Animal Communication

Can we communicate with our pets? According to animal communicator Donna at http://www.zodiapet.com/, we all have the ability to converse with our pets. Here is some of what she told me:


We have been communicating with animals for centuries. The main way of communicating is sound, our tone of voice and the words we use. Other ways are body language and telepathic communication. To let our animal companion know that we want to communicate with them, we need to clear our minds, relax, visualize an activity or behavior and send this message to our companion. With practice and an open mind you can have conversations with your pet. We can set up reasonable rules, establish limits of unacceptable and acceptable behavior. If we use common sense and strive for harmony we can clear up any misunderstanding with our animal friends. We also must remember that animals observe everything, so be clear in what you expect and want from them. Animals relate better to honesty and sincerity.

Animals as do humans need respect and a sense of purpose. See what your pet is best suited to do: keeping you happy, entertaining you, your family and friends, creating warmth, adding beauty, guarding property, creating safely, getting you to exercise, keeping you calm, giving you perspective, these and others are just some of what our companions do for us. Let them know that they are doing a good job - everyone, including animals, needs and wants praise.
How many times have we wished that our animal companion would do something, and low and behold they did it? How many times have we been sad and our animal companions comforted us? This happens many times but we, as humans don't understand that they are indeed communicating with us. Webster dictionary defines communication as: "an act of transmitting; an exchange of information or opinions." We do this all the time!

Purring as Communication Between Cats

Cat communication consists of a range of methods with which cats communicate with humans, other cats, and other animals. While superficially cats may seem to lack social behavior, in fact close study reveals a wide repertoire of subtle behaviors, which serve cats in their natural wild setting where they form organized hierarchies, and in their domestic interactions with humans.

It is not quite clear how and when purring is used between cats themselves, which may be more indicative of its evoluntionary significance than why it happens when humans are involved. It is likely that purring is a cat's way of communicating to other cats that it is in a sociable mood, or that it has no aggressive intent toward the other cat(s). It may also indicate to other cats in its social group that it is healthy and well.

Purring may also be a signalling mechanism between mother cats and nursing kittens. Female cats are known to purr while giving birth, and this may be to reduce the pain and also assist post-natal healing. Kittens purr while nursing, presumably as an "all's well" signal to their mother.

Cat Biting

Our feline friends are constantly being studied. Their behavior fascinates us and keeps us guessing why they act the way they do. Here is some research I found around the web about why cats bite us.

Cats will bite out of playfulness or aggression. When a cat is content, a cat will playfully nip, which is a type of bite which is weak and harmless. A common misunderstanding about the motivation behind a cat's bite is that it is a form of affection. People most likely assume this because a cat will sometimes bite suddenly while it is being petted. A petting-induced bite is not a form of affection, but rather a mildly aggressive signal to inform the human to stop petting. While this behavior may seem unexpected to humans, a cat will usually give other subtle indications, such as "tail-lashing or thumping, skin rippling, growling, cessation of purring, ear flicking or rotation sideways, or shifting of body position" to announce that it does not wish to be petted.

Cats also have sensors in their teeth, and biting could indicate curiosity, similar to a human baby's exploration of their environment by inserting objects in their mouths.

Interesting stuff. Why does your cat bite?

Why Cats Purr

Animal communication is always fascinating. Here are some theories I found about why cats purr.

Above all, the purr is probably the cat's way of communicating to others (cats and humans) that it is in the mood to be sociable. The purring sound is frequently made at the same time that other 'sociable' signals are made, e.g. erect tail, slightly closed "contented" eyes. Naturally, in most situations, this will also be when the cat is feeling contented, but it need not necessarily be so. Humans usually interpret the purring of a domestic cat as an expression of some type of friendliness or contentment. This assumption is based on the observation that cats often (though not always) purr when being stroked by humans, combined with the experience that human children tend to enjoy stroking by their parents and interpret it as a gesture of affection. Consequently, most humans enjoy listening to or holding a purring cat.

It is, however, not entirely clear to scientists whether this really is one of the cat's reasons for making the sound; it is well-established that a cat also purrs when it is uneasy, nervous or in great pain, perhaps to comfort itself or to express submission. Other theories suggest that a cat purrs when it wants, needs, or is receiving attention, whether it be affection or medical treatment. Purring may also reduce pain, help a wounded cat to heal, or even help to keep a cat's bones strong. When cats purr while also lightly clawing the ground it may mean they are trying to relieve stress or comfort themselves. An example is when a female cat is nursing kittens; as humans may find with children, cats may also become stressed from the attention of their young and therefore start to purr and lightly claw the ground. This may also be associated with "kneading" behavior, in which the kittens' pawing helps release milk from the nursing mother's teats.

Leopard Attacks Halted by Cell Phone Ring

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/06/070605-leopards-phone.html"

According to this story on by National Geographic, Villagers in India are now using "clucking," "bleating," and "mooing" ring tones to distract the big cats and lure them away from human settlements.

By attaching a mobile phone to a cage and playing one of the animal ringtones continuously, local forest guards can lure the leopard into the trap without harm.

"The moos of a cow or bleating of a goat from the phone has proved effective," D. Vasani, a senior forest official, told the Reuters news service.

Since the new ringtone method was introduced a month ago, guards have captured five leopards and released them successfully back into forests.

Canine Neighbors

On a recent morning walk with my dog, Rocco, I ran into a friendly neighbor.
“He’s been voted one of the cutest dogs in the neighborhood,” she said to me.
“Thanks,” I reply.
“Hi Rocco, how are you? You’re such a cute dog,” as she pets his head.
“He’s a crazy puppy,” I reply jokingly. “He has more energy then I do.”
The small talk continues as she asks me various questions about the dog, his breed, age, etc.

Now, I don’t mind chatting with the neighbors and it’s good to know people are generally friendly and enjoy pets. Except there is one thing that bothers me…she knows my dog’s name, so obviously we’ve met before… but I don’t think she knows my name. And I don’t know her name either.

As I’ve lived in this area now for almost two years, I’ve noticed this is a common trait among the neighborhood. People who are out with their dogs on a regular basis get to know each other….or should I say each dog.

So, I’ve met several dogs in the neighborhood, and only recognize the owners by their dogs. There is Angus, Reilly, Haley, Laz, and Kasper who are regulars on my walking route. The names of the people walking them??? I have no idea! Granted, it’s my fault too for not introducing myself either; but I suddenly feel unimportant once the dogs are introduced. I guess it really is a dog’s world.

Thinking back, I’ve never really met any of my neighbors until I got a dog. Rocco is a conversation starter and people will stop to greet him and say hello. However, in some ways I still don’t feel like I’ve met any of my human neighbors. But at least Rocco has met his canine neighbors!

Birds in the picture

Fort Collins - A tourist-filled raft slammed into the Class 3 rapid Sarah's Hole on the Cache la Poudre River one morning this week.

Some rafters grimaced, others screamed or laughed as they punched through the waves. Their faces were captured by photographer Charlie Malone.

When Malone was done shooting, he pulled the memory stick out of his Nikon camera and slipped it into a tiny Lycra backpack worn by a gray pigeon named Lucky.

Malone gently released the bird riverside, and Lucky took wing.

Malone and the company he works for, Rocky Mountain Adventures, were relying on the uncanny - and scientifically mysterious - ability of homing pigeons to fly for tens and even hundreds of miles and find their way home.
No one knows how they do it, said pigeon expert Charles Wolcott, a professor of neurobiology and behavior at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y.

Wolcott believes pigeons rely on "multiple, redundant systems" to navigate accurately - using vision, smell and even the Earth's magnetic field to orient.

Researchers have covered pigeons' eyes or capped them with magnetically active hats to try to disorient the birds. Still, they locate their home base more often than not.

"It's like wearing belts and suspenders - you can disable any one thing, and they still find their way home," Wolcott said.

Dave Costlow, owner of Rocky Mountain Adventures, estimated that last year, 91 percent of the time, his pigeons delivered film or memory sticks fast enough to print and display rafting pictures before clients, still dripping from their ride, walked back into the store.

They get more and more reliable as the season goes by, Malone said.

"I've had people watch me release the birds, and they still don't believe me," Malone said. "They think it's a stunt."

So while other rafting companies race their film back by car or kayak, Rocky Mountain

Rafters, Fred and Shirley Kremer, from Holland, pick out photos from their white water adventure June 21. (Special to the Post / Nathan W. Armes)takes it on the wing. He is, Costlow said, the only one that does it that way.
"We may not increase our profits because of the attraction of the birds themselves," Costlow said, "but we do increase our profits by having our photos ready."

The pigeons, which fly about 60 mph, make that possible. Most of the time.

This year's rafting and pigeon-training seasons began late, slowed by a chilly spring. Costlow's 16 birds still haven't completely adjusted to their work, he said.

Lucky flew just 15 feet from Malone's hands and landed on a pine branch.

"Go, Lucky! You're the one with the film today," the 27-year-old Malone called.

The bird looked calmly down at the photographer and then gazed across the river.

Three of her nest mates - released with her for company - were soaring in wide, high circles, gaining altitude and their bearings before heading back down the canyon.

Lucky stayed put.

"Come on, Lucky," Malone urged. He needed to get back in his car to shoot pictures of another rafting group on a longer trip upstream.

During homing-pigeon races, birds may fly hundreds of miles in a day, and they almost always make it, Cornell's Wolcott said.

"And then there are these strange occasions - called smashes - where for reasons unknown, you'll let 20,000 go and three appear at the home loft," Wolcott said. "We don't know why."

This day, Lucky wasn't racing - or even in a hurry.

At about noon, back in Fort Collins, the morning's soggy rafters returned to the Rocky Mountain Adventures store.

The photos of the rafters and flailing paddles were there, thanks to a backup driver and car.

Lucky arrived later.

"It's early in the season," Costlow said. "They'll get better."

Why cats hiss

Animal behaviour has been studied for years, yet there isn't always a consensus on why animals do certain things. There are many thoughts about why cats hiss, something that their owners have tried to explain time and again.

Most cats growl or hiss when angered or in danger, which serves to warn the offending party. If the warning is not heeded, a more or less serious attack may follow. Some may engage in nipping behavior or batting with their paws, either with claws extended or retracted. With cats who are improperly socialised and do not know their own strength, this can result in inadvertent damage to human skin. Like any injury, cat scratches can become infected.

Cats are also known to make chirping or chattering noises when observing prey, or as a means of expressing interest in an object to nearby humans. When directed at out-of-reach prey, it is unknown whether this is a threatening sound, an expression of frustration, or an attempt to replicate a bird-call (or replicate the call of a bird's prey).

Whereas this conduct was originally viewed as the feline equivalent of song, recent animal behaviorists have come to believe this noise is a "rehearsal behavior" in which it anticipates or practices the killing of prey, because the sound usually accompanies a biting movement similar to the one they use to kill their prey (the "killing bite" which saws through the victim's neck vertebrae).

Cats in close contact with humans use vocalization more frequently than cats who live in the wild. Adult cats in the wild rarely vocalize; they use mostly body language and scent to communicate.

Although research continues, like humans, different cats with different personalities do things for different reason.

Oscar the cat predicts patients' deaths

......great article from Yahoo.com. I really believe this cat has the ability to sense when the end is nearing. Decide for yourself in the article below...........

By RAY HENRY, Associated Press Writer
Wed Jul 25, 7:25 PM ET


PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Oscar the cat seems to have an uncanny knack for predicting when nursing home patients are going to die, by curling up next to them during their final hours. His accuracy, observed in 25 cases, has led the staff to call family members once he has chosen someone. It usually means they have less than four hours to live.


"He doesn't make too many mistakes. He seems to understand when patients are about to die," said Dr. David Dosa in an interview. He describes the phenomenon in a poignant essay in Thursday's issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

"Many family members take some solace from it. They appreciate the companionship that the cat provides for their dying loved one," said Dosa, a geriatrician and assistant professor of medicine at Brown University.

The 2-year-old feline was adopted as a kitten and grew up in a third-floor dementia unit at the Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. The facility treats people with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease and other illnesses.

After about six months, the staff noticed Oscar would make his own rounds, just like the doctors and nurses. He'd sniff and observe patients, then sit beside people who would wind up dying in a few hours.

Dosa said Oscar seems to take his work seriously and is generally aloof. "This is not a cat that's friendly to people," he said.

Oscar is better at predicting death than the people who work there, said Dr. Joan Teno of Brown University, who treats patients at the nursing home and is an expert on care for the terminally ill

She was convinced of Oscar's talent when he made his 13th correct call. While observing one patient, Teno said she noticed the woman wasn't eating, was breathing with difficulty and that her legs had a bluish tinge, signs that often mean death is near.

Oscar wouldn't stay inside the room though, so Teno thought his streak was broken. Instead, it turned out the doctor's prediction was roughly 10 hours too early. Sure enough, during the patient's final two hours, nurses told Teno that Oscar joined the woman at her bedside.

Doctors say most of the people who get a visit from the sweet-faced, gray-and-white cat are so ill they probably don't know he's there, so patients aren't aware he's a harbinger of death. Most families are grateful for the advanced warning, although one wanted Oscar out of the room while a family member died. When Oscar is put outside, he paces and meows his displeasure.

No one's certain if Oscar's behavior is scientifically significant or points to a cause. Teno wonders if the cat notices telltale scents or reads something into the behavior of the nurses who raised him.

Nicholas Dodman, who directs an animal behavioral clinic at the Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine and has read Dosa's article, said the only way to know is to carefully document how Oscar divides his time between the living and dying.

If Oscar really is a furry grim reaper, it's also possible his behavior could be driven by self-centered pleasures like a heated blanket placed on a dying person, Dodman said.

Nursing home staffers aren't concerned with explaining Oscar, so long as he gives families a better chance at saying goodbye to the dying.

Oscar recently received a wall plaque publicly commending his "compassionate hospice care."

Do Dogs Feel Love?

http://pets.yahoo.com/dogs/behavior-and-training/316/do-dogs-feel-love/
Check out this well written article about dogs and if they feel love. There really isn't a definitive answer, but this article presents some good arguements.

November Pet Horoscope

Animal Communicator Donna at Zodiapet.com writes a monthly horoscope for pets. Here is what she sees in the future of your pet for November:

ARIES (The Ram) March 21 – April 19: The energy level continues on a high pace for the Aries pet. They may also be a bit on the aggressive side this month. Allow them to expend their energy in a positive way or they could become destructive or even worse, depressed.
TAURUS (The Bull) April 20 – May 21: Your Taurus pet will be the calm in the midst of turbulence. The Taurus will be sweet and nurturing in the upcoming 30 days. So if you have a baby in the household, human or otherwise, your Taurus will take protective role.
GEMINI (The Twins) May 22 – June 21: These 30 days find your Gemini very playful. They will entertain you for hours and will bring joy and laughter to the entire household. The Gemini pet will be on the move so stay tuned to see what they have in store for you.
CANCER (The Crab) June 22 – July 22: Your Cancer pet can be a little touchy this month. They will want to stay close to home, so travel is not a good idea for your Cancer pet. You might be confused by your pet’s actions, just be aware that they are extremely sensitive and they just want your attention.
LEO (The Lion) July 23 – August 22: The Leo’s emotional well being is going be tested this month. Your Leo pet will want to stay close to you. They will also be very talkative and vocal this month. Pay attention as they are trying to tell you something important.
VIRGO (The Virgin) August 23 – September 22: Your Virgo pet will want to spend time outdoors. Be careful as they are easily distracted. Their practical side eludes them this month. They definitely need your protection and due diligence this month.
LIBRA (The Scales) September 23 – October 22: The Libra’s decision making process is non existent this month. They also lose complete sense of right or wrong. So, you really need to set boundaries for your pet as they need structure in their lives. It’s all up to you this month for your pet’s stability.
SCORPIO (The Scorpion) October 23 – November 21: Your Scorpio pet will be very intuitive this month. It will behoove you adhere to the advice they are trying to give you. They will be very diligent in getting your complete attention. Trust your pet as you will not be disappointed.
SAGITTARIUS (The Archer) November 22 – December 21: Your Sagittarian will be constantly on the move this month. Their activity level is up and they will want to do everything that you do. It is important to keep them active both physically and mentally. They are in a positive mode so it is up to you to keep it there.
CAPRICORN (The Goat) December 22 – January 19: Your Capricorn pet is in total control of their emotions this month. They have a keen sense of right and wrong. They are willing to step up to the plate and be the leader in the household. But remember, they always strive to have your acceptance and praise.
AQUARIUS (The Water Bearer) January 20 – February 19: With Mercury out of retrograde your Aquarian pet will be a little more down to earth this month. They will be more focused on their behavior, making sure it is acceptable to you. They will show their intellectual side, and will want to impress you.
PISCES (The Fish) February 20 – March 20: Your Pisces pet this month will have a hard time maintaining their boundaries. They may wander off and will be minding everyone else’s business. They are more concerned with their feelings and emotions rather than yours in the upcoming month. Again, with Pisces patience is needed in dealing with them.



(the above is for entertainment purposes)

Cat Body Language

Cats are funny. They just are! But what does their body language tell us? Here are some assumptions:

Cats will twitch the tips of their tails when hunting or angry, while larger twitching indicates displeasure. They may also twitch their tails when playing. A tail held high is a sign of happiness, or can be used as a greeting towards humans or other cats (usually close relatives) while half-raised shows less pleasure, and unhappiness is indicated with a tail held low. A scared or surprised cat may puff up its tail and the hair along its back may stand straight up and turn its body sideways to a threat in order to increase its apparent size.

Tailless cats who possess only a small stub of a tail move the stub around as though they possessed a full tail, though it is not nearly as communicative as that of a fully tailed cat. Touching noses is a friendly greeting for cats, while a lowered head is a sign of submission. Some cats will rub their faces along their guardian's cheek or ankles as a friendly greeting or sign of affection. This action is also sometimes a way of "marking their territory," leaving a scent from the scent glands located in the cat's cheek.

Cats also lick both each other and people (e.g. their owners). Cats lick each other to groom each other and to bond together (this grooming is usually done between cats that know each other very well). They will also sometimes lick people for similar reasons, that is, to "groom" them and to show them caring and affection.
When cats are happy, they are known to paw their guardian with a kneading motion. Cats often use this action alongside purring to show contentment and affection for their guardians or other times it can be when the cat is in pain or dying it is said to be a way of comforting itself. It is instinctive to cats, which use it when they are young to stimulate the mother cat's breast to release milk during nursing. As a result, cats hand-raised by humans may lack this reflex.

Pawing is also a way for cats to mark their territory. The scent glands on the underside of their paws release small amounts of scent onto the person or object being pawed, marking it as "theirs" in the same way they would urinate to mark their territory.

Yawning in front of their owner and blinking behavior is common in cats and may be a sign of trust or affection. Cats will respond to a human who dramatically closes and opens their eyes by reciprocating the action. This perhaps illustrates a remarkable aspect of cat intelligence; that they are able to identify and relate part of their own anatomy to the same structure on another species.

Why Dogs Burrow

Does your dog like to burrow under the covers? There is actually an explanation of why according to an MSN.com article in their dog central section.

Dogs are denning animals, they love small spaces. In the same way that humans like to fluff up their pillows before settling in for the night, some dogs like to create comfy beds and hide under clothes and sheets to make themselves feel safe, warm and comfortable. All breeds may do this, but terriers, hounds and huskies are more predisposed to burrowing than others.

There’s no downside or risk to letting your dog burrow, unless you don’t want dog hair under the covers. A separate dog bed might be handy to keep the hair out of yours. An additional bonus of your dog having the instinct to burrow is that it can make crate training easier, since being in a crate can mimic that denlike environment.

So the next the time your dog wants to get under your covers, just know that she's just trying to find a safe place to sleep.

Creating Bad Habits?

I might be guilt! I think I'm creating bad habits in my dogs. I'm an enabler. You see, when my oldest dog, Rocco, doesn't particularly like his dinner (he has allergies, so I have to be careful what I feed), he usually goes to bed hungry. Until 3am, when he wakes me up and whines.

Rocco isn't the type that usually goes to the bathroom at that hour, so I knew something else was bothering him a couple of weeks ago the first time he woke me up whining. I got up, gave him a treat, and he begged for more. Then a I realized that he didn't really eat his dinner, so he must be hungry. I got him some dry food, and he eat it up.

A few days later, the same thing happens. He doesn't eat dinner (which was a nice mix of a high quality canned food and a dry food), and then gets hungry at 3am. He wakes me, I feed him. We both go to bed happy. But, as Mrs. Pet Haven points out, now Rocco knows that he can wake me up whenever he wants and I'll feed him....not something I want to have happen every night.

So, now I must analyze what's going on here. Am I creating a bad habit? Am I basically saying that it's ok not to eat your dinner, because I'll be at your beck and call to feed you? Or am I just over-analyzing the whole thing? Obviously if he doesn't like a particular kind of food, I should try another (that he hopefully won't be allergic to!).

Has anyone else created an annoying habbit with their dogs? Would love to hear other stories. In the meantime, I have to pay extra attention to Rocco to make sure he finishes his meal and doesn't get distracted so that he'll sleep through the night.

Out Sick

It's been a few days since I've been on the computer, as we've been fighting off colds all week. People always say that our pets can tell when things are bothering us. It seems as though the puppies have been keeping an eye on things more then usual.

My "guard" dog Kelso, who is all bark but no bite, has been barking more often the last couple of days, alerting us to every little thing that is going on around us. I think he wants us to know that he's looking out for us. I appreciate the gesture, but it sure makes it harder to take a nap. And Rocco, the one that doesn't bark, has been a bit more vocal, letting us know that he's here if we need him for anything.

Hopefully the colds/flu/whatever we have will go away soon. Some more rest (and medication!) should hopefully do the trick.

Doggie Dude Ranch

City dogs escape their leash-and-lounge existence and learn get in touch with their inner herder. And it happens on a controlled ranch designed especially for the dogs.

These type of ranches are part of a trend that mixes training techniques, a back-to-basics ethos and a hint of dog (and human) therapy.

The American Kennel Club says new herding clubs are popping up across the country, although it does not track exact numbers. Nearly 200 clubs held herding trials last year. More than 10,000 dogs competed, a roughly 10 percent increase over 2006.

To read more about it, check out:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24113243/

My Dog's Talk To Each Other

I don't know what they are saying, or for that matter how they say it, but my dogs talk to each other.

Last night, Kelso (the barker), started whining and barking to "go do his business." Since he had just gone, we wondered, what the heck is going on? But as soon as I opened the door to the doggie litter box (yes, they do make litter boxes for dogs), he turned away.

So I figured he was just messing with me, until my other dog, Rocco (the quiet one) all of sudden ran in to do his business. Rocco hardly ever barks or whines, and somehow Kelso knew that his brother needed to go to the bathroom. But he also knew that the quiet one wouldn't make much of a fuss about it.

To me, this type of communication is quite extraordinary. But then, I wondered, what are they saying to each other about me? Are they playing favorites with me and my wife? Which one likes me best? Are they talking trash about us when we're not there?

What do you think your dogs are saying about you?

Family dog viciously attacked

Terrible, senseless act in Connecticut.

by News Channel 8's Annie RourkePosted Dec. 18, 20079:55 PM
Milford (WTNH) _ A disturbing case of animal cruelty has a Milford pet owner mystified and his small dog recovering from a vicious attack that took place just steps from his home.
The attack happened early Sunday morning around 1 a.m. when Jack Vernon let his dog Sparky outside before going to bed. That's when he says two teenagers, a boy and girl, tried to kill his dog.
"I just sat down, about two minutes later, I hear hee hee hee, laughing and giggling, I said, what the heck are kids doing out this time of night? I go out there and they ran down the street," Vernon explained.
When Vernon went outside he made the disturbing discovery - his 11-year old Pekinese-Pomeranian mix had been slashed with a knife.
"He was gashed all the way from the back, all the way down the front and then the top, they must've stuck him with the knife and then they cut him over the ear and all the way down almost to the jugular vein," Vernon said.
One cut is 14 inches long and the wounds criss-cross over his back and around his ear. After undergoing surgery to literally stitch him back together he now has three drainage tubes inside and is on a whole host of medicine. Still, Sparky's lucky to be alive.
"The vet says, another half-inch and he would've died, he would've bled to death in a matter of minutes," Vernon said.
Vernon says he can't imagine why someone would attack a small, defenseless animal. He is offering a $300 reward to help find who did this to his dog.
If you have any information, you're asked to call the Milford police department.

Pet Friendly Laws

2007 saw some pet-friendly state laws passed. Here are just some of the highlights.

Arizona passed a law requiring that engine fluid must include a bittering agent to keep pets and children from drinking it by accident.

Indiana signed a bill that makes killing an animal in order to threaten, intimidate, coerce or terrorize a household family member a class D felony, punishable by up to 3 years in prison and a fine.

Iowa passed a law prohibiting 'internet hunting.' Apparently, hunters were setting up web cameras to spot their targets from a distant location. One click on the computer and they could shoot their target.

Many states also enacted legislation that would require disaster plans for evacuating, transporting and sheltering service animals and household pets.

On the federal level, the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act was signed into law. This provides felony penalties for interstate and foreign animal fighting. Since dog kennels rely on transporting their fighting dogs across state lines, the new law should make it more difficult to participate in the dog fighting trade.

Dog "Hot Spots"

Recently, it seems like my dog is at the doctor more then I am. As a dog owner, you not only learn all about behavior, but you learn about dog health conditions. Unfortunately, I had to learn about dog "hot spots."

Dog hot spots are a result of a skin condition officially called pyotraumatic dermatitis. It is a bacterial infection that develops and rapidly spreads in the skin. Hot spots are painful to the dog, can emit pus and smell badly. Hair loss from around the infected area is common. Because dog hot spots are so painful and irritating many dogs will bite and scratch the area causing the infection to spread.

Although hot spots are most common in dogs with thick coats, they can occur in any breed. A common cause for hot spots is moisture getting caught next to the dog's skin, making an ideal spot for an infection to start. Moisture can become trapped by matted fur, a dog collar, or simply thick fur. Many times chronic dog hot spots stem from an allergic condition (which is most likely the case in my pup). Though some dogs are simply more prone to hot spots than others.

It is best to treat hot spots quickly to prevent further spreading of the infection, and for the relief of your dog. Also, some dogs will scratch at a hot spot to the point of breaking the skin. This makes the condition even more painful, and provides the opportunity for a more serious infection to occur.

As for the source of Rocco's condition? We know he has seasonal allergies. Plus, recently, someone bought our dog some generic "commercial" dog treats as a gift. Since we normally feed him so-called premium treats, it's possible that he has food allergies and the generic dog treats caused him to break out with the hot spot. That, combined with having thick fur, could be the cause. Hopefully, this will be the last time we have to worry about hot spots.

Pet Allergies

http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/allergies_to_pets/index.html

This is a great article I found by the humane society of the United States about allergies to pets. What a cruel world it is that people can be allergic to our furry friends. I know the feeling….I’m allergic to cats and went for allergy shots (as mentioned in the article) to help lessen the burden. Though I can be around cats for a little while without too much reaction, long-term exposure causes issues for me and therefore I can’t have a kitty. I’ve read that children who are brought up with pets have less issues with allergies, but it didn’t work for me as we always had cats and dogs around. Luckily, I can still have a dog with no issues.

The article is long, but worth the read.

Pet Dander Lingering in the Home

A friend of ours is cursed with severe pet allergies. Although I consider it a cruel joke to have pet allergies (and I can relate), it is a big issue and something he needs to deal with on a daily basis.

It’s become a bigger concern since he’s in the market for a new home and has visited several where there are pets. His main concern of course is how long does it take for the pet dander to completely leave the home?

A call to the doctor gave him some approximations, but of course, a doctor won’t guarantee anything. He was told that in general pet dander can take up to 6 months to fully leave the home. It can be in the vents, ducts, walls and carpets. A new carpet and newly painted walls may get rid of the dander faster, but there is no telling if there will be anything in the walls, frames, or baseboards.

There are some things that he can do to help make it a smooth transition if he does buy a place that used to have animals. Those include having the vents cleaned, rugs shampooed and investing in an air purifier. But again, there is no sure fire way to know if all of the dander is out of the home.

Pets With Food Allergies

Food allergies account for about 10% of all the allergies seen in cats and dogs.

The entire process of a pet being sensitized to a particular agent in food and the complicated antibody response that occurs in the intestinal tract in pets with food allergies are not very well understood. Despite our lack of understanding of the actual disease process, there are many things that we do know.

Food allergies affect both cats and dogs. There is no strong link between specific breeds and food allergies. Food allergies affect both males and females and neutered and intact animals equally. They can show up as early as five months and as late as 12 years of age, though the vast majority of cases occur between 2 and 6 years. Many animals with food allergies also have concurrent inhalant or contact allergies.

There is a distinction that needs to be made between food allergies and food intolerances. Food allergies are true allergies and show the characteristic symptoms of itching and skin problems associated with feline and canine allergies. Food intolerances can result in diarrhea or vomiting and do not create a typical allergic response. Food intolerances in pets would be similar to people that get diarrhea or an upset stomach from eating spicy or fried foods. Fortunately, both food intolerances and allergies can be eliminated with a diet free from offending agents.

Several studies have shown that some ingredients are more likely to cause food allergies than others. In cats, the most common offenders are fish, beef, and dairy products. As you may have noticed, the most common offenders are the most common ingredients in both cat and dog foods. This correlation is not a coincidence. While some proteins might be slightly more antigenic than others, many proteins are similar in form and the incidence of allergic reactions are probably associated with the amount of exposure.

The symptoms of food allergies are similar to those of most other allergies seen in cats. The primary symptom is itchy skin. Symptoms may also include hair loss, excessive scratching, and miliary dermatitis.

It is difficult to distinguish an animal suffering from food allergies from an animal suffering from allergies based on physical signs. However, there are a few signs that always signal food allergies. If ayour pet suffers from allergies year-round or if symptoms begin in the winter, it's highly likely that it is a food allergy. Cats may develop very itchy skin which does not respond to antihistamines or steroid treatment.

A high quality diet, as opposed to feeding commercial brand foods, can also help reduce food allergies.
(resources - peteducation.com)

Diagnosis of Pet Food Allergies

Although the best way to be sure is to check with a vet, peteducation.com has some good tips on diagnosing food allergies in pets.

The diagnosis for food allergies is very straightforward. But due to the fact that many other problems can cause similar symptoms and that many times animals are suffering from more problems than just food allergies, it is very important that all other problems are properly identified and treated prior to undergoing diagnosis for food allergies. Once all other causes have been ruled out or treated, then it is time to perform a food trial.

A food trial consists of feeding a cat a novel food source of protein and carbohydrate for 12 weeks. A novel food source would be a protein and carbohydrate that the animal had never eaten before. An example would be duck and potato, or venison and potato. These diets are available commercially, or could be homemade. This must be the only thing the animal eats for 12 weeks. No treats and nothing from the table. Young growing pets have special dietary needs and a homemade diet that only contains one protein and one carbohydrate with no multivitamin or fatty acid may not be suitable even for only twelve weeks. For kittens undergoing a food trial, a balanced commercial diet like the ones listed above is recommended.

Veterinarians used to recommend that a pet only needed to be placed on a special diet for 3 weeks but new studies show that in dogs, only 26% of those with food allergies responded by day 21. However, the vast majority of the animals responded by 12 weeks. The same may be true in cats, therefore, it is very important to keep the cat on the diet for the entire 12 weeks. If the cat shows a marked reduction or elimination of the symptoms, then the animal is placed back on the original food. This is called 'provocative testing' and is essential to confirm the diagnosis. If the symptoms return after going back on the original diet, the diagnosis of a food allergy is confirmed. If there has been no change in symptoms but a food allergy is still strongly suspected, then another food trial using a different novel food source could be tried.
The only way to accurately diagnose food allergies is with a food trial.

Blood Testing: Many owners and veterinarians attempt to look to other tests to diagnose food allergies. Blood tests can be performed to screen for food allergies. In addition, intradermal skin testing could also be performed. Despite the fact that these tests are routinely performed and used as a diagnostic aid, there is no evidence that blood tests are accurate for the diagnosis of food allergies. The best way to diagnose and treat food allergies you must do a food trial.

The Pet Allergy Curse

A friend of ours is highly allergic to pets. In fact, just having us near him sometimes enough to triger his allergies since the alergens are in our clothes. Unfortunately, having allergies to pets is a common problem.


Studies show that approximately 15 percent of the population is allergic to dogs or cats. An estimated one-third of Americans who are allergic to cats (about two million people) live with at least one cat in their household anyway. In a study of 341 adults who were allergic to cats or dogs and had been advised by their physicians to give up their pets, only one out of five did. What's more, 122 of them obtained another pet after a previous one had died.


It's clear the benefits of pet companionship outweigh the drawbacks of pet allergies for many owners. Living comfortably with a companion animal despite being allergic to him requires a good understanding of the allergic condition.


The main source of irritation for allergy sufferers are glands in the animal's skin which secrete allergy-triggering proteins, called allergens, that linger in the animal's fur but also float easily in the air. Allergens are present in the animal's saliva and urine, too, and may become airborne when saliva dries on the fur. The severity of reaction to these allergens varies from one person to the next, ranging from mild sniffling and sneezing to life-threatening asthma, and can be complicated by simultaneous allergies to other irritants in the environment.


Since every person reacts differently to the allergens, there is no one thing that will help allergy sufferers. For some people, a simple allergy pill will help, while for others, having an air purifier to keep the home free is enough. A non-pet room in the house, usually a bed-room, could also help, but since the allergens tend to be in the air and can get in the air ducts, having an air purifier is this room will also be beneficial.


And of course, with any medical issues, seeking the care of a health care professional is a safe course of action. For people who don't have pets, it is beneficial to get an allergy test before getting attached to a furry new friend.

Tammy Grimes of Dogs Deserve Better arrested

On Monday, Sept. 11 Tammy Grimes, founder of Dogs Deserve Better, was arrested for saving the life of a dying dog.

After repeated attempts, by different people, to have East Freedom, Pennsylvania animal control officers rescue a dog that was chained and dying, Grimes rescued the dog named Doogie. She took the dog to the vet for treatment and then took him home. When she refused to return Doogie to his owners, she was arrested. Police and animal control officers were not interested in seeing the video evidence of how she found the dog. She was later released, but she is due in court on Sept. 21 to face charges of theft, receiving stolen property, criminal mischief, and criminal trespass.

What she did was save the life of a dog who’s owners were leaving him to die. How on earth can that be wrong? The dog’s owners are the ones who should be behind bars, not Tammy!

Breeding hypoallergenic cats

I just read an article this morning about a company that’s breeding hypoallergenic cats. They say they’re doing it because there is a need - a need people have to buy cats they won’t sneeze over. Right! I think the “need” is for the company bigwigs to put money in their pockets.

According to Reuters, the company spokesman says that one of the main reasons cats are given up is because of allergies. So…I guess breeding hypoallergenic cats is going to put an end to cats being put up for adoption or going to shelters. Wow! Is that all it takes?

I do feel bad for people who are allergic to cats (I’m one of them) but come on - honestly - is breeding a new and improved ‘hypoallergenic’ cat going to keep any cats out of the shelters? I seriously doubt it. And, as if breeding them isn’t bad enough, this company is going to start selling franchises early next year! Any of you who have read my blog, know I’m not a fan of breeding cats & dogs, but selling cat breeding franchises…I don’t know…it just seems downright wrong to me. The whole thing does to be honest.

Service dog asked to leave Wal-Mart

The big bully of big box stores is at it again…

Gina Pettrow, and her service dog Chloe were asked shopping in Wal-Mart recently when a two store managers asked them to leave. Chloe is a pit-bull and therefore, according to the managers, an “unstable and vicious breed.” Apparently the fact that Gina’s dog is a service dog, trained to help her get around, did not even enter into their decision. Despite being reminded of the fact that denying a service dog access to any public area is illegal, the managers insisted she and Chloe leave the store.

Personally I’m sick of Wal-Mart thinking they can do whatever they darn well please - whether it’s moving into an area and forcing all the Mom & Pop stores out of business, treating their employees like dirt, or denying service dogs like Chloe access to their store.

Why do some people have dogs?

I don’t quite understand why some people have dogs…or any type of pet for that matter. I was taking care of a couple of cats over the weekend and since one of them has health issues whenever I take care of these two I go twice a day. It’s not their people I have a problem with…it’s some folks who live in an apartment I walk by to get to my client’s apartment.

I’ve taken care of these guys for the last few years, and every time I go over there I either see or hear a little dachshund outside in a small enclosed yard. I’ve never seen a person out there with him, but I hear the little guy barking his fool head off. I say “barking his fool head off” although he doesn’t bark nearly as much since he had to live with a shock collar for quite a while. The thing is, every time - and I do mean every time - I walk by this place, I hear the dog barking. I didn’t always see him though, and the yard is small…maybe 5′ x 8′ so there aren’t many places where he can hide. I thought at first that he was inside barking through an open window but all the windows and doors were always shut tight. It wasn’t until this past weekend that I heard the little guy barking and finally saw that he was stuck in a small crate outside!

Now I’ll admit, I haven’t spent an entire day watching what these folks do with their dog but like I said, every time I walk by that apartment I hear the dog and sometimes I see him and sometimes I don’t. When I heard him, and then saw that he was in a crate, the only conclusion I could come to is that this is how this little guy spends most of his time. It hurt to think it’s a very real possibility this little guy spends most of his time cooped up in a crate.

I know it’s not right to compare what other people do with their pets on how I live with mine, but sometimes I just can’t help but wonder WHY? Why have a dog if he’s not part of the family. I just don’t get it.

Leaving dogs in hot cars - DON’T DO IT!!

If you’ve read my blog in the past, you’ve likely seen me write rant about people leaving dogs in cars only to find them dead when they come back. Well, here ya go…here’s another one about two geniuses in Maine who left not one, but two dogs in a car while they went shopping at Home Depot. Sure, they feel bad about it now, but why didn’t they think about what they were doing before they left their dogs in an oven to die a grueling death?

Authorities are investigating the deaths of two dogs left inside a car during this week’s hot spell.

According to Ellsworth Police Lt. Harold Page, a mother and her adult daughter parked their car at a Home Depot on Wednesday afternoon and left their dogs inside the car while they shopped. When the women emerged from the store about 45 minutes later, the dogs had died from heat exhaustion, police said.

[…]

According to the Bangor Daily News, the dog owners said they left their dogs inside the car but kept the engine and air conditioning running. When they returned to the car, the engine and air conditioning were not running. Police later observed the air-conditioning controls were in the on position and the keys were in the ignition.

Davis Instruments has information from a study done in 2002 on how hot it can get in parked cars. Does this really sound like something you want put your pet through?

Finding: On a day when the outside temperature was 73° Fahrenheit, it took only 20 minutes for the temperature sensor inside the car to reach a lethal level of 107° Fahrenheit.

Finding: On a day when the outside temperature was 86° Fahrenheit, it took only five minutes for the temperature sensor inside the car (placed in direct sunlight) to reach 132° Fahrenheit.

Finding: On a day when the outside temperature was 86° Fahrenheit, it took only 10 minutes for the temperature sensor inside the vehicle in the shade to reach a lethal level of 109° Fahrenheit.

Please, if you have your dog with you and you feel you MUST go in somewhere, either take the dog in with you (some places allow this) or take the dog home. Or if, as in this case, there are two or more of you, have one person stay outside with the dogs. Use your head a bit folks, if it’s too hot for you to sit in a hot car, it will be for your dog too. And, your dog doesn’t know how to turn the A/C back on if it goes off!

I’ve been tagged!

Johann the Dog tagged me a little while ago after she got tagged by The Dog Log. The deal with this tag is to name seven annoyances, and then tag some of my blogging friends so they can do the same. I could just copy Johann’s list since they also annoy me, but that would be kinda boring, so here are 7 new ones…

1. People who leave pets in cars when it’s hot outside.
2. Not having enough time to do all the things I want to do.
3. People who talk on cell phones while they’re driving, in restaurants, or in movie theaters. (what’s THAT important?)
4. Gas prices (but thankful I don’t have a gas-guzzler!)
5. Traffic
6. trying to read emails from people who don’t use any punctuation or capitalization making run on sentences that just keep going on and on making it really hard to understand what the heck they’re trying to say
7. Thinking about things that annoy me.

Since I’d rather think of other things than things that annoy me, I’m going to add 7 more things that make me smile

1. Seeing my dogs wag their tails.
2. My cat lying next to me, purring.
3. The smell of the forest in the fall and the crunch of the leaves under my feet.
4. The satisfaction of a job well done.
5. Surprising someone by doing something nice for them.
6. A beautiful, sunny day.
7. Money in my bank account!

And, here are the people I’m tagging - hopefully they’ll play along.

My dog was attacked by another dog

As I’m sitting here typing, my dog Lydia is lying next to me sleeping peacefully here on the couch. She’s perfectly fine now, and hopefully having some pleasant dreams as her feet twitch every few seconds. A few weeks ago though, we were nursing some aches and pains from a dog attack.

We went out for a walk, on the route we’ve walked for years. She was on a leash, walking quietly, minding her own business, when all of a sudden a dog lunged on top of her. Neither of us saw it coming. There was no warning whatsoever - no growling, no barking - absolutely no warning at all! As it attacked, there was just a flurry of dog, and a lot of yelping and growling mostly by Lydia. It was nearly impossible to know what to do and left me feeling so absolutely useless. There was no way I was going to reach down and try to pull them apart so I just yelled for help and tried to pull Lydia back. It was useless though because the dog had a pretty good hold on her. Eventually someone came and pulled the dog off of Lydia and I was able to check her neck to see if she was bleeding. There wasn’t, thankfully.

The dog owner, who saw the attack, is an idiot. He didn’t check to see if my dogs or I were ok. Nor did he apologize. And, after taking Lydia to the vet, the guy wasn’t interested in paying the bill. After talking to a couple of the neighbors though, none of this is surprising. The guy has had a few complaints to animal control because of the dog getting out and doing the same thing. Animal control won’t do anything though since there was no permanent damage to either one of us.

The way the current vicious dog ordinance in Austin is written, this type of dog is not considered vicious, and therefore all animal control can do is to give the owner a little ‘dog owner responsibility’ speech. In other words - nothing. There’s a new vicious dog ordinance being worked on though, which I’ve posted about before. Many people, including me, are unhappy with some of the language in it because it makes the ordinance too vague. Once the ordinance is finished though, hopefully animal control will be able to take some type of action when something like this happens.

The good thing is that Lydia is feeling a lot better now. She was limping for a few days, and had some scratches and small puncture wounds on her neck, but she’s going to be OK.

Technology can be a bad thing for business

Yes, you read that right…technology can be a bad thing for a business owner…if it’s not used properly. Specifically, I’m talking about cell phones.

Pet sitters and dog walkers don’t sit around in their offices very often - at least that’s the goal! They’re mostly out and about taking care of pets, and meeting new clients. And, thankfully, because of cell phones, being on the run doesn’t have to mean missing calls like it used to. They can be a real asset to a business owner whose business is mobile.

Cell phones can be a real detriment too.

A few days ago I had a guy come to my house to give me an estimate on some work I need done. It had nothing to do with pets, but it does have something to do with a cell phone. As we were talking and I was pointing out what needed to be done, his cell phone rang. He looked at his phone and at first I thought, “OK, he’s just looking but not going to answer it.” I was wrong! He answered the darn thing, which meant I was essentially put on hold…as he stood in MY house…he put me on hold for some unknown caller.

There was no, “excuse me I’ve been waiting for this call” or “this is an emergency and I need to take it” … nothing! He simply stopped talking to me and answered his phone. (I would have understood an urgent call.)

He obviously didn’t realize his little call was the kiss of death as far as getting the job was concerned! Oh well.

The chit-chat only lasted a couple minutes, he hung up, and then went back to our conversation as if nothing happened. No apology, no acknowledgment of the interruption…nothing whatsoever. Is that like…Rude…with a capital R or what?!

He gave me the estimate but it didn’t matter at that point. I was so absolutely insulted by his actions that there’s no way I’d hire him. I’ve hired the guy who seemed genuinely interested in getting the job…and didn’t answer his cell phone while he was here!

I firmly believe that consultations with a potential client should be just that…consultations with the client…not a free for all where a ringing phone takes priority. Whether it’s a pet sitter meeting a client, a home remodeling person giving an estimate, or some other type of meeting, the client (or potential client) should be the priority during that time. If the business owner is truly interested in gaining that person’s business that means putting them first - and possibly even turning the cell phone off.

Personally, I think people get too addicted to the ring of their phone and dismiss what’s right in front of them in order to answer it. I see it with people talking on their phones in stores, in the movie theater, while driving, and obviously…in business meetings. Use one at the wrong time, and it could just cost you some business…just like it did the guy who didn’t get mine!

Press release: Pet sitters offer a wide range of services

Austin, TX – February 20, 2008 – Professional pet sitters offer a wide range of services to help pet owners care for their pets.

Professional pet sitters offer pet owners convenience and peace-of-mind by allowing them to leave their pets in the comfort of home while they travel or work long hours.

Although pet sitting has been around for many years, it is finally coming into its own. Pet owners are seeing it as a valuable and practical solution to caring for their pets when they are unable to do so themselves. They find that using the services of pet sitters is an excellent alternative to boarding their pets or having friends or family care for them in their absence. When pet owners travel, they are comforted by the fact that their pets are safe and happy in their own home. Similarly, when their job requires they work long hours, placing their pets in a professional pet sitter’s hands gives them peace-of-mind knowing their pet is not left alone for an extended period of time. Pet owners who have never used a pet sitter in the past are often sold on the service after just one try.

The advantages pet owners enjoy when a professional pet sitter cares for their pets are many, including:

• The pet stays in his normal surroundings; with the sights, sounds, and smells that are familiar to him.
• The pet does not need to be transported to a kennel or other unfamiliar place.
• The pet is able to follow his same routine (i.e. feeding, daily walk, etc).
• The pet and owner are able to develop an ongoing relationship with their caregiver.
• Individualized care and routines may be established for the pet.
• Household services may be performed such as daily home security checks, bringing in mail, and alternating lights.
• The pet owner feels a sense of security, knowing his pet and home are being looked after.

Pet sitting has been named as one of the fastest growing home-based businesses according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. “This growth is a result of the importance we put on the pets we share our lives with.” said Therese Kopiwoda, founder of PetsitUSA.com, “Now, more than ever, our cats, dogs and other pets are considered family members rather than just pets. And, as family members, we want only the best for them. Pet sitters help us in that endeavor.”

Professional pet sitters take pride in the personalized, ongoing service and care they provide for their human and animal clients. Many of them invest time and money on a regular basis to further their pet-related education by attending industry related conferences, taking classes in pet first aid, pet massage, pet behavior, and dog training. And, while some may specialize in a particular service such as daily dog walking, others offer a wide range of services such as pet sitting, dog walking, dog park outings, overnight stays with the pet, pet waste removal, dog taxi services, and hospice care, to name just a few. Because pet sitting is a personalized service, most pet sitters are able to work with the client to develop specialized routines for the pet. In this way, pet sitters serve as the pet owner’s partner in the care and well being of their pets.

Pet owners who would like to know more about pet sitting and the pet sitting business may visit PetsitUSA.com, where they will be able to search for professional pet sitters in their area. They will also find FAQs and information to help them with their selection of a pet sitter, to prepare for their pet sitter’s visits to their home, to learn what to expect from their pet sitter, and to learn what the pet sitter will expect from them.

About PetsitUSA.com
PetsitUSA.com is one of the leading online destinations for pet owners searching for professional pet sitters, dog walkers, dog runners, and dog daycares throughout the United States. Based in Austin, Texas, PetsitUSA.com was launched in 2003 by Therese Kopiwoda, who also serves a small number of pet sitting clients

Pet sitters need backups - & why I’m taking tomorrow off

It’s extremely important for pet sitters to have back up! Whether it’s a pet sitting company that has many employees or a sole proprietor, anyone who pet sits for a living needs to have someone to call on in case of emergency.

Tonight I had to call on my backup.

After doing a pet sitting visit this evening I got rear ended as I was leaving the apartment complex where my client lives. My car’s fine, but my neck, shoulder, & back took the brunt of the hit and I’m pretty beat up feeling right now. So, rather than try to drag myself out of bed in the morning for an early morning visit, I called on my backup person. Thankfully she’s available and knows the cats, and my client is fine with the stand in.

I’m not in such bad shape that it would be impossible for me to do the visit - it would have been very uncomfortable though with the pain I feel right now. But had it been worse, and if I didn’t have a backup, one of the cats would be in a life threatening situation because he’s diabetic and needs insulin twice a day. So, this is a prime example why it’s essential for pet sitters to have backups, and it’s something every pet owner should ask about when interviewing someone to care for their pets.
So…I may take the day off tomorrow, so if there’s no blog post you’ll know why…

I’m off to (hopefully) sleep away some of the pain!

Wishbones for Pets announces dates for 2007 pet goods drive

Wishbones for Pets, a charitable organization benefiting pets in need and hosted by pet sitters throughout North America, is pleased to announce the dates of its fourth annual pet goods/funds drive.

This year’s Wishbones for Pets drive runs from October 15 through November 30. During this time, Wishbones representatives throughout the United States and Canada will work with local businesses to collect pet supplies and other necessities for pet charities in their community. Because of the recent pet food recalls, Wishbones For Pets is encouraging donations of pet supplies and/or donations. Participating businesses will place collection bins and donation boxes in their businesses where patrons can donate to pets in need. Wishbones for Pets pet sitter representatives will then deliver the collected items to the chosen pet charity the week after Thanksgiving.

Janet Depathey, founder of Wishbones for pets, says, “This program is beneficial to everyone involved. It raises public awareness of the services of professional pet sitters, recognizes participating businesses, and most importantly benefits pets in need. And this year, many pet welfare groups are struggling due to the recall and the fact that they had to destroy massive amounts of tainted pet food. We’re hoping we can alleviate some of their burden by donating items that will help them in their mission to help the pets in their care.”

Pet sitters wishing to take part in the program are invited to visit the website, where they’ll find information on how to register as a Wishbones for Pets representative in their area. They’ll also find information on how to get started. Similarly, non-profit pet welfare groups are encouraged to contact pet sitters in their local area to invite them to be a representative for their organization. Working together, pet sitters and pet welfare groups can make a difference for many pets in need.

The Wishbones for Pets website contains a list of pet sitter representatives throughout the country who are participating this year. To find one in your area go to www.wishbonesforpets.com.

Wishbones for Pets was started in 2004 by Janet Depathy, a professional pet sitter in Plymouth, MA. It is the first pet sitter related charity open to all professional pet sitters in North America, and runs annually from mid-October through the week after Thanksgiving. For more information on Wishbones for Pets, see their website at www.wishbonesforpets.com.

News

The Pet Food List Newsletter is now available online. Here’s what we have for you in this issue…

Does My Dog Have Separation Anxiety?
My new puppy has separation anxiety,” the caller on the other end of the line tells me. More likely, the young puppy - a social creature by nature - has simply never been taught to stay alone. Other owners tell me, “My dog won’t stop barking in the yard - I think it’s separation anxiety.” “Could be,” I’ll say, “but it could also be those darn squirrels that are so much fun to bark at.” Read the full story.

Wishbones for Pets 2007
This year’s Wishbones for Pets (WBFP) drive runs from October 15 through November 30. WBFP is a pet sitter driven charity program, by which pet sitters work with local businesses to collect pet supplies and other necessities for pet welfare groups in their local communities. Read the full story.

Pet Food Bloggers Need Your Help!
South by Southwest, the prestigious internet/music/film conference held every March in Austin, TX, is considering a panel on pet bloggers and the pet food recall. Christie Keith, from Pet Connection will be there, I will be there, as well as other pet food bloggers….Ben from Itchmo.com, and David Goldstein from the Huffington Post and horsesass.org. All of our websites gained quite a bit of attention during the recall. If our panel is chosen, we’ll be there to talk about how bloggers made an impact in the recall, and how they are changing the way other major stories are reported. Find out how you can help us get there!

AVMA Warns about Jerky Dog Treats

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) has recently been made aware of several complaints from pet owners and veterinarians that multiple brands of jerky treats manufactured in China have been making pets sick. Symptoms of illness have included vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. To our knowledge, no deaths have been reported.Guess they don't read my blog.

The AVMA posted an alert on its Web site on September 13 to inform its members and the public about what was known. Today, the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) issued a statement saying it also has become aware of an unusual number of dogs presenting similar symptoms and abnormal test results associated with consumption of some jerky treats. The ACVIM statement is available at www.acvim.org/uploadedFiles/Jerky_Treat_Info_September_14.doc.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently testing several products to see if a contaminant can be found. So far, they have ruled out melamine, one of the chemicals that led to the massive pet food recall this spring, but have yet to identify anything that might be making pets sick.

While a list of brand/product names of affected treats is not yet available, the AVMA has learned that all complaints have involved jerky treats from China. We recommend that pet owners use their best judgment in this matter.

Suspected cases should be reported to the FDA. To find the number for the FDA district office consumer complaint coordinator in your region, visit www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html.

The AVMA is monitoring the situation and will provide updated information on our Web site (www.avma.org) as soon as it becomes available. Like all information on our Web site, we will only post information that is credible and has been confirmed.

Unlike the AVMA and FDA, I consider multiple anecdotal reports credible. So let me say it a little stronger. DON'T FEED YOUR DOG CHICKEN JERKY TREATS right now, especially if they're made in China.

Smokehouse Brand Dog Treats Pulled by Petsmart

As of this morning, PetSmart has pulled various Smokehouse Brand dog treats off of their shelves. There have been reports of pets becoming ill after eating the treats, and as a precaution, PetSmart has removed the products. There has been no formal recall as of yet.

Here is what the PetSmart corporate office released to the PetSmart stores:

“Today the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) issued a media alert warning some treat products from China may be a potential threat to pets due to ’several complaints from pet owners and veterinarians of illness in dogs.’ No deaths have been reported at this time. The symptoms of pets reported sick were vomiting, lethargy and anorexia. To date, testing by the FDA and PetSmart Techinical Services has ruled out melamine contamination that might be making pets sick.

For now, we’re going to take the precautionary measure to pull this product from the shelves and contain it in the backroom. Our experts will continue to monitor the situation, analyze samples for a variety of possible problems and ask the vendor to test additonal product. Because of the relatively small number of complaints at this point, we’re not issuing a recall. We’ll provide timely updates as more information becomes available.”

Here is the SKU list of the Smokehouse Brand dog treats that have been pulled off of PetSmart shelves:

7856525052 5108696 Chicken Chips 1lb.
7856525053 5108692 Chicken Chips 8oz.
7856525092 5108693 Chicken Poppers 8oz.
7856525093 5108698 Chicken Poppers 1lb.
7856525134 5108691 Chicken Tenders 8oz.
7856525137 5126536 Chicken Breast Tender Snacks 1lb.
7856525138 5126535 Chicken Tenders 2lb.
7856584255 5126702 Duck Breast Tenders 8oz.
7856584256 5126534 Duck Breast Tenders 1lb.
7856584257 5126532 Duck Chips 1lb.
7856584258 5126531 Duck and Sweet Potato 1lb.
7856585808 5108695 Chicken Tenders 1lb.

FDA Tips for Preventing Foodborne Illness Associated with Pet Food and Pet Treats

FDA is informing consumers of steps they can take to help prevent foodborne illness, including Salmonella-related illness, when handling pet foods and treats. Pet food and treats, like many other types of foods, can be susceptible to harmful bacterial contamination. During calendar year 2007, 15 pet products have been recalled due to Salmonella contamination; however, to date none of these products have been directly linked to human illness.

Salmonella in pet foods and treats can cause serious infections in dogs and cats, and, if there is cross contamination, in people too, especially children, the aged, and people with compromised immune systems. Salmonella in pet food and treats can potentially be transferred to people ingesting or handling contaminated pet food and treats.

While the FDA has stepped up its efforts to minimize the incidence of foodborne illness associated with pet foods and treats, it’s important that consumers be mindful of the potential risks. Pet owners and consumers can reduce the likelihood of infection from contaminated pet foods and treats by following some simple, safe handling instructions.

Buying Tips for Pet Food

• Purchase products (canned or bagged) that are in good condition. No visible signs of damage to the packaging such as dents, tears, discolorations, etc.

Preparation Tips for Pet Food

• Begin with clean hands. Wash your hands for 20 seconds with hot water and soap before and after handling pet foods and treats.
• Wash pet food bowls, dishes and scooping utensils with soap and hot water after each use.
• Do not use the pet’s feeding bowl as a scooping utensil – use a clean, dedicated scoop, spoon or cup instead.
• Dispose of old or spoiled pet food products in a safe manner (example: in a securely tied plastic bag in a covered trash receptacle).

Storage Tips for Pet Food

• Refrigerate promptly or discard any unused, left-over wet pet food (cans, pouches, etc.). Refrigerating foods quickly keeps most harmful bacteria from growing and multiplying. Refrigerators should be set at 40 º F. The accuracy of the setting should be checked occasionally with a refrigerator thermometer.
• Dry products should be stored in a cool, dry place--under 80º F.
• If possible, store dry pet food in its original bag inside a clean, dedicated plastic container with a lid, keeping the top of the bag folded closed.
• Keep pets away from food storage and preparation areas.
• Keep pets away from garbage and household trash.

Raw Food Diets

The FDA does not advocate a raw meat, poultry or seafood diet for pets, but is stepping up its efforts to minimize the risk such foods pose to animal and human health because we understand that some people prefer to feed these types of diets to their pets. For the protection of both you and your pet, the FDA recommends you follow these instructions when handling or using raw meat, poultry or seafood, for use in a pet’s diet:

• Keep raw meat and poultry products frozen until ready to use.
• Thaw in refrigerator or microwave.
• Keep raw food diets separate from other foods. Wash working surfaces, utensils (including cutting boards, preparation and feeding bowls), hands, and any other items that touch or contact raw meat, poultry or seafood with hot soapy water.
• Cover and refrigerate leftovers immediately or discard safely.

In addition:

• For added protection, kitchen sanitizers should be used on cutting boards and counter tops periodically. A sanitizing solution can be made by mixing one teaspoon of chlorine bleach to one quart of water.
• If you use plastic or other non-porous cutting boards, run them through the dishwasher after each use.

Bravo! Recalls frozen Raw Pet Food

Bravo! announces a voluntary recall of select tubes of three of its poultry products for cats and dogs. The pet food is being recalled because two of the products have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes, while the other product has the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

Both Salmonella and Listeria are organisms which can cause serious infections in dogs and cats, and if there is cross contamination, in people, especially small children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy people with Salmonella infection may only suffer short-term symptoms, such as high fever, severe headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Long term complications can include arthritis and other more serious ailments. Healthy people with Listeria infection may only suffer short-term symptoms such as high fever, severe headache, stiffness, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Listeria infection can cause miscarriages and stillbirths among pregnant women.

The company has received no reports of illness in either people or animals associated with any of the three products.

The recalled products are distributed nationwide to distributors, retail stores, internet sales and directly to consumers, and they can be identified by the batch ID code located on the hang tag attached to the bottom of the plastic film tubes. The recalled products should not be sold or fed to pets. Pet owners should return unopened frozen tubes of food to the store where purchased for a full refund. Pet owners should dispose of opened tubes of product in a safe manner (example, a securely covered trash receptacle) and return the washed plastic batch ID tag to the store where purchased for a full refund.

Recalled Pet Food:

Product: Bravo Original Formula Chicken Blend frozen raw food
Product Numbers: 21-102, 21-105, 21-110
Sizes: 2 pound, 5 pound and 10 pound tubes
Batch ID code (on hang tag): 236
Reason for Recall: Salmonella, Listeria

Product: Bravo Original Formula Turkey Blend frozen raw food
Product Numbers: 31-102, 31-105, 31-110
Sizes: 2 pound, 5 pound and 10 pound tubes
Batch ID code (on hang tag): 236
Reason for Recall: Listeria

Product: Bravo Basic Formula Finely Ground Chicken frozen raw food
Product Number: 21-212
Size: 2 pound tube
Batch ID Code (on hang tag): 226
Reason for Recall: Salmonella, Listeria

Other Batch IDs for these same products are not involved in the recall.

Bravo! is issuing this action out of an abundance of caution and sincerely regrets any inconvenience to pet owners as a result of this announcement. This voluntary recall has been issued because the FDA detected the bacteria in samples during a recent review.

In an effort to prevent the transmission of Salmonella from pets to family members and care givers, the FDA recommends that everyone follow appropriate pet food handling guidelines when feeding their pets. A list of safe pet food handling tips can be found at:
http://www.fda.gov/cvm/CVM_Updates/foodbornetips.htm.

People may risk Salmonella infection not only by handling these pet foods, but also by contact with pets or other surfaces exposed to these foods, so it is important that they thoroughly wash their hands with hot water and soap. Anyone who is experiencing the symptoms of Salmonella or Listeria infection after having handled the recalled product should seek medical attention. Consumers may report any complaints to FDA's local District Complaint Coordinator’s located on the FDA website: http://www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html.

Healthy cats and dogs rarely become sick from Salmonella. Animals ill with Salmonella will display symptoms similar to the ones listed above for humans. People who have concerns about whether their pet has Salmonella or not should contact their veterinarian.

For more information on the Bravo recall, please visit www.bravorawdiet.com , or call toll free (866) 922-9222

FDA Warns Dog Owners on Chicken Treats

WASHINGTON -- Chicken jerky treats may have sickened dozens of dogs, federal health officials warned Wednesday despite failing to find any trace of contamination.

The Food and Drug Administration said it's fielded more than 70 complaints, involving more than 95 dogs, from owners who believe their animals fell sick after eating the products, sold variously as chicken tenders, strips or treats. While most dogs appear to have recovered, an unspecified number died.

I have personally read and much more than 70 complaints - if your dog ate these treats and got sick and you believe it is related, you MUST call the FDA.

The FDA said it's conducted extensive chemical and microbial testing on the treats but has not identified any contaminant. The agency continues to investigate.

Separately, the FDA reported it's received preliminary information from Banfield, The Pet Hospital that suggests a link between dogs that ate chicken jerky products and signs of gastrointestinal illness, including vomiting and diarrhea. Banfield is a large veterinary hospital chain that's able to collect and analyze data about the large number of pets it treats.

The FDA cautions pet owners who feed their dogs chicken jerky products to watch the animals for signs of decreased appetite or activity, increased water consumption and urination, and vomiting and/or diarrhea. Owners should consult a veterinarian if signs are severe or persist for more than 24 hours.

Earlier this year, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. pulled some chicken jerky dog treats from its shelves after company testing revealed the presence of the industrial chemical melamine. Subsequent FDA testing failed to find that or other contaminants.

Dog beds

Dog beds are also important to our pets. This information will give you an idea about what dog beds can do for your pets.

You should first understand that your pet's sleeping habits are largely instinctual. This means that your pet's bed should duplicate their natural habitat and should feel safe as well as not threatened while sleeping. Dogs are pack animals and are naturally accustomed to sleeping in close quarters with others. Before you buy a bed for your dog you should make sure that the size of the bed is suited to your pet's general proportions. Your pet dog should be able to stretch out completely as well as comfortably without hanging over the side of the bed. Aside from that, you should also place the dog bed in an area away from human traffic and also from direct heating or cooling sources.

Dog beds give a comfy sleeping area for your pets and also elevates your pet dog above the floor, supports joints as well as provides a degree of warmth. You can easily find varieties of Pet bed models today in the market from simple foam-filled cushions to high-end sofas with heating and cooling elements. Pet beds that are filled with cedar chips to discourage flea growth and machine washable fabric covers which make cleaning the product easier are also available. Different kinds of designs and materials are also rampant in the market. There are also manufacturers that uses stainless steel which is relatively easy to keep clean.

A washable cushion that is resistant to scratching and chewing is one of the best pet bed cushion that you can find in the market today. Some dog beds' cushions use a polyester fiber or foam as filler. This provides more comfort to your pet but doesn’t restrain flea growth. Other manufacturers use a zippered outer shell that can be filled with cedar chips and can be refilled with clean cedar chips periodically, but might not be as comfortable as foam pillows. Cedar chips discourage fleas from laying eggs.

You will also find dog beds that have heating and cooling options. Extreme heat from hot areas is bad for your dogs and a pet bed with a cooling option will surely give your dog a great relief. These pet bed with cooling option uses a refrigerated or frozen gel pad that can be placed inside the cushion of the pet bed. On the other hand, heated pet bed cushions can help aged dogs especially those with joint problems which are vulnerable to the effects of cold air and giving them pet bed warmers can really give them a lot of comfort.

Tips on Buying the Pet Stroller

If you are thinking of buying pet stroller for your little ones here are some tips on how to choose the right pet stroller for your dogs.

1. First thing to consider is the Functionality of the pet stroller that you want. The two main popular designs of pet stroller are detachable carrier and fully-collapsible pet stroller. There is a huge array of pet stroller products in the market today that offer various kinds of functions. Before you pay for any product you should first evaluate what pet stroller is suited to your needs.

Detachable carriers are pet strollers that don’t totally collapse and it also provides your pet a safe place to stay at the same time allows you to transfer them from one place to another without even taking them out from the compartment while the fully-collapsible pet stroller is a detachable carrier wherein the whole stroller folds by pushing a button. These kind of pet strollers are very ideal for frequent travelers.


2. Next to consider is the capacity: Before paying for that exquisite pet stroller secure your dog’s dimension first. Although you will find tags that indicate the maximum capacity of the product but it doesn’t mean that it will be comfortable to your pet. Securing your pet’s dimension will allow you to know if your dog can stand, sit, curl up and turn around in the pet stroller that you want to buy. Doing this before buying a dog stroller will let you avoid unwanted buys.

3. You might not notice it but road condition in your place is another significant factor that you must consider in choosing a pet stroller. Why, because it affects the performance of your pet stroller. It is advisable to buy a pet stroller with smaller wheels when the road in your place is well maintained and a dog stroller with bigger wheels is suitable to rough roads or uneven landscape.

4. Daily activities. If you always go out jogging with your dog every morning then a dog stroller that has three (3) is suitable for you wheels because it will provide you with the steadiness that you need. On the other hand, if you are just planning to walk around with your pet along the side walk of parks then a regular pet stroller with four (4) wheels would be your best pick.

5. Price. Everyone is looking for something that is affordable. There are a lot of online pet stroller retailers in the web that offers you affordable prices but you will end up with hidden charges and other costly stuffs. I highly suggest read first their return policies and shipping charges before making any transactions. You should read it carefully to know if there are any hidden charges involved and if possible ask their customer service representatives if there is something that you don’t understand in their policies.

6. A dog stroller with extra features is also a big plus especially when you are planning a whole day outdoor adventure with your pet. The extra compartment of the pet stroller is very handy and very ideal for putting your treats and other stuffs. There are also other dog strollers that has extra feature where you can place some things like your cellular phones or drinks.

7. To ensure the quality of the dog strollers buy only from legitimate retailers. There is a high demand for pet stroller products and dog carriers today. With so much demand, several online stores release the same product with the same brand name but aren’t originals. Some websites may have products that have the same feature and looks of the original but has a huge difference in their performance and stability.

Tips on Clipping your pet’s nail

Clipping your pet’s nails is considered one of the easiest tasks in grooming your pet yet there are people who don't know the proper way of clipping their pet's nails. When you let your pet’s nails untrimmed this can lead to broken nails that can cause bleeding, pain and discomfort to your pet. Long nails can snag on clothing, carpets, furniture and may even result to ingrown. Nails that are left untrimmed will keep on growing until it grows back into the pad of your pet’s paw and will result in ingrown and can be hard to remove especially to pets like cats. Like us, ingrown nails to pets can be really painful. This is why you should regularly trim your pet’s nails every week or two.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind in clipping your pet’s nails.

Preparations

It is important to have the right equipments before you clip your pet’s nails. Having a good pair of clippers or trimmers exclusively designed for pets is a good investment. You will find a lot of clippers that are especially designed for specific type of animal in the market today. You can ask your veterinarian to give you an idea of brand or type of clippers that is suitable for your pet.

When it’s time to clip your pet’s nails make sure that he is calm, safe and comfortable. Pet’s especially dogs can be jumpy and can easily pick up emotions like when you are nervous. For first timer pets, make them get used to you holding their paw and slowly trim their nails. You don’t have to finish their nails all at once. When your pet gets excited stop or take a break. In time, your dog will be used to trimming.

Nail Clipping

Clipping your pet’s nail is easy. All you have to do is to lift and hold your pet’s paw and clip it below the blood vessel . Be careful not to clip the blood vessel which runs down the middle of the nail. You can easily spot the blood vessel especially with pets with light-colored or clear nails compare to pets with darker nails. You should hold a small flashlight so you can spot the it and ask someone to hold your pet still while clipping their nails to avoid any kind of accidents. If you cut the the blood vessel your pet will flinch and the nail will bleed. If this accident happens you don’t have to panic. Just apply a styptic to the cut.

If you can’t figure out where the quick is and afraid of hurting your pet, you might want to hire a professional pet groomer to do the job. You can also find a lot of pet products online to help you with this task.

Dog life jacket

I found this interesting dog product called at petstreetmall. It is an online pet store that offers different kinds of pet products especially designed for various purposes. I know a lot of you enjoy swimming at beaches especially during summer season. Every summer my family and I go to the beach to have some fun and we bring along our pet dog. For those people who enjoy the beach as much as I do, I suggest that you check out this wonderful pet product!

"Dog Life Jackets and Dog Life Vests are a great solution for the dog owner that has a pool or frequents a beach or lake. A Dog Life Jacket or Dog Life Vest provides your dog the same protection as a life jacket provides a child. Just strap your pooch into a comfortable dog life jacket and let him have fun in the water. Got a boat? Don't worry about your dog falling out when he's got a dog life jacket on! No more constant supervision when your dog goes out back near the pool. Dog life jackets work great to keep your dog safe around any body of water.

Pet Street Mall offers you all the items necessary for aquatic activity when it involves your dog. We carry several dog life jackets in many different styles and colors. Our dog life jackets and dog life vests are proven to keep your dog safe around water and are made from the highest quality materials available. We offer the Lowest Prices on dog life jackets and life vests and we'll deliver them right to your front door! Order a dog life jacket or vest today and receive it in time for your vacation!"

click here to read more

The features I like most about this dog life jacket are:

It is constructed to provide your lovely pets the ultimate buoyancy. In addition to the flotation features, this dog life jacket has reflective trim for maximum visibility and a practical assistance handle for helping your dog over deck railings, pontoons and possible nautical nuisances.

This life jacket is very useful especially your vacation includes boat outings. A life jacket is a necessity even for dogs so make sure that a dog life jackets or dog life vest is around your pooch. In addition to the flotation features, this dog life jacket has reflective trim for visibility and a practical assistance handle for helping your dog over deck railings, pontoons and potential nautical nuisances. It also has a Heavy-duty and very comfortable Velcro® fastening system around the belly and neck which is one of my favorite features of the product.

How to deal with pets during holidays

We love holidays! Usually holiday is the day we bond with our families and friends but the noise that fireworks brings during holiday frighten pets. My pet dog barks whenever there are fireworks. There are some pets that get aggressive or become traumatized whenever there are loud fireworks near them because most animals are extremely sensitive to noise. Some pets also exhibit the same actions when they are afraid of thunder or lightning storms. Animals can become overloaded when cities shoot off fireworks especially during Memorial Day, the 4th of July, Labor Day and New Year. These days can be very hard on pets but don’t worry because here are some tips that you can do to help your pet.

You should create a safe place for the pet and bring outdoor dogs inside. Let your cats to hide under the bed or in closets while the celebration is happening. Always remember not to force your pet to be social when they are in this kind of situation, just allow them to hide.

You should leave your pets alone when they hide in a closet or under the bed. Pets usually do these stuffs when they want to feel safe and secure. Your pet will come to you when they want you to comfort them; this is the right time that you give comfort to them. Don’t go after your pet when they are hiding because they will come out when they are more relaxed and ready to be social.

When they are becoming aggressive or uncontrollable you can consider using non-addictive relaxers. You can consult your veterinarian on what kind of relaxer that you can give to your pet. You can also ask your veterinarian to prescribe tranquilizers when your pet has bad reactions to noise and chaos. You can start giving rescue remedy or tranquilizers to your pet a few hours before the noise is about to start.

You should also limit your pet’s contact to other animals and to children especially when your pet has a tendency to become aggressive at this time. Pets usually exhibit signs of aggression when they are anxious or nervous because of noise and commotion. A normally behave cat or dog may bite or attack a child or other pets when they are in fear due to commotion around them.