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Featuring – Wagatha’s Dog Treats…
August 31st, 2008
Wagatha’s – Breakfast Biscuits
“Nothing says Sunday morning like your mom or dad slaving over the kitchen stove as the comforting aroma of blueberry pancakes, muffins, crisp honey bacon, maple syrup, and coffee fill the air. Those down home flavors that stick-to-the-ribs. Let the intoxicating scent of something freshly baking in the oven fill your dogs snout. Wagatha’s Breakfast Biscuits are made of maple oatmeal with bananas & apples, makes me hungry just thinking about it. This dog treat is made with easily digestible grains, for even the most sensitive tummy. Your dog will retreat to his special sun-drenched corner of the kitchen and gobble up these treats. Yum ! Now every morning can be just as heavenly.”
Posted in K9 Care, K9 Nutrition | No Comments »
Bee Sniffing Dog
August 30th, 2008
The recent decline of bumblebees has scientists buzzing for an answer. Is it cell phones? global warming? apathy? The tricky thing, however, is that before they can study them, they have to find them. The bumblebee nests have shrunk to an alarming 100-150 bees, a hive hard to find by simply monitoring traffic. And that’s where Toby comes in.
Toby is a three year old Springer spaniel with an incredible nose. He was trained at an army dog-training school to sniff out explosives after being found abandoned as a puppy. Now, experts at the University of Stirling in Scotland have successfully trained Toby to find the bees’ nests, hidden in dense undergrowth or in the ground with his sensitive nose.
He is the only scout of his kind. Toby and handler Steph O’Connor are sponsored by the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, a charity set up in 2006 to investigate and halt the insect’s decline.
Posted in K9 News | 5 Comments »
Do Dogs See Colors..?
August 27th, 2008
See different colors?
It has been a rampant and untested folklore that dogs are colorblind, but the University of California, Santa Barbara did a series of definitive tests in the 1980s that provided some more clarity on the matter.
“These experiments showed that dogs do see color, but in a more limited range than that seen by normal humans, who see the rainbow of colors described by “VIBGYOR”: Violet, Indigo, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, and Red (plus hundreds of variations on these shades). Instead, dogs see “VIBYYYR” (Violet, Indigo, Blue, Yellow, Yellow, Yellow, and Red). The colors Green, Yellow, and Orange all look alike to dogs; but look different from Red and different from the various Blues and Purples. Dogs are very good at telling different shades of VIB apart. Finally, Blue-Green looks White to dogs.
The simple explanation for these differences in color vision is this. The retinas of normal humans have three (3) types of color receptors, called “cones”. Each cone type is particularly sensitive to light of a narrow limit within the entire VIBGYOR range. That means that three different “cone lines” of communication run back to the visual part of the brain, which then compares the weight of the signals coming in from each of cone “line”. Different weights produce a perception of different colors. In dogs (and in “green-blind” humans), there are only two (2) types of cones, so there is less basis for comparison by the brain, and thus the perceived color range is more limited. In sum, dog color vision is “color-limited”, not “color-blind”.”
The Whole Spectrum
Posted in K9 Science | 1 Comment »
Answer From The Expert, Judy Stolz
August 26th, 2008
The Question,
Hello- I know it will be hard to give me an answer over an email without seeing my dog, but I thought I would try and ask your opinion. I have a Yorkie-Poo who has had gastro-enteritis since he was 5 months old. He typically had bouts about every three months but since 4/26/08, we cannot get him stabilized. I have gone from the vet’’s antibiotics which I feel only make matters worse by continuing to kill off good bacteria in his system to trying alternative options. Through Vitality Science’’s products, we were making progress but he has relapsed again. The vet thought he was allergic to grains because he stopped bloating when I switched him to the 95% meat, 5% veggies no grain canned dog food. He did well on that food for about 8 months. But he always seemed to take well to the foods he was switched to, and then the whole bloody diarrhea and vomiting starts up again. He has lost 1/4 of his weight and I am extremely worried about him. I was going to try a raw dog food diet but was told that with his weakened immune state, that the salmonella risk was just too great for him. So now I am wondering if I should try a vegetarian canned dog food diet? I ask this because when he was on a diet of weight loss maintenance because the proteins were not as high in it, he did better….for awhile as always and then the symptoms returned. He has been on 6 different foods since he was 5 months old. I just want to get him healthy and am beside myself over this. Do you think it would be worth a shot to try him on a vegetarian diet? The people at Vitality Science said not to switch his food again…but he can”t keep going like this either. I don”t know what to do. Thanks!
~Tammy
The Answer,
HI,
First, there is no drug, herb or diet that is ever going to tackle this problem…other than homeopathy, in my opinion. The scenario you are describing is what we term “inherited chronic disease” probably made worse by “vaccinosis” or vaccines he or his parents had. For most animals, I recommend the raw food diet, but in this situation since his digestion is so weak, it would be recommended to lightly cook the food so that his digestive system doesn’t have to work so hard. I definitely do not recommend vegetarian diets for dogs. They are carnivores and need meat. Really though, the diet is not the answer… as you have found. Imagine a huge iceberg sticking out of the water, with more of the iceberg under the water than on top. The top part is the symptoms we see and the bottom part is potential symptoms and the whole chronic disease that we don’t see (yet). Changing the diet, while sometimes helpful, is like raising the water level. It covers up part of the iceberg (symptoms) but doesn’t dissolve the iceberg…. which is where homeopathy comes in. Both are important, but the situation will never resolve and will only get worse if not treated properly. Hope this helps.
Dr. Judy Stolz
Remember to keep sharing your questions with our experts
and your advice with our readers!
Posted in K9 Expert Question | 1 Comment »
Dog, a noun
August 25th, 2008
1. a domesticated canid, Canis familiaris, bred in many varieties.
2. any carnivore of the dog family Canidae, having prominent canine teeth and, in the wild state, a long and slender muzzle, a deep-chested muscular body, a bushy tail, and large, erect ears. Compare Canid.
3. the male of such an animal.
4. any of various animals resembling a dog.
5. a despicable man or youth.
6. Informal. a fellow in general: a lucky dog.
7. dogs, Slang. feet
8. Slang.
a. something worthless or of extremely poor quality: That used car you bought is a dog.
b. an utter failure; flop: Critics say his new play is a dog.
9. Slang. an ugly, boring, or crude person.
10. Slang. hot dog
11. (initial capital letter) Astronomy. either of two constellations, Canis Major or Canis Minor.
12. Machinery.
a. any of various mechanical devices, as for gripping or holding something.
b. a projection on a moving part for moving steadily or for tripping another part with which it engages.
13. Also called gripper, nipper. Metalworking. a device on a drawbench for drawing the work through the die.
14. a cramp binding together two timbers.
15. an iron bar driven into a stone or timber to provide a means of lifting it.
16. an andiron; firedog.
17. Meteorology. a sundog or fogdog.
18. a word formerly used in communications to represent the letter D.
–verb (used with object)
19. to follow or track like a dog, esp. with hostile intent; hound.
20. to drive or chase with a dog or dogs.
21. Machinery. to fasten with dogs.
—Idioms
22. dog it, Informal.
a. to shirk one’s responsibility; loaf on the job.
b. to retreat, flee, renege, etc.: a sponsor who dogged it when needed most.
23. go to the dogs, Informal. to deteriorate; degenerate morally or physically: This neighborhood is going to the dogs.
24. lead a dog’s life, to have an unhappy or harassed existence: He maintained that he led a dog’s life in the army.
25. let sleeping dogs lie, to refrain from action that would alter an existing situation for fear of causing greater problems or complexities.
26. put on the dog, Informal. to assume an attitude of wealth or importance; put on airs.
It seems to me that dogs have a bit of a bad reputation in the dictionary…next time you see someone beautiful, make sure to say “What a Dog!”
Posted in K9 Fun | 2 Comments »
Featuring Earthbath Grooming Wipes…
August 24th, 2008
“Use these thick, large, moist wipes as a touch-up grooming solution or as a bath alternative. Earthbath grooming wipes handily clean pets’ dirty paws, undercoat, (dirty bottoms too!), while imparting a show quality shine. Remove dander, drool, discharge and cling-ons from playing in the unknown. They contain only natural cleansers and conditioners, including exotic Hawaiian awapuhi extract, a shine-enhancing coat conditioner. These natural wipes contain no animal by-products (lanolin-free) or alcohol and will not remove spot-on flea control products. Both varieties contain Aloe Vera and Vitamin E to moisturize coat and skin. Notice how soft your hands are after wiping your pet… Safe for daily use on all animals over 6 weeks old.
Green Tea Leaf Grooming Wipes is heavenly scented with the natural extract of Green Tea Leaf, Eearthbath Green Tea Leaf Grooming Wipes safely and easily wipe away dirt and odor. Mild cleansers freshen and deodorize as the anti-oxidant properties of Green Tea Leaf Extract protect from environmental damage. Your best friend will look and smell better than ever before!”
These are incredible for rainy walks or unexpected company!
Posted in K9 Care | No Comments »
Argentine Dog Saves Abandoned Baby
August 22nd, 2008
An 8 year old dog named La China recently had a litter of pups in a small shanty town outside of Buenos Aires. Close by and around the same time, a 14 year old girl gave birth to a premature baby. She panicked and abandoned the babe in a nearby field. La China came by, picked up the baby and carried him back to her own liter.
The dog’s owner hear the child crying and found him with the puppies, covered by a makeshift rag blanket. The baby boy had a few bruises but no bite marks.
The child was turned over to the authorities. The frightened mother came forward.
And this strange story was turned over to the media, who ate it up perhaps as a baby laps up milk. The heroic dog is threatened by the attention and worried about her puppies. La China’s owner is worried because she has stopped eating.
To me, this is an incredible yet expected story. I wish they’d leave La China alone to take care of her pups. Let’s hear it for more dog food and less unwanted fame.
Posted in K9 News | 4 Comments »
War and Peace
August 19th, 2008
I recently visited a household with two dogs.
Not so strange, right?
It gets interesting.
I am always fascinated by the dynamics between dogs living together, the strange play of jealousy, dominance, friendship. Throw in a cat and you have a drama that should grace the silver screen.
In this case, there were two dogs. One was a male Labrador and the other one was female and half coyote. We’ll call them Lucy and Ricky. Lucy is seven and Ricky is a little over a year. Lucy used to be the only dog of the house until recently when the new roommate brought his dog, Ricky, to live with him. Both dogs are obedient and well trained, give or take a quirk here and there.
Most dogs living in the same house create a pack, an order, a hierarchy interrupted only by the rare brawl over dog food or affection. In this house, there are two packs, each with only one member. In the house, they stay on different sides. In the yard, the occupy different corners. They snarl and growl and wrestle with tails wagging. They both have battle scars. And after fighting viciously all day, they fall asleep on top of each other. They have lived together for over a month and there is no sign of submission from either one.
Can two dogs agree to disagree? Is the situation dangerous? Is it just a matter of time before one gives in?
The owners are trying to allow the dogs to work it out themselves. In the meantime, they have taught them the command “SPACE!” when they start to fight. Most of the time, it works. They separate and go brood.
Have you guys seen anything like this? I know the owners are tired of playing referee and tending to wounds.
Tell me your thoughts.
Posted in K9 Stories | 3 Comments »
Drew Barrymore & Flossie
August 14th, 2008
First of all, I think Flossies is one of the cutest dog names I’ve ever heard. Generally, celebrity curiosity just makes me feel creepy, but this is a beautiful picture. Drew Barrymore rescued this pretty mutt from a Pasadena flea market in 1996. A good decision. In 2001, Drew Barrymore and boyfriend Tom Green were awoken by a frantic Flossie just in time to evacuate their burning mansion.
(its kind of fun writing celebrity posts, i get to say mansion instead of house, use full names, say things like “then boyfriend,…)
And the best part is, Flossie has no idea she’s famous and if he does, he doesn’t give a cat’s tail about it.
Posted in K9 Stories | 3 Comments »
Featuring Free Range Dog Chews…
August 12th, 2008
“Meaty Natural Mammoth Bone - We make “No Bones About It”; we know bones and our bones are some of the best. Our FREE RANGE meaty, marrow-filled bones are from Brazilian cattle that are grass fed only resulting in lean meat and lower fat throughout. Typical beef bones need to be boiled and/or cooked at a high temperature which unfortunately can cause stress cracks in the bones and a more likely chance of splintering. Raw dog chews & bones are popular but can quickly become rancid and bacteria laden. Our 100% natural, low-fat bones are slow roasted at a low temperature which is the happy medium and a perfect choice for your pet.”
I’m a bit embarrassed that while I was reading this, the carnivore in me came out a little. Good for big dogs not humans!
Posted in K9 Care | 1 Comment »
