Bliss to You by Trixie Koontz, dog as told to Dean Koontz

“Bliss To You - Trixie’s Guide to a Happy Life” has to be one of the most heart-warming and funny books I’ve read all year. This is the third book written by author Dean Koontz, as “told” to him by his beloved Golden Retriever, Trixie.

Trixie passed away in 2007, but the words for “Bliss To You” were channeled to Koontz through his computer.  In the foreword of the book, Koontz claims that he’d shut off his computer at night and the next morning the screen would be filled with words of wisdom from Trixie.

From Dean Koontz’ moving foreword to Trixie’s final page, this book is sure to delight pet owners and dog lovers everywhere.  Trixie shares with her readers the eight steps to achieving bliss that she feels anyone can take. It’s a must-have self-help book.

Along with the eight steps to bliss are sections on dog wisdom and dog quotes. The book is an easy read, at 160 pages in length.

The author’s royalties from the sale of this book are donated to the Canine Companions for Independence, an organization that provides highly-trained assistance dogs for those who need them; a program to which Trixie once belonged.

Trixie Koontz’ other books are “Life is Good: Lessons in Joyful Giving”, and “Christmas is Good”.

Photo credit: amazon.com

Can dogs sniff out cancer?

In the People magazine issue for the week of August 24, 2009, there is an article on dogs detecting cancer. Do you think they can?

According to the article, entitled “These Dogs Might Save Your Life” (page 113), Michael McCulloch of the Pine Street Foundation in San Anselmo CA, has been studying this phenomenon for the past 10 years.  Several years ago, his research team trained a group of canines to sniff out lung and breast cancer.  The dogs were able to detect breast cancer 88% of the time, and lung cancer 99% of the time. McCulloch is now working with the University of Maine to train a new group of dogs to detect ovarian cancer.

McCulloch doesn’t work with just any dogs.  The canines have to properly pick out a cancerous lab sample 30 times before making the team.  Five samples are placed in specimen boxes and lined up in a row. One box contains a breath sample from a woman with ovarian cancer, while the other four boxes contain breath samples from healthy adults.

According to the article, while cancer may not necessarily have a smell, McCulloch believes the dogs detect the metabolic waste of tumor cells, which have a different chemical make-up from normal cells.  This waste travels through the bloodstream and is exhaled through the lungs.

The dogs used in the study do not live at the laboratory.  They are family pets whose owners have volunteered to be part of this important study.

Photo credit: Mark Watson (kalimistuk) via flickr

Dog playing in water

It has been 100 degrees plus here in my hometown for the last few weeks. When it gets that hot, people tend to stay inside their homes or other places with air conditioning or fans. However, many people think nothing of letting their dogs stay outside in the unbearable heat.

Dogs can get heat stroke, become sick or dehydrated, and even die when exposed to extreme heat, just like humans.  Keep your dogs inside whenever possible during hot weather.

If your dog must be outside, remember to provide a good supply of fresh drinking water.  Use a spill-proof bowl if possible.  Also, there should be a shady area of the yard where your dog can go to escape the sun.  If your dog is in a kennel, cage or run during the day, drape shade cloth or awning material over the top of the enclosure to provide shade.  Don’t use canvas or any material that does not provide ventilation. If there is electricity available, consider purchasing a fan to keep air circulating.

If possible, provide another water source as well.  A small kiddie pool with about an inch of water will allow your dog to lie in it and cool off if he or she gets overheated.

Whether you have an indoor or an outdoor dog, avoid strenuous exercise for your dog during extremely hot weather.  Try to walk your dog in the early morning or evening hours when the temperature is cooler.

Never leave your dog in a parked car. Even with the windows open or parked in the shade, a parked car can reach over 150 degrees Fahrenheit. You wouldn’t stay in a car that hot, your dog shouldn’t have to either.

Dogs release excess heat through panting, so if you see your pet panting more than normal, take action to cool him or her off.

Photo credit: zachd1_618 via flickr

The Everything Cooking for Dogs Book

The Everything Cooking for Dogs Book by Lisa Fortunato is a must-have for dog owners who want to feed their dogs wholesome, natural dog food without having to buy it.

This book is a collection of 150 quick and healthy recipes, for everything from dog treats, to rice and pasta dishes, to desserts and party foods.

Besides the recipes, the book includes helpful hints and tips, information on doggie nutrition, and ingredients to stay away from.

All of the mouth-watering recipes in this book use ingredients that you can find at almost any grocery store or health food store.  Some of these recipes look so good, you may have the urge to try them yourself.

Here’s a recipe for Turkey Sausage Crumbles, one of the Training Treat recipes in this book.

Turkey Sausage Crumbles

Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons virgin olive oil
• 3 cloves garlic, whole
• 1/4 pound sweet Italian turkey sausage

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Heat olive oil and garlic cloves in small skillet over low heat.
3. Remove sausage casings and add meat to skillet.
4. Break sausage into little ‘crumbles’.
5. Cook until sausage bits are brown and crunchy.
6. Remove sausage bits from pan and drain on paper towel.
7. Discard the garlic cloves.
8. Sprinkle meat crumbles on a parchment-covered cookie sheet.
9. Bake 15 minutes, or until crumbles are dry and firm to touch.
10. Cool crumbles, then place in a plastic storage container with lid.  Line the storage container with a paper towel before placing the crumbles inside.
11. Store in refrigerator for up to one week.

Yorkshire Terrier at show

I love Yorkies,or Yorkshire Terriers. I was about 12 or 13 when we got our little Yorkie. His registered name was Woodbury of Blackwell. I don’t exactly remember why that was his name, although I do know it had to do with his dam and sire. We called him Woody for short.

Woody was really my mom’s dog.  He was the perfect watchdog.  We lived out in the country, and my mom was home alone most of the day while my dad was at work and my brother and I were in school. Woody barked at anything unusual, and with his barking would alert my mother to visitors, wanted or unwanted.  Because we lived out in the country, we didn’t get a lot of ‘drop-in’ visitors.  Visitors we knew were coming usually came in through the side door; we very seldom used the front door.  So, if the doorbell rang, my mom would scoop Woody up in her arms and carry him with her to answer the door.

Because Woody was so small and cute, people would generally comment.  But, if the visitor was a stranger and happened to extend a hand, either to pet Woody or reach for my mother, they were sure to take their hand back minus some skin and a little bloody to boot.

Yorkies by nature are protective. Other traits include assertive, mischievous, and fearless.  Because of their size, they have to be fearless.  Yorkies can also be stubborn, friendly,  independent, and very energetic.

Yorkies usually weigh no more than 7 pounds, and are generally 7 to 9 inches tall.  Their coat is long and silky, with steel blue coloring on body and tail, with tan face and legs.  The tail is docked.  Their body is solid and well-proportioned. Yorkies have a 12 to 15 year life span.

Because of their long coat, Yorkies need to be groomed regularly, including a daily combing.  Most owners will secure a Yorkie’s facial hair to the top of the head with a ribbon or a band.  This allows the dog to eat and see without obstruction.

Yorkies are great dogs for apartment-dwellers because of their size, but they do need to be walked frequently if there is not a yard.  These little dogs are not well-suited for homes with small children, as Yorkies cannot tolerate the constant sudden movements. They can also be easily injured with rough handling.

Many Yorkies are prone to bronchitis, early tooth decay and delicate digestion. Yorkies should be fed primarily dry dog food, with some canned food mixed in, if desired.  Chewing the dry food will help maintain their teeth.  Regular cleanings by your veterinarian are recommended as well.

Yorkshire Terriers were bred in 19th century England from a mixture of Scottish Terriers.  The dogs were used by miners of Yorkshire to catch rats that were infesting the mines.  Yorkies were also used as hunting dogs,  to chase and catch small, burrowing animals.

Photo credit: Alexandrab @ http://it.wikipedia.org

The shelter I chose to volunteer with is a no-kill dog only shelter. They don’t take dogs from the public; they rescue dogs that are in good health, but are on death row at the county animal shelter. There are currently nine dogs on site. One of these dogs, a sweet border collie mix, joined their little family today.

I started this week, going in a couple of mornings a week. We get there before the shelter opens, take the dogs out of their indoor kennels and put them in the play area. Then we clean their kennels, get them fresh water and their food, and put them back indoors. Once they’ve been fed, they go out to their outdoor kennels. During the day, the dogs are alternated for office time and play time. They are fed again in the afternoon, with more play time, before being put to bed for the night. Other volunteers arrive early in the morning and later at night to walk the dogs.

While I was there, the city animal shelter called to see if they’d come look at this dog that had been at their shelter for three months. The county shelter was overrun with dogs, and they needed to ‘thin’ out their population. The administrators went over to the shelter, looked at the dog, and were back with pup in hand about 30 minutes later.

I like the fact that it’s a small facility, and that they rescue healthy dogs from euthanasia. They treat their volunteers well, and their dogs even better. I’ve volunteered at other shelters in the past, where they don’t give the humans the time of day.  I understand that you’re there for the animals, but the humans should be treated just as well as the animals. Anyway, if you’re considering becoming a volunteer, take the step and give your local shelter a call. Chances are they need the help, and you will have a rewarding experience.

Photo credit: Superfem via Flickr

Taco Bell dog toy

Gidget, the little Chihuahua that Taco Bell used for a popular ad campaign in the late 1990’s, has died.  According to an article at USmagazine.com, Gidget suffered a stroke while watching television with her trainer.  Gidget was 15, which is an advanced age for such a tiny dog.

The “Yo quiero Taco Bell” ads that began in late 1997 gained fame for the fiesty female Chihuahua. She portrayed a male dog in the commercials.  The campaign ended in the year 2000. Because of the popularity of the campaign, Taco Bell released a line of stuffed toys sold at their restaurants.  The phrase ‘Yo quiero’ became part of popular culture.

Beside the Taco Bell commercials, Gidget appeared in a cross-over promotion for the movie Godzilla in 1998.  She also made an appearance in the movie Legally Blonde 2: Red, White, and Blonde, and has appeared along side the GEICO gecko in a commercial for GEICO.

Gidget was actually the second Chihuahua used by Taco Bell.  She replaced a dog named Dinky shortly after the campaign began.  Dinky was then used as a stand-in for Gidget.

Gidget had a long and happy life, and lived like a queen, according to her owner, Karen McElhatton.

Photo credit: samuraighost from Flickr

Here are some ideas:

Take an old sock, preferably a man’s tube sock, tie a knot at either end, and you have a tug-of-war toy.  You can also use old rope if you have any lying around.  Old towels also work for tug and pull toys.  Just tie a knot in the towel.

You can also make a chew toy from an old sock.  Take an old tube sock and cut the top off.  Sew one end of the tube.  Stuff the foot of the sock inside the tube, and sew the other end. Sleeves from old sweatshirts work for this as well.  Or, if you’re really crafty, you can make chew toys from fabric scraps and stuff with old socks or padding.

Dogs love balls, so if you have any old tennis balls or rubber balls around the house, your dog will love these.  The bigger the dog, the bigger the ball. My husband had a German Shepherd who loved his old basketball. You can also take a tennis ball and drill a hole through the middle. Then, string a long rope through the hole and bring the two ends of rope together. Tie a knot at the end of the rope, and another knot directly about the ball. This makes a good throw toy, or tug-of-war toy.

Take an empty water bottle, remove the cap, and flatten it length-wise. My neighbor does this for her small dog, and Cindy (the dog) has hours of fun chasing the bottles around the house. She’ll get hold of the edge of one of these bottles, shake her head, and fling the bottle across the room. Off she romps after it, only to repeat the process. If you’ve got a large dog, use empty 2-liter bottles.

Making your own dog toys will not only save you money, but will also provide your dog with hours of fun and exercise.

Photo credit: ktylerconk on flickr

Dog Treats

A few years ago, I took a trip to Indiana to visit my then- boyfriend, now- husband and his family for the holidays. I had never met any of his family, so I was nervous and wanted to make a good impression.

Since it was the holidays, I wanted to get gifts for everyone. Part of making a good impression I guess. His parents are divorced, so I had two parent meetings, one with his dad, and one with his mom and stepfather. Since I had flown to Indiana and was staying two weeks, I waited until I got there to do my Christmas shopping.

The day before we were to meet his mom and stepfather, I had my husband take me shopping. I wanted to make sure I got something that his mom would appreciate. After selecting a gift for them, we headed to the pet department. His mom had a small dog named Zippy. Since dogs are part of the family, I was determined to get a gift for him as well. My husband thought I was crazy, but I love animals, and wasn’t going to ignore the dog.

I couldn’t decide what to get. Should I get a toy? A bed? Treats? I walked up and down the aisles, looking for just the right item. I finally decided on a jar of gourmet, organic dog treats.

The night arrives, and we head over to his mom’s house with a pizza and presents. Still nervous, we exchange introductions and small talk. The four of us are sitting around the table eating pizza and talking, while Zippy is running back and forth, under the table and around our legs, looking for handouts. After we eat, his mom opens her gift and we continue talking. The jar of dog treats for Zippy is sitting on the table.

After a while, my husband, his mom and I notice that his stepfather is looking at the jar of dog treats. He takes the lid off the jar, picks up a treat, sniffs it, and pops it in his mouth. As we sit there staring in disbelief, he just chomps away, stating that it tastes pretty good. I’m trying hard not to laugh, after all, I’d just met him. My husband can’t help laughing, though, and neither can his mom. She finally says to him, you do know those are for the dog, don’t you? He thought it was some sort of snack mix, because the treats were small, and the jar was rather fancy for dog treats.

While I don’t recommend eating dog treats, tasting them is probably not going to hurt you – especially if they are organic treats.

Photo credit: laRuth on Flickr

Most local animal shelters will welcome new volunteers with open arms.   Shelters generally run on volunteer support, having few, if any, full or part time staff members.

There are a variety of activities that the volunteers can assist with.  Feeding, grooming, and kennel cleaning are just a few of the things that volunteers help with.  Dogs need to be walked and played with.  You might be able to assist with trips to the vet, or help out at adoption events.  Many shelters also have fund-raising events throughout the year to raise money to feed and house the animals.

If you have the space and the time, fostering dogs might be for you.  Dogs often live in foster homes instead of kennels until they are adopted.  Foster parents assist in getting the dogs acclimated to being around people, especially children, and other dogs and cats.

You can also check with local veterinarians to see if they have volunteer opportunities available.  Often, vets that provide boarding services need people to tend to the animals in the off-hours.  Many vets also take in unwanted animals and try to find them good homes.  They may need volunteers to help foster these animals.

If you are unable to give your time to help out at a local shelter, there are still other ways you can help.  Shelters are always in need of food, toys, newspaper, leashes, beds and other pet supplies.

Photo credit: Ben VanHoose