Responsible Pet Ownership Blog

The Unexpected Benefits of Pets

2012-01-27T08:00:00.000-08:00

By Julia Williams

When asked to name the benefits that pets provide, common answers include things like unconditional love and acceptance, companionship, laughter, happiness and fun. Pets offer numerous health benefits as well, including reducing stress and anxiety, lowering blood pressure, encouraging us to get more exercise, and helping us cope with pain. Although most of us don’t adopt a dog or cat thinking they might save our life one day, many do just that! Stories abound of hero dogs and hero cats who alerted their owners to fires, gas leaks, venomous snakes, marauding bears, cancer and other dangers. I should think that for all of us, having our life saved by a pet would certainly qualify as an unexpected – but much appreciated – benefit.

A diabetic scientist discovered by accident that his dog was able to detect low blood sugar. The dog alerted him before he suffered a seizure, which led the scientist to form an organization that trains diabetic alert dogs. Another unexpected benefit many pets provide their owner is teaching important life lessons that we didn’t even know we needed to learn, such as how to be more tolerant, patient or trusting of others. Sometimes, pets teach us how to open our hearts just by providing a safe and loving presence. They show us how to slow down, live in the moment and savor even the smallest pleasures life has to offer. All great things to be sure, but not usually things we expect from our pets!

Years ago I experienced an unexpected benefit from a pet that I’ll never forget. It wasn’t even my pet, but it was a great help to me nonetheless. I was renting a country cottage that sat on several acres in Northern California. As a longtime gardener, it was the perfect place for me. I created my own private paradise with a large vegetable patch, a beautiful rose garden and several flower gardens. I built raised beds because the gophers who called this field “home” had no respect for my garden (imagine that!).

The landlord’s house was also on the property, and they had two dogs. The dogs viewed the field as an extension of their territory, and quite often I’d see them patrolling it. I’d also see the small dog furiously digging holes out in the field. Terriers are known to be fond of digging, and Pepper was true to her breed. She never dug holes near my garden though, so her digging didn’t really bother me.

One day after work I went out to check on my garden. I gasped at the horrific scene before me. Pepper must’ve gotten bored with digging in the field, because she’d gotten into one of the raised beds. My beautiful flower garden was completely destroyed! I love plants and always try to take great care of them, and it was devastating to see the garden in ruins.

When the shock wore off, I had an epic temper tantrum. I kicked the side of the raised bed, stomped the ground and punched the air with my fists. I screamed so loud it’s a wonder someone from the main house didn’t come down to see if I was getting killed. The rage poured out of me like water out of a hose. Eventually, after what seemed like an eternity, I crumpled to the ground and began to sob.

I laid there crying for a long time, and when the last tear had fallen onto my dead flowers, I had a revelation. The little dog who loved to dig was not to be hated, but profusely thanked. Why? Because she had done for me, what I could not do for myself.

You see, like many people I often bottle up the anger, sadness and frustration that comes as a package deal with life. If left to fester, these negative emotions would wreak havoc on my body and my spirit in one way or another. Pepper gave me an outlet, a way to let all of these negative emotions out. My slate was clean.

I’m convinced that pets have a sixth sense, and they just “know” when things need to be done to help us. Moreover, they don’t hesitate to do them! There may be many joys of having pets in our lives, but the unexpected benefits are perhaps the most wonderful of them all. What unexpected benefits have you experienced with your pet?

'Cat and Dog' photo by Mathieu Struck
'Digging Dog' photo by Stacey Shintani

Read more articles by Julia Williams

Dogs Helping Humans with Invisible Disabilities

2012-01-26T08:00:00.000-08:00

By Linda Cole

For those of us who are writers, comments from our readers are special. We write because it's something we love to do, and having an opportunity to write about the pets we love makes it even better. Sometimes a reader will ask a question or make a suggestion that sends us on a quest to find more information. My topic today, dogs that help humans with invisible disabilities, was suggested by a reader. After doing some research on it, I discovered another wonderful example of how important dogs are to us.

My mom developed Rheumatoid arthritis when she was pregnant with me. In the early stages, she didn't really show any outward signs of the disease. She worked outside the home, took care of three kids, was active in our church, and appeared to be perfectly healthy. As I grew, her pain increased and the crippling effects of the disease began to take hold. By the time I was in grade school, she was spending more and more time in and out of the hospital for operations to repair damaged joints and continuous monitoring of new arthritis drugs she was taking. Mom was a fighter and refused to let her arthritis get the better of her, but I saw how hard it was for her on her worst days. As an adult, she told me on many occasions how important her dogs were to her. Without them, there would have been a lot of mornings she never would have gotten out of bed. Rheumatoid arthritis is one of the invisible disabilities.

One important lesson I learned growing up is that just because someone looks fine on the outside, inside they may be dealing with crippling and life changing disabilities. Diabetes, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia, lupus, sleep disorders, Lyme disease, food allergies, PTSD, epilepsy, lactose intolerance, chronic pain, autism, and ADHD are just a few of the invisible disabilities people live with every day. An invisible disability is any disease or disability that affects normal everyday life and hinders a person's ability to perform daily activities, and it isn't obvious to people who don't know you.

The Invisible Disabilities Advocate (IDA) began in 1997 by founder and President, Wayne Connell and it was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2004. Their mission is to educate people on the chronic conditions millions of people deal with every day even though they look healthy.

We've all seen a blind person or someone in a wheelchair with their service dog by their side. Deaf people are aided by their dog to alert them to a knock at their door. For some people, living an independent life would be much harder or impossible without their service dog. Because dogs are so tuned in to our emotions and needs, we can train them to perform specific tasks for specific needs to help people live with an invisible disability.

Dogs learn specific tasks like retrieving, pulling, leading, being alert to changes in blood sugar or the beginning stage of a seizure, and they're trained to help provide balance to keep their owner from falling. They are also taught basic commands and must be well socialized with people, properly behaved when out in public and able to follow commands.

My mom had two dogs and two cats. The dogs weren't service dogs, and her cats were just ordinary house cats that loved to stretch out and sleep in the afternoon sun. However, they were just as important to her as a service dog would be, because they kept her going when she didn't feel like getting up and moving. I learned how important my mom's pets were to her as her arthritis became more crippling over the years. She always knew I was around to help out when she needed an extra hand, and I always knew her pets would help give her courage to get up each morning.

Mom never complained about her disability, she never asked for pity from anyone, and she did her best to move from one operation to the next and keep a smile in her heart despite the pain she had to live with everyday. I know firsthand how hard life can be for someone with an invisible disability. I also know how important a dog or cat is; even if they aren't a certified service animal, they can make all the difference in the world for people who live with an illness other people can't see.

Photo by Chris Dixon

Read more articles by Linda Cole

How to Help Your Cat Adjust to Change

2012-01-25T08:00:00.000-08:00

By Langley Cornwell

Most of us have heard the old adage “the only thing constant is change” and we all know how true that is. It doesn’t matter whether you’re the type of person who embraces change and looks towards different circumstances as a new adventure, or you’re the type that dreads change because you thrive in familiar conditions; change happens.

If you have the privilege of sharing your life with cats, change happens to them too. While you can intelligently process the reasons for the change, your cat(s) cannot. All they know is that things are different and they are not sure how to deal with the newness, whatever it may be. They need help managing the stress that comes with change. There are steps you can take to help your cat successfully adjust to new circumstances.

New Home

If your cat is an indoor/outdoor cat, when you move plan to keep him indoors for approximately a month so he can become familiar with his new surroundings. For an extremely sensitive cat, it may be wise to establish a single room as ‘his’ and confine him to that room until he becomes more comfortable with the new home. Make sure the cat has access to a clean litter box and fresh water at all times. Whether your cat has the run of the house or is limited to one room, keep all the doors and windows closed and locked. Additionally, make sure your cat wears an I.D. tag at all times. A fearful cat can easily slip out of an open door or window and run away.

Keep distractions to a minimum; restrict the access of other animals and children to the cat as he is settling into his new territory. When cats are transitioning, they need assurance that their sources of love, shelter and food are still available. Therefore, spend more quality time with your cat than you used to, as he is adjusting to his new home. Talk quietly and reassuringly to him, and be patient. Your cat may display behavior problems during the first few weeks after a move but these issues usually clear up over time.

New Baby

If this is your first human baby, your cat is probably used to your undivided attention and will likely feel a type of sibling rivalry when the new baby comes home. To get your cat accustomed to receiving less of your time and attention, The Humane Society recommends gradually reducing the amount of time you spend with your cat during your pregnancy. Additionally, encourage another family member to spend more time with the cat so that person can develop a closer relationship with the pet. That way, the cat will still feel special, loved, and cared for while you are busy with the new baby.

Before the baby arrives, accustom your cat to infants and infant-related smells and sounds. Ask friends with babies to drop by so your pet can experience what it’s like to have a child in the house in short spurts. Create baby smells; smear baby oil or sprinkle baby powder on your skin and let your cat smell the new smells on you. Make baby noises; push up and down on the bouncy chair, turn on the mechanical swing and rock in the rocking chair. You may want to go as far as occasionally playing a recording of a baby crying. When the baby is born, have a family member bring a blanket or piece of clothing—with the baby’s scent on it—back to the house for your pet to examine. Once you are all settled back into the house and getting into your new routines, remember to spend one-on-one quality time with your cat every day.

New Dog

Generally, cats don’t react well to the introduction of new animals. They consider other pets as intruders in their territory. And, unlike dogs, cats do not have a built-in social system that helps them peacefully share their territory. Therefore, you must organize any introduction carefully so your cat feels safe and has a pleasant experience when he is introduced to the new dog. Follow the guidelines in my article on introducing a new dog to a household with cats, and the meeting could be the beginning of a long and satisfying friendship.

Some cats react better to change than others. As your cat adjusts to his new circumstances, reward his good behavior with FELIDAE TidNips™ to make the transition a positive experience. If you approach this process with love, patience and knowledge it will be an easier adjustment for all the humans and animals involved.

Photo by Wilson (Army Gal)

Read more articles by Langley Cornwell

Using Body Language to Train Your Dog

2012-01-24T08:00:00.000-08:00

By Linda Cole

Dogs know how we feel by our body language, tone of voice and expression on our face. They read us much better than most dog owners understand how to read them. It's not difficult to understand what a dog is saying, and we can use their knowledge of body language to help us interact with them better. We can also use it when we are training a dog.

In the dog's world, every movement, growl and gesture has a meaning. It can cause negative or positive reactions and be subtle or plain to see. They watch us like a hawk and interpret what we want by paying attention to us. The way we approach a dog, react to an aggressive dog, or interact with them while training can be better accomplished using their method of communication. When you send the appropriate message using body language, it can help you when meeting an unfamiliar dog and help you control your own dog.

Leaning forward into a submissive dog and moving your hand down towards the head will likely trigger a negative reaction that causes the dog to urinate. He reads your body language as dominant and is intimidated by you. But if you approach the same dog, crouch down next to him and bring your hand from his chest up to the head, you'll get a much different reaction. When you crouch down next to a submissive dog, your body language is positive and nonthreatening. We naturally want to pet a dog on the head, but it's better to stroke the chest of a dog showing submissive or dominant body language to avoid intimidating them.

One of the hardest commands to teach a dog is to come (recall). I've had dogs that refused to come, even for a treat. Instead of begging and yelling at your dog to come, turn your back and crouch down. You've shown him with your body language you're not a threat and he's not in trouble. He sees you as being calm and nonthreatening. You've given him an invitation to join you and most dogs will respond to your gesture. When he comes to you, give him a treat he loves, such as CANIDAE TidNips.

If crouching down doesn't get your dog to come, try running away from him. Few dogs will ignore someone running from them. There might be playing involved if you're running. When he comes, play with him for a minute. Then give him a treat and praise. Dogs that don't come when called just haven't been given a good enough reason why they should come. Make it worth their time and send the right signal.

Trying to get a dog to stop jumping up on you or someone else can be extremely frustrating for some dog owners. Use their knowledge of body language to teach them to stay down. Don't push them down with your hands. Dogs use their paws in play, and pushing them away is saying you want to play. When your dog jumps up on you, turn away from him. If he comes around to try again, turn away and if he won't stop, walk away. Dogs understand ignoring them says, “Leave me alone.”

Some dogs have a hard time walking beside their owner on a leash. Dogs are so anxious to get to the next interesting smell that they yank and pull on their leash, dragging their owner down the street. Leash train your dog by changing directions every time he starts to pull on his leash. You're teaching him through body language that you are the one in control and you decide which direction and at what speed you want to walk.

Eye contact is very important to dogs. When training your dog, make eye contact with him to let him know you're serious and in command. Watching a dog's body language helps you understand what your dog is saying, and you can use language he understands to teach him how you want him to behave and help you keep him under control.

Body language is as important to a dog as our means of communication is for us. You can establish your role as your dog's leader by doing what any alpha dog would do in his pack. Show your confidence and ability to lead in your body language. Stand tall, be fair, confident, calm and consistent in your dog's training and when interacting with him. Dogs are watching us all the time, and they do understand what to look for in a leader.

Photo by Angela McCallum

Read more articles by Linda Cole

Pet Fun Facts

2012-01-23T08:00:00.000-08:00

By Langley Cornwell

Cats and dogs are a source of unending discovery. The more time I spend with my pets, the more questions I have about certain behaviors – like why my cat purrs or why my dog wags her tail. We all have a general idea but I wonder, specifically, why animals do what they do. I’ve read loads of books about animal behavior and I’ve just added a few more to my list of ‘must reads.’ One thing I’ve noticed is that a few common theories about basic pet behaviors are being reexamined. Some of these findings may surprise you, and some you may already know.

Cats Purring - Most of us believe purring indicates that a cat is happy. That’s part of the story. Purring by domestic cats is not just a sign of contentment; it’s also used as a method of self-calming. Our cat Margaret was a loud, enthusiastic purrer. Once when she was injured and we took her to the vet, they had a hard time checking her heartbeat because she was purring so loudly. In general, purring is a way for cats to communicate.

Dogs Wagging Their Tails - Like a cat’s purring, a wagging tail is believed to indicate a happy dog. When a dog wags his tail, it can actually mean a range of emotions from approachability and excitement, to anxiety and aggression. A dog’s tail is an important communication tool. To fully understand what a dog is trying to convey, the tail needs to be considered along with the rest of the dog’s body language.

Cats Rubbing Against People (and other animals) - Yes, getting a nice rub from a cat signifies affection, but it also serves another significant cat function: scent-marking. Our cat always greets our dog by rubbing his face all over hers. Cats have scent glands in various places on their bodies and they use them to ‘mark their territory.’ Leaving their scent on things they come in contact with helps cats become familiar with the smells around them, which helps them claim a particular person, animal or object as ‘theirs.’

Dogs and Cats Eating Grass - I’ve always thought dogs and cats ate grass when their stomach is upset, and that grass acts as a digestive aid. Recently I read that dogs and cats eat grass for a variety of reasons, and one is simply that they like the taste. This was a relief because my cat chomps on grass first thing every morning when I let him out. As an aside, if your cat chews on houseplants, be careful of toxicity. You may want to grow your own cat grass.

Mixed-Breeds - Haven’t we all heard that mixed-breeds are healthier than purebreds? This may not be completely true. True, mixed-breeds aren’t subject to some of the genetic diseases found in purebred lines, but there is no assurance of genetic health in either type of animal. All pets are vulnerable to rabies, distemper, parasite infestation and other non-genetic conditions.

Additional random and interesting facts:

• Cats' bodies are tremendously flexible. Their skeleton has over 230 bones (compared to 206 in a human skeleton). The feline pelvis and shoulders are loosely attached to the spine which increases their flexibility and permits them to fit through small spaces.

• Dogs have roughly 100 facial expressions, most of them made with their ears. They swivel their ears like radar dishes, and experiments indicate that dogs can pinpoint the source of a sound in 6/100ths of a second.

• Cats have been known to jump seven times their height.

• Dogs don’t have an appendix.

• Cats' tongues are rough because they’re lined with papillae, which are tiny elevated backwards hooks that help to hold prey in place. The nose pad of each cat has unique ridges similar to a human’s fingerprints.

• Dogs are not color blind; they see shades of yellow, blue, green and gray. It’s the color red that registers on a grayscale for dogs.

• Cats have more than a hundred vocal sounds but dogs only have around ten.

• Dogs only sweat from the bottoms of their feet and can only release heat by panting. Cats don’t have sweat glands at all.

• Most domestic dogs can run almost 19 miles per hour at full speed whereas an adult cat can run almost 12 miles per hour. Cats can sprint at close to 30 miles per hour.

• Tests conducted by the University of Michigan determined that cats have better memories than dogs. A dog's memory lasts about five minutes but a cat's memory can last as long as 16 hours—which is longer than monkeys and orangutans.

Photo by Lucas Hale

Read more articles by Langley Cornwell

Facing the Fear of Being a Bad Dog Owner

2012-01-20T08:00:00.000-08:00

By Julia Williams

If you’ve been reading this blog for awhile, you know that I am a cat lady through and through. What you may not know is that I’ve also thought about getting a dog. I know cats better because I’ve shared my home with them for decades but have only had one dog. I “get” cats, but dogs remain largely a mystery to me. Perhaps it is precisely this unknown territory that intrigues me. I adore my cats more than anything, yet as an animal lover I want to experience the unique joy of having a dog. Actually, I could say the same thing about horses, rabbits, hamsters and birds – I’ve wanted to have all of these as a pet at one time or another.

The desire to adopt a dog is more intense, though. I think it’s because there are so many fun things you can do with a dog that you can’t do with a cat. You can go places with them, and there are umpteen dog sports you can enjoy together. My cats loathe the car, and the only sport that interests them is competitive eating….as in, let’s see who can finish their food first to “help” the others with theirs. I don’t think having a dog would be better than having cats, just different.

So why don’t I get a dog then? Oh, I’ve asked myself that question a thousand times, and there are so many reasons. The biggest is fear. Not fear of the unknown, but fear of being a bad dog owner. Dogs are complex creatures, and there is a lot involved in raising a happy, social, well mannered dog. I’m afraid that I would screw it up, and end up with a problem dog I didn’t know what to do with. I’m afraid that I don’t know enough about dogs to do it right. And if I’m going to adopt a dog, I want – no, need – to do it right.

I know that a lot of my fear comes from the painful memory of the time I did it wrong. When I was 18, I succumbed to those “sad puppy eyes” and adopted a dog from the shelter where I’d been volunteering. Never mind that I knew nothing about dogs, how to raise one, or how to deal with little problem behaviors before they became gigantic, insurmountable issues. I didn’t stop to consider what breed of dog might be best suited for me, or what they required beyond food and water. I was young and dumb, but that’s really no excuse for doing it wrong. I’ve never forgotten, and probably never forgiven myself, for being a bad dog owner.

One of our most popular articles on this blog is on the topic Jealousy in Dogs. We get comments every week from people asking for help with their particular issue. I can feel the desperation and apprehension in their words. They want to do it right, but they don’t know how. And every time I read yet another plea for help, that fear rises up again. What if I adopted a dog and this same thing happened to me? What if I didn’t know what to do or where to turn? I couldn’t bear it, so I push away the desire to get a dog.

Another thing that stops me from adopting a dog is my cats. Specifically, I fear they would feel betrayed by this intruder into their home. I fear they’d think I am replacing them with the dog. I’m sure many of you just laughed after reading that. How funny that I attribute such human emotions and thought processes to a cat, right? I know…but I fear it nonetheless. My cats have never been around dogs, and I have no idea how it would turn out. Photos of happy cats and dogs curled up together abound, but could my cats and a dog ever be friends? I don’t know…and what would I do if that didn’t happen?

I think the only thing I know for certain is how NOT to adopt a dog. I know that giving in to sad puppy eyes is never the right way, and that adopting a dog before you really, truly know what you’re getting into is setting yourself up for failure. I know that you need a basic understanding of the canine mind, and knowledge of what they need. I already know that my dog would eat CANIDAE, and I’ve learned a great deal about canine behavior from the knowledgeable writers on this blog. But at what point do I say, okay, I may not know everything but I know enough, and I am ready. I honestly have no idea, but I am open to your suggestions.

Photo by Klearchos Kapoutsis

Read more articles by Julia Williams

What Eye Contact Means to a Dog

2012-01-19T08:00:00.000-08:00

By Linda Cole

I love to sit back and watch my dogs interacting with each other. When I watch them playing and wrestling with each other, I'm reminded of a wrestling match between humans. It's fascinating to see how dogs jockey into position with similar moves that humans use. What's most interesting, however, is how they use their eyes to communicate with each other, just like human wrestlers. Eye contact is important to a dog, and we need to learn how to be respectful with our gaze and not stare.

Watching a dog's eyes gives you an idea what they are thinking and how they are feeling. It can also signal that a potential dog fight could be brewing between two dogs. A dominant dog may feel challenged by direct stare and a submissive dog can be intimidated with the eyes. But when you stop and think about it, eye contact between dogs isn't that much different than it is between people.

People who are shy or intimidated by someone direct their eyes away from a more dominant personality. The idea of confronting someone is distasteful and something they will avoid at all costs. Unless they are challenged or forced to stand up for themselves in some way, they are happier if no one notices them. The confident and dominant person isn't afraid to make eye contact. Their eyes are generally relaxed, open to the world and friendly looking. They aren't looking for trouble, but they won't back down from it if they find it. A more aggressive person has a hard stare and his eyes are narrowed. They may be angry or looking for a fight and their stare is meant to be intimidating. Someone who is fearful is wide eyed and their pupils are dilated. Dogs that are timid, fearful, dominant, friendly or aggressive view eye contact in the same way, and react to the eyes like we do.

To a dog, a stare from another dog, animal or human is rude and can mean a challenge. When you think about it, we're uncomfortable when someone stares at us, too. Thinking about how you feel about eye contact from another person will help you understand why it's important to a dog. When you're with your family and friends who know you as an individual, eye contact isn't as intimidating because you are familiar with them. It's the same way with your dogs. They know you and when they make eye contact with you, it's usually a look that says they're relaxed, happy and not intimidated when you give them direct eye contact. In fact, teaching your dog to make eye contact with you is one of the best ways to get your dog's attention when you need to distract his attention away from a situation that could pose a problem.

Understanding how a dog interprets direct eye contact is very important when meeting an unfamiliar dog. It's important to understand what a dog's body language is telling you, and being able to tell the difference between a submissive, friendly, dominant or aggressive dog can help you send the right signal to him. Not giving a strange dog direct eye contact and using proper body language he understands can defuse a potentially dangerous situation. A dog that doesn't know you may view your eye contact as rude, and an aggressive dog may perceive your look as a challenge to him. You should always keep your eye on an unfamiliar dog, but avoid looking him directly in the eyes and instead look at his ears or feet. A dog can tell the difference.

Because dogs have an excellent knowledge of body language, using eye contact with your dog is a good way to establish your role as their pack leader. A dog that's challenging you will give you direct eye contact along with other body signals, and how you respond to him with your eyes and body language tells him what he needs to know and where his place in the family hierarchy is.

According to an old English proverb, “The eyes are the window to the soul” and dogs do talk to us with their eyes. When your bond is strong and a mutual respect is shared, the unconditional love you see shining in your dog's eyes is true and forever. Eye contact with a dog who loves you has a way of melting into your heart, and it never leaves.

Photo by Jesse Schibilia

Read more articles by Linda Cole

Debunking Common Pet Health Misconceptions

2012-01-18T08:00:00.000-08:00

By Langley Cornwell

Statistics point to an alarming trend in pet health care: even though the population of pet owners has increased, the number of dogs and cats that are getting formal veterinary care has sharply decreased. The study, commissioned by Bayer HealthCare LLC, Animal Health Division and conducted by Brakke Consulting in collaboration with the National Commission on Veterinary Economic Issues, was comprehensive and well documented. It included two phases, answers from pet owners and consultations from veterinarians. The study indicates that the decline in veterinary visits may be due to misconceptions people have about their pet’s health. These misconceptions can stem from a combination of factors including the glut of information – some accurate and some not—available on the internet, and economic drivers enticing people to independently diagnose their pet’s health problem and explore home remedies.

While it’s not necessary to run to the vet every time your dog has hiccups, there are times when proper veterinary care is the right choice. Here are some common pet health myths and accompanying facts to help you determine the best course of action for your animal companion:

Are annual wellness exams really necessary? Nothing is ever wrong with my pet.
95 percent of veterinarian involved in the study strongly suggested that both dogs and cats need at least one veterinary wellness exam annually. Conversely, a lot of pet owners believe the only time their pet needs to go to the vet is for shots or vaccinations. Routine checkups are important because that’s when the vet examines your pet’s eyes, ears, heart and lungs. Additionally, the vet may take x-rays and do a blood workup. These examinations require specialized tools and techniques. If your pet is examined on a yearly basis, the veterinarian can catch problems or conditions before they become serious and costly.

If I just bring my pet in when he’s sick, he gets treated for that specific ailment and I save the money that annual wellness exams costs.
True, but you are still not giving the vet a chance to catch an ailment before it escalates. Moreover, your pet may be suffering from something that is asymptomatic. Think about your own healthcare. You see multiple doctors throughout the year, perhaps including a dentist, an ophthalmologist and a family doctor. Veterinarians have to be all these things to your pet during an annual wellness exam. If you only go to the vet when your animal is ill, your pet never gets a full checkup.

With all the helpful websites, why can’t I just figure out what’s wrong with my pet without going to the veterinarian?
There are many helpful websites with good animal health information out there, but there are sites with bad information and advice floating around as well. And according to the Bayer study, 39 percent of pet owners do consult the Internet before calling their vet if their pet gets injured or shows signs of illness. The problem with the abundance of online healthcare resources is that it’s hard to be completely sure if your animal is suffering from what’s described online. Another issue is that, in certain circumstances, pet owners are spending too much time on the internet looking for answers. By the time they actually bring their pet in to a veterinary clinic, the dog or cat is even sicker than he would have been if the owner would’ve brought the pet in at the first indication of a problem. This delay could lead to a longer and more expensive course of treatment.

Since my cat hates going to the vet and the stress makes us both crazy, can’t I just skip it?
Getting a cat into a carrier and driving him to the vet is a challenge, to be sure. And many cats exhibit extreme stress once they’re at the veterinarian clinic. Unfortunately, this issue causes cats to lose out on important health care. The Bayer study illuminated that more than one third of the domestic cats in the U.S. have not been to the veterinarian in over a year, and their quality of life suffers as a result.

Once my pet gets older, we don’t have to still go to the vet annually, do we?
Older animals do not require the number of vaccinations that younger pets do, but they still need regular veterinary care. In fact, older pets are at risk of a range of chronic and expensive illnesses like arthritis, diabetes, and even cancer. Think of your pet as you would an older friend or parent; as they age, they need regular medical care to ensure continued robust health and a good quality of life.

Photo by Stephanie Wallace

Read more articles by Langley Cornwell

What My Pets Mean to Me

2012-01-17T08:00:00.000-08:00

By Linda Cole

There's never been a time in my life when I didn't have a pet in my home. As a kid, I loved being around any animal. Living in the country where we had cows, pigs, chickens and outside cats and dogs, was great. One of my favorite things to do was get up at dawn and head out with my dad to do morning chores, especially in the winter when there was snow on the ground. That's when it was the easiest to see deer in the cornfields digging through the snow looking for corn left over after the harvest. Sometimes, a red fox, coon or possum would pass by. Our dog, Trixie, was always by my side. Together, she and I explored every nook and cranny we could find looking for “treasures.” My brother and sister weren't as adventurous as I was, so Trixie was my friend, my playmate and my protector.

I didn't understand how important Trixie was to me until my folks decided to move into town and give Trixie away. My best friend was given to an older couple in another town who wouldn't take her out running in the fields. I was assured, “She'll be fine and we still have another dog and cats.” But to me, it wasn't fine nor was it fair. I was 12 years old, and my heart was broken.

It's what we learn as kids about life and ourselves that shapes us as we grow. I'm sure my parents had a good reason for giving Trixie away, but I never knew what it was. The lesson I learned was to love each pet every day and never take them for granted.

My pets have always been an important part of my life. They've seen me at my worst and my best. They've been there to comfort me when I needed a friendly and understanding soul to talk to and hold. They've always been a force that helped me maintain a balance when times got a bit rocky. They aren't perfect and neither am I, but we share a mutual respect and a love that will always be there, no matter what.

People have different reasons for why they have pets. For me, my pets give me a purpose and a reason to muddle through everyday life. They complete me and make me smile and laugh just to be around them.

My dogs and cats inspire me every day. They don't care if it's raining or sunny; as long as they are with me, that's what's most important to them and they will walk by my side no matter where I go. That's more than a lot of people would do. People come and go in your life, but when you love a pet, they will always have a place in your heart. Pets have a much simpler way of looking at life, and we can learn from them how to dance in the rain.

Over the years, I've learned to enjoy the quiet things about life because of my pets. I love to sit and watch the dogs when they're outside. They see, smell and hear everything and when I see their ears moving like little radars, I know they're listening to something far away I can't hear. But if I close my eyes and really listen, sometimes I can hear what they hear.

My cats just plain make me laugh. Pogo hops around on his back legs and almost dances when he's trying to catch a string. Kip and Figaro like to drape themselves over my shoulder and contentedly purr in my ear. Jabbers will sit behind me and wait for me to turn around so we can have a chat, and Shaggy, Emma and Kia sit and stare at me sending love kisses with their eyes.

My dog Keikei reminds me so much of Trixie. She has the same kind of energy Trixie had. Keikei loves to run and loves to learn. Of all of my dogs, she's the one who's the most eager to learn new things. She will do anything for her CANIDAE Snap-Bits™, and plops her bottom down when she sees me getting them out. The first time I gave her one of the treats, the peppermint smell was very intriguing to her. I swear, she smiled as she ate it.

I don't know what I'd do without my pets. I definitely wouldn't be happy if I had to go through life without them by my side. They are my pride and joy. Thank you, Trixie, for helping me discover who I am.

Photo by Ben Simo

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Behavioral Problems: Is it the Dog or the Owner?

2012-01-16T08:00:00.001-08:00

By Langley Cornwell

When we adopted our dog, she was shy and insecure. She wouldn’t even stand up straight. Her tail was tucked, her head hung low and she cowered any time a person or dog approached her. We knew we had our work cut out for us, but were ready and entirely willing. We immediately enrolled in puppy kindergarten, and it helped her tremendously. One thing that’s abundantly clear, however, is that the class was more about training the humans than training the puppies.

So here we are, 3 years later, and I’ve fallen short. I have not held up my end of the bargain. To be specific, our dog now walks tall, is well socialized and she’s gaining confidence every day. Where I got off track was with the basic dog training skills. Additionally, we’re inconsistent with correcting behavioral problems, and we’ve allowed a few bad manners to continue. Regarding the basics, she’s pretty good at ‘come’ but I’d like her to be better. In an emergency, I’m not sure she would drop everything and come running under all circumstances. She will ‘sit’ but only for high-value treats like CANIDAE TidNips™.

Thankfully, she seems to have outgrown her destructive chewing habit. Her ‘leave it’ is okay, she doesn’t bark excessively and she’s never been one to jump up on people. But forget about ‘down,’ ‘wait,’ ‘stay,’ ‘heel,’ or ‘look.’ Even though we learned these commands in puppy kindergarten, nothing stuck (and yeah, I know that’s my fault). Additionally, she’s an excessive digger and a leash puller. She begs from my husband but not from me. I think we all know why, although he denies it… but that’s a different topic altogether. The point is – we need to get back to work.

Professional dog trainer Adam Katz at dogproblems.com has an online newsletter I subscribe to. His recent message caught my attention. He asserts that 98% of a dog's bad behavior is a direct result of what dog owners do, and that when it comes to behavior problems, dogs only respond to the conditions and stimulus they receive from the outside world. Many of us already know this, but knowing it and doing something about it are two different things.

I’ve heard dog trainers give various examples that follow a similar theme. For instance, your family enjoys congregating in the backyard around a bonfire in the evenings. Your dog thinks the fire looks interesting and goes for a closer look. When he gets close enough to feel the heat, he backs off. The next time you’re around the fire, he may go in for another inspection but backs off quickly. If your dog is a slow learner there may be a third attempt but probably no more than that. The dog is receiving consistent corrections in the form of heat when he gets too close to the fire.

So when our dog starts digging, it’s our responsibility to give her a proper correction (gentle negative association) in every case, whether we feel like it or not. If she doesn’t get the correction at the time of the infraction, she’ll likely think the behavior is okay.

Another point to consider: if she is getting good corrections consistently when we see her do it, but continues to dig when we’re not around, then we must ensure that she can’t get to a ‘diggable’ area when we’re away. That may mean keeping her inside when we run errands, blocking her access to the grassy area or whatever. The goal is to give her a correction every time she digs, with no exceptions. To reinforce the point, I may have to let our dog into the yard and then watch her from a position where she can’t see me. If/when she starts digging, I’ll be ready to run in and perform a correction so she gets the point. Once she stops digging completely and doesn’t relapse, then we’ll be able to give her more freedom in the backyard when we’re away from the house.

I know our dog wants to do the right thing. She is a great pet and wants to please us. It’s our job to learn how to communicate with her in a clear and consistent manner. We need to get better at giving motivational praise and meaningful corrections at the right time, every time.

So the next time our dog does something that is completely natural to her but doesn’t fit with our lifestyle, we should face the fact that the issue is with the owner—us—and not the dog.

Photo by Tracey R.

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“Simon’s Cat” Animated Cartoons are Simply Meowvalous

2012-01-13T08:00:00.000-08:00

By Julia Williams

I love cats, and I love cartoons. So today I decided to share some information about my all-time favorite cat cartoon called Simon’s Cat. Now, I’m sure some of you know about this animated series and have watched the hilarious films on YouTube or Facebook. If you’re a cat lover, you can’t help but love the Simon’s Cat cartoons! I may have a lot of “favorite things involving cats,” but Simon’s Cat cartoons are at the top of that long list. They always make me laugh…and laugh… and laugh. The cartoons are such an incredible mood lifter, but I learned the hard way that I must put down any drink or snack before clicking the play button on my computer screen.

About the Simon’s Cat Cartoons

Simon’s Cat was created by Simon Tofield, an award-winning English illustrator, animator and director at Tandem Films in London. Simon is a “cat guy” who not only clearly loves and understands felines, but brilliantly translates that into the funniest animated cat cartoons I’ve ever seen! The Simon’s Cat cartoons center around the relationship between a man and his mischievous cat, who is always getting into some kind of trouble. If you’ve ever shared your home with a cat, you’ll recognize many of this cartoon cat’s antics, which Simon illustrates so hilariously. This “foodie cat” will do just about anything to get noms, including stealing a giant turkey off the table and leaving a small can of cat food in its place. The cat’s signature move is pointing to his mouth and making an amusing “feed me” meow that cracks me up no matter how many times I see it.

Simon’s Cat made his first appearance in March of 2008, in a film called “Cat Man Do,” described as “A hungry cat resorts to increasingly desperate measures to wake its sleeping owner.” Simon’s Cat has a huge fan base on Facebook and on YouTube, where that first cartoon has more than 29 million views! All of the Simon’s Cat films (there are 16 to date!) can be watched for free on their website and YouTube, and there’s talk of making a special DVD compilation of the films with added extras. I think that’s a splendid idea, but I’m not sure my body could survive all that laughing; I’d have to pace myself and only watch 5 minutes at a time.

The Simon’s Cat franchise has branched out since that first cartoon, and merchandise now includes three books as well as calendars, food bowls, t-shirts featuring that infamous ‘feed me’ pose, limited edition prints, notebooks, cards, coasters and more. There are also two iphone apps and a brand new Simon's Cat plush toy in three sizes. The large plush cat has a sound chip that meows when you press his paw!

About Simon Tofield

Like most children, Simon Tofield loved watching cartoons on television. However, these cartoons sparked a creative fire within the young Simon, and he began creating basic flip-books emulating the techniques he saw on the TV screen.

As you’d expect, Simon has a cat in real life – he couldn’t possibly dream up such spot-on “cat-versus-human” scenarios without at least one cat in the house. He actually has four cats, and sometimes posts photos of them on the Simon’s Cat website.

The Simon’s Cat films are drawn and animated in Adobe Flash using a Wacom stylus and tablet. However, they are still hand-animated in a traditional manner, frame to frame, and it takes between 12 and 25 drawings to create a mere one second of animation. This means that a finished Simon’s Cat film requires hundreds and even thousands of drawings. And that doesn't count all the rough sketches Simon creates on paper before he puts digital pen to tablet. Wow. That's a lot of drawing, isn't it? I'm so glad Simon Tofield loves to draw!

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Kooikerhondje - A Beautiful and Rare Dog Breed

2012-01-12T08:00:00.000-08:00

By Linda Cole

The Kooikerhondje is a rare dog breed that originated in Holland around the 1500's. Nicknamed Kooiker, they're also called Dutch Decoy Dog. The name is pronounced coy-ker-hund-che, although sometimes it's pronounced koy-ker-hund. According to historians, it's thought the Kooiker and the Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever share origins because of a similar working style. Both dogs were bred to hunt ducks in a rather unique way.

Generations of Dutch hunters devised a foolproof method of trapping ducks, and they used the Kooikerhondje as bait, so to speak. The men constructed a pipe of sorts beside a pond used by ducks. It consisted of netting spread out over a long archway with a trap at the end of a tunnel. The trap was called a “Kooi” and that's most likely where the Kooikerhondje name came from. The dog was trained to get the attention of the ducks and lure them down the tunnel far enough that by the time they lost interest in the dog, it was too late to get back out the opening because the hunters would stand in the entry way and block it. This forced the ducks to continue down the tunnel, into the trap.

This trapping method was and still is a very effective use of the Kooikerhondje's unique characteristics. Once the trap is set up and ready, hunters toss a stick into the pond. The dog jumps into the pond in a game of fetch and then plays with the stick; tossing it up in the air and trying to catch it. For some reason, this attracts ducks. When the hunters think the dog has the ducks attention, they instruct the dog to start to lure them into the trap. A long, bushy white tipped tail keeps the ducks curious enough to follow him. An entire flock of ducks can be trapped using just one dog. This method is still used today for conservation efforts to study, tag and inspect flocks for research and to monitor the health of duck populations.

This 20-40 pound sporting dog was on the verge of becoming extinct during WW II, but because of the efforts of Baroness Van Hartenbroek van Ammerstol, the breed was saved. With only 25 Kooikers to be found in Holland, the Baroness made a commitment in 1939 and began a dedicated breeding program. She is also credited with helping allied pilots in WWII escape from the Germans by using her dogs to lead soldiers through the woods to the safety of the Belgian border.

The Kooikerhondje has a life expectancy of 12-14 years. A white and chestnut red double coat protects the dog from the elements, with a short, thick undercoat and a water-proof, silky, medium-to-long wavy outer coat. Feathering is found on the chest, back of the legs and ears, and the tail is bushy and long. Kooikers have black hairs that feather down from their ears making it look like the dog is wearing earrings. The feathering is called ear-bells. The breed standard requires a white streak on the dog's head.

An intelligent, happy, good natured, alert and high energy medium sized dog, the Kooikerhondje makes a great family pet as long as there aren't small kids around. They don't like loud noises, will form a close bond with their family, are quiet, inquisitive and can be hard to train. This dog isn't as friendly with cats or other dogs unless they grow up with those pets in the home. It's a must to be this dog's leader and train him in obedience to keep him safe.

One problem with this breed is they are so curious and can become so fixated on something that they will ignore everything else, including their owner. The dog should not be off leash unless he's in a fenced area. Because they are a working dog, they need lots of exercise to help keep their mind stimulated and keep their body fit. This is not a dog for a couch potato or an owner who won't take the lead role. They are sensitive and won't respond to heavy handed training techniques or a harsh and loud tone of voice.

Health issues include Von Willebrand disease (a hereditary blood disorder that prevents clotting), cataracts, patella luxation (the kneecap jumps out of the groove on the femur – trick knee) and epilepsy.

The Kooikerhondje has not been recognized in the United States yet, and they are hard to find. However, they are slowly becoming more widely known. The Dutch Kennel Club officially recognized them in 1966. This spaniel-sized dog excels in agility, obedience, flyball, search and rescue, and as a service dog.

Photos by Patries71

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Why I Feed My Cats FELIDAE

2012-01-11T08:00:00.000-08:00

By Julia Williams

Many years ago, long before CANIDAE started this blog, I became a fan of their FELIDAE cat food. And nearly a decade later, I’m still a fan. I mention FELIDAE in some of my posts because it is, after all, the food my three cats eat. I realized some people might think, “Well of course she recommends this food since she writes for their blog!” It’s actually the opposite – I became a contributor for the Responsible Pet Ownership blog in 2009 because I already had a positive experience with the FELIDAE brand, and I had published an unsolicited review of the food on another website. But I’m getting ahead of myself here. I want to share the tale of how and why this food became the only one I feed to my cats.

I’ve loved cats forever, and I'd never knowingly do anything that would harm them. From my very first cat to my current three, I have promised to not only love and cherish them, but to do my best to keep them healthy. To that end, my cats always get regular vet checkups and also go in whenever there’s even a whiff of trouble.

I thought I was a responsible pet owner and was doing everything I could to keep them healthy. But here’s the thing – I was feeding them sub-par supermarket cat food because I didn’t know any better. I bought the cheapest food too, usually whatever was on sale that week. I bought my own food at the supermarket, so why wouldn’t I buy my cat food there too? It’s safe to say I didn’t know a thing about what might make one cat food better than another. Mind you, this was also before many, if any, premium quality foods like FELIDAE even existed. Still, cat food was just something I didn’t give a lot of thought to, other than buying more when I was running low.

The turning point for me as a cat food consumer came in the late 90s, when I read a book called Natural Health for Dogs and Cats by Richard Pitcairn, a noted holistic veterinarian from Oregon. I bought this book primarily for its holistic approach to cat care and its comprehensive section on pet ailments and treatments. Little did I know, Dr. Pitcairn also addressed nutritional issues I had never even thought about before, and it forever changed the way I looked at pet food.

Prior to reading this book, I don’t think I’d ever read a single ingredient label on my cat food before. I’d never thought about by-products, fillers, chemical preservatives, corn and other ingredients commonly found in supermarket pet foods, and I didn’t have a clue why I shouldn’t feed those things to my cats. In short, although I loved my cats dearly, I was highly uneducated about the food I was giving them. That was about to change!

I began to really research pet food ingredients so I could make better, informed choices for my cats. After all, they couldn’t go to the store themselves, and they depended on me to bring home food that was good for them and would keep them healthy. Once I knew what to look for – both the good and the bad! – I could choose a better food for them. Now, I don’t necessarily think there is a single “best” food for all cats, or all dogs for that matter, because each pet is unique and has different needs. For my own cats’ needs however, I believe FELIDAE is the best choice.

There are many reasons why I continue to feed and recommend FELIDAE and CANIDAE products year after year. For starters, I like that CANIDAE uses only premium quality ingredients that are grown and raised in the United States. I like that the pet food itself is also made in the U.S.A., in human-grade facilities. I like that the food contains beneficial things like skin and coat conditioners, probiotics and prebiotics, natural preservatives, herbs, and essential vitamins and minerals. Perhaps most important of all, the food keeps my cats extremely healthy, and they love the taste. What more could I want?

I feel blessed to have been asked by CANIDAE to be a contributing writer and the editor for this great blog. I enjoy sharing my personal stories and knowledge with you, but blog or no blog I would never recommend a cat food I didn’t use and love!!

Photo by Matt, aka Mr. Ducke

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Remembering Stubby, the Most Decorated Dog in History

2012-01-10T08:00:00.000-08:00

By Langley Cornwell

The U.S. Military has been using Working Dogs since World War I. At that time, selfless American families donated their pets to the wartime efforts. These days, military dogs and their volunteer handlers are trained as sentry, trackers, scouts, mine/booby-trap/tunnel and water detection of enemy forces. These amazing animals were used in WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Persian Gulf, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. The U.S. War Dogs website estimates that these courageous canine heroes saved more than 10,000 lives during the Vietnam conflict.

The website goes on to say that today, all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces are using Military Patrol Dogs who specialize in drug and bomb/explosive detection. At this time, there are roughly 600-700 military dogs in the Middle East in places such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. These valiant canines are patrolling air bases, ammunition depots, military compounds and military check points.

And it all started with a stray, mixed breed mutt named Stubby. Where he came from is a mystery; one day in 1917 Stubby just showed up at Yale Field in New Haven, Connecticut. At the time, soldiers were running drills and the pup playfully joined the ranks. All the soldiers were happy for the company but one soldier in particular, Corporal Robert Conroy, formed a swift and strong bond with the dog.

Conroy quickly noted Stubby’s intelligence. Without much effort, he taught Stubby to shake hands. Once Stubby mastered that trick, Conroy decided to teach him to raise his paw a little higher when he was given the order to ‘salute’.

The night before Conroy’s troops were due to sail to France, he went down to the ship, the S.S. Minnesota, and introduced Stubby to the officer on duty. According to Conroy, the officer was delighted with Stubby’s military salute and allowed Conroy to sneak Stubby onboard the next day.

One of the first nights Conroy and the other soldiers were in Chemin des Dames, they heard the whine of incoming artillery and ran to the trenches for cover. Stubby followed suit and quickly made the association. The next night Stubby snapped to attention, perked his ears, cocked his head and ran for the foxhole. Even though the soldiers didn’t hear anything, they followed the dog. The rocket came in fast and hit close to where the men had been sitting. Stubby’s warning came just in time.

On another occasion, the Americans were asleep when German soldiers silently rolled in chlorine gas bombs. The Americans continued to sleep but the smell roused Stubby and he began to bark and pace. Stubby’s commotion awakened Conroy, who immediately put on his gas mask. Stubby and Conroy woke the other men. All of the Americans were able to reach their gas masks in time, but there was no mask for Stubby. Conroy was able to quickly gather his beloved dog in his arms and carry him to a temporary Red Cross field hospital. Oxygen was administered, Stubby bounced back, and man and dog returned to their unit.

Stories of Stubby’s courage, determination and heroic war acts abound. This untrained stray served 18 months in the war and took part in seventeen battles. Not only did he save his regiment from mustard gas attacks, he located and comforted wounded soldiers and it’s said he once caught a German spy by the britches.

Stubby's brick at the WWI Memorial

News of Stubby spread. By the end of the war, he was known by everyone involved in the conflict and back home. When the dog returned to the States after the Armistice, he was considered a war hero and received numerous medals and awards. This special pup led more U.S. military parades than any other dog in history. He was named a lifetime member of the Red Cross, the American Legion and the YMCA. He was promoted to honorary Sergeant by the Legion. Stubby became the highest ranking dog ever to serve in the U.S. Military.

To learn more about military war dogs, visit the United States War Dogs Association website and this war dog tribute page.

Read more articles by Langley Cornwell

How to Get Your Dog to Stop Barking

2012-01-09T08:00:00.000-08:00

By Linda Cole

My beagle/terrier mix loves to bark, especially when she's outside. If it moves, Alex barks and once she starts, there's apparently no “off” button. Some breeds bark more than others, and beagles are among them. You can yell at a barking dog until you're blue in the face and they may stop briefly – but usually start in again. This problem behavior isn't entirely their fault, however. We have to accept our role in their unacceptable barking if we don't teach them what we want them to learn. It's not that difficult to do, but you have to commit to teaching them, and it can take some time to get your dog to stop barking.

One thing dogs do well is vocalize. They alert us to intruders or danger by using their voice. Happy yaps say your dog is having fun playing. Some dogs bark to let us know when they see something interesting, and barking lets other animals know they have been seen. Dogs bark when they're lonely, bored, feel threatened or stressed, for attention, or when they don’t get enough mental or physical exercise.

A barking dog is annoying, especially to neighbors. Most people understand if a dog has a reason to bark, but yapping constantly is likely to get you a visit from the local police if your neighbors complain. In some cases, you may be asked to leave an apartment or rental home if you can't contain your dog's barking.

Yelling may stop some dogs, but it won't work for all dogs. Trying to outshout them is more likely to cause their barking to intensify, because they think you're joining in on the fun. They react by becoming more excited. And hollering at your dog from inside the house is just as annoying to the neighbors as the barking dog.

Teaching your dog to stop barking is just like any other training. The most important thing to remember is to remain calm, patient and consistent. You have to be ready to go to your dog every time she barks. You can't do it from the couch or from a window. Dogs will bark from time to time, but you can teach your dog when it's time to stop. This is one training exercise where it's best not to reward with treats or praise, and don't bring them inside or give them hugs. You need to change unacceptable behavior, and it's best done using your body language. Rewards teach them to associate barking with getting something enjoyable.

Training your dog to stop barking

Changing your dog's behavior can take some time to accomplish. Dogs are going to bark at people, other dogs, cats or wild animals. You want your dog to stop after the reason for barking is gone. I go outside and stand beside Alex to let her know I've heard her alarm and came to see what's going on. At this point, I say “enough” in a normal voice to let her know I see nothing around to be concerned with, the danger has passed and she needs to stop barking.

To teach your dog to stop barking, break her focus by blocking her view with your body, stay calm and don't yell. Use your body language to convey to her what you want her to do. It says you're taking over that area and it's time to calm down. You can reward her with a CANIDAE treat or attention after she calms down and moves away from the area. This is a good time to take a few minutes to work on basic commands like “watch me” and “sit.” It puts your dog’s focus on a training session, and they'll associate treats with commands and not for barking. Use this same method to block access to the door when someone comes to visit.

Dogs that bark out of boredom need something to help them occupy their time. Find an activity you and your dog can enjoy doing together, like agility training, field trials, dock diving, K9 Nose Work, Musical Canine Freestyle, hiking or more frequent walks. Interactive games and toys can help keep your dog busy when they are home alone. Don't leave your dog outside or with access to windows, if possible, when you're gone.

Barking is a natural thing for dogs to do. They communicate with their voice just like we do, but sometimes they have a hard time stopping. If you're dealing with separation anxiety, you may need to contact an animal behaviorist to help with your dog. You can calm a barking dog by using language they understand. Body language, respect and consistent training all work much better than yelling or getting angry.

Photo by Natasha C. Dunn

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Can You Imagine Living in a World Without Animals?

2012-01-06T08:00:00.000-08:00

By Julia Williams

I read a thought-provoking post recently on one of my favorite pet blogs, 24 Paws of Love. She wrote of having a day where things were going from bad to worse and just as she was about to “lose it,” the sight of two dogs instantly calmed her down. Mind you, these were not her own dogs, who were at home while she was out and about. She wrote, “I didn't need to touch them or have any major connection with them, their presence was enough to settle those frayed emotions. All it takes sometimes is a glimpse of an animal, whether it be wild or domesticated, to feel back in touch with myself.” She went on to ask if others felt this same connection with the animal world, where just seeing them could elicit comfort and a sense of belonging.

Oh yes, I thought to myself…all the time. I understood this feeling completely, having had similar experiences time and again, for as long as I can remember. But what surprised me is that several others said they felt the same. I’d always thought it was somewhat uncommon to feel so innately and intensely connected to animals, even (and especially) those that are not your own. I now realize I may have been wrong about that. There are others like me, who would not really know how to live in a world without animals.

In the presence of animals, I feel more grounded and more comfortable than I do with people. I empathize more with animals than I do with humans, and feel as though they are somehow more like me than any human I know. Developing a deep bond with an animal is second nature to me, but to feel a meaningful connection with another human takes a lot of effort. It can be done, but it doesn’t happen nearly as naturally for me.

I’ve long held the belief that you are either born an animal lover, or not. Further, that this sense of connection to animals is not hereditary or a product of our environment. I really think it’s either there at birth, or it isn’t. Now, sometimes we can suppress this love just as we can also amplify it by our life choices. In other words, if our parents were not animal lovers and did not want a pet, it may take being out on our own before we realize that we don’t feel the same way. Conversely, we might know that we love animals and love having a pet, but it takes a certain pet coming into our lives to make us realize how vitally important they are to us and our sense of well-being.

Why some people have this innate, intense connection to animals and others don’t is likely not something we’ll ever be able to figure out. It doesn’t really matter anyway. I just know that for me, living in a world – or a home – without animals would feel so empty and unnatural. It would be a living nightmare, which I’m sure seems extreme to people who are apathetic about animals, like my mother. When I asked her to imagine what it would be like to live in a world without animals, she said she wouldn’t miss the dogs that are always barking, and pooping in her yard. She said she wouldn’t really care if there were no animals in the world. It seems so strange to me, to think that a mother and daughter could hold such disparate views, and yet we do.

I couldn’t imagine not seeing that first robin in the yard each spring. I couldn’t imagine going to a park and not seeing squirrels scamper up and down the trees. I couldn’t imagine walking around town and not greeting at least two or three dogs or cats playing in their own yards. I couldn’t imagine coming home to an empty house, devoid of the calming presence of my pets. And I’ll tell you what – I am just so thankful I don’t have to!

Photo by Patti Haskins

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The Science Behind Why We Love Our Pets

2012-01-05T08:00:00.000-08:00

By Linda Cole

What is it about pets that can get a macho, muscular guy to melt as he cuddles a kitten? Or the simple smile that appears on our face as we watch a puppy's first steps? According to researchers, we are hardwired to love and respond to pets, even those who say they don't like pets!

Studies on the human brain, done at the California Institute of Technology and the University of California at Los Angeles, indicated that we have a part of the brain that's considered to be very old. It's called the amygdala (uh-mig-duh-luh) and when pictures of animals were shown to 41 people who volunteered for this study, the scientists found that neurons in this part of the brain became quite active. Researchers believe we have been hardwired to respond to animals as far back as hundreds of millions of years ago in the early years of human evolution.

Scientists were surprised to discover it didn't make any difference if the test subjects were shown Cobras and big hairy spiders or kittens and puppies; the same result took place in the brain. This response was totally unexpected, because the amygdala is where fear and anger responses are controlled as well as where emotional memories are found. It triggers our flight or fight response, and is part of the process in storing information for long-term memory. When they started the experiment, it was believed the dangerous and not-so-cuddly animals would give a stronger emotional response, but they found out it didn't matter. Cuddly and cute or dangerous and ugly, the response in the brain waves was the same.

Scientific studies on how and why we interact the way we do with animals are interesting, and that's how we know the health benefits we get from sharing our home with our pets. I would have to say, my pets have helped me grow into the person I am today. And I know I'm not alone in giving my pets credit for emotional growth.

The internet has made it possible for pet lovers to have their own blogs where they can post pictures, tell stories and keep readers updated on their pets and share their unique relationship with others. I follow specific blogs because of a connection I feel with those who share their ups, down, problems, concerns and love of their pet. We can empathize with each other because of the common ground we share with our pets.

For many, their pet is their child and best friend. For someone like my mom who had a disability to contend with, pets can be the one reason that gets them up in the morning and keeps them moving throughout the day. People who live alone are comforted knowing there's always someone around who will listen to them, even if the “someone” has four feet, a tail and a fur coat. The reasons why each of us shares our home and life with a pet may be different, but the emotional bond and well being we get from their unconditional love is the same.

There may be science behind why we love our pets, and that's great. Humans discovered centuries ago the benefits of having a dog around. Whether it was to aid them in hunting, protect them, guard their property and family, or as a warm body to help keep them warm on a cold night; scientific studies have shown how human evolution was aided by a mutual and working relationship with canines that benefited both man and animal.

Scientists are discovering that dogs, cats and other animals are more intelligent than once thought, and their studies can help us better understand what our pets thinking. Researchers are also learning why we have a love affair with animals. The more we learn about pets and other animals, the more we realize they are sentient beings and should be given the respect they deserve.

Those of us who love our pets don't need to know why we love them. We just do. To each of us, our pets are special. What's your pet's story? Why do you love your pet?

Photo by o5com

Read more articles by Linda Cole

Guide Horses for the Blind?

2012-01-04T08:00:00.000-08:00

By Julia Williams

Most of us are familiar with seeing eye dogs. These extraordinary working canines have long been used to help the blind regain their mobility and independence. But a seeing eye horse? Why yes…of course!

In 2009 there were just a handful of miniature horses being used as Guide Horses for the blind. Although the number of Guide Horses used today is still small, the demand is growing as more people begin to see the advantages of a miniature horse versus the traditional seeing eye dog. There’s even a nonprofit organization that was created specifically to provide a safe, cost-effective and reliable mobility option for visually impaired people. Founded in 1999, the Guide Horse Foundation relies on volunteers to donate, train and deliver trained Guide Horses free of charge to visually impaired individuals.

Why Use a Miniature Horse as a Blind Guide?

Guide Horses are not for everyone, but are particularly appealing to blind people who are allergic to dogs, as well as blind horse lovers, people who have Cynophobia (fear of dogs) and those who want a guide animal with a longer lifespan. Guide Horses are also a good option for individuals with physical disabilities because of their docile nature, and because they are strong enough to provide support and help the handler get up from their chair.

Guide Horses have shown promise as a viable mobility option, and people who have them say that the miniature horses have performed very well and have done a remarkable job of keeping them safe. Guide horses are also said to demonstrate excellent judgment, and are not easily distracted by crowds and people.

According to the Guide Horse Foundation, there are many characteristics of miniature horses that make them suitable to guide the blind. Among them:

• Long lifespan - Miniature Horses have an average lifespan of between 30-40 years. Guide dogs, on the other hand, are said to have a useful life between 8-12 years. Consequently, the blind person won’t need to replace their service animal as frequently, and won’t have the emotional upheaval of losing a companion they’ve bonded with.

• Better acceptance in public - Guide dogs are sometimes perceived as a pet, and as a result their blind handlers can have trouble gaining access to public places despite the Americans with Disabilities Act, which guarantees the right to public access for all service animals. Guide Horse users say this is not usually an issue with their horses. As working service animals, seeing eye horses are allowed into restaurants, businesses and public buildings like grocery stores and malls. They are even allowed to ride the bus!

• Demeanor - Trained horses are extremely calm in chaotic situations, very focused on their work and not easily distracted. Guide Horses undergo the same systematic desensitization training given to riot-control horses.

• Excellent vision - Because a horse’s eyes are on the sides of their heads, they have a range of vision of almost 350 degrees. Horses can also see exceptionally well in the dark.

• Naturally safety oriented - Horses are always on the lookout for danger, and instinctually guide their human companion along the safest and most efficient route. Guide Horses have demonstrated excellent judgment in obstacle avoidance training.

Guide Horse Fascinating Facts

If you’re like me, one of the first things you may wonder about Guide Horses is the “bathroom” issue. I’ve watched enough parades to know that most horses just do their business whenever and wherever, even if that’s in the middle of a parade route. However, I learned that guide horses can actually be “housebroken” and trained to maintain bladder control for excursions under 6 hours. On longer excursions they can be fitted with a disposable bag that catches droppings.

Because all horses require lots of fresh air, the Guide Horses live outdoors when they are not working. All Guide Horse handlers are required to have a fenced outdoor area and barn.

All Guide Horses rely on commands from their handler to tell them where to go. Guide horses must master 23 voice commands, and their handlers have to pass a test demonstrating that they have the skills to safely navigate with a guide animal.

All Guide Horses undergo rigorous training and must demonstrate 100% proficiency at keeping their handler safe in traffic. Guide Horses are trained to guide at three separate speeds – slow walk, walk and trot. The handler uses voice commands to adjust the speed.

Photos courtesy of the Guide Horse Foundation

Read more articles by Julia Williams

Books on How to Deal with Jealous Dogs

2012-01-03T08:00:00.000-08:00

By Langley Cornwell

Personal experience drove me to research the topic of jealousy and dogs. There was a time when I had three rescue dogs. A black Labrador was the first to come along. She needed extra care due to her very young age and the neglect she had suffered. Once I got her healthy and housetrained, a yellow Lab mix needed a home urgently and I stepped up. Even though both dogs were female, they worked the hierarchy out with no problems. Casual observers had a hard time identifying which was the alpha dog. The black Lab was, but she was a kind and benevolent alpha so it was hard to determine. Nonetheless, we enjoyed complete harmony. A year later, a female German Shepherd was in a dire situation and I agreed that I could add another dog to our pack. This may have been naive, but someone needed to act fast so I did. That’s when things started to unravel.

Searching for a solution to the chaos of a three dog household, I consulted dog behaviorists, veterinarians, trainers and anybody that would listen to me. I read books and more books. Turns out, there are a variety of opinions about jealousy in dogs.

Some animal experts say that jealousy is a human emotion and dogs are not capable of such complex feelings. Still, many of us have dogs that seem to exhibit jealousy-related behavior. If a new dog, roommate, girlfriend or boyfriend, baby, cat, toy, etc. joins the household, a dog may react to the change in circumstances, perhaps feel neglected, and show signs of jealousy. The most important thing I learned was that understanding your dog’s behavior and responding appropriately to the specific situation is the key to restoring harmony. These three books helped me do that:

For the Love of a Dog; Understanding Emotion in You and Your Best Friend. I’ll say right up front that author, dog trainer, animal behaviorist and zoologist Dr. Patricia McConnell is one of my favorites. She has written some of the best, most helpful books I’ve ever read on animal behavior. This book taught me to more clearly understand what physical cues to look for so I can better determine what my dogs are feeling and how to respond appropriately. It showed how understanding my dogs’ emotions can improve the relationship between us. This book weaves science-based evidence, entertaining stories and practical advice into an easy-to-read format, and I heartily recommend it. If you like Patricia McConnell’s style and approach, I also recommend her book The Other End of the Leash: Why We do What We do Around Dogs.

On Talking Terms With Dogs: Calming Signals. Turid Rugass is a Norwegian dog trainer and behaviorist who has studied canine social interaction her entire life. Her phrase ‘calming signals’ describes the body language and social skills dogs use to communicate with one another – and with humans. This book was valuable when I was trying to identify the reasons my dogs were fighting so I could change the circumstances to avoid the conflicts. If you’re interested in this book, be sure to get one of the newer editions that have photographs. The visual aids and captions helped me recognize subtle differences in my dog’s signals, and I was better able to interpret what I was seeing.

Don't Dump the Dog: Outrageous Stories and Simple Solutions to Your Worst Dog Behavior Problems. If you’re on the same quest I was, you may start a few books that are hard to finish. Many of the tomes I picked up were as dry as a bone, reading like textbooks full of boring background information, slowly laboring forward and never actually getting to the heart of the matter. Randy Grim’s Don’t Dump the Dog is the polar opposite. Funny, quirky and immensely readable, this book offers suggestions on what you can do to remain unruffled and solve canine behavioral problems. Extra credit goes to Grim, founder and director of Stray Rescue, for his commitment and tireless dedication to abandoned and homeless dogs. To learn more about Randy Grim and his work, read Melinda Roth’s The Man Who Talks to Dogs: The Story of Randy Grim and His Fight to Save America's Abandoned Dog.

What about you? Have any books helped you eliminate jealous behavior and enhance the relationship between you and your canine companion(s)?

Read more articles by Langley Cornwell

Why Do Some Dogs Snore?

2012-01-02T08:00:00.000-08:00

By Linda Cole

Some dog breeds, both purebred and mixed breeds, that have shorter, pushed in noses have a tendency to snore. Most of us don't pay a lot of attention to our dog when he’s lying at our feet snoring up a storm. In fact, we've probably gotten so used to hearing them snore that we don't even notice it. However, if your dog does snore, it may be an indication there's a problem that needs to be addressed.

A sight that always brings a smile to the face of a dog or cat owner is watching their pet while they're sleeping. The jury is still out as to whether or not pets dream, but watching your dog's legs move as if he's running or a cat's twitching whiskers would make a case that they do. Some of my dogs let out cute little yaps every now and then in their sleep, and I had one dog that would howl in her sleep.

Dogs are more apt to snore than cats, and share a similar sleep pattern with humans. They also go into REM (rapid eye movement) sleep just like we do. The fact that dogs can fall into a deep sleep shows how much they trust their owner. When they are relaxed and feel comfortable around the ones they love, they don't feel threatened and are more likely to fall into a deep peaceful sleep at your feet, by your side on the couch or snuggled next to you in bed.

Cats, on the other hand, are always on guard even during deep sleep. Their senses are always paying attention to what's going on around them and unlike a dog, can be awakened from a deep sleep and be fully alert in seconds to everything that's happening around them. A dog in deep sleep wakes up confused and disorientated just like we do. It takes them a minute to get their bearings.

For the most part, a snoring dog isn't a problem for him as long as it's not waking him from a deep sleep. Dogs need their sleep just as much as we do, and if they aren't getting a restful sleep, they're likely to be cranky. If you notice a behavior change in your pet, it's best to have him checked out by your vet to make sure there's no medical issue that’s causing him to snore.

Dogs with pushed in noses like Shih Tzu, Pug, Bulldog, Boston Terrier and Pekingese have a tendency to snore because their airway passage is shorter and narrower which causes them to use a lot of energy to breathe properly. They are also more likely to have a blockage somewhere in their airway that causes them to snore.

Like people, some dogs can become stuffed up and congested because of allergies. Household cleaners, dust, mildew, mold, air fresheners, perfume, incense or secondhand smoke can constrict their airway and cause them to snore. If you think your dog has an allergy, it's best to work with your vet to try and to figure out what's causing his allergic reaction. Dogs can be allergic to cats, other dogs, birds, small pets in the home and even their owner.

An overweight dog is more likely to snore, and this can be easily dealt with by giving your dog more exercise and limiting his treats. Feeding your dog a premium quality pet food like CANIDAE can help because he eats less while getting the proper nutrition he needs to stay at a healthy weight. Obesity can contribute to a variety of health problems. However, before signing your overweight dog up for agility or any other exercise routine, have him checked out by your vet to make sure he's healthy enough for an increase in his activity level.

Genetics can be a factor in snoring if a dog is born with extra tissue in their throat or surrounding the neck. It can interfere with their breathing and cause them to snore. Even the position your dog sleeps in can bring on the sound of sawing logs. Medications like pain killers or tranquilizers could be the culprit, or an obstruction in the windpipe.

There are a variety of reasons that can cause your dog to snore. For most dogs, it's not a problem and isn't something to be overly concerned with, but if it's excessive and loud, he's overweight, appears grouchy and is keeping you up at night, it may be time to have him examined by your vet. An exam can help you figure out what's going on with your pet, and it's always better to err on the side of caution.

Photo by Miss Chien

Read more articles by Linda Cole

New Year’s Resolutions for Cats

2011-12-30T08:00:00.000-08:00

Rocky

By Rocky Williams, Feline Guest Blogger

Lately I have been hearing my hoomin, aka the Warden, talk a lot about something called resolutions. From what I gather, these are things that people resolve to change or improve about themselves in the New Year. Now, being a cat I generally think I am purrfect as is, and need not change a thing. However, just for fun I decided to make some resolutions of my own. Who knows, it might even inspire other cats who feel they need to improve upon purrfection!

According to just about everybody you could ask, the most popular New Year’s Resolution is some version of the “eat right, exercise more” mandate. But that one is just not necessary for me because I already eat great, thanks to the Warden. If there’s one thing she knows well, it’s how to tell which cat food is the good kind, and if she’s sold on FELIDAE that’s all I need to know. However, I suppose I could use a little more exercise to keep my handsome mancat body in tippy top shape. But just a little, mind you. I don’t want to become so muscular that every ladycat in town is meowing at my door for a date. I don’t have the stamina for that!

Speaking of food though, there are umpteen resolutions I could attempt. Such as, I resolve not to wolf down my own portions at lightning speed in order to “help” Mickey and Annabelle finish theirs. This will inevitably free up a lot of the Warden’s time, since she has to stand guard until those two painstakingly slow eaters empty their bowls. Talk about torture!

I could also resolve not to steal food from the Warden’s plate when she’s trying to eat it herself. Generally speaking, the paw is faster than the hand, which gives new meaning to the term “grab-and-go.” I always come away with something, but it’s not always something I want to eat. Case in point: the “mustard incident.” In a kind of slow-motion horror movie, the Warden watched as I mulled over what to do with a paw covered in mustard, until I finally decided to just put it down on the couch. That will teach her to eat in the living room!

I could resolve not to eat the Warden’s bread in the middle of the night, but it’s not really necessary since she started using the microwave oven as a bread drawer. Foiled again, at least until I figure out how to open that thing! I could resolve not to dig in the garbage, but this one is also not necessary since the Warden installed baby-proof latches on the cabinet door where the can is kept. Oh, I know! I will resolve not to scare the Warden by trying to get the cabinet door open, which makes a nice loud bang-bang-bang noise in the middle of the night.

I resolve not to conveniently forget where my scratching post is and use the living room carpet instead. What? You mean that’s not my own personal wall-to-wall scratching pad? Who knew! I resolve not to eat the Warden’s important papers, even though it is kind of fun to see her horrified face when I do. I resolve not to nibble on the Warden’s bare flesh when the opportunity arises. But in order for that one to stick, she needs to do her part – as in … don’t show your plump rear to me when you’re getting into the shower because hey, that’s just too much for any cat to resist taking a bite out of!

I resolve not to awaken the Warden in the morning by pouncing on her chest. I resolve not to yak furballs on the bedspread even though that’s where the Feline Handbook says we’re supposed to do that sort of thing. I resolve not to trip the Warden every time she heads in the general direction of the kitchen. But you know, I’m just trying to get there as fast as I can because that’s where the TidNip treats are kept! And no, I am NOT going to resolve to stop begging for more of those meowvalous treats because that would just be dumb.

Now that I’ve made my New Year’s Resolutions, do you think I intend to keep any of them? Well, of course I don’t! Do you intend to keep any of yours? I thought not.

***

Happy New Year, and I hope to see you all in 2012!

Read more articles by Rocky Williams

When Should You Rush Your Pet to the Vet?

2011-12-29T08:00:00.000-08:00

By Linda Cole

It's not always easy trying to determine if a pet's injury or condition needs a vet's attention. If it's after hours, you don't want to waste your vet's time with a minor problem that can wait until the office is open, but you also don't want to not call just in case your pet needs professional help now. Emergencies happen and most vet clinics have numbers where they can be reached after hours and on holidays. Every pet owner should have that number written down and kept in a convenient place. Not all injuries or conditions require rushing your pet to the vet; however, there are warning signs and symptoms that can help you decide if it's a true emergency.

Minor injuries and some medical conditions can be taken care at home, but many pet owners haven't the foggiest idea what to do. There's nothing wrong with that, and it's why we have a trusted vet. Nevertheless, as responsible pet owners we should have a general idea of how to care for minor problems at home. An emergency trip to the vet is more expensive than an office call. One of the best ways to know if you need to call your vet is to know your cat or dog well. If your pet isn't acting like themselves, that's cause for concern and warrants a watchful eye from you.

Understanding how the weather can affect a pet is important because when it's hot outside, pets may not have their normal appetite. As long as they are drinking plenty of fresh water, skipping a meal now and then or not eating as much isn't a problem. But if they refuse to eat after missing one or two meals, that is a reason to be concerned. Hyperthermia (too hot) and hypothermia (too cold) are weather related conditions that can turn into an emergency.

Anytime you see your pet just lying around with a blank stare on their face or appearing to have no energy, that's a sign there's a problem. Whining when trying to walk, hiding, difficulty breathing and not eating when it's not hot outside, are all warning signs. Tenderness around a joint, stumbling or passing out for no apparent reason, crying out when touched, sudden aggression, a confused expression or uncontrollable bleeding are reasons to call your vet.

If an emergency happens during business hours, there's usually someone on staff, like a veterinary technician or receptionist at the office, who can help you decide if it is a true emergency or something that can be scheduled for a later time by making an appointment. After hours, you can talk with your vet and they can decide at the time you call if you need to run your pet to the office. If you are unsure, never hesitate to make a call.

A true emergency. Don't wait for a vet to tell you to bring in your pet. Put him in the car and call on the way to the vet's office. True emergencies include: suspected poisoning of any kind (plants, human food, antifreeze, Xylitol, alcohol, chocolate, nicotine, rodent bait), snake bites, a seizure that's not stopping, bleeding that won't stop, an allergic reaction, hit by a car or any type of blunt force trauma, heat stroke, moderate or severe hypothermia, straining or difficulty in urinating, unconsciousness, broken bones, burns, bloated abdomen, animal bites, difficulty in walking or standing, difficulty in breathing or any injury to the eye.

Emergencies where you should call the vet first include: a seizure that has stopped, neurological problems like trembling, circling, abnormal head tilt or confusion, lameness where the pet won't put weight on a limb, a laceration that has stopped bleeding, bloody urine, vomiting that continues or contains blood, skin conditions that are painful or itchy, if you think your pet ate something foreign or has something in their throat, suspected low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), a discharge from the eye that isn't clear or comes on suddenly and appears to be causing pain or vision loss.

Neither of the above is by any means a complete list of injuries or conditions that would be considered an emergency. The best policy is to call your vet if you are unsure of what to do.

Be prepared for an emergency by taking a pet first aid course or CPR course. Both are offered by the Red Cross, veterinary hospitals and some pet related businesses. Check your area to see if there are classes offered if you're interested. Every pet owner should have a pet first aid kit in the home. Your vet may give you instructions on how to handle a situation or how to stabilize a pet before bringing him/her in. Stay calm and pay attention if you're in a position where you have to rush your pet to the vet.

Read more articles by Linda Cole

Lifestyles of 5 Rich and Famous Shelter Dogs

2011-12-28T08:00:00.000-08:00

By Langley Cornwell

Bradley Cooper with Charlotte

How does this sound… one day you’re sitting in a cold, damp shelter eyeballing everybody that walks by. Wondering with each passing visitor if the next one will be ‘your’ person, the one to take you home and give you a place to feel warm and secure. Days pass slowly. Then one fine day, someone spends extra time in front of your cage. You are escorted into a ‘get acquainted room’ with that person and notice they smell really good. It’s nice the way they scratch behind your ears and call you ‘buddy’. After a short time, you’re escorted into a long black car and whisked away with the guy who smelled so good. Next thing you know, you’re eating a premium quality dog food like CANIDAE and sleeping in a deluxe bed. Suddenly, you find yourself in the lap of luxury!

That very thing happened to these lucky dogs when their paths crossed with these celebrities.

Bradley Cooper

Bradley Cooper may be People magazine’s 2011 Sexiest Man Alive because of his blue eyes and his mischievous grin, but he’s tops on my list because of his love of rescue animals. In a 2009 interview, Cooper was more interested in talking about his shelter dogs than promoting his upcoming movie. At the time, Samson and Charlotte were his cherished companions. Samson was around fourteen years old and Charlotte was 6 or 7. Cooper talked about falling in love with each of them immediately, and referred to the dogs as his kids. Since then, Samson has crossed over the Rainbow Bridge but Charlotte is still right by his side, living the high life and even accompanying him onto movie sets. When it comes to women, one of the most important characteristics Cooper looks for is a love of animals. He claims that for a girl to stand a chance, she’s got to like his dogs. He staunchly declares that he and his dogs are a package deal.

Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez

Teen sweethearts Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez were in Canada recently for Gomez’s tour. While there, they took a break from work and visited the D’Arcy’s A.R.C. animal shelter to snuggle with some puppies. Gomez already has 5 rescue dogs and uses her high profile to advocate for animal rescue. A sucker for a sweet face, Gomez fell for a young husky mix on sight, and decided to add one more dog to her pack. Even though everybody at the shelter knew who Bieber and Gomez were, they still had to go through the standard adoption and vetting process. Of course it went smoothly. They named the pup Baylor and took him from the shelter and into their privileged lives. Baylor is living large.

Robert Pattinson

Star of the Twilight movies and British hunk Robert Pattison visited a kill shelter outside of Baton Rouge, Louisiana recently and fell in love. Bear was on his sixth of seven days when Pattison happened upon him and adopted him immediately. Now the two are inseparable. On a segment of Live! with Regis and Kelly to promote The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 1, Pattison said he had to take a private jet three days after rescuing Bear, so of course the dog went along. Flying in comfort, the pup had a seat all to himself on the plane. In three short days, Bear went from an animal shelter to a private jet. Not bad for a shelter pooch! Now, Pattison doesn’t go anywhere without his trusty companion. Bear has already traveled to California, Toronto and other exciting locations, and has many happy, comfortable days ahead.

Boo Boo Stewart

Another Twilight star, Boo Boo Stewart, is a shelter dog advocate. In fact, Stewart feels so strongly about dog adoption that he uses his fame to spread the word. Recently, Stewart and his rescued dog Pookie filmed a video for the ‘Adopt, Don’t Buy’ campaign. In the video, Stewart urges people to adopt from an animal shelter. Pookie lives the good life.

Joey Lawrence

While filming in Australia, the Melissa and Joey actor visited a local shelter and was captivated by a black Labrador-Australian heeler mix. Even though he was out of the country, he just couldn’t leave without the precious pup. A big price tag and complicated logistics for getting her back to the States didn’t deter the star from going forward with the adoption. Now named Tiffany, the shelter dog is living it up with the Lawrence family’s other dog, Dakota.

These dogs went from one extreme to the other but really, all that shelter dogs are looking for is a forever home where they can give and receive love.

Read more articles by Langley Cornwell

Got an Extra Minute or Two? Train Your Dog!

2011-12-27T08:00:00.000-08:00

By Linda Cole

We miss so many opportunities to work with our dogs. Relaxing in the backyard or on the deck after work, waiting for supper to finish cooking, watching TV, waiting for your turn to take your morning shower or any other times where we have a few extra moments. Training a dog is important, but there's no rule that says you have to make a big production out of it, and there's no law that says you have to spend a certain amount of time doing it. Dogs are smart and more than capable of learning most commands quickly. One minute at a time is all it takes.

Dog training is all about reinforcing a desired behavior. Once most dogs have learned the basic commands, it's just like riding a bike, so to speak. I have to giggle here, because as I'm writing this, I'm listening to a dog training minute happening in the kitchen while supper is being cooked. We're working with our dog Keikei to teach her a new command – turn around. If your dog is like Keikei and wants to be with you wherever you are, the opportunity to work on their training is always there. Take advantage of it.

Dogs end up in shelters because of behavior problems their owner couldn't or wouldn't deal with. It's no secret that the best way to ensure you have a well mannered and happy dog is by taking the time to teach him how you want him to act. Training your dog is also one way you can help keep him safe. Teaching your dog doesn't require hours and hours of time, but it does require three important rules to follow.

1. Stay consistent with commands by using the same word or phrase each time. You don't want to confuse him. Pick one word or phrase and make sure everyone in the family uses the same wording every time.

2. Be patient and stay calm because in the beginning, your dog won't understand what you want until he's had a chance to learn. If you get frustrated, so will your dog. Dogs want to please us and if you make a sincere effort to teach them, they will reward you by doing what you ask.

3. Last, but not least, always keep it positive and fun.

Most dogs are quick learners. Short training sessions work well and you might be surprised how quickly your dog learns. Training is teaching by repetition and every extra minute reinforces a learned behavior (command). Grab a bag of CANIDAE TidNips treats and keep it in a handy spot. Next time you're watching TV, instead of rolling your eyes at all the commercials, teach your dog how to sit or lay down. You don't even have to get off the couch to do it. By the time an hour program is done, your dog can learn a new command.

Walking your dog can become routine, so use the time to do some training. Before crossing a street, teach your dog to sit. I had a dog years ago that also learned to look both ways. It wasn't something I had taught him. He learned it on his own by watching me standing on the curb waiting for cars to pass. This illustrates that even when you aren't trying to teach a dog something, he is capable of learning things on his own.

Teaching a dog basic commands isn't difficult to accomplish. One of the most important basic commands is “come” and it's probably the hardest one for some dog owners to teach to their best friend. Dogs will ignore you if what you're offering them isn't as interesting as watching a squirrel chattering from a tree branch or investigating a curious smell. However, when you call your dog's name, he should stop whatever he's doing and come. Use extra minutes to teach your dog he does have a reason to come and that you are more interesting than some old squirrel in a tree.

Have your dog sit or lay down before you set his food bowl down. Ask him to sit before you let him outside. Teach him to look at you on command so you have better control of him when you need to distract him from something. By taking advantage of a few extra minutes at a time, you can teach your dog basic commands or tricks as long as you stay consistent, positive and calm.

Photo by Zvi Kons

Read more articles by Linda Cole

Meet the Blind Dog Rescue Alliance

2011-12-26T08:00:00.000-08:00

By Langley Cornwell

Established in August of 2009, the Blind Dog Rescue Alliance – started by Karen and Eric Belfi – is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit group that spans the United States and Canada. Run entirely by volunteers, the organization’s mission is to aid blind and visually impaired dogs. Their work includes rescuing blind dogs from shelters, assisting blind dog owners, and educating the public about these wonderful canines and the joy of caring for one.

The Belfi’s interest in visually impaired dogs began when they were searching for a companion for their Siberian husky. As they combed the Internet for an available orphan, the dog that captured their hearts was blind (appropriately named Ray Charles). As a responsible pet owner, Karen Belfi located an online discussion group dedicated to blind dog care and advocacy; she wanted to learn about a visually impaired dog’s special requirements. The group assured Karen that a blind dog’s needs aren’t much different than the needs of a ‘regular dog,’ so a match was made.

Karen and Eric remained active in the Internet discussion forum. They watched as the list of visually compromised adoptable dogs increased. Sadly, the list grew so large that otherwise healthy dogs were not finding homes in time, and were being euthanized. Unable to stand by and watch this trend, they joined forces with a few others in the discussion group and formed the Blind Dog Rescue Alliance.

I was first made aware of this fine organization through my own online involvement with animal advocacy. When I was a kid our neighbors had a blind dog named Spooky (she was born on Halloween). When Spooky had puppies, I got the pick of her litter as a birthday present. I chose her runt, and that’s when my lifelong love affair with animals began – so Spooky holds a special place in my heart. I was amazed to watch sightless Spooky navigate the neighborhood. We lived on a dead-end street and there were no leash laws at the time, so she could come and go as she pleased. If you weren’t told, you might not notice that Spooky couldn’t see. She was one cool dog, as was her puppy. When I heard of the Blind Dog Rescue Alliance, the organization caught my interest immediately. I wanted to know more.

In the two years since the organization was established, they have expanded through the United States and Canada. Most of the volunteers offer foster homes for the dogs until they can be placed in forever homes. So far, the Blind Dog Rescue Alliance has saved 175 blind or vision impaired dogs, many of which had to be transported long distances to safety. The group attributes most of their growth and success to a strong Internet presence. You can follow them via their Facebook page and Twitter.

The Blind Dog Rescue Alliance website is packed with helpful information including blind dog tips, stories and videos from blind dog owners, and an overview of common eye disorders. There’s also a list of adoptable dogs seeking good homes. The rescue group is always looking for volunteers, donations, and help with transporting rescued dogs, so visit the website if you’re so inclined. All donations are tax deductible and go towards the care of their foster animals.

Ever helpful, I asked president Karen Belfi what has been their greatest accomplishment to date. She said: “I think just forming the rescue and growing it to the size we did is a huge accomplishment. We started with around 20 people pulling one dog. Now we have over 150 volunteers and nearly 200 dogs saved.” That’s quite an accomplishment indeed.

Read more articles by Langley Cornwell