 The Secret Life of Cats
- Ever Wonder what your cat is thinking? Maybe its something like this . . .
- “I could have sworn I heard a can opener”
- “What’s with that irritating noise humans make with their mouths?”
- “No, really, that’s a can opener.”
- “How come they make tuna-flavored cat food and chicken-flavored cat food, but no mouse-flavored car food?”
- “This looks like a good spot for a nap.”
- “Without cats, humans would never have had any reason to invent sofas.”
- “I think I’ll be finicky this time just to let them know who’s boss.”
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As long-time dog owners, trainers and breeders, we are frequently asked questions or given information that is of general interest to other dog owners. If you have questions, hints, tips, comments, or a better way of doing things, please feel free to add your input.
 Breaking Up is Hard to Do - Divorce and the single dog
Breaking Up is Hard to Do - Divorce and the single dog
Divorce is not uncommon in this day and age. People come together, drift apart and split. This occurs in couples who marry legally. It also happens to committed but not married people. In this situation, it is not the children alone who may suffer. Dogs are also affected by the problems created by break-ups.
Dogs are generally happy creatures. They like to enjoy life. They also are better when their people are happy, too. If a couple they adore and are loyal to are feuding constantly, bickering back and forth, the dog is impacted. Poor Fifi or Rufus is going to be caught up in the emotional maelstrom.
If you are in the middle of an emotional break-up, if you are feuding most of the time, your dog is going to feel and show it. Be watchful and aware of the following symptoms.
• Physical illness. Your dog will become sick to his or her stomach.
• Increased or ever-present anxiety. Your dog will wander restlessly. Separation anxiety may surface where you have never had a problem before. Your dog does not know exactly what is going on, but he or she is worried. A pet senses the change in the environment. He or she notices the separate bedrooms, the increased absences, the packing. In this charged emotional backdrop, the dog has no idea if she or he is coming or going. Why shouldn’t he be anxious?
• The dog may become aggressive. This may take the form of siding with one partner over the other. It could also be aggression turned against the perceived causal factor. It may be generic aggression. The pet could become more protective of toys and personal items. The pet may simply be trying to control whatever he or she possibly can.
• Some dogs withdraw and become shy. They retreat into their own little world. It is the equivalent of trying to ignore the problem. It could also be simply trying to “keep your head down” until it all blows over or at least until things become more “normal.”
• There are other manifestations of behavioral problem. These vary from dog to dog.
The depth or intensity of the effects on the dog and the subsequent acting out or internalization depends on a number of factors. Your dog may be your dog. It may actually glad of the break up. On the other hand, the dog may be both your dog. Its loyalties may be evenly divided. He or she may look at you as a unit, each with a specific purpose. In my home, I am the major care giver; my partner is the chauffeur. The prior problems and emotional upheaval disrupts the routine. This is a major problem. Dogs, like people, are used to and comfortable with routine.
Another problem, beyond the emotional upheaval is the uncertainty. A dog does not know what is actually going on. If packing is involved, your pet is not truly aware of where he or she is going and with whom. In some divorces or separations, this is heightened. The dog actually becomes a pawn in the divorce. One partner may try to manipulate the other through the dog. The poor animal becomes a tool for leverage. If you are going through a divorce, please consider the feelings of you and/or your partner’s pet. In spite of what the law says, your pet is NOT a possession. He or she is a sensitive, caring animal deserving love, attention and security.
The finality of a divorce may bring about a restoration of order. The final separation introduces a sense of normality. Dogs do love routine, but they are adaptable. A change in routine is better than a t
umultuous chaotic life or an unsettling void. Routine means the return to a feeling of security. Even is the two of you end up sharing the dog, you can make sure he or she continues to enjoy whatever the two of you have and bring to the important relationship – between you and your dog.
Information written by Kenny Robertson of Oh My Dog Supplies, where you can find a fantastic collection of stainless steel dog dishes online.
 2 THINGS THAT CAN BE SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS FOR PETS
Two newly noted things that can cause serious injury and even death for pets are:
- Xylitol - a common ingredient in sugarless chewing gum and candy, can cause serious illness and in many cases has lead to death. Xylitol is a sugar alcohol is commonly used in making some chewing gum, candy, some pharmaceuticals and oral health products like chewable vitamins and throat lozenges and can even be used in home baking. While Xylitol is not harmful to people, it can be very dangerous to dogs. While Xylitol does not affect blood glucose levels in humans, when ingested by dogs, it can cause a dangerous surge of insulin. In as little as 15 minutes, the blood sugar of a dog that has eaten gum containing Xylitol may register a sharp drop in blood sugar. In larger doses, it is believed that Xylitol is toxic to the canine liver. Just 3 grams of Xylitol can kill a 65 pound dog. Because the amount of Xylitol used in making sugar-free gums varies by manufacturer and product, the number of sticks of gum that could be fatal to a dog cannot be stated with any precision. A dog that has eaten anything containing Xylitol can be rapidly hit with a drastic drop in blood sugar that can cause weakness, lethargy, loss of coordination, collapse and seizures and these symptoms can develop within 30 minutes. A dog that has ingested Xylitol needs immediate veterinary treatment to save its life. Without treatment, irreversible brain trauma occurs and death follows. Xylitol also appears to cause severe liver damage in dogs within 24 hours. Since most dogs have a sweet tooth, PLEASE make sure that you keep any candy, gum, baked products, etc. that might contain Xylitol safely put away in a place no pets can accidentally get at them. If an accident happens, call your vet IMMEDIATELY. See the ASPCA website at http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=press_082106
- Cocoa Mulch - Theobromine which is found in Cocoa Mulch frequently used in gardens can also be harmful to pets. Many people use cocoa bean mulch as a garden fertilizer or mulch. Made from spent cocoa beans used in chocolate production, cocoa bean mulch is organic, deters slugs and snails, and gives a garden an appealing chocolate smell. However, it also attracts dogs, who can easily be poisoned by eating the mulch. Cocoa beans contain the stimulants caffeine and theobromine. Dogs are highly sensitive to these chemicals, called methylxanthines. In dogs, low doses of methylxanthine can cause mild gastrointestinal upset (vomiting, diarrhea, and/or abdominal pain); higher doses can cause rapid heart rate, muscle tremors, seizures, and death. Eaten by a 50-pound dog, about 2 ounces of cocoa bean mulch may cause gastrointestinal upset; about 4.5 ounces, increased heart rate; about 5.3 ounces, seizures; and over 9 ounces, death. (In contrast, a 50-pound dog can eat up to about 7.5 ounces of milk chocolate without gastrointestinal upset and up to about a pound of milk chocolate without increased heart rate.) If you suspect that your dog has eaten cocoa bean mulch, immediately contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (1-888-426-4435). Treatment will depend on how much cocoa bean mulch your dog has eaten, when the mulch was eaten, and whether your dog is sick. Recommended care may include placing your dog under veterinary observation, inducing vomiting, and/or controlling a rapid heart beat or seizures.
IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE OF INTEREST, PLEASE SEND US ADDITIONAL TIPS OR COMMENTS!
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Posted by Tracy on October 2, 2006 at 7:54 PM under
• 0 commentsI have used, and heartily recommend, Fooey spray. Non-toxic, odorless, and water-based (unlike Bitter Apple) which is alcohol-based, and loses effectiveness as it dries. Fooey is wretched-tasting, and, speaking as someone who raised a litter of Weimaraners and lived to tell the tale, it works!
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Posted by Administrator on September 7, 2006 at 1:56 AM under
• 0 commentsPlease add your questions, comments, or tell us if you have a better way of dealing with this problem:
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Posted by Administrator on May 15, 2006 at 2:00 AM under
• 0 commentsDo you have any questions, comments, requests, anything at all to say? Please let us know.
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Posted by Admin on December 28, 2005 at 2:00 AM under
• 0 comments
 SEASONAL PET SAFETY TIPS
Now that warmer weather is here, continue to use good common sense in keeping your beloved pets happy and comfortable. Here are some tips we find useful:
- Always make sure that your pet has ample supply of fresh, clean water.
- Change the water in your pets' bowls several times a day and clean out any dirt, algae growth or mineral deposits regularly with a stiff brush. Always rinse your pets' bowls out thoroughly to make sure no soapy residue remains to contaminate your pets' water.
- Add some ice cubes to your pets' water bowl to keep things cool.
- Brush out any dead hair that your pet may lose due to change of seasons and warmer weather.
- Buy a plastic kiddie pool for your pet to play and cool down in if your pet likes water.
- Pay attention to your pet's skin and, in addition for checking for fleas and ticks, check for and treat any insect bites that may lead to hot spots developing.
HELP US OUT HERE BY SENDING US ADDITIONAL TIPS OR COMMENTS!
 SUMMER TRAVEL SAFETY FOR YOUR PET
If you take your pet on the road with you this summer, keep safety in mind. As always, use common sense. Here are some helpful tips:
- Make sure your pet has an ID tag on his collar, including your home address and phone number; also add a termporary 'travel ID tag' with your destination address and phone number; and numbers of all cell phones you have with you.
- Bring water from home for your pet to drink, as drinking strange water could upset your pet's tummy. Bring ice cubes from home to cool your pet's water while on the road.
- Never leave your pet alone in a parked vehicle - your pet could be stolen or, worse, heat buildup in a parked vehicle could be fatal.
- Bring along a copy of your pet's most recent Rabies Certificate and other health information that other municipalities might require.
Cool stuff for any canine lover to know!
 • In Asia, royalty used to put their Pekingese in their coat sleeves to keep them warm. The breed was the exclusive property of the Chinese Imperial Court, and commoners even had to bow to the dogs.
• The oldest breed of dog native to North America is the Chihuahua. • Dogs turn in circles before lying down because of natural instinct; in the wild their wolf ancestors did this to flatten long grass into a cozy bed.
• A puppy's eyes do not open until they are 10 to 15 days old. Vision is usually not completely developed until they are approximately four weeks old.
• A mixed-breed dog will usually possess the behavioral traits of the breed they most closely resemble in appearance.
• The classic Poodle haircut was originally meant to improve the dog's swimming abilities as a retriever, with the pom-poms left in place to warm their joints, and a fluffy bulbous tail meant to stick up out of the water so they're able to be spotted easily.
• A puppy's natural instinct will make them chew on absolutely anything that they come into contact with, (so always be sure they have something safe to nibble on).
• Puppies should remain with their mother until they are at least eight weeks old. During this time she will teach them not to bite and how to get along with fellow littermates.
• 39% percent of pet parents say they have more photos of their pet than of their spouse or significant other. Just 21% say they have more photos of their spouse or significant other than of their pet.
• Survivors of the Titanic included two dogs: a Pekingese and a Pomeranian.
• An American Animal Hospital Association poll showed that 33% of dog parents admit that they talk to their dogs on the phone or leave messages on an answering machine while away from home.
• The oldest dog lived for 29 years. He was an Australian cattle dog named Bluey, who died in 1939.
• Dogs are mentioned 14 times in the Bible.
• The smallest mature dog was a Yorkshire Terrier from Blackburn, England that was 2 1/2 inches high at its shoulder, and weighed only four ounces.
• The tallest dog is a Great Dane named Gibson in Grass Valley, CA, who stands 42.6 inches high at the shoulder, (when he stands upright on his hind legs, he's over 7 feet tall!), and weighs 170 pounds.
• If you notice a dog when he is fast asleep, you will see his eyes moving back and forth under the lids, as a human’s eyes do. Researchers are almost certain that dogs dream.
• Dog's nose prints are used to identify them, just as fingerprints are used to identify humans.
• When a dog bays at the moon, he is following his basic instinct to call the pack together.
• 70% of pet parents sign their pet's name on greeting cards. 58% include pets in family and holiday photos.
 HELP US OUT HERE - SEND IN MORE PET SAFETY TIPS
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Posted by Tracy on October 2, 2006 at 7:54 PM under
• 0 commentsI have used, and heartily recommend, Fooey spray. Non-toxic, odorless, and water-based (unlike Bitter Apple) which is alcohol-based, and loses effectiveness as it dries. Fooey is wretched-tasting, and, speaking as someone who raised a litter of Weimaraners and lived to tell the tale, it works!
-
Posted by Administrator on September 7, 2006 at 1:56 AM under
• 0 commentsPlease add your questions, comments, or tell us if you have a better way of dealing with this problem:
-
Posted by Administrator on May 15, 2006 at 2:00 AM under
• 0 commentsDo you have any questions, comments, requests, anything at all to say? Please let us know.
-
Posted by Admin on December 28, 2005 at 2:00 AM under
• 0 comments
 IN THE HEAT - NEVER LEAVE YOUR PET IN A HOT VEHICLE!!
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PLEASE keep your dogs safe in the heat!
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NEVER leave a dog in the car in this heat!!
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Don't even leave your pet in the sun without access to shade!!
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ALWAYS make sure there is plenty of clean, fresh water available for them!!
Dogs don't have many sweat glands and so cool their body temperature by panting. They lose heat through evaporation from the mouth. If they can't cool off enough, their body temperature can rise to a dangerous level, causing heatstroke. Dogs can develop heatstroke within just a few minutes, with the body temperature rising to 108 degrees or higher, and can die if not cared for immediately. Wet the body with cool, not cold, water and get to a veterinarian immediately!
Heat exhaustion is caused by too much exercise on hot days, but the dog's body temp may not rise to dangerous levels. Heat exhaustion may cause collapse, vomiting, muscle cramps, or other symptoms. Keep hot weather exercise for your dog to a minimum.
The foreoging info was paraphrased from BowTie Press's Dog Bible edited by Kristin Mehus-Roe.
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 What Dogs Know About Life
- Never pass up the chance to go for a ride
- Always greet your loved ones enthusiastically, even if they’ve been gone for only five minutes
- Sometimes obedience is the best strategy
- Carve out your niche - and let others know when they’ve invaded your space
- Find time to run, chase things, and play every day
- Eat with gusto!
- Be dependably loyal no matter what
- Take frequent naps
- Take time to stretch before getting up from your naps
- Don’t bite when a growl will send the message
- When someone’s having a bad day, stay close, be quiet and nuzzle them now and then
- When it’s hot, drink a lot of water and sleep in the shade
- Enjoy long, rambling walks
- Don’t take scoldings personally - you’ll forget them soon enough
- When you’re happy, show it
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