Nothing Can Beat a Happy Puppy!

There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face. - Ben Williams

Just Labs

Here's a fun site just for Lab Fans, includes videos:

Just Labs Site

Tips for a Healthier Pooch

According to this "TimesOnline" story there's an epidemic of obese or just plain fat dogs. The experts quoted in this article give some good advice to owners who just can't say no to poochie when it comes to giving them fattening treats.

Instead of treats when a dog does something good-take if for a walk or play with it's toys. That conditions the dog to expect physical activity for good behavior instead of goodies. One expert says dogs should be walked 4 times a day to take off and maintain weight. Their main meal should be given during the early part of the day and a lighter meal toward evening.

I've seen several examples on the Animal Planet Network of very overweight dogs who with some discipline and dedication from their owner lost a good amount of weight in just a few weeks. All it takes is a little tough love to get your poochie back on track and living a longer healthier life!

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.