Good Commentary on Abusive Dog-Fighting Freaks

Here's a Good Commentary by Georgie Anne Geyer on the "Vick" story of incredible wicked and sick cruelty to helpless dogs. Fascists indeed! It's sick not macho to force-breed and torture-train dogs to fight to the death. It's too bad that these dogs don't turn on their torturers more often.

Ordering Dogs Around?

"If you get to thinkin' you're a person of some influence, try orderin' somebody else's dog around."

2,000 War Dogs in Iraq

Approximately 2000 "war dogs" are "serving" in Iraq right now. They are trained to sniff out explosives and to freeze-and-stare at suspicious objects. They actually go through "basic training" like their human counterparts and learn to tolerate the horrible noises of war such as helicopters and gunfire. Some wear backpacks, radios and are trained to react to voice commands on the radio.

The breeds most commonly used are German Shepards and Malinois.

They act as companions and protectors releaving stress and loneliness. But, the ugliness of war dictates that the main reason they are there is to take the bullet before the soldier.

Dogs are an uncommon blessing from God, serving us as companions, entertainers, and for some-martyrs.

Enjoy the "United States War Dogs Association" Site dedicated to Dogs who exhibit uncommon courage and loyalty:

http://www.uswardogs.org/

Solar Dog House - How to Choose a Solar Dog House

** This cute photo is of a retail "Solar Light" you can buy for your front or back outdoor area. You could put this solar light right next to your dog's solar palace!

Solar Dog House - How to Choose a Solar Dog House

By: Petplace Staff

Introduction

Dogs need to feel warm and secure, and a solar dog house meets both of those needs. Dogs and a patch of sunlight were made for each other. Dogs seek out the sun, and they like to have a warm place that's theirs and theirs alone—a comfy den where they feel safe. A solar dog house is designed to capture the sun's warmth in the winter, and reflect it in the summer. A solar dog house could be the answer to your dog's natural desires. So what do you look for in a solar dog house? What will it cost? How is it different from any other dog house? Here are some answers.

Features to Consider in a Solar Dog House:

Consider the size of your dog, and the size of your solar dog house. Bigger is not necessarily better. Dogs prefer to be in smaller spaces, which make them feel more secure and also stay warm in cold weather. However, the solar dog house should be big enough for your dog to stand up and turn around. There should be no sharp edges and if your dog is going to be tied to it, the solar dog house should be set up for minimal leash or line tangles.Materials matter.

A solar dog house made from cedar will withstand weather, and it's a natural deterrent to fleas and ticks. Make sure the solar dog house is insulated, top, sides and bottom, to retain heat and keep out the cold. Look for a roof that's removable for easy cleaning.

Often, a solar dog house will feature a vent fan, to help keep your pet cool, and a light, to make it easier for you to look inside, and be sure that all is well.

But What Will a Solar Dog House Cost?

A solar dog house can have a sky-high price. You could easily spend more than $1,000 on a good-quality solar dog house. Yes, you could spend less on a conventional dog house. Making the choice to buy a solar dog house is one that should be considered carefully.

The Ideal Solar Dog House

The ideal solar dog house will be made of wood, preferably cedar, to naturally resist weather and to repel fleas and ticks. It should be insulated on all sides, and feature a vent in the roof, which may, or may not, be fan-powered.

A solar dog house should be attractive, easy to assemble, and easy to maintain and clean. It should be sized to accommodate your adult dog, while still being small enough to give your dog the feeling of a comfy den. It should have no sharp edges, and it should keep your dog cool in summer, warm in winter.

Solar Dog Safety and Shopping Tips

It is not only important to decide on the features of your doghouse, but also to consider why you are getting it. Putting the dog outside is not the best way to solve behavioral problems. Giving a dog that sleeps outside a solar dog house, however, is an excellent reason to give your dog some shelter. So find the solar dog house that works for you and give your dog a home!

Legal Disclaimer

If your pet is showing any signs of distress or you suspect your pet is seriously ill, CONTACT YOUR VETERINARIAN immediately.All of the information presented on this website was developed by Intelligent Content Corporation staff members and is the sole responsibility of Intelligent Content Corporation.See the legal terms on the website for additional legal terms.

Come To The Zoo Before The Zoo Comes To You

Here's a marketing strategy that will appeal to some people but no doubt some dog fans will find distasteful:

http://www.spinwall.com/funny/croceatdog.html

Beauty and The Beast

An Average Dog's Lifespan Should Be 25-30 Years Mostly Disease-Free, Here's How

* Editor Pat: This is very good info. Dogs should eat the way he recommends here. I have taken my dog to a "holistic" vet for years and he recommends the same diet.. Dogs should be living into their 20's if they eat right and get out and exercise regularly.

An Average Dog's Lifespan Should Be 25-30 Years Mostly Disease-Free, Here's How
By Rick London

By now, many of you who have followed my writings know that I am The Dog Man Of Hot Springs (I also love cats), but I tend to adopt stray dogs. I would adopt the cats but most are feral and remain untouchable so I leave food out for them.

You may (or may not) have heard about my twenty year old dog “Thor” and how he became to stay so healthy so long. If not, I will not go into detail here as I don't want to be repetitive, but will simply say he nearly died several times along the way, I now know after talking to numerous holistic vets, due to processed dog food. This was many years before “the scare”.

For the past eight years he has been on the b.a.r.f diet (bones and raw foods) and again, I won't go into the details of that diet (except that it is all raw human-grade meat, bones fruits and veggies (and herbal tinctures). For more information on it, simply google the b.a.r.f diet. It works great for dogs and cats as well. Thor, is finally reaching the age where he is experiencing a few health issues (at an age when most dogs do who eat processed foods at about age six-to-ten.

I am angry that more nutrition is not taught in vet schools. But I have read from several vet journals and was not surprised to see, for instance, that there is no minimal nutritional requirements for grains of any kinds for dogs or cats. But look at the processed foods. It is loaded with them; even the more “socially acceptable expensive quality foods” even if meat or meat by-products are the main staple.

One vet told me, “But dogs will choke on the bones...some dogs have died.”

That is true.

But hundreds of thousands of less dogs (even given percentages of which dog is fed what) have died from choking on raw bones than processed kibble. Never give a dog a cooked bone, not chicken, not beef, not ribs. Cooking changes the molecular structure making the bones brittle. Thor has eaten raw bones of all types from chicken to rabbit for ten years without one problem.

Let's face it. Seventy years ago, there was no such thing as “dog food”. People fed their pets what was left from the table, raw foods from the gardens, etc. The catastrophic diseases we see today, began at the same time processed dog food was introduced to the market.

A few months ago I was flying to Charlotte, N.C on business and to see friends. I was talking to a young woman before takeoff, sitting next to me who had two yellow labs. They were both constantly sick. I told her about the b.a.r.f diet and how most vets don't know about it, because they are educated by the dog food industry salespersons.

A woman in front of us turned around abruptly and said, “Sorry to interrupt. I am a vet in Sterling, Va, an alopathic one. But I know as much as anyone about the b.a.r.f diet and I would never recommend feeding a dog or cat processed food.”

I was in shock. I asked, “How do you make a living, then with so few sick animals?” She said she works on word of mouth, volume patients. They usually only come in every few years and that is mainly for accidents. I smiled and was instantly educated. There are some very good honest vets out there who really do care about their patients, I thought to myself.

Rick London is a writer, cartoonist, e-entrepreneur and pet lover in the Ouchata Mountains of Arkansas. He was the founder of Londons Times Cartoons in 1997 which remains one of the most visited sites on the Internet. Recently he launched Londons Times Tees http://www.londonstimestees.com which features a section of hilarious cartoon tees, totes, aprons, coasters, etc with dog and cat cartoons. His main website has received about 7 million visitors since 2005 http://www.londonstimes.us

I recommend Dr. Ian Billinghurst's “Give Your Dog A Bone” book and for a great website resource, Shirley's Wellness Cafe.

The Dangers of Summer Heat and Your Dog!

Do You Have a Cool Dog or a Hot Dog? The Dangers of the Summer Sun
By Rose Smith

Summer is usually a time of rest, relaxation, vacations and fun activities for the whole family - which often includes the family dog as well. However, just like any other season, summer has its own hazards which you need to look out for such as sunburn, heat stroke, and heat exhaustion. These are specific hazards that can threaten not only humans, but animals as well.

Unfortunately, many dogs are exposed to these serious dangers all too often. Dogs often get locked up in cars while their owner just "runs into the store for a minute". That "minute" (which is usually more like 10 to 20 minutes) can mean the difference between life and death for your pooch.

Don’t be regretful after something horrible happens. Take some simple precautions and actions to prevent these hazards from happening to your pet.

• Never leave your dog in the car without an air conditioner on. On a sunny day with an outside temperature of 77F (25C), the interior vehicle temperature can reach 96F (35.6C) within ten minutes. It’s the same even if you’ve parked your car in the shade with the windows cracked open. In twenty minutes it will reach a temperature of 106F (41.1c) and 110F (43.3C) within half an hour. No matter how good your intentions, most errands often take at least 10 minutes. While you're in a cool, air-conditioned environment, your dog could be dying of heat stroke. Leave your pet at home or leave the car running with the air conditioner turned on. (Carry an extra set of keys with you).



• At home, make sure your dog has a shaded area to lie in outside. If you're using a dog house, make sure it is also shaded and well ventilated. Any dog house will become extremely hot inside within a short period of time if the sun is beating directly upon it.



• Keep your dog in the house during the hottest part of the day.



• Make sure your dog has access to cool, clean drinking water during the day. Place the water dish in the shade, not in direct sunlight. Change the water often as you don't want it to become stagnant.



• When traveling, even for short distances, bring a dish and some fresh bottled water to give to your dog as needed.



• If you tend to leave your dog outside most of the time, then provide a small child's wading pool filled with water. Place it in the shade as well. In this way, your pet can jump in and cool off as needed.



• When taking your dog for a walk, keep him on grassy areas. If you stop for any reason, make sure your dog stays on a grassy surface. Surfaces such as sidewalks, paved roads, rocky areas, and beach sand become extremely hot under the direct intense heat of the sun. You know how much these surfaces can burn your own feet. They can also burn your dog's pads as well!



• Don't travel with your dog in the back of an open truck. The surface is often metal and can seriously burn your dog's feet. On top of that, the metal gives off additional heat making it very hard for your dog to cool down. With the sun beating down on him severe sunburn can result, along with heat stroke. Put your dog in the cab of the truck or leave him at home.

Signs of Heat Stroke And What To Do About It

Taking these simple, common sense measures can make a huge difference for your dog. If your pet reaches a body temperature of between 105 to 100 degrees F you will most likely see signs of potential heat stroke. Here's what to watch out for:

Extreme panting

Labored breathing

Gums or eye membranes become a bright red

Highly fatigued

Possible collapse and unconsciousness

Potential seizures

If your dog displays any of these symptoms, get him out of the heat immediately and into the shade. Use cool wet towels to bring down his temperature. If possible, place him in a tub of cool (NOT COLD) water. Do not use very cold water or ice as these will constrict the blood vessels and won't allow your dog's body to release the heat. Take your pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible. Heat stroke is very serious and should be considered an emergency situation.

(c) 2007, Rose Smith. Explore the benefits of natural dog health care. Find information on topics such as: dog nutrition, dog health problems and solutions, grooming, behaviour training and more. Be sure to visit us today at http://www.caringforcanines.com

Elwood The Ugliest Dog in America!

Elwood, a Chinese Crested/Chihuahua mix is the "World's Ugliest Dog"-Good for Elwood!

Elwood escaped being put down because his breeder thought he was too ugly to ever be able to sell him. His current owner rescued him and entered Elwood in the contest for the second year in a row. Last year Elwood came in a decent second.

Most of the Ugly Dogs are the Chinese Crested variety because of their unearthly looks and floppy tongues.

We'll see how long Elwood can remain King of Ugly dogs!

Idiots Stealing/Selling Dogs on the Net

News blurb about some crumbs who think it's fun and profitable to steal dogs off the street and sell them on the net-be careful of who you buy your next dog from. Do research and check out the seller/breeder for legitimacy!

http://www.wnbc.com/news/13541283/detail.html