TwitterCrittersBlogs

Toysday – Crinkle Mouse

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 21:39:10 -0800

Looks like I jumped the gun last week when I complained that I had no new toys left to review. I found one of our favourite toys in Mummy’s bedside table the other day (she often has to confiscate toys from Cosmo in the middle of the night)!

The toy I found is the Crinkle Mouse made by the Spotnips people who have a history of making useless cat toys, but this one more than makes up for it.

It’s a little mouse that’s made of a crinkly fabric with catnip inside. One of the best things about this toy is the fabric as Cosmo and I love toys that make crinkly noises when we play with them, and are especially satisfying when you pick them up in your mouth.

This toy is nice and small, plus it’s really light, so it’s fun to bat around as it goes flying. I can’t comment on the catnip effect, but it doesn’t really need the nip because it’s got all it needs to make for a satisfying playtime. Cosmo’s not one to complain if there’s nip involved, though…

These are really cheap and you can find them at most pet stores in the bulk toy bins.

It’s my birthday on Saturday, so I’m keeping my paws crossed that Mummy has bought me lots of toys so I can keep my Toysday reviews going!

Two Cats Tuesday: Baby Pimp and Gotcha Moo!

Your Daily Cute — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:05:00 -0800

Happy Two Cats Tuesday! Pimp and Moo are thrilled to be back on the Cute this week! (They weren't feeling very "cute" last week. Poor babies had tapeworms, but they're better now.)Today I'm going to do what every proud mommy does -- show baby pictures! Unfortunately, Pimp came along before digital cameras were huge (to me, at least) and I've switched computers three times since then, so a lot of

Celebrate the Season with Keep On Wagging

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:53:57 -0800

It’s that time of year again! Time for giving thanks and enjoying time with your whole pack. At Keep On Wagging! we have lots to wag about this year including the wonderful opportunities we had to meet GREAT people and dogs from all around the country. We certainly hope that you and your pack are able to [...]

Opps! This is just the start of the adventure... you know you want to read more... visit MaxtheGoldenRetriever.com to read the rest... Keep on Wagging!

Turkey Pet Safety 101: Thanksgiving Food Your Pet Should Avoid

Bark@pawlux.com (Paw Luxury) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:56:00 -0800

Thanksgiving is a time of gathering, feasting till your hearts & waistline content, and last but not least hitting the snooze button for some Zzzz’s. With all the fixings of a Thanksgiving meal, and sad puppy eyes gazing at that prize drumstick you can be tempted to set out an extra place setting or share the turkey fare, scraps and leftovers with your furry family member . While your motives may be good, many of the foods you will be cooking on the big day are doggy no no's. In fact, some of your most beloved turkey fixings including grandma's famous cornbread stuffing secret family recipe, can be hazardous to your pets health and cause illness or even death. Here are a few foods that your dog should always avoid and why.

Turkey Skin – High-fat foods, such as turkey skin & gravy, can be hazardous to your dog. Since the skin is hard to digest, it can lead to pancreatitis (symptoms are vomiting, extreme depression, reluctance to move, and abdominal pain) . If you still want to share your bird, give your dog a small piece of white meat.

Macademia Nuts- If ingested can cause a toxic reaction called macadamia nut toxicosis. Within twelve hours of eating the nuts dogs can start to develop symptoms such as an inability to stand, ataxia (walking wobbly), depression, vomiting, muscle tremors, hyperthermia (elevated body temperature), weakness, and an elevated heart rate. Usually the symptoms go away within 48 hours but the weakness, vomiting, and fear can lead to dangerous, and sometimes deadly, shock.

Turkey Bones - Cooked poultry bones are brittle and splinter easily. If ingested, they can lodge in the esophagus or cause stomach or intestinal irritation.

Xylitol - This sweetener is present in products from gum to sugar-free cookies. Even in small amounts, ingestion can cause low blood sugar, seizures, liver failure, and death.

Grapes and Raisins - These common snacks although healthy for you, can induce permanent and life-threatening kidney failure in some dogs. Though some pets seem to handle eating grapes just fine, it's safest to avoid grapes and raisins completely.

Chocolate - Most pet owners are aware of chocolate's danger, but with the recent popularity of dark chocolates -- which contain higher doses of toxic cocoa -- it's more important than ever to be vigilant about chocolate consumption. Ingestion can cause abnormal heartbeats, kidney failure, and near death by chocolate.

Onions - High levels of onion ingestion in dogs and cats can cause life-threatening anemia. Be aware of food at your table -- such as stuffing or casseroles -- that may contain this dangerous ingredient.

Nutmeg - This is a very popular spice found in sweet potato, yams, pumpkin pie & dessert dishes. It has mild hallucinogenic properties, can cause seizures, tremors, central nervous system problems in dogs. In severe cases, shock and death have been reported.

**IMPORTANT: Make sure to discard of your table scraps and leftovers properly and right away so your dogs excited taste buds won't get him or her in trouble and sent to the vet. It is important to put scraps in a dog proof sealed garbage can that even the most skilled four legged dumpster diver can't infiltrate.

Many other human foods can also be harmful to your dog, so always beware and do your research first. It is important to keep your dog's medical background in mind. If your dog is on a vet recommended strict diet stay the course to avoid other future health problems. As always consult you veterinarian for dietary recommendations and guidelines specific to your pet.

If you suspect that your dog may have ingested one of these foods or another harmful substance, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center National Hotline: 888-426-4435.

twitter.com/PawLuxury

Shop www.pawlux.com for eco-friendly, all natural & organic goodies for your new furry family member. We carry a great selection of Odor Free Bully Sticks / Dog Treats / and Dog Toys !

When snoopervising becomes snoozervising

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 21:39:06 -0800

Mummy left her job and went freelance last week, which means she is now working from home! I was very excited about this because I thought it meant I would get cuddles and attention all day long, 7 days a week! Cosmo and I take turns sitting on her desk to inspire her.

Unfortunately, she’s been working hard all day today building her website, so I got a bit bored.

I was going to tell you all that she is now available for freelance advertising, graphic design, copywriting and web work, but then that could mean she’ll be too busy to pay me attention all day. But then again, I do need to be kept in the manner in which I have become accustomed, so she needs to keep bringing home the Fancy Feast. I’m so torn!

3 Cats, 1 Steak

Your Daily Cute — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 16:05:00 -0800

Three kitties chomp it out in the ultimate Battle for the Beef... the Steak Tug-of-War... the Sirloin Standoff! (OK, I'm done. Promise.)To the winner go the noms!

Ruby’s Tweets for 2009-11-22

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:59:00 -0800

@dkrcarter Can't wait to meet you! #

New Name and Website Coming Soon!

bztat@artadventuresstudios.com (BZTAT) — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 12:24:00 -0800

I am happy to announce some big changes coming this week with my website and blog! On Wednesday, November 25, 2009, I will be redirecting both this site and my website to a brand new location where I will combine the two into one fabulous site!!! Thanks to my friend Liz Hover, who has helped me design and develop the new site, I will have both blog and online gallery functionality in the new location. This will allow me to communicate with followers and display my artwork all in one place.

Because I will be blogging from the new location, I will not be blogging from this location after the change. This site will redirect to the new site automatically (I think). I am not sure how that will affect those of you who follow me via RSS feeds and email. I will post directions so that you can start following the new site, as I doubt the existing follows will transfer over. If you enjoyed following this site, I think you will enjoy following the new one even more!

I hope that the transfer is painless and bug-free, but if it isn't and you have difficulties, please feel free to email me at: bztat@artadventuresstudios.com.

As I change web/blog sites, I also will be changing my studio's name. It will no longer be Art Adventures Studios. My studio's new name will be BZTAT Studios, which more clearly identifies me and my artwork as a brand.

Liz and I are still working out some design issues, so I will wait until Wednesday to give you the new URL. Even then, we may still have a few things to work out, but we want to get things going then to give you some online holiday shopping options if you are interested. I am looking forward to the changes, and I hope that you will enjoy them too!

Life is an Adventure!
BZTAT

Follow works in progress by BZTAT on Twitter by searching #bztatptg.

Art Adventures Studios
Buy Artwork and Gifts by BZTAT
Art Adventures Studios, located in downtown Canton, OHnear Second A pri l Ga lerie and the historic Joseph Saxton Gallery of Photography.

My cat’s fur is all greasy and his breath smells bad. What’s going on?

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 08:22:57 -0800

Dear Most Esteemed and Knowledgeable Kitties: About two weeks ago, my cat, who is about 4 years of age, started losing lots of weight, his breath started smelling horrible (like he just ate poop) and his fur turned greasy and smelly. When he sleeps with me at night on my pillow I’ll wake up to my [...]

Kitty Cat Sign Language

Your Daily Cute — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 16:05:00 -0800

Snoopy here has developed his own kind of cat sign language to communicate. According to his owner, whenever he is out of food, water or wants a toy or something, this is how he asks for it...Another begging kitty, please.

Thought for the Day

bztat@artadventuresstudios.com (BZTAT) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:38:00 -0800

Artwork by BZTAT

"Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace." - Milan Kundera

Life is an Adventure!
BZTAT

Dog Singing and Playing Piano!

Your Daily Cute — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:05:00 -0800

Move over Elton John, Billy Joel and Alicia Keys... we have a new piano-playing singing sensation in town!Be sure to check out the cute doggie duet, too!

Top Model Copycat – The Final!

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:59:45 -0800

Previously on America’s Next Top Model…

…the two finalists, Laura and Nicole, battled it out on the catwalk to become America’s Next Top Model. Little did they know that they also had Misha to contend with…

I showed those girls a move or two, and also demonstrated the correct way to lead your human to the dinner bowl.

In the end, Laura just couldn’t come close to my gorgeousness…

…but I was pipped at the post by Nicole. Oh, the shame! I always seem to get beaten by gingas!

That’s the end of Top Model Copycat for this season. But, you can be sure I’ll be practicing my posing so I’m ready for the next series!

Last Stop in Georgia for 2009

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:39:37 -0800

That’s right, we’re making our last visit to Georgia for 2009. If you’re looking for the perfect Christmas gift for the dog lovers on your list this is your last chance to catch Keep On Wagging! in Georgia…. or as we call it, “the state we spent a lot of time in in 2009″ Canine Capers [...]

Opps! This is just the start of the adventure... you know you want to read more... visit MaxtheGoldenRetriever.com to read the rest... Keep on Wagging!

I’m 80% sure this is an internet hoax, but if not, it...

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:08:00 -0800

I’m 80% sure this is an internet hoax, but if not, it raises an interesting ethical dilemma.

FYI, I’m a 24K carat kitty :-)

Thanks for the tip, Rod.

I has even more famous!

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:29:55 -0800

Today is a very exciting day, ‘cos I have now been officially published! I got the latest issue of Pet Mag in the mail today and in it is my first ever column for the magazine!

Mummy also wrote an article for the magazine about the Top Cat Model contest. I had a word with her about Mr Tinkles having a much bigger photo than me, but she said that was nothing to do with her. I think I may need to have some strong words with the editor (yes, I’m talking to you, Polly). Sure, I had 3 photos in this issue, but even combined they’re still smaller than Mr Tinkles’ shot. I think to make up for it they could have a Misha centrefold in the next issue. That should send sales (and heart rates) through the roof!

The mag goes on sale on Monday, so if you’re in New Zealand make sure you get a copy to have your piece of Misha history! The articles aren’t online, but I’ll whisper some sweet nothings in Julie from Pet Mag’s ear to see if we can remedy that.

Kitten vs. Fan

Your Daily Cute — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 16:05:00 -0800

This kitty is confused. The fan is blowing something at him -- he can feel it. But he just can't seem to catch it. What the heck is this "air" stuff anyway?!How about kitty vs. choo-choo next, please.

Cookie Monster is a Carnivore

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:30:13 -0800

This poor Basset Hound is being eaten by the Cookie Monster. Dog's everywhere fear he has become a carnivore.

Dogs Accessories blogged on b2evolution.

Introducing a New Dog into the Household: How to Tips on Aquainting Your Resident Dog to a New Dog

Bark@pawlux.com (Paw Luxury) — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:38:00 -0800

Households can get tricky when you add another dog, a forever house-guest to the equation. Especially when you already have a family dog defending their territory and vying for dominance & hierarchy as top dog in the furry pack. Our friends at the Humane Society have some simple new dog introduction techniques to make your new dogs transition into the household and pack easier for the entire family and resident dog. These tips will help to keep the peace and prevent squabbles among your furry family members.

But before we get started with reviewing these helpful techniques. It is important that you first establish the pack leader position and mentality. Since dogs have a tendency to want to assume the lead of the pack. With those adorable not so innocent eyes they prey on our weakness, so take charge and stand firm. In the wild, the Alpha, or the leader of the pack is strong, stable, well adjusted, and confident. They make all necessary decisions for the rest of the pack. Seeing as they are no longer in the wild ( backyard does not count) it is crucial that you assume that role.

Dogs yearn to be part of a pack and want to be lead. This all starts by understanding your role as pack leader, which is to discipline & correct in love. Setting limitations, boundaries and letting your dogs know whose boss is vital to your dogs health and well being and the key to raising well adjusted pups. But don't forget that your role is to reward your dogs with praise, belly rubs & treats when they follow the rules.

Now on to the topic of the hour....how to introduce a new dog into the household when you already have a dog.

1. Choose a Neutral Location: Introduce the dogs in a neutral location so that your resident dog is less likely to view the newcomer as a territorial intruder. Each dog should be handled by a separate person. With both dogs on a leash, take them to an area with which neither is familiar, such as a park or a neighbor’s yard. If you frequently walk your resident dog in a park near your house, she may view that park as her territory, so choose another site that’s unfamiliar to her. We recommend bringing your resident dog with you to the shelter and introducing the dogs before adopting the new dog.

2. Use Positive Reinforcement: From the first meeting, you want both dogs to expect "good things" to happen when they’re in each other's presence. Let them sniff each other, which is normal canine greeting behavior. As they do, talk to them in a happy, friendly tone of voice - never use a threatening tone of voice. Don’t allow them to investigate and sniff each other for a prolonged time, as this may escalate to an aggressive response. After a short time, get both dogs' attention, and give each dog a treat in return for obeying a simple command, such as "sit" or “stay.” Take the dogs for a walk and let them sniff and investigate each other at intervals. Continue with the "happy talk," food rewards and simple commands.

3. Be Aware of Body Postures: One body posture that indicates things are going well is a “playbow.”One dog will crouch with her front legs on the ground and her hind end in the air. This is an invitation to play that usually elicits friendly behavior from the other dog. Watch carefully for body postures that indicate an aggressive response, including hair standing up on the other dog's back, teeth-baring, deep growls, a stiff legged gait or a prolonged stare. If you see such postures, interrupt the interaction immediately by calmly and positively getting each dog interested in something else. For example, both handlers can call their dogs to them, have them sit or lie down and reward each with a treat. The dogs will become interested in the treats which will prevent the situation from escalating into aggression. Try letting the dogs interact again, but this time for a shorter time period and/or at a greater distance from each other.

4. Taking the Dogs Home: When the dogs seem to be tolerating each other's presence without fearful or aggressive responses, and the investigative greeting behaviors have tapered off, you can take them home. Whether you choose to take them in the same, or different vehicles, will depend on their size, how well they ride in the car, how trouble-free the initial introduction has been and how many dogs are involved.

If you have more than one resident dog in your household, it may be best to introduce the resident dogs to the new dog one at a time. Two or more resident dogs may have a tendency to "gang up" on the newcomer.

When to seek help?

If the introductions don't go smoothly, contact a professional animal behaviorist immediately. Dogs can be severely injured in fights, and the longer the problem continues, the harder it can be to resolve. Punishment won't work, and could make things worse. Fortunately, most conflicts between dogs in the same family can be resolved with professional guidance.

Here is some more food for thought!

Remember to stay calm during the new pups introduction. Dogs can sense and pick up on your nervousness and uneasiness, making the situation more awkward.

Another great trick is to use a Crate at home. At home, you can put the new dog into a crate and allow your current dog to sniff it. If your current dog shows signs of growling or other aggressive moves you need to step in as their leader and let them know it is not acceptable. To do this, have your current dog on leash with the leash dragging so that you may step in and get a hold of the leash to correct your dog for exhibiting signs of aggression. When the dogs are able to turn their attention off of each other and relax you may be able to introduce them in person without the crate.

Never pat a dog showing signs of aggression. If a dog is showing signs of aggression; growling, barking, etc don't be quick to pet to calm them. Doing so only encourages this aggressive behavior. Only pet or show praise towards your dog when they are calm, obedient and on best doggy behavior.

If you are struggling with introducing dogs to each other, and nothing seems to work don't get discouraged. Its important to realize that bond & friendship will grow in time, so be patient and give your dogs time to adjust to one another. Every situation is different. Don’t rush it. If you have a concern about your dogs initial meet and sniff perhaps consider muzzling your dogs to be safer. Keep your eyes alert, always observing your dogs interactions with each other. If your dogs are doing well together continue to observe for a period of time before leaving them alone.

twitter.com/PawLuxury

Shop www.pawlux.com for eco-friendly, all natural & organic goodies for your new furry family member. We carry a great selection of Odor Free Bully Sticks / Dog Treats / and Dog Toys !

Pills for the tummy!

Johann The Dog — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:05:00 -0800

If you read my blog, you know I have a sensitive tummy. Irritable Bowel Syndrome they call it.

Lucky for me and Mum, we found out early what triggers my tummy upset - nasty things like artificial flavorings and colors, and unnatural ingredients in some foods and treats.

The nice thing is that Mum never gives me that kind of stuff, but on occasion I'll pick up something off the ground that another pup left, or the nice retired guys down the street will sneak me something when we're on our walks and visit with them.

A few times, in past years my IBS got so bad I was sick for a week. One time it turned into gastroenteritis and I was out for over a week, missed an agility trial too. During that bout, we talked at length with our vet and she prescribed some Chinese Herbs that would help settle my tummy faster, so that I wouldn't have to go through the suffering and constant trips outside, or hopefully miss a coveted agility trial!

I have to say that this herb has been a lifesaver (well, at least a belly saver) many times over the past few years, not only for me, but for Gracie too when she get's into something she's not supposed to.

So what is this herb? It's called Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Wan. Kind of a weird name, but it is a Chinese Herb.

We looked it up and here are some of the ingredients: Agastache rugosa herb, Atractylodes macrocephala rhizome, Magnolia officinalis bark, Platycodon grandiflorum root, Citrus reticulata peel, Glycyrrhiza uralensis root, Pinellia ternata rhizome, Areca catechu peel, Angelica dahurica root, Perilla frutescens leaf, Poria cocos fungus, Ziziphus jujuba fruit, Zingiber officinale rhizome-fresh

At first we didn't know what all that ingredients was good for so we looked it all up. Here's a bit of a rundown:

Agastache rugosa herb - also known as Korean Mint, promotes sweating for the breaking of fevers. Improves digestion, and the highly potent anti-oxidants boost the immune system in the prevention of infection.

Atractylodes macrocephala rhizome - Atractylodes is thought to dry dampness, strengthen the Spleen or digestion, and promote diuresis, the formation and excretion of urine. It is used for diarrhea, generalized aching, mental fatigue, dizziness, lack of appetite, vomiting, edema (accumulation of fluids), and spontaneous sweating.

Magnolia officinalis bark - also known as Magnolia bark has been used to treat menstrual cramps, abdominal pain, abdominal bloating and gas, nausea, and indigestion.

Platycodon grandiflorum root - also known as the Balloon Flower (which we've seen around these parts) helps to treat skin swellings, including abscesses in the lungs and intestines.

Citrus reticulata peel - also known as tangerine peel helps to dry up mucous in the lungs and stomach. It helps regulate and strengthen digestion, and is a component used to treat diarrhea, nausea, dyspepsia, and cough.

It's not a natural acne treatment, but, you get the idea :).

The nice thing about using this herb for my tummy upsets is that it works quickly at the first sign of symptoms, and has kept me from progressively getting worse. If it's really bad, Mum of course takes me to my holistic vet to have me checked out.

At the first sign of troubles, Mum gives me two teapills (they are little round black/brown pills, Gracie gets three since she's bigger). Since we've been using these herbs, I've gotten over any tummy upset within 24 hours and kept the week bouts at bay.

And I don't have to use some of the usual things that vets prescribe and are given to dogs for tummy troubles, like Pepto (which has unnatural ingredients, and artificial flavors and colors, which would only make it worse for me).

It hasn't happened since we've been using these herbs, but if by chance my tummy is really screeming, Mum will give me the pills, fast me for about 12 or so hours, then start to intro me to a very bland diet for a few days with some boiled chicken, a little rice, low fat plain organic yogurt (to get the good bacteria going)...you get the idea. And then ease me into my regular food. But usually just one or two doses of the two teapills and I'm pretty much back to normal in a day.

Mum makes sure to keep me hydrated during the process with a little Emergen-C, which we get at the health food store, in addition to my regular filtered water. Much better than the Gatorade or Pedialyte that many times contains sugar (which would just make me worse).

So we just wanted to share this info with you, because the first time and every time since we've used the Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Wan they have worked so well for me!

We got the EzyDog Element Jackets in today!

Johann The Dog — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:02:00 -0800

Ok...I have to say that I've never been this excited about a dog coat before!

Usually Mum puts on my coat, I hang my head as she wraps the velcro around the belly. Oh the shame, I tell you! Then I get outside and I don't want to run. And zoomies aren't even a glint in my eye, because I'm just not comfortable, the coat doesn't give, I can't stretch out, and the worst part is that I fear the inevitable; the time she takes it off me and...ZAP!!!...static electricity.

So when Mum opened the box and took out one of the Ezy Dog Elements Jacket that the company sent us a week or so ago to test, I hung my head. But Mum persisted. She's been looking for a nice coat for me that would take the beating that I can give 'em, and be comfortable enough for me to run, and hopefully even get the zoomies, in.

She put it on, and I thought, hey I barely feel this because it was so light weight. I ran outside and thought, hey I can run in this. Immediately, I started getting my zoomies on. Mum was super impressed. I've never gotten my zoomies on in a coat before.

The EzyDog company says the Element Coat is windproof, waterproof and fleece lined. I thought it was warm, but not overly warm. It's easy on and easy off with two quick release buckles on the sides. There are two small zippered pockets on the size too for poo bags (guess now Gracie can carry her own, BOL!!) And this is the best part...the panels around the chest and neck are neoprene stretch that give when you walk/run, making for a great custom fit and no restrictions in movement!

Mum and I really like these coats and thought that you may too. So we got a few of the coats and added them the other day to our new section of my site - JohannTheDog Direct. Guess now Mum's gonna have to get a receipt printer, since we've been selling some of the cool stuff on our new section of the site!

We've got small, medium, and large sizes in the EzyDog Elements Coat for now, but can get more sizes if you'd like.

If you're interested in a great sturdy coat, that's lightweight, warm and gives with movement, check out the EzyDog. We love it! Take a look and tell us what you think!

In an awkward position

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:44:32 -0800

I’m gonna have wicked pins and needles in that paw when I wake up.

Mummy said to thank you all for your help yesterday with the cat vocab. I can’t believe I forgot so many. I think we have to get Fin’s ‘Mother Fluffer’ in more regular use.

Baby Otters Like Cat Toys!

Your Daily Cute — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:05:00 -0800

This is Sidney the baby sea otter... and she's having a blast! I never knew baby otters like to hang out in living rooms and play with cat toys. How cute!He's just like a little kitten playing -- running around, grabbing a toy and dashing off, stalking them... Adorable. More cute otters (holding hands!), please.

God knows I understand your interest, Alex, but trust me...

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:56:40 -0800

God knows I understand your interest, Alex, but trust me (I’m an expert), this box will only hold one of us.

Have You Seen My Cell Phone?

Your Daily Cute — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:05:00 -0800

Have you ever lost your cell phone, but you know it has to be here somewhere? You look low. You look high. You look places you know that phone couldn't possibly be anyway.But there's one place you didn't think to look...Note from Cute: If you came by expecting to see Two Cats Tuesday, don't worry -- Pimp and Moo will be back on the Cute next Tuesday. Both of them have tapeworm somehow (They're OK

What do you say?

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 19:50:29 -0800

Mummy has almost finished writing her story for Pet Mag about social media pets, but there’s one more thing she needs your help with.

She’s doing a glossary of words that are peculiar to cats and dogs who blog and tweet. These are the words I’ve given her so far:

ANIPAL

BEAN

BELLEH

FLOOF

MOL/BOL

OMC/OMD

PAWSOME

SNOOPERVISING

SNORGLE

SQUEEE

STINKY GOODNESS

If I’ve missed any essential vocab, let me know in the comments.

And when you’re done, take a moment to snorgle my pawsome belleh. MOL!

Help Adoptable Animals with Twitter

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:16:21 -0800

Fast, easy, & free way to tweet out an adoptable animal from shelters all over the USA. Help a pet find a forever home each day.

Dogs Accessories blogged on b2evolution.

Chew on this! Our Resident Dog Expert Lola Dishes About Pet Dental Care Tips & Prevention

Bark@pawlux.com (Paw Luxury) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:22:00 -0800

No pet wants to be caught howling or meowing the bad breathe blues. If you haven’t already heard dogs are notorious for having offensive breathe, a smell so bad that will cause any dog owner to drop and play dead. The stench can stop a charging rhino in its track. Oh, that awful dog breath can put a damper on anyone’s spirit, including your dog. Not so fresh breath will have even the "Best in Show" dog grabbing for a huge pawful of bark-mints. Fresh breath is a must especially if you are on the receiving end of a big sloppy kiss by your furry friend. But, hold on all my feline friends wipe that smirk off your face, you guys are not safe from the bad breath police. Even you cats can get busted for case of fish breath, breath so bad that it may cause you to lose one of your nine lives.

Are you an owner experiencing a case of "good dog" or "good cat", "bad breath"? If the answer is yes then your pet bad breath is probably keeping you from planting a big smooch on their adorable face under the mistletoe . That unpleasant odor is leaving you wondering where their mouth has been or what died. Perhaps your dog has mistaken the left up toilet lid as an invitation to quench his thirst, even the most sophisticated dog can't resist. You would be insulted if someone said that you have "dog breath" or stinky fish breath. But then, your dog & cat might be insulted, too. Good news, now you and your furry friend can breath a sigh of relief literally.

Make no bones about it- just like dental care is important for humans, good pet dental hygiene is just as important. Chew on this! Studies show that good canine & feline dental care supports your dog's & cats overall health and well being. In fact, brushing your dogs teeth 2-3 times a week can add 2-3 years to their life, now that’s a lot of dog years. According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, more then 80% of dogs & 70% of cats suffer from oral disease by age 3. So, help your dog & cat ward off bad breath, gum disease, multiple infections, and heart disease by consistently brushing.

Yearly vet checkups and cleaning is the first step toward prevention. If you haven't schedule a checkup make an appointment. Because a dental checkup keeps bad breath at bay!! Have a veterinarian check your pet's teeth before you start a tooth-brushing program. Always, consult your vet for your pets specific needs.

Hopefully this post is having you pondering the question "When was the last time I brushed my pets teeth?" Like many owners, you are probably scratching your head trying to remember. No, you are not experiencing a case of amnesia, its just the opposite. Pet Dental care is often overlooked by even the most loving parent. So, as the resident dog & pet dental dog-vocate I hope this will get you pet owners thinking about the importance of dental hygiene. Just consider this would you like to walk around all day with bad breath & yellow teeth, well why should your pet have to. Sure tasty dental chews, kibbles and a hard crunchy biscuit are a good start to help with your pets teeth cleaning. But nothing compares to a good daily brushing to maintain those pearly whites.

Good dental hygiene should start at puppy or kitten age, but with a little TLC it’s never to late to get your cat or dog on a daily teeth-cleaning regimen. So start brushing! Because nothing says “I Love you” like fresh, clean breath, white teeth and a few more dog or cat years. So give the gift of a healthy smile and kissable breath this upcoming Holiday season. The mistletoe awaits! Hey, you never know, with a beautiful bright smile, your dog may become a poster pup or feline for a toothpaste commercials.

So, now that you have realized the urgency of proper pet dental care and taken your pet to get that much needed dental vet check-up, its time begin at home. After a while brushing your dogs teeth will become part of Fido’s, Felix & your daily routine. So, how do you brush pets teeth? Well, before you begin you will need a few helpful tools, a soft bristle pet toothbrush and toothpaste. Human toothbrush & toothpaste won’t do and should never be used on your dog or cat. Take it from me, my pass medicine cabinet raid (which I won't to forget) and my discerning palette the taste is awful. Now, that you have everything its time to get started.

Here are some easy steps on how to brush your pets teeth & tricks of trade. These tips will have even the most stubborn pet enjoying every minute. With a few practice sessions you will become a teeth brushing machine and your pet will love getting the royal dental treatment.

STEP 1. Quiet Time- It is important to make sure you and your pet are relaxed. So find a quiet and relaxed place to brush your pet teeth and place him or her in a relaxing position. Don't hold your pet forcefully. Small dogs and cats can be held on your lap as you stroke them lovingly. For you dogs out there my parents apply Spot Organics Chill prior to my cleaning. This helps relaxes me and makes me less squirmy.

STEP 2. Acquaint your Dog & Cat- For the first few sessions don't use a toothbrush. It is important to get your pet familiar with something besides food going in their mouth. At first, dip a finger into beef bouillon for dogs or tuna water for cats. Rub the soaked finger gently over the pet’s mouth and teeth. After your pet becomes comfortable with that, place a dab of toothpaste on your finger and let her taste it. Make the initial sessions short and positive. Then slowly, introduce gauze over the finger and gently scrub the teeth in a circular motion.

The saying is true "slow & steady wins the race", well this is true for pet dental hygiene. It is important you introduce the toothbrush gradually so as not to make your pet a scardy cat. Okay some pun intended! Dental hygiene should be non-threatening, refreshing & pleasant.

**We recommended using flavored pet toothpaste like poultry, beef , chicken or vanilla because pets like the taste.

STEP 3. Say Hello to the Toothbrush- Place a small amount of toothpaste on the brush. In a slow circular motion, brush one or two teeth and the adjoining gum line. The purpose of this step is to get your dog accustomed to the feel of the brush.

STEP 4. Get Brushen!! - Over the next several days, gradually increase the number of teeth brushed. Encourage and speak gently to your pet. It is important to eventually brush the rear teeth where plaque and tartar have a greater tendency to accumulate. Go slowly and gently and (remember puppies/kittens and senior dogs/cats have delicate teeth and gums). In the beginning your dog will fuss ( or in a cats case hiss) but don’t get discouraged and give-up uncooperative behaviour comes with the territory. Just keep in mind that their health depends on it and you are doing this because you love them sooo much. Be sure to brush the big teeth way in back.

Important: PRAISE, PRAISE, PRAISE & BE PATIENT! Just keep in mind that this is a new experience for your pet so they will be hesitant & fearful. It is important to be patient and caring through the entire process, so your pet won't start boycotting future brushing sessions. Trust me you don't want to see a picket line of barking mad dogs & hissing cats in your yard. So proceed slowly and gently. Stop each session while it is still fun and lavishly praise your pet. Once the brushing session is complete reward Fido or Felix with a yummy all natural & organic treat. With a treat in one hand and delicious treat in the other your pet will begin to associate toothbrushing with a positive reward. Soon they will start looking forward to tooth brushing and it will become a pleasant activity for both of you.

By following these helpful tips the hope is that whenever your dog or cats hears you brushing they will eagerly be wagging & purring awaiting their turn.

So, to all all my paw pals, young and old have a Kissable long and healthy life . I normally don't encourage this but go ahead kiss & tell!

twitter.com/PawLuxury

Shop www.pawlux.com for eco-friendly, all natural & organic goodies for your new furry family member. We carry a great selection of Odor Free Bully Sticks / Dog Treats / and Dog Toys !

Our weekend!

Johann The Dog — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:28:00 -0800

This past weekend I ran with the Classic K9 Extreme Performance Team at the Great Indy Pet Expo.

I have to say it was kinda fun! So noisy with all the loud music and barking flyball dogs, but fun nonetheless!

Mum gave me a bath on Friday night, why I don't know. But truth be told, I hadn't had a bath in about a year. Mum doesn't give me baths very often, 'cause I just don't need them with her brushing me often and an occasional clean up after rolling in yucky stuff. But she liked it, she has her nose in my fur for days!!!

The little course was kinda odd (that's it above). They had lower jumps, because we were running on cement with a little carpet covering. The frame was very low, and there was this weird teeter/canon thing that I had to run through. Oh, and a window with no jump bar too, which I didn't get at first. But after a couple of practice runs we were good to go.

I waited in my crate before we ran. We started out with a parade of dogs, then it was time for the flyball dogs, then the disc dogs, and then the agility dogs.

Here's a video of one of my runs (but mostly you see Mum's butt, BOL!!)

Wadda ya think? Do I need to get a used rv for sale and take my show on the road? Bwwwaaahahahah!

We got home and Mum ran Gracie in a little agility in the backyard, since she had to stay home cooped up all day. She did great, worked on her dog walk a little, some distance jumps, she had some fun! But Mum twisted her back so that we couldn't go back to the Pet Expo on Sunday. But I didn't really mind, Mum didn't like it much that I was running and jumping on cement. So we watched Mum hobble around the house and work on Sunday.

During the event we went around and visited a lot of folks we know. We visited the booth where my shelter was featuring lots of pets for adoption. We love the folks at the Southside Animal Shelter.

And we got to visit with my friend Mary Marshall, she's an animal communicator. But we missed seeing my friends from Canines in Action, where I had my first obedience and clicker class. Would loved to have seen Laura.

In the middle of all the action, they had a petting zoo. Lots of goats, chickens, ducks and more. Oh...the herding potential there! I got a little crazy when we got near them.

All in all it was a fun day. Fun day to get out and do something different. Fun day to get out and see some old friends and meet some new ones.

See If You Can Sniff Out this Trick...

Your Daily Cute — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:05:00 -0800

As I watched this video, I just found myself laughing at all the random stuff this doggie was balancing on his nose... So ridiculous, but so cute!Note from Cute: Big thanks to everyone who came out for Santa Paws Drive's "Pet Prize Power Hour" Monday night. We had a blast, gave away a bunch of prizes and gained a ton of awareness about Santa Paws Drive! See how we're helping shelter animals have

Toysday – The cupboard is bare

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:17:20 -0800

Yes, dear friends. The day that I have been dreading has finally come. There are no new toys in my toybox to review! It looks like I may be reduced to reviewing string and screwed up balls of paper in the future.

But, it is my birthday next Saturday, and I’m sure Mummy has bought me lots of toys. So, hand ‘em over lady!

One Dog Year and Growing

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:11:46 -0800

Wag! Wag! and oh yeah, Bark! Bark! It’s Celebration time at Keep On Wagging! What are we celebrating, you ask? We’ve just passed our One Year Anniversary… and we’re still growing strong. My people say it feels like a Dog Year instead of a people year… (I guess they mean it’s been 7 times the [...]

Opps! This is just the start of the adventure... you know you want to read more... visit MaxtheGoldenRetriever.com to read the rest... Keep on Wagging!

I love Tumi products, but I need to get a messenger bag that...

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:31:41 -0800

I love Tumi products, but I need to get a messenger bag that fits me better.

Comfy or Cramped? Awkward Box-Cat Moment

Your Daily Cute — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:05:00 -0800

We all know cats like boxes. (Exhibit A, your honarable cutehead: Moo's box obsession.)Some cats like big boxes... (Exhibit B, Maru in the big box.)And some cats like boxes that are just a smidge -- a big smidge! -- to small. (See Exhibit C video below.) Case closed.

Ruby’s Tweets for 2009-11-15

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:59:00 -0800

The Boston Terrier Rescue Canada Online Silent Auction has just started! http://bit.ly/1mxW1r #
RT @scormier RT @rhh: Dogs welcoming home soldiers. Prepare yourself. http://bit.ly/1Iun7Z #
8 Ways to Prepare Your Pets for War http://bit.ly/3kr54N #
RT @cesarmillan Pet overpopulation and euthanasia are a continuing problem. Be a part of the solution: spay or neuter your pets. #

Top Model Copycat – Goddess

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:23:20 -0800

Previously on America’s Next Top Model…

…the models channeled Pele, the Hawaiian Goddess of Volcanoes and Fire.

For my Top Model Copycat challenge, I’m going to embody Misha, the Russian God of Sexy. Feel free to worship me.

How can I get my cat to use a rabbit drinking bottle?

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 10:48:41 -0800

Dear Most Esteemed and Knowledgeable Kitties: How can I get my cat to drink from a drinking bottle — like the ones they use for hamsters , but bigger? I bought one because my cat likes to drink from the tap, but he won’t use it. ~Hanna Siouxsie: Well, Hanna, I have to tell you that you just [...]

Kitty Cat Hideout - Behind the Couch

Your Daily Cute — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:05:00 -0800

Behind the couch is the perfect place for a kitty -- just enough space for lots of fun and still feel sneaky at the same time!Enjoy the wonders of "behind the couch," little guy... When you get bigger, you probably won't fit back there anymore!

You try and do a cat a favour

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 20:15:04 -0800

Mummy hasn’t washed Cosmo’s Binky Mat since Noggin’s sleepover on Friday night, so I thought I would help out Cosmo and replace the Noggin smell with some Misha smells (and who wouldn’t want their Binky Mat to smell like roses and freshly cut grass?).I thought I was doing her a favour, but she did make it very hard for me to relax. She’s such a drama cat!

Chopsticks Kitty

Your Daily Cute — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:05:00 -0800

I remember thinking the cat eating with a fork was cute and amazing. Well, little did we know we'd find a kitty eating with chopsticks!To be fair, it's her human using the chopsticks, but that's not the point, is it? Nope. The point is that is cute! Super cute, even!

May I pick your brain?

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:47:11 -0800

Mummy is writing an article for Pet Mag about social media animals and she wants to recommend some good pet blogs to check out. I’ve recommended loads of cat blogs for her, but she said she really needs to mention some woofie blogs, too. Apart from Tommy at The Poupounette, I try to steer clear of dogs, as they have a tendency to chase me and then slobber on my toys.

Can you help me out and tell me your favourite dog blog? As your reward, here’s a picture of me looking sexy…

Santa Paws is Coming to Twitter

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:05:59 -0800

The animals on Twitter are supporting the Santa Paws Drive this year to help shelters around the world.

Dogs Accessories blogged on b2evolution.

Second April Galerie "In the Company of Friends" group show

bztat@artadventuresstudios.com (BZTAT) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 12:17:00 -0800

"BZTAT's Red Studio"

Artwork by BZTAT

I don't show in galleries much. I prefer to connect with customers through my own studio or online. Second April Galerie is the exception. It is a gallery a block and a half from my studio operated by my dear friends Brennis Booth and Todd Walburn. Second April is a magical space. If you live in or visit Canton, you must see it!

Tonight begins Second April's latest showing of phenomenal artwork from regional artists. It features the ceramic works of Akron Artist Bob Yost and 30 other artists. The painting you see above is one of my latest works that is in the exhibit. It is a combination of 3 canvases, with the entire piece spanning 9'(W) X 4'(H). The piece hangs in a loft area of the gallery, an area that I refer to as the rafters. It is a high space that takes a bit of acrobatics to crawl into, but I was an intrepid soul!

I have also created this piece for the show.

"Fauve"
Artwork by BZTAT

This is a smaller piece (16" X 22") painted on textured wood. Both pieces pay homage to some of my art historical influences. Henri Matisse, whose bright colors and simple abstractions are a major influence in my work, painted a painting entitled "Red Studio" where he included actual paintings in the studio on a red background. I decided to paint my own version of the "Red Studio". Also, Matisse and a group of his contemporaries were called "Fauves", French for wild beasts for their style of work. I used this term to describe the yellow cat in my second painting.

There is an opening reception for the exhibit tonight from 5:00pm - 9:00pm. Second April Galerie is located at 324 Cleveland Ave. NW in Downtown Canton. Hope to see you there!

Life is an Adventure!
BZTAT

I love having the Johnstones over, but please, guys,...

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:59:06 -0800

I love having the Johnstones over, but please, guys, there’s enough of me to go around!

I can’t keep giving this away for free.

They say if you can’t spot the cat in the first hour at...

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:57:00 -0800

They say if you can’t spot the cat in the first hour at the card table, then you are the cat.

Grieving Is A Natural Part of Healing: How To Cope With the Loss & Death of A Pet

Bark@pawlux.com (Paw Luxury) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 06:59:00 -0800

Saying goodbye is never easy. There is always an overwhelming saddens when we lose a close loved one or friend. Well, the same holds true for our furry best friends also known as honorary family members. Pets play a huge role in our lives by providing us with companionship, acceptance, emotional support, and unconditional love. So, one can clearly understand why the loss of a pet can be painful and heartbreaking.

Family pets hold such a precious place in our hearts and lives, one can't deny the strong human and pet bond. Many pet owners & caregivers celebrate their pets birthday, confide in their pets, have pictures of their furry companions hanging on their wall of fame or even carry their dogs mutt shot in their wallets. It is no surprise that with the death of a pet comes many tears shed, sorrow & emotions. Here are a few tips to help you or your friend cope with the loss of a pet during the grieving and healing process.

1. Grieving is natural. It is important to acknowledge your grieve and give yourself permission to express it. In the midst of all the sadness give yourself plenty of time and space to grieve the loss of your pet. It may take you some time to get to the point of acceptance, but in time their is healing. Don't be afraid or ashamed to shed a tear. Often times when you grieve the lost of a family member one can experience extreme sadness and depression. Remember, there is not one way to grieve and each person in your family may cope with the loss differently.

2. Speak with Support Group. Reach your arms out for a hug towards others with a sympathetic ear. It is important to open up, lean on, and speak with others about your loss who understand what you are going through. Having a strong support group of family members, counselors, ministers, friends, and loved ones can provide you with emotional support and aid in the healing process. Many animal shelters and humane societies offer support groups or counseling. Talk with your vet about groups, counselors or pet loss hotlines that can help you with the grieving process. It is amazing how sharing your pets story, what he or she meant to you, pets pictures and memories can make a difference in easing the pain.

3. In Memory of _____. Keep the memory of your pet alive. Celebrate the life of your pet by donating to an animal charity or rescue in your pet's name.

4. Re-channel Grief. Channel your grief into a positive way by sharing your love with animals in need. Volunteer one hour a week at an animal shelter.

5. Give Yourself time to heal. When your pet passes away don't run out immediately to fill the void by getting another pet. Give yourself time to grieve because rushing into this decision isn't fair to you or your new pet. . When the pain of losing your pet becomes more bearable, you can consider getting a new pet. There are so many deserving pets in need of a home, so when the time & your heart if ready consider adopting one from a local shelter.

twitter.com/PawLuxury

Shop www.pawlux.com for eco-friendly, all natural & organic goodies for your new furry family member. We carry a great selection of Odor Free Bully Sticks / Dog Treats / and Dog Toys !

I'm gonna be performing at the Great Indy Pet Expo!

Johann The Dog — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

This weekend is the Great Indy Pet Expo at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

At the event there will be lots of booths with great things for pets, rescue and shelter organizations, seminars, entertainment and more.

And wadda ya know? I'm going to be performing as part of the Classic K9 Extreme Team Performance Team in shows at 11 AM, 1 PM and 3:30 PM on Saturday, and Noon and 2 PM on Sunday.

I have absolutely no idea what exactly I'll be doing, but I think it may involve some jumps, tunnels, maybe a low a-frame, oh and Mum working on helping me through those things and loosing some lbs., so she doesn't have to look into effective weight loss pills, BOL!!! Just kidding.

The event will be held on Saturday, November 14th from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., and Sunday, November 15th 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. at the Toyota Exposition Hall, Indiana State Fairgrounds. Admission is $6.00.

Mum's giving me a bath later today so I'll look nice and fluffy and smell good too :) Haven't had a bath in a loooonnnnggg while!

Stop on by and say hi to me if you're attending the event, I'd love to meet ya. Mum's taking the camera and video recorder, so hopefully we can get someone to take some pics and vids of us, being silly and making fools of ourselves :) so we can blog about it later!

Also you can follow the Great Indy Pet Expo on Twitter and Fan them on Facebook!

Should be a fun time!

James - Kitty I Rescued Yesterday

Your Daily Cute — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:05:00 -0800

So yesterday was a great day. It started normal -- work, work, work -- until an instant message from a coworker popped up on my computer screen: "I just fed a blind kitty downstairs some sardines."Whaaaa? A blind kitty? Downstairs in my office parking lot? No way, I thought. I feed all the cats around here. I'd have known about a new kitty."Do you think the Humane Society would come pick him up

Katie Davis Presents the Shih-Tzu Manual

Ali — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:30:00 -0800

Katie Davis Presents the Shih-Tzu Manual

Let's face it, Shih-Tzus are adorable and cuddly, but they're also VERY complicated creatures.

Unfortunately however, no owner’s manual comes with your new Shih Tzu puppy, so you're n your own to figure the little guy out.

Many of my readers have commented that they wish they had some kind of Shih-Tzu manual that they could refer to before, during and after getting their puppy. That’s why my good friend Katie Davis created a book called The Ultimate Guide to the Shih-Tzu so that you can benefit from her years of experience with the breed.

The book is a Godsend for many new pup owners and I wanted to endorse it personally on this blog.

You can read all about it in her shihtzuanswers.com website!

"People expect pet cats to “just hang out, which isn’t realistic,” says Melissa..."

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:50:31 -0800

“People expect pet cats to “just hang out, which isn’t realistic,” says Melissa Chan, behavior specialist at the Houston SPCA. Cats are naturally active animals, she says, and “one thing I wish I could tell every cat owner: Cats want to work for their food.””

- I didn’t want to dignify Melissa’s condescension with a response, but I’m just too miffed.

I sleep 16 hours a day, and I’m a go getter compared to the cats I see on Big Cat Diaries. How sedate much she be if I’m “naturally active?”

Furthermore, I want to work for my food? Look, I love chasing fake mice (who doesn’t?), but what does that have to do with tasty tuna or Greenies treats?

She does make a decent point later in her piece: for reasons I can’t explain, I do get a kick out of touching hands with my nose. I’d do fist bumps too, but people never seem to greet me that way.

When Alex waits at his bus stop each morning, I signal to him...

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:25:00 -0800

When Alex waits at his bus stop each morning, I signal to him from the window. We’re like Doug & Jackie Christie.

Helping Mum!

Johann The Dog — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:19:00 -0800

You remember our pull of the socks trick, right? We'll Mum and Gracie were working on some tricks the other night and decided to surprise me!

They were out in the backyard doing something that was really bugging me, while I had to suffer as silently as possible (NOT!) inside in my crate until they were done.

So what were they doing?

Here's the goofy, surprise video of Mum and Gracie taking the 'pull of the socks' tricks to almost the extreme? Now, maybe they'll have to get las vegas nv hotel rooms and take that show on the road, BOL!!!

Don't worry you won't see anything you're not supposed to :) Hope you enjoy!

Kitty vs. Kitty -- Smackdown!

Your Daily Cute — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:05:00 -0800

These two silly kitties belong to a good friend of mine. Mouchette is the one with the prime spot in the drawer, and Fitzroy is the orange guy down there on the floor.Clearly Mouchette has the upper paw...Another cute boxing kitty, please.

Knowing is Half the Battle: Answer to Common Pet Cancer Questions

Bark@pawlux.com (Paw Luxury) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:41:00 -0800

With pet cancer on the rise it is always devastating to hear when a furry friend has fallen victim to this disease. But understanding this silent killer is half the battle. The stats are sad and astounding, for dogs over six years of age, 60 percent will be diagnosed with some form of cancer. Nearly half the deaths of pets over the age of 10 years fall victim to cancer.

There are nearly 100 different types of animal cancer. The most common type in cats is leukemia, and the most common cancers for dogs are lymphoma and mammary gland cancer. But there is hope and good news! With treatment advances and early detection, pets with cancer have a much better chance of survival. Here are answers to some common pet cancer questions. Let's not be silent to this silent killer, educating ourselves about cancer is the difference between life and death. Let's work together toward prevention and a cure.

What is cancer?

Cancer describes cell in the body that grow and divide at an abnormal rate & uncontrollable rates often forming tumors or masses. These growths can be malignant (cancerous) or benign (non-cancerous).

Is My Pet At Risk?

Did you know that cancer is the #1 killer of pets. Although cancer is more common in older adult dog & cats, younger pets are still at risk. Make sure to do your research on your pets breed because certain breeds are more susceptible & predisposed to cancer. It is imperative that you understand your pets risk. By speaking with your vet you can take proper precautions. Also, early detection toward this silent killer is the difference between life and death and the key to good prognosis, successful treatment & recovery.

What are the pet cancer warning signs?

*Abnormal swelling that persist or continue to grow
*Sores that do not heal
*Weight Loss
*Loss of Appetite
*Bleeding or discharge from any body organ
*Offensive odor
*Difficulty eating or swallowing
*Hesitation to exercise or loss of stamina
*Persistent lameness or stiffness
*Difficulty breathing, urinating or defecating

Why Is Early Detection & Diagnosis So Important?

Regular vet checkups play a vital life role in the early detection of cancer & other health issues. As loving pet owner it is important that you take your pet for his or her wellness exam twice a year. Annual blood screenings is helpful in detecting & effectively treating pet cancer. If the vet finds at abnormalities in your dogs health x-rays, ultrasounds and other diagnostic test will be preformed.

When should you see a vet if you suspect cancer?

It important that if you see any of cancer warning signs, lumps, bumps that don't go away or a change in your dogs behavior to seek help immediately. Don't wait, because the clock is ticking away with a good prognosis. But remember to not panic and remain calm because not all tumors or growths are cancerous. If you do find a lump on your pets skin or coat seek vet aid quickly, its better safe then sorry. Look for lumps that may appear at the site of a vaccination or injection which can signal a concern. Regular vet checkups will help to detect cancer that is affecting other parts of the body like your pets blood or internal organs that are not visible. Please take your pets annual checkups very seriously and mark your calenders so hidden health problems are detected & treated early.

Is Pet Cancer Treatable?

In many cases pet cancer is treatable, but early detection & treatment is crucial to your pets outcome. With the help of ongoing cancer research, advances in veterinarian medicine and organizations on the front line working to find a cure there is hope. There are so many treatment options available which not only help to treat the disease but improve your pets quality of life. Speak with your vet about these treatment options and do your research beforehand so you can ask any and all questions before making a decision.

Pet cancer treatment options will be based on the type of cancer and how far it has progressed. You may be referred to a cancer specialist or vet oncologist who will work with you to determine the proper course of treatment that's right for your pet. Some of the cancer treatment options may include: surgery, radiation or chemotherapy. There are also some effective homeopathic cancer pet treatment options available which takes an holistic approach. Please seek the advice of a certified vet or holistic vet and do your research first.

What Are Some Common Cancer Terms?

Learning that your pet has cancer can be scary & hard to cope with. But like your qualified vet it is important for you to be in the know when discussing your pets health & options. Here are a few definitions worth remembering.

Tumor-A growth made of abnormal cells, also known as masses or lumps. Tumor can be either benign or malignant

Benign Tumor- non-cancerous growth usually confined only to the affected area.

Malignant Tumor-cancerous growth capable of spreading to other parts of the body

Metastasis-The spread of cancer cells from the primary affected area to other parts of the body via the bloodstream or lymphatic system.

Let's not be silent to this silent killer anymore! Bark the word that November is Pet Cancer Awareness Month and advise your friends on the important of annual vet checkups. Lets remember paw pals who lost the cancer battle, celebrate the lives of survivors, and give hope to those suffering. Let's see Spot run toward a cure!

Is your dog or cat a cancer survivor? We would love to hear about your pets heroic winning battle. Give someone suffering the gift of hope! Share your pets story by commenting below.

twitter.com/PawLuxury

Shop www.pawlux.com for eco-friendly, all natural & organic goodies for your new furry family member. We carry a great selection of Odor Free Bully Sticks / Dog Treats / and Dog Toys !

Our article in Dog Sport Magazine!

Johann The Dog — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:45:00 -0800

Remember back in September when I shared with you that Dog Sport Magazine did a very generous and cool six page spread about us in their September/October issue?

They've given us permission to share the article with you...and we are so excited! Maybe soon you'll see us on your bell tv, just kidding, BOL!

Click here and you will be taken to the pdf of the article. We hope you enjoy it!

And some other cool news! Dog Sport Magazine has agreed to become a sponsor of my website and blog so you are going to see their logo around some. To celebrate they are providing JTD readers a 10% off discount to anything on their site - just enter code Johann2010 upon checkout. The coupon will last from now, all the way through the holidays until January 10, 2010.

Thanks Dog Sport Magazine..Looking forward to a long and wonderful relationship!

Amazing Dog Walks on Ball

Your Daily Cute — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:05:00 -0800

I have no idea how this trick came to be, but I do know this dog has better balance than me! (I sit on one of these balls at my desk at work every day -- but that's sitting, and I have to admit I've almost rolled off a few times by accident.)At first I wondered why he was even on the ball, but keep watching... he jumps up there all by himself. He must love being the star of the sidewalk!

Around the dog agility blog-o-sphere!

Johann The Dog — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:18:00 -0800

The official set of dvds from the recent FCI World Championships is available for purchase. We understand that it contains 6 discs with 12 hours of agility, and the cost is 25 euros + shipping. It can be purchased via the FCI website.

The DVD contains the following:
DVD 1: opening ceremony, agility and jumping large for teams (top 10);
DVD2: jumping and agility for small and medium team (top 5)
DVD 3: jumping and agility individual small for all the competitors
DVD 4: jumping and agility individual medium for all the competitors
DVD 5-6: Individual jumping and agility large for all the competitors, prizes and closing ceremony.

Found this very interesting from Susan Garrett's blog...Helen King on Structure Evaluation. Definitely worth a read.

My friend Penny and her Mom have been having some fun with homemade toys. Love this little video of a toy she made with a half gallon jug. Read more of the post and see the links to Fun-With-Dogs, the German site devoted to enhancing human-canine interaction that we've shared in the past.

Although I haven't seen any news from the AKC about this, we've been hearing a lot about handlers that formerly applied for an AKC ILP (Indefinite Listing Privilege) and were rejected are now automatically being signed up by the AKC for the PAL program, so that their 'mixed' breed dog can compete in companion events should hey choose to in the future.

Also, 2010 AKC National Agility Championship competition changes have recently been announced. According to the info on the AKC website:

Large dogs wishing to apply their Saturday and Sunday qualifying scores from the Nationals towards the AKC 2010 Agility World Team Tryouts must compete in the 26” jump height class.
All dogs must compete in their measured jump height class or in the 26” jump height class.
A minimum of 6 dogs will advance in each jump height class to the Finals round regardless of how many dogs were competing at the jump height.
The National Agility Championship Titles will only be awarded to final round winners with a score of 100.
There will be a 4” jump height class during Friday’s International State Team Tournament competition.

The 2010 AKC National Agility Championship will be held March 26 - March 28, 2010 at the Ford Truck Arena and Mustang Arena at Expo Square in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Read more...

Website is live for the IFCS World Agility Championships, scheduled for May 14th – 16th, 2010. The 5th IFCS World Agility Championships 2010 will be held at the Hand Equestrian Centre, Clevedon, North Somerset, United Kingdom.

The biggest news coming out of Cynosport this year is Roving Reporter Rickie Roo. Yes, Roo is a dog...interviewing other dogs at the USDAA World Championships. You can read his interviews in the news section of the USDAA website. What's up with that? A dog interviewing another dog? Is that a trend happening? BOL!!

Ok, seriously. Cynosport gets underway tomorrow.

Lots of events going on including: Agility, Flyball, Dock Jumping, Exhibitions and more.

Here's the running order for agility.

Here's the Tentative Activity Schedule:

Wednesday - 1:00pm to 5:00pm only

Dog Agility (single class - afternoon only)
Dock Jumping

Thursday - 9:00am to 5:00pm

Dog Agility (multiple rings)
Dock Jumping
Vendor Exposition

Friday - 9:00am to 5:00pm & 6:30pm to 9:00pm

Dog Agility (multiple rings)
Dock Jumping
Flying Disc
Canine Dance Seminars & Exhibitions
Lure Coursing
Herding Instinct Test & Exhibitions
Doggie Do-Right "Try Agility" Ring
Flyball
Vendor Exposition
Featured Event
Evening - Performance Grand Prix Championships(6:30pm to 8:00pm)

Saturday - 9:00am to 5:00pm & 6:30pm to 8:30pm

Dog Agility (multiple rings)
Dock Jumping
Flying Disc Exhibitions & Seminar
Canine Dance Seminars & Exhibitions
Lure Coursing
Herding Instinct Test & Exhibitions
Doggie Do-Right "Try Agility" Ring
Flyball
Vendor Exposition

Evening - $10,000 Dog Agility Steeplechase® Championship Finals - (6:30pm-8:30pm),& Performance Speed Jumping & Junior Handler Spotlight

Sunday - 9:00am to 5:00pm

Dock Jumping**
Flying Disc Exhibitions & Seminar**
Canine Dance Seminars** & Exhibitions
Lure Coursing**
Herding Instinct Test** & Exhibitions
Doggie Do-Right "Try Agility" Ring**
Flyball
Vendor Exposition

Evening - Finals for Grand Prix of Dog Agility® World Championships (2:00pm)
USDAA® Dog Agility Masters® Three-Dog Team Championships & Performance Versatility Pairs (10:00am-12:00pm)

Cynosport® World Flyball Championships (4:00pm)

Cynosport® World Dock Jumping Championship (To be determined)

We expect results to be posted in the News Section of the USDAA Website.

USDAA video from Cynosport:

According to the USDAA there will be free live stream from this years agility events. They are testing a new interface and it will be installed on the website the near beginning of Cynosport week. Sooo...you may want to go out and pick up a Custom usb drive, just in case :)

Here's what else they say..."Subscribers to USDAA.com will have free live stream available. Due to storage and other associated costs, there will be a charge for on-demand viewing. For everyone else, there will be a nominal charge per event or for the package, which will include 30 day on-demand viewing following the event. Details are expected to be posted on Wednesday, November 11th.

Visit the USDAA website for more information, or click here for the direct link to video. (Hmmm...that video link doesn't seem to be working at the moment, but we believe that will be the link once things get rolling. If not, click here, and then look for the word video, and click.)

And we'll leave you with....Autumn Tricks from Silvia Trkman.

Two Cats Tuesday: I Haz a Profile

Your Daily Cute — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:05:00 -0800

Today we're going to take a look at Pimp and Moo from a different angle... from the side! My boys have some supermodel profiles.Pimp my profile, indeed.Pimp is a profile-picture-taking pro! He loves to pose juuuuust right. Moo, on the other hand... when he sees the flashy thing, he lunges right for it -- making a profile shot nearly impossible. He's such a ham. Don't you love that last

Canine Cancer Diet: The Recipe for Helping Your Dog Fight Cancer

Bark@pawlux.com (Paw Luxury) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:11:00 -0800

When your dog is diagnosed with cancer, you may feel a sense of hopelessness. You begin to ask the worrisome question "What can I do?". One of the best things you can do for your dog besides the best proper treatment, love & support is to provide them with a nutritious, healthy diet. Many dogs suffering from cancer will require a special diet high in protein, unsaturated fats, omega 3's and low in complex carbohydrates & sugars. Starve cancer cells by avoiding sugar.

Many pet owners have decided to get out their doggy cookbooks. The debate still continues over raw diet and its cancer fighting benefits. Some pet owners opt to feed their dogs a raw diet, while other suggest that raw meat is never good for a dog undergoing chemotherapy and who has a low immune system. Remember, before you start your dog on any diet, you should consult with your veterinarian or holistic vet first and do your research. Every dog is different and each dog requires individualized care.

Its important that after the cancer diagnoses that your dog stays on your vets consistent & strict cancer fighting diet. This will increase your dogs chances of survival & prognosis. Like humans, a good diet also helps to boost & strengthen dogs immune system. Here are some tips to ensure your dog has a healthy and balanced diet that will help in their fight against cancer.

Its important for your dog to have protein rich food. So, what are some good sources of digestible animal protein?

Feed your dog beef, chicken, turkey, pork, lamb, canned fish such as mackerel, salmon and sardines, eggs and dairy products such as whole fat yogurt and cottage cheese. Some holistic vets suggest that dogs should eat animal proteins and some vegetables, but no foods derived from grains. They believe plant-based grains or proteins promote, rather than restrict, the growth of cancer cells.

Now on to the topic of fat content..

Its important that your dog has good a amount of fat in their diet. Meat is a good source of fat, and the fattiest meats include lamb, pork and goat. When feeding poultry, leave the skin on, which is where most of the fat resides, and use dark meat, which is higher in fat, rather than light meat. Eggs also contain fats. Canned fish is also a good source of fat. Remember that a diet high in saturated fat is very beneficial. Omega 3's found in salmon, fish & flaxseed oil can be placed in your dogs food daily (not recommended for dogs undergoing radiation therapy).

Fight Canine Cancer with Nutritious Homemade Dog Recipes

Here are some homemade dog food recipes for canine cancer sufferers from our friends at ehow. Dish up! These recipes are better healthy options then processed foods. Dogs with cancer should avoid commercial dog foods which is high in grains, starches and sugars which fuel cancer cells.

Recipe #1. Mix together 1 scrambled egg, 1/2 cup of steamed broccoli, 1/2 cup of cooked yellow squash and 4 oz. of low-fat yogurt or cottage cheese. Then add meat to the mixture. You may add 1 pound of ground beef or 1 pound of chopped chicken. This recipe will make 2 servings for a 50-pound dog or one serving for a 100-pound dog.

Recipe #2. Mix in a large bowl: 1 can salmon, 1 hard-boiled egg, 1/2 cup of chopped spinach or cabbage, 1/2 cup of carrots and 4 oz. of low-fat cottage cheese. Servings are same as above.

A dog with cancer will understandably lose his appetite, resulting in malnutrition. One simple way to stimulate his appetite is to warm his food up to release the aromas in the food. Make sure before feeding that the food is properly cooled down before serving.

Is your dog or cat a cancer survivor? We would love to hear about your pets heroic winning battle. Give someone suffering the gift of hope! Share your pets story by commenting below.

twitter.com/PawLuxury

Shop www.pawlux.com for eco-friendly, all natural & organic goodies for your new furry family member. We carry a great selection of Odor Free Bully Sticks / Dog Treats / and Dog Toys !

How to Take a Cat Family Portrait

Your Daily Cute — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:05:00 -0800

Anyone who's tried to take a picture of their pet knows how difficult (read: impossible) it can be to get a good shot. Plus, the more pets you have, the bigger the challenge becomes.I know Halloween's come and gone, but this video was too funny not to post. I've so been here before... but I think his turned out great at the end!*Special thanks to @Quadpawd from Cats Who Twitter for sharing this

Ruby’s Tweets for 2009-11-08

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:59:00 -0800

Are You a Dog Expert? http://bit.ly/4k74Oj #
New blog post: Halloween 2009 http://bit.ly/2bTh2t #
Mmmmmmm pumpkin brownies http://bit.ly/2yU3Sx #
I want these jeans! http://bit.ly/3VKgwP #
@__stuart Agreed. @poshmoggy has had a crush on Glenn for 20 years. She even has rare Misfits green vinyl. in reply to __stuart #
RT @MarthaStewart http://bit.ly/13AIX7 My doggies are spooked #
@poshmoggy Will you carve us one of these? http://bit.ly/aMxpD #
Pets Rock 2010 calendar: animals with personality http://bit.ly/tuvsZ #
RT @BringLolaHome 7 yo 12lb Boston Terrier missing since 10/9/09 from New Hartford, CT Loved & missed bringlolahome@gmail.com #
Halloween safety tips for animals http://bit.ly/GBIq5 #

Cats In Heat: Two Answers to Two Questions

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 09:54:06 -0800

Dear Most Esteemed and Knowledgeable Kitties: I have a 14-month-old Siamese, that first came into season in May of this year, and called every three weeks until September. She has now stopped calling. Will she now not come into season again until next spring? ~Catherine Dear Most Esteemed and Knowledgeable Kitties: My cat is 1 year old. She is [...]

Chinchillas as Pets

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 02:31:00 -0800

I read several comments each day on disappointment in chinchilla ownership. This is a disturbing but all to common phenomena. Many people see videos on you tube, see friend’s chinchilla’s or see chins on animal planet and feel that a chin is the perfect pet for them; unfortunately this is not always the case. All too often I respond to yahoo answers, blogs and posts on unhappy chinchilla owners. The problem seems to lie in expectations. Chinchillas can be very rewarding pets...if you know what you are getting into. As you may have noticed comments I have made in other posts, chinchillas are not dogs, they are not cats, they are chinchillas. Often chinchilla owners express disappointment in their first few weeks or months of chinchilla ownerships. These feelings are almost inevitable if you do not have proper expectations when you purchase or adopt your first chinchilla. Chins do not respond in the way that a dog or cat does to a new owner. For example, a dog might lick you, respond to you and be happy to interact with you almost immediately. A chinchilla however, will likely be scared in her new environment, and not even willing to take treats out of your hand, let alone allow you to hold her. I know this might sound pretty drastic, but it is true, chinchillas take work, time and patience to trust their human owners and many do not ever like being held.

Chinchillas have VERY long life spans (up to 20 years), and after observing chinchilla behavior for the last 9 years, I can say with confidence, chinchillas are bright social creatures who learn new behaviors with time and patience.., they adore social interaction, thrive on it actually and can and will bond with their human owners. Like alpacas, llamas and other South American creatures, chinchillas thrive in pairs and hard time living solitary lives. If you choose to get just one chinchilla, she will depend on you for friendship and you will have to spend a lot of time talking to, petting and interacting with your chinchilla. Without this interaction your chinchilla may develop negative behaviors like fur chewing, bar biting, spraying, barking (defensively) and even nipping. They WILL bond with their human friends given time, but it can be frustrating for some people to love their new pet and not receive the kind of response they are expecting in return. Even if you are frustrated with your chinchilla never raise your voice to her in anger, NEVER shake her cage, never slap or physically sold your chinchilla. Rewarding your chinchilla with a small treat to reinforce a positive behavior (no more than 2 treats a day they have sensitive digestive systems) and a firm NO are the best ways to correct a negative behavior. I have found chinchilla ownership very rewarding watching my chinchillas interact together is fascinating. I love that when I come to their room they all run out to see who it is and run to the front of the cage when they realize it is me. They know that my presence means something cool is about to happen, a treat, hay, dust or just a quick pet under the chin. They like me, but they love each other. Pairs will “cry” when they are separated and immediately start grooming each other when they are reunited. They are capable of a wide range of emotions and behaviors, and as long as you have the right expectations from the beginning, you and your chin will have a happy fulfilling life together.

Kitty Does the Laser Dance

Your Daily Cute — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:05:00 -0800

I know Sundays are supposed to be lazy, but I figured we'd get a little funky instead with the Kitty Laser Dance!Get loose, cute kitty... laser loose!

Kitten Feeding Frenzy!

Your Daily Cute — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:05:00 -0800

Today's Cute is something I stumbled on while doing my regular blog trolling (I love checking out all the cute animal blogs every day!). This one is from one of my absolute fave, Love and Hisses.These are the Wonkas -- they're all named after Charlie and the Chocolate Factory characters -- at snack time. Notice how they each have their own little kitty bowl...They are Veruca, Violet, Gus and Mike

Becoming a Super Trick Dog

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:34:50 -0800

I’m sure that these dogs did not learn all of these stunts in 1 sitting. Nope I bet they each learned 1 trick at a time.

Dogs Accessories blogged on b2evolution.

Testing out the new Thundershirt!

Johann The Dog — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 04:20:00 -0800

A few weeks ago the nice folks at Thundershirt sent us one of their shirts to test. At first we weren't sure we were good test subjects since neither Gracie or I have any thunder or lightening phobias.

But after reading their materials, we discovered that the Thundershirt can not only help pups with terrifying bouts of phobia during thunderstorms, it has been proven to work with whatever situation that makes your dog anxious, fearful, reactive or over-excited.

Instantly, Mum and I thought about Gracie.

You may remember that we talked about how Mum and Gracie are taking trips to new and different places almost every weekend. To the pet store, to shopping centers, to wide open fields and more, to help her overcome some of her anxiety in new and overwhelming sites. She was working through some of them, but still would get spooked at what I thought were the weirdest things. Like when we went on that hike in the woods down by the river a week or so ago. A branch snapped and she jumped about a foot in the air with all fours.

So we told the Thundershirt folks to send on one of their shirts to fit Gracie and thought we'd give it a try and see if it made any difference in her anxiety levels in these strange places.

Here's what happened...

The first test, Mum put the Thundershirt on Gracie for one of our two mile walks around the neighborhood. Every time we get to a certain cross road on the walk, there is a big field to the left where we stop and sit before crossing the street. Gracie gets all buggy eyed looking over at that open field. So much so that she takes a while for Mum to get her attention, and to sit at the cross street, even with treats right at her nose.

The day she wore the Thundershirt, Gracie walked right up to the crosswalk and sat, waiting for her treat. Yes, she glanced at the open field, but then looked right back at Mum, then did her nice 'side' sit before crossing the street.

Ok, so that was a fluke right? We ventured on the walk. Usually Gracie will manically try to get into nearly every tall grass planting where people have covered up their utility boxes in front of their house. Makes for a challenge to keep Gracie's focused on a two mile walk, when she's trying to get into those areas at nearly every house we pass.

This time with the Thundershirt, she only tried to get into the ones that had a lot of grasses planted, and completely by-passed most of those areas, even without Mum saying a word.

Ok, maybe another fluke.

So the next test was for Gracie to wear the Thundershirt on her trip to the pet store. Usually Gracie will be all buggy eyed, excited, get spooked by the slightest unusual noise.

This time during her test with the shirt, she was completely alert, but didn't jump around when she heard a big noise. During our last trip when she was greeted by a not so friendly dog at the store from a bit of a distance, she didn't start massively drooling like she usually does with an aggressive dog. And Mum was able to distract her from the tense situation and immediately get her focused and sitting for a treat away from the situation.

Mum even had her doing bangs near the front electronic door, which usually made her jump a few inches off the ground when it opened unexpectedly.

After Mum and Gracie would leave the stores on their weekend trips, they would take a nice little walk down the shopping strip center walkway. This is where Gracie would usually go over the top, looking over her shoulder, going sideways away from a passing car, jumping all fours off the ground when we would pass more stores and their electronic doors would open.

But this time with the Thundershirt, Gracie was alert, but happily interested in everything going on around her. She tried to get into the stores when their electronic doors would open. Mum had her focused and sitting immediately when she asked.

We were just amazed. Mum believe she got about 80% more focus from Gracie during all the tests, and the best part is Gracie wasn't as stressed or anxiety-ridden. Sometimes 80% is all you need to help overcome some stressful situations, and get back on track, you know?

Here's what the company says about the Thundershirt and how it works.

"Thundershirt's gentle, constant pressure can bring calm and focus back to your dog. A terrific solution for many types of anxiety including thunder, fireworks, separation, travel, and crate anxieties. And a terrific solution for eliminating "bad leash manners" such as barking, pulling or reactivity towards other animals and people."

We watched a few videos they have available of thunder/lightening phobic dogs (you can see them on our site page) that wore the shirts during thunderstorms, and we were amazed at the results they are getting. Our friend Joe Stains video is on the page...looked like he was helped a lot!

The company says that the Thundershirt is 90% effective for noise anxiety and about 75% effective for other types of anxiety (like Gracie).

We liked the Thundershirt so much that we decided to add it to our offerings at JohannTheDog Direct! If you're interested, head on over and let us know what you think, if you have any questions, or comments!

Pssssttt! We have big news to share...announcing JohannTheDog Direct!

Johann The Dog — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:41:00 -0800

Every now and then we come across some amazing dog products. You've read on my blog about some of them, and how much we like 'em; like the Nina Ottosson toys, and others. Great stuff!

Some of these products are so pawsome, we've decided to begin offering them directly to you through a new section of JohannTheDog.com, called JohannTheDog Direct! Here's my new little logo for that section of the site.

At JohannTheDog Direct we will be featuring the best of the best, most innovative, Johann tried and tested, new and exciting dog products on the market...all paw picked with my four-star stamp of approval, purchased and shipped directly from me, Johann....from my paws...to yours.

One of the first products we are offering is the Thundershirt, which we'll be blogging about today. It's a great shirt for pups who have thunder, storm, anxiety or stress issues. We tested it out on Gracie and were very happy with the results - review to come :)

We're also offering three of the Nina Ottosson dog toys, puzzles and games. We decided that we would offer three of the more difficult wooden toys, because those are our favs...and we know how much you guys/gals like a challenge too!

Coming this weekend or early next week will be two more products. A very cool, functional, easy to wear, tough dog coat that I recently tested and really love. I think it's the best coat I've ever owned. I gotta keep those muscle warm for agility you know!

And last but certainly not least for now, we'll have a nice little inexpensive fun toy that would make a great holiday present. Gotta tell ya, there's gonna be such neat stuff that you'll surely want to go right out and get an extra artificial christmas tree to fit all the cool stuff you're gonna wanna get, BOL!!!

For now, you can go to JohannTheDog Direct directly :) Or you can stop by the front page of JohannTheDog and check out not only the products in JohannTheDog Direct, but some of the pawsome holiday items available from the companies we work with. We sniffed out some cool ones the other day....a great preview for what's to come for the holidays.

Bear with me...we're just getting things up and running, and hope you don't run into any glitches, with the website pages, shopping or checkout. Heck, I'm just a dog you know :). Oh, and if by chance we run out of stock, we'll get more in in just a couple of days.

Hope you like it!

The Many (Cute) Faces of Maru

Your Daily Cute — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:05:00 -0800

Maru's back! But this time he's not in a box or in a bag... he's in a hole?Looks like cute game of "cat and mouse" if you ask me!Note from Cute: Hi Cuteheads! Saturday is the big launch day for Santa Paws Drive -- a HUGE charity project to help shelter animals have a happy holiday season!All fans of Cute are cordially invited to attend! Follow @SantaPawsDrive on Twitter and get more details here.

How Do I Care for My Shih-Tzu Puppy?

Ali — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:01:00 -0800

How Do I Care for My Shih-Tzu Puppy?

So you're excited about getting a new Shih-Tzu, but your head is swimming with questions...

How do I care for my Shih-Tzu puppy?
What should I feed my Shih-Tzu puppy?
What types of things do I need to know about raising a Shih-Tzu?
Where can I find out about Shih-Tzu training techniques?

There is a terrific website that will answer those questions and many more. In fact, I challenge you to find a burning puppy question that is not answered here.Check out the Puppy Parenting Course at Dog Owners University and you'll see what I mean!

Barking for a Cure: The Canine Cancer Facts & Pet Prevention

Bark@pawlux.com (Paw Luxury) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 07:26:00 -0800

It is a devastating feeling to find out your furry family member has cancer. We can't imagine the sadness of losing a loved one, your four legged best friend to this terrible life threatening illness. So bark the word that November is Pet Cancer Awareness Month. Lets remember paw pals who lost the cancer battle, celebrate the lives of survivors, and give hope to those suffering.

But there is hope, through continued research & medicine cancer does not have to mean a death sentence for your pet. Making simple lifestyle changes can help your pet fight a good fight and win. Together we can save lives, help support cancer research, spread awareness, educate loving pet owners & promote cancer prevention. Let's see Spot run towards a cure!

The Facts about Canine Cancer

1. Dogs get cancer at the roughly the same rate as humans
2. Approximately 1 in 4 dogs will develop a tumor of some kind during his lifetime
3. Over half the dogs currently aged over 10 years old will die of cancer.
4. Fifteen years ago there was virtually no pet oncology; now the level of dog cancer treatment is similar to human oncology.
5. Available surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatment is successful in treating many canine cancers.
6. Early detection and effective treatment is essential to give your dog the best possible prognoses.

Early diagnoses is the key to a brighter diagnosis. Recognizing early cancer warning signs and getting proper vet medical care immediately may give your pet a better diagnoses & prolong life. What are the common signs your pet may have cancer?

1. Abnormal swellings that persist or continue to grow
2. Sores that do not heal
3. Weight loss
4. Loss of appetite
5. Bleeding or discharge from any body opening
6. Offensive odor
7. Difficulty eating or swallowing
8. Hesitation to exercise or loss of stamina
9. Persistent lameness or stiffness
10. Difficulty breathing, urinating, or defecating

Preventive Steps Can Save Lives!

Despite the many risk factors facing your dog, there's a lot you can do to help make sure your pet stays cancer free. Although not a 100% foolproof, here are some critical and life saving steps you can take to protect your pets from cancer and allow them to live healthy & happy lives.

1. Visit the Vet: Make sure you and your dog visit the veterinarian on a regular basis for cancer screenings and checkups. The sooner cancer is detected, the sooner it can be treated. This vastly improves the chances that your dog will beat the disease. Vets recommend a checkup every six months for dogs over 7. For younger dogs, an annual exam is a safe precautionary measure.

2. Doggy Exercise: To stay healthy, dogs need regular exercise. Exercise strengthens immunity to a range of diseases, including cancer and reduces stress. In fact, overweight pets are twice as likely to develop cancer than their healthy counterparts. Ensuring that your dog leads an active & stress free, mental & physical stimulating lifestyle can reduce their cancer risk.

3. Avoid Chemical Exposure: As loving and responsible pet owners it is our duties to provide our pets with a nurturing and safe environment to live & grow. There are many known carcinogens that your dog interacts with everyday in and outside the home.

One key to cancer prevention is to keep your pet away from herbicides, insecticides, harsh chemicals and tobacco smoke. In doing so you can make sure they won't develop cancer from chemical exposure. Instead of using toxic house and garden products, choose non-toxic all natural household cleaning & gardening products. Not to mention keep your pets away from secondhand smoke.

When sudsing up your pup opt for all natural, non-toxic, chemical free flea solutions, spa and grooming products. Conventional pet bathing products can contain toxic chemicals you would normally avoid for yourself – parabens, sodium lauryl sulfates, cocomide DEA, cocomide MEA, TEA lauryl sulfate and propylene glycol. Known to irritate skin and contribute to a variety of cancer.

4. Spay and Neuter Pets. Simply spaying or neutering your dog can decrease their cancer risk. For females spaying your dog before her first heat or birthday reduces her risk of uterine infections, reproductive ovarian and breast cancer. While males have a decreased chance of being diagnosed with prostate & testicular cancer.

5. Prevent Sunburn. While all dogs can get sunburned and become a burnt hot-dog, short-haired and light-haired dogs carry a greater risk for developing skin cancers caused by overexposure to sunlight. Dogs need sunscreen just like their owners. Rub a bit on your dog's nose and ears.

6. Avoid Contaminated Water. Keep your pet from drinking stagnant water in street puddles, which can contain cancer-causing toxins. Change your pets water daily, and make sure the bowl is clean and fresh.

7. Give your dog Self-Examinations on a regular basis after a grooming session. Feel for unusual lumps or other skin abnormalities. Check the dog's teeth and gums and observe his gait as he walks. Report any changes in appearance or behavior to your veterinarian immediately.

8. Give daily vitamins & supplements. Vitamin and mineral supplements can help boost your dog's immune system and help prevent cancer. Antioxidant supplements include vitamins A, C, and E, beta carotene, lycopene, and mineral selenium. Fish & Salmon oil is chalked full of Omega 3's & anti-oxidants can be given to your dog daily to help in the prevention of cancer and support dogs immune system.

9. Healthy diet- Diet plays a vital role in ensuring optimal health and building a robust immune system. Many commercial dog foods & treats are made up of questionable ingredients such as animal-by-product, poultry fat and split grains. Allergens and genetically modified crops such as corn and wheat are also often used. These ingredients often contain high levels of toxin and carcinogens.

So, when perusing the pet food aisle spend a little extra time reading the labels & ingredients. Remember you can't put a price on your dog's or cat health. Opt for high quality premium dog or cat food with no artificial preservatives and additives. Choosing a holistic and all natural dog food benefits outweigh the cost and in the long run you will be rewarded with lower vet bills. A huge savings to you!

Monitoring what goes in your pets mouth is your best bet for safeguarding your dog's and cat's overall health. Dogs should eat high protein diets with minimal carbohydrates - high quality kibble ensures that your dog's food is free from poisonous elements like fluoride, melamine and hormones. Kibbles made up of free-range meat and organic vegetables can help avoid these problems.

Is your dog or cat a cancer survivor? We would love to hear about your pets heroic winning battle. Give someone suffering the gift of hope! Share your pets story by commenting below.

twitter.com/PawLuxury

Shop www.pawlux.com for eco-friendly, all natural & organic goodies for your new furry family member. We carry a great selection of Odor Free Bully Sticks / Dog Treats / and Dog Toys !

BZTAT's National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week Celebration

bztat@artadventuresstudios.com (BZTAT) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:38:00 -0800

Artwork by BZTAT

November 1-7 is National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week, sponsored by the Humane Society of the United States. My furry Friend Romeo the Cat has teamed up with Big Paw Designs and Peoplepets.com to encourage everyone to celebrate our local rescues and shelters and let them know how much we love and appreciate all they do! Romeo is encouraging everyone to do something for their local shelter this week, and he is featuring a different act of kindness each day on his blog.

Since this week has First Friday in it, the Canton Art's District's monthly art party, I decided to invite the Friends of Stark Pound (FOSB) to come down and join me in the studio this Friday. The great folks of FOSB will be there with information about adoptable pets and other important items. They also are planning to bring a couple of dogs, one of which will be my doggie pal Lexi Lou, who is featured in the picture above.

Please come down and visit us in my studio this Friday, and enjoy all the other festivities in the Canton Art's District! And do something special for YOUR local animal shelter!!!

Life is an Adventure!
BZTAT

Cute Kitten Watching Cute Cat Video!

Your Daily Cute — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 16:05:00 -0800

SPECIAL NOTE FROM CUTE: If you haven't seen it floating around Twitter and Facebook yet, we've been planning a HUGE project to help shelter animals during the holidays! Follow Santa Paws Drive on Facebook to be a part of it!And now back to your regularly scheduled cute! :)Is there anything better than a cute cat video? How about a cute kitten watching a cute cat video?! Behold, Cuteheads...Cute

Rock hard abs? Me?

Johann The Dog — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 05:35:00 -0800

Most of you know that Mum and I have been constantly and consistently working on building my core strength after my iliopsoas pull and back strains over the past couple of years.

We've been doing a lot of balance ball work, (even doing begs and stands on the ball now), lots of begs with waves (which I can hold for over 30 secs now), and we've been doing a lot more hill hiking the past month. At least I'm not working on a Kettlebell like some humans do!

Anyhoo....the other day, Mum was looking at me standing in the yard, and I had a really nice stance. Back legs were further apart, my bum wasn't tucked under as much, and I was leaning forward just a tad more.

When I came inside, after some zoomies, Mum decided to stretch me out after my little workout. Something was very different. My abdominal muscles, if that's what you call them on a dog, were a lot more built up, for lack of better words. My tummy felt strong! And I just seemed to be more muscular all over.

Mum's thinking that all this core strength work may really be starting to pay off. I haven't had an 'long healing incident' in a long time, and I have a lot more tolerance for long activities (like those six miles hikes) without any effects at all. Heck, I even want to get my zoomies on after those long hikes.

Any thoughts about this core strength building I've been doing, and potentially apparent results from fellow active dogs/dog lovers out there? We'd love to hear if you have any thoughts to share.

---------------------

On another note....Mum and I have been working on a super secret project since Saturday! That's why we've been so hush, hush. Hoping we'll get to tell you all about it tomorrow or Friday!!! I can't wait!

Does this shirt make my head look big?

Johann The Dog — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:49:00 -0800

Do you think this shirt makes my head look big? BOL!

Mum was complaining the other day about not having some nice warm sweatshirts for our hikes and walks the other day.

So what did I do? I told her to go and buy some of the new sweatshirts we made, well, duh! She did and we got them the other day. So excited!

She bought one of my Agility t-shirts too! I just had to try it on, to see how I looked, ya know?

Mum is absolutely loving the new sweatshirts. She got one of with a hood and some pockets on the front to carry extra treats for me and Gracie for our hike. She got that one in the "Save The Dog, Save The Planet" design. Then she got a regular sweatshirt in the "Reduce your Carbon Pawprint" design." Now, Mum's gonna have to do a Marketing Job Search and get another client! BOL!

Have to say that she looks pretty spiffy walking us. And lots of our neighbors are ooooing and ahhhhing over them too. Great quality, nice weight...just right for our Fall hikes and walks.

Lazily checking email while watching Big Cat Diaries. Love the...

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:23:35 -0800

Lazily checking email while watching Big Cat Diaries. Love the male lions’ mullets

The Cat-erpillar

Your Daily Cute — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:05:00 -0800

What is it with kitties and jacket sleeves? My Pimp used to do this too when he was little -- he preferred the "windbreaker" kind of fabric... I guess because of the crinkly noise it made.But the fun doesn't stop once you're in the sleeve! Allow cat-erpillar kitty to demonstrate...

What Happens Next?

Country Cats — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:59:00 -0800

Can you guess what happened after this picture was snapped?

Natural Flea Control: DIY All Natural Herbal Dog Flea Powder

Bark@pawlux.com (Paw Luxury) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:00:00 -0800

Fleas are a pest to you and your pet and sometimes it may seem like a never ending battle. Although commercial flea medication may work fast and are intended to kill flea infestation, there is a downside. They contain toxic chemicals & insecticides that are harsh on your dogs skin & coat and can cause serious illness.

So, lets take an all natural approach that is both good for your dog and the earth. We were so excited to come across this do it yourself all natural, safe and eco-friendly alternative Herbal Flea Powder that repel fleas and is harmless to your dog.

Herb Ingredients

Eucalyptus
Rosemary
Lavender
Fennel
Yellow Dock
Pennyroyal

Directions

1. Combine as many of these herbs you can find.

2. Mix together equal parts of each herb in a shaker jar

3. Brush your pets coat backward with your hand or a comb while sprinkling the powder onto the base of the hair. Apply sparingly, paying special attention to the neck, back and belly

4. Put your pet outside for a little while after appyling so these tailbitting pest will flea outside the home and not your carpet of furniture.

twitter.com/PawLuxury

Shop www.pawlux.com for eco-friendly, all natural & organic goodies for your new furry family member. We carry a great selection of Odor Free Bully Sticks / Dog Treats / and Dog Toys !

Two Cats Tuesday: BUSTED!

Your Daily Cute — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:05:00 -0800

For Two Cats Tuesday today, I did a little undercover work. You see, Pimp and Moo put on a big show about not being the best of friends. They tolerate each other, but they make it a serious point to keep their own space (unless Moo is attacking Pimp, of course, in which case all space "rules" are off).Lately, though, I've caught them doing some things I'm sure I wasn't supposed to see. I always

Usain Bolt adopts abandoned Kenyan cheetah cub, names it...

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:06:00 -0800

Usain Bolt adopts abandoned Kenyan cheetah cub, names it Lightning Bolt.

Cute story, but “Lightning” was a bit obvious for the name, right?

I’d have gone with something clever, like Toggle.

By the way, I suspect I could whoop Lightning in a race, based on my rigorous training. “Fastest land animal” my paw.

Bang Bang Bang!

Your Daily Cute — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:05:00 -0800

Dog tricks are cute, but this dog trick is three times as cute! Why? Because it's not one, not two... but three boxers playing dead (one of which apparently needed a second shot to go down).After you watch this one, don't miss on these classic Cutes: Bang Bang Kitty and Bang Bang Birdie

Kept Alex company under his laptop. His iTunes was belting out...

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:31:10 -0800

Kept Alex company under his laptop. His iTunes was belting out one of my favorite artists “Cat Stevens”. I usually just call him “Stevens”.

How to Train a ShihTzu Puppy

Ali — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 06:28:00 -0800

How to Train a ShihTzu Puppy

Did you know that the Shih Tzu was the beloved palace pet of the Chinese Tang and Ming dynasties? Yes, this sweet and loyal little dog was at one time considered royalty and yours is probably very quick to remnd you of that!

Did you know that NOT training their Shih-Tzu is almost like abusing him. I know that probably sounds a little harsh, but training your Shih-Tzu does so much for him. Shih-Tzu's need trained because they suffer from a multitude of complex social and physiacal limitations.

Separation Anxiety
More than almost any other breed, Shih-Tzus require lots of companionship and can't handle being left alone for more than a few hours. How do they express their displeasure with you when you leave them alone for too long? Usually through destructive chewing. Proper training can alleviate this social quirk for your Shih-Tzu.

Stubbornness
The Shih-Tzu is not a Golden Retriever. Your Shih-Tzu has an independent mind of his own and can be very stubborn and manipulative. You must show your Shih-Tzu, through training consistency, that you mean what you say.

Housebreaking Problems
Shih-Tzus don't really like being told what to do, and housebreaking is definitely no exception. Expect to do four to six months of consistent crate training in order to beat this nagging issue once and for all.

Shih Tzu Sounds
Because of their short faces, Shih-Tzu dogs will snort, snuffle, and snore very loudly. While those sounds are endearing to some people, they are nerve-wracking to others. Training can help with these issues as well.

It's never too late to train your Shih-Tzu and it's really a pretty easy task to undertake. In fact, they learn so quickly that your friends may start calling you "The Dog Whisperer" when they see and hear the amazing things your Shih-Tzu can do!Remember this... "Training your dog benefits him more than it does you!"

Why? Because a well-trained Shih-Tzu is healthier and happier, and it will lead a better life than one who is not trained. Really! Your Shih-Tzu will reward you with greater love, loyalty and affection than ever before because his life will be better.

If you decide to take this project on, I recommend the resources that can be found online at the Dog Training Obedience Zone. I think their strategies work best for the breed, and I like that it's all available on the web - no matter where you and your Shih-Tzu may be.

You can learn more about their training process on their official website at dogtrainingzone.com.

Good luck!!

Halloween 2009

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 09:44:09 -0800

This year I was a pirate for Halloween!

And cousin Isabelle was a princess!

I went to a Boston Terrier Halloween party and Gene Simmons won the costume contest!

My dog walker Manny (who I looooooove) gave me this special treat:

My kitten was attacked by a dog and she’s really sick. What should I do?

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 09:11:47 -0800

Dear Most Esteemed and Knowledgeable Kitties: My 5-month-old kitten, Sofie, was attacked by a big dog. It happened yesterday afternoon. She’s breathing and is alive, but she’s not moving. It’s like she’s in a coma. She’s just a little farm kitten but I love her. What should I do? ~Mitchell Siouxsie: We sent this reader an e-mail as [...]

Pink & Blue Dog Collar

Chris Ray — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 01:12:00 -0700

Color me envious.

Sniff around @ Mimi Green. ($29)

Hi!

Country Cats — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 22:30:00 -0700

Furiends,

We are so sorry we've been away for a long, long time. Mommy got another job and is now working loads and loads at 2 jobs (though she won't complain because lots of people have ZERO jobs). We will try to post now and then despite her busy schedule. Lots has happened! But for now, here are some quick pics. We are all ok aside from missing Mommy now that she does not work at home all the time. Hope you had lots of treats for Halloween!

The Evil Toilet Paper Shredder!

Your Daily Cute — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:05:00 -0700

This is some serious toilet paper action! I know kitties have been know to unravel and play with TP, but Shredder Kitty takes it to a whole new level!Wouldn't it be way more fun to have this guy at your office as the paper shredder instead of that boring machine most people use today?

Happy Halloween: Pimp & Moo Dress Up!

Your Daily Cute — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:05:00 -0700

Happy Halloween, Cuteheads! This is one of my favorite holidays because it gives me an excuse -- like I need one -- to dress up Pimp and Moo. (It's also Moo's BIRTHDAY today! He's the big 2! Great, the terrible twos...)If you remember before, we had a vote to see what Pimp should be this year. You all decided he should be a pirate, but we had a small issue -- it was sold out in his size. Yikes!So

5 most Common Reasons for Dog Tear Stains & Solution

Bark@pawlux.com (Paw Luxury) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:39:00 -0700

We came across such a wonderful blog post on tearstains by our friends at Happytails Spa and wanted to share it with you. In this post they bark about the cause of tearstains and an all natural drug free solution. We are so proud to offer Happytails all natural, effective and safe problem solution dog spa products on www.pawlux.com.

Most owners of small white dogs take great pride in keeping their dogs spotlessly clean. You can imagine then how frustrating it is to have to deal with those annoying tear stains below the eyes. If you’ve ever seen a dog with red or brown marks in the areas around and just under the eyes, you’ve seen a dog that is suffering from tear staining .

The staining can matte around the dog’s eyes and leave a gooey, thick mess that is hard to clean. Most people assume that the stains are caused by excessive moisture from the dog’s eyes and that they’re just a fact of life. In fact though, tear stains have many different causes, and figuring out the root of the problem could end up saving you some work and also improve your dog’s life.

1. Ear Infections

Tear staining can be linked back to ear infections, so it’s important to keep your dog’s ears as clean and dry as possible. If you notice that your dog is getting a lot of ear infections which also coincide with excessive tearing, the two are probably related. Use a good cleansing product to make sure the ears are clean and your dog’s tear stains might be reduced as a result.

2. Allergies

Dogs can experience reactions to thing just like humans, and tear staining can often be a reaction to allergens or irritants. In fact, some dogs will suffer reactions to their food which will change the pH level in your dog’s system which in turn can cause excessive tearing. If you notice that your dog’s tear stains get worse in certain situations than it might be an environmental factor that is adding to the problem.

3. Blocked Tear Ducts

Some dogs are born with tear ducts that are closed which need to be surgically opened by a vet, but this isn’t the only way a duct can be blocked. At times, a dog can develop clogged tear ducts which can add to excessive tearing, and unfortunately, a trip to the vet will be needed to irrigate the ducts. Luckily, this isn’t a very common problem, but if you suspect clogged tear ducts, it should be taken care of, lest your dog suffer unnecessarily.

4. Red Yeast

One of the biggest causes of tear staining is from a dog having an excessive amount of tears. This high level of moisture can keep the hair around the face wet, which then becomes an area where fungus can breed. One of the most common forms is called Red Yeast, which causes a yeast infection around the eyes and leads to the brownish-red stains that you sometimes see on dogs.

5.Water

Some waters contain a high mineral content, which can cause staining on a dog’s entire face and beard. A lot of moisture can remain on the face trapped in the hairs after a dog drinks, which can be moved to eye level by the dog trying to lick his face clean. And, if the mineral content is high, it will increase the level of red-brown staining on a dog’s face. If you notice both tear stains and a discolored beard, try switching your dog’s water to combat the problem.

Red or brown tear stains are not attractive to look at, and they can be a symptom of a larger problem. If your dog has excessive staining around they eyes and on its face, it might be worth looking into what the cause of the staining is.

Why So Sad?

If your dog has a chronic tear staining problem, it’s a good idea to have him checked by your veterinarian. You need to find out if there is an underlying medical problem. Hair rubbing on the eye is painful, and may lead to more serious conditions such as an ulcer on the cornea. Infections usually need a course of antibiotics to clear them up. Stray eyelashes and skin folds which cause hair to rub on the eyes may need corrective surgery. If your dog has any of these problems, you’ll probably notice other symptoms such as squinting, or rubbing at the eye with a paw.

If your dog has a blocked tear duct, sometimes flushing it can help. However, because the problem with the duct is usually related to the dog’s conformation, this doesn’t often improve the situation.

Your only real option is to control the staining.

Dry Those Tears, Eyepack to the Rescue!

Maltese, Bichon Frises, Shih Tzus… all adorable and all prone to brown tear stains around their eyes. The staining is by no means limited to these breeds of dogs; it can occur in many light colored dogs, but particularly the smaller breeds. The good news is that there are things you can do to leave your pampered pet stain-free.

Your first step is to keep the hair around the eyes trimmed nice and short. This helps the hair dry out quicker and slows the growth of any bacteria. Some vets recommend using antibiotics to control the bacteria that cause the staining. This isn’t a good long term solution because you may end up with the bacteria becoming resistant to the antibiotic.

There has been some suggestions that changing a dog’s diet can reduce tear staining. It’s not known if the change in diet has a direct effect on the staining, or whether the tear staining is secondary to a food allergy, and the dietary change reduces the symptoms of that allergy.

There are also many anecdotal cures, such as giving your dog demineralised water to drink, avoiding foods containing beet pulp, and adding buttermilk to the diet. None of these have been proven to consistently make any difference.

Many dog owners prefer a natural product to clear away tear stains. Now you and your pup can shed of tears of joy and say goodbye to unsightly stains and grubby muzzles! Happy Tails Eye Pack does the job beautifully. It contains Eyepads to remove the stain, and Eyemunity , a nutritional supplement to boost your dog’s immune system and help him fight the bacteria which cause staining.

The Eyepads are infused with eyebright, an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic herb, and golden seal, well known for its effectiveness against eye irritation. They also contain colloidal silver, a natural antibiotic which helps to reduce the bacteria on the hair around the eyes. Regular use of the Eye Pack will keep your dog’s eyes sparkling, and his coat white. No more red stains on his face, and no more frustration for you, his hardworking owner!

The Feline Redemption didn’t go as planned. My escape got...

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:45:05 -0700

The Feline Redemption didn’t go as planned. My escape got busted halfway down the building’s hallway. Shoot!

Can you spot the Golden Retriever

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:23:01 -0700

Keep On Wagging! was fortunate to attend the event held this year in Enid, OK. The annual event brings the best Golden Retrievers from around the US (and 9 other countries this year) to compete in Conformation, Rally, Obedience and Agility events.

Opps! This is just the start of the adventure... you know you want to read more... visit MaxtheGoldenRetriever.com to read the rest... Keep on Wagging!

I decided that I needed to think critically about how I approach...

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:47:00 -0700

I decided that I needed to think critically about how I approach sleep. You spend 16 hours a day doing something, you wanna do it right… right?

My roommates are big on “pillows”, so I thought I’d give it a shot.

After one nap, I give the “pillow” a 5 out of 10. I couldn’t fit on it, so only half of me was comfortable, but the part that was on it (my head) slept well. Despite the low rating, this thing has promise.

I’m going to keep on eye on this technology. I think in a few years we might all be using these things.

[Protip: Combine a “pillow” with a blanket to maximize both comfort and warmth. See the photo if it sounds confusing.]

Trick or Treat Plan Spoiled

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:18:05 -0700

Our yard was ready for Halloween and somebody came and stole all of it! I have been strategically placing my poop treats between the street and the door.

Dogs Accessories blogged on b2evolution.

Sorry I haven’t posted in a while. I had a bit of an...

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:24:46 -0700

Sorry I haven’t posted in a while. I had a bit of an existential crisis when I turned three and realized I’m not a kitten anymore. Heavy stuff, growing old.

I’m back to my usual sunny disposition, but to document the experience I’ve recreated the face I made during my journey of self-discovery (peppered with intermittent naps).

Avoid the Moving Blues: Tips for Calming an Anxious Pet

Bark@pawlux.com (Paw Luxury) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:08:00 -0700

Pet anxiety can occur with a new move, changes in the household, stressors or traumatic events. Unfamiliar situations or disruptions in your pet's daily routine can cause your pet to feel uneasy, frightened, restless, whiny, finicky and squirmy.

Some pets may even cope by displaying destructive behavior such as chewing furniture, persistent barking or relieving themselves indoors on your beautiful hard wood floors. But don't worry we have some tips that will help calm your anxious pet naturally.

1. Turn your frown upside down. Although moving can be a stressful situation for you, imagine what your pet must be going through. Avoid showing stress around your pet. Pets have heightened senses and can infact sense when you are stressed out which can impact their well-being. Remember to stay calm, keep your pets daily routine, use your soothing voice and provide lots of cuddle time.

2. Reward your pet for good behavior. When your pet exhibits calm behavior in the place of anxiety, reward her. Give your pet treats or bully sticks to reinforce positive behavior.

3. Did you say fetch? Keep your pet busy with stimulating interactive toys as a distraction. Give your pet something to play with, such as a chew toy, bone or ball. If your pet is occupied, he is less likely to become anxious and go chew crazy.

4. Turn on the soothing tunes! Play soft music or leave a radio or TV on in the background.

5. Keep the routine consistent. As you settle into your new home try to keep the routine as regular as possible. Keep feeding, play time, walks, etc. at the same or similar times. Stick to your previous schedule as closely as you can. This will help keep your pet calm and help him to adapt more easily. Any break in routine can cause anxiety in your pet so being consistent in routine can help to keep your pet calm and content.

6. Give pet time to adapt. You may find that when you and your pet arrive at your new home he or she may go in hiding. Don't worry, just give your pet time & space to sniff, explore and adjust to the new surroundings. You will see your pet come out of hiding and finally become accustom to the new digs.

twitter.com/PawLuxury

Shop www.pawlux.com for eco-friendly, all natural & organic goodies for your new furry family member. We carry a great selection of Odor Free Bully Sticks / Dog Treats / and Dog Toys !

Happy Howl-O-Ween! : Tips for Hosting a Halloween Party for Pets

Bark@pawlux.com (Paw Luxury) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:45:00 -0700

Are you getting ready to throw a howling Howl-O-Ween costume bash for your pups four legged furry guest & their humans? Not only are parties a good way to socialize pets & get to know the neighbors. You can even host a party to help raise money in support of a bark-worthy cause that benefits animal shelters, rescues and pets in need.

Well, whatever the occasion here are some tips that will make your Halloween pet party spook-tacular and memorable!

1. Invitations! Use invites that coordinate with your decorations, costume party theme and general feeling of your party. You can never go wrong with orange and black or edible invitations. Ideas include images of doggie bones, paws or pumpkins which can be stamped or stickered on the invitations. When addressing the invite to your pets furry friends make sure to include date and time, location and how to RSVP. To get pups excited reward your guest with prizes for the best pet/human duo, weirdest, spookiest, cutest or original costume.

2. Dog-friendly Decorations. Your Halloween decorations should be spooky, scary and pet friendly. Instead of an open flame in the jack-o’-lantern, opt for battery-powered, kid- and pet-friendly pumpkins. Open-flame candles and pumpkins with lit candles are especially dangerous because a pet’s fur can catch fire. Also, don't forget to set the mood with spooky music.

3. Location, Location! Pick a venue for your dog Halloween party, a fenced in backyard is a great option. Outdoor festivities keeps clean-up easy, family heirlooms safe, and allow dogs more room to roam, mingle and play. If deciding to have your party in doors, keep guest list to a minimum since clean up may not be a breeze and your party may quickly get out of hand. Whether out door or indoors designate a potty area, making sure to have ample amounts of poop bags & clean-up supplies on hand.

4. Serve refreshments. Make sure to have a variety of Halloween themed treats & full water bowls available. You can even speak with your local dog bakery who specialize in baking pup cakes and treats just for dogs made from human grade dog-friendly ingredients. Since, you will be inviting humans as well, make sure you have food for the people.

5. Playtime & Games. Include activities that both people and their dogs will enjoy. You can have a puppy parade, a costume contest, a trick or treat scavenger hunt to find the bone, or a simple game of fetch will do. One idea is a pumpkin catching contest with orange and black tennis balls. Have each pet owner toss the tennis balls to their dog and the duo that catches the most wins a prize of dog chews, homemade dog treats, dog toys or goody bag. You can even have a timed retrieving race. As long as playtime is on the list of festivities dogs and people will have a blast.

6. Take lots of mutt shots! Designate someone that isn't dog-handling to be the photographer or videographer, and take lots of photos. Fun photos sent home with each pet along with their doggie bags filled with treats & eats will be a nice & memorable party favor.

ENTER our Boo-tastic Howl-O-Ween Pet Photo Costume Contest & Win Trick or Treats!

twitter.com/PawLuxury

Shop www.pawlux.com for eco-friendly, all natural & organic goodies for your new furry family member. We carry a great selection of Odor Free Bully Sticks / Dog Treats / and Dog Toys !

Thought for the Day

bztat@artadventuresstudios.com (BZTAT) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:39:00 -0700

"Just meowin'." --Brewskie Butt

If you are interested in a pet portrait of your animal, info about the process can be found here. Please send an email about your interest to: bztat@artadventuresstudios.com before making an order.

Life is an Adventure!
BZTAT

Ruby’s Tweets for 2009-10-25

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 20:59:00 -0700

WOH, trippy. http://bit.ly/4j2RyJ #
What a cute idea for halloween! http://bit.ly/1DoexI @BeanHandmade #
I like "Pups & Robbers" best cuz I have a blue cat brother and he belongs in the crate!!! #
Costumed Critters: The Funniest Pet Get-Ups Ever http://bit.ly/2DNCVG #

Will my cat stop charging for the door after he’s neutered?

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 08:46:57 -0700

Dear Most Esteemed and Knowledgeable Kitties: Why does my adorable adopted male grey and white cat always run out the door as soon as it opens? He is very vocal at night. He doesn’t stay out long, and he finds his way home. He has his neuter appointment this Saturday. After he is “fixed,” will that [...]

Car pet safety kit!

Johann The Dog — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 02:20:00 -0700

You know how much of a pet car safety advocate I am, especially after having come through a bad car accident with only a few bruised ribs.

That's one of the reasons I wrote up a Squidoo lens on dog car safety a couple of years ago.

So when I found out that the nice folks at BarkBuckleUp.com had this really cool car pet safety kit, we just had to order one.

Bark Buckle UP is the recognized leader and experts in pet travel safety. They tour the USA and Canada educating and promote awareness for pet safety while traveling with pets. We first met them when we both did an interview for a Canadian newspaper about the dangers of dogs riding in cars unrestrained last year.

We received our kit the other day and it is going to be very handy for, you know, just in case. The best part is it comes with a car window decal that can alert first responders that there are pets in the car and direct them to look in the glove box for information.

The kit then contains individual and personalized pet emergency cards you can customize for each pet that allows you to add in a photo, contact info, emergency contact info, descriptions and more. Now all we need is some mechanical breakdown insurance, you know, for more just in case, BOL!!!

The kit with one info card is free, then it's only $1.00 to add additional cards. So our entire kit for all four of us four-leggers was only $3.00, plus just a tad for shipping. We received the entire kit in an envelop.

We highly recommend heading on over to their site and picking yourself a pet safety kit for your car, 'cause, it's so comforting to be prepared!

The best hike yet!!!

Johann The Dog — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 02:41:00 -0700

This past week we had a couple of great weather days. Mum was thinking that they may just be some of the last nice days of the year. So, we were determined to get in some good hiking.

On Wednesday, we headed to the River Road Park and hiked along the White River. Have to tell ya there is some pawsome hiking there! We hiked for about 2 miles along the river, then headed back, so we got in about 4 miles total.

Here we are headin' out from the parking area! Gracie was just a blur throughout the entire hike.

We took a brief stop at the canoe launch to take in the river.

Then we were off!

Before we got on the path, we ventured into the dense to get another good look at the river.

Then we got on the path. It was gorgeous! The leaves were falling like snow, and the slightly muddy path was covered with leaves to keep us drier. The path was fairly steep and slopped since it was actually the river bank from years ago when the river was wider.

Mum had to walk with one leg shorter than the other the entire hike, while Gracie and I zigged and zagged, up and down, back and forth through the entire hike. Sometimes all three of us jogged on the steep ups and down. Fun stuff!

Have to say you get in some good body work going up and down, over logs and stuff. Mum is getting pretty amazed at my abs lately. None of us need any type of appetite suppressant to keep in shape lately, all the hiking and body work we've been doing is really strengthening my core.

Mum had to take a pic of this moss growing on the north side of the tree. She remembers from when she was younger that this is how you tell which direction is which, so you don't get lost :). The moss was pretty much right on every tree we saw.

We got into the dense area again, and the squirrels were everywhere! Mum really had to plant to keep us reigned in. And Gracie was screaming her fool head off. I, of course, was barking wildly.

After we calmed down, we took a little break and I rested my bum on an old rotten log...nice and cool.

During our break we just stayed still, listening to the leaves fall, if we could hear any critters, making sure we took it all in...

Then we headed down the path again. Gracie was wild on the entire hike. For some reason this time it seemed like a very new and overwhelming experience for her senses. A few times she got crazy manic and a bit on the frantic side.

She'd get spooked at the littlest thing. So Mum helped her work through it, helped her investigate whatever was spooking her, so she could gain some confidence. I was proud of her...Gracie learned a lot about the world on this hike.

After the hike in the woods, we got on the walking path and ventured down for about another half mile and back. Look what we found? A Wooly Worm!

A wooly worm is actually the larvae of the Isabella tiger moth. It’s a fuzzy caterpillar with bronze and black stripes. Folklore says that the more black, or the longer the black ends, the more sever the winter is going to be. Looks like 50-50 to me. I think that means normal, which the Farmer's Almanac says too for our area is this coming Winter. Guess time will tell :)

Weather prediction tomorrow looks a little good for hiking again! Gotta get in as much as we can before deep winter sets in. Hope you are having a pawsome weekend!

New agility (flyball, herding and mutts) shirts!

Johann The Dog — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 01:16:00 -0700

This weekend we got busy again designing a few more new shirts. This time we did some for agility, flyball, herding and mutts. DOG! This is fun and addicting!

My favorite design is the new Agility Rocks, 'cause you know how much I love agility. Mum's buying this shirt for herself today - navy blue long sleeve tee.

There are three total Agility designs - Agility Rocks! Agility Rules! and I'd rather be playing Agility! All of the designs can be imprinted on a wide variety of items from sweatshirts, to short and long sleeve t-shirts and in lots of colors for women (and plus sizes too :) and men, totebags, water bottles and more. Pretty soon Mum will go crazy and start getting into pet supplies, BOL!!!

Here are the three agility designs:

The flyball design is kinda fun too! It says "I'd rather be playing Flyball!" 'Cause I know anyone who does flyball would rather be doing that than anything else!

There are two herding designs - "I'd rather be Herding!" and "Do you know what I Herd?"

And last but certainly not least! It's Mutts! We did two designs for the mutts out there - "Mutts Matter" ('cause you know they do!) and "Mutts are Mi ghty.'

Hope you like 'em! And if you have a special request for a shirt design, let us know, maybe we can put it all together fur ya!

What's on BZTAT's Easel? Pet Portrait of Lucy the Cat!

bztat@artadventuresstudios.com (BZTAT) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 20:10:00 -0700

Artwork by BZTAT

Many of my commissioned pet portraits come from places far away from me, which is fun and exciting. Local commissions, however, offer me the chance to actually meet the pets I am to paint. Lucy is a cat in Canton, and I was so thrilled to meet her! She is quite the snuggler, and I got to pet and scritch her ears to my heart's content. I enjoyed meeting her person, as well.

Calico cats are a challenge to paint, as their markings always fall into interesting patterns that can be hard to abstract into simple shapes. Luckily, I have a calico of my own, Slick, so I am familiar with these challenges. Lucy actually looks a lot like my Slick, so their images look similar. Lucy's eyes are much more serious looking, and her markings fall into different shapes, but overall, the process of painting the two different cats was similar.

My first step was to paint the background black and then block in colors and shapes. Using my usual layering technique, I refined the colors and shapes, building up color by painting many layers of varied colors on top of each other. Each layer reveals some trace of the underneath layers.

I really liked how these initial phases were going, except for one thing. The shape of the head really was not Lucy's shape. Although I am not one to stick to strict details for an animal's likeness, it is important to get the essentials correctly depicted to give the viewer an accurate reflection of the animal's character. I made some adjustments.

The background of Lucy's painting reflects the paneling on the wall of her home, since she is an indoor cat.

I really enjoyed meeting and painting Lucy! Here is a photo of her person as she picked the painting up from my studio. She seems pretty happy with it, don' you think?

New Ebony Chinchilla

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:15:00 -0700

For those of you who do not follow @chinchillas on twitter, I just got a new ebony chinchilla last Wednesday! I am so happy with my new chin. We named her cherry, like chocolate covered cherry, because she is such a sweetheart. Cherry is very friendly and curious. She eats right out of my hand and comes up to great me when I come into the room at night. I have high hopes for getting her shoulder trained like my first chinchilla. So far, I have been keeping her all to myself ! The other chins are just going to have to wait to meet her. This baby is all mine!

ENTER our Boo-tastic Howl-O-Ween Pet Photo Costume Contest & Win Trick or Treats!

Bark@pawlux.com (Paw Luxury) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 11:05:00 -0700

Hey all you furry trick-or-treaters dressed as Cape Crusaders, Princesses, Darth Vaders, barking iphones, Witches & Vampires. Don't forget to tell your humans to enter our Boo-tastic Howl-O-Ween Pet Photo Costume Contest. So cats, dogs & anipals sort through your album and enter your most funniest, sassiest, cutest, be-witching, best human impersonation & scary costume pics.

3 winners will be awarded based on top votes.

Submit your Howl-O-Ween Pet Costume photo via Twitter @pawluxury or email bark@pawlux.com.

Deadline: Picture Submission ends 10/29 and voting begins. Top 3 winners will be announced on 10/31

Prizes: Top 3 winners will receive a goody box of eco-friendly tricks & treats from www.pawlux.com.

Rules: Only 1 photo per household per dog, 1 vote per person.

Contest Details: Once all photos are submitted and submission ends we will post a new blog showcasing all BOO-tastic photos. At that time you and your friends can vote on the best Halloween Pet Costume photo.

But don't forget to bark the word that your pets "Boo-tastic" photo has been entered. You can promote and bark the word to your friends. Spread the word on twitter, facebook, etc that your dog has entered so they can vote for you.

HOW TO ENTER

1. Follow PawLuxury on Twitter.com

2. Submit your Howl-O-Ween Pet Costume Photo via Twitter @pawluxury or email us at bark@pawlux.com.

3. Retweet to your friends - Copy and paste this into Twitter:

ENTER www.pawlux.com Boo-tastic Howl-O-Ween Pet Photo Contest. Tweet @pawluxury or email to submit pic. http://bit.ly/21mjRz

Thanks and have fun & get submitting! May the best costumes win!!

twitter.com/PawLuxury

Shop www.pawlux.com for eco-friendly, all natural & organic goodies for your new furry family member. We carry a great selection of Odor Free Bully Sticks / Dog Treats / and Dog Toys !

The Brussels Griffon

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:50:36 -0700

Iz heard someone on Twitter talking abut a Brussels Griffon, and Iz thought they was talking about a treat at first, but it is another kind of doggie. Well, when Iz looked them up Iz thought they was kind of cute, so now Iz going to tell you what Iz lear…

Dogs Accessories blogged on b2evolution.

Happy Howl-O-Ween! Halloween Pet Safety Tips for Pet Owners

Bark@pawlux.com (Paw Luxury) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 08:44:00 -0700

BOO!! Howl-O-Ween can be a fun & festive time for you and miniature werewolves, ghost & goblins trick-or-treaters. But do keep in mind some pets are easily spooked and frightened by haunted houses, bumps in the night, costume parties, gruesome ear piercing screams, spiderwebs, howling, Headless Horseman & Count Dracula look-a-likes. Constant ringing of door bells, opened doors & commotion can cause your pet to be agitated.

Pets are creatures of habits and can become scared by unaccustomed sights & sounds. With the help of our friends at the ASPCA we were able to compile a list of Halloween pet safety tips so your dog or cat doesn't become a scaredy cat on the run. With these simple tips you and your entire family can enjoy the tricks and treats that are en-store.

1. Don't Indulge Your Pets Sweet tooth in other words "No tricks, No treats". Although it is customary to give your dog a treat after performing a trick. Remember that bowlful of candy is for trick-or-treaters, not for Scruffy and Fluffy.

Chocolate in all forms—especially dark or baking chocolate—can be very dangerous for dogs and cats. Symptoms of significant chocolate ingestion may include vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity, increased thirst, urination and heart rate—and even seizures.
Candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can be poisonous to dogs. Even small amounts of xylitol sweetener can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar, which leads to depression, lack of coordination and seizures. In cases of significantly low blood sugar, liver failure has been known to occur.
Ingesting tin foil and cellophane candy wrappers can pose a choking hazard or cause intestinal blockage.

*Instead tempt your pet with some of his or her favorite all natural treats. Feel free to trick or treat for healthy eco alternatives for your furry friend on www.pawlux.com.

2. Jack-O-Lanterns Beware of Dog! Popular Halloween plants such as pumpkins and decorative corn are considered to be relatively nontoxic, yet they can produce gastrointestinal upset should pets ingest them. Intestinal blockage could even occur if large pieces are swallowed.

3. Inform your pet that wires are not chew toys, who are we kidding. Be on the safe side and keep wires and cords from electric lights and other decorations out of reach of your pets. If chewed, your pet could experience damage to his mouth from shards of glass or plastic, or receive a possibly life-threatening electrical shock.

4. Place live flame decorations out of paws reach. A carved pumpkin certainly is festive, but do exercise extreme caution if you choose to add a candle. Pets can easily knock a lit pumpkin over and cause a fire. Curious kittens especially run the risk of getting burned or singed by candle flames.

5. Dress-up can be a big mess-up for some pets. Please don't put your dog or cat in a costume UNLESS you know he or she loves it (yup, a few pets are real hams!). For pets who prefer their “birthday suits,” however, wearing a costume can cause undue stress.

6. Make sure pet costume is safe. If you do dress up your pet, make sure the costume isn't annoying or unsafe. It should not constrict the animal's movement or hearing, or impede his ability to breathe, bark or meow. Also try on costumes before the big night. If your pet seems distressed, allergic or shows abnormal behavior, consider letting him go au naturel or donning a festive bandana.

7. Make sure pet costume has no defects. Take a closer look at your pet’s costume and make sure it does not have small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces that he could choke on. Also, ill-fitting outfits can get twisted on external objects or your pet, leading to injury.

8. Create Safe Haven & Refuge. Unless your pet is ultra friendly and doesn't mind loud noises, music and lots of people playing dress up. All but the most social dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room away from the front door during peak trick-or-treat visiting hours. Too many strangers can be scary and stressful for pets. Place your pet in a room with food and water for the night and check in on them and give potty breaks.

9. Keep eye out for escaping pets & four legged house jail breakers. When opening the door for trick-or-treaters, take care that your cat or dog doesn't dart outside. Make sure windows are closed so your dog or cat doesn't get the itch to flea the scene. DON'T leave dog outside.

10. IDs, please! Always make sure your dog or cat has proper identification. If for any reason your pet escapes and become lost, a collar and tags and/or a microchip can increase the chances that he or she will be returned to you.

11. Don't let the family dog accompany the kids on their trick-or-treat outing. Children may have a difficult time handling a pet during the festivities and your pooch could get loose, especially if your dog is spooked by the strange sights and sounds of trick-or-treaters.

twitter.com/PawLuxury

Shop www.pawlux.com for eco-friendly, all natural & organic goodies for your new furry family member. We carry a great selection of Odor Free Bully Sticks / Dog Treats / and Dog Toys !

Paws and Effect is in the running for a Mashable Open Web Award

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:03:38 -0700

If you have a Twitter or Facebook account, could you do us a favor and help us toward our goal of winning the Most Educational to Follow award in Mashable’s 2009 Open Web Awards? All you have to do is login to your Twitter or Facebook account and go to this page on the Mashable [...]

What's on BZTAT's Easel? Pet Portrait of Murphy the Cat!

bztat@artadventuresstudios.com (BZTAT) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:07:00 -0700

Artwork by BZTAT

Meet Murphy, the light of my Twitter friend @DJillPugh's life! Murphy is one of 5 cats in her home, and since she is getting up in years, her family wanted to commission her portrait. Portraits of her housemates may follow some day, as well.

Murphy is a grayish tiger-striped cat with a pinkish nose and whitish cheeks. Everything is "-ish" with Murphy, as her colors all sort of blend together. This is a great challenge for an artist whose style is to paint bold distinct shapes with strong outlines and bright colors. Murphy also has a glass eye, which I did not deny, but also did not emphasize in the painting.

I tend to paint grayish cats in blue tones; striped cats with very simplified implications of stripes. More than anything, I rely on a depiction of the animal's facial intensity to give the portrait a likeness of the animal's character, rather than attempt to realistically render the animal's exact coloration and markings. I find that this is what my patrons seem to enjoy the most about my paintings--how they reflect the animal's character.

My first step with Murphy's portrait was to paint the background black and then block in colors and shapes.

Using my usual layering technique, I refined the colors and shapes, building up color by painting many layers of varied colors on top of each other. Each layer some trace of the underneath layers.

Murphy and her family have not seen the actual finished painting yet, but they have seen photos. The painting will be shipped in the next couple of days. I hope she enjoys it. I sure enjoyed painting her!

Fun & easy tricks from a distance!

Johann The Dog — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 03:58:00 -0700

Well it was raining the the end of last week so what happened? We got our dinner for doing some fun and easy tricks. And of course Mum got crazy with the video camera again!

This time Gracie and I did a few of our easier tricks from a distance without Mum close by.

Mum thought we did a pretty good job. She's calling it cute overload (but she's biased you know :). She thinks she may have to start sending out some wedding invitations or one of us! Any takers, BOL!!!

Some of the tricks include: Bang, roll over, beg, beg with waving, waving with one leg and the other, shy, and hmmmm...I think that's it.

Hope you enjoy!