Some day, my friend, this might come in handy ...
The poison control for dogs is 785-532-5679---785-532-4100 second # answers 24 hrs at no charge..
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
I want a Golden ...
I love them - they're friendly, smart, and loving.
On the downside, they are VERY active, like to dig (most of them) go through a long puppy hood (mentally ... about 2+ years!) They are hairy and shed. They do have a bit more "doggy' odor than most ... even though I feed my dog home cooked food (no bad stuff that is supposed to magnify the problem) I still notice it. I have hair on my sweatshirt right now and bet I ingested a few with my dinner. And I live with someone who vacuums every day!
I just want you to be prepared - if you need a clean house or are a couch potato, be honest with yourself and keep looking for a more compatible breed. They're not for everyone!
Also, they are pre-disposed to certain health conditions. Pass right by the pet store puppies AND the backyard breeders and find yourself a REAL breeder. Insist upon health clearances for BOTH parents ... if the first pup you see doesn't have them, do NOT believe that "the parents are healthy ... the pups will be fine." Too many times that ends in monstrous vet bills, early deaths, and distraught owners. INSIST upon health clearances.
On the downside, they are VERY active, like to dig (most of them) go through a long puppy hood (mentally ... about 2+ years!) They are hairy and shed. They do have a bit more "doggy' odor than most ... even though I feed my dog home cooked food (no bad stuff that is supposed to magnify the problem) I still notice it. I have hair on my sweatshirt right now and bet I ingested a few with my dinner. And I live with someone who vacuums every day!
I just want you to be prepared - if you need a clean house or are a couch potato, be honest with yourself and keep looking for a more compatible breed. They're not for everyone!
Also, they are pre-disposed to certain health conditions. Pass right by the pet store puppies AND the backyard breeders and find yourself a REAL breeder. Insist upon health clearances for BOTH parents ... if the first pup you see doesn't have them, do NOT believe that "the parents are healthy ... the pups will be fine." Too many times that ends in monstrous vet bills, early deaths, and distraught owners. INSIST upon health clearances.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Natural Flea Solution
I lurk about (and generally cause trouble) on Yahoo Answers and can't believe how many times I have typed a response to a question about fleas. Well, let me rephrase that - I can't believe I did it more than ONCE without just putting it here and copying and pasting ...
Given the extremely high toxicity level of chemical flea preventatives, many folks are wondering if there's a better way. I won't guarantee results, but I am having good luck with the following.
The natural way to combat fleas:
Feed garlic ... 1/2 clove per day for small dogs or cats, up to a clove or two for a big dog. It's garlic, not rocket science. You will occasionally read that dogs shouldn't have garlic. Most vets have decided that onions are a no-no but garlic is good for several different things - flea avoidance being a big one.
Feed brewers yeast - from a teaspoon to a tablespoon. Dissolve in warm water and feed with meal.
You can also sprinkle brewers yeast on the dog but do it outside - the fleas will jump off and you don't want them on your carpet!
I also detest fleas enough that I won't think a single bad thought if you decide to exterminate them chemically. They are nasty little buggers! If you do use chemicals, don't waste your time on the pet store "flea aisle" products. They are toxic + not effective - a bad combination! Go straight to the vet counter at petsmart or google "discount pet medication" and get Advantix or Frontline!
Given the extremely high toxicity level of chemical flea preventatives, many folks are wondering if there's a better way. I won't guarantee results, but I am having good luck with the following.
The natural way to combat fleas:
Feed garlic ... 1/2 clove per day for small dogs or cats, up to a clove or two for a big dog. It's garlic, not rocket science. You will occasionally read that dogs shouldn't have garlic. Most vets have decided that onions are a no-no but garlic is good for several different things - flea avoidance being a big one.
Feed brewers yeast - from a teaspoon to a tablespoon. Dissolve in warm water and feed with meal.
You can also sprinkle brewers yeast on the dog but do it outside - the fleas will jump off and you don't want them on your carpet!
Here's a great pet product from Lavish in Mission Hills. It smells delightful and has great essential oils to ward off fleas. Garlic, brewers yeast, and essential oils - you can't go wrong!
I also detest fleas enough that I won't think a single bad thought if you decide to exterminate them chemically. They are nasty little buggers! If you do use chemicals, don't waste your time on the pet store "flea aisle" products. They are toxic + not effective - a bad combination! Go straight to the vet counter at petsmart or google "discount pet medication" and get Advantix or Frontline!
Cookies!!
Yes. I used my day off to bake teeny-weeny cookies for my dog. Peanut Butter Pumpkin, rolled thin and cut into teeny pieces.
They weren't THAT hard to make ... I may have solved the kibble dilemma!
They weren't THAT hard to make ... I may have solved the kibble dilemma!
Monday, July 7, 2008
Cooking Day
This is my second pot of dog stew. It's really quite easy - thanks to Costco and Henry's! This is "Doggie Oats" from Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Cats and Dogs. 
Then look - you just put it in containers, refrigerate/ freeze as needed. Warm one up and it's a meal. It's not THAT much more work than delving into a bag of Unknown Kibble Bits.
It really isn't very pretty but it doesn't taste bad (just a little lacking in spice) and it's easy. This is just chicken breast, oats, veggies, and Healthy powder, a vitamin-mineral supplement that is made up of brewers yeast, kelp powder, bone meal, and more. It provides natural sources of all of the essential vitamins and minerals and the calcium-phosphorus balance is carefully balanced at a 1.4-1 ratio. Heady scientific stuff we're working with here!
Then look - you just put it in containers, refrigerate/ freeze as needed. Warm one up and it's a meal. It's not THAT much more work than delving into a bag of Unknown Kibble Bits.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Houston ...
Yes. I have a problem.
I miss kibble because it works so well for training! Teeny little treats ready to go - yummy to eat and Lily will actually work for them. I have chopped chicken in my bait bag for leash training but what about my MannersMinder and the Buster Cube?
I can't stick chicken stew in a Buster Cube! What do I do? I don't want to make 3 million little pieces of cookie each week!
My Dog Smells GOOOOOD!
Go ahead. Scroll down to that glimmery picture and put your nose right up to the screen.
No doggy smell! She smells fresh and clean and it's been days since her last bath! The ears are still a bit stinky but defintitely less waxy - I will mix up soem ear wash and see if we can get them clean for good!
No doggy smell! She smells fresh and clean and it's been days since her last bath! The ears are still a bit stinky but defintitely less waxy - I will mix up soem ear wash and see if we can get them clean for good!
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