Faith - The Dog

I received this story in an email:

Faith.
This dog was born on Christmas Eve in the year 2002.

He was born with 2 legs - He of course could not walk when he was born.

Even his mother did not want him.

His first owner also did not think that he could survive and he was thinking of 'putting him to sleep'.

But then, his present owner, Jude Stringfellow, met him and wanted to take care of him.
She became determined to teach and train this little dog to walk by himself.

She named him 'Faith'.

In the beginning, she put Faith on a surfboard to let him feel the movement. Later she used peanut butter on a spoon as a lure and reward for him for standing up and jumping around. Even the other dog at home encouraged him to walk. Amazingly, only after 6 months, like a miracle, Faith learned to balance on his hind legs and to jump to move forward. After further training in the snow, he could now walk like a human being.


His present owner Jude Stringfellew has given up her teaching post and plans to take him around the world
to preach that even without a perfect body, one can have a perfect soul'.
































In life there are always undesirable things, so in order to feel better you just need to look at life from another direction. I hope this message will bring fresh new ways of thinking to everyone and that everyone will appreciate and be thankful for each beautiful day. Faith is the continual demonstration of the strength and wonder of life.


A small request: All you are asked to do is keep this story circulating. Read more!

Dog Toy of the Week - Frog

Frog is an Eco Friendly dog toy made out of recycled soda pop bottles. Both the fabric and stuffing are recycled.

Frog is proven SAFE! This toy has been rigorously tested from its fabric skin down to its squeaker belly by Öko-Tex third party ecological certifier. Worry-free play for all your home's inhabitants!

This eco friendly dog toy comes in three transcendent colors - green tea (green), willow (blue) and marigold (yellow). He measures 10" and is made in the USA by West Paw Design.

Frog is not recommended for aggressive chewers. Guaranteed tough dog toys are recommended for them.
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3 Positive Reinforcement Strategies To Stopping Dog Aggression

The process of stopping dog aggression can be a long and difficult one for many owners and pets. It can prove to be frustrating and push you to the edge of your patience. However, for other owners it can be an absolute pleasure with end goals that are achieved quickly and easily. Why is there so much difference? The answer is that the latter owners will use positive reinforcement but the former will take a more negative approach and this will be picked up by the dog.

There are several positive steps that you can take towards stopping dog aggression and all are really easy to incorporate into any given training regime. Three positive reinforcement strategies can be found below to get your quest of stopping dog aggression off to a flying start:

• Socializing Your Dog – The sooner your dog gets used to other dogs, the sooner you can enjoy his or her good behavior after stopping dog aggression. Socialization is an important step and a positive experience for your dog because it will encourage friendly play and discourage aggression.

• Praise Good Behavior – Choosing to punish your dog for bad behavior is one thing but ignoring good behavior is quite another. You must acknowledge good behavior and praise it to the full as this will encourage your dog to be on his or her best behavior all the time!

• Commanding Gently – Screaming commands is a negative experience for your dog and will not be beneficial in stopping dog aggression. Your commands should be firm but gentle. Be firm and authoritative but fair and your dog will respond. Read more!

Why dogs do not like Halloween.......

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Raisin Toxicity In Dogs

I was recently sent this information in an email and wanted to pass it on.

If you have a dog .... PLEASE read
this and send it on. If you don't
have a dog, please pass along
to friends who do.

Written by:
Laurinda Morris, DVM
Danville Veterinary Clinic
Danville , OH

This week I had the first case in history of
raisin toxicity ever seen at MedVet. My
patient was a 56-pound, 5 yr old male
neutered lab mix that ate half a canister of
raisins sometime between 7:30 AM and 4:30
PM on Tuesday.. He started with vomiting,
diarrhea and shaking about 1AM on
Wednesday but the owner didn't call my
emergency service until 7AM.

I had heard somewhere about raisins AND
grapes causing acute Renal failure but
hadn't seen any formal paper on the subject.
We had her bring the dog in immediately.
In the meantime, I called the ER service at
MedVet, and the doctor there was like me-
had heard something about it, but
Anyway, we contacted the ASPCA National
Animal Poison Control Center and they said
to give IV fluids at 1 & 1/2 times maintenance
and watch the kidney values for the next
48-72 hours.

The dog's BUN (blood urea nitrogen level)
was already at 32 (normal less than 27) and
creatinine over 5 (1.9 is the high end of
normal). Both are monitors of kidney
function in the bloodstream. We placed an
IV catheter and started the fluids.
Rechecked the renal values at 5 PM and the
BUN was over 40 and creatinine over 7 with
no urine production after a liter of fluids. At
that point I felt the dog was in acute renal
failure and sent him on to MedVet for a
urinary catheter to monitor urine output
overnight as well as overnight care.

He started vomiting again overnight at
MedVet and his renal values had
continued to increase daily. He produced
urine when given lasix as a diuretic. He was
on 3 different anti-vomiting medications and
they still couldn't control his vomiting. Today
his urine output decreased again, his BUN
was over 120, his creatinine was at 10, his
phosphorus was very elevated and his blood
pressure, which had been staying around
150, skyrocketed to 220 ..... He continued to
vomit and the owners elected to Euthanize..

This is a very sad case - great dog, great
owners who had no idea raisins could be a
toxin. Please alert everyone you know who
has a dog of this very serious risk.

Poison control said as few as 7 raisins or
grapes could be toxic. Many people I know
give their dogs grapes or raisins as treats
including our ex-handler's.. Any exposure
should give rise to immediate concern.

Onions, chocolate, cocoa and macadamia
nuts can be fatal, too.

Even if you don't have a dog, you might
have friends who do. if you do have a DOG this is worth passing
on to them.

Confirmation from Snopes about the above ...

http://www...snopes.com/critters/crusader/raisins.asp Read more!

Dog Toy Of The Week - Floppy Frog

Ribbit, Ribbit. Once this frog jumps into your life, you’ll never let him go! Made from a soft corduroy material from West Paw Design's popular Grandma Adams collection, Floppy Frog will quickly become a dog toy box favorite! Floppy frog is eco friendly and has a robust squeaker safely hidden inside recycled polyfill.

This frog is tough enough to stand up to rough and tumble play but may not be recommended for aggressive chewers. A colorful square patch accents his back, but don’t mistake it for a wart!

This eco-friendly dog toy comes in 2 bright colors - kiwi (green) and papaya (orange). He measures 10 inches. He's made in the USA by West Paw Design. Read more!

4 Essential Tips For Stopping Dog Aggression

Does your dog curl her lip from time to time or growl at you? Does your dog get frustrated easily and start attacking toys and other objects for no apparent reason? Does your pooch try to mount you or herd small children? All of these are signs of aggression, although there are others too. As such, you need to be vigilant for them and all other signs so that you can stop dog aggression.

As soon as you can identify the signs, you need to deal with the aggressive behavior immediately. Sound easy enough? It might but it really is not that easy at all. You need the correct tools at your disposal when stopping dog aggression because without them you will find that your methods may not work. The following essential tips will help you:

• Socialize your dog because getting him or her used to people and dogs alike will help to teach manners and appropriate social behavior. This can also eliminate anxiety so you can have peace of mind that your attempts of stopping dog aggression will work.
• Never give up because no two dogs are the same. What works for one may not work for another in terms of discipline and encouraging good behavior. Try several different techniques and methods until you find the one that works best for you because all of that effort will be worth it in the end.
• Assert rules at home when stopping dog aggression because if your dog does not have to obey certain rules there, then he or she will not obey them anywhere.
• Finally, if all else fails, employ a trainer or go to obedience classes for a fresh perspective. Stopping dog aggression via classes can give you a break and help you to learn as well.

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Canine Influenza (Dog Flu) - What is it and How Do I Protect My Dog?

By Susan H Smith

As fall approaches, the change of season becomes apparent. This is a beautiful time of year, but it is also the time of canine influenza outbreak, just as it is the flu season for humans.

Canine influenza (otherwise known as dog flu) is a contagious respiratory disease occurring in dogs caused by a specific virus (H3N8). This disease became famous in 2004 when the virus caused the death of greyhound dogs at a race track in Florida. It was suspected that the virus jumped from race horses to racing dogs and mutated.

Today, dog flu has been classified as epidemic in several areas of the country due to its recurring nature. Southern Florida, New York, and northern Colorado/southern Wyoming reports high numbers of cases each year, although the virus can be found in over 22 states in the United States.

Although canine influenza is highly contagious among dogs, there is no evidence that supports transmission to cats, horses, other animals, or human beings. Humans, however, can be carriers of the virus and infect another dog if they have been exposed.

So far this season, 26 dogs have been sickened in a kennel in Virginia, and one has died. Other cases have been reported in Colorado, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

What are the symptoms of canine influenza?
Symptoms can include a persistent cough lasting from 10 to 30 days, fever, and possibly a nasal discharge. If not properly treated, this virus can develop into pneumonia. It is most common in shelters where large amounts of dogs move in and out and exposure is high. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, about 80% of dogs will have a mild form of this disease.

How do I get my dog tested for canine influenza?
Veterinary Diagnostic Centers can perform tests on nasal secretions at the onset of infection. Detection from a series of blood tests can also confirm the presence of infection.

How do I protect my dog from canine influenza?
The first thing to do is to monitor your dog's behavior and appearance. Watch for nasal secretions and coughing. Your dog may also become lethargic or unwilling to eat. Take your dog to your veterinarian if these conditions continue.

Ask your veterinarian about a canine influenza vaccine that was recently approved in the United States.

Check on any bulletins from local shelters, animal rescue groups, county/municipal animal control officials or the local news. These are the people who will let you know if there is an outbreak in your community. Should an outbreak of dog flu occur, keep your pet away from other dogs and dog parks until the number of reported cases falls. This is especially important for those people who live in the areas where there are the highest concentration of cases.

If you are traveling with your dog, and exposure to other animals will increase, confirm that dog flu has not been prevalent where you are visiting. Note the appearance of other dogs before letting them go nose to nose with your dog. Ask their owners if the dog is well and social before easing up on your leash.

Even these common sense precautions may not prevent your pet from catching dog flu, but your attention to your pet will certainly insure that will get the care that they need should they become infected.

What is the treatment should my dog get canine influenza?

You will want to have your veterinarian confirm that your pet is infected. The best treatment is to be supportive of your pet's condition. Make sure your dog has plenty of water to drink, and don't over exercise them during this time. Your vet may prescribe antibiotics if they suspect a secondary infection.

At this time, there are no reported cases of canine influenza in humans or other animals aside from horses. However, as humans are extremely sensitive to new viruses, of which they have little immunity, the H3N8 canine influenza virus is being watched very carefully.

Susan Smith has spent the last 10 years in the pet travel industry dealing with problems and solutions for people traveling worldwide with their pet. She has built the website PetTravel.com to assist traveling pet owners all over the world.

http://PetTravel.com is the internet's oldest and most comprehensive website assisting traveling pet owners. With over 26,000 pet friendly hotels and services worldwide and immigration information on over 190 countries, people traveling with pets can find a wealth of information on pet travel. Our store, http://PetTravelStore.com has necessary products for traveling pets: ISO microchips, scanners, cargo crates, in-cabin carriers much more.

We respond to hundreds of questions from pet travelers all over the world within 48 hours.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susan_H_Smith
http://EzineArticles.com/?Canine-Influenza-(Dog-Flu)---What-is-it-and-How-Do-I-Protect-My-Dog?&id=2912027

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Healthy Homemade Dog Food Recipes - Let's Talk About It, OK?

By Teddy LaLonde

Now I'm no expert, I'm not a dog trainer, or dietitian, or any kind of "authority" on the subject of health or diet for dogs. But I'm no dummy either, and I'm sure the same can be said about you.

And I know this for certain; The dog food in the cans that I've been feeding our poor little Nikki, an 8 year old, (once beautiful) Cocker Spaniel, is garbage, and I will never feed her that type of crap again.

So what will be my solution? To feed her healthy home made meals from recipes that I trust.

Now I want to say this before continuing; Nikki is still beautiful, but her health is failing fast, and I can't help but think that it's been brought on by the crap in the cans that the big dog food manufacturers insist is "healthy and nutritious dog food".

I can't prove it, but it seems obvious to me, that the dog food companies could care less what they are providing to us as nourishment for our dogs, considering what we've learned recently about the ingredients they use in what they produce.

Another thing that really bugs me is; The Veterinarians we trusted our pet's health to endorse many of these garbage products on the market.

So what can we do about it?

Well, all I can tell you is what I have done about it.

Several weeks ago, I made up my mind that I was going to go to the extra effort and expense,(although there's not much extra expense involved), and feed our dog Nikki food that contains ingredients that I have confidence in.

In other words; I made up my mind that our dog would have food made from healthy homemade dog food recipes at home in our own kitchen.

The outcome of this decision is that I will know exactly what she's eating. I will no longer have to wonder and worry about what the big dog food manufacturers are hiding concerning the ingredients they put in their canned and dry food.

Because believe me they have been hiding and telling lies a-plenty about what they put in the dog food they've been selling for a long, long time!

That fact has been proved, in the recent dog food scares and recalls, and all the reports we've read and heard after finding out they were poisoning our dogs with unreliable and unregulated ingredients from foreign suppliers.

My conclusion is simple: If I can't trust the companies who claim to know what's good for my dog, then I'll take their job into my own hands.

I'll feed my dog meals that are made from healthy homemade dog food recipes, and I'll control the ingredients that goes into my dog's meals.

It's like everything else in this life; You get what you pay for, you reap what you sow...

We just had to have the convenience of being able to trust someone else to supply what our dog's need for healthy nutrition.

Guess what? They failed. And they failed miserably. And our Veterinarians failed us too, by not warning us about the dangers involved with trusting these big dog food manufacturers.

So we're left to our own devices. My answer is; Find a good resource for healthy homemade dog food and dog treat recipes, and take control of what your dog is eating. And don't be fooled again!

It's really not hard to find healthy homemade dog food recipes, and it's not hard to prepare them either. My wife and I have found some really great recipes online, and most recently we found a dog food and dog treat recipe book that totally surpasses, (in every respect), all of the others.

I'm so thrilled about these homemade recipes that I've included a link below, (on top of the link to my web page)...

Take a look at that offer. It really is a tremendous bargain, and the dog treats and dog food recipes are incredibly easy to make. And as a BIG bonus, your dog will love them too, believe me!

Homemade Dog Food Recipes

And to read more information - click on the link below to our webpage. :-)

Healthy Homemade Dog Food Recipes

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Teddy_LaLonde
http://EzineArticles.com/?Healthy-Homemade-Dog-Food-Recipes---Lets-Talk-About-It,-OK?&id=2920177

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Dog Toy of the Week - Dodo

This Dodo is not extinct. He's alive and well - and ready for playing! Dodo is eco friendly, made with fabric that utilizes recycled fibers and stuffed with recycled fiber fill that has been created from recycled soda pop bottles. He's soft but durable - and reinforced with triple stitching!

Dodo has been certified safe by third party testing. That means this dog toy has been tested for over 100 potentially harmful substances and found to be safe. He has a sewn-in squeaker and comes in three bright colors - willow (light blue), marigold (yellow) and poppy (orange). He measures 9.5 inches and is machine washable. This dog toy is made in the USA by West Paw Design.

Dodo is probably not recommended for aggressive chewers, who would do much better with "guaranteed" tough dog toys. Read more!