Archive | September, 2010

How Many Ways

30 Sep

I know I have blogged many a time on how much I love The Honest Kitchen’s product called Ice Pups. Obviously the two easiest forms that I usually get my Ice Pups in is either as ice cubes (also known as “puppy-sorbet”) or a warm broth (very tasty on cold mornings) but there are other ways us pups can enjoy the poultry deliciousness that is Ice Pups.

  • You can use Ice Pups in recipes like this Honest Kitchen recipe for Puppy Birthday Cake.
  • Some people like to make crock-pot stews for their pups (something my not-related aunt Angelica likes to do). The dissolved Ice Pups makes a great broth for any crock-pot doggy stew! In fact I once had an incredibly chop licking one that had turkey, green beans, and of course, Ice Pups.
  • During the summer, if you’re looking for a way to not only occupy your dog but to also keep them cool and hydrated, make a frozen treat ring. Dissolve a big batch of Ice Pups and pour it into a large pan (my mom likes to use bundt cake pans). Take a handful of treats that aren’t too easily dissolved (we’ve used Zuke’s Mini Naturals but you can also use pieces of baked chicken or other things your pup likes) and scatter them throughout the broth filled pan. After it’s frozen, you have a great treat that will keep your pooches occupied until every last nom is gone.
  • Last but certainly not least, you can also use Ice Pups to hydrate your dog’s (or cat’s) Honest Kitchen food. While it takes the process a step further, the boosted taste just can’t be beat (trust me, I know these things).

I would love to know if there are any other great uses I may have missed, or any of your favorite recipes that include the use of Ice Pups! So please make sure you leave a comment.

Happy tail wags!

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On Screen Pooches

28 Sep

Last night mom, nanny, and I got comfy on the couch and watched some of the movie Hachi: A Dog’s Tale. The focus of the movie is about the relationship between a man and his loyal dog Hachi, an Akita. While we didn’t watch the entire movie, we watched enough to enjoy what we saw (even Gracie Lynn watched some of it). The only thing made my hackles raise a little was me being wary of the fact that a lot of humans will probably fall in love with Hachi which may make them possibly want a Hachi aka an Akita.

But Prudence, you might be thinking to yourself, what’s wrong with that? Who doesn’t want a loyal dog like Hachi who will sit at the train station and wait for us every day? The mistake in that is assuming every Akita has Hachi’s personality. Usually when a popular dog movie is released (think 101 Dalmations, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, etc) there is an increase of humans who want to own that type of dog. Usually movies gloss over a majority of the difficulties of owning a dog (unless you count Marley & Me, but I’m not even going to put a paw on that one) nor do they mention that other dogs of the same breed may have personalities completely different than what is seen on the movie screen. None the less, the dogs are purchased, disreputable breeders start breeding the popular type of dog with no regard toward careful breeding practices (temperament, health, etc), and usually humans that purchase the dogs become bored or cannot handle the dog they now own so they surrender them or abandon them which leads to overcrowded shelters. In fact, California is now over run with Chihuahuas who were bought after movies featured them and popular actors were seen with them.

So what can we do? The first step is education. Humans that are interested in a dog like Hachi need to invest some time in researching Akitas and seeing if that type of dog is a right match for them. They also need to study up on how much care a dog needs and really think about if they can afford to take the time to proper care for and train another living being (that goes for any person that wants to adopt a pet). Secondly, if you are dead set in getting a dog seen on the big screen and you have done all your research and found that the breed you want really does fit into your lifestyle and home environment, then check out shelters and rescues for the breed of your choice. Like I said before, a lot of people scoop up popular dog breeds on impulse and more often than not they wind up in shelters. Do a quick search on petfinder and I’m sure you’ll find whatever breed you are looking for. As a last resort, try to find a reputable breeder who really concentrates on health, temperament, and solid body structure in their breeding practices.

Remember, you can’t always believe everything you see on the movie screen!

Happy tail wags!

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Marjorie and Utah

27 Sep

I know it is now passed Adopt-a-Less-Adoptable-Pet week, but my mom’s school and homework schedule knocked my blog posting abilities out of whack. So, while two days late, I am still staying true to my promise and posting a (actually two) “less-adoptable” pet up for adoption from the Camden-Rockport Animal Rescue League.

When looking for a cat to adopt, a lot of humans want a furry critter that will snuggle in their lap, love endless amounts of attention, and always be available for a rousing game of feathery toy on a stick. The catch is, like humans, cats have varied amounts of personalities and some of them just do not like being a lap cat. These kitties tend to be deemed “less adoptable” as they can be standoffish and even shy away from attention and affection. There is nothing wrong with behaving in that way, for some reason it is just not desirable with potential human fur-baby parents.Meet Marjorie and Utah. They exactly fit the profile of “not a lap cat.” In fact, the CRARL has an entire room of cats, called the “residents” who just don’t crave human attention. These cats have been the longest running occupants of CRARL. My mom spent roughly 20 minutes or so hanging out in the residents room and Marjorie and Turner seemed the most comfortable having their picture taken (the others scattered into the enclosed outdoor area). Since they were together, my mom decided I should blog about both of them.Marjorie is a beautiful tortie who was found as a kitten on one of the islands off the coast of Maine. That was in 2004, six years ago. She seemed okay with a pat on the head (something one of the staff members found surprising as Marjorie is usually one of the most standoffish of the residents) but definitely didn’t seem open to much more than a kind stroke or two and some comforting words.  Utah is a very handsome male Tuxedo cat. He was handed over to CRARL in 2000 when he was a year old. He was not so open to a pet from my mom, though he did give her a sniff and didn’t scurry off with the rest of the gang.

Both Marjorie and Utah would probably do well in homes where there isn’t a lot of noisy, frantic activity and with human companions that aren’t starved for kitty cuddles (so children would probably be a no). If you consider kitties like this more like room mates (or like those moody humans called “teenagers”) and less like those little humans that need constant cooing and coddling, then maybe humans would be accepting of these wonderful cats.

If you’re interested in adopting either Marjorie or Utah, just click their above photos for their petfinder pages or you can call CRARL ((207)236-8702).

Happy tail wags.

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Taking Shelter

23 Sep

As it is Adopt-a-Less-Adoptable-Pet Week, I thought I’d do a blog post about things humans need to consider and ask about when they decide to adopt a pet (hopefully one of the many “less adoptable” pets being featured all over the pet blogging community) from a shelter or rescue. It can be kind of an overwhelming process, especially when you don’t know what to expect or what you should know about your new perspective pet. So hopefully after this post, some of that intimidating process will be less so.

The first thing you want to do is research shelters and rescues in your area. Petfinder can not only give you a list of local shelters, but may also give you information on some of the animals in those shelters that are up for adoption. As you go through the different shelters there are some things you should find out like if the  shelter can provide any additional help after you’ve adopted your new pet (dog trainers they can refer you too, brochures, tips, newsletters, etc), does the shelter emphasis socialization and if so, how much time does each dog get with humans or other dogs, what is their return policy (a good shelter will take back any pet they’ve adopted out at any time), do they do temperament testing, and are you allowed to spend sometime with a perspective new pet outside of the kennel environment (the Humane Society of Knox County has “slumber parties” for their adoptable dogs).

After narrowing it down to a few shelters you like, go for a visit! Feel out the environment and talk up the staff. You should feel welcome and like the staff is invested in helping you find a good match. A shelter that may not seem like anything special, may have the most helpful and caring staff, one of the most important aspects.

Eventually you’ll stumble upon a dog (maybe even a cat) or two that you think would fit well into your family. You’ll want to take your time not only socializing with what might become a new member of your family but also discussing with the staff things like medical information, what vaccinations or procedures (microchip, neuter, etc) the animals have had done, what the staff knows of their background, any special needs, medication, or dietary needs the pet might have, etc. All of this information will help you better acclimate your new family member into your household and making sure his or her needs are met.

Of course, some of the best pups (like my buddy Leo) were found on Petfinder and adopted on the spot, pup unseen and this is just as acceptable. If you do have the time and energy though, it definitely wouldn’t hurt to do a little foot work to find your new pet.

If there are any tips I’ve missed or you would like to add on to, please feel free to leave a comment.

Happy tail wags!

Sources: DogTipper.com and Petfinder

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Adopt-a-Less-Adoptable-Pet Week: King

22 Sep

For my first pick for Adopt-a-Less-Adoptable-Pet week, I had my reporter on the ground (my mom) head to the Humane Society of Knox County to hang out and get to know a certain German Shepard named King.

King is a 6 year old German Shepard who was surrendered to the HSKC after his curiosity lead him to jumping fences and wandering around on his lonesome. Not only does this behavioral habit of his make him a little “less adoptable,” his size (he’s an incredibly large Shepard), breed (though human breed prejudice against German Shepards isn’t as bad as with pit-bulls, it is still there), and his dark color could also mark him as “less adoptable” but I want to focus on what is adoptable about this bear of a dog.

After spending a little over a half hour in King’s company, my mom became quite attached to the gentle giant. Incredibly friendly and sweet to my mom, King does really well with all humans, most other pups, but is not so good with those of the kitty persuasion. He loves to play, especially with toys that squeak or make noise and he seemed very attached to a certain orange ball. King would definitely benefit from lots of walkies and will most likely need to be closely supervised when out in the yard. He is a very attentive and intelligent dog (he tried opening the fence gate all by himself and was the one who nosed it open after my mom unlocked it) so he would probably would be a really fast learner when it comes to obedience and tricks. According to his page on the HSKC site, he already knows a few commands and is very willing to learn.

If you think you have room in your heart and home to give this sweet guy a second chance, please contact the Humane Society of Knox County (contact information is here). King doesn’t have a petfinder page, but you can read more about him here.

Happy tail wags!

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Adopt-A-Less-Adoptable-Pet Week

20 Sep

Yesterday was the start of the newest Be the Change for Pets challenge. This time, all participants are asked to find an animal in one of their local shelters who is considered “less adoptable.” This could mean anything from black dogs (remember my post on black dog syndrome?), pets with medical problems, cats who are FIV positive, shy pets, and those that are the victims of animal prejudice (like pit bulls). Then, it’s time to write a blog post, a facebook post, tweet (use the hashtags #BetheChange or #BtC and #ALAPW), donate, or even inform the local newspapers (find a press release template here) of the pet that you chose. All of this is to help highlight those pets that deserve not only the public’s attention, but also a chance to find a forever home. After that, just add what you’ve done to the list of links on the BlogPaws Adopt-A-Less-Adoptable-Pet Week post. For each link listed, different sponsors will make donations to the Blind Cat Rescue and Sanctuary, Inc and The Grey Muzzle Organization.

I have decided that, because there are two shelter so close to where I live, I (with the help of my reporter in the field, my mom) will choose two less-adoptable pets to showcase on this blog. Since I try to include the kitties as much as I can stand, one of my choices will be a cat and one will be a pup. I haven’t made my choices yet, so make sure you stay tuned to the blog during this week!

If you would like more information, check out the Challenge tab on the Be the Change for Pets facebook page. If you would like to be a sponsor for this challenge, contact the BlogPaws team.

Let’s all help these animals find their forever homes once and for all!

Happy tail wags!

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Shopping Day

16 Sep

It’s not every day that I get to go shopping in the human stores with my mom, but when I do, more often than not it’s a neat experience. While not every store allows dogs, there are some that do, so I have compiled a list of tips for those humans interested in bringing their dogs on a little shopping outing.

  • Even if you’ve heard of a store that allows dogs, always make a call before your first visit just to make sure. This is also a good time to ask about rules, if the store has any. Some of the stores I have visited only allow dogs that can ride in the carts, while others will let dogs walk around (leashed of course).
  • If your dog is cart bound, it may be a good idea to bring a blanket for them to sit on. I don’t like the feeling of cart on my paws, so mom always brings a blanket or a fuzzy mat to put in the cart.
  • If you dog has any sort of aggression issues, it may be a good idea to leave them at home. A lot of people will probably approach for some petting time. Because I sometimes get anxious when humans approach me, my mom lets me have a couple of treats while I’m being petted just to soothe my nerves. Which leads us to the next tip..
  • Bringing treats is never a bad idea. Mom always brings along her treat pouch and gives me the occasional tid-bit when I’m following rules and behaving. She also uses treats to help correct my behavior if I’m doing something she doesn’t like (sometimes I try to stand up on the edge of the cart).
  • Take care of any bathroom duties before shopping, but always bring some supplies just in case. Accidents do happen.
  • Bring a leash and make sure to your dog is wearing a collar with all of their proper tags and identification.
  • If your dog is misbehaving, too stressed, or just acting like they want to leave, it may be a good idea to put off the shopping trip until they are feeling better or you can always come back on your own. It’s never a good idea to force a dog into a situation when they are really stressed out.

All in all, a shopping trip with your pup should be fun and a great bonding experience for the both of you. If there are any tips I missed, please feel free to leave them in the comments.

Happy tail wags!

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Indentify Yourself

14 Sep

A couple of months ago, during the evening, a very large hound dog found his way to our front yard. It was during my potty time, so the incredibly lost dog came up to mom and I looking for help (or perhaps a snack). Luckily for him and a smart move on his human’s part, he had an identity tag with his name, his human’s telephone number, and his home address. After making a few calls (and a trip to his house as it was only down the street) my mom was able to reunite the hound with his concerned human.

Now I have been outfitted with my wonderful blanketID and, if lost, I would be able to be reunited with my mom through the information stored on the blanketID website (and possibly through the notifications sent out about my disappearance if such a scary thing were to occur). But what about if I’m found by someone who doesn’t have immediate access to a computer? Well, that has all been taken care of now that I am the proud wearer of a Red Dingo ID tag.

My tag!

Purchased at The Loyal Biscuit, my Red Dingo tag could fit up to three lines of text (I got a small).  So my name, my mom’s home telephone number and her cell phone number are all located on the back. All Red Dingo tags are made from stainless steel with an enamel coloring (the purple on my tag is a little less maroon in person). They are also incredibly durable as they are quite thick. While it doesn’t offer as much protection as my blanketID (especially if it were to fall off or if I were to lose my collar), it is still just another thing that will hopefully help return me to my mom if ever I were to wander off.

Happy tail wags!

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Never Shock a Puppy

13 Sep

A few weeks ago, I was in TJ Maxx with the humans as they were shopping (sadly not for anything interesting like treats for me). A friend of my nanny’s happened to be there as well so the humans were chatting away when the topic turned to me (I mean, how could it not!). My mom mentioned something about working on my recall training so I can do some more off-leash work. In response, the friend suggested my mom use a shock collar on me.

A shock collar is an electronic collar that, when triggered, produces an electric pulse that zaps a dog via their collar. Marketed as a mild sensation that can be helpful in training, shock collars, and for that matter choke and pinch collars, still use pain, fear, and negative reinforcement to “train” (more like bully) a dog into submission. These pain-driven training methods tend to be an easier solution for humans who don’t want to take the time to successfully train their dogs with positive reinforcement. But, like the human saying goes, you attract better with honey than vinegar (or, as I like to say, bacon than vet visits).

September 1st marked the starting date for the Never Shock a Puppy campaign. Never Shock a Puppy hopes to promote humane alternatives to things like shock, choke, and pinch collars through education, support, and action. Right now, Never Shock a Puppy is trying to raise money to jump start the No-Choke Challenge being run by the Humane Society of Bolder Valley, Colorado. The money raised will help purchase approximately 165 dog collars (of the non-punitive kind) and harnesses to be given to Bolder Valley residents who resort to the painful kind of collars. That is 165 dogs who will no longer be hurt under the guise of learning.

Never Shock a Puppy has a very powerful message they are trying to spread. They believe that…

..training should be fun for both dogs and humans; not a power struggle

..dog training is more about building a relationship tand trust than it is about showing who is in “control.”

..dogs learn human rules through bridging the communication gap between species.

..humans cannot (and should not) punish dogs into behaving better — no matter their size, age, breed, or sex.

..in positive reinforcement training where dogs primarily get rewarded for the behaviors humans want, not punished for those they don’t.

..any time someone hurts, scares, or intimidates a dog in the name of training, it damages the relationship and makes the dog afraid to so something “wrong” rather than be excited to do something “right.” Dogs that learn to love learning are far more likely to do what is expected of them.

So what can you do to help? Well, Be the Change for Animals has come up with a really great list of the things we can do to spread the word and get involved.

  1. If you have a blog or website, post the Never Shock a Puppy Badge (you can see mine on the right side of my blog).
  2. Blog, tweet, facebook, bark about this cause, the efforts everyone is taking, and the upcoming giveaways to encourage people to visit the Never Shock a Puppy page.
  3. Share links to posts from our about Never Shock a Puppy.
  4. Comment on the Never Shock a Puppy blog and get in on the conversation.
  5. Donate and/or post the donation widget on your site (I am unable to do that, but if you would like to donate, please click here).

If you would like more information about the No-Choke Challenge, you can click here. Throughout the Never Shock a Puppy campaign, which runs until October 20th, I will be occasionally blogging about some of the alternative, reward and positive based training methods which can be used in place of negative reinforcement. Some, like the use of the Halti or Gentle Leader, I have been through myself. Hopefully we will start to make people think about not only the way they want their dogs to learn, but also their relationships with they dogs and how they treat them. No dog deserves to live their life in fear and pain, no matter how “mild” it may be.

Happy tail wags!

P.S. My mom told the friend that she only uses positive reinforcement training on me and offered her help and guidance if the friend needed help training her dogs.

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They Call This Kitty Love

9 Sep

Gracie Lynn and Harry are so cute together. They’re almost as cute as me.

Happy tail wags!

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