The Chase Is On.....

Did you ever wonder why dogs like the game of chase?

My dog, Ebony, will do whatever she can to get another dog to chase her. It is her favorite game. But she also likes to chase the cats, which DO NOT want to play and scatter out of sight.

Dogs chase cars for the same reasons they chase kids on bikes, cats, small animals and other dogs...they are either playing a game or they are hunting.

To some degree, chasing involves a dog's natural prey drive. In most socialized, well-adjusted dogs, the prey drive expresses itself as a canine tag game in which the dogs take turns being "it." The object is not necessarily to catch the other dog; the real fun is just running around.

Chasing balls or Frisbees is another good outlet for dogs' prey drive. Do you know a dog who is obsessed by chasing balls?

Here is Brinkley who must have two ball with him at all times. Who knows who will be the next softy to throw one of his balls?!

Puppy Power

When gas prices overwhelm you, try alternative power.



Hope you had a good laugh!

Dogs At Work

Friday, June 24th is the annual Take Your Dog To Work Day event. The event was created by Pet Sitters International which has been celebrating dogs napping in cubicles, lounging on office chairs, and assisting with keyboarding since 1999. Take Your Dog To Work Day (TYDTWD) is celebrating its thirteenth year!

TYDTWD encourages businesses to experience the joy of pets in the workplace for just one day to celebrate the great companions dogs make and to promote the need for pet adoption. It is ment to be a fun day, an opportunity to show off your dog, but the event also has a purpose. The idea behind TYDTWD is that when dogs are allowed into the workplace for this special event, people without dogs will see the loving bond their coworkers have with their pets, and will consider adopting orphaned pets of their own.

Participating businesses report that the opportunity to give back to the pet community and the fun employees have participating are key reasons they partake in the event.

Pet Sitters International and its 2011 campaign partners encourage businesses, shelters and pet lovers interested in celebrating their dogs and promoting pet adoption to visit the website to register support, download a free 2011 TYDTWDay Action Pack and enter the official 2011 TYDTWDay Photo Contest. You can find a "Win Over Your Boss" list on the website. Site visitors can also search for adoptable pets in their communities.

The Reverse Slurp

Water is important to dogs.

A dog's body is comprise mainly of water as are we humans.

Water is the substrate in which all the chemicals of the body are dissolved, all cells are bathed, and all cell contents are suspended. It is also the essential vehicle of the circulatory system.

Check out this video which shows how a dog drinks and takes water into his mouth in slow motion. Very cool!

The reverse slurp.......

What Is Your Dog's Blood Type?

In honor of World Blood Donor Day, which is today, I learned that dogs have blood types similar to humans.

What is blood typing?

Blood typing is a test that determines the blood type of an animal. Like people, dogs have different blood types. Blood typing can be crucial prior to a blood transfusion and determining the blood type can help reduce the risk of transfusion reactions. Since blood types do not change, this test is only needed once in a pet's life, as long as the results are recorded and readily available should future transfusions be needed.

Blood types in dogs.

In dogs, DEA 1.1 (Dog Erythrocyte Antigen) has been found to be the part of the blood type most likely to cause a transfusion reaction. The blood type in dogs is either DEA 1.1 positive or DEA 1.1 negative. There are however, other parts to the canine blood type, including DEA 1.2, DEA 3, DEA 4, DEA 5 and DEA 7. In order to determine the full blood type, blood needs to be submitted to a special laboratory.

How to determine blood types?

In order to perform a blood typing, your veterinarian must draw a blood sample. One drop of blood is placed in a well on a special card, impregnated with certain proteins. A drop of blood typing fluid is placed on the blood drop and mixed, and the fluid is rocked on the card for about one minute. The fluid is then examined for agglutination, which appears as clumping and resembles ground red pepper. In dogs, if agglutination is present, the dog is DEA 1.1 positive.

Some diseases and disorders result in agglutination of the blood. In these patients, it is not possible to determine the pet's blood type in a hospital setting. Their blood may need to be submitted to a special laboratory able to detect the blood type despite the presence of naturally occurring agglutination.

For dogs, a more extensive blood type may be needed. Since dogs have multiple parts to their blood type, the blood is submitted to a specific laboratory that is able to determine the dog's entire blood type.

Very interesting........

Dogs Shed

Shedding is a continuous process. This is a normal event in the life of a dog and it is largely influenced by daylight.

There is a word for this phenomenon: photoperiod. The number of hours a dog is exposed to sunlight in a day (photoperiod) triggers the shedding process.

It is more noticeable in outdoor dogs in the spring and fall. Indoor dogs shed more consistently but in lesser amounts because of the artificial light inside the house.

Dogs tend to have heavier coats in the winter months than they do in the summer.

Stress and illness can cause excessive shedding. A chronically ill dog that is shedding may also suffer skin lesions, as well as scaling and thin and abnormally wrinkled skin.

What can you do about shedding? Providing your dog is just a normal shedding dog, here are some tips:

1. The first thing you can do to reduce the amount of hair in your home is to brush or comb your dog on a daily basis. This will help more than anything to reduce shedding. You are basically controlling the shedding.

2. Feed your dog a good quality dog food. Do not skimp. Stick with one of the premium brands.

3. Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise. Healthy bodies promote a healthy haircoat.

4. Do not let your dog get fat. Keep your dog at an ideal weight. Obese dogs have difficulty grooming.

Dogs shed. Nothing will change that. But regular grooming will make the biggest difference.

Travel Ideas With Your Dog

Vacationing with your dog?

Here are some travel ideas...

Throughout North America, many inns, lodges and Bed & Breakfast places allow pets. Some even have pet vacation packages available.

Once you have decided on a place to stay, you have many activities to chose from. Some people include their pets on walking tours through towns or historic areas. Hiking is also a popular activity. Some national parks allow pets but some do not. Make sure you check with the park service before planning your vacation.

Camping with your pet is another alternative. Again, if you plan to camp at a national park, check with the park service to make sure your dog will be welcome. Biking vacations are becoming more common and the number of people including their pets is growing. Even if you do not bring a bicycle with you, most towns have bike rental places that can supply the necessary equipment.

Water sports are yet another activity in which you can include your pet. Swimming, boating and fishing as well as traveling in canoes or pontoon boats are all possible. Depending on the breed, this may be the best vacation possible for a water loving dog.

And finally, for the wild at heart, you can even include your pet on a gondola tram ride over treacherous canyon or attach your dog to your waist, slap on some skis and go skijoring!

There are many activities available that you can enjoy with your pet. Remember, the most important part of any vacation is to have a wonderful relaxing time!!

Rescue Dog Check List

Considering adopting a rescue dog?

Here are some tips from rescue experts for the best chance at a successful forever adoption:

1. Do not look at this a saving a dog, so much as looking for a lifelong pet. The rescues main concern should be to fit the dog to the family.

2. Find out whether the organization is a registered 501(c)(3)non-profit. If it handles any volume of dogs, it should be.

3. Call your local humane society to see it it is familiar with the rescue.

4. If you want a particular breed, contact the local breed club or go through the American Kennel Club national breed club's rescue coordinator or network.

5. The dog should be spayed or neutered and receive appropriate vaccinations before you take him/her home. Many rescued dogs also have microchips for easier identification.

6. If the rescue does not ask you plenty of questions, move on to another organization. They want to put each dog into a home for the rest of his/her life.

7. Your adopted dog should come with a written contract that says if for any reason you cannot keep him/her, you will return the dog to the rescue. Also, the rescue should offer a written record of where the dog came from, why it was surrendered, and any known health or behavior problems.

8. It is best if the dog you want to adopt has been in a foster home. The foster family has a chance to find out the dog's temperament and training level, and to identify any behavioral issues. This is not always possible.

9. Ask for references from people who have adopted from the rescue, then check them. If the organization will not put any of its previous adopters in touch with you, move on.

10. Take a good look at the dog to see if he/she is healthy and social.

Remember, it is worth all the work to have the right dog as a new member of your family.

Barbecue Bites

Treat your dog to summertime barbecue with this tasty treat from Bubba Rose Biscuit Company where you can find handmade, all-natural, corn, wheat, and soy free dog treats using locally sourced organic ingredients.

Bubba Rose Biscuit Company Pawlickin' Chicken

Ingredients:
1 cup oat flour
1 cup brown rice flour
1 cup cooked ground chicken
1/2 cup oat bran
2 tablespoons barbecue sauce (one without onions)
1 egg
1/2 cup water

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
2. In a bowl, combine all ingredients except water
3. Add water slowly and mix until a dough forms. (If the dough's too dry, add more water; too wet, add a bit more flour.
4. Roll out the dough to 1/4 inch thickness on a lightly floured surface.
5. Use cookie cutters to form biscuit shapes. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper (for easy clean up), and place the biscuits on the sheet. (The biscuits can be arranged fairly close together as they will not expand much during cooking.)
6. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Transfer the biscuits to a wire rack and let cool completely. Store the biscuits in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

South Beach Going to the Dogs

It may be a winter destination due to the heat, but South Beach Florida has definitely gone to the dogs.

Lincoln Road is the "sit-stay" destination on South Beach for dogs. It is a 14-block-long outdoor pedestrian mall that is dog friendly. Every place to eat has an outdoor space where dogs are allowed to dine with their owners. Almost every bar, restaurant, and shop has a dog bowl outside, and the local Starbucks has a doggie "tie-out" station.

Most shops on Lincoln Road welcome dogs inside; ask first and use a leash. For fancy treats and organic food, walk your dog to the Dog Bar at the corner of Lincoln Road and Jefferson Avenue which has become known as the South Beach canine institution.

Ocean Drive bordering the Atlantic Ocean has become the neon epicenter of South Beach doggie culture. The famous News Cafe caters to some celebrities and their dogs.

Gansevoort Hotel at the north end of South Beach boasts of providing excellent service to its canine customers. Both the Loew's Miami Beach Hotel and The Ritz-Carlton on South Beach have pampered pooch programs. The Standard is the most dog friendly and swanky lodging on the island.

In addition, Flamingo Bark Park in Flamingo Park is where many dogs gather.

Sounds like a great place for doggie and me time.