Economic Woes Hard on America's Pets Also

With the slow down in the economy and the family budget cut backs, America's pets are being deeply affected. A very sad circumstance is happening among American homes. With foreclosures and lay-off's happening, a lot of single parents and families can't afford to keep their beloved pets. Some people are being forced to bring their furry family member to their local shelter and give them up because they can't afford to feed them anymore.

This is a circumstance close to my heart as I've been in the same situation but chose to go through a very difficult time rather then give up my dog. When faced with an "either or" situation sometimes you have to bite the bullet and bare down. You have to fire up your brain cells and think of ways to deal with your situation in such a way that you keep what is most meaningful to you. It's easy to cry and take the easy way out but (which is the case is just give up your pet), but if you really want to keep what you truly believe belongs in your life-find a way to do it!

Things You Can Do to Keep Your Pets

Sit down and brainstorm. Find a quiet spot, get out a piece of paper and write down your options both bad and good. Think. If I do this then maybe this will work out. If I can manage to get temporary help from this person or organization, then I can maintain. Think of the things you can do to help yourself and others out. It's not all about you-even when you're suffering, because others are suffering also. When you're suffering, help as many people as you can and be patient. Get together with neighbors and create a community vegetable and fruit garden. Pool your resources and buy pet food that you can divide and share.

I know it's difficult to think creatively when you're going through a rough time but you need to practice it for your own personal survival and your pet's survival. Apart from your family, the last thing you want to happen is to have to give up your pet.

Calm down and get creative-find ways to keep your pets with you as you go through the difficult times. I've done it. You can make it happen.

Story about Homeless Pets Here!

Winner of "The World's Ugliest Dog" Contest Announced!

This year's winner of the World's Ugliest Dog Contest is da da-"Gus" a one-eyed, three legged Chinese Crested with no hair! Owned by mother-daughter team of Jeanenne and Janey Teed, Gus hails from Florida.




Gus has had a very difficult life so far. He had to be rescued from a bad home and has skin cancer, the reason he lost his leg. The current owners found out that Gus was being kept in a crate in a garage so they decided to rescue him and give him a good home. On top of all this other drama, Gus lost his eye while fighting a cat.

Gus needs radiation treatment for his skin cancer condition.

Said Jeanenne his owner "“I’m just in shock. We came so far and are so happy that we can put the winnings towards Gus’ radiation treatment. We’re just thrilled.”

Gus won the 2008 World's Ugliest Dog Contest but he also was entered into the "Ring of Champions" Contest. He was up against last year's winner "Elwood" as well as "Archie" and "Rascal", winners of the last three "Ring of Champions" contests respectively.

A happy and victorious Gus takes home prize money totaling $1,600.00 and 2 trophies!

The contest was held at the Sonoma-Marin County Fair and will be shown on the "Animal Planet" network in October of this year.

Below is a video of the final moments of the competition where they crown Gus the winner!

How To Deal With Dog Related Scorched Lawn Spots

If you have a female dog and a lawn you're all too familiar with those nasty yellow spots on the grass. They can make your lawn look scorched and damaged. The reason for these spots is that female dogs have nitrogen in their urine. If the grass is not in particularly good shape the extra nitrogen can give the grass that burnt burnt look.

I've had these spots and the best way to deal with it is to get out the hose and wash down the location where the dog just urinated. Some dogs tend to go in certain spots so you can concentrate your efforts there. When you wash it (nitrogen) away your grass will have a better chance of recovering. An already too dry or damaged lawn will be especially vulnerable to this happening.

Another angle you might try is to try and get your female dog to urinate in certain areas that you can control.

Friday is Take Your Dog to Work Day

I take my dog to work everyday believe it or not, I'm one of the fortunate few who can.

This Friday is "Take Your Dog to Work Day" (June 20, '08)- so if your boss won't let you take your poochie in, lie to them and tell them it's a federal holiday!!!

Story HERE

Leona Helmsley’s Dog Loses All but $2 Million

The New York Times is reporting that poor dog "Trouble"-the late Leona Helmsley's dog, has just suffered a financial loss of $10 Mil! A judge decided that "Trouble" could live just fine on $2 Mil for the rest of it's estimated life.

As they say, be careful of what name you choose for your kids and pets. In this case "Trouble" is getting nothing but.

Story HERE

Two Dog Treat Recipes

Here are 2 Dog Treat Recipes You Can Try At Home

* Liver Dog Treats

1 pound raw liver (any kind) blended into a paste

1 egg 1cup flour

1/2 cup corn meal (or flour)

1/4 teaspoon oregano

1/4 teaspoon brewers yeast (adds a nutty flavour)

Mix well and bake at 350 for 1/2 hour for chewy treats, longer for crisper treats.

(recipe from a newsgroup post by: Jeanette Springer June 01, 2000.)

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* Flea Hater's Dog Biscuits (marthastewart.com archives)

Makes about 5 dozen bone biscuits

1 cup flour

1/4 cup wheat germ

1/4 cup brewer’s yeast (available at health-food stores)

1 teaspoon salt1 tablespoon plus

1 1/2 teaspoons vegetable oil

1 clove garlic, chopped medium, or 1 teaspoon powdered garlic (optional**)

1/2 cup chicken stock plus 3 tablespoons for basting

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Mix flour, wheat germ, brewer’s yeast, and salt together in a medium bowl. In a mixing bowl, combine oil and garlic. Alternately add 1/2 cup chicken stock and flour mixture in 3 parts; mix until well combined. Knead about 2 minutes by hand on floured surface; dough will be sticky.

2. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough out about 3/8 inch thick. Cut out bone shapes; place on prepared baking sheet. Bake 10 minutes, rotate baking sheet, and baste with remaining 3 tablespoons chicken stock. Bake 10 minutes longer. Turn off oven, leaving oven door closed. Leave pan in oven for 1 1/2 hours longer

*** Garlic and Onions can be toxic to dogs. Typically the problem is with large quantities not "seasoning portions". You should seek the advice of your veterinarian to find out if any garlic use is appropriate for your pet. If in doubt, leave the ingredient out.

Summerize Your Dog!

Most dog owners know of the importance of not submitting your dog to high temperatures in your home and certainly in your vehicle. Here's a great article filled with useful tips about how to "Summerize" your dog and warning signs to look for:

Great Article on Summerizng Your Dog HERE

Three Forms of Canine Arthritis

Three Forms of Canine Arthritis
By D Swain

Canine arthritis is a condition in which there is inflammation in a joint. This inflammation can damage cartilage, fluid, or surrounding bones. There are three types of canine arthritis. They include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid, and septic. Let's take a look at these three types.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of canine arthritis. This condition results in deterioration of cartilage and bone. This deterioration can occur over long periods of time with your dog displaying few symptoms. However, this form of canine arthritis gets worse as your dog ages and starts to cause extreme discomfort and pain.

Osteoarthritis is usually treated with anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids. However, if this form of canine arthritis starts causing your dog extreme pain, surgery may be necessary. Other treatment options include daily exercise, healthy diet, and weight loss.

Rheumatoid

The next form of canine arthritis is rheumatoid. This condition occurs when your dog's immune system produces antibodies that attack protein in the body. Rheumatoid arthritis causes severe inflammation and pain. It can damage cartilage as well as tissues surrounding the area. This form of canine arthritis can affect any of your dog's joints. If it isn't treated quickly, your dog will suffer extreme pain. The condition is treated with cancer drugs and steroids.

Septic

The final form of arthritis that can affect your dog is the septic variety. This form of canine arthritis is caused by a fungal, viral, or bacterial infection that occurs in one of your dog's joints. This is commonly caused by a wound such as a dog bite. The organism travels through the bloodstream until it reaches a joint which it infects. Septic canine arthritis can be treated effectively with antibiotics if the infection is caused by bacteria.

As your dog gets older, his risk for developing serious health conditions increases dramatically. As a responsible owner, you may want to learn about some of the common dog illnesses that can affect your dog. So stop by today to read all about conditions such as canine seizures.

Treating Small Leg and Paw Infections With Epson Salts

My Havanese recently got a nasty little infection on her paw near the leg area. I noticed her licking it quite a bit. There is a debate as to whether you should let your dog lick a wound in order to heal it or stop them from licking and applying medicine and a bandage.

I let her lick the little infection (small bump) for a couple of days and it showed no improvement. I decided to mix some Epson Salts with warm water and dipped a small piece of a cotton ball into it. I put the cotton on the sore and then wrapped gauze around it and then a bandage when we went outside.

Everyday I noticed the little infection get better. It finally broke open and drained. I continued to apply the Epson Salts poultice to the sore for about 5 or 6 days. When she was home at night and didn't have the bandage on I would clean the area with Apple Cider Vinegar (common store type). Within a week the wound had almost completely healed. When I wasn't looking she did lick the scab off it so I had to keep it clean and not let her lick it at all.

The strange part of this is that she does great licking wounds that are located on her side, belly and inside the leg area. She always heals them in those areas by licking. I suspect since the paws come into contact with dirt which has bacteria mixed into it that this is the reason licking does not heal the paw area.

So 4 paws up for the Epson Salts Poultice Cure!

What to Do If You Find a Stray Dog

What to Do If You Find a Stray
By Joseph Devine

An adorable dog comes running into your backyard. You want to help the poor fellow but have not a clue as to where to start.

First, determine if he is a lost pet or homeless stray. Has he been well fed? Is his coat in good condition? Are there any signs of identification on the animal such as tags? Does he have a collar or indentation marks in the hair around the neck where a collar previously was? All these are important clues as to whether the animal has recently been cared for. If you do feel the animal has an owner, it is important to act quickly.

If the dog is wearing identification tags such as residential, rabies vaccination, or licensing all that is needed is a simple phone call. Check for tattoos on the inside of the dog's ears, gums, and along the inner surface of hind legs. For help tracing tattoos, phone the regional chapter of the American Kennel Club, International Kennel Club, American Cat Fancier's Association, or the International Cat Association.

Since the owner is most likely looking for their pet, make sure to check to check the "lost" advertisements in the paper and also submit your own "found" advertisement. Many humane societies and animal shelters have lost/found matchup services in which you can register the animal. Post signs with the animal's photo around the area in which you first found the pet. Grocery stores, playgrounds, and libraries often have bulletin boards where signs can be placed.

The most valuable resource is often the neighborhood children. Children make it their duty to personally know many pets and will often know if a family in the neighborhood recently lost a pet.

You found the owner! Congratulations! However, caution does need to be taken. Reselling animals for breeding, research, and fighting is unfortunately, a thriving industry. Ask for identification and for specific details about the pet. Also, the reaction the animal has when seeing the "owner" should be most telling. If doubts still remain, do not hesitate to ask for veterinary records or photographs.

If you do determine that the pet is in fact a stray, your next step is to find a loving home. Do research into the potential owners to make sure it will be a good fit. If you do decide to bring the pet to animal shelter, research the rate of adoption when choosing one. For more information on stray pets, please visit http://www.houstonveterinarianclinics.com/

Joseph Devine