Get rid of your pet’s limitless barking…

Some dogs are quiet while others can throw the house into a tizzy with their vociferous barking. Although we love our buddies dearly, sometimes this breach of discipline, can confound and exasperate us all.

So, here’s a quick checklist that can actually help you abate the menace:

1. You have to first make sure you are providing your pet with all the necessities. If you are not paying adequate attention, he may try to communicate his frustration through barking. Sometimes, flea or tick infestations and skin allergies can spark irritation resulting in abrupt behavioral change on your dog’s part. If his hunger or thirst remains unfulfilled he may also react in a similar manner. So, you can actually help him get rid of this unruly behavior by taking care of all his needs. Moreover, you can also take him to a veterinarian to rule out canine diseases.

2. When he barks excessively take him out in the open. Play with him and also let him play with other dogs. You can also uplift his mood by making him do light exercises. This would help in stimulating both his mind and body.

Finally, remember that every dog craves for attention. So, never reprimand him. Instead try to be as gentle and polite with him as possible. You can actually help him overcome this problem by showering love and praises on him. But if he still continues to behave strangely take him to a vet at the earliest.

First aid kit for your dog…

Accidents can occur without warning. But we should have the preparedness to deal with these unforeseen circumstances by keeping a first aid box handy. But do you know what should a dog’s first aid kit contain?

Here’s a handy checklist:

1. Sterile gauze sponges of different sizes
2. Sterile cotton or cotton balls
3. A mild anti-bacterial soap for cleaning skin and wounds
4. Bandage scissors
5. Blunt-tipped scissors
6. Antiseptic ointment, powder or spray for wounds
7. Alcohol swabs (for instrument sterilization)
8. Rubbing alcohol
9. Adhesive tape for bandages
10. Rectal thermometer/Oral thermometer
11. Lubricating jelly to lubricate thermometer
12. Forceps or tweezers
13. Razor blade for snake bite
14. Hydrogen peroxide (to induce vomiting in case of non-caustic poison intake; give 10ml after every 15 minutes)
15. Eye wash
16. Ear syringe (used for flushing eyes, ears and wounds)
17. Instant hot as well as cold compresses
18. Kaopectate tablets
19. Pepto-Bismol
20. Large exam quality vinyl gloves or latex gloves
21. Burn relief gel pack
22. Insect sting relief pads
23. Buffered analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory medication
24. Oral syringes
25. Large towel
26. Leash
27. Muzzle
28. Dog’s health record and medication
29. Regular veterinary and emergency clinic timings and numbers
30. Local and national poison control numbers
31. Gauze sponges (variety of sizes)
32. 2" gauze roll
33. Roll bandages - gauze wrap and elastic
34. Adhesive tape
35. Sponge
36. Sterile pads (non-adhesive) various sizes
37. Small rounded scissors
38. Nylon leash
39. Paper Towels
40. Thermal blanket or emergency blanket
41. Hand wash or wipes
42. Antibiotic cream or ointment
43. Saline eyewash
44. Epsom salt
45. Corn syrup or glucose paste
46. Clean cloth
47. Tourniquet or something to make one
48. Q-tips
49. Teaspoon
50. 3 Small garbage bags
51. Benadryl liquid and pills
52. Imodium AD
53. Activated charcoal

Glucosamine – Its role in pain relief...

As old age strikes, our pooches start exhibiting joint pain resulting from regenerative bone diseases like osteoarthritis, obesity, displasia, improper diet and too much exercise. But as dog parents we hate to see them in excruciating pain and hence try out all best possible means to give them succor. And one of the easiest and most effective means of doing that is by supplementing his diet with glucosamine. It is a compound found in the body of dogs which produces glycosaminoglycan, a molecule that helps in the formation and repair of cartilage and other body tissues. However, production of glucosamine slows down with age.

Arthritis or for that matter any regenerative joint disease may manifest itself by lingering pain or discomfort in movement. Larger breeds are far more susceptible to contracting arthritis than their smaller counterparts.

How will you take care of your pets under these circumstances?

• You have to ensure that his weight does not increase beyond a certain point and for maintaining that you must switch over to a nutritious, low calorie diet. This would help in minimizing impact on joints.
  
  
• As your pooch is already in pain excessive activities can be detrimental to his health. So, reduce his exercise to two or three daily walks.
  
  
• Supplement his diet with glucosamine. Its anti-inflammatory and joint rejuvenating qualities can actually alleviate the pain. Glucosamine has been found to yield beneficial results with minimal side effects.

As canine diseases bear an uncanny resemblance with the kind of ailments that afflict us, their implications can’t be ignored. So, as responsible dog owners we should consult his vet in case of any complications related to his health.

Having fun with the ball…

While surfing the net I stumbled upon this video. Little Jerry is having a whale of a time air lifting the ball and then pouncing on it with all his might.

Enjoy!

Calendar features pugs in yoga poses...

Come 2010 and you can adorn your living rooms with calendars of your favorite pooches. Thanks to an initiative by Dan and Alejandra Borris who have designed a calendar full of images portraying popular breeds in exquisite yoga poses. This is in fact second in a series of calendars because the couple already has 26 images to their credit for this year.

However, if you think the dogs did all the moves themselves you would be wrong. Dan actually entrusted his wife Alejandra who is a yoga teacher with the responsibility of holding the dogs and coaxing them into interesting positions. The rest was taken care of by Photoshop. Right from golden retrievers, poodles, mongrel, collie, basset hounds, and labrador to weimariner, the calendar has it all.

Dan was inspired into taking up this exciting project after hearing from his friend about her bull terrier, called Otis. His friend who was a yoga practitioner always found Otis by her side while doing the postures. This story stirred Dan into thinking how wonderful it would be if Otis actually did the postures. So, this idea which struck him a couple of years ago actually got him going.

Dan explains that they drew inspiration from various sources. Whenever they saw a funny looking dog walking by with his owner, they stopped the duo and convinced the owner into bringing his pet over for a photo shoot. This actually helped the couple in creating such a wide array of postures with so many different types of breeds.

While some postures are quite simple, others are a tad too intricate, says Dan. However, it is ultimately this variety that tickles our funny bone and lends the calendar a special charm.

Courtesy - Daily Mail

Adorn your buddy this Christmas...

Christmas might be still two months away but people have started gearing up for the shopping spree. So, this year what are you contemplating giving your buddies? Can you do something offbeat this year by getting fashionable outfits for your paw pals along with those beautiful accessories that already make them look too adorable?

Yes of course you can. Haven’t you seen the myriad hues and the pretty cuts the doggy dresses come in? There is a plenty of them flooding the market this year. However, here I am not talking about the brick and mortar retail markets. I am rather focusing on the vibrant online markets that are scaling the popularity charts.

The collections at the online stores are so exquisitely beautiful that you would immediately fall head over heels in love with the items. Moreover, the prices also don’t leave a dent in your pockets. You can choose the fabric of your liking from the wide range of dresses. This winter cute little sweaters, jackets, football jerseys, night suits, bathing robes and gowns specially designed for Christmas are the top draws.

Like our babies we also want our pooches to look their best. My eyes are craving to see my Rover at his sartorial best this Christmas. So, I am going to grab the costumes before they fly off the racks. What about you?

Pet insurance to safeguard your dog’s health...

Every step in your dog's life is full of challenges. Dog diseases are not rare, and there is always a chance of your own pet getting affected by one or more dog disease. The problem becomes more acute as your dog ages and the recurrent hospitalization, surgeries and treatment start dogging big holes in your pocket. And, ultimately there comes a point when it becomes impossible to bear the expenses and you have to let it go. Compromising against someone as precious as your pet could be disheartening. For most pet owner, buying a pet insurance is a convenient option to beat the blues out.

The good thing about dog insurance is that the benefit is available for every dog irrespective of their ages. It covers all kinds of illness or cases of accidental injuries like broken bones, burns, insect bites, lacerations, poisonous infections and the like.

Some of the common illnesses covered by a pet insurance policy include allergies, asthma, cancer, epilepsy, infections, skin problems and issues related to bone joints. It should be noted here that not all illness could be covered by insurance. Diseases that could be prevented by easy methods of vaccination often fall out of the purview of a pet insurance cover. That being the case, if you don't vaccinate your dog at the time when he needs it, the insurance provider refuses to undertake any responsibility with this regard.

The expenses that are typically covered by dog insurance policy include diagnostic tests, veterinary care, medication and hospitalization treatment. A good number of pet owners prefer going for a routine care coverage which cover expenses related to daily care like regular check ups, spaying, neutering and vaccinations. A comprehensive insurance plan undertakes to fulfill most of the obligation related to your dog’s treatment and safeguards the life of your pet.

Easiest ways to potty train your pooch…

Many of you must have had sleepless nights trying to potty train your pooch. I know how frustrating it is when all your efforts go in vain. Some puppies are compliant and easily amenable to potty training but others are not. Sometimes it differs from pet to pet while at other times it varies with the breeds.

So, here’s a quick guide to potty training:

1. Never rush with the training and always be patient with your pet.

2. When you adopt a pup try to buy it from a reliable person who has already initiated him into potty training. This will save you many unwanted hassles.

3. Try to feed him dry food most of the time so that he passes solid poop.

4. If you can’t supervise his movements all the time keep him in a crate and also instruct other family members to follow suit.

5. It’s quite natural for puppies to make mistakes. So, keep him in a room which has washable flooring so that it’s easier for you clean it up.

6. Try to maintain a routine during potty training. His feeding time, bed time and wake-up time should almost be the same everyday.

7. If your puppy is on dry food he would need more water to keep himself hydrated. So what you should do is feed him at least 4 hours before bedtime and then make him urinate 2 hours before going to bed.

8. During the course of potty training take him to potty after every meal especially in the morning and also before going to bed at night. If he falls asleep after an active session of play and then wakes up accompany him to the place demarcated for pooping. This would help him to understand that this is the place where has to come when he wants to poop.

9. Try to give him a feeling that this is serious business. So, unless he’s done don’t play with him. But if he still doesn’t listen, confine him in a crate for sometime and again take him to potty. If he complies this time shower him with praises and also offer rewards. Also, wait for some time because they usually don’t finish in one go. So, give him ample time before you take him into the house.

10. Keep his potty spotlessly clean both for the purpose of hygiene and also because pets are oversensitive to odor.

11. There are certain signals which a pet usually gives when he wants to potty. They include turning in circles, sniffing the floor, or arching his back while walking. So if you notice any of these quickly rush him to the appropriate place.

12. If he tends to dart into the house, discourage him. Rather take him to the designated place immediately.

You can’t expect him to learn things in one go. So, you have to brace yourself up for accidents. Don’t scold him because you have to understand that he didn’t do it deliberately. As because he hasn’t yet been taught where to defecate he’s messing up places you wouldn’t want him to. So, give him some time before he adapts himself to this new habit graciously.

Little nest for your pet...

A good number of pet owners improvise upon buying separate dog houses for their dogs. Normally, the dogs are a bit noisy. They shed a lot of hair, pee anywhere and can be a real mess. Keeping dogs at dog house would help you save these kinds of situations. This does not mean that you would alienate yourself from your pet, but just manage them in a more appropriate way. While the idea of having a dog house may appear appealing at first, there are a couple of points to be considered in this regard.

First and foremost, a dog house should be built keeping in mind the size and stature of your dog. A dog house should be able to accommodate your dog comfortably and should not pose out to be an impediment to his lifestyle.

Secondly it is always better to place your dog house in some shady area beneath trees. It is important to incorporate a ceiling as a part of your plan so as to block scorching sun rays from affecting your pooch. Ideally the base material of the dog house should be made from that of wood. It does not only make the place cooler but also makes it aesthetically beautiful. The appearance of the dog house could range from classic to something of retro fashion.

Last but never the least; a home is an epitome of solace. It is one of the few places in the world that would wrap you with comfort and a kind of coziness that is rare to find. In some way, owning a home is like having a boost in your self identity. If that is so, why should our pets be deprived of having their own homes?

The ravishing dancer...

This doggy would certainly leave you scrambling for words. I have had my share of entertainment. Now its your turn friends.

Watch this cool video and have fun:

ABC’s of dog training...

The saying goes that dog is man's best friend. The authenticity of the statement cannot be over estimated. However, it is our human nature that we try to groom everything and everyone the way we want them to be, the way we feel is comfortable to us. It holds for everything around us including our pets.

You certainly love your dog, but can't let it behave in imprudent ways. For that, you really need to train your dog, groom him properly with etiquettes and make him so much so well behaved that you are not subject to social situations that could be embarrassing.

In order to groom your dog properly, you really need t take care of some essentials. First and foremost, it is absolutely essential to build a relationship with your dog. This is really important as your dog should understand what you communicate and respect you enough to follow your instructions. The relationship should be based on mutual trust and respect. He should have enough confidence and trust that what you suggest is for his benefit.

It is important to completely eradicate the old school of dog training that combined harsh techniques like beating and whipping your dog to train him. This makes him more stubborn and after some point he just refuses to take your orders. Make sure you provide your dog ample opportunity to socialize. Once he mingles with other dogs he gets to learn manners and imitates them. This proves healthy in the long run and your dog gets adequately trained with social culture and norms.

Have a safe Halloween with your doggies!

Halloween is round the corner and it’s again time for the ghouls and goblins to resurface and send shivers down our spine. But on this day of horror, several dog deaths are reported each year. So, the world’s largest and most trusted dog training company, Bark Busters, has taken up the initiative to offer dog owners tips on how to keep their buddies safe on Halloween.

What are the ways in which you can keep your doggies safe?

1. Don’t allow your doggy to stray outside.

2. Keep him in a separate room away from the main door. In case he is timid he might be terrified at the spooky sights and tend to flee. Or, if your doggy happens to be aggressive and restless, he might also end up doing the same.

3. If your dog looks perplexed by Halloween activities, behave with him as normally as possible. By behaving with him over cautiously you might send across a wrong signal that there is indeed something abnormal on this particular day.

4. Get your buddy accustomed to the Halloween costumes by start putting them on 2-3 days prior to the D-day. Otherwise, he may start regarding his owners as strangers. Never put on a mask while your pooch is around.

5. Some people are into the habit of dressing up their doggies in colorful costumes. Although some of them are amenable to the idea, most of them aren’t. So, slip him into a costume a few days in advance and check out his behavioral patterns. Otherwise, a bandana around his neck would do just fine.

6. Keep chocolates out of your dog’s reach because most of them contain xylitol, an artificial sweetener which is harmful to dogs. This leads to vomiting and diarrhea, and sometimes even death.

7. Keep candles out of your dog’s reach.

8. If you take your buddy with you to parties always hold his leash tightly. Never allow any stranger in disguise to approach him without your consent. No matter how well known a person is to you, but if he leaps in front of you in disguise, the dog might start believing that he would inflict harm to you. In this way you end up instilling in him a fear of strangers.

Remember to take these simple precautions before you totally immerse yourself in the Halloween activities.

Wonder doggies!

Look how these pooches are having the time of their lives at the Hundeshow. I want to doff my hat to both the doggies and their master for giving us such a lovely treat to watch.

Check out this awesome video!

Foods to avoid…

We are generally buoyed by emotion to feed our pets human foods without realizing how much harm it can inflict on them. Some of these food items can even take their lives.

Below is a food items table along with their potential harmful effects:

Name of food	Harmful effects on dog health
Grapes and Raisins	Damage kidneys
Garlic, onion, chives	Damage red blood cells
Sugarless chewing gum flavored with xylitol	Results in lowering of blood sugar levels with an overproduction of insulin in the body
Raw yeast and bread dough	Cause swelling in the abdomen, respiratory distress and compression of the veins. When yeast breaks down sugar in the dough there is a release of ethanol which is equivalent to the alcohol found in vodka
Chocolate	Methylxanthines present in chocolates can cause toxicity
Macademia nuts	Impair neuro-muscular system  resulting in movement difficulties

However, human medicines which do not find a mention in the list have been found to cause maximum damage. So, as a responsible owner you should not only keep them away from your pet’s reach, but also refrain from administering them to your buddy without consulting a vet.

Blastomycosis-fungal infection in dogs

Off late I spent some time getting to know about different forms of dog diseases and oddly enough I came across thousands which remain unheard. One of the glaring diseases which have all along been a cause of concern for most pet owners is Blastomycosis. It is nothing but a fungal infection caused by the organism Blastomyces dermatitidis.

Some of the prominent characteristic symptoms include mild flu accompanied by occasional chills and headache or sometimes little pain in chest.
The fungus broods over soil and as the dog sniffs, it may end up inhaling the same. Once inhaled, they multiply and disseminate into blood and eventually into other vital organs like skin, bone, brain and genitourinary tract. In order to diagnose whether your dog has been infected with the infection, tissue biopsy of the skin is required to be done. Sometimes veterinarians recommend urine antigen testing which is rather more sensitive in detecting existence of organisms. Lung biopsy stands out to be yet another option incase blood and sputum cultures fails to detect the fungus.

The best treatment available for curing Blastomycosis is Itraconazole. Sometimes doctors prescribe Amphotericin B for those who are critically ill. But it is not recommended for those in benign stage as its components are considerably more toxic.

Why adopt an older pet?

Many of us believe that by adopting a senior dog we bestow a favor on them. It’s more like involving ourselves in a social cause. But in reality the advantages of adopting a senior pet far outweigh its disadvantages.

Unlike pups or other younger dogs, they are much more socialized and can easily adapt themselves to changing circumstances. Moreover they can easily absorb tantrums thrown by a child without becoming aggressive. Older dogs are much more faithful compared to their younger counterparts. With a senior dog you can also communicate with élan.

However, being older in age they have to be looked after properly. This entails regular visits to the veterinarian and buying special foods for them. When you adopt a senior pet there is one thing for sure. You can’t keep him for long and the pain of parting leaves an irreparable dent in our hearts. So, when we adopt an older dog we should try to provide him with all the comforts and luxuries of life and treat him with kindness and compassion.

Nipping a ‘nail clipping’ phobia in dogs

I read a very interesting article by Andrea Mckeeby, a noted pet expert on how to trim your dog’s nails the easy and perfect way. So, I thought of sharing these helpful tips with my readers.

Maintaining a healthy regimen for your pal not only entails keeping his body parts clean, but also taking good care of his nails. In some dogs nails wear off naturally, but in others they have to be trimmed. Sometimes the nails also develop sharp edges which if not nipped may cause injury to both the dogs and their owners. But this task generally seems to be a long and arduous one because most dogs are not amenable to the idea of cutting their nails. What normally happens is that in the commotion to cut their nails too short, we end up inflicting pain on them which puts them off completely.

So, here’s a list of things we should keep in mind while trimming their nails:

1. Be careful about the flesh- While trimming the nails we should be careful not to encroach into the ‘quick’ or the pink fleshy part. We should only cut off the dead cuticle. But normally the ‘quick’ is not easily distinguishable from the dead part. Dogs which have light nails provide an easy view of the flesh beneath, but with the darker nails it’s indeed a challenging task. So it’s always advisable to trim a small portion of the nail from time to time.
   
   
2. Keep your doggy’s first aid kit handy- No matter how careful you are mistakes can happen. So, its necessary that we keep tissues and blood clotting powder like Kwik Stop Styptic handy.
   
   
3. Don’t persuade the staff at the vet clinic- Some people take their buddies to a clinic to get their nails trimmed. The staff at the clinic being well trained clip off only the dead parts. But we sometimes persuade them into cutting their nails too short so that they don’t grow back quickly. This process can be excruciatingly painful for the dogs. They cannot communicate verbally but from next time onwards you will find him petrified even at the sight of nail clippers.
   
   
4. Take him outside- In case your dog has developed nail trimming phobia, you have to help him tide over this by not cutting his nails initially. Instead make him walk on the road outside so that his nails wear off naturally. Remember to check the claws for splits, brakes etc.

You have to actually instill in him a love for the nail clippers. But how will you go about the process.


Here are a few suggestions:

1. Always associate the clipper with something exciting- Try to build an atmosphere of excitement and then rush to the place where you keep the clippers. This will at least make your buddy believe that it’s not frightening.
   
   
2. Allure him by offering tasty treats- Next what you can do is pick up the clippers and immediately treat him to something very delicious. After he has lapped it up in great delight put the clippers back where he can’t locate them.
   
   
3. Repeat the act several times- Every time you pick up the clippers follow it up with something exciting. You have to repeat the activity for quite a few times of the day during the first 2 weeks till he is convinced that the clippers are indeed associated with something fabulous. However, there shouldn’t be any fixed time for this. Choose any time that you feel would be suitable for your buddy.

Now, our next task at hand is to make him comfortable when you touch his feet.


What are the quick guidelines to follow?

1. Make him sit in a comfortable position- Allow him to be comfortable and then touch his feet gently. Talk to him softly, pat him on the back and stroke him gently.
   
   
2. Slowly touch his paws first- Touch his first paw gently and then follow it with a treat like you did in the first step. Repeat the act several times. Also reiterate the same activity with the second paw.
   
   
3. Touch his toes- Now touch one toe at a time and follow it with tasty treats. In case your dog expresses his dissent don’t give him the treat anymore. Try touching his toes but reduce the time span. You can also give him treats while touching his feet but withdraw them immediately as soon as he gets used to your touch.

We have finally arrived at the last but the most challenging juncture.


So, how will you go about this lengthy process?

1. Pick up the clippers first- Touch his toes gently, then pick up the clippers and place them on the table or floor. Follow it with a treat. Repeat the same act in both the toes.
   
   
2. Take the clippers in hand- Touch the toes with one hand and hold the clippers in another. Follow this with a treat. Don’t bring the clippers near your doggy. Repeat the act several times till he allows you to touch his toes without any condition.
   
   
3. Bring the clippers close to your pet- Try bringing the clippers near your dog but don’t touch his nails with it. Keep the clippers on the floor and give him tasty treats. Keep doing it till the clippers stop bothering him any more. Then touch his toes softly with the clippers. But make sure not to cut his nails. Follow the same rule of giving him yummy treats. Reiterate the activity until he is no longer frightened by the touch. Now touch each one of the nails with the clippers followed by a treat. After you have repeated this act many times see if he has been able to conquer his fears.
   
   
4. Place the clippers on one of the nails– This is perhaps the greatest challenge. Hold one of the nails and place the clippers on it. His immediate reaction would be to withdraw his paws. Don’t try to hold back his leg forcibly. Instead be very gentle and polite with him. However, this time don’t offer him treats. Keep doing it till he allows you to do this uninhibitedly.
   
   
5. Trim one nail- Now cut one nail very carefully and give him an impression of how brave he is. During the course of the day bring the clipper close to his nails and even position it on them but never try to cut another nail on the same day.
   
   
6. Try cutting a second one the next day- If you find him comfortable try cutting a second nail the next day. Spend at least a week trying to trim only one or two nails. Then proceed with the remaining ones over the next couple of weeks.

Our aim here is help our buddies overcome fear by making the ‘nail-clipping’ process painless.

How to treat heartworm diseases?

One of the most deadly diseases effecting dogs is heartworm. A heartworm is a parasite which intrudes into the body of a dog though wounds created by mosquitoes. If a mosquito which is a carrier of heartworm larvae at its infective state bites your pet, chances are that the parasite would get transmitted to your dog's body. The larvae enter though the bitten wound and moves throughout the body. A heartworm parasite generally brood upon heart, lungs and nearby blood vessels and if not treated at its early stages the parasite can grow 12 inches long and can stand out to be detrimental. Apart from dogs, cats too are affected by the deadly parasites.

Heartworm diseases are difficult to detect. The dogs hardly exhibit any symptom except only in later stages when it is characterized by tiredness, reduced appetite and subsequent weight loss. Some complain about difficulty in breathing accompanied with cough. Ultimately it leads to failure of heart, lungs, liver and kidney and subsequent death of the pet.

Heartworm in dogs can be fatal if not treated promptly by a Veterinarian. The drugs available to treat the condition are generally expensive with toxic effects. Only a certified veterinarian is authorized to inject it after obtaining the client's consent. Even more the veterinarian must himself register with the manufacturer and report about any side effect that might have occurred while the drug was used.

Pet insurance cover-safeguarding your pet’s life...

We often find it hard to admit the atrocities life offers. We find it hard to imagine that our life could be susceptible to risks; let alone our pets. But the fact remains that running away from risk does not make it disappear. Risk prelude is every sphere of life and the best way to combat risk is to rise above it. We cannot eliminate risk altogether; but can definitely equip ourselves with a proper insurance cover to prevent against its pitfalls.

Why should we buy pet insurance?

• Pets like humans could get exposed to hazards. While buying insurance does not protect your pet from getting affected by medical ailments, it does provide you a financial platform that is demanded for its treatments.
  
  
• A pet insurance policy covers even more stringent situations. If your pet goes missing chances are that he has been stolen. A pet insurance policy would bestow you with enough funds that would bear expenses towards advertising and declaring rewards.
  
  
• The person responsible for the well being of the pet is you. Who would take care of your pet is something goes wrong with you? Things could get rather complicated if you are a singleton and are the sole guardian of your pet. Once your pet is insured, the policy would cover any cost incurred for hiring kennel services.

Being the parent of our pets its our responsibility to take care of each of their needs and meet them up to the best possible way. If you agree to this, there shouldn't be a second thought about buying insurance cover for your beloved. After all, nothing as evident as risk; and nothing is more precious to life.

Choose the right dog collar...

No matter how big your dog is you can comfortably take him out for a walk only if you have a leash fastened to his collar. But do we ever spare a thought on what kind of collars suit our buddies the best. Although breed is perhaps the most important determinant here, the amount of distance that he walks also plays a crucial role.

If we are taking them for a jaunt to a nearby park, simple collars with D-ring attachments are the best options. These leashes are best suited especially for well-behaved dogs who don’t need much supervision. But in case we have gigantic dogs like a Great Dane, Scottish terrier or Rottwellier, we would need wide collars to protect their short necks. It’s all the more important because this would constantly make them aware of its presence. Thin collars on the other hand are extremely bad since they exert pressure around the necks and cause injury. The risk increases manifold in case of bigger dogs.

However, if you have hyperactive dogs like a dalmation, border collie, cocker spaniel, or smaller breeds like chihuahua, maltese and Yorkshire terrier, harnesses are the most preferred choices. These dogs are so energetic and full of life that tackling them requires a huge amount of patience. When we take them out for walks they normally try to break free from the shackles. Their disobedience infuriates us and we are compelled to pull at their chain hard. This might end up causing severe damage to them. But a harness keeps your doggy absolutely safe.

But before deciding on your pick you must surely consult the vet.

Dog swallows 1,000 chunks of magnet...

We come across stories about humans gobbling down weird stuff. But can you imagine a pooch doing similar things? Yes, however unbelievable that might sound, Polly, a blue wheeler who is partially blind and arthiritic swallowed 1,000 magnets weighing 1 kilogram forcing him to go under the knife. Although it’s true that she made his owner lose sleep over this antic, Polly had devoured a computer mouse, gardening gloves, a large rubber band, several rolls of fax paper and handfuls of gravel in the past 3 years, testified his owner Cathy James. She also admitted having spent 7,000 Australian dollars for her treatment so far.

Cathy has recounted her recent story to Herald Sun. She was away at her farm feeding horses when Polly devoured magnets strewn in her office room. She actually runs a home-based printing business and one of her responsibilities involves sticking square magnets on the back of cards. When Cathy came back she was horrified to see Polly feasting on those chunks gleefully. She put her hand down into Polly’s throat and recovered a single piece of magnet. Polly seemed fine that day. But the following day she started throwing up chunks of magnet and also looked quite ill. This frightened Cathy who thought there might be several pieces lodged inside. Soon she rushed Polly to Sunbury Animal Hospital where Dr Glen Hastie conducted X-rays of her stomach. The doctor too was astounded to see multiple chunks of magnet clogging her stomach. He immediately decided to operate her.

Although the operation has been successful and Cathy is doing fine a terrible fear lunges at Cathy’s heart. It’s the fear of losing Polly forever.

Picture Courtesy- Herald Sun

Why should you spay your dog?

This is a subject most of us hate to discuss for we are too often mired in myths like our friends with paws might become lazy and obese after spaying. But ‘spaying’ (removing an animal’s reproductive organs) or ‘neutering’ as we call it is absolutely imperative as it guards our pets against various diseases. So, I think we should get rid of our misconceptions and make it a point to get our dogs neutered. There are also some of us who think only females can be neutered.

So, here’s a list of advantages you can quickly browse through before embarking on the mission.

• It stops the birth of unwanted puppies.
  
  
• It also puts your pet’s sexual escapades to rest and keeps him happy and peaceful. An unsprayed puppy always remains unhappy and frustrated.
  
  
• It prevents the onset of conditions like uterine infections, mammary gland cancer, testicular cancer and prostrate cancer. Moreover, it also safeguards your buddy against all the dangers he might encounter while looking of a mate.
  
  
• It’s also very easy on the pocket. In fact it is far better than raising and rearing puppies. It will reduce your vet bills and also the problems posed by delivery.

You should definitely give it a thought because a healthy pet is after all what we crave for.

Beat the heat

Long days are on the wane in the United States, but for those living in Florida it is summer all round the year. We of course have our own ways of beating the heat, but what about our friends with paws? If not looked after well, this heat can prove fatal for them.

So, here’s a checklist for your quick referral.

• Never leave him in a hot car alone when you go out on errands.


• Give him plenty of water to drink for this will prevent him from getting dehydrated.


• Exercise him during cooler times of the day.


• Don’t forget to apply sunscreen on his nose and ears when you take him to the beach.


• Apply flea and tick repellants for these pests can be extremely menacing.


• Don’t take him to the scorching roads outside for they can burn your dog’s paws.

Picture courtesy- Google Images

Osteosarcoma- bone tumor in dogs!!

Every 8 out of 10,000 dogs in United States are affected by bone tumor. The condition, scientifically known as Osteosarcoma affects localized bone tissues and completely destroys it. The bones of the area are weakened; thereby increasing chances of bone fracture. The disease is more prominent among dogs of larger breeds to smaller ones. Though the root causes of the disease remains unknown, medical practitioners suspect that the disease is genetically predisposed.

The initial stages of bone tumor are characterized by pain often accompanied with lameness. It is advisable to consult a medical practitioner who may advice some radiograph test. The test results may show the area as lytic or the tissue may appear to have been broken.

Before initiating the treatment, it is equally important to asses the dog's health condition and if your dog has the ability to withstand the test. For this, blood count test, urinanalysis, nuclear bone scan, and other tests are necessary. A biopsy should also be conducted under local anesthesia. The sample is then examined to determine the cell type. Once detected, the patient undergoes chemotherapy. The treatment is effective is reducing pain and increases lifespan of the dog. But unfortunately, a proper cure for the disease is still not possible and still remains under the scope of research.

Treat your pet to cake & muffin...

I find the aroma of baking cake so fulfilling that even its very mention transports me into a utopian world. Though I don’t know whether Rover also feels the same way, I am sure when I serve him one he’ll surely enjoy it.

I have actually come across a very interesting cake recipe on the net. Though I am yet to try my hand at the cake, you be the first one to take down the recipe and treat your buddy to it.

You can’t outsmart your paw pals!

Next time you try to deceive your dog with treats, think twice. A recent report published in the journal ‘Behavioral Processes’ indicates that dogs can perceive the presence of food even when you are trying to hide it from him.

It says they can identify food even without sniffing it. But that’s not all. A renowned psychologist William Roberts of Canada’s Dalhousie University said their evolution took place almost hand in hand with humans. So, dogs can understand our body language quite easily.

But how did the researchers come to this conclusion? They conducted 2 experiments on 16 dogs in London and Ontario. What the researcher and his colleagues did was they kept 2 buckets, one empty and the other containing treats. They assigned a person with the responsibility of diverting the attention of the dogs to the empty bucket. It was found that initially the dogs lunged at the empty one. But in about 5 attempts they spotted the loaded bucket and that too in less than half of the allotted time. This is amazing. Right?

In a bid to test their skills further, the researchers replaced the human testers with black and white boxes. They placed these boxes behind the buckets. The dogs were indeed very quick to find out the one containing treats.

From these experiments it becomes clear that our paw pals are no less intelligent than us.

Wonder doggy!

Can you imagine a dog sitting through sermons? You have to actually see Coco to believe this. Who is he? He is a chocolate brown labrador belonging to a vicar called Andrew James in Cardiff.

The whole town seems to be under his spell. The visitors to the church swear by Coco’s popularity, says the owner. He is the cynosure of all eyes. And do you know what is the most amazing aspect of Coco? He understands every bit of what James says like when he calls out ‘peace’, Coco sits up and when he says ‘vestry’ Coco immediately walks off. When James goes near the doggy, he lifts up his leg. As a mark of affection, the vicar shakes his paws.

Whenever Father James visits local schools, he takes Coco along. The children at the school are very fond of him.

Coco is very well-mannered, says the Father. He keeps the congregation hooked by his innocent antics, explains James. The worshippers roll with laughter when Coco lets out an occasional yawn in the middle of sermons or when he snores, testifies James.

Picture source: (Wales news)

Jingling all the way...

Dogs are by far the most adorable creature that sweeps you off the feet. And nothing can be cuter when your doggie tries something a little humane. A few days back I just caught a glimpse of this cute little singer, I just fell in love with her...
I'm sure you would too enjoy her solo performance.

Busting common dog myths...

Like food fads we also have many myths surrounding our beloved pets. This probably results from our over protectiveness for them. We love our buddies so dearly that even the faintest indications of their health irregularities make us feel jittery.

But due to the lack of proper information and knowledge we are sometimes forced into believing that a dog’s dry or warm nose is the precursor of a grave ailment or if he is wagging a tail, it means he’s on top of the world. But in reality it could be something totally different. However, there is a very useful website that can actually eliminate your misconceptions.

(Picture Source: Google)

Do you have a black dog?

Tomorrow is 'Adopt-a-less-adoptable-dog' day. I know this is news to most of the dog lovers. Even I didn't know about it until a few hours ago. Suddenly while surfing the net I came across an amazing article that spoke about the 'big black dog syndrome'. I thought of writing a blog on this, as I believe most of us unknowingly nurse an apathy for our big black canine friends. It is a 'Petfinder' initiative, a website dedicated to the cause of black dogs.

I have seen that whenever we go for adoption, we normally tend to take in the light colored ones. We think the bigger ones are difficult to manage and we also try to avoid the color black. But a spokesperson for Petfinder said that a little bit of education can actually induce people into buying black pets. However, the current trend reflects that black dogs belonging to rescue groups and shelters go through the toughest of times finding homes.

'Petfinder' has in fact launched a campaign informing people that black dogs are easy to accessorize, since black goes well with everything. There are two other very popular websites called 'Black Pearl Dogs' and 'Start Seeing Black Dogs' that help rescue groups and shelters find homes for their black dogs. However, the spokesperson for 'Start Seeing Black Dogs' believes that most people are unaware of the persisting problem.

He attributes bad lighting in rescue centers as one of the causes behind this trend. People are not able to figure out the dogs well, he thinks. He also points out that dogs on websites are not well photographed. Due to this people are unable to get a proper feel of the pets they wish to take home. This is referred to as the 'black blob syndrome'.

But some shelters have converted this into a marketing strategy. One of them had launched a campaign some time back called 'Black Dog Blue Light Special'. It was a unique campaign that attracted many customers.

The story went like this. During Christmas they decorated the whole place with blue lights made of cards. Each card had personalities of dogs imprinted on them. The bluish hue gave the impression that the dogs had been painted blue. They also ran ads of the blue dogs. This outraged some people who contacted their office. The organizers were basically looking for this opportunity to enlighten people.

The purpose is not to force somebody into adopting a black dog. But the message is don't turn a blind eye to a black dog which is craving for your love and attention.

(Picture Source: Google)

Panosteitis-joint inflammation in dogs..

If we have to discuss about some of the common ailments affecting dogs, the subject of "Panosteitis" cannot be left ignored. It s a diseases that cause inflammation in the bones resulting into limping. The situation is more common among males especially in German Shepherds.

It is really strange that when one bone gets affected by Panosteitis the dog limps on that leg for a while; and then suddenly it gets affected on another leg and does not reappear on the first leg anymore. The doctors suspect it to be hereditary. Some opine that Panosteitis stems out of issues like metabolic disturbances, parasitism, immune system dysfunction or hormonal problems. The true causes behind the disease yet remain unknown. However as the dog grows in age, the impact of the diseases become less apparent. In most cases they do not require a formal treatment however it is always better to consult a veterinarian so as to relieve your dog from recurring pains.

In order to detect the lameness, the veterinarian takes an X-ray image of the dog, and prescribes medications to reduce inflammation and pain. And above all, the dogs should be entertained with enough rest and leisure so as to reduce additional stress on bones.

Think twice before getting two dogs……

Every time I go out for work and return late in the night, I am fraught with a deep sense of guilt. My little Rover is left alone at home throughout the day to fend for himself. But what do I do to solve this problem? When I sought my friend’s advice he told why don’t you get another puppy so that they can give each other company and also eliminate those wrinkles from your face? Hearing this from him, I felt ecstatic. But when I read about a news post that spoke about the negative effects of keeping two dogs at home, my worries clawed back again.

The report said since two dogs belong to a similar species, they are bound to come closer to each other. In the process, they would start paying less attention to their human owners. To add to your woes, the training time also needs to be doubled up, since each dog requires special care and attention. Very often it also happens that the death of one dog very closely follows that of its counterpart.

So what you can do is during your period of absence, you can keep him engaged with some activity. But you are too moved by your doggie’s predicament and is hell bent on getting another one then it’s always better to go for a male and female. They bond well with each other.

And finally remember you have to spend more time with each one of them. So, if you are ready to take on the hassles, then go for it without any inhibitions.

Canine help at hand for people with disabilities..

Dogs earned the sobriquet of a ‘faithful animal’ long time ago. But recently some very interesting experiments with them have yielded mind-boggling results. Until recently our commands for them only hovered around how to jump, sit, run and catch a ball. Times are changing and they are also adapting themselves exceedingly well to these changing times. It is being vigorously observed that they are very adept at picking up any commands you teach them. The list has multifarious varieties like bomb sniffing dogs, diabetes sniffing dogs, sewage sniffing dogs, and so on and so forth. But the latest ones to join the bandwagon include dogs which can help people with handicaps.

For the past two months, children from all over the River Valley have helped train South West dogs. In a public demonstration on Saturday, the organization displayed the newly acquired skills of our canine friends. They have picked up 80 new tricks, told the trainers. The rule is whoever applies for a service dog; it will be trained according to the needs of that person. Commands like opening and closing a door, putting clothes into a washing machine and dragging them out of the washing machine are only a minuscule portion of the many tasks they have been taught.

Sewage sniffing ‘Sable’!!

While surfing the net, I came across this news post which caught my attention. So I thought of sharing this unique story with you. I know you’ve heard of bomb sniffing, drug sniffing and even diabetes sniffing dogs. But a sewage sniffing dog is the latest to join the bandwagon.

In a very innovative move, Kittery a seacoast community has decided to harness the potentiality of a 3 year old Michigan-based canine to detect leaks in septic systems and other sources of potential contamination. The German Shepherd mix called Sable was initiated into the sewage sniffing training in March of 2007 after being adopted from a Lake Odessa animal shelter.

According to a spokesperson of the Spruce Creek Organization, they would keep the dog in the seacoast for about a week. It is an initiative on the part of the organization to save the Spruce Creek and its adjacent watershed from the onslaught of illicit wastes products. Sable would enable them to identify the hot spots, she said.

The dog’s trainer, Scott Reynolds says that Sable will bark when he detects waste in storm drains and water sources. The sewage can be traced back to its source from there he concluded.

This is indeed a one of its kind step. Hope it bears fruit so that in future many such Sables can be trained to help Mother Earth get rid of the ‘monster’ called pollution.

For further information you can log onto SableTheSniffer.com.

Dog mothers cubs..

We have all heard of human surrogate mothers. But what about a mongrel bitch surrogating babies belonging to a completely different species? Incredibly amazing! Isn’t? The bitch has actually saved the lives of a tiger cub and lion triplets who were abandoned by their mothers at Hefei wild park in China.

But I am sure you must be wondering why would any animal do that? Yes they might if they don’t know how to breast feed their babies.

The zoo staff have revealed that she caresses them as her own children. Yes unbelievable, but in China zoo officials generally adopt such a measure under dire circumstances. Although an animal of the same species is their most preferred choice, a dog is also considered equally useful.

To instill in the dogs a sense of belongingness, zoo authorities usually pour her urine over the fur of those abandoned cubs. She is expected to look after them till she falls short of milk.

This is indeed a very innovative step by the zoo officials. Kudos to them for their good work!

(Picture Source: Google)

Molly……Is that your doggy?

What do you call your dog? Fido, Rover, Patch? I am sure none of these. Right? Yes, a recent survey has revealed that more and more dogs are being conferred upon human names. It has attributed this to a growing trend among people who think pets are an integral part of their families. What a great idea?

But which are the ones that are doing the rounds? These are Molly, Poppy, Charlie, Max, Alfie, Millie, Jack, Rosie, Daisy and Ruby with Molly being the nation’s favorite.

However, dog lovers are not stopping at this. They are also borrowing names from celebrities, sports stars and also their favorite snacks like Dizzee Rascal, Ronaldo and Kit Kat. Unbelievably amazing. Right? So, are you ready to mollycoddle?

Adorable -The Dancer

Ways to control shedding

For most dog owners, fighting excess hair loss is quite a challenging task. ‘Shedding’, however, is a natural process in which old, excess and damaged hair is lost. So, there is absolutely no reason to believe that they are suffering from any grave ailment, unless of course you see bald patches on their bodies due to the loss.

The hair lost during shedding again grows back to give our pets a healthy, glistening coat. In winter the growth increases since dogs need to insulate themselves. But in summer, the extra hair is lost. Sometimes, allergies and infections also trigger hair loss. So, the bottom line is that we cannot prevent them from shedding completely. But we can of course reduce the amount by adopting certain measures like:

• Brushing our pets’ coat regularly- We should brush their hair as often as once daily. This will not only remove the unwanted hair, but will also keep the coat clean and supple.
• Using the right brush- There are a variety of brushes available in the market like slicker brush, dematting comb, and shed blades meant for different types of hair coat. So, we should choose the brush wisely.
• Giving your pet a hair cut- Longer the hair, greater is the chance of matting. So it is always better to keep their hair trimmed, since, this will keep them cool in summer and also prevent loss of hair.
• Controlling fleas and ticks- If you find your pet scratching his body, consult your vet. He will give the correct medicines and supplements that will control skin irritations and give him relief.

This is actually part of a daily cleaning regimen that we should implement on a regular basis to keep our pets in good spirits.

Are you brushing your pet?

Random Facts About Dogs- Part 2

Here's some more facts, if you enjoy them, feel free to share with your friends and family.

1. There are 703 breeds of purebred dogs
2. Dachshunds were originally bred for fighting badgers
3. The world's smartest dogs are thought to be (1) the border collie, (2) the poodle, and (3) the golden retriever
4. A dog's smell is more than 100,000 times stronger than that of a human's
5. ... which they need because their eyesight is not as keen as a human's.
6. Dogs judge objects first by their movement, then by their brightness, and lastly by their shape
7. Chocolate contains a substance known as theobromine (similar to caffeine) which can kill dogs or at the very least make them violently ill
8. George Washington had thirty six dogs - all foxhounds - with one named Sweetlips
9. All dogs are identical in anatomy - 321 bones and 42 permanent teeth
10. Smaller breeds mature faster than larger breeds
11. Female dogs are only ready to mate - "in heat" - twice a year for a total of roughly 20 days
12. Puppies sleep ninety percent of the day for their first few weeks
13. Rin Tin Tin was the first Hollywood dog star
14. ... and he really signed his movie contracts - all 22 of them - with a pawprint
15. The Wizard of Oz's Toto was played by a female Cairn Terrier named Terry
16. Up until the late 1800's, Collies were known as Scottish Sheepdogs
17. Dogs have two times as many muscles to move their ears as people
18. The longer a dog's nose, the more effective it's internal cooling system
19. An elderly woman was saved by her 12 pound Yorkshire Terrier who fought off an 80 pound Akita and survived with only 9 stitches
20. U.S. Customs dogs "Rocky" and "Barco" were so good at patrolling the border that Mexican drug lords put a $300,000 bounty on their heads
21. Dogs are all direct descendants of wolves
22. Wolves and dogs can mate to produce fertal offspring
23. Female wolves have been known to travel great distances to regurgitate full meals for their hungry pups
24. Cerberus was the tri-headed dog that guarded the underworld in Greek mythology
25. Female dogs bear their young for 60 days before they're born
26. Dogs' sense of hearing is more than ten times more acute than a human's
27. Humans can detect sounds at 20,000 times per second, while dogs can sense frequencies of 30,000 times per second.
28. The earliest dog fossil dates back to nearly 10,000 B.C.
29. Bloodhounds are prized their ability to single out and identify a number of scents simultaneously
30. Dalmatian puppies are born completely white.
31. The Ancient Chinese carried Pekingese puppies in the sleeves of their robes
32. Boxers are so named because of their manner of playing with their front paws
33. All breeds of dog have been found to attack livestock - from 3 month old puppies, all the way up to thirteen year old poodles
34. A dog's heart beats up to 120 times per minute, or 50% faster than the average human heartbeat of 80 times per minute
35. The oldest dog on record - a Queensland "Heeler" named Bluey - was 29 years, 5 months old
36. Davy Crockett had a dog named Sport
37. Dogs were first domesticated by cavemen
38. Dogs live 15 years on average
39. Many foot disorders inn dogs are simply an issue of long toenails
40. More than 5,000,000 puppies are born in the U.S. every year
41. More than 1 in 3 American families own a dog
42. Average body temperature for a dog is 101.2 degrees
43. The Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts both offer merit badges in dog care
44. Dogs are natural pack animals
45. They are naturally submissive to any creature with higher pack status - human or canine
46. Dogs instinctively require the pack leader's approval
47. Dogs with little human contact in the first three months typically don't make good pets
48. The Chihuahua was named after the state in Mexico where they were discovered
49. After birth, puppies' eyes do not fully open until they're about 12 days old
50. Their vision is not fully developed until after the 1st month

(Pic Courtesy: Google Images)

Random Facts About Dogs- Part 1

If you are in a lighter mood today, here's some fun facts about your 4 legged pet from here.

1. It is a myth that dogs are color blind. They can actually see in color, just not as vividly as humans. It is akin to our vision at dusk.
2. Dogs DO have better low-light vision than humans because of a special light-reflecting layer behind their retinas
3. A German Shepherd guide dog led her blind companion the entire 2100 mile Applachian Trail
4. If never spayed or neutered, a female dog, her mate, and their puppies could product over 66,000 dogs in 6 years!
5. Dogs' only sweat glands are between their paw pads
6. Like human babies, Chihuahuas are born with a soft spot in their skull which closes with age
7. The breed Lundehune has 6 toes and can close its ears
8. Teddy Roosevelt's dog, Pete, ripped a French ambassador's pants off at the White House
9. President Lyndon Johnson had two beagles named Him and Her
10. Franklin Roosevelt spent $15,000 for a destroyer to pick up his Scottie in the Aleutian Islands
11. In Roman times, mastiffs donned light armor and were sent after mounted knights
12. The Russians trained dogs during WWII to run suicide missions with mines strapped to their backs
13. A dog's mouth exerts 150-200 pounds of pressure per square inch
14. ... with some dogs exerting up to 450 pounds per squre inch.
15. A one year old dog is as mature, physically, as a 15 year old human
16. The U.S. has the highest dog population in the world
17. France has the 2nd highest
18. The average city dog lives 3 years longer than a country dog
19. 87% of dog owners say their dog curls up beside them or at their feet while they watch T.V.
20. Dogs can be trained to detect epileptic seizures
21. 15 people die in the U.S. every year from dog bites
22. In 2002 alone, more people in the U.S. were killed by dogs than by sharks in the past 100 years
23. Gidget is the name of the Taco Bell dog
24. Newfoundlands are great swimmers because of their webbed feet
25. Basset Hounds cannot swim
26. Greyhounds are the fastest dogs on earth, with speeds of up to 45 miles per hour
27. Bingo is the name of the dog on the side of the Cracker Jack box
28. The bible mentions dogs 14 times
29. Three dogs survived the sinking of the Titanic - a Newfoundland, a Pomeranian, and a Pekingese
30. The Labrador Retriever is the #1 favorite breed in the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.
31. Obesity is the #1 health problem among dogs
32. An estimated 1,000,000 dogs in the U.S. have been named as the primary beneficiaries in their owner's will
33. An American Animal Hospital Assoc. poll found that 33% of dog owners admit to talking to their dogs on the phone and leaving answering machine messages for them while away
34. Dog's nose prints are as unique as a human's finger prints and can be used to accurately identify them
35. At the end of the Beatles' song "A Day in the Life", a high-pitched dog whistle was recorded by Paul McCartney for his sheepdog
36. 70% of people sign their pet's name on greeting and holiday cards
37. 58% put pets in family and holiday portraits
38. There are only 350 Cisky Terriers in the world - perhaps the rarest breed
39. The phrase "raining cats and dogs" originated in 17th century England when it is believed that many cats and dogs drowned during heavy periods of rain.
40. Dogs have no sense of "time"
41. Humans have kept dogs as pets for over 12,000 years
42. The largest breed of dog is the Irish Wolfhound
43. The world's smallest dog breed is the Chihuahua
44. The St. Bernard is the heaviest
45. Only dogs and humans have prostates
46. But dogs do not have an appendix
47. Every dog on earth likely descended from a species knows as the Tomarctus - a creature that roamed the earth over 15 million years ago
48. The oldest known breed is likely the Saluki - originally trained by Egyptians to help them track game.
49. In 1957, Laika became the first living being in space via an earth satellite.
50. There are 703 breeds of purebred dogs

Find your match

If you want to see the breed first and then decide what you want to go for- here's an amazing website to help you.

Its for my friend, she is trying to get a pet for her and she wasn't sure like all first timers what would be the right kind for her. Yep, I know how it feels, so I promised I would find her some help.

This site as I came across looked pretty cool and I liked the fact that you could go through so many breeds to get a feel. If my friends browsing through it, I though I might as well post it here, you could use it yourself or just pass it on for people who might need it.

Now you know what is your type of a dog!

All about BO

Yesterday, while surfing I found this so very cool website that I assure you, you will be glued to it for a few hours at least.

Site for the first dog- BO

(Pic Courtesy)

Looking for Green Pet Food?

Here's a quick link if you are trying to get green products for your pets.

What have you been treating them to?

My first dog

When I was a kid, rather a toddler I remember a jet black dog that we had at our grand- parents and we called him "POP".

That was my first.

Every summer that I spent with my grand parents, I would spend time with him, play around and cuddle.

Months later when I visited again, POP wasn't there. He had died. I never forgot that moment- it was hard and very painful. I don't know how and why.

But I always remembered him, I still see my mom going misty eyed when talking about POP.

I don't have his picture or I would have put it up here. Miss you POP.

Licensing your Dog

Have you licensed your dog? Here's how this can benefit you dear owner says New York Law:

• Assists in medical follow-up for people potentially exposed to sick or infected dogs, especially in cases of possible exposure to rabies.
• Helps reunite dogs with their owners in cases of separation. Licensing is an important step for family emergency preparedness.
• Allows New Yorkers to use dog runs and off-leash areas in City parks.
• Promotes spaying and neutering by discounting license fees for owners of fixed pets.
• Reminds owners that their dogs must be vaccinated against rabies. Rabies vaccination provides protection for both people and their pets.

More information can be found here.

(Pic Courtesy)