The Euthymic Dog

Mom's Got her Mojo Back!

2012-01-26T15:26:00.000-08:00

As the cutest (and most diplomatic) dog, it has become my job to announce that mom has gotten her mojo back. It wasn't that bad. Since Christmas she had a triple whammy of what was potentially a quadruple whammy of antibiotics that drove her a bit, er, nuts.

First, because of the mean virus (at Christmas). That kept her in bed a lot, but she was able to go out sometimes and all, but not as much as usual. Then, she had a tooth extraction that called for some bone removal. Ouch! That hurt and put her on another round of antibiotics (overlapping the first)!

Just when Mom thought things were going back to normal, er, my sisters fought. That's why I am the most diplomatic dog. I never fight. My Mom freaked out and knowing she was gonna get bit, DID THE WRONG THING ANYWAY and got in the middle. So, she got bit and realized once Ashley Pumpernickel and Winniechurchill were appeased, that they didn't even have any bites ont them! So she got two tetanus shots and one skin test and....ANTIBIOTICS.

In between all this she was still active but on a lower key, if you get my drift. The fourth whammy was when Ashley fell into a sewer pond. She immediately had Ashley cleaned by the groomer and the car washed totally. She was advised to see a doctor but IN NO WAY WAS SHE GONNA GET ANY MORE ANTIBIOTICS.

Besides, she feels fine. And Ashley looks good too. And she has gotten back to her normal activity level and things are good. And she had some GREAT cards (ho hum, she still thinks they're hers) that kept her happy when she had to rest.

Mom got an amazing card from the FiveSibes, Harley, Gibson, Wolf, Chloe, and Bandit with the cats SMokie and Binx. Even the people sent their greetings -- Mom, Dorothy and Hu family:) Then another came from Dory, Jakey and Bilbo with their people Beth and Ed, Bailey and Nala sent another Snoopy card (Mom's favorite cartoon character), and BOY has Remington Steal My Heart been playing in the snow. That one made Mom laugh:). Finally, Brando, Humphrey and Ziggy sent a card too.

So Mom wants to thank all of you guys who gave her reasons to smile in between bouts of ANTIBIOTICS and man, she is BAAAAACCCCKKKKK. (We are lettin her think the cards are hers, even if they're ours, since two of the three--not including the most diplomatic dog-- were part of the reason she had been down for awhile).

Wonderful Christmas Cards

2011-12-21T14:47:00.000-08:00

Hello everybody! As the biggest (not the eldest) dog in the family, I felt it was my job to report to you that mom has been bedridden for the past week, but she's getting better. At least, she can blog while she is stuck in her room with us:)

One thing that REALLY cheered her up was all the Christmas cards we received. They were OURS but Mom thinks they are hers. Here's Mocha Barney posing with the cards.

There were also cards that were received by email! They were so fun, great pictures of our pals, and some had music and were moving, too.

Mom sent out as many cards as she could, and then she got this mean virus. But she will be on her feet in time for Christmas:)

She really loved all those who sent us photos of our pal dogs in different countries! And Snowmen, Santa Clause, Peanuts (her favorite cartoon character -- Snoopy) and so much more. So we would like to say Merry Christmas to Finn, Maggie Mae and Max, Erica and Blair, Koda, Sophie, Indy and Jack, Fred and Gloria Gilbert, Oskar Hoerauf, Freedom, Casper & Nikki, Magic, Caoimhe, Alfie Crybbe and Aoife, Leigh and Judith, Sarge and his Peeps, Frankie Furter and Ernie, and our friends who sent cards online (another post on that, next time):) Mom plans to print out even the online cards and then make a scrapbook of Christmas 2011, the first time she spent with lovely greetings from her (OUR!) blogger friends.

Some of the cards Mom sent by mail may arrive late, because she was sick and also Philippine Snail Mail has its own version of Snail Mail ergo.....really slow snails sometimes. She also hopes to send out more cards by email. Her goal is to send them to everyone on the list:)

Here's a scanned version of the card. Mom thinks she is a designer, and she designed the card personally. We, uh, well...it's not Andy Warhol. Then like a true newsperson, she actually made the mistake of choosing GLOSSY paper which looks nice on magazines, but she discovered later, not really apropos on cards. But it's her, mistakes and all.

And then Mom made her own Christmas poem. Well, Shakespeare it ain't. But it was made with lots of love to all of our wonderful blogger pals. We hope she gets to send to everyone at least by email on the list before Christmas:)

Lotsa Christmas love, slobbers and licks,

Ashley Pumpernickel (because I'M sending this out as the biggest -- not eldest -- dog), Mocha Barney and Winniechurchill

Jurong Bird Park, Singapore

2011-12-03T21:30:00.000-08:00

By Mona Sabalones Gonzalez

Because of all my bird blogging friends, I was very much determined to visit Jurong Bird Park in Singapore. I don’t have the bird expertise of most of the bird blogs I follow, but going to the largest walk-in aviary with 1,500 varieties of birds, I felt, might give me a taste of what they enjoy every day.

You can see me here getting some bird love. The Jurong Bird Park has a metro rail of sorts that's elevated, so you feel you are on the same level as the birds, and looking down, you get a view of things in the same way that they see it.

There are stops along the way, and you can walk trails, then get back on the metro rail until the next stop. I made it a point to get down on every stop.

Here, you see a lot of lorries. You can feed them, and they all congregate on you. The feeling of tiny bird feet on the arms and face is like a soft touch massage.

The birds are affectionate to people, but can be competitive for the food. We would see lorries push each other aside so they could get some food. It was kind of neat.

On the day we visited Jurong Bird Park, it was raining. We were worried that it would affect our trip, but were pleased to see that many others went to the park, too. We took the MRT and a bus, rather than took a tourist group. Ed and I like traveling on our own, much as possible.

During the walking trails, you cross a lot of bridges. Above is a wooden bridge, and below is the cable bridge. The whole idea is for you to experience life from the perspective of the bird, so things are always elevated.

The whole idea of the bird park is to promote ecology and to have a concern for the maintenance of forests and animals, and in particular, the beautiful birds. Here is a display of tools and weapons that were used to destroy our lovely forests and trees.

We were on ground level when we saw the water birds, and I was totally taken by these beautiful orange pelicans. Er, I think they are pelicans. Am I right? Bird blogger friends, help please:) We also got to see penguins. I couldn't photograph them because my camera was battery challenged, but they were totally lovable. We also noticed that a lot of couples (ehem) find it very nice and romantic to visit the bird park. Love is truly for the birds:)

When we went to Singapore (last November) they were celebrating the Deepavali festival. It was a lovely experience to see greetings such as this in the bird park, and all throughout Singapore. We loved Little India, which of course, is where Deepavali emanates from. Right now, everything in Singapore is filled with Christmas decorations. My daughter is there now, visiting her best friend. We love the multicultural quality of Singapore.

This is the souvenir store. I bought one of the red hats on the right, as it was raining. Nice hat.

How To Make Your Dogs Feel Happily Satisfied

2011-11-14T02:26:00.000-08:00

By: Ed Gonzalez

1. Make Sure Your Dogs Visit The Vets Regularly - Doing this will make sure that they will be healthy at all times. They must get their regular shots on time. If you feel that there is anything wrong with your dogs, you must bring them to the vets. One sign that your dogs are not feeling well is when the tails of your dogs are always down.

2. Give Your Dogs a Bath – When you do this, you will be sure that your dogs will love you for it. This is a great way to connect with your dogs. By doing this, you can get rid of their fleas, worms and insects that can cause a lot of health problems. Doing this will give you time to play and give them much - needed attention. If you do this, they will remain cheerful.

3. Do Not Shout, Hit or Harm Your Dogs - Doing these things will scare off your dogs. Owners must show real affection to their dogs because they have feelings too. Sometimes, they may misbehave but this could be corrected without forceful actions. Feed them on time and make sure that they eat good and healthy food. Make them feel that they are part of your family. This will make them blissful and high spirited.

4. Show Them True Love - You can show this to them by commending them from time to time. You can rub your hands on their body or head and they will feel gratified when you do this. Keep them warm when the weather is cold. Make sure that they have sweaters and give them proper shelter.

5. Never keep Your Dogs Tied Down - This will make them aggressive and crabby. Your dogs can develop physical and behavioral problems. Dogs need space to run around and keeping them tied down in one place will make them very moody and unloving. Walk your dogs consistently and bring them with you on outings.

6. Let Your Dogs Come Inside Your Homes – They do get bored just staying outside and they must be given the opportunity to socialize and bond with other members of the family. Dogs love to socialize and they want to spend time with other members of the family. When dogs are inside, they do make good guard dogs.

7. Remove Tight Old Collars – Tight collars can cause difficult problems for your dogs. Dogs must feel comfortable because tight collars can choke your dogs. A new nylon collar will be good for your dogs.

8. Give Fresh Water and Food Every Day - Your dogs must eat every day and they must have fresh water every time. You must make sure that the water bowl you put will not tip over. This can be done by digging a small hole on the ground to place the water bowl or by placing it inside an old tire. By doing this, it will prevent the water in the bowl from spilling.

9. Give Them Dog Toys – Dogs need to play with toys and these items will keep them preoccupied. They are just like little children . Doing this will give them the enjoyment they need. Balls will be good for them and they will have a lot of fun playing with them.

10.. Train Your Dogs – This is a must because this will let your dogs know what they can and cannot do. Training your dogs is a nice way to get to know your dogs better. This is the best time you can bond with your dogs. It also helps to correct their behavioral patterns.

The Ten Important Things You Must know About Your Dogs

2011-11-11T07:07:00.000-08:00

By: Ed Gonzalez

Pet dogs are our loving companions in our homes. We must understand and know how to care for our dogs in a much better way. I hope the things mentioned in this article will really help you. These are solid facts that will help you learn more about your wonderful dogs.

History Of Dogs

While this can be a subject of many arguments, there are a lot of speculations of the origin of dogs. There have been talks that dogs and wolves split away from their own species almost a hundred thousand years ago. The oldest dog skull as of now was discovered in Goyet Cave, Belgium. These animals are known to have originated from Southeast Asia.

How Canines Grow Up

When mating starts, it will take more or less sixty three days before a puppy is born. These newly born puppies are deaf and they cannot see. It will take them at least ten to fourteen days before they start to gain their sense of sight. Their sense of hearing will follow after a couple of days. During the third week, their teeth will start to grow. The most vital period occurs during the fourth to the seventh month when their adult teeth starts to form. This is the time when they start to chew at almost anything. Be aware of your favorite books and your furniture.

The Usefulness of Dog Smelling

Humans have more taste buds than dogs. It is a fact that we have nine thousand of these taste buds while our pet dogs have only one thousand seven hundred. This is the reason why our dogs rely on smell when it is about food rather than it's taste. This is also the perfect reason why they will play with the garbage and smell if there are left over food. For these dogs, the scent is very inviting, no matter how it taste like.

Stay Away From Your Dog's Ears.

Your dogs have very sensitive ears. Do not even try to blow gently to it because it can cause them excruciating pain. It's not really the air that causes the pain but it depends on how frequently it is done. .It can be compared to running your fingers on a blackboard. This is a hundred times more intensified.

How Dogs Express Themselves
Dogs can also express themselves and they have a hundred ways of doing it. It is done through their facial expressions and try to notice their ear movements,. You must learn to read this and it will take some time but you will get to understand what certain expressions mean. You need to know the features of your dog's breed. This includes the physical features of your dogs. Studies have shown that dogs can read human facial expressions and they can sense your emotions too.

Why Male Dogs Mark Their Territory

Male dogs have this territorial characteristic and the most evident way is how they urinate.. The males are seen urinating with one of their legs up. This reflects that they are marking their territory. It is done even when they do not need to do so. The other dogs will pick up the scent and they can even know whether the dog is healthy from how the stain looks like.

Looking Through Your Dog's Eyes

It's not true that dogs are color blind. The true fact is that they can see colors. but not as clearly as humans do so. Canines can distinguish colors of blue, gray and yellow. If they are able to see red and green, it may not look the same way as we see it.
Those Hairy Issues

Almost every dog is born with a double coat of hair. The undercoat keeps your dogs warm when days are cold. The outer coat protects your dogs from elements that can harm them. Dogs are not guaranteed to be one hundred percent hypoallergenic because some of of it's hair is susceptible to dander and other forms of allergens.

Training Your Dogs Is A Requirement

This the best way to bond naturally with your dogs. Doing this will surely improve your relationship with your dogs. This is a nice way to communicate with your dogs. Dog care is not just about feeding your pet on time or bringing them to the vets for check ups. You have to train yourselves to be the best owner as possible. You must know their needs.

Why We Must Love Our Dogs and Not Be Dog Blinded

2011-11-04T03:40:00.000-07:00

By: Ed Gonzalez

Pet Dogs are our friends forever and if they are properly taken cared of, they will show you how affectionate they are to you and your family. They will keep you entertained all the time. Having them around the house makes any loving dog owner's day brighter. Sure, at times they may be naughty but if they are properly trained, these issues can be dealt with. Dogs if they are treated correctly will be your staunchest ally. You can caress them and they will be fully gratified by it. Your pet dogs will make sure that they will repay your goodness by making you feel happy.

Our dogs may not have the splendor of other dogs that go through dog competitions but owners must never develop this treacherous disease called Dog Blindness. This kind of disorder makes the owner feel that they have a better looking breed of dogs than others. They make it known to anyone they know by actions or by bragging. These owners tell other people how great and wonderful their dogs are. Usually they do this with a demeaningful looks on their face. In other words they are very haughty. This kind of of disorder is very common with first time dog breed owners These type of owners will compare their dog traits with that of others. They do expect a commanding and eager approval of others. Dog owners of this kind do not recognize that other breeds have their own type of functions.

Dog Blindness is a type of disorder that these owners are afflicted and this makes them think that they have the best dogs in the whole wide world. For them whatever breed you have is incomparable to their dogs. They can be noticed while walking their dogs and they look around if anyone is paying attention to their dogs. At dog shows they can be spotted easily. Owners especially women owners have the habit of sitting at the nearest area where the dogs are being judged. Their eyebrows are raised and they usually try to smell if there is any bad smell around their area. They usually hold up a fan to try to hide what they are whispering or saying. They have this angry looking eyes focused at at a winning dog. If they are with a friend who is just like them, they try to find faults at the winner. If their dogs are contestants and if they do not win, they let out a short convulsive utterance. They start fanning themselves so fast just like if a jet plane that is about to take off. During this moment, they do not hide their lips with their fan anymore. They want everyone to know what they are saying. Ugly sounding words are said during this time.

There is no known cure for this type of affliction. Maybe they should realize that they do not have the best looking dog. Other dog owners must know how to live with these kind of owners. They might need a psychotherapist to help them get through this awful disorder. If you meet any of these dog owners, keep the conversation short and say goodbye. Never get into an altercation with these dog. Remember that are all pet dogs are loving and tender towards their owners. They will keep you in joyful bliss as long as you take good care of them. Pet dogs are precious because they do all sort of things to make you contented.

Singapore Night Safari organic gara rufa fish foot spa

2011-10-26T08:21:00.000-07:00

By Mona Sabalones Gonzalez

We just got back from Singapore, where among other things, we visited the Night Safari zoo. There will be a separate post about that. You aren't allowed to take photos during the Night Safari.

However, we did have the fish foot spa after, and we were allowed to take pictures of this.

Surprisingly, I was the one who insisted on our getting the fish spa. But the one who enjoyed it most was Ed, my husband. At the start it really TICKLES, but he didn't seem to be bothered by it at all.

Above, you can see that I lifted one foot, but the lady encouraged me to soldier on. She said the first two minutes are really ticklish, but afterwards you get used to it.

She was right. By the third minute, I found myself actually enjoying those gara rufa fish sucking on my feet. They take out the hardened skin and then leave your feet really soft afterwards. Once you get used to it, it can be really soothing.

You can see that more of the fish were gathering around Ed's feet, since he kept them perfectly still the whole time.

See what I mean...This was one of the times I lifted my feet.

Gara Rufa fish are freshwater carp fish that originate in Turkey. They have no teeth, so they really just suck on your feet. For some 400 years, these fish, which also abound in Syria, Iran, Pakistan and Iraq were used to treat people with skin problems like eczema and psoriasis. In some countries they have whole swimming pools where people can get in and the Gara Rufa suck at their entire bodies.

But for me, the fish sucking on my feet were just fine. These fish have no teeth, and it is debatable whether they are actually eating all the outer skin of the feet. Some filter systems in tanks of these fish which were used for pedicures showed lots of skin that was not eaten. The theory behind this is that they are actually nibbling for food and when there is none underneath, they back off and other fish behind them get into the feet to do the same thing.

This would be similar to the tendency of fish to look around rocks and corals for food.

Many presume that gara fish are starved so that they will respond more to sucking out the outer skin layers of the body when used in spas. Actually, a reputable spa will feed the fish, and the tendency to gather around the human feet would simply be part of its instinct to look for food whether they are still hungry or not.

There have been some health issues raised with these types of foot spas and a number of states in the U.S. do not allow them. Issues revolve around hygiene and the possibility of getting an infection. The way I saw it, this is a rare way to experience Singapore, and you can find hygiene issues in beauty parlors and dangers in crossing streets and flying planes. So I went for it.

I don't know if it was my imagination or not, but the fish struck me as an organic reflexology treatment. Afterwards, my feet felt very good, they didn't ache at all, and even a persistent back ache was gone. My husband and I felt completely rested.

Tonight I touched my husband's feet and they were softer than they had ever been before. So there was some good that came out of it. Certainly, for me it was a very interesting foot massage.

For more info on health and safety issues go to: One article says it's safe, another warns it may not be.

http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/9325215.Nothing_fishy_over_foot_spa__says_health_expert/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2050342/Fish-pedicures-foot-spas-spread-HIV-hepatitis-C.html

Here is also a video of a swimming pool of these fish where people dip their whole bodies inside:

http://youtu.be/XhqcfioMMGE

Nazca booby birds’ chick abuse parallels human child abuse, Wake Forest University study says

2011-10-09T03:20:00.000-07:00

By Mona Sabalones Gonzalez

The Nazca boobies, which reside in the Galapagos Islands, were found to experience a cycle of birdie abuse not unlike that of humans and children, according to a study by Wake Forest University in North Carolina.

Nazca boobies live in colonies on the shores of the Galapagos Islands and usually raise only one birdie at a time. The birdie is often left alone while they parents look for food at sea. As a result, other adult birds often bully the unattended birdies by pecking and biting them, sometimes until they bleed. Incidents of sexual abuse were also recorded. Female adult birds tended to be more aggressive than males.

When the birdies become adults themselves, those that experienced abuse as chicks tend to become abusers themselves, replicating the cycle abusive behavior on other unattended birdies.

The study, which appeared on the October issue of The Auk, which is an ornithology journal, was led by Professor Dave Anderson. He and his team conducted the experiment over three breeding seasons, and tracked the birds with the use of leg bands for identification.

Why do the birdies grow up to become abusers themselves?

The reason may be physiological, the study speculates, citing a separate study that was published in Hormones and Behavior. The latter study, headed by doctoral student Jacquelyn Grace, noted that after birdie abuse, the avian stress hormone corticosterone rises dramatically.

Extrapolating from the Grace study, the Wake University team speculated that there could be physiological reasons behind why the Nazca boobies that were abused as children become child abusers themselves as adults.

Grace speculated that the findings of her study may help to shed light on the dynamics behind human child abuse and the human cycle of violence as well.

For more details, go to:

http://www.sciencecodex.com/child_abuse_in_birds_study_documents_cycle_of_violence_in_nature

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44772085/ns/technology_and_science-science/#.To0MssnG0zE

http://www.livescience.com/16361-booby-album-images-birds.html

http://www.galapagos-islands-tourguide.com/birds-of-the-galapagos-islands.html

The Mistakably Maligned American PitBull Terriers

2011-09-27T04:10:00.000-07:00

By: Ed Gonzalez

Many people have the inclination that The American PitBull Terrier is ferocious, fearsome and dangerous. A lot of bite attacks have happened and instinctively the PitBull Terrier is always blamed for this. Remember, it's quite difficult to determine the dog by the way it looks. There are tremendous inaccuracies if this will be the only basis to determine bite attacks and blame it on these dogs. First of all, DNA tests have to be done to determine what kind of dog bit the victim. This has never been accomplished.

In the September 15, 2000 in the issue of Vet Med Today states that “ Breed Specific legislation does not address the fact that a dog of any breed can become dangerous when bred or trained to be aggressive. From a scientific point of view, we are unaware of any formal evaluation of the effectiveness of breedspecific legislation in preventing fatal or nonfatal dog bites. An alternative to breed - specific legislation is to regulate individual dogs and owners on the basis of their behavior.

Because of this The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends that we should not discriminate dogs based on their breed. There isn't a fragment of proof that the American PitBull Terrier is a diabolical dog, as others may say. Infact, The American Temperament Society does regular temperament checks on popular breeds. There was an aggregation test done in 2008 and this is how it was described.The test simulates a casual walk through a park or neighborhood where everyday life situations are encountered. During this walk, the dog experiences visual, auditory and tactile stimuli. Neutral, friendly and threatening situations are encountered, calling into play the dog's ability to distinguish between non-threatening situations and those calling for watchful and protective reactions.The dog fails the test if it shows :unprovoked aggression, panic without recovery and strong avoidance.

The American PitBull Terrier passed the test with a scoring rate of 85.3%. This is a lot better than the Collies, Golden retrievers who are commonly known as family dogs and ares considered friendly. The average dog population score is 77%. This all boils down on how the owners train their dogs. They can be dog aggressive but other dogs are aggressive also towards other animals.

The true reality is that the American PitBull Terriers have several good characteristic traits like::

1. They are quite friendly, tender and dearly affectionate dogs.. Dogs of this kind love to kiss you by licking. PitBulls are not haughty dogs. These dogs will tell you how they feel about you by wagging their tails and through their kisses.

2. PitBulls are relatively healthy and aren't difficult to take care of. They require moderate attention. The PitBull's coats are short and they are normal shedders. You need to brush these dogs once in a while. Dogs of this type don't have genetic disorders but they must be checked by your vet when they are puppies because of hip dysplasia. A lot of these dogs do not weigh more than fifty to sixty pounds except for some bigger sub – breeds. Just make sure they exercise constantly..

3. PitBulls like people, as long as their owners train them how to socialize in the right manner. These dogs love being with people. When you meet a PitBull that has been cared for and loved by their owners, you will realize why they like being with people. They can get too excited when meeting new persons but this can be solved through training and using positive reinforcement measures.

4. These dogs are faithful to their owners. They will be your best friend from the time you take them until the day they leave you for dog's heaven. PitBulls are so protective of their owners and property. The only drawback is that they are not guard dogs.

5. They are so anxious to please their owners. These dogs will always give their best efforts to make you happy as long as owners know what they expect from their dog. Some people say that they are stubborn. Once they know you are the boss, they will try hard to make sure that you are satisfied with them. This type of breed is not recommended for first time dog owners. You need to have the confidence to deal with them because they will know that you are unsure of your own self.

6. PitBulls can tolerate pain to a high degree. This is what make them excellent family dogs. No matter how rough your children play with them, they will not react. They will remain happy playing with them and will not exhibit any reaction. You must acquire prong collars because they have sturdy necks and shoulders. The ordinary collars will not soothe them.

Kate Middleton, Bird Game Hunting, and Chinese Dog Eating Festival

2011-09-26T07:39:00.000-07:00

By Mona Sabalones Gonzalez

How can a dog lover eat meat? And yet I just can’t live without my lechon and liempo (pork in the Philippines). Animals after all are meat eaters, too.

It helps that I get my meat in a supermarket. For the life of me, I could never bear to kill an animal myself (unless it’s a cockroach and I take great pleasure in that).

Now the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals have called upon Kate Middleton to ask her husband Prince William to stop bird hunting. This, of course, is a centuries old tradition among the British royals.

We wonder why they would go to Kate, however. Why not go straight to the Prince?

PETA was incensed to learn that Prince William purchased 250 ducks, partridges and pheasants for his brother’s 27^th birthday, which will be released into the Sandringham Estate of the Queen so that guests can hunt them.

I once saw a video of a bird on YouTube that was shot as game and it was just heartbreaking.

Chinese dog eating festival banned

Perhaps, it would be more effective for PETA to set loose the power of social media. That is what happened in the case of China, which has had a 600 year dog eating tradition where 15,000 dogs are killed annually to mark a 14^th century military victory of the Ming dynasty.

The Chinese legend says that a Chinese general killed all the dogs in Qianzi just before a battle to stop them from barking and in this way, warning the enemy. The strategy was effective and to celebrate, every slaughtered dog was eaten.

Dog meat in China is considered to have medicinal value, and during the cultural revolution of Mao Zedong, keeping dogs as pets was illegal.

Thanks to social media, photos of the dog eating festival were released and it sparked outrage and hefty debate, and the practice of the festival, which was slated for October, was banned this year. Talk about people power:)

Now, if PETA started to use social media to spark public outrage over bird hunting, perhaps they could get similar results.

For more info go to:

http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/219425/20110925/peta-requested-kate-middleton-to-stop-hubby-s-bird-shooting-hobby-prince-william-prince-harry-birthd.htm

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/23/peta-prince-william_n_978073.html

http://www.neontommy.com/news/2011/09/chinese-dog-eating-festival-banned-following-social-media-outcry

In China, dogs as pets are getting more love

2011-09-15T07:02:00.000-07:00

Looks like dogs are their own best ambassadors. At least, that is the case in China, where for thousands of years, dog meat has been a delicacy.

Now, dogs are becoming popular pets. It has occurred with the country’s growing prosperity. A CNN article said some dog owners will pay as much as $600 upwards for a dog – as a pet. The popular breeds are poodles, huskies, bichons and Labradors

This newly-grown love for dogs as pets is particularly occurring in Shenzhen -- where dogs are commonly eaten. With four of its six districts now forming part of China’s special economic zone, people from the provinces are coming in for jobs, getting newfound prosperity, and buying dogs as pets because they get lonesome.

This growing love of dogs has resulted in interesting laws in different parts of China. In Jinan, capital city of the province of Shandong, residents must get the permission of their neighbors before their dog can be licensed.

Dogs are painted to look like wild animals

Shanghai has a one-dog policy, as do the cities of Chengdu, Guangshou and Beijing. In Jiangmen, which is near Shenzhen, dog ownership was banned, but the law elicited so much protest that the law was repealed.

This is an interesting development, and a very positive one for dogs in Shenzhen where rows of restaurants serve dog meat, and markets display dog meat alongside beef and lamb. Now, many—but not all—dog owners have turned into dog lovers, and have stopped eating dog meat.

Here’s a video of a dog whose hair was dyed to make it look like a panda bear.

For more info, go to:

http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/09/01/china.dogs.eat.pets/

Walking Your Dogs and How It Should Be Done

2011-09-06T05:24:00.000-07:00

By: Ed Gonzalez

Walking your dogs is a must for all owners to accomplish and they must be willing to take their dogs on a stroll. If not, these dogs can become depressed and bored with their daily lives Taking them for a walk is not simply going outside and start walking with them. You must be able to do other things before taking them for a walk. Here are some reminders that will help you.

Before Taking Them For A Walk:

Make sure that wherever you are going, dogs are allowed. It is just right that you find out that your dogs are welcome to the place you are going to. You must be sure that the weather conditions are conducive. If the weather is rainy or very hot, then this is not the right time. You must let your dogs wear a good and convenient leash. The dog collar must fit well. Any pet shop or vet can recommend the right collar for your dog. Always put your dog on a leash or else you might have a difficult time controlling your dog. Don't forget to bring a picture of your dog or medical record cards of your dog. This is is the card that your vet gives to you for your dog's medical check up. This is needed just in case of emergencies or if anything goes wrong. Ordinary plastic bags, trash bags or a number of paper sheets are needed in the event your dog decides to make it's mess. If you are taking your dog for a long walk then you need to bring water and a dish bowl. You can bring with you an elongated stick to make other stray dogs scared so they will not go near your dogs. Never use this stick to hit your dog but you can use it to let your dog know what it can and can't do. You can bring a camera for picture taking, plus a back pack for all the things you need while you can hold on to the stick. Start training your dog how to walk in your homes. This is if the dog is not yet ready to go out for walks. Teach them the usual commands such as sit, stand, come and stay. Remember, your dog must walk beside you and never in front of you. You are the pack leader and not your dog. If your dog commits a mistake during training, this must be corrected.

When Walking The Dog:

Owners during this time must be watchful and alert. Look around if there are a lot of people. Are there a lot of cars passing by? Is it safe to walk your dogs in the surrounding area? You must be decisive where to walk your dog. The owner must see to it that the dog is behaving properly. Always be in control and keep your eye on what is happening around you. Dogs have limitations when it comes to distance and pacing in walking..You must be the one to clean your dog's mess because it does happen while the dog is walking. By using your plastic bag and trash bag plus sheets of paper, this should pose no problem for you. Your dog will find it thrilling to go out for a walk. You must have to enjoy the walk with them. Never take chances, if your dog is not use to befriending other people or interacting with other dogs. By doing this, you will avoid any disastrous incidents that can happen. If there is a place that is fenced in and your dog is allowed to run, then set your dog free but keep a watchful eye on the dog. Try talking to your dog while you are spending time walking with your adorable pet. It's a great time to bond with your dog. Be quite observant with your dog because if it starts to pant then the dog is tired and must be given a five to ten minute rest. When walking at night, always bring a flashlight so you can see where you are walking and your dogs can avoid certain things that can be harmful to them like animal feces and urine. Never let your dog smell any sort of garbage. Watch out for plants because some of them can be harmful to your dogs.

After Walking Your Dogs.:

When going home you must walk at a slower pace. This allows your dog to cool down. Upon reaching the house, clean the feet of your dogs so that dirt and other particles can be taken out. Allow your dog to rest and give them water because they might be thirsty. When the weather is hot like summer, you must be more cautious when planning a walking session for your dog. Bring additional water and make your walks even shorter. Too much heat can cause disturbing effects to both you and your dog. This is because insects are very active during this time of the year. If you intend to walk on the shoreline of the beach, be careful of such creatures like the jellyfish because it can cause harm to your dogs.

Have the best time of your life while walking your dog.

City noise affects sex life of birds, Netherlands’ Leiden University study says

2011-09-03T07:22:00.000-07:00

By Mona Sabalones Gonzalez

Urban birds are changing their song. We mean that literally. Mating calls in the past, in a quiet jungle were usually low frequency and rather nice. With the noise pollution of the city’s technology, mating calls need a high pitch to be heard. A study in the Netherlands showed that female birds find the high pitch mating call less sexy.

The study was done by Wouter Halfwerk, behavioral ecologist at Leiden University, Netherlands. The paper was published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of the Sciences.

The study showed that because of all the noise in the city—airplanes, car engines, construction noise, etc., male birds were forced to raise their mating calls to a higher pitch.

High pitched sounds can be heard better at short distances, and are good in a noisy environment. For example, the laughter of children can cut through lots of background noise because it is high pitched.

But female birds prefer low pitched sounds. The trouble is, in the city, these mating calls are drowned out by the surrounding noise. Halfwerk was able to discover this by studying the Great Tit, a bird that can imitate the sounds of up to 30 random birds in the Netherlands.

Halfwerk recorded the mating calls of 30 different male Great Tits, half of which gave high pitch sounds, and half who gave low pitch sounds. He then conducted paternity tests on the hatched eggs of the female birds who responded to the calls.

Most birdies were the offspring of male birds that used low frequency sounds. The study stated the low-pitched male birds probably swooped down in the last minute to lure the female out of her nest and fertilize her.

Halfwerk then played the mating calls of the birds that were prerecorded. They noted that female birds responded to the low pitched sounds. However, when they added urban noise to the background of the low pitched mating calls, the females were drawn to the high pitched mating calls, most likely because these were the sounds they could hear.

It’s understandable why female birds would be more drawn to low frequency sounds. In a forest, these are the sounds that have long wavelengths. They can bend around the trees and other forest barriers, and go long distances. Birds traditionally sing in low frequency sounds.

The study concludes that noise pollution can affect bird populations in a negative way.

Here’s an amazing BBC video of a bird that copies a wide range of jungle sounds in the forest, including a chainsaw!

For more info, go to:

http://www.physorg.com/news/2011-08-noise-pollution-birds-songs.html

http://io9.com/5835572/how-your-car-is-making-birds-less-sexy-over-time

Stopping Your Dogs From Becoming Obese

2011-08-31T03:08:00.000-07:00

By: Ed Gonzalez

Weight concerns regarding your pet dogs may cause certain health concerns that are not good for yourdogs to have heart disease, blocked arteries, fatty liver disease, skeletal stress, cancer and diabetes. Certain breeds are more suscseptible to these diseases like golden retrievers, cocker spaniels, pugs, chihuahuas and dachsunds. If you give your dogs too much food, their tendency is to get more fat. Owners, at times give their dogs excessive meals. Giving your leftover food together with their own dog food ( pellets ) during their meal time. This can cause the obesity. You can notice this by touching the ribs of your dog. If you can't feel it then that means your dog must be overweight. If they become breathless while doing minimal exercises then there is a huge possibility of your dogs being fat. If your pet dogs do not display a minimal tuck up in their stomach, there's a high probability that your dog is way off his weight level. These are the principal signs that a dog owners must know and thit means that your dogs are out of shape.

How you must handle these concerns:

1. Dogs must engage in daily exercises to keep them in shape. It will burn out the calories in them. More importantly is that iit gives your dogs added respiration strength, it gives their body tissues the needed oxygen and keeps their muscles strong. Physical activities like running and jumping will be good for them

2. Take into consideration the food they eat. Younger dogs need more food that has protein, energy and minerals than older dogs. Field dogs that are active especially those who are in cool weather. These dogs need to have a lot more energy. Dogs that are breastfeeding need more protein, minerals and energy. Older dogs that are older, whether they are active or not may require lesser calories. Never give them excessive food because your dogs may get accustomed to it.

3. You must check your dog's weight regularly and this can be done by weighing your dog on a scale. You can use your bathroom scale to do this. You should do it at the same hour each time you do it and use the same scale.. Using this clever method will see if your dog's weight is fluctuating or not.

4. Being obese can start in the early stages of a dog's life. If a dog is getting fat while it is growing a bit older in life, then the possibility of your dog becoming fat is a big possibility. It is just right that your pet dog is given the proper nutrition while they are in their growing up stages. If you don't do this your dog can develop joint diseases.

5. Too much treats and table food are the main reasons for your dog's poor weight condition. Giving them a hug is a lot better than giving your dog excessive treats. They will also love it because you are giving them the attention that they need.

6. Obesity iof dogs is the result of giving them too much food to eat. The nice thing about it is these conditions can be treated but dog owners need to be quite sensitive. The moment you realize that your dog is overweight bring your dog to the vet. This can rule out any other disease that can cause this situation.

Be aware of your dog's weight condition because your pet dog is a special friend who also loves you as you love them.

What Do Dogs Expect From Their Owners

2011-08-30T00:14:00.000-07:00

By: Ed Gonzalez

Dogs expect their masters to be responsible for their health and well being. They want to be treated as part of the family. They expect owners to spend time with them and give them the attention they need. They like their masters to be their pack leaders. Owners must take charge and see to it that their dogs follow the things they say. In doing so, owners must never endanger the lives of their beautiful and wonderful pet dogs. Dogs feel that their owners must treat them nicely and lovingly. They don't like being shouted at or being hit.

Always remember to pet and hold your dogs calmly. They will surely like this. Dogs like their owners to take the initiative during play activities and they will follow. These cute pet dogs want their owners to tell them what to do and not the other way around. Any dog would like to have special treats when they please their owners. Give them dog cookies when they are obedient and after entertaining you with all the tricks they have learned. Be sure that you treat them like a family member. At times they want to be beside the dinner table when you are eating. Let them do so and provide them with their dog food. Pet dogs are fun loving animals. They like tagging along with their adopted family on road trips. They will surely like this. Just make sure you bring what they need like their medicines, food and toys.
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Because they feel like a family member, never shove them away when the family is gathered together watching their favorite tv shows or movies in the house. They like the feeling of being accepted. As pack leaders, they expect you to guide them always especially when then you are taking walks. They must be told of what is acceptable and what is not. They don't like to be guessing on what is required of them. There are do's and don'ts and this is what you should make clear to them. Never intimidate your dogs if they do something wrong because they can retain this image in their minds..Dogs can't take care of themselves all the time. You must see to it that their health is well taken cared of. This is so essential in showing your love for your dogs.

Dogs are the most wonderful companions you can have especially when you are alone. They want you to always be their master but most of all a loving and dedicated one to them. After teaching them all the things they should and should not do, you must learn to trust them. They need your trust if they are to be considered your loyal friend..They expect love and not cruelty from any dog owner. When these dogs learn the things you expect them to do, they will remember. Dogs have good memory and good imagery.

Treat your pet dogs rightfully and you can expect your dogs to become loving towards to you. They will cuddle up to you because they know you are a faithful friend. Make them feel accepted and they will be your best friends forever. Dogs are considered man's best friend but if you act bad towards them they can be your fiercest enemy. They will become stubborn, bored and destructive. You acquired these pet dogs to guard your homes and bring you happiness, so keep them safe and happy. These are the things that they expect from respectable dog owners.

Tufts University study shows children improve, love reading more, if they read to a dog

2011-08-28T21:09:00.000-07:00

By Mona Sabalones Gonzalez

For some time now, reading programs making use of dogs have been ongoing across the U.S. The results have been so strongly positive, that they continue to thrive.

Now, a new study from the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, measured the difference between reading to a dog, and reading to a human being. The dog won. The findings of the study showed that children improve better and more quickly when they read to a dog.

The study was conducted by Dawn Lenihan, a third-year veterinary student at Tufts University’s Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. She was mentored by Dr. Lisa M. Freeman, who is also one of the authors of the study.

In the study, one group of second graders would read out loud to a dog, while a second, control group of second graders, would read to an adult. The dogs that were used in the study had already gone through the Reading Education Assistance Dogs Program.

The investigators of the study were Amanda Diurba of Grafton Public Library, where the experiment was held, and Emily McCobb, Director of Cummings School Shelter Medicine. The students read for 30 minutes every day for five weeks. The findings were:

· Students from the group who read to dogs had a slight increase in reading skills and attitude to reading.

· Students who read to people experienced lowered scores both in terms of reading ability and attitude to reading.

· No second grader who was paired with a dog left the group, and completed the entire length of the experiment.

· One-third of those who read to people didn’t finish the program.

Diurba measured reading progress by noting the books that the children chose to read. The more difficult the choices, the more she knew they were improving.

Diurba told the AP, “At three weeks, something happens in the brain, the comfort level, whatever, and whatever little issues those children are having individually seemed to lessen mightily, go away. It actually ends up going away.”

Woof!

For more info, go to:

Sources:

http://www.wwlp.com/dpp/news/massachusetts/MA-study-says-dogs-help-young-readers

http://www.wdam.com/story/15309682/can-a-dog-help-your-child-read

http://www.telegram.com/article/20110825/NEWS/108259506/1020

How To Win Your Dog's Trust

2011-08-23T01:36:00.000-07:00

By; Ed Gonzalez

Do you wonder why some dogs are close to people and others are not? Owners and other persons must be able to adjust to the dog and not the other way around. Sometimes, unknowingly we scare them and they scamper to a safe hiding place. You will have to gain their confidence. Treat them rightfully and they will become friendly towards you. It won't be easy but you can try and if you do not it will never happen.. This is not a difficult task to do. You must take time out to accomplish this. Remember the saying “ that dogs are man's best friend”. You can have a great and loving best friend with you in your house. Just make the effort and do it.

Here are some ways that you do to make your dogs close to you:

1. When approaching your dog you must be careful. Always approach them with your hands on your side. Never come running to them and never extend both arms to them. They'll be scared stiff and they will avoid you. They may think that you are trying to harm them. Always be calm and do not act in a hurry when approaching the dog. They are very cautious when you do not approach them using the right procedure.

2. When you come forward to meet your dog, do it on equal grounds. They do not like it when you are standing erect. Get down on your knees to meet them. When you remain standing they will think that you are threatening them. Have a happy facial expression when you come into contact with them. Dogs are sensitive, they know if you are being truthful or not.

3. When you get their admiration, you can pick them up. You must make sure that you do it the right. Cuddle them like you would do to your own baby. You must be gentle and calm. If ever you pet them it must be on their chest and at the back of their ears. They will find pleasure and enjoyment when you do this to them

4. Do not talk to them in a very loud manner and do not scream at them. If you want your dogs to be responsive avoid banging doors or making loud noises when you are with them. They will be so afraid afraid of you. They will lose their confidence and admiration for you.. Dogs have feelings and they can get terribly bothered by these things.

5. Give the dog more time to become friendly with you. When they are ready they will come to you. They must be given time to adapt to their new place.. Dogs are so smart and they will size you up to see if you are trustworthy. Eventually, they will become friendly with you and they will be your true buddies as long as you do not mistreat them.

Always remember that pet dogs will always be there for you as long as you shower them with love, care and attention. Pet dogs will be there to protect you and guard your homes. Dogs are wonderful and adorable pets. They do also have their shortcomings but all creatures do. I believe that dogs are God's gift to mankind and we must make sure that they are well taken cared for. Win your dog's trust and you'll have a great time with them.

Narcissist Dogs and Narcissist People—Going Full Circle

2011-08-22T04:45:00.000-07:00

“Love is like gravity for dogs. They can’t not love us.”

Kevin Behan, dog trainer and natural philosopher

Is there such a thing as a narcissistic dog? Book author Judith Orloff, M.D. says a dog may be narcissistic if:

· The dog requires a lot of attention.

· The dog has a way of always getting what he wants by manipulating humans.

· A dog tends to feel entitled.

· A dog does not seem concerned about doing what you want him to do.

· A dog appears to lack compassion for his human, other humans or even other dogs.

What makes a dog narcissistic? The owners, Orloff says. And there is a consistency to this. Dog owners who are afflicted with narcissism raise narcissistic dogs.

The narcissistic dog owner craves as much attention, hugs and love from the dog as possible. Such a dog owner fails to give a dog the structure it needs, because it’s not about the dog, it’s about the dog satisfying the needs of the dog owner.

A narcissistic dog may sometimes be confused with dog aggression that is anxiety-related, Orloff says. The difference is, an aggressive dog may bite, while a narcissistic dog may whine endlessly and demand your attention even when you don’t feel like giving it.

And so it follows—what makes a dog owner narcissistic? He becomes that way because he himself had narcissistic parents.

Narcissism defined

Narcissism refers to excessive self-admiration, to the point that it infects one’s own quality of life, and that of others. A narcissist:

· Is boastful and craves admiration.

· Is self-centered and always seeks attention.

· Feels entitled.

· Thinks oneself is better than others.

· May be manipulative and use others to get what one wants.

· Is easily hurt, but may hide it.

· Exaggerates one’s accomplishments and abilities.

The narcissistic parent

A narcissistic parent loves a child for the wrong reasons, and expresses this love in the wrong ways. He/she is simply too self centered to recognize the child for who he really is. The child becomes a tool to satisfy the emotional needs of the narcissistic parent.

In turn, the child of the narcissistic parent grows up constantly trying to satisfy the parent, in this way neglecting his own needs. Because of this, the child, ironically, grows up to become a narcissist, too, and may be a narcissistic dog owner, who raises a narcissistic dog.

But seriously, it’s hard to like narcissists. They are manipulative, egotistical, self-absorbed, grandiose and frustrating.

Bear in mind, they are also very unhappy people inside. The narcissist seesaws from phases of feeling larger than life to plunges into deep depression.

Maybe a narcissist owner might wanna read this?

Circle of healing….

Here’s the thing: A dog can genuinely help a narcissist, because dogs love their humans unconditionally. A dog can make a narcissist feel worthy of unconditional love--through thick and thin.

A dog is not impressed with what a human achieves, or how brilliant the human is. A dog champions stubborn love. A narcissist experiences unqualified, absolute love, and it is possible that through such unconditional love, a narcissist may actually have the possibility of giving love back to the dog—the kind of love that needs to recognize a dog for what it really is.

A dog is an animal with specific needs that are very different from a human’s. Orloff said, “Dogs are designed primarily to work for a living, to put their instincts toward a group purpose. Being admired and coddled and fussed over is only secondary at best.”

I gave you the short version. For a more thorough explanation, look up Orloff’s article on this link:

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/my-puppy-my-self/201108/the-canine-human-bond-loving-narcissistic-dog

and just for fun, look at this “narcissistic” dog:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWXBv1I05mc

Dragonfly mating

2011-08-15T19:59:00.000-07:00

By Mona Sabalones Gonzalez

I came across these dragonflies outside my lanai, which got me to thinking about dragonfly mating. Here’s what I found out:

1. A male dragonfly has two sets of sex organs.

2. He stores his sperm in a pouch, and before he has sex he must self-inseminate by moving the sperm into his penis. Can you call that dragonfly family planning?

3. Now he is ready to pounce on a flying female dragonfly. Here, it can get a bit unromantic. He grabs her head or thorax. Then he uses claspers on his body, and grips and holds either her abdomen or the back of her eyes.

4. Some dragonflies can get downright mean, even biting the base of the females wings to grab a hold of her.

5. A receptive female will curl the tip of her abdomen and they will form together a “dragonfly heart,” just like this photo shows.

6. Oftentimes, when they are done, the two will still fly in tandem, because the male wants to make sure that she can lay his eggs safely on a body of water. In this way, the male makes sure the eggs are carefully dropped before any other male dragonfly tries to land on her.

7. This part struck me a bit because I couldn’t think of any lake or pond nearby where these dragonflies could lay the eggs. It must be a dragonfly secret in my neighborhood. Either that, or the swimming pool.

Abusive dragonflies

1. Just as some humans can be physically abusive, so too can some dragonflies.

2. A study from the University of Florida by Sidney Dunkle studied 12 clubtail species, and learned that from 44-100 percent of all of the females had holes in their heads. This, Dunkle attributed to the hold of a male on the female during copulation.

3. A particularly harsh dragonfly (out of some 5,000 species) is the Hagenius brevistylus, which has spines that have gouged out the eyes of the female, pierced her head with as many as six holes of varied sizes, and pierced and slashed her exoskeleton.

I dare not extrapolate. Here’s a link that I enjoyed watching about dragonfly mating and living habits.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZB7EKXhvuc

Other sources for info on dragonflies are http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2006/04/dragonfly-mating/ackerman-text/3 and http://www.21facts.com/animals/dragonflies.php

What You Must Know When Walking Your Dogs

2011-08-15T01:01:00.000-07:00

By: Ed Gonzalez

It is a must for owners to walk their dogs, because if not your dogs will feel left out and become bored with their life. This can even lead to depression.. Walking your dogs does not mean just putting a leash on your dog and start walking outside. There is much to consider before doing this and you must do the following before taking your dogs on a stroll:

1. Before walking your dogs you must know where you are taking your dogs because some places do not allow dogs . If you are taking them on a walk in your neighborhood that may just be fine. Find out first if they allow dogs to walk in certain places so that it won't cause you the inconvenience of turning back and going home. Do not walk your dogs when it is raining and when it is too hot. You must know if the weather is suitable for walking your dogs.. If the weather won't give you any trouble, then put on a comfortable leash for your dog and start your walk. You must know what kind of collar will be useful for your dogs and your veterinarian can advise you. With the leash you will have definite control of your dog. The leash is so vital when walking your dogs because without it you will have a difficult time walking your dogs. Make sure you know the size of the leash of your dog even if your dog is not with you.. It can prevent further trouble because an unleashed dog can create disturbances and they can fight with other dogs and bite other people. You must bring a camera with you and a medical card issued by your veterinarian in case in case any untoward actions do happen..

2. Bring trash bags or plastic bags so you can clean the mess your dog makes a mess. Having some sheets of paper are also helpful. If you are going on long walks, you must bring a dish water if and when you are going for long walks.. Bring with you a long stick and this is not meant to hit your dogs. You van use this to tap on the ground to remind your dogs that what they are doing is not appropriate. This stick will just remind your dogs of what they can and cannot do. Always make your dogs walk beside you and never in front of you. To be able to make this happen, you must train your dogs. If dogs do make a mistake, correct it right away.

3. Always be aware of things happening around you when you are walking your dogs. Keep in mind if there are safe areas for your dogs to walk. This might be a busy street with cars and trucks. It's always best to take precautionary measures to keep your dogs protected. Always be in control of situations. Owners must lead their dogs to the right path where they can walk. You must also take into consideration the limitations of you dogs on how far they can go and their pacing.. When your dogs are outside and walking they will feel so glad and they will be filled with excitement. You must allow your dog time to discover the outside world. Don't take any chances if you feel your dog is not ready to interact with other people and dogs. If you encounter a fenced area then you can let your dogs run around. Try talking to your dogs because this is the best way they can become closer to you. When your dog starts to pant maybe it is tired and it is time to take a ten minute rest. Before walking during the night, bring a flashlight plus the other paraphernalia you might need. Watch out for animal feces and urine because this can bring about sicknesses. Do not let your dogs go near any kind of garbage and start sniffing stuff, this can be harmful to them in the long run.

4. Walk slowly when you are walking back home. This is the best way to cool your dogs When you are at home, give your dogs water on a bowl. Clean your dog's feet to remove certain particles that your dogs might have acquired from walking.. You and your dogs must relax and rest. During summer time , bring the necessary stuff plus additional water. Walks must be shorter. You must be aware that there are insects and they are so prevalent during this time. Do not go mountain climbing unless your dog can take it. If you are walking on the beach, be careful of the jellyfish and other sea insects. Wash the feet of your dogs as soon as you get home.

Why Your Puppies Need To See A Veterinarian

2011-08-13T00:38:00.000-07:00

By: Ed Gonzalez

Acquiring a new puppy make bring a whole lot of excitement to the family. They will surely bring happiness and a bright atmosphere to your household. You should be careful in trying to pick up the puppies because the mother can become jealous and nip at you. While they are still puppies, they must be given the right amount of care. This means that you should make sure that they are well taken cared for. It also requires you to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. This is so important especially during their early growth stages. You just want to make sure that they are in good health and they must remain that way.

One of the main issues that you have to be concerned is having to address the problems of worms in your puppies. A major amount of puppies are born with worms and this is one of the main reasons why they must be brought to the vets for them to be dewormed. The usual worm the veterinarians find are roundworms. The immediate cause of this are intestinal parasites that came from the mother of these puppies. It can also be transmitted by the mother's milk when they are breastfeeding their puppies. Veterinarians would require you to bring the pregnant mothers who are in their last week of pregnancy so that they can prescribe deworming medicines that can decrease the transferring of worms to the puppies.. If you do not do this, it can produce harmful effects onyour puppies.

Bring them to your veterinarian when they are two weeks old. The deworming procedure must continue until they are three months old. They should be brought to your vets after every two weeks. When they are adults males they must be brought to the vets once every year and females must visit the vets during every ovulation cycle. This should be done on a routinary basis because because round worms can be transferred to people and especially to kids when they come into contact with dog feces or contaminated soil.

The puppy's first visit to the veterinarian is quite important because this is the best time you van talk about vaccination, spaying,, neutering, nutrition, puppy training and grooming. Things you must remember when going to the veterinarian for a visit:

1. Make sure you come in early. This will allow you time to register your pet as a new patient. Put your pet dog on a leash or in a crate to protect them.

2. Do not forget to bring the stool sample of your dog for fecal analysis.. Place it in a plastic bag that is secured.
3. Bring any information that your veterinarian will need with regards to your puppies.
4. Usually puppies are well behaved but when they get tensed, talk to them so that they can be comfortable or say something to them that they like to hear.
5. Help the vet during the examination process. He will first take their temperature. He'll examine the eyes of your puppies. This is done to find out if there are any foreign objects.. He will listen to your pet dog's heart to see if there are any murmurs.. The lungs of your puppies must be clear and free of any discharge.. The stomach and vagina will also be checked.

The veterinarians will also recommend a series of vaccines for your puppies to give them protection from distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis, parainfluenza and coronavirus.

DHPPIL – Known as a five in one vaccine. And it will give your puppies total protection after three months. This High-titer vaccines gives your puppies the best protection from parvovirus.

DHH-PIL – This is a six in one combo vaccine when they are six weeks of age that provides added protection from coronavirus.. Though the coronavirus component is not a significant vaccine but findings do show that dual infection with parvovirus is so severe and fatal in puppies.

RABIES – These are vaccination shots that must be given to your puppies when they are three to four months old. The vets may give other vaccinations for kennel cough or bordatella.. They will show you how to prevent heartworrms, diet, how to spay and neuter your puppies. Take care of your dogs and they will remain loving to you. If they are healthy, they will always be happy. A happy dog can be your best companion.

Soothing Music Can Relax Your Loving Dogs

2011-08-12T00:27:00.000-07:00

By Ed Gonzalez

Based on studies done by experts, good mood music can create wonderful effects on your dogs. When they frequently hear beautiful music, their behavioral attitudes do improve .People get contentment, healing effects and find enjoyment when listening to music. Dogs also undoubtedly get affected in a positive way by the fine use of sound communication technology. If they find that the song they are hearing is likeable to them, they will come close to where the sound is coming from. The reason for this is because they want to totally enjoy the musical sound. Relaxing or cozy type of music is the better way to share your love of music with your dogs. They will never find rock music enjoying. Try the old classics like moon river or time after time.

Music that is rather calm can bring relief to dogs who are in pain. Nice music that is resoundingly ear – friendly takes out the the psychological distraction, the feeling of being left alone, wrongly treated, loneliness ( because they are left alone by themselves ), depression, other sufferings and negative feelings. When their owner doesn't feel well, their dogs also take in the feeling of not being well too. If their owner and master has a jolly spirit, they will also acquire it and be quite happy.. All these are because of they are encouraged by the beautiful melodious music they hear. Though this has not been proven scientifically, it has been said that calm music is an efficient antidote that can bring comfort to your dog's tired and painful aching bodies. Dog experts tie this up to the extraordinary because since man and dog are living creatures, they can react to a similar enticement which can help them to find peace, beauty and happiness in the same things.

Dogs have to adjust to the lifestyles of their owner. At times, this can cause difficulties for them.. They cannot understand the problem that their master has to undergo in his or her life. When their owner gets deeply affected by these concerns, their dogs also acquire the stress that their owner feel. This is why it is important for dogs to listen to relaxing music once in a while. Your pet dogs will surely love listening to pleasing music because it makes them at ease and cools down their nerves.. They will surely enjoy every minute of it.

Loving your dogs is all about sharing the nice things with them. Listening to music is one of the nicest way to bond with your dogs. They will know more about you from the music they hear and this will bring them closer to you. You might just find out later on, that your dog is trying to sing and it's all about the wonderful music they hear. Later, you'll find out that your dog has got talent. Sharing your soothing music with your dog can be the start of a great relationship you can have with them. House dogs will always be there. When your family is out, all you've got are your dogs. On a hot day, staying

inside in the house with your dogs and playing cool music is the best relief you can have. Why not try singing the old classic songs with the music playing. You might have a chorus afterwards. What a great way to enjoy life together with your dogs by singing the blues.

How Your Dogs Can Withstand The Sweltering Heat Of Summer

2011-08-10T02:04:00.000-07:00

By Ed Gonzalez

For humans it 's rather easy, you have the air conditioners and summer clothes plus electric fans that can help you go through the summer heat. For dogs it's a different case, Dogs relieve themselves of heat by their paws and when they pant. Never leave your dogs out when the weather is so so hot. They can experience heat strokes. This is quite dangerous because they can die from it. Some symptoms of heat stroke are panting, heart beats that are fast, uneasiness, tongues changes color to purple or intensified red. You must do the following first aid, if you suspect your dog is suffering from heat stroke. Bring your dog inside your homes and gradually pour water in it's fur. Water should not be cold. Place ice packs on their heads, necks and chests. This can be done if the dog has no intention of drinking water. You can try letting them lick some ice cubes. When your dog is more relaxed, you must take him to your veterinarian for the proper examination.. Make sure that all the vaccines of your dogs are complete because many types of disease happen during summer time.

Your dogs can have more fleas and ticks during the summer. These pesty pests can suck blood during these difficult times and their eggs do hatch quicker during this time of the year. They will keep on feasting on your dogs and you must be aware of this. There are are so many anti – flea and tick powders that can solve this problem. Pay special attention to older dogs during the summer because they are more susceptible. When summer comes they must have the appropriate shelter and water for their needs. This will be a tremendous aid for their dogs.

Even if they are at home you must be aware because it does not mean that your dogs are completely safe. Always be on the watch because uncertain things can happen. Make sure that they take a bath twice a week instead of once a week. It will give them the convenience and comfort they need during this time and this is true if your dogs stay outside of your homes most of the time. Whether they stay in cages or in the house, make sure that they have enough ventilation to keep them cool. Never let the dogs sleep in cushions or couches. It is best for them to sleep in floors. That's the coolest place for them to be in. If it's possible let them sleep in your bathrooms because the floor tiles are quite cool. Don't forget, if the dog's hair is long then give your dog a much needed haircut, it helps to keep them cool. Water the ground in which your dogs like to walk. If your dog likes to walk in the garage then water the place because this will prevent their paws from burns.. When summer comes knocking in,, mosquitoes are visible and they can cause heart worms. This disease is known to be fatal especially if you do not catch it early. You must ask your veterinarians how you can prevent heart worms from occurring.

When you go walking with your dogs, don't let them smell anything in your neighbor's garden because this is the time that people spray chemicals in flowers and other parts of the garden.. This may cause health problems for your dogs. Pesticides are rather dangerous once your dogs comes in to contact with it. After walking with your dogs, you must give them a bowl of fresh water to quench their thirst.

When you are traveling with your dog in a car for a vacation, never leave your dogs inside especially when there is high intensity heat. The temperature can reach a high level and this can cause your dog to develop heat stroke. If you are driving a pick – up never tie the dog at the back. You can imagine how much heat there is out there.Just bring buckets of water because you will need to splash your dogs with water to cool them down. If you are strolling your dogs on the beach, you must make sure that they have protective coverings on their paws. Imagine it can be hot for humans to stroll in the beach, that's why we use beach or rubber slippers. Now, think of your dogs strolling with you with nothing to protect their paws. They do have a high tolerance for pain but their paws can suffer from burns.

Your friendly dogs can get sunburns too. It's good if you get advice from your veterinarians if your dog can use any sun block ointment that is appropriate for dogs. Do not let your dogs keep on running on the beach because this can cause them to be tired and develop fatigue. Drinking salt water can make your dogs sick. Be aware of jelly fish and sea lice because they can bite your dogs. After the stroll on the beach, it's best that you give your dogs a bath because the water in the sea can cause damage to your dog's coat.

Just make sure that you give your dogs extra care during this time of the year because it's the best way for them not to acquire sickneses.. Summer is fun but owners must be responsible for the safety and health of their dogs. You just don't feed your dogs but you must love them. The best way to do this by taking good care of them because they are precious friends and companions.

Why People Must Have Dogs

2011-08-05T01:15:00.000-07:00

By: Ed Gonzalez

Having pets is good for the psychological and well being of persons. Dogs are sweet, adorable and charming. They do a lot of things that can make you happy. You may have had a difficult day at the office but when your dog greets you by licking your feet, it sort of lightens your mood. They make all your problems go away. Dogs have wonderful traits because they are cuddly and they can show what true affection means especially if you have taken good care of them. They will make you laugh with their tricks and playfulness.

Although, you may spend a bit for their care like for their food, vets, medicines and toys. They do compensate for this by being your loyal companions, watchdogs and playmates. These are factors that you cannot buy but it is freely given by your dogs. They do contribute to a country's economy because by buying food and medicines you are contributing to the economy growth of your own country. Dogs as pets are here to stay and they will always be your protector and loyal friend. Sometimes they can be moody because they are like people but in general, they will be your most loveable friend till the very end. When dogs lick your feet, it's just like they are kissing you on your cheeks. The nice things about dogs, they don't mind what toy you give them. They will show their appreciation in many ways. Dogs will come near your side and put their paws on your lap. This means they want you to just hold them or pet them on their heads. Any dog will surely appreciate whatever good you do to them.

Let me tell you a beautiful story. Mary and Jim had a dog named Lucky and this dog had a real character. Whenever Jim and Mary had company for a weekend visit they would warn their friends about not to leave their luggage open because Lucky would get whatever thing that struck his fancy. Most of the times, someone would forget the warnings and something would be missing. Mary or Jim would go to to the basement and find all the treasure together with his favorite toys. Lucky always placed all he got in his toy box and he was very particular that his toys stay in the box. After sometime, Mary found out that she had breast cancer. Something told her that she was going to die of this disease . She was sure that it was fatal. Because of this, she scheduled a double mastectomy. The night before she went to the hospital she cuddled Lucky. A thought had struck her what.... would happen to Lucky? Though the three year old dog liked Jim, he was Mary's dog always and will be. If I die Mary said, Lucky will be abandoned and so she thought. He won't understand because I did not want to leave him. It made her sadder than thinking of her own death. The double mastectomy was harder on Mary than her doctors had anticipated . She was hospitalized for over two weeks.

Jim took Lucky out for his daily walks but he was always drooping, whining and miserable. Finally the day had come for Mary to come home . When she arrived, she couldn't make it to the steps of her bedroom. Jim made her wife comfortable on the couch and left her to nap. Lucky stood watching over Mary but when she called he did not come to her. It made her sad but she fell asleep. When Mary woke for a second, she could not understand what was wrong. She could not move her head and her body was so hot. But her panic turned into laughter when Mary realized the problem. She was covered, literally blanketed with every treasure Lucky owned. While she had slept. Lucky had made countless trips to the basement bringing his beloved mistress all his favorite things in life. He had covered her with his love. Mary forgot about dying. Instead she and Lucky began living again, walking further and further everyday. It has been twelve years now and Mary is still cancer free. Lucky, still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy box but Mary remains his greatest treasure.

Dogs not only give us security but they extend to us extraordinary love that sometimes other people cannot give. We've got to love our dogs for what they are. If you do this they will give you true joy that is hard to find at times. Give your dogs all the love you can give and they will compensate by giving you love ten times more

How To Control Your Dog's Chewing Tendencies

2011-08-04T02:26:00.000-07:00

By: Ed Gonzalez

Dogs are natural explorers. They like to investigate things that surround them. It is for this reason that they do a lot of things by smelling and tasting. These pet dogs do these things by using their mouth. When they are puppies, ( between the ages of four to six months ) they like putting objects in their mouth. You can compare them to babies who also put things in their mouth to calm down swollen gums. If you want to to bring relief to the itching gums of your puppies, you must try using a rag that's wet or give them toys that are a bit cold. If you catch your puppies chewing on the wrong type of of objects, you can start training them by using the words “ Leave that alone”.

When dogs have gone through the teething stage, the older puppies will chew to relieve them of tension, feeling bored and anxiousness. These puppies can feel so stressed out that's why they will chew on any object that is not suitable for them. This is the reason why you should emphasize the “ Leave that alone “ command. After saying it, give them the right toy to chew.

Stopping them from chewing is the better way to achieve results than trying to cure this type of habit. You need to find out the real cause of this chewing behavior. These dogs can just be simply bored, anxious or filled with tension because they have nothing to do. Giving them exercise will do them a lot of good. You should bring them for long walks. Play games with them, like throwing the ball and they will bring it back to you. Train them with obedience exercise. Giving them enough exercises will enhance your dog's mental and physical state..

If you have sporty dogs like labradors, they will need need a lot of enhancement exercises. These dogs are exceedingly so social. They need to be with their pack and pack leader.. They need a lot of interaction and when they are lacking in this, it can lead to anxiety. This can lead them to chew destructively. When you interact with them, you must play with them. The best game to use is letting them retrieve the ball..This will surely bring them real satisfaction and they will always remember that you are the pack leader. When you do obedience training with other members, your dogs will know the meaning of pack hierarchy. It will make any family member feel more at ease with your dogs and they won't feel afraid of them.

Dogs feel a lot safer if they have a place of their own. You can placed them in a fenced off or blocked off area in your homes. Placing them in a crate is not a bad idea especially if they have chewable toys or them to stay in. Never use your crate as a punishment for your dogs. Do not leave your dogs segregated because this can give them more stress. This can result in improper chewing of any object. Do not strike your dog for any inappropriate order. This may make things worse.

Instead of punishing your dog for chewing the inappropriate object, why don't you just punish the object your dog was chewing. This truly works because when your dog sees the object of your wrath, your actions will replay it in his mind and this will tell him to avoid this object.. This method conditions your dog never to chew this object again. It's called classical conditioning.