor on Thursdays under a program called "Reading with Rover," designed to boost literacy skills for children who have difficulty mastering them.

The dogs' roles are passive -- the program might more accurately be named "Reading to Rover" -- but despite that, and the goofy aura of it all, the visits do benefit the young readers, special education teacher Betsy Leahy said.

"The biggest thing we see is that the kids start enjoying reading," she said. "They've been struggling with it, and all of a sudden, they're excited to read, and they bring books that they want to read to the dogs rather than the books that we have for them.

"They're not as fearful to read," Leahy said. "That self-esteem issue is huge.

"There's no criticism when you read to a dog, there's no correction," she said. "He just licks your face and thinks you're wonderful.

Reading with Rover got its start when Mie-Mie Wu, a children's librarian at the Bothell Regional Library, learned of a similar program in Salt Lake City.

We got in touch with some local dog owners involved in pet-therapy activities at hospitals and nursing homes and they started Reading with Rover at the library in the summer of 2001.

The program moved to Woodmoor Elementary last spring. Each of the eight dogs works with two or three children at the school, in half-hour sessions.

Volunteers and their dogs are trained to participate in Reading with Rover.

The pets are the "Eagle Scouts of therapy dogs" because they must remain calm around young children, even when the kids flop on top of them or tug at their ears, said Becky Bishop, a dog trainer who coordinates the program.

The demand for the program outstrips the supply of dogs and owners for it, Bishop said. And the demand may increase: Last Thursday, two women from the Highline School District south of Seattle visited Woodmoor, with an eye to bringing Reading with Rover to their schools.

Curtis Hezeau enlisted his Shetland sheep dog, Cole, in the program at Woodmoor. Last week, they nestled in a beanbag chair alongside fourth-grader Philip Gialanella, 9, while he read "The Mitten."

"I like dogs," Philip said. He looks forward to Thursdays and to reading to Cole.

"You get to pet him while you read," he said. "And you get to give him treats sometimes."

Julie Kehoe also joined the Reading with Rover corps, along with Seven, her Burmese mountain dog.

"I wanted to find a way for the two of us to do something good for other people," Kehoe said.

"It's probably the most rewarding volunteer thing I've done."

Read the article at: http://www.happypetstop.com/articles/pets/dogskids.htm

Free distributed article.

Posted by Ruth Bird

http://www.happypetstop.com

Our Dogs Love Their Treats and Table Scraps

2005-06-14T16:59:00.000-05:00

We are trying to eat healthier foods these days. At any given moment you will find each of the following in our fridge:

(a) HART's FAMOUS CHILI RECIPE - based on using 3 kg of Extra Lean Ground Beef

(b) GARDEN SALAD - Large Family Value Pack size bag

(c) ABUNDANCE OF OTHER VEGETABLES - carrots, broccoli, tomatoes, etc .. and

(d) A CONTAINER OF PEPPERS - I love all sweet peppers. Every week I, myself, go through a dozen peppers. I get 4 red peppers, 3 orange peppers, 3 yellow peppers, and 2 green peppers to round off the dozen. I am very particular in the way I cut them too. I cut them vertically, in about 1 cm width pieces, then in half for each pepper except the red peppers. For the red peppers, I cut them 1 cm width too, but cut them in thirds, so I can get more red pieces. Ingenius, eh? I like red peppers!

Now, if you are a fan of Tina Brook's - Confessions of a Chilihead blog, I'm sure you have visited their website Brook Peppermaster Foods and seen their 'Global Fusion Gourmet Hot Sauces' and product line (hint: *nudge, nudge, say no more*). If you like hot peppers, this is the place to go. If you have dogs - well, I would test your theory about them liking hot peppers on a floor, not a carpet. I had fond memories of BRANDY, an Irish Setter that we used to have, who liked Pringles and salsa. I could put a pringle with salsa on his paw while he was lying down, and he wouldn't touch it until I snapped my fingers. He knew nobody else would eat that chip after being on his hairy paws. Well, one day we made our own special salsa with the "Hottest Peppers in the World", and tried the trick with a Pringle for company. Let's just say it took a while before we got the carpet stains out, and my guests still make fun of the incident whenever a BLUE MOON comes and we get together.

Well, since then, only sweet peppers for me! I don't even add them to my famous chili. The hot taste is from those prepackaged Club 'Super Hot Chili' mixes. I don't even add real chili pepper powder!

But, our dogs enjoys watching us prepare our daily dinners anyway. They also enjoy watching me make my weekly chili and cutting up all of the peppers, the celery and my 'other' secret chili ingredients. Sophie particularly likes to stand inbetween my feet, against the kitchen cupboards waiting anxiously for to "accidentally drop" a piece or two of cut peppers and shout 'Vaccuum!'. Both Maxxie and Sophie quickly try to win the spoils of the day and clean up my mess - the dropped table scraps. To the loser, I usually toss a smaller piece as a consolence prize.

I have always felt that you should NOT feed your dogs at the table. When we are eating, I will fill up their dog food dish and if they want to eat, they can go eat their own kibbles. If they are quiet, and good the table, we might (okay, always) save little scraps of food to feed Maxxie and Sophie when we are done. If we have BBQ chicken or turkey, we will give some meat to Zeussie. But not while we are eating!!

Snacking is a different matter. Maxxie and Sophie are not only part of this family, they ARE family. If I'm going to take out a snack between meals, say while I'm working or relaxing and watching TV, I believe it's okay to give them treats too. Of course, if you are snacking on beer, pizza, potato chips or chocolate (which took me a long time to realize that these were not your four basic food groups), you do not want to feed your pets these foods. You can't just keep giving the milk bones either. It's like eating sugar and cookies to dogs and they will get fat.

So, when I feel like a snack between meals .. I take a heaping bowl of my cut peppers and baby carrots, and call 'The Kids' and we go snacking! I like dipping my carrots and raw peppers in Kraft 3-Cheese Dressing. Vegetables are good for you. Vegetables are also good for your pet! What do you think animals were eating in pre-historic days, before Purina and Iams were invented? With a regular cereal bowl size, I might give Maxxie and Sophie about 10 pieces each at a time. They have to work for it however. They can't jump for the food. They have to sit nicely. Sometimes they have to lie down, get up, roll over, shake a paw, but every time, I only let them take it out of my hand when I say "here". They sure love their sweet peppers. I tell them what color each is before I give them to eat and swear, that their eyes light up when I mention the orange peppers.

And speaking of orange, carrots are really good for both humans and your pets. Maxxie and Sophie both love to eat carrots just as much as they love to eat peppers. Many believe that eating carrots are good for the eyesight (it's not - I eat carrots all the time and I wear glasses :Ptftftf), but apparently eating carrots are good for your teeth and bad breath too! Eating baby carrots will remove plaque from your dog's teeth and eliminate bad breath.

I would highly recommend these type of healthy treats for your pet too. If your dog doesn't like baby carrots, try spreading a little peanut butter on them until your dog eats the baby carrots on their own. Your dog will thank-you for saving him/her to a trip to the Vet Tooth Fairy.

There are other dental treats that are specifically designed, like the carrot, to remove plaque and give fresh breath to your pet... in fact, we use them all of the time.

* Daily - Pedigree DentaStix for Maxxie and Sophie. Sophie only get's half a piece however. I usually give them "DentaStix" when I go out to do banking, mail run, or errands.

* Occasionally - Greenies Smart-Treats Petite Size Value Pack for Maxxie and Sophie. Yvonne likes to give the dogs this in the early evening. We have to watch them carefully, because it takes time to chew these. If we don't watch, Sophie will end up with both of them!

* Once a month - Petrodex Dental Treats for Cats for Zeussie. The package suggests once daily, but Zeus hates this with a passion. I have to add VIP Fresh Premium Catnip Leaves and Blossoms to entice him to at least play with it and hopefully chew it. Sophie has to be put in another room because other wise she will try to take it away as her toy. I just figured once a month is better than never. He usually tries to clean his breath by licking my unshaven whiskerred face every night while I am sleeping anyway.

Feel free to click on the above links to look at or even shop at the PETCO Store.

HART
PetLvr.com

On Rats and Hot Sauce...

2005-06-13T14:58:00.000-05:00

While researching the makers of a hot sauce called, get this, "Rat Sauce", I came upon Rat Sauce a website dedicated to everything rat related. This of course, is the instigator of this little we-blog. Rats and hot sauce... what more could one ask for?

Let me introduce you to the stars of masses of horror movies specifically designed to perpetuate the myth that rats are horrific critters deservous of naught but destruction.

Rats as animals have been blamed for the black plague and have been long vilified, and unfairly so, I might add. Were one to do their homework, they would learn that it wasn't the rat that caused or carried the plague, it was actually the Oriental Rat Flea which spread its horrific disease by taking advantage of the rat's mobility. But it's not like that... Rats make great pets; they really do.

Of course, I just know you're sitting there thinking, "What? You're nuts! A rat? Why would anyone in their right mind want a rat as a pet?"

And the answer is simple. They are fabulous pets.

They are very clean, (although I've heard that this can be a personality trait and that there are slob rats out there). They are exceptionally intelligent critters. They are fun to play with and much like a dog, they can be taught tricks and to play games with you and they will interact with you quite readily, especially once they think you're part of their pack.

Rats can fit through a hole no larger than a quarter. They are so agile, they can scale brick walls as though they had rungs. So athletic, they can swim half a mile, and tread water for three days. Their powerful jaws can gnaw pipes and cinder blocks with chisel teeth that exert an incredible 24,000 pounds per square inch. Rats have been known to survive being flushed down a toilet, and can even enter buildings through the toilet pipes, the list of their exploits and abilities is endless. Because of their neverending curiosity, search for food and ability to get at it, once found, they are considered to be one of the most destructive mammals that ever lived.

Watch out if you are going to breed rats, though, because, they are so prolific that a single mating pair can easily produce 15,000 descendants in a year. Not one to worry about breeding my pet, Ralph, was a solo rat. He lived alone on my dresser in a rat habitat, which is essentially a very large, elaborate hamster cage built entirely out of metal. He had a swing, a running wheel, (which he much preferred napping in to running in). He had an old ceramic boot, rescued from an aquarium that he used as his hidey hole and a margarine tub which he filled with shredded tissue as his bed. (When I cleaned his cage, I would give him an unopened box of tissue and he would shred this and arrange it just the way he liked it in the margarine tub.) It was quite something to watch.

As a personality, Ralph was really cool. I'd come in from school and he'd immediately jump up to say hello, hanging from the cage top by one paw, pawing at the latch with the other, until I brought him out to play. He was quite cuddly and loved to snuggle with me. He would give kisses and when I was puttering about he'd sit on my shoulders, his tail curling about my neck. He liked to nibble on sunflower seeds, (the hulls of which, he'd deliberately toss down my shirt). He also loved fresh vegetables especially sweet peppers, which makes me wonder, would he have enjoyed habaneros as much as I do? Some relationships end far too early -- sigh. One weekend at a party, Ralph discovered the pleasures of beer. After that he liked to get drunk and laze on my head. Sitting on my shoulder, he'd poke his snout between my lips and the bottle to suck the beer out of the bottle as I would pour it into my mouth. I loved how that grossed some people out! Come to think of it, I wonder if Ralph ever felt the hangovers that I experienced after those parties? You'll be pleased to know that, although I did at that age, Ralph never smoked. He would hide when I pulled out my lighter. Either he didn't like the flash of its lighting up or he was afraid I'd singe his whiskers; which were suprisingly long.

I really enjoyed my stint as a rat owner, and for someone looking for a new pet, rats are a wonderful option. So long as you can get past the stigma of the wonderful critter actually being a "rat". With 20/20 hindsight, I don't recommend getting one for the purposes of making them your drinking buddy. I think that as a species they have a tendency towards alcoholism; not to mention that their livers are much tinier than ours and they probably don't live so long as they could otherwise. What can I say, I was a wild and crazy kid who didn't know any better and who had no concept of my own mortality, never mind that of Ralph.

This:

is Beebop. Beebop appears to me to be a variegated satin rat. Beebop is very similar to Ralph. Beebop is just one of a large variety of pet rats that can be found at Rat Sauce.

Rat Sauce is run by a fellow named Matt, owner of Beebop and an entire Rat Pack! I only ever had one rat in my life so, I can hardly imagine what having a pack would be like; although I did have a slew of gerbils at one time; but in retrospect, comparatively, gerbils are dumb pets, not dumb in the sense of unintelligent, but dumb in the sense that if one didn't need them to feed their pet snakes, I've no reasonable idea why anyone would ever want one. That said, Matt has gone to great effort to introduce people to the joys of having these rodents as their pets and with contributions from other rat owners, his is a definite site to check out in the event that one is looking for a new pet that is out of the ordinary.

Rat Sauce includes sources for the animal, games and toys that will appeal to our little rodent friends as well as referrals for qualified vets and a forum to discuss the joys and stresses of rat ownership with other rat owners.

I suppose I should throw in a caveat about rat ownership at this point. And that is, if you're going to delve into the ownership of a pet rat, don't do it with the wild rattus rattus that your uncle caught rummaging through his pantry. Wild rats are prone to bacterium and disease; read "Oriental Rat Fleas!" and thus are not meant to be domesticated. Instead, see a professional breeder or at the very least, a quality pet store; one that will guarantee their animals. Rat Sauce has links to breeders all over North America and beyond.

Get a rat. You'll be pleasantly surprised; not to mention the fact that they're great fun to have at parties.

Tina Brooks, Confessions of a Chilihead

What’s The Best Diet For A Pregnant Cat?

2005-06-13T02:49:00.000-05:00

Article Search Engine: GoArticles.com

What’s The Best Diet For A Pregnant Cat?
by Marc de Jong

Pregnant cats have to eat for two, three, four, five, even six cats. So her regular meal is just not enough. What should you give instead?

Pregnant and lactating queens need more calories than normal. However, you won’t have to force her to eat. Cats are very intelligent animals. They know when they have to eat and how much.

Don’t get worried if your cat’s appetite decreases in the very early stages of pregnancy. Soon her appetite will increase, and this time dramatically.

The quality of the food is essential. Of course you should always give your cat a nutritionally balanced meal, but this time it’s even more important than usual. You are not feeding one cat anymore, but a few (soon-to-be) kittens as well!

It’s recommended to buy food from a pet store. Most experienced breeders agree that kitten food is the best for your pregnant cat – yes, even when the kittens are not there yet. Why? Because kitten food contains more calories and protein, and that’s just what your queen needs.

Gradually start mixing your cat's regular food with this high-quality kitten food you found in your pet store. Add more kitten food every week. During the week of birth your queen should eat only kitten food.

Some breeders also serve raw meat and say that’s good for a pregnant cat as well. However, there is some controversy about this.

About 24 to 48 hours before delivery a pregnant queen will refuse food. Her appetite should return within one day after she gave birth.

Keep her on a kitten food diet until the kittens are weaned.

~~~~~

About the Author

Journalist Marc de Jong is a long-time cat lover and owner of http://www.cat-pregnancy-report.com - More in-depth information about food for kittens and pregnant cats is found in How To Take Care Of Your Pregnant Cat, his acclaimed ebook on cat pregnancy, birth and kitten care.

Now, high-tech Fido finders

2005-06-13T02:25:00.000-05:00

New York Daily News - Home - Critters: Now, high-tech Fido finders

Now, high-tech Fido finders

BY AMY SACKS
DAILY NEWS WRITER

Deborah Young doesn't much worry that her pooch Elie will meander away from their Carroll Gardens apartment. But the Brooklyn writer often fears that her delightful red-nose pit bull will be snatched off the street.

"My heart quickens every time I have to tie her up outside a store for even a few seconds," said Young, who has heard dozens of stories about desirable dogs like Elie that have been stolen.

Now, a new high-tech dog collar may help ease the mind of jittery pet owners.

A 5-ounce gadget that attaches to the dog's collar uses global positioning system technology to track pets. Users create an invisible electronic fence - up to hundreds of miles - where the dog is free to roam.

The moment the pooch crosses the invisible boundary, a message is sent - a text message or an E-mail - with the animal's exact location.

"No one should have to go through the heartache of losing a pet," said Jennifer Durst, CEO of GPS Tracks in Oyster Bay, L.I., which makes the high-tech pet locator.

Other useful features include a built-in temperature monitor that sends a warning message when the dog's location becomes dangerously hot or cold, such as in a parked car.

Dialing F-O-U-N-D on any PDA gives the user the pet's location at any time.

The idea was born five years ago while Durst was on an all-out search for Hank and Chewbacca, her 140-pound German shepherds, which fled her Syosset home on a rainy school night.

As the single mom scooped up her sleeping kids and drove around the neighborhood, she asked herself, "Why can't there be a LoJack - an electronic device that can track a car it's installed in - for dogs?"

"It was an invention of necessity," Durst said.

Keeping tabs on your pooch doesn't come cheap. The device costs $350, and there's a $18 monthly fee. There's also a startup fee of $35.

So far, it only works on dogs over 30 pounds, which means cats and toy breeds will have to wait for the next generation.

Although the GPS-based technology is exciting, some animal experts are skeptical.

"It needs to get to a point that it's affordable, readily available and easy to use," said Kate Pullen, director of Animal Sheltering Issues at the Humane Society of the United States. In the end, she said, pet owners should rely on a collar and ID tag.

Surprisingly, a large number of cats and dogs that come into the shelters have no identification.

"It's the No. 1 reason dogs are dying in shelters," said Ed Boks, executive director of NYC Animal Care and Control.

Last year, 42,000 dogs and cats landed in AC&C's shelters, and only 1,187 were reunited with their owners, Boks said.

A dog with either a tag or up-to-date license has a good chance of being reunited with its owner. Unfortunately, 99% of the animals that land in the shelter are not wearing identification, Boks said, and never go home again.

Microchips with unique ID numbers that are implanted under the skin have been used for years to increase the chances of locating a missing pet.

Despite its potential, the technology isn't foolproof. There is no microchip scanner available that reads chips from different makers. So the chip of one company may be readable by a scanner at one veterinary clinic but not at another.

The newly formed Coalition for Reuniting Pets and Families, made up of animal welfare and veterinary associations, is hoping to change the standard.

Pullen said the group is calling on microchip manufacturers and distributors to provide a scanner capable of reading any chip or electronic signal.

Young said she had Elie implanted with a microchip but the company could not verify that the number was registered in its database.

Still, although Young isn't sure she would shell out $350 for a GPS tracking system, she said, "Maybe it's worth the peace of mind."

Originally published on June 11, 2005

What You Need To Carry When You Travel With Your Dog

2005-06-12T23:05:00.000-05:00

What You Need To Carry When You Travel With Your Dog

What You Need To Carry When You Travel With Your Dog
by Terrie Simpson

Spring is here and with the onset of warm weather, comes more dog shows and our annual vacations, plus the urge to take a Sunday drive. However, we sometimes neglect the needs of our pets or do not take extra precautions for unseen emergencies. If you cannot board your pet, or leave it at home and find that you must take it with you please make sure you provide adequate ventilation and water in your vehicle. Plus you should read up on heat stroke and heat prostration. Below is a simple check list to ensure your pet is provided for under normal circumstances and in the event of an emergency:

• a comfortable crate or seatbelt harness

• 2 leashes (your usual one and a spare)

• a spare collar

• ample water for your pet, yourself and your vehicle

• a water dish

• your pets first aid kit

• your first aid kit

• tools for your vehicle

• a brush to remove brambles and ticks

• pet food (if canned, store in a cooler if opened)

• toys to offset boredom (nothing worse than chewed upholstery)

• a tarp for shade, or park in a shady area

• a copy of your pets vaccinations and registration

• your veterinarians telephone number

• a picture of your pet

• make sure your pet is very familiar with the commands sit, stay, and come -> a pet in an unfamiliar area can be - nervous and may try to flee

• a towel and/or blanket

• make sure your pet is up to date on vaccinations

I've traveled a fair amount in North America and have found we have given emergency care to animals in the most unlikely spots: A mother cat and kittens in a campground in Olympic National Park, an abandoned dog in a Texas highway rest area, a mother dog and puppies in California. Plus there always seems to be someone at a dog show who hasn't brought enough water. I've had dog collars get lost in brush and leashes break on beaches. Seems like I'm never prepared enough myself for unforeseen emergencies, but taking the above precautions does make the trip go a little more peaceful.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~`

About the Author Terrie Simpson:

Terrie Simpson is a writer for Super K9 - A Comprehensive Online Resource To Help You Take Good Care Of Your Canine. She has been involved with dogs for well over twenty years and has achieved a number of tracking and other degrees on her dogs in that time.

You can view more of her work at http://www.superk9.com/

Dog Names. How important is a dog name?

2005-06-12T16:54:00.000-05:00

The Ultimate A-Z of Dog Names
Dog Names, Puppy Names

How important is a dog name? Well let's think about
this.

How often do you call your dog? Who will hear your dog's name? Will you be writing to anyone about this dog?

Now that you think about the times you'll use the name, maybe you should put some
thought into what that dog name is.

I mean, if you have a Great Dane who weighs 120 lbs, you might not want to call him something like Baby or Tiny. Or you might... it's a personal thing. Personally, Tiny would be hilarious to
me.

I can just imagine calling, "Tiny, come here boy!" While a neighbor is watching and for the first time sees this "Tiny." Now that could be an interesting look to receive!

Maybe you have a dog that has a bit of a fiesty side nd you think it's a good idea to call him "Killer." Maybe you weren't thinking about the little old lady that lives by herself next door... waiting for "Killer" to go home so she can get to the grocery store.

Are these extremes? Of course! But, haven't you heard some dog names that just didn't seem... right?

My dogs have some sort of silly names. Actually, my Black Lab, Sadie, had a carefully chosen name. I was pregnant with my first child when we got Sadie. She was six weeks old and clever
as they come.

Sadie was very majestic in all her movements and attitudes. So, we decided to look at our baby name book and see what we could come up with to suit her. Sadie is actually a pet form of Sarah, which means "lady" or "princess" in Hebrew.

It totally fit her and is the best suited dog name I think we could have given her.

Two of her sons, however, were not so fortunate. See, two years ago Sadie had a litter of 7 pups, which we did not intend to keep. We already had four dogs and didn't need any more.

We cared for the pups though and watched them grow each day. My husband and I would
swap stories about the cute little things they did.

The dogs all looked so much alike that we found it confusing to talk about them without names.
Eventually, names started emerging on their own.

For example, there was one brown dog in the mix. (How he got this color and look is a mystery.) So we called him Brownie. Not the cleverest of names, but it helped us identify him.

Next there was Tipper and Bubba, who we ended up keeping. Tipper has a tiny patch of white on the tips of his front paws... hence the name "Tipper."

Bubba, as his name might suggest, is a big brute. He's the
biggest and the meanest of the litter.

But, if we knew we were going to keep these guys, we might have gone a different route in choosing a dog name. Bubba doesn't exactly say, "Son of a princess," but his attitude definitely
does.

So here are some examples of the different ways a dog name can make a difference.

My advice? Think about all the times you'll use the name. Find out a little about who your dog is before giving him a name. And, think of yourself 10 years older than you are now... will you still like to say that name and think... I chose that?

About the Author:
Tina Spriggs is an expert dog lover whose lifelong interest in canines provides the motivation for her site. To learn more about dogs or to find gifts and toys for them visit her site http://www.dog-gifts-and-toys-for-dog-lovers.com/ Dog Gifts and Toys for Dog

posted by Ruth Bird,

http://www.happypetstop.com

We've got the greatest cat ... Zeussie Pussy Cat

2005-06-12T03:29:00.000-05:00

On June 10, 1998, we rescued ZEUS (Zeussie the Pussy Cat) from the Winnipeg Humane Shelter. He truly acted like a king, true to his name ... that is - king of our condominium. It is and always will be his domain. Here he is in his natural position, even though he is trying to kill me by lying in front of the stairway to trip me. Yvonne thinks it's all in my head, but even today I am convinced that if I don't change his litter on a timely basis, or feed him exactly before 6pm each day, the cat thinks of ways to get rid of me! Just look at those beady eyes, thinking of ways to do me in!

Nah .. Zeussie wouldn't do that to me .. because he's the greatest cat in the world!

And he's smart too! He knows where everything is in our house. If a door or kitchen cupboard is open even the slightest, he instantly knows something is wrong and then just has to investigate. Our condominium is two floors, with a basement. He likes to rest, in idle mode, in 'Middle Earth' on the main floor. This is his best advantage to listen for unusual noises and to protect us. We know for a fact he normally just sleeps all bloody day except when he's eating his kibbles and trying to spread his used litter all around our basement floor. Well, that is between the times he was scratching and destruction of our couch, loveseat and chair.

Did I mention that he is really quick on his feet too? Yes, I know .. it doesn't look like it from these pictures, and sometimes he waddles around very slowly and majestically about the house, or is just sleeping. But - open the front door just slightly, and he is at your feet trying to escape. I don't know why he does this, because he never goes anywhere. The times he does get out the door, he just lies down and rolls around on the dirty sidewalk or porch.

Back to the story, here is how I pictured him each night - waiting for me to fall asleep so he can sneak into my bed, climb on me and start 'cleaning' his scratchy tongue on my whiskers.

Well, then Zeus's life changed when on February 28, 1999 we got MAX (Maxxie Paxxie Dog). Yes - I make up silly, but catchy nicknames that usually (a) rhymed and (b) ended with the "eeee" sound - just like I've been doing all my life with all of our pets. Maxxie was the greatest dog in the world. But, now the two greatest pets in the world had to share the responsibilities of the house. And, it was worked great!

Zeussie would watch for open kitchen cupboard boards and see if anything was moving inside, or rather I should say, underneath the fabric of our furniture *sigh*, and Maxxie would watch outside our front window for people so he can bark and wag his tale at them! Maxxie sure is a friendly dog. Because he was a pup in the late winter when we got him, he was 'socialized' during the summer warmth season, and took a great shining to all people and animals during regular walks. And Maxxie and Zeussie got along famously too.

Here is picture of Maxxie and Zeussie wrestling, although if you notice, they are in the same spot as the first picture. I think Zeussie was trying to 'capture' Maxxie and roll him down the stairs to his demise!

Everything changed when in September 2002 we got SOPHIE (Sophie Woffie Girl). Maxxie wasn't the greatest dog in the world anymore .. he became the greatest "Maxxie" dog in the world!! Of course, and Sophie was the greatest "Sophie" in the world!

Sophie is small for a Papillon. Because we got her in the fall, she didn't grow up with the option of many walks and socializing with other people and animals, because it started to get cold really early that year. She has no hair on her belly and she would just go out and do her business on the porch, then come back into the house. She coped quite well on her own, because the world revolved around Sophie. What's hers is hers. What's Maxxie's was hers. What was Zeussie's was hers. What's not hers, is hers. And so on, and so on. Here is a picture with "her" football toy.

Our dogs and cat gets along great together. Although, Sophie can be pushy. It's quite funny really. Sophie will go nudge up to Zeussie and start to lick his ear just in order for Zeussie to start licking her legs, believe it or not. I guess she knows that a good massage is necessary everyday and as Queen of the home, she's entitled to it! Here are a few pictures of Zeussie and Sophie together.

And where's Maxxie as all of this is going on? Well, if Zeussie isn't in the mood to 'pleasure her highness's wishes, the two Papillon dogs will gang up on the cat and chase them from end of the house to the other end over and over. It's actually fun to watch, and we give them good praise for 'exercising the cat'. But, other than that, Maxxie is more or less hiding out on some pillow either on the bed or the couch, or tucked away on a chair waiting for all of the "kerfluffle activity" to pass.

Well, if you want to see more pictures of our pets, you may click on the link at the bottom of the page where it says Jump to the PapillonLvr's Dog's Website

Take care.
HART
http://www.PapillonLvr.com

Oral Health Care In Dogs And Cats

2005-06-11T21:35:00.000-05:00

Oral health care in dogs and cats at ThePetCenter.com

[Click the above link for the full story..]
~~~~~~~~~

ORAL HYGIENE AND YOUR DOG’S HEALTH
This article by Dr. Dunn appeared in
August, 2002, Dog World Magazine

It’s a fact. Most dog owners never take a good look inside their dog’s mouth. And that’s unfortunate because it is estimated that over 80 percent have significant oral pathology. Every day veterinarians are presented with patients for routine vaccinations or other minor afflictions whose oral health status is truly cause for alarm. Upon displaying the dog’s loose teeth, sore and infected gums, and rotting tooth sockets to the dog’s owner, the response usually is one of surprise and shock.

“Well, she does seem to have bad breath, Doctor” is the usual reply. “But I’m sure at her age she can’t have anything done now”. My response is that the continual presence of bacteria and their associated toxins have a daily impact on the dog’s health; anything we can do to change that for the better is appropriate. Privately I’m thinking “How would you like that pathology going on in your mouth?”

Partly because the mouth is warm, moist and has significant nutrients present for organisms to grow on, the oral cavity of dogs is a perfect incubator for all kinds of bacteria. Most are normal and natural but once plaque and calculus form on the teeth the normal microbial flora gets out of balance and if pathogenic organisms proliferate, trouble ensues. Far too often veterinarians discover during the physical exam that their canine subject has a foul odor to the breath as a result of generalized periodontitis. But foul breath is a mere shadow of a much more insidious disease process. To help understand the topic of oral hygiene let’s take a look at a few basic definitions below:

DEFINITIONS
(Click on the link at the beginning of this article for pictures)

Gingivitis… means an inflammation of the gums.

Periodontitis… a general term for a disease of the oral cavity that attacks the gum and bone and delicate tissues around the teeth.

Pyorrhea… inflammation of the gums and tooth sockets, often leading to loosening of the teeth and accompanied by pus.

Caries… an area of decalcification of the tooth enamel leading to cavities in the tooth. Caries are very rare in dogs.

Plaque… is the first buildup of material adhering to the enamel of the tooth and is composed of a mixed colony of bacteria in an intercellular matrix of bacteria, salivary polymers, remnants of epithelial cells and white blood cells. It can cause caries, calculi buildup and periodontal disease.

Calculus (Tartar)… is calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate combined with organic material, deposited on the surface of the tooth.

ORIGIN OF PERIODONTITIS

Generalized periodontitis seems more common in small breeds of dogs, with Dachshunds, Yorkshire Terriers and Miniature Schnauzers leading the pack. Certain conditions in the mouth such as acid/alkali balance, numbers and types of bacteria, amount of physical abrasion over the teeth surfaces and gingival strength all must be in balance for optimal oral health to be present. David Jones, DVM, Resident in Veterinary Dentistry and Oral Surgery at the School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, comments on how poor oral hygiene affects the dog. He says “People that have gingivitis and periodontitis report that it is painful. Unfortunately with the majority of dogs neglect is the norm when it comes to the health of the mouth. When dogs are presented for a dental cleaning, often they have substantial gingivitis and periodontitis, and almost certainly have been enduring significant discomfort or pain. Even if the effects of gingivitis and periodontitis in dogs are limited to pain and discomfort it represents an unnecessary deterioration in the quality of life of man’s best friends.”

Teeth actually need to be exercised! Pressure on and movement of the teeth help to strengthen the microscopic fibrils, called Sharpeys’ Fibers, that hold the teeth in place in the alveolus (socket). In the dog that gets plenty of “dental exercise” by chewing on hard food or such items as rawhide or chew toys, the teeth and surrounding tissues are mildly stressed; this in turn prompts regeneration of healthy new tissues. Plus, the simultaneous physical abrasion against the teeth scrapes away early plaque that is forming nearly all the time. Get rid of this early plaque and subsequent calculus simply has no chance to form. Calculus buildup creates gumline recession and provides pockets for pus accumulation. Pyorrhea results and foul breath odor is the signal that something is wrong.

If the teeth do little work and there is gum line recession, bacteria begin to invade the space between the tooth and gum. Eventually, contamination reaches the delicate Sharpeys fibers and the connections between the teeth and bone are broken. This allows the teeth to loosen, permitting even further organic material and bacteria into the tissues. A vicious cycle of tissue breakdown and infection can plague the dog the rest of its life.

ADVERSE EFFECTS OF POOR ORAL HYGIENE

I asked a Diplomate of the American Veterinary Dental College, Jan Bellows DVM, of Hometown Animal Hospital and Dental Clinic in Weston, Florida, about the adverse health impact chronic periodontal disease can have on a dog. He responded, "The toxins from periodontal disease are absorbed into the dog's blood stream. As the kidneys, liver, and brain filter the blood, small infections occur causing permanent and at times fatal organ damage. After periodontal disease is treated, and the owners give proper home care, most dogs respond wonderfully due to the decreased pain and infection.”

The adverse effects of periodontal disease are due in part, as Dr. Bellows states, to the toxins the bacteria secrete and the damage these toxins cause to delicate kidney, cardiac, and brain tissue. As well, many veterinarians believe that actual bacterial colonies can spread via the circulation and set up housekeeping within the animal’s tissues, commonly in the heart valve areas, kidneys and liver. Far better than extracting teeth, performing gingival flaps, filling erosions or doing root canal procedures, would be to prevent the health damaging periodontal disease in the first place.

>> One of the best ways to assist with proper oral health is to brush the dog's teeth as often as practical. For all kinds of dental health care products, visit PetFoodDirect.com

VETERINARY DENTISTRY

Since most dogs presented with advanced periodontitis are older canines, owner concern regarding the safety of dental procedures always seems to be an impediment to performing dental procedures, especially since anesthesia is an important aspect of a thorough dental cleaning. Dr. Jones states, “Age is not a disease, and senior citizen dogs that are otherwise healthy are generally able to tolerate anesthesia for an elective procedure. Even though anesthesia safety will continue to improve, there will never be a time when there is no risk. The question is really whether the level of risk is appropriately measured against the damage to the dog’s quality of life if it does not have a dental procedure.”

Dr. Jones also points out that in modern veterinary practices the anesthetics utilized are markedly safer than those used 15 or 20 years ago and patient monitoring during anesthesia has become quite sophisticated. The use of intravenous fluids during the procedure, warmed surgical surfaces to keep the patient’s body temperature stable, and preanesthetic blood chemistry evaluation all improve the opportunity for the patient to benefit from the dental procedure.

PREVENTION

One of the best ways to insure optimum oral health is to provide the dog with a well-balanced, meat-based dog food. Meat assists in keeping the mouth environment healthy. Actively encouraging the dog to utilize chew treats that require some “exercising” of the teeth, such as is provided by compressed rawhide chewies, hard rubber or nylon chew toys, can assist in keeping the mouth structures vital. Brushing the dog’s teeth can be a big help, too, but needs to be done almost daily. One study reported in the Journal of Veterinary Dentistry, December, 1996, states “Tooth-brushing every other day did not maintain clinically healthy gingiva in dogs. The daily addition of a dental hygiene chew to a regimen of tooth brushing every other day reduced the gingivitis scores and reduced the accumulation of dental deposits (plaque, calculus and stain). Daily tooth-brushing should be the recommendation to the dog owner irrespective of dietary regimen”.

Newer dental care products that include antiseptic impregnated chewies, canine appropriate tooth brushes, and even flavored tooth pastes to “reward” the dog for allowing the brushing, are available online, in any pet supply store or veterinary hospital. Highly rewarding, too, would be routine oral hygiene visits where under light anesthesia the patient can undergo ultrasonic teeth cleaning, close inspection of teeth and gingiva, and assessment of overall oral health. Addressing problems when they are minor and preventing the health damaging effects of bacterial contamination and systemic toxin release are immeasurably beneficial to the dog’s long-term health status.

The increase in number of Specialists in Veterinary Dentistry such as Dr. Bellows attests to the fact that we dog owners need to pay closer attention to our dog’s oral health status. And that begins with the simple task of looking closely at the dog’s mouth. Dr. Bellows sums up the need for optimum oral health throughout a dog’s life by stating, “When a client asks me how long their puppy will live, I usually respond 15-17 years if you brush their teeth daily, 11-13 years if you don't".

~~~~~~~~~~

Click on the link at the beginning of this article...

ThePetCenter.com
"The Internet Animal Hospital"

Barking Dog Helps Save Boy From Pond

2005-06-11T20:18:00.000-05:00

Barking Dog Helps Save Boy From Pond - Yahoo! News

Barking Dog Helps Save Boy From Pond
Fri Jun 10, 6:51 PM ET

VANCOUVER, Wash. - A barking family dog helped parents save the life of a 2-year-old boy who fell into a pond at a golf course near their home.

Young Sammy Lobey disappeared from the front yard of his parents' home on Tuesday night. The parents began a frantic search, and when Ronald Lobey called for his 2-year-old black Lab, Maddie, the dog barked from behind a neighbor's house across the street.

"I yelled for my dog and she barked" but refused to leave the pond, where Ronald Lobey found his son, submerged and unconscious.

The father began performing CPR and got the boy breathing.

By the time medics arrived, Sammy was awake and crying. The boy was taken to Southwest Washington Medical Center, later transferred to Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland, Ore., and came home Wednesday night.

Lobey said doctors told them the boy was not deprived of oxygen long enough to suffer any long-term damage.

"If Maddie has not barked, we probably would not have found that baby in time to save his life," Lobey said. "Everything came out good."

~~~~~

From Yahoo! News

Cats Use Fax As Toilet, Spark House Fire

2005-06-11T20:09:00.000-05:00

From WastedBlog.com - Cats Use Fax As Toilet

Cats use fax as toilet, spark house fire
Fri Jun 10,10:04 AM ET

TOKYO (Reuters) - Two kittens picked the wrong place to relieve themselves when they urinated on a fax machine, sparking a fire that extensively damaged their Japanese owner's house.

Investigators in the western city of Kobe have concluded that the fire in January was caused by a spark generated when the urine soaked the machine's electrical printing mechanism.

The fire damaged the kitchen and living room before it was put out by the house's owner, who was treated for mild smoke inhalation, said Masahito Oyabu, a fireman at the Nagata fire station in central Kobe.

The kittens quickly ran to safety, he added.

"If you have a cat, or a dog for that matter, be careful where they urinate," Oyabu said. "Especially keep them away from electrical appliances and wires."

~~~~~

From WastedBlog.com

Shopper charged with cruelty for leaving dog

2005-06-11T20:03:00.000-05:00

Rockland - Shopper charged with cruelty for leaving dog in hot automobile

Shopper charged with cruelty for leaving dog in hot automobile
By CATHERINE L. FOLEY
THE JOURNAL NEWS
Original publication: June 10, 2005)

A New City man has been charged for leaving his dog in his car while he was shopping at the Palisades Center mall, police said.

Police saw the large Siberian husky-mix yelping, panting heavily and trying to force its head out of the car window Monday as temperatures neared 90 degrees, Sgt. Harry Baumann said.

The passenger window was open about 2 inches, he said.

Mall security paged the dog owner, who returned to his car.

The 58-year-old man was charged with cruelty to animals, a misdemeanor under state agriculture and markets law.

Dr. Russ Petro, a veterinarian at Valley Cottage Animal Hospital, said animals and children should never be left in vehicles during the summer.

"This time of year, even with the windows cracked, the temperatures in the car can go well over 100 degrees," he said. "On a day like today, even 10 or 15 minutes, they're cooked."

Petro said dogs left in hot cars would suffer from heat exhaustion and their body temperatures could rise to 110 degrees. Dogs' temperatures normally range from 100 to 102 degrees.

"They get sick from it and there's no bringing them back most times," Petro said. "We try to cool them down, but sometimes you can't. Their brain is fried."

The man was released and is scheduled to appear Monday in Clarkstown Town Court.

Clarkstown police said anyone who saw an animal or child left unattended in vehicles should call police immediately.

==========================================

In case of an emergency, it's important to be able to identify the symptoms of heat stress.

Check the animal for:

• heavy panting

• glazed eyes

• rapid heartbeat

• restlessness

• excessive thirst

• lethargy

• fever

• dizziness

• lack of coordination

• profuse salivation

• vomiting

• a deep red or purple tongue

• unconsciousness.

If the animal shows symptoms of heat stroke, take steps to gradually lower its body temperature

• Move it into the shade or an air-conditioned area.

• Apply ice packs or cold towels to its head, neck and chest or immerse the animal in cool (not cold) water.

• Let it drink small amounts of cool water or lick ice cubes.

• Take it directly to a veterinarian.

~~~~~~~~~
From TheJournalNews.com

How To Trim A Dog's Nails

2005-06-11T02:01:00.000-05:00

How To Trim A Dog's Nails, Called a Pedicure, at ThePetCenter.com

[Click the above link for the full story..]
~~~~~~~~~

How To Trim Nails...
(Without Having To Call The Vet To Find Out How To Control Hemorrhaging!)

Nail trimming in dogs, called a PEDICURE, can be done simply if you know how. It is a good idea to have a vet tech, veterinarian or dog groomer show you how to trim nails first. Then, once you have an idea of what NOT to do you will be more successful in getting the job done. Not all dogs need their nails trimmed, either. Many will naturally wear the nails down or the dried ends of the nails will simply flake away without you even knowing. But some breeds, notoriously Bassets and Dachshunds, may need our help in keeping the toe nails reasonably short. And just count on cutting a nail too short on occasion. I'll bet I have trimmed tens of thousands of canine and feline toe nails and once in a while I do get too close and the bleeding starts! That's when having some clotting powder or solution will save the day!

Get yourself a RESCO nail trimmer, they seem to work the best. There are other trimmers available but the RESCO is the easiest to learn with, too. Place the main part of the trimmer in the palm of your hand and the moveable part is controlled by your fingers. You should be able to see the small cutting blade that slides when you squeeze the handle.

The nail should be cut from underneath, not from the top downward. Slide the opening over the end of the nail while staying in the whitish part of the nail. The pink area of the nail is the live part and has blood vessels throughout.

When you are ready to cut, and you are sure you aren't at the live, pink part of the nail, just close your eyes and SQUEEZE HARD!!!
Just kidding. To cut the nail, be decisive and make a smooth, quick squeeze on the handle while holding the trimmer steady. Don't try to "pop" the end of the nail off; it will fall away on its own.

This nail has been cut about as far back as is possible without causing some bleeding. You can file the edges or just let the dog wear the nail smooth. Some people will cut the nail back until there is a slight amount of bleeding in an attempt to shorten the nail back further. Not a bad idea to keep some Quickstop Powder on hand in case you do accidentally cut too short.

On the dark nails where you can't see any pink to know where the live part of the nail starts, you can check the end of the nail. The dead area usually is whitish and as you cut deeper into the end of the nail you will begin to see a dark area. This dark area is where the live part starts.

What To Do If You Cut Too Short!!

Place a tiny piece of tissue paper tightly against the end of the nail and hold it for a few minutes. Better yet, have some Quick Stop Powder available and put a small amount up against the bleeding end of the nail. This works right away. Or... do nothing. The bleeding will stop in about 5 to 7 minutes. Any more than that...give your veterinarian a call.

For Grooming products and supplements go to PetFoodDirect.com - America' Pet Store on the Web..

~~~~~~~~~~

Click on the link at the beginning of this article...

ThePetCenter.com
"The Internet Animal Hospital"

Pet Friendly Travel - 10 Tips for Hassel-Free Travel

2005-06-10T21:45:00.000-05:00

Article Search Engine: GoArticles.com

Pet Friendly Travel – 10 Tips for Hassle-Free Travel with Your Pet
by David Buster

In the United States alone, over 60 million households have one or more pets. Pet owners in 15 million of those households travel with their pets, and the majority stay in pet-friendly lodging. Fortunately, pet friendly hotels, condos and vacation home rentals do exist.

If you will be traveling with your pet, here are some pet friendly tips to remember for safe and trouble-free travel.

1 - When you make your reservation, double-check that pets are allowed. An important advantage of reserving online is that you can see - in writing - whether or not pets are permitted and any restrictions. Online, you can print out your reservation receipt that includes the "pets allowed" information. Verbal reservations leave more room for misunderstanding and miscommunication. If reserving by telephone, ask the reservation person to mail you a confirmation receipt that includes the “pets allowed” information.

2 - Is your pet an experienced traveler? If not, you should begin getting your pet more accustomed to traveling. Begin by making your car a fun place for your pet. Get in the car with them, play with them, give them a treat – have them enjoy being there with you. Then take a short drive with them. Gradually increase the length of time and distance that you drive with them. Before making a long trip with your pet, the idea is to have them comfortable with being in the car for extended periods of time.

3 - Remember that securing your pet while traveling in the car is crucial for their safety and yours. Consider purchasing a dog safety harness for your pet to use while traveling in the car. If you have a station wagon or SUV, you can purchase a vehicle barrier that keeps your pet confined to the rear area. They are usually sold at pet stores or are available online.

4 - Be sure that your pet has an identification tag and wears it while on the trip. The tag should have your pet's name, your name and phone number. If possible, use your cell phone number, a home number and the number of where you will be staying.

5 – Carry a photograph of your pet with you on your trip. If your pet should ever become lost, you’ll be able to show others exactly what your pet looks like instead of just relying on a verbal description.

6 - Check with your vet for any recommended vaccinations appropriate for your trip - exposure to ticks while hiking, exposure to other dogs while boarding or heartworm prevention if your dog will be exposed to mosquitoes are examples of important preventative measures to take before your trip. If your pet is a dog, have an up-to-date rabies tag for your dog's collar. If you decide to day board your dog while on vacation, you may be required to show paperwork proof of the rabies vaccination.

7 - Once you arrive at the pet friendly lodging, inform the check-in person that you have your pet. You can inquire if there are any restricted areas where your pet should not be taken. Pet friendly lodging staff should be very accustomed to answering these kinds of questions and will appreciate your awareness.

8 - In your hotel room, condo, cabin rental or vacation home rental - never let your pet use the furniture or beds to sit, lay or sleep on unless you've covered the furniture or bed with your own cover. Place your pet’s food and water containers on a mat or newspaper in the bathroom, where cleanup will be easier. When staying in pet friendly accommodations, you may choose to feed your pet outdoors.

9 - If you'll be leaving your pet alone in the room or vacation rental, make sure the front desk or rental agent knows. Be sure that you leave your pet secured in their travel container or crate if housekeeping staff will be entering the room at any time to clean. You certainly don't want a housekeeper to enter and be surprised or even attacked by your pet! A pet may also run out of the room when housekeeping enters if left unsecured.

10 - Be very careful in warm or hot weather with leaving your pet in the car. Even when the outside temperature is only in the 70’s or 80’s, the interior of a vehicle can reach 100 degrees and higher, especially when parked in the sun. It doesn’t take long at these temperatures to cause serious or even fatal harm to your pet.

Traveling with pets and staying in pet friendly lodging can be lots of fun - after all, your pet is part of your family too. Just using common sense and planning ahead makes for an enjoyable and surprise-free vacation.

~~~~~~~~~

About the Author
David Buster is Vice-President of InfoSearch Publishing and webmaster of http://www.bestvacationrentalsonline.com - visit the website for more on pet friendly lodging and to find log cabin rentals, vacation home rentals, condos and chalets, places to get married, discount hotel rooms, adventure travel and more.

Stuff On My Cat - dot com

2005-06-10T18:16:00.000-05:00

Stuff On My Cat

A simple concept:

STUFF + CATS = AWESOME

Launched June 8, 2005 ...

Like to put stuff on your cat while it snoozes? So do we, send us a picture with you and your cats name to stuffonmycat@gmail.com. If it meets our rigorous standards of excellence in the fields of creativity and quality we'll make sure to post that bad boy. Any other questions/comments feel free to email me, take care.

Visit my other site: www.robotplague.com

~~~~~~~

Hmmm ... I think the cat is just waiting until you fall asleep before he casts his revenge!

Click on the above link for more stuff on cats, I presume...

HART