Picture from DailyCute.net

Party Marty here, well-rested and ready to face the day….or at the very least, the next hour. Nap time is coming!

The National Sleep Foundation conducted a recent poll which revealed roughly 43% of Americans ages 13-64  rarely or never get a good night’s sleep throughout the week. In fact, those respondents, on average, noted they only get six hours and 55 minutes of sleep a night. Are you kidding me? How could I even survive on that????

Trust me. Sleep deprivation will catch up to you! You know what I mean.  The clock says 3 p.m. and you feel as if you could crawl up under your desk at work and take a snooze. Of course, there’s that pesky boss of yours that would see to your immediate termination if you even considered such a move!

However, as we cats have known all along, a cat nap during the day is healthy! We sleep up to 15 hours a day, which is more than most other mammals. So, my advice to you is to sleep early and often and in any sun-soaked area you can find. The benefits of sleep include maintaining a healthy weight, improved memory, elevated mood and so much more.

Of course, I don’t suggest your cat nap take place in the lobby of your office building. That, my friend, would look rather strange. I say that businesses need to establish power nap rooms into which employees can retreat a couple of times each day to recharge, refocus, and renew!  Imagine the increased productivity and positive moods at work as a result! Hmmmm….

Well…I am worn out over all this pontificating. Time to grab a pillow and find a spot near the window. Yeah…we cats rule.  Notice how they are not called “dog naps?” If that was the case, you’d just be drooling all over yourself, and that would not be a good thing…especially in that business suit of yours!

We’re all familiar with tooth decay, when bacteria destroy the tooth’s enamel but tooth resorption is degenerative, starting at the gum line and eventually destroying the tooth’s structure.  Here are some symptoms of tooth resorption:

• Pawing at the mouth
• Bad breath
• Head shaking or tilting of head
• Decreased grooming
• Not wanting to be touched around head

If your cat is exhibiting these symptoms, make an appointment with his vet from a check-up.

Reference:  Cat Fancy, February 2012

Jessie, taking a break from an unseaonably warm winter’s day:

Did you know…

**The Greyhound is the fastest dog on earth. That puppy can reach speeds of up to 45 miles per hour for short periods of time! Even on a bicycle, you’d be eating his dust!

**The Irish Wolfhound is the largest dog. With wolf in the name, who am I to argue with that declaration?

**The Great Dane is the tallest dog. Remember to look up to these fellows…literally!

**The Chihuahua is the smallest dog….but check out his personality! Tall order!

**The heaviest dog?  The St. Bernard!

**The world’s oldest dog was an Australian cattle-dog named Bluey who died at age 29 years and five months!  Holy Cow…I mean, Holy Dog!

**The world’s coolest dog? Need you ask?

(Thanks to dog-names.org.uk for this great info. Thanks to me for reminding you about that last fact!)

Our friendly groundhog has predicted a few more weeks of winter, but here are some things you might not know about this furry weather forecaster:

What’s the difference between a woodchuck and a groundhog?

They’re actually two terms for the same animal.  Groundhogs are the largest member of the squirrel family, and they can climb trees and swim.

How does he know when to wake up to predict the weather?

It’s thought his internal clock is controlled by changes in the amount of daylight. Hormonal changes impact the amount of melatonin produced, which causes him to wake up.

What goes on in his burrow all that time he’s asleep?

They go into hibernation, and because the deepest part of the burrow where they sleep is below the frost line, their body temperature can get as low as 39 degrees Fahrenheit.

How much wood would a woodchuck chuck?

If a woodchuck (aka groundhog) could chuck wood, he’d chuck about 700 lbs. of it!

What do groundhogs eat?

In the wild, they eat succulent green plants like clover and dandelion greens, but they also love garden vegetables.  This can become a big problem in the summer when they start binge eating to gain weight in preparation for winter hibernation.  Their binge is usually done by late August and are ready for hibernation in October.

Reference:  news.cornell.edu

Picture from icanhascheezburger.com

• If you have a fence, or are thinking of installing one, look at ones that are 6 feet or higher with a roll bar on top.
• Don’t leave small dogs unattended outside in the dark, even for a potty break.
• Install motion activated outdoor lighting, the light will startle coyotes that may enter your yard.
• Trim shrubbery so coyotes won’t have a place to hide.
• If you have outdoor water dishes for your dog, empty them once your dog has come inside for the night.
• Remove sources of food such as fallen fruits, berries or bird seed that may have fallen from the feeder.

Your Dog, February 2012, was used as reference for this post

Although doggie day care is a good solution for some dogs, it isn’t the best fit for all.  If your dog is active, well socialized and on the younger side, day care could be a good option.

Once you’ve determined day care is the way to go, here are some questions to ask doggie day care providers prior to signing your dog up:

How is the facility set up?

• Are dogs separated by size?  Do dogs have constant access to bathroom break areas?  Is the facility clean?

Are all prospective clients accepted?

• Is there a “trial” period to ensure the new dog will get along with others?

Is medical help readily available?

• In the event a dog is injured or becomes ill, is there a vet on call?  Have day care employees been trained in pet first aid and CPR?

How big are the playgroups?

• At a minimum, there should be one trained employee for every 15 dogs.  One employee per 10 dogs would be preferable.

How are new dogs introduced?

• Be sure there’s a method in place to appropriately introduce new dogs to the existing “pack”.  Avoid any facility that states they just put all the dogs together, they’ll be fine.

The Bark magazine, Jan/Feb 2012 issue was a reference for this post