Pet of the Week
These are two kitties that were saved, brought to a cat shelter, and adopted out to fine homes!
It's easy to get your pet into the Pet of the Week feature - here is what you need to do!
They Need Our HELP!!
Is there anything more precious than a kitten? Probably not. Well, maybe a whole litter of kittens! But the reality is that there are thousands and thousands of kittens born every year with nothing but a very bleak future to look forward to. At the best, they might find an area that they can live outside and find meals here and there from compassionate people. At worst? A short life filled with disease, abuse and an early death. Too many kittens are born unwanted.
Please spay and neuter your cats (and dogs). They will live longer and have happier, healthier lives.
AHA! Alliance for Humane Action
Your New Pet – Cat or Dog?
Most people have definite feelings about the topic of dogs versus cats. It is like the war of the sexes. It will never end and proponents of each side are intensely loyal to the animal of their choice. We have heard of “cat people” and “dog people,” and some of us enjoy both. But when deciding on a pet, it is a personal choice as to whether cats rule and dogs drool, or the other way around.
Weight Loss Pills (?) For Dogs?
Is Fido fat? Does your best four pawed canine friend, need to go on a diet? It seems unbelievable, but a weight loss drug has been developed for dogs. Sentrol, the name of the new medication, works in two ways. It makes the dog feel full so he or she is less likely to want to eat, and it also blocks fat absorption.
The thinking behind this drug is that as Americans gain weight, so do their pets. Food equals pleasure according to some, and therefore if we are loving our dogs enough, they may very well be overweight. And an overweight dog has the same health issues as an overweight person.
What I don’t get is the whole reasoning behind this. The dog may not feel full and want to eat, but he can’t really call and order and pizza, or stand in front of the refrigerator for hours grazing on this and that left over from a previous night’s dinner. And he certainly can’t buy a healthclub membership so he can work off his extra pounds.
Part of the responsibility of owning a dog (or any other pet) is feeding it properly so that weight isn’t a problem. And much of the fun of having a dog is that you always have a partner to go for walks; no matter how much a friend might not want to go out on a cold and gray day, you can count on your dog to walk with you.
Perhaps these pills will have some use for dogs with medical conditions that cause weight gain. But for the vast majority of the dogs who need to drop a few pounds, the answer can be found in owners who feed responsibly and play with abandon.
FDA Approves Weight Loss Drug For Dogs
Prevent Pet Loss: Identifying Dogs & Cats
Is your four-legged friend, whether it be a cat or dog, your treasured best friend? Then surely you have protected your 
FurBaby with the means to locate him or her, should, Heaven forbid, Socks or Rover get lost. A missing pet is one of the worst scenarios possible for those of us who live in a world of “meows” and “bow-wows.” (I have never actually heard a dog say “bow-wow” but it is the common translation for a bark, so we’ll just go with it.)
My cats are strictly indoor residents so the risk of them getting outside and becoming lost are slim. But it has happened. One of my good friends had a beautiful purebred Maine Coon cat escape through the smallest opening possible near an air conditioner. Seven days later we had all but given up hope. The hundreds of “Lost Cat” posters she had put up finally paid off one evening, with a late phone call, that resulted in Trevor returning home. He had lost weight, brought along a few hundred of his new flea friends, and had ear mites. But no matter. Trevor was home and some good meals and minor vetting had him in tip top shape in no time at all.
My Pembroke Welsh Corgis are only outside on a leash. Again, the risk of them becoming lost is minimal but leashes can break. Dogs that are in a fenced back yard can come up with the most cleaver methods of escape as well; Houdini would have been impressed at some of the escape antics I have heard about.
So how do you prevent this problem? How do you do everything you can to avoid that sinking feeling the first night that you go to bed not knowing where your lovable best friend is?
This problem not only applies to all of us with our beloved pets, but is an issue for purebred dog and cat breeders. Animals that make regular appearances in the show ring, or that are used for breeding, can be at high risk for kidnapping. This is not only an emotional issue, but a financial concern as well for the professional breeder.
Four basic tips that are the smartest ways to begin with identifying your dog, or cat, are featured by Cesar Milan, The Dog Whisperer. These tips are easy, inexpensive and can save lots of tears and worry. They can also save your pet’s life.
Four Tips on Dog Identification
Global Pet Finder – GPS for Your Dog or Cat
Dogs and Cats Blog Too!
You can still have a blog if you have four feet! After all, dogs and cats have things to say too and they are just as interesting as all the nonsense us humans blog about – maybe more interesting! My boys, the Pembroke Welsh Corgis pictured above don’t have a blog but they are still puppies and have the attention span of a gnat (on a good day). Until they have their own blogs, they can pitch in here as a guest at their leisure.
One of the most popular blogs by pets, is authored by Max. Max is a golden retriever living in North Carolina. He has a good readership too, judging from the amount of comments posted on the blog.
So why do pets have blogs? Psychologist Larina Kase of Philadelphia says it is, “21st-century dog walking.” It creates social bonds between pet owners; who better to socially network with than a person who is devoted to their pet as you are? Interestingly, dogs blog a lot more than cats. 34,000 dogs visit “Dogbook,” (like our “Facebook”) daily but cats are clocking in at approximately 20,000 fewer logins each day.
Larina Kase also believes that pet blogging gives pet owners a way to connect with what their dogs or cats might be feeling and experiencing. “Pets are part of the family, yet we can’t communicate with them about many things, so pet owners may blog about their pets as a way to better understand how their pets think and feel,” she says.
My personal favorites for pet networking sites are Catster and Dogster. They are just plain fun sites and very informative as well. The interaction between the pet owners is great. I enjoy looking at the various photos and stories about the dogs and cats. You can meet three of my kitties there; one does have a diary but hasn’t made an entry for awhile. (Hey, her life is busy!!)
Personally were my pets to set up blogs, I believe it would be my cats. As I said the corgis aren’t focused enough yet. That will come in time. But my cats? They have much wisdom to share I am sure. Perhaps they could get together for a joint blog and appoint the polydactyl to the keyboard; with his opposable thumb, I would think he would be a natural!
Dog Blogs
Finding a Vet
If you have just relocated to a new town or have acquired a new pet, you need to find a vet. In a perfect world. you would have found one and have already met him or her before you need their services. But the world is rarely perfect and usually an emergency is what makes a person find a vet.
How do you find a vet you can work with, respect, trust, and afford? The best way is word of mouth advertising; nothing beats the recommendation of a friend. But a little more information can be nice.
Vet Locator is the site for you. You can locate a vet easily and in advance of needing one. You can also use this site to find one quickly when you don’t have the time to research and talk to different vets. If you have a pet emergency, you need that animal clinic now.
For people needing particular services, Vet Locator can also help you find vets specializing in holistic animal care and who will come see your pet at your home. That is great for parrot owners or people who are unable to leave the house easily.
I ran a test of the site, entering my town’s zip code and found my very own vet’s office! It really is a wonderful site and resource. Check it out and by the way, if your animal clinic isn’t listed, let them know about this site. You can only help other pet owners!
Pet Health – We All Have Questions
Sometimes taking a pet to the vet is a tough call. You might not be sure the visit is necessary and in today’s economy it is important to spend our money wisely. But if Fido or Fluffy need medical attention, then of course, bundling them up and going to the vet is important and what you should do.
Other times, you may have gone to the vet but it isn’t improving like you had expected. A second opinion might be a good idea. Perhaps just getting additional information to discuss with your current vet is what is in order.
A Web site is now available for these kinds of questions. “Ask a Pro,” is a site that will help you give your pet the best possible care and help you with your budget as well.
When you visit the site you will notice a lot of questions and answers. These are answers from veterinarians to give you food for thought with definitive facts and possible solutions. I found myself exploring the list of topics (indexed on the right) and touring the entire site.
Take a look if you have a concern or question about pet health. And be sure to bookmark this valuable resource!
Snoopy Takes Best-In-Show at Westminster
Well okay, it wasn’t exactly Snoopy, but it might as well have been. The Best In Show at the Westminster Dog Show 2008 was a 15 inch Beagle, known to his friends affectionately as “Uno.” Uno is a tri-colored Beagle and he was one enthusiastic participant at the dog show. Beagles are hounds and their distinctive howl can be heard over quite some distance when they give it a little effort. Uno gave repeated votes for himself with his “ah-roo” during the evening. And apparently the judges agreed!
Uno was not without his competition however. Uno took his victory over some beautiful dogs in various categories. The finalists were:
- Sealyham Terrier
- Standard Poodle
- Australian Shepherd
- Weimaraner
- Akita
- Toy Poodle
If you were unable to see the show on television, you can watch it online. It really is a fun moment to see a dog win Best In Show. Uno was obviously proud and thrilled and joined in with all the festivities. And according to the announcers, this is the first time a standing ovation occurred for the winner. Madison Square Garden was indeed the place to be that night!
The player at the Westminster site has some wonderful videos. You can watch in the category “Breed Judging” each breed shown at Westminster. I had a great time watching the Pembroke Welsh Corgis and the Collies. I also enjoyed the German Shepherds. Whatever your favorite may be, there will be a video of the most beautiful dogs of that breed.
PawPads and Whiskers would like to congratulate Uno, his owners and trainers. It was a great victory and certainly will be a great step in Uno’s career!
Best of Breed List – Westminster 2008
Video of Westminster Dog Show 2008
Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
The biggest event for dog lovers is on television February 12th and 13th on the USA network. This is a really big deal for dog lovers and it influences greatly the price of purebred puppies for the upcoming year. It is also just a lot of fun to watch. I have watched this dog show that takes place in New York City at Madison Square Garden for years; the only thing better would be attending in person.
But if you can’t be there, face to muzzle, you do have the televised show to watch and a great Web site to visit. There are some interesting things on the site this year including:
- The four new breeds recognized for show.
- The latest news about the show.
- How to buy tickets (which of course you would have already done but there is always next year!)
- Historical information about shows in the past.
- Videos of the highlights of past shows.
- Shopping for this year’s poster and the DVD from last year.
- … and a lot more really interesting information!
There is also a link to USA Network who will be televising the event. It does not appear at this time that the show will be rebroadcast in its entirety on the Internet. However, most cable subscriptions do have USA as part of their package, so you will be able to watch. The DVD will be available at a future date. Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
The USA Network also has some entertaining items such as a quiz to determine which dog personality you are (I am a Golden Retriever I now know, because I am laid back and loyal, brainy yet sporty.) Take the quiz and see what dog 
personality you are!
USA Network also has wallpapers and screensavers for your computer. I picked up the German Shepherd desktop since I have always wanted one and they didn’t have a Pembroke Welsh Corgi anyway!
There is also a community of Westminster Dog Show lovers at the USA Network site and their forum is sure to become quite active soon. It is a lot of fun to meet people who are as interested in this event as you are, and friendships are sure to be made. Just keep in mind Internet Safety when you join a community and you will have no problems and really enjoy the socialization.
Have fun watching the show! I’ll be checking out the winners and of course watching closely for the coveted “Best in Show.” And of course, I’d love to hear your comments!
Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
USA Network Coverage of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show
The Top Ten Dog Breeds
Do you have a dog? Is he or she in the top ten? According to the AKC (American Kennel Club) these dogs ranked in the top ten in popularity in the year 2007. Unfortunately, Pembroke Welsh Corgis, my personal favorite didn’t make the cut
- Labrador Retriever
- Yorkshire Terrier
- German Shepherd Dog
- Golden Retriever
- Beagle
- Boxer
- Dachshund
- Poodle
- Shih Tzu
- Bulldog
Some interesting facts:
Lassie was number three in popularity (no doubt because of the films) until the late 40’s when the collie began a decline ending up in the current spot of #38. My theory is that they have fallen out of favor due to the intense grooming needs and the busy society we now live in. That is unfortunate; collies are wonderful!
Toy dogs (meaning size – not Mattel) have increased in popularity dramatically coincidentally with the aging of the Baby Boomer population. Perhaps the Boomers are now content to sit at home with a good movie and a lap dog!
The fancy French Poodle, once a commodity in and of itself in New York City (complete with frufru cut) has been ousted by the Labrador Retriever. Considering the activity level of Labs, the space they require, and their predilection for jumping into water, they would be the last dog I would consider were I living in the Big Apple.
Whatever dog we choose, to each of us that dog is the best. The list is interesting and a lot of fun to read, but we all know our own dog is #1 regardless of any statistics that anyone has recorded. Certainly overlooking the Pembroke Welsh Corgi proves that fact!
