Wow - it’s been a while since I last posted, shame on me!
I’ve been reading a lot about this new proposed tax credit to offset pet care expenses. Did you know that 63% of all households own a pet? That’s a lot of families who could benefit from a tax deduction to help offset the high cost of pet care. That’s exactly what is happening now.
US Rep. Thaddeus McCotter has introduced legislation that would allow an individual to deduct up to $3,500 for ‘qualified pet care expenses’ for an owned pet. This new resolution is known as the HAPPY Act (Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years).
The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council is a huge supporter of this bill and issued the following statement:
“Providing pet owners the opportunity to deduct pet care expenses is an important step towards ensuring that pet owners provide adequate veterinary and other necessary pet care. It encourages responsible pet ownership and will hopefully reduce the abandonment of pets by people struggling as a result of the economic downturn”
Personally, I think this is a fantastic idea. Even a small deduction helps and might even encourage more people to adopt a shelter animal. It might also help keep animals out of the shelter in the first place because their owners couldn’t afford to care for them.
As you can imagine, this is a pretty polarizing issue. With all of the current media coverage about health care reform, some might see this as ‘ridiculous and worthless’ (blog comments I’ve seen), when there are so many Americans that cannot afford to cover their own basic medical needs. What’s interesting is that McCotter opposes legislation to create national health care reform, yet he’s supporting this. His motivation is being called into question and protests of his offices have been planned.
Do I believe there’s room for both? Absolutely. Pets are not just pets, they are family members. Their presence in the lives of their owners often help individuals cope with physical and emotional pain that others cannot. They bring unending joy and deserve to be cared for in a responsible way.
We are supporting this, are you? Let us know your thought!
Happy Tails,
Jean & Koda
Aug 22, 2009 | | In The News
While everyone waits for summer, often it also ushers in natural disasters. In a hurricane, wildfire or other disaster, would you know what to do to save your pet? Here are a few quick tips that will help you to be ready at a moment’s notice.
- If you must evacuate, take your pets. Pets left behind might not survive, or could become lost.
- Make sure you pets have current identification. This is especially important if you become separated or your pet must stay at a shelter. Whether on a tag or microchip, be sure there is sufficient information on where to reach you, including alternate phone numbers and email addresses or friends/family member’s contact information.
- Pack a pet emergency kit with bottled water, your pet’s medication, plastic bags for clean-ups, food, water bowls, photograph of your pet, towel for bedding and a three day supply of pet food and treats. For a dog, pack a leash and for a cat, a small litter pan and scoop. Keep a leash or well-ventilated pet carrier near the emergency kit.
If you are looking to purchase a pre-made emergency kit or create a custom kit, check out this the website called “American Family Safety”.
We’re living in some of the craziest times in history and many experts agree that it’s not a matter of “if” but “when” you will face an emergency that is beyond what you and your family have prepared for. Being proactive today can be the difference between life and death, and not just for our fur babies.
To your whole family’s safety,
Jean & Koda
Jul 11, 2009 | | Safety
Who doesn’t love a good massage? I know I do and so does my fur baby. You’ll have to know some basics first so this post has links to videos showing the proper way to massage your dog.
If you’d like a great step-by-step web video coaching system taught by a certified dog massage therapist, check out this website.
Happy Tails!
Jean & Koda
Dog Massage : Dog Massage for Stress & Anxiety
Dog Massage Tips & Techniques : How to Massage Dog Paws
Dog Massage Tips & Techniques : How to Massage Older Dogs
Dog Massage : Dog Massage to Loosen Muscles
Dog Massage Tips & Techniques : Dog Massage Stroking Techniques
Jul 03, 2009 | | Massage
A few blog posts ago, I had written that I participate in the North Shore Animal Rescue monthly LifeLine sponsorship program. You can read about it here. Well, I just received this month’s quarterly update and there is a very moving message in it about what it must feel like to live in a puppy mill.
As you read it, please remember to never patronize these places and adopt a dog whenever possible. We adopted our Golden, Koda and I can’t imagine what our lives would be like without him. If you’d like more information on sponsoring a dog or cat, please click here.
Happy Tails!
Jean & Koda
I remember being taken away from my mother at a very young age. We lived in terribly cramped and filthy conditions, and though Mama tried to give me the very best, there wasn’t much she could do. She loved me, kept me warm and nurtured me as best she could. I remember her desperate cries as I was taken away from her. I didn’t want to go, but there was nothing I could do, and Mama couldn’t stop it. It was time for me to start making my own pups and living the life my mother led - making pups for profit. It’s called a puppy mill, and it’s a cruel, inhumane and illegal business that’s not supposed to happen - but does. We were breeding machines - constantly impregnated - having litter after litter until our bodies gave out from strain and stress. Once they did, we were deemed useless. Some of us were ‘permanently retired’, while others like me wound up alone, frightened and confused in an animal shelter - missing our puppies and even missing our mothers from so long ago.
Though it doesn’t seem so, I got lucky. In my eighth year of a very hard life, North Shore Animal League America rescued me from a small, overcrowded shelter and placed me in their Foster Care Program. Though I sometimes feel frightened, I know that I’m safe here and that they will never harm me or put me down. The Animal League is a no-kill shelter; and even more so, they care deeply for pets. When they look at me, they do not see a damaged, unworthy animal.
They see a beautiful dog worth fighting for - worth saving. They are making sure that all my needs are met, and they are working diligently to find me a loving, permanent home where I can live the rest of my life in peace as I deserve. The Animal League is searching for a quiet home with gentle people for me. I look forward to that. Life has not always been kind and certainly not easy. I only have one eye and I am predisposed to acute glaucoma and it’s traveling to my remaining eye, for which i am medicated daily. It’s only a matter of time before my right eye will need to be surgically removed. I also have a lame front leg from an old fracture that was never treated. There is no medical care in puppy mills, so I limp a little when I walk.
I may not see very well - but I can still smell, and I can still feel. I can feel love and loss, and I long for a caring family who will go slowly, be patient and invest the time to make me feel secure. I will not be comfortable immediately. It may take months or longer. I am afraid, you see, and may always be a bit nervous. Until now, my life has been filled with neglect and abuse, and that does not go away overnight. I want to trust again - I want to be loved. I know I’m entitled to it. Some nights I dream of my puppies. I can hear their tiny grunts and groans and can almost feel the rhythmic beating of their little hearts. I can only hope that they did not fall victim to the same life I had. Thank goodness for the Animal League. Without them, I probably would not be here to share my story or to see the next chapter in my life - the one with a happy ending - the one with a loving home.
Love,
Audrey
Jun 28, 2009 | | Pet Adoption
While some pet owners will turn to their vet for every ailment their dog might encounter, some turn to natural and homeopathic remedies to help in the treatment of a wide range of ailments and conditions. It is a way to cut down on the unwanted side effects that often result.
Below you will find some links to articles that address natural remedies to help with a variety of ailments commonly experienced by dogs.
Happy Tails!
Jean & Koda
Herbal Help to Stop Dog Aggression :
Holistic veterinarians are more likely to consider issues such as diet and holistic dog massage therapy as a treatment option. Moreover, you can ask them about the benefits of using an herbal cure for aggressive dogs. …
Is Your Dog Constipated? :
Holistic dog treatments can offer digs relief from their physical conditions without the stress of medications. While I certainly still play it safe when a new symptom comes up and usher Scooter off to the vet to make sure the symptom …
Natural Cure for Dog Ear Infections :
Cleaning the ears with a holistic pet product helps eliminate bacteria, fungus, and in some rare cases, viruses. Part of finding a natural cure for dog ear infections is finding a holistic treatment that will cleanse the ear and prepare …
A Guide to Herbs for Dogs and Canine Diabetes: These Five Natural …
Scientific research shows that natural remedies for dogs are safe and effective for a diabetic canine. Herbs for dogs may be an additional option for a diabetic pet.
All About Dogs: Control Fleas with All Natural Remedies
I just found this helpful website called Doggie News.com. I’m always looking for natural therapies for my family and my dogs and found this article about controlling fleas with natural remedies. It was written by Frances Gavin, …
Jun 21, 2009 | | natural remedies
People are passionate about what they feed their dogs. With the recent dog food scares and obesity on the rise, owners are looking for other options. Many are switching their dogs over to a raw food diet, which can either be commercially prepared or home prepared.
Below you will find some information on feeding a raw food diet, to help you decide if this is best for you and your companion.
Happy Tails!
- Jean & Koda
Using Raw Meat as a Dog Food Supplement
Raw meat dog food is the sort of food your dog would eat if he lived in the wild. Since it’s perfectly natural, it’s also perfectly safe to supplement your dog’s diet with a little raw meat.
Is raw mince a good meat to start with? - Pet Forums Community
Fluffy’s never had raw before but I’ve bought a big load of beef mince to make bolognaise and was thinking of giving him some. Would it be ok do you. … If animals could speak the dog would be a a blundering outspoken fellow, but the cat would have the rare grace of never saying a word too much. - Mark Twain I believe cats to be spirits come to earth. A cat, I am sure, could walk on a cloud without coming through. … try mixing raw with the normal food he might then. …
Natural is Best | Dog Supplies, Articles, and Reviews
Many believe that it aids digestion and others that it is to supplement the dogs diet as the commercially produced dog food does not have all the nutritional requirements that the dog needs. Of course the other theory is that … This is because the stomach of the dog has to unlearn how to make the best of a bad job,coping with cooked and processed foods. Once you start feeding the raw diet the stomach will quickly start working at full efficiency again. About the Author: …
Is a Raw Meat Diet for Dogs Really Healthier?
Fans of the raw meat diet, often known as BARF for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food, claim that the raw diet greatly improved their dog’s health and leads to shiny coats, strong immune systems, clean teeth and breath, strong muscles …
The Raw Food Diet for Dogs: Benefits and Controversies
The raw food diet for dogs, once called BARF for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food or Bones and Raw Food, is a controversial diet, with veterinarians, dog care professionals, breeders and dog owners as fans and critics.
Raw Food Diet For Dogs For People With Busy Lives
Are you feeding your dog commercial dog food? Commercial canned dog food is convenient to use but are you giving your dog optimal nutrition? A better idea is to change to a raw food diet for dogs for reasons we’ll go into below …
Jun 14, 2009 | | Dog Food
It seems that everyone needs to lose a few pounds these days, including our beloved four legged friends. Research has shown that obesity is affecting more than 50% of the pet population.
Did you know that?
- One extra pound on a Chihuahua is equal to 38 pounds on an average woman.
- One ounce of cheddar cheese for a 20-pound dog is equal to a human eating 1½ hamburgers or 1 ½ chocolate bars.
- Five extra pounds on a medium-size dog, like a Beagle, is the equivalent of nearly 25 pounds on an average woman.
With statistics like this, we need to get out and get our pups some exercise so here are some ways to change up that walk and add a little fun:
1. Go for a swim – most dogs are natural swimmers and would love the chance to play with you in the backyard pool or near by lake. Toss that tennis ball and have a race to see who can get it faster or race your dog across the pool. Some cities now offer canine swimming or splash clubs. It’s like a big dog park in the water! If you don’t have one in your area and you own your own pool, consider hosting a doggy swim date.
2. Jump that hurdle – To give your dog not only physical but mental stimulation, try an agility course. You might be surprised to know that your local town hosts agility events. You might want to train for one and see how well your dog does or maybe just do it in your own backyard. You can make hurdles or use your kids tunnel that they don’t play with any more. Agility enhances all of your active dog’s inherent abilities, plus one added element – You!
3. Walk that treadmill – Yes, you can teach your dog to walk or run on a treadmill. You can even get him or her to run behind you so you both benefit. When the weather’s bad, there’s no excuse to not get a little bit of exercise in.
4. Toss that Frisbee – Canine disc sport is very popular. Go to your local park and see how many are tossing the Frisbee for their pooches. According to Jeff Perry of Skyhoundz/Hyperflite, “It focuses on their natural love of running, jumping and grabbing things with their mouth”.
5. Camp Bow Wow – I know that when I go to work everyday, I feel guilty that my dog is home doing nothing for hours on end. So every Friday, he goes to camp. Our favorite is You Lucky Dog! Here he can play all day with his friends (great socialization) and run around and be crazy. When he comes home, he’s exhausted and ready for a nice long nap. There are many companies springing up in cities that offer all kinds of camp activities for dogs. Take it from my Golden, Koda, it’s the best day of the week!
As you’ve seen, there are lots of things to do with your dog other than go for the same walk each night. With a little imagination, you and your dog can enjoy a wide range of outdoor and indoor activities that will get both of you ready for bathing suit season.
Happy Tails!
Jean & Koda
(Weight facts courtesy of Modern Dog Magazine, Spring 2009 issue)
Jun 09, 2009 | | Basics
It’s been quite a while since I last posted. Had some blog issues that have now been corrected so I’m trying to get back on a regular schedule.
Koda’s been on the Canine Pre-Health mix for a month now and things are going wonderfully. I have to give kudos to Dr. Harvey and his staff for their supreme customer service. I called and spoke to Dr. Harvey himself, who gave me some really good pointers on using his food correctly. Koda had a bad bout of diarrhea and couple weeks ago (not due to the food) and I called Dr. Harvey for help. I wanted to rule out a food allergy, which he felt was not the cause of the diarrhea. He told me to withhold food for one full day and then start him on white rice and banana for 2 full days. Sure enough, that worked.
While I’m pleased with the new food, and Koda surely loves it, I was hoping for it to help with his allergies a little bit more. He’s a big foot chewer and a recent trip to the vet showed that 3 out of 4 paws are getting to the point of needing medical attention. I’m giving him foot baths, with KetoChlor, twice a week but he’s not very cooperative. I don’t want to start him on any type of steriod because of the known side effects so I guess it’s back to research mode to find out what I can do to help lessen these allergies.
As always, your comments are welcome and if you have any suggestions, please let me know.
Happy Tails!
Jean & Koda
May 26, 2009 | | Dog Food
I’ve been struggling the last couple weeks with deciding if it’s time to move Koda over to a raw food diet. I had much success with this diet back with our first Golden, Bailey. He had terrible allergies and could not lose weight. We began feeding him raw chicken with the bone, that we got frozen in 1lb containers from our local health food store. It worked wonders but is was very expensive. Each 1lb was somewhere between $3.50 and $4.00. Multiply that by 2 feedings each day, 7 days a week and you’re talking $50 a week to feed him.
When we got our second Golden, Koda, I went back and forth about deciding if we should do the raw food. While the benefits are terrific, the cost was really a sticking point. Eating healthy, even us humans, can be very expensive. I love my dog but wasn’t sure I could commit to that. So, I ended up with an all-natural kibble, made with the superior quality of human-grade meats, grains, vegetables and fruits, and contains no by-products, wheat gluten, fillers, sugars, soy, or chemical preservatives. It was reasonably priced and delivered right to my door.
Koda’s been on this food for about 3 years and it’s just not helping his allergies. Also, the last couple months, I’ve noticed he’s gotten really bad breath and the vet said it might be gastro problems. He burps, a lot and has gas so I’m thinking maybe the vet is right. So, I started looking around for something similar to a raw food that wouldn’t be quite so expensive. My research lead me to Dr. Harvey’s Canine Health. It’s called The Miracle Dog Food Pre-Mix.
I decided to give it a try and buy the smallest bag available, which is 20 oz. This will make 8 one pound servings, which, switching one meal per day, should give me 8 days to try it out. So what you do is measure, based upon the chart provided, the # of scoops of pre-mix (3 for Koda) and ounces of hot water (8 for Koda). Mix them together and let stand for 8 minutes (allows the mix to cool). Then you add 6 ounces of protein. I chose ground turkey. I bought a 3 lb pack at BJ’s for $7.00 and cooked it up so it would be easy to measure. Then you add 1 tablespoon of oil which can be flaxseed, wheat germ, borage, salmon, olive, sesame, sunflower, hemp or black currant. Mix all together and serve. It takes about 10 minutes to prepare everything, not too bad.
Koda absolutely loves it and sits waiting patiently for it to cool. Now, will it fix his gastro problems, I’m not sure yet but I am most impressed with Dr. Harvey’s customer service. I had some questions and I sent an email to the address provided. Within 24 hours, I got a response and was told that Dr. Harvey would like to speak to me directly about my questions as well. You can’t beat that for customer service.
As of the writing of this post, Koda has only had 2 meals so obviously not enough to make an informed decision. I have not had a chance to call Dr. Harvey yet but after I do, I will write another post with that conversation and provide some more info on our new food adventure.
If you have used this product before or have any comments about dog food in general, please leave comments. They are always welcomed!
Happy Tails!
Jean & Koda
(and Bailey waiting at the Rainbow Bridge)
Apr 12, 2009 | | Dog Food
Ticks and fleas are an annoyance for your dog and for you, not to mention they can cause health problems. There are many different powders and sprays out there, but with their chemical-based formulas, they could be harmful to the pet’s health or to yours.
Don’t worry - those powders and sprays aren’t your only means of defense against these tiny tyrants. You can fight them off with natural remedies that are safe for everyone and can be effective for your dog.
Check out your local pet store. They offer many different products for your dog in regards to flea and tick care that are made from all natural ingredients. They have no chemicals that could be unsafe for your pets or family, but they have ingredients that are very effective in getting rid of the pesky pests.
They have powders and sprays with no harmful chemicals. You can find shampoos and special flea brushes to remove them from our dog’s coat. There are some treatments that you can apply directly to the dog’s skin that won’t harm the dog in any way, but will kill the fleas.
Another option is the special-made flea collar that helps repel the fleas but doesn’t have any harsh chemicals that could seep through the dog’s skin so there’s no risk with other pets coming in contact with the collar.
Keep your dog and your home clean. Bathe your dog at least once a week and brush out their fur daily if possible. Vacuum the carpets in your home and keep the pet’s bedding clean as much as possible.
Fleas and ticks thrive in warm, humid areas and they will lay their eggs in these places, so it’s best to vacuum these areas often. You can use products like borax or some dry powdered laundry detergents to sprinkle on the carpets to let sit for a few minutes.
This kills the fleas and their eggs, so you can vacuum them up and be rid of them. Make sure your pets and any children aren’t around when you do it. They’re not known to be harmful, but it’s always best to be safe.
There are some homemade treatments that many pet owners claim to work very well. It’s advised to consult your veterinarian to make sure these treatments really are safe.
Garlic and brewer’s yeast have been reported as an effective treatment for killing and preventing fleas on your dogs. Please use these treatments with caution. It’s also very important that you keep your lawn mowed and keep any foliage within the yard trimmed back, so the fleas have a tougher time getting to your dog.
If you take all of the preventative measures possible, you can eliminate the need for chemical-based treatments that could be harmful for your dog. Along with that, use environmentally safe products and your dog will be much healthier.
Happy Tails!
Jean & Koda
(and Bailey waiting at the Rainbow Bridge)
Apr 04, 2009 | | Basics
