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 Email to a Friend Kristi November 21st, 2007

Dog travel is one of the most exciting activities for dogs yet the most exhausting task for the owner. This is due to the fact that dogs also have motion sickness and it is also annoying to bring along all the pet travel kits that is necessary. Dogs are the kind of pets that needs to be well-fed or else they will unstoppably bark and roam around feeling distressed.

To avoid this kind of situation, you can just look for the right and useful tips to make sure that you won’t have any hassle in the trip once you bring along your pet with you. For the benefit of every pet owner, here some of the important tips in buying dog travel supplies:

• Look for the kind of dog travel supply that will combine safety with convenience not only for the part of your dog but for you as well.

• First, make sure that your dog will never leave your side especially during the travel by purchasing important tools and kits like safety harness, chains and other stuff.

• If your dog is your only passenger most of the time, make sure that you will buy the safest and most secured seat belt with a lockable buckle so your dog will not have the opportunity to jump our of the car window.

• Also make sure that your dog has his own safety harness inside the car because he might need this especially when there will be sudden stop and bumps that may cause dizziness to your beloved pet.

• Look for dog travel supplies that are easy to use or install, requires simple cleaning or washing, and won’t be torn apart too easily.

• To protect your car seats, it is also advisable for you to buy pet seat covers to avoid stains and pet odors.

• Make sure that the affordable cost of your dog travel supply goes along with the right quality. Of course, you will choose a kit that will last for a lifetime without giving you too much cost.

• You might also try pet barriers inside the car to protect the driver, passengers and your furry friend as well.

• To avoid pet injuries, you might also buy a dog ramp in order to give your pet a simple and safer way of going out of the car.

• To avoid messy food and other leftovers, you may also purchase a dog traveling dish or food dish so that your dog’s drink and food will always be clean, safe and fresh.

Author: Andrei Smith
Email: www.dogtravel-4less.com

Popularity: 7% [?]

• Dogs , Pet Accessories , Pet Care , Pet Products , pets
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 Email to a Friend Darren November 5th, 2007

Forbes Names Colorado Springs Friendliest City for Pets

TOP PET CITIES

1. Colorado Springs

2. Portland, Ore.

3. Albuquerque, N.M.

4. Austin, Texas

5. Charlotte, N.C.

6. Virginia Beach, Va.

7. Kansas City, Mo.

8. St. Louis, Mo.

9. Seattle

10. Denver

In the Forbes survey, Colorado Springs landed in the top 20 in all categories factored into the rankings: public park acreage, dog parks, pet supply and service businesses, and veterinary facilities and costs. The Springs has more than 10,000 acres of public park space, or almost a tenth of an acre for every pet, seven dog parks, and 113 veterinarians, the magazine said. Colorado Springs fit a profile similar to the other winners in the top 10: a small to medium size city with a median population of 507,000 people. All are “large enough to draw lots of pet shops, vets and public parks, but small enough not to drown out such amenities with overly dense populations,” the magazine said.

To learn more about the survey and see photos of winning cities, visit forbes.com.

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• Pet Care , pets
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 Email to a Friend Kristi November 5th, 2007

You both need it! Lack of activity is a fact of modern life for humans and canines. Nature designed us both for constant activity. Even today, primitive peoples - and primitive dogs like wolves - are constantly on the move. The search for food and shelter works their bodies nearly every waking moment. Those unable to endure simply perish.Success has replaced the strain with stress. We no longer toil long hours tilling the soil by hand. Dinner now waits in the microwave. Our companion dogs no longer spend the day running down wild animals for food magically appears in the bowl. Life was hard, but simple for our ancestors. All could be answered with one of a pair of solutions: fight or flight. Uninhibited effort was always the answer. Early man could, literally, run away from his problems. This is obvious with the threat or fear of attack, but even starvation was generally avoided through migration.

I just noticed today that I have not had a chance to walk Keltee for 4 days. I feel so bad that she has been cooped up in the house. So I wanted to be motived to get myself out the door with my dog instead of just going to the gym where I have to leave her at home.

Exercise leads to longer life. Increased strength, endurance and flexibility directly give us the the ability to better deal with modern times. The effort invested in exercise pays dividends. Research has proven that, within limits, we get back two hours in increased life span for every hour spent working out. As mentioned, as always, there is an end to a good thing — nobody has managed immortality through exercise! Not only the quantity but also the quality of life is improved. Physical discipline provides many psychological rewards. Most experience a heightened sense of well being during training. This has been described as the `runners’ high.’ Other athletes report similar sensations. An exercise regime promotes a positive attitude towards life in general. Of course, physical activity provides weight control and muscle tone. An improved appearance never hurt anybody’s feelings!

Exercise helps both people and dogs to lose weight in a number of ways. An enormous number of calories are burned while working out. Exercise engenders a faster metabolism so that fat is being burnt up even during rest. Also, muscle tissue uses more calories than fat tissue. Since muscle grows with exercise, the loss of fat is compounded yet again.

Ya. this sounds great to me. Maybe some uphill runs tomorrow. Below are some tips for excercising specific breeds.

Now take a look at your dog. A breed like a Pekinese or Dachsund has a very limited capacity for exertion. The short legs, long spines, and poorly developed hips simply don’t allow for much exercise. These little guys will love to take a brisk walk with you, but be prepared to cary them most of the way on a long hike. The toy breeds have great spirit, but caregivers must be realistic and considerate of their pet’s limitations.

The hounds, spaniels, terriers, collies, retrievers, pit bulls, and sled breeds have tremendous stamina. This should come as no surprise, since, in the fairly recent past, for the grandparents of these dogs rest, not exercise, was the rare commodity. The hard life of the people simply did not permit the luxury of catering to pets. Dogs had to help the entire family to eke out a living. The Akita is also noted for physical prowess. The sight hounds, like the Greyhound and the Afghan Hound, were born to run

Special mention must be made of the German Shepherd and the Rotterweiler breeds. Healthy examples will out run all but the most physically fit humans. Unfortunately, these breeds are notoriously prone to hip dysplasia. There are varying degrees of this chronic condition. The milder forms will actually be helped by exercise. More severe cases will only be able to tolerate a mild routine. The worst cases will not be able to stand any prolonged activity. Your dog’s veterinarian will tell you what to expect.

For a complete copy of the article see PETCRAFT.

Popularity: 7% [?]

• Dachshund , Dog Breeds , Dogs , Pekinese , Pet Care
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 Email to a Friend Kristi October 9th, 2007

Ingredients:

• 2 cups rice 2 packages Reg. Flavor oatmeal (mixed w/milk)
• 1/4 cup molasses
• 1 cup carrots
• 1/3 cup spinach
• 1 1/4 cup flour
• 1/2 tbsp brown gravy mix
• 4 tbsp applesauce
• 1/2 tbsp vegetable oil

 Directions:

Preheat oven to 350degrees Stir Ingredients, but adding flour gradually. Drop on cookie sheet using tsp. Bake 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. Makes approx. 20 cookies.

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• Dogs , Pet Care , Pet Food
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 Email to a Friend Kristi October 9th, 2007

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups oat flour
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup oat bran
• 2 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 egg lightly beaten
• 1/4 cup honey
• 3 Tblspn. vegetable oil
• 3/4 cup milk
• “optional ingredients” : apples/banana’s blended together, shredded zucchini and carrots, nuts/raisins ,shredded cheddar/jack cheese or cooked chicken

Dog Food Recipe Directions:

Preheat oven to 425. Line muffin tin with foil/paper muffin forms. Mix dry ingredients. In a separate bowl, mix the egg, honey and oil. Mix the milk in with the dry ingredients, blending well. At this point mix your “optional” ingredients into the honey mixture, then mix the honey mixture into the flour/milk batter. Put in muffin tins and bake for 15 - 20 minutes. These muffins freeze well.

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• Dogs , Pet Care , Pet Food
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 Email to a Friend Kristi October 9th, 2007

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups All-Purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp. Baking powder
• 1/2 cup Margarine, softened
• 1/2 cup corn oil
• 1 Jar strained beef or liver baby food (2 1/2-ounce)
• 4 Eggs
• 3 Strips dog beef jerky, crumbled (optional)
• Plain yogurt (for dogs) or cottage cheese (for dogs or cats), for icing

Dog Food Recipe Directions:

Sift flour and baking powder together; set aside. In large bowl, with electric mixer at medium speed, cream margarine until smooth. Add corn oil, baby food and eggs; mix until smooth. At low speed, gradually beat flour mixture into beef mixture until batter is smooth. Fold in beef jerky. Pour batter into well-greased and floured 8″x5″x3″ loaf pan. Bake in a preheated 325F. oven 70 minutes. Let cool on wire rack a few minutes before removing from pan to cool completely. Ice each slice with yogurt or cottage cheese for dogs, or with cottage cheese for cats. Yield: 1 (8″) loaf cake.

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• Cats , Dogs , Pet Care , Pet Food
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 Email to a Friend Kristi October 9th, 2007

Ingredients:

Directions:

Mash banana’s and peanut butter, stir in wheat germ. Chill 1 hour. With wet hands, solid. Place in container, store in refigerator or freezer.

Popularity: 9% [?]

• Dogs , Pet Care , Pet Food
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 Email to a Friend Kristi October 9th, 2007

Chicken Fix for Doggies

1. Boil chicken breasts in a small amount of water until done; chop.
2. Cook carrots in a small amount of water until tender but not mushy.
3. Mix both with the rice and cottage cheese. You may want to add some broth from the meat or carrots if it seems too dry.
4. A nice plain meal to get your baby ‘firmed up.’ Keep any leftovers in the fridge.
5. Optional flavorings (add 1 if desired): 1/4 cup mashed banana; 1/4 cup mashed or chopped plain potatoes; 1/4 cup low-fat cheddar cheese.

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 Email to a Friend Kristi October 8th, 2007

DoubleTree San Francisco Airport
An additional $20 per room fee for your pet to stay here. Hotel is located near a walking trail along the bay and a dog park.

Motel 6
Other than Service Animals, one pet per room is permitted unless they are prohibited by state law or ordinance. Pets must be declared during guest registration and must be attended at all times. Call customer service at 800-4-MOTEL6

Starwood Hotels
Starwood hotels, which includes Sheraton, Westin and W chains will accept pets in select locations. Some hotels are accompanied by doggie beds, food and water bowls, doggie robes, toys and treats.

Petswelcome.com
An online resource for traveling with your pet with lodging listings for over 25,000 hotels, B&Bs, ski resorts, campgrounds, and beaches that are pet-friendly.

Purradise Hotel
an exclusive cats-only boutique hotel located in El Granada (just north of Half Moon Bay on HWY 1). Space limited to 6 guests.

Popularity: 10% [?]

• Cats , Dogs , Pet Care , Pet Industry
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 Email to a Friend Kristi October 8th, 2007

One of the great products at the Super Zoo Las Vegas this year is the “Bags On Board.” These are baggies that hook onto your dogs leash. They make it very convenient while walking your dog.

• Easy dispense opening releases one bag at a time
• 100% biodegradable
• Strong & durable
• Leak proof
• Double seal construction

Another product that I was very impressed with was from ezydog.com. Check out their website at http://www.fullfx.com/fxstore/ezydog2/

These are innovative dog collars and leashes that stretch when your dog pulls. This eases tension on your dogs neck.

Another company that had very cute dog sweater was maxscloset.com. They are based out of Ramsey, New Jersey. Very cute and unique dog sweaters with matching hats.

Be sure to check out Pinkaholic New York. They are at www.pinkaholicnewyork.com. Very cute doggy clothes!

Additionally, another new and innovative pet product is brought to you by skooper box. Skooper Box is an innovative cardboard box made out of biodegradable recycled materials. The box clips to a leash and makes cleaning up after your pooch easy. Purchase from skooperbox.com ($12 for 30-box package).

Check out the Doggie Dooley Toilet. It works like a miniature septic tank, utilizing enzyme and bacteria action to automatically reduce dog waste to a ground absorbing liquid. Simply install in the ground; drop in dog waste; and occasionally add Digester Powder and water for continuous break down of waste. The environmentally-friendly Doggie Dooley Toilet is harmless to lawns, pets and shrubs. Visit www.doggiedooley.com.

Popularity: 10% [?]

• Dogs , Pet Accessories , Pet Apparel , Pet Care , SuperZoo
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(1 votes, average: 4 out of 5)

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 Email to a Friend Darren September 27th, 2007

September 26, 2007

The Food and Drug Administration is cautioning consumers of a potential association between development of illness in dogs and the consumption of chicken jerky products also described as chicken tenders, strips or treats. FDA has received more than 70 complaints involving more than 95 dogs that experienced illness that their owners associated with consumption of chicken jerky products.

To date, FDA has not been able to determine a definitive cause for the reported illnesses. FDA has conducted extensive chemical and microbial testing but has not identified any contaminant. Many of the illnesses reported may be the result of causes other than eating chicken jerky.

FDA has also received preliminary information from Banfield, The Pet Hospital which suggests an association between exposure to the chicken jerky products and signs of gastrointestinal illness (vomiting, diarrhea and bloody diarrhea).

Dogs that have become ill, typically show the following signs: decreased food consumption, although some may continue to consume the treats to the exclusion of other foods; decreased activity or lethargy; vomiting; diarrhea, sometimes with blood; and increased water consumption and/or increased urination. Some or all of these signs may be present in any individual. Blood tests may indicate kidney failure (increased urea nitrogen and creatinine). Urine tests may indicate Fanconi syndrome (increased glucose). Although most dogs appear to recover, some reports to the FDA have involved dogs that have died.

FDA is advising consumers who choose to feed their dogs chicken jerky products to watch the dogs closely for any signs of decreased appetite, decreased activity, increased water consumption, increased urination, vomiting and/or diarrhea; and, if the dog shows any of these signs, to discontinue feeding the chicken jerky product. The signs of illness may occur within hours to days of feeding the product. Owners should consult their veterinarian if signs are severe or persist for more than 24 hours.

Chicken treat products should not be substituted for a balanced diet and are intended to be used occasionally in small quantities.

The FDA continues to actively investigate the problem. Consumers who wish to report animal illness, please see http://www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html for contact information on the FDA complaint coordinator in their state.

Issued by:
FDA, Center for Veterinary Medicine,
Communications Staff, HFV-12
7519 Standish Place, Rockville, MD 20855
Telephone: (240) 276-9300 FAX: (240) 276-9115
Internet Web Site: http://www.fda.gov/cvm

Full Source

Popularity: 2% [?]

• Pet Care , Pet Food , Pet Industry , Pet Safety Alerts
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 Email to a Friend Kristi September 25th, 2007

We made it to the Super Zoo. What an incredible experience. We were able to see and experience all the latest in pet products, pet food, apparel, training techniques and grooming. The Super Zoo was held this year at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

We will have many of these new products on ePetsDirect.com very soon. We have been able to negotiate great deals with the manufactures so we can pass the savings on to you. The creative and classy designs in pet beds and especially pet fashions will all be available on our site. We met very creative designers as well as those who have come up with new and innovative pet products from organic pet shampoos (that smell very good by the way) as well as organic pet food and organic pooper scoopers that dissolve in 2 days in the trash. We have also established a relationship with a manufactures of incredible new and innovate leashes and collars. They carry great products especially for walking two dogs at once without getting tangled in the leashes. They have great durable products that provide comfort for you and your dog.

We met Laddie. A direct descendant of the Hollywood Lassie. Nine generations to be exact. Laddie’s owner is the son of the original Lassie’s trainer and caretaker. He has been very successful in teaching training techniques and obedience classes. I’ll post the photo soon.

We also watched a great doggie fashion show. We were able to see the latest and greatest in upscale doggie couture. We will have some photos posted soon.

More on the Super Zoo to come.

Popularity: 3% [?]

• Pet Accessories , Pet Apparel , Pet Care , Pet Costumes , Pet Food , Pet Industry , Pet Products , SuperZoo
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 Email to a Friend Darren September 25th, 2007

There is nothing quite like having your dog professionally groomed. Even if you desire to groom your dog at home, a professional groom is always a treat. You end up with a fabulous-looking dog without all the work. Make it an outing you and your dog can enjoy together.

Your professional groomer should be chosen with care. Start looking before you purchase your dog. Most professional groomers are people who are devoted to dogs and will take very good care of your dog during the grooming process. However, there are always some groomers you want to avoid. So how can you know before you experience a grooming session with your dog?

Considerable experience is required to deal with the many ranges of coat textures and individual dog requirements. Even more important is the knowledge of varying temperaments of the numerous breeds of dogs. You might ask the groomers in your area which breeds they groom the most to get an idea of their experience with your particular breed. You might ask to visit the groom shop and witness the groomer or groomers on the job before you take your own dog for a groom. Ask the groomer how they been grooming as well as how long they have been involved with dogs in general. At least two or three years of working at a kennel or at a grooming parlor would prove a great asset in learning about dog breeds, their characters and the different handling they require.

Most dogs respond to kindness favorably, but some need a firmer hand than others or a sterner voice. If you have a dog that appears to want to snap during the grooming process, you might consider having the dog evaluated to distinguish between fear and bad temperament. Once you have determined the cause of the behavior proper treatment may alleviate the problems of snapping during the grooming process. Grooming is such an essential part of any dog’s good health and good looks. It needs to be taken serious by the dog owner and made as enjoyable as possible for the dog as well as the groomer. Some groomers will refuse to groom a dog with behavior problems. It is important to start your dog out on the right track to avoid future problems.

You should ask the groomer if they have ever been bitten and how often. Be wary of the dog groomer who says they hate doing any certain breed of dog because of the nasty, snappy temperament. It could be the groomer and not the breed or the dog. However, most groomers do care and are passionately devoted to their job. Many groomers will grow to love the dogs they groom on a regular basis.

In the U.S. you should ask if the groomer is licensed or certified. Some states require on the shop to be licensed and not the groomer. Some states require that the groomer is licensed to handle pesticides.

Most professional groomers will record and maintain specific information from you. This should include your name, one or more telephone numbers, your pet’s age, name and number of your vet and any specific health problems, moles or allergies.

Take your puppy for grooms at the earliest possible date, even if it is just for a brush. This will help the groomer and your dog become accustomed to the grooming session and to begin a successful relationship.

Author: Connie Limon. I raise Shih Tzu puppies. Purchase online from Stain Glass Shih Tzu.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Connie_Limon

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• Pet Care , Pet Industry
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 Email to a Friend Darren September 24th, 2007

A Dog’s life in LA’s Beverly Hills Hotel:

• Greeted by name
• Served food from world-class chefs (are you serious?)
• Escorted in the hotel’s luxurious gardens

What more could a dog (how about a human) want? It all goes down at the Beverly Hills Hotel. A dog’s life isn’t so bad after all.

Don’t count the east coast out of this pet pampering parade. New York’s Ritz-Carlton, Central Park, has a V.I.P (Very Important Pooch) package that includes:

• Ultra-chic pet carriers
• 22-karat gold plated identification tags
• Aromatherapy treatments (c’mon seriously?)
• Home-baked dog treats

Figures from market research company Packaged Facts show people in the United States spend $47 billion a year on their pets. Spending on premium pet products, or “functional pampering,” is a fast growing share of total spending.

Between 1995 and 2005, pet owners with incomes of $70,000 or more tripled their pet expenditures to $18.6 billion from $5.2 billion, which the researcher partly attributed to the success of marketers tapping into this market by providing more high-end products and services for animals.

“Products for pets are being made to resemble those for humans,” said Tatjana Meerman, the publisher of Packaged Facts, in a statement.

“The businesses out there, they understand this trend and see what kind of money people are spending on their pets,” said Salerno, who expects the trend toward pet-friendly businesses to continue.

“People think differently about their pets. It’s not the days of old when pets were just an animal.”

Full Story

Is this beyond overkill or good for our pets? Have you used any of the hotels pet services? Was it useful? Please let us know in the comments section for this post.

Popularity: 1% [?]

• Pet Apparel , Pet Care , Pet Industry , Pet Products
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(1 votes, average: 4 out of 5)

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 Email to a Friend Kristi September 22nd, 2007

Dozens of canine healing modalities aim to affect and improve the patient’s energetic fields. We describe the most frequently used methods for treating injured dogs.

By CJ Puotinen

We call it the spark of life for good reason. From birth to death, all living creatures generate and transmit energy.

Entire healing therapies, some of them thousands of years old, have been built around energy. Once dismissed by Western science as impossible or ridiculous – and still viewed with suspicion by conventional physicians and canine veterinarians – energy medicine is slowley gaining acceptance in the United States. Several energy therapies are taught in American universities or are used by a growing number of healthcare practitioners. Can canine energy therapies help your dog?

Please write to us and let us know if you have tried any alternative therapies on your dog. What did you do and what were the results?

Popularity: 1% [?]

• Pet Care , Pet Industry
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