Archive | January, 2010

A Visitor

30 Jan

Yesterday, Leo and Angelica came to my house to hang out with me and mom. It was quite the special occasion because usually Leo doesn’t come with Angelica as he gets a bit anxious. So, I was very happy that he came this time, even if he didn’t fully enjoy himself. It’s always nice to have other doggies around.

Leo

Leo always looks so fashionable. It was extremely cold yesterday, so when he arrived he had on a hoodie, a puffy jacket from Old Navy, and a neck warmer with his name embroidered on it. I was very jealous of his neck warmer and may have to have mom make me one. Leo is very much my fashion icon. I can’t wait to have a full wardrobe like he does! Happy tail wags!

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First Feline

28 Jan

In a bit of intriguing news (even if it is about a cat), a kitty named Missy became the first feline to get a knee replacement. Missy had been missing for a few days when her human mom found her, injured, in some bushes. She had been hit by a car and had a dislocated knee and eight breaks in the other leg. The vet, Dr. Noel Fitzpatrick, had to choose between either sending Missy to the great beyond, or inventing a way to fix her knee and broken leg.

Dr. Fitzpatrick with the help of Professor Gordon Blunn and Jay Meswania from a company called OrthoFitz Implants, custom made a knee replacement implant using an CT scan of Missy’s knee. It was made of two parts that are linked together with a hing so that the knee ligaments (that had been shredded) wouldn’t be required. After a two and a half hour operation, and twelve weeks of post-treatment, Missy is now happily at home with her family. It’s amazing at what some humans will do for us animals.

For more information, check out the full Daily Mail article by clicking here.

Happy tail wags.

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Pooches in Port-au-Prince

26 Jan

The Hounds for Haiti auction is winding down, which made me think about all the four-legged victims of the earthquake. What is being done for my fellow fur children?

An HSI member helping a stray pup in Haiti

The Humane Society International has sent a team of vets to Port-au-Prince. The vets are partnering with Veterinary Care & Humane Services, Caribbean Project, a group that is in the Dominican Republic. The team includes a French speaking vet, a paramedic who is trained in animal handling as well as disaster response, a couple of vet techs and a translator. Their goal is to provide as much immediate care as possible, but also to advise other relief workers on any extra steps they can take to help the suffering animals while they are helping the human population. So far, this team has visited a zoo, assessed local farm animals, and helped secure the transport of two dogs (Bella and Dieter) to the US after their family was forced to leave them behind when they came back to the States after the quake. They’ve also helped relief workers and doctors already in Haiti by reviewing the human situation in outer towns as many groups don’t have the the vehicles to get them out of Port-au-Prince to the other towns that were also affected. You can keep track of the relief efforts by clicking here.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) have come together to launch ARCH, the Animal Relief Coalition for Haiti. ARCH plans on setting up a mobile clinic in Haiti to supply vaccines, antibiotics, bandages, food, water, and other supplies to help bring direct aid to the animals. The ASPCA has pledged an initial $25,000 to ARCH to aid in the relief effort. If you would like to donate ARCH as well, please click here.

Thank you to all the humans, from those who are in Haiti helping to those donating anything from time to money, for not forgetting about the animal victims in a crisis like this.

Happy tail wags!

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Spa Day

24 Jan

Today I had a spa day. Usually you humans talk about spa days with excitement and anticipation of relaxation and beauty. Bah! What dog needs to look beautiful? Apparently my mom thinks I do (and am), but I would, and will always, be just as happy being covered in stinky mud or sand (just ask Angelica!). But I put up with my mom’s pampering because it makes her happy, and some of it is actually beneficial to my health.

So, what does a doggy do during a spa day? Well, first I get put in the sink and bathed. Now, hopefully you all know by now how much I detest bathes. Today was no exception. I just stared mournfully out the window the entire time, wishing for a squirrel to run by so I would at least have an excuse to jump out of the sink and go tearing through the house.

After the suds, I was whisked into the bedroom, dried with a warm towel, and put in my Snuggie.

Don't I look miserable?

I thought I looked weird in the Snuggie thing, Gracie Lynn definitely agreed (she wouldn’t stop laughing), but mom said it would keep me warm and that I looked cute. She then cleaned my ears, clipped my nails (I fought with her about this for as long as possible. I really don’t like having my feet touched), and put this cream stuff on my paw pads. It’s made specially for pooches and help moisturize our paw pads, which can be really helpful in the winter when the air is dry. My pads were getting a bit cracked from the heat in the house too.

After a quick brushing I was all done, smelling like cucumbers and cleanliness. Not how I really want to smell, but it makes the humans happy.I guess the upside about all of this trauma was that I got to try the new snacks my mom bought me the other day at the Loyal Biscuit. They’re Zuke’s Mini Naturals, which I usually get, but this time mom bought me the chicken kind instead of peanut butter! They are delicious! I just wish Gracie would stop trying to eat them. They say “dog treats” not kitty treats. Can’t she read?Happy tail wags.

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Happy

23 Jan

In July, a member of one the human’s political parties introduced an act that could give tax deductions to households that have one of more of us fur babies. The act is called the Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years Act, or the HAPPY Act. Qualified tax payers could receive a $3,500 (that’s a whole lot of chewies) tax deduction for qualified pet care expenses.

Since then, a debate has been raging on about whether this is actually helpful. The side that is pro HAPPY Act says pets are an aid to society (that’s a given) and having expenses down 10%-30% would help families who wouldn’t normally have the funds for a pet, be able to afford it. People against the act say the tax deduction doesn’t actually help needy animals, which is very true. It will benefit the families who own the animals. And then, even the people who have animals but don’t make enough to pay taxes wouldn’t even qualify, and they are the ones that need the tax deduction the most.

It is still up in the air as to whether or not the act will pass. If you are interested in reading the bill, click here. And, if you’ve already decided that you want the bill to pass, the ASPCA has a website to help you send an e-mail to your U.S. representative to show your support. Just click here.

Happy tail wags.

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Phetched

21 Jan

I love getting stuff. Whether it be a chewy, a stuffie, or even a kiss on my nose; getting something always makes my butt wiggle in excitement. So, it made me very happy when my mom sniffed out this awesome blog called Phetched that is all about stuff for your dog and for dog lovers.

Phetched: Where form and function meets Fido.

It is run by a woman named Katherine and her two, four-legged sidekicks Mingus and Dottie. Every post features a neat product that would interest even the pickiest of pooches. From photographers specializing in doggy portraits, to the most fashionable and functional collars around. There are even giveaways, like these bone shaped soaps, and discounts at participating stores, like 10% off at The Mod Dog. So if you’re like me and you love to sniff out the coolest dog related stuff around the web, this is definitely the blog to check out.

Happy tail wags!

P.S. The Hounds for Haiti auction is still going on, so if you haven’t made a bid on one of the nifty items yet, please do. Just click the Hounds for Haiti collar and it will take you to the auction site.

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Hounds for Haiti

19 Jan

Hey readers!

I’m sure we are all very well aware of the destruction and devastation that is happening in Haiti from the earthquake that took place last Tuesday. Dr. V of Pawcurious, a blog that has been mentioned here various times, has set up an auction through eBay’s Giving Works to help raise money for the Red Cross to help the victims in Haiti. This auction is called Hounds for Haiti and features donated, pet related items. Soon, one of my hoodies from The Smiling Frog will be up for auction.

So, if you would like to help the victims of Haiti and get a really cool pet product in the process (and trust me, these items are very cool!) please check out the Hounds for Haiti auction site (click here) and check back often. New things are going to be added everyday. I will update Pru’s facebook page (click here if you are not yet a fan) when more auction items have been posted.

Thanks for you time, and I promise tomorrow Pru will be back with more fun and interesting posts.

-Ashley, Pru’s mom.

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Buy now!

15 Jan

Remember the penguin that my mom made me for Christmas? Well, now your pooch can have one too!

I'm a model!

Angelica has hired my mom to work with her on Angelica’s online store The Smiling Frog. My mom is going to make dog toys and clothes (like she already makes for me). Right now, the new and improved penguin squeaky is available for purchase! Just click here.

I will make updates for every new item posted, so check back often. Also, I might be doing a giveaway of one of the toys.

Happy tail wags!

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Nomination!

14 Jan

This blog has just been nominated for the 2010 Brodies on Pawcurious! I am so very excited because hopefully more people will be visiting my silly little blog and I do just love the attention. Since neither myself or my mom know how to put up this fun little badge we’ve been given, I’m just going to post it here.

I will also be checking out my competition, and if I find ones that are wagtastic (which I’m sure they all are) I will write a post about them.

Cross your fingers, toes, claws, and beaks!

Happy tail wags.

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Taste Test: Honest Kitchen Edition

14 Jan

Mom is always on the hunt for tasty and nutritious treats and food items for me. I don’t find this annoying at all because, really, food is my favorite thing (as my aunt Payton would say, “duh!”), well, food and barking at squirrels.

MUST. ATTACK.

It was quite the splendid morning when my mother received two samples in the mail from a company called The Honest Kitchen. The Honest Kitchen is a company that specializes in dehydrated dog and cat food made from human-grade (meaning the ingredients are safe for human consumption and are processed in a human-food producing facility. Not all dog foods require their products to be of human-grade) food stuffs. Their products contain no by-products, chemical preservatives, no artificial colors of flavors, no added salt or sugar, and absolutely no beet pulp, rice, wheat, corn or soy as these are the most common allergens in dogs. I know I get an attack of the belly upsets and itchy skin if I eat any wheat, so that makes me very happy.

The two samples I received were two of their six dog food choices: Force and Thrive. For this tasting my mom made up some of the Thrive. It has dehydrated chicken, organic quinoa (a grain), sweet potato, spinach, parsley, kelp, and rosemary.  The only step needed to prepare the food is to add some warm water and let it set for about 10 minutes.

The three stages of preparation: Dry, Soupy, and Looks-Like-Mom's-Oatmeal

It smelled so delicious I wanted to have a taste right away, but I had to wait until it set for a bit.

Just a little nibble!

Finally I was able to dig in, and it was so worth the wait! You could see all of the ingredients like the sweet potato and spinach. I really did enjoy myself.

Good to the last smudge!

If you have any questions about the products from The Honest Kitchen you can visit their website here or e-mail them at questions@thehonestkitchen.com .

Happy tail wags!

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