PetWellbeing Articles

How To Keep Your Pet From Being Lost Or Stolen!

noreply@blogger.com (Buster) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:21:00 +0000

Photo by cliche

We've all heard the terrible stories of our pet pals being lost or stolen, or more likely - yipyipyip! - hit by a car or a coyote. Losing a pet is like losing another family member, and can be devastating.

Many pet owners don't think about the safety of their precious pups and kitties when they let them outside! All kinds of dangerous things can happen to them, from abduction to injury to death.

It would be best for pet if they never went outside unsupervised, but for most people that's not an option. So here's the rundown on how to keep you licking loved one outside, and out of danger!

To begin with, it's important to know why your pet may stray from your home.
Cats and dogs don't always "run away". It's true, we love to explore and sometimes this takes us around a new corner - but in general, we pets are very territorial. We defend our homes every way possible!

8 Reasons Why Pet Is Missing

1. Local animal control picked them up

2. Someone "rescued" your pet, thinking it needed help

3. Someone "adopted" your seemingly lost pet

4. Your cat crawled into a car and the car was driven away

5. (This one's really terrible) Someone abducted your pet to abuse them, or sell them

6. Your neighbor wanted to get rid of your pet

7. Your animal was hit by a car and injured or killed

8. Your pet was injured in a car/dog fight, or by a wild animal

Photo by hotash

How To Find Your Pet!

Any of the above realities can fill you with fear and sadness, but no matter what - if your pet is missing you have to act fast! We can travel even when we're injured, and chances are we could be hiding. If we're still alive, we probably need your help right away. FOllow the steps on this checklist, to make sure you are thorough in your search:

Petfinder Checklist

- Start with your own home. We may be inside, hanging out in the closet or sleeping under something. Shake our food dish around - if we're there, we'll come running.

- Check your yard, under patios and in the garage. Again, we could be hiding.

- Grab a photo of your pet, and take a ride around your neighborhood. Ask if anyone has seen your pet recently.

- Make flyers and put them up everywhere businesses will let you. Go door to door. And offer a reward!

- If you suspect we've been stolen, call law enforcement right away. Make sure you have photos of us from many angles, so they can recognize us by our specific markings.

- Call your local pet shelter or dog pound - use Petfinder or Shelter Finder online to find out the closest one to you. If there isn't one nearby, call local law enforcement.

- Visit your local vet. Someone may have brought your pet in for treatment! You never know, there are angels out there.

- Look online for lost cat or dog forums, to see if anyone in your area has any news.

And don't give up! I've heard amazing stories of dogs and cats showing up months after they've gone missing.

Photo by cefeida

How To Prevent Your Pet From Going Missing

Finally, the best way to handle our disappearance is to never have to handle it at all. Preventing us from being lost or stolen is remarkably easy. Aside from keeping us indoors at all times (and by the way, most officials I know say that cats should always be kept inside), a responsible pet caregiver will do these things:

3 Simple Steps To Avoid A Lost Pet

Neuter or spay your pet! We won't be tempted to stray for a roll in the hay. And by the way, HERE'S a few other reasons why you should do this!

Microchip! The smartest thing Dog gave Man, ever.

Safety Collar! Keep our id in plain view, so no one can ever suspect us of being a lost pet. And most people don't have a device to read our microchip.

Missing your best friend, your beloved baby, is among the most tortuous experiences humans can have. Make sure that you are the most responsible caregiver, by taking the steps to ensure our safety!

Love, Buster

Thinking Of Adopting A Pet? Everything You Should Know Before Heading To The Pet Store!

noreply@blogger.com (Buster) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 03:46:00 +0000

Photo by aydingrace

There's isn't much that brings out feelings of happy, fuzzy, warm love like a bundle of furry joy. Your new baby's arrival is one of the joys of life, and an experience that will never be matched!

But choosing the right pet for the right reasons isn't as simple as picking cat or dog. As a pet owner, you are responsible for another beings life - and hopefully, a long life! You need to know what kind of animal you're best suited to care for.

But first: it's important that you, dear human, know exactly why you want to take care of an animal, and what the best type of pet would be for you. Here's how to figure it out!

10 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Adopting A Pet

1. Why do you want to adopt a pet?

The number one thing to ask yourself is WHY? Is this pet to replace one lost or passed away? Are you looking for companionship? Is the pet for your family or child? These questions will help you to figure out what kind of animal you can look after.

2. Are you ready to commit for (the animal's) life?

Your new furry family member will hopefully live up to 20 years of age. Chances are in that time you may move, create or grow a family, change jobs, etc. Can your pet handle the changes in your life, and be part of them?

3. Can you afford your pet?

Let's be more specific: vet bills, food, grooming, and even daycare and obedience classes can all add up. If you're wondering how much your pet can cost, check out the ASPCA's Pet Ownership Costs chart - it will tell you per year what you may pay.

4. Are you ready to take care of us in sickness and in health?

We get sick, we need you. End of story. Pet trouble can range from allergies to animal cancer, so it's important to make sure you can afford the cost and the time to take care of us.

5. Will you be able to spend quality time together?

Some pets are way more social than others (ie. puppies and kitties). Anxiety disorders and other issues are just as common in animals as in humans, and pets need affection and one-on-one time with you! We need you around, not out all day and night and away on trips. If your lifestyle doesn't keep you close to home, then we probably shouldn't be there, either.

6. Do you have the time and patience to train us?

It's so sad when pet owners turn their animals over to a shelter or someone new, just because they think we're "untrainable". Chances are, it's the owner and not the pet. We all need to know where to pee, eat, how to listen, and what to do and not do. If you don't have the time or patience, then we won't behave.

7. Are you ready to pet-proof?

Speaking of behavior, it's way easier for us new pets to keep the house clean if your house is pet-proofed. Much like proofing a house when baby starts crawling around, the same goes for us. Beautiful decor, expensive furniture, and toxic plants probably aren't suitable for us to be around. We don't want to see you choose between your pet and your pad!

8. Is your home a pet-friendly place?

Speaking of your pad, can you have a creature live with you? If you rent, are you allowed to have pets? If you don't have a yard, perhaps a dog is not a good idea. Learning what kind of environment your pet needs is key in choosing the right pet for you.

9. Is your family ready for a pet?

Pregnant with first child or kids still super little? Then you may want to wait until the children have grown enough to know how to treat an animal (check out this post, HERE). Some pets don't gel well with children, so this is important to know as well.

10. What kind of pet is right for you?

All of the above will help you to determine if you're really ready for a pet, and what kind. If you're ready to find out what kind of pet is best for you, then read on!

Photo by seasideshelly

Choosing The Right Pet

I've heard stories about people adopting their soul-pets, and stories about adoptions that weren't a great fit. Once you answer the questions above, you'll be in a much better place to be able to choose the best pet, breed, age etc. to fit your lifestyle. Here's a run-down on some of the top pet picks, and why:

Tha Dawg

Ah, human's best friend. We canine creatures loves you so much, it's hard not to love us back. We are so into becoming part of your pack, that most of us convince ourselves that we're actually one of you! We need you though, ALOT. We are extremely sensitive and needy, so forget about us if you're not interested in having a child. Seriously, cuz that's practically what we are.

On that note, little kids (ie. toddlers) don't mix well with dogs (or kitties) since they tend not to be so gentle. And we can react (bless us), as we are, after all, animals. You don't want our sharpness near your kid, for that reason.

For a complete guide on doggies, check out this post HERE.

The Kitty

Soft and cuddly, and they purr. Cats can sure be demanding, but they aren't as needy as your pet pal described above.

Cats are primarily nocturnal, so if you don't want to be woken up by a frisky feline you may not want a cat. They also tend to leave "love treats" lying around, like, on your pillow. Considered by them the highest of gifts, but also really high on your human gag factor. And they don't play around with you as much. But still, they do really well with the family. The little darlings.

The Fish

Well, they won't rub up against you or kiss you good-morning-good-afternoon-good-night-you're-just-good-good-good. And they're low maintenance (almost). But fish can be educational, pretty to look at, and boy does the bubbling of their tanks give good-night white noise.

Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, Mice and Rats

Excepting the mice, these pets can be sort of affectionate and easy for kids to take care of. They do need daily exercise (IN their cages!) and must be secure in their cages. But they can make great first pets for kids!

Now, like cats they are also nocturnal, so if you don't mind hearing them running in their wheels or eating and scratching, great. If you have a kitty already and now one of these guys, expect to have some sleepless nights until you figure out how to keep the cage out of site and reach of your cat. Actually, in my opinion don't mix the two. Just saying.

Rabbits

Rabbits are surprisingly amazing pets. They can be litter trained, are affectionate, come when they are called, and can do tricks. But they do NOT make good pets for kids under 12. They can actually die from fear, and hate to be lifted off the ground.

That said, rabbits can live long and are great indoor pets.

A time machine isn't available yet, but this site could be the next best thing. To help you find out which pet is right for you, RightPet has detailed descriptions, ratings, and recommendations of thousands of dogs, cats, birds and fish.

If you're still having trouble figuring out what kind of pet to pick, you can just take a quiz: Take The Quiz. Or not.

Photo by sayheypatrick

How To Adopt A Pet

Finding your pet should take you some time, since you want to find one that you (and family) are compatible with. Once you know what type of pet you are looking for, you need to know where to find it!

Of course there's always the pet store, but I like to advise pet owners to adopt a baby or adult animal from a shelter. Not only will you help a pet in need, often you will find one already trained, neutered/spayed, and healthy.

Pet Finder is "the virtual home of 288,370 adoptable pets from 13,184 adoption groups" (from their website). If you're looking for a pet adoption shelter near you, you can check out this link .

Pet shelters like the ones operated by the American Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals (ASPCA) can help you pick a pet, too. Often times you can walk in and spend time bonding with different animals, and return again to revisit if you're just not sure. You can sign up to volunteer as a dogwalker, for example, and maybe fall in love on the job. Many pet shelters have animals hospitals attached, so that your pet will be known already to staff.

Of course you can always check community boards and classified ads for adoptions and litter announcements - even craigslist.org. But beware this sort of thing!

What Not To Pick

Now that you know what to pick and where to find your pet, it might be worth mentioning some "pets" that may not be suitable. All manner of exotic, strange, unique and dangerous pets can be obtained, but for a gazillion reasons I advise against them all. Here's a short list!

So there you are, people. A little guide to help you discover if indeed a pet is in your immediate future, how to choose the best one, and where to go find it.

Remember people: choosing a pet is for life. It is a life-long commitment. Be there for us, and we will love you and enhance your life for as long as we can.

Love, Buster

Happy Birthday, Pisces!

noreply@blogger.com (Buster) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 04:04:00 +0000

Here fishy, fishy, fish! Slithery pal, you are one fine catch. You`re, er, almost all the things I love in a friend: understanding, romantic, sensitive, and trustworthy. And I love daydreaming with you! You`re the one who loves to float, gazing at the clouds while letting those creative juices flow.

But when it comes to rolling with the pack, you tend to flit away - you can`t stand getting down and dirty! Cleanliness, according to you, is next to Dawginess, so Dog forbid you get a little grubby. You`re highly conscious of where your money current flows, too - so picking personal products that pull triple duty, like a soap/shampoo/insect repellent, pleases you pink (and keeps you silky clean).

And of course, dear water-lover, if I can suggest that you adopt one habit this year, it`s to only drink crystal clear water. No more sipping out of the toilet bowl! Oh no, a fresh, clean flow available 24/7 is exactly what you need.

Just keep swimming, pal.

Happy Birthday!

Love, Buster

Photo Credit: dinogen

The 5 Most Dangerous Legal Pets Ever

noreply@blogger.com (Buster) — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 21:55:00 +0000

We pets are cuddly. Fuzzy. Loyal and cute. Well, most of the time.

But just because you love us doesn't mean we're safe to be around! Let's face it, our animal natures can make our behaviour unpredictable, and sometimes downright dangerous.

Throughout history, humans have kept animals for reasons beyond companionship. Men have kept rare, exotic creatures to demonstrate how worldly and rich they were; great beasts have roamed about castles, showing just how strong and virile their owners were.

Thinking about keeping an exotic, dangerous animal into your home? Chances are you can find, purchase and have it, er, snuggling up to you (probably with a cage between you) in no time. But you may end up housing an animal that can end up harming you or your child, or worse: cause grave injury and even death.

The 5 Most Dangerous Legal Pets, And Why!

Here is a list of pets that you shouldn't even think about owning:

Snakes - Some are deadly poisonous, and some are bone-crushingly strong. If you like living on the edge, then sleeping next to a python may thrill you to no end. You've heard the horror stories of the missing snake waking up its owner with a "hug"? Don't let that be you!

Worse, you may end up being poisoned by the jaws of your precious snake. For those of you who would think nothing about leaving your cage open, dropping prey into cages without protective tools (rather, your bare hands) and grabbing your snake whenever you feel like it, then power to you. You're the kind of crazy who probably french-kisses your dog while you drive, too.

Scorpions - For the yap of me I can't tell why anyone would want to "take care" of a scorpion! But some people keep them in cages at home. They are sold through stores and dealers who cater to humans who want to be "different" and "unique". I thought all humans were different and unique?! Well, I never.

These scary things are super strong: they can lift lids, squeeze through tiny openings and climb over obstacles. Not only are their stings painful and poisonous, they can be deadly. Save your love of this stinger for the rock band!

Monkeys - Some humans believe that they are descended from apes. So it makes sense that some of you humans think that living with a monkey would be the same as living with another human! So many people have trouble living with others, I have no idea what makes them think they could live with a monkey.

Monkey tricks aside, apes can also be extremely dangerous! First of all, they can share diseases with you humans, since the viruses are transferrable. And once they reach maturity, they can be very aggresive - and even small monkeys are really strong. Monkeys develop strong attachments to their caregivers, and can be territorial - attacking friends and other family members in a jealous rage is common. Add to that their strong canine (ahem) teeth, and you've got a dangerous, wild animal on your hands (if you didn't already know that).

Lions and Tigers and... - Seriously folks, this one is a no brainer. I'm already a little biased against kitties gaining entry into the home, but a 450+ lb. cat? With knive-like teeth and razor sharp claws? Take a tip from the famous Siegfried & Roy incident, when Roy Horn (one half of the training duo) was attacked by his tiger during a live show. The 600 lb., 7 year-old tiger had been raised from 6 months old to perform with the duo, and no one suspected he would ever attack anyone. Roy suffered a stroke directly after the attack, and needed 2 surgeries to recuperate.

Still, according to the Humane Society of the United States, "the number of captive tigers living in the United States is roughly the equivalent of all the tigers living in the wild. Between 5,000 and 7,000 captive tigers are estimated to live in the U.S., where less than 10% of them are kept in professionally run zoos and sanctuaries. " Translation: they're house pets. Yikes.

Dogs - Now, I love my brothers and sisters. But not all canines are created alike, and some of my sibligs just aren't family pet material! Many dawg breeds are trained as attack and guard animals for a reason. They strike mean and hard. Little children, other animals and even big humans can risk their lives if one of these pups go crazy!

Below is a list of dogs that have been described as having "man-stopping" capabilites, meaning an attack by any of these can be fatal:

Boxer
Chow-Chow
Dalmatians
Doberman Pinschers
German Shepherds
Husky
Pet Bulls
Rottweillers

Pet legislation varies from state to state. In some places, exotic animals must have permits, and in other places tough bylaws make sure that vicious dog owners pay steep insurance rates. Still, dangerous pets are available to the humans who want to keep them! If you are considering an exotic pet, here's a link to tell you how to find out if you can actually house one. In my opinion, this doesn't make it a good idea!

Dangerous animals are dangerous, no matter what. Stick with us domesticated dawgs and cats, and stay safe!

Love, Buster

Photo Credit: spiderdog

Photo Credit: claudiogennardi

Photo Credit: 2295820345

Photo Credit: dvids

Why Does My Pet Eat Grass?

noreply@blogger.com (Buster) — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 21:04:00 +0000

Many, many, many humans have been dogging me with these questions lately: "Why is my pet pal chomping down in the garden?" and "my kitty took an extra long prowl through our lawn today, and - hey, what the heck that big green mess on my carpet?!". Shtuff like that. So I thought that today I would discuss a very common occurance: why pets eat grass.

Why Does My Pet Eat Grass
The answer is not, pardon the pun, clear cut. It seems as though some mammals can't digest grass, but one class of mammals can: the ruminants. These are grass-eating mammals that digest their food in two steps. First, the ruminant chews and swallows its food, then brings it back up into the mouth to re-chew before swallowing again. We refer to this second stage as "chewing the cud". Ruminants include cattle, goats, sheep, camels, alpacas, llamas, giraffes, American Bison (buffalo), European bison, yaks, water buffalo, deer, wildebeest and antelope.

Obviously we dogs and cats are not in this special class of mammals (although my next-door neighbor's cat can be a real cow sometimes). Still, you do find us from time to time out in the fields (or lawn, or grass patch) mowing away.

We Like The Taste
Some of us simply like the taste (I know some of you do too, as well as the smell). It's pretty darn yummy.

It Has Nutrients
Grass provides some pets with nutrients, which can be missing from commercially prepared pet food (remember this post? Dawg mark it, yaw'll!). We dogs tend to be able to use the nutrition in grass more than cats, but on the whole most commercially prepared pet food is mostly grain-based, with little to no nutrients. Make sure your pet food is mostly protein and vegetable based, with little or no grain products. We may still head for the hills, but it won't be to vomit up bad foods.

Which is another reason we eat grass.

Grass Induces Vomiting
When one of us has a little too much to eat, or something that doesn't agree with our tummies, we'll chow down on the green stuff. It really helps to bring up and out anything that is disturbing our digestive systems. Ain't we smart?

And kitties eat a ton of their own fur, so eating grass can help them hack it up better.

It Should Be Organic
If we're eating grass to get rid of poisons in our system, what's the point if the green stuff isn't "green"? Take another tip from another one of my posts: please don't treat your lawns and gardens with chemical pesticides. See, we love rolling around in that green stuff. We bury things in it. And to the point of this post: we eat it.

If you don't have a yard, you can actually buy specially grown grasses for pets to eat inside! Or try sprouting your own: I know of a great grass site HERE!

Know Your Greens! The Difference Between Grass And Toxic Plants
So there we go, the answer to your questions about furry friends and our love of grass. On a final note, I think it's a good idea to mention that not all green stuff is ok for us to put in our mouths! Grass aside, many house plants can actually be toxic for us. Here's a list of plants we pets (and kiddies, too!) should stay away from.

Heading out to graze, Buster

Photo Credit: pinksherbet

Congratulations Lisa H., You've Won Testimonial Of The Month!

noreply@blogger.com (Buster) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:20:00 +0000

YapYapYap! I've read the most incredible testimonials this month, but this one made me put my paw to my heart in gratitude. Thanks to some herbal-lovin', a kitty's life was saved! Congratulations Lisa the Naturalist, from Madison, Tennessee - you've won this month's testimonial of the month! Look for your prize in your email inbox! Here's what Lisa has to bark:

"My kitty was slowly starving to death.

My kitty is 15 yrs. old. About 5 years ago she started losing weight. She was diagnosed with feline hyperthyroid disorder. Her weight dropped from 9 lbs. to less than 5-1/2 lbs. with most of that loss in the past 2 years. The vet wanted to put her on thyroid medication that had horrible side effects, or cut out part of her thyroid, or give her radioactive iodine. At her age, all of those options scared me. I refused, and have been treating her with supplements. The weight loss slowed drastically but still did not stop.

The situation became critical during the holidays. Her bones were prominent, her appetite was gone, and she felt like a feather when I picked her up. She was starving to death right before my eyes, and I couldn't figure out what to do.

A few weeks ago I was searching again on the internet and I came across testimonials for Resthyro. What these people had to say sounded like hype and was just too good to be true, so I went on with my search. However, the more I looked the more references and testimonials I found for this product.

I finally decided that God must be trying to tell me something, so I ordered a bottle not really expecting much. I began giving her the drops on January 8. After only a few days her appetite improved. I waited 2 weeks and weighed her on January 24. You can't imagine my shock to find that she had gained 6.75 ounces. I just sat down and cried. I weighed her again on Jan. 30 and she has gained another 2 ounces. I believe that we have turned the corner, and that given time she will recover completely.

I can't thank you enough for providing this product. It is easy to use, has no side effects, but more importantly, it works fast. I would recommend this product to anyone who has a cat with hyperthyroid disorder. You have a customer for life. Thank you again for saving my kitty. "

Lisa and kitty, many more warm, healthy, best wishes to you! Keep us on the update!

Love, Buster

Each month I post one of your inspiring stories, so have your human send me one! Email them to me at

IIf I post it, you get treats. Who doesn't love that? Love ya, Buster

2010 Doggie Olympics - Everything You Need To Know About Best In Show!

noreply@blogger.com (Buster) — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 23:06:00 +0000

It`s that time of year again, when we`re all watching some sort of sports. Well, my human is watching the 2010 Winter Olympics, while I watch the 134th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. This year`s all around winner: a bitch named Sadie, the Scottish Terrier! I have to admit, she really was top dawg (sorry red-hair, I still love you!). The Proud Princess was crowed last night, and has begun making the various laps to promote her win. She`s already appeared on CBS`s The Morning Show, The View, and apparently was off to meet Donald Trump today. Ah, it`s a dog`s life after all, bitches!

Highlights!

In case you missed yesterday`s show, here`s a round up of highlights.

What stars, what class! These pooches are practically perfect! All that hard work really pays off.

Want To Become A Show Dawg?

Many of my pals want to know just what makes a show dog a show-off! The American Kennel Club has a great listing of info, for the new dawg and old, alike. Here`s the low down on how to get started (courtesy of the AKC):

The best place to start is by joining a local kennel club, whether an all-breed kennel club or a breed-specific specialty club. A listing of clubs by state can be found on The American Kennel Club Club Search page or through their customer service department by calling (919) 233-9767.

Local clubs will have information on training classes for the show ring, and for obedience and agility classes. It`s a great place to start the doggie/human relationship, and to practice with your other pooch pals. Handling your dog is an exceptional and enjoyable experience. From the grooming table to the show ring, you and your dog will develop a bond. While training classes offer the best hands-on way to practice for the show ring, attending shows and observing your breed is also a great way to gain understanding of what judges and other competitors do. If you do not wish to handle your dog yourself, or have a friend or family member do it, you may contact a professional handler who charges a fee for showing your dog.

Tips For The First-Time Exhibitor

Make sure your dog is registered with the AKC.
Be sure your dog is current on all inoculations.
Learn the proper techniques for grooming and for presenting your dog in the ring.
Join your breed Parent Club, or a Local Specialty and or All-Breed club in your area.
Become familiar with the AKC rules and regulations for dog shows.
Attend some dog shows to observe your breed being judged and how others present your breed.
Get a Judging Program at the show to find out ring number and judging time.
Use the knowledge of your breeder.
Don't be afraid to ask questions.
Attend handling classes with your dog.

Tips For The First-Time Spectator

If the grooming area is open to spectators, visit it and talk with professional groomers to get tips on keeping your dog looking his best.
However tempting, do not pet a dog without asking for permission first. The dog may have just been groomed in preparation for being judged.
At each dog show, you will find vendors and information booths. Many club booths offer helpful information to the general public.
Wear comfortable shoes - you will be doing a lot of walking. Unless you bring a chair or arrive early, be prepared to stand most of the time, as seating is usually limited.
If you are considering getting a purebred dog, talk to the breeders and exhibitors - they are experts in their breeds
If you bring a baby stroller to a dog show, be careful that you do not run over any dog tail, and that your child does not grab or poke the dogs it can reach. Avoid having them near ring entrances, which are especially crowded. Some shows prohibit baby strollers.

Dog Show Terms

Angulation - Angles created by bones meeting at their joints.

Baiting - Using liver or some treat to get the dogès attention and have him look alert.

Bench Show - A dog show at which the dogs are kept on assigned benches when not being shown in competition, so they can be viewed and discussed by attendees, exhibitors and breeders.

Exhibitor - A person who brings a dog to a dog show and shows it in the appropriate class.

Fancier- A person who is especially interested, and usually active, in some phase of the sport of purebred dogs.

Gait - The way a dog moves, movement is a good indicator of structure and condition.

Groom - To brush, comb, trim or otherwise make a dogès coat neat.

Handler - A person or agent who takes a dog into the show ring or who works the dog at a field trial or other performance event.

Heel - A command to a dog to keep close beside its handler.

Match Show - A usually informal dog show at which no championship points are awarded.

Miscellaneous Class - Transitional class for breeds attempting to advance to full AKC recognition.

Pedigree - The written record of a dog's family tree of three or more generations.

Points - Credits earned toward a championship.

Soundness - Mental and physical well-being.

Stacking - Posing the dog's legs and body to create a pleasing picture.

And there you have it, yapalots! Think you have what it takes to be Best In Show? Go for it! I will be watching for you... And remember, winning is not everything. Sometimes you just have to laugh:

Love you like ham, Buster

Healthy Hearts Part II - How To Tell If Your Dog Is Having A Heart Attack

noreply@blogger.com (Buster) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 04:13:00 +0000

Yes, we dogs celebrate Valentines Day, too. And we do so with happy, healthy, strong hearts! But keeping our hearts strong isn`t just all about filling them with love, pals. I wish it were that easy, but it`s not! As we`ve learned, many pets have some form of heart ailment. Today, I`d like to talk about a dog`s life, and our hearts. Is it possible for your doggy to have a heart attack-ack-ack?

Common Heart Ailments In Dogs

Unlike humans, dogs don`t usually have heart attacks - although they can suffer from cardiac troubles. Some common heart ailments in dogs are:

Heart disease
Tachyarrhythmias
Bradyarrhythmias
Hypotension (low blood pressure)

Is My Dog Having A Heart Attack

Heart trouble dog-ifests itself differently in dogs then in humans, so chances are no. If you think your dog is suffering from a heart attack, here`s more likely what`s happening:

Syncope is what we call a fainting or collapsing episode that is related to a heart abnormality, or low blood pressure. During a syncope, you may notice:

a very slow heart-rate (bradyarrhythmias)
fast heart-rate (tachyarrhythmias)
limp or stiff limbs during a spell that return to normal very quickly (seconds to minutes)

Seizures can be like a syncopal spell, but:

dog has jerky limb movements
dog remains abnormal for minutes to hours after the episode

What To Do If Your Dog Has Syncope Or Seizure

Watching your beloved friend have a syncope or seizure can be terrifying! So most importantly, humans: STAY CALM! Seizures and syncopes are almost never fatal, but we will need vet care right away. Here are a few tips to know if we have an episode:

gently place a hand on your dogs chest, to check for fast or slow heart rate
dog should be moved to a safe place or laid on a rug to minimize the chances of injury
time the length of the seizure, and take note of everything so that you can relay it to the vet later
if the episode lasts longer than a few minutes, transport dog to vet - pronto!
after, keep us calm and cool - many vets say that stress can aggravate recovery.

Treating Heart Troubles Naturally

Once heart trouble in your precious dog has been identified, there are natural treatments available. Conventional vets will often prescribe drugs called ACE inhibitors, which reduce blood pressure, or a digitalis-type drug to control an excessively fast heart rate. Ack!

Natural vets treat more holistically, using herbal formulations and prescribing healthy lifestyles - including lots of exercise! Yes, there is healthier heart help for hounds.

Love you guys!

Cross my heart and hope for pie, Buster

Photo Credit: motherscratcher

Healthy Hearts Part I - Keeping Our Hearts Healthy

noreply@blogger.com (Buster) — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 18:04:00 +0000

Today my human, Sage, posted about heart disease. Well just like in humans, pets too can suffer from unhappy hearts! When we're pooping like crazy or have skin problems, its so easy to tell that we have an ailment. But not so with our thumping hearts. Unless we exhibit certain symptoms of cardiac distress, there's not a lot telling you that we have heart trubb!

Does Your Pet Have Heart Disease?

To the vet! To the vet! To the vet! I can't yap this enough: take your pet to the vet at least once per year. Part of a vet visit is checking out our hearts, which can detect most ailments.

Some symptoms you can look for:

coughing or hacking
wheezing
decreased energy or stamina
edema
abdominal bloat
signs of poor cirulation
fainting

Preventing Heart Disease In Pets

Luckily, preventing heart disease can be simple. Just like managing your own lifestyle, doing the same with pet can work wonders!

Common causes of heart disease in pets include:

Eating foods that are high in saturated fats and cholesterol
Leading an inactive lifestyle
Being overweight
Unhappiness and stress

Take a tip from your own lifestyle, humans! Feed your pet a healthy diet, give them plenty of exercise, and supplement with an herbal blend to keep your pet healthy! Take these tips to your own heart, too. You'll all stay healthy together, longer!

And by the way, taking care of us pets can lower you human's risk of having a heart attack, too. Lovely!

I heart you, Buster

Photo Credit: piez

Pets In Lurve!

noreply@blogger.com (Buster) — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 18:45:00 +0000

Photo Credit: suneko
Photo Credit: alex-photos
Photo Credit: dan4th
Photo Credit: 30641761@N03

How To Keep Pet Fit - Exercise Tips

noreply@blogger.com (Buster) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 03:48:00 +0000

Like all living creatures, the keys to a long and healthy life for us pets are clean water, healthy food, low stress, love, and of course, exercise.

Now, I've heard it said often that you pet caregivers (especially dog lovers) chose a pet to not only have as a companion, but as a fitness partner. We are FANTASTIC fitness partners! Heck, any chance I get I love to run around, jump, spin, circle, whatever. It is so fun, and it is so fun with my human, Sage. And boy, does it make her go! We never miss our daily run around the block.

But it goes both ways, people. We need you to help us keep fit, too! I mean, what happens if you've had a long day and you're too pooped to play? Or you're not well enough to run around with us - let alone walk us around the block?

For those of you who maybe don't have the ability - lack of time, health, whatever - to keep us moving together, I've compiled a list of indoor exercises that we pets can do at home. These are also great things for indoor pets to do, too!

Exercises Pets Love

The Stairs: Unless you have a dachsund (these guys should not be running up and down stairs), kitties and dawgs can get great benefit by climbing! Sit at the top of your stairs and throw a bouncing toy to the bottom, and let your pet play fetch.
The Stalk: Kitties love to stalk, even more than they love to talk (meyowls). Something as simple as a piece of string pulled down a hallway can make a cat go crazy. Try it! Just watch your heels - them claws are NASTY.
The Chase: We pets LOVE to play chase! Let us chase you around the house, and then just as we're about to catch you turn on us - watch us jump and scamper!
The Pull: This is perfect for larger dogs. Grab a rope, and sit on your floor (avoid carpets for this one, yaw'll). Let your dog grab the other end of the rope, and pull you! Great exercise.
The Intelli-Hide: We pets love to find things, especially: treats! Try hiding dry food in a cardboard box, with the lid folded in on itself. don't use tape-dangerous! Punch a few holes in the side, so we can get a good sniff. Watch us figure out how to get at it, using our brains and our braun!

Keep us happy, healthy and hopping, with fun indoor exercises. Hey, we're not the only ones who can do push-ups and sit-ups during commercial breaks!

High-five, Buster

Photo Credit: emeryway

Pets Do Not = Children: The Cons Of Treating Pets Like Kids

noreply@blogger.com (Buster) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 04:57:00 +0000

We love you, humans. We, the family pet, are just that: family. We are one of your own, one of the children. And you sometimes treat us as such, too. Of course you do! While we are a different species, from a developmental perspective we pets are very similar to children. So it makes sense that you should love us in the familial way.

Loving us is crucial to our lives being full of happiness! But treating us like children can sometimes actually be bad for our, and your, health. Here are some reasons why NOT to treat us like kids!

Pampering Breeds Jealousy

Chances are, you let us sit on your laps. Of course. You may let us kiss you on the lips (even a get a little lickie, too!), and you probably even let us sleep with you. Hold it: ain't all that shtuff supposed to be saved for your mate? Allowing your pet to engage in extra-intimate activities can throw a wrench in your other intimate relationships, namely your marital one. If you have a spouse, save the smooches for them. If you're single, wondering why, and engaging in the above activities, then wean your fuzz-ball from your futon and make a date.

Saying "No" Does Not Hurt Our Feelings!

Yes, we have feelings. Yes, we feel pain. Yes, we jump with joy. But no, reprimanding us and denying us certain things (ie. sleeping in your bed) will not make us feel "bad". Nothing makes us feel bad, but ourselves. C'mon, you know that. You're in control! Doesn't that make you feel good?

Anyhow, when you let us do whatever we want, we tend to get unruly and disruptive, and take over the whole house. We don't listen (why should we? You let us do whatever we want), we wreck things, we help ourselves to the refrigerator... it's just bad news all around. Sound like a spoiled toddler? Yeah, we're so developmentally similar.

Showing us who's boss will actually be good for us: it helps us feel safe, as though someone (you) are taking care of us. Looking out for our best interests. We feel calm, safe, protected. So just say no!

Don't Make Me Mad

What do little children do when they don't get their way? They throw things, they throw tantrums. They scream. They kick. Sometimes they pee. Well, again, developmentally we pets are the same. Except that we have jaws, and claws, and sometimes razor sharp teeth. Throw in some untouched testicles or some heat, and you've got yourself one crazy Tazmanian Devil. If you don't want to make us mad, start by teaching us the word "no". Yes?

Solution

Don't spoil us! Wean us! Make sure we know you're the Alpha Pet, the leader of the pack. And we shall remain obedient, for life.

Your Loyal Servant, Buster

Photo Credit: Marica

Photo Credit: H

I Like It Doggy Style - A Human's Guide To Catching your Pet Some Tail

noreply@blogger.com (Buster) — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 02:25:00 +0000

Well, kitties and pups, it's that time of year again! That's right fuzzy-folks, the amorous month of February has us chasing tails - and not just our own - just in time for spring.

Just like our human friends, once the sun starts warming things up we start to get a little hot under our flea collars, too. As in, we want to get it on! But don't get me wrong: just because we're hawt-to-trot doesn't mean we'll do it with just about anything. And so, I've compiled a guide for our humans, to help them help US mate. Throw a dog a bone, pals!

Chemistry Is Everything - Not All Breeds Can Breed!

First of all, take your job, human, as match-maker responsibly. Be choosy! Finding us the right mate takes time and patience, and a lot of research. Mixing breeds is just like mixing personalities: chemistry is everything! So make sure you know what breed your pet is compatible with. For more on this tip, check out what my Professor has to yap!

Health Is Wealth

Just like choosing a mate, making sure our mates are healthy is key! After all, our potential mate's health will impact our litters to come. Make sure you obtain a full medical disclosure, and research the breed. Some breeds are more prone to pawticular ailments, so beware!

It's All For Show

I'm no show dawg, but if I were I'd want a bitch with class. That is: her papers! But then I'd have to be a stud dog (which I am, but if you're a breeder you know what I mean), which requires so much work. I hear the human equivalent is called "metro-sexual", a man who is constantly groomed, but to me that's too much work. Where's the fun in not being able to roll around in the hay - in the dirt? But anyhow, if you're breeding for show, get the papers. Enough said.

Leave Us Alone

Once you've found a great tail for us to chase around, introduce us and then leave us alone. We'll do our business, and you'll have done yours. I'll be one lucky dog!

In Love, Buster

Photo Credit: markhillary

Happy Birthday Aquarius!

noreply@blogger.com (Buster) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:30:00 +0000

Aquarius, my airy-fairy friend, you are the most pal-lovin' fun-doggin' one of the bunch! If I ever feel bored, you're the one who thinks up fun shtuff. If I feel the need to escape and get away from it all - you're my partner in flight!

You're such a high-flyer, that sometimes I feel like I'm flying to the moon with you - you're the one who would get me there, with a space-ship you just happened to dig up in your backyard (you inventive thing, you). Why are you reaching so high, Aquarius? It's freedom you seek, for all of us. Well, my freedom-seeker, you need strong healthy bones to keep you moving! Old Timer you ain't, with a supplement to help you stay strong.

Don't stop reaching for the stars, Aquarius!

Love, Buster
Photo Credit: diametrik

Protecting Pets From Poisons - And How We Are Exposed To More Toxins Than You Humans

noreply@blogger.com (Buster) — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:59:00 +0000

HACK!HACK!HACK!HACK!

Ahem. Excuse me. I've just come back from a howl-iffic visit with my pal, and his human was cleaning the house. We were running around, playing with his doggie kong, when all of a sudden I felt like I couldn't breathe - tears were burning in my eyes, and my skin was all hot and itchy. My human grabbed me and got me outta there, just in the knick of time. Dog bless her.

Turns out, our human host was cleaning with chemical household cleaners - totally toxic and not pet-friendly! In fact, not anyone friendly, but this post isn't just about anyone. It's about you and me. Pet pals.

Pets Exposed To More Toxins Than Humans

We, naturally, live in a natural world. But unfortunately our natural world is infused with chemicals - all around us! Humans are obsessed with detoxifying themselves, but often don't think about the toxins that we pets are exposed to. Well guess what people, we ARE exposed to chemicals, lots of them, and most of the time even more than you humans! Why? Primawily because we are so much smaller, and lower to the ground. Think about it: who spends time running through and munching on pesticidy grass? We do. Who eats tasty, stinky, rotting morsels off the ground? We do. Who loves to hunt around in moldy, asbestos and fiberglass filled crawl spaces? We do. We pets are exposed to more than just household cleaners: chemicals are in our flea sprays and collars, our non-organic foods, our plastic toys, your pesticides, your cigarette smoke, and your furniture.

The point is: we crawlers are constantly exposed to toxic substances, which can seriously harm our tiny bodies and potentially cause illness - and even death.

Herbicides And Bladder Cancer In Pets

Lets take, for example, a recent study at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind., which revealed that the risk of bladder cancer was significantly increased among Scotties exposed to lawns or gardens treated with both herbicides and insecticides or with herbicides only. According to the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, "The prevalence of bladder cancer in dogs examined at veterinary teaching hospitals in North America increased by more than 600 percent between 1975 and 1995" (from the Environmental Working Group) When chemicals are sprayed on a lawn, it's recommended that people and pets stay off the ground for 24 hours. Fine enough, but aren't the chemicals released into the air? We're still breathing the stuff in - and don't tell me that after 24 hours the grass we roll around in has NO chemical residue left. I mean, where the ruff does it go? Pu-leeze. My suggestion: use natural alternatives to lawn care, and eliminate the problem. Is a perfectly green, moss-free lawn that necessary, anyhowl?

Poisonous Chemicals and Death

Most peeps know not to use household cleaners around their kids. More and more families aren't using them, and are looking for natural alternatives. But many "single" pet "owners" don't think twice about using chemicals around their pets (which is crazy, because they're also exposing THEMSELVES to chemicals! Yapyapyap.). They clean out toilet bowls with bleach, then their pet pals come along and take a long drink. They clean their floors, then their beloved furry friend comes to eat lunch - probably dropping tidbits onto the floor, which is now swathed in a chemical. The result: liver and kidney damage, and/ or respiratory problems.

A Sad, Sad Story - A Poisoned Parrot

Lest you think that toxins are as obvious as pesticides and household cleansers, read this:

Teflon Tragedy Reminds Us That It Is Best to Not Keep These Pans in Homes with Birds

"On Dec 23rd, 2004 I was using an old pot that had most of the teflon worn off of it to boil water to put a little moisture in the air. I was doing this for the people in the house as well as for my 9 year old Soloman Island Eclectus, Ruby. I do not like it when the air is real dry in the house. It was about 11:00 pm when I fell asleep. At 2:30 in the morning on Christmas eve, Ruby started screaming for me. I ran to the cage and pulled of the cover. She was on the bottom of the cage, shaking like she was freezing. I picked her up and held her to my chest. She uddered a few tiny sounds, then she was gone. I walked into the kitchen, still holding her. To my horror, I saw the empty pot on the red hot coils.

I feel tremendous guilt over killing my baby. Please, everyone who reads this and is a parent to a parrot, believe with every ounce of your being, the dangers of teflon. The pot I was using was old and worn out, but still had enough teflon left to kill my baby from 30 feet away. I was playing with her the night before, and she cried for me like usual when I put her to bed. She was gone in an instant, don't let it happen to you." Jim in Tennessee

From Parrot Parrot (amazing bird advice, thanks guys!)

Symptoms Your Pet Has Been Poisoned

Here are some symptoms that your pet has inhaled or ingested something toxic:

panting
drooling
vomiting
voiding green or black urine
muscle tremors

Take your pet to the vet or emergency, immediately!

Protecting Pets From Poisons

It's true, many chemicals can kill a very large amount of bacteria and viruses. But they can also kill us. Isn't that insane? Especially considering that many natural ingredients have the potential to kill the same amount of germs, without the toxic side-effects. Here's a great link on how to protect us. And check out Green Paws, for info on pet products and how to avoid the chemicals in them.

As, always, I am your devoted health-servant for life, Buster

Photo Credit: dwipal

Zen And The Art Of Hyper-Pet Maintenance

noreply@blogger.com (Buster) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:35:00 +0000

Holy Cows, did I make my human crazy today! I was ruffing yapping all over the place one minute, then licking the walls the next. Koo-koo! I could not - absolutely not - hear a word she said. I refused to sit, even for treats. I didn`t have to, I was busy inhaling crumbs the size of my paws all afternoon. Hunh? What had gotten into me?

I`ll tell you what. Today was the toddler`s birthday, and a bus load of caffeine-fueled parents and their kids showed up - it was Grand Frantic Energy Central, that`s what. There was vegan strawberry cake (YUM), circus music, and balloons. Many popped, I peed with excitement. I was OUTTA control, in a frenzy, acting like a crazy pup.

Sound familiar? Probably. Humans have become obsessive compulsive about their ADD/ADHD, and we pets are no different. Some of us yap incessantly, some of us licklicklick (I don't know why, but the noise of my tongue against fur makes my human CRAZY), and some of us bounce off the walls.

It could be easy to interpret this kind of behavior as BAD, or deem your pet untrain-able. However, just like humans, there can be many reasons why an animal is hyper active - and you, dear human, can do something about it!

Hyperactivity In Animals

Like humans, we pets have sensitive systems. Loud noises, frenetic energy, and high-glycemic foods can all influence our moods - and can be extremely stimulating! The result: your pet, backing-and-forthing, barking and meyowling, and ripping up pillows.

Animals, like humans, have our own personalities. While it is in our animal nature to sometimes sleep all day (kitties), or nose around (doggies) or even run the treadmill at night (hammies), many times our consistency can be altered. Do you find that your pup goes crazy at the sight of his friends when they meet? Yea, typical. We're happy fellas! You can't begrudge us that. How many cats go from 0 to 60 at the flick of a string? Right. That sort of stuff is in our nature.

What's not in our nature is to be incessant or obsessive about things, as mentioned above (even though YES terriers are known to be super hyper, and we border collies have our quirks, too). Naturally, we can be brought back down to Earth.

Natural Chill Pills

Chilling us out can be simple, but you human's must be diligent. This means taking a look around our environments, to see what may be causing us to explode with energy! Here are some suggestions for calming us down:

Tip #1: Tone down the environment. Turn down the TV (better yet, keep it out of our space if you can) - the electrical energy, moving pictures and noises are incredibly stimulating! Turn down music too, and choose calm, soothing tunes.

Tip #2: Keep natural light, instead of bright, artificials on. The flicker of light bulbs can influence our own eye movement/brain waves, and natural is really the best. Better yet: turn the lights off. It works for my human when she's trying to get our little 4 year old Jake to bed!

Tip #3: Choose low-glycemic, gluten-free foods for us. High sugars spike our own blood sugar (just like humans) and cause all kinds of trubb! Like, for example, that vegan cake.

Tip #4: Exercise! Let us burn off that extra energy - either by taking us for a walk/run, or playing around with us.

Tip #5: Aromatherapy! Lavender is one of the chillest oils on the planet. Use it, dawgs. I`m telling yaw`ll. Read about it HERE.

The Zen Approach

Ultimately, worrying about calming down your pet will end up causing you anxiety. The best remedy: acceptance. Knowing that we pets, just like humans, can have moments of extreme behaviors, will help you to stay present. And calm. Remember, we catch your vibes, too!

Heythere'stheneighbor'scatIgottaflyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy - Buster

Myrrh- An Ancient Ingredient For Allergy Treatment

noreply@blogger.com (Buster) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 17:54:00 +0000

A ruffing long time ago, three very smart humans supposedly brought some very special stuff to a certain special someone. That kid was the lucky recipient of the most valuable goods of the times: gold, frankincence, and myrrh.
Photo Credit: sonya
Ancient Ingredient

Gold was obvious, since a kids need more than just a wooden-leg up in the world - they wanted to give him every opportunity to make it! Frankincense makes sense too, to ward off evil spirits and bad energies - c'mon, you've all seen Frankenstein, right? And Myrrh, well this cure-all healing herb was the best anti-inflammatory around - perfect for a newborn's allergies, of course! That poor babe was brought into the world surrounded by animals and hay - prime breeding ground for asthmatic conditions and respiratory ailments. Of course those wise men brought that kid some immune-enhancing stuff! It just so happens that we animals are affected by allergies too - and when we have a reaction, we need help.

Allergic Symptoms In Animals

Animals get allergies just like humans - we just don't always show ours the same way.
Some symptoms that show we are allergic are:

Allergic rhinitis (nasal cavity reaction to dust, mold, cigarette smoke, litter dust etc.)
Allergic pneumonia in dogs (lung reaction from Aspergillus fungus, pollen, heartworm microfilariae etc.)
Allergic dermatitis (skin reaction due to food allergy, contact allergy, cutaneous drug eruptions, atopy-allergic inhalant dermatitis etc.)
Allergic gastroenteritis (reaction of stomach and intestines - vomiting, diarrhea due to food allergy)
Allergic blepharitis (eyelid reaction to molds, dust, pollen, topic medications etc.)

Myrrh To The Rescue

Most important to humans - and now animals! - is Myrrh's use in medicine. It is antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and can help move the blood - so it is great for circulatory and nervous problems, as well as cleaning wounds. It can help strengthen the immune system, by reducing inflammation - and allergic reactions.

Myrrh Makes Me Purr

Myrrh is a reddish-brown tree sap (similar to the one that sticks to my fur like gum), that comes from a number of different trees: all native to parts of Africa and the Middle East. This sap is really earthy smelling - not stinky like I like it - and has been used by humans for thousands of years to make incense, perfume wine, and preserve bodies. It has also been used as a haling ointment and drink, to stimulate immunity, heal wounds and reduce inflammation. It is also mildly analgesic (yapyap: a pain reliever) so it is especially good in tinctures, healing ointments and on skin irritations - which is why my human Sage uses it on my flea bites (I am pawticularly sensitive to these critters). I feel so doggone ancient when she "annoints" me with her precious salve!

I really am a Holy Dog.I may be a forward thinking dawg, but I sure like my paws steeped in ancient wisdom. Especially when they help stop my allergic reactions!

High-five At-choooooo (excuse me!), Buster

Photo Credit: glenmaclarty

Cutest Animal Babies In The World!

noreply@blogger.com (Buster) — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 18:32:00 +0000

Ah, babies. I loves them. Who doesn't? Every month I get piles of letters and photos from my animal pals around the world, and sometimes they're just too cute not to share. Behold some of the bestest! Couldn't you just roll over?!

Photo Credit: macjewell

Little Jersey from, you got it, Jersey. Isn't she adaw-able? I just love her little pink nose.
Photo Credit: bigtallguy

Ok, Baby Borscht. Someone has to teach li'l one to quit cramming! Unless he's studying. Ahem.
Photo Credit: carolyncoles

Seriously. Are you really this ca-yute?
Photo Credit: wili

Well lookie here, the Easter Bunny dropped a little something off early this year! Those EARS! Sigh. Gorgeous. Photo Credit: mindfire

You, little cheep cheep, make me want to bury my nose and sniff hot air into you.
Photo Credit: cliche

And you, dollface, are a little poundcake. Smooches, pooches.
Photo Credit: photos

Feline And Canine Warts - Can Humans Catch Them? No.

noreply@blogger.com (Buster) — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 00:05:00 +0000

Oh, Dog. I've been chewing and chewing at this little nubbin' all day, thinking that it was a little tick poking out of my fur. It's a small, red, hard spot, and nothing's doing! My human Sage finally came around to check out the spot, and swiftly offed me to the vet.

Turns out, I have "viral papilloma" - a wart. Yes, I have a ruffing growth, ok? It's no big deal, it's benign. Meaning not cancerous. It doesn't mean I'm dirty or gross or anything like that (even though I think I look paw-ticularly my best when I'm dirty and, ahem, gross).

Cause Of Warts

A wart is most often caused by a virus, that's all. While older dawgs and cats are more prone to them, they can occur in a younger fella, like me - the Papilloma Virus usually affects us youngins, when our immune systems are underdeveloped. Warts can also develop in subaceous glands, or grow on the face and eyes - these can sometimes be cancerous. But for the most part, warts are often painless, light-colored growths, and don't bother us at all. And they shouldn't bother you, either!

Humans Can't Catch Pet Warts; Pets Can't Catch Human's Warts

The wart virus, Papilloma, cannot be transferred across species lines. Therefore, you can't get your human's wart, and they can't get yours. But we can, us dawgs or cats, give it to eachother. The incubation period can be up to 1 -2 months.

Pet Warts: Not Dangerous!

Most warts clear up on their own, as our immune systems take care of them. Many vets will recommend removal and biopsy, since they are a growth, but they can safely be left alone and just monitored. Sometimes, an unfortunate pup will have a serious overgrowth - and will be left unable to see or chew foods. In this sad case, some warts can be removed and made into a virus, or doses of azithromycin can be given. Natural approaches to treatment are also available!

Natural Treatments

My human favors the natural treatment approach, most of the time. Try applying Vitamin E or castor oil directly to the wart, a few times a day for several weeks. And make sure your pet's immune system is strong, by ensuring proper nutrition (read my gluten-free post HERE) exercise, and happiness.

Lick you later (since I'm not contagious!), Buster

Photo Credit: photo_blackangel

Doggy Daycare - Tips On Choosing The Right One!

noreply@blogger.com (Buster) — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 20:06:00 +0000

As yaw'll know by now, I am one social dawg. I'm a regular at our community daycare, where me and my pals hang around a lot together. My gal is there too - you know, the one with the long red hair. She's such a peach. Sigh.

My human Sage was getting so busy around the house, what with her home-based writing and our new baby. I needed attention! So she found the best place ever for me: doggy daycare. I run around, play, learn new tricks and obedient behaviors. They feed me delish treats, and sometimes I even get a mani/pedi (my nails grow fast, dawgs!).

Sounds de-luxe, right? My human did good. Of course. So how do you get your human to pick the best daycare ever?

Why Pet Daycare

Pets are family members, too. And when caregivers get too busy to be with pets all the time, daycares can provide stimulation and companionship. Pets won't be lonely at home (which can lead to all kinds of trouble, including aggressive acting out by pet, ruffing up the house, and anxiety). Pet daycares are also great for teaching pets proper behavior, and how to socialize.

Not All Pet Daycares Are Created Equal

Your pet pals are like your babies. Choosing a daycare is like choosing a babysitter for your child- you want to give them the best care around! Here are some tips on choosing a daycare:

Tip #1: What are you looking for? Ask yourself what you are looking for: a few hours of play? Full grooming? Outdoor time? What is your budget? Answering these questions will help you narrow down a location.

Tip #2: Source and Referral. Yap of mouth is key. Ask your vet, fellow pet caregivers, and local pet store for referrals. And check for reviews online - these days everyone loves to give their opinion!

Tip #3: Certification! This is key, humans: make sure the daycare is certified, licensed and bonded in your state! You're not hiring your local teenager to babysit your pet.

Tip #4: Yap up! Ask as much as possible. If your pet is little, you'll want to ensure a class with like-sized dawgs. Same goes with a larger animal. And let the caregivers know what sort of a pet you have: confident, shy, affectionate, super-yappy - your daycare provider can help remedy these situations.

Tip #5: Audition. You should be able to observe, and watch the daycare in action. That way if you notice anything you don't like, you can cross the daycare off your list. If you do like it, as for a drop-in. You and your dog can see how you feel there, and gradually get into the new routine.

Sourcing A Daycare

We've found a great daycare directory, HERE. You can search by area, and all states are covered.

And now I'm off to see my pals, and playplayplay!

Love, Buster

Photo Credit: jimwinstead

The Herby Pet - Aromatherapy For Animals!

noreply@blogger.com (Buster) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:31:00 +0000

I've yapped about this before, but my Dog my human is a Mistress Manipulator of my moods! When I'm wound up, she calms me down, when I'm lazy she knows how to energize me. Notonly that, she knows how to keep me flea and tick-free. What's her secret? Something called aromatherapy!

See, just like our humans, we pets are affected by scent. Deeply affected.

What Is Aromatherapy?

Aromatherapy is the healing use of botanicals, in their essential oil form. When the molecules are sniffed, they instantly become part of our body's central nervous system. Not only that, topically they can kill bacteria and viruses - on surfaces and in the air. Bugs can't survive in the presence of some oils, and other oils can help heal wounds when they are put onto the skin.

Aromatherapy comes in many forms: incense, potpourri, diffusers and room sprays, which work to release the scent molecules into the air; and perfumed personal care products, which enter the body through the nostrils or the skin.

My human uses perfumed sprays for my fur, which I inhale all day long. They help calm me, and keep me from barking incessantly. She also lights her aromatherapy burner sometimes, like when I hurt myself and I need to calm down.

Aromatherapy For Pets

My human uses essential oils alot, to keep our home bug-free and me happy. Try these easy at-home tips:

Tip #1: Fleas hate tea-tree oil! Add 20 - 30 drops of tea-tree oil to your pet shampoo. Massage all throughout your pet, and try to leave on for at least 5 minutes. Tea-tree oil is really strong smelling, and has a cooling, mentholating effect - just watch our eyes! Stingy!

Tip #2: Cedarwood is Anti-Buggy! A few drops of cedarwood oil, blended with a little cayenne pepper powder, will keep bugs from nesting. My human blends in a spray bottle, and sprays the door frames, corners, and window frames at least once per month.

Tip #3: Natural Flea-Collar! Purchase a nylon or cotton collar, and soak it in a mixture of 10 drops lavender and 10 drops eucalyptus oil, blended with water. Don't wash it, just let it dry. Then let your pet wear it! It will work as long as you can smell the oils - replace when you can't smell anymore. Your pet will be flea-free!

Tip #4: Ticks Don't Do Cloves! Mix a blend of cloves and cinnamon in a spray bottle of water: 20 - 30 drops. Spray your feline or canine before heading into the woods - we won't bring any ticks home with us!

Tip #5: Soothe Itchy Scratchy. I wounded myself last month, and my human applied lavender oil straight from the bottle to my wound. It was a little burny, but helped get rid of the sting almost right away. She said it killed the bacteria, helped my skin restore, and calmed my nervous system. It helped that she burned lavender in her aromatherapy burner, too!

I know we pets love to roll around in some dog-awful smelly stuff. But I really don't mind smelling sweet - when my human takes the time to help me stay clean and clear! I know you won't too, fuzzy pals.

Herbaliciously yours, Buster

Photo Credit: ellievanhoutte

Cop Chicks, Bitches!

noreply@blogger.com (Buster) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 19:08:00 +0000

Lest you think all chicks are pure feather-brains.

Wheat Gluten - Not Part Of Pet's Natural Diet!

noreply@blogger.com (Buster) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:50:00 +0000

My human Sage wrote recently about man's search for immortality. I myself wouldn't mind living like a cat with nine lives! If I were a wild dog, chances are I would live to approximately 40 - but domesticated like, my life span has dwindled to 12 or 13, like my pal on the left. Why? Chalk it up to a totally inappropriate diet!

Ok, so to be fair my human Sage feeds me fresh meats and veggies - I'll probably be yapping long after some of my pals are gone. Dog she's smart. She feeds me what my body is naturally predetermined to digest and use as fuel. But most folks rely on their vet's advice on food, and guess what? It's ruffing filled with wheat and grains, totally not what animals are supposed to eat!

Pizza Not For Pets!

You see, wheat gluten may play a role in chronic illness and degenerative diseases in your beloved pets. We are, by nature, meat chompers. According to researchers (read this book), a wild dog's natural diet consisted of "bones, pieces of carcass, rotten greens and fruit, fish guts, discarded seeds and grains, animal guts and heads, some discarded human food and wastes". Stinky, the way we like it. Cats are completely carniverous, loving their small mice and rats. This means our diets are made up of large amounts of animal protein and fats, water, and little in the way of carbohydrates.

Pets Should Avoid Gluten!

Most vets and their training books educate that cats and dogs don't do gluten. We don't need it, and we don't eat it. So why is most commercially prepared - and vet prescribed - pet food filled with grain?! Not only that, they're low in proteins and water. I don't know about yaw'll, but I only gnawed on cardboard once. And it was howl-ible. Wet food may look more like the meats that we like to eat, but again, they're filled with wheat gluten. Blech! People, we can't digest this stuff! It leaves us bloated, crampy, gassy, and nauseous. You've probably noticed that happens to you and your bums when you eat gluten, too. Right? Keep that golden shaft away from us, please.

How Wheat Gluten Can Poison Us:

Veterinarian John B. Symes yaps that the lectins of gluten (wheat, barley, rye) dairy products (e.g. casein, lactalbumin) soy, and corn are all capable of inducing serious health issues in those humans who are sensitive to them - and us pets! He barks: "The Irish Setter is a breed known to suffer from gluten intolerance, but it is clear that gluten is affecting many other breeds of dogs and cats. And why wouldnt it? It is affecting humans and we have had millennia to adapt to eating wheat. Our pets have only been eating wheat-based pet foods for about 20 years now." According to him anyone who consumes or feeds these foods to their pets on a daily basis will encounter resulting health problems-rheumatoid arthritis, type-one diabetes, lupus, etc. On a grain-based diet, it's just a matter of time. Yelp!

Why We Pets Shouldn't Have Gluten:

Basically, gluten creates inflammation. Inflammation means acidic tissues, and that's where disease loves to grow! I'll bark again: we need meatmeatmeat, a few veggies, and lots of pure water. That's it! Commercial pet foods are high in grains, increased fiber and carbohydrates - especially senior, light and diet foods. Older and overweight pets usually respond well to increased protein and fats gained through a diet rich in meat, not grains. Also, many dogs on the dangerous non-steroidal and steroid drugs so commonly prescribed for dogs may see marked improvements in their conditions and, in fact, may no longer need such drugs, which tend to shorten dogs lives. Many owners who feed their pets fewer grains see less inflammation.

List To Avoid!

Read your food labels. Avoid the following:

- Wheat Flour

- Barle

- Rye

- Oats

- Soy products

- Food starches (cornstarch)

- Brown rice syrup

- Sausages

- Malt vinegar

- White pepper

- Pastas

- Pickles

- Semolina

- Bulgur

- Wheat Grass

What You, Human, Can Feed Us!

If you have the time and energy, homemade food is best. Check out these recipe links: HERE , and HERE . Or, find a great pet food that is gluten free.

All this yapping is making me hungry. I'm going to forage around for something chewy... Who wants a treat?

Me too. Love, Buster
Photo Credit: ma1974

Your Pet May Predict Your Death!

noreply@blogger.com (Buster) — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 04:04:00 +0000

Ever wondered when or how you were going to die?

Your live-in pet may know.

When I was little (er), my human Sage and I were in Los Angeles visiting family when all of a sudden I started whooping it up. The urge to yelp came from deep inside me - I couldn`t control it! I felt as though something were wrong, terribly wrongwrongwrongwrongwrong! I had to go outsideoutsideoutside! Wouldn`t you know it, a short while later we had an earthquake. I had been feeling the Earth move, before my humans did. I had smelled it.

For years as long as dog`s ears, humans have told about animals sensing death and natural disasters before they happen.

It has been yapped that after the Asian Tsunami in January of 2004, few dead animals were found - they had moved to higher ground just before it hit. In July 2007, the New England Journal of Medicine profiled the now famous Oscar the Cat, who predicted deaths of patients in nursing homes by sitting with them in their beds, hours before they passed. According to the BBC, we canines are now being trained to sniff out diabetes in our handlers, after it was proven that we can sniff out certain cancer cells, illegal drugs and explosives. I even heard a bark about a dog who kept alerting its human to a cancerous freckle, and a woman who says her pet-pal warns her that she`s going to have a seizure 40 minutes before it happens.

It`s believed by scientists that with our super-human (pardon the pun) smell, we pets can identify dangerous substances in the air long before humans. It is said that humans once possessed this most amazing ability, but through evolution and revolution you have lost it. Let me tell you, people, I would work on bringing it back to speed. It`s a gift I think we should all have.

The next time your fuzzy friend comes to nuzzle you a little too much - like say, in the same area over and over again - consider it a good idea to head to the docs for a check-up.

Either that or take a bath.

Smell you later, Buster

Photo Credit: Piez

Photo Credit: Fazen

Yipee, N. Algozine! You've Won Testimonial of the Month!

noreply@blogger.com (Buster) — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 03:29:00 +0000

Dear, dear, Petlovers,

On behalf of my fellow beasts, we loveslovesloves you! We love that you care for us and feed us, and help us stay happy. We know you loves us, too.You tell us all the time.

This month I'd like to extend my paw to N. Algozine, who tells us how much she loves her kitties, how her kitties have prospered, and will live longer!Congratulations N. Algozine, to thank you for your winning testimonial you'll be receiving your coupon from me in the (e)mail!N. Algozine writes:

"... Tara was diagnosed with Hypertrophic Cardiomopathy (HCM) back in June of this year. All of a sudden we noticed she was getting thin and she was "hiding" on the other side of the house, not wanting to do anything. She didn't even want to run around the house with her brother, which is her favorite thing to do. We thought she had a fever or cold. She was SO sad and lethargic. We took her to the vet and they put her on antibiotics, figuring it was a fever or cold. They told us to come back in a few days if she didn't get better.

Well, we took her back and they did more tests and took an X-ray and saw that her heart walls were thickened and she had water around her heart. They said she has HCM. My husband and I were so upset. The vet said that she would probably only live a couple of more years. She is on 3 medications - Benazepril, Atenolol,and Furosemide.

My husband was looking on the internet for additional things that might help Tara and found your product, Hearty Heart. We immediately purchased 2 bottles and started giving it to her daily, in her food. After a while we started to see our Tara up to her old tricks - running around with her brother and out in the screen room "hunting" for lizards.

We just took her back for a check-up earlier this month and got an excellent report. Her breathing is great and the water around her heart has lessened. Tara is back to her normal self, and I believe that the Healthy Heart has helped Tara's overall health and heart disease. I will continue to give her the Healthy Heart indefinitely. Attached is a picture of Tara and her brother. Tara is on the right."

Well bitches, not only do we love to hear your amazing stories, we love to keep helping you! An online Gift Certificate goes to the winning testimonial every month, so you can keep providing the best ruffing stuff to your pets. Send your testimonials my way! Email them to me at

Bow-wow, Buster

Photo Credit: polandeze

Images shared by: N. Algozine